Kylie Griffin's Blog

VENGEANCE BORN "Dear Reader" letter

2012-02-01T01:00:00.026+11:00

VENGEANCE BORN is featured over on the Berkley Paranormal & Urban Fantasy website this month. There's a Dear Reader letter and excerpt. :-)
(You'll see the cover & link in the right hand column of books on the page, right beside the Coming Soon section)

VENGEANCE BORN Countdown

2012-02-01T01:00:00.016+11:00

6 days to go...

A howl shattered the quiet of the forest.

“Vorc!”

The word sent a cold shiver skittering down his spine. The predatory animals were used by the Na’Reish to hunt humans. It was how he’d been capture.

Had his absence from the Pit already been discovered? The snapping and cracking of branches sounded in the distance. Something large and heavy was racing toward them. Annika’s hand squeezed his.

“They’ve scented us.” In the moonlight, her face was pinched with fear, the flecks in her eyes glowed yellow. “Run!”
(VENGEANCE BORN Ch.3)

GUEST BLOGGING: Over at Regency Seductions...

2012-01-31T01:00:00.036+11:00

I'm tripping across the ditch today (aka the Tasman Sea) to chat to Bronwen Evans over at her blog - Regency Seductions.

We'd love to have your company and if you leave a comment you'll go into the draw for an ARC copy of VENGEANCE BORN. Looking forward to seeing you there!

TOPIC: An Author's Life...with Amanda Ashby

2012-01-31T01:00:00.021+11:00

Being a published author is an ... involved ... process, and I take my hat off to those who've been in the business more than a few years now.

As a pre-pubbed author I was always curious about what happened once you received THE CALL and stepped into the world of publishing.

What did it involve? How did they handled the day to day pressures? Did they developed routines, set goals etc.? What did they like/dislike about the process?

So I asked my special guests these questions and many of them have offered some intriguing insights into their lives. Maybe they'll even give you a heads up on what to expect if you're thinking of entering the world of "getting published".

Please welcome my next guest...

AMANDA ASHBY was born in Australia and after spending the last sixteen years dividing her time between England and New Zealand, she’s finally moved back and now lives on the Sunshine Coast.

When she’s not moving country, she likes to write books (okay, she also likes to eat chocolate, watch television and sit around doing not much, but let’s just keep that amongst ourselves, shall we?)

Author Facts
Pseudonym or Given Name? Amanda Ashby.
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Published Genre/s: young adult, middle grade.
Website: www.amandaashby.com
First published: 2007.
Number of books published: I’ve currently got three books out and four more to come in next 12-18 months.

The Nitty Gritty
List up to 5 significant events in your journey to publication?
The first clever thing that I did was join the Romance Writers of New Zealand.

I won a competition, which would’ve seen my book get published with a small UK publisher, but they went under before that happened.

At the same time I had moved to the UK and joined the RNA and went along to a local chapter meeting in Cheshire. There were four of us at that first meeting: me, Penny Jordan, Susan Stephens and Amanda Grange. To say that I was overwhelmed was an understatement but despite being a fish out of water those wonderful writers took me under their wings and made me feel like my writing dream was possible!

From there many more people ending up coming to our chapter meetings (including the wise Kate Walker and the lovely June Francis who writes Liverpool sagas).

Hanging out with so many Harlequin authors led me to the eharlequin boards and that is where I met my CP's Christina Phillips and Sara Hantz.

Meeting those two was definitely the best thing that ever happened to my writing career. I think we had been friends for about two years when I finally sold and I can’t imagine what I would’ve done without them (especially since they are fabulous at correcting my shoddy grammar!!!!).

What resources/techniques/events did you find useful to develop your writing skills/craft?
I love Blake Snyder’s book SAVE THE CAT. I’ve read a lot of writing books that try and teach me how to write but with Blake’s book I feel like he’s putting names and structures to the things that I naturally do.

Can you share the special moment when you received THE CALL?
My first book went out on submission in 2005 to quite a big list but within two weeks we had received rejections from nearly all of them.

Then my agent sent me an email to say that NAL had offered on the proviso that I changed it from a young adult book to a woman’s fiction book. Honestly, in that email all I saw was the words ‘offer’ and so I immediately said yes!!!!

Looking back over your writing career, how have you grown as an author?
I think I write like a puppy! I have a lot of enthusiasm and over the top of ideas and not a lot of structure and style. Thankfully, over the years I’ve definitely learnt how to control my voice and impose some order on it.

Of course, it hasn’t all happened in a bubble and I owe it all to my editor Karen Chaplin who has been such a champion of my work. Karen has since left Puffin but I still keep her in my mind when I’m working on a new project because she knew just how to push and develop me as an author!

Ditto with my agent, Jenny Bent who never lets me put anything but my best foot forward.

How important is it to set career goals? Can you give an example of one you have for yourself?
You know I really should start setting some goals. It sounds very grown up and clever! Unfortunately, I tend to just float along in a very vague way and hope that good things happen (for the record, don’t try this at home).

Can you describe your writing process/timeframe from when you start a new book to handing it in at deadline?
It varies so much depending on the contract. I’ve sold books on the full, on a partial and on a synopsis and so each experience has been different.

The only thing that stays the same is that by the time I hit the middle, my head is fit to explode and I’m convinced that I’m the worst writer. In. The. World!

Also, for me a lot of the work starts after the book has been handed in and when we move onto the revision stage (that when crazy really comes to visit!)

One of the things I found challenging about being a published author is the constant juggling of tasks ie. writing a book, editing another, planning promotion, writing the prosposal for another (and usually this all happens while holding down another job or dealing with family/life etc.).

What do you enjoy the most in the publishing process?
Ideas!!!! I’m such an ideas person and so I love the challenge of coming up with something that has a cute title, strong hook and that can work in the current market.

What do you least in the publishing process?
The waiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is so much downtime in publishing, depending where you sit on your publisher’s list and so often you have long periods of time where nothing is happening and you have to keep yourself amused and out of trouble!

What's the most memorable fan-mail you've received?
It was for my debut book YOU HAD ME AT HALO and it was from a lovely reader called Laura who I would say was my first fan! She was so wonderful and I even ended up meeting her at the RWA conference in San Francisco.

We joked that she was my stalker but she wasn’t like that at all. She just really liked my book and I’ve never forgotten her because she was the first person who made me feel like a ‘real’ writer!

Is there anything you think pre-publishers writers need to know about the business/industry before they're published?
I don’t want to sound all pessimistic but sometimes when I think of publishing I think of Kurt Vonnegut’s book, CAT'S CRADLE where it concludes, ‘No dam cat. No dam cradle.’ Because no matter how great your publishing experience is, it’s NEVER how you expect it will be!

So my advice is to lose your expectations, concentrate on your story and remember that it’s not the most important thing in the world.

A Bit of Fun
Favorite color: apple green.

Hunkiest hero ever: David Boreanaz.
Most daring thing you've done in your life: bought sour Skittles instead of regular ones. Sometimes I just scare myself with my thrill-seeking nature!
Greatest love: husband. He’s very lovely when he’s behaving himself!
Timeout/relaxation for me includes: watching television and reading books.
Special quote/saying you like: "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you odd." - Flannery O’Connor. I love this, and it pretty much sums up every book that I’ve ever written!!!

CAST OF CHARACTERS: Kalan - the warrior hero of Vengeance Born

2012-01-28T01:00:00.132+11:00

To continue the introduction of the characters from VENGEANCE BORN, today you find out more about Kalan, the hero.

Name: Kalan Tayn

Race: Human

Age: 30

Background: Kalan Tayn is the son of traders. His calling to be a Light Blade warrior came in his early teens. His best friend, Arek, joined the same time as him.

His sister, Kymora, was also called to serve the Lady, but as a Handmaiden in the Temple. They all helped one another in their respective roles.

While Kalan doesn't appear on the front cover, this is what I imagined he'd look like.

Kalan rose quickly among the Light Blade ranks to the position of Commander. Arek is his Second, a partnership which endures to this day.

Kalan's strong faith in the Lady guides his every action and helps him through difficult situations - the most pressing being to convince a rigid and inflexible Blade Council that they must adapt to survive the escalating conflict with the Na'Reish demons.

If he can't, the Na'Reish will succeed in killing or enslaving them all.

Skills: Like all Light Blade warriors he can use his kinetic power to kill by channeling it through touch or via any blade or weapon. This skill is used to kill the Na'Reish.

In human society, Light Blades are highly respected for their skills and dedication to upholding the Lady's tenets. They are the protectors of all.

Interesting facts:

His mother died of Claret-rash when he was young.
As young Light Blade trainees, he and Arek used to sneak into the Night Markets outside curfew to visit the taverns.
He insists on being called Commander outside the Blade Council chamber rather than Chosen. He believes strongly in forging personal connections with those he meets instead of relying on his rank to earn respect.
Like Annika, Kalan's greatest vice is a hot bath.

GUEST BLOGGING: Over at the Romance Bandits...

2012-01-27T16:32:00.000+11:00

I'm wandering over to the Romance Bandits blog today.

The lovely Anna Campbell is my host and she's asking me all sorts of questions and giving me a chance to promote VENGEANCE BORN, my debut release due out on Feb.7th.

If you have a minute to spare, come and join us!

(For the Aussies who were wondering where the link was for this - I had to wait for the time zones to synch - the Bandits are in the USA zone).

VENGEANCE BORN Countdown

2012-01-26T01:00:00.015+11:00

Less than 2 weeks to go...

“That’s why you helped me escape? Why you need me with you?” The image of her latched on to him, feeding, flashed through his mind. “I’m a convenient food source?”

How many Light Blade warriors had he seen fall in battle? How many had he heard scream in agony as demon teeth ripped into their throats or wrists so they could be drained?

Nausea choked him. Too many.

Kalan dropped into a crouch, teeth bared. “Come one step closer and I will kill you.”
(VENGEANCE BORN Ch. 2)

BLOG TOURING: Over at Helene Young's blog...

2012-01-24T01:00:00.010+11:00

I'm visiting Aussie author, Helene Young today. She's put me in the hot seat and interviewed me this time!

Come join us and leave a comment to go into the draw for a signed ARC copy of VENGEANCE BORN.

TOPIC: An Author's Life...with Maree Anderson

2012-01-24T01:00:00.006+11:00

Being a published author is an ... involved ... process, and I take my hat off to those who've been in the business more than a few years now.

As a pre-pubbed author I was always curious about what happened once you received THE CALL and stepped into the world of publishing.

What did it involve? How did they handled the day to day pressures? Did they developed routines, set goals etc.? What did they like/dislike about the process?

So I asked my special guests these questions and many of them have offered some intriguing insights into their lives. Maybe they'll even give you a heads up on what to expect if you're thinking of entering the world of "getting published".

Please welcome my next guest...

MAREE ANDERSON always knew she had a re-e-e-eally warped imagination. The trouble was finding a socially acceptable outlet...which is why she became an author.  

The other great thing about being an author is having a valid reason to read loads of books -- all in the name of research, of course. When she's not 'researching', Maree's writing romance of the paranormal persuasion.

She's a Kiwi, a New Zealander, and she's addicted to chocolate -- the darker the better. Not to mention coffee and excellent NZ wine. She's not quite so addicted to her local gym but she's working on it ;-)

Author Facts
Pseudonym or Given Name? Given name—plain old Maree Anderson. I didn’t really think about the pseudonym thing until after I was published... in erotic romance. Ooops. *face palm*
Location: Auckland, New Zealand.
Published Genre/s: Erotic Romance of the science fiction/fantasy/paranormal persuasion, paranormal romance, Young Adult paranormal. (If you’re sensing a theme here, you’d be right *g*)
Website: http://wwwmareeanderson.com
First published in: 2009.
Number of books published: 8 (3 novella-lengths, 5 novel-lengths).

The Nitty Gritty
List up to 5 significant events in your journey to publication?

As Barbara Clendon would say: “Finishing the damn book!” Or in my case, that very first manuscript.
Someone asking me shortly after I’d finished that very first manuscript, “What scares you about taking the next step toward publication?”
Finalling in the RWNZ Clendon Award in 2004 with that very first manuscript, and having Barbara Clendon say something to the effect of, “It needs a lot of work but for some reason, I just wanted to keep on reading the darned thing.”
Writing an erotic romance novella specifically for a contest, just to challenge myself, and being offered a publishing contract. (I’d never written a novella or an erotic romance before, so that was The Best feedback *g*)
My second Red Sage editor, Judith Harkins. We worked on four stories together before she left the company, and she was an incredible mentor, who really “got” me. She pulled scenes from me that I didn’t know I had it in me to write. We still keep in touch regularly via email.

What resources/techniques/events did you find useful to develop your writing skills/craft?
I read widely, across a variety of genres. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for writers to read heaps. And heaps. And heaps.

For me, inspiration for a story strikes at the strangest times—in the middle of listening to a song, reading an article in an ancient magazine in the takeaway shop while waiting for my fish ‘n chips order, watching TV, glimpsing a photo as I flick through a magazine, waking from a dream.... I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve sprinted round frantically looking for a pen and paper to scribble down the idea before it vanishes.

So the best resource a writer can have? Pen and paper always at hand! (And preferably a pen that works, too.)

Entering contests can be a great way to get feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of your story—and your writing in general. I have a special fondness for the RWNZ Clendon Award, because it’s a full manuscript contest, with romance readers (not writers!) reading your whole manuscript and giving you feedback.

And having a group of writer-friends that you can meet with regularly is a must. “Normal” friends—and even family—don’t truly don’t understand what it’s like to have characters talking inside your head, and the muse cracking her fluffy whip and compelling you to write. Other like-minded writers “get” it and they’ll “get” you. And that’s a huge gift, because writing can be a lonely, very isolating, business.

Plus, I’ve always found other writers to be incredibly supportive and generous with sharing their knowledge. Our RWNZ Auckland chapter meetings have sometimes been the only thing that’s kept me writing through the tough times.

Can you share the special moment when you received THE CALL/THE EMAIL?
I wrote an erotic romance novella—just to see if I could 1) write a novella, and 2) erotic romance. I entered the finished novella in a publisher-run contest, and to my delight, I finalled.

The editor who read my entry sent me an email saying Red Sage were “so impressed by the quality of your manuscript, we’d love to publish it.” I cried all over the place. It was a dream come true.

I printed out that email and still have it pinned to my notice board.

Looking back over your writing career, how have you grown as an author?
When I first started out, I thought I was a fantasy writer. Period. Then I discovered I like to challenge myself as a writer, so I started to experiment, and learned I could write in a variety of genres, and lengths, and POVs (third or first.)

I also believed that I was a dedicated pantser, who would “never” be a plotter. But I’ve taught myself to outline if needs be.

For me, I’ve kind of lived by “if it isn’t working, try something different” when it comes to my writing. So now I’m pretty flexible. And if I get stuck, or parts of a manuscript aren’t working, I have lots of tools in my arsenal to help me fix the story.

How important is it to set career goals? Can you give an example of one you have for yourself?
Here are the career goals I had when I first accepted a publishing contract with Red Sage:

to have a novella published
to have a novel-length story published
to have a novella accepted for a Secrets anthology, so I’d have a story in print.

Those are the goals that I worked towards, and I achieved the last one with the July 2011 release of Kat On A Hot Tin Roof in the SECRETS Volume 30 “Desires Unleashed” anthology.

Can you describe your writing process/timeframe from when you start a new book to handing it in at deadline?
Because Red Sage is primarily an e-publisher, and they generally contract already completed manuscripts (i.e. they don’t usually contract on proposal), deadlines weren’t such an issue for me. I’d complete a manuscript, send it to my editor, we’d work on it, and when we were happy with it, I’d be sent a contract.

That said, my editor liked the idea of SCENT OF A MAN (a fantasy I’d written a few years back) so much that she contracted it without reading the entire manuscript.

So for me, that was my first taste of a tight deadline. I had to drastically cut the word count and rewrite a fantasy as an erotic romance. It was a mission, and then some—especially since I had a large cast of characters, multiple points of view, and my hero and heroine spent far too much time apart!

But every time I panicked that I might not be able to do this, my editor would tell me how much she believed in me. So I had to believe in me, too.

I recall things getting really tough when we decided quite late on during the rewrite process that the last quarter of the story wasn’t working. In the end, I decided to cut a chunk of the story out, outline what needed to happen, decide which of the scenes I’d cut (if any) still fit the new outline, paste them back in, and then write to fill the gaps.

I made the contract deadline with about three weeks to spare, I think. But it was an incredibly stressful process.

What I took away from that process was that I can completely pull apart a story and put it back together again while working under pressure to meet a deadline. So nothing much scares me anymore ;-)

One of the things I found challenging about being a published author is the constant juggling of tasks ie. writing a book, editing another, planning promotion, writing the proposal for another (and usually this all happens while holding down another job or dealing with family/life etc.).

What do you enjoy the most in the publishing process?
The writing! Because for now I’m not contracted to a specific publisher, I get to pretty much write what I want and try different things. For example, although I’m published in erotic romance, I also write non-erotics and YA.

I’m currently pulling out old manuscripts and rewriting them, which is a fun process—and a humbling one, when you see just how far you’ve come as a writer!

So far I’ve published three of my manuscripts—my 2006 RWNZ Clendon Award-winning manuscript, THE CRYSTAL WARRIOR, and a paranormal YA, FREAKS OF GREENFIELD HIGH (winner of the Maryland Romance Writers ‘Reveal Your Inner Vixen’ contest) are now available at Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Diesel eBooks, iTunes & Sony.

And the second Crystal Warrior book, RUBY'S DREAM, (a Clendon Award finalist) is available at Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.

The third Crystal Warrior book, JADE'S CHOICE (also a Clendon Award finalist) will be released in the next few months. It’s an exciting time to be an author *g*.

Unfortunately, my muse is a slave-driver, and she doesn’t count “re-writing” as real writing! So I’m currently querying a recently completed YA that placed second in the From The Heart Romance Writers Golden Gateway Proposal contest for published authors.

I had a full manuscript request from one of the judging editors, so at the time of writing this interview, I’m waiting to hear what she thinks of the full manuscript. And once I’ve finished rewriting the third Crystal Warriors book, it’ll be back into writing something shiny and new to keep Ms Muse happy.

What do you like least in the publishing process?
Writing the dreaded synopsis! Followed closely by the dreaded blurb. And the dreaded tag-line...

What's the most memorable fan-mail you've received?
I received an email from a lady who’d bought the kindle version of THE CRYSTAL WARRIOR on Amazon, telling me how much she loved it, and what a fantastic story it was. I cried all over the place—it was just so wonderful to hear that.

Is there anything you think pre-published writers need to know about the business/industry before they're published?
Do the research. You (hopefully!) wouldn’t jump into a car for the first time, stick the key in the ignition, and just automatically expect to be able to drive it. Writing is the same.

If you don’t know how to say, format a paragraph or conversations in your manuscript, pick up a few books and see how it’s done. Same with a synopsis, and a query letter—there’s a wealth of information and excellent advice out there. All you have to do is be prepared to look for it and learn from it.

Besides, once you’re published, writing becomes even more of a business, so why not be professional right from the start?

Other than that, the most important thing to do is write, get into the habit of writing, and get into the habit of finishing what you start. Good things take time, and so does learning the “craft” of writing.

A Bit of Fun
Favorite color: Purple.
Hunkiest hero ever: Pierce Brosnan in The Thomas Crown Affair.
Most daring thing you've done in your life: Bungy jumped off the Kawerau Bridge in Queenstown.
Greatest love: My husband, my kids. And really good quality dark chocolate.
Timeout/relaxation for me includes: Reading a book. In bed. While juggling cereal and a mug of coffee.
Special quote/saying you like: “Begin at the beginning,” the King said, gravely, “and go till you come to the end, then stop.” (Lewis Carroll, from Alice in Wonderland.) Pretty much my mantra when it comes to writing a book!

Thanks heaps for inviting me to participate in this questionnaire, Kylie—I had heaps of fun putting the answers together!
You're welcome, Maree! :-)

And to finish off, you can find Maree lurking in all kinds of places:
Website/blog Facebook author page Twitter Google + Writers Gone Wild Blog

CAST OF CHARACTERS: Annika - the half-blood heroine of Vengeance Born

2012-01-21T01:00:00.128+11:00

I thought I'd share some facts and information about Annika, the heroine, from VENGEANCE BORN.

Name: Annika

Race: Na'Chi (half human, half demon)

Age: 25

Background: Annika's mother was a human Light Blade warrior. Her father is Na'Rei Savyr, the demon king. Her father kidnapped her mother and raped her to breed a half-blood child to get even with an old enemy.

In demon society, Annika belongs at the very bottom of the social order, her Na'Chi status even placing her below the human slaves who serve the Na'Reish.

She grows up teased, tormented and abused by demons and humans but finds a mentor in Hesia, an elderly woman who teaches her healing skills. The healer teaches her about the Lady, the deity humans revere and the Na'Reish ridicule.

Annika dreams of finding out more about her human heritage, and plans to escape her tormented life. She also hopes to find someone who will love her for who she is.

Skills: She's able to heal or kill with a touch. Thanks to Hesia's influence she's chosen to help others instead of use the power to elevate her status among the Na'Reish (where power earns respect).

Interesting Facts:

Being half-Na'Reish Annika's inherited their enhanced strength, eyesight and hearing. She also has spotted markings on the sides of her face, either side of her back, & thighs, all the way to her ankles, although they are paler than those on a full blooded Na'Reish.

Her eyes are violet with flecks that change color depending on her emotions and moods.
Hesia kept her mother's Light Blade amulet after her death & gave it to Annika.

As per Savyr's orders, all Na'Chi babies are killed at birth, so she believes she's the only living Na'Chi within her father's fortress.
She ALWAYS looks for and plans several escape routes whenever she enters unfamiliar territory - a legacy left over from childhood when she learned to run and hide from other Na'Reish children to avoid being beaten.
The forest outside her father's fortress is her retreat from the grind of daily life.
She loves hot baths.

Artist: Gene Mollica

Gearing up for Release Day - Winners!!!

2012-01-19T14:05:00.000+11:00

Thank you to everyone who dropped by and and answered my question:

If you could spend an afternoon having coffee & a chat with your favorite paranormal/fantasy hero or heroine, who would it be? And why?

I've thrown names into my dragon coffee cup and randomly selected three winners.

Winner of the signed ARC of VENGEANCE BORN - YzhaBella's BookShelf

Winner of the Light Blade series prize pack (#1) - *yadnky*

Winner of the Light Blade series prize pack (#2) - Hanife Albayra

If those people could email me - kyliegriffin71 (at) optusnet (dot) com (dot) au - with their postal addresses, I'll send your prizes off to you!

VENGEANCE BORN Countdown

2012-01-19T01:00:00.000+11:00

With VENGEANCE BORN coming out next month, I thought I'd post a few snippets to whet your appetite for the big day. :-)

Annika hated visiting the dungeons. The dank cells reeked of pain and fear as well as blood. Anyone unfortunate enough to be imprisoned here risked dying of exposure if the torture inflicted by the Na’Reish guards didn’t claim them first.

“This had better be worth it, Hesia,” she muttered and tugged the skirts of her dress away from slime-covered walls. (VENGEANCE BORN Ch.1 - opening lines)

Night Owl Reviews Top Pick!!!

2012-01-18T17:23:00.000+11:00

Over at Night Owl Reviews Yadkny has reviewed VENGEANCE BORN.

Snippet from the review:

I am completely captivated by this fantastical world Kylie Griffin has created. It is a mystical adventure with demons, Vorcs, and prejudiced humans to contend with. The journey is unpredictable, intense, and suspense filled with each scene easily realized. Add to that the strength, compassion, and underlying vulnerability and innocence of Griffin’s two leading characters and this story is an unstoppable read. Annika and Kalan's stories are revealed in parts throughout, so connections can be made with each of them although I'll warn that Annika's story is particularly grabbing. The pacing is perfectly set to deliver maximum impact on both character development and world-building. In short, I believe in the characters and I believe in their story.
I am so impressed by Kylie Griffin’s imagination and writing talents and I can’t wait to dive into the next Light Blade journey! There are plenty of plot twists and characters with stories yet to be told, so it seems that the ending of this story is actually just the beginning. Fantasy and romance fans will be pleased with this new series!

Thank you, Yadnky & Night Owl Reviews, you've made my day!!!

Visiting over at Love Books

2012-01-17T18:13:00.000+11:00

I'm talking to Imogene Nix about VENGEANCE BORN and a few other things over at Love Lines from Love Books.

TOPIC: An Author's Life...with Mel Teshco

2012-01-17T01:00:00.021+11:00

Being a published author is an ... involved ... process, and I take my hat off to those who've been in the business more than a few years now.

As a pre-pubbed author I was always curious about what happened once you received THE CALL and stepped into the world of publishing.

What did it involve? How did they handled the day to day pressures? Did they developed routines, set goals etc.? What did they like/dislike about the process?

So I asked my special guests these questions and many of them have offered some intriguing insights into their lives. Maybe they'll even give you a heads up on what to expect if you're thinking of entering the world of "getting published".

Please welcome my next guest...

MEL TESHCO grew up in Australia, where her seemingly gypsy dad and ever patient mother saw her living in many areas of the East Coast, along with her sister and two brothers.

Each new home stimulated an already over-active imagination, where she spent as much time dreaming about fantasy worlds as the real world - the fantasy sometimes being much better.

Now living on a small rural property with three horses and a handful or two of cats, she is happily married with three children of wide-spread ages and loves writing gritty, sizzling paranormals and the occasional contemporary with darker tones.

Author Facts
Pseudonym or Given Name on the cover? Mel Teshco.
Why a pseudonym? I write erotica so I’m aware stalkers might one day be an issue. Plus I loved being able to use ‘Teshco’—the first two letters from each of my daughter’s names.
Location: Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay, Queensland, Australia.
Published Genre/s: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal and Contemporary Erotica.
Website: www.melteshco.com
First published in: 2009.
Number of books published: 11 (including one self-published and one free read).

The Nitty Gritty
List up to 5 significant events in your journey to publication.
Definitely joining Romance Writers of Australia was the biggest reason for my success today, followed soon after by moving to Queensland and meeting Robyn Grady and Rachel Bailey—both unpublished at the time with Harlequin.

Soon after I joined up with an online group of writers (Claytons Critters) who helped me to hone my craft, then eventually left that group to focus on more one-on-one writing and became CP’s with Tracey O’Hara.

Melissa Smith has been another brilliant CP who has influenced my writing a lot, as well as some other writers who I occasionally swap with (Laurann Dohner, Cathleen Ross).

What resources/techniques/events did you find useful to develop your writing skills/craft?
Aside from generally writing, writing and more writing, it’d be all the brilliant workshops at the annual romance conference.

Also, for me it was contests where judges left sometimes brutal comments and suggestions—you can’t beat them for getting your work out there and being judged fairly (most of the time). And having great writers to look at your work is invaluable, it’s amazing how much the brain soaks up. In the same way I’ve found judging and critiquing helps to see what works, what doesn’t.

For ‘how to’ books I highly recommend Angela Knight’s Passionate Ink: A Guide to Writing Erotic Romance. I can’t stress enough how much every writer can learn from this book.

I also really enjoyed Stephen King’s take on his writing journey, an interesting insight.

Can you share the special moment when you received THE CALL/THE EMAIL?

I had a couple of close calls with Nocturne Bites, which included what is now STONE-COLD LOVER, which I eventually sold to Ellora’s Cave.

To be honest, I sent that story there after it was rejected from Bites, with no real expectations it would be accepted—until I received an email telling me they wanted it (if I was willing to add more explicit sex scenes).

When I published HER DARK LORD with Nocturne Bites, I got an acceptance email followed by a phone call—most of which I can’t remember. I think the editor must have wondered what she’d gotten herself into, LOL!!

Looking back over your writing career, how have you grown as an author?
I’m certain you never stop growing as an author, even if you’re Stephen King or J.K Rowling. But I think I’ve mostly grown in my realizing how far I’ve got to go in my own writing journey, how much I learn all the time.

How important is it to set career goals? Can you give an example of one you have for yourself?
It’s so important to set ‘realistic’ goals.

For me I set out a writing ‘to do’ list which I published on my blog and updated a few months ago to let readers know where I was at. It’s also a great tool for motivation.

Can you describe your writing process/timeframe from when you start a new book to handing it in at deadline?
I don’t really have deadlines, though I can write decent word counts when I’m focused (I wrote Dragon Heat in 3 weeks, with absolutely no idea what the story was going to be about when I began typing).

My writing process is basically whatever story is captivating me at the time, though I do try and focus on the ones that need to be done. I’m usually juggling at least three or four stories at a time as my attention span is deplorable.

One of the things I found challenging about being a published author is the constant juggling of tasks ie. writing a book, editing another, planning promotion, writing the prosposal for another (and usually this all happens while holding down another job or dealing with family/life etc.).

What do you enjoy the most in the publishing process?
Speaking of juggling LOL!! For Ellora’s Cave I’ve never had to write a proposal, I’ve written the whole book and sent it in—thankfully they’ve accepted all of them so far.

But yes, promotion and just the time it takes to check emails, blogs, facebook and twitter, sometimes it’s exhausting! I try to spend less time on all of those things now—getting books out is much more important, and besides which, I don’t want to sacrifice more precious time away from my family.

What do you like least in the publishing process?
There’s actually nothing I dislike. I love getting edits and making the story that much stronger, I love LOVE seeing a cover for the first time, and I love seeing the book go out into the world.

Oh, I do dislike bad reviews, they totally suck! But I’ve come to accept not everyone is going to love every book.

Mel's free read

What's the most memorable fan-mail you've received?
It was probably one I got from a lady who loved my free and very short story (3k) and begged me to make the story longer.

Is there anything you think pre-publishers writers need to know about the business/industry before they're published?
Just know you’ve got to put the hours into your craft. It might seem silly, but there’s a reason very few people get published early in their writing career.

Learning the craft takes many years and I think most writers would feel incredibly grateful none of those earlier works are out in the world, tarnishing their name - LOL!

A Bit of Fun
Favorite color: Green.
Hunkiest hero ever: I have a bit of a thing for Brad Pitt. In fact the part he played in Thelma and Louise was the hero (in my mind) in my free read Discovering Sofia. My fav hero in a book would have to be Clayton from Kelley Armstrong’s, BITTEN.
Most daring thing you've done in your life: Moved interstate with a baby and young child (with a major physical disability), to start a new life and escape an abusive relationship. Seriously the best thing I’ve ever done for myself and for my kids.
Greatest love: It goes without saying I love my husband, my children and my mum. I couldn’t imagine life without any of them in it. I love grabbing a pizza and sitting down in the afternoon with my husband and having a bourbon and dry. I love my house—it feels like my own space, my own piece of paradise.
Timeout/relaxation for me includes: Reading. Swimming. The occasional horse ride. Reading to Miss four or playing memory. Driving. Holidays. Playing COD (shooting games is a great stress release LOL!).
Special quote/saying you like: Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true. (I think that is apt for all of us). And: There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle.

2011 ARRA Finalists announced!

2012-01-16T12:06:00.000+11:00

We have some RWAustralia & RWNew Zealand members on the lists - some multiple nominees - CONGRATULATIONS!

* Asterix = member of RWA/NZ - hope I caught everyone, shout out if I haven't! (I cross-checked with our membership lists on the websites).

Voting has opened today for the 2011 Australian Romance Readers Awards. Below are the finalists in each of the nine categories. ARRA members can now vote for their favourite in each category. Voting will close on 29 January.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 11 February 2012.

Favourite paranormal romance for 2011 (proudly sponsored by Galaxy Bookshop)

·         Big Bad Beast / Shelly Laurenston

·         Dragon Bound / Thea Harrison

·         Dreams of a Dark Warrior / Kresley Cole

·         Fate’s Edge / Ilona Andrews

·         Goblin King / Shona Husk*

·         Kiss of Snow / Nalini Singh*

·         Lover Unleashed / JR Ward

·         Nightfall / Ellen Connor

·         The Guardian / Sherrilyn Kenyon

·         Three Wishes / Jenny Schwartz*

Favourite sci-fi, urban fantasy or futuristic romance for 2011 (proudly sponsored by Carina Press)

·         Archangel’s Blade / Nalini Singh*

·         Archangel’s Consort / Nalini Singh*

·         Blood Bound / Rachel Vincent

·         Blood Cursed / Erica Hayes*

·         Born of Shadows / Sherrilyn Kenyon

·         Death Magic / Eileen Wilks

·         Magic Slays / Ilona Andrews

·         River Marked / Patricia Briggs

·         Shadow Kin / MJ Scott*

·         Shadowfever / Karen Marie Moning

Favourite short category romance for 2011 (proudly sponsored by Harlequin Enterprises Australia)

·         Colorado Cowboy / CC Coburn*

·         Girl in the Bedouin Tent / Annie West*

·         Molly Cooper’s Dream Date / Barbara Hannay*

·         Prince of Scandal / Annie West*

·         Promoted to Wife? / Paula Roe*

·         Rapunzel in New York / Nikki Logan*

·         Sex, Lies and Mistletoe / Tawny Weber

·         The Man Behind the Badge / Sharon Archer*

·         The Man She Loves to Hate / Kelly Hunter*

·         With This Fling … / Kelly Hunter*

Favourite historical romance for 2011 (proudly sponsored by Rosemary's Romance Books and Temptation the Romance Bookstore)

·         A Little Deception / Beverly Eikli*

·         Cloudy With a Chance of Marriage / Kieran Kramer

·         Heiress in Love / Christina Brooke*

·         How the Marquess was Won / Julie Anne Long

·         Midnight’s Wild Passion / Anna Campbell*

·         Never Love a Highlander / Maya Banks

·         Salt Bride / Lucinda Brant*

·         The Many Sins of Lord Cameron / Jennifer Ashley

·         Unveiled / Courtney Milan

·         Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue / Stephanie Laurens*

Favourite contemporary romance for 2011 (proudly sponsored by Romantic Reflections)

·         A Lot Like Love / Julie James

·         Any Man of Mine / Rachel Gibson

·         Boomerang Bride / Fiona Lowe*

·         Claudia’s Big Break / Lisa Heidke*

·         Cop’s Passion / Angela Verdenius*

·         North Star / Karly Lane*

·         One Perfect Night / Rachael Johns*

·         Promises / Cathyrn Hein*

·         The Castaway Bride / Kandy Shepherd*

·         The Next Always / Nora Roberts

Favourite erotic romance for 2011 (proudly sponsored by Romance Direct)

·         Agent / Lexxie Couper*

·         All of You / Rhian Cahill*

·         Bunny and the Bear / Eve Langlais

·         Endless Lust / Lexxie Couper*

·         Guilty as Sin / Denise Rossetti*

·         Love, Lust and Lies / Cathleen Ross*

·         See You In My Dreams / Jess Dee*

·         The Lone Warrior / Denise Rossetti*

·         The Surrender of Lacy Morgan / Suzanne Ferrell

·         Triple Dare / Lexxie Couper*

Favourite romantic suspense for 2011

·         Beyond Fear / Jaye Ford

·         Breaking Point / Pamela Clare

·         Breaking the Rules / Suzanne Brockmann

·         Chasing Fire / Nora Roberts

·         Deadly Little Lies / Jeanne Adams

·         New York to Dallas / JD Robb

·         Shattered Sky / Helene Young*

·         Treachery in Death / JD Robb

·         Viper’s Kiss / Shannon Curtis*

·         With No Remorse / Cindy Gerard

Favourite continuing romance series for 2011

·         Gena Showalter / Lords of the Underworld

·         Ilona Andrews / Kate Daniels series

·         JD Robb / In Death series

·         Karen Marie Moning / Fever series

·         Kresley Cole / Immortals After Dark

·         Nalini Singh / Guild Hunters*

·         Nalini Singh / Psy/Changeling series*

·         Rhian Cahill / Coyote Hunger series*

·         Sherrilyn Kenyon / The League

·         Thea Harrison / Elder Races

Favourite Australian romance author of 2011 (proudly sponsored by Booktopia)

·         Angela Verdenius*

·         Anna Campbell*

·         Annie West*

·         Christina Brooke*

·         Helene Young*

·         Kelly Hunter*

·         Lexxie Couper*

·         Nikki Logan*

·         Paula Roe*

·         Stephanie Laurens*

WORLD-BUILDING: Origins of the Light Blade series

2012-01-14T01:00:00.113+11:00

As a kid I was the one with my head in a book - at recess, lunch, on weekends, anywhere I could squeeze in a few minutes reading.

I discovered the science fiction and fantasy worlds quite early on - the first SF book I ordered through the Scholastic Bookclub was PLAGUE SHIP written by Andre Norton.

As a teen, I devoured The Pern series and most of Anne McCaffrey's other books (I still have them all on my bookshelf, yellowed pages and well worn).

Some of my favourite authors include Andre Norton, Mercedes Lackey, David Eddings, Patricia McKillip, Isobelle Carmody and John Marsden - their worlds so rich and full of characters, creatures and adventures, ones much more exciting than the real world (or so I thought).

But the best thing about most of these series - the maps! I spent hours pouring over them, learning the names, orientating the characters journeys, making up my own.

So, when I started writing I HAD to have maps for my stories too. More often than not, I stole names from the family atlas or any of my father's cattle breeder catalogs he'd left lying around (the property names were excellent names for cities).

Fast forward ....mumble, mumble...years to now - the legacy of those early years continue in my fantasy romance novels - you'll see maps in the Light Blade series!

Sacred Lake (human city) and the Light Blade compound

Unfortunately, the one of Sacred Lake (one of the human cities) didn't make it into my first book, VENGEANCE BORN, (so this is a sneak preview of my very amateur mock up), but the others (who were created by my very talented friend, John Wrench) will appear in ALLIANCE FORGED and the untitled Book #3.

The second map is of human territory and where Kalan, Arek, Kymora and the Na'Chi live.

While VENGEANCE BORN begins in Na'Reish territory, most of the story unfolds here.

HUMAN TERRITORY - Sacred Lake, the Sharvadan Forest and Ostare play significant roles in ALLIANCE FORGED (Bk#2).

This map though will appear in ALLIANCE FORGED, Book #2 of the Light Blade series.

The third map belongs to (untitled) Book #3 of the Light Blade series.

You'll be able to track Arek and Imhara's story through Na'Reish territory.

NA'REISH TERRITORY - the setting for Book #3.

So, what do you think of maps in books?

Are they essential for you as a reader? Or can you take or leave them?

Gearing up for Release Day...

2012-01-12T01:00:00.087+11:00

It's been a long time coming (about 17 years).

With my debut fantasy romance, VENGEANCE BORN, due for release on February 7th, the countdown to R-Day begins.

That's Release Day for anyone who doesn't know, LOL.

It'll be my turn to be in the spotlight - and I'm gearing up for some serious online promotion.

Here's a list of blogs where you can find me (and some giveaway opportunities) over the next couple of months... very exciting (and exhausting) :-) :

January 17th - "Author of the Month" at Love Lines from Love Books
January 24th - Helene Young's blog
January 27th - Romance Bandits
January 31st - Regency Seductions
February 5th - Australian Romance Readers Association blog
February 6th - Mel Tescho's blog
February 6th - Goodreads Giveaway (signed ARC) ends
February 7th - RELEASE DAY!!!
February 10th - The Qwillery
February13th - Romance Book Paradise
February 16th - Darkside DownUnder blog
February 16th - Get Lost in a Story blog
February 20th - The Book Bordello
February 22nd - Minxes of Romance
February 23rd - My Bookish Ways

During the tour, you'll learn more about the characters and the world of VENGEANCE BORN, and there will be plenty of chances to win giveaway copies (ARC's & paperback).

I'll be posting quotes from the book and giving you insights into the hero and heroine on my blog, so keep checking back to get the lowdown and sneak peeks. :-) So, with all this happening, come prepared to party with me!

And here's your first event, folks!

To kick off the celebration - TRIPLE GOODNESS - 3 giveaways!!!

A signed ARC of VENGEANCE BORN
And 2 x special Light Blade series prize packs (a mix that may include a cap, t-shirt, book magnets, notepads etc.)

If you'd like to go in the draw (winners will be randomly selected), have some fun and answer this question...

If you could spend an afternoon having coffee & a chat with your favorite paranormal/fantasy hero or heroine, who would it be? And why?

The winners of the prizes will be announced midday, January 19th (Aussie time). Have fun!

Kylie Griffin Newsletter

2012-01-11T21:42:00.000+11:00

For all the latest news, newest releases, contests, special giveaways, other information and goings-on in my little world, you can sign up for my newsletter.

The link here is just below the timer for the cover of ALLIANCE FORGED in the side column or it's on the HOME page of my website at the very top of the left hand column.

The first newsletter goes out on Australia Day, January 26th!

TOPIC: New Year’s Resolution: from unpublished to published!

2012-01-10T01:00:00.084+11:00

Today, I'd like to welcome first time visitor LOUISE CUSACK to my blog.

Louise is an Australian award winning fantasy author whose Shadow Through Time trilogy is about to be released by Pan Macmillan’s eBook arm, Momentum Books. She is also a highly successful manuscript developer, writing mentor and tutor.

Take it away, Louise!

Thanks, Kylie. :-)

Most writers will happily acknowledge that there’s never been a better time to be an author. Opportunities to become published are rife, with new ePublishers opening almost daily. We’re spoilt for choice, and if we’re still not satisfied with what publishers are offering, we can self-publish, which is a viable option for niche-market books or even mainstream fiction if you’ve got the time and know-how to self promote.

But for those of us who prefer the distribution might of a big publishing house behind us (not to mention the editorial and art departments) plus the lure of an advance on sales, traditional publishing is still a good choice, and despite the finger-pointing from successful self-published authors, the big publishing houses are catching up with the fact that we want decent eBook royalties and eBook pricing, along with our editing and great covers.

There are still a few anomalies: I recently heard of a big Australian publishing house that was charging $20 for an eBook by a new author and that’s just not sustainable, not in the current market.

So as an author you have to be savvy and do your research before you choose a publisher to submit to, checking the quality of their editing and covers, and the pricing of their books (both in print and digital formats), as well as scouting around to get feedback on what their advances and royalties might be.

Brenda Hiatt’s Show Me The Money website is a good place to start. But realistically, you also have to have a good quality book to submit, because big publishers are highly discerning.

So how can you achieve that? Well, belonging to a professional writers organisation like Romance Writers of Australia is a great start. If your books have even a sniff of a love story in them you’ll be welcomed into the fold and RWA’s competitions and conferences have helped many Aussie authors across the line to contracts with Avon, Berkley, Harlequin, Random House, Pan Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, Penguin and more.

Having a critique partner (or CP) is also a great start, but as I found early in my writing career, the critique group you’re in is only as helpful as the skill levels of its participants. When I started working with a published author who was also a writing teacher, I went from having short stories published to having novels published.

Now as a writing teacher, mentor and manuscript assessor myself, I offer that service to other writers, so if you think your work could benefit from a professional assessment, do have a look at my Manuscript Development webpage for an overview of how manuscript assessment works.

I’ve helped three clients become published, and many more to wins and shortlists in competitions. Other tutors as well as myself also conduct teaching retreats with writing groups which can incorporate manuscript assessment and individual mentoring or writing workshops as required.

A quick look in the Australian Writers Marketplace (book and online versions) will offer you a variety of other qualified tutors/manuscript developers as well. So don’t wait for the magic to drop into your lap, go out and find it.

If you’ve been writing for years and not getting published, this might be time to consider that old saying “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got.”

Resolve to make the changes necessary to ensure 2012 is the year your writing dreams turn into your writing career!

More information about Louise can be found on her website or Goodreads link, or you can like or follow her blog, Twitter account or Facebook page.

Louise's Shadow Through Time trilogy:

TOPIC: An Author's Life...with Anna Campbell

2012-01-07T01:00:00.007+11:00

ANNA CAMPBELL has written six multi award-winning historical romances for Avon HarperCollins and her work is published in eleven languages.

Anna has won numerous awards for her Regency-set romances including Romantic Times Reviewers Choice, the Booksellers Best, the Golden Quill (twice), the Heart of Excellence, the Aspen Gold (twice) and the Australian Romance Readers Association's favorite historical romance (three times).

Her books have twice been nominated for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award and twice for Australia's Romantic Book of the Year.

Pseudonym or Given Name? Why a pseudonym?
Pseudonym. I intended to write under my given name but was so sure I’d never be published, I didn’t spend a couple of bucks parking a domain name.

Would you believe about six months before I sold, someone with my name (and I suspect it’s her real name) published a romance? As far as I know, she hasn’t published another but it meant I needed to come up with an alternative name. I dug back through the family tree and combined names from my two grandmothers.

Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Published Genre: Historical romance (late Regency setting).
Website: www.annacampbell.info
First published in: 2007.
Number of books published: 6.

The Nitty Gritty
List up to 5 significant events in your journey to publication?

Joining Romance Writers of Australia
Placing in the RWA First Kiss 2001 (my first contest entry)
Meeting Annie West, my wonderful critique partner
Winning the RWA Emma Darcy Award 2005
Getting an agent

What resources/techniques/events did you find useful to develop your writing skills/craft?
I think the principal difference between my unpublished and unpublished writing is that in between I learned to write emotion.

Can you share the special moment when you received THE CALL/THE EMAIL?
CLAIMING THE COURTESAN went to auction in 2006 after finalling in the RWA Golden Heart®.

I spent a really fraught week not sleeping – New York is on almost absolute opposite time to Australia. Then finally the word came through on Good Friday morning 2006 that the final offers were in.

I’d had a dream of being an Avon author since I’d read THE WOLF AND THE DOVE as a teenager and it turned out – I WAS AN AVON AUTHOR! Huzzah! It felt quite surreal, partly because I was operating on severe sleep deprivation by then, and it took a while to sink in properly.

But I remember being in the pool a couple of months later and suddenly smiling to think my dream of being a published author was finally coming true.

Looking back over your writing career, how have you grown as an author?
I’m not sure that’s something the author notices! One thing I’ve learned is to trust my process. It’s awful and it drives me mad but I know it’s given me a publishable book in the past. It should give me a publishable book in the future. Fingers crossed.

How important is it to set career goals? Can you give an example of one you have for yourself?
Actually I’m not sure I set career goals aside from meeting deadlines and writing the best darn book I can. I think a lot of this stuff is completely outside the writer’s control (bestseller lists, foreign editions, prizes, appearances on Oprah).

Can you describe your writing process/timeframe from when you start a new book to handing it in at deadline?
I’m currently writing my first series (still under wraps) and I’ve got eight months to write each book.

That’s fairly luxurious in the current genre environment, but I’ve got to say I still find it a stretch because I’m a pretty slow writer. I write a really dirty draft that’s always too long and completely unreadable, then I refine it down like making a lovely rich sauce. At least that’s the theory!

One of the things I found challenging about being a published author is the constant juggling of tasks ie. writing a book, editing another, planning promotion, writing the prosposal for another (and usually this all happens while holding down another job or dealing with family/life etc.).

What do you enjoy the most in the publishing process?
I usually enjoy turning the dross of my first draft into something readable. Like most writers, I love those occasional days when writing is like magic and the pages pour out in a beautiful flow.

What do you least in the publishing process?
Actually, I like pretty much everything. I wanted to be a full-time writer all my life, I’m not looking for things to complain about, LOL!

Is there anything you think pre-publishers writers need to know about the business/industry before they're published?
It doesn’t get easier.

A Bit of Fun
Hunkiest hero ever: Daniel Day-Lewis in LAST OF THE MOHICANS. Sigh. Swoon.
Greatest love: Music.
Timeout/relaxation for me includes: Reading and wine.
Special quote/saying you like: "The heart has its reasons that the reason cannot know." – Blaise Pascal.

VENGEANCE BORN Goodreads Giveaway!

2012-01-06T01:00:00.008+11:00

Hey, everyone, I have an ARC of VENGEANCE BORN up for grabs over on Goodreads - beginning January 7th! :-) (see the side bar on this blog for the link)

GUEST AUTHOR: Vonnie Hughes

2012-01-05T01:00:00.004+11:00

My guest author today has an amazing resume of careers and qualifications - teacher, secretary, legal executive, a radio announcer’s certificate, a diploma in journalism/creative writing, the major part of a Diploma in Business, and even part of a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Interior Decorating diploma.

She's an avid reader and at the relatively young age of 51 she discovered her true passion - writing!

Please welcome, Vonnie Hughes.

Vonnie, tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in New Zealand and our family emigrated to Australia eight years ago.

I've been writing since I could hold a pencil. I wrote scads of poetry and short stories but began trying to write historical romance novels about nine years ago when I was self-employed in recruitment and had a houseful of people—own adult family and overseas students.

I think I wrote in order to get some peace. (Our computer lurked downstairs in the rumpus room that had a view of a ferny grotto outside).

What do you think it is about your genre that readers find so fascinating?
Well, I write in two genres – Regency and Romantic Suspense. The continuing attraction of the Regency era never fails to astound me. It went down for a while about five or six years ago (or so editors told us) but it’s up and running now like a hare.

I’ve been in love with the Regency era since I was eleven, when my brother introduced me to Georgette Heyer. Being a typical male teenager, he was sniggering at the phrase “a titter ran around the court.” When he showed me, I grabbed the book and was hooked, titter or no titter.

I think the subtle manners and restricted milieu of the Regency appeal to readers and writers alike. Those who are used to the genre know the rules and it is a safe, comfortable genre to enjoy. Sure, heroes of that era were alpha, but the women managed them just fine with no more than a cutting tongue and an excellent cleavage. I prefer however to write about the emerging middle class who formed the basis of England’s future.

The appeal of my other genre, romantic suspense, is easily seen. The mysteries and intricacies of police procedure, the suspense and tension draw in a large group of readers. I love intrigue myself, and read loads of it.

I have a bunch of favourite authors in that field such as Lisa Gardner, Beverley Barton, Sandra Brown, Karen Rose, Lee Child (love that Jack Reacher) and Georges Simenon. Georges Simenon is a bit out of fashion now, but I love his world-weary protagonists and the antagonists with a lot of good in them. Love the way that man saw everyone in shades of grey.

Oh, I have a few Sandra Brown & Beverley Barton novels written in the mid-eighties when they wrote for Loveswept and MIRA!

Can you tell us about your latest release?

LETHAL REFUGE is my latest release and it comes out shortly as an e-book with the Wild Rose Press.

It's set in New Zealand and begins with a young woman trying to escape a killer. The Police thrust her into the witness protection program (the Unit) but she is a woman who trusts no-one, and tossing her life into someone else’s hands is her worst nightmare.

Brand Turner is the psychologist for the Unit. He demands trust from relocatees so he can ease them into their new identities successfully.

Then a traitor within the Unit discloses Celie’s whereabouts and she must trust Brand to keep her safe. They go on the run, trying to keep one step ahead of the law. Because it is possible the traitor is one of the cops assigned to the Unit.

You've done some travelling. What’s the most unusual place you have visited?
I’d have to say that my flight over Antarctica back in the days when Air New Zealand made four flights every spring/summer (November) was not only the most unusual place I’ve ‘visited’ but also one of the major highlights of my life.

I was on the flight the week before the one that crashed into the side of Mt Erebus. At first it was a sociable, champagne flight then as we neared those icy wastes, everyone fell silent with awe at the pristine landscape outside.

And that is what is so striking about Antarctica – you can literally tread where no man has trod before. (Not that I’ve ever been lucky enough to do that, although I did apply for a job down there once). It was the magnificent colours that grabbed me: aquamarine, prussian blue (remember those old paint boxes that always had ‘prussian blue’ in them), icy white and sludgy white where chunks had broken away and exposed the gum beneath the teeth. And everywhere emptiness. Nothing.

We all got wildly excited when we saw a handful of big emperor penguins with their distinctive flash of yellow or a rock loaded with cute fur seals and the occasional group of leopard seals floundering on the ice. And the reason we got excited was because of the still emptiness of the space. Those immense ice cliffs reared up from glaciers hundreds of years old and that was sobering enough without watching chunks fall off with the spring thaw and slide beneath the water.

Best day of my life watching Man’s complete inability to control Nature.

Antarctica seems to be a popular destination. It sounds like an amazing place to visit. Another place to add to my growing list of continents to explore. :-)

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have?
The only other career I would want to pursue would be my old career, but hopefully at a higher level.

Although I spent years as a legal secretary/executive, it was at the end of my working life that I discovered executive search (recruitment). I loved it. Matching employer and employee is like a puzzle where you receive the most immense gratification when things go right. I enjoyed checking on company culture, the history of the business and its financial strength as well as the reputations of the directors before placing someone there.

Research is my thing and it paid off quite often. I was always amused when an employer seemed shocked that I had checked them out rather than just doing reference checks on recruits. But if the fit is not right, then it all falls apart a short way down the line. If only I had come to that career a little earlier in life! But life is filled with ‘if only’s.’

Vonnie, thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your passion for the Regency and romantic suspense genres.

Vonnie's books:

COMING HOME is published by Robert Hale Ltd. You can find it at The Book Depository (postage is free).

LETHAL REFUGE, Vonnie's romantic suspense, is published by The Wild Rose Press.

If you'd like to know more about Vonnie, visit her website or her blog.

TOPIC: In a galaxy far, far away...with Jenna McCormick

2012-01-03T01:00:00.055+11:00

Some of the most wonderful moments of my childhood included reenacting or creating my own scenes of such science fiction classics as George Lucas' Star Wars, Glen A.Larson's Battlestar Galactica (the original version) and Gene Rodenbury's Star Trek.

The TARDIS

Most days my friends went along with my desire to turn the Jacaranda tree in my front yard into an Viper or X-wing fighter.

We fought over whether we were going to be Jedi's or belong to the Dark Side of the Force. And how we so wished transporters or the TARDIS were actually real!

In many ways I never lost that obsessions with all things sci-fi. I still love watching SF TV shows and movies - old and new - V the TV series, Dr.Who, Lost in Space, Farscape, Firefly, Stargate, ET, Tron, Dune, Planet of the Apes, Alien, The Terminator, Mad Max, Fortress, Waterworld, Pitch Black, Independence Day, The Matrix, Armageddon, I,Robot, I am Legend, Avatar, District 9, Cowboys & Aliens...the list is endless.

My love for sci-fi didn't stop at TV shows or movies. I loved reading the genre as well.

I became a huge fan of authors like Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, Patrick Tilley, David Brin and Sharon Green.

And then I discovered science fiction romance - the best of all worlds!

So, for those of you who don't know what it is, or for those who love it as much as I do, this is a blog series devoted entirely to science fiction romance and the authors who write it for our enjoyment.

Strap yourselves in, prepare to jump to Warp 9 and you never know...you might find yourselves in a galaxy far, far away...addicted to a new genre...and a new author...

My first SFR guest author is JENNA McCORMICK.

Bio: A little fantasy goes a long way...

Born on Sanibel Island (Florida, USA) somewhere between the fifth and seventh bottle of Rosa Regale, Jenna McCormick writes big girl erotic romance with a touch of out of this world fantasy.

Her hobbies include scouring the Internet for the perfect pair of boots and stirring up trouble, much to the dismay of her alter ego, mystery writer Jennifer L. Hart.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON SFR:
Has the SF genre always fascinated you?

Absolutely. I grew up on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and can still recall all the lyrics to the TNG parody version sung to the tune of Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire.

Jean Luc, Gorgie’s spec’s, mysteries on the holodeck…

What SF/R addictions can you lay claim to? (collect Star Wars paraphernalia, closet Trekkie, you've watched Buck Rogers a million times etc.)
Never a closet Trekkie, no I didn’t have enough sense for that, LOL!

I was always, BAM out there, in your face with my geek-ri-tude. Loved Star Wars, some of the first adult novels I read were the continuation on the series.

And I was a rabid fan of both Firefly and Farscape.

Is there any one author, TV show, movie, producer, actor, other influence that inspires you?

Jax

Oh, a whole bunch. I’m easily influenced, LOL.

As far as SFR, I’d have to say Ann Aguirre’s Sarantha Jax series is all I’ve ever wanted in SFR.

What sucked you in to writing science fiction - as opposed to being just a fan or reader of SF and whether it's straight SF, space opera, SFR or any other combination?
Honestly I tried to write paranormal and I stunk at it. My brain kept leading me into outer space. It’s what I’m hardwired for and while I do enjoy paranormal, it’s not my passion the way SFR is.

As an author published in SFR, have you seen or do you see the genre gaining popularity in the marketplace?
Absolutely. Books like THE HUNGER GAMES are setting the bar and well established authors who used to write in other romance subgenres are branching out into SFR.

I think that’s exactly what the genre needs both fresh new voices (ahem;-) and ones that they trust immerse readers in the subgenre give them a real chance to fall in love with it. For some reason, SFR scares off many traditional romance readers, but I think having a good experience with it is crucial.

YOUR WORK:
Published work in the SF/R genre: One full length, NO LIMITS, two novellas in a trilogy and one Medieval Times Space Opera as the other (non-erotic romance) me, Jennifer L Hart.
Publisher/s: Kensington, Sanibel Moon Books, and self-pubbed.
Your website: www.authorjennamac.com

Congratulations on your newest release, NO LIMITS - it came out on Jan.1st with Kensington Aphrodisia. Can you share a little about the book?
Thank you!

Title: NO LIMITS
Publisher: Kensington Aphrodisia
ISBN 13 978-0758272850
Order from: Amazon or Barnes & Noble

All Genevieve Luzon wants is to be loved by one man, a seemingly impossible task in New-New York City at the start of the twenty second century. Sure, she can buy sex as easily as order a pizza on a Friday night, but finding a forever kind of love among her self-centered peers is no easy feat for the unemployed off-world vacation coordinator. When an old friend offers her the position of secret shopper to test out the male prostitutes, Gen can’t think of a good reason to refuse. Hell, if she can’t find Mr. Right, she might as well try on a sampler of Mr. Right Nows.

Yet the perks of her new position don’t compare to the strange attraction she has, not for one of the prostitutes, but a candle that seems to warm places of her she never knew existed. When a man appears out of the flame, Gen is sure she's found the one. Rhys is an empath, made a slave by the Illustra Corporation and he’s everything Gen could ever want. Except available. Because Rhys is on a mission. One that might claim his life. He must try to free his people, consequences be damned. Now, Gen must choose between turning her back on the only man she’s ever loved and the monumental task he has set for himself. Should she risk her life fighting a war hidden from polite society against those who wish to control us all?

Is love really worth fighting for?

What unique slant have you given SF in NO LIMITS?
Well, I started the story on future Earth and then took my characters out into space. Usually, the story is one or the other, set on futuristic Earth or out in space. I never was any good at coloring in the lines.

What do you think readers will like the most about the story?
The many, many sex scenes. LOL!

Is NO LIMITS the first in a series or a stand-alone?
First in the series. I’m currently working on the sequel, NO MERCY, about Zan the space pirate. He’s yummy, a total bad boy anti-hero and I can’t wait to play with him some more.

FAVOURITE PICKS
Now for a little bit of fun - think back to all the TV shows/cartoons, movies and books you've read in the SF/R genre and answer the following...

SF/R hero: Mal Reynolds.
SF/R heroine: She-Ra. Totally counts - she was born on planet Eternia!
SF/R villain: Q.
SF/R alien race: The Borg.
SF/R technology: I’m going to be an ego maniac here and name my own. The health shield in NO LIMITS. On future Earth everyone is equipped with personal shields to obliterate foreign DNA. I’m a germaphobe and this sounds a lot better than living with a can of Lysol strapped to my hip.
SF/R space craft: Moya from Farscape. I just had to toss in a living ship in her honor.
SF/R TV show or movie: Jeeze, if I had to pick just one…. Gotta be Firefly. There were so many hidden gems and nuggets of sheer brilliance in that show.
SF/R quote made by a character/actor/person: “That’s a dumb planet!” – Mal Reynolds from Firefly.

Jenna, thanks for sharing your take on science fiction romance, it's been fantastic having you launch this blog series - all the best for your new release, NO LIMITS!
Thanks so much for hosting me, Kylie!

If Jenna's book, NO LIMITS, interests you, keep an eye out on her website or blog for more information about her blog tour!

Review from Fresh Fiction

2012-01-02T09:56:00.000+11:00

Thank you to Fresh Fiction who posted this review about VENGEANCE BORN.

Author Kylie Griffin immerses the reader in a new world where the Na'Reish terrify humans and the Light Blade warriors fight for humanity. Annika, a half-blood, is a bit of a conundrum. Annika was created out of revenge and reviled by her Na'Reish father. Her whole existence is horrible, her character is admirable. Annika is easy to connect to and like from the first few chapters. When Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, is taken prisoner by the Na' Reish, Annika must make a quick decision. She badly wants to get away from her demon father, but she doesn't know if she can trust this Light Blade.

VENGEANCE BORN has every quality of a great novel, from romance to mystery to action. Annika's character is very dynamic, the reader gets to know her as a scared young girl who gradually grows into a mature young woman. Kalan is the typical white knight. The developing romance between the two is realistic, not instantaneous. The romance scenes are steamy and make for an even more exciting read as the reader waits to see what happens when a Light Blade loves the enemy.

The idea behind VENGEANCE BORN is unique and fun. The mystery will have you reading late into the night. The action will have you cheering on the heroes and the romance will have the windows steaming up around the house. The reader will look forward to more from Griffin.

A great start to 2012!

DarkSiders Reading Challenge 2012

2012-01-02T09:55:00.002+11:00

Eleni Konstantine, blog mistress over at the Dark Side DownUnder site, has issued a reading challenge for 2012.

If you enjoy reading paranormal, urban fantasy, science fiction, fantasy, and/or steampunk romances then you might discover some fantastic new books to add to your To Be Read pile from the Dark Side DownUnder authors. Check out the Latest Releases & Upcoming Releases pages to find out what's on offer.

What is the challenge?

There will be three levels -

Lighter Side challenge - 6 books
DarkSider challenge - 12 books
Down Under challenge - 24 books

I'm opting for a DarkSider challenge as I have several books from my fellow DarkSiders already sitting in my TBR pile (ie. Denise Rossetti, Tracey O'Hara, Mel Teshco, Shona Husk, Amanda Ashby, Rowena Corey Daniells, Maree Anderson) and I know there are some more coming out this year that will be added to that list! :-)

Are you going to take the Dark Side DownUnder Challenge?

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-01T01:00:00.040+11:00

What a great year this is going to be!

Look at how we're celebrating or what we're doing...

Chinese Year of the Dragon

Australian Year of the Farmer

International Year of Cooperatives

European Year for Active Aging

2012 Olympics (London)

2012 is also a leap year

and if you believe this will happen...

Mayan "End Times" Prophecy (21/12/12)

2011 Ends with a Bang for VENGEANCE BORN...

2011-12-31T12:23:00.001+11:00

What a wonderful way to end 2011 - reviews are beginning to appear for VENGEANCE BORN, due for release on Feb.7th 2012.

This time there's one from the Romantic Times magazine and Alternative Worlds.

From (February) RT BOOK REVIEWS:

"Enter a bold new series, the Light Blade, where a longstanding war between the demon and human realms rages. Promising new talent Griffin’s characters face danger and hidden secrets that threaten to change the world as they know it. A terrific debut!"

Alternative Worlds (reviewed on 12/3011):

"Tormented Annika the Na’Chi hybrid daughter of the Na’Reish demon chief loathes her sire and his minions as her brutish father constantly with glee reminds her she is a Vengeance Born product of revenge. A healer, she dreams of escaping her torturous life but none of the human blood slaves have ever escaped from the demon realm and lived to tell the story.

The Na’Reish Horde has increased their invasions and abductions in the human realm. Kalan the Lady’s Chosen leader of the Light Blade defends humankind against the demons; he fears his side is losing a war of attrition as his warriors are shrinking in numbers and those still at combat aging. He argues with the Council that radical changes must be implemented now or the demons will soon overwhelm the human realm. When the enemy captures him, a despondent Kalan despairs the massacre is imminent. However, new hope arises when Annika, who he distrusts, offers to free him if he takes her into his realm. Distrusting her new ally but with no turning back as Annika knows her sire branded her for death.

The first Light Blade romantic fantasy is a terrific thriller as the endless war between demon and humans is reaching a critical survival stage for the latter. The lead couple is a strong pairing while the support cast, especially the Na’Chi, the warriors and the Council, enhance the internal squabble in the human realm. With an insightful look at racial intolerance in a time of long-term constant combat and security alert, fans will enjoy Vengeance Born."

May the momentum keep rolling in 2012!

ROFL Moment!

2011-12-31T01:00:00.000+11:00

Seen any ghosts in your library lately?

Then who you gonna call???

My Holiday Reading List

2011-12-29T01:00:00.005+11:00

I'm knocking off some of my To Be Read pile these holidays.

Nothing I like better than to curl up (in air conditioning) with a good book or five. Here are some of the books I plan on diving into over the Christmas break...

NEW AUTHORS

OLD FAVORITES

What's on your holiday reading list?

It's Boxing Day!

2011-12-26T01:00:00.004+11:00

For Aussies this day usually means a recovery from Christmas Day.

A day of veging out at home, usually watching the Boxing Day cricket test between Australia and England, eating leftovers from Christmas lunch/dinner and relaxing.

Childhood memories I have at this time of year...

Summer heat - so hot you could fry an egg on a shovel (yeah, I've tried it!)
pigging out on Christmas lunch
drinking shandies (lemonade/Sprite mixed with a dash of beer)
ham in a bag

wearing thongs (flip-flops, jandles, not underwear)

cats wrecking the Christmas tree and shredding the tinsel
Santa stockings
backyard cricket with the rellos
running under the sprinkler in your cozzies (swimwear)

eating watermelon

mosquitoes (buzzing at night when you're trying to sleep, if it's not too hot)
going to the Christmas church service with nan & pop
lots of laughter

watching cricket on TV with dad
oh, and did I mention the Summer heat?

I wish everyone a host of good memories!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:00:00.044+11:00

May you and your family and friends enjoy the day!

God Bless and...

圣诞快乐!

สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส!

Boas Festas! Feliz Navidad!

З Різдвом Христовим! Joyeux Noël! God Jul!

Mừng Chúa Giáng Sinh! Meri Kirihimete! Vrolijk Kerstfeest!

Selamat Hari Natal! Buone Feste Natalizie! Shinnen omedeto! Selamat hari natal!

Geseënde Kersfees! Froehliche Weihnachten! Noeliniz kutlu olsun! Krismas ki subhkamna!

С Рождеством Хрисовым!

Merry Christmas!

کریسمس مبارک

חג מולד שמח

It's Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T01:00:00.000+11:00

Vengeance Born surprise...

2011-12-21T15:07:00.000+11:00

A nice surprise from Publishers Weekly...

In Griffin’s well-drawn fantasy world, humans are oppressed and enslaved by the demonic Na’Reish. Annika is a Na’Chi, the result of cross-breeding between the races. She possesses powerful healing powers and her father, Na’Rei Savyr, is leader of the Na’Reish, but she’s nonetheless reviled, considered an abomination. When she rescues Kalan Tyn, leader of the human’s Blade Council, and asks his assistance in freeing the Na’Chi from the Na’Reish, the wheels of romance are deftly set in motion. A complex plot involving the Na’Chi freedom struggles keeps the taut and intricate narrative moving as Annika and Kalan slowly develop their emotional connection. Readers will look forward to future installments in a potentially long-running series. Agent: Elaine Spencer, the Knight Agency. (Feb.)
Reviewed on: 12/19/2011

I'm smiling...

The Christmas Shopping List

2011-12-20T01:00:00.042+11:00

There is nothing I like more than being let loose in a bookstore (virtual or real) and filling a bag with books to take home and read.

Christmas time is my excuse to hit bookstores with my gift list of family and friends to buy for and guaranteed I DON'T come out of a bookstore empty handed. I swear I must have been a librarian or literature professor in a former life.

Anyhow, if you're wondering what books to buy someone who loves the romance genres I can make some personal recommendations (just try and stop me! - heh, heh).

A lot of my recommendations belong under the paranromal romance umbrella, but I've thrown in a handful of other genres as well.

Paranormal Romance
Nalini Singh - (NZ author) her Psy/Changeling. Once tasted you'll kill anyone who gets in your way to devour...umm, I mean, buying the rest.

Larissa Ione - if you like alpha demons/slayers, end of the world plots and twisty storylines set in modern times, then try the Demonica series.

Mel Teshco - her Winged & Dangerous series is my favorite. I love that she's used gargoyle shapeshifters as her characters (makes a change from the vampires & werewolves).

Urban Fantasy
Nalini Singh - the Angel series. Refer to my comment above.

Fantasy Romance

Kylie Griffin - (Aussie author) totally bias here, I know :-). Demons, half-breed demons, humans, magic, political intrigue & secrets set in a fantasy style world.

M.J.Scott - (another Aussie author) SHADOW KIN has been nicknamed a gas-light romance. I recently read this book and loved the complex world-building, not to mention the characters.

Denise Rossetti - (Aussie author) - the Four-Sided Pentacle or Phoenix Rising series are both great reads. For anyone who loves alpha heroes and wonderful world-building.

Elizabeth Vaughan - the Warprize series. I don't know how many times I've read the first three in this series. I've worn out the spines and need to buy a new set.

Post-Apocalyptic Romance

Joss Ware - Some of you might know she's been a guest here on my blog a couple of times now as I've really taken a shine to her Envy Chronicles series.
Not only does she give readers a Mad-Max meets zombies style setting, there's romance, mystery and are plenty of pop-culture references to giggle over in these books.

Science Fiction Romance

Sara Creasy - Her Scarabaeus series. Solid, engrossing SF with an element of romance where her characters fight to survive with the odds well and truly stacked against them. Techies will love the flavor of her bio-cyph & terra-forming world-building.

Linnea Sinclair - any of her Dock Five series. For anyone who likes their SF and romance mixed.

Lauren Dane - the Federation or Phantom Corps series. They're SF with an erotic heat level (fan the face stuff).

Western Romance

Sarah McCarthy - I've just discovered her Hell's Eight series. Phew-ey!!! Texas Rangers, bonded through a bloody past, determined to carve their place out of the wilderness, who take on heroines as challenging as the land itself.
I love a good western but these are hot (aka erotic) as well.

Lorelei James - more cowboys, this time bull-riders & ranchers in the Blacktop Cowboys series. Again, the heat level is hot, so don't go reading them in a barn.

Romantic Suspense

Jo Davis - like firefighters? Then check out the Firefighters of Station Five. Stuff them into your stocking and be prepared for a hot Christmas.

Historical Romance

Anna Campbell - (Aussie author) Regency romance at its best.

Bronwen Evans - (NZ author) her debut Regency romance is nominated for a Romantic Times Awards.

Anne Gracie - (Aussie author) more Regency romance. Anne's humor makes me keep coming back for more.

GUEST BLOGGING: Over at the Qwillery...

2011-12-17T06:19:00.001+11:00

If you have a minute, wander over to The Qwillery blog.

I’m talking about strong heroines and you get the chance to learn a little about Annika, the half-blood heroine in VENGEANCE BORN. :-)

CRAFT: What are tag-lines?

2011-12-17T01:00:00.110+11:00

In the writing world there are a myriad of terms that are bandied around, some more familiar than others.

Tag lines - ever heard of them? I hadn't until a few years into my journey as a writer. They're the words, usually placed on the front cover of a book, that hint at the story within.

For example, on the front cover of my first book, VENGEANCE BORN (Bk#1 in the Light Blade series), the tag line reads:

HER LINEAGE IS BOTH A BLESSING AND A CURSE

On ALLIANCE FORGED (Bk#2 in the Light Blade series), the tag line is:

HER FAITH IS HIS SALVATION

They hint at something within the book or a theme of the book. In the case of VENGEANCE BORN, the tag line reveals a hint about the heroine's bloodline. In ALLIANCE FORGED, it's a play on the heroine's occupation (she's a priestess) and the role she plays to save the hero.

Tag lines aren't easy to come up with either - sometimes it might take a couple of weeks to create something that could be only a few words long of a phrase. Ask me how I know! LOL

When one is created, the cover copy crew, author and editor all consider things like the themes within the book, the occupations of the characters, secrets, events that happen in the book, elements/personalities of the characters.

And while tag lines might not seem like much in the grand scheme of getting a book published, it adds a layer of meaning to it that's quite underrated. I know I certainly appreciate them more now that I know the process that goes into creating them!

Let have a look at some others.

One drop can kill you...

or thrill you...

Sworn to vengeance.

Blinded by love.

Her next jump may be her last.

The city is alive tonight...

and it's her job to keep it that way.

The change was only the beginning.

Slave. Sword-wielder. Spy.

Some girls have all the luck.

So, next time you take a look at the front cover of a book, check out the tag line and take a moment to appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating them.

Have you found any clever tag-lines?

The Carousel Race

2011-12-13T01:00:00.001+11:00

You'll never look at a carousel the same again...

Tracy Sumner give-away winners announced!

2011-12-10T16:07:00.000+11:00

Thank you to everyone who left a comment for Tracy Sumner during her time here on my blog.

Don't forget you can follow Tracy on her blog tour - details here.

Now, without further ado - the winners of the e-books packs from Tracy are:

Xandra James

Juanita Kees

Congratulations!

If you can contact Tracy via her Contact page - you can both arrange how she'll get your prize to you.

Happy reading!

And don't forget all who commented go into the draw for a Kindle at the end of Tracy's blog tour!

CRAFT: Weaving character descriptions into narrative

2011-12-10T01:00:00.005+11:00

As a beginning writer one of the things I had trouble with was describing my characters, so the reader could form an impression of them, but without resorting to using cliched or boring descriptions or clunky narrative.

Cliched descriptions might include:

her lips were as red as rubies
he was tall, dark and handsome
she had long, red hair that fell to her waist
the color of his eyes reminded her of the sky

(and I'm sure you can think of others).

Clunky narrative reads like a checklist of attributes or something you read in an encyclopedia, eg. starting at the head and descending to the toes.

The downfall of doing it like this will do a couple of things to your writing. A heap of narrative inserted into the body of story runs the risk of slowing down the pace. And if it reads like an encyclopedia list of attributes it might also pull the reader out of your story.

But how can you insert character descriptions and avoid this? The best way - check out your fav.author's books to see how they weave it into their books.

Here's a few examples descriptive narrative from some of my favourite author's work.

EXAMPLE 1 - the first comes from Denise Rossetti's THE LONE WARRIOR (Ch.1)

Death padded in pursuit, slipping through the double shadows without a sound. Like the worst nightmare Mehcredi could imagine, except this was all too horribly real. How much longer she could elude him, the man with the hunter's face?

Panting, she glanced over her shoulder at the dark figure pacing behind. As he drifted from one patch of shadow to the next, something pale gleamed where the light of the Sibling Moons tangled in his black hair. Feathers worked into a long braid, and . . . bones?

Were they finger bones?

We're in Mehcredi's POV and she's fleeing from another person - see how we already have an impression of this person from this description yet it's part of the action, not a "laundry list" of features?

Denise has woven the description into the narrative and used a question to make it stand out.

The shock thrilled down her nerves, making her head swim and her vision blur, but her long legs carried her away at a swift, stumbling run, lurching down a narrow alley, deeper into the reeking slum the people of Caracole called the Melting Pot.

Again - action coupled with a description, this time of Mehcredi - the inference is that she's tall.

Turning to fight never entered her head. Gods, she'd barely scraped through the First Circle tests as it was, and her first real commission for the Guild of Assassins had been an unqualified disaster. No, she wouldn't have a chance.

Mehcredi uses a curse-phrase "Gods", and from the way she thinks of herself we know she's not a very good assassin.

She couldn't hear his footfall, couldn't detect any movement, but his presence behind her was a tangible force. Every cell in her body sensed him with the animal instinct of the hunted—his predatory focus, the grim relish with which he anticipated her death.

See how her impressions of him tell the reader something more about him?

From her left came the frantic click of claws on the cobbles, a soft whining noise. That damn dog! She might as well wave a flaming torch above her head and be done with it.

"Get lost," she hissed, glancing around for something to throw. "Scat!" But the little animal only skittered aside, continuing to flank her.

Mehcredi twisted and doubled back. One hand pressed to the stitch in her side, she reeled around a corner and inevitably, there he stood, waiting pitiless. He wasn't a great deal taller than she was, but much broader. Lithe and strong and graceful, where she was long-boned and clumsy and doomed.

Narrative again, but this time Denise has drawn a comparison between her two characters so we get more of a description of both.

She opened her mouth to shriek, to plead, but long-fingered hands fastened around her throat.

One simple description in an action sentence.

As he slowly increased the pressure, digging painfully into the soft flesh under her jaw, the man smiled, lips pulling back from white teeth.

Same again.

The expression gave him an eerie, chilling beauty. He could have been an avenging angel or a handsome demon. Either way, those elegant brutal hands were the sure instruments of her death.

More narrative and from this we know this guy is good looking.

EXAMPLE 2 - from THE LONE WARRIOR by Denise Rossetti (Ch.1)

"Your skin is fine enough, I suppose. And your coloring is certainly unusual. Silver eyes are rare in the Isles and unknown in Trinitaria." He made his face bland. "You'd bring good creds in a southern slave market."

Denise uses dialogue this time to convey and build a physical description of Mehcredi.

EXAMPLE 3 - from RAPTURE by Jacqueline Frank (Ch.4)

Dae (the heroine) is confronting Magnus (the hero) over how he's to treat her.

"Because of that bitch that bit you?"
That made him smile for some reason. He supposed it was the way she stripped the bullshit away from everything and laid it all out the way it was. He could get used to that. Although he wasn't sure about the rest of Sanctuary.
"Yes," he agreed.
"Well, just keep in mind, I'm a whole new kind of bitch, okay? And I won't bite unless one of two things happens."
"I'm listening."
"First, you don't ever try to cut my balls off just so you can be top dog over me. I won't do it to you if you don't do it to me..."

Listen to the tone of Dae's dialogue - what's the impression you get here of her? Strong, a bit rough round the edges, a woman not afraid to stand up to someone?

The author has done this through the use of dialogue AND she's made it a part of plot in the story rather than as something entirely separate.

So, go dig out one of your favourite reads, analyze how the author inserted a description of their character, then try it out yourself.

Have fun!

Cat vs.Washing Machine

2011-12-08T01:00:00.005+11:00

Another funny cat adventure!

GUEST AUTHOR: Tracy Sumner

2011-12-06T01:00:00.029+11:00

Tracy’s story telling career began when she picked up a copy of LaVyrle Spencer’s Vows on a college beach trip. A journalism degree and a thousand romance novels later, she decided to try her hand at writing a southern version of the perfect love story. With a great deal of luck and more than a bit of perseverance, she sold her first novel to Kensington Publishing.

When not writing sensual stories featuring complex characters and lush settings, Tracy can be found reading romance, snowboarding, watching college football and figuring out how she can get to 100 countries before she kicks (which is a more difficult endeavor than it used to be with her four-year-old son in tow). She lives in Charlotte, NC, but after spending a few years in “the city”, considers herself a New Yorker at heart.

Her books have been awarded the National Reader’s Choice, the Write Touch Reader’s and the Beacon for Best Historical – with finalist nominations in the HOLT Medallion, Heart of Romance, Rising Stars and the National Reader’s Choice. They have been translated into German, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish.

She loves hearing from readers about why she tends to pit her hero and heroine against each other in every book, that great novel she simply must order in five seconds on her Kindle or the location of a wonderful trattoria in Rome.

About the book...

Title - TIDES OF PASSION
Setting - Outer Banks, NC 1898.
Hero - Zach Garrett.
Heroine - Savannah Connor.

Scene you would never cut - The scene where they discuss the "negotiation" in the jail. I love the dialogue that came from writing this story. They speak like I would love characters to. With honest motivation and passion.

And the love scene (also there) after the festival. Savannah finally realizes how sexy she is and attractive to Zach.

Something your hero would never do or say - Zach would never tell a woman he loved her for any selfish reason. He's a truly noble man. And sexy!

What's one quirky thing about your heroine? Savannah begins the affair with Zach in part so she will understand men better as adversaries. She's a "freedom fighter" -- women who championed women's rights around the turn of the century. She is very honest about her curiosity -- though in her own words, her dealings with men have never gained her much.

What do you think the readers will like about this book? From reviews -- the dialogue gets lots of comments. Witty, flirty, laugh-out-loud.

Savannah and Zach do battle a bit -- think Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story.

And I get lots of reader and review comments about the sexual tension. I really understood these characters - and the love scenes came very naturally.

TIDES OF PASSION
She is his greatest temptation.
He is her forbidden desire.
A battle of wills leads to love.

AN UNCONVENTIONAL WOMAN
Spirited Savannah Connor is passionately committed to stamping out social injustice. Yet when she arrives in Pilot Isle, North Carolina, ready to take up a new cause, she quickly finds herself on the outs with the town constable. Zachariah Garrett is the most arrogant, infuriating, maddeningly attractive man it’s ever been her misfortune to meet. And suddenly, Savannah is fighting a whole new battle—this one against her own yearning for a man who is impossible to resist.

AN UNCOMPROMISING MAN
Ever since his wife’s death two years ago, Zachariah Garrett has dedicated his life to keeping the peace. And avoiding love. But Savannah Connor isn’t an ordinary woman—and she proves hard to ignore. She’s a beguiling beauty with the power to awaken emotions Zach thought he’d never feel again, and the tenderness to help him forget his fears. And risk his heart once more.

“Terrific dialogue…and hot loves scenes. If you haven’t read Tracy Sumner before, Tides of Passion is a good place to start.”
National Reader's Choice, Best Long Historical!

Buy link for TIDES OF PASSION.

About you...

Favorite movie of all time - Wow, a hard question! Along the lines of romance: Gone With the Wind (I am southern!), The Way We Were (Hubble!), The Philadelphia Story (please, if you have not seen, watch for the dialogue alone!), Sweet Home Alabama (sorry, I was living in NYC when this came out...a southern girl in NYC -- gotta love it!)
Favorite fairytale - Cinderella.
Favorite TV program - Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage.
First book you remember reading - Charlotte's Web.
Dog or cat person (or other) - Cat (I have three) though we have a dog, too!
Author (living or dead) you'd most like to meet - Hemingway -- Margaret Mitchell -- Steinbeck -- Stephen King -- LaVyrle Spencer.

A romantic retreat for you would be...walking through a medieval village in Europe.

What do you do to unwind or relax? I read a lot of romance novels -- probably why I don't write as fast as I should!

What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why? Victorian England -- seems romantic, though you never know, I guess. The clothing and the history -- would be cool to experience.

What does love mean to you? Honesty, passion, connection.

Tracy is on a blog tour - this means she has some wonderful give-aways for those who comment and/or follow her during the tour. You can find more details on where she's going to be here.

She's informed me that for anyone who leaves a comment here on my blog that:

a) There will be 2 winners of 2 Tracy Sumner books, TIDES OF PASSION & TIDES OF LOVE (e-books), and

b) Each and every commenter will go in the grand draw of a Kindle at the end of the tour.

How exciting is that!

So, don't forget to leave a comment by 12 noon, Saturday, Dec.10th (Aussie time) - and the winners will be announced in the arvo of Saturday 10th Dec. 2011!

Some of Tracy's other books:

You can find more details about these books on Tracy's website.

If you'd like to see more about Tracy, check out her website, or follow her on Facebook & Twitter (@SumnerTracy).

TOPIC: International Volunteer Day!

2011-12-05T09:19:00.001+11:00

It's International Volunteer Day today!

So, thanks to all our volunteers, whatever you do, whichever organisation you belong to.

You do such wonderful work and so many appreciate the time and effort you donate! You make your community a better place for it.

A special shout out to all the State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service volunteers and Community First Responders out there!

Are you a volunteer in any organisation?

I'd love to hear about the many different roles people volunteer for.

TOPIC: Blog Highlights during 2011

2011-12-03T01:00:00.002+11:00

What a year 2011 was - a lot of ground covered in blog posts - guest authors, craft articles, a heap of links, some more interviews and some fun stuff.

I'd like to thank everyone who appeared as a guest author or who agreed to be interviewed during the year - there were a lot of wonderfully generous people who said "Yes" when I emailed them with my request. You've made 2011 a memorable year for my readers. Thank you!!!

I thought I'd go back and list the top posts on my blog for 2011 - a trip down memory lane...

By far the most viewed page on my blog was Flooding In Australia (to date 5500 page views) - the year certainly kicked off with a slew of natural disasters, with the worst floods across Australia occurring in Dec.2010 & Jan.2011.

Which Hero Turns the Page for You was another popular read (nearly 800 page views). I guess we love our heroes and like to see which ones we have in common.

My long awaited first cover - VENGEANCE BORN - drum roll please... - came in with 450 page views. Yay!

Top 5 guest author interviews (whether they were interviewed in 2011 or not & in no particular order):

Christina Phillips
Shea Berkley
Nalini Singh
Kandy Shepherd
Helene Young
Christina Phillips - Berkley author

Posts that kept popping up consistently on my Popular Posts sidebar:

General posts that generated the most comments:

Guests who generated the most comments (in no particular order):

Serena Tatti

Serena Tatti (RWAustralia member)
Anna Campbell (Aussie author)
Vanessa Barnevald (RWAustralia member)
Annie West (Aussie author)
Rachel Bailey (Aussie author)
Erica Hayes (Aussie author)
Rowena Corey Daniells (Aussie author)
Angi Morgan (USA author)
Helene Young (Aussie author)
Cheryl Wright (Aussie author)

A very interesting set of statistics.

Makes me wonder what 2012 will bring!

The 2011 Paranormal Cover Art Awards (@ATUF blog)

2011-12-02T12:45:00.000+11:00

The All Things Urban Fantasy book blog is holding its 3rd annual Paranormal Cover Art Awards.

Voting for your favourite covers is now open.

Our very own MJ Scott and Nalini Singh are finalists in the Best Female Cover respectively (with SHADOW KIN & ARCHANGEL'S CONSORT), while MJ also features in the Best Debut Cover section.

And it's nice to see Gene Mollica's artwork (the cover artist for my books, VENGEANCE BORN & ALLIANCE FORGED) among the finalists as well!

Spread the word and go vote for your favourite covers.

Lessons in Seduction

2011-11-30T09:21:00.002+11:00

The romance community is great at helping one of its own.

In August this year, Harlequin romance author, Sandra Hyatt passed away and her family, friends and the romance community mourned the loss of such a bubbly, vivacious woman.

Her posthumous book LESSONS IN SEDUCTION, is out tomorrow (December 1st) and her writing friends are spreading the word in the hope of increasing royalties for her family.

LESSONS IN SEDUCTION
A prince on a quest to find the perfect wife doesn't have time to trifle with a commoner. But Adam Marconi's longtime friend and sometime driver, Danielle St. Claire, has him contemplating a change in plans. Why can't the royal have a little fun before finally settling down? Then their supposedly quick affair suddenly turns serious.
And Prince Adam finds himself in a quandary. Say goodbye to the one woman who sets his heart and body on fire, or defy all the rules and cause the scandal of the century.

4.5 stars from Romantic Times Magazine.

And here are some buying links:

At AMAZON
Print

At HARLEQUIN
e-Harlequin Ebook Print

At THE BOOK DEPOSITORY
Book Depository

Feel free to pass this information on - the more people who see this, the more successful this venture might be (and don't forget, Christmas is coming up so this might make a fantastic prezzie for someone).

Thank you to anyone who purchases Sandra's book - you generosity is greatly, greatly appreciated!!!

TOPIC: For the first time...

2011-11-29T01:00:00.004+11:00

When I asked what you'd like to see more of on my blog, one of the suggestions made by a reader was getting to know more about me. So, a bit of a self-indulgent post today, but a fun one.

Here's a bunch of trivia-like "firsts" for Kylie Griffin...

FIRST FAVORITE TV SHOW...according to my mum it was Play School (a kids show with songs, stories and craft).

FIRST STORY I WROTE...was a rip off of Star Wars. I was a Jedi Knight and I managed to kill Darth Vader. My fifth grade teacher suggested I come up with my own characters instead of using ones we already knew (aka plagarising George Lucas' brilliance!!!). Guess we had to all start somewhere - LOL.

FIRST ROMANCE - I was in Year 6 at school, his name was Glen, he had blond curls, could draw great cartoon characters, and we caught the same bus home. We used to sit a seat behind or in front of each other (never together!), and just before I reached my stop (my stop came first), one of us would slip a love letter to the other between the wall and seat (so others couldn't see). Awwwwww!!!

FIRST DATE...was a disaster. I think I was in about Year 8 at high school (he was a year older). He asked me out on the weekend for a swim at the local pool. I hated the idea (because I had a pair of ratty, old swimmers) but said yes anyway and then spent the entire two hours wrapped in a towel sitting under a tree with him trying to convince me to go for a swim and I wouldn't because there was no way he was seeing those swimmers!

FIRST CRUSH/REAL PERSON (as a teen)...in high school I played a lot of sport and my favorite was basketball. Terry was tall, lanky and about 4 years older than me but I had the biggest case of admiring him (usually from afar). No one ever knew I liked him (until my sister read my diary one weekend while I was away at a sleepover) - he was my first secret crush.

FIRST CRUSH/CELEBRITY...it had to be Dirk Benedict, who played Starbuck in the original Battlestar Galactica. Didn't like the cigar smoking but loved the brash, cocky, card playing Viper pilot (sigh).

FIRST MUSIC ALBUM...I bought "Women of Rock" because it had my favorite song on it in 1982 - "I Love Rock 'n Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (no comments on how hold that makes me, OK?!?!) - the album came on tape and I bought it from music store at the aqua-jet Coffs Harbour mall complex.

FIRST LIVE CONCERT...a John Farnham concert at the Tamworth Showground under a huge tent pavillion. I grew up listening to him (thanks to my dad who was a fan) and to this day I've never come across a singer who brings back such powerful memories of my childhood as Johnny! We listened to him when going on holiday to Bribie Island (QLD), traveling to my grandparents who live in Berowra (near Wollongong), in the car when going out to dinner...

FIRST THRILL SEEKING MOMENT...I was 22 when I tandem sky-dived over Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown (New Zealand). I've always wanted to fly - like Peter Pan - and this was as close as I was going to get to doing this. After the jump I spent the next four days on a natural high. Doubt I'll ever do it again though.

FIRST CAR...was a brown Toyota Camry sedan (#plate LSU 505)!

FIRST ROMANCE BOOK...I was in college before I discovered the romance genre. Searching the SF/F section of the local second hand bookstore I came across FANTA C by Sandra Brown. Wasn't long before I was hooked - Sandra Brown, Iris Johansen, Joan Elliot Pickard, Cait London, BJ James, Rebecca York...

FIRST WRITING CONTEST...I entered the Romance Writers of Australia Emma Darcy Award in 2002 - and won it! I look back at that manuscript and just cringe now - I'm so glad I've improved since then.

FIRST TATTOO...Some people buy jewellery or a bottle of champagne for achieving a writing milestone, I decided to get a dragon etched onto my forearm. A tattoo was something I'd always wanted to get but only if I managed to snaffle that elusive book contract.

And that brings me to my...

FIRST BOOK SALE....VENGEANCE BORN, sold October 16th, 2010 to Leis Pederson of Berkley.

So, what's one of your firsts?

Nina Singer's SECRETS OF THE KNIGHT giveaway winner announced!

2011-11-29T01:00:00.002+11:00

Congratulations to:

You've won the giveaway copy of SECRETS OF THE KNIGHT.

If you could contact Nina via her website Contact email link, she can arrange for you to receive your copy.

Happy Reading!

TOPIC: The Year of Publishing a Book (pt.2)

2011-11-26T01:00:00.002+11:00

Last post I outlined some of the process of what happens once you sign that elusive book contract. If you didn't get to read it, click here so you can go back and read that post and so this one is read in context.

This is the continuation of that post. Read on...

Sometime between REVISIONS and LINE EDITS you could find yourself submitting ideas for your cover for your editor to take to COVER CONFERENCE. This may involve you submitting character descriptions, pivotal scenes, photographs or images of settings/characters/clothing/weapons etc.

My editor asked for my input and I put together a portfolio of ideas for her to take to the cover conference with the art department. And, once the cover was done, I was able to feedback and request (smallish) changes.

The COVER COPY crew will write the back cover blurb and try to come up with a tagline for the front cover. This is part of the process where an author usually gets the most input into as you're the one who knows the story inside and out. You can suggest changes - producing a blurb that accurately reflects the story is vital.

GALLEYS involve checking the manuscript from cover to cover - including the acknowledgments or dedication pages - for errors. Spelling, punctuation, style, formatting, names, words specific to your world-building etc. This isn't the time to rewrite big chunks or change the story. Again, you're more likely to be given a deadline to complete this by.

BOUND GALLEY's/ARC's may or may not be send to you - it depends whether this is in your contract. These are printed versions of your book, just without the cover art. You can use them in contest give-aways or for promo purposes.

Sometime between LINE EDITS and receiving your GALLEY you may be assigned a publicist. She'll help plan your marketing strategy and line up promotional opportunities like interviews, book reviews with bloggers, book signings, media interviews etc.

The last part of the publishing process is seeing your BOOK IN PRINT! In traditional print publishing this may be a process that takes a whole year - and it's a cause for celebration!!! Yay! You'll receive your allotted amount of author copies, to do with whatever you like ie.promotion, give-aways, hand out to family etc.

Then you get to PROMOTE yourself - in any number of ways, over a range of media. Bookmarks, postcards, signings, blog interviews, guest blogs, radio or newspaper interviews, magazine articles...the list is endless (and time consuming, VERY time consuming).

Now while I've outlined this process in a fairly linear fashion, if you sign for a multi-book contract like I did, then you'll find yourself juggling elements of each stage, from book to book. For example, as you're doing galleys for one book you may be giving your input for a cover conference and writing another book all at the same time! And you'll repeat this juggling act with every book you submit.

But, I have to admit, while this year has been a whole new learning experience and there's been some ups and downs, for the most part I've found the process fascinating and enjoyable. And I wouldn't swap it for anything! :-)

Cat vs.Printer

2011-11-24T01:00:00.015+11:00

I don't know how many times I've seen this clip but I do know I can't play it just once.

I laugh and laugh and end up with tears in my eyes.

Vale: Anne McCaffrey

2011-11-23T13:00:00.000+11:00

VALE

Anne McCaffrey

1926-2011

Aged 85

Pioneer for female science fiction/fantasy genre writers

Author of 100+ books

I spent my teen years immersed in your wonderful worlds - fighting thread with the Dragonriders of Pern, attending a Weyr hatching with Kevan, charting the universe with Helga, gaining freedom from the Catteni with Kris & Zainal, surviving the Dinosaur Planet, singing with crystals...

Such wonderful adventures...thank you, Anne McCaffrey!

I shall miss you!

Gone away, gone ahead...

GUEST AUTHOR: Nina Singer

2011-11-23T01:00:00.126+11:00

Nina's always loved stories of the supernatural. With mystery, suspense, and a good dose of romance.

After years in the corporate world, she started writing her own such stories. And she had to do it New England - near mystical Salem, Massachusetts.

Look for her books at Crescent Moon Press.

About the book...

Title – SECRETS OF THE KNIGHT
Setting – A magical, mystical island in the Caribbean with a history of unexplained supernatural events.
Hero – Thomas (Bo) Bowden, a former star reporter who’s fallen far and hard.
Heroine – Nicole Balian, Bo’s former lover. She’s trying to find and help a friend who has mysteriously disappeared.

Scene you would never cut – the one where the heroine first meets the island’s suspected witch.

Something your hero or heroine would never do or say – The heroine would never turn her back on a friend in trouble.

What's one quirky thing about your hero/heroine? There’s a pretty funny scene in the book where Nicole is commenting on the lack of towels in Bo’s apartment. And he tells her he likes to ‘air dry’ after showering.

What do you think the readers will like about this book? Well, hopefully they’ll like the whole thing! A lot! But I think there’s some really gripping plot twists and the hero in particular is a pretty compelling character.

SECRETS OF THE KNIGHT
Several years ago life forced Thomas (Bo) Bowden to give up everything, including the woman he loves, and take refuge on a Caribbean island. Little did he know, he was taking the first step to fulfilling his mystical destiny.

Nicole Balian has come to the small island of Trenado to find a missing teenager. She's shocked to the core to find her former lover instead. And the attraction between her and Bo is as strong as ever.

Working together to solve the unexplained disappearances plaguing the island, they find themselves in a frightening world of voodoo and magic. Trenado's history is shrouded in supernatural mystery. The danger they face serves to reignite their love.

But as Bo fights an ancient evil that haunts the island, will Nicole be able to save the man she loves? Or will she lose him once again, this time forever?

Buy Link:
Amazon

What's next for you? I’m about to start work on revisions for a witch /vampire story due to be released soon from Crescent Moon Press. I also have a lot of ideas for a series based on Secrets.

About you...

Favorite movie of all time – The Little Mermaid. It’s really romantic!
Favorite fairytale – Has to be Snow White. All those quirky characters – Grumpy, Sneezy, Dopey, Bashful…
Favorite story to disappear into – The Janet Evanovich Plum series. They’re my go-to books when I just want to immerse myself in a good read.
Favorite TV program – Currently it’s Supernatural. Of all time would have to be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I still get teary that Buffy is no longer on the air.

First book you remember reading – A simplified version of Little Women for first graders. I cried so hard.
Dog or cat person (or other) – Grew up with cats. Now have an adorable puppy. So I guess both!

Author (living or dead) you'd most like to meet – JK Rowling. I’d love to ask her how it feels to have your life change like that because of something you wrote!

A romantic retreat for you would be... Somewhere warm and balmy where they serve drinks with those little umbrellas and you can lay in a hammock near the beach all afternoon.

What do you do to unwind or relax? Read. Or play golf. Though sometimes the golf is more stressful than relaxing depending on my play!

What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why? Can’t think of one. I like all the modern luxuries of today. Maybe I shouldn’t have admitted that.

What does love mean to you? Wow. Tough to answer this one. Love means so many things: that feeling you get when you’re with the person you know you were meant to be with, the overwhelming joy of holding or hugging your child, feeling safe and secure within a loving family, spending time with friends who make you laugh. I better stop before I get too sappy!

Nina on the Web:
Website Facebook Twitter

Nina has a giveaway, folks (thanks, Nina!).

One lucky commenter will receive an e-book copy of SECRETS OF THE KNIGHT.

So, feel free to spruke away (by noon, Monday 28th November 2011 Aussie time) - about Nina's book, her favorite things or whatever takes your fancy - and you'll go into the draw!

Winner will be announced Tuesday, 29th Novemeber 2011.

AND if you follow Nina around her on her blog tour you'll go in the grand draw of an Amazon Gift Certificate of US$100.00!

For the full itinerary and more chances to win, check Nina's AUTHOR PAGE!

TOPIC: The Year of Publishing a Book (pt.1)

2011-11-22T01:00:00.003+11:00

I've labelled 2011 as The Year of Getting VENGEANCE BORN published. And it has been a year long process.

A year of steep learning curves, a year of excitement, a year of rushing to get things handed in by a due date, a year of waiting patiently...

So, what happens after you get that elusive email or phone call from an editor offering to buy your book?

Well, besides the manic week or so of FINDING AN AGENT (if you haven't already got one), the next part is NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT. And that can (sometimes) take weeks.

I received the email to buy my book in October 2010, the final version of my contract came in December 2010. A number of things may impact the speed with which this happens, it varies from deal to deal.

Your agent will go through the contract clause by clause making sure bits like signing away your "next book" is clarified to "next book in the series" or "next book in that genre" are altered or removed or rewritten.

This is why I think an agent is worth their 15% commission - I'm not a legal-ese expert by any means and would've had no idea what was a good clause and what needed work.

A part of this is negotiating deadlines for your book or books. Be sure to take into account every day life - family, health issues, work, what you're capable of producing word-wise and by when - and then add another month onto that time for good measure. These dates are binding.

I read every clause in the contract once I received the altered version. I asked questions to clarify what specific bits meant and once I was happy with that, only then did I sign it.

Next step (besides beginning the next book) is REVISIONS - the larger picture stuff suggested by your editor to make your book better. Sometimes there might be pages or maybe an overall comment like "up the romantic conflict".

Talk to your editor about them, clarify points, brainstorm, compromise. You'll be asked when you can have them done by - again, make sure you set a realistic timeframe and add a few days on for wriggle room.

Once your editor signs off on these, she'll send the manuscript to the line editor. LINE EDITS involve things like punctuation, grammar, word/phrase changes, world-building checks etc. Usually the document has comments made down the side using TRACK CHANGES, one color for the line editor, one color for your editor, and one for you to respond as needed.

You may or may not get to set the timeframe for these to be returned by. More often than not you'll get a due date, perhaps a couple of weeks, maybe more.

This ends Part 1 of this post. Join me next week to find out what happens next - same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!

Bronwen Evans Giveaway winner announced!

2011-11-20T22:11:00.000+11:00

Names were placed in a hat and one drawn out.

The winner of the copy of INVITATION TO RUIN is:

LaVerne Clark

Congratulations!

Email Bronwen direct - romance(at)bronwenevans(dot)com- and she'll arrange for the book to be sent to you.

Happy Reading, LaVerne!!! :-)

GUEST BLOGGING: Over at the Manga Manic Cafe

2011-11-17T22:15:00.001+11:00

I'm visiting over at the Manga Manic Cafe as a part of the 2011 Debut Author Challenge.

You get to learn a little more about VENGEANCE BORN and the characters in the Light Blade world.

Drop by if you have a minute and say hi!

ROFL Moment!

2011-11-17T01:00:00.005+11:00

I would love to have been on this subway train to see this!

The expressions on the faces of the commuters are great (and it amazes me how universal - no pun intended - Star Wars is for everyone to recognise the characters)...

GUEST AUTHOR: Bronwen Evans

2011-11-14T01:00:00.145+11:00

Today I welcome a good friend back to my blog.

New Zealander BRONWEN EVANS loves story-telling – gobbling up movies, books and theatre. Her head is always filled with characters and stories, particularly lovers in angst.

In 2006, encouraged by a close friend battling a deliberating illness, Bronwen finally started down the path to publication by joining RWA, The Beau Monde, RWAustralia and RWNZ.

Bronwen’s first manuscript, INVITATION TO RUIN, was completed late 2009 and was sold by her agent, Melissa Jeglinski of The Knight Agency, to Kensington Publishing early 2010, in a two book deal.

Her debut novel, INVITATION TO RUIN, received a 4.5 star rating from RT Book Reviews and was well received in Publishers Weekly - "Evans's debut Regency is filled with sizzling romance... Strong characterizations, smooth plotting, and plenty of explicit sex will appeal to fans of modern Regencies." (Mar.)

Bron, it's great to have you here. I'm looking forward to finding out what you've been doing since the release of INVITATION TO RUIN - share all the deets!

Hi everyone!

I’m excited to be blogging with my friend, Kylie. She was the first friendly face I met at the RWNZ 2006 conference which started me down the path to becoming an author. I was in awe of her at the time (still am for that matter), for her chest, arms, and just about every other part of her body was covered in writing contest winning ribbons. I thought immediately ‘how do I get one’?

I’ve popped over from New Zealand to introduce you to my sexy, Regency historical, INVITATION TO RUIN, my debut book with Kensington Brava. I’ve exciting news too - Invitation to Ruin is one of the nominees in the RT Reviewer’s Choice, Best First Historical 2011.

Title – INVITATION TO RUIN.
Setting – London, England 1808.
Hero – Anthony James Craven, Earl of Wickham.
Heroine – Miss Melissa Goodly.

Scene you would never cut...

There is a beautiful scene in the book where the hero, Anthony, who believes he is unsuitable for fatherhood, realizes he doesn’t need to fear becoming a father. He learns he would make a great parent and that he’d love and protect his child.

Something your hero or heroine would never do or say...

Melissa would never say ‘I give up’. She believes in fighting for what she wants, and for what is right. She’s a member of the Women’s Freedom League who buys slaves their freedom.

What's one quirky thing about your hero/heroine?

Melissa had elderly parents and no sisters, so she doesn’t know much about ‘married relations’- aka sex. She is not a sit back in ignorance type of woman, so she finds a ‘relationship’ journal written by Madam du Barry, the very successful mistress of the last King of France. Needless to say Anthony had little chance resisting her when she sets out to seduce him.

What do you think the readers will like about this book?

Anthony is a much wounded man and Melissa is a very resilient character. I hope readers like how these two prove they are strong enough to confront their fears, and that they understand how, with the love they receive from each other, they can begin to heal their internal wounds.

I’d like readers to think about how the events of our pasts shape what we are now, and how we have to learn to forgive ourselves and each other.

INVITATION TO RUIN
One Good Lady is About to Go Bad...

The only thing Miss Melissa Goodly has ever wanted out of a marriage is love. But any hope of that dissolves one wild night, when she loses herself in the arms of the most irresistible-and unobtainable-man in all of England. For when they are discovered in a position as compromising as it is pleasurable, she has no choice but to accept his proposal.

Avowed bachelor Anthony Craven, Earl of Wickham, never meant to seduce an innocent like Melissa. Yet now that the damage is done, it does seem like she'd make a very convenient wife. After all, she is so naive he won't have to worry about ever being tempted. Or so he thinks, until the vows are spoken and they are left alone-and his new bride reveals a streak just as brazen and unrestrained as his own...

What's next for you?

Book #2 in this series, INVITATION TO SCANDAL, is due out in April 2012 and I’m hoping Kensington pick up my option for book 3 and 4 in this series. Until then I’m working on a new Regency series for my agent.

About you...

Favorite movie of all time – Anything with Hugh Jackman in it! Australia is one of my all time faves.

Favorite fairytale – Cinderella.

Favorite story to disappear into – Any historical, or paranormal, or an alpha type hero contemporary. Currently I love all Jennifer Ashley’s historical books – especially The Many Sins of Lord Cameron.

Favorite TV program – At the moment I watch The Mentalist, Bones, Downton Abby and Game of Thrones. I also love The Vampire Diaries but it’s not on in NZ at the moment.

First book you remember reading – Either one of the Enid Blyton, Famous Five or CS. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I loved anything that fed my imagination.

Dog or cat person (or other) – Dog, although allergic to fur of any kind. I can manage dogs like poodles that have wool coats.

Author (living or dead) you'd most like to meet – Barbara Cartland because she was so eccentric. She seemed to be the consummate romance writer. Plus, I love pink!

A romantic retreat for you would be... A night or day or five minutes with Hugh Jackman!

What do you do to unwind or relax? Read or watch TV.

What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why?

The Regency period as that is what I write about, but I’d hate to have lived in those times, especially if I was not an aristocrat.

What does love mean to you?

Finding your soul mate, being best friends and letting love take care of the rest.

Now for the really fun bit - Bron has a book to giveaway!

Tell her what love means to you and one lucky commenter will win a copy of INVITATION TO RUIN.

Bron, it's been great having you drop in again. For those who want to learn more about Bron, you can visit her on her website, her Facebook page, Regency Seductions (her blog), and Twitter.

Oh, and here's a sneak peek at her INVITATION TO SCANDAL blurb:

Her secrets are coming undone...

Plagued by scandalous rumors, Rheda Kerrich will stop at nothing to restore her reputation and make an honest living for herself-and she's determined to do it without a husband. But times are hard, and smuggling is a risky though profitable trade.

So when a dashing agent for the English government catches her in the act, she desperately resists his charms and conceals her illicit profession. Until she realizes he may be the key to her ultimate freedom-and unbridled passion…

Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, has never had trouble beguiling the ladies of Kent. When his search for "Dark Shadow," a cunningly elusive smuggler, leads him to alluring and headstrong Rhe, her objections to his amorous advances merely incite a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. Soon, they'll find the very secrets driving them apart could ensnare them in a love they can't escape…

"In an Invitation to Scandal, Bronwen Evans deftly pens a darkly sensual tale of intrigue, romance, and unexpected twists." -Lorraine Heath, NYTimes Best-selling author & RITA® Award winner

"A sexy Regency take on Robin Hood. Passion, adventure, secrets and danger will keep you turning the pages." - Anna Campbell, Midnights Wild Passion

For an excerpt, click here.

INVITATION TO SCANDAL will be release May 1st, 2012, with Kensington. Can't wait for it to hit the shelves!

TOPIC: Do you judge a book by its cover? (part 2)

2011-11-12T01:00:00.054+11:00

I'm off on a bit of a tangent to my original post "Do you judge a book by its cover? (part 1)", where I interviewed Gene Mollica, the cover artist for my Light Blade series, but the topic remains focused on book covers.

At the recent RWAustralia and RWNew Zealand romance writers' conferences I had the pleasure of talking about books (as you do) with people during the morning and afternoon tea sessions. Sharing information about new books purchased, recommending favourite authors, arguing about the best genre, anything and everything was fair game.

And one of the topics that came up time and again was, what sort of book covers appeal to you (as a reader not writer)?

Both conferences had a bookstore present - Dymocks and Barbara's Books, and with a huge range of covers to peruse, we debated the merits of those that appealed and those that didn't, and why. It was interesting to see what caught someone's attention.

Some liked having just the hero on the cover. Others preferred the headless hero or heroine (leaving the actual facial appearance to the imagination of the reader). Clothing, body positions, backgrounds, detail, settings, author's name placement, title choice, colours, sizing of text ... a myriad of issues and the merits of each element were discussed.

It got me thinking about the book covers of authors I have on my bookshelf. One of the thing I love doing is sitting down in front of them and pulling out my favourite covers (not stories - that's another post).

So, I thought I'd share a half dozen or so of the covers that appeal to me by the element that most appealed or drew me to the book (excuse me if I invent a Kylie'ism/term to convey the concept).

Colour:

It's all about colour appeal here. These all have a dominate colour (or shades of the same) reflected on the cover.

Placed face out on the bookshelf, all these books would draw your eye to them - UNTOUCHED (Anna Campbell) and LOVER MINE (J.R.Ward), in particular.

SONG OF SCARABAEUS (Sara Creasy) and WARSWORN (Elizabeth Vaughan) have solid colours too, but they also have a certain amount of detail that makes you look again, this time for elements of the story.

Guy Appeal:

(looks like I have a think for the warrior types not to mention a back view of their shoulders, eh?)

I remember seeing Helen Kirkman's FORBIDDEN on a large poster at one of my earliest RWAustralia conferences and I bought it based on that alone (I was NOT a reader of historical romance then).

Denise Rossetti's THE LONE WARRIOR has another hot warrior type but I also like it for the amount of intricate detail within the picture. It has pieces of the story and the hero's character woven into it.

TUCKER'S CLAIM (Sarah McCarthy) was one I bought from Barbara's Books at the RWNZ conference, only the cover didn't have the blue border around the edge.

It featured only the bare chested hero. What grabbed me was the chest with leather vest, but also the bracelet and necklace he was wearing.

I'm a sucker for a Native American Indian hero (and yes, it's confirmed that I definitely have a thing for the warrior-hero types - LOL).

Visual Detail (characters & background):

While there's an enormous amount of detail in the characters and the backgrounds of these book covers, neither are overwhelmed by it.

NIGHT'S COLD KISS, Tracey O'Hara's incredible cover, kept me looking for long minutes as I checked out the heroine, her clothing, her body position, her weapon, then my eye was drawn to the background and the details there.

The monotone-like colours made it easy to distinguish detail but conveyed the mood/tone of the book as well.

Christina Phillip's FORBIDDEN is stunning. This is a veritable feast for the eyes and for those who love the ancient historical time period.

Just check out the amount of detail in the clothes, the armor, the jewellery worn by the characters. Then take a close look at the background - it's incredible too.

Genre/Style:

I love the artist's style in Rowena Corey Daniells' series. The detail, the colours, the connection of the titles - all scream 'fantasy' and world-building in a big way.

So what appeals to you as a reader when you chose a book? Do you chose a book solely based around the author's name?

What if you discover a new author? Is it the cover or blurb that attracts you first? What turns you off?

What draws you into picking up a book?

Margaret Tanner giveaway winner!

2011-11-10T18:09:00.000+11:00

Congratulations to the time traveling commenter who wanted to ride along on a buffalo hunt with a "super sexy, long haired, well muscled, bare chested sex god" Native American then disappear into a teepee for a "hot and sweaty time".

Yes, it's you:

Book Chatter-Cath!

Your answer impressed Margaret and she wants to join you when you schedule that trip back in time (so don't forget to contact her when you do - LOL)!

If you could contact her - mjljtanner (at) hotmail (dot) com - (no spaces) and she can arrange to send HOLLY & THE MILLIONAIRE to you.

Happy Reading!

GUEST AUTHOR: Margaret Tanner

2011-11-08T01:00:00.037+11:00

Margaret Tanner is a multi-published Australian author. She loves delving into the pages of history as she carries out research for her historical romance novels, and prides herself on being historically accurate. She's published with The Wild Rose Press and Whiskey Creek Press.

No book is too old or tattered for her to trawl through, no museum too dusty, or cemetery too overgrown. Many of her novels have been inspired by true events, with one being written around the hardships and triumphs of her pioneering ancestors in frontier Australia.

As part of her research she has visited the World War 1 battlefields in France and Belgium, a truly poignant experience.

Margaret is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, the Melbourne Romance Writers Group (MRWG) and EPIC. She won the 2007 and 2009 Author of the Year at AussieAuthors.com. Her novel Frontier Wife won the Best Historical Romance Novel at the 2010 Readers Favorite Award, and another novel, Wild Oats was a 2011 Finalist in the EPIC awards.

Margaret is married with three grown up sons, and a gorgeous little granddaughter. Outside of her family and friends, writing is her passion.

Margaret, welcome to my blog. It's great to have you here.
Can you tell us about your book... 

HOLLY AND THE MILLIONAIRE
Fleeing from her ruthless English in-laws who are intent on stealing her child, Holly Kirwan boards a flight home to Australia and meets Justin Devereux. They are instantly attracted to each other.

Justin doesn’t want a permanent woman in his life, particularly one with a baby in tow. Holly, still grieving for her soldier husband who was killed in Iraq, doesn’t want to be disloyal to his memory.

Can the young widow and the commitment shy tycoon ever find happiness together?

(Margaret says: In a special, temporary deal organized by my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, HOLLY AND THE MILLIONAIRE, is being sold at The Wild Rose Press, Fictionwise and Amazon Kindle for only $0.99.)

Title – HOLLY AND THE MILLIONAIRE
Setting - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Hero - Justin Devereux .
Heroine - Holly Kirwan.
 
Scene you would never cut - When Justin discovers that Holly has secretly given birth to his son. 

Something your heroine would never do or say - Holly would never try to trap Justin by telling him she is pregnant. 

What's one quirky thing about your heroine? She likes browsing through Op shops.
(For those who are unfamiliar with the term, Op shops sell second-hand clothing and other items.)

What do you think the readers will like about this book? Hopefully they will like reading about a gutsy young woman who is prepared to do anything to save her child.

So, what's next for you? I’d like to find an agent so that I can place some of my longer novels with them. My ultimate goal is to be picked up by one of the large publishers. A juicy fat advance would be nice. 

About you:
Who is Margaret Tanner?
I have always been a writer from as far back as I can remember. I used to write these pitiful sad little ditties then I moved on to short stories. I was quite successful with short stories, had a few published and won a few contests.

One contest win really sticks in my mine. Years ago I entered a competition for a sock company writing about feet. Little feet, big feet, smelly feet any kind of feet and guess who won? I dutifully collected my prize - twenty pairs of socks. Dad and my brother were very happy, so were their feet.

I graduated to novel writing and fell in love.

What the Iraq War did to my heroine, Holly Kirwan...I have to say I love all my books, (sorry about the self adulation), but my favourite would be HOLLY AND THE MILLIONAIRE, my one and only published contemporary romance.

It might seem strange because I call myself an historical writer, but somehow Holly got under my skin and stayed there. She was a gutsy little fighter whose soldier husband was killed in Iraq and left her with a toddler to support. She didn’t let being dealt a bum hand in the game of life defeat her.

I didn’t need to do much research for Holly’s story. My youngest son has been in the army, so I obtained information from him, and the newspapers were full of the war in Iraq. Sadly, Afghanistan has now becoming the killing field for our soldiers.

I actually got the idea for this novel when I was flying back to Australia from London, after visiting my oldest son who lives over there. A good deal of the story is set in Melbourne where I live.

I tried to imagine how a young woman would feel, all alone with her baby, and on the run from her husband’s ruthless parents. They want the baby but not her, and they will stoop to anything to get their son’s child. How devastating and frightening that would be for Holly, especially as her husband was barely cold in his grave.

I wanted to make Justin the opposite. Wealthy, confident, ruthless to a point, but underneath that hard exterior, a man with a heart, who falls in love with Holly and her baby but doesn’t realize how much he cares until he almost loses them.

Favorite movie of all time - Gallipoli.
Favorite fairytale - Cinderella .
Favorite story to disappear into – Any story that I am currently writing.
Favorite TV program - A Current Affair .
First book you remember reading - Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner .
Dog or cat person (or other) – Neither.
Author (living or dead) you'd most like to meet – One of the Bronte sisters.
A romantic retreat for you would be - sitting by a roaring log fire in a quaint B&B in the mountains. 
What do you do to unwind or relax? Read .
What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why? The 1st World War. I am fascinated with the tragedy and triumph of that era, having researched it. I have also visited the Australian battlefields and cemeteries in France and Belgium. 
What does love mean to you? Trust and caring.

Margaret is generously giving away a copy of HOLLY & THE MILLIONAIRE (locals get a choice of e-book or print version, any international winner restricted to e-book version due to postage costs).

Just answer this question and you'll go into the draw for the giveaway...

What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why?

Leave an answer by midday (Aussie time), Thursday, 10th November and the winner will be announced Friday, 11th November.

To find out more about Margaret, visit her website.

Margaret's other books:

Romantic Times Awards 2011

2011-11-05T06:59:00.001+11:00

Every year RT staff and over 50 reviewers select the books and authors who will be nominated for a Romantic Times Award in various womens' fiction categories.

This year my agency - The Knight Agency - has garnered 24 separate Romantic Times Award nominations! You can find the full list of TKA author nominees here.

A special shout out to my RWNZ friends - Nalini Singh & Bronwen Evans. The girls were nominated in the following categories:

Career Achievement Nominee
Nalini Singh (paranormal)

Reviewers Choice Nominee
Harlequin Nocturne
Nalini Singh: Lord of the Abyss

First Historical Romance
Bronwen Evans: Invitation to Ruin

Vampire Romance
Nalini Singh: Archangel's Blade

Paranormal Romance
Nalini Singh: Kiss of Snow

What an astounding achievement, Bronwen & Nalini.

And way to go TKA authors, woohoo!!!

For the full list of RT Award nominees, click here.

Visiting New Zealand (again)

2011-11-05T01:00:00.001+11:00

Yes, that time of year came and went, again - the annual trek to visit New Zealand.

Kelsey

I flew straight from Melbourne (and the RWAustralia conference) to Auckland and spent a lovely few days with Clare Scott, a fellow RWNZ'er, and her husband Doug, before attending the Romance Writers of New Zealand conference.

Garfield

I met their cute and cuddly pets Garfield and Kelsey while I was visiting.

In the few days before I attended the conference I took the chance to visit the Auckland Botanical Gardens (a beautiful, peaceful place).

Ducks were everywhere in the gardens...

So were pukeko's!

Succulents and cactii

The lake and surrounds were lovely

One Tree Hill, Auckland, NZ

Doug and Clare also took me up to One Tree Hill to get a 360 degree view of Auckland.

It might have been windy and cold (NZ had just had a record amount of snow dumped on it) but it was spectacular being able to put the geography in persepctive - the CBD, Mt.Wellington, Rangitoto Island, the two harbours and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Rangitoto Island, Auckland, NZ

Sad to say it's another year and another visit over... :-(

Jenny Schwartz "THREE WISHES" giveaway winner announced!

2011-11-03T16:30:00.000+11:00

Did everyone survive Halloween intact? I hope so because anyone who commented (the trick) has been put into the draw (the treat) for a copy of Jenny's book THREE WISHES.

Using the most reliable method known to humankind, Jenny put everyone's names into a hat and drew one out.

The winner is:

Book Chatter Cath

If you could contact Jenny directly - jenny(dot)schwartz(dot)711(at)gmail(dot)com - to let her know your preference, a PDF or e-pub version of THREE WISHES.

Happy Halloween reading!

Mel Teshco give-away winners announced!

2011-11-03T09:17:00.000+11:00

Firstly, a correction from the original interview - Mel offered the trio of books in her Winged & Dangerous series. I mentioned they would be print books but in actual fact Mel offered them as e-books. Apologies for the mistake Mel & readers.

And Mel informs me that the second give-away (a copy of Something Wicked Comes This Way anthology), it's release has been put back by the publisher, so she's replaced it with a second trio of W&D e-books.

So, without further ado, the winners of the two packs of W&D series e-books are:

Kaz Delaney

and

Natalie

Congratulations!

Please contact Mel direct - melteshco (at) yahoo (dot) com (dot) au - and she can arrange to send your prize to you.

Happy reading!

GUEST AUTHOR: Coleen Kwan

2011-11-01T01:00:00.025+11:00

Coleen has been a bookworm all her life. At school English was her favorite subject, but for some reason she decided on a career in IT. After many years of programming, she wondered what else there was in life — and discovered writing. She loves writing contemporary romance whether it's sweet or sensual.

She lives in Sydney with her partner and two children. When she's not writing she enjoys avoiding housework, eating chocolate, and watching The Office.

Please welcome first time visitor to my blog - Coleen Kwan!

Coleen, it's great to have you here.

About your book...

Title – WHEN HARRIET CAME HOME

Setting – contemporary Aussie rural town in the Hunter Valley.

Hero – Adam Blackstone. Once upon a time he was the Disney prince until Harriet ruined his father and his family’s reputation.

Heroine – Harriet Brown. As a teenager she was shy, overweight, and had a secret crush on Adam. Now she’s altered dramatically, but when it comes to Adam she’s still that awkward adolescent.

Scene you would never cut – Harriet trying to soften Adam up with a chocolate muffin! He acts all tough towards her, but there’s something about Harriet that gets to him, and it’s not just the baked goods.

Something your hero or heroine would never do or say – Harriet would never ask Adam “Do I look fat in this?”

What's one quirky thing about your hero? Adam thinks Harriet looks like a Hawaiian hula doll

What do you think the readers will like about this book? It’s a fun, sweet contemporary romance with an ‘ugly duckling turned swan’ theme.

WHEN HARRIET CAME HOME

After ten years of exile, Harriet Brown is back in town. Things have definitely changed, but so has she. Now the confident owner of a catering business, she's no longer the shy, overweight girl everyone—including her hot teenage crush—used to ignore. In fact, she's determined to make peace with Adam Blackstone for her part in exposing his father's secret affairs and corrupt behavior as mayor.
But Adam has changed as well. No longer a pampered, rich pinup boy, he just wants to reestablish his family's good name. He reluctantly agrees to a truce with Harriet, and is surprised by how changed she is. He doesn't want to be drawn to her, but he can't seem to resist her allure.
As Harriet struggles to come to terms with her past, her adolescent infatuation with Adam morphs into something more serious… Will she ever be accepted again? Or will ancient history ruin the chance of a future full of possibilities?

WHEN HARRIET CAME HOME is now available at:
Amazon
Carina Press
Barnes & Noble

What's next for you? Carina Press has recently bought my steampunk novella! Title and publication date unknown as yet. I’m really excited about this as steampunk is a new genre for me.

About you...

Favorite movie of all time – Too many to mention! Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, When Harry Met Sally.
Favorite fairytale – Jack and the Beanstalk. I love the idea of climbing up a giant beanstalk and discovering a whole new world up there. Plus, “Fee fi fo fum” is a great line!
Favorite story to disappear into – Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles, Winston Graham’s Poldark series. Over the years I’ve read these several times and they never fail to entertain.
Favorite TV program – The Office. Don’t know if I’ll continue to watch it without Steve Carrell, though.
First book you remember reading – something by Enid Blyton.
Dog or cat person (or other) – I don’t have a pet, but if I did it would definitely be a dog.
Author (living or dead) you'd most like to meet – None, really. I’m not much of a fan-girl. To me books are separate entities from their authors. I can like one without the other, and vice versa.
A romantic retreat for you would be... A five-star trip to Venice.

What do you do to unwind or relax? Reading! It’s my favourite pastime!

What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why? I’d love to journey back to
Medieval times and watch a jousting tournament.

What does love mean to you? For me, love means having someone to share the highs and the lows that life brings you. Highs like having children or being published. Lows like pranging the car or taking a sick child to hospital.

Coleen, thanks for joining me today on my blog and sharing more about your book, WHEN HARRIET CAME HOME, and yourself!

You can find out more about Coleen on her website & blog, or follow her on her Facebook profile page or fan-page.

GUEST AUTHOR: Jenny Schwartz

2011-10-31T01:00:00.003+11:00

With Halloween just around the corner, my special guest author today fits right into the holiday fun. She writes in the paranormal romance genre and is a member of the Dark Side DownUnder blog.

Jenny doesn't even try to fight her addiction to angels and sexy djinn. Her Out of the Bottle series is published with Carina Press and she's busily adding to it, typing with crossed fingers in the hope readers and Carina Press will want more passion, adventure and laughter.

Please make Jenny feel welcome!

Title – THREE WISHES

Setting – Syria. The Mediterranean is a fascinating region. So much history. Who can resist the romantic ruins of a crusader castle?

Hero – Andrew, a guardian angel.

Heroine – Cali, a djinni, cursed to serve humanity.

Scene you would never cut – When Andrew and Cali meet:
“Smart-mouthed djinni.”
He grabbed her before her bangles could rattle out a protective charm. The world tilted as he slung her over his shoulder like a sack of grain or a moth-eaten carpet. Cali felt the insult keenly.
“Son of a she-camel.” She slammed her fist into his lower back.
His arm tightened around her thighs. His free hand gave her bottom a stinging slap.
“Bastard.” She wriggled and kicked and found herself suddenly free.
He’s thrown me over the friggin’—
Splash!
—cliff.

Something your hero or heroine would never do or say – Andrew would never risk someone else’s happiness to claim his own. More frivolously, he’d never eat haggis. I can’t imagine ever writing a hero who would!

What's one quirky thing about your heroine? Cali stores some of her magic in her gold bangles. I love gold bangles, although I don’t wear them. Being a fidgety sort of person I’d drive everyone crazy rattling around.

What do you think the readers will like about this book? Cali’s emotional journey. When you’ve been badly hurt, it takes a lot of courage to dare to love again. I’m so glad Andrew was strong enough to understand her pain and believe in her heart.

Book blurb –

THREE WISHES
She is the Bringer of Death.   Cali, a djinni, has sworn to twist the wishes of humans so they die by their own greed and evil.
Her latest master is arms dealer David Saqr, a man Cali believes deserves the fate she has in store for him. But this time she finds herself up against Andrew, David’s guardian angel. He is a Protector of Life.
Andrew believes David can yet find redemption. He fights Cali for the man’s life, even as he tries to persuade her to give in to the sizzling attraction between them. He shows Cali another side of David, and invites her to trust again, to hope.
But centuries of being enslaved have hardened Cali’s heart—it’s going to take all of Andrew’s love to convince her to open it and let him in.

What's next for you? More angel and djinni stories. I’m addicted to my Out of the Bottle series—all the traditional romance of Arabia, but with modern tensions. But also (and I’m so excited about this) I have a steampunk novella coming out with Carina Press in December. “Support Your Local Suffragette” is set in Western Australia in 1895—Wild West with an Aussie twist. It was a blast to write. I never imagined I’d use (or misuse!) my history degree in quite this way.

About you...

Favorite movie of all time – “Enchanted April”, although “Shrek” is a strong rival and so is “Bringing Up Baby”.
Favorite fairytale – “Beauty and the Beast” ever since I read Robin McKinley’s “Beauty” as a teenager.
Favorite story to disappear into – So many. It depends on my mood. But I would love, love, love to visit Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.
Favorite TV program – Pick one? *wails* I love documentaries and “Media Watch” and...oh okay, if I have to pick one, it’s “NCIS LA”.
First book you remember reading – I can’t remember the title, but this guy called Dick and a girl called Dora went walking with a dog called Spot. Soon after that, I became addicted to Enid Blyton.
Dog or cat person (or other) – Dog, definitely. Toby, my golden retriever, pops up quite often on my blog. But I do miss not having a cat.
Author (living or dead) you'd most like to meet – I had a chance once way back when I was at uni to meet Sir Terry Pratchett. I’m still kicking myself for being shy. I’d have liked to meet Margery Allingham and sit down to a good long gossip about the craft of writing.
A romantic retreat for you would be...Winter, cottage by the sea, roaring fire, no phones.

What do you do to unwind or relax? Read, an obvious answer for an author. I also like to drive, not too far, maybe an hour all up, just long enough to solve any plot problems in a current manuscript. Shopping is good, too *grins*.

What era would you like to time travel and visit? And why? I’d really like to see Palmyra in its heyday with Queen Zenobia getting ready to challenge the might of the Roman Empire. I wouldn’t want to stay around for the bloodshed and destruction, but I’d love to see the ancient world in living colour, so to speak.

What does love mean to you? Passionate commitment, whether to a person, profession or cause. Love means sharing something of yourself.

Jenny, thank you for joining me on my blog today, it's been a hoot having you here in the lead up to Halloween!

Now, gentle readers, Jenny has a special trick or treat for you - she has a digital copy of THREE WISHES up for grabs (open to local & international readers). Just leave a comment (the trick) by midday Thursday, 3rd Nov.2011 (Aussie time), and you'll go into the draw for the book (the treat). Winner will be announced sometime that evening!

You can find Jenny at her website, on Twitter, Facebook, and indulging her love of pretty pictures on Tumblr.

Jenny's other books:

It's Halloween!

2011-10-31T00:10:00.006+11:00

To anyone who's celebrating - enjoy your Halloween!

If you're looking for some online fun then drop on over to the Dark Side DownUnder blog - we're having a party! We're celebrating our 1st anniversary as a blog. There's a grand prize plus prizes for two other lucky people.

Some of the giveaways on offer include:

Dark Angels series (Bks #1 & #2) - Keri Arthur
Scent of a Man - Maree Anderson
King Rolen's Kin trilogy - Rowena Cory Daniells
Rogue Gadda - Nicole Murphy
Captive - Christina Phillips

... and more!