A Storm Kissed Wedding

posted by Nancy
Jessica Andersen joins us today the release of Storm Kissed, the sixth book in her wonderful, hot Nightkeepers paranormal romance series. For those of you who're new to the Lair, Jessica's debut Harlequin Intrigue was an RT Top Pick. Her Intrigues have made category bestseller lists and have been nominated for the RITA Award. Welcome back, Jessica!

Ahoy, Banditas! I'm thrilled to be visiting here today to talk about STORM KISSED, which hits shelves today—I couldn't think of any other group I'd rather hang with for the launch of Dez and Reese's story. In fact, this is one of only two blogs I'm doing for this book—I've kept the appearances trimmed way back because I'm otherwise deep in revisions and other chaos ... and it's that other chaos I'd like to talk about today.

But first, the blurb:


Dark forces stand poised to crush mankind beneath a vicious rule of terror and blood sacrifice. Our only hope rests with a group living in secret among us: modern magic wielders called the Nightkeepers.

Dez is no angel. The former gang leader spent years in jail and alienated the love of his life, Reese Montana. Now he has a second chance to join forces with the Nightkeepers and master the Triad magic. Even better, Reese is back—taken on as the Nightkeepers’ sexy bounty hunter. But this time the stakes are even higher for Dez and Reese.

The sexual electricity between them is still alive, but when Dez goes rogue on a hunt for a powerful artifact, Reese can’t help wondering if he’s been playing her again all this time … What will become of the Nightkeepers with a potential traitor on the run?

Dez and Reese's book has some of my favorite storylines in it—the bad boy magic-wielding hero who comes back from the dead a changed man; the bounty-hunting heroine he once betrayed, who now kicks butt on her own terms; and stakes that are getting higher by the day as we get closer and closer to the 2012 end date predicted by the Mayan calendar.

Not only that, but STORM KISSED contains the first wedding in the Nightkeepers’ series. So I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on fictional weddings.

Personally, I like weddings that are true to the characters and maybe even continue to advance their story. Oddly, one of my favorite fictional weddings happened off-screen (unless I missed a story, which I don't think I did): Eve and Roarke. For me the important part for these characters was the lead-up to the wedding, and the two of them working through their fears and getting the pieces in place. The ceremony was icing, and while I can imagine its fabulousness (it would have to be fabulous, of course ... this is Roarke we're talking about), I didn't feel like I needed to be there.

Another fictional wedding that stands out for me, albeit a TV/movie one was Carrie and Big from Sex and the City. Now, disclaimer time, I've only seen probably twenty episodes plus the first movie, so I'm far from an expert. But I appreciated how we saw the way a wedding can take on a life of its own, until it turns into something very different from how the bride and/or groom envisioned ... and I liked how in the end it was down to the two of them, their peeps, and a courtroom ceremony.

I'm not going to talk about what happens in STORM KISSED—hello, spoilers—but I hope you'll check out Dez and Reese's story, which includes a wedding that I think is exactly right for the characters involved.

Now, though, I'd like to hear what you guys think about fictional weddings. Love them? Hate them? Have a favorite you'd like to give a shout-out to, or something you wish authors would avoid? Let's hear it!

One random poster will be selected to receive a signed copy of STORM KISSED. So let's talk!

For more about Jessica and her books, check out her website.

A Storm Kissed Wedding

posted by Nancy
Jessica Andersen joins us today the release of Storm Kissed, the sixth book in her wonderful, hot Nightkeepers paranormal romance series. For those of you who're new to the Lair, Jessica's debut Harlequin Intrigue was an RT Top Pick. Her Intrigues have made category bestseller lists and have been nominated for the RITA Award. Welcome back, Jessica!

Ahoy, Banditas! I'm thrilled to be visiting here today to talk about STORM KISSED, which hits shelves today—I couldn't think of any other group I'd rather hang with for the launch of Dez and Reese's story. In fact, this is one of only two blogs I'm doing for this book—I've kept the appearances trimmed way back because I'm otherwise deep in revisions and other chaos ... and it's that other chaos I'd like to talk about today.

But first, the blurb:


Dark forces stand poised to crush mankind beneath a vicious rule of terror and blood sacrifice. Our only hope rests with a group living in secret among us: modern magic wielders called the Nightkeepers.

Dez is no angel. The former gang leader spent years in jail and alienated the love of his life, Reese Montana. Now he has a second chance to join forces with the Nightkeepers and master the Triad magic. Even better, Reese is back—taken on as the Nightkeepers’ sexy bounty hunter. But this time the stakes are even higher for Dez and Reese.

The sexual electricity between them is still alive, but when Dez goes rogue on a hunt for a powerful artifact, Reese can’t help wondering if he’s been playing her again all this time … What will become of the Nightkeepers with a potential traitor on the run?

Dez and Reese's book has some of my favorite storylines in it—the bad boy magic-wielding hero who comes back from the dead a changed man; the bounty-hunting heroine he once betrayed, who now kicks butt on her own terms; and stakes that are getting higher by the day as we get closer and closer to the 2012 end date predicted by the Mayan calendar.

Not only that, but STORM KISSED contains the first wedding in the Nightkeepers’ series. So I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on fictional weddings.

Personally, I like weddings that are true to the characters and maybe even continue to advance their story. Oddly, one of my favorite fictional weddings happened off-screen (unless I missed a story, which I don't think I did): Eve and Roarke. For me the important part for these characters was the lead-up to the wedding, and the two of them working through their fears and getting the pieces in place. The ceremony was icing, and while I can imagine its fabulousness (it would have to be fabulous, of course ... this is Roarke we're talking about), I didn't feel like I needed to be there.

Another fictional wedding that stands out for me, albeit a TV/movie one was Carrie and Big from Sex and the City. Now, disclaimer time, I've only seen probably twenty episodes plus the first movie, so I'm far from an expert. But I appreciated how we saw the way a wedding can take on a life of its own, until it turns into something very different from how the bride and/or groom envisioned ... and I liked how in the end it was down to the two of them, their peeps, and a courtroom ceremony.

I'm not going to talk about what happens in STORM KISSED—hello, spoilers—but I hope you'll check out Dez and Reese's story, which includes a wedding that I think is exactly right for the characters involved.

Now, though, I'd like to hear what you guys think about fictional weddings. Love them? Hate them? Have a favorite you'd like to give a shout-out to, or something you wish authors would avoid? Let's hear it!

One random poster will be selected to receive a signed copy of STORM KISSED. So let's talk!

For more about Jessica and her books, check out her website.

In the studio...

Getting to work on all of my favorite things:

~Custom Tassels~

~Wedding Table Numbers in Damask Wallpaper~

~Wish Cards~

~Spring Flowers~

~Wedding Cones~

What are you working on these days?

Hope you are being creative!!

Post a link in the comments for all to see.

In the studio...

Getting to work on all of my favorite things:

~Custom Tassels~

~Wedding Table Numbers in Damask Wallpaper~

~Wish Cards~

~Spring Flowers~

~Wedding Cones~

What are you working on these days?

Hope you are being creative!!

Post a link in the comments for all to see.

2010 Projects - A Year in Review

Wow - 2010 flew by!

Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting anything accomplished with our crazy schedules but going through my posts from the year - I see that we have done so much this year!

My favorite and most memorable project began on New Year's Day 2010.  The family helped out create 54 hand painted signs with inspirational quotes for a Domestic Violence Shelter in NYC - a project sponsored by Martha Stewart and Enchanted Makeovers.  See the entire post HERE.

As far as our own home projects. Here is a fun one - transforming an ugly garage entry door and getting in on the whole chalkboard paint trend.

The project post is HERE.

More fun with chalkboard paint.

A reorganization of my creative space also took place this year. Brought it up from the dreary unfinished basement space and into my living room. See more photos HERE.

Paris Dreams...Our oldest daughter desired a Paris themed bedroom - this was a creative project that she was also involved in - we really had fun in here. See the before and after pics HERE.

A true "trash to treasure" kitchen table redo was also on the list this year. I "borrowed" our old one for a new work table in the studio - so we had to replace it. This one was perfect!
See what we did to it HERE.

The final project of the year? The wedding. My husband and I were involved with the decor for my brother's wedding. Here are a sample of pics from the big day. More details HERE.

So, that's about it for the year 2010. We did accomplish a lot this year.

On the agenda for 2011? Lots of home improvement to come - laundry room renovation still in progress.
Then, the kids' homework/study room. Too many books, projects, etc. ending up on the kitchen table. So  we will be redoing the office to create a space just for them to get all of their work done!

How about you? Any projects on the list for the new year?

Stop by Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality for more 2010 project reviews!

And Savvy Southern Style's Best of 2010 Party!

2010 Projects - A Year in Review

Wow - 2010 flew by!

Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting anything accomplished with our crazy schedules but going through my posts from the year - I see that we have done so much this year!

My favorite and most memorable project began on New Year's Day 2010.  The family helped out create 54 hand painted signs with inspirational quotes for a Domestic Violence Shelter in NYC - a project sponsored by Martha Stewart and Enchanted Makeovers.  See the entire post HERE.

As far as our own home projects. Here is a fun one - transforming an ugly garage entry door and getting in on the whole chalkboard paint trend.

The project post is HERE.

More fun with chalkboard paint.

A reorganization of my creative space also took place this year. Brought it up from the dreary unfinished basement space and into my living room. See more photos HERE.

Paris Dreams...Our oldest daughter desired a Paris themed bedroom - this was a creative project that she was also involved in - we really had fun in here. See the before and after pics HERE.

A true "trash to treasure" kitchen table redo was also on the list this year. I "borrowed" our old one for a new work table in the studio - so we had to replace it. This one was perfect!
See what we did to it HERE.

The final project of the year? The wedding. My husband and I were involved with the decor for my brother's wedding. Here are a sample of pics from the big day. More details HERE.

So, that's about it for the year 2010. We did accomplish a lot this year.

On the agenda for 2011? Lots of home improvement to come - laundry room renovation still in progress.
Then, the kids' homework/study room. Too many books, projects, etc. ending up on the kitchen table. So  we will be redoing the office to create a space just for them to get all of their work done!

How about you? Any projects on the list for the new year?

Stop by Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality for more 2010 project reviews!

And Savvy Southern Style's Best of 2010 Party!