Updates of a Writerly Sort

Life has been busy and far too dramatic for me lately. Circumstances often arise that reveal your true friends and those who are only there in the good times. On the one hand, I've learned a friend is suffering, waging a battle against an illness that shows no mercy. On the heels of that, for personal reasons I decided to limit my internet usage, only coming online in the evenings. Other things arose, things I won't go into here, that left me emotionally drained, saddened, and disgusted. With authors. Quite a humbling experience, let me tell you.

On to happier writer news! 

Unlocked, the young adult anthology in which two of my short stories appear, is set for release August 13. Nine authors, ten "key" tales.

Assassin's Keeper is the tale of a female assassin in Regency London and her keeper. (Bet you didn't see that coming, huh?) It's his job to clean up her messes.

Survival is a fantasy short featuring a Reaper and her prey. A life for a life is the key to survival.

Deception was released July 15 and the party was AWESOME! Thank you all for your attendance and congratulations. The winners have been posted on Deception's page over at TreasureLine Books.

There is still one more giveaway in the works. The lovely pearl and turquoise pendant made especially for me by JaysDesign Jewelry will be awarded to one very fortunate person on August 1. Details are on TreasureLine's Deception page.  

Today's the Day!!!!

The day has finally arrived! Deception is officially released and the party over at TreasureLine Books is in full swing.

There are some prizes up for grabs, such as the lovely pendant pictured here. This is a replica of the pendant the hero gives the heroine in the story, pearls and turquoise on sterling silver wire. The chain is included. Want to know how to win? Click the pendant to find out!

TreasureLine is giving away a print edition in a really fun contest. Click the lovely cover to go to TreasureLine's blog where you can learn how to enter.

Do you prefer your e-reader? There are 7 e-copies looking for good homes, too, with two very simple ways to get entered to win. Leave a comment on the party page and/or follow Deception's blog, A Lady's Deception.

Hope to see you there!!

A Chance to Win Deception

See that beautiful, beautiful cover? Would you like the chance to hold it in your hands for free? Then step on over to my publisher's blog and find out how you can win a hold-in-your-hands copy of my new Regency romance. The contest runs until the book's release date, July 15. 

If you'd like to simply reserve your copy now, TreasureLine is still offering Deception for the special pre-order price of only $9.95. 

Happy reading, writing, and blogging!! 

News and Events : July 2010

Whew. There is so much going on right now. 

You already know about Deception's imminent release (July 15). Linda of TreasureLine Publishing and I are working hard on the finishing touches to Deception's cover. Remember, you can pre-order Deception for a $5 discount off the list price until July 15. 

In August a young adult anthology is due for release, put together by a small group on goodreads. It was to this compilation that I submitted four stories several months ago and two were selected for inclusion. 

Nine authors wrote ten stories all of which include a "key" in some way, shape, or form. Hence, the name Unlocked.

One of my stories opens the whole book. Yup, it's all on me to grab the reader—the YOUNG ADULT reader—and keep their attention so they'll want to read more. No pressure. I'm honored the editors chose to put me in the front but I'm anxious all the same. YA is not my genre, typically, and I worked hard to tone down the sex and violence. Just kidding. There really wasn't any sex to begin with. ;o)

So who are the nine and what did they write? 

Assassin's Keeper by Jaimey Grant

Crop Circles by Wendy Swore

Symbiote by Rita J. Webb

Where They Belong by Paige Ray

Survival by Jaimey Grant

Unlocking William by Jeanne Voelker

Shoshanna by K. G. Borland

The Key to a Good Education by Gwendolyn McIntyre

The Bookseller by Katrina Monroe

Her Father's Eyes by S. M. Carrière 

Fantasy is the prevailing genre in this anthology. Six are fantasy, two are sci-fi, one is contemporary, and one is historical. I suppose it could be marketed as a fantasy anthology. (One guess who wrote the historical...)

What do you think of that cover? I really like it, but I'm biased. I designed it. The editors gave me the photo and I went from there, with input from some of the other authors. I think it turned out rather well, don't you?

The book will be made available as a free e-book through Smashwords.com and from the Unlocked blog. A paperback version will also be made available. In the meantime, we have a facebook page for the book: Unlocked - Ten "Key" Tales.

In more Regency news, I am working on another companion novel, Honor, which actually takes place before all of my novels that are currently out. As soon as I'm satisfied with it, I will submit it to TreasureLine and await their verdict. Will they publish it? I surely hope so! We've already started working on the cover...

Another Lovely Award

I received the lovely Sunshine Award a few weeks ago. (My deepest apologies for taking so long to accept this.) This award is passed to bloggers who inspire others and show positivity and creativity. Many thanks to fantasy romance author Nicole Zoltack for including me. I am honored and pleased. :o)

The rules for accepting are simple.

• Put the logo in a post or elsewhere on your blog.
• Pass the award to 12 fellow bloggers.
• Link to the nominees within your post.
• Post on each of the nominees' blogs, letting them know you've given them the award. 
• Link to the person who gave you the award. 

See? Simple. ;o)

My nominees are (please remember, you don't have to accept): 

1. Rachel Rager 
2. Gina Collia-Suzuki 
3. Linda Boulanger 
4. Paige Ray 
5. Donna Hatch 
6. Joyce DiPastena 
7. Jewel Adams 
8. Thersa Matsuura 
9. Laura Fabiani 
10. Linda Banche 
11. Amanda Devine 
12. Rita Webb

I think that's it. Congrats, nominees! 

~Photo Friday~ White

April 16, 2010 

Dow Gardens 

Midland, Michigan 

USA