Update: Marie’s winner is…Cories! Congrats, Cories!

By: Marie Force

Thanks so much for having me today, Cynthia!

Yesterday I received the following words of wisdom in a fortune cookie: Energy is equal to desire and purpose. I loved this. It totally sums up my life right now. I work full time—from home, but full time nonetheless. I’m the communications director for a national membership organization similar to RWA, but we work in the accounting field. With our annual meeting bearing down on us, we’re busier than ever. So of course that’s the best time to bring out a new book, right? NOT!

When I sold Fatal Affair to Carina Press, I knew it would be out in June. How could I have known in February that my June 21 launch date would exactly coincide with the week the 100-page program for the conference was in final production? Oh and did I mention my kids were finishing school (the youngest ending his elementary school tenure) the same week? To say that last week was utter madness would be putting it mildly. I worked several 13- and 14-hour days, answered blog comments on lunch and dinner breaks and late at night while writing more blogs for subsequent stops.

People often ask me how I do it. How do I balance a more-than full-time job, two busy kids, a husband, a puppy, a home, and a writing career in which everything I’ve been working years to get to seems to be happening all at once? To be honest, some days, it gets kind of ugly around here. My kids run out of clean underwear. The milk jug runs dry, and I don’t notice (mostly because I wouldn’t touch the stuff if I was parched). The house becomes a Super Fund site, and again, I barely notice. Lately, I’ve taken steps to address some of these issues: I bought my kids more underwear and bit the bullet and hired a weekly cleaning lady. Something had to give and it was either going to be the underwear or my head was going to explode. Buying the underwear seemed like a pretty damned good investment in my mental health. The cleaning lady? Well, she was just necessary to keep the board of health from showing up at my front door. Plus I found out my friend Rebecca was hogging the cleaning lady, and I couldn’t let her get away with that. 🙂 I taught her to share and share alike.

So how does it all get done? The energy comes from desire and purpose. I love my kids more than anything and adore the ages they are now (almost 15 and 11). I love my job. If my literary ship came in tomorrow and it was the size of the QE2, I’d probably keep my job. I love what I do, I love the cause we’re working for (bringing accountability to government), and I love a lot of the people I get to interact with every day—all without leaving my house. And I love my writing “job,” too. Lately, that’s what it’s started to feel like, and that has been negatively impacting the writing—the truly fun part. I’m trying to get reconnected to the words now that the initial promotion frenzy for Fatal Affair is coming to an end. Fingers crossed that the desire and purpose will bring me some writing energy!

I’m wondering if your life’s desires and give you purpose and fuel your energy reserves? Do you find a way to make it all happen? Do you sometimes have to buy more underwear to keep your head from exploding? Tell me I’m not alone! I’ll give a copy of Fatal Affair to one respondent. Look forward to chatting with you today!

About Fatal Affair:

On the morning of the most important vote of Senator John O’Connor’s career he is late—again. His best friend and chief of staff, Nick Cappuano sets off to O’Connor’s apartment expecting to roust him from bed and hoping he is alone. But what Nick finds is that O’Connor, the handsome, amiable Senator from Virginia, has been brutally murdered, and Nick’s world comes crashing down around him. Complicating the disaster, the detective assigned to the case is none other than Sam Holland, Nick’s one-night stand from six years earlier, the woman who broke his heart and haunts his dreams. With six years worth of unfinished business hanging between them and more than a few scores to settle personally and professionally, Nick and Sam set out to find the senator’s killer while trying—and failing—to resist the overwhelming attraction between them that seems to have only grown over the years.

It soon becomes clear that the senator’s past holds secrets that not only led to his death but now endanger Nick and Sam as well. Working together to find a killer and to rediscover the love they thought they lost long ago, they must put the past behind them and build a future that offers a world of new opportunities for both of them—including an offer from the Virginia Democrats for Nick to finish the last year of John’s term. Buy the book at http://ebooks.carinapress.com.

And about me:

Marie Force’s first romantic suspense, FATAL AFFAIR, was released on June 21, 2010 from Carina Press. Book 2 in the Fatal Series, FATAL JUSTICE, is coming in January from Carina. She is also the author of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE and LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT. Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist said, “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Wild on Books said, “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!” A third contemporary, EVERYBODY LOVES A HERO, is due out Feb. 1, 2011. Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to the Romance Writers of America. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and Published Author Special Interest Chapters. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two children and a feisty dog named Brandy. Find her at www.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909 and on Twitter at twitter.com/MarieForce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

Available July 13 at Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com

Update: Denise’s winner is…Viki! Congrats, Viki!!

Thanks so much to Cynthia Eden for inviting me to blog here.

As a writer I’m always thinking of new ideas. And I mean always. I have so many ideas for what to write next, my muse insists that I jot something down whether it be a blurb, a paragraph, a chapter, you name it. With DARK, DEADLY LOVE, my July 13 release at Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com, the story evolved over a very long time. Perhaps from the time I was a child.

With an avid interest in the Jack the Ripper murders, collecting stories, thinking about the man behind the gruesome crimes and his victims, I wanted to one day write my own account of these historical events.

As an anglophile, I’d always wanted to travel to England, and in 1996 I was fortunate enough to move there. My three year adventure, traveling through England with my husband and my muse, inspired me to write ‘Midnight Rose’ which was published in 2002. In 2006 the book went out of print. Fast forward to present day. I revised this story, got a new title, and am proud to announce the upcoming release of DARK, DEADLY LOVE at Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com.

I adore the new cover. It says sensuality, it says historical romance, it says London, it says scary. It captures everything I was trying to create.

DARK, DEADLY LOVE delves into the minds of the victims—the prostitutes that were killed. This book possesses elements of a dark, intense, gritty historical story. I wrote the story the way I love to read dark historicals, capturing a grisly time in England’s history.

When I submitted this story to Samhain, I was thrilled that I wasn’t asked to soften it up, thanks to my wonderful editor, Bethany Morgan! As with most of my work, there are high sensual elements, romance, but unlike a lot of my work, this book is more explicit with the danger and violence, and I didn’t pull any punches.

Enjoy the blurb and this small excerpt.  I hope this story thrills you the way it thrilled me to create it.

A woman with secret powers and wishes…A man haunted by nightmares and his desires…A slayer without remorse…

When American Alexandra Watson travels to London as Ross Havenwood’s ward, her empathic abilities tell her that shadows haunt Ross and the city that becomes her new home.  A killer stalks the streets, and Alexandra dreams of death. She is compelled to shelter a young servant who harbors a deadly secret. Ross challenges a relentless menace to learn the truth while fighting a desire for Alexandra that burns his soul. Someone is killing prostitutes in the East End, and as Alexandra and Ross draw closer to the identity of the murderer, they realize the executioner knows who they are.

* *

The back door opened without a squeak, and when Alexandra stepped into the dew-drenched garden, she realized a moment of paradise. Although the sky held a gray cast, the sun made a valiant effort. She heard sounds beyond, like that of horses’ hooves on cobblestone. With all the beauty before her, she could forget the noisy streets. A great walled enclose, built high on all sides, made the area feel isolated from the bustle of London. Brilliant flowers bloomed in profusion. An intoxicating blend of roses touched her senses, more colors than she’d seen anywhere, and more scents than she could remember.

Alexandra heard the noise before she understood what made the sound. Groans. Rhythmic and sure. Her brow wrinkled as she walked around some high, thick rosebushes and encountered the reason for the grunts.

Ross lay almost face down on the ground. He pushed up from the ground with effort, a count parting his lips as he shoved his body weight upward. Then lowered. Then up. His forearms bulged with muscle and his long hair dangled across his face. Hesitation held her immobile, and she waited until he breathed out his last count and sprung to his feet.

“Very impressive,” she said without thinking.

He swung about, his hair not obscuring either the surprise on his face, or the fact that his shirt wasn’t tucked in and laid open all the way to the waist. “Alexandra. What are you doing here?”

Her mouth opened as she took in the immediate shock of seeing his naked chest and stomach. Her gaze stayed riveted to hard musculature. “Osmond said you’d be here.”

Ross clenched his fists, and the movement caused muscles in his chest to move. “I told him I didn’t want to be disturbed.”

Disconcerted by the edge in his tone, she remained silent. He stalked toward her, his displeasure written in each taut line of his body. Once again her gaze snagged on his masculinity. A generous amount of dark hair sprinkled over his chest, tapering down to his stomach where it flared in a wide pattern. She’d never viewed a stomach like his, ridged and defined. Something sweet and hot burned low in her stomach, swirling and igniting.

Oh, my.

He stood so close she felt the heat off his body. For a moment, as he towered over her, she contemplated running. A man this large and strong could overtake any woman. She felt that authority running deep, connecting with her in a way she’d never experienced before. She didn’t know whether to be frightened or revel in the outrageous sensations winging through her body and mind. Then Alexandra understood why she felt this way about Ross, and the idea made her blush. No decent woman would be so improperly elated by the sight of Ross Havenwood’s naked chest. At least this would be what people would tell her. Since when had she listened to others when her instincts drew her toward something? Not often.

He crossed his arms. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“I’m sorry to disturb your constitutional, but I felt I had to speak with you.”

“I exercise every morning. During that time no one comes here.”

She tilted her chin up, trying to minimize his superior height and his disturbing closeness.

“I didn’t realize in England exercise was so sacred.”

Alexandra realized her tone sounded snappish, but his nearness was sending her senses into a riot. She felt hot and flushed.

His gaze warmed, loosing the sharp tension from moments ago. He shrugged his big shoulders and laughed. “One day here doesn’t give you clear understanding of London, about England or about society here. I shudder to think how innocent you are of what goes on in the world out there.”

Her lips twitched. “Really? I know nothing about it? What would you know of my innocence, or anything about me? I haven’t seen, nor spoke with you in almost ten years. I am a grown woman, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Ross’s nostrils flared slightly as he took a breath. His searching gave traveled from her head to her toes. “Oh, believe me, I’ve noticed.”

Shivery warmth seemed to touch each place his gaze traversed. She sensed wildness within him, a deep restless spirit, like an animal on the hunt. Ross stared until his unrelenting attention almost sent her running. Almost. Instead Alexandra couldn’t help giving him the same treatment. Her attention locked on the tangle of his curling, shiny hair. A long tendril lay across his neck. Another stirring pushed through her belly. Their gazes tangled.

She struggled for control. “What are you staring at, Ross?”

“You.”

**

CONTEST: At the end of the day I’ll pick one winner from the comments to receive a paperback from my backlist! Be sure to check back here often. 🙂

Stop by my website at www.deniseagnew.com for excerpts of all my books, including yet another new release, DARYK HUNTER, which comes out on July 14 at Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com.  DARYK HUNTER is the first book in my DARYK WORLD TRILOGY.

Thanks to Cynthia for inviting me to her blog!  I had another blog written for today, but on Saturday I read Shelli Stevens’ guest blog for Cynthia.  At the end of Shelli’s blog, she said to leave a comment with what summer plans we’re most excited about.  In that second, I knew I had to scrap my other blog and instead talk about that I’m doing.  Because I have FREAKIN’ HUGE SUMMER PLANS!  I’m turning indie!  I’m publishing my  e-book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.  It’s a decision that came slowly, but once I made it, it felt right.  More than that, it felt self-empowering.

So that’s what my June has been about.  I had to read an old ms., CATTITUDE, that I always thought was marketable.  It’s an award-winning book and I had an agent for it about five years ago.  She loved it but couldn’t sell it.  People who’ve read the blurbs on my old website have asked me to let them know when it’s published, so I know it hits a chord.

Because I don’t have an editor and a copy editor, I asked six beta readers to go over it.  It’s taking longer with so many readers, but I want to put out the best, most mistake-free product that is possible without going insane.  I think I have a high threshold for insanity, but your never know when your head might explode.  So six is my limit.  I’ve gotten three critiques back, and I’m waiting for at least two more before giving it to a friend who offered to format it in Smashwords.

In the middle of all of this, I realized I needed a new website. I wanted one in WordPress, so I can update it myself.  My fabulous, brilliant and uber talented CP, Michelle Diener, helped me put one up.  Meaning she did most everything and I somehow lost the blog until she told me how to find it again.

Many other people helped me with my ms. and are still helping me. But that’s going to be another blog.  This blog is about my summer plans, which are to become an indie author.  It will probably be another 2-4 weeks until I get my book on Smashwords et al (which in the publishing world is a sneeze of time), but as soon as the book is set up, I’ll send it out to one commenter, chosen at random. You can read an excerpt here.

Here’s the blurb for CATTITUDE:

Feline or Femme Fatale?

After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one.  But she doesn’t count on falling in love with her former owner.  Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better. It’s all in the CATTITUDE.

So, what are you excited about in your life?

Edie Ramer

http://www.edieramer.com

I’LL BE SLAYING YOU is available now! The second book in my Night Watch series is in stores today!! Go, Dee!!

Cynthia Eden returns to the realm of the Other, where the supernatural bounty hunters of Night Watch work hard and play harder…

Sandra “Dee” Daniels is a vampire’s worst nightmare. Sure, she couldn’t get up to five-six in the highest heels money can buy—not that she ever wears heels. But the monsters in her past and the stake in her boot are enough to keep most bloodsuckers interested in staying undead out of Baton Rouge.

But there are changes afoot on her turf. Rumors of a Born Master in town—a vampire so powerful he can make the streets run with blood. And a new face in Dee’s dive bars and alleyways—Simon Chase, a strong, sexy shadow with a haunted past of his own. Simon knows a lot about the dark side of Dee’s work. He knows even more about how to make her body spark with desire. But the hot lust shimmering between them is only the beginning. Because Simon also knows a secret that will change Dee’s life—if she can live long enough to uncover it.

***

But wait…there’s a bonus!  The first book in my Night Watch series, ETERNAL HUNTER is being offered as a free Kindle download from 6/29-7/5. Oh, yes, FREE!  So if you missed ETERNAL HUNTER, here is your chance to get it!  You can learn all about the Night Watch hunters and get some great background information on Dee.  If you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the book using the Kindle for PC feature–and then you can read the book on your computer. (If you’re already read ETERNAL HUNTER & you enjoyed it, then this is the chance to get your friends to try the book–for free!)

Cynthia Eden delves into the dark realms of the Others, where desires and dangerous games await the unsuspecting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Assistant DA Erin Jerome has a secret. Make that two. One: She’s not entirely human–she’s Other, desperately trying to keep her supernatural strength under wraps. Two: she’s got a killer stalking her–an Other rogue set on “gifting” her bloody corpses, not to mention nights lying awake in terror. Small wonder she’s been having bad luck with men.

But the bounty hunter on her new case isn’t worried about any of that. Jude Donovan is a shapeshifter himself, and the new DA’s midnight hair and addictive scent tell him all he thinks he needs to know:  She’s gorgeous, she’s definitely not human, and she’s bringing out the animal in him in a really good way. He might have to track a psychotic Other stalker through half of Louisiana. But he might also get the chance to watch Erin’s wild side come out and play.

***

Have a great day!!  I’ll be off to sign stock soon.

So go. Buy. Slay!

Update: Lauren’s winner is…Jamie Birdwell! Congrats, Jamie!!

My name is Lauren Dane and I admit it, I love series. Reading and writing them.

Lucky for me, my readers love them too so I get to write more of them. I love to write a series of books with the characters’ connection to one another as the uniting theme. My Chase Brothers for instance, or the spin off series from my Cascadia Wolves, de La Vega Cats.

Cascadia Wolves was my first series featuring shifters as main characters. I love the Warden family and their mates and I had a great deal of fun writing the books in the Pellini story arc.

I haven’t stopped writing about that world though, because I do love it and because it’s big enough for me to spin off to other packs and other paranormal characters.

Which is what I did with TRINITY.

TRINITY finally gave one of my favorite characters from the Cascadia Wolves series, Jack, his HEA with Renee, a witch and Galen, a jaguar shifter. It started a whole new group of stories and characters, while retaining a connection to Cascadia.

I loved stepping from the world of wolves into the world of cats. I love shifters in general, but cats were newer territory so I got to build an entire culture to give Galen and his family context.

I love writing wolves, but big cats have proven to be just as fun to write. A cat moves with power and grace. A cat can be silly and definitely lazy. Even jaguars like to lay around in the sunshine.

TRINITY was also the start of a two book story arc. The story of Renee and Kendra’s past, of what happened to their mother and why will conclude by the end of REVELATION.

In REVELATION I make the full shift to the world of big cat shifters, with the de La Vega family at the center. We learn more about Max and Galen’s family as Kendra, Renee’s sister and the heroine of the book, falls in love with Max and spends time with them.

I’ve fallen in love with Boston and my cats, with the National Pack wolves and the witches we’ve met and will continue to as the series moves forward. I hope you all do too! If you’d like to read an excerpt or blurb for either book, the book covers will take you to the pages at my website!

Do you like series? If so, got any favorites? Do you stick to certain genres?

I’ve got a digital copy of TRINITY and a digital ARC of REVELATION to give away to one winner chosen from the comments below.

Thanks for having me,

Lauren