Friday, January 29, 2010

Writer's Moment - Ann Lethbridge

Authors - Need some practical advice to keep the word count flowing?

That's exactly what Ann provides on her January 27th 'Tips and Tricks' post at her blog, Seduced By History.

Here's just the beginning to whet your appetite:

"I hear a lot of authors say they are slow writers. I don’t see anything wrong with that at all. Some of the best writers describe themselves this way. Your process is your process. These tips and tricks are merely ideas I have honed for myself, which I am sharing with you to do with as you will.

First I want you to understand that I am a full-time writer. Last year I completed three full length novels for Harlequin, did revisions for same, and also wrote two short stories and one novella. Because I just landed an eight book contract with Harlequin, four full length and four short stories, I had to sit down and really think about my process and what I wanted to accomplish. I had three questions in mind. Did I want to write fast? And how fast? And when did I want to take vacations? I plan to have this contract completed by June 2011.

My tips and tricks.
1. Know how much you write consistently. I use an excel spreadsheet to track.

2. For a period of two weeks record your daily and weekly word counts. Find out the average per day, then use that as your daily word count."


Check out the full post here.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

[Pamela Montgomerie] AMETHYST DESTINY / Book 2: Jewels of Time

Pamela Montgomerie (pen name for Pamela Palmer) is revealing a tantalizing peek at Amethyst Destiny, book 2 in her Jewels Of Time series. It's just a little taste of the novel hitting shelves on May 4th.

The series is described as "a handful of magical gems destined to cause time-traveling mayhem in seventeenth-century Scotland... and beyond."

Read the brand new excerpt here.

Or, for those of you willing to take a trip back in time, check out book 1, Sapphire Dream...

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

[Nicole Jordan] TO TAME A DANGEROUS LORD / Book 5: The Courtship Wars


For anyone looking for a fun Regency romance with a heroine you can actually identify with and root for, pick up your copy of To Tame A Dangerous Lord, book 5 in the oh-so-popular series The Courtship Wars.

Nicole started the series off as a trilogy, but continued these fun - and very sexy - historical romances when fans just couldn't get enough. Check out the reference below:

"One of my all time favorite writers, Nicole Jordan delivers romance like no one else. Captivating, enticing, and irresistible, her books are always on my must buy list."
~ Sherrilyn Kenyon, # 1 New York Times bestselling author



Here's the blurb:
Dangerously sexy nobleman and former spymaster Rayne Kenyon, Earl of Haviland, has no interest in love. He merely desires an heir to carry on his title and therefore must have a wife. Rayne makes a surprising choice of brides by settling on the plain spinster daughter of a fellow spy who once saved his life. Yet spirited, witty Madeline Ellis proves much more than he bargained for.

Dazed by Rayne's smoldering kisses, Madeline knows that she's at last found love – with a man determined to avoid it. Once wedded, she decides to take fate into her own hands. Maybe, just maybe, she can kindle the fires in Rayne's heart by turning her plain, ordinary self into a dazzling temptress. With a little help from the Loring sisters, the earl's artless new wife becomes a beautiful, bold seductress in their marriage bed. But who could imagine that a simple marriage of convenience can suddenly be flooded with danger, desire, and unexpected love?

The excerpt of Chapter 1 puts you right into the story.

And the Reviewers have shown lots of love:

“To Tame a Dangerous Lord pits Madeline, a supposedly plain woman, against Rayne, a man whose masculine beauty surpasses most others. I love how strong, independent, and stubborn she is, something her character needs in order to fight for her marriage. The emotional roller coaster is very intense; love, heartbreak... and a passion that explodes within the pages. Once again Ms. Jordan has hit upon a winning novel sure to keep her audience enthralled and entertained for years to come!”
~ Coffee Time Romance

“To Tame a Dangerous Lord is a delightful, wonderful love story. The story has depth, detail and is very well written. The characters are witty, lovable, sexy, and will sweep you away with them. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy a great love story, sensuality, wit and suspense.”
~ MyBookAddictionAndMore


The good news - TTADL hit shelves on January 26th, so you can pick up your copy today. :)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

[Christina Dodd] Books 3 & 4: The Chosen Ones

I just heard the great news about the next books in Christina's excellent paranormal series 'The Chosen Ones'! (A spin-off of her mega-popular 'Darkness Chosen' books.)

For those of you who haven't read Storm of Visions & Storm of Shadows yet, here's a little history to get you started:


"The Chosen Ones is a seductive paranormal series about an ancient rivalry that lives in the world today … When the world was young, twins were born. One brought light to a dark world. The other, darkness and danger. Their powers could not be denied, and they gathered others around them, men and women destined to use their gifts for good or evil. Today, they walk the earth as the Chosen Ones … and the ultimate battle is about to begin."

Look for Book 3, Chains of Ice, on July 6th and Book 4, Chains of Fire, on September 7th.


CHAINS OF ICE: The sweepingly romantic tale of a man who has lost everything…For one magic summer, Genny Valente escapes to spend time as a wildlife observer in the untamed mountains. Little does she know that a beast more fearsome that any beast lurks in the forest…a man, one of the Chosen Ones, betrayed by his gift and tormented by his memories. John Powell has fled his fate and his duty, yet in Genny he sees his one chance for redemption. He will stalk her, kidnap her, love her as only a savage can. But when a new betrayal threatens, John must call on the powers he swore he’d never use again. Then only Genny’s love can save him…if she dares tame the one man she can’t live without…
Pre-order Chains Of Ice from Amazon: Chains of Ice (The Chosen) by Christina-Dodd

CHAINS OF FIRE: Samuel and Isabelle’s long anticipated romance. Samuel Faa, the adopted son of servants, a gypsy lawyer with the power to control minds. Isabelle Mason of the Boston Masons, wealthy, privileged, refined, and a woman with the gift for healing.Two of the Chosen Ones, they hide a past filled with love and betrayal, and a future denied by fate…until the day they’re trapped underground. No way out. No way to deny the passion that still burns beneath the surface. And when danger threatens, Isabelle has only one choice : to place her trust in the power of the one man she could never forget … or forgive …
Pre-order Chains Of Fire from Amazon: Chains of Fire (The Chosen) by Christina Dodd

Monday, January 25, 2010

[Jennifer Ashley] Pride Mates / Book 1: Shifters Unbound

Who loves a sexy shifter series full of suspense & romance? I do!! Which is why I'm so excited about Jennifer's new 'Shifters Unbound' series.

The first book, Pride Mates, will hit bookstores on January 26, 2010. Here's the blurb:

Twenty years ago, shape shifters of all kinds banded together and announced themselves to the world, only to be shunted to areas no human wanted ("Shiftertowns"). They are forced to wear Collars that control their hunting and fighting instincts (referred to by Shifters as "Taking the Collar").

Liam Morrissey is currently liaison between the Shifters of Austin, TX, and the humans of the city. Kim Fraser, attorney, finds herself in the unique position of having to defend a Shifter on a murder charge.

She ventures to Shiftertown to seek out Liam's help, and there stumbles across too many secrets the Shifters want kept secret. The un-mated Liam is forced to protect Kim against the wrath of his clan leader and his own father, and to his surprise he discovers a powerful attraction to the sassy, sexy lady.

Read an excerpt here.

Plus you can check out a message from the hero, Liam Morrisey here; and you can check out A Human's Guide to Shifters here.

Jennifer is a favorite author who also writes under the names Allyson James and Ashley Gardner. I am a huge fan of her award-winning 'Dragon' series, and can't wait to see this new series.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Every so often I need a lighthearted romance with larger-then-life characters, an entertaining storyline & lots of laughs - and if there's ahot, virile Viking involved, even better!

So I'm excited to to see that Viking in Love, the latest in Sandra's 'Viking I' series will hit shelves on January 26th.

Here's the story:

All Lord Caedmon of Larkspur wants, after nine long months in the king's service, is a bit of peace...not five bothersome Viking princesses who invade his keep, especially not the fiery redhead, Breanne. He has half a mind to kick her tempting arse out the door...but wait...he has a much more wickedly delightful plan for this thorn in his...um, side.Princess Breanne of Stoneheim is shocked at Larkspur's rundown condition with servants and children running wild whilst Caedmon lies abed after a night of mead and, no doubt, wanton bedsport. Breanne must endure the loathsome lout to protect her four sisters. She can hardly imagine what this knight will demand of her in return.

You can read an excerpt here.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

[Lori Devoti] AMAZON QUEEN / Book 2: Amazons

I'm so excited for the April 27, 2010 release of Amazon Queen! This is book 2 in Lori's 'Amazon' series following the hugely popular Amazon Ink.

The series is set in modern-day America where millennia-old Amazon traditions meet the challenges of the age of technology.
Here's the synopsis for Amazon Queen:

Amazon queen Zery Kostovska has never questioned tribe traditions. After all, these rules have kept the tribe strong for millennia and enabled them to live undetected, even in modern-day America. Zery is tough, fair, commanding–the perfect Amazon leader.
At least, she was. A new high priestess with a penchant for secrecy and technology is threatening Zery’s rule. Plus, with the discovery of the Amazon sons, males with the same skills as their female counterparts, even Zery can’t deny that the tribe must change. But how? Some want to cooperate with the sons. Others believe brutal new leadership is needed–and are willing to kill to make it happen.
Once, Zery’s word was law. Now, she had no idea who to trust, especially with one powerful Amazon son making her question all her instincts. For Zery, tribe comes first, but the battle drawing near is unlike any she’s faced before…and losing might cost her both the tribe and her life.

If you haven't already read Amazon Ink, I suggest you get your copy soon. Here's what reviewers had to say:

“Gifted Devoti adds urban fantasy to her growing list of genres with the launch of a gritty first-person series featuring modern-day Amazons. Secrets and stubbornness impact all the major players in this dark drama/murder mystery. If this book is any indication, Devoti has a brilliant future ahead in this genre!”
~ Romantic Times Magazine, Jill M. Smith (4 Stars) Read Full Review

…fascinating mix of myth and reality…“…Devoti’s fascinating mix of myth and reality will keep readers engaged.”
~ Publisher’s Weekly

“The storyline itself is totally memorable with so much intrigue and a myriad of questions needing answers. As each disclosure of the many mysteries is divulged, I was held engrossed by every fascinating revelation. Lori Devoti has crafted an outstanding urban fantasy with strong characters plus creative writing, and I cannot wait to read more about this believable world. AMAZON INK is an enchanting novel brimming with mystery, emotion and an abundance of magic.”
~ SingleTitles.com, Amelia Richards (5 Stars) Read Full Review

…an intriguing tale…“Ms. Devoti pens an intriguing tale with a legend brought to life in a modern day world. Amazon Ink has murder, mystery, and magic that will keep readers engrossed in the story until the very end.”
~ Darque Reviews Read Full Review

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

[Shayla Black] ENTICE ME AT TWILIGHT / Book 4: Doomsday Brethren

I'm a serious fan of Shayla's Doomsday Brethren. So when I got the release dates for the next 2 entries in the series (books 4 & 5), I just had to share.

Check out the series list below:
Book 1: TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS — September 2008
Novella: "Fated" (FREE read on my site!)
Book 2: SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW — October 2009
Book 3: POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT — November 2009



Novella: "Mated" (in TBD anthology) — October 2010
Book 4: ENTICE ME AT TWILIGHT — November 2010
Book 5: EMBRACE ME AT DAWN — December 2010

Here's what Shayla has to say about Entice Me At Twilight:
"I am currently writing Entice Me At Twilight, which is Duke's book. One of my advance readers says this is the best Doomsday Brethren adventure yet, so I can't wait to share it with you! As soon as I have an official blurb and cover, I'll share them with you!" And of course you know, as soon as we see them, I'll share them with you. *wink*



You can Meet The Brethern - Brash, sexy warriors willing to fight the worst kind of evil - here.

Some of the amazing reviews for Possess Me At Midnight:

“The volatile emotions in this tale are truly combustible!”
~ RT Bookclub (Rated HOT!)

“Captivating… POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT [is] a book you won’t want to miss.”
~ Romance Reviews Today

“Page-turning magical suspense… Wring[s] emotion from every pore… leaves readers clamoring for more.”
~ Fallen Angels Reviews (Recommended Read)

“I could not stop reading. POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT is absolutely perfect.”
~ ParaNormal Romance Reviews

“I love the angst and passion between Sabelle and Ice; it’s tangible and often breathtaking. Possess Me At Midnight is another exciting chapter in the Doomsday Brethren’s fight…”
~ Joyfully Reviewed

“A thoroughly enjoyable read…”
~ Paranormal Romance Writers (10 out of 10)