His By Design...
August 2013 Harlequin Desire Ziara glanced up to find Sloan’s gaze directed her way. His earlier anger had turned his bright blue eyes icily sharp, his body rigid, his jaw tight. But now he eased back in a chair, propping his elbows on the arms. His fingers absently stroked the upper ridge of his lip, drawing her attention to the sensuous curve of his mouth. His turbulent look suddenly softened like ice thawing beneath a heat lamp. Her emotions seesawed as his gaze traveled south, visually caressing the extra length of leg exposed by her hasty drop into her chair. She could almost feel his touch sliding along the edge of her skirt, tickling the sensitive skin on the backs of her legs. Bit by bit, Ziara used up her willpower forcing herself to sit impassively. The twitch of her thighs urged her to shift her feet, but she resisted. That would tell him just how much he affected her. Tightening her muscles, she tried to crack down on the spreading fire, to no avail. Ignoring physical desire had never been a problem before him. Her new boss. Her soothingly subtle gray business suit, so comfortable in the luxurious air-conditioning only moments ago, now felt heavy, itchy. Her nipples peaked against their confinement. She felt that he peered through her professional armor to the woman she kept hidden deep inside. How could a simple look make her so aware, too aware? As if she lacked something only he could provide. As casually as possible, she adjusted her position and her skirt, covering her legs down past her knees. Knowledge leaked into his eyes, as well as smug satisfaction. He did that on purpose. Feeling a need to defend herself, she met him with a flick of her lashes. Slowly she lifted her left brow. He grinned, not at all intimidated by her challenge. “Be in my office and ready to work first thing tomorrow morning.”
Available Now at Amazon, B&N, and other online retailers.
Check out more My Sexy Saturday posts HERE.
UPDATE: Its been very exciting to spot my book around my own town. I hope you are seeing it around yours! Keep those pictures coming in! I've got some great prizes to be had! (see submission info at the bottom of this post) Dani
A very special event happens this week--well, special to me, at least. My very first print book hits the shelves!!! I've had the pleasure of holding a copy in my hands, a pleasure 10 years in the making...now I'll get to see one on an actual bookshelf!
But over the next week, I hope you (the readers and fellow writers who have supported me so much along this journey) will join me in my excitement by sharing your experience of finding my book WITH ME. Today I'm asking, "Where in the world is my book?"
If you see it, send me a picture of it on the shelf or in your hands or in its shipping box or even checking out at the cashier... :) I'll post random pictures on Facebook and Twitter, and next week I'll reveal the winners of some Great Prizes here on my blog!
Submit the pictures to my email at readdaniwade@gmail.com . Be sure to include your name, email address, and the location the picture was taken from. The first prize winner gets a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes&Noble, the runner up gets a $10 gift card, and a special giftie will be given for any honorable mentions.
All you have to do to enter is answer (in photo form):
Where in the world is Dani Wade's book?
Dani
readdaniwade@gmail.com
A very special event happens this week--well, special to me, at least. My very first print book hits the shelves!!! I've had the pleasure of holding a copy in my hands, a pleasure 10 years in the making...now I'll get to see one on an actual bookshelf!
But over the next week, I hope you (the readers and fellow writers who have supported me so much along this journey) will join me in my excitement by sharing your experience of finding my book WITH ME. Today I'm asking, "Where in the world is my book?"
If you see it, send me a picture of it on the shelf or in your hands or in its shipping box or even checking out at the cashier... :) I'll post random pictures on Facebook and Twitter, and next week I'll reveal the winners of some Great Prizes here on my blog!
Submit the pictures to my email at readdaniwade@gmail.com . Be sure to include your name, email address, and the location the picture was taken from. The first prize winner gets a $25 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes&Noble, the runner up gets a $10 gift card, and a special giftie will be given for any honorable mentions.
All you have to do to enter is answer (in photo form):
Where in the world is Dani Wade's book?
Dani
readdaniwade@gmail.com Today I'm sharing a bit about my chaotic writing process with readers at The Pink Heart Society blog. You'll see, I write here, there, and everywhere! Join us!
I had the privilege of attending Romance Writers of America's National Conference in Atlanta, GA this year! It's been several years since I've been able to go, and the fact that this was the year I was eligible for the pink SOLD! ribbon made it that much more special.
I helped out at the PASIC reception held at Miss Pittypat's Porch! This restaurant was incredible! Great food. genuine southern hospitality. and a really cool atmosphere.
[caption id="attachment_552" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Authors Kira Sinclair. Dani Wade, Andrea Laurence[/caption]
I only got to attend 1 workshop while I was there but both the luncheon speeches were very inspirational! I'd forgotten how beneficial it is to listen to other authors talk about their journeys, the pitfalls and the high points. I came away with my creative well full and energized to write.
The majority of my time at Nationals was focused on the RITA Awards ceremony, as I was on the Awards committee this year. But those rehearsals were all worth it! And I got to see my lovely sister, Ella Sheridan, on her big night! She was a finalist for RWA's Golden Heart Award for Paranormal Romance. She didn't win, but we still celebrated her first publishing contract by dancing the night away after the show.
[caption id="attachment_548" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Authors Ella Sheridan, Dani Wade[/caption]The other major event for me was meeting my editor for the very first time! Charles Griemsman is my editor at Harlequin Desire. It was wonderful getting to know him better, and attending a dinner with him and other Desire authors. They were all very welcoming and I truly enjoyed learning about each of these lovely ladies!
[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dani Wade with editor Charles Griemsman[/caption][caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Authors Anna DePalo, Katherine Garbera, Emily McKay, editor Charles Griemsman, Michelle Celmer, Dani Wade[/caption]
Probably my favorite time of the trip was the Harlequin Party! This annual event is put on by my publisher at Nationals to celebrate their authors. We danced, had desserts and drinks, and sang long into the night. I got to see my cover for His By Design make an appearance on the big screens hung near the dance floor. The Sale Shoes even made an appearance!!! It wouldn't be a Harlequin Party without them.
[caption id="attachment_551" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Authors Addison Fox. Liz Talley, Jennifer Bray-Weber, Dani Wade[/caption][caption id="attachment_553" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Sale Shoes!!! Black-Dani Wade, Silver-Andrea Laurence, Brown-Kira Sinclair, slippers-Kimberly Lang (who had a good excuse for not wearing her sale shoes)[/caption]
Every year that I've attended a National Conference has taught me something about myself, has pushed me forward in a career I love so very much. This year was about stepping outside my comfort zone, meeting new people, and trying not to panic in the glass elevators. :) And it was my first time to really enjoy being Dani Wade, author. I think I accomplished a lot, hopefully started some new friendships, and created some great memories. I can't wait to do it all again next year!
Dani
I'm blogging today with Keira Kohl and her readers about the Dominant/Submissive themes in my books. Do you prefer the darkest of D/S in your books or your D/S on the lite side? Join us for the discussion and comment for a chance to win a gift card!
I'm over at Delilah Devlin's High Octane Heroes blog talking about my very own High Octane Hero, Michael Korvello! Check it out and comment for a chance to win a gift card!
So many things happening over the last 2 months, all leading up to the release of my first Harlequin Desire in August! So many times being an author is about the daily grind of putting words on the page or revising words on the page. But I've had the opportunity to do more of the fun stuff recently (along with putting words on the page). In June I attended the Heart of Dixie readers luncheon, meeting readers for the first time as an author instead of as a volunteer! One highlight was presenting my very own author basket after years of creating raffle baskets for this event.
Then I started off July with a new contract from Awesome Editor at Harlequin Desire!!! I don't have a release date for these books yet, but we've already started the first and I'm thrilled! I hope to have more information on those soon. In the meantime, I'll be meeting with Awesome Editor while I'm in Atlanta for RWA National conference in July. Lots of cool things happening there, including the opportunity to meet some of my fellow Desire authors.
The rest of the month will be horribly mundane, I'm sure. :) Lots of words to get on the page as I work not only on my next Harlequin, but also Daniel's book for the Backstage Pass series. I'll share lots more about my RWA experience after I return home, and the exciting happenings for Design's release next month!
Dani
Then I started off July with a new contract from Awesome Editor at Harlequin Desire!!! I don't have a release date for these books yet, but we've already started the first and I'm thrilled! I hope to have more information on those soon. In the meantime, I'll be meeting with Awesome Editor while I'm in Atlanta for RWA National conference in July. Lots of cool things happening there, including the opportunity to meet some of my fellow Desire authors.
The rest of the month will be horribly mundane, I'm sure. :) Lots of words to get on the page as I work not only on my next Harlequin, but also Daniel's book for the Backstage Pass series. I'll share lots more about my RWA experience after I return home, and the exciting happenings for Design's release next month!
Dani 
Wow! Can y'all believe its been 15 weeks since we started this little club? Nationals is next week and We Are Ready!
Today, I want to celebrate. Whether you've lost a little or a lot, whether you've posted every week or just followed along, I hope you've been encouraged and reinforced at least 1 thing that will stick with you on your journey to being a healthier person.
This is a hard road, and for those of us on it, its a road that doesn't end at a particular weight number. It continues to weave itself throughout our life's journeys, and that can be a tough realization to face.
But there are things along the way to make me smile -- a pound lost, the realization that I need new (smaller!) clothes for Nationals, a new tip or trick, a new recipe -- but most of all, those special friends you get to meet along the way! Thank you for joining me here every week. I wouldn't have made ANY progress if I hadn't had to check-in and reveal what I had/hadn't done to others.
Challenge: If you want to share your final progress, please do! But I hope you'll share the most important thing you learned over the last 15 weeks.
See you in Atlanta!!!!!
Dani
Next week is the Romance Writers of America National conference, the ultimate conference in the US for romance writing professionals. It's THE place to learn, socialize, meet industry professionals, and network. My first RWA National conference was quite a few years ago in New York. I was both nervous and exhilarated at the same time. Five conferences later, that hasn't changed. Though I feel those same emotions for different reasons.
This year I'll be meeting my Harlequin editor for the first time, assisting with the RITA awards production, putting faces to the names of my fellow Desire authors, and helping my little sis celebrate her Golden Heart final. I'll also get to attend as a PAN (Published Authors Network - recognition of an author achieving a certain level of professional sales with her writing) member, my debut year after making PAN with my first Harlequin contract.
But I'll also get to meet up with authors I only get to see at conference (like my Ruby Slippered Sisters) and hopefully get to go to a workshop or two on topics that aren't widely available at chapter meetings.
Though attending conference means 4 1/2 days of constant people, along with the stress of being "on" all the time, and even the good stress of catching up and meeting people, these times navigating crowds and learning to pull myself out of my comfort zone have been some of the biggest growth opportunities of my life. They've helped this introvert develop better people skills, more confidence, priorities, and learn to accept not being perfect. By Sunday morning I'm exhausted but happy.
So next week I'll be silent (because I'll be prepping, then gone), but I hope to return with many, many happy memories and some pictures to share!
Until then, share with us your most exciting/exhausting growing experiences. If you'd attended Nationals, what's your favorite memory?
Dani
So many times when we're dieting we focus on what we "can't" eat, and very little notoriety is given to what we CAN.
With my new meds and attempt to balance food, I find I have to have protein, which means meats for dinner. I'm notorious for cooking them until they're dry, because I worry they'll be raw in the middle. (Hubby, on the other hand, is great at it, but not home at dinnertime.) Plus, with a busy lifestyle (day job, kids' activities, writing, a house...), I don't have time to cook at full meal every night.
So today I want to share a quick and easy favorite from our house: mexican chicken. Just throw it in the crockpot (don't forget the slow cooker bag!) and by dinnertime its ready to shred and use for a salad, burritos, tacos, nachos, whatever you heart desires -- as long as you can be bothered to throw it together. :)
Here it is:
3 large bone-in chicken breasts (if you use boneless, add an extra breast)
1 large jar black bean & corn salsa (I prefer the Walmart brand.)
Line your crockpot with a slow cooker bag, add chicken, then pour jar of salsa on top. Set to low heat for 6 hours. Remove chicken from crockpot and shred with a fork. Serve as desired.
See? Easy peasy!
Challenge: What's your favorite "healthy" dish these days?
Dani