Sandra Cox's Blog, page 310

Coming Soon

And The Winners Of The Vampire Bay Contest Are......

1. Patti

2. Autumn

3. Donnas

Congratulations!

Last Week of Vampire Bay Contest

Wednesday is the last day for the Vampire Bay contest. If you are interested in entering and haven't yet just leave a comment, your Email addie and mention Vampire Bay Contest.



The first prize is a Cooke Lee Bracelet, a Starbucks gift card and a download of Vampire Bay.



Second prize: A paper copy of Moon Watchers



Third prize: A paper copy of Vampire Island



Excerpt:

I gasped in disbelief then flew out of the SUV. "Sam."

He ran toward me. I jumped in his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist. He clutched me and spun around in circles.

"Missed ya, Squirt." His mouth found mine, warm and firm. My head spun from more than the dizzy circle we turned in.

An angry bat screeched and dive bombed my head. I came back to reality with a thump. "We better get on the porch." I tried to squirm down but he clutched me and raced up the steps.

Sam whirled around, holding me effortlessly. My boyfriend's of the lithe variety, slender, not muscle-bound, but strong. "You won't get her, you bastard," he snarled.

My heart dropped. "Uncle told you," I whispered.

"You should have, Squirt." He loosened his grip and I slid down the length of him. He held me at arms length and studied me. "Why didn't you?"

I shrugged out of his grasp and walked to the end of the veranda and back then faced him. "Tell you what? I'm in love with you, Sam, but oh by the way, I'm attracted to a bat. Attracted enough, I have to fight being turned."

At that moment the bat swooped down and hung in the air in front of me, motionless except for his wings. His crimson eyes glowed. I'd swear in invitation.

I hate bats. They make my skin crawl. But as if hypnotized I started to step off the porch toward my destiny.

Sam shoved me back and leaped over the rail and off the porch. The spell broke. "Get back, Sam." I raced down the steps.

"Stay on the porch, Zoe," Sam commanded.

The bat shape shifted. The dark-haired vamp stood in front of Sam. And in that moment I could see my attraction. They are so very similar, both tall and lean and powerful.

Vampire Bay is available as a download at Smashwordshttp://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72332

and Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BCODIM

for $3.99.

American Curl

www.free-pet-wallpapers.com



Blogging at http://sevennightwriters.blogspot.com about American Curls

Irene

She's tearing through the North Carolina coastline. We are in central North Carolina and fine. My son and his wife are closer to the coast and have lost power, and getting the rains and wind. But they are okay. We have their cat and his in-laws the dog.

Our daughter is in Philly, also in Irene's pathway.



~*~

I'm chatting on the loop at LASR between 3 -4 Eastern time. If you're in the vicinity, please stop by and say, hey.

A Bit of Trivia For A Friday and Irene

I've always loved the song Greensleeves. I find it haunting and romantic, but I had no idea that Henry the VIII was credited with writing it. There is some doubt that he was the author since some consider the song Elizabethan and composed in a style that wasn't used in England during his lifetime. Regardless, its old, English and beautiful.



~*~

For those in the path of Irene, stay safe.

We'll be meeting our son halfway to pick up his critters. They aren't directly on the coast but close enough. They won't be able to leave town for the weekend because his wife works for the county and may be working one of the emergency shelters that are being set up.

Felt that 5.9

Freaky Tuesday

I was sitting at my desk and all of a sudden my chair started shaking and the door rattling. I hopped up hurried into my boss's office and said, "What's going on?" as the room shook.

"Earthquake," he replied.

I can't imagine being caught in one that destroys and causes fatalities, although for a few seconds my imagination was working overtime. All I could think was, Where do I go? What do I do? We have all kind of drills were I work for a variety of situations, but this one had never come up before.

A couple of the windows cracked on the floor above me, but that seems to be the extent of it. Later, after the excitement died down, my husband, who works almost directly above me one floor up, said, "I'm glad I didn't drop in(i.e.through the ceiling) for a visit." Whew, me too.

Laurie Larsen

With us today is Laurie Larsen. Welcome Laurie. Tell us about your current project.

I'd be glad to Sandra! First, let me thank you for having me visit here today and tell you how excited I am that you invited me!

My latest book is Inner Diva, a contemporary romance featuring quiet, reserved Monica, a theater manager who dreams of being in the spotlight, and Carlos, a handsome Hispanic man who's trying to put his priorities in order after a past containing violence and lost love. Carlos' little sister Luisa brings the two of them together when Monica becomes her mentor through the Big Sisters organization, much to Carlos' disapproval. No one in their right mind would put these two "opposites" together, but love doesn't always strike when it makes sense. As their love grows, only they can help each other realize their dreams.

It's an e-book available for download to your Kindle, Nook, IPod, IPad, or any cell phone. Here's a short excerpt:

The door of her limousine slid open, and she stuck out a high-heeled foot, pausing to soak in the expectant silence of her onlookers. With a satisfied grin, she turned in her seat, gripped the hand reaching out to her and left the automobile, standing on the red carpet that covered the sidewalk. Her silk Versace gown hugged her slim form and floated like a dream as she strolled, gracing the crowd with her best Mona Lisa smile. Her escort and most perfect accessory slid out of the limo behind her and followed, dressed in his black tuxedo and crisp white shirt, holding her arm protectively.

"Watch out! Down below, watch out!"

Monica looked up and bolted, barely escaping the onslaught of a huge stage light on its cable wire just inches away. Steve Phillips, the stage guy on a twenty-foot high backstage platform about two feet square, and one of her best buds, hoisted the cable on its pulley, halting the light before it collided with the stage. "Got it under control!" he said with the slightest trace of panic in his voice. Monica suspected he was trying to convince himself as much as everyone else. "Wouldn't have let it hit anyone. Or anything."

Monica grinned at him. She'd worked with Steve on several productions, and he was a fun-loving guy who made her laugh. He drew his hand over his brow with an exaggerated "Whew" gesture and tugged the light back up where it belonged. She really needed to keep her mind on her work and her imagination under wraps tonight.

What are your thoughts on e – pubs versus traditional?

Well, I know for sure that electronic book readers are becoming much more prevalent than they were in the past. I have had six books published, and all my previous books were available in trade paperback and e-book. The vast majority of my sales were always the paperback version, with only a small percentage going "e." So making the decision to publish Inner Diva to e-book only, was an experiment for me. Would my readers even be able to read it? I know many people have moved to Kindle or Nook over the last few years and love it!

About a month ago I was the guest author at a book club who had picked my book Preacher Man (1/2009) as their July selection. After we discussed Preacher Man, I talked about Inner Diva. I told them it was only offered as an e-book and several were disappointed. But guess what – about seven of them whipped out their e-book readers and ordered it on the spot! So I think books that are offered in both formats are probably in the best position to hit the most readers, but definitely e-books have reached their time! They're demanding respect, and getting it.

What is your favorite genre to write in?

Wow, this is a great question because as a writer I'm so eclectic. Or suffer from ADD, I'm not sure which! Of my six published books, 2 have been contemporary romances, two have been women's fiction, one was a Young Adult romance and one was an inspirational romance! See what I mean? I can't just stick with one genre. Of my two completed but unpublished manuscripts, add one contemporary romance and one women's fiction. The manuscript I'm currently working on though – add one more different sub-genre – it's a Christian women's fiction. I like the variety. When I write, it's the idea that gets me started, and then I "genre-ize" it later. If it's not the same genre I've written in before, I don't worry too much about it.

What is your favorite genre to read?

Of course I love romance. I adore authors like Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockman, Debbie Macomber and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I also love military fiction. WEB Griffin is my favorite author for this genre. But my absolute favorite author, who makes my heart sing every time, regardless of what he writes, is Pat Conroy. He writes broad, sweeping southern epic novels, usually involving a good deal of family dysfunction and heartache. Don't ask me why that uplifts me but he does it to me every time!

What tips would you give someone trying to break into the writing industry?

Work hard. Read a lot. Write even more. Write every day, or at least consistently throughout the week to gain momentum. When you finish something, start something new. Don't be a one-book wonder. Be open to feedback, and the possibility that your work could be improved with revisions. When your work is ready, submit it. Mourn your first rejection, but don't let it stop you. Keep going, over and over. You WILL experience rejection in this business. Don't expect everything to be fair. Nothing will be easy. You'll experience your highest highs and your lowest lows. Keep writing. And don't forget to celebrate what you love, which is the writing.

What books of yours are currently for sale and where can a reader buy them?

I'll link you to the various pages of my website that describes each of my 6 books, the plot, a behind-the-scenes author's note, and purchase links. Sound good?

Inner Diva: http://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/InnerDiva.htm

The Chronicles of Casey V: http://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/CaseyV.htm

Preacher Man (my 2010 EPIC Award winner!): http://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/preacherman.htm

Legacy of Lies: http://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/legacy.htm

Momentary Lapse: http://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/momentarylapse.htm

Whispers of the Heart: http://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/whispersoftheheart.htm

Sandra, thanks so much! It was a pleasure visiting with you.

The pleasure was all mine, Laurie. Come back anytime.

Laurie

Visit Laurie online at www.authorlaurielarsen.com

2010 EPIC Award Winner!!

Blogging Etiquette

We all love followers. As bloggers, it just makes our day when someone adds their name to our list. I'm pretty certain the sun even shines a little brighter in response.

Now here's my etiquette question/dilemma. When I get a new follower, I check to see if they have a blog and if they do I follow. Sometimes, I mention it in the comment section. What I don't do, is send a message. And that's my blogging etiquette question for the day.

If you're a blogger, do you send a message whenever you get a new follow?

If you're a follower, do you want a message of acknowledgement sent to you?



~*~

Blogs of interest:

Amarinda Jones

Anny Cook

Julia Barrett

Shelley Munro

Promos. What Works Best?

It's no surprise to anyone that stops by that with the recent release of Vampire Bay promos are on my mind.

I'd like to chat today about ways writers can promote their releases.

Blog Tours

Blog tours are always fun and a way to see old friends and meet new people. There are several promotional sites out there you can sign up with. For example: Coffee Beans and Love Scenes and Goddess Fish Tours. Or if your promo budget is tight or nonexistent, you can manage your own. Ask friends or other authors who write in a similar genre. Or readers blogs. Most folks are happy to help you out.

Cover pics

are a good way to let readers know you've got a new book out there.

There are all sorts of online promotional sites that have a range of charges: Author Island, Night Owl Reviews, Coffee Time, LASR and Romance Studio.

And my personal fav...

Contests

I like contests. I think they're a lot of fun. Who doesn't like getting a free prize? And along the contest line, something I've only recently discovered is posting your contest in promo sites newsletters. Its a great way to get the word out. In the past, I've gone to the yahoo groups to let readers know about contests, and I'm sure I'll continue to in the future. But the newsletters seem to reach a wider audience--or maybe just more targeted--and you don't get lost in the promo blurbs. Fees vary from free to four or five to fifteen dollars. So far this month, this contest has been featured in Coffee Time and Night Owl. By the way where did you hear or see this contest advertised?

Other forms of advertising

Chats, your own blog and website, release parties, Facebook and Twitter.



Did I forget anything? Oh yeah, reviews. I guess I'll save that topic for another day.

As a writer, what promotions work best for you? As a reader, which promotions pique your interest?









www.i-love-cats.com





Blogs of interest:

Amarinda Jone's

Anny Cook's

Julia Barrett's

and

Shelley Munro's

addie's at right