Kate Rothwell's Blog, page 30

The cover of a book out in December

Eye-catching!



So what do you think is the mood of this book? Slightly comical? A guy who's been battered by conditions beyond his control? Yes, that's right.













(Not a guy with itchy balls, dammit.)

The OFFICIAL CONTEST POST

Okay, smart people are emailing me saying whu? huh? about this contest, so it's time to have a post with no bells and whistles, telling you the basic facts. No big, colorful fonts and no whining. It'll hurt, but I'll manage.






THE CONTEST

runs today through next Monday, Sept 12. A winner will be picked about 6 pm eastern time. 




WHAT YOU WILL WIN

Everyone is a winner! You will get any Summer Devon or Kate Rothwell ebook title (I can't send you Somebody to Love, Somebody Wonderful or Claws on Silk. Still, that's a fair sized lot of books to pick from.)




You will also be entered to win a twenty-five dollar gift e-certificate from Amazon. Winner picked next Monday. Your chances of winning depend on how many people enter and how many entries you have (up to three possible).






HOW TO ENTER


JUST tweet, facebook or blog about one
of my two new books (Claws on Silk and Protecting Miss Dunaway), using a link that goes directly to that book.

 
Okay, that's one entry. Now. Go ahead, blog, tweet or facebook about
the other book -- and you get another entry.



If you also tweet, facebook or blog about this contest, you get that third entry into the
contest.




Want an example? Here's some text for Miss Dunaway that'll fit that twitter feed. Just copy and
paste (please! feel free to make your own.)

Kate Rothwell has a new cheap ebook out! Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005J0I2UQ
or
Look, a historical ebook by Kate Rothwell. Only 99 cents. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005J0I2UQ
 

If you want to use you own words, go for it. Go ahead, add your
opinion. Even if you hated the book, hey, that'll count-- if you
include the link 



The link to the other book is: http://www.loose-id.com/Claws-on-Silk.aspx


The link to this contest is:  http://katerothwell.blogspot.com/2011/09/official-contest-post.html






WAIT! What if you
don't blog, use facebook or twitter?



You can write a review at Amazon or Goodreads or Barnes and Noble or
fictionwise--any public review of any one my books  -- written in the next
week --
will count. 



It doesn't have to be a good review. Sure, I'd prefer
it if
you piled on praise but I'm not the one picking the winner, so that
won't
affect the contest outcome. 



Of course if you write a review that makes it clear you haven't looked at the book [eg about The Gentleman and the Rogue: "I hated the whale and Ahab sucked too"] your review won't qualify.





HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR ENTRY GETS COUNTED  





 (also necessary to get that prize of an ebook)
You will need to:




give me your email address so I can send the ebook (and it'll be where I send the
gift certificate, in case you're a winner)
tell me which book you want. (check out all Kate Rothwell or Summer Devon titles, with three exceptions, noted above) You don't have to get a book. I won't feel hurt if you just want to go for the gift certificate
alert me all your entries into this contest, links to the entries if possible.






Any questions? Need to tell me about your entry?  Please, do let me know! katerothwell@gmail.com

HEY! Summer Devon has a new book out!

So turns out I've got TWO releases I'm jumping around yelling about! Here's the deal. You can now enter the contest THREE TIMES. . One entry for each book and one for the contest itself. 

Find out details here. 



If you lose all your followers because they are sick of hearing about Kate Rothwell and Summer Devon ** at least:

You'll be in good company (me)
 You'll be the proud owner of an ebook 
You may be able to buy more books with your shiny new e-certificate for twenty five dollars. Especially if you enter multiple times.


So go on, read the directions at the link above or the blog entry below and enter the contest. And here's a link to the new ebook. http://www.loose-id.com/Claws-on-Silk.aspx



You can write your coolio tweet/facebook/blog third entry using that link. Sample Facebook contest entry:



Summer Devon (who's also Kate Rothwell) has another book out. I know, not my fault. I just want to enter her contest again, okay? Go read all about Claws on Silk here http://www.loose-id.com/Claws-on-Silk...



HEY! SO!



What about the actual book?  It's a historical shapeshifting menage with m/f/m (and some m/m) Yes, I know that sounds a tad ... much. Does it help to say that we (the authors) like it a lot? 



Here's the cover copy:



Blackmailed into acting as her family's assassin, Anna corners O'Riley, her prey, but is shocked to realize the farmer standing over him is another of her kind. A rare Varelse, a tigerlike creature bred to kill. Anna's drawn to Isak, who hasn't shifted for years but who sees Anna struggle with her dual nature. Sometimes cultured lady, sometimes bloodthirsty beast, Anna begs for help. Isak agrees -- if she'll spare O'Riley's life. In their sensual lessons, he awakens his own dark animal -- and unleashes her feral passion.

 

But there's a hitch – Patrick O'Riley, the charming blackguard she hunts, desires her too. What's more, he also wants Isak. And to Isak's surprise, the farmer finds he's curious about the three of them together.



Yet over their heads hangs the specter of Anna's blackmailer, her uncle, who wants Patrick dead. Knowing they must confront him and learn the truth, Anna, Isak, and Patrick embark on a journey that takes them over land and sea and pushes the boundaries of their turbulent relationship. With their lives on the line, the three surrender to the lure of claws on silk and the savage lust that entwines them with danger and desire.



Read an excerpt here. 



_________________



** and now Linda Gayle, too. She's the coauthor of Claws on Silk

Listen, I'm not above bribery

I got a great fan letter the other day. She loved my book and it was so nice to read that kind of enthusiasm, makes my day--it always does. I should be content.



Naturally I want more.



I want reviews. I didn't beg her to write one over at Amazon, and I can't demand you do that either*. But I crave attention for my books.



Here's the sweet, sweet deal:



Want a free book? Sure! I'll send you a copy of any of my Kate Rothwell OR Summer Devon ebooks (exceptions: not Somebody to Love or Somebody Wonderful. I can't figure out how to do that). BUT Stay tuned for an even more stunning offer, just for you . . . 



TO RECEIVE YOUR BOOK and TO GET YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A GREAT GIFT . . .  **



All you have to do is blog or post or tweet something about my new book. Here's some text for you that'll fit that twitter feed just copy and paste (or feel free to make your own.)



Kate Rothwell has a new cheap ebook out! Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005J0I2UQ



or



Look, a historical ebook by Kate Rothwell. Only 99 cents. Whatadeal. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005J0I2UQ

 



If you want to use you own words, go for it. Go ahead, add your opinion. Even if you hated the book, hey, that'll count-- if you include the link





"Kate Rothwell's dreck is here! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005J0I2UQ"

 



So WHAT AN OFFER!! You get a free ebook, just for tweeting (or blogging or facebooking).  



PLUS!! MORE!! EXTRA!! FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY!!



Here it is: the next even, sweeter topping on an already delicious deal!!



You get an entry into a contest for a $25 gift certificate to Amazon or Samhain, whichever the winner prefers.



But WAIT!!! THERE IS MORE!!



If you blog/facebook/tweet about this contest, you get another entry into the gift certificate contest.



An example of this sort of entry (Feel free to use your own words):



Enter Kate's contest! Details here: http://katerothwell.blogspot.com



What are you waiting for? Act now! This offer is only good for one week.  



I'll be picking a gift certificate winner at random using our advanced, scientific ATB method*** on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.



And, judging from the number of responses I've had for previous contests, if you enter, your chances of winning are very, VERY good! Excellent, in fact.



DO NOT FORGET to tell me about your post! Let me know 

via Twitter 

or Facebook 

or comment below 

or let me know via email. 



I might find blunder across your entries but don't leave it to chance!



Oh, and to get your free ebook, you'll have to email me your email address, duh. I promise not to keep your address for any reason -- not even for my infrequent newsletter--unless you ask me to. 





recap time: EVERYONE'S A WINNER!

JUST tweet or facebook or blog about my new book with its URL and YOU GET A FREE EBOOK OF YOUR CHOICE AND A CHANCE AT A GIFT CERTIFICATE



.........AND THEN......



If you also tweet, facebook or blog about this contest, YOU GET ANOTHER CHANCE AT THAT GIFT CERTIFICATE.



Don't forget.



In addition to tweeting/facebooking/blogging.....



You will need to tell me:

1. your email address for the book (and gift certificate, in case you're a winner)

2. which book you want. (check out all Kate Rothwell or Summer Devon titles, with two exceptions, noted above)

3. about all your entries into this contest.



My email, in case you missed it, is katerothwell@gmail.com



_____________________



* It's a free country so obviously I can demand anything I want. I can also wear a bikini but neither of those options is the smart way to go.



** Any guesses about who's had insomnia lately and has been watching infomercials at two am when the husband forgets to turn off the television?



 ***ATB =  Annoyed Teenaged Boy. (Contest Coordinator: Pick a number between one and one hundred. ATB: Mom, what? I'm doing homework/playing Star Craft/watching this show. CC: Just pick a number, dammit. )

sbd later on

I bought two ebooks today and read them both immediately--sort of fell on them like a starving person. One I knew I'd like because JL Merrow. Duh Of course. I'd read her description of a town meeting (and those things are duller than the phone book). Plus from the review I'd read over at Dear Author, I'd figured I'd like the book, Muscling Through. Al, the hero, is a sweet block-of-wood oaf. I loved him, but not like that. Which is fine. Larry was almost worthy of him. I'm like Sarah--I didn't think I'd could cotton to a hero who is mentally challenged, but who couldn't like a man who's so direct and kind?



I bought the other book, Zero Factor by Stacycey "No E in Stacy" Gail (and not Gail Stacey, which I keep calling her) because I apparently have a thing for heroes who are ex-killing machine types. Machines changed to men by the love of a good woman (which isn't this story, not really) Hey, that's the best explanation I could come up with.



I enjoyed the bejeebus out of the book. I wish the hero's transformation could have been explored a bit more, but I guess it happened fast -- and so it's presented, fast. He's gobsmacked with the truth and he's a swift mover so -- here we go. He goes from a soldier who only knows his work and has only hints of tolerance for the zero factors in his life (anything to be ignored during a mission) one minute to a man who's willing to give his life for one of those zero factors in the next minute.



Also I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but with all of his body modifications, I kept seeing C Locke as Peter Weller in robocop but with less metal.



The villain wasn't particularly interesting, but everyone else rocked. The whore with the heart of gold has my vote for best secondary character of the year. I loved it. I want more. Now.

SBD post hurricane edition

Which books did I like this week? It's more a week of not liking books -- and that's no fun. I did listen to the Princess Diary after all these years of trying to ignore its existence. Pop references sure did date that thing. A teenaged girl lusting after George Clooney and Harrison Ford; Madonna as news-worthy?



But that's fine. It was cute. It fit my mood. Not as appealing to me as Lockhart.



I know that I read at least one book I enjoyed and I can't begin to remember the title, the subject, the author. I do recall I made an attempt at a Laurel Hamilton, Swallowing Darkness, but it was book 8 and I hadn't read 1-7. (That's the reason I'll give for not lasting for more than a couple of chapters because we all know there are other reasons to give up, but someone like Beth could express it better).



Seriously this is sad--I can't remember what I've been reading. I'm turning on my Kindle. Looks like I'm currently reading an Ann Tyler, Noah's Compass. That's good, but I'd forgotten that too.



Gawd, what with my 2 older boys going to college and the hurricane tropical storm...I can't remember what I was going to write.



Two hurricanes moved out of my house and one less impressive tropical storm moved in for a day.

Uh oh, now I've gotten started again. Hang on a sec while I wail and gnash my teeth and rend my clothing.



 

I miss my boys . I still have one around, but the overwhelming teenaged boy atmosphere is dissipated, a small front instead of an overwhelming storm of boy-ness. They left and took all their friends and hangers-on with them. Who am I going to bake for? Who's going to walk into the house without knocking and head to the kitchen to check the fridge, now that Doub and Ryan are gone? Sob.



Okay, okay, Kleenex, cold water on the face. Okay. /end snivel



I spent most of my week playing with my own book and the internet. I'm glad I did it, but (especially now that the PR slog has started) I am reminded that PUBLISHERS EARN THEIR MONEY.



 Left to myself this is how I'd do PR:



sales pressure: Have you bought my book yet? Why not? It's only 99 cents. Jeez, are you so cheap you can't spend 99 cents? That's less than a cup of small coffee ANYWHERE.



the good will part: And I promise to spend a portion of my sales on someone else's book.



Notice there's no actual sales part in there? As in I don't bother to point out why this book is worth 99 cents and/or your time? I've done that already and it's just a PITA. Easier to nag than beg or brag.

Seducing Miss Dunaway (a Victorian Romance) - All Romance Ebooks

Seducing Miss Dunaway (a Victorian Romance) - All Romance Ebooks



my new novella. Buy it from ALL SORTS OF VENUES


See what I'm managing to do? Do you see what I, one of the least technologically astute person extant, has managed? Yes. The novella is now up at Kindle.



AND:

.



It's up at Smashwords.



It's up at Barnes and Noble.



It's at All Romance Ebooks.



This experience has convinced me that publishing is permanently moved to the strange, shifting sand-world, no looking back or you will turn into a pillar of salt.



I'm sticking with publishers, thank you. I like being associated with reputable companies.



But wow, that I could do this? Eez wild.

A New Novella by Kate

This is one I wrote and published on my own. (I didn't edit it. I'm not that dumb. Thanks, Linda and Laura) It's available through Smashwords and eventually it'll be up on Amazon. Only 99 cents! What a deal! For less than a cup of coffee you get a heartwarming tale. (get it? warming? like coffee, except cheaper?)



Buy this!



Here's a blurb: 



Twelve years ago, a stranger's kiss helped Miss Dunaway reach her heart's desire by allowing her to escape the path to marriage. Now the gentleman has reappeared and his presence reminds her of pleasures she left behind.



Lord Fellington doesn't seem to recognize her, and it's absurd to suppose he'd recall the kisses they shared all those years earlier. After all, he has seen plenty of life, including tragedy. He apparently only regards her as the celebrated matron of the foundlings' home where he plans to atone for his role in his brother's death.



But Miss Dunaway has grown restless. After years as a saint, she longs to be a woman as well. Perhaps Lord Fellington might be willing to help her reclaim some joyful decadence.



Warning: contains some sexual content (but, hey, only a few pages.)



* * * 

I probably should have had help writing the blurb, too. 

as soon as you say the words, everything shifts

"The words" in that title equals anything, not the the big ILY phrase. Bet you thought that's what I meant because I'm a romance writer.



I just wrote an article for savvy authors (won't show up for weeks) and the topic is all about how I have self-discipline! Here are some tricks! I can make myself work without outside influences! As soon as I finished the article, I stopped working. Everything ground to a halt. It's noon and I haven't written a word of fiction--although at the moment that article counts.



I started craving more outside recognition, again. ("Love me, praise me, bring me wine. Tell me my prose smell sweet.") Insecurity about work arrived with a full orchestra's fanfare and a big banner saying "You Suck"



I'm not actually whining, okay, maybe I am a bit. MOSTLY I'm just snickering at how predictable people are. I'll get past this soon enough--maybe I'll go back to Beth's place which apparently has the magically healing power of a lunch with friends. 



But, really...sheesh. Maybe I should start talking about how miserable I make myself, how ugly I appear, and then whammo, I'll be entirely pleased with what I see in the mirror.** Except I don't think we strange, strange people operate in that direction. Silly us.



_______

**I'm fine, btw. This is just a proposed experiment. Hey, most egos could use a little boost in confidence, right?All in the name of psychological science.

over at Renee Bagby's place and random junk

First chapter of the first book by me, Kate.



I just got to beta-read a Bonnie Dee story and you didn't. My life is good. That's two books I've beta-read this summer that I love. I wonder what happened to Heidi's story?



Another reason life is thumbs up, I got to wake up from the worst dream ever of a picnic in a field of bones. Standard nightmare B-grade movie visions of bone-y hands reaching from the earth. Bones rolling under our feet, making us trip and fall onto more bones, with just a thin layer of dirt and grass to disguise the sea of violent death.



Waking up from that means I'm still alive..... for the moment.



I have to drag a kid off to back-to-school shopping. We're not in an all-fired-big-ass-hurry but it's either that or get back to editing one of two stories lurking on my computer and when I say edit I mean rewrite nearly every painful word.