Seven 11 blog hop: Broken Blood is available now with chances to win!

So excited it's finally here!!! 

Amazon US   /   Amazon UK   /   Apple      /      B&N

 Lots of chances for goodies, too. First, this one is ONLY available if you're on my Love Birds newsletter list. Click on the top right of my site to sign up and then complete the instructions below to get entered!

SECOND chance to win...

Purchase and leave a review, email me the link, and get FREE swag in the mail!

And last, Ash over at Morning Books and Coffee is sponsoring a Grand Prize: KINDLE PAPERWHITE giveaway in honor of Broken Blood!! Second prize is a wolf's tooth necklace and a signed swag pack.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And, because this is also the monthly 7-11 blog hop....

From Broken Blood: a 7-line teaser

A thousand words passed between us in a single fleeting stare. Alex looked away first, scuffing his toe and making a big deal out of inspecting my room. “It’s not bad,” he said finally. I wasn’t sure who he was trying so hard to convince.

I looked down at the comb I’d dropped at my feet and wished like hell its teeth were of the flesh-eating variety instead.

“You’re one of them,” I said, and the eerie calm I felt at hearing myself speak the words scared me more than realizing their truth.

***

Visit these other fantastic authors for more 7-line teasers:

YA-friendly:

Felicia Tatum

Bethany Lopez

Adult:

Amanda Aksel

SC Ellington

Justine Winter

Steph Nuss

Broken Blood cover and win digital ARCs!

It's cover reveal day, Love Birds!

Broken Blood (Dirty Blood #5)

is coming March 11!

I thought watching my Werewolf boyfriend get arrested for murder was the worst experience of my life. But then I was knocked out and dragged off to a cell of my own by the very people who were supposed to protect me from danger.

I thought being held prisoner in solitary confinement for weeks on end was the worst experience of my life. But then a visitor came, and I realized I’d been wrong all along. There are worse things than torture and death. Much worse.

He wants my blood. More than that, he wants to get into my head. To use my bond to control his army, to wipe the world clean of anything with dirty blood. I can’t let that happen, but if I don’t he’ll kill every single person I’ve ever cared about—beginning with my Werewolf pack.

The prophecy said I would have to make an impossible choice, but I must be doing this wrong—so far every choice I’ve made has only led to more pain and danger and death. Hunters are pitted against Werewolves and I’m alone in my war against Gordon Steppe. I can’t fight him off anymore; all I can do is try to keep him out of the important places. And I’m failing at even that.

I thought the demons were out there, clearly marked and clinging to the shadows. But they’re not. The monsters are within the ranks of those sworn to protect. The enemy is among us.

 *****

I can't wait for you guys to read how things end up for Tara, Wes, and gang! There are some serious twists and surprises here!

Right now, I have a contest going but ONLY for Love Birds (my newsletter peeps.) Get signed up if you aren't already. And reply to the first email I send you with a picture of you in the snow. I'll pick the 5 best photos on Friday (2/27), post them to FB, and the winners get digital ARCs of Broken Blood! 

Stay warm!

P.S. If you haven't started the series yet, you can read Dirty Blood for FREE! Just click the Dirty Blood Series tab above for links to e-book retailers!

True Confessions: A Blog Hop of Giveaways (paperbacks, not VCards)

The Losing It Collection is OUT TODAY!
And it was such a blast to write but there were definitely funny moments too. We're a group of authors that writes mostly YA and we're breaking out into SEXYTIME. Some of us for the first time!

Yep, our first time. We'll never forget it...

We want to share some of our struggle with you because writing beyond the "curtain call of YA" is a little awkward for us! In fact, these admissions deserve a tour...and lots of giveaways!
Here's mine but read on for other True Confessions and chances to win!

Confession: The Most Awkward Thing About Writing My Losing It Scene Was When:

I had to think of the words to describe BODY PARTS. So awkward... Especially when your kids walk in and out of the room asking for juice and "Mom, are you done and ready to come spend time with me yet?" 

No, I need to think of a sexier adjective for BONER and I'll be right there...

Oy.

I really hope you enjoy my short story from the collection, the night Tara and Wes get ONE HOUR together, no interruptions, no rules, no responsibilities. Bow-chick-a-wow-wow...

One Hour (Tara and Wes) is available as part of Losing It: A Collection of VCards, available now wherever ebooks are sold!

Kindle   /   B&N   /  Apple  


And now the giveaway! My short story, One Hour, takes place between Book 4 and Book 5 in the Dirty Blood series. Book 5 is coming in March so make sure you're caught up. Just in case, I'm offering a paperback of book 4 so you're all set for #5 when it gets here!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

>>> Read all of our confessions and enter to win paperbacks and swag at every stop! <<<

Kristina Circelli (US)
Melissa Haag (INT)
Ednah Walters (INT)
Nikki Jefford (INT)
Stacey Wallace Benefiel (US)
Helen Boswell (US)
S.T. Bende (US)
Amy Miles (US)
S. M. Boyce (US)
Milda Harris (INT)
K. A. Last (INT)
Ginger Scott (US)
Julia Crane (US)
Tish Thawer (US)
Misty Provencher (US)
Alexia Purdy (US)
Tamara Rose Blodgett (US)
A.O. Peart (US)
Bethany Lopez (US)
M.R. Polish (US/UK)
Julie Prestsater (US)


Want to get down and dirty with the authors of Losing It? Join us in the Champagne Room on Facebook. Must be 18 or older to request entry.

Losing It: A Collection of VCards

Amazon US | UK | AU | CA

Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Teaser Time: Seven 11 Blog hop is back!

It's time for the monthly Seven 11 blog hop!
If you don't already know what the Seven 11 blog hop is, it's this:

A monthly hop (on the 11th of every month, silly) where i share 7 lines to tease you from a wip or whatever I basically feel like. You're welcome. 

This month, it's Deviation (released Dec 30, 2014). 

Some of you may be experiencing de ja vu right now. It's cool, me too. Deviation was originally released by yours truly as a self-published title in March of 2014 but then right around that same moment in time, I signed the series to Alloy Entertainment (CW anyone?) and now it has a new home and therefore IS A NEW CREATURE!

I rewrote this entire story from beginning to end. So if you think you know about Deviation during March-July 2014 (these are the months the old version was available), you probably aren't correct. TO jog your memory (or introduce you), here are the 7 opening lines to the story.

I have always been two people at once. Today is no different.

I am Raven Rogen and, especially when they’re not watching, I’m also Ven. Sometimes, my identities separate into two sets of habits, two sets of desires, two sets of miseries. But then, on days like today, they collide and I am both at once.

In this moment, though, I am mostly apprehension. My palms are clammy but I don’t wipe them, fearing the three guards standing sentinel will notice my discomfort. The walls in the room are gray concrete slabs lit by a single incandescent bulb. 

To further jog your memory, for my Love Birds that have been around for a while. This is the previous cover, circa March 2014:

And THIS is the new cover:

Alloy's art design dept is kind of badass.

You can 1-click your copy of Deviation here

And if you haven't read book 1 (Imitation), you should 1-click that one first since it's on sale now through Jan 25.

Now, on to the goodies!!

GIVEAWAY time! 

A few days ago, I posted an annoucement about social media changes coming in 2015. Here it is in case you missed it:

It's become increasingly hard to reach and interact with new readers and friends here on FB and other social media outlets. Because of that, I'm making some changes to where I hang out in 2015.

The bottom line is that the EASIEST and most effective way for me to reach you is through my Love Birds newsletter. I don't want any more missing posts or not staying connected and I want you all to get the most from seeing new projects I have coming. As an incentive for you (& a THANK YOU), I am running a contest for subscribers to win signed books!

If you're signed up for already, you're entered! If not, sign up before Jan 15 (***NOW EXTENDED TO JAN 20) and I will pick 3 newsletter subscribers to win a signed paperback of Dirty Blood!

Basically, the bottom line is that you really oughtta be a Love Bird (<-- my newsletter groupies) and get me in your inbox. You can sign up here. I'll pick a winner later this month.

And finally, the HOP. This is a hop, remember? Which means there are a slew of other word-ninjas that you need to check out when you leave this page. And they are:

Felicia Tatum - Young Adult

S.M. Boyce - YA Fantasy

Steph Nuss - contemp romance, 18+ 

Bethany Lopez - NA Romance, 18+

Justine Winter - NA Romance, 18+

Kayla Smith - Young Adult

Alicia Sheehy - YA Romance

SC Ellington - Romance, 18+

Amanda Aksel - Women's Fic/Romance

Now, go discover your next favorite author!

Where you'll find me in 2015

My husband called me a globetrotter last time I flew home from Guam.

I gotta admit, my personal life, travel schedule, and living arrangements are pretty damn exciting these days. I mean, most friends start out the conversation with "and where exactly are you now? What continent, I mean."

I do not take any of this for granted. I get to live a lifestyle I once only dreamed of. I live in 2 places at once. I travel for pleasure multiple times a year. I ride motorcycles. And that was just 2014. I'm always going someplace new. I agree, makes it hard to find me.

But in 2015, it might get even harder.

Facebook used to be my krytoponite. If I was supposed to be writing, I was on Facebook. If I was in Guam or on an airplane or in my living room in PJs, chances are, I was on Facebook.

But now Facebook isn't being so friendly to all the time I've invested into our little relationship. They're changing the rules and our partnership feels a little one-sided, I gotta say. All these changes are a bummer because since publishing in 2011, I have connected with the majority of my fans through social media, namely the BookFace.

And I hate the thought of reaching less and less of you and talking with or reading about what's going on or where I can find YOU in 2015. As a result of that (not to mention a pretty hectic writing schedule for 2015), I am changing it up. And I'm giving you all a HEFTY reason to remember that where you'll find me going forward is probably changing.

For those of you that want to hear more about my REAL LIFE travels, my characters' travels, new releases, and generally what makes True Love More Than Just a Fantasy for moi, you really should sign up for my Love Birds inbox list. Like, really.

You'll get stuff  like FIRST LOOKS at new covers and releases, special promotions ONLY for Love Birds, and all the goings-on of a Where's Waldo sort of I SPY game that has become my life.

Another reason I want to address this and tell you where to find me:

I recently read some stuff on FB that authors aren't as "interactive as they used to be" with their fans, bloggers, etc. According to this chic, we used to goof off and shoot the breeze with readers more often than we do now. But here's the thing, I think that's wrong. I think we're more than willing to hang with you--we just aren't SEEING YOU around anymore. Not your fault. Not ours. The reach and landscape of social media is altered and you're feeling the consequences. We are more and more invisible.

This fact really bums me out because READERS are WHY I do what I do. Hence the "social" in the media!

2015 is shaping up to look very exciting, but also very NEW. I won't be in any of the old haunts or at least not as often. So please don't lost touch! I still want to hang with you, I'm just finding new ways to do it.

For where I AM hanging out, here's a cheat sheet:

1. My newsletter. THIS is the #1 way you can hear what's up & stay connected. This is where I run giveaways. This is where I tell you FIRST what's new. And you can REPLY and we can chat! woohoo! Emails are numero uno.

2. Instagram. I kind of love posting pictures. I'm trying to post more bookish stuff but mostly it's my personal travel whereabouts and real life adventures.

3. Twitter  I'm there, I swear. Much more than I used to be. Find me: @HeatherHildenbr and say what's up. I will definitely reply and we will chat about any random thing you want. Matt Lanter's eye color, Damon's favorite brand of ketchup. Whatever.


And because this is important: a giveaway!!!

Here's the deal, sign up for my newsletter here OR fill in your info on the top right of this site and on Jan 15 I will pick 3 winners (newsletter subscribers) to receive a signed copy of Dirty Blood!

Good luck and share the contest. The more the merrier when it comes to Heather's Love Birds!

My Top 10 Favorite Villains Ever AND a teaser!

So, Fun Friday is a monthly blog shenanigan I do with my YA author buds over at The Society of YA Storytellers and since I was ALSO in on this blog hop on 10/11 for Seven Eleven, I decided to combine them.

Which makes me a day late (but NOT a dollar short) on my Fun Friday post AND it means you're getting two bits of magic in one shot. You're welcome.

First, my TOP 10 LIST (of which we could choose any topic) is below. I did my Top 10 Best Villains Evaaaa. Even though I don't like scary  movies. So, this is definitely the wussy list of best villains. Deal with it. Here we go.

1. Regina from Once Upon A Time. Hands down, she's the best. We hate her. We love her. Then we hated to love her. And now... I love her so much that I don't even care who gets in the way of her happy ending right now! You made me FEEL FOR the villain even more than the mc/hero??? You're a genius, ABC. Genius. #TeamReginaForever

2. The Beast from the Sandlot. Best villain because he wasn't really #spoiler and because he also became the hero in the end. That's pretty epic. And I have so much love for this movie. I can't let it slip by without pointing out how "scary" the Beast was for all involved. Until he wasn't.

3. Ursula from the Little Mermaid. When I was a kid, she was ultimate. I mean, her tentacles and her hairdo were both equally creepy. One couldn't have won out over the other in a creep-contest, for real. And then she stole Ariel's voice??? (another spoiler, sorry!) Genius. I need my villains smart and she is definitely a lady who thinks on her feet. arms? tentacles? whatever.

4. Megatron from Transformers. I'm probably only picking him because I love the Transformers movies so much but really, if it comes down to pounds per inch, he's going to kick your tiny human tail. And he just KEEPS COMING BACK. (Crap, another spoiler.)

5. Jafar from Aladdin. MUSTACHE twirler!!!! HELLooooo. That was your first clue he is BaaaaaD.

6. The Nothing from the Neverending Story. Nothing is pretty scary. I mean really, really scary. For me. Nothing sounds like the worst.

7. The Wicked Witch of the EAST. Okay, well both witches are pretty villainous. Or maybe it depends on which version of the movies you've seen BUT I saw Oz and the East Witch was realllly nefarious. The West witch was just sensitive and got her heart broken. SPPOILLLLERRR!

8. The Joker from Batman. Mostly Heath Ledger's version. He was scary and I don't even have a fear of clowns but there was something very convincingly disturbing about his brand of crazy. 

9.  Darth Vader. That mouth-breathing is cree-py. Plus the fact that he's willing to sacrifice his body and his kids for his cause. That's true villainous commitment right there.

10. Lokiiiiii!!! 

'nuff said.

I mean, if you don't know who that is, we can't be friends.

I would looove to know what you think! Who is your favorite villain? Especially for those of you who don't like truly scary movies. Hit me in the comments. 

And now the TEASER I promised. I'm doing Blood Rule, book 4 in my Dirty Blood series which is available now and if you aren't caught up on the whole series, you can get the Boxed Set books 1-4 for just 2.99 until 10/15!

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0097U4DQG/

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dirty-blood-series-box-set

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dirty-blood-box-set-books-1-4/id925857452?mt=11

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dirty-blood-box-set-books-1-4-heather-hildenbrand/1120481727?ean=2940046212419

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/479856

Steppe’s voice brought me back. Hands roamed over me, looking for purchase, and then I was half lifted, half dragged onto some sort of flat surface. There was some jostling as I was lifted into the air and then I steadied as they carried me in the opposite direction as the door I’d seen Wes leave through.

I craned my neck, trying to catch a glimpse through the crowd, some opening or hint of rescue. It couldn’t end like this. Wes arrested. Steppe winning.

    I tried searching for Emma or even George, but there was nothing. My mind was empty of any awareness except the pain.

****

And right now, I'm offering a signed paperback set of the entire series! AND get on an exclusive Q&A phone chat with ME on Nov 5!!! 

You can enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out these other blog hoppers and their awesome excerpts!

Kasi Blake

Bethany Lopez OH!! and be sure to enter her giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Justine Winter

Kayla Smith

Amanda Aksel

Authors, if you want IN on this monthly bloggy hop of teasers, send me a note!

Seven 11 Blog Hop: Dirty Blood Teaser

TGIF people! 
This week, we are kicking off a monthly event called the Seven 11 Blog hop. Each month on the 11th, I will post a teaser of SEVEN lines from one of my books -- some published, some not -- for you guys to get a sneak peek at. This month, I gave you 7 lines from Dirty Blood. For those that haven't read it or want to re-read the series before book 5 comes out, here's a reminder of the George-Wes tension.

George shot a glance at Wes again and then stepped over and planted a very deliberate kiss on my cheek. “I’ll see you, Tay,” he said and headed to his car. I watched him go, wondering whose benefit the kiss had been for: mine or Wes’s.

I waited until George had driven off before whirling at Wes. “What was that?” I hissed.

His eyes were sparkling. “What was what?”

“You were baiting him.”

He shrugged. “I don’t like him very much.”

This month, we are offering a giveaway of The Man Test by Amanda Aksel (Sex & the City meets Hitch!). Enter to win and click through to read seven great lines from seven other authors!

Bethany Lopez
Nikki Jefford
Justine Winter
Alicia Sheehy
SM Boyce
Shawn McGuire
Amanda Aksel And be sure to wish Amanda a very Happy Birthday and Thanks for putting this event together!

Giveaway code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Help Me Write Dirty Blood 5!

I am excited that today is today!!!!
WHY? Because today kicks off a new contest I'm running, just for all your Dirty Blood lovers out there! It's a fun, awesome, exciting, SUPER DUPER wacky contest!
I'm a fan of all those things.

Here's the deal:
YOU, the reader, are going to help me write Dirty Blood 5.
I have started working on it but I put it away again in favor of another, more pressing, project that, sadly, I can't share with you yet.
But as soon as I'm able, I will get back to it, promise!
In the meantime, you can help!

Below, you can enter via all the easy-peasy ways you're used to... OR you can submit your wacky, crazy, sexy, cool (#TLCreference #Sucha90sgirl) 1-LINER and the winner gets their line published in Dirty Blood 5!

Cool, right?!?! I think so.

This contest runs until 5/9/14 so put on your thinking caps and choose your words well. They may end up in print! Woot woot!

Good luck and happy writing, readers!

**If you haven't read Dirty Blood yet (do you live under a rock??? It has sexy werewolves, people!) you can visit some of the following blogs and check out their review stop for the series and get a clue as to just how crazy your 1-LINER can be!

Penny For Them on 4/30
A Novel Review on 5/1
Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock on 5/2
Doctors Notes on 5/5

And now get entered!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Indie Author Guide and you guys

Today, I have a new cover for you guys and while it might not be quite as breathakingly exciting as my fiction covers, it's a thrill for me because it's a brand new accomplishment in my skill set. Non-fiction!

On Monday, November 18, I am releasing The Indie Author Guide: A Self-Publisher's Toolbox. This is a how-to-when-to guide designed to help new and even established authors navigate their author business. It's exciting for me because it's a way to pay forward all of the cool things I've learned as an author and businessperson. And it's a way to help others go (or, in some cases, NOT GO) where I've been. And I love that my knowledge gets to help someone else along this awesome publishing journey!

Here is the awesome and eye-catching cover by the lovely Emily Tippets:

About The Indie Author Guide: A Self-Publisher’s Toolbox

Whether you’re an aspiring author or have been published for a year, this guide is full of information, links, and support sites that can help increase sales and streamline your business as a self-published author. This guide is not like other self-help books on publishing. It includes very specific how-to instructions along with a timeline so you also know when to implement each item. If you’re looking for vague instructions or easy banter, this guide is NOT for you. If you need a little sarcastic humor and someone in your ear telling you to get off your butt and make your dream happen, this IS the guide for you!

What’s inside:

–An extensive list of links to editors, cover artists, formatters, and bloggers is included. 

–Marketing, blog tours, release day blitzes

–Formatting, cover art and artists for hire, editors, what to ask when hiring out

–Garnering reviews, how and where to meet bloggers

–Where to find review groups, beta readers, critique partners

–Branding, blogging, and social media

–Time management, daily goals, sales strategies, what works, what doesn’t.

All of this and more is included in this hold-your-hand-style guide.

Heather Hildenbrand is the YA and NA author of more than eight novels including the bestselling Dirty Blood series. She is a co-founder of Accendo Press, a collaborative publishing effort dedicated to publishing stories that ignite the imagination, a fiction author, and the owner of Phoenix, an author consultant and coaching company that provides support and information for new and experienced self-published authors as they navigate the waters of self-publishing and marketing.

****

In January 2011, I published my first book, a YA high fantasy called Across the Galaxy. It's been almost three years and the best roller coaster ride ever. I've learned a lot and met so many amazing people along the way. In a very short time, business connections and acquaintances have become the best friends I have ever had. Self-publishing was truly the best business decision I've ever made. I haven't regretted it, not once. And I'm not the only one who counts this as a great decision. Nor am I the only one who learned the hard way. If I can make your journey easier, more enjoyable, more rewarding ... I'm happy.

If you're writing or have written a novel and are contemplating self-publishing, I hope you'll pick up a copy of The Indie Guide or email me for help. Along with the Guide I am launching Phoenix: Author Ink, a company designed to coach and mentor authors as they build their brand and their business. I also provide story help in the way of content editing and feedback. The company officially launches on Monday so look for a contest with a SWEET prize pack and I hope you'll help spread the word!

Cover reveal and giveaway, AHHHHHH!

I have been saving this cover and petting it like Gollum pets the precious for WEEKS now. I am so excited to finally show it to you and tell you that I know for FACTUAL TRUTH that Blood Rule, the next Dirty Blood book, will be out August 6th!!!!
yayayayay *happy dance*
Now, because no one cares about my words when there's a new cover below, I will skip right to that and show you the pretty. Ready?!

Blood Rule

Book 4 in the Dirty Blood series

Coming 8/6/13

Forty-six.

That’s how many hybrids survived the Hunter attack in the woods after I revived them with an injection of my blood. That’s how many followed me home to Frederick Falls. And that’s how many were now mentally linked to me through a blood bond.

Two days. Three valium. Fourteen hours of sleep.

That’s what it took to realize I wasn’t losing my mind as a result of the noise in my own head.

Sixteen.

That’s how many days have passed since I almost killed Alex. That’s how many days I’ve sat by his bedside, waiting for him to wake up. To ease the guilt, to understand his betrayal, to remember the exact shade of brown in his eyes.

Zero.

That’s my chances of skating by with Gordon Steppe and the Hunter Council. They want me for questioning. I’m afraid what’ll happen if I give them answers.

 ***

And because the only thing that would make this better is the chance to get something FREE, there's also a giveaway. Enter below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In the meantime, I am off on a motorcycle adventure. I will pick a winner when I get back. Enjoy the pretty!

Breaking Radio Silence

I'm such a slacker.

I just looked at the date of my last blog post and it's been a ridiculous amount of time. So much so that I now have people/readers/bloggers emailing me asking if I'm okay or still here or whatever. Sorry, guys. I'm fine, just slacking.

To be fair, I think I had some slacking time coming, though. I've already published two books this year and three last year and before the indie movement of publishing books faster than we change our underwear that would've been a lot. Either way, I've been holing up in my blood-red-walled dining room and concocting sentences out of everyday words and putting them to digital paper at a much slower rate than usual. Also, there's Real Life, which has been chaotic and unpredictable and spinning me around like Dorothy inside that twister. (And yes, I've officially landed in Oz. I mean, it must be Oz because I don't recognize ANY of the scenery here.) All of that adds up to the fact that I've become a hermit and a stalker even by internet standards, reading FB posts without commenting and dialing back my obsessiveness with Twitter in a way that a 12-stepper would be jealous of. (Side note: Instagram is where you'll probably find me these days.)

The thing is, I miss you guys. And apparently you miss me too--or you're just nosy, if the emails I'm getting daily are any indication. Let's go with you miss me. I like that one better.

Here's my solution: Since half the questions and emails I'm getting revolve around Dirty Blood and the series and "when the hell is the next book coming out anyway?" I propose a Q&A via vlog wherein YOU, the reader, send ME, the author, all your nosy, um, I mean, well-thought-out and concerned questions about WHATEVER YOU WANT and I will answer them and post the video here for your viewing (and listening) pleasure.

And to sweeten the pot--because that's how I roll--I am offering up a signed paperback set of ALL 3 BOOKS: Dirty Blood, Cold Blood, and Blood Bond to one winner and e-book sets of the same titles to TWO more lucky winners.

Check out the new cover for the omnibus currently available on Amazon:

Sweet, right? SM Reine has mad skills...

You can enter for the set via the rafflecopter below. PLEASE be aware that I will pick and choose which questions I answer. If you ask me something dumb, be prepared for a dumb response. I reserve that right as someone who is good with words on paper but not always via vocal cords. You've been warned.

P.S. Contest ends 11/15 (or midnight 11/16 to be exact). I will (hopefully) post the vlog on Fri 11/16 and announce winners then. Yay!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

September plans and 90s music references

Summer is over. (Booo.... Hiss!) Yeah, that's how I feel about that. I love the heat and the sun and the beach (cue "Summertime" by Will Smith). Oh, and as of this past August, also--the Caribbean. The fam and I went to the Dominican Republic for a week. Paradise! *sigh*

But school started yesterday and now it's back to "Real Life" and back to work and back to reality ... okay now I have Soul II Soul singing in my head. Back to life... Back to reality.. (90s girl over here.)

What am I working on? Blood Bond is out now. You should go get it if you haven't because I'm pretty sure it's the best one yet. Alex and Wes and Tara all in the same place. Hello drama! Win! There's the usual cliffhanger that will make you want to throw your book/kindle/nook/tablet/ME across the room at the end. Deal with it. I love writing cliffhangers. I can't help myself. It's a problem.

As for the next book, prepare to wait.

I am taking it easy for a couple of weeks. At first I said a month, but I'm not sure that's possible for me. If I go too long without writing, my typing fingers get itchy. And my inner voice gets a little crazy-sounding. Like an "off-your-meds" situation. We don't want that. I need to look normal for PTA nights. I'm pretty excited that both of my kids are back in school--FULL DAY. My youngest was in kindergarten last year which was only half-day. Enough time to run to WalMart for trail mix (I'm so addicted to that Mountain Mix stuff) but not enough to really get anything productive done. So, this year, I am going to be soooo productive. Wal-Mart trail mix will be consumed. Books will get written. AND my house will get cleaned.

Here's the thing. I'm against clutter. I grew up in a small house (1300sq ft 3br with ONE bathroom for FIVE people *shudder*) and LOTS of stuff. I have no idea why my mom needed every back-issue of Better Homes and Gardens from the last 476 years but that's what sat on our coffee table, holding it down in case gravity stopped working. And the baskets and baskets of newspapers and CD's and miscellaneous household items we never used like bottle openers, even though my parents didn't drink, and a ball of yarn for that one craft idea we saw in a book, and the random cat toy and Mr. Potato Head's lips and knick-knacks. We had KNICK-KNACKS galore!

So, nowadays, I try to keep the clutter to a mimimum. Bare surfaces make me happy. Kind of like office supplies. And my dining room table that's large enough to seat my entire family instead of the "breakfast nook" table for 10 at Thanksgiving. These things make me smile.

I'm good at controlling the clutter. CLEANING is a different story. I haven't actually cleaned my house in like a year. Now before you get all grossed out and start judging me with your judgy voice in your judgy head, listen. I've done the basics. Vaccuum. Wipe down the table and shelves. Dusted the bare spots (taking everything off the shelf, dusting, and putting it all back was only done when I was 11 and my grandma would pay me .50 for each room. Then, I did it every day. .50 adds up.)

I'm talking about deep cleaning. Getting down on hands and knees and scrubbing a tub. Pulling your couch out and vacuuming behind it and wiping baseboards. <--- These things are where I've skimped. For good reasons. First, I was pregnant. All of you know my story by now. If you don't, read about Tyler Andrew here and how he went to Heaven when he was five days old because his heart was too big for this world. And read about my mental status here. I won't rehash all that today as I'm basically still in the same head space as I was a month ago about that. While I was prego, my kids helped out a lot. Chores were done. Stuff was cleaned. Sort of. Their version of cleaning a tub and mine are a little different, but when you're fat and tired and can't get up once you sit down, you let their version suffice. (I hear all the moms muttering, "Amen.")

After Tyler passed, cleaning wasn't a priority. Not thinking too hard was. So i wrote. Alot. I worked. Alot. I published. Alot. Okay well, two books in 8 months is a lot for me.

But now, with Blood Bond out there, and my mental health a little less unstable, it's time to address the elephant in the room. Dirt. And so, I'm taking a few weeks off from writing to enjoy Blood Bond's tour (I'm revealing a lot of deleted scenes and "extras" for this one. so fun!) and catch up with friends (I'm such a hermit!) AND CLEAN MY HOUSE. (bathtub, you can run but you can't hide. Okay, you can't run either, so never mind. Whatever. I'm coming for you.)


COOL stuff happening:
Sept 11th I am doing a radio show via JournalJabber. So awesome! we will be discussing books and werewolves and hot boys. Tune in! I don't know the deets about how to listen in yet but I will post on FB when I find out. Please join us. it'll be lonely in radioland without you!
THE TOUR for Blood Bond goes on all month. Check FB and Twitter to find out where to read the extra scenes. lots from Wes's and Alex's POV. (Yum!)

**Speaking of, I have a few more to write, so if there are any scenes from the series you wanted more of or a different POV, leave it in the comments and maybe you'll see it during the tour!

Fun scenes already done:
Alex's and Tara's roll down the hill from Cold Blood: AwesomeSauce Books
Interview with Alex and Wes- find out what Alex is afraid of! Happy Tails and Tales
A peek into Wes's head during the breakup in book 1: Delphina Reads Too Much

Places I'll be:
Andrea's Paranormal Reads - a deleted scene from Blood Bond between Cambria and a special guy. (9/8)
Taking it One Book at a Time - scene from Cold Blood: Alex's POV when he spills to Tara about how he feels. (9/9)
**Both will be spoilery!!!

how to be pregnant and NOT cut somebody!

If you're reading this and you're the type who likes striking up conversations with strangers in grocery stores, get PREGNANT. Personally, I have nothing against a little small talk with the mothers of grown children who wants to share mom stories about when their kids were younger, give advice, blah blah blah. Usually it's harmless and polite and not altogether un-enjoyable.

But when you're seven months pregnant and so big you can't see your feet - much less your own who-ha - its none of those things, because the convo goes something like this:

Retired age lady: "Oh." <smiles and eyes my belly> "When are you due?"
Me: "December."
Lady: <smile drops to a frown and eyes go wide.> "Oh. So big already."
Me: <try not to cut someone with my license. Paste on a smile.> "Um, yeah, apparently I make big babies. My last one was ten pounds so...."
Lady: "Oh my."
"Me: "So he'll just be big." (basically, I'm still being defensive here)
Lady: "Oh well, yes, that's quite large. My goodness." <eyes me like I shouldn't even be walking around>
Me: "Well... bye!" <makes a mad, waddling dash of an escape into the next aisle>

And then, in said aisle....
The process repeats itself.

Geesh. My pasted smile is wearing thin. I know I'm big, people! Trust me, I'm the one who carries it around. And it's not that much fun most of the time. Babies are fun. Thinking about the baby is fun. But carrying him at waist level, with nothing to hold him up but my stretched-thin skin, yeah - not so much fun. But thanks for pointing out just one more thing to make me feel bad about myself for: How fat I am.

I feel bad for the girls who are having baby #1 that have to endure those looks and comments. I don't remember getting very much of that with my first - or second, for that matter. I had a lot of strangers come up and randomly touch or rub my belly, but at least no one looked at me like I needed to go on prego-mama weight watchers. And the thing is, I've gained less weight this time than I did both times before. It really is ALL belly weight! (okay, and boobs but the guys reading this really don't need to hear all that.) Anyway, the point is, I don't care if I DO look like I've gained fifty pounds in each limb or something. I'm PREGNANT!!!! There's a reason for the extra padding and either way, it's none of your business. So quit looking at me with those judgy eyes before I make you a character in my book and then kill that character.

Whew. <deep breath> I feel better.

Oh, book progress. Yeah, let's talk about that real quick because that'll make me look less hormonal and nuts after all the spewing. Haha.

Revisions are coming along. Slow and steady. We're still shooting for a Thanksgiving release. And there are so many things I wish I could tell you about it!!! But I won't give anything away. At least not yet. Later this month, I will reveal a snippet on a very special blog post that I will tell you about later. =) And you'll love it and hate me and want more but that's all I'm going to say for right now.

Pregnancy makes me evil. hehe.

Oh and in the meantime, head over to A Cupcake and a Latte for a giveaway of Dirty Blood and Across the Galaxy for her 1000 Followers Giveaway.

Giveaway winners

I love giveaways. Even cyber ones. It means everyone reading this is automatically excited already. I don't even have to do anything to snazz up this post to make it more interesting. You're already going to read it, looking to see who won. Easy for me. =P

I'm not going to draw it out and make you read a whole paragraph about what I watched on TV last night first, though it was tempting. I'm just going to give you your winners.

First prize goes to JEANNE!!!!

She will get a signed paperback of Dirty Blood, along with some cool bookmarks - one from me and one from Angeline Kace for Descended by Blood.

Thanks for entering, Jeanne, and I am so excited to have you as a new follower.

Second prize goes to Andrea (at The Bookish Babes). One of my awesome blogger friends. She will get the bookmark swag pack that includes a signed Dirty Blood bookmark, Descended by Blood bookmark signed by Angeline Kace, and the specially designed metal charm bookmark, made exclusively for Dirty Blood.

CONGRATULATIONS to both of you ladies!!!!

And thank you to everyone else who entered. There were well over 100 entries! I gained a lot of new followers on Twitter and Facebook and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you. Thanks for entering and following. Feel free to drop me an email or comment anytime. And I always love to hear what you liked/didn't like about my books - or any book, for that matter. =)

Now that the excitement has been spread around, it's back to revisions for me. I am working hard at getting Cold Blood ready for you guys by Thanksgiving so I need to get back to it. This one's going to rock! I'll blog again when I come up for air.

Cover Reveal and most awesome giveaway!

I am so excited to be revealing the cover for Cold Blood, Book 2 in the Dirty Blood series!!!!

I am also thrilled to have such an awesome group of bloggers helping with the reveal on their own sites today. If you haven't already seen the cover, here it is:

And a list of the bloggers who are helping with the exclusive cover reveal are:

Taking It One Book At A Time
A Book Vacation
Magical Urban Fantasy Reads
Nightly Reading
A Life Bound By Books
JB Culture Shock
Sassy Book Lovers
A Diary of a Book Addict
All Things Books
A Cupcake & A Latte
The Unlocked Diary
Page Flipperz
1000 Plus Books To Read
Two Chicks On Books
Seeing Night Reviews
The Bookish Babes
AwesomeSauce Book Club

Thanks Bloggers!!

A very special thanks to Sara Reine for her creative genius in creating this cover. I love her and will never part with her!

Now, for the giveaway, because I want to make sure you are JUST as excited as I am...

There will be 2 prizes awarded. First place will receive a signed paperback of Dirty Blood, complete with the new cover art. Yes- it is finally available for purchase with the updated cover. The fun part is, the winner will literally receive the first EVER printed paperback with the new cover. Cool, right?! First prize also includes a signed bookmark by me along with a signed bookmark from Angeline Kace for Descended by Blood, which is the newest title available from Accendo Press. (You can check Descended By Blood out here, and get it now for just .99 for your Kindle.)

Here is a picture of the grand prize pack:

Second prize is a special set of bookmarks, which includes a signed bookmark by me for Dirty Blood, along with a signed bookmark by Angeline Kace for Descended by Blood, AND a special metal bookmark with a wolf print charm, designed by Krystle, my personal jewlery designer. (You can find her on Twitter as @KrystazziK)

Here's a picture of the second prize pack:

To enter the giveaway, you can leave a comment with your email address. For an additional entry, you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads, or you can become a follower of Accendo Press' website. Just be sure to leave me a comment here that you've done so. The giveaway runs through 9/28 and the winner will be announced on 9/29.

Good luck! And I will leave you with a teaser of what's going on inside Tara's head for Cold Blood...

Wood Point Academy is not at all what I expected. For one thing, it looks like a cross between military school and Buckingham Palace. Everyone stares, the floors shine so bright you can see your reflection in them from a mile away, and no one smiles. Unless they're kicking your butt in the process. Which happens more often than not for the freshman. Lucky for them, my presence has just stolen the spotlight, and they get a break from the daily joys of hazing.

 

At least I've got plenty to take my mind off the fact that my psycho cousin, Miles De'Luca, keeps calling and declaring his love and promising to come for me just as soon as he's destroyed anyone standing in our way. Wes isn't going to like that idea.

 

So between Miles, Wood Point's evil welcoming commitee, and the drill sergeant hottie trainer from hell, I just keep asking myself, how did I end up here?

The future... this week.

Summer's over. I know, you don't want me to say it out loud. I don't want to, either. But it's a fact. The pool is closed, the water park shut down as of yesterday. No more 90 degree days. (Depending on where you live, weather is unpredictable here but I think we're done with that kind of heat) School is in and we're all adjusting to new schedules. Especially at my house. And I think I'm the crankiest of everyone because of it. Last year, my son went to FULL DAY pre-K and this year, he's HALF DAY kindergarten. (Booo!!! Hiss!!) So he goes to school at 11 and comes home at 2:30. Now regardless of how that sounds to you, its not a lot of time. Especially when I have to write 2k words a day or beat the crap out of myself for missing my mark (When you work for yourself, you become your own boss AND enforcer) and do errands, housework, calls, blah blah blah. So yeah, I don't like it because I have to choose between writing and grocery shopping - and when you're six months pregnant, that's a hard choice! My son is adjusting, too. He's trying to overcome the boredom of sitting around all morning because he's a morning person and still wakes up at 7am no matter what. And he can suddenly no longer take naps- yes, my 5 yr old still took naps up til now, don't be jealous. But being in afternoon kindergarten kind of kills that habit. It's just too late in the afternoon to attempt it after he gets home. So we're ALL adjusting to the no-nap part.

The worst part of it all is that as soon as we've all adjusted to said 'new' schedule, Herman the worm will make his appearance and shake it up and we'll have to adjust to a whole new schedule, because I don't care how 'in-control' you are, a baby will still always change your schedule. So yay for that.

See, I haven't written a blog post in forever and when I do, all I do is whine. Aren't you glad you stopped by to read?

Alright, alright, probably you want an update on the actual writing. So I'll give it to ya. First, Dirty Blood - the paperback - is almost ready for purchase, with the new cover. As soon as it is, I'll announce it. Hopefully by the end of the week.

Oh and don't forget DreamKiller has that combined volume now where you can get 1 and 2 together for only .99. For some reason, people are still buying the individual stories for .99 each instead of the combo volume. I don't understand it, but I'm not going to stop you from it, since I'm earning twice as much. Not my fault you aren't scrolling down the list, or whatever the reason for it is. =P

Here's the cover for the combined version so you know what to look for. And don't forget to read the prequel story from Lukas' POV under the short story tab above. It's my favorite price: FREE!

Now for Cold Blood. I am sooooo close to finishing the rough draft, it's ridiculous. I mean, like 3 chapters or something stupid. So I will - hopefully - finish it this week and get on with the revising. We're still shooting for a November release but it will probably be late November. I will keep you posted on that. Also - a cover. There is a cover and yes, it's beyond amazing, and no I'm not showing you yet. I am concentrating on finishing the words part of it all - kind of important when you're an author - and THEN we will have a HUGE cover reveal Extravaganza. Giveaways will ensue. Not sure what yet but it will be amazing. Rest assured.

More on that to come...

And while you're waiting, you should check out Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace because it will rock your socks off. And it's only .99 for the Kindle, for a limited time.