November 29, 2013

Friday & Giveaway Results

I will admit it: NaNoWriMo ends tomorrow and I have over 5000 words that still need to be written for me to meet this challenge.  Of course, making it to 45,000 is no small matter – that's about half a completed draft.

Still, it has meant that I, once again, had to forego participating in this week's Flash! Friday competition.  On the plus side, I will be taking part in their anniversary extravaganza next week – and you should, too!

Meanwhile, I am excited to share the winners from my latest giveaway! 

November 25, 2013

Fairy in the Flesh Excerpt & Giveaway!

With NaNo in full swing, November is the perfect time to host a touring author!  Read on to learn about Katalina Leon's erotic romance, Fairy in the Flesh (Ellora's Cave).

Katalina will also be giving a surprise e-book to one lucky commenter from each stop, so comment below (with contact info please) for a chance to win!

Maya Rousseau’s fantasy vacation in Avignon France heats up when an eccentric enchantress tricks her into drinking mojo-laced absinthe.

An unexpected encounter with the green fairy causes Maya’s reality to have a serious melt down. She travels back in time and wakes up naked in the bed of her favorite bad boy Bohemian artist: the tall, dark and mysterious André Bosco. There’s nothing wrong with that except it’s 1903.

For André it’s love at first sight. He begs Maya to become his cherished model, muse and lover. The chemistry and shared passion between them is overwhelming. André’s a generous-hearted dream man, but there’s a catch. Every hour they spend together bonds them tighter, and time is running out. The same powers that flung Maya back to 1903 are preparing to snatch her back.

With a hundred and ten years separating these soul-bound lovers, it’s uncertain if they can find a happy ending without the help of a little magic and La Fée Verte.

Note: Story contains super hot sex with an unattainable man, enchanted hallucinatory beverages, mischievous time-twisters and green fairies.

November 22, 2013

Flash! Friday: Prompt #51

Believe it or not, I actually did write a Flash! Friday story this week! (Though, woefully, I have yet to have any time to work on my NaNo project…)  This week's prompt offered a 150-word (+/- 5) moment of contemplation, or perhaps not – what do you see?

Monk (Thailand). Photo courtesy of Shuco

November 18, 2013

Fun Tidbits

I had considered revisiting an important topic affecting my current book (those dreaded intimate scenes), and while I know you will be disappointed, I have decided instead to spotlight some things that, I hope, will be of interest! 

First off, take a look at a brand new interview, hosted by Nada of Nadaness In Motion. (Edit: & here's part two!)

As I mentioned in that interview, the only way to get a print copy of my (award-winning!) collection, Life Under Examination, is to win one in a giveaway – such as the one I have going on now!

Seeing Past Sickness continues to be available for your reading pleasure, and as always, 100% of proceeds will be donated. Snag your copy before the holiday craziness begins!

And to leave you with some food for thought, check out this guest post discussing where to focus while writing bedroom scenes, if your book requires them.  As always, I'd be thrilled to hear your feedback.

I'm up to ~27,700 words in my NaNo project.  How is yours going?

November 16, 2013

Not Quite Friday

NaNoWriMo has been kicking my butt this time around. I am currently a full day behind, and expect to be two days behind after today, and was actually, rather participating in this week's Flash! Friday contest, trying to catch up on my faltering word count.  

However, there are plenty of fabulous Flash! Friday stories available for your reading pleasure on the contest's site!

How's your November going? Do you have goals you're trying to meet by the end of the month (other than the mass consumption of turkey)? How are they coming along?

November 11, 2013

1000-Followers Giveaway!

I still can't really believe it, but I've reached one more exciting milestone: 1000 Twitter followers!  To celebrate, I'm giving away, well, lots of things!  

Following me on Twitter is not required to enter this giveaway, but because this is to celebrate my awesome Twitter followers, it is required for access to most of the entries.  Full terms are available through the Rafflecopter form below.

Prizes:

  • 2 winners will each receive a professionally hand-bound, autographed copy of Life Under Examination along with a keychain! 
  • 1 winner will receive a gift e-copy of Seeing Past Sickness (through Smashwords)
  • 5 winners will each receive an e-copy of Life Under Examination (mobi, epub, or PDF file or Smashwords coupon code)
  • A surprise prize will be added if we reach 1000 entries!




November 8, 2013

Flash! Friday: Prompt #49

Hi folks! How's your November going? Mine has already been absolutely insane, and I'm unfortunately somewhat behind on my NaNo word count.  I hope my fellow writers' efforts have been progressing more smoothly.

Friday is upon us yet again (they do seem to come around quite frequently at this point), which of course means it's time for some Flash! Friday Fiction! This week's prompt requires exactly 150 words on this photo:
Fairy walking bridge, Huangshang, China.
Photo by Jesse Varner.

November 4, 2013

Scripting Change Cover Reveal & Release-day Blast!

The community writing project, Scripting Change, is incredibly excited to announce the release of their inaugural project: Seeing Past Sickness!

Absolutely every piece of this e-book, from the coordination, to the contents, to the beautiful cover art, was volunteered, and 100% of proceeds will be donated to the MSTR Scholarship Foundation.  In case that isn't motivation enough to purchase a copy, the fabulous Donna L. Sadd and I both have pieces included!

About the Project:

Scripting Change is a new writing initiative that aims to bring together the vast community of writers and readers in support of responsible nonprofit organizations. 

The project accepts submissions from writers, relating to a theme that reflects the mission of a chosen nonprofit.  The selected pieces are combined in an anthology, which is published as an e-book, in this case: Seeing Past Sickness.  Proceeds from this and any future e-books' sales will be donated to the related organization.  Ideally, the project will be repeated, with each e-book supporting a unique nonprofit organization.

By focusing on the compelling words of writers, Scripting Change is able to raise not only funds but also awareness for the causes of the organizations they support.  The time and talents of everyone involved are offered freely, so the project has absolutely no overhead costs, which means every dollar raised is donated to positively impact our society!


About the Nonprofit:

Chronic illness doesn't disappear at age 18, but aid and understanding for those affected often do, despite the exorbitant and crippling costs of perpetual healthcare. In additional to the emotional and physical toll of chronic illness, those affected face significant challenges in seeking the personal and intellectual development afforded by continuing education.

The recipient organization for Seeing Past Sickness is the MSTR Scholarship Foundation, which aims to help those students affected by chronic illness, who nevertheless have the passion, drive, and determination to seek or continue their educations, by providing financial scholarships in recognition and support of their perseverance.  This decision was based on the impressive mission, fiscal responsibility, and enthusiasm for the project of the MSTR Foundation.


Now It's Your Turn!

Scripting Change depends entirely upon the support of the community as a whole.  The writers, and our cover designer, have done their part; the coordinators have brought it all together; the bloggers have graciously helped us spread the word – now it's up to the readers.  We hope you will enjoy the anthology!

Seeing Past Sickness is available through: 


Smashwords ~*~ Amazon: US / UK ~*~ Barnes & Noble


Learn more about this project at: ScriptingChange.blogspot.com 
Find them on Facebook or Tweet using: #ScriptingChange


November 1, 2013

Flash! Friday: Prompt #48

Happy November 1st! NaNo has officially started, and I even managed to write an entire 500 words last night (after midnight), which is no where near enough, but is a start of sorts! With so much happening this year, I knew in the back of my mind that NaNo was starting, but I haven't yet immersed myself in the minds of these characters, so it's a rough start to say the least.

Despite NaNo's intensity, I do plan / hope to continue writing Flash! Friday stories throughout the month! This week's prompt asks for 250 words +/- 10 on this photo:

Old Car. Photo by Brigitte Werner.