Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Let's talk about books!


I love this picture for the simple fact that I wish I take a break from my busy life to lounge in a hammock next to the ocean and read a really good. I live in Arizona so there isn't any oceans nearby to provide me this luxury for even an hour. A vacation is also out of the question at the moment. So let's focus on the second part of my wish... the good book part of it all.


I've been reading a lot of James Patterson lately. I know that many people groan when hearing his name. Bad writing? Too many books published in such a short amount of time? I dunno, but I love his books. The dialogue and action are so snappy that once I pick a book up, I can't put it back down. Anyway, I finished another James Patterson novel and decided I needed something by another author for a little bit.


As I strolled through the library I wondered what I wanted to read. I'm usually drawn to the suspense section but stayed away from it that day. I needed something light. Something funny. Something with love but it didn't really have to be a romance. I stayed in in the fiction section. I pulled books out, looked at the cover, read the back, and put them back. Nothing seemed to catch my eye that day. Okay, I thought, I would do one more aisle and if I didn't find anything there then I would leave empty handed.


The book was pink and titled Good in Bed. Good in Bed? Of course I had to take a look at this book. I had never read a book from Jennifer Weiner. I had always wanted to read something from her but hadn't yet. This was my chance. I checked it out and started reading the book on the ride home (I take the bus). Three pages in and I was hooked. This book is exactly what I was looking for at the moment.


How do you choose the book you read?


Talk to you soon,

Wendy Ely

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Circle City: Lord of the Wolfen: Book I (Axl's Story) IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!!


Happy Tuesday everyone! I'm super excited! Today I get to share Axl and Zoe with the world! Circle City: Lord of the Wolfen - Book I is NOW AVAILABLE in ebook format for .99! It will release in print next month!

For Your Kindle

For Your Nook


Circle City Blurb
On the edge of civilization, there is a place called Circle City, Alaska. The last town before the Yukon Flats gives way to frigid desolation. When Zoe O'Brien, a secluded widow, kills a crazed mother wolf and saves the only cub from sure death, she ignites a war between the Wolfen Clan and the Kontar Clan. The wolf people have been enemies of the dog people for centuries and the cub she takes in is heir to the Wolfen throne. Taken prisoner by the Wolfen for murder and kidnapping, Zoe is forced to see and do things with creatures she never knew existed, held against her will in a world she both desires and fears. Axl Wolfdorn is coming of age, ready for his Unleashing and on the hunt for his Moonswan, the female he will choose for the Chase and the royal Feral Consummation. But how can he consider bonding with a mate when the only scent deep within his nose is the tangy scent of the woman who saved his life, the very woman who forced his clan into war, the woman he must now kill to avenge his mother's death?

Spread Love,
Alisha

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Shadows of the Mind for ninety-bloody-nine cents!


Yes, that's right, I have gone mad (but some of you already knew that)! I have authorised my publisher to put out Shadows of the Mind for a crazy .99 c over there at Amazon in Kindle format right here...or here...or here? Yes, that's right, ninety--bloody--nine cents! Why, because, not only will you get a story about aliens, tentacles, spaceships, weird happenings, sexy young men and Zane (with his wonderfully dry sense of humour and his really big....), you will then be compelled to buy the next part in the series, Light of the Body.

See?

There is a method to my complete and utter madness...but only just. So why not pick up a really CHEAP copy of Shadows of the Mind. Then, when you've enjoyed it and laughed how you got it so cheap, think of me and my constant need for chocolate and buy the next part in the series...then the next...and so on and so on until you are so hooked into Mark Alders' universe that you will be emailing me to find out when my next release is...

Go on...you deserve it...Get Shadows of the Mind and never look back!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dedications are like tattoos!


I'm getting ready to release a new book book and have been thinking about who to dedicate the book to. I haven't posted in awhile but I have the most amazing boyfriend who I've fallen in love with. I told my daughter that I would like to dedicate "A Final Kiss" to him. She said: Mom, I'm not saying anything bad is going to happen with him, but what if it does? Book dedications are like tattoos. If you dedicate this book to him it will always be out there in the universe."

She's right with that point. I have dedicated a previous book to someone and wish I could take it back but can't now. It will always and forever be in the universe somewhere. But does this change my mind about dedicating "A Final Kiss" to Reggie? It doesn't.

So I'm wondering how you choose the people you dedicate your books to?

On another note: I haven't been around for awhile because I started my internship for a criminal defense attorney. Working in criminal law is so fascinating! Now I'm going to school in the mornings and heading straight over to the law firm in the afternoon. At night I go to the gym with the kids and then I see Reggie. On most nights I am gone until 8:30 at night! I also have been chosen to be a student ambassador for my college. This requires me to maintain a 4.0 GPA and 90% attendance. Can you say exhausted?

Talk to you soon,
Wendy Ely

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Axl is HERE! Can you say YUMMY?


I'm super thrilled and excited this week! I just received my cover art from my very talented cover artist, Tamra Westberry! BTW, Tamra does freelance covers for sixty bucks. She will also design the print version of your cover, which includes the spine and the back for no additional charge! See the clickable banner at your right. It will take you directly to her cover artist site. And if you're looking for another great author, check out her books as well! She writes as Tara West.

Tamra has designed five of my covers. See Canyon Wolf Bride and The Wooden Nickel covers on the right hand side of this blog. Two of my very favorite covers! She will make changes on your cover until you are absolutely happy with the final design. A total professional.

Let me give you some examples of her creativity. I told her my book was set in Alaska. She sent me a background photo of the aurora borealis with a moon. She had the foresight to think of the Alaskan skies and to incorporate a moon since my book is about werewolves! Wow! She also came up with the cool design around the title which I didn't even mention to her because I had no way to describe what I wanted, which was some sort of cool design to offset the title and stress the word "circle", which has more meaning to the reader than you realize at first glance. Somehow her artist instinct picked up on it and came up with the very cool design! And she also knows which font will perfectly convey the tone of any book.

Do you notice anything unique about my hero's eyes? She even pays attention to tiny details like that. Pretty awesome, huh?

My cover model is gladiator, Sam Bond. I think he is just about the sexiest man alive!

Circle City: Lord of the Wolfen - Book I ~ Axl's Story will release this week! Available in ebook at Amazon and Barnes and Noble for all ereaders, Kindle, Nook, iPad, and Sony readers for .99! This is a full length paranormal erotic romance of 106,000 words.

Blurb
On the edge of civilization, there is a place called Circle City, Alaska. The last town before the Yukon Flats gives way to frigid desolation. When Zoe O'Brien, a secluded widow, kills a crazed mother wolf and saves the only cub from sure death, she ignites a war between the Wolfen Clan and the Kontar Clan. The wolf people have been enemies of the dog people for centuries and the cub she takes in is heir to the Wolfen throne. Taken prisoner by the Wolfen for murder and kidnapping, Zoe is forced to see and do things with creatures she never knew existed, held against her will in a world she both desires and fears. Axl Wolfdorn is coming of age, ready for his Unleashing and on the hunt for his Moonswan, the female he will choose for the Chase and the royal Feral Consummation. But how can he consider bonding with a mate when the only scent deep within his nose is the tangy scent of the woman who saved his life, the very woman who forced his clan into war, the woman he must now kill to avenge his mother's death?


Have a great Tuesday!

Spread Love ~ Alisha

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Biting the Bullet

You heard it here first. I've got my first idea for a m/m story. I've had m/m secondary characters in some of my books, but they never took the center stage, regardless of being almost stronger in emotion and plot as the main story. (Still have yet to finish that book, by the way).

At first, I'll admit, I was resistant to the idea because for so many years I'd written and read m/f and didn't really understand how to navigate through a plot line using two male leads. Do I make them both strong? Or one the softer of the two? Do I make them a clash of opposing forces, or brothers-in-arms facing a common enemy?

Oh, it was a tangle to be sure. I wanted the right mix of both. I wanted characters who would resonate with me while I wrote them--like my guys in the secondary storyline of The Host: Bloodlust. For some reason, writing the tender or hot moments between those two came really easy. The artist, Biazzio, rich, famous, pseudo-vampire is not the aggressor in the relationship. That comes from his human lover, Nix. I liked that flip on expected. I think that's why it works for me. Nix also has an agenda of his own that stems from his parents' swinger lifestyle when he was growing up - a lifestyle that included Biazzio's late lover, Achilles. It's a tangled web and you'd really have to read The Host: Shadows first to understand Benito Achilles a bit better, but suffice it to say he was a lover of beauty no matter what form it took. Biazzio's gentle soul is what I love most about him. What I find most fascinating about the characters of Biazzio and Nix is that I never set out to write m/m in that book. Not really. It just sort of happened and I went with it. Letting the characters guide me through. Which I'm glad for. So, it was natural that when I decided to do a book with two heroes I would want to wait until the right project came along and not force the issue with characters I didn't feel up to the task.

And no, I'm not going to reveal what my idea is...not just yet anyways. I will say that I'm very excited about it and it is set in a fantasy world. I don't yet know the heat level, as I'll let the characters decide that as well. I'll see how it goes as the plot unfolds. I haven't even decided what name I'm going to write it under. Fantasy fic usually goes to my MK Mancos persona, so I'll have to wait and see what the characters do first. However, I'm pretty sure I'm going to shoot for a shorter length as in under 40K. I will continue to write my m/f stories as I always have - this isn't a departure from that only an addition to.

I am hoping to start the story, tentatively titled, Men of Shards, later this year and will keep you all updated on my progress. Wish me luck as I branch out into this new writing experience for me.

Until next week,

-Kat

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

New Cover:Magolescence


Here is the cover for Magolescence! Wow! How fantastic is it or what? The cover captures Shane, my hero, perfectly. Thank you to Angela Waters for creating such a beautiful design!

Magolescence follows Shane as he becomes a magician (the ones who can use real magic not just pull rabbits from hats). It shows him going through a magical puberty known as Magolescence! Yes, there will be a snake...and not how you imagine either...From there, his best friends Joel and Will join him to form his coven. A coven that helps give Shane his powers through their love! Be warned, this is m/m/m all the way!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tears for Japan



In one moment disaster struck.
Precious lives lost.
Washed out to sea.
An enormous moving tear drop.
The world weeps.
Beautiful Japan.
Land of color, perfection and art.
Our hearts are with you.
The dragon will dance again.
And Japan will thrive.
Beautiful Japan.
Hold On.
Hold On.
Soon the darkness will fade.
The red lanterns will sway again.





~ My heart goes out to beautiful Japan. The death toll is believed to be around 10,000, the homeless have reached 500,000 and many are missing. Now radiation levels are rising. Click here. HELP in this time of need.

I will leave you with some beautiful images of Japan and Japanese art. (Photos courtesy of Photobucket.com)

~ God Bless Japan





Monday, March 14, 2011

Please Welcome Guest, Paige Tyler




I'm so excited to announce I have a new book out with Ellora's Cave! It's a paranormal romance called GHOST HUNTER, and it's got a hunky hero, a kick-ass heroine and a serial killing ghost that's scary as hell! Not to mention a smokin' hot cover!

I love when I come up with an idea for a book out of the blue, which is what happened with GHOST HUNTER. When I heard my local RWA chapter set up a lecture with a team of paranormal investigators, it got me thinking right away about writing a book about a ghost hunter. Because the chapter is far from where we live, though, we didn't actually go to the lecture. I was a little bummed about that, especially since they were giving out EMF detectors. On second thought, maybe it was better we didn't go. Ghosts freak me out, so having something that can detect them probably wouldn't be a good idea.

Enough about me, back to the story behind the story. While I knew the hero was a ghost hunter named Trace, I wasn't quite sure how the heroine fit into the story, or even who she was. So, my hubby and I played around with a few ideas at our local PF Chang's (we come up with a lot of story ideas there!) We both decided that having the heroine Cassidy need the hero's help because her house was haunted or something like that didn't seem original enough, so we made her a budding romance writer who tags along with the hero and his team to do some research. Like any good story, though, it had to have some conflict, which is why Trace and Cassidy completely rub each other the wrong way right from the beginning. Actually, he thinks he's a jerk. But don't worry, Cassidy discovers underneath that rough ghost hunter exterior, Trace is just the man she's been looking for. It doesn't hurt that he's hot!

Okay, so we had our hero and heroine. Now we needed a bad guy. That's where the ghost comes in. He's not your standard, everyday ghost, though. He's a serial killer who attacked Cassidy that comes back from the grrave to continue his string of grisly murders, and she's at the top of his list. To make things even more interesting, not only can he do all the regualar ghostly stuff like walk through walls and materialize out of thin air, he can also take solid form.

I'm not going to tell you any more than that, though. Don't want to give too much away, you know. I will add that my editor at Ellora's Cave told me she got so caught up in the story, she completely forgot she was reading a submission!

Now that you know the story behind the story, I think I'll tease you with an excerpt. Enjoy!


BLURB:


Almost getting murdered by a serial killer gives Cassidy Kincaide a new lease on life and convinces her to go ahead and tackle that ghost-hunter novel she's always wanted to write. So, she hooks up with a gorgeous paranormal investigator named Trace McCord to do some research.

Cassidy and Trace rub each other the wrong way right from the beginning, but they have to put aside their differences when the serial killer who attacked her comes back from the grave to continue his string of grisly murders, with her at the top of his list.



Trace has to keep Cassidy close to keep her safe, and as they try to stay one step ahead of the ghost while figuring out how to stop it, he and Cassidy end up in each other’s arms. While Trace has a whole list of reasons why he shouldn’t get involved with her, he finds himself falling in love with the beautiful blonde anyway. And even though Cassidy started out thinking he was a jerk, she learns that underneath the rough ghost hunter exterior, he’s just the man she’s always been looking for. Now, all they have to do, is live long enough to be together.





EXCERPT:



Trace was only a few miles from the address Robert had given him for Cassidy when his cell phone rang. At first he wasn’t going to answer it, but some sixth sense made him change his mind. Now he was glad he had.

He was about to disconnect the call when he heard a muffled scream on the other end of the line. It was quickly followed by a loud clatter, then nothing.

“Cassidy!”

No answer.

Trace felt his chest tighten. Swearing under his breath, he shoved his cell phone in the pocket of his jeans and floored the pedal on the Hummer, running a red light to get through the intersection. The other drivers honked their horns as they squealed to a stop, but he ignored them. There was no way he was going to let Cassidy die.



Five minutes later, he slid into the parking lot outside her apartment, running over an ornamental fence and a flower bed to come to a screeching halt a few feet from the front door. Jumping out of the Hummer, he ran around to the back and grabbed his duffel bag full of gear. Throwing it over his shoulder, he raced up the steps and charged through the door into the building, scaring the hell out of two women carrying laundry baskets.

“Where the hell are the stairs?” he demanded, not wanting to waste time with the elevator.

The women timidly pointed around the corner.

Trace didn’t thank them as he ran in that direction. He hit the steps hard, taking them hree at a time. Once on the fourth floor, he ran down the hall, checking the room numbers on he doors. When he came to the right one, he didn’t even bother to slow down. Instead, he icked the door in as hard as he could, reaching into his bag for his shotgun as the frame plintered and the door flew open.

He looked left and right as he entered the apartment, but there was no sign of Cassidy or el Vecchio. Trace’s blood ran cold at the scene that met his eyes. The living room looked s if a cyclone hit it. The couch and throw pillows were sliced to shreds, stuffing still floating hrough the air. The coffee table was lying on its side, as were the two end tables, and the amps that had been on them were smashed to pieces along with practically everything ele in the place. Even the walls had been slashed.



“Cassidy?” Trace called.

“In here.”

Trace followed the sound of her voice until he came to the kitchen. Cassidy was standing in the center of the room inside a wobbly drawn circle of salt, ready to throw a handful of something in his face. She sagged with relief at the sight of him, letting the stuff in her hand trickle out onto the floor. That was when he realized she was holding a big container of oregano.

“Is he gone?” she whispered.



Trace nodded. “Yeah, he’s gone. But I’m getting you the hell out of here anyway.”

He didn’t wait for an answer, but simply slung the shotgun over his shoulder by the strap, then walked into the kitchen and swung Cassidy up in his arms.

She put one of her own around his neck. “Is it safe for me to leave the circle?”

“Yes. I’ll keep you safe. Trust me.”

Apparently she must have believed him because she didn’t resist. She cuddled the container of oregano close to her body and leaned against his chest.


He frowned. “Cassidy, you did great with the salt circle. It saved your life without a doubt. But what are you doing with the oregano?”


She looked up at him with big, blue eyes. “Isn’t it what you used to get rid of ghosts?”



His mouth twitched. “That’s sage and garlic. You can ditch the spaghetti spice.”

“Oh,” was all she said. Resting her head on his shoulder, she let the container of oregano tumble to the floor, then put that arm around his neck, too.



Giving the place one more look to make sure Del Vecchio hadn’t come back, Trace carried her out of the apartment and right passed the alarmed neighbors who had come out into the hallway to see what the ruckus was all about. Trace imagined they got their money’s worth seeing a big guy with a shotgun and a duffel bag slung over his shoulder carrying a beautiful half-naked woman in his arms. He abruptly realized he probably should have taken a few minutes to let Cassidy grab some clothes. But then the lights in the hallway flickered and he decided he could get her clothes later. They were getting the hell out of there.



“Is she being kidnapped?” one elderly woman asked another in a low voice as he and Cassidy passed them.

“If she is,” said the other old woman, “then I want to want to be kidnapped next.”

Any other time, Trace would have laughed, but right now all he wanted to do was get Cassidy someplace safe. Fortunately, he knew exactly where to take her.



Watch the Trailer Here!

Get your copy of GHOST HUNTER at Ellora's Cave!

Visit Paige's Ellora's Cave page here!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Soldier...Coming on March 15th from eXtasy Books!


The Soldier, coming on the 15th of March from eXtasy books!

Drake Glauco, now a successful nourisher and happily joined to Vernon, comes to realise it's time for a Priaxian/human alliance to come to fruition. The joy he had experienced too great for it to not be used to benefit mankind. The mutual need too important. With each passing day, Drake and Vernon's symbiotic relationship grows just as much as the hatchlings inside the egg the Priaxian carries as the hope of his species.

But trouble stirs in the dark places of the galaxy. A once sleeping giant, an enigmatic race known as the Herdsmen, stirs. Their awakening brought about by many events, including trespassing into their territory. The result of them becoming known is devastating for all the sentient species, especially for humans. The Herdsmen have developed a taste for mankind's flesh.

Can Drake and Vernon negotiate an agreement with the Herdsmen before it's too late? Offer some alternative to the slaughter that will result if they enter human space. Or will their plans to dominate the galaxy obliterate all in their path, including their allies?

All hope once more falls on Drake...and a mysterious Priaxian soldier who communicates to him in his dreams.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

An Interview with Barb, Owner of Risque Reviews



Hi, Alisha! Thanks for letting me join you today. It's weird being on the other side of an interview. Not as easy as it looks, huh?

1.How did you get the idea for Risqué Reviews?
I had just left another review site, but didn’t want to give up doing reviews or interviewing authors. For me reading is not just a hobby, it’s what keeps me sane. Besides, getting the opportunity to interview authors is just the greatest thrill. To me authors are the stars, they create world with words only. No special effects, no help, but from the reader’s imagination and that is the best special effect there is. So for an author to be able to bring a world to life with no one else’s help, well for me that makes a super star. This also gives me the opportunity to have my own blog and I love it! I’m looking into also exploring a forum. I have a small one on my site, but I’m looking to expand to an outside one and outlet apart from Risqué Reviews. To start group discussions and have an open page for authors to come introduce themselves and their work.

2. What is your favorite genre?
I like anything that isn’t reality, all I have to do is open my computer or front door and I have enough of that right there. So give me the world of paranormal, fantasy, shapeshifter and I’m in heaven. I will admit there are a few authors that can give me a contemporary hero and rock my world, but usually I like the paranormal genres. I like the strong alpha hero. I wrote an article, “Why do we love the strong alpha hero only in our books”?


That should give you an idea.

3. What do you really not like in a hero?
I don’t like a hero that is human; well let’s say not all human. I want there to be something there that gives him an edge, a bit of mystery. 007 would have rocked my world if he had a bit of the dark side, maybe some fangs. I don’t like a sappy hero; no he has to be a man’s man. No metro anything, thank you very much. Oh yeah, please no tights or capes. Leather all the way.

4. What do you really like in a hero?
That he has to be a larger than life, or why read it? No what I mean is there has to be more than just the 9-5 going on. I think my love of the “Superhero” started back when I’d sneak in my brother’s room to read his Marvel and DC comics, as I mentioned without the tights and capes. Leather and motorcycles are a nice touch. A bit flawed, maybe even slightly jaded. I may like him immortal and handsome, but too perfect is too hard to live up to. Maybe some scars to show he’s not a pretty boy.

5. What do you love about your favorite heroines?
They have to have strength, in character, and body. She has to be aware of her own needs and be willing to do what it takes to get what she wants, even if it goes against the norm. I don’t just mean sexually, I mean in all things. She has to be willing to take risks, and she has to be loyal in her convictions. Even if the hero is physically stronger in body, doesn’t mean she can’t think for herself and speak up when she needs to be heard. She must be willing to see both sides and come to her own conclusions.

6. What ruins a good book for you?

When it’s predictable. I mean there are just times I’m not even a chapter in and I could tell you the outline from start to finish and never, never give me a sad ending. I’m sorry. Yes, I need a happy ending. Life throws enough crap our way every day. I don’t need it in my books. There can be moments where the author is giving you the details and history that can tear at your heart, but never kill off the hero or heroine.

I don’t mind if an author goes the same route others have used. For example the Immortal warrior saving humanity and all, but the book and characters have to follow their own agenda if I feel like I’m reading another authors take I’m done and give me some bite, (no pun intended, ok maybe a little pun intended ). Like in my blog about the immortal hero I go into detail and ask the question, are there too many of these heroes and how does an author keep them fresh? Again it all stems to the author and their talent. Here’s the link to that blog if you want to see what I wrote.

Immortal Warrior



7. What makes a good book one you will come back to time and time again?
Oh my. Good question, now how to answer it. The story. I like when there is sexual chemistry…well I like when there’s sexual everything, but the story is what will bring me back to the book. Everything has to click. Everything has to bring meaning to the story. If the chemistry is just there to sell and really doesn’t give character to the story or the characters then it may keep my interest while I’m reading, but when it ends it ends. The characters/books that I will remember long past the last chapter is over are the stories that radiate to me. Somehow those are the keepers.

8. What are your future plans for Risqué Reviews?
To make it the one to read, the one that brings authors and readers alike to my door, because they know they are going to get more than the run of the mill, “wow great book”. They know that when they read a review at my site, it’s going to go beyond, or when I interview them I AM NOT GOING TO ASK THEM WHAT TO NAME THEIR FAVORITE COLOR….oh God, who cares? No spoilers. But after reading my review, whether it’s “your type” of book or not you may just ask yourself ‘why haven’t I read this author before” or genre, etc. So maybe it’s not the site that has a ton of books that you get lost in, but it will be a review like none other out there.

You’ll know that when Barb reviews a book it’s coming from the heart. No guarantee that I will love every book, but it will be honest. I won’t rip out the author’s heart if I found it lacking for whatever reason. There is a person behind that book and I never forget that.

9. Tell us about yourself. Besides reading and reviewing, what does Barb do with her time?
I love to box. Yep. Taking lessons right now. (Well, not at this minute…. would be hard to punch and write at the same time.) Great workout, but also a good confidence builder. I also like to go target shooting; it’s a sport that you compete against yourself. There is nothing more thrilling then shooting my Kimber 45 and the army elite is shooting next to you and they stop and watch as you hit a group so tight it makes their jaws drop.

10. Name ten authors you have on your bookshelf and tell us why you love them.
Oh sure no pressure there right…mmm only ten???
I love you; I can say that with honesty because I read your work before becoming your friend. You are a true romantic and it’s reflected in your stories. You’re a dream weaver and spin tales that draw your reader’s right to the end. I love that!
Joey W. Hill because she take her characters beyond and gets into their souls. She opens up the genre BDSM and goes beyond the slap and tickle. She isn’t afraid to take it all the way.
Kresley Coles, she just doesn't know how to write a bad book, but she does know how to write about some tastefully delicious bad boys…yum.
Sunny Chen; I don’t think her Children of the Moon series has received the recognition it deserves. I love it.
Nalini Singh, come on her Psy-Changelings series just rocks (she even has a few stories about just humans and yes I still loved them *grin*)
Sherrilyn Kenyon no matter what name she’s writing under.
J.R. Ward her Black Dagger Brotherhood series is outstanding, but has anyone read her new series Fallen Angels series? Takes a new direction then anything I’ve seen so far.
Meagan Hatfield is a new author on the scene and has shown great promise with her vampires and dragons.
Michelle Rowen, her demons are mouth watering and devilishly bad…oh so very bad. This series is also unique in its approach. Love it.
Alyssa Day, I can’t get enough of her Atlantis series. Now those are some immortal warriors my dears…

I hope I gave you what you were looking for and I want to thank you again for this opportunity to brag a bit on myself. Girl I do love what I do. Love you too!!

I’d like to leave you with this Chinese proverb; A book is like a magic garden you can carry in your pocket…

Risqué Reviews

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Free Reads v Account Payables

I'm a true believer in the notion of free reads to get readers hooked on you style and voice. I've seen it happen. Not so much to me as I humbly think my writing is such a niche sometimes, the really out-there people like myself don't find the linkage or whatever. (I probably need to hang around more paranormal and sci-fi sites I guess.)

But promotion isn't the only thing that free reads do for a writer, they also somehow allow my creative juices to flow freely. I have a few freebies on my website and some I'd written for the old Samhain newsletter Samhellion before it closed. Honestly, those stories were some of the most fun I've had writing. Granted, the ones about the Jersey Devil babies were part dark comedy which made them very fun to write. I fully intend to finish the series, and since Easter is just around the corner, I think it's a good place to pick up since the last one I did was a Valentine story about two years ago. (Luckily, in storybook time there is no such thing as a gap in time. I can back that puppy right on up to make it look as if no time had passed at all.) - Anyhoo, as far as creative expressions go, free reads are as much fun for the reader as the writer.

Now for the accounts payable portion of this blog. It all comes down to this. Really. The bills you get as a writer. Now, I'm not talking about the unfortunate newbies out there who don't realize you're not supposed to pay editors or agents or that type of thing. I'm talking about the website costs, advertising, promo items, travel expenses, conference fees, fees for professional associations, business cards, computer costs/printer maintenance - well, it all adds up after a while. And adds up quickly if everything comes due at once. It's a lot of out-of-pocket, but a necessary evil if you want your work to sell. Got to get the information to the book hungry public, right?

So, how do you do this by writing for free? Glad you asked. Everyone likes getting something for nothing - it's human nature. Not free ride at life type stuff, but that little unexpected extra in your day that makes you smile. That interests you enough to maybe go back for more, even if you have to pay this time. Works like a charm. The more people you get reading your free stuff and getting hooked on you as an author, the more will be willing to pay when your next big one comes out. The more money in your writing account to offset those writing related expenses. - Gee, sounds like a big vicious circle, doesn't it? But if that's what comes with this writing territory then color me dizzy with spinning, because this is one carousel I never want to get off.

-Kate

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Diamond Ring Effect is NOW AVAILABLE!


The Diamond Ring Effect is out NOW from eXtasy books. To get your very own copy, and keep me happy with a nice supply of chocolate so I can create more stories, click here! The Diamond Ring Effect is about family, first love and first contact with aliens! I hope you have a blast reading it!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

David Seidler: Academy Award Winning Screenwriter


David Seidler is my hero! Watching him grasp his golden Oscar for The King's Speech was a heart warming event! I love it when writers get the recognition they deserve for all their hard work.

"I say this on behalf of all the stutterers in the world — we have a voice, we have been heard," the 73-year-old Seidler said during his acceptance speech.

He also joked about being a late bloomer. Late bloomer indeed but oh how he bloomed so well!

Seidler was born seven months before King George VI took the throne. The king was forced to battle his own stutter in an effort to inspire the British empire to fight Hitler's regime. Seidler began to stutter in 1940 when he traveled with his family by boat to America.

Seidler's life mirrored King George's in his fight to overcome his stutter. Both men practiced speech listening to music on headphones with marbles stuffed in their mouths.

A breakthrough in both men's speech therapy was made with profanity of all things. That's f***ing cool if you ask me.

What a memorable night! Long live the king of screenwriters, Mr. David Seidler! Congratulations!

~Spread Love
Alisha

(Photo Courtesy of Reuters)
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