On the Move

Today is an exciting day, it's the last day of NaNoWriMo (of which I did NOT take part), and I'd like to congratulate all of my writer friends who made their 50,000 word goal! It sounds like everyone had a really productive month. Now on to REVISION HELL! :)

I did not write 50,000 words. But I knew going into this month that it would be impossible for me to do so. I had way too many family obligations this month. Now though, the birthdays are done with, the travelling is behind me, the shopping is finished!! Today I even have the day off from the day job and I'm not going to do anything except write!

Although...today I'm being interviewed at my Samhain editor's blog as part of our "Curl up With a Kindle" contest. Click here to read my interview and to get details on how you can win a Kindle!!

I also have a really cool interview up at Ms. Dawn's blog, Loves Books and More, so stop in and check it out.

The Morning After

I'm excited to tell you the news: I sold a new book--to Ellora's Cave!!

None of the details are finalized, but I'll let you in on the secret now ('cause as secrets go, it's pretty much out of the bag already).

The Morning After is a contemporary romance (Eep!!! No demons, immortals or vamps!)

It's about a couple on a fast train to divorce, who have both pretty much given up on saving their marriage.

Unfortunately, more than that, I don't think I can give you right now but keep checking in for the deets. I'll share as much as I can as soon as I can.

For now, here's what I'm listening to as muse music for the current work in progress. Happy weekend!

Vauxhall Vixens

Today is my blogging day at the Vauxhall Vixens, so I hope to see you there!

The Angels Are Coming...

So, it's been a pretty crazy week so far. Besides all the real life drama -- both online and offline -- I've been motoring along on my book, although admittedly not as quickly as I could have hoped for. Still, 1000 words per day is still within my acceptable goals for now because I DO recognize that the writing sometimes has to take a back seat to all the other stuff we have to deal with. But the good thing is that I have a few days off from the day job coming up soon, and I'm looking forward to being able to really buckle down and focus on finishing this book before Christmas.

Want a really short teaser?

In the many thousands of years that the world has been given over to humanity, angels have watched over this violent and irrational race—but not to protect it as the myths like to suggest. These powerful, passionless beings have been waiting, waiting for the one true sign that their second chance to claim earth’s paradise for their own has finally arrived...That time is now.

Weekend Update and Book Winners!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was great! On Saturday I went to my RWA Chapter meeting in Toronto and was inpsired by medical suspense author CJ Lyons who spoke to us about character driven plotting. For someone who's mostly a pantser, it seemed a really great way of breaking down your plot, along with my characters' motivations, goals, and conflicts into something really short and loose but that will help me to know how I need to drive the story even if I'm not planning every little whimper and sigh, or the villain's every dastardly deed. (Last night I even started to try it out with my current work-in-progress and found out that I do know a lot about my characters--I just need to sharpen my vision of how the major turning points of my plot connect to their goals/motivation/conflict.)

After the meeting, I met a friend for dinner who I don't see very often. It was wonderful. We've been friends for as long as I can remember. We were neighbours when our families both lived in Alberta. Then my family moved to Ontario when I was 8 or 9 and Brandon's family moved to BC before also coming to Ontario, and at some point we managed to get in touch again. Now we see each other about once every three months and it's always a really nice evening.

And...

I came home to find that Dark Immortal is a finalist in the EPIC competition!

So now without further ado, the news you guys have been waiting for:

The winner of a copy of Morgan Ashbury's The Lady Makes three is:

Natasha A

The winner of a copy of Kimber Chin's Invisible is:

Amber Leigh

But don't go yet!!

I'm taking part in a "Contest to Win a Kindle" with other Samhain authors. You can find some of the details here (my "turn" is going to be November 30)

Oh, and for you writers, how are you all doing on NaNoWriMo?



(Cartoon courtesty of Inkygirl.com)

Books!

I'm very glad to be able to introduce you to two amazing authors, both members of the Toronto Romance Writers--my local chapter group.

Morgan Ashbury writes very sexy erotic romance for Siren Publishing. Her book, The Lady Makes Three has received awesome reviews.

Colorado ranch owner Maddy Dalton knows all about being in charge. For the last ten years every decision, every burden has rested squarely on her shoulders. Sure, she's lonely, and longs to love and be loved, but she doesn't see how she can take on a man without losing control of her ranch or her life.

Lucas Calhoun has been the foreman of the Rocking D for nearly half his life, and he's had a soft spot for Maddy for nearly just as long. But he's harboring a secret: images of sexy, rugged men turn him on, too. How can he make a move on Maddy when he doesn't feel free to commit to her all the way?

Comfortable with his bi-sexuality, cowboy Chase Reynolds wants a home, but there's a catch. His ideal scenario features a wife…and a husband. Recognizing the suppressed longing in both Maddy and Lucas, Chase decides that bold action is needed. But it's not without risk. Having loved and lost badly in the past, Chase is leery losing his heart.

Can these three people learn to find themselves, trust their hearts, and make a family? And can they survive the danger that threatens them all?


And Kimber Chin writes edgy contemporary romances set in the world of business. Invisible is a book you seriously can not miss!

The first person she made disappear was herself.

A Man Living In The Past…

Antique collector Hagen Rayner has fourteen business days to find the deed to his Great-Uncle’s house or he risks losing the estate to his devious cousin. Should be easy enough for the self-made billionaire to accomplish, except for one small detail, his only source of help is to be from a woman who doesn’t exist.

A Woman Without One…

Maeve Delaney knows how to make people disappear. The rules are simple. Cut all ties to the past, don’t talk about yourself and never ever let a man get close. That includes any would-be partners with potty mouths, broad shoulders, and gentle hands.

Invisible is a financial treasure hunt through the world of hidden identities. A world where loyalty and love can be found in the most unexpected places.


So what's the good news? I'm giving away a copy of each of these books! All you have to do to be entered is send me an email at jkcoi(AT)rogers(DOT)com by Monday, November 15, 2009 to be entered, and on that day I'll draw two names from a hat.

Winners of the Great Book Trailer Contest!

First of all, I want to say thank you to all of the authors who submitted their book trailers to this contest. I thought they were all completely fabulous--some of these books I had already read, and the rest I'm definitely going out to buy now! I'm glad that I was able to run this contest and definitely plan to do it again next year.

So without further ado, the winning book trailer was:

JoLynne Valerie's Becoming Jac

JoLynne has won 50% off a book trailer, or a free trailer review from the amazing Blazing Trailers and a gift basket of books from me.

But not to leave out those of you who made this all possible...the voters! I also drew a name from the comments, and the winner is:

Quilting Reader/Annette

(Winners please email me at jkcoi(AT)rogers(DOT)com)

Now, seeing as how you've all had a week to preview the fabulous book trailers from these talented authors, I leave you today with my book trailer. Enjoy!

The Great Annual Book Video Contest! -- Voting is Now Open!!

Thanks to everyone for coming by to vote! The "polls" are now closed. Please check back on Monday when I'll announce the winning book trailer!

______________________

Wow, there were so many great entries for the contest. It's going to take you guys a while to look at all the videos so I hope you've got some time. Keep in mind, I want you to vote on the trailer that made you the most interested in reading a book. Not necessarily the one that had the greatest graphics or the coolest music. Which one gave you the information you felt you needed to decide if this was a book you'd enjoy?

Please chime in by leaving the title of the trailer you've chosen (by book name or author), along with your name and email address. Please note that besides the prize for winning book trailer, one of the voting commenters will be chosen for a prize as well! (Only vote once please!)

Voting continues until November 6, 2009 and the winner will be announced on November 9, 2009.