Joy Lynn Fielding's Blog, page 8

Pony nuts and self-discipline

I often wax lyrical on this blog about the joys of research. Sadly, it has its downside too, which I ran into this afternoon. I’d settled in for a few quiet hours of writing and was determined to at least get to the end of the current scene. But then my character turned out his pockets looking for something, and when the contents included some pony nuts, I realised I should probably find out if they’re actually called pony nuts in the US given that he’s American.

The result? Two hours later, I’m an expert on equine nutrition, have followed breathlessly the unfolding dramas of people on discussion boards whose horses refuse to be caught in the field, and my character is still lying there with a busted ankle, broken heart, and pockets with indeterminate contents. I really do need to learn more self-control. Does anyone else have this problem about being so easily distracted, or is it just me?

 

 

My intrepid blog tour continues…

It’s been a little quiet on here as I’ve been all over the web courtesy of Pride Promotions ‘ tour for Shifting Sands. They do get around!

There are still a few more stops to come – if you haven’t had a chance yet, drop in to any of the stops and get your name in the draw for an Amazon gift certificate. And if you’ve already dropped by, it’s always nice to see people again. :)

I’ll add the relevant urls below as the posts go up:

Hearts on Fire

Shifting Sands – blog tour, giveaway, and a review

So I have two three stops on the  Shifting Sands blog tour today! There’s still time to enter the draw for an Amazon gift certificate, so do drop by if you have a moment.

The first stop is at MM Good Book Reviews, where the book’s received a lovely review.

“Betrayal, murder attempts, and a chase to the capital all come to death-defying heights in Shifting Sands. There are hot passionate moments, punch in the gut rejections, and a nail-biting run and fight for life and justice.”

The second stop is with the lovely Amanda C Stone, where she has some fascinating questions for me. Vanilla or dark chocolate and lime? You decide. :)

Edited to add: Whoops! I’m also being hosted on Book Reviews and More by Kathy – it’s a busy, busy day that Will at Pride Promotions has lined up for me!

Guest post and giveaway – Shifting Sands

The lovely Lisa over at The Novel Approach Reviews is interviewing me today about shifters and other things. Do pop over to her site to find out more. It’s always lovely to hear from people, and by commenting, you’ll get yourself in the draw for an Amazon gift certificate (there are other ways to enter the draw as well should you prefer not to leave a comment).

The bear necessities

Apologies for that terrible, terrible title.

This is the latest in my occasional series of fascinating (yes, really!) facts series… It’s a long story, but I ended up reading about bears earlier today and stumbled upon some interesting facts. Be warned, I haven’t had the time to verify any of these facts, so treat them with the caution you would anything else on the internet.

The bear ancestor is an offshoot of the ancient Canidae family of dogs, wolves, foxes, and coyotes.
Bears are very smart and have been known to roll rocks into bear traps to set off the trap and eat the bait in safety.
In 2004, a black bear was found unconscious in a campground in Seattle, Washington. It had broken into a cooler and used its claws and teeth to open dozens of beer cans. Although it sampled other types of beer, it chose to drink all the cans of only one type of beer. After its drinking binge, the bear passed out.
A swimming polar bear can jump 8 ft. (2.4 m) out of the water.
Polar bears have the largest home ranges of any bear. One polar bear can hunt and live in an area as big as Maine.
Bears can run up to 40 miles per hour, fast enough to catch a running horse.
Unlike many mammals, bears can see in color.
Bears can see almost as well as humans, and they can hear a little better. But they can smell much better. In fact, a bear’s sense of smell is around 100 times greater than a human’s. Polar bears can track down an odor from 20 miles (32 km) away. They can smell a dead seal under 3 feet of solid ice.

And no, I have no plans to write about bears any time soon. Which of course means it’s almost certain my next book will involve them somehow…

Shifting Sands – release day and excerpt!

Shifting Sands is released today! Siren have it on offer until April 3rd with a 15% new-release discount.

The visit to Elk Ridge is supposed to be just another assignment for Tom Barrington. Then he encounters Bryce Reynolds, a generous, warmhearted cowboy who has the easiest smile he’s ever seen. It doesn’t take long for Tom to break all his rules and end up in Bryce’s bed.

Bryce Reynolds believes there’s no such thing as a hot politician, right up until he meets Tom Barrington. Tall, dark, and principled, Tom overturns all of Bryce’s prejudices, and Bryce starts to forget that he doesn’t do serious and he doesn’t do commitment.

As Bryce and Tom struggle to make sense of what’s happening between them, they’re drawn into a political battle—one which could affect the future of every shifter. And when long-buried secrets start coming to light, things turn deadly. Nothing will ever be the same again for the Elk Ridge pack.

 

And to celebrate release day, an excerpt featuring Tom’s appalling decision-making abilities:

“Does every visit by a councilor get this sort of attention?” Bryce asked. “Not to knock your job, but it’s pretty over the top.”

“This is a little different from usual,” Tom admitted. “You’ve got the most powerful shifters in the country about to visit somewhere that has no security in place. All it would take is some anti-shifter nutcase with an agenda, and half the shifter national government could be wiped out. It makes me wonder why they didn’t invite Jesse to Washington instead, where there’d be a controlled environment.” He knew damn well that they had, but was hoping for a clue as to why the invitation had been turned down.

“They did,” Bryce said, a laugh in his voice. “Jesse’s response, if I remember rightly, was I ain’t no goddamn freak show to be paraded around and stared at. Matt wouldn’t have it, either. He figured that if the Council are so keen on meeting Jesse, they do so on Jesse’s terms.”

“You agree with that?”

“Hell yes. The knowledge that Argents still exist is going to be a big thing to all shifters, but it’s Jesse’s life we’re talking about. No one has any right to interfere in it just because of his bloodline.”

Damn it. It was bad enough Bryce was so engaging. He didn’t need to throw ethical into the mix. Maybe it was because of Tom’s job and the people it had him mixing with, but Tom found Bryce’s principles nearly as hot as the way he was slinking across the room toward him right now. His long stride was graceful and easy and promised so very much, and the open invitation on his face was made irresistible by the smile in his eyes.

“So, Tom ‘I’m just the muscle’ Barrington, please tell me you’re off the clock now.” Bryce was standing in front of him. “No strings, no regrets, just a bit of fun,” he said. “If you want.”

Tom didn’t do this. He didn’t do easy hookups, and never when he was working. But he was more tempted than he’d ever been and it wasn’t just Bryce’s body that had him that way. It was the openness, the frank invitation that was so very different from how things had been with Zack, where every word had been wrapped in multiple meanings and fraught with layers Tom still didn’t understand.

He shook his head, regret twisting deep inside him. “I can’t, not while I’m working this detail.”

Disappointment tugged Bryce’s mouth down in an expression that looked so wrong and unnatural for him that Tom’s regret intensified. But then he smiled again and took a step back. “Fair enough,” he said. “Guess it would distract you if you were always watching my ass rather than your councilor. If you change your mind, though….”

“You’ll be the first to know,” Tom agreed swiftly, and meant every word.

Bryce saw him to the front door and stood leaning against the doorframe, his long body an easy, graceful curve as he watched Tom turn the car around and head down the drive. Tom glanced in his rearview more times than was strictly necessary, and regret was sharp in his chest when he finally rounded a bend that took Bryce out of his sight.

Forthcoming blog tour, and 5 stars for Red Moon Rising

To mark the upcoming release of Shifting Sands, I’m going to be embarking on a blog tour arranged by the lovely Will at Pride Promotions. I’ll post more details nearer the time, but a quick heads-up that an Amazon gift certificate will be on offer during the tour!

Having poured boiling water over my foot this morning, I thought that set the tone for the day. I was wrong – I’ve just found out that one of the wonderful crew at The Romance Reviews has rated Red Moon Rising as a Top Pick:

…a fast-paced, well-written and dynamic multi-layered story line…With vividly described settings and well developed supporting characters, this M/M romance is one that captured my heart from start to finish.

Shifting Sands now available for pre-order

Shifting Sands is now available for pre-order from Siren for a 15% discount.

The visit to Elk Ridge is supposed to be just another assignment for Tom Barrington. Then he encounters Bryce Reynolds, a generous, warmhearted cowboy who has the easiest smile he’s ever seen. It doesn’t take long for Tom to break all his rules and end up in Bryce’s bed.

Bryce Reynolds believes there’s no such thing as a hot politician, right up until he meets Tom Barrington. Tall, dark, and principled, Tom overturns all of Bryce’s prejudices, and Bryce starts to forget that he doesn’t do serious and he doesn’t do commitment.

As Bryce and Tom struggle to make sense of what’s happening between them, they’re drawn into a political battle—one which could affect the future of every shifter. And when long-buried secrets start coming to light, things turn deadly. Nothing will ever be the same again for the Elk Ridge pack.

This is the fourth book in the Strength of the Pack series, though may be read as a standalone.

Carnevale and A Gilded Cage are now available in paperback

The first two books in the Masquerade series are now available from Amazon in a single volume paperback. And to those of you who are so patiently waiting for the third and final book in the series, I promise I haven’t forgotten Perry and Jack – it’s just that Perry, at least, is so well-mannered he’s been pushed aside for the moment by a pack of rowdy, demanding shifters.

Speaking of whom, I had better get back to working on book five of Strength of the Pack, which is the tale of a side trip Christian and Dave take during the events of the upcoming release, Shifting Sands. Of course, Christian being Christian, it can’t be straightforward. *sighs*

The Romance Reviews anniversary party

To celebrate turning three years old, The Romance Reviews is throwing a party throughout March. More than 450 prizes are on offer, including books and gift certificates, with the grand prize being a gift certificate for $100.

A copy of my book An Impossible Mate is up for grabs tomorrow. Look at TRR’s event page here to enter – you will need to register so they can keep track of your points, but registration is free and easy.

If you’re visiting my blog looking for the answer to my question, welcome, and you’ll find the answer on the Books page.