Reading ~ It's good for you

Reading and Writing ~ They go together like peas and carrots ;) People can be avid readers without being writers but I think it's impossible to be a writer without being a reader. And the number one suggestion to newbie writers is to read.

Why?

1)    Reading a good book inspires me to write. Not everything I read will spark my plot bunnies, BUT there will be some stories or poems that nurture my plot rabbits.

2)    Reading a good book also instills in me a goal. Not to copy the author's idea but to give my reader the same satisfaction I got.

What should a writer read?

(shrugging) Whatever he/she wants! I know some writers don't like to read books to close to what they write in fear of subconsciously 'borrowing' from the author.  While others love to read their peers work, they feel it sets the standard in their genre. I read whatever catches my eye (the shiny object disorder again).

Actually for 2013, I set monthly 'themes' for my reading (you can visit my blog on Tuesdays for reading list and teasers from my favorites ~ www.http//:lynceeshillard.wordpress.com). Doesn't this sound a little OCD for someone who stops in mid-sentence to watch dust dance in the sunlight? The purpose isn't to move me into a Monk-like category but to expand my horizons. There are some genres I've wanted to try but find that when I take a trip to the book store, I don't seem to visit these sections so this was a way to force me to.

For example, I have enjoyed the few – the very few – steampunk books I had read but I rarely really looked for books in this genre. February was devoted entirely to steampunks. Found books I LOVED that I would have never read if I hadn't made it my focus.

What do you read? How do you select your reading material?

*Dizzy*

I've been CRAZY busy. It's been insane really and I almost forgot about my post here today.

ACK!

I've been on a book tour and doing revisions and ...the list goes on. I can't believe it's already mid June.

You can find more about my book tour and the awesome prizes I'm giving away at the end at my blog.

So I'll leave you all today with an excerpt from my June 7 release PRIVATE RELEASE from Ellora's Cave while I take a nap.

Excerpt:

He looked down at his hands. At least his claws were still intact, but he couldn’t draw them. How the hell was he supposed to protect his clan or even mark his mate for that matter without that ability?

“If I tell them they’ll strip me of my heritage. Males of my father’s family have always been chief. The line of my ancestors can’t end here.”

Étienne snorted and nodded. “Understood. If they want you to shift…”

“Tell them the bullet wound still pains me and shifting is dangerous. I don’t need to link telepathically with any of them tonight.”

“Very well. Anything else I need to know before you go in front of the council and I start guard duty?”

“A private investigator is coming to help me with tracking down the stolen funds.”

Étienne’s brow furrowed. “An outsider?”

“My brother-in-law recommended her.”

“A female?” Étienne asked in surprise.

“She isn’t like Mukswa females. She’s a private investigator who worked with the RCMP, but branched out on her own.”

Étienne didn’t look convinced. “You should’ve let me investigate her background.”

“My decision is final,” Jared snapped. “My judgment is sound. I am chief.”

Étienne’s black eyes glittered, but he nodded and lowered his head in deference.

Jared instantly regretted his outburst. Lately all he seemed to be doing was spouting off at random and he hated it.

A chief was supposed to be calm, cool and collected.

He was a wreck.

“Let’s get this over with,” he muttered as he pushed the button on his private elevator. He just wanted tonight to be done.

Tonight he’d let the elders choose his future mate. Perhaps then he could move on.

Love Letter for the #PSY/CHANGELING Series and @NaliniSingh

One of the definitions of fangirl from UrbanDictionary.com is “A female who has overstepped the line between healthy fandom and indecent obsession.” While I wouldn’t necessarily label my love of Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series as indecent, I don’t hesitate to call it an obsession. Since the day I opened Slave to Sensation and met Lucas, Sascha, Dorian, Mercy, Clay, Hawke, Sienna, Judd, Walker, Andrew, Riley, Nikita, and Vaughn, I fell utterly in love with the savage, beautiful, and provocative world inhabited by humans, Psy, and changelings. 

I could probably spend hours trying to give you examples, point by point, for what happened that day I read her first book, but I don’t what to try and give you a Reader’s Digest of this world because it is absolutely something you must experience for yourself and to do that, it means reading the books—and I can’t stress this part enough, it means reading them in order. 

With the release of Heart of Obsidian on June 4, there are currently 12 novels set in the Psy-Changeling world, several novellas and if you’re lucky enough to have subscribed to Ms. Singh’s newsletter, you get the occasional short as well. So without further ado, let me give you my reasons why this is a series you cannot miss, should rush out to buy right now if you haven’t, and if you have—well feel free to chime in below. The only thing I would ask for those of you who have read Heart of Obsidian – do not post spoilers below. I went into that novel spoiler-free and I believe to truly, truly appreciate the depth of the story Ms. Singh told is to take the same long journey through all the series to arrive at the same time as the rest of us.

How I Love Nalini Singh’s Breathtaking World

1. My Writing Brain Turns Off - One of the drawbacks to being a writer for me is an inability to turn off the writing brain when reading. For me what that means is I am always in critique mode, a turn of phrase that an editor may have dinged for me in the past will leap off the page or story crafting where I don’t quite believe a character’s motivations will jettison me from the book. Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling turns off that part of my brain. I become 100% reader, immersed in a colorful, thoroughly textured world with a vibrant history and oftentimes violently uncertain present, but tempered by passion and love.
2. Lush Setting - The series is set in the ‘near-future’ beginning sometime around 2079. But each book begins with a reflection back to 1979 when “Silence” began. This mixture of sober historical touches adds a level of depth and complexity to the ‘now’ within the series, a historical context if you will, and the wild promise of inherent danger.
3. Beautiful Savagery – The primary Changeling packs we meet are the Dark River leopards and the Snow Dancer wolves. They promise violence to anyone who attacks their ‘packs,’ but they are without question fierce in their devotion and loyalty as they are violent to those who would do them harm. The history of these packs is soaked in blood, forged in fire, and tempered by hearts that are openly compassionate to those that are weaker than they and this need to protect—frankly it’s sexy as hell and makes you wish you were a part of one of these packs for the security they would provide.
4. Icy Invitation – On the flip side of all that beautiful savagery is the ice-cold ‘perfection’ of the Silent Psy. Who doesn’t want to thaw the ice around these cold beings who willingly purge emotion through brutal suppression, reinforcement of painful dissonance, and absolute discipline because while their minds are brilliant and jagged in their power—they are also subject to the worst kinds of psychotic breaks. Yet it is the very thing that saves them that may damn them? The isolation from their own humanity is both vicious and vibrant—and when they awake, spectacularly magnificent. (Yes, I said I was a bit obsessed didn’t I?)
5. Balanced Utterly – But never discount the humans that also inhabit this world, the humans who stand in the balance between these two utterly powerful races. They are wonderful in their utter ‘normalcy.’ Several humans can be found in the Packs, but also outside of it. Three that stand out absolutely for me are Ria, whom we meet in one of the novellas, Tally, and Max. It’s easy to overlook them, because they don’t change shapes or have powerful mental abilities, but it is their humanity that makes them so captivating.

I could go on, and on, and on about the series as anyone who follows me on Facebook can attest. At 10 minutes to midnight on June 3rd, Heart of Obsidian, book 12 downloaded to my Kindle. I literally finished up the edit I was working on and immediately flipped open the Kindle to read. I stayed up until 4:30 in the morning to finish it. I’ve read it twice more since then and then I had to dive back in and re-read the entire series.

Words that come to mind:

• Lush 
• Savage 
• Exquisite 
• Heart-wrenching 
• Love 

On Saturday, June 8th, I had the delightful opportunity to see Ms. Singh at a local event called Boas and Tiaras. I had to take a moment since I was there as an author to catch her in the hall and go absolutely squee over the books. You see two years ago, I made some predictions about the series and was utterly delighted about those results. It thrilled me to be able to share with her just how immersed in the world she created that I have become and how much I loved the characters there—so much so that I literally do not care who she writes about next in this world, because I know I will love it. I have loved them all.

For now, I am deeply satisfied, but I know the hunger will come again as soon as we hear the title for the next book and we see the cover and of course, the countdown begins for 2014. But until then, I can visit the world occupied by Lucas, Vaughn, Dorian, Clay, Sascha, Faith, Judd, Brenna, Clay, Tally, Max, Sophia, Katya, Dev, Hawke, Walker, Lara, Sienna, Toby, Marlee, Ben, Roman, Julian, Tamsyn, Nate, Riley, Mercy, Drew, Indigo, Riaz, Adria, Kaleb, Father Perez, Vasic, Aden and so many more. I have a free pass.

I own the whole series. 

So from the bottom of my reading heart, since reading truly was my gateway drug to writing—thank you Nalini Singh. I think Heart of Obsidian was the best yet and I cannot wait to take a trip back to Dark River and Snow Dancer country. My passport is ready!

Happy reading, ya’ll. 

 

The Mercy Moon: Who?

Often, the characters are the first thing we think of for a new story. But in the case of The Mercy Moon, we had to build characters who fit the plot. It was a fun challenge, and one we wanted to share.

There are two protagonists in the story, and they both have very specific roles to play. One, Audamar Marquering, is the reigning king of the wolves, as well as the leader of his clan. The other, Soren Keller, is the newly minted leader of his own clan. Both have been raised to their roles.

Audamar is proud without being prideful, harsh but not overbearing. He doesn’t bend easily. He’s always known he would be king—his clan has been in power for generations. He’s never had to pretend to be anything less than he is.

But Audamar’s role is a lonely one. As king, he’s isolated. A man—a wolf—living alone atop a mountain.

Soren is a mediator by personality. He has always known he would someday lead his clan, but he’s never yearned for power or control. He is content in his role, and works hard for security for his clan without upsetting the careful balance among the other clans.

Soren has always been surrounded by family, by his uncle, the former leader of their clan, and his many younger cousins.

We’re looking forward to watching these two very different characters find their way together past everything keeping them apart.

About Us

Anah Crow and Dianne Fox write sci-fi, paranormal, and contemporary queer romance for Carina Press, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Allure. They’ve been writing together for more than 10 years. You can find them on the web at anahcrowdiannefox.com and on Twitter at @anahcrow and @diannefox.

Serial Killer

In my ongoing attempt to read a book a week this year, I’m falling horribly behind. I’m currently reading a book I really want to continue, but I keep putting it down after a few pages because I accidentally read the third book in the series first, and now, reading Book 1, I already know the character I’m meeting has died horribly somewhere along the way. Every time this character does something endearing, or the main character shows how much he’s falling for him, I remember how miserable the MC ends up later on because of his loss.

I hate spoilers, and reading ahead is the worst kind of spoiler to me. I know people who read the last page of a book first so they know what’s going to happen. And I’ve been tempted a few times, if a book has me really on edge (which is another reading dilemma I’ve had this year), but I just can’t do it. If I know what’s going to happen, I have a hard time enjoying the story. I mean, why would I want to know exactly how Voldemort will be defeated in The Deathly Hallows and who’s going to die along the way before I’ve even met Harry Potter?

I don’t even like to know what’s going to happen when I’m writing. I’m a “pantser.” I want to experience the excitement and suspense the same way my readers will. And as I discovered when I tried outlining, knowing exactly how a story’s going to play out completely kills my interest.

The Armies of Heaven, the final book in my House of Arkhangel’sk trilogy, comes out at the end of this month. I’ve been careful to try let each story stand on its own in case someone picks up the books out of order, but I’m really hoping that readers will start at the beginning, with The Fallen Queen. Some series can be read in any order, but a fantasy trilogy is meant to be read as a complete saga, where the main character’s journey takes place over all three books. That’s how this one was written. If readers start with the ending, they’re going to miss out on the character relationships developed along the way—and on some hot demon sex. Trust me. Start with Book 1.

The Armies of Heaven is available for preorder from:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Powell’s

Are you a last-page-peeker or do you share my literary OCD? Does it ruin a series for you if you read them out of order?

What do you think is sexy?

What is sexy? How do you define it when so many have so different a view about what is sexy? And it’s not just how we view others, but ourselves and what we think is sexy, how we want to look to grab attention of our girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, wives or whatever.

Chubby Chaser—I can’t begin to tell you how much I hate that term. It is a commonly used nickname for men who have a taste for curvier women that are not afraid to own what they’ve been given.  Who are we to say the women they are after are chubby, instead of voluptuous? I have friends that love the "dangerous curves". But sexy is about a lot more than just the shape or size of a body.

Another friend of mine loves men with big hands. It’s her number one turn on. Hands? Okay, I can work with that. Anyone else out there got a hand fetish?

Current trends say tattoos are hot, and I’m one of those women that love my guy inked up, but I have quite a few friends that can’t stand it. Sometimes you hear comments about women with ink, and how they would be so pretty if they hadn’t marked their skin. In my humble opinion, the more the better. Live free or die, sister.

I also love bald men. There’s just something about men that have the confidence to take it all off and own it like there is no tomorrow. And while I find this smoking hot and sexy, others may not.  

I also think confidence is sexy, and I doubt anyone will disagree with me on this one. Many people will perceive you as you see yourself. It’s a “I think, therefore I am mentality.” When you meet someone like this, you'll know. People are drawn to them like a magnet, and there is a reason for it.  

When my husband asked me  a year ago, what I thought was sexy, I said I love bald men that are not afraid to show it (he just happens to be one of those). You never see a woman move faster, than when he asks me to shave his head. So, when he asked me if I had any bald heroes in my books, I couldn’t think of a single one. Yeah, my  bad. I didn’t, even though they rev my engines. Why? Because I was going on what I thought the majority think is sexy. But you know what? There are a lot of crazy chicks like me out there that love bald, inked men, and I’m going to gamble on what they really think is sexy about that.

Confidence. That, and if you've ever rubbed a freshly shaved...uh, never mind.

Hot flash!

So, I had to change that. In my upcoming release, Being Prince Charming, I not only chose a mature hero who is in his mid forties, I also shaved his head and made him bald, and my heroine is going to find out just how charming he can be, with or without hair.

So, really, what do you think is sexy? I’d love to know.

Character Dressing

Story ideas pop into my head and run around my brain with free rein. One thing that happens is my visualizing the character/characters in all manners of dress. I know, I know, they do spend a good deal of time undressed but that’s another story. *grin*

Sometimes I see them in leather, sometimes jeans and occasionally in a suit. Truly I love men dressed to the nines—suit, pressed shirt, snazzy tie, and shiny shoes—but it seldom comes true in the actual story. I can’t tell you why this phenomenon happens, it just does.

The cats usually end up in leather, the dogs mostly prefer jeans and there have been a few suits in the mix and I always enjoy describing them, the color, the accessories and how well they fit. When I’m finished I always think “I’d sure love to run into a man dressed like that!”

So, you knew there would be pics right? No faces, just guys dressed like I’d want to see them dressed if they wore suits. Mr. Blackwell…eat your heart out. Here’s my top five. Though you know them, you’ll never guess who they are.

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-J. Hali Steele

How I Met My Hero

Nineteen years ago today, I stood in front of my very own hero and exchanged vows. We were both extremely young then -- I was eighteen, out of high school only a year. He was twenty-one and sporting a high and tight, courtesy of the United States Marine Corps.

A lot of people (including a lot of family members) said we'd never last. We were too young to get married. Too young to settle down. And I'll admit, it wasn't love at first sight for us. In fact, if I went off first impressions, I never would have dated him, let alone married him. See, I kind of disliked him with an intense passion when we met in 1990. He was a show-off, arrogant and came off with an attitude where he thought he was such a smooth talker. I was even a little perturbed my ex-boyfriend had brought this guy around (yeah, that's a story for another time, but the ex and I were good friends).

When I got to know him a little better, because he annoyingly kept coming around to my lunch table everyday, but we ended up becoming really good friends. Then we started dating and he was shipped off to Paris Island, SC for basic training. That summer was spent exchanging letters. Letters I still keep in a box on my dresser even though they're just starting to turn brown from age.

Life wasn't all rainbows and cupcakes, but we're still together and that's my own personal HEA.

Latest Inspiration

Writers draw inspiration from life, music, movies, anything and everything.

I’m particularly moved by music. You might have noticed since I named a novel of mine Everlong. I’m not immune to the allure of a good show, though, and History Channel’s new series, Vikings, did what few television series have managed to do. It held my attention, and I tuned in to watch faithfully each week.

There were several things I loved about the show—its grit for one. Another was the lead character’s wife, Lagertha. She is a shield-maiden, a female warrior, and she is fierce as a mother and as a fighter. I fell in instant love with the strength and complexity of her character.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the song used during the opening credits. It’s a haunting melody called “If I Had A Heart” by Fever Ray. You have to take a listen. I bought the song after I heard it the first time. Needless to say, the lyrics “this will never end, ‘cause I want more” is sparking all sorts of ideas for future books.

How about you? Have you seen a show or heard a song lately that inspired you? Or maybe you’ve simply found a new show to watch or heard a new song that you enjoy. Let me know your latest discovery, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a $10 Samhain gift card.

Lia Davis--The Divinities Series

The Divinities Series by Lia Davis

Over three hundred years ago children were born to an elite group of witches that were unlike any of the other magical children. These children were born with a mark, a living tattoo of a single rose on the inside of the left forearm. They possess natural divine powers. The magical communities, called Covens, believed the children were gifts from the gods and called them The Divinities.

For decades the war between witches and demons seemed to diminish. Until recently. Two Divinities are missing. Three are dead, along with their spouses.  The victims were among the Divinities appointed by Hecate to watch over the Sinew–the source of all magic.

Now it is up to the Divinities to keep the Sinew from the demons and protect magickin and the world from a fate far worse than anyone can imagine.

~~ Book One ~~

Forgotten Visions

Released July 2012

About 62,000 words

Blurb:

Kalissa Bradenton isn’t your average coffee shop owner. Born to an elite witch bloodline with a rare genetic mutation, she’s a Divinity on a mission. The death of her parents sends her away from her Maxville, Florida, home and into an ancient war between witches and demons. When childhood friend Ayden Daniels comes to her aid after an almost fatal accident, visions of a past she doesn’t remember sparks an old flame and new desires. With the past slowly becoming clearer, she eagerly sets her sights on mending Ayden’s heart and gaining his trust–until a ghost from her past returns to claim her as his demonic mate.

Ayden, the new Sheriff of Maxville and grandson of the oldest living Divinity, is investigating a series of Divinity killings. When he comes face-to-face with the one woman he hopes to have little to no contact with, old pain rises, quickly followed by anger and resentment. Through his rare power of adaptability, he learns actions from the past may not be what they seem. Hope fills his broken heart and determination pushes him to do whatever it takes to win Kalissa’s heart once more before he loses her forever.

Together they must find the strength to mend their tormented souls, while fighting an evil out to destroy the world.

Get it in eBook at Soul Mate Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe

Get it in paperback at Amazon

~~ Book Two ~~

Death’s Storm

Released November 2012

About 42,000 words

Blurb:

Technical genius and demi-goddess--aka Divinity--Khloe Bradenton relies on no one for help, and she definitely doesn’t need comfort from anyone other than her twin. After her parents died by the demons’ hands over two years ago, she has graciously stepped up to her place in the war between demons and witches. When a creature far more dangerous than the ones responsible for killing her parents claims he is her guardian, she is torn between her desires for the dark predator and the painful loss she has endured at the hands of her enemies.

One of the last death demons still in existence, Jagger has pledged his life to the Goddess Hecate. Charged with the guardianship over the Divinities, he is never to approach them, but to aid them from a distance. When the firestorm, Khloe, sacrifices herself to save her twin and best friend and becomes the prey, he has no choice but to reveal himself to her. He is taken by surprise when the need to claim her as his own emerges. A desire he has never felt before could be more dangerous than the demons out to destroy them.   

Get it in eBook at Amazon | B&N | ARe | Kobo

Get it is paperback at Amazon | CreateSpace

GIVEAWAY!

Two lucky commenters will be chosen to receive a print copy of each book plus a swag pack. Follow the Rafflecopter instructions below.

Rafflecopter code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link to widget for WordPress users:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NWI1NjM1Y2U3ZGEzNDQyMTRlNzE3ODcxZTVkNTU1OjMw/

~~ About the Author ~~

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, graphic designer, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

Author website | Fated Desires Publishing | Books Amour | Heartthrob Haven

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | G+