Jennifer Bray-Weber's Blog, page 82

Talk Back – Do you like promoting your book?

On my Kindle: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Talk Back – Tell us how you write! 

Oh I hear you all now.

Of course I hate the promo part of being a writer, you say. I’m an introvert! I hate having to go out there and try to convince people to buy my books!

I hear you because that’s exactly how I react if someone asks me.

Yet, I can spend hours on Facebook and Twitter chatting to stranger because well, I tell myself, they are potential readers.

I can spend hours looking on the web to see whether I should choose Instagram over Pinterest over Tumblr because hey, I have to stay on top of my promo game.

I can spend hours writing daily posts about myself on my personal blog because I think that’s what sells books (especially the part about choosing that very pretty picture that goes with the post which takes a long time to do).

And again I can spend hours designing the layout of my website, blog, bookmarks, ads and all that because you know how important that is!

And let’s not forget how I must go to writer’s conferences, dress up as a vampire, sample fancy drinks and frolic with cover models to increase my book sales!!! (Yes Honey, all writers HAVE to do this and that’s why I’m taking money from the kids college fund to go away and promote my novel! It will pay off in the end, don’t you worry!)

And guess what, I LOVE doing that stuff! Love it so much that I can lose myself in it. Love it so much that it is sometimes easier to work on promo than to write the damn book that never end.

So my own problem is that there is a huge part of promotion that is so much fun that it makes me think that I’m working, where in fact I’m just “playing author” while the real work (aka the actual writing of one book then another then another) is not getting done!

Hence why I reduced my online presence dramatically in the last year to focus on improving my craft and write more.

So tell me, how do you like the promo aspect of your writing career? Do you like it too much? Not enough? Things you love? Things you hate?

Your turn to talk back!

Much love,

Marie-Claude xoxox

Location:Seattle

Agent Shopping day at Musetracks! Welcome Becky Vinter!

Good morning Everyone!

As always, we’ve had another successful Agent Shop. I’ll keep the same rhythm here as any other Agent Shopping day…

My thoughts, Stats, Winners, Pitches.

So, here we go!

I kinda expected a big turnout, and yes, I got it. Not complaining, but on pitch days like this, I like to remind everyone that I do not CHOOSE which pitches make it in. I simply start at the first pitch that came in after I posted GO, and weed out the ones that don’t follow the rules until I hit #30.

It’s nothing personal. It’s all a matter of how the email hits and if YOU, the author, followed guidelines.

If you can’t follow my simple guidelines for pitching, and need to send hate mail because of it, you’re in for an even loooooooonger road in the writing world. Please, if you take anything from this pitch session, let it be this: Agents and editors are SWAMPED. There are enough factors already working against you! A good story CAN win out, but shooting yourself in the foot by doing the opposite of what an industry professional requests is only hurting yourself.

If you want to ‘your baby’ to have a chance, follow the guidelines!

(BTW – Most guidelines are in place to streamline an agent/editors process. I ask for specific information so that when I get 30-100 pitches, I can keep up. Imagine an agent/editors daily submissions! Once again, I am amazed by what they must see through their inboxes on any given day!)

Okay – on to our stats.

Pitches Received: 71

Pitches Accepted: 30

Pitches Rejected: 41

13!!!! – Missing information (Title, wordcount, contact info etc.)
2 – SPAM (Really? Yep.)
9 – Too Long (200 word pitch peeps. Wagging finger. One of these was the second in my inbox after I posted GO! Shooting self in foot exampli-perfecta)
1 – NO PITCH! (Sending me a list of your previous novels and an idea for a new, unwritten novel is not a pitch.)
16 – Over the 30 pitch limit (Sorry folks. You didn’t do anything wrong, as far as I know. Your pitch just came in a bit late. L Having a limit is hard.)

Now that we have the deets out of the way, we also have WINNERS!

Ecopy of Jeannie’s The Temporary Wife…………….. IndianaWanderer

ARC of STAY…………………………………………………………Marilyn Baron

Top Pitch Slot……………………………………………………….Here There Be Witches

Indiana and Marilyn – Please contact me via candi_agent_shop @ yahoo.com with your choice of e-book format and I’ll get you your prize! Here There Be Witches – Congrats!

Now, please welcome Becky Vinter! Woot!

Hi Becky.

Thanks so much for participating in Agent Shop, and for letting us get to know a little about Jeannie and her May 21st release The Temporary Wife! I know how busy you are, and I hope you find something to your liking in the pitches listed below. If you do, simply email me at dancillaw @ yahoo.com with the pitch number, title, what you’d like to see from the author, and how you’d like the information sent.

Happy shopping, and I hope you’ll join us again in the future.

~Candi

***

 

#1 – Top Pitch Slot Winner

Here There Be Witches

YA paranormal

62,264 words

Cali French, a seventeen year old witch-in-training, is ostracized by her friends for refusing to assist them in casting a spell to turn Jami into a James. Cali’s fear of their using bad magic angers her friends. Alienation accelerates into aggression. Now Cali has a target on her back. And her three former pals take deadly aim.

The terrible trio, that Cali calls the Evil Triumvirate, must have Cali—alive or dead—to change a girl into a guy. But their first attempt to grab Cali is thwarted by the arrival of Cali’s guardian angel, Alastair. Cali learns two things in their botched attempt: there are such things as guardian angels, and hers is very handsome.

***

#2

Ink Pool Lullabies

Young Adult Suspense Horror

68,000 words

Sixteen-year-old Jackson Hart would rather put in overtime at the funeral home putting makeup on the dead than socialize with the in-crowd at school. When she finds out her new crush is only dating her for a bet, she’s devastated—but she’s not so wounded she’d seek revenge by killing him … would she?

After a car crash leaves him dead, Jackson tries to piece her memories of the wreck together, but each time she gets close to solving the puzzle, her mother shoves another pill down her throat to make it all go away. Despite the sheriff’s firm report, there was another girl on the scene—Jackson is sure of it—and now the apparition won’t leave her alone.

The spirit needs something from Jackson, and she won’t stop hurting people until she gets it.

With the body count rising, and evidence piling up against Jackson, if she is to prove her innocence and prevent the next brutal murder, Jackson must confront the vengeful spirit and decipher the ghost girl’s cryptic message.

But what if everyone is right and the ghost girl doesn’t exist at all?

***

#3

Seal Of Awakening

Paranormal Romance

65,000 words

Formula for imminent disaster:

Take one techno-savvy immortal warrior and give him the honor of heading his first covert mission—go undercover in a genetics lab to protect the unwitting human host of the third Seal of the Apocalypse. He’s driven by equal measures of professional duty, pride in his alpha-geek abilities, and a secret personal vendetta for the ancient half-breed enemy who threatens his success.

Add the woman he’s duty-sworn to protect—a prickly female bioengineering researcher who’s close to making the discovery of a lifetime, a serum capable of eradicating worldwide famine. She’s beyond prim, happy in her solitude, and more than a tad suspicious of this new lab assistant who claims to want to help her achieve her life’s work. He’s too cocky, too good looking, and much too masculine and enigmatic for her own good. She wants nothing to do with him… until he becomes her only solution.

Divide by a group of banished heavenly rejects hell-bent on liberation through control of both the scientist’s untapped power and her top-secret invention. With a new leader at their helm, they intend to stop at nothing on their rise to power.

Synthesize conflicting components.

Let the reckoning begin.

***

#4

Alien Contact for Idiots 

Science Fiction Romance 

93,000 words

Seattle biologist Ell Harmon leads a team to investigate a duplicate Vancouver Island that mysteriously appears overnight in the Pacific.  Discovering intelligent aliens is Ell’s dream, and it comes true when she encounters Tro Eaglesbrood: human, gorgeous, and a prince.  Seeking an uninhabited Eden, Tro directed his kingdom’s high-tech escape from environmental collapse on their alternate Earth.  Unfortunately, his 23rd century nation lands instead in our world, which bristles with weaponry.

Because Ell and Tro shook hands, they are quarantined together for three weeks.  While the world holds its breath, they broadcast a simple interview show that Ell sarcastically names “Alien Contact for Idiots”.  People around the world are fascinated as Ell and Tro learn to care about each other … until disaster strikes, and Tro’s darkest secret.  Can they salvage the love and passion they yearn for—and guide Tro’s people to a peaceful welcome?

***

#5

Everything She Wants

Contemporary romance

90K words

Alyson returns home from years away at boarding school, undecided on what to do with her future. Michael is the manager of her estate and her legal guardian. They haven’t seen each other in years, but share an instant mutual attraction. While she doesn’t have a problem with their fourteen-year age gap, he does. Michael also has a bigger problem – aside from despising and avoiding relationships – with his photography business, scandalous pictures and pending lawsuit. Alyson considers waiting for Michael to get past his issues, but then he invites Christopher into their home. She loses sight of her initial goal (Michael) and takes a convenient and blissful detour into Chris’ arms. She happy having someone who wants her for her. But once Michael realizes what’s going on behind his back, he makes her feel guilty, dirty, and wrong for having feelings for someone else. Chris might not be perfect, but Alyson isn’t looking for perfection. She’s just looking for someone to love. Now she has two men to deal with and she can’t choose between them. She doesn’t want anyone to get hurt, especially herself. She figures out a way to get everything she wants

***

#6

Seducing the Courtesan’s Wife

Historical Romance

100,000 words

The daughter of an illustrious duke, sheltered Lady Violetta never imagined she’d wind up as a brothel madam, whoring out her husband to the rich wives of Montana.

Against her father’s wishes, she married dashing, debonair—penniless—Charles Ashford. She traded in satin slippers and sumptuous ballgowns to follow her new husband on his quest for gold in the wild frontiers of America. Their fortunes plummet instead, sending them down a harrowing course where morals are a bygone luxury. A cruel twist of events tears them apart and Violetta returns to England, shattered and alone. She vows to atone for her sins. And she’ll never forgive him.

Seven years later, her respectable life is upended when Charles abruptly returns. He’s hell-bent on charming his way back into her good graces—and into her bed. More darkly potent than ever, his carnal sensuality provokes her. Tempts her and unnerves her hard-won peace. Haunted by past demons, she refuses to succumb to his wicked games of seduction. When a dangerous enemy threatens to expose their sordid history, they must each choose their own path to redemption. Can Charles win her heart before her thirst for revenge destroys their chance for everlasting bliss?

***

#7

A Ghostly Undertaking

Cozy Paranormal Mystery

60K words

Another day.

Another funeral.

Another ghost.

Another average day in the life of young funeral home director, Emma Lee Raines.

After a perilous run-in with a plastic Santa Claus, Emma Lee, co-owner of Eternal Slumber Funeral Home in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, sees the ghost of town gossip Ruthie Sue Payne, who is proving to be a real pain, more so in death than while living. Recently deceased, Ruthie reveals to Emma Lee that her demise wasn’t caused by accidentally falling down the steps at the Sleepy Hollow Inn as everyone believes—she was pushed…murdered.

In order for the ghost to cross over—and for Emma Lee to be rid of Ruthie for good—she must find a desperate killer…or risk being haunted forever.

***

#8

Once Upon a Masquerade

Historical Romance-Regency

155,771 words

Cordelia Clarke waited two long years, in vain for her brother’s best friend to view her more than a sisterly acquaintance. The night of his family’s masquerade ball, she produces a false identity and wears a costume in colors he adores. She proceeds to show him she is a desirable lady and not as he has called her many times before, dear girl. Her wildest dreams come true when he kisses her upon the balcony. Alas, she leaves him quivering wanting more.

Andrew Daventry, Viscount Sutton does not see himself as a usual aristocrat. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word. But, on the night of his masquerade, he meets an enchantress who beguiles him, sets him aflame. After the encounter, he is changed. Annoyed and bitter by her rejection to become acquainted with one another out of costume, he sets out to find her identity.

His search leads him to a woman he never knew he even wanted.

Their lives become complicated when another suitor vies for her affection. Nosy relatives, secrets and misunderstandings keep them apart. Yet, they have the most powerful means to live out their happily ever after, a very close friendship.

#9

The Colonoscopy Club

Humorous Women’s Fiction

90,000 words

A 90,000-word humorous coming-of-middle age novel. A woman desperately seeks closure by trying to reconnect with her first love, who is unaware he is also the father of her son, on the eve of their son’s wedding.

Colonoscopy Club finaled in the Georgia Romance Writers Unpublished Maggie Award for Excellence in the Single Title category.

***

#10

The Gamekeeper’s Daughter

Historical Romance with Elements of Suspense.

109,000 words

Queen Victoria’s top assassin, Lord Alexander Stokes harbors his fair share of dark secrets. Chief among them is his love of bondage and discipline. When a damsel-in-distress appeals for his help, he ponders the consequences, yet her similarity to his first love intrigues him. He offers to help her with a single condition: that the beauty consents to play his games of dominance and submission for an entire year.

Given no choice, Mrs. Julia Foxworth agrees to his indecent terms. Anything is better than serving time for a murder she did not commit, especially when the killer is stalking her. Despite her misgiving about being the mysterious masked man’s chattel, his raw masculine power lures her in like a hawk to her falconer.

Alexander learns she is his beloved Julia, the former gamekeeper’s daughter, he thought long dead. He’s been betrayed by her and his manipulative father. His heart darkens. Combating their deceptions, the lovers fight for the passion they once shared, amidst the threatening danger of Alexander’s nefarious enemies and her husband’s killer. Can they learn to trust one another and live long enough to know true love again?

***

#11

Tell Me My Name

Romantic-Suspense

100,000 words

When twenty-five year old Reece Stewart regains consciousness in a small town emergency room, she discovers three critical things have happened that have altered her life. She doesn’t remember the bullets meant for her that killed her boss and co-worker, nor does she remember her kidnapping, and the car accident that occurred while trying to escape. What she does remember, is that her first name is Reece, and somebody wants her dead.

Dr. Rafe Haulster doesn’t know what to think, she says someone wants to kill her, but doesn’t know who. Rafe wants to believe the hysterical emerald eyed amnesiac, but is hesitant because she stirs in him an emotion he has no right ever to feel again. His indecision comes at a very high price when his nursing assistant is tortured, and killed, for information as to Reece’s whereabouts. The girl leaves a cryptic message for Rafe before dying; that the killer is coming for Reece and Rafe needs to get her to safety. A deadly game of cat and mouse begins through the forests of the Grand Teton Mountains of Wyoming. Against their unknown killer, they’re afraid the return of Reece’s memory, is their only chance of survival.

***

#12

The Wanderers, Book One in the Soul Divisions Trilogy

YA paranormal romance

65,942 words

Evie Michaels would say she’s a typical teen growing up in podunk Riverview , Indiana . Well, typical except for the fact that she met her guardian angel in a brush with death eleven years ago. And that she and said angel just might be breaking a rule or two by staying in touch.

When her parents died in a freak fire, it was Gabe who helped keep her sane. But now that dreamy Trevor Jones has arrived in town, Gabe is acting a bit overprotective. Annoyingly so. Evie chalks it up to jealousy and ignores his warnings in her pursuit of Trevor. Only, she should have listened to her angel, because Trevor’s affections aren’t completely his own—he’s an unsuspecting pawn in a battle of souls, sent to lure Evie out as bait. Because the Wanderers have discovered Evie and Gabe’s ongoing breach between realms, and they’re eager to gain entry into a more rewarding eternal resting place. The cost of admission: one reckless angel.

The Wanderers is book one in the Soul Divisions trilogy, and follows Evie as she begins to grapple with the age-old questions of ‘who am I?’ and ‘where do I fit in?’.

***

#13

Just Desserts

Contemporary Romance

53,000 words

Sadie Maxon’s almost done baking desserts and waitressing at her father’s trendy diner in Lake Geneva. She’s anxious to leave the resort town to finish grad school in Chicago. When Quinn Laughton, a contractor renovating the Wrigley mansion, offers to buy the crumbling diner, she can’t resist his deal or sexy, down-to-earth sweetness. But Sadie returns to Chicago and discovers Quinn is really a member of the prestigious Wrigley family. Sadie’s unsure if it was her or her family’s legendary diner that attracted Quinn. To convince Sadie of his intentions, Quinn mixes up a batch of passion and romance for her. But will Sadie’s small town sensibilities be swayed by Quinn’s big city charm?

***

#14

Where’s My Underwear Anyway?

Contemporary Romance with erotic elements

108,000 words

An uptight American lawyer cuts loose in an Edinburgh pub, tempted by her sexy Scottish ex–lover to rekindle old passions – but he not only displays her underwear as a trophy, he’s a shrewd courtroom rival!

***

#15

Sin On The Strip

Romantic Suspense, single title

100,000 words

Sin on the Strip is a romantic suspense about Maggie Anderson, a televangelist’s daughter and street counselor. Years earlier a violent near miss with a human trafficker destroyed Maggie’s confidence forcing her to use her strip club as a means to reach women in need. When a serial killer kidnaps her friend, Maggie must finally face her old demons and runs to the rescue, hoping to God this time she’ll do whatever is needed to defend herself.

Search and rescue investigator, Christian Beck has been on too many ‘damsel in distress’ missions to stomach another one. But when his latest assignment leads him to a reckless club manager determined to put herself in danger, professional distance no longer seems to be his motto. As the serial killer sets his sights on Maggie, Beck can’t risk losing her to the same psycho he believes killed his kid sister, twenty years earlier.

Maggie and Christian discover that on the strip, sin is a relative term and to have a future they must conquer their pasts.

***

#16

If You Can See Me

Paranormal Romance

132,022 words

Some curses stay with a family for generations…

Nate Bentley is a man on a mission. To rid himself of a house h considers a monstrosity before he falls victim to the curse that strikes all the men in his family before their thirty-fifth birthday. But two things stand in his way: a headstrong sister and a woman who can see spirits of the dead.

…it just takes the right combination to break them…

Phaedra Delaney is the woman with the gift. To communicate with the dead. She is also the key to breaking the curse that has bound her family to the Bentley’s for over a century. All she has to do is get a Bentley man to fall in love with her before he turns thirty-five. If only he didn’t take an instant disliking to her upon their first meeting.

Destiny and determination collide when these two powerful people meet and their lives become inextricably entangled with those of their ancestors. Can they break the curse before Nate reaches his next birthday? Or will he fall victim to the same fate that claimed his father – and every male in the family for the past one hundred plus years?

***

#17

Promised Blood

Paranormal new adult explicit romance

50,000 words

Trinity lives in a world ruled by ancient tradition.  As a shifter, she knows her community is a safeguard against the human world.  Her parents have always existed on the fringe of their community and she never understood why until the king’s private police show up at her door.

Her life is forfeit until the king feels her parent’s debt is paid. Her service belongs to his three sons.  Her blissful days of college and her part time job are over and her time as a slave in the king’s house begins.  She’s a guest in his home until he uses her to control his family. Then she feels the force of his brutality. When two of the McCade boys want her for a mate, her emotions stretch between the brothers.  Her heartaches as the close friendship between the brothers crumble.  As the king manipulates the game by giving Trin to one of his sons, the other McCade boys call upon an ancient rite and face their paranoid father in a battle to save their community and the woman they both love.

***

#18

Bard’s Lair – The Book of Ruins

Young Adult

129, 877 words

Not everyone is pleased with the new resort.

Bard’s Lair is the keeper of a secret, an old one.

The six-hole Gnome Course, the lake with its water faery, the spiffy cottages and pristine walkways are eye candy to the VEEPS and VIPS who visit to relax and eat the many mouthwatering delicacies from the Woodie the re-defined fine dining restaurant.

For those who like a challenge the Gnome Course with its spitting tee can send one to spittle for the antidote and if the be-speckled balls don’t bite you first a gnarly Gnome or one of the gaggle of geese certainly will.  It’s a losing game but one which brings visitors from afar.

Now the good stuff.

There’s a ghost name BeJewelled, the Dark One who has been summoned by a new master, the after math of a nasty War Between the States of service and servitude and even a forbidden romance between Murfle and numah.

Will Uran save the property from ruins? Will Julius find his lost treasure?  Will the Dark One find a new master?

Bard’s Lair is both beguiling and bewitching; a fabled (I mean fated) mess.

***

#19

To Stand A Lifetime

Historical Romance – Regency

105,000 words

When wealthy rakehell Nicolas Thornton sees Lady Imogen Bonhaven across the opera halls, he approaches her with an indecent proposition: her body in exchange for his silence on their torrid past. He hasn’t forgiven her for denying his love, denying him, so consumed is he with thoughts of revenge.

Years ago, he was a lowly smithy’s son. Beaten and tortured by an abusive father, he had only a lifetime of endless toil to look forward to. Starved for love and affection, when an impetuous fey blackmailed him for a kiss, he succumbed to her enchanting allure.

All Imogen ever wanted was one measly kiss from him, the village sex god. But his tawny charisma overwhelmed the sheltered country miss, and she succumbed to him. When their illicit passion was discovered, Nic was booted from the county believing she betrayed him, and she was banished from the country.

Now, given an unexpected chance to rejoin high society, the menacing brute is all that obstructs Imogen from respectability. Wills clash as they embark on a tempestuous affair so scorching it incinerates everything in their path…but a mysterious marquess threatens to destroy their last chance for ever after.

***

#20

Above The Game

Literary Fiction

70,000 words

Eliot MacKenzie dreams of escaping his small New England town of Granite Harbor. Suddenly, there is no more dreaming, no escaping. Eliot MacKenzie is dead.

His life is over but not his tale.

Over a several year period in the mid 1990’s, Eliot narrates his story of grief, anger, conflict, estrangement and resolution as family members struggle to deal with their loss.

Eliot’s abrupt death shatters the deceptive harmony of his family’s life. His twin brothers reaffirm their private bond, but each pursues a separate path out of the rage and confusion rising from the loss of their older brother. Eliot’s mother contends with a second family crisis that not only provides escape, but also helps her deal with the death of her son. His father remains

lost in the present and tied to the past as he indulges in one-sided conversations with his dead son.

Eliot alone exists above the game –confined to Granite Harbor forever. ABOVE THE GAME presents adult issues narrated by an eighteen year old and renders teenage characters and their struggles as engaging subjects for the adult reader. The book was shortlisted for the 2012 Faulkner Society Novel-In-Progress Award.

***

#21

Wild Temptation

Contemporary Category Romance

54,000 words

They’re stranded together in the wilderness, and things are getting…wild!

To inherit her father’s estate, Hanna Berlet travels into the rugged wilderness of Northern Minnesota. She thinks falling for her sexy guide is her only risk, but she’s wrong.

Wilderness guide and ex-Marine Cord Samuels can handle this simple mission, and he should be able to keep his hands off Hanna, except she’s determined to share his sleeping bag.

But someone is lurking in the forest, sabotaging their trip, and Hanna and Cord may not make it out alive!

***

#22

Son Of A (Hired) Gun

YA Contemp

86,000 words

Yesterday, 16-year-old Bixby Darwin had a different name, wrote a successful blog and was dreading the get-to-know-my-son lunch with his mother’s new beau—a man Bix was pretty sure might be a terrorist.

Today, he’s been relocated—via Witness Protection—because said boyfriend was blown up and they believe Bix’s absentee assassin father is responsible.

Plagued by secrets he can’t tell, Bix is determined to infiltrate the tight ranks at the small-town school and navigate himself into a successful junior year. Unable to blog for security reasons, Bix becomes a reporter where he does battle with the editor-in-chief and mayor’s daughter, Caitlyn Storm.

In the paintball-militant town of Cypher, Indiana, Bix learns to stand-up and take aim—at bullies, targets, and control of his future. Uncovering a conspiracy big enough to take down the town, Bix will have to decide between the truth and the fabrication that holds the town together, and whether he can live with the choice he makes.

***

#23

Message in the Roses 

Romantic Thriller

82,500 Words

My recently completed novel, Message in the Roses, is loosely based on a murder trial I covered as a journalist in Atlanta. It’s also a love story.

Protagonist Carrie Sue Justice, 25, is a fearless and tenacious journalist with a chaotic personal life.

Marcus, 35, is a seasoned newspaper man and decorated war veteran unable to forgive himself for the accidental death of his late wife.

They begin a steamy love affair at a time when the community is in turmoil. Four black boys have been accused of shooting and killing a white boy. Before the trial begins, one of the boys allegedly hangs himself in his jail cell. Another boy pleads guilty. The two remaining youths are to be tried as adults. Tatum’s defense attorney calls Carrie Sue’s best friend and “black brother” to testify. Freemont swears he spotted Tatum blocks away from the crime scene during the time of the shooting death. As a result of Freemont’s testimony, Freemont and Carrie Sue become targets.

***

#24

Meant To Be Mine

Paranormal Historical Romance

90,000 words

Reincarnated goddess Raven LeFevre was raised as a human in New Orleans with her mother, grandmother and brother. Make that raised in a crazy, magical version of the witness protection program. Frustrated by the veil of secrecy surrounding her upbringing, she spurned her powers, vowing to live as normally as any other woman obsessed with real estate and shoes.

When Raven receives a mysterious packet of letters supposedly written by the father she’s never known but always longed for, she breaks that vow and hurls herself back in time.  She’s a bit rusty with the supernatural shenanigans and things don’t go quite as planned on her journey back in time. Not only does she hit her head and not remember how she came to be in 1808, or how to return to the present, she lands at the feet of Simon Durand, the ancestor and lookalike of her modern lover, Alexander Durand.

Raven doesn’t realize until it’s almost too late her rashness unraveled the thread of protection, woven by her family, that’s encircled her for so long.  Now she’s in danger no matter what time period, and will need all her powers to get back to the one she loves.

***

#25

Without Borders

Women’s Fiction

80,000 words

While in Hungary researching her grandpapa’s childhood, Amanda falls in love with a Gypsy and discovers a shocking secret involving his family and hers. The Gypsy family rejects

Amanda, and even her fiancé walks away because of clan loyalties. Now she questions everything she knew about her beloved grandpapa and must repair the wounds she didn’t intend to open.

***

#26

Deceptive Cadence

YA/NA Crossover, Contemporary Romance

85,000 words

Cadence awakes in a hospital to find her husband and daughter dead, killed in an earthquake. So when her guardian angel appears and offers her a chance to go back in time with all the knowledge she has, she accepts, desperate to prevent their deaths.

She shoots back eleven years to her fourteen-year-old self, and faces high school all over again. She is determined to do everything better, including preventing the loss of her best friend and not dating any of her original, drama-inducing boyfriends. Her main focus is on her future husband, who she won’t meet for several years.

But James Gordon crosses her path. While she wishes to remain single, the bad boy pursues her.

He threatens to disrupt everything that is to come as she begins to develop unwanted feelings for him, and distract her from her original goal: to save her future family.

***

#27

Sheik’s Ruby

 Romantic Suspense 

74,900 words

Born and raised in a typical small town, Shelby is trying to break the mold, and make a name for herself in the journalism world when she meets Hakim, a mysterious stranger who she believes to be simply a handsome tourist.  But Hakim is actually the prince and only heir of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Khali-dar. Unfortunately, princes rarely have casual relationships that go unnoticed, and when his enemies learn of Hakim’s connection to an American girl, they know exactly how to get his attention. Shelby becomes the target of terrorists who seek to hurt Hakim, and Hakim vows to protect her at all costs. Fleeing to the safety of Khali-dar, Shelby finds herself falling deeper in love not only with the prince, but with his country. As she struggles to survive terrorist attacks, withstand the Sheik’s prejudice and find her place in a world she doesn’t understand, she realizes that she must choose which life she is willing to sacrifice—the comfortable life she has worked so hard to create for herself, or the life with the man she loves.

***

#28

Power Struggles

YA Speculative Fiction

88,000 words

Melody’s first power brought her to boot camp, but it’s her second one that could land her in prison.

Sixteen-year-old Melody Vander wants to master her telekinesis so she can defeat Psyfons, the power-draining monsters who killed her father. Although focused on her Psyfon-destroying goal, she catches the attention of Jonas, the gorgeous junior trainer whose very presence makes her feel dizzy and distracted.

Boot camp is beyond frustrating. She’s out in the middle of freaking nowhere with kids who only care about which powers rank highest, not how to use them better. A few trainees collapse, and Melody fears Psyfons have infiltrated the camp.

Before she can figure out who to trust, a bunkmate goes into anaphylactic shock. Despite the risk, Melody uses her healing power to save the girl’s life. Jonas witnesses the rescue and swears to keep Melody’s secret so that she won’t be branded a Psyfon and taken away.

But he already knew about her other power. Melody’s been their target since his leaders killed her father.

***

#29

Desert Rose

 Romantic Suspense 

74,963 words

Rebecca Blake has it all: designer clothes, elite education, and successful law career. But when a former client is arrested for murder, she feels responsible, and the perfect life she’s built in Chicago starts to unravel fast.  To keep her out of the press’s sites, Rebecca’s boss sends her to a dude ranch in Arizona, where she finds herself reluctantly wearing sensible shoes while birthing cows, shooting guns, stepping over manure, and battling unexpected feelings for Ty, the ranch foreman who has a low tolerance for high-maintenance tourists, especially when they insult his lifestyle and make no mystery of their feelings toward the small town life he loves. When Rebecca finds a clue and begins investigating the mysterious disappearance of Ty’s mother—against his wishes, she discovers that secrets kept in a small town aren’t easily revealed. Once Ty overcomes his own prejudice against Rebecca and her designer boots, he is amazed to find that she may be the key to his past, and Rebecca realizes that cheesy belt buckle and all, Ty may be the key to her future, if only they can survive the evil that lurks in the Doo’ya-tehwe Mountain.

***

#30

Winter Song

Mystery

83,000 words

Grieving widower, detective Noah Daugherty, focuses his energy on winning over his late wife’s resentful Yorkie and taking scumbags off the street. Scumbags like The Driver, an honest-to-God hit man who advertises on Craig’s list. Noah has never believed in hit men, at least not ones who offer their services to the public, and he certainly never envisioned The Driver, a teenage killer who professes to take jobs to pay his college tuition, but in fact, simply loves his work.

When The Driver senses Noah closing in on his true identity, he takes steps to eliminate the detective and his annoying little dog. But Noah isn’t that easy to kill. After his first attempt fails, The Driver is left wondering─what’s it going to take to kill this man, silver bullets? A stake through the heart? He’d better think of something quick, because now it’s personal, and Noah is aiming for him.

Winter Song is the first book in a four part series. I am currently published through Soul Mate Publishing, but this series is in a different genre. My writing has won awards in the TARA, IDA and Dixie first Chapter contests.

***

Thanks to every author brave enough/willing to put their work out there. It can be terrifying, and incredibly rewarding! Keep at it, learn, learn, learn, and above all else, KEEP WRITING!

~Candi

It’s Pitch Day at Musetracks Agent Shop!

GO

 

(I’m posting this the night before because I’m exhausted and have to be to work early.)

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

I’ll post the word go around 10:00am EST May 18th. I have to go into work today, so I’ll try to stay on top of the day as best I can without getting fired! Actually, I have a pretty cool boss.

As always, please read the rules carefully under the A/E Tab above. I really don’t like deleting pitches. Every single pitch I receive is a potential Best Seller, and I can’t tell you how exciting it is for us at Musetracks to hear that one of our pitch shops connected an author with an agent or editor. (We’ve had a sale success story recently. I promise to share as soon as I’m allowed.)

(Love cheezburger.com)

NOW -

Please welcome one of Becky’s authors, Jeannie Moon!

She’s here with her novel, THE TEMPORARY WIFE.

Check out this cover…

It releases on May 21st.

Here’s the blurb:

It was an offer she couldn’t refuse…from a

man she couldn’t resist. 

Kindergarten teacher Megan Rossi is devoted to being a mother to her best friend’s five-year-old daughter, Molly. When the

child was orphaned, Meg became the little girl’s legally named guardian—over the objections of Molly’s wealthy grandparents, the Campbells. Now the Campbells are petitioning for custody, and Meg is faced with a long and expensive legal battle. The last thing she expects is for her former high school boyfriend—and the Campbells’ estranged son—to offer a solution: marriage.

Billionaire software developer Jason Campbell knows his parents don’t have Molly’s best interests at heart—it’s all about control for them. There is one way he can ensure that his sister’s last wishes are honored. He will offer Meg the protection of his name and lawyers

until the custody arrangement has been finalized , then he’ll secure his niece’s future with a very generous divorce settlement. Jason’s considered all the scenarios, except one—that the sparks that once flew between he and Meg might reignite a burning passion. And that his confirmed bachelor heart might just melt away from the heat…

Here’s what readers are saying:

“Jeannie Moon writes a sweet, sexy escape.”

~New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

“Debut author Jeannie Moon immerses readers

in an emotionally engaging and sexy story of lost love and new beginnings.”

~New

York Times bestselling

author JoAnn Ross

“A truly sweet romance between two people offered a

second chance at true love.  Not to be missed!” ~Jane Porter, national

bestselling author

You can find Jeannie http://jeanniemoon.com/ and http://jeanniemoon.com/temporary/

A must read for any self-respecting TBR pile.

And guess what? We have prizes as usual.

1. Jeannie is giving away a an ecopy of her book to one lucky person who comments.

2. I’m giving away an ARC of STAY, my Aug release from Samhain.

3. The TOP PITCH SLOT!

All you have to do is comment for a chance to win.

Becky will be here Sunday to check out the thirty pitches that made it through, and I’ll email as soon as I hear from her. Good luck to everyone pitching, and a huge thanks to Becky for agreeing to ‘shop’ with us.

As always, if you want updates for Agent/Editor Shop dates and attending industry professionals, join our newsletter group for A/E Shop here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EditorAgentShop/

Happy pitching!

On a personal note, I’m going to be a Grammy! (At least my four children waited until I hit forty – which I did this year!) And we just found out, she’s a girl!

We surprised my daughter by showing up at her high school, she’s a senior btw, and shocking her with the news that her niece was a niece, this was her reaction when her big brother told her that her niece would have her name as a middle name…

In October, we’ll welcome Adele Kassidi Demmons into our family. The proud Auntie Kassidi couldn’t control the tears… Life just gets better and better.

~Candi

MuseTracks Guest – Eva Gordon – Romance in a Apocalyptic World & Giveaway!

MuseTracks is happy to host fantasy and paranormal author, Eva Gordon. Especially if she can help us fight off any impending zombie invasion.

Romance in a Post-Apocalyptic World

By Eva Gordon, Author of Apocalyptic Moon

Book 1 in the Dystopian Paranormal Romance After the Bane Series

The power grid is gone. Our government has lost control. A disease has ravaged humanity or a great environmental disaster or even nuclear war has turned the earth into ghost planet. There are numerous scenarios from the biblical apocalypse to alien invasion or the current favorite, a zombie pandemic.

Survivors will have to deal with starvation, finding drinkable water, the danger from whatever had caused the apocalypse (demons, aliens, radiation, robots or zombies), and the road warrior type gangs, looting raping and killing. Or perhaps, a dictator will take over and keep order by taking away our rights.

Since my dystopian paranormal romance, Apocalyptic Moon takes place during the zombie apocalypse, the zombie pandemic will be my metaphor for romance in the apocalypse.

What will happen to romance and love during the apocalypse? No flower shops left for buying her Valentine’s roses, no birth control pills or condoms, no going to Victoria’s Secret to buy lingerie to get him in the mood. Yikes, no Viagra for older gentlemen. Okay, so you can loot pharmacies, but for how long? In a matter of days, all supplies are gone. Unless you are a ‘prepper’ (people preparing for a true apocalypse in underground bunkers), things in the romance department will get sticky, or is that messy? Without working plumbing, how will one smell nice for the cute guy next door who just chopped off a zombie’s head.

Sex could be dangerous. Imagine being pregnant while zombies roam the earth? Remember, Lori from The Walking Dead? How do you get a year supply of birth control pills? And what about venereal diseases? No antibiotics. Time to start making friends with a chemical pharmacist. (Truth is most medical staff and first responders will be the first to get exposed.) Condoms you say. How long can condoms be stored for? Who will be willing to make sheepskin condoms? This is not covered in my zombie survival book. Avoid sex? Not likely. The drive to reproduce to survive as a species is a biological priority.

Romance of course will not go away, no matter what. And I’m not just talking about smitten teenagers like in Warm Bodies (I have not seen this movie yet.), but any person, no matter what age. We all want to snuggle with a special person while zombies shuffle behind the walls of our safe room.

Studies have shown that danger may even contribute to falling in love and enhance romance . (2004. Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love. New York, NY: Henry Hold and Company, LLC.). Probably because of the drive to reproduce before dying Darwin thing?

Oxytocin, the love hormone certainly lifts your mood. A good thing if there are no more coffee shops or fun comedies to watch.

In a post-apocalyptic world, it will be all about who you trust. Who could you trust more than a lover?

Love may be the second time around. There will be widows, widowers and many who have lost their significant others or entire family. Maybe we will settle for companionship instead of our beloved soul mate. Or, perhaps the apocalypse will force us into the arms of our true soul mate.

Or will we become survival practical? A man or woman who is a master archer may suddenly be more attractive than the guy/gal with the MBA. Again, I’m thinking of Daryl from the Walking Dead, not my type but during the zombie Apocalypse, a big yes. A cave man who can bring down a mammoth, I mean zombie.

Vegans can hook up with botanists who know their edible plants. Or how about that brilliant mechanic who is a steampunk nerd?

In my current novel, the hero is a zombie-fighting werewolf (good thing he is immune to the zombie’s bite). If zombies exist then I want hot looking werewolves to exist as well. Not the Werewolf of London type, but the alpha hero found in the pages of the numerous paranormal romance novels.

Comment Question:
If you were living during the Zombie Apocalypse who would you want to cuddle up with? He/she can be any character from movie/book/real life and explain why. The best commenter will get a free pdf e-book copy of my paranormal romance, Apocalyptic Moon.
APOCALYPTIC MOON

Book tagline:

Ravaged by a global zombie pandemic, humanity’s survival depends on the secret society of shifters, but can they be trusted?

Book Blurb:

Dr. Dora Adler’s life has been in disarray since the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, but when she gets bitten by one of the undead her whole world is turned upside down. Held captive in a secret underground lab, the tall, muscular hunk in the next cell is her only hope for salvation. Unfortunately, he claims to be a werewolf. Yeah, and she’s supposedly a witch.

Dirk Gunderson is an alpha Arbor pack werewolf. Captured and collared, he’s sold to the zombie lab in hopes his blood serum can create a vaccine. He needs to escape, but not without the hot little brunette witch.

In the midst of enemy werewolves and the hordes of undead, Dirk and Dora’s sexual tension ignites a blaze hotter than the desert highway. Along their journey, they battle the inevitable: a werewolf must never take a witch as a mate.

Eva Gordon’s Bio:

I write fantasy and paranormal novels with a strong romantic element. I love to create stories that combine my passion for mythology, romance and werewolf lore. I also write steampunk and Victorian era historical and alternative novels. Busy sending them out to agents and publishers.

Apocalyptic Moon is the first in my After the Bane series. Coming soon will be Lycan Gladiator in my paranormal wolfish romance historical series, The Wolf Maiden Saga.

I have a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. I have taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/Physiology. When not in my den writing, I enjoy world travel, steampunk conventions, hiking, raptor rehabilitation and wolf sanctuaries.

I also teach online workshops on wolf lore ancient falconry and animal lore for Romance Writers of America and other writer groups. If you are interested in my workshops, please contact me.

Eva’s website, blog, social media and book trailer:

http://www.ravenauthor.com

http://evagordon.blogspot.com/

Like on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eva-Gordon/45924449313

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1258535.Eva_Gordon

Twitter http://twitter.com/evagordon

Book trailer: http://youtu.be/Sep_p8pksgA

Where to purchase Apocalyptic Moon:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/1612177379

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B5O7HMY

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apocalyptic-Moon-After-Bane-ebook/dp/B00B5O7HMY/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1363102960&sr=1-4

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/apocalyptic-moon/id644247901?mt=11

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=Apocalyptic+Moon&x=24&y=8

Coming soon to Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo and more…

Hump Day Kick Start – Limber Edition

Song of the Day: Coming Undone by Korn

Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a visual treat.

I’ve been put to the task to offer a picture prompt featuring a white-hot woman. And though we cannot see this contortionist’s face, I hoping I do not disappoint with my selection (and I had many to choose from).

And so…

Who is our lithe lady? Showgirl? Circus performer? Pole dancer? Hmm…are those even different occupations?

Why is she performing this, shall we say, trick? Is she trying to make a few extra bucks to pay for her tuition bills or her niece’s operation? Is she an award winning gymnast who is underhandedly trying to best her competition by doing a few extra ’moves’ for the judging panel in an upcoming career making/breaking contest? Is she dodging bullets a la Matrix-style, and, hey, why not show a little leg?  Was she just thirsty?

What’s with the disapproving frown on her audience – the audience we can see, that is.

It’s wide open. Let’s here your take.

Link Of The Week

http://socialmediatrader.com/resource-list-40-sites-for-writers/

Hi All!

I think this link has a lot of applications for writers- especially those that aren’t trained in the art of utilizing the internet and social media to their advantage. (I know I’m one of them!) I will be book marking this for future reference since I’ve already taken a page of notes on what’s out there. I hope you find it useful too.

Here’s what they have to say about themselves:

“It’s frustrating isn’t it? Owning your own website can sometimes seem like you’re left standing alone in the corner of the room. You keep hearing about how other sites are attracting thousands of visitors to their site everyday, but you check your statistics only to find a handful of people have dropped by.

It doesn’t have to be this way…

Social media can help you spark up a conversation that connects with an audience. There are so many different social network, social news and social bookmark sites that it can be difficult to know where to begin. But much like a conversation, you just need to listen and have something interesting to say.

Here at SocialMediaTrader.com, we offer a regular selection of in-depth articles, statistical analysis, simple to digest guides, original and unique resources.

SocialMediaTrader.com has information that will help you expand your website and help you to truly engage your audience.”

The distraction of shiny new writing things…

On my Kindle: Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie

Do you ever get super distracted from your WIP? Oh how I hate that!

I had a little time to spare the other morning before leaving for work and I started googling for publishing opportunities.I saw a call for short stories series and my mind started to play with that information.

What if I submit that short story I have? It’s almost ready! Then, I might have another book out there soon if it get accepted! Those stories are only 13K words!!!

Oh so attractive! And what a wonderful distraction from the monster beast that is my work in progress.

But I got to finish that first!!!

I get so distracted. I tend to jump on new things so easily in a “Oh, I can write THAT” fervor. Hence the paranormal short, the steampunk novel, the small town romance, the YA fantasy, all waiting to be edited.

Live and learn.

I MUST finish, edit, polish and submit my current project BEFORE I do anything else, don’t you think?

Much love,

Marie-Claude xoxox

Location:Seattle

Becky Vinter is our Guest Agent for Agent Shop Pitch day Sat. May 18th!!!

Double posting today, but we always have a full week at Musetracks.

Becky Vinter is out guest agent this month for Agent Shop!!!

Check her out here

Becky Vinter

Becky’s eclectic tastes span the whole spectrum of women’s fiction, from literary to “bookclub” to romance of all subgenres. She is also in the market for voice-driven YA fiction, particularly stories with a strong romantic or suspenseful hook. In nonfiction, she is looking for both prescriptive and narrative nonfiction on the topics of food, travel, spirituality, pop culture, health and wellness, as well as select memoir. Some of her favorite recent reads include Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder, Tana French’s Faithful Place, Helen Simonson’s Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, and Dave Egger’s Zeitoun.

Becky began her career in publishing at the Feminist Press in 2006 before moving to NAL/Penguin, where she acquired and edited commercial women’s fiction. She joined FinePrint in 2011. Becky grew up in London and earned her BA in English Literature from the University of Leeds. She now lives in Brooklyn.

Follow her on Twitter @BVinter

Agent Shop pitch day is May 18th!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So get ready! I’ll post the word GO this Saturday around 10:00am EST.

Send your pitches to candi_agent_shop @ yahoo.com  (take out the @ spacing)

Read the rules for pitching under the tab above marked Agent/Editor Shop!

And don’t forget! If you want updates on attending agents and editors for Agent/Editor Shop, join our Yahoo update group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EditorAgentShop/

Happy Mother’s Day!

It would be impossible to say all the things that describe what a Mother is, and what her impact is in our lives.

One year, for my mother, I had my children write down why they loved their Grammy. We handed her a small bag filled with tiny slips of colored paper with endearments of every kind. One of her favorites, that brought a tear to her eye, was “She always smells so good.”

That’s what a mother is to me. She appreciates such little kindnesses in return for the amazing things she gives us.

Happy Mother’s Day from us all here at Musetracks.

 

Hump Day Kick Start – Handy Man Edition

Song of the Day: Jars by Chevelle

Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a visual treat.

So because I am in the middle of having some home improvements done, I thought I’d share a comparable writing prompt. Seems like a good idea.

Who is our subject? And what is he building? Is he the carpenter she just hired to help renovate her newly purchased Bed and Breakfast? Is he a secret operative dropped in the middle of the wilderness forced to build himself suitable shelter? Is he former an ex-con just trying to make an honest living? Or maybe he’s a maniac constructing a gruesome torture device? Could he be a contestant on a reality TV show vying for the Top Construction Worker spot. Or maybe he’s building himself a wardrobe for his boxer briefs.

You tell me.  Let’s hear your take on Mr. Handy Man.