RICOCHET - New Update!

*Crawls out of writing cave and covers eyes to block the blinding sunlight* Holy hell.

About two weeks ago, my very first beta reader—the ONLY woman in the world brave enough to read my first drafts—sent back some changes for Ricochet.  A few of them were total rewrites for me.  But instead wallowing in misery and drowning myself in alcohol, I tightened the cuffs chaining me to the computer and prepared to buckle down for what would ultimately be one hell of a rough ride.  Call me a masochist, but I love brutally honest feedback.  Love a challenge.  Whatever it takes to make this sucker shine.  I had one week to get this bastard cleaned up, and that was in the thick of the day job and a few family-related events. 

My muse likes to toy with me when there’s a deadline looming overhead.  He likes to hold back and taunt me, feeding me bits and pieces of the story at a time.  Unfortunately for him, I didn't have the time to f**k around.

Within a week, I finished the edits and sent the manuscript to both my editor and a few betas.

I’m floored at the speed my betas have gotten back to me.  This book is longer than I’d originally planned – I know, stupid for me to ‘plan’ a short book, right?  So I kind of expected a couple of weeks before I’d hear back from them.

Definitely not THE VERY NEXT DAY.

One of my betas read the book in two sittings!!

Another beta has already posted a very early review based on her read-through and created some fantastic little teasers to go along with it!  Check out her spoiler-free review here, and be sure to add Ricochet to your TBR list:

“This book is what would result if The Punisher and V for Vendetta ever had a baby.”  READ MORE

So what’s next?

Well I have a few minor tweaks to make and it’ll be with the editor for the next few weeks.

Once she’s finished, it’ll go on to formatting and be available on NetGalley.  I have a list of bloggers who’ll be approved for the ARC.

I cannot wait to share Nick’s story with all of you!  So exciting!  Stay tuned for more updates!

 

Writing Progress

It occurred to me that I haven’t posted any sort of progress here in some time.  Let me assure you—silence is a good thing.  When you don’t hear from me for a long stretch of time, it’s because every free second that I’m not at the day job or hanging out with the family, is spent writing.  Some of the bigger challenges I’m facing with this book are: keeping it under 400 pages, and trying not to slip into too much darkness.  Though, to be honest, I fully subscribe to one of Ricochet's quotes, when my hero, Nick, says (unedited):

I totally accept that I’m probably borderline psychotic when it comes to protecting those I love, so in my mind, the violence and gore that my head wants to write for this story is justified.  Anything less just doesn’t seem like enough punishment for what happened to my MC and his family.

But I’ll do my best to keep it lighter than what my muse insists would make a better story.

So that’s where I’m at right now—busting my butt to try to get this book out as quickly as I can.  You know me though, if I’m not happy with the end result, I won’t release it until I am.

I’ll try to update as much as I can along the way, but I’ve become VERY greedy about my writing time.  As much as I really want to tell you how things are going, I also want to deliver all these stories bouncing around inside my head.

Hope you’re all having a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teaser Tenth Excerpt

I'm a little late posting this.  TeaserTenth is a monthly meme for writers to showcase their published works and WIPs.  You can click on the image to the right and check out other participating authors! I'm busy writing Ricochet at the moment, and just released Soul Enslaved on December 5th.

For this month's Teaser Tenth, I'll be sharing a small excerpt from Soul Enslaved.  It's a little over 10 lines, but y'all know I don't know when to quit, so that's to be expected, I suppose.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gavin kept his back turned. “Sabelle, I’m going to need you to do something for me tonight.”

“Clean up the horrendous mess you’re making?” She belted out a laugh in hopes of reviving their playful banter. “You’re a good cook but kind of a crappy housekeeper. Just sayin’.” Alcohol had definitely kicked in.

A quick glance over his shoulder revealed a grin. “No.” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to need you to chain me to the bed.”

Sabelle blinked, trying to comprehend what the hell he’d just said. “Come again?”

 

 

 

 

Updates & Announcements!

I have a couple of announcements and then some quick updates regarding Soul Enslaved and Ricochet. First, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I must regrettably cancel my appearance at the signing in San Francisco.  I’m incredibly disappointed as I’d hoped to meet some of you, as well as some of the amazing authors and of course, Nadine—the very gracious host for this event.

Second, for those who may have missed it earlier in the week, I announced on my FB page that I will be pushing the release of Soul Enslaved back a couple of weeks as I work through some changes that have affected the entire storyline.

The original release date was scheduled for November 6th and given the length of this book, simply wouldn’t allow enough time to address the pieces of the story affected by this minor change.

So when is the release date for Soul Enslaved?

I’m looking at Friday, December 5th.  I'll post again soon, confirming the date.

My apologies for having to prolong the wait, but I cannot publish something that I’m not completely satisfied with.  These edits have strengthened the story and I have to say, my goal for each book is to write a better story than the last—Soul Enslaved is, by far, my favorite in the series.

I mentioned in an earlier post, that there will NOT be a blog tour for the release of Soul Enslaved.  With the holidays coming up and the number of projects I currently have going, I’d like to channel my energy into the writing.

HOWEVER.

I am doing a book blast on release day and could use your help spreading the word!  Not just bloggers – readers too!  For a VERY limited time, Soul Enslaved is going to be 99 cents.  A percent of sales will be donated to two organizations that help kids stay off the streets.

To join in on the blast, just click on the link below, fill out the form and I’ll contact you two days before the book’s release!

SOUL ENSLAVED BOOK BLAST SIGN UP

Additionally, there WILL be a rafflecopter with some awesome prizes that I’ll be giving away, including a limited edition print, signed by sexy cover model, Daniel Sobieray!

Soul Enslaved is with the editor right now, and I'll be handing this baby off to some beta readers very soon--like, next week, soon.

With Soul Enslaved written and out of my hands, I'll be shifting gears and working to get Ricochet out to readers as quickly as I can!  I've gotten a number of emails asking who that gorgeous face is on the cover.  That chiseled perfection belongs to British model, Chris Williamson.

Go add the book to your Goodreads shelf!

NEWS ABOUT SOUL AVENGED!

I’ve got some prrreeeetty exciting news about Soul Avenged ... It’s about to get a makeover.

That’s right, to keep the look of the series consistent, I’m having the cover redesigned by my favorite Cali photographer, David Wagner, who has designed not only Soul Resurrected but will be designing Soul Enslaved as well.

All of the content in Soul Avenged will remain the same so if you have an older version of the book, no worries, the story will not change.

Only the face.

And speaking of faces …

Ayden is going to have a new look as well!

Meet Carla Coates (Carla Harvey as I knew her).

click to enlarge image:

Not only has she worked as an entertainment reporter for the Playboy Channel with a variety of roles in film and TV, and published a comic book that premiered at Comic Con 2011 - (yes, she's an insanely talented artist), she’s also the lead singer of the Butcher Babies AND a former classmate of mine.  Originally from Detroit, Carla moved out to L.A. to pursue her dreams of music and mayhem, proving that you CAN make a living doing what you love.

With all this going on, including an international tour that will have her on the road most of this year, I was a little nervous to ask if she’d like to be the fresh new face of Soul Avenged.  After all, Carla and her co-singer, Heidi, were dubbed the Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock by Revolver Magazine.  She's a hot ticket right now and her fan base keeps growing.  Which ... ahem ... includes me if you care to take a gander at my writing playlists.  I saw her band play last year at The Machine Shop and holy hell they put on one badass show!

(pssst!  Check it out:  Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock )

I was pretty damn thrilled when she said she'd love to!

Carla easily has Ayden’s badass, lycan-slaying, take no shit look.  And I am so excited to feature a Detroit native, the city where the series is set.

So, the deets still need to be worked out, but the photo shoot will happen sometime after Soul Enslaved.  And … for those attending the San Francisco signing next summer, I’ll have a gorgeous batch of books to sign!

 

 

Voting Has Begun!!

First round voting is under way!!

Yesterday kicked off the Cover Model Contest for SOUL ENSLAVED (Gavin’s book).

I’m letting readers select the best candidate from the four smokin’ hotties I’ve narrowed down by some miracle of the gods.

Phew!  Votes are pouring in and I must say, this is getting pretty.  damn.  exciting!!

It’s a good mix at this point, though I refuse to TOUCH these until it’s time to determine the winner.

Email subscribers will get to choose the TWO finalists that everyone will have a chance to vote on (beginning MARCH 6TH-9TH, 2014).

Wanna see all FOUR sexy candidates and choose YOUR favorites before the first round voting ends on March 2nd???

Head on over to THE VOTING BOOTH!

Not signed up for the VIP Email list?  No problem!  Sign up here then get ready to join the fun!!