Shiloh Walker's Blog, page 178

The First Book of Grimm…

Because this is just too pretty not to share…I'm using it for my new release announcement…

(FYI, I know the print might be too small for some people-if you can't read it, check it out online here…)

The links don't work but that's okay, I can post those here…

Borders | B & N |  Powell's | IndieBound | BAMM |  Amazon

Just a reminder-until 10/25, there are two BIG things going on with this book…

The Contest for the Nook:

Would you like to win a Nook Wifi? You can… here's how.  Buy The First Book of Grimm-either preorder it or buy the first week of release, provide me with the proof of purchase and you're entered.  It's as easy as that.

Online orders and preorders will get you 50 entries
Buying in store the week of release, from 10/19/2010-10/25/2010 will get you 100 entries (BTW, buying it in the store can also get you something extra, keep reading!)
For the no-purchase necessary option, send me a postcard, postmarked between 10/19/2010-10/25/2010. A postcard entry will get you one entry.  You may only send one postcard entry per household. (postcards received before or after these dates will not be entered)

the rest of the details are here…

And the giveaway…

Every self respecting fairy tale comes with a castle, right?

Except I don't think mine are exactly self-respecting…since I was too busy bastardizing them to worry about those sort of things. So since I didn't give you the castle then, how about now?

Candy Houses and No Prince Charming are going into print this October. To celebrate, I'm giving away fairy tale castles. Well…sort of. Bookmarks**.

Yes… giving them away.

Here's how it works. You send me your register receipt-from the store… (sorry, must be purchased in the store for this giveaway) dated between 10/19/2010-10/25/2010…and I'll send you the bookmark, along with one of the printed bookmarks done for The First Book of Grimm.

It's that simple. You just send me the receipt, and you get a bookmark.

See more info here…

And here's a nice long excerpt from one of the stories…

No Prince Charming… Book 2 in The First Book of Grimm

"I'm in hell." Michael turned away from the window, forcing himself not to stare at Elle as she sauntered towards his condo.

She was alone…again.

Alone. And in a matter of seconds, she would be alone in the condo with him.

He didn't know whether to be glad of that fact or terrified.

"Don't be either. Just think about the job," he muttered.

It had been a bad, bad idea agreeing to let her come here to pick him up before they headed to the club this time.

Being alone with her was a bad, bad idea, period.

As much as he hated Ren, it was easier to do the job when he was there providing a buffer.

The first night at the club, when it had been the three of them, had been the easiest, even if he had spent much of it torn between rage and other messy emotions he couldn't quite define.

Having Ren around had made it possible for Michael to keep some measure of control. Now he had only his own strength to rely on because he couldn't count on Ren's presence. The other Grimm likely wouldn't be back—Elle had said he'd been called away to another job, so they were on their own.

At least for the time being.

For now, he'd have to rely on his own strength, his own control to get through this. And that was a laugh, because he had no control with Elle. None. No control, no strength, no tact, no sense. Nothing but need.

And in a few minutes, he'd be alone in this little condo with nothing but her…and his desperate, dark needs.

"Don't think about that. Think about the club. Think about the succubi and the incubi. You've got your hands full with them. There is no time to dwell on personal matters." Michael pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered, "Not that there is any sort of personal matter between us."

No. He'd ruined that.

All he had was this job…and the hope that he could protect her.

They'd decided it would look better if they arrived together instead of just meeting there. Elle wanted to drive and Michael imagined it was probably so she could take off running whenever she chose.

It had seemed a logical idea at the time, but now the logic wasn't quite so clear. Especially since she was now on the porch. They were still separated by brick and mortar, but he could feel how close she was.

In a moment, she'd been in here, and they would be alone.

Alone with Elle. It was enough to make logic, control and sanity fly out the window.

The condo, perched on the edge of Lake Erie, was reclusive, remote and relatively private. It would take forty-five minutes to get to the club.

As she knocked, Michael stomped over to the bar and poured himself a snifter of brandy. He waited until he took the first sip before responding.

"Come in." He remained where he was, staring into the cut crystal, swirling the amber liquid around. Better, he thought, better to study the pricey liquor than to look at her.

"Well, aren't you in a happy mood today?" Elle drawled, her voice low and mocking.

Michael flicked a glance her way and took another drink. Not a sip though. He knocked it back, slammed the snifter on the counter and poured himself another drink. He belted that one just as quickly and grimaced as it burned its way down his throat. He was tempted to go for a third drink, but instead set the snifter on the bar and folded his arms over his chest.

Elle sauntered up to stand beside him, and from the corner of his eye, he could see the smirk on her face. She lifted his glass, sniffed it and then, with a shrug, helped herself to a drink of her own. Michael had to turn away when she closed her eyes as she sipped. It was either that or risk pouncing on her like a slobbering fool. She'd be dealing with enough of that later on.

"You don't know how to treat good liquor," Elle said from behind him. She gave a happy sigh and took another sip.

Michael glanced over his shoulder at her. Looking at her proved to be a mistake. Because one quick glance was not enough. Like a puppet on a string, he found himself turning around before he even realized he was doing it.

His voice edgy, he bit off, "If I was in the mind to savor, I'd savor. Right now, I'm more of a mind to get good and drunk."

"Can you get drunk?"

"If I put my mind to it, yes, I imagine I can."

"Hmm. Why don't you put your mind to getting this job done instead?" Elle cocked a golden brow at him, still holding the snifter to her lips. They were slicked wine-red again—wine-red that matched the short silk sheath she wore. It covered her butt, barely. She wore no bra, and through that silk, he could see the outline of her nipples.

Oh, I'm definitely in hell.

"Where did the leather and lace go?" he asked.

"Leather's hot," Elle replied. She glanced down at her dress and then up at him. She smiled as she took another sip of her brandy. "What, don't I look slutty enough?"

Michael clenched his jaw. "You don't look like a slut."

"Oh, I most certainly look like a slut. But that just means I'll blend in." She smirked as she studied his clothes. He was all in black again, a black silk shirt and tailored black trousers.

Under her breath, Elle said, "Tsk. Tsk. Here I am looking nice and slutty, and you look like royalty, Prince Charming." Her voice was mocking.

Michael narrowed his eyes at her. "You know, Elle, I really don't care for that name."

With an unrepentant grin, she said, "I figured as much."

Then her face sobered, and she gestured to his clothing. "Seriously, Michael. You don't blend. We're going to a sex club, for crying out loud. We're not going to the opera."

"There is no opera here," he replied. He glanced down at his clothes and then at hers. "I'll leave you to play dress up, darling. I will go as I am and play the indulgent lover."

She'd been getting ready to take another sip, but she paused, the crystal pressed against her lips. "Indulgent lover?" she echoed.

"It works as well as anything else," he said. He shrugged, gathering his hair in his hand, securing it in a tail at his nape. "You're the lovely woman with a wicked streak and I'm just a besotted fool who'll do anything to keep you happy."

Something flashed in her blue eyes. Carefully, she set the snifter aside and smoothed a hand down her silk-covered side. "Well, this will be interesting. We both get to do some role-playing. I get to pretend to be a slut, and you get to pretend to be besotted."

It was a role Michael could play easily enough. After all, he had only been living that way for three hundred years. Silently, he laughed at himself. "Just call me a method actor."

Beg Me…erotic romance

A few of you have seen me tweeting about this or mentioning it on my blog…

And now I've got a cover…

Thoughts?

Angela Waters did it… and I think it's awesome… yes, it's pretty dark but the book's not really sunshine and roses…

Blurb:

Beg me…there had been a time when those words made her burn with desire. But now, there was only fear.

Once, Tania Sinclair's life was almost perfect…oh, it had its ups and downs but she was happily married to a guy that adored her, one who had no problem indulging every kinky fantasy she ever had.  But a couple of tragedies later, she's barely holding it together.  A car accident took away her husband, and an attack from somebody she should have been able to trust has shaken not only her confidence, but it's also stripped away her fantasies and even made it painful to look back on her memories of her husband without fear.

Two years after her attack, Tania is determined to take her life back and the first step is taking back herself…her fantasies, her dreams, her memories.  There's only one person she can trust to do it, too.  One person she wants enough…Drake Bennett, her husband's best friend.

Falling for your best friend's wife—never smart.  Drake's watched Tania quietly for years, watched her…wanted her, knowing he'd never have her.  First, she was taken.  And then, that night two years ago—a night that still scars her, a night that's left bruises on her that still haven't healed.  He does what he can, though, because he loves her too much not to.  He's her friend, there when she needs him.

And now she needs him.  She's asked him for a favor…one that just about blows his mind…

Warning: This book involves light bondage play, rape fantasy & role-playing.  The acts between the hero & heroine are consensual, but they may not be ideal for all readers…

So.

I've been working on a special project…an urban fantasy.  Those who've been hanging out at my blog for a while might know that I've always wanted to try my hand at something that's not specifically romance.  While there's a romance that will eventually run through it, it's not romance.

I've sent it to my agent.  And she loves it.  Now she has the first half of the book and a synopsis.  Which means… the first bit of the hard part is over.  And now comes more hard stuff.

I'm not going to talk much more about it though.  Since this is new, and a different genre, I may be marketing things differently… until I know more, I'm keeping quiet about it.

But this is about how I feel right now..except I don't know if I'm almost there…

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Writers… Speak out. On copyrights, YOUR rights, and protecting your job

On 10.5.2010, the U.S. Commerce Department's Internet Policy Task Force issued a notice of inquiry, looking for input from people with a vested interest in copyright law, internet economy, etc.

Are you a writer?  Aspire to be one?  A photographer?  An artist?  Guess what… you have a vested interest in protecting copyright.  Now I do think copyright laws need to be updated.  But I also think copyight needs to be protected.

There are some who think copyright needs to be done away with-and before you think whatever-there's a legit, formed party in Europe that advocates to make piracy legal.  All it will take for more of that bullshit to happen is for people like us to say or do nothing.

The run down from the task force was here and they are asking those vested individuals to send a letter to copyright-noi-2010@ntia.doc.gov.

We make valuable contributions to society… we work.  We provide something.  We are entitled to earn a living through this, and we are entitled to have those works protected.  Don't let those who would freely give and take and steal be the only speaking up-and you can bet they are speaking up, people.

Want to see our rights to protect our work disappear?  Do nothing.  That's all it takes.  Want to protect your copyright and make sure we continue to have laws in place to protect that copyright?

Then you need to speak up.

Not speaking up means you run the risk of losing that protection.  We lose that protection?  We could become like Spain, where sales of local musicians… artists like us, have dropped more than 65% in the past five years, per the article in the BBC.  Spain has no laws to protect the download of illegal music.  How can we do our job if our government won't protect us?  Speak out.  Make sure they know we need that protection.

Romantic Suspense Trilogy…

Is done.

Actually, it was done a week ago.

Maybe I forgot to mention it here because I was celebrating with this…

Unfortunately, I don't have much to tell you about it.  No release dates and until I get blurbs and stuff from Ballantine, I really don't want to post much of what the books are about.  However, I did have this snippet that was in Romantic Times a while ago.  It's about all I've got to share, though.

She heard screams in the night.  But nobody believed her except a cop approaching burn-out…and a killer.

Reminder…I'm out of town.

Reminder on the contest & giveaway…

Coming up next week!

Everybody who buys The First Book of Grimm in store (US Residents only…sorry…have to limit this for reasons of practicality) gets a free gift…**limited supply  Details here

Everybody who buys The First Book of Grimm also gets entered to win a Nook… this is international, folks… Details here

FYI, I'm out of town, comments & questions will be addressed when I get back…

The Friday 56… DoubleCross

*My line might be different from others, I took it from the early version Carolyn let me read*

Today's Friday 56 is from Doublecross by Carolyn Crane.  Which ROCKS by the way.

Most enjoyable.

Heh.  Short and sweet.  And so fitting, because most enjoyable describes these books to a T.

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.

FYI, I'm out of town… any comments or questions will be read/addressed when I get home.

Downtime…and while I'm gone… Book bloggers? Tarnished Knight

Superstickies link found via PBW...

While I'm gone… I keep forgetting to do this.  I have my author copies of Tarnished Knight, Grimm # 4.  Any book bloggers interested and think you can have a review posted the week of 10.25?  Yes, I know it's short notice, I'm so sorry…

If you're a book blogger, can get it posted and are interested, leave a link to your blog and let me know in comments.  If I decide to chose you, I'll be in touch.  *Please note, I tend to chose ACTIVE book bloggers…meaning those who regularly post on their blogs.

More on Tarnished Knight…

Think you know fairy tales… guess again…

erotic paranormal romance

One look at Jack Wallace and Perci knows he's going to be trouble. Even surrounded by soul stealers, he's a one-man wrecking crew. What does he need Grimm training for? He's already hell on earth, a warrior bent on destruction. And something…more.

He's too strong and fast to be a mere mortal. Even covered in blood, he makes her forget she's only here to do a job and get out. It's twisted. Sick. She hasn't felt this alive in three centuries.

Born with a natural talent for killing unnatural things, Jack has always known things he shouldn't. The fact that Perci is one of them glows all over her. Giving him an unholy urge to see just how far he can push her before don't touch me melts into touch me there.

When they come together, it isn't careful or cautious. It's heaven and hell, exposing all their raw and wounded places to healing heat, resurrecting memories of a destined love from the distant past. But the evil that destroyed them once before has tracked them here, threatening their second and last chance at forever. Demanding a sacrifice no one—Grimm or human—should ever be asked to make… excerpt

Guest blogging @ #twitloss

So those who see me griping about running on twitter…some of them, I know, think it's because I'm a health nut.  Some think it's because I'm one of those people who just love to exercise.

Er… no.

You see… it's about twitloss.

What's twitloss?

Come see…

Today's Post….

Will be at Writes & Wrongs…dunno when it will go up but you'll find me there.  FYI, if anybody has questions or thoughts about future topics, feel free to toss them out, either here or there, or even email them to me.

Also, a friend of mine, SL Carpenter has a release out today…

Most things in this world are for sale. But there are some things that simply can't be bought…

Janice is a woman in need of an escape from the daily rigors of her life. She rents a Time-Share for her and her boyfriend only to have to go alone. The spacious rooms are empty so she goes out to cut loose. She meets a man that seduces her with his eyes and shows how a woman should be treated.

Aaron's job is anything but routine. He works hard giving women pleasure and it's brought him almost everything a man could want, including a home in the beautiful Lake Tahoe basin. But something is missing. The lifestyle leaves a void as he lays in bed alone every night.

When Janice cleans up at blackjack she figures she deserves a reward. And Aaron is just the kind of jackpot she's dreamed of, but never imagined actually winning.

For Aaron, what should be just another job becomes something more. Something that opens a new door to a future he never allowed himself to imagine, let alone want.

It might have begun as a business arrangement – but when business becomes pleasure, all bets are off…

I haven't read this one, but what I've read of SL Carpenter's stuff tends to be a lot of fun… )