Laurie London's Blog, page 12

Thank You Thursday - Stephanie Draven

Welcome to Thank You Thursday, where I invite an author to answer a few questions about their book's dedication and acknowledgments. I LOVE reading these little snippets at the beginning of books and often find myself wondering about the story behind them. So I decided to ask.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome paranormal romance author Stephanie Draven!

1. In the acknowledgements of DARK SINS & DESERT SANDS, you thank several people. Can you tell us about one or two of them and how they helped you?

My mother has been an unexpected source of support in my writing--I always knew that she'd be proud of me and do what she could to further my career, but I never knew what a great editor she is. It was very awkward sending her a hot and sexy romance novel like this one, but her eye for story details really overcame my shyness. She's very good at spotting little problems, like if I have my character wearing a skirt in one scene and pants in the other. She remembers! She helped edit this book for me, and I just pretended that she was skipping the sex scenes. (Of course, it doesn't help that she writes comments in the margins about them...)

2. Was there anyone who helped you when you researched a plot detail in DARK SINS? If so, who helped you and what did you learn?

My hero is an Arab-American soldier--an army translator. This is a profession I knew next to nothing about, and I certainly didn't know anything about the way contractors operate overseas. This is where my in-laws came in handy. Both my brother-in-law and sister-in-law have served in the armed forces and helped to fill me in.

3. Is there a detail or turning point in DARK SINS that would've been different without the input of someone who read an early draft? If so, can you tell us a little more?

Actually, I'm going to give a shout out here to Liz Pelletier (of Entangled Publishing) who somehow did not make it into the acknowledgements for this book, though she deserved to be there. Liz ran an editing workshop and through her input, I was able to make the ending far stronger than it was originally. I was so burned out at that point, I didn't think anything else could inspire me, but Liz really helped me think about how to break down the task of editing into small tasks that would make each chapter super strong. I love her!
Harlequin Nocturne / Oct 2011
Wrongfully accused and broken by torture, an American soldier transforms into a mind-controlling minotaur bent on revenge…
Escaping a hellish Syrian prison, U.S. serviceman Ray Stavrakis emerges with uncanny powers and an eerie ability to morph into a mythical Minotaur, half-man, half-bull. Only one woman can prove his innocence and soothe the savage beast inside–the same woman who'd driven him to the brink of insanity with her cool-eyed interrogation and her hot-blooded sensuality.
But Vegas psychologist Layla Bahset has no memory of Ray or her past. Only a feeling of being stalked by a nonhuman predator. Is it Ray…whose eyes condemn her soul even as his hands ignite her body? Or is another evil force hunting her down like prey?
Now nothing can stop Layla from remembering what she really is…and what her evil creator has planned for her and her soldier lover…
Buy DARK SINS AND DESERT SANDS hereAmazon | BN | IndieBound
Find Stephanie here: Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Stephanie Draven is currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies. She lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.
Stephanie has always been a storyteller. In elementary school, she channeled Scheherazade, weaving a series of stories to charm children into sitting with her each day at the lunch table. When she was a little older, Stephanie scared all the girls at her sleepovers with ghost stories.
She should have known she was born to hold an audience in her thrall, but Stephanie resisted her writerly urges and graduated from college with a B.A. in Government. Then she went to Law School, where she learned how to convincingly tell the tallest tales of all!
A longtime lover of ancient lore, Stephanie enjoys re-imagining myths for the modern age. She doesn't believe that true love is ever simple or without struggle so her work tends to explore the sacred within the profane, the light under the loss and the virtue hidden in vice. She counts it amongst her greatest pleasures when, from her books, her readers learn something new about the world or about themselves.
Stephanie also writes historical fiction as Stephanie Dray and has a series of forthcoming novels from Berkley Books featuring Cleopatra's daughter.
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THE GIVEAWAY
Stephanie is giving away a DIGITAL copy of DARK SINS AND DESERT SANDS to a random commenter.
Giveaway Rules:

1. Leave a comment.

2. You MUST leave your email address in your comment so we can easily contact you if you win.

3. For extra entries: +1 Tweet about it. +1 Share on Facebook. (Come back here and post the links.)

4. Contest ends 11/16/11

Good luck!

Thank You Thursday Winner

Congratulations, Di! You won a copy of Elisabeth Naughton's MARKED and ENTWINED fom last week's Thank You Thursday post. Please check your email.

Thank you, everyone, for visiting!

And stay tuned for tomorrow's Thank You Thursday from paranormal romance author Stephanie Draven. 

Free How-To-Write Books for your Nook

I saw this awesome post on DailyCheapReads for six free how-to-write books from Writers Digest on Amazon. Well, I have a Nook, so here are the same books with their Nookbook links. I'm not sure how long these will be free, but as of the time of this posting, they were all free on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Thank You Thursday - Elisabeth Naughton

Welcome to Thank You Thursday, where I invite an author to answer a few questions about their book's dedication and acknowledgments. I LOVE reading these little snippets at the beginning of books and often find myself wondering about the story behind them. So I decided to ask.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome paranormal romance author Elisabeth Naughton!
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1.  In the acknowledgements of TEMPTED, you thank several people. Can you tell us about one or two of them and how they helped you?

I dedicated TEMPTED to two people: Tonia Wubbena, a friend who has been reading my work since way before I was published, and her mom, Rita Van Hee, who is one of my biggest champions. Both are beta readers for me who read my work way before it goes to my editor, tell me what works and what doesn't, and spread the word about my books when they release. They're invaluable to me and I'm so glad to have them in my life!

2. Was there anyone who helped you when you researched a plot detail in TEMPTED? If so, who helped you and what did you learn?

My critique partner – Joan Swan – is my go to person when I get stuck. If I can't figure something out, a few minutes brainstorming with Joan and I've got it. In TEMPTED, Joan was the one who convinced me not to kill off a certain character. I was all set to deliver the death blow, but she stopped me, and I'm so glad she did. That character is now the hero in the book I'm currently writing.

3. Is there a detail or turning point in TEMPTED that would've been different without the input of someone who read an early draft? If so, can you tell us a little more?

My mentor, Alice Sharpe, who writes for Harlequin Intrigue is a master at brainstorming. Not only did she give me ideas to make the witches in the opening of TEMPTED unique and dangerous, but when I got to the end she helped me come up with details that really set the entire ending apart from any other book I've ever read.



Sourcebooks / Sept 2011 DEMETRIUS—He's the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it's best to keep everyone at arm's length.
Isadora is missing. The words pound through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius did all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she's gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he'll have to go to the black place in his soul he's always shunned.
As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

Buy TEMPTED here:Amazon | BN | Indiebound
Find Elisabeth here:Website | Facebook | Twitter

About Elisabeth:

Elisabeth Naughton writes sexy romantic adventure and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her work has been nominated for numerous awards including the prestigious RITA® awards by Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, The Golden Leaf and the Golden Heart. When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ballpark or dreaming up new and exciting adventures.

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THE GIVEAWAY


Elisabeth is giving away 2 books to a random commenter. One lucky person will get both MARKED (book 1) and ENTWINED (book 2).

Giveaway Rules:

1. Leave a comment.

2. You MUST leave your email address in your comment so we can easily contact you if you win.

3. For extra entries: +1 Tweet about it. +1 Share on Facebook. (Come back here and post the links.)

4. Contest ends 11/9/11

Good luck!

Thank You Thursday Winner

Congratulations, VanillaOrchids/Pam! You won a copy of Dina James' ALL WOUNDS from last week's Thank You Thursday post. Please check your email.

Thank you, everyone, for visiting!

And stay tuned for tomorrow's Thank You Thursday from paranormal romance author Elisabeth Naughton.

Thank You Thursday - Dina James

Welcome to a new feature on my blog called Thank You Thursday. Each week, I'm inviting an author to answer a few questions about their book's dedication and acknowledgments. I LOVE reading these little snippets at the beginning of books and often find myself wondering about the story behind them. So I decided to ask.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome paranormal author Dina James!
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1. In the acknowledgements of ALL WOUNDS, you thank several people. Can you tell us about one or two of them and how they helped you?

What an awesome feature this is! I always read the acknowledgements in books and sometimes wonder who the people are and what they meant to the author.

Let's start with the "real" Rebecca. I thank my dear friend Becky. She's an amazing artist (and has done the art for all of my tattoos AND the Healer's Mark symbol on the cover of the book) and has been a wonderful source of encouragement. She's from England, sends me fantastic tea (for I am a tea junkie and need it to function, not just write), is one of the first people to see my work and tell me what works and what doesn't, and understands me. I know that sounds trite, but really...understanding me is a feat, and Becky does it without even trying. She's wonderful and I'm very lucky to have her in my life.

I also thank the "real" Robin. Also an amazing artist and though not a cheerleader in the true sense like the one in the book, she's one of MY cheerleaders. She eggs me on and takes me out to decadent restaurants when I'm fed up with my writing and we gorge ourselves silly on food and tea. When I get down on myself and want to throw what I've written in the garbage, she looks at me like I'm crazy and tells me how it is.

When I was writing All Wounds, these two were essential in reminding me that I could do it, so I threatened to name the characters after them. So I did. Bwah-ha-ha!

Becky sent me a t-shirt that says, "Be careful or you'll end up in my next novel." She speaks from experience.


2. Was there anyone who helped you when you researched a plot detail? If so, who is it and what did you learn?

I generally like to work alone. If I'm writing something and I get it wrong, I want to get it wrong in private, however if I don't know something but know someone who does, I'll pester them about it. I didn't really have to pester anyone for this novel, but I did have to ask my husband more than once to stand or lie somewhere so I could see if the interaction I had written down worked. I mean, if you're trying to lift someone unconscious, where do you put your hands? And so on. I thank him, too, for feeding me late at night. My husband is essential to my creative process. I couldn't write if I didn't have his support and love. (He also buys me yarn. Knitting helps me work through plot. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

3. Is there a detail or major turning point in the story that would've been different without the input of someone who read an early draft? If so, can you tell us a little more?

Originally I had a lot more snark and sass from Rebecca, and it came off as annoying and whiny. She also had some semi-unrealistic reactions to things, and it wasn't what I was going for. After feedback from various people, I worked it around to how I wanted it to be. My Editor of Awesome, Skyla Dawn Cameron, was instrumental in this, as she knew what I was trying to do. Her suggestions in some of the rougher spots really helped me there.


Mundania Press / Oct 2011


It's said that when opportunity knocks on your door, you have only one chance to take it.

No one said what you're supposed to do when it kicks it.

All Rebecca MacDonnell wants to do is get through high school with grades good enough to win a prestigious scholarship so that she can finally leave her miserable life behind. One evening, after a particularly bad day, she finds out that people other than her aging grandmother need her help, and desperately so.

Well, not "people," exactly. Vampires, werewolves, demons, ghosts, goblins, and other things thought only imaginary all need help sometime, and Rebecca was born with the unique ability to heal ethereal beings. She is about to turn seventeen, the age at which her talent will manifest in its entirety, and become a true Healer…if she lives through the event. A war between various ethereal factions is brewing, and Healers are a valuable commodity to any side. Those who wish to harness Rebecca's manifesting healing powers for their own purposes must get to her before her seventeenth birthday.

Only two vampires and a rogue werewolf stand between Rebecca and those determined to make her serve them, and the fact that Rebecca has no clue what she's doing doesn't exactly help matters.

Neither does being seriously attracted to more than one of those just trying to protect her.

For a soon-to-be seventeen-year-old Healer-in-training, that's a lot to handle.

Especially on top of her homework.


Buy ALL WOUNDS here:Amazon | Mundania Press
Visit Dina online:Website | Facebook | Twitter
About Dina:
Dina James is an unapologetic geek/gamer girl addicted to writing. She graduated from high school when she was sixteen, holds a college degree in nothing in particular in addition to multiple certifications in various things that captured her interest at the time, is an avid knitter and loves Darth Vader. She lives in Oregon with her husband and a menagerie of pets. She has website at www.dinajames.com which has a far-more-comprehensive biography than this one. It mentions sushi.
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THE GIVEAWAY
Dina is giving away one copy of ALL WOUNDS (digital or print) to one random commenter. 
Giveaway Rules:

1. Leave a comment.

2. You MUST leave your email address in your comment so we can easily contact you if you win.

3. For extra entries: +1 Tweet about it. +1 Share on Facebook. (Come back here and post the links.)

4. Contest ends 11/2/11

Good luck!

Thank You Thursday Winner

Congratulations, Alainala! You won the ARC of Theresa Meyers' THE HUNTER from last week's Thank You Thursday post. Please check your email.

Thank you, everyone, for visiting!

And stay tuned for tomorrow's Thank You Thursday from paranormal author Dina James.

Friday Roundup

Since A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS came out in print on Tuesday (digital format coming Nov 1), I've been scampering around the interwebs. In case you missed my Facebook and Twitter postings each day, here's where I've been giving away books this week. As I type this, I think all these giveaways are still open, so go check them out.

10/17 Vampire Book Club (with all 4 authors)
10/18 Books N Kisses (includes a fang-tastic ornament)
10/19 The Qwillery (with all 4 authors)
10/20 All Things Urban Fantasy (Spooky Legend scene told from Kip's point of view)
10/21 Life Is A First Draft

Thank You Thursday - Theresa Meyers

Welcome to a new feature on my blog called Thank You Thursday. Each week, I'm inviting an author to answer a few questions about their book's dedication and acknowledgments. I LOVE reading these little snippets at the beginning of books and often find myself wondering about the story behind them. So I decided to ask.

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome steampunk and paranormal romance author Theresa Meyers!


1. In the acknowledgments of THE HUNTER, you thank several people. Can you tell us about one or two of them and how they helped you? 

Actually, I'm glad you asked. Because the book is heavily set in Arizona, where I lived for eight years, I dedicated it to my Arizona family. However, there's a misprint in the dedication for The Hunter that's profoundly embarrassing. I don't know anyone named Marlon. What happened is they misspelled my mother-in-law's name, Marion. I thanked both her and her husband Marc because they've been such a huge part of our lives. She isn't just any grandmother, she's super-grandma to my children and we're so profoundly grateful, especially since my mother passed away when they were still in diapers. I've been married for over 20 years, so I've know her most of my life.

In fact if it wasn't for Marion Stephens, I never would have even met my husband. I began working in her flowers shop as a job after school my sophomore year of high school. That's where I met her son. And since it was getting close to PROM season, and I was a nosy kind of person, I asked him who he was taking. He asked me a few weeks later and that was our first date (which included having my brother ride between us in the backseat of the car while my parents drove. They were strict, what can I say?)

She's always tried hard to be there for us, no matter how far away we've lived, or what she was going through. She's an amazing woman, and I love her dearly.

One of the other people I thanked is Christine Eaton Jones. She was one of my dearest friends in Arizona when we lived there. She was also my mother's critique partner and business partner. She was the person who kindly threw my first baby shower (even when I didn't get to attend because my daughter showed up at 3 am that morning!) She always has a winning smile and is one of those individuals who forever leaves a positive mark in your life. She's part of my Arizona family.

2. Was there anyone who helped you when you researched a plot detail? If so, who is it and what did you learn? 

I suppose you could say my mother helped me do research for this story post-humously. It was her collection of research books about the Lost Dutchman Goldmine, Arizona history, the wild west and gunfighters that helped me craft a story that included some real history, blended with my imagination. In particular the details about the Lost Dutchman and Tombstone were influenced by those books.

3. Is there a detail or major turning point in the story that would've been different without the input of someone who read an early draft? If so, can you tell us a little more? 

The section about the giant spider and ghost miners wouldn't have happened without the influence of my editor, Peter Senftleben at Kensington. He felt something was missing from when Colt and Lilly got out of the Dark Rim Mine and wanted to know more. Of course, he was right. For pacing sake I'd just skimmed over how they'd gotten out. The extra detail added more flavor to the story and gave us a glimpse at some of the other types of Darkin that inhabit The Hunter's world.

Zebra / November 2011

They're the Chosen—Winchester, Remington and Colt—brothers trained to hunt down supernatural beings using the latest steam-powered gadgetry. It's a hard legacy to shoulder, and it's about to get a lot more dangerous… 
A DEVIL OF A JOB 
Colt Jackson has gotten his name on many a wanted poster with success in the family business: hunting supernaturals across the frontier. Lately, though, there's a sulfur stink in the wind and the Darkin population is exploding. A rift in the worlds is appearing. To close it, Colt will have to do the unthinkable and work with a demon to pass arcane boundaries no human alone can cross. 
Except when he summons his demon, he doesn't get some horned monstrosity: he gets a curvy redheaded succubus named Lilly, who's willing to make a bargain to become human again. He also gets Lilly's secret expertise on the machinations on the dark side of the rift. And her charm and cleverness help to get them out of what his silver-loaded pistol and mechanical horse can't. Of course, when all hell breaks loose, he might have to sacrifice his soul. But what's adventure without a little risk? 

Buy THE HUNTER here:Amazon | BN | Books a Million
Visit Theresa online:Website | Facebook | Twitter
About Theresa:

The progeny of a slightly mad NASA scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot. But it wasn't until third grade that Theresa overcame her dyslexia and learned to read, going on to make words her life's work. 

With a degree in Mass Communications she became first a journalist, then a public relations officer in both the corporate and agency realm. But by far the most challenging has been using her writing skills to pen paranormal and steampunk novels in the turret office of her Seattle-area Victorian home. She's spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats.

Thank You Thursday Winner

Random.org picked Sheila as the winner of a signed copy of Vicky Dreiling's HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL. Congratulations!!!! Please check your email.

Thanks, everyone, for visiting.

Be sure to check in tomorrow for another edition of Thank You Thursday with steampunk/paranormal romance author Theresa Meyers.