Minnette Meador's Blog, page 15

Rose City Romance Spring Intensive - 3 Agents/3 Editors

**Permission to forward**
Come join us in the beautiful Northwest April 22 through April 24, 2011 for a weekend focused on meeting and talking with agents/editors and learning all the career and professional challenges, tips and information that make up the wonderful world of the publishing industry. Check out the information on our website HERE for hotel information and a schedule of events.
Here's whose coming:
Agents: Barbara Poelle – Irene Goodman Literary Agency Alexandra Machinist – Linda Chester Literary Agency Abigail Koons – Park Literary Agency
Editors: Leis Pederson – Berkley Publishing Group Amanda Bergeron – Avon/HarperCollins Tracy Martin – Harlequin
To keep this an intimate event for registrants, this event is being capped at 150 so please get your reservations in early.
Hope you can join us for a fun-filled, relaxing weekend spent with industry professionals in a setting designed to get you the most contact with agents and editors – you are guaranteed to meet the agent and editor of your choice or all of them – whatever your pleasure.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the email below.Sincerely,   Kimberly Wollenburg President, Rose City Romance Writers president@rosecityromancewriters.com

Centurion Video Up on Pen & Muse - How to Vote

The Centurion video is over at Pen & Muse. I would love to have your vote, but there are a lot of great videos over there. For those of you who haven't done one yet, this might give you some ideas, too. Thanks! M:o)

PS - Make sure you do the following if you want to vote:

Make sure to email your request at thepenmuse(at)gmail.com. They have received several comments instead of emails. These were counted solely for today, but in the future will not count.
I got a vote, but it was put in the comments and that doesn't count... thanks! Minnette :o)
Minnette MeadorWorld Weaver...www.minnettemeador.com

Centurion Video Up on Pen & Muse - The Vote is Open

The Centurion video is over at Pen & Muse. I would love to have your vote, but there are a lot of great videos over there. For those of you who haven't done one yet, this might give you some ideas, too. Thanks! M:o)

The Centurion & The Queen Video...

Winner of Covey Award for Most Artistic Trailer

THE CENTURION & THE QUEEN: Marius is disciplined, precise, as cold as his armor. A twenty-five year veteran, the Centurion is dedicated to the principles of Rome. No one had ever dared to challenge his command… until now. Queen Delia struggles to save her dying Celtic people, fight to lead in a world dominated by savage men. The last thing she expects is to feel her body craving the touch of an enemy. The revolution that sparks their desire rips her from his arms. They find themselves on opposing sides, in love, and unable to stop the future.
THE EDGE OF HONOR: (Sequel to The Centurion & The Queen) The Boudicca revolt has been squelched, the tribes of the Iceni and the Trinovantes have been exterminated by the Roman Governor of Britannia, Suetonius. He has sworn his revenge on the remaining tribes for the Celtic insolence. Marius gave up his allegiance to Rome for the woman he loves, but now must fight to save her dying people. In the end, it may be more than their love or their lives they lose.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - "I was engrossed by The Centurion and the Queen, and didn't put it down."
SIMPLY ROMANCE REVIEWS - "Historical novels especially historical Romance tend to fall within fairly set parameters and usually tend to be a bit cliché. This story breaks out of those parameters and destroys the clichés with a truly refreshing story of love in ancient Britannia."

FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS - "Minnette Meador adeptly weaves in Roman and Celtic words and references [in the Edge of Honor], adding realism to this harsh world. Fans of The Centurion and the Queen will not be disappointed."
 
NIGHTOWL ROMANCE - "I encourage you to try out Minnette's work and see how enmeshed you will become in her wonderful settings. …this book pulled me in and I read it in two sittings…"

Starsight Video...

STARSIGHT I: Trenara never thought she would have to guide a student she loved to become a messiah, but it is the only way this second trial Starguider can salvage her world.
 "[Starsight] is one powerful and imaginative fantasy adventure novel with many nice touches...there is magic galore, and challenge galore; nothing comes easy. It's the first of a series, and it should do well..." Piers Anthony
STARSIGHT II: Trenara no longer trusts the power that has turned the boy she once loved into a man she no longer understands. He frightens her. Will Joshan use the power to rescue his world or will a new tyrant sit upon Sirdar's throne? Second volume in the Starsight Series
"This is a Typhoid Mary of a book, from a writer to watch." Spider Robinson
UPCOMING RELEASES IN THE SERIES:Starsight III: The Restless Seeds
Starsight IV: Prequel – The God Wars

New Looks - Exerpts for New Books

I spent the weekend updating my web page and blog, since now I have something to put on it (Yeah!). There are excerpts from my next three books on my web page. Just select "Books" from the left hand side and pick one to read an excerpt.Take a look and let me know what your think.

Help Me Name My Heroine - Winners!

Thanks all for participating... I'm going with Phaedra and because you guys were all so kind to give me input, you're all getting an e Book of Gladiator when it comes out. Send me a message on FB with your email address and I'll get those out as soon as the book is finish/released (probably around August). I really appreciate all the help! M:o)


Minnette Meador
World Weaver
www.minnettemeador.com

Help Me Name My Heroine - Win Gladiator eBook

I'm into names in a big way; I look them up religiously and try to match the name to the character, although, I admit, the sound of the name is equally important. Not that anyone pays attention, mind you, but it's kind of one of those silent markers I use in my books. While working on Gladiator Prince, my newest historical about Roman Britannia, I had selected the name "Ninanna" for the heroine which I found as follows:

Inanna is the Sumerian goddess of sexual love, fertility, and warfare. Alternative Sumerian names include Innin, Ennin, Ninnin, Ninni, Ninanna ...
The character is half Syrian/Sumerian and half Roman. In the course of writing the book, I realized two things: 1) The name is a definite stumbling block to readers since it's a bit of a tongue twister and sounds silly when you say it out loud, and 2) her mother was a very strong willed Roman and, whereas her husband names the boy, she would be allowed to name the girl, since girls in ancient Roman society were considered next to worthless. Therefore, I reason tentatively, she would have selected a Roman name for the girl. So, I NEED SOME HELP! 
I want to give her another name and I have narrowed it down to the following four, but will consider others:
Lavinia \l(a)-vi-nia\ as a girl's name is pronounced la-vee-NEE-ah. It is of Latin origin. The name of the legendary mother of the Roman people. Her name may possibly be derived from Lavinium, the name of an Etruscan city more ancient than Rome.
Phaedra - \pha(ed)-ra\ as a girl's name is pronounced FAY-drah. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Phaedra is "bright". Greek mythology: the daughter of King Minos, who was married to the hero Theseus and fell in love with her stepson Hippolytus. When he spurned her advances, she committed suicide.
Prisca - Feminine form of Priscus, a Roman family name which meant "ancient" in Latin.
Tatinia - Tatiana comes from a word which means, "Unsure. Perhaps from the Greek verb "tasso" (or "tatto") which means to arrange in order.." "Tatiana came from ancient Rome and means" appeaser, peacemaker". The other version that the name has an ancient Greek origin and means "founder". 
So, what do you think? She is a bit spoiled, strong willed, thinks she doesn't like changes and yet always makes them when necessary (not without complaining, however), she experiences huge growth in the course of the story, and will fight to the death to protect her younger brother.
Which one of those names do you think I should use? Do you have another suggestion? 
Those who pick the name I ultimately choose will get an ecopy of the book when it comes out... Thanks! Minnette :o)

Minnette Meador, World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com
THE GLADIATOR PRINCE
a historical romance
by Minnette Meador
Book III of the Centurion Series
RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

Prince Thane is the last surviving royalty of the Trinovantes Tribe in Roman Britannia, having surrendered to the Romans after the Boudicca Revolt to save his two daughters, whose identities he sacrifices his freedom to protect. He is condemned by Nero himself to become a gladiator, to fight until he dies in the arena. His popularity soars and he becomes famous as The Gladiator Prince by winning every match and the hearts of the world. When his two daughters are taken in a slaver's raid, Thane escapes, forcing the daughter of his master to take him to Rome to save his children. Little does he know that the beautiful Syrian woman holds not only the key to his passion, but a secret that triggers a disaster that ignites the world. Will this spoiled willful girl betray him in the end or sacrifice herself to save them all? Book III of the Centurion Series.

Getting Back to Work - Three New Books

Coming back to the public eye again after a long time is proving a bit daunting. I'm a little afraid no one will remember me. Question like, "Where have you been?" are easily answered. I've been right here, just silent. Not from any desire to leave my virtual world, but to deal with a real life issue that proved to be almost overwhelming. When a loved one is sick, desperately sick, it's amazing what you can let go of. But now life has settled down (if it ever does), the loved one is back on his feet again, and I'm crawling my way back up into the sunshine.

Hello, everyone!

I brought back with me a few things, so I wasn't entirely inactive (or reactive). A much calmer view of life, knowing that the little day to day stresses really aren't worth bleeding over, a new outlook cached in the realization that life truly is very short and I need to enjoy as many moments as I can. Oh... and three books. Writing, it turns out, really is an amazing therapy when you need a break from being the hero of your own story. Thanks to my wonderful editor at Resplendence Publishing, I am able to share three stories this year and can move onto the next. (Note: Covers are just place holders for now and subject to change - :o)

 
A GHOST OF A CHANCE
a paranormal romantic comedy
by Minnette Meador
RELEASE DATE: JUNE 22, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

Keenan Swanson is your typical, everyday graphic designer. Well, except for the hundreds of pesky, prank-loving poltergeists that make his life interesting (in a Chinese curse sort of way). He finds his situation precarious yet manageable—until witty, smoking-hot coworker Isabella enters the scene and Keenan decides he wants her all for himself. With a horny succubus who has other ideas, a burly city cop determined to lock Keenan away, and an evil entity who's hell-bent on using Keenan's seed to create a living demon, the reluctant psychic realizes he just might not come out of this alive—or with heart intact.





THE GLADIATOR PRINCE
a historical romance
by Minnette Meador
Book III of the Centurion Series
RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

Prince Thane is the last surviving royalty of the Trinovantes Tribe in Roman Britannia, having surrendered to the Romans after the Boudicca Revolt to save his two daughters, whose identities he sacrifices his freedom to protect. He is condemned by Nero himself to become a gladiator, to fight until he dies in the arena. His popularity soars and he becomes famous as The Gladiator Prince by winning every match and the hearts of the world. When his two daughters are taken in a slaver's raid, Thane escapes, forcing the daughter of his master to take him to Rome to save his children. Little does he know that the beautiful Syrian woman holds not only the key to his passion, but a secret that triggers a disaster that ignites the world. Will this spoiled willful girl betray him in the end or sacrifice herself to save them all? Book III of the Centurion Series.



 
THE BELL STALKER
an urban fantasy thriller
by Minnette Meador
RELEASE DATE: October 26, 2011
Resplendence Publishing

For a year, Belle Stark has struggled to conquer fears plaguing her since being attacked by a maniac who continues to roam free and the murder of her father. And she nearly succeeds, until she discovers her lover's murdered body spread over the furniture, making Belle a prime suspect. Certain her attacker is to blame, she seeks help from her ex-husband, homicide detective Mike Cranston, the one person she swore she would never let back into her life, or heart. In their hunt for answers, the two uncover more than a lunatic: a supernatural underworld hidden beneath the tall skyscrapers of the city and a secret that could kill them both. Faced with a terrible choice, Belle surrenders herself to the hands of a monster and Mike must solve the ancient mystery before it's too late to save her-- 






Minnette Meador, World Weaver...
www.minnettemeador.com

Rogue's Angels Interview

The lovely ladies at Rogue's Angels were kind enough to interview me recently. We had a lot of fun! Take a look and leave a comment... Minnette :o)

http://roguesangels.blogspot.com/2010/07/meet-minnette.html