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Reviews"The storyline was pure reading heaven..." - Talia Ricci, Joyfully Reviewed, for Riding Partner "This
novella is an erotic romance and delivers on both counts - it is quite romantic
and is full of some hot bed play." Marina, Cupid's Library Reviews for Revealing
Photos " UNDER HER SKIN is so much more than a wonderful romance, it’s
a lesson in love and acceptance. It is an experience not to be missed."
Recent Posts
Writing Wednesday: Scruff your inner editor Sexy Feet - Some Thoughts on Cover Art Writing Without Distractions Writing Wednesday: Is it really work? Marketing Monday: Code Everything You Send Finding Your Bliss...Bears? Writing Wednesday: Writer's Organizations Make A Difference Monday: Get out of the Box My March 2008 newsletter is out! New Release - Mission: Carnal (Live Action Hero 1)
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Well, DemiCon is over. Closing ceremoies occured at 3 pm this afternoon, where I won an autographed Kevin J. Anderson book in the volunteer drawing. Also picked up some other freebies, and then Steve and I ate dinner at the Machine Shed. Steak & Shrimp... yummy!!! Then we came home. After letting the kitties tell us how bad we were for abandoning them for two days, we commenced with the mundane stuff of getting back to real life. I'm off work tomorrow, hooray!, so hope to get lots of writing and other stuff done. Will be way too hot to go see the horse. :( So... we left off with your intrepid writer in the consuite at 1 pm yesterday. I was having a conversation with some lovely ladies who had held a bacon-themed room party the night before. They were doing it again, and they watched me fall as I had one of the most marvelous peanut butter rice crispy squares covered with chocolate (about a 1" square, so not way mega bad), and then watched as I hugged Susan, the maker of said chocolate since that was the first REAL (by real I mean non Weight Watchers, non diet chocolate I'd had in 18 weeks.) I then went to some panels, went to panel of my own, Defining Evil, which I was on with authors Rob Chilson and Ruth Souther whose book Immortal Journey: The Death of Innocence is published by Laruso Publishing. I also happened to meet some folks from Laruso and they're the nicest people. Spent the night watching the Masquerade in which people with far more time and skills than I display their costumes. Very awesome. Then, hung out visited room parties. Nearly orgasmed from a piece of bacon and waffle at Laura's lovely "bacon party the 2nd day." and then I had my midnight reading, which began by my walking up and down the halls telling people there was erotic science fiction and fantasy being read. A few people left their drinking and partying to come join me, and I had a very nice reading. Crashed at 3 am. Alarm went off at 8. Decided no swimming for this writer, and I went back to bed until time to wake up, shower, and head downstairs for my panel on Mythic vs. the Mundane, on how we put the mythic into the mundane. Run upstaris, pack, check out, back down stairs for an ebook panel held with Bill, a very nice and cool guy from the local sf club who is way into ebooks. Go him!!!! And then to my book sale where I sold a few books, which I consider awesome considering that I'm selling romance to a science fiction/fantasy crowd... one more tour through the dealer's room to talk to the lady selling Buffy dolls... I want.... I will talk to her later since she's in Iowa City.... and then closing ceremonies and home. So for those who haven't been to RT, since I liken a sf convention to RT only with less cover models (sniff! sniff!), but lots of readers, authors, and fun to be had by all... I hope this gives you an idea of what happens at a science fiction convention. We're not all geeks running around talking about Star Trek. No, you'll catch me discussing "My hour with Ben Browder's butt" (err.. Farscape), "My hour with Michael Shanks and Ben Browder" (err.. Stargate SG-1), "My hour with...." well, you get the idea. :) And.... just in time .... lots of pretties.... Here are some nice people and their costumes. Oh, and some photos from a late night astronomy session which I forgot to attend, but got a nice look at the double star in the big dipper and jupiter with some of its moons.  This is Alanna (I think I have her name right). We were neighbors in the dealer's room a few years back, and she's a super nice lady.   This is another very nice lady whose name I missed and a nice gentleman by the name of Steven, I believe, who I've seen at several conventions but never really met.  This is Brian, from our local SF club. Doesn't he cut a dashing figure? Don't ask him about his rapier.   These pictures are of my friend Edward. He's an awesome writer and very nice to boot. The last picture was taken of him in his "pimp hat" which is a staple and a favorite at conventions.  I'm afraid I don't know who this gentleman is, but he was in the masquerade, and he made this costume himself.    These pictures were taken at the late night astronomy session. Just a couple pictures of the twinklies off the parking ramp of the city lights, and of Steve contemplating the twinklies.  
Well, it's 1pm. I had a wakeup call at the ungodly hour of 8 this morning (after crawling into bed about 3), because I wanted to go to the pool. I went to the pool, had breakfast, and then went to the yoga. Wow. Then, I came back up, grabbed the laptop, and am spending time hanging out in the con suite talking with people. Very exciting. :) I'm awake. For how long, not sure... but I am awake. :)
Demi Con - Day 1? (or is it 2 now?) - 2am post Well, I'm winding down my Friday, but hoping for an 8:30 wake-up call so I can hit the pool again in the morning before I head to the 10 am yoga session. I have costume pictures, which I'll post when I have time, probably not this weekend, but I've got 'em. The thing I love is the author ribbon on my badge. "You're an author?" "Why Yes I am. I write erotic romance with a science fiction/fantasy bent, or just plain erotica." (insert evil grin here.) "Way cool! That's awesome." Yep.... these people, they love the sexy stuff. :) And I had a member of the concom call me a good writer. Sure, he might have read the fantasy/science fiction stuff with no sex, but still.... way mega boost to my ego. Found the most yummy vodka fruit juice punch. Didn't drink more than a glass -- how many points was that? But spent a good 90 minutes plus at the dance so I think that even cancelled out the 12 M&Ms I ate. (Heh! My evil is so benign.) Getting ready to crawl into bed... Zzzzzzzz
So I drove across town, found the parking ramp, and got checked in. This room is very nice. I'm on the same floor as the pool (thank you hotel for honoring my request), so now I can play dolphin as much as I want. I so love to swim, and the whirlpool will feel so good on my aching hip. Steve and I had supper at the Hessen House, a German bar not far from here where he'd eaten before. We walked there (go Activity points!!!), and back, and I think I've made pretty smart food choices. Yes, I'm adamant about sticking to Weight Watchers while I'm here, but I figure I'll live off of excitment and adrenaline, because I AM AN AUTHOR GUEST AT THIS CONVENTION. That's right folks. The lovely folks who I know and love at the Des Moines Science Fiction society decided that they like my work and invited me here. :) So, I'll be blogging periodically over this weekend at the convention. For more information ... http://www.demicon.org (on the restaurants page is a link to the Hessen House) http://www.dmsfs.org and http://www.hotelfortdesmoines.com/ Have fun! Stay cool! Off to the pool!!!!!!!!!!!
"Water LustFun In the Sun quicWater Lust is a wonderful mini goodie. From beginning to end, this story was captivating and steamy. The location of Water Lust was undeniably just perfect. Nothing is better than a love scene on the beach with your ideal guy, even if he is from the sea. Just in a short while, Mary Winter shows how the character Grace comes to understand herself and what she wants. The paranormal element in this story was attention-grabbing to say the least; it gave the story quite an edge that really worked. Water Lust is a wonderfully pleasing book that I recommend. " Fun in the Sun Quickie from Ellora's Cave
I've finally arrived. I am seeing copies of Prodigal Son for sale on ebay, and no, not just through Ellora's Cave's store. For me, a self-procliamed ebay addict, this means that I've finally arrived.... Many authors lament the fact that the used book market is thriving and seems to be growing by leaps and bounds every year. After all, for every book that's purchased off of ebay, or at a store like Half Price Books, or even at a garage sale, the author doesn't make any royalties. In an industry as tight as the publishing industry, and in these economic times, it hurts not to make royalties on EVERY sale. But, you know what, this author believes that the used book market fills a necessary hole in the publishing world. 1) The used book market allows readers to find and aquire out of print backlist books. Ebay is an excellent source for this, as is Half.com, and other used book outlets (like Amazon.com's marketplace). I've done it myself. I love an author's work but -- gasp! -- several titles are out of print. Off to ebay/Amazon.com/Half.com I go in search of that author's books. And most authors are happy that readers are able to find titles that publishers chose to, for whatever reason, take out of print. 2) In these economic times, when it seems that everyone from the gas companies to the utilities to the grocery store wants an increased piece of your paycheck, people may not simply be able to afford books. Heck, I've been there. Gee, I really want to read this title, but it's only out in hardback or trade paperback, and yikes! There's $15-30 that I really don't have to spare right now. The used bookmarket helps these people find and read books without worrying about whether it's going to cut into their grocery money. I'd much rather have people read my books, then not read them at all. Now for publishers like Ellora's Cave who release books in electronic format first, at least at EC the electronic format is much less than the print copy ($10.99 print for Prodgial Son vs. $5.95 for the electronic format), which means that this helps those with limited funds read more boks. But, there are publishers (and don't get me started on this one, folks!) who price their digital versions the same as their print versions. So, this line of thinking doesn't apply to those publishers. (And shame on them!) 3) So you've been wanting to try an author, but you've been burned in the past by that author's books, or you're just not sure if you like it. Buying used introduces the reader to the book at limited financial risk. (It's okay if I just spent $3.00 for the book. If I don't like it, well I'm out less money than if I'd gone to McDonald's kind of thinking) But you know what? Those readers, should they like the book, will most likely go out and purchase new, if not previous titles, then certainly the next one out. For me, part of the joy in writing is sharing my stories with readers. If you purchased new or in print, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! If you purchased me used on ebay, or anywhere else, thank you for reading my stories. I'm glad I'm able to reach as many readers as possible. And if you're able to buy me new or in electronic format, please do so. Because I always have more books to buy. :) Thanks! Purchase Prodigal Son in print at EC's ebay store or in electronic format here: http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-4199-0333-0 Or, if like me, you love Amazon.com, then here's a link to them too!
Claire Skye from Just Erotic Romance Reviews just gave me this excellent review: "In this sweetly sensual tale of two people separated by their destinies, Ms. Winter explores the theme of unfulfilled desire, and what length people will really go to in order to be with the one they love. Chemal is restricted by his own fate. He can only be with Grace at night, and although the dreams leave them both satisfied momentarily, it's not enough. The longing both characters feel, as well as their frustration and their ultimate delight at being united in the flesh is expertly portrayed. The dream sex sequences are arousing, but the pages really sizzle when Chemal and Grace are able to enjoy one another during their waking hours. In particular, Ms. Winter makes phenomenal use of food as an aphrodisiac and as the catalyst for a scorching encounter. This beautifully told story will leave you sighing in delight after you turn the last page. Overall, Water Lust is a great addition to the Fun In The Sun series of sizzling summer quickies from Ellora's Cave." Water Lust Fun In the Sun quickie from Ellora's Cave paranormal contemporary http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=1-4199-0585-6&Page=Page1
Uncaged by Kat Orion is on sale! (Fantasy erotica)  Uncaged by Kat Orion short story, $1.49 fantasy, m/f general erotica http://www.jupiterworldpress.com/jp/book_ko_u.htm Thrown into a dungeon for angering a princess, a young court bard finds himself in a new kind of service to the kingdom when he's sold at a flesh auction. Although the auction freed him from the dungeon in which he was imprisoned, this handsome bard is not as uncaged as he thinks.
 Sexual Healing (Sons of Zeus) May 2006 Release from Venus Press http://www.venuspress.com/catalog/books/sexualhealing.htm http://www.marywinter.com/sexual_healing.htm From Sinclair Reid at Romance Reviews Today: "SEXUAL HEALING is an emotional, heart wrenching, and passionate tale of a woman who wants love but fears never having it because of the scars she bears. Arianna is a wonderful, kind-hearted woman who deserves happiness but is afraid to step out and take it. Thanos, aka Asclepius, the God of Healing, has never been touched so deeply by a human woman's tears until Arianna cries out in his temple. To give up his immortal life and come down to Earth is monumental and very romantic in this reviewer's eyes. Each time Thanos is with Arianna his heart beats with joy and love. He treasures her and treats her like a goddess. Arianna can't believe that a handsome and successful doctor like Thanos is truly interested in her. He can have any woman he wants, so why her? What is so special about her? A few times Arianna's insecurities rise to the surface, but Thanos is there to keep her safe. Their lovemaking is romantic, beautiful, and moving.With likeable characters and a captivating plot, Mary Winter’s SEXUAL HEALING is an endearing and entertaining read." And from Angel at Romance Junkies: "SEXUAL HEALING is one of the most romantic and heart-wrenching books I have read in a long time. You feel the heroine’s pain at being scarred and know that she must look within before her scars can be healed. Asclepius is the Greek God who tries to help her see that beauty comes from within. This sexy Greek will melt your computer screens and raise your temperature. Together this couple comes to find that true love can conquer all and there are more important things than looks. Mary Winter knows how to pen a dramatic story that readers will have a good cry over and feel energized when the heroine has her epiphany. I will certainly be on the lookout for more of her work in the future." I am truly pleased to receive these reviews and to have the opportunity to share them with you. Thanks so much!
Character Photo - Aaron from Untamed Magic 
 Meet Aaron. He's a cowboy, the bastard son of one of the most powerful sorcerers in North America. He knows about his powers, but has no clue how to use them. When he's drawn to Oklahoma and into the arms of Cara, a witch who seeks to destroy the evil that killed her sister, he knows he shouldn't get involved. But he's tempted by her body, and can't turn away from a woman in need, not when the evil she seeks to destroy has also touched his own life. Can a witch and an untamed sorcerer stop an ancient evil? And will his untamed magic be enough? I found this photograph, and I knew the instant I saw it that this was Aaron.
Thanks! And Happy Fourth of July!
I read this book at work today, and wow, what a read! Here's the review I just posted on Amazon.com Montana Gold by Genell Dellin ISBN#0-373-77153-3 HQN Montana Gold by Genell Dellin is pure gold. Ripped from this horse-loving girl’s dreams, Chase Lomax is a hard-riding, sexy rough-stock rider working towards more of those championship buckles to which the buckle bunnies on the pro rodeo circuit seem to be drawn. Ellie Hawthorne is a young, tough bullfighter, and it’s her job to keep cowboys like Chase safe. But when a bull gets the best of them both, and Chase has to take a long look at his career as a rodeo cowboy, and Ellie has to face her demons, these two characters are thrown together in a drama far more exciting than a night at the rodeo. With vivid characters, descriptions that place the reader in the heart of the action, and a depth of emotion that is staggering, Ms. Dellin’s story tugs at the heart strings. Add in a down-on-his-luck dog named Kodiak, and a teenage boy trying to live up to his image of his hero father, and you have a story that’s worthy of the big screen. Reading this book was pure pleasure. I found myself rooting for the characters and falling in love with Chase as he came to his own realizations. Ellie’s past, including a visit from her brother Jake, whom I hope we read about, make her a heroine with whom this reader could sympathize. It’s rare for me to be swept off my feet by a book, but swept I was, and I will certainly be looking for this author’s other stories as soon as possible. Thank you, Ms. Dellin, for one heck of a read!
Allow me to wax poetic about the past fourteen weeks, if I may. I've come a long way, baby. You start out with your hopes and aspirations, and you have to take it day by day. One tiny step at a time. After all, books aren't written overnight, and neither is weight lost overnight. Yeah, it sure would be cool to wake up one morning and find myself down 50 lbs (or more!), but the health repercussions would be immense. Same too with a book. I could wake up and BAM! that book would be all written out on my laptop. But, that book would be as sick as I was if I lost all that weight overnight. I'm looking back, feeling a bit nostaligic, now that I've been on Weight Watchers for 14 weeks. For me, that means 14 weeks without eating at McDonald's (when I used to go there every day). 14 weeks without getting a candy bar out of the vending machine (baked lays are my "treat" of choice now). 14 weeks of thinking about what I was eating, and why, and making positive changes in my life. And I can list all the changes that have happened so far. The scale has me down 31.2 lbs (at the official WW scale. At home this morning, I'm down 34.6 lbs). The jeans I couldn't fit into (I won't mention the size except it was one of the larger ones found at the "large size" store), I've now retired as being too darn big, and the next size smaller jeans (of which I had 10 pairs in my closet, thank goodness!), are fitting quite nicely, if not getting a bit baggy. My partner and I walk nealry every evening now, some "us" time that also means that today, when we went to the wildlife refuge and walked around, I did both the 2 mi and the 1/2 mi trails (4.5 activity points), and yes we paused a couple of times to catch our breath at the top of the hills, but I wasn't wheezing or feeling as if I was about to keel over. I can look at someone eating a sloppy hamburger (no make that a double cheeseburger) and fries, as I did while I sipped my Lo-Cal Diet Cherry Limeade at Sonic (10 cal. 0 points) and watched my other half eat (I had breakfast this morning about noon and he didn't.). And I don't want it. Did it smell good? Damn straight it did. But the thought of me putting that in my mouth, and I was like "eww. Do I want all that grease and fat in MY body? I don't think so!" And I realized that I don't feel deprived. Not at all. I enjoy my Weight Watchers or Blue Bunny Health Smart (or Schwann's Livesmart) ice cream bars (I have one a night -- my treat to myself, and I work it into my daily points), or a big bowl of fresh strawberries, and I feel so decadent. Even more so, because I know I'm making smart choices for me. It takes hard work and discipline to lose weight. I won't lie. Those first weeks I was constantly thinking about points and numbers on a scale. But you know what, it gets easier. The same goes for writing a book. That first book was like climbing Mt. Everest. I had to write HOW many words? Now, well, as my editor will tell you, I'm startingly prolific. Thank you for allowing me to wax poetic about my weight loss. My goal - to have to ask for money for Christmas/my birthday to buy new clothes for the simple fact that I shrunk out of everything I own. Here's to the incredible shrinking (and writing) woman!
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