The new Air NZ Safety Video

If you haven't seen it already, here's the new Air New Zealand safety video featuring Bear Grylls, set in some gorgeous NZ scenery.

Wild Invitation Quotes

Couple of quotes from WILD INVITATION as we count down to the release date!

(Conversation between Cooper and Grace)

"Your fault you know."
Grace's hand clenched on the edge of the door. "Mine?"
"You did challenge me tonight."
"It wasn't a challenge."
"Don't be a liar now." A slow tease. "I got the message."
 
- from "Declaration of Courtship"

Cupping her cheek, he bent his head until their foreheads touched. "I'm sorry--I know I'm being difficult," he said, and it was a comment heavy with things unspoken.
 
- from "Texture of Intimacy"

Friday Book Club

...now in session! What are you reading and loving this week?

A Beautiful Place to Speak

   

I was part of a great panel with chef Sarah Turpitt at the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival yesterday (in Hamilton, New Zealand). The session was chaired by the lovely Denise Irvine, and held in the Indian Char Bagh Garden.

It is honestly one of the most beautiful places where I've ever had an event - and the weather was glorious, too! I hope you enjoy the photos. :-)

Friday Book Club

The Friday Book Club is now open! What are you reading and loving this week?

ARCs, Audiobook Sale, Psy-Changeling Readalong, and Reading Romance!

So much goodness to share today!

My agent, Nephele Tempest, is giving away two ARCs of WILD INVITATION. The giveaway ends Monday, so enter quickly! Full details on her blog.

My audiobook publisher, Tantor, is having a 50% off sale in honor of Valentine's Day. The audio of WILD INVITATION is available for pre-order at the sale price in all formats available on the Tantor site (CD & MP3-CD). [Edited to add: I've been told that the sale will continue through February!]

The Psy-Changeling Readalong is in progress at Literary Escapism, with the discussion for SLAVE TO SENSATION posted today. (It does contain major spoilers, so I suggest not reading the post until you've read the book). If you've read the book, or would like to refresh yourself on it, swing by and join in the discussion!

And last, but not least, over on Twitter, we're discussing why we read romance. I said "Because no matter what, there is always hope".

What about you? Why do you read romance?

Einsame Spur Now Out!!

The German edition of Tangle of Need is now out!! To read a German-language excerpt, follow this link. Hope you enjoy! :-)

Newsletter

The newsletter, complete with the short story, Weapons Training, went out earlier this morning, so it should be in your Inbox now. :-)

If you are a subscriber and didn't receive it, email Ashwini (naliniDOTassistantATgmailDOTcom) and she'll check what's up.

If you aren't yet a subscriber, but would like the newsletter, please subscribe via the box on the top right, then email Ashwini and request this newsletter. (You'll also automatically receive a Welcome newsletter).

Happy reading :-)

Newsletter & Stalking Hawke

First, some info: The February newsletter will go out Tuesday morning (U.S. time), and will include a Guild Hunter short story. I’ll post up a note once it’s been sent, so please check here first if you haven’t received your copy.

If you aren’t yet a subscriber, you can join up using the form on the top right of the blog or on the front page of the website. Once you subscribe, you’ll automatically receive a welcome newsletter.

~

I did a TV interview last week (more details to come once the piece has been scheduled), and was asked if I could do some writing for a few shots. I started doodling randomly – and this fun little story is what emerged.

Note for aspiring writers: I did do some editing on this vignette to smooth out the original rough draft, fix typos etc. Editing is crucial, no matter how short or long the piece.

I hope you enjoy this foray into the Psy-Changeling world!

Stalking Hawke

Nalini Singh

Hawke walked down the corridor, well aware he was being followed by stealthy little wolf paws—or paws that were trying to be stealthy in any case. Inside him, the wild predator who was his other half opened its mouth in a wolfish grin. 

Halting at the open doorway to Riley’s office, he poked his head inside. “Did you get the report?” 

A nod from his senior lieutenant. “You want to talk about it now?” 

“No. Let’s do it tonight—you still up for that?”

“Absolutely.” Riley saluted him with his coffee mug. “Mercy is calling it Testosterone Night by the way.”

“She’s just jealous because girls aren’t invited.” Grinning, he continued down the corridor, accompanied by the clicking of tiny claws on the stone of the den floor. They hesitated when he turned toward his own office and he could almost feel the keen disappointment that colored the air. 

Popping in quickly, he grabbed his sleek black sat phone and walked out again, careful to keep his back to the tracker on his trail.The little paws scampered to keep up with him, stopping only when he ran into Riaz. 

The dark-haired lieutenant raised an eyebrow. “You realize you have a tail?”

“He’s not bad. Just needs a bit more seasoning.”

Riaz’s eyes, a dark gold, filled with affectionate laughter. “Along with a few feet of growth.” 

Lips tugging up at the corners, Hawke said,  “Pretend you don’t see him.”

“See who?”

As they talked Pack business, Hawke was very aware of sharp little wolf ears listening in. Once he and Riaz were done, he carried on down the corridor and to one of the exits into the White Zone, the safe play area directly outside the den. Heading to the trees, he stashed his phone in his jeans, stripped, and shifted into his wolf form.

The paws behind him ran to follow as he shook his body to settle his new skin, the silver-gold of his fur rippling, then loped deeper into the forest. Aware the little tracker wouldn’t be able to keep up with even a fraction of his adult speed, he kept his pace at one the other wolf could maintain.

Stopping at the edge of the waterfall nearest the den, he looked down at the froth of water, and after a moment, the owner of the stealthy paws padded up to stand beside him. The pup hadn’t yet gained his adult color, was still a soft brown as he leaned his body against Hawke’s, his small heart beating faster than an adult’s.

Hawke growled a greeting before returning his gaze to the water. 

When he turned away from the crashing fall after several minutes, the pup fell in with him as they ran the short distance back to the den. Shifting to human form, Hawke pulled on his jeans and watched the pup change in a show of light and color. A little boy stood in front of him seconds later.

“Did you see me?” Ben asked, pure delight in eyes that were still wolf-amber. “I stalkeded you!”

“You did very well.” Hawke crouched down in front of the boy. “You’re an excellent tracker.” He wasn’t lying—for his age, Ben was very, very good. In point of fact, he was better than many older children. “Have you been practicing?”

“Yes! I stalkeded Mama and Papa and even Uncle Judd!”

Hawke ruffled the boy’s hair. “That’s what I used to do when I was younger. I’d follow my father all around the den.” His father had allowed him to believe he was getting away with it, as Hawke had just done with Ben—he wouldn’t be much of an alpha if he didn’t help raise the boy’s confidence in his own skills. “But you know you can’t try to stalk people out of the safe areas?”

Ben nodded again. “And when they’re kissing. That’s boring.”

Hawke bit back a laugh. “Yeah, kissing is pretty boring,” he agreed solemnly. “Go on back inside now. I have to head out of the White Zone.”

“Okay. ’Bye!” Waving vigorously, Ben ran toward the doorway to the den, shifting halfway through into his pup form. Hawke’s smile grew deeper. No doubt, someone else would soon find themselves “stalkeded”.

Copyright © 2013 by Nalini Singh

Hamilton, Psy-Changeling Readalong & Friday Book Club

North American Cover

Before we kick off the Friday Book Club, I have some info to share with you. First of all, for readers in Hamilton, New Zealand, I'll be appearing in the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival.

UK & Commonwealth Cover

Bread & Roses: Discussion with me and chef Sarah Turpitt, with Denise Irvine as Chair

Monday 18th February

6pm

Indian Char Bagh Garden

(I believe this event is free!)

There's no official signing planned, but if you rock on up with your books, I will happily sign them. See some of you in a week! :-)

German Cover

~

Audiobook Cover

If you'd like to discuss the Psy/Changeling series, Casey and Courtney from the Literary Escapism blog are doing a readalong of the series as they count down to HEART OF OBSIDIAN and inviting other readers to join in the conversation.

Even if you've already read the books, you might enjoy the discussion. 

The SLAVE TO SENSATION discussion is scheduled for February 14th, so if you haven't read the book, you have a week to dive into Lucas and Sascha's story :-)

French Cover

Just for fun, I've illustrated this blog post with a number of STS covers from around the world. Which one's your favorite?

Spanish Cover

~

And now the book club! What are you reading and loving this week?

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!! :-)

Catching Up & French Cover: Branded By Fire

Today's a catch-up day for me. Lots of small tasks that need to be cleared away before I can dive back into Archangel's Legion. I hope you're all having a fabulous week. What're you up to?

Also for your visual pleasure, I have the gorgeous French cover of Branded By Fire. Enjoy! :-)

Psy/Changeling #12 Cover & Title Reveal!!

HEART OF OBSIDIAN

JUNE 2013

Cover Art: Tony Mauro

Hand Lettering: Ron Zinn
Jacket Design: George Long (Art Director)

How much do I love this cover? Oh, let me count the ways!! Love, love, LOVE!!! Huge thanks to the brilliant people behind it!

_____________________

Don't forget, the next Psy/Changeling relelease is WILD INVITATION in March! Excerpts from all four novellas now available on the website.

Widget: Countdown to Psy-Changeling #12 Title & Cover Reveal

Update: Looking for the BLURB? FOLLOW THIS LINK!
 
COUNTDOWN COMPLETE! COVER NOW UP!! CLICK THIS LINK TO REFRESH POST.

Are you ready...

...for the big cover reveal tomorrow? As I write this, it's 14 hours, 58 minutes and 7 seconds to go. =)

Archangel's Legion

...is the title of the next Guild Hunter book, tentative release date October 29th! I love this title! Hope you all do, too.

More info to come later in the year.

I hereby declare this week Title Reveal Week. Two days to go until the title release of Psy-Changeling #12!

The Cover You Must See...

As the countdown continues to the title/cover reveal for Psy/Changeling #12, I've been getting more and more suggestions about what the book might be titled, including the "Unknown Nalini Singh Book of Secrecy and Possibly Mayhem" (I like the sound of this!).

Then yesterday on Twitter, author Elyssa Patrick not only posted a title but a mock cover. After I recovered from the sheer genius of it, I asked her if I could share it here.

Are your ready to see it?

*Please don't have any coffee, tea, other liquids in your mouth when you do.*

You have been warned!
 

I love it! As for whether or not Elyssa's guess is correct or way off the mark...you shall have to wait and see ;-)

Less than three days go till the (actual) cover/title reveal!!

Friday Book Club

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

Night Owl Post

I'm up late today, working on GH #6. It's fun to be back in New York for this book.

I had an interesting question put to me on Facebook, asking how authors felt going back to reread their earlier works. I thought blog readers might be interested in my answer too, so here it is:

I can only answer for myself, but I absolutely get caught up in the story - going back lets me enjoy the story as a whole, and since I totally trust the author to take care of the characters (*grin*), it's a lovely, relaxing reading experience.

As an aside, being caught up in the story also happens during the writing process, in a different way - I know a scene is powerful when it has a visceral impact on me. I have been known to sob heartbroken over a keyboard (A particular scene in Blaze of Memory had me crying every time I edited it. I still cry when I read it.) 
 
Okay, heading back to Elena and Raphael (and maybe Aodhan for this scene). Have an awesome day / night everyone, depending on your timezone. :-)

Friday Book Club

Time for the Friday Book Club! What reads are you enjoying this week?

WILD INVITATION ARC CONTEST

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

WINNERS: J.Glasby, L.Curry, M.Sallee, B. Priestly, T. Mead, M. Phelps, M. Ovalles. (Three extra copies became available so there are seven winners instead of four.)

Winners have been notified via the email address used for entering the contest.

If you'd like to go in the random draw to win one of four Advanced Reading/Review Copies of Wild Invitation, send an e-mail to naliniDOTassistantATgmailDOTcom with:

- "WILD INVITATION ARC Contest" in the subject line; and

- your mailing address

By 7pm, 20th January, 2013, New Zealand time.

Please follow the correct format for entry re the subject line, so your e-mail goes into the right in-box. (Your e-mail address will only be used to contact you should you win, and your mailing address to post out the ARC if you win.)

Since this is an Advanced Review Copy, if you win, we'd ask that you please post a review somewhere before the release date (March 5th) - 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.

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. 

 - Ashwini : )

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 posted on this blog on Monday, January 21st, 2013. Void where prohibited.