Catherine Bybee's Blog, page 13

Three Weeks!

Have you preordered yet?AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

My Newsletter ~ Up To Date Info

Let's talk newsletters here for a moment.

With so many authors out there, how on earth do you keep up with which releases are out, coming soon...or heaven forbid, delayed? Newsletters!

I subscribe to my favorite authors newsletters. Not only do I get the latest information on when their books are coming out...but I am told of author appearances, given information about how to enter into contests, and generally get the inside scoop that only a newsletter can give me. It is easy to miss Facebook posts with Facebook changing how they deliver information daily. And twitter is only as good as the #HashTag in keeping up with trends.

So again I say... NEWSLETTER!

I have books coming every three months or so, and I am always having special giveaways and blog tours. Who doesn't like free books?

What are you waiting for? Sign up for my NEWSLETTER today. Just click HERE!

Romantic Times Convention 2013

As I look forward to my third RT Convention next month, I think of my previous conventions and can't keep the smile off my face. When I attended RT in 2011 I could barely afford to pay my way with the money I earned as an author. 
Seriously! 
I scraped, and talked my good friend Tammy into going with me to share cost on our room. We didn't have to fly to the convention because it had taken place in LA, just an hour drive from my home. 
Now I'm hooked! Seriously hooked on the energy and chemistry of the event and the people who attend. I've met too many authors to count, hooked up with readers who knew me before and then those who learned to love me after. *grin* 
This year I'll be celebrating my birthday at RT in Kansas City and participating in workshops daily... not to mention attending the big book fair to sign books for my fans. 
As a writer, I spend so many hours alone in my office typing away that I don't connect enough face-to-face with my colleagues and fans. And I'm a very social person...so for me, sitting at a desk isn't natural. 
So, dear reader...have you gone to the Romantic Times Convention in the past? Are you going this May? What do you love the most about your time there? 
Looking forward to seeing everyone! 
Best, Catherine 

Guest Post, Elise Sax: The Affair to Dismember Cover

Today we welcome Elise Sax to the blog. She's on tour for her debut book, An Affair to Dismember.

She's here to talk about book covers, and one of the models for her book cover. Welcome, Elise!


The Affair to Dismember Cover

You can’t judge a book by its cover, but plenty of readers do, or so I’ve been told. So, there’s a lot that goes into a cover. A lot of people, artists, editors, publishers, agents. Even writers!

I’m very happy with the cover to An Affair to Dismember, a woman representing the main character Gladie in between her suitors: the hunka hunka burnin’ loves Spencer and Holden. Of course, they are shirtless. That was a no brainer. I mean, these men really should never wear shirts.

Cover models are the unsung heroes of publishing. They are the promise of the fantasy within the pages. And they are not just pretty faces (or pretty torsos!). They have to embody the story and make it come alive.

Let me introduce you to cover model Jimmy Principe. He was on one of the earlier versions of the
Affair cover, and he has very nice muscles (if you haven’t noticed).

He’s also very nice, and he agreed to answer a few questions for this blog. And he was shirtless when he answered them. Okay, I made that last part up, but a girl can dream, can’t she?

A professional model, it was Jimmy’s first cover shoot. According to him, the photographers and art directors at the publishing houses are very careful to cast the right model for the right book. The model should represent a character or the theme of the book. After he was chosen, they briefed him on the plot to An Affair to Dismember so that he could get into charter. According to Jimmy, he really liked the story. (Did I mention how nice he is?)

So, most importantly, how does Jimmy maintain his six pack (or is it eight? I lost count.)? “I stay in shape by working out 5-6 days a week,” he told me. “Consisting of super sets with high reps and minimal rest in between sets. I follow a high protein, low carb meal plan consisting of 6-7 meals a day to keep my metabolism racing.”


An Affair to Dismember
The Matchmaker Series
Book One
Comedic Romantic Mystery
Ballantine (Random House)
ISBN: 978-0345532220
Number of pages: 320 

Certain to appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, and Katie MacAlister, Elise Sax’s hilarious series debut introduces matchmaker-in-training Gladie Burger, who stumbles into a dangerous quagmire of murder and red-hot romance.

Three months has been Gladie Burger’s limit when it comes to staying in one place. That’s why Gladie is more than a little skeptical when her eccentric Grandma Zelda recruits her to the family’s matchmaking business in the quaint small town of Cannes, California. What’s more, Gladie is also highly unqualified, having a terrible track record with romance. Still, Zelda is convinced that her granddaughter has “the gift.” But when the going gets tough, Gladie wonders if this gift has a return policy.

When Zelda’s neighbor drops dead in his kitchen, Gladie is swept into his bizarre family’s drama. Despite warnings from the (distractingly gorgeous) chief of police to steer clear of his investigation, Gladie is out to prove that her neighbor’s death was murder. It’s not too long before she’s in way over her head—with the hunky police chief, a dysfunctional family full of possible killers, and yet another mysterious and handsome man, whose attentions she’s unable to ignore. Gladie is clearly being pursued—either by true love or by a murderer. Who will catch her first?


Praise for An Affair to Dismember
“Elise Sax’s new Matchmaker series is off to a rousing start! . . . Sax gives the comic mystery genre a new spin. . . . A fun read sure to entertain.”—RT BOOK REVIEWS
“Fans of laugh-out-loud romantic suspense will enjoy this new author as she joins the ranks of Janet Evanovich, Katie MacAllister, and Jennifer Crusie.”—BOOKLIST
“Elise Sax will win your heart.”—NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, JILL SHALVIS

AMAZON  |  B&N  |  WALMART  |  BAM


Sneak Peak! Here's a look at the cover art for Matchpoint
book two in The Matchmaker Series.
Coming July, 2013.

Love me some HP!

Let there be no mistake, I love me some HP! HP Mallory and I met up online some time ago and then for the first time in person at last years RWA Conference. Low and behold, we've become fast friends.

Her fresh and delightful voice within the pages of her novels is seriously addictive. If the covers of her books aren't enticing enough, just read the descriptions!



So without any hesitation I need to tell you about the first book in her new series. I was privilege to hear her chatting about this book before it was even written. You know when an author is excited about a new series when they can't stop talking about it.

So let's talk about Better Off Dead.

If there’s such a thing as luck, Lily Harper definitely doesn’t have it. 

Killed in a car accident before it’s her time to go, Lily learns that the hereafter isn’t exactly what she hoped it might be. 

First, there’s AfterLife Enterprises, the company responsible for sorting out the recently dead and sending them on their way to the Kingdom, (aka happily ever after,) or to the Underground City, (not so happily ever after.) Learning that Lily’s death was indirectly their fault (her guardian angel, Bill, was MIA during her accident and was one of their employees,) Afterlife Enterprises offers Lily the chance to live again. But, as with most things involving the afterlife, beware the fine print. Most notably, Lily will have to become a soul retriever, venturing into the bowels of the Underground City to retrieve souls that were mistakenly sent there by Afterlife Enterprises during a Y2K computer glitch. 

Second, there’s angel Bill. As if risking her second life in the Underground City wasn’t enough, Lily’s guide to the Underground is none other than her incompetent, alcoholic, womanizing guardian angel, Bill, the antithesis of anything wholesome. With only Dante’s Inferno and Bill to help her in her quest, Lily’s future isn’t looking bright.

Finally, there’s the legendary bladesmith, Tallis Black. As Scottish as his kilts and heavy brogue, Tallis Black is a centuries-old Celt who, for reasons only known to him, offers to train Lily and act as her escort into the depths of the Underground City. Dark, brooding and definitely dangerous, Lily knows she shouldn’t trust Tallis, but she also can’t deny her attraction to him. 

Between soul retrieving in hell, dealing with Bill and trying to figure out what’s in it for Tallis, Lily wonders if maybe she would’ve just been better off dead. 



Now if this doesn't make you want to read this book... check out this trailer!





Go... get this now.

Amazon

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Aubrie Dionne, Interview

Let's welcome Aubrie Dionne to the blog today!
Tell us a little about your self and the genre you write. I’m a professional flutist turned fiction writer. I teach flute at a university and a community music school, and I play in orchestras- which gave me a lot of the ideas in my new release, Playing the Maestro. I write science fiction, fantasy, young adult, and this is my first contemporary romance.
What do you love about being a writer?I love creating something from nothing and seeing the blank page accumulate words.
What do you hate about being a writer?The snarky reviews! People can be so mean. I don’t think they understand a real person poured their heart and soul into their work and they should respect that even if they didn’t like it. There’s enough negativity in the world- why create more?
If there was one thing about the industry you could change, what would it be? I’d say try to give new authors just as much of a chance as well known authors and celebrities. It’s so hard to break through.
What do you like better, Twitter or Facebook? Why? I love twitter! I’m not sure why.
Tell us where we can find it.I'm all about twitter and facebook, so can you be sure and add your handles and links here....
@authoraubrieBlog: http://authoraubrie.blogspot.comWebsite: www.authoraubrie.net
Rapid Fire QuestionsMilk or Dark Chocolate? Both! Together! Wine or Beer? Wine- red and sweetBeach or Mountains? The Beach- preferably warm water! RV or Hotel? HotelDriving or Flying? BothToilet Paper...Over or Under? I don’t have a preference for this one!
Thanks for the interview!

Playing the MaestroMaestro Series Book OneAubrie DionneGenre: Contemporary RomancePublisher: Entangled BlissISBN: 1622668723Number of pages: 190
Barnes and Noble  Amazon
Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.
Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?


Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation--favorite character was Data by far--and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "a concert flutist" when she grew up. She majored in flute performance at the University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship, then secured two teaching jobs at a University and a local community music school. While playing in orchestras and teaching, stories popped into her head, and she used them to make the music come alive for her flute students. Her students said they were so good, she had to write them down! Maybe they were right, who knows? Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

She is represented by Dawn Dowdle and writes sweet and adventurous fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary romance.

Aubrie is giving away this beautiful music note pen! See the rafflecopter below for a chance to win! Good luck!





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Married by Monday Re-Release Today!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Today is the official re-release day for the second book in my Weekday Bride series, Married by Monday.

I need to thank all my readers that surged Carter and Eliza's story to the top 100 on Amazon this week. I can't wait to hear your thoughts about this captivating couple.

I'll be playing online today, on Facebook and twitter, giving stuff away.
I'll start that right here by giving everyone who comments bellow a chance at a signed copy of Married by Monday.

International okay... so don't let that scare you!


Carter Billings:
Sandy blond hair and Hollywood good looks, Carter could have any woman he wants. When he makes his bid for governor of California, he knows he must settle down and become a family man. His choice for a running mate between the sheets: matchmaker Eliza Havens.

Eliza Havens:
Eliza’s happy that her best friend has a wealthy, adoring husband. It’s the husband’s best friend—sexy, dashing Carter Billings—that drives her crazy. No man has ever squabbled with Eliza this much…or made her heart race this fast. Matching couples is how she earns a living, but long-held secrets mean getting married isn’t an option. Until now.

Karina Cooper, Interview

Today we welcome Karina Cooper, author of the Dark Mission series. A darkly thrilling dystopian realm of witches and witch hunters, the Dark Mission series is said to be “everything a reader will love” by RT Book Reviews, and bestselling author, Christina Dodd, calls Karina, “A brilliant new voice in paranormal romance.”

We are excited to have Karina here for an interview, and to learn more about book 7, Wicked Lies! And now, the interview...

Tell us a little about your self and the genre you write.
Thank you so much for having me! Formalities, eh? I’ll make them fast as possible. Watch the smoke fly from my keyboard...

I’m a multi-genre type. I write paranormal romance that tends to cross into urban fantasy territory, steampunk urban fantasy that borrows from adventure tales of the Victorian era, and I don’t intend to stop there. Which kind of explains about me, too. I am a multi-hobby type, with interests in storytelling, reading voraciously, playing video games, steampunk, and cat-herding. Yeah, I have cats. Four of them.

What do you love about being a writer?
The ability to tell stories for a living!

What do you hate about being a writer?
The chaos that can pile up when you’re writing one book, revising another, doing promo for a third, and still have to remember that you have a family... Wait, where’s my family?

If there was one thing about the industry you could change, what would it be?
I think the big publishers are going to have to shake loose a century of habits and work out an infrastructure that takes into account the numbers showing digital progress where print is falling. I’m not advocating a total conversion, but something better than what is in place.

What do you like better, Twitter or Facebook? Why?
Twitter! The way my mind operates, Twitter is my speed: a bunch of people all talking, conversing, sharing, and I can pick and choose what I address, what I want to take the time to pursue, and then engage or not as I like. Facebook reminds me too much of family gatherings: everyone sits and talks and hashes it out, and that just leaves too much room for stagnation or, worse, drama.

Tell us about your latest release and were we can find it.
Wicked Lies is a novella set between Sacrifice the Wicked and the final Dark Mission book, One for the Wicked. It’s Jonas Stone’s story—the man who has been the touchstone and technical help for the Mission for years. Not at all a man who is what he puts himself out there as, Jonas carries a lot of burdens—not the least of which is that he is gay in an Order that doesn’t condone it.

This is a story about all the dark demons we carry, and the lies we tell  ourselves when we forget how to look for the positive. Jonas deserved a shot at love, and Danny is just the man to give it to him.

The best part is that I’ll be donating everything I make from this book to the   It Gets Better Project, an organization that helps LGBTQ teens and youth through reach-out efforts.


Thanks for interviewing with us, Karina! And now, about the series.

The DARK MISSION series so far...

The streets of New Seattle have become a battleground between the Holy Order's agents and the witches persecuted in the name of "keeping of the peace". Battle-lines are shifting, good and evil not nearly so clear-cut as witches and rogue hunters have banded together in an uncertain alliance with rebels determined to peel back layers of conspiracy that go back decades before the cataclysm that changed the world forever. The Order has made its move, overthrowing the city government in a bloody coup, and present-viewer Jessie, ex-hunter Silas, newly minted witch Naomi, the felon Phin Clarke, seer Caleb and genetically enhanced witch Juliet are suddenly thrown together with the displaced Mission Director Parker Adams and Simon, a double-agent whose witch genes are slowly killing him. The rebels need to gain some ground, get back their imprisoned people, or this will be the shortest rebellion in history.

Wicked Lies
Paranormal Romance
Avon Impulse
March 05, 2013
ISBN: 9780062126733
ASIN: B0092QPCXS
Number of pages: 112

Jonas Stone has been given his first independent operation: rescue the insurrection leader’s imprisoned grandson from the Mission. Getting the job done means more than getting Danny Granger out-it means staying with him while he heals. Staying too close, for way too long.

Danny is everything Jonas isn’t: confident, optimistic, honest--a man to be reckoned with. If only it didn’t mean going against everything Jonas has planned. He’s kept his secrets for years, hid behind a mask no one could see through...until now. Danny isn’t the kind of man Jonas deserves. But he might be exactly the man he needs...

Read an Excerpt!

Avon Books | Amazon | B&N


Born from the genetic mash-up of lesser royalty, storytellers, wanderers and dreamers, KARINA COOPER was destined to be a creative genius. As a child, she moved all over the country like some kind of waifish blonde gypsy and thrived in the new cultures her family settled in. When she (finally) grew up, she skipped the whole genius part and fell in love with writing because, really, who doesn’t love making things up for a living?

One part romance fanatic, one part total dork, and all imagination, she writes dark and sexy paranormal romance and urban fantasy. When she isn’t writing, Karina is an airship captain’s wife and Steampunk fashionista. She lives in the beautiful and rainy Pacific Northwest with a husband, four cats, two rabbits, the fantasy of a dog, and a passel of adopted gamer geeks.

 Website | Twitter | Facebook


Want to win a full set of the Dark Mission print books? Check out the giveaway below!

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ARC's? Who wants one?

I'm in the mood to give away a couple more ARC's of Not Quite Mine.

Do you want one? I ask that you do two things... first, comment below and leave an email address so if you win I can contact you.

Second, if you win an ARC after you've read the book my publisher and I would love for you to review it and post your 'honest' review on Amazon, Goodreads etc.

That's it!

International OK!

I will pick a winner by Monday evening.

Fiance by Friday ~ *sigh*

I'm finishing up copy edits on Fiance by Friday and thought I'd share with you a tiny excerpt.

If you remember correctly, Neil and Carter hooked up a monitoring system in the home previously occupied by Samantha (Wife by Wednesday) and Eliza (Married by Monday) in the previous books.

Now Gwen (Fiance by Friday) and Karen (Single by Saturday 2014) are living in the Tarzana home and having a conversation about lingerie.

Poor Neil is listening. It is his job, ya know!




Neil MacBain paused the audio feed, shook his head, rewound the damn thing, and listened to it again. “You do know that no one wears those anymore.” “If that were true, finding a place to buy garters and stockings would be impossible.” “Yeah, but you need to go to those sexy bra stores in order to find them.” “Men love frilly underwear.” Neil slapped his hand on the mouse and turned off the sound before he tortured himself anymore. Fuck! I need to get laid! Listening to Gwen’s polished accent mentioning garters and stockings shot his brain straight to his cock. The desire to click on the video monitor made his right eye twitch, but he refrained and forced himself away from his surveillance room. 

Fiance by Friday releases August 13th, 2013