Lia Davis's Blog, page 66
July 2, 2012
Manic Monday Updates: Hops and other stuff
Another Monday, another beginning of the work week. *sigh* I like my day job. I really do, honest. 
I just wished I had more time to spend with my readers and working on my WIP.
Speaking of the WIP. I’m making some progress with Death’s Storm–the second book in the Divinities series. I need to disciplined myself a little more to get it finished so I can start the revise stage. I’m at a major turning point and Khloe’s isn’t very happy with me right now. But she’s strong and will come out much stronger in the end. Plus she has that sexy death demon by her side. 
I’m waiting on the final approval on the last set of edits for Forgotten Visions. My fingers are crossed that the tentative release date stays. I’ll keep everyone posted as the date nears.
My first newsletter went out yesterday. yay! If you signed up please be sure to click the link in the confirmation email. Check your spam/junk folders if you didn’t see it in your inbox.
Have an awesome week and a happy and safe 4th!
Stop over to Carrie Ann Ryan’s and Fated Desires Publishing‘s blogs to see what’s new on their side of the internet.
June 30, 2012
Independence Day Blog Hop: Happy 4th!
In celebration of Independence Day, we’re having a blog hop with lots of prizes! Starting today through July 4th hop until you drop. LOL. Okay, so that was a little lame. For a complete list of participants go over to The Blog Hop Spot Blog. Have fun!
When I was little, and my dad was home, my family would go to the Mayport Naval Base–Jacksonville, Fl.–to watch the fireworks. I loved them. In fact I loved being a military brat and very proud of my dad for serving 20 years in the Navy.
My thoughts and prayers are always with those who serve our country and can’t be home with their families on the 4th. Blessings to everyone that has served and is still serving today.
Now here’s an excerpt of my erotic paranormal romance, RAVISHED BEFORE SUNRISE.
A dark essence reached out from the darkness, breaking his hold on her. Three men stepped into view.
“Vampires,” she hissed out before she could stop the words. Darian’s curious gaze met hers, but she didn’t explain. She didn’t have time before he took off with inhuman speed, holding her against him. Trees blurred by, at least she hoped it was the forest and not more vamps. What in the hell were they doing here? She’d only asked for one.
Darian came to a stop and set her on her feet.
“Who are they?”
“Hunters.”
“Vampire hunters? I mean they’re vampires and hunters? What do they want?” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked into his face.
“Not sure.”
With a shrill whistle, something zipped through her ponytail. Fear froze her in place and her heart sank to her feet. She glared at Darian and then at the tree next to her. An arrow stuck out of the trunk.
Now Available at:
June 27, 2012
Angels and Demons Blog Hop: Do we really have to chose between them?
Hello Hoppers! Welcome to the Angels and Demons Blog Hop.
From June 28th – July 1st, you can HOP around the blogs, comment on each and follow their rules, and be entered to win over 100 giveaways. List is at the end of the post. You can comment on 1 or all 103 and be entered up to 103 times for the grand prizes.
Each blog will have it’s own giveaway, PLUS we have TWO grand prizes.
=> ONE Commenter from the blogs will win a KINDLE TOUCH
=> another Commenter will win a $60 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card!
Do we really have to choose?
I mean, come on. I want to be greed and have one of each. At the same time or one at a time. I’m not picky…much. lol.
My current release, RAVISHED BEFORE SUNRISE, has a heroine who half-demon and the hero is a vampire. Vamps are demonic, at least in my worlds. And they’re sexy as hell. What happens when a succubus and a vampire get set up on a one-night stand? One hot night, that’s what.
Now Available at:
Blurb:
Born with the unusual ability to see what truly lies in the shadows, Emalee Black is stuck between two worlds, the paranormal and the human. Neither one accepts or understands her and she’s forced to live a quiet, boring life in hiding. When her best friend mentions 1Night Stand dating service, Ema chooses a role-playing adventure straight out of her romantic fantasies. She’s to hunt her very own vampire and have her wicked way him.
Vampire Darian Wyman is surprised when his daughter signs him up for a one-night stand with an exclusive matching agency. At first he’s appalled by the idea, but as he reads the details of the date he becomes intrigued. For one night he will get away from the life he has long grown tired of to be hunted and captured by a would-be huntress. But he has plans of his own for his little vixen.
However, when Darian discovers the truth about Ema’s inhuman abilities, the date could end before it gets started.
GIVEAWAY!!
What’s a blog hop without a giveaway?
June 26, 2012
Guest blogger Raven Raye talks about contest judging
Hello everyone. I’m excited to have one of the newest Soul Mate Publishing authors with me today.
Raven was born to an Air Force family and so moved around a lot. She was born in Kansas, but spent her formative years in England where she developed a love of rain and gray skies. She embraced the mythos of the Fey and all things magickal. She even spent time associating with gypsies at the local markets learning palm reading and tarot.
Moving back to the USA was almost culture shock. Her worlds of magick and witch-craft were shunned by most so, of course she embraced them further, making them her own. She began to write dark poetry, delving deep into untapped emotion and pouring it onto the page. She had three of these published. When she discovered Wicca, she knew she’d finally found an emotional ‘home’.
She now lives in North Houston with her husband of 28 years where she works as a Radiation Therapist, further embracing the spectre of death. She writes technical articles for continuing education for ‘Radiation Therapist’, a professional journal. Her son is grown and on his own. Her daughter is progressing through a Nursing program and looks forward to being on her own.
Raven still crawls into that deep well of emotion, looking for new ways to describe what she sees and hears in her mind and in her dreams.
The Dubious Art of Contest Judging
I have had the honor, and yes, it is an honor, to judge many contests. I love judging contests. Someone has the guts to send their blood and sweat in to you and let you pass judgment. That being said, I myself have been a contest queen. I didn’t have a critique group and very few people I knew had the time to be a beta reader. I know there are sites that have beta readers, but I don’t trust them; look what happened to Stephenie Meyer. Needless to say, I have the same fear a lot of you probably have: someone will steal my idea/manuscript and publish it under their own name. Need I mention what happened to Gene Roddenberry before Star Trek came out?
What I’ve learned from those contests, oh yes, what I’ve learned. The scores I got on those first few entries might have scared anyone else away from writing for good. Failed! Worse than failed! One judge told me she hated my heroine so much she was (sniff) TSTL. I know what that means… now: Too Stupid to Live. Another judge said she didn’t know what some of my words meant and they pulled her out of the story then admitted to not liking paranormal; another awful grade. I was devastated. Criticism like this is an abuse of the position; those people should not have judged. I did get some constructive comments, which I cherished like gold leaf on the page. I took their advice and took dozens of online classes, signed up for writing groups like Savvy Authors, followed writing blogs; basically anything I could do to absorb writing knowledge. I learned.
After scores in the 20s and 30s, I made major changes and got scores in the 80s. That was more like it. My grammar was awful so I read blogs about that, tried to notice subtleties in books I read; I bought books about grammar. I learned.
My 80s scores again rose to 90s and a couple perfect scores. Then I began finaling, winning and getting requests. Heaven!
My personal mission when I judge is not to make someone feel the way I did when I got a 27, but to offer critique, not criticism. As far as I’m concerned, no entry should ever get below a 60. As far as ‘grades’ are concerned, if this is what you think you’re doing, does someone’s manuscript really deserve a failing grade? A 60 is below average meaning it needs work. I just got done judging the Molly. One of the entries had POV issues, grammar issues and a few other things needing help. However, the potential for conflict was there and it was a wonderfully imaginative premise. It got a fair grade and critique. Constructive critique. This means you tell them the problem with a certain spot and offer suggestions that may help fix that problem. Maybe tell them how you resolved the same issue in your novel.
All in all, judging is a wonderful opportunity to give back to a community that helped me and support new writers climb the same ladder. So remember, when you’re judging, you have the honor and responsibility to judge the work at hand. You’re not comparing it to Linda Howard or Stephen King; you’re judging the entry based on predetermined criteria. Judge wisely.
Raven Raye
Upcoming release:
Broken Prophecy: Book 1 of the Heirs of Aeden series is a paranormal romance. Slated for release mid-August.
Only Killian’s bloodline was created with the planet. No other can accept the Seal and no human can carry the seed to bear the Heirs of Aeden.
Killian, King of the Fey, is in love with Marcella Rowan, human and forbidden to his kind. An errant Angel, seeking revenge, awakens creatures thought long dead or mythological. Marcella’s life in danger and against the Divine Council’s orders, Killian saves her from death—by claiming her as his soulmate. As earthly and other-earthly creatures polarize toward good or evil, Marcella and Killian must survive the forces driving them apart. Only their love can unite the worlds of magick and mundane. Only their love can force their peoples to put aside bigotry, jealousy and fear to overcome the evil tearing the earth apart. Only the magick they make together can repopulate earth’s garden in Aeden.
June 24, 2012
Manic Monday Updates: New release, new series
Happy Monday! It’s bitter sweet for me. I got to sleep in this morning because I’m off work, and it’s the last day of my mini-vacation. Do I really have to go to work tomorrow? Umm, yeah, I do.
I spent my four day weekend submerged in edits. And loving it! My final edits will go to my editor very soon. If all goes well, we be on tract with the July 11th release. Squee! I am so glad to be sharing Forgotten Visions with everyone. I hope you all love it as much as I do.
What’s next?
I’m working on Death’s Storm, the second book in the Divinities series and Khloe’s story. I have about 10 chapters and the epilogue left before the first draft is complete, then it’s revise/edit time.
I’m also plotting the first in a new series called Ashwood Falls–A Tiger’s Claim–and the second, Winter’s Eve. Yes, two at the same time. This series will be shorter books than the Divinities’ 65k + novels. Ashwood Falls are planned to be between 20k – 30k. But who knows once the stories are finished.
War’s Passion is coming. I slowing revisting Gwen’s GMCs (goals, motovations, and conflicts). I hope to start plotting the new version soon to get it ready for 2013.
Reminders
I am participating in three blog hops back-to-back start Thursday, June 28. Three giveaways!
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. Stay informed on my books, special announcements, contest and more.
Have a wonder week. Stop over to Carrie Ann Ryan’s, Fated Desires Publishing‘s, The Divinities’and Lacey Wolf’s blogs to see what’s new on their side of the internet.
June 19, 2012
Tasty Tuesday: Witches and Demons
Happy Tuesday! Welcome back to the Tasty Tuesday.
Wonder what he’s reading. Do you think he would mind if I read over his shoulder?
Today’s teaser is from Death’s Storm. I am working on finishing the draft for the second book in the Divinities series and wanted to share a little of Khloe. Enjoy!
“Lo, stop.”
Khloe froze. The psychic connection to her twin told her Kalissa wasn’t talking about the phone. Hairs on the back of her neck rose and a cold shiver shot down her spine. They were being watched and it wasn’t by their daily stalker. This energy was new, more demonic.
“Here.” She shoved her shopping bags to Kalissa and put the cell in her back pocket of her shorts. “You and Lydia head home. I’ll catch up to you.”
Kalissa shook her head. “I don’t like this.”
Neither did Khloe. But they went over this. The plan was anytime they were out and shit got critical, they split up.
Thanks for stopping by. For more tasty treats check out the blog blogs.
Carrie Ann Ryan | Tempeste O’Riley
June 17, 2012
Manic Monday Update: Shelving and moving forward
Oh good gods it’s Monday again. But we all love Mondays, right?
For the last couple of weeks I’ve been struggling with writer’s block. I’m only able to get a couple of hundred words down at a time. Sure that’s better than nothing, but the words feel forced and wrong. This past weekend I sat down plotted with my CP (Yes. I’m plotting. Shocking, I know.) and came to the conclusion that the WIP I’ve been working on needs to be put on hold.
War’s Passion will not release this fall. It might not make it out until the early part of 2013. I’ve lost the connection with my h/h. I’m over 10K words into the story and froze. I tried to plot out the next couple of chapters, but nothing feels right. I’m afraid I’ll have to start over with a new plot.
Other book news:
Moving forward after shelving War’s Passion, I finished plotting Death’s Storm. I’ll be writing the ending of Khloe’s story and then start on the second draft. My word count goal is 65K. I found out some interesting things about the Divinity world that makes me excited to move ahead and can’t wait to start plotting Zach’s story (book 3, Dark Divine).
I also have another series I’m starting called Ashwood Falls. I’ll post more information as I get deeper into the world and it gets close to the release of the first book, A Tiger’s Claim.
Reminders:
To get quarterly updates and special announcements sign up for my newsletter. The link is on the side panel and the newsletter page.
Have a wonder week. Stop over to Carrie Ann Ryan’s, Fated Desires Publishing‘s, The Divinities’and Lacey Wolf’s blogs to see what’s new on their side of the internet.
Happy Father’s Day!!
I wanted to wish the father’s out there a wonderful and relaxing Father’s Day. They are our heroes and a part of who we are.
I’m blogging over at the Soul Mate Publishing Author’s blog today about the two heroes in my life. So hop on over and share you hero.
http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/fathers-day-a-tribute-to-the-hero-in-your-life/
June 16, 2012
Off the Page: Father’s Day at the Wymans
Welcome to Off the Page! This is a new blog series that gives the readers an inside look at the characters’ lives outside their books. Each post will give you a short story/excerpt. Today’s post is a special Father’s Day excerpt about Darian and Kat from Ravished Before Sunrise. I hope you enjoy!
Father’s Day at the Wymans
Darian entered the large open living room and was puzzled at the silence in the house. Not that he was complaining, he was use to silence. Spent too many lonely decades sitting in the shit. All that ended the night he met Ema–his one-night stand. She brought the light back in his life. Now there was more laughter in the house.
Right now the mansion laid in a still calm, and that worried him. He shifted to his right and headed for the kitchen. On the island counter-top that separated it from the living room, was a note. Picking it up, he caught a whiff of Ema’s lavender, rosemary scent and instantly grew hard.
God, he loved that woman.
A smile tugged at his lips as he read the message.
I went to the coven to spend the evening with Beth. Dinner is prepared and in the oven. And before you get all out of sorts, Mr. Wyman, it’s Father’s Day and you and Kat need time together. Besides, I’ll be back before dawn and then your all mine.
Love you, Ema
Kat drifted into the kitchen, kissed him on the cheek, laid a small wrapped box and a card on the counter in from of him, and went to open the oven. “Yum. I love Ema’s roast.”
He smiled. So did he. He loved her cooking, her smile, her long red hair, her….
Kat cleared her throat and sat on the bar stool across the island from him. “I’m so glad I can’t read your thoughts. I’d have to move out.”
She was a telepath, a gift passed on from her mother, but for some reason she couldn’t read him or Ema. One of the elders on the Council said it could be the direct connection between them.
“Open your gift.” Kat’s blue eyes light up in excitement.
Chuckling he opened the small box and his heart skipped a beat. Inside lay a pair of gold cuff links engraved with his and Ema’s first initials intertwine with the infinity sign. A lump caught in his throat. Until that moment he wasn’t sure Kat had fully accepted Ema. Of course they seem to get along, but Kat would pretend for his sake. The design on the cuff links proved her acceptance.
“I really like her, Dad. She makes you happy. Besides it’s nice to have another female in the house.”
“Thank you. How did I luck out with the best daughter in the world?”
“Because I’m awesome,” she teased. The timer buzzed and she slid off the stool. “Go get the wine and I’ll fix our plates.”
Darian’s heart swelled. They were a family and he truly felt blessed. Life was great.
June 15, 2012
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Ha! I’m so glad it’s Friday.
This is a short post to remind everyone of my Ravished Before Sunrise VBT (virtual blog tour). You can find the schedule here: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/06/scheduled-vbt-ravished-before-sunrise.html
There are giveaways! On Monday I’ll select a winner from each stop to receive a signed swag pack and I’ll select a grand prize winner to receive a $25 Amazon GC and swag. Please be sure to leave an email address to be entered in the drawings.
This weekend is Father’s Day weekend. Saturday is my kick off post for my new blog theme: Off the Page. That is where once a month I’ll give the readers an inside look at my characters. You’ll get a short story/excerpt of the characters’ lives as they continue outside the book. So stop by tomorrow to see what Darian will be doing for Father’s Day!
Sunday I’ll be over at the Soul Mate Publishing author’s blog with a special Father’s Day post.
Have a wonderful and restful weekend.
