Cynthia Eden's Blog, page 89
September 7, 2011
Bella Andre is Back!! And She's Got a Giveaway!
Bella's back!! I'm very happy to have awesome author Bella Andre back at my blog. I love Bella's stories (and I hope you do, too!) Bella has a new release, and she's dropped by to chat with us about the tale. Welcome, Bella!
I'm so thrilled to be a part of Cynthia's blog today to celebrate the release of my new contemporary romance, FROM THIS MOMENT ON, about the Sullivan family – 6 brothers and 2 sisters in a close knit family.
For thirty-six years, Marcus Sullivan has been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings after their father died when they were children. But when the perfectly ordered future he's planned for himself turns out to be nothing but a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.
Nicola Harding is known throughout the world by only one name – Nico – for her catchy, sensual pop songs. Only, what no one knows about the twenty-five year old singer is that her sex-kitten image is totally false. After a terrible betrayal by a man who loved fame far more than he ever loved her, she vows not to let anyone else get close enough to find out who she really is…or hurt her again. Especially not the gorgeous stranger she meets at a nightclub, even though the hunger – and the sinful promises – in his dark eyes make her want to spill all her secrets.
One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But nothing goes as they plan when instead of simply tangling limbs, they find a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated. Growing emotions – and sizzling attraction – keep drawing them closer together. Close enough for them to wonder if stealing one more secret moment together can ever be enough?
***
One of the reasons why FROM THIS MOMENT ON was so much fun to write is because my heroine is a pop star. I never became a star 
but I did spend ten years recording CDs and touring around the world before I began to write romance. And every day while I write, I pop in my earbuds and listen to music – everything from Joni Mitchell to Justin Bieber to the songs from Glee.
I'm having an absolute blast with my Sullivan family and can't wait to tell every single one of their love stories! The first book – THE LOOK OF LOVE – came out this summer and the next – CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE – will be out in December.
I'd love to know what some of your favorite careers for heroines are? I'll happily give away a digital copy of THE LOOK OF LOVE (Sullivans #1) to one of the commenters.
Happy reading!
Bella Andre
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KB9WJO
Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1105070172
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/85528
All Romance Ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-fromthismomentonthesullivansbook2contemporaryromance-599161-149.html
Apple iBookstore: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780983720263
Kobo, Google eBookstore and Paperback coming soon!
THE LOOK OF LOVE (Sullivans #1) ~ Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, Goodreads & AllRomance
FROM THIS MOMENT ON (Sullivans #2) ~ Kindle, Nook, Apple, Smashwords, Goodreads & AllRomance
Sign up for my newsletter for upcoming release info!
September 2, 2011
Scavenger Hunt
Hi, everyone! I've been asked to participate in a new blog with some writing buddies, and to keep off the fun, we're having a Scavenger Hunt (prizes, ahoy). You can read the full details of the hunt on the Darker Temptations blog site.
We've got some bad weather heading here, so I may not be around too much this weekend. I hope you enjoy your Labor Day!
August 30, 2011
Bound in Darkness
It looks like I am going to have another release available soon. Like–very soon. I've been working on another novella that I wanted to release as a .99 ebook, and I wanted to share the blurb and cover with you:
Here's the blurb for this story:
Hunter…
When it comes to killing vampires, werewolf Cade Thain is the best slayer in the Northwest. So when a witch hires him to take out a pureblood vamp, the assassin thinks it will be just business as usual. One less vicious vamp on the streets…one more undead parasite gone from the earth. Then he meets her.
Protector…
Allison Gray isn't the prey that Cade expects. Beautiful, innocent, she stirs a dark desire within him. Allison hasn't transformed fully into a vampire, not yet, and it's Cade's job to make sure that she never does. Allison thinks that he's at her side to keep her safe, but Cade is supposed to pick the right moment—and kill her.
Lover…
Killing Allison is soon the last thing that Cade plans. As she begins the transformation that will turn her into a vampire, her bloodlust and their desire merge in an explosion of need that neither can control. But Allison's enemies are closing in, and the coming battle will take Cade and Allison beyond life, beyond love…and into a deadly darkness that waits to claim them both.
Bound in Darkness.
***
BOUND IN DARKNESS is a vampire/werewolf romance–one that takes place in the same "world" I created with BOUND BY BLOOD. I want to thank all of the wonderful folks who read BOUND BY BLOOD and emailed to ask for another story. I've wanted to write the plot for BOUND IN DARKNESS for a while–this story is actually my twist on the Snow White fairy tale. It's Snow White…with vampires and werewolves. My hero, Cade? Well, in the Snow White tale, he'd be the guy who was originally supposed to take Snow White into the woods and kill her. Only…as we all know, that hunter didn't kill Snow White.
In my tale, my hunter doesn't kill her, either. Cade falls for her.
Right now, I am planning to release BOUND IN DARKNESS on September 12. Guess what that means?
DOUBLE RELEASE DAY!!!!!
On September 12, the paranormal romance anthology, ENTANGLED, will also be released.
ENTANGLED is a charity anthology, and all of the proceeds from this book will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Want to see the blurbs for all of these stories? Here you go:
HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of the Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It's Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.
THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.
MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What's spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city's specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather's spirit may be lost forever.
SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago's vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp's clutches.
SIAN'S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.
A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it's up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava's ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she'll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.
SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who's come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.
A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.
FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael's magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield's birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.
BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other 'special' inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.
GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O'Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find "Ghostly Justice" for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.
***
Oh, but there is plenty of paranormal fun to be had! (Tell me I'm not the only one who LOVES to stock up on paranormal romances during this time of year. Back to school…Halloween is just waiting to sneak up on us…)
August 26, 2011
Katie Reus has a Deadly Obsession (& Giveaway)
Today, I'm excited to have romantic suspense and paranormal romance author Katie Reus at my blog. Katie writes some wonderful, pulse-pounding stories, and I am always glad when she stops by for a visit. And did I mention that she came with a gift? Cause she did. One lucky commenter will win a digital copy of Katie's new release, DEADLY OBSESSION.
Why Romantic Suspense?
Thank you so much to Cynthia for having me here today!
Why romantic suspense? This is one of the most common questions I get when people discover I'm a writer. Growing up I read a lot of straight contemporary romances because I had no clue any other kind of romance existed. To get my fix, I stole romance books from my mom's stash so I had to take what I could get. However, I also read a lot of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books which is where I gained my love of mysteries. Then, in 1999 (I remember the year b/c it changed my reading experience) I discovered a new subgenre of romance and I was forever hooked on the awesome combination of romance and suspense! Watching two characters fall in love is always an emotional journey but it's even more fun when they're battling external forces determined to keep them apart.
In Deadly Obsession, my recent release from Carina Press, the two main characters haven't seen each other in a decade and a deranged serial killer is intent on making them both suffer. So in addition to battling their still burning attraction to one another they're also trying to find out who is terrorizing the hero's small town (while trying to stay alive).
So even though I fell in love with romance and mystery as separate genres, I now get to combine what's great about both of them. That's ultimately why I write romantic suspense. I get the best of two of my favorite worlds. What do you love about romantic suspense? One commenter will be entered to win a digital copy of Deadly Obsession. The winner will be announced in the comments section of this blog on Monday, August, 29 2011 with instructions how to contact me so please check back.
Deadly Obsession now available from Carina Press.
The chilling words of a killer: This is just the beginning…
Ten years ago, Lilly Carmichael left town without an explanation, breaking Braden Donnelly's heart. The death of her aunt has brought Lilly home–and face to face with memories she thought were long buried. Still getting over a traumatic incident from her work as an NSA agent, Lilly initially dismisses the face at her window as a figment of stress-induced paranoia.
Now the sheriff of Hudson Bay, Braden has spent the last year hunting a sadistic murderer. But his investigation is turned upside down when new evidence indicates that Lilly is the killer's next target. Determined to protect the woman he's never stopped loving, Braden must race against the clock to trap a dangerous psychopath—before it's too late…
***
A little about me: I've been reading romance from a young age (since I discovered my mom's hidden stash) and the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write dark paranormal romance and sexy, fast-paced romantic suspense. Currently I write for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne (Destined Mate, October 2011), and in early 2012 the first book in my paranormal series will release from NAL/Signet Eclipse (Alpha Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novel). To learn more about me please visit my website, my blog, facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.
August 19, 2011
Another Chance to Win an ARC!
Leagh at Romance Book Craze was kind enough to interview me about my upcoming Fallen series. If you get a chance, head over…cause we're also giving away an Angel of Darkness ARC at her place.
Have a great Friday!!
Update: I also wanted to post a reminder about the contest below since it is still going on. Lots of great books to be had!!
Want to win some books? (Ah, I do love free books). Then check out this exciting contest:
(I've taken this information from the lovely Ashley March's site. Thank you, Ashley! This is a great contest–with lots of books to be won. Hope you can enter!)
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Five huge romance fans who just happen to be romance authors as well have decided that we want to give you the opportunity to receive complete, SIGNED backlists of one of your very favorite authors (and yes, that means EVERYTHING they've ever written).
The romance fans/authors who are participating are: Ashley March, Shana Galen, Lila DiPasqua,Vanessa Kelly, and Heather Snow.
The complete, SIGNED backlists they're giving away are books from the following authors (henceforth known as "The Amazing Authors"):
Before we can give these awesome prizes away, though, we need you to show how fanatical of fans you are. Since we know that you're already following The Amazing Authors on Facebook (you are, aren't you??), all you need to do is follow the authors who want to give away these complete, signed backlists to you. We all have to reach a certain number of followers; once that happens, then we will run a Facebook giveaway on our individual pages where you can enter to win the complete, signed backlists from the Amazing Authors.
(Please note, you must follow and enter on each of the five Facebook pages to be eligible to win each backlist. The giveaway won't happen until AFTER the goals are met for ALL of us, and the giveaways will be open to US and international residents! All books will be in English as print books; if any books in the Amazing Authors' backlists are currently our of print, used books will be purchased for those titles so that the backlist will be complete.)
Ashley March (must reach 2500 total "Likes" in order to give away Lisa Kleypas backlist)
Shana Galen (must reach 2000 total "Likes" in order to give away Julia Quinn backlist)
Lila DiPasqua (must reach 3500 total "Likes" in order to give away Elizabeth Hoyt backlist)
Vanessa Kelly (must reach 2000 total "Likes" in order to give away Cynthia Eden backlist)
Heather Snow (must reach 2500 total "Likes" in order to give away Julie Garwood backlist)
Those are the rules! Tell your friends, tell your family, tell any fellow romance fan you know. Soon, 5 lucky winners will win a complete, signed backlist from a favorite author!
August 18, 2011
Rejection
Rejection is something that all writers face. Whether you've sold a dozen books or you are attempting to sell your first tale, rejection happens. It's just a part of the writing life. The important thing to remember? You can't ever let a rejection force you to give up your dream. If you want to be a writer, then write. Rejections won't stop you from being a writer–but they can make you more determined than ever to perfect your craft and achieve your dream.
Here's a video created by the great team at Open Road Media. In this video, Richelle Mead, Mary Monroe, and I all talk about rejection. (Because, yes, rejection can be a painful thing, but in no way is it the end of your writing life. Don't let it be.)
August 17, 2011
ANGEL OF DARKNESS–ARC Giveaway
I've got 3 ANGEL OF DARKNESS Advanced Reader Copies that I would absolutely love to giveaway.
Want to win? We'll make this easy. I've got 3 main types of angels featured in my upcoming Fallen series. Guardians (yep, those angels who watch over humans), Angels of Death (bet you can guess what they do), and Punishment Angels (I'm betting you can figure out what they do, too). Now…guardian angels are the good guys. The Death Angels and the Punishers? Um, not so much.
If you were a character in one of my Fallen books, which category of angels would you belong to? Guardians? Punishers? Death Angels? Are you a good, gentle soul? Or do you like to dish out some retribution?
Leave me your answer, and I will be back tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM (Eastern Time) to pick the 3 winners. Thanks!!
Brava Writing With The Stars
Just wanted to post a quick reminder–the deadline for entering the Brava Writing With The Stars Contest is August 22nd. If you've ever wanted to write a romance, then this is a great contest for you. Here are the rules (as taken from the Brava Authors website):
The Rules:
Entries will be accepted July 1st , 12am EST, through August 22nd, 11:59 EST.
Only the first 500 entries will be eligible.
This contest is open to unpublished authors. For the purposes of the contest, "unpublished" means authors who have not been published IN ANY FORMAT. Authors who have only self-published are eligible; however, the manuscript you are submitting must be brand new material, never before published.
Due to varying contest laws, the contest is only open to authors in the US and Canada. Entries must be in English.
Entries must be Brava-level heat. Inspirational or "sweet" romances will be disqualified.
Entries can be any genre of romance other than inspirational.
Entries must be novella-length, 20,000-30,000 words. Please use the Word Count feature in your document program to calculate this.
You must send THE FULL MANUSCRIPT as your entry. We are not interested in seeing partials of manuscripts that are incomplete.
Your entry must be sent to us exclusively. Manuscripts that have won previous contests are fine, but please do not send projects that are currently out with other publishers. If your manuscript is out with agents, please let them know they cannot submit it to other publishers until finalists are announced.
Your entry must have your name, address, phone number, and email address. PLEASE ADD THIS INFO TO THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR ENTRY. This information will only be used to contact you if you are a finalist. Please also include the genre you are targeting.
ONE ENTRY PER AUTHOR. Subsequent entries will be deleted.
Your entry must be submitted via email to marketing@kensingtonbooks.com with "Brava contest" in the subject line. Word doc or rtf format. Snail mail entries will not be considered. Manuscripts sent directly to Brava editors will not be considered.
Only the top 8 finalists will be notified. Finalists will be announced Sept 26th. If you have not heard from us by Sept 26th, you are not a finalist, and are free to submit your manuscript elsewhere.
Finalists agree to having their headshot and bio publicized by RT. Please do not enter if you are not comfortable with this requirement.
To enter, send your full manuscript to Marketing@KensingtonBooks.com and be sure to make "Brava Contest" your subject.
Good luck!!
August 16, 2011
Most Anticipated Books for Fall
Today the BookPage blog has a listing of their 25 most anticipated books for fall. As I scanned the list, my attention was caught by a few books:
"The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian
A pilot who has to make an emergency landing on water (think Sully) survives the crash. 39 of the 47 other people on board do not. Haunted by the past, he moves with his wife and two daughters to a rambling Victorian house in Vermont, where the haunting becomes literal. Look for shades of The Shining."
Honestly, they had me at "shades of the Shining."
"Zone One by Colson Whitehead
In the wake of the plague, Mark Spitz is working to clear Manhattan of the infected ones—though the only zombies left in the area are not the dangerous kind but the "malfunctioning" sort who are basically catatonic and mourning their former lives. Then it all starts to go wrong."
My husband is a zombie freak, so I bet he'd enjoy this one–and I like the different spin that seems to be used with zombies.
And Nora Roberts has a book on the list–Nora has been a favorite of mine for years:
"The Next Always by Nora Roberts
Perennial bestseller Nora Roberts launches the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy with The Next Always. This series is especially intriguing because it is inspired by the real Inn BoonsBoro, which Roberts bought and restored in 2007."
Of course, I do think the list could use with a bit more romance. I know there are dozens of books that I'm looking forward to reading this fall, including new books from Elisabeth Naughton, Christine Feehan, Christie Reece, and Maggie Shayne. What books are on your most anticipated list? (I'm about to make me a full list now–I have a feeling I'm gonna want A LOT of books.)
August 15, 2011
Plagiarism Update–Experiment? I don't think so.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who reported THE DEVIL'S DANCE as plagiarism on FanFic.net. The story is down now, and Misconception76 (the person who stole my story and used it as her own), left this note on her page:
"Okay…confession time. What people said I did, I really did do. It was an experiment with a friend of mine. Her mom is totally addicted to the site, and it made me wonder. How many people actually copy other stories and claim them as their own. Well, now I know. Probably not many at all. I'm sorry for all the crap that I caused, and I promise to never show my face again. When my mom's friend found out what we did, she was livid to say the least. I don't blame her, or you for any words or actions you brought my way. I totally deserved it.
Once again, I'm sorry.
Misconception"
***
An experiment? No, it's an illegal act. It's plagiarism. And Misconception76 STILL has not replied to the PM I sent to her about this activity. She hasn't contacted me at all. If her friend's mom was actually "livid" then I'll say that's no big surprise. She knew the actions were more than just wrong.
Thank you, again, to everyone who has commented, tweeted, emailed–I am thankful for all the support that I've received during the course of this "experiment" (totally calling bullshit).
