The Parallel Realm

The Goodbye Girl... But Only From Here!

2006-10-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, Friends:
I'm working to consolidate some of my Net presence stuff, and I think it makes good sense to wrap this blog into my author blog. I promise to still offer the fun things you're seeing here, i.e. hunky guy pics, etc, but it just seems a whole lot easier to fold this blog on into my existing author blog at Deidre Knight. So, will be deleting this one in a few days, and this is your little warning. That makes it sound dire, and it's not. I also have started an egroup for discussion, and hope you'll join in the fun. Big hugs, and thanks for participating in this Parallel blog! D

Ten Things I Love About Heath

2006-10-12T17:14:00.000-07:00

All right, so yeah, totally loving watching the fine young man in TEN THINGS. I thought it would be nice to post a wee tribute here on the beefcake blog. I'm sorry that I've left you all starving lately. lol. Life has been quite busy... most recently going to the fair last night. Yes, the fair. October in Madison, GA always brings the fair, and my daughters and I had a blast.

An Amazing Journey in Houston

2006-10-07T16:24:00.000-07:00

I have had such a great conference here in Houston (Lone Star Conference.) First of all, what very sweet and talented writers are based here! I had a ton of pitch appointments today, and the level of talent was quite high. I've requested a number of projects, including completes of a few.

I'm also amazingly excited because my client Don Piper (author of 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN) lives here in Houston. Well, he was in Atlanta while I was in Houston (Grrr), but I just learned a while ago that he got back this afternoon and is speaking in the morning at a local church. So Julie Ramsey and I will have the opportunity to hear him speak--something I've never been able to do despite representing him for several years and being one of his biggest fans. After, we get to take him to lunch. Don will be on The Today Show in a few more weeks during a week about various faiths. Tomorrow's speaking engagement promises to be incredible.

Greetings from Houston. Just had to share! On top of that, we have had a wonderful rental car--a convertible VW bug! I've posted the picture.
Deidre

I'm on WNBC!!

2006-09-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

I'm so thrilled! Check out my feature on WNBC--there's an interview and a FABULOUS review of PARALLEL HEAT!!

Btw, the word is that HEAT is already at Borders/Walden's, and of course it will be distributed wide on Tuesday, October 3, my official publication date.

Meanwhile, I had a ton of fun with Michelle's interview at WNBC. She had some amazing questions, and I'm proud of the post.
hugs to all! :)
D

Parallel Heat Trailer goes LIVE!

2006-09-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

Check out my new trailer for PARALLEL HEAT and The Parallel Series. Oooo and there's a surprise at the end. Add it everywhere if you think it's cool (blogs, myspace... etc.. I'm just giving examples..teehehe)

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

New Contest for Newsletter Subscribers!

2006-08-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

Deidre has announced a fab new giveaway exclusively for members of her newsletter! To celebrate the release of Book II of the Parallel Series, PARALLEL HEAT, Deidre will be giving away the most exciting prizes. One lucky winner will receive a Masini Gioielli Blue Oval Murano Glass & Sterling Silver Ring on October 4, 2006! Check out this beautiful Rafarian ring!

Valued at $178.00, this sleek and gorgeous ring is part of the new Vanita collection by Masini Gioielli, an Italian brand symbol of quality and prestige since 1946. Tarnish proof Sterling Silver gently enwraps precious blue Murano Glass in an open oval shape. Made in Italy.

Two runner up winners will each be awarded a signed copy of PARALLEL ATTRACTION and PARALLEL HEAT.

Enter today to have a chance at winning this beautiful piece. Of course, by signing up for my newsletter, you'll also get news about The Parallel Series and all the fun events Deidre have going on!

2006-08-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

What's the deal with "epic spam"? In other words, it tells some grandiose story? Is it to penetrate the spam filter and do devilish things later on? Is this the intent?

So, I've read this one to no less than three people, each of whom has stared at me like I'm nuts. It's just this: I can picture these people in Eastern European boiler rooms, doing lotto scams off one laptop, then crafting this strange, semi-literate prose on the other. Evil geniuses, the lot of them. See if you agree. This appeared in my mail box last week with the subject line of "Prince Ritually" (Sounds like an Ellora's Cave novel, right there.)

He sounds, said Sir Lawrence, the very man. I thinkits ridiculous his being married so young. Hes on a railway board; hes the figurehead of his countyscricket, and chairman of a big hospital. Hardly that, murmured Sir Lawrence; merely unusual, like mostmembers of really old families. Then, said Michael, with a sigh, theres nothing in this schemethat appeals to you, sir?

Were not going any way, said Fleur, theres only pace.
By the way, have you had your own kitchenelectrified?

And the poorer children are, the more they cling to their gutters,as I was telling you. Blakes New Jerusalem was, surely, based on Keating, and Keating was based on a sensitive skin.

But,you see, Ive tried Foggartism and everybodys too sane to look atit.
There must be direction, my child, underneath. The prevailing colour is that of the Ganges. CHAPTER VMEASLESThe diagnosis of Kits malady was soon verified, and Fleur wentinto purdah. The two Monts looked at each other; the excuse was patent, and theyhad not foreseen it. Ifthere is anything shorter than the publics memory, I am not awareof it. Well, you can take it from me that its nearly all heredity. The two Monts moved slowly towards Mount Street in the last of thetwilight. The butler came back, and, opening a door, said:In here, sir. For better or worse; but thats direction in itself

And, to Michael bending down to kiss her, sheinclined her cheek. We must strike while the strike is on, said the Marquess. Youre for it, as they say inthis Bonzoid age. Youcould fat a slum population, but you cant change their character! If he would give me the market price, whatever that maybe, it might solve the problem.
There was no otherreason why he should ask her.
Good-bye, dear Fleur; with all sympathy,Your affectionate friend,JON.
Dont wake him if hes asleep, said Sir Lawrence. Good-bye, dear Fleur; with all sympathy,Your affectionate friend,JON. Dwellon the slums, mention the names we hope to get, and leave the restto him.

Soames, who was notyet entirely resigned to a spiritual life, was genuinely glad tosee her. Its more like the East than anything else inLondon.
Besides, we dontreally like it in this country, Michael.

All right, if you made it this far, can we just say this--a spammer, tossing Keats and Blake. I say a frustrated intellectual reduced to Russian mafia online scammer. I can think as outlandishly as he/she can. :)

And Another Thing that I Need to Share...

2006-08-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

...is that it's almost exactly two months until my next book comes out!! Freaky! Almsot as freaky as realizing that PARALLEL SEDUCTION is already up on all the Amazons around the world! But seriously, for those of you waiting anxiously on PARALLEL HEAT, now could very well be a GOOD time to order that puppy. I mean, what if on October 3rd Amazon or Barnesandnoble.com melt down? Or what if Borders (I love that store!!!) somehow sells out--nationwide. You might just want to secure that purchase TODAY. And now you can tell how truly punchy RWA tiredness has left me. I guess that's what happens when you get 4-5 hours of sleep every night in a row while working 14-15 hour days and then come home and immediately place your mom hat on.

Today was first day of school for my angels. Everything went very smoothly, and as sad as it made me when Riley asked me earlier, "Mama, can I watch STAR WARS in the morning?" (and I realized that now, upon entering Pre-K she has her first brush with lost freedom. Yes, that sounds bleak, but it was this microcosm of what adulthood is like. Until now, she's always been able to do--basically--what she wants in the morning. But she was quite grown up, returned the DVD to the shelf and asked me, "Can I watch it in the afternoon?" Good girl!

Same girl, btw, who told me the other day, "Does Dark Vader wear underwear just like me?" (We were watching RETURN OF THE JEDI, my fave in the SW franchise to this day...they even toned down the hokey ewok music on the newest DVD.) Also, upon seeing her post-RWA she declared that her doll was named Australia, her bear was La Pink, and I am now named, "Tuesday." I think that's a pretty hip super hero agent and writer name. "Call me Tuesday."

Let's toss down a few more RWA pics! Actually, just one, which is at the top. That's Diva Woman Kristen Painter with our fabulous TKA agent, Elaine Spencer. Perhaps I should call her Friday?
:)
Hugs!

A "Can I Just Tell You" Moment

2006-08-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

I'm having one. One of those, "Honey, can I just tell you what my day's been like?" (Hear that southern accent!)

So, I came home from RWA to 1100 emails. SEriously. I have spent every day since RWA just trying to get them down to nothing. This may surprise many of you--especially people who believe agents are unresponsive or whatever--but I generally try to live with my emails on zero. I don't sit with a stack of 100 unanswered ones, precisely b/c I get SO FREAKING MANY.

Anyway, ahem. Today I'm typing along and at about 11 am I was hovering at the 34 unanswered mark. Now, flash forward five hours? I'm hovering at the 34 unanswered mark, yet have SENT countless numbers of these things and answered and deleted. But for every one I send, three more come in. It's exhausting at times, like swimming against a very powerful current in the ocean, waves slamming in your face, over and over...

And for that reason, I am posting my special picture of Mel. Because it makes me smile, and feel giddy, and remember that there are other times when I'm not fighting the email waves. :)
D

PARALLEL PARTYING!

2006-08-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Since you never know what I might post where, thought it would be fun to post a few TKA 10th anniversary party pics here. That, and a few others too. Just cause, you know? Because it's fun to be a little secretive, though I'm not sure how secret this blog really is. Maybe I just like to think I'm whispering in the dark.

So here we go! Random pics! These were sent to me by others, mostly, but I have a lot of cool ones to upload!

Above we have Susan Grant on the left, my good friend and the author of an amazing upcoming sci-fi romance novel, YOUR PLANET OR MINE? She's funny and smart--plus, look! She's gorgeous. On right is another gorgeous woman and a client of mine, Diana Peterfreund whose SECRET SOCIETY GIRL just hit shelves recently.

This is a picture of Agent Kristin Nelson with a very hot and sweaty me. (Southern Discomfort?)

Robin Owens and Cassie Miles, both my wonderful and amazing clients!

This is a wonderful friend of mine, my former editor, Louisa Edwards. She also acquired Jacquelin Thomas, Jennifer St Giles, and Shelley Bradley from me while she was with Berkley Publishing Group. We had a ton of fun reconnecting at this RWA!

More tomorrow or later tonight...
Deidre

A Little Jack Love...

2006-07-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves Sawyer on LOST--heck, *I* love Sawyer. But I love Jack, too, and although Angela will throw her head back with a blood curdling scream of revulsion (if she's reading this--AZ is one of my best pals), I still have to spend a little blog love on Matthew Fox. We're on hiatus with my fave show, so it seems a good time to post a few pics celebrating Dr. Jack Shepherd. Here we go! Hugs to all...prepping for RWA madness. Who all will be there? Let's have a roll call here. I hope my blog pals will come up to me and hug me when they bump into me...
Btw, what I love about Jack on LOST is this--he's a smart guy, who also gets to be a hunk. Now, I have to wonder that we NEVER see him shirtless, but still, the smart guy wins and acts all studly in Jack. :) D

Team PARALLEL HEAT!

2006-07-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Silly link didn't work (see post below), so here we go again! :) D

Team PARALLEL HEAT

hugs, d

So Much to Cover...SO Little Time!

2006-07-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

I've got a lot to share here, and only a minute, so prepare for rapid fire mode. First, Michelle, I posted back to you on the previous entry re: Ken Watanabe and your wonderful plug for PA. Also, I am looking for friends to join me in a big three day event, which you may have read about on my other blogs, the Breast Cancer 3-day. Here's the deal, we are building a team of 50 who want to walk with us. I mean, this will be a blast, ladies! I've already got someone coming in from Florida, Kristen Painter, there will be several of us from TKA, myself included. Imagine walking for three days and how much LAUGHING and TALKING we can do. I would really love to have some of my blog regulars join me. There's a discounted airfare too. I'm so psyched about this--in fact, I just walked a mile and a half in BOILING 103 degree heat. That's how committed and excited I am, that I'm training for this every day. And if you guys knew how out of shape I am, you'd get the full picture.

Anyway, just throwing this out to you. You can join as a team member by following this link to my page, then hitting the team page. Or you can sponsor me b/c I have to raise 2200 dollars by late October. Check it out:

This is my personal page. Email me if you have questions!

Also, by the way, my client Diana Peterfreund's much anticipated SECRET SOCIETY GIRL hits shelves today, and I can't stress enough what a wonderful book this is. It was sold in a six-way auction, so clearly a LOT of people thought it was awesome. :)

And, for now, I think that's it. I'm tossing up a couple of Nathan Kamp pics I found.

Hugs!

Giveaways and Hunky Guys! Oh MY!

2006-07-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have been terribly remiss not to stop here more this past month. Things at TKA have been AMAZING--we've placed more than 100 titles already this year (as an agency.) And last month was nearly a record month of sales for us--in the summer of all things! Nuts! And, of course, in all my extra time I'm hammering along on PARALLEL SEDUCTION, my April '07 book.

But here I am, at last, at last, and wanted to share a few fun things. First of all, listen up all you fans of PARALLEL ATTRACTION! I am going to give away a galley of PARALLEL HEAT at the end of this month, exclusive to *this blog*. What do you have to do to enter? Simply post on this thread and let me know you are entering the drawing. On August first, I'll draw the name of the lucky winner! :)

And while I'm here, in honor of having just watched MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA for the first time (so-so movie, which was too bad), here are some more pics of hunky Ken Watanabe:

I think he's one we could nominate to play a beautiful alien warrior. :)

And then, speaking of alien warriors, I found a few pics of my cover model on both PA and PH, Nathan Kamp. Check these yummies out:

Are Aliens Really Among Us?

2006-06-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

(I posted this on my Deidreknight blog, but wanted to put it here, too, because it's so freaky and yet so appropriate)

Tell me: What do YOU think? I was asked that question a lot during my interviews for Parallel Attraction, and the truth is that—crazy as I may sound—I do think aliens are probably real. It’s part of what fascinates me about them, enough so that I chose to write a series about the possibility of aliens living all among us.

My husband has written a number of science books, and one of the things he pointed out to me back about five years ago—and which was part of what inspired PA—was that the periodic table throughout the universe would be largely the same. From that, his own personal theory is that aliens wouldn’t look all that different from us. Well, maybe somewhat, but in the ways that matter, just like us. So… I came up with the Parallel series, but I forgot to research one critical matter. I invented Mirror Lake in the middle of Yellowstone because I thought about how pure and beautiful the lakes there are. Only last week did I discover my huge flub—there really is a Mirror Lake in Wyoming! Duh. Not only in Wyoming, but in Yellowstone to boot.

Even creepier and weirder? Some, uh, ufologist has come up with a conspiracy based around Lewis and Clark, Yellowstone, and… yes, Mirror Lake. Check this out:

www.imlufos.com

Is this not the WEIRDEST thing ever??? I promise: I really did not ever check that there was a Mirror Lake in Yellowstone (and in fact the pictures I looked up don’t even resemble my fictional Mirror Lake.)

I need to know what you guys make of this and if you’re not seriously weirded out like I am.

By the way, the picture above is of the road to ufologically important Groom Lake.

A Big Fat Oy!

2006-06-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

All right, so no sooner than I really got the parallel message board jamming along last month, than it CRASHED during the server move. But there is happy news at last--the board is back up! So please run--no walking, mind you--over to that message board and help energize it with life and madness.

It feels so still and stagnant now that my poor heart can hardly stand it. We can even give this thing a paranormal twist--I need life breathers! People who can re-animate my almost dead message board! Head over! Just go to www.deidreknightbooks.com and click message board!

:)
D

Thea Haven--An Opinion Poll

2006-06-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

So, I've been fascinated to hear from a few people that they didn't come away from PA finding Thea a sympathetic character. This really shocks me, and I thought I'd toss this question out into the Parallel Realm here:
--Did you come away liking or disliking Thea?
--For either answer, what was your reasoning?

To me, Thea is a classic emotional antagonist in PA--but we get to see her grow, too. Without spoiling anything about the book, I really worked to turn her from that unsympathetic character so that by the end, you'd really *feel* for her.

Anyway, just curious. Thoughts on Thea? :) D

A Perfect Alien

2006-06-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this is an oldie but goodie from my treasure trove of hotties. I still love the Wallflowers, but haven't gone looking for Jakob Dylan pictures in a long, long time. Now just have to preface--Jakey isn't a candidate for some 6 foot 6 alpha hero. What he looks like to me is some sort of Renaissance painting of an angel. A very, very naughty angel. Or an alien--which was actually my very first thought the first time I saw him on MTV. I was on the treadmill, glanced up and thought, "Wow! He could be one of those aliens I'm always making up stories about." I mean, look at the guy. He is absolutely hot, but he's also...odd looking. Haunting or haunted. But he certainly wins a spot here on my Parallel blog simply by being Most Likely to Resemble an Alien. Don't you think? :)
D

The Whole World at Your...Fingertips?

2006-06-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

All right, this is a bit of an untoward post, I'll admit it straight up. That's why it's on my lesser trafficked blog, for that precise reason.

So everyone knows I have my blackberry, and my great love affair with this electronic device. Well, for those who don't have one, you've got to realize that spam still shows up, and without any kind of filter, you just have to wade your way through what you'd automatically delete in Outlook.

Anyway, Judson and I were driving along last week and I got a penis enlargement spam. It said, "You'll have the whole world on the end of your penis."
Um, really? I turned to Jud and asked, "Is this like HORTON HEARS A WHO--the porno version? I mean, are there secret tiny people on the end of your you-know-what if you use this product?"

I had this vision of some guy, using the product, about to penetrate his gal and this tiny chorus of, "We are here! We are here! We are here!" bursting through and the panting and moaning.

So, had to share.

Meet One of My Favorite Hunky Guys--Kelly Slater!

2006-05-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Not sure how many competitive surfing fans there are in these parts of blogland, but a while back I wrote a novel that revolved a bit around surfing and it gave me a chance to do some...um, research. Talk about guys with great looking bodies who live on the edge. Surfer boys. Such fun to watch! Check out Kelly, whose autobiography, btw, is quite inspiring.

Let's pause for a moment of silent appreciation for the greatest surf champion of all time, Mr. Kelly Slater!!

My fabulous cover Model Nathan Kamp

2006-05-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Could my covers be any hotter thanks to this dream of a model?

Happy Mother's Day!

2006-05-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

To the women in my life, I hope you've had a marvelous day! And to those who are mothers, I hope you felt special, knew that those around you appreciate you, and that you celebrated! Here in Madison it was a dreamy day, with beautiful weather (for once). I'm posting a few pics.

First of all, while we're talking hunky men, isn't my soulmate a real piece o' beefcake??? And since mother's day is as much about the dads, and how they enable us to be the best possible moms, I wanted to post these few pics from our back yard party. Sigh. He's my dream boat.

Pamela and her family came over, my mom and stepdad, and then all of the kids. There was sprinkler play, a backyard picnic, and the dreamiest weather I've experienced all spring. While I'm lionizing the people I love, here are two of the most important women in my life: my mom and my sister and fellow agent, Pamela Harty.

Of course, you may ask what these images have to do with the Parallel realm? Well nothing on the surface, apart from the fact that these are the people who inspire me and enable me to write every day. I'd post pics of my children, but I just don't think that's a good practice in cyberspace. But they are perfect and today was just as perfect as they are. :)

Hugs to all! D

PARALLEL ATTRACTION--Show of Hands?

2006-05-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

I'm curious how many people are willing to post and share if they read the first book in my new series, PARALLEL ATTRACTION. Not because I'm an egomaniac, but it always surprises me who finds their way to my blog. Last time I asked for a kind of roll call, intro'ing where you're from. This time, let's do a PA roll call, including where you're from and your name.

So in the words of Rodger Daltrey..."Who are you? Who who? Who who? Now tell me who are you?"

I love to get know the people dropping into my blogs, so let me know! Did you read it? Are you going to?

And to add to this fun experience, allow me to post some inspiration and motivation in the form of lovely men. These are the sorts of images that tend to inspire me with writing romance. :)
Deidre

The Man Who Would be King--Part II

2006-05-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

So, had to go troll about and find more of my character inspiration for Jared Bennett. Keep in mind, I am not on my own laptop today so I will readily confess that I, ahem, had these saved elsewhere. Or ones similar to them...So enjoy. Be inspired...go buy PARALLEL ATTRACTION if you haven't, and come tell me who YOU would cast as Jared. And if you have read it? Tell me who you pictured while reading the book...

With acknowledgements to Jennifer St. Giles for making sure I knew ALL about Gerard Butler. :)
Hugs, Deidre

The Man Who Could be King

2006-05-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

Men Who Could be Jared...

I mentally composed Jared off of one particular actor, who will probably shock the pants off of all of you! Now, listen to me first...Jared really does NOT exist. But I took some physical traits that I saw in a couple of actors, and then created him. So neither of the below shots should make anyone think, "Wow, is THAT Jared? But I don't like that actor!" Jared is, quite simply, Jared. But take a gander at a few shots. I might be odd, but I Thought Ken Watanabe was like the hottest thing ever in THE LAST SAMURAI. He had that military leadership thing going on, plus the exotic look. Toss in some Keanu Reeves, and well, a lot of my imagination, and you've got Jared Bennett. For your viewing pleasure I present the following...

2006-05-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog! Yes, like I really *need* another blog, right? I thought it would be cool to start a site that was simply about the PARALLEL books. In other words, I start to feel tacky after a while just blogging, "Look! Here is this interview with me!" and that kind of thing. More than that, as new readers keep coming on board with the series, I find that a blog dedicated just to the series could be useful. We can post spoilers here, or beefcake pics of guys we think MIGHT look like Jared or Marco or whatever. In the end, I have come to think of my blogs as each having a very particular identity. There's my agency blog, which is mostly business. There's my Deidre blog, which slightly morphs my author/agent life. I think this blog can serve the purpose of being ALL Parallel series, all the time. :)

Now let's see if I can get my readers and fans to start dropping by! :)

Meanwhile, here's a link to an interview with me. In fact, maybe the sidebars here will be various interviews?

Ideas anyone? Everyone? What would you like to see about the series here?
Big hugs, Deidre

2006-05-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

Testing!!