Love Struck Over A Shifter: Welcome Terry Spear!!

Thank goodness it's Friday, TLN'ers!

Looking for a shifter to brighten day? The fabulous TERRY SPEAR is here to tell us about her new release, SAVAGE HUNGER.

I had the pleasure of meeting Terry in Anaheim this summer. It was definitely one of the highlights of my conference experience. I've loved Terry's writing since her very first book and I know you will, too!

Love Struck over a Shifter

by Terry Spear

 
Can you imagine what it would be like to find the man of your dreams and discover he’s got a mucho big secret?

Not a wife and kids hidden away. Not a secret undercover operative. Well, he could be that, but that’s not his BIGGEST secret.

What if he could change into a wolf??? Or a jaguar???

What if you were absolutely, deeply, and irrevocably fell in love with a shifter?

You do have choices. You can give him up.

No?

You can convince him you know what he is and you want to be just like he is.

Doesn’t work?

You can see if someone else will change you.

Problem with this is that most will not be happy if someone else turns you. So you’re going to have to try harder to get him to bite you.

So here’s how you do it.

1.    Install a pet door for easy access.

2.    Make really great steak dinners. They love red meat.

3.    Take him on nice woodland walks in the moonlight. Only works if the shifter is a wolf and newly turned. Otherwise, he doesn’t necessarily have to shift.

4.    Take a trip to the jungle. Only works if the shifter is a cat. Wolves don’t exist in the jungle, so he and you would be out of your element down there if he’s not a big cat shifter.

5.    Have a swimming pool! Both love to swim.

6.    Be sure to show off your playful side. They love to wrestle, run, tackle and…well here it goes…bite.

And there you’ve got it! You’re now officially a shifter. Enjoy! Sometimes it can be a nuisance when you have to shift and least expect it. But your shifter mate will help you get through it.

Expect to see him naked a lot. It goes with shifting, and the fact he likes to keep in GREAT shape.

During an author chat when my editor was part of the chat, she asked what fans loved about the shifters. One fan said, “They get naked.”

So there you have it. They get naked. :)

It’s time to hug a wolf hunk…or big cat hunk. Whichever you’re completely love struck over!

Oh, and what happened with Kathleen in SAVAGE HUNGER? Well, Connor, being the honorable jaguar shifter he is no matter how much he wants Kathleen, will not turn her. So she needs a little help. Maybe his sister, Maya, can instigate things a little?

Never know.

What would you do if you fell in love with a shifter and he’s wary about turning you? How would you change his mind?

 

Thanks so much to Lovestruck Novice for having me here today, and one lucky person that answers my question will have a chance to win a copy of SAVAGE HUNGER.US/Canada Addresses Only.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling and an award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval romantic suspense, Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She’s a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, that are personalized that have found homes all over the world. When she’s not writing or making bears, she’s teaching online writing courses or gardening. Her family has roots in the Highlands of Scotland where her love of all things Scottish came into being. Originally from California, she’s lived in eight states and now resides in the heart of Texas. She is the author of the Heart of the Wolf series and the Heart of the Jaguar series, plus numerous other paranormal romance and historical romance novels. For more information, please visit www.terryspear.com, or follow her on Twitter, @TerrySpear. She is also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/terry.spear .

 

 
LINKS for SAVAGE HUNGER:
http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Hunger-ebook/dp/B008BWABXU/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345942102&sr=1-2&keywords=savage+hunger


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-savage-hunger-terry-spear/1108936806?ean=9781402266928 

I'd like to thank Terry Spear for taking time out of her busy schedule to hang out with us today. Please join me in wishing Terry all the best with SAVAGE HUNGER! Here's to perrrrrfect sales! ;)

THANK YOU, TLN'ers! I know the weekends are crazy, so escape into a romance novel! Catch ya back next week! ~Sarah

Get To Know Suzanne Selfors!!

Hi-Ho The Dairy-O, TLN'ers!!

 

If chocolate is your sweet treat of choice, you've definitely clicked the 'write' link today!!

 

Please join me in welcoming SUZANNE SELFORS!!

 

THE SWEETEST SPELL released last month and is about a young girl's struggle to find love and belonging despite her magical gift of turning everything she touches into chocolate--a commodity more valuable than gold in the fairytale land of Anglund.

 

Hungry for more? Well, let's dig in, my friends! 

 

 

1)If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

This short journal about a writer is sooooooooo boring, all she does is drink coffee and sit on her butt and write, you'll need to prop your eyelids open with clothes pins just to get through the first chapter.

2)Using three words, describe your voice.

funny, warm, hopeful

3)What has been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome in your writing?

Focus, focus, focus.

 

My head is swimming with story ideas and it's hard to set ideas aside. I used to start new projects, write a few pages, then start something else. Now that I have publication deadlines (I write two books a year) I've learned how to ignore those other voices and to get the work done.

4)Give us a sneak peak into your writing process: are you a plotter or a pantser?

I never outline. Never. It simply doesn't work for me. When I sit down to begin the new book, I always know how it begins and I always know how it will end. But the inbetween is the adventure that makes this process so enjoyable. I want the story to unfold organically and surprise me. That's the part I love. An outline stifles me.

5)What's been the highlight of your career?

The highlight, by far, is meeting readers. When a young girl comes up to you, hugging your book to her chest, and telling you that she's read it three times and that you inspired her to write her own stories--that is the honor of a lifetime.

6)Tell us a little bit about how you crafted Emmeline Thistle's world and her special talent?

I've always wanted to write a fairy tale. I'm not sure why it took me this long. When I began to craft the story, I was interested in the story of King Midas, the man who could touch anything and turn it to gold. But I wasn't intrigued by gold. So I didn't think the story would work until one night when my daughter and I couldn't find any chocolate in the house, and we practically went nuts, I realized that I had my story. Why make gold if you can make chocolate?

Photo credit to Kate DeVeaux

7)What's up next for you? Any news you'd like to share?

My next books are for children. There will be a release in November and two releases in 2013. I'm working on an adult novel.

 

BLURB for THE SWEETEST SPELL:

 

WELCOME TO ANGLUND, A FAIRY-TALE KINGDOM WHERE CHOCOLATE IS ONLY A LEGEND . . .

 

Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter has escaped death twice--first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by a flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability--she can churn cream into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

 

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund is desired by all. But Emmeline, wants only one--Owen Oaks, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances tempt her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gain--no matter what the cost to Emmeline.

 

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

 

 

I'd like to thank Suzanne for being here today! If you'd like to learn more about Suzanne Selfors, please click on over to website: www.suzanneselfors.com or her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzanne-Selfors/207336662652088?ref=hl 

 

THANK YOU, TLN'ers for swinging by and joining in the fun! Here's hoping your weekend is full decadent delight! Happy Fall!! Catch ya back next week . . . ~Sarah

Get Tempted By Bronwyn Stuart!!

Oooh-Da-Lolly!! Welcome back, TLN'ers!

We've got a very special author visiting today . . . and the best part is we saw her here first as A Novice Watch!

Please help me welcome BRONWYN STUART!

I've known Bronwyn for a couple of years now--since she trounced me in a contest--and have thoroughly enjoyed following her career. When I need motivation, Bronwyn is definitely one of the first writerly peeps I look up to. Her blog is often filled with fabulous writing information and inspirational pep-talks. Her debut novel, SCANDAL'S MISTRESS released last month from Carina Press (which is very exciting news!)

Grab a sweet a treat and get comfy. Enjoy a little 'me time' with an author who is bound to sweep you off your feet . . .

1)If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

 In all her days Bronwyn Stuart never thought she would find the man of her dreams, have a beautiful family or discover the answer to “what do you want to be when you grow up”. But she did.

 What will the future hold for this upcoming author? Will she be the next Stephanie Laurens or Johanna Lindsay? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out…

2)Using three words describe your voice.

Emotional, deep, fun

3)What was it like getting "The Call" from your publisher? Want to share a little bit about that day?

Actually mine came as an email. Every morning I check my emails before I get out of bed, while the house is still nice and quiet. This one day I had an email from Angela James in the preview it said ‘I’m sorry I can’t…’ as Yahoo is wont to do from time to time to get my ticker going. Then I opened the email expecting the worse, the dreaded rejection, but then it said, ‘I’m sorry I can’t make this offer in person’. It was the email I had been waiting for for years. I jumped out of bed ran squealing around the house and then called the hubby. I can’t even describe how it feels to get the call. You almost want to cry. In a good way.

4)What has been the biggest change for you since crossing over from novice to published author?

Revisions. Definitely revisions. When you’re editing your own work to send out to publishers and agents, there are so many things you don’t see or don’t do. Plot holes, unfinished characters, loose ends. When you start revisions and someone else points out the problems with your book, there is so much work to do it’s daunting. Trust me when I say you will learn more than you ever had from this step.

5)Do you have any advice for the all the novice writers out struggling to get published?

The first thing would be hone your craft. Never think you’ve learned everything there is to learn because I guarantee you, you’re about to be proven wrong. The last thing is finish the book. An unfinished book isn’t of interest to anyone anywhere. Give your characters the chance to have their story told.

6)Tell us a little about SCANDAL'S MISTRESS. What was your favorite part of crafting Justin and Carmalina's story?

Honestly, I loved the whole story from beginning to end. I loved Justin’s internal torture and Carmalina’s unfairness in her situation. I loved dangling the happy ever after and then making them work for it. So far, out of everything I’ve written, theirs is my favourite story.

7)What's up next for you? Any news you'd like to share?

My next book releases with Carina Press in April called Behind the Courtesan. It’s another deep and emotional story, this time about a courtesan who must return to her home village fourteen years after she flees, raped and broken. Her family and her best friend had no idea why she left or what happened but it’s time for Sophia to take her life more firmly in her own hands and find the one place she can belong.

But Blake Vale can’t forgive her for leaving, he doesn’t care the reasons why. He can’t forget that she now makes her living on her back. The two must face their demons in order to have any kind of future. Together or apart…

Blurb for:
Scandal’s Mistress

London, 1805

Justin Trentham, third son of the Earl of Billington, is determined to get himself disowned from his cold and unloving family. Despite his numerous affairs with questionable women of the ton, his parents continue to be dismissive of his ploys, but Justin spots the perfect scandal in the form of a beautiful, exotic Italian opera singer...

Carmalina Belluccini refuses to become his mistress, despite being tempted by his charms. But after losing her singing voice, she finds herself destitute. She agrees to be Justin's mistress for one month, until she has enough money to return to her beloved Italy.

She intends to keep their arrangement strictly business, but after witnessing Justin's vulnerable side, she finds herself falling more in love than in lust with him. Carmalina is having second thoughts about leaving England...but is their love strong enough to survive the scandal of the season?

 

I'd like to thank Bronwyn for letting me interview her--again (lol). I can't wait to see what the future has in store for my lovely and extremely talented friend. Here's wishing her tons of success with SCANDAL'S MISTRESS! If you'd like to know more about Bronwyn Stuart, please click on over to her delicious website www.bronwynstuart.com.au 
Find her on Facebook (Bronwyn Stuart Romance Author)
Or twitter (Bronwyn Stuart)

THANK YOU, TLN'ers for swinging by. Hope your weekend is utterly divine and full of productivity. Catch you back next week! TTFN~ Sarah

WINNER of the Shana Galen Giveaway!!!

 

CYNTHIA OWENS!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Shana and Sourcebooks for the lovely giveaway prize of WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND!

 

 

THANK YOU, TLN'ers for joining the party! Here's wishing Shana tons of success! Yay!

 

 

Be sure to swing by on Friday, the lucious Kaily Hart will be visit TLN!

 

 

 



Shana Galen: Definitely A Diamond Of The First Water!

If your week has got you down, you've clicked over to the 'write' spot!!

The delightful SHANA GALEN is hanging out with us today!!

Besides being an incredibly talented writer and totally doted upon by the Cover Gods, Shana is a truly wonderful person. I just love her books and have enjoyed following her career. If you've yet to traipse the life fantastic with one of Shana's books, it's your lucky day . . . WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND released this week and is sure to be gracing Keeper Shelves the world over!


 

THE FIRST FIVE

By: Shana Galen

 



First of all, I want to thank Sarah for inviting me to blog. We’ve been buddies on Facebook and Twitter for a while, and I finally got to meet her IRL at a book signing in Anaheim during the Romance writers of America conference. I’m really excited to be here today, chatting about my new book When You Give a Duke a Diamond.

 Everyone who comments has a chance to win a copy of the book, but since only one of you can win it, and I’m hoping a few more of you will be tempted to buy it, I thought I might whet your appetite a bit by giving you a quote from each of the first five chapters.

 Chapter One

“You know my rule,” Pelham told him.

 “Ah, yes, Pelham’s Cardinal Rule. Never fall in love. It’s complete rubbish.”

 Chapter Two

She shouldn’t have come back; only a fool would return. But she didn’t know how else to stop the shaking. She didn’t know how else to staunch the gnawing hunger inside her. Neither food nor drink could satisfy it.

Only the game.

 Chapter Three

 “Why don’t I call you Juliette? It seems fitting, as we are going to be good friends, Juliette.”

Her throat tightened. She had to get out of here. “And what should I call you?” she asked coolly.

“Lucifer, of course.”

Chapter Four

It took Pelham no more than a second to appraise two of The Three Diamonds, but when his gaze landed on the Diamond in the center, he found he could not dismiss her quite so easily. His heart actually thumped harder when it appeared her gaze met with his. But her ice-blue eyes slid away, and he realized he must have been imagining the connection.

 Chapter Five

 “I would rather be a well-paid whore, sir, than an insufferable ass.”

 He jerked to a halt and spun around. His fists were clenched and his face red with what looked like fury.

 "One is a choice and can be changed,” she continued, raising her voice so it would carry. “Whereas the other is a permanent trait of the personality. Not that you have much of one.”

 

Did any of the quotes from the first five chapters intrigue you? Which ones and why?

Shana Galen is the national bestselling author of numerous fast-paced, adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne's Bride. Her books are published all over the world and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city.

Now she writes full time. She’s happily married to an incredibly supportive man she calls Ultimate Sportsfan, and she has a beautiful little girl she calls Little Galen.

I'd like to thank Shana for visiting with us today!! Here's wishing her tons of success with WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND!! If you'd like to know more about Shana Galen, please visit her website: www.shanagalen.com 


I went to Nationals equipped with a "must-see" list and Shana was at the tip-top! Meeting her was awesome! Total fan-girl moment for sure. I was lucky to remember my darn name, let alone how to talk coherently! I've got a spot picked out for this one on my wall. Love it!

 

 

THANK YOU, TLN'ers for swinging by and joining the party! Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of WYGADAD. I'll announce the winner tomorrow! Good Luck and Happy Reading!~Sarah

How I Survived Pitching . . . And Other Sordid Conference Tales

Well, Hey-Howdy-Hey, TLN'ers!

I simply can't believe it's been a month since Nationals and I've yet to post about my fantastic voyage!! How very rude of me and now all my fun is past-news-worthy, but here it is anyways . . .

The five hour drive down to Anaheim was a blast. There is nothing like traveling with your writerly peeps and chatting about every aspect of writerly life. While The Dashing Mr. Simas is ever the engaging conversationalist, his eyes do tend to glass-over a bit, especially when I wax on and on about the latest writing on-dits. Thanks, June Rodriguez and Sheri Humphreys for the chatter!!

We practiced and honed our pitches, which paid off in spades. I was completely prepared for The Big Day! Of course, once we hit LA traffic, this country mouse clammed up and white-knuckled it clear to the hotel. I could've have kissed the parking valet I was so happy to be off the freeway! To make matters worse, everyone was saying the traffic was great. Potato, Po-ta-to, I guess. ;)



A patio full of finalists, well, except for those us who were 'arm candy'. lol

One of my travel companions, Sheri Humphrey's, was a GH finalist and she was sweet enough to let my roommate, June, and I tag along to dinner with several of the other finalists. What fun! I swear the excitement level jumped by 95% upon walking into PF Chang's quaint little patio dining area.

I left completely enchanted by Wendi La Capra and Nicki Salcedo. They were such fun to sit with and kept me laughing all through dinner! I even got to meet Kieran Kramer. Definitely a memorable night.

The next morning was my foray into the Beau Monde's mini-conference. I stapled myself to Sharon Lathan's side and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our time together. She's also a chaptermate and I just love her wit and zest for writing. The BM conference was a hoot, especially Isobel Carr's two hour talk on Regency Era unmentionables. Quite scandalous--and let me just say I'm so glad we don't have wear busks. No thank you! I met Delilah Marvelle and fell instantly in love. She's such a sweet lady and a fabulous speaker.



Anne Barton and some crazy lady ;)

I really enjoyed all the workshops I attended-both BM and RWA. The presenters were so knowledgeable and generous with their time. My "old-school" tablet--a.k.a trusty spiral bound notebook--is full of awesome tips and tricks for honing my craft. I met Anne Barton and had a devil of time restraining my giddy need to hop up and down! I adore her (and her debut WHEN SHE WAS WICKED is deeee-vine!! I scored an ARC--be jealous, be very jealous!) I also met Katharine Bone and Crystal Eliot. At the soiree, I got to meet Valerie Bowman and hang out some more with Sharon Lathan. Fun times!

Finally, the Pitch Day arrived and I spent two hours practicing in front of my mirror (thank you, John Conway for the tip), which made walking into my first-ever pitch session a lot less stressful. I didn't puke on any one or end up gasping into a paper bag. lol The first agent I pitched to gave me a high-five and requested 100 pages! Talk about being blown away!!

After the first pitch, I sailed through my other appointments and managed to navigate the Chum Bucket (or rather the pitch room waiting section) and "shark" a few extra appointments. I met some lovely ladies: Vivian Mere, Roxanne Price, and Deborah Grace Staley. They all kept me cool as a frappachino during the wait. Thanks, ladies!!

All in all, I got FIVE appointments: three agents and two editors, which led to four requests for either material or queries. It was an experience I'll never forget. I can safely say I'M A SURVIVOR! *wink wink*

Another highlight was getting to meet one of my former Mama Writer blogging buddies, Jeannie Ruesch. She walked me through the Literacy Signing, which was a blessing because I felt over-whelmed! We ate lunch together and I truly enjoyed her company. Thanks, Jeannie!



My YRW Peeps and I lunch

I also had the chance to get to know my fellow Yosemite Romance Writers better. It was a blast hanging out with Sheri Humphreys, June Rodriguez, John Conway, Elsa Bayley, Sharon Lathan, and Kris Lynn. Thanks guys!!

Fan-Girl moments: Alas, I had several. ;)

*Vicki Dreiling in the elevator:
Me: *gasp* "You're Vickie Dreiling!" (I'm sure Ms. Dreiling already knew that. lol)

*Fan-girl waved at Valerie Bowman (one of my favorite Tweeters) in the hallway like she should totally know who I am! (Can't wait to read her debut and totally loved her swag--she mailed it to me! What a gal!)



Shana Galen and one giddy me!

*Couldn't hardly talk when I met Shana Galen. Good thing she's so sweet! ;)

*Sounded like a complete stalker to Erin Knightley (another fabulous debut author!) when I raved about her website and all the fun things she's loaded the site with--namely the how to pack for nationals video.

*Saw Julia Quinn at the Avon signing and gushed on about her backlist and how a current radio song "Brighter Than The Sun" reminds me of my favorite book of hers with the same title. DOH!


Monica McCarty and Me

There were countless more, but suffice it to say, I've shared with you classic a la Sarah moments. lol I did score hugs from Monica McCarty and Tawny Webber, which totally made my day!

Experiencing the awards show was like watching the Oscars LIVE! Such beautiful gowns and shoes. OMG--the shoes. I'd break my neck, for sure! RWA 2012 was definitely a memorable moment in my life! I'm thankful I had the chance to go. I owe my mom, mother-n-law, and hubby big time for watching the kiddos.

It's gonna be hard to miss a year here and there. I'm definitely addicted!

ROAD TRIP: RWA 2012 Or Bust!

Greetings and high-fives all around, TLN'ers!

This is the week a lot of us have been waiting for . . . it's time for RWA 2012!!!

*I'll pause here to allow for squeals of delight and peals of giddy laughter*

The emotions I'm feeling are hard to describe. It's such a wild range of excitement, anxiety, and awe that I'm almost reminded of how I felt right before my wedding. Strange, eh?

I know I'm ready. I've practiced my pitch three ways from Sunday! I've got a smashing wardrobe picked out for the week and not a single pair of yoga pants made my pack-list. (I only hope I don't suffer from withdrawals.)

My new cards came in the mail two weeks ago and they look fabulous! Camera, mini PC, and phone have all been charged and sit waiting to be packed.

Everything is falling into place and yet . . . I'm still experiencing jitters. Maybe it's because I don't know what to expect. Or maybe, I'm nervous to be taking such a huge step in my writer's journey--you know, the whole putting-yourself-out-there feelings of angst.

I know I'll have a wonderful time. How could I not being surrounded by so many other writers?! Talk about being given a gift of a lifetime! A week full of writerly talk and workshops is like a dream come true!

I'm definitely looking forward to the road trip down there. I'm riding with two of my YRW chaptermates, June and Sheri (Sheri is a GH finalist in Historical!) We've got five hours of driving ahead of us and we're planning on practing our pitches. So exciting!!

One fascinating tidbit, I'm packing my mini-espresso machine. I've become quite attached to the little guy. (In truth, I didn't want to have get up and dressed to wait in line for my caramel macchiato in the morning. lol)

I'll be sure to post some pictures and tasty tidbits of the conference experience for those you staying home this year! So, swing by sometime next week to get all the on-dits of my trip.

What's YOUR favorite conference on-dit? (feel free to change the names to protect the innocent. lol)

Safe and Happy travels to all heading out in the next day or so!! Hope to meet some you!

Smile!,
Sarah