Official Upcoming Release Schedule!
Due to changes in how my publisher assigns dates, I won't have release dates until I finish the book. I'm currently working on:
Taking the Realm which is book 3 of Sha and Connor's trilogy (previously titled Shaking the Balance)
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Snippet from Dante and Marisa's book!!
Musings from my Phone: Plot ideas
So, where do I get my plot ideas? Nobody's asked me that question for a while, but I'll answer it anyway.
I get them from all different sources. For one thing, I have a warped mind and constantly daydream. I hold conversations with characters when I get bored. I used to think I was insane because of those conversations, but I know the characters aren't real and I decided I'm just weird.
Breaking the Nexus drew inspiration from a few external sources as a way to reconcile my constant daydream that magic exists and mythical creatures are real. Nobody can tell me that I won't one day have magical powers. Daddy always said I could be anything I wanted to be, and I've decided I'm going to be a Sorceri.
I'm also inspired by mythology and other books I've read. My sister drilled into me an appreciation for classical mythology as well as my own fascination with all things Celtic (as if that weren't already obvious lol). Sometimes listening to epic music will inspire a plot point or battle scene. Other times, a funny phrase will spark my imagination.
The best inspiration can come from my amazing beta readers who know just how to ask me the questions that get my creative juices flowing. If I'm stuck at a certain area or I'm not sure what I'm trying to say, one of them is always there to help give me that not-so-gentle shove right where I need it. Plus, they have the patience of saints. Literally. You should ask them sometime how mean I am to give them a scene that leaves them begging for more only to then have to wait weeks for the writing fairy to return to me.
Every once in a while, a few simple words trigger an avalanche of ideas. When I came up with a certain book title, I had the best inspiration for where that book would end up that I started dancing around in my car. You should've seen the looks I got from the other cars around me. Then again, I usually get weird looks because I like doing my happy dance wherever I am :) I seriously cannot WAIT until you people read that book, but I don't want to give away anything so I'll endeavor to keep my mouth shut.
So there you have it, lovelies. Now you know how I get my plot ideas and I should probably go back to thinking up those delicious plot ideas so my betas finally get more content :D
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Interview and Review with Sharon Sala!!!
Sharon is an amazing writer, one of the rare few who have released a phenomenal amount of books while mantaining a consistent style. Not only that, but this New York Times Bestselling author has also ventured into the tumultuous waters of self-publishing.
I also had the astounding privilege of being able to review an advanced copy of her book, Going Once, that was released today!! It's the first in a new trilogy and I can't recommend it enough. Alas, I'm getting ahead of myself so let's get on to the interview then the review!!
Thank you so much for joining me, Sharon. May I say what an honor it is to have you on my blog? When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I don’t think I ever had a moment that hit me and said, “this is it, Sharon! You should be a writer.” It was more of a gradual thing…finding a way to share the stories that were always in my head.
That's wonderful. You have definitely found the perfect way to share those stories :) What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?
It’s probably never having enough time to write the way I’d like to, and the long drawn out process about waiting for an editor to pass judgment on a proposal or a manuscript.
Oh yes, I can only imagine how nervewracking that must be! Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with your pen name?
Dinah McCall is my pen name, and it came about from a publisher I had who wanted to publish me in a different genre. The name Dinah was my younger sister, Diane’s, nickname. She died in 1985, before all of this started for me, so choosing it as my pen name was my way of taking her with me on this amazing journey. I chose McCall because at the time, there wasn’t another McCall writing romance. All about the marketing… LOL
I think that's such a beautiful way to honor your sister! Who are your favorite authors?
Without hesitation, John Hart, Robert Crais and Harlan Coben.
Those are fantastic authors :) What authors inspire you?
Authors who aren’t just ‘telling me a story’, but the ones who bring the pages to life. Kay Hooper is brilliant at this, as is Iris Johansen.
I couldn't agree more. Kay Hooper has always been another of my personal favorite authors. What type of books do you like to read?
Suspense, romantic suspense, paranormal if it’s psychic or healers, not the horror side of paranormal.
I adore those genres <3 What do you like to do in your free time?
Read, bake, paint pictures, be with my family.
Ooo, you bake? I'll have to get some tasty recipes from you! And that's fantastic that you're a painter as well. I've always wanted to paint, but sadly, I have no talent whatsoever lol. Where is your favorite place to vacation?
I haven’t been on a vacation in so long I wouldn’t even know where to start. I will say that one of my favorite areas of the country to be in, is the South.
Having lived in the South and visited many times over the years, I share your love of the area :) If you were stuck on a desert island and could have only three things, what would they be?
A machete, a flint to start fires, and a tent.
How wonderfully practical :D Remind me to call you up if I'm ever on a deserted island! Are you a plotter or a pantser with your writing?
Neither. I dream my stories…like you go to the movies. So when I wake up, the whole story is already in my head. No writing by the seat of my pants because the story was ‘given to me’ in a dream. No plotting because the story is already there.
OMG, that's truly amazing. I love that that's how you get your stories!! Why did you choose to write romantic suspense?
I like happy ever after, (romance) and I am an adrenaline junkie when it comes to movies, books, etc… I’d rather watch Die Hard 12, than sit through something like Bridget Jones Diary or some kind of relationship movie. My all time favorite movie ever to have seen is AVATAR. I still wish I was 9 feet tall and blue and lived on Pandora. Omg.
Wow, I seriously couldn't agree more with you about watching Die Hard 12 than sitting through a sappy movie *shudder* What has been the most fun about working on your books?
I think probably bringing to life the people that I see in my head.
What has been the hardest scene for you to write?
Love scenes are getting harder because I’ve been writing/published for over 22 years. So 85 plus books and counting and I’ve pretty much written every kind of a love scene there is to write in my genre. SOOO now when I come to those scenes in the manuscript, I kind of take a deep breath and fight my way through them.
LOL!! I can see how that would get to be a problem! Rest assured, your love scenes have never felt stale or boring to me :) Do you have any favorite characters? If so, why?
Yes, Jonah Gray Wolf in THE HEALER, and the ancient spirit WINDWALKER, in my last Dinah McCall book, WINDWALKER… Also, Cat Dupree in my female bounty hunter trilogy, NINE LIVES, CUT THROAT, and BAD PENNY. AND… Layla Birdsong/Singing Bird from the WINDWALKER.
*sighs wistfully* I loved Jonah <3 Do you have any favorite books or series among all the ones you’ve written?
Favorite series might be my Rebel Ridge trilogy, NEXT OF KIN, DON’T CRY FOR ME, and TIL DEATH. Favorite books… THE HEALER, THE WARRIOR, WINDWALKER… and my first women’s fiction that I self-pubbed, A FIELD OF POPPIES, and my first fiction I wrote for Belle Books, THE BOARDING HOUSE.
I'm not going to lie, Rebel Ridge is right up there among my favorite series of all time. Then again, now that I've read Going Once, that may tie it lol. Tell us more about Rebel Ridge. Do you plan to write more books in this series?
No, that series is finished with the release of Til Death.
Aww, well there's always re-reading for me! Lovelies, definitely check out my review of 'Til Death! In book two of the Rebel Ridge series, Don’t Cry For Me, your characters deal with PTSD. As someone with a best friend in the Air Force, I love that you shed light on this condition so many of our returning soldiers face. Did you find it difficult to write about it?
Yes, it was difficult for me to write because I have a family member who suffers from this. He served two tours in Iraq, the last in Fallujah where he was wounded and sent home. It has destroyed who he was, and he struggles daily to find a way to live in this world.
It's so tragic that so many of our soldiers suffer after defending our country. It's important for people to understand that this is a devastating condition that affects so many lives. You have also self-published. How is this process different from working with your publisher?
One great big plus is there is no lag time between finishing it and getting it up for sale. I have enjoyed it immensely, have two out now, A FIELD OF POPPIES and WINDWALKER, and am at the present writing a third called A THOUSAND LIES. Poppies and Lies are written under my Sala name and are women’s fiction. Windwalker is a paranormal romance written under my pen name, Dinah McCall.
I definitely love the freedom of choosing my own timeline with self-publishing :) Do you have any advice for other authors?
If you’re passionate about wanting to be a writer, join a writer’s group. It’s the single best thing you can do for yourself, being in the company of other people on the same journey as you are on.
That is fantastic advice <3 What's next for you?
Always another book.
You have no idea how happy that makes me :D Anything else you want your readers to know?
That I appreciate them SO much, and they can reach me on Facebook. I can also be reached at my website, www.sharonsala.net.
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog, Sharon!! It has truly been a pleasure having you here.
Now my lovelies, stick around for my review of Going Once and be sure to snag your copy today!!
Publication Date: September 24, 2013
From New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala comes a story of reignited passion set amidst a town reeling from disaster and the long shadow of a killer…
As raging floodwaters engulf her Louisiana hometown Nola Landry is stranded on high ground, the unwitting witness to the brutal murder of three fellow survivors. Finally rescued in the aftermath of the storm, no one is willing to believe a story as horrific as hers—until three FBI agents arrive on the scene…one of whom Nola knows very well.
Tate Benton has been tracking the so-called Stormchaser serial killer for months, never expecting the trail might lead him home, or to the woman he cannot forget. Home is now a ravaged town full of memories—of love, of disappointment, of past mistakes. The investigation brings Nola back into his life. Long-buried feelings resurface, and the former lovers try to pick up the pieces in the wake of the disaster.
Amid the relief effort the killer lingers, determined to silence Nola forever. In the Stormchaser's twisted mind the pain is far from over…and hers is just beginning.
WHAT I LIKED:
Sharon Sala is one of my all-time favorite authors for a reason. I can always count on her books to draw me in from the beginning and keep me enthralled for the entire book. She writes with a beautiful blend of romance and suspense that few authors can match in my opinion. This book was no exception. I loved the premise of the Storm Chaser and I can honestly say that as soon as I was finished with this book, I immediately started re-reading it...twice...in one weekend.
Tate and Nola have a history, but Sharon doesn't belabor the history. Yes, she makes it known that they each have scars from their past, but Nola doesn't hold a grudge. However, she doesn't forgive him straight away, either.
This is the first book in the Forces of Nature trilogy and it introduces an antagonist that will be present in all three books. He was an interesting villain and definitely something different. I look forward to seeing how Sharon continues to develop this character. This book also introduces the the heroes of the other books and I cannot WAIT to read more about these men. Sharon's characters are so rich and detailed, I instantly fall in love with them.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
My biggest complaint is that I have to wait for the next two books. I know that I'll be stalking the bookstores waiting for them to be released :D
OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Trials of an Indie Author: How to be an Author 101
Today I wanted to talk about how to be an author. It's really quite simple. You sit down, bang on a keyboard for a while, and magically a book will appear. Then you do some more magic and it goes up for sale and people magically know how to find it and buy it and boom! You're famous.
Man, I wish it were that easy. It's not, of course, but don't burst my little bubble yet.
Anyway, you need a combination of insanity, determination, creativity, and some really good friends to be an author. Oh, and luck. Lots and lots and LOTS of luck. Think about it, how many times have you grabbed a best seller and flipped through it going, "Really? THIS is a bestseller when [Insert your favorite obscure author] writes so much better?!" Let's be honest, lovelies...we've all thought that. Everyone's entitled to think that, that's what makes people unique.
Granted, I hope at least some of you inserted my name in that little phrase ;)
But, I digress. Luck plays a massive role in being an author. You need luck to find the right people to work with, for your idea to take off, and for so many things. Vampires were around long before Twilight came about, yet few were as insanely popular. BDSM books were around long before 50 Shades of Grey, but again, few took off as well as that did. It's all about luck. That's the part that sucks because you can't control it.
Let's take luck out of the equation, then. You need to be insane to be an author. Imagine pouring everything you have into something then tossing it out for the world to judge and criticize. Insane, right? Insanity also comes in handy when you need twisted plots and ideas.
You also need determination. When I first wrote Breaking the Nexus, I was writing during NaNoWriMo 2011 and I was determined to win that year so I could shut up my older sister. No, seriously. We were doing it together and she bugged me constantly about my word count. I won, then I had to find the determination to finish the book. Before I'd written the whole thing, I let a few people read it.
Let's just say, it needed some love. The kind of love that can only come from burning it to the ground so you can start fresh. The painful love.
I could have thrown in the towel and I wanted to...ask my husband sometime about how I sobbed that I'd probably have to rewrite the whole thing. Know what he said? "Then you'll just have to rewrite it." It was that simple. I was determined to get my story out there so I salvaged the basic plot and rewrote it. Feel free to ask anyone who read both versions...they are VASTLY different.
It's not just the beginning of the journey that requires determination. Every book will test your determination. You hit a wall where you go "I will never finish this damn thing, I don't even want to look at it anymore." You have to figure out what's more important: giving in to the frustration you're feeling or giving up your dream.
The last thing you need are some really good friends. You need people who will listen to you when you're frustrated then tell you to get your butt back to writing. You need people who can ask you questions to get your brain in gear and the writing muse flowing. You need people to tell you how awesome you are when you feel like you can't do it anymore and people to tell you where you need work because they know you can do better.
I majorly simplified everything, but for me, this is what I've needed to be an author. It's not easy, it's frustrating, and I've cried more than once. I took a hiatus where I questioned if this is what I was meant to do. In the end, it comes back to that determination. I have stories I can't keep locked in my brain anymore. Plus, I've got some amazing friends I've never even met in person who wouldn't let me quit.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
My Journey from Self-Published to Indie-Publisher
As I embarked on the journey of self-publishing, I learned many things. First of all, I'm a control freak in many ways which reinforced my desire to stay self-published. I didn't want to lose control over things like setting the price of my book or having someone tell me I needed to change my fundamental story. I loved having the final say in many things.
I also learned how expensive it is to self-publish. While you get to keep more of the profits, you have to pay for everything up front. Stuff like cover art, formatting, and editing do not come cheap if you want it done well. Then there's the task of finding good people. How do you know that you'll find someone that does quality work and is easy to work with? It's harder than you'd think, though part of that is probably just my personality lol.
The details that fascinated me at first soon became overwhelming. I was stressing more and more over the process of publishing than the actual writing. Setting deadlines for myself wasn't working and I was losing sight of what I loved.
Enter the epiphany. One evening I messaged a friend on a whim and asked about her publisher. She raved and answered my questions honestly and to my amazement I learned she still maintained a high level of freedom over her books. No one I'd talked to ever got a say in price and half of the time, they didn't even get a say in the cover art. I decided to stop being a chicken and submit my story. Every day I checked for a response and wondered if I was making the right decision.
Then came the day I got that wonderful response: they wanted my books. I thought long and hard about what I was doing, knowing I wouldn't be able to shop those books around to main stream publishers. I knew I'd have to change some things, but I hoped my friend had been right. Finally, I knew I'd made my decision and signed a contract for the two books I'd already released plus two more books I had planned.
Best. Decision. Ever.
Not only is my publisher amazing to work with, so sweet and fun to talk to, she's flexible. She proposed some ideas for release dates, but left the decision up to me. She assigned me a brilliant cover artist who did a fantastic job and who let me pick the image I wanted to use. Even when I sent some stuff to her late because of some unexpected issues, she was easy-going and didn't flip out on me. When I asked if she'd credit my amazing editor on Amazon, she had no problem and asked for the editor's name so she could get it right.
Beyond all of that, I joined a wonderfully supportive literary family. When I say family, I mean it. Everyone welcomed me and readily offered advice when I needed it. Already I'm making new friends and I have new energy. My publisher put me into categories that had me ranking as an Amazon BestSeller straight out of the gate.
Instead of worrying over everything, particularly the cost of everything, I can focus on my writing again. I'm re-energized with a plan to expand Breaking the Nexus and now I have release dates for the rest of the books in the trilogy. I have a plan and for me, that was vital.
I'm not saying that going with an indie publisher is the way to go and my publisher could very well be the exception. But no matter what, I know it's the right decision for me. I may still self-publish other books and I plan to try to find an agent to go the traditional publishing route.
After overcoming a number of things recently, signing on with Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly was the change I needed to find my way back to the part of being an author that's most important: loving what I'm writing.
Amazon BestSeller + Title Reveal for Book 3!!
Basically, you all kick ass :D
Now, many of you read my other book, Breaking the Nexus, which will be re-released on December 2, 2013 with all new content and expanded scenes. This will be the first of a trilogy and following that will be Waking the Phoenix. Until now, I have not revealed the title of book 3 of the trilogy featuring Connor Flynn and Sha Phoenix.
Book 3 will be..........
Taking the Darkness
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Re-Release of Warrior Unleashed!!!
Well my lovelies, today's the big day!!! I'm re-releasing Warrior Unleashed with my brand new publisher, Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing!!
Be sure to get your copy with a sneak preview at the new beginning to Breaking the Nexus, which is re-releasing December 2, 2013 with expanded content!!
Warrior Unleashed
Nothing is more dangerous than an unleashed warrior.
When Sentinels, an elite group of warriors, begin dying under mysterious circumstances, the deaths are believed to be unrelated but Achaius Rilke knows the truth. As a panther Chimerae, he recognizes the signs of a predator...even an unpredictable one. No one is safe and the only person Achaius can trust is Saia Makan, a Tempestuous Sorceri and the very person who has driven him crazy for years. When the killer sets its sight on Saia, Achaius faces the fight of his life.
But will he survive?
Friday, September 13, 2013
Musings from my Phone, Part 3 - Chaos Demon
Being accident prone is annoying as hell. Besides the obvious downside of it hurting, you open yourself up to all sorts of teasing, well-meant of course :) Well, yesterday I hit a new low. I apparently can't even walk out of my house now.
Now, in my book Breaking the Nexus, I invented a chaos demon that liked to wreak havoc on unsuspecting people. I'm 99% sure my subconscious was drawing from personal experience. It's the only explanation. I'm not really a klutz, I'm just plagued by a chaos demon.
Anyway, back to the story. There I was minding my own business, leaving the house to go to my day job. I took one single, little step out of the front door and disaster struck. My left ankle turned under me. Not an uncommon occurance, really, so I wasn't worried. I not-so-smoothly tried to compensate and catch myself so I would have just stumbled a bit. Yeah, not so much.
My right ankle decided to join the party and twisted underneath me, twisting my whole damn leg in the process and down I went. To add insult to injury, I braced myself with my right arm and discovered hours later that my shoulder was unhappy with the impact.
I maintain, however, that it's not my fault. There had to have been a chaos demon lurking somewhere, right? I mean seriously, I can't be THAT accident prone that I can't even walk properly. So my dear lovelies, be sure to watch out for those tricky chaos demons. And walking. Walking is dangerous. Maybe I should just stay inside and write all day where it's safe. Unless, of course, I have to walk through a doorway. Those things come out of nowhere, you know. ;)
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
We remember
Every year on this day, it's impossible not to think of September 11, 2001.
I didn't know anyone personally in the towers, but it did change everything for me. When it happened I was 15. I remember being in Spanish class taking a test and someone coming in to tell us. They wouldn't turn on the TV until everyone finished the test, but time ran out in class before we could hear anything.
Wild rumors flew around the halls as I walked to my next class, a study hall. Everyone thought they knew everything about why it happened, but no one really understood the ramifications. In study hall, we were able to go to news sites and find out some more info. One of the students in the school had parents in the towers so the school banned turning on the TVs, but we could still go online. It still didn't really sink in.
I remember going home and finally turning on the news and watching silently, tears streaming down my face at the footage. I was devastated at the senseless act of violence. When my mom came home, she knew I'd been crying but she didn't ask me about it. After that first day, I refused to turn on the news. I collected magazines and newspapers about it, but I refused to read them. I still don't know why I did that.
As a senior in high school we had to do a project on the human condition. I chose violence and courage in the face of violence. I made a scrapbook of clippings illustrating that and for the first time, I went through those magazines. I cried the entire time, but this time I focused on the bravery of the rescuers and the survivors instead of just the tragedy.
A good family friend had to watch as their son was deployed to Afghanistan to fight the war on terror. He was captured. It took YEARS before his family finally got closure and found his body to bring him home. Just a couple of years ago, my best friend was deployed to Afghanistan and even though I knew she wouldn't see action (her position kept her on base), it terrified me that she might not come home. Luckily she served her time and came home safe.
So many people remember today by thinking of all of the lives that were lost. Don't forget the lives of those who were heroes, who risked their lives that day and every day since.
Cover Reveal for Scent of a Mate
Scent of a Mate by Milly Taiden
Mission: Scent a Mate Jordan Alvarez knew that a promise to her best friend involved staking out the local wolf pack's scenting ceremony and recording the graphic details, but she was the writer and the only one with the balls to finish the task. No one would know that four human women had sneaked proof of their rituals, or at least, that was the plan until Aric Wolfe showed up.
Mission: Stake a Claim Aric Wolfe knew his baby sister was up to something, and expected her best friend, Jordan, to be in on the chaos. He finally had an opportunity to lay claim to a mate that had been under his nose for years. Jordan's scent called to both the man and the animal, and he was done fighting the call of the beast. It was time to mark his mate.
Mission: Survive an Alpha When a good intention creates a problem for the Wolfe family, Jordan finds herself being stalked by a woman intent on claiming Aric as her own. Battle lines will be drawn, love will be put to the test, and Aric will have to fight Jordan's strong personality to keep her alive. Two alpha hearts seeking control will either find the balance or risk losing their love forever.
Trailer
About Milly
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Warrior Unleashed Cover Reveal!!!
Warrior Unleashed
Lindsay Avalon
Re-releasing from Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
September 17, 2013
Nothing is more dangerous than a warrior unleashed...
Thursday, September 5, 2013
I have a street team!!!
Attention lovelies!!!
Love me? Love my books? Want exclusive access to special content, ARCs, advanced notice of release dates, and more? Want to help me get my books out FASTER?!
Then help me promote my work so I can focus on writing and join my street team on Facebook!! Send me a message on Facebook for more details!!