Things That Go Bump in the Night.

With Halloween so close, I decided to dedicate this post to Things that go bump in the night, and present an excerpt from my new release: Matrix Crystal Hunters.

With some illustrations done by me.

She drove up the side of the old riverbank. Rounding a corner, she found the remains of a road. Maya continued down the rough track until a large structure came into view.

The huge, stone building seemed ageless. It could have been built yesterday, but it was more likely to be more than a thousand years old. She parked her jeep nearby and walked the rest of the way on foot. The wind howled around the corners of the structure, making Maya suddenly feel more isolated than she was used to, and unusually for her, a little wary. She hugged her elbows and slowed her steps.

Locating a doorway, she entered and found a big empty space. The large structure had been constructed from nearly indestructible stone, so only the doors and roof were gone and, although long abandoned, it was surprisingly clean, except for rust-colored spots where some kind of machinery had once stood.

The superstitious Zeemen stayed away from such old buildings, considering them evil or sacred, depending on who you spoke to. An excellent place to set up camp.

Maya gathered up her supplies to set them inside the building. She put her tent up in a corner where the sun had already warmed the stones, so that the heat they were radiating would help to keep her warm during the cold desert night. She set up her tables, but left her instruments in their boxes on the floor. They were irreplaceable and she didn't want some wild animal knocking them down.

Taking a flashlight, Maya made a quick foray into the strip mine. The setting sun reflected off a few places, but her heart sank. If the matrix crystals were here, it would light up more than this. First thing tomorrow, I’ll have to go all the way down there.

She didn't relish the idea of the hike. The strip mine was deep and it would take her a while to reach the bottom, where hopefully a few of the crystals remained. Tiers, used as roads, went around the edges, leading down to the lowest section, but they were overgrown with trees and shrubs, and water pooled at the bottom of the mine. But that could be blocking her view of the refraction of the matrix crystals too.

Maya finished setting up her camp. She lit a small burner so she could warm up some noodles for dinner. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she had forgotten to eat lunch again.

She imagined how Momma Roosa would chastise her if she knew that. “Don’t you know, girl, food is the only fuel a body has to fill up on? How can you keep on going if you don’t eat?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Maya stirred in the contents of her seasoning package. She saved what small amounts of Earth food she still had for trips out.

After her scanty dinner, Maya went to bed, hoping to get an early start in the morning. Sleep was a long time coming. The excitement of exploring a new site always kept her awake. But, just as she started to doze off, there was a scuffing sound, not unlike the noise made by someone’s shoe.

Maya jumped, opening her eyes wide in the darkness. Who could be way out here? She hadn't seen a soul all day.

Another scrape, but this one closer. Maya stiffened, her heart beating so loudly, she feared she wouldn't be able to hear anything else. Lifting her head, she held her breath, willing her heart to quiet down.

Nothing.

Maya relaxed. It must have been the wind blowing something around. Yeah, that’s it. She closed her eyes again. Sleep was close.

Then came the unmistakable sound of the tent’s zipper being drawn up, bringing her back to full wakefulness.

Who the hell is that?

~*~
Happy Halloween

If your interested in reading the rest of the story, here are the links to my book:

US, Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJ10W26

UK, Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-ebook/dp/B00FJ10W26/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1380662336&sr=1-3

US, Trade paper back: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1492709751/sr=1-2/qid=1380662639/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1380662639&seller=&sr=1-2

UK, Trade paper back: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-Janice-Seagraves/dp/1492709751/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_t_1_KKW6

~*~

Janice Seagraves website: http://janiceseagraves.org/

When Your Book Talks Back

Ebook, Print and Audio covers for Rose

If you don’t know already, the audiobook format is gaining in popularity. Why? Because more people are able to access ACX, Audible’s author-friendly version for indie books and books for which authors own their audio rights. Now authors can take charge of the audiobook process, producing their own product through Audible downloads.

 

Every day more and more people have devices capable of storing and playing back downloaded audio. Many of those devices are Apple products for those owners of the fab-favorite iPhone and other products like the iTouch, Nano, iPad and iPad mini. But even if you aren’t an Apple owner, Audible books can be downloaded to your computer and listened to there or transferred to an MP3 player. For Kindle Fire HD and HDX owners, many audiobooks are also available in Whisper Sync, meaning the audiobook is synced with the e-book and you can listen to it or stop and read exactly where the audiobook stopped.

 

When I wrote with a partner as Terry Campbell, we once has an audiobook produced through contract with a company called Books-in-Motion. However, we had no control over the narrator or production process. The book was okay, but if we’d been able to direct the narrator, it would have been far better.

 

Just the beginning of this month, I dipped my toe in the ACX water and have six books in varying stages of becoming reality. So far, I have found it amazingly simple. I was very fortunate that a wonderful narrator stepped forward and auditioned for my inspirational nonfiction book, In the Stillness. However, I found it was better for me to contact narrators for the rest and get those whom I thought were appropriate in tone and versatility of character voices to narrate the material.

 

Right now I have three books being produced by three separate narrators. The work has been phenomenal and I am excited. The gentleman producing Rose has an amazing voice and is also a well-established radio personality and voice-over teacher. The woman who is doing the nonfiction book has a great previous history with narration and is a singer and also works with a gospel band.  I entered the market at the right time. If you are a writer, don’t hesitate while good narrators are still less difficult to find using the 50/50 royalty option. I understand it is harder now than it was. Take the tiger by the tail.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bobbye Terry writes mystery/suspense, romance, fantasies and dystopian fiction and also inspirational nonfiction. Nothing Ever Happens in Briny Bay, a compilation of the Briny Bay novellas, was released in print by Turquoise Morning Press during July. She just started a new mystery series, “As the River Runs” with the first book, The Widow James to debut from Black Opal Books in the next few months, For more about Bobbye, visit her at www.BobbyeTerry-MysteryHappens.com, www.DarynCross.com  and www.BobbyeTerry.com.

 

 

 

 



Interview of Etopia Press & Nancy Cassidy

Bio of Nancy Cassidy:
People often ask how I started in publishing. I actually began as an author. Twelve years ago, I joined the Romance Writers of America and the Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada, and began writing romance. Eventually, thanks to some wonderful editors, I learned what made a story work. I am now multi-published in erotic romance under a pen name. Recently I have also begun to write Young Adult (YA) and New Adult (NA) sci-fi under a second name.

In the spring of 2011 I began a year-long, distance internship with top New York literary agency, "The Bent Agency". I spent my time there as a romance specialist, reviewing queries and manuscripts. It’s a fascinating side of the publishing business!

In August 2011, I opened my own business and began freelance work, editing all genres of fiction, with the exception of picture books and middle grade fiction. In May 2012, I began to freelance edit for several small presses, something I only recently abandoned to focus on Etopia Press.

In July 2012 I joined the "Editors Association of Canada", and in August 2012 I became an acquisitions editor for Etopia Press. In February 2013 I made Senior Editor and in October 2013 I became Managing Editor of Romance at Etopia.

Q: Describe your job.
A: I am very happy in my new position as Managing Editor of Romance at Etopia Press. I work closely with the publisher to develop our romance and erotic romance lines, looking for the best books from new and established authors. I also manage the social media for the house (with a lot of help from my favorite members of the production team), work with the marketing team and oversee the editing quality of the books. I still keep my hand in editing, I have a bunch of wonderful authors that I look forward to working with on a regular basis. I’d never give that up!

Q: Finish this sentence: Romance is.......
A: A real part of life. At least we all want it to be. Because it is, we want to read about it. Sometimes in a sweet way, sometimes in a sexy way. What would life be without love or the hope for it? This is why romance as a genre outsells every other genre. And it isn’t only women reading it. Men dream of love too. This is why romance continues to be a growing market.

Q: Ebooks or print. Do you read both? If you read ebooks, what reader do you have?
A: I read both, avidly, although I admit that I have little time for free reading – I am often found late at night reading submissions. :)

Q: What do you consider the best way for an author to do promos?
A: The most successful promotional effort – write another book. New books drive old books. Your backlist is your friend. :)

Q: Conferences and conventions. Do you attend any and how do you decide which ones to go to?
A: I attend the Romantic Times (RT) conference every year to hear new authors’ ideas and to celebrate our current authors’ successes. There’s something about the energy at RT, the mix of writers, readers and industry professionals, that makes the conference a lot of fun. Plus of course RT picks the best places – in 2014 we’ll be in New Orleans! How fun is that?

Occasionally I attend other conferences as well, I’ve always been partial to the New Jersey Romance Writer’s conference. :)

Q: What’s the one most important thing a reader/author should know about your business?
A: Etopia Press is committed to making your book the best it can be. Our editorial team works hard and we communicate with marketing to give each book the right tone, cover and blurb. We are a growing press and our books speak to our history of taking time to do things right.

Q: What are your guidelines for a writer/author to submit a book/manuscript for a review or to sell?
A: Submission guidelines can be found here: http://etopiapressblog.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/ but basically I am looking for quality romance in any subgenre and heat level with a minimum 15,000 word count. The key word is quality, take the time to revise please before submitting. The second key word is romance.

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. Where do you appear?
A: Come and visit me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EtopiaPress or on Twitter at @EtopiaPress or @NancyRedPen


Samples of Books Available from Etopia Press:

YEOMAN'S CURSE - The Kirsoval Scourge Book Two

Some things lost are too dangerous to be found.

Some call her a pirate, but Destiny calls herself treasure hunter. When she and her lover Shane Richards happen upon a derelict Kirsoval harem slave ship, they chance a salvage operation that could be the bonanza of a lifetime...or a lifetime of horror. But when it comes to Kirsoval treasure, there may be no one better suited than Richards to face the dangers. His dark violet eyes are the only hint of the Kirsoval blood that flows through his veins-the very thing that might save them, or pit Destiny against the man she loves.

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Yeomans-Curse-The-Kirsoval-Scourge-ebook/dp/B00FY3YHB6

TO GROWL OR TO GROAN - Hidden Lines Book Two

Her gift could save a missing girl.or destroy her relationship forever.

After receiving a troubling Tarot reading, Chloe just knows something big and bad is about to happen. Her ability to communicate with animals and shape-shifters is going awry, and her growing psychic abilities are beginning to scare her. Despite her unease, she won't let anything interrupt her trip to Scotland to spend the holidays with her shape-shifter boyfriend's family. Jorge is everything she's always wanted, and the fire between Chloe and the passionate panther-shifter burns hot. But meeting his family has her nerves in knots.

When Jorge's sister goes missing, Chloe's psychic abilities might be the only thing that can help them find her. But things don't go as planned, and with confusing psychic visions clouding her judgment, Chloe makes a mistake and an animal is injured. And Chloe fears she might hurt Jorge as well.

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/To-Growl-Groan-Hidden-Lines-ebook/dp/B00FY3FN1O


MOONSTONE OBSESSION

Secrets, scandal, and passion.

Selina Rosewall had given up on love, but while helping her brother further his merchant fleet business, she meets Sir James Mitchell, Lord of Penventen. Their attraction is mutual, but what James wants from the relationship goes further-much further-than Selina could have expected. And she learns that in the world of the Ton, scandal and deceit are commonplace.


For Sir James Mitchell, Lord of Penventen, it's hard to say which is more dangerous: being a spy or being considered husband material by the Ladies of the Ton. With political machinations threatening to draw England into the violent wake of the French Revolution, the last thing James expected was to fall in love with Selina Rosewall, daughter of an untitled seafaring family.

But when James' investigation stirs up a hornet's nest, can he protect Selena from danger that threatens her very life?

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Moonstone-Obsession-Elizabeth-Ellen-Carter-ebook/dp/B0

Top Ten Things I Love About Autumn

TOP TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT AUTUMN

A few months ago someone on the RB4U loop asked this question: What’s your favorite time of year? My answer was summer. And it still is. But I do like autumn. The only problem with autumn is that winter follows. If we could only get rid of January, February and March. But wait, then we’d all be living in San Diego. If only. So here are the top ten things I like about autumn, in order of importance:

10.  The clear, crisp air that dispels the pollution from the nearby chemical plants.

9.  Crockpot stews and soups with warm crusty bread.

8.  I get to wear my new cowboy boots. (Picture and story to follow).

7.  No humidity which means my hair doesn’t fall flat like it does in the summer. Unlike so many of you, I have zilch curl and body to my hair, so while you all fight the frizzies, I fight the flatties.

6.  Good time to travel. With the kids in school, the tourist places aren’t as crowded.

5.  The new TV season. I’m a TV junkie. I study TV Guide’s Fall Preview issue every year and map out my viewing schedule.

4.  The beautiful autumn foliage that paints the trees in a colorful collage that brightens every day.

3.  Pumpkin. I love pumpkin. I make pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin squares, and pumpkin bread. I drink pumpkin coffee laced with pumpkin spice creamer and I slather my pumpkin English muffins with pumpkin butter. Pumpkin ice cream is a real treat that is only available in autumn. Yum, Trader Joe’s pumpkin ice cream. As soon as I hear TJ’s has this seasonal favorite, I run out and buy it. They sell out quickly. I have a great recipe for pumpkin gingersnap ice cream which I’ll share if anyone wants it.

2. My birthday is in the fall.

AND MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT AUTUMN:

1.  Thanksgiving.

Now, about those cowboy boots. I bought them brand new, tags still on, this past May at a local resale shop. I haven’t had a chance to wear them yet. You might ask: What does an East Coast born and bred lady do with a pair of cowboy boots? Heck if I know, but they are so pretty. There’s a background story here. When I was thirteen, my family took a road trip to the West Coast. We stopped off in Fallon, Nevada, a one-horse town near Reno where my father was stationed at the naval air base during WW2. Yes, there was a naval station in the middle of the desert, still is. We were walking along the one main street in Fallon and passed a shop selling cowboy boots. In the window was a beautiful pair of supple-looking brown boots in my size. I begged my parents for those boots but they said no. I understand now why they said no, but I wanted the boots. So, fifty years later, I got my boots, and here they are.

Please tell me. What are your favorite things about autumn? What don’t you like about the season? And what the heck do I do with my blue cowboy boots?

And to get into the Christmas mood, here's the blurb from my latest release, A Groom for Christmas, a sensual romance that is like a Hallmark Christmas movie with some intense love scenes.
.

When a young woman hires her hometown’s former bad boy to be her pretend fiancé for the holidays, she finds she can’t wrap up her feelings as easily as a Christmas gift.

New York jewelry designer Graceann Palmer has two days to find a fiancé to bring home to Pennsylvania for the holidays so her matchmaking mama will quit fixing her up with jerks. The Falcon, a motorcycle-riding, leather-clad former high school crush, helped her out once before. Maybe he'll do it again.

Jake Falco, man of many mysteries, is back in town on a mission—one the people of Spirit Lake most likely won't appreciate. When Graceann presents him with her crazy scheme, it gives him something he's always wanted—a chance to get to know Graceann. It also gives him the perfect opportunity to add fuel to his project of revenge.

But as Jake and Graceann grow closer, their engagement-of-convenience begins to feel like the real deal—until Jake’s secrets are revealed.

Can a relationship that began with lies and secrets bloom like a rare Christmas rose into happily-ever-after?

www.caramarsi.com

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G03I5UI/?tag=carmaraut-20

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-groom-for-christmas-cara-marsi/1117185595?ean=2940148677871

 

Guest Blog: Willa Blair: Why Stop in the Middle When You Can Finish?

No, no, no.  I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong.  I'm talking about your book. 

Why is a book so easy to start and so hard to continue once you get to chapter four?  This is a topic that comes up again and again among authors I know, from aspiring authors to the multi-published.  Everyone loves the beginning of their story.  The conflict is new, the possibilities are endless, and oh, that hero!  We do love a new book boyfriend, don't we? 

And then there's the finish.  No, no, not that.  Of the book.  The ending is clear.  The path to the ending is muddy, full of pitfalls, and confused with sidetracks that lead nowhere. 

Some of us write outlines.  They're great, but they don't stop us from spending hours perfecting the opening hook, introducing the hero and heroine, setting up the initial conflict, and polishing the first three chapters until they shine.  Then hitting the proverbial wall.  Is this sounding familiar to anybody?  Yes, of course.  You're all nodding. 

Here are a few tricks I've learned.  When I get stuck, I sometimes resort to the tried and true tactic of putting the book away.  It may go in a drawer for days, weeks or months until I can look at it with a fresh eye.   By then, I've thought long and hard and come up with a solution.  Or I've ignored it, let my subconscious work on it, and come up with a solution.  At least, that's the plan.

But that's chancy, and it wastes a lot of writing time. 

A better tactic is to move your hero and heroine to a new location (road trip!), or to introduce a new character who will add new complications to the plot, such as an old lover, a new villain (worse than the old villain), or another person who needs to be rescued.  That fresh element may do the trick.

An even better tactic is to skip ahead and write a scene that you know will be fun to write.  That scene may be a turning point in the book's central conflict, but I've found that a sex scene usually works.  Once you (ahem) get your juices flowing again, you can return to the scene that had you stumped and write it.  Or you may choose to delete it and adjust your plot to include some better idea you've had since you last left that scene.  Either way, you're forging ahead again.

From there, you'll be well on your way to reaching your goal and typing 'The End.'  And won't that feel great?

***************
BIO:
Willa Blair is the best-selling and award-winning author of Scottish romance with a paranormal twist, set in the 16th century Highlands, when the old ways, and old talents, still shaped events.

She always wished she had several psi talents, such as reading her husband’s mind, cleaning house by simply thinking about it, and flying. But alas, no. So she endows her historical romance characters with special talents and lives vicariously through them. She loves reading and writing romance novels set in the past, present and future.

BLURB:
Donal MacNabb is loyal to his adopted Lathan clan, yet he resents being a pawn in their treaty negotiations with the struggling MacKyries. The MacKyrie clan needs his skills as an arms master, but its Laird is bartering for more than Donal is prepared to give.

Ellie MacKyrie knows the Lathan treaty will help protect her clan from the neighbor determined to seize her holdings any way he can—including forcing her into marriage. But she has another reason to want the Lathan alliance. She has Seen the stubborn Donal MacNabb reaching for her in her dreams.

While Donal fights to save a clan in trouble, his desire for the MacKyrie Seer wars with his obligation to his Laird. Before she is forced into a marriage that will destroy her clan, Ellie must find the heart behind Donal’s gruff exterior and convince him he is the man of her dreams.

Highland Seer's official release date is 1 November.  Until then, it's on sale on Amazon for $2.99.  Buy link: http://amzn.to/186cnLQ

 Other Links:

 www.willablair.com
www.facebook.com/willablair
www.twitter.com/willablair
Goodreads: http://ning.it/Vswn8D

The wolves are out again

When?
October 25
Where? Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ellora's Cave and all digital bookstore
What?
Branded By Lust, the fourth book in the Night Seekers series

Logan Tanner is on a mission to track down the legendary Chupacabra. Part of Night Seekers, a group of former law enforcement members who’ve lost loved ones to the terrifying devil beast, Logan will stop at nothing to find and eliminate the threat. Until a complication arises—a sexy complication by the name of Rebecca Black, a recent addition to the team, equally determined to kill the monster wreaking havoc in the Montana wilderness.

Bound by purpose, neither Logan nor Rebecca are prepared for the red-hot chemistry between them, the lust that’s turning into love. But hunting the Chupacabra is dangerous work…perhaps a task too dangerous for their passion to endure.

Excerpt:

Logan leaned back in the well-upholstered seat in the luxury jet, the expensive engines a muted hum in the background. He allowed himself a brief look at her, enjoying the image of her relaxed body.

I’m sending Rebecca with you.

Craig’s words still echoed in his head. It had taken every bit of discipline to keep his face blank and simply nod. Did he want her with him? Oh, fuck, yes. He wanted her in Montana with him. By his side. Next to him. In his bed.

Not on the assignment sheet, Tanner.

But he couldn’t ignore the fact that from the moment he’d met her when he and Sophia landed in Maine his cock had been sending him messages. And the more he worked with her, the more he got to know her, he realized it wasn’t just lust that was gripping him. Although that was certainly a big part of it. No, it was a lot more than that. He’d never believed you could make an instant emotional connection with someone. A person who filled a place inside you that you hadn’t even known was empty.  But then he’d met Rebecca and he knew deep inside himself that being alone with her in Montana would be a real challenge.

On the other hand, what if she felt the same way? He’d caught a look in her eyes once or twice, a certain smile, almost a silent message. Did she feel that same connection? That same electricity that fried every one of his nerves? Was he misinterpreting things because he wanted her so badly?

He watched her now, her eyes closed, catching a short nap after the whirlwind of preparations, racing for the helo and hauling ass so the jet could take off.  Her soft honey-colored hair curled about her face and fell to her shoulders. Thick lashes hid eyes that he knew were a brilliant emerald green and there was a tiny dimple at the left side of her sensuous mouth that winked when she smiled.

She’d removed her jacket before buckling herself into her seat and the dark green sweater she was wearing draped softly over full breasts that his hands itched to cradle in his palms. Her legs were stretched out, feet resting on the opposite seat, and he could see the line of her nicely rounded hips and slender legs beneath the soft wool slacks.

In Maine they’d been so busy with the killings he hadn’t had a chance to really pursue the situation with her. He’d hoped after they got back to Desolation Ranch and were debriefed he could take a couple of days of down time and fly back to Presque Isle. Look her up.

When Clint and Sophia had announced their plans to marry he realized Rebecca would be coming to Texas for at least a few days. Then Craig told them he’d invited her to join the team and the opportunity Logan had been looking for presented itself quickly. He hated the fact that another body had been added to the count. But he also was aware it was bound to happen until they found the master lair of the creature, the humans they were beginning to realize were behind it and completely eradicated everything. Until they did they’d be following its trail as they were doing now.

Tracking the beast was their number one objective. Since the killings in Maine the team had pulled out the maps of previous sites and studied them, coming to some conclusions about area and distance. He hoped this would help them when he got to Montana. With each killing site they gathered a little more information.

But even though this was a top priority he knew he couldn’t disregard his feelings for Rebecca. He had to be very careful because if he was misreading the signs he’d be stuck in a situation that would be uncomfortable for both of them. Business first, as always. But others on the team who’d been sent on assignment had managed to find their mates. He was hoping for the same thing for himself.

He shifted in his seat, the sudden constriction of his jeans against his cock and balls uncomfortable. If he didn’t get himself under control pretty soon he’d end up in the bathroom jacking off and how low class was that? Besides, as far as he was concerned this was about a lot more than sex. He’d have to bury the wolf and his animal instincts pretty deep to approach this properly.

Rebecca sighed in her sleep, her magnificent breasts rising and falling slightly as she did so and Logan had all he could do to keep from reaching over and caressing them. He wanted to span her waist with his hands and run them down the length of her legs.

Jesus, Tanner. Keep your mind on business.

He looked at his watch. At the speed of the new Gulfstream G650 he figured they’d be in Great Falls in another thirty minutes. Good. Maybe the frigid air would get his mind off his dick ­and Rebecca’s tempting body.

Check me out at

www.desireeholt.com

desiremeonly.com

@desireeholt

desireholtauthor