RT Recap Part 2

Part II, Day 2

Jess woke me up so we could have breakfast with Lia Davis, Carrie Ann Ryan, Charity Hendry, and a couple other awesome people. I thought they meant down in the lobby... I also thought the table with the array of food was a free continental breakfast. So I had a delicious spinach and ricotta stuffed croissant. So when Jess and the others announced that we were ready to leave for lunch, I was all, "Huh? I thought we were eating breakfast here."

"No way. It's too expensive."

Oops. I'd thought it was free.

We went to a place called "Red Gravy." Here's some fun pics.

I'm still half asleep and rocking my Megadeth shirt... Jess's shirt is better though.

I was bummed to discover that the Red Gravy was only marina. Needless to say, it didn't go well with the biscuit I ordered. So I spent a lot of time ogling everyone else's plates. :)

After breakfast, Jess and I attended some publisher spotlights to see where the market is going. I was beyond delighted to discover that rock stars are IN! I ended up with a ton of requests for my rock star romance. While giddily bouncing around after that, I spent a little time socializing and meeting more people. I'd purposely brought books by authors I'd hoped to meet and was over the moon when I ran into Eloisa James outside the elevator. She cheerfully signed my worn out copy of POTENT PLEASURES and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek! Jess hauled my gasping fan-girl ass back to our room so we could get ready for lunch.

Gratuitous Pic of Eloisa with Courtney Milan and PJ Arshendaut at another event because I was too wimpy to ask for one with me.

Jess and I had another visit to Daisy Dukes and OF COURSE I ordered the New Orleans sampler. I had shrimp n' grits, crawfish etouffee, red bean & rice, gumbo, and a biscuit. We hung out a bit with Amy Ruttan and visited with Shoshanna Evers and Jess's associate editor, Peter Senftleben and then went to a corner store and a shoe store. I found my hard cider!!! Alas, I also had to get a bottle opener. I had the choice of one that looked like a beer mug or one that looked like a naked lady. I went for the beer mug.

We got all gussied up for the Kensington party, where Jess had a table with really nifty crystal balls showing her book cover. I ran around and visited with a bunch of other authors and readers while Jess interacted with her fans. Damn, there were some cool people!

After the party, everyone lined up for the pub crawl. Jess, Charity, and I took one look at the line and changed our minds. Instead, we sipped hard cider in our room. Then poor Jess had a sore throat so she went to bed early so she could speak at her next event. I wandered down to the Samhain party, which was off the hook.

I can't remember who these lovely ladies were, but they were awesome.

Then there was this other awesome chick dressed up as Mallificent!

Best of all, she totally didn't mind the random crazy girl in the Spinal Tap shirt bowing down and taking pictures.

Then I ran into this awesome lady all decked out old southern style. She turned out to be Cynthia D'Alba and her swag was the best: MATCHES.

Anyway, Cynthia was a total darling and insisted that I have a picture taken with her cowboy cover model, who happened to be from Spokane, Washington which is the town next to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, my stomping ground. Between our impromptu photoshoot, we had a good giggle about how real northwest cowboys don't look or speak like media cowboys. I grew up on a cattle farm. We drove the cows with tractors, never rode horses, never wore cowboy hats, wore T-shirts, beanies, jeans and workboots (Oh shit, we looked like Nirvana!) and sounded like CBS newscasters.

Still, it was good times.

I also spent a lot of time in the smoking area out front and met some awesome Texan booksellers who had a HAUNTED bookstore. I wish I would have gotten pictures of them. I loved the smoking area. I met a ton of cool people and it was quiet enough to carry on conversations. Quiet is more my pace.

I ended the night by going on a pizza run with cover model DeLonn Donovan and a publicist. I can't remember her name, but DeLonn is easy because apparently he's everywhere and a total sweetie!

After the pizza run, I was dead on my feet and shambled back to my room and promptly fell asleep, dreaming of my own personal romance hero.

Day 3 coming soon!

RT 2014 Recap: Part I

Sorry for the delay. Some personal stuff happened right after I got back from my trip.
Anyway, as you all know, I recently returned from my very first book convention, which was none other than the RT Booklover's Convention in NEW ORLEANS!!!!!
I figured for my first con, I'd go big or go home.

Well, it was more than big, it was HUGE.

My best description for my mental state during those action-packed four days was "Overwhelmed and Overjoyed." There was just so much going on that I'm going to split this into at least 3 posts.

I'll start with the overview. After a long plane ride across the country, I arrived in NOLA and thankfully didn't miss my airport shuttle. On the shuttle I met some fellow excited attendees and a nice local who point out the cemeteries and landmarks along with recommending some good restaurants.
The Marriott in the French Quarter was large and imposing. However I managed to check in and get my badge and track down my roommate, Urban Fantasy author Jess Haines.

Releases July 1st!

If you haven't read her already, CHECK HER OUT!!!!

Anyway, she showed me to our room and since we were both starving, she immediately took me to a nifty restaurant called Daisy Dukes and we split a basket of the best fried shrimp that I've had in my life. She then played sherpa and took me on a mini tour around the block. I just gaped at everything and forgot to take pictures. She treated me to my first beignet. OMG, the fluffy, sugary goodness!!

Still joyous and staring at everything, we returned to our room to get ready for a Mardis Gras party. I got to meet my first book reviewer, Casey from Literary Escapism and she is a doll, so I totally gave her one of my few copies of WRENCHING FATE.

We talked books while changing into festive costumes and heading down to the bus that took us to Mardi Gras World. Jess was to participate in the event so I tagged along with Casey and Amy Boggs, a charming literary agent. I pretty much stayed glued to them as we headed into the building because they were the closest to familiar people I knew. We really had no idea what to expect and were awed and delighted at what came next. Ready for a slew of pictures? Great!

Lining up outside Mardi Gras World

There were some awesome statues that I think they use on floats.

BATMAN!

Headless Horseman!!

After that, there was a parade with Jazz musicians and authors in floats and stuff throwing beads at us.

Sara Humphreys yanked me out of the crowd so we could take a selfie with her and Susanna Kearsley.

It was freakin' awesome.

After the parade we got to visit a bunch of booths and try New Orleans food. And that is how I fell in love with Shrimp n' grits and Crawfish Etoufee.

I also met a bunch more authors and reviewers and readers and industry people.

The bar outside was too spendy and exact cash only, so Jess and I took off shortly afterward and she gave me a quick tour of Bourbon Street and we visited a cool outdoor bar called Pat O' Brien's and had a nifty cocktail (I got to keep the glass) before shambling back to the hotel.

Then we passed the heck out because we were exhausted and had a full schedule of more RT fun early in the morning.

So the first day was... WOW!

Stay tuned for part II!   

Celebrating ARCS for ONE BITE PER NIGHT with giveaways and a book sale!

OMG, you guys, they're HERE! They're finally here!! I can't stop jumping for joy!!! Advance Reader Copies of ONE BITE PER NIGHT!!!

My Precioussss!!!

Here's the blurb:

"He wanted her off his hands... Now he'll do anything to hold on to her ...Forever.

Vincent Tremayne, the reclusive "Devil Earl," has been manipulated into taking rambunctious Lydia Price as his ward. As Lord Vampire of Cornwall, Vincent has better things to do than bring out an unruly debutante.

American-born Lydia Price doesn't care for the stuffy strictures of the ton, and is unimpressed with her foppish suitors. She dreams of studying with the talented but scandalous British portrait painter, Sir Thomas Lawrence. But just when it seems her dreams will come true, Lydia is plunged into Vincent's dark world and finds herself caught between the life she's known and a future she never could have imagined."

And it's available for Pre-Order on Amazon

The First book, BITE ME, YOUR GRACE is already in stores.

I'm also running a Giveaway on Goodreads HERE!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

One Bite Per Night

by Brooklyn Ann

Giveaway ends June 01, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

And the fun doesn't stop there. WRENCHING FATE is on sale for only $0.99 on Kindle

And $1.99 at B&N, Apple, and Kobo ...because the distributor I went through for those wouldn't let me go lower.

So I'm in paroxysms of celebration right now. Stay tuned because I'll be doing a giveaway here eventually.

Easter Treats: Deviled Egg recipe and WRENCHING FATE on special!

HAPPY EASTER, everyone!

Wrenching Fate is on special for $1.99 on Kindle and here's my recipe for deviled eggs!

Makes 24 servings:
Ingredients:

1 Dozen Eggs
1/2 cup Mayonnaise (Not Miracle Whip or salad dressing)
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions. (Scissors are your friend)
Snipped fresh chives
Dried mustard (wet mustard works too. I usually use both)
Parsley
Paprika
Seasoned salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Dried Dillweed
Milk (optional)

1.) Place eggs in a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover them. Bring to rapid boil on high heat.

2.)Reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. (Times may vary due to elevation differences. I'd check cooking times for hard boiled eggs in your area)

3.)Pour off water and fill pan with cold water and ice cubes if you have 'em. Let stand about 3 minutes

4.)Pour off water. Gently shake pan back n'forth to roll the eggs around and crack the shells.

5.)Peel off shells staring at larger ends of the eggs. Some are a pain, but most come off easy.

6.) Cut eggs in half lengthwise, scoop out the yolks and put 'em in a bowl. Set the egg halves aside in a shallow container.

7.) Mix in the rest of the ingredients to taste, except for paprika n' chives. Add more mayo or milk till you get your preferred creaminess.

8.) Fill egg halves with the mixture, top with paprika and chives. Cover and chill until serving.

Do not leave the deviled eggs at room temp. longer than two hours. They should keep for a week in the fridge.

Preparations for RT Part 1

Holy wow, you guys! In less than a month, I'll be going to the RT Booklover's Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana! I am beyond excited because not only have I always wanted to attend this exciting convention that all of my favorite authors and book people tweet about every year, but I've wanted to visit NOLA since reading my first Anne Rice novel.

 

I am beyond excited to finally meet all the authors I've gotten to know in print and online. I'm excited to meet my editors and publisher. I'm excited and overawed at the prospect of meeting readers who can't wait to meet me. I'm excited to see New Orleans and eat Cajun and Creole food explore the city.

 

I'm also scared shitless.

 

For one thing, I've never traveled. Hell, I've never flown in my adult life.

For another, I have an anxiety disorder that is triggered by crowds and loud noises. I take medication for it, so I should be okay.

 

And as the date of my trip races forward, I'm counting off the things I need to get and do to prepare. The fabulous Shana Galen shared this awesome link with me to a guide for RT Virgins. I'm definitely going to follow some of the advice and make myself a "guideline" agenda and bring sharpies.

 

However this link didn't cover the other things I'm going to need.

 

Things like...

 

A purse. Seriously, you guys, I'm a 31 year old woman and I don't own a damn purse. WTF is wrong with me? I'm going to get myself a giant monstrosity to fit all my books n' stuff.

 

Make up. I've been fairly socially isolated for awhile. I think all my makeup is expired.

 

A big luggage thingie. Thankfully, a friend is going to loan me one.

 

A reasonable mix of formal and casual clothes.

 

Pens. I cannot remind myself enough. We're talking about someone who forgot to bring a pen to her own book signing.

 

Medication and toiletries.

 

My laptop. I'm going to have to be able to write and tweet too. :)

 

A few copies of my books, business cards, and bookmarks. I'm not officially participating in any author events this year, but that doesn't mean I won't have goodies for a few readers. :)

 

Whew!

 

I know there's probably a bunch of stuff I'm missing so if any of you have suggestions, please feel free to chime in!

 

Next week I'll be focusing on my tentative plan/ schedule for things I'll do and attend at the conference. 

Praise To Cover Artists.

So I'm beginning to put together the cover for IRONIC SACRIFICE (Brides of Prophecy, Book 2) and I remembered something I'd wanted to speak out on during my work on the cover for WRENCHING FATE.

I want to give a huge shout-out to cover artists. I now have an inkling of all the insane and intensive work it takes to produce a quality book cover. Here's a few things that I've learned that they suffer through.

1.) Finding the right stock images.

Holy crap, one has to browse through literally THOUSANDS of pictures to find the right background and models to represent the characters. And if that wasn't tedious enough, one also has to make sure that the lighting in the picture of the couple is similar to that of the background. Also, as attractive as a picture might look, it might not work. I wanted to use this pic until is was pointed out that the cover would probably have to be cut in a way that one wouldn't be able to figure out that those were the model's legs.

Also, I was told that the heroine looked too bitchy.

Photoshop can only do so much... which brings me to my next point.

2.) Photoshop can only do so much.

And it is freakin' HARD. I was an artist before I was a writer, but I was only a pencils and paintbrushes kind. Digital art is a whole 'nother animal. Granted, I had a graphic artist and a designer to help me with the layout of my last book, but I got to work on it too. I spent at least 8 hours working on the guy's hair and God knows how many erasing stray pixels around everything.

The dude originally had short hair full of so much product it looked like a hedgehog died on his head.

3.) Fonts... good Lord, the FONTS!!

With my 2+ years in design and commercial art I figured those would be a breeze. But, no, getting the damn fonts to cooperate and center properly and be highlighted in the right places to not obscure the artwork and still be legible was  a labor in itself. And the variety. I was stumped on picking the right one to fit the book. Again, my eternal thanks go out to Danae Ayusso for presenting the PERFECT fonts like nobody's business.

I could rant further but you get the point.

What I mean is this: COVER ARTISTS: I bow down to your expertise.

And that's why the pros will always be better than anything I can pull of as seen with the cover work on ONE BITE PER NIGHT.

Emerging From the Editing Cave and Sharing News

What happened...

So I got a lot done in the last couple weeks. First off, I finished the monster-expansion project on HIS ROADIE, my first heavy metal romance romance novel.

So please, cross your fingers for me and join me in hoping that the interested publisher picks it up!

Second, I also finished polishing up IRONIC SACRIFICE, book 2 in my urban fantasy romance series, "Brides of Prophecy." I really think this is my best work, but we'll wait for my next batch of beta readers to knock me down a peg and make it even better.

Third, WRENCHING FATE just got its first review up on Amazon and Goodreads and not only was it a raving, five star review, it was from someone I don't know, so they were definitely serious!!! This made my day.

Here's the link!

I also purchased the Domain for my editing service, GRAMMAR SMITH EDITING. The Website is under construction, but if you want to know my rates, send me an email.

What's going to happen...

ARCs will be arriving in a couple weeks for my 2nd historical paranormal romance, ONE BITE PER NIGHT!!! I can't Freakin' wait!!!

I'll be putting up my website for my editing service.

I'll be revising Book 3, BITE AT FIRST SIGHT before passing it on to madam editor.

I was invited to submit a short story to an anthology with a heavy metal theme. Well, it just so happens that I have one! A few years back I wrote a short story about a teenage metal band in a haunted church and it took first place in the Idaho Writer's League's annual contest. So I'm gonna polish it up and make it more metal and see how that goes. The deadline's not until November, so I have lots of room to play.

I'll be starting Book 3 in my Brides of Prophecy series. So far, I don't have a title for that.

So as you can see, Spring is kicking off hella busy!