Tuesday, May 22, 2007

May Mini-NANO updates...

So how's everyone doing so far? Just over a week of writing time left this month. Gah.

I'm close to 30k, but about a third of that is on another project, as I've realised that Puppet will be 120k or more - this is the point where I wish to God that I could write short stories. And today my editor suggested adding an extra 10-20k on something else, which thankfully won't be too much hassle to do (she says hopefully).

This month hasn't been spectacular in terms of writing, mainly because I know I'm just marking time before I emigrate. That always happens - I find it very difficult to concentrate on writing or doing anything when I know I'm about to go somewhere. It drives me mad that my focus goes wandering off - "Ooh did I pack everything, did I cancel the milk, did I did this or that or the other..." and really I'm no good to anyone when this mood takes me - except I do a lot of cooking and make ridiculous amounts of cake and biscuits.

In other news, Kim has a new book out (see post below)! I bought my copy this morning and it's very good, so everyone else should go get their copies now. Go go go!
posted by Anonymous at 4:28 pm 3 comments

Nimue's Price... out today!

Nimue's Price by Kim Knox

Dark Fantasy ~ with a dash of sex...

Buy it here:
www.samhainpublishing.com

Blurb

Smelling like an overcooked pig was only the start of a bad day…

Excerpt

Damn it, no. He was leaving. "Merlin! Wait."
Nimue stretched out her hand, caught his, gripped it. Something slick wet her skin. She turned over his hand and found blood and crescent-shaped cuts dug deep into his palm. "You're bleeding."

Merlin tugged his hand free and eyes as dark as her own narrowed. "It's nothing." He stepped back. "You need to rest, Nimue. We're strong. It's how we have the Sight…but we still need to eat and sleep after an…encounter."

Strong? True. Already, the shakes, the dull throbs of pain through every muscle, were fading. A smile pulled at her mouth and Merlin's eyes deadened in response. Silent curses ran through her head. He'd wanted her. Every sense had screamed it. Now, that had changed.

All right. She would start again. Morgan had given her time.

Her gaze dropped, fixing on the strong column of his throat. She focused on the strip of black leather slipping beneath his tunic. Nimue had seen the crested ring that hung from it. He had held it up to a flickering candle, the black, carved stone blazing, and told her of his father. The ring was his only connection to that long-dead man. She calmed her nerves. "Will…will you be my teacher?"

"Nimue."

Her name was almost a growl. She ignored the delicious shiver running over her skin. Morgan had warned her about this. He will weave his magic around you, Nimue. Wrap darkness around your heart. Resist that. And you can destroy him. She let out a slow breath. "Who else can show me, Merlin? It's taken you years." Her eyes lifted and she ran slow fingers over the sharp edge of his jaw. He flinched. "I'm…I'm scared."

Something flickered in the dark depths of his eyes. Then was gone. Merlin backed away. "It's the king's decision."

"Then we go now."

A muscle in his jaw jumped. His mouth opened. Then shut. "Yes."

He stared over her long, creased dress. She followed his gaze and saw the stains of blood and urine "I have to change. I'm sure the king wouldn't approve." A smile twisted her mouth. "And the Queen would be horrified."

Merlin's mouth flattened. "If the king decides I am to be your mentor, your irreverence stops, Nimue."

She couldn't help herself. "So I have till then?"

"You know that's not--" Merlin bit back more words and turned to the solid wooden door. "Let's go."

He shot back four heavy bolts and tugged at the wrought-iron ring. The door groaned. Nimue stared back at the raised circle that had burned her with agonising light. She hadn't told him a lie. She was scared. Voices had whispered in that searing light, whispered of the distant future, the forgotten past. One Voice told her power could be hers. It would be hers. All of it.

Nimue crushed her eyes shut. She had to deny the memories, and shook her head against them.

She drew air into her lungs and she focused on Merlin's straight back.

The Voice had promised her his power.

Her bare feet padded over cold stone. Think about the cold. Concentrate on the chill numbing her soles. She couldn't let her thoughts dwell. But she failed. Arthur's sister had sent her to the court to worm her way into Merlin's affections. And she had done that. The ease of doing so still surprised her. However, there was the other side.

She needed to see the brooding lines lift from his sharp, handsome face. To have Merlin smile at her and let that smile light eyes too used to looking inwards and seeing horror.

No.

That was his magic.

Morgan had said.

She tugged at his arm. "Will I have to endure the light again?"

Merlin pulled free and didn't stop his fast pace through the curving, torch-lit tunnel. "No."

"What happens if the king says no?"

He stopped. He didn't look at her, instead his face turned down the smooth-stoned tunnel. His voice was cold, hard. "The Iselin Dal will use you as they wish. As They used me. Until I learned."

Panic skittered through Nimue. She knew the stories of the screaming, insane wild-man Merlin had once been. Sometimes she saw the memory of it flicker across his face. "I--"

Narrowed eyes fixed on her. The power in them prickled over her skin. "It's something you must be prepared for, Nimue."

She forgot her role. "And you would be relieved!"

Merlin's jaw tightened. "Yes."

The shock and pain of that answer shot through her nerves. Nimue grabbed at the carved stone for support, felt the sharp edge dig into her palm. "How could you…?"

"You were a dalliance, Nimue. Nothing more. Now you're a threat to me. And we both know it." She swung her hand without thinking. Merlin's strong fingers caught her wrist, pinned her arm to the wall, blocked her with his body. "Don't we?"

Nimue couldn't breathe.

The mixing odours of stone, leather and Merlin's clean, male scent shot through her. The hard strength of him pressed against her had her heart thumping. She stared up into dark eyes, catching the flicker of fire in their depths.

Want pulsed.

Her hips shifted. Slow. Sure.

Merlin groaned, his gaze dragging to her mouth.

"Just one taste, Merlin." Was that her voice? Soft, breathless? "Where's the harm?"

His lips parted, his breathing harsh, and the liquid fire low in her belly flared. The urge to sink her teeth into his lip consumed her. For her to finally taste him, let his tongue, her tongue--

"Enough!" Merlin stumbled back. "I'm stronger than that," he muttered. Cold eyes fixed on her. "They must have you for my own sanity."

"And that's what you'll tell the king?"

Merlin's jaw lifted, his spine straightened. "Yes."

"You condemn me, Merlin."

He turned. "You shouldn't have come to the court."

Nimue watched him stride down the tunnel. "I had no choice."


(c) 2007 Kim Knox

Thank you for reading!

Here's a snippet of Nimue's Price 5 star review:


Nimue's Price is one of the best fantasies this reviewer has encountered, and I truly hope author Kim Knox will expand on the exciting denouement and deliver further stories of Nimue and Merlin! I intend to find everything this very special author writes, and add them to my Keeper Shelf. The characters, the plot, the fantasy and paranormal elements, and a rapid pace that never turns the reader loose, all make Nimue's Price an excellent story and a welcome addition to the reader's library of keepers.

Reviewer: Annie

http://sensual.ecataromance.com/11-reviews?type=&id=809



Kim
posted by Kim Knox at 8:17 am 1 comments

Monday, May 21, 2007

Newsletters and Interviews

Hi Everyone :) Hope you are all having a fantastic Monday. Why am I so happy? My kidlet is asleep and the rest are in school. WEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Oh yeah and I just saw a sneak peek of an interview Mechele Armstrong did of me for her newsletter The Crayon Chronicles. Fabulous author and a really nice person.

I'm sitting here giggling because I've come to realize how much work I put into my simple newsletter. Asking an author for an interview, and then creating the page. Then I post it on my site and in a newsletter group. So lately I've been thinking I might just leave it all on my newsletter group. Not because I don't have enough space on my site, but because I dont seem many hits on my newsletters. I know it's much easier to just get the newsletter in your mail box and delete it, or read it, then to click a link and go to a site. So I may take a poll. If any one feels so inclined please leave me a message in the comments on your opinion.

So, I was not only interviewed by Mechele Armstrong, but I was also interviewed by Ali and that interview can be found here.

And I was also interviewed by Beverley Bateman. I was guest author for the month.

So while I debate if I should keep doing interviews of authors and how many people read them, I myself get three interviews. I guess that is a sign to keep them up.

So who am I interviewing next month?
Senior Editor for Whiskey Creek Press Torrid

Come join my newsletter group for more information hehehehe

Have a great week!!!
Michelle
posted by Michelle Hasker at 6:38 pm 0 comments

Better Late Than Never

I completely forgot I had to blog on Friday. I oncce told a former boss I'm either fifteen minutes early or five minutes late. LOL I guess I can now say something similar about blogging. I'm totally sorry about letting Friday slide. I spent the majority of the day outside working on the yards and large "garden" area our new house has in the front. My thumb's not very green so this is an interesting experiment for us. Hopefully I don't take after my mom who once killed a cactus.

I reread my wip Magic Awry recently and now have several new scenes written in it that are taking Madeline in some very interesting directions. I can see now that a second story is going to be necessary.

On the beaver front I've started the editing process on Three of Hearts. Only 40 days until it's release! And yesterday I finished outlining the first two chapters to a sequel. All in all a productive week.

Here's to hoping the only thing I kill off are minor characters
Elena
posted by Elena Croft at 5:05 pm 0 comments

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Would you like a chance to win a copy of The Prophecy?

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of my latest release The Prophecy from Forbidden Publications. Here's you chance. On May 23rd, 2007 The Prophecy is the Book of the day giveaway at TRS. Good luck to all of you who decide to enter. You may enter for your chance to win here: http://www.theromancestudio.com/bad_form.php



Aline
posted by Aline de Chevigny at 9:51 pm 0 comments

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Hara's Legacy - Coming May 29th

Since I've got a new release in a little less than two weeks, I thought I'd blog about it today. Hara's Legacy is a mixed-genre novel that's ultra hot. It's set on a ranch in the Canadian Rockies, so it has some of the elements of a Western - 3 hot cowboys being the most obvious. ;-) But it's also set in the future after a cataclysmic event has changed the Earth forever, so it's got that Futuristic vibe. And there are humanoid aliens involved that impact greatly on the protagonists' lives, so there's a Sci Fi element. The protagonists all also have extrasensory abilities, so there's a paranormal angle, and did I mention it's a super hot romance? ;-)

Here's the official blurb:


“Hara's Legacy” by Bianca D'Arc
ISBN: 1-59998-482-2
Length: Novel
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: May 29, 2007
Cover art by Anne Cain
It’s a serious game of cowboys and aliens when three psychically gifted brothers try to protect the one fragile, empathic woman who holds all their hearts against a menacing alien threat.

First in the Resonance Mates series.

Montana rancher Caleb O’Hara’s precognitive abilities saved his family from an alien attack that annihilated almost everyone on Earth. Now the aliens have come to study the remnants of humanity. Caleb knows the only way to ensure the safety of his young wife, Janie, and his beloved brothers, Justin and Mick, is to keep the family together on their isolated ranch.

All three O’Hara brothers love Jane. They grew up next door to the young, empathic beauty and she stole all their hearts at one time or another, though she married Caleb. Caleb foresees the shocking truth of what they have to do in order to survive, and Caleb’s visions never lie.

They’ll have to come to terms with a new world, and an evolving relationship, all while finding a way to protect two newborn babies who are innocent pawns in the aliens’ deadly game. Somehow, this one talented family holds the key for humanity’s survival on this new, conquered world called Earth.

Warning: this title contains explicit sex and ménage à quatre.

You can learn more, and find an excerpt on the book's page on my website: http://biancadarc.com/scifi/resonancemates.html
I plan to have five books in this series, each bringing the aliens and the humans a little closer to understanding each other. This series has been a long time in the making, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it's received. I'm working on putting some more fun stuff on my website for this book - jigsaw puzzles, desktop wallpaper art, etc - but I'm not quite there yet. I still have a few weeks to play with it, so stay tuned!

Bianca D'Arc
Come over to the D'Arc side... www.biancadarc.com

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posted by Bianca D'Arc at 4:32 pm 0 comments

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Oops almost forgot to Blog

Boy time seems to just fly right by in May and June. I really can't wait for school to end, but then by August I will be dying for it to start back up. Between softball games for two, dance lessons for three and girl scouts for two, not to mention school activities and trips and my volunteering, who has time to write?
Not me!
*wails*
So what do I do when I have days too busy to write? I try to keep my story or stories fresh in my mind. I'll reread them before bed, or think about what I can do next while washing dishes or taking a shower. I'll sit in the hallway while the kiddies take turns in the bath... Or *gasp* I'll give up sleep.
I am so glad I don't work outside of the home, because I'm sure I'd have to give up writing to make time for everything else. My youngest daughter turned 5 yesterday and that means I'll only have one child at home in the fall. I imagine I'll have no spare time unless he learns to love playing by himself. LOL
Well, enough of that. There's flowers to plant at the school, the SPCA is visiting preschool, and dance pictures and dress rehearsal is tonight. Tomorrow, softball game, Friday - the recital and Saturday is filled with softball games, bday parties and cleaning, oh my!

Have a great week everyone :)

Michelle
posted by Michelle Hasker at 5:47 pm 0 comments

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Revenant released today!



A M/M historical paranormal plus novel from Samhain Publishing.

Would you sell your soul for the find of a lifetime? Could you give up your life for love?

On Santorini, vampires are more than folklore – and the workers on Jack Hunter’s archaeological dig know the body he’s found is meant to stay buried.

But Jack isn’t one for superstition. Despite the warnings, he takes the skeleton to his house for safekeeping. There, he finds a mysterious letter from a man named Belas, offering directions to a site of great importance in return for a small favour: his blood.

Belas is a vrykolakas, the most feared and dangerous of all Greek vampires. Millennia ago, the island’s high priest sacrificed his family to calm the rage of the volcano. Belas committed suicide to ensure that his spirit would remain restless, thereby cursing the high priest to suffer a similar fate. But the priest escaped to Crete, and as a vampire cannot cross salt water, Belas has been waiting four thousand years to exact his vengeance. Now he intends Jack to be the agent of his revenge.


Excerpt here: http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/revenant

Buy it here: http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/product_info.php?products_id=522

[randomly, I can't post on the DoC loop for some reason... o_O this will have to do]
posted by Anonymous at 7:48 am 1 comments

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Luck of The Irish Has been released from Aspen's Mountain

I got a very exciting surprise this afternoon. It seems I have a new release with Aspen Mountain Press. Check out a little tid bit about this story below.

Luck of The Irish By Aline de Chevigny
Available Now from Aspen Mountain Press: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/luck-of-the-irish/prod_57.htmll


Blurb

When Dina’s boss assigns her to review a local family restaurant called Luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day of all days, she isn’t happy. Upon entering the establishment and seeing all the staff dressed as Leprechauns, she expects passable food and annoyingly cheerful service. What she got left her breathless.
Connor had always known what his destiny held in store for him. When the gods finally bestowed their gift upon him, he never expected his destiny to take place in a pair of sea blue eyes. Now, he finally understood why a four leaf clover is considered good luck.

Excerpts # 1
Her blush burned hotter at the compliment. “I… I…” Taking a deep breath Dina forced calmness to flow through her. “Thank you.” She wanted to crawl into the deepest , darkest hole she could find when he laughed again. Thank you? I said thank you? The man compliments me that way and I say thank you? I am pathetic.
“You needed something Miss…”
“Please, before I make and even bigger fool of myself call me Dina. I want to look around to see whom you’re talking to when you call me Miss.”
Connor nodded and flashed her a sexy grin. “How may I be of assistance to you today, Dina?”
You could take me in those big, strong arms of yours and ravage me, you sexy man. Lightly shaking her head to get the naughty thoughts out of it, Dina looked down at her now cold bowl of soup, her eyes lighting on the four leaf clover. “Oh right, I found the most peculiar thing floating in my soup. A clover and I wondered…”
“A clover?”
She hadn’t expected him to look so confused when she mentioned her surprising find. As it was St-Patrick’s Day she assumed he’d tell her it was a festive garnish. Instead, the look that crossed his face left her wondering if he needed to sit down. “Connor? Are you feeling alright? Maybe you should sit down.”
“Thank you, I think I will.”
Signaling one of the servers over, he softly whispered something into their ear before having a seat across from her. “Did the clover have three or four leaves?”
Dina picked up the clover and handed it over to him. Something about the seriousness in his eyes told her he’d need to examine the clover himself to acknowledge the truth. Reaching across the table, her body started to tingle in anticipation. The moment their fingers touched the entire room spun around them. When the spinning stopped, all she could see was the most beautiful green eyes she’d ever seen staring deep down into her soul and she’d never felt more at home.
posted by Aline de Chevigny at 1:58 am 0 comments

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

RT, RWA and Writing Under the Gun

RT and RWA

I've just returned from my first Romantic Times convention.
It was quite an experience. Would I do it again? Yes!
Would I do Romance Writers of America National Conference again? Yes.
Each offers something different for the romance writer.

RT offers exposure to readers and booksellers. If you have titles out or recently coming out this might be a better option for your money. The atmosphere is fun and more relaxed. The Mr. Romance cover model pagent was awesome. The Ellora's Cavemen calendar signing was fantastic. All the guys were very nice.

RWA National conference is a business focused- workshops all day. Parties are for established authors. Agent and editor appointments go quick. PRO or a Golden Heart finalists get their pick after the published authors. CD's are available of all the workshops for a fee. I think this is a great idea along with a book with handouts for a small fee for those who want both.

Writing Under the Gun

Having mentioned in the beginning of this blog of returning from RT, I have lots of submissions to finish, edit and polish. I'm thrilled, scared and overwhelmed. I'm taking the smallest projects and doing those first and working my way down the list. Hopefully, a few of these projects will find the right homes.

I'm going to end with a plug for my newest release, A Taste of the Forbidden in Summer Solstice Scorchers anthology from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, available June 1. ISBN: 1-59374-966-8. A Tambra Kendall read is: Sensual. Magical. Unforgettable Romance.
posted by Tambra at 9:08 pm 0 comments

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Nano May Madness


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posted by Kim Knox at 11:15 am 0 comments