Nicole Hadaway's Blog, page 2
December 9, 2012
Cover Reveal -- Release
The ends justify the means...
For vampire Miranda Dandridge, using her supernatural abilities to rescue children from impossible circumstances is her means to be a part of the human world that she loves so much, despite the atrocities of WWII.
For doctor Ben Gongliewski, saving his fellow Jews from the horrific death camps is an end for which he risks his own life every day, hiding his Jewish heritage while feigning loyalty the SS.
Neither Miranda nor Ben expects to find love in World War II Europe, but that is exactly what happens as they work for the Resistance. When the war draws to a close, it seems like the vampire and the doctor are free to start a future together. But just how far the Nazis will go to further their own evil ends?
Desperate times make for ruthless men as loves and lives are threatened, but, Miranda and Ben know that their world cannot go to hell, not by any means…
Publisher: Visionary PressPublication Date: January 4, 2013 (paperback and e-book; e-book may be sooner)Cover Image: istockphotoCover Art: PhatpuppyArtCover Design/Font: BB Designs
Oh, and the author -- ME!
Tune in tomorrow....
When all will be revealed!!
We started with this image:
We started with this image:
December 8, 2012
Weird Comment On My Blog
So, I got a weird comment on my blog the other day, something about "dark tales of intrigue" and "characters in dark circles". While I'm fairly certain of who wrote it, I won't go into details. Suffice to say that all comments will be moderated from now on, and my main purpose in posting this is that if any readers saw the comment -- please ignore it.
And to the person who wrote that comment -- if my being happy about a new publisher, new cover art, and the support I'm receiving from my writer friends constitutes "dark tales of intrigue", I don't know what to tell you. I am surrounded, and have surrounded myself, with positive, supportive people; negative people, or people who bring negativity of any sort; are no longer in my life. If writing vampire stories (in which vampires save people) is dark and destructive, again -- that's your world-view, not mine.
I write because it makes me happy, and I feel my stories deserve an audience, and if you think I'm doing this for the sole goal of meeting "characters in dark circles" then you are sorely mistaken. So please quit dwelling on the past -- I am moving on and moving forward, and so should you.
And to the person who wrote that comment -- if my being happy about a new publisher, new cover art, and the support I'm receiving from my writer friends constitutes "dark tales of intrigue", I don't know what to tell you. I am surrounded, and have surrounded myself, with positive, supportive people; negative people, or people who bring negativity of any sort; are no longer in my life. If writing vampire stories (in which vampires save people) is dark and destructive, again -- that's your world-view, not mine.
I write because it makes me happy, and I feel my stories deserve an audience, and if you think I'm doing this for the sole goal of meeting "characters in dark circles" then you are sorely mistaken. So please quit dwelling on the past -- I am moving on and moving forward, and so should you.
December 5, 2012
The edits are in...
I'm getting nervous all over again. I mean, I know my book has been out for 3 (wow!) years now, and people have read and liked it, but the re-release -- it's got my stomach doing flip-flops again!
Cover reveal is set for December 10th -- please see http://www.xpressobooktours.com/2012/... here for details (or just email me :).
Anyway, my editor at Visionary Press gave me her edits on Release today, and I'm happy to say that there weren't too many (mostly grammar -- I used alot of dashes when I wrote the first one). She did point out some questions that the reader might have, for which I was very grateful. I mean, I've got the whole story in my head, so it's easy for know what I mean when I write something, but others? Maybe not. So hopefully these little polishes will make it gleam!
I'm very happy so far with the progress on the novel and its re-publication. Now, however, the ball is in my court, and I've got to get the edits done, my Thanks to... page re-written (yeah, I was wondering if I would re-write it, but I think I will. Things are so much different now). Hopefully, I can get that done this weekend and have it all ready to go for the cover reveal next week!
Cover reveal is set for December 10th -- please see http://www.xpressobooktours.com/2012/... here for details (or just email me :).
Anyway, my editor at Visionary Press gave me her edits on Release today, and I'm happy to say that there weren't too many (mostly grammar -- I used alot of dashes when I wrote the first one). She did point out some questions that the reader might have, for which I was very grateful. I mean, I've got the whole story in my head, so it's easy for know what I mean when I write something, but others? Maybe not. So hopefully these little polishes will make it gleam!
I'm very happy so far with the progress on the novel and its re-publication. Now, however, the ball is in my court, and I've got to get the edits done, my Thanks to... page re-written (yeah, I was wondering if I would re-write it, but I think I will. Things are so much different now). Hopefully, I can get that done this weekend and have it all ready to go for the cover reveal next week!
November 30, 2012
Release has a new blurb!!
And boy, who knew writing 170 words could be such hell?!
“The ends justify the means”...
For vampire Miranda Dandridge, using her supernatural abilities to rescue children from impossible circumstances is her means to be a part of the human world that she loves so much, despite the atrocities of WWII.
For doctor Ben Gongliewski, saving his fellow Jews from the horrific death camps is an end for which he risks his own life every day, hiding his Jewish heritage while feigning loyalty the SS.
Neither Miranda nor Ben expects to find love in World War II Europe, but that is exactly what happens as they work for the Resistance. When the war draws to a close, it seems like the vampire and the doctor are free to start a future together. But just how far the Nazis will go to further their own evil ends?
Desperate times make for ruthless men as loves and lives are threatened, but, Miranda and Ben know that their world cannot go to hell, not by any means…
“The ends justify the means”...
For vampire Miranda Dandridge, using her supernatural abilities to rescue children from impossible circumstances is her means to be a part of the human world that she loves so much, despite the atrocities of WWII.
For doctor Ben Gongliewski, saving his fellow Jews from the horrific death camps is an end for which he risks his own life every day, hiding his Jewish heritage while feigning loyalty the SS.
Neither Miranda nor Ben expects to find love in World War II Europe, but that is exactly what happens as they work for the Resistance. When the war draws to a close, it seems like the vampire and the doctor are free to start a future together. But just how far the Nazis will go to further their own evil ends?
Desperate times make for ruthless men as loves and lives are threatened, but, Miranda and Ben know that their world cannot go to hell, not by any means…
November 25, 2012
Review -- Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson
I've done a few reviews lately, and I can't promise I'll be doing them regularly, but for my good author friends, I feel I should get the word out there that their books are awesome, so here goes:
Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson
I acquired this book back in April when Suzanne visited my town (and got it autographed by her -- yay!); Suzanne and I had been co-bloggers on Write In the Shadows, and as we had both lived in New Orleans (though, no longer), we shared a bond. (WITS is no longer online, but it contained a group of other talented writers including Marissa Farrar, C. J. Ellison, Kerri Nelson, and the extremely successful Liz Pelletier, whose Entangled Publishing is really making waves in the industry) .
That bond was Hurricane Katrina. Suzanne's story, Royal Street, takes place right before, during, and in the month after Katrina. I was pregnant and working in downtown New Orleans at that time, so I had my own crazy evacuation story, as did many of my close friends.
It took me a while to read Royal Street after I purchased it, because Katrina was really an emotionally devastating time, and when I bought it this past April, I had just gone through another emotionally crazy time -- I felt I couldn't re-live Katrina so soon.
I'm glad I waited, and I'm glad I read it -- it's a great mix of seriousness, character development, magic and humor. Royal Street follows wizard Drusilla Jaco ("DJ") as she searches for a loved one in the aftermath of Katrina. DJ's recovery following Katrina is complicated by the fact that she's also got to deal with breaches between this world and the Beyond -- breaches caused by the strength of the hurricane. She's got a pirate who either wants to kill or make her his lover, and, as DJ is now in charge of maintaining the magical peace in the city, she's got a very gruff "helper", an enforcer named Alex, watching her every move. This complicates DJ's search for her mentor, Gerry, as it's unclear why such a powerful wizard has suddenly gone "off the radar".
Suzanne's voice for DJ is wonderful -- she takes you right into the character, and the sadness regarding the loss of the city, and possibly of Gerry, is felt, but not so much that you don't end up depressed throughout the novel. There's a sharp sense of clever humor thrown in at the right places, to keep things from getting too violent or depressing. I loved the character of Alex, and a bit of a love triangle that develops with DJ, Alex, and Alex's cousin, Jake. It's not overly done nor the main focus of the group, nor does DJ need her male lover to save her constantly (yay feminism!!!).
Finally, Royal Street was a great trip down memory lane for me. Suzanne described the city perfectly, from the French Quarter, to Uptown, to that certain weather reporter who had a tendency to get a little bit excited. For those of you who have been there -- either visited or lived -- you know that New Orleans is a city with a soul, and it's not always easily captured in print. Suzanne's story made me feel I was there, in a good way, again.
I can't say too much more without giving away spoilers, but suffice it to say that Royal Street is very satisfying as an intelligent, emotional, fun read that, at times, I had trouble putting down -- I can't wait to see DJ again in the sequel, River Road (out now!).
Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson
I acquired this book back in April when Suzanne visited my town (and got it autographed by her -- yay!); Suzanne and I had been co-bloggers on Write In the Shadows, and as we had both lived in New Orleans (though, no longer), we shared a bond. (WITS is no longer online, but it contained a group of other talented writers including Marissa Farrar, C. J. Ellison, Kerri Nelson, and the extremely successful Liz Pelletier, whose Entangled Publishing is really making waves in the industry) .
That bond was Hurricane Katrina. Suzanne's story, Royal Street, takes place right before, during, and in the month after Katrina. I was pregnant and working in downtown New Orleans at that time, so I had my own crazy evacuation story, as did many of my close friends.
It took me a while to read Royal Street after I purchased it, because Katrina was really an emotionally devastating time, and when I bought it this past April, I had just gone through another emotionally crazy time -- I felt I couldn't re-live Katrina so soon.
I'm glad I waited, and I'm glad I read it -- it's a great mix of seriousness, character development, magic and humor. Royal Street follows wizard Drusilla Jaco ("DJ") as she searches for a loved one in the aftermath of Katrina. DJ's recovery following Katrina is complicated by the fact that she's also got to deal with breaches between this world and the Beyond -- breaches caused by the strength of the hurricane. She's got a pirate who either wants to kill or make her his lover, and, as DJ is now in charge of maintaining the magical peace in the city, she's got a very gruff "helper", an enforcer named Alex, watching her every move. This complicates DJ's search for her mentor, Gerry, as it's unclear why such a powerful wizard has suddenly gone "off the radar".
Suzanne's voice for DJ is wonderful -- she takes you right into the character, and the sadness regarding the loss of the city, and possibly of Gerry, is felt, but not so much that you don't end up depressed throughout the novel. There's a sharp sense of clever humor thrown in at the right places, to keep things from getting too violent or depressing. I loved the character of Alex, and a bit of a love triangle that develops with DJ, Alex, and Alex's cousin, Jake. It's not overly done nor the main focus of the group, nor does DJ need her male lover to save her constantly (yay feminism!!!).
Finally, Royal Street was a great trip down memory lane for me. Suzanne described the city perfectly, from the French Quarter, to Uptown, to that certain weather reporter who had a tendency to get a little bit excited. For those of you who have been there -- either visited or lived -- you know that New Orleans is a city with a soul, and it's not always easily captured in print. Suzanne's story made me feel I was there, in a good way, again.
I can't say too much more without giving away spoilers, but suffice it to say that Royal Street is very satisfying as an intelligent, emotional, fun read that, at times, I had trouble putting down -- I can't wait to see DJ again in the sequel, River Road (out now!).
November 20, 2012
Meet Miranda Dandridge
I'll confess -- I never thought this day would come. Miranda is someone very close to my heart. Hell, I can't even bring myself to write her in the first person. For a while, I was very loathe to put her image in some tangible form to be viewed by others.
I'm over it.
This is a possible cover for Redeem, Book #3. Sue Midlock did an amazing job. What are the feathers, you may ask? Muhahahahah -- you'll have to wait and see...
I'm over it.
This is a possible cover for Redeem, Book #3. Sue Midlock did an amazing job. What are the feathers, you may ask? Muhahahahah -- you'll have to wait and see...
November 16, 2012
Wow, it's all really happening, again
Holy crow, is it a week before Thanksgiving? Already?? Time, time, time, see what's become of me...
Well, I've been working at a real job (that I actually like), which doesn't give me alot of time to blog or write, but the wonderful folks at Visionary Press Cooperative are helping me re-publish my Miranda tales, including the short stories you see off to the side, and soon will be coming Release (again), then Return (yay!!). YES, THERE WILL BE PAPERBACKS!! With gorgeous covers -- I just picked out the main model today. Of course, stuff will be added, but on advice from Rhiannon Frater (she's my EF Hutton, for those who remember the commercials -- it's like, when Rhiannon Frater talks, I listen!), audiences today like horror/fantasy covers with live models on them, so here we go...
Of course, it's not nearly done -- we need to add a few things, but I do feel it looks very much like Miranda, and has her attitude. Wendy Howard does too (and that's good enough in my opinion, as she's studied the publishing industry for years now ;-). The talented Sue Midlock will be the artist -- soon all will be revealed!!!
Well, I've been working at a real job (that I actually like), which doesn't give me alot of time to blog or write, but the wonderful folks at Visionary Press Cooperative are helping me re-publish my Miranda tales, including the short stories you see off to the side, and soon will be coming Release (again), then Return (yay!!). YES, THERE WILL BE PAPERBACKS!! With gorgeous covers -- I just picked out the main model today. Of course, stuff will be added, but on advice from Rhiannon Frater (she's my EF Hutton, for those who remember the commercials -- it's like, when Rhiannon Frater talks, I listen!), audiences today like horror/fantasy covers with live models on them, so here we go...
Of course, it's not nearly done -- we need to add a few things, but I do feel it looks very much like Miranda, and has her attitude. Wendy Howard does too (and that's good enough in my opinion, as she's studied the publishing industry for years now ;-). The talented Sue Midlock will be the artist -- soon all will be revealed!!!
September 22, 2012
Review: Pretty When She Dies/Pretty When She Kills, by Rhiannon Frater
I'd hate to blog about two things in the same post, but just let me make a quick announcement -- my short stories are now LIVE on Amazon, thanks to Visionary Press Cooperative! Off to the left -- click on the new covers to check them out!
Okay, now on to Pretty When She Dies, by Rhiannon Frater
By the way, I'm going to try to review these with limited spoilers, because much of the genius of the novels are their unexpected twists and turns.
Let me first start by saying that I normally don't read Urban Fantasy novels -- I prefer vampires set in earlier times (The Tale of the Vampire Bride). However, this is one series which I will definitely follow to the end.
It's amazing how Frater fleshes out her characters -- you read a few pages, and it feels as if you've known the character for quite some time. Even characters that only appear in one scene -- you get a very good sense of who they are, just for those few paragraphs. You can see the scene unfolding in your head as you read -- it takes a very talented writer to create those images in your mind (IMHO).
Amaliya is likable -- tough, yet she makes mistakes, and she admits to them. There's a love triangle that is SO REFRESHING because it's not one that's been done to death before (Twilight...). Frater takes a familiar trope and turns it around (to my satisfaction, I admit). I think the thing I enjoyed most in this book was the ensemble of characters -- time is spent in the book as each of the characters does what they need to do, moving the plot forward (and at times, being a welcome comedic interlude), and at the end -- it's an ensemble ending. I'm partial to these, and Frater did hers very well -- there's just the right amount of comedic, horrific, and magical qualities in there to make it stunning.
Then, I quickly devoured the sequel, Pretty When She Kills
Usually, novels are either plot-driven or character-driven. PWSK is unusual in that it is both, and that definitely works to the book's advantage.
Back again is Amaliya, and although you might think her life would be just ducky, considering how things ended in the last book, nothing could be further from the truth. Frater does a great job moving Amaliya's character forward into new predicaments, maintaining the character's strength, yet not forgetting her flaws. There's a good cast of supporting characters, and it's nice to see former enemies develop alliances, while others who are afraid to step into their legacies go forward anyway, because it's the right thing to do.
This book is riveting -- there's no other word to describe it. While the characters are well-developed, it's the plot that amazed me -- I had no idea where it was going next, and what you thought was going to happen didn't, and the people you thought you shouldn't trust, well, you were sort of right but for "whoa -- didn't see that one coming!" reasons. It's just phenomenal. It's difficult to take such a host of characters, some who are supernatural with different abilities, and make everyone mesh, but Frater does it very, very well. It's just incredible. The writing provides perfect visualizations, and there's a brilliant mix of ordinary, mundane, human world stuff (waking up, getting coffee), then -- zowie! Big magic scenes. It's incredibly well-done, and I cannot wait for Pretty When She Destroys, coming 2013.
Okay, now on to Pretty When She Dies, by Rhiannon Frater
By the way, I'm going to try to review these with limited spoilers, because much of the genius of the novels are their unexpected twists and turns.
Let me first start by saying that I normally don't read Urban Fantasy novels -- I prefer vampires set in earlier times (The Tale of the Vampire Bride). However, this is one series which I will definitely follow to the end.
It's amazing how Frater fleshes out her characters -- you read a few pages, and it feels as if you've known the character for quite some time. Even characters that only appear in one scene -- you get a very good sense of who they are, just for those few paragraphs. You can see the scene unfolding in your head as you read -- it takes a very talented writer to create those images in your mind (IMHO).
Amaliya is likable -- tough, yet she makes mistakes, and she admits to them. There's a love triangle that is SO REFRESHING because it's not one that's been done to death before (Twilight...). Frater takes a familiar trope and turns it around (to my satisfaction, I admit). I think the thing I enjoyed most in this book was the ensemble of characters -- time is spent in the book as each of the characters does what they need to do, moving the plot forward (and at times, being a welcome comedic interlude), and at the end -- it's an ensemble ending. I'm partial to these, and Frater did hers very well -- there's just the right amount of comedic, horrific, and magical qualities in there to make it stunning.
Then, I quickly devoured the sequel, Pretty When She Kills
Usually, novels are either plot-driven or character-driven. PWSK is unusual in that it is both, and that definitely works to the book's advantage.
Back again is Amaliya, and although you might think her life would be just ducky, considering how things ended in the last book, nothing could be further from the truth. Frater does a great job moving Amaliya's character forward into new predicaments, maintaining the character's strength, yet not forgetting her flaws. There's a good cast of supporting characters, and it's nice to see former enemies develop alliances, while others who are afraid to step into their legacies go forward anyway, because it's the right thing to do.
This book is riveting -- there's no other word to describe it. While the characters are well-developed, it's the plot that amazed me -- I had no idea where it was going next, and what you thought was going to happen didn't, and the people you thought you shouldn't trust, well, you were sort of right but for "whoa -- didn't see that one coming!" reasons. It's just phenomenal. It's difficult to take such a host of characters, some who are supernatural with different abilities, and make everyone mesh, but Frater does it very, very well. It's just incredible. The writing provides perfect visualizations, and there's a brilliant mix of ordinary, mundane, human world stuff (waking up, getting coffee), then -- zowie! Big magic scenes. It's incredibly well-done, and I cannot wait for Pretty When She Destroys, coming 2013.
September 1, 2012
New Covers!!!!!
While I've been quiet on this blog, alot has been going on behind the scenes, and I'm ready for all to be revealed right now!
First, after the Fall of the House of Vamplit (no disrespect indended, I just couldn't stay away from the Poe reference ;-), I thought a fresh start was necessary. I still intend to carry forward with Miranda's stories, but I wanted a second set of eyes on them, so I hired editor Felicia Sullivan. We started with a re-edit of the short stories, and I'm very happy to report that not much was changed -- she thought they were very well done :)
Then, I looked at some cover artists, and thanks to the inimitable Rhiannon Frater, I asked Stephanie Mooney to re-design covers for the short stories. (Truth be told, Rhiannon recommended Felicia as well. I know, I'm a wanna-be-Rhiannon, lol!). I was on a budget, and her work was reasonably priced, as well as gorgeous. So here they are (and thanks to Blogger's new features, you can click on them to see them bigger :):
First, after the Fall of the House of Vamplit (no disrespect indended, I just couldn't stay away from the Poe reference ;-), I thought a fresh start was necessary. I still intend to carry forward with Miranda's stories, but I wanted a second set of eyes on them, so I hired editor Felicia Sullivan. We started with a re-edit of the short stories, and I'm very happy to report that not much was changed -- she thought they were very well done :)
Then, I looked at some cover artists, and thanks to the inimitable Rhiannon Frater, I asked Stephanie Mooney to re-design covers for the short stories. (Truth be told, Rhiannon recommended Felicia as well. I know, I'm a wanna-be-Rhiannon, lol!). I was on a budget, and her work was reasonably priced, as well as gorgeous. So here they are (and thanks to Blogger's new features, you can click on them to see them bigger :):
