Vivian Arend's Blog, page 86

NEW- all sorts of things!

The new Samhain site is now up and running with all kinds of new things, including pre-sales AND bigger discounts than ever. Since they kept their fantastic bookshelf system, I'm pumped to be able to recommend their bookstore to you–you can download all your purchases, at anytime, in any format. Ie, if you change from a Sony reader down the road to a Kindle, you can simply go get the Kindle format off your shelf. Sweet, eh?

The pre-sale option is another lovely touch. The books won't appear on your shelf until release day, but Samhain has arranged it that starting a month before release, you can purchase for the same 30% reduction they are offering on first week releases. Turn It Up out February 8 will be $5.50 to purchase down the road. Right now? It's $3.85 to pre-order!

One thing to watch for those- that discount kicks in 30 days out. So Stormy Seduction, which is an April release, is listed, but the pre-sale doesn't have that discount up yet.

Speaking of new…the cover is official since it's UP!

Sensual water shifters meet volatile air shifters—there's a storm coming.

Pacific Passion, Book 2

As morning-afters go, this one is looking pretty bright. Both air shifter Laurin Marshal and water shifter/shaman Matthew Jentry are aware, though, that trouble won't be long in coming. And they're right—before they've barely begun to work out the details of their mystical bond, the People of the Air find them to challenge Laurin's right to choose Matt as her mate.

Fending off Laurin's would-be suitors is easier than Matt anticipated, but there's another dilemma still to face. His own people. Laurin is just beginning to trust that his heart and body are completely hers, a radical change after she's spent the past two years alone and on the run. What will happen when his skittish, innocent partner encounters the playful, sensual—even lusty—ways of the Otter Clan?

Especially since they are arriving at the peak of the traditional summer solstice fertility rituals. And tradition demands they be the main attraction…
Product Warnings

Incoming extreme passion yielding one otherworldly adventure. Don't let the book length fool you—there's enough heat in this story to challenge global warming. Four plus two equals one ceremony so explosive it may throw the earth off its axis.

Win an ARC of Turn It Up

Easy Peesey contest. Add a comment to this post, and I'll pick a couple names to get a copy of Turn It Up. It's out Feb 8, so I'll let this run for a week or so (as my internet access allows-lol!) If you click the cover pic, there's a link to the excerpt page and the first chapter of the book.

She wants it. He's got it…and a whole lot more.

Turner Twins, Book Two

Maxwell Turner considers his stubborn and resourceful attitude a plus. After all, it usually gets him what he wants—except for Natasha Bellingham. The long-time family friend may be ten years older than he, but so what? He's plenty old enough to know they belong together. Now all he has to do is convince her.

Over the past few years Natasha's love life has degenerated into a series of bad clichés. Her biological clock is ticking—loudly. As a proven architect with her own house-design company, she's financially ready for a baby. Who says she needs a permanent man in her life for that? She just needs a "donation".

When Max discovers Natasha's future plans include artificial insemination, he's outraged. She wants to get pregnant? No problem. He's more than willing to volunteer—no turkey basters involved .

But there's one non-negotiable clause: He wants forever. And he intends to do everything in his power—fair and unfair—to make it happen.

Warning: This title contains one younger man ready, aimed and hell bent on giving one woman everything she wants. Includes interludes against the wall, in a Jacuzzi, on a car hood and even—shockingly enough—on a bed or two. Oh, and about that porch swing? Yup…

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Here's some questions you can to answer in the comments. Pick at least one, and yeah, if you don't answer, it doesn't count. I'm mean…

Turn it Up is book 2, but in timeline, it actually happens before book 1. Readers–what do I do? Recommend you read 2 first, then one, or would the purists read book 1 first because it was written first? How do you feel about prequels anyway? Have you read Turn It On already?

I'm not here.

And I don't know when I'll be back

Nothing bad, just really poor internet right now, and I'm also working on three projects at the moment. I'll find time to post in the next bit about my new contemporary coming soon, TURN IT UP, and the two next paranormals in the Pacific Passion series–I'll need some bloggers and readers who want to try them out ahead of time.

Stay turned for more news…

Hello 2011!

I'm in the middle of the wilderness, and not inly is internet scarse, I'm starting major writing for the next couple weeks. I hope you'll come back in a few when I dig my way to a reliable wifi, and we can chat about books we're looking forward to in 2011!

Like a WHOLE bunch of awesome books tomorrow! Wheeee!

Looking Sideways

I'm sitting in the local Starbucks, and have just discovered I have 5 minutes before they kick me out.

Ready for the fastest blog post ever?

Looking sideways. I wanted to wax poetic about all the books I read this year that made me go hmmmm. Books that taught me to be a better writer, books that challenged me to learn new things and attempt new stories. I don't even have time to begin, so the challenge is for you to name a few that made your year. Ready?

I'll have to post my list in the new year, but I can tell you there are books on there by Meljean Brooks, Moira Rogers, Lauren Dane, Zoe Archer, Victoria Dahl, Ann Aguirre, Isaac Asimov (always) Orsen Scott Card and Ciar Cullen.

Looking back

It's inevitable. You know this time of year is full of the 'Best of…' lists, and that sort of thing. There's something about the new year that makes us want to reminise and plan for the future. So I'm hopping in as well. Duck for cover if you need to, today is the year in review.

Turn It On

Claiming Derryn

Wolf Games

Rocky Mountain Haven

Stormchild

The Wind and the Sun

Peerless

Faetful

Fired Up

Under the Northern Lights-print

Whirlpool

Wolf Tracks

Falling, Freestyle

Tangled Tinsel

Turn It Up-print

Oh my–when did that happen? in 2009 I had 5 ebook releases, so this year with 13 ebooks and 2 print–not bad!

I'm slowing down in 2011, really. No, really.

What else? Well, that list is sheer productivity on my part. This one is very cool because it's not me, but you. I heard from The Romance Studio that two of my books have been nominated for a CAPA award- Claiming Derryn in the Erotic Fantasy category, and Falling,Freestyle in the Psyche category. And I was nominated in the favorite author category. See that bright light shining from Arizona? That's me grinning!

Favorite author category

Vivian Arend

Sally Clements

Nora Roberts

Lori Foster

Shelly Laurenston

Christine Feehan

Carolyn Brown

Tanya Hanson

Marisa Chenery

Christina Dodd

Julie James

Philippa Gregory

Josh Lanyon

J.D. Robb

Ashlyn Chase

Meg Hennessy

Charlie Cochrane

Joey W. Hill

Jim Butcher

Thank you for your support and love this past year! I really get a thrill out of being on a list with names like these!

Back in a couple days with a look sideways

12 Days of Giving- Winners

It's time! First though, thank you so much to everyone who stopped in and help me celebrate the holidays in the right way–with my friends!

Here is the list of people who won gifts. Other than the first three charity donations, which I've got under control, if you're on the list, I need you to use the contact button at the top of the page to let me know which prize you won and if there's specific details I need, such as which book you want, and in what format, or your mailing address if it's a print book, please include that as well. Yes, I know I just wrote down here what you won, but remember, I'm on the road right now, and having the information in one place means I'll get your gifts out to you a lot faster.

AND as always, if by some chance I don't send your item in a timely fashion, please contact me–I'd hate to miss handing out a prize but it does happen if I get messed up between computers etc. I occasionally do goof up

Main gifts- 3x$100 to Charity of choice. I'll be sending this out this coming week.

-Dawn's suggestion of The Ronald MacDonald House

-Sue Paxford Laing's choice of Soldiers Angels

-Kelly Thrash's Arkansas Children's Hospital

And thank you again for all your wonderful suggestions. With no home base right now, I'm honored to support these causes in your name.

Day #2   $10 giftcard Starbucks: Sherry S

Day #3   Ebook of your choice from  My Bookstore and More.: Terri Doughty

Day #5    Signed cover flats Granite Lake Wolves: Jen B.

Day #6    YA book: When the Stars go Blue: Dawn

Day #7    Kids shirt: Fedora (buy those lottery tickets yet, dear?)

Day #8    Turn It Up eARCS (PDF only) Lisa J. And Kelly Thrash

Stormy Seduction eARCS  (PDF only) Jennifer Mathis and Susan R

Day #9    $10 Amazon gift card: Christine Glover

Day #10

Moira Rogers book- Leagh C.

Lauren Dane book- Minn Chica

Jess Dee book- Colleen

Ann Aguirre book- Sullivan McPig (go Sully!)(that's from Wolfie)

Leah Braemel book- elaing8

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That's it for now. I'll be back later this week with a year end summary and some neat things to look forward to in 2011.

12 Days of Giving #9

READY FOR SOME FUN? Stand up straight, feet together, chin held high…

Give yourself a physical break.

Tis the season to overindulge and under exercise, but today, I'm challenging us all to do one thing different. Have one less scoop of potato salad, one less cookie, one less glass of eggnog–and can we just talk about that stuff for a minute please? It's so horribly good. I have a total love/hate relationship with eggnog, not even considering the fact that adding rum to it is easy. When there is eggnog in our fridge, I use it to sweeten my coffee, I add it to regular milk, I put it over ice with the confessed rum addition…

Of the devil, I say!

Anyway, the challenge is to stop being mean to our bodies during the holidays. If you've been run off your feet all day, instead of challenging you to go for a walk, how about stretching for 15 minutes? If you've sat at a desk all day **whistles innocently** then get off your butt and take the dog for a walk.

And I'm sure you've heard all the tips on ways to get through the holidays parties and meals without overindulging. I've heard them all, and love hearing them, but damn if I can DO them all! Lol.

So I up my workouts this time of year, but the one thing I can do food wise–here's my tip for you–one helping only. Yeah, I fill my plate at the family dinner, but I don't take seconds. (I also only take the stuff I like. I'm old enough that the 'take one spoon of everything' rule–forget it. I'm going for the good stuff!)

What's your one tip for surviving the overindulgence season and/or what are you going to do today to get active? One commenter will get a $10 Amazon gift certificate!

12 Days of Giving #7

I promise I'm not going to make too many of these challenges cost $$, but this one might.

Give a kid a gift.

If you have a local charity, you know right now is the time they are really looking for help. Angel Trees, or whatever the organization is called in your location, have the kids names and information already waiting. These are kids who won't get a present if someone else doesn't pick their request up. (And the older ones, while not as fun to buy for, need loving too)

But you know what? There's also another way you can join this challenge, and it's no cost and sneaky organization efficient, while also teaching your own kids a lesson in giving. If you've got a family, and there will be new 'stuff' coming into your house in the next couple weeks, what if you grabbed a box, and had a few 'old' toys (kids or otherwise) get passed onto a thrift shop?

It will make more room in the toybox (electronic/computer/kitchen shelf) and the proceeds from good thrift shops turn around by not only providing an inexpensive place to purchase things, but often the profits stay in your community.

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I've got a special present for someone who knows a little person. It's a T-shirt with adorable wolfies printed on the front. My daughter said it looked like Tad and Missy's twins. Now, wolfies can't shift until teens, but the idea is there, and they are cute.

Remember, you don't have to DO the challenge if you can't, this is just to make us think, right? If you'd like to have your name added for this gift, make a comment about anything holidayish. (Sorry, this one I'm keeping in the US/Canada for shipping sake)

12 Days of Giving- #6

Pony up, people. It's time to dive in where it's going to hurt.

Give away a book (or two)

**covers ears to hide from the howls of dismay**

Before you protest too much, take an honest look at your TBR pile. And the pile of keeper books you own. And the ones on your computer/ebook reader etc. Hmmm. One of the nicest things to be abe to do is to hand someone a book and say "Hey, I liked this one. You want to try it?"

If you need an ulterior motive, giving away a couple books will make more room on your shelf for the new ones you're bound to get over the holidays. Right?

Here's my participation. I've got a Young Adult for you to try. I'll pull one commenter's name to receive a print copy of this incredible story.

A dancer driven to succeed.

A musical prodigy attempting to escape his past.

The summer they share.

And the moment it all goes wrong.

Dance is Soledad Reyes's life. About to graduate from Miami's Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, she plans on spending her last summer at home teaching in a dance studio, saving money, and eventually auditioning for dance companies. That is, until fate intervenes in the form of fellow student Jonathan Crandall who has what sounds like an outrageous proposition: Forget teaching. Why not spend the summer performing in the intense environment of the competitive drum and bugle corps? The corps is going to be performing Carmen , and the opportunity to portray the character of the sultry gypsy proves too tempting for Soledad to pass up, as well as the opportunity to spend more time with Jonathan, who intrigues her in a way no boy ever has before.

But in an uncanny echo of the story they perform every evening, an unexpected competitor for Soledad's affections appears: Taz, a member of an all-star Spanish soccer team. One explosive encounter later Soledad finds not only her relationship with Jonathan threatened, but her entire future as a professional dancer.

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"All the pain, passion and consequences of first love, told from the heart of a bold, feisty heroine make this a hard-to-put-down read. Ferrer elegantly captures both the certainty and doubt of young love and combines it with the lessons of growing up and coping with change."– RT Book Reviews

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Comment: Which book would you give (if you're brave enough) off your shelf?