Ava March's Blog, page 11

Cookies from the Cave

I'm still deep in the writing cave working on Convincing Leopold. Just finished a couple of major angst scenes. Poor Leopold, he's in need of some hugs, but first I need to torment Arthur some more and then Leopold will get his HEA.
In the mean time, I'm offering up some cookies to celebrate that it's Friday. Enjoy, and I hope you all have a great weekend!

Release Date News

I'm briefly popping out of the deadline cave to share some release date news. Convincing Leopold (the book that has me in the cave) has a release date of June 28th, 2011! It's 4 months away, so the release date could change, but I have a date which means it is officially on the schedule and that's a good thing.
In other news, I took the kidlet to Build-A-Bear over the weekend. Kitteh was lucky the receipent of the day's purchases. Isn't she pretty in pink? (...cue music...)

Company in the Cave

Shawn Lane had a post the other day which prompted me to take a good look at the calendar and realize the end of the month was less than 3 weeks away. 2 weeks and a few days, to be more exact. Convincing Leopold is due at the end of February. Based on my word count, I'm not yet half way done with the book.
*EEK*
So I'm now officially in the writing cave. I'm even planning to boot chatty hubby out of the basement tomorrow night. Given it's been averaging 14 deg here of late, it's much too cold to write in the garage. My space heater doesn't do crap when it's that cold. So I'm in the basement, but hubby's here too and he's rather chatty (he's discovered Skype recently). I love him and all, but he's seriously disturbing the muse. So he's getting the boot starting tomorrow night.
Good thing is that I've finished reviewing the proofs for Bound Forever and sent them to my editor, so that's done. I can now focus totally on Arthur and Leopold.
And I won't be completely alone in the cave. Meet Ryan. He's one of Ken's friends. His packaging called him 'Ken', but I mean really, you can't have 2 dudes side by side at the store and call them the same name when they are clearly not the same guy. *shakes head at the marketing dept* One of kidlet's barbie books had barbie's friends in it, and there was a cute little hottie with dark hair named Ryan. So I've decided he's Ryan.
I haven't abandoned the Princes, but those 2 are officially the kidlet's and live in the bin of barbies. Ryan hangs out on my desk behind Pretty. He'll be my company in the cave for the next 2 weeks and 4 days.
If you don't see me out and about, it's because I'm in the cave. Wish me luck!! ...I think I'm going to need it - the frentic music is already playing. ;)

Story Behind the Story - From Afar

Stats - Submitted manuscript 7/9/09. Received contract offer 10/3/09. Published 2/23/10.

My bad luck when it comes to timing submissions to Samhain continued with this book. My editor left Samhain a few weeks after I submitted From Afar . I was assigned a new editor who got a bunch of new authors and new responsibilities, so it took her some time to read the book.
Little known fact – The final cover took five different drafts and one change in cover artist. Oh, and a final tweak. I swear, I'm not one of those super picky authors, but I didn't think a sunny afternoon backdrop would fit the feel of a vampire book that takes place at night. I do love the final cover – that guy is simply yum!

Extremely little known fact – I started writing the book in January 2008, back when I was an unpublished author, and entered the first 20 pages in Passionate Ink's Stroke of Midnight contest for unpubbed authors. Rafe and Aleric got 3rd place in the Novella category. *pats the boys on the back* I put the book on hold to start Bound by Deception, then landed an agent and sold a book to Berkley and got distracted by revisions and edits for that one. Then wrote Bound to Him and Convincing Arthur. So it wasn't until the summer of 2009 when I turned back to From Afar and finished it.

How did I get the idea for the book – Stephani Hecht gave me the nudge to write a vampire book, and Raphael popped into my head. Even though everything I write is set in the Regency, I love the Georgian era. The clothing is just so gorgeous. Dangerous Liaisons is one of my favorite movies, though Valmont (with yummy Colin Firth) is also a favorite. Since the book was a paranormal, I couldn't resist making Raphael old enough to have been born and turned during the Georgian era. I had great fun dressing him, too ;)

If I could edit the book now, what would I change (if anything)? The ending is rather…abrupt. A part of me wishes I would have added more to the book. But honestly, the current ending is how I had originally planned it. If I had the chance to change it today, I probably wouldn't.

Will there be a sequel – I'm on the fence about a sequel. I've hopped onto the 'sequel' side of the fence then jumped over to 'no sequel' a few times since I've finished the book. I even have outlines done for both a sequel and a prequel of sorts featuring Roman and Grant. My main issue is time – there are 10+ other books on the 'want to write' list and you all know I'm not a hare when it comes to writing. I do have a short free story idea for Raphael and Aleric, so maybe I'll go that route. Raphael deserves an 'I love you' from Aleric. One way or another, I want to make sure he eventually gets to hear those 3 words.

Misc stuff – Aleric's age in the book was very deliberate. He's 27, and has been cut off from his family for 3 years for refusing to become a vicar. During the Regency, men had to be at least 24 yrs old to be ordained. I figured his father wouldn't have made a big huge stink about taking the living at Barton Hall until Aleric was old enough to actually do it, hence why Aleric is 27 in the book.

That's the story behind the story for From Afar . Any questions? Ask away *g*

First Lines

About a week ago, Devon Rhodes posted an author meme on Opening Lines on her blog that she'd seen over at Val Kovalin's blog. Then Shawn Lane copied Devon and did her own post. Their posts got me thinking about my own opening lines. Of course, I couldn't resist checking my books to see if there was any sort of pattern.

"How much?"
-Bound by Deception

Under normal circumstances, the sight of a gambling hell wouldn't put a smile on Lord Vincent Prescot's face.
-Bound to Him

Fifteen minutes until midnight. Exactly on time.
-Beyond Reckless

Raphael Laurent dropped down onto the tree branch and blinked against the bright light spilling from the window.
-From Afar

Don't touch him. Don't you dare touch—
-Object of His Desire

The deep amber rays of the setting sun gently receded, cloaking the study in twilight shadows.
-Convincing Arthur

"There ye are."
-His Client

The familiar press of hot, silken skin against his thigh roused Vincent from sleep.
-Bound Forever

The click of a lock sliding home echoed in the study.
-Convincing Leopold (work in progress)

I think of myself as more of an opening paragraph kind of gal vs an opening liner. When I first started writing, I heard all about how opening lines are supposed to grab a reader and yank them into a book. For a while, I tried to come up with cool opening lines then I gave up. Kind of how I've given up on super cool book titles. They just aren't my thing. Anyway, I don't see much of an obvious pattern to my opening lines besides that they tend to be setting oriented.
In other news, I got the final line edits for Bound Forever yesterday. They're due 1/30, but I've almost got them done. Just need to give the book a read through. Haven't made much process on Convincing Leopold since I've been back from vacation, but I'm planning to kick it back into high gear over the weekend. The book's due at the end of Feb, so yeah, time to really kick it up.

I'm Back, Progress, & the Ultimate Boyfriend

I'm back from my mini-vacation to FL to visit the in-laws. No, I didn't hang out on any beaches, but I did thoroughly enjoy the warm weather. The main downside to the in-laws is their craptastic internet connection. The 1-bar of wireless signal wouldn't even let me view a blog. Had to surf on my phone, and while I love my iphone, leaving comments with it is just painful. So I was a big o'lurker for the past few days.
The upside to the craptastic internet was that I got a lot written on Convincing Leopold. Arthur and Leopold have already smexed it up twice (including office smex - but sorry, no tree smex in this one) and I'm ramping up to major angst. All in all, good progress so far on the book.

It's a testament to how well the kidlet knows me that she doesn't bat an eye when I whip out my phone and snap pictures of Ken dolls at stores. This one almost came home with me. I could have had so much fun with him. *sigh* I resisted, however, but I could not resist sharing pics.
Sweet Talkin' Ken - the ultimate boyfriend who always knows the right thing to say. Press a button and talk into his stomach, and he'll repeat what you said. In a 'Ken' voice! It really worked (of course, I had to try it out). There are actually 3 voice options - your own voice, the masculine Ken voice, or a high pitched voice...not sure why Ken needed that last option, the poor fellow. If I had brought him home, I just know kidlet would have stuck him in high voice mode and just tormented the guy. Couldn't subject Ken to that ridicule, so I left him on the shelf. I hope everyone had a great weekend! The artic north is darn cold, but I am happy to be home and rockin' a real internet connection again. :)

Cover Lovin' - Bound Forever

I received the cover art for Bound Forever , the 3rd and final book in the Bound series! I love the feel of the cover - totally fits the book - and that house could actually be Vincent's country estate. (hugs) to April Martinez for another fabulous cover.

I tweaked up the blurb a bit before I turned it in (added a stronger hint of some of the conflict), so I'll share it.

Lord Oliver Marsden's life is perfect...well almost perfect. His bookshop is doing well, his bank account isn't empty, and his nights are filled with a deliciously dominant man…who tends to be a bit too domineering outside of the bedchamber. But Vincent loves him and that's all that should matter. Right? And of course, Vincent still firmly holds the reins of control. Yet while Oliver feels Vincent is finally ready to give himself fully to him, to make good on the offer Oliver refused a year ago, the looming threat his lover could someday be forced to marry keeps him from tugging the reins from Vincent's grasp.

Then Vincent receives a letter that changes everything. Oliver seizes the moment and pushes Vincent toward a night neither of them will ever forget. Yet come dawn, Oliver awakens to an empty bed.

Lord Vincent Prescot knows he loves Oliver. The man's his best friend and he trusts him. So why does submitting to Oliver leave him so shaken? It doesn't take him long to find the answer, yet his solution could drive his lover away for good.
I also added an excerpt to my website (scroll down to below the blurb). It's from a scene mid-way through the book. One of my fav scenes, because it leads up to one of my favorite scenes ;)

His Client - Now Available

His Client is now available from Loose Id! *insert much squeeing from me*

The book is my longest Ava book to date, coming in at 40,000 words, which puts it firmly into short novel territory. The book features two of my favorite themes - unrequited love and friends to lovers. It also features some fun kinky smex ;) Oh, and angst. Gotta have the angst.
Here's the official blurb...which is the same blurb I posted in the past. I must have done a decent job on this one, because it received no tweaks from the marketing department.
Mr. Nathaniel Travers has been visiting Madame Delacroix's brothel for five years. On every visit, he requests the same man. Stunningly handsome and highly skilled, Jasper not only shares Nate's fondness for wickedly erotic games and black leather corsets, but he's become a friend. Someone he can talk to. Someone he can share a supper with. And Jasper's the only person who knows Nate secretly harbors a love for his old childhood friend, Peter Edmonton.
Mr. Jasper Reed has been working at the house for a decade. He's saved enough to retire, yet he remains at the decadent London brothel. Retiring would mean leaving Nate and the hope perhaps someday the rugged gentleman would stop pining for his best friend and realize he loves Jasper, just as Jasper loves him.
It takes Edmonton's marriage for Jasper to see he's been just as blind as Nate. Stubbornly hoping for something that cannot be. Convinced a gentleman like Nate can never be more than his client, Jasper retires.
Life in the country may be lonely, but with no one to please but himself, it's calm and peaceful...until Nate shows up on his doorstep.
Here's a link to the official excerpt, which includes all of chapter 1 - Excerpt

Meet the New Guys

After much perusing of images (yeah, hard work, but someone has to do it), I picked out new guys for my blog and website headers. *squee* Meet Charlie and Matthew, and their photographer is Dylan Rosser. Thanks goes out to Em Woods, for without her, it would have never occurred to me to email the photographer to ask if I could purchase the image and then I wouldn't have the new guys. So really, you have Em to thank for the new permanent cookies.
His Client officially releases in less than a week! I am already starting to get over excited about it. To celebrate, Chris over at Stumbling Over Chaos is giving away a copy of His Client. Simply leave a comment on her blog to enter to win .
A couple of great friends also have upcoming book releases. Yummy Indulgences by Andi Anderson releases 1/8 from Silver Publishing, and Pulling Away (the sequel to Pulling Apart) by Shawn Lane releases 1/9 at Amber Quill Press.
In other news, I sent the edits for Bound Forever to my editor, and I've turned my full attention to Convincing Leopold. Arthur and Leopold are right about to smex it up, so I better get back to them. I don't want to be cruel and leave them hanging ;)

2010 Recap & Looking to 2011

First off, before I get to anything else, I just have to share this. I went to the post office during the holidays and what did I find in my PO box?
In case you can't read it in the pic, the package is addressed to 'Ava March, Author-Under-the-Cupboards-in-the-Garage'. I seriously laughed out loud (and got a few odd looks from the postal workers). Many thanks to Chris for the gift, and for making my day. ((hugs))

Back to your regularly scheduled post. I tend to be rather type-A in everyday life, so of course I keep a writing schedule where I plan what I want to write for the year and track what I actually got done. For 2010, here's what got done:- From Afar (novella) - wrote in 2009, released 2/2010
- Deliberately Unbound (free short story) - wrote & posted 4/2010- His Client (short novel) - wrote in 2010- Bound Forever (novella) - wrote in 2010- Pleasures of Somerville Park (free short story) - wrote & posted 9/2010- Beyond Reckless (short story) - wrote in 2010, released 11/2010- Back to You (novella) - wrote 16k/25k in 2010
Only 2 book releases, but I spent a lot of time writing in 2010. 2009 was primarily spent writing an Evangeline novel, and in 2010 I focused on Ava. As a result, I already have 2 books written that will be released in 2011.- His Client - January 11th
- Bound Forever - March 8th

What do I plan to write in 2011? I have a list of what I want to get done, but I've learned such lists tends to get jacked very quickly. Here's the definite will-write list:- Convincing Leopold (novella) - due end of Feb, release likely in June- Deliberately Bound (freebie) - April- Back to You (novella) - finish by April/May. I've been writing this one on and off over the past few months. I wanted to get it done by the end of 2010....and well, that ties into my main resolution. But I will get it done by spring'11 - I promised Shawn I wouldn't leave Sasha hanging.
After that, I want to write the werewolf book I outlined months ago and also a prequel for Rys and Martin from Beyond Reckless. Both would be novellas. But I'll get to them many months from now, which falls into 'fuzzy schedule' territory. So I'm leaving them at the top of the 'want to write' list.

That leads into resolutions for 2011. Tops on the list?- Be more focused. It's no secret I'm a slow writer, and the primary cause is my tendency to get....distracted. By everything. A shiny new book idea, the internet, TV, email, my internal editor from hell, and just plain stalling. In 2011, I need to use my time more wisely and stay focused on what needs to be done.
So that's a recap of 2010 and the plan for 2011. How about you? Any interesting resolutions or goals for 2011?
Happy New Year, and may 2011 be full of happiness, good health, and love!