Book Recommendation: UNREVELATIONS by RISSA WATKINS

 

Holy wow you guys, this book is the the most awesomesauce Urban Fantasy I've read in AGES! I am in LOVE! Even though my day job doesn't allow kindles I hid my phone in the covers of a not-so-great book because I couldn't stop reading this one. The heroine was delightfully snarky yet still lovable and the supporting characters, both good and bad, were interesting as well as entertaining. And I gotta say, this book had the best take on the grim reaper that I've ever read.

Here's the blurb:

The apocalypse has begun. 

Death stalks Sara and not in a metaphorical way. More like the literal, move out of your house and get a restraining order kind of way. When Sara reveals she has the ability to see him, he becomes fascinated. Unfortunately, Death shows his interest by trying to kill her. Repeatedly. Each failed attempt only increases his enthusiasm. 

Sara soon realizes the news reports of werewolves, zombies, and plagues can mean only one thing: The Heavenly Seals in the Book of Revelations have been broken. 

All this happens just when her wasteland of a love life seems to be showing signs of improving. Matt, the cute cop who responds to her 911 calls, gives her fantasies of a happy future. Maybe one that involves handcuffs. Before she can build a new life, she has to survive Death’s infatuation and stop him from unleashing the End of Days, Biblical style. 

Seriously, this book was awesome. And, guilty confession: I kinda ended up crushing on Death big time.

It didn't help that this is how I pictured him:

All in all, this book was the most fun I've had in awhile.

There BETTER be a sequel forthcoming!

In the meantime, I say to all of you, get your copy of UNREVELATIONS NOW!!!!

Why IT is my Favorite book: (Reposted In Honor of Stephen King's Birthday)

In honor of Stephen King's birthday, I'm reposting this blog post on why IT is my favorite book. 

I am reading IT by Stephen King for the 11th time. Yes, you heard me right. Even though it's not a romance, it is my favorite book. Every time my friends and family see me curled up yet again with the 1138 page tome they shake their heads and ask, "Why do you love that book so much?"

"Because it's awesome!" I'd reply.

Now, I've really been thinking about it. Why do I love IT so much? And how can identifying these reasons help me become a better writer?

I'm finally getting a few answers.

A.) The characters were all outcasts but they became close friends: The Loser's Club. At first I I loved IT because I had little to no friends as a kid, so these characters became my friends. They're still my friends.

Now looking at it with a writer's eye I see that I want my readers to become friends with my characters. Every member of The Loser's Club has a flaw and a virtue, but most importantly, they all have something the reader can identify with.

B.) The setting (1958 Derry, Maine) is so detailed that it's like a character itself. I feel like I go back in time as I visit the landmarks: The creepy run-down house on Neibolt Street where IT takes the form of a leprous hobo, the Derry Standpipe where poor Stan sees the drowned corpses of little boys, the charred remains of the old Derry Ironworks that exploded during an Easter Egg hunt in the 20's, and the Barrens, where the Losers build a club house to hide from the bullies.

As a writer, I want my landmarks to become that real to the reader.

C.) The antagonists. IT is scary enough in itself: a monster that takes the form of whatever you fear and kills little kids. YIKES!!! But that's not all IT is. As you read, it gets deeper and deeper. Then there's the bullies that are determined to make the Losers suffer. Everyone had a bully. I bet even my bullies had bullies.

If I can create villains this compelling and frightening, ::sigh:: if I can do that...

D.) The trials and triumphs of the characters. Your heart alternately bleeds and rejoices for the Losers throughout their story.

I love my characters. So much so that I sometimes don't make them suffer enough. This book reminds me of that.

What is your favorite book, and why? What can it teach you to make your work better? 

7 Summer Series Reading Recommendations

Summer is a great time to read through a series so I thought I list a few I enjoyed.

H&W Investigations Series by Jess Haines

The Dark Protectors by Rebecca Zanetti

The Windham Family series by Grace Burrowes

The Sons of The Revolution by Shana Galen

Alexa O'Brien Huntress by Trina M. Lee

Eternal Guardians: Elisabeth Naughton

....and Just 'cuz I finished rereading it. The Dark Tower by Stephen King

What makes a favorite author?

Due to my tiny house and only having one book case, I had to get rid of 3 bags of books. Excuse me a minute while I mourn their loss.

This is my bookcase after getting rid of 3 bags of books...and a foam airplane one of the cats "killed."

As you can see, I still have a lot of keepers. Some are favorite books, like THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follett, SILKEN SAVAGE by Catherine Hart, IF TOMORROW COMES by Sidney Sheldon, and NEW ORLEANS LEGACY by Alexandra Ripley.

And some are favorite authors.

The difference is: The favorite books are ones I read and reread over and over again, but I didn't enjoy other books by those authors as much.

But this is a favorite book by a favorite author:

I replaced it after my eighth read but kept this copy for sentimentality.

But what makes a favorite author?

My answer:

A favorite author is one whose books are an instant buy.

A favorite author is one whose books do not leave your library.

A favorite author is one you forgive easier. i.e. Stephen King often sucks at endings. I'm sorry, but he does. However, the journey still makes it worthwhile.


A favorite author is one who you won't give up on if they write a less than stellar book. However, if they keep writing bad books, they can easily lose their position. I ranted about that here a couple years ago.

Some of my favorite authors include, Stephen King, Eloisa James, Shana Galen, J.R. Ward, Maggie Shayne, Judith McNaught, Rebecca Zanetti, and of course, my critique partners: Bonnie R. Paulson and Shelley Martin. Because you cannot be a good critique partner if you do not love the other's work... and love it enough to call out the author when they're letting you down.

Favorite authors inspire me to work hard, so maybe one day, I too, can have permanent space on someone's bookshelf.

OMG, HUNGER GAMES!!!

So we just saw THE HUNGER GAMES yesterday. And it was AWESOME!I haven't seen a movie that good in a long time. Although, THE HELP came close. :) And these two films have something in common:
They did their best to remain faithful to the book.

Most successful books based on movies end up being successful. Which begs the question: Why do some directors/ screenwriters choose to deviate from a book? (I'm glaring at you, makers of THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED)

The purpose of this brief post is to declare two things.

1.) Filmmakers: PLEASE FOLLOW THE BOOK!

2.)  Everyone: GO SEE THE HUNGER GAMES!!! 

The Sh*t Just Got Real.

Dio always knows the right thing to say. These are indeed words to live by...even though they're a little blurry.

Okay, so I finally got a book deal. Now that the ecstatic joy has gone down to a sane level, (okay, as sane as I can be) I need to begin focusing on what this means for me. The obvious being, no longer can I be considered by anyone (or myself on a bad day) a hobby writer.

Because, the sh*t is real now.

My editor said we have a lot of work to do: namely edits and working on my career path. As it says on their website: Sourcebooks publishes authors, not books.

Career...I haven't heard that word applied to me since I got my degree in automotive. A degree I can no longer use. However, I've been treating my writing as a career for the last two years. I've made self-imposed deadlines, gone through line edits with friends, built up a humble platform, and discovered the value of social networking (other than winning free books.)

But now it's a REAL career. The deadlines will be real, the edits will be through trained professionals who are not going to take it easy on me. My platform and social networking could impact my sales.

I know the work my editor referred to is going to be a lot more than revising BITE ME, YOUR GRACE. Speaking of, when I said that to my husband, he said, "But, I thought you edited it already." The house practically shook with my hysterical laughter.

Anyway, besides polishing that work, there's going to be a multitude of preparations before I make my debut. Namely, what project will be the next focus? No longer can I willy-nilly hop around sub-genres. Not right now, anyway. At first that sounds restrictive...until I remember the anxiety that came from: "What project should I work on next? I have one idea here, and another there!" Now, I will have guidance and help in shaping my personal brand. And that comes as such a relief.

What am I doing now, so early on my journey?

As you can see, I've deleted the progress bars for my other projects from my site until I figure out what I'm working on next. Also, I've finally figured out how to add pages to this blog. Aren't the tabs cute? Those pages are pretty bare for now, except for the one where I list my upcoming guest posts. Check it out. I got some good ones lined up already. The "books" tab is for now a source of happy daydreams of what's to come. As for the "About Me," I'm going to do my best to seem awesome. :)

Because my career is REAL now. Hey, do you think if I say that to the kids, they'll behave and let me work when they're around?

No? ::sigh:: That's what I thought.

Thanks to all who are here for me and been supportive of my journey so far. I'll pop back in and say "Hi" later. Now I gotta go to my Idaho Writer's League meeting, where Shelley Martin and I are interviewing everyone as their characters. To keep the Halloween spirit, we're also bringing some spooky goodies. I carved a pumpkin to "barf" up smoked salmon spread and made deviled eggs to look like eyeballs. Shelley's got pumpkin bread, lady fingers...and a chocolate fountain. It bears repeating: A CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN. 

When the Movie's Better Than the Book

Yeah, it DOES happen, though it's a rare phenomenon. So rare that I don't think I'll be able to make 10 in my list....but I'm gonna try.

1.) THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Not only is it the first to come to mind, it's an undisputed classic. I pity anyone who hasn't seen it. Not only did the book lack the humor that makes the film timeless, it was flat out boring.

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father. Prepare to die

2.) FIGHT CLUB. Yes, I said it, but please allow me to defend my position. Fight Club was an excellent novel and the film follows it almost exactly. But the novel was so vivid and visceral that it was made for the screen. The  visual effect makes the story so much more intense. ALSO::: TOPLESS BRAD PITT. Need I say more?

Yum.

3.) THE SHINING: (the original) The book was great but it focused a lot more on alcoholism, thus making it more depressing than creepy. Throw in Jack Nicholson with a cast almost as scary as him and put Stanley Kubric in charge? You get a spine-tingling good time. REDRUM!!!

Yes, it's true Jack Nicholson is scarier than Stephen King

4.) THE FIRST WIVES CLUB: The book was kinda bitter and depressing and the hijinks weren't enough to make up for that. The movie, on the other hand, was hilarious, inspiring and had an ending that gave me happy tears.

My mom and I exchanged high fives every other second in this movie.

5.) THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO (newest version): Excellent novel, but the film actually was successful with changing things. I loved the warden of Chateau d'Eif and the ending was SO much better.

This was the most evil character...but he wasn't in the book.

6.) THE THREE MUSKETEERS: I'm picking on Alexandre Dumas again, but damn, the movie was so much more fun. Also, Tim Curry as Cardinal Richlieu was EPIC.

He always gets the fun roles.

7.) THE LORD OF THE RINGS: Loved the novels, but Tolkien's writing style got a bit dry at times.

And that was one hot elf.

 See, I only got seven. Does anyone have any more?

Movies Based on Books

M'kay, I'm gonna warn you all that Fall is when I watch a crap-load of movies so you'll be getting a lot of movie posts.

First topic of the season: Movies based on books. Sometimes they nail it, sometimes it's an epic fail. Why do they change things unnecessarily? But sometimes the changes can be good.

Anyway, here's 10 I love in no particular order:

1.) The Count of Monte Christo... I like the HEA of this one better.

2.) Interview With the Vampire... Had one of the hottest casts ever....and Louis. ::sigh::

3.) Lord of The Rings Trilogy:.. Best quote ever: "And I smote his ruin upon the mountainside."

4.) The Shawshank Redemption. Excellent novella, excellent  film.

5.) The Green Mile. Made me cry a few times.

6.) Stand by Me (The original title was The Body). One of the best coming of age stories ever.

7.) The Color Purple: Makes me cry through the whole thing.

8.) Pillars of The Earth: One of the greatest novels ever written, finally on the screen in an awesome miniseries.

9.) The Feast of all Saints. A novel about the "free people of color," a topic ignored by most history classes. It was brought to the screen in a miniseries and for once the casting was done right.

10.) The Harry Potter series. Need I say more?

One thing all of these have in common is that they all follow the books quite well. Also, most are longer than the average movie, some made in installments and others done as a made for TV miniseries.

What movies based on books are your favorite? I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the first Hunger Games movie!

Summer rerun: Series Novels

Many of my favorite novels are part of a series, and I'm willing to bet that's the case with many people. A lot of naturally want to write a series of our own because we love to read them, and because one's characters keep having adventures. Writing a series, however is a whole new animal compared to a stand-alone project. Especially with a romance series, since there must be a stand-alone love story in every installment.

One of the biggest issues, in my opinion is blending the stand-alone story with the continuing story of the series. In my first novel, I botched this badly. However, I still think that the story and characters are awesome, so I have passed it on to my Saintly beta readers in a bid to fix it. In the meantime I am composing an outline of the series itself, and then I will write mini outlines of the individual books in hopes of discovering which key points can be emphasized in which books.

One of the leading geniuses of blending individual love stories with a continuing saga is J.R. Ward with her Black Dagger Brotherhood novels. The romance unfolds naturally amidst the backdrop of the brutal war the Brotherhood fights. Future characters are introduced to the reader smoothly, and often teasingly.

Another team of authors that do a great job with a series are Stella and Audra Price. Their Eververse series is like the ultimate guilty pleasure soap opera. The reader eavesdrops on multiple characters with multiple plots that build and unfold throughout each consecutive novel.

What are some of your favorite series? What do the authors do that "Works," in your opinion?

Romance in Unexpected Places

When we want a good love story whether in books, movies, or music, we know where to look. For movies, most can be found either in the drama or romantic comedy section. For music, every pop and country artist has a plethora or romantic songs. For books, it's easy. There's always an entire section in the bookstore called: ROMANCE!!!

But I love it when a good romance catches me by surprise and I'd love to share a few.

MOVIES:

NATURAL BORN KILLERS: 

This is an incredibly violent and disturbing movie. Mickey and Mallory Knox make Bonnie and Clyde look like Sandy and Danny from GREASE. But you can't help but root for them because they were so in love! OMFG, they were soooooo. In. Love.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG

Although the main couple in this movie was far more engaging than the average Disney pairing, (OMG, they actually had a functional, logical relationship!) The big, heart-clenching subplot was with the Cajun firefly, Ray, and the love of his life, Evangaline. I dare you to watch this and not choke up.

MUSIC:

Admittedly, the heavy metal scene is not big on the "Awwww Factor" But in the hands of the best, your heart will melt even as you're still rocking out.

MEGADETH: "Promises" Megadeth does more songs about love than most, though many of the songs are tragic. This one, I think is among the most romantic

DIO: "As Long As It's Not About Love"

Metal's greatest forefather declared over and over that he didn't want to do love songs...so when I heard this I nearly fell out of my seat...then I happy-sighed for a good hour.

BOOKS: 

THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH

This is one of the greatest novels ever written, in my opinion. Ken Follet puts forest child turned stonemason, Jack, and Aliena, earl's daughter turned wool merchant, through heart-wrenching suffering before they finally get to be together. If you haven't read this treasure yet, buy it NOW!

INSOMNIA by Stephen King

King is NOT the 1st thing you think of when you think of romance. And I've noticed that the few times he does have a romantic subplot, it's either bland or tragic. However he does such a wonderful job with the blooming love between widowed-old timers, Ralph and Lois, that the reader can believe the couple's first spouses approve. You can get this one HERE

What surprising places have you found a good romance? From what you can tell from my tastes, the crazier, the better.

The Reading Writer

Short post today, I'm not feeling well. :(

I've always been an avid reader, really it's like a drug addiction. But in these last few years as I've become more serious about writing, I've noticed that my reading experience has really been affected.

Often when reading a story, my mind keeps shifting out of "reader mode" and going back into "Writer mode." I find myself rewriting the author's sentences in my head, disagreeing with the validity of the premise, freezing in place and thinking "This sounds like one of mine!" then reading on, sighing in relief thinking, "Oh good, it's not. They did it differently."

Sometimes I enjoy that because it makes reading a great learning experience, but sometimes it drives me crazy. I miss the days when I could pick up a book and it would be a world between the pages, not a story I KNOW someone labored over.

Does this happen to you too? How does your writing affect your reading?

Your Favorite Book

I am reading IT by Stephen King for the 11th time. Yes, you heard me right. Even though it's not a romance, it is my favorite book. Every time my friends and family see me curled up yet again with the 1138 page tome they shake their heads and ask, "Why do you love that book so much?"

"Because it's awesome!" I'd reply.

Now, I've really been thinking about it. Why do I love IT so much? And how can identifying these reasons help me become a better writer?

I'm finally getting a few answers.

A.) The characters were all outcasts but they became close friends: The Loser's Club. At first I I loved IT because I had little to no friends as a kid, so these characters became my friends. They're still my friends.

Now looking at it with a writer's eye I see that I want my readers to become friends with my characters. Every member of The Loser's Club has a flaw and a virtue, but most importantly, they all have something the reader can identify with.

B.) The setting (1958 Derry, Maine) is so detailed that it's like a character itself. I feel like I go back in time as I visit the landmarks: The creepy run-down house on Neibolt Street where IT takes the form of a leprous hobo, the Derry Standpipe where poor Stan sees the drowned corpses of little boys, the charred remains of the old Derry Ironworks that exploded during an Easter Egg hunt in the 20's, and the Barrens, where the Losers build a club house to hide from the bullies.

As a writer, I want my landmarks to become that real to the reader.

C.) The antagonists. IT is scary enough in itself: a monster that takes the form of whatever you fear and kills little kids. YIKES!!! But that's not all IT is. As you read, it gets deeper and deeper. Then there's the bullies that are determined to make the Losers suffer. Everyone had a bully. I bet even my bullies had bullies.

If I can create villains this compelling and frightening, ::sigh:: if I can do that...

D.) The trials and triumphs of the characters. Your heart alternately bleeds and rejoices for the Losers throughout their story.

I love my characters. So much so that I sometimes don't make them suffer enough. This book reminds me of that.

What is your favorite book, and why? What can it teach you to make your work better? 

Vampires are People Too

This post was inspired by 3 things:
1.) The ever present newbie-writer fear that "their IDEA will be STOLEN!"
2.) The incessant rants in the comments of nearly every blog post known to man insisting that their way is right.
3.) The argument that vampires are just a passing trend.

Vampires have been a part of myth and legend around the world probably since the beginning of time. But in 1819, when Dr. John Polidori published his short story, THE VAMPYRE, they have become a common fixture in popular fiction. Their mass appeal may wax and wane, but they shall always be around.

What is so wonderful about today is that there's an endless plethora of different vampires, ranging from hella-scary to hella-romantic. Last month, debut author, Rebecca Zanetti did this awesome post on how she made her vampires unique in this crowded market.

In her novel, FATED, (If you haven't bought it yet, DO IT NOW!) her vampires are a separate species that are born, not made. JR Ward is of the same school. But Zanetti's vampires are only male so they have to mate with human females to reproduce. Kinda like David Eddings's all female Dryads.

Already that is way different from the vampires in my novels. Mine begin as humans and are made into vampires of both genders. The transformation makes them sterile, so no babies, although they are perfectly capable of intimacy. :)

Culturally, Zanetti's vampires are very alpha and very militant with secret hideouts, superior technology, and a staff of scientists.

Ward's vampires come in 3 different classes: Civilians, which are much like average humans. The Aristocrats, which are stiff and spoiled and kinda weak, and The Warriors, which are way Alpha, mercenary and the protectors of the entire race.

My vampires are a cross between feudalistic and bureaucratic. Each city is ruled by a Lord Vampire and the Lords are governed by a council of Elders. Between the two, laws and policies are organized by lawyers and circulated by messengers and paper-pushers. Some Lords (male and female) are very alpha and some are kindly and diplomatic. Some are bat-sh*t crazy.

Besides all that, there are multitudes of variations. Like people, vampire characters are endlessly unique. There is no RIGHT way to do them and we all have our favorites. And even if every author followed the same definitions and traits of what a vampire is, you would still have different stories because we authors are all different people.

Fun at the Release Party for FATED

I'll warn you now, I'm going to make a huge deal over this. I live in northern Idaho, which is a beautiful place, but  is practically in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, we miss a lot of excellent concerts, plays, and other attractions. Authors almost never come here for book signings. But this time, I lucked out. In case you haven't heard, FATED by Rebecca Zanetti came out yesterday. And what's even better is that she's from my area, so I was able to attend the release party!

It was held at The Gourmet Way, a fabulous store full of cooking supplies, spices, and wine. And I got a new digital camera so I was able to go all fan girl and get a picture of myself with the author.

I gotta say, Rebecca Zanetti is even prettier in person! And she was all cool and classy the whole time signing TONS of books for her never ending line of eager readers. I would have been blushing and babbling like a moron, I'm sure.

With all the people there, I didn't get a chance to talk to her long, but there were other awesome people in attendance. My buddy and fellow IWL member, Shelley Martin was there along with romantic suspense author, Bonnie R. Paulson. Then later I ran into author, Asa Marie Bradley who did an awesome workshop at last year's IWL conference.

I also got to sample some delicious appetizers, yummy wine, and these decadent chocolate cupcake thingies. While munching, I overheard the funniest conversation between two guys. They said they loved the cover of FATED because men could read it in public without anyone knowing they were reading a romance novel. LOL!! I was still laughing when I left to go to work.

NOW for my awesome news: Be sure to stop by on Friday, because Rebecca Zanetti is doing a guest post and you guys will get a chance to win a copy of FATED!

Romances that stay with you forever.

In honor of the upcoming holiday, especially since I lost my mother that day 2 years back, I'd like to bring a little romance back into Valentine's day for us all. The best way I can do that is to discuss those special romance novels that were more than a good read. You know the ones. By the time we finish with them, the characters are still with us, for we can't let them go. We often read them over and over again and replace them when they are in tatters. I will list some of mine. Not all are paranormal, but I feel they have a place here anyway.

These are not in order.

1.) Until You, by Judith McNaught: This book puts a whole new twist on the "governess wins the heart of an Earl." In fact, due to her having amnesia, neither of them find out she's a governess until just before the wedding...and then shit hits the fan. This tale will make you laugh and cry.

2.) Tempted, by Virginia Henley: A brazen, bad-ass Scottish lass, a sexy-as-hell Scottish Lord with an accent that'll make you quiver...what's not to love? The sparks and conflict in and out of the bedroom, set against a rich tapestry of the historical events leading up to the battle of Flodden Field will have you on the edge of your seat. As a bonus, there is also a ghostly love story in the background. I adore all of Henley's novels, but the romance in this one is by far the most powerful.

3.) Night Play, by Sherrilyn Kenyon: I love this book because the heroine is not perfectly trim and gorgeous, but a sexy werewolf loves her for it. The exciting plot developments and delightful shifts between humor and poignancy makes this book in the Dark Hunter novels one of my favorites. I love when a book gives me happy tears.

4.) Infinity, by Maggie Shayne: This is the second in her Immortal High Witches series and was my fave until I read the 3rd one. Now I can't decide. When the kick-ass Arianna recovers her beloved's heart, she wastes no time restoring him to life. Problem is, he thinks she was the one who betrayed him and cost him his life centuries ago.

5.) Almost Heaven, by Judith McNaught: When Elizabeth's asshole miser uncle makes the a ludicrous offer of her hand to men that had previously proposed to her before her reputation was ruined, a mistake sends Elizabeth to the hunting cottage of Ian Thornton, the very man who ruined her. The compounded misunderstandings and intense chemistry between the two keep the reader turning the pages.

7.) Lover Unbound, by J.R. Ward: This is my fave in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, no matter what anyone says. The chemistry between the vampire, Viscious, and the human doctor, Jane was sizzling. Also, Jane was one of the most developed heroines in this series so far. I'm not a fan of the ending, but I made peace with it.

8.) Dance With the Devil, by Sherrilyn Kenyon: The Dark Hunter Zarek is one of the grumpiest heros I've ever encountered. But he has good reason. His back story will make you cry. When Astrid, little sister of the 3 fates, is sent down incognito to decide whether he will live or die, sparks immediately fly between the two, and eventually start an inferno.

9.) Destiny, by Maggie Shayne: When ancient Immortal High Witch, Nathan discovers his former love, Nidaba in an asylum, he rescues the near-catatonic witch and nurses her back to health. Their back story in ancient Sumer is revealed as past betrayals and a rival high witch threaten the hope of their love being rekindled.

10.) The Hawk and the Dove, by Virginia Henley: When sheltered Sarah Bishop is wed by proxy to Shane Hawkhurst just for her land, she is infuriated. She hatches a plan with Shane's brother to become a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, and ultimately Shane's mistress. She takes on the name, Sabre Wilde, and intends to wrap her unsuspecting husband around her finger before revealing her identity and demanding a divorce. This book is a blast. Also HOT as hell.

What about you? What novels have you read until the pages fell out? What romances have made you sigh and daydream even on the worst days? I'm always looking for more.

Have a happy Valentine's day, all!

Interview with Trina M. Lee and bonus chance to win a free book!

Trina and I met when author Stella Price invited us to form the Paranormal Pretties blog. Since then, I have enjoyed getting to know her online and my admiration has grown since I read her work. I am so happy to finally have a chance to interview her.

 Without further ado...

 What made you stand up one day and say, “I’m going to write a romance novel.”?

I     I  never really planned to write romance. I just wanted to write what I enjoy. As a reader I love all genres and I think I draw a little on all when writing. But I am a sucker for a love story. I guess it was natural for me to write them.

 What made you decide to write paranormal romance/ urban fantasy?

I’    I've been in love with vampires and werewolves since I was a kid. I started my first vampire story at the age of 12. Urban fantasy has the best of all worlds: action, drama, horror and romance.


     From what I understand you’re predominately in the e-book market. What are some benefits and challenges you’ve encountered in this market?

     
      The e-book market allows authors more freedom in many ways. Authors often have several publishers to consider for their work. I find authors in the e-pub market are able to take more liberties with their stories and push certain boundaries or ideas that you may not see in mainstream markets. It can be a challenge to promote yourself effectively and get your name and books out to the readers. Like anything, it takes work. I find personally the benefits outweigh the challenges.

 What is some memorable feedback that you’ve received from your fans?

       I’ve had a few fans of Charlaine Harris’s True Blood series that have welcomed my Huntress series with open arms. They have done so much to promo my series and spread the word to other readers. It’s beyond amazing. I can’t thank them enough.


       Name one thing you’d do/ buy if you became a mega best-seller?

      That’s a tough one. I’m not sure. I’d probably start by building my dream house. Not to mention the charities I’d love to contribute to if able.

Tell us a little about your next project.

      I’m currently working on book 4 in my Huntress series as well as two other books, neither of which are currently in a series. Latest release is: Huntress Book 3, Only Vampires Cry Blood

http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/onlyvampirescryblood.htm

Trina was awesome enough to do a book contest. A random commenter will get their pick of any of Trina's books featured here: http://trinamlee.com New blog followers will get an extra entry. :)

December is "Try a debut author" Month...'cuz I said so.

We hear everywhere that book sales are down and publishers aren't buying as many books. Who's fault is it? Well....besides the crappy economy, it is our fault as readers. We need to buy more books, especially from new authors. After all, what else is there to do when we're awaiting the next Black Dagger Brotherhood/Dark Hunters/ Etc?  When I was looking around I found this really cool site: Dark Faerie Tales and they had this nifty list.

• When Blood Calls
• Afterlight: The Dark Ink Chronicles
• Shadow of the Vampire
• Eternal Hunger
• Tsunami Blue
• Ruthless
• Blood on Silk
• Masked by Moonlight
• Assassin’s Honor
• The Wish List
• Bond With Me
• Enemy Lover
• Siren’s Call
• Sins of the Heart
• Dark Embers
• Seducing the Succubus
• Paramourtal

Pretty cool, huh? But I'm certain there's more. So, if you know of any other 2010 paranormal romance debuts, please stop by and share!