J. Kenner's Blog, page 99
January 19, 2013
Release Me lands another week on the USA Today bestseller list!
Thanks so much to everyone who helped Release Me land on the USA Today bestseller week for a second week! To celebrate, I’m going to set up another contest tonight! More soon!
(Right now, I’m off to celebrate with the family! Woot!)
P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)
P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!
XXOO
--J.K.
January 17, 2013
Why I Love My Characters: Guest Post by Phoebe Conn
I’m thrilled to have Phoebe Conn as a guest blogger today! Read on! And be sure to check out her latest release, Swept Away!
It may take half a year or more to write a book, and I’d rather not spend my days writing about people I don’t want to know.
In some books, the plot comes first, other times the characters present themselves and demand a story. I can see them standing upon an empty stage with their hands on their hips waiting, not at all patiently, for their lines.
Keeping track of these clamoring characters presents a challenge. From my first book, I’ve used models from magazine ads or celebrity photos glued to 5×7 index cards. With each photo, I list their characteristics so if someone has blue eyes in chapter 3, they won’t have brown eyes in chapter 6. If they were orphaned, or detest ice cream, whatever detail will come into play is on their card.
Many writers rely on computer programs to track their story and characters, but I like having the cards readily available. It’s a great help when stories grow into a trilogy or series. The only problem is in finding photos of older characters or characters who aren’t as gorgeous as models. Newspaper photos provide a resource for real people.
I’ll also admit to scanning the people passing by when I’m away from home. If someone has a unique feature that would be perfect for a minor character, then I make a note of it. I never use friends, however. A stranger will never know he inspired a character with hair sprouting from his ears.
One night a friend and I were in a restaurant and couldn’t understand the waiter. He had a peculiar mumble that made his speech difficult to follow. It wasn’t annoying, but inspiring, and I used him for a space pirate who couldn’t be understood by his crew with both hilarious and dangerous results.
SWEPT AWAY is my current Retro Release from Samhain Publishing. Eden Sinclair is a Virginia belle who’s sent to London to avoid the horrors of the Civil War. She meets the charming Earl of Clairbourne, who’s come to London to find a wife for his nephew, Raven Blade.
The minute Raven’s name occurred to me, he became vivid in my mind. He was tall and dark with a dangerous gleam in his deep brown eyes. UPS had a particularly great calendar that year with such handsome drivers I quickly found my Raven. He was one of my most intriguing heroes, and he wrote the book for me.
I do love my characters, especially when they insist upon telling their own story and all I have to do is keep out of their way. Whenever someone tells me about one of their favorite books, it’s the characters they remember, not the intricate plots. Isn’t that why we love romance?
Thanks so much for coming by, Phoebe! You can meet Phoebe at her website!
P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)
P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!
XXOO
--J.K.
January 16, 2013
Hump Day Books: New or Notable Reads – January 16 edition!
Looking for a good book to read to beat t
he mid-week doldrums?
Why not check out these eight new or notable books! There’s something here for everyone!
The Light Walker
Dark, sexy fantasy suspense–mesmerizing, mysterious Dante
Learn more at www.jeanbrashear.com
The Shipwreck
Learn more at www.glynnis.net
The Warrior Maids of Rivenloch origin novella!
Swept Away
Retro Release from Samhain!
Between Two Eternities
Learn more at--J.K.
January 15, 2013
Let’s chat about Release Me!
Two things! I’ll be chatting tomorrow (Wed, January 16) at Romance Reviews Today about Release Me and Claim Me and Damien Stark (and anything else y’all want to chat about!) Come by at 8CST (6 on the West Coast and 9EST) and join the fun! I’ll be giving away two $20 gift cards, too!!
And I am remiss in not having already posted the archive of my totally fun Spreecast Video Chat with Cocktails and Books!.
Here’s a link! We had a great time!
P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)
P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!
XXOO
--J.K.
January 14, 2013
Get Lost in a Story and maybe get an Amazon, iTunes or B&N card!
I’m over at Get Lost In A Story today! Come read my interview and leave a comment over at Get Lost In A Story to enter to win a $15 gift card from Amazon, B&N or iTunes!
Working as a Team: Meet Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright
I’m thrilled to welcome Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright to the blog today as part of their blog tour!
They write as a team, and are here to tell us all about it!
It all started with a phone call.
How many times have you been talking with a friend and thrown out those words:
You know, we should…
99 % of the time they come to nothing. They’re forgotten by the end of the conversation. And truly it’s often for the best. I’ve had a lot of ideas that were best left rattling around in my brain. But every once in a while, a scrap of conversation becomes a full-blown idea. That’s what happened when Laura and I were chatting one morning. We said the fateful words “You know, we should…” and suddenly we were plotting and scheming and Bayou Heat was born.
Being a writer usually means working in solitude, well, unless you count all those pesky voices in your head – so collaborating with someone is a whole new ballgame. There are a few things you should consider before trying a partnership.
First, a writer is in complete control of the world and characters that you’re creating, so it’s important for a writer to know whether they can accept sharing their very private creation. I’m actually a control freak, so I wasn’t sure if Laura would be able to stand my freak-outs. So far she hasn’t tried to kill me, but then again, we live a thousand miles apart J.
There’s also need to weave together of two very separate voices. A writer’s voice is the one distinct thing they find impossible to alter, so a partnership must mesh on a very fundamental level.
It wouldn’t work for everyone.
But for those who can, it’s a remarkable experience. Being able to share ideas, cheer one another on, and to keep each other on task is so inspiring. And in the end, there’s nothing more important to any writer.
Raphael & Parish
Book #1 and #2 in the Bayou Heat Series
Available Now:
ONLY $0.99
The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his
puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred.
Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.
Untamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them, threatening her frozen heart with the secret hope and ultimate temptation of love and family.
About Laura:
Author of the Bestselling Mark of the Vampire series, Laura Wright spent the early years of her life immersed in the worlds of singing, acting and competitive ballroom dancing. But when she started writing, she knew she’d found her true calling. Laura lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband, two children, three dogs, two frogs and two fish. She’s been thrice nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, and loves hearing from her readers.
Connect with Laura:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
About Alexandra:
Alexandra Ivy is the New York Times bestselling author of the Guardians of Eternity series, the Immortal Rogues series and the Sentinels.
Alexandra graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She currently lives in Missouri with her extraordinarily patient husband and teenage sons.
Connect with Alexandra:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
01/03 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind
01/04 – Paranormal Haven
01/05 – I Smell Sheep
01/06 – Book Monster Reviews & LITERAL ADDICTION
LIVE CHAT w/ Laura & Alexandra on January 6, 2013 from
2:00 – 3:00pm EST (1-2pm CT, 12-1pm MDT & 11am-12pm PDT).
01/07 – Twitter Party with Lit Connect
01/08 – Book Lovin’ Mamas
01/09 – Books-n-Kisses
01/10 – United by Books
01/11 – Under the Covers
01/12 – Reading Between The Wines
01/13 – Julie Kenner’s Blog
01/14 – Riverina Romantics
01/15 – Cocktails and Books
01/16 – All Things Books
01/17 – The Reading Café
01/18 – Ramblings From This Chick
01/19 – Over the Edge
01/20 – Mad Hatter Reads
01/21 – Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies. Oh My!
January 13, 2013
What’s Gnu With You?
After I posted the Llama Song yesterday, mystery and romance writer Laura K Curtis asked me on Twitter if I’d heard the Gnu song, and helpfully provided a link.
Where, oh where, have I been? This song is so much fun! Perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!
And thank you, Laura!
P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)
P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!
XXOO
--J.K.
January 12, 2013
A bit of Saturday Silliness: Have you heard the Llama Song?
Oh. My. Yes, folks, the Llama Song is an absolute hoot. Trust me … but don’t blame me if you end up with an earworm!
The Llama Song
P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)
P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!
XXOO
--J.K.
January 11, 2013
Tabata is My Workout of Choice … What’s Yours?
I don’t like working out. There. I’ve said it. I don’t get that runner’s high. I don’t feel deprived when I can’t go to the gym. And I’m not a fan of residual sweat on the Nautilus machines. I mean, ick.
But at the same time, I’m not keen on having flabby thighs and a monster butt. So I’ve come to accept that some level of working out is necessary. I should probably say that I have no problems with being physical. Hauling wheelbarrows full of gravel into my back yard, digging up weeds, riding my bike for long distances, hiking in the park, swimming — these are all Good Things. But, alas, the Good Things aren’t enough. To whittle away butt-and-thigh, some more focused work needs to be done.
A version of this post originally appeared at The Whine Sisters blog … but a) I want to start doing Food & Fitness Friday posts and this seemed like a good start, b) I’m busy writing Nikki & Damien and this post was quick and easy, and c) I’m focusing again on working out and eating better after the holidays and this is a great motivator!
Since I’m not the insane amazing Julia London who purposefully runs long distances (without a bad guy chasing her!) and actually seems to enjoy it, I have to get more creative. And, yay, I’ve figured out what works for me! Tabata sprints (mixed in with some weight lifting and audiobook listening on the elliptical).
But it’s Tabata sprints that I really, really love. I have a Tabata Timer app (it was free!) on my iPhone and that makes it super easy.
With Tabata, the idea is 4 minutes of 20 seconds like a bat out of hell, and then 10 seconds of nada. So I do one set (8 reps of the 20/10–the App does the counting down for you and beeps when it’s time to switch) on a bike, then 1 set on the floor with crunches, pushups, lunges, squats and deadlifts. And then one set on the track. I can run if it’s only for 4 minutes with breaks every 20 seconds. So 12 minutes of workout, plus the minimal between time. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? But trust me when I say that you really feel it. Now I just have to stick with it …
How about the rest of y’all? What’s your exercise of choice? Have you done the Tabata thing? How’d it work out for you?
P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is free at most retailers for just a little bit longer!)
P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!
XXOO
--J.K.
January 10, 2013
Final stop on the official Release Me blog tour! Come by and say hi!
I’m over at Lisa’s World of Books for the last stop on the official Release Me blog tour!
I’m talking about milestones and journeys. Come share yours in the comments, and have one more chance to win a copy of Release Me!
P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is free at most retailers for just a little bit longer!)
P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!
XXOO
--J.K.
