Sunday, November 30, 2008

Excerpt from Book 1: "The Amoveo Legacy" Due out Mid-2009

They rode back to the house in a heavy silence. He could feel her confusion vibrate around them both. His eyes instinctively shifted to their animal form, a symptom of his desire. He’d been so caught up in his passion for her, so terrified by the thought of losing her that he completely forgot to keep his eyes from shifting. She broke the silence as they pulled up the gravel driveway of her home.

“Malcolm, who was that man you were talking to on the balcony this afternoon,” She asked quietly.

“You mean Davis,” He said, hoping that may satisfy her curiosity but knowing it wouldn’t.

“No. You know exactly who I mean,” she said with steady resolve. “The tall guy, with long dark hair. I saw you speaking with him today on your deck.”

The car came to a halt at the top of the driveway. She looked at him daring him to deny it. He saw the determination in her face and looked away before answering her.

“I’m sorry. The only person at the house today was Davis,” He said getting out of the car.

Sam was starting to get pissed. She knew he was lying about the man on the deck. She couldn’t explain how the guy disappeared, but he did. The more she ran it over in her mind, the more certain she was that it happened. Tonight, his eyes were the eyes of the eagle. She wasn’t seeing things. It wasn’t a trick of the light. His eyes had changed into the same eyes she’d seen in her dream, in the bird on her window sill and in the portrait in her studio. This eagle nonsense only started after she’d moved back home, next door to him.

Malcolm opened the door and offered to help her from the car. Hesitantly, she took his hand. He pulled her effortlessly from the car. He felt her breasts gently brush up against him. That feather light touch held a promise of pleasure to come. Their breath mingled in the cool, late summer evening. Their bodies hummed in unison with anticipation.

“I want you to trust me Samantha. I need you to trust me,” He said in a low voice that vibrated through her. He brought her hand to his mouth and gently brushed his lips back and forth across her knuckles. He slowly ran his other hand up her back and gently began to massage the nape of her neck. Her breath quickened with each passing moment.

“Please, give me a chance to win your trust,” He whispered against her trembling hand. He feathered small kisses along her palm.

Samantha was on fire, desire building up inside of her, beyond her control. Her head told her to run, while every other fiber of her being begged for his touch. Her resolve was slipping away inch by inch. She knew this man was dangerous. He hid secrets from her that she may never learn or comprehend. Yet she was still drawn to him beyond all reason.

He leaned in and this time kissed her gently, slowly seducing her lips with his. He took her face delicately in his hands, as though she might break. She opened to him and swept her tongue along his. Samantha felt the slow burn of desire crackling between them. She deepened the kiss and wrapped her arms around him. His large frame dwarfed her as she fit easily in his embrace. It was as though they’d been made for one another. She’d never in her life felt anything like this. Her desire for him clawed at her from the inside out.

Trust me, she heard him say in the corners of her mind. Her eyes flew open and she pulled back from him. She held him there at arm’s length for a moment, her breath coming quickly, not quite able to register what she just heard. He held his desire in check and kept his eyes from shifting. He allowed her time to process what had just happened.

Looking into her frightened eyes he reached out and whispered gently along the edges of her mind, Trust me. Sam’s eyes widened further. She shook her head and backed away from him in disbelief. Blindly she ran into the house leaving Malcolm alone. One glimmer of hope remained. He’d been looking into the ice blue eyes of a wolf.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Turkey Day!!

This morning as I was sitting at breakfast with my husband and four sons, I asked each of them to say what they were most thankful for. I was so proud that all four boys named their Family as what they were most grateful for. What I found interesting was that my ten year olds #2 item was that our family had a home because he heard on the news how many people were losing their homes. As I looked at the 5 handsome faces sitting with me at the table, I was overcome with gratitude. I kept asking myself..."How did I get so lucky?" Of course as I was in the midst of this tear provoking thought...my 7 yr old twins began yelling at one another across the table and chaos resumed. Even with the organized chaos, that is our home, I am thankful. I wish everyone and their families a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Sony E Reader Review----another option other than the Kindle

What I'd like for my birthday this year is an e reader. The question is which one and will my hubby spring for it? Hmmm. There are several different e readers and already different generations of it. Sony's latest is the PRS-700. At any rate, I've been surfing the net for various reviews and found a good one on Mobiletechreview.com. It's a pretty cool site and can tell you all about pretty much any gadget you want. The review was VERY long, so I'm putting the overview of it below--as well as the link so you can check the full article out for yourself. ALso...if you happen to bump into my husband or Santa ;) Feel free to pass my wish on to them.
Enjoy!


http://www.mobiletechreview.com/gadgets/Sony-Reader-PRS-700.htm
Conclusion
Sony has worked a near miracle with their touch screen and touch-centric user interface. The Reader is simply a joy to use in terms of ergonomics, control and navigation. This is by far the most natural way to manage, navigate and read books we've seen so far. Alas, its lesser contrast doesn't warm our bookish hearts, and for those in love with e-ink's paper-like look, that's a tough one to swallow. For those new to eBook readers or those who don't mind reading from matte notebook displays, the PRS-700 has greater appeal. As always, the Reader is a great way to carry around a huge library of books and avoid the storage issues of traditional books.
Pro: Responsive touch screen and excellent user interface. Navigating through books, notes and where you left off in a book is quick and easy. Nice design, more attractive than the Kindle. The touch screen means there's no need for a hardware keyboard (assuming you like to take notes and want a keyboard).

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A Great Article from Harlequin about WHY people LOVE Paranormal Romance!

Below is an artilce from Harlequin's blog about why the Paranormal is so poular. It's great and you should definitely check it out. I think it's popular because we all love a great escape from reality and the paranormal is definitely outside the norm! It's dangerous, sexy and of course just a little bit naughty. Let's be honest, when no one's looking....don't we all like a little bit of naughty.


March 6, 2008
by Laura, Digital Production Coordinator
Paranormal is hot right now–in books, movies, and TV. But why now? What is it about this moment in history that makes paranormal such a popular genre?
A story in the Australian newspaper the Courier-Mail notes that “The genre has grown at the expense of military romance, which she says no longer offers the escapism it once did. ‘With Afghanistan and Iraq, it’s a lot more real now,’” according to a store owner.The last upsurge in paranormal romance came in the 1970s, around the release of Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire, when Americans were dealing with the aftermath of the Vietnam War. And the first English gothic novels such as Ann Radcliffe’s Mysteries of Udolpho soared in popularity in the early 19th century as Napoleon advanced across Europe. (It should be noted, however, that this is purely anecdotal evidence. It would be possible to find a potentially relevant military conflict for almost any period in history.)
In an interview at ParanormalRomance.org, author Kim Harrison says, “I feel much of the recent popularity is coming from the greater acceptance for Wicca and alternative religions in general.” Certainly, many paranormal elements come from the mythos and culture of pagan religions. Could the popularity of paranormal be related to the rediscovery these religions in the mainstream?
Is spirituality in general on the rise? In a time of uncertainty, people may be seeking answers outside of what can be explained by science. An increased interest in paranormal may be one form of expressing the belief that there must be more to the world than we know.
Are you more interested in the genre than you used to be? Is it just because of the availability, or do you think there’s something about this particular time–in the world, or in your life–that led you to paranormal?

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Devine Destinies vs. Extasy Books which Imprint is Best?

So, it turns out that Extasy Books has a mainstream romance imprint, Devine Destinies. DD is also ebooks, but their novels are much tamer. I emailed a few of the authors with Extasy about what sells well and so forth. The responses were all the same, the REALLY hot stuff with Extasy sold the best. As a result, I thought maybe I should sign with their Devine Destinies line. The Amoveo Series is much more of a Sensual Romance, as opposed to an Erotic Romance. Lucky for me the editors have been really open and flexible.

In the end, however, I'm sticking with my gut instinct and going with Extasy Books. While they do have much racier novels than mine, I am confident with a big promo push on my end everything will go well and I"ll find the fan base I know this series is capable of having.

I have relentlessly peppered the editors with questions and they have been patient, responsive and helpful. As this is my first published series, I just want to be sure it lands in the right place. Of course, the key to success is going to be the promotional efforts, not just building but maintaining a fan base.

The beat goes on......

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Great Aritcle from PC World-Chic Gifts for Tech Geeks.

Hi...below is a little blurb I found on msn about Chich Gifts for Tech Geeks. It's about the Amazon Kindle...check it out..

Gifts for the Discerning GeekAmazon Kindle E-Book Reader (© PC World)
Amazon Kindle E-Book Reader
The Amazon Kindle isn't new, but it remains a near-perfect gift for techies of a literary bent. The combination of fast, simple wireless access to a growing list of books, newspapers and blogs, plus an easy-to-read screen, makes the Kindle a dream for frequent travelers. I don't love Amazon's digital-rights management; the page-turning buttons are easy to hit accidentally; and the design is, well, ugly. But it's an ugly you can grow to love. As to rumors of a next-generation Kindle, Amazon says that "there will not be a new Kindle until next year at the earliest."

Friday, November 21, 2008

Goal of 500 for Facebook Fan Page

"The Amoveo Legacy" has it's own Facebook Fan page, which in addition to the blog, is the key online promotional tool. It's going well and we are approaching 100 Fans. The goal is to have at least 500 Fans by the time the book launches in Spring/Summer of 2009. In order to help move that along, we've got an ad which runs on Facebook periodically. The key, however, is going to be word of mouth.....or word of mouth via Facebook. We need current Fans to "Share" the page with anyone they know who loves this genre.

The book trailer is in the works, and will be a key promotional tool. The rub is, the model to portray Malcolm fell through. Sigh....So the hunt begins. I've been racking my brain but for the life of me I don't know any 6' 3" guys, with a ripped body, ruggedly handsome face and shaggy brown hair.......does anyone?? Here's the Facebook link so you can click it and pass it on.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/The-Amoveo-Series-Paranormal-Romance-of-a-Different-Breed/34755877882?ref=nf

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A Great Xmas Gift Idea! Especially for Readers that Love Gadgets!

Do you love to read? Me too! Especially on a trip, be it vacation or business, I always bring at least one book to read. Bringing more than one becomes a real pain in the butt. They add weight and bulk...plus once you're finished with it...what do you do with it? It goes on a book shelf somewhere and takes up space at your house.

Problem solved! Get an e Reader. Currently there are two different ones...The Sony e Reader or The Kindle e Reader. They are slim, lightweight and you can upload hundreds of books on them. The screens have adjustable lighting, and print size. Cool stuff. They cost around $300 but I did see the Sony e Reader on Walmart.com for about $270. Nice. That initial investment is a little pricey, but so are buying hardcover books OR large paperbacks.

Most ebooks range in price from $2.99-$6.99---much less expensive than print overall.

SO if you know someone that likes to read and/or someone who loves to have the latest gadget. Check out getting them an e-reader for Xmas this year.

Two other outstanding benefits.....

First...ebooks save lots of trees because no paper.
Second...you can read "The Amoveo Legacy" anywhere...not just at your computer :)

Just a thought....

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Book Trailer in the works

Exciting news! We are in the process of creating a Trailer for "The Amoveo Legacy". I have two gorgeous models in place to portray Malcolm and Samantha. The very talented, Gil Parris has kindly allowed us to use one of his original tracks for the music! Thanks Gil! The 2 minute promo piece is being put together by a very talented Multi-Media student from The College of Westchester in White Plains. As soon as the piece is ready we will have it up and running here on the blog, Facebook, Extasy Books, and You Tube! Keep your eye out for that announcement so you can get a glimpse of "The Amoveo Legacy". Remember...spread the word and the links!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Decision Made on Publisher!!!

I am very pleased to announce that I have decided to go with eXtasy Books as my publisher. They have been open, direct, and extremely communicative. Over the weekend I emailed various authors to get their take on the different publishers. I got a lot of helpful feedback and some surprisingly honest responses. I feel great about going with eXtasy Books and look forward to having my series published with them, beginning in 2009! My contract won't be finalized until after 12/2/08 because I would like it to stay in the Golden Heart Contest, which is for unpublished authors. This is the next step in a very exciting journey and I hope you'll continue to join me along the way.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Contract Offer on the Table

Recently I was offered a contract for my book series with an epublisher. They do both ebooks and print. Very exciting!!! While I am thrilled at the opportunity to publish my book, I am looking at all of my options carefully. I have a couple of other publishers I am supposed to hear from in the next week. I am very new to the world of publishing and since I don't have an agent I'm really flying solo.

I've done extensive research on line and emailed various authors to get their feedback on each of the publishers. I'll hear great stuff from a few people and then someone else throws out the resounding.."Oh no! Don't go with them!"

It's funny, we can hear 100 good things...why is it that the 1bad one sticks in there attempting to cancel out all the good?

The good news is that I've heard positive stuff about all of them. From what I've found, the best thing about working with a small press initially is that it gives an author time to develop as a writer. Many successful writers started with smaller companies first and then went on to the big boys in NY.


I also spoke with a lovely woman last night who runs a PR company specifically for Romance Novelists. She was fantastic! At her behest, I am going to reach out to a few of the authors she works with to get their feedback. She would handle Media packets, arranging book signings and setting up interviews. Since I am working full time, have the four kids....I will definitely need help in the Promo department!

I'm excited about what lies ahead...don't get me wrong...I can't run out and quit my job or anything ...but this is a very interesting direction and I look forward to exploring it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The Waiting Game

At this point it's all about waiting. Which to be honest...really sucks. It's 100% completely out of my control until I hear from back from them. The encouraging part is that I was given specific direction for revision and asked to resubmit. In all of my research, this is just one step from being offered a contract. That's great....but....at least while revising and submitting I still have something to say about it...but now...now I just have to wait.

Working on Book 2 has provided some relief from the waiting game, but not entirely. To be honest, it's been a wild emotional ride. One minute I'm very excited and hopeful...the next I'm worried about possible rejection...and the next I'm nauseous. Roller coaster definitely would be a cliche but fitting analogy.

So for now I write....and wait...and write some more.

Monday, November 10, 2008

"The Amoveo Legacy" Entered in RWA Contest!

"Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained". In that spirit, my novel "The Amoveo Legacy" has been entered into The Golden Heart Contest with the RWA (Romance Writers of America), which I am a member of. This particular contest is for unpublished novels and they typically recieve about 1000 manuscripts for this contest each year. I am hopeful that I will have a contract offer in the coming weeks, so what happens if I do? Well, as long as I don't sign one before December 2nd my novel can stay in the contest! So keep your fingers crossed for good news.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Facebook Fan Page for The Amoveo Series

Yesterday, I took another step in publicizing my book series and created a Facebook Fan page. Feel free to send the link to your friends! The series is for anyone who loves the paranormal and of course lovers of Romance. Many people refer to this type of fiction as "Chick Lit" or "Cliterature" (I got that term from Oprah's favorite women's health psychologist) The series is definitely spicy...not for those under 18. As my Mother said..."It's not porn, but it borders on porn." The paranormal element is woven throughout both books, without that piece there would be no story! So, I hope you'll pass this blog on to your friends. Also, tell them to check out the Facebook Fan page and become a Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Amoveo-Series-Paranormal-Romance-of-a-Different-Breed/34755877882?ref=mf

Saturday, November 8, 2008

The Amoveo Heart: Book 2

After I posted this blog about my paranormal romance series, it occurred to me that my prospective publisher may not like it. So I bit the bullet and asked if it's alright to publicize my series before actual publication...luckily the answer was YES! I was told, as long I didn't put up any Chapters it's all good. Phew! So...now that Book 1 is headed in the right direction. On to Book 2!

The Amoveo Heart will follow two of the characters from Book 1, Dante and Kerry. He is Amoveo and she is human....with a very special gift. She finds it more of a curse than a gift and has kept it hidden from everyone, even her best friend. This secret talent connects her to a world she doesn't even know exists and will change her life forever.

Stay tuned....

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

So who or what is an Amoveo?

This series is about The Amoveo people; an ancient race of shape-shifters who have lived secretly among humans for thousands of years. The Amoveo are made up of ten different animal clans. Eagle, Lion, Panther, Tiger, Bear, Wolf, Hawk, Fox, Cheetah, Coyote. They are telepathic, dream walking, shape-shifters that are born with a pre-destined soul mate. If an Amoveo does not find their mate by the time they reach the age of 30 they begin to lose their abilities and eventually die. They can only have children with their life mates. They are physically beautiful, incredibly strong and once they are mated have considerably longer life spans than humans. However, the limitations with their breeding patterns, makes their race extremely fragile.
Only two branches of humans know of the Amoveo’s existence; the Caedo family and the Vasullus family. For generations The Caedo family have dedicated their lives to the annihilation of the Amoveo. Like so many others, they are driven by ignorance and fear and have hunted the Amoveo to the brink of extinction. When one Amoveo is killed, their mate eventually dies and any children they would have had are lost. The Vasullus family, however, serve as protectors for the Amoveo.
The first book which is set on the misty, summer shores of Rhode Island follows the evolving courtship of Malcolm Drew of the Eagle Clan and his mate Samantha Logan. Sam is the first of her kind, she’s a hybrid. Her father was Amoveo of the Wolf Clan and her mother was a human with psychic abilities. Her parents were killed in an accident when she was an infant and she was raised by her human grandparents. As a result, Sam was never taught any of the Amoveo ways and her abilities have lay dormant all of her life. Until she meets Malcolm. He introduces her to a magical, mystical world that is as foreign to Sam; as the burning passion he ignites within her. Their relationship is complicated by the looming threat of the Caedo that are hunting them. However, we soon learn that the Caedo hunter has enlisted the help of an unknown partner, who is out to destroy Malcolm and his unusual mate.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

"The Amoveo Legacy" Book 1...inches from a contract

My dream of being a published author is so close I can taste it! I have always loved romance novels, specifically Paranormal Romance. Although, according to my assistant..."All romance is paranormal!" I came up with the idea for this series a little over a year ago and "The Amoveo Legacy" is the first in a planned series of 10! It's about various members of the Amoveo Race.

So...What is an Amoveo? Stay tuned...

Amoveo Legend Series!

Amoveo Legend Video Trailers