C.D. Brennan's Blog, page 6
April 27, 2015
SEALED IN SIN by Juliette Cross
SEALED IN SIN BOOK TOUR
One demon prince may be festering in the bowels of the soul eater Cocytus, but Genevieve’s troubles are far from over. Prince Bamal, demon lord of New York City, still wants her. But this time, he wants her alive, to control her inherent power as a Vessel of Light. With Jude Delacroix off searching for the prophecy, Thomas—a guardian angel with sea-green eyes and an aura of winter woods—steps into the gap, offering her the power to protect herself.Yet she hesitates, for the transfer of that power comes through a kiss. While Gen’s love for Jude is true, Thomas stirs a desire where there should be none. Thomas also knows Jude’s darkest secret and plans to use it, if necessary, to win Gen for his own.
While her Vessel power grows and more demon spawn creep from every dark corner of the world, one thing is certain—the Great War between the angels and demons is quickly approaching. And Gen is in a race against time to awaken her full power before the storm breaks.
Warning: Contains a demon hunter with dark secrets, a sexy angel with ulterior motives, and demonic creatures running amok.
Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Samhain
Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance--brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.
Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest Goodreads Newsletter
EXCERPTSlipping through the door just as two red-eyed demons in cargo pants and muscle shirts rounded the corner, I sped down the hall in the opposite direction, my boots echoing on the stone floor. Two sets of boots pounded behind me, drawing closer. I skated around another corner, hoping to find a stairwell or elevator, smacking right into a wall.
No. Not a wall. A man. Flamma. My VS zinged to new heights as a signature of downy snow and windswept hills washed over me. His hands wrapped my forearms in a firm grip.
I pushed my palms against his rock-hard chest, ready to blast him with VS power.
“Wait! I’ll take you to safety, Genevieve. Hold still.”
His voice, a sonorous melody, rolled in a deep, languid baritone. I froze. Trapped in sea-green eyes and powerful arms, I was taken into the Void.
My breath sucked right out of me as we fell through the darkness. The second time in a matter of minutes I’d been sifted away by a stranger.
The moment my world righted, I pushed out of his hold several paces away. He’d brought us to a park. A pond shaded by orange-gold trees with skyscrapers towering in the distance. Central Park.
I glared at the stranger and tried to catch my breath, drawing the dagger from the sheath sewn into my boot. He stood nearly as tall as Jude, similar in build but leaner. Black hair hung in staggered waves halfway to his shoulders. He regarded me with startling eyes—deep cobalt blue, the color of a glacier buried and untouched for centuries. Like white marble, his jaw, face and neck were sculpted in perfect, harmonious lines. His captivating signature circled me like a wintry halo.
My dad had splurged the Christmas after I’d turned sixteen, taking us skiing in White Fish, Montana. At the tip-top of the slope, the evergreens were completely covered in new-fallen snow, sculpting white ghosts out of the landscape. The wind blew snow crystals in whirls—a pristine world of enchanting beauty. The air sparkled with iridescent ice-dust, like a fairy land. This image pushed to the forefront as I backed another foot away, gazing at my frost-and-snow rescuer.
“Who are you?”
His eyes flicked to the weapon in my hand, but he made no move toward me. Though we were quite far from park-goers and anyone who could help me if I cried out, I felt safer in this public place.
“I’m here to help you.”
That voice again, deep and mesmerizing.
“That’s not an answer.” Definitely Flamma, but which kind. Naughty or nice? I couldn’t tell. “How do you know me?”
His smile widened, making my pulse pound faster.
“I’ve known you a long time. I’ve watched over you your entire life.”
I examined him more closely. His power lapped against my VS like ocean waves, a gentle suction with each ripple before washing over me in a gentle caress. Though his power didn’t scream its presence or beat against mine, he was potent all the same. The perfect stoic expression, the controlled, straight-backed stance, the undeniable, breathtaking beauty. He exuded the essence of—
“Holy crap.” I gulped. “You’re an angel.”
His smile widened, his beauty brightening into something painful. I lowered my trembling hand, sheathing my dagger. An angel who’d watched over me my whole life.
“Not just any angel…my, my guardian angel. Aren’t you?”
A dip of his strong chin.
While he didn’t emanate the same pulse-pounding aura of Uriel, the Archangel who created the Dominus Daemonum, he carried a similar cast of heavenly essence. He tucked his hands in his pants pockets, appearing completely harmless. But I wasn’t fooled. Even angels could be dangerous.
“Have you never sensed my presence?” he asked, eyes steady on mine.
“No. Not really.” I remembered all the near misses in my life, when I somehow avoided danger or trouble by an internal niggling. Was that him? “Why have you never shown yourself before?”
“Guardians tend to stay in the shadows.” My self-proclaimed guardian, Jude, might not like him staking a claim on that position. “And would you have believed me if I’d ever told you of my existence? Before your twentieth birthday, that is.”
On my twentieth birthday, I’d been attacked and nearly strangled to death until Jude came along, did his voodoo mojo and ripped a bony demon from inside my would-be killer. That night changed everything, including my belief in angels and demons walking the earth.
“No.” I smiled. “I guess not.”
My cell phone vibrated in my back pocket. I answered.
“Where the hell are you!” screamed Kat.
“Um, Central Park.” The angel gave me a slight nod. “There’s a pond and a picnic area. I’m looking directly at the Empire State Building in the distance.”
“Stay put. Dorian and I will be there in two.”
I tucked the phone in my jacket.
Wind blew over the water, rippling the surface. My hair had come loose in the melee, dark wisps crossing my face. Pool-green eyes followed the strands, then my hand when I tucked them behind my ear. His keen observation transformed a simple moment into something that made me breathless. He’d moved closer, within a yard, and I hadn’t noticed. I stepped back.
“Stay where you are.”
“What are you afraid of?” His voice dropped, not lower but deeper, like it was pulling on something hidden within me. My blood pumped faster. “That I’ll sift you away somewhere you don’t want to go? I could’ve done that already. And I told you. I’ve watched over you all of your life, kept you safe from harm so that you could reach maturity.”
“You almost bungled that. I’ve been nearly killed like a hundred times.”
“Nearly.” He shrugged. “The demon hunter was there. Most of the time.”
My heart plummeted into my stomach. With those last three words, I realized this angel knew about Danté. Why hadn’t he saved me then? Before Danté had invaded my soul.
“It would be much easier for you to escape your enemies if you had the power to sift.”
“Don’t I know it,” I snapped back.
He smiled, then angled his head as if listening for something.
“I must go.” He reached out a hand for me to shake. I eyed him with suspicion. “It’s a friendly gesture, Genevieve. One does this in greeting and parting. Sometimes a person even says thank you when one saves another from harm.”
My VS tingled, recognizing his power, finding no danger. I stepped forward, holding his gaze as I took his hand. I gasped. The second our hands made contact, a whisper of winter wind caressed my body from head to toe, but I felt no cold, only a sensual embrace tingling along my skin. My knees nearly buckled.
“Th-thank you,” I stammered.
Edging close, still holding my hand, he trailed his gaze from my eyes to my hair, down my cheek to my parted lips, agape from the strange sensation of his touch, before he met my eyes once more.
“You’re more than welcome.” He smiled, probably at my dumbfounded expression. “Until we meet again, dear Genevieve.”
He sifted out, leaving me with the scent of snow and mountain air.
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One demon prince may be festering in the bowels of the soul eater Cocytus, but Genevieve’s troubles are far from over. Prince Bamal, demon lord of New York City, still wants her. But this time, he wants her alive, to control her inherent power as a Vessel of Light. With Jude Delacroix off searching for the prophecy, Thomas—a guardian angel with sea-green eyes and an aura of winter woods—steps into the gap, offering her the power to protect herself.Yet she hesitates, for the transfer of that power comes through a kiss. While Gen’s love for Jude is true, Thomas stirs a desire where there should be none. Thomas also knows Jude’s darkest secret and plans to use it, if necessary, to win Gen for his own.
While her Vessel power grows and more demon spawn creep from every dark corner of the world, one thing is certain—the Great War between the angels and demons is quickly approaching. And Gen is in a race against time to awaken her full power before the storm breaks.
Warning: Contains a demon hunter with dark secrets, a sexy angel with ulterior motives, and demonic creatures running amok.
Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Samhain
Juliette calls lush, moss-laden Louisiana home where the landscape curls into her imagination, creating mystical settings for her stories. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in gifted education, and was privileged to study under the award-winning author Ernest J. Gaines in grad school. Her love of mythology, legends, and art serve as constant inspiration for her works. From the moment she read JANE EYRE as a teenager, she fell in love with the Gothic romance--brooding characters, mysterious settings, persevering heroines, and dark, sexy heroes. Even then, she not only longed to read more novels set in Gothic worlds, she wanted to create her own.Website Facebook Twitter Pinterest Goodreads Newsletter
EXCERPTSlipping through the door just as two red-eyed demons in cargo pants and muscle shirts rounded the corner, I sped down the hall in the opposite direction, my boots echoing on the stone floor. Two sets of boots pounded behind me, drawing closer. I skated around another corner, hoping to find a stairwell or elevator, smacking right into a wall.
No. Not a wall. A man. Flamma. My VS zinged to new heights as a signature of downy snow and windswept hills washed over me. His hands wrapped my forearms in a firm grip.
I pushed my palms against his rock-hard chest, ready to blast him with VS power.
“Wait! I’ll take you to safety, Genevieve. Hold still.”
His voice, a sonorous melody, rolled in a deep, languid baritone. I froze. Trapped in sea-green eyes and powerful arms, I was taken into the Void.
My breath sucked right out of me as we fell through the darkness. The second time in a matter of minutes I’d been sifted away by a stranger.
The moment my world righted, I pushed out of his hold several paces away. He’d brought us to a park. A pond shaded by orange-gold trees with skyscrapers towering in the distance. Central Park.
I glared at the stranger and tried to catch my breath, drawing the dagger from the sheath sewn into my boot. He stood nearly as tall as Jude, similar in build but leaner. Black hair hung in staggered waves halfway to his shoulders. He regarded me with startling eyes—deep cobalt blue, the color of a glacier buried and untouched for centuries. Like white marble, his jaw, face and neck were sculpted in perfect, harmonious lines. His captivating signature circled me like a wintry halo.
My dad had splurged the Christmas after I’d turned sixteen, taking us skiing in White Fish, Montana. At the tip-top of the slope, the evergreens were completely covered in new-fallen snow, sculpting white ghosts out of the landscape. The wind blew snow crystals in whirls—a pristine world of enchanting beauty. The air sparkled with iridescent ice-dust, like a fairy land. This image pushed to the forefront as I backed another foot away, gazing at my frost-and-snow rescuer.
“Who are you?”
His eyes flicked to the weapon in my hand, but he made no move toward me. Though we were quite far from park-goers and anyone who could help me if I cried out, I felt safer in this public place.
“I’m here to help you.”
That voice again, deep and mesmerizing.
“That’s not an answer.” Definitely Flamma, but which kind. Naughty or nice? I couldn’t tell. “How do you know me?”
His smile widened, making my pulse pound faster.
“I’ve known you a long time. I’ve watched over you your entire life.”
I examined him more closely. His power lapped against my VS like ocean waves, a gentle suction with each ripple before washing over me in a gentle caress. Though his power didn’t scream its presence or beat against mine, he was potent all the same. The perfect stoic expression, the controlled, straight-backed stance, the undeniable, breathtaking beauty. He exuded the essence of—
“Holy crap.” I gulped. “You’re an angel.”
His smile widened, his beauty brightening into something painful. I lowered my trembling hand, sheathing my dagger. An angel who’d watched over me my whole life.
“Not just any angel…my, my guardian angel. Aren’t you?”
A dip of his strong chin.
While he didn’t emanate the same pulse-pounding aura of Uriel, the Archangel who created the Dominus Daemonum, he carried a similar cast of heavenly essence. He tucked his hands in his pants pockets, appearing completely harmless. But I wasn’t fooled. Even angels could be dangerous.
“Have you never sensed my presence?” he asked, eyes steady on mine.
“No. Not really.” I remembered all the near misses in my life, when I somehow avoided danger or trouble by an internal niggling. Was that him? “Why have you never shown yourself before?”
“Guardians tend to stay in the shadows.” My self-proclaimed guardian, Jude, might not like him staking a claim on that position. “And would you have believed me if I’d ever told you of my existence? Before your twentieth birthday, that is.”
On my twentieth birthday, I’d been attacked and nearly strangled to death until Jude came along, did his voodoo mojo and ripped a bony demon from inside my would-be killer. That night changed everything, including my belief in angels and demons walking the earth.
“No.” I smiled. “I guess not.”
My cell phone vibrated in my back pocket. I answered.
“Where the hell are you!” screamed Kat.
“Um, Central Park.” The angel gave me a slight nod. “There’s a pond and a picnic area. I’m looking directly at the Empire State Building in the distance.”
“Stay put. Dorian and I will be there in two.”
I tucked the phone in my jacket.
Wind blew over the water, rippling the surface. My hair had come loose in the melee, dark wisps crossing my face. Pool-green eyes followed the strands, then my hand when I tucked them behind my ear. His keen observation transformed a simple moment into something that made me breathless. He’d moved closer, within a yard, and I hadn’t noticed. I stepped back.
“Stay where you are.”
“What are you afraid of?” His voice dropped, not lower but deeper, like it was pulling on something hidden within me. My blood pumped faster. “That I’ll sift you away somewhere you don’t want to go? I could’ve done that already. And I told you. I’ve watched over you all of your life, kept you safe from harm so that you could reach maturity.”
“You almost bungled that. I’ve been nearly killed like a hundred times.”
“Nearly.” He shrugged. “The demon hunter was there. Most of the time.”
My heart plummeted into my stomach. With those last three words, I realized this angel knew about Danté. Why hadn’t he saved me then? Before Danté had invaded my soul.
“It would be much easier for you to escape your enemies if you had the power to sift.”
“Don’t I know it,” I snapped back.
He smiled, then angled his head as if listening for something.
“I must go.” He reached out a hand for me to shake. I eyed him with suspicion. “It’s a friendly gesture, Genevieve. One does this in greeting and parting. Sometimes a person even says thank you when one saves another from harm.”
My VS tingled, recognizing his power, finding no danger. I stepped forward, holding his gaze as I took his hand. I gasped. The second our hands made contact, a whisper of winter wind caressed my body from head to toe, but I felt no cold, only a sensual embrace tingling along my skin. My knees nearly buckled.
“Th-thank you,” I stammered.
Edging close, still holding my hand, he trailed his gaze from my eyes to my hair, down my cheek to my parted lips, agape from the strange sensation of his touch, before he met my eyes once more.
“You’re more than welcome.” He smiled, probably at my dumbfounded expression. “Until we meet again, dear Genevieve.”
He sifted out, leaving me with the scent of snow and mountain air.
February 25, 2015
Update on In Touch
February 25th, 2015
I've been slack at keeping up this site just because I've been so busy editing and writing these days. I wanted to give everyone an update on In Touch, Book 1 of the rugby romance series PLAY ON.
I mentioned this on other social media, but here goes. After much consideration, I've decided to self-publish. With years of experience in the industry and loads of connections, I can do this! Also, with help from my friends that have forged before me. But please know that In Touch will be just as professional as any published book. The quality will not waver. I've got lined up:
Cover Artist: Tera Shanley - the cover is done (and mighty fine!) but waiting on an updated tagline before the big reveal. Watch this space!
Editor: Paige Christian - a colleague of mine with Kensington and a star in the editing industry
Publicity - Heidi Senesac, the sun in which many indie authors orbit
Release will be Tuesday, September 2nd. Just in time for the Rugby World Cup with opening game on Friday, September 18th at Twickenham Stadium, London. England vs Fiji.
The craic is going to be mighty! I'll have a newsletter launched well before September 1st (follow on my social media to know when that's ready to go) with special sneak previews and giveaways but also thinking of aligning my promotion with the cup in some way. So many ideas bubbling.
There will also be a real in-person. (Yep, it's true) book release party on Sunday, October 11th. This will be either at the Grand Traverse Bay Yacht Club or the Little Traverse Inn on the Leelanau Peninsular, owned by a good friend of mine.
- Wine and beer
- Short reading by author (moi)
- Print books on sale
- USA vs Japan kickoff at 3pm
So if you are in Michigan on the 11th, come by. Everyone is welcome!
I've been slack at keeping up this site just because I've been so busy editing and writing these days. I wanted to give everyone an update on In Touch, Book 1 of the rugby romance series PLAY ON.
I mentioned this on other social media, but here goes. After much consideration, I've decided to self-publish. With years of experience in the industry and loads of connections, I can do this! Also, with help from my friends that have forged before me. But please know that In Touch will be just as professional as any published book. The quality will not waver. I've got lined up:
Cover Artist: Tera Shanley - the cover is done (and mighty fine!) but waiting on an updated tagline before the big reveal. Watch this space!
Editor: Paige Christian - a colleague of mine with Kensington and a star in the editing industry
Publicity - Heidi Senesac, the sun in which many indie authors orbit
Release will be Tuesday, September 2nd. Just in time for the Rugby World Cup with opening game on Friday, September 18th at Twickenham Stadium, London. England vs Fiji.
The craic is going to be mighty! I'll have a newsletter launched well before September 1st (follow on my social media to know when that's ready to go) with special sneak previews and giveaways but also thinking of aligning my promotion with the cup in some way. So many ideas bubbling.
There will also be a real in-person. (Yep, it's true) book release party on Sunday, October 11th. This will be either at the Grand Traverse Bay Yacht Club or the Little Traverse Inn on the Leelanau Peninsular, owned by a good friend of mine.
- Wine and beer
- Short reading by author (moi)
- Print books on sale
- USA vs Japan kickoff at 3pm
So if you are in Michigan on the 11th, come by. Everyone is welcome!
January 25, 2015
January Sale!
There's one week left to pick up nine books for under $10. Go feed that one-click addiction!
December 31, 2014
New Years GIVEAWAY
HAPPY NEW YEAR!OUR SASSY GIVEAWAY
╰★╮Win $40 GCs and a Bundle of Hot Ebooks ╰★╮Happy New Year! This prize consists of a $25 Amazon GC, a $15 Starbucks GC, and over 20 Ebooks from some of today's hottest romance writers.✿ First LIKE the following pages: Sizzle and Sass, Emma Weylin, Eden Ashe, M.Q. Barber, Tera Shanley, Gemma Brocato, Rie Warren, Autumn Piper, Julia Tagan, Anise Rae, Kristina Mathews, Krissy Daniels - Author,Calisa Rhose, Cd Brennan, Lynn Cahoon, Author, Kristina Knight, Romance Author, and Joanne Wadsworth, Romance Author.✿ Follow on Amazon (follow button underneath author pic):
Stacy McKitrick: http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-McKitrick/e/B00BRL7HQG/
Amy Lee Burgess: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Lee-Burgess/e/B00AW3XZE8/✿ Then comment below. For extra entries, liking and sharing counts.✿ 15 x $5 Amazon GCs will also be given away daily on Sizzle and Sass's page, from Jan 1st to 15th.*Not sponsored by or associated with Facebook. Winner chosen by random(dot)org. Closes 15th January at midnight EST.
╰★╮Win $40 GCs and a Bundle of Hot Ebooks ╰★╮Happy New Year! This prize consists of a $25 Amazon GC, a $15 Starbucks GC, and over 20 Ebooks from some of today's hottest romance writers.✿ First LIKE the following pages: Sizzle and Sass, Emma Weylin, Eden Ashe, M.Q. Barber, Tera Shanley, Gemma Brocato, Rie Warren, Autumn Piper, Julia Tagan, Anise Rae, Kristina Mathews, Krissy Daniels - Author,Calisa Rhose, Cd Brennan, Lynn Cahoon, Author, Kristina Knight, Romance Author, and Joanne Wadsworth, Romance Author.✿ Follow on Amazon (follow button underneath author pic):
Stacy McKitrick: http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-McKitrick/e/B00BRL7HQG/
Amy Lee Burgess: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Lee-Burgess/e/B00AW3XZE8/✿ Then comment below. For extra entries, liking and sharing counts.✿ 15 x $5 Amazon GCs will also be given away daily on Sizzle and Sass's page, from Jan 1st to 15th.*Not sponsored by or associated with Facebook. Winner chosen by random(dot)org. Closes 15th January at midnight EST.
December 1, 2014
I'm going LIVE on Blogtalk Radio
December 1st, 2014
I'm going to be talking with Bernadette Walsh on Nice Girls Reading Naughty Books on Blog Talk Radio this Friday at 9:30 pm EST.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bernadettewalsh
I'm not sure what she has in store for me. All I'm worried about is not dropping the F-bomb. I have such a potty mouth!
Love if everyone could check it out. I just hope the boys are sound asleep by then. The DH is away for work in the Bahamas, the bastard. LOL
So grab a cuppa, cozy up, and have a listen. I'm sure I'll make a wally of myself somehow. That's worth a laugh on a Friday night!
I'm going to be talking with Bernadette Walsh on Nice Girls Reading Naughty Books on Blog Talk Radio this Friday at 9:30 pm EST.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bernadettewalsh
I'm not sure what she has in store for me. All I'm worried about is not dropping the F-bomb. I have such a potty mouth!
Love if everyone could check it out. I just hope the boys are sound asleep by then. The DH is away for work in the Bahamas, the bastard. LOL
So grab a cuppa, cozy up, and have a listen. I'm sure I'll make a wally of myself somehow. That's worth a laugh on a Friday night!
October 1, 2014
WATERSHED on sale!!
October 1, 2014
For the ENTIRE month of OCTOBER, my fine publisher Kensington has Watershed for sale for only $.99 on select retailers (links below)
99 Cents!
Less than a bloody coffee! Or pretty much anything these days. What can you get for a buck? And Watershed is so worth it! So, please help me by sharing this blog, my buy links, anything at all to see if we can get this beauty out there.
First book in the Love Where You Roam series, but all books are stand-alone, too.
New Adult Contemporary
Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo
For the ENTIRE month of OCTOBER, my fine publisher Kensington has Watershed for sale for only $.99 on select retailers (links below)
99 Cents!
Less than a bloody coffee! Or pretty much anything these days. What can you get for a buck? And Watershed is so worth it! So, please help me by sharing this blog, my buy links, anything at all to see if we can get this beauty out there.
First book in the Love Where You Roam series, but all books are stand-alone, too.
New Adult Contemporary
Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo
August 16, 2014
Sneak Peek Sunday - IN TOUCH
August 17th, 2014
Yippee! I haven't done a Sneak Peek Sunday in ages and very excited to reveal to readers my very first excerpt from IN TOUCH (current working title), my latest New Adult sport romance. This baby has evolved in so many ways. Not only the title and series, but POV and genre. I have shifted it to New Adult like my other series, which makes total sense and I've added the heroine's POV. Originally, it was only the hero, Padraig's, but when submitted to my editor and also to another agent, both agreed there was something missing. Before, Gillian wasn't so real to me, but simply Padraig's romantic interest, part of the story that propelled his conflict forward. Now, she is essential. I adore her now, quirky and wonderful, and has her own storyline. It's a bit strange, though, as their stories were told almost a year apart, and I see such differences in their voices, in my writing style, where my head was last year compared to now.
Anyhoo, enough of that. Hope you enjoy! This excerpt is from the first chapter when Padraig and Gillian first brush feathers. (note, that this hasn't been edited, and edited work is fab storytelling. I see all the POV filters now!)
* * * *He swung around, his large duffle bag shoving the person off the pavement and into the grass. She side-stepped quickly. “Whoa, there,” she said.
“Pardon me."
Short shorts and long legs. That’s what he saw first. Then a black-on-white Depeche Mode T-shirt, snug against her chest. Weren’t they some crap English band from the 80s? He took a second perusal. Her wavy hair was tied loosely in a braid over her shoulder, old-style tortoise-rimmed glasses on her face. Jean shorts ragged and cuffed. Her legs were mighty fine, but they unglamorously ended in high-top black converse. Interesting.
There was no way she couldn’t have noticed his blatant appraisal, but she said, “No problem.” She smiled, all American straight white teeth. The one thing Padraig had always been envious of the Americans. No one did dentistry like the Yankees.
He made a show of looking her up and down again, but this time she was having none of it. She rolled her eyes and walked away.
Cocky and challenged, Padraig watched her bum sway. Wasn’t exactly his type, but perhaps he’d change his mind on women being a priority, might actually get something out of here, a place the locals called The Mitten.
One, two, three. Right on cue, she turned back as she swung open the door.
Padraig chuckled to himself as he made his way down to the street. He still had it. With the ladies, at least.
This is a sexy picture of an English rugby player, while Padraig is IRISH, taller and darker with bright blue eyes (so Irish and what an accent!) but I do love this pic. It's my personal ambition to spread the word on the sexiness of rugby.
* * * *
For more on IN TOUCH, click on the Rugby, Love & Other Stuff tab above. And please take a moment to stop by and see the other SPS writers today! http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/
I also have the famous Miss Desiree Holt as my Nut today on my blog Sundae With Nuts - Pop on over, I'm so chuffed (and a bit star-struck) to have her as a Nut.
Yippee! I haven't done a Sneak Peek Sunday in ages and very excited to reveal to readers my very first excerpt from IN TOUCH (current working title), my latest New Adult sport romance. This baby has evolved in so many ways. Not only the title and series, but POV and genre. I have shifted it to New Adult like my other series, which makes total sense and I've added the heroine's POV. Originally, it was only the hero, Padraig's, but when submitted to my editor and also to another agent, both agreed there was something missing. Before, Gillian wasn't so real to me, but simply Padraig's romantic interest, part of the story that propelled his conflict forward. Now, she is essential. I adore her now, quirky and wonderful, and has her own storyline. It's a bit strange, though, as their stories were told almost a year apart, and I see such differences in their voices, in my writing style, where my head was last year compared to now.
Anyhoo, enough of that. Hope you enjoy! This excerpt is from the first chapter when Padraig and Gillian first brush feathers. (note, that this hasn't been edited, and edited work is fab storytelling. I see all the POV filters now!)
* * * *He swung around, his large duffle bag shoving the person off the pavement and into the grass. She side-stepped quickly. “Whoa, there,” she said.
“Pardon me."
Short shorts and long legs. That’s what he saw first. Then a black-on-white Depeche Mode T-shirt, snug against her chest. Weren’t they some crap English band from the 80s? He took a second perusal. Her wavy hair was tied loosely in a braid over her shoulder, old-style tortoise-rimmed glasses on her face. Jean shorts ragged and cuffed. Her legs were mighty fine, but they unglamorously ended in high-top black converse. Interesting.
There was no way she couldn’t have noticed his blatant appraisal, but she said, “No problem.” She smiled, all American straight white teeth. The one thing Padraig had always been envious of the Americans. No one did dentistry like the Yankees.
He made a show of looking her up and down again, but this time she was having none of it. She rolled her eyes and walked away.
Cocky and challenged, Padraig watched her bum sway. Wasn’t exactly his type, but perhaps he’d change his mind on women being a priority, might actually get something out of here, a place the locals called The Mitten.
One, two, three. Right on cue, she turned back as she swung open the door.
Padraig chuckled to himself as he made his way down to the street. He still had it. With the ladies, at least.
This is a sexy picture of an English rugby player, while Padraig is IRISH, taller and darker with bright blue eyes (so Irish and what an accent!) but I do love this pic. It's my personal ambition to spread the word on the sexiness of rugby.* * * *
For more on IN TOUCH, click on the Rugby, Love & Other Stuff tab above. And please take a moment to stop by and see the other SPS writers today! http://sneak-peek-sunday.blogspot.com/
I also have the famous Miss Desiree Holt as my Nut today on my blog Sundae With Nuts - Pop on over, I'm so chuffed (and a bit star-struck) to have her as a Nut.
July 27, 2014
Lyrical Press and eKensington Merger
July 27th, 2014
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING TO MERGE TWO DIGITAL IMPRINTS
INTO SINGLE UNIFIED BRAND UNDER LYRICAL PRESS NAMEJuly 24, 2014…Kensington Publishing Corp. announces the merger of its two digital imprints into
one unified entity under the Lyrical Press banner. This premier digital-first imprint created by the
fusion of eKensington and Lyrical Press, under the helm of Adam Zacharius, Director of Special
Projects and Alternative Media, will be supported by Kensington’s talented marketing, publicity,
and editorial teams. Alexandra Nicolajsen, Associate Director of Social Media & Digital Sales, will
oversee Lyrical Press working with Martin Biro, who has been promoted to Associate Editor, Digital
Books. As Managing Director of Lyrical, Renee Rocco will continue to manage all coordination
between editorial, production, and art.
In her new capacity, Alex Nicolajsen will work closely with Editor-in-Chief John Scognamiglio and
Martin Biro to develop Lyrical into the most prominent digital publisher in the business. She will be
involved in all aspects of the new combined Lyrical imprint, including editorial, art, sales,
production and marketing. In his new role, Martin Biro will give Kensington’s digital imprint an
editorial focus and direction. He will continue to acquire new authors across all formats, as well as
work with current authors, including #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.
Steven Zacharius, President and CEO of Kensington Publishing Corp, said, “As the largest
independent publisher in America, Kensington is able to bring innovative ideas and a personal
touch to each of the books we publish. By combining our two digital imprints, we’ve created a
more robust brand that benefits from the focus of our entire company. Our new structure will
make Lyrical Press the place where authors want to go for digital publishing.”
Alex Nicolajsen stated, “I couldn’t be more excited about the merger of these two imprints and to
have the opportunity to work with both debut and established authors to build new bestsellers. I’m
looking forward to working with our excellent Kensington team to bring innovative content to
readers, with stories that explore fresh ideas and, of course, genres that are already well-loved.”
Martin Biro added, “In the nearly six years I’ve been an editor at Kensington I’ve watched as our
digital imprint has grown by leaps and bounds, and now it’s growing even bigger and better via the
merger with Lyrical Press. I’ll be working closely with our editors and authors as we expand into
new genres and reach out to an even wider audience of readers. I’m thrilled to be at the forefront
of an extremely important area of growth not just for Kensington but for the publishing industry
overall.”
With this consolidation, Lyrical Press becomes the primary imprint where Kensington launches new
authors, growing their readership with lower pricing and great social media exposure, while
building the most successful among them to a level that can also support traditional print formats.
In addition, Lyrical Press also provides a platform for Kensington’s bestselling authors to
experiment.
Currently, Lyrical is looking to acquire innovative new fiction in all romance genres (especially
suspense and historicals with unique settings), compelling psychological suspense fiction and
thrillers, women’s fiction, YA, new adult, and cozy mysteries.
ABOUT KENSINGTON PUBLISHING:Founded in 1974 by the late Walter Zacharius, Kensington Publishing Corp. is located in New York
City and is known as “America’s Independent Publisher.” As the foremost independent commercial
publishing house in the United States providing hardcover, trade paperback, mass market, and
digital releases, Kensington publishes the books that America wants to read.
The house of New York Times bestselling authors, including Fern Michaels, Lisa Jackson, Joanne
Fluke, William W. Johnstone, and many others, Kensington publishes over 500 fiction and nonfiction
titles each year. Its diverse imprints include Zebra Books, Brava, Citadel Press, Dafina,
Pinnacle Books, Aphrodisia, KTeen, and Lyrical Press are well known for providing readers with a
range of popular genres such as romance, women’s fiction, African American, young adult and
nonfiction, as well as true-crime, western, and mystery titles.
With 2014 marking its 40th anniversary, Kensington remains family owned and operated since its
founding by the late Walter Zacharius and it has been the only major U.S. publisher to have had
three generations serve the company. Currently Steven and Adam Zacharius, the second and third
generation of the family, lead a talented staff, many of whom have been with the company for
over 20 years.
Visit kensingtonbooks.com.
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING TO MERGE TWO DIGITAL IMPRINTS
INTO SINGLE UNIFIED BRAND UNDER LYRICAL PRESS NAMEJuly 24, 2014…Kensington Publishing Corp. announces the merger of its two digital imprints into
one unified entity under the Lyrical Press banner. This premier digital-first imprint created by the
fusion of eKensington and Lyrical Press, under the helm of Adam Zacharius, Director of Special
Projects and Alternative Media, will be supported by Kensington’s talented marketing, publicity,
and editorial teams. Alexandra Nicolajsen, Associate Director of Social Media & Digital Sales, will
oversee Lyrical Press working with Martin Biro, who has been promoted to Associate Editor, Digital
Books. As Managing Director of Lyrical, Renee Rocco will continue to manage all coordination
between editorial, production, and art.
In her new capacity, Alex Nicolajsen will work closely with Editor-in-Chief John Scognamiglio and
Martin Biro to develop Lyrical into the most prominent digital publisher in the business. She will be
involved in all aspects of the new combined Lyrical imprint, including editorial, art, sales,
production and marketing. In his new role, Martin Biro will give Kensington’s digital imprint an
editorial focus and direction. He will continue to acquire new authors across all formats, as well as
work with current authors, including #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.
Steven Zacharius, President and CEO of Kensington Publishing Corp, said, “As the largest
independent publisher in America, Kensington is able to bring innovative ideas and a personal
touch to each of the books we publish. By combining our two digital imprints, we’ve created a
more robust brand that benefits from the focus of our entire company. Our new structure will
make Lyrical Press the place where authors want to go for digital publishing.”
Alex Nicolajsen stated, “I couldn’t be more excited about the merger of these two imprints and to
have the opportunity to work with both debut and established authors to build new bestsellers. I’m
looking forward to working with our excellent Kensington team to bring innovative content to
readers, with stories that explore fresh ideas and, of course, genres that are already well-loved.”
Martin Biro added, “In the nearly six years I’ve been an editor at Kensington I’ve watched as our
digital imprint has grown by leaps and bounds, and now it’s growing even bigger and better via the
merger with Lyrical Press. I’ll be working closely with our editors and authors as we expand into
new genres and reach out to an even wider audience of readers. I’m thrilled to be at the forefront
of an extremely important area of growth not just for Kensington but for the publishing industry
overall.”
With this consolidation, Lyrical Press becomes the primary imprint where Kensington launches new
authors, growing their readership with lower pricing and great social media exposure, while
building the most successful among them to a level that can also support traditional print formats.
In addition, Lyrical Press also provides a platform for Kensington’s bestselling authors to
experiment.
Currently, Lyrical is looking to acquire innovative new fiction in all romance genres (especially
suspense and historicals with unique settings), compelling psychological suspense fiction and
thrillers, women’s fiction, YA, new adult, and cozy mysteries.
ABOUT KENSINGTON PUBLISHING:Founded in 1974 by the late Walter Zacharius, Kensington Publishing Corp. is located in New York
City and is known as “America’s Independent Publisher.” As the foremost independent commercial
publishing house in the United States providing hardcover, trade paperback, mass market, and
digital releases, Kensington publishes the books that America wants to read.
The house of New York Times bestselling authors, including Fern Michaels, Lisa Jackson, Joanne
Fluke, William W. Johnstone, and many others, Kensington publishes over 500 fiction and nonfiction
titles each year. Its diverse imprints include Zebra Books, Brava, Citadel Press, Dafina,
Pinnacle Books, Aphrodisia, KTeen, and Lyrical Press are well known for providing readers with a
range of popular genres such as romance, women’s fiction, African American, young adult and
nonfiction, as well as true-crime, western, and mystery titles.
With 2014 marking its 40th anniversary, Kensington remains family owned and operated since its
founding by the late Walter Zacharius and it has been the only major U.S. publisher to have had
three generations serve the company. Currently Steven and Adam Zacharius, the second and third
generation of the family, lead a talented staff, many of whom have been with the company for
over 20 years.
Visit kensingtonbooks.com.
July 19, 2014
Cd Brennan's Summer Carnival
July 20th, 2014
Summer Carnival Blog HoppingNO Nut today, folks! It's the start of my week long campaign to get my books out there. Not only my latest release, A World Apart, but Watershed, too! They are perfect summer beach reads - lighthearted, not too much angst, plenty of romance and a bit of fun.
So for my Summer Carnival this year, I'm metaphorically all over the place from the Bumper Cars to the Scrambler, from the Ring Toss to the Corndogs. I've decided to do a one week intense push of promotion instead of the "smattering" I tend to do over the year, which usually results in not much. I'm interested to know if the intensity will get more readers interested in my New Adult series, and hopefully the word will get out there.
So let's see how it goes! You can help by stopping by any of the blogs below. Would love to see you there. Or, as I highly recommend ha ha ha, pick up a copy from your favorite digital retailer. Watershed will be on sale for $0.99 and A World Apart is only a few bob more :-)
Hope you are having a fabulous summer! My Love Where You Roam series is sure to add to it! xo Cd
Sunday 20thhttp://kristinamathews.comwww.mlguida.com/blog/
Monday 21sthttp://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/Books, Baubles and Bad Boys - http://www.juliettecross.com/blog
NA Alley - http://naalley.blogspot.com/All Things Writing http://allthingswriting.blogspot.com/
Tuesday 22ndwww.erinfanning.comIndiana Wonderer http://indianawonderer.wordpress.com/Spill the Beans http://catemasters.blogspot.com/You Gotta Read Reviews http://wp.me/p2oqHj-8vYhttp://sizzlinghotyabooks.com/
Wednesday 23rdwww.asfenichel.comhttp://www.sandracox.blogspot.comWriter Wednesday http://blog.juliealindsey.com/
Thursday 24thGreat Beginnings http://sarahhegger.wordpress.com/http://desiremeonly.com/
Friday 25thFeature Friday for Watershed http://blog.juliealindsey.com/Friday Fanfare calisarhose.com/chit-chathttp://sarawalterellwood.wordpress.com/blog/
Saturday 26thhttp://www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com
Summer Carnival Blog HoppingNO Nut today, folks! It's the start of my week long campaign to get my books out there. Not only my latest release, A World Apart, but Watershed, too! They are perfect summer beach reads - lighthearted, not too much angst, plenty of romance and a bit of fun.
So for my Summer Carnival this year, I'm metaphorically all over the place from the Bumper Cars to the Scrambler, from the Ring Toss to the Corndogs. I've decided to do a one week intense push of promotion instead of the "smattering" I tend to do over the year, which usually results in not much. I'm interested to know if the intensity will get more readers interested in my New Adult series, and hopefully the word will get out there.
So let's see how it goes! You can help by stopping by any of the blogs below. Would love to see you there. Or, as I highly recommend ha ha ha, pick up a copy from your favorite digital retailer. Watershed will be on sale for $0.99 and A World Apart is only a few bob more :-)
Hope you are having a fabulous summer! My Love Where You Roam series is sure to add to it! xo Cd
Sunday 20thhttp://kristinamathews.comwww.mlguida.com/blog/
Monday 21sthttp://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/Books, Baubles and Bad Boys - http://www.juliettecross.com/blog
NA Alley - http://naalley.blogspot.com/All Things Writing http://allthingswriting.blogspot.com/
Tuesday 22ndwww.erinfanning.comIndiana Wonderer http://indianawonderer.wordpress.com/Spill the Beans http://catemasters.blogspot.com/You Gotta Read Reviews http://wp.me/p2oqHj-8vYhttp://sizzlinghotyabooks.com/
Wednesday 23rdwww.asfenichel.comhttp://www.sandracox.blogspot.comWriter Wednesday http://blog.juliealindsey.com/
Thursday 24thGreat Beginnings http://sarahhegger.wordpress.com/http://desiremeonly.com/
Friday 25thFeature Friday for Watershed http://blog.juliealindsey.com/Friday Fanfare calisarhose.com/chit-chathttp://sarawalterellwood.wordpress.com/blog/
Saturday 26thhttp://www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com
June 28, 2014
30 Days of Summer
I’m excited to be part of the Love, Lust and Lipstick Stains and My Family's Heart Book Reviews 30 Days of Summer Blog Tour. We have 30 authors sharing excerpts and teasers throughout July all over the internet with the help of some wonderful bloggers! Be sure to stop by our event because there will be some flash giveaways going on plus you'll be able to follow the tour there.
JOIN THE EVENT!
Also enter our HUGE rafflecopter as we've got a lot of prizes to be won! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Participating authors:Skye CallahanC.E. BlackNatalie GayleChristina PhillipsAnne ConleyEm PetrovaSamantha HoltCd BrennanKate RobbinsVictoria BarbourKristina MathewsEden AsheGemma BrocatoStorm ChaseAnnie NicholasKrissy DanielsSara Walter EllwoodHolley TrentH.Y. HannaPippa JayMisa BuckleyLisa ChalmersEm TaylorSylvia RyanWilla BlairPaige ThomasRhonda Lee CarverEmma WeylinKirsten S. BlacketerJenn Roseton
