Aline Hunter's Blog, page 4

Impromtu Contest

I recently received a few copies of Eternity and a Day in print and thought...why not do a giveaway? Do you want to enter? It's not difficult. Go to my Facebook author page and leave a comment (you'll see the post -- it's on the top):

https://www.facebook.com/JASaare.AlineHunter

I'll pick a winner on Monday using Random.org.

Hope you're enjoying a great weekend!

Enemy Mine Cover Art

I was thrilled when I received my cover this morning. The artist (Irene -- thank you!) gave me exactly what I wanted. No release date yet, but as soon as I get one I'll share. Hopefully it won't be much longer.

Hope you're all doing well and enjoying a great week.

On The Agenda

Talk about a busy year! I've been working on my calendar, and I know deadlines are going to be tight. I figured I'd post and let you know what you can expect this year:

Crimson Sunrise: Unless I'm notified otherwise, the book will release as scheduled. The Wild Rose Press sometimes changes dates, but you should be able to get the book in May. Just so you know, I've penciled in Crimson Moon on my calendar. The story needs a major overhaul and edit. I'll share more news about that in the future.

The Ripple Effect: The manuscript, as I've mentioned, is done. I haven't gotten a release date, but I've been told the novel will release this summer. I've started working on ideas for book four, Edge of Darkness. Right now my schedule is extremely tight, so I'm not certain when I'll return to the series. Depending on sales, release dates, etc I won't have a solid start date for a couple of months.

Enemy Mine: This one is done and my editor has the manuscript. Barring any problems, I should begin the editing process in a few weeks. Ellora's Cave doesn't provide release dates until the edits are complete, but I'm hoping the book will be available before the summer. I will start writing Vampire Mine soon and have other stories planned in the series.

Eternity and a Day: I've had a few requests for this book in print. Due to this, I hired the fabulous graphic artist April Martinez. The print version (with a new cover -- I've posted it above) will be on Amazon.com within a few days.

Make Me Surrender: I actually started the Just Make Me series last year, so this book is a quarter of the way written. I'll be returning to the manuscript shortly. Right now there are four books planned.

Twisted In Knots: This is a story that came to me after I finished No Strings and decided to write a full length for the couple. I'm still in the planning stages but plan to write the book this year. It will be a full length.

As for other things: My Ellora's Cave editor recently asked me to submit a story. After discussing the concept, I started the manuscript. Since I'm squeezing this one in, I'm going to be offline for most of the Spring. Aside from the above mentioned, I do have a new urban fantasy series I want to work on, and the goal is to finish the first book this year. If I'm slow to respond to emails or I'm absent from social networks, I apologize. Hopefully things will settle down at some point and I can relax and chat with everyone like I used to.

I think that's it. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. The weather here has been crappy, so if the sun comes out I might try to work outside. The writing cave is all well and good, but I'd rather write about the things that go bump in the night -- not become one.

Enemy Mine Blurb & Update

I have good news to share. Early this morning (at three o'clock to be precise) I finished Enemy Mine, book two in the Alpha and Omega shifters series. I told my editor I'd be turning the book in shortly, so I'll be sure to share news as I receive it. In case you missed the update, I also finished The Ripple Effect in January (Rhiannon's Law book three). I'm waiting for info on release dates, etc. When I receive any new information I'll share that as well.

If you're curious about Enemy Mine, I've included the blurb below (subject to change at publisher's request). I'm not sure what story I'll be writing next, but I'm hoping to stay on track and finish up the projects I'm committed to. I'm also working on a few ideas for additional stories. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

I hope you're all doing well! I'll be back with another blog post as soon as I have anything to pass along.

Enemy Mine Blurb:

Divided by blood. Destined by fate. 

Tormented by his turbulent past, Emory Veznor is a shifter living on the edge. For years he struggled with his Alpha nature. Nothing went according to plan, leaving him a lone wolf without a place to call home -- until he met the one woman capable of soothing the savage beast. Mary is a mate that he never imagined he would have. Sweet, kind and impossibly beautiful, she is everything he’s ever wanted in a female. Unfortunately she is also something else, something dangerous -- a Shepherd, the very hunters bred to destroy his kind.

When Emory finds Mary and brings her to New York, he discovers earning her trust is the least of his concerns. Her relatives have followed, and they want Mary back in their ranks. If Emory won’t hand her over, they’ll do everything in their power to take her from the pack -- dead or alive.

Books For You

I signed up for Lori Foster's Annual Reader & Author Get Together today. I can't wait to attend. The event is so much fun and I love meeting and chatting with everyone. But you don't want to hear about that, you want to know about the "Books For YOU" part.

The trip is on the first of June, so I won't be doing the contest for a few months. However, I wanted to let you know Lori Foster, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lora Leigh, Monica Burns, Jacquelyn Frank, Sarah McCarty and Virna DePaul are going (to name a few). I'm going to see if I can't get a few signed print copies of their books to hand over to you most awesome people. Cross your fingers! When I come home bearing gifts, I'll announce the contest and rules. It'll be simple to enter, no worries. This is a very small way to say thank you for all you've done for me.

Time to go back to work. I'll be off social networks for the rest of the week (although I'll check for messages). If I'm slow to respond, I'm sorry. I hope this is something you are excited by. I love sharing the love, and I can't think of a better way than passing along signed copies of books by these phenomenal authors.

A Good Way To Put Things in Perspective

Last blog of the day, promise!

I stumbled across this People magazine article about Ben Breedlove -- a teenager who has been battling a heart condition all his life. His final videos were made just before he passed away at the tender age of eighteen on Christmas day. If you get a moment, click the links below. It might inspire you as it did me. What a courageous young man.

This Is My Story (Part 1)

This Is My Story (Part 2)

What Books Are You Looking Forward to in 2012

There are a lot of books coming out this year I'm looking forward to -- especially the one pictured above (isn't that cover smokin'?). I love Joey W. Hill and I'm certain this series will be as good as her other works. This got me to thinking: What books are YOU looking forward to this year?

I know most people want the newest J.R. Ward (I have the last book but need to read it) as well as some upcoming young adult novels, etc. Although I don't need to add to my bookshelves (I really, really don't) I'm asking for suggestions. So the floor is open -- what books should I read this year? I like all genres but prefer romance, urban fantasy, young adult, and horror.

Now it's time to return to work. Hope you all are enjoying the first day in the new year.

An Addendum

Okay, so -- after hours of emails, some screenshots providing proof of purchase, etc, allow me to state this:

The person I accused of pirating my work did not in fact do so. I have apologized privately but I'm also doing so here as well.

With that said...

I truly did believe this person engaged in pirating activity. I won't go into the reasons for this, as they don't matter. What matters is the facts that led me to believe this were incorrect. Normally I contact pirates via the piracy forums they frequent. This time I made a bad judgement call and did something I never do -- I contacted a person I "believed" was the pirate in question. Huge mistake, not something I can take back, and is an extremely important lesson learned. 

Those of you who speak to me regularly know I'm not the sort of person to fly off the handle. It's not my style. I prefer to address situations privately when I can. However, I am vocal about piracy and I always will be. In the future I will stick to my primary source of contact, so nothing like this occurs again.

As to the readers who support me, well, you know I love you. As for the reader I've apologized to, I hope you accept what I've written here. When you make an assumption and an ass out of yourself, the only thing a person can do is admit it. I'm doing so right now for the world to see.

With that, I'm off to bed. I've been up a majority of the night and need some zzzz's. Happy new Year!

In Light of Recent Contact...

In light of recent contact from the person I'd collected information and who claims he/she is NOT who I think they are and does not pirate, I have removed the blog entry about piracy and Goodreads (I'll save it, in the event it needs to go live again for some reason). With that stated, if in fact this person hasn't pirated my work, I will apologize. I have over a year of information on several pirates (including ISPs, email addys, etc) that I have to sort through. Make no mistake, however, that I will rectify my statements in the event they are incorrect. I didn't make the accusation lightly. I used time stamps, dates, etc as I researched each person.

Also -- there was only one person I "believe" pirated my work. Stating two people did is incorrect and I apologize for this statement, (although I didn't mention anyone by name, it should be mentioned). However, this person did contact me using a false email addy to tell me she found an erotic work of mine "offensive" as God was not capitalized. I responded to her -- politely -- to clarify the issue.

Now I'm going to bed. In the morning I will compile my information and contact the other person who has stated she does not pirate the works of authors. Depending on how that goes, I will have a new blog post to follow.

Happy New Year. Way to bring in 2012. I don't regret what I've done, as piracy is an issue many of you know I'm vocal about. However, I'm also not afraid to man up and say I'm sorry when I've made a mistake. It's a two way street.

Looking Back: 2011

Looking back on 2011, I realize so much happened in my career. In fact, I've referred to it more than once as the year of crazy. I re-released a series, got contracts with a publisher I've long admired and have finally settled in to this "author" thing.

So what did I learn?

First: Never give up. I had a book that was rejected numerous times that ended up being my top seller of the year. I'd lost sight of how subjective this industry is, so I'm thankful to have an open-minded perspective again. Not only was I shocked at how well the book was received, but I gained contract offers for future works because of it. Not bad for a story I was this close to shelving.

Second: I can't please the world. If I can't do something, it's okay to politely decline. Most people understand that I have a life and won't damn me to hell for being busy.

Third: As an author, I have to prioritize my time and writing schedule. For the better part of two years I've focused on a series that is the most heavily pirated of all my books. In an effort to please fans, I devoted most of my writing time to the series despite the fact it takes me the longest to finish and I'm not breaking even financially. That is about to change. I have other options and can support my family writing different material. Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made but publishing is business, not pleasure.

Which brings me to my next lesson.

Fourth: I write for the love of it. I publish to make a living. These are very different things, and that's okay. This lesson was probably the most important one for me this year.

And last but not least...

Fifth: I'm still learning. Writing is a craft that continues to evolve. This is a good thing. After all, once you know everything what's the point?

Now to the fun stuff!

My Favorite Movie of 2011: Insidious

My Favorite Album of 2011: Adele 21

My Favorite TV Show of 2011: Game of Thrones



My Favorite Book(s) of 2011: I can't pick just one, but I will name a few from the top of my head.

Vampire Instinct by Joey W. Hill.

Lost Wages of Sin by Rosalie Stanton.

Go The Fuck To Sleep by Adam Mansbach, Samuel L. Jackson (Narrator).

My goals for 2012: To wrap up my contracted works, finalize getting requested works into a print format, finish the new urban fantasy I've been working on and take a small break. With five books contracted (and possibly releasing) next year, my plate is pretty full. I have new ideas for future stories that I've jotted down and will get to them as soon as I can. However, I want to spend some time with my family, so I'm thinking next year I'll take a small break during the summer and Christmas.

Now that I've shared my favorites why don't you do the same. What did you learn this year? What are your plans for 2012?