Arlene Webb's Blog, page 2
April 7, 2014
Cate Masters-New Release!
Amazon
Meilin and The ChallengerFuturistic urban fantasy/fairy tale73 pagesApril 11, 2014 fromMusa Publishing: http://musapublishing.com/
BlurbMeilin King has never believed in fairy tales. Happy ever afters might have happened in the old days—before zombies. But this is 2089. When her father promises riches to the one who can rid their city of zombies, Meilin and her sisters rush to develop a solution that won’t bankrupt Dad.The war overseas left Will MacGregor disillusioned, but fighting zombies at home is a cause he can embrace. Meilin’s another. Tough but sweet, she might make him believe in life again, and maybe even love, if she doesn’t kick his ass first.When zombies kidnap her family, Meilin must rescue them. But can she and Will save them from the worst fate of all?
ExcerptA click sounded beside him. Meilin propped a rifle to her shoulder and sighted her aim toward the advancing zombies. “Let’s annihilate the party crashers, sisters.”A lopsided smile quirked his lips. “Not all the party crashers, I hope.”Her stance steady, she glanced over. “I might spare you.”Oh hell, I’m in love. Gunfire erupted on either side, but he couldn’t tear his focus from her. Amazing, how she braced against the kick of the rifle—her slight frame absorbed it and she fired away. Like you should be doing.As trained, he lifted the Uzi. Stunned, he could only watch as the girls split the zombies’ heads with one shot apiece, the most efficient kill he’d ever witnessed. The zombies at the front of the charge fell first. Those in the center scattered to either side. Hell, these women didn’t need his help. If only the soldiers in his platoon had been so deadly accurate.Better at least try to be helpful. He let the bullets fly. Too bad the walking dead couldn’t run; soon they dropped to the forest floor with the others.The tallest blonde held a strange set of binoculars to her face. “There, two more getting away.”Hard to sight them in the dark. He swiveled one of the dance floor spotlights in their direction. Momentarily blinded, the walking dead stopped walking. Meilin and the tall blonde aimed, and their shots cracked the zombies’ heads in two.Meilin tapped his shoulder. “Aim the light to three o’clock. I think I see a few more.”She stood so close, he grew woozy. Cherry blossoms. He struggled to fight off her intoxicating scent. He did as she asked, but his acute awareness centered on her. Built the way he liked, petite but powerful. She moved with purpose and grace, surety and intense focus in every action. Like the others, she felled the three zombies with one shot each, in exactly the spot needed for the final kill: their heads. Oh yeah, a woman who knew what she wanted and went after it, a force to be reckoned with.She rested the rifle butt against her hip. “What do you think, Lakshme? More hiding out there?”The girl with almond eyes shrugged. “Probably.”Yeah, most likely. Better make sure. “I’ll do a sweep and check.”The tallest blonde winced. “By yourself?”Lakshme smirked. “Aren’t we lucky? Superman’s here.”Meilin’s gaze swept over him. “Oh, I thought he was the Green Hornet.”The blonde’s lip curled. “Horn dog, more like.”What the hell was their problem? “Hey, I’m only trying to help.”“Good thing.” Lakshme’s voice turned breathy. “We’re helpless girls, after all.”Oh, man. Great first impression. “No, I didn’t—”Meilin raised her rifle and shot three times in quick succession. “Three more down. Now we need to find out how many we missed.”A no-nonsense babe. Excellent.The tall blonde jumped to the ground. “Pull up the truck so we can dump the bodies. Wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for any latecomers.” She flashed a sardonic smile and headed for the nearest carcass.One sister disappeared into the brush. An engine roared, and a delivery truck backed into the site, halted, and the doors flew open.Once they’d loaded the last of the zombie bodies, Will blew out a breath. The tall blonde latched the door closed. How did they all still appear ready freshly showered and ready for a night of dancing? They had this routine down, to the last detail.“What now?” he asked.The tall blonde poked a finger into his chest. “Now you forget everything you saw here, and we won’t have to incinerate you with the rest of them.”Forget? He glanced at Meilin. Not happening. “You might find me useful. And I want to learn more about your operation. It’s impressive. Mr. King’s looking to hire—”The blonde grabbed his shirt, her grimace eye level with him. “Don’t ever mention him again.”Not speak of their father? He studied Meilin for a clue.She wrenched the blonde’s arm. “Back off, Zoe. He’s harmless.”Zoe shoved Meilin, who stumbled backward and lost her balance.Landing on her butt, she looked up at Will with sadness. “Sorry.”His heart lurched. Hopefully, not sorry she met him. “For what?”A hard thud to the back of his head came in answer. His knees hit the dance floor, and he toppled over.
Book videoDirect link: http://youtu.be/1B_1Ahmy-sc
Embed code:
About CateCate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Catch up to CateEmail: cate.masters@gmail.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=tsTwitter: @CateMasters
Cate Masters-New Release Coming Soon!
Meilin and The ChallengerFuturistic urban fantasy/fairy tale73 pagesApril 11, 2014 fromMusa Publishing: http://musapublishing.com/ BlurbMeilin King has never believed in fairy tales. Happy ever afters might have happened in the old days—before zombies. But this is 2089. When her father promises riches to the one who can rid their city of zombies, Meilin and her sisters rush to develop a solution that won’t bankrupt Dad.The war overseas left Will MacGregor disillusioned, but fighting zombies at home is a cause he can embrace. Meilin’s another. Tough but sweet, she might make him believe in life again, and maybe even love, if she doesn’t kick his ass first.When zombies kidnap her family, Meilin must rescue them. But can she and Will save them from the worst fate of all?
ExcerptA click sounded beside him. Meilin propped a rifle to her shoulder and sighted her aim toward the advancing zombies. “Let’s annihilate the party crashers, sisters.”A lopsided smile quirked his lips. “Not all the party crashers, I hope.”Her stance steady, she glanced over. “I might spare you.”Oh hell, I’m in love. Gunfire erupted on either side, but he couldn’t tear his focus from her. Amazing, how she braced against the kick of the rifle—her slight frame absorbed it and she fired away. Like you should be doing.As trained, he lifted the Uzi. Stunned, he could only watch as the girls split the zombies’ heads with one shot apiece, the most efficient kill he’d ever witnessed. The zombies at the front of the charge fell first. Those in the center scattered to either side. Hell, these women didn’t need his help. If only the soldiers in his platoon had been so deadly accurate.Better at least try to be helpful. He let the bullets fly. Too bad the walking dead couldn’t run; soon they dropped to the forest floor with the others.The tallest blonde held a strange set of binoculars to her face. “There, two more getting away.”Hard to sight them in the dark. He swiveled one of the dance floor spotlights in their direction. Momentarily blinded, the walking dead stopped walking. Meilin and the tall blonde aimed, and their shots cracked the zombies’ heads in two.Meilin tapped his shoulder. “Aim the light to three o’clock. I think I see a few more.”She stood so close, he grew woozy. Cherry blossoms. He struggled to fight off her intoxicating scent. He did as she asked, but his acute awareness centered on her. Built the way he liked, petite but powerful. She moved with purpose and grace, surety and intense focus in every action. Like the others, she felled the three zombies with one shot each, in exactly the spot needed for the final kill: their heads. Oh yeah, a woman who knew what she wanted and went after it, a force to be reckoned with.She rested the rifle butt against her hip. “What do you think, Lakshme? More hiding out there?”The girl with almond eyes shrugged. “Probably.”Yeah, most likely. Better make sure. “I’ll do a sweep and check.”The tallest blonde winced. “By yourself?”Lakshme smirked. “Aren’t we lucky? Superman’s here.”Meilin’s gaze swept over him. “Oh, I thought he was the Green Hornet.”The blonde’s lip curled. “Horn dog, more like.”What the hell was their problem? “Hey, I’m only trying to help.”“Good thing.” Lakshme’s voice turned breathy. “We’re helpless girls, after all.”Oh, man. Great first impression. “No, I didn’t—”Meilin raised her rifle and shot three times in quick succession. “Three more down. Now we need to find out how many we missed.”A no-nonsense babe. Excellent.The tall blonde jumped to the ground. “Pull up the truck so we can dump the bodies. Wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for any latecomers.” She flashed a sardonic smile and headed for the nearest carcass.One sister disappeared into the brush. An engine roared, and a delivery truck backed into the site, halted, and the doors flew open.Once they’d loaded the last of the zombie bodies, Will blew out a breath. The tall blonde latched the door closed. How did they all still appear ready freshly showered and ready for a night of dancing? They had this routine down, to the last detail.“What now?” he asked.The tall blonde poked a finger into his chest. “Now you forget everything you saw here, and we won’t have to incinerate you with the rest of them.”Forget? He glanced at Meilin. Not happening. “You might find me useful. And I want to learn more about your operation. It’s impressive. Mr. King’s looking to hire—”The blonde grabbed his shirt, her grimace eye level with him. “Don’t ever mention him again.”Not speak of their father? He studied Meilin for a clue.She wrenched the blonde’s arm. “Back off, Zoe. He’s harmless.”Zoe shoved Meilin, who stumbled backward and lost her balance.Landing on her butt, she looked up at Will with sadness. “Sorry.”His heart lurched. Hopefully, not sorry she met him. “For what?”A hard thud to the back of his head came in answer. His knees hit the dance floor, and he toppled over.
Book videoDirect link: http://youtu.be/1B_1Ahmy-sc
Embed code:
About CateCate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Catch up to CateEmail: cate.masters@gmail.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=tsTwitter: @CateMasters
March 26, 2014
Celebrating Spring with A Sale
Want to learn the story of the man behind the myth of Easter?
Gwas can outrun a horse, knows how to hide and steal, but is ignorant of the ways of men. The last thing he expects when he is rescued from a miserable existence by a blue-eyed, blond haired angel is to be promised as a Druidic sacrifice to Eostre. Unfortunately, the only direction Gwas wishes to flee is straight into the arms and knife of his savior, Gareth.Maura knows Gareth is no angel, but she adores him with a passion that time and loneliness cannot dent. When he rides in carrying an injured lad who fears her on sight, she is drawn to open her heart to the abused orphan as well.Gareth is caught between his liege lord and brother’s fist, and an emotional dilemma that grows harder and harder to deny with every passing season. If he must defy man and gods in order to embrace his heart’s desires, so be it.When the clash of old and new religions puts lives in peril, ultimate sacrifice bears witness to enduring love. Winter gives way to spring, and the evolution of a colorful myth spreads across the land.http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=622http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BXO4TA
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-harey-944023-146.html
Happy Spring!
Gwas can outrun a horse, knows how to hide and steal, but is ignorant of the ways of men. The last thing he expects when he is rescued from a miserable existence by a blue-eyed, blond haired angel is to be promised as a Druidic sacrifice to Eostre. Unfortunately, the only direction Gwas wishes to flee is straight into the arms and knife of his savior, Gareth.Maura knows Gareth is no angel, but she adores him with a passion that time and loneliness cannot dent. When he rides in carrying an injured lad who fears her on sight, she is drawn to open her heart to the abused orphan as well.Gareth is caught between his liege lord and brother’s fist, and an emotional dilemma that grows harder and harder to deny with every passing season. If he must defy man and gods in order to embrace his heart’s desires, so be it.When the clash of old and new religions puts lives in peril, ultimate sacrifice bears witness to enduring love. Winter gives way to spring, and the evolution of a colorful myth spreads across the land.http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=622http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009BXO4TA
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-harey-944023-146.html
Happy Spring!
March 15, 2014
A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Here's What JA Konrath Knows
Be self-aware.
Be deliberate.
Don't be a pinhead.
Publishing is a business. Writing is an art. You may not enjoy the business, but you definitely should enjoy the art.
This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Read the contract before you sign it. Twice. Three times. Then have your lawyer read it.
The secret to happiness is what you give, not what you get.
No one owes you a living.
Success may involve talent and hard work, but it always involves luck. Talent and hard work may improve your luck.
Ebooks are forever. Forever is a long time to get noticed.
There's a word for a writer who never gives up... published.
Denial is a powerful opiate.
Be kind, be generous, be helpful, and be careful.
If you're selling eggs, don't piss off your chickens
When you're learning how to walk, you don't take classes. You don't read how-to books. You don't pay experts to help you, or do it for you. You just keep falling until you learn on your own.
Before you make the key, study the lock.
People would rather fight to the death to defend their beliefs than consider changing their minds.
It's about what you have to offer, not what you have to sell.
A sense of entitlement is never acceptable. No one deserves anything.
What are the last ten books you bought, and what made you buy them? Use those techniques to sell your books to other people. Do what works on you.
Hard work trumps talent. Persistence trumps inspiration. Humility trumps ego.
Praise is like candy. We love it, but it isn't good for us. You can only improve by being told what's wrong.
Your book is your child. You can't recognize its shortcomings, any more than a proud parent could consider their child dumb and ugly.
The experts don't know everything, and they might not know what's right for you.
Fate is a future you didn't try hard enough to change.
Anyone looking for you can find you. Get them to find you when they're looking for something else.
Less expectations, more work.
Life gives you wonderful opportunities to conquer fears, learn skills, and master techniques. ""I don't want to" isn't synonymous with "I can't".
People seek out two things: information and entertainment. Offer them freely, and they'll come to you.
The Internet isn't temporary. What you post today can lead people to you decades from now.
If writing is your profession, act professional.
Stop Googling yourself.
No one said it would be fair, fun, or easy. But it can be worthwhile.
We're all in the same boat. Start rowing.
If you can quit, quit. If you can't quit, stop complaining--this is what you chose.
There are a lot of things that happen beyond your control. Your goals should be within your control.
Write when you can. Finish what your start. Edit what you finish. Self-publish. Repeat.
The most successful people on the planet have one thing in common: nothing can stop them. Don't expect to reach your goals without sacrificing things that are important to you.
Being your own best advocate is about understanding how people react to you.
Fake confidence, and real confidence follows.
Maybe you can't win. But you sure as hell can try.
Don't write crap.
Always have two hands reaching out. One, for your next goal. The other, to help people get to where you're at.
If you can't be smart or funny, be brief.
Don't ever say anything online that you wouldn't say in person.
If you're not in love with the sound of your own voice, how can you expect anyone else to ever be?
Knowing you're not original is the first step in becoming unique.
People aren't carved out of marble. We're all works in progress. The trick is to define ourselves, rather than let outside influences define us.
Don't prioritize the mundane.
Writers are essential. Readers are essential. Publishers are not.
Stop thinking if. Start thinking how.
The more you fail, the closer you are to success. If you don't have success, you haven't failed enough.
Envy, jealousy, guilt, regret, shame, and worry are all useless emotions. Focus on love, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness.
There should only be a few people in your life whose opinion matters. The opinions of everyone else do not.
One of the greatest journeys in life is overcoming insecurity and learning to truly not give a shit.
If you're reading this blog, you aren't writing. Get back to work.
Be deliberate.
Don't be a pinhead.
Publishing is a business. Writing is an art. You may not enjoy the business, but you definitely should enjoy the art.
This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Read the contract before you sign it. Twice. Three times. Then have your lawyer read it.
The secret to happiness is what you give, not what you get.
No one owes you a living.
Success may involve talent and hard work, but it always involves luck. Talent and hard work may improve your luck.
Ebooks are forever. Forever is a long time to get noticed.
There's a word for a writer who never gives up... published.
Denial is a powerful opiate.
Be kind, be generous, be helpful, and be careful.
If you're selling eggs, don't piss off your chickens
When you're learning how to walk, you don't take classes. You don't read how-to books. You don't pay experts to help you, or do it for you. You just keep falling until you learn on your own.
Before you make the key, study the lock.
People would rather fight to the death to defend their beliefs than consider changing their minds.
It's about what you have to offer, not what you have to sell.
A sense of entitlement is never acceptable. No one deserves anything.
What are the last ten books you bought, and what made you buy them? Use those techniques to sell your books to other people. Do what works on you.
Hard work trumps talent. Persistence trumps inspiration. Humility trumps ego.
Praise is like candy. We love it, but it isn't good for us. You can only improve by being told what's wrong.
Your book is your child. You can't recognize its shortcomings, any more than a proud parent could consider their child dumb and ugly.
The experts don't know everything, and they might not know what's right for you.
Fate is a future you didn't try hard enough to change.
Anyone looking for you can find you. Get them to find you when they're looking for something else.
Less expectations, more work.
Life gives you wonderful opportunities to conquer fears, learn skills, and master techniques. ""I don't want to" isn't synonymous with "I can't".
People seek out two things: information and entertainment. Offer them freely, and they'll come to you.
The Internet isn't temporary. What you post today can lead people to you decades from now.
If writing is your profession, act professional.
Stop Googling yourself.
No one said it would be fair, fun, or easy. But it can be worthwhile.
We're all in the same boat. Start rowing.
If you can quit, quit. If you can't quit, stop complaining--this is what you chose.
There are a lot of things that happen beyond your control. Your goals should be within your control.
Write when you can. Finish what your start. Edit what you finish. Self-publish. Repeat.
The most successful people on the planet have one thing in common: nothing can stop them. Don't expect to reach your goals without sacrificing things that are important to you.
Being your own best advocate is about understanding how people react to you.
Fake confidence, and real confidence follows.
Maybe you can't win. But you sure as hell can try.
Don't write crap.
Always have two hands reaching out. One, for your next goal. The other, to help people get to where you're at.
If you can't be smart or funny, be brief.
Don't ever say anything online that you wouldn't say in person.
If you're not in love with the sound of your own voice, how can you expect anyone else to ever be?
Knowing you're not original is the first step in becoming unique.
People aren't carved out of marble. We're all works in progress. The trick is to define ourselves, rather than let outside influences define us.
Don't prioritize the mundane.
Writers are essential. Readers are essential. Publishers are not.
Stop thinking if. Start thinking how.
The more you fail, the closer you are to success. If you don't have success, you haven't failed enough.
Envy, jealousy, guilt, regret, shame, and worry are all useless emotions. Focus on love, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness.
There should only be a few people in your life whose opinion matters. The opinions of everyone else do not.
One of the greatest journeys in life is overcoming insecurity and learning to truly not give a shit.
If you're reading this blog, you aren't writing. Get back to work.
March 12, 2014
March 6, 2014
March 5, 2014
Coming Soon...
Chrystalla Thoma is not only an amazing author, but an extraordinary cover artist. She brought this cover to life for me with attention to detail and determination to make sure it wasn't about as perfect as it gets, but perfect.February 6, 2014
Love those .99 Sales
That's me, with two other authors and one awesome publisher to put our stories on a sweet deal for Valentine Day.Mine's a re-write of a famous myth, bringing a certain God into the twenty-first century.
Arrow to the Heart Dr. Cu has no doubt that love at first sight happens only in fairytales. He knows intimately that it takes a unique blend of chemicals to force two hearts to beat as one. A world-renowned player, he’s accepted his fate. As a God of Love, he’s doomed to remain lonely. But when he opens his eyes and his gaze takes in a woman in need of assistance, he’s shocked to find himself falling, exactly like his many victims.
Naturally, when an arrogant legend is smitten, happiness comes at a price. Cu must fight the powerful Goddess of Love, his controlling mother, in order to protect the mortal who’s captured his fancy.
When his love betrays him, Cu learns how hard a God can hit rock bottom. If he can’t put down the bow and wrap his hand around humility and forgiveness, his destined love will remain a myth.Love Kinection Love, romance, hearts, flowers, cupid…. Rubbish.
Abby Fine still hasn’t gotten over the pain of a year-old betrayal and plans to spend this Valentine’s Day drowning her sorrows with a ménage of men named Ben, Jerry, and Riesling.
Her plans are diverted when she drops and breaks her new iPhone and gives in to a momentary hormone surge, agreeing to let office hottie and tech god Tom Walker squirm his way into her condo to fix it.
Tom shows up with his Xbox, spicy Chinese food, and a habit of stealing kisses every time she lets her guard down.
Can a weekend of laughter, video games, and movies change Abby’s opinion of stupid Cupid?Valen-tease Day Reggie Brooks is bummed to be working on Valentine’s Day, especially when his first call of the night turns out to be to a local university dorm. The community college student turned traveling masseuse isn’t exactly in the mood to schlep his 60-pound massage table into some snooty client’s dorm while the whole school disses him.
That is, until he arrives at room 814 and sees his client; Eden Carroll, a junior who’s just broken up with her boyfriend. Feeling sorry for herself, she’d figured a nice, neutral massage was just what she needed. She’d expected some aging hippy with incense and cinnamon oil. Instead, she gets Reggie and his Abercrombie & Fitch good looks and expert hands.
When the simple massage turns hot and heavy, Reggie informs the beautiful Eden that Mobile Masseuse rules prevent penetration of a client. Instead he can do “anything but,” as long as she doesn’t pay him. The two agree to satisfy each other with hands – and mouths – only, and even coin a new holiday: Valen-Tease Day.
The two share an intimate night of steamy almost sex that leaves them both satisfied – even if it was just a “tease.” Fortunately, the session has lasted so long that by the time they’re both ready for Round Two, Valen-Tease Day is over – but the real fun’s just begun!
January 2, 2014
There's Nothing...Few Things Like A New Year
I'm not starting 2014 with a blank page, but snow and snow and more snow falls outside, and I'm adding word count to a short story I wrote some years back. Newborn wolf pups are great inspiration. 
