Running Behind - Updates

Arrgghh. Life is never boring here. I feel like I am running so far behind myself, I just saw last week overtake me! Between kids, writing and all my other time consuming activities, I have barely got back to update what's going on.

News for the last couple of weeks.

Cover Art: Yes! The Cover Art has arrived for The Star of Ishtar. It is seriously awesome and another magnificent work from Dawne Dominique.

Ishtar will be available in April 2012 from Secret Cravings Publishing - and as soon as I have the date, I will let everyone know.

Banners:

On the note of the wonderful work by Dawne Dominique, I now have the most fabulous banner art. Just take a look at this!

Starline News:

You can now find Starline on Amazon, Barnes and Noble & All Romance EBooks.

Publicity:

I have just signed up for a virtual blog tour for the end of March, so watch out - Starline is heading your way soon.

Greta Van Der Rol - a fellow Darksider and the author of the successful Iron Admiral series is coming for a visit in the next couple of weeks. Watch out. Should be fun.

On the writing front:

Star of the Fleet is now complete in very rough draft format. Now this couple are a little different - after all they are older. Wait til you meet Julius and Kera. Woot!

Starburst the first scenes are written and it's shaping up to be HUGE! Well I suppose it had to be as it is the last in the universe.

Personally, this last year has been odd. From zero to three books, written, contracted and the first published.

10 Questions with Cynthia Arsuaga

Yes, we are continuing to bring you the widest range of author options you could possibly think of. February and March continue to be my fellow Secret Cravings authors…so below meet our Author du jour…Cynthia Arsuaga

Welcome Cynthia!

Could you give me a brief rundown of your currently available items with Secret Cravings?

A Gift of Love is a Christmas story, but I think is a modern day version of a classic that can be read any time of the year.

Born To Be Wildand Born to Play are part of a series of vampires and their women. Centers around the blood families in Virginia and Miami. I have a third over half-finished with the first draft. Give me another month or so and should be ready for submission. I’m titling that one, Born Again in Dreams.

My Life As A Dog I co-authored with my husband, Mike. We recently had the sequel accepted, titled Love and Death in the Big Easy. This is the story of Drake Martin, a shape-shifting Yorkshire terrier, and his wife and family. Takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Texas Heat (Hot Flash)is part of the Hot Flash series and I plan to write a sequel to this one. My first attempt at a contemporary. I had fun with this one and can’t wait to finish the second one. I’ve started it, just have to finish my other WIPs!

The Cougar and Her Vampireis another vampire series. This was the very first story I wrote and had with another publisher, but they went belly-up before Cougar got published. I moved her to SCP and ended up being released after my other vamp story which became the first publishing, Born to Be Wild.

A Vampire in Paris is the sequel to The Cougar and Her Vampire. Releases this month, if not already! A third in the series is in the works, LexAeterna.

Lost in the Sea of You, one of five stories in the Valentine Anthology, Five Hearts. This one is a paranormal with a ghost. Only way to get this one is join the Cravings Club, but will be offered later I believe.

Christmas with a Strangerwas a 2010 Christmas release and offered as a FREE READ. I have intentions to continue this story, but just can’t seem to find the time. UGH!

BIO:

Cynthia resides in Orlando, Florida, the land of magic, surrounded by the treasured gems in her life, a caring, loving husband, dutiful and loyal daughter, and precious, delightful granddaughter. Oh and not to forget her mischievous Yorkshire Terrier, Thumper.

Cynthia was a “Navy Brat” calling a different port home every couple of years—from Southern California, to Boston, to Virginia, to Florida. She developed wandering feet and diverse interests and passionately incorporates those experiences into her stories, bringing characters to life, and eloquently sharing the vivid ima

ges of her mind with her audience.

Cynthia worked as a real estate broker for over twenty years before retiring to Florida. Until recently, then she turned to

writing to stretch her creative muscle. Those ideas of faraway places and quirky characters lay dormant for years and finally demanded their story be told.

Cynthia plans on putting some mileage on those wandering feet and travel to exotic locations in the coming years. So look for the journeys to be expressed in Romantic Words by Cynthia in the future.

My gosh, you are busy…but, onto the 10 questions…

1. Let’s start with something easy. How long have you been writing and what got you started?

I started writing in Fall 2009 and finished first manuscript in May 2010. I had retired, sort of, and had nothing to do. I began to read my husband’s stories and helping with editing and plotting suggestion. Then, my daughter and I attended the Southern Women’s Show and a writer with the local RWA had a booth and my daughter bought her books. I was interested in doing something to occupy my time at home and began to read my daughter’s extensive library and decided I could write similar stories. I booted up my ten year old laptop and started with a story that nagged to be written. The rest is history!

2. The most interesting parts of my stories I have dreamt up. Can you give us an idea of one fantastical or sexy thing you have thought up?

I don’t know to be honest. I don’t know if I original in my ideas. I create my worlds by thinking

what if and go from there. I tend to make my characters older, not the barely of legal age types which is what I read in a lot of the books my daughter gave me to read.

3. Have you got a current WIP and can you give us any hints as to what we will find within the book?

The one I’m working on now is a different idea which follows on to the previous question. This story, Born Again in Dreams, is the third in the Born Vampire Series and involves Sorin Bochinsky, Master and Commander of the Eastern European Blood Family. He’s haunted by a mysterious woman in a recurring dream. Fallyn Travers has been in a coma due to a car accident for over four years then suddenly awakens after an unusual man saves her from the darkness. There’s more to the dreams, which turns out aren’t. A vampire serial killer, returning characters from Born to Be Wild, and new secondary characters ones grace the story and help the two lovers create a world unlike any seen before.

4. Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate or something stronger? And why?

Love me some hot chocolate, any time of the year and any time of the day.

5. Some characters just grab you by the scruff of the neck and worry you until you do what is right by them. Which character that you have written would you say has done this to you and why?

Several, but the most recent is Ramsey Weiss in A Vampire in Paris. There was one chapter that I must have rewritten five times, at least. The chapter was pivotal in that from there on the story would go in one direction or the other. I’d get into the plot and didn’t like where it progress, so started over. I’m pleased where it went and in fact the story really didn’t end and continues into the third story. A real cliff-hanger but the story could still be considered a standalone.

6. If you had the opportunity to try something in your books, what would it be?

Travel more. My settings have been many places. I want to see the world. Egypt, Australia, Paris are definitely on my passport wish list. Been to Greece twice and want to return, London and want to return and explore the countryside, Ireland only for research on another WIP, other islands in the Caribbean, Hawaii, been to Alaska and would love to return, oh so many places and never enough time!

7. As authors, we know which characters we would most love to meet. So pick 5 you would invite for dinner and tell us why.

That’s easy! All my leading men—Stefan, Gregori, Christian, Ramsey, Zach, Drake, Mikael, Chris and Beckett. Sorry, couldn’t leave any of them out. To be the only woman surrounded by sexy men fighting over my attention, well you run the numbers. What woman wouldn’t want to be in that position? J

8. As authors, we all make mistakes on our road to publishing. What would you do differently along the way to becoming a published author?

I considered myself lucky and didn’t have too many pitfalls. I guess I’d make sure that my manuscript is as good as it can be before submitting.

9. You are going on a holiday and can only take 3 things with you. What would you pick and why?

My tablet, to stay in touch with messages and also has plenty of books loaded so can

read.

Comfortable Shoes for sight-seeing.

Husband, even though he’s not a “thing”, but I couldn’t have fun without him with me.

10. If you could give a piece of advice to a reader who wants to write a book, what would it be?

Start writing! Just do it. Period.

Thanks for joining me today on the blog Cynthia!

You can catch Cynthia Arsuaga at:

http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com

http://romanticwordsbycynthia.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/CynthiaArsuaga

Cynthia's current releases include…

• Born to be Wild
• My Life as a Dog
• The Cougar and her Vampire
• A Vampire in Paris
• Born to Play
• Texas Heat
• Nightfall: Fantasies Fulfilled
• A Gift of Love
• The Misadventure of Dick Grewcock: A Vampire's First Christmas
• Christmas With a Stranger

Happy Valentines Day - Naughty After Dark Blog Hop

Welcome one and all. Today is Valentines Day. It is one of my favourite days of the year ... and I'd like to share why.

I feel like I've been blogging all over the internet to get to today. But today is the day I get to share with you my view of Valentines Day.

You know, a lot of people today will post about their most romantic times/places etc., Some will blog about what's wrong with Valentines Day. But for just a moment, I want to be still and savor it

he experience of Valentines Day.

That one day of the year where we can throw our inhibitions to the wind and say I Love You knowing full well that we aren't embarrassing ourselves. Uh Huh... Actually, to be honest I think I did that when I nipped into the newsagents this morning and bought my darling hubby a card and a singing ape. :) Yeah...sad on so many levels, but also, as I walked past a gentleman sitting outside the shop I grinned at him. And you know what? He grinned back!

Why? Because I am lucky. I do have a True Valentine. Someone I feel more at home holding the hand of in public. Someone I am happy to shout I Love You to.

Yes, Valentines Day has a rampantly commercial feel, but it's also a day to celebrate the little

stuff. The thoughtful touches they add to your life. It's the one day you can say Thank You and allow it to be innately romantic. For many, this may be the only day of the year they experience that from their lover.

Now, don't get me wrong. You don't have to spend lots to make that gesture. In fact some of the best I have ever done (well in my opinion) involved little to no cost. And I'm sure most of you readers could share your own thoughts on cheap and cheerful (even free ways) you can do the same.

Love Notes (gee I used to do them in times gone by), cooking a favourite meal and even making biscuits with I Love You written on them (did that while we were both poor University students). But it is the day when you can do this guilt free.

So today I want you to do something different. Find a way. Anyway. Tell the one you love how you truly feel. Just open your heart to your True Love.

Oh...and as a giveaway? Today (and not just because it is part of the Naughty After Dark Blog Hop - that just adds the extra fun element), when you comment and tell me your special almost cost free ideas for Valentines Day. The prize? Well, I'm going to be naughty. A copy of Starline (how to be naughty in space - sorry no Zero G this time!)

Happy Valentines Day

Imogene

Ohh...nearly forgot. Why not pop along and see who else is blogging today for the Naughty After Dark blog hop? Follow the links below!

10 Questions with Paul Martin

Could you give me a brief rundown of your currently available items with Secret Cravings?

Hi, my name is Paul Martin. I write erotic romance stories in several different genres. I grew up in the not so gently rolling hills of southwest Pennsylvania. I write sensual tales laced with the supernatural as well as contemporary works featuring strong women and the heroes who are man enough to tame them. When not on the golf course, I can be found at the computer letting my imagination play with people's lives and loves.

I currently has three stories available at Secret Cravings. A Present for Santa, A Witch’s Curse and my latest release, The Bitch in the Kitchen.

They all sound fantastic…so, onto the 10 questions…

1. Let’s start with something easy. How long have you been writing and what got you started?

I’ve been writing about six years now. As an avid reader all my life, I’ve always wanted to try my hand and I’m glad I finally took the plunge.

2. The most interesting parts of my stories I have dreamt up. Can you give us an idea of one fantastical or sexy thing you have thought up?

There is one that pops to mind. It involves a mythical man and a woman from the suburbs and a milking machine.

3. Have you got a current WIP and can you give us any hints as to what we will find within the book?

I have several in the works right now, don’t we all? One is a fantasy about Vikings and four people from our world who intermingle in a land where real magic is possible. It’s a hot mix of romance, magic and Viking warriors.

4. Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate or something stronger? And why?

I’m a Diet Dewer. It tastes the same as regular Mt. Dew without the horrid after taste most diet sodas have.

5. Some characters just grab you by the scruff of the neck and worry you until you do what is right by them. Which character that you have written would you say has done this to you and why?

The ghost in A Witch’s Curse was difficult to write. The POV in the story was all Carolyn’s and to try to reveal his inner emotions was challenging to say the least.

6. If you had the opportunity to try something in your books, what would it be?

Interesting that you ask. All my stories so far have been mainly from the woman’s POV and I was thinking of starting a series from the man’s.

7. As authors, we know which characters we would most love to meet. So pick 5 you would invite for dinner and tell us why.

That’s an easy one. I would invite my leading ladies; Holly from A Present for Santa, Carolyn and Maggie from A Witch’s curse and Lisa from The Bitch in the Kitchen. The fifth would be Elaine from my Viking WIP. Why? Because they’re all hot and I love each and every one of them.

8. As authors, we all make mistakes on our road to publishing. What would you do differently along the way to becoming a published author?

I would have started much sooner than I did. Trying to remember all those grammar rules from grade school gets harder and harder each year.

9. You are going on a holiday and can only take 3 things with you. What would you pick and why?

My lap top, of course, suntan lotion and, is Rebecca DeMornay available?

10. If you could give a piece of advice to a reader who wants to write a book, what would it be

Be prepared to work your ass off. Writing ain’t as easy as you think. Keeping your characters straight in your mind is hard enough, but when they decide the story should go one way and you want it to go another, makes it even harder.

You can catch Paul on Facebook

Their current releases include…A Present for Santa, A Witch’s Curse and The Bitch in the Kitchen

COMPETITION TIME!

Paul Martin has kindly offered A free copy of A Witch’s Curse so, in order to win, please leave a comment and one lucky winner will be randomly drawn

Prizes will be drawn randomly on the 13th February

Update 8 February 2012

Yay! Time for a quickie update.

Starline is currently running at number 7 on the Secret Cravings Current Best Selling List.

Star of Ishtar is still on track for the April release...and

Starfire went under contract this morning to Secret Cravings Publishing to release as an EBook in June and Paperback in October. Yes, there was lots of yahoo'ing and happiness.

Needless to say, I can't wait to see what Dawne Dominique comes up with for the cover art.

Oh...and a bit of a surprise - there will be one last short story between Starfire and Starburst. Not saying too much, except to say it will be called Star of the Admiralty. I'm writing it at the moment but soon...

Imogene

Valentines Day Ruminations...

Valentines Day is coming and to be honest, this year I'm a bundle of nerves. Why, you ask? Because this year, I have stepped up to the plate...this year I am a Published Author.

How exciting is that, right? Well it is pretty awesome, except for one thing. What should I do know?

Say what...? Yeah, I know. Here I am an author of a SciFi Romance wondering what on earth I should do this year that is so different. In the past, I have done all sorts of things...fun stuff.
One year, when hubby and I were struggling with Uni and work, I made these little love heart biscuits, and with bits of nut, wrote "I Love You" on them and arranged them on the plate. I have left Love Notes and things like that. But the last few years, I have got slack. You read right. Slack. S-L-A-C-K!

Hubby brings me flowers and wine and stuffed sexy kittens for my office, but I am lucky to do a card. Sure I cook dinner and stuff like that, but that is about my limit these days. I want to do something new, bold and exciting.

I was looking around for ideas and found this - I will propose to your boyfriend this leap year for you for $5

Somehow, that didn't do it for me. Could be partially because this year we celebrate 18 years of marriage. Could be, because I would rather do something like that myself. Sigh. So it's time to look again. Something original and new...

That is part of the problem isn't it? I will still cook a dinner for two - we have candelabra, quiet music and ... ah yeah... teenage daughters. It's hard to be romantic with teenagers in the house.

I have always considered sending him flowers, but it really doesn't work for us. He could be anywhere in the region so it wouldn't work and he thinks flowers are a girly thing. A card? Sure I can and will pick one up, and some nice wine. He doesn't really like chocolates and his view of Val's Day is that it is horribly commercial...

So, here I am...once more thinking what to do... But enough of my rambling...what are your plans?

Go on, share. I won't tell anyone. And if I get one I really really like and think will work for me, I might find a copy of Starline in my prize cupboard!

Imogene

February has arrived!

Wow. It seems like yesterday we were in the run up to Christmas and January is already gone. Happy February!

Yeah...I know, I'm already late. *sigh* But life seems to be like that all the time for me right now. But, I do have every intention of improving this year. I have a diary and I am forcing myself to use it. Most days anyway. In fact I have been so good, I have used probably every second day or there abouts. Sometimes the comments are just "edited chapter 1" but hey, you have to start somewhere right?

February is already shaping up to be busy, so here is an overview:

Feb 2 - Raine Delights blog
Feb 9 - Paul Martin is visiting here
Feb 16 - Cynthia Arsuaga is visiting here
Feb 23 - Marie Rose DuFour is visiting here

• Somewhere in amongst all these opportunities, I have school photos to get ready for
  
• A daughter starting a new school based traineeship which means more running around 2 days a week
  
• My business to run
  
• 2 partners I'm critiquing for
  
• 1 novel and 2 short stories to tidy up (thinking about a couple of competitions
  
• Starbust waiting for me to write; and
  
• Starfire has been submitted so I'm waiting to hear from the publisher.

Somewhere in this morass I hope to read more books. I had 16 turn up in the last month and I have 250+ unread books on my Kobo. I think I'm ready for a holiday already. Not that I really mind all that much. It just keeps me on my toes

Quick Bites:

• If you haven't visited the website lately? I have a new link called Saucy Bits. That is where I am starting to put details of the short stories I am working on.
  
• Starline is now available at Amazon & Barnes and Noble - I will update as it is available in more places.
  
• I got my first 5 star reader review! Just click on the Review tab to read it!

So, remember to come visit regularly, I try to update my status at least weekly and have a weekly visitor too.

Anyway, it is nearly time for Mum's Taxi to be pulled out of the carport and make the daily run.

Imogene