Bianca Sommerland's Blog, page 15

April 23, 2015

Blame Texas--I'm coming back, baby!

So, I am completely nuts, but that's a given. Heard about an event in Austin and decided that, even though I have tons of events planned for the year, I had to go!

Here's the info for anyone interested in checking it out! :D

AUSTIN AUTHOR AFFAIR


The second I mentioned going, several people expressed interest. So I'd like to make you an offer.

FIRST person to register for TWO nights at the hotel and let me know will get TWO VIP tickets and one of the nights they paid for refunded by me! You'll also get some cool stuff that I'll have for the first time at this event. AND you get to hang out with me and some other authors for a little gathering in my room!

I know May isn't that far away, but I love travelling! And I HEART Texas!

Can't wait to see you there!

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Published on April 23, 2015 14:38

April 18, 2015

A real Fan-Stay Classy


On the high from an amazing win last night, I woke up this morning with two things in mind. Check out the highlights and any news, and then get some writing done.
Instead, I came across one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen in regards to a hockey fanbase. And I’ve seen some horrific stuff.
Here’s the experience two Sens fans had at the Bell Center:



Those men weren’t real fans. They’re lowlifes using the game as an excuse to bully people. Upsetting enough right there. But the reactions of those around them? Utterly shameful.
No matter who you’re cheering for, seeing behavior like this should end in one of two ways. One, the crowd who considers themselves fans should show their pride in their team by behaving in a way that honors the sweater on their backs. Two, if the crowd is being stupid, then I would hope at least one person was intelligent enough to contact security.
This didn’t happen.
Instead, these two girls left the arena with nothing but the memories of a horrible experience. The loss was irrelevant, because they were afraid of the fans. That’s unacceptable.
I have reached out to them personally, hoping I can treat them to a game and show them most Habs fans aren’t like that. This sickens me to the point that I won’t feel right until I can make up for people who don’t deserve to sport the jersey. Who shouldn’t be allowed to ever again walk into a building where the banners of our greats hang from the rafters.
Stay classy. What does that mean? Well, for those who don’t know, it means going to a game and cheering for our players. Maybe you boo a player you can’t stand. Be warned though, some of them feed off getting that reaction. If you pass a fan of the opposing team, do what the players do. Say ‘Have a good game’.
The opposing goalie makes a great save? If you’re a true fan of the game, don’t be afraid to clap to show you appreciate his skill. Keep the energy positive. Keep in mind that many of the players you see crushing one another into the boards are friends off the ice.
Do not tolerate bullying no matter who’s doing it. It has no place in the game. Speak up and make your team proud. Your actions reflect on them. And that’s never been more clear than today.
On behalf of all true fans, I apologize for what the guests in our building went through. And I’m sure I’m not the only one that will do everything in my power to make sure it doesn’t happen again.


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Published on April 18, 2015 08:37

April 14, 2015

Advice for Authors-Don't.

Let's start with the first don't.

Don't be an asshole.

Unless that's really, truly who you are. I'm all about honesty, so feel free to let your jerk flag fly. 

Maybe, just maybe, your books will be awesome enough for me to read them anyway. ;)


Memes. Oh yes, the beloved meme. 

Stop sharing those. Authors shouldn't share memes. They're lame and sometimes they have bad grammar. 


What else are you supposed to share?

Hmm...let me think.

Not your opinion. You shall be Switzerland. Always. You shall have no opinions beyond what's in your books. But what's in the books, stays in the books.

Don't pimp, don't constantly share snippets, don't let anyone see that review hurt you. Yes, they suggested you should never have been born, but buck up buttercup! You need to have a shell like a fucking tank!

While I'm on the fucking tank thought, don't fucking swear. Readers don't like that shit.

Deciding what to share is difficult, but not overly so. All you have to do is realize every single reader is exactly the same. What catches their attention isn't your personality--you're a writer, what are you doing with a personality? Just write damn it!

What draws readers is exactly what drew readers 10 and 20 and 50 years ago. So stick with what works!

Self-publishing has really made a mess of things. You have books out there that aren't following any formula. You have serials, long books, short books, bundles. There's a relationship between authors and readers that should never exist.

This must be stopped.

Do not try to use common sense in your interactions. This will do you no good. Find the advice out there that will lead you in the right direction. Advice just like what I've shared here.

Many are better with the absolutes. Those are the ones you absolutely must adhere to.

If you don't? Well, authoring. You're doing it wrong! :P
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Published on April 14, 2015 10:32

April 13, 2015

LIMITED Sales--And GAME DAY GIVEAWAY!

First, let's take a look at this! <g>


I've had so many people ask for Cobra bags, but I wanted to make sure I found one that was both affordable and really nice! :D 

This one is perfect. But I am ordering a limited number because shipping to Canada is kinda crazy expensive right now! lol!

So here's how this will work. If you'd like to order a Cobra bag (please let me know if you want it signed) please send 27$US (this includes shipping to all within North America-for overseas, please contact me and I'll get the shipping information for you) to biancasommerland (at) gmail (dot) com.

In the notes, please include your name and shipping details.

There will only be 20 available for the first order, sold on a first come bases. All the bags will ship from Canada since I'm adding swag and have already been asked to sign so many.

We also have this for our favorite Trouble Triplets. 
 http://teespring.com/trouble-triplets#pid=212&cid=5819&sid=front

http://teespring.com/trouble-triplets#pid=212&cid=5819&sid=front


 This is a quick campaign since I had a few readers looking for hoodies, but there's also the option of tank tops and t-shirts. They will be available until April 20th. 

NOW, for the Game Day Giveaway! I've decided to choose a few people to receive first copies of GOAL LINE (The Dartmouth Cobras #7) when it releases at the end of June. And I can't think of any better way to celebrate the Habs starting up the playoffs on home ice that to pick one lucky winner from the commenters!

So tell me, who's your team and favorite player and why? Real or fictional, it doesn't matter! <g> Let's see some hockey passion up in here!

The winner will be chosen Wednesday, April 15th, before I head out to see GAME ONE! :D

Good luck!

 
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Published on April 13, 2015 12:32

April 10, 2015

RELEASE PARTY for GOAL LINE scheduled--And why the hell am I going BACK to Vegas?


That's right, the NHL Awards will be in Vegas and are time perfectly for me to go to them, then the event. I'm working some magic to get tickets. I'll let you all know how that turns out, but just being close to the red carpet to watch the best of the best come in will be worth it.
As you know, I'm not just kinda a hockey fan! lol!
Then there's this man, who will be at the event, who I'm gonna get to read a snippet from one of the Cobra books. Just take a moment and admire. I've done so for years!

So now for the event itself. The timing ended up perfect to do my first ever live, in person release party! And I couldn't think of a more perfect book to do it with! Dominik Mason has waited so long for his HEA and that's something to celebrate!
The release party will be JUNE 27th where the book will be release EXCLUSIVELY in print. The first TEN readers who sign up to the event and confirm with me get a free signed copy and other goodies I'm putting together for you. WE ARE NOW DOWN TO 8, so please let me know as soon as possible if you want to make sure to grab your spot.
Here's the link to the event and you'll see where to sign up and put your referral, which would be me!

http://romancenovelconvention.com/
http://romancenovelconvention.com/

RNC Five (5) full days from 8am to midnight
RNC Food provided for you 3 times a day
RNC 9am-5pm writing and business classes
Check back here soon for the cover reveal and more updates! :)
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Published on April 10, 2015 11:50

March 29, 2015

And I'm off to VEGAS! BONUS: Mean Reviews 2

Of course, I'm not a HUGE fan of Vegas. I'm not a gambler and the zombies on the slot machines kinda freak me out. Add to that flying over the deadlands after leaving my lush land of snow and ice and you've got a situation where I might have to be dragged to the airport kicking and screaming and swearing to the Gods that I'll be good if I can just stay home!!!


Now, besides the tattoos and guns that tempted me, there's a whole bunch of cool people I haven't seen in way too long. I miss them enough to suffer the heat and risk being eaten by a demon in the desert. I imagine they look kinda like Tremors... The demons, not my friends. ;)


There's also some amazing trips planned and I'm getting to see a whole bunch of things I didn't last time. From the Titanic Exhibit to Thunder Down Under, trying new foods with the lovely Stella Price and Ann Mayburn, a breakfast with readers, and lots of drinking and laughing and craziness with everyone.

This is also in April, rather than August which is when I went last time, and probably explains a good part of why I felt like I had been dragged into the pits of hell! lol! I'm not big on heat.


So if you're around Vegas this week, come find me! The signing is next Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino from 10-5pm. I'll have a few things at my table available for the first time! :)

Check here for more details! http://novelexperienceevent.org/

http://novelexperienceevent.org/
 In other news, Authors Read Mean Reviews TWO!

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Published on March 29, 2015 08:39

March 26, 2015

Clean Reader is a whole lot of Dry Anal--Not that they asked, but...thanks, no thanks!

Some of you might have seen this new app, CleanReader, mentioned here and there. I'll share some links at the bottom of the post for some excellent opinion pieces on it, but in the meantime, I needed to get my thoughts down and share them with you all.

Then I've gotta move on.

Now, some might wonder why this whole situation pisses me off so much. Well, here's part of it:



Clean Reader Now Has Over 1.4 Million Titles and Growing! How Many of Them Will You Read in 2015?
— Clean Reader (@CleanReader) March 17, 2015

Wait, you're an author and you've never heard of them and you don't want this app used on your books? Tough titties, they didn't ask. And neither did the vender that provided them with the books. No, they're not stealing them. 

You'll get paid by the original vender (my understanding, you might want to double check) but they can put your book out there to pimp their app, bragging how they've now made it a 'clean read'.

When I stopped being too mad to wrap my head around it, and doing what I do in getting as informed as possible, I realized that this app is doing something I don't think they intended. 

Those sweet romances with mild sex now have anal in them. I'm not even joking. Check this out:

http://www.romancenovelnews.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1167:my-clean-reader-app-experience&Itemid=53

"The most egregious example of this is the fact that all words for female genitalia (vagina and pussy) are replaced with bottom. Take the following:

“Where shall I [freak] you, Victoria? Where do you want my [groin]?”

“I want it in . . . my [bottom].” from Jackie Ashenden’s Living in Secret"


So despite my frustration, I have found some amusement in this whole thing. And I emailed to get my books taken out of the apps store. I'm interested to know if ANYONE believes a reader who has an issue with the word 'Fuck' would be okay with Deadly Captive if the few instances of it used were removed.

There's books out there for people who want a gentler reading experience. I'm not even against the app being available for author who opt in. TV shows and movies that have curse words bleeped out? That was done with permission. This wasn't. So it's bullshit.

Here's a few links if you want to read more:

Terrible Minds: Fuck You CleanReader Authorial Consent Matters

Lilith Saintcrow Email Exchange with Cleanreader Rep

Tymber Dalton: What the Actual Fark



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Published on March 26, 2015 08:07

March 15, 2015

The Devil Went Down...Celestial Pets Part THREE with Excerpt. FREE limited Special on Part ONE

If you haven't checked out Celestial Pets: EVIL'S EMBRACE yet, not would be a great time to grab the first part because it's FREE until March 15th! :D

CLICK HERE to Grab it Now!

For those that have been following the story, part three is now available. Inside, we're introduced to a new...friend of Cravis and Travis.

Here's a sneak peek:


In his hand was a long, shining black feather. He trailed it over Fae’s stomach, up to her breasts, too lightly to tickle, but just enough to make goose bumps rise all over her flesh. She wasn’t unaffected by him, but she wasn’t stupid enough to give in to desire. And the only men she wanted couldn’t come to her yet.

“What do you want from me? Do you want me to become like them and collect souls for you? Serve you as so many already do? Is the point of the game for you to have yet another demon beneath you?”

Lucas grinned. “It’s not a horrible end result, but that would be quite boring. I wouldn’t be so interested in Azrael if having him was easy. He’s been a worthy challenge for millennia Maybe you will be as well. I doubt it, but with his help—”

“With Cravis and Travis. You will let me have them because I’m no challenge alone, and I don’t tempt Azrael. He will protect me without crossing the line, but that is all.” It was more than she could have asked for, but Azrael’s involvement wouldn’t help her men. Lucas had all the chess pieces laid out. She only had to be willing to play. “You don’t want the game to be over yet.”

“Even when there’s no way for me to lose?”

“There’s always a way. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

Lips spread in a broad smile, Lucas bent down to gently kiss her lips. “Very good, Fae. You’re still so new, but I will enjoy seeing the woman you will become. You’ve earned yourself several worthy champions.” He handed her the feather. “I’m not even quite sure how. Maybe just because you’re cute.”


EVIL'S EMBRACE: CELESTIAL PETS Part One FREE for a limited time

PART TWO

PART THREE
 
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Published on March 15, 2015 15:30

March 8, 2015

Are YOUR One Star Reviews WORTHY? Authors Read Mean Reviews First Edition!

Sometimes, mean reviews can hurt, but what you really need to think when you get one, or write one, is...

Is it worthy of 'AUTHORS READ MEAN REVIEWS'




Watch at least once before you tackle your next One Star. And you're welcome!

Here's a list of the authors in order of appearance so you can get you TBR list in order. ;)

Featuring (In Order Of Appearance):

Carly Phillips - NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 47 books with Dare to LoveRanae Rose – Amazon bestselling author of 29 books with Sleepy HollowJayne Rylon - NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 40 book with PowertoolsLori Foster - NYT and USA Today bestselling author of more than 80 books with A Perfect StormSidney Bristol - NYT and USA Today bestselling author of 26 books with Falling For His Best FriendJanelle Denison - USA Today bestselling author of 71 books with Born to be WildeBianca SommerlandUSA Today bestselling author of 14 books with Defensive ZoneMark Henry – author of 9 books with Road Trip of the Living DeadMelanie MarchandeNYT and USA Today bestselling author of 8 books with His Secretary: UndoneLorelei JamesNYT and USA Today bestselling author of 45 books with Hillbilly RockstarJennifer ProbstNYT and USA Today bestselling author of 25 books with The Marriage MergerRebecca SheaUSA Today bestselling author of 4 books with UnbreakableMichelle A Valentine – NYT and USA Today Bestselling author of 8 books with Phenomenal XDesiree Holt – award winning author of 169 books with Joy RideSaranna DeWylde – author of 28 books with How to Lose a Demon in 10 DaysDakota Cassidy – national bestselling author of 54 books with The Accidental DragonAnn Mayburn - award winning author of 46 books with Dimitri’s Forbidden Submissive


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Published on March 08, 2015 09:24

February 25, 2015

The Most SHOCKING thing on The Walking Dead-Prepare to be absolutely stunned!

I love The Walking Dead, but I have to say I've gained a lot of respect for the writers and producers after last week's episode. There's something beautiful about showing tender moments with all the horror going on in their world.

Most of you probably saw this, or heard about it even if you're not a fan of the show. I'll let you enjoy it for a moment. :)


So what's shocking? In this day and age, what in the world about this would cause anyone to so much as blink?

Well, the reaction. Some people are not only disturbed, but PISSED that TWD went 'There'. Thankfully, I haven't completely lost my faith in humanity, because there's just as many cheering on the show for showing survivors in love appreciating every moment they have together. Maybe some people find that hard to believe, but if you think about it, without hope, you're as good as dead.

So maybe you think romance has no place in the show, but consider the strength of the human spirit. If people could survive a zombie apocalypse, many of the best parts of us would survive as well. <3

For those interested, here's the blog where I first heard about the fun little panic attacks people are having. ;)

http://www.thegailygrind.com/2015/02/24/homophobes-vented-fury-twitter-walking-deads-first-gay-kiss/


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Published on February 25, 2015 06:46