Eden Winters's Blog, page 51

Only a Few More Hours to Enter to Win a Print Copy of Naked Tails

There's only a few hours left to enter to win a copy of my latest release, Naked Tails. Two copies are up for grabs, but you need to get your name in the hat fast.

Find the giveaway here.

The Day Just Keeps Getting Better! Another Fabulous Review for Naked Tails!

What a wonderful Christmas Eve it's been! I just found out about an awesome new review for my latest release, Naked Tails, from The Novel Approach. 

Here's some of what reviewer Lisa had to say:

"Naked Tails is a sweet and sometimes downright laugh-out-loud romance, touched by just the teeniest bit of bittersweet before the happy making ensues. The town of Possum Kingdom is populated by some seriously wonderful residents, including my favorite female character in quite a while, Monica Sims, the six-foot-tall, pull-no-punches, half-breed possum goddess who gets Seth whipped into fighting shape to claim his destiny before the greasy Junior Timmerman can usurp him and turn the town and the entire shifter world on its ear."

Read the full review here:

Find Naked Tails at Dreamspinner Press:

An Unexpected Christmas Gift--From Reviewer Amos Lassen

I had the privilege of meeting Amos Lassen at the Lambda Awards earlier this year, after having read countless numbers of his reviews. Recently he told me he was about to read and review my novel, Naked Tails, and I must say that I was a bit nervous. I mean, stacked up next to some of the greatest GLBT novels of our time, what would he think of a passel of possum shifters from Possum Kingdom, Georgia?

Well, today he gave me a lovely gift in the form of a review that brought happy tears to my eyes.

Here's some of what Amos had to say:

"Now all of you probably want to know how does the author succeed in writing a love story about possums and keep our interest at the same time? That you would have to ask the writer. She does it and she does it beautifully and it indeed helps that she includes detail and well created characters. She writes with wit and humor and there is a certain “I am not sure what” quality to her writing. I am quite sure that most of us would consider a story about possum shifters to be a ridiculous idea and to a degree it is. Winters is able to turn that “ridiculous idea” into a wonderful story of identity and love. Winters gives us a look at friendship, family and loyalty and the story is really about one finding his place in the world."

Read the entire review on Amos's site. 

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season and a very happy New Year! Merry Christmas! I have a tendency to be overly sentimental, especially around the holidays, so I'll try not to get mushy.



This past year has seen many changes in my life: I welcomed a new family member, rode an up and down roller coaster with my writing, and I made many wonderful new friends. I'm blessed with a life in which I have enough, not only for myself, but to help others in need. May we all be blessed with "enough." Not only enough food, shelter, and warmth, but enough friends, happiness, laughter, and good memories in the making. 
If you're reading this, as a dear friend from Germany says, "Consider yourself hugged."
Eden

Christmas Memories

My earliest memories from Christmas are from when I was four years old, my mom clipping a serial comic from the newspaper, that over the course of time, made a book. She sang Christmas songs to my sister, brother, and me, and in my mind, her voice was every bit as lovely as my idol, Kitty Wells, whose album Mom sang with. (Everyone under fifty may need to Google "Kitty Wells". She was a big deal, let me tell you.) We lived in Washington state and had snow at Christmas. I remembered watching A Charlie Brown Christmas when it was still considered new.

Skip forward a year or two, my family was in Germany, and I feared getting coal in my stocking like my brother teased. I'd been told that Santa wouldn't leave me any toys if I was awake when he got there, and was worried because I was sick and prone to waking up in the middle of the night. Santa came anyway. Again we enjoyed a white Christmas, and I couldn't imagine anyone having the holidays without snow.

My family moved to a South Carolina farm, my dad left, and my customs got turned on their ear. Very rarely did we have snow, and we no longer bought a tree from a lot or unpacked a silver tinsel creation from a box. Instead, the three of us went out into the woods to chop down an cedar tree. In hindsight, I do wonder at the wisdom of my mother entrusting us with an ax. One year my sister and I, aged about fourteen and eleven, respectively, dragged home this wonderful beauty of nature, only to find it was approximately thirty feet tall, and Mom had to cut the top out to use in the house. We always put the tree up on my sister's birthday, December 18.

We attended church, and always particpated in the pageant as angels or shepherds. From the age of seven I sang solos, or duets with my sister. To this day I cannot sing Silent Night without thinking of her and wondering if she's still harmonizing with me, just out of my rang of hearing. She passed thirteen years ago.

I grew up and had kids of my own, and developed traditions for them, like decorating the day after Thanksgiving and opening one present on Christmas Eve, and saving the rest for morning, to open along with Santa's gifts. Through their eyes I saw the wonders of the season anew, and enjoyed the giving of gifts more so than the getting.  I baked a lot in those days, and every year made treats to take to family and friends.

My kids grew up and left the nest, and my traditions have changed again. My extended family gets together before Christmas to share a meal, and meet at my daughter's on Christmas morning for breakfast and to watch my grandkids open their gifts. Aftewards, I'll take lesson from my Jewish friends and go to a Chinese restaurant for lunch, and go see a movie. Sadly, Navy son won't be coming home this year.

Christmas Eve is spent in my home, with the tree lit and carols playing. I may watch a version of "A Christmas Carol." Oh, and there will be wine.

Though my holiday season is no longer filled with parties and excitement, I still love the season just as much, and still think the most magical thing in the world is the see the holiday through a child's eyes. Oh, and nothing brings a smile to my face better than really, really tacky Christmas lights, you know, the kind where planes are circling, trying to land, and the neighbors' lose power? White lights and tasteful bows have their place, but bring on the mis-matched chase  lights and dancing candy canes....just not at my house.

I found this Lindsey Stirling video visually stunning. Enjoy! This one's for you, my dearest sister.



Merry Christmas, my friends, and I wish you the happiest of New Years.

Reviews and Giveaways for Naked Tails!

If you'd like to read my latest release, Naked Tails, now is a great time to get a copy without breaking your holiday budget.

Sign up to win an ebook copy at these three fine sites:

The Armchair Reader

Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books

Reviews by Jessewave

Mrs. Condit awarded the story 5 Sweet Peas and Recommended Read Status. Here's some of what she had to say:

 I HIGHLY recommend this often funny, sometimes poignant, always entertaining, beautifully written book about the importance of tradition, love, and finding one’s place in the world.

Read entire review here:

Cole Riann at The Armchair Reader rated the story Really Liked It and said:

But more than this being a lighthearted shifter romp with funny possum behavior and a cute romance, the core of the story is about the growth of Seth. He starts the story a shade of the man he could be and the crux of the story is based on his growth.

Read entire review here:

Double Release Day Party!

Good morning (afternoon or evening, depending on where you are). Come celebrate with me! Today Dreamspinner Press released my latest novel, Naked Tails , a paranormal/contemporary romance involving skinny dipping and possum shifters. There's even a fox shifter for those who go for variety, and if you look really close, you'll spot a chipmunk and skunk shifter too! And don't get me started on the Johnson triplets! (Thanks, Elizabeth North. for the awesome pic!)


And if you like strong female secondary characters, check out Monica, enforcer, conscience, and designated attitude adjuster for the possum shifter passel.

What? You say you're not really in the mood for a shifter story today? No problem, for my dear friend Michael Rupured is sharing my Dreamspinner release day with a good, old fashioned action adventure, Until Thanksgiving. Love a gripping mystery and steamy romance all rolled up in an edge-of-your-seat who-done-it? Michael has just the book for you!

What release party is complete without cover art and a bit of blurbage?


Didn't Shobana Appavu do a fantastic job on the cover?

Seth McDaniel wasn’t raised among a shifter passel and has no idea what it’s like to turn furry once a month. An orphan, torn from his father’s family at an early age, he scarcely remembers Great-aunt Irene. Now her passing brings him back to Possum Kingdom, Georgia, to take up a legacy he doesn’t understand and reconnect with a friend he’s never forgotten. 

As Irene’s second-in-command, Dustin Livingston has two choices: assume control of the passel or select another replacement. Unfortunately, the other candidates are either heartless or clueless. Dustin’s best hope to dodge the responsibility is to deliver a crash course in leadership to his childhood pal Seth, a man he hasn’t seen in twenty years. However, while Dustin's mind is set on his task, his heart is set on his old friend. 

Seth’s quest for answers yields more questions instead. What’s with the tiny gray hairs littering his aunt’s house? Why do the townsfolk call each other “Jack” and “Jill”? Do Dustin’s attentions come with ulterior motives? And why is Seth suddenly craving crickets?

***
Mrs. Condit at Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books rated Naked Tails at Five Sweet Peas and a Recommended Read! Read the full review here, and enter to win an ebook copy. 



Love this cover!
Josh Freeman knows his best days are behind him. After his partner of seventeen years has an affair with a younger man, Josh buries himself in takeout boxes, half-smoked joints, and self-pity until his best friend gently kicks him in the ass and encourages him to try out a new job in Washington DC—at least until Thanksgiving. 

Though DC has its share of troubles, specifically in the form of a murderer targeting gay men, Josh soon discovers its charms as well. Unlike his old home, DC is crawling with men who want to date him—apparently he's not as overweight, out of shape, or over the hill as the man he once loved made him believe. In particular, Josh would love a chance with relocation expert Thad Parker, but Josh is sure Thad is seeing someone, so he looks for love elsewhere. He tells himself he and Thad don't have anything in common anyway.

Then Josh learns Thad really is available. Maybe they can work it out after all. Suddenly the future seems bright again. Of course, Josh doesn't know he's the murderer's next target....

I've included links throughout the post, or you can find Naked Tails here:

And Until Thanksgiving here:

Both are available in multiformat ebook or print. 

And speaking of print, enter at Goodreads now through December 27 for a chance to win a paperback copy of Naked Tails. 

And the Winner is....

Pat Nelson! You've won Shae Connor's giveway. We'll be contacting you shortly.

Hugs, and thanks for stopping by everyone!

Countdown to Possum Shifters! And a Review and Giveaway!

In a little over twenty-four hours Dreamspinner Press will release my latest novel, Naked Tails, a tale of love, skinny dipping, and possum shifters. Due to the magic of pre-release reviewer copies, the story has already received its first feedback, currently posted on Goodreads.

Reviewer Becky Condit of Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books awarded the book five stars and writes:

This is a book to savor - every word, every page. It is definitely a character-driven book, and what characters they are! NAKED TAILS is like an addictive drug. When you get to the end you will be sad it’s over and may even do like I did and write to Ms. Winters asking for more stories about Seth , Dustin, and the possum passel, Andy and the fox skulk, Seth’s ex-boyfriend Michael and his unlikely new boyfriend, Monica, who has all the charm of a Marine drill sergeant, the skunk and chipmunk lifeflight helicopter pilots, the mischievous Johnson triplets, and on and on. I HIGHLY recommend this often funny, sometimes poignant, always entertaining, beautifully written book about the importance of tradition, love, and finding one’s place in the world. 

Please see my complete review and an opportunity to win a copy of NAKED TAILS on December 17, 2012 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....

The countdown has begun...

Early Literary Influences - A Guest Post by P.D. Singer

I'm thrilled to be hosting my dear friend P.D. Singer on the site today! I know from our many conversations that she's extremely well read, and when I asked begged her to write an installment for my Early Literary Influences series, I eagerly awaited her post, wondering which book(s) she might include. So please welcome P.D. aka Pam.

I'm also very excited that she's released another book in her "Mountain" series, this time Blood on the Mountain, even if she does put poor Kurt and Jake through the wringer.

***
The Speaker’s Dead and I’m Confused by P.D. Singer 
I’ve been following Eden’s early literary influences pots and being delighted that we share a lot of childhood favorites. Since she’s asked to hear about one of mine, I have to tell you a story on myself.

My parents kept up on the popular releases of the day with the Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, which shoehorned four novels into one volume by the interesting editorial trick of jettisoning all but the essentials. Since I read everything I could get my little mitts on, these volumes were fair game, which is how an eight-year-old came to be reading Victoria Holt’s The Queen’s Confession: the Story of Marie Antoinette.

Just because I was reading this material in no way meant that I understood it, and in fact, I was still pretty shaky on the differences between fiction and non-fiction. I certainly had no notion of historical fiction—you mean you can make up a story that’s partially real? It certainly sounded real, and had dates in it that happened a long time ago, and Marie Antoinette as presented here had a fascinating voice. She narrated her own story, and I was enraptured.

I also knew the book was published recently, and I also knew that Marie Antoinette was dead.This was a paradox to my eight-year-old self. How the hell (I probably thought it in milder language) did her words get written down just like she was telling them? How did that pesky author know what Marie Antoinette was thinking, especially since her head got chopped before this author could ask her any questions? And how nice of the author to tell us her thoughts in English too.

This was my first encounter with first person POV, and probably my first real encounter with historical fiction, or at least the first I recall. When I read Beautiful Joeand Black Beauty a few months later, my brain hurt even more, because not only were these stories clearly from another time, they were in the animals’ POV. My confusion was complete.

At this point I had some inkling there was a trick I didn’t understand here, and had a long overdue chat with my mother, who stopped putting quite so many books in the main bookcase. (I found the other cache when I was about fourteen, and was much stealthier about reading them and returning them to their dusty cubby. Heh.) But she clarified a number of things about points of view and authorial license, and how these stories were not actually interviews. I understood the concepts once I learned them, but sad to say, a bit of magic also went out of the world.

It wasn’t until I started writing my own fiction that a certain chunk of that magic returned, albeit in a different form.  I had the wonderful fun of writing first person POV. Now I could be the one to make someone think something.

First person POV isn’t common in romance, but certain characters work better for me in first, and others in third. Jake Landon, who is my POV character in Fire on the Mountain and most of Snow on the Mountain, is definitely a first person voice. I don’t think I could write him in third person even if threatened with coffee deprivation, but his partner Kurt Carlson absolutely refuses to let me into his head in that way. Kurt is third person in everything, and that’s one reason he doesn’t get to be POV very often. He got some voice time in Snow on the Mountain and in some as yet unpublished short pieces. Good thing he’s not shy about telling Jake what’s on his mind.

Kurt still manages to get across his strongly held opinions from the backbone of Blood on the Mountain, namely that Jake had damned well better get his ass back to the classroom before his professional opportunities disappear. Kurt would also like Jake to get more than one tentative toe out of the closet. Neither Jake nor readers will have any problem knowing what Kurt’s thinking, even if Jake’s the one narrating the story.

Jake has plenty of story, too, because he’s very conflicted about those issues, and before Blood on the Mountain is over, he’ll be yearning for the days when “who’s winning at strip archery?” was his biggest problem.

*************************************************
Jake Landon thinks a second ranger season in the Colorado Rockies with Kurt Carlson is close enough to heaven, and a national forest is big enough to be his closet. Pharmacy school—and the luxuries of electricity and running water—can wait, maybe forever, as long as Jake doesn’t have to come out. He doesn’t plan on Kurt’s vision of his future being as narrow and direct as the single track roads through the trees.

“Your future, your fear, and me,” Kurt tells Jake. “You can have two of the three, so choose wisely.” Jake may have no choices left after they stumble on armed men guarding a beautiful but deadly crop that doesn’t belong among the pines and spruces. Angry men with guns are only one danger in the Colorado wilderness, and Jake’s reluctance to come out is now his smallest problem.

Kurt’s skills and Jake’s silver tongue may not be enough to get them out of this mess—how much of the blood shed on the mountain will be theirs?



Blood on the Mountain is now available from Dreamspinner Press. 

P.D. Singer lives in Colorado with her slightly bemused husband, two rowdy teenage boys, and thirty pounds of cats, all of whom approach carefully when she's in a writing frenzy. She's a big believer in research, first-hand if possible, so the reader can be quite certain P.D. has skied down a mountain face-first, been stepped on by rodeo horses, acquired a potato burn or two, and will never, ever, write a novel that includes sky-diving. 

When not writing, playing her fiddle, or skiing, she can be found with a book in hand. Her husband blesses the advent of ebooks -- they're staving off the day the house collapses from the weight of the printed page. 
Follow the adventures at http://pdsinger.com.