Vivian Arend's Blog, page 92

ECWC-#2

PLACES from the Emerald City Writers conference

(tomorrow–people)

Bellevue Hilton

Bellevue Hilton

Pikes Market

Pikes Market

Pikes Market

View from park off Queen Anne

A tree. (I know, I was shocked too...)

Moira Rogers scores again!

The second book in their Building Sanctuary series releases today, and you know you want it.

Victor left behind a life of crime to focus on a new vision–helping his alpha build an island sanctuary for werewolves. Harsh experiences prepared him for the hardships involved, except when it comes to dealing with the young female refugees of the brutal Boston pack–especially Simone, who rouses his inner wolf like no other. A woman he must resist, or risk becoming just the latest man to make demands on her.

Born to wealth and privilege, Simone lost everything when she fell for the seductive whispers of the textile heir who turned her. Once adrift, now she is fired by a new sense of purpose–the chance to broker peace between werewolves and European wizards. Yet even as Europe beckons, her instincts–the same ones that led to trouble before–keep drawing her back to Victor.

During a sailing trip to the mainland for supplies, Victor finds it impossible to hold himself aloof from the warm, engaging Simone. And when a winter storm traps them together during a full moon, she breaks through his walls so easily and completely, the question is no longer how he'll stay away, but how he'll let her go.

Product Warnings

This novella contains werewolves engaged in such improbable (but legal) activities as lobster fishing and sailing during nor'easters. The breaking and entering and instinct-driven sex on every surface in someone else's summer cottage is a little more criminal.

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Since this is book two, and I know some people are picky about reading in order, I'm going to give away a couple of copies of book one, A Safe Harbor. To enter to win, leave a comment here on the blog. I'll pick two names tomorrow at noon Pacific to win. If you already HAVE A Safe Harbor, and I draw your name, I'll spring for one of Moira's other ebooks. So make sure you comment!

I hope you enjoy Undertow!

Emerald City Writer's Conference 2010-#1

It's Monday, and I'm still en route home from the ECWC. Last night I gave up on the drive– I was too excited, and tired, from the weekend, to fight the wind and the growing darkness. Safety first, right?

Anyway– it was an amazing trip, made fabulous by more than one thing. And since I don't have the cords I need to download pictures from my camera until I do get home, I'll add the other sweetness points the rest of this week. I do have these pictures from friends over Facebook (yeah, Facebook!)

Viv, Lauren, Ann

I have to start with the fact I roomed with the kick-ass awesome Ann Aguirre. She writes wonderful hot romance, wicked urban fantasy, dystopia romance, futuristic and has a killer YA coming out next spring that will rock your socks off. We met at Nationals, and I love her to pieces.

AND, I finally got to meet Lauren Dane in person. She's been an inspiration to me from day one, and being able to chat with her about writing, life (and pretty boots ) was incredible.

Saturday night after the book signing (which I'll have pictures off my camera) Lauren had organized a dinner to a local restaurant with some of the signing authors. Alyssa Day, front far left, was the keynote speaker on Friday night and OMG- she had us alternating between tears and laughter. There is a beautiful representation of writers in this picture- some YA, some romantic suspense, erotic, futuristic, paranormal, steam-punk and contemporary. All in all enough motivational energy to make me want to try even harder to write better and better books.

Alyssa Day, Ann Aguirre, Lauren Dane, Barb Ferrer, Courtney Milan, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Eileen Rendahl, Shelli Stevens, me, Meljean Brook

Book giveaway from Samhain and Borders

Have I mentioned lately I have an incredible

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Samhain is pleased to partner with Borders and Kobo for a special week-long promotion. From October 4 through October 11, the following titles will be available for free on Borders.com and Kobobooks.com .

Colters' Woman by Maya Banks

The Ghost Exterminator by Vivi Andrews

Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend

A Safe Harbor by Moira Rogers

Standoff by Lauren Dane

Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James

Crazed Hearts by Shiloh Walker

Collision Course by K.A. Mitchell

Hara's Legacy by Bianca D'Arc

Trey by Cat Johnson

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If you haven't tried some of these books, it's a great way to experiment with new authors. I'm going down the list, and just about everyone of these authors I have a connection to in one way or another. It's very cool to be included with them!

What can I share with you? Maya is a super sweet lady- met her at RWA in florida and I've enjoyed reading her books especially the group of friends in the 'Undenied/Overheard series. Vivi Andrews- OMG, she and I, other than sharing the most awesome initials love to travel and enjoy the outdoors.

I'll tell you that Hara's Legacy was one of the first book of Bianca's I read- and the combination of fantasy and future earth paranormal–I simply loved it. Lauren Dane's work rocks, as does Lorelei's. And you know I love Moira Rogers!

I got to visit with KA Mitchell as well when I was in Florida. ((hugs)). She's a great writer, and a super person, and I hope to see her again soon. And Cat– I know she's involved supporting other writers in many ways. What a great chance to support her!

So check it out, and enjoy a few good books!

Fall Frenzy! HUGE contest!

Ready for an AMAZING contest? You sure? You REALLY sure?

Moira Rogers (Bree and Donna) and I have teamed up to put together a month long contest to celebrate the release of Undertow- book 2 in the Building Sanctuary and Wolf Tracks, Book 4 in the Granite Lake Wolves.

We've invited some awesome authors to join us, like Zoe Archer, Lexxie Couper, Delilah Devlin, Meljean Brook, Cherrie Lynn, Dana Marie Bell, Juliana Stone and Anja Bast. There's also special prizes featuring Ann Aguirre, Stacia Kane, Lauren Dane and Shelly Laurenston.

There's an opportunity for you as a blogger to hold your OWN contest and give away a copy of a book-our cost. Details can be found at the contest here: http://www.moirarogers.com/contests/

I hope you enter–it's easy to do, and there are fantastic prizes- find out what your fav authors have been reading as well!!

And if you haven't sent me a note yet about your favorite scene/character whatever from the Granite Lake wolves- please use the contact button and let me know! I'm loving reading the notes. (If you need more details, go here: http://vivianarend.com/2010/09/are-you-a-glw-fan/ )

WHOA

This post is inspired by Delilah Devlin and her 'Writers Overachievers Anonymous' post, the organization I had to volunteer is NOW going to be called "Writing Ho's Overachievers Anonymous", because WHOA is too fun to ignore.

Of course none of us attend the meetings- we're too busy writing. Delilah listed 22 books on her 2010 list. **Applauds wildly** Here's my list:

1. 01/19/10     TURN IT ON    Samhain

2. 02/10/10    CLAIMING DERRYN    Ellora's Cave

3. 03/23/10    WOLF GAMES    Samhain

4. 04/19/10     ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAVEN    Liquid Silver Books

5. 04/28/10    PEERLESS    Liquid Silver Books

6. 05/04/10    STORMCHILD   Samhain

7. 05/10/10    THE WIND & THE SUN   Total E-bound

8. 06/29/10    FIRED UP   Liquid Silver Books

9.  08/03/10   UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS    Samhain

10. 08/10/10  WHIRLPOOL    Samhain

11.  08/ 17/10  FAETFUL   Liquid Silver Books

12. 10/26/10    WOLF TRACKS    Samhain

13. 11/30/10    FALLING, FREESTYLE    Samhain

14. 12/06/10    TANGLED TINSEL   Carina

15. 12/07/10    TURN IT ON -print    Samhain

(Plus two freebies- one that actually released Dec 31, the other January 1st. I'm planning on writing another freebie before the year is up, which would put the total at 18. Gulp!)

I'm pretty pleased with what my year looks like–the plan is NOT to have this many next year- but there should be more print books. Ahhh, who knows!!

(So far contracted for next year- 3 ebooks and 3 print, but I have high hopes for a few more ebooks to join the party…)

Fall Frenzy contest

This post is a sticky. Scroll down for the most recent new post.

Join Moira Rogers and I as we celebrate  our fall releases with

eight other speculative fiction authors.

Click the banner to link through to enter.

PIcture Day

I'm headed to Seattle for the Emerald City conference. Yup- a few days early since I want to peek around a little en route- I'm driving the 8 hours to get there. In the meantime, for your viewing pleasure:

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Last week I mentioned being gone to Canmore with my family. That's about an hour's drive outside Calgary, Alberta, where I grew up. We took my mil and had a great time in the Rocky Mountains.

We walked and sat in the hot tub and played cards. Way to relax. It's probably one of our last family vacations as my son will be headed to college in January (OMG, that's enough to freak me out–thinking about him being old enough to go to college!)

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We've always done a ton together as a family-homeschooling has allowed us to get out and take some pretty amazing trips into the wilderness at times of the year you usually can't get away. With my son now done grade 12, there's only Tutty left, and she's got a few more years. So I think I'll take her to Mexico for a field trip. Sound good?

The other fun picture to show you–I got my hair cut! I loved my hair when it was super long, but found I was constantly wearing it in a ponytail. I cut it short in stages this time, and I really like the current length. So now I have an official author picture! Wheeee!!!

Writer at Rant

I shouldn't write a blog post when I'm running a fever. Oh well.

What does 'bestselling' mean? I see it on the signature lines of people and it always make me hesitate. Sometimes because I have to stop and go "Oh COOOOL, that is so awesome." or "Oh yeah, I can totally see that". But sometimes I stop and simply go…"??"

I know making the New York Times list is based on XYZ, not all of which means a book is actually any damn good. If a writer is a powerful enough public force, they could potentially make the list simply because enough people buy their book within the proper time frame for it to count. You know what? They still deserve to call themselves a best seller. Anyone who can make that many people move can claim any title they want.

But…if I've never heard of you, and googling your name reveals you are published with a vanity or independent press. If further investigation shows your book to be sitting at 34,000 ranking at Amazon, I really don't think you should be pasting a 'bestselling' label on yourself. I know, that's very narrow-minded of me, but I'm Canadian. I think it's rude and like a slap on the face to those people who ARE bestsellers.

I've had books ranked #1 at smaller book-sellers like MB&M, All Romance ebooks, Books on Board and Fictionwise. Wolf Games is still sitting at #2 for overall best sales for the past six months at Fictionwise. When Wolf Signs was a freebie at Amazon, book two, Wolf Flight hit the top ten section of the paid books.

Am I selling books? Yes, ma'am. Am I a bestselling author? Not as a label I should add to my name. Because it's not a title to be taken but one to be granted by others. I might tell you the Granite Lake Wolves are MY best selling series. Or even that they are best sellers, because that's true. But to say I'm  bestselling Canadian author Vivian Arend? Nope. Not yet.

Although I hope to be someday. And if I do get there, the label will feel all the better for having it in it's 'pure' form.

Snippet Saturday- Brawhahaha!

**twirls mustache** Ah, yes. It's time for the bad guys to come out of the woodwork. The reason for the story to head into a black moment, or to chase the hero/heroine into each others arms. In Wolf Flight, the villian is the reason for Missy to flee…

An untriggered werewolf. A runaway Omega. It's not easy fighting destiny.

Granite Lake Wolves, Book 2

Tad Maxwell's workaholism serves to keep his bush pilot company in the air, and his inner werewolf in check. In the two years since he discovered ...