Ash Krafton's Blog, page 31

I'm PROUDLY PARANORMAL...Are You?

Welcome to my stop on the PROUDLY PARANORMAL BLOG HOP!

Once upon a time, I came across a bit of wisdom that wentalong the lines of: "Truth is stranger than fiction...because fictionneeds to make sense."
Boy, were they were right.  Ever come across an inconsistency or aninaccuracy or flat out WTF? moment ina novel?  It just knocks you right out ofthe story.
Or what about those last minute plot rescuers that soundlike "...and then an uncle whom everyone thought was dead shows up out ofnowhere and saves the heroine with his riches."  A little too convenient, in my opinion. Itleaves me shaking my head and dreading the next crazy plot twist.

As a writer, I know in my heart that truth is strangerthan fiction because otherwise, the fiction would be awful.  I know in my heart that it's a good rule, onethat never should be broken.

I also know I'm the rebel kid who broke rules for noother reason than to see them broken.
My mom called me a "non-conformist".  I just agreed with her because I didn't knowwhat the word meant. In hindsight my mom was right nearly 100% of the time soI'm glad I just went with my gut instinct and believed her. Eventually non-conformist became my motto.
So why would I want to break such a lovely rule? Just therebel in me, I guess. But even I can't bring myself to cross that line.
Maybe that's why I'm one of the proudly paranormal.  Writingparanormal fiction allows me to get as close to possible to breaking that rule withoutactually doing it, thereby preventing a situation that might make my readers wantto hurl things at me.

Sure, truth is stranger than fiction...but when it comesto paranormal fiction, it's sometimes hard to tell.
The paranormal genres open up doors to cellars and atticsand dungeons not usually visited by mainstream fiction.
Heroes are sexier and stronger, villains are moredangerous, heroines are able to tap into strange powers to overcome theirobstacles.
And paranormal fiction isn't just about mythical beasts --not that I ever get tired of reading about vampires and werewolves -- it's psychicphenomena, ghost encounters, journeys to other dimensions or planes ofexistence. Heck, it's even teenage Grim Reapers.
Sure, there are still rules to writing fiction like that,but in a paranormal, you get to make a lot of those rules up as you go along.
That's part of the reason why I love writing paranormalfiction. There's no limit to my imagination. I have complete control over theworld I'm building and if I want magic rocks in my world, or a royal lineage ofGerman Werewolves, or crabby genies who seek psychiatric help, all I have to dois write it.

Sure, sometimes there are last minute plot rescuers thatsound like "…and then her uncle sprouted horns and a tail and he breathedfire and saved the heroine" but that might actually make sense in the story. It's paranormal,after all.
Truth is, when it comes to paranormal writing, sometimes strangefiction is better.


Sophie Galen's "truth" gets pretty darn strange in my new novel, BLEEDING HEARTS: BOOK ONE OF THE DEMIMONDE, now available from Pink Narcissus Press.

BLEEDING HEARTS: BookOne of the Demimonde...
Saving the world one damnedperson at a time—shy advice columnist-turned-oracle must find a way to save herdangerous demivampire lover from the fate that threatens each of his race:evolution and the destruction of his soul.
When advice columnist Sophie meets dark andalluring Marek, she learns life-changing secrets about them both—he's ademivampire struggling to avoid evolution and she's an empathic oracle destinedto save him. Sophie possesses the rare ability to reduce the spiritual damagethat causes a demivamp to Fall, making her the only thing that stands between aDV and evolution. However, as Marek's dangerous past propels him toward hisdesperate fate, his enemies make darker plans for him: once vampire, powerfulMarek would be second only to the Master himself. The vamps want to causeMarek's Fall and they intend to use Sophie to do it....

Want to win an ebook of Bleeding Hearts? Just leave a comment below to enter the contest! (Want to take a chance at winning an even BIGGER prize? Visit this post to enter the Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour gift basket contest!)

Next up... everyone's favorite Adriana Ryan. Be sure to visit her when she blogs on March 24th!

More about the PROUDLY PARANORMAL Blog Hop...


Each of the authors participating in this blog hop has super cool, ridiculously exciting prizes to giveaway. They'll also be talking about their books and how you can win a copy! Check out the list below to see when and where you can visit your favorite writers!
1. M. L. Archer: THURSDAY March 1st
2. Gabrielle Bisset: SATURDAY March 3rd Gabrielle will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and swag (i.e. bookmarks, pens, and other goodies!) for Blood Avenged, an erotic paranormal romance!3. J.D. Brown: MONDAY March 5th
J.D. Brown will be giving away her e-book, Dark Heirloom!4. Chastity Bush: TUESDAY March 6th
Chastity Bush will be giving away one of her books, reader's choice!5. Krista D. Ball: WEDNESDAY March 7th
Krista will be giving away a copy of her e-book, Sprits Rising!6. Wren Emerson: THURSDAY March 8th
Wren will be giving away a copy of her YA novel, I Wish… She'll also give away a collection of short stories based in the same universe!
7. Janie Franz: SATURDAY March 10th
Janie will be giving away an e-copy of her book, Ruins Artifacts!8. Dianne Hartsock: MONDAY March 12th
Dianne will be giving away e-copies of her book NATHANIEL!9. Jan Fischer-Wade TUESDAY MARCH 13th
Jan will be giving away a $20 Barnes & Noble Gift Card for one person and one free copy of Veiled Virtues to another person!10. Rosalie Skinner WEDNESDAY March 14th
Rosalie will be giving away a copy of Book One in the Chronicles of Caleath–Exiled: Autumn's Peril or reader's choice if they have read Book One!11. Sky Purington: THURSDAY March 15th
Sky will be giving away e-copies of The Victorian Lure (Calum's Curse: Ardetha Vampyre)!12. Liv Rancourt: SATURDAY March 17th
Liv will be giving away a couple paperback versions of A Vampire's Deadly Delight, as well as a PDF copy, and a Smashwords code for a copy of Bites – Ten Tales of Vampires!13. Rebecca Ryals Russell: MONDAY March 19th
Rebecca will be giving away a tote bag filled with swag (note pad, pen, keyring, bookmark, postcard cover art from her YA series, Seraphym Wars)!14. A.H. Browne: TUESDAY March 20th
A.H. Browne will be giving away coupons for a free download of her book, Dark Illusions, from Smashwords!15. Marsha A. Moore: WEDNESDAY March 21st
Marsha will be giving away a copy of her e-book, Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One!16. Alexandra Kane: THURSDAY March 22nd
Alexandra will be giving away 1 free copy of Darkness Rising (reader chooses print, Kindle, Nook or PDF) + a pen, 2012 calendar, magnet, and chocolate!17. Ash Krafton: FRIDAY March 23rd
Ash will be giving away e-copies of Bleeding Hearts: Book One of the Demimonde & a Barnes & Noble gift card!18. Adriana Ryan: SATURDAY March 24th
Adriana will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of her novella, Her Heart's Desire!19. Savannah Chase: MONDAY March 26th
Savannah will be giving away a copy of her e-book, Bid For Love!

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour Host Katheryn Lane

Today's blog tour stop is at romance author Katheryn Lane's blog for a proper writer's interview.We'll talk about the inspiration for writing Bleeding Hearts and discuss the lore behind my demivampires. Join us!


About Katheryn Lane's new book The Royal Sheikh:

The Royal SheikhClare McKay is a dedicated architect with no time for womanising men. That is, until she accidentally meets Sheikh Rafiq Al Kahil, an Arabian prince, known in the international press as the Playboy Prince. Clare is intent on not falling for his seductive charm, but when he asks her to design a mansion, he presents her with an offer that she can't refuse. Once she finds herself alone with him in the Arabian desert, how long will she be able to hold out against his advances? And will he be able to cast aside his womanising past for her, as well as a secret engagement to an Arabian Princess?

What reviewers are saying

"This was a great read. I have read it four times since I have downloaded it." ~ Jessica Follis on Smashwords

"I think this is an incredible read" ~ Michelle Hughes, author of A Night at Tears of Crimson

"I could not stop reading this book . . . a great romantic story" ~ Lisa M. on Readers Favorite

"Romance at its best . . . If you believe in romance then you will want to read this book. " ~ Regina Pukett, author of Waiting for Mary Elizabeth

"The characters and setting of this fast-paced novel make it a romantic treasure.' ~ Alle Wells, author of Lame Excuses

"This story is sweet, heartwarming, yet sexy. You're in for a treat!" ~ Jan Romes, author of One Small Fib and Lucky Ducks
You can find Katheryn Lane's debut romance novel, The Royal Sheikh  
on Amazon and Smashwords!

Connect with Katheryn at:
http://katheryn-lane.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/KatherynLane
http://www.facebook.com/KatherynLane.Authorhttp://www.ash-krafton.blogspot.com/2012/02/bleeding-hearts-virtual-book-tour.html

Red Tash and Black Humor

Today, I'm fooling around over on Red Tash's page. It takes a lot of talent to be both dark and humorous...so I'm paying her a bit of homage with my take on why I think Black is the New Funny.

Check out Red Tash's book This Brilliant Darkness available on Amazon.com.

UF Reviews: Guest Post and Goodies!

Today's Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour Stop is at UF Reviews.


I guest-blog about Ancient Egypt and the origins of the Demivampires...complete with excerpt and giveaway. If you'd happened to see the press relese for Bleeding Hearts, you'd already know that I LOVE ancient Egypt--I've been dragging my family to all sorts of museums for years. Small wonder my love for the ancient culture found its way into my book.

No mummies in my series, however...at least, not yet. :)

Remember, the tour schedule can be found here. Don't miss a stop!

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour G*!*V*E*@*W*@*Y!

You know, typing like that always gives me vertigo. :)

Did you know that I'm giving away a HUGE prize at the end of my blog tour?

What's up for grabs? Hmm...let's see...So far, there's--
A copy of Bleeding Hearts: Book One of the Demimonde           (Signed and numbered, of course)Pink Narcissus Press Prize Pack: Rapunzel's Daughter, Court of Dreams, and WTF! A "Bleeding Hearts" necklace from the Victorian Trading Company Body Fantasies "Vampire" fragrance gift set Bleeding Hearts coffee mug (naturally)
gift cards, bookmarks, swag, swag, swag!

Are you in it to win it? Jump into the Rafflecopter entry form and enter away. Some things (like Tweeting about the giveaway each day) will get you extra points so you can increase your odds of winning.

Never used a Rafflecopter form before? Don't be scared! you can sign in using your name and email address...then just follow the steps. Easy-peasy!

Shelly Bell's Review of Bleeding Hearts

Author Shelly Bell reviews Bleeding Hearts today...visit her blog at http://shellybellbooks.com/blog !
AboutShelly Bell:
Amember of Romance Writers of America, Shelly Bell writes writes both women'sfiction and paranormal romance. Vist her website at http://shellybellbooks.com/ to learn more about herbook, A Year To Remember.
A YEAR TO REMEMBER
A foodaddict's road to recovery as she searches for her soul mate under the watchfuleye of the nation.
Whenher younger brother marries on her twenty-ninth birthday, food addict SaraFriedman drunkenly vows to three hundred wedding guests to find and marry hersoul mate within the year.
After her humiliating toast becomes a YouTube sensation, shepermits a national morning show to chronicle her search. With the help of bestfriend Missy, she plunges head first into the shallow end of the dating pool.
Her journey leads her to question the true meaning of soul mates,as she decides between fulfilling her vow to marry before her thirtiethbirthday and following her heart's desire. But before she can make the biggestdecision of her life, Sara must begin to take her first steps towards recoveryfrom her addiction to food.

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour Kick Off!

Today is the first day of the rest of my blog tour! =)

Welcome, everyone, and thanks for stopping by--I am so excited to begin my very first virtual book tour. Hope you'll stop by often to visit each of the stops in my tour...we've got interesting posts, fun interviews, and...of course...lotsa prizes!

The complete tour is listed here so check out the links to see some of your favorite bloggers. And don't forget to enter the BIG CONTEST! Just use the Rafflecopter form below to get your karma in!

Today I'll be visiting Reading And Writing Urban Fantasy And Paranormal Romance to talk about "Writer's Voice".

The best definition I've found for "writer's voice" is:

Definition: Voice has two meanings as it concerns creative writers:

Voice is the author's style, the quality that makes his or her writing unique, and which conveys the author's attitude, personality, and character; or

Voice is the characteristic speech and thought patterns of a first-person narrator; a persona. Because voice has so much to do with the reader's experience of a work of literature, it is one of the most important elements of a piece of writing.

Many thanks to the host of Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance for helping me begin my blog tour and to help me introduce my debut novel, Bleeding Hearts: Book One of the Demimonde.Hope you'll stop by and leave a comment--as well as enter the BIG CONTEST! You can enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

Bleeding Hearts Virtual Book Tour Begins Tomorrow!

To celebrate the release of my first novel, I'll be embarking on a month-long virtual book tour. I'll be visiting a group of fantastic bloggers and authors, sharing interviews and secrets and excerpts along the way.

At the end of it all, one lucky reader will win a Bleeding Hearts prize package, filled with whatever retail therapy finds its way inside. There will be books, shiny things, and gift cards...even more!

Hope you'll stop by to meet my hosts and to say hello.

The Opening Week Line-up

Monday: The tour kicks off with a guest blog about writer's voice and giveaway at http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy.blogspot.com.

Tuesday: Author of chick lit and women's fiction Shelly Bell reviews Bleeding Hearts at http://shellybellbooks.com/!
Wednesday: Guest post with excerpt and giveaway at Urban Fantasy Reviews http://ufreviews.com. Did you know my demivamps trace their origins to Ancient Egypt? Find out how the god Horus started it all...

Wednesday: I'll also visit with Red Tash for Writer Wednesday at http://redtash.com. The dark fantasy equivalent of wackiness will ensue.

Thursday: An interview with author Katheryn Lane at http://katheryn-lane.blogspot.com reveals the secret of the Sophia Oracle and her role in the destiny of a demivampire.

Friday: I'm participating in the Proudly Paranormal Blog Hop...along with great authors like Liv Rancourt and Adriana Ryan. Be sure to check out these and other fabulous writers, too!

Stop by for fun reads and great prizes. Thanks to all my wonderful hosts who are taking the time to celebrate with me...hope you will, too!

RELEASE DAY for Bleeding Hearts!

Today is my release day... BLEEDING HEARTS: BOOK ONE OF THE DEMIMONDE has been unleashed!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLEEDING HEARTS:BookOne of the Demimonde 
Saving the world one damnedperson at a time—shy advice columnist-turned-oracle must find a way to save herdangerous demivampire lover from the fate that threatens each of his race:evolution and the destruction of his soul.

 When advice columnistSophie meets dark and alluring Marek, she learns life-changing secrets aboutthem both—he's a demivampire struggling to avoid evolution and she's anempathic oracle destined to save him. Sophie possesses the rare ability toreduce the spiritual damage that causes a demivamp to Fall, making her the onlything that stands between a DV and evolution. However, as Marek's dangerouspast propels him toward his desperate fate, his enemies make darker plans forhim: once vampire, powerful Marek would be second only to the Master himself.The vamps want to cause Marek's Fall and they intend to use Sophie to do it....


Join the Demimonde!

Bleeding Hearts Goodreads page

Bleeding Hearts on www.PinkNarc.com

Bleeding Hearts on Amazon

Bleeding Hearts on Barnes & Noble

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour line-up and links to tour contest


Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the path to publication: my family, my friends, and my editors at Pink Narcissus Press. Rose, Stacy, Josie, and Duncan: I could not have imagined a more devoted and more wonderful team. I have been truly blessed. Namaste to you all.

My heart is within you always...

Beware the Ides of March...tomorrow.

The Ides of March has been my favorite day of the year since tenth grade with Mrs. Delaney. That was when I fell in love with Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.

Although I developed an enormous crush on Wills and his entire catalog, Juius Caesar was the one that really struck a chord. Brutus and Marc Antony--how can you choose between them? And the best line, despite what you expect me to quote here, is by Casca. Peace, ho! Caesar speaks! I freaking LOVE that line.

When I was a senior, our class took a day trip to see the local university's performance of ole Julius C. Lucky for them, lucky for us, and especially lucky for me was that the class had a celebrity director that term: Sir Richard Harris. *sigh* My hero.

He did Caesar like no one else ever could have. He was a presence. A master. A genius. And I stood up and applauded every time he spoke like I was a besotted school girl screaming in the audience. (Oh, wait. I *was*. Strike "like" and insert "because".) I'll never forget that day. I'll never forget him.

And, just to rub it in in case you're drooling with jealousy, it was only the year before that I saw him on the same exact stage  performing Camelot. You heard me. Richard Harris. In the King Arthurly flesh.

I like to think of those experiences as "that little thing" Sir Richard and I had.

Although Dear Richard is no longer around to satisfy my need to see him on stage, I do carry on my tradition or wearing a black ribbon on The Ideas of March. I wear it for my fallen Caesar and for my fallen Richard.

And I always will. God rest them.

When beggars die, there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. (2.2.30)