So Excited to Bring You….Bonnie Vanak!
29 Feb 2012 8 Comments
A few years back, I went to a conference–not sure if it was SARA or RWA–and heard Chris Keesler talk about how excited he was to find this new author who wrote about Egypt. Today, I bring that author to you. Bonnie Vanak has written for Dorchester, and now writes for Nocturne and herself (this is off the top of my head, because I know I have one of her wolf stories on my Nook!)
Please comment for a chance to win one of her books!
- What was the inspiration for this book? Taken by the Alpha Wolf is a prequel to my Nocturne Draicon series. I was between contracts and decided to write a short story about Etienne, the eldest brother, and how he met his mate, Cindy. He’s an Alpha werewolf who is also an ex-Navy SEAL. My goal was to make the story affordable to readers, so I sold it for 99 cents on Amazon and Smashwords.
It’s sad, but while I was finishing this story, my father-in-law went into Hospice. Taken by the Alpha Wolf became a fantasy to escape into while dealing with the grief of watching him slip away. In the story, I have this larger-than-life character, a big, bad brave werewolf who fights the demon bad guys and wins. Etienne will never know old age or sickness or any of the myriad of things that happen to us as humans. It’s something I cherish about writing romance, because as a writer, you control the characters and the outcome, while sometimes in real life, you have so little control.
2. What’s next for you? Right now I’m contracted for three more Nocturnes from Harlequin. The first, The Covert Wolf, is slated for release this August. The hero is Matt from Taken by the Alpha Wolf. Matt is Etienne’s brother-in-law and Cindy’s brother. He’s a Navy SEAL who teams with a Fae to find a missing Orb of Light before it falls into the hands of the pyrokinetic demons who killed his best friend and fellow SEAL. Matt’s big, sexy and stoic and part of a covert group of SEALS with paranormal powers. He meets his match in Sienna, an outcast Fae who’s determined rejoin her colony by finding the sacred Orb and returning it. As part of my research, I spent time interviewing a photographer friend who’d spent time in Iraq and came under fire by insurgents.
3. When you’re procrastinating, what do you do? Everything. Even housework. Of course, when I look around the house, I realize I need to procrastinate more, lol!
4. How many books in your TBR pile? Too many. And now I have a Nook, so that has doubled my books! I love my Nook and downloading books, but I’m also into paperbacks and trade size. Dh and I enjoy going to the bookstore. Reading is a pleasure and my reward after I finish writing a story. Right now my reward is Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.
5. What’s your biggest guilty pleasure? Curling up on the sofa with a glass of red wine and watching horror movies when I know I should be writing!
6. Name 3 of your favorite things. My Dh and our rescue Shih Tzu dogs, traveling to new destinations to find inspiration for writing, and time with friends and family.
7. Where can readers find you? My website is http://www.bonnievanak.com and I have a facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bonnie-Vanak/156658807736 I recently had my website redesigned to make it more reader friendly. You can access my books more easily and sort through them. One of my goals is putting my entire Dorchester backlist up on Kindle. I received the rights back to all seven of these Egyptian romances, and I have one more book left to format and self-publish on Kindle.
WHEE!!!! I’m so excited to hear that!
Okay, y’all, comment!
A TV Rant
27 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
I have a TV rant. The bonus to being sick and not being able to (or wanting to) do anything, is that you get to clean off your TIVO.
So I was able to watch Glee when it was on on Tuesday.
I hated it. HATED it. I felt manipulated after it, and the music wasn’t even good. In the first place, they tried to do too much in one episode. First, you have the bullied gay teen Dave attempting to take his own life. I saw it coming in the Valentine’s Day episode, when Kurt turned him down, but watching Dave dress and plan his own death was horrifying. I know Glee likes to tackle those issues, but all I could think about was Dave’s parents finding him. Also, I think they wrapped it up too quickly.
And I’m wondering what the heck is going on with this rushed marriage between Finn and Rachel. They still have months of school and their parents should just bloody well say no, you dummies.
Then there was the texting and driving message, where finally-got-it-together Quinn does something stupid, in a sequence that took too long and had my stomach in knots. Quinn, Kurt and Blain are the only ones I like on the show anymore, anyway. So what? Is this going to cause her to lose her position at Yale? Keep her on the show another year?
And THEN there was the music. Okay, every year it irks me that they never know their playlist until a week before competition. And then they picked THOSE songs? And the Warblers thought they could win with THOSE songs, and THAT singer? He has none of Blain’s charm. Pah. Then the other group was all happy about coming in last?
Grrr. Glee is REALLY going to have to win me back in April.
Then….Justified. I would be just as happy if it was the Raylan/Boyd show. I was a fan of Raylan and Winona, and I know Tim O was, too. See, in the books, Winona’s still married to Gary, at least in the older books. I haven’t read Raylan yet. But Elmore Leonard didn’t write a relationship for them. (For that matter, he didn’t write one for Boyd or Arlo, either, both of whom are dead in the books.) But whoever’s writing Winona’s storyline—I have a bone to pick.
She’s a flake. She leaves Raylan for Gary because she wants stability. But when Raylan comes back, she’s drawn to his strength and cheats on Gary with him. I have issues with infidelity, but she did cheat on Raylan with Gary, so….
Then she leaves Gary for Raylan, fully knowing he hasn’t changed. Then she flips out and steals that money, putting his behavior at risk. THEN she leaves him after saying she’s come to the realization he’ll never change for her. Yes, he did talk to her about going to Glencoe and being an instructor again, but every time he talks to her about what she wants to do after she sells the house, she says she doesn’t know. I guess she wants him to take charge, but sometimes you just gotta do it yourself. Running off like that was childish. How can she accuse him of not changing when she won’t, either?
And there’s the timeline thing. She’s not 2 months pregnant. He got shot the day they found out. So he recovered and all this other stuff in less than a month? And was tussling in a moving trailer?
I love the show, don’t get me wrong. But all the strong female characters are on the wrong side of the law, with the exception of Rachel, who is on so rare as to be forgotten!
OTOH, Big Bang Theory is getting better and better. Holy cow, almost killed me this week, making me laugh so hard!
Goals for the End of February
26 Feb 2012 1 Comment
Last week kicked my butt. I had a virus that had me in bed for 2 days. I was that sick at the beginning of last summer, but as a rule, no. I went to the doctor first thing Monday morning, got good cough syrup but that was it. On Sunday I couldn’t even watch TV. I took my laptop to bed, thinking I’d watch something. Nope. Couldn’t even read. Monday I watched some Hawaii 5-0 on DVD, but mostly drowsed. Tuesday I watched a lot of Hawaii 5-0 and did a lot of Pinterest, then went back to work Wednesday. Thursday was hell, so I left early, and Friday night I slept almost 10 hours.
So I didn’t finish my Rita book and I didn’t finish my novella and the house is a disaster (because God forbid any y-chromosomes do laundry or dishes or anything). So this week will be a lot of catch-up.
- Really REALLY finish the novella.
- Blog for Samhain
- Another week of testing (only 3 more after this)
- Try some new recipes for veggie son
- Keep up the house!
The winner of Christy Hayes’s book is…
24 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
Sharon Cullen! Sharon, contact me at mfechter @ gmail. com and I’ll hook you up!
Off to work. Still feel bleck.
The Winners of Trish Milburn’s Book Are:
23 Feb 2012 2 Comments
Lucy, Kimberly and Mary! Contact me at mfechter @ gmail . com and let me know where to send your book (and what format, print or Kindle–STILL not on Nook!)
Eleven Fun Questions
23 Feb 2012 2 Comments
The look on her face, lol!
Natalie Damschroder tagged me (boy, it’s been a long time since I wrote that!) with 11 fun questions.
- What foreign country would you most like to travel to that you haven’t visited yet?
Since I’ve never been to ANY foreign country, I’d say Ireland. Or maybe Australia. Yes, both English speaking.
2. Name your most coveted gadget—unlimited budget, and something you don’t currently have.
Hmm, I’ve been pretty good about updating my gadgets this year. I’m mostly tempted by the Kindle Fire, though, I’d have to say.
3. Do you have brothers and sisters? How often do you get to see them?
2 brothers, and I see them about once a month, though they both live about 15 minutes away from me! One was working 2 jobs and the other is in a new job/new relationship, so they’re as busy as I am.
4. How much of your own wish fulfillment is put into your books?
Every time you see a heroine with the Little Red Hen syndrome? That’s me in my books. Every time a hero steps up to help her? That’s my wish fulfillment. (Shall I include photos of baskets of laundry and stacks of dishes to illustrate?)
5. If you dug into your basement/attic/back closet/whatever storage space, what item would you find that would make you go “I WONDERED where that was!”?
Come to think of it, my AlphaSmart. I don’t use it, but my grandmother did when she couldn’t talk anymore. It still has “I Love You” typed on it. Well, damn. Now I need to look for that.
6. Have you ever had direct encounters with a wild animal? Describe the circumstances.
While sitting around a campfire in California in the middle of nowhere, we heard a mountain lion below us. I grabbed my son, who was then 5, and hauled him into the cabin while my father tried to convince my grandfather that yes, it had been a wild animal.
7. Who is your favorite non-famous musician/singer? If possible, provide a link to their music/website.
Of course I have to say my husband’s band Pitchfork. They are pretty good, if you like country. (Fred’s the guitar player on the right)
8. What’s your favorite NFL team? Or professional team in general, if football isn’t your thing.
Eh. Not a sports person. I have a Spurs shirt, and used to love the Bulls, but now I just don’t pay attention. I do like to watch baseball, because it’s a peaceful game, but I don’t have a team.
9. What was the most fun job you ever had, besides your current one(s)?
Oddly, when I worked at Winn’s, which was a five and dime. I worked in the fabric department, which meant I got first dibs on any fabric coming in. I would spend my entire shift getting inspired, and spent most of my paycheck on fabric. Some nights I’d go home and sew an outfit for the next day!
10. Are you living where you want to live? If not, where’s the home of your heart?
I’ll always live in Texas, but I might like a summer place on the beach somewhere.
11. What book are you reading right now?
Negligee Behavior by Shelli Stevens. Fun runaway bride story!
I’m tagging
Marianne Arkins
Trish Miburn
Elisabeth Crisp
Mary Curry
My eleven questions:
- What movie do you watch when it’s on TV, even if you own the DVD?
- Coke or Pepsi?
- Your ideal day off–all to yourself. Go.
- Your favorite invention in the past ten years.
- What US landmark would you most love to see?
- Jewelry, or shoes?
- If you could have any car, money no object, what would it be?
- What’s your favorite flower?
- What room in your house would you love to have renovated?
- Summer or winter?
- What book are you reading now?
Welcome Indie Author Christy Hayes!
22 Feb 2012 12 Comments
Christy and I have gotten to know each other on the Indie Romance loop, and I’m excited to introduce her to you!
Please comment for a chance to win her book!
- What was the inspiration for this book? My latest release, The Sweetheart Hoax, is based on a character from Heart of Glass, architect Phil Williams. I loved his character in Heart of Glass and wanted to explore his story and help him find his Happy Ever After ending. I really enjoyed writing a book about Phil and his mousy receptionist-turned feisty nurse, Margot Manning.
- What’s next for you? I am thrilled to have a short story in the upcoming WG2E’s All for Indies Valentine Anthology entitled Good Luck, Bad Timing, & When Harry Met Sally. I’ve also begun a still untitled work in progress that I’m quite excited about completing.
- When you’re procrastinating, what do you do? Check email, shop, talk on the phone.
- How many books in your TBR pile? Too many to count. Buying books with my eReader is way too easy!
- What’s your biggest guilty pleasure? Reading—of course, but also ice cream!
- Name 3 of your favorite things. Animate things are my family, friends, and dogs. Inanimate things are books, TV, and exercise. I’m pretty boring!
- Where can readers find you? Readers can check out my books and find out a little about me at my website, http://www.christyhayes.com. I also blog every other Monday at http://www.womenunplugged.wordpress.com. I’m on Twitter @SeaHayes.
Excited to Announce a Giveaway of Trish Milburn’s Latest!
21 Feb 2012 11 Comments
Trish Milburn is my bff, and I’ve read JUST about everything she’s written. (Usually before it’s published, though I am a bit behind on her Harlequin Americans.)
But White Witch is one of my very FAVORITE Trish Milburn book. I remember when she wrote it, one summer in just a matter of weeks after a Buffy/Supernatural marathon. That book went on to win the 2007 Golden Heart and got her a lot of interest, but took FOREVER to find a home.
Well it has finally found a home with Bell Bridge Books and to celebrate, I’m giving away THREE copies. Just leave a comment here to be entered, either print of Kindle (last I checked, it’s not on Nook yet.
Here’s my review:
White Witch is a terrific paranormal YA about a young witch named Jax who flees her evil coven and hides in a small town in North Carolina. She has to use some magic to fit in, but has to be careful. All magic leaves a signature, and her coven would be able to trace her if she uses too much.
All she wants is to be a normal girl, so she glamours someone into registering her for high school. She’s a fish out of water in so many ways, but finds a friend in oddball Toni, and falls for HS Hottie Keller, who turns out to be the worst guy in the world for her. But what fun would a romance be if he was any other kind?
White Witch is fast-paced, romantic and absolutely one of my favorite Trish Milburn books!
Here’s the blurb:
Witchcraft Is Her Family’s Business.No One Quits The Family And Lives To Tell About It. “Jax” Pherson has power, enough power to know her future will end in service to the dark coven her father controls. Unless she can stay hidden in a small community in the mountains of North Carolina. She must find a way to live without magic and deny the darkness she feels welling up inside her—the same dark power that fuels the covens around the world. All she wants is a normal life. A boyfriend. Friends. Some place to belong, but all too soon Jax’s barely begun new life hangs in the balance when she discovers that the boy she’s attracted to is sworn to kill her kind. He’s a hunter with good reason to kill everything that goes bump in the night. Even the most fleeting use of her power is tantamount to signing her death warrant and will bring both hunter and coven down on her. But can she walk away when her friends are threatened by an old evil? Something created by the magic of witches? Jax’s only hope of survival is to convince the boy she loves to forget everything he’s ever been taught and help her find a way to fight the covens. To believe there is some good in her.
And here’s the awesome cover!
Welcome to Bluestone: Bluestone Song
20 Feb 2012 4 Comments
This weekend I uploaded the second book in my Bluestone trilogy, Bluestone Song. In Bluestone Homecoming, country singer Maddox Bradley is scheduled to play a concert in Bluestone and Beth Lapointe is a little freaked out. She’d had a romance with Maddox when they were teens and she didn’t want him to see her stuck in pretty much the same circumstances she’d been in when he left her.
Maddox had been having trouble of his own. He’s been sober now 2 years and hasn’t been involved with anyone, hasn’t been able to help anyone. But Beth clearly needs his help. Can he get her to accept it?
To celebrate the release, I’m offering a coupon for Bluestone Homecoming, the first book in the series, for $1.02 cents from Smashwords. (Don’t ask why $1.02. That’s 66% off, which is the max.) Anyway. Go here, use the code XF78W and get lost in Bluestone!
When I was writing this book I listened to a lot of country music, trying to find Maddox’s voice. I never did find exactly what he sounded like in my head, I found an album that had songs that I felt like he’d write. I listened to Wide Open by Jason Aldean about every day.
Here are some of the songs.
I made a board on Pinterest with my inspiration. The cool thing about this? No ink was used 
Goals the Week of President’s Day
19 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
We have an inservice tomorrow, which is fine, unless we have to work in groups. I hate when they make up move around to work in groups. At least we get to go out to lunch.
And I put out Bluestone Song this weekend. When I put up my first book last summer, it took days for it to load. Yesterday, Bluestone Song was up on Amazon in 2 hours! Barnes and Noble in 6!
This week:
- Finish writing novella
- Promote Bluestone Song
- Finish reading LAST Rita book
- Judge a Merritt entry
- Format Bluestone Song for CreateSpace
- Food Bank distribution
- Blog for Trish’s Healthy Writer blog
- Inservice on President’s Day
- Be better about cooking, cleaning and exercising. I cooked once and didn’t exercise at all last week.The cleaning I’m mostly keeping up with.
