Eden Winters's Blog, page 53
November 27, 2012
Enter to Win a Print Copy of Naked Tails!
Goodreads is hosting a giveaway for print copies of my upcoming release, Naked Tails, publishing from Dreamspinner Press on December 17. Two copies will be awarded.
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Naked Tails- Here there be possums!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Naked Tails
by Eden Winters
Giveaway ends December 27, 2012.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
November 26, 2012
New Review for Diversion
Diversion just scored a lovely new review from Joyfully Jay, who says:
And I'm pleased to report that I'm currently putting the finishing touches on the sequel, Collusion, and will be submitting the manuscript soon to my publisher.
"Winters gives us a great combination of exciting suspense, interesting plot, and really nicely layered characters. I really liked this one and would definitely recommend it."Read entire review here:
And I'm pleased to report that I'm currently putting the finishing touches on the sequel, Collusion, and will be submitting the manuscript soon to my publisher.
November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Birthday Farmer John!
Happy Birthday Farmer John! (aka John from Texas)
About three years ago I met a wonderful person online through one of my books. We discussed the finer points of the genre, books we both enjoyed, what I had in the pipeline, and soon moved on to smaller things like, "How was your day?" His emails make me smile, and he's been providing me with hot guy pics, movie trailers, and other NSFW materials. That's a true friend, y'all!
One year when I lamented the lack of a big family gathering at Christmas, he volunteered to be my brother. We've gotten to visit with each other twice now, at GayRomLit, and I've discovered that John is every bit as awesome in person (more so, actually) than in emails. Last year I set out to give him his own HEA for his birthday, reposted here.
Now it's time to post again! Happy Birthday, John! I still intend to give these two a full novel one day, but for now, here's my gift to you:
As this year's story is far more explicit than last year's and this blog cross-posts several places, I'm providing a link to the story in hopes that no one for whom the story is unsuitable will accidentally find it.
Enjoy the story, and join me in wishing John (to quote Jeremy from Fallen Angel),"The best birthday evah!"
November 21, 2012
The Possum Shifters are Coming!
I received the notice today that my possum shifter novel, Naked Tails, is now on Dreamspinner Press's "Coming Soon" page. Look for it to publish on December 17. And right now it's on sale for pre-order!
It's already been posted to my Goodreads page:
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?
It's already been posted to my Goodreads page:
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?
November 18, 2012
Awesome Review for Diversion!
I'm a big fan of Val Kovalin's and was priviledged to meet her and share a book reading at GayRomLit this year. Seems she posted an awesome review for Diversion at her site, Obsidian Bookshelf. Here's some of what she had to say:
Thanks Val!
"Diversion is one of the best gay romance novels I have read so far in our genre. It is a stunningly successful blend of romantic comedy and thriller..."For full review, check out Obsidian Bookshelf.
Thanks Val!
November 17, 2012
Coming Soon - Naked Tails
Today I received the finalized cover and blurb for my next release, Naked Tails, publishing from Dreamspinner Press on December 17. What do y'all think? Didn't cover artist Shobana Appavu do an awesome job? It's not on the "Coming Soon" page yet, but I'll post a link when that happens. Oh, and I need to shout out a heartfelt "Thank you!" to P.D. Singer for coming up with the title, and my fellow Dreamspinner authors who helped me brainstorm ideas while at a conference last March in NYC. Big hugs to P.D., Carole Cummings., S.A. Garcia, Andrew Grey, and the others who shared a limo ride and examples of possums behaving badly!
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?
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?
November 15, 2012
GRL 2012 - Part 2
It's been a few weeks since GRL, and already I'm counting the days until the next one. I'm taking a list next time, to be sure I get all the books I want. I'll be able to drive and load my car! No airlines fees!
In addition to my book list, I need to also make a list of attendees that I want to see. This year there were so many people that I missed a few. I plan to stay a full week in Atlanta, and hopefully that'll give me more time to mingle. I also hope to have a better camera by then. Did I mention that I love people? Anyway, in my last GRL post I mentioned some of the great authors I met. Today I'd like to focus on the readers. I've posted this separately because I want to say a big thank you to readers, for without them, where would we authors be? They read, comment, tell their friends, and provide excellent feedback and suggestions.
Being a relatively new author, I'm still amazed when someone says "I read your book", 'cause I've not completely wrapped my mind around the fact that I even write books. And to hear someone say, "I loved your book?" Mind-boggling, in a good way.
But there are some readers that I've met on Goodreads and other places that stand out in my mind, and I was very happy to see them at GRL!
Me with Heather C! Heather C was among the first readers to comment on my work way back three years ago when I first started publishing. Gee! Has it been that long?
Me with Nikyta, another reader who chimed in early! I think I scared the poor lady at last year's GRL. I saw her nametag and leapt over my book signing table to greet her. It's so great to meet folks you know online in the real world.
I don't recall this lady's name, but she was the sweetest thing! We danced together! Of course, I think I danced with half the people who attended. I didn't realize how much I loved to dance!
I knew H.A. Caine first as a reader, and now she's made the leap into writing. It's so wonderful to see a new author's publishing dreams coming true.
There's many more that I met and posed with, but I didn't want to post pics without anyone's permission, and some have been hard to track down. Next year, I hope to take tons more pics! (and ask permission to post when I take them!)
In addition to my book list, I need to also make a list of attendees that I want to see. This year there were so many people that I missed a few. I plan to stay a full week in Atlanta, and hopefully that'll give me more time to mingle. I also hope to have a better camera by then. Did I mention that I love people? Anyway, in my last GRL post I mentioned some of the great authors I met. Today I'd like to focus on the readers. I've posted this separately because I want to say a big thank you to readers, for without them, where would we authors be? They read, comment, tell their friends, and provide excellent feedback and suggestions.
Being a relatively new author, I'm still amazed when someone says "I read your book", 'cause I've not completely wrapped my mind around the fact that I even write books. And to hear someone say, "I loved your book?" Mind-boggling, in a good way.
But there are some readers that I've met on Goodreads and other places that stand out in my mind, and I was very happy to see them at GRL!
Me with Heather C! Heather C was among the first readers to comment on my work way back three years ago when I first started publishing. Gee! Has it been that long? 
Me with Nikyta, another reader who chimed in early! I think I scared the poor lady at last year's GRL. I saw her nametag and leapt over my book signing table to greet her. It's so great to meet folks you know online in the real world.
I don't recall this lady's name, but she was the sweetest thing! We danced together! Of course, I think I danced with half the people who attended. I didn't realize how much I loved to dance!
I knew H.A. Caine first as a reader, and now she's made the leap into writing. It's so wonderful to see a new author's publishing dreams coming true.There's many more that I met and posed with, but I didn't want to post pics without anyone's permission, and some have been hard to track down. Next year, I hope to take tons more pics! (and ask permission to post when I take them!)
November 11, 2012
Happy Birthday Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books
Today marks the first birthday of review site Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books, a site I frequent to find great reads, the latest books news, interviews with some of my favorite writers, and to touch base with some fabulous folks. And there's giveaways too! Like today!
So head on over and wish them a Happy Birthday, but it's the readers who'll get the gift. Check out details here.
I'm honored to have the first books ever reviewed at the site, The Telling and Night Watch. To further celebrate their big day, they also reviewed another of my stories, Tinsel and Frost , kicking off the holiday season. Find out what they had to say here.
So Happy Birthday to Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books: Becky Condit. Lady McNeill, John (aka John from Texas or Farmer John), Pippa Wood, and Roux Read!
So head on over and wish them a Happy Birthday, but it's the readers who'll get the gift. Check out details here.
I'm honored to have the first books ever reviewed at the site, The Telling and Night Watch. To further celebrate their big day, they also reviewed another of my stories, Tinsel and Frost , kicking off the holiday season. Find out what they had to say here.
So Happy Birthday to Mrs. Condit and Friends Read Books: Becky Condit. Lady McNeill, John (aka John from Texas or Farmer John), Pippa Wood, and Roux Read!
November 9, 2012
The Friday Review - Second Chances by Jeff Erno
Today's review is for Second Chances by Jeff Erno.
In a nutshell: OMG! I LOVED this story!
The Blurb:
Harold Wainwright is dying. At seventy-nine, stricken with malignant cancer, the multi-billionaire insurance mogul realizes he has much to regret. In his youth he rejected his only true love and instead chose to advance his career and build his financial empire. Single-mindedly he focused upon achieving his own goals, looking out for number one, and acquiring a monetary fortune. Now he is alone, and all he has is his money…and his life is over.
Doctor Timothy Drayton has devoted his entire career to developing the technology to prolong human life. His entire focus has been upon creating a computer chip which can be implanted into the human brain, allowing human consciousness to be transferred from one human subject into the mind of another. Given optimum circumstances, he is confident that he can now preserve the consciousness of a dying patient into the mind of a donor subject with a surgically electronic implant.
Jesse Warren is eighteen years old, about to graduate from high school. He’s a track star, model student, and the typical all-American kid. One day while on his way to track practice, tragedy strikes, and Jesse is in a terrible accident, rendered comatose. When his family learns the horrifying news, they believe they’ve lost their son forever. Jesse Warren is pronounced “brain dead”.
When neurosurgeon and world-renowned brain specialist Dr. Timothy Drayton arrives, telling the Warren family that he has an advanced form of experimental treatment which can possibly save young Jesse and restore his consciousness, the Warrens are convinced that God has sent them a miracle. They are overjoyed the next morning when their son undergoes surgery and awakens as a new man. His memory loss, they are convinced, is amnesia due to his accident.Jesse lives, and is given a second chance. Will his new life prove to be the impetus for significant change, or will the old Harold Wainwright emerge to make the same mistakes a second time around? Most of us are given but one chance to make the right choices, but imagine if… there were such things as Second Chances.
***
It's odd, but last week I attended a highly scientific talk on how the cells of our bodies are shaped by their environment, and that down to the molecular level, we are "us" and can affect those around us. I must admit that a good deal of the information went straight over my head, but the gist of it, in my opinion, was that our identity is more than our mere consiousness. That said, I may have seen the character of Harold/Jesse differently for, to me, Jesse was still there on a very basic level, and Harold's miraculous change of heart was not only a product of his remorse, but of Jesse's subconsious influence.
At first I was leery of a man near eighty and an eighteen-year-old, but then, like I mentioned above, I think Harold became more of Jesse than he realized. And I absolutely adore redemption tales, so this book warmed my heart. I must admit that I didn't see the twist coming, but I rested assured that the author would provide a happy ending.
I read for many reasons: escape, pleasure, to learn, etc., but I also enjoy, from a sociologist standpoint, getting deep into another's mind, figuring out what makes them tick. In that aspect, I was drawn to the character of Doctor Timothy Drayton. Recently I read an article about how, if we compromise our principles once, it's easier the next time we reach a moral dilemma, and if we don't stop ourselves, we get mired further and further in behavior we would once have abhorred. That's what happened to the doctor, someone who wanted only to help at first, now descended to unscrupulous madness. And Jacob. Sigh. I just wanted to hug the guy. I didn't quite understand how the transferance between him and Philip happened at the end, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. It happened, I cried, I smiled, I put the book down, having stayed up too late (again) to reach the very satisfying conclusion.
The bottom line is this: Jeff Erno gave me complex characters that I truly cared about, and a highly interesting story that kept me turning the pages. It's fantasy, it's sci-fi, it's touchingly sweet, a bit of thriller at times, and, even if Harold may not have deserved a happy ending, Harold/Jesse did. And you know what? We only see how bad Harold is through his own eyes and Timothy's. Some folks are pretty hard on themselves, and Timothy's opinion was colored by jealousy, so maybe Harold did deserve his second chance after all.
