Monday, February 25, 2013

Indulge Yourself

So, we all know that nothing stays the same in publishing for long. Sometimes, not even after the contract is signed. I'm getting used to change, hell, I expect it. 

The latest change? My Paint River Cowboys series has been changed from Entangled Publishing's Brazen line, to its Indulgence line. It's nothing personal; just some changes the house is going through. Indulgence puts out some wicked good books, so I'm happy all around. 

To celebrate, I'm giving away an Entangled Indulgence book of your choice. What? You've never seen the Indulgence line? 

I can help with that:

Go here and roll around on the awesome. You'll find the Paint River series here, *fingers crossed* with WHISKEY NOVEMBER being released in June 2013. 

To celebrate, I have a little contest (come on, you can't just win the book without using some brain cells first).

In book #3 of the Paint River series, MAY FIRE, a wounded hero comes home. Levi Haywood must find a new place on the ranch, and earn the trust and love of the girl he's loved...forever. 

Meet Levi:

 Justice Joslin


You're welcome. Now, Levi has been away because he's been in the military. 

Here's your question. Which branch of the military did Levi serve in?

A. Army

B. Navy

C. Air Force

D. Marines

Your name will be entered whether or not you get the question correct. 

And because I'm wicked sentimental over this story, here's THE SONG that sums it up. Enjoy. Now, leave a comment and enter to win. Contest ends Tuesday 5 pm CST.









Monday, February 11, 2013

Control Freaks Need Not Apply

I am a control freak!

See, I said it. Did it make me feel better? NO! Those of you who know me in real life are laughing at this proclamation. Control freak? ME? 

Yeah, not really. 

Messy? Disorganized? Flighty? Yep, that's me. But since becoming a 'real' writer (whatever that means), I've become a little control-freakish too. Why? Because I'm afraid of missing things like deadlines. 

But here's the thing I'm learning- deadlines don't really matter. Until they do

That's helpful, huh?

Because, for months, I've been doing this (see gif), because ya know, I have publisher deadlines:

  image 



Yeah, that was me. Funny thing, though- all of my editorial deadlines have come and gone, come and gone, been reassigned, come and gone, come and gone, been reassigned again and...

I still have no edits to work on, and hence, no firm deadlines anymore. 

Which leave me all:

 



 


But I am NOT FOOLED! You shouldn't be either. Because I'm learning that deadlines in publishing don't matter until they do. As in, line edits show up in your inbox and (surprise) you need to have them turned in within 24 hours. 

I hear this is a common theme for signed authors. I'm learning to just deal with it. I'm hoping my anxiety will help you learn this too. I will suffer for you, my friends. SUFFER!

My inner control freak is withering away into a pile of dust (which I wish was coffee grounds, actually, because I'm out). 

My inner nerdgirl loves this writery freedom because, clearly, I have things to write! New things. Shiny things.  Things that will hang out in deadline limbo, too. 

You'll hang with me, too, won't you??

We can be all:

image 

With popcorn. Or bacon. Your choice. 

   

  

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Tag, I'm It!

I've been tagged. In a blog-hop that is. 

A blog-hop that wants me to talk about my latest book. Really? I thought you'd never ask. 

Thank you to Tristina Wright, Mistress of Awesome, Colorful Hair, for tagging me. Her book rocks hard. Go read her blog-hop post and swoon over Lucas. You can thank me later. 

Tristina asked some questions about my new manuscript. She must know how much I love to talk about myself, er...my characters. 

I have three books under contract, and I can't talk about those (I'm sorry), but luckily, I have a shiny brand-new one that I can go on and on and on...anyway, here are those questions:

What is the working title of your book?

CONSTANT CRAVING is the working title, but if past history is any indication, my publisher will want it changed for various reasons. *sigh*

 Where did the idea come from for the book?

Ah, real life events? Really, yes, real life combined with a dash of whimsy, and fascination with my family's Native American heritage. 

Many years ago, a friend of mine was killed. His family had a string of strange occurrences happen after his death, one of which, was the appearance of an eagle feather that would crop up in the oddest places, at the oddest time, and then disappear just as quickly. No matter how you feel about magic or the power of the dead, you have to admit, it's a little intriguing, right?

So, I always wondered 'what if' that feather had meaning...if it was a sign or a a message. That got the plot for CONSTANT CRAVING moving along. 

The love story between Beckett and Darby challenges stereotype, racism and general obstacles, made all the more difficult by a terrible secret hanging over them both.  

 What genre does your book fall under?

Adult contemporary romance with a *dash* (just a dash) of paranormal. 

The trope is reunited lovers. *dreamy sigh*


What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

This is tough. I'm really not sure. I'd have to say Jay Tavare for Beckett. And, while she's not an actress per say, Amy Lee would make a great Darby.





Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I am represented by the very savvy Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates. I have no doubt she'll find a lovely home for this book.  

 How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
  
I'm still working on it, but should  be done by mid-March. Generally, I can complete a first draft in about 8-weeks. I started working on CC almost a year ago, but put it aside to finish up other projects. 

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Wondering, 'what if' and lots of 'could have beens' inspired this book.



 What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

I'll just cheat and do what everyone else has done (plus it's more fun to actually post a snippet)!

Here' s a teaser from CONSTANT CRAVING:




Beckett stood just behind her, close enough for his body heat to rival that of the bon-fire against her cheek. Darby’s breath caught as she absorbed his clean scent, a tingle of pleasure dancing over her face and down her neck. The fire crackled as Beckett hunkered down next to her. The fabric of his shirt brushed against her arm. Darby closed her eyes and trembled. Her hands spread palms down on the log to steady her shaking body. Damn, he was so close. 


He was watching her and Darby was in no way prepared for the catapult of emotions his expression gave her. His eyes never strayed from her face as he placed a marshmallow on the silver stick and popped it in the fire. Flames licked and claimed the soft white treat, sizzling the marshmallow to a singed brown in an instant. Beckett lifted it, reaching across her to pluck a strawberry from the bowl next to her. He shifted on his knee and dipped the strawberry into the gooey marshmallow, twirling the fruit until it was covered with sweet white strings. 


Darby turned then and her heart hitched. Beckett’s jaw was clean shaven and so very, very smooth in the flickering orange light. The little indent in his lower lip was deeper with shadow, enhancing the firm outline of his delectable lips, the rise of his cheekbones strong and so utterly male. His hair was loose, hanging in rich silky strands over his broad shoulders to his lower back. Darby’s lips parted as unsteady breath forced its way in and out. 


Beckett lay the stick down, holding the strawberry and perusing it. The tip of his tongue brushed against his lower lip and Darby felt a throb uncurl deep in her belly. He brought the berry to his lips, the lids of his almond-shaped eyes growing heavy. Beckett paused, his gaze sweeping her mouth as he slowly bit the tip of the strawberry and pulled it back, strings of marshmallow falling in little ribbons from his mouth. One corner of his mouth turned up. Darby couldn’t pull her eyes away from his tongue as he licked his lips, the wicked half-smile growing more deadly. Before she could respond, Beckett graced the strawberry across her lips, slowly, gently. It was cold and warm and dripping with juice.


            “Strawberry, Darby?” His eyes were so intense; Darby thought her heart might stop from the sheer force of sex in his expression. She tasted sweetness on her lips, wondered how delicious it would be to sample the nectar from Beckett’s mouth. Darby grabbed his hand with hers, fingers lacing the back of his hand and holding him steady. 


            “I thought you’d never ask,” she nipped marshmallow from the side of the berry. Her tongue swept along the side, caressing more marshmallow, until her lips met his fingers where he held the fruit. Everything inside her exploded. Her body ached, demanded, needed with a furious storm. A sound growled from her throat…a moan, a cry? She didn’t know. It didn’t matter. 


Gods, it didn’t matter. 


            Beckett’s right hand shot to the back of her head, his fingers twining in her hair. He leaned so fast, the ends of his long hair whipped against her neck. He stopped, the strawberry the only thing separating their lips. Darby closed her eyes. It hurt, damn it. To want this. To crave him like this. 


            “Dammit, Beckett, kiss me.” Her chest heaved. Darby forced her eyes open, met his leaden gaze. He bit the strawberry. Once. Twice, until it was half its size, each bite bringing him closer to her lips. His sweet breath washed over her, arching anticipation to the moon.  Darby tightened her grip on his hand, biting her side of the berry as he bit his, the fruit fading away. A zing of heat from his mouth swept over hers but he didn’t clear the minuscule space. Just a whisper, a breath…a heartbreak away from that mouth. That perfect, incredible, bring-her-to-tears, Beckett mouth. 


            “Please,” Darby whispered. She hated the need in her voice, but stopping it was like death. 


            “No,” Beckett's fingers slid through her hair as he pulled away.  “I told you to leave Red Rock, Darby and I wasn’t kidding. By the end of the week, I expect you’ll be gone.”

Thanks for tagging me, Tristina. To keep this fun blog-hop going, here are five authors I'm poking with that virtual ruler:

Tristina (Because we want more Lucas)



Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Let's Win Something

Happy Tuesday! It could be a much happier Tuesday if you win a book today, yes??

Well then, let's try and win you a book!

To celebrate my three-book contract with Entangled Publishing's Brazen line, I'm giving away a Brazen book of your choice (or other line title if you've read all the Brazen's). 

Sound cool? It is. Here, play along. 

Since I can't talk about the Paint River series too much (it'll have it's own promo stuff when the time comes), I thought I'd do a teaser with my work-in-progress, Constant Craving. 

The male MC has an unusual name, Beckett. 

Meet Beckett:

 Isn't he pretty? Yeah. 


Here's the contest question: Where did I come up with the name Beckett?


Hint: You'll need to get your early 1990's NERD GIRL on. It's from my fav TV show when I was a youngster. Biggest crush ever on:


What's the name of the TV show? Bonus points if you can name the character Beckett came from. (Come on...I just gave it to you).

First correct answer of television show,and/or character name wins a Brazen of choice. 

Then, a random winner will be selected from ALL answers for a Brazen title of their choice. 

So that's TWO books to give away. Now, go play....Comment below!

Winner's chosen at 1:00 CST Today. :)

 

Monday, February 4, 2013

Book Deal!

So, I am ridiculously behind in posting. *ducks* But, I have a valid reason, I promise. 

I signed a book deal and have been working my butt off to get my books done. That counts, right? I realize I haven't even blogged about the BOOK DEAL! Gah!

Told you: behind. Ridiculously.

~Que the music~

I signed a three-book deal with Entangled Publishing for their Brazen line. I squeed so much when my agent presented me with this contract in December that I'm still hoarse. This means, of course, that you'll be meeting Cole and Tucker Haywood from Paint River ranch sometime in 2013. 

I have no deets for you yet, but as soon as I do, I promise I won't drag-ass in getting them to you. 

In the meantime, check back tomorrow for a fun contest & the chance to win the current Brazen title of your choice! 

Wait...you don't know what Entangled's Brazen books are? Let me hold your hand and lead you to the deliciousness.

Come here little peeps...BRAZEN awaits you.