Mandy M. Roth's Blog, page 78
December 5, 2012
New Issue of Raven Magazine
The Brand new issue of Raven Magazine is now up and LIVE. Don’t forget, its FREE!
The strangest things can make you thankful
It has now been just over a month since Mr. Mandy was let go from his job. The dynamics around the house have certainly changed. He’s taken over a lot of the “mom” duties. This has been a huge help. Its freed up a large portion of my time so I’m getting lots of great word count in. Also, knowing I’m now the only bread winner for a family of five is super motivating to make sure word count is done. There is no more “well the muse isn’t feeling it” or “I’m getting interrupted”. Basically, all the excuses are gone. Do or do not… there is no TRY–(thanks Yoda). Come hell or high water the word count is there which is actually helping to fuel the muse fire.
The more I find myself writing the more I WANT to be writing. Characters and ideas wake me up in the middle of the night again demanding to have their stories told. I’ve outlined countless books, lost myself in research again and typed until my hands hurt… just like the writing high I went on my first year being published.
I never thought I’d be thankful for something as horrible as a job loss, but I am. His job loss has brought us closer. It’s brought the entire family closer. It’s also helped me find my nonstop, crazed burning desire to be typing until my eyelids stick to my eyeballs again.
Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement, for being there for me and my family, for buying my books to help make sure I can keep doing what I love and that my family is provided for and most of all thanks for listening to me rant and be silly online whenever the mood strikes me.
December 4, 2012
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Russell James
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Russell James
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Samhain.
A: Publishing Dark Inspiration with Samhain has been great. My editor, Don D’Auria, is supportive and insightful. Angela Waters created my cover art and when I saw it, I was blown away. I hope she does my second book, Sacrifice.
As far as marketing the book, it is everywhere. My brother bought a copy in Japan. A seller in New Zealand contacted me for biography information. It is amazing.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I have a slew of short stories that backlogged while I was writing Dark Inspiration and Sacrifice. They are out doing the rounds. I see a real jump in hits on my website every time one is published and often see a jump in sales as well.
I am also taking advantage of as many guest blogs and interviews as I can. As a new author I’m trying any avenue I can find to get the word out.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Patience rules. It may take a long time to hone your skills to the point where you are published. It may also take time to find that lucky combination of your great work and an editor on the prowl for the type of story you have written. Never let this long process get you down. Success is about perseverance.
I recommend taking a writing class, in person or online. You will learn a lot, whether you think you will or not.
I also recommend a writing critique group. I started our Minnows Literary group with some sharp people from the online class we all took. Not only have I had novels published since we formed, but other members of the group have been published, won several poetry contests and started an internationally recognized blog on writing.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: My current novel is called Sacrifice and released in July 2012. In it, five friends return to Long Island thirty years after high school graduation. They find out that an evil spirit called the Woodsman might be stalking the town again. They thought they had killed it just before graduation. The backstory of that horrible night in 1980 unfolds in parallel with their efforts to kill the thing for good in the present.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: My next novel is called Black Magic. A sorcerer arrives in a dying town near the Everglades and opens up a magic shop. Four boys buy innocuous table magic tricks, but they unleash more power than anyone imagined. It is up to a few townspeople to save all of south Florida from complete destruction.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: On long car trips, I would tell my wife stories that I had been mulling over in my head. For Christmas one year she got me Stephen King’s On Writing and told me other people would want to hear the stories I created. I devoured the book and thought that maybe I could put pen to paper and be a writer.
I am a technical writer in my day job, so I thought it wouldn’t be that hard. Two writing classes, one writing coach, six rejected novel length manuscripts and ten years later, here I am.
Q: How do balance family and writing?
A: First off, my wife is a supportive saint about my writing. If there is a deadline to hit and I am behind, she demands we carve out some time so I can get it done. After all, she bought me On Writing so the whole thing is here fault.
Second, my real world job has a lot of travel involved. That puts me in hotel rooms with a lot of time on my hands each night. Writing keeps me out of trouble.
LINKS:
December 3, 2012
What do you want?
Finishing up a short story that is a prequel to the Daughter of Darkness books. Hope everyone is interested in reading about Gwen before she met Pallo, Caleb and Giovanni. I’m also doing something very exciting with the Immortal Ops Series. Can’t tell you just yet. Super secret. AND (yeah, there is more sweetness) Valkyrie book III will be out this coming year. I know many of you have been waiting for the third book in the trilogy. I appreciate that you all understood there were some hiccups with contracts. That has passed. [image error] I’d love to hear what else you’d like me to revisit from my backlist. Do you have a favorite book or series you want more of? Tell me!
December 2, 2012
New Releases!
The much anticipated next book in the King of Prey Series is now out!
Rise of the King (King of Prey) by Mandy M Roth
Paranormal Bird Shifter Romance
Warrior, bastard, outcast, traitor to his kind, these are all labels Lazar has worn for the past several years, since he took a stand against the actions of a mad king. He’s defended the Kingdom of the Hawks even though the blood of the Falcons runs through his veins. He’s bedded their women, drank their mead and protected their king. None of that makes him one of them. An empty pit has been in his stomach for years, believing his true mate perished long ago. When he learns she’s alive, he has to not only win her over, but also make her understand men who can shift into birds aren’t the things of nightmares. They’re real, and he’s one of them.
Sabrina lives a relatively sheltered life. Her overprotective uncle means well but can sometimes go too far. When he shows up with a sexy hunk she’s dreamed about, it’s all Sabrina can do to control her emotions. As old lies are uncovered, she has to decide if she should open her heart to a man who has made using women an art form and who also happens to have wings. Plus, he’s more than just any old shifter male. He’s the rightful king of the Falco, and it’s time he rose to his position and accepted his destiny, even if that destiny includes her.
WARNING: This book contains hot, explicit sex and violence, a dominant, alpha, bird-shifting male who has the rules of seduction memorized and who finally understands he has to take a stand for what he wants. It has a heroine who, while young, knows she won’t settle for anything less than she deserves and who finds herself being taught things that make her blush.
BUY LINKS
In the mood for something erotic with light bdsm themes, alpha male shifters and out of this world? How about Trading Teon by Reagan Hawk?
Trading Teon (The Beast Masters) by Reagan Hawk
Paranormal/Sci-fi/Shapeshifter/ BDSM/Menage MFM
The Beast Masters Series, Book 1
Garon and Lorne, shapeshifting males of the Ralenium race, are fierce guns for hire in the universe. When a cargo ship transporting women charged with crimes by the Galactic Star Union arrives on their planet, the men make the traders an offer they can’t refuse. Planet Ralen is sorely lacking in women, and the males have an inborn desire to dominate, to tame females and to reproduce. When their inner beasts’ clocks start ticking and the burning need to spread their seed consumes them, they go on the hunt for the perfect female. Too bad both men want the same woman.
Teon, a lady with a place in high society, thought life as she knew it was over when she was wrongfully charged with a crime by her stepmother. A prisoner en route to a barren planet to serve her sentence, she’s presented with an opportunity to start over again on the planet Ralen. The catch is she has to be willing to be claimed by two males. Not just any males mind you, two burning hunks who are ready to fight to the death if need be to share her bed.
Warning
Novella contains graphic language, light BDSM play/themes, extreme alpha male shifters who cannot wait to get a collar on their female to brand her as theirs for life, women willing to submit and scorching hot sex scenes. If you don’t like strong men who take control in the bedroom and sometimes out, or if you’re in the market for long, drawn-out plots, this isn’t the series for you. This novella is hot and dirty and won’t apologize for that fact.
BUY LINKS
How about saddling up with a contemporary western erotic M/F romance?
The Cowboy (Blazing Hearts) by Kennedy Kovit
M/F Contemporary Western Erotic Romance
Blazing Hearts Series, Book 2
Jake spends his days training horses and his nights training women in the bedroom. The women are simply a means to an end—a way to find release. The woman he wants took off like a thief in the night years ago, leaving him wondering each and every day where she is and if she’s all right. It’s her he wants in his bed. It’s her he wants to do kinky things with. When Teresa arrives back in town without warning everything changes. She wants a relationship with him. He wants far more than that. He wants total surrender, but is she really willing to give it?
Rating: This novella contains steamy sex scenes, light BDSM, a hero who is all about getting the heroine into bed and teaching her things good girls just shouldn’t know, and a couple who has had feelings for one another a whole hell of a lot longer than they’re willing to admit. This novella isn’t for everyone, and if you don’t like your sex dirty, your men alpha and your women willing to learn, then this isn’t the book for you.
M/F erotic contemporary western romance set in small town America.
BUY LINKS
November 27, 2012
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Aliyah Burke
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: Aliyah Burke
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Total E-Bound Publishing.
A: TEB is a publisher located over in England. I received my first acceptance letter from them in 2007, when I sent in a submission to be part of an anthology which would benefit Forces Benevolent Funds to support and help families who have lost members in the recent conflicts. As a Navy wife this was extremely important for me to attempt to be a part of. I really enjoy working with them as a company and have found them to be extremely professional and easy to work with. Both with my solo written books and the series I have there which is co-authored. I look forward to continuing to publish with them for years to come.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: Oh, I am really bad at promotion. I’m trying to do better. I blog, have contests, and try to keep my yahoo group, facebook, etc up with everything I’m doing/working on as well.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Develop a thick skin. This is a harsh business. You’ll never please everyone and there will be those who don’t like what you write. Don’t let them get you down and to a place where you never want to write again, or believe you can’t write.
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: My latest release is titled, Casanova In Training, is published by Total E-Bound, and is a contemporary romance. The story is about a hot shot pilot who’s an ace and a test pilot who’s brought down by a woman who is more than he ever imagined one would be. She’s extremely smart, attractive, and can fly as well as—if not better than—he can. Giovanni Cassano and Jaydee Amos have a lot to overcome before they can be together.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: I’m working on 4 stories right now. Two historicals, one which ties into my Rakes & Rogues series at Passion in Print and the other one for their Cowboy Style theme line. I have a contemporary I’m working on which ties into my Megalodon Team series and the final one is time travel. Lot’s to keep me busy. J
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: It was in college when the voices in my head demanded to be put down on paper. I fought them for a while until I realized it would just be so much easier for me if I gave in. They’ve been running my life ever since. J
Q: How do balance family and writing?
A: I’m very lucky to have an understanding husband who supports me 100%. Some days are harder than others but we find ways to make it work. We make time to take trips together where I don’t bring writing at all, so that helps as well. It’s important for writers to get out and do things non-writing related so I do stuff with my dogs and am working on running longer so I can participate in charity runs. Things like that tend to clear my head.
LINKS:
November 16, 2012
End of an Ebook Giant–Fictionwise closing its doors
Such sad news in the ebook world today. Fictionwise is closing its doors. I started in this industry at a small press/e-first publisher nearly 9 years ago. I’m not ashamed of that fact. Hell, I’m damn proud that myself and other authors like me were part of something that is now huge. Fictionwise was a LARGE part of that success. They helped me reach more readers and helped me be able to write full time. I know when we launched The Raven Books they were the first place we contacted just over two and a half years ago about getting distribution with. However, that never came to pass.
Goodbye Fictionwise. I know that I’ll miss you as will many others. I’m going to go fire up my old Ebookwise reader for the sake of nostalgia and because yes, it actually does still work–they were built tough.
To read more about Fictionwise closing its door visit this link.
November 13, 2012
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: MJ Fredrick
Marketing with Mandy Author Spotlight: MJ Fredrick
Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Carina and Samhain
A: I’ve been very fortunate with my publishers. Carina has helped me learn how to market–they have classes every month online. They’ve also helped me work with a deadline. Samhain has helped me improve my writing–the motivations, the organization, the word choice.
Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I love blogging so my favorite technique is blog tours. I try to come up with different topics for different blogs, relating in some way to my book. For example, when I did one for Road Signs, I did blogs about beta heroes, road trips, and friends to lovers stories. I’m also pretty lucky because I’ve been in the romance community for a long time and I know a LOT of people, so I can approach people about guesting on their blog without feeling like it’s too much of an imposition. I also love Twitter. I am a great re-tweeter and people appreciate that and return the favor.
Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Write every day. Don’t make excuses. Write 100 words a day. Keep your head in the story. Also, finish what you start! Okay, that’s two things. I have lots more, but I’ll stop now [image error]
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: I just released the last book in my first series! It’s set in Minnesota, what my dad calls “Up North.” It’s about a town called Bluestone that’s really suffering because of the recession. People who used to come for sports fishing and vacations have stopped coming, and the people of the town are trying to lure visitors back. That’s the overarching storyline. The first book has a hero, a war correspondent, who returns to Bluestone, intending to be there temporarily as he helps his son settle in with the boy’s grandparents, who falls in love with the counselor at his son’s school. The second book is about a country singer, who the town has asked to do a concert, who returns and falls in love again with the girl he’d spent his summers with as a boy. The last book is about the bartender, who is trying to sell his bar and move on, but he is in love with the fishing launch owner, who loves the town so much she would never leave. He has to decide if he can leave her behind. (Hint: he can’t!)
Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
Right now I’m writing my first pregnant heroine story. It’s about a woman who’s a surrogate for her gay brother. She runs a bar and her new bartender is hella sexy. But here she’s pregnant and barfing, and he helps her get through her pregnancy. I think it’s going to be really romantic!
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: I’ve always written. People who’ve known me since elementary school remind me of how I’d pass around my stories. I remember writing serials in high school with my friend Kirsten, always starring rock stars. I was Ramona Ramone in the serials, sister to The Ramones (I know, they’re not really brothers, but it was fun to write.) I wish I could find those! In college I had no time, but once I was out, I started again, on the typewriter (OMG what a pain!). It wasn’t until my son was in kindergarten and I went to one of those community ed classes that I learned about RWA. I joined my local chapter and just kept going.
Q: How do you balance family and writing?
A: I get up REALLY early in the morning and write before work. Then I teach, then I come home and do promo and stuff, and I write more while watching TV with the husband. My son is 20 now, so that makes it easier. The real issue is balancing writing and my addiction to my Wii [image error]
LINKS:
November 8, 2012
Men & Women of the Military Giveaway (Contest closes 15th)
Welcome! I’m so excited to be part of the Men & Women of the Military Giveaway Blog Tour! Comment on my blog post today and you’ll be entered for a chance to win ebooks I and II in my Bestselling/Award Winning Series Immortal Ops Series (Immortal Ops and Critical Intelligence)! (UPDATE: Contest closes Nov 15 and winners will be (one has already) announced in comment section. See comment section below. I announce the winner there. It is your responsibility to check back to see if you’ve won–Prizes MUST be claimed within 30 days of winning announcement–Mandy Roth)
Here is a tiny taste of book IV in the Immortal Ops Series:Strategic Vulnerability
Blurb: Held prisoner in remote testing facility in the middle of the Brazilian rainforest, subjected to torture and abuse, Wilson Rousseau has long since given up hope of being rescued. Days blend together until he can’t help but long for death. Saved from his isolated hell by a female’s distress call, he feels an instant connection to her.
Kimberly thought she was taking a trip to South America to study indigenous plant life. She had no idea she was playing into the hands of a mad man whose goal is to create a genetically altered army of super soldiers. When she finds herself locked in a cell with Wilson, a man who would give his life to save hers, there is an instant attraction. But the dark secrets surrounding their imprisonment may change their lives forever. Can they find a way to beat the odds and be together or will the mad man win?
Rating: Contains a sexy as sin wererat–yeah, I said wererat, get over it, a gal with sass and heart, graphic violence, explicit sex and strong language.
Excerpt:
Wilson Rousseau lifted his head and pain radiated throughout his body. His vision blurred and for a moment, he could have sworn he heard the cry of a female. One who needed help—one who needed him.
A distant, yet constant, low-grade sound emitted from something his captors liked to refer to as the “scrambler”. He knew enough about the shit Krauss and his band of insane followers were into that Wilson surmised the device was built to prevent other supernaturals from sensing the presence of a cluster of them. If his hunch was right, it was some sort of modified L.R.A.D.—long-range acoustical device.
In short, it blocked his ability to mentally or electronically call out to the I-Ops and the rest of the I-Op’s ability to call in. If they even were still looking for him, which he was fast beginning to doubt. But, if they were, static would be all that greeted them.
Again, he sensed the call of a woman in need of him even when he shouldn’t have been able to receive any form of mental links. He struggled against the silver-coated chains digging into his wrists and ankles. They would cut through his limbs if he dared to continue to push. Understanding that fact, Wilson still tugged, needing to get to her, get free, anything beyond spending the rest of his days locked in a cell.
Dead or alive, he would be free.
Whatever his captors had injected him with dulled his senses, making things blur and his body weak. At random times, he could feel the Fae power his friend’s wife, Melanie, had passed onto him trying to surface but the magik either wasn’t sure what to do or knew he was clueless so it didn’t bother lending a hand. It probably figured he’d kill himself attempting to wield it. At this rate, he’d rather be dead than living like he was, so he was open to the idea.
Groaning, he moved his head around, trying to work the kinks from his upper shoulders and neck. It didn’t work. Beyond that, his throat was dry and his body was weak. The food wasn’t fit for human consumption. Maggots infested the majority of it and the rest was in a state of decomposition. After a certain point, Wilson had forced some of the food down only to find it coming back up quickly. Still, any nourishment he could get was needed if he planned on regaining his strength and escaping.
In shifted form, Wilson wasn’t too particular about what he ate or drank—that being said, his rat form wouldn’t even eat the food his captors continued to try to pawn off on him. Considering his rat form tended to eat just about anything that was saying a lot as to how dire his situation was.
He tipped his head back, giving in to the need to sleep. He was almost completely out when a scent like he’d never smelled before came to him, causing his cock to harden and his body to light with need. He looked up to find Krauss’ men dragging an unconscious woman past his cell.
The fierce need to protect her overtook him. Wilson surged forth, yanking with all his might against his restraints, reaching for her. He knew then it had been her call for help that he’d tried to answer.
“Get away from her!” Wilson roared, his body protesting his every movements, pain lancing through his limbs.
The men stalled and stared at him before sharing a curious look.
“He’ll want to hear about this,” one said.
The other nodded. “Definitely.”
They continued down the hall, dragging the unconscious woman behind them. Wilson struggled against his chains, trying to get to her, until the pain was so unbearable that he passed out cold.
*Remember to be entered for a chance to win my ebook contest please comment below. Must be 18yrs or older to enter to win. Can live in any country.
Also, please check out the next stops on the blog tour:
Want to see everyone involved? Go here.
Men & Women of the Military Giveaway
Welcome! I’m so excited to be part of the Men & Women of the Military Giveaway Blog Tour! Comment on my blog post today and you’ll be entered for a chance to win ebooks I and II in my Bestselling/Award Winning Series Immortal Ops Series (Immortal Ops and Critical Intelligence)!
Here is a tiny taste of book IV in the Immortal Ops Series:Strategic Vulnerability
Blurb: Held prisoner in remote testing facility in the middle of the Brazilian rainforest, subjected to torture and abuse, Wilson Rousseau has long since given up hope of being rescued. Days blend together until he can’t help but long for death. Saved from his isolated hell by a female’s distress call, he feels an instant connection to her.
Kimberly thought she was taking a trip to South America to study indigenous plant life. She had no idea she was playing into the hands of a mad man whose goal is to create a genetically altered army of super soldiers. When she finds herself locked in a cell with Wilson, a man who would give his life to save hers, there is an instant attraction. But the dark secrets surrounding their imprisonment may change their lives forever. Can they find a way to beat the odds and be together or will the mad man win?
Rating: Contains a sexy as sin wererat–yeah, I said wererat, get over it, a gal with sass and heart, graphic violence, explicit sex and strong language.
Excerpt:
Wilson Rousseau lifted his head and pain radiated throughout his body. His vision blurred and for a moment, he could have sworn he heard the cry of a female. One who needed help—one who needed him.
A distant, yet constant, low-grade sound emitted from something his captors liked to refer to as the “scrambler”. He knew enough about the shit Krauss and his band of insane followers were into that Wilson surmised the device was built to prevent other supernaturals from sensing the presence of a cluster of them. If his hunch was right, it was some sort of modified L.R.A.D.—long-range acoustical device.
In short, it blocked his ability to mentally or electronically call out to the I-Ops and the rest of the I-Op’s ability to call in. If they even were still looking for him, which he was fast beginning to doubt. But, if they were, static would be all that greeted them.
Again, he sensed the call of a woman in need of him even when he shouldn’t have been able to receive any form of mental links. He struggled against the silver-coated chains digging into his wrists and ankles. They would cut through his limbs if he dared to continue to push. Understanding that fact, Wilson still tugged, needing to get to her, get free, anything beyond spending the rest of his days locked in a cell.
Dead or alive, he would be free.
Whatever his captors had injected him with dulled his senses, making things blur and his body weak. At random times, he could feel the Fae power his friend’s wife, Melanie, had passed onto him trying to surface but the magik either wasn’t sure what to do or knew he was clueless so it didn’t bother lending a hand. It probably figured he’d kill himself attempting to wield it. At this rate, he’d rather be dead than living like he was, so he was open to the idea.
Groaning, he moved his head around, trying to work the kinks from his upper shoulders and neck. It didn’t work. Beyond that, his throat was dry and his body was weak. The food wasn’t fit for human consumption. Maggots infested the majority of it and the rest was in a state of decomposition. After a certain point, Wilson had forced some of the food down only to find it coming back up quickly. Still, any nourishment he could get was needed if he planned on regaining his strength and escaping.
In shifted form, Wilson wasn’t too particular about what he ate or drank—that being said, his rat form wouldn’t even eat the food his captors continued to try to pawn off on him. Considering his rat form tended to eat just about anything that was saying a lot as to how dire his situation was.
He tipped his head back, giving in to the need to sleep. He was almost completely out when a scent like he’d never smelled before came to him, causing his cock to harden and his body to light with need. He looked up to find Krauss’ men dragging an unconscious woman past his cell.
The fierce need to protect her overtook him. Wilson surged forth, yanking with all his might against his restraints, reaching for her. He knew then it had been her call for help that he’d tried to answer.
“Get away from her!” Wilson roared, his body protesting his every movements, pain lancing through his limbs.
The men stalled and stared at him before sharing a curious look.
“He’ll want to hear about this,” one said.
The other nodded. “Definitely.”
They continued down the hall, dragging the unconscious woman behind them. Wilson struggled against his chains, trying to get to her, until the pain was so unbearable that he passed out cold.
*Remember to be entered for a chance to win my ebook contest please comment below. Must be 18yrs or older to enter to win. Can live in any country.
Also, please check out the next stops on the blog tour:
Want to see everyone involved? Go here.
