April 6, 2008

Sunday Night Open Thread for Authors

JaneMiscAuthor Promotion / Open Thread / promotions19 Comments

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.

Jane

Jane Litte is the founder of Dear Author, a lawyer, and a lover of pencil skirts. She self publishes NA and contemporaries (and publishes with Berkley and Montlake) and spends her downtime reading romances and writing about them. Her TBR pile is much larger than the one shown in the picture and not as pretty. You can reach Jane by email at jane @ dearauthor dot com

→ Jane

Comments

Ann Somerville
April 6, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
No self published authors.
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.
Pepper Espinoza
April 6, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
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:
Poetry drew them together. Forbidden love bound their hearts.
A student of letters, Micah Yardley wants one thing: To meet Jefferson Dering, a poet he's long admired from afar. After hearing his idol speak at Harvard, Micah travels to Jefferson's home in Wroxham, entertaining visions of discussing poetry over dinner and drinks. What he experiences exceeds anything he ever anticipated.
Jefferson finds Micah mesmerizing, passionate, everything he has ever wanted. But ten years earlier, caught in a compromising position with another young man, he exiled himself from Boston and proper society. Now Jefferson represses his desire out of respect for Micah, but his tumultuous emotions stir the restless ghost of Wroxham church-‘with deadly consequences.
Amid denial, desire, and the villagers rising panic, a single kiss is enough to change the course of their lives…and ignite the flame that could fulfill a generations-old promise.
Ann Bruce
April 6, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
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.
“I’m sorry, but guests are not allowed in this area.”
He moved deeper into the office. “You sound a little hoarse,” he said, ignoring her statement, and held out a flute filled halfway with champagne. “Take this.”
Mercy automatically accepted the offering. “Thank you, Mr.-‘?”
“Edmond,” he said, a hint of an accent flavoring the name. It sounded French, which suited the name and his Gallic coloring.
“Thank you, Mr. Edmond.”
He shook his head but his hair barely moved. “Just Edmond.”
“Uh, okay.”
He lifted his own flute, tipping it toward her. Feeling a little awkward, she touched her flute to his, very aware of his eyes following her every movement. Not wanting to insult a man who’d forked over two hundred and fifty dollars for a ticket to the fundraiser and a potential donor, Mercy took a sip, just enough to coat her mouth and her esophagus.
And squeezed her eyes shut as her head swam and her hand faltered, tilting the flute dangerously. She really should’ve eaten something beyond the banana and carton of cherry yogurt at lunch.
A hand caught hers. She had the impression of icy coldness a heartbeat before warmth washed over her like rain. The champagne flute was rescued from her unsteady fingers. Despite the voluntary darkness, her head continued to bob like a bottle tossed in the sea. Her hand reached back and found the solid surface of her desk.
“Mercy?”
That compelling voice filled her head, dampening the waves. She exhaled, unaware she’d been holding her breath ’til that moment. A heavy, artificial scent filled her nostrils and she instinctively turned her head away. Satin brushed the naked skin of her legs, cool and slick. His cape. Fingertips skimmed the curve of her cheek, the line of her throat, the slope of her exposed shoulder. And she couldn’t protest, couldn’t stir herself from the lassitude that trapped her in its silken grip enough to lift her lashes, let alone break away.
The exploration continued, soft and gentle and warm…and somehow familiar. There was nothing to fear from him. That thought whispered through her mind like a tendril of smoke.
Mercy let herself drift, let the sensual pleasure of his touch lull her.
The hand holding hers drew it upward until her palm met a chest that felt like marble under the layer of cloth. Soft lips grazed her jaw line. He whispered her name again. From the jumbled, hazy mess of her thoughts, one question emerged.
“What are you?” she breathed.
Lips brushed her earlobe. “The man of your dreams.”
Copyright Â© 2008 by Ann Bruce. All rights reserved.
Jackie
April 6, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
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.
Jackie
April 6, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
**DELETED: Duplicate post!
Jennifer McKenzie
April 6, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
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
raine
April 6, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
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
Jennifer McKenzie
April 6, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
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
Catherine
April 6, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
Oooooh Before Dawn sounded interesting. I think I like this idea Jane. Possible new reads centrally located in one thread. Very nice.
EC Sheedy
April 6, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
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
K. Z. Snow
April 6, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
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!
Sienna Black
April 7, 2008 @ 12:12 am
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 DuprÃ©, 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. :)
Stacia Kane
April 7, 2008 @ 3:29 am
My first mass market urban fantasy, Personal Demons, should be available in stores any day now.
When psychological counselor Megan Chase promises listeners to her new radio call-in show she’ll slay their personal demons, they believe her. So do the personal demons.
Megan doesn’t know she’s the only human alive without a personal demon on her shoulder. This, coupled with her psychic abilities, makes her a valuable weapon for any demon mob-like “family” lucky enough to gain her allegiance. It also makes her a serious threat not just to the personal demons, but to a soul-sucking Legion of Hell known as The Accuser. The Accuser already has an old score to settle with Megan, and sees this as the perfect time to do it.
But Megan isn’t without allies as she’s plunged back into a world she forgot existed. A member of a competing demon family sees Megan as his ticket to power, and sets about both protecting and seducing her with devilish intensity.
Can Megan, her new demon lover, a witch with poor social skills, and three cockney guard demons named Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud defeat not only The Accuser, the personal demons, and the ghosts of Megan’s past, but the reporter who threatens to destroy Megan’s career as well?
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.
Julie Leto
April 7, 2008 @ 10:12 am
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:
PHANTOM PLEASURES
Signet
ISBN: 0451223659
April 2008
Hotshot hotel developer Alexa Chandler lusts after the property she's found off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida–a haunted island complete with an abandoned castle she intends to convert into her premiere luxury resort. Inside, the only furnishing–a captivating portrait of a man–calls to her. With a single touch, she unleashes a phantom who has been trapped within the painting for over two hundred years.
Centuries ago, Damon Forsyth charged into a mysterious gypsy enclave on a desperate mission, but found himself trapped inside a cursed painting by his mortal enemy. Over time, he has contemplated little but revenge and retribution–until undeniable need draws Alexa to his lair. Though she releases him from the painting, Damon remains bound to the castle where the portrait hangs. Damon needs Alexa to break the final barrier. Using the dark magic that enslaves him, he initiates a game of seduction–with his freedom as the ultimate prize.
Unable to resist Damon's fierce sexuality, Alexa surrenders to his ghostly touch, but soon, she must choose between thwarting the magic that holds Damon in thrall…or her own mortality.
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!
Sandra Schwab
April 7, 2008 @ 10:24 am
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:
After a magical mishap that turned her uncle's house blue, Miss Amelia Bourne was stripped of her powers and sent to London in order to be introduced into polite society-‘and to find a suitable husband. Handsome, rakish Sebastian â€œFoxâ€ Stapleton was all that and more. He was her true love. Wasn't he?
At Rawdon Park, the country estate of the Stapletons, Amy began to wonder. Several inexplicable events suggested that one sip of bitter punch had changed her life forever-‘that this love, this lust, was nothing but an illusion. She and Fox were pawns in some mysterious game, and black magic had followed them out of Town. Without her powers, would she be strong enough to battle those dark forces and win? And would she be able to claim her heart's true desire?
You can read an excerpt here or listen to an excerpt here. Enjoy! :)
Angela James
April 7, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
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
Shelley Munro
April 7, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
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.
Jennifer McKenzie
April 8, 2008 @ 8:37 am
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.