Friday, July 25, 2014

Were you subjected to the "Sunday Drive"? Post by Jessica E. Subject #authorlife #giveaway


Were you subjected to the Sunday Drive?

by Jessica E. Subject

I don’t know about you, but growing up, I was often subjected to the “Sunday Drive”. This was back when gas prices weren’t so outrageous, and most stores remained closed on Sundays. After going to church then having lunch, my dad would load us all into the family vehicle. He’d start driving with no destination in mind. He’d just drive. Sometimes we’d get lost, and other times, my brother and I would fight so much, he’d turn around and vow never to take us anywhere again. Until the next Sunday Drive...

The Underground Complex is in this hill. You can see the
blue CFB North Bay sign. Unfortunately, one cannot take
pictures much closer than this without getting their
camera confiscated.
I have family living up in North Bay, Ontario (a six hour drive from where I grew up), and he even continued the tradition while on holidays up there. He drove us to the base (22 Wing CFB North Bay) where he used to live, or even farther north to the Highway Book Shop in Cobalt (now closed). Occasionally, we even crossed the Quebec border, taking note of the red roofs and more.

I’m not sure if my dad thought I ever paid attention, but it was those drives up to the air force base and him telling us about the underground complex that inspired the first story I wrote (as an adult). It remains unpublished, but it was my start, the story that gave me the itch to write and keep writing.

And now I’m celebrating three years published, Celestial Seduction having been released July 1, 2011. Have you entered my giveaway yet?


Author Bio:

Jessica E. Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. And if you’re looking for something really steamy, check out her erotica stories written as Paisley Brown.

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

For Authors ... and Readers too!! #RomancingtheCapital #Romance #Giveaways





Happy Wednesday! And almost the end of July. Can you believe it? Time flies too fast, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a good thing because there's always so much to look forward to in life. Birthdays, new releases, and CONFERENCES!!

One conference I'm looking forward to a lot is "Romancing the Captial" conference in Ottawa, hosted by the awesome, Eve Langlais.  

http://orc.evelanglais.com/wordpress/

I finally got my monies in for registration this morning. I'll be rooming and possibly traveling with Jessica E Subject, which I am really looking forward to, and I'm thinking ahead to giveaways, meeting readers and fun, fun, fun.



Which leads me to the following matters ...

READERS: What do you love to see as prizes? Keychains, bookmarks, pens...? Please give me some ideas!! 


and AUTHORS:  any Romance authors NOT attending the conference, please feel free to email me about donating to either of the TWO baskets I plan to give away at the conference. Whether print books, postcards, paper swag, custom-made items, I'm willing to put it all in the baskets. 
Authors that are attending, you're welcome to add things as well if you wish, though I am sure many of you will be doing your own giveaways *g*.  But feel free to email me if you wish.

I'm driving to Ottawa since it's only about 3 hours from my house, so I'll have lots of room. I'm sure Jessica won't mind sharing a seat if she has to!!! ROFL



Authors, if interested, email me at kaceyhammell@gmail.com with "Ottawa Conference" as the subject plz and we'll talk.
[I do live in Canada, just FYI, so s/h could be a factor in your decision, but if you're willing to send the items, I will make sure they get in the baskets.]
 

Readers, just hit reply below and let me know what goodies you love most!!



I hope to see many of you in Ottawa!!







Monday, July 21, 2014

HOME SWEET HOME ~ Guest Post by author Deborah Cooke #TimeTravel #PNR #Toronto


It gives me great pleasure to welcome my friend and fellow Canadian author, Deborah Cooke to the blog. She will be attending Romancing the Capital hosted by Eve Langlais in April 2015.


Home Sweet Home!
By Deborah Cooke 
(also writing as Claire Delacroix)

When I first began to write, I heard that authors should write what they know. My first books were set in Canada, since I’m Canadian. I know southern Ontario better than any others. It took a long time for me to place a book with a Canadian setting: American publishers tend to be more interested in American readers, who are believed to be more interested in certain settings (and Canada isn’t one of them!) I did ultimately sell two Canadian-set romances, and they are two of my favourites of all my books.

TheMoonstone is a time travel romance. It begins in medieval England, where Viviane has been condemned as a witch and sentenced to die. She makes a wish upon a magical pendant, hoping to be taken as far away from that court of justice as possible. Niall, the knight in charge of this particular prisoner, can’t believe it when she disappears before his very eyes. When Viviane ends up on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, she figures she’s made it to Avalon. It might just be paradise, especially when the hunky knight who granted her last wish shows up, too. Niall is determined to fulfill his vow and deliver Viviane back to the court, but a little time together in British Columbia makes him doubt that she’s really a witch—although he does find himself under her spell. This is a fun, light-hearted time travel romance, set in one of my favourite places in Canada. It doesn’t hurt that Viviane—who has a gift for telling romantic stories—decides to earn her living in our world pretty much as she did in her own, and resolves (with the help of a few friends) to become a romance writer. I had such fun writing this book and am very pleased to have it available in a new edition.


My second book with a Canadian setting is Love Potion #9, a paranormal romance, set in the Annex neighbourhood in downtown Toronto. Lilith is a tarot card reader and psychic, separated from her one true love for centuries, and waiting on him to reincarnate. She’s hunted down an elixir of immortality to be sure she’s still around when he turns up—because Sebastien, despite his promise, is taking an awfully long time to show up and find her again. Impatient as many of us get in the middle of a sweltering Toronto summer, she casts a little spell to hurry him on. Her new neighbour, a single father named Mitch, knocks at her door and she believes he’s Sebastien. You can imagine the welcome she gives him after five or six centuries of waiting—and Mitch is astonished by the friendliness of his new neighbour. I love this story for a number of reasons: not only does it remind me of the quirky neighbourhood where I lived for years, but each chapter is named after (and governed by) one of the tarot cards in the higher arcana. I also love how Mitch and Lilith bring out the best in each other and build a relationship that really will last for all time. Although this one is also available in a new edition, I was lucky enough to have the original cover artist make the illustration available for this edition as well—I think it’s a perfect image of Lilith in her garden and love that it still is on the book’s cover.


I’m planning a new linked series of contemporary romances right now that will be set in a small town. I’m pretty much convinced I’ll set it in southern Ontario. That way, I can put that extra u in lots of words <g> and I’ll know all the best chocolate bars for my characters to eat. It’ll be like coming home again.

Do you read books with Canadian settings? Do you choose to read books specifically for that reason, or is something else more important to you? Maybe you choose by the story, the blerb, or the author. Tell me what you think of romances set in Canada—whether you read them and why.

About the Author:

Deborah Cooke sold her first book in 1992, a medieval romance called The Romance of the Rose that was published under her pseudonym Claire Delacroix in 1993. Since then, she’s published over fifty novels in a variety of subgenres and under three names. Her medieval romance, The Beauty, was her first book to land on the New York Times’ List of Bestselling Books. She’s USA Today bestselling, nationally bestselling and Kindle bestselling. In 2009, she was the writer in residence at the Toronto Public Library, the first time that TPL hosted a residency focused on the romance genre. Currently, she writes the Dragonfire series of paranormal romances as Deborah Cooke, and the True Love Brides series of medieval Scottish romances as Claire Delacroix. Her next release is a collection of short stories and novellas called Beguiled: Tales of fantasy, romance and forbidden love, which will be available on Thursday. (http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/novellas/beguiled/)

For more information about Deborah and her books, please visit her website at http://deborahcooke.com




Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Why Canada Needs a Romance Conference

Ever since I made the crazy decision to organize a romance conference in Ottawa next April, the most common question I get is "Why?" Why did I go insane? Why did I think we needed a convention? Why on earth should authors and readers attend?

I'll tell you why. To have fun.

Too often, authors get stuck behind their desk, tapping away at their keyboards, letting their muse drive them and with deadlines stressing them out. We often forget what time it is or even the day of the week when we're determined to reach a goal or finish a scene. Writing can be a very solitary job. Yes, we interact with people on social media, and we have editors and beta readers, BUT, when it comes to real contact, face to face with humans (not our imagination), we often neglect that part. This is where a conference can help.

Now there are two kinds of conferences, those that deal with improving your skills and networking with other authors. I've never been to one of those, so I can't comment on it, but the other type, a conference where you get to meet readers? Well, I've done a few now and all I have to say is they are awesome.

There is something utterly mind blowing about the first time a reader approaches you and says the magic words, "I read your book." It takes you aback and stuns you, or at least it did in my case. It was a jaw dropping moment where I was like, "Uh, you did?" Sure, I'd gotten emails and Facebook posts saying the same thing, but I'll tell you something it's just not the same as that face to face meeting. Some people might say it's an ego trip, and yes, you'd be right. It is. But, at the same time, I'll tell you, that sometimes that ego stroking is needed.

Writing is hard work. Writing can be lonely. Often times, friend and family around us don't grasp what we do. Especially for those of us who write romance ("You write what?!") But readers get what we do. Readers appreciate the fact we plop our butts in to a chair X amount of hours a week, typing until our hands cramp or our legs go numb. They'll tell you they loved Hero Z and how he made them swoon. They'll gush over the romance of Book Y, or they'll laugh again as they tell you their favorite part in Book C. It's incredible to be able to share a moment with people who know our worlds, who know our characters.

And then, there's meeting other authors, people just like me who worry about market trends. Who wonder if their next story will sink or soar. Who fear writer's block. All of a sudden you start talking, and you realize you're not alone in your doubts and tribulations. You can talk shop with someone who doesn't get a blank look in their eyes wondering what you mean when you talk about those damned commas, or how your epub failed authentication.

Conferences refresh me. I laugh. I talk. I play games. I lose my voice. And yes, it does cost me financially, but I need them I've discovered. I need that time away from my desk meeting like minded people and having a blast doing it. I need that feel good moment with readers. I need that bonding moment with my peers. I need a break. And this is why I'm organizing a conference. To give other authors and readers, this time north of the border, a chance to experience the same thing.

I hope you'll join me, and the others who've signed on next April. Come talk and play with us. I'd love to meet you. But I warn you, if you do come, prepare for cheek cracking smiles, awesome memories and a bag full of gifts!And authors, don't be surprised if you go home with an extra skip in your steps, and a muse all revved up and ready to go.
Cover Puzzles. It's a game I plan to play with readers, and the best part? You get to keep them after we play.
This is an example of some of the swag, I've given out at conferences. Awesome, eh?
I love meeting fans and getting goofy with them lol.
More swag. Did I mention you won't go home empty handed?
Meeting that fan you've been talking with on Facebook for years? Awesome!
Interacting with other authors who understand your dilemma when it comes to creating believable shapeshifters? Fabulous. (PS, that's Milly Taiden!)
So I don't know if I've convinced your or not to come to Romancing the Capital, but just in case you're thinking of it, check it out.

Friday, July 11, 2014

IT'S MY DAY...AND I DIDN'T FORGET THIS TIME


YAY!

So glad to be back here and this time I'm on vacation...err...more like a staycation. But that's all right, I'm home working on a new book to tempt y'all with and you will love it!

Not much going on in this neck of the woods. The family and I headed up on the Agawa Canyon Tour train last weekend, and while it was fun the weather totally sucked! We really wanted to hit up the trails and never got a chance because we weren't prepared for the craptacular weather. I would share photos from our trip, but I'm not quite sure where the hubby stashed them, so I will be sure to post them on my next day here.

In the meanwhile, everyone seems to be gearing up locally for rotary fest. For the few days that this local event is open for, there are: concerts, car show, carnival, food and beer tents, all kinds of gift/memorabilia vendors, and a parade.

Is anything local happening in your area over the next few weeks. I'm looking to start travelling to different cities in the next couple of years, so I want to compile a list of where I should start.



Tuesday, July 8, 2014

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Wicked Hot Kill by @karly_germain #MM #shifters #NewRelease





Wicked Hot Kill by Karly Germain
#3 in her MM Canadian shifter series, The Umbra Shifters

Series: The Umbra Shifters , Book 3.0
By: Karly Germain | Other books by Karly Germain
Published By: Evernight Publishing
Published: Jul 08, 2014 
ISBN # 9781771309110
  


BLURB:  

Cheetah shifter, Killian “Kill” McNamee is the deadliest of shadow hunters—an Ender. If anyone in the Umbra world stepped out of line, got in his way, or became a problem, Kill lived up to his name. Hardened and soulless, Kill didn’t expect a brief encounter in an alley with a strange man to turn into something more serious. And thanks to a run-in with a pack of Werewolves, Kill finds himself in the kind of trouble he’d never before experienced.


Torin Stone, Dhampir, has lived many lives and experienced multiple heartbreaks through his long life and is not looking for any kind of involvement, especially with a wild, sexy, out of control cheetah shifter who is his complete opposite. After an attack by the Weres, Torin is the only one who can help Kill survive.

The more time they spend together, the stronger the bond between them. Torin will do anything to convince Kill they are mates. How can Torin resist rubbing against some—wicked, hot Kill?

BOOK #3 in my paranormal MM shifter series: THE UMBRA SHIFTERS

#1- His Great Dane short story found in Alpha's Claim: Manlove Edition Anthology
#2-Stone Cold Beast

Excerpt: PG-13

The conversation stumbled along to the end of dinner. Kill stood, eager to escape. “I should be going. You all stay and enjoy dessert. Thanks for dinner.”
Daric stood and embraced him tight. “I love you, Killian.”
“Love you too, my brother,” Kill whispered in Daric’s ear.
As they parted, Torin also got to his feet. “I should make my exit. It’s been a long day.”
More good-byes and thank yous, and Kill and Torin found themselves standing on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.
“Need a lift?” Kill offered half-heartedly.
“I can walk. It’s not far.”
“My car’s in the parking lot across the way. Take the ride, it’s damned cold,” Kill said, the command sounded a little too brusque, but who cares?
Torin exhaled in exasperation. “Fine.”
The parking lot was dark and deserted. Kill fished in his coat pocket for his car keys.
Suddenly, Torin grabbed his arm and pushed him back against a truck. “I’ve wanted to do this all night. I wanted to do this that night in the alley….” Torin’s lips crashed against his as he cupped Kill’s face while taking the kiss deep. He plunged his tongue in, licking and tasting.
After the moment of shock passed, Kill groaned and returned the kiss. Passionate, hot, and wild. This was nuts. They were in a public place. Anyone could see. Fantastic.
“Come back to my hotel,” Torin murmured between kisses.
Oh shit, yeah. Kill had no idea what brought this on, but he’d take it. The fact that he had rattled Mr. In-Control not only stoked his desire, but touched him deep in unknown, dark places.
“Isn’t this cozy? And look, Joe, they’re both here together.”
Kill and Torin sprang apart. At first Kill thought the idiots were just a couple of drunks who got off beating on gay guys, but Kill sensed much more. His inner alarm rang loud and long.
The one called Joe stepped out of the shadows.  A Werewolf.



BUY LINKS



and coming soon to Barnes and Noble



STONE COLD BEAST by Karly Germain
 #2 in The Umbra Shifters



Blurb:

The Umbra Shifters, 2
Ethan Stone, lion shifter, had lived many lives. He’d been a biker, musician, and an Umbran, or shadow hunter. Everything changed two years ago when a nightclub fire killed the members of his rock band and left him the only survivor. Now scarred and living the solitary life of a nomad, Ethan just wants to be left alone in his isolated world.
Daric McNamee, a cheetah shifter and also an Umbran, has been given an assignment. Ethan Stone. Find out what happened the night of the fire and recruit Stone back into the Umbran. Not an easy task considering Ethan is stubborn and wary. Almost immediately, both men feel a mate connection, but the last thing Daric wants is to be a submissive to a scarred, terminally angry lion shifter.
However, the attraction between them can’t be denied—though Ethan tries. When it comes time for them to part, will they admit they are mates? Can Daric convince Ethan he is more than a stone cold beast?
Be Warned: m/m sex
Read The Umbra Shifters, 1 in Alpha's Claim: Manlove Edition


HIS GREAT DANE by Karly Germain
#1 in The Umbra Shifters
Look for the short story in The Umbra Shifters 'His Great Dane' in  in the bestselling 'Alpha's Claim: Manlove Edition'




Strength. Power. Domination.

 The shifters in our Alpha's Claim: Manlove Edition anthology have one thing in common—they won't take “no” for an answer. Whether they lead packs of their own, or whether they walk a solitary path, these alphas won't let anyone stop them from claiming their men.

 Lose yourself in these ten sinfully delicious love stories. After all, who could deny an Alpha’s claim?

BUY LINKS:  For Alpha's Claim: Manlove Edition






                                              Karly Germain Website/Facebook/Twitter

An erotic romance writer, Karly believes romance is for everyone, and she loves to explore every facet and emotion involved regardless of gender or number of partners. The more heat and spice, the better. Happily ever afters are a must. So are shirtless, hunky men.

Crazy Summertime Weather....


I don't like complaining about weather, especially after the terrible winter we had. But lately the up and down weather in my city has kept us on our toes. We've had more rain than any summer in the past that I can remember. There has been some very humid days though -- up to 94% humidity 3 days in a row, then a pile of rain for 4 days thereafter.

As a farmer, I don't mind there's been extra rain this year, my hay fields are blossoming -- though we haven't had enough dry weather to get it cut and bailed -- and there's my one tomato garden that drowned, which is very disappointing. In the area the garden is, with normal amounts of rain it's a perfect lower location for a lot of moisture but with the volumes of rain we've had, water sat for over a week last month because it never stopped and drowned about 70% of my tomato plants. The weight of the rain is also pushing on the hay fields. As you can see in the pic below, some of the hay is lying over on it's side. I'll need a few sunny and warm days to "pick it back up" and dry it out in order to cut and bail it.

    
But I have been able to get some writing done out under the shade trees on the nicer days. There's another Mustang story in the "Revved and Ready" series on the way. My trees are in full bloom and the breeze is gorgeous out here in my country corner, and so nice in fact that I've refused to drive into town some days for anything! Gets too hot in town where there's really no breeze because no trees and the heat from the asphalt is horrid. 

And of course, my partner in crime -- Peaches -- has joined me outside, inspiring words of course as she sleeps! LOL

 

 

Plus I've gotten caught up in the cows grazing the fields out front, benefiting from the rain which helps them out with gorgeous greens to feast on.


I hope everyone's had better weather than we have here. My kid's are anxious to get to the beach. Of course on the days that the sun is out and it's warm enough are days when things are already planned with sports, family and/or friends.


But at least I am lucky enough to work from home, be with the kids and write like the wind while they're all busy. I know not every mom/author can say that. So I'll take the good weather with the bad, cross my fingers my hay crop is going to be great this year when I know a few homesteads where the crop hasn't been great, and continue to count my blessings. 

Rain or no rain, life goes on.

Have a wonderful week ahead. 





Til next time, Peaches and I will see you soon...









Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy Independence Day! @jsubject #ID4 #giveaway


Wishing all of our American readers 
a Happy Independence Day!



Since I enjoy science fiction, I also wanted to pay tribute to one of my favorite sci-fi movies, Independence Day.


While this movie focuses on how the Americans react to an alien invasion, it also shows the world coming together, no longer "consumed by our petty differences".

While there are some memorable lines while fighting the aliens...








There are also some more touching lines that don't involve fighting...

"Can there be a peace between us?"

"You see, sometimes we have to remember what we still have"

"We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore"

"Do me a favor. Tell my children I love them."

"Didn't I promise you fireworks?"




So, if you've seen Independence Day, tell me your favorite line from the movie. Mine would be "I have got to get me one of these."



Also, if you didn't get a chance to read my FREE spanking story, 
REPLICATED CONSEQUENCES, you can find it here.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!


Jessica E. Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. And if you’re looking for something really steamy, check out her erotica stories written as Paisley Brown.

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.



Wednesday, July 2, 2014

NEW RELEASE: Spice Box Set by Jan Springer

Hi!

I hope you all had a wonderful Canada Day!

I celebrated Canada Day with the release of Spice Box: Sixteen Steamy Stories, of which I have a book titled "Sex With The Ex" in the box.

Here's a bit about Spice Box - 16 Steamy Stories for .99cents!


What's your spice?Whether it's contemporary romance or romantic suspense, alpha vampires, shifter stories, or BDSM romance--Spice Box offers sixteen erotic romance books with something for everyone. For a limited time this is your chance to enjoy books from today's New York Times, USA Today, Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestselling authors and many more. The e-books cost over $50 when purchased separately. Professionally formatted and no cliffhangers.


Raine Miller, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
Cherry Girl
She will forever be his Cherry Girl...

Cathryn Fox, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
Torn Between Two Brothers
She's breaking all the rules...

K.M. Scott writing as Gabrielle Bisset, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
Blood Avenged
I am everything you desire. I am vampire.

Janelle Denison writing as Erika Wilde, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.
The Invitation
An invitation that will take them beyond their wildest, most erotic fantasies.

Nina Lane, USA Today Bestselling Author.
Arouse
"Come here, beauty," he says. "You need to be kissed."

with...

A.C. James
Eternal Ever After
A Gothic Cinderella re-telling with vampires and bondage...oh, my!

Kathy Kulig
Red Tape
Bondage in the White House.

Christina Thacher
The Bequest: A BDSM Romance
CFO by day, sexual submissive at night. When her Master dies suddenly, Sara discovers his will leaves her to his nephew...

Stephanie Julian
His to Keep
He has her right where he wants her...

Geri Foster
Wrong Room
Short, Cute, Sexy!

Lisa Adler
The Demon's Deception
Certainly a Demon strong enough to survive being chained for a millennium beneath the Earth's crust can resist one virginal princess when she demands his help.

Jan Springer
Sex With The Ex
Sky undertakes a dangerous mission to the dark sensual world of sex slave training...

Sarah Mäkelä
The Witch Who Cried Wolf
When her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she's being pursued by werewolves that she didn't even realize existed...

Maureen O. Betita
The Kraken's Mirror
Where anything can happen. And usually does.

Riley J. Ford
Fifty Shades of Fifty Shades of Grey
Unable to withstand the pent-up ache radiating from his tender blue testicles, Ben decides to take Grey's methods to a whole new level in order to relieve the pressure on his . . . er, marriage.

Travis Luedke
Blood Slave
From the ghettos of Spanish Harlem to a Manhattan penthouse, follow Hope's shocking tale of life as a bloodslave to master vampire Enrique.

Save over $50. This set will only be available for one month, so order your copy before it's gone!

Happy Reading!

jan


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Happy Canada Day !!!



From all of us here, we wish you a Safe and Happy Canada Day!! Enjoy the day with family, friends and good books. *g*

And some extra sexy Canadian love...



Hugs and love!