Nicki Elson's Blog, page 31

March 11, 2013

Want to Know What Angels Look Like?

In case you don't already know this, Michael Di Gesu is amazing. Incredibly kind-hearted and talented. When I was handed the reins to arrange for my own cover reveal, I didn't even have to think to know that I wanted Michael to write up one of his unique, customized intros, and because I have such faith in his abilities, I wanted everyone to be introduced to the cover via his words, and so today his In Time... blog is the ONLY place you can see the Divine Temptation cover. 
He gave me a sneak peek at the intro over the weekend, and as I told him, I'm stunned at how well he nailed it given only the cover and the back cover blurb to work from. Like I said, he's amazing. Please stop by his place for the Divine Temptation Cover Reveal, and help me spread the word via Twitter, Facebook or a mention on your blog. 
Here are some pre-fab Tweetables to make it easier:
Book cover challenge: Sexy + Angelic. The solution: http://ow.ly/iJXpl

Nobody does cover reveals like Michael Di Gesu. It's an adventure all in itself: http://ow.ly/iJXpl

I'm not sure which is more beautiful, the cover or the intro. Let's call it a tie: http://ow.ly/iJXpl

Thank you!
If you like what you read & see, you can add Divine Temptation to your to-read list at Goodreads and enter to win a paperback copy.





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Published on March 11, 2013 04:00

March 8, 2013

Regency Vs. Victorian

Despite my long-time crush on one Mr. Abraham Lincoln and my fondness for classic literature, I'm not terribly interested in history (unless of course we're counting the 1980s). And so all this time I thought I was a fan of Victorian Romance, when it turns out I'm not. What I like is Regency Romance.
The reason I know this is because Anne Gallagher, author of my favorite new series---the Reluctant Grooms, a series of Regency Romance books---was kind enough to pardon my ignorance and explain to me the difference between the Victorian and Regency periods in a way that just might actually stick. In the hopes that I'm not the only one who has trouble making the distinction, I asked Anne if I could share her patient and very helpful response, and she gave me this awesome post. Enjoy & you're welcome. 

The Difference Between the Regency Period and the Victorian Period in English HistoryAnne Gallagher (c) 2013

Regency is a term used for the Regency period 1811- 1820, when in 1811 Prince George (or Prinny as some called him) ascended to the throne after his father, King George III, went mad from a hereditary disease called porphyria. Because KING George III wasn't dead, PRINCE George couldn't actually be KING, so Parliament declared him REGENT in (Feb. 1811). He acted as Regent until 1820 when his father finally died and then Prinny became KING George IV.  
Now some people ascribe the reign of the two George's (1760 - 1830) as the GEORGIAN era. And the Regency was only PART of that. However, I am a Regency purist. I look upon the Regency as a separate era during the nine years Prinny spent as Regent. 
During Prinny's reign as Regent, he became a Renaissance man, issuing demands for new buildings (The Pavillions at Brighton) the refurbishing of Carlton House (his private home), Windsor Castle. Prinny was also responsible for designing Regent's Park, and continuing with his mother's (Queen Charlotte) love of gardening and the remodeling of Kew Gardens. He was also a patron of the arts, mainly architecture. Unfortunately, all that spending, not to mention the lavish parties and outrageous clothing, brought about a decline in his popularity with the people, and when he ascended the throne in 1820 when his father finally died, Prinny was not beloved.
Now, after George IV (Prinny) died (1830), his brother Edward took the throne for 7 years, and then, because there were no more male heirs to be found (they all died and there were no other male children of those heirs) VICTORIA became Queen at age 18 in 1837. She reigned until 1901 when she died. (She was the longest reigning monarch in England up until Queen Elizabeth surpasses that reign. She only has a few more years to go.)
The Victorian Era is when all sorts of things really started happening in Britain with the invention of the steam engine. Railroads, factories, modern conveniences. It was also the downfall of the aristocracy and the boom of the middle/merchant class, which is when the aristocracy started marrying into the merchant class. Men who had a title, would marry a rich merchant's daughter for the money. She would become a "Lady" and the "Lord" could save his estate. (Kind of like what's happening on Downton Abbey, only about 60 years earlier.) The Victorian era is also popular for the "steampunk" genre because of all the inventions that happened back then. 
So to recap -- Regency is 1811- 1820                       Victorian is 1837 - 1901
Hope this helps to differentiate the time periods.



I recently finished reading the latest book in the series, the Earl's Engagement, and you can read my review on Goodreads.

Thanks so much, Anne!
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Published on March 08, 2013 04:00

March 6, 2013

Who You Callin' Insecure?

As I stated in the post below, my next book is going to be released very, very soon. 'Nuff said, right? My list of insecurities this month is too long to even think about much less put into words here. So I'm not going to acknowledge them on any level. I'll simply focus on the tasks I've laid out for myself in the post below until the insecurities have been zapped from existence. ...is it just me, or does anyone else get the distinct impression that I want them to visit the post below??
The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a monthly bloghop hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Visit his blog for the full list of fellow insecurists.
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Published on March 06, 2013 04:03

March 4, 2013

Finally!!!

Some of you may have noticed that I was all chit-chatty here for a while about my upcoming novel, Divine Temptation , and then...siiiiilence.  That's because we hit a snag in the editing process, and I convinced myself that I'd jinxed the book by talking about it too publicly. But I'm happy to report that it has passed on to the last phase of the pre-publication process (tentative release date of March 26), and things are moving along well enough that I'm emerging from my vow of silence.
The first exciting news is that my publisher has approved Michael Di Gesu as the exclusive host of my cover reveal! The reveal will be NEXT Monday, March 11. Michael has begun writing the most clever and fun cover intro's so I'm absolutely thrilled about this development.
The next piece of news is that I'm finally going to answer the last question in The Next Big Thing...and then I'm gonna celebrate with a giveaway! 
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I don't know about you, but I find it interesting that my little story has already stirred up a bit of controversy among the staff at my publisher. I've always wanted to write books that incited debate and pushed buttons, and I can now definitively say that Divine Temptation does that. What's really fun is that, like Three Daves, it has the potential to fluster readers at polar opposite ends of a spectrum. What can I say---I'm an equal opportunity offender.

Divine Temptation goodies should come rolling in fast & furious, and as I explain at the Divine Temptation Launch page, I'd love some help in spreading the word once these items are available---I've devised a plan that I hope can fit into the busiest of schedules. One small way for me to say THANK YOU is through the giveaway below. It's open to anyone who signs up for my e-mail list.
Zee Prizes:I've cleared it with my publisher to give away to one winner an Advanced Reader Copy of Divine Temptation! It should be ready within a couple of weeks. And I just know you all have a lot of other books on your wishlist, so I'm also giving away a $15 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble or Amazon, winner's choice. Lastly  I'm giving away one pdf copy of the premiere issue of Insatiable: The Magazine of Paranormal Desires , which includes my short story "Impressionism 101." 
(If you're already on my e-mail list, go ahead and check off the first box in the Rafflecopter. You can sign in either with Facebook or your e-mail, which only I will see). a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Published on March 04, 2013 05:00

March 1, 2013

Back From the Future

(First paragraph modified to first person from Suze's lovely words)

I'm up before dawn on a Saturday when the doorbell rings. I haven't brewed my coffee so I wonder if I imagined the sound. Plonking the half-filled carafe in the sink, I go to the front door and cautiously swing it open. No one there. As I cast my eyes to the ground, I see a parcel addressed to me ... from me. I scoop it up and haul it inside, sensing something legitimate despite the extreme oddness of the situation. Carefully, I pry it open. Inside is a shoebox -- sent from ten years in the future -- and it's filled with items I have sent myself.



Each item is contained in an envelope. Two envelopes are blank, but scrawled across one, in the eerily familiar penmanship that only I can accurately decipher, are the words: "The solution to the thing you're worrying about right now." I don't want to think about the thing I'm worrying about right now, so I put that one at the bottom of the stack and finish making the coffee.

After my first warm sip, I'm ready to tear open the first blank envelope. I find a package of dental flossers, along with a short note that reads: "Stop screwing around and listen to the dentist already. Every day. You'll thank yourself in ten years. Thank you. (see?)" I smile, happy to see I've retained my goofiness...and determined to maintain a diligent tooth-flossing regiment. 

I move on to the other blank envelope. Inside is a photograph of a handsome young man and a pretty young woman. My kids in ten years. On the back I've written: "This is going to happen; there's nothing you can do about it. Don't take all the time you have with them now for granted."

Once the tears are wiped away, I confront the final envelope, ripping into it because I'm now anxious to discover the solution to my worry du jour. Inside is a small bit of paper with the simple words: "Stop Worrying!" I flip it over, hoping for just a bit more guidance, and read: "Matthew 6:26-27." I already know what it says. I've read it a hundred times, but apparently future me thinks I need a refresher. She's right. So I  go to my Bible and read the verses yet again:
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Thanks everyone for playing along with Suze, Mary & me!  Can't wait to hop around and see what y'all have packed. If you're not in the hop, pretty please tell me in the comments at least one item you'd pack.

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Published on March 01, 2013 03:53

February 20, 2013

Crazy, Stupid Love


How much do I adore the name of this bloghop to celebrate New Adult fiction? Soooo much! Because Crazy & Stupid are the two things I love most about writing New Adult tales. Characters in their late teens/early 20s are allowed to make certain mistakes that just aren’t nearly as cute & lovable when made by someone older. And I do so enjoy it when my characters exercise their right to let their judgment lapse.

The book I’m giving away today is my New Adult novel, Three Daves, which follows university co-ed Jennifer Whitney from age 19 to almost 22. Our girl makes all kinds of mistakes, especially when it comes to boys, but despite her failures, she continues to give romance the ol’ college try---determined to find the elusive “one.”

Did I mention that the story is set in the 1980s?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Discover more New Adult reads and enter to win them.
Thanks Braine & Debbie of Talk Supe for hosting this most excellent hop.
(At some point this week I'm going to be featured at Talk Supe...and I 'fess up to what New Adult me had  in common with Miss Whitney.)

As a bonus treat, here’s a playlsit.
Let's call it Stupid, Crazy Love in the 1980s Click image to listen at Playlist.com or scroll to post below






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Published on February 20, 2013 21:00

February 15, 2013

Black Velvet Seductions

Hey, just want to let you know that I'm a guest over at Black Velvet Seductions today. I answer a ton of questions about...well, pretty much everything, so I won't to lie---it's a looong post. But for fun, what say you skim it (leave a comment there, if you please) then come back here & answer ONE of the following:

1. Who is my celebrity crush?

2. Have I read Fifty Shades of Grey?

3. How much is Three Daves in Kindle (Nook too) today & tomorrow in celebration of Omnific Publishing's Three Year Anniversary?




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Published on February 15, 2013 06:42

February 14, 2013

Happy Anniversary, Omnific Publishing!

Today is not only Valentine's Day, it's the Three Year Anniversary of  Omnific Publishing. As one of the authors to have a short story included in the company's debut release, A Valentine Anthology , it also marks the anniversary of my first published work. (And Jennifer Lane's birthday---Happy Birthday, Jen!)
Pretty crazy and pretty exciting. Five novels were released on February 16, 2010, and the company now has 67 titles in its catalog. Many of them are shooting up the charts, and in 2012 one series shot all the way off and onto a six-figure deal at a major publisher. BREAKING NEWS: Make that TWO serieses sold to major publishers. Read about it here.
But even better than that, Omnific is adapting to this growth & success  in a way that allows it to stick to its primary objective: a quality product in the form of unique, romantic stories that have been skillfully and thoroughly edited and presented with beautiful covers and interior design. Because that's what readers deserve.   
To celebrate, Omnific Publishing is hosting a Kindle giveaway from February 14-16---THREE Kindles, each loaded with books  from one full year of the publisher's existence. Check out the full listing of books and enter to win here.  Aaaaaand that's not all!  Today through Saturday, the company's 5 debut novels (Three Daves, The Unidentified Redhead, Seers of Light, Passion Fish, and Boycotts & Barfliesand  A Valentine Anthology are on sale for 99 cents in Kindle and Nook.  So go on, be a love and tell all your friends!

Here are some Tweetables to make spreading the word easy
(or you can simply reTweet from my place):
It’s friends with benefits---#80s-style. Get it for only 99 cents through this Saturday. #ThreeDaves: http://ow.ly/hzGBs 
Six Rule-Breaking Romance titles by exciting up&coming authors only 99 cents through Feb 16: http://ow.ly/hzGHA 
@OmnificPub is celebrating THREE YEARS of Rule-Breaking Romance with a LOADED #Kindle giveaway & 99cent sale: http://ow.ly/hzGSs
You don't think I'm going to let you leave this celebration without a party favor, do you?  I made y'all a special mix tape for this fine Valentine's Day. Fourteen songs, all 80s & all with "Love" in the title. Enjoy!

Thank you Back to the 80s for a list of 80 songs from which to choose.


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Published on February 14, 2013 05:10

February 6, 2013

Insecure Writers Support Group: 2/13 Edition

Hello, fellow Insecurists. I hope this month finds you all well. Thank you, Alexi, for inventing and hosting this monthly shindig that has become my most favorite thing in the blogosphere.

Here are my not-so-deep thoughts for this month: I think because writing consumes so much of our waking hours and because we pour so much of our souls into it, it often feels like writing is our lives. So when we suffer a setback in our writing, like  a seemingly insurmountable plot issue, yet another rejection, or sinking Amazon rankings, it feels like everything is bad.

Well guess what---writing is not your life. Writing is a gift you've been given, and I don't know its purpose in your life, or mine either, but I do know that you've also been given a host of other talents and blessings. Don't minimize these other wonderful things by letting a writing setback cast a cloud over them too. Instead, when the writing gets you down, chuck it aside for a bit and take joy in these other things.

My challenge to you is this: think of one totally non-writing related thing you've already accomplished this month and celebrate it. Doesn't have to be fancy. For example, my accomplishment is that I used my mad vacation-planning skillz to find the cheapest, most sensible airline fare from Chicago to London and helped my parents book tickets to visit my sister across the pond this spring. They do so, so much for me, so it always feels great to finally be able to do something for them, even such a small thing. Okay, your turn.

Here's some listening music whilst you think. Sing it to yourself.
Because it's awesome. And so are you.
(is restricted for playback, so click the link to YouTube)
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Published on February 06, 2013 04:30

January 30, 2013

Regency Romance: The Earl's Engagement



Unoccupied in London, Gregory Scott, Earl of Bailey seeks out an old acquaintance who has a most unusual daughter. Part hoyden, part bluestocking, part servant, Lady Rosamund wants nothing to do with Society. However, she needs protection from the lecherous lord next door. The idea to find her a husband goes slightly awry, as Rory doesn’t bargain for falling in love with the enigmatic Lady Rosamund. And when his plan turns up another beau for Rosamund, can Rory let her go?Available on:Amazon KindleNookSmashwords

I'm so excited to congratulate Anne Gallagher on the publication of her latest novel, The Earl's Engagement . Not only do I admire Anne's authentic Regency-period voice and her talent for building up engaging romantic relationships, she's got the most beautiful covers for every one of her books. I was very happy when she agreed to answer a few short questions for my blog.  Here's how our chat went:

Me: Your Regency novels and short stories overlap in time periods and involve many recurring characters. While writing The Earl's Engagement, did any of your recurring characters surprise you in any way?

Anne: Not really. I mean, they've pretty much been with me for the last four years, so nothing they do or say can really surprise me. HOWEVER, it seems Lady Olivia (a character who has had her hand in every story I've written) has been holding out, or rather holding on to a secret that I was never aware of. There's a hint of it in THE LADY'S MASQUERADE (coming in Spring 2013), a teeny tiny bit of it (if you know what to look for) in THE EARL'S ENGAGEMENT, but when it finally comes out in THE SEDUCTION OF MR. SUMMERVILLE (sometime in 2014) watch out. It's going to rock the aristocracy to its foundation. I cannot wait to write it!

Me: Yay!  Can't wait to read it - Lady Olivia is a favorite of mine from The Lady's Fate and I'll certainly be on the lookout for any type of clue as I read The Earl's Engagement

Okay, on to question #2: once you made the decision to self-publish, you went in full force and have been wonderfully open about sharing what you've learned along the way with readers of your Piedmont Writer blog [note to readers: if you'd like an inside look at the nitty gritty of self-publishing, I highly recommend you check it out]. Is there anything you intend to change about your approach to publishing in 2013 based on what you learned in 2012?

Anne: Definitely. I set up my blog four years ago not really knowing what it was for, but just as a way to meet other writers, which has been WONDERFUL. I have learned so much, not only about publishing traditionally, but the craft of writing. As the publishing dynamic has changed over the last few years, self-publishing has almost become the norm instead of an idea for only crazy people. That being said, I've listened to the "pioneers" in the field, and marketing and promotion is what I'll be focusing on for most of 2013.

I've written as many books as I possibly could over the last two years, and now I think it's time to really get out there and promote them. I'm not a "stick-it-in-your-face" kind of person with blog tours, or guest posts, and have basically just announced my books, maybe did one or two cozy interviews like this one, and gone back into my cave to write the next book. Because that's what everyone says to do -- just keep writing.

I've primarily focused only on the e-versions, but this year I'm going to do more with my paperbacks, signings, library reads, book stores, that kind of thing, and try and do more social media as well. I've been on Twitter (@gallagher_anne) and I love it, but there's only so many times you can say, "I published another book" without someone saying I'm spamming them. I've also just joined Pinterest (RegencyAnne -- please do go by and take a peek. I share whom all my characters are on my boards) and find that fascinating. Goodreads is another place I can be found, but I've never done anything with it. I have to really sink my teeth into it and explore it more fully.

Me: I just added The Earl's Engagement and The Lady's Fate to this list at Goodreads for clean period romance. So if you have a Goodreads account, please hop over to give Anne's books a vote and let's see how far we can move them up the list!

The last question isn't really a question---it's a demand. I made Anne choose one song that captures the essence of The Earl's Engagement, and here's what she picked:

Anne: Rory and Rosamund really didn't have a song when I was writing this. (Not the way Violet and Ellis did when I was writing THE LADY'S FATE.) I saw this James Taylor version of the old standard and I think this is very apt for Rosamund and Rory. He doesn't fall in love with her until he sees her in that dress at the dinner party. Just the way you look tonight says it all.



Me: Aww, I love that song. Every girl deserves to have a boy look at her that way every once in a while. 
Thanks so much for having me over, Nicki. This was a blast.
Thanks so much for being here, Anne!
 
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Published on January 30, 2013 04:30