OMG, TMI!

(Or, Networking Socially When Nothing Is Sacred)
by Lara Adrian

Let me state this right up front: I love social networking. I could easily kill an hour (all right, a full day) on Facebook without batting an eye. I’m still in denial about my recent addiction to Twitter, which means I tweet sporadically, mostly in manic binges between book deadlines or anytime I need a mental distraction (which, I’ll be honest, is more often than is healthy). I have an old account on MySpace, but I haven’t been back there since a fake anti-virus Trojan killed one of my computers. So far, I’m successfully resisting Good Reads and Library Thing and all the other book-related social networks, but only out of the sheer terror that I’ll see unkind words about my work. I may be an Internet magpie (ooh, look–shiny!) but deep down I’m a total clucker!

On a personal level, I’m fascinated and excited by how connected the world has become. Anything we could possibly need to know on virtually any subject–from the mundane, the profound, the fantastical and the profane–is right there at our fingertips, 24/7 instant gratification. What’s not to like?

However, as an author and somewhat of a public figure (Facebook says so; it must be true), the notion of letting it all hang out online makes me a bit twitchy. Maybe I’m still shell-shocked about that inmate letter a few years ago. Or maybe it’s the practical Midwesterner in me who winces every time I see an author or a celebrity spout off about their politics, religion, or sex life online. Even amusing, innocuous personal information tends to stay with me long after it’s said (I’m looking at you and your gravity boots, Dan Brown). It changes my perception of the person in question, and all too often, whether I like to think I’m above it or not, it colors my opinion of their work.

Of course, I do have my guilty pleasures. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t gobble up celebrity gossip like candy, and every now and then I enjoy watching a good brawl in the comment sections of articles at various online news sites. And, yes, let’s not forget Facebook. And Twitter.

What about you? I’m curious to hear how social networking has impacted your online habits. Being that this is an audience of primarily romance readers here at Novel Thoughts, how actively do you interact with (or observe) your favorite authors on Facebook, Twitter, or other sites? You don’t have to name names or cite incidents, but have you ever felt negatively toward an author because of something they said or did online? Alternately, was there something positive or amusing you witnessed online that brought you to an author’s work? What keeps you engaged with an author’s online presence, and is there anything you wish you’d see more of when you visit an author’s social network and/or website and blog?

Sound off in the comments section, and one random poster will win an autographed copy of KISS OF MIDNIGHT, the first book in my Midnight Breed vampire series. And if you’d like to friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, you’ll find the links for both at www.LaraAdrian.com.

Thanks for reading!

Lara Adrian
TAKEN BY MIDNIGHT ~ Midnight Breed Book 8
On sale September 28!

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Cover Goodness: ZOMBIES SOLD SEPARATELY by Cheyenne McCray

A Night Tracker Novel

(No blurb yet)

Release date: June 2011

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Review: In His Arms by Tina Donahue

Available from Ellora’s Cave September 3, 2010.

At the age of 15, Lori Clayton was abducted while walking to a friend’s house and sold into sexual slavery.

At the age of 26, Lori is nothing but a distant memory. She is now Summer Parrish, the perfect submissive for any businessman, politician or criminal that can pay the price her owner Anthony sets for her. This is her life, this is all she knows, and her only goal is to survive.

When Summer is given to RJ, Anthony’s new employee, she starts to understand what life should be. RJ sees the real her, treats her with respect and kindness, and shows her that sex is more than just a tool to use to stay alive. For the first time in years, Summer begins to trust. Then RJ reveals a tie to her past that could have a devastating effect on their future.

In His Arms surprised me. I have read quite a few of Ms. Donahue’s books and have enjoyed every one of them. They are always fun, sexy reads so when I was given the opportunity to review this ARC, I said yes without even glancing at the blurb. I was expecting fun and sexy. What I got was a dark, edgy romantic suspense that sucked me in with the prologue and didn’t let go until Summer got the HEA she deserved.

I can’t say much more without giving away massive spoilers so I’ll leave it with this. If you are looking for a book with an emotional punch, that has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, then I highly recommend In His Arms by Tina Donahue.

For purchase information and to read an excerpt, please visit Tina Donahue’s website.

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Release Day Goodness

It’ll be all about the demons for me when I go prowling through my local bookstore tomorrow. Two of the books I have been waiting on forever will finally be for sale!

Sin Undone by Larissa Ione

HER TOUCH IS DEADLY

As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she’ll die before she’ll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin’s innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence.

HIS HUNGER CAN’T BE DENIED

Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she’s no stranger: He’s bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld’s most wanted and Con soon learns he’s the only one who can help her . . . and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own.

~~~~~~~~

Demon From The Dark by Kresley Cole

A dangerous demon she can’t resist…

Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he’s pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.

A maddening witch he aches to claim…

Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.

Trapped together in a savage prison…

For them to survive, Malkom must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When he becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul?

~~~~~~~

Those are my “OMG I must have these” books for Tuesday. What are yours?

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Winner!

 

Joder

Wins a digital copy of About Last Night by Rhonda Leah

Please email me at lillie80 at gmail dot com to claim your prize. I will need to know which format you prefer.

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Demon From The Dark by Kresley Cole

This looks sooooo good. I love the Immortals After Dark series!

Available August 24, 2010

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Winners!

 

ellie

Wins a signed copy of The Unexpected Son by Shobhan Bantwal

Chris M.

Wins a signed copy of To Love, Honor & Disobey by Natalie Anderson

Estella

Wins a copy of either Laced With Desire or Unlaced by Jaci Burton. Winner’s choice!

Kris & Kirsten

Both win a signed copy of Awakened By A Kiss by Lila DiPasqua

Congratulations to everyone! You have 48 hours to email Fatin at mad at romancereaderatheart dot com to claim your prizes.

(The Rhonda Leah giveaway is still on-going.)

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Rhonda Leah: All about the novella

Her life is an endless string of disasters.

When Misty McNeil is arrested for breaking and entering, calling Tanner Theroit to bail her out seems like a good idea…until he asks what’s so important she’d risk going to jail for. Admitting she was trying to retrieve a gift he’d given isn’t something she wants to confess.

Misty’s night in the slammer is only the tip of the iceberg. Her life quickly takes a turn for the worse. With only one week to move out of her apartment, she turns – yet again – to Tanner to bail her out.

Tanner is determined to prove he wants nothing less than all of her. Too bad Misty has a been-there-done-that attitude when it comes to relationships. But…will Tanner be the one man who can offer her a deal she can’t refuse?

Content warning, explicit sex, strong language and a sexy, hard bodied construction worker turned executive.

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

The appeal of the novella

Thank you for having me, I’m glad to be here! Today, my third novella — About Last Night releases from Lyrical Press. But the truth is — it’s the one that started it all. It’s the first novella I wrote. I’d started writing seriously, had a few good opportunities, then life stepped in and threw me a curve ball. I remained on the edges of the writing community. I didn’t give up my RWA membership and that’s where About Last Night started – I was slowly coming back to writing and wanted a good challenge so I issued one to my local RWA chapter – the opening scene http://www.rhondaleah.com/2010/08/excerpt-about-last-night..html is what I came up with for the challenge. Around the same time the last BRAVA novella contest was underway and taking entries. Someone nudged me into submitting the scene. I pretty much closed my eyes and pushed send — it ended up as one of the finalist. It was enough to encourage me and by the time the contest was over I’d completed the novella. It propelled me back into following my dream of writing.

Why novellas? Honestly I’m not sure. Since I first started writing romance, I was praised for the hot and heavy scenes – plus I tend to write tight (my editor made me add in adverbs during my last round of edits!). As a reader, my time is limited and I love hot, quick reads – so the novella trend started and I’ve written several to date. I hope I’m giving the reader a complete, fulfilling sexy story the novellas. And while I do have a full length series starting next April, one I’ve very excited about, right now – I’m all about the novella!

Do you like novellas? What do you like or dislike about them?

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Thank you for visiting Novel Thoughts, Rhonda!

To learn more about Rhonda Leah and read an excerpt from About Last Night, please visit her website. Leave a comment below to enter a drawing for a digital copy of About Last Night. Good luck! 🙂

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PC Issues —

So sorry for the delay in announcing winners from last week’s posts. Have been dealing with PC issues since Saturday and although I’m back up and running today, I’ve just discovered the HD is still giving me error messages. Trying to get those fixed so I can get back without losing any more files. 😦

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Lila DiPasqua Talks About “The Call”

I’ve just returned from the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Orlando.  I had an amazing time!  I always do.  It’s inspiring being around so many talented writers and giants in the industry.  It brought back wonderful memories of last year’s conference in Washington, D.C.

I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember, but I didn’t start working towards publication until my youngest started school. Having three children in under four years had pretty much kept me from stringing coherent sentences together. 

People have asked me about where and when I got “the call”.  You know the one.  That unforgettable phone call when you learn an editor is interested in purchasing your manuscript.

Well, to be precise, I actually never got “the call”.  My agent sent me “the email”.  We’d been emailing back and forth that day about various projects.  Then about mid-afternoon my agent sent me another email.  I opened it, read it and screamed.  It was summer vacation and my kids were home.  Startled, they came running into my office.  After assuring them that I hadn’t fallen, seen a spider or lost my mind – I reread the email three more times before I was sure I’d read it correctly.  Berkley was interested in my historical romance AWAKENED BY A KISS!  It took a few more days until the deal was finalized.  I officially sold to Berkley the day before I was to attend the Romance Writers of America conference. 

I packed in a daze.  Got on the plane in a daze.  Thrilled and mostly incredulous, I attended the conference and had the time of my life.  After writing seriously for six years, my dream had come true!

I’ve been to Nationals many times.  With joy and great enthusiasm, I’ve celebrated many a sale my friends have made over the years.  And this year, it was actually my turn!  I got to meet my wonderful agent (in person) and was introduced to my fabulous editor.   All I can say is – this writer is grateful and blessed to have landed in the company of these two great ladies.

I felt like Cinderella.  I even attended a ball—the Berkley/NAL party.  Seems fitting since the book I sold has to do with fairytales.

My sizzling summer release AWAKENED BY A KISS is the first book in my Fiery Tales Series.  This hot historical romance anthology is a sexy take on three classic fairy tales—“Sleeping Beauty,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Little Red Riding Hood”—cleverly retold with enough sensual twists to prove wickedly ever after does exist….

Sleeping Beau: Five years ago, the notorious rake, Adrien d’Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss—and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory. Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress—and this time, he has no intention of letting her go…

 

Little Red Writing: Nicolas de Savignac, Comte de Lambelle, has been assigned by the King to uncover the secret identity of the author writing scandalous stories about powerful courtiers. He never expected his investigation would lead to his grandmother’s house, or to a ravishing woman who would stir his deepest hunger…

Bewitching in Boots: Elisabeth de Roussel, daughter of the King, is accustomed to getting what she wants—and she wants Tristan de Tiersonnier, Comte de Saint-Marcel, an ex-commander of the King’s private Guard. A recent injury has forced Tristan to leave his distinguished position, but Elisabeth is determined to make him see he’s every bit the man he once was—and more than man enough for her…

Oh, and in case you’re wondering if I ever got the chance to celebrate.  The answer is YES!  I celebrated with family and friends when I got back home.  A nice restaurant. Champagne.  And of course, dark chocolate. 

QUESTION: What’s the happiest day of your life? 

 

Two lucky commenters will win a signed copy of AWAKENED BY A KISS!

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Many thanks to Lila for being our guest today. For more info on her and her books, check out her website here. You can also read an excerpt of AWAKENED BY A KISS here.

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