Minx (M.X.) Malone

................................................................................ RECENT RELEASES ............................................................

2011-09-28T07:00:00.001-04:00

Casey's Night In is FREE!

As a gift to all the great fans who have supported The Mirage Agency series, I decided to put out a short interlude that links Book 1 and Book 2. Casey has had a long day and is ready to put her feet up and engage in her favorite activity: daydreaming about celebrity designer Andre Lavin.

Then the doorbell rings and her dream becomes reality...

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
ARe
Smashwords

Asking for Andre is Available Now!

Andre Lavin lives life in the fast lane and the pampered Italian playboy isn’t used to being denied. Anything. Which makes his attraction to the shy, hauntingly beautiful Cassandra Michaels even more frustrating. She’s unimpressed by his flashy lifestyle and his every attempt to get closer seems to drive her further away. Until he overhears her whispered wish for sex lessons.

Where Casey comes from rich handsome men don’t fall for girls like her but there’s nothing to stop her from enjoying a fling. All she needs is one night to find out what she’s been missing and then she can go back to her boring, predictable life. One night to touch and be touched and she can leave with her heart intact.

Or can she? Because although Andre is more than ready to teach her anything she asks, what he isn’t willing to do is ever let her go.

Teasing Trent is a Kindle Romance !Bestselling! Novella

The only thing Trent's best friend has ever asked of him is to keep an eye on his twin sister while he's deployed. Keeping her company on her birthday shouldn't be too hard. He just has to remember the promise he made to himself in college to keep his hands off her. Which is getting harder and harder by the day.

Ever since Mara walked into her brother's dorm room freshman year and came face to face with a shirtless Trent, she's known he was The One. He's been right there with her twin brother as her biggest supporter or shoulder to cry on, whichever she needs most. The problem?

Trent has no idea how she feels.

Well, it's her first birthday without her twin and Trent's coming over to keep her company. It's the perfect time to tease him a little. A skimpy yoga outfit and a few glasses of wine later, she plans to finally have Trent exactly where she wants him. In her bed, for as long as she can keep him there.

If Mara has her way, she'll get a whole lot more for her birthday than a Hallmark card.

**WARNING**

This book contains yoga as an erotic torture device and the unexpected appearance of a vibrator.

I'm just saying...

2008-09-01T12:57:00.003-04:00

Does anyone know when J.R. Ward's next Black Dagger Brotherhood book comes out? I've read the first six a million times and I really need my fix:)

If anyone hasn't read them, start with my all time fave, Book 1 Dark Lover

M

I'm kind of bummed out...

2008-07-21T19:40:00.001-04:00

This is the first year since I joined RWA that I won't be going to conference. Is anyone else missing the fun this year?

We should have our own party...

M

Work-a-WHAT?

2008-07-16T20:24:00.002-04:00

Check out this interesting post about workaholics by my BESTEST friend, fellow author Michelle Lauren :)

Read the post on Michelle's Lauren's site

Cheers!

Minx

Who Thinks Up This Stuff????

2008-06-22T15:22:00.004-04:00

Ugliest Dog Contest

"Gus the dog has three legs, one eye and no hair, except for a white tuft on the top of his head. He's a real winner.

The pedigree Chinese crested won the World's Ugliest Dog contest on Saturday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California."

It's kind of sick that I find this fascinating...

Minx

I'm so over it...

2008-06-03T22:21:00.003-04:00

Is it wrong that I'm sooooo over politics right now? Yeah, Yeah, I know this 2008 election is supposed to be historic and everything but I'm tired of all the speeches and posturing, the sniping and bickering.

Will anyone have energy to really care anymore by November? I'm trying not to get burned out on the whole process before it even starts!!

M

6 Things Meme

2008-05-12T21:41:00.003-04:00

OKAY...I've emerged from my perpetual lurkdom because I was tagged for a random post by my fave person in the world, Michelle Lauren

The rules:

a. Link to the person who tagged you.
b. Post the rules on your blog.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

(1) I like car washes but I never get my car washed. I love riding through when my husband gets his done but I'm too cheap to pay for it on my own. My poor car is lucky if I throw a bucket of water at it once a year!

(2) I can be a tad impatient. Just last night I asked my husband to pass me a cup. He had his hands full so he had to put what he was holding down. I was already getting it myself by the time he grabbed one 10 seconds later. He just laughs at me.

(3) I forget easy things and remember difficult things. I can remember what DNA stands for (deoxyribonucleic acid) or why we have leap year (it takes the earth 325.25 days to rotate the sun. Every 4 years we adjust a full day to make up for it) but I regularly forget how old I am or what day of the week it is.

(4) I hate TV but am somehow obsessed with Grey's Anatomy. It's either the ridiculously improbable medical cases, the licentious sex or the soap opera-esque drama. Either way I can't stop watching.

(5) I have seen the movie Aladdin more than 80 times. I have no excuse for this one. I'm a sucker for the whole prince in disguise thing I guess.

(6) I'm double jointed in my arms. (What do you expect? I'm running out of stuff to say at this point!)

Whew! Now let's play eenie meenie miny moe. I TAG:

Lillian Feisty
Emma Petersen
Meagan Hatfield
Aurora Black
Eden Rivers
Shelli Stevens

Fighting the Muse

2008-03-01T20:51:00.001-05:00

My muse is a bitch.

I know what you’re thinking. This is not a case of extreme scapegoating. I still write at least a page a day and have so far managed to meet my writing goals. This isn’t about finding an excuse for my own failings.

This is about why writing is so HARD.

My muse, I call her Minerva, is a lazy, cantankerous bitch. She wakes me up in the middle of the night with ideas and then goes back to sleep before I can find paper to write them down. She daydreams in the middle of the only dedicated writing time I have. And worst of all, she goes on vacation whenever I have any sort of deadline.

So what’s a writer to do?

KICK HER ASS!

For any writers out there who have a Minerva of their own, please find below the time-tested, Minx Malone approved guide to kicking your muses’ ass!

(1) Wear a rubber band around your wrist while writing. When you catch her daydreaming, pop the rubber band. Make sure it hurts. I’m kidding…sort of.

(2) Do a Story board. There’s nothing quite like cutting pictures out of magazines and gluing them on poster board to get the creative juices flowing. Sure it’s not technically writing, but perhaps your muse is a visual learner. ( I loved cutting out pictures for the hero in Hellbaby. I kept imagining Vin Diesel!)

(3) Get physical. This sounds a little strange but reading one of your scenes aloud and acting it out can help you work through tough spots and kick up your dialogue. My muse is a drama queen anyway so this gives her a chance to show off.

(4) Write a story about her! Nothing pisses my muse off more than finding herself as the villain in the story. Generally she’ll cooperate with me for no other reason than to make sure she’s portrayed well.

These methods of motivations work well in other cases too. You know, for people who just procrastinate a lot. *ahem*

How do you motivate yourself out of a slump?

Minx

Beautiful Women - Lost Too Soon

2008-02-09T12:03:00.000-05:00

The memorial service for Heath Ledger made me realize just how many Hollywood stars have died from overdoses. It's starting to make me a tad depressed. *Sigh* Here's a little photo tribute to two of my faves who left this world before their time.

Dorothy Dandridge

Marilyn Monroe

Feelings of Mass Destruction

2008-02-06T07:53:00.001-05:00

I'm blogging over at the Naughty Girls Blog about secret crushes. The conversation is heating up. Come chat with us!

http://thenaughtygirlsnextdoor.blogspot.com

Minx

Vote for me, Vote for me, Pretty Pretty Please!

2008-01-19T13:27:00.000-05:00

UPDATE (1/29/08) Thanks to all who voted! You're awesome.

Dear Sensual, Insatiable and Savvy Readers,

The Ecataromance reader's lounge is allowing the readers to pick their favorites. Vote for Cobblestone Press and also...me! The vote is based on the reader's choice so make yourselves heard!

Vote Here!

MINX

On Writing

2008-01-14T06:56:00.000-05:00

Sigh....the start of a new year. Resolutions are flying fast and furious and everyone seems SO optimistic about their goals.

Whereas I feel like leading candidate for LEAST likely to succeed. What is it about this time of year that saps my energy and leaves me feeling like a wallflower at the prom? Is it the sheer volume of goals that I need to achieve or just burnout from all the hustle and bustle of Christmas?

Either way I RESOLVE this year will be different. I'm making a list of my goals and putting them in writing. So you can hold me to it!

GOALS 2008

* Finish sequel to Hellbaby (Hell's Guardian)
* Finish 2 contemporary novellas
* FINALLY get around to writing another full length novel

That's not so bad.... Now let's see how long it takes me to get going on goal number one...

(If you've read Hellbaby, this next story is about Kendra. Anyone who can guess who her soulmate is gets a prize!)

MINX

Santa, Baby

2007-12-23T20:59:00.001-05:00

Christmas time has always been one of my favorite times of year. Sleigh bells ringing, people singing and the unapologetic right to stuff your face. Peppermint bark, almond biscotti, sugar cookies and gingerbread men...

And goodwill towards men...of course!

I find myself especially appreciating the cheer and bustle of the holidays this year. All the bad tidings about the economy are nothing compared to what I feel when I see young men give up their seats to older people on the subway. Or the time a guy chased me for half a block to return the metro card I'd dropped. Or the friend who drove me home one night when I missed my train even though it was 40 miles out of her way.

It's been a rough year for a lot of us but when I start to feel down I try to remember all these good things. Then I send up a thank you for all that I have.

To all who wander past my page - May your holidays be bright and your New Year full of potential.

Tidings of comfort and joy.

Minx

The Winter Doldrums?

2007-12-01T22:32:00.001-05:00

Is it just me or does everyone suffer from this crappy feeling of utter desolation that creeps up on me every winter? I make all these grand plans. I brainstorm. I plot. I make checklists, dang it.

But come December 1st every year the result is the same. All I feel like doing is curling up with a cup of hot cocoa and Jane Eyre. Why I feel like reading about a mad wife in the attic when I'm already blue, I'll never know. They say misery loves company? I suppose you can't get much more miserable than a mad wife in the attic.

I'm crossing my fingers for this to pass so I can get to the fun stuff. Namely writing the sequel to Hellbaby.

Minx

November is here and Hellbaby is #4

2007-11-03T18:29:00.000-04:00

OMG, I'm so excited. Cobblestone just sent out the publisher report for October and Hellbaby was the 4th best-selling title!

WOO HOO!!!!!

Thanks to everyone who's supported this release. It was great fun to write and even more fun to get all the great comments I've received so far from readers. Keep it coming!

Minx

Hellbaby is one hot mama!

2007-10-14T23:03:00.000-04:00

I've already gotten some great feedback about Hellbaby so be sure to let me know what you think. I'm determined to do a sequel. Helena's best friend Kendra is too intriguing for me to leave her alone.

Besides, I love Abaddon too much to let him go just yet. I have to at least take a peek at him again!

Check Out Hellbaby Now!

Minx

12 days 'til Hellbaby's here! Enter to Win a free copy

2007-09-30T14:27:00.000-04:00

Check out the excerpt of Chapter 1 posted on my site and in my blog on Myspace and answer the question below for a chance to win a free copy of Hellbaby! All you have to do is email me at minx@minxmalone.com with your answer and put "Hellbaby Contest" in the subject line. (Contest ends 10/31/07)

Contest Question: Helena's best friend Kendra is engaged. What is her fiance's name?

Good Luck!

MINX

Hellbaby's cover is HOT

2007-09-01T11:19:00.000-04:00

I just got cover art for my new Halloween short story, Hellbaby.

This is why I love Cobblestone Press. They have amazing artists (Thank you Emma!)

Halloween story: Hellbaby sold to Cobblestone Press!

2007-07-20T21:23:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo! I just got a contract offer from Cobblestone for my Halloween short story Hellbaby! I had so much fun writing this and can't wait for it to come out. Come on Halloween! Anyway, here's the blurb.

All Helena plans for Halloween is a visit to Underworld to find the demon father who abandoned her and her mother.

What she doesn't count on is how she'll get past the gatekeeper, Abaddon.

Lena knew him as Donny, the quiet young bodyguard she loved as a teenager. Now he's known as Lord Destroyer, Commander of the elite military squadron, the Enforcers. He offers her a deal, three nights in exchange for her freedom, if she's brave enough to take him on.

Her pride won’t let her walk away but can she spend three nights with Abaddon without losing her heart? Can she convince Underworld's fiercest Enforcer that they can have much more than three nights, that if he's willing, they can have forever?

2007 RWA Conference - Dallas

2007-07-16T11:57:00.000-04:00

Despite all the drama of late, I had a BLAST at the conference. Met some cool people, went to a bunch of parties and remembered why I love writing in the first place. Can't ask for much more than that!

Triskelion Publishing is closing it's doors

2007-06-20T17:08:00.001-04:00

ATTENTION

Due to Triskelion Publishing's notice of intent to file bankruptcy, I publicly reclaim all rights to my novel The Djinni, released on June 1, 2007. Thank you to everyone who purchased this book and for the support you all have shown me. More information will be made available as I receive it.

Thank you,

Minx Malone

The Idea Factory

2007-06-16T21:49:00.000-04:00

Where do ideas come from? I was at a happy hour in DC last night (completely unrelated story) and someone asked where I get my ideas from. This is a question posed to writers quite often, in fact this is THE question posed to writers in general.

I have no answer.

I get ideas in line at the grocery store. I get ideas when I'm trying to get them and even when I'm not trying to get them. I assure you there is nothing more inconvenient than visualizing the perfect end to a story or imagining a particularly witty piece of dialogue only to discover that the only paper available to you is a tissue. Not necessarily a clean tissue either. You see my point.

People seem to think there is some magestic place writers go whereupon they are mystically imbued with creative, colorful and dramatic ideas which serve as the basis for their novels. Unfortunately this is not so.

If there was such a place I would go there everyday and I fear I would never leave. Until then, I will remain here in the real world where we get ideas from just living our lives and trying to see the good and the bad in it.

Minx

Ten Weird Things About Me

2007-06-09T21:26:00.001-04:00

1) I sleep with my eyes open (seriously)
2) I'm a tiny bit scared of the dark
3) I'm double jointed in my arms
4) I've never traveled outside the US
5) I don't really like chocolate that much
6) I watch VERY little TV, literally an hour a week (Grey's Anatomy)
7) I love the opera
8) I love eating but hate cooking
9) The only makeup I wear is mascara
10) I don't believe in happily ever after

What are some weird things about you?

My kind of guy...

2007-05-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

I'm hosting VILLAIN APPRECIATION DAY on the Triskelion Fever and Books loops. It's a great time so far but you can always join the group and read the archives if you've missed it.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TriskelionBooks/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TriskelionFever/

I'm hosting a contest there for anyone who emails me at minx @ minxmalone.com by midnight on 5/30/07 to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of The Djinni when it comes out in June.

My favorite villains are the entire cast of Ocean's Eleven. Sexier bank robbers can never be found. Plus, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon in one movie together is enough to overload any girls senses. (My fave character though is Basher. Don Cheadle is a master.)

So bring it on baby! Who's your favorite bad boy...

Minx

The Race is on

2007-05-04T09:52:00.000-04:00

I just finished a short story that took me only a month to write. So my ego has now convinced me I can write another in only two weeks if I focus. Some of the amazing ladies of the Passionate Ink chapter are hosting two Book in a Week (BIAW) challenges coming up in May and I plan to do both. Conference season is almost here and I know from experience the month is July is pretty much shot. SO, I plan to finish up a few things before I leave for the RWA conference this year.

Wish me luck! What are some of your writing goals?

Calling Shonda Rhimes

2007-03-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

So I have a new idol. Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey's Anatomy.

I always watch Grey's Anatomy and for me this time is sacred. It's a mini vacation, a respite for an overworked body, a time when I can be still for more than 5 minutes and be thoroughly entertained the entire time. This is one of my few guilty pleasures in life.

I actually left work early yesterday, raced home and wolfed down dinner, prepared to spend the next hour on the couch figuring out what the hell is going on with George and Izzie.

Imagine my surprise when I saw it was a rerun.

Death, destruction, chaos and mutiny. Why, why, why! Whose idea was it to leave us hanging until April 19th for a new episode?

But in the midst of my despair I must give out recognition to Shonda Rhimes for her mastery at keeping us all on the edges of our seats, because that is what good entertainment is supposed to do.

Even if it's incredibly cruel.

Minx

I finally sold The Djinni!

2007-02-10T23:25:00.000-05:00

I've accepted a contract offer from Triskelion!!! I've been communicating with the executive editor, the amazing Gail Northman, directly and she has shown so much enthusiasm for my novel that she made the offer even though she'd only read 5 chapters and knew I had the full out somewhere else.

Did I have the normal reaction you ask: crying, screaming, ingesting copious amounts of chocolate/pizza/champagne? No.

Instead I almost threw up. Such is my life, LOL!

It's a 43,000 word multicultural erotic paranormal(what a mouthful) called The Djinni. I'm sure they'll change the title to something more seductive though. Anyway - Check out my website to see the blurb and I'll be updating it with more information as soon as I have it.

Minx

McSleazy?

2007-01-22T22:25:00.000-05:00

It seems by some random quirk of the universe that I've found a television show I actually like. Usually after watching TV I just feel cheated, as if someone has stolen a random hour of my life which I can never get back. But whether it's the hot guys, the gratuitous sex or the sometimes absurd medical cases, I LOVE Grey's Anatomy.

Maybe it's the lingo. McDreamy, McSteamy, Christina calling McDreamy "McGuilty" - and my sister and I have started calling Burke McJiggy in honor of his now famous trembling hand. My favorite lingo moment is when George and Meredith decide to act as de facto best friends since Izzie and Christina are too busy and George refers to Derek as a "McBastard". That was priceless.

My husband hates it. I think he hates it because I love it so much, but he claims it's because all they do is sleep with each other. He calls it McSleazy. He's priceless :)>

I know it's completely unrealistic. I mean seriously, what are the odds that ANYONE would get a brain tumor and end up with a neurosurgeon like Patrick Dempsey? My luck, I would get cancer and end up with a doc who looks like Patrick Stewart (Prof X from Xmen)

Well, I can dream can't I?

Minx

Golden Heart Nightmare

2006-12-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I never thought it would turn into such a drama when I first decided to enter the Golden Heart Contest this year. Of course, eternal optimist that I am, I completely underestimated the time it would take to get the entry ready. I made all the requisite copies of the partial manuscript and synopsis and was ready to mail it off Saturday morning when I realized something.

I'd left the manuscript name out of the header.

The Golden Heart has become known for disqualifying entrants if they stray even one whit from the stated formatting requirements, so I drove to Staples and got new copies made. Easy right? Not exactly. My formatting didn't carry over correctly on the disk I had brought with me so the first batch of printouts were now missing the page number in the header. Another required element.

The guy at Staples was super helpful, even fixed the header for me, although I'm sure technically they aren't supposed to alter customer files in any way. But still I spent over an hour in Staples and then another half hour at the Post Office to overnight the entry to Texas. Not my idea of fun.

At least it's over - until the next contest anyway.

Is the end in sight?

2006-10-15T12:54:00.000-04:00

I sent my first erotic novella entitled "The Djinni" off to a publisher and got an extremely helpful email from the editorial director with a list of corrections and improvements to be made before I resubmit. I'm so excited! It's one of my favorite e-book pubs for erotic romance and I would love to have my book published with them. I have been working around the clock for the last week to make as many of the changes as I can. Hopefully I'll have time to send it to my critique partner and get her comments on the changes as well.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Minx

2006-06-22T12:45:00.000-04:00

Jury Duty rocks! I reported for duty at the courthouse, and the lawyers only had to choose 7 people, so I was one of the lucky who got to go home (with $30 and a day off work to boot). Strangely enough I have no idea what to do with myself now that I'm home. I could go to the movies but everything out is crap. I could go shopping but I don't want to spend a lot of money. What the hell do people do when they don't work everyday?

Still - a free day off, gotta love it.

Minx

2006-04-10T21:43:00.000-04:00

There was a problem with the metro and I didn't get home until almost 8pm. As soon as I think that I'll actually have time for myself, something always happens. It seems to be a cosmic joke that's always on me. I'm not ungrateful. I see bums on the street everyday and I thank God that at least I have a roof over my head. I just wish it wasn't all or nothing. It seems like you either work all the time or you don't work at all. The working part time thing never seems to work out I've noticed.

Just a few random thoughts.

Minx

2005-11-05T13:11:00.000-05:00

I started writing again last night. I looked at the time date on one of my stories and it said August of 2004. I couldn't believe it had been that long since I worked on that story. I was still writing sporadically this summer especially around the time of the RWA conference but since then I've been completely dry of ideas. I think I got overwhelmed by all the information and just gave up for a while. Well it took Sue Monk Kidd 3 years to write "The Secret Life of Bees" so I shouldn't feel too bad. Nothing worth writing happens overnight.

Minx (M.X.) Malone

................................................................................ RECENT RELEASES ............................................................

I'm kind of bummed out...

Work-a-WHAT?

Who Thinks Up This Stuff????

I'm so over it...

6 Things Meme

Fighting the Muse

Beautiful Women - Lost Too Soon

Feelings of Mass Destruction

Vote for me, Vote for me, Pretty Pretty Please!

On Writing

Santa, Baby

The Winter Doldrums?

November is here and Hellbaby is #4

Hellbaby is one hot mama!

12 days 'til Hellbaby's here! *Enter to Win a free copy*

Hellbaby's cover is HOT

Halloween story: Hellbaby sold to Cobblestone Press!

2007 RWA Conference - Dallas

Triskelion Publishing is closing it's doors

The Idea Factory

Ten Weird Things About Me

My kind of guy...

The Race is on

Calling Shonda Rhimes

I finally sold The Djinni!

McSleazy?

Golden Heart Nightmare

Is the end in sight?

12 days 'til Hellbaby's here! Enter to Win a free copy