Slight catch up...

And I don't mean the red stuff you dip fries into!
Since I last posted, I've had an avalanche of awesomeness occur. An avalanche? I hear your skepticism. Understandable since I live in Texas and we don't have much experience with avalanches that involve snow, but good news? Heck yeah!

Okay, newsflash one! Two Cowboys in her Crosshairs is now available! This is book one in my Hellfire Ranch series. This series follows a group of ex-marines turned cowboys as they find love while battling a variety of evil-doing bad guys. Cowboys, marines, sex, murder... what more could you ask for? Two Cowboys in her Crosshairs can be bought at the Siren Bookstrand site BUT it can also be sent to your Kindle (sorry Nookies but you're coming soon. Wow, look at the double entendres in that one sentence!). Looking for a BUY link? I have that. Click HERE!.

Newsflash two! I released a new contemporary romance on Tuesday called Affair of Convenience. This book is a small departure for me since it's a traditional romance (no menage and not super erotic). I thoroughly enjoyed writing Taryn and Coop's story. And I didn't even kill anyone (though one of the secondary characters probably deserved it for being such a witch!). Want to know more? Sure! Here's the blurb:


When the subject of Taryn Kirkpatrick's midnight fantasies walks into her life, kisses her breathless and proposes an affair of convenience, what else can she do except say yes?
That yes, however, will lead to more than just hot sex. It will lead her back into the world of the high-and-mighty, the wealthy, the business and societal elite she left behind with her divorce. Because Cooper Malone is a straight-laced businessman intent on landing the right clients.

He’s fascinated by Taryn, a vivacious, bohemian, free-spirit whose joie de vivre leads him to exploring all sorts of new adventures...both in the bedroom and outside it. But what will his clients think of her?

Taryn swore she wouldn’t ever compromise herself again.

Can she—can they—be more than just a midnight fantasy?

Affair of Convenience is available at Amazon, B&N and Smashwords.

Newsflash three. I sold book two of the Hellfire Ranch series! Her Heart Stealing Cowboys will be released in June 2013 from Siren. It picks up where book one left off and there's one hell of a kicker from the get go. It's the story of Sheriff Taggart Cain, his best friend Wade Merritt and the feisty Boston lawyer, Rebecca Lyons, they decide to claim as their own. If they can survive a murder charge, a stalker and a computer code that really needs to be hacked. Really.

Newsflash four (see, AVALANCHE!): June 2013 will also feature the release of Bound By His Blood, an erotic vampire novel. This is the first in a series called Masters of the Night. A little vampire bondage, anyone? Be on the lookout for a cover soon. If you want a teaser, check out the excerpt found in the back of Affair of Convenience!

So, that's a lot of good news, don't you think?!

Are you looking forward to any release in particular? Email me and let me know by clicking on my name below.
Happy reading,
Jennifer

Special Guest Author Alicia Dean

Today, The Naughty Ink is excited to have Alicia Dean with us. Thanks for being here, Alicia. Congratulations on your success!

Thank you so much. I’m happy to be here.

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and what got you into writing.

I live in Edmond, Oklahoma. I have been divorced for years and have three grown kids who, fortunately, still like to hang out with me. I have loved to read since I was a small child, and my mind often conjured stories of my own. When I was eleven, I wrote my first romance. I wanted to be an author from that moment on.

Q. Your tag line on your website is "Journey into the hearts of lovers and the minds of killers." What drew you to romance and suspense?

I love the thrill of a good suspense, the tension of danger and not knowing what’s going to happen, how a character will survive a particular situation. And I love the conflict of a good romance when two people who maybe shouldn’t be together are drawn to one another and, against all odds, fall in love. I guess I’m drawn to strife in general.

Q. Do you have a favorite genre that you read that's not romance?

I love suspense/thriller/police procedural type books by authors such as Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Ridley Pearson, etc, I also love horror, the master, Stephen King, being my favorite.

Q. What goes on in a typical writing day for you?

Typically, I like to have Sundays to myself to write. As far as typical, it depends on what stage I’m at in my manuscript. I have four basic draft steps and my approach is a little different for each one.

Q. What is your favorite trope to use in your writing?

I’m not sure if I have a favorite. 
My critique partners might argue with that.

Q. If you could give your pre-published self some advice, what would it be?

Stick with it and keep writing. Learn as much as you can. I took years off that I wish I hadn’t.

Q. Have you ever written something that scared you silly?

Unfortunately, no. I would love it if my writing scared me, but I have watched horror movies and read so many good, creepy stories that my own seem a little mild. Even though others tell me I’ve creeped them out.

Q. What one thing can you not write without?

Quiet.

Q. Print, e-book or both?

Definitely both. I’ll never want to give up print, but I love the convenience of e-books.

Q. What's the title and print date of your next release?

My next release is as yet untitled. It will be the sequel to Liberty Awakened. It should be out in late February, early March. It will be Isle of Fangs Book 2.

Bonus:

1. Favorite book – Can’t pick one, but the Harry Bosch series or the Patrick Kenzie series are my favorite series.

2. Favorite movie – Again, can’t pick one, but Gone With The Wind is right up there.

3. Book character you most identify with and why – I’m not sure I identify that closely with any characters in books I’ve read. That’s one thing I love about reading, is the escape, and getting in the skin of people I’d like to be. In that way, I’d have to say Angie Gennaro from Dennis Lehane’s books. She’s smart and funny, although damaged, but she makes admirable decisions that I can’t always completely agree with, but I understand why she makes them.

4. If you could inhabit any fictional world, where would it be? – Probably Derry or Castle Rock, Maine

5. Soda, Tea, Water or Alcohol? Alcohol!!!

My latest release is a YA Vampire Novella, 
Liberty Awakened, Isle of Fangs Book 1:

Blurb:

Evil lurks beneath the surface in the beauty of the tropics…

After graduation from her small, Oklahoma high school, Liberty Delacort is looking forward to a fun-filled summer before college. But when the people she trusts the most betray her, and a letter arrives claiming the father she thought was dead is still alive, she jumps at the chance to travel to an exotic island to meet him.

But her excitement is short-lived. Her father is dying, and he doesn’t want her around. In spite of its outward tranquility, the island is filled with danger and ominous secrets. Before long, the secrets begin to unravel. She learns she is a descendant of Van Helsing, the vampire hunter, and she must fulfill her destiny in order to save humans from a faction of vicious vampires. The only man who can help her learn the skills she needs is a volatile, hostile, vampire who wants her off the island.

Will her inexperience lead to her death—and the death of others—or will she rise to the challenge and realize her full potential as a Hunter?

Spread the word! This Tweet is just the right size. Help an author out by copying and tweeting for Alicia:

On a tropical island, a young woman finds love & discovers her destiny is to hunt vampires. #YA #vampires http://buff.ly/WaEWpg #MYAHA

Excerpt:

She braced her hands on the door, intending to step back. Before she could, Eli lifted his head and whipped it toward her. He couldn’t have heard her, could he? She’d barely made a sound. Maybe he just sensed— 

Her thoughts ceased when she took a closer look at Eli’s face. He stood in place, breathing heavily. She narrowed her eyes. God. No.  

His features were somehow distorted, his skin had a gray cast and looked…crumpled. His eyes glowed red. Something dark and liquid—blood?—was smeared around his mouth, dripped off his…fangs?

“No!” She let out the cry before she could stop herself, then clamped a hand over her mouth. Backing from the door, she shook her head violently from side to side. It couldn’t be. No way. She had to have imagined it. 

A sound at the door told her Eli was coming out. She turned and fled. Her tennis shoes slapped the ground, the noise reverberating in her ears along with the word—vampire…vampire…vampire. Oh my God. Vampire… Bats… Drained…

Buy Liberty Awakened at Amazon by clicking HERE!

Buy Liberty Awakened at Barnes & Noble by clicking HERE!

Visit Alicia at her website at www.AliciaDean.com

Connect with her on Twitter: @Alicia_Dean_

Alicia, thank you so much for stopping by the Naughty Ink today. We wish you continued success!!

Happy reading,
Jennifer

THE Romance Writer's Conference

RWA's Annual Conference begins July 25 in Anaheim, California
Photo by Hilde Vanstraelen / www.biewoef.be

Starting tomorrow, the Romance Writers of America's annual conference begins in the bright sunshine of Anaheim, California. This four day long event is chock full of writers (both published and pre-published), editors, agents and various romance reading enthusiasts.
I so wish I was there.
Since my first conference in 1999, I have missed very few of them. Each one is different, held in a different city with a different theme. The only constant is the absolute level of enthusiasm that permeates the event. Being a writer, surrounded by other writers who get you and by potential publishers, is thisclose to Nirvana. The conference is jam-packed from the time you rise in the morning until you drop into your bed late, late at night. Workshops, seminars and editor/agent appointments are in full swing usually from 8 in the morning until sometimes 10 at night. Afterward, the hotel bar is the place to be. A lot of interesting conversations are held in the bar. If you're lucky enough to be in a city where the RWA conference is being held, you should meander on down to the conference hotel and just hang in the bar. Fascinating.
On the final night, RWA announces its Golden Heart and RITA award winners - basically the Oscars of the romance writing world.
That's usually held on Saturday night. On Sunday the hotel empties out pretty fast and I'm certain the staff breathes a huge sigh of relief that can be heard on the opposite coast.
In the years I've gone, I've been treated to some phenomenal experiences. Things that I'm forever grateful for. Here are some highlights:

I love this JG novel. In fact, I loved it so much, I named the heroine
of my upcoming book Empowered after the Madelyn in this book. She was such a great role model. I re-read this one all the time and it never goes stale.
Honor's Splendor

1999 -Chicago. My critique partners and I are sitting in the lobby of the hotel trying to figure out what to do next when one friend sees my ultimate favorite author strolling by. Without a qualm, she yells out "Yoohoo! Julie! Julie Garwood."
Julie looks over and my friend points to me and says "This is your biggest fan."
Julie smiled, came over and spent the next 30 minutes talking to us. I was in absolute heaven.

2001 - New Orleans - A good friend and I signed up for the Walking Tour of New Orleans and saw so many beautiful bits of architecture, history and downright spookiness. I fell in love with New Orleans that trip and long to return. During our tour, we passed by Anne Rice's house. Unfortunately for us, she was not in town. Our tour guide said that when she is, she always brings out a plate of cookies for the tour groups and chats with them. How cool would that have been?

The Hawkins brothers return with
Hayden's poignant story of redemption,
confession and absolute passion.

As Good as His Word

2002 - Denver - The first time I hooked up with the rocking cool Susan Gable for what would become conference tradition.

2003 - New York - This was my first trip to New York City and I was pretty darn impressed. I walked and shopped and played. One of the most fun things was going to Jekyll & Hyde's restaurant. The atmosphere was appropriately creepy even if the food was mundane.

2004- Dallas - The conference was in my hometown and I got the chance to show off Texas to my out-of-state friends. We rode the bull at Billy Bob's in Texas. Wow.

2006 - Atlanta - This just happened to be right after the Georgia World Aquarium opened and Holy Carp! If you've never been, you must absolutely go. It's breathtaking.

He's a Texas lawman carrying
a badge...and a grudge.

And he could die protecting
his unintended bride.

Laws of Attraction

2007 - Dallas - Yep, it came back just a few years later. This time I had the double pleasure of getting Diana Duncan AND Susan Gable with me. We had an absolute blast and I'm pretty sure we drove a lot of people nuts.

2008 - San Francisco - I was fortunate enough to go with another writing friend who was getting back into the business after a little bit of time off. We walked everywhere in San Fran and truly enjoyed the city. The views and people are breathtaking. Our particular favorite were the Pocket Gardens that littered the city. This was also the year I met with my future Red Sage Publisher for the first time. She was a delight.

The final book in Sophie Oak's
Fae Trilogy is not to be missed.
A lost princess, dark magic &
two men determined to find
their own true one.
BEAUTY

2011 - New York - Quite possibly one of the best times I'd ever had at conference. I attended with Sophie Oak who is one of the smartest, wittiest and best writers I know. She is also a huge foodie. We went to dinner at Cirque where we feasted on a five course dinner that was out of this stratosphere. I still dream about that dinner.

Throughout the years, many other things have happened but those things are NOT for publication. Although, I'm sure if you make it to the conference hotel bar, you will hear some stories. A lot of stories. Most of them are even true.

Each year, RWA sponsors a free literacy booksigning that is attended by hundreds of authors. The event is free to attend to the general public and the authors are eager and excited to talk to you. They won't rush you off and they are truly delighted to see you and interact with you. So, this year the event is being held in the Anaheim Convention Center. You can see a list of all the authors signing at the link above. All of the proceeds benefit local literacy programs. So stop by, buy a book and give your favorite author a thrill by telling her (or him) how wonderful you find his work. Honestly, we really, really love to hear from you!

That being said, stop by my Facebook author page and "Like" me! I'm also on Twitter (@Jennifer_August) but I'm a bit saucy, so be warned.

For updates on my newest releases and the craziness I get into, check out my website at JenniferAugust.com. You can sign up for my monthly newsletter and get even more dish!

Happy reading,
Jennifer

When outside the box gets crazy

What's hiding in the dark? (Photo courtesy of David Schauer) 

I'm tackling a new challenge for a call for submissions from a publisher. The call really intrigued me because it's something that I never even thought of doing (you'll have to come back later to find out what it was because I'm not saying until I hear yea or nay). I'll give you a hint though - it's scary. The basic idea was to write a horror romance story. I'm assuming something along the lines of Zombie Make Out Session wouldn't work. Wouldn't things break off at crucial moments?!
Anyway, I had this idea for the story and started writing it. The only problem is that I'm scaring the pee out of myself. I'm not sure anyone else will find it scary but I have had to sleep with the lights on a couple of nights since I started writing it.
I don't know if it's the subject (ghosts) or that a lot of it takes place in the dark. When I sleep I have to have the entire place dark. Even the green pinprick of light from my smoke detector can wake me up. But I'm asleep in the dark. Being awake in it is super creepy.
Don't believe me? Try it one night. Turn off all your lights. Shut down everything from your computer monitor glow to your television to even your alarm clock. Make the room as dark as you can. Then just lie there. And wait.
Keep your eyes open and look around the room. Shapes are different. Objects that usually you don't take notice of are suddenly sinister and somehow oppressive. As if every time you look away they move just a bit closer. Closer. CLOSER. Until wham! They are on top of you. Strangling you. Sucking the life from your body. Smothering you... well, you get the idea.
Sometimes in the middle of the dark I'll blink and a face appears then disappears with the next fall of my eyelashes. No matter how hard I try, I can't bring the face back to study it. To reassure myself it was nothing.
Then I'm stuck thinking about it. Freaking myself out more and more. The more I think the more the items in my bedroom turn ominous. Usually it culminates in a total freak out when I look at my television and convince myself the chick from The Ring is crawling out with her blue tinged arms and black tangle of hair.
That's when the light comes on.
Sigh.
I'm determined, however, to finish this story. Even if that means I have to sleep with the entire house blazing for the rest of the year.
What freaks you out that you didn't think ever would?
Happy reading,
Jennifer

Guest Author - Michelle Miles

Naughty Ink is pleased to present author Michelle Miles! Welcome, Michelle, thank you for taking the time to speak with us!

Michelle Miles

Writing the Gladiatrix

By Michelle Miles

I’m excited to be here today talking about my latest release with DCL Publications, Phoenix Fire. It’s the story about a gladiatrix and her assassin lover.

Here’s the blurb:

Kill, or be killed.

Elena Gaius is Hixyl’s most heralded gladiatrix, catching the Emperor’s eye with her unspoiled beauty and fiery temper. Determined to let no man have her, he forces her into a life of unwanted accolades—for slaughter in the Games. With independence out of reach, Elena knows each day could be her last.

Cassius Antonius is a former general hired by an underground secret order to assassinate the Emperor. When he refuses, they take away the only thing precious to him—his freedom. Forced into servitude, he meets Elena and manipulates her into helping him, forming a shaky alliance and a searing romance.

The two become unwitting pawns in the struggle to save Hixyl from the Emperor’s tyranny. But plans spin out of control with the discovery of their secret tryst, and for their ultimate act of betrayal, the Emperor demands one last entertainment—to be pitted against each other in the Games in a fight to the death.

Kill or be killed ...

I dreamed the story. Specifically, the heroine, Elena. I distinctly remember when I woke up what the story would be about. Elena was tough and strong. She was forced to fight in the arena against men, earning her right to live another day. I had specific imagines in my mind about what would happen and how it would happen. And the worst part of it all was she would have to fight her lover in the arena in a fight to the death. These things I knew for certain. I just didn’t know exactly why she was forced to fight or how she had become a gladiatrix.

That morning, I thought about it the entire time I got ready for work. I chanted the story over and over in my head while I drove through rush hour. As soon as I got to my computer, I started typing out the synopsis. I had it completed in about twenty minutes and I knew I had to write it. I knew I had to tell Elena’s story.

As I started writing, I began to discover things about Elena. I wrong a long, intend prologue about her early life in an orphanage. I based my world on Ancient Rome. In the early draft, I did call it Rome just to give myself a place holder for when I could figure out what to call my world. My world had centaurs and nymphs and other mystical creatures. There’s a chariot race and numerous fights in the arena. There’s an evil Emperor, a Senator who wants to control the government himself, and an assassin determined to gain his freedom.

That was over two years ago when I first conceived and wrote it. It will be published sometime this year (hopefully in the near future!) with DCL Publications. But it took a while to sell it. I lost track of how many rejections I received for it but I was determined. It was only after I took Margie Lawson’s Deep Edits class that I realized what the opening line of the story should be:

Elena lived to kill and killed to live.

It set the tone for the entire story. That short eight word sentence, to me, speaks volumes about who Elena is and why she kills.

It would be a long hard journey for her as she fought for her freedom, knowing she would never have a chance at it. That she would have to fight in the arena until the day she died. Until she met Cassius. He changed everything for her. He offered her hope and gave her a taste of what it could be like to be free. He convinced her to help him assassinate the Emperor and she agreed, knowing with his death, she could walk away from her days as a gladiatrix forever. But her freedom wouldn’t come without a price—her life or Cassius’s. 

It was one of the most difficult stories I’ve ever written. I loved every minute of it. :) Difficult because I wanted Elena’s story to be real. I wanted to show her fighting in the arena against the other gladiators. I wanted the reader to experience watching a chariot race through her eyes. Hopefully, I’ve accomplished that.

Michelle Miles writes contemporary, fantasy and paranormal romance and is published with Samhain Publishing, Cobblestone Press, Ellora’s Cave and DCL Publications. For more information about her books, visit her website at http://www.michellemiles.net.