Danica Winters's Blog, page 5

It’s New Release Time!

I’m proud to announce that my next novel in the Nymph Series, Winter Swans, has been released!  I couldn’t be more excited. I know you are going to love this book!

I had so much fun writing this–including a trip to a casino and several nights spent playing poker (just so I could get into character, I swear)! This book is a unique light paranormal romance* that doesn’t follow the cliché tropes of romance and instead merges with the world of high-stakes poker and the underbelly of Las Vegas. If you like the Italian Job, or any mob movie, you will enjoy this book. I tried to create a novel that would not only become a favorite to any romance reader, but to anyone who loves quick, witty, and out-of-the-box fiction!

*What do I mean by light paranormal romance?

That is a great question and will likely get it’s own post, but simply I like to novels that delve into the paranormal/magical world while still staying planted in reality. I want you to read the book and believe that even thought nymphs are mythological creatures, they are just like the girl next door, your friend, or your sister. Nymphs are just like the rest of us! And who knows, maybe they ARE real!

Here is a quick peek into Winter Swans:                  

Excerpt:

 Chapter One

 

The chapel of the funeral home was filled with familiar faces, each one drawn into a somber expression as they wandered past Harper Cygnini’s sister’s casket. A blonde nymph laid a single crystal swan inside the box, carefully placing the bird by the hundreds of others. The bird sat with its wings touching those next to it, looking as if they would come alive and fly Jenna to the realm of the gods.

Harper stepped to the head of the casket and shook hands as people passed by, never looking her in the eyes. There were no words to express the sadness which filled the room. This didn’t happen. Nymphs rarely died.

She dabbed at her stinging eyes. She had cried so much in the last week it came as a shock to her there were any tears left to be shed. Her heart wasn’t merely broken—no, the pain ran much deeper—it was almost as if she had died as well. Maybe she should have—the gods knew she deserved to be struck down. If she had just been more involved with her sister, if she had paid more attention, perhaps this would have never happened. She could have stopped her sister from being kidnapped. She would have noticed that Jenna had been missing. Instead Harper had merely gotten the call that Jenna’s body had been found frozen in a snow bank on some mountain.

The only comfort she could find was the men responsible had been incarcerated and awaited trial in Montana. They would pay for their atrocious crimes.

The only man in the room, Beau Morris, sat next to his fiancé, Ariadne Papadakis, the leader of the Sisterhood of Epione. Ariadne, noticing Harper’s gaze, dipped her head in a humble tribute to Jenna. Harper recognized a few of the other women within the room as mustang, snake, and swan-shifters. It was easy to tell them from the non-supernatural attendees as, even in mourning, the nymphs were perfectly beautiful—unscathed by time and the ravages of living.

The same couldn’t be said of Harper, but she didn’t care. She glanced down at her black dress. She couldn’t remember putting it on or doing her hair, but what did it matter? Even as a demigod life was short and filled with pain. What difference did her appearance really make—it was like so many other unimportant things that both humans and nymphs seemed to deem worthwhile. She couldn’t strike the impious thought that life was only some god’s sick joke—they merely sat up in the heavens playing around with everyone’s lives, striking down those who displeased them and testing to see how much pain those that remained could withstand.

A hand touched her shoulder, making her jerk to attention.

“Harper?” a redheaded woman asked. She was beautiful and clearly a nymph, but she didn’t have the same youthful, healthy glow of the others that filled the room. Instead her face was thin and her eyes tired.

“Yes. Thank you for coming to show your respect,” she answered robotically as she readied herself for the onslaught of well-deserved but undesired condolences.

“I’m Carey Jackson, a friend… I mean I was a friend of your sister.”

The words pierced Harper’s armor and drove straight to her heart. The tears stung her tired eyes. She could only nod, or any control she had would be lost.

Carey dropped her hand from Harper’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to have to do this to you, but your sister was my landlord and, well, she promised she would help me. She owed me a favor. And now I don’t have anyone to turn to, except you.” (Continued)

Released October 7, 2013:

Winter Swans

Series: The Nymph Series

Book 3

            Book 1: The Nymph’s Labyrinth

            Book 2: Montana Mustangs

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Purchase Links: ITunes | Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Kobo

Pages: 300

Blurb: A curse that forbids her to love…A child that he must accept… And a battle that could get them killed…

After the death of his troubled ex-wife, the professional poker player, Chance Landon, finds out he is the father of a strange girl who carries even stranger secrets.

Swan-shifting nymph, Harper Cygnini, is a driven by the need to succeed in her professional life. When she meets Chance and his daughter, it becomes only too clear that there are things missing in her life—feelings and needs laid dormant after the mistakes of her past.

When Chance makes a choice that puts them all in danger, Harper must choose between her job and her heart. Chance may be the gambler, but should she risk making the same mistakes and pinning her hopes on a future that may cost Chance his life and his daughter—or is that one bet she is unwilling to take?

Please feel free to leave comments/questions below! Happy Reading!

Naughty No No’s Blog Hop

As romance lovers it can easily be assumed that we love those moments in life when we our heart says YES, but our mind says No No!  Whether it is falling for the wrong man, or the right man at the wrong time (as in the short story Christmas Wishes–published September 25, 2013) there is something so tasty about the prospect of the forbidden!

What do you love that is forbidden (or at least a little naughty)? 

Here is my list of TOP 5 Naughty No-No’s:

5. I’m new to the world of getting a tattoo. (What can I say, I missed it in my teens and 20s, but now that I check the new decades box I find that I want something that illustrates exactly who I am and what I believe!) Since getting my first I find that I want to keep going. People aren’t kidding when they say it’s addictive!

4. Reading late into the night. I find that, with a good book, I have little respect for tomorrow.

3. Wine is my nemesis. In fact, I would say Moscato is my favorite color. My only hope is that people are telling the truth when they say wine is linked to a decrease in heart disease–at least that way I can tell them I’m only concerned with my health!

2. I LOVE truffles… Not low-fat, low-cal, cardboard-flavored skinny things like I should… no.. I love the melt-in-your-mouth straight-to-your-hips truffles!

1. I may be married, but I’m not dead…. In my household, we call the men I look at ‘research models’. It is a hard life to have to look at the best looking men in the world and pick the best of the best, but I will take one for womankind. Today, this is my favorite. What do you think? Hot or not? Or, better yet, who is your favorite hottie (he may show up on the official Danica Winters Fan Page!)

 

Now that you know my No-No’s, what are yours? What are your naughty loves?

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Guest Post: Planning a Joint Blog Tour

My good friend Kara Leigh Miller and Sharon Kleve have two great books coming out this week. In an effort to raise awareness for their newest releases I have decided to host them on my blog today! I hope you love their books as much as I do! (Oh, and did I mention they are hosting a giveaway?)

Planning a Joint Blog Tour

by Kara Leigh Miller & Sharon Kleve

With the advent and popularity of ebooks, traditional marketing and book tours/signings aren’t as effective as they used to be. You don’t always have a physical book to carry around to do book signings. So, what do you do to promote your book and get it in the hands of readers?

You do a blog tour!

Planning a blog tour is both exciting and exhausting. It’s a lot of work, but it is well worth it. However, working in conjunction with someone else to celebrate the release of two books is way more fun! This is exactly what we’ve done.

How, you ask? Here are the steps we took to plan and organize our Sweet ‘n Steamy Blog Tour.

Get organized before you start any planning. This step is crucial!

Start a spreadsheet where you can keep track of all the stops you schedule. You don’t want to forget about a stop or forget to send materials to a blogger after they’ve been kind enough to host you. We have a spreadsheet we’re using via Google docs. Goggle docs is convenient because you can access it from any computer, without sending a word document back and to keep the other author up-to-date. It includes: blog name, blog link, blogger’s name, blogger’s email address, date of scheduled stop, type of post (guest post (topic), interview, spotlight, review), and date the materials were sent to the blogger. So, at a quick glance, we can see what dates we have left to fill and which bloggers we still need to send stuff to.
Pick dates that you want your blog tour to run. Be sure it coincides with your book release. Starting the day your book is released or the day after is a good choice. For example, our Sweet ‘n Steamy tour is running from 9/15 – 10/16, so we know we have to try and fill as many dates within that time frame as possible. One blog stop per day is good. It’s better if you can schedule 2 or 3 per day, for maximum exposure.
No blog tour is complete without a giveaway of some sort. Determine what prizes you’d like to giveaway and make a list of them.
Create a standard form email that you can copy and paste when contacting bloggers. Trust us, you don’t want to have to retype the same email over and over again. Be sure to include your name; pertinent blog tour information such as dates, tour name, etc.; the giveaway and what prizes you’re offering; the book(s) information; and what kind of promotion you’re looking to do: book spotlight, guest post, interview, or a review request. Also, be sure to personalize it for each blog you send it to.


Start contacting bloggers. In our case, we both contacted our personal friends/bloggers first. They are your best resource. If you’re a new author and don’t have any blogging contacts yet, don’t worry. Start by going to your publisher’s author loop and ask your fellow authors to help you out and participate in your blog tour.
Find blogs that fit your genre of book. For example, you don’t want to ask blogs that cater to a young adult audience to help promote your erotica or adult romance book. It’s very easy to Google “romance blogs” or “paranormal blogs” or “young adult blogs.” Be prepared. There will be a LOT of options.
Systematically start going through the search results. Visit each individual blog and read their guest post/review request requirements. Then send them an email asking to be a guest on their blog. Some blogs will post an email address that you send requests to. Others will have a form right there on the website to fill out. This is where your pre-written form letter will come in handy. Also, be sure to update your spreadsheet each time you schedule a stop.
Repeat step 3 until you’re exhausted or you’ve run out of blogs to visit.
This is optional: create a new page on your personal blog that will stay there until the end of the tour. This allows people to see the complete tour schedule and follow it if they want. It’s also added promotion for random visitors who may not know you have a blog tour going on. You can see a sample one here: http://www.karaleighmiller.com/p/jilted-blog-tour.html .
Most importantly…Have fun and sell some books!

Book Title : Jilted

Author: Kara Leigh Miller

Publisher: Books to Go Now

Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

Release Date: 9.15.2013

Length: 49K

Heat Rating: Hot

 

Book Blurb:

Amy and Brett have been friends since they were kids; and their friendship has withstood the test of time. But can it withstand Brett’s fiancée, Vanessa?

 

Brett Hudson has often wondered what it would be like to be more than Amy’s friend, but when he’s chosen as the newest professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, he meets Vanessa, one of the shows costume designers and it’s a whirlwind romance that ends in a wedding proposal. As the big day draws closer, Brett begins to think that marrying Vanessa might be a bad idea. She wants him to give up Amy. Completely. Will he give up his best friend for the woman he’s supposed to marry?

 

Amy King is heartbroken to learn that Brett is marrying another woman. But, when Brett is jilted at the altar, he begs Amy to go on his honeymoon with him. A week on a tropical island with her best friend, the man she’s fantasized about for years is a dream come true for Amy. But when Brett suggests crossing the line from friends to lovers, Amy is reluctant. Will she risk years of friendship for one night of passion?

 

Excerpt:

“It’s because you go for the wrong type of guy,” Brett said matter-of-factly, pouring a third shot down his throat. “Those muscle bound jocks are all bark and no bite. They look good on the outside, but they’re a mess on the inside.”

Amy threw a piece of ice at him and laughed. “And the goody two shoes, school teacher types you date are much better?”

“Nope.” He grinned. “Which is why we’re both still single.”

She sighed. “Yeah, so much for my dream of having kids.”

“You’re young. I’m sure you’ll find someone.” He drank his last shot and chased it with his beer.

“I’m thirty, Brett. By the time I find a man, date him, and get married, I’ll be an old hag with no viable eggs.”

The thought of Amy finding a man to marry and have kids with didn’t sit well with him. He couldn’t stomach the thought of losing her. “I’ll tell you what.” He leaned across the table and pointed at her. “Three years from now, if neither of us are married, I’ll marry you and give you as many babies as you want.” Brett’s words were slurred. Yup. He was definitely drunk. He wouldn’t have made that proposition otherwise.

“Yeah right.” Amy rolled her eyes. “You and me? That would be like fucking my brother. Thanks, but no thanks.”

He flinched at her words. “You think of me as your brother?” That bothered him a lot more than it should, especially considering he’d never once thought of her as a sister.

She shrugged. “We’re best friends. How else would I think of you?” Amy glanced away, and then set her gaze on him again. “Why? How do you think of me?”

Oh shit! He hadn’t expected the conversation to backfire on him like that. What was he supposed to tell her? That he thought of her as a best friend that he wanted to fuck? No, he definitely couldn’t tell her that. “As a friend, I guess. I don’t know. It’s not like I sit around and think about how I should think of you. You’re Amy.”

“And you’re drunk.”

“Maybe a little.” He grinned. “So, do we have a deal or what?”

 

Author Bio:

Kara is a multi-published romance author who dabbles in young adult, new adult, paranormal, and contemporary romances. However, her genre of choice will always be erotic romance. She’s a member of the CNY Writers Haven and the Romance Writers of America. Writing is her passion and she loves to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with her fellow authors and her fans.

Today, Kara resides in Upstate New York with her husband, five kids, three cats, and two dogs. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s spending time with her family and friends.

Nothing excites Kara more than hearing from her fans. So, send her a note. She’ll go total fan girl over it!

 

Social Media Links:

Website/Blog: www.karaleighmiller.com

Email: karaleighmiller@yahoo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaraLeighMiller

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaraLeighMille1

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KaraLeighMiller

 

Book Title: Halo’s Wish

Author: Sharon Kleve

Publisher: Books to Go Now

Genre: Sweet Contemporary Christmas Romance

Release Date: 9.15.2013

Length: 11K

Heat Rating: Sweet

 

Book Blurb:

Halo Ann Carlyle wishes for a home, family, and a boat-load of pets. What she gets is a bruised hip, a lump on the head, a broken ankle, and her new yellow Honda Civic is demolished.

Rich McFarland, a sexy veterinarian, keeps showing up in the most unexpected places, promising everything she’s ever wanted.

Halo believes she only has time to pursue her career as a pet detective and must ignore her growing attraction to achieve her dreams.

Will Halo trust her heart, and find a way to get both for Christmas?

 

Excerpt:

She’d just placed another call through to Pemsky’s office, which went straight to his voicemail, when the office door opened. Halo smiled and looked up into dreamy, gold-flecked green eyes, short sandy brown hair, a slight cleft chin, and full lips set in a hard line. Even with the stern look he had on his face, my hormones jumped into overdrive.

Mr. Dreamy cleared his throat—she must’ve been staring. In her most professional voice she said, “Good morning. How may I help you?”

He removed a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and unfolded the sheet.

“I was parked in front of the Beacon Hill Ale House and my driver’s side mirror was sideswiped by one of Pemsky’s Security’s SUV’s Friday night.”

Halo loved the Beacon Hill Ale House. Every Saturday night the Ale House allowed local bands to jam together. That’s where she’d met her last loser boyfriend. She’d had a lot of loser boyfriends. She’s currently on a hiatus from dating, but she wouldn’t mind jumping back into the dating game for this dream-boat.

He handed her the piece of paper.

“I wasn’t able to get a look at the driver, but I got the license plate number of the vehicle that hit my car and drove away.”

He emphasized the last part.

“I’m very sorry about your car. I’m sure Mr. Pemsky will be happy to cover the damage.” Halo checked the company log and Pemsky’s name popped up as the driver—she gulped.

 

Author Bio:

Sharon Kleve was born and raised in Washington and currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband.

Sharon is a writer of paranormal and contemporary romance. She loves romance. She loves reading romance, living romance, and especially loves writing about romance. She gets no greater feeling than watching her characters come alive in each other’s arms. Most of all, she loves giving her characters the happily ever after they deserve—with a few bumps and bruises along the way.

One of her favorite things to do is picking up a new book and sinking into the story, immersing herself in the emotions between the characters. She hopes to inspire her readers the same way her favorite authors have inspired her.

When not writing, she can usually be found either curled up in her recliner with her cat and a good book, or in the kitchen baking sourdough bread or bagels.

 

 

Social Media Links:

Email: sharon.kleve@yahoo.com

Blog: http://authorsharonkleve.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharonrkleve

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKleve

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5399389.Sharon_Kleve

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sharon-kleve/56/ab/691/

 

Rafflecopter Giveaway Info:

Prizes:

One (1) Winner will receive a $25 gift card to a book seller of      their choice
One (1) Winner will receive Kara Leigh Miller’s complete backlist,      which includes five novellas and two full-length books
One (1) Winner will receive Sharon Kleve’s complete backlist, which      includes six books
Three (3) Winners will receive a signed paperback copy of Kara Leigh      Miller’s, Death of a Waterfall
Three (3) Winners will receive a signed paperback copy of Sharon      Kleve’s, Love Crazed

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10 Secrets Readers Don’t Know About Authors

We all have a favorite book, a book so well-loved that its yellowed pages curl your fingers like a baby’s hands when you turn its pages. A book that you are inspired to read after you see a funny movie or someone says a particular name. One of my favorite books, one that calls to me as the main character is a relatable, clumsy mess, is Bridget Jones’ Diary (though I have many books that I love). It could be Bridget’s well-intentioned, but lacking sexual prowess with men, or it could be her hysterical dialogue, but I keep saying I need to read that book again. This time when I was flicking through the pages like a book-starved librarian, I began to wonder what are things readers don’t know about authors and their books? So I came up with this list:

10. Authors love their readers. At least most of them do, this is especially true of romance authors. So if you have a favorite author, or if you love a book, let the author know. There are a lot of potholes in the road to publication. A few kind words can go a long way. I know many authors who have a board filled with positive comments readers have sent them for those ‘pothole’ days. So stop by on Facebook or Twitter and say ‘Hi!’

9.  Books are not written overnight. In the case of most authors, we don’t have a devoted team of personal assistants and public relations officers. We do everything: writing the book, the jacket flaps, the blurbs, we are the ones who get endorsements for our books, we are in charge of (some) marketing, teaching classes, judging writing contests, setting up personal appearances and book signings, and all of this on top of the daily writing projects. Right now this is my personal To Do List: write blog articles for book tours (I did ten interviews last week), write two book proposals for The Nymph Series, write two book proposals for my next series (YEAH!), I’m writing a collection of short stories, and any day now I should have my edits coming back for my next book in The Nymph Series entitled Winters Swans (to be release October 14, 2013). This is all on top of my ‘day job’ for a publishing house out of Seattle called, Books To Go Now.

So please be patient with us. We would love to put out a book every two months, but for most this is an impossible dream but, believe me, We Strive to Make Our Readers Happy.

8. The success of a book is largely in part to the support of its readers. If you love a book, tell your friends. There is no better recommendation for a book than word of mouth. J Authors love when they see you talking about a book that took them many months to write. It makes our day!

7. Most authors will send signed books if you ask. Now I have run into scenarios when this isn’t true. (I would like to add this is normally the authors with teams of personal assistants—the authors who have nine books on the New York Times Bestsellers list.  Then again, sometimes ven they will find time to send you a signed copy—and those are some of my favorite authors.)

6. We have favorite authors too! We read. Some may say we have an ‘addiction.’ In fact, our addiction is what has led many people to become authors.

5. Going off the last point, if you see us in public (when we venture out of our dark cavernous writers caves) don’t be afraid to come up and say ‘Hi!’  We are human and, for the most part, we don’t bite. It’s better to introduce yourself and say hello than to be the person who stares at me like I have a booger sticking out of my nose (yes, I checked when you weren’t looking).Feel free to discuss books with us. We’re huge nerds!

4. Yes, we are nerds. Think about it. We sit alone for hours on end while we try and pretend the voices in our heads are real…. Thinking about that, maybe we aren’t nerds. I think there is actually a psychological problem that may need to be addressed. J

3. In every book you read, you are learning not only about the characters, but about the author as well. However, in the case of a great book, you will think you are learning only about the characters, but if you look a little deeper you will find out some of the author’s inner-desires and passions. No author would write a book about a subject they find uninteresting or uninspiring.

2. (As much as we all do this) Don’t judge a book by its cover. I have found that terrible books have fabulous covers, and some great books have covers that…well, let’s be honest here, I’m just glad I’m reading the book on the Kindle. I don’t need anyone thinking I’m some kind of sex-starved housewife. I love my hunks (I even post them regularly on my Fan Page), but that doesn’t mean I want to my dentist to comment on the qualities of the cover model’s abs.

The truth about covers is this: authors have very little say about what makes the final cut. For my latest release, Montana Mustangs, all I got to tell the publisher was that I would please like a horse, a blond, and Glacier National Park in the background. Thank goodness they have a wonderful team of designers, as I couldn’t be happier, but there are times that even the author cringes at the final design.

1. Romance authors hate it when you say: “Oh, I don’t read romances.” And then grab a Lee Child novel off the shelf.

Almost every book out there, at some level, is a romance.

Labeling all romances as “less than” is a discredit to not only the genre, but to all the authors who write romances. In the last decades romance has evolved, unfortunately the public opinion has not. There are many who believe all romance authors write ‘smut.’

Yes, many romance novels do have a little sexual attraction, but there is a huge variety of books under the label of ‘romance.’ There are books with no scenes and there are books that proudly declare they are porn. There is every level of romance from those with a Christian message to those romances that take part in the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

So before you judge a romance author, make sure you know what romance entails. At the most basic level, if someone says they write romance, it means that they write books that are emotionally based. We pen books that pull at reader’s heartstrings. We want you to laugh. We want you to cry (tears of joy, I swear…errr… usually). Most of all, we want you to enjoy your experience while reading our books.

Other Places you can find Danica Winters:  Blog | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook |

 

A Writer’s Dream…

I had to share a special event! Today I received this wonderful picture (sent to me by a wonderful librarian).

To most people this would be just a simple book sitting on a library cart. Yet to me it means something else entirely. To me this picture symbolizes an extraordinary amount of hard work, sleepless nights, determination (that has bordered on obsession), and blind hopes.  It symbolizes many business trips, conferences, meetings, letters written, and letters received (not all of which were written in kindness).

To me this wonderful picture goes beyond just having a special place in my life. It also means that my books can have a special place in everyone’s. And that, above everything else, is what is important to me.

When I began writing my goal was simple, to entertain. To bring joy to my fans.

To all my fans: Thank you for reading my books. Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for enjoying the books I have created just for you.

To all those wonderful Librarians: Thank you for your support! You are helping to create a literary world where all are welcome!

*If your local library doesn’t have a copy of The Nymph’s Labyrinth, all you need to do is request a copy and most will make it happen!

When The Sparks Fly Blog Hop

Thank you for stopping by my blog today for the When the Sparks Fly Blog Hop.

I’m sorry I have been so quiet as of late, but I have been busy behind the scenes.  So what have I been doing you ask?

Recently, Montana Mustangs was released in e-book and The Nymph’s Labyrinth was released in paperback!

Just last week, my third book in the Nymph Series, Winter Swans, was accepted by Crimson Romance. It is slated to be released October 14, 2013. I couldn’t be happier!

I’ve been writing another series for the last year and on the first of July I sent it to my agent to start the submissions process with the large publishing houses.

I have my fingers crossed that this new series will be available next year as a mass market paperback as well as in e-book format (I’d love for you to get your fingers crossed as well, my friends).

I’m hoping to get more short stories written this summer for those of you who have been asking!

And as always, I have been busy teaching classes and helping aspiring authors. So, if you have questions please feel free to connect with me through Facebook or Twitter!

What have you been busy doing this summer?

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CLICK AUTHORS NAME TO VISIT THEIR STOP ON THE HOP!

Billi Jean:

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Paige Tyler:

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Sara Walter Elwood:

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M.A. Church:

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Julie Lynn Hayes:

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Kat Halstead:

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DC Juris:

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Kendall McKenna:

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Anne Barwell:

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Ayla Ruse:

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Dianne Hartsock:

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Lucy Felthouse:

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Natalie-Nichole Bates:

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Lexi Ander:

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Shelli Rosewarne:

[Author] {m/f } (spicy)

Alys B. Cohen:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Katya Armock:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Conor Caffrey:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews:

[Book Blogger]

Danita Minnis:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Dianne Venetta:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Vallory Vance:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Kelly Fitz:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Kelli Scott

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

Christina Cole:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Malia Mallory:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

Alexandra Anthony:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

JoAnne Kendrick:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Erica Pike:

[Author] {m/m} (erotic)

Jen Minkman:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Chic Lit Aficionado:

[Book Blogger]

Paranormal Romance Fan For Life:

[Book Blogger]

Danica Winters:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Book To Go:

[Publisher]

Joanne Wadsworth:

[Author] {m/f} (YA)

Lasha’s Reviews:

[Book Blogger]

Clare Dargen:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

Shannon Reckler:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

Janice Seagraves:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

Crymsyn Hart:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

SJ Thomas:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Capri Montgomery:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Makayla’s Book Reviews:

[Book Blogger]

WCSB Reviews:

[Book Blogger]

June Kramin:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Kary Rader:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Regina May Ross:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Jaime Ornelas:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

C.C. Williams:

[Author] {m/m} (erotic)

Sandra SooKoo:

[Author[ {m/f} (spicy)

Amielise Gabel:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Elyzabeth M. VaLey:

[Author] {multi} (erotic)

Zara Stoneley:

[Author]{m/f} (erotic)

Louisa Blacio:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

K.E. Saxon:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

Kathleen Ann Gallagher:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Jean Joachim:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Susan Frances:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

Jess Buffett:

[Author] {m/m} (erotic)

Tabitha Conall:

[Author] {m/f} (erotic)

Clara Bayard:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Jessica E. Subject:

[Author] {multi} (erotic)

Olivia Linden:

[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Lisa’s Book Fair:

[Book Blogger]

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[Author] {m/f} (spicy)

Naughty Editions Reviews:

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Emmly Jane:

[Author] {m/f} (sweet)

A Year in Love Blog Hop

Come join ‘we happy few, we band of sisters’ in celebrating our first   year as published authors under the Crimson Romance banner. What sets us   apart from other romance writers? The diversity of story, the quality   of writing and the amazingly original concepts of our writers are  unlike  any found in usual formula romance. We are unique, as people, as   storytellers, as women. So Blog Hop with us, share a comment, sign up  to  win free book giveaways and prizes, follow the original round-robin   story from chapter to chapter and read excerpts from books that capture   the imagination, scratch your itch for a really good love story and  take  you on journeys of the heart and soul. We’ll have a Blog Hopping  Blast  together!

 

Spotlight Book:

Montana Mustangs

Chapter  11 (Right before the LOVE scene :} )

Chapter Eleven

The sun slipped over the horizon, casting long shadows over the ravines and valleys that rested around the mountain. The blades of the helicopter chopped through the air as the EMTs loaded Ryan onto a stretcher and into the bird.

One of the male life-flight nurses turned to Dane. “You sure you don’t want a ride out? We can send someone for the horses.”

Dane shook his head. Aura had been adamant about staying with the horses and getting them down the mountain and back to some level of safety.

“Hell of a day you picked to come up on the mountain. Didn’t you hear there’s another storm coming in?” The man looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

Hell, maybe he had lost his mind. He’d spent his day on the frigid peak of a mountain, looking for a woman that was more than likely dead. The shit he did in the name of a good looking woman…What was wrong with him?

Aura was sitting on a stump away from the chopper’s wash; she slumped down and kept glancing over, almost as if she was afraid of the helicopter. A woman was looking at her arm. The EMT shrugged as if she too was just as confused with the state of the new wound. Aura smiled and pulled her arm back and shoved her tattered coat’s sleeve down. His officer senses kicked into high gear. Something about her was just wrong.

“Did you hear me?” the EMT yelled.

He shook his head and looked back to the man standing at his side. “What?”

“You and your friend need to get off the mountain as soon as possible. They’re giving a winter storm warning. I bet this place will get three feet of fresh snow by morning.”

Any goddamned evidence that hid under the snow would be hidden until the spring now. Their odds of finding a trace of Natalie up here was as likely as his brother deciding to not be an asshole—which wasn’t ever going to happen.

“We’ll get down the mountain as soon as we can.”

The pilot pointed toward the horizon where the sun had disappeared, but a thin line of light still permeated the evening. “You sure you can get out in the dark? I don’t want to be back up tomorrow on a recovery mission where we try to find your bodies.”

The man was right, it would be precarious heading back down the steep mountain trail in the dark, but he had a flashlight and blankets if they were forced to stop. He was a Montanan and a former Boy Scout—he didn’t go anywhere unprepared.

“We’ll be careful packing out. If we aren’t out by mid-day tomorrow send in the cavalry.”

The man smiled. “Will do.” He motioned for the other nurse.

Dane walked over to Aura and put his hand on her shoulder. “You okay? You sure you don’t want to ride out with them? I can get the horses out on my own, you know.”

She glanced over at the helicopter. “There’s no way I’m getting on that damned thing. At least not while I’m alive.”

If they didn’t get out before the storm broke it was possible that she would be getting the ride she didn’t want. They needed to get moving…

To See Other Crimson Romance Titles Taking Part in the hop, you can find the master list on Denyse Cohen’s Blog!

One lucky commenter will be the winner of a Montana themed package.  To Take Part, please leave a comment or question below!  Good Luck!

 

Top 10 Rules for Writers

I have had the honor of meeting many wonderful people who have wanted to become authors.  I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has a story to tell, but finding the time, the motivation, and the belief in yourself can be the biggest battles in becoming an author.  For those who do follow their dreams, it still doesn’t mean success–or merited publication.  If you dream of becoming a successful author, I have put together a simple list of things you must strive for in order to make it in this competitive, critical, and sometimes brutal world of writing.

10. Write every day.

9. Write the story that is in your heart, not the story you think you should tell.*

8. That being said, you must follow the rules for your genre (Which means you must know in which genre you write–And Yes, it is good to be labeled, but make sure you control what you are known for.)

7. Once you know the rules, feel free to break them.

6. Edit, Edit, Edit… Let the book sit for a few months. Come back and edit again.  If you are ever bored when you are writing, your readers will be bored when reading.  Stop. Tear the section from your book and start over.  Once you do this, you will have the strength of knowing this is the best book you can write at this point in your writing adventure.

5. Never stop learning.  The publishing landscape alters like brittle frost on a cold spring morning.  One day something that was tried and true will fail and something you thought was crazy may be the industry standard.

4. Always be kind to other authors (and people in general).  This is a tough one, I know.  There are times when you will face down the reader/editor/agent/author who will feel it is necessary to tell you exactly why/how you smell like dirty socks.  Force your body to smile.  Thank them for their time in letting you know their thoughts.  Then take what you can from their comments and forget the rest.  Under this rule, I also want to add if you help another writer do so in with a spirit of support and not competition.  Your words will come back to haunt you if you let selfish motivations control your mouth (or typing fingers).

3. Thank the people who work with you.  It takes an army to be successful.  You need to appreciate the time people take out of their lives to mention you, publish your books, promote you, and read your words.  It only takes a second to make a good impression and graciously appreciate what others do for you.  *Insert the Golden Rule Here*

2. Remember that you are an entertainer at the most basic of level.  Make your reader feel.  Make them want more.  This doesn’t mean they have to love your characters, but they should feel the overwhelming need to keep reading.  You achieve this by digging deeper.  Delve into your emotions, search your soul, and learn how others may react differently then you.  Even more simply, be empathetic to other personalities and use what you learn to strengthen your writing.

1. Write for yourself.  Write the story that keeps you up at night.  If you write for yourself, regardless of what may come, you will be a success, you have succeeded in meeting your goals.  In being an author, just like in life, there will always be someone who will be doing better than you. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses or the Koontzes.  You will never be happy if you try to compete.  You must find happiness within yourself and your work.  If you can do this, you were meant to be an author.

Living In Montana

I consider myself blessed to live in a place in which the pounding of horse hooves and the song of the blackbird are its heartbeat. At night the sky is filled with the brilliance of a million stars, the Milky Way, and on some occasions the Aurora Borealis. I live in a place where grizzly bears, mountain goats, and elk are not strangers, but instead the stewards of the craggy, timbered mountains and the endless wheat-filled plains. I live in the Last Best Place, under the Big Sky, and in the unforgettable state we call Montana.

Right now my ‘backyard’ has finally seen the last bit of the winter snows melt and the soil has begun to churn with the new lives of the delicate yellow kisses of the Glacier Lilies and the native purple and sage green Lupines. Soon the beautiful, but deadly, soft-leaved Arnicas will begin to dot the ground, filling the land with untouchable beauty. As beautiful as the spring and summer are in Montana everything is appreciated with a bated breath—nothing in this land of enchantment lasts long—nothing is permanent except the stars in the sky and the passing of time.

The constantly changing beauty serves as the backdrop for my new novel Montana Mustangs (out today!), the second book in the Nymph Series. In fact, Montana Mustangs takes place in Somers, Montana which lies just south of the (small and humble) city of Kalispell—the city that many fly into in order to visit Glacier Park, one of the best and most picturesque parks in the contingent United States.

Somers, Montana lies at the edge of one of the largest (and coldest) freshwater lakes in the U.S., Flathead Lake. At the beginning of Montana Mustangs we first get the chance to meet our characters as they are standing at the edge of this picturesque lake, where they have made a macabre discovery—one in which sets the book into motion.

My love of life, horses, and Montana are represented in every aspect of this book, but please know that just like our beautiful spring flowers, to everything there is possible impermanence—especially for the main character, Aura, a nymph cursed to never keep true love. Like the others of her kind, she has been struck with a curse by Zeus that if she falls in love, the man is fated to die a tragic death.

When her sister is kidnapped, she must team up with a local Sheriff’s deputy, Dane, and work together to solve a case steeped in mythology, lies, and deeply hidden secrets. If you have a love of Montana, horses, the unexplained, and paranormal romance (which is centered in the not-so-supernatural world) then this book is a must read. Montana Mustangs is my own spring flower, a story filled with such beauty it will never be forgotten even long after you have turned the last page.

Image Courtesy of http://www.gloriousphu.com/places/national-parks/united-states-canada/united-states/47-glacier-national-park

It’s Finally Here!

Today is the official release date for Montana Mustangs! Today I’ve been constantly reminded of all of my blessings–my wonderful readers, my family, and my friends.  Thank you for all of your love and support–I’ve said it before, but it is as true today as it has ever been–YOU keep me writing.

I hope you have a wonderful day–a day filled with reading, love, and magic!  To get you started I want to share:

Romance in Montana

Whenever I am at a large event outside of my home state I’m always asked where I’m from.  Perhaps it is the fact that I have never owned a purse that cost over a hundred dollars or a pair of heels that I’ve seen in a magazine.  Or, it could be the fact that my dress clothes have mostly been purchased at ranch supply stores (I’m not kidding).  I’m not saying I am unprofessional—no far from it. I always have a nice shine on my boots and my hair is filled with spiraling curls and silver clips (unless I’m at home, in which case you will find me in yoga pants and a sweatshirt even in July).  When I tell my readers I’m from Montana I am usually met with a response like, “Are you serious? Montana Montana?”

The lake I rode into while researching Montana Mustangs!

Those wonderful readers helped to remind me what a wonderful and picturesque state I have the honor of calling my home.  It was this reminder which pushed me to write my latest book Montana Mustangs which takes place in a blink-an-you-miss-it town called Somers.  Somers lies on the northern tip of Flathead Lake, one of the largest natural lakes west of the Mississippi.  Having grown up in Montana I have had the chance to dip into this bone-chilling lake that rests in the bosom of the Mission mountains. The water of the lake reflects the snow-capped craggy mountain tops and as soon as you see it you are instantly reminded about how small we are in the grand puzzle of life.

The truth is that most of my writing is inspired by not only the ethereal beauty of Flathead Lake, but all of the beauty that surrounds me in this wonderful state.  Every morning when I leave my home I’m met with the nod and wave as I pass my neighbors on a dirt road that has been forgotten by GPS.  This slow-paced lifestyle is solely focused on the love of nature and the bounty it has to offer.  In addition to the necessary love of the outdoors I am filled with a need to write—a need to share with those who love the written word.

In Montana Mustangs I have created a work in which I have tried to capture my love of Montana in addition to capturing the hearts of my many wonderful and loyal fans.  If you love books that are outside of the normal Mary Jane romances and if you like the unexpected twists and turns of mystery than you will love the paranormal romance Montana Mustangs—the second book in the Nymph Series.

The Nymph Series is a connected series that revolves around the lives of several nymphs as they are each faced with the curse of their kind—fall in love with a human man, and the man is fated to die a tragic death.  The first book in the series, The Nymph’s Labyrinth (which was featured in USA Today) takes places in Crete and follows the lives of an American archeologist and a museum curator who is charged with keeping the history and secrets of her kind under wraps.  I’m happy to say, readers and reviewers have loved the first book in this series.  The third book Winter Swans is slated to be released Fall 2013.

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.  I love to talk to my readers.  Where do you live?  What is your favorite thing about your home state/country?  I would love to hear!

Thank you for stopping by,

Danica Winters

The Paranormal Romance Writing Cowgirl