Wild Dreams Wednesday #9

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What does it mean when you dream of money? I was depositing a check and the ATM wouldn't take it but kept shoving out $$ anyway?"
--NuellePena, Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not surprisingly, money in our dreams is related to personal value, success and achievement. In this dream, you are getting more in return than you are trying to invest, which could indicate that you've recently experienced successes that have exceeded your expectations, or that seem even more fortunate than you would have thought possible in light of the effort you put toward them. You also may be realizing and appreciating your own value and talents in a new way you hadn't previously felt entitled to.


~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Mystery Date Monday: Warren Ross

Photo courtesy "Surely" from Stock Xchg
Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Homicide Detective Warren Ross

What Book He's In: A GRAND SEDUCTION, a tale of contemporary intrigue and mystery

Where He Lives: New York

Why He's So Fascinating: Warren Ross' investigation into the motel room shooting of a wealthy businessman while in flagrante delicto takes him to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he encounters a sexy brunette whose girl-next-door charms turn his head after hours. Just one problem: his new squeeze is far closer to the investigation than he suspects.

A Memorable Moment with Warren Ross:

“Man, haven’t I been there before.”

She glanced sideways, just enough to fix him with a get lost stare. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to distract you from your troubles,” the man said. “I just recognize that look intimately. Weight of the world.”

Her intent to shoot a stream of acid his way evaporated at his blue-eyed gaze, which pierced the shield around her resolve to sit alone and brood. Square shoulders spanned beneath an equally square chin nicked in the center; close-cropped hair was peppered with shades of silty brown and rust, as if it couldn’t quite decide which to be. Still, it was the smile in the midst of this handsome melee that undid her—smoky, knowing, and sincere rolled into one skirt-lifting package.

Despite herself, her mood lifted into a half smile and shrug. “Just call me Atlas.”

He held a hand out to her for a firm, yet supple shake. “Pleased to meet you, Atlas. I’m Warren. Warren Ross.”

“Ridelle ‘Atlas’ Walters.”

The sizzling touch of his hand partnered with that smile to instantly unlatch her virtual chastity belt. Or would have, had she’d still possessed one.

Shifting sideways on his stool, he rested one elbow on the bar and the other on his chair back, hands folding in front of his torso. “Live here in Quakertown?”

“Yep. Not a native though; transplanted from the Poconos. You?”

A quick shake of his head tousled the sheen of reddish-brown. “New York, as I’m sure my dashing lilt gives away. I’m here on business.”

“What kind of business?”

Brows went north. “The stressful kind.”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to pry.”

“You aren’t. I just don’t find shop talk very useful when trying to dazzle a beautiful woman.”

The word beautiful danced through her midsection.“Is that what you’re doing?"

“That depends. Is it working?”

Ridelle gazed in front of her, twirling the stem of her empty glass between her fingers. “It’s definitely not failing.”

“That settles it. You’re obviously a skilled diplomat. White House publicity rep?”

A grin twisted one corner of her mouth. “Hardly.”

“Professional schmoozer, certainly.”

Well, there is that...

She laughed, offering a small shrug. He sat as she twirled, obviously waiting for an answer she couldn’t give. Honestly, anyway. There was the truth, and then the stylized version she told her family. But hell, this was just a stranger in a bar. She didn’t owe him truth or anything else. Besides, hadn’t he just cleverly dodged the same question? Well, she could be mysterious, too.

Abandoning her thoughts and the glass, she turned back to him. “So, Warren...do you dance?”

His smile lit all the stars in her heaven. “Willing to find out?”

--from A GRAND SEDUCTION
~~~~~~~~~

When Warren is Available: A GRAND SEDUCTION is available now.

How You Can Get His Story: Get it in print from Amazon, or eco-friendly eBook from Fictionwise

Feng Shui Friday: Health

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

This week we'll cover the last zone of a house as defined by Feng Shui...

This week: The Health Area (center)

Flip the above octagon so the Career line lies against the wall where your front door sits. Continuing clockwise around the octagon from last week's Helpful People area discussion, you will see that we've come full circle (or octagonal) back around to the Career zone we started with. We're out of "sides!" But there's one more place in the home where energies abound--the very center. Energies here directly involve the health of those living in the home, so this is a vitally important area.

Find yourself under the weather a bit? Tired, with a lack of vitality? Catch every germ that comes down the pike? Feng shuit is NOT a replacement for proper health care, of course, but changes to this zone may help give your home a health boost.

As with each of the eight sides of the octagon, the same types of issues block helpful chi (chi=natural, life giving energy):
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Health Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. Clutter blocks healthy energy from reaching you, and dirt here can represent blights on your health. (And of course, there's the obvious correlation between having a dirty, dusty home and increased rate of illness, fatigue, or allergy). So a solid clean 'n clear here is key!

2. Light it up. Burned out light bulbs here can have a symbolic effect on energy and health. Replace them immediately. If you lack energy, light the path with bright and cheerful lighting.

3. Dress it up. Colors here favor yellows and earth tones. Earth is the natural element of the Health area, so plants are especially useful here. Living plants give a scientific health boost as well, by taking up C02 and releasing oxygen, but a good silk plant can give the area a "lift" as well. Good shapes to represent Earth are cubes, squares, and rectangles. (I'll bet you were thinking spheres! But Earth here means solid stability.) Pottery objects work well in this area.

4. Fix it up. The least desirable element in this area is Wood, so if you have wood here either relocate or "cure" it by adding more Earth elements or include all five elements for harmony. If you are using plants in this area, try to avoid plants with spiky/sharp leaves. Sharp points represent daggers piercing/attacking good health.


My Health area falls largely along a main traffic path, not particularly ideal. I've set up this "zone" near the smack middle of the home to emphasize health.

I do tend to use silk plants in numerous areas of the house, but here I use a live plant basket. Small natural stones represent the Earth element as well. A photo of my spouse and I sit here to reap health benefits that will extend onto the rest of the family. These items rest on a large rectangular shelf unit.

I've lived in three different homes since beginning the practice of feng shui, and my Health area has been a work in progress in all of them. Aside from this zone being located in a heavy traffic pattern, our Health area suffers from another problem--the rectangular shelf the pictured items are resting upon is made of wood. Wood is not the ideal choice for this zone, and while the rectangular shape represents Earth, this piece of furniture is the single largest item in the zone and throws things off balance. As we are unable to move or replace it right now, I enacted some cures. First, the use of the live plant rather than silk. Also, I ultimately included all five elements for balance. (Fire--the candles. Metal--the brass candleholder. Water--there are round black items positioned above and below this area, just out of frame.) Finally, I hung a leaded crystal sphere from the ceiling in the exact center of our house, to attract positive, healthy chi.

The results have not improved things as much as I'd like, and I feel we could still use more of a health boost. I'm planning on adding more yellow to this space (there's a small yellow decor sitting in the plant basket). I'm likely considering a yellow fabric cloth to drape over the top of the shelf to subdue the Wood element. If all else fails, I will have to relocate the shelf.

Anything you do to enhance the Health area should be done with focus and intent! Picture yourself (and your family) healthy and strong; envision your body shrugging off illness with ease. There's a lot of power inherent in our own will to succeed--in any task. Don't underestimate it!

~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a creativity tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings good health and cheer!

Wild Dreams Wednesday #8

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I dreamt it was night, and some strange guy I knew in the dream was acting threatening. The police came and started chasing him off. Instead of waiting I ran the other way--along a deserted dark vacant lot. Two guys in a van drove up. I got scared in the dream, thinking they could throw me in that van and take off. Sure enough, they stopped and jumped out after me. I woke up before much more happened, but I remember thinking what a frying pan/fire scenario it became. What does this mean?"
--anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are quite a few themes worth exploring in this dream. First, it happens at night. Nighttime in dreams tends to represent things we cannot see clearly, or obstacles that obscure our path. Someone behaving threatening to you in the dream can represent a feeling of being emotionally attacked or bullied. Police have a variety of meanings in dreams. Here they arrive to help you (though wind up chasing the guy rather than arresting him), representing a symbol of authority that may or may not be capable of solving issues hindering you. Instead of waiting around to see, you run off--and running away in dreams indicates an issue you are hoping to avoid. Instead, you run into TWO attackers in a van. Vehicles in dreams represent directions we can head in our lives--and clearly that van was a direction you did NOT care to head. And this time you aren't just running, you're being chased. Being chased involves emotions or situations that disturb you, again that you'd rather avoid.

To put all these together, perhaps you've encountered a relationship or career situation where you felt emotionally or personally attacked, and attempts to correct the issue not only fell short of your hopes, but perhaps lead to some sort of retribution (or you may have fears of retribution). Your subconscious is acknowledging your tendency to try and avoid these scenarios, rather than risk a greater negative outcome.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Mystery Date Monday: Dream Ballantyne

Photo courtesy "Bixo" from Stock Xchg

Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: California girl-slash-witch Dream Ballantyne

What Book She's In: IMMORTAL MAGIC, a paranormal romance in progress

Where She Lives: San Simone Shores, an affluent and hip (fictional) Southern California beachfront town.

Why She's So Fascinating: Dream Ballantyne lives in a beautiful home overlooking the glittering Pacific Ocean...wealthy, beautiful, and a powerful witch. But darkness preys on San Simone Shores, a darkness that cost her both her parents and any chance at a normal life. When her attempt to conjure a love spell works a bit TOO well, Dream finds herself with a whole set of new problems--including the gorgeous new neighbor-turned-one-night-stand who has no intention of associating with a witch, and a vampire stalker who has every intention of taking Dream as a mate--forever.

A Memorable Moment with Dream Ballantyne:

A well-crafted spell was not unlike the careful chemistry of baking a cake. A proper blend of intent, correspondences, and actions provided the best results. Several books into her search, she opted for a two-part spell, done overnight to utilize both the moon's feminine, mystical energies and the sun's potent male power. Tied to the incantation would be a spell bag full of ingredients, specially selected for their potent love qualities.

Yes.

“When the moon is waxing,” she read aloud,“place the witch's ball under the pillow.” She snapped the book shut, dropping it in her lap.“Easy enough. Sleep the night away on the potion bag, then do the actual incant tomorrow.”

Groaning to a stand on legs protesting the lengthy research party, Dream didn't bother to replace her books as usual. Grabbing her spell journal, she slid downstairs through a mantle of descending night, pausing outside the door to snatch several tiny white flowers just opening on vines snaking along the railing. Night blooming Jasmine.

Gathering more ingredients on the way to the kitchen, she narrowed her thoughts to a single purpose—the power of attraction. Lighting a narrow red taper, she focused her will on the flame for a few moments, then dripped a quarter-sized circle onto a square of tin foil. Allowing this wax coin to cool, she set the candle aside and laid out a square of cheesecloth. Into this would go nine correspondences of love, attraction, and lust: jasmine, her favorite moonstone, a copper penny, a sprinkling of cinnamon, a slice of red apple, a dash of vanilla, three pink rose petals from the bush outside the front door, and a photograph of herself.

A rather particular photo.

Turning behind her, she gazed out the window overlooking the front of the house. The home was elevated with a vacant lot directly across, and she was fairly certain no one could see in. Still, she twisted the mini blind louvers closed, then snapped up the Polaroid and fiddled with the self-timer. When she was as ready as she could get, she shrugged out of faded blue jeans and a double layer of tank tops, heaping the works in a pile at her feet.

“Just point and shoot,” she said, grinning like a fool at the irony of exactly what part of her was pointing of its own accord at the camera on the counter before her. Being naked while alone in ones' own home was hardly cause to feel jumpy, but she was no Playboy model. Not that the photo had to be professional quality, but a nervous shiver ran through her nonetheless.

Still, plenty of witches did all their casting in the altogether—some during group ritual. Surely she could manage this.

Giggling like a schoolgirl, she struck a ridiculous and awkward hands-behind-the-head pose, held her breath and waited. As always, she managed to blink right as the flash went off. Damn. As the mechanism spit out the results, she left it alone to develop.

--from IMMORTAL MAGIC
~~~~~~~~~

When Dream is Available: IMMORTAL MAGIC is a completed manuscript currently seeking publication. Stay tuned!

Feng Shui Friday: Helpful People

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

This week we'll cover the eighth of nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui...

This week: The Helpful People Area (front left corner)

Flip the above octagon so the Career line lies against the wall where your front door sits. Continuing clockwise around the octagon from last week's Children/Creativity discussion, if you're facing the front door, the Helpful People area takes up the front left corner of the home (or room)--adjacent to the Career zone we started with. Energies here are involved with several aspects of life: networking; the influence of others who may help or hinder you; travel; fortune and luck of male relatives.

Do you have trouble getting help when you need it? Losing touch with friends? Trying to network and having difficulty meeting new people that will bring good value to your interest or career? Planning an upcoming trip (or do you travel a lot)? Have a husband or son in need of some increased fortune? This is the area of your home to turn a keen feng shui eye upon.

If you've been following the series thus far, you are well familiar with what types of things your eye should be seeking here. Helpful chi (chi=natural, life giving energy) in this area can be blocked by:
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Helpful People Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. Clutter blocks help from coming to you, or can cause hiccups in travel. Dirt can mar friendships or luck of male family. You know what to do!

2. Light it up. If you feel the need for a helping hand, easy travel, etc., increase your lighting here--but no candles. As always, replace burned out light bulbs immediately.

3. Dress it up. Colors here favor gray, black, and white. Metal and water are good elements to include. Photos of friends, male relatives, or travel destinations are useful.

4. Fix it up. Fire is an undesirable element in this zone. Relocate candles, and if you have a fireplace or kitchen (stove) in this area balance the fire element with either green plants, a mirror (represents water) or a water feature. Avoid a lot of red here as well. If you are moving and are having difficulty selling your home or finding a new one, make sure to remove obstacles in this area and spiff it up.



This is my Helpful People "zone." In my case, this corner falls directly behind the door, in effect "cropping short" this area. (Uneven spaces that project out or cut in will be discussed later in the series.) To address this "cutting off" of helpful influence, I dedicated my entry wall to Helpful chi. Note the use of black and white here, and people photos. Especially prominent: male relatives (my sons). My spouse and I don't travel often, but my sons do--with the military. On the shelf beside the largest photo is a metal safety talisman, to promote safe travels. I am currently seeking a friendship symbol to hang on this wall, and off camera hanging on the front door hinge is a leaded crystal sphere strung with red ribbon to help boost energy in this "shortened" space.

Anything you do to enhance this area should be done with intent! Picture a strong network of friends and associates, envision unhindered travel, etc.

~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a creativity tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings help your way when you need it!

GREEN Contest Winner!

WINNER of my Get Your Green On Earth Day Contest!

I am pleased to announce that ***Becky from Becky's Place*** is the winner of my recent GREEN contest!

Becky wins an eco-friendly PDF copy of the TWIST OF FATE anthology. Congratulations! BECKY, please Email me at writerlisalogan@verizon.net so I can send you your prize.

Thanks to everyone who went green for Earth Day! When you play, everyone wins!

Mystery Date Monday: Group Date!

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg
Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

I'm a bit under the weather this week, so today I'm showcasing a big group date from a prior guest spot I did. Some of my characters decided to have it out and debate which of their books was better!

So let's find out more from Glory, Trenton, Ridelle, and Dominique on the "My Book is Better Than Mine Debate Club" over at Ginger Simpson's Blog. Enjoy!

Feng Shui Friday: Creativity

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

This week we'll continue our introduction to the nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui...

This week: The Children/Creativity Area (left hand wall)

Flip the above octagon so the Career line lies against the wall where your front door sits. Continuing clockwise around the octagon from last week's Relationship area discussion, if you're facing the front door, the Children's area falls along the left wall of the house (or room). Energies here influence children...AND creativity! (Makes sense when you think of it...many things we create, be it a story, piece of clothing or art, etc. are thought of as our "babies!")

If you have bouts of writer's block, projects that go awry, or get creativity "burnout," this is an area of your home or room that you'll want to scrutinize for potential problems.

If you've been following the series thus far, you can guess what things negatively impact relationship chi-blocking (chi=natural, life giving energy):
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Children's Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. If this area is cluttered or dusty, you can experience barriers to creativity or issues with children's behavior. So keep this spot top shape.Dust, get rid of clutter, etc.

2. Light it up. Bright lighting is especially vital here to illuminate the path to spark creative purpose--and to spark a child's intellect, interest, and own creativity. Replace burned out light bulbs immediately.

3. Dress it up. The children's area favors the purity of white, and Metal is the natural element of this area. Plants are nice here, along with displays of your creativity or your children's art. Kid's photos work nicely here as well.

4. Fix it up. Keep things in good working order here to both aid your children's behavior as well as your own creativity. Fire is an undesirable element in this zone, as it can result in increased bickering or contrariness in children or keep projects from running smoothly. Relocate candles, and if you have a fireplace or kitchen (stove) in this area balance the fire element with either green plants or water. Avoid a lot of red here as well.


This is my children "zone," and is a definite work in progress. This niche used to be a catchall for mail, my purse, and junk, but was cleared to become purposed as the children's space since most of this wall consists of closets (Not shown). You'll note the green ivy vine hung here in lieu of a live plant, and a fragrance diffuser in the wide bowl. The scent cure going at all times here is a flirty, fun tropical fragrance to enhance creative flow. My daughter's library books are kept on a table with metal legs, sitting just below frame. A "yu" bowl sits there as well, an item I'll probably talk about later. Due to limited space here I'm still deciding how to incorporate artwork, photos, or my creative items. Meanwhile, since this wall contains a closet I do my best to keep it as clutter free as possible (always a challenge, isn't it?).

Of course, anything you do or keep as is to enhance this area should be done with intent! Picture happy, well adjusted children, and free flowing creativity.

~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a creativity tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that sparks creativity and brings joy to your children!

Wild Dream Wednesdays #7

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“i had a dream last night that I had a baby girl. She was about 4 in the dream though."
--@Hollymark, Twitter--visit her awesome Etsy Shop!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baby dreams are common among women, whether or not they are currently in the "baby" phase of their life. A pregnant woman may have numerous dreams about childbirth and what her unborn baby will be like--not a big stretch there to realize the woman is naturally consumed with such thoughts. However, when a woman is pre or post childbearing, or of age but not in a situation where it occupies her thoughts, these dreams take on a different meaning.

Typically, the baby in these instances is either a direct facet of yourself or symbolic of new possibility, breakthrough, or issue coming forth now. The fact that you had a baby girl points more strongly to the child being yourself. Here, you gave birth to a child already several years old. It could be that you are facing issues right now that are awakening subconscious feelings stemming back to that time in your life.

There are a couple of ways to look at this. One, did something of note take place at age four? If so, reactions or feelings back then may be playing into something going on presently. OR, perhaps right now you are seeking or experiencing a renewal of earlier childlike fun and innocence. Either enjoy the "kiddie" fun without guilt, or if you're under a lot of adult pressure, your brain might be telling you to nurture yourself by returning to some simple fun and pleasures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Mystery Date Monday: Bruce Myers

Photo courtesy "Surely" from Stock Xchg
Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Wealthy Philanderer Bruce Myers

What Book He's In: A GRAND SEDUCTION, a tale of contemporary intrigue and mystery

Where He Lives: Bucks County, PA

Why He's So Fascinating: Bruce Myers has everything--a high paying New York job, fancy home, black BMW. Everything but the one thing he wants--love and true respect from his trophy wife. Like many caught in the disappointment of a sagging marriage, Bruce has sought comfort elsewhere from time to time. Little does he know his wife is not only aware of his latest conquest, she set the whole thing up to trap him into a cush divorce settlement.

A Memorable Moment with Bruce Myers:

Once back at the car, Bruce leaned in over the passenger side, depositing Styrofoam containers on the seat before fiddling with controls that beckoned the black leather soft top to return from hiding. As mechanics whirred and clicked the roof into place, he turned to Ridelle and fixed her with a determined stare. “So, I’m wondering something.”

She cocked her head in reply, and a span of heartbeats passed before he continued. “If I were to ask you what it was that you said you desired back there, would you tell me?”

Oh, sure thing–and in pig Latin, since it comes so natural to me. Besides, if I do and you say no, where does that leave us?

Her eyes dropped to his Adam’s Apple, skimming down past the hollow to where chest hair disappeared under the top button of his shirt. He was close enough now that if she were to lean in and sniff at his pinstriped vest, she would swoon under the faint tang of remaining cologne. A thought which proved insanely appealing, rather than dangerously fatal as it should be.

“I’m not sure I can,” she ventured. “It probably doesn’t matter anyway. I’m used to not getting what I want.”

With a tentative reach, Bruce crooked a finger under her chin and raised her gaze to meet his. His touched seared away thoughts of cold night air. “We all want things, Ridelle.”

Her voice dropped away to an accusing whisper. “But what if...what I want is wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong with desire. Life deprives us of enough without us holding back from ourselves. If there’s something you want, don’t be afraid to take it. Don’t wonder later what might have been.”

“I...” she paused, a lump rising in her throat as the truth of his words sank far deeper than her current predicament. Was that what held her like a cripple all these years, unable to move ahead with life? Was she afraid to want?

She pulled herself to him, arms wrapping around his surprised shoulders in an embrace that cried for more than friendship. Burying her head in his chest, she let go of restraint and breathed him in deeply. A shuddering gasp elicited a moan from Bruce’s throat, and he pulled her back to hold her at arm’s length.

Studying her clouded gaze, a muscle worked along the set of his jaw. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to want...me.”

--from A GRAND SEDUCTION
~~~~~~~~~

When Bruce is Available: A GRAND SEDUCTION is available now.

How You Can Get His Story: Get it in print from Amazon, or eco-friendly eBook from Fictionwise

Feng Shui Friday: Love

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
Every week I take a break from romance/erotic fiction writing and explore simple tricks to bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life!

This week we'll continue our introduction to the nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui...

This week: The Marriage/Relationship Area (left rear corner)

Flip the above octagon so the Career line lies against the wall where your front door sits. Continuing clockwise around the octagon from last week's Fame area discussion, if you're standing inside the octagon facing the front door, the Relationship area falls along the rearmost wall of the house (or room). Energies here influence LOVE, relationships, and passion. Oo-la-la!

If you've been following the series thus far, you can guess what things negatively impact relationship chi-blocking (chi=natural, life giving energy):
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Relationship Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. Keep this area spic and span to remove barriers to romance and a healthy relationship! Dust, get rid of clutter, etc.

2. Light it up. Bright lighting is especially vital here. Candles can be used in moderation (more on that in a minute).

3. Dress it up. The colors of love are pink and red. Red is more of a passion color, pink for long lasting love, devotion, and fidelity. Both are important enough to include in your design decor, though if you're married it's unlikely your husband will want you do the entire area in pink! Incidentally, red bed sheets are a good way to sizzle up romance, as are judicious use of candles.

4. Fix it up. Fix or remove anything that is broken in this area immediately--burned out light bulbs, broken/cracked items, leaky faucets, etc. Clutter or an overcrowded space can block romance from entering your life if you're single, or foster communication issues in a current relationship. Fireplaces and water features in this area may or may not be helpful. Fire can stoke passion, but too much can flare into increased arguments and strife. If your dating life is stalled, a fountain can encourage love to flow your way, but if emotions are already running high in a relationship, a water feature in this area may push this overboard.

If your master bedroom happens to lie within this space, this is very fortunate. If a bathroom, kitchen, or children's room resides here, you may have issues with a flat/blocked love life or tension in the relationship. Keeping these rooms clutter free will help, as well using the octagon on your bedroom and applying feng shui cures to the relationship area there.

Here's a space along my relationship wall that I've purposed for our marriage. Wedding photos were a natural choice, and all five feng shui elements exist here for balance/harmony. I used paired male and female symbols on the shelf. Rose quartz is my husband's native stone and represents him (and lets me bring in the pink element without complaints about "girly" colors in the decor!) Girls take note: a stone denotes a rock-solid, unwavering relationship--and pink is said to prevent a wandering eye. The pewter fairy box was a gift from my husband; this represents me. In addition, the reed bottle and oil warmer cup are a male/female symbolic pair.

I keep a vanilla scent cure going here at all times, and light the candle weekly. One goal we had was to reduce marital conflict, so I decided against red so close to our wedding portraits. It seemed too much like symbolizing us literally "seeing red." (We do have red bedding, though.) I also toned down the "fire" element here by using a subtle battery-operated tealight. I couldn't be more pleased with the results.

As always, when making changes to the Relationship area do so with intention! See love coming your way; envision passionate encounters, a harmonious, loving relationship, and ongoing devotion. After an argument, put the negative emotions behind you symbolically by cleaning the space. (Maybe this is why we feel like cleaning when we're mad?)

~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a Relationship area tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings sizzle to your romance!

Contest: Get Your GREEN On!

April 22 is just a week away, meaning Earth Day is almost here. In honor of this event, I'm holding a pair of contests for readers AND writers!

GET YOUR GREEN ON Contests
Show your Earth Day spirit by spreading the word about my "Green" Challenges! 

Do either of the following for YOUR chance(s) to win!

1. Post a message about either challenge on your groups, discussion boards, or social networks (like Twitter, Ning, Facebook, etc.). Include a link to the challenge in your post (http://squidoo.com/greenwriter OR http://squidoo.com/greenreader). Post links to these promo spots in the comments, and I will give you 1 entry for each different place you promote the challenge. (No "Spam" type posts, please; one post per group, network, etc.) --TIP: Earn your first entry right now if you're on Twitter by clicking the TWEET THIS button at the bottom of this post!

--OR--

2. Grab one of the "Green" challenge icons on this page (right click the graphic, then choose Save Image As...). POST THIS ICON with a link back to the challenge (http://squidoo.com/greenwriter OR http://squidoo.com/greenreader) on your blogs, websites, MySpace pages, etc. and Post the URLs where the graphics are located here in the comments. You'll get 1 entry for every different place you post this graphic.

CONTEST ENDS on EARTH DAY, WEDNESDAY APRIL 22nd 2009, AT MIDNIGHT PST.

PRIZES:

For GREEN READERS: a free, eco-friendly pdf copy of my TWIST OF FATE anthology!

For GREEN WRITERS: a promotional package including a blurb on my site, plus your choice of either a guest post or author interview on my blogs on MySpace and Blogger, along with a promo shout out on Facebook and Twitter (with links to your site or twitter/facebook account)!


BONUS ENTRIES!!!!!!!!! --1 entry for TAKING the challenge yourself and posting in the comments one thing from the challenge list you will do this year to "green" your reading or writing. (Writers: GREEN WRITING CHALLENGE. Readers: GREEN READING CHALLENGE.)



So celebrate Earth Day this year by Getting your green on. Spread the word about green writing and reading practices, earn chances to get a prize--and either way, by participating we ALL win!

Wild Dreams Wednesday #6

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“if I ever have to use a telephone in my dream I can't. It's broken, I press the wrong buttons, I can't find the number I need, I don't have the money, we get cut off, I dial the wrong number - it's infuriating."
--Erastes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Recurring dreams can be very frustrating--especially when they involve unsolvable problems like these rather than being whisked off to a magical castle by Prince Charming!

Not surprisingly, telephones in dreams are typically symbols representing our communication. Either you are having trouble communicating in one or more of your close relationships, or this theme could actually be directed at your writing pursuits.

Do these dreams spring up when you're encountering issues with a story you're working on, or during particularly prolific phases in your writing? Your subconscious may be processing self doubts about your writing--that the words that come out won't properly communicate what you're trying to say, or similarly, that they won't "connect" and strike a strong enough chord with the audience.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Mystery Date Monday: Sinda Ella

Photo courtesy "Bixo" from Stock Xchg

Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Servant-Turned-Vampire Lusinda Ella Fairbairn

What Book She's In: In the lead story SINDARELLA in TWISTED FAYRIE TALES, fantasy/erotic anthology

Where She Lives: A fantasy kingdom far away

Why She's So Fascinating: Lusinda Ella Fairbairn, called Sinda for short, has as little desire to attend royal balls as she has fancy gowns in her closet. Spoiled, self-absorbed princes hold no intrigue, even if her life is little more than indentured servitude to her stepsisters. Yet when she discovers their plot to use twisted sex magics to bind Prince Verrill to their will, Sinda winds up in a race against time and death itself to get to the royal ball and save him. Just one problem: how can she save a tempting male when her only escape from the manor is to become a bloodthirsty vampire?

A Memorable Moment with Sinda Ella:

“Sinda.”

My eyes fluttered, arms and legs feeling strangely detached. Mikkhail stood over me.

“Am I...?”

He nodded, extending a hand that no longer felt cold as I rose to a thousand scents. One enchanted above them all. I breathed deeply.

“Blood,” he said. “Yours.”

I glanced down, frock wet with smears of Mikkhail's feed. He reached out, but I passed, drawn to dark energies just ahead. 'Twas still black under the canopy, but my eyes had adjusted. Or changed.

I felt the magic, its power twisted and rife with all manner of unknowable creatures. This was what Mikkhail had felt. What drew him here.

Reaching the barrier's edge, I plunged my hand through...and smiled.

“Going so soon?” Mikkhail grabbed my arm.

I pulled away. “I have royal business to attend.”

He was at my heels. “Such haste...even at the risk of your life.”

I stopped. “I'm not 'alive,' am I?”

“If you wish to be so again, you'd be wise to hear me.”

I wanted my business done, but held silent.

“The enchantment breaks with sunrise,” he said. “You must be indoors―and within the barrier―before then.”

I shrugged. “If not?”

“I'm not certain.”

My brows lifted. “Meaning, perhaps nothing?”

“Meaning, either the bite won't fade in time to save you death by sunlight, or it will―with you outside the barrier.”

Consequence sank my stomach, but not as much as if I were still mortal. “Then I shall return before sunlight.”

I stalked away, leaves crunching underfoot.

“Think the palace will bid you welcome,” he called, “when you arrive torn and bloodied?”

The truth of it burned my cheeks. “Fine.”

With nimble fingers I made to pull the laces of my bodice, but grew angry. With a growl I rent the garment, shrugging it to the woodland floor.


--from SINDARELLA, TWISTED FAYRIE TALES
~~~~~~~~~

When 'Sinda is Available: TWISTED FAYRIE TALES now available in ebook or print.


How You Can Get Her Story: Get it in print on Amazon, or in eco-friendly eBook from Eternal Press Publishing

Feng Shui Friday: Fame

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
What does a romance/erotic author know about Feng Shui? Early on in my writing career I discovered this ancient Chinese art as a means to organize my desk space. The impressive results prompted me to employ this art well beyond my novel writing, and a dozen years later I've applied Feng Shui to every area of my home. Every Friday I'll share tips to help bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life. I'll begin by introducing the nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui.

This week: The Fame Area (rear wall)

Flip the above octagon so the Career line lies against the wall where your front door sits. Continuing clockwise around the octagon from last week's Wealth area discussion, if you're standing inside the octagon facing the front door, the Fame area falls along the rearmost wall of the house (or room). Energies here influence fame.

Why is this important for the average Joe? What if you're not a football star or movie celebrity? Fame is still vitally important. This area controls not only the literal concept of being "famous," but also recognition in your field and interests, as well as your personal reputation. So keeping this area spit-spot can help people see you in a positive light.

As always, the Fame area is affected by the same chi-blocking factors (chi=natural, life giving energy) as discussed previously. These include:
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Fame Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. Yep, literally once again. Dust, remove clutter, etc.

2. Light it up. Bright lighting is especially vital here, and candles are extremely helpful.

3. Dress it up. RED is an excellent color here--it denotes not only personal power, but is dramatic enough to attract major notice. The Fame area is a great place to display personal power items like awards and visual representations of your "power" goals and interests--but don't go overboard. You don't want clutter blocking your path to recognition!

4. Fix it up. Avoid water features in the Fame area if possible, as well as broken light fixtures and stubs of burned candles. If your Fame wall includes a bathroom, balance the water here with candles in groups of three (nine total is great if your bathroom is large enough to position without cluttering the space), or by bringing in all five feng shui elements in the decor for harmony--Water, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Wood. Red accents can also help.

Here's my Fame wall. While you can't see it in camera, my desk sits in front of this wall. I use a round mirror as a cure on this wall. Mirrors reflect "chi" and can be a potent energy activating light cure in feng shui. My mirror includes an image of the sun, a powerful "fire" symbol. Fire is the natural element of the Fire element, so on the shelf just beneath the mirror I have a red candle. Alongside this display I have a chime consisting of brass bells to activate energy and red tassels--the color of Fame.


As always, when making changes to the Fame area do so with intention! See yourself gaining that "spark" of recognition when you light your candles, and sweep negatives away from your reputation as you clean.

~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a Fame area tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings fame your way!

Wild Dream Wednesdays #5

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I was by a seashore. From time to time giant waves would roll onto the beach and pick me up. Though I was fully clothed, I just nonchalantly ducked under or floated over the waves, but I was worried that the stuff in my purse was getting soaked and ruined. I tried going inside a nearby cement tunnel, but the waves kept coming."
--Anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Water in dreams always signifies emotion. Here, tumultuous waves threaten to overtake you, suggesting powerful emotion that would normally carry you away. However, you manage to ride over or duck under the tide.

Purses in dreams are like those in life--they hold our identities (driver's license), power (money), even secrets and dreams. Depending on how a tunnel is shown in a dream, it can represent births and new beginnings/information (emerging from a tunnel, seeing a light at the end of a tunnel), a need for security and assurance (retreating to the womb), or closed-mindedness (dark tunnels). Cement indicates gluing together new ideas.

Combining the above concepts, I'd say you've recently been weathering emotional challenges that normally get the best of you. Perhaps you've been ducking arguments or crying jabs by “mixing” ideas of just going with the flow and retreating when emotions ride too high. However, you worry that this passive approach places your sense of identity and empowerment in jeopardy. These are affected by a buildup of emotion you can't escape forever. The dream is advising you to find a “drain” valve or outlet for these emotions before you get swept away by the tide.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Mystery Date Monday: Ted Blake

Photo courtesy "Surely" from Stock Xchg
Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Reclusive Freelance Researcher Ted Blake

What Book He's In: the award-winning story THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT, part of the TWISTED FAYRIE TALES anthology

Where He Lives: A small town in Anywhere USA

Why He's So Fascinating: Ted retreats from society--and life--after tragically losing the woman he loved on the very Christmas Eve he planned to propose. Every Christmas Eve thereafter he brings a gift to her grave...until a snowglobe he intends to bestow whisks him away to a chance of a lifetime--one chance to reclaim his lost love.

A Memorable Moment with Ted Blake:

“Ready?” Finn chewed his pipe as the pair regarded the door. After a restless night flopping around on his cot, Ted announced the path he’d chosen. Now they stood by a door much like all the rest.

“No, but I’m going in anyway.”

Finn clapped a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. “I’m not supposed to say, but your choice shows promise.” He jabbed his pipe in the air towards the other man, to punctuate each word. “But remember, the way you do the twisting’s is as important as where you do it. Choose your words and deeds wise and well. That’s the way to turn the path aside.”

“I will.”

“As soon as you step inside the door, time will turn aside, to the past. You can’t come back once you’ve started.”

His eyes widened. “What happens to me when I’ve finished?”

Furry white brows raised. “That depends on your actions. You’ll end up where the twist takes you. Good turn to you, lad.”

The thought gave him pause. What if he screwed up and landed in some dismal place? His home could be gone—everything he knew. After a panicked moment, he came to the realization that he lost everything that mattered eight years ago. Nodding to Finn, he squared his shoulders and started towards the door.

A voice shouted from behind him. “Hey, mister!”

Ted peered over his shoulder to see the boy standing, small and alone, in the middle of the street.

“Charlie? What is it?”

“Just, good luck. That’s all.” The boy’s eyes were glassy and reflected a longing Ted knew all too well. The sight of the lost child stung right to the core of the man’s heart. Why couldn’t the boy have this same chance for happiness? Or had he been given a chance, and failed?

He let out a deep breath and mustered a smile. “Thanks. And . . . you too.”

After a moment that seemed to span a lifetime, he turned and headed for the door.

“Hey! One more thing, mister.”

Before Ted could reply, the boy yelled, “Duck!”

A snowball caught him solid in the back. He winked at the boy and reached for the door. Finn waited, silent.

The knob turned. He hesitated at the threshold, then drew a deep breath and stepped through the open door . . . and found himself in a barren and freshly swept cabin that was completely unremarkable.

Empty? Was this a trick? Halfway through the thought the scene melted in a dizzying swirl, rocking him on his feet. Forcing himself not to shut his eyes against the sensation, he watched as the room resolved itself into a small park.

Shelton Park! It had worked. Overdressed for the early autumn weather, he doffed his hat, gloves, and scarf and squinted against the bright sunlight. There, his heart caught.

Julia sat on a bench, cobalt blue eyes a startling contrast to the beige sweater and pants she wore. Silken strands of hair the color of caramel candy wafted on a gentle breeze. She smiled at Ted and his soul leapt. This was it—the part of the path he had to turn aside.

--from THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT, TWISTED FAYRIE TALES
~~~~~~~~~

When Ted is Available: TWISTED FAYRIE TALES available now in print or ebook

How You Can Get His Story: Get it in print on Amazon, or in eco-friendly eBook from Eternal Press Publishing

Feng Shui Friday: Wealth

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
What does a romance/erotic author know about Feng Shui? Early on in my writing career I discovered this ancient Chinese art as a means to organize my desk space. The impressive results prompted me to employ this art well beyond my novel writing, and a dozen years later I've applied Feng Shui to every area of my home. Every Friday I'll share tips to help bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life. I'll begin by introducing the nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui.

This week: The Wealth Area (right rear corner)

Flip the above octagon so the Career line lies against the wall where your front door sits. Continuing clockwise around the octagon from last week's Family area discussion, if you're standing inside the octagon facing the front door, the Wealth area is nestled into the rear right corner of the house (or room). Energies here influence money! And who couldn't use more of that, right? So let's take a look at how to maximize the potential of this space.

As always, the Wealth area is affected by the same chi-blocking factors (chi=natural, life giving energy) as discussed previously. These include:
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Wealth Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. By now, you know the drill here. Dust, remove clutter, etc.

2. Light it up. Bright lighting is always helpful in feng shui, but if you'll be utilizing water elements, avoid using lit candles as the source.

3. Dress it up. Royal purples, greens, blues, reds, and golds work well for the Wealth area. Coins are helpful. We have a Chinese coin windchime in our master bedroom Wealth area, for instance. Jade is also a potent cure, and you'll often see jade Buddhas or other statues in a Chinese restaurant near the cash register or Wealth area. Wealth is one of four areas that does not have a natural associating element--five feng shui elements, nine zones. However, water is often associated with wealth--money "flowing" into our pocket, etc., so water features are well placed here.

4. Fix it up. If your Wealth area happens to be a bathroom, keep drains and toilet lids closed and leaks repaired. (Here and everywhere in the home, for that matter.) Clutter in this area blocks money coming into the home. Imagine boxes full of promotional items, prizes, jewelry, computer doodads, etc. stacked on top of the cabinet shown in the photo below. That's what our Wealth area looked like for three years. I finally gave the space an overhaul, and we saw an immediate difference in the flow of our finances. Speaking of "flow," if you use fountains to stimulate wealth here, keep them filled and in good repair with fresh water. Same with fish tanks or any other cure--keep them in fresh repair or the effect is nullified.

Here's some of my Wealth area. I've spread a rich green and gold cloth over the cabinet, and a metal gong and windchime (hanging out of frame) to stir potent chi as well. Metals represent coins and wealth, so gold, silver, etc. work well here. I use strong, pleasing candles--on a warmer, not lit--to effect a constant scent cure that is noticeable throughout the room. My first book cover is framed on the wall for writing income. Though not visible in the shot, we have a small fish tank here. I'm an avid believer in properly placed fountains, and we've used them in this zone with great success. Now we have a little one who finds fountains too great a temptation to stay out of, so for now ours is kept outdoors, pointed so wealth will flow into our home.

Because this area lacks a "don't use THIS element!" factor, I've tried to include all the elements here. I added a natural branch with all the elements of feng shui strung onto it, and embedded natural stones in all the chakra colors. I'll be going a bit more in depth on touches like these later in our series.

As always, regardless of what changes you make to the Wealth area, do it with intention! See money in your hands, know that your energies focused here are working to increase wealth.

~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a Wealth area tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that brings fortune your way!

Wild Dreams Wednesday #4

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg
Note: this week's dream contains mature themes.

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams!
Every Wednesday I venture away from romantic/erotic fiction writing to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Send it to writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll try to shed some light on Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I was in a parking lot with a lot of cats, and a newspaper stand. I could hear a puppy whining, but couldn't see it."
--Amanda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the surface this would sound like someone trying to decide what kind of pet to buy! But underneath lies some compelling symbolism.

Newspapers in a dream mean new information is available regarding a problem. Pay attention to the rest of the dream to get the answer you need. Great! Let's see what else we've got.

First, the cats. Cats in dream life represent feminine energy, creativity, and sexual power. They can also indicate some type of misfortune. If the cats are behaving aggressively or barring your progress, this could indicate female influences in your life that have less than genuine, helpful motives toward you.

Parking lots indicate you are in a place where you need to stop and take a moment to rest between activities. You've got too much going on right now and need a breather.

Puppies refer to our carefree, playful natures or childlike times. They can also indicate friendships. The fact that this puppy can not be seen and is unhappy could refer to feelings that carefree times or friendships are being lost.

To put this all together, it sounds like the dreamer has been facing a lot of challenges in life, ones perhaps being thwarted by other females. This is taking up enough time to interfere with friendships or other carefree pursuits, and causing a lot of stress. Your mind is advising you to take a break, relax, and nurture carefree pursuits before getting back into the "cat race." Good luck!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!