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Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Contractversary + Giveaway!













Hi folks!

Exactly four years ago, I was signing my first contract with Entangled Publishing. I knew my book, A Vengeful Affair, got approved a few weeks before that. Still. Signing the contract was a big deal.

I look back and realize so much has changed. I have learned so much more about the craft, and the industry changed a lot too. When I started, I was so green. I mean, I'm still green and trust me, there's still a lot to learn. I guess what I meant to say was I didn't know much. I loved writing, but I was a dummy in so many ways.

Six months after the contract, A Vengeful Affair was released. Thankfully, it got amazing reviews and it was on Amazon's Romance Series bestselling list for a several weeks. Again, I was so green-- I knew nothing about promo. I had virtual no support; I didn't know what a teaser was, or how to make a banner. When someone told me about street teams, I laughed it off. Who in the world would want to invest their time and effort to help me get exposure and boost sales? Really, that was such a silly idea.

Thankfully, the past few years taught me a lot of lessons. In particular, the past two years. Why? Because I was so new at everything, that when my book got picked, I had no back-up plan. I didn't have another romance ready to submit, I had no idea where to go from there. Nowadays, I get antsy if I don't have anything else in the works, with EP or self-pubbed.

Again, I know and hope this is still just the beginning for me. But I must say, all in all, I'm grateful I've been blessed with working with talented professionals. And the street team? I have one now, believe it or not, with well over 300 fabulous members. I'm getting better at promo, although I can't make my own teasers. They suck. Seriously. :)

So. To celebrate my contractversary, I'll give away a digital copy of A Vengeful Affair. For a chance to win, answer the question: what fear have you overcome or would you like to overcome?



Monday, April 14, 2014

A Night of Misbehaving is here!

Hello, World!

I'm proud to announce my Indulgence novella, A Night of Misbehaving, is available on Amazon & Barnes&Noble today. Like right now! :) Also, I'm hosting a fabulous release party on FB tonight; you don't wanna miss it! Click here to join us and enter for cool giveaways!

BUY: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | iTunes




For just one night, Georgia Taylor wants to
forget about her demanding job and the everyday struggles of being a single mom. Her track record with men is pitiful, but that’s fine because her responsibilities don’t leave room for love anyway. The new online dating site is perfect for what she’s after.

But Georgia’s plans are crushed when Brent Turner, aka Sexy Dad and father of her daughter’s classmate, turns out to be her internet date, therefore, eliminating any possibility for a night without consequences.

All of Brent Turner’s honorable intentions fly out the window when he sees highly strung “Super Mom” waiting for her date at the bar. Determined to win Georgia’s trust and show her a good time, their no-strings evening promises to become so much more…until, that is, she discovers what he's really up to.

Monday, November 18, 2013

The Thing About Writing


 

 

                “It’s okay, Mama. I can do it by myself,” my daughter told me a couple of years ago, when I was getting ready to push her in the swing of the park we visited every week. As I nodded, a pang of pride and a growing fear rushed in my veins. That simple exchange articulated how time was flying right in front of my eyes, faster than any swing.

                Many times, these small milestones are life’s subtle way of telling us we are no longer needed. I remember that when I wrote my first book, I clung to it for a looong time. Okay, so I sucked at writing back then and it took me longer, but part of me likes to think I didn’t want it to end because I didn’t know what would come after. What if I finished it and the inspiration to write another one flew away? What if I showed it to someone I trusted and that person showered me with patronizing motivational quotes? I have no idea what would have happened if I’d showed that particular one to anyone, since I finished and it’s safely stashed away till I’m brave enough to read it again and start a major editing overhaul. I’d have to ask that skinny guy from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for help. Get the picture?  

                After months filled with personal chaos and fascinating milestones, I’m finally getting around to putting some ideas on paper and polishing proposals that should have been sent too long ago. It’s never good to have this ginormous gap between writing, editing, sending proposals, the whole shebang.

                Sometimes though, things spin out of control and we feel powerless. There’s no time, no way, no how. Madness. Phew.  

                But that’s okay. That’s life, isn’t it, folks? Sometimes, you just have to swing it.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Catching Up with Susie Medwell


Hi, folks! Come on in and grab a chair.

Today we have the talented Susie Medwell with us, chatting about writing across the genres, time management and more. Her newest release, the contemporary romance Text Me, Tweet Me, Need Me, just hit the e-shelves a few weeks ago. She’s contracted with three publishers and has also ventured into the ever-growing self-pub world. She also pens erotica romance as Zara Stoneley.

Susie, Text Me, Tweet Me, Need Me brings into focus the unavoidable presence of technology in today’s dating scene and relationships. What inspired you to add this modern twist to your first contemporary romance? Writing is all about what-if’s. I find social networking/dating fascinating – in theory it lets us meet people we might never have otherwise bumped into, but can we really ‘click’ with someone we meet in cyberspace? And what if that someone isn’t really a stranger? Couple that with the fact that I’m a firm believer that we find love when (and where) we least expect it and I had a story I really wanted to write.

 Your heroine is a journalist. Do you have any experience in the field? How much research did you have to do? I did some freelance work many years ago, and also have friends who work in journalism so my research could be done over a glass of wine (my favourite type)!

 Having read some of your erotic romances before, I couldn’t help but notice that although the sex scenes in this book sizzle, they are tamer than those in your other works. What are the main differences between the sex scenes in an erotic romance and those in a very steamy contemporary romance? For me, it isn’t the actual language and content of the sex scenes that differs between erotic romance and steamy contemporary romance, it is the reason the scene is included. In an erotic romance the sex is an integral part of the story – it affects how the relationship develops and the characters grow – you can’t remove the sex scenes without damaging the story. In a contemporary romance you could remove the sex scenes (or make them sweeter!) without affecting the story, as the development of the relationship and the growth of the characters aren’t dependent on them. In contemporary romance the trend today is to avoid purple prose and call a spade a spade, so the language is still ‘to the point,’ as it is in a more erotic story. In one of my erotic romances though, I might push the characters boundaries during a sex scene so that they can overcome some issue (e.g. of trust), however in ‘Text me’ the issues are resolved outside of the bedroom!

You just got started as a published author just over a year ago and you already have quite a few books out. What’s your secret for being so prolific?  I actually don’t feel as though I am prolific! I really wish I had more time to write, and could type quicker, as I have so many ideas and stories I want to tell. For a few months last year I was between jobs and the extra time made an enormous difference to my writing. I’m working part-time at the moment and finding it much more difficult, as my warming up time each day (at least an hour before I really get in to the swing of things) eats up too much of my actual writing time. I suppose the answer to your question is that I have a real desire to tell the stories that are lurking in the back of my mind, writing isn’t a chore, it’s a love and a necessity!

 Ã€ la Twitter, can you please describe your book using 140 characters or fewer? One hot text can lead to another, but can secrets from the past destroy every hope of passion in the future?

 

AUTHOR BIO

Susie has been writing stories for as long as she’s been reading them – it’s rumoured that she’s related to Elizabeth Gaskell so it could be in the genes! She submitted her first novel, a thriller, when she was twelve years old but as she hit her mi- teens her tastes shifted from action to romance. She was soon addicted to alpha heroes, and what could be better than writing about them?


She’s had an exciting and varied life, which feeds into her stories... she’s got an Honours degree in Computer Science ...a teenage son... a cat...a cottage in the English countryside...and her own sexy alpha hero! She loves sexy high heels...good food....good wine....music...coffee (lots and lots of coffee)... and sunshine, so whenever she can, heads off in search of the sun and inspiration for her stories. Susie also writes erotic romance as Zara Stoneley.

WHERE TO FIND SUSIE -



Twitter - @SusieMedwell



 

 

BLURB

TEXT ME, TWEET ME, NEED ME
A Lyrical Press contemporary romance.

Texting and tweeting can lead to trouble when the truth gets out…

Dating your boss is bad. Finding out he’s married with a baby on the way is a whole lot worse, but losing your job when you show him the door really sucks. And when he knows all your family secrets, there’s bound to be trouble. But the job Samantha’s got lined up can put her life back on track. One last date for research purposes before she can finish her article on online dating–then she’s a man-free zone, and it’s serious journalism all the way.

Ben has only one thing on his mind: to keep the promise he made to look after Sam. All he has to do is work out how he can support a girl who distrusts men, hates charity, and definitely doesn’t want rescuing. He thinks he’s come up with the perfect solution, until he realizes it’s his heart, not his money he needs to invest.

But can Sam see past the lies and learn to trust a man again? And more importantly…will Ben still want her when he learns about her past?

CONTENT WARNING: Contains hot texts, sexy showers, a girl who can pack a punch, and lasagne.

 



Friday, April 12, 2013

YAY! Time for my cover reveal! Are you ready?

 
Heating Up Hawaii Cover Reveal

OMG, you guys! Thanks to the talented Victoria Miller, I got this awesome cover for my sexy contemporary novella releasing on May 3rd from Breathless Press. Do you like it? I love that the hero has mismatched eyes just like in the story!




There is just one person standing between Penny Ashbrook’s dream of opening her own PR business or being stuck at her job–the formidable Luc Leoni–her first lover, and the man who lets nothing and no-one get in his way. Seeing him after so long brings all the hidden emotions after a life altering break-up to surface. Pain, denial and…lust.

Luc has made many sacrifices for his career, including Penny Ashbrook, the woman who set his aspirations back a year, but now she has returned and is more alluring than ever. After all these years, he thought a self-made billionaire as himself could master everything, but to resist the strong pull toward the one woman he can't have is an impossible task.

When this unlikely pair is reunited they will have to face the many challenges set in their way, especially an attraction that has only heightened with time and a deadline quickly approaching. Can their new bond surpass old—and new—fears?


Let’s get to know each other better




Facebook  

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

My Author Friend Has an eBook Out. How Can I help?


 
Your friend just got published – electronically! Share her enthusiasm and spread the good news. Here’s how.

ü  First of all, read it! You won’t be able to rate it, review it or promote it unless you read it.

ü  Timing is key, so if you want to support your author friend, buy the eBook as soon as it comes out and start reading as soon as you can. It’s a very competitive market out there and the more books your friend sells, the better. Not only will she’ll feel encouraged, but a lot of sales at release can help the author gain momentum, which is especially important on big sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Sometimes, the position on the sales rank itself can be a marketing tool, as it’ll give the book more exposure and draw more readers. So, buy it now. Read it now. Review it – you guessed! – now. Don’t wait.

ü  If you enjoyed the book and wish to leave a review, tell readers WHY they should buy that book. “But I suck at that,” you say. Not to worry. I’ve got the down low.

§  For instance, don’t write something like, “I love it, you should buy it.” Were the characters compelling? Was the plot absorbing? Did you relate to the heroine or the hero? Were the descriptions so vivid you felt like you traveled through the book? Give as much detail as you can, and no, you don’t have to be a writer to write a review. It’s kind of like telling someone WHY you enjoyed a movie so much.

ü  Use social media as your ally. Share her cover reveals on Facebook, via Twitter retweets or Goodreads recommendations – anything helps. You don’t have to beat your friends over the head with tons of updates (which can have the opposite effect), but just enough to create some buzz.

ü  If you belong to a book club, suggest to your fellow members that they invite your friend for a lecture or a meet-and-greet with the author.

ü  If you can/want/like to party, throw your friend a release party where you invite some people you know – not just the people your author friend already knows – who might be potential readers.

ü  Don’t ever say something like, “When is the real (print) book coming out?” or “Too bad you don’t have a hard copy.” Times have changed, and e-readers and reading apps have gained popularity and made it possible for authors to reach a broader audience. Just because a book isn’t printed doesn’t mean it lacks quality or value. Don’t diminish the new technology. And if you really just prefer the old-fashioned way, that’s okay too – but don’t patronize your friend.
 Writing is a tough business that involves a lot of hard work, persistence, nerves of steel and a good amount of luck. Sometimes it feels like a lonely trip to the land of the unknown. But having the support of our family and friends make it all a lot less threatening.
If your friend has a book out, be a pal.

Friday, March 22, 2013

A Writer's Story

I'm blogging about writing outside your comfort zone, Toy Story and there's even a drunk puppet. I'm not sure it makes any sense, but at least it's entertaining (I hope!).

Come join the discussion http://www.indulgencebooks.com/2013/03/22/a-writers-story/

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Interview with Kamy Chetty


Today, the talented Kamy Chetty is here with us to talk about her release. And there's a giveaway!

 

 
 
 
 
Kamy, what inspired you to write Falling into Paradise?

The characters. I started with the what if question/ What if there was this drop dead gorgeous playboy who was the sheriff of this small town, in walks this city slicker who is cute but has all these rules you have to follow. She prim and proper and the total opposite of him who is a total charmer, wouldn’t you want to lock them in a room, turn on the heat and see what happens?

Describe Falling into Paradise in 140 characters or less.

Two people who are afraid to love or trust for different reasons, are thrown together by fate and their mutual attraction for each other. Sophie must rely on Damon to help clear her of charges brought against her by the family of the woman he once loved. As their attraction grows so does the danger and when Paige, Sophie’s sister is rescued from the foster system and placed in her care, things become more than complicated as Damon faces the things he’s missed and ached for. But is that life a dream and is the playboy willing to risk his heart once again.

What actor and actress would play Damon and Sophie in a movie?

That’s easy- Damon would be played by Ian Somerhalder of course because that’s the Hottie I looked at when I was writing him and Sophie will be played by Charlize Theron

What advice would you give to someone experiencing writer’s block?

It’s really hard but it helps to have a routine, like music, I have the same playlist I play when I am writing the book. I light scented candles and prepare my office and my workspace, then I play my special playlist and then I am off.

If it’s bad, try walking or some other exercise. And if it’s really bad and nothing you do helps then don’t waste that time- use that time to edit another piece of work.

 
What's next for you?

I have another book coming out in June, it’s not tied to this- it’s a medical set in the US. The story is Nick and Skylar. He is an ex-marine- yes I have a thing for men in uniform. But I already have calls for Wolfe’s story so that needs to be written and I have a few ideas for that book so watch this space.

I have a thing for men in uniform, too! Your book sounds intriguing. Good luck! Kamy has kindly offered to giveaway a copy of Falling into Paradise to one lucky commenter. Be in it to win it, folks!

 

Kamy Chetty was born in South Africa. She is now settled in New Zealand with her family. She began her career as a nurse but she is now a published author. Her novel FALLING INTO PARADISE (genre: sexy romantic suspense) was recently released by RED SAGE.

 

 
 
 
BUY LINKS:




Thursday, March 7, 2013

Catching Up with Allie A. Burrow


 
Morning, folks! Today I’m bringing sassy Allie A Burrow from across the pond for a chat. For those of you who don’t know, Allie is the raunchier alter ego of Aurelia B Rowl, who also happens to be my fabulous critique partner. We’ll be talking about writing across genres and her erotic romance debut as Allie, For One Night Only, part of the Serviced anthology from Breathless Press. Phew. Got all that?

 
v  Your debut romance, Christmas is Cancelled, has a much lower heat level than For One Night Only. You’re also writing a YA book. How hard is it to write across different genres?

 
To be honest, they really not so different – I still write a nice, almost ‘sweet’ romance, but can change up or down the language to suit. I’d like to think my voice remains the same across the range, so you still have a good idea of what you’re going to get.

 
v  I’ve noticed that you have a strong online presence for both your pen names. Both Allie and Aurelia have their own websites, blogs and Facebook pages. Being a stay-at-home mom of two, how do you find time for all that promoting?

 
Well, I admit, something has to give. Usually the housework. Plus I tend to shelve trying to write anything when a book releases, giving myself a week or two to give it the best possible start, before returning to my works in progress.

 
v  What’s the best thing about being a published author? The worst thing?

 
The best thing about being a published author is knowing that people are out there, reading my stories, with many of them taking the time to review my work. That is also the worst thing, however, as it’s a bit like being in a permanent state of paranoia, hoping that readers like you.

 
v  Can you describe For One Night Only à la Twitter style, with 140 characters or fewer?

 
140 characters? Ouch! Umm...
Corporal Mark Butler is back in the country for one night only, and Kate isn't about to let the opportunity pass her by...


 
v  What’s next for you?

 
Who knows!?

I have so many projects on the go, but external influences (including the UK government!) keep changing the order in which I can do them. My current project is a Young Adult romance that I really hope to get finished in the first half of this year, so that I can send it off to a publisher. After that, I’ll see which characters shout the loudest, and there are certainly plenty of projects for me to return to.

 
Thanks for stopping by, Allie! And good luck! J

Thanks Carmen, and thank you for having me, it’s lovely to be here.

Oh, and there's more...


About Allie…

 

Short version

 

Allie A Burrow is the raunchier alter-ego of contemporary romance author, Aurelia B Rowl.

 

She lives on the edge of the Peak District in the UK with her very understanding husband and their two fantastic children aged 6 and 4, along with their mad rescue mutt who doesn’t mind being used as a sounding post and source of inspiration. They are all used to her getting too caught up with her latest writing project... or five!... and she is guiltily counting down the months until she has both kids at school full-time.  

 

To find out more about Allie, or to check out what projects she's working on right now, you can visit her website www.allieaburrow.com

 

You can also find her hanging out on:

 








YouTube (as Aurelia)

 

 

 

About Serviced…

 

Erotic romance anthology
Release date: 1 March 2013
Publisher: Breathless Press
ISBN: 978-1-77101-022-1
Heat level: 5
Word count: 65,000+

 

Short blurb

 

All's fair in love and war, they say. Come find out if it's true in these ten stories where soldiers prove that their skills in the field are only rivaled by their skills in the bedroom.


Links…

 


 


Buy links:

 





Barnes & Noble – coming soon

iTunes – coming soon

 

 

For One Night Only by Allie A Burrow

 

Kate Powell only went and fell for the soldier she’d met just once before he had to jet off on a year-long posting overseas.

 

Seven months in, and Kate is hornier than a blue wildebeest in mating season with only her battery-powered friend for relief. Her skills as a pen-pal scale new heights, but then a text message arrives out of the blue.

 

Corporal Mark Butler is back in the country for one night only, and Kate isn’t about to let the opportunity pass her by. After all, who needs a vibrator when the real thing comes calling?

 

Excerpt

 

Safely enveloped in the darkness of the alcove, the bass pounded through the soles of Kate's boots and echoed inside her ribs. She lunged and caught Mark’s face in her hands, pulling him down to kiss him, her tongue forcing a route past his surprised lips and delving into the wetness of his mouth. "Take me," she breathed. Her hand stole over the carved ridges of his stomach, following the arrow-shaped path down to where it disappeared inside his jeans. "Please..."

 

His mouth opened and closed and he glanced over his shoulder at the heaving dance floor. "But—"

 

"No buts." She reached for his fly, undoing it quickly, but instead of finding another layer of clothing, his dick sprang free and elicited a gasp from her throat. "I need this"—she fisted her hand around it, stroking him, and his eyes squeezed shut, his jaw jutting out as his head tipped back—"I need you...inside me"—she swirled her hand over the engorged head and his entire body jerked—"now."

 

Mark's eyes flew open and even in the dim lighting, she saw his pupils dilate, the naked desire on his face almost frightening. His fingers skipped over the back of her neck and lost themselves in her hair, getting tangled in the shoulder-length tresses she had loosely pinned up. The gentle touch was at odds with the fierce hunger in his gaze. Electric shocks surged through the many nerve endings, connected directly to her core, and she had to lean into his hand, let him support the weight of her head, suddenly too heavy to keep upright under her own steam.

 

He tilted it back and locked his gaze onto hers, issuing her with a challenge. "If we're going to do this"—he leaned into her, his lips rasping her ear—"right here, right now"—his gravelly voice resonated within her, hungry, powerful—"we're doing it my way."

 

Staggered by the transformation from man to soldier, her need for him ramped up another notch and it was all she could do to move her head the tiniest fraction. His eyes searched hers for an answer, the wait agonizing, until finally, he dipped his head. Achingly tender, his lips flitted over the top of hers, like rose petals blowing in the wind. Her eyelids fluttered closed, cracking under the strain of keeping them open.

 

Sweet, yet maddening, Kate yearned to take control and deepen the kiss, but he broke off every time she tried before catching her lower lip between his teeth as if to punish her. Their sharp edges sank into her swollen flesh without breaking the surface, his tongue immediately soothing any pain. The all-conquering, take-no-prisoners warrior had arrived.

 

 

Over A Dead Body by Leona Bushman

 

Riker thought he'd be meeting a friend and instead found him dead. When NCIS is called in, Riker's ex is there, looking as hot as ever. Even though the sight of her forced him to realize how much he missed her and wanted her, meeting her over a dead body with blood on his hands made it unlikely he'd get what he wanted—Edie.

 

Edie loved her job as a lead NCIS investigator, but why did it have to be Riker who found this murdered person? Riker had left her a few weeks before marriage, spouting logic and distance. Her heart remained cold, but her body steamed when he touched her.



Could she clear his name and forgive him or would the killers get to him first?

 

 

Reds, Whites, and Blues by Mickey J. Corrigan

 

He was stationed in Key West during the Vietnam War when he met the arty girl who didn't capitalize her name. She was cute, but strange, the kind of a hippie chick who usually shunned soldiers like himself. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they have sex on the beach. And sometimes you can't forget them.
 

 

Leave Taking by Angelica Dawson

 

Will has a surprise for his wife for the tenth anniversary.

 

He's coming home.

 

 


First Date – The Italian Colonel by Jesabelle Jones

 

There are fireworks when horny English nanny, Leonie, meets squadron commander, Colonel Luca Giordano - the sex is hot, and it's only the first date.

 

 

Major’s Minah by Raven McAllan

 

Oliver knew his duty, he needed a wife and heir. Minah knew what she wanted—him. Could his ideals and her dreams be the same? There was only one way to find out...

 

 

Knock Out by Natalia Petrovskii

 

Warrant Officer Ryan Wilson is handsome and arrogant and Corporal Nicole Muchmore enjoys taking out her frustration against him on the sparring mat. One day the tables turn and before she knows what is happening he is exacting a punishment of another kind-this time totally pleasurable.

 

 

A Chance At Love by Shelli Rosewarne

 

Corporal Aidan Hamilton has the unenviable job of telling his best friend’s sister that her brother isn’t coming back. This is slightly complicated by the fact that from the moment he meets Suzanne Kelsey he knows she’s everything he’s ever wanted. While Suzanne might need someone to lean on at the moment, can he convince her that what they have is more than a short term fling?

 

Suzanne had always told her big brother that being a soldier was too dangerous, so when she sees the uniformed officer in front of her house she knows exactly what he’s here to tell her. While Aidan may set her blood on fire, Suzanne has already lost one soldier she loved and she’s not prepared to trust her heart to another one.

 

 

Taking Command by Zara Stoneley

 

Mike Sands knows that loving a soldier can lead to heartache, so when he falls hard for his best mates little sister he knows he has to walk away.

 

But can Jade let him, when one taste has left her desperate for more? Or dare she take command of the situation and prove to both of them that maybe what they have is worth taking a risk over?

 

Sometimes one night of passion is not enough, sometimes you just have to stop thinking about the future and live in the present.

 

 


Riding Out The Storm by Natalia Petrovskii

 

Corporal Anna Jordan keeps her secret fantasies about her superior officer, Lieutenant Kyle Campbell, well hidden. When the two must take shelter from a winter storm during a training exercise she has no idea her wildest dreams are about to come true!