N.J. Walters's Blog, page 190
October 1, 2013
Howl of the Wolf Needs Your Vote!
I'm thrilled that Howl of the Wolf is up for BOOK OF THE MONTH at LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS. It's especially cool because the book doesn't release until October 8th! If you'd like to show your support for Howl of the Wolf and the Hades' Carnival series, I'd truly appreciate it. Thanks!
VOTE HERE
September 30, 2013
Tuesday Teaser: Legacy Found
This week the Tuesday Teaser is from LEGACY FOUND, the third book in the Legacy series. I just love James!
TEASER:
James froze in place. All his senses went on full alert. Her scent was ever so faint, almost as if she were masking it somehow. But it was there. “You’re a werewolf,” he whispered. He was so shocked he spoke before he could check his words.
The woman paled and swayed. His hand shot out to steady her, but she quickly pulled away, taking a step backward. “What? What did you say?” Her voice grew steadier with each word she spoke.
The soft tones of her voice skimmed over James like a caress. He was struck with the urge to draw her close to him, lay his head against her stomach and just listen to her talk. But fright still lingered in her dark chocolate-brown eyes in spite of her bravado. Her fingers clenched around the pen she was holding and she took another half-step backward.
“Nothing.” He kept his voice low and as unthreatening as possible. “I didn’t say anything important.”
She relaxed immediately, offering him a tiny smile that brightened her entire face. Up close, he could see that beneath her weariness, there was a beautiful woman. The skin on her heart-shaped face was as fine as a baby’s and appeared to be incredibly smooth. Her chin was slightly pointed, her cheekbones high. And her small nose turned up at the tip. Her eyebrows curved slightly and were the same light brown color as her hair.
He sat up straighter, every muscle in his body pulling tight. Deep within him, he could feel his wolf pacing restlessly.
BUY FROM SAMHAIN
BUY FROM AMAZON
BUY AT BARNES AND NOBLE
TEASER:
James froze in place. All his senses went on full alert. Her scent was ever so faint, almost as if she were masking it somehow. But it was there. “You’re a werewolf,” he whispered. He was so shocked he spoke before he could check his words.
The woman paled and swayed. His hand shot out to steady her, but she quickly pulled away, taking a step backward. “What? What did you say?” Her voice grew steadier with each word she spoke.
The soft tones of her voice skimmed over James like a caress. He was struck with the urge to draw her close to him, lay his head against her stomach and just listen to her talk. But fright still lingered in her dark chocolate-brown eyes in spite of her bravado. Her fingers clenched around the pen she was holding and she took another half-step backward.
“Nothing.” He kept his voice low and as unthreatening as possible. “I didn’t say anything important.”
She relaxed immediately, offering him a tiny smile that brightened her entire face. Up close, he could see that beneath her weariness, there was a beautiful woman. The skin on her heart-shaped face was as fine as a baby’s and appeared to be incredibly smooth. Her chin was slightly pointed, her cheekbones high. And her small nose turned up at the tip. Her eyebrows curved slightly and were the same light brown color as her hair.
He sat up straighter, every muscle in his body pulling tight. Deep within him, he could feel his wolf pacing restlessly.
BUY FROM SAMHAIN
BUY FROM AMAZON
BUY AT BARNES AND NOBLE
September 29, 2013
Welcome October!
Today is the last of September and tomorrow is the 1st of October. I can't believe how fast the last month has flown by. I love this time of year...the crisp air, hot chocolate, the gorgeous colors and the holidays--Thanksgiving is almost here (it's in October in Canada) and then Halloween!
Hope you all have a wonderful October!
September 26, 2013
Kate Hill's Halloween Party is only days away!
Once again, I'm thrilled to be a part of Kate Hill's Halloween Party, which starts on October 1st and runs until the 31st. Join in the celebration and you might just win one of the many prizes being given away!
September 25, 2013
Banned Books Week
September 22nd - 28th is BANNED BOOK WEEK. Be sure to exercise your right to freedom of speech by reading a banned book. Check out this list of some banned books on the NY PUBLIC LIBRARY website.
September 24, 2013
Shelley Munro stops by for Writer's Wednesday
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Shelley Munro to the blog!
I’ve known I was visiting NJ for a while, but for some reason I couldn’t decide on a topic for my blog post. Of course I could have written about an element from my recent contemporary release, Past Regrets (Samhain Publishing) or about Stoned (Ellora’s Cave), the book about statues and curses that came out on Friday.
PAST REGRETS by SHELLEY MUNRO
No, I thought, let’s go back to basics.
So that’s what I’m going to do.
Before I even thought about becoming a writer, I was an enthusiastic reader. My parents were both keen readers, and they started me and my brother and sister on the same path.
Reading helps me relax. It allows me to travel to new worlds and experience things that might be outside my comfort in real life. Reading is a way to research and learn the things I need to know in order to write my own books. When I read books by other authors I’m inspired to improve my own writing. I sometimes receive flashes of ideas for future plots, and books themselves are like textbooks for the writer. I absorb things like pace, characterization and plotting every time I open a book. When I read a new release, I get a hint of what is popular with readers and this might change how I approach the current book I’m working on. And lastly, reading entertains me.
People who say they never read confound me. I can’t imagine my world without a book. It would be an empty place indeed.
So what am I reading at the moment?
I’ve just finished reading To Command and Collar by Cherise Sinclair. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Cherise’s writing, she writes contemporary erotic BDSM and has several series. This book is part of the Masters of Shadowlands series. It’s possible to read this book without knowledge of the other books, but several of the characters make guest appearances in more than one book, and I’d recommend beginning at the start of the series with Club Shadowlands. To Command and Collar deals with a slaving ring and it was difficult to read at times. I came to adore the hero Master Raoul and I thought he was a great match for the heroine. If you’re looking for something to read after Fifty Shades, grab this series. In my opinion it’s a hundred percent better!
I’m about to start reading Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh. Nalini lives in New Zealand, and I love her Psy-Changeling series. I think each book is better than the last, and the plot arc across the series incredible. Her world building is excellent and without fault and so different from anything else that’s out on the market. This is also a series and one that you’ll enjoy more if you start at the beginning. I highly recommend Nalini’s books to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances.
And the third author I’m going to mention is one of my all time favorite historical authors. I’ve been a fan since I read Jess Michael’s story Ancient Secrets in a Secrets anthology. Jess had a recent release from Samhain Publishing called Taken By The Duke, which is sitting on my Kindle ready to read when I get a spare moment. When I read this story I know I’ll get great characters, spicy love scenes and be transported back to Regency times. Win-win for me. J
As I said, I can’t imagine not having a book to hand, and to safeguard against the horror of running out, I have a huge pile. It will be a few years before my stockpile dwindles.
Which books have you read recently that you’d recommend to other romance lovers?
Shelley Munro lives in New Zealand with her husband and a cheeky puppy called Bella. She writes romances for Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. To learn more about Shelley and her books please visit her website at http://www.shelleymunro.com
I’ve known I was visiting NJ for a while, but for some reason I couldn’t decide on a topic for my blog post. Of course I could have written about an element from my recent contemporary release, Past Regrets (Samhain Publishing) or about Stoned (Ellora’s Cave), the book about statues and curses that came out on Friday.
PAST REGRETS by SHELLEY MUNRONo, I thought, let’s go back to basics.
So that’s what I’m going to do.
Before I even thought about becoming a writer, I was an enthusiastic reader. My parents were both keen readers, and they started me and my brother and sister on the same path.
Reading helps me relax. It allows me to travel to new worlds and experience things that might be outside my comfort in real life. Reading is a way to research and learn the things I need to know in order to write my own books. When I read books by other authors I’m inspired to improve my own writing. I sometimes receive flashes of ideas for future plots, and books themselves are like textbooks for the writer. I absorb things like pace, characterization and plotting every time I open a book. When I read a new release, I get a hint of what is popular with readers and this might change how I approach the current book I’m working on. And lastly, reading entertains me.
People who say they never read confound me. I can’t imagine my world without a book. It would be an empty place indeed.
So what am I reading at the moment?
I’ve just finished reading To Command and Collar by Cherise Sinclair. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Cherise’s writing, she writes contemporary erotic BDSM and has several series. This book is part of the Masters of Shadowlands series. It’s possible to read this book without knowledge of the other books, but several of the characters make guest appearances in more than one book, and I’d recommend beginning at the start of the series with Club Shadowlands. To Command and Collar deals with a slaving ring and it was difficult to read at times. I came to adore the hero Master Raoul and I thought he was a great match for the heroine. If you’re looking for something to read after Fifty Shades, grab this series. In my opinion it’s a hundred percent better!
I’m about to start reading Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh. Nalini lives in New Zealand, and I love her Psy-Changeling series. I think each book is better than the last, and the plot arc across the series incredible. Her world building is excellent and without fault and so different from anything else that’s out on the market. This is also a series and one that you’ll enjoy more if you start at the beginning. I highly recommend Nalini’s books to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances.
And the third author I’m going to mention is one of my all time favorite historical authors. I’ve been a fan since I read Jess Michael’s story Ancient Secrets in a Secrets anthology. Jess had a recent release from Samhain Publishing called Taken By The Duke, which is sitting on my Kindle ready to read when I get a spare moment. When I read this story I know I’ll get great characters, spicy love scenes and be transported back to Regency times. Win-win for me. J
As I said, I can’t imagine not having a book to hand, and to safeguard against the horror of running out, I have a huge pile. It will be a few years before my stockpile dwindles.
Which books have you read recently that you’d recommend to other romance lovers?
Shelley Munro lives in New Zealand with her husband and a cheeky puppy called Bella. She writes romances for Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. To learn more about Shelley and her books please visit her website at http://www.shelleymunro.com
September 23, 2013
Tuesday Teaser: Fabric of Fate
This week the Tuesday Teaser comes from the Tapestries series. FABRIC OF FATE is the sixth book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone book.
TEASER:
“Carn?” a loud, male voice called in the distance.
The animal tilted back its head and howled. The chilling sound raced down her spine. He sounded like a wolf. Come to think of it, he looked something like one too. She slowly released her arms, pulling them back to her sides. The animal gave a low whine as if he wasn’t happy with her.
She smiled and felt the world tilt again. Her head rested against the ground and she could feel the earth shake beneath her as someone hurried toward her.
“What have you found, boy?” the male voice asked. She didn’t have the strength to answer him.
Strong hands turned her onto her back. She blinked as two large shapes went in and out of focus. She raised her hand to touch one of them but it was too much trouble. She let it fall back to her side and slipped away into the comforting darkness.
Just before oblivion claimed her she felt herself being lifted and held against a broad, masculine chest. In spite of the cold, she could feel heat radiating from him and snuggled closer. The one coherent thought she had was that she was safe now. She’d been found.
BUY FROM ELLORA'S CAVE
BUY FROM AMAZON
TEASER:
“Carn?” a loud, male voice called in the distance.
The animal tilted back its head and howled. The chilling sound raced down her spine. He sounded like a wolf. Come to think of it, he looked something like one too. She slowly released her arms, pulling them back to her sides. The animal gave a low whine as if he wasn’t happy with her.
She smiled and felt the world tilt again. Her head rested against the ground and she could feel the earth shake beneath her as someone hurried toward her.
“What have you found, boy?” the male voice asked. She didn’t have the strength to answer him.
Strong hands turned her onto her back. She blinked as two large shapes went in and out of focus. She raised her hand to touch one of them but it was too much trouble. She let it fall back to her side and slipped away into the comforting darkness.
Just before oblivion claimed her she felt herself being lifted and held against a broad, masculine chest. In spite of the cold, she could feel heat radiating from him and snuggled closer. The one coherent thought she had was that she was safe now. She’d been found.
BUY FROM ELLORA'S CAVE
BUY FROM AMAZON
New Cover and Release Date
Check out the cover for Craig's Heart, book 7 of the Legacy series, which will be released in ebook on January 21, 2014!
September 22, 2013
Welcome to Autumn
Welcome to the first day of Autumn! I love this time of year--the crisp air, the colorful leaves, apples, Thanksgiving, Halloween and so much more. Hope you enjoy the fall!
September 19, 2013
TRS 10th Anniversary Party and a Chance to Win
This is a reminder that the TRS party is still going on and there is still time to enter to win some of the many fabulous prizes being given away!
I'm helping TRS celebrate a milestone at THE ROMANCE STUDIO'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY. There are lots of authors hanging out and prizes to be won. It runs from September 15th to the 21st so you've got plenty of time to check it out!
Click HERE to party.
Be sure to enter to win in the TRS Party Giveaways. I've offered up a signed print copy of Damek's Redemption as one of the prizes!
I'm helping TRS celebrate a milestone at THE ROMANCE STUDIO'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY. There are lots of authors hanging out and prizes to be won. It runs from September 15th to the 21st so you've got plenty of time to check it out!
Click HERE to party.
Be sure to enter to win in the TRS Party Giveaways. I've offered up a signed print copy of Damek's Redemption as one of the prizes!
