Archangel's Consort Release Day Party!!

Contest Closed

Winner: Thank you all for the awesome comments! The random numbers have spoken and the winner of the print is:

Jolene Allcock

Congratulations! An email is on the way to you!

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Archangel's Consort is now out!! I hope you all enjoy the book!! I adored writing it.

Some fantastic new reviews have come in, including this one by Angela at Touch the Night, and this one by Marisa at Heart to Heart: The BN Romance Blog.

To celebrate, I have something special to give away - a print of the gorgeous cover art! (The print is the image only, no text, and roughly 16x20inches in size. And if I'm not mistaken, Tony Mauro, the artist, has signed it!).

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.

However, if you have a FB profile, Twitter account, blog etc, I'd appreciate it if you'd share that Archangel's Consort is now out. And if you've read it and loved it, feel free to share that too!

Contest open till Saturday January 29th 2011, 12 noon, New Zealand time. Winner will be chosen randomly via the random number generator at random.org, and his or her name posted in the comments and on top of this post. I'll also email the winner if I have an email address.

International entries welcome. One entry per ISP address, no purchase necessary to enter, odds of winning will depend on the number of entries. Void where prohibited.

P.S. If you'd like to order your own print, you can do so from Tony's website.

Of Chocolate Cake & Scorpions

I've just put up a chocolate cake inspired post over at Oddshots. Swing by and join in the conversation. :-)

Spanish Release: La noche del cazador

The Spanish edition of Slave to Sensation has just released! Here's all the information, plus a link to my Spanish publisher's website.

To all my Spanish readers - I hope you enjoy Lucas and Sascha's story!

La noche del cazador

En una sociedad donde el poder está en manos de quienes niegan las emociones, aceptar el afecto, los sentimientos y el amor puede ser devastador.

Los psi gobiernan el mundo. Lo han conseguido a un alto precio: suprimir todo aquello que les hacía humanos para convertirse en una raza fríamente perfecta. Sascha Duncan, sin embargo, percibe emociones que apenas logra controlar. Si los otros psi la descubren, será «rehabilitada».

Lucas Hunter es el alfa del clan de los DarkRiver, un cambiante ávido de todas esas sensaciones e impulsos que los psi desprecian. Ahora debe introducirse en la cerrada y elitista sociedad de los psi para atrapar a un asesino en serie, y para ello no duda en utilizar a Sascha… hasta que una parte de él empieza a sentirse extrañamente atraído por esa gélida psi que oculta algo.

Serie Psi/Cambiantes, 1

«Nalini Singh nos ofrece frescura, originalidad y unos personajes que desprenden magnetismo. La noche del cazador es una novela magistralmente construida, narrada con sencillez y con la dosis de intriga necesaria para que la atención no decaiga en ningún momento. »

www.rnovelaromantica.com

«Un libro indispensable, incluso para quienes no se hayan iniciado en el género paranormal.»

Romantic Times

«¡Me ha encantado esta novela! De lectura imprescindible para todos mis seguidores. Nalini Singh posee un enorme talento.»

CHRISTINE FEEHAN

Publisher's Website

Serie Psi/Cambiantes

1. La noche del cazador
2. La noche del jaguar – Fecha de publicación: junio de 2011
3. Caricias de hielo - Fecha de publicación: octubre de 2011

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books!

I recently read Here Comes the Groom by Karina Bliss and absolutely loved it.

If Jocelyn Swann weren't so furious she'd probably laugh. Her best friend, Dan Jansen, has launched a campaign worthy of his Special Forces Training to arrange their wedding, from music and minister to flowers and food. What part of no does he not understand?

Their marriage agreement was a tipsy scrawl on the back of a coaster three years ago. It's not a question of love. Of course she loves Dan. She's loved him all her life. If only she could get him to slow down a minute and listen - to be the friend she needs right now - she could convince him that marriage would ruin everything.

Karina writes with such emotional intensity, and her characters are so beautifully textured that I just want to keep on reading about them.

As it is, I'm totally planning to stalk her ask her nicely until she gives me Stand-In Wife, the next book in her SAS series.

If you'd like to read a more in depth review, check out the one at Dear Author. Plus SBTB has chosen this book for their Sizzling Book Club, and Karina will be chatting with them January 25.

Also, some linkage: the lovely Jaci Burton is giving away a copy of one of the Guild Hunter books, and Casee at Book Binge just posted a fantastic review of Archangel's Consort!

What're you reading and loving this week?

Archangel's Blade & Archangel's Consort

I've handed in the copy-edited manuscript for Kiss of Snow, and now it's back to Archangel's Blade, and sexy, dangerous Dmitri.

A couple of fantastic reviews for Archangel's Consort came in this morning (follow the links to read the full reviews):

...oh Raphael. One of the most intense alphas I have ever read about. There is no cracking jokes there is no goofing off. He is alpha, he is archangel, and he means business. In and out of bed. Oh yes

- Mandi for Smexy Books

Ms. Singh's world is one of spectacular fantasy and toe-curling romance where the thoughts, feelings, and weaknesses that make us so very human are highlighted against the fascinating backdrop of the cool indifference that accompanies immortality.

- Jenny for Supernatural Snark

Only a few days before Archangel's Consort releases. I can't wait! Here's an extra excerpt to make the countdown go faster:

From Archangel's Consort
January 25, 2011: U.S., Canada
Feb 10, 2011: UK, Aust, NZ

Unlike Illium, who even with his remarkable wings and eyes of gold, managed to walk among mortals, Aodhan would never fit easily into this world. He was cut in sparkling ice, his wings so bright as to almost hurt human eyes, his face, his skin seeming to be created from marble overlaid with white-gold.

Michaela, that devourer of men, had once said of Aodhan, “Beautiful—but so very cold, that one. Still, I would like to keep him as I would a precious gem. There is no other like Aodhan in the world.”

But Michaela saw only the surface.

Raphael walked to the edge of the space that had no railing, running his eyes over his city. “What did you discover?”

Aodhan tightened his wings to avoid any contact as he came to stand on Raphael’s left. “I cannot understand,” he said instead of answering, “how you can live surrounded by so many lives.” A stark curiosity underlay his every word.

“Many cannot understand your preference for solitude.” He watched as a number of angels came in for landings on lower balconies, their wings silhouetted against the night sky. “You surprise me with this visit, Aodhan.” The angel was one of Raphael’s Seven for a reason, but he was also damaged.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Nalini Singh

Jayne Castle - Obsidian Prey

Contest Now Closed

The random winner of Obsidian Prey by Jayne Ann Krentz is SONIA. Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address at: nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com

I love Jayne Ann Krentz's futuristics, written under the Jayne Castle name. And today, I've got a copy of Obsidian Prey to give away!

Here's the blurb from JAK's website:

Two hundred years after the closing of the energy Curtain that allowed interplanetary travel—cutting off all contact to Earth—the planet Harmony is thriving. Thanks to an abundant supply of amber, which powers not only electrical machines for everyday use but also psychic abilities in the colonists, Harmony has created a stable, progressive community. But when that stability is threatened, resolving an ancient family feud and a fresh lover's quarrel might be the planet's only hope.

Three months ago, Lyra Dore suffered a heartbreak and a hostile takeover—both at the hands of the same man. A descendant of her ancestors' fierce rival. Cruz Sweetwater charmed his way into Lyra's heart and gained access to her pet project, an amethyst ruin. Then he took over the project and took off. When Cruz walks back into her life and requests a private meeting, Lyra convinces herself he's there to crawl and beg forgiveness. Wrong again—he just needs her help. With the project he stole from her.

Five innocent men are trapped inside a chamber in the amethyst ruin, and Lyra is the only one who can reopen the door. Reluctantly she agrees to help. Then Cruz wants her to apply her talents to the rest of the ruin—because no one else can work it. Lyra and Cruz are both harboring psychic secrets. Unknown—and dangerous—powers pulse within the amethyst ruin, and the closer Lyra gets to them, the more at risk she becomes. And now she must decide whether to trust her guts or her heart...

The complete rules for this giveaway are here, but to enter just leave a comment on this post. How about sharing some of your "keeper" books or authors?

(NB: If you're reading this on the Goodreads feed, follow this link to leave your comment/entry on the original post on the main blog).

Monday

I'm continuing to work on the copy-edited manuscript for Kiss of Snow. So much happens in this book - but if I told you what, I'd have to have the men in black coats come and take you away. ;-)

There was a comment on the previous post asking what copy edits meant - I did a guest blog about the editing process over at Book Binge last year that explains it, so swing by and check it out.

How was your weekend?

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books! What're you reading and loving this week?

I'm working on the copy-edited manuscript of Kiss of Snow. Absolutely loving reading the book again.

I put up this little snippet on my Facebook page last night and thought I'd post it here, too:

"Hawke’s lashes came down once. When they lifted back up, his gaze was nightglow, a brilliant ice-blue shot with light. She sucked in a breath, realizing she was talking to the wolf now."

Have an amazing weekend everyone!

Angels' Blood & Archangel's Kiss - Hungary

Aren't these covers just stunning? I love them both.

Look how the skyline changes with the cover for Archangel's Kiss.


Publisher: Egmont Hungary

Kiss of Snow Countdown Widget

Look, shiny new countdown widget on the sidebar! -->

Pets

I've got a post up on Oddshots today talking about pets in fiction. Swing by and add your comments. :-)

Archangel's Blade

...is the title of Dmitri's book.

Here's a line from the book since I'm currently inputting edits from the hard copy draft: Turning on his heel, he began to prowl around her apartment.

You haven't met "her" yet.

More info to come in the next few months (release date is September 2011)!

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books! What're you reading and enjoying this week?

Meljean Brook - Demon Night

Contest closed.

Winner: The random winner of the signed copy of Demon Night by Meljean Brook is Miss Delirious. Congratulations! An email is on the way to you.

I loved this book and I have a wild crush on the hero, Ethan. Wild, I tell you!

And since I totally stalk Meljean at conferences, I have a signed copy to give away.

Explore the seductive corners of the dark, as a forbidden attraction tempts danger under the canopy of the…DEMON NIGHT

Charlie Newcomb worked hard to get her life back together. But all that is shaken when she’s set upon by three vampires desperate to transform her beauty into something evil. Because Charlie is the vital link to something they want—and need. It’s Charlie’s flesh and blood sister, a medical scientist whose knowledge could be invaluable to the predators.

But to get to her, they must first get to Charlie, now under the intimate protection of Ethan McCabe. As her Guardian, Ethan is attracted to her vulnerabilities—as well as her strengths. The closer he gets, the more protecting her becomes not just his duty, but his desire. But will it be enough to save Charlie when the demon night falls?

Here's the link to Meljean's site, where you can read all about her awesome books.

The complete rules for this giveaway are here, but to enter just leave a comment on this post. How about sharing some of your favorite fictional heroes?

(NB: If you're reading this on the Goodreads feed, follow this link to leave your comment/entry on the original post on the main blog).

Writing

I'm busy in my writer's cave. :-)

What are you all up to?

Oddshots

We're talking about favorite books of 2010 over on Oddshots, so come join in the discussion. :)

Friday Book Club

It's time for the final book club post of 2010! What are you reading and enjoying at the moment?

Happy New Year everyone!

Anna Campbell - Captive of Sin

Contest closed.

Winner: The random winner of the signed copy of Captive of Sin by Anna Campbell is ERIKA. Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address at: nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com.

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I adored this book! And I'm so excited I have a signed copy to give away!

He pledged his honor to keep her safe...

Returning home to Cornwall after unspeakable tragedy, Sir Gideon Trevithick comes upon a defiant beauty in danger, and vows to protect her whatever the cost. He's dismayed to discover that she's none other than Lady Charis Weston, England's wealthiest heiress-and that the only way to save her from the violent stepbrothers determined to steal her fortune is to wed her himself! Now Gideon must hide the dark secrets of his life from the bride he desires more with every heartbeat.

She promised to show him how to love - and desire - again...

Charis has heard all about Gideon, the dangerously handsome hero with the mysterious past. She's grateful for his help, but utterly unwilling to endure a marriage of convenience-especially to a man whose touch leaves her breathless. Desperate to drive him mad with passion, she would do anything to make Gideon lose control-and fall captive to irresistible, undeniable sin.

Link to Anna Campbell's Website

You can read the full rules here, but to enter, just leave a comment. How about sharing your favorite historical hero or heroine, fictional or real?

Books, books, books!

Have you ever accidentally ordered two copies of a book? I'm not saying I have ever done that *cough*, but I now have some books to give away. Plus, I have a couple of books that I asked the authors to sign at conferences so I could give them away on the blog.

I'm going to put up the giveaways, likely one per week over the next few weeks.

Rules:

- each giveaway will be open for 72 hours after it's posted.
- to enter, leave a comment on the relevant contest post. (Each book giveaway will be posted separately.)
- winner will selected randomly using random.org. His or her name will be announced in the comments and on top of the relevant post (and will be emailed if I have an email contact).
- if the prize isn't claimed in 48 hours, I'll redraw.
- international entries welcome.
- one entry per ISP address, no purchase necessary to enter, odds of winning will depend on the number of entries. Void where prohibited.

Oddshots

...is where I am today! :-)

Kiss of Snow

The first chapter excerpt of Kiss of Snow is now up!

Merry Christmas everyone! :-)

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books! What are you reading and enjoying? What are you hoping to get in your Christmas stocking?

p.s. Slight delay on the surprise, but it's coming! :-)

Catchup

I'm continuing to work on Dmitri's book. I have three words for you - dark and sexy and sinful. This book has a tentative release date of September 2011.

I'm also arranging a little suprise that I should hopefully be able to share tomorrow. What could it be??

Now, your turn - what are you up to?

Follow Me

...to Oddshots, where it's all about discussing what you're looking forward to in 2011.

Smugglivus

My Smugglivus post, focusing on authors and series that were new to me this year is up at the Book Smugglers!

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books! What're you reading and loving at the moment?

(Me? It's all about Dmitri. ;-))

Linkage

Dear Author has posted the Berkley Winter Giveaway - the giveaway includes copies of Archangel's Consort so swing by before it closes.

And, an invite from The Knight Agency:

HO HO HO! It's the most wonderful time of the year, and that means it's time for The Knight Agency’s annual online holiday party! Join our agents, authors and TKA Santa for an hour of non-stop giveaways. This is our most fun, relaxed chat of the year. No worries about what to ask a guest author or waiting your turn to speak -- it's literally a free for all!

This year Gena Showalter, Nalini Singh, Maria Geraci, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Shannon K. Butcher, Linda Gerber, Michelle Celmer, Louisa Edwards, Lydia Dare, Joey W. Hill, Jessica Andersen, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Chris Marie Green and Shirley Jump are all giving away signed copies of their releases. Plus we're raiding our book closets and giving out titles by Rachel Caine, Marley Gibson and Cecil Murphey, among others. Oh yeah, and there's a Christmas stocking prize stuffed with books and holiday treats.

Don't forget to mark your calendars!

WHAT: Knight Agency Annual Holiday Lunchbox Chat
WHEN: Thursday, December 16th @ 12:30pm ET
WHERE: The Knight Agency Chat Room -- http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.php?id=115545

HOW TO CHAT: Enter any combination of username and password. Login. Your computer must be Java enabled to chat.

Shutter Bug

I've posted some of my travel photographs over at Oddshots today, including this shot from Hong Kong. Swing by, have a look and share your travel dreams. :-)

Friday Book Club

...coming to you on Saturday. :-)

I want to mention a book I read as an ARC that's out now. Maya Banks' No Place to Run. Sexy and action-packed and intense, it's the second book in her fantastic Kelly series. Follow the link if you'd like to read an excerpt!

Now, your turn. What are you reading and loving at the moment?

Linkage

ACE/ROC is doing a big giveaway over at Dear Author and it's still open, so swing by and check it out.

AAR has released the results of its Top 100 Romances poll. Both Slave to Sensation and Angels' Blood made the list. Thank you to everyone who nominated the books!

Voting is open in the All Things Urban Fantasy Cover Art Awards. The covers for Archangel's Kiss and Archangel's Consort have been nominated, alongside some other fantastic covers. If you'd like to vote, or just check out all the covers, follow the link.

And I just found out that Play of Passion has been nominated in the Romance section of the Goodreads Choice Awards. Here's the link to see all the nominees and to vote.

Wow, that inadvertently ended up very self-promey. But wait, I have another one - Mandi from Smexy Books has written a very naughty poem: Twas the Night Before Smexymas. It's probably NSFW, and I'd suggest not having coffee in your mouth when you start reading. Enjoy!

Writing

I'm working on Dmitri's book today.

What are you all up to?

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books! What're you reading and loving this week?

Child's Play

Jackie from Literary Escapism is raising money for Child's Play, which (quoted from LE):

"...works with various children’s hospitals in an effort to provide some much needed entertainment."

She's doing a big giveaway in conjunction with this project. Follow the link to Literary Escapism to read more.

A Glimpse of Illium

Excerpt from Archangel's Consort
Out January 25, 2011 / UK: February 10, 2011

“I know I’m your favorite.” He brushed his wing over hers when she didn’t reply.

“I swear to God,” she muttered, fighting a laugh, “if you’ve dusted me with blue, I’ll tie your balls in a knot and hang you up by them on the nearest sharp object I see.” The last time he’d glittered blue angel-dust over her wings, Raphael had—eventually—seen the humor in the situation. She couldn’t guarantee Illium’s health if it happened a second time.

Illium dipped low, stroking back up with movements that looked lazy but took considerable muscle strength. “Be nice to me or I won’t give you your present.”

“Idiot.” But he was her favorite of the Seven. How could he not be when he saw her human heart not as a curse, but as a gift? When he would lay down his life for the archangel who was Elena’s? When he laughed with the same easy joy as the children in the Refuge?

Copyright (c) Nalini Singh

Archangel's Consort ARC Contest Winners

There were a record number of entries for this contest - thank you to everyone who entered.

I was able to rustle up a couple of extra ARCs to give away, so without further ado, here are the six random winners of the Archangel's Consort ARCs!

Dawn A.
Joanna W.
Lisa Sta.
Diane H.
Danielle J.
Joslynn S.

All the winners have been emailed. Congratulations ladies!

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books! I recently read Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen and Caught by Harlen Coben. Both excellent thrillers.

What're you enjoying at the moment?

Thanksgiving & Cookies

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you celebrating the holiday. :-)

Also, have you seen Cookie Monster's audition tape for SNL? Enjoy!

Archangel's Consort ARC Contest

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

If you'd like to go in the random draw to win one of at least four Advanced Reading/Review Copies of Archangel's Consort, send an e-mail to naliniDOTassistantATgmailDOTcom with "Archangel's Consort ARC Contest" in the subject line by by 5pm Sunday November 28th, 2010, New Zealand time.

(Your e-mail will only be used to contact you should you win.)

Since these are Advanced Reading/Review Copies, if you win, I'd ask that you please post a review somewhere before the release date (January 25, 2011) - on a blog, on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads...it's up to you, but it would be much appreciated if you'd post your thoughts somewhere. The contents of the review are, of course, totally up to you, but I would request that you not share any major spoilers until after the book is out.

A note about the ARC - it's substantially the same as the final book, but since ARCs are printed prior to the final round of edits, there are some errors in the text that aren't in the final book.

I'll give each winner 48 hours to respond to my email indicating they've won. If I don't hear back within that time, I'll redraw. By entering, you give me permission to post your name on the blog should you win.

The fine print: Contest is open internationally. One entry per household. No purchase necessary to enter. Winner will be chosen randomly using random.org and his or her name(s) posted on this blog on Monday, November 29th, 2010. Void where prohibited.

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

Friday Book Club

Time to talk books! What are you reading and loving this week?

Also, ARRA has a mini interview up with me on their blog, so check it out.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Psy/Changeling & Guild Hunter Series Release Schedule

I wanted to update you all on my 2011 release schedule today, plus answer a question that I've been asked a number of times lately.

Will there be more Psy/Changeling books after Kiss of Snow?

The answer is yes, absolutely! I love writing this series, and there's still so much to explore with the characters, and the world.

However, I can't tell you much about the book after Kiss of Snow yet, because I'll be working on a Guild Hunter book next.

Next year, you'll be getting two GH books and one Psy/Changeling. Since this is the first time I'll be doing two GH books in a year, I've decided to do something a little different with the second book. Instead of focusing on Elena and Raphael, the book will focus on Dmitri.

(I'll still be writing more Elena/Raphael books.)

I won't have any information about the 2012 schedule for a while, so please be patient. :-)

Any burning questions? Leave them in the comments.

Play of Passion Spoiler Thread Now Open

Follow the link (and remember, there shall be spoilers, so don't click if you haven't yet read Play of Passion).

Closing comments on this post to avoid confusion.

Friday Book Club

...coming to you on a Saturday! What're you reading and loving this week?

Kiss of Snow Backcover Blurb

As promised, here's the backcover blurb for Kiss of Snow!!

But first, are you sure you want to read it?

Maybe you want to be kept in suspense?

You know waiting will make it even better.

Well....if you're certain...
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New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh’s exhilarating world of shapeshifters and psychics is “paranormal romance at its best” (Publishers Weekly). Now comes the story of an alpha wolf named Hawke used to getting exactly what he wants--and of the only woman who dares tangle with him.

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would’ve been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other’s secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

Good News!

Play of Passion has hit both the New York Times Bestseller list and the USA Today Bestseller list! Thank you everyone!

Writing & A Question

I'm working on the GH novella featuring Noel today. I wrote the first draft of the story a couple of months ago, so it's been good to get back to it.

I was thinking to open the Play of Passion Spoiler thread this weekend. How does that work for everyone?

Oddshots

I have a post up on Oddshots today. Swing by and share what you got up to this weekend. Have a great new week everyone. :-)

The Editing Process & Kiss of Snow Pre-Order Links

If you've ever wondered what happens after an author turns in a book, I've got a post up on Book Binge about the behind-the-scenes process, so swing by and have a read. :-)

Also, Kiss of Snow is now available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes and Noble! I'll update the pre-order links as more go live.

Talking of Kiss of Snow, there is also a snippet from the manuscript over on Book Binge. Enjoy!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Diwali Book Club

Happy Diwali (Festival of Lights) everyone! I hope you're having a wonderful day. :-)

What are you reading and loving at the moment?

Play of Passion Spoiler Thread

This is the thread where you can freely discuss PLAY OF PASSION and the previous books in the Psy/Changeling series. *SPOILERS* allowed, so if you haven't read Drew and Indigo's story yet, click away! This link will take you back to the main blog.

So, if you're sure this is where you want to be....let the discussion begin!

Also, if you're looking for the Caressed By Ice Spoiler thread, Mine to Possess Spoiler thread, Hostage to Pleasure Spoiler thread, Branded By Fire Spoiler thread, and the Blaze of Memory Spoiler thread, follow the links.

For those of you who aren't bloggers, you can still comment - just choose the Anonymous option and sign off the comment with your name if you'd like folks to know who you are.

NB: This thread is for readers, so if you have a question specifically for me, email me at nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com.

Changelings and Catchup

I'm talking about why I love writing changelings and giving away some backlist books over at Bitten By Books, so swing by and join in the discussion.

What're you all up to at the moment? :-)

Good News & Reviews

You may have noticed that Play of Passion is now out *grin* Well, I have more good news! Drew and Indigo's book has been nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award in the Shapeshifter category!

Bonds of Justice has also been nominated - in the Paranormal Romance category. And Elena from the GH series has been nominated in the Best Urban Fantasy Protagonist category (for Archangel's Kiss). Thanks, RT!

A number of reviews for Play of Passion have gone up around the web, so I thought I'd put up a list here if you'd like to go blog-hopping. (If I've missed your review, please leave a link in the comments. :-)

Dear Author
The Good, the Bad and the Unread
Book Binge
All About Romance
Leontine's Book Realm
Smexy Books
NightOwl Reviews
Fiction Kingdom
Lurv A La Mode
Kathy's Review Corner
Goodreads Reviews
Shelfari Reviews

Play of Passion is now out!!

I hope you all enjoy Drew and Indigo's story!!

I'll open up a spoiler thread on the blog in two weeks, so please keep comments spoiler free for now to allow everyone a chance to read the book first. :-)

Happy reading!!

Anticipated Releases

One day till Play of Passion releases!!

Over at Oddshots, I'm asking everyone to share what books they're looking forward to in the next few months. Join in and add your picks (or post them here!!). :-)

Archangel's Consort Excerpt

...now up on the website!!

Friday Book Club

...coming to you on Saturday today. You all know I read Marcella Burnard's Enemy Within recently and thought it was fantastic.

Now it's your turn. What're you reading and enjoying this week?

Extra, extra! Jaci Burton is talking about and giving away a copy of Play of Passion on her blog, so check it out.

Here's a snippet from another new review of Play of Passion:

The sexual tension between Drew and Indigo is scorching hot and I love how it just adds more to the story instead of takes away...I am ecstatic to recommend this book to others, you won’t be disappointed.

Heather for NightOwl Romance ~ Top Pick

Woohoo! Onto the book club!

Guest Author: Marcella Burnard

I'm delighted to have Marcella Burnard on the blog today! I had a chance to read an early copy of her debut science fiction romance Enemy Within (out November 2nd) and thought it was fantastic. Dark and gritty and intensely emotional. Very much recommended if you like sf romance.

Please welcome Marcella to the blog everyone!!

Marcella Burnard

Monday morning, I opened my email and had to look twice. Was that..? Holy lima beans. It was an email from Nalini Singh with my book title, Enemy Within, as the subject line. I’d read Ms. Singh’s book, Mine to Possess and enjoyed it so much, I went right out and snapped up Hostage to Pleasure and Angel’s Blood. Devoured them…then deadlines hit and reading for pleasure came to a screeching (and it had better be temporary) halt. My point is that when Berkley bought Enemy Within, I was thrilled to be writing for the same house and even the same imprint, Berkley Sensation, as one of my new favorite authors. Little did I know that my sainted editor (who hasn’t been bribed with chocolate, I swear!) would send an advance reader copy of Enemy Within to Ms. Singh, who would then read it, like it well enough to email me to say so, and then graciously ask if I’d like to guest blog. I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough. Thank you for the invitation.

I’m Marcella Burnard. I write science fiction romance (SFR) for Berkley Sensation. The whole writing thing started when I was twelve, I think. I’d seen a B-grade pirate/adventure film and decided it had been done all wrong. I borrowed my mother’s Selectric typewriter, set it up in my bedroom even though I didn’t know how to type, and went to work on The Definitive Pirate story. The heroine was twelve. She had a black panther named Scott as a pet. And she was an expert swordswoman. Yeah. The seven seas were never the same. Neither was my school work, but that’s another issue.

So when I set out to write a slightly more grown up pirate story, I kept the swordswoman heroine, ditched the panther, and aged my gal up a bit so she could reasonably be a military captain in her own right. I handed her a handsome pirate who might know a thing or two about swordplay himself and who needed her space ship to save himself and his crew. Good times. I had the makings of a rollicking bit of fun in space.

Yes, Ari did start the book with a case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from having been a prisoner of war. That didn’t have to change my light, fluffy, action-adventure, did it? I remained wrapped in my state of denial right up to the last fight – you know the one at the very end of your favorite movies – Indiana Jones where everyone’s faces melt, or Luke in an x-wing making the last shot that destroys the Death Star and saves everyone. My characters whispered to me at night time when I couldn’t drown out their voices with activity. “You know what has to happen,” they’d say.

I did know. So I stalled.

One of my critique partners finally threw my manuscript pages on the table one day, turned to me, gave me *that* look and said, “What is your problem? This is horrible, awful and wonderful! Don’t come back without the ending! And make it worse!” I wanted to slit my wrists with my pen, but it was a felt tip and all it did was make a mess.

I went home, swallowed a huge lump of fear, and wrote the final quarter of the book in all of its bloody, gross nastiness. No one would want to read it. How could they? I hadn’t wanted to write it. But something happened as I did. The book started living and breathing on its own. It was a little frightening at first, then exhilarating, to have my story escape my control like that. It really had grown up and it wasn’t my pre-teen pirate story anymore, though I tried to fool myself that it was still light. Fun.

Until the day my fabulous agent, Emmanuelle Morgen, said, “No one writes grim scifi the way you do!”

Grim? Really? Even with pirates and swordfights? Dang. Should have kept that black panther sidekick…

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Backcover Blurb of Enemy Within

After a stint in an alien prison, Captain Ari Rose wonders why she even bothered to survive. Stripped of her command and banished to her father's scientific expedition to finish a Ph.D. she doesn't want, Ari never planned to languish quietly behind a desk. She wasn't built for it, either. But when pirates commandeer her father's ship, Ari once again becomes a prisoner.

As far as pirate leader Cullin is concerned, Ari's past imprisonment puts her dead center in Cullin's sights. If she hasn't been brainwashed and returned as a spy, then he's convinced she must be part of a traitorous alliance endangering billions of lives. Cullin can't afford the desire she fires within him and he'll stop at nothing, including destroying her, to uncover the truth.

Link to Marcella's Blog

Catchup

What are you all up to this week?

Play of Passion

Less than a week to go before Drew and Indigo's story hits the shelves! I thought I'd post up a snippet plus links to two more great reviews around the blogsphere to celebrate.

Play of Passion is another fantastic installment in the Psy/Changeling series. Singh has an amazing ability to balance propelling the overarching story of the series forward while never losing focus on the main couple. And Indigo and Drew's love story is a hot, spicy and entertaining one to read...Play of Passion offers everything we expect from Nalini Singh, smart, fiesty heroine, delectable hero and plenty of action. This book is not to be missed!

Read the full review at Katidom

From Play of Passion

“Tell me.”

Her touch locked the air in his throat, threatened to steal his words, his soul.

Indigo nudged again when he didn’t answer. “I’ll find out anyway, you know.”

Glad she’d misunderstood his silence, he made a face at her. “All I said was that he should shave.”

Leaning down until her nose almost touched his, she narrowed her eyes, “Uh-huh. Which part of him did you suggest he shave?”

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Drew just melted my heart and I fell in love with Drew and Indigo as a couple. Drew’s ...playfulness and desire, warmed my heart and made this story such a good one to read. This is an excellent romance and I...just adore the Psy-Changeling series!

Read the full review at That's What I'm Talking About

Play of Passion Review from ARC Winner

Bella, who won one of the ARCs of Play of Passion has just posted her (fantastic!) review over at Beguile Thy Sorrow so swing by and check it out!

I'll have more links to reviews later this week :-)

Good Stuff

I just found out that I've been nominated in the Bookie Awards, organized by the readers of the Authors After Dark Convention. Thanks everyone!

The nominations are for:

Anthology of the Year - Burning Up
Cross Genre Novel - Archangel's Kiss
Fantasy Novel - Archangel's Kiss
Series - Guild Hunter

Talking of Burning Up, I'm giving away a copy over on Oddshots. All you have to do is drop by and tell me what you think makes a good author website. Even if you don't want to enter the giveaway, I'd love your thoughts!

Also, the AAR Top 100 Romance Books ballot is now open. It's all about nominating your favorite romances, regardless of when the book was published.

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Armageddon Signing

A quick reminder that I'll be signing from 12.30-1pm at the Borders stand today! See some of you there :-)

Friday Book Club

I read a fantastic book in a new paranormal series featuring dragons this week - it's not releasing until mid-2011, so I won't torture you with more info yet, but I think you're going to love it.

Your turn - what're you reading and loving at the moment?

Cover Love: Kiss of Snow

I love this cover!! Hawke, you gorgeous, sexy, lickable man!!

Thank you to the wonderful cover art department at Berkley!!

Links & Updates

I handed in Kiss of Snow yesterday. Woohoo!

The next project I'm planning to tackle is a Guild Hunter novella that's going to be releasing in an anthology next year with novellas by Sharon Shinn, Meljean Brook and Ilona Andrews. <-- How cool is this lineup?! If you haven't read Sharon Shinn's Archangel, you have to check it out. It's a fantastic book.

Edited to add: The novella will focus on Noel, who appeared in Archangel's Kiss - you'll get a hint of his story in Archangel's Consort as well.

Also, if you entered my agent Nephele Tempest's Play of Passion ARC giveaway, she has announced the winner.

And talking of Play of Passion, Heather from The Book Reading Gals has just posted her "A" review of Drew and Indigo's story. The Book Reading Gals are also giving away an early copy of the book, so swing by and enter!

Friday Book Club

Book club time! What're you reading and loving this week?

Play of Passion ARC Contest!!

My fabulous agent, Nephele Tempest, is giving away an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of Play of Passion. Entries close Monday, Oct 18, so be quick!!

(Closing comments on this post to avoid confusion.)

Play of Passion

A little snippet :-)
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His wolf sat up in anticipation—he’d never wanted easy. He’d always wanted Indigo. And tomorrow, he’d have her all to himself, far from the den and the hierarchy…and the rules that she used to keep her own explosive response to him under vicious control. But he knew. He’d tasted it.

And he was going to make Indy admit it—even if he had to sneak in under her defenses using every dirty trick in the book. This was war. Who the hell cared about playing fair?

(c) Copyright 2010 by Nalini Singh

Armageddon Expo Signing

I'll be doing a book signing at the Borders stand at Armageddon from 12.30pm to 1pm on October 23rd. Hope to see some of you there!

Fun Videos

I posted some fun ads over on Oddshots, so check it out :-)

Play of Passion Video Interview

Look!!



p.s. The camera does totally add twenty pounds! That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :D

Friday Book Club

I mentioned The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook over on Oddshots but I want to post about it here as well - because I adored this book!

It's the first full-length book in Meljean's new Iron Seas series. There was also a fantastic novella "Here There Be Monsters" in the Burning Up anthology. (Both stand alone, so you can read them in any order.)

The Iron Duke is one of my favorite reads for this year. I picked it up and literally couldn't put it down. It's set in a wonderfully realized world and has an amazing overarching plot, but Rhys and Mina's love story is the center of the book. Both beautifully drawn characters, these two have the most sizzling chemistry.

Quite simply, I loved, loved, loved it!

If you want to read some detailed reviews, Meljean has links to several over on her blog.

Now your turn! What've you been reading and loving lately?

Polish Cover: Angels' Blood

Here's the beautiful Polish cover for ANGELS' BLOOD (KREW ANIOŁÓW). The book is now out, so if you know someone in Poland, let them know! :-)

Guest Author: Laura Wright

Winners: Thank you for all your wonderful comments everyone, and thanks Laura for visiting. The random numbers have spoken and the winners of the two signed copies of Eternal Hunger are:

Jen (comment left at 12:54pm)
Valerie (from Germany)

Congratulations! Valerie, I have your email. Jen could you please drop me a note at nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com so I can forward your info onto Laura? Thanks!

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I'm delighted to welcome Laura Wright to the blog today. Laura and I first knew each other while writing for Silhouette Desire. She's now come over to the dark side with a new vampire series.

I had a chance to read the first book, Eternal Hunger early and enjoyed it so much I gave it a cover blurb - I believe the words "Dark, delicious and sinfully good" might've been used. If you're looking for a dark and sexy vampire romance, this one is very much recommended!

Please welcome Laura to the blog everyone, and don't forget to enter her contest.

The Birth of the Roman Brothers
Laura Wright

First of all I want to say thank you to Nalini for having me over for a romance writer playdate today. Nalini is such a genius and an incredibly generous person, and it’s an honor to be guest blogging here. :-)

When I was brainstorming blog topics for today, I came up with all sorts of ideas around the vampire theme. The appeal of vamps, fangs, bites, blood consumption...But there was one thought that stood out – a question actually, that I’ve started getting lately.

‘How did you come up with the idea for the series?’

This is such a great question and, I hope, kind of a cool answer. I had actually intended for ETERNAL HUNGER to be a category novel, even pitched it to my wonderful editor at Silhouette with hopes we could do a trilogy for Desire. But something happened.
HE showed up in my mind.
Who is HE?
Lol..
That would be the illustrious and sexually gifted Breeding Male.

**For those of you who haven’t read HUNGER yet, the Breeding Male is a vampire of purest blood who, many centuries ago, was taken by the rulers of the breed and genetically transformed into a ferocious, aggressive breeding machine. He is able to not only impregnate at will, but decide the sex of the child. This was very useful in times of war, when one sex or the other was being wiped out. The Breeding Male would be called upon to repopulate the species. Problem was, many of the females he mated with were forced to lay with him by their families. He became an animal, rutting with any female that crossed his path, and soon had to be caged and controlled.**

Yes, so this horribly awesome creature came into my head, and like a seed in the dirt, it sat there for a while getting water and fertilizers (aka, questions - lots of questions.) Like - who were the children of the Breeding Male – and the females who were forced to lay with him. When they became mothers...how did they treat their young? What was the family dynamic? Would these children run away from their home? Their communities? Would they themselves live in fear that one day they too would become a Breeding Male?

I knew this would be a big story with really dark histories and graphic love scenes, and I didn’t want to hold anything back. So, I set out working on the world and the beginning chapters. I had (for starters) three sons of the Breeding Male, Purebloods and Impures living together in communities called, credentis. I had those who escaped and started a life in the human world, I had a ruling class - and I had a threat of a villain who was going to force the rulers and the rebels to work together.

It became a world I was not only fascinated by, but one I wished I could enter. Well, for a few weeks anyway. Just so I could meet those Roman brothers face to face. Or should I say Fang to Fang :-)

What about you? Is there a world an author, or authors, has created that you’d love to jump into for a few weeks?

I’m giving away 2 signed copies of ETERNAL HUNGER today. Leave a comment by 12 noon Thursday 7 October 2010 New Zealand time and you’ll be entered to win* :)

Link to excerpt of ETERNAL HUNGER
Link to Laura's Author Page on Facebook

*Winners to be picked by random.org and their names posted in the comments and at the top of this post. Void where prohibited.

Kiss of Snow

I have some fairly major news to share - Kiss of Snow will be releasing in hardcover first.

I know not everyone's going to be excited by this, but I have more news that should make you all smile.

The release date has been moved up to June 2011, plus the book has ended up quite a bit longer in length (more Hawke!).

Also, the paperback will be releasing only 6 months after the hardcover, in December.

The e-book edition will release the same time as the hardcover.

Monday

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I completed the almost-final draft of Kiss of Snow. Woohoo!! It's off for a beta read, and in the meantime, I'm working on copy edits for Archangel's Consort.

I also managed to twist my ankle - so it's working from the recliner for me today. Now if only I had a butler like Montgomery...

Also, while you're blog-hopping, drop by this post at Babbling About Books and leave a comment supporting Kate's contribution to the "It Gets Better" anti-bullying campaign. She's pledged to donate $1 for every comment, up to $500.

Play of Passion & Friday Book Club

The Kindle pre-order link for Play of Passion is live! The other ebook links should be available soon :-)

Edited to add: Nook pre-order link now up! Plus Books on Board! :-)

Now, onto the book club. What've you been reading and loving this week?