Rachel Rossano's Blog, page 30

Saturday Excerpt

Hello and welcome back for another excerpt from Word and Deed! Last week's excerpt is here if you want to read them back to back to get the full effect. We will be picking up where we left off.

~~~

Surprise brought back his head. For a moment his face lifted to the sun. Tan skin and a dark brown cloth patch strapped to his face where his left eye should have been, it was a countenance one would remember. I knew almost every man in my brother's service. This scarred man was a stranger.
"You know your husband-to-be then?"
"Nay?"
"Then why prevent me from speech when I speak truth born of knowledge?"
"It is not fitting to speak thus of others." I peered at him from my perch. "You are not of my brother's men."
"Nay, I arrived with the forward guard to prepare the way for Silvaticus."
My back tingled, suspicion bringing my pride to bear. "You are here to evaluate the goods, me," I accused. 
"Why else would you be permitted to speak with me?"
"I was not permitted."
"Then why are you here?" My head ached with all this verbal play. Normally pleasant, today it made me dizzy.
"At the moment? To offer aid. I spotted you at the door and witnessed your stagger. I feared you would tumble down the stairs."
"Silvaticus would be sorry to lose such choice coastline," I observed.
"Nay, I didn't wish to see you break your fair neck."
Contrary to my expectation, he didn't look at me as he delivered the sweetened line. Despite the fact I believed he meant them not, the words still warmed my cheeks and burned my ears. What business did a servant have speaking such to a maid? The answer was none, yet I felt pleased.
I brushed aside the notion without much thought. It was simply the delusions of a woman barren of the hope of love. Attention starved, I swooned at the smallest turn of a pleasant phrase.
I intended to give Bryn Wolfe a rebuke only to find him gone. No sign of him remained. As Nurse Ealdine's voice called to me from within, I resolved to not mention the stranger.
I rubbed my throbbing temples. I didn't believe I had dreamed him, but wisdom urged caution.
~~~
Return here for more sweet Saturday morsels.
Question: Do you like the cover concept for Word and Deed?
For a quick and thrilling escape into romance and adventure pick up Exchange today for only 99 cents!http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92034
Excerpts from previous Sweet Saturday Samples featuring Exchange available here, here, and here.
If you are more of a flash fiction reader or just don't have the time for a short story, be sure to check out Clever Fiction - concentrated fiction for a quick fix.

Prequel in the Works

Yes, I know that Exchange has just made its debut. One would think that would be the end of the story. Apparently not. I am already working on another short story, the prequel.

The characters won't leave me alone. I used them in this week's Clever Fiction and now I am going to be writing at least one prequel (hopefully) and possibly a sequel. Ramend is nagging too, but his story isn't as pressing at the moment.

I am not offering you an excuse to put off reading Exchange. If anything, please do read it now. Exchange is only 99 cents after all. The experience will be better before you know anything extra about the world.

However, if you are like me and can enjoy something while knowing vital bits before hand, you are welcome to stop by Foreboding  on Clever Fiction. A bit rough, it will dump you into the world and introduce you to the characters.

Okay, now back to work for me. The first words are going to have to wait until the kids are down for the night. Until then it will simmer. Fun!

- Rachel Rossano

Don't forget there is still time to enter for free goodies:
- chances at ebook copies of Exchange and The Mercenary's Marriage or a $10 Amazon gift card.
- a chance at a micro robot of your own

Celebration and Giveaway Part Two

In honor of Exchange venturing out into a brave new world to try its fortune, I am offering a second giveaway. See here for more details about the first giveaway (a chance at winning your own free copy of Exchange, The Mercenary's Marriage, or a $10 Amazon Gift Card).

I am offering a more whimsical contest for the second half of this celebration.

The Prizes -
I discovered HEXBUG in the local Target's toy section and thought they would be perfect for the premiere of my sci-fi story. I chose the Nano Newton Calculus Collection. 
Miniature robots the size of a pinky finger, they supposedly behave like real bugs and flip themselves over. They are perfect gifts for children of most sizes (since they are small toys, children under three would not be safe). I know my children and husband would find them fascinating and fun. See this link for details. 
I have five of these to hand out, so there will be five winners.
What you have to do - Visit the following links and answer the questions, entering your answers in the form at the end of the page.
1 - Who is the hero of The Mercenary's Marriage?      Answer found here.2 - What is the name of one of the characters in "Regrets" by Rachel Rossano?      Answer found here.
3 - What color is Bryn's hair in "Word and Deed" by Rachel Rossano?      Answer found here.
If you have any problems with any of the links please contact me at anavrea {at} yahoo dot com.
Rules
1. No purchase necessary.
2. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose.
3. The prizes are available in continental USA only.
4. The contest runs from Oct 1st to Oct 7th, 2011. Winners announced on Oct 10th.
5. The contest is being offered by author Rachel Rossano (anavrea {at} yahoo (dot) com).
6. Each prize will have one winner and will be valued at the price of the toy.
7. The winners will be chosen by random drawing.


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Autographed Ebooks

Hello everyone,

If you want an autograph for your new ebook (either Exchange or The Mercenary's Marriage) or just an autographed cover image, it is now possible!

Sign in to http://kindlegraph.com using your twitter account, search for the ebook you want, and request an autograph. If you want anything specific in the inscription on any of mine, please let me know via email.

Thank you, Katie Simmons for prompting me to figure at least one option out. I am even testing this out by requesting an autograph for myself from a favorite author. I will let you know how it goes. :)

- Rachel Rossano

For those curious about such things:

I found out about some of the options here:
http://www.publishyourownebooks.com/how-to-sign-an-ebook/

This was an interesting video on the whole industry and how autographing ebooks might effect it. It focuses on Autography, an option that doesn't work for me since I don't have an Ipad.
http://marketingchristianbooks.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/autographing-ebooks-is-now-possible/

Questions: What do you think about the shift in publishing and reading? Are you an ebook person or a physical book person? Why?

"Exchange" - Release Day Celebration and Giveaway!

It is time to celebrate!
Exchange - my first short story in ebook form - is out today!
Available Now!Smashwords ~ Amazon ~ Lulu


Publishing by Rebecca J. VickeryCover art by Karen Michelle Nutt

Blurb:
Isolated on a distant planet, she is incarcerated for a crime she doesn't recall. She has no name, no idea where she came from, or why she is injected with drugs daily to hold these vital facts from her grasp. Despite small rebellions, she wastes away, worn and losing hope of ever being whole again.
Then he arrived. Claiming to hold the answers burned daily from her brain, he offers her a way out. But at what cost?


Sneak peeks one, two, and three. The book trailer is available on YouTube.


Available Now!Smashwords ~ Amazon ~ Lulu

Now for the Giveaway!

I am offering three prizes -
 - Ebook copy of Exchange
 - Ebook copy of The Mercenary's Marriage
 - $10 Amazon Gift Card


Ways to enter (each worth one entry) - 
- Follow this blog through Google Friend Connect (find on left and follow prompts)
- Click the "Like" button on Rachel Rossano's Rambles on Facebook.
- Click the "Like" button on Wren Romany on Facebook.
- Click the "Like" button on The Theodoric Saga on Facebook.
- Follow @RachelRossano on Twitter
- Facebook post about this giveaway
- Twitter about this giveaway


Once you have done at least one (hopefully more to increase your chances of winning) of the above, please fill out the Google Form at the end of this post to submit your entries. Please be honest.
Entering for more than one prize is allowed. However, each winner will receive only one prize. The winners will be chosen using a random number generator. If any of this is confusing or you have questions, you are welcome to email me at the email address below.


Rules
1. No purchase necessary.
2. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose.
3. The prizes are available internationally.
4. The contest runs from Oct 1st to Oct 7th, 2011. Winners announced on Oct 10th.
5. The contest is being offered by author Rachel Rossano (anavrea {at} yahoo (dot) com).
6. Each prize will have one winner and will be valued at the price of the book or gift card.
7. The winners will be chosen by random drawing.


Come back at NOON for another winning opportunity.
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Sweet Saturday Excerpt

Welcome! Exchange is available for on Smashwords and Amazon today! Check the other post for today for details on the Ebook and Amazon Gift Card giveaway going on. If you are joining us for the first time, Exchange has been featured for the past few Saturdays: here, here, and here.

This Saturday, I am offering a first glimpse at Word and Deed. A Medieval short story about a woman torn between the man she is honor-bound to marry (through no decision of her own) and the servant who is stealing her heart. The excerpt begins as she is recovering from a physical altercation with her half-brother, Verdon.
~~~

Three days later, I rose from bed. The afternoon sun shone beyond the lattice, beckoning me. The sight nurtured my already restless spirit into mobility. I was intent on a turn in the garden and at least a semblance of freedom for my tortured soul. My body still ached and sudden changes threw my balance, but I fixed my purpose and pressed forward.Nurse Ealdine, having used two of the three allotted hours on breaking fast and serving the midday meal, would not return until after nightfall. That gave me time to creep down the stairs to sit in the sun at least.
Walking across the warped floor boards proved an uneventful task. However, upon opening the door to the outside, the sight of the narrow, steep descent to the ground two levels below, my grasp of balance wavered. I dropped to sit on the doorsill and lowered my head into my hands.
"Might I assist you?"
I lifted my head and instantly regretted it.
"Steady, miss, steady. Don't go toppling on me. I don't wish another death on my account."
I blinked in the sunlight, struggling to place the source of the voice. Finally, a movement brought my focus to where the stairs spilled into the garden. He stood, left boot on the first step. Gaining only an impression of graying brown hair and sun-browned hands, I lowered my head once again.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Bryn Wolfe. And you?"
"I am Maven Faye."
"Ah, the maid in the tower, I was warned about you." He stepped off the bottom of the stairs and leaned against the tower wall, his face still in shadow.
"What warning?"
"'The maid yonder has a shrewish tongue.'"
"Hardly a warning since I am already betrothed. If you no wish to listen, you can leave."
"Ah, so I heard. It is to the Silvaticus, the crazed."
Straightening my shoulders, I glared down at him for a moment. "I will not allow you to speak thus of my betrothed."~~~
Return here for more sweet Saturday morsels.
Question: Do you wish to read more of Word and Deed?

The Activity Continues

Hello again everyone,

Yes, I know you have been hearing from me a lot this week. Everything seemed to fall pretty much at about the same time.

Events Happening Now

Guest blogging over at LASR, I am confessing, sort of, ten things you probably don't know about me.
http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/


My flash fiction using the prompts Rain ~ Sail Boat ~ Shame is still up over at Clever Fiction.
http://cleverfiction.weebly.com/weekly-challenge.html - Mine is titled "Regrets."

Over at Clean Romance Reviews, I guest reviewed one of my many favorite books: Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden.
http://cleanromancereviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-are-you-reading-thursday_29.html

Coming Up

My final guest post at LASR is tomorrow. I will be discussing the elements of a great romance novel. I would love to hear your ideas. http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/

Then, the...

Exchange Release Day Celebration!!!!

It all kicks off Saturday Morning with a Sweet Saturday Sample of Word and Deed and the first winning opportunity. Then at noon, I will be posting the second opportunity for prizes. Both contests will remain open for entries until Oct 7 so everyone who wants to enter can. Winners will be announced here on Oct 10.

I look forward to seeing you there. :)

Tuesday - Guest Blogging over at LASR

Ever have a crush on a literary character? That is the topic of my guest post over at LASR today. I spill about my childhood crushes. I am really curious about yours. :)

You are welcome to stop by and join the fun.

- Rachel Rossano

Exciting Opportunities

Something to whet your reading appetite:
This last week I made my first attempt at flash fiction. You might be asking "What is that?" Flash fiction is a complete story told in a small number of words, in this case 250-1,000. The group I am working with also offers three writing prompts to be included. This week it is Rain ~ Sail Boat ~ Shame. Curious to read it?http://cleverfiction.weebly.com/weekly-challenge.html
Come and express your opinion:
I am guest blogging this all week at Long and Short Reviews (a post a day). Today's post is about description in fiction and whether or not it is important. I would love to hear what your opinion is.http://longandshortarchives.blogspot.com/2011/09/monday-spotlight-rachel-rossano.html
Coming Soon!
Don't forget "Exchange" is debuting on Saturday! Keep your eyes open for promotional giveaways and fun on Saturday to celebrate.








Also, on Saturday, I am lifting the corner on the sheet over my latest masterpiece. ;) A sample of Word and Deed will be appearing as part of the Sweet Saturday Samples.

Exchange - A Sweet Saturday Sample

"Exchange" (the short story you have been sampling the past few weeks) will be available on Smashwords and Amazon on October 1st! To kick off the celebration, I am offering you a bit more than just a sample this week.

But first the sample:

            The whirl of the outer lock unscrewing interrupted my unproductive thoughts. A panel opposite the one I entered released, cracking open a few inches. The sounds of voices beckoned. The hope of connecting with someone not powered by electricity or programed to interact proved tempting. I stepped out into the dining hall.
            Bland rows of brushed metal tables and benches filled the tile laminate floor. Halo lights cast an eerie blue tinge, and nothing in sight offered the slightest relief for the eyes. My head hummed with the illumination as I shuffled to the food dispensers. Wraithlike, twenty or so others did likewise, exiting their own cleansers lining the walls.
            Upon claiming a tray loaded with cardboard mush and rehydrated apple slices, I surveyed the seating for a place.
            Restive eyes glanced my way and then lowered. No one offered an opening and the few spaces between groups suddenly disappeared. Right, who dared to sit with the troublemaker? I headed toward the table in the far corner. I wouldn't bother anyone and they could ignore my presence.
            Selecting to test the mush first, I shoveled in a spoonful. Bile rose to meet the food. Three gags later I swallowed it, but not the acidic aftertaste. No more for me. I bit into a mealy apple slice, hoping to at least diffuse the burn. Not much luck.
            Myah?
            I dropped the remaining apple. A voice in my head?
            The clatter of metal on metal brought my attention to the rest of the room. For once they weren't focused on me. A new prisoner stood immediately outside a cleanser along the wall adjacent my ward.
            He loomed like a dark, brooding shadow against the shining surfaces around him, well over six feet, broad shoulders and a powerful build. Why was he here? He didn't fit the general population, fair to medium skinned humanoids from earthward settlements scrawny and malnourished. His dark, almost black, skin and bald head isolated him even more than his size. The most disturbing part was the fact he was staring straight at me.

Curious? If you aren't yet, here is the cherry for the top of our Saturday sweet, the trailer for Exchange!


For more sweet morsels, please return here. Return next week for a sample from a new short story I am preparing for publication.

I am looking forward to seeing you then.

- Rachel Rossano