Friday, February 28, 2014

Giveaway at Night Owl Reviews!


Starting today, I'm holding a giveaway at Night Owl Reviews for an ebook of Cursed! If you love dark paranormals in unusual settings, get over to NOR and enter!

Cursed is the first in The Vitruvian Man series, set in Venice during the 10-day masquerade festival of Carnevale.Who knows who - or what - might hide beneath those beautiful costumes?

Charmed and Claimed are the second and third in the series. Here's a peek:


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The lesson of the boot print

One morning this winter, I came in the house after some mundane chore and bent to remove my boots. Afterward, this was what was left on the floor.

An antlered deer! Or maybe a chupacabra? With a saddle? (Don't ask me what that ball-shaped thing is behind him, lol)

In any event, I thought it looked pretty cool. So I grabbed my camera because I knew it wouldn't last long.

Sometimes like story ideas. They flash through my head. Sometimes, I'll write them down while they're fresh and capture them. Other times (if I'm somewhere I can't jot notes), I'll keep repeating it in my head in hopes I don't lose it.

Sometimes, though, like the deer/chupacabra, it melts away. *poof* Gone, and once that happens, it can be gone for good.

Another lesson to apply to writing - get it down while it's fresh, and the image is clear.

A deeper lesson is to stop and look in the first place. There's so much we miss on a daily basis because we rush, rush, rush. It's worthwhile to stand still and look around. Take in all those details that might otherwise be a blur, or fade before we can admire them.



Monday, February 24, 2014

Rock Bottom, revamped

I'm very excited that Rock Bottom has been re-contracted under the new Lyrical Press imprint under Kensington Publishing! Former Lyrical publisher Renee Rocco is staying on as Managing Director. The news was announced last month, but I stayed mum until my contract was signed, sealed and delivered.

Rock Bottom is getting a new look too. What do you think of this new cover?

Yeah, I love it too.

So I'm looking forward to its re-release under the new imprint, and hoping it will find a broader reach of readers. When? The ink on the contract has hardly had time to dry, but I do know that on February 13, it was sent to Kensington to line up in the queue for uploading to retailers. And it has a page ready to go at Lyrical's site. I'll keep you posted.

Wish me luck as it re-launches!


Monday, February 17, 2014

Blue Moon tour continues

Thanks again to Literary Nook for arranging this tour. It ends this Friday! I hope you'll pop over to some of the guest posts and interviews:

February 17
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic – Review, promo and excerpt
Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess – Author interview and promo
Danita Minnis – Guest post
February 18
Book Reviews by Xunaira J – Guest post
February 19
Deal Sharing Aunt – Excerpt
February 20
Dalene’s Book Reviews – Review, author interview and excerpt
February 21
The World As I See It – Review, promo and excerpt
 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Cover Reveal: Silk and Scorn by Cassandra Dean

Congrats to Cassandra Dean on her upcoming release of Silk and Scorn! I'm excited to be part of this cover reveal. Gorgeous, isn't it?




No matter how much their mothers wanted Sarah and Arthur to wed, Sarah had loathed him. However, circumstance and her late husband’s father conspire against her, and she is forced to turn to Arthur for help. Perhaps she needs his legal expertise, but she refuses to acknowledge how handsome her oldest foe has become…or her reaction to him.

His childhood nemesis is the last person Arthur Davenport expected to require his services. When a spurious claim against her late husband’s estate brings Sarah Wetherall to his door, he can’t refuse the pretty widow, no matter how much he wants to.

Thrown together by fate, will they discover there is a fine line between scorn and passion?

Early Victorian Sweet Romance
Coming 19 February 2014


Excerpt

15 February, 1847. Mrs. Wetherall.

He stared down at the name. There was something familiar about it, but he could not recall what it might be. He shrugged. She was soon to appear, and any familiarity would be quickly established.
At that, the door opened and a woman who could only be Mrs. Wetherall swept in, an obscenely large hat obscuring most of her face. A gown of uncommon simplicity clothed her person, but for all the garment was simple, it was obviously well made, which suggested wealth.

Ah, well, no matter if he knew her name or not. A wealthy client was always welcome.

Dunn trailed behind her, his expression as eager as ever. “Mrs. Wetherall, sir.”

Arthur inclined his head. “Thank you. That will be all.”

“Right you are, sir.” The clerk bobbed his head and left, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

Arthur turned his regard to the woman. Currently she studied his qualifications, hung on the wall along with the framed pictures his mother had given him for his birthday every year since he’d become a solicitor. “Mrs. Wetherall, good afternoon. Please, seat yourself.”

Her shoulders straightened infinitesimally but she didn’t respond, instead continuing to regard the wall.

Irritation tugged, but he suppressed it. Emotion would get him nowhere. “Mrs. Wetherall?”

With a sweep of her skirts, the lady and her hat settled into the chair before his desk.

Frowning, he sank to his own seat. That enormous hat was absurd, still disguising her face. Why did women think such things were attractive? In addition to being ludicrous, it no doubt put undue pressure upon her neck.

Lacing her hands in her lap, the lady finally spoke. “I find I require the services of a solicitor in regards to my late husband’s will.”

The hair at the back of his neck stood up. No. Oh, Christ, no.

The hat tilted, exposing her face. Every muscle in Arthur’s body seized.

Mrs. Wetherall, formerly Miss Sarah Stanhope and the bane of his childhood, glared at him from beneath her ridiculous hat.

======================================

 
About Cassandra

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.

The love affair exists to this very day.

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia.


You can find Cassandra at:

CassandraDean.com ~ Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

GIVEAWAY

Monday, February 10, 2014

Blue Moon blog tour starts today!


I'm excited for the launch of the Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake blog tour today! I hope you'll follow along, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Thanks to Literary Nook for arranging the tour, and to these hosts and reviewers:



February 10
Musings of a Writing Reader – Guest post, promo and excerpt
Button the Push Books and Giveaways – Promo and excerpt
February 11
JM Stewart--Contemporary Romance Author – Guest post, promo and excerpt
Harlie’s Books – Review, promo and excerpt
Lusty Penguin Reviews – Guest post, promo and excerpt
February 12
For the Love of Bookends – Review and promo
February 13
Rachel Brimble Romance – Author Interview
Dawn’s Reading Nook – Promo and excerpt
February 14
Literary Nook – Review, author interview and excerpt
February 17
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic – Review, promo and excerpt
Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess – Author interview and promo
Danita Minnis – Guest post
February 18
Book Reviews by Xunaira J – Guest post
February 19
Deal Sharing Aunt – Excerpt
February 20
Dalene’s Book Reviews – Review, author interview and excerpt
February 21
The World As I See It – Review, promo and excerpt




Friday, February 7, 2014

Fire and Ice! - Winner!

 Leanne

Congrats and happy reading!


The Fire and Ice blog hop has begun! When I last checked, 37 other authors had signed up to participate. That means 38 sites with great giveaways! No worries - you have from today through Feb 15 to check out all the tempting offerings. You can find the full list here.

Thanks to the ladies at Rainy Day Ramblings, Candace's Book Blog, My Guilty Obsession and The Nocturnal Library blogs for putting this all together. Just for you!

My giveaway

Decadent Publishing released my contemporary novella, A Wedding at the Blue Moon Cafe, last month. It's a sensual romance sure to melt your heart! I'm giving away an ebook.


How to enter

Leave a comment on this post describing what you love - or hate - about weddings! Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Keep hopping!

1. Rainy Day Ramblings (Int)  
2. The Nocturnal Library (Int)  
3. Candace's Book Blog (Int)  
4. Ali@My Guilty Obsession (Int)  
5. Cherry Mischievous (Int)  
6. LAURA @ MUSIC PLUS BOOKS (INT)  
7. Joyousreads (INT)  
8. Jenny @ Supernatural Snark (Int)  
9. Ginny @ Gin's Book Notes  
10. Christy @ Love of Books  
11. Reading Reality  
12. Adelynne  
13. Buried in Books (INT)  
14. Living a Goddess Life (US)  
15. Alicia @ Addicted Reades (Int)  
16. Beth @ Curling Up With A Good Book  
17. Donna Augustine's Blog (INT)  
18. Cyn @ Bookmunchies (INT)  
19. Anna Simpson  
20. Tressa @ Tressa's Wishful Endings (INT)  
21. Jennifer @ Some Like It Paranormal  
22. Aman @ Enticed by Books  
23. Mary @ BookSwarm  
24. Cindi @ Mommasez...  
25. Nick @ Nick's Book Blog  
26. Danielle @ Coffee and Characters (INT)  
27. MYTHICAL BOOKS (INT)  
28. Veronica @ Mostly Reviews (Int)  
29. Michelle @ Book Briefs  
30. Jennifer @ bookaholics  
31. Terrie L Fulk  
32. Savings in Seconds(US)  
33. Ashley@Chronicles  
34. Cate Masters  
35. Choc-o-Lit Chick  
36. Jennifer Lane  
37. Ophelia London  
38. BIBLIOPHILE MYSTERY (INT)