Shiloh Walker's Blog, page 142
August 20, 2011
Saturday Snippets
Another snippet…today's theme is magical. So, one from Locked in Silence…(due out 9.20.2011)
Book 5 in my Grimm series
At first, Vanya thought she might still be dreaming.
Not a nightmare this time, though.
Or maybe she had died…died and gone to heaven. Or some sort of way station. It made sense.
Because there was somebody not too far away who looked too perfect to be real.
He stood by the window, staring outside, giving her a look at his profile, and what a pretty, pretty profile…carved cheekbones, nice nose, a rather biteable-looking mouth. His hair was pulled back, leaving her view of that face unobstructed.
She could have happily looked at him for another ten, twenty minutes.
Hell, another ten, twenty hours. Weeks…months. Even years.
But he noticed her attention, and his eyes, the pale, pale blue of a Siberian Husky's, cut her way.
Vanya tensed, bracing herself for the typical reaction she got from most men. The way they'd looked her over in that appraising sort of way, right up until they saw her scars.
But he only stared into her eyes.
Slowly, her heart pounding in her chest, she sat up.
Her mouth was dry, too dry. Spying an unopened bottle of water on the bedside table, she grabbed it and opened it. Her hand shook uncontrollably as she lifted it, though, splattering it all over her clothes. Blood rushed to her face.
A shadow fell across her and she looked up, her breath freezing in her lungs as she realized he was there.
He…who was he?
Silence—
His hand closed over hers, steadying it and guiding it to her lips.
Gratitude flooded her, even as the blush deepened.
So weak, she couldn't even manage to a drink on her own.
The water rushed down her parched throat and she drained the bottle in seconds.
"Ahhh…thank you."
He nodded and backed away, taking the bottle with him and tossing it away.
Studying him, acutely aware of the damp shirt clinging to her, she shifted on the bed. "So…are you…um…"
He gave her his back for a moment, and she fell silent, staring at him as he crouched down, rummaging around for something. When he stood, she saw that he held a laptop and little velvet pouch.
The pouch he held out to her.
The laptop he held in one big hand.
Still feeling as weak as a kitten, Vanya reached for the pouch and watched as he sat on the bed across from hers. Waiting, it seemed.
She opened the pouch and poured what it held into her hand.
Silver.
It heated in her hand, pulsed…throbbed, like it held a life of its own.
She caught the disc it held in her hand, rubbed her thumb over it. Her breath hitched in her chest as the wings etched into the silver glowed.
Other authors participating…
August 17, 2011
Writer Wednesdays…
Another Writer Wednesday…(if you'd like to do one, check out this post for info). Today we're talking to Billie Jean.
Q: What's the one thing that remains unchanged during your writing process, from one book to another? (ie: Intensive plotting? Music?)
A: My plots are always fast paced, and my characters are always very intense — deep — with flaws. I think everyone has flaws. Flaws make us unique. I try hard to make sure my characters are unique, fully developed, and the romance between the two seems perfect — when the dust settles. 
For my character development I spend a lot of time on working out 'who' exactly my characters really are. I feel like a shrink at times, or a nosy friend, but I hope it works. While I write, I HAVE to listen to music. Especially fight scenes/action scenes. Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cents, Pink, Pussycat Dolls….When I edit though, no music allowed. I talk to myself too much to hear over the tunes. lol
Q: What's the one piece of advice you'd give a new writer?
A: Keep writing. Find people that encourage you and nurture your style — your voice. Join groups, find friends, read, write, read, write, and talk to other authors/readers. It's important to feel comfortable within a group, and with all the new groups online, you need to feel your way slowly. Lurk. Read emails. Get a feel for the people in the group. If you feel safe enough to share you questions, ask away. I've never been ignored when I asked for help. Authors are busy, but be patient, you might be surprised. And never take advise if you feel deep in your bones it's just not the right advise. You know your story best, remember that.
Q: What's the one piece of advice you wish was wiped from the minds of writers everywhere?
A: You have to know your grammar in order to write. People who are too critical to the point they stutter your growth and stories.
Q: What's the one book you think everybody, writer or not, should read?
A: Oh my. That is wicked hard to answer Shiloh! I'm not sure I can reduce the books I love to ONE!!! Mmm, okay, I'll give it a shot. I think everyone, writer or not, who also loves paranormal romance should read Robert Jordon. lol. How's that? 
I know, I know, not a book, but wow…..so, anyway, if not his series, then at least The Lord of the Rings. heeeheee…..I can't even begin to say which ROMANCE book to read because, omg, I have too many favorites.
August 16, 2011
@PublishAmerica and JK Rowling… wow.
This could be fun!
Did you know, the website PUBLISH AMERICA (a 'self pub' or IMO, VANITY PUB) promised to get your book in front of JK Rowling at a 'meeting' they had scheduled?
Yep. YOUR BOOK. In front of one of the biggest selling authors of ALL time! Yay! And it only cost $49.
Except…well, it doesn't seem to be true. (You can see a screen cap of their 'offer'.)
And now you can see a response from JK Rowling's people.
Certain things just bring out the warm fuzzies in me. Like seeing somebody called out, in a major way, over BS promises. (IMO, naturally…)
Soldier Birthday…
Hey guys… I got this from Kelley wanted to pass it on.
Next month (September 8th) is David's 27th birthday! I was hoping you all could help make his day special by sending him a birthday card or email. He doesn't want anyone to know that it's his birthday, so naturally I am writing HAPPY BIRTHDAY in bold letters on the outside of his card so everyone will see. Below is his address.
CPT Granzow, David
HHC, 2/82 AAB
APO AE 09396
(this is just for cards…if you have questions and stuff about the SOS posts, you can read more here.)
August 14, 2011
Bloggers! Call for reviews… IF YOU HEAR HER
okay…I've got a few of bound galleys for IF YOU HEAR HER, and I do mean…a few.
Would you be interested in reviewing one on your blog? If so, leave your name and a link to your blog in the comments section below-if it doesn't show right away, don't worry. My spam filter is aggressive, but I'll keep an eye on it. I'll get in touch with a few people about doing reviews.
Please note: this isn't a contest and I only have a few-probably 2-3 copies-to send out. If you request one of the galleys, please do so with the intention of reviewing it. Good or bad, all I ask for is your honest opinion, posted to your blog when the book releases in late October. Since I'm very limited on the copies I received, it's even harder to spread them out. Thanks for understanding…
If You Hear Her
Book 1 in the Ash Trilogy…
Release date 10.25.2011
A CRY IN THE WOODS
The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.
Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can't escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close?
When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman's screams, his instincts tell him that Lena's life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.
First in a new romantic suspense trilogy…read an excerpt.
UTA: by the way, I do have plans to keep at least one for a random giveaway closer to release date, so if you don't blog, don't worry! :)
August 13, 2011
Saturday Snippets…
I'm doing something a little new on Saturdays…it's a group sort of thing, so you can ramble over to the other author blogs and check out their snippets, too. :-)
There are themes and this theme is…something public…
This is from Broken
"Told you…I got in somebody's way." He jerked a shoulder in a restless shrug. "The man wasn't happy with me."
"You got in somebody's way." She should have just let it go at that, but now she was even more curious. The faint smirk on his lips only added to her curiosity, too. It was like he was amused over the fact that he'd gotten hit over being in somebody's way.
"Yeah." The smirk widened a little and a wicked light starting to gleam in his eyes.
"Come on, Quinn." Sara rolled her eyes. "There's more to it than that. I don't see you as the kind of guy somebody would hit because you got in their way."
"Maybe he didn't like my attitude, or what I told him he could do with his complaints. Which was basically to fu…uh…shove it."
Sara snickered. "I've heard the word before, Quinn." The restaurant was fairly quiet, but she kept her voice low.
"My dad heard me talking that way around a lady, I'd never hear the end of it," he said with another one of those restless shrugs.
"Your dad, but not your mom?"
His lip curled in a sneer. Something cold and flat flashed through his eyes. But his voice was level as he said, "No. Not my mom. She's dead."
"Oh…I'm sorry." Looking down, she studied the scarred wooden surface of the table. "My mom died a few years ago. I still miss her."
"I don't miss my mother, Sara. We didn't have a good relationship."
The words were so flatly stated, so cold, so unemotional. And his eyes, they were like winter ice.
"I'm sorry," she said again. What else could she say? She hurt for him, though. There was a story there, and it wasn't a happy one.
Quinn sighed. It was a heavy sound and when she looked back up, those wounds she'd glimpsed in his eyes were there again—naked misery, pain, loneliness. He scrubbed his hands over his face and then swore, wincing as he gingerly touched his bruised cheekbone. "Shit, I forgot about that."
"I don't see how."
"I've been hit a time or two. Guess you get used to it after a while."
Sara had her doubts about that—she wasn't sure anybody could ever get used to having a mark put on them.
"I don't talk about my mother. I don't like to. I don't like thinking about her…and I don't want you apologizing over any of it," he said, his voice flat and hard.
The ache in her heart grew. Although he wouldn't share any more than that, Sara sensed of a world of pain hidden behind those emotionless words. But she knew how miserable it was to talk about painful subjects, especially when you wanted nothing more than to forget. Forcing a smile, she reached across the table and brushed her fingers over the back of his hand. "Then we won't talk about her."
The ice in his gaze melted away, replaced by an intensity that had her heart skipping a few beats. Eyes hooded, he studied her. He turned his hand over and caught hers, twined their fingers together. From under his lashes, he studied her and the look in his eyes was hot. Hot enough to sear, scorch, burn… He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.
"What would you like to talk about?" he whispered, his voice low and rough.
Part of her wanted to say You. If he didn't want to talk about his mother, that was fine. She wanted to know more about him. But there were problems with that. That kind of conversation tended to be two-way. He'd expect her to talk about herself. She couldn't do that.
Even though she had an entire story memorized, nice, simple, and pat, she didn't want to give it to him. She didn't want to lie to him.
"Who says we have to talk about anything?"
His lips trailed over her skin, left a sizzling, hot trail in its wake. "Always thought talking was overrated myself."
Hell. He wasn't kidding. Licking her lips, Sara tried not to whimper as he turned her wrist over and kissed the soft, sensitive flesh on the inside.
Shooting her a look from under his lashes, Quinn opened his lips and touched his tongue to her skin. She stared at him, her eyes half-closed, the warm velvety brown hot and sweet—melted chocolate. Looking into her eyes made him think of melted chocolate, sweet and rich.
Up until recently, he hadn't ever had much of a sweet tooth, but damn if he didn't want a better taste of her. Raking his teeth over the soft skin of her wrist, he said gruffly, "You really shouldn't look at me like that in a public place, Sara."
"Look at you how?" she asked, her voice almost as hoarse as his own. She blinked at him, looking a little dazed.
Before he could answer, they heard a crash off in the distance, followed by the sound of breaking glass. As a few of the customers in the restaurant started to applaud, Quinn leaned back against the seat and slouched down.
"Like that," he muttered. He shifted a little on the seat, uncomfortable. But there wasn't a whole lot he could to do about it, not sitting in a public place, wearing a pair of jeans and sporting an erection so hard, it hurt. "The way you're looking at me now. It could get us both in all kinds of trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Then she blushed, almost like she wished she hadn't asked.
Quinn smiled.
Others doing the snippets…
Mari Carr
McKenna Jeffries
Taige Crenshaw
Lacey Savage
Sasha White
Beth-Ann Mason
Denise A. Agnew
Leah Braemel
Jody Wallace
Eliza Gayle
Alison Kent
August 12, 2011
Friday 56 and a #winner
I forgot to draw a winner for the HEXED giveaway… it's
Jen B. says:
"I shook my head. 'No, my lord.'
He gave a faint smile. 'It began wehn Anafiel Delaunay de Montreve…Haver you heard of him?'"
I need Jen to contact me @ shilohwalker(at)gmail.com so I can get your book to you!
And now, today's Friday 56…it's another Ilona Andrews' book. I'm on a kick…
Bayou Moon:
The damn thing had legs. Fucked up place, fucked up fish.
Want to do the Friday 56?
About the Friday 56
Grab the book nearest you. Right now
Turn to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
August 10, 2011
Want to do my Writer Wednesdays?
I'm looking for people to add to my Writer Wednesday list. You can read about what it is if click the link.
If you're interested, all you need to do is copy the questions below and answer them-INCLUDE THE QUESTIONS PLEASE.
Then email it to me at shilohwalker(at)gmail.com with WRITER WEDNESDAY in the subject line. I'll post them on Wednesdays in the order I get them. Please note… I'll include a cover and I do link to your blog or site, but I'm not including promo pieces… this writer's latest is due out…etc, etc, etc…this isn't a promo thing-I'm not including book shout outs and stuff. I also can't really schedule these around book release dates, I schedule as I receive and I'll email the date your post will go up.
Bossy stuff done…still want to do it? Questions below.
What's the one thing that remains unchanged during your writing process, from one book to another? (ie: Intensive plotting? Music?)
A:
What's the one piece of advice you'd give a new writer?
A:
What's the one piece of advice you wish was wiped from the minds of writers everywhere?
A:
What's the one book you think everybody, writer or not, should read?
A:
August 9, 2011
Leave a comment…help saves the lives of kids, and you can win
My friend Limecello is doing another socialgood project. She's helping raise funds and awareness for the famine in the Horn of Africa, and if you can help simply by visiting her blog and leaving a comment. While you're welcome to donate (and I'd give you big slobbery cyber kisses for doing so), all you have to do to help is just check out her blog and comment.
The comment drive is all about raising awareness-not just funds. Right now, she's aiming for 550. There are numerous 'matching' donations, like if she hits 525, author Farrah Rochon and her mom will both bump up their donation. (Farrah, you and your mom are awesome.)
If you help her get to her next level of 500, I'm going to donate a prize-my Grimm books, including the one not due out until September, Locked in Silence.
Other prizes you can win…
Christine Bell – Two e-book bundles, where each winner can choose 5 of Christine's books!
Susanna Fraser – One of her books in the format of the winner's choice
Inez Kelly – Sweet as Sin, Turn It Up, Jinxed plus Lip Butters in Sweet as Sin & Chocolate Orgasm
Nadia Lee – A set of her books (in e-format), including an author e-copy of her upcoming December Carina release
Dee Tenorio – A backlist e-bundle of your choice of her series books
Anne Holly – A PDF copy of one of her books
Courtney Milan – A prize I can't even explain. (But Courtney obviously does.)
Jill Sorenson – A print copy of Stranded With Her Ex (international)
Toni Anderson – 2 winners, who each get to pick one of her books in an e-format
Sarah Morgan – a signed print copy of any of her Harlequin Presents, including her upcoming release, if we hit 500 comments
Jeanette Murray – a PDF copy of her August 29th release, The Game of Love – and a video excerpt if we hit 450 comments!
Olivia Gates- Twenty winners will receive the backlist book of his or her choice from Olivia when we hit 525 comments
A lovely gift basket from some of your favorite St. Martin's Press romance authors, stuffed with goodies if we hit 525 comments.
Nikki Duncan – one winner will receive one of the Sensory Ops books, and another winner will receive an ARC ofTangled in Tulle
Shiloh Walker – if we hit 500 comments, one person will receive all of Shiloh's Grimm books in e-format, including her upcoming release. That's Candy Houses, No Prince Charming, I Thought It Was You, Crazed Hearts, andLocked in Silence
Samhain Publishing is offering to one person a box of 15 signed print books from our RWA signing, which includes books by Maya Banks and Lauren Dane, as well as several print ARCs, and to five additional winners, the ebook of his or her choice if we hit 550 comments.
And all you have to do is head over here and leave a comment. (all comments must be left at Lime's blog!)
Do you do fairy tales?
I'm thinking about doing a thing in September for my Grimm story that's releasing on 9/20. If you're a pubbed author with a fairy tale book out-doesn't have to be romance- and you wanna participate, email me… shilohwalker(at)gmail.com
Basically, all I'll require is a giveaway (you'll be responsible for mailing it to the winner) and something about your fairy tale book…it can be an excerpt, it can be the inspiration behind it, it an be a funny thing related to the book, that sort of thing, but it has to tie in to the book.
Whether or not I do it depends on whether or not I can get enough names interested. The fairy tale books do need to be actual fairy tale sort of things… retellings and stuff, ya know, but I'm not just looking for paranormal.
