SaintBlacque

Introducing Bad Bettie!

2008-07-02T16:52:00.003-04:00

Bad Bettie
Series: Sugartown Blues ~ Book OneRelease Date: July 2, 2008
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Vintage Romance
Buy Here
Read Excerpt

Buy this book and receive Pros and Cons for FREE!

Click here to find out how!

In 1948 Los Angeles, Detective Mike O'Neal is a handsome cop whose world is changed forever after his squad raids Sugartown, a happening nightclub just off the beaten path. During the bust he watches helplessly as sultry blues singer Bettie Bleue is cut down by a stray bullet. After rushing her to the hospital, he can't bring himself to leave her bedside. When she awakens, he decides to never leave her side at all.

But wooing Bad Bettie has its complications. She's a bit flashy and hard to figure out for a straight arrow like the detective. Her sexy job and curvy build provoke beefs with the sort of men who don't take no for an answer. And having most of society against their love ain't a picnic, either.

Get TWO Books for the Price of ONE!

2008-06-25T20:47:00.001-04:00

Buy any of Layne’s books from the following publishers: Liquid Silver Books, Loose Id, Total-E-Bound, or The Wild Rose Press, and receive Layne’s New Concepts Publishing titles for free! Here’s how it works:

Go to Layne’s 2 for 1 Books page page, choose the title you want, and follow the buy link to the publisher’s website. Once you receive your title, send an email to layne.blacque@yahoo.com with your name and receipt, Layne will personally send you the New Concepts Publishing title of your choice!

*Please note - if you purchased one of these titles in the past from one of the publisher’s above, that’s fine. But you must forward proof of purchase to receive your free NCP title.
TWO books for the Price of ONE!

Sounds Like Heaven

2008-03-27T05:51:00.006-04:00

I tossed and turned much of the night away before picking up the remote control. Lo and behold, Xanadu was on, and my troubles drained away. I had no idea how stressed out I'd been until my body became Jello as I grooved to the soothing sounds of Olivia Newton-John. She's like an anesthetic, but strangely, she's also imbued with energy-boosting qualities. Listening to her has always put me in a happy, shiny mood.

Come now. Don't be afraid. Groove with me.

Fairwell Miss Alli, I Never Knew Thee

2008-03-20T00:14:00.004-04:00

You know, I've been so busy being demonized by New Concepts for daring to ask a question that I forgot to blog about one of the biggest disappointments in my tube-loving life. Television Without Pity's Miss Alli, she of the quick smackdown and "ban hand" has resigned after nearly seven years of loyal service. I'm disappointed to see her go, but in the wake of Bravo's buyout and the absence of the three head TWoPers, Wing Chun, Sars, and Glark, I can't say I'm surprised. Miss Alli's reign in the Reality Show category may be over, but she's already legendary on boards that proclaim TWoP's suckage.

My only regret is that she never banned me. Hell, I never even received a warning during my four years of membership. But... that might be my fault. I spend the bulk of my time in the Dramas, Sci-Fi, and Soap Opera categories where I've rarely seen even the bravest mods. Those sections= safe havens.

Wing, put the Fametracker forums back up!

And Laval? Whoever you are, you frighten me. And I think I love you.

Email: About Your Problem

2008-03-19T19:56:00.008-04:00

I received this email today from "M" and read it with mixed emotions. In replying to the sender, I requested permission to post their message. I’m choosing to answer publicly because it might give people insight into how some writers’ think. Or, insight into how I think. Or insight into how I didn’t think…

My reply follows the message.

I feel for your plight in this but shouldnt you have known better after what happened at OMP? If you had done a basic search you would have seen, that NCP has had problems for a long time now. Don’t get me wrong, because I like you books and have read several of the stories you put out, but, I wondered about your choices of picking publishers. Some are good like Liquid Silver and Loose Id. But the other ones??? I really shook my head when you all scattered last year but was happy to see my favorite authors find new homes for their books. Good luck with this mess, and I really hope you land on your feet,again.

No offense meant.
- A Reader

By the way, the email is in response to this post at the SIA blog.

A Reader: No offense meant.

Layne: None taken. In fact, I appreciate your message and receive it with the goodwill I believe was intended. Thank you for your concern and for following me the last few years.

A Reader: I feel for your plight in this but shouldnt you have known better after what happened at OMP? If you had done a basic search you would have seen, that NCP has had problems for a long time now.

Layne: You got me. I did preliminary research and discovered some authors had a hard time with NCP. But I didn’t let that bother me because, to be frank, I’ve never been with a publisher who ranked high on everyone’s list. If I had to do it over again, I might have sent feelers to authors who have a history with New Concepts. I know a few in passing, but I didn’t feel comfortable contacting folks I’d not corresponded with in years to get info. My shyness/reticence in this matter has come back to bite me in my oversized backside. From now on, I will always ask. Always.

A Reader: Don’t get me wrong, because I like you books and have read several of the stories you put out, but, I wondered about your choices of picking publishers. Some are good like Liquid Silver and Loose Id.

Layne: In all honesty, I never imagined I’d leave my first publishing home. I wasn’t aware of a lot of things going on, and for the most part, I was happy. But after I chose to leave OMP, I was disheartened by much of the drama and became depressed. A friend pushed me to submit to Loose Id. I didn’t hold my breath. But then the contract came, and I realized I still had a few stories left to tell. And yes, Loose Id is a good place to publish. Professional. Timely responses. Edits. Honest and fair assessment of manuscripts. Open discussion without fear of reprisal.

I also have respect for Liquid Silver Books. When they bought Breaking Becky, the editor told me the story would be published in four months. BB released almost four months to the day I signed the contract. LSB are open to discussion, professional, and I never feared reprisals even when I disagreed about their opinions re: one of my stories.

Another thing I’ll say about these two publishers: Both declined the same manuscript nearly a year apart. Well, both required revisions and edits on the same manuscript, and each gave succinct, storyline-based reasons as to why the story could not be published in its current form. I appreciated their critiques immensely, and though I’ve not yet moved to update the story in question, I walked away with the feeling that I had dealt with people who know their stuff.

So while I’m loathe to give “big-ups” to publishers given my varied history, I’ll say that I doubt writers of erotic romance could go wrong in submitting to Loose Id and Liquid Silver Books.

Also, though I’m not with them anymore, Phaze is a place to look at. I once had a long correspondence with editor-in-chief, Kat Lively, and she’s a great lady and knows her business. Gracious. Kind. Understanding. Professional.

A Reader: But the other ones???

Layne: I (and my writing buddy Taige Crenshaw) chose Total-E-Bound because we wanted to sell a series that the majors had rejected due to a fear the story might offend. Sin (and its brothers) are works of fiction, but I was unwilling to revise or edit out the “troubling” spots, even if it meant losing a chance at snagging a contract many erotic romance writers pine for. Besides, I’d just realized I wouldn’t be writing much more erotic romance…

…Because I discovered The Wild Rose Press. The roster is huge with many authors returning often. I liked that they have so many lines and departments. And since I’d been impersonating an erotic romance writer (sometimes well, sometimes not) I was intrigued about having the option of not sweating over sex scenes.

So far, I’ve worked with three editors at The Wild Rose Press. Each has been knowledgeable. Friendly. Professional. Prompt. Courteous. Helpful. This is not an endorsement. This is my experience.

My experience with New Concepts was strange, to say the least. I received an acceptance letter and contracts for two shorts I submitted. The editor-in-chief liked that I submitted two genres and invited me to submit more. I got excited and queried but heard nothing back about them—though they were interested in the fantasy series I’d placed elsewhere. After that, I sent in my paperwork And waited. A couple of months later, I sent emails inquiring about an editor. Anything. No response.

During that time, I was tired all the time. Could barely pull myself out of bed most days. Soon I was in and out of the doctor’s office, trying to determine the cause. It took awhile to get a diagnosis, but I was thrilled to learn I wasn’t dying. After that, I began to take stock. I had a lot of contracts out there, and I wanted to get everything off my plate so that I could rest. Since the NCP staff had yet to move on my titles, I asked NCP about options in releasing my contracts—I even considered buying them back, something I swore I’d never do—but then the threats came, and I wasn’t interested in playing anymore. There was no malice on my part before then. There is none now. I just don’t appreciate threats or being spoken to with an attitude my own mother never took with me.

And after being called a “…pre-madona [sic]” it occurred to me that I might be in danger, but by that point, I was too angry to care. If asking questions, standing up for my work, and fighting back when insulted makes me a problem, I’ll gladly own it. I’ll continue to do all these things because when a publisher contracts my work, it is not a favor to me. Publishers contract stories they think will sell. That’s the way it works. While I really like a couple of my publishers, I don’t have any friends among them. That means I have to go to bat for myself. And I don’t mind doing it.

A Reader: I really shook my head when you all scattered last year but was happy to see my favorite authors find new homes for their books. Good luck with this mess, and I really hope you land on your feet,again.

Layne: Thanks so much. I truly appreciate it. Thanks for writing and reading.

'DAYS' Haze

2008-02-04T00:36:00.000-05:00

I peeked over the covers long enough yesterday to send email and check my weekend forums for soap scoop (conspiracies, publishing talk, and crafts forums reign during the week.)

Many daytime fans have followed the WGA strike as if it were a soap, anxiously watching the days tick by as scab scripts aired. If I weren't damn near in traction, I would have jumped for joy after reading that the strike may be over soon (they ain't rolling over, and good for them!) and that all would be well again with my TiVo-ed wishes and Youtubed dreams.

But then I read something shocking: the powers behind Days of Our Lives, NBC's last great soap, fired roughly 3/4 of its writing staff, including head writer, Hogan Sheffer. Former associate head writer, Tom Casiello, blogged about the situation.

My first thought was DAYS is done. NBC seems to want out of the expensive soap-making business and will probably fill the airtime with gameshows or reality fare. The industry has watched viewership erode steadily since the late 80s, and some believe the capper was 1995's OJ Simpson trial which preempted daytime serials for months. When soaps finally returned to air, many viewers had already moved on.

1995 was the year DAYS and I first parted ways. After Marlena Evans Brady Black literally turned into the devil, I ran away from my television. I checked back in a few years later just in time to see Marlena "murder" Salem's matriarch, Mrs. Alice Horton...with donuts. Donuts, people! I've watched the show rarely since that time.

Still, the news of the dramatic staff cuts is saddening.

Dena Higley--recently ousted from One Life to Live after wowing viewers with storylines like Rape O' Todd, Spencer Knows Every-fricking-thing, and Sonfucker aka Kelly Does Duke, among others--returned to DAYS, her first home, and is now said to be taking over as head writer. I wish Dena much success (especially since she's off MY main soap) and I sincerely hope my prediction of DAYS' demise will not materialize.

But...I've already seen spoilers floating around. Spoilers--hopefully fake--that indicate the male half of one of my all-time fave supercouples could find himself tied to a bed. A crazy woman is leering over him and demanding hot, hot loving...and I can't complete that sentence. It's so silly, but, I can't dismiss the spoiler because, well, this writer once described a character's death as "fun."

So yeah, I wish Dena and DAYS well. I'm no longer a viewer, but that doesn't mean I won't mist up if and when it disappears from the screen. I'll always carry Bo and Hope, Patch and Kayla, and Jack and Jennifer in my heart.

I Feel Cleaner

2008-01-22T00:41:00.000-05:00

Seems I'm on a cleansing kick lately, and it's expressing itself in various ways. I'm cleaning off my plate in 2008 (hey, that rhymes!) because I've been under the weather and I need to rest. Can't say I'm surprised because 2007 was a busy time for me. I got jacked. Threatened. Rejected. Accepted. Befriended. Rescinded. But it all made for good practice.

My latest editor emailed me with a wonderful compliment, and it reminded me of my need to be cleaner in every aspect. ". . . I also wanted to say I'm looking forward to working with you, especially since you had one of the cleanest mss. I've ever read."

I won't lie. My first inclination was . . . suspicion. After I left my first ebook home and went shopping for places to rent, I was chastised for all manner of bad form. In fact, in 2007 alone, I've experienced all these:

- My first editor took away my semicolons and en-dashes
- My second editor took away my ellipses
- My third editor took away my overuse of feel/felt (and my ability to trust)
- My fourth editor took away my goodwill
- My fifth editor took away my habit (or is attempting to, ahem) of beginning sentences with words ending with -ing
- A publisher that rejected me warned against my over-reliance on a body part to describe changes in emotion
- A reviewer took away my need to use euphemisms for sex-type-things

I took away from these experiences a willingness to learn, grow, and a determination to stop making up words when I feel it appropriate. (Note to Aliyah: No more lasering for you. Sorry, babe. I know. You love pistoning genitalia. Me, too. But I'm not allowed to do it anymore. No. Not ever.)

I notice that writers very rarely talk about this sort of thing. We're generally more than happy to share our good news, though, and forget that rejection ever happens. One of my writer friends even told me that I'm "weird" in that way because rejection is embarrassing. I shrugged. "For you maybe. But if we were all perfect every time, why the hell would we need editors? Shit, if I could slam out the perfect, destined-to-be-a-bestseller-story, I'd self-publish and cut out the middle man. Do you really think I'd waste my time submitting if I had the ability to craft the perfect were-shapeshifter-m/f/m-BDSM-urban-paranormal-erotica novel/with-an HEA?"

I think not. No sir.

More about cleansing: I've sold three manuscripts in past six weeks, but none are erotic romance. A very smart woman told me to write what I love, and when I began to do that, everything began to fall into place. I'm less anxious--also less angry--and finally able to keep to a set writing schedule. I've one last erotic romance floating around out there, and I only submitted it after an editor's request. No matter what the publisher decides about its future, I know I'm done with that for awhile.

The same writer who told me rejection is embarrassing also inferred that my stories worked better in the living room than the bedroom. More of a mindfuck than a, uhm, fuck. I'm finally willing to admit that she's right. And that's where my embarrassment finally displays itself. I'd struggled so long and so hard against my own nature and received little satisfaction in return. I won't do that anymore. A mindfuck indeed. And I'd been doing it to myself the whole time.

The End of An Error

2008-01-05T03:35:00.000-05:00

The above is what I said to my friend when she told me she was getting married. It was a slip of the tongue for sure, but we both thought it was hysterically funny. But after we stopped laughing, we cried a bit, realizing that we needed endings in order to foster new beginnings.

I've known my friend Jen for seven years. I picked her, as is my way, because disaster usually strikes those who choose me. We worked in a cube-like environment, passing each other as I clocked out and she clocked in. She wore black every day. Every. Single. Day. Except for her whimsical pink handbags that might have been at home in a Barbie Dream House. I picked her to talk to because she looked exactly like the type of person I shouldn't like. In addition to her black gear, there was also her shaved head, pale skin and southern accent. She was also sullen and withdrawn.

But she was also bright--painfully so. She knew everything about everything, and during the odd moments she'd open up to impart her knowledge, something magical took flight around those dingy cubicles. A Jill of All Trades, but Mistress of None, I set about picking her noggin, because while I'm not great at other aspects of living, I fervently exercise my right to know.

So, we flirted in a completely girly, heterosexual manner after working overtime one evening. We auditioned for our roles as new best friends at a bar. After she admitted she'd married her gay husband to help him attain citizenship (yep, that still works!) and told me one of her great-aunts looks like Robert Guillame sans pigment, it was sooo on. I had nothing as worthy to contribute, but she did seem enamored by the trivial bits of news I'd picked up from reading a dozen or so free papers that day.

She passed me books between shift changes. They had titles like Cunt, Slut and Apocalypse Culture. I let her borrow movies like The Last Kiss Goodnight, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Sleeping With the Enemy. Four months later, after she no longer needed to live with her husband, she moved into the empty bedroom in my house.

The first thing I noticed upon cohabitation is that we handled stress differently. She'd become completely still, stop eating and go to sleep at every opportunity. I tend to get loud, eat anything not nailed down, and not sleep at all. I frightened her. She frightened me more.

But there was something....

Sometimes we'd sit for hours and discuss feelings that ranged from anger to apathy. We talked about everything and nothingness. I got her hooked on One Life to Live and Psych. She led me into the world of House and Two Guys and A Girl. During repeats of OZ and episodes of Law and Order: SVU, I listened patiently as she extolled the virtues of Christopher Meloni's neck. She politely humored my rants about my loving hatred of Peter Krause on Six Feet Under. We were magic.

And then, she moved away.

I loved her. I hated her. How could she do this? I'd made the choice, damn it, and this is how I was repaid? We trusted each other with some of our most hostile, vile thoughts...and distrusted each other because of those same thoughts. We were antagonists and were perfect together in that we were both too lazy to do anything to get the jousting started.

She said she'd never marry for love. But on my birthday, I learned that she would marry--and soon. She no longer wished to fight love anymore because knowing me had shown her how important it is!

Me? The woman who taught her how to hug (forcing them on her as I screamed "Black love!"), invading her cold, unwilling space until she finally gave in and now is the best hugger ever? Me, the one who started a row in the kitchen, one so startling that we both burst into tears? That fight sent her into her room, for she was ready to pack. But me, being me, explained that we could hate each other today and it would be all right tomorrow. Honest. If you agree to like me tomorrow morning, I agree to like you right on back. Though I doubt she believed me at first, she agreed. We lived to get pissed another day. And it was...nice.

That's when I realized this person who seemed so alien to me, someone I'd chosen because we weren't supposed to have anything in common, was my sister. Sisters, other mothers, that kinda shit. We began to hate each other openly and earnestly, then, because love--even platonic, sisterly love--hadn't been on the agenda for either of us.

So when she moved away, I thought we'd finally both escaped. We cried and hugged and snotted curbside until she climbed into her friend's SUV and said farewell. I thought I was free. Neither of us is known for the ability to keep in touch.

But Jen does keep in touch. She calls and emails and sends me weird videos. She dealt with two housemates that make my frequent bursts of insanity seem sweet. She got healthier, and stronger, and learned to love herself. And now she's in love with a nice man. I've chatted with him, and loved his laugh--deep from his gut, just like mine. He's smart. He's short. He's loud. Her words. But he makes her happy.

And since I'm not a kid anymore, and can find no rational reason not to be, I'm happy, too. Seems we're both in similar places. Neither of us is trying to outrun our demons anymore. We've both slowed down quite a bit.

Anyway, she swears nothing will change. That's bullshit. Everything will change, and it should. It's been a year, and I'm still not over looking to my right and her not being there (imagine two people sitting in a room for 12 hours and not speaking because both are on their laptops--sending IMs or emails...) She says the same thing about me all the time. Growing up is hard, and we resisted it as long as we could. I'm proud of her progress and she's proud of mine. And now that we both understand that we're lifers in this strange sibling-like relationship we've created, I think we both finally are free. And we each take baby steps to normalcy because of it.

Simply Irresistible Authors

2007-11-29T16:11:00.000-05:00

Join authors Aliyah Burke, L.T. Rashard, Nathasha Brooks-Harris, Taige Crenshaw and me at our new group site Simply Irresistible Authors launching on November 30, 2007. Sign up for our newsletter and group for the latest news about SIA authors and be instantly entered into monthly drawings for prizes ranging from books, to gift baskets and yep, fast cash.

Raven Halloween Hunt

2007-10-01T00:49:00.000-04:00

I'm participating in the Raven Halloween Hunt*, launching October 1, 2007. If you find the graphic I've hidden on my site, http://www.layneblacque.com, you could win a $15 Amazon.com Gift Certificate!

*Note - This contest has nothing to do with the upcoming Liquid Assets - Wetter Contest.

Bounced Emails

2007-10-01T00:46:00.000-04:00

Got an email from a reader who told me her first email to me bounced. If you've tried to contact me, and I haven't responded, I probably didn't get your mail. I checked out my site and believe I have the problem fixed. I can be contacted at layne.blacque@yahoo.com.

Liquid Assets: On Sale Now

2007-09-25T01:57:00.000-04:00

Available from Loose Id

Cassie isn’t above using her obvious charms to get what she wants. But when an unexpected windfall requires the commitment-phobic stunner to find a husband fast, she discovers she's put far more than her body on the line.

Say It Ain't So!

2007-09-19T01:50:00.000-04:00

The soap gossip mill is swirling around the rumored firing of Days of Our Lives star, Drake Hogestyn (John Black-Roman Brady-The Pawn-John Stevens-Father John).

I'm floored and I sincerely hope it's not true. I don't watch DAYS as often as I once did, but when I do tune in, seeing Drake's Eyebrow of Doom is very comforting. It's taken twenty-one years, but I've finally softened and accepted John's role as the real love of Marlena's life.

They can't do this to me! Erm, I mean, they can't do this to Marlena!

PayPal Woes

2007-09-19T01:08:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I stopped dragging my feet and attempted to buy a few e-writer essentials. Problem is, I chose PayPal to make my purchases and they're holding the funds for three days. I've been using PayPal pretty regularly for four years now. I checked my online account -- the funds may not be plentiful, but they're available. So I wondered about the hold-up.

It finally occurred to me that purchases were easier when I used my old email account with a credit card attached. I quickly inserted my numbers and hope everything clears tomorrow. As of right now, my funds remain Uncleared.

Liquid Assets: Wetter Contest

2007-09-19T00:48:00.000-04:00

Seems my re-releases (expanded, ahem) are destined to come out during the same months they originally premiered. Sin (first story in the expanded and co-authored with Taige Crenshaw Horsemen series) drops at Total-E-Bound in November--almost a year to the day after its original release. My first baby, Liquid Assets will release at Loose Id nearly two years after it first premiered.

I realized I hadn't run a contest since that time... I know, bad of me. Terrible public relations. I swear I'm trying to stay up on these things. But I'm a shut-in, drowning my sorrows in Pralines & Cream and The Steve Wilkos Show. Anyway, I'll be running a Liquid Assets contest very soon -- quite similar to my first. The previous one was so much fun (some of the answers I received tickled me) so I'm looking forward to reading the answers I receive. I'll post about it on my website and blog very soon.

Steeeeeve!!!

2007-09-19T00:30:00.001-04:00

I've fused myself to the sofa, enjoying this season's new TV offerings, both daytime and primetime. Here in New York, The Ellen Degeneres show is on before noon again, after relinquishing last year's 4p.m. timeslot. Though the new season hasn't premiered yet, I'm looking forward to watching Drew Carey host The Price Is Right. But the biggest boon of all to my beloved TiVo has been The Steve Wilkos Show.

Steve, former Jerry Springer bodyguard extraordinaire, is a surprisingly capable host. Last year, he toiled on Fridays as Jerry's sub, blocking punches even as he lobbed questions at guests. Like many men of his size, he has a gentle demeanor, but has no problem losing his shit when things go too far. And on his new show, things go too far fairly often.

The show itself is like a melding of old-school Sally Jessy Raphael (guilt and crying); 90s Springer (before the fights became noticeably staged); and hardcore Geraldo (Steve, like Geraldo, is perfectly willing to fight his guests!)

I can't say I'll watch everyday, but in between viewings of Tyra and Montel Williams (but ONLY when psychic Sylvia Browne is in residence) Steve is a refreshing addition to my afternoon viewing.

May We Suggest...

2007-08-30T16:32:00.001-04:00

With a heavy heart, I'm writing to announce that I've finally turned off the "Suggestions" menu in my TiVo.

For some reason TiVo thinks I'm interested in every syndicated episode of Becker ever made. He also thinks I like The Fabulous Life Of..., George Lopez and Magnum P.I. Now, while I could probably accept any of those shows on a really slow Sunday (and only when Flavor of Love or a derivative is not in rotation) TiVo and I had our last spat over its insistence on recording Simon & Simon.

Now that Suggestions and I are on hiatus, though, I have to wonder about something. What part of my viewing habits is so unsavory that it would come up with that sampling especially for me?

Romance Clinic, or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love My Heroines

2007-08-30T14:14:00.000-04:00

I rarely submit stories for anthologies or specific themes because my writing tends to go off on its own course. The moment I know something "specialized" is required, I can bet the farm the story will go far afield of its original intent. I'm experiencing this now -- writing a story on command, with a specific word count, genre and audience focus.

Outlines and synopses be damned...I can't get this thing done. I don't feel particularly blocked. In fact, I have a whole lot to say. It's just that the deeper I dig, the more I realize I'm not finding the romance in this story.

And there lies the problem: I'm not a romance writer.

It's not a romance if...
- the story can stand alone without romantic elements

That's what I've been told. That's what I've read.

Kind, well-meaning authors have tried to tell me this in the past. All that did was put my nose out of joint. And since my mom always says, "You don't believe shit stinks until you smell it," I had to do a lot of reading and writing to finally come to the same conclusion all on my own.

After a writer-friend said, "Romance seems to be secondary in your stories. In fact, your heroine always seems to do everything in her power to not be with the hero, it's crazy!" I finally had one of those Oprah's light bulb moments.

My heroines are commitment-phobic. They are often "coerced" into romance. If I wrote historicals, I'm sure I'd probably be fond of those un-PC forced seductions. Egads!

"Sassy is fine," I'm often told. "But your heroine is going into "unlikable" territory, and the reader won't be able to relate. Why must she be so ornery?"

Since I spent most of my year partying at Must.Find.A.Publisher-alooza 2007, similar questions have been asked of me as I shopped my wares. After much gnashing of teeth on my end, I sat down and reevaluated my goals.

I believe publishing is a cooperative business between authors, publishers and readers. Therefore, I set out to cooperate.

For a brief time, I went into what I like to call Romance Clinic. I picked the brains of the sexier writers I know and got critiques -- good and bad. I wrote a lot, edited a lot and revised a lot. I wrote some good stories during this period. I wrote stories that need to be rehabbed. I wrote stories that will never see the light of day. Most importantly, I wrote and wrote and wrote some more.

Out of all that writing came another light bulb moment: I gotta be me.

I'd be doing a disservice to myself and readers if I suddenly morphed into someone else. And whether publishers realize it or not, me sending them watered down versions of my original vision would be a disservice to them.

So all I can do now is work on the stuff every romance/erotica writer should care about. For me, these include tighter writing, better grammar/punctuation, better plots and hotter love scenes.

Horsin' Around

2007-08-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

A confession:

In November 2006, I wrote my first fantasy story. The story published under Shay Leonard, one of my pseudonyms and contained enough subversive elements and not enough sex to get it published elsewhere. Sin, the first installment in my Horsemen of Apocalypse Island series sold fairly well for a story with little promotion and more mythology than epic passion.

The story sat in my folder until the evening I admitted to my friend Taige Crenshaw that I was a dabbler in the genre. I'm truly a fan of her work, so when she asked me to send a copy of the manuscript, I couldn't get it into her Yahoo IM fast enough. She quickly read the story and gave me her honest opinion, "I loved it. But it could be sexier. It could be so much more bad ass. It could be epic. I think this story could be explored farther."

I threw down the gauntlet, "It's like that, huh? You want to explore my story? Go on, then. Explore."

Two days later she sent me her exploration of Sin. She added examples of elements that would strengthen the story. She called me and admitted that she'd fallen hard for Sin. Her ideas added beauty and dimension to a story I already loved. Our discussions about the characters and mythology were so enthusiastic that we finally discussed a collaboration -- something I'd never before considered. Then we discussed publishing the fruits of our combined labors.

So we shopped our beloved horsies. We looked for a suitable home to showcase their virilty, mythology and their way with the ladies. We were happy to find a home with total e bound.

Taige and I invite you into the mythology of the Horsemen of Apocalypse Island.

To visit the Horsemen, visit:

http://www.layneblacque.com/books/horsemen/sin.htm

http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/books/horsemen/index.html

New Contracts/New Publishers

2007-08-18T16:16:00.000-04:00

Ascending Venus, a fantasy romance featuring a sassy bronzed Venus and a besotted Mercury as her consort, sold to New Concepts Publishing. More about Ascending Venus..

Pros and Cons, a contemporary romance about a cat burglar and the hot guy she robs sold to New Concepts Publishing. More about Pros and Cons…

Whipped, a contemporary about a career-minded woman with a fetish for pain sold to total-e-bound. More about Whipped…

Sin, a fantasy romance co-written with Taige Crenshaw sold to total-e-bound. More about Sin…

Ode to Auntie Ro

2007-08-14T21:09:00.001-04:00

Tonight I saw my Aunt Ro. When I told her I just had a story released, she immediately reached for her wallet. "You still writing articles and nasty stories? That one about that lady in jail upset me something terrible."

"That's all right, Auntie. This is an electronic book," I explained. "You'll need a computer to read it. And some of the language is racy."

"Oh, okay. I'll buy two. But I ain't gonna promise you I'll read it. You like to kill people too much...and why don't the people have happy endings?"

I laughed. "This is different kind of story. My heroine ends up happy enough, I suppose."

"Uhm," she grunted, looking at the cover. "She showing her backside."

"She's been a bad girl," I joked.

Auntie smiled brightly. "Breaking Becky," she whispered, allowing the words to roll off her tongue. "Well if she's bad, then I'll take four."

Breaking Becky's Been Giggled!

2007-08-14T15:58:00.000-04:00

And apparently, my romantic stylings made Mrs. Giggles laugh hard.

Yesterday Was the Best Day Ever!

2007-08-14T12:09:00.001-04:00

You'll think I'm here to gush about the recent release of Breaking Becky (available now from Liquid Silver Books!). Or maybe I'll talk about my upcoming titles. Nah. That's next week.

Yesterday was the best day ever because my Angry TV Boyfriend took home the gold. Rock of Hell's Kitchen beat out the competition and won his own restaurant! I'm ecstatic -- and not just because this is the first correct reality show prediction I've made. Even though that makes me feel kinda warm and fuzzy. Nope. I'm happy because I knew the angriest chef would win.

I've worked for -- and with -- chefs. One of my dearest friends and her ex-husband are chefs. And while they're great people, they have a drive and energy that's undeniable. Rock may have lost his shit over lobster bisques and garbage duty, but I'm sure he'll hold it together in his kitchen.

And yes, I'll say it now: I definitely smell what Rock is cooking.

As for Gordon Ramsey... Woof! HK and Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares have won me over. If the good-cooking, profanity-spewing hottie keeps it up, I might finally be able to move on from my first TV Chef Boyfriend: Rocco DiSpirito.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

2007-08-14T11:35:00.001-04:00

And I like to return the favor whenever possible.

Jinger With A "J" by L.T. Rashard - Available Now from Loose Id

Martin Constantine: sexy, rich, single. He has everything in the world, except the love of the one woman he wants the most. Jinger once promised him that she'd do anything that he'd want her to do. He's going to make her for fill that promise in every way possible, and he's playing for keeps.

Jinger Miller: recently suffered a nasty divorce. The fact that the sexiest man on the Gulf Coast wants her ought to be enough to make any woman tap into her inner Scarlet O'Hara. Oh, but not Jinger. She'll submit to Martin sexually, no matter what he asks her to do, she'll do it…in bed. She's just not willing to trust him with the one thing he wants most: her heart.

New Release: Breaking Becky

2007-08-13T14:03:00.000-04:00

Breaking Becky - Available today from Liquid Silver Books

Becky Dommer is a stunning young woman willing to sleep her way into one of the world's oldest professions: trophy wife. But the rich doctor she charms into her bed is too devoted to his reputation—and wife of twenty-seven years—to ever consider helping her live out her dream.

Frustration leads her back into the arms of Jake Sawyer, the man she dumped to woo Dr. Unavailable. But when Jake, a normally easygoing and cool type, decides to take matters—and a very stubborn Becky—into his own hands, the once money-hungry vixen learns to submit to love. She learns to submit to everything...

Bad Bios

2007-08-13T08:21:00.000-04:00

Just hopped over to Liquid Silver and saw that I finally hit the authors' section. I clicked on my bio and cringed. I've never been able to write a proper romance bio and probably never will. The bio on the LSB site looks like something I'd put on a resume if I was looking to become a reporter for Black Love & Entertainment Digest.

No, I ain't linking it. If you want to laugh at me, you'll have to find it yourself.

Teaser: Killer Instinct

2007-08-11T01:00:00.000-04:00

In a town where the chosen can fly to dizzying heights, committing career suicide can be murder.

Hollywood starlet Mya Lare is scheduled to go on trial for the murder of her agent, Arlene Evans. Her motive: the well-connected agent had Mya blacklisted while pretending to work to further her career. The hot-headed actress vehemently proclaims her innocence, but the evidence says otherwise. An angry voicemail message and a bloodstained hammer could be enough to send her away for life.

Defense attorney Luke Paulson realizes defending his uncooperative client will be no easy feat. After he gets her out on bail, she insinuates herself into his life by using every means at her disposal. By the time Mya's trial begins, Luke has two problems.

He has to find a way to get the defiant actress to play nice for the jurors. And find the evidence that will keep the woman he loves out of a prison.

Coming Soon....

I Know What YOU Want

2007-08-10T19:16:00.000-04:00

You want me to respond to your blog. You want free promotion for Jinger With A "J" -- the ultra sensual novel premiering at Loose Id on August 14th, 2007.

But I won't fall for the bait.

Finally, A Release!

2007-08-10T02:20:00.000-04:00

I just realized that my last release happened in December 2006. That's a long time in e-Land. I have a history of this, I suppose, mostly due to my extended hiatus last year. But with Breaking Becky's* release on the horizon, I'm looking to step things up. I'll be blogging about new contracts -- and new series -- soon.

*Breaking Becky - Available Monday 8/13/2007 at Liquid Silver Books.

Ugly Chest Blog Is Back

2007-08-10T02:13:00.000-04:00

I scoured the web for cute stuff, nice stuff, free stuff and neat stuff. But nothing tickled my fancy. Ugly Chest Blog rules.

Excuse My Dust

2007-08-09T14:04:00.000-04:00

Visitors this week may notice sudden template changes and broken links as I update and throw things away. I'm not fond of Beta Blogger's Page Elements system and would rather deal with code. I'm looking at all the options left for working with the Classic Blogger interface.

Liquid Assets: Wetter, Better

2007-08-09T12:00:00.001-04:00

I wanted to wait until I had a cover to show off before talking about the changes in Liquid Assets (re-releases at Loose Id on September 25, 2007). But I can't! I'm excited.

Liquid Assets v1.5 includes the following:

- additional material
- superior editing
- pinker prose
- more depth
- "aha!" moments
- and more liquid lovin'

When I packed my bags and left my first publishing home on a dark January night, I was overcome by emotion. Frankly, I had no idea where I or my stories would end up. For a brief time, I wondered if I'd been correct the previous year--that I should stick to nonfiction and articles and get the hell out of this crazy storytelling business. But the more I tried to suppress the voices of the characters who spoke to me, the unhappier I became.

Then something miraculous happened: writers, friends and readers began whispering in my ear. I'm pretty shy, so realizing that so many people cared about my predicament really touched me. I was awed. I was tickled. So I listened to them. I listened to my heart. I put sassy Cassie on my back and went shopping for her new digs. Turns out, the first stop I made was the right one. With my fetish for "Ls," Loose Id seemed a perfect fit. And I was delighted when they thought so too.

My Loose Id editor's first name begins with an L. We hit it off straightaway. She's a loving taskmaster whose every suggestion and change enhanced the beauty of my story. She understands the characters--something very helpful to me. Not once did she ask me to sympathize, homogenize or de-ball anyone. In fact, when she did request changes, she asked for more depth.

I once told her that editing depresses me. I liken the process to handing over your child to someone only to have them tell you she's homely. But being paired with an editor who sees the beauty in my child -- despite my kid's scabby knees, temper tantrums and flights of delusion -- has humbled me. She gets me. She understands the stories I write.

One weekend after some intense correspondence, I bawled my eyes out with happiness. Yeah, I cry. So what? I cry a lot! I cry because I bleed for my characters. I cry because my creations come alive when they bleed. And while I'm aware that my brand of storytelling isn't for everyone, (I giggled one night when I read a post from a reader who says she doesn't "do tough love") I know that I can't stop writing about these often troubled, tough-talking people. The few times I tried...well, it was a disaster.

So no going gently into that good night for me. If I go, it'll be kicking and screaming as loudly as any of my heroines. And when cornered, they kick pretty hard.

Dude! A tornado?!

2007-08-09T11:20:00.000-04:00

That was the subject line of an email I received from my friend Anita yesterday. Yep, a tornado barreled through NYC, messing up mass transit something terrible.

Despite living here, I was the last to know. I slept through the whole thing.

We Couldn't Make It Work

2007-08-09T11:10:00.000-04:00

On Sunday August 5, WordPress and I began a little affair. It was good at first, and I saw bright things in our future. But within a day of my first post, he became uncooperative, refusing to display my links and categories.

I don't blame him. I'm starting to realize I may need a new host. Nothing against them, but my sites have undergone so much drama this year. They've been hacked. They're constantly changing the cPanel interface (it's pretty, but it doesn't always work properly) and I'm always afraid of what I may see when I login. So I've tucked my tail between my legs and begged Blogger to take me back. He swears that as long as I allow him to host my blog, we'll be OK.