Apr 6 2008
Sunday Night Open Thread for Authors
What’s this you say? I read quite a few blogs outside the romance blogosphere and many of the big ones have a daily open thread where the commenters drive the bus. I thought we would test out an open thread here at Dear Author. We are going to start with two a month. On the first Sunday of every month, there will be an Author Promo Night Open Thread. On the first Monday of the month, there will be a Reader Open Thread. Both threads will be linked to on the front of the site.
The rules for Author Promo Night Open Thread are as follows:
- The book has to be released in that month (i.e., anything released during the last week of February would be a March release)
- You can post for yourself or you can have a friend post for you if the idea of posting about your book paralyzes you .
- No self published authors. No, I am not a POD hater, I am just thinking about the manageability of the thread.
- Think about the readership. I.e., does your non fiction book about psoriasis really fit?
- This one is more of a guideline than a rule, but be smart about your comment because if it is just a link to your website and the title of your book, I doubt you are going to get any interest.
- DA reserves the right to delete the post if it promotes objectionable content (i.e., no daddy/daughter incest recommends are going to be allowed. Sorry.)
That’s it. Post away.
Send to Kindle
Apr 06, 2008 @ 19:56:16
So…presumably someone who owns an epress and writes under a pseudonym (or a half dozen of them) won’t be eligible either?
As an almost exclusively (and entirely by choice) self-published author who puts most of her stuff out for free or to raise money for charity (again, entirely by choice), and who’s tried to promote other authors who’ve made similar decisions, this delimitation of yours makes me sad. The reason for it doesn’t make sense to me either – just how many self-published authors are there in this genre compared with the volume put out by all the small presses?
POD, by the way, is not the only way to self-publish, and it’s not exclusively used by self-publishers. I wish people would remember that it’s not a synonym for self- or even vanity publishing.
Apr 06, 2008 @ 20:16:23
Well, here I go. I guess this will be what pulls me out of lurkdom. I’m half of the Jamie Craig writing team, and I’m going to post about the latest Jamie Craig release.
I’ve always had an interest in poets, especially their relationships with other poets. I especially love the Romantics, both in the English and American tradition. Due to this love, my writing partner, Vivien, suggested we try our hand at a historical about gay Romantic poets. Jefferson Dering and Micah Yardley were born.
Title: A Hidden Beauty.
Publisher: Samhain Publishing.
Genre: Gay/Historical/Paranormal
Length: Novel
Blurb:
Apr 06, 2008 @ 20:36:02
Hmm…what about excerpts? I guess if there’s a ban on excerpts, Jane’ll just toast my post.
Title: Before Dawn
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Vampire romance
A darkly beautiful, seductive vampire who is literally the man of Mercy’s dreams and an ill-mannered, bad-tempered vampire hunter. The choice is obvious.
Be warned this story contains scenes of a violent nature and which are a little gruesome.
Apr 06, 2008 @ 21:26:42
Okay, first two tries must have gone to spam. Trying again…
Title: Eternal Lover
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Genre: Paranormal Romance – anthology
Length: Novel
Blurb: Here’s the back-cover copy:
Theirs is a world of ancient desires and forbidden pleasures. They are men of mystery and women of seduction, wild creatures with the power to entrance and enchant, tease and tantalize. Enter their secret world, if you dare…
The Yearning by Hannah Howell
Alpin has lived for centuries with a lust that can never be quenched with mere physical pleasure. And then he meets Sophie whose own search for lasting love binds them together in a cloak of shimmering sensuality…
A Hell of a Time by Jackie Kessler
Jesse’s immortal life as a soul-stealing succubus is over. And now that she is human, she longs to tempt her lover with all her persuasive powers of total sexual seduction…
City of Demons by Richelle Mead
Seth cannot resist the intense sexual allure of his demon lover Georgina. Yet their love reaches beyond the physical, into a place of complete untamed surrender…
Bitten by Lynsay Sands
Keeran’s existence as a vampire has taught him to accept a life without love…until he saves Emily from certain death. And suddenly he discovers the soul-searing passion he thought he’d lost forever…
Note from Jackie: Hannah’s and Lynsay’s novellas are reissues from 2003; Richelle’s and mine are new — hers is part of the SUCCUBUS series, and mine is part of the HELL ON EARTH series. For an excerpt of A HELL OF A TIME, please visit my website.
Apr 06, 2008 @ 21:27:28
**DELETED: Duplicate post!
Apr 06, 2008 @ 21:40:59
I’m going to pimp one of my newest favorite authors.
Title: Regina In The Sun
by R.G. Alexander
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Blurb:
There's only one place left to run-into forbidden arms.
Children of the Goddess Book One
When she arrives at Ye Olde Haven Pub, the sanctuary for Trueblood Vampires, Regina is wounded and desperate. Her only thought is to save the Deva Clan, her family, from the dangerous Loups De L'Ombre, the Shadow Wolves. She knows she will not exactly be welcomed with open arms. She is, after all, an Unborn, the lowest caste of Vampire.
As a natural born from the purest line, Zander Sariel knows the rules are sacrosanct-a Trueblood mates with his own kind. But one taste of the young Unborn is all Zander needs to know that rules were made to be broken.
With enemies at every turn, Zander risks everything to save Regina from the monster that hunts her, his own kind's ignorance and-if he must-her lack of faith in her own unique abilities.
Only together do they have a chance to defeat the shadow that haunts their future, and save their entire race from extinction
For more information (and some AWESOME poetry) go to R.G.’s website
Apr 06, 2008 @ 21:45:01
I’m game. :)
From my latest release, “The Last Man On Earth”, released on April 4th by Samhain Publishing:
This is NOT a test…
Iris Foley and Russell Carr are old friends who share everything. As they indulge in a marathon viewing of old, campy horror films on a stormy Halloween night, they are suddenly faced with the very real possibility that something has happened to the outside world.
Just as the last gasp of the Emergency Broadcast System issues a dire warning, they are plunged into isolation and darkness. Naturally, they decide to do what any frightened, civic-minded young couple would do.
They decide to have sex.
Now if only old fears, a surprise adversary, and the Apocalypse wouldn't keep getting in their way…
Thanks, ladies!
An excerpt and purchasing information can be found here:
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/the-last-man-on-earth
Apr 06, 2008 @ 21:45:14
I’m going to pimp one of my newest favorite authors.
Title: Regina In The Sun
by R.G. Alexander
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Blurb:
There's only one place left to run-into forbidden arms.
Children of the Goddess Book One
When she arrives at Ye Olde Haven Pub, the sanctuary for Trueblood Vampires, Regina is wounded and desperate. Her only thought is to save the Deva Clan, her family, from the dangerous Loups De L'Ombre, the Shadow Wolves. She knows she will not exactly be welcomed with open arms. She is, after all, an Unborn, the lowest caste of Vampire.
As a natural born from the purest line, Zander Sariel knows the rules are sacrosanct-a Trueblood mates with his own kind. But one taste of the young Unborn is all Zander needs to know that rules were made to be broken.
With enemies at every turn, Zander risks everything to save Regina from the monster that hunts her, his own kind's ignorance and-if he must-her lack of faith in her own unique abilities.
Only together do they have a chance to defeat the shadow that haunts their future, and save their entire race from extinction.
Regina In The Sun
For more information (and some AWESOME poetry) go to R.G.’s website
Apr 06, 2008 @ 22:08:50
Oooooh Before Dawn sounded interesting. I think I like this idea Jane. Possible new reads centrally located in one thread. Very nice.
Apr 06, 2008 @ 22:11:21
Well, here I am, not at home, indulging myself by cruising some favorite blogs, and I find Dear Author’s latest creative endeavor: giving writers a chance to toot their own horns and announce their new books. Now how classy is that?
Well, I can’t claim BADDEST BAD BOYS as mine exactly, because it’s an anthology, a Kensington Brava release for May 1, but I’ll toot anyway–even though I’m short on specifics like back over blurb etc, because I don’t have a copy of the book with me–no, not even in the trunk of my car. But I can tell you this: Shannon McKenna takes point in the book with her Anytime, Anywhere; it’s a blazing read and a ton of good (beep) fun. But then, really, does Shannon ever put a story step wrong? Then there’s me, EC Sheedy, with After The Lovin’, pretty beepy in it own right, if I do say so myself. …eg… And then there’s Cate Noble, with her smoking story, Deal With the Devil (on a private island if you’ve a mind to . . .) I recommend a fan–electric if possible. On high.
Love this blog,
EC
What can I say? Try it, you’ll like it.
Toot, toot!
EC Sheedy
Apr 06, 2008 @ 23:04:42
I have an odd novella, Tormented, coming out on April 25. It’s a follow-up to my EC novel Plagued, but it’s being published by Changeling Press. (Believe me, I’m trying my damnedest to keep the cover un-snark-worthy!) There’s a third book, titled Obsessed, in this loose trilogy. I have no clue where that one will end up. It’s a rather intense m-m romance. Although Obsessed was spun off the first two books, it heads in its own direction.
A number of factors make the tales unusual, especially as a group–hence, the difficulty of having them all released by the same publisher. For example, Tormented takes place at a vampire’s birthday party. Well, former vampire, but explaining that here would take too long. The heroine, an even older vamp who “birthed” the birthday boy and unexpectedly shows up at his party, is suffering from a peculiar affliction that manifests in rather alarming ways and makes her one unappealing and dangerous bitch. The true hero, as well as romance and resolution, don’t rear their heads until maybe the final half or third of the story. And there’s no soulmate stuff.
If you’re interested, there’s an excerpt posted at my blog, which you can access by clicking on my name. Thanks, Jane, and the other authors who posted. Fascinating stuff!
Apr 07, 2008 @ 00:12:25
I assume the “last week of the month release” still counts this time around? I hope so. Feel free to delete if not, but I’ve been waiting for the thread to show up again so I could pimp my latest M/M release. :)
Title: Wild Frontier
Author: Sienna Black
Lucas Trumble is the sheriff of Fairtrade, Montana, a town that’s seen more than its fair share of trouble recently. The rumor on the streets is that it can all be blamed on Louisa Dupré, the woman who lives on the outskirts of town. But Luke’s convinced that the accusations of witchcraft leveled against the woman he loves are misunderstandings and nothing more.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Louisa has been trained to heal using herbs and old remedies. She’s also learned a thing or two about impossible creatures, like werewolves. And sheriffs.
When their mutual friend, Caleb Hawkins, comes to her after having been bitten by a wolf, she’s determined to do all she can to make his coming change easy. Taking Caleb into her bed isn’t part of the plan.
Learning to share his woman with his best friend, a man in the throes of an impossible circumstance, isn’t something Lucas ever imagined he’d have to do. But the wild frontier gets wilder when there’s a full moon.
They have it tagged as a polyamorous historical western shape-shifter. I kind of love that. :)
Apr 07, 2008 @ 03:29:28
My first mass market urban fantasy, Personal Demons, should be available in stores any day now.
Mrs. Giggles gave it an 88 and called it “so much fun”; GUD magazine called it “hugely enjoyable” and said “With exciting action scenes and hot, hot passion, this romance-with-a-plot is perfect for snuggling up with by the fire, or for wiping out the tedium of a train or plane journey.” (Although technically it’s not a romance, but the romantic elements are certainly there. :-) )
You can get it direct from the publisher here…
Or from Amazon here…
Or it should be on the shelves of your local bookstore soon. I know it’s left the distributer, I’m just not sure exactly when the boxes will arrive and the book will be shelved.
Apr 07, 2008 @ 10:12:52
Two weeks ago, I ran a special promotion on my group blog for PHANTOM PLEASURES, my first single title paranormal romance, which is on shelves now.
I offered up the first 8 chapters of the book, one a day, for a week. Readers seemed to really enjoy getting the full breadth of the story. Here’s the link to the first excerpt.
You just follow the links!
Here’s the back cover blurb:
I know it’s on the shelves at some Walmarts (the larger stores, I think), a few Targets (again, a super store is my guess) and Barnes & Noble and Borders and Booksamillion. And of course, at Amazon!
Apr 07, 2008 @ 10:24:51
Coming in late … (because Jane most likely posted the intro when I was already fast asleep on the other side of the Big Pond – sometimes, living on the other side of the world can be a bit of a disadvantage) (at other times, though, it is not – deadlines anybody? *g*)
My April release BEWITCHED is a Regency-set historical romance with fantasy elements:
You can read an excerpt here or listen to an excerpt here. Enjoy! :)
Apr 07, 2008 @ 15:11:32
Okay, I’ll play. I’m celebrating tax day in the US (April 15th) with the release of 6 cat shifter novellas. Two erotic romances, two romances and two urban fantasy. I’m pretty excited about these books, because of the six, five are brand new authors–their first book releases,not just at Samhain, but anywhere. I was going to paste the blurbs below, but the comment would be obnoxiously long so I’ll just paste the titles and links to the books instead and you can go read the excerpts and see the gorgeous Anne Cain cover art.
Claiming Their Mate by Paige McKellan
Even for Me by Taryn Blackthorne
Rachel's Totem by Marie Harte
The Wallflower by Dana Marie Bell
Tiger by the Tail by Kaye Chambers
Treasure Hunting by J.B. McDonald
April Open Thread for Readers | Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary
Apr 07, 2008 @ 20:01:11
[...] you are looking for some author recommendations, take a look at the Sunday Night Open Thread for Authors. Tagged as: book-pimp, Open [...]
Apr 07, 2008 @ 22:08:49
Wanderlust is a contemporary romantic mystery set in India. It’s available from Cerridwen Press on 17 April.
Not many people live their dream, but I've been incredibly lucky. I'm Anna Tietjens, and I work as a tour leader for Wanderlust Adventures.
My current tour is through incredible India. It should be a breeze, except my younger sister is joining in New Delhi. Things are not exactly civil between us-’a childhood full of upheaval didn't help-’and our parents have insisted she travel with me or not at all. I see fun times ahead. Now my boyfriend has turned up without warning. Don't get me wrong. I really like Sebastian Brady. The sex is good, spectacular even, but meeting a few times a year is enough. I mean I'm not looking for love or happy ever after.
But worst of all is the bad luck I've been having recently. One of my passengers died in Syria, and now it looks like my co-driver might have to leave the tour. Despite the exotic location, it's not exactly smooth sailing, and I'm starting to think someone is out to halt the tour…
Thanks for the promo opportunity.
Apr 08, 2008 @ 08:37:08
Sorry for the duplicate post. If you want to delete the first one, that would be fine. Thanks for the opportunity to promote a great book.