Carrie Ann Ryan's Blog, page 199

My Brand New Website!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!! I have a brand new website!!! Tell me what you think! I'm so excited about this!

Don't worry - this one isn't going away - but it will be mainly for contests and blogging!!!

Jolyn Palliata - A Song Stuck in your Head

Did you ever get a song stuck in your head? Or part of one? How did you get it out? Did you avoid the song at all costs in the blind hope it would stop hammering you into submission? Or did you listen to the song over, and over, and over, until you were so obsessed that all you could think about was that delicious, devilish little laugh….er, what was I saying? (Right. Song stuck in my head. Ahh...I mean, your head.) Now, I know this has happened to every person reading this post, so I'm hoping you'll relate to my little story here.
Let me give you some background. In October, I released Connected (Twists of Fate #1), and here's a brief description of the story: A rock group's rhythm guitarist, Rhys Alexander, dies and finds himself bound inside the body of a woman he's never met. Can she help him move on to the other side, or will he end up finding the love of his life…after his has already ended?
For a time, I had this for free on Wattpad (where I posted as I wrote it). And several readers asked me how in the world I came up with the concept. The short answer was 'By taking the longest route possible.' The more involved answer is this…
It all started with a song—Imagine that, huh?—which began with a synthesized-sounding guitar and a sinful, maniacal laugh that made my gut quiver. (Yes, I do realize this may be an issue I need to fully address later.) It was Disturbed's "Inside The Fire". Add a little Framing Hanley (with that oh-so-sexy voice), and Tavion, lead singer of the band Persevere, was born. And what kind of woman would knock a strapping rock star to his knees? Why, a best-selling author, of course.
So here I had two people who worked in the entertainment industry, but were worlds apart. What could possibly bring them together? The answer seemed so simple, really: Fate. Then my next though was "What if Fate was a living, sometimes-breathing, entity? What an interesting point-of-view that would be!" And it spiraled from there. I dug deep into the protag, Devan (the name of the girl in Disturbed's song), and put pieces of me and my personality into the mix. Naturally, then I had to mock myself and my works along the way. (i.e., Suddenly Impending Reprisals became Devan's masterpiece, and guess what…it made it all the way to the NYT Bestsellers list! Way to go, Devan!!)
Now, the question was 'What inspired me to write Connected', and so far, I'm telling you how I started writing Twisted (Book 2). Yeah, well, I'm getting there. (Remember how I said it was the longest route possible?)
So there I was, writing Twisted and having a hell of a time. And then the unthinkable happened (insert suspenseful music here)…I got writer's block. I'm talking a stint of writer's block that could only have originated from the deepest, most vile and sulfuric, bowels of Hell. And, man, was it stubborn! Over a year went by before I picked it up again, and even then it wasn't because I came up with a grand master plan, or that my head was swimming with ideas. No. It was simply because I missed my characters. So I started to reread/revise/edit the 30K words I had written, hoping it would shake something loose. Enter: two new inspirations.
The first was the Demonica series by Larissa Ione. In the series, paired up mates can sense each other's emotions and I got to wondering "What would that be like?"
The next piece of inspiration came from Avenged Sevenfold (A7X). I was studying up on rock bands for Twisted (and can A7X ever ROCK!!), and checking out the band members (*drool*) and it inspired a new character—Rhys.
From Ione and A7X blossomed Connected (finally!) where Rhys' spirit was stuck inside Addison (my protag), and they could sense each other's emotions.
But I had one problem. I absolutely REFUSED to walk away from Twisted again. Soooo…how could I use this? Well, first of all, Rhys couldn't be a lead singer since that's what Tavion is. And secondly, I wanted this to be a fast-hitting novella used to compliment Twisted's story. What I needed was a supporting member of the band... Hello, Rhys, my luscious rhythm guitarist!
But then I had another problem. (Because I needed more, right?) I couldn't picture Rhys in Tavion's band, Persevere, which is a more mature, established group. No, he belonged with some just-making-it-big band that wasn't afraid to play with the formula, to take chances, and was just enjoying the ride and what life had to offer. He belonged with the guys of Black Codex.
Then problem #3: How did Black Codex and Persevere tie in to each other? I mean, if Connected leads into Twisted, they have to know each other somehow, right? Well, as luck would have it, they're all friends. (Who knew?!) Eh, okay, so actually two members from Black Codex are brothers and they grew up with a guy from Persevere, so, by association, they became friends. (It's all in the details, right?) ;)
All right. Now what? I didn't want to introduce Fate (my sassy, capricious entity) in Connected even though he's definitely hard at work behind the scenes. It would've been too distracting from the plot, and I had plenty to maneuver already! (Hello…dead rock star stuck in some chicks head!!) So what I did was plot Connected so it all occurs during the same timeframe as the first half of Twisted. Perfect! Then when people read Twisted, they'll get all the behind-the-scenes-extras that were going on in Connected that either 1) I didn't have time for, or 2) I couldn't smoothly transition in.
At the end of my long-ass journey, not only did I have Connected, but I shook myself loose on Twisted…aaand came up with storylines for the other eight band members. (I'll spare you the details on those. LOL) Thusly, the Twists of Fate series was born.

So, let me ask you again: Did you ever get a song stuck in your head…?

For more information on the Twists of Fate series: http://jolynpalliata.wordpress.com/romance/twists-of-fate-series/
Twists of Fate series Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Twists-of-Fate-Series/190217514383637
To purchase Connected (Twists of Fate #1): http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&ie=UTF8&field-author=Jolyn%20Palliata

Finding the Time

Where did all the time go?

Its the day after Christmas and I'm diving into my day job - meaning not writing. Where did all my "free" time go to write?

Oh yeah - the holidays.

I swear its getting worse every year. I get ready for the holidays, get healthy, plan what I need to do - and focus on things other than me.

Yes, I focus on family - but me? Not so much.

So on Tuesday, I'm getting a pedicure - and bringing my notepad to plot. And when I get home? Writing. Yep. The day job for the rest of Winter break will be MWF. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday will be writing. Sunday - video games with the hubby.

That's what I have to do. Need to do.

Because I have the time until the middle of January. And then my schedule will change. And that's okay.

The thing is Reed, Josh and Hannah (from my WIP Trinity Bound) really want me to finish their draft. And Shade and Lily from Dust of My Wings really want me to finish plotting them. Not to mention the other 10 books I have planned - and countless other ideas. Plus I want to get back into blogging for myself in addition to the weekly guest I have that bring awesome contests.

What do you do when you realize you forgot to take time for yourself? When do you write? And what topics would you like to see on this blog? Any ideas?

Happy Holidays everyone!

A New Year BlogHop is coming!!

The New Year Blog Hop!
Come visit us on Jan 4th! Over 60 authors and reviews are going to talk about their favorite New Year Memory! What does that mean for you? Well we are giving away gift cards, books, and other swag goodies throughout the day! Each author will chose their own winner - so that means over 50 winners! And you can win on multiple pages!

And the best thing? We have TWO Grand prizes. 


One being a Kindle Fire to a lucky winner!
Our second grand prize is a $80 Amazon GC!






So be sure to come by and try to win some amazing prizes! See you then!

An Excerpt from A Taste for A Mate

A Taste for a Mate - out Feb 2012


Later that evening Willow clung to Jasper's hand as he led her to the Pack circle, her heart beating loudly in her ears. The Alpha planned to introduce her to the Pack and discuss her kidnapping and its ramifications with the Central Pack. Located in a valley filled with tall trees and grass, nestled between two rock faces. Raised edges formed stadium seating in the rock worn smooth over time they actually were comfortable. In the center lay a flat grassy plane surrounded by mud and dirt, reminding Willow of an archaic football field. Though she possessed no magic, she could still feel the pulse of Pack energy coming from the circle and the weight of boundless magic and decisions over centuries must have taken place there."So is everyone going to be in wolf or human form?" Willow asked.Okay, that was a stupid question. But she hated silence.Jasper laughed. "Human form. As much as we love our wolf ones, it's kinda hard to talk to each other on four feet."Willow laughed. "Oh, but how do you communicate when you are a wolf?""Instinct. We follow each other or move our heads to indicate where we want to go. It isn't like we have philosophical discussions when we're hunting. I know some myths say we can talk telepathically, and though that would be cool as hell, we don't.""So, no mind readers. Good to know.""Well, not that I know of anyway. But it could happen I guess. Maybe it comes after mating." Jasper smiled."Really, what am I thinking now?" Willow teased."That I look good in this shirt?" Jasper laughed.Willow widened her eyes. "Wow. I can't believe it. You caught me."They laughed and Jasper held her close to his side. "Really? I'll have to wear this more often." He leaned down and brushed his lips on her hair. Heat radiated over her skin. Thank God he couldn't actually read her mind right now. She'd die of mortification.

NEW COVER!!! - Trinity Bound

Isn't it beautiful? I LOVE Leia Shaw and her hubby. They just make me happy. I mean - look at how amazing their work is?

*sigh*

Trinity Bound is the third book in the Redwood Pack Series and is Reed's story. And if you can't guess - yes it's a menage! It should be out Spring of 2012

Here's the blurb:


Hannah Lewis, a rare earth witch, is taken from the only life she's ever known. Held at her will by a sadistic wolf, she almost gives up hope that she'd ever see her real life again. But as her fellow captive, a werewolf named Reed, tries to calm her fears, she begins to feel a spark of something she never thought she'd feel – love. But is Reed, alone, enough to get her out of this dark basement so she can move on with her life?Reed Jamenson, the artist of a werewolf Pack of Alpha males, knows instinctually that Hannah is his mate. Thus, despite their imprisonment, he will do all to protect her and then worry about their hearts. But is he strong enough to find a way for both of them to escape? And why does he feel as though something else is missing?Josh Kolb, an ex-military human, stumbles upon Reed and Hannah and finds he must trust this new world of supernatural beings to survive. But that desire will lead the three to a triangle of attraction that will test the boundaries they all possess and its consequences in defeating the enemy. Can they all trust one another to save themselves and life as they know it? Even at the cost of their own hearts?

Holiday Memories - BlogHop

Holiday Memories
Hi All! Welcome to the Holiday Blog Hop!

Be sure to leave a comment, as one lucky person will win a $10 Amazon GC.                        

            My favorite memory of Christmas morning came one day when I was six. We were stationed in Japan, and my parents were lucky enough to have found gifts through my Grandfather to have shipped to us.            That year I got a Barbie Dream House. You know, the one that had three stories and an elevator you pulled with a string. I LOVED that house. It made three moves with us and traveled around the world.            However, my little sister, four years younger, HATED that house. Here's why.            My parents gave us gifts under the trees and in our stockings. Our stockings were filled with candy and toothbrushes and lotion. Pretty much anything small my Mom could find. J            But we each got 1 Santa Gift. One large gift that may or may not be wrapped that "Santa" brought us. And since they weren't wrapped, "Santa" was kind enough to use one of our sheets to cover them. So, we walked out of the bedroom area into the living room where the tree was. I ran past my large gift covered under a sheet and looked around for the cookies that "Santa" ate. He did well that year.             So I missed the three stories, about four feet tall, sheet-draped Barbie Dream house.            My sister did not.            She SCREAMED.            "No Santa! No Santa!"            Apparently she though the sheet was Santa and was going to kill her. She was two.             She cried and we had to make sure she was okay. My mother ripped the sheet off and explained that Carrie's gift was a house, not a murdering Santa.            My sister is 21 now. Every Christmas I hug her then scream, "No Santa! No Santa!"            Love in my family is unconditional. Well, okay, it should be.                        What are your favorite memories? Any as funny as mine?


Also, be sure to check out my debut release, An Alpha's Path. 


Found on Amazon and Barnes & Noble 

          Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – be he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.
            Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?





Be sure to leave a comment as one lucky person will win a $10 Amazon GC. And be sure to follow the Holiday Hop!

The Unlikely Heroine with Jessica Subject

Hi All! Please welcome my friend and fellow author Jessica Subject!!

The Unlikely Heroine Most of the heroines that are in the stories I read are either women who have just experienced the biggest heartbreak of their life, or are very strong-willed independent women who aren't looking for a man, but wind up in love anyway. Not that there is anything wrong with these stories—I do love them—but it's rare to find women in other situations. How often do we have heroines who have been raped, gone through lap-band surgery, or in Tamara Johnston's case, have Alopecia Areata—an autoimmune disease which can leave patients bald? I've read these stories, too, but these are very sensitive topics and require a great deal of research and emotion included in the story. These heroines must struggle with their own identity issues before they can trust anyone to let them into their heart.Now, you tell me: What real-world issues do the heroines you read/write about face? Giveaway I will randomly draw a name from those who answer my question to WIN a copy of Beneath the Starry Sky. Please leave your email address in the body of your comment so that I may contact you if you win. Contest will run until December 23rd. Beneath the Starry Sky Blurb Left at the altar with bald patches on her head and her self-confidence stripped away, Tamara Johnson must pick up the pieces of her life and face her Alopecia Areata, the autoimmune disease causing her hair to fall out. She is convinced no man will date a bald woman and arranges a one-night stand through Madame Evangeline's popular service, 1Night Stand. With her new wig held firmly in place, Tamara arrives at the Castillo Hotel in Las Vegas for a night of passion and pleasure. Anything more than one night would mean exposing her bald head, and she will never do that to any man again.
Running into the Castillo Hotel, away from the paparazzi constantly at his heels, Josh Summers wants to spend his next few days locked away from the flashing lights and screaming fans. When he finds an incredibly sexy woman lying on his hotel room bed in nothing but lingerie, he thinks management has made a mistake. Leaving her behind, he heads for the lobby to get the situation rectified. But an unexpected text from Madame Evangeline sends him back to his room. Though unsure whether the woman on the bed is really his perfect match or just another fan believing him to be like his character on television, he knows he must find out, even if it means he must risk telling her his own secrets. If Tamara can handle his imperfections, she just might be his ideal woman.
Available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.Buy Links here: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=7250To learn more about Alopecia Areata and to help find a cure, visit the National Alopecia Areata Foundation http://www.naaf.org and the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation http://canaaf.org/ Bio: Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.Website/Blog: http://www.markofthestars.comTwitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jsubjectFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-E-Subject-author/205759796126370Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4959083.Jessica_E_SubjectGoogle +: https://plus.google.com/100079570422204018357/posts

Stuff your Stockings BlogHop!

Hi All!


I'm participating in the Stuff Your Stockings Blog Hop! Thanks for coming!  Be sure to click the logo to find all of the other authors!!!!


If you are going in order, you may have come from Jennifer Labelle's or you are just starting out, either way, welcome! You can click the logo to find all the other authors, or go directly to the next in the list, Giselle Renard. 


So, answer me this question:


What is your favorite Stocking Stuffer?


I'm giving away a $10 Amazon GC, so be sure to leave your email and answer to my question or comment!


Thank you so much for coming by and celebrating the hop and my debut release, An Alpha's Path. Found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 






Prizes Galore:$400+ In Gift Cards to Amazon, B&N, ARe, and Other Publisher Sites150+ In Ebooks of all heat levelsJewlery, Gift Baskets, Christmas Ornaments, and all kinds of goodiesEach participating author is going to hold a contest on their blog with so many treats up for grabs it's enough to make every reader's Christmas just that much happier! In each contest post the author will link the others participating in the blog hop to help you find each and ever stop to increase your chances to win.The contest will start Friday, December 16, 2011 and go till midnight Sunday, December 18, 2011.

Character Interviews from Destiny Unchained

Hello Carrie Ann Ryan! I'm happy to be here on your blog again. Today I have with me, the handsome and sweet (but don't underestimate his alpha power), Cristian. And the lovely vampire assassin, Natalia. Cristian and Natalia are the h/h from my most recent paranormal romance novel, Destiny Unchained.
So, Natalia and Cristian, tell us what brought you two together.
C: Well, I'm the alpha of the Northwest werewolf pack. The men in my pack -N: And women.C: *Nods* And women, in my pack work to protect the gray wolf population from human hunters and vampires who use their blood to get high. When I first met Natalia, I thought she was one of the vampire addicts we hate.N: After he shot a poison arrow through my chest -C: Because she was about to kill one of my kind.N: We had a nice little chat then parted on amicable terms.C: *arches a brow* Amicable terms? You lodged a shiv in my back and left me unconscious in the middle of the forest.N: Yeah, that was downright generous.C: *rolls eyes* We ran into each other again a few days later and I learned about the Silver Slayer.N: My latest target. A twisted serial killer who happens to be a werewolf. C: I convinced her to work with me -N: Forced me to work with you.C: *snorts* As if I could force you to do anything.N: *grins* You know me so well.C: Anyway. We hunted the Silver Slayer together through the mountains of northern Montana. *Gazes at Natalia* And every step of the way I fell deeper and deeper in love.N: *Chuckles* And I just wanted to kill him.C: *Takes her hand* She came to her senses though. Eventually.N: Yes. Eventually I learned what I had been missing all these years. A stubborn, pain in the ass werewolf.C: Damn straight.*Gaze at each other lovingly*
Ahem. Okay, we are going to leave these two alone for a while. Thank you for having me Carrie and I hope you readers will take a chance on Destiny Unchained. It's only $0.99 through Christmas so pick it up now!