Guest Author: S.J. Day - Eve of Darkness

I've got a great guest blog for you today from urban fantasy author S.J. Day! The first book in her dark, sexy and action-packed Marked series, Eve of Darkness, has just released, with the next two books in the series releasing back to back in the next couple of months.

Here's the start of the blurb: Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel... All in a day's work.

Oooh... You can check out an excerpt here: http://www.sjday.net and see the book trailer here: http://www.sjday.net/trailer/

S.J has agreed to stop by to answer any questions/comments you have, so please welcome her to the blog!
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First, I must do a *squee* over being invited to blog with Nalini!! (Thank you!)

I just returned from the RT Booklovers Convention a couple days ago. While I was there, I participated on a panel called "Historical and Paranormal: Mixing the Mystical with the Past." One of the questions that were asked was, “How do you keep immortal characters from becoming cynical and jaded?”

Since the two heroes of my Marked series are Cain and Abel--arguably two of the oldest people ever--this was a fun question to answer. The two brothers have seen and done just about everything. Aren’t they sick of living at this point? And how would such an attitude affect their characterization?

The overall answer provided from the panel of speakers was that for the most part, their immortal characters are indeed sick of the same old/same old, but that the story usually begins with a life-altering event that shakes everyone out of their complacency and triggers a new series of problems to be addressed. They are no longer bored because they’re faced with a dilemma that is new and therefore requires traveling unfamiliar avenues of thought and action.

My answer was a bit different. It’s true that when we first meet up with Cain and Abel, they’ve just experienced a life-altering event--the introduction of my heroine, Eve. However, the two brothers aren’t yet completely world-weary when the story begins. They’re not just going through the motions, even after living endlessly. Why not? Because they’re ambitious. Cain and Abel both have goals yet to be met and those goals are fluid. It’s hard to think you’ve done it all when you’re still striving to get somewhere and you’re continually challenged by obstacles and missteps.

I, personally, went through the same thing while writing the first three Marked books. New genre, new name, new publisher, new goals and expectations. Despite having written a dozen+ books before, there wasn’t much familiar about the process, which made it exciting and fun. The new and unknown keeps things interesting. Hopefully, you’ll find the same to be true about the Marked series!

Hugs,
S. J.

Kay Stockham - His Son's Teacher

Kay Stockham has made me a fan. I flat-out adored this book.

First up, here's the blurb:

Nick Tulane ordinarily won't admit weakness in himself or in those he loves. But when he learns his son is about to fail in school, the single father is desperate to find a tutor. And Jennifer Rose is perfect.

In fact, Jenn might be too perfect. Nick's starting to fall for the attractive teacher, and he can't let that happen. Because opening up to Jenn means sharing the secret that has always made him feel like an outsider in his own family. Still, with his son showing signs of following in his footsteps, Nick can't keep the truth hidden. But once she knows, will Jenn accept him weakness and all?

There's such emotional depth in this book. Nick and Jenn both have things that make them feel less than good about themselves (in Jenn's case, it's her weight), and because of that, they don't believe they could ever be good enough for each other.

But this book isn't about misunderstandings or things a simple conversation would solve. It's about the kind of emotional scars that can hurt bone deep. For example, Nick's secret is tied deeply to who he is and how he sees herself. The same with Jenn. His Son's Teacher tells the story of these two finding themselves as well as finding each other.

Kay Stockham managed to tear out my heart and make me smile at the same time. Yes, there's a lot of emotion in this story, but there's laughter, too.

Also, Nick is hot. *grin* Seriously, I have a crush on this hero. You will, too, after you read this, trust me. He's just wonderful.

For an excerpt, check out Kay's website.

Have you discovered any new authors recently? What made you fall in love with their work?

New Poll

...on sidebar --->

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Branded By Fire ARC Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest - it was amazing to see so many entries! I wish I had more to give away. Even if you didn't win the ARC, I hope you'll all go out and grab a copy when Branded By Fire releases this July.

Without further ado, the winner, per the random number generator is:

AN

Congratulations!

Updates & Weekly Catchup

Okay, I know I said come back the day after the Branded By Fire ARC giveaway ends, but there are a lot of entries. I've got a bunch in my inbox as well, and I want to make sure everyone goes in the draw, so I'm going to collate all the entries over the weekend, and post the winner on Monday.

Also, I've been thinking of doing a Friday book club. Instead of us all reading the same book and talking about it, I thought we'd all recommend something we'd read recently and enjoyed, maybe with a few words about a favorite scene or character. What do you think?

Onto the catchup. I'm on the final stretch of Angel book #2. What are you all up to?

Rugby Players & Links

Yes, rugby players. Swapping jerseys. Go forth and watch.

No need to thank me *grin*

Also, we've announced the winners of Yvonne Lindsay's giveaway (see the top of her guest blog).

And there's still time to enter the Branded By Fire ARC draw, so scroll down and drop your name in the hat if you haven't already.

Edited to add: Debut author and fellow Kiwi, Maree Anderson is giving away a pdf ARC of Even Demons Get the Blues (an erotic paranormal romance from Red Sage), over here.

NZ/Aus Author Series: Yvonne Lindsay

Winners: Thanks for giving such a warm welcome to Yvonne. She's chosen the winners of her giveaway and they are - Una, Azteclady & Tracy. Congratulations! Email me at nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com with your mailing address and I'll pass it on to Yvonne.

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Today, we kick off a new monthly series of guest blogs with writers from my part of the world.

First up is fellow Kiwi author and my good friend (and not just because she put me in the dedication to her latest book *squee*), Yvonne Lindsay!

Everyone, please welcome Yvonne!

Pssst - she's come bearing gifts!!

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Thanks, Nalini, for inviting me to join you on your blog!

Well, this month is a month I never dreamed would come along. It’s the month that sees the release of my tenth title with Silhouette Desire. Frankly, I’m totally amazed.

Seeing PRETEND MISTRESS, BONA FIDE BOSS on the shelves is super exciting and I’m in the mood to celebrate :-) so I’m giving away one copy of each of the three Rogue Diamonds books (CONVENIENT MARRIAGE, INCONVENIENT HUSBAND—SECRET BABY, PUBLIC AFFAIR—PRETEND MISTRESS, BONA FIDE BOSS) to three randomly chosen commenters.

When I brainstormed the Rogue Diamonds mini-series, I had no trouble dreaming up the close knit powerful alpha trio of friends. I think it was a comment from an interview given by Keanu Reeves, where he mentioned demon riding, that started the ball rolling and gathering plot outline in my head. These guys are definitely risk takers.

As usual, for me, finding the women who deserved them was a whole lot harder (I don’t tend to share my toys and my heroes are pretty much the same.) When it came to Adam’s story I had a string of ideas running through my head. I wanted more than your average mistress, more than your average boss/secretary story—all of which meant that Lainey needed to have a big backstory, one that was powerful enough to drive this book and, coincidentally, this hero to the end of his tether.

I’ve always been drawn to the story of Pygmalion, of the statue, Galatea, brought to life and love and I started to play with how this could work in a modern setting—with a twist. Of course, there always has to be a twist. Why would she prefer to be the inanimate ‘statue’ like woman who flew under a man’s radar? What would drive her to risk that anonymity? And so Lainey Delacorte came to life.

Thinking about it, fairy tales, myths and legends often have a strong influence on my stories, even when I’m not fully conscious of it until the book is done. What’s your favourite tale of old?

Contest Closed.

Branded By Fire ARC

Contest now closed. Winner to be announced Monday.

I have an ARC of Branded By Fire to give away today! (As you can see, it's currently being read, but he's promised to return it without paw prints. :-))

If you'd like to go into the draw to win it, just leave a comment on this post by midnight April 24th, 2009 (New Zealand time). If you have trouble commenting, email me your entry at nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com. I'll make sure you go into the draw.

Don't forget to come back the day after the contest ends to check if you've won - I'll redraw if I can't track the winner down in 72 hours. (Edited to add: If you enter as Anonymous, email me your details and the number of your comment.)

And if you win, please do a review of it somewhere before the release date (July 7th!).

Contest now closed. Winner to be announced Monday.

Links & OOTB Tour: Kiss of Darkness by Jennifer St. Giles

First up today, I've got an OOTB tour with the lovely Jennifer St. Giles!

Kiss of Darkness by Jennifer St. Giles
Out now!

In Kiss of Darkness, a vampire bite has Sheriff Sam Sheridan on the fast track to hell and demons are taking over Twilight Tennessee. He's battling not only to save both his soul and his town, but also his love for one woman, Emerald Linton.

Emerald has a secret that could destroy both her and Sam. She is an angel, and if she can't save Sam from turning evil, then she'll have to kill him, no matter how much of her heart belongs to him.

Sam is determined to take as many demons and vampires down with him as he can and to protect Emerald, but as the seductive dark power in him grows will he condemn Emerald to share his doomed fate, or will they both find a way out of hell?

Excerpt: http://jenniferstgiles.com/kissofdarkness.shtml

Website: jenniferstgiles.com

Blog: jenniferstgiles.blogspot.com

Reviews

"A FANTASTIC PARANORMAL THRILLER, FRAUGHT WITH DANGER, THRILLS AND SENSUAL PASSION." PAULA MYERS FRESH FICTION

“In the first of back-to-back Shadow- men releases, St. Giles unleashes hell. With each successive chapter in this pulse-pounding series, the stakes increase. The lead protagonists have been snapping at each other since they met, and the author skillfully builds on that tension to up the sexual ante. St. Giles is on a roll!” 4 stars Hot RT Bookclub.

“In my opinion this series is one of the best. It is definite a keeper. The struggle between good and evil is told in a way that holds your attention. I, for one, cannot wait for the next installment of this entertaining series. You must read this series. It is great.” Top Pick Night Owl Romance
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Also, you should go wink at Meljean Brook.

Oh, and don't forget to drop by Beth Kery's blog where she's got guest authors and giveaways galore to celebrate the release of Daring Time.

And most definitely don't forget to come back tomorrow <-- subtle hint. I'm off to edit the final scene in the second Guild Hunter book!

Glimpse Inside A Writer's Brain

I need a word.

Okay.

It means something is coming.

Hmm, arbor?

Isn't that related to plants?

No, it's like "And she knew it arbored great things."

Are you sure?

No, I know it's wrong. I just can't figure out the right word so I think you should put arbor in until we figure it out because it's making me CRAZY.

How about the thesaurus?

Good idea, but we need a synonym to look up first and I got nothing.

Huh. [Arbor] it is.

Some time later...

Augur! The word is augur! *Dance of joy ensues*

You know, all of a sudden, I can think of lots of synonyms.

This & That

Sorry to disappear on you all! It's coming down to the crunch on the second Angel book. I have deadline brain.

But someone sent me this link and I had to share it - Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. I hope she makes it all the way to the top!

More good news - Jaci Burton has made some very cool lists with Riding on Instinct. Congrats Jaci!

Also, check out this Nightline article on Harlequin Books, featuring Gena Showalter.



p.s. Something fun happening later this week!

OOTB Tour: Eternal Moon by Rebecca York

A new Out of the Blogosphere book tour for you!

ETERNAL MOON by Rebecca York

In ETERNAL MOON Rebecca York creates a classic clash between good and evil–with a werewolf twist.

Renata Cordona is the reincarnation of an ancient goddess. She and her lover have met again and again down through the ages–only to be destroyed by a demon bent on conquering the world. In her twenty-first century incarnation, Renata is a private detective.

As the book opens, Renata is on an undercover assignment to catch a serial killer who has been murdering female real estate agents, when she’s almost attacked by a pack of vicious dogs. They are chased off by a lone wolf who swiftly disappears. Then, out of nowhere, werewolf Jacob Marshall materializes, and his electrifying touch brings out all the sexual longings she’s repressed because everyone she has ever loved has died a horrible death. Is Jacob the key to breaking the ancient curse that hangs over them? Or will the evil stalking them down through the ages destroy them both–this time for all eternity?

Excerpt: http://www.rebeccayork.com/sneakpeekparanormal.htm



ABOUT REBECCA YORK

USA Today best-selling novelist, Rebecca York (aka Ruth Glick) is the author of over one hundred books She has authored or co-authored more than 50 romantic suspense novels and 20 romances. But she never thought she could become a writer because her horrible spelling earned her poor marks in English classes in high school. She married well–to a man who can spot a misspelled word from fifty paces. He proofreads all her manuscripts to make sure there are no typos or spellos.

Rebecca’s KILLING MOON was a launch book for Berkley’s new Sensation romance imprint in June 2003. EDGE OF THE MOON and WITCHING MOON followed. Her first Berkley novella was in CRAVINGS, with Laurell K. Hamilton. CRIMSON MOON, published in January 2005, was her 100th book. The eighth book in her Moon series, ETERNAL MOON, is out from Berkley in April 2009. For many years, she has also written Harlequin Intrigue’s very popular 43 Light Street series. Her next is MORE THAN A MAN, August 2009.

Her many awards include two RITA finalist books, two Lifetime Achievement Awards from Romantic Times, five NJRW Golden Leaf Awards and a Prism Award. Her Intrigue, NOWHERE MAN, was named by Affaire de Coeur as the best Contemporary Novel of 1998. THE SECRET NIGHT was ROMANTIC TIMES’ best Intrigue of 2006.

REVIEW

In a new twist on her long-running paranormal Moon series, York adds in an ancient battle between the powers of good and evil. As always, York delivers engaging plots with dynamic characters. Definitely one of the genre's best!
---Jill Smith, Romantic Times

Web site: http://www.rebeccayork.com

Movies: Jodhaa-Akbar

I love this movie. It's about the marriage of alliance between a Mughal emperor (Akbar) and a Rajput princess (Jodhaa). This movie has got everything - the arranged marriage, the unexpected passion, the fantastic historical setting, the intrigue....but really, I'm there for the love story.

Here's the trailer (with English subtitles).



And here's a link to one of my favorite scenes from the movie. No subtitles but I think you'll figure out what's happening. Wait till around the 2.35 mark - talk about tension!

Needless to say, I have the collectors edition dvd :)

Seen any good movies/dvds lately?

Watch out this Easter

There have been reports of sudden strange behavior among pets, including an urge to bounce everywhere, and eat large amounts of carrots. Is it a bug, a virus, or is it...the rabbit snatchers?!
It's a long weekend over here, so stay safe if you're heading out of town, and of course - eat lots of chocolate!

NYT Article

On romance novels in the current climate.

Stationery Addiction

I went out to run some errands the other day and decided to stock up on pens. (I use up several while editing a manuscript.) Then I entered the stationery store.

End result: Ten pens for editing, ten sparkly pens (in all different colors!) and a whole set of post it notes (orange, pink, yellow, blue, green and even purple).

I'm pretty sure I have more fun stationery shopping than clothes shopping. Any other stationery addicts out there?

Ellizabeth's Wolf - Lora Leigh

It's no secret that I love Lora Leigh's Breed books - Elizabeth's Wolf was no different. In fact, I think it might be one of my favorite entries in the series.

Here's a blurb (from Lora's website):

She brought him back from death and made him live again.

Dash thought himself alone, a soldier, a fighting machine and no more.

Elizabeth made him realize he was a man.

Danger surrounds the woman his soul marked as his mate, death and blood and a treachery that goes beyond even his worst nightmares. But he will protect her and what she claims as her own. He was created to kill, trained to do it efficiently, and only a man bound to her, heart and soul, will have the strength to save Elizabeth and her prized possession.

He is a lone wolf. A man alone. No pack, no family, no one to call his own until one single, innocent letter awoke Elizabeth’s wolf.

What did I love about it? I think it's what I love about all of the Breed books I've read--the sheer emotional punch, the intensity of the relationship between the hero and heroine.

I have to mention Dash - he's a great hero. Deeply protective, honorable, and endearing in his determination to go it alone rather than put others in the line of fire.

The heat between Elizabeth and Dash is through the roof, so we warned - you might need to keep a fire extinguisher handy. *g*

This is a really great book. It's full of heart, passion and rock-solid love. Can't ask for much more than that. :-)

You can read an excerpt on Lora's website.

Have you read the Breed series? Thoughts?

Free Short Story & TMCC

Updated: Issue has been fixed! You might have to hit refresh to get the page to load, but the story is now available.

Edited to add: We're having some issues with the website, so the short story link doesn't currently work. I'll update this once it's been resolved!

The free short story A Gift For Kit, is now up. Enjoy!

Also, I see that Amazon is offering The Magical Christmas Cat for the bargain price of $6, so if you've been waiting to grab it, here's your chance.

Weekend

It's the weekend, woohoo! I'm planning to catch up with some writing buds.

Tell me what you're up to!

Random Random

Did you know you can do your Google searches in Klingon & pirate? (Info via Wikipedia)

No Life Without Wife

E-Mails

I'm a little behind on my e-mails, but I'm going to try to clear the decks today, so if you've contacted me, you should get a response within the new couple of hours.