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Click here to read excerpts, samples and buy Virginia Nelson’s books!

Virginia Nelson is one of my very best friends.  She’s been with me through thick and thin (mostly thick – and not in the good way) over the past several years.  In 2012, we both vowed to start kicking ass on our careers – and we did.  Virginia started cranking out bestselling books and she hasn’t stopped to look back since!

Her recent release was Odd Stuff, which we’ll read about today, but she has another new book being released tomorrow – watch my blog for the 411 on that manana!

And here’s Virg!

Thanks for having me on the blog today, Lisa!

Odd Stuff isn’t just the title of my re-released paranormal romantic comedy…it was also a very strange book to write.  For starters, it was my first published novel and it won HEAReviews Best Books of 2010 among other awesome reviews.  I also wrote the book entirely in reverse.  I knew how it ended but not how it started when I began.  Drove my beta readers nuts reading it because they journeyed with me from the conclusion to how it began.  Janie, the heroine, isn’t your typical heroine either.  She’s a powerful paranormal creature who really wants what we all want—a normal, predictable life.  She doesn’t really want all the extra chaos…but it comes after her anyway.

Hopefully readers have as much fun journeying with Janie as I did writing her.

Blurb: Janie Smith tumbles through the paranormal world making mistakes and not keeping her sharp tongue in check. Pretending to be normal is what she has spent her whole life perfecting. But when her best friend, a witch named Mia, gets tangled in a murder investigation, Janie tries to stick to her guns and solve it without any “extra” help, be it supernatural or sexual. The hitch is that Mia is suspected to have murdered a vampire…and how do you prove you haven’t killed someone who has no pulse?

About the Author:

Virginia Nelson spends her days chasing three very active kids around. When she is not doing this, or plotting taking over the world, she likes to write, play in the mud, drive far too fast and scream at inanimate objects. She can often be found listening to music that is far too loud and typing her next fantastic tale of blood, sex and random acts of ineptitude. Romance, in Ms. Nelson’s opinion, is not about riding off into the sunset on the back of a horse with the knight in shining armor— it is about riding the dragon. If the knight can keep up… well, that is love.  Find me online virg-nelson.com

Grab your copy of Odd Stuff today! 

Authors!  Are you tired of paying outrageous hosting fees for website that are a pain in the butt to maintain?  Look no further than WordPress.com!  In my next online class, I’ll walk you through with babysteps on how to set up a complete WordPress.com website yourself and never have to pay a webmaster or outrageous hosting fees again.

This class is only $25 and filling up fast, so click on the link below to register now through the Colorado Romance Writers!

Creating Your Author Website with WordPress
Instructor: Lisa Pietsch
Dates: February 4 – February 15, 2013
Classroom: MileHigh
Tools & Technology, Professional Development, Promotions, Publicity, Intermediate to Advanced Students

Los colores de mi pasión

For those of you who may not have noticed, I’m a pretty big fan of tequila.  To me, it is a food group!  It is also a topic that my brother and I will discuss at great length and provides a special connection for siblings who live so far apart.  I have the pleasure of working with a local tequila importer that imports the brands of El Perrito Tequila and SOAH – Source of all Happiness) tequila.  Today, a fan of SOAH asked a question that was much too long to be answered on Facebook so I thought I’d do so here where I could expound upon the subject and include photos.  Whether you drink tequila or not, I hope you’ll find this somewhat interesting.  Please bear in mind I am a hobbyist, not by any means a professional on the topic but I’ll share what I know with you.  If you’d like more information about tequila, I’d recommend reading articles and blogs by Mike Morales who is a professional tequila journalist.

Anita asked about SOAH Tequila: Tell me about the different colors of SOAH………the letters on the bottles.

Ahh…Anita.  What fun you have allowed me!

SOAH Silver Tequila

“SOAH” stands for “Source of All Happiness”.  Source of all Happiness

is too long to use large lettering so it is shortened to an acronym “SOAH” on the bottles with “Source Of All Happiness” written out below it.  It is named Source of all Happiness because some of the happiest of times in many people’s lives are when they enjoy good food and good drink with friends and loved ones.  Enjoying simple pleasures with those we love is what we at SOAH believe is the sunshine of life (thus the Mayan sun design) and the true source of all happiness.

The colors of SOAH aren’t so much color as flavor.  With tequila, the deeper the color, the more robust the flavor.

SOAH Reposado Tequila

The Silver (clear) tequila is not aged, but fresh and crystalline in flavor.  This is a lovely tequila for mixed drinks.  The clear bottle has dark blue lettering.

The Reposado is the color of golden sunshine.  The clear bottle has red lettering.  It is called “Reposado” because it has rested.  It has been aged for 10 months in white oak barrels that were previously used for bourbon.  (The industry standard for a tequila to be called a Reposado is aging it for only 2 months.)  It has more body than the Silver with a hint of smoke, spice and fruit flavors that mix well for a smooth taste that glides over the tongue.  This one will mix a margarita that is rich in flavor and is particularly suited to drinks with orange in them.  For a smooth tequila shot, this is the one you want.  Lime and salt are completely unnecessary.

SOAH Anejo Tequila

The Anejo is an amber color.  The clear bottle has aqua lettering.  This has aged for 20 months in those delightful white oak bourbon barrels and has had more time to draw out the flavor in the wood.  (The industry standard for a tequila to be classified as an anejo is aging for one year.)  In the anejo, you will taste hints of nuts, vanilla and caramel.  It has a much more intense flavor and leaves a sweet aftertaste.  This is not the tequila you gulp in a shot.  This is the tequila you drink on the rocks while relaxing outdoors or in a comfortable home with friends.  If you mix it into a margarita, you may not sense the alcohol at all.

SOAH Extra Anejo Tequila

The Extra Anejo is the dark caramel color.  The clear bottle has white lettering.  This has been aged for 45 months.  (The industry standard for aging an extra anejo is three years.)  The Extra Anejo is the perfect dessert.  Sip it straight from a tequila snifter or a wine glass at room temperature.  You will taste the flavors of almonds, vanilla, plums, dark chocolate, cinnamon and clove.  I love to pair this with dark chocolate truffles.  The flavors of both complement each other immensely.

So it is with the colors of my passion and the flavors of tequila.  The richer the color, the finer the flavor.  I recommend tasting all of them and enjoying the simple pleasures each brings.

You can find out more about SOAH Tequila and get news on where to find complimentary tastings on Facebook.

The emotional sequel to Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here.  Readers wished for more Jazz, Logan and Zach and the threesome are reunited when the unthinkable happens.

No Regrets, No Surrender

Always a Marine #6

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-61333-420-1

Release Date:  20 Nov 2012

This sixth installment of the Always a Marine series for Decadent Publishing and a first for the series, as a spinoff of Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here. Jazz, Logan and Zach met via a 1NightStand. This is the business name of an exclusive online dating service run by Madame Evangeline who provides her clients with a possibility of happily ever after or happily for now.

BLURB:

At the end of their night of frenzied passion, Jazz Winters walked away from the only two men who’d ever made her feel like a woman. Logan Cavanaugh and Zach Evans let her go, but only if she swore all her future leaves to them.

Waiting fourteen excruciatingly long months, visiting Jazz when they can, is harder on the guys that they like to admit. But their work at Mike’s Place, a veteran’s rehabilitative facility, only lets Zach and Logan go one at a time. Jazz fears their unconventional relationship can’t last a lifetime. The stress of years of military service in hot zones, combined with life-threatening injuries pushed her to the edge. But when she comes home a wounded warrior, not the woman she believes they want, Zach and Logan are right there to help her, even when she resists.

She’s not alone. Whether she chooses one or both, they have no regrets and they won’t surrender.

 Website | Always a Marine Series | Facebook | Twitter

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Fun Facts

TBI – traumatic brain injury affects many of the men and women who served overseas in and out of conflict zones. Research into long term treatment and effects continues.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of No Regrets, No Surrender will be donated to Fisher House—the real life Mike’s Place.