Cate Masters's Blog, page 22

Fun with book videos 101

Some people say book videos are a waste of time. I have a lot of fun creating them, so for me, that's another creative outlet and not a waste at all. Plus it's one more way to condense my story line into a few short, snappy sentences - a great practice for writers.

Finding the right music always enhances the project, and I'm very grateful to Kevin MacLeod at Incompetech for offering a great selection of free music.

But does anyone actually watch them? Well, it depends. Sometimes. I've had wonderful videos ignored until they find the right venue.

So I'm very grateful to Robin Covington for featuring Goddess, Awakened on her 'Must See Book Trailers' column at USA Today! The views shot up from less than 20 to more than 90 in a few hours. And I get to share the spotlight with cool authors like Robyn Peterman and Elle Rush, another plus!

In other news...

My Halloween event's taking shape nicely, mwahahaha *rubs hands* Nearly every single day of October has been filled with authors sharing spooky stories, delicious treat recipes, and giveaways! It's going to be lots of spooky fun, so be sure to visit.

And if you're an author and would like a spot, I still have two left. Email me!

So, I did this

Sometimes characters can be unruly. Tricksters, even. I think I have them nailed down, and then *poof* they slip from my grasp.

I'm actually wrestling with two stories like that. Other than revisions and polishing up Goddess, Spellbound this summer, I didn't get a lot of actual writing done. And it's frustrating as hell, let me tell you. The characters are locked up in my head and are not one bit happy about it. Yet they keep eluding me - usually a sign that I'm missing something important.

So, to keep them at bay, I've been releasing my creativity in other ways. Whenever I post photos on FB, I usually get some kind souls encouraging me to do something with them. (Bless you for your generosity, peeps)

So, I did this:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturalImprints


I wanted to try something different with photos -- something tangible -- rather than just posting them online. I love experimenting with the filters in Photoshop Elements. They bring out really interesting details.

Here's an example, a photo I snapped on the Delaware River one evening. The photo's mounted on a wooden plaque stained black:


In between wrestling with characters, I'll be adding to the shop's wares. If you check it out, let me know what you think?

New release! The Devil and Lillian Holmes by Ciar Cullen

Congrats to Ciar Cullen on her latest release! Love this amazing cover, don't you? And the blurb's hooked me - this is going on my TBR list.
The Devil & Lillian Holmes
At the cusp of the twentieth century, an heiress-turned-vampire and her maker seek her stolen daughter and find themselves caught up in a world of darkness, danger, and mystery.

“I AM NOT A GOOD VAMPIRE.” 
She had not been a good mortal, either. Half-broken by a terrible secret, Lillian Holmes retreated into a fantasy world where the great detective Sherlock was her uncle and she could solve any mystery. Except, she had not yet found her parents. She had not yet rescued her stolen daughter. She was addicted to morphine, was still broken. And now she was bound to blood and to the caresses of the beautiful monster who sought to change for her, who had literally changed her to save her life.
But for how long had George saved her? Lillian could feel safety and sanity slipping away. Devils prowled Baltimore. Some were allies, others lustful gluttons waiting to consume every last drop of goodness. Some came from far-off lands, mercurial, unknowable, unstoppable. Others lurked closer still—in the hearts of herself and her beloved.
Available from Amazon
Connect with Ciar: http://www.ciarcullen.com/ https://www.facebook.com/ciar.cullen

Takin' over da house tonight!

Well, technically, it's The Twin Sisters' Rocking Reviews Facebook page, but the concept's the same. :)

Awhile back, I'd requested Twin Sisters' Rocking Reviews read my contemporary, Rock Bottom. They agreed, and gave the story a lovely 4-star review. Then they invited me to do a takeover! Yay!

So I hope you'll join us. It should be lots of fun. And as always, there'll be goodies and giveaways, with a $25 Amazon gift card as the grand prize.

The fun starts at 7:00 p.m. EST. Hope to see you there!

How do they know??

The first one returned on September 1. Not a day sooner or later. Somehow, it knew the time had come. Soon, they'll be everywhere - on every wall, ceiling and window.

Yes, the stink bugs are back! Creatures of habit, but apparently very precise habits at that. How did they know the calendar page had turned to September? It seemed to come much too soon.

August was a blur for me, but probably because I was consumed by getting the older two grandboys ready for preschool and kindergarten - an unbelievable milestone.

September will be less manic than this summer, and I'm glad. I don't have a release until January (quells the panic setting in) so not even a cover reveal until later this fall. A good thing, since I need to concentrate on writing the third Goddess Connection.

The second Goddess Connection has been subbed and I'm anxiously awaiting word. My editor read it and loved it, and passed it higher up on the submission chain. Two more gates to unlock, and it's there.

I'm very excited about this one, based on the Egyptian goddess Bastet - the cat goddess. Goddess, Spellbound has a lot of very cool elements - Pyramid Text spells, false tomb doors, a cobra shifter, a mummified warrior whose title is The Excellent One, and one of the few female pharaohs - Hatshepsut, and her evil vizier. Altogether, a really fun story to write.

Egypt's always fascinated me, and I've wanted to visit the pyramids since I was young. Luckily, being a writer lets me visit exotic places virtually. I hope to be able to bring you along on the journey. :)

Did you have a good holiday? Are you back in the swing of things, or still a bit jet-lagged after the long weekend?

And if you have any good suggestions on how to get rid of stink bugs, please share!

Sara Daniel spills the beans

Hi Sara! So glad to have you at Spilling the Beans, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book. Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. Unless you have another favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? Ooh, I will always take a cappuccino. If you put a little caramel or cinnamon on it, that would be even more perfect. J
Fur or feathers, pet-wise? Fur, since I have a cat and I’m not too fond of incessant chirping.
Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits? Incessant chirping, obviously! … I expect people to follow through on what they say. Don’t talk up things to me if you’re never going to follow through and actually do them.
Tell us something about yourself that’s not in your bio. I adore long hikes in nature and sitting next to a body of water. All my stress melts away, and I feel so peaceful.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Oops! I guess I just covered that! Going for walks and sometimes bike rides is my way to rejuvenate my writing muse.
If you had to choose another profession besides writer, what would it be and why? Well, I have a degree in accounting, so I would go back to that but probably not by choice.
Are you a night owl or early bird? I’m really not either. Is there a bird for “oh my gosh, how can I carve out another couple hours of sleep and still get everything done?” Since my kids start school really early, I guess you could say I’ve been forced into being an early bird.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? I’ll take a cloning superpower. I need one me for housework, another to spend time with family, another for promotion, and about three more of me to write and edit all the books ideas I have floating in my head.
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? I got married the day after my twenty-first birthday. I think back now on how ridiculously young we were, but I don’t have a single regret and we’re still happily married MANY years later!
Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban (what type(s) of music makes you rock out)? Ooh, definitely Keith Urban. “I’m In” is one of my top 5 favorite romantic songs, and I love country music in general.
Does music influence your writing? I don’t think music directly influences my writing, but I love country music because every song is a story. A great song can tell rich story with a full setting and powerful emotions in only a few words. It definitely makes the writer in me think about how I can incorporate that technique into fiction writing.
While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned? I think what surprised me the most starting out was typing THE END is just the beginning. Nobody sees the first draft of my books because they need a lot of work, and I need to self-edit extensively before my editor puts her hands on it. I hear about people who have a deadline at midnight and they pound out those last twenty pages, type THE END at 11:59, and send it off. Kudos to anyone who can writing like that. Alas, I cannot.
Where can readers find out more about you? The number one way to find out about my new releases, sales and giveaways is to subscribe to my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/rx_AL
Here are some other basics: Website/blog: http://www.SaraDaniel.com Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SaraDanielSaraShafer Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SSaraDaniel Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ssaradaniel/
Please tell us a bit about your latest book.
A Model Hero
Gretchen Meyers is a full-figured woman living in a model thin world. Desperate to end her mother's constant, nagging stream of dieting and fashion “advice,” Gretchen tackles the challenge of reviving her mother’s faltering modeling agency. All she needs is to woo back Kyle Ramsey, once the hottest model in the country.
Making the preemptive choice to turn his back on his career seemed Kyle’s only option until Gretchen comes calling. He doesn’t care what she wants to offer him, the answer is no. Still, he’s intrigued by her refreshing personality and all her lovely, lush curves.
When tragedy strikes, Kyle finds comfort and healing in Gretchen’s arms. But he can’t trust her with his career-ending secret and she doesn’t believe their relationship will survive the long term. He’s perfect and she’s not even close. Can the fragile ties holding them together survive Kyle’s opportunity to become a true model hero?
Buy Links: Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Model-Hero-Calendar-Men-ebook/dp/B00MYJPP5A/ Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-model-hero iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-model-hero/id911835986?mt=11 Decadent Publishing http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=980&osCsid=ikh5q70apmn539c8aasam1tp61
What inspired you to write it? I was asked by Decadent Publishing to be part of Calendar Men, a multi-author set of twelve books, one for each month based on this premise developed by author Joanne Kenrick:
Leonidas Russo is a former US Marine-turned-fashion model. He uses his connections in the fashion world to put a call out for models to be featured in a charity calendar he's put together to honor the memory of his brother, an Army soldier who died in the Afghan war. Proceeds for the calendar in the stories will benefit The Fallen Warriors Family Fund, a charity that gives scholarships and assistance to the families left behind.
I jumped at the chance to write Mr. September’s story. I studied the guidelines, spend a few days brainstorming, and the rest is history!
Thanks for spilling the beans today, Sara! Let me get you a broom to clean up all those spilled beans. LOL! Thanks for allowing me to visit.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a779791c10/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway com/load.js
Sara Daniel writes what she loves—irresistible romance, from sweet to erotic and everything in between. She lives her own happily-ever-after romance with her hero husband.

Brynna Curry spills the beans - and has a giveaway too!

Hi Brynna! So glad to have you at Spilling the Beans, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book. Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. Unless you have another favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)? Iced caramel coffee please.
Fur or feathers, pet-wise? Fur. I have a cat, Asheron (Named for SK’s Dark-Hunter leader.) We call him Ash. He’s very spoiled and likes to curl up beside me while I’m working.
Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits? Tail-gating drivers, spam phone calls at work.
Tell us something about yourself that’s not in your bio. I’m a DIY’er. I will tackle almost any project if I think I can figure it out or find a how to video online. I did most of the renovating to our home over the last couple of years, including replacing floors, ceilings and plumbing. I *heart* HGTV. lol
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I love to read. I rarely have time anymore, but when I do, I like to curl up in the corner chair with Ash and just read something on my Kindle.
If you had to choose another profession besides writer, what would it be and why? Well, I do have a day job as a secretary, but it isn’t a chosen profession. I can’t imagine any career  I could love more than being a writer. Eventually, I plan to make a break from the 8-5 world to write full time.
Are you a night owl or early bird? Night owl. I get up very early and stay up late. I write around my day job and family life so that means most every night is late.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To control all the elements, particularly fire because I’m most afraid of it. In other words, I’d want to be a phoenix, like my character from Fire’s Ice, Devin.
How would your muse describe you? Scatterbrained, bouncing from one idea to another. Eventually, her seemingly and maddening rambling side trips end up somewhere great. That’s just how her brain works.
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why? My great, great grandmother Amanda Faye Curry, so I could reclaim just a little of our lost family history.
Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban (what type(s) of music makes you rock out)? Anything from AC/DC to Mozart so long as it’s good. I am not a fan of most rap or screaming music.
Does music influence your writing? Do you have a music playlist for your book? Oh, yes. Music is very influential on my writing. I grew up with a father who taught band. He had me interested in music from a very young age and it’s to his credit that I like a variety of music and can play several different instruments. And so, I always have music playing through my earphones while writing. What I listen to depends on my mood.  I don’t have a playlist for each book, but my couples do have songs. One that particularly resonates with me for them.
While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned? How easy it was to become immersed in a world entirely of my own making. My characters are very real to me and I always drag out writing the last few chapters. It’s hard to say goodbye.
Where can readers find out more about you? Please visit me at brynnacurry.com
Please tell us a bit about your latest book. My latest book is Claiming Ana, part of a new series Triple Star Ranch.
What inspired you to write it? There just aren’t enough stories with southern characters in rural settings. I love my hometown and the people in it. I wanted to share the experience with others.
Thanks for spilling the beans today, Brynna! Best of luck with Claiming Ana.
Earth Enchanted
Brynna Curry
Blurb: Writer Liv Corrigan has the worst luck with men -- her telepathy tends to make them run for the hills. When she meets widower and ex-cop Jack Roarke, she decides to keep her talent hidden. Things are looking up until their third date crashes and burns as the man who murdered Jack’s wife turns out to be after him too.Injured, Jack retreats with Liv to his house under armed guard. But with Liv’s mysteries rapidly coming unraveled, a diamond-thief killer to stop and passion in the air, the safe house is anything but safe for their hearts!
Excerpt #2 – First meet between Hero and HeroineJack scanned the bookstore as he sat in the hard metal folding chair, at the small table, and wrote. He thought his hand would fall off. Whoever said writing wasn’t real work had to have been crazy. He knew things about two hours’ worth of people their mothers probably didn’t know. Mandy Lou something or other had a granny who thought he was grade A and she was his number one fan. She didn’t look old enough to be allowed to read his brand of horror, but she had two copies of each of his books.
Jack had politely—he hoped—shrugged off the forty invitations to dinner, fourteen offers for coffee, and two very indecent proposals for ‘wild, hanging from the chandelier sex’ to quote one lovely fan. All in all, a long day barely described it, but he’d seen people and observed, that was for sure. If it helped with the new book, it might have been worth it, and then again maybe not.
Ellie dropped by to see how things were going, and then promptly ran away when he tried to beg out. He didn’t like being maneuvered, and Ellie was a champion at it. Entertaining the notion of strangling her got him through the second hour, but considering he needed a good editor, he changed his mind.
The line grew shorter. While he juggled the newest Hastings baby on his knee, which the boy’s proud papa had insisted on, Jack inscribed a message in the front cover to Mrs. Hastings, another number one fan and the mother of six children all under ten. How does she have the time to read at all? His message to her read, “Mrs. Hastings, I’m your number one fan. You rule. Jack.” Mentally saluting her efforts, he passed back junior, and sent them on their way. He automatically reached for the book a slim hand offered. Eyes down on the cover of what he’d created, he said the same thing he’d told countless others. “Hi, who should I make this out to?”
“Just sign it to Olivia Corrigan, fellow mystery writer.”
Her voice alone lifted his eyes to meet hers, a musical lilt that teased of mist and bogs, faeries and leprechauns. She was dressed professionally, but he could easily imagine her calling up a wild wind or casting spells. She was only about 5’4” and slim, claimed black Irish coloring. He saw a flash of what might have been a premonition, but after blocking the gift so long he couldn’t hold on to it. Did he smell rain? Candles or lightning? But the sun was shining. For a moment he just stared, couldn’t speak , and was certain he knew her but couldn’t remember where from.
“Is something the matter?”
He quickly signed her book, before he forgot that was the reason for their meeting in the first place. She was the last in line, and he was free. Thank God! Sorry, muse, position filled.
“Jack Roarke, it’s a pleasure, Miss Corrigan.”


Series Buy Links (Now only $.99 each)
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo│Kensington
About the AuthorBrynna Curry was born south of the Mason-Dixon Line. After living all over the southern states, she finally landed in North Alabama where she lives with her husband and their three children. Growing up, books fueled her dreams and imagination, ultimately becoming her salvation during the hardest times in her life.Writing is her passion, but she enjoys the fun of sharing those stories with others by reviewing books and working in publicity.When she isn’t writing or promoting, she’s often found haunting the library for new books to read or just spending an quiet evening at home with Jackie watching old westerns on TV. Although her wizards, shifters and vampires are as real to her as anyone, she insists love is the truest magic and with it every day is another wonderful adventure.
Brynna’s LinksWebsite│Twitter│Facebook│Street Team│Goodreads
Giveaway$10 Amazon or B&N gift card to be given away on 10/1 during the kickoff of 31 Days of Halloween1 digital copy of series3 digital copies of  Earth Enchanteda Rafflecopter giveaway
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End of summer whirlwind

Yikes there's a lot going on this week! And I'll have some giveaways you won't want to miss :)


Today through August 31, I'll be participating in the TRS Summer Bash, along with hundreds of other authors. It's always a crazy, fun time, with lots of goodies for readers. I'm giving away an ebook of my contemporary rock 'n roll romance novel, Rock Bottom. So I hope you'll pop over this week and join the party!

Today I also have a fun interview at the lovely Juliette Cross' blog: http://www.juliettecross.com/blog  Pop on over and say hey if you have a sec :)

Another day, another party!
On Tuesday, I'll be over at Long and Short Reviews to help them celebrate their 7th anniversary! Woot! Congrats to LASR, and wishing them many more years. They've been wonderful to me since I was first published in 2009, and I'm so happy to be part of this event.

No party's complete without presents, so I'll be giving away a $10 gift card to one commenter.

Be sure to visit! 

Wednesday guest
On Wednesday I'll have a special guest here too - Brynna Curry will be Spillin' the Beans and sharing about her cool Elemental Magic series.


Sharpen your story
Last year, I took Margie Lawson's online class, Story Structure Safari. I had just started the Goddess Connection novel and wanted help with mapping out the story. The instructor, Lisa Miller, was awesome. Her feedback was insightful and prodded me to delve deeper into my heroine as well as the story line. Although this story took me a year and a half to finish writing, all my stories have benefitted because of this class.

If you've thought about signing up for a class, I strongly recommend this one. And you're in luck - there are still a few spaces open for the September one! So hurry and sign up now.Your future self will thank you. And I'm thanking Lisa because my editor loved the story! I'm working on a few tweaks and will send the revised to her soon, hopefully this week.


Out with the old!
You may have noticed I've been cleaning up the blog. Streamlining a bit, gathering up various things into a more logical order. I eliminated most of the badges on the right - they were so cluttered, even I couldn't find what I needed. They're all nice and tidy and organized on the new page, Follow the Magic... appearing at the top of the page just below the header. Check it out! Click around! And let me know how you like it?

Branching out
Because I'm not on enough social media sites that I don't know how to use, I joined WattPad. For the past few weeks, I've been adding chapters to two stories - Surfacing and Romancing the Hero. You can check them out here. All feedback welcome!

So what's going on in your world? Have much going on this week? Are you ready for the end of summer? (I'm not!)

Cover reveal: Hellish Haven by L.K. Below

Congrats to L.K. Below on her upcoming release!
Show her some cover love with a comment.
  Hellish Haven Genre: Dystopian Multicultural Romance Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp., Lyrical Press Imprint Release Date: November 17, 2014
Synopsis Two lives. Two realities. But only one truth.

The Senator reigns all-powerful in a manifested picture-perfect world. No worries. No wars. Only the unspoken threat of oblivion if you step a toe out of line. On the other side of the divide, the rebels face a debilitating war against an invulnerable robotic army. Every day is a struggle to earn back their freedoms. Freedom to feel. Freedom of speech. Freedom of thought.

Sergeant Grant Baker is pivotal to the war effort. But ever since his wife’s abduction, he’s been walking around in as much of a daze as the Senator’s brainwashed citizens. Then Eva reappears—without memories of him or their son. And he’s willing to do anything to keep her. Even if it means jeopardizing the war.

Eva doesn’t know which side to believe. Her predictable life as a single nurse, or the man claiming to be her husband. All she knows is she needs to discover how to end the war, quickly. If she doesn’t choose sides soon, she may lose the man—and the life—she never knew she wanted.
Bio L.K. Below grew up in a small town in Ontario, Canada, where her only peek into the wide world was through books. She’s been a bookworm ever since she learned to read, and loves any book with characters and worlds she can lose herself in. She wrote Hellish Haven to take one of her favorite classic books, George Orwell’s 1984, into the modern day…or, in this case, near future. She writes as obsessively as she reads and likes to Tweet about both at @LBelowtheauthor.
Find her online at www.lbelow.net.
Publisher website: www.kensingtonbooks.com L.K.’s author page on publisher website: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/29525

It's creeping nearer...

Every day, it gets a little closer. And closer. Don't look now, but Halloween is coming.

I love it!

And I'm planning ahead for a month-long party on the blog. For those of you who've participated in the past, you know how much fun it is. Spooky stories, ghoulish treat recipes and best of all, giveaways.

Nearly half the calendar's filled up already, so authors, grab a date fast. Just comment if you're interested, or email me at cate.masters [at] gmail.com

Readers, mark your calendars! You won't want to miss the fun!