Chloe Neill's Blog, page 111
April 14, 2011
You! Guys! Can we make it to $1,000?!?
We have raised a total of $774.71 so far for the second annual Greater Chicago Food Depository (virtual) food drive! I am so proud!
But I think we can make it to $1,000 by tomorrow night! That's only $226 to go!
To increase the odds, I'll throw in a signed, hot-off-the-press copy of HARD BITTEN and a signed audiobook of TWICE BITTEN, in addition to the following kicka$$ prizes:
- A WiFi Amazon Kindle!- An ARC of Kalayna Price's GRAVE DANCE, which won't hit shelves until July 5!!- A copy of EXCEPT THE QUEEN by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder- A Cadogan House tote bag- CV and DE swag, including bookmarks galore
If you haven't yet made a donation, you have until midnight CST on Friday, April 15 to make a donation. That's Tax Day here in the U.S., so if you're flush with a new refund, feel free to donate a bit to the GCFD.
And don't forget--EVERY DONATION, NO MATTER THE SIZE, gets an entry into the food drive contest! For more details about how to enter, visit the Rules Page.
But I think we can make it to $1,000 by tomorrow night! That's only $226 to go!
To increase the odds, I'll throw in a signed, hot-off-the-press copy of HARD BITTEN and a signed audiobook of TWICE BITTEN, in addition to the following kicka$$ prizes:
- A WiFi Amazon Kindle!- An ARC of Kalayna Price's GRAVE DANCE, which won't hit shelves until July 5!!- A copy of EXCEPT THE QUEEN by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder- A Cadogan House tote bag- CV and DE swag, including bookmarks galore
If you haven't yet made a donation, you have until midnight CST on Friday, April 15 to make a donation. That's Tax Day here in the U.S., so if you're flush with a new refund, feel free to donate a bit to the GCFD.
And don't forget--EVERY DONATION, NO MATTER THE SIZE, gets an entry into the food drive contest! For more details about how to enter, visit the Rules Page.
April 6, 2011
Stuff
Listicle of random things I enjoy. And words I like. Or don't like. Whatever.
LIKE!
1. Lisa Congdon2. Leite's Culinaria.3. The word "eponymous."4. These biscuits and this spin-art dip (but I skip the garlic). 5. Jeremy Dixon Photography. (Most handsome photographer EVER!)6. The thought of vampires singing Blackbird a capella.7. Jordan Ferney8. My new cookbook holder (recommended by Cathy Z.)9. My first back porch, patio table and fenced-in yard.
UNLIKE!
1. The word "tug."2. The nails-on-chalkboard sound of aluminum baking pans touching each other.3. The fact that the books on my Amazon Wishlist aren't purchasing themselves.4. The fact that y'all have four weeks to go until HARD BITTEN. I am ready for release day!
LIKE!
1. Lisa Congdon2. Leite's Culinaria.3. The word "eponymous."4. These biscuits and this spin-art dip (but I skip the garlic). 5. Jeremy Dixon Photography. (Most handsome photographer EVER!)6. The thought of vampires singing Blackbird a capella.7. Jordan Ferney8. My new cookbook holder (recommended by Cathy Z.)9. My first back porch, patio table and fenced-in yard.
UNLIKE!
1. The word "tug."2. The nails-on-chalkboard sound of aluminum baking pans touching each other.3. The fact that the books on my Amazon Wishlist aren't purchasing themselves.4. The fact that y'all have four weeks to go until HARD BITTEN. I am ready for release day!
Virtual Food Drive Update
We're up to $430.00 in donations to the Greater Chicago Food Depository! Great job, everyone, and let's keep the generosity flowing!
xoxo
xoxo
HARD BITTEN BLOG TOUR!
Dates for the HARD BITTEN BLOG TOUR are up! You can view the entire schedule here.
Thanks to everyone who signed up! The fun begins on April 19, and I'm looking forward to chatting with folks.
For participants, feel free to read the Blog Tour FAQ if you have any questions about how things work.
xoxo,Chloe
Thanks to everyone who signed up! The fun begins on April 19, and I'm looking forward to chatting with folks.
For participants, feel free to read the Blog Tour FAQ if you have any questions about how things work.
xoxo,Chloe
April 5, 2011
GCFD Food Drive Update + HARD BITTEN Teaser No. 2!
We're four days in, and we've already raised nearly $300 for our Greater Chicago Food Depository Virtual Food Drive! Great job everyone, and keep those donations coming! And don't forget that ANY donation--big or small--will get you entered to win a Wi-Fi Amazon Kindle!
Since ya'll are being sooooo incredibly generous, maybe I should tempt you with another HARD BITTEN teaser?
And if anyone feels motivated to give a gallon of milk to the GCFD as a thank-you, go right ahead! Just CLICK HERE.
Oh--and before I forget--you still have FIVE DAYS LEFT to enter the GOODREADS ARC contest. Penguin is giving away 12 ARCs of HARD BITTEN!
And now, without further ado . . . .
* * * *
As much as I loved casual, and as steamy as August had been so far, I knew jeans and a cotton tank top weren't going to cut it tonight. We were heading to a rave. At best, it was going to be a party for vamps, and I needed to look the part; at worst, it was going to be a battle of vamps, and I was going to need the protection.
No, tonight was a night for leather. Well, leather pants, at least, since it was much too hot for the full ensemble.
I know, stereotypical vampire. I had that thought every time I pulled the leather out of my closet. But you ask any Harley rider who's experienced road rash, and he'll explain why he wears leather. Because it works. Steel can slice, and bullets can pierce. Leather makes those things a little harder to get through.
I pulled a longish, flowy, gray tank top from the closet and paired that with the leather pants, then pulled my hair into a high ponytail, leaving a fringe of bangs across my forehead. I skipped the Cadogan medal—I was attempting to fly undercover, after all—but I pulled a long necklace made of strands of pewter-colored beads over the tank. With my black boots, the ensemble looked half-runway, half-party-girl. It didn't scream vampire soldier, which I figured could only help. Element of surprise, and all that.
I slid my dagger, inscribed on one end with my position, into my right boot, then stuck my phone and beeper into a tiny clutch purse. I wouldn't take the purse or the beeper to the event, but at least I wouldn't have to carry a handful of gadgets to the car. En masse, they weren't exactly ergonomic.
I'd just added blush and lip gloss when there was a knock at the door. Luc, I assumed, having been sent upstairs by Ethan for a last-minute strategy session.
"About time," I said, pulling the door open.
Green eyes stared back at me. Ethan hadn't sent Luc upstairs; he'd come on his own. He scanned my outfit. "Date night?"
"I'm trying to fit in with the rest of the partygoers," I reminded him.
"So I see. You've got weapons?"
"A dagger in my boot. Anything else would be too obvious."
The emotion was clear in his eyes, but I needed to stay focused. I kept my voice neutral, my words careful. "I'll be safe. And Noah will have my back."
Ethan nodded. "I've updated Luc. The guards are all on standby. If you call, they come running, immediately. If you need anything, you call one of them. If anything happens to you—"
"I'm immortal," I interrupted, reminding him of the biological clock he'd stopped from ticking. "And I have no interest in taking liberties with my immortality."
He nodded, regret in his eyes. That look made it seem he was seeking a discussion between two lovers, not between boss and employee. Maybe he did have feelings for me. Real ones, unbound by obligation or position. But even if I was interested in pursuing that lead, now was not the time. I had a task to perform.
But before I could remind him of that and send him on his way, he cupped my face in his hands.
"You will be careful." It was an order that brooked no argument. That was convenient, since words failed me.
"You will be careful," he repeated, "and you will stay in touch with me, Luc, or Catcher. Darius will be here, so Malik and I may be indisposed. Get in contact with whomever you can. Take no unnecessary risks."
"I promise I wasn't planning on it. Not because you asked me to," I hastily added, "but because I like being alive."
He clearly wasn't dissuaded, and stroked my jawline with his thumb. "You can run. You can keep running to the ends of the earth. But I won't be far behind you."
"Ethan—"
"No. I will never be far behind you." He tipped up my chin so that I could do nothing else but look back into his eyes. "Do the things you need to do. Learn to be a vampire, to be a warrior, to be the soldier you are capable of being. But consider the possibility that I made a mistake I regret—and that I'll continue to regret that mistake and try to convince you to give me another chance until the earth stops turning."
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead, my heart melting even as my more rational side harbored suspicions.
"No one said love was easy, Sentinel."
And then he was gone and the door was closed again, leaving me standing there, dumbfounded, staring at it.
What was I supposed to do with that?
(Copyright Chloe Neill and all that jazz)
Since ya'll are being sooooo incredibly generous, maybe I should tempt you with another HARD BITTEN teaser?
And if anyone feels motivated to give a gallon of milk to the GCFD as a thank-you, go right ahead! Just CLICK HERE.
Oh--and before I forget--you still have FIVE DAYS LEFT to enter the GOODREADS ARC contest. Penguin is giving away 12 ARCs of HARD BITTEN!
And now, without further ado . . . .
* * * *
As much as I loved casual, and as steamy as August had been so far, I knew jeans and a cotton tank top weren't going to cut it tonight. We were heading to a rave. At best, it was going to be a party for vamps, and I needed to look the part; at worst, it was going to be a battle of vamps, and I was going to need the protection.
No, tonight was a night for leather. Well, leather pants, at least, since it was much too hot for the full ensemble.
I know, stereotypical vampire. I had that thought every time I pulled the leather out of my closet. But you ask any Harley rider who's experienced road rash, and he'll explain why he wears leather. Because it works. Steel can slice, and bullets can pierce. Leather makes those things a little harder to get through.
I pulled a longish, flowy, gray tank top from the closet and paired that with the leather pants, then pulled my hair into a high ponytail, leaving a fringe of bangs across my forehead. I skipped the Cadogan medal—I was attempting to fly undercover, after all—but I pulled a long necklace made of strands of pewter-colored beads over the tank. With my black boots, the ensemble looked half-runway, half-party-girl. It didn't scream vampire soldier, which I figured could only help. Element of surprise, and all that.
I slid my dagger, inscribed on one end with my position, into my right boot, then stuck my phone and beeper into a tiny clutch purse. I wouldn't take the purse or the beeper to the event, but at least I wouldn't have to carry a handful of gadgets to the car. En masse, they weren't exactly ergonomic.
I'd just added blush and lip gloss when there was a knock at the door. Luc, I assumed, having been sent upstairs by Ethan for a last-minute strategy session.
"About time," I said, pulling the door open.
Green eyes stared back at me. Ethan hadn't sent Luc upstairs; he'd come on his own. He scanned my outfit. "Date night?"
"I'm trying to fit in with the rest of the partygoers," I reminded him.
"So I see. You've got weapons?"
"A dagger in my boot. Anything else would be too obvious."
The emotion was clear in his eyes, but I needed to stay focused. I kept my voice neutral, my words careful. "I'll be safe. And Noah will have my back."
Ethan nodded. "I've updated Luc. The guards are all on standby. If you call, they come running, immediately. If you need anything, you call one of them. If anything happens to you—"
"I'm immortal," I interrupted, reminding him of the biological clock he'd stopped from ticking. "And I have no interest in taking liberties with my immortality."
He nodded, regret in his eyes. That look made it seem he was seeking a discussion between two lovers, not between boss and employee. Maybe he did have feelings for me. Real ones, unbound by obligation or position. But even if I was interested in pursuing that lead, now was not the time. I had a task to perform.
But before I could remind him of that and send him on his way, he cupped my face in his hands.
"You will be careful." It was an order that brooked no argument. That was convenient, since words failed me.
"You will be careful," he repeated, "and you will stay in touch with me, Luc, or Catcher. Darius will be here, so Malik and I may be indisposed. Get in contact with whomever you can. Take no unnecessary risks."
"I promise I wasn't planning on it. Not because you asked me to," I hastily added, "but because I like being alive."
He clearly wasn't dissuaded, and stroked my jawline with his thumb. "You can run. You can keep running to the ends of the earth. But I won't be far behind you."
"Ethan—"
"No. I will never be far behind you." He tipped up my chin so that I could do nothing else but look back into his eyes. "Do the things you need to do. Learn to be a vampire, to be a warrior, to be the soldier you are capable of being. But consider the possibility that I made a mistake I regret—and that I'll continue to regret that mistake and try to convince you to give me another chance until the earth stops turning."
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead, my heart melting even as my more rational side harbored suspicions.
"No one said love was easy, Sentinel."
And then he was gone and the door was closed again, leaving me standing there, dumbfounded, staring at it.
What was I supposed to do with that?
(Copyright Chloe Neill and all that jazz)
April 1, 2011
Second Annual Greater Chicago Food Depository Virtual Food Drive!
BECAUSE OF YOU, SOMEONE WILL EAT TODAY.
It's a long title, but a great cause.
The Second Annual Greater Chicago Food Depository Virtual Food Bank Drive starts today!
Simply click on the link below to make your donation. You can specify a dollar amount, or select specific food items to virtually "purchase" for a needy family.
Donation Link: http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=5080
Everyone who makes a donation between April 1, 2011 and April 15, 2011 (midnight, CST) is eligible to win a special prize back that includes Chicagoland Vampires swag, a signed tote bag, and a Wi-Fi Amazon Kindle (or gift card, if you already have one), valued at $139! (Stay tuned for more details about the swag.)
There is no minimum donation to enter the prize contest, and every bit helps. If you can afford to "buy" a gallon of milk, that's one more gallon of milk for a hungry family in Chicago.
EVERY DONATION IS IMPORTANT. EVERY DONATION HELPS.
I'll get things started with a $100 donation.
To enter, simply forward your receipt from the GCFD--with private or financial information deleted--to CONTEST (AT) CHLOENEILL (DOT) COM.
Thank you so much for your participation! The contest ends in two weeks. Let's see how much we can raise to give Chicago a big thanks!
BECAUSE OF YOU, SOMEONE WILL EAT TODAY.
It's a long title, but a great cause.
The Second Annual Greater Chicago Food Depository Virtual Food Bank Drive starts today!
Simply click on the link below to make your donation. You can specify a dollar amount, or select specific food items to virtually "purchase" for a needy family.
Donation Link: http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=5080
Everyone who makes a donation between April 1, 2011 and April 15, 2011 (midnight, CST) is eligible to win a special prize back that includes Chicagoland Vampires swag, a signed tote bag, and a Wi-Fi Amazon Kindle (or gift card, if you already have one), valued at $139! (Stay tuned for more details about the swag.)
There is no minimum donation to enter the prize contest, and every bit helps. If you can afford to "buy" a gallon of milk, that's one more gallon of milk for a hungry family in Chicago.
EVERY DONATION IS IMPORTANT. EVERY DONATION HELPS.
I'll get things started with a $100 donation.
To enter, simply forward your receipt from the GCFD--with private or financial information deleted--to CONTEST (AT) CHLOENEILL (DOT) COM.
Thank you so much for your participation! The contest ends in two weeks. Let's see how much we can raise to give Chicago a big thanks!
BECAUSE OF YOU, SOMEONE WILL EAT TODAY.
Listening to . . .
Black Bird
Lyrics and music by Paul McCartney and John Lennon
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these broken wings and learn to flyAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to arise
Black bird singing in the dead of nightTake these sunken eyes and learn to seeall your lifeyou were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly, Blackbird flyInto the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly, Blackbird flyInto the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these broken wings and learn to flyAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to arise,You were only waiting for this moment to arise,You were only waiting for this moment to arise
(Try Evan Rachel Wood's version from the Across the Universe soundtrack. Holy crap on toast.)
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these broken wings and learn to flyAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to arise
Black bird singing in the dead of nightTake these sunken eyes and learn to seeall your lifeyou were only waiting for this moment to be free
Blackbird fly, Blackbird flyInto the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly, Blackbird flyInto the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of nightTake these broken wings and learn to flyAll your lifeYou were only waiting for this moment to arise,You were only waiting for this moment to arise,You were only waiting for this moment to arise
(Try Evan Rachel Wood's version from the Across the Universe soundtrack. Holy crap on toast.)
March 30, 2011
Various Updates!
Hi, folks! I'm five days from deadline on DRINK DEEP, but wanted to pop in for a few updates:
1. The Greater Chicago Food Depository Food Drive starts Friday, April 1 (and that's not an April Fool's joke!)
2. For those of you in San Diego or traveling there, I'll be at Comic-Con this year in July. No word yet on panels, but I'll announce them as soon as I know them.
3. I'll be appearing at this year's Printer's Row Literary Festival in Chicago! (And hoping to schedule a booksigning while I'm there, but that's still in the works.)
4. You can expect another HARD BITTEN excerpt within the next week!
5. I have not yet sent confirmation emails for the HARD BITTEN Blog Tour, but hope to get to that as soon as DRINK DEEP is turned in (early next week).
Thanks!
xoxo
1. The Greater Chicago Food Depository Food Drive starts Friday, April 1 (and that's not an April Fool's joke!)
2. For those of you in San Diego or traveling there, I'll be at Comic-Con this year in July. No word yet on panels, but I'll announce them as soon as I know them.
3. I'll be appearing at this year's Printer's Row Literary Festival in Chicago! (And hoping to schedule a booksigning while I'm there, but that's still in the works.)
4. You can expect another HARD BITTEN excerpt within the next week!
5. I have not yet sent confirmation emails for the HARD BITTEN Blog Tour, but hope to get to that as soon as DRINK DEEP is turned in (early next week).
Thanks!
xoxo
March 29, 2011
And the title is. . .
I'm happy to announce that the title for the third book in the DARK ELITE series, with an expected publication date in January 2010, is CHARMFALL!
March 28, 2011
Second Annual Chicago Food Depository Food Drive
Hello, everyone! As you may recall, last year I had a wonderful time participating in the Greater Chicago Food Depository Hunger Walk.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to Chicago for the Hunger Walk this year. But I definitely want to give something back to such a fabulous city. So, instead, from April 1, 2011 to April 15, 2011, I'm hosting a VIRTUAL food drive for the GCFD.
The virtual food drive will allow you to select a monetary amount OR a specific item (such as milk or peanut butter) for donation to the GCFD. I'll keep track of the total, and at the end of the food drive, I'll be giving away to one food drive participant a BAG of Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite goodies AND a wifi Amazon Kindle!
When the food drive link goes live (on Friday, April 1), you can make your donation and email your receipt (with any private or financial information blanked out) to donation (at) chloe neill (dot) com. On April 15, 2011, I'll name one lucky winner!
Why does the GCFD matter?
. . . Because "[n]early 678,000 people each year rely on emergency and supplemental food provided by the Food Depository and its member network of 650 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters."
. . . Because about 37 percent of the people the Food Depository serves are children under 18
. . . Because nine percent of clients are children under 5.
(Facts courtesy GCFD).
I'll ask you all to be generous one more time. Let's do our part to help the GCFD's crucial mission, and give a little something back to the city that supports Merit and crew.
xoxo,Chloe
Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to Chicago for the Hunger Walk this year. But I definitely want to give something back to such a fabulous city. So, instead, from April 1, 2011 to April 15, 2011, I'm hosting a VIRTUAL food drive for the GCFD.
The virtual food drive will allow you to select a monetary amount OR a specific item (such as milk or peanut butter) for donation to the GCFD. I'll keep track of the total, and at the end of the food drive, I'll be giving away to one food drive participant a BAG of Chicagoland Vampires and Dark Elite goodies AND a wifi Amazon Kindle!
When the food drive link goes live (on Friday, April 1), you can make your donation and email your receipt (with any private or financial information blanked out) to donation (at) chloe neill (dot) com. On April 15, 2011, I'll name one lucky winner!
Why does the GCFD matter?
. . . Because "[n]early 678,000 people each year rely on emergency and supplemental food provided by the Food Depository and its member network of 650 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters."
. . . Because about 37 percent of the people the Food Depository serves are children under 18
. . . Because nine percent of clients are children under 5.
(Facts courtesy GCFD).
I'll ask you all to be generous one more time. Let's do our part to help the GCFD's crucial mission, and give a little something back to the city that supports Merit and crew.
xoxo,Chloe
