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Monday, January 31, 2011

First Grave on the Right Debuts!

Book Launch and Give-away!

I recently queried 2009 Golden Heart winner, and new author Darynda Jones, to ask if she’d be interested in doing an interview to talk about her debut Paranormal Romance novel FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT which will be released tomorrow, February 1st, from St. Martin's Press. She graciously agreed.

I was one of the very lucky winners of an advance readers edition from a Goodreads contest and found the novel a pure delight on so many levels.

And there's quite a story behind this story! The cover of FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is pictured on the February 2011 edition of RT Book Reviews, along with an article about Darynda. Her book also received a 4-1/2 star rating (the highest from RT Book Reviews). In fact, there’s been an incessant buzz about this novel for some time. But don’t just take my word for it. If you hop onto Darynda Jone’s web site, there are some respected names who’ve had great things to say about her work, including JR Ward and Jayne Ann Krentz.

So, many congrats on your debut and welcome, Darynda!

Thank you so much, Laurie! I’m so honored you invited me.

Q. You’ve had quite a journey as a writer. Can you tell us a little about the events in your career before and after your Golden Heart win?

Ah, the journey toward publication.

While I’d been conjuring tales since before I could actually write, I didn’t know 100% I wanted to be a writer until I was in middle school. But I was a horrid speller, I had the attention span of a gnat, and I was nowhere near smart enough to pull off a novel, much less (gasp) two!

For me, the Golden Heart final changed everything. Admittedly, I’d been entering the Golden Heart for several years, and while I received some pretty good scores (and some not-so-good ones), every year I really thought I had a chance to final. Until 2009. I signed up to enter First Grave on the Right for one reason, and one reason only. I wanted to force myself to finish it. Stunned does not begin to cover how I felt when I found out I’d finaled.

Sadly, the manuscript needed tons of work, so after the final, I polished it for about two months before querying. Within a week, I had eight offers of representation from some of the most amazing agents in the business.


I know that sounds wonderful, but it was actually one of the most stressful weeks of my life. After much research and soul searching, I accepted an offer of representation from Alexandra Machinist at the Linda Chester Literary Agency. I am beyond grateful for her. She is savvy, supportive and compassionate.


The GH win garnered a lot of interest, so Alexandra began shopping First Grave that August. About a week later, Jennifer Enderlin from St. Martin’s Press made an offer for a three-book deal. Yes, THE Jennifer Enderlin. We had a couple more offers over the next 24 hours and then right before Alexandra sent it to the floor for auction, Jennifer swept in with a pre-empt we simply couldn’t refuse.


Whew! And now my life is filled with deadlines, revisions, page proofs and interviews, LOL.

Q. Let me start with that burning question most readers and writers will probably want to know. What was the inspiration for FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT? Where did the idea come from and how did it evolve?

As an aspiring writer trying to catch New York’s eye, I wanted something different, something that would grab an agent’s and editor’s attention.

Q. Your main character is Charley Davidson and she’s a private investigator who moonlights in a career that’s non-traditional for a female. OK, it’s probably non-traditional for males, too. In fact, you could say it’s non-traditional for humans in general. Can you tell us a little about that?

Probably my main inspiration to write a grim reaper was desperation. I just contemplated paranormal entities, what had been done and what hadn’t, and came up with the grim reaper. And what fun she has been! Quite frankly, I’m floored there’s not more of them out there. I mean, what is cooler than writing about death incarnate?

But I wanted my heroine to be more than just death incarnate. She had to be likable, for one thing.

I felt the PI gig was a natural progression from her childhood. She grew up helping her detective father and uncle solve crimes. Plus PIs are fun. You can get them into all kinds of trouble.

Q. Charley has a dysfunctional family, to say the least, and though most of her antics either made me LOL or gasp, there were some things about her life that touched me at a very deep emotional level and gave me new insights into who Charley was. Can you share your thoughts about that?

Charley is very well adjusted, but well adjusted doesn’t make for good fiction, so I needed her to be well adjusted despite the odds. With that in mind, I gave her an evil stepmother. I gave her an obstacle that she’s had to overcome her entire life. Add to that the fact that her father, whom she adores, does nothing to allay her stepmother’s indifference, and her sister seems to take the stepmother’s side, and you have a lonely upbringing. I believe that Charley’s sarcastic wit is a defense mechanism. It’s her way of dealing with her family.

Q. Okay, now, on to one of my favorite subjects, the hero…*fans self*…Reyes. Who or what inspired this (hot) tall, dark and (hot) semi-corporeal mystery that is so not your typical (hot) male MC. (Did I mention he’s hot?) Who is he, what is he, and just for the record, how do you pronounce his name?

LOL! While there are a couple of pronunciations for Reyes out there, here in NM we say RAY-us. And, yeah, he’s pretty hot, huh? If I had an inspiration for his physical attributes, I’d have to say he was based on actor Jason Behr. (Roswell, anyone?) Jason can be so dark and dangerous, and sexy doesn’t begin to describe that boy. And considering the fact that Reyes was literally forged in the fires of sin and is the son of…well…no spoilers. But, yeah, he’s pretty hot. :)

Q. This novel is set in one of my favorite places on Earth—Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Hmm, wonder why that is?) Aside from the obvious reasons, is there another reason you choose this particular city as your PR/SFR heroine’s hometown?

Okay, moment of truth. Yes, I chose Albuquerque because I lived there for seven years. I love it with a fiery passion. And it’s beautiful, eclectic and an absolute gold mine of culture. But there was one more, itty-bitty reason I chose that particular location. Many movies and television series are being filmed there now. I thought that might give me an edge if it were ever, you know, considered for film production. (Not sure I’m supposed to say this yet, but apparently my evil plan worked.)

Q. The cover of FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is so striking! Can you tell us a little about the making of the cover and/or the artist? Did you have input into the design? What were your first thoughts on seeing it? And you’ve just got to tell us more about those shoes! (Er…sandals.)

I had no input in the original design. It’s my understanding that the cover was the brainchild of my genius editor. Later, I did have some input in the color of the nail polish. LOL. But I have to say, when I saw that cover, I was shocked. I loved it so much. I knew it was different enough to garner interest and eye-catching enough to grab a passerby’s attention.


And those shoes! Yeah, they’re real. Tried to get a pair. Failed. They are uber-expensive and sold out everywhere. I still check ebay periodically.

Q. Being a SFR writer, I really keyed in on the SF elements in the book. I’m guessing from the many references in the novel – not to mention you’re a member of the SFR Brigade -- that SF and SFR have had an influence in your life and work. Would you agree and if so, please tell us more? Any possible SFRs coming down the road? *sits on edge of seat*

The first manuscript I started in high school was a science fiction tale about a group of teens who bore a remarkable resemblance to the members of Van Halen and were trying to escape the tunnels of a huge government fallout facility decades after World War III had destroyed the surface of the earth. It was destined to be a classic.

I love SF and had the incredible honor of taking a class from Master Science Fiction writer and Hugo and Nebula award winner Jack Williamson before he passed away. He gave me so much encouragement and told me my character development alone would get me published some day.

Okay, back on Earth, I most definitely have several science fiction projects in the works. I love it so much and it has been probably the biggest influence on me aside from historical romance in general. So I draw from many places. I think that makes the best kinds of characters and stories.

Q. Now we need a little taste of your novel (with or without the hot sauce)! Can we see the blurb and excerpt from FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT?

From the publisher:

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can’t she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.

Here’s a quick snippet that I think is fun:

In too much pain to stretch, I let a lengthy yawn overtake me instead, winced at the soreness shooting through my jaw, then looked back at Dead Guy. He was blurry. Not because he was dead, but because it was 4:34 a.m. And I'd recently had my ass kicked.

“Hi,” he said nervously. He had a wrinkled suit, round- rimmed glasses, and mussed hair that made him look part young-wizard-we- all- know-and-love and part mad scientist. He also had two bullet holes on the side of his head with blood streaking down his right temple and cheek. None of these details were a problem. The problem resided in the fact that he was in my bedroom. In the wee hours of dawn. Standing over me like a dead Peeping Tom.

I eyed him with my infamous death stare, second only to my infamous fluster stare, and got a response immediately.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said, stumbling over his words, “didn't mean to frighten you.”

Did I look frightened? Clearly my death stare needed work.

Ignoring him, I inched out of bed. I had on a Scorpions hockey jersey I'd snatched off a goalie and a pair of plaid boxers-same team, different position. Chihuahuas, tequila, and strip poker. A night that is forever etched at the top of my Things I'll Never Do Again list.

With teeth clenched in agony, I dragged all 470 throbbing pounds toward the kitchen and, more importantly, the coffeepot. Caffeine would chisel the pounds off, and I'd be back to my normal weight in no time.

Because my apartment was roughly the size of a Cheez-It, it didn't take me long to feel my way to the kitchen in the dark. Dead Guy followed me. They always follow me. I could only pray this one would keep his mouth shut long enough for the caffeine to kick in, but alas, no such luck.

I'd barely pressed the on button when he started in.

“Um, yeah,” he said from the doorway, “it's just that I was murdered yesterday, and I was told you were the one to see.”

Q. Love it! :) So what’s next? I understand there are two more novels coming in the series, SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT and THIRD GRAVE DEAD AHEAD. Will the SFR elements be more or less prominent in the sequels? Can you tell us a little about the story development? What new or unique elements do you think each book offers?

In the next two, the paranormal elements come out more, especially in book two. Book two takes a heavy dive into the realm of speculative fiction and book three gets a tad hotter while offering us a glimpse into what Charley is truly capable of. And Reyes. There’s lots and lots of Reyes. :)


Thank you so much for taking time out of a very busy schedule to share a few thoughts and insights about your work, Darynda.

I wish you every success for the stellar debut of FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT and the successive Charley Davidson series of Paranormal Romance[/SFR!] novels.

Links:
Darynda’s web site
FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT sales page
Facebook link
Links to reviews
Night Owl Romance Top Pick Five Star Review

And now for the giveaway part! Leave your comment below for a chance to win a signed hardcover edition of FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT, courtesy of Darynda Jones!

Famous Couples

My Grandma knew Lucille. A few years older than her, she said Miss Ball was quite the wild one. I imagine the sparkly redhead made a few of her peers jealous.

I'm chattering, quite nervously as I've never done this before, over at Coffeetime Romance, this last day of January. Please hop over and say hello. Chatter about anything, including historic couples you'd like to read a sizzling story about.

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1592

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Six Sentence Sunday--Paranormal Players At It Again



I have to learn how to use that schedule thing. Should have posted this hours ago.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Help cure my blog blahs and win!

I'm having a blogging crisis!

Come on over to my blog, ask a question, cure blog blahs, and have a chance to win Flying Kite, Crashing Ship

Details: http://kristadball.com/blog/archives/494

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Going indie

I've been following some writers gone indie, and after reading some interesting blogs such as this, decided to re-release some of my previously published titles.
I'm also launching a new site called The Author Collective, and would love your feedback. Please visit my blog today for the intro and a brief explanation: http://catemasters.blogspot.com

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Where research can lead you.


I have a character in my work in progress who memorised the first volume of a natural history encyclopedia when she was a kid. Horrible parents, no presents, hides in room and only has the one book...blah blah.

She spouts facts about animals a-e - so I needed to look up some fun things. Did I find them.

I think one of the best is the fact that the Argentine lake duck has a penis the same length as its body - 17 inches! The drake can use his penis to lasso a female!! What a thought.


Here's the link if you're as perverted as me.


Monday, January 24, 2011

When Characters Act Up

Lyle Logan is over at the MuseitHot blog threatening authors everywhere.
If you have a moment, hop over and tell him I'm watching and he'd best behave.
http://museithot.blogspot.com/

Saturday, January 22, 2011

"The Blood King" - new release



Werewolf Jade fights a duel to win the throne of the Golden Clan, and claim Tristan as his mate – but loses when a spell prevents him from shifting, making him slave to the new King.

Tristan could never hope to challenge the new King and win – but he will go to any length to save Jade, even the illegal use of magic.

Sorrel, under a spell like Jade’s, is on the run from his Clan. Together the three werewolves must decipher the clues, undo the spells, take in a sexy vampire, and explore their desires, or else their world will fall apart.

I don't usually write menage, but this one was lots of fun to write. :-) I do love these characters, and I hope you will enjoy them too.

Where to find The Blood King


Watch the trailer!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

10 Myths about Homelessness from novels

Hi everyone! I did a blog post last night that seems to have generated a fair amount of attention and discussion. It's about homelessness in books. http://kristadball.com/blog/archives/476

Feel free to come over and ask questions or comment!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Paranormal Flower or What?

Help. Need comments. Please hop over to MuseitHot blog. I...er...found alot in my spam filter today, including detail on a call for authors to introduce themselves this past Monday over at MuseitUp.

So, late and sloppy, I posted some blah blah about me.

http://museithot.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 16, 2011

My first Six Sentence Sunday


I hope you'll pop over to my blog and check it out. I've posted six sentences from my contemporary fantasy, Surfacing.

There's a link back to the Six Sentence Sunday site, too, so you can check out other great participants.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

I'm Guest-Blogging Today

I'm guest posting today at The Embraced and Naughty in the Backseat. Stop by and visit if you can.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://theembraced.blogspot.com/

http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://naughtyinthebackseat.com/blog/

http://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/ And my ususal Sat post on Paranormal Romantics.

Dawn

My interview over at Michele 'n Jeff Reviews!




The people running this site are awesome. They are patient and kind and they made me think hard for this interview - how I write, how I think about writing. If you want to know how I set about writing a story, what kind of research I do, which are my current projects and how I decided to start writing erotica, then read this.

And I may have lied about there not being a hot, naked dude under my bed... ;-)

Friday, January 14, 2011

It’s Torn Asunder’s Release Day! *dancing*

My apologies for not posting in awhile. December was more than its usual crazy this year for me! But, I had to stop by today and celebrate a little with my Paranomalists friends. Today starts my 40+ virtual blog tour for my novel, Torn Asunder, along with a few public appearances through Feb. I am just so touched and thrilled by the outpouring of support for this novel I can’t even say what it means to me, but I know I can’t stop smiling. A BIG thanks to everyone, those who helped me bring this novel to life and those who are helping me put it out there. *yeah* Special thanks to Selena Kitt, owner of Excessica, for publishing my story.


Torn Asunder

Kiki Howell spins a wonderful tale of passion, magic, betrayal, and a love that conquers all. Enjoy."  ~NY Times Bestselling Author, Hannah Howell

Blurb: Aubrey Griffen is a witch whose true reasons for coming to London soon fall to the wayside when she catches the eye of Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury.  He seduces her into a whirlwind romance until the lies and threats of his mother force her to flee to Triaill Brimuir, a secret island of her ancestors off the coast of Ireland. Edmund goes after her only to be hit by Aubrey’s confusion and anger when she magically transforms him into an elemental beast of her own creation.   

However, it is when Edmund’s lust mysteriously turns him back into a man that the couple are forced to deal with a family secret and untold of powers.  Now, Edmund must learn to shift himself into the beast in order to save her in a battle of black verses white magic. 

Fraught with scenes of explicit intimacy, romantic spells and mystical shapeshifting, Torn Asunder is a unique blending of the age of manners with sexual magic.

Genres: Historical (Regency), Paranormal (Witches & Shifters), Erotic, Romantic Suspense
Adult Content Warnings: Explicit Graphic Language, Violence

Purchase Novel in eBook and Trade Paperback online at retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance EbooksSmashwords, and Excessica Publishing . 


More Advanced Praise for Torn Asunder:
 “Torn Asunder is what a Regency novel should be.  Prior to this book, I have never had a historical romance keep my interest for more than a chapter or two.  Kiki Howell has written a historical novel that sings.  Her love for the time period is reflected in every part of the story, from the vivid characters to the clear imagery of her settings.  I give Torn Asunder five of five hearts.”  ~D. Alexx Miller, Book Reviewer for Romance in the Backseat

Kiki Howell I feel has a major hit on her hands with Torn Asunder. I was so glued to this book that I was up til 4AM reading it, and mind you, I had to be up at 7AM to see my kiddies off to school....lol. I was just so captivated...In between all the chaos our couple must endure is the most breath taking love story. Their hearts and minds are linked for all time by an unforeseen connection that real couples only dream of.  On a scale of 1-10 I give this book a 10 and encourage everyone 18 and over to get a copy of this book and fall under Aubrey and Emund's spell. It is so worth the ride.  ~5 out of 5 Stars,  Review by Raquel Vega-Grieder for Sinfully Tasty Reads

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Woot! Snow Day! *\0/* *\0/* *\0/*

12-18 inches in 12 hours and I'm not talking erotic romance.
The kids are cheering--their parents are groaning.
The plow trucks are everywhere.
And I'm calling into work, per the view from my front step and it's still coming down!
Even adults need a snow day now and again. This will be my first since I graduated from high school 24 years ago.
I think I'll work on a WIP, read a good book and finish a review I started. Cocoa anyone?
For those of you caught in the Noreaster, are you taking a snow day? If you are, what are you doing?

Monday, January 10, 2011

Soul Catcher up for Book of the Month

Hello Everyone! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

My debut novel Soul Catcher is up for Book of the Month at HEA Reviews. I would appreciate your support and your vote!

http://hea-reviews.blogspot.com/p/best-book-contest_30.html

Thanks,

Vivi

Release Day: An Unexpected Evening

My newest release is available today: An Unexpected Evening.

It's a paranormal erotic romance featuring a vampire and a witch- and a slight bit of kink.

An Unexpected Evening
by Roxanne Rhoads
Genre: Erotica
Length: Naughty Nibble


Samuel is a centuries-old vampire who prefers to be a recluse. He is always afraid of losing control and becoming the monster he once was. Falling in love with a young witch has pushed his boundaries and pulled him out of his comfort zone.

Katerina always encourages Samuel to be more open, to let loose, and to really "live" instead of only existing in the shadows.

One night, he finally grants her wish . . . in ways she never imagined.

Special Content Alert: None

$1.50

You can download it at Noble Romance.


Sunday, January 9, 2011

Favorite of My First SSS


“Hello, bitch,” Lissa Bruce whispered.

Outside the portal, a leviathan floated in all her gloating glory. Running lights on full, insignias glowing, silver carbon skin stretched tight over her multi-deck carcass. Damned ship had been nothing but heartache. The research vessel too tough to die.

Opening lines to Outer Planet written by Laurie Green

 
http://sixsunday.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Ashes2011 Trailer.wmv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffZQ_4HhI1A

Check on the awesome trailer my sister put together for me!!!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Preditors & Editors Reader's Poll

http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml

Eostre's Hare is listed in the romance category.


Er...my mom will mostly get me one vote. I do hope she doesnt ever read it though. Thanks for considering me.