The Lair Will be HOT in July!

First of all, this month we have not ONE...

Not TWO...

But THREE launch parties for new Bandita books!


July 2nd Aunty Cindy's Launch Party for The Wild Irish Sea will be a blarney-filled blast.





July 6th will be Susan's long awaited Launch Party for her former Golden Heart winner, Money Honey.


July 12th will be Kate's Launch
Party for her first Silhouette Desire -- The Millionaire Meets His Match.





We also have a wonderful selection of guests:


July 7th Nancy chats with Patricia Rice about her new historical, The Wicked Wycherly, the first in the Rebellious Sons series.


July 9th Tawny hosts Josie Brown, who will be chatting with us about her latest novel, Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives.


July 16th Aunty Cindy hosts her buddy Marie Force for a return visit to celebrate her first e-book for Carina Press. Fatal Affair is the first in a series of romantic suspense stories set in Washington DC.


July 19th Kate welcomes debut mystery writer Avery Aames who writes the Cheese Shop mystery series. Join her as she discusses The Long Quiche Goodbye and the romance of cheese!

Young adult debut author Holly Cupala will be joining us on July 21, hosted by fellow YA writer Kirsten. Holly's book, Tell Me a Secret, is a gripping emotional story that's sure to attract adults and teens, and has gotten great reviews. We hear the bubbly and delightful Holly can't wait to hang out with a bunch of romance readers, so it should be a great time!

July 23rd welcomes Tessa Adams with her new paranormal, Dark Embers. (check out that cover! HOT!)

Contest news:

Anna Campbell has a mini novella called 'Upon a Midnight Clear' in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF REGENCY ROMANCE (released on 24th June in the U.K. and 27th July in the U.S.). To celebrate, she's giving away two signed copies! All you have to do is email her on anna@annacampbell.info and name two authors other than Anna Campbell who have stories in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF REGENCY ROMANCE. You might find the answer in her June Latest News: http://www.annacampbell.info/latest.html
or on the publisher's website:
http://www.constablerobinson.com/?section=books
The contest closes 31st July, 2010 and for more details please visit her website: http://www.annacampbell.info/contest.html


RWA's National Conference starts the last week of July, but the Lair will not be totally empty. Who knows what kind of cool treats might be in store? Please drop by to see what's going on with so many absent Banditas.

Will Sven, the gladiators, and cabana boys get a much deserved vacation?

Will the Golden Rooster stand the test of doing double duty in both the Lair and National in Orlando?

Do you think we should give Sven and the others a few days off? Where should we send them on their vacations? And how do YOU like to cool off on a hot summer day?Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Bandita Booty

It was so awesome to have Pamela Palmer hang out with us - and even better, she offered THREE copies of DESIRE UNTAMED to three lucky winners. And the names drawn are:

Blodeuedd, Bkwrm 26 and Gigi.

Ladies, congratulations. If you'll drop Pam an email with Bandits Prize in the subject line and your shipping info, she'll get those books right out to you :-)

And thanks to everyone for hanging out!!!Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Wednesday giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Ruche, a fabulous California boutique with vintage-inspired pieces. They're offering one lucky winner a $100 gift certificate to perk up her summer wardrobe.

(Ruche has super reasonable prices, so $100 would get a bunch of cute things -- for example, you could get two tops and a skirt, or a dress and sandals.)

For a chance to win, please visit Ruche's shop and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!

Update: Kelly from Maine is our lucky winner. xoSource URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Karlie Kloss - Dior Campaign

Karlie is a Dior girl twice over... Here she is for their Fall/Winter 2010 campaign, photographed once again by Steven Meisel. Pat McGrath and Garren are the genius hair/makeup team, and Edward Enninful styled the campaign.
Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Guest Post: Bocce Ball

Recently, I came across two bocce ball sets, and they're the prettiest I've seen. The $2800 Chanel one, of course, is for serious players and would take your bocce ball to a whole other level. Which outdoor games do you enjoy playing?

Restoration Hardware Bocce Ball Set; Chanel Bocce Ball Set

-- By Rachel from Black EiffelSource URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Summertime and the Living Is . . .

by Jo Robertson



We’ve just reached the triple digits in northern California and I feel like the Wicked Witch of the West screeching, “I’m melting, I’m melting.”

Summer’s definitely here to stay in our little corner of the world. In spite of the heat, mosquitoes, and escalating air conditioner bills, summer recalls those wonderful memories of childhood in my home state of Virginia.

Barefoot explorations. My mother never cared if we ran wild and barefoot all summer long. My standard clothing issue was shorts and halter top and NO SHOES. Our property sloped down the hillside to the banks of the James River and my brother and I spent hours exploring the territory.
Barefoot.
Gives me the shivers now.




Sleeping in. We had a screened in side porch where we always slept during the hot, humid summers. Our old house had a swamp cooler, but no air conditioning, so the meager breeze that swept off the river was essential!
Why is sleeping in still so wickedly delicious?

Fireflies. Not the Nathan Fillion kind – yum – and I’ll again recommend your buying the complete DVD of that amazing Joss Whedon TV series – but the bugs that light up.
As kids we always caught fireflies during the summer, captured them inside my mom’s canning jars, and stared at them all night as they rested on the floor by my bed. I'm still fascinated by the way their tiny bodies flash this amazing green light.

Ticks. Yes, we had tons of those little buggers. I distinctly remember one particularly fat one burrowing its body into my right butt cheek. I was about eleven, I think, and horrified at the thought of some crawly creature sucking my blood out like a vampire. That was also the summer I got interested in Bram Stoker. Mom used alcohol and tweezers and finally snipped off the head, leaving the body deep in my tender flesh.
I don’t remember the rest – I think I passed out.

Accidents. Why is summer always the time someone breaks a bone, gnashes a wrist or knee, or falls into an open sewer? I mention these three things because the summer I was twelve, my little brother Ken, eleven, managed to do all three on consecutive Saturdays.
Really.
The sewer was the worst. And I swear -- I was responsible only for one of the events -- the slashed wrist.

Ice Cream. I know, I know. It’s way cheaper to buy ice cream nowadays than to make your own, but there’s something that speaks of home and mom and comfort during warm summer nights with a giant bowl of homemade ice cream for company.



I’m again offering my super-duper infamous recipe for anyone who missed it previously. It’s easy, quick, and so light you’ll eat the entire canister by yourself. If the other people living in your house don’t beat you to it!


3 cups sugar


2 quarts of half and half


1 can evaporated milk


2 TB vanilla extract


1 TB lemon extract

And finally, making out on a blanket (otherwise known as picnicking). Okay, I’ll keep this PG-13, but summertime reminds me of dates I had with Dr. Big when we picnicked by the river. It was so beautiful and we were so much in love. Nuff said!



What about you? What's your standard "uniform" for the summer? What childhood memories does summertime bring to you? What kind of memories are you making for you children?
Are summer sports your thing -- water skiiing, rafting, sunbathing (hey, that's a sport!) Are you a sun worshipper or do you avoid it like the plague?
Do you enjoy picnic scenes in a romance novel? Do they remind you of a more relaxed time as opposed to our current hectic pace?
Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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GLOSSY EYES!!

MAKEUP BY ROQUE COZETTE

Glossy eyeshadows is such a fierce look even if it's not the most friendly to wear. It does move all over the place but if you're doing any type of photography with these hot looks, it works extremely well. To achieve these looks you can use a clear lip gloss if your eyes aren't super sensitive, baby oil Gel not the liquid or MAC has a product called Gloss, which is designed to turn powder shadows to a liquid. Check your local MAC store to see if they still make this product. Rosebud makes a great sheer gloss which will work as well. You can use cream liner or cream shadow and mix with your gloss, using a synthetic brush and carefully slide or pat gently along the eyelids. If you're not a pro, you can always have this look done by an artist from MAC, Stila, Urban Decay or Smashbox. These company's have artist who are very trained in doing cool, avante garde looks such as these. It's also a great look for going out on the town on a hot Saturday night. Have fun and keep me posted!



MAKEUP BY HAYDENSource URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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EYEBROWS!

MAKEUP BY VAL! I used Esspresso eyeshadow and Blunt blush
by MAC in Oprah's brows.



Eyebrows can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I still see eyebrows that either look very drag queen, which is overdrawn and too dark with an exaggerated arch, or too thin and washed out. If you're unsure as to how your brows should look, seek a professional in a reputable salon. In the L.A. area Anastasia and Damone Roberts are two of the leading eyebrow specialists in the entertainment industry, however, the price tag ain't cheap, but worth every penny. There are many salons that do an excellent job in sculpting the perfect brow, so it's best to ask around and find out who does the best job in your hood. If your brows need an overhaul, the best thing to do is let them grow back in for a full two months with out tweezing or waxing. You're literally starting from scratch, however, continue to fill them in with either a soft brown pencil or brow powder with an angle brush to keep them looking fresh. After they've grown back, then have them done professionally and continue to see your technician every two weeks. If money is an issue, ask her to show you how to maintain your brows properly between visits. Cheers!!
Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Guest Post: Mini things for mini people...

...that i'd totally wear in grown-up sizes...

{left to right, top to bottom: roxy little girls romper, smallable striped tee, j.crew girls dress, giga & zaza shoes, j.crew boy's tie, and trumpette metallic mocs}

-- By Joy from Oh Joy and Oh Joy EatsSource URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Ruby Aldridge - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Juergen Teller shot Ruby Aldridge outside of Rome for Marc by Marc Jacobs' Fall/Winter 2010 campaign.
Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Guest Post: Magical Bubble Photos

When I came across these photos by Romain Laurent, I let out an audible *gasp." I wonder how he was able to capture such a magical moment? What are your thoughts?

-- By Rachel from Black EiffelSource URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Kissing Frogs

by Susan Sey

It’s 1994. I’m twenty-one years old, student teaching 9th grade English. In the four months I’ve been on the job, Tonya Harding has put out a hit on Nancy Kerrigan’s knee & Kurt Cobain’s committed suicide. It’s a pretty accurate barometer of how my pursuit of a teaching certificate is going, actually. But since my dad has recently informed me I can’t be a camp counselor forever, I feel compelled to augment my imminent English degree with an actual skill set. Hence the teaching certificate.

My cooperating teacher is napping behind a barricade of books on his desk. I am three inches shorter & twenty pounds lighter than my smallest student, a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Kids are actually singing & dancing in the aisles. I have completely lost control of my class, which is bad enough. But then something in my head snaps—what the hell am I doing spending my senior year of college in high school??—and I lose control of myself, too.

At the top of my surprisingly formidable camp counselor lungs, I bellow, “STOP!”

There is an instant of shocked silence. I find this immensely gratifying & am about to perform a hostile take over of my own class when somebody gets there first. Two beats into my hard-won silence, a girl yells, “Hammer time! Doot, doot, doot-doot…”

(It’s a song, for those of you too young to get the joke. MC Hammer? See, there were these crazy pants, too, & this little dance he did, and...okay, never mind. You'll have to trust me on this. It was a big thing.)

Anyway, the class about injures itself laughing—admittedly, her comic timing is exquisite—and there goes my brief flirtation with efficacy.

Okay. So. Not a teacher. Sorry, Dad.

And why am I telling you this story?

Because I got invited to my 20 high school reunion this week.

Because in my high school year book, I predicted that by now I'd be living on my own private island with an iguana named Issaac writing best-selling novels. (I have a husband, two kids & a house in the suburbs, in case you were wondering how that worked out for me.)

Because while my dad didn't specifically include writing romance novels in the "camp counseling is not a career" talk, I understood it came under the same heading.

Because after thirteen years of trying other things, I sat down & started writing anyway.

Because after five years of writing, I sold a book.

Because after two years of waiting, that book--Money, Honey--is finally going to hit the shelves.

In exactly one week.

Ladies (and gentlemen, I know you're out there), today I am here to testify. If yesterday's post didn't convince you (and congrats again, Suz), maybe today's will tip the balance.

Dreams aren't impossible. Only improbable. And this is coming from a woman whose toddlers used to blurt out, "Rejection letters!" every time they saw a mailbox.

Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs, people. But you kiss the right one?

Worth it. Totally worth it.

So what about you? Have you ever dreamed the impossible dream? Longed for something so outlandish you didn't really allow yourself to hope for it? (I include Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, & a tremendous singing voice on my list, so don't be shy.) Did you ever pursue it? Even a little? How did that work out for you?Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Anja Rubik - Lanvin

Steven Meisel's legendary team of Guido Palau for hair and Pat McGrath for makeup photographed Next's Anja Rubik in NYC for Lanvin's Fall/Winter 2010 campaign.


Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Guest Post: Picnic Ideas

I love Joanna's idea of having a picnic club. What a blast that would be throughout the warming spring and summer months! I envision delicious food picked up a a local deli or nearby farmer's market and lots of outdoor games like bocce ball and croquet and just having fun hanging out with a group of friends. Here are a few things to bring outside. Happy picnicking, everyone!

From top left: Disposable wooden forks; Portland picnic plates; Weber Smokey Joe Grill; france cheeseboard; Belvoir fruit juice A.P.C. dress; John Lewis picnic hamper Anorak kissing rabbits picnic blanket

-- By Rachel from Black EiffelSource URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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The Birth of A Story...

by Suzanne

In case you're one of the few people on the planet that I haven't told, and trust me, I'm pretty sure I've shouted it from the mountain tops, I sold my first book this month!

Now, this wasn't my first book. Nope, it was actually my ninth. I've been writing seriously for about 15 years. Over that time I've tried my hand at many romantic sub genres. At first it was American Historical...the market fell out from under me. Then contemporary, then contemporary small town, (not much market at the time for those). Then romantic suspense...oh, wait the market went really dark, plot-wise.

Hmmm, what was a girl to do? I'd always had good lusty sexy scenes. So when my CP Jo Davis started writing erotica, I thought...okay, why not give that a try?  Here's where I ran into a problem. I wanted to write an erotica where the sex was integral to the plot. One would not exist without the other. Geesh, exactly how was I going to do that?

As I am want to do in the middle of the night, I picked up a pad of paper and a pen and let my creative forces free write, with a focus on how intense sex could not only be a major part of the plot, but also propel the story forward.

Well first I needed a character. A heroine in need of saving, whether she knows it or not. Next a hero to come save her. Wait. This is an erotica....I can have TWO heroes. Oh boy!! I'm suddenly liking this very much! Okay, so what kind of heroes do I like? Tall, dark, strong, cowboys....no....wait...Lawmen. (Have we discussed how TOMBSTONE is one of my all time favorite movies? Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott in THE SHADOWRIDERS made me drool? How I adored all the bad guys in THE LONG RIDERS? How much I loved the romance and the gunfights in OPEN RANGE?) And hey...a western historical erotic romance? Well, that's taking a unique twist to a genre.

So now I have my cast of characters, my time period, and a spark of a plot. I flesh it out, (pardon the pun), and send the idea to Jo with a "what do you think of this story idea?" e-mail. Her return e-mail was very enthusiastic. I decided I'd give it a try, but if the story didn't hold together, I would put it aside as an experiment gone wrong.

But here's the thing. I fell in love. Yep, with all three characters. I wanted the men...uh...yeah, I wanted the men to capture the bad guy. I wanted the heroine to get justice. I wanted the bad guys to get what they deserved. So, the book kept growing, building, until I couldn't stop. Nope. Had to finish it.

Okay, now I needed some feedback and a title. So after some brainstorming, I came up with a title I loved, The Surrender Of Lacy Morgan. It had so many connotations that fit this story I just had to go with it. Next, I entered Miss Lacy, as she has become affectionately known in the Lair, in a writing contest or two. Dang, if she didn't win both erotica categories! Yippee!! Those contests also garnered her a request for the full manuscript by one big NY publisher and a request for the partial from another--alas, sadly neither panned out.

So here comes my middle of the night what-the-hell moment. I e-mailed a query off to Ellora's Cave. I immediately got a standard auto reply that they'd received my query and it was in the queue to be read and that I'd hear something in 1-3 months. Okay, cool.

Two days later, on Thursday, I get another e-mail that looked like a repeat auto reply, until I reread it. This was from a pre-reader who liked what I'd submitted and put in the queue for the acquiring editors to read. I would hear something in 1-6 months. Okay, even cooler!

The next Monday I receive a very enthusiastic e-mail from an editor who loved what I'd sent and requested me to send the entire manuscript by e-mail for her to read. And she'd be getting back to me in....1-6 months. Okay, super cool!

A month went by.

Two.

Now I was getting worried. Things had been going by so fast, then poof. Did this bode well for Miss Lacy? Was it an ominous warning off the port bow?

Then the week before Memorial Day...two months from when the process started, I see another e-mail from the editor in my inbox. OH NO....poor Lacy is about to be rejected. Because if the editor wanted the story she'd call, right? Isn't that what everyone says?

So, with hands over my eyes, I click open... It's NOT a rejection, HALLELUJAH!, but an apology for taking so long, and a question re: was the story still available?

Well, yes it was! After a deep, calming breath, I replied as professionally as possible, that yes it was and I'd look forward to hearing her thoughts after she had a chance to read it.  (Even if it took 1-6 months.)

A week later, I get another e-mail. She loved the book! The editor not only loved the story, she loved the idea of the other brothers in the book having their own stories, too! But she didn't think she could buy it as is, because, "There was too much story" in it. Would I be willing to revise and resubmit, so that the really good sex in the book be more of the focus?

Here's where some people make a mistake. They say, "No. Take it as it is or not at all."

Blink.



Okay....cut to the chase, after a week or so of e-mails about how I was proceeding, did she have any suggestions, etc. I got another e-mail.

Jillian Bell, the editor with the most excellent judgement and taste, wanted to contract the book for Ellora's Cave! I still hadn't completed the revisions, but I seriously think the professional effort I was making to comply let her know she could work with me and that I meant business when it came to getting my book published.

Okay...I only read the first paragraph of that e-mail, then went calmly into the living room, stepped in front of the baseball game on TV and did my version of the happy dance! Hubby lifted one brow and said..."Uh...I take it you have good news?" "Duh! Yes! They want to buy a book!"

Then after much hugging I made him read the e-mail to be sure I wasn't seeing things. This is where I learned I'd have to change one character's name. Okay...no problem! Hawke became Dakota. Yippee!!!

Next came phone calls to my CP's Sandy Blair and Jo Davis, and of course our Bandita Joanie. Then e-mails to my Texas girls, the Foxes and then the Bandit Loop! Oh yeah, and then my Mom! And after three glasses of champagne from one of the bottles I'd been saving for this occasion, I called my boss, who is my beta reader! Oh yeah, and the girls at work!

Honestly, you know when it really hit me? The next night on my way to work. I started grinning from ear to ear, doing the happy dance in the car at all the stop lights. Yep! I had received the contract by e-mail that day, read it and was going to sign it.

So, the call, wasn't really a call....but
I am a contracted, soon to be published author!



So, tell me what's the best party you ever threw! What was the occassion? Did people cram in and leave the place a disaster? (Uhm...let's make sure Sven and the boys have a reason to complain tomorrow!) Oh....and how do you feel about Western romances...both the regular and erotic variety?


LET'S PARTY!!
Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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Burberry Autumn/Winter 2010 Campaign

Check the Burberry Autumn/Winter 2010 ad campaign by Mario Testino!







Photo Source: Fashionising.com
Source URL: http://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/2010/06/
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