J.K. Coi

Review: Straight to the Heart by Samantha Hunter

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

So Sam sent me her recent release from Blaze to do a review. I have to admit, I've kept it by my bedside for about two months, but I had been so busy finishing the edits on my own book that I couldn't get to this. When I finally handed in my MS to my editor this weekend, the first thing I did was devour STRAIGHT TO THE HEART.

I loved the idea of a gorgeous, strong and completely capable US Marshal. Yep, that's Joanna. Our HEROINE! Woot woot! But hey, the hero is no slouch either. Ben is a former Navy Seal turned uber-sexy bar owner with a wicked shot and a knack for ramping up the heat.

What else is there to say, really? This book rocked! The characters tugged at my heart and the action scenario kept me turning pages until the very end. I highly recommend it.

Eyes on, hands off. Easier said than done.

US Marshal Joanna Wyatt has to make her witness protection detail work even though the witness doesn't know he's being protected. Posing as a down-on-her-luck waitress at Ben Callahan's Texas roadhouse, she'll be able to keep a close eye on the man, which is no hardship. It's not falling into bed with the insanely sexy ex-Navy SEAL with the rodeo swagger and whiskey-colored eyes that's the problem. The problem is he doesn't believe he's a target!

Ben's been in plenty of dicey situations before, so he's not worried. What does worry him, however, is the sexy waitress he can't seem to keep his hands off of. He knows it's not the right time to get involved. Still, the heat between them is irresistible, inevitable...

But as their guards go down, danger draws closer...

Amazon/Kindle Barnes & Noble/Nook

Plodding Along

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've been editing for ... a while. I can't quite remember when I started. I'm not really sure how much longer it's going to take.

I do know that I still like this book. Actually, I like it quite a bit more now than I did before. I think that the changes I'm making are really enhancing character and depth, and it's exciting.

The other thing keeping me going is the awesome cover I got to peek at. It's not official, and I have been warned it's going to change, but I still like it, so I have it as my wallpaper on the laptop and I check it out every once in a while.

Oh, and I think we have a release date for Greta. December 2012. It seems so long, but with all the work I have to do on this, and book 2 ... and the other books on my plate for this year ... I'm sure it will be here in no time.

As soon as the edit is done, I'll post a snippet or two!

Talk soon!

And a Happy New Year

2012-01-13T09:51:00.001-05:00

I haven't been very bloggery for a long time. You know how stuff piles up and the amount of free time you have in any given moment is never enough to do anything substantial? I could tweet for a few minutes, put a load of laundry in, or write a blog post. Well, guess what I always seem to pick?

Now that the craziness of the holidays is over, I'm only now getting to make some new year's resolutions (even though I hate those) and one of them is to be more regular with the blogging.

So this is it! Let's make 2012 awesome!

Jasper and Callie's Holiday Gift

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Please enjoy this special scene between Jasper and Callie from FAR FROM BROKEN and I'll see you in the new year!

Calliefinds Jasper in the salon early one afternoon. “What are you doing?”

He stepsaside, revealing a neat little metal square on the floor, about the size of alarge gift box. “A present? From who?”

“It cameexpress. I think it might be from the general.” He frowns. “Which means itmight not be entirely safe to open.”

Shechuckles. “There’s only one way to find out, I suppose.” Stepping closer, shekneels down in front of it. It’s plain. Just an ugly gray metal box. “How doesit open? It looks seamless.”

Reachingout, she picks it up. It’s heavy, but Jasper kneels with her and together theytip it over. “There,” he says, pointing. “A button.”

Lookinginto one another’s eyes, they share a spark of childlike excitement. Calliesmiles. “Who gets to push it?”

“Shall weshoot for it?”

She’sbeen practicing with his Tesla gun, but knows she’s still no match for Jasper. Shakingher head, she holds out her gloved hand. “Arm wrestle?”

He breaksout into laughter, knowing there’s no contest in that. Her mechanical hand hasthe strength of ten men. “Why don’t we just push the button together then?”

He reachesout, but Callie stops him by leaning in for a kiss.

It startssweet and soft, but soon becomes hot and deep, and he’s lost himself in her.

Shebreaks away suddenly, leaving him breathless and reaching out to pull her closeagain, but then he catches the glimmer of mischief in her eye, and the grinthat curls her swollen lips. “Don’t you dare—”

But she’salready pushed the button, laughing joyfully. He shakes his head, but inside he’spleased. Every day she grants him a smile is a gift, but when she actually laughsaloud he thanks God for miracles.

The boxstarts to rumble, and they both turn their attention to it. It shakes acrossthe floor. Standing, he pulls Callie up and they step a few feet back. The boxis unfolding itself. As it opens, they see that inside is a kaleidoscope ofgreens and reds, silver and gold.

“Goodness,”she says. “It’s so beautiful!”

“But whatis it?” He peers closer. The box is no longer a box. As it continues to shift,he’s still not quite able to pinpoint what it is.

She grabshis arm, and looks up at him with stars of wonder in her eyes. He’s completelycaptivated. “A tree! Jasper, it’s a tree. Complete with Christmas decorations.Look!”

And thenhe recognizes it too. The box has indeed transformed into a kind of tree. Madeof metal tubes shooting every which way, it’s both the oddest looking and mostunique Christmas tree he’s ever seen. On its limbs there are small rings, andeach ring holds a pretty little ornament. Some are gold, some silver, and somered.

Once it’sfully formed, the room falls silent. They stand together. He takes her hand,and she leans into him. “It’s lovely,” she whispers.

Heagrees. “Whoever put this together is a genius. I wonder if—” He reaches out totouch it, and as soon as he makes contact, the whole tree lights up. Lightshoots out the ends of each of the metal tubes until it is completely envelopedin a golden glow.

“Oh,Jasper.”

He turnsto his wife. The woman who held his heart and warmed his soul. “MerryChristmas, my darling.”

She looksup at him with a teasing grin. “It’s no sprig of mistletoe, but I still think youshould kiss me.”

Hesmiles. “I think after this, the response should be more than just a kiss, don’tyou?”

FAR FROM BROKEN now available from Carina Press

Soldier. Spymaster. Husband.

Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.

But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye...and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper's guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything...including her new clockwork parts.

As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife's love and forgiveness...but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

Blog Hop

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm still hopping around all over the place.

Visit Books-N-Kisses and join in her Christmas Countdown to win prizes, and check out my post about favourite treats of the holiday season.

I'm also visiting Urban Fantasy Reviews on December 15, to talk about FALLING HARD and offer a copy of the book, as well as a set of Romance Trading Cards. They've also done a really lovely review here, so check it out!

On December 19, I'm blogging at Manic Readers and sharing a favourite cookie recipe, and on December 21, the Clockwork Christmas authors will be there to talk about steampunk gadgets their characters would love to have for the holidays.

On December 22, please visit me at Deborah Cooke's blog for my guest post about writing a holiday-themed story.

But don't forget to come back here to the blog before Christmas for a very special holiday treat from Jasper and Callie, the hero and heroine of Far From Broken!

Winner! and Friday Fun!

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Cristal Ryder who was randomly chosen to win a print copy of AGONY/ECSTASY!

Thanks so much for the support, everyone! I hope you love the stories in this great anthology!

_______________________________

And now for some Friday fun stuff. When I saw this on Facebook, I just had to smile. It's awesome (and makes me want to go buy Buble's new Christmas Album :)

Oh, the Agony!

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's release day for Agony/Ecstasy - a fantastic anthology published by Berkley Heat and edited by Jane Litte of Dear Author. To celebrate I want to give away a PRINT copy, so leave me a comment with the name of one of the authors included in this fantastic compilation of stories.

RELEASE DAY!!

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

TODAY is release day for FARFROM BROKEN and AClockwork Christmas!!! And tomorrow the Agony/Ecstasyanthology releases, which has my story CAGED.

We’re all so excited, so you’ll find Jenny, PG, Stacyand me all over the net pimping thesefantastic holiday novellas—and giving copies away!

All week you’ll be able to find us at Long And Short Reviews– we’re in the SPOTLIGHT with Clockwork Christmas!

We're also being featured at Books On Board. There will be stockings hung by the fire, hot chocolate and other treats, and be sure to check out the Author Q&As!

Today I’m visiting the ladies at the Romance Writers Revenge to talkabout Far From Broken, the Agony/Ecstasyanthology, and some of my other new and upcoming releases. I always lovevisiting the pirate ship.

Tuesday all the Clockwork Christmas authors are blogging about the stories on the Carina Press blog, and Maggie Robinson and I are talking about the Agony/Ecstasyanthology on the Vixens blog.This was a fantastic anthology to be a part of, and I especially enjoyed Maggie’sstory (I ALWAYS love Maggie’s stories, OMG)

Then on Thursday I’ll be at Steamed!with a blog about what I’ve learned (and still have to learn) about writingsteampunk.

But that’s not all….the party continues next week too!

Crime Wave in a Corset

2011-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

WhenI finally got my hands on all the novellas for AClockwork Christmas, CRIMEWAVE IN A CORSET was the first that I read, and that was because I’d gottento know Stacy online and I loved her vibrant enthusiasm. I was certain thatenergy would translate into her work…and I was right. In my opinion, her storywas the most Christmas-like of them all. There was a definite holiday feel withan old-style holiday lesson to be learned by each of the characters. Not to mention,it was sweet and sexy (very sexy). I loved the idea of a Lady-thief who stealsfrom the stodgy professor and finds that she’s not as bad as she thinks she is,and he discovers he’s not as proper as he tries to be.

You’re going to love CRIME WAVE IN ACORSET, and I would love to give away some more trading cards, so tell me…whatis your favourite holiday movie? The one you watch every single year, andChristmas can’t be over if you haven’t seen it yet? For me, it’s White Christmas.Ah, Bing. I love Bing.

Blurb:

Roderick Coddington is on a missionto make Cornelia Peabody pay. After identifying her as the thief who stole apriceless Fabergé egg from his dying sister, he finds her and shackles a deadlytimepiece to her arm. If she doesn't return the egg by Christmas morning, shewill die.

Normally seven days is more thanenough time for Cornelia to carry out the perfect crime, but Roderick'sintrusion into her life is beyond distracting. He challenges her mind, andignites her body with desire she's never felt before. But worst of all, hethreatens the independence she values above all else...

As Roderick spends time withCornelia, he realizes there's a lonely soul hidden beneath her beautiful butcriminal veneer. Falling for a thief wasn't part of Roderick's plan, but planscan change and he has no intention of letting another priceless treasure getaway from him.

This Winter Heart

2011-11-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

PGForte’s steampunk story for the ClockworkChristmas anthology made me cry. She has a way of presenting you with onecharacter and making you feel for that character, so much that you live in thatcharacter’s shoes and understand exactly where they’re coming from. In THISWINTER HEART, I felt for Ophelia, completely. I was firmly on her side…untilPG showed me the other side of the story, and then I was torn. Because the other side of the story is his side. I’d already decided Dario wasbeing ridiculous and unreasonable and the heroine had every right to be pissed…butthen she started to reveal his reasoning, his hurt and how badly he feltbetrayed. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotion, and I’m so lucky to havegotten the “advance” ticket.

So today’s question is about emotionaljourneys. Please comment for a chance to win a complete set of the novella trading cards. The characters from your favourite stories, the ones that stay withyou for a long time…do you think it’s because their journey was deeper,emotionally? Their baggage harder to overcome? What is it about a characterthat makes you remember them?

Blurb:

Santa Fe, The Republic of NewTexacali, 1870

Eight years ago, Ophelia Leonides'shusband cast her off when he discovered she was not the woman he thought shewas. Now destitute after the death of her father, Ophelia is forced to turn toDario for help raising the child she never told him about.

Dario is furious that Ophelia hasreturned, and refuses to believe Arthur is his son—after all, he thought hiswife was barren. But to avoid gossip, he agrees to let them spend the holidaysat his villa. While he cannot resist the desire he still feels for Ophelia,Dario despises himself for being hopelessly in love with a woman who can neverlove him back.

But Dario is wrong: Ophelia'semotions are all too human, and she was brokenhearted when he rejected her.Unsure if she can trust the man she desperately loves, she fears for her life,her freedom and her son if anyone else learns of her true nature...

Wanted: One Scoundrel

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've been so lucky to be a part of this fantastic anthology called A Clockwork Christmas. If you haven't heard about it yet, it's a collection of wicked steampunk novellas with a holiday theme, available on Dec 5 -- just in time for Christmas!

Jenny Schwartz's contribution, Wanted: One Scoundrel,is beautifully told. She draws you into her story so deeply you can feel the breeze on your face, you can see the small town of Swan River and you follow Jed and Esme's journey with a smile on your face for their snappy back and forth. Jenny also has a way with the steampunk gadgetry that is absolutely brilliant :)

I loved this story and I have to admit -- I'm already counting the days until the sequel.

For a set of romance trading cards for all of the novellas in A Clockwork Christmas, please comment. Today's question is about gadgets. What steampunk accessory MUST you have? (I heard the most amazing idea recently for a steampunk coffee machine that I don't think I could live without)

Blurb for WANTED: ONE SCOUNDREL:

All suffragette Esme Smith wants is a man. A scoundrel to be precise. Someone who can be persuaded to represent her political views at men-only clubs. As the daughter of the richest man in Australia, Esme can afford to make it worth the right man's while.

Fresh off the boat, American inventor Jed Reeve is intrigued by Esme's proposal, but even more interested in the beauty herself. Amused that she takes him for a man who lives by his wits, he accepts the job—made easier by the fact that he already shares her ideals. Soon, he finds himself caught up in political intrigue, kidnapping and blackmail, and trying to convince his employer he's more than just a scoundrel...

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing THIS WINTER HEART by PG Forte

One More Week!

2011-11-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

I can't believe A Clockwork Christmas is going to be available to buy from Carina Press in one more week! All this week I'm going to be talking about the stories and giving away sets of our romance trading cards, so I hope you'll join me.

Monday: Wanted: One Scoundrel, by Jenny Schwartz
Tuesday: This Winter Heart, by PG Forte
Wednesday: Crime Wave in a Corset, by Stacy Gail

My Thank You Letter

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

I wanted to say thanks to someone special. Someone who's been there from the beginning and really gets where I'm coming from and why it's all so important today. Please check out my special letter on Rachel Firasek's blog as part of her Thanksgiving event.

Holiday Giveaways!

2011-11-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

Carina Press is doing a giveaway this week for ebook and exclusive print copies of their holiday anthologies. Check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/CarinaPress?sk=app_121121694568521

now to 11/22, 6 pm EST: HOLIDAY KISSES
11/23 to 11/24, 6 pm EST: MEN UNDER THE MISTLETOE
11/25 to 11/26, 6 pm EST: A CLOCKWORK CHRISTMAS

Hot Angels

2011-11-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

As part of the Hot Angels/Cool Demons blog tour, I figured I should show off my "hot angel", Gabriel, from FALLING HARD.

Gabriel is everything you love to hate in a celebrity. He’s a rock star. A hard-living, selfish musician whose music causes radio stations to go crazy with the bleeping, whose dirty jeans and Strokes t-shirt becomes immediate high fashion with misguided teenagers, and whose self-destructive behaviour makes everyone else shake their head. A bad boy of rock and roll--and he has all the angst and baggage that goes along with it. But after a devastating loss a year ago, he's tried to set his life to rights and may finally be on the right track...

Until he discovers he and the devil share a soul and that Lucifer will stop at nothing to use Gabriel as his ticket to living and breathing once more.

The only thing standing between Gabriel and destruction is the angel Amelia. The opposite of him in every way. Light to his dark. Calm to his anger and pain. Gabriel's turbulent emotions too often get the better of him, while Amelia's concrete control over hers only makes him want to work harder to ruffle her feathers.

As the darkness grows inside him, Gabriel begins to think not even Amelia can save him, and why should she? He has never doubted he was no good and he definitely doesn't deserve to be saved. How can Gabriel fight something he can't see, that's inside of him, a part of him? Should he even try?

Find out in FALLING HARD from Carina Press!

"Rocker. Emotionally scarred bad boy. Literal inner demons. Possible apocalypse. OK; truth be told, this book had me at the “rocker” and the rest was just icing on an already tempting brownie." ~ from BJ at Dark Side of the Covers Reviews

Don't forget! Commenters here and on the rest of the blog tour are eligible for great prizes! I'll be giving away a copy of FALLING HARD and a set of my romance trading cards!

Excerpt:

Amelia circled until she could look into his hard face. Despite his public success and wealth, Gabriel’s was a face that had lived with much pain. She knew better than most what he’d gone through, since she had been there, seen it happen.

She’d experienced it with the detachment of her emotionless existence, but now there were too many feelings warring within her, swamping her with hurt and guilt and loneliness. All the images of

Gabriel's past came back to haunt her. Amelia didn’t know how to make them stop. Maybe she deserved to feel his pain now as if it were her own.

She did the only thing she could think of. She leaned forward and pressed her mouth softly to his, kissing him.

The sharp electric shock flaring between them was instantaneous. A stronger, deeper expression of the awareness and heat that had been building inside her, simmering just under the surface since their first meeting.

Spooked, she pulled back almost instantly, but Gabriel growled deeply and followed her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, crushing his lips to hers in firm, unrelenting hunger. It felt alien and wonderful at the same time. Amelia couldn’t fight it, however wrong, however forbidden. She wanted to explore these feelings she’d been given, was tired of pretending she didn’t have them.

After only a brief hesitation, she slid her hands up his chest, twined her fingers around his neck. The measured beating of her heart was a deafening hammering in her ears. She felt it pounding away and wondered if Gabriel could feel it too.

His soft lips felt sinful, so incredible. She moaned and Gabriel responded in kind, pressing for more, sliding his tongue over the seam of her lips before slipping inside to sweep her mouth. Again and again until she matched him, giving him her tongue so that they dueled together in a slick, sensual challenge.

Her gasp broke through their heavy breathing and deep kisses as Gabriel’s hands pushed beneath the hem of her shirt. His calloused fingers were rough on the smooth skin of her waist, up the length of her spine, splaying over her back and pressing her closer to him as if they could melt into each other and become one person.

Regret and disappointment. That’s what she felt when he finally broke away to look into her face. Her gaze was caught by the drugging temptation of his mouth, and she self-consciously bit her lip against the urge to kiss him again.

Don't forget to visit all the other participants of the Hot Angels/Cool Demons blog tour!

Nov.13	Misty Malone
Nov.14	Jay Di Meo	http://jaydimeo.wordpress.com
Nov.15	Ellis Carrington	http://elliscarrington.wordpress.com
Nov.16	Daniel Christian Juris	http://dcjuris.blogspot.com
Nov.17	JK Coi	www.jkcoi.blogspot.com
Nov.18	Kiki Howell	http://authorsbyauthors.blogspot.com
Nov.19	Michael Mandrake	http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com
Nov.20	Angel Martinez	http://www.freewebs.com/angelwrites
Nov.21	Marie Dees	http://mariedees.com
Nov.22	Sara York	http://sarayork.blogspot.com
Nov.23	Barbara Elsborg	www.barbaraelsborg.blogspot.com
Nov.24	Hayley B. James	www.hayleybjames.com
Nov.25	Ryssa Edwards	http://www.ryssaedwards.net/blog
Nov.26	Andi Anderson	http://andiandersonauthor.blogspot.com
Nov.27	Arlene Webb	http://www.arlenewebb.blogspot.com
Nov.28	Diane Hartsock	http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/my-blog/
Nov.29	Kiernan Kelly	http://kiernan-kelly.blogspot.com
Nov.30	Tour Wrap Up Jay Di Meo, Misty Malone, & Marie Dees	http://jaydimeo.wordpress.com

Hot Angels/Cool Demons

2011-11-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm taking part in a blog tour celebrating Hot Angels and Cool Demons, which kicks off today at the blog of Jay Di Meo with a post from author Misty Malone.

I'll be blogging as part of the tour on November 17, so stop by and check it out. There'll be a copy of FALLING HARD and a set of romance trading cards up for grabs, and also a ton of great prizes from the other tour contributors. Here's the list of authors taking part.

Schedule of the Hot Angels and Cool Demons Blog Tour:

Nov 14	Jay Di Meo	http://jaydimeo.wordpress.com
Nov 15	Ellis Carrington	http://elliscarrington.wordpress.com
Nov 16	Daniel Christian Juris	http://dcjuris.blogspot.com
Nov 17	JK Coi	www.jkcoi.blogspot.com
Nov 18	Kiki Howell	http://authorsbyauthors.blogspot.com
Nov 19	Michael Mandrake	http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com
Nov 20	Angel Martinez	http://www.freewebs.com/angelwrites
Nov 21	Marie Dees	http://mariedees.com
Nov 22	Sara York	http://sarayork.blogspot.com
Nov 23	Barbara Elsborg	www.barbaraelsborg.blogspot.com
Nov 24	Hayley B. James	www.hayleybjames.com
Nov 25	Ryssa Edwards	http://www.ryssaedwards.net/blog
Nov 26	Andi Anderson	http://andiandersonauthor.blogspot.com
Nov 27	Arlene Webb	http://www.arlenewebb.blogspot.com
Nov 28	Cate Masters	http://catemasters.blogspot.com
Nov 29	Kiernan Kelly	http://kiernan-kelly.blogspot.com
Nov 30	Tour Wrap Up Jay Di Meo, Misty Malone, & Marie Dees	http://jaydimeo.wordpress.com

Everybody's Doing It. Are You?

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Are you doing NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month, and every year thousands--yes, thousands--of writers participate. Young, old. Published, unpublished. Newbie, veteran. It doesn't matter. The rules are the same for everyone.

What are they?

Simple.

Write 50,000 words in one month, starting on November 1 and finishing on November 30 (which is roughly 1700 words per day)

This can be tough for some people, and a snap for others. I've done it before and while I have made the 50,000 word goal some years, I've failed (miserably) in other years.

The trick is to keep writing. Don't edit. Don't second guess yourself, your story, your characters goals, motivation or conflict. Just write. Get it all out on the page. Recognize and accept the fact that what you're left with at the end of the month is likely to be utter crap, but that at least it will be something you can work to fix in December (and probably January).

I'm not "technically" doing NaNoWriMo this year (first time in a while) but only because I'm expecting some edits to roll in any day. However, until those edits come down the shoot, I will be writing as much as I can. I'm working on the steampunk sequel to FAR FROM BROKEN, and so far the first day of my NotQuiteNaNo went well.

How about you? Are you doing it?

Also, head on over to The Romance Reviews. In November, they are holding a fabulous contest with tons of prizes, including some stuff from...me! :)

Cynthia Sax’s Soundtrack To Stories

2011-10-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite scenes J.K. has ever written is the opening scene from Falling Hard . Gabriel is on stage, performing, and, when I read the words, I hear the music. That’s how vivid and lush and emotional the writing is.

For me, writing and music goes hand in hand. I always have a soundtrack in my head for every story. With Lust by Moonbeam , my latest release, that soundtrack has evolved.Of course, the music I played over and over again was the original theme song for Star Wars . That’s a no-brainer as nothing says to-the-death battles and against-all-odds love and vast, glorious space like Star Wars.The hubby, a former D.J., would play Katy Perry’s E.T. every time I mentioned Moonbeam. He’d tease me, calling Rellec, the hero, a “big-headed astronaut.” (He isn’t a big-headed astronaut. He’s a sexy mechanic from another planet.)

The song I now play while working on the sequel to Lust by Moonbeam is Simple Plan’s Lust by Astronaut . This song perfectly captures the aching loneliness of the alien males. They’ve left their home planet and everything they’ve ever known to collect their human mates. Their knowledge of English and North American customs is limited, and they’re alone, so very alone. They have this one chance to find a mate. If they fail…well, as Rellec says “Failure is NOT an option.”

Do you listen to music while you read or write? What songs do you associate with stories?

Lust by Moonbeam is now available from Ellora’s Cave.

Cynthia Sax
Erotic Romance With A Hint Of Humor

Blurb:

Cathy arrives at Moonbeam, the Roswell of the North, with one goal—to prove the mysterious dead tree circles are not caused by UFOs. Meeting a devastatingly handsome lumberjack with unusual blue and green eyes is a bonus. He thinks he’s an alien, but that doesn’t bother Cathy. She can tolerate a little crazy in a one-night stand, especially since Rellec claims her body as no sane man ever has—with the hungry touch of forever.

Rellec arrives at Moonbeam with one goal—to retrieve his assigned mate, ensuring the continuation of his species. Having trained long and hard for his erotic mission, he is determined to satisfy his tiny human female and overcome her objections with out-of-this-world passion.

Failure is not an option.

Ouch, ouch, ouch

2011-10-22T13:04:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was not my best day...

I had to have 4 impacted teeth removed. Two wisdom teeth, and two teeth that were up in my jaw, just beneath my nose. Yeah...ouch! I won't regale you with the details of the procedure. Really just because halloween is around the corner doesn't mean you all want to know these things. Let's just say that I kind of feel like a cross between Frankenstein's monster and a boxer who just took the beating of his life.

The worst part besides being pretty tired, is not being able to eat. At first I didn't want to anyway, but today all I can think about is food. I want steak. I want crunchy vegetables. I want chocolate.

I'm stuck with broths and jello. *sigh*

I guess it's the perfect diet :)

She's alive! Alive!!

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Chloe Jacobs is alive! How do I know...she's got a website! And a Twitter feed! Not to mention a Facebook account and a Goodreads profile!

LOL

If only that was really the measure to go by, right?

True, Chloe Jacobs technically isn't real. I mean, not according to any official census or birth registry. But she's real to me because she's writing from my head, telling the stories that live in me. It doesn't really matter what name she uses, at least not from the creative perspective. But in other respects it does, which is why I'm posting this--because while I'm obviously not hiding the fact that I am now going to be writing under two different names, I still think there should be a separation between the two different focuses and I just want to make sure that doesn't create any confusion as time goes on.

I hope everyone is going to love Chloe and the stories she tells!

Meet Chloe Jacobs

2011-10-12T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's official, my YA work will be published under the name Chloe Jacobs, and you can find her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Jacobs_Chloe

A Clockwork Christmas

2011-10-10T00:00:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited to finally be able to share details of the upcoming A Clockwork Christmas Anthology! The Holidays can't come fast enough :)

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Anthology includes:
Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail
This Winter Heart by PG Forte
Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz
Far From Broken by JK Coi

Stories also available for purchase separately.

WANTED: ONE SCOUNDREL by Jenny Schwartz

All suffragette Esme Smith wants is a man. A scoundrel to be precise. Someone who can be persuaded to represent her political views at men-only clubs. As the daughter of the richest man in Australia, Esme can afford to make it worth the right man’s while.

Fresh off the boat, American inventor Jed Reeve is intrigued by Esme’s proposal, but even more interested in the beauty herself. Amused that she takes him for a man who lives by his wits, he accepts the job—made easier by the fact that he already shares her ideals. Soon, he finds himself caught up in political intrigue, kidnapping and blackmail, and trying to convince his employer he’s more than just a scoundrel…

THIS WINTER HEART by PG Forte

Santa Fe, The Republic of New Texacali, 1870

Eight years ago, Ophelia Leonides's husband cast her off when he discovered she was not the woman he thought she was. Now destitute after the death of her father, Ophelia is forced to turn to Dario for help raising the child she never told him about.

Dario is furious that Ophelia has returned, and refuses to believe Arthur is his son—after all, he thought his wife was barren. But to avoid gossip, he agrees to let them spend the holidays at his villa. While he cannot resist the desire he still feels for Ophelia, Dario despises himself for being hopelessly in love with a woman who can never love him back.

But Dario is wrong: Ophelia's emotions are all too human, and she was brokenhearted when he rejected her. Unsure if she can trust the man she desperately loves, she fears for her life, her freedom and her son if anyone else learns of her true nature...

CRIME WAVE IN A CORSET by Stacy Gail

Roderick Coddington is on a mission to make Cornelia Peabody pay. After identifying her as the thief who stole a priceless Faberge egg from his dying sister, he finds her and shackles a deadly timepiece to her arm. If she doesn't return the egg by Christmas morning, she will die.

Normally seven days is more than enough time for Cornelia to carry out the perfect crime, but Roderick's intrusion into her life is beyond distracting. He challenges her mind, and ignites her body with desire she's never felt before. But worst of all, he threatens the independence she values above all else…

As Roderick spends time with Cornelia, he realizes there's a lonely soul hidden beneath her beautiful but criminal veneer. Falling for a thief wasn't part of Roderick's plan, but plans can change and he has no intention of letting another priceless treasure get away from him.

FAR FROM BROKEN by JK Coi

Soldier. Spymaster. Husband.

Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.

But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye...and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper's guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything...including her new clockwork parts.

As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife's love and forgiveness...but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

See You Soon

2011-09-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

I'm off to the Romanticon Conference! Have fun while I'm gone. While I'm in Ohio I'll be presenting a workshop, signing books, and having a grand time! I promise to tell you all about it when I get back :)

Welcome to...

2011-09-24T00:00:00.002-04:00

I was very excited when the announcement came down from on high this week about my new contract! If you missed it, here's the Publishers Marketplace notice:

Children's: Young Adult
J.K. Coi's upper YA debut, GRETA AND THE GOBLIN KING, in which a seventeen-year-old now trapped in a fairytale world after falling through a portal trying to save her brother from the witch's fire, is pursued by a sexy young Goblin King as she fights to find a way home for herself and the ragtag group of boys marooned on that side of the veil, to Heather Howland at Entangled, in a nice deal, in a two-book deal, for publication in Fall 2012 (World).

Yep, you've got it right. I'm writing YA. Now, as some of you will already know, this book didn't start out as a YA but it did have the right voice for YA, and I'm excited for the opportunity to make some changes until it's just perfect.

Now, the only thing to decide is whether I'll be writing under a different name for my YA books, and what that name might be...

On another note, if anyone is in the Toronto area tomorrow, September 25, stop by Word on the Street. This is an annual book festival at Queen's Park, and this year I'll be at the Harlequin booth starting at 12:00 pm (located in the Toronto Star Exhibitor tent), and then I’ll be helping out at the booth with other members of my RWA chapter.

An update

2011-09-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

Edits are done for A Clockwork Christmas, the steampunk anthology that will be available in December from Carina Press. I'm excited because I've now had a chance to read the other stories, and let me tell you, you won't be able to pick a favourite. They're all SOOOO good!

PG Forte, Jenny Schwartz, Stacy Gail and I have formed a Facebook page so that we can share everything steampunk as we countdown to release day. I hope you'll come check it out. There's already some fabulous stuff there, but we'll also be using this page to let readers know about the blog tour we'll be embarking on as it comes closer to the holiday season. There'll be excerpts to read, prizes to be won, and lots more!

Also, I'm now moving into edits for my little short, RUN WOLF, due for release near the end of this year in the UK anthology by Hic Dragones which is tentatively titled Wolf Girls: Dark Tales of Teeth, Claws and Lycogyny.

AND...more edits. For my EC release, BRAZEN GAMES, which is also due for release late-2011.

Needless to say, this is going to be a busy few months. As busy as the year has been so far. I took a small vacation this summer but I'm thinking now I'll need another one, although I'm certain there won't be any time for that since I think there'll be more news coming down the pipe shortly....

But I'll have to hold that to my chest a little longer. I promise to share as soon as I can!

Take care everyone! I'll check in again soon :)

Bad Blogger

2011-09-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm Sorry!!

I've been a very bad blogger here, but it's because I've been blogging in so many other places, and I've got a lot of those little balls in the air right now....

I know. Excuses, excuses.

Well, if you're looking for something a little more substantial than apologies and excuses, click on over to Tina Donahue's blog, where I'm talking about juggling priorities.

Where I Take A Moment to Squee Over My New Covers!

2011-08-23T00:00:00.002-04:00

Gush with me over the covers I received for my holiday novella, out in December with Carina Press! Aren't they wonderful?

FAR FROM BROKEN

And for the Anthology which will be available in print

A beautiful summer weekend

2011-08-07T18:00:00.000-04:00

I had a great weekend camping with my family and friends. We had good weather (just a few sprinkles of rain that didn't bother anyone too much) and a little break from the revisions I've been working on for Greta and the Goblin King.

It was also my birthday on Saturday, and I was so happy for a cake and some good wine.

But now I'm back to work this week so that I'll be finished my revisions and be able to send this book back to my editor.

Happy Birthday To Me!

2011-08-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's my birthday this week, and I'm having a party at the Vixens Blog! Come by for a chance to win a set of my very cool romance trading cards!

My short mental health break

2011-07-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

I've been working pretty hard lately, trying to get caught up and send a few things out the door, and so now that those projects have been completed, I took the last two nights off. (But don't worry, I'm already back in the writing saddle as of today!)

Night off number one was spent in front of the television with hubby while we watched a movie together. Nice. Cozy. I think I fell asleep before the first five minutes. *sigh*

Last night, we were invited to join our friends at their place for homemade pizza made the authentic Italian way. First we made the dough by hand (actually, our friend made it ahead of time, but still...by hand), and we gathered ingredients like asiago cheese and brie, artichokes, sausage, chicken, corn, fresh basil, and lots of other great stuff to put on the pizzas. My son had his pizza with classic pepperoni and mozzarella.

The pizza oven is a great big brick monstrosity outside in the back. It's made with fireproof bricks, like the kind they make kilns out of. You throw wood in it and start the fire a good hour beforehand to make sure it's smokin' hot with a wall of bricks in front of the opening to make sure the heat stays in.

Then when you're ready to put the pizzas in, they only take a couple of minutes to cook. Five minutes, maybe.

Afterward everybody sat around and enjoyed our dinner on the patio, drinking wine and chatting. When it got dark, we just lit candles and kept on eating! It was great!

Synopsis Hell

2011-07-26T00:00:00.002-04:00

I'm blogging today at the Happy Endings blog about my synopsis and some great resources I found to help me write it.

I'm also a guest at the fantastic Fierce Romance blog today, talking about Falling Hard and giving away some of my romance trading cards, so stop by!

What do you want to do tonight? The same thing we do every night, Pinky...

2011-07-23T00:00:00.003-04:00

The Brain: Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?
Pinky: I think so, Brain, but then it'd be Snow White and the Seven Samurai...

My master plan is working!! Since the release of FALLING HARD, I've been very lucky to have gotten some really great reviews. My evil plan to take over the world is well on its way. [insert maniacal chuckle here]

Christi Snow, Smitten with Reading said "The romance in this book is really beautiful...a really fantastic novel."

Maldivian Book Reviewer recommended it and said "Falling Hard...plunged me deep into a world that had me fascinated right from the very beginning..."

"Totally different and totally enthralling…Fantastically good book…" from Wendy at You Gotta Read Reviews

Nicole, Romance Books Forum said "...the adventure, the mistrust, the changing motivations. It's a crazy emotional ride that ended in a fantastic conclusion that didn’t pander, it didn’t compromise."

BJ of Dark Side of the Covers said "Truth be told, this book had me at the “rocker” and the rest was just icing on an already tempting brownie…"

and JBP Reviews said "I couldn’t take my eyes from the page just waiting to see what was to come. This is a first time author for me but after reading this story it won’t stay that way, I love her voice!"

I want to say thank you to everyone for the wonderful feedback so far!

Love for the HP

2011-07-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

We went to see the last Harry Potter movie this week, which was a little bittersweet, but now I can read the books!

What!! I haven't read them yet?

Well, the truth is I purposely waited. I figure it's better to watch the movies as a standalone story that I won't have to compare to the books and find wanting. After I've watched them I can read the books and be impressed by how much better they are.

Good plan, right?

Off I go to do just that!

RELEASE DAY!!

2011-07-18T00:00:00.006-04:00

FALLING HARD
IS HERE!

I'm so excited! The celebration is happening all over the interwebz, so come join us.

Here Be Magic

Romance Writers Revenge

Julia Knight

Maria Zannini

Vauxhall Vixens

And don't forget to join me tomorrow morning at the Carina Press Blog

Also, as an added treat for release day, jump on over to my website here, for an exclusive deleted scene from Falling Hard.

After a life filled with tragedy, rocker Gabriel Gunn thinks he's finally getting the better of his personal demons. Then he's attacked after a concert—and rescued by a warrior goddess brandishing a sword and white wings. As hard as it is to believe in an angelic bodyguard, Gabriel must face an even more impossible truth: he carries the devil's soul within him.

Amelia has been watching over Gabriel for years, using her angelic powers to prevent Lucifer's return. Now she must also protect him from warring angel factions with their own agendas. Amelia would do anything to avert another angelic war, even sacrifice her own emotions to avoid temptation. Yet with Gabriel she feels things she no longer wants to deny, and pleasure she never imagined.

But the closer Gabriel and Amelia get, the stronger Lucifer becomes. Will Amelia be forced to kill the man she's come to love to stop the war she's always feared?

Buy it!

KITTEN!!

2011-07-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is the BEST thing I've seen all week! I had to share it!

GUEST AUTHOR: Maria Zannini

2011-07-12T00:00:00.002-04:00

Pros and Cons of Going Rogue

Are you ready to self-publish? Despite what you might’ve heard about books selling like hotcakes and push-button publishing, it’s a little more complicated than that.

If anything, self-publishing requires MORE discipline and dedication than taking a traditional route. Everywhere you go, people will snub you, or worse, disparage your career choices.

There’s a definite rogue quality assigned to self-publishing and it chafes the status quo. Although the rude behavior is not as prevalent (or as belligerent) as it once was, it still exists, especially by those stoically hanging on to the vestiges of traditional publishing. It’s not personal. Any time you rock a boat, those with the best seats are going to get nervous.

As this is the first stop of my Indie Roadshow I’ll start with a balanced look at the good and not-so-good side of self-publishing to give you an overview of what you’ll encounter should you take this step as well.

Pros

• You are totally in control. Creative control. Administrative control. Editing control. You’re an Oprah microcosm.

• You set the time table. No more rushing and rearranging schedules to meet an editor’s deadlines. All your deadlines are self-imposed.

• Write what’s in your heart. There’s no editor or agent to nix your project because they feel they can’t sell it to the marketing committee.

• Most of the money is yours. This is my favorite part, and probably my biggest reason for trying on the rogue coat. Depending on your price point, you can earn up to 70% of your cover price.

Cons

• Remember that control part? With that and a side of fries, you also get all the responsibility. Trust me. It’s a lot more work than it looks from the sidelines—that is, if you don’t fudge on any of the details.

• It costs money. Other than the writing, you can hire someone to edit, design the cover, format, advertise, schedule blog tours, and send your book out to reviewers. The more you can do for yourself, the more money in your pocket.

• The stigma. Honestly, you’d think there was a giant, honking wart on your nose by the way some people react to self-publishing. Don’t feed the beast by putting out a bad book. Get it professionally edited by someone who does not have a vested interest in it.

• It’s lonely. Sure there are self-publishing communities, but in the end, you’re still in this alone. You will LOVE every nameless soul who buys your book because those are the people who had faith in you, and that’s something money can’t buy.

Should you decide to go rogue, go in with your eyes open. Don’t count on luck or the kindness of strangers. Expect all the work to be on your shoulders—most of it will be. Farm out what you can’t do and roll up your sleeves and do the rest yourself.

Just remember there are just as many benefits as there are pitfalls. If you have a little of the entrepreneurial spirit in you, this might be a road worth taking.

Are there any pitfalls in self-publishing that worry you? Let’s discuss.

Bio: Maria Zannini used to save the world from bad advertising, but now she spends her time wrangling chickens, and fighting for a piece of the bed against dogs of epic proportions. Occasionally, she writes novels.

To see all of my titles visit me on my blog

Follow me on Facebook

THE DEVIL TO PAY: Shannon McKee just made the worst deal of her life and has offered her soul in trade. She never expected they’d come to collect so soon.

Blog Activity

2011-07-11T00:00:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to pop in to lay out the blog activity for the next week or so. Release day for FALLING HARD is finally upon us (July 18!!)

To celebrate, I'm featured on Gabriella Hewett's blog today for Meet an Author Monday. Come on by and check it out.

Tomorrow make sure to stop by the blog here again because I have special guest Maria Zannini, who will be talking about her choice to self-publish.

Tomorrow I'm also blogging with the Vixens, and I hope you'll stop by because I'll be giving away a free copy of FALLING HARD.

Then on July 13, I'm going to be a guest on Delilah Devlin's blog, talking a little bit about my writing schedule.

Last but not least for this week, I'll be visiting Wynter Daniels blog on July 14 with another chance to win a copy of the book!

Don't Ask, Never Tell

2011-07-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited that I share a release with writing buddies and critique partners, Christine D'Abo and Wylie Kinson! Don't Ask, Never Tell is a print compilation of three fantastic contemporary shorts from Ellora's Cave, including my own The Morning After!

Law of Averages Wylie Kinson

Megan Frost, an up-and-coming restaurateur, knows everything there is to know about the culinary arts, but when it comes to pop culture, she's been living under a rock. During a vacation to the sunny island of Bermuda, the yummiest dish she's ever laid eyes on rolls that rock right off her.

British musician Gabriel Law, the famous Dark Angel of Rock, regrets putting his songwriting on the back burner. Tired and creatively simmered out, he retreats to the peace and solitude of Bermuda in order to cook up some original sounds for his new album. But when he finds a naked girl in his holiday cottage, he happily exchanges solitude for a sizzling duet.

The ingredients for a sexy, scorching relationship are in place, but the mix isn't complete without a romantic legend, a mysterious taxi driver and a surprise symbol of destiny from the aquamarine sea…

The Morning After J.K. Coi

Waking up naked in bed with a man’s arms holding you close wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing…except when that man is your husband.

Leslie has tried so hard to put Leo’s betrayal behind her—the ink was almost dry on the divorce papers. But when circumstances throw her in bed with her estranged husband one last explosive time, Leslie learns how quickly anger can turn to passion and hurt can turn to need, even while she knows there’s no way she can ever trust him again.

What Leslie considers goodbye, Leo insists is only the beginning. But the damage between them runs too deep, and sometimes, the only thing more devastating than the night before, is the morning after...

Chasing Phoenix Christine d'Abo

Not only is she the mysterious Lady Phoenix, sensual storyteller, but she's in lust with her co-worker and friend Michael. The night he shows up unexpectedly at one of her performances, she decides to take advantage of his blindfolded state and have a little fun. Her heated words turn into an erotic display that leaves him panting and her desperate for more. Michael continues the chase, determined to unmask the identity of the woman who has aroused his imagination.

When Michael uncovers the truth about Phoenix, will they cast their friendship aside for a chance at something more?

A Much Needed Break

2011-06-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

"Dangerous Games" (working title) is done and off to my wonderful editor. Let's hope she likes my cops and mobsters story!

That means I'm ready for vacation! This is where I'll be for the foreseeable future.

BUT...When I get home again it's back to work! I still have a lot to do this year.

Get Ready for Steampunk for the Holidays!

2011-06-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm pleased to be able to announce that my novella, FAR FROM BROKEN, has been accepted for publication by Carina Press, and will be included in their holiday Steampunk Anthology. I'm excited to share more details when they become available, but until then I hope you'll check out some of the other fabulous steampunk offerings by the Carina Press authors:

The Mysterious Lady Law by Robert Appleton

In a time of grand airships and steam-powered cars, the death of a penniless young maid will hardly make the front page. But part-time airship waitress and music hall dancer Julia Bairstow is shattered by her sister's murder. When Lady Law, the most notorious private detective in Britain, offers to investigate the case pro bono, Julia jumps at the chance—even against the advice of Constable Al Grant, who takes her protection surprisingly to heart.

Lady Law puts Scotland Yard to shame. She's apprehended Jack the Ripper and solved countless other cold-case crimes. No one knows how she does it, but it's brought her fortune, renown and even a title. But is she really what she claims to be—a genius at deducting? Or is Al right and she is not be trusted?

Julia is determined to find out the truth, even if it means turning sleuth herself—and turning the tables on Lady Law...

Badlands by Seleste deLaney

After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided. As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen. When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union.

Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border. When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally.

As they fly into danger, Ever and Spencer must battle not only the enemy but also their growing attraction. She refuses to place her heart before duty, and he has always put the needs of his ship and crew above his own desires. Once the princess is rescued, perhaps they can find love in the Badlands—if death doesn't find them first..

Alchemy of Desire, Crystal McHugh

After winning the Civil War against the Confederate Wielders, the Union Machinists have outlawed magic to usher in a new age of steam-powered technology. Diah, an alchemist and the only non-wielder in his family, owes his brother for saving his life in the war; so when Cager is blackmailed into procuring the magical hide of the White Buffalo, Diah accompanies him to the Dakota territory.

Their guide is Oni, a half-Lakota woman with plenty of secrets to hide. She's a magic wielder with an illegal wand concealed in her knife—and she's a coyote shifter. To her people, killing the White Buffalo is not only sacrilege, it's dangerous. Oni has no intention of helping them actually achieve their mission—until she falls in love with Diah...

Free Book Week at Carina Press!

2011-06-20T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's FREE BOOK WEEK at Carina Press!!!

Every weekday, all week, Carina is offering a spectacular title for free download. And when they say free, they mean ACTUALLY free. Not "sorta free", or "free with a $50 purchase" free, but actually, totally, no strings attached FREE! So, get thee to Carina Press to download a free book every day! Here are the books being offered, and the links and promo codes for your free download:

Monday's FREE BOOK is:
The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady
Just type in the promo code DEBUTANTEFREE at checkout

Tuesday's FREE BOOK is:
Demon's Fall by Karalynn Lee
Just type in the promo code DEMONFREE at checkout

Wednesday's FREE BOOK is:
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Just type in the promo code TWISTEDFREE at checkout

Thursday's FREE BOOK is:
Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley
Just type in the promo code GALAXYFREE at checkout

Friday's FREE BOOK is:
Friendly Fire by Megan Hart
Just type in the promo code FRIENDLYFREE at checkout

Steampunk!

2011-06-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm blogging at the fantastic Romance Writers Revenge today, talking about steampunk and giving away a copy of Iron Seduction! Come join us, there's always lots of rum. (As long as you don't mind the pirates)

Dad Life

2011-06-14T00:00:00.003-04:00

Join me for my blog at the Vauxhall Vixens today.

Excerpt Monday, Winners and Romance Trading Cards!

2011-06-06T00:00:00.001-04:00

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

What better way to start of Monday morning than with a great excerpt, so join me at Excerpt Monday for a taste of Iron Seduction!

___________________________

Also, the winners of my Iron Seduction release party contest (on Facebook, Twitter and of the members of my newsletter) are as follows:

All Things Books (Facebook)
Terri Osborn (Twitter)
Hockeyvampiress (Newsletter)

Please email me at jkcoi(AT)rogers(DOT)com and I'll send you a copy!

___________________________

Last but certainly not least, I've just put in an order for my Romance Trading Cards for Falling Hard. I can't wait for them to arrive so I can give them away, so here's a sneak peek!

On the Bookshelf

2011-06-04T00:00:00.004-04:00

I've read a few good books in the last few weeks in between the editing and although I'd love to keep reading, I have some writing to get done now. The good thing is, I still have awesome books on the bookshelf to give me motivation to get my work done so that I can crack them open.

The first is Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh. *sigh* I wanted to protest this book. I wanted to force myself to wait until it came out in paperback because I HATE having to buy a hardcover when I've bought the 8 books before it in paperback. And I would have bought it as an ebook, but this is one of only 2 series that I still want to have on my "actual" shelf. So I caved. This is the first book I'm going to read as soon as I reach my 10k writing goal.

The next book on my shelf is Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning. I read book 1 two weeks ago and immediatley ordered the next one. The thing I like best about trying a new series when all the books are already available is that...all the books are available and I don't have to wait! (except because I have other committments)

The third book I'll wait to read is Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire. I've heard good things and thought I'd give it a shot. Simple as that. I have no idea what it's about and no expectations, but I like going into a book open and free like that, and hoping for a good surprise. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Release Day for Iron Seduction!

2011-06-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

My most recent Quickie from Ellora's Cave is out today!!

And another chance to win a copy of Iron Seduction! Make sure you've signed up for my newsletter on my website www.jkcoi.com and let me know in the comments.

That's it! Good luck and I hope you enjoy IRON SEDUCTION!

Chinese Steampunk!

British Military Ambassador Lady Jane helped free China from the tyrannical rule of the evil Empress Cixi. But now the Empress is fighting back with ancient, unnatural warriors under her command.

As Jane and compelling mercenary Jian Danzen struggle to the Great Wall to stop Cixi, all the excuses Jane has been using to keep the sexy Dance at arm’s length become less convincing. The overwhelming attraction she’s pushed aside for so long since their one night of passion threatens to consume them both.

The danger they face this night might mean Jane never leaves the Wall alive again. If so, she wants it to be a night without regret. But only one night, because even if they survive the Empress and the even greater foe waiting for them, Jane knows there can be no future for two people from such different worlds.

Buy Link

Contest!

2011-05-29T00:00:00.002-04:00

IRON SEDUCTION is my new Quickie with Ellora's Cave, and it's available June 3!

I had a lot of fun writing this story. It's got so much awesomeness, including a chinese setting with a journey up the Great Wall. An Evil Empress and an Ancient Emperor. Steam powered convertible, gel fire weaponry, an unstoppable Terracotta Army brought to life by ancient magic... And a stubborn English soldier who can't resist the reliability, strength, and overwhelming sex appeal of one particular Chinese warrior.

What could be better?

To celebrate I'll be holding a number of contests here and on twitter, and all you have to do to qualify is sign up for my newsletter on my website www.jkcoi.com. I'll be drawing names at the end of the week. (Although, if you want to leave me a note here in the comments too, that would be great! :)

Today's your first chance. Go!

A little bit of everything

2011-05-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

I've got an exciting new blog up at the Vixens about all the cool stuff that's been going on lately!

Falling Hard

2011-05-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm very excited to be able to finally share the cover for Falling Hard!

Look for it in July from Carina Press!

Copyright © 2011 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited
® and TM are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliate companies, used under license.

FALLING HARD

After a life filled with tragedy, rocker Gabriel Gunn thinks he's finally getting the better of his personal demons. Then he's attacked after a concert—and rescued by a warrior goddess brandishing a sword and white wings. As hard as it is to believe in an angelic bodyguard, Gabriel must face an even more impossible truth: he carries the devil's soul within him.

Amelia has been watching over Gabriel for years, using her angelic powers to prevent Lucifer's return. Now she must also protect him from warring angel factions with their own agendas. Amelia would do anything to avert another angelic war, even sacrifice her own emotions to avoid temptation. Yet with Gabriel she feels things she no longer wants to deny, and pleasure she never imagined.

But the closer Gabriel and Amelia get, the stronger Lucifer becomes. Will Amelia be forced to kill the man she's come to love to stop the war she's always feared?

Happy Anniversary to Us!

2011-05-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Last weekend was my anniversary vacation with hubby to Las Vegas. Neither of us had been there before, and so we went all out, including a tour of the Grand Canyon and a stop at Hoover Dam in the things we wanted to do.

We also walked up and down the strip, visited old Las Vegas, looked into all the different casinos, did a little (very little) bit of gambling, saw a few shows (including a burlesque show!), and hung out at the pool.

All in all, it was an amazing way to spend our tenth anniversary.

I'm so very happy to have had 10 years with the most fantastic man in the world, and I'm looking forward to many tens more!

Endurance

2011-04-26T03:00:00.000-04:00

I'm posting today at the Happy Endings Blog!

What am I up to?

2011-04-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Vixens talk about our recent projects, so come see what we've been up to!

Be Back Soon

2011-04-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm working away at my steampunk short story and I'm almost done.

GUEST AUTHOR: Nicole North

2011-04-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Characters with a Past

Characters with a bumpy past or emotional baggage are more complex, interesting and realistic. Readers will pull for them more (if you also make them empathetic). Every real person has had negative things happen in their past. Readers understand and connect to this. We are a product of our past, and in some cases the past has greatly affected us and how we deal with people or situations. The past often motivates us in the present. The important events of a character’s past, the ones that shaped them most, are called backstory events. If you can give your character one or two big backstory events that are still affecting him or her today, you are one step closer to creating a complex, believable, real character.

The backstory events I’m talking about are generally bad, negative or painful things that happened to the character in the past. It could’ve happened last month, last year or when he was five. It could’ve lasted five minutes or ten years. A bad thing could be a traumatic event or something that caused them emotional pain. Someone tried to kill him. His brother was murdered. She was raped. A curse was placed on him. She was kidnapped. He was abused as a child. She was left orphaned and penniless, then raised in a string of foster homes. He was in a car accident that left him with a major injury and the person riding with him was killed. Her father gambled away the fortune. It could be almost anything that would negatively affect your character for a long time, and this event still haunts him. He is not yet healed from this life-changing event. This is his emotional baggage. This is when you bring memories and repercussions from the past event into the current story. She doesn’t trust men (or the hero) because she was raped. She wants a family more than anything because she never had one. He grew up in poverty and this is what drives him to be the wealthiest business owner in town.

The character’s GMC often comes from their past, especially their motivations. Motivation is the “why?” Why does the hero work so hard to be the best cop he can be? Because his father was killed in the line of duty fifteen years ago? Because the hero’s little sister was killed by a drug dealer ten years ago? Why does the heroine not trust men? Because she saw how her father abused and cheated on her mother? Because all the men close to her in the past treated her like dirt? These are the deep issues that trouble your characters. And the problems they have to work through usually come from seeds planted in the past.

Backstory events don’t have to be traumatic and extremely painful, especially if your book is lighter, like a comedy. Or if your story is very short. (You may not have time or space to work through traumatic events.) You could use lighter-weight backstory events. Did he quit high school and now he’s determined to be incredibly successful anyway? Did the other kids in school tease her about her braces, her excessive height, or her hair? Is he/she divorced? Were her parents extremely strict? Too lenient? The point is that any story and any character can benefit from backstory events that still affect him/ her now in some way, even in minor ways. This doesn’t mean you have to have a backstory event or that you need one, but if you do it’s a plus. And the darker and more dramatic your story, the more your characters will benefit from backstory events.

Backstory events, once revealed, will show the reader why the character believes a certain thing about others or about himself. Why he acts as he does. How he expects others to behave. Backstory events bring out a character’s personality, values, and attitudes about specific things.

In my recent release, Laird of Darkness, the hero, Duncan, has two types of negative backstory events. One is that because he is half Fae and has no magical weapon of protection, monsters or demons from Otherworld torture him physically if he goes to sleep at night. This has happened to him since he was a child, so naturally he tries to stay awake at night. Another backstory event is that his father abused him. Using his Fae powers he was able to escape most of this abuse but it was always clear his father never loved him. Another important backstory event happened when Duncan was seventeen. His father died, and Duncan became chief of his clan. Enemy clans in the area thought he would be weak because he was so young, and they invaded. With the help of his Fae powers, Duncan led his clan to victory. The violence and paranormal occurrences during this event led to Duncan’s infamous and legendary reputation as the Laird of Darkness.

This month I’m teaching my workshop, Instinctive Characterization. In it I cover backstory event and lots of other elements and methods writers can use when developing characters. You can still register if you want. Just visit my website and click on the link at the top, or click workshops on the menu.

Nicole North

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Laird of Darkness

Half-Fae Laird Duncan MacDougall is cursed. His nights are haunted by Otherworld creatures sent to kill him. The only way to stop them is to possess the magic bow currently in the hands of his enemy half-brother, Kinnon MacClaren. In desperation, Duncan plans to take MacClaren's bride-to-be hostage and exchange her for the bow.

Lady Alana Forbes has never met her intended, but she hopes he is handsome-and a good lover, for Alana is no innocent virgin. On her way to Castle Claren, Alana and her escorts are intercepted, and she is kidnapped by a man with extraordinary abilities-and every attribute she longs for in a mate.

Duncan didn't expect the woman he thought of as a mere pawn would be so beautiful, and so arousing. Alana is drawn to him as well-but Duncan still needs the bow, and Alana is betrothed to another. How far will Alana go to save the life of the man she's come to love?

Chapter one excerpt

Available at:
Carina Press
Amazon

Blending Genres

2011-03-29T05:00:00.001-04:00

I'm talking about writing multi-genre books at the Happy Endings blog today.

Here Be Magic

2011-03-28T00:00:00.002-04:00

Come check out my first post at the Here Be Magic blog!

Also, Congratulations to JenM who is the winner of a copy of Joely Sue Burkhart's book, Lady Doctor Wyre. Please email her at joelysueburkhart(AT)gmail(DOT)com!

Release Day!

2011-03-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to pick up HOWLING SACRIFICES, out today from Ellora's Cave!

What happens to a young and naive Canadian woman traveling alone on a particularly evil night in the Scottish Highlands? She’ll get a lot more than she bargained for when she wishes for an adventure and finds herself part of a bloody pagan ritual…and inexorably linked to a wild and dangerous wolf.

Excerpt:

“What brings you so far from home all by yerself, Lucy?”

Wary about revealing her destination to a stranger, Lucy hesitated. She was probably overreacting by imagining that she’d unwittingly climbed into a four-wheeled version of the boat of Charon with a serial killer, but she nevertheless felt intimidated by this man’s overwhelming dark presence. In fact, everything about this trip made her nervous, and even though she was no doubt perfectly safe, it was probably best that she didn’t tell him too much.

“Just visiting some friends.” She stared into the shadows, her voice turning sharp and guarded. “They’re expecting me tonight.”

Dougald chuckled, a deep bass rumbling from the darkness, raising goose bumps on her skin half from jitters and half out of an absurd compulsion to lean forward and search the shadows for the face that belonged to such a mysterious, powerful voice. She tried to ignore the impulse, torn between the contradiction of fear and temptation.

“Dinna worry, lass,” he said. “I have no intention of draggin’ ye from the carriage and out into the woods. Ye’ll reach yer friends safely.”

Lucy let out a long sigh and a breathy little laugh, embarrassed that she’d been so transparent about her misgivings. “Sorry. I know I’m overreacting. I think it’s the time of night.” She spared another quick glance out the window. The darkness was so complete she shivered.

“Witching hour of the winter solstice,” he murmured in a low voice.

She turned back to him. “That sounds ominous.”

“Many cultures believed that evil’s hold o’er the natural world was strongest during the solstice, which is why it was popular to make sacrifices to the gods on this night, to welcome back the light.”

His words only compounded Lucy’s feelings of foreboding. Cold slithered up her spine and settled over her heart as she gazed out the window once more. On one side of her, the narrow road they were traveling had been cut out of the mountain. It wound across the bumpy terrain in lazy S’s. On the other side of the carriage, craggy moors had given way some time ago to tall trees that hid even the brightest stars. There were no road lamps or markers to light the way. Anything could leap out into their path at any moment and they’d never see it coming.

It was all just a little too spooky for a girl who’d been living in Toronto for the past fifteen years, where no street went without a neon sign or two and there was never a time of day without some jarring noise ringing in the air to remind you that you were never truly alone.

“Every corner of Scotland seems to have some eerie ancient mythology attached to it. It’s a little unsettling,” she admitted sheepishly to Dougald.

GUEST AUTHOR: Joely Sue Burkhart

2011-03-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Finding Inspiration

I've always listened to music while I write. Some books need several different songs that help me invoke the images or emotion I'm trying to create. Thanks to my first fantasy trilogy, I can't listen to Kiss From A Rose by Seal or (Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams without getting teary-eyed. I've got everything from Nickelback to Apocalyptica to country - yes country music! - on my playlists. But only recently have I added movies to my inspiration process.

My next Carina release, Golden, was inspired by the movie Curse of the Golden Flower. I happened to catch a few minutes of the movie at bedtime one night, and I ended up staying up way past midnight (even though I had to work the next day!) in order to watch it. I DVRd it and watched it over and over, at least half a dozen times, and I knew I had to write a story based on Imperial China. Now that the story is contracted, I've watched CotGF at least four times while working on edits. The music, the scenery, everything speaks to me. I get chills while watching it. I even dream about it!

Indirectly, The Bloodgate Guardian was also inspired by a movie: Stargate. I've always loved pyramids, but everybody's done Egyptian stories. What about all those fantastic Mayan pyramids in Central America? Add in blood and human sacrifice with interesting mythologies, and I'm there!

Music and movies might be expected, but I bet you'll be surprised to hear that I was inspired by Mrs. Giggles' Regency Drinking Game for my upcoming Samhain release, Lady Doctor Wyre. I was reading her list and giggling, naturally, and the thought came to me: how ridiculous would some of these be if the heroine and hero exchanged roles? I mean, just think of how much fun I'm going to have with debutant virgin heroes and rake heroines? I can't wait!

Joely Sue Burkhart

Howling Sacrifices

2011-03-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

I've just sold a fantastic, chilling short to Ellora's Cave's new Shivers line, and it's scheduled to be out THIS MONTH!!

Check back soon for more details!

From EC's new Shivers line, Howling Sacrifices is the story of a young and naive Canadian woman travelling alone on a particularly evil night in the Scottish Highlands. She wished for adventure and excitement, but Lucy will get a lot more than she bargained for when she finds herself inexorably linked to a wild and dangerous wolf.

Writing Superstition

2011-03-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

Join me at the Vixens Blog for the three things I HAVE TO HAVE when starting a new writing project, and tell me what your writing superstitions are.

Quick Update

2011-02-28T00:00:00.002-05:00

It's Monday! What better day to post an update and let you know what I'm doing.

I just finished up a couple of short stories. They were so fun to write, and now that they've been submitted, I play the waiting game. One was a cool alternate China Steampunk thing, and the other was a bloody werewolf horror. Wish me luck!

Right now though, I have to finish a final read-through of my romantic fantasy, before I finally press send and get it out to a few people. Then I pray while I get back to work on my contemporary partial.

That should take me all week (I know, I'm so slow!) but THEN I'm going to be starting on Book 2 of my angel series for Carina Press. I really hope everyone ends up liking these stories as much as I do (excerpt coming soon, I hope).

Gabe and Amelia from book 1 feel so real to me, and their trials ripped my heart out. It was devastating to be finished with their story and have to leave them behind. But of course, Cass is going to be a challenge and I'll need to focus on him. He's skirting the edge of total evil and I'm not even sure yet if he'll make it.

So that's me for now!

What's everyone else working on these days?

You Can't Do That

2011-02-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

I'm pumped to have Inez on the blog today because I just got her book at iBooks, and I've been reading it on TheCoolGadget. This is a story you can't miss. Sexy and deeply emotional. I am loving every minute of it!

Welcome Inez Kelley!

You know, I hate rules. I do. I’ve always hated them. I REALLY hate them in my own stories. When I sit down to write, I write what I see, what comes to my head. When someone comes along and says “you can’t do that in a romance”, the hair on my neck raises.

Says who?

After some hem-hawing and stuttering, the naysayer will spit out “Readers. They don’ t like *insert whatever rule I broke*.

Hmmm…

Okay, I used to skip school because I could. I never did a lick of homework in High School. I stopped drinking beer when I was 21 because, well, by then it was no big deal. It was legal. Rules and me have never been best buds, ya know?

I thought about those naysayers and then did my own thing any way. *shrug* It seems I am always breaking some unwritten but iron-clad RULE OF ROMANCE. Strangely, I never know these rules until after I break them.

For example: RULE: You can kill the villain but, for God’s sake, don’t kill the dog.

Oops. Sorry.

RULE: You can’t kill your hero and heroine, either.

Oops again.

RULE: Romance heroes NEVER call the heroine a f-ing B!tch.

Uhm… oops?

RULE: Heroes never cry.

ROFLMAO… seriously?

RULE: Love fixes all the problems in the world.

Say what? Not in my world.

RULE: The heroine is never physically stronger than the hero.

*shifty eyes* NEXT!!

RULE: Ex-wives/husbands are always evil or bad people

Uh-oh

RULE: The heroine should never tell the hero he need a shower first if he wants to get ‘busy’ with her.

O.o ……

Rules shmules. If it makes a believable story, I’m writing it.

In my latest book SWEET AS SIN, I just listened to my characters and wrote their story. It isn’t always pretty and they don’t follow the rules. John is one messed-up dude and Livvy doesn’t understand the words “Back Off”. These two are explosive together. Sometimes it hurts to watch them hurt each other. Love isn’t always sweet. Sometimes it burns like sin.

*I* have one rule of romance. Anything goes as long as at the end, the main characters get a Happily Ever After and the reader walks away feeling like they lived the story. PERIOD. So that’s the only thing I promise in my books.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a hero about to slip some drugs into a heroine’s drink. Off I go to break more rules.

SWEET AS SIN

She’s made for sin. Sin is something he knows intimately.

John Murphy is tormented by nightmares. A bestselling young-adult author, he writes the ultimate fantasy: stories where good always triumphs. He knows better. His past has shown him the worst in people—and in himself. When he moves next door to the sexy, vibrant Livvy—a woman completely unlike his usual one-night stands—he's driven to explore every curve of her delicious body.

Pastry chef Livvy knows that giving in to the temptation that is John Murphy won't lead to anything permanent, but she deserves a passionate summer fling. John discovers she's as sweet as the confections she bakes while Livvy slowly unravels his secrets. But what will happen when she uncovers them all?

Buy Sweet as Sin at Carina Press, AMZ, ARe, BoB or B&N

Inez Kelley is a multi-published author of various romance genres. You can visit her at her website http://inezkelley.com/ Follow Inez on twitter at @Inez_Kelley or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/inez.kelley

Cover HOTness!!

2011-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is the "front" cover for the Agony/Ecstasy anthology edited by Jane Litte (Dear Author), being released late-2011.

And this is the "back" cover for the same anthology. YAY -- TWO covers for the same book, LOL!!

My story CAGED is but one of the 21 amazing stories that will be featured!

Switching Hats

2011-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm talking a little more about my foray into writing horror on the Dark Walk today. Come join me there!

Another Project Down!

2011-02-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

YES! I've finished another project. So far 2011 has been productive, and I am liking it!

I've already completed two short stories and finished the first round of edits on FALLING HARD, my 2011 Carina Press release. (The next round just arrived in my inbox this weekend, so there is still work to be done!)

This last project, however, was interesting. A distinct shift away from my usual fare--since there is not a kiss, lick, or even a longing look to be found. It's the story of a gentle, civilized female werewolf taken from her home and plucked down in the middle of a dangerous game where the one left standing at the end is the only one coming out alive.

It's for a horror anthology that I heard about and an idea came to me. After that, I couldn't NOT write it.

I'm not sure if I'll write more of these really dark stories, but it was definitely good to stretch the creative juices, and I think it turned out really well. Hopefully, I'll be able to celebrate its sale soon! Cross your fingers and wish me luck. :)

What has everyone been up to this winter?

Writing Kryptonite

2011-01-25T03:00:00.001-05:00

I'm blogging at Happy Endings today about my writing Kryptonite and five ways to nip it in the bud. What's your Kryptonite?

Avoiding Story Structure

2011-01-13T00:00:00.002-05:00

Click here to see my post about the ingredients for great stories, and chime in with your own opinion about what works best.

Celebrate the Website Contest Winners!

2011-01-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who posted, emailed me, commented on Facebook and Twitter--I'm really pleased with the job that Rae Monet Designs did on my new website and I'm glad that it is being so well received by you all as well!

With that in mind, congratulations to Lisa and Jacqui who have each won a copy of either The Trouble With Destiny or The Morning After--Your choice!

Please email me at jkcoi(AT)rogers(DOT)com with your preference.

Thanks again, and please come visit here often for my book updates, teasers, other news...or just to join in my nonsensical rambling :)

It's alive!! ALIVE!!

2011-01-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Oh. My. God.

I don't know if you noticed the change to the blog here, but that's NOTHING compared to my website!! You have to go and check it out. Right. Now.

J.K. Coi

(Then run back here and let me know what you think!)

To celebrate the awesomeness I'm holding a contest and giving away a copy of each of my books. Just comment and tell me what you like to see in an author's website (and if mine meets with your expectations)

Special thanks for the design, construction and maintenance (and extreme patience needed to work with me) go out to Rae Monet Designs.

RED FOG: Nazi Zombie Graphic Novel

2010-12-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

I love everything about writing. I love the shiny beginning, the hair-pulling middle, the cry-fest at the end. I love editing, and promoting (not so much), and everything else that comes between. Except for the uncertainty of the publishing industry.

And how much harder would it be to publish a graphic novel?

I would never have known if not for the writer Chris Williams, and artist Mike Docherty, and their Nazi Zombies. Chris is an Animation Supervisor who has animated or supervised on a variety of films, including the SPIDER-MAN trilogy, OPEN SEASON, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS and ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Chris holds a degree in Art History from McGill University and a diploma in Classical Animation from Sheridan College. Mike has 30 years of comic book and storyboarding experience. He's worked for MARVEL, WARNER BROS and SONY just to name a few, and has been instrumental in many great projects including the CONAN THE BARBARIAN comic as well as the films STARSHIP TROOPERS and GODZILLA.

I've been following the progress of this project for a while now, and I'm so impressed with everything Chris and Mike have accomplished. With only FIVE DAYS left to raise the money they need, though, they're close but could use as much help as they can get. Please check out their project and become backer. For as little as $20.00 you could make a HUGE difference and get a copy of the finished project as a thank you from these talented guys!

click here

Back to Reality

2010-12-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Come visit me at Happy Endings where I'm sharing a few tips to help get back on the writing horse after the holidays.

What I really want for Christmas

2010-12-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

I'm blogging at the Vauxhall Vixens today. :)

Welcome to December

2010-12-07T00:00:00.004-05:00

A little late, but better late than never, right??

Whew. Am I ever glad that November is over and done with. I'm not sure what to tell you about it. It was productive in its way...although not how I had expected it to be. I DIDN'T finish NaNo. Barely started and got derailed early on. Instead, I decided to go through hell and come out the other side a little the worse for wear.

BUT!!

I came out of it all with this!

I'm very pleased and super stoked to announce that my story has been chosen for inclusion in an anthology to be published by Berkley in November, 2011. The theme of the anthology is "Agony and Ecstasy". You can find out the details, and get the line-up of other fabulous authors (including the amazing Meljean Brook, Margaret Rowe, Helen Kay Dimon, Christine D'Abo, Del Dryden, etc...) here

I also have some other amazingness to share soon, but unfortunately since the ink isn't yet dry, I'm keeping this one to myself for just a little while longer, but more news is coming!!

Good luck with NaNoWriMo and...

2010-11-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Happy MOVEMBER!! Click here for my post at the Vixens.

What Would Murdo Do?

2010-10-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

So a friend from the day job turned me on to this blog called "What Would Murdo Do?" which is along the same lines of the very popular Sh*t My Dad Says. It's very funny and heartwarming, and I like it for those reasons and because it's written by the friend of a friend. so please check it out and enjoy!

A Little Friendly Competition

2010-10-26T03:00:00.001-04:00

Come by the Happy Endings Blog today for my post about NaNoWriMo and an exciting announcement! :)

What's Your Point of View?

2010-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

And...another post at the Vixens today! (would that I could find time for my own blog, lately)

Rest and Recharge

2010-10-12T00:00:00.002-04:00

Click here for my post on the Vauxhall Vixens today.

What Do You Mean No Writing For A Month?

2010-09-28T03:00:00.001-04:00

Come check out my blog today at Happy Endings.

D.O.N.E.

2010-09-15T21:18:00.003-04:00

It's been a long while since I felt this relaxed. It's been a while since I haven't felt rushed, pressured, compelled to sit in front of the computer screen (besides at the day job). The last year has been a non-stop write-fest to get two books written. Books that I loved from start to finish (and still love)...now that they’re done.

Yes, THE BOOK IS DONE!

I gave myself one deadline and couldn’t quite meet it. Then I gave myself another deadline and wouldn’t let myself not meet it. It meant cutting back on my exercise program, cutting back on my social life (what social life?), cutting back on my internet time, and lots of other things, but I made sure I got the book done.

It felt good. Two weeks later (after the editing), I can honestly say it still felt really good. I spent lots of time with my family. I made homemade soup (French Onion and Butternut Squash). I’ve done laundry and cleaned the house. I volunteered to be the “raffle table mommy” for kiddo’s back-to-school Parent/Teacher BBQ, and I’ve hit the treadmill again (thank God!).

...And it looks like that’s all the time I get. I’m twitchy. Jittery. A little tense and anxious.

I thought I would be able to hold back for at least a month, maybe even right up until after Thanksgiving (we’re planning a family getaway). But it looks like I won’t last that long.

You see, there’s this idea that I have. I know I won’t be writing right away (good for my marriage). It needs time to grow, to be fleshed out, to see if there’s enough substance to fuel the imagination for 90,000 words...but I think there is. And I want to write this. I need to write this.

I am a writer. It’s awesome.

(Please remind me of this three months from now when I’m mired in writer’s block because this awesome idea is causing me to tear out my hair )

RWA Orlando 2010-A Brief Rundown

2010-08-03T00:00:00.004-04:00

Very brief, but with some great pictures! Come check it out

See You Soon!

2010-07-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Off to Orlando for a combo vacation/writer's conference. It's going to be a blast! Wish my introverted-self luck mingling with all the like-minded writers, I hear this is going to be a completely sold-out show!

I'm looking forward to not only putting faces to the names of a lot of my online writer-buddies, but also getting the opportunity to meet some of the business' movers and shakers, agents, editors, and publishing pros of all types.

I'm also out-of-my-mind excited about the prospect of Disney World. I've never been and it's one of those things that everyone should try to do no matter how old they are.

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and post them as soon as I get back.

Have a great week!

Gearing Up

2010-07-13T00:00:00.002-04:00

Come visit me today at the Vixen blog where I share my excitement about getting ready for my first RWA National Conference.

The Cave

2010-07-07T00:00:00.001-04:00

I'm writing madly and furiously to try and get my book finished before we leave for Orlando at the end of July, which means I'm going to be scarce and very distracted. If you see me pop out every once in a while, just make sure I remember my name and remind me to eat.

Happy Canada Day!

2010-07-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Keep Reading

2010-06-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

Things That Make Me Cry

2010-06-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Come check out my blog today at the Vixens about writing emotion.

Happy Weekend

2010-06-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy week, and when that happens, I always look forward to the weekend, hoping to be able to relax and wind down...but that really never seems to happen because the weekends are filled with another kind of busy.

Do you ever feel as if there's no room in the hectic schedule to break free of it and try something new? Something different?

That's why, no matter how busy we are, our family makes it a point to set aside at least a weekend a month to do something exciting together--okay maybe not exciting, we're not bungee jumping or anything, but you know what I mean...

One weekend it was a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge (wheeeeee!!), and then the next weekend it was a weekend doing nothing but watching movies and playing Wii together, then another one of camping in the backyard and a bonfire with roasted marshmallows (we had to recover from the cost of the GWL excursion). This weekend is my son's lacrosse tournament, so I will be spending the weekend in an arena--it may not seem very special or exciting, but I love to watch him play, and I love watching the other kids and the parents. It's also one of the few chances I get to just sit back with no responsibilities, absolutely nothing to get done, but be there cheering kiddo on. And it is definitely a break from the routine.

What are your weekend plans? What do you like to do to break away from the everyday?

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T19:30:00.003-04:00

I was away this weekend, but between shopping and the beach and dropping in at no less than three home-reno stores, the family made a special trip out to have dinner with my parents to celebrate father's day.

What can I say about my father? He's never been a very chatty sort. He has something to say...he says it. We get on with life. As a kid I found him intimidating and unapproachable, and I think he felt he had to be that way in order to keep us all in line. But he's also mellowed...like, a LOT since his children have all left the roost and gone on to be productive, successful members of society. I'm glad to see it too. I'm glad that he's decided his job is done and now he can relax and enjoy the grandkids :)

As much as he may have scared the crap out of me sometimes as a kid (mostly during my unruly teen years, if the truth be told), I never ever doubted that we were always his first priority and that he loved us very much. And seeing the way he is now with my own son, and how that kid idolizes the man...it's awesome.

So I want to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day and send a special shout out to my husband, who is one of the finest men and best father's ever!

My dad and kiddo, working hard!!

Now time to cool off and have some fun :)

That deserves some ice cream for sure!

Go Italia!!

2010-06-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

What is it about soccer or football, depending where you're from, that makes people absolutely crazy?

Soccer is the biggest, hugest, most watched, most played, most loved sport in the world--and I can appreciate that because it's pretty big in my house as well. Whereas hubby likes hockey and will watch the games if he's home, it's nothing compared to when soccer season starts--especially during a WORLD CUP year--when he CANNOT miss a game, and rushes home from work to be glued to the television, or frantically tries to avoid listening to the news because he might hear a score for a game he's had to tape to watch later.

Of course, kiddo is excited this year as well, who's played soccer every summer since he was three years old, and is now spouting statistics to me for players on the Italian, Brazilian, French, German and South African teams like he was born with a soccer ball in his hands--which I would have noticed, trust me.

While I don't get the same soccer fever as the boys in my household, I am excited for "our" team to win, and I love the energy that it creates. Our neighbours have the flags of their favourite teams waving from the garage, and my co-workers are all wearing their jerseys to the office (on casual day, of course). I'm thinking that all of this will even bleed into my writing, so if you see an Italian soccer hunk showing up in my next novel (maybe fighting demons in another world), then you'll know why. :)

GUEST AUTHOR: KS Augustin

2010-06-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

Never give up, never surrender!

Let me tell you about a story I wrote the year before last. That would make it 2008. I was very proud of that novel because it was one of the first actual novels I ever wrote. (Up till then, I'd mostly been writing novellas.) I tried to get some interest in it but it never quite got there. What could it be, I wondered?

* The heroine as an exonerated terrorist?
* Having three of the four main characters non-white? * Interleaving some pretty hard science-fiction into the romance?
* The jaundiced view of the military that the hero and heroine hold?
* The fact that the only ostensibly alpha character in the entire novel is a villain?
* The fact that it's the heroine who has to rescue the hero?

As a writer, you can think up reasons for rejection till the sun goes nova and still not be finished. So, maybe for a reason I listed above, and maybe for none of the above, I wasn't able to tempt an agent with it.

I kept editing and polishing the thing through 2009...and heard about a new digital publisher opening. Not a fly-by-night, but one with solid investors and staff with publishing bloodlines. Hmmmm, would they be interested in My Little Novel?

Carefully reading the submission guidelines, I submitted a partial. They liked it! They asked for a full! With bated breath, I submitted the full! And Quartet Press folded. Aiyyayay! You know how that ancient mariner felt with the albatross around his neck? Yeah, that's how I was starting to view My Little Novel.

Then, I heard that Harlequin was starting up a digital-first press. Carina Press. From deep in my lair, my ears pricked up. I wonder...?

You know how you read that it's not enough to just write? You have to have tenacity and a tough hide to be a writer? It's true. Because if I hadn't somehow convinced myself that somewhere in the universe existed someone who'd appreciate My Little Novel, that story -- now called IN ENEMY HANDS -- would not be one of the launch titles for Carina Press on Monday, 7 June.

So let that be a lesson to you. Educate yourself in writing. Read widely. And cultivate tenacity. If I can do it, so can you!

IN ENEMY HANDS

The Republic had taken everything from Moon―her research partner, her privacy, her illusions. They thought they had her under control. They were wrong.

Srin Flerovs, Moon's new research partner, is a chemically enhanced maths genius whose memory is erased every two days.

While he and Moon work on a method of bringing dead stars back to life, attraction between them flares, but that poses its own problem. How can their love survive when Srin forgets Moon every two days?

When she discovers the lethal applications her research can be put to, Moon knows she and Srin are nothing more than pawns in a much larger game. Together, they must escape the clutches of the Republic before they become its scapegoats. But there are too many walls around them, too many eyes watching. They want to run, but they're trapped on a military vessel in the depths of space, and time is running out....

Kaz Augustin is a Malaysian-born writer of science-fiction, romance, and permutations of the two. Her website is at http://www.ksaugustin.com/ and she blogs at http://blog.ksaugustin.com/ You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter; just look for “ksaugustin”.

JK Coi: In Enemy Hands is recently released by the brand new Carina Press and I'm interested to know how many of you have already taken advantage of some of their amazing authors' great new titles. For a chance to win In Enemy Hands and one other Carina Press release of your choice, tell me what other Carina Press books you've read or are looking forward to reading. I'll draw a name on Wednesday night.

Winners!

2010-06-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to the winners of my Twitter Contest!

@sarahsreviews and @Pearl_ROOB

You've each won a copy of The Trouble With Destiny and The Morning After.
(email me at jkcoi(AT)rogers(DOT)com for your prizes!)

Thank you to everyone for participating!

Twitter Contest!!

2010-06-07T20:21:00.002-04:00

I'm in a great mood tonight, even though I had to work late, and I'll be working late most of the week. Why then? Because I just bought some new music and made a new playlist, and I got a whole whack of new books to read, and some great entries to judge in this year's amazing TRW Contest.

I'm celebrating my good mood by holding my first ever Twitter contest!

Retweet the following before 10:00 pm on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 to be entered to win. TWO copies of my Samhain release The Trouble With Destiny, and TWO copies of my Ellora's Cave release The Morning After are up for grabs:

@jkcoi is in a great mood, which means a contest! Retweet by 10pm Jun 8 to win The Morning After and Trouble With Destiny!

Winner!

2010-06-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

The winner of Margaret Rowe's Tempting Eden is:

LIMECELLO!!

Email me at jkcoi(AT)rogers(DOT)com with your snail mail address and I'll make sure that you get a copy of this FABULOUS book!

Tempting Eden

2010-06-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

My friend and critique Partner, Maggie Robinson had her debut release Mistress by Mistake, and as everyone should know by now, this was an super amazing book!

But now her alter ego (writing as) Margaret Rowe is celebrating the release of Tempting Eden, a book I've been looking forward to seeing in print for a long while. This is a book that pushes all the boundaries and demands an emotional response. It's bold and daring and gut-wrenching. Don't miss it!!

To help her celebrate, I'm giving away a copy of Tempting Eden to one lucky commenter on the blog this week. Just leave me a comment telling me what you're looking forward to this summer. Is it a book, a vacation, or something else?

Writers Contests-For and Against

2010-05-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Stop by the Happy Endings blog today and share your thoughts about writers contests.

This. Is. Awesome.

2010-05-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Projection on Buildings from NuFormer Projection on Vimeo.

(Thanks to Christine D'Abo for finding and sharing it)

Great Things to do While You're Waiting

2010-05-18T00:00:00.003-04:00

Check out my blog today over at the Vauxhall Vixens and share your favourite thing to do to keep your mind off waiting.

It's All About ME!!

2010-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's my day at Christine D'Abo's blog, and I'm sharing 10 things about ... ME! Come learn the things about me that you never wanted to know, and share something about yourself to be entered to win!

10 For 10 Plus 1

2010-05-11T00:00:00.002-04:00

My friend and critique partner Christine D'Abo is celebrating a very special event--her 10th release from Ellora's Cave!

She's having a 10 day celebration to mark the occasion, showcasing 10 fabulous EC authors and their books, which celebration culminates on May 21 with the release of her new book Mistress Rules!

So make sure to join us everyday from now until May 21 at Christine's blog:

May 11 - Jennifer Leeland
May 12 - KB Alan
May 13 - Amy Ruttan
May 14 - Aileen Fish
May 15 - Rhian Cahill
May 16 - JK Coi
May 17 - Emma Petersen
May 18 - Nina Pierce
May 19 - Lissa Matthews
May 20 - Tory Richards
May 21 - Christine d'Abo