Nicole MacDonald's Blog, page 5
February 14, 2013
A BirthRight Trilogy snippet
As my valentine gift to you, my readers, I wrote a special wee snippet today. It's situated at the time the book Awakening is set, so doesn't reveal any spoilers for those of you that haven't read the second or third book. It could be considered adults only, though it's written with a fair amount of *cough* discretion. I hope you enjoy it!
Reading by the fire proved more relaxing than Alek had intended. He’d thought Cat would have appeared by now, and the book, while interesting, wasn’t as intriguing as the plush fur rug he’d sprawled across was comfortable. With a yawn he let the book fall to the side and rolled onto his back, hands resting on his stomach. I’ll just rest my eyes, he thought with another yawn.
I snuck down the corridor, wincing at the sharp cracks my boots made against the hard wood floors; funny how I never noticed the sound during the day. I’d finally finished training with Leseach only to be cornered by Yakov, wanting to go over more protocol details. Honestly, how he expected me to remember all the varying nuances of society felt beyond me. After a brief shower and change, I hurried to where I’d promised Alek I’d meet him hours ago. Reaching the library, I pushed one the doors, catching the edge when the clever hinges went to swing it wide. I paused in the doorway, staring into the eerily beautiful library; such a different sight by moonlight. The white stone that the bookcases were set into gleamed against the darkness and the shadowy coil of staircase looked like something from a ghost story. My heart beat faster. Turning, I silently closed the door and tiptoed across to the far bookcase, feeling weird about making any sound in the voluminous dark.
The soft sound made him blink awake and then chuckle at the muffled curses. Cat sounded to be having trouble finding the catch to release the door into the study. Alek contemplated getting up but then he heard the ‘click’. Without a second thought he dropped his head back and pretended to sleep.‘Al?’With effort Alek forced the instant smile her presence brought from his face. Perhaps it was the memory of the times he’d done this to his father that inspired him, but he felt the anticipation rise as he thought of surprising her. She’ll shriek for sure, he thought, fighting to keep his face calm at the mental image that rose. Probably thump me too.Soft footsteps came his way, then a sharp clang of metal followed by a sharper clang when whatever she’d walked into fell.‘Fuck!’ Cat hissed, and he heard her scrabble on the floor to pick up the item. Alek made a huffing, grumble of a sound and shifted, turning his head away from her; the only way to conceal his grin at her breathless silence. Minutes ticked by and by now he could sense her energy, feeling the running anxiety while she listened to the sound of him ‘sleeping’.
The light from the fireplace flickered across his sleeping face. Thankfully my knocking a cup off the desk hadn’t woken him and I just watched for a few moments. It looked as if he’d just leaned back, book tossed aside. I certainly hadn’t meant to be this late. The dying embers of the fire created soft shadows, making him appear young and old all at once and I smiled, leaning against the desk. He looked almost vulnerable, a fallen Greek statue; strong cheekbones, full lips and the firm jaw I loved to kiss along. Should I wake him? I pondered that, casting an eye around the study. It is the eve to our rest day; it wouldn’t really matter if we slept here. I nodded to myself then turned, trying to remember where I’d seen a wool throw stashed.
What is she doing? Alek peeked when he heard her pivot and move away, then pushed up onto his elbows, watching while Cat rummaged around the place. She lifted the lid on the low trunk that doubled as a seat, searching through it. The sight of her poised beneath the lid gave him an almost irresistible urge to shout, but he held back. As if she sensed him, Cat’s head jerked around and he caught a flash of shocked green eyes as she jumped, cracking her head on the lid.‘OW!’With an exclamation Alek stood and quickly strode to where she now sat in a tight ball beside the trunk, both hands griping her head, face pressed to her knees.‘Kitten,’ a hint of laughter slipped out. ‘I’m sorry, love!’ He knelt, folding his arms around her and drew her close. To his surprise and dismay, he felt her shudder, like when she cried. ‘Cat?’‘That hurt,’ came the muffled, teary voice, her face still pressed to her knees. ‘How long were you watching me?’ She lifted her head, green eyes reddened and a hurt expression on her face. ‘Why didn’t you say something?’‘I just woke.’ A minor lie, but better than confessing his actual plan. He didn’t think she’d take the joke well at the moment. The brief moment of tears seemed to have passed and she leaned against him.‘I was trying to find a blanket.’Alek pressed a kiss to her hair, smiling. ‘Did you want to sleep in here?’‘Well I didn’t want to wake you. And I can’t carry you,’ she pointed out dryly.Alek laughed then and helped her to her feet. ‘You were in the wrong trunk. Go sit by the fire, I’ll grab it.’She nodded tiredly and made her way over, wobbling precariously as she kneeled to the rug, then slumped to sitting.
I felt even more tired now and it made the bump on my head hurt worse than any of the hits I’d taken during training. It took a good amount of effort to focus my energy, letting it smooth the bump away. With the ache now gone, I watched as Alek decisively moved about the room, almost seeming to snatch cushions and soft blankets from mid air in the dark. His brisk movements felt hard to watch, too energetic for me at the moment, and I closed my eyes, listening.
With his arms full, Alek turned back to the fireplace. The last embers cast a slight glow over his now sleeping princess. He sighed and shook his head at the situation, walking over to her. Dropping to his knees he organized the cushions then spread a blanket over it. He turned back to Cat and carefully slipped an arm beneath her neck, and the other beneath her knees. She mumbled when he lifted, a small hand clutching his shirt but didn’t wake, not even as he lay her down on the cushions.‘You know, he said in a soft, scolding tone, ‘I thought you were meant to be doing this for me.’In the dark his fingers found the tops of her boots, loosening the ties then easing them off. She jolted in shock. ‘Al!?’Alek chuckled, not really able to see her face now, but he could hear the surprise. ‘You are so jumpy when you're sleepy.’‘Where are we?’‘Still in the study,’ he replied, working at her other boot. She jolted each time he removed a piece of her clothing and the scent of her clean warm skin smelled irresistible to him. He dragged the long sleeved top she wore, off, gently kissing the plump soft underside of her arms when she slowly leaned back against him, her hands hooking behind his neck.‘Mmmm,’ she sighed when he moved to her neck, nuzzling, and dropped her head back against his shoulder. His intentions of merely getting her ready to sleep vanished at the delicate sounds she made while he caressed her naked figure.
It felt so very good; sleep pulled me in one direction, and Alek pulled in the other, leaving me floating in a strange, suspended sense of heavy pleasure. The gentle kisses followed by teeth sent delicious shudders echoing through my weary body. He paused, laying me back and I listened as he stripped off, a sigh slipping out when his strong thighs moved between mine, the hair coarse against my bare skin. I felt him lean over me, his lips brushing my forehead before tracing down to my lips. I lifted my hands, catching his face, stroking over the jaw before sliding my fingers into the thick waves of hair. I gave a gasp, unintentionally gripping his hair when he slid inside me, my back arching at the desired, yet unexpected invasion. He chuckled against my throat, taking an easy but strong pace, lips and teeth against my throat making my head swirl while a slow deep pulsing began within my core.
She’d pulled her knees up; he could feel her feet pressing lightly against the back of his thighs as her cries grew urgent. His head sung with her energy and his, the sound ringing until it seemed to echo in his bones. At the final thrust the brilliant gold light flashed out, passing through his eyes, blinding as well as winding him for an instant. They both panted, Alek bracing himself on his elbows over her, nose gently rubbing hers then he rolled to the side. Cat twisted, the cushions yielding to their weight, causing her to roll into him. She giggled, slender fingers tracing over his chest then snuggled closer. She breathed in, sighing deeply, and it felt to him as if she dozed off instantly. He reached across her back and dragged a thick blanket across them, then bent to kiss her, missing her temple in the dark, lips grazing a cheekbone.‘Love you,’ he whispered, hearing her steady breaths. A moment later and it was his turn to jolt when a hand unexpectedly touched his ear. He heard a breathy giggle before she mumbled, ‘Love you too,’ and snuggled back down.
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes & Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes & Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Barnes & Noble
Reading by the fire proved more relaxing than Alek had intended. He’d thought Cat would have appeared by now, and the book, while interesting, wasn’t as intriguing as the plush fur rug he’d sprawled across was comfortable. With a yawn he let the book fall to the side and rolled onto his back, hands resting on his stomach. I’ll just rest my eyes, he thought with another yawn.I snuck down the corridor, wincing at the sharp cracks my boots made against the hard wood floors; funny how I never noticed the sound during the day. I’d finally finished training with Leseach only to be cornered by Yakov, wanting to go over more protocol details. Honestly, how he expected me to remember all the varying nuances of society felt beyond me. After a brief shower and change, I hurried to where I’d promised Alek I’d meet him hours ago. Reaching the library, I pushed one the doors, catching the edge when the clever hinges went to swing it wide. I paused in the doorway, staring into the eerily beautiful library; such a different sight by moonlight. The white stone that the bookcases were set into gleamed against the darkness and the shadowy coil of staircase looked like something from a ghost story. My heart beat faster. Turning, I silently closed the door and tiptoed across to the far bookcase, feeling weird about making any sound in the voluminous dark.
The soft sound made him blink awake and then chuckle at the muffled curses. Cat sounded to be having trouble finding the catch to release the door into the study. Alek contemplated getting up but then he heard the ‘click’. Without a second thought he dropped his head back and pretended to sleep.‘Al?’With effort Alek forced the instant smile her presence brought from his face. Perhaps it was the memory of the times he’d done this to his father that inspired him, but he felt the anticipation rise as he thought of surprising her. She’ll shriek for sure, he thought, fighting to keep his face calm at the mental image that rose. Probably thump me too.Soft footsteps came his way, then a sharp clang of metal followed by a sharper clang when whatever she’d walked into fell.‘Fuck!’ Cat hissed, and he heard her scrabble on the floor to pick up the item. Alek made a huffing, grumble of a sound and shifted, turning his head away from her; the only way to conceal his grin at her breathless silence. Minutes ticked by and by now he could sense her energy, feeling the running anxiety while she listened to the sound of him ‘sleeping’.
The light from the fireplace flickered across his sleeping face. Thankfully my knocking a cup off the desk hadn’t woken him and I just watched for a few moments. It looked as if he’d just leaned back, book tossed aside. I certainly hadn’t meant to be this late. The dying embers of the fire created soft shadows, making him appear young and old all at once and I smiled, leaning against the desk. He looked almost vulnerable, a fallen Greek statue; strong cheekbones, full lips and the firm jaw I loved to kiss along. Should I wake him? I pondered that, casting an eye around the study. It is the eve to our rest day; it wouldn’t really matter if we slept here. I nodded to myself then turned, trying to remember where I’d seen a wool throw stashed.
What is she doing? Alek peeked when he heard her pivot and move away, then pushed up onto his elbows, watching while Cat rummaged around the place. She lifted the lid on the low trunk that doubled as a seat, searching through it. The sight of her poised beneath the lid gave him an almost irresistible urge to shout, but he held back. As if she sensed him, Cat’s head jerked around and he caught a flash of shocked green eyes as she jumped, cracking her head on the lid.‘OW!’With an exclamation Alek stood and quickly strode to where she now sat in a tight ball beside the trunk, both hands griping her head, face pressed to her knees.‘Kitten,’ a hint of laughter slipped out. ‘I’m sorry, love!’ He knelt, folding his arms around her and drew her close. To his surprise and dismay, he felt her shudder, like when she cried. ‘Cat?’‘That hurt,’ came the muffled, teary voice, her face still pressed to her knees. ‘How long were you watching me?’ She lifted her head, green eyes reddened and a hurt expression on her face. ‘Why didn’t you say something?’‘I just woke.’ A minor lie, but better than confessing his actual plan. He didn’t think she’d take the joke well at the moment. The brief moment of tears seemed to have passed and she leaned against him.‘I was trying to find a blanket.’Alek pressed a kiss to her hair, smiling. ‘Did you want to sleep in here?’‘Well I didn’t want to wake you. And I can’t carry you,’ she pointed out dryly.Alek laughed then and helped her to her feet. ‘You were in the wrong trunk. Go sit by the fire, I’ll grab it.’She nodded tiredly and made her way over, wobbling precariously as she kneeled to the rug, then slumped to sitting.
I felt even more tired now and it made the bump on my head hurt worse than any of the hits I’d taken during training. It took a good amount of effort to focus my energy, letting it smooth the bump away. With the ache now gone, I watched as Alek decisively moved about the room, almost seeming to snatch cushions and soft blankets from mid air in the dark. His brisk movements felt hard to watch, too energetic for me at the moment, and I closed my eyes, listening.
With his arms full, Alek turned back to the fireplace. The last embers cast a slight glow over his now sleeping princess. He sighed and shook his head at the situation, walking over to her. Dropping to his knees he organized the cushions then spread a blanket over it. He turned back to Cat and carefully slipped an arm beneath her neck, and the other beneath her knees. She mumbled when he lifted, a small hand clutching his shirt but didn’t wake, not even as he lay her down on the cushions.‘You know, he said in a soft, scolding tone, ‘I thought you were meant to be doing this for me.’In the dark his fingers found the tops of her boots, loosening the ties then easing them off. She jolted in shock. ‘Al!?’Alek chuckled, not really able to see her face now, but he could hear the surprise. ‘You are so jumpy when you're sleepy.’‘Where are we?’‘Still in the study,’ he replied, working at her other boot. She jolted each time he removed a piece of her clothing and the scent of her clean warm skin smelled irresistible to him. He dragged the long sleeved top she wore, off, gently kissing the plump soft underside of her arms when she slowly leaned back against him, her hands hooking behind his neck.‘Mmmm,’ she sighed when he moved to her neck, nuzzling, and dropped her head back against his shoulder. His intentions of merely getting her ready to sleep vanished at the delicate sounds she made while he caressed her naked figure.
It felt so very good; sleep pulled me in one direction, and Alek pulled in the other, leaving me floating in a strange, suspended sense of heavy pleasure. The gentle kisses followed by teeth sent delicious shudders echoing through my weary body. He paused, laying me back and I listened as he stripped off, a sigh slipping out when his strong thighs moved between mine, the hair coarse against my bare skin. I felt him lean over me, his lips brushing my forehead before tracing down to my lips. I lifted my hands, catching his face, stroking over the jaw before sliding my fingers into the thick waves of hair. I gave a gasp, unintentionally gripping his hair when he slid inside me, my back arching at the desired, yet unexpected invasion. He chuckled against my throat, taking an easy but strong pace, lips and teeth against my throat making my head swirl while a slow deep pulsing began within my core.
She’d pulled her knees up; he could feel her feet pressing lightly against the back of his thighs as her cries grew urgent. His head sung with her energy and his, the sound ringing until it seemed to echo in his bones. At the final thrust the brilliant gold light flashed out, passing through his eyes, blinding as well as winding him for an instant. They both panted, Alek bracing himself on his elbows over her, nose gently rubbing hers then he rolled to the side. Cat twisted, the cushions yielding to their weight, causing her to roll into him. She giggled, slender fingers tracing over his chest then snuggled closer. She breathed in, sighing deeply, and it felt to him as if she dozed off instantly. He reached across her back and dragged a thick blanket across them, then bent to kiss her, missing her temple in the dark, lips grazing a cheekbone.‘Love you,’ he whispered, hearing her steady breaths. A moment later and it was his turn to jolt when a hand unexpectedly touched his ear. He heard a breathy giggle before she mumbled, ‘Love you too,’ and snuggled back down.
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes & Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes & Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Barnes & Noble
February 11, 2013
Better make it official...
I had an idea late last week (well I had it way earlier than that, but was still working on it in my head) and it got a bunch of people real excited *grin* So I thought I better make it official. The BirthRight Trilogy is not the end of the Gar'nysian tales.There will be (and please read this part carefully, I know how you guys tend to skim read when excited ;p) NO official dates until these books are literally available.I know I was only a little late with Feel the Burn due to unforeseen events occurring but the stress it put on my life (still a full time receptionist who moonlights as a novelist!!) was not fun. So no more 'available' dates unless I miraculously get to write full time.
And on to the important stuff!
Now to be clear, the BirthRight Trilogy is complete. They had a task set in The Arrival and that ran its course all the way through to Feel the Burn. So the next book will be a 'bridge' book set between the Trilogy and *drumroll please* a five book series following Cat, Sian, Kassie, and Loi as well as most the other characters you love while they traverse Gar'nyse. It will again come under the 'Epic Fantasy' definition which just means they will have a set task/tasks to complete.On the side, as I work on the bridge novella (possibly novel), I'm also working on the first book in two vastly different series that I've been pondering for a while. I'm very excited about all three books and I look forward to sharing more about them with you! So I hope that satisfies those of you out there who just can't bear the thought of leaving Gar'nyse behind *grin*
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes & Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes & Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Barnes & Noble
February 4, 2013
Blog tour spot of the week
Hi everyone, hope you had a great weekend! Just a quicky post - this is a link to where I'm featured in a blogpost today, promoting The Arrival, and if you stop by and leave a comment it puts you in the draw to win a $50 voucher of your choice! (Amazon, B&N, iTunes etc). So zip on over and good luck!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK
February 2, 2013
Clarification
I know that most of my readers aren't Kiwi's and I'm sure that more than once you'll have stumbled over a 'kiwisim'. So it occurred to me that I should probably post something about the haka, which is mentioned in Book three. Don't worry if you haven't read book three yet! This isn't a spoiler, you'll just have a better idea of what's going on. Check out the video below (and watch your volume, it's rather loud!) and see what you think *grin*
Enjoy!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK
Enjoy!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK
January 23, 2013
Back to the drawing board…
Ahhh research, the part any write both loves and loathes. It’s really rather crazy how much in depth I need to go to fully understand what I’m about to write. Even though the majority of my research won’t make it into the story. I've always wondered if this is really necessary, but after attempting to read a library book yesterday, I've decided it is. I’m only at chapter three in the library book and have already been bombarded with more names than I've used in all three of my books (creatures/places included!) and the chaos of it leads the reader reeling. Or at least it has to me.So this reassures me somewhat as I prepare to dive into research.I’ve three distinct projects I want to work on, and all of them require research. So I’m going to start with family trees. Did you know you can create family trees on Word? It’s really easy and rather cool! Here’s a simple step by step for those of you who want to give it a shot.
1. Start with a blank page with its layout set to landscape2. Go to the Insert tab3. Select SmartArt (you can also do this in Excel – it has SmartArt too)4. When it comes up with its variety of shapes, select Hierarchy5. Add extra boxes where necessary by right clicking
And it’s pretty much that simple!Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes US : iTunes UK : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : iTunes US : iTunes UKFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo : iTunes US : iTunes UK
January 21, 2013
Another writing tip – don’t be stubborn…
At times the hardest thing in the world can be scrapping that gorgeous scene you’ve spent days creating. But, if that scene leads no where you can make sense of, and puts you firmly into the grips of that dreaded writers block – then do it! Scrap the scene!Believe me, it’s much easier to scrap a ‘lovely but useless’ scene now, rather than at the end when you need to rewrite pages and pages to bring it into line. I’m going through this at the moment. I had a fantastic opening scene, but just couldn’t make sense of where it was going and who the bad guys are and why. I know many people like to write in the ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ style, but I don’t. Those of you that have read the trilogy in full, and discovered the various twists, may be pleased to know those weren’t last second whims. They had been planned from the very beginning (though how the characters got there was solely up to them ;p).Anyway! Back to topic *grin*Ditch it. Scrap it and start again. Suddenly the slate is clear and you mind starts whirling as the physical block you set in place is busted and gone. If for the moment you still don’t know enough about your characters, try writing random scenes, and/or utilize the diary notes I suggested in my last post. There is no right or wrong way to discover your story, only what works for you. And when it haunts your sleep and annoys your days, then you’re probably on the right track.Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : itunesFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords : Kobo
January 11, 2013
Dear Diary…. Ideas for getting to know your characters
Now that the BirthRight Trilogy is complete, I have the time to work on all the other writing projects singing away in my head. The tricky part, however, is getting to know the characters. With the BirthRight Trilogy it was fairly easy, Cat I based on myself, and her friends, on my friends. Loi is more a creation than the other two, only because I’d known the ‘real’ Loi for just two months when I started the draft (and who could resist a gorgeous, doe-eyed, Scottish girl).It’s not that creating characters is difficult – it isn’t, but the better you know them the easier it is. So I’m trying something a bit different this time around. I have bought three small notebooks/diaries (I’m working on three different projects) and in no real order I’m just jotting down thoughts and responses to situations for each of these characters. For example, when someone opens the door for me I mentally jot down the responses that each character would have, and then when I get home, make a note.
‘Some seedy guy held the door open. Barely gave me enough room to squeeze through. ‘Accidentally’ stomped on his foot – next time he’ll look at my face, not my boobs’
‘Was carrying a load of fabric and so grateful to man who noticed, he held the door until I got fully through. Nice to know some people will help the help.’
‘OG nearly died. T held the door open for me. Couldn’t stop stupid blush. Felt like such an idiot. T smiled and said something and I couldn’t get a word out. Can’t even remember what he said!!?! Such a dork. He’ll never do it again.’
These are just examples – not my actual entries, but you can see how it helps. It also inspires random situations which I may play with later on. And I’m enjoying sticking any pictures in that I think works for the character. I just love shredding old magazines!! So much inspiration.Do you have any favorite methods for getting to know your characters? Share them in the comments! I’d love to hear them.Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : itunesFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords
January 6, 2013
Feel the Burn is now LIVE
That's right! The BirthRight Trilogy is now complete *grin* and I can go sleep for a month (I wish!). Letting go of what's been my baby for the last three and a half years is both exhilarating and terrifying. Currently the book is available on Amazon and Smashwords, and it will update to iTunes/Barnes & Noble/Sony/Apple over the next couple of weeks. Do remember, you can buy the book in any format from Smashwords, so you don't have to wait for it to update elsewhere.
So read! Enjoy! And please take the time to review it (and include a spoiler alert if putting spoilers in) and I am going to take a much needed mind break *grin*
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : itunesFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords
So read! Enjoy! And please take the time to review it (and include a spoiler alert if putting spoilers in) and I am going to take a much needed mind break *grin*
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : iTunes : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : itunesFeel the Burn available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Smashwords
December 13, 2012
Oh buggar – we have a problem
Okay, so you all are dying for book three (I know it! I read all the emails/messages ;p) and I've been telling you that I’m waiting on my line editor. Which is true. What I didn't share was that I've been worrying my brains out wondering what the heck was going on because my line editor is a fabulous lady with a pretty awesome work ethic and after not hearing from her for the last couple of weeks either by email or Facebook I tried again on Facebook Poor Trish is stuck in hospital with a blood infection! SO please send happy healthy thoughts her way and I really hope she’s able to get out in time to celebrate Christmas with her family.What this means for the book is that it’s now been passed directly to the proofreader, who is essentially performing the two jobs. The problem, which I’m sure many of you will have figured out by now, is that I’m way behind schedule on getting it to the proofreader.In short, I cannot now promise to have Feel the Burn out in December. I can promise I am trying my damnedest and so are all parties involved. You have my sincere apologies for this, I really do understand how frustrating all this is, but please spare a thought for all those who are or who have been involved in tackling a project like this at this time of the year. Crazy doesn't begin to describe it.Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : Barnes&Noble : iTunes : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : itunes
December 12, 2012
Plagiarism… of a review??
Reviews in general are useful. They give you an idea of what others thought and potentially what you might think – though not necessarily the way the reviewer may have hoped. For example if I read a review on a book and it mentions ‘love triangle’ or ‘angst’ or ‘strong brooding male’ I shudder and click to the next book. But that’s just me ;pOccasionally you do of course get the shill reviews; like the recent review on my second book, Awakening. I don’t know if the author paid for a review or someone else did or it’s genuinely just a mistake but it’s a tad amusing… I have left a comment pointing out that the reviewer has given a four star review to the wrong book so I hope no one paid for the review – because they sure aren't getting their money’s worth *lol*. Then on Goodreads today I was having a glance over the books I've reviewed and saw a fellow indie’s book that I’d loved and placed a five star review on – Lunar Light by Penelope Fletcher. I clicked on to see what recent reviews had been like and stopped short when I discovered my own review copy and pasted under someone else’s name with four stars. Well.Not entirely sure what I think of that but I am tempted to pop a comment on along the lines of ‘I’m really glad you liked my review so much, word for word in fact’ *grin* but I’ll probably leave it. Has anyone else had their review pinched? Or is this a new thing? Do you think I should pop a comment on…?Take care all!Nic The Arrival, available FREE at at Amazon : Barnes&Noble : iTunes : Kobo : Smashwords Awakening available at Amazon : AmazonUK : Barnes&Noble : Smashwords : itunes
