Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween!!


I can't believe the last time I posted was on Monday!!! In my defense I have had a totally insane week (in the best possible way!) More on that later!!!

But today it's not only Halloween, but the launch of the Dark Side Dowunder blog! Since my Monday shout out lots more amazing authors have joined the launch party, giving away some more fabulous books. To check out the line-up, hop on over and have a look. And don't forget to leave a comment to be in the running to win a copy of Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder and a small jigsaw puzzle of a space scene ~or~ a copy of Kelley Armstrong's Haunted. I have Storm Glass on my tbr pile and can't wait to dive in!

For all the latest news on what I'm up to, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter - it's an announcement only group so your inbox won't be flooded!

See you on the Dark Side!


Monday, October 25, 2010

DarkSide DownUnder


Lots more excitement coming up! The RWA Paranormal Group I belong to has recently set up a blog to promote Aussie and New Zealand authors, who write paranormal and fantasy romance, UF and spec fic with romantic elements. When I say *we* have set up the blog, what I really mean is Eleni Konstantine, who has spent I don't know how many hours making the site beautiful and arranging for a most fantastic launch!

As the only date to launch a Dark Side Down Under blog is Halloween - that's what we're doing! Then during the months of November, December and January there are fab giveaways every Thursday from the following awesome authors:

Keri Arthur - NYT bestselling author of the Riley Jenson series

Mel Teshco - Ellora's Cave and Nocturne Bites

Maree Anderson - Red Sage

Nicole Murphy - Harper Collins

Erica Hayes - The Shadowfae Chronicles

Shona Husk - Samhain Publishing

Denise Rossetti - Berkley

I'll be blogging over there on 25th November, with a giveaway of either a copy of Forbidden or, if the winner doesn't mind waiting a few weeks, an early copy of Captive.

So if you enjoy a slice of the dark side with your romance, be sure to check out our new blog!




Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Lovin Me Some Maximus

Today is the last chance to win a copy of Forbidden on my blog tour, and I'm very excited to be over at Lovin Me Some Romance. VampFanGirl has a gorgeous site and I'm always finding books I want to read from over there! And just as a change, I thought I wouldn't chat about buff warriors but instead about the background to the Forbidden series. Because while both Forbidden and Captive are, above all else, strong romances and my heroes and heroines have to work hard for their Happily Ever After, it's also the story of an entire people fighting for survival against the threat of annihilation. If you'd like to see more books set during this time, I'd love to know :-)

There is also an awesome review for Forbidden over at LMSR. Thank you, Barbara! And also a fab review over at The Romanorum which made me very happy!!!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Chapter One of Captive

Yesterday I received the page proofs for Captive, which was a bit of a shock since it seems like only a couple of months ago I went through the page proofs for Forbidden! Hopefully this cold from hell will go away so I can concentrate properly next week (why do I always come down with a rotten cold as soon as the weather turns lovely and warm?)

I can hardly believe it, but there's only three and a half months until Captive hits the shelves! So I thought I should put the first chapter up on my website. If you'd like to have a read, it's here under Excerpt. I have a serious crush on the hero, Bren. Hope you enjoy!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

More Partying!

Today I'm partying over at the lovely Lila DiPasqua's blog, where she's celebrating the release of her second Fiery Tales, The Princess In His Bed. Having just finished her first awesome collection, Awakened by a Kiss, I'm really looking forward to reading the second one in the series!! If you get a moment do pop over and join in the fun. I'm talking about princesses and villains and there's a chance to win a copy of Forbidden!

The other thing I want to pass on is the link to the fabulous The Romance Review site for both readers and authors. Authors can sign up for a free author page/wall and profile in the Authors page, request reviews for their books and participate in contests and in a forum with readers. And for readers there are reviews and the chance to win some fantastic books plus the forum to chat with authors. It's launch was yesterday, so everything is very new and sparkly and lots of fun!!!

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Lord Lightning ~ Jenny Brown


Please welcome my special guest today, the very lovely Jenny Brown! I first found out about Jenny's debut Regency romance, Lord Lightning, over a year ago when I discovered she was a client of my agent :-) I was immediately intrigued because the hero, Edward Neville, Lord Hartwood, is a Leo - my star sign! I was further intrigued when I realised Jenny was writing a series of astrologically theme romances, called Lords of the Seventh House.

Lord Lightning was released from Avon on 28th September and I am so looking forward to reading it.

Jenny, thank you for stopping by today. Can you tell us why the series is called Lords of the Seventh House?


In astrology the "Seventh House" is the term used to describe the sector of the chart that describes a woman's husband and the nature of her committed relationships. In 19th century astrology the "Lord" of a house was the planet that ruled the house and its strength determined how the affairs connected to that house would prosper. I thought the phrase had a nice Regency era ring to it, and of course, everyone loves a lord!


Why did you choose to write romances with an astrological theme?


I didn't actually set out to do this at all, as I'd been told in the past by a very successful agent that it was impossible to sell a book to a mainstream publisher that treated traditional astrology with respect. But the first few chapters of Lord Lightning showed up and demanded that I write them. When I did, I fell in love with the premise that an astrologer's ability to see beneath the surface might free a man who had become trapped by playing a social role that was destroying him. It was my agent who came up with the idea of writing an astrology-themed series and pitched the book that way.


Eliza Farrell, the heroine of Lord Lightning, has a very interesting occupation - especially given the era - that of an astrologer. Can you give us some insights as to her character? What are some of the qualities that attract the hero to her?


My hero, Edward Neville, is a man who has carefully cultivated the reputation for shocking behavior and eccentricity that has earned him his nickname "Lord Lightning," But to some extent the role he has taken on to shock society is an act and Edward cares far too much about other people's opinions of him. Eliza, on the other hand, though superficially prim and proper, is a true eccentric who has the courage to live according to her beliefs no matter what anyone else thinks. Her ability to astonish Edward is what first brings them together, but as the story unfolds the two of them discover they have far more in common.


The hero, Edward Neville, is a renowned rake (and a Leo!) What do you think will make readers fall in love with him?


I hope they'll love his banter and the vulnerability that he struggles, unsuccessfully to hide. I also hope they'll also love his rebelliousness. The characters in most Regency novels seem to me to be for too accepting of social norms that doomed people for making a single youthful error and evaluated behavior entirely in terms of superficial appearances rather than what was really going on. Edward has been a victim of both tendencies and fights back against the hypocrisy of his class in a way I hope readers find refreshing.


When you first started thinking of writing Lord Lightning, who appeared first in your mind, the hero or heroine, and why?


I'd have to say both. The first scene of Lord Lightning which you can read here http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Lord-Lightning-Jenny-Brown/?isbn=9780061976056 came out very close to what you read in the excerpt back when I first sat down to write the book.


What can we expect next from you?


My next novel features a Scorpio hero and heroine. Captain Trevelyan, the hero, is a cavalry officer just returned to London after serving for a decade in India. When he rescues a beautiful pickpocket from arrest, he responds to the sexual invitation she offers in return feeling safe in his belief that he is engaging in nothing more than a pleasant dalliance with a woman who is completely disposable. But he's wrong, and as his connection with the pickpocket draws them both into a web of political intrigue and sexual torment, they will learn how terrifying it is to find a soul mate when you know how dark the secrets are that you keep hidden in your own soul.

Blurb

"They call him Lord Lightning...for his shocking behavior. An unrepentant rogue with a wicked reputation, his outrageous conduct ensures no woman will get close enough to hurt him.


But demure and lovely astrologer Eliza Farrell casts a chart that tells her Lord Hartwood is capable of great, passionate love. When Hartwood indulges in one of his famous pranks and invites Eliza to become his new mistress, the virginal country miss must meet her fate armed only with her knowledge that the cynical lord will become the tender lover she sees predicted in the stars.

Though Eliza is nothing like the brazen strumpets he prefers, the seemingly incorruptible seer excites Lord Lightning much more than the hard, calculating women he is accustomed to. Eliza's trusting spirit and quick mind touch his cold heart—and when the bewitching innocent surprisingly agrees to be seen on his arm, neither can predict the sparks that fly between them—or resist the electric passion that threatens to transform them both."

Monday, October 04, 2010

The Goldilocks Zone

I've always been fascinated by outer space and the Universe (I'm sure this comes as no surprise to those who know of my obsession with shows such as Battlestar Galactica!) So I was very excited to learn of the discovery of a planet that could possibly be habitable. It got me thinking... and I ended up writing an article for the lovely Sia at OVER COFFEE today about that elusive Goldilocks Zone and how it also applies to the publishing world. I'd love if you could pop over and share your thoughts too!!And there's a giveaway!!

Saturday, October 02, 2010

More Upcoming Party Fun!!!

Mark your calendars! Starting Oct. 4th to Nov. 1st, historical romance author Lila DiPasqua will be hosting a BLOG PARTY. Counting down to the release of the next book in her sexy Fiery Tales series, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED (out Nov. 2nd, Berkley Sensation), she's hosting wonderful authors with GIVEAWAYS EACH DAY!


You won’t want to miss out! Stop by HERE and join in the fun!


Maggie Robinson

Kimberly Killion

Kris Kennedy

Tiffany Clare

Courtney Milan

Michelle Rowen

Eve Silver

Miranda Neville

Monica Burns

Christina Phillips

Ann Macela

Margie Lawson

Anna Campbell

Juliana Stone

Sarah MacLean

Carrie Lofty

Kathryn Smith

Donna Grant

Evangeline Collins

Delilah Marvelle

Friday, October 01, 2010

Fairy Bad Day

My fab CP, Amanda Ashby, has just received the back cover copy for her upcoming YA novel, Fairy Bad Day (her titles slay me!!!) It is awesome! And sounds soooo much like her heroine, Emma, it's a bit freaky!!!

My life seriously couldn’t get any worse.


First, my rightful designation of dragon slayer is STOLEN right out from under me by Curtis Green. Sure, he's really cute, but that doesn't give him an excuse. On top of that, I am assigned to slay fairies. I know what you're thinking - how hard could it be, right? WRONG! These menacing beasts with their tiny hipster clothes and mocking sarcasm love taunting me. And they won't STOP! But the thing that tops my list of stuff to ruin my day? That would be the GIANT KILLER FAIRY that I have to hunt down and slay because I am the only one who can see it. There is someone who can help me. Unfortunately... it's Curtis.


It's going to be a fairy bad day.