Romance Lives Forever

Curling Up With A Good Book - Ryder Islington

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Ultimate Justice by Ryder Islington.

For those of us who love to read, there is nothing like curling up with a good book. Sometimes I’ll choose a book according to the weather. In the sweltering late summer, I love reading women’s fiction. Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, The Secret Life of Bees, or Jane Eyre is perfect. I really love the old classics, as well as the new classics.

In autumn I really enjoy romance and love stories, especially the big thick books like A Rose In Winter. The spring is perfect for those coming of age stories. I really love John Irving’s, Snow Falling On Cedars or Forrest Gump right about then.

But in the dead of the winter, when the wind is blowing cold, beating against the house, and it’s not fit out for man nor beast, it’s time to pull out the scary stuff. This is the time for Robin Cook, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Thomas Harris. These men can scare the hoo-ha out of readers. These are some of the men who have influenced my writing. I like the surprise, the one that gives you chills, the one that makes you sleep with the lights on.

While I worked on Ultimate Justice, A Trey Fontaine Mystery, I scared myself! I remembered my own close encounter with a serial killer and realized I was writing from experience. It’s easy to get over extraterrestrials, ghosts, and monsters. It’s not so easy to get over serial killers, sick and twisted pillars of society who are evil inside, eviscerations by those whom you’d least expect. These are common place in our world. And yet, they are scarier than the unknown.

The scariest book I ever read was Helter Skelter. At the time, I lived in a townhouse style apartment and refused to go upstairs after dark. I slept on the couch for weeks. I think the book was published about ten years after the actual killings. The book brought back all the news about the Manson girls, and their leader. Seeing Charles Manson and his ‘family’ on the news, hearing the gruesome details over and over was bad enough. But the book brought it all right into my own head. That’s what good books are all about. They make the reader feel things that they might not ever feel in their own lives.

So really, there is no bad time to curl up with a good book. Find something that makes your hair stand on end, or moves your heart, or makes you laugh, and let the author take you away to a whole other world. And don’t forget to take a cup of coffee or tea with you, 'cause you may be gone for a while.

Ultimate Justice, A Trey Fontaine Mystery is receiving rave reviews from readers.
http://www.ll-publications.com/ultimatejustice.html

The small town of Raven Bayou, Louisiana explodes as old money meets racial tension, and tortured children turn the table on abusive men. FBI Special Agent Trey Fontaine returns home to find the town turned upside down with mutilated bodies. Working with local homicide detectives, Trey is determined to get to the truth. A believer in empirical evidence, Trey ignores his instincts until he stares into the face of the impossible, and has to choose between what he wants to believe and the ugly truth.

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About the Author

A graduate of the University of California and former officer for a large sheriff’s department, RYDER ISLINGTON is now retired and doing what she loves: reading, writing, and gardening. She lives in Louisiana with her family, including a very large English Chocolate Lab, a very small Chinese pug, and a houseful of demanding cats. She can be contacted at RyderIslington@yahoo.com or visit her blog at http://ryderislington.wordpress.com

The full blog tour schedule can be found at http://is.gd/8PcVDa

An Interview with Malia Mallory

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:14:00 +0000

Malia Mallory - ABCs of Erotica.

Malia, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

My most recent release is from The ABCs of Erotica. It is called R is for Revenge. It started out as R is for Rubenesque but then the title changed because really the focus wasn't on the heroine's body but her actions. My releases thus far have been either short stories or novellas that pretty much fall squarely into erotica. Eventually, I do plan to write some more expanded stories.

How do you come up with ideas?

Ideas can come out of the blue. Sometimes it is something I dream. It might be something that occurs to me when I am talking to my husband. Other ideas are inspired by things I read or movies I watch. My mind will go off on a tangent and come up with a completely new idea.

What is the single most important part of writing for you?

I really want to write something that readers find entertaining. I also want to put out a professional product. Poor editing or formatting can get in the way of the reading experience.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

I really enjoy being done with a piece! I find writing to be difficult sometimes. I have to concentrate hard and really be focused. I know it comes more easily to some other writers.

Would you consider self-publishing?

Thus far, all my work that is published is self-published. I wouldn't rule out submitting though. I was just in a hurry I guess J

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

I would maybe recommend Mia's Cop Craving or B is for Beach. Those are lighter and more romantic. If someone has a BDSM interest, C is for C*ck Ring or D is for Domination might be more your style.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

I hope they want to read more! I also hope they feel the entertainment value was worth their time and money.

List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.

Just two? It's so hard to choose. I'm a big fan of Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Amanda Quick. I also really like the J. D. Robb books by Nora Roberts.

A biography has been written about you. What do you think the title would be in six words or less?

Promising Writer Moves to Erotica Books!

If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

My husband and I talk about moving to the Pacific Northwest often. It may happen down the road. It would be lovely to have a place with a little privacy.

As a child, what was your favorite thing about school?

I liked school when I was younger. I think the thing I liked about it was that it fed my self-esteem. I was a good student usually and this provided positive feelings to me.

Tell us an embarrassing story that has to do with a pet. If you have no pets, a story about a significant other will do. ^_^

I have a wonderful little dog, but he is a bit neurotic. He tends to ah….urinate on people he doesn't know when they make him nervous. This means I have to warn the vet, groomer or anyone that tries to pick him up to watch out!

Malia Mallory - Mia's Cop Craving.

My Booklist

The ABCs of Erotica -

A is for Anal

B is for Beach

C is for C*ck Ring

D is for Domination

H is for Handjob

R is for Revenge

Santa's Backdoor Baby

Mia's Cop Craving

Books Coming Soon

Mia's Cop Craving 2 - Double Teamed

Clockwork Caning

Contests

I'm participating in several blog hops in February. Check out my blog for more information! I usually offer free ebooks as prizes. http://abcsoferotica.wordpress.com/ I also send a free ebook to anyone who signs up for my newsletter at my web site. http://www.maliamallory.com

Fill in the Blanks

I love pizza with	pepperoni and mushrooms
I'm always ready for	a sunny day
When I'm alone, I	try to get stuff done
You'd never be able to tell, but	I'm pregnant
If I had a halo it would be	surprised

If I could	write faster	I'd	be more productive
I can never	eat olives	because	I don't like them!

Find Me Here

Website: http://www.maliamallory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MaliaMallory

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MaliaMallory

Blog: http://abcsoferotica.wordpress.com/

12 Steps to Self-Publish Your Book - Mimi Barbour

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:03:00 +0000

Mimi Barbour - My Cheeky Angel.

Because it took me hours of 'How-to' video watching, bombarding my friends who helped me get started with questions and more questions, and then multiple times to finally get my work uploaded cleanly, I decided to write these steps for myself in case I ever decide to self-pub again. Then I wondered if these steps wouldn't save others the frustration and desk pounding that I suffered when I tried to do it without the proper knowledge. Now, having said that, I have no idea if a professional would agree with this guide as I've written it. Maybe there's a better way to describe the procedure, or I might have missed something that didn't affect my work, and if so I apologize. But I wanted to write it in such a way that, if months go by and my memory dims, (more than likely) these 12 steps will remind me clearly and concisely.

1 - Take a copy of your manuscript and clearly rename it so you know which copy you're working on.

2 - If you've gotten the word doc from your Editor, and there are red edits showing, once you have finished making all the changes, go to 'Tools/Track Changes/Highlight Changes' and unclick the box at the top that says 'Track Changes While Editing'. This should clear your document of editing suggestions and changes.

3 - Check for spelling errors…even if you've done this before, it's best to go over it one last time.

4 - Go to 'View' and click off the 'Ruler'.

5 - Go to 'Edit/Select all' so that your document is highlighted, and then go to the toolbar above and make sure that you are using the 'Normal/Times New Roman/ 12 Font'.

6 - Now you will put on the 'Show/Hide' paragraph option that's on your toolbar and looks like a backwards-P. Once you do this, your spaces, new paragraphs, line breaks and all the inner workings of your document will be visible.

7 - In case you tab the 5 spaces in to begin a new paragraph, (as I do) these must all be cleared. Go to 'Edit/Find/Replace' and on the top line that says 'Find What' hit the space bar five times (nothing will be visible). Then leave the 'Replace With' line empty and go to 'Replace All'. Then do the same thing again for 4 spaces, 3 spaces and 2 spaces. DO NOT do this for 1 space.

8 - Now clear any spaces before the paragraph mark by going to 'Edit/Find/Replace/More/Special/Paragraph Mark' and then hit the space bar once. Then click on the next line 'Replace With' and go to 'Special/Paragraph Mark'. This will clear away the extra spaces once you click on 'replace all'. I would do this same routine again in case there were two spaces.

If you tab in for new paragraphs, do this same manoeuvre for 'tab characters' and clear them. And once again for 'manual line breaks' only clear each one of these manually instead of using the 'replace all' feature.

9 - Formatting paragraphs – you will go to the toolbar and click on 'Format/Paragraph/Alignment' and click on left. Then on the same page go to 'Special' and click on First line, and then go to 'By' and set in 0.5" and last go to 'Line spacing' and click on Double.

10 - Now go to 'Edit/Find' and type in the word Chapter. Starting at the top of your document, make sure that each of the chapter headings are either centered by clicking on the center function on your toolbar, or if you prefer the chapter headings to be on the left, reposition them now so they are no longer indented.
At the same time check to be sure there is a page break before each new chapter. To do this, position your cursor just before the 'C' of the word Chapter and go to 'Insert/Break/Page Break.

11 - Fix any scene breaks (***) by centering them.

12 - Next, go to 'File' and then to 'Properties/Summary' where you should fill in the information—especially the line that asks for the key words for your manuscript such as Romance, Paranormal, etc.
At this point add your cover and centre it, then the copywrite page, and if you want, a dedication page it can be put here at the beginning of your document. Make sure to keep the lines spaced so the writing will fit on one page. Put in page breaks where you wish to have a new page. Remember, if you leave too many empty lines (more than 5) Kindle will automatically leave an empty page.

Now it's time to go to Kindle Direct Publishing and get started!

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About My Cheeky Angel

From a naïve tomboy to a human resource manager for a large manufacturing shoe store in Manhattan, Annie takes on her goals with the fervour of a 30-year-old, love-starved virgin who feels her days are numbered. She needs her guardian angel, Celi, to jump-start the changeover. She wants the love of her best friend Tyler - but we don't always get everything we want. She finds heartache and she finds happiness! The story has an ending that'll knock your socks off!! And leave you sighing!

If you don't like light-hearted, fun romance with a slight paranormal twist, then you won't like My Cheeky Angel.

"Annie! I need to tell you about how painful it can be out there."

"I know you've had bad experiences, Ty. That you've shut down your expectations, your future, but I need to try to live mine. Give me a chance, my friend. That's all I ask. Support me, please."

His professional instincts overrode his personal needs and stopped his tirade. He sighed deeply. Walking away, he thought about what she'd said. Maybe the best thing he could do for her was to let her grow up, as she so succinctly put it. Let her learn the lessons romance had taught him. He'd stay on the sidelines. He'd keep his predictions and warnings to himself, and he'd watch and wait.

But every red-blooded male hormone in his taut body urged him on. He went back to her and stopped. "Annie, I'm your best buddy, and I adore you and your overly large caring heart. Please don't change too much."

He scooped her close, picking her right up off the floor. When he perused her features, his eyes were unusually serious. Dangling, she would have fallen if not for his arms. He hesitated, waiting to see if she'd pull away, which left her body wriggling against his for far too long, and calling "hello" to every cell in his over-sensitized skin. His trembling surprised him. He hadn't experienced that kind of reaction to a female since being a horny teenager. He stared at her mouth and growled. He'd intended his caress to be a light-hearted expression of his affections. It changed the minute their bodies touched.

Intent must have flashed in his eyes. When she froze, he kissed her, not in the brotherly or friendly way he'd meant to, but the way a man kisses the woman he wants. While she gasped with surprise, he thrust his tongue between her soft lips, prying them open wider, and then he invaded. Her response lifted his spirits and gave him hope. She tasted him, her tongue darting forward, caressing his with a tiny, affectionate lick. Then, her body melted into him, clinging for long seconds. His groan must have scared her. She broke away and pushed on his shoulders.

"Tyler, stop it. Why are you doing this?" Her trembling hand covered her lips.

His eyes narrowed. He stared at the little lady in front of him, into those big, worried eyes, and felt the lust die. Damn, she was right. He had no business upsetting her. What the hell had gotten into him? He loosened his grip and gently lowered her to the floor. From the first day he'd met her, he'd sensed an emotional changeling in flux. His own past experiences had soured him on the whole love-relationship thing, and he no more wanted to have another girlfriend than to get a skin-eating disease. Being buddies with Annie had fitted perfectly into his chosen lifestyle. He didn't want anything to change. But that was his problem, not hers. His demons were his own to fight. Besides, his last relationship still had him questioning his abilities as a mate and a lover for any woman. Best not push his luck.

"Okay, Anna, how can I help?" He stood in front of her with his hands on his hips and his feet spread. He smiled. Not his unique smile, but tender nonetheless. Her eyes misted. "Thank you, Ty. I couldn't bear to lose you."

Tyler recognized that their friendship had passed a huge hurdle. "Listen, we're buds, aren't we?"

She beamed her relief. Such a little worrywart. Then she nodded her head.

He chuckled. "Anything I can help you with, it's yours. Car rides, advice—friendly sex?"

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Find Mimi Barbour here:

http://www.mimibarbour.com/
http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com/

Something Different by S A Reid

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Something Different - S.A. Reid.

Stephanie Abbott is the face behind the popular pseudonym, S.A. Reid. Well-known for her "real and likeable characters," she also writes paranormal fiction (a new series titled Past Lives is currently being penned), fantasy, and sci-fi. Additionally, she also pens cozy mysteries as Emma Jameson.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

Reading, I suppose. I loved to read from an early age and by 8 I tried to write my first novel – something about a blind girl who could transform herself into a sighted alley cat. If there was more to the story, I don't recall. Then when I was 11, I met my best friend, Maryam, a much more advanced writer, and had to improve to keep up! So I'll chalk it up to reading and friends.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

Many. My new book PROTECTION (writing as S.A. Reid) is out now.

The sequel to my cozy mystery ICE BLUE, called BLUE MURDER (writing as Emma Jameson) should arrive in early spring 2012.

And finally, as Stephanie Abbott, I hope to publish FEARFUL SYMMETRY around June 2012. Three names and three more books!

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?

I would go into the future. The past is fascinating – I love to write about it – but if I could only pick one, I'd have to see the unknown. Not revisit what's already done.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

You didn't specify living or dead, so: Jane Austen, Winston Churchill, Jon Stewart, Oprah Winfrey (in case I, as the hostess, get tongue-tied) and Michael Fassbender. (He's the only guest who won't necessarily have to speak.)

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

A magical no-fail laptop, so I could read and write. A magical no-fail camper, so I could shower and sleep in comfort. And a magical no-fail teleporter so I could return to society once I caught up on all that reading and writing.

What is one book everyone should read?

The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot. It will challenge all your assumptions. And no physics degree needed – he explains quantum mechanics so elegantly, anyone can read and enjoy.

If you were a superhero what would your name be?

Needs-A-Do-Over Gal!

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

On the white sands of north Florida, looking out at viridian (green) water every day.

SA Reid, Emma Jameson, Stephanie Abbott

What is your favorite Quote?

To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable. – Oscar Wilde

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Look at Amanda Hocking's example. Putting aside whether you love her books or hate them, she is the perfect model for a young writer because her entire focus was writing. Like most of us, she had to work a day job. She worried about bills and all the other real world concerns. But her free time revolved around writing, putting herself out there, accepting feedback, and writing more. That kind of single-minded dedication to her passion makes her a millionaire twice over. More importantly, it gave her the things she wanted most: readers and national exposure as an author.

Ten Things I’d Wish I’d Known - Melissa Lopez

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +0000

Hi, Kayelle, everyone. Thanks for allowing me to visit. I’m Melissa Lopez. I’m an author of contemporary and dark paranormal stories. I write for myself and I create my worlds for my characters. I’m setting new career goals and taking a look back at what I’ve learned so far in my writing journey.

Here are ten things I’d wish I’d known before I’d gotten published:

Writing is a business. Each story is a product. Your backlist increases your inventory. You’re CEO of a brand that’ll hopefully attract repeat customers. You’ve got to market, promote, and know about trends and statistics. You’ve got to build a platform of friends and readers to support your business.
Networking is extremely valuable but it’s not all about social media. A writer’s career is a solitary endeavor, so face-to-face meetings are important as well. Conventions offer discussions, information, and opportunities. Networking helps build your business. That said, writing your next book is priority one.
There’s turnover at publishing houses. Editors come and go so it’s important to remain positive and roll with the changes that come your way. Remember your writer’s journey doesn’t end with your first contract.
Self doubt is your enemy. You have to believe you’re a great writer. You have to believe you’ve something worth sharing. You must believe in yourself. You must, you must, you must! You must be strong when facing criticism. Some criticism will be offered gently, some will be harsh, some criticism will be unnecessary, some worthwhile. With each story criticism, will be dished and doubts will rise…Stay positive.
Know who your true friends are. Now where did I hear that? Oh, Jenny Cruise at a New Jersey conference. She was so right. These are the people who’ll give you a swift-kick when self doubt has you in its trance. They’ll be honest during their critiques. They’ll challenge you to be a better author. They’ll curse and rant with you when you receive a rejection. Writing is a lonely business but they’ll be there for you.
If you like an author’s work, tell her. Connect with her. It’s important to make these kinds of connections.
Writers spend a-whole-lot of time waiting. We wait for acceptance letters (be positive.) We wait for edits, and more edits, and even more edits. We wait for covers. We wait for release dates. We wait for reviews. It’s always best to put all the waiting out of your mind and write.
Once you’re published writing doesn’t get easier. In fact sometimes writing gets more difficult as you stretch and challenge yourself. In your writing journey you discover how tough the road can be to navigate. Writing stories takes a huge effort and an enormous investment of time. You need to make sacrifices and be committed to the job.
People (some friends, some family, some acquaintances, and some complete strangers) will expect you to give them a book. It still surprises me how many individuals have asked me to give them a book. It’s so awesome —it’s a true privilege—to have readers. But it’s vitally important to a writing career that—especially those who care about you—buy your work.
Writers have to combat E-piracy. Writers have to contest thievery of their copyrighted material. Writers strive to protect what is theirs. Piracy of books has cost authors their livelihoods. E-piracy has cut short the careers of some authors.

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I hope this gives aspiring authors ahead-start on their journey. And I hope I’ve given readers a peek at the business end of storytelling. To my fellow authors, please let us hear something you wish you’d known before you published.

Melissa Lopez

http://melissa-lopez.com/

Journeys of Love Every Woman Needs To Take.

An Interview with Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000


The Saturnalia Effect.

Tell us about your latest release from Storm Moon Press, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

Heidi: The Saturnalia Effect is the story of a vulnerable young man in a very bad, exploitative situation. Troy Khoury has just lost his brother and been sentenced to a harsh prison sentence when he winds up the victim of a mafia protection racket that compels him to kill or be killed. He tries to use his pretty vulnerability to seduce his intended victim, but winds up being seduced himself.

Violetta: Is prison lit a genre?

Heidi: We definitely embrace our whole... creative conception of prison. Violetta and I know (or think we know, anyway) what makes those narratives compelling for people and we don’t shy away from shamelessly pushing all those buttons. It’s a gritty, violent, very sexual story, set in an unflinching contemporary setting. But since it’s a Christmas story, there’s a bit of magic in it, too.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

Heidi: I love sitting down with a mug of coffee and creating something from nothing. A well-crafted sentence, a fun or interesting supporting character, a compelling scene, a sexy line of dirty talk... right up to a finished manuscript. All you start with is a blinking cursor, a blank page, and an idea, but what you end up with is something spectacular.

Violetta: I read a great tweet recently remarking that being a writer was like having homework every night for the rest of your life. It’s so true. It’s a lot of hard work, but the payoff is satisfying on multiple levels. When you finish a sentence you’re particularly proud of. When you hit a target. When you wrap up a project and send it off. When you reread and notice something fascinating you didn’t even realize you did the first time around. And then, of course, when people finally read it (and hopefully enjoy it), that’s also intensely rewarding.

Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?

Violetta: Almost all of our stories start via brainstorming. Heidi will often write up a little blurb that sums up the excitement we want to create with the story. Then we’ll plan, outline, research and plunge in. The planning process is organic, though: we might start out with a looser outline, but firm it up and make it very detailed when we’re a third of the way written.

Heidi: It starts with a concept. So, for The Saturnalia Effect, I said I wanted to write a Christmas story for Storm Moon Press and Violetta, who’s a bit of a grinch, said she’d only write it if it was a bit dark and unconventional. I don’t know how she decided we should set it in a prison, but that’s what we did. One minute you’re saying “Christmas in prison” and the next you’re rifling through Christmas traditions and the history of Christmas looking for something to spark your interest, and suddenly you’re sketching out a scene-by-scene plot, shaping characters, until there’s a whole little novella sitting in front of you.

What did you learn from writing your first book?

Violetta: We learned we’re great at structure, but terrible at estimating wordcount. The book ended up being three times as long as we’d anticipated. But we decided we were going to stay with the structure we originally planned for it, so it turned out to be exactly as long as the characters and story needed to be.

Heidi: We had this whole plot planned out point by point, had our main characters sketched and Violetta said “Oh yeah, I think we’ll have a comfortable 50k novel here, easy.” Of course, with that book, we hit 50k way earlier than we expected, and at first we stressed about that, but we decided to just stick to our plan regardless of how much we’d blown the wordcount. It ended up being 130k, which we cut down to 120k, and once we’ve gone through edits with our publisher, it might be a little shorter again.

How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses?

Violetta: I don’t have a muse. I just have ideas. Sometimes they’re awesome ideas and sometimes they’re terrible, like “if a lion and a polar bear had a fight, who would win?” My job is to figure out which ideas are the most awesome, and then put in the hard work of developing and elaborating them. And as for balancing my life? I haven’t figured it out yet. It’s like a see-saw, it keeps going back and forth, but at least I haven’t fallen off yet!

Heidi: Honestly, I don’t personally buy into the “muse” thing either. I don’t begrudge authors who characterize the creative process that way, but that’s really not me. I’m pretty practical about it. So when one writer says “my muse isn’t speaking to me”, I’d rather say “I’m not in the mood for writing this today, I’d rather watch a movie, I didn’t get enough sleep last night, I don’t know where this scene is going right now”, whatever. For me there’s no conscious balancing act. I think it’s my mom who says “If you really want to do something, you’ll make time for it.” I think she was talking about my husband saying he never has time to go to the gym (haha) but I think writing is the same way. My life is pretty chaotic, what with my infant daughter, but somehow it just works, although a lot of the time it means I have a messy house. Violetta and I are both busy, full-time moms who fit writing in where we can, and we try to prioritize it as much as we can. There are people who have full-time day jobs, kids, and manage to write, after all.

What is the craziest thing you did as a kid, and would it ever end up in a book?

Violetta: I think the craziest thing I did as a little kid (ten years old, I think) happened one day at summer camp when I ended up playing a game of Gauntlet at a convenience store with three other people (for the young ones: Gauntlet was an arcade game where you explored a dungeon in a multiplayer party). I was playing the Valkyrie, and one of the guys I was playing with, an adult who looked exactly like The Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons, started shooting me in the back with arrows. I yelled at him that he wasn’t supposed to do that to his own team, but he kept shooting me until he killed me and all my quarters were wasted, and then he smirked and said, “little girls shouldn’t be in dungeons.” I got so mad I jumped up in the air about two feet and slapped him in the face, and then I ran right out of the store in a panic because I was terrified the police were going to arrest me for assaulting him.

Heidi: I honestly didn’t do any crazy things as a kid. I lived a very idyllic rural childhood. I mean, one of my hobbies was catching tadpoles for Chrissakes. I had a collection of cabbage patch dolls. My husband was the crazy one, jumping walls and trespassing and stealing apples and driving other peoples’ combine harvesters and cutting all the fingers off of his left hand. You should ask him this question.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

Heidi: Well as of this interview we’ve only got one book out, so The Saturnalia Effect is pretty much the be-all end-all of your choices! I’d say in some ways, it’s representative of our body of work, and in some ways it really, really isn’t. Having a minority main character in Troy, that’s very “us”, and finding magic in the places you least expect it, that is, too. But I think it’s unique among our writing, too, just because of the nature of the relationship between Troy and Daniel, and the general plot of the story. We’re pretty unflinching in our subject matter with all of our stories, but this is probably the darkest we’ve gotten.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

Violetta: I hope they get a sense of the rich possibilities of the m/m romance genre. We respect this genre enough to really want to push its boundaries as much as possible. We try to add something new and unique with every story.

Heidi: I’ll be happy if they just lose themselves in it for the hour or whatever it takes them to read it. As a reader myself there’s nothing better than getting completely engrossed in a story and its characters, and I hope that there are people out there who get that that same experience from The Saturnalia Effect! Or any of our writing, for that matter.

A biography has been written about you. What do you think the title would be in six words or less?

Heidi: “Space Cadet: A Novel”. Seriously, you will never meet a more absent-minded little woman than me.

Violetta: “Destroy All Monsters.” I grew up on Godzilla.

What song would best describe your life?

Heidi: “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. Why? Because it’s the song I sing my daughter to sleep with.

Violetta: Alien Sex Fiend, “My Brain Is In The Cupboard Above The Kitchen Sink.” I think that speaks for itself.

Picture yourself as a store. Considering your personality and lifestyle, what type of products would be sold there?

Heidi: Books and vintage clothes! Everything very twee and quaint and kitschy. I would have a whole wall of Barbara Cartland books.

Violetta: An overstuffed stall of eccentricities in a Mexican flea market.

As a child, what was your favorite thing about school?

Heidi: I was an apple polisher. I loved school, other than the bullies! History/Social Studies was my favourite subject. I was a seven year old girl obsessed with bog mummies, what can I say.

Violetta: I loved anything to do with competitions, like spelling bees. I got less and less competitive as I got older, though.

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Heidi: As ever, “Warning: Potty Mouth”! I come from a culture where “fuck” is punctuation and I haven’t escaped that.

Violetta: “Contents Highly Flammable.”

My Booklist

The Saturnalia Effect – Storm Moon Press

Out of the Tombs, Exceedingly Fierce – free on Smashwords

Books Coming Soon

“Bookended” – Dreamspinner Press, Spring 2012

“Cruce de Caminos” – Riptide Publishing, release date TBA

And then we have a big fat fantasy novel currently awaiting a signed contract that you should be on the look out for in August/September 2012! Sorry to be so cryptic, but we promise you it’ll be a good one!

Storm Moon Press

Contests

Christmas may be over, but Violetta and I are still full of the holiday spirit, and we’ve got an e-copy of The Saturnalia Effect to give away! Just drop us a comment here for a chance to win. We’ll pick a winner Monday the 23rd. Don’t forget to leave us a way to contact you! An email, a twitter account, a link to your Facebook page... whatever works for you. :)

Find Us Here

Goodreads: Heidi Belleau

Facebook: Heidi Belleau

G+: +Heidi Belleau

Twitter: @Heidibelleau

Blog: Heidi Below Zero

Goodreads: Violetta Vane

Facebook: Violetta Vane

G+: +Violetta Vane

Twitter: @violettavane

Blog: Violetta Vane ’s Imaginarium

An Interview with Angelia Sparrow

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:40:00 +0000

Power in the Blood by Angelia Sparrow.

Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

The latest is called Power in the Blood. It's a paranormal story, but crossed with some erotica, and a family drama as well. We have a vampire church planning to bring down the Second Coming by converting the whole world. And it's up to our hero, his misfit kids, and a bunch of immortals to stop the church from turning the whole city of Memphis. If they fail, the immortals' governing council will destroy the city to make sure the contagion doesn't spread.

So come join Oren as he tries to keep himself and his six children alive, in the midst of walking legends, evangelical vampires and sexy club boys.

And if you preorder, you get a discount.

What is the single most important part of writing for you?

Sitting down and doing it. Making the next word come, and the next. That's what builds the stories.

What do you enjoy most about writing?

Coming back several months after a story has been written and finding new things in it, things I'm sure I never put there

Are your stories plot or character driven?

Mostly character. I tend to start with characters and a situation and let them have their heads. I do some plotting to make sure I end up at an ending, instead of just a place to stop, and to plant some road-signs to get me there.

How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses?

There's a life outside writing? Seriously, I work, I do my second-shift stuff (cooking, shopping, errands), and I write. Anything else is a distraction.

What is the craziest thing you did as a kid, and would it ever end up in a book?

I was a very sedate, very timid child. As well as having many medical issues, I had the (quite literal) fear of God put into me by my mother and grandmothers. A child who believes she will go to hell for the slightest transgression, including looking in a mirror for more than a minute, is not a wild or crazy child. So there is nothing to put in.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

Howl at the Mistletoe. It's a collection of short stories and gives an overview of what I write. My novels tend to the odd, but if that's the preferred length, I would say The Curse of the Pharaoh's Manicurists is the closest to ordinary. It's a rollicking adventure in the Roaring 20s, much in the vein of Indiana Jones. I suggest that for first time readers, rather than the erotic horror or the trans Robin Hood or the disabled pagan inspirational romance.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

I hope they learn a thing or two and take away that hot, cold, shivery, and utterly satisfied feeling that any good book leaves you with.

A biography has been written about you. What do you think the title would be in six words or less?

Mama Lilith's Rebel Daughter

(that's also the name of my imaginary band's imaginary first album)

If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

I would love a nice place up in the Ozark mountains, not far from one of the lakes, Tablerock or Taneycomo or Lake of the Ozarks. A nice drive out of Springfield or St. Louis, close enough to my family in Kansas City, and one of my favorite places in the world.

What song would best describe your life?

“How bad do you want it?” by Tim McGraw. “Every night I give my heart and soul, sometimes it ain't enough.”

If you were a tool, what would people use you to do?

Oh Kayelle, you're naughty. Or is that just my filthy mind?

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Does not work and play well with others; not responsible for damages, physical or emotional; Shock hazard, do not open. No user-serviceable parts inside.

My Booklist

Novels:

Nikolai

Niko-chan

with Naomi Brooks:

Glad Hands

Curse of the Pharaoh's Manicurists

Collections:

Howl at the Mistletoe

Into Dark Waters Into Dark Waters (with Naomi Brooks)

Four-Play Four-Play (with Naomi Brooks)

Stand Alone shorts:

Raising the Dead

Pushing the Boundaries of Reality

Eight Days Ablaze

Sky-Rat

Breathe Deep

Swimming Through the Net

With Naomi Brooks:

Showdown at Yellowstone River

Anthologies:

A Dark Roasted Christmas

My Dark Roasted Valentine

Barista's Choice Barista's Choice --free

Like an Iron Fist

Zombiality

Wild Passions

Dreams of Steam II:Brass and Bolts

The Dark Season

With Naomi Brooks:

Queer Dimensions

Like a Corset Undone

Ellora's Cavemen: Flavors of Ecstasy III

Books Coming Soon

Power in the Blood (January 27th, 2012)

Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells

Adventuresses

Riding the Nightmare (collection with Naomi Brooks)

Fill in the Blanks

I love pizza with ___mushrooms and lots of pepperoni__.

I'm always ready for _____chocolate____________.

When I'm alone, I have imaginary conversations with people I may never meet__.

If I had a halo it would be _held up by my horns____________.

I can never ___get into skiing and surfing and other sports on the water, or even learn to swim____ because ___of my bad ears. Last time I got water in them, I ended up needing surgery__.

Find Me Here

Website: http://www.brooksandsparrow.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Angelia-Sparrow/36049483812 or http://www.facebook.com/angelia.sparrow (the latter is mostly a mirror site for my Live Journal)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/asparrow16

Blog: http://angelsparrow.blogspot.com/ or http://valarltd.livejournal.com/

The Fall of Rain - Renee Vincent

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:50:00 +0000

The Fall of Rain, by Renee Vincent.

Leif Dæganssen, an archeologist from Norway, is determined to trace back his Scandinavian roots as far as the Dark Ages and find proof of their existence on the Emerald Isle. After several years of living off the west coast of Ireland, he finally uncovers an ancient artifact—an intricately decorated chest with pagan carvings—buried beneath the very porch of his coastal cottage. Knowing it only confirms the presence of a glorified Norse-influenced settlement on Inis Mór, he’s determined to establish a link between himself and those who once inhabited the rugged isle.

For as long as she can remember, Lorraine O’Connor has had dreams of a Norse warrior kissing her. And even though she’s never fully understood the reason for her vivid subconscious imagination, she welcomes the meaningless and wanton pleasure of being in a Viking’s protective embrace—until the day she meets that brazen Northman on an impulsive vacation trip to Ireland.

Though blindsided by the relevance of her dreams and the strange familiarity of the man within them, Lorraine can’t help but feel a deep-seated intimacy toward Leif. And the more she gets to know him, the more she’s convinced they’ve shared a life together in a time long forgotten.

Are the clues to their ancestral past hidden within the contents of the chest or buried deep within their hearts?

---

Excerpt:

Leif laughed inwardly as he heard the lock engage. Lorraine was definitely an odd sort of female, with all her outlandish outbursts and peculiar reactions, but no less interesting. She had this way about her that made him pay close attention, made him want to pay close attention, else he might miss something. No woman had ever been able to do that to him.

He was not a man easily beguiled. ‘Exceedingly picky’ were Kristoff’s words on many occasions when they could’ve had a few choice opportunities with several of the women who entered Tí Joe Mac’s Pub in Kilronan. But he always found a way to stay clear of them. Either their hair was too short, their fingers too long, or they were excessively giggly over anyone who spoke Gaelic to them. No matter how beautiful they were to the eye, Leif always managed to find some flaw, an imperfection he couldn’t get passed.

The only imperfection Lorraine possessed, if he could call it that, was being unreadable. Even then, he couldn’t rightfully hold it against her. He was glad that she left him guessing, left him wondering what she’d say or do next. Every time he spoke to her, he had no idea what would come out of her mouth.

And what a pretty mouth it was.

Her lips were a delicate shade of rose and looked just as supple as the petals from which its color derived. He imagined they felt as soft and delicate in a kiss, and longed to taste them, to press his lips against her and savor every blessed moment of it while watching her eyes close in automatic response.

Oh, those eyes…

Their exquisite brilliance utterly entranced him. He couldn’t look away no matter how hard he tried. They shone as bright and vivid as the intrinsic color of an emerald, with flecks of lighter green pigments fissuring throughout.

Though he’d stared at them as if they were rare jewels tucked within the hilt of a Viking warrior’s ceremonially-bent sword, uncovered from a sacred burial site, he couldn’t help but feel he was gazing into something he’d known and seen before. Words could not describe what he felt, except that his longing was innate—as if her eyes and all its wonders had been engraved on him from years past.

Again, he laughed inwardly, reminding himself that his entire week had fallen into the epitome of the absurd. Between finding the carved chest of treasured antiquities buried beneath his porch to having a gorgeous woman bathe in his home, he could hardly believe his bizarre stroke of luck.

He quickly left the hallway and entered the kitchen, flipping the nearly burned fish in the pan. The unrelenting vision of her slick wet body clung to him like a wet blanket, drenched with his own lustful musings of what she’d feel like if he dared to touch her. At least, he was glad to know he was still a red-blooded man. As many times as Kristoff had ridiculed him for his lack of interest, tonight he didn’t have to ponder his gender. It was as plain as the nose on his face, and stuck out a bit further than he cared to admit.

Reaching down, he shifted himself, trying to award his erection some more room in his jeans, while cursing it all the same. “Now is not the time.”

“Not the time for what? Dinner?”

Leif turned at the sound of Lorraine’s voice, not expecting anyone to be behind him, and almost knocked the pan off the stove. He caught it by the handle, fortunately, steadying it before it slid off the edge.

“I take it you’re not used to a woman in your home,” she stated discernibly.

Heaving a sigh, he smiled. “How was your shower?”

“Exhilarating.”

I’m sure it was. “Good.” He rallied his best casual voice and turned back to the fish, still simmering on the stove. As he resumed cooking, he secretly regarded the way the small swell of her breasts put curves in his oversized T-shirt that her raincoat had once hidden. Though her dainty figure had been virtually swallowed up by his cotton drawstring sweats, he knew somewhere beneath all that fabric was an enticing set of feminine curves.

“Since my clothes were still damp, I hung them over the shower rod to dry,” she confessed. “I hope that’s all right.”

His grip tightened on the handle. The image of a lace-lined bra and delicate panties, hanging in his bathroom flashed in his mind and he could do little about the smile teasing the corners of his lips. Without facing her, he shrugged his shoulders, pretending he hardly cared and changed the subject. “I hope you’re hungry,” he replied, fisting a quartered lemon above the pan-seared cod and dousing it with lemon juice. “I’ve made enough for the whole village it seems.”

He thought he heard a slight chuckle, regretting that he’d probably missed the first opportunity to see her smile. But he kept to his mission of transferring the food to the two plates sitting on the adjacent counter. That little feat required more of his attention given he wasn’t much of a practiced chef.

“It smells delicious.”

Adding the final touches to the plate with a few island flowers he’d picked days ago—only because he heard from the more experienced chefs in Dublin’s pricey restaurants that presentation was everything—and a slice of soda bread on top, he turned around and caught her looking at him. Her eyes, however, did not meet his until they jumped up from a lower direction.

She cleared her voice and looked away, feigning that she had ever been looking at his arse. Leif was not a stupid man, nor did things often get passed him, but for her sake, he acted as if he were none the wiser.

“Please. Have a seat.”

She did as he suggested, wringing her hands in the extra T-shirt cloth at her waist.

She’s still nervous.

For that reason, he sat in the seat directly across from her instead of next to her where they could share the same corner of the table. Disappointed as he was, he refused to show it, keeping a keen eye on her facial expressions and body posture. At the present, she sat stiff-backed in the chair, her eyes fixed on the bounty of food he placed in front of her.

A quick grin teased her lips when she saw the white and yellow daisy garnishing the corner of her plate. She never said a word in regards to his makeshift embellishment, but the smile that hung about thereafter was enough for him.

She didn’t waste any time taking her first bite, closing her eyes as she pulled the fork from her mouth. Her shoulders melted and a slight hum reverberated from her lips.

“Does that mean it’s good?”

“Are you kidding?” she asked, her eyes nervously diverting from his the moment they met. “This is the best pan-seared fish I’ve ever had.”

He shook his head, forking his first bite. “Now I’m convinced you have a concussion.”

“I’m serious. I’ve never had fish like this before. Most times it’s fried to a crisp or bland as hell.”

“Well, I don’t know much about Kentucky, but I believe they’re known for their horses, not herbs.” He took another generous bite and waited. “That wasn’t funny?”

She mildly smiled and stuffed a piece of bread in her mouth. “You make a better cook than a comedian.”

“Ah, look at that. Give the small town Kentucky girl a hot shower and some food and she’s as good as new.”

Another smile. That one he was sure to catch.

“I don’t know about all that,” she replied uncertainly.

“Well, you’re gaining a bit of confidence. It’s good to know you’re less fearful of me.”

Her hand froze, her fork stuck in another cut of fish. “I don’t fear you, Leif. I just don’t know you.”

He set his utensil down and crossed his arms, eager to finally delve into a meaningful discussion. “What is it you’d like to know?”

I shied from his intrusive eyes, feeling the heat of his stare setting me ablaze.

He leaned in. “I know you are avoiding me because you feel ‘tis right. ‘Tis moral. ‘Tis safer. But you needn’t fear me.”

I took a deep breath. “I fear you not, Dægan. I simply know not enough about you.”

His face recoiled slightly as if my choice of words had stunned him. He released me and crossed his arms in front of him. “What would you like to know?”

“Rain?”

Leif’s voice caught her off guard and she looked around, confused, the name Dægan echoing in her ears. She blinked, staring at the man across from her, his face illustrating as much bewilderment as her own.

“You all right?” he asked, reaching for her hand.

Instantly, she pulled away, trying to gather her wits. It seemed she’d hear Leif’s words in the same minute she’d hear the exact same thing from a man by the name of Dægan.

What the hell was wrong with her? Why did she keep seeing things that weren’t really there or hear conversations from an unknown past, which were so akin to what she was talking about now?

“You blacked out for a moment,” he explained.

“I did?” The question came out of her mouth even though she knew she had gone somewhere else, somewhere that seemed like memories. It was as if she were having personal recollections of long ago, which involved her and a Norse warrior in some uncanny fashion.

“Yeah, you did. I asked you what you wanted to know about me, and suddenly, your eyes glazed over. You stared straight forward, but focused on nothing. Are you sure you’re all right? Perhaps we need to wake up the good doc.”

She fidgeted in her chair. The thought of a doctor looking her over and determining she was categorically crazy was not in her vacation plans. She tried to go back to her normal routine of eating, forking another bite of fish to prove to him, if not herself, he was overreacting. “Really, I’m fine. You shouldn’t worry. I just need to finish eating and get some rest. I’ve had a long day.”

Again, he didn’t look convinced. But what else could she say? She was as lost as he was when it came to her “blacking out” and no amount of pondering it could procure a logical explanation.

For the rest of the meal, they both lost their tongues for small talk and the only sound heard was the casual clinking of silverware on their plates. It was just as well, since neither seemed to know what to say anyway. Despite the great food and warm hospitality Leif had provided her, Lorraine wanted nothing more than to be alone. To lie down with her thoughts and hopefully be exhausted enough to sleep.

She prayed for sleep. Sleep without dreams. Somehow, as she glanced over at Leif looking at her in the most concerned way, she didn’t think she’d get her wish.

---

Buy Links:

Amazon print: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Rain-Emerald-Isle-Trilogy/dp/1937389553/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322576302&sr=1-1

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Rain-Emerald-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B006HM9QZA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323032349&sr=1-2

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-of-rain-renee-vincent/1107867696?ean=2940013440005&itm=1&usri=renee+vincent

Turquoise Morning Press: https://www.createspace.com/3729821

All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thefallofrain-651760-140.html

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110678

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-fall-of-rain

---

About Renee Vincent:

I am an author with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky with my husband and two children on a beautiful secluded farm of horses and hay fields.

When I am not writing, I love to spend my time on the back of a horse, whether with my family or with my friends. There is nothing like feeling the sunlight on your face, the wind in your hair, and the power of the animal beneath you as you enjoy the beautiful scenery. Seeing the world from a saddle is, by far, the best view and the best therapy for a heavy heart or a troubled mind. My therapist's name, or my horse's, rather, is "Statues Suddenly Lucky", a full-blooded Tennessee Walker, and of course, he goes by the name of Lucky for short.

I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream and sugar...and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, and a lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can't resist watching great epic historical movies.

CBLS Promotions

Links:

Website: http://www.reneevincent.com

Blog: http://www.pasttheprint.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reneevincentauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ReneeVincent

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3005290.Renee_Vincent

Deep In The Heart Romance: http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/

Publisher:

Turquoise Morning Press http://www.turquoisemorningpress.com/

Organizations:

Romance Writers of America http://www.rwanational.org/

Kentucky Romance Writers http://www.kentuckyromancewriters.com/

Ohio Valley Romance Writers http://www.ovrwa.com/

Celtic Hearts Romance Writers: http://www.celtichearts.org/

Hearts Through History: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/

No Ordinary Love

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

I hope everyone’s New Year is as off to a great start as mine is. I have one e-book selling steadily at MuseItUp Publishing and have another one coming out this month and to celebrate that I’m giving away a free copy of each.

But first let me tell you about my Muse. For awhile now he’s been the dark and sexy Daniel Craig and I can’t get the guy out of my mind. I mean I watched Casino Royale and he’s pretty much taken up residence in my head ever since.

I mean why wouldn’t he? Smokin’ hot with a license to kill, woot. The eyes, the voice, the face…but I digress.

I once read a book on how to write romance novels. They do have a formula but how to keep from being formulaic? And do I write romance novels in the end? Yeah, I do, and when I was 18 years old and full of piss and vinegar I would have tld you I was too good to write the stuff. And No Ordinary Love isn’t just romance, it’s erotic romance. Shows what I knew when I knew everything.

Still, my stuff tends to be on the dark side and I tend to get flack for it. I wish I could apologize for it but it’s not in me to do it. But hey, we all have our flaws right?

But writing isn’t my passion, it’s who I am it’s what I do it’s what I was born to do. I don’t know if I’m any good at it but I couldn’t stop it if I wanted to. And who wants to stop fantasizing about Daniel Craig keeping you warm at night? LOL

But there is a new guy as I needed a hero for the second book in a trilogy that I’m writing. I saw CrazyStupidLove and I think there’s a new guy on the horizon. His name is Ryan Gosling and man is he hot!

I hope you follow the links I have provided and enjoy yourself in the process.
---
No Ordinary Love: A human rebel against the Capturian Forces, Caliope was enslaved for five years and tortured. She never expects to meet James, a half-breed too human for his own good.

Their connection is electric.
Their love is forbidden.
Their daughter may be Earth’s only hope.
Tag: A love destined to save the world.

EXCERPT
When I woke I was in a small room, naked except for the salves on my skin and a warm blanket wrapped around my body. I looked around. James was sleeping in a chair next to the bed with a shotgun at his side. I tried to sit up and his eyes flickered open.

“Keep still. They’ll sense you.”

His nearness was enough to make me yearn for his touch. Relationships between Capturians and humans were taboo by their very nature. But James himself was an anomaly. He was the offspring of a Capturian Master and his female human slave. He never talked about it, but I knew it left him with a bitterness and heaviness that not even the oldest of human survivors had.

He’d been a guard on the slave ship I’d originally been sent to, early on in the fighting. The ‘experiments’ had been torturous. During my first six months there, they tried to break me. Every night I was in tears. Angry, bitter, terrified tears. When I slept there was no relief, either, as I was haunted in my dreams by the things they had done to me in the day time. Eventually I lost all sense of time or place. I was about to fall on my sword when James was assigned to watch me and make sure I didn’t rally the other human slaves. Instead of plunging me into utter darkness and suspending me in air, he’d come to me, that first night, and held me through it.

---
CONTEST

Today I’m giving away a free copy of each book to one lucky winner. Leave a comment and tell me who you’d love to see as the hero of my next book and your name goes in the hat!

---

VIDEO

No Ordinary Love Book Trailer

BUY LINKS:MuseItupPublishing: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=234&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Love-ebook/dp/B005ZH2SEE/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323032667&sr=1-2

OTHER LINKS

http://amylmccorklekentuckyauthor.webs.com/apps/videos/videos/show/13130437-another-way-to-die-book-one-of-lost-legacies Another Way To Die

http://amylmccorklekentuckyauthor.webs.com/apps/videos/videos/show/15234563-book-signing Booksigning -- Meet Amy/Kate!

http://Creative-Chatter.blogspot.com

http://AmysShortTales.blogspot.com

http://amylmccorklekentuckyauthor.webs.com

http://Twitter.com/Kate_Lynd

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-McCorkle/173811662670780

BACKLIST No Ordinary Love w/a Kate Lynd

COMING SOON Another Way To Die w/a Amy McCorkle

Susie White and the Right Hand Man

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +0000


Susie White and the Right Hand Man.

A wedding, an evil plan, a love story, and a sacrifice are the order of the day in this modern retelling of Snow White and the Huntsman.

Susie White and her stepmother-to-be have never seen eye to eye, despite all of Susie’s best efforts to be friendly. Eager not to spoil her father’s happiness, Susie still agrees to be bridesmaid at their wedding. When the big day comes, she meets Louise’s right hand man, Scott. Susie had never believed in love at first sight until that moment. The pair hit it off, sharing a mutual dislike of Louise and her wicked ways. Their camaraderie quickly develops into something more, and they date in secret until it’s time for Susie to leave for University – and freedom. Unfortunately, Scott has an earth-shattering revelation, which means the two of them of them must work together to unravel Louise’s evil plan, before it’s too late.

More info and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/susie-white-and-the-right-hand-man/

*****

Excerpt

I should have known my stepmother was up to something when she offered to help me move all my stuff to my University digs. It wasn’t like her to be civil, much less helpful, but I figured that she was happy I was moving hundreds of miles away, and therefore would do anything to make sure it happened as quickly as possible.

As my father’s only child, I’m the sole heir to White’s Bites, a massively profitable confectionary company based in Wiltshire, England. My stepmother had made no secret of the fact she resented that she wouldn’t get a stake in the business, should anything happen to my father. Of course, the reason for this was that my father knew the first thing the witch would do was put the business on the market to get her greedy little hands on the cash. I, on the other hand, loved White’s Bites and would continue to run it to the best of my ability.

We’d never seen eye to eye, my stepmother and I. However, it wasn’t the usual ‘child resents someone trying to replace their parent’ syndrome, it was her that resented me.

My mom had died of cancer when I was fifteen. My father and I were devastated, as you’d expect, but I’d always urged him to get on with his life. After all, it’s what mom would have wanted, and I certainly didn’t want my dad to be lonely when I got married and left home.

So, a couple of years later, when dad met Louise and they started dating, I was thrilled. He was happy, therefore so was I. Soon it became more serious and dad wanted me to meet her. I was excited, but nervous.

When the time came and Louise had walked into our house, I’d been in awe. Don’t get me wrong, my mom had been beautiful, but in a natural way, as if she didn’t realise, or care. But Louise clearly did. Her gorgeous hair was perfectly quaffed, and her attractive features were enhanced by expertly applied makeup. Her outfit looked like something from a fashion magazine. I managed to pull myself together before she saw me standing there, all slack-jawed and stupid-looking. Walking towards her, I’d held out a hand.

“Louise!” I’d said, beaming, “I’m so pleased to finally meet you. Dad’s told me so much about you.”

She’d smiled thinly and without any real emotion. “Charmed, I’m sure, Susan.” She’d shaken my hand gingerly, as though she was afraid she’d catch something. I’d half expected her to wipe her hand on her clothes afterwards.

“Oh please, call me Susie.” I’d said, ignoring her odd behaviour. I’d been eager to get on with the woman, knowing it would please my father. “Everyone does.”

Another tight-lipped smile. I’d tried hard to make conversation with her and make her feel comfortable in our home. But I never felt like I was succeeding. At first, I put it down to her being nervous or shy, but as weeks and months passed, I still never felt as though Louise warmed to me. I never bothered my father with my concerns. After all, as long as she liked him, what did it matter?

While Louise and my father were just dating, things weren’t too bad. They went to restaurants, the theatre, the cinema, and so on. I didn’t see her very often, and therefore didn’t have to put up with her frosty behaviour towards me.

Naturally, everything changed when dad told me he was going to ask Louise to marry him. He’d sat me down to break the news – fortunately – and I’d done my best to act delighted. Luckily, dad hadn’t noticed anything was amiss, and as he’d chatted about ceremonies, honeymoons and Louise moving in, a cold shiver had run up my back. This could not end well.

More info and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/susie-white-and-the-right-hand-man/

*****

Lucy Felthouse

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson, House of Erotica, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Summerhouse Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. You can also subscribe to her newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

What Does an Editor Do?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Editing is Important.

When you send your manuscript to an editor, what should you expect in return? Before you send material to be critiqued /edited make sure that you have thoroughly spell-checked first. Make your grammar is as perfect as you can. There are varying levels of editing/critiquing. Here are some basic types of editing and what they entail.

Content editing -- what you could say or how to reword material so that it comes across more clearly.

[The example below is used with permission, from the work in progress of author friend Jerry Race.]

Example: [His bike's tires screeched to a halt at the sight of three motorcycles being driven toward him.] What's wrong with this sentence?

1. His bike's tires didn't screech to a halt. They can't act on their own. Better - He screeched his bike to a halt.

2. His bike's tires didn't see the motorcyles. He did.
3. Reaction before action is incorrect. (He stops his bike and then sees the motorcyles.) Action should always come first.

4. "Being driven toward him" is a passive phrase. We get the impression the motorcycles are simply traffic on the road, so why would he screech to a halt? There is nothing to indicate why the rider would stop his bike.

The content editor might suggest the following possible rewrite:

[At the sight of three motorcycles bearing down on him, he screeched his bike to halt.]

Next level of rewrite:

[Three bikers in leather, with chains wrapped across their chests, and rifles strapped to their backs gunned their Harleys and headed straight for him. He screeched his bike to a halt.]

Now we have a reason why he's stopping -- and a good one.

Content editing can also change the tone of a piece. You can see that above. In non-fiction, what an author feels strongly about can come across in text as more than facts and concern. It can come across as anger, frustration, and disgust. (Think talk radio hosts gone bad.) A content editor can help rein in the author's tone and help turn a piece back into calm, clear, calls to action.

Line editing -- the actual words used and what they mean.

Do we say the the king wore a torc or a torque? Both are pronounced the same, but one is a neck-worn piece of jewelry, and the other is a measure of twisting force. In certain circumstances, a torque can be a necklace as well, but the accepted spelling for that is torc. According to the Chicago Manual of Style (also known as CMOS) torc is the preferred spelling. Depending on where you publish, you might want to use torque. Your editor should have an idea of what is the correct usage, and where you should use the different words.

Proofreading -- what you thought you said and what you meant is not what you wrote.

"There are twelve ways to read read this sentence. Only won of of them is correct, and the other three are wrong."

Can you spot the errors in the above sentences? There are four. (scroll to the bottom to see them)

Style editing -- how the manuscript appears in its final form.

Below are questions handled by the style editor. Checking the submissions page of your publisher will answer most of these, and the style editor of a publishing house will appreciate you doing so.

My manuscript is a Celtic Romance. Should I use a curly font?

My manuscript is non-fiction. Should I use a sans serif font?

What point size do I need?

How big should the margins be? Is it okay to make the bottom margin a little smaller so I can fit more on a page?

What is meant by "good use of white space?"

I write non fiction. Is it bad to have long paragraphs?

Do I need illustrations?

What kind of forward do I use?

Will I need a preface?

What form do I use for my bibliography (MLA, APA, Chicago)? Do I need one? (for fiction - no; for non-fiction - yes)

Some of these questions will also be addressed by a content editor in non-fiction.

How much does an editor charge?

Here's a good place to get the "straight skinny" on that.

http://www.the-efa.org/res/rates.php These are rates many professionals use. Some services use this site as a basis for their fees. You can find people who charge less, and of course, those who'd charge you a lot more. It pays to shop around. There are some editors who provide all these services in one sitting. They are worth their weight in gold.

What's the difference between a critique partner, a beta reader, and an editor?

A critique partner is someone who (hopefully) writes in your genre and knows the ropes as well as the audience, and can give feedback on your writing. A beta reader is someone with experience reading (and writing if possible) who will read your story and pick apart the inconsistencies and then point out what needs tweaking. An editor is a professional who stakes his/her reputation on what is written about changes you need to make. Take the advice of each and use them to your advantage. Weigh the advice of each according to your own value system. I have beta readers whose opinions weigh heavily in any decisions I make. Mine know my world and characters and can tell me if I've written them "wrong." They are also sometimes too close to the story (as am I) to see an issue, and that is where an editor's value shines.

Editing is vital. Get it from people you trust, and don't take it as a personal affront if there are suggestions made or rewrites requested. The final goal should be to produce quality writing. Focus on that and move forward. Your readers will thank you.

---

Answers to "what's wrong with these sentences":

(read is there twice, of is there twice, the word won should be one, and if there were twelve ways and one is this way -- how can there be only three other ways?)

---

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is the founder of The Author's Secret, a company that coaches authors in building their brand names and helps them learn how to promote their work. She is also an award-winning, multi-published author who writes immortal characters, and is the creator of the Kin -- warriors who purr. Kayelle is known for unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion. You can find her on the web in these places:
Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
http://facebook.com/theauthorssecret
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Blog http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com
Romance Lives Forever - Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancelivesforever
The Edge of Peril - World of the Immortals http://groups.yahoo.com/group/edgeofperil/

A New Year, A New Start

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000


Reluctant Revenge

It's the same, every single year, right? The clock changes, the bells ring and it's a brand spanking new year. There's no expectations and nothing will hold you back. You dream big. You promise to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, join a gym, write that book...

How long do those New Year resolutions last? A few days, a few weeks? Maybe you manage to make it through to Easter before the call of the chocolate egg screams too loud in your ear (okay, so that may have been me. Shhh!!)

Don't get me wrong, resolutions are great for some people. A few of us have enough focus to carry on going regardless. They flick a switch on the first day of the year and never look back. They want something so badly that nothing will stand in their way.

Yeah, that isn't me. I've done the resolution thing before and failed, miserably. Oh, there's always a GREAT excuse as to why, of course. And I justify it to myself as to why I failed. It wasn't my fault - If I only had...*****...I would have succeeded. (Fill in the blank with whatever fits – chocolate, willpower, money, Hugh Jackman.)

So how can we make positive changes that last? We can make long-term goals. Three month goals, one, three or five year goals etc. And how do we get there? With baby steps. Rome wasn't built in a day and Hugh Jackman won't just turn up on my doorstep and declare his undying love. You have to work at it a little bit every day. And stalking is a great start for stealing Hugh. Sorry, just saying.

How do we start?

- Plan ahead. It's rarely works when you start on January 1st having made a resolution the night before, whilst doing the Macarena, after drinking too much fizz! And if it isn't possible to start on the 1st, start on the 2nd or the 15th or February. Make a deal with yourself that you'll start when it works for you, not when you're supposed to. Just don't slack off and give yourself an excuse.

- Make a lifestyle change. Many people who succeed will change their life completely to fit in with their new goals. I WILL make time to go to the gym. I WILL turn off the tv and read more or write down that idea. I WILL agree that chocolate and caffeine aren't food groups... *cough*

- Write those goals down and put them on display. Put them somewhere you can read them easily when you're feeling a little low or you've had a setback. And occasionally, you also need to be able to see where you need to change things up. By allowing the goals to almost have a mind of their own and grow, as you do, you're giving them life. Who says that having a picture of Hugh Jackman on your bedside table is obsessing? He's keeping you focused. And I am sticking to that one!!

For me personally, many of my goals seem to revolve around my writing career. I know that if I plan ahead, I have a better chance of making my dreams happen. If you don't know where you're heading, how can you get there? For instance a writing career will not chase you, you need to chase it. Like anything in life, if you want it badly enough, you have to fight for it. And don't worry, I'm done with the clichés. For now.

I'm lucky in that I've somehow managed to surround myself with writers who are dedicated to their craft (I'm not sure how I managed it, right place at the right time? Bribery?). But they inspire me, constantly, to be a better writer, and to demand a high standard as a reader.

Late last year I managed to fulfil a personal goal of mine to be published. My first book, Reluctant Revenge came out in December. Then, on the third of January, I managed to become a multi-published author with Shadow Justice. (I love hearing that, by the way. It almost confirms that it wasn't sheer dumb luck on my part in getting published the first time! lol). Now that I've managed to get over that first hurdle, I'm moving onwards and upwards to the next goal I've set myself. First and foremost, I want to complete books two and three in the Moon Magic series (Shadow Justice is the first), so completing the series is a big goal for me.

I would love to achieve everything I'm working towards this year. But if it doesn't happen? It isn't the end of the world. I just need to adjust accordingly and not beat myself up. Resolutions are good for one thing, to spur you on and make that change. Goals are even better to become the person you've always wanted to be and live the life you've always wanted.

I hope 2012 is a great one for you and that you're able to make it an amazing year!

Have you got any goals you're working towards this year? And, just because I'm nosey, do you write them down and look at them often?

Shadow Justice

Shadow Justice

Blurb:

Luka was a bounty hunter who just wanted to do his job and get paid. Being a banished Shadow, he'd learnt the bitter lesson long ago that he was alone, after he was expelled from his home world by his own blood. Now, he needed to understand why he was wanted dead whilst his desire for the fiery haired witch erupted, out of control.

As a rare moon-witch, all she'd ever known was a life of misery under the oppressive Fae-Guard. Nine years ago Cerys escaped the Meta-World after regretting the forced banishment of a Shadow. Now, she leads a normal life without her abilities and all she wants is to blend in. When a bounty hunter wants to take her back for a crime she didn't commit, she's willing to take a chance on her future by trusting the man who had no idea she'd wronged him years before.

Buy it now at Bookstrand. Amazon and other online retailers!

About Xandra:

Xandra James has always wanted to write romance books. Even when she was sneaking peaks at the hot bits, too young to fully appreciate them, she dreamt of writing her own.

Now, older and wiser, she's got the opportunity to project her slightly dark and wacky, British sense of humour onto others, whilst still writing the hot bits - bonus!

When not writing, Xandra is thinking of excuses as to why she shouldn't be doing the housework, looking after a husband and cats that refuse to pick up after themselves and climbing the mountain in her house that's affectionately called her tbr pile.

She currently holds the crown for Queen Procrastinator – something she's very proud of – so you can usually find her online, somewhere, when she really should be writing.

Find her here:

Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads

Will Your Book Make Money?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:46:00 +0000

Time is Money

Now and then I hear writers say they don't care if they make money. They have to write. It's in their blood. Some want to share the knowledge they have and are eager to get the book out there and into the ethernet where it can be shared. Others dream of making it big and retiring.

No matter which of these concepts fits you, if you are a writer, this article will help.

If you count the number of hours you put into writing, tally up the amount you get back in sales, and take away the amount you spent promoting, you might have made more money by not starting in the first place. ;)

Truth is, for writers, that's not an acceptable answer. We are driven to write. We want to share our stories and ideas. Some of us would like to make a living doing it.

It doesn't matter whether you're in it to make money. Every writer still has to do the same things. Youl have to write and then edit your book. You have to find a publisher and/or agent. If you decide to self-publish, you need to get a decent cover, format it as an ebook, and all of us have to market our books. Creating the book to be successful -- whether as a giveaway or a $39.99 book -- takes the same amount of work. If the book is badly written, improperly formatted, and not promoted well, it will fail -- whether free or for sale. You owe it to your readers to give it the best you can.

I've been writing for publication since 2004, and have six books out and one audiobook. I've spent thousands of hours promoting, writing, teaching, and learning. If I was doing it for the money, I'd have given up long ago.

If you've been saying that you don't care if you make money, or that you just want to write because you have to, stop now. Not stop writing -- stop saying that. Words are the seeds of prosperity or doom. We decide which by what we say.

I take pride in my work. If I continually tell myself I don't expect to make money, I am sowing the seeds of failure. Instead, I tell myself I expect to entertain people with this book. I leave money out of the equation. I focus on what I want to accomplish, not what I don't expect to happen.

It's been my experience that attitude will sell my book when nothing else will. I never tell people "I don't expect to make a lot of money writing" because guess what? No one expects to give me a lot of money, either. Instead, I say "I expect to __________" whatever it is I decide to accomplish.

What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to entertain? Educate? Change minds? Illustrate an idea? Open the world to a child? Set right a wrong?

Speak the things you expect to happen. Let the money deal with itself. Focus on what you want to get across to people, and the sales will follow. If they don't, it won't matter. You will have done your best. You will have pride in your work, and you will have accomplished your goal. It doesn't get any better than that.

Who Has A New Book?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

Start Today

Let's start off 2012 with some good books to read. If you are an author who has a book out in the last 18 months or coming up in the next 6 months, feel free to tell us about it.

Leave the title, genre, publisher, buy links, and a blurb.

Genre doesn't really matter -- just tell us what it is. All books are welcome.

Here's one of mine to get the ball rolling.

Surrender Love

Not rebound, payback, loneliness, or great sex, and far beyond love. This is surrender.

Surrender Love

In the beds of countless lovers, the immortal Luc Saint-Cyr has been mastered as well as master, commanded as well as commander. When his mortal lover leaves him, the distraught Luc withdraws and devotes himself to work. His entertainment company throws a ceremony for their most successful rock group, and Luc meets drummer Izzorah "Rah" Ceeow, one of the feline Kin race. Rah's dark hair and velvety, golden furskin captivate Luc. Pert cat's ears and a quick smile lighten his mood, and one look into Rah's emerald eyes, deep and tranquil as a forest pool, and troubles cease.

He suspects the mid-twenties male is a virgin, and Luc, fascinated by Rah's quiet serenity and lack of guile, longs for a deeper, closer relationship. Savoring Rah's surrender will be as delicious as taking him. Luc will force nothing. Rah will give himself to Luc when he is ready to surrender his innocence, to capitulate every part of himself to Luc's command. Rah will open himself and let himself be taken. Luc's anticipation and desire are palpable; as real as his hunger for faithful, unconditional love. But to gain Rah, how much of himself is Luc willing to surrender?

Where to buy:

Loose Id: http://www.loose-id.com/Surrender-Love.aspx

Kindle: http://is.gd/surrenderlove_amz

Nook: http://is.gd/surrenderlove_bn

Fictionwise: http://is.gd/surrenderlove_fw

Interview with author Blaine D. Arden

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

The Forester

Blaine, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

It's called The Forester and it's a solstice m/m fantasy/romance. That answers the second part of the question. Yes, it does cross other genres, because it's a mix between mystery, fantasy, and romance.

The Forester is about Kelnaht, a cloud elf and Truth Seeker, who is caught between love and faith. He tries to solve a murder committed ten days before Solstice that reveals an illicit affair between two tree elves he desires more than he can admit: Kelnaht's former lover Ianys, who once betrayed him, and the shunned forester named Taruif, who is not allowed to talk to anyone but The Guide, their spiritual pathfinder. When Taruif turns out to be the only witness for the crime, Kelnaht has to keep Ianys from sacrificing himself and losing his daughter, while at the same time realizing he'd gladly sacrifice himself to end Taruif's loneliness.

How do you come up with ideas?

Actually, ideas come up on me. Whether I'm visiting friends, working on a story or reading a submission call, an idea will just pop into my head. Mostly barely more than a scene or situation that begs to be turned into a story. I write them all down, though I have to admit some will be left forgotten, until I suddenly find myself thinking of that idea again, and I'll dig it up again. Or I'll be browsing through my notebook and stumble across one that just clicks, and I'll start expanding on it.

What is the single most important part of writing for you?

Enjoying what I'm doing. It may not always be easy to put words to the page, to suss out where my characters are going, but I enjoy finding that out. I enjoy the journey my characters take me on, the exploration of the world they live in.

Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?

I often start with a scene or a snippet of something that happens. The Forester, for instance, started with the image of a man desiring another who he sees daily, but is not allowed to talk to because that man is shunned. With that one, I just started writing, and while I wrote, ideas about things to come popped into my head. I noted them all in my program. So, basically, I was outlining and writing at the same time.

The story I'm working on right now, started with the image of a man walking through a crowd, bare chested, showing off his scar-tattoos and people turning their heads, except one man. I wrote it down and had to put it away. A month ago, I woke up one morning knowing his name, his occupation. And then I started to research scarification.

How many hours a day to you spend writing?

Between four and eight hours a day. I try to stick to some sort of work-day rhythm, while trying to remember to have lunch as well. At least, that's the idea, being a mother of semi-grown boys and running a household, it doesn't always work out that way.

Is your muse demanding?

I've never considered myself as to having an actual muse, though I have a couple of writing totems. I get ideas and I crawl into my characters' skins to tell their story, and those characters and story will stay with me at all times, whether I'm writing or not. My brain basically never shuts up, not even for a minute. So, in that respect, yes, very demanding.

What is the craziest thing you did as a kid, and would it ever end up in a book?

I wasn't exactly a kid, but the craziest thing I've ever done was phone all the chemical companies in my town to find that very cute guy I met and wanted to make a date with. It does sound like something one of my characters could do. And thank you for that plot bunny. *goes off to write it down before she forgets*

Of course, that cute guy, I managed to find him. He visited my work place during lunch wearing work clothes that had a multitude of chemicals spilled on them and I married him over twenty-one years ago J

What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

I always try to write diverse worlds, where sexuality doesn't matter. So, apart from hoping they enjoy the story, I like readers to feel a sense of hope that one day everyone will realize that diversity is a fact of life and love doesn't discriminate. Sooner rather than later.

List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.

Only two? Right now I'd have to go with Josh Lanyon and CJ Sansom.

Personal Info

If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

Somewhere idyllic and rural in the UK. A nice barn conversion or sweet cottage, with plenty of space for friends and family to stay.

What song would best describe your life?

My life? For a long time I've been trying to figure out who I am, and even though I'm still learning new things about myself, the song I keep coming back to is 'I am what I am' (in the John Barrowman version). Because no matter who I am, it'll always be me, deep down, and nothing anyone else says it ever going to change that.

Picture yourself as a store. Considering your personality and lifestyle, what type of products would be sold there?

A store reflecting me. I like that idea  It would be a mix between geek, writer and semi-gothic items. Plenty of writer's goodies, like notebooks, pens and whatnot. But also gothic style clothing, especially platform shoes and boots, a magic the gathering collection, technological and computer gadgets and a lot of black and purple items in all categories.

Tell us an embarrassing story that has to do with a pet. If you have no pets, a story about a significant other will do. ^_^

As a child I had girlfriends with a dachshund living across the street. Now, as a child I was afraid of dogs. Having one of my own now, I can barely imagine it, but as a child? Petrified. Every time I went over there, the dog would start barking as soon as I rang the bell. It was as if the damned thing could smell me, smell my fear. It only did that with me, as far as I remember. So, one day, it was in the hallway when I entered. I was only wearing flipflops, and the damned thing bit into my big toe. I avoided dogs even more after that. And dachshunds? I hate those even now. *shudder*

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Very tactile and a perpetual hugger. Will try to keep you from leaving after a visit.

Fill in the Blanks

I love pizza with different sorts of cheeses and onion.

I'm always ready for visitors. I may be right in the middle of something, but I love visitors.

When I'm alone, I don't sleep well.

You'd never be able to tell, but I used to be very shy.

If I could teleport I'd be hopping around the world every week to visit friends.

If I had a halo it would be hints of indigo and lavender with some dirty brown and muddy forest green. And maybe some other colours thrown in. I have my faults.

I can never read bdsm stories before bedtime because it makes me want to do anything but sleep. ;)

My Booklist

TheForester

Color Me a free story written for the M/M Romance Goodreads group for their Hot Summer Days event. This story can also be found in the anthology Don't Read in the Closet: Volume Two

Books Coming Soon

TheFifth Son, an m/m fantasy novella, to be released on March 9, 2012 by Storm Moon Press (Pre-orders are 20% off!)

Find Me Here

Website: http://blainedarden.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/BlaineDArden

Twitter: @BlaineDArden http://www.twitter.com/BlaineDArden

Blog: http://blog.blainedarden.com (direct link, also accessible through website)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/BlaineDArden

Roaming Body Parts

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:57:00 +0000

The late author Barbara Karmazin (affectionately known to her critique buddies as "Chainsaw") used to harp on "roaming body parts." What she meant was the tendency of authors to write such lines as:

His hand caressed her shoulder.
He dropped his eyes.
Her back pressed against the wall.
His mouth spoke her name like a prayer.

In the first instance, what else would he caress her shoulder with? His feet maybe? If the character doesn't have hands, or he's an alien and could be using tentacles... I suppose so. But for the most part, the hand is obvious. He caressed her shoulder is better.

He dropped his eyes and they went boing! boing! He can drop his gaze, but not his eyes. While we're on the topic of eyes... He also can't meet her eyes. (Where? In the park maybe?)

Our heroine can press her back against the wall, or lean back against the wall, or simply press back against the wall, but is she holding her back in her hands and pressing it, or is her back pressing against the wall on its own? Be careful about letting body parts move on their own.

Which brings us to His mouth spoke her name... Unless he could also speak her name telepathically (I write SciFi; I know it can happen) then He spoke her name works.

I ran into this one recently and think it bears mentioning. "His mind remembered the incident." As opposed to his big toe remembering? Of course his mind remembered, again -- unless he's an alien who also thinks with his third left tentacle. If he does that, by all means tell us. Otherwise, it's safe to assume we know what body part is involved.

For more good ideas on how to handle this and other writing hazards, check out the Warrior Writers blog by Kristen Lamb. Her article on Dec 26th, 5 Common Writing Hazards is excellent.

What are some of the roaming body parts you've ... uh... encountered in your reading?

Romance in the Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:07:00 +0000

Growing up in the Midwestern United States, I have always loved the winter season. Except for driving after a storm, I love all the white snow and sledding and making snow angels and hot cocoa in front of the fire. Some of my favorite memories happened during a snowfall. Maybe that's why this time of year has such a magical feeling for me. And why I loved writing my latest release, Take Me Home. Much of this friends-to-lovers holiday story takes place during a snowstorm.

Weather in fiction can really set the mood for a story and what the characters are going through. The author can utilize the weather in hopes of evoking a specific emotion or reaction in the reader. A thunderstorm can showcase danger, the fog can bring about questions and uncertainty, and a sunny day can illustrate a better, brighter future.

Through the writing of Take Me Home, I've learned that snowy, winter weather can work in an erotic romance for a couple of reasons:

1) The beauty of all that new snow creating a soft, white blanket over everything gives the setting a renewed, fresh feeling that goes along nicely with the newness of falling in love.

2) Snow can often symbolize purity and innocence. This gives a strong contrast to the erotic scenes and helps to increase the sexual intensity.

3) The cold, bleakness of the winter weather can set the stage for some fabulous intimate moments. Maybe the characters need to stay close to share body heat or are trapped inside a cabin and are forced to spend time alone together with nothing else to do but get to know each other in entirely new ways.

The weather, along with the locale, played a part in setting the mood of Take Me Home, and I had a great time writing about winter, even if I did do much of the writing during the hottest part of last summer.

Take Me Home by Sloan Parker
m/m Contemporary Romance

Blurb
Aspiring television writer Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend since high school, but Kyle doesn't do boyfriends. Never has. Never will. Evan knows it's a bad idea to give in to desire when he wants more than a friend with benefits. He has a new dream job. Now all he needs is the dream partner.

Kyle Bennett is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer's block. He needs a change. He has three days on their cross-country train trip home for the holidays to figure out how to tell Evan he's staying there for good. He also has to write the overdue pages for his editor. Only, he's a little too distracted by the close quarters in their sleeper compartment—and Evan's ass—to get much done.

The sparks that fly between them are hotter than ever. Good thing they have a real-life mystery to focus on: why people all around them, including Evan's new boss, want to get their hands on a journal that once belonged to Kyle's grandfather.

When a blizzard traps them in the mountains, Kyle and Evan steam up the train's windows and must finally face their true desires.

Excerpt

"Wow." Kyle flipped through the tickets for their connecting train in Chicago that would take them on to Ohio and the ones for the trip back to California. Did he notice they only had the one room? It seemed silly for them not to share. And the tickets weren't cheap. "This is great, Ev. Thank you." Kyle looked…relaxed, happy. Not stressed like when Evan had walked in earlier.

Now wasn't the right time to ask him about the journal. It could wait. At least until Kyle started writing again. At least until he finished the five chapters he needed to send to his editor. Hastings expected an answer by the first of the year. That was two weeks away.

Kyle was examining the map in more detail. Evan reached for his tickets. While Kyle wrote, he could work on the script ideas he wanted to pitch to the writers' room after he'd gotten his feet wet. That was if he still had the job.

"This is really cool, Ev."

That had Evan smiling. He wouldn't let Hastings or the uncertainty of his future ruin their trip.

"Hey." Kyle faced him and leaned his arm on the back of the couch, resting his temple against his closed fist. "You're doing a lot more smiling today than you have in a long time."

"It's almost Christmas."

"It is." Kyle's eyes crinkled up at the corners as his smile widened. "And you've been a good boy?"

Evan loved this playful side of Kyle. He hadn't been like this when Evan had first moved in. It was like Kyle was worried Evan was too fragile. And that pissed him off. So he'd gotten dumped by the person he thought he was going to spend his life with. People got over that. Didn't they? He wasn't the same weak kid who'd been used and rejected over and over.

Then what was he so afraid would happen if he and Kyle gave in and slept together?

He folded the brochure, needing to do something with his hands. "I have been very, very good."

"Yeah, you have." Kyle's voice was lower, deeper, sexier than a moment before, if that was possible. "What do you think good boys get in their stockings?"

"Um…" Evan sat back and pressed his index finger to his lips. "Porn. Really, really good porn."

Kyle huffed out a laugh. "That can be arranged."

"Well, you're the expert."

It was an old joke from college. They'd had a fight one night when Evan had told Kyle he was sleeping around so much he might as well have done porn and gotten paid for it. Kyle hadn't been offended. He'd turned it into a joke, one they revisited from time to time.

Kyle said, "You just want me to teach you the industry secrets."

"Ha. What secrets do you know that I don't?"

Kyle slowly leaned in until his chest touched Evan's shoulder and their mouths almost came together. Evan's breath caught in a rush. In an instant, he was back in that motel room, Kyle on top of him, Kyle's mouth on his.

"It's not something I can tell you," Kyle said. "You have to experience it." He licked his lower lip in an exaggerated move.

Evan could not stop watching that mouth, the moisture left behind by the swipe of Kyle's tongue. He wanted to lean in and follow the action with his own tongue. His breathing picked up, and his cock responded. The intense way Kyle watched him was unnerving. Like Evan was the only opportunity he'd had to fuck anyone in weeks.

Which was odd. Kyle had never experienced a lack in that department. How long had it been since he'd hooked up with anyone? Without a thought on what he was doing, Evan raised his hand and ran his thumb over Kyle's lower lip liked he'd done in Miguel's office earlier.

No shocked reaction this time. Instead, Kyle drew his eyebrows up in a questioning stare. "Frosting?"

Evan couldn't speak. He shook his head. He longed to shove Kyle backward, straddle him, and kiss him with a fierceness -- a possessiveness -- that scared Evan in its intensity. He wanted to grind their bodies together, press Kyle into the couch, until they were panting and writhing, until they came so hard they'd be unable to move. They'd fall asleep right there, his body draped over Kyle's.

Just kiss him.

No. It would never be just a kiss. Just another fuck. Not for Evan. He'd probably end up confessing what he felt for Kyle. Then what? How awkward and fucked-up would their friendship get after that?

"I can't." He dropped his hand.

"It's okay, Ev." Kyle eased back to his former location on the couch. He focused on the tickets again. "Thanks for this. I think it'll help."

"You're welcome." Evan squeezed his eyes shut and sucked in a deep breath. He opened his eyes and nudged Kyle's shoulder with his own. "It'll be fun. Our last trip before you move."

Kyle started to say something, but Evan turned away. He didn't want to hear anything more about Kyle leaving California. Didn't want to think about what it would be like not to see each other all the time, not to hang out together.

He stood and picked up his plate. "I'm going for a run. I'll let you get more staring at your computer done."

"Thanks." The frustrated expression was back as Kyle rested his head on the couch behind him and stared at the ceiling.

"You'll come up with some great stuff on the train. You'll see."

There was that serious, intense look again as Kyle glanced at him. Could there be something to it? Something more than desire? Evan left the room before he did something stupid and asked what it meant. He headed down the hall to Kyle's spare bedroom, closed the door, and leaned against it.

Why had he touched Kyle again?

Because a part of him would always love Kyle, would always imagine what it would be like to have all of him.

He pushed away from the door and undressed. He was not going there again. He slipped on his shorts and T-shirt, headed into the hall, and stopped at the apartment door. "I'll be back in an hour." When Kyle didn't say anything, Evan faced him.

Sloan Parker

Kyle was staring at Evan's crotch, breathing hard, his mouth hanging open. Had he been checking out his ass? He finally lifted his head and met Evan's stare. Those serious dark eyes did shit to his willpower.

There was no denying it. He could have Kyle if he wanted. For one night.

He turned away and fumbled with the door handle, then left the apartment before he lost all reason.

---

Buy Link
http://www.loose-id.com/Take-Me-Home.aspx

Contact Info
Website: http://www.sloanparker.com
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/sloan.parker
Facebook Author Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSloanParker
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SloanParker
Blog: http://blog.sloanparker.com/

A Very Different Year! by Tara Lain

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

First, my thanks to Kayelle for inviting me to the blog. I am an admirer. Kayelle and I share a publisher, an editor, and a passion for marketing and promotion. But today I would like to talk about holidays past and present -- specifically last year and this one. Wow! What a difference a year makes.

Today, I am celebrating the release of my first-ever holiday novella. It's called Mistletowed. In fact, Mistletowed is my sixth published book. My first book, Genetic Attraction came out on January 4 of 2011. Think about that for a second. That means last year at this time I was chewing my fingernails desperately trying to learn whatever I could about social media and reviews and blog tours and conferences and "swag," whatever that was. I was emailing kind, patient authors I had met on my publisher's author loop and asking them endless questions because in only a few days I was going to be a PUBLISHED AUTHOR!! Hear those harps in the background? That choir singing? Yep, just like that.

In fact, I had been a published non-fiction author for years. But fiction!? A whole different story. Here are some of the things that I have learned in this wild year:

I heard about a blog tour and the idea made instant sense to me. I had been blogging for about six months at that time and had a general idea what it was about. So I figured, how hard can it be to set up a tour? Ignorance is truly bliss but I plunged in. I just started by asking the authors on my loop if anyone would like a guest blogger. A bunch of kind people said yes and I was on my way. Gradually I figured out how to assemble excerpts and attach links and contacts. The blog writing was the easy part. While there are great promo companies who set up tours, I think you can do it yourself with a little organization.

It took me a while to learn about giveaways. Since most publishers only give the author a few copies of their books, the idea of giveaways isn't intuitive. But I heard a friend say she wanted to give away a lot of books. Yes! I got it. Give away a bunch and people will like the books and read more. (You hope!) I've been buying my books and giving them away ever since.

Swag. What a wild concept. Another friend introduced me to the magic of VistaPrint and I was HOOKED. Now I am a Swag junkie and have to enter a 12-step program.

Social media is the name of the game. The fact that we have this amazing tool for promotion blows my mind. I started with Twitter which I instantly related to though it took me awhile to learn the subtleties like hashtags. Then I worked into Facebook and StumbleUpon and Google+ and --oh dear. I suggest people start with the one that seems the most fun.

Blogs. People shudder at the word and I recently heard someone say that they had read the blogging world is full and there is no point starting a blog. Really? I don't know how an author can do without a blog. It's like headquarters for everything. You need something to promote on your social media and it has to be new and fresh all the time. That would be a blog. LOL

Write a lot of great books.

Oh dear, I didn't mean for this to turn into a marketing rant! LOL. It's Kayelle's influence. All her fault. But you can see it has been a year of learning and total immersion. After that first book, I have been fortunate enough to have seven more accepted for publication. A total of six have come out this year. So my life has been all about these things I learned last holiday season. I do remember taking a break to read the holiday book of one of my mentor/inspirations, Jet Mykles. Just like I hope people will take a break this year to read Mistletowed.

Would you like to win Mistletowed? Just leave a comment with your EMAIL (don't forget the email or I can't find you if you win.) You will be entered in a drawing for the book on December 25th! Then go over to http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com Leave a comment with EMAIL and follow the blog. You'll have another entry! Thank you again, Kayelle. And thank to you for visiting the blog.

---

Note from Kayelle

Why wait? Make your Christmas merrier and purchase Mistletowed today.

Buy link: http://www.loose-id.com/Mistletowed.aspx

---

EXCERPT

Ripping the box cutter through the cardboard, Buttercup tore down another carton to take to recycling. She grabbed the pile of books, hefted them into the front of the store, and loaded them on a shelf she’d prepared earlier. Shoot, long day and more to go. The shop was closed Mondays, and since Winston taught several classes, it was her chance to really do the unpacking, stocking, and other big jobs.

A knock rattled the glass. She smiled. The shop had a lot of loyal customers, and sometimes they really needed something for a spiritual event or ceremony. They knew she’d sell it to them, even if she was closed. She lifted the edge of the shade that covered the glass door. What the heck? Melanie and Andy stood outside, scarves around their necks against the California chill.

She opened and motioned them in. “What’s up, you two?”

Melanie wore tight black yoga pants that looked great on her slim frame and a hooded sweatshirt. “You doing inventory, Buts?”

“Unpacking and stocking, actually. Not as tedious. Why?”

“Want a volunteer?” Mel pointed to Andy, who smiled. The man sure didn’t talk for himself much.

Buttercup noticed he was wearing workout pants and a sweatshirt too. “You came dressed for the job?”

He looked down. “No, I was going to do yoga with Mel.”

“Then Winston told us you were working hard over here, and Saint Andy wouldn’t hear of you doing it alone, so he made me bring him here.”

“Really?” She looked at him, and he blushed. “Hell’s bells, I can always use help. Especially strong male help.”

“Well, you got him. I’m gonna be late for class. Can you bring him home when you leave?”

“Sure.” Hell, the guy looked appetizing in those slim athletic pants. A lot better than khakis.

Melanie rushed off, glancing at her watch, and Buttercup looked at her new apprentice. Why on earth had the guy wanted to help her? “You sure about this? Yoga would be a lot more fun.”

He looked down and blushed again. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay. You asked for it.”

Mistletowed

An hour later she had run cute Andy ragged. He’d carried boxes, unloaded books, cut up cartons, and ferried stacks of material to the recycle bin. She asked. He did. Not a question. She’d died and gone to heaven. She looked at him up on the stepladder. Hell’s bells, she had a lot of cute butts in her life right now. “Hey, let’s take a break. You like tea?”

“Sure.”

She went back to the little kitchen area she kept in her stockroom, poured a couple cups, and turning, found he’d followed her in. “You want milk or sugar?”

He smiled shyly. “How do you take yours?”

“I like milk in this kind of tea.”

“Okay.”

They sat in the two café chairs at a little round table shoved up against the wall. “So you’re a stockbroker?”

“Yeah. A Portfolio manager, actually.” He looked up at her through his lashes. “It’s okay to be surprised. Everyone is.”

“’Cause you’re so, uh, quiet?”

“Yeah. But I have a gift for stock picking and market analysis. I’m actually pretty good at it.”

“Yeah, Mel said.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound egotistical or anything. I --”

“Andy, quit it.”

“Yes, ma’am.” And he simply stopped talking.

She stared at him. “What did you say?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Why did you say that?”

His eyes stayed cast down. “Because I want to please you. Do what you say.”

“Why?” He didn’t answer. “Answer me, Andy.”

“Yes, ma’am. I want to do what you say because I like you so much, and I want to serve you.”

Well, shit. Just plain shit. “You don’t even know me.”

“Yes, ma’am, I do. I felt I was supposed to come here, and when I met you, I knew why. Because you’re my…” His eyes glanced up, then back to his teacup.

“Your what?”

“My mistress.”

Holy shit. What had she done by putting her desires out into the universe? Created a ready-made slave? “Andy, did Melanie tell you I’m with someone?”

“Yes, but we don’t have to have sex. Just let me serve you, please.”

“Sweetheart, didn’t you just break up with someone?”

He nodded.

“See, that’s all that’s going on. You’re on the rebound from this other woman.”

“Man.”

“Hell! Andy, was this man your dom?”

“Yes.”

“And your lover?”

He nodded.

“So you’re gay?”

“No, I’ve always been with women until him.”

“I’m not even a dominatrix.”

She got that glance through the lashes again. Sexy much? “Yes, you are. You’re my Mistress Buttercup.”

She burst out laughing. “See, right there I fail. A dominatrix has to be named Tanya or Greta or Antonia. Certainly not Buttercup.”

E-mail: tara@taralain.com

Website: http://www.taralain.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/taralain

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Tara-Lain/100001514105686

FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Lain/205042046209804

Author blog: http://taralain.blogspot.com

Book blog: http://beautifulboysbooks.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4541791.Tara_Lain

Savvy Authors: http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/member.php?2398-Tara-Lain

Purchase Mistletowed: http://www.loose-id.com/Mistletowed.aspx

---

About the author:

Tara Lain never met a beautiful boy she didn’t love – at least on paper. A writer of erotic romance, mostly ménage and male/male, Tara loves all her characters, but especially her handsome heroes. A lifelong writer of serious non-fiction, Tara only fell in love with EROM in 2009 and, through perseverance and lots of workshops, had the first novel she ever wrote accepted for publication in 2010. She’s now on book six. After an exotic life of travel all over the world and work in television, education, and advertising, Tara settled in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and opened her own small marketing business. She paints, collages, and started practicing yoga “way before it was fashionable.” Passionate about diversity, justice, inclusion and new ideas, she says on her tombstone it will read, “Yes.”

Book Addict Cassandra Carr

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:17:00 +0000

Cassandra's To Be Read Pile

My name is Cassandra, and I'm a book addict...

by Cassandra Carr

Is there a 12-step program for this? Because I might need it. If you look at the picture in this blog, you'll see my PHYSICAL to-be-read pile. I also have a Nook, which has *mumble mumble* books on it. Suffice it to say my TBR "pile" hovers between 200 and 250 books at any one time. Yes, it's a sickness, but I could do way worse.

People have asked me why I keep buying books if I already have so many, and the answer is surprisingly simple: because if I don't buy a book I know I want to read when it comes out I'll forget about it. I am a very busy author, workshop presenter, wife, and mother. Oh, and rabid Sabres fan. Now, of course if I didn't buy Sweet Addiction, book 6 in Maya Banks' Sweet Series, as soon as it releases in April 2012, I would remember to buy it later because Maya is one of my favorite authors. That and I can't freaking wait for Cole's story...

But what about all the debut authors I want to support? What about when I discover a new-to-me author? WHAT ABOUT A SALE?!?

I will acknowledge that at my current reading speed it will take me about two years to read everything I own at the moment, and that's without buying any new books, which is never gonna happen. You know what? I'm okay with that. I like having a huge stack of books from which to pluck the very one I'm in the mood for.

How many books are in your TBR pile? Do you think I'm crazy? (It's okay if you do. My husband would agree with you.)

BIO

Cassandra Carr is a multi-published erotic romance writer who lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011. Head Games, Buffalo Intimidators book 1, released on November 2, 2011 from Siren Bookstrand, Caught will release December 13, 2011 from Loose Id, and Impact is coming in early 2012 from Ellora's Cave. For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com, "like" her Facebook fan page athttp://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.

EXCERPT

On December 13th Caught will release from Loose Id. Here's the entire first chapter! More information can be found at http://www.loose-id.com/caught.aspx or on my website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com.

They’re really taking this politically correct thing too far. Stepping from the foyer into the living room, Callie spied a twinkling Christmas tree in the corner. On the mantel, a lit menorah burned, the candles flickering as the people nearby jostled for position as more and more guests crammed into the room. This was a boisterous crowd; already drinking like it was New Year’s. Advancing further into the room, she noticed the Kwanza decorations and rolled her eyes. Pick a holiday and go with it, people. You can’t please everyone.

She sought out the host and hostess, old friends from her grad school days, and said hello, handing over the obligatory “Thanks for inviting me” bottle of wine. They chatted for a bit to catch up before she grabbed a cocktail and made her way toward the dining room in search of other former classmates and some food. The smells of the various delicacies wafted by, making her mouth water in anticipation. She had just gotten into town and was starving. Plopping a slice of Cheddar cheese onto a cracker, she stuffed it into her mouth and then looked up -- and everything inside her came to a screeching halt.

Jack was there.

With a beer hanging from his long, rough fingers, he leaned against the wall, casual as can be, while her world tilted on its axis. He looked so good-- still the same tall, well-muscled body, still the same olive skin, black hair, and full lips. His Italian ancestry lent him an air of exoticness, and she’d always been a sucker for that.

Her stomach roiled. The cracker caught in her throat, choking her. As she began to cough and sputter, he turned to see what the commotion was, and their gazes met. Callie watched as his eyes went dark with heat and recognition. A blush rushed up her chest through her neck and into her face. With suddenly cold fingers, she touched her burning skin.

He brought his beer to his lips and took a long pull, his tongue sneaking out to catch a stray drop from his top lip. Her gaze followed the movement. His own intense gaze never left her face. Even when his companion said something to him, he merely nodded and kept the whole of his attention on her. She took a fortifying sip of her vodka and cranberry juice, then another, longer gulp, trying to dislodge the cracker from her throat. And still he stared.

Caught by Cassandra Carr

And she did the same damn thing she’d done three years ago when she’d gotten scared by his demands, his power -- she ran. Cursing herself for her cowardice, she nonetheless wove her way through the crowd, setting her drink down on the nearest available surface as she rushed past. But before she made it to the front door, she felt his hand, still chilled from holding the beer bottle, curl around her overheated arm. “Long time no see. Leaving so soon, Callie?”

He pulled her around to face him, he backed her up against the wall in the foyer. With him this close, with his touch and his smell and his sheer size surrounding her, her body betrayed her, just like it always had where he was concerned. Her nipples tightened, her pussy ached, and her breath quickened. “What are you doing here?” She sighed at her own stupidity for asking something so obvious.

“These are my friends. A better question to ask is -- what are you doing here?”

“I came back to town for the holidays, and I wanted to see some of my old grad school buddies. I guess I-I didn’t think about the possibility of you being here.”

“Is me being here a problem?”

“No,” she answered too quickly.

“I miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

'Dammit! What else am I going to admit to him?'

“I still want you. I want to touch you. I need to touch you. May I?” At her silent nod, he lightly rested his hand around her throat. Not hard enough to choke, but enough to establish his dominance over her.

'Like he needs to establish that. How could I possibly forget who and what he is?'

Callie shivered. God, she wanted him. She’d never been as scared or as excited or felt as alive as she had during the year and a half she had subbed for Jack. Seeing him again made her want to get down on her knees and give him anything he wanted. If she remembered correctly, that was everything. But could he give it back to her? Before, he’d been unable or unwilling to, and when she hadn’t been able to handle loving him without reciprocation anymore, she’d left.

Her lips were parched, and she darted her tongue out to wet them. His eyes turned black as they blazed back at her. “I want you too.” And it was the truth. She wanted him, and this time, she’d have him. If she ran away again, she knew she’d regret it for the rest of her life.

“Are you collared?”

“No.”

“Seeing anyone?”

She turned the question around. “Are you seeing anyone?” A strange look passed over his face, but Callie couldn’t interpret it before it was gone.

“No. Answer me, Callie -- are you seeing anyone?”

“No.”

Letting out a soft growl, Jack cupped the back of her neck in his large hand and kissed her. There was nothing gentle in his kiss -- there never had been. This kiss was one of possession, of establishing even more control. He pressed in further, molding his body to hers while he continued to plunder her mouth. He didn’t force his tongue inside; he didn’t have to.

Surrendering, she relaxed and let him take her. He let out a grunt of satisfaction and changed the angle of her head so he could deepen the kiss. He slid a powerful thigh between hers as she moaned from the sensual onslaught.

After long moments he pulled away, grabbed her hand, and led her toward the back of the house. Callie gasped when he pushed her into a bedroom and kicked the door closed. She whirled around to face him but couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye, reverting to the naturally submissive pose of staring at his feet, her hands behind her back. She hadn’t subbed for anyone in the three years she’d been gone and was amazed at how quickly the submissive veil slipped over her again. He chuckled.

“My pet, you’re still a delightful submissive, I see.” He took a gentle hold on her chin and pulled her face up to his. “I want you. I’ve always wanted you, since the moment you walked into my classroom. I know I’m a selfish bastard, but I’m going to ask for this most exquisite Christmas present anyway: will you submit to me again?”

Callie nodded, too overcome with emotion to speak.

“I want to hear the words -- I want you to be sure.”

“Yes, I’ll sub for you,” she managed to get out around the lump in her throat.

“Good. Then you’ll be available to me insofar as you’re able to, barring other commitments. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” she answered, the word hardly loud enough to be considered a whisper. She licked her lips again.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“By the way, I’m clean. I was tested a few months ago. You?”

“Yes, Sir, same.”

He stepped forward and shoved her to her knees. She went willingly. Callie wanted this -- she wanted to show him she could handle him this time. Keeping her eyes trained on the floor, she waited for his next move. He let her stew for a minute and then pulled her to him, undoing his pants with his other hand. He guided his already-erect cock into her mouth, and she took it, letting his essence wash over her tongue, relearning the contours of the head, the smoothness of the shaft, as he sawed in and out of her mouth with brutal strokes. He’d never been easy on her, and tonight was no exception.

He pulled his still-hard cock out of her mouth, resting just the very tip on her bottom lip. “How long are you in town for?”

Callie drew back enough to answer, “Through the first of the year.”

She looked up in time to see him smile. “Excellent. We have a few weeks, then.” He thrust all the way to the back of her throat, and she struggled not to gag. He held the back of her head with both hands, forcing her to take his dick all the way to the root, and held it there for several seconds. “Where are you staying?” He pulled out again. He had always liked carrying on conversations as Callie sucked him -- reinforcing his dominance by repeatedly pulling out and then shoving back into her mouth as he saw fit.

“With Lora,” she answered, naming her oldest friend.

“Ah, not far from me. I still live on Tremont. Is she going to let you play?”

“Lora lets me do whatever I want -- she doesn’t judge.”

“I think I’m really going to enjoy the holidays for the first time in a long while.” He went up on tiptoe and pushed back into her mouth, tilting her head until it was at the angle he wanted, and then began ruthlessly plundering her depths. “It’s been a long time since you’ve tasted my cum, my sweet. You’re going to swallow it -- every drop, like the gift it is.”

A scant few seconds later, Callie felt his cock swelling even larger, growing even longer, and then after pulling back until only his cockhead remained inside her mouth, he was coming; straining, as jet after jet of warm, salty liquid shot onto her tongue and slid down her throat. When he was finally spent, he withdrew completely and put himself back together. She remained on her knees, the denim of her jeans little protection from the hardwood floor.

Some might say she gave in too easily, but as Callie considered the man before her who’d turned her world upside down now for the second time, she knew that wasn’t true. Not at all. Her soul was at peace for the first time in years. She was a different person than she’d been all those years ago. Callie was what and where she needed to be: she just had to figure out how to hold on to the fragile sense of contentment she’d discovered tonight.

He briefly stroked the side of her face, then leaned down to touch his lips to hers. “Give me your number.” She started to reach into the purse that had fallen beside her on the floor. He chuckled. “You may rise.” Standing up with her purse, she pulled a small sheet from the memo pad she always kept with her. “Still jotting notes, I see.”

“Yes, you never know where or when you’ll find inspiration,” she answered, quoting one of his own mantras back to him. After writing down her cell phone number, she handed him the paper.

He held up it and kissed it. “I’ll be in touch.” After taking one last look at her, he left the room.

She sat down on the bed, touching the tips of her fingers to her lips. Undoubtedly he thought he’d scored a great coup, bringing her back into his fold. Little did he realize, though… Sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted.

BUY LINK

Caught: http://www.loose-id.com/Caught.aspx

Can You Define Erotica?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:07:00 +0000

Sascha Illyvich

Rather than attempt to define erotica here -- which would be a fascinating subject -- I'm posting info about a class that will take on the challenge. It's led by my friend Sascha Illyvich. See more below.

---

January 2012 - WriteSEX: Defining Erotica

Presented by Sascha Illyvich

Dates: January 5 – 29, 2012

Deadline: January 3, 2012

http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/#JAN4

Course Description:

Sascha Illyvich, with the help of M Christian, Oceania, Jean Marie Stine, Ralph Greco, Deborah Riley Magnus and Thomas Roche, are going to explore the daunting aspects of erotica in all its forms. Once a week we’ll discuss every aspect of writing sexy fiction from what makes a story erotic even if there is little to no sex involved. Writers of all genres will come away with writing tips that will benefit their careers. We’ll cover author marketing, what defines a story as erotic, things new writers need to consider and the business angle of writing erotica.

Every week we focus on a different aspect of writing erotica. Our other authors will do own introductions. Some of them have a rather unique way of letting you know who they are! I’ll be covering writing style in general for starters. For this class, we’re going to take our lessons deeper in plot, audio and marketing so that the author comes away with a more comprehensive understanding of the erotic business, be it romance or more adult oriented.

Instructor Bio:

Kayelle Allen and Sascha Illyvich
DragonCon 2009
FYI: This photo fits what erotica is not. ^_^
( by the way, notice the logo on his shirt! )

Sascha started writing ten years ago, releasing poetry and an occasional short erotica story before focusing on kinky erotic romance in various subgenres. His books have been listed under the Road to Romance’s Recommended read list, as well nominated for the CAPA.

He is also the host of the Unnamed Romance Show on Radio Dentata and continue to write for Renaissance E-books, and Total E-bound. Readers can find his work, plus free reads at http://www.saschaillyvich.com

He is also part of the WriteSex Panel, a blog group that’s defining erotica for writers in any genre! Find us at http://www.writesex.net

You can register for the following on-line class through January 3. Each class is $16. FMI: www.lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/

You can also email Online Workshop Coordinator, Veronica Alderson, alde02@knology.net using the Subject line: LRWA ONLINE WORKSHOP. To subscribe to LRWA Online Workshop monthly mailing list, LRWAonlinecourses@yahoogroups.com

A Poor Man’s Guide To Shoestring Marketing

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

A Poor Man's Guide To Shoestring Marketing

with Bruce Jenvey

So you've just signed your book deal and you're ready to let the world discover you and make you rich and famous. Your work is done! Right?

Wrong.

This circus is just beginning! The truth is, the success of your book and the fame it will bring you depend entirely on what YOU do NEXT. Even the big guys have to promote their own work. The difference is they have a staff. And you… all you've got are your shoestrings!

I'm Bruce Jenvey, author of the very soon to be released, Angela's Coven, and we're going to talk about ways to get people to buy your book. Hopefully LOTS of people.

Now, I won't tell you that this is the only way you should promote yourself, or that, "I'm right" and this is your map to success. But I have been asked to share with you, a different way of looking at things and an approach you might find useful.

And just who am I? In previous lives, I spent 20 years in advertising, working on national ads and promotional materials for such clients as Pontiac, Cadillac, FTD, Mr. Goodwrench, Budweiser and more. I spent an additional 10 years publishing and promoting my own travel and history magazine and the branded products it produced. And now, we're going to steal some ideas from the major leagues that might help you launch your own successful book campaign right from your kitchen table!

Reality Check Time: You are not that wonderful. You need to clear your mind of any pretext, any fantasy you've ever had about 'making the grade' and 'stepping into the limelight at long last.' Yes, there are fellow authors you will meet who still believe in this fairytale, but take an honest look at their book sales and ask yourself if that's all you want out of this.

The truth is, no one is going to interview you, invite you to functions or book signings, or bow down to you because you are now a 'published author.' There're a lot of us published authors out there, all scrambling for attention.

The question is, who is going to get the bigger piece of pie? That said, let's start to build your Public Persona.

Step One: The First Thing I Did:

I established my own web page to promote the book. You need a base… a lair to work from. What was Frankenstein without his castle? Or Dracula without his? No one's that afraid of a guy building monsters in the back of a public storage unit or a vampire staying at Motel 6. You need your own Castle, your own domain name, not a freebie site that has some long address that eventually ends in your book or persona. You need your own!

There are lots of places that will sell you a domain and web hosting services all in one package and actually quite cheap. Perhaps the best known of those is GoDaddy.com. All in one spot, you can research, request, and buy your domain name and arrange for it to be hosted on the web.

For those of you new to this: A domain name is a unique internet address you own such as, http://dell.com belongs to Dell Computers, http://nbc.com belongs to the famous television network and so on. Once you have purchased a domain name, then you have it 'hosted' by a provider on the Internet so when people type in that address, they get your page. And yes, you're going to need one of those, too. You can get a web page built for you by a friend, a fellow author or you may be surprised at what you can do yourself with some of the basic tools the hosting company may provide for you.

Either way, getting a web page with your own domain should be step one. Why your own domain? Because it looks bigger and more professional. No one knows you're just the man behind the curtain, you want them to think you are the all powerful (but friendly) OZ.

Your new web hosting account should come with a good number of e-mailboxes for you to assign. You start using these immediately and stop using your Yahoo, G-mail or Comcast e-mail address for anything to do with your book. Set up one for yourself in your nice, approachable, friendly first name, and then at least one more for 'your staff.' It can be something like info@ or help@ or whatever best fits the persona you decide to create.

I realize you probably don't have a staff, but appearance is everything. Press releases, schedules, any correspondence should first come from 'your staff.' In those e-mails, you refer to yourself in the third person. Silly, I know, but it works! And then, they may approach the benevolent you. Follow? (Let me discuss domain name choices and I'll pull this all together for you, promise!)

What domain name do you choose? Make it one you can use for some time to come. If you're writing a series of books, choose a name that covers them all under one umbrella so you don't have to re-start and re-establish everything all over again when book #2 is ready. Think like: Twilight.com or Steven King could have used CastleRock.com.

But here's my own example. My first book is Angela's Coven, the story of a modern day witch practicing old world witchcraft who risks everything to help an aging rock star break his unfortunate deal with the Devil. She has the help of her long established coven. It was decided to make the coven itself the continuing character in the stories regardless of who was a member at any given time, either in prequel or sequel.My web page is http://covenbooks.com and please, go check it out. We (really, I mean 'I', but 'we' sounds so much larger than just me alone, doesn't it?), we had some fun with the graphics (all stock photos from istockphoto.com), and the traditional expectation as to what a witch's coven is all about. It gets a few laughs, but keeps the visitor exploring the page. They can 'Join The Coven' which is really nothing more than getting on our (my) mailing list. But it's the e-mail addresses that have proved most important.

You can write me, personally, at bruce@covenbooks.com but all press releases, first contact letters, etc, are sent from the catch-all address of thecoven@covenbooks.com. In the recipient's mail box, the sender shows up as The Coven. Now, when you're looking through a stack of e-mailed press releases from… Shiply, Gregor and Moore, among many others, doesn't getting an e-mail from The Coven kinda jump off the page at you? Seems it does! This is my lair, my launching point, my writers cave or evil castle. You need one, too!

One final word here, DO make certain your website's index page and description include all the important information for the search engines. You want it to include your 'umbrella name' (in text, NOT in graphic), your book title and your own name as author. Your log line (the one sentence description of your book's plot line) should be included, too.

Then, everyone, including your own provider will start telling you that you need some extra service to make certain you climb the search engines list. Personally, I never did and you can Google me, the book or Coven Books and see what you find. Last count, Google had about ten pages on me and yes, those are all me.

It takes time to climb the search engines, that's why you establish your web page first, long before your release date (that and those e-mail addresses). I searched my own keywords a lot, and then clicked on the search result. I also got my friends and family to do so. Within two weeks, if you searched Angela's Coven or Coven Books, it came up on Google's first page (started at like 20!). And as I did more, more got listed and as more got listed, I moved up the ranks and never paid anyone to do so for me.

Step Two: Participate By Doing "More:"

What type of 'more' things did I do? I participated in the Muse Blog Page when Lea put out the call for Characters to square off in duels and postings. They sounded like silly little things where you write a short piece as if it were coming from your prime character and then we either complimented or even slung good-natured barbs with other writer's characters. Apparently, a good number of people read that, but even if they didn't, it was one more thing for the web crawler software to find and group together with the small pile of stuff about you it's gathering… and growing.

Step Three: "Will You Be My FRIEND?"

These days, Social Media is also part of your Cyber Office. I truly feel you can't do them all well, so concentrate on the ones you feel you can do well. For me, that was Facebook and LinkedIn. My opinion only, but MySpace has sort of gone by the wayside with not enough interaction built into the system.

Yes, I have a MySpace page, two in fact; one for me as author and one for Coven Books. The only activity I seem to draw there is from trolling prostitutes telling Coven Books, (not ME, Coven Books) how they were drawn to my profile and want to be closer friends with me.

I never did Twitter as I believe that until I am more like Clive Cussler or Steven King, no one is going to want to hear my ramblings about being on the patio. And an account with 4 followers is worse than no account at all.

I think the same is true with a blog. By choice, I just don't blog. An unattended or outdated blog is worse than none at all. A poorly written blog that's boring because you did it in what little spare time you had is even worse. (Now you're telling people that not only don't you care enough to post something, but when you do post, it's boring stuff… probably like your book, too, ya think?).

Instead, I have guest-hosted on other people's blogs and then kept a link to the archived page. So pick your battles and throw what you can into those battles so you win!

I chose Facebook, and LinkedIn kind of happened. LinkedIn only pestered me from time to time with more and more requests from people I didn't know to join my network, or to join their network. Always accept! I may not have put a lot of time or effort into LinkedIn, but on the two occasions I have sent out an announcement to all my contacts, I have been surprised at the response I got.

Facebook has proved to be the biggest impact, though. I have my own page which I sacrificed to anyone who wanted to be my friend and I still use it to connect with family and old friends. I also started a page for Coven Books and then added one I don't push just for Angela's Coven. The Angela's Coven page is only there to direct people over to the Coven Books page. ALL three pages are open.

I've turned my privacy way down. While you have to be a friend or a member to post, anyone can see my stuff, read my page, see my photos… and it seems to be a good way of reaching people. Don't forget to 'like' your book page as an individual! That's how I got Angela's Coven on my favorite books page right next to Clive Cussler!

Other Facebook things I have done:

In my advertising days, I was once employed by a BIG agency and that group has continued to actually hold reunions. They have their own Facebook Group page and when I was asked to join, I did! And as I catch up with old friends from those days and hear what others are into, I of course, plant my own happenings with my book.

As your publishing process advances, you will have 'news' to share and I ask their opinion as ad people. "Here's my new cover, what do you think?" "Just got the revised version of the trailer, I like the end, what do you think?" Of course, all this stuff is also posted on my Coven Books and Angela's Coven pages and that's where the video link leads, etc. Even if they are not an active 'member' of my group, I get lots of lurkers!

I also did the same thing with a high school reunion group page. It was not intended as this at first, but has become a valuable resource in my PR campaign. It all started with reconnecting with a few old High School friends via Facebook.

Next, I was scanning old pictures from my annuals and posting them for a laugh. It built a following! It became Flashback Fridays and evolved into a group page for people (staff and students) who were at my small school when my class was there: classes 69-75. (I'm class of '72).

Still every Friday, I post 4 photos from the annuals and lots of people comment and far, far more 'lurk' and enjoy. Again, it's an open page. Membership is only required to post but not to see the pictures and read the comments. Of course, I occasionally work in the post about progress on the book, the release date is set, here's the new cover art… and did you see the trailer?

A note on trailers because someone asked:

Do you need a trailer? I say, yes, but only because it gives you yet one 'new' thing to introduce or comment about as you build interest in your book. It's also a good way to interest those who let's say… don't read too much, into at least considering your book, as the one book they may actually read this year. But trailers can damage your efforts as much as they can help you. Trailers should be brief, to the point and tease the viewer about what's inside. They should be like the movie trailers you see on TV. Aim for a minute, not two, three or more. The trailer should NOT be a brief summary of your plot line. It should be an introduction to the setting and characters, giving the viewer enough information so they can start to imagine the possibilities. I've seen some long tedious trailers that, when they were done, I no longer felt I needed to read the book… I'd just seen the movie.

Now, Let's Close This Section With Two Important Thoughts

First:

You can build an online persona that reflects your work (remember, your work is MORE important than you!) through a web page and your choice of social media. You can do it very cheaply and still have lots of things on the search engines about you. This is why you start early. You do not need to sign up with people and give them money to post you here, register you there, and promote you. Remember this: The guys that really made a killing in the gold rush weren't the prospectors, they were the guys that sold the picks, pans and equipment to them!

Second:

Don't be afraid to let that foggy cloud of mist that everyone thinks is your staff surround you when it's convenient. You don't want to throw it in their face like, "I'll forward that to my staff" but you can say lots of things that imply things were done for you, either by a staff or by your publisher. Such things as: "I just got my first batch of cover art cards today!" (That's because you ordered them yourself from the printer!) "My trailer has just been released (by me), what do you guys think?" whenever I've needed to say something that sounded like I was tooting my own horn too much, let the staff say it.

On my Facebook group page, there are many postings that end in "—Admin" and then, I'll post something very shortly thereafter ending in "—Bruce Jenvey." That lets everyone believe there is more than one person tending to my pages and allows me to play the slightly embarrassed author. Also, these posts (and all my press releases) talk about me in the 3rd person. Not like Bob Dole used to, NO, NOT like Bob Dole! But they say things like "Bruce will be available for interviews on…" or "contact Bruce direct at…" all press releases and correspondence from the web site are signed: The Coven.

I recently had an exchange of e-mails with a Chicago area radio station's program director, all from The Coven and all talking about me in 3rd person. She had no idea she was really chatting with me! Image is everything!

What's A Target?

Once you have a Cyber Office space to work from and you've started to grow your online persona, you need to decided WHO you are going to target, and then HOW! I know, there are a lot of people out there with preconceived notions about this aspect. I'm not saying I'm right. But, I am saying, I'm different!

Let's take a current, not traditional look at your market including its past, its flaws and its new additions. This E-Book market has been around a while. There are lots of people out there who have been reading E-Books for years.

Bruce Jenvey

I call them, the 'Early Adopters' as they were first to buy the early devices and use them. They were there before the Kindle and they were buying E-Books when they were originally hard to find. Many of them were romance novel readers who traditionally consume a high volume of books so the per-book cost was a factor at leading them into the E-Book market. They know all about sites like Coffee Time Romance, Fictionwise, the various publishers, and lots and lots more. They are used to digging to find what they want and now know where to get it. All promotion techniques I have read for us E-Book authors seem to be directed at this market. All the papers I've ever seen, the how tos, the what to dos, are all based on a growing number of publishers all competing viciously for this one segment of the market.

In reality, the E-Book market has exploded in the past couple of years. Last year, Amazon sold more E-Books than paper books. The Kindle was the #1 gift last Christmas. As of early January, 2011, there were an estimated 4.5 million E-Book reading devices in use! This includes Kindles, Nooks, Sonys, I-Pads, other less popular units, and selected E-Book capable Smartphones. 4.5 MILLION! That's according to the Amazon site and I know that number has grown significantly since then.

The reality is ALSO, that the vast majority of these new users ONLY know how to log onto the Amazon or B&N site, pick a book, give it their credit card and presto, the new book appears on their device like magic. They have no idea how to manually download and copy a new book to their device. They have NEVER heard of places like CTR, Fictionwise or ANY of the many E-tailers. They don't need to. They log onto the Kindle or Nook site, they pick out a book and buy it and it appears like magic... over and over again. (Like the muscle-bound guy in the gym commercial that says "I pick things up and I put them down"...and that's all he can say.)

So the question is, why do we compete so hard, against each other, like Olympic athletes where the margin of victory is so narrow, for such a small segment of the marketplace when there is a mass audience out there who only wants to know your name? It's like fighting each other for scraps of food on a single acre of land when there's a whole prairie out there just waiting to be claimed.

However, that requires going mass media and to go mass media, you have to figure out what else you have to offer the public. Remember, they are not going to be impressed with the fact that you are a published author.Be The Tap-Dancing Party-Crasher!

Too many "amateur authors" are SO enamored with their new-found status of "published author" they think the world should recognize them. Not everyone will want to interview you because you are yet another published author. You need to have some entertainment value of your own. Your entertainment value SHOULD be in the research you have done to write your book in the first place. Set yourself up as an 'expert' on the topic and use your published book as your credential, NOT as your reason to be interviewed.

Promote your fantasy release at a
Renaissance Fair

So, what entertainment value do you have? I'm not talking about baton twirling or piano playing. I mean, what entertaining information do you have that others don't? What do you know more about than the average person? Well, what's your book about? Swashbuckling Pirates on the Spanish Main? Have you ever considered how many towns and communities across North America have local Pirate Festivals? There's even one in upstate New York! For several days, these communities go Pirate Crazy and if you've done your homework, you can provide information about Pirates that will add to their enjoyment, feed their fantasies and yearn to be printed in their local papers or heard on their radio stations.

It's a matter of doing your research and being there (via e-mail) before all their plans are set. And if you can schedule the release of your book to coincide, GREAT! Is your book about medieval times? How about Renaissance Fairs? Alien Invasion? You realize they celebrate UFOs in a lot more places than just Roswell, you know.

Be creative, but the important thing is not to come across as 'The Expert.' You don't want to burst their belief balloons, you want to put a fresh spin on it, or even feed their fantasies. Don't go to a Ghost Hunter's Convention and declare there's no such thing… or you run the risk of becoming one yourself!

One more note here:

Try first to do all these things by remote control, I mean by telephone or electronic connection. I remember reading a self-promotion advisory once that suggested you go to your local event (Pirate Festival, Renaissance Fair) dressed in costume as a character from your book. When someone asks you, 'why are you dressed like that,' you can give them your promo card. If this is the way you want to present yourself, fine. But how many people are you really going to reach in person? But a photo of you sent to a thousand people is going to reach a lot more. I mention this because of what I call the Myth of Book Signings.

Originally, Book Signings were a way for the public to meet an author and let the enthusiasm be contagious within a small crowd. They sold books this way in the days before easily accessible mass media. But to the Nuevo Author, they quite frankly became an ego stroke. It just felt so wonderful to have people line up for your autograph and tell you how wonderful your work is… and of course, how wonderful you are for creating it! Do the math, at any given book signing, how many people are really going to show for an unknown author? And with today's gas prices and hotel costs, you can't justify a 'book tour' where you meet and greet 10 or 12 people at a time!

Will I be doing book signings? You betcha! A FEW. (Trying to find one that will host an E-Book-only author is a challenge to say the least!) My plans do include a few book signings at Barnes and Noble Stores locally (See my web page for an updated list of scheduled events.) all tied to in-store promotions to push retail sales of The Nook e-book reader. Remember, there has to be something in it for the bookstore to allow you time and space.

The few people I will meet at these events are not worth the cost to go meet them. However the photos of me there (cropped and positioned properly, of course) will be invaluable on my social media pages! They will add considerable credence to my book and its value and their consideration to buy it. And that's what this whole thing is about, selling books!Put It All Into A Battle Plan… And CHARGE!

So, let's put all this into practical application. What am I doing to prove to you that this is a viable addition or alternative to your marketing plans? First, I've had my web page up and running for the better part of a year now and I have climbed the search engines. Second, I have a social media presence that seems to hit a lot of people (not everyone who sees your page makes the effort to 'like' it!). Third, I have branched that out into other pages and found creative ways to tell former workmates and schoolmates that I have a novel that will soon be released.

I've kept their interest by not bugging them, but by occasionally reminding them it's there with an update about trailers or cover art. So, these people are primed, they're telling other people, and the pages I'm using to tell them about it, are climbing the search engines, too.

Now, we are ready for that 'Entertainment Value' to kick in and we're going to tell it to the world:

My entertainment value is that I spent a lot of time researching witchcraft, the history of witches and also brought in some of my own personal paranormal experiences. I can tell you a lot about witches you never knew! And I have put this all into a document I can cut, paste, shorten, lengthen, and tailor to the needs of the media that might show an interest in me. My book is strategically set for release just 10 days before Halloween.

I put together a press release about this entertainment value. Now, remember a good press release will be short, to the point and involve multiple, short paragraphs. It should read so that the first paragraph should be able to stand alone if some media boss only has a few lines to fill. The following paragraphs just flesh out more, what you told them in paragraph one.

My press release quickly raises the question as to what they have planned for Halloween programming and suggest this might be a fresh alternative (to the usual guy they interview who thinks he's a werewolf or the guy who's a truck driver in what used to be Transylvania). Broadcast stations are always hunting for some special interest story this time of year that's different, fun, and as I promised them, fresh.

The press release is written from The Coven stating that Bruce will be available for interviews of any length you may need and the book is my credential to justify my position as interviewee. Included at the bottom are links to my web page, my You Tube link and an in-depth interview one of my fellow Muse authors granted me.

Next, I sent this press release to over 1,200 radio stations throughout the US and

Canada

. Where did I find over 1,200 radio station contacts for e-mail? Google! Why radio stations? With radio, you can easily be interviewed by phone. You can be recorded for later playback and even repeated if they liked you. There are far more radio stations than TV stations and Newspapers. In an effort to be 'different,' many of those radio stations are more relaxed in their pace and even their professionalism. It's a slower process and they aren't afraid to try 'different' things.

I sent these press releases out in late July and early August, hopefully long before they committed to a different direction. I have actually secured a small number of interviews so far as well as two TV interviews and two local public appearances. (Lunch at the Rotary Club counts as a public appearance.)

I know, there will be some of those interviews that may only reach 5 or 6 people at a time… small stations, small audiences but if you want to start a big forest fire, light a lot of little ones all over the place!

But it doesn't matter if I didn't get a single interview. I would do it again even if I knew right up front that the response would be zero. Why? Because I know there are over 1,200 more people out there now who have at least heard about my book than there were before.

Think about it:

Who at the radio station is going to get the mundane duty of clearing through the company e-mail? Even just the info@ or the contactus@ e-mails? Someone at least has to look at the e-mails coming into the local star DJ's box for him, right?

I'll bet you the person who gets 'stuck' with that duty is smack dab in the middle of my target audience! And right there in that endless list of requests and press releases from corporate places, is that one that says it's from THE COVEN. And if she reads it, she might click on the links and see my page and my trailer. Even if there is no way I'm going to get an interview, it may interest HER personally. She might even forward it on to a friend with a note about the book video. She might share it with the person in the next cubical and laugh. But that's how you start a forest fire… 1,200 little fires at a time.

And what will happen when they Google me to check me out? They're going to find ten pages of info from my web page, the Facebook page, my publisher's blog page, the comments made about the cover on the cover art page… it's going to immediately look genuine, different and could well land me that interview and if not… I got the opportunity to wow yet one more bored office person and enrich their day with thoughts about: "If only I could be a witch… what changes I'd make around here!"

Will it work?

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The science isn't perfect, but the press release is the only thing I have issued that directly links to the You Tube posting. Everything else, all other postings for the trailer are on Facebook. So, reasonably, I should be able to look at my You Tube views as a measuring stick of my response.

I have looked at other writer's trailers and I've seen they've been up there a year, 18 months maybe and they have a hundred views, or less. Mine drew over 300 views in two months, half of those over just two weeks after I revised it to include the final cover art. In the meantime, take what you need from here, and from other presenters and just remember to be creative, inventive and above all else, confidently different!

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Learn more about Bruce Jenvey: Facebook -- Website

An Interview with Georgina Lee

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Georgina, welcome to Romance Lives Forever! Tell us about your latest book.

My latest book is actually part of my very first series. Though I am traditionally published under my real name, this time I wanted to offer some novellas that are really out of the box for me. Hence, The Twin Planet Series was born, of which latest is The Alliance.

Q: What is the genre, and does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

The genre is sci-fi/fantasy romance. The characters aren't human, so I'm not sure if it's sci-fi or fantasy. A real niche genre, I know, but oh, what fun to write! Sci-fi fans would enjoy the series, and I know most romance readers would love it. After all, my characters have heart, yearn to love and be loved.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing your first book?

I think it's the setting. The Catch, #1 in The Twin Planet Series, is set in a jungle on a distant world. Such a setting was so integral to the plot, I was thrilled to expand on it, and allow it to help develop some unique abilities of the characters, one of which was traveling by light energy stored within my heroine's body.

Q: Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?

Because I have been traditionally published, an outline and synopsis is vital if you want to sell on synopsis and three chapters. So I begin there, but it's really rough at that point. Then I after I know the setting, basic plot, and characters, I start writing. Once the characters are speaking to me, I can finish the outline, and do some research and just let the story play itself out.

Q: What genres and authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing?

I love Carl Hiaasen, I love Norah Wilson's Dix Dodd series, and LR Hall's mysteries or one of Carol Schede's stories. I don't read as much sci-fi as some may expect, but I am reading Hiding Space by Linda Andrews. I think I must therefore be a cozy or funny mystery reader. I want to be entertained, though, so any good book will do that.

Q: If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

I would recommend The Catch, with the added recommendation to just relax, let your imagination flow and let the characters entertain you. Once you've read The Catch, read #2 The Lure. The more of the series of short novellas that you read, the more is revealed about a unique solar system, and its people, who love and live much as we do.

Q: What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

I would love for readers to see what was told 2,000 years ago. The greatest thing is love. Love redeems, forgives, gives pleasure and uplifts. Love conquers all.

Q: If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

Anyplace warm!! I love the heat, and since I live in Canada, I don't get that for much of the year. I love palm trees.

Q: What song would best describe your life?

This is tricky, because I rarely listen to music. I really can't say. Classical music soothes, so any instrumental piece by one of the great composers speak to me most of all.

Q: If you were a tool, what would people use you to do?

Bash away at something. Heck, I'd be a hammer. There is a definite, primal, aggressive part to my personality.

Q: Picture yourself as a store. Considering your personality and lifestyle, what type of products would be sold there?

I would find housewares, calendars, fancy cheeses and wines, comfy furniture. Think some high end boutique mixed with a deli, and a Lazyboy section, and I'll be there browsing.

Q: If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Hmm, let me see. How about: "Works mornings only. Do not expect much after lunch." Silly, but it's true. I'm by far the most productive early in the day.

Q: What is the one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?

I think I would like to have asked, "How does your childhood still influence you today?" I think we take with us all those things that happened to us during the early years. We can carve away at that shape, but never truly eliminate it. My early years were rough and rocky, but they made me who I am, and I like that person. I guess if you want to know more, you'll have to interview me again, hmmm?

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Booklist

The Catch - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/67082 or

http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Twin-Planet-ebook/dp/B0056ZQJW2

The Lure - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/76291 or

http://www.amazon.com/Lure-Twin-Planet-ebook/dp/B005EH6FVM

The Demand - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/90475 or

http://www.amazon.com/Demand-Twin-Planet-ebook/dp/B005OKQIKW

The Alliance - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95721 or

http://www.amazon.com/Alliance-Twin-Planet-ebook/dp/B005USO97M

The Time Star - a time travel (not in The Twin Planet Series)

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/103792

http://www.amazon.com/The-Time-Star-ebook/dp/B0065LHVVE

Coming Soon

The Capture #5 in The Twin Planet Series

Contacts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GeorginaLee1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000497524066

Blog: http://thetwinplanets.blogspot.com/

The Twin Planet Series

Excerpt: Book #1 The Catch

Veseria, the fourth planet

Crouching, Lutus Mine parted the lush, tropical foliage to peer at their quarry. What he saw stole his breath.

With Veseria’s moons nearly full, and the twin planets still bright, Lutus could see the woman clearly. She glistened like the bright, rare coppers from the north continent. A breeze lifted her ruby hair as she tenderly set seedlings into crystal pots.

Almost immediately, his smile melted and a frown bit into his ebony features. This wasn't his hunt. He’d given it to his younger brother, Dorad. Lutus would have been content just to watch this woman, but Dorad would never agree to such foolishness.

Worse, he’d have plans for his prey that would make even Lutus shudder.

Lutus glanced through the greenery to see Dorad raise his net, all its daggerstones pointed at their quarry. Then Dorad launched it.

In that split second, the golden woman jerked up, her emerald eyes sharp with fear. Before she could leap away, the wide net dropped over her. The long daggerstones at its corners sank deep into the soft forest floor, ensnaring the shining beauty. Around Lutus, the hunters roared their thrill.

Excerpt: The Lure #2

Veseria, the fourth planet

Gellen’s heart raced; her feet pounded on the soft earth, her hands flailed in front to sweep away the thickening undergrowth. The heat of the jungle slammed against her body. It had been days since she entered Veseria’s tropical zone, its boundary being the marshy delta behind her.

But she couldn’t stop, not as long as Dorad pursued her.

Stinging tears blurred her vision, and she swiped them away for fear she’d stumble and fall. Her lungs screamed to protest her flight from Dorad, but to stop now would be to die.

Again, the knife of betrayal twisted in her chest. She’d been his mate! How could Dorad do this to her? She’d trusted Dorad and he’d turned on her. He’d been willing to sell her at the off-worlder market as soon as times turned difficult.

Gellen burst from the lush forest to find she’d reached a familiar clearing. Pausing briefly, she scanned the area. Yes! She knew this place! Up the small stream that bisected the clearing, and beyond the next hill was a fertile vale. There, she’d find Lutus’ camp. He and his mate, Shah-een, would be there collecting plants for Shah-een’s dying planet.

A distant screech had Gellen quickening her steps again. All she could do was pray to the Paracletes that they’d forgiven her for what she’d done to her fellow Cutrans.

Stopping near the stream, Gellen pressed her palms against her knees to catch her breath. Only for a second, though. Dorad was-

Snap! At the sound of a branch being broken Gellen bolted away. Caused by Dorad or some animal, she didn’t dare confirm. She had only a short way to go. Leaping into the water, Gellen splashed along the rocky creek that divided the verdant hills. Surging upstream, half-swimming, half-wading, she pushed on, all the while hoping that Lutus had not yet left.

Because he was her only hope.

Excerpt: The Demand by Georgina Lee

NaKaya, the smaller of the Twin Planets

Hamman Fah set the controls of his shuttle to auto and eased back in the seat to watch NaKaya's Air City grow ever smaller. Said that the city had been a gift to the NaKayans from an alien in a past too distant to remember, it floated high above the cool planet, employing technology that was beyond even the Fa-Shonians’ advancements. The Cutrans, from the first planet in this system, had their Paracletes who’d brought The Book of Wisdom to them. Vatrel, the larger of the Twin Planets has its Mother of Vatrel to guide them, opening the Klerian Springs to the Vatrelians. Since all three planets shared the same sun, it could be argued that the alien, the Mother and the Paracletes were the same entity.

Such was a debate for the philosophers, though, and not for Hamman. His mission to NaKaya with a peace plan had not gone well. Toran, the First Minister of NaKaya, had demanded a Cutran representative, someone with knowledge of the Twin Planets and someone with whom NaKayans were familiar. Hamman was a Fa-Shonian, an outsider from the next system and obviously not good enough.

So, unless Hamman found Kestra Tane, the best envoy in her field, within a few days, the whole reason he'd come to this solar system would be a total failure, and many lives, some of whom were his friends, could be lost in the war with Veseria that now appeared inevitable.

The trouble was, Kestra Tane was the one Cutran who'd like to slit his throat the minute she laid eyes on him.

To Kestra, he deserved such action, but in Hamman's eyes, he'd done what he could to save her life. He'd done what came naturally to him. He'd taken her from danger automatically, by shimmering.

Fa-Shonians didn't shimmer much anymore. They needed the heat from the sun for energy, and this act, as natural as breathing to his race, was slowly being stolen from them, thanks to their dying sun. No longer could they move through space on pure energy.

He remembered the first time he'd shimmered. He'd tricked his sister, Shah-een, during a game they'd been playing, and when she'd discovered his prank and charged after him, totally livid, he'd, without thinking, shimmered to get away from her. Their father found him a few minutes later in the next field, disoriented. After a discussion on what had happened, and how it was a sign of budding adulthood, his father had disciplined him for his misbehavior.

Hamman rarely shimmered after that, and most incidents were careful experiments. Shimmering, the act of transporting oneself by thought, using light energy, was nearly folklore now, mostly a distant memory to a select few who remembered shimmering great distances. And to some like Hamman, whose ability had grown uniquely strong and able to absorb great energies.

Discarding the thoughts of his ancient ability, he reached for his pad and retrieved the info on Kestra. A lovely woman, with paler skin than most dark-skinned Cutrans, Kestra had thought the world of her family, which included her cousin, Lutus. She’d officiated Shah-een's and Lutus' binding ceremony as part of her rights as one of the government ministers. But it wasn’t the first time he’d met her. The first time has been disastrous.

In her eyes, some of that family Hamman had taken from her. Hamman had killed them.

Excerpt: The Alliance by Georgina Lee

Chapter One

D'Minicah, Empress of Vatrel, slapped the polished surface of her desk. "Wed that overbearing brute! Never! I'd rather die in a Veserian slave camp!"

One of the less experienced Elders stepped forward, but Chief Elder Ra'Choul caught her arm. They watched the Empress storm around her private chambers, stopping occasionally to glare out the tall window at the imposing view.

Sadly, Ra'Choul empathized with her regal cousin. Everything that D'Minicah had ever lived for now dissolved away as NaKaya, their binary planet's twin, rose into the sunny day, bright and bold and stealing their sun's brilliance as if, like a giant maw, it threatened to swallow all in its rising path.

Now Ra'Choul watched their sun reach its zenith and the brilliant half of her planet's twin clear the horizon. Ahead of it, the seventh moon chased the sun in its perpetual celestial work.

Work. Here in the Empress's chambers, the real work lay ahead.

Willing her temper to cool. The Empress D'Minicah stared at the horizon. Every day of her life she'd seen NaKaya dominate the sky, but for the first time it seemed too big, too overwhelming. How could their situation have come to this?

"Let the Empress warm to the idea, first," Ra'Choul whispered to the other Elders. "She has never shirked her duties to her people before and she won't now." She paused. "Better yet, leave us. I'll speak with her."

D'Minicah listened as the Elders hastily withdraw. When they were alone, Ra'Choul spoke. "This decision doesn't come easy to my lips, D'Minicah. You know this. But you've read that Fa-Shonian's peace plan and you've read the intelligence reports. The Veserians will do anything to conquer the rest of this system, more so now that Cutran is aligned with Fa-Shon, and moved its commerce from Veseria. And you know that blood is the only thing both our peoples will acknowledge."

The Empress offered a dry smile. "Shared or shed?"

Ra'Choul remained sober. "I'm talking about Binding Blood, that part of the binding ceremony. It's in very poor taste to slaughter one's own husband."

I hope you've enjoyed these excerpts, and will check the novellas out in more detail.

---

Check back often as I plan to continue The Twin Planet Series. Thank you, Georgina Lee

Be Gentle With Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Be Gentle With Yourself --- By Selena Illyria

---

Okay, I'll admit, when I read that title back my mind goes into the gutter but then again my mind is almost always in the gutter. I said, Almost. Stop snickering! Ahem. Anyway, the phrase is uttered a lot during my favorite yoga program, Namaste Yoga, when we are doing a routine that may be very strenuous or advance. What Kate Potter is telling the viewer/practitioner is to go easy, you don't have to be an expert instantly –even if we want to be--and that you don't have to get it right the first time. If you don't then go back to the beginning and start again but go slowly.

It was a conversation with CynnaraTregarth--author, best friend, enabler--who started me on the thought that I should do a blog post about this subject. Cyn was telling me that as an author she was being hard on herself. That got me thinking about how I treat myself when I write. Over the last year it's been difficult. I've dealt with burnout and depression and health issues. My writing took a hit as well as my self-esteem. As I got back into the swing of things it became self-evident that I wasn't going to be able to get back to my once 5k usual word amount per day. In fact it took me a lot of effort for even 1,000 words. It was like trudging through molasses or quick sand. And the words just didn't seem to be working for me. There was a lot of wracking my brain and erasures and frustrated sighs, foul language and lots of Slipknot to fit my dark mood.

Nothing seemed to be working and I was ignoring the tell tale depression symptoms so I could press on. Not good. And then everything just stopped. Writer's block is a bitch. It hurts, it feels like you're a failure and you want to cry, scream and throw things. You just want it to end. And then I got back into reading, before I just didn't have time. I had to write, finish this book, turn in that book, do edits. No time to read a book but I sure had a lot of plot bunnies. When the words stopped the bunnies stayed, which was good, at least that part of my creative psyche was working now it just had to give me the words. I figured a break was in order. I was being forced into it anyway.

Reading other books was just what I needed. A break, even if it was forced, was perfect to recharge my batteries and allow me to address my depression without stress or pressure. Slowly my urge to write came back, egged on by a deadline. When I began to write again I started to post my progress on Facebook. It did helped me track my progress and allowed me to get kudos from writing friends which in turn helped my give my ego a boost. I began to accept my word progress even if it was a hundred words or if I'd reached my goal. I took down my expectations. I didn't get frustrated over not meeting a goal. I celebrated just writing, no matter how much I wrote. I started to go easier on myself. Not only did my stress level thank me but so did my blood pressure.

To be gentle with yourself is to not overly stress yourself out when you don't meet a goal but celebrate your successes. And sometimes take a break when you need it. Don't push yourself too hard or you may incur the wrath of the Writer's Block and be forced to take a break. Just remember, go at your own pace and be gentle with yourself.

Thank You, Namaste Yoga and Cyn. J

Happy Holidays and I wish you all a prosperous New Year!

Selena

To find out more about me:

Website: www.selenaillyria.com

To Connect:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/selenaillyria

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Selena_Illyria

Here's a look at my latest release:

Out Now!

Series: White Hot Christmas: Holiday Paws

Excerpt Rating (R)

Genre: Paranormal, Interracial, Holiday, Werewolves, BBW

ISBN: 978-1-60521-717-8

Novella:

Blurb:

After dealing with the flu and missing her flight to spend the holidays with her family, Nessa thought she'd be alone for Christmas. When her mate Ben shows up at her door with the intention of giving her a holiday she won't soon forget, she knows this Christmas will definitely be the best yet.

Buy Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1733

Excerpt:

White Hot Christmas: Holiday Paws

Selena Illyria

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

She was going to focus on them, and what it meant to be a mated couple.

First, they would connect physically and then talk. She felt they needed to get the sex out the way before any progress could be made. Talking wouldn't have any effect if they were both thinking about fucking or satisfying the need that had started an hour or so ago when Ben had shown up with cupcakes. They were a good start.

With a sigh, she dug a fork into the cupcake. "Perhaps it's time I really show him that I'm committed to him, rather than the other way around," she said to no one.

Finishing her cupcake, she took her mug of hot chocolate into her. When she entered she found it set up for romance; candles were lit and soft music playing. She found him in the bathroom with the water running in the shower.

"You shower and relax. I'll go get my bag." Not waiting for answer, he left her alone.

With nothing else to do but follow his direction, she stripped and got into the shower, allowing the water to run over her. She was thankful she'd gotten her hair straightened so there wouldn't be a huge curly, tangled mess, and it would be very easy to dry.

The thought of Ben pampering her by drying her hair, sent liquid warmth through her belly. Ben always wanted to do things for her and pamper her in any way she would let him. He was her mate after all. Ben should be allowed to be involved in some of her more personal rituals and intimate moments -- not all of them, but some.

The warm water sluiced over her body, chasing away some of the alcoholic haze and clearing her thoughts. She could say, in all honesty, that she appreciated him not taking advantage of her in her tipsy state. Even though she was very willing, it meant a lot that he wanted her in a clear state of mind when they did have sex again.

As she washed her body, ripples of heat slid along her skin. Desire flared hot, raising goose bumps. Moaning, she cupped her breasts and gave them a squeeze before moving to pinch and roll her thick nipples between her fingers. Electric shocks shot straight to her pussy. Her inner muscles quivered as the throbbing of her clit became more demanding.

She didn't want to come by her own ministrations. Nessa wanted Ben's hands her body and to feel him skin to skin. She wanted to feel the glide of his cock against the cleft of her ass, teasing her with his touch before he slid the shaft between her thighs to taunt the aching bundle of her nerves and then sink into her needy sheath.

Moaning, she slipped a hand between her legs and flicked her clit. She thrummed the bud over and over again, setting off sparks deep in her vagina. Rocking back on her heels, she rested her bottom against the wall and slid down the wall to sit in her tub.

Stroking and pinching her clit and massaging her breast, she brought herself closer to the edge while tingles raced along her legs and up and down her spine. Over and over again she brought herself to the edge but kept pulled back. Nessa wanted to wait for Ben.

A small creak of the door hinge alerted her to her mate's arrival. A frisson of heat sliced down her spine to hum in her pussy. Her stomach muscles clenched as her heart pounded against her ribcage. Now she would get what she wanted. She was in a fog of desire and a need to connect with Ben physically.

http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1733

Coupon Code:

SIPaws

Get 5% off your purchases at ChangelingPress.com if you buy a copy of Holiday Paws. Offer good until December 31, 2011.

Marketing – A Waste of Money or A Chance to Sell Books?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:07:00 +0000

Marketing – A Waste of Money or A Chance to Sell Books?
by Nina Pierce

Unfortunately successful writers have discovered that writing books isn’t the only thing they have to become good at if they want their books to sell well. With publishers spending less time and resources on marketing, it’s now up to the author to do their own.

There are many ways and places to market yourself. In reality, it’s not about your debut novel or most recent release— it’s about you and developing your readership. There are some authors who swear by building a brand. In this day and age, with so many authors writing in so many different genres, I’m not sure the benefits or disadvantages of marketing yourself as a brand. So I’m going to leave that topic for another time. I’m simply going to touch on the basic ways for an author to market.

* Internet Website – The first place an author needs to establish themselves is in their own corner of the world wide web. An easy-to-navigate website helps readers find you and your books. Your website should set a mood for your readers. Don’t complicate it with music or fun tricks, those things may annoy and drive readers away.

Blog – This type of promotion isn’t for everyone. If you don’t have the time to blog on a regular basis (at least once a week) and promote that blog to invite people to read your posts, then this may not be for you. Group blogs are popping up all over the internet as authors are looking to save time, but still have a blogging presence. Groups of authors with similar interests blog once or twice a month without the pressure of a dedicated blog. The advantages of blogging are the permanent sidebar topics with links to your books, trailers and reviews. It also gives readers a chance to learn more about you through your posts. The disadvantage is the amount of time it takes to post and promote the blog.

Social Media – This encompasses Yahoo loops, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Goodreads, Googler+, Wattpad or any form of media that allows you to interact with others on the internet. The purpose of these sites is to give people the opportunity to build a community. It is NOT for continually posting me, me, me updates that will turn prospective readers away. Though some of that is expected, it shouldn’t be the sole purpose of your updates. Remember, you’re building relationships. Of course the disadvantage again is the time suck some of these sites require to keep up with your followers.

* Paper Products
Vistaprint.com – Offers all kinds of paper products, (including bookmarks, business cards and cover flats), magnets, bookbags, pens, sticky notes and other miscellaneous products. With a high resolution copy of your book cover (available through your publisher’s art department), it is easy to upload designs and create promotional items. I highly recommend getting an email from a friend with “free” product offers (the cost of your items is in the shipping). There are also designs to choose from for creating author-specific products. This site is inexpensive and shipping times are reasonable. (The 21-day delivery often arrives within in 8-10 days.)

NextDayFlyers.com – Provides the same services as above. As with any print product you need high resolution jpgs to create and order products.

EarthlyCharms.com – This site offers all kinds of products, but with the benefit of having a design staff who will create unique bookmarks, flyers or brochures.

Chapter Samplers – These small books can be made using several different computer programs or can be ordered from the above companies. Readers often comment that this is one of the few paper products they really enjoy receiving. Not only does it give potential readers a sample of your current book, but a feeling for your voice as well.

In general paper products placed in goodie bags or on promo tables tend to get recycled. It doesn’t mean you should never have these items, but be judicious with what you donate to convention bags.

* Promo Items
Things that readers can put their hands on are often expensive. Whether it’s lip balm, chip clips, pens, foot files, combs, hand lotions, mirrors, pen drives or anything in between, the advantage is that they don’t usually get recycled before readers leave conventions. Your name, tagline and website addie go home with them. The disadvantage is not only the cost in the item, but the additional cost of shipping to conventions you’re not attending.

NOTE – Conventions and reader get-togethers often advertise for promo materials for their goodie bags. It’s an excellent way to get your name out there and book buying is all about name recognition.

* Advertisements
Ad space is available on review sites, newsletters and popular blogs for your cover or banner. Prices are usually reasonable. Many authors swear by these ads.

* Contests and Big Ticket Items
Many authors enjoy running contests. But you should be leery of the contest-bunnies who have no intention of buying books, but will enter every author contest coming and going. There are sometimes opportunities to jump into contests run by some of the bigger review sites which offer ereaders or multiple prize packages. The advantage of that is the cost to participate is usually very reasonable ($10 or $15) and with multiple authors there is a lot of promotion across different venues.

This list only scratches the surface of the marketing opportunities available to authors. It’s a juggling act to balance your income to your expenditures for marketing. Just know that there is no right answer. What might work for one author won’t necessarily work for another. Try different things until you figure out what works for you.

Award-winning author Nina Pierce is an admitted promo queen. She’s tried nearly everything at least once, and most things, two or three times. She spends convention season sending out materials in hopes that new readers will discover her books. You can check out her newest books at http://www.NinaPierce.com or follow her on her social media sites facebook http://www.facebook.com/author.nina.pierce and twitter http://www.twitter.com/ninapierce

You can thank Nina for these tips by stopping by and picking up a copy of her book, Charm Her! It's on sale right now -- only $.99 on Kindle. Here's the link:

An Interview with Xandra James

noreply@blogger.com (Kayelle Allen) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:02:00 +0000

Reluctant Revenge
by Xandra James

Welcome, Xandra! Tell us about your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If so, what are they?

First of all, thank you so much for having me here today! Right, my first book was released December first from Pink Petal Books and it's called Reluctant Revenge. It's a paranormal romance novella that, despite having otherworldly creatures, deals with something that many of us come up against - forgiveness and letting the go of the past. Of course, there's also a hot half demon, a sexy almost angel and mean, flesh eating vampires for your paranormal reading pleasure!

What do you enjoy most about writing?

I love the very first chapter of a new story when you have high hopes for it and just know this'll be the easiest story to write, ever! Then I also love the end of the first draft when you come to terms with just how hard it's been to write this story, and you go from disliking it for all the hassle it's given you, to loving it once more.

Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?

I usually start with a first scene that I've seen the basics for in my head. I'm not really sure of the characters completely or their GMC, so I just write about three chapters carrying on from that initial scenario. Then I get stuck J and that's when I will go away, outline the general story and then either tweek the first chapters or re-write them completely. This seems to work for me as I don't actually come up with fully formed plots or characters, straight away. It's almost like I have to mind dump first of all, then I see what works and what doesn't and move on from there.

What did you learn from writing your first book?

That first attempts are meant to be awful! Lol. The first book I ever completed was a category romance. Looking back, it had no structure and no real plot. I think I was just happy to finish the thing, at the time, and I haven't even looked at it since.

Would you consider self publishing?

Absolutely. Self-publishing has grown so much since I first became aware of it many, many years ago. I can't see myself (for the foreseeable future) stopping submitting work to publishers, but as another option to work alongside? Yes. As long as I do it properly and spend the time and money on doing it right.

How many hours a day to you spend writing?

Depends. If I'm on a deadline then I'll write all day, stopping only for caffeine. Other days, it feels like a drag to make myself sit there and write for 30 minutes. Although usually once I get over my procrastination (I'm the Queen of it!), I'll usually settle into writing if I'm not distracted. Writing every day is a good routine to get into, even if it's a couple of hundred words. I'm glad I usually do that now.

Is your muse demanding?

My muse loves deadlines and will very often only want to work hard when it's imminent. Of course, like me, she can be bribed with caffeine and chocolate so there's usually a compromise…

Are your stories plot or character driven?

Reluctant Revenge, if I had to put it in either category, I'd choose character driven. My second book, released in January, is more plot driven. So I don't think I specifically write a book to be a certain way – it's just a happy accident however it turns out ;)

How do you balance a life outside of writing with deadlines and writing muses?

By not doing housework (okay, that was more wishful thinking). I don't think I can say I balance it very well, I just do what needs to be done, when it needs doing. I'm not the most organized person in the world so I kinda take one day at a time.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?

If they can lose themselves and escape into the story for an hour or two, then I'll be a happy writer.

List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.

Kerrelyn Sparks and Janet Evanovich. I love a little humour with my romance. They're my go-to authors.

Personal Info

A biography has been written about you. What do you think the title would be in six words or less?

Life, romance books, and hitting snooze.

If money were not an object, where would you most like to live?

Well if money were no object I'd live in Venice half the time and a castle in England the rest.

What song would best describe your life?

Carry On Regardless by The Beautiful South

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Please don't poke with a stick, she bites!

Booklist

Reluctant Revenge from Pink Petal Books, released December 1, 2011

Nash was bound to Sienna completely – by a blood connection and a deep desire. An Enforcer for the Supranormal community, he was obligated to protect his sexy assignment, despite her family devastating his world.

After being betrayed, Sienna falls into the arms of her surly protector; a demon with a secret of his own. But can she face her destiny knowing she's more dangerous than those Nash was protecting her from?

Fill in the Blanks

I love pizza with a can of pepsi.

I'm always ready for chocolate.

When I'm alone, I am always on my laptop.

You'd never be able to tell, but I hate celery.

If I had a halo it would be crooked and dusty.

Books Coming Soon

Shadow Justice from Siren Publishing, coming January 2012.

Contests

Check out my website for details of giveaways and blog hops I'm involved in over the next couple of months.

Find Me Here

Website: http://xandrajames.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001507217283&ref=tn_nonslim

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XandraJames

Blog: as above and http://thebookbordello.com