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Friday, December 9, 2011

Madison's Life Lessons Print Proof Giveaway

Front & Back of Print Book


As promised, I'm giving away the print proof copy of Madison's Life Lessons. This is the copy that I made red-edit marks inside the book of things I wanted/needed to change. So, it's not perfect, but it is unique! Whoever wins it, I'll be happy to sign it to you personally. Only those who have read the book will be eligible to win. It's my little way of saying THANK YOU to those of you who supported the story from the the first life lesson, through the e-book format and on to print. 


Sample Edits Made Inside the Book

If you're interested in winning this one-of-a-kind copy, follow the instructions below:


1. What is Micah's brother's name?
2. Who besides Micah's brother helped Micah win Madison over? (Hint: Most readers hated this person that was close to Madison.)
3. IMPORTANT: Send me an email to roadtohellseries@gmail.com with "MLL PRINT GIVEAWAY" as the subject line with the answers to the two questions listed above. 

*If the answers are posted below in the comment section, I will delete the comment and remove you from the contest regardless if the answers are correct or not.*


These questions are meant to prove the participant in the contest read the book. If you received this book as a freebie, you are still eligible to participate! International readers are eligible to participate, as well! 


If you have any questions, please let me know!


Best of luck to ALL of you! I wish I could give each of you a copy...but to up your chances of winning, I would recommend becoming BFF's with Karma, your Fairy Godmother or even the King of Hell. ;-)


Contest ends at noon on December 16th, 2011. 


Huggles,
Gracen
(Momma Hellhound)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Thanks for the Hellish Start!!!


Pandora's Box (first book in the Road to Hell Series) released on August 19, 2011 and since then the book has received some fantastic reviews. 
Here are the rating breakdowns:
30 ~ FIVE star ratings
2 ~ FOUR star ratings
1 ~ THREE star ratings
Source: Goodreads <--- clickable link

Madison's Life Lessons (prequel to the Road to Hell Series) released on November 13, 2011 and since then the book has received several fantastic reviews.
Here are the rating breakdowns:
19 ~ FIVE star ratings
1 ~ FOUR star ratings
Source: Goodreads <--- clickable link

In honor of these fabulous ratings and reviews, I'm going to give away the following items to one winner:

What you have to do to enter to win these buttons...
Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite part is in either Pandora's Box or Madison's Life Lessons (or both). You MUST be a Hellhound in order to be eligible to win. That means you have to be one of the following:
1. Friends with me on Facebook.
2. An official Hellhound (liker) on my Road to Hell Series fan page.
OR
3. A GFC follower here.
(Note: If you've already have any of these 3 items, please still enter and I'll work with you on the giveaway.)

Contest ends Saturday, December 10th at noon CST!

All I Want for Christmas...

Join me at Daily Dose of Decadence! I'm giving away this Skull Cameo to ONE lucky winner!


YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT ON THE BLOG WHERE I AM BEING HOSTED IN ORDER TO BE ENTERED TO WIN THIS CAMEO!! 
HERE'S THE DIRECT LINK TO MY BLOG POST:





Monday, November 28, 2011

Please Welcome Misty Rayburn


The Decision to Review Erotica

I had the website set up and had just announced to the world on Facebook that I was going to do reviews.  A few moments later, I got back a question.  I was asked if I would review erotica.

This surprised me a bit because it wasn’t something I had thought about.  Erotica generally has a bad reputation and is considered to many to be exactly the same as porn.  At first my reaction was to say no but instead, I sat back and considered things.

I had to think to myself about what exactly it was that I wanted TTS to accomplish. 

In the end, I decided that in order to make The Top Shelf a well versed place on reading of all genres, I would have to say yes to this question.  For me, being well versed as a reader means stepping outside of your own personal comfort zones and in the end, making myself a better reviewer in the process.

So I said yes.

Now that I’ve actually read some erotica, I can say it really gets a bad rap.  Most of the time, it’s people jumping to conclusions that have never actually read one making all the fuss.  What I found is that by giving a work the title of erotic fiction, it gives the author a little more freedom to push the envelope.  There can be some BDSM, some more graphic sex scenes and freedom to play around with metallic underwear and nipple clamps. 

And let’s face it.  There are people out there that LIKE this stuff even though it may not be YOUR cup of tea.  So why wouldn’t characters be the same way?  If it was a thriller and some sadistic killer was into these things, people would generally have nothing to say but if it happens in an erotica and the characters actually enjoy certain things it’s bad? 

You can’t say erotica doesn’t have a story.  Not if it’s done right.  I’m sure there are a few garbled sex scenes strung together out there by someone who thinks they can write.  REAL EROTICA has PLOT!  The sexual instances all add to the story.  Take for example in Ashlynn Monroe’s Slave to His Desires.  The main character is forced to wear metal underwear and nipple clamps.  What do you think they’re gonna be nice to her?  She was bought as a sex slave!

I think it’s okay to also have that OMG they do THAT!? exclamation when dealing with erotica .  I think that’s part of the whole experience.  This is one end of the extreme, it’s meant to evoke that response.  It’s meant to have some shock value to it. 

Please let me also note that it’s totally okay to have whatever opinions you have on erotica.  I’m not trying to change minds here.  Just kinda laying out what I’ve learned from my own experience.  I had not read anything considered erotic fiction before this.  I think my mindset is the way it is because my parents didn’t really believe in censorship.  Do I believe that people should try reading different genres?  Of course I do!  We have to climb out of our boxes sometime! If you don’t like it, that’s completely fine.
Me?  I’m glad I took the chance.

GIVEAWAY!!!
For those interested, I’m giving away an erotic anthology called Indulgence Tales of the Cirque Romani.  I have just actually requested a review copy of this so I haven’t checked it out myself but it’s got a friend of mine in it.  You all would know her as the author of Expectations and What Money Can’t Buy.  Since Liz Borino is in it, I am very anxious to check it out. 



Synopsis: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls…” the Master of Ceremonies echoes every night. These are the words that launch a night full of entertainment, magic, seduction, debauchery and desire.
Cirque Romani was a troupe like no other, a carnival  full of true mysticism, power and dark seductive secrets. It travels from town to town, performing to an audience and consisting of a cast of creatures that folklore tales weave stories about.

Cirque Romani is a troupe full of magical, dark and fascinating people that choose to entrance others, rather than hide in the depths of the shadows.

We introduce to you...Indulgence: Tales of The Cirque Romani.

Let the show begin...

I’m giving away one e-book copy of this book.  Winners will be chosen by random.org and the close for this contest is November 29th at 8pm eastern!  Good luck!  Once you read it, let me know what you thought! Be sure to come visit The Top Shelf at http://www.the-top-shelf.com

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Can't Fake This by Casey Crow!



CAN’T FAKE THIS coming soon

Thank you, Gracen, for having me and helping me kick off the CAN’T FAKE THIS BLOG TOUR. I'm so excited to announce my debut will be out Dec. 6 with Loose, Id. It's funny how things work out. CAN'T FAKE THIS started out on a whim. At the last minute, I decided to enter this 10,000 word contest. I’d written spicy mainstream, but this was my first dive into erotic waters. I didn’t win the contest, but after having what I thought was a good start, I added some more words and low and behold, this erotic became the first manuscript I sold.

The story is about a divorcee ready to reenter the dating world. Anna Ryan is determined to be the best “product on the market,” which requires a lot more experience so she propositions sexy police officer Chase Harris to teach her how to make hot, passionate love as opposed to just having sex. He takes it a step further, instructing each lesson based on The Twelve Days of Christmas.

The blog tour is kicking off now and there will be a huge blog party on my website Dec. 6 where 12 authors will be doing 12 give-aways to go along with the 12 Days of Christmas theme in the story. Best sellers & RITA nominees from various genres will be there! Here’s the list of authors: Kimberly Killion, Judi Fennell, Cynthia Eden, Cat Johnson, Susanna Carr, Katie Reus, Ella Jade, Catherine Mann, Desiree Holt, Paige Tyler, Juliet Burns, and Mercy Celeste. I can barely stop myself from jumping up and down in glee thinking about all these fabulous authors visiting me! Mark your calendars and visit Casey Crow on Dec. 6 to win great books and other prizes!

So do you have a story about something that came to fruition but never should have? Something that happened because you acted spontaneous and it changed your course of life? I'd love to hear about it!

About the Author:

Casey Crow is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the University of Alabama with degrees in Business Management and Dance.  She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Mobile.  Casey resides in Mobile where she stays busy with her two young children.  She also works as a dance choreographer, pageant coach, professional emcee and model, and certified Miss America preliminary judge.  In fact, she is a former Miss University of Alabama.  Casey writes erotic and spicy contemporary romances with the tagline “Sexy, Southern & Sassy.”  Visit her at www.caseycrow.com.  Follow her on Twitter – caseyecrow and Facebook – Casey Crow.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Blog Tour de Troops!


Welcome Hellhounds and Blog Tour de Troops participants! If you’re following along, you’ve just come from visiting Elena Gray and when you leave, make sure you continue on to see Rachelle Reese & John E. Miller!

This event is HUGE! You can get up to 50 books on this Blog Tour, but for every comment you leave, one of our troops gets an e-copy, also! So, spread the word and invite your friends to join the tour…it’s a very small painless way to say THANK YOU to our troops!


Veterans affect almost all of our lives, if it’s not a family member, it’s someone you know. All of them deserve our gratitude! They give up a lot to keep our country and families safe!

I have two veterans in my family, my grandfather and father.

My grandfather, Bernard Miller, was a marine in WWII stationed in New Zealand and at Guadal Canal. He made a bracelet out of the remains of a Japanese fighter jet—or so he says! He’s a HUGE storyteller, so anything he says could be true or blown into a story out of this world. He’s unique to say the least, fun to be with and such a jokester. And you gotta watch him because he’ll shamelessly cheat at billiards!! Regardless of what the bracelet is made out of, it’s super cool and an amazing piece of history to me. It’s one of my most cherished family heirlooms. Here are the pictures of it!



My father served in the army in the Vietnam War. He’s very embittered by his country’s protests of that war and don’t even get him started on the actress, Jane Fonda. He’s got very strong opinions about what should have happened to her. He thinks the Vietnam Memorial Wall is a cop-out and only erected as an afterthought. My father reminds me that our troops need our support regardless if we agree with the war or not.  Every military man and woman deserves the support of their country! But the way my grandfather and father see their tours is startling different. My grandfather is proud of his service, while my father is sour.

After returning from Vietnam, my father suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. He was living with my mother in California after his tour. They were outside and a plane flew by overhead. My father started screaming, “Incoming! Incoming!” and dove underneath the vehicle. It freaked my mother out, but it also details the horrors these men experience in war. The little things we think nothing about panicked him and had him taking cover.

Stop and think about what our soldiers see every day. They do it for us and to keep our country safe! When they return to the safety of America, how do they cope with the mundane realities of life? I would think it’d all seem so very trivial. To EVERY soldier and their families...a huge THANK YOU from me! They all make sacrifices for us and they’re all heroes in my eyes!!!

As part of my blog, I’m giving away an e-copy of Madison’s Life Lessons, my prequel to the Road to Hell series. Leave me a comment with your email address, and I’ll forward you the coupon code for you to get your copy of the e-book from Smashwords. For an excerpt and blurb of Madison’s Life Lessons, click HERE.

Please feel free to visit Forbidden Reviews and Intoxicatedby Books (both clickable links) for reviews of Madison’s Life Lessons

Don’t forget there are 50 e-books up for grabs on this blog tour. Visit Indie Book Collective for a list of author blogs! If you’d like to make a donation to the troops, go to Paypal and use ibcprograms@gmail.com. Please make sure you include a note stating that your contribution is for the troops!

But that’s not all! The Indie Book Collective is also giving a brand new KINDLE to a tour commenter, randomly drawn, and multiple KINDLES to several lucky troops! You’re thinking, why? Because books are the number one care package item requested by troops! If you want to give back to the troops with KINDLES, just click here for secure, donations via Paypal.

Have fun on the hop and happy reading!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

VooDoo Doll Contest



There aren't enough folks talking about my Road to Hell series fan page! I've still got VooDoo dolls I can give away! Let's do a "like" "talk" about Road to Hell series DEMON. Have folks "like" my page and have them TELL ME WHO SENT THEM. The person who sends me the most new "likes" will win the VooDoo Doll AND a signed Pandora's Box poster. It'll run until midnight CST Sunday, November 13th! And I’ll give the winner a set of pins that say “GM’s Hellhound”, “Micah Kool Aid” and “Nix one dead demon”.

NOTE: VooDoo doll is not guaranteed to be one of these, but this is an accurate depiction of them, except color may differ. 

Good luck!

Huggles,
Gracen

Monday, October 31, 2011

VooDoo Halloween!!


In honor of Halloween, I'm giving away ONE of these two VooDoo dolls! Only 3 things you have to do to be entered to win...

1. Leave  me a comment telling me your favorite paranormal creature or scary story.
2. Leave your email address!!
3. Promote my book Pandora’s Box somewhere and leave me a link to the promotion in the comments section. Here are two easy ways to promote, just copy and paste the following to your walls:
            Facebook:  Gracen Miller’s HOT new paranormal release, PANDORA’S BOX, book one in the Road to Hell series has received 22 FIVE star reviews on Goodreads. http://bit.ly/rsMxHQ
            Twitter:  Gracen Miller’s HOT new release, PANDORA’S BOX, Road to Hell series, has rec’d 22 FIVE star reviews @Goodreads http://bit.ly/rsMxHQ

You MUST leave the link to where you promoted my book, Pandora's Box or I will have to disqualify you from the contest.

ALL 3 rules must be followed!  I will draw ONE lucky winner tomorrow at noon!

Best of luck! Contest is open to international residents as well as US residents.

Huggles,
Gracen

Saturday, October 22, 2011

SALE at DECADENT PUBLISHING!!!

SALE! SALE! SALE!!! Decadent Publishing has 25% OFF paranormal books this weekend!! That means if you haven't bought Pandora's Box yet and want to get it at a discount, now is your chance to get 25% OFF! Click HERE to go to the SALE!!!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Nix's Uprising ~ One



Warning:  This scene contains content that some may find offensive. Please read with caution.

Phoenix Birmingham and his father whittled on their wood working project. An elephant, the trunk raised and one foot lifted as if in mid-step. Swiping a fine sheet of sanding paper over the walnut wood, Nix took pride in this piece. The first he’d ever accomplished with only instructions from his dad. It wasn’t perfect, but just spending time with his dad was his reward.

His dad stood just behind Nix, studying his art in silence and giving suggestions when needed. “You did good, son.” Daddy squeezed his shoulder and he beamed at the compliment. “Dinner should be ready soon. Let’s go clean up.”

“Let me finish this spot first.” He peeked at his dad over his shoulder. “Won’t take but a minute and then I’ll be up.”

Daddy left him in the make-do workshop…the garage. He realized he wasn’t a normal twelve-year old; he actually enjoyed spending time with his parents. Most of his friends thought their parents were lame. While their dads were working late hours to earn the big bucks, his dad taught him cool woodworking skills and took him on weekend fishing and hunting trips. That was more important than getting Nintendos and stupid stuff like that.

Mom sang at the top of her lungs really bad, but they’d made a game out of who could sing the worst. Sometimes the two of them had competitions in the car. He loved the way she smiled when they participated in them. She took him to see movies and baked him his favorite cookies once a week. Peanut Butter cookies. Mmm…his mouth watered at the thought of them. They were best straight out of the oven, all hot and gooey. No way would anyone ever out cook her.

He waited until his dad had been gone at least a minute before he tucked away the elephant and scrambled out of his chair. Fast walking to the far corner, he shifted a couple of boxes and flipped the lid back on a discarded rubber tote. Inside rested the precious gift he would give to his parents on their fifteenth wedding anniversary next month. In private he worked on it, sometimes by flashlight in his bed. It wasn’t as good as what his dad could do, but he thought they would be proud.

A bird, intended to be a phoenix, rising from flames. The fire was off. Really bad kind of off, but no matter how he whittled and scraped, he couldn’t get them right. One wing was bigger than the other. The eyes weren’t straight and the beak was a tad crooked, but Nix was proud of his creation. He took out a tool and scraped some lines through the breast feathers to give some added detail.

Footsteps shuffled outside the door. Nix scrambled out of his seat. The tool clattered on the floor as he bumped the table and spilled his Coke. The dark liquid splashed and hit his jeans.

“Crap!” he muttered, swiping at the cold wet stain against his crotch.

More footsteps and he spun about to face the door. He almost dropped the phoenix as he wedged it inside the waistband on the backside of his pants. Nix had to suck in his gut to secure it there, but he wouldn’t run the risk of ruining the surprise for either of his parents.

No one entered the garage after a few minutes of heavy breathing. And the expectant wait felt like ten minutes instead of two. Deciding it was best to exit before his secret wasn’t a secret any more he shut off the lights and left the garage. He fast-walked across the backyard and entered the house through the back door.

Mom hummed a soft tune in the kitchen as she worked on the meal. The sound of the back door must have alerted her to his presence because she called out. “Nix, dinner is ready.”

“I’m going to wash up, and then I’ll be down.” He took the stairs to his bedroom two at a time. Once there, he shut and locked the door. He slipped a cassette tape into his radio to muffle his movements. He cranked up the volume as the first chords for “Old Time Rock and Roll” pulsed in the room.

Toeing off his tennis shoes, he grabbed the phoenix as he shucked his jeans and kicked them into the corner. He attempted a Risky Business slide to his closet, hit the rug with his toe and flew head first toward the wall and bedside table. A hand to the sheetrock and a thigh into the table was all that saved him from hitting the floor. But the phoenix was unharmed.

Nix spun around and used the phoenix to mime, “Just take those old records off the shelf…”

His mother screamed. Nix bolted for his closet, dropping his carving on the floor as he dragged on a pair of pants.

Probably just a rat. Those pesky things terrified her. But…mice and bugs usually only warranted squeals, not screeches that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

Heart pounding so hard in his chest, the noise it made in his ears drowned out too much sound. Nix swiped his prized bat from the corner, tightened his grip and ran out of his room. Before he reached the stairs, his mom let lose a blood-curdling shriek. Hiding never crossed his mind as he raced down the stairs to save Momma.



© Gracen Miller 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Gracen Miller.

DISCOVER THE BEASTS

Please welcome my friend, Leanore Elliott! I read first Beasts book, The Eyes of Constance, a couple of months back and fell in love with the unique story. If you want something different and smoldering hot, then this book is for you! I'm eager to read the rest of the series. If you've read the books, please share your view on them! You can find the author on Facebook HERE, friend her and tell her I sent you.

Now...meet the beasts!!!

BEASTS~The Eyes Of Constance/Erotic Suspense
Constance, a psychic who has visions of Serial Killers. 
Jack, a rebel cop who will break every law to stop these killers.
They meet at a bloody scene of a murder, and team up to track some of the most deadly fiends in existence.
After three years together as partners, is there something even more sinister, which Constance cannot see? What will she find, when she finally comes face to face with the Beasts of Forever?

'The tale begins one way and takes you to a world that you never knew existed.'—PRG Reviews
---'I don't think we are in Kansas anymore.'—Lovestodive Amazon Review
---'If you like hot, erotic romance, this is a must read.'—Karen Fuller, Amazon Review
'Leanore Elliott created a completely different set of characters, unlike any that I have ever read about.' Paranormal Kiss Reviews
70, 763 words / Full Novel




BEASTS~A Different Life/ Erotic Fantasy-Mystery
DISCOVER A BEASTLY DESIRE
Damon has chased Alex across the cosmos for five long years and he won't stop, until he has her back with him.
Alex lives a quiet life, a dull life really, until Damon appears and turns her world inside out. She is so drawn to him, but his story of who she is and what she is? It is too fantastic to believe...
"It's a roller coaster ride of hope, frustration, despair, and joy. A ride that is totally addicting! The sex scenes are steaming hot! Especially if you like dominant alpha men and floating fantasies. Because baby, this beast is all man! I enjoyed this book tremendously and now must go back and read book one!"—C&R Romance eBook Reviews 

A full Novel at 55,000 words




BEASTS~King Of Vengeance
GET READY FOR PAYNE 101…
Victor Payne is the Hurt Legend of the LA detective squad. A swaggering, break the rules type of cop with a bust record no one else can touch.
Valentine is a by the book Malibu detective who follows procedure to the letter.
They are forced to work the Malibu Slasher case together. The killer is a woman with a beastly way of dispatching her male victims.
Will they pay a price for a love cast from vengeance?
"Different and intriguing..."— Paranormal Kiss Review
"An erotic masterpiece!"— Forbidden Passion Reviews
"Hot, Sexy , Twists and Turns!"—PRG Reviews
69,000 words— A full Novel
All Three are available for 99cents at Nook, Kindle & 1Place For Romance

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Nix Slogan Contest


If you’ve interacted with me at all, then you’re probably familiar with “Micah Kool-Aid”. This came about because although Micah is my bad-boy villain in the Road to Hell series, some of my readers still love him and prefer him over the hero. I decided they had to be on something to still love him. And Micah Kool-Aid was born.

Micah Kool-Aid ~ It's what bad girls drink!


My bad-boy Sherlock hero, Phoenix “Nix” Birmingham, needs something similar. He has a fantastic slogan at the moment:

Nix Birmingham ~ Stealing hearts one dead demon at a time!
(Thanks to Tawnya Peltonen for coming up with this slogan!)



I love that slogan and I have no plans of getting rid of it. But it’s been suggested that readers need/want something similar to Micah Kool-Aid. So, at the suggestion of Mindy Janicke, I’m going to hold a contest. Give me your best slogan. I’ll pick my favorite and the winner will win a prize pack of a bunch of goodies. Maybe even some Hell’s Phoenix swag if I receive them in time.

Here’s what you do, leave me a slogan in the comment section. Only ONE entry per person. I will pick my favorite from those suggsted, so make it good. Really good! I’ll place this slogan on buttons and stuff, just like the photos above. You’ll get the bragging rights that you came up with it and I’ll give you a dedication in Hell’s Phoenix, as well (Tawnya Peltonen, you’ve already been added to my dedication for the Nix slogan above!).

So, get your thinking caps on and start suggesting slogans! International residents are encouraged and welcome to enter. Slogan Contest ends November 13, 2011. Winner will be announced on November 14, 2011.

Good luck!

Huggles,
Gracen

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Hell's Phoenix Blurb


BLURB
(unedited blurb, mostly likely will alter somewhat prior to release of Hell's Phoenix)

Hell’s become more than just a playground for the wicked…

Going to Hell was supposed to save Madison, but knowing she’s dead because of his failure leaves Nix with only one thing to live for. Revenge. With Micah’s help he learns to use his Messianic power. Anything for Mads has become his mantra, even if it means killing innocents to gather the power he needs to succeed. A tsunami he unleashes on a Gulf Coast city is stopped with magical interference, and Nix is more than surprised to feel Madison in the opposing magic. Can he and Micah set a trap to lure her out?

Pandora’s Box…once you open it, there’s no turning back!

Madison has done the unthinkable, opened Pandora’s Box to save Nix from Hell. And failed. She’s willing to risk her own life to rescue Nix, but she worries about the welfare of her accomplice in the mission and leaving her son behind. Following up on a lead, she’s ambushed by Nix and Micah. Shocked and hurt to discover Nix has become a willing participant of Hell, she’s more certain than ever she won’t escape the demonic fate her husband outlined for her. While in Hell, she discovers denying the emergence of her succubus is futile, which means getting Nix out of Hell after embracing her inner demon just became a very real dilemma…

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Hell's Phoenix Pre-Edits Celebration!


I finished up my pre-edits on Hell's Phoenix, book two in the Road to Hell series, and sent them back to my editor today. Woohoo! *dances*

In celebration, I'm giving away these Halloween socks!


What you have to do to enter. You MUST be either a Hellhound from my Road to Hell series Facebook fan page, a follower her or a friend on my Gracen Miller Facebook page. Leave me a comment and you'll be entered to win. I'll draw the winner on Sunday, October 15, 2011! Open to my international Hellhounds and friends only.

Good luck!

Huggles,
Gracen


Writing Insanity!

The top three things that  drive me insane about writing. I shy away from saying hate because I had to work hard at coming up with the 3 things I disliked. Tomorrow I'll bring you the top 3 things I love about writing, but without further chatter, here are the things that drive me InSaNe!

3. Synopsis – I stink at writing synopsis. Figuring out what are the most important aspects of the story that I need to focus on, is really difficult for me. Probably because I think everything is important. I mean, let’s face it, if it wasn’t important, I’d have cut it from the storyline right? LOL But, yeah, I get why I need to compress the story. There are some details that can be left out of a synopsis that do not affect the storyline at all. UGH! :-/ 





2. Blurbs – Did I say I “stink” at synopsis?  Well, I suck at blurbs because condensing my book down to the important parts is just damn difficult. Even worse than a synopsis because I’m trying to condense it down into about two short paragraphs. Gah!

1. Temperamental muses – It’s frustrating when my muse decides to take a leave of absence without any notice whatsoever. *throws a temper tantrum that’d make a two-year-old proud* There should be a freaking rule in place that says under penalty of severe lashings by the writer (that’s me), the muse must, abso-freaking-lutely must, schedule leave of absences to work with MY timeframe. It would make life so much easier, right? :D

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Author Terri Molina!!



Blurb:
 
Six years. Thirteen murders. One connection.
To escape the pain of her past, Casey Martinez, changed her name, and moved across half a continent to pursue her dream of becoming a bestselling novelist.
Casey’s hard won peace is shattered when she receives photographs of a grisly murder, and it becomes evident that a killer is stalking her. Over the past six years, women who share an eerie similarity to Casey have been found raped and mutilated—each with the remains of Casey’s romance books by their side. Haunted by the death of her mother twenty five years earlier, Casey reluctantly seeks refuge in the town she swore she would never return to—RosehillTexas.
Detective Scott Weller is assigned to protect Casey, and it's no easy job dealing with the stubborn, independent woman who wants nothing to do with him. But living in such close quarters leads to temptation neither can resist.  When Casey is attacked during a break-in, evidence points to a second stalker. With the gruesome discovery of another body, it becomes a race against time to find the real killer before Casey becomes the next victim.
 
Excerpt:
 
Casey glanced at the clock next to her bed and sighed. Sleep was a luxury she didn’t pack for this trip.
Tossing the blankets aside, she crawled out of bed and grabbed her cigarettes from the end table. She had left the window open so she could listen to the sounds of the night and the crash of waves, hoping they would lull her to sleep. But three hours later, she was still wide awake.
After lighting a cigarette, she climbed out of the window and stood on the deck. A gusty breeze blew in from the beach, carrying the lingering odor of burning wood from the bonfire. She waited a moment, straining to listen for Scott. She'd heard him go into his bedroom an hour after she did, but that didn't mean he wouldn't hear her. The man had built-in radar where she was concerned. She didn't know whether to be impressed or annoyed.
Satisfied he wasn’t nearby, she crept down the stairs to the deck below, feeling much like a thief on the prowl. The trill of crickets and cicadas broke through the silence of the night. The waves rolled in the distance like a subtle applause. She moved to the edge of the patio to watch them curl inshore. The full moon glistened an endless trail on the water. Lights from the oil-rigs glowed in the distance like a cityscape.
The conversation she'd had with Scott earlier played back in her head. In two weeks it would be June. If his theory was right, in two weeks she could be dead.
 

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