Wow, lot’s of contest goodiness here on The Bradford Bunch Blog and I’m about to add to the craziness! Today is the start of the new year and 2010 certainly promises to be a year of many firsts for me. March 30th sees the release of my first book…my baby, HIS DARKEST HUNGER. Here’s the blurb and sexy cover!

BLURB:

Jaxon Castille: jaguar shifter, warrior, assassin. He has long hungered for the chance to make his former lover, Libby Jamieson, pay for her deadly betrayal. After three long years he’s finally found her. The hunt is over…

But the Libby that he finds is not what he expected. She has no memory of their tumultuous affair; of her treachery; of anything beyond her own name. A shadowy and deadly clan has marked them both for death, and in an instant the game changes: the hunter has become the hunted.

On the run, with the ghosts of their past between them and a dark, desperate hunger quickly reclaiming their bodies and souls, Libby and Jaxon must discover the truth behind the dark forces working against them. Together, they must grab hold of a destiny that has the power to either heal them or destroy them.

But the truth is far more shattering than anyone could imagine…

Squeeeeeeeeeeeee! I totally can’t believe this book is coming out! So let’s get to it! The rules are simple:

1. You must blog about my book somewhere in internet land. You may copy and paste the cover…this will get you bonus points (as in more chances to win). Link the blog post back here! Simple no?

2. I will also give you a way to double your chances by cross promoting this contest on my very own Blog HERE. But, to enter on my home blog you must promote this book on a different site than the one entered here. Again, copy the link and post it there.

3. I will run this contest for Two weeks and announce a winner for the ARC’s (I have 2) on January 16th!

4. I also have some copy flats to give away and will choose winners for those randomly!

Okay, I will admit this is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this so if something doesn’t make sense please let me know!

Happy New Year all and lets hope that 2010 brings much happines, health and success to us all!

Last year around this time I was fresh off selling my first book deal. A total newbie and excited about EVERYTHING! One year later I can honestly say, I’m still excited about EVERYTHING. Well, almost everything…the waiting in this business still sucks big time! And I think I can safely say that all authors feel the same way!

This journey is not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. There are rejections from agents, editors and publishing houses. There are reviews, including the ones that are sucky. There can be some nastiness in the cyber world as well. BUT, for those strong enough to stick through all of this the payoff is wonderful!

For me personally, I’ve landed an agent who I adore and respect. All of her clients (of which most are now participating in this blog and they’re listed to the right) are an amazing bunch of women. I’ve been able to ask them questions and they answer, no matter how stupid or silly. The support has been incredible and I’ve never felt alone in this journey. My editor at Avon/Harpercollins is way cool and I’m looking forward to working with her for a very long time.

I’ve met an amazing group of women, The Sirens and Scribes, and am grateful to call them friends. It’s amazing to watch them grow and begin to sell their work and work toward their goal of publication. So yeah, it’s been quite a year and next year promises to rock my socks off. HIS DARKEST HUNGER releases from Avon in April, while HIS DARKEST EMBRACE releases in November. I’ve also started a time travel series for Samhain and this is the lovely cover I just received. BLACK LEGACY releases from Samhain on February 2, 2010.

She’ll make sure he survives the night…even if it costs her heart.

Black Opals, Book 1

Frankie Black is a woman in need of a mission. For a Black Opal—a warrior woman who shifts backward or forward through time in order to, well, save the world—the last six months of downtime have left her bored. Restless. And with a feeling that something is about to hit the fan.

Finally, an assignment: save the life of Dekkar James, an infamous rock god living three hundred years in the past. Tattooed, ruggedly handsome and perfectly imperfect, one look at him and it’s as if her sleeping body springs to life.

One minute Dekkar is having the most mind-blowing sex of his life. The next, goons are breaking down his door, and he’s on the run with a woman who turns from lover to warrior in the blink of an eye.

Dealing with the New Order, operatives who manipulate time without regard for the consequences, is nothing new for Frankie. But this time their tactics have a more personal edge—they’ve found a way to seek out the Opals’ predestined mates.

Unless she can save Dekkar’s life, her future will be the first casualty in a battle for the fate of humankind.

Warning: Contains one hot dude with tattoos, a woman who won’t take no for an answer, steamy sex, an ancient Harley and a little bit of time travel.

So, a lot has happened in the last year and I’m so pumped for 2010. I’d love to hear what everyone else is celebrating? What has happened to you that has totaly rocked your socks off? What are you looking forward to in the next year?

Hey Everyone! Happy Hump Day! I have a bunch of stuff today so let me jump in. First off, there’s a fab contest being run over at All About Romance, click HERE to enter for a chance to win a lovely tote bag filled with ARC’s from several Avon authors, including…moi! Good luck!

I also have some squeeeee news to share…Christine Feehan, a woman I admire and the one who introduced me to the world of paranormal romance in the first place, has read my book and given me a quote for the cover! Sweet! I was so thrilled and amazed to hear back from her and that pretty much made my week!

I also just found out that Bon Jovi and Motley Crue are playing in my neck of the woods in the next little while…hmm…..what to do…..

But onto some serious stuff. Harlequin Horizons….thoughts anyone? In case you don’t know what this is all about click HERE. My first reaction when I read the post was disbelief. Then I felt sad. Sad for all the authors out there who are going to hand over their hard earned cash in order to see a book with their name on it. Let’s face it. We’re not all meant to write and yet how many authors out there pursue the dream and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done? I’d bet a lot. I know I’ve been tempted with contracts before that I had the good sense to refuse. But, I’d already sold my Jaguar Warrior books and honestly, if I’d not sold I might very well have gone ahead and signed on the dotted line.

Because I wanted so badly to sell. So I understand the need and want and yes the waiting is horrendous sometimes. I just feel that this new Harlequin venture stinks and leaves a bad taste in my mouth because they are going to ruin people. Without a doubt. And they’re going to make money at it too.

What are your thoughts?

Happy Wednesday all! I’ve some wonderful news! Since starting this crazy journey about a year ago I finally have a cover to plaster everywhere! And I’ve done it…as soon as my editor told me I could go live with it, I’ve put it on my own blog, it’s my twitter backdrop and icon, it’s up on my facebook and now I can offiically unveil it here on the The Bradford Bunch.

Isn’t it pretty? I love it. Everything about it and feel totally blessed with Avon’s art department and Tim the cover god that resides there. HIS DARKEST HUNGER will be an April 2010 release and it’s the best birthday present going!

It’s amazing to see the end product and know that something I created is about to happen. For real. This job rocks and I can’t wait to hold this book in my hands. I have ARCS for this book and am in the process of organizing a contest to win a couple copies. That will be in the next little while. I do however, have cover flats coming and if you want one, and oh my goodiness I will even sign it, just comment below and I’ll send you my first ever cover flat. I’ll pick a random commentator….let’s talk about inspiration. What inspires you? In your writing world or your everyday life?

My family insipires me big time, music is huge, but ultimately it can be random things. Newspaper stories, pictures, music videos……I take from all of it! so what’s yours?

It’s early here in the part of the world that I live and play in. Like, dark early, which a year ago I would never have seen. I haven’t been a morning person in a long while, but I’ve had to adjust since the summer and for a very good reason. I need to write. This is something that’s not negotiable. It just is.

This morning I got up, edited the chapter I wrote yesterday and then while my coffee was brewing sat down to write this blog. I’ve decided to put down in writing the things that I’ve learned over the last year and a half.

1. I learned that I can drag my ass out of bed at 5:30 in the morning to write. In fact I’m eager to get to the laptop since I usually fall asleep and wake up with the WIP on my mind.

2. I’ve learned that most anything I need to research is available to me on the net. (And a lot of crap I don’t need to know. I’ve become the Queen of meaningless trivia)

3. I’ve learned that I can start and finish a 100k book. Like for real.

4. I’ve learned that even though there is a segment of the writer world that is very negative, the bright shiny parts take up way more space.

5. I’ve learned that music has always rocked my world and it inspires the scenes in my books.

6. I’ve learned that living in a hotel room for a week with 4 ladies means I will need to sleep for two weeks when I finally come home.

7. I’ve learned that the author who inspired me to write, is both humble, giving and incredibly sweet. (She’s reading my book too!)

8. I’ve learned that publishing moves slower that honey dripping from the jar. Like ten times slower. Sigh. Ya just gotta deal.

9. I’ve learned that I made the right choice when I signed with my agent. Totally.

10. I’ve learned that my family will adapt and put up with the piles of laundry, dog hair in the corners, leftovers AGAIN, and gross toilets.

11. Most importantly, I’ve learned that pursuing a dream no matter your age, is just as sweet when it finally happens. Be true to yourself and follow the path because you never know where it will lead. A year and a half ago I decided to write a book. Just like that.

In less than 6 months HIS DARKEST HUNGER will be available as a mass market release from Avon/Harpercollins and I can’t even tell you how humbled I am. What a feeling.

So, writers and readers out there, what are some of the most important things you’ve learned over the past few years?

The kids are back in school and it feels like one chapter has closed and another begun. About freaking time! This summer has been one crazy ass couple of months and Labor Day is one I always look forward to even if it does mean I can’t wear white anymore! I’m just happy to have routine in my life again.

Yesterday I realized something. It’s been an entire year since I sold my first book. A whole year. It was last September 11th that my lovely agent left a message on my answering machine. I still have it, saved actually. (I’m kinda crazy like that!) Truthfully it is a moment I will never forget, just as each step in this incredible journey is ingrained in my brain.

In the past year I’ve finsihed the first two books in my series for Avon, gone through revisions on one, I’ve contracted a series with Samhain and I’m working on a YA that should be finished this month.

I had one heck of a high when I realized my first book, HIS DARKEST HUNGER was up for pre order on Amazon, was thrilled when my editor emailed me a pic of my cover, (which I’m dying to show and hope too soon!)

I met my editor in Washington, hung out with the Bradford Babes and my crit partners, The Sirens. I’ve also been able to share in the success of said Sirens as they’ve begun to sell their own works.

It’s been an amazing 12 months and I’m grateful and blessed……and feeling all squishy and happy!

So share people! What has happened in the past 12 months that you’re grateful for? What made you all squishy and content?

enjoy this video….I’d forgotten about it but the lovely miss Michelle Pillow brought it to my attention! Hilarious….Buffy vs Edward!

I’m gonna warn all you guys, I’m at that delicate time of the month where, I’m hormonal. Which basically means I can turn into the physco bitch from hell faster than you can blink, or I get all weepy. I sat down to write this blog a few minutes ago, not really knowing what I was going to blog about,(such is the norm for moi!) and my daughter came into the office to give me a kiss and tell me, and I quote, “YOU ROCK AND I LOVE YOU.”

Really, what else is there for a mom to hear? It made me think about the simple things in life that give me the most joy ever. And, I decided to make a list.

1. Walking outside on a warm summer afternoon after hubby has cut the grass. I love that smell.
2. Getting up to the smell of hazelnut coffee brewing in the am.
3. Sitting by the fireplace with a great book while it’s storming outside, like blizzardy cold.
4. hugs, kisses and clean smelling hair from my kiddies.
5. getting a phone call from my mom, out of the blue, just to chat and catch up.
6. having a girls night with my besties, lots of laughs and red wine
7. cracking open that box from Amazon, or Chapters with a much anticipated new book
8. knowing that even though the world is crazy,(and well, let’s be honest, at least one week out of every month, so am I,) my home is safe and secure
9. A week with new episodes of Supernatural, True Blood, Grey’s Anatomy
10. Lastly, running into that perfect biatch from school, you know the one who was like barbie and she had her very own Ken….running into her and you look fab and she’s got greys that are weeks overdue, stains all over her shirt, kids running mad around her and she asks what you’ve been doing for the last twenty years and you can look her in the eye and say….well, I wrote a book and it’s coming out next year!

Yes, it’s those simple pleasures! In honour of me running into my very own personal Barbie from school, (and trust me this happend a few weeks ago….) I have an extra copy of The Time Travelers Wife. I ordered 2 by accident, so I’m giving one away. Just leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite simple pleasure is and I’ll pick a winner!

This book is so amazing and I can’t wait to see the movie…here’s the trailer…

A few weeks ago, I got a wonderful email from my editor. It was totally unexpected. We’d been emailing back and forth trying to get the cover copy of HIS DARKEST HUNGER just right, when she slipped in an email, that ahem, contained the jpg of my COVER. OK, this more than anything (and I know I’ve said this about each and every step of this first venture into publication, but it’s for real this time!) was freaking awesome and totally solidified the fact that I am gonna be an author! WOOT! I can tell you it’s gorgeous, and I can’t stop staring at it. Unfortunately I’m going to have to wait before I’m allowed to unveil it to the public, but you can bet your a$$ I’ll have it up the second Esi tells me to, Make it So!

But it got me to thinking about covers and how they’ve changed over the years…..lookee what I found from the 50’s

And the 70’s

How about a Fabio cover?

They’ve come a long way for sure! I mean, Mr. Nathan I presume……

Covers have evolved a lot and in this day and age are an extremely important factor in selling your work. A great cover can increase sales, while a bad cover can hurt them. At the end of day of course the writing is crucial, but man, having a dude like the model above on your cover can do wonders!

I love the Twillight books, with the black and red, I think they’re beautiful. The one cover that stands out in my mind from my youth is a Nancy Drew novel, The Secret of Shadow Ranch. I remember Nancy on a black stallion and the ghost horse. Loved the cover and loved the book even more!

Anyone have a favorite cover? one you remember from when you were a teen? what’s the most visually stunning cover you’ve seen lately?

If you want to see how the art director came up with the cover for Gena Showalter’s latest YA Intertwined, click HERE.

Wow, sometimes technology amazes me. Here I sit, in a lovely cottage up in the Muskoka’s and I have internet! Sweet! One of my besties who is up here with her kids too, brought along this handy dandy internet stick, good thing too because I forgot to do a blog post before I left!

Several things have occured since my last post. RWA came and went and like Lauren said in her post, it was exhausting. Totaly amazing for me, but man, I’m still recovering! I met my crit partners, Amanda Vyne, Lauren Hawkeye, Nini and a new lady Dara Lee Snow. I also hung with my agent and was able to meet several fellow Bradford Babes. I had dinner with both of my editors, attended some fab parties, (Avon and Harlequin to name a few) Saw DC and can I say what a beautiful city it was?

I learned to take ear plugs next time I go, and that I really only need two pair of shoes….not 6.

It was a lovely experience but it was great to come home. I missed my kids and my husband, and yeah, the dog too. I had a surprise waiting for me too. My editor Esi sent me a pic of my COVER for HIS DARKEST HUNGER and that was such a thrill I just can’t even tell you. As soon as I get the go ahead I’ll post it, but it is very, very, hawt and lovely and full of awesomeness.

So, because I’m feeling so awesome, I’ve decided to run another contest. Please have a look at the picture posted at the beginning of this blog, there are several lovely Bradford Babes there. If you can name at least three of them you will be entered into a draw for a copy of your choice, Elisabeth Naughton’s Stolen Heat, Lauren Dane’s Laid Bare, or Jess Granger’s, Beyond The Rain.

Hey all! It is RWA week and DC is the place to be! Um, technically I’m not there yet as it’s Monday and I’m trying to be all organized by having my blog commitments done and out of the way. But, by the time anyone reads this post, I’ll be wooping it up in DC.

I can’t wait. Last year was my first conference evah and it was an amazing experience. I met my crit partners in the flesh, Amanda Vyne, Lauren Hawkeye and Grace Conley. I also met my agent for the first time, had a squeee moment when I saw Ann Aguirre. Had dinner with Brenda Novak and ahem, Christine Feehan. Many firsts were had. I was such a newbie and really, knew nothing.

This year will be different. I’m going back as a published author. I have two books coming out with Avon and at least one, hopefully more with Samhain. What a feeling that is! I’m looking forward to meeting the many Bradford authors attending, my agent, my editors, but mostly, I’m looking forward to being around a group of women who love reading and writing as much as I do.

Wednesday is Literacy signing day, where there will be hundreds of authors taking part. Can’t freaking wait. It’s also pajama party night at Ann’s suite…I might sneak in a few pics….we shall see!

Have a great week all, and if you’re not in DC what’s everyone up to this summer?