We’ve got a full line-up of awesome authors for our Saturday series for the next couple of months…starting with Blaze Babe, Karen Anders. I’m really excited about her new release…I’d actually hoped to be able to be part of it, but had to decline when my schedule was overwhelming. She’s a great friend who totally understood and really drove this collection into existence! Please let’s give her a warm jungle welcome!
I Can Surf. . .
…the net. Oh, you were thinking on a surf board in 25 foot waves. Ah, no, not when I have this big writer’s imagination. I use that imagination to go places I’ve never been and surfing has played a big part in getting me there.
Ah, once again, no, not the surfboard kind. I’m talking about using the internet to research everything from surfing Hawaii’s big waves to finding a military lawyer to consult on a book. A military lawyer? Yup. I have had great luck using the web to find people who have consulted on my books. I have yet to be charged for their expertise. Not that I don’t think they deserve it, but an author’s budget is often tight and I’ve discovered that people love to talk about what they do. They are also extremely generous with their time. I’ve gotten help from a forensics expert, a martial arts expert, psychologist, and a surf board maker.
I’ve used the net to visit websites and find articles on just about everything from the yakuza to the FBI. It’s a great resource and I have often gotten other story ideas, quite unexpectedly, just from researching one aspect of a book.
So I surf, just not on a tiny piece of fiberglass with tons of water all around me and with the potential to wipe out. Nope, I leave that to my capable characters in my current release, “Surf’s Up,” in the Endless Summer Anthology with Julie Kenner and Jill Monroe.
Remember that martial arts expert? He helped me with many, many questions in my March 2009, Up Close and Dangerously Sexy book which kicks off the start of my Undercover Lovers miniseries. The second book in the series will be released in October 2009, Dangerous Curves. Yup, you guessed it, FBI research. The third and final book, Deliciously Dangerous is out in April 2010. Check out this book and see how well I did with my Napa Valley research for this book Visit my website for updates and news at www.karenanders.com and if you stop by, please register for my newsletter to receive release information.
One poster will receive an autographed copy of Endless Summer and a beach tote bag.
As always, it’s a pleasure to be a guest blogger on Plotmonkeys! Thanks guys.
Until next time, cowabunga, dudes!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Welcome Karen
I think you can find just about everything on the net these days. Technology has come so far. I can sit for hours and search diffrent things.
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Hi Karen, welcome to the Jungle today. I am so happy, you got the chance to swing with us. I loved J.C. And Zach’s story. Is another book out there that gives me more about their story? I would loved to learn how they continue on with their relationship from the end of “Surf’s Up.” It would be great to catch up on Drea and Kirk as well as Laci and Taylor as well. With that being said, will you please write another book that talks about their lives after “Girls Go Banzai”? Please
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The internet is a wonderful resource. I didn’t realize, how much work went into making surfboards; Zach really knew his stuff, his explanations were very believable, but then again, who wouldn’t listen to him. He was so sexy, not as sexy as Drew Miller from “Up Close and Dangerously Sexy,” in my opinion, but sexy. But, then again, what do you expect from an ex-Ranger, turned finder of lost agents? I am so in love with Drew, Allie is a lucky woman, I can’t wait to read more books in the series. Is Callie’s story next? Drew kicks some serious @$$ in that book. Are all the people on his team going to find an HEA?
The other stories in “Endless Summer” were great too. I like Jill Monroe and Julie Kenner too, which made this book a special buy for me. I actually met you at RWADC and got you to sign it for me. I am sad that Julie wasn’t there, so I could get all the siggies, maybe next time. Have fun swinging on the vines. I will check in again later.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Hi, it’s me again, I noticed that their is a difference in title for the third book…is the title on your website the new one or the old one? Why the name change, if there will be or was one? Okay, I will stop asking so many questions and give others a chance….lol
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Welcome to PlotMonkey’s, Karen. It’s amazing how much the Internet has changed the way we learn and research, isn’t it? I was searching for an old obit the other day, and learned our local newspaper hasn’t uploaded anything prior to 1965, and I thought…I have to come down there and use a mircrofiche reader? How archaic!
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I agree that the information highway is so useful!
Information STAT… at your fingertips… Simply Amazing!
Computers have revolutionized how we shop, bank, interact, study, read, learn ….COMMUNICATE!
Endless Summer sounds great! I’d love to read your story Surf’s Up!!
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honestly, I don’t know how people got along before the internet – could you imagine spending hours upon hours in the library trying to get one third of the information you can find online ? I’m sure someone out there is thinking ‘YES, I WANT TO GO TO THE LIBRARY’ but not me. Besides, you can’t make contacts there or hunt down specialists
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Yes, the internet has made research much less time-consuming. And it sounds like you’ve had lots of fun using it in your research.
Thanks for being here in the jungle with us today.
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Welcome to the jungle Karen! I really don’t know how with lived before the internet. Now, I even have it on my phone, so I know I can never go back to a regular phone again. Nothing like being able to check your email, facebook, or twitter page at any moment. Hope everyone has an awesome Saturday!
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Karen,
That is so cool that you can do so much of your research and find experts online. I’ve used the net for most of my research, but never thought about trying to find experts to help me out.
Your books sound intriguing and I can’t wait to get my hands on them so I can read ‘um.
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Welcome Karen. Yes it’s amazing what you can find on the internet. I try to keep up with all my interests, but reading is my thing. I try to keep up with what books are coming out and when so I can be on the watch for them. Love the Blaze series. Keep up the great writing.
Linda Henderson
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Welcome, Karen! Great to have you in the Jungle! Happy Saturday, all! Did my writing for the day, so I’m off! Back later
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Welcome to the jungle. IT’s awesome to have you!
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Hi Everyone! Sorry I’m getting on a little later. Thanks for the warm welcome.
The internet is just plain awesome. I really don’t remember how I used to do it before.
Paula, lol I remember you from the DC signing. Thanks for stopping by and for your wonderful comments about my books. Yes all the characters in my series are going to get their HEA, but up next is the twins’ brother Max. He has to keep Rio Marshall safe, but what he doesn’t know is that she’s undercover to distract him from his pursuit of the Ghost. Then Callie will get her story. Just who is the Ghost and what is his agenda. How will Callie arrest him if she loses her heart?
Karen
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Nice….love that…the Ghost and Callie…didn’t think of that possibility….I can see the sparks flying now….hahahahaha
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Paula – I’m writing it now and Oooh la la they’re flying
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Karen, would you write a little more about their three days in the hotel room? Just curious to see what happened, you know….just kidding…my mind already went there the first time I read the book….hahahahaha…can’t wait for it to get published…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Thanks for the post Karen. The internet has made research nerds of so many of us. It’s fun!
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Jeanne – That is the truth and I’m proud to be included in the group!
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I can spend hours just looking up one thing after another – and to think that I fought against getting a computer! I probably still wouldn’t have one if my youngest son hadn’t sent me one right after I retired 10 years ago!!
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Hi Karen! Welcome to the Jungle. I appreciate you being here. The Internet is amazing isn’t it! It’s a whole world of information at our fingertips. Endless Summer along with all the other July and August Blazes should be in my mail box soon.
Have a great Saturday all,
Cher
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Karen – no
! Thank you so much for you wonderful comments. 
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I don’t know where I would be without the internet. It is such a Godsend when it comes to research. Everything is at your fingertips!
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Beautiful web site!! Very impressive.
Cher
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Cher – I love that it’s so accessible and the people who inhabit are all so very generous. I’ve been so lucky.
Thanks for the comment on my website. I am particularly proud of it.
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Love the Internet. Thanks for being here with us today.
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GS – Me, too. Like I said, my research and therefore my books are so much better because of it.
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Hi, Karen. Welcome to the Jungle.
The internet is my BFF, though I admit I still check out reference books from the library or buy them. The ‘net is awesome for checking quick facts but for the down and dirty, I still like the old-fashioned way. But then I’m old. 
The books sound wonderful! I’ll add them to the list!
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Silver – I still use books to a certain extent, but the expertise that’s accessible online is so valuable.
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Welcome to the Jungle, Karen!
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Mary – Thank you. It’s always so fun to be here and I thank Julie for the invitation.
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Yes it is amazing what you can find on the internet… When looking for something, I can spend hours on material… and comparing data… I need to make notes just so I do not forget where I visited…
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Alannah – I was one of those writers and I used the library a lot. I still love the library, but with the added bonus of the internet, there’s now richer research opportunities.
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Hi Karen, welcome to the jungle!!
I can’t imagine trying to do research without the internet. I just told my husband the other day that I have so much respect and admiration or writers who wrote before the internet. The dedication it must have taken to do the research amazes me.
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I live in France so with no internet what would I do of my romance addiction ???… I’m shuddering just thinking about it !!lol
ps : love it when the monkeys have guests
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Emanuelle – Ah, you’d find some way to satisfy the addiction. Romance always finds a way. lol
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Research can be fun and interesting. It’s hard to imagine not being able to instantly look up anything on the web because we’ve gotten so used to having info at our fingertips.
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Jane – We’re quite spoiled. I wouldn’t want to give it up. They’d have to pry the www out of my dead hands! lol
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hi and welcome Karen; don’t you wish just for a second that you could surf(in water that is)? LOL, I understand if you say ‘no’. I am terrified on water so it is totally out for me.
I love surfing the net, too. What an expanse that has opened up for us.
Please enter me in the contest.
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Robyn – I do wish I could. Wish I had the courage. Have you seen some of those waves. Yowzer. I do love the water, but unless I come back in another life as a surfer, not happening. lol
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Hi Karen,
This is my first post to the plotmonkeys in two months since I had surgery. I have some of your older books in my keeper boxes. I am going to have to look for the new one.
Like you I love the internet. I love it now since I was able to get DSL a couple of weeks ago I had been on dial up for 8 years.
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Gigi – Geez, I hope you’re feeling much better. And, thanks for you interest in my new releases. I hope you continue to mend and get healthy.
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Hi Karen,
Yes it is amazing what you can find on the internet, isn’t it?
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Chey – Yes, it is. I’m always amazed when I get someone to respond to a out-of-the-blue email asking for advice and expertise. They’re always so eager to help a writer. It’s awesome.
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Hi Karen. Great blog! I love the internet and I love blogging. Too much really. I’m supposed to editing my book but instead, like a Siren’s call, the WWW has lured me, yet again, into her lair! Sigh. Maybe I’ll get around to doing the edits soon. Well after I’ve gone through all my “favourite” blog sites anyway….Take care. Caroline.
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Caroline – I hear you. I have a book due in about two weeks, so I shouldn’t be “playing” either, but this is work right. I’m promoting. So it isn’t really “playing.” Okay, go with me on this one. lol
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Hello Karen,
I don’t surf so much as I do blog. Thanks for letting us know about your books. Have a great day.
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You, too. Roberta!
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The internet is an awesome way to while away the hours—-very quickly!
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Estella – yeah like we’re doing now. lol
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Internet is a wonderful thing. For instance I just love to trade stuff, get rid of things I don’t need and get something I do need. It wouldn’t be so easy without the internet. And I certainly couldn’t trade stuff globally without it.
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Minna – It’s really opened up a lot of businesses.
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It was so fun hanging with you all and the Plotmonkeys today! I had such a good time. Thank you all for particpating and your warm welcomes.
So the book and tote go to Cher! Let me know your snail mail and I’ll get it out to you. Looking forward to my next guest appearance. Thank you, Julie for the invite!
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Woo Hoo! Thank you! I clicked on the link for your web site but I can’t get through. It says you’ve reached your bandwidth limit…not sure what that means. So I will send my snail mail to one of the Plotmonkeys and hopefully they can forward it on to you.
Cher
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Hey Karen! So glad to have you here in the jungle today!
Thanks so much!
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Darn! I’m to late for a chance to win your book!! Remember there are those of us on the west coast & it is only mid afternoon!!
Thanks for visiting here in the Jungle today. The Plotmonkeys are all such good ladies & have given me many hours of reading pleasure. Your new books sound great. I’ll be looking for them.
The Internet is a wonderful thing. Who knew a few years ago that I would be able to visit with my favorite authors, keep up to date on their books & then get a chance to meet some of them in person. As others have said the Internet has opened up the whole world to all of us. I feel blessed to have a computer at home with access to the “net”.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
P.S. Congratulations Cher for the win.
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Hi Karen! The Undercover Lovers miniseries sounds amazing! I’m going to have to order that first book. I’m like you, in that I’ll stick to surfing the net. I love the water, but I’m too scared of sharks to try to surf. I also have a bit of a balance deficiency lol. I have actually fallen UP the stairs, so surfing is probably not my sport.
Thanks for the post!
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Karen…first of all, welcome….I feel as if I have read a book of yours, but I can’t seem to ‘place’ it (it wasn’t the two mentioned…I’ll have to ‘research’ it later :)).
I love the internet….it’s sort of like a shopper’s ebay….seriously, you can find ANYTHING pretty much on ebay (I love ebay, you can tell).
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Welcome to the jungle! Hope your enjoying yourself here.
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Welcome, Karen. Love your books!
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Hi Karen,
I work on Saturdays, so this is my first chance to get on the computer, after eating supper, (grin).
It is so nice to have you here! I loved reading your blog! I have some of your books and you are an amazing writer!
Oh boy, the internet is a favorite place of mine to hang out. I have so many favorite blogs saved on my favorite’s list. My list keeps growing all the time!
Drat! I missed your contest! I thought maybe the prize would be announced on Sunday with the other contest winners. I guess I will have to get up extra early so I have time to go on the computer before work.
Have a great weekend! It was great blogging with you!
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Hi Karen,
I’m new to you so it was fun having you here today.
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Hi Karen! I haven’t had the opportunity to read your books yet but, these look great!!!
Please count me in!!! 
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Hi, Karen,
Great post, although I have to admit that I’m a terribly inefficient surfer (of the Internet; I couldn’t surf on a surfboard to save my life
) You can find just about anything you need (plus a ton you never even knew existed!) Congrats on your latest–how fun to know that “surfing” helped make it possible :)
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Congrats Cher!
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Holy Cow! I just this minute discovered I won!! How cool is that!
Yay!!
Thanks for the congrats, Donna
Cher