M.L. Guida's Blog, page 10
October 8, 2014
M.L. Guida’s News: Margie Lawson’s Immersion Class
I’m so excited! I’m off to take Margie Lawson’s Immersion class.
Margie Lawson
I’m going to be taking A Pirate’s Agony, the third installment in the Legends of the Soaring Phoenix series. I’m ready to edit, revamp, and delete.
I’ve taken several of her on-line classes, and they’ve been extremely helpful. I also completed her packets which took me to a new level of writing.
I’m ready to rock, Margie!
October 1, 2014
M.L. Guida’s News: Scavenger Hunt
Do you like scavenger hunts? How about books? How about desserts? How about prizes?
In order to celebrate the release of our dessert book, Bake, Love, Write: 105Authors Share Dessert Recipes and Advice on Love and Writing several of us authors are offering a scavenger hunt with lots of prizes!
From October 6th through the 23rd, over 30 authors featured in Bake, Love, Write: 105 Authors Share DessertRecipes and Advice on Love and Writing are hosting a Halloween Scavenger Hunt.
Here’s how it works: Participants visit the website or blog listed for each featured author to find a Halloween graphic hidden on one of the website or blog pages. The more sites you visit, the more chances you have to win. There are over 60 prizes with multiple winners. The list of prizes and the dates they will be given away is here.
Authors participating include: Lois Winston, Brenda Novak, Caridad Pineiro, Jessa Slade, Kathryn Jane, M.L. Guida, Skye Taylor, Cathryn Cade, Victoria Adams, Sharleen Scott, Kathleen Kaska, Erin Farwell, Daryl Devore, Cynthia Luhrs, E. Ayers, Chantilly White, Helena Fairfax, Molly MacRae, L.C. Giroux, Stacy Juba, B.V. Lawson, Ruby Merritt, Kay Manis, Ashlyn Chase, Kitsy Clare, Elizabeth Rose, Liese-Sherwood-Fabre, Sloan McBride, Elaine Joyce, Debra Goldstein, Barbara Phinney, Alicia Dean, Haley Whitehall, Terry Shames, Melinda Curtis, Lynn Cahoon, and Renee Field.
Here’s what you need to do: On October 6th, visit Sloan McBride’s blog where she’ll have all the information posted, including links to the authors’ websites/blogs and a link to a page to type all the answers. If you want to have a handy reminder, you can also download the page of authors, websites/blogs, and for typing your answers here. The page will give you the authors’ names and links to their websites/blogs where you’ll search for the Halloween graphics. However, the graphics won’t be posted on the authors’ sites until October 6th. Rafflecopter will be used to determine prizewinners.
Here’s the IMPORTANT part — once you’ve filled in your answers, you must email the document to Sloan at sloanmcbride@gmail.com. She’ll review the answers and will enter your name the number of times that corresponds to the number of sites you visited and provided the correct answers.
Check back on October 6th and I’ll display my Halloween graphic. Simply go to my website and search for the image.
September 30, 2014
M.L. Guida’s Guest Author: Jen Colly’s Cover Reveal
I’d like to welcome Jen Colly to my blog today. She’s a new author with Lyrical Publishing, and her new book is scheduled to be release on November 3, 2014.
Jen Colly, Lyrical Author
Jen Colly is the rare case of an author who rebelled against reading assignments throughout her school years. Now she prefers reading books in a series, which has led her to writing her first paranormal romance series The Cities Below. She will write about anything that catches her fancy, though truth be told, her weaknesses are pirates and vampires. She lives in Ohio with her supportive husband, two kids, one big fluffy dog, and four rescued cats.
Here is her beautiful and sexy cover:
Jen Colly’s New Book
Don’t you love the cover!
Blurb:
Demons have returned, a vengeful enemy waiting to strike. Soren and Faith must find a way to survive the evil and darkness.
Faith’s spur of the moment vacation, meant to free her and boost her spirits, has left her lost on the streets of Paris. And apparently, Paris is populated with something more than just humans. Vampires, suave, seductive and oh so sexy, and one such warrior vampire has set his sights on her.
When Soren hears Faith’s terrified screams, he rushes in and saves her life without considering the consequences. Two problems: one, she’s a human and clearly aware of his vampire qualities, and two, the men who attacked her were not men at all, but demons. Their target, his beloved underground city of Balinese. He can never let Faith go home again, but can she learn to love his people…love him?
Excerpt:
Faith looked up at the silhouette of a man curled over her, his head barely blocking the raindrops pelting her face. She was moving, her feet were not, and the city was sideways. The foreign world passed by her, the images coming slowly, as if she were seeing everything through someone else’s eyes.
She was numb, her muscles from cold, her mind from shock. Her memories seemed intact, scrambled and hazy, but intact. She remembered being afraid of flying on the airplane, and the taste of the ginger gum that kept her nausea at bay. She’d been lost in the rain on the way back to her hotel. Then two men had trapped her in an alley.
Her shoulders and ribs shuddered with chills powerful enough to make her teeth rattle.
She fought through it, lifted her head and looked down at her hands.
“My purse.” The words didn’t come out right. Her jaw refused to open, and her lips had difficulty forming the simple words. She tried again. “Took my purse.”
“I have it. You need to be warm and dry right now,” the man said, keeping up his pace, never once looking at her. By the sheer confidence in his husky tones, without a doubt, this was the man who had saved her. That intense look on his face was nearly the same as when he’d pulled the muggers off her, driven them into the wall. It was oddly comforting, at the moment.
Tall buildings, probably homes, surrounded her, swaying in her field of vision as he strode along. Light peeked through several arched windows, yellow and warm.
He entered one of the larger buildings as if he owned it and carried her past several numbered doors to the end of the hallway, where he started down a creaking set of stairs. Suddenly she feared falling down those stairs, but her shuddering muscles wouldn’t allow her to hold on tighter. She closed her eyes and trusted him not to drop her.
After the last step had been left behind, she took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and almost wished she hadn’t. The basement hallway was musty, and each bare light bulb they passed only revealed cracks chasing each other across the ceiling.
He stopped, pressed her against a green door as he fished for the doorknob with the hand supporting her legs.
“Put me down,” she said, trying to help, and fully expecting him to drop her to her feet.
He fought with the knob until it finally gave and carried her inside, then kicked the door shut behind him.
Great book, Jen! If you’d like to learn more about Jen, you can contact her at:
Website: http://jencolly.weebly.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jen.colly.1
Twitter: http://twitter.com/collyjen
September 26, 2014
M.L. Guida’s Guest Author: Brynna Curry
Brynna Curry
The Quaker
When I was twelve, my family moved to Waynesboro, Tennessee so my father could start a new job as the band director. We rented this big white farm house with an attic.
About six miles from the center of town, the home was surrounded by pastures and woods and featured a wrap around porch with a big swing shaded by an old magnolia tree. My parents left me to my own devices most of the time and I would often stretch out on the porch-swing with a book and my cat, Panther. It was the safest place in the house.
Our landlord told us no one had lived their since her father had died in his study. She locked the door to the room and told my parents it was completely off limits. No one was allowed in there. Now to a very curious child that’s like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I just had to know why. So I discovered one of the blinds that blocked anyone from seeing in through the windows had a few slats missing. I peeked through the window only to find a room with old furniture, dust and black stains on the floor by the desk. Just a room. Nothing special except every time I looked in that window, something had been moved.
Over the months we lived there, I was always on edge. The attic and parlor were other ‘off limits’ zones, at least for me. I could not be in those rooms. The smell of the air, the heaviness of the atmosphere freaked me out, but only me. It never bothered anyone else, well except for the cat. She would run across the doorway to the foyer to get in my room and never would venture into that part of the house. We often heard scraping, bumps upstairs that had no explanation.
Then one night, there were severe thunderstorms. Drenching rain, lightning, and thunder. At exactly 9:04 p.m. (I remember the time because its the same time as my birth.) the power flickered then went out. Panther, who always slept at the foot of my bed, started shrieking eerily and curled up on my chest, right over my heart. She was staring out the window at something in the rain. I looked towards the windows and there in the rain stood a man. He had scraggly gray hair, a black quaker looking hat and a dark coat on. It was pouring rain but it seemed to fall around him, not on him. His eyes were startling blue and terrible. Even now, I can see his face. I couldn’t breathe. I was terrified. It seemed as if he were there for me, but could not come through the glass and Panther’s screech seemed to scare it. We sat locked that way for a full minute before the image vanished, the cat calmed and the power flicked back on. There was no one there. The next day I gathered my courage and checked the ground which was mushy from the rain held no footprints…none. Have you ever been so scared you couldn’t scream? Yeah. Black cats are very lucky. Very lucky.
What is the scariest, weirdest spooky thing you’ve experienced.
Creepy, Brynna. Especially the Quaker’s blue eyes! Glad you had a buddy.
September 17, 2014
M.L. Guida’s News: Fall into Romance Blog Hop and TRR’s Fall Into Love Party
Fall is my favorite time of the year with the leaves falling, Indian summer days, and the television show “Sleepy Hollow.” Who can resist sexy Tom Mison? I don’t know which is sexier: his accent or his hair. What better way to celebrate the fall than having a romance blog tour. www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com/
This summer, I released the second book in the series, Legends of the Soaring Phoenix—A Pirate’s Revenge.
Cursed by a demon, William O’Brien changes into a dragon with mystical powers he can’t control. In dragon form he becomes a ravenous beast with the power to destroy the crew of the Soaring Phoenix. He’s forced to make a decision: leave the ship or face killing the crew. But before he can go, he discovers a new menace hunts him. The God of the Underworld has released a female demon, more deadly and evil than before, with orders to capture William and combine his powers with a male witch in order to destroy the crew of the Soaring Phoenix. Mariah Fey, a talented witch, wants only to save her brother from the bowels of the evil pirate ship, the Fiery Damsel. If William will trust her, she can teach him how to harvest his gifts, control his abilities, and together their true love can defeat their enemies.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3ad276f818/
The Grand Prize is a $ 75.00 Amazon Gift Card.
So, not only can you click on the rafflecopter and win an Amazon gift card, but I’m having a contest of my own. If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll be able to win a free ebook copy of A Pirate’s Curse.
A Pirate’s Curse received 4 out of 5 stars from Night Owls Review
Like a dark angel, Captain Kane O’Brien rescues Hannah Knight and her father from drowning after vampire pirates murder their crew and sink their ship. Struggling to control and hide her telekinetic powers, Hannah discovers the honorable and bold captain possesses his own secrets.
Every full moon, Kane turns into a vampire. Finding out Hannah not to be the cabin boy she resembles, but a beautiful, luscious woman, tempts all his appetites. Desperate to be free of his curse, Kane considers handing Hannah over to a demon. But after Hannah uses her power to save his ship from his immortal enemy, Kane can no longer deny his attraction and vows to protect Hannah with his life.
To find true love, they must combine their powers to defeat evil vampires, thwart Hannah’s misogynist fiancé and escape a crafty demon.
I am currently working on the third installment, A Pirate’s Agony, which will be released in January 2015. I have two other releases coming out this fall—a Christmas novella, A Vampire’s Fallen Christmas Star, and a contemporary paranormal, Punishment, Angels of Death.
M.L. Guida’s News: Fall into Romance Blog Hop
Fall is my favorite time of the year with the leaves falling, Indian summer days, and the television show “Sleepy Hollow.” Who can resist sexy Tom Mison? I don’t know which is sexier: his accent or his hair. What better way to celebrate the fall than having a romance blog tour. www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com/
This summer, I released the second book in the series, Legends of the Soaring Phoenix—A Pirate’s Revenge.
Cursed by a demon, William O’Brien changes into a dragon with mystical powers he can’t control. In dragon form he becomes a ravenous beast with the power to destroy the crew of the Soaring Phoenix. He’s forced to make a decision: leave the ship or face killing the crew. But before he can go, he discovers a new menace hunts him. The God of the Underworld has released a female demon, more deadly and evil than before, with orders to capture William and combine his powers with a male witch in order to destroy the crew of the Soaring Phoenix. Mariah Fey, a talented witch, wants only to save her brother from the bowels of the evil pirate ship, the Fiery Damsel. If William will trust her, she can teach him how to harvest his gifts, control his abilities, and together their true love can defeat their enemies.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3ad276f818/
The Grand Prize is a $ 75.00 Amazon Gift Card.
So, not only can you click on the rafflecopter and win an Amazon gift card, but I’m having a contest of my own. If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll be able to win a free ebook copy of A Pirate’s Curse.
A Pirate’s Curse received 4 out of 5 stars from Night Owls Review
Like a dark angel, Captain Kane O’Brien rescues Hannah Knight and her father from drowning after vampire pirates murder their crew and sink their ship. Struggling to control and hide her telekinetic powers, Hannah discovers the honorable and bold captain possesses his own secrets.
Every full moon, Kane turns into a vampire. Finding out Hannah not to be the cabin boy she resembles, but a beautiful, luscious woman, tempts all his appetites. Desperate to be free of his curse, Kane considers handing Hannah over to a demon. But after Hannah uses her power to save his ship from his immortal enemy, Kane can no longer deny his attraction and vows to protect Hannah with his life.
To find true love, they must combine their powers to defeat evil vampires, thwart Hannah’s misogynist fiancé and escape a crafty demon.
I am currently working on the third installment, A Pirate’s Agony, which will be released in January 2015. I have two other releases coming out this fall—a Christmas novella, A Vampire’s Fallen Christmas Star, and a contemporary paranormal, Punishment, Angels of Death.
September 15, 2014
M.L. Guida's News: Fall into Romance Blog Hop
Fall is my favorite time of the year with the leaves falling, Indian summer days, and the television show “Sleepy Hollow.” Who can resist sexy Tom Mison? I don’t know which is sexier: his accent or his hair. What better way to celebrate the fall than having a romance blog tour. www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com/
This fall I will be having two releases out: the second book in the Vampires and Holiday series, A Vampire’s Fallen Christmas Star, which will be released at the end of September.
A Vampire’s Fallen Christmas Star
Lead singer of the band Nightmare, Jayden Kye, blames himself for his twin brother’s death. His brother died a few weeks before Christmas. Grief stricken, he heads up the snowy mountain to his brother’s favorite lake when he slips and impales himself on a jagged tree limb. Eleanor Baines, a vampire, finds him and gives him a choice: immortality or death. He choses life. But his choice was not without risks. He discovers his manager and best friend is a vampire killer, bent on hunting and killing both he and Eleanor. His manager kidnaps his mother and threatens to kill her unless he and Eleanor arrive at the lake. Only together can Eleanor and Jayden save his mother.
Punishment: Angels of Death, the third book in the Angels of Death, will be out sometime this month. My publisher, Passion in Print, has not made the release date. Blade Angel wants to get back to hell, but the Archangel Raphael has other plans. He strips Blade of all powers unless he repents. Blade defies him and Raphael burns his hand. He meets a beautiful nurse, Abigail Malcolm, only to learn that her sister was one of his victims. He’d had given her the hellish drug, Xanadu, and she killed someone than herself. To make matters worse, she’s his angel mate, and Blade’s former boss, a pissed off demon, wants revenge. He soon learns to save Abigail, he must repent or he will lose her forever.
What better way to celebrate than lots of give ways! My contest is simple. Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll win a copy of either A Vampire’s Christmas Wish, the first in the Vampires and Holiday series or Betrayal, the first book in the series Angels of Death.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3ad276f818/
The Grand Prize is a $ 75.00 Amazon Gift Card.
September 13, 2014
M.L. Guida's News: Night Owl Review On A Pirate's Curse
I’m very excited about the review I received from Night Owl Review on A Pirate’s Curse:
A Pirate’s Curse received 4 out of 5 stars from Night Owls Review
Score: 4.00 / 5
A Pirate’s Curse has a little bit of everything I like in my romance novels. First, it is a historical with swashbuckling pirates, damsels in distress, and a hero, Kane, that you will drool over. The heroine, Hannah, is caught up in a life not of her choosing and dangerous circumstances that will either make her stronger or destroy her. Second, it is a paranormal which makes this a fascinating and pleasing story. Kane is out to destroy the man/pirate/vampire responsible for killing his parents. His quest for revenge has taken him down a road that forever changed him and his crew. They are cursed vampires.
Kane is a great leader and his crew is loyal. When he saves Hannah his tortured soul has to choose to hold her tight and love her, or let her go in order to save her from himself. Hannah is discovering a new world of feelings and power. Her spirit and determination to save those she loves will lead her on a whirlwind of an adventure. Kane and Hannah’s relationship is passionate and heart wrenching. The ongoing quest of vengeance and the search for a cure to the vampire curse will continue in M. L. Guida’s next novel. I look forward to reading it and seeing where all these fascinating characters fall in with the next story line. Good-hearted pirates, a touching romance, and a high adventure on the sea and the soul are what you will discover with A Pirate’s Curse. The twist on the traditional historical romance with the paranormal elements make this a great read that was a pleasure to read. Enjoy!
Happy reading,
Susan
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
Thank you, Susan!
September 11, 2014
M.L. Guida’s Guest Author: Kristy Tate
Author Kristy Tate
Big Beyond the Tent
I’d like to welcome Kristy Tate to my blog. Thanks Kristy for stopping by!
Swimming Moats and the Indie Business Model
This is a post I wrote in about 18 months ago:
Yesterday I picked up a book on marketing at the Friends of the Library bookstore. Written in 1986, the book compares marketing to guerilla warfare. (It also refers to IBM as a god of the market place—so yeah, it’s outdated.) But fifty cents seemed like an okay investment. The book’s general advice: seek out the weaknesses of the opposition so that you can destroy them.
I’ve also been trying to hone my business skills by web surfing and I came across articles by Warren Buffett. (Because, let’s be honest, I was a literature, not a business, major and I’m a much better reader than I am a business person.) Mr. Buffett talks about how each business needs a moat—a shield that protects from the opposition trying to destroy its business. A good business is focusing on widening its moat. An aggressive business is looking for ways to storm the opposition’s moat.
With sincere respect to marketing experts in general and Mr. Buffett in particular, I must say that when it comes to indie publishing I disagree. The code word in indie publishing is generosity. Help others and gratefully acknowledge when someone helps you in return, because they will. People like to help. It feels good.
I’m not advocating writing glowing, gushing reviews to undeserving books, nor am I saying you should promote what you haven’t read. What I am saying is that when you share what you learn and observe about writing and the book business—people will appreciate that. They might decide to read your books, because writers were readers before they were ever writers, and if they like what they read, they may decide to help you, too.
That’s my indie business plan. Will I be as successful as Mr. Buffett? Probably not. But that’s okay. At least I won’t get wet and dirty wading through moats.
This is what’s happened to my career since embracing this plan:
Last Christmas, I joined with the Authors of Main Street and published an anthology of Christmas Stories. We were an Amazon #1 bestseller for several weeks and sold more than 50,000 copies. Of course, those who read my A LIGHT IN THE CHRISTMAS CAFÉ went on to buy and read some of my other books.
In June, I again collaborated with the Authors of Main Street and contributed to a Wedding Anthology. While this wasn’t as successful as our Christmas boxed set, it was still a #1 Amazon bestseller of short stories for several weeks. I know I had spillover from the wedding set, because a number of readers wrote to tell me they loved my story STUCK WITH YOU
Stuck With You
I now am currently involved in three upcoming anthologies, all published in October. The first is a clean romance anthology consisting of ten novellas. My novella, The Witching Well, is really an introduction to my upcoming novel, The Highwayman Incident. I’m hoping that those reading The Witching Well will want to read book two, three and four of the series (none of them are yet finished.)
The second is a collection of thirteen paranormal stories which will include my novel BEYOND THE FORTUNETELLERS TENT. Is a stretch of the imagination to call Tent a story—it’s a 300+ page novel—but I’m really excited to be involved with this talented group of authors. And again, it’s the first book in a trilogy, and I’m hoping that the anthology readers will want to read the rest of my Beyond books.
My last October anthology is a collection of flash fiction from 101 indie authors—each story is less than a thousand words (about 4 pages.) My story, Anywhere Else, doesn’t have sequels or anything else. It’s a heartfelt story of loss and endurance. You can read it here: http://bit.ly/1nJcndm
Why all the collections and anthologies? Because by cross promoting, we’re sharing our talents to a wider readership. And besides, if you have to swim a few moats, it’s a whole lot more fun to do it with friends.
BIO
Kristy studied English literature at Brigham Young University and at BYU’s International Center in London. Although a long time resident of Orange County, California where she lives with her family, Kristy’s heart belongs in her hometown of Arlington, Washington, AKA Rose Arbor–the fictional setting of her popular Rose Arbor series.
For updates on Kristy’s upcoming novels, please visit her blog at kristystories.blogspot.com
September 7, 2014
M.L. Guida's News: Moving on and the Rainbow Bridge
Last week, I wrote about losing my little cocker spaniel, Sadie. She was my best friend and always by my side. I have my good days and bad days, and hope to meet her at the Rainbow Bridge. But I have gotten a new little friend to help me over the hump. Her name is Raven. She’s fourteen weeks old.
Raven, my little paranormal cocker spaniel
Will she replace Sadie? No. But she will build another chapter into my life. I’ve forgotten how much work a new puppy can be, so we are both adjusting. The question is: will my hardwood floors survive? I’m crate training her and she’s learning. But there are many mistakes.
Was this too soon? Maybe. But I’m single and coming home to an empty house was too depressing. When Sadie died, it was as if all the joy was sucked out.
Now, Raven is slowly making her mark. (Sometimes literally!) Thanks to her, I’ve started writing again. I’m mostly editing, but I’ve signed up for blog tours and am getting back into the swing of writing.
I’ll never forget Sadie. I miss our connection—how she poked her black nose through the door when I came home or how she’d snuggle next to me at night. She never strayed far from me.
When we lose a pet or a loved one, I’m still always surprised on how life goes on. The world keeps moving—people are busy with family, friends, or pets. But does this mean loved ones are forgotten? No. As long as we lock the memories in our hearts, they’ll always be alive.
The wonderful people at Animal Urgent Care sent this to me after Sadie died.
The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaving and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills, and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other. There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, on each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stop playing and looks up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group! You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and you look into the eyes of your trusting pet. Then you cross at the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated. Author Unknown
Good-bye Sadie—Until we again at the Rainbow Bridge.
