Fellow Berkley Sensation author Angela Knight

Here's a nod to my sister Berkley Sensation author, Angela Knight, and her delicious new werewolf novel, MASTER OF WOLVES. Here's the info:

MASTER OF WOLVES by Angela Knight
(Berkeley Sensation, April 4, 2006)

When Jim London's best friend is murdered, Jim vows to catch the killer. Leaving it for the local police to solve is out of the question, because he suspects they are involved.
Jim is more than capable of taking action if they are -- he's a werewolf. Realizing the only way to investigate the department is from the inside, he decides to go undercover -- as a police K-9.
His "handler" is lovely Faith Weston, the only person on the Clarkston Police Department who isn't up to her neck in murder. But Faith has no idea her "dog" Rambo is a werewolf, or that the department she serves is rotten with corruption.
But it doesn't take her long to figure it out.


Excerpt:
http://www.angelasknights.com/masterofwolves.htm

Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0425207439.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg



ABOUT ANGELA KNIGHT
Angela Knight's first book was written in pencil and illustrated in crayon; she was nine years old at the time. But her mother was enthralled, and Angela was hooked.
In the years that followed, Angela managed to figure out a way to make a living -- more or less -- at what she loved best: writing. After a short career as a comic book writer, she became a newspaper reporter, covering everything from school board meetings to murders. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name. For more of Angela’s interesting bio, visit her website: http://angelasknights.com/bio.htm


Website: http://www.angelasknights.com

Bitchery Writing Award for Hellagood Authors I'm a finalist!!

The fabulous, witty, and hilarious Smart Bitches at http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com have begun the first annual BWAHA Awards - Bitchery Writing Award for Hellagood Authors, and I am honored to report that BRIGHID'S QUEST is a finalist in the Best Paranormal: Fantasy/SF/Other Worlds Romance category!! Okay, seriously, I would LURVE to win this wicked cool award, so I would definitely appreciate your votes. Just follow the link to Smart Bitches and scroll down till you find the "And the nominees are..." entry, then send your vote to Sarah or Candy. Here are all the very talented nominees for all the categories:

Best Contemporary:
Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Hot Tamara by Mary Castillo
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
Black Ice by Anne Stuart
Wedding Survivor by Julia London
Ex and the Single Girl by Lani Diane Rich
Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy

Best Historical:
Smuggler’s Bride by Darlene Marshall
Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Siren by Cheryl Sawyer
It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation Lauren Willig
The Veil of the Night by Lydia Joyce

Best Series/Contemporary:
Ultra Violet by Ellen Henderson
Her Body of Work by Marie Donovan
The Orchid Hunter by Sandra K. Moore

Best Series/Historical:
Lady Silence by Blair Bancroft
Dedication by Janet Mullany

Best Romantica/Erotic Romance:
“Skin Deep” by Jasmine Haynes, from Twin Peaks
Take Me by Bella Andre
Dragon’s Fire by Tielle St. Clare
Promises Prevail by Sarah McCarty
Off the Record by Matthew Haldeman-Time
Bound to Trust by Jaci Burton
Best Erotica Mercenaries by Angela Knight
24/7 by Susan DiPlacido
Crossing the Line by Stephanie Vaughan

Best Paranormal: Vampires, Werewolves and the Supernatural:
Haunted by Kelley Armstrong
Dark Lover by JR Ward
Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson
Erotique by Alessia Brio
Waxing by Megan Powell

Best Paranormal: Fantasy/SF/Other Worlds Romance:
The Compass Rose Gail Dayton
Heart Choice by Robin D. Owens
Poison Study Maria V. Snyder
Brighid’s Quest by PC Cast
Unmasked by CJ Barry

Deidre Knight's debut book!

Deidre Knight is my good friend Gena Showalter's agent - so I know from Gena that she is totally fab. Gena also says her first book, a paranorma,l is excellent. I have it in my TBR pile and will dive in when I get out of Deadline Hell. Here are the particulars so you can check it out for yourself whilst I slough my way through Goddess of Love:

PARALLEL ATTRACTION by Deidre Knight
(Signet Eclipse, April 4, 2006)

It has been years since exiled alien king Jared Bennett thought of anything other than his people's fight for freedom. Now his rebel force has the one weapon that can turn the tide against their enemy: the key to the secrets of time. Victory has never been closer-but one woman has the power to change everything.Kelsey Wells can't deny that there is something unearthly about her fierce attraction to Jared Bennett. His revelations about alien wars and time travel can't possibly be fact-yet with every seductive touch, every searing kiss, Kelsey circles closer to the truth: that although Jared is exactly what he says, he hasn't told her everything. And when the future crashes into the present, Kelsey must decide if his deception will cost them the love that should have been their destiny.

Excerpt:
http://www.deidreknightbooks.com/pa_excerpt.html

Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0451218116.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg



ABOUT DEIDRE KNIGHT
Deidre Knight is president of The Knight Agency, which she founded in 1996. Since that time, she has grown the agency to national prominence, landing authors on every major bestseller list. Deidre began her writing career at age nine, when her award-winning essay on Barbie was published in her hometown newspaper, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. She has been writing in one form or another ever since. After nearly a decade of working with Knight Agency clients, helping them discover their creative potential, her fiction debut with NAL in 2006 marks the fulfillment of her own lifelong writing dream. She is excited to embark on yet another new and fulfilling creative journey.


REVIEWS

Debut author, Deidre Knight, immerses the reader in a world that’s believable, fascinating, and extremely sensual between two people who meld into one as their love escalates. The sensuality builds to a crescendo, the plot plummets your emotion then brings you back, while bating your wishes for more at the end. Completely mesmerizing, PARALLEL ATTRACTION leaves you hoping for more. – Romance Junkies

An intriguing new voice in paranormal fiction has arrived! Knight kicks off an exciting new series that explores the power of conviction and unintended consequences. This novel is chock-full of passion, betrayal and redemption and will certainly leave you wanting more! – Romantic Times

Without a doubt this is one compelling and absolutely phenomenal read! Knight's opening foray into the paranormal world is … intensely erotic, passionate, and riveting … In two words, "totally fabulous"!
I was instantly caught up in the heart wrenching betrayal of a precious love that was taken from two innocents. … I am so looking forward to seeing more stories … from an author who has brought a highly imaginative and provocative breath of fresh air into the paranormal realm! Brava! Overall Rating: 10 -- Marilyn of www.RomanceDesigns.com


Website: http://www.deidreknight.com
The PARALLEL Experience http://www.deidreknightbooks.com

My lovely friend Jill Monroe (ur...she's nasty)

I'll just "out" her. Jill Monroe looks like a kindergarten teacher, but she's really a very naughty girl. And here's my evidence: her latest book. The girl writes very hot stuff. Check her out. Above you'll find the lovely cover. I especially like the fan because I can't sleep without one, so fans always conjour images of bed and night and...well...hot, steamy monkey sex.

Here's the rest of the pertinent info about her book. Please buy it. She has small children she must feed.

Hannah Garrett has always felt safe in the dark. It meant she never had to show people the truth. On the run from a man who wants to kill her, Hannah's learned to keep to herself and not get attached....Until she meets Ward Coleman.Being around her sexy coworker has awakened a need she'd forgotten — and it's not just this heat wave that has Hannah hot and bothered. But she can't afford to get too close, especially when she's not sure she can trust him.What she doesn't know is that Ward is on to her and is determined to learn her secrets. And getting caught in a hot, dark elevator is the best place to find out all this undercover FBI agent needs to know.

Romantic Times called Share The Darkness a "great read" and gave it 4 Stars. You can pick up your copy from Barnes&Noble, eHarlequin and Books A Million

Huh? New book?

Hey y'all. Liz Maverick's Crimson Rogue is out and I'm in deadline hell. Would someone please read it and tell me if it's as fab as it sounds? Here's the stuff on it:

CRIMSON ROGUE by Liz Maverick
(Dorchester, April 2006)

From the four strata of Crimson City come rogues: vampire, werewolf, human, demon. These rebels, rakes and unsung heroes have turned their backs on the extravagant vampire skyway, the gritty werewolf underground, the iron-fisted human stronghold and the fiery power of the demon underworld. Walking a thin line between heaven and hell, they make their own rules and follow their own destinies. Ironically, they will be the ones to determine if the City flourishes or fails. Cydney Brighton knows them well, for she too is now rogue. Having escaped hell, she’s discovered that the City is not what it once was—and neither is she. Only one man understands her, understands what it means to be someone or something beyond control. He’s ready to come out of the darkness; and part-man, part-machine, he’s willing to sacrifice almost anything to make himself whole.


Excerpt:
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=2058

Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0505526255.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Other links:

Crimson City Hub
http://www.crimsoncity.com

Crimson City city resident’s blog
http://crimsoncity.blogspot.com


ABOUT LIZ MAVERICK
Liz Maverick is a world traveler, novelist, and freelance travel writer whose contract assignments have taken her around the globe. She’s driven trucks in Antarctica, attended university in the New Territories of Hong Kong, and worked on reality TV shows in California. Liz writes women's fiction comedy for Penguin Putnam’s NAL imprint and futuristic/paranormal action romance for Dorchester and Red Sage.


REVIEWS
“An original, dark and fascinating world….” —RT BOOKclub


Website: http://www.lizmaverick.com

YA author photo(s) - finally.

Well, Kristin was home for spring break last week (goddess help me). Okay, don't get me wrong. I adore my kid. She's great. She's fabulous. She's amazing. SHE'S A PAIN IN THE ASS. I considered using the cat's body to smother her. Hey, come on! The cat has been plotting her death for years! Okay, seriously, it was nice to see her and I do miss her. Most of the time. Whilst she was here we finally got our author photo for St. Martin's taken together. Here are the two we like best. What do y'all think? Which would be best for our YA novels?

Still Reigning as Lucky Cover Bitch

http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/

The Smart Bitches at Smart Bitches Trashy Books dubbed me Lucky Cover Bitch. Naturally, I love it. I'm not shy or modest about much of anything, especially not about my amazing covers. I have excellent cover chi, which is more proof to me that God is a girl.

So I thought I'd share with you the incredibly covers for my next two LUNA books. First, DIVINE BY MISTAKE, which is the much anticipated LUNA edition of GODDESS BY MISTAKE. It'll be released in September. For those of you who have read GbM - what do you think of the artist's rendition of Shannon? I adore it! And the background and dias are especially fantastic! But much as I love DbM, I've been impatiently waiting to see its sequel, DIVINE BY CHOICE, in print for almost 5 years, and the cover did not disappoint me. Check it out! (Sorry, when I uploaded them to the blog their order is reversed...I'm kinda the computer impaired so please bear with me.

The Divine Feminine & The Beltane Papers

I had to share with y'all a wonderful magazine, The Beltane Papers (http://www.thebeltanepapers.net). The magazine is all about empowering women and the Divine Feminine. I'd like to say I discovered it, but the truth is they discovered me. One of their editors is a fan, and there is a very well written interview with me in the current issue. They sent me a copy of the magazine and I was stunned by its beauty and insightful articles - of course I immediately subscribed. Check it out!

Fallen Angel Reviews Interview

I thought y'all would like to check out my interview for the lovely ladies at Fallen Angel Reviews: http://www.fallenangelreviews.com

P.C. Cast Interview
Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome best-selling author PC Cast. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. PC Cast is the author of the Goddess Summoning series as well as the Partholon stories. I have been lucky enough to read most of the Goddess series, but haven't yet picked up the Partholon books. Are these two series entwined or can they be read as stand alones?
My Partholon and my Goddess Summoning series are completely different. The Partholon books for LUNA are all set in a world of my creation which is loosely based on Celtic mythology, and they are considered more “fantasy” than “paranormal romance,” even though all of my books, no matter the genre, have strong romantic elements. The Luna books do share characters and one follows the other, but I work hard to be sure that they can be read separately. My Goddess Summoning books truly stand alone. Once in a while I’ll have overlapping characters, but each book is a separate story unto itself.

Do you have a character that is especially close to your heart?
This is a hard question because I become emotionally involved with all of my characters. I will say that the centaur Huntress, Brighid, from BRIGHID’S QUEST is very close to me. Through her I dealt with several issues involving my own childhood and family. Brighid’s mother and my biological mother ended up being disturbingly similar, and like Brighid, I, too, had to learn to overcome a lot of childhood baggage in order to evolve into a healthy adult.

Do you have any special rituals to help you get in the mood to write?
I used to have to light my special butter rum candle, brew tea (or pour wine – depending on the time of day), and escape to a quiet room to write. I don’t have that luxury anymore. The truth is too often people view authors through highly romanticized lenses. Actually, writing is a profession, and even though I love it – it’s still a job. So I have to be able to produce work with or without the rituals and perfect settings.

How do you know what to name your books or the characters?
Book titles are very changeable. You’d be surprised how often authors have little or nothing to do with them. I’ve had so many young authors come to me agonizing over “I can’t figure out a title for my book!” I tell them just call it anything, and write it. It’s very likely your editor will change it anyway. Characters are different (although I have had an editor request I change a main character’s name before). I do a lot of name research. Meanings and sounds are important to me. And then when it’s right – I just know it.

Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
Lots of different places! During research I find idea after idea after idea. Sometimes I brainstorm plots with an editor. Sometimes there’s a story that I’ve been passionate about telling for quite some time, as in my February release, GODDESS OF THE ROSE, which is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Finding ideas for books has never been difficult – they just keep coming and coming and coming!

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?
I write from start to finish after completing a proposal, which is usually from 5 to 10 pages outlining the beginning, middle, end, and main characters of the novel. Usually chapter 1 comes to me very easily, then I struggle for about 200 pages, then the book starts to write itself (I wish that part happened sooner!).

How many hours a day do you spend writing?
It varies greatly depending on deadlines and where I am in the writing process. After I hit about 200 – 250 pages I can’t stay away from the computer and writing for 10-12 hours a day isn’t unusual. Even when I’m not actually writing my mind is constantly percolating plots and scenes, so that when I do sit down to write my time tends to be very productive.

Most people only dream of becoming a successful writer. Now that you have accomplished that is there anything else you dream of doing?
Actually, I won’t consider myself a “successful writer” until I consistently hit major lists. I always set my goals high and I’m rarely really pleased with myself until I accomplish them. Other dreams…hum…I’d like to speak fluent Italian…take pottery classes…travel around the world… I have a secret desire to be an artist; it’s a shame I don’t have the talent to go with the desire!

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?
World dominance by women! Okay, just kidding (sort of). I want to help women feel good about themselves and remind them that we should rely on our intuition and gut instincts more – as well as treasure our girlfriends.

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
That there’s some secret magic formula to writing. It’s simply hard work and tenacity – nothing more, or less, romantic.

What is the best advice that anyone ever gave you?
In life: don’t ever date anyone you wouldn’t at least consider marrying. In writing: just write the book you love! Don’t worry about the publisher or the editor or the agent or which way the readers are buying or not buying. Just write what you love. That’s really the only part you can control anyway.

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment at a book signing?
Oh, jeesh, lots of them. Only I wasn’t really “embarrassed.” I think bemused would be a more accurate word. People have asked me where the restrooms are…to help them find a book because clearly I must work there…and over and over “You mean you really wrote these books??” Sigh. I’ll bet people don’t ask Nora Roberts to point them to the potties!

You have a new book out, Goddess of the Rose, the fourth in your Goddess Summoning series; do you see an end for this series or do you have more ideas in the works?
Well, right now I’m working on my spring Goddess Summoning book, GODDESS OF LOVE, in which Venus is my heroine. I do have ideas for several more, but I also have several other paranormal series I’m itching to write, so we’ll see…

Can you give us a peek into Goddess of the Rose?
Absolutely! I love this book! Goddess of the Rose is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast – with a modern, adult slant. My heroine, Micki (named after the Mikado Rose), and all the women in her family have a special affinity for roses – their blood, diluted in water and applied during the night of a new moon, makes roses grow spectacularly. What the women don’t know is that they have this ability because they are descendants of a High Priestess of the Goddess Hecate. Hecate is Goddess of Night, Magick, the Crossroads of Man, and of Beasts. She is also the proctrectess of The Realm of the Rose – the place wherein all dreams and magick originate. This realm is guarded diligently by The Guardian, a creature on which the myth of the Minotaur was based. The Guardian swore himself into Hecate’s service for eternity, and in return the Goddess gifted him with the heart and soul of a man, even though he has the body of a beast. But all is not well in The Realm of the Rose. The Guardian made a terrib! le mistake, arousing the Goddess’s wrath to such an extent that she bespelled him and the realm, and Hecate swore that they would sleep eternally unless the Beast was awakened by a woman who carried the magickal blood of Hecate’s priestess, and was wise enough to see the truth, and compassionate enough to act upon it. Micki does awaken the Guardian and he abducts her to The Realm of the Rose thinking that she would automatically break the curse placed on the realm and set things to right, but modern woman Micki is a very unexpected kind of High Priestess, and there are forces at work within the realm, both of love and of hatred that might change the shape of dreams and magick for all of eternity unless Micki is brave enough to make the ultimate sacrifice…

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I would like readers to know that there seems to have been an unfortunate mistake made with my release date of GODDESS OF THE ROSE. Way back last summer Berkley decided to move up the release from April to March, and then, finally, to February. Well…not everyone got the word on the February date change, so there has been some problem with purchasing and distribution. I would very much appreciate it if my fans would request that the book be ordered in through their local chain bookstores if they don’t find it on the shelf. That would help to correct the release date confusion. I would also like to send a Big “thank you!” to my wonderful fans. The women who read my books are loyal and intelligent and fabulous! I truly appreciate and love to hear from them! And thank you Fallen Angel Reviews!!

Thank you again for taking the time to talk with us. If you'd like to read more about Ms. Cast and her books, you can take a look at her website at: www.pccast.net. Interviewed by: Serena

OH MY GOD(DESS)!!

FABULOUS NEWS! My editor emailed me today saying that GODDESS OF THE ROSE is #38 on the Barnes and Noble romance mass market bestseller list!! Oh baby oh! In celebration, here's a wonderful image of Venus, the heroine of my next Goddess Summoning Book, GODDESS OF LOVE.


And now I have to watch some trash TV and finish my lovely glass of red wine. (I'll be popping some bubbly this weekend, never fear.) Project Runway is on, ya know...

Valentine's Day...romance or...or...retching?

So...today I started writing my next Goddess Summoning Book. It'll be the 5th one in the series, and it's titled GODDESS OF LOVE. I thought it was appropriate to literally begin it on Valentine's Day. I mean, please. Valentine's Day = Romance. Right? Well...Okay, I'm not complaining but currently I'm BM. No, that doesn't mean bowl movement. That means I'm - for the moment - Between Men. (Unfortunately I don't mean that literally. Talk about an interesting Valentine's Day...) Anyway, I got a lovely flower from one of my favorite students. Yep. A 16 year old. Uh, no. That really doesn't count as a romantic present - sweet, but NOT romantic. What would I really like today?? I browsed for a while and found the perfect gift for a woman BM - BATMAN! Yes yes yes. I do have a soft spot (actually, several of them) for The Dark Knight.

But, seriously (not that I'm not serious about Batman). What did y'all get for V Day? Was it romance or retching?

Back to GODDESS OF LOVE. Yes, I can appreciate the irony.

So many damn good books...

My friend and fellow Luna author, Robin Owens, has a Feb. release, too. Please check her out! Here's the info:

SORCERESS OF FAITH by Robin D. Owens
(Luna, February 1, 2006)

With the world of Llandrana threatened by encroaching evil, the Sorcerers must do the unthinkable—Summon an outsider to stop the insidious Darkness slowly taking control of their land and poisoning the Sorcerers themselves.
Arriving in Lladrana, grad student Marian Harasta is stunned to find herself the center of a dispute among Sorcerers who want to augment their Power with her own. She must quickly learn her new magical Powers – and decide who she can trust in this strange land. She has prayed for a miracle to save her brother – could Lladrana offer that knowledge, and can she somehow return to Earth with it?
She knows she must offer the Sorcerers something in exchange, and ridding them of the Evil Sorcerer is what they want, but how will she fare in her first magical duel?
With unexpected help – and unexpected betrayal – Marian must determine where her true fate lies.


Excerpt:
http://www.robindowens.com/reads/sorceress_of_faith.htm


Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0373802218.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg



ABOUT ROBIN D. OWENS
Robin D. Owens has been seriously writing longer than she cares to recall, but is very happy with how her writing career is proceeding. She was named the Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in 2004, and 2003 Writer of the Year by the Denver Area Science Fiction Association. Robin has been the librarian, contest co-chair, and President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She has given seminars at Pikes Peak Writers Conference, the Colorado Gold Writers Conference, and Romance Writers of America as well as other groups.


REVIEWS

Marian is a fantastic heroine, both fiercely intelligent and independent, as well as willing and able to stand up for herself and what she wants. This book will enchant readers who enjoy strong heroines. – Romantic Times

Website: http://www.robindowens.com

FINALLY! GODDESS OF THE ROSE IS RELEASED!

Whew. It seems I've been waiting forever for the release of this book. Finally it's here. It should be available everywhere today, Feb 1st. Okay...BUT...here's where I need the help of my fans. As those of you who check my website know, Berkley moved the release of GotR up from April to March to Febuary. Well, seems there has been a kink caused by the movement. Without going into big, nasty detail it appears that not everyone got the word that I'm a Feb release. Which is bad...really, really bad. So the only way to fix this and save this fabulous book is for you guys to GO TO A CHAIN BOOKSTORE (live or via the internet) AND BUY THE BOOK. Quickly. So my numbers look good fast and they reprint and reoffer the book around the table with the buyers. I do promise you that you'll love it. Promise. Really.

Here's the amazing cover and a teaser:

Goddess of the Rose is a delicious retelling of Beauty and the Beast – with a modern, adult slant. Micki (named after the Mikado Rose) and all the women in her family have a special affinity for roses – their blood, diluted in water and applied during the night of a new moon, makes roses grow spectacularly. What the women don’t know is that they have this ability because they are descendants of a High Priestess of the Goddess Hecate. Hecate is Goddess of Night, Magick, the Crossroads of Man, and of Beasts. She is also the proctrectess of The Realm of the Rose – the place wherein all dreams and magick originate. This realm is guarded diligently by The Guardian, a creature on which the myth of the Minotaur was based. The Guardian swore himself into Hecate’s service for eternity, and in return the Goddess gifted him with the heart and soul of a man, even though he has the body of a beast. But all is not well in The Realm of the Rose. Centuries ago the Guardian made a terrible mistake, arousing the Goddess’s wrath to such an extent that she bespelled him and the realm. Hecate swore that they would sleep eternally unless the Beast was awakened by a woman who carried the magickal blood of Hecate’s priestess, and was wise enough to see the truth, and compassionate enough to act upon it.

Micki does awaken the Guardian and he abducts her to The Realm of the Rose thinking that her presence will automatically break the curse placed on the realm and set things to right, but modern woman Micki is a very unexpected kind of High Priestess, and there are forces at work within the realm, both of love and of hatred, that might change the shape of mankind's dreams and magick for all of eternity unless Micki is brave enough to make the ultimate sacrifice…

Please join me in this sensual retelling of my favorite fairytale, GODDESS OF THE ROSE, available NOW!

Sexy new release from GENA SHOWALTER!

Sorry I've been mute lately. (Remind me - why did I think I could write a YA series in my "spare time"? AAAAHHHHH!) Anyway, I'm coming out of hibernation to gush about my girlfriend Gena Showalter's February release JEWEL OF ATLANTIS! I got an early look at this book, and I can assure you that it is a fabulous, sexy fantasy - truly delicious! I'd love to hear your feedback after you buy and devour it. Here's the info: (and check out the great cover!)


Jewel of Atlantis by Gena Showalter

Enter a mythical world populated with vampires, dragons, demons and Nymphs. . . enter a world of dark seduction and powerful magic. . . enter Atlantis….
All of Atlantis seeks the Jewel of Dunamis, which legend claims can overcome any enemy. Gray James, human agent of the ultra-secret Otherworld Bureau of Investigation, has orders to keep it from the wrong hands – or destroy it. What he doesn’t know is that Jewel is a woman, not a stone. But once he meets this precious gem, destroying her is the last thing on his mind. . .
Jewel, part goddess, part prophet, is a pawn in Atlantis’s constant power struggles. She needs Gray’s help to win freedom and uncover the secrets of her mysterious origins. Gray needs her wisdom to navigate monster-ridden Atlantis. But need blossoms into passionate love as they fight demons, dragons, vampires – and a prophecy that says the bond between them could destroy them both.

“This is one story you absolutely cannot miss!” 5 stars. Singletitles.com

“Showalter's fans will enjoy her breezy tone, fast-paced plotting, and sexy humor, set against a backdrop of malevolent demons, vampires, and dragons.” Barnes and Noble.com editors

Buy from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com

Visit Gena’s website at http://www.genashowalter.com

Let's talk series...

Jeri Smith-Ready brought up an excellent writing point when she posted about having difficulty writing the second book in her LUNA series. It got me thinking ("A dangerous thing." "I know..."). Book #2 in a series is damn hard to write, and it's damn hard to find good ones, too. I've done it twice, and am almost ready to add a third 2nd book in a series (now that's confusing sounding) to my resume with the middle book in my YA contract. I'm not particularly looking forward to it. Here's the problem: the 2nd book needs to be able to stand alone, so the author must give enough info about the first book to fill in the new reader whilst not pissing off/boring someone who has already read book one. See - it's damn hard to do. I struggled hard with this writing Brighid's Quest. I wanted the book to stand alone - and from the reviews and readers' comments I think I managed that - but I did have to pay homage to Elphame's Choice. Of course what was more difficult was writing Divine by Choice - the sequel to my first book, Goddess by Mistake (which is going to be re-released under the title Divine by Mistake in September), because when I wrote GbM I didn't have a clue I was going to end up writing a sequel...let alone the 5 books I've sold to LUNA set in that world. Sigh. I can tell you that today I would have done several things different in GbM and made my life much easier later on...

So - what sequels have you found that are as good - and maybe better - than the first book? What jumps out at me first is Anne McCaffrey's classic Dragon Quest, which I loved even more than the first fabulous Pern book, Dragon Flight. I also adored Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' second Hawk book Snakecharm. Oddly enough, Diana Gabaldon's second Outlander book was just okay, but the third kicked ass.

What do you guys think?

SMART BITCHES REVIEW! LUURV THE BITCHES!

Check out the amazing review of Brighid's Quest posted by my favorite Smart Bitch, Sarah @ http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com. Here's a sneak peek: (and feel free to go to the site and chime in on the discussion!)


Brighid's Quest by PC Cast
Dude. She's half a horse!
Title: Brighid's QuestAuthor: PC Cast Publication Info: Luna Books 2005, ISBN: 0373802420Genre: Science Fiction/FantasyTrashy Books Grade: A-

I took Brighid’s Quest with me to the hospital when I was induced, but I didn’t remember a page of what I read due to the wonders of labor, and the even deeper wonders of post-episiotomy percocet. Mmm. Percocet. But it is a testament to PC Cast’s writing that what fuzzy details I did remember, I wanted to get back to and reread as soon as I returned to my somewhat-normal self. I usually do not reread the opening pages of books if they prove to be forgettable. Brighid’s Quest is not forgettable in the least. It’s marvelous.

Brighid is a centaur, which, for the mythologically uninitiated, means her back end is a horse. She’s human from the waist up, equine from the waist down. And according to the descriptions and passing comments from other characters, either half of her is pretty hot. She is the Huntress for Clan MacCallan, which means she is the official hunter providing game for the clan’s keep. Brighid is fiercely protective of her clan, her position within the clan, and her friends, specifically the clan Chieftan, Elphame, last seen in the prequel to this book, Elphame’s Choice. Brighid left the Centaur Plains to escape the Machiavellian machinations of her mother, High Shaman of the Dhianna Herd. Brighid was expected, as eldest daughter, to follow her mother into the position of High Shaman after her mother’s death, but the increasingly militant and anti-human beliefs of her herd, coupled with the cruelty and abuses of power committed by her mother and brother, led Brighid to find her own life outside of her home and family.
That’s more than enough for a story, right? But wait! There’s more!
"More, more, more!"
Brighid has become an essential part of the Clan MacCallan. As Huntress, she holds a position of respect within the clan, and as close friend of the Chieftan commands her own share of personal respect as well. It doesn’t hurt that, as I mentioned, half-horse or not, she’s pretty hot.
The Clan MacCallan has been left in a state of upheaval by the events told in Elphame’s Choice, and as this book begins, Elphame’s brother Cuchulainn has journeyed to the Wastelands to bring back the New Fomorians, a group of half-demon, half-human hybrid people whose lives were saved by Elphame. Elphame is worried for her brother, who is in deep mourning for his lost love, killed by one of the half-demon Fomorians. Brighid volunteers to journey to the Wastelands to accompany Cuchulainn as he leads the New Fomorians back to the clan castle in Partholon.
When Brighid arrives in the Wastelands to meet the hybrid New Fomorians, she finds that Cuchulainn is a fragment of his former self, and realizes that part of her assignment, though unspoken, is to lead Cuchulainn back to himself as she and Cu lead the New Fomorians back to Partholon to be a part of the Clan MacCallan.
And that is more than enough for a story, right? But wait! There’s more!
Brighid must also learn to embrace the part of herself that is her mother’s daughter, that is, the part of her that is a High Shaman and has a connection to the spirit realm. Having rejected her herd and her responsibility to follow her mother into the position of High Shaman, Brighid has also rejected the spirit world and tries to resist the signs, messages, and premonitions she receives. Unfortunately, resisting one’s destiny is not easily done.
Brighid’s Quest hinges neatly into two halves: Part One is the tale of Brighid’s first quest: leading the New Fomorians into Partholon with Cuchulainn, and realizing how she alone can help Cuchulainn heal himself from the grief that has literally fragmented his soul. Part Two is the tale of Brighid’s second quest, as she realizes her destiny and tries to find a balance between her new life in Clan MacCallan, and her destiny as High Shaman of the Dhianna Herd.
The unifying element to these two halves is Cuchulainn, the hero of the story. PC Cast has set up quite a challenge for herself, in that it is very difficult to make a hero out of a grieving man who has just lost his love. Often the lost love is too good to be believed, shallow, one-dimensional, or revealed to be evil. Brenna is none of these, and, to make matters more challenging, was a friend of Brighid, who is mourning her loss along with Cuchulainn. But on the journey from the Wastelands to Partholon, which parallels Cuchulainn’s journey back to himself, Brighid and Cuchulainn realize they have feelings for one another, and both must struggle with their attraction as well as their guilt over betraying Brenna’s memory. And all of this emotional acknowledgement has to be managed without turning the reader off entirely, especially readers who are coming from the prequel and who “know” Brenna.
The other challenge is that Brighid, by virtue of being a centaur, well, to be blunt, she’s half a horse! I read this book the first week home from the hospital, bit by bit between feedings, rocking, and figuring out a baby’s nap schedule, and it was really freaking difficult to put the book down and go tend to anything else. Not only is this a wonderfully told story, but dude, she’s half a horse and there’s some serious attraction between Brighid and Cuchulainn, who’s a human, i.e. not half a horse. The possible logistics of the love scene were dinner discussion between Hubby and myself, because, did I mention, she’s half horse?!
I won’t spoil the answer as to how the happy-happy happens, don’t worry.
Brighid’s Quest contained some of my very favorite romantic elements: an emotionally wounded hero who is afraid of risking his heart a second time; heroine who can heal him, though at great personal cost; and a journey that has to bridge two very different cultures - that last one happens multiple times in multiple combinations, between the New Formorians, the Clan humans, the centaurs, the spirit realm, and the Goddess Epona, the ruling deity over the entire group. But even as I frothed at the mouth (ha) to find out how Brighid and Cuchulainn would find happiness and how the New Fomorians would find a way to live with the distrustful human Clan members, I had to ask myself: is this a romance, or is this a hybrid itself?
While there are strong romantic elements to the story, I would have to argue that it is not a romance entirely. It’s more of a hybrid between romance, fantasy, and, if we readers were members of the Clan MacCallan, an epic tale as well.
My one disappointment with the story is something of a spoiler, so as usual, if you don’t want to know, you know what not to do. Cuchulainn spends chapters struggling with his grief, his feelings of guilt over Brenna’s death, and then further feelings of guilt over his growing regard for Brighid. But when it comes time for him to admit that he cares for Brighid, and that he can choose a future with her, he arrives quickly at a state of acceptance over his feelings and his intentions toward Brighid. For someone who struggled emotionally through the entire first part of the novel, Cuchulainn admitted his attraction to Brighid and acted upon it a little too fast for me, not only because I thought he would have to struggle with it a bit more (and not just because, hello, she’s half a horse!) but also because the shift in his feelings for Brighid and vice versa mark the hinge between parts 1 and 2 of this book, and I felt the transition went too quickly. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but there wasn’t quite enough angst for an already angst-filled character.
The most telling sign of my fondness for this book is that I keep stalling as I write this because my copy is sitting next to me, and if I pick it up to check a plot point or the spelling of a name, I start reading again, even though I finished the book a little over a week ago. I don’t even skim the pages; I start reading it in detail like I’ve never seen the words before. Brighid’s Quest is definitely a combination of several different and equally strong genres, but it also manages to be a hardy example of each one. I could recommend it to readers of romance, or readers of fantasy, with no hesitation.
Unless they want to borrow my copy. Ha. Mine.
"Was it good for you?"

MYSTERIA ANTHOLOGY!

Oh, baby! Just got the cover for the MYSTERIA Anthology. The release date is July 2006, and I can not wait! I love this anthology, and I love the three other talented authors who are in it with me: MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant, and Gena Showalter. Here's a teaser:
Hunky werewolves, delicious demons and, drop-dead sexy witches all have the same address…

Mysteria

Hundreds of years ago, in the mountains of Colorado (just close enough to Denver for great shoe shopping), the small town of Mysteria was “accidentally” founded by a random act of demonic kindness. Over time, it has become a veritable magnet for the supernatural—a place where magic has quietly coexisted with the mundane world.

It’s a town like any other town, where the high school’s Fighting Fairies give fans something to cheer about, where everyone knows your name—if not exactly what you are—at the local bar, and where the wishing well actually lives up to its name.

Strange occurrences happen every day, but now the ladies of Mysteria are about to unleash a tempest of seduction that will have tongues wagging for centuries to come…

The women of Mysteria…

Charlene Houtenan is the voluptuous local realtor, who knows a hot property when she sees one. And when a new werewolf appears in town, she’s going to make a move he can’t resist.

See her seal the deal in New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson’s “Alone Wolf.”

Harmony Faithfull is the new minister in town. She’s having a crisis of faith—in herself—until she finds a buck-naked man in her garden, a former demon who unleashes the devil inside her.

Watch her find heaven in national bestselling author Susan Grant’s “Mortal in Mysteria.”

Candice Cox may be Mysteria High’s sexiest teacher, but after five husbands, she’s burnt out on romance. Until a former student—a drool-worthy werewolf—makes her howl at the moon…

Get hot for teacher in “Candy Cox and the Big Bad (Were) Wolf” by P.C. Cast.

Genevieve Tawdry is a witch with a bad case of unrequited love for the owner of the local bar. But is his sudden change of heart the result of a love potion—or a literally breathtaking passion?

Belly up to the bar in “The Witches of Mysteria and the Dead Who Love Them” by Gena Showalter.

1st YA ms almost finished!

Okay, I'm very excited to report that the 1st book in our (as in my daughter and me) YA series is almost finished! Naturally, I won't even be able to take a breath before I move on to the 2nd one, which has to be finished by January 15 - may God(dess) help me.

So...here are some name-that-character winners:

Jess!! You won with Erik for the love interest (well, one of them) for our fabulous heroine. His whole name is Erik Night.

Jana!! You won with Damien for one of our major secondary characters - one of our heroine's best friends (he's an adorable gay guy you'll love).

So ladies, email me privately with your addresses and when the book comes out I owe you each an autographed copy and a goddess necklace. Congrats!!

Sexy Name Decoder!

Hey Y'all! http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com has a fun sexy name decoder link going on. Fill our your stuff and find out YOUR sexy name. Behold what P.C. stands for:



Like you're suprised??

AFFAIRE DE COEUR AWARD!!

Oh, baby! My fabulous Berkley editor emailed me this afternoon with the following news:

GODDESS OF SPRING gets the award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy in the Affaire de Coeur 2005 Readers-Writer's Poll. You beat out Forced Mate by Rowena Cherry, Run No More by Colleen Mulvany, Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton, and Saraphim by Michelle Hauf.

Hey! I beat Laurell K.! Now THAT'S news.

Lift a glass with me!

Okay, I'm crawling back into YA deadline hell...

PC