N.J. Walters's Blog, page 147

Rocking Around the Anthology Tree Party--December 16th

Please join N.J. Walters, Nina Pierce, Sam Cheevers, Cindy Spencer Pape, Desiree Holt, Adele Downs and Liz Crowe at the Facebook 
ROCKING AROUND THE ANTHOLOGY TREE PARTY on DECEMBER 16TH!



We'll be talking about out books in the Into the Flames Anthology and spreading some holiday cheer.

Dec. 16th - Into the Flames Anthology

This is the schedule of when we'll be there. All times are EST.

 2 - 3pm Nina Pierce
3 - 4pm Sam Cheever
4 - 5pm Desiree Holt
5 - 6pm Cindy Spencer Pape
6 - 7pm N.J. Walters
7 - 8pm Adele Downs
8 - 9pm Liz Crowe

Weekend Book Club--Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward

I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. Now she's started a spinoff series--Black Dagger Legacy. It's basically the next generation. We still see the brotherhood and their mates, but the main story focuses on new recruits at the training center. I'm glad she's back with a more traditional romance in BLOOD KISS.



BLURB:


Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself...be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.

And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated--and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power...on the field, and off.

Kate Hill--Writing Mishaps

Writing Mishaps - Those Palm to Forehead Moments 
I love writing, but when you're working on a story, mishaps and mistakes are inevitable. From misspellings to technology issues, problems occur that can be both annoying and funny.
 Today I want to share some of my favorite slips that I've made and scrapes I've gotten into while working on books.  

1. Typos - The typo is probably the most common error in writing. It's safe to say everyone makes a typo once in a while. I make them A LOT. I have a typo checklist for my most common ones, just be sure a sentence like this doesn't slip through:
 Discussing his public hair isn't appropriate in a pubic forum.

 2. Technology - Yes, I'm old enough to say that I used to write everything longhand and then type it using a vintage typewriter (the kind that required a hammer to make the keys move). I love how the tools of the trade have advanced and make completing a story faster and easier. Still, technology isn't without its problems, in particular when human error is involved. I remember being far behind on a deadline. After working on the story for thirteen hours in one day, I accidentally hit the "no" button when it came time to save my file. I'm not much for crying, but at that moment I was close to tears. Luckily I had emailed a copy to myself earlier in the day, so I had at least some of the chapters I had written, but I still lost hours of work.

3. Obsession - When I'm working on a story, I tend to get obsessed. I think about it all the time and I feel like the characters are always with me. That should be a good thing, right? It is until you go to the day job and call your boss by the name of your latest hero. 

When writing my recent release, Blow by Blow, I didn't have any technology issues and my obsession with the story luckily didn't cause any embarrassing situations. As usual I had my share of typos and after this particular book I became Queen of the Comma Splice. Yes, editors are guardian angels.
 I hope you enjoy the following excerpt from Blow by Blow.
 Thank you for having me as a guest today, NJ!
Kate


  Blow by Blow
by Kate Hill
M/M Erotic Romance
Release Date: 11/24/2015
 
Blurb:  
A hunky former heavyweight champ and an ass-kicking beauty fight for their lives and their love in a futuristic world of MMA. 

Theo "Little Raven" Fisker, is a bantamweight with attitude who plans to make a name for himself in the Radical Warrior Tournament, a prestigious mixed martial arts event. The problem is no team will sign a male fighter who walks out in silver and pink with nail polish to match, until he meets Master Jesse.
 Impressed by Theo's talent, Jesse welcomes him onto his up and coming team. Fists and sparks fly when Theo meets gorgeous Valentin Merrickson. Theo draws Valentin out of his protective armor and sparks hope for a life the tough heavyweight never imagined possible. Their love grows, but threats from extremists and an injury that ends Valentin's career in the cage might tear them apart. 
 
Excerpt:

"I spilled an entire tray," Theo said, raising his eyes to the heavens. Waiting tables wasn't exactly the cake walk he'd expected.
 "Nobody's perfect," Valentin said.
 Theo turned to him, his gaze sweeping him from head to toe, and said, "I'm not so sure about that, Sunshine." 

Valentin's expression turned stony. "Why do you keep calling me that?"
 "Because just looking at you is enough to brighten anyone's day." The words left Theo's mouth before he could stop them. That had always been one of his biggest problems. A thought popped into his head and he had to say it. He rarely considered the consequences. 

"Ohhh." Liz smiled and glanced at Valentin. "Now that's a line I need to remember."
 Valentin glowered and finished his drink quickly.
 "Should you be drinking while you're training?" Theo asked. "We have a tournament coming up at the end of the month."

"It's water with lemon in it, not that it's any of your business," Valentin said, but his faint smile belied his rude tone. 

"Just thinking about the team," Theo said, deliberately using a flirty look. He removed his apron with the words Panoramic View embroidered across it in silver and embellished with a black skull. 

"Nice belt." Valentin nodded toward Theo's waist. "Looks almost like a chain whip."
 Theo glanced toward Liz, who stood at the other end of the bar. He wasn't sure how his new boss would feel if she knew the dual uses of his attire. He probably shouldn't even admit this to Valentin, but he said softly, "It is. My father was an artist--a martial artist--and he made jewelry as a hobby. He liked finding ways of making weapons fashionable." Theo gestured toward his belt.
 "What else does he make?"
 "He's dead," Theo said quietly. Though his father had been dead for years, thinking about his loss still hurt.
 "I'm sorry," Valentin said. "That belt must be pretty special to you."
 "It is." Theo sighed. "I really need to catch the bus and get to sleep." 

"No car?" 

"Not yet, but I'm working on it. I used a rental to drive here, but I returned it yesterday." 

"Want a ride?" 

"Didn't you just get here?" 

Valentin shrugged. "I'm done with my drink and I'm in training, too. Ready to go?" 

Narrowing his eyes, Theo considered the offer. Just sitting next to Valentin in a car, smelling his cologne, would be enough to make him horny all night. This guy would not be good for his training. Why did he have to join a team that had the most gorgeous man in the universe as its heavyweight champion? 

"I'm ready. Just let me get my bag." 

"Right here." Liz, who had approached, picked up his black bag from behind the counter and handed it to him. 

Theo took it from her. 

From the corner of his eye, he noticed a news headline on the widescreen TV above the bar. 

"Hey, Liz," said one of the waitresses, stepping behind the bar to turn up the volume.  
"The Spellman Hill Vigilante strikes again." 

Theo listened to a brief report about two guys who had been knocked unconscious by a helmeted figure while attempting to mug a woman on her way home from work the previous night. 

"Spellman Hill Vigilante?" Theo asked. 

"Yeah. Over the past year or so a guy in a black helmet has been on the streets stopping crime in and around Spellman Hill. He seems to focus on crimes against the gay community, but not always," said the waitress. "A few of his victims claim he attacked them at random, but I'm not so sure. Cops don't like him for obvious reasons, but I feel a little safer knowing he's around." 

"I wish the news would stop sensationalizing this guy," Liz said, shaking her head. 

"Hey, in a way he's a hero," Valentin said. 

Liz raised her eyes to heaven. "Just as long as he doesn't try to be a 'hero' near my club. If you ask me he's just a wacko." 

After saying good night, Theo and Valentin walked out of the club together. Valentin was more than a head taller than Theo, so even with his high-heeled black boots Theo needed to look up to him. He kind of liked it. Hell, he loved it. 

Outside they climbed into Valentin's sleek black sports car. It probably cost more than Theo had made fighting over the past couple of years. Still Valentin could probably afford it with little stress. He'd done well in his career and Theo had read several articles in sports magazines that mentioned Valentin's wise business investments. 

Smiling, Theo stretched his long legs and leaned back in the leather seat. "I could get used to this." 

"I know what you mean," Valentin said under his breath. His blue gaze lingered on Theo's legs and crotch. 

"Are you flirting with me, Sunshine?" 

"Why not? You've been doing it all day." 

Purchase Link:
http://www.bookstrand.com/book/blow-by-blow 

About Kate 
Always a fan of romance and the paranormal, Kate Hill started writing over twenty years ago for pleasure. Her first story, a short erotic vampire tale, was accepted for publication in 1996. Since then she has sold over one hundred short stories, novellas and novels.
When she's not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out and spending time with her family and pets. Kate also writes under the pen name Saloni Quinby. She enjoys hearing from readers and she can be contacted at katehill@sprintmail.com. Visit her online at http://www.kate-hill.com.
 

A Hot Holiday Novella

Looking for a hot holiday novella? Then be sure to check out The Gift of Shayla.



Adam Lancaster has been in love with Rob McKeith—and attracted to Rob’s wife, Shayla—for years, but he fears their friendship would be over if they knew the truth. So he’s thrilled when his secret fantasy becomes reality and the couple offers him a very special gift: a sensual Christmas Eve in their bedroom…

BUY FROM CARINA PRESS BUY FROM AMAZON

December Newsletter is Out!

The December 2015 issue of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters—is now available. It's the final issue for 2015! Thank you all for such a wonderful year.

Be sure to check out all the latest news, contests and an excerpt from my holiday novella The Gift of Shayla.

As always, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter.

Samhain Publishing Black Friday Sale!

Be sure to check out SAMHAIN PUBLISHING's BLACK FRIDAY SALE! Today through Monday, they have 30% off the entire store. (US-only for print books.)



It's a great time to pick up some great books and to download any you've missed.

You can pick up any books from the Salvation Pack you haven't read yet. You could also check out any series of mine you might have missed!

Be sure not to miss out on this great deal.

SAMHAIN BOOKS BY N.J. WALTERS

Laurie Roma's November Symposium: What A Wonderful World

This month Laurie Roma asked her friends and fellow authors the things they are most grateful for.

Click the link below to find out what we all had to say!




LAURIE ROMA'S NOVEMBER SYMPOSIUM: WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!

Salvation Pack series--new contract

Just signed a contract for what will probably be the last Salvation Pack book--Book 9 Wolf of her Own.

If you're wondering about the order for the Salvation Pack series, here it is:

Wolf at the Door
Wolf in her Bed
Wolf on the Run
Wolf from the Past
Wolf on the Hunt (January 12, 2016)
Wolf on a Mission (April 5, 2016)
Wolf in his Heart (July 2016)
Wolf in her Soul (October 2016)
Wolf of her Own (2017)




Wolf on the Hunt, due out on January 12, 2016, is up for pre-order on Amazon.

I LOVE the covers for this series.

I'm over at The Decadent Diva

Check out my interview over at
 The Decadent Divas.

I'm talking about new beginnings and my latest Salvation Pack book, Wolf from the Past.

Holiday Madness

There is change in the air.
Halloween is nothing but a distant memory and the American Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas loom in the not-so-distant future. Decorations, candy, and tempting gift items are appearing with rapid regularity on the store shelves. In the blink of an eye, it seems we’ve hit the holiday season running.
I don’t know about you, but I already feel as though I’m behind.
But why do I feel that way? Why should I?
It’s partly a media and retail driven frenzy—buy more, spend more, how can you have your holiday without this particular bobble mode. The entire world goes crazy for about seven weeks or so every year.
In spite of it all, I absolutely love this time of year. I love everything about the holidays—the food, the music, the pretty lights, the decorations that have been in the family for years, and the time spent with family and friends.
So why is it that when the holidays arrive most of us are too tired to enjoy it?
Expectations! We all have such high expectations, encouraged by television advertising. We feel that everything has to be perfect or that the holidays are ruined.
Rubbish!
Some of the most memorable holidays I’ve had are the ones when I didn’t have that much. You remember what’s really important at a time like that. It’s your loved ones and friends, having a roof over your head and enough groceries in the cupboard. Not everyone has that.
The holidays are about the people you share it with, not the stuff. Start some new traditions this year to replace the economically challenging ones that may have outlived their usefulness. And go back to basics.
There are lots of simple and inexpensive gifts you can give--a bottle of inexpensive wine (sometimes you can get mini-bottles of wine for under $5), some homemade cookies or cake, a gift certificate for the movies or the local coffee shop. If you’re crafty, you can knit socks or scarves or even a sweater. Lots of thrift stores have bags of yarn, donated by someone who never finished their particular project. You get the idea.
I made homemade chocolates for the first time in years and will be distributing some small tins of those as presents.    My mom makes and gives away cakes every year. (We all tell her we don't care if we get anything else as long as we get our fruitcake. Yes, my mother makes the best fruitcake in the world.) It’s hard to go wrong with a gift of food. There is so much company coming and going over the holidays you can share the box of chocolates you might not particularly like, or offer guests a glass of wine from the bottle of red you’ll never drink. Other than food, I like to give gift cards that give someone an experience—an afternoon at the movies, an evening at a coffee shop, a dinner out. Folks really appreciate gifts like that. Plus, they don’t have to find a place to store an unwanted present after the holidays are over. Face it, we’ve all gotten something we don’t like. It ends up in the back of the closet or going to the local thrift store, or worse, re-gifted to someone else who will do exactly the same thing. I shudder to think how often some presents make the rounds.
If even that is financially challenging, maybe you can give someone the gift of time.
In the crazy world we live in, I’m sure some family members or friends would appreciate that more than anything. Invite your sister, mother or girlfriend over for an afternoon of cookie baking. You’ll have fun and have a ton of baked goods to share at the end of the day. Take an afternoon and spend it with your spouse, significant other, or kids. Chose activities that don’t cost money. Go to a park. Take in a tree-lighting ceremony. Window shop  at the mall without buying anything—okay, maybe a hot chocolate at the food court, but that’s it. The idea is to spend time with that person. So turn off the computer and the cell phone and relax and enjoy.
And do something for charity. Pick up an extra can of tuna and drop it in the food bank bin at the grocery store, volunteer somewhere, drop your coffee money for a week into the Salvation Army kettle. You’ll be glad you did.
The holidays are meant to be a joyous time. Enjoy them!