#WickedWednesday – A Short Read from FOR LOVE OR VENGEANCE

As I’ve mentioned, I’m lucky to be taking part in a great new project — the Sorcery and Steam Story Bundle. This bundle is a collection filled with magic, fantasy, suspense, bad guys, mythic creatures, goddesses and a little bit of romance!

My contribution to the story is For Love or Vengeance, a unique story from The Calling is Reborn Vampire series. Unique because the vampires are not at the forefront of the story. Instead we have a Greek Goddess taking the lead in order to help a host of FBI Agents find the Broadway Butcher, a serial killer who is murdering aspiring young actors and musicians. You’ll get to meet Nemesis, the Greek Goddess of Vengeance who has taken human form as FBI Agent Helene Alexander and her partner, Miguel Sanchez.

For today, a wicked sexy read for you from the FOR LOVE OR VENGEANCE! For mature audiences only, please!

Teaser

Miguel called himself a fool, and yet was powerless to deny he needed her. Needed the comfort of her arms. Needed to reach beyond her inflexible façade to the intense woman within. The one who felt pain and joy so deeply. Who understood the need for justice, and strove so hard to find it. The woman he hoped might be capable of more than just an occasional one-night stand.

She was leading him toward the door to another part of the club. It was guarded by a pale, muscular bouncer. The bouncer moved to block their path, but she held up the key and waved her hand, literally brushing him aside so they could pass.

Her steps were quick and short, the sound of her heels staccato sharp against the tiled floor in the hall. Room number five was at the end of the hall. Her hand fumbled as she tried to slip the large key into the lock and Miguel reached out to steady her hand.

She looked up at him and murmured, “Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

Never one to miss a beat, she said, “And mine, I hope.”

They went in and she locked the door behind him, then flashed him a sexy smile.

For a brief second, he registered an assortment of adult toys tacked up on one wall. And then her body was pressed against him, his back against the door.

She was quick to reach for his suit jacket, but he gently grabbed hold of her hands and stilled their motion. “I know you need to forget what happened today, but there’s no sense in rushing. We have all night.”

He reached up and caressed her curls, then rested his hand at the crook of her neck. He gently brushed aside her hair and bent his head. Nuzzling the soft skin by his hand, he whispered, “You’re very beautiful.”

She tipped her head to give him better access and murmured playfully, “Tell me something I haven’t heard before.”

“Immodest, too.” He kissed the side of her throat and leisurely dragged his mouth along the sensitive skin to a spot behind her ear. “And headstrong.”

“Ooh, you say such sinful things to a girl,” she cooed breathily.

He tugged on her finely worked hoop earring with his teeth, tongued her lobe, and whispered, “Opinionated.”

She cradled the back of his head and slipped her hands beneath his suit jacket to tug him closer. “I think those two are almost redundant,” she murmured.

“Smart-mouthed.” Then he covered that smart mouth with his, tasting her full lips. Urging her into the kiss with the press and tug of his mouth against hers. Inviting her to open, and when she did, slipped in to trace the perfect line of her teeth. He danced his tongue across hers and dared her to do more.

She dropped her hands from his shoulders and covered his pecs. Found the hard nubs of his nipples beneath the fabric and circled them with her fingers, making his erection surge to life. He gave a rumble of pleasure. She smiled against his lips. “You like that, don’t you?”

He could lie, but what was the sense. She seemed to know more about what gave him pleasure than he did himself. “Mmm. I like.”

She increased the pressure, tweaking the nubs before bending down to suckle first one, then the other, through the fabric of his shirt.

He held her head to him and because he needed more, he grasped her hand and moved it to his cock.

A Little More About the Bundle

The initial titles in the Sorcery and Steam Bundle (minimum $5 to purchase) are:

  • Alchemy and Steam by Fiction River
  • Familiarity by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
  • Poison or Protect by Gail Carriger
  • Blood and Magic by Ann Gimpel

If you pay at least the bonus price of just $15, you get all four of the regular titles, plus SIX more!

  • Specters in the Storm by Pauline Baird Jones
  • Rare Stakes by Michelle Fox
  • Valkyrie’s Vengeance & Hunger Moon – Ragnarok: Doom of the Gods 1-2 by Melissa Snark
  • Ghosted – Nikki Ashburne – Book 1 by Dayle A. Dermatis
  • Alys of Asgard by Catherine Banks
  • For Love or Vengeance by Caridad Pineiro

This bundle is available only for a limited time via http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get multiple DRM-free formats (.epub, .mobi and .pdf) for all books!

It’s also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards – which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle – and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.

Why StoryBundle? Here are just a few benefits StoryBundle provides.

  • Get quality reads: We’ve chosen works from excellent authors to bundle together in one convenient package.
  • Pay what you want (minimum $5): You decide how much these fantastic books are worth. If you can only spare a little, that’s fine! You’ll still get access to a batch of exceptional titles.
  • Support authors who support DRM-free books: StoryBundle is a platform for authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog. Supporting authors who let you read their books on any device you want—restriction free—will show everyone there’s nothing wrong with ditching DRM.
  • Give to worthy causes: Bundle buyers have a chance to donate a portion of their proceeds to AbleGamers!
  • Receive extra books: If you beat the bonus price, you’ll get the bonus books!

StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, tweet us at @storybundle and like us on Facebook.

#HumpDay #ManWars with Kelly Moran

Happy #HumpDay! You know what that means! It’s time for #ManWars with my good friend Kelly Moran Books! My challenger today is sexy doctor Ramon from my UNDEAD UPRISING urban fantasy serial which is part of the EDGE OF NEVER box set!

It’s our book birthday and we’re having a party today at https://www.facebook.com/events/1622580184670054/.

You can get the 99 cent box set EDGE OF NEVER at these retailers:

EdgeOfNeverAmazon: http://amzn.to/1Kd4E4z
B&N: http://bit.ly/1iLS3MI
iBooks: http://apple.co/1iLT2fE
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1iLRjHc

ramon

Some Upcoming Events & Taking a Break

Just wanted to let you know that I’ve got some writing and work-related obligations coming up for the next two weeks, so I’ll be absent off and on. I’ll pop in when I can to share photos, etc. and events.

Right now, there are a few upcoming events for you! I’ll be at RomCon in Denver from September 25 to 27. If you’re going, I’d love to spend some time with you!

I’ve also got a few release parties scheduled and here goes:

Romancing the Military Man Release Party – September 29

https://www.facebook.com/events/282992481870976/
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Hot Hometown Hunks Release Party – Oct 6

https://www.facebook.com/events/470433016469283/
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Edge of Never Release Party – Oct 14

https://www.facebook.com/events/1622580184670054/
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#TeaserTuesday Three Specially Priced Box Sets

I’m so lucky to have so many romance writing buddies. I love getting together with them to work on box sets and help spread the word about our books and offer you some very special deals. Today I’ve got three box sets that are specially priced at 99 cents and available for pre-order right now. Plus, each one is in a different genre, so you can really mix it up and get a taste of romance all across the spectrum.

Romancing the Military Man

RomancingMilitaryManWho doesn’t like a sexy military man? No one! How about ten, yes 10 hot military heroes? Join me and my friends for these stories about military men and women who will risk it all to save the world and find their happily-ever-afters. What can be better than that? How about the box set being priced at only 99 cents for a limited time?

This box set includes STAY THE NIGHT, with sexy Navy Seal Rafe Castillo.

You can purchase Romancing the Military Man for the special price of 99 cents at these e-tailers:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/AMZMilitaryMan
B&N: http://bit.ly/RMM_BN
iBooks: http://bit.ly/RMM_iBooks
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1iLR1QS

Hot Hometown Hunks

You know the guy. The hometown hunk who can make hearts race and knees shake with a flash of his abs or one crooked smile. From enemies to lovers to second chances, these sizzling, seductive, and satisfying full-length novels are guaranteed to sweep you off your feet.

This box set includes SECOND CHANCE AT PERFECT, a sexy and emotional story about a second chance at love.

You can purchase Hot Hometown Hunks for the special price of 99 cents at these e-tailers:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1URNhyj
B&N: http://bit.ly/1iLSCpI
iBooks: http://apple.co/1iLSWor
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1iLRbYj

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Edge of Never

This box set includes Undead Uprising: A Wolf Alone, the first part of my urban fantasy romance with a kick ass werewolf heroine, vampires out to kill her people and an ill-fated love with a human.

You can purchase Edge of Never for the special price of 99 cents at these e-tailers:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Kd4E4z
B&N: http://bit.ly/1iLS3MI
iBooks: http://apple.co/1iLT2fE
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1iLRjHc

EdgeOfNever

#ManCandyMonday Joseph Gordon-Levitt

I’ve thought he was a cutie since 3rd Rock from the Son and Ten Things I Hate About You. His role in Inception just cemented the hotness factor for Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Joseph has been an actor since an early age. At six he performed in a local theater group and then went on to a number of roles as a child star and then teenager. You might also recognize him from a stint in the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises.

I hope you enjoy today’s Man Candy! I’ll also have some pictures for you shortly from my trip to the awesome Olde City, New Blood conference in St. Augustine.

Photo Credit: [email protected]

Diaries of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista & Giveaway

We’re very luck today to have a visit from Amanda Arista whose new release DIARIES OF AN URBAN PANTHER is one of Avon Impulse’s new digital releases.

Amanda was born in Illinois, raised in Corpus Christi, lives in Dallas but her heart lies in London. Good thing she loves to travel. The summer of second grade, she read every book in the young adult section of the library. So she started making up her own stories and hasn’t stopped since. She spends her weekends writing at coffee shops, practicing for the day that caffeine intake becomes an Olympic sport, and plotting character demises with fellow writers Wolvarez, Killer Cupcake and Keith (names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent).

Amanda is generously donating a $25 Amazon or B&N gift certificate to one lucky person who leaves comments on the various blog tour stops which you can find at Goddess Fish Promotions. For more on Amanda, you can visit www.amandaarista.com, follow her on Twitter at @Pantherista or visit her Facebook Fan Page.

Without further ado, here’s Amanda to share more about her writing and her release.


At what age did you realize that you wanted to be a writer?

In the back of my head, there has always been a little person declaring herself a writer. I really did read every book in the kids section the summer after second grade and I finished my first story in 3rd grade. I’ve been writing ever since but I dared not say the word writer out loud. The first time I felt like I had the right to use the word was when I finished my first novel. It was no longer a strange hobby, something that I did, but something that I was.

Tell us a little something about the novel!

Diaries of an Urban Panther is a fun little experiment in which we take a nice normal girl and throw her into a situation in which she has to adapt or die. The fun part about Violet’s story is that she doesn’t adapt like everything thinks she should. Violet’s story is a fresh approach to the paranormal romance genre because the heroine is a writer, not a vampire hunter or necromancer, and the reader explores this treacherous and fantastical world through her guarded and very quirky heart.

Tell us a little something about the heroine!

Violet Jordan is a writer for a cheesy movie company called Cloak and Dagger productions. She polishes scripts for them as well as writes articles for a few e-zines in order to pay the rent, which seems to always need paying. She describes herself as the Velma, the sidekick in the movie of her own life, and really was just stuck in a rut until the incident in the back alley that turned her fuzzy once a month. She’s flawed and stubborn and is very hard on people and the most important thing to her through this whole ordeal is that she own this curse and refuses to let it control her life.

Are you a plotter who lays out everything in detail as you write or a pantser who lets the story unfold on its own?

I don’t outline until I know who the character is, which means that I’ll write out a couple of scenes in my head and then figure out who they are and what tortures I’m going to put them through.

And then I do try to plot. But mostly the characters take me where they want to go and highlight where they do not want to go, which means I force them in that general direction. Let me tell you how much the ending of Diaries changed when I found out the Jessa didn’t want to die in the first few scenes. There was no planning for that.

I knew it was going to be a romantic ending, but until I was half way done, I didn’t know what Violet could live through and what she would need in her romantic lead. I didn’t know that her biggest hurdle was going to be seeing her self as sexy and powerful in order to accomplish her mission. Until I knew Violet, I couldn’t predict what the plot needed to be.

Where is your story set and does that influence the plotlines and characters in your stories?

I live in Dallas and not too many books that I had read had captured the true urbanite quality of the city. It’s got everything that NY and Vegas have: dark alleys, interesting night clubs, just with bigger cars and less smog. You can drive 10 minutes and be in a vibrant down town or drive 30 minutes and be out in open land with cows. And let me tell you about a good pair of Wranglers.

Also, it fit Violet. She didn’t want to go to any place that reminded her of what happened in LA, so Dallas was a good choice. It’s not too chic, but neither is she. It does have a hometown feel to it, and she secretly wants a home. But it still has a coffee shop on every corner.

What is your writing schedule like?

I have a full time job, a husband, two needy dogs and am getting a graduate degree. Needless to say, I have to be a stickler about time. On weeknights, I set an egg timer. One hour for being Wife Amanda, usually include dinner, errands, laundry. One hour for Student Amanda, homework, readings. And one hour for Writer Amanda, type as furiously as I can for one hour.

Saturdays are the exception. On Saturday mornings, I get up and join my writers group for 4 hours. It’s more of an accountability group than a critique group, but all four hours are for typing and then I try to just be free the rest of the day. The brain must take a break at some point.
Of course, sometime when the muse strikes, you can stop writing, and, frankly, that’s what the coffee is for.

What are you working on now and what will readers have to look forward to in the future?

I’m currently working on the second book in the series. Poor Violet. I’m putting her through hell now that she’d proven she can take the heat. Expect to see the second diary in December 2011.

I’m also putting together another darker series called the Daughters of Chaos. It’s a new challenge that is proving very interesting and just a little steamy.

Thank you so much, Amanda! We wish you all the best of luck with your release. Don’t forget to leave a comment either here or on one of the various blog tour stops which you can find at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/06/virtual-tour-diaries-of-urban-panther.html.

Advice for Writers by Paranormal Romance Author India Drummond

We’re very lucky to have with us today India Drummond who is going to offer up some advice for writers.

India is the author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She knew from age nine that writing would be her passion. Since then she’s discovered many more, but none quite so fulfilling as creating a world, a character, or a moment and watching them evolve into something complex and compelling. She has lived in three countries and four American states, is a dual British and American citizen, and currently lives at the base of the Scottish Highlands in a village so small its main attraction is a red phone box. In other words: paradise.

The supernatural and paranormal have always fascinated India. In addition to being an avid sci-fi and fantasy reader, she also enjoys mysteries, thrillers, and romance. This probably explains why her novels have elements of adventure, ghosts (or elves, fairies, angels, aliens, and whatever else she can dream up), and spicy love stories.

So without further ado! Here’s India’s Advice for Writers!

My advice? Oh, don’t ask me that! Why not? See, I’m perfectly happy to share. I have learned so much from authors I’ve met online, from classes, workshops, and the good, old school of experience. Ask me anything specific, and I’m happy to give freely of whatever knowledge I have, but I rarely offer advice.

I’ve learned that what works for one author often doesn’t work for another. For example, I used to write by the seat of my pants. Then I heard all these authors saying, “You have to learn to plot. It’s the only way.” And I tried it… and failed. I was so frustrated! I felt there was a right way to do things, but I couldn’t do it. Of course, I also assumed this was why I was languishing on the query-go-round.

Then, as I began to write more books, I saw the patterns in my various novel projects, how I created turning points in around 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through a book, how I wove multiple storylines into one. I was developing my own style, and from that, I created an outline template that works for me and makes life easier. Would it work for anyone else? Probably not.

There’s so much advice out there on the internet. Some of it’s good, some… not so much. And as an unpublished writer, I gobbled up every morsel of it, hoping to find the magic nugget of gold that would transport me beyond the forbidden gates and into the world of the published.

Now that I have achieved my dream of publication, I have more perspective. And looking back, I see that I used to spend hours socialising with other writers on the various networks out there. I wish now I had spent at least 50% of that time writing more books.

So here’s my one piece of advice to aspiring authors. It might annoy some to hear it. But if you can get this, it will make you a better writer: Write more books. Quit agonising over your query letter. Quit worrying that one project to death. Quit spending more time blogging than you do writing fiction. Quit spending more time critiquing for others than you do writing fiction.

Write. More. Books.

Why “more books” instead of just making the current project better?

Because the average published author has written six books by the time they get a contract. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will improve your writing like experience. And you can’t get all your experience in one book.

I think part of that is that with each successive story, we experiment. Those experiments lead us into new places, and we begin to see what works and what doesn’t. I promise those unpublished projects won’t be a waste of time. What you learn by the third or fourth book, you can go back and apply to your first book, once you have some perspective on it.

So, yes, there’s some good advice out there. Do learn to write a professional query letter. Do learn how to write a blurb, how to write effective dialogue, how to use just enough description, but not too much… But don’t obsessive over the mountains of advice you can find on the net these days, hoping to learn “the secret”.

The real secret, in my experience, is experience. And you get it by writing. Nothing more, and nothing less.

So go forth and WRITE!

Never give up. Never let yourself get down. Never give in to the voices in your head that tell you it’s too hard or it can’t be done, or maybe getting published is too big a dream. You CAN do it… if you’ll only WRITE… and write… and write.

THAT is what I wish I’d known two years ago.

* * * * *

I second India’s advice! I always tell writers that the only wrong thing to do is to not write. There is no wrong or right way to write. Each person has their own creative ways of doing things. So don’t be stymied by well meaning advice about “the right way” to write. And NEVER GIVE UP!

For more information on India, please check out these sources:

India’s website and blog: http://www.indiadrummond.com/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/india.drummond.author
Twitter: http://twitter.com/IndiaDrummond

To arrange an interview or contact the author, please email: [email protected]