The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Thanks to my adorable but snarky critique partner, Andris Bear, I've been "tagged" in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. And this thing is BIG. Big as the moon big! I'm not sure how long it's been going on, but you can back track through the blogs and see what all your favorite authors have been up to lately. And maybe even meet some new authors.

But be warned, this thing is exponential. Because whoever started it, tagged more than one author, who in turn, tagged several others.

Each author answers ten questions about their latest project, whether it's a new release, a work in progress, or in my case, a soon-to-be released paranormal romance from The Black Rose line of The Wild Rose Press.

Simple. Huh? And loads of fun. So here goes!

1. What is the working title of your book? Embrace the Darkness. It's more than a "working" title. The book just went to galley, which means a proof copy is being created to send to review sites. It means, I'll soon have a release date. It means, I already have a fabulous cover by the wonderful and talented Angela Anderson.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

Embrace the Darkness is the sequel to my 2010 paranormal vampire romance, Out of the Darkness. As soon as I introduced Gerard Delaroche in OTD, I knew he'd have to have his own book. So, this is his story. There also some new characters as well as several "appearances" from old characters.

3. What is the genre of the book?

Both ETD and OTD are paranormal romances.

4.Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Easy. Wrestler/actor, John Cena would be perfect for Gerard Delaroche. I even mention his name in my book. And Jessica Biel could play former MP turned detective Amber Buckley. Yea, having even one of my books turned into a movie would definitely be a dream come true!

5.What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

 To find their way into the light, Amber and Gerard must first EMBRACE THE DARKNESS.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?

It's being published by The Wild Rose Press.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

 It took a little over three years from start to finish. I received the offer to publish Out of The Darkness on Mother's Day 2009. The book came out almost exactly a year to the date in May 2010. I started writing Embrace the Darkness (which was originally called Into the Light--thanks Andris Bear for suggesting the new title!) as soon as I completed the galleys for OTD. It was the first book in which I used a plot chart. But, when I got to chapter 10, I realized the story wasn't going to work. There were major plot holes and I had a problem with the heroine. So, I gave Gerard a different love interest and started over. From scratch. But I couldn't give the manuscript the attention it needed because between OTD and ETD, I published 3 other books. So, it's taken a bit longer than I'd planned.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'd like to think I have an original voice and there's no comparison. lol! To be honest, the last vampire series I read was Jenna Black's Guardians of the Night series. Jenna was my critique partner for Out of the Darkness, but we have different styles/voices. But being compared to her would totally make my day.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I thought about doing a sequel to Out of the Darkness while writing it. But family, friends, and my co-workers at Granville Medical Center kept after me to "just do it." So, I did. And while researching ancient vampire legends, I came up with a working plot for Embrace the Darkness.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Vampirsm is a virus--a possibly curable virus. But will a cure for the condition lead to a war between mortals and immortals? I guess I'll have to write book three in the series to find out. lol!

Next author up? None other than Brenda Gayle. And no, we're not related, but don't you just love her last name? lol! Check back to see when Brenda's blog goes live and follow the tour!

Love Lines

February is the month of lovers, and tomorrow is Valentines Day. Are you feeling romantic? If not, maybe some of these romantic lines will get you in the mood. 

So sit back, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy some great love lines from some great books. Maybe one will strike your fancy and you’ll want to read the whole book. Don’t worry.  Buy links are included with every line. 

 

From Lilly Gayle’s 2011 release Wholesale Husband:

“Aye, Clarissa,” he said, his face now serious,

“you can do whatever you want, have as many

children as you want, be anything you want, just as

long as you love me.”

Wholesale Husband is available from http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_135&products_id=4631 and http://www.amazon.com/Wholesale-Husband-Lilly-Gayle/dp/1601549768/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325870062&sr=8-1

 

From Bianca Swan's Celestial Sin:

Cam-ael stroked her cheek, shook his head. “As I told Heaven’s General, the choice was mine. No regrets, my love, none at all.” An angel’s soft lips caressed hers. “How beautiful you are. I’d risk anything to be with you. I love you.”

Celestial Sin available from: http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=826

 From Katherine Grey's 2011 release Impetuous:

Mateo took her in his arms. "Your heart is a priceless treasure
second to none." A brilliant smile curved his lips.
"And I would know. After all, I am a thief like no other."

Impetuous is available from http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=905 and http://www.amazon.com/Impetuous-ebook/dp/B005J7K52M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325970919&sr=1-1

 

From Brenda Whiteside’s 2011 Release 

 HONEY ON WHITE BREAD

“You know what honey does to plain white bread?” He kissed my cheek softly, his lips like the touch of a butterfly wing. “You dribble it on, slow…and…thick. The bread soaks the honey in and changes.” His lips caressed my earlobe. “Well, I’m white bread to your honey.”

Hone On White Bread available from:

http://www.melange-books.com/authors/brendawhiteside/honey.html

From Lilly Gayle’s Slightly Tarnished:

 “You make me

forget there was anyone before you.”

Available from: http://www.amazon.com/Slightly-Tarnished-Lilly-Gayle/dp/1601549237/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325879639&sr=8-1 and http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_138&products_id=4516

 

From Mimi Barbour’s 2011 release: My Cheeky Angel

Tyler grinned. “I know you’re the cutest thing I’ve seen today, and I just walked past the puppies in the pet store window.”

My Cheeky Angel available from:
http://amzn.to/sItpZJ

 

From Brenda Whiteside’s 2010 release SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON

He leaned across the table to rub the back of my hand with his. “What I said is exactly what I meant.” He lowered his voice, and I lost my peripheral vision to the point that we were the only two people in the restaurant. “Sandra, when a gal’s figure fills in the spaces to make it a woman’s body, a man can lose all common sense just lookin’.”

 Sleeping with the Lights On available from: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/brenda-whiteside-m-726.html?zenid=df2623a0f03265ec26b02f245944e12a

From Leigh D’Ansey’s 2011 release: The Duke's Blackmailed Bride:

'She had not even reached the gates when she brought a gloved hand shakily to her mouth and pressed it against lips that still savored the taste of Northbridge.'

The Dukes Blackmailed Bride available from: http://tinyurl.com/6nxch9y

From  Darcy Lundeen's Find You Again:

“You responded to me. You were afraid to, but you finally let yourself go. That’s one of the nicest things you could have done for me.”

Finding You Again available from: 

 

Wild Rose Press Page: http://bit.ly/yTRLZR 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/Am85si

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/vZKcF3

 

And, we have two great lines from A.Y Stratton's Buried Heart:

1-

1-   "I want you to reach for my hair at least once a day and tell me what a slob I am. I want to hear your thoughts. I want to share mine with you. I even want you to correct my grammar."

 &

    "You're amazing. Before I met you I never knew that word."

Buried Heart is available from: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=A.Y.+Stratton+&x=23&y=12

 &

    http://www.amazon.com/Buried-Heart-Y-Stratton/dp/160154572X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329100781&sr=8-1-fkmr0