Karin is traveling today, so the remaining gals here at Murder She Writes thought it would be fun to have another “Ask Us Anything!” Q&A. The rest of us will pop in all day to answer questions — about our books, reading, writing, television, movies … just ask.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Guess what we have for our readers?

Ladies and gentlemen, we are thrilled to announce the first ever Murder She Writes anthology, Guns and Roses…a collection of ten never-before published short stories and novellas, each penned by one of the Murder She Writes authors.

Guns and Roses will be available in digital format at all e-retailers next week, a rocking 150,000 word collection for just $4.99!

Fire up your Kindles and Nooks, ereaders and iPads, because you are going to love this one. This project has been months in the making, inspired by our shared love of suspense and romance, our desire to work together on something completely unique, and our excitement about the magical synergy we’ve discovered as co-bloggers and great friends.

Guns and Roses wasn’t always easy; we all have deadlines, contracts, and, of course, our blog posts to write.  It wasn’t always smooth; there have been no less the four quadrillion emails exchanged.  And, heaven knows, it wasn’t always painless…can you imagine ten, count ‘em ten, opinions on one cover?  But creating this collection was always fun! We’ve had a blast putting together what we hope is the first of many anthologies that showcase our characters and series and give our loyal community a chance to discover all of our voices in one place.  We don’t think any other group blog has ever done a project like this, so we’re extra proud to be first out of the gate with this type of collection.

Guns and Roses promises thrills, chills, romance, intrigue, passion, danger, murder, and a whole lotta love.  Some of the stories connect to our most popular series (Rough Riders! Housewife Assassin! Bullet Catchers!), and others will introduce you to an entirely new and unforgettable cast of characters.  Ranging in length from 10,000 to 25,000 words each, the stories run the gamut from deeply dark and intense to, well, there’s a Bobbie Faye novella!  Laugh-line alert.  We’ve also included a Lorelei James short story, so you know it’s gonna get hawt in here, and Allison Brennan makes sure you sleep with the lights on.  And rumor has it Bullet Catcher boss Lucy Sharpe makes an appearance…with her baby.

These short stories and novellas are not samplers or excerpts; each is a complete tale of suspense and romance.  Nor are they reissues: every one has been written exclusively for this collection.  Our only criteria — other than a fabulous romantic suspense — is that each story mention a gun (natch!) and a rose (love!).  Here’s what you can look forward to reading in Guns and Roses:

Dead Flowers by Lori Armstrong

Cynical, bad girl PI Julie Collins isn’t the hearts and flowers type, especially not after she’s spent the last few weeks spying on cheating spouses. So when Julie suspects her man, Martinez, may be stepping out on her, she sees red and decides to take matters into her own hands. Let’s just hope Cupid’s Bow gets to Martinez  before Julie does.

Above Reproach by Allison Brennan

Sex crimes detective Selena Black knows high-powered government attorney Greg Keller is the River City Rapist; proving it is another matter. Keller enjoys the cat and mouse game with the blonde detective, and makes sure she knows she’s exactly his type. As every possible avenue of investigation is shut down by the courts or her boss, Selena realizes that if someone doesn’t do something to stop Keller, more women will suffer–and she may be next.

The Housewife Assassin’s Bloody Valentine by Josie Brown

What is CIA contract assassin Donna Stone’s idea of a Valentine’s Day getaway? Certainly not orchestrating a jailbreak out of a Mexican prison for a notorious drug lord. But because he has intel as to the whereabouts of an international terrorist organization planning a Valentine’s massacre, there will be no intimate dinner for two or couples massage for Donna and her ops leader, Jack Craig. Just plenty of sun, surf, submarines, sharks… oh yeah, and sex.

Bobbie Faye’s Whacked Out, No Good, Really Sucky, Hot Mess of a Wedding by Toni McGee Causey

Bobbie Faye Sumrall, Cajun Contraband Days Queen, gun expert, and ultimate professional in being in the wrong place at the wrong time, absolutely positively does not want to go through with the ridiculous wedding that Trevor’s forcing her to agree to, but she soon finds out she has more important things to worry about–like surviving the plot to make her disappear when she’s set up as a fall guy for the theft of a priceless religious icon. And that’s the good news.

Blood and Roses by Sylvia Day

When insurance investigator Anastasia Miller sets out to retrieve the rose-hued pink diamonds stolen in a recent heist, she finds herself working alongside former flame, deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Monroe — the man she loved enough to leave behind.

Nightfall by Laura Griffin

Stranded on an icy road as darkness falls, Holly Henriksen knows she is in trouble. A charming stranger stops to help and Holly decides to trust him, but soon finds out he is harboring a deadly secret.

King of Hearts (A Rough Rider Short Story) by Lorelei James

Deputy Cam McKay is devastated after dealing with a Valentine’s Day murder/suicide in his small county. Will allowing his family to see the dark past that haunts him, help heal him?

A Punishing Night by Sophie Littlefield

Detective Joe Bashir returns to his alma mater to investigate the stabbing death of a male college student. Rumors of date rape and fraternity hazing complicate a sensitive case as Joe tries to balance the demands of the investigation with caring for his elderly father. Help – and possibly romance – come from an unexpected source.

Pick Your Poison (A Bullet Catchers Novella) by Roxanne St. Claire

Benjamin Youngblood’s only chance to prove he’s worthy of being a Bullet Catcher is to find and stop an assassin.  On probation from the elite security force, Ben has to rely on instinct and brains…and one feisty flower farmer.  When Callie Parrish discovers her entire crop of rare black roses has been stolen, she’d partner with the devil himself to recoup her loss.  It doesn’t take her long to realize she’s done just that…and the road to hell is paved with poisonous petals and deadly kisses.

Rebel Rose  by Karin Tabke

For Detective Cash Cantrell, hunting down a University serial killer is as routine as strapping on his gun each morning.  Until he comes face to face with meddlesome coed, Rebel Yell Culpepper. He doesn’t know if he should arrest her or kiss her, but one thing Cash knows for sure, Rebel is key to finding the murderer, and the killer knows it too…

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM US TO YOU!  Stay tuned over the next week or so for excerpts and highlights.   Guns and Roses will be live and available for purchase next week!  In the meantime, leave a comment and FIVE LUCKY WINNERS will receive a copy of our new e-book on release day!

One of the things I love about the Murder She Writes authors is that the women they write about are strong and self sufficient. I’m guess that my own skewed vision of “the damsel in distress” may have been irrevocably altered by a lifetime love of James Bond movies.

It’s been over half a century now since the very first Bond Girl — Honey Ryder, played by Ursula Andress in a white belted bikini accessorized with an assassin’s blade — graced the silver screen and launched a million erections. Sauntering in from the surf just in time for the Sexual Revolution, Bond Girls weren’t considered sexist, but sexy.

But these women were much more than arm charms. When they were good, they were great: not just in bed, but in the field, too. And when they were bad, they weren’t just naughty minxes, but deadly villianesses as well.

The films’ screenwriters (adapting Ian Fleming‘s’ classic spy novels) never met a double entendre they didn’t like. Seriously: with names “Pussy Galore“, “Holly Goodhead” “Plenty O’Toole“, “Bibi Dahl”, “Kissy Suzuki”, “Strawberry Fields”, “Molly Warmflash”, “Xenia Onatopp“, “Fatima Blush”, “Bambi” and “Thumper”– and let’s not forget “Mary Goodnight”), what guy isn’t going to get the wrong idea?

(Note to all aspiring thriller writers: think porn, not corn…)

My own favorites were “Solitaire”, “Domino Vitali, “Jinx” “Paris Carver” and “Vesper Lynd”. Those names have an air of mystery about them, a promise that trouble is just around the corner.

Now that Daniel Craig has completed a third Bond film, and contracted for five more, I’ve been give the best of both worlds: more Bond Girls to inspire me — and the best guy candy ever.

Here’s to a few more tasty Bond-Bonds,

– Josie

CONTEST QUESTION!

Have a great Bond Girl name?
Post it below, for a chance to win a copy of my book
THE BABY PLANNER.

BONUS POINT!

When writing The Housewife Assassin’s Handbook, I considered giving my heroine a name worthy of a Bond Girl. But because the series is also a tip of the chapeau to
television’s domestic goddesses of the 1950s,
I chose the name Donna Stone.”

Email me at MailFromJosie@gmail.com
with the television show that also had a heroine by that name!

____________________________

WINNER TO MY LAST POST’S CONTEST:

EDIE RAMER.

Edie, please email me with your home address!

I just spent a week in the Big Apple.

I love visiting NYC.  I usually go by myself since it’s a business trip for me, meeting with my agent and editors, as well as attending the annual board meeting for Mystery Writers of America, where I serve as national treasurer.

But this year…since I wasn’t leaving from NYC to go on book tour as I had the last two years, I took my husband along.

Oh man, did we have fun — in between my meetings and working in my hotel room  finishing up deadlines of course.

What did we do?

We had a couple of great dinners with my brother and sister in law.

We saw a new car unveiled in Times Square.

We attended the Book Of Mormon on Broadway — which was beyond hilarious.

We walked everywhere. No wonder most people in NYC are skinny.

We went to the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

We ate so many different varieties of food I don’t remember them all. Uh, yeah…starting that diet this week.

As far as celebrity sightings? Alan Rickman. And Karl Rove stayed at our hotel.

What I didn’t do?

Shop.

Go to the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or other tourist destinations. One of these times I will put that on the list.

Whenever I travel I always throw it out to my Lorelei James readers where I’m going to be. So I was so happy to get to meet with two separate groups of fans two different times. I didn’t show up on a wickedly cool tour bus with a hot-looking cowboy vampire in tow, but hey, it’s a goal to shoot for, right?

Writing is such a solitary gig that it’s a serious treat to talk to people who aren’t strictly in my head!

Alas, back to deadlines and hiding in my writing cave.

So…ever been to NYC? If yes, what was your favorite part? If no, is it on your wish list of places to visit?

All commenters are eligible for a $10 gift card to the online retailer of choice

Word Soup is a word game I’m addicted to on my kindle — just throwing that out there.

The last couple days we’ve been having a discussion on my James Gang yahoo loop about words — commonly misspelled words, misused words, word errors in books, how grammar rules have changed and punctuation rules have loosened a bit — depending on the publisher in my case.

Somehow the discussion rolled around to “big” words. You know, those words you don’t immediately comprehend that jump out and you and leave you scratching your head as to the definition. The words that have you reaching for your dictionary.

Not surprisingly, I have an opinion on this subject

Let me preface this by saying I LOVE words. At last count I have somewhere around 50 dictionaries/thesauruses and yes, I actually use them. I don’t solely rely on the thesaurus with the Microsoft Word program when I need a substitute word for a book I’m working on.

But for me there is a line with my love of words that keeps me from thumbing through the dictionary and finding a word like this one to use in my book:

demulcent \dih-MULL-sunt\ adjective

At first glance, I thought the word would have something to do with light — think translucent. I admit I have no basis at all in Latin so I have nothing to base that assumption on besides my previous experience with words.

So what does the word mean?

: soothing

Example sentence: The lozenges had a demulcent effect, and my sore throat was soon feeling much better.

See now this is where I take issue with using a bigger word than a more common one. The writing advice I’ve always taken to heart is this: Why use a two dollar word when a fifty cent one will do?

That’s not to say we shouldn’t try and expand our vocabularies and learn new words. I should point out the writer of that advice in this case was giving advice to new writers on maintaining clarity of thought — and severely limiting the excessive use of adjectives both common and obscure.

There are times when I enjoy a trip to the dictionary in what I’m reading — but most of the time, I’m like…seriously? Why are you trying to impress me with your intrusive language skills? Impress me with the story. Don’t pull me out of the story and send me to the damn dictionary.

Which is why I rarely read literary fiction. It’s also why I write genre fiction.

So tell me, are you one of those readers who immediately grabs a dictionary — or uses the look up function on an ebook reader — when you run across a word you’ve never seen before? Or do you shrug and keep reading?

Share with me the most obscure word you’ve found that you like or loathe — or your favorite odd ball word and I’ll toss your name in the hat for a $10 gift card from an online retailer!