Study says brain takes less than a second to fall in love

Can brain studies prove love at first sight?

http://news.discovery.com/human/brain-takes-less-than-second-to-fall-in-love.html

As a romance author, I've written love at first sight. I've also explored instant sexual attraction that turns to love over time, as well as hesitant "Why do I want this person again???" attraction that sparks hot, steamy passion. On a personal level, I'll just say that we all experience love in different ways, so I don't think there's any one *right* way to approach it, be it in fiction or real life!

But hey, if science can back up a story of love at first sight, why not? Brain chemistry versus physical chemistry is fascinating, at any rate. What say you?

Progress report -- What's next?

Sonoran Heat continues to receive some very nice reviews and feedback, but already, it's time to focus on "What's next?"

I'm awaiting line edits on my "Not Quite Christmas" story, M/M contempo Sagittarius Blues. Loose Id's given me a tentative release date of December 14th, which would be totally awesome since that's leading man Ryan's birthday! And no, the scheduling-powers-that-be weren't aware of this fact, which makes it all the cooler. I'm hoping the book will indeed be released that day, as I'd like to think it portends good holiday omens. I'll post some teasers around Thanksgiving, so check back soon!

I'm also working on the new Eldritch Legacy book, A Forfeit Owed, which picks up 20 years after book one. I penned the opening chapter in 2007, when the Eldritch trilogy was with Aphrodite's Apples, but set it aside to focus on another certain series by the name of Blue Ruin. A Forfeit Owed remained on the backburner after Aphrodite's Apples closed and the Eldritches went homeless. In negotiating reprints with Loose Id, I agreed to write a fourth book, so I added three more chapters to A Forfeit Owed and contracted it along with the existing trilogy in 2008. I'd planned to finish the new installment last year, but as readers know, my writing career ran into some road bumps. Now that I'm back on track, I've returned to my neglected M/F/M, wherein Neville cousin Korinne Dupree faces the oh-so-horrid task of choosing between Inga's hot princely sons, Trystan and Darius. Eldritch sammiches aside, it's Trystan's story, really -- he would be the younger of the brothers, and the favored third child mentioned in Fates Fulfilled. If you've read books 2 and 3, you'll know why that detail's important.

The above two projects should see me through to the end of the year. I have more in mind for 2011, and know some of you are waiting for Blue Ruin 5, Sasha's book, Dusty and Cam's book, and/or the Sleight of Hand sequel. I'm more cautious of road bumps now, so can't promise specific dates, but I will write these books as time, energy, the Muse, musculoskeletal issues, and contractual obligations allow.

Not to mention, unexpected projects will likely present themselves out of nowhere. Sonoran Heat evolved from a free short story culled from a shelved PWP attempt. (Let's just say that in the original short, which I never posted publicly, Tony watched the sunrise from behind a dumpster...) Sagittarius Blues was randomly inspired by a submissions call and also derived from smut-tastic scribblings lingering on the hard drive. (I've tried to write 1,000-word-or-less stroke stories -- hey, I love to read them! -- but that damned plot and character development stuff rears its head every time.) If readers can count on anything, it's that I'll pull a plot bunny from my hat when least expected.

And that's "What's next?" As always, stay tuned!

Sonoran Heat is #3 at Amber Allure for September!

Amber Allure has posted their top ten sellers for September. Sonoran Heat is sitting at a very respectable #3, and in some fine company at that:


1. Wolf's Survival - T. A. Chase (Gay/Werewolf)
2. Twice In A Lifetime - Shawn Lane (Gay/Contemporary)
3. Sonoran Heat - Katrina Strauss (Gay/Contemporary)
4. Tommy's Blind Date - Anne Brooke (Gay/Contemporary)
5. Driven To Distraction - Anah Crow & Dianne Fox (Gay/Contemporary)
6. (Boys Of The Zodiac) Libra: Outlined In Ink - Vivien Dean (Gay/Suspense)
7. Wicked Cool - Val Kovalin (Gay/Suspense)
8. Workin' On The Railroad - Deirdre O'Dare (Gay/Contemporary)
9. The Brothers Of Hogg's Hollow - G. R. Richards (Gay/Contemporary)
10. Sonata Appassionata - Cat Grant (Gay/Contemporary)


I certainly can't complain. Thanks to everyone who's buying, reading, and spreading the word about Tony and Josh's hot desert romance!

Perspective check -- or, why God should avoid Goodreads

Dear Fellow Author,

Received a negative review? Take comfort in knowing the Good Lord Himself has been panned on Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/66520945

I wonder if God checks his ratings from time to time to see what readers are saying?

Okay, so it's a joke (the faux literati tone of the review, not the Good Book in question); still, it lends some perspective. While I'm at it, Shakespeare boasts an average, normal, middle-of-the-road rating of 3.83 stars, but then that's based on 756,791 ratings. I don't think sales of Romeo & Juliet are hurting too much.

In other words, if you find yourself obsessing over things like Goodreads or Amazon ratings, get thee off the computer or smart phone and, you know, go outside. Or play charades. Or get back to writing. It's what Frankenstein author Mary Shelley would have done after seeing one reader advise folks to "catch the movie instead."

Perspective -- do you have it? I'm trying. ;)