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Author Archives: Cathy
The Next Big Thing
Last week, Suzie Carr tagged me to participate in The Next Big Thing blog tour. The idea is to hop from blog to blog to discover exciting books we might not have heard about or that are still Work in Progress (WIPs). My offering for Week 20 is a WIP I’ve been working on from time to time for the past several months. Other book deadlines put this particular story on hold for a bit. I hope it sees the light of day (and the eye of an editor ; ) soon.
What is the working title of your book?
Right now, this one is called “The Girls Who Hunt Demons” for lack of name. Titling is hard sometimes. Either one hits right off the bat or I’m at a loss. Currently, I’m at a loss here : P (Suggestions welcome!)
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I’ve been mulling the idea of doing a paranormal histroical for a while, trying to find the right plot and characters. Demon hunters have been pretty popular, and while I don’t try to play the market, this idea came about from that genre’s current run.
What genre does your book fall under?
Probably paranormal historical romance. There is a lesbian relationship, but I don’t define couplings as genre, really. Just thougth it would be helpful to know ; )
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Emily Blunt as Maggie and Naomi Watts as Grace.
I love both actors for their ability to play strong, yet vulnerable women.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Grace and Maggie were the Diablo Society’s best demon hunters, so why did the Society split them up?
What is the longer synposis of your book?
Grace Parker and Maggie Mulvaney weren’t supposed to be Source and Catalyst, the matched pairing that the Diablo Society trains to combat demons walking the world. But from the day they meet in a mansion on Long Island, NY, they know they were meant to be a team. And then some. For three years, Grace and Maggie fight demons as they fall in love. One day, Maggie disappears. Grace is told she was called home to her native Ireland for a family emergency, but she doesn’t believe Maggie would leave without telling her herself. After a year of inquery and searching, Grace finds Maggie in Wyoming. But Maggie has no idea who Grace is. Slowly, Maggie regains her memory of who and what she was, and what she meant to Grace. One question begs for an answer that could get them killed: Who stole Maggie’s memory and why?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Not sure what will happen to it. I’ll let you know!
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It’s only about half done, so I have no idea : )
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I enjoy historical westerns, stories with paranormal elements and strong female characters. Combining those aspects spurred me on.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
I’ve been researching the Long Island town where I grew up to get a good handle on the place where Maggie and Grace meet and train together. “Modern Times” was a happening place back in the late 1800s. I’m having a grand time integrating the history of the area with my demon-hunting society!
I didn’t tag anyone for next week, but if anyone wants to take up the reins that would be great : )
Stellarnet Prince by J.L. Hilton
Welcome J.L. Hilton on her blog tour for her newest release from Carina Press, Stellarnet Prince, Book Two in the Stellarnet Series, following Stellarnet Rebel (January 2012).
Stuck in the Middle with You
When Cathy wrote about M/F/M relationships, she joked that if she ever happened to be the “/F/”she hoped she wouldn’t have to sleep in the middle of the bed. I’ve never had the opportunity to be an “/F/” either. I know I’m an edge sleeper. I like to be able to uncover a leg for proper temperature control, climb out to use the bathroom, or get as far away as a king-sized bed will allow when my husband starts snoring. And I have kids, so I have to be accessible in the event of nightmares, illness and thunderstorms. In my new novel, Stellarnet Prince, chapter one begins with the heroine waking between two males –one built like Matthew McConaughey and one built like Michael Phelps.
Chapter One
J’ni pressed her breasts to Duin’s speckled back, kissing his neck while he slept. In many ways, they were similar, his race and hers. They were omnivorous mammals who bled, laughed, and needed sleep. They possessed two legs, two arms, ten fingers. But there were numerous differences between her race and his, between humans and the Glin.
Her hand moved over his thigh, smooth as pearl, and traced the dense muscles hardened by a lifetime of hunting and swimming. Beneath closed eyelids rimmed with short, white lashes, his eyes were larger than her own and filled almost entirely with dark gray irises. Past his pale lips were teeth smaller and sharper than hers. His hairless skin bore several shades from taupe to chartreuse—but only on the back half of his body, like many aquatic creatures on Earth.
Light flickered through cracks in the woven walls of the hut. J’ni knew what the sunlight meant to his planet. Devastation. Too much water had been stolen by the Tikati, too many rivers dammed. Within a few years, pollution and ecological upheaval had altered the storm systems and water flow upon which the lives of these hunter-gatherers depended. But she couldn’t help her instinctive response. The light made her feel good.
She rolled onto her back and stretched. Bright spots danced over Belloc’s arm and across her stomach. Glin faces, chests, stomachs, the insides of their arms and the fronts of their legs were pale. But Belloc’s front had the slightest shade of blue, where Duin’s had a hint of yellow. Unique among all Glin, her husband’s back half was a deep indigo blue, with thin lines of blue-green in a wriggling pattern that looked like rain on a window. The pattern made his skin seem to shimmer when he moved. “Gulla tup, bugloim.” The rich cello music of Belloc’s voice resonated in his chest as he spoke to her in Glinnish. “Awaken well, my love.”
“I couldn’t think of a better way to wake up than between the two of you.”
Me neither. I tell you what, edge sleeper or not, if I had the opportunity to play monkey-in-the-middle with some men who looked like Matt and Mike, I’d do it. Or die trying. Even if they are from another planet. And knowing Duin – at 40 years old, a father of five and grandfather of two with a personality similar to Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street – he’d probably be better at dealing with the kids’ nightmares than I would, anyway!
~J.L. Hilton
Hot AND good with kids?!? I’d “suffer” the middle too ; )
Thanks, J.L.! Folks, if that sexy excerpt wasn’t enough to excite you into picking up Stellarnet Prince (and how could you possibly resist after reading it???), here’s a blurb to whet your appetite even more:
An otherworldly love. Human blogger Genny O’Riordan shares two alien lovers: Duin, a leader of the Uprising, and Belloc, the only surviving member of the reviled Glin royal family. Their relationship has inspired millions of followers–and incited vicious anti-alien attacks.
A planet at risk. A Stellarnet obsessed with all things alien brings kidnappers, sex traffickers and environmental exploitation to Glin. Without weapons or communications technology, the planet cannot be defended. Glin will be ravaged and raided until nothing remains.
A struggle for truth. On Earth, Duin discovers a secret that could spur another rebellion, while on Glin, Belloc’s true identity could endanger their family and everything they’ve fought for. Have the Glin found true allies in humanity, or an even more deadly foe?
An exciting continuation to a fabulous series! Go get it now!!!
Author website: www.JLHilton.com
Book website: www.StellarnetSeries.com
Publisher website: www.CarinaPress.com
Buy link: http://www.StellarnetSeries.com/shop/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/J.L.Hilton.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorJLHilton
deviantART: http://jlhilton.deviantart.com/
Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5344538.J_L_Hilton
The Next Big Thing! Deep Deception
The lovely and talented Amber Kallyn tagged me last week for The Next Big Thing blog meme (her post is here) where writers can connect with readers to reveal a little something about their works in progress.
I’m cheating a tad, since the book I’m showcasing is almost done being a WIP and on its way back to my editor : ) Still, it and the connected books are fantastic and you should totally check them out!
What is the working title of your book?
DEEP DECEPTION is the only title it’s been known as, really. During the writing, it was “Book Three” or “Natalia and Gennie’s Story.” Neither terribly creative : ) So I challenged my family to come up with a title. After giving them the premise of two women digging for secrets in a mine while trying to keep their own secrets, my husband suggested DEEP DECEPTION.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
While writing the first book in the series, RULEBREAKER, I thought some of the secondary characters were too dang interesting just to leave alone. Nathan Sterling gets his story in CAUGHT IN AMBER (Jan 2013). Natalia had small roles in both RULEBREAKER and CAUGHT IN AMBER, and Gennie is in CAUGHT IN AMBER. Now both are in DEEP DECEPTION, which is a kicking ride ; )
Though the books are connected by being set on the same planet and some overlapping characters, I’ve tried to write them so you don’t have to read them in a particular order to understand the current story. But read them all! ; )
What genre does your book fall under?
Science fiction or futuristic romance. It’s not hard SF. And if you read lesbian or f/f or want to give it a go, this would fit the bill. There are a couple of love scenes that are more sensual than erotic. I’m not one to write graphic sex.
Which Actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I have always seen Tricia Helfer as Natalia, especially during her Battlestar Galactica years. When she first shows up in RULEBREAKER, she is platinum blonde, like Caprica 6. In CAUGHT IN AMBER and DEEP DECEPTION, her hair is a slightly darker shade. She definitely has the tall, cool blonde vibe going. Well, cool until she meets Gennie ; )
Anna Torv would be perfect as Gennie, with darker hair and eye color. Her mannerisms and intonations when she plays Olivia Dunham on Fringe are spot-on Gennie in my head. Like Olivia, Gennie plays things close to her chest, but there’s an underlying passion that erupts as violence or actual passion, depending on circumstances.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A Colonial Mining Authority agent and a former drug dealer’s assistant join forces to learn what a corporation is really shipping out of one of its mines, but while mutual attraction flares both have their secrets to keep.
That’s not the official one-line synopsis, but you get the gist of it.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It will be out in May 2013 from Carina Press.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Several months. I started it pretty much as soon as I was done with CAUGHT IN AMBER. Then both books got contracted (yay!) and I suddenly had a real deadline : ) That’ll move things along.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Wow, I stink at this part. Um, books with a good amount of action, smoldering looks between characters, shooting and sex? (Not sex while shooting people though. That would be tricky.)
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Since this book is the third in the series, the characters did. I don’t necessarily think characters speak to me, but they sure as heck stand around in my head, tapping their toes and looking very impatient. Then they poke my brain until a plot oozes out and off we go!
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The characters are very real and down to earth. They are far from perfect, and often far from law-abiding. The setting is on another planet in a far-off future, but the problems my heroines face both personally and professionally are relatable.
For next week (#19) check out who I tagged in The Next Big Thing:
We Deliver: New Job, New Ideas
Holy cow! Where did the month of September go??? I’d intented to do something for my birthday, but that week went flashing by. Meant to do more regular posts in general, but obviously I dropped the ball there. Or maybe it got washed out with all the blasted rain. Fifty inches in September alone, my friends. Fifty. Inches. That’s taller than most of the kids at the school where I sub.
Speaking of subbing (nice segue, yeah? ; ) I’ve been doing quite a bit. Not only at school, but as a UPS delivery person. Yep, we have UPS here in our little hamlet by the sea.Amazing, I know. But don’t send FedEx because that stops in Anchor-town for us and gets send to the regular post office eventually. Key word: Eventually : P Anyhoo, yes, I’m the substitute/helper-outer-er for our local UPS delivery lady. No, I don’t wear the brown gear, unless you mean my Xtra-Tuff rubber boots.
Rural package delivery is fun in a place with very few road signs and even fewer houses with numbers on them. I drive past my target a lot and generally feel lost, but I’m learning to put names, faces and locations together. That’s the beauty of a small town. Sooner or later you will get to know just about everyone and where they live or work. Or close enough. The regular delivery lady, Ann, gives me directions like, “It’s the blue house on the right after the bridge. Don’t go to the first door, go to the second. If no one is home, leave it in the old cooler beside the porch.”
So while I was driving around alone for the first time, looking for some mythical residence Ann swore was there, I came up with an idea for a story. I’m thinking rural driver sees something she shouldn’t. Or keeps delivering mysterious packages to a place that never seems to see human occupancy. Or some combination there of.
Is it any wonder that’s where my mind goes? No. No it’s not.
After spending some time flailing about remote neighborhoods, can I ask you fine folks to do something? Please display your house number somewhere on your home. I’m getting Husband to do that soon. And if you want a delivery person to just drop a package if you’re not home, make sure there’s a nice cold drink in that cooler ; )
Randomness
*School has begun here in the soggy, semi-far north. Actually, it started on Aug. 23. It’s nice to get back into routine, but I keep waiting for the phone to ring to be called in to sub. I have been subbing, but it’s pre-arranged for the most part. Always a chance of a surprise at 7AM.
*Waiting on the cover for Caught in Amber, my science fiction romance coming out from Carina Press in January. Got the copy blurb, which is fantastic. Still, seeing a cover for the first time is a particular thrill. Can’t wait. And yes, I will share once I get the okey-dokey from TPTB.
*The third book, Deep Deception, will be out in May. Woo hoo! Just finished the art fact sheet on that one. Another cover to giddily await.
*Meanwhile, I’m working on two other books. One is about shape shifters in Alaska. The other is a paranormal western, sort of, about two female demon hunters. Love them both, but struggles with plot and pacing on one are making me a tad twitchy. Hopefully my lovely crit partners/beta readers will see where I’m going astray.
*After a harsh winter, we were hoping for a nice summer but no. I can count on one and a half hands how many actually sunny days we had. Not all were rainy, but there was lot of cool, gray weather. *sigh* Here’s hoping for a better winter this time.
*I’ll have a few friends with books doing promo stuff here in the months to come. Can’t wait to share!
*I want a cookie (Hey, the title of the post is random. I wasn’t kidding ; )
*We have to REALLY start thinking about colleges and college prep for DD1. So much more competition out there for spots in schools and for financial aid.
*Any randomness you’d like to add?
The Value of “Women’s Work”–Ruth Diaz on Super Women
(excerpt fromThe Superheroes Union: Dynama)
“Why do you think I decided to work with children?” The smile spread across her whole face. “Everybody thinks it’s easy, like it was a gimme degree and anybody could take care of kids. They’re wrong. Some people are really bad at it, and some people just don’t care enough. A lot of supers just have too much on their minds. They get lost in the crisis and forget about what’s really important. So yeah, I may be twenty-seven and still living with my roommates from when we were all undergrads, but I love what I do.”
“Good for you,” TJ said softly. She cleared her throat, trying not to go all awkward in the face of that confession. “Me too. I was the kid that was always a crusader in search of a crusade, and I went into the Foreign Service. Probably do more saving the world in my day job than I ever will as a superhero.”
Annmarie shrugged and toyed with the stem of her wine glass. “The world needs both.”
When I began working on The Superheroes Union: Dynama, I knew I was writing a love story and I knew I was writing comic-book suspense. I didn’t expect the strong feminist undercurrent running through the book. But with TJ and Annmarie being who they are, I couldn’t have written a story that felt true for them without it.
It’s not that it revolves around feminist philosophy. But TJ is a superhero and Annmarie is a childcare worker, so questions of work and worth keep coming up for them. TJ is trying to save the world, both in her day job and as a superhero, and she’s hampered by centuries of Western culture influencing the people around her to believe that as a woman, she can’t do that. Being a woman and a Latina are both central to her identity, and she constantly has to prove that her work is as valuable as that of a man doing the same job.
Even superheroes have some bigots and idiots amongst them.
As a childcare worker, Annmarie has the opposite struggle. Because the work she does is historically considered “women’s work,” it is traditionally undervalued. At one point, TJ observes something Annmarie is doing and thinks to herself that “it’s like having a wife”–not to devalue what Annmarie does, but in appreciation of the level of hard work that goes into taking care of TJ’s rambunctious seven-year-old twins.
When you’re reading, do you ever find yourself noticing the type of struggles a heroine has simply because she’s a woman? And if you do, is it something you appreciate, or just one more element in a well-written story?
What if your evil ex really was evil?
TJ Gutierrez used to be a superhero. But after the birth of her twins seven years ago, she hung up the yellow spandex. Until the day her archenemy and ex-husband, Singularity, breaks out of prison. When it becomes clear he’s after the kids, she’s forced to call the nanny helpline—and once again become…Dynama!
Annmarie Smith doesn’t have a superpower. She saves the world by keeping kids safe while their parents fight evil. She temporarily moves in with TJ, and the way the magnetic mama puts family first captures Annmarie’s respect, and maybe her heart—even though she knows better than to fall for a superhero. Still, it’s hard to resist their wicked chemistry. Kapow!
But they can only hide from the world for so long. When Singularity’s quest for custody puts the kids’ lives in danger, can the two women conquer the evil villain and save TJ’s family—all before their first date?
The Superheroes Union: Dynama is available from Carina Press. You can read an excerpt here.
Carina Press store | Amazon.com | BarnesandNoble.com
**********
Cathy here: I’m always on the lookout for great speculative fiction, and the superhero genre is gaining momentum. Ruth Diaz’s f/f tale The Superheroes Union: Dynama is sure to please!
And bonus! There is a giveaway of cool stuff on Ruth’s blog Go! Go now! Win stuff!
Ruth Diaz writes genre romances about non-mainstream relationships. She hides a number of publications in a different genre under another name, but The Superheroes Union: Dynama is her first romance publication. For more information, you can subscribe to her blog, like her on Facebook, or follow @RuthDiazWrites on Twitter (where she is most active and, well, opinionated).
Kidnapped!
Agent Z offered to be my bestie then kidnapped me! Then offered me up. Go take a look at The Galaxy Express post.
Help me, Blogger Buddies! You’re my only hope!
Happy First Year, Rulebreaker!
One year ago today my debut novel, Rulebreaker, was released by Carina Press. It’s been a wild ride for the past year. Lots of ups, a few downs, but overall fantastic. I can’t say too often how fabulous Carina Press and my editor Rhonda Stapleton have been, or how much I appreciate the input and patience of my agent, Natalie Lakosil at Bradford Literary Agency.
I’ve received great feedback from readers. No, not all of it was “OMG! This book rocked!” And that’s all right. I need to know what works and what doesn’t so I can make future books better. So thank you ALL for your comments and reviews.
Rulebreaker’s actual birth/conception (ie: first words on paper or into computer) took place long before last August. Perusing old files, I found the original bits that dated back to 2008, a full manuscript dated late 2009, and the full I’d sent to Carina after getting picked up in a pitch contest in May 2010. But it didn’t stop there. Rulebreaker went through a few changes, including the title. It saw the red pens—or rather, the red of Track Changes—of two critique partners and a couple of beta readers. Two different editors worked on it with me. There was a cover that wasn’t really the cover that had to be straightened out. For the record, I loved both versions. Carina covers rock!
So now, over three years later, Rulebreaker is out there. I have two more books in the works with Carina Press. Other stories are in various stages of development. I’m busy writing and researching, falling in love with new characters and trying to keep some of the plot bunnies wrangled for later dates. Life is good and I couldn’t be happier. And I have many people to thank for that. So thank you!
To celebrate, I’m having a giveaway. A digital copy of Rulebreaker and a $25 gift certificate to Amazon or B&N or wherever. There may be another surprise prize, if the stars align themselves. I’ll keep you posted.
EDITED TO ADD: I just received actual print copies of Rulebreaker that were not needed for the Ritas. So there will be more than one prize winner. Ebook or print copy plus the GC for the first person chosen. Ebook or print for a second lucky duck. Comment away, people!!!! Oh, and funny thing, the cover of the print book is not the same as the ebook. Heh!
What do you have to do? Comment on this post. Ask me about my writing process. Tell me if you’ve read the book and what you liked or didn’t like. Ask me about living in Alaska. Whatever. I’ll do a random drawing on Sunday, August 12. Also, can you answer this question: What was Rulebreaker’s original title? No, you don’t have to answer correctly to win anything. I just want to see who’s paying attention : ) BTW, my CP’s cannot answer this one!
ETD, Part 2: We have winners! Helgagrace won a print copy of Rulebreaker and asked for an iTunes gift card. Taryn Rose won an ebook copy of Rulebreaker. Thanks for commenting everyone!!!
Oh, and the original title for Rulebreaker was….Hmmm…I think I’ll save that for another time ; )
Cover Reveal and Giveaway for Colonization by Aubrie Dionne
I’m honored to be part of Aubrie Dionne’s cover reveal tour for her release Colonization: Paradise 21, a sci fi YA book coming from Inkspell Publishing as an ebook and in print this October. Isn’t it lovely!
Finding a new home has never been so dangerous.
Andromeda has spent all seventeen years of her life aboard a deep space transport vessel destined for a paradise planet. Her safe cocoon is about to break open as Paradise 21 looms only one month away, and she must take the aptitude tests to determine her role on the new world and her computer assigned lifemate. As a great-granddaughter of the Commander of the ship, she wants to live up to her family name. But, her forbidden love for her childhood friend, Sirius, distracts her and she fails the tests. The results place her in a menial role in the new colony and pair her with Corvus, “the oaf”.
But when Andromeda steps foot on Paradise 21, her predestined future is the least of her worries. Alien ghosts from a failed colonization warn her of a deadly threat to her colony. And when Sirius’s ship crashes on the far ridge in an attempt to investigate, she journeys to rescue him with Corvus.
Andromeda now must convince the authorities of the imminent danger to protect her new home. What she didn’t expect was a battle of her own feelings for Sirius and Corvus.
Can she save the colony and discover her true love?
Author Bio:Aubrie Dionne writes science fiction fantasy with romantic elements. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Inkspell Publishing, Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She’s also a professional flutist in New England.
Please visit her website: www.authoraubrie.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964057.Aubrie_Dionne
Twitter: @authoraubrie
Blog: http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com
Giveaway! – Open for US and UK only.
We have a very cool keyring as a giveaway.
Go here to find out how to win!
Congratulations, Aubrie! I can’t wait to read Colonization!
The F in the Middle
I discovered something about myself on a recent vacation: I would not do well in a menage unless certain criteria were met. No, it wasn’t *that* exciting a trip.
Normally when I fly, I take the aisle seat. Not only do I not have to bother people if I have to get up (and I don’t mind getting up for my rowmates), but I can stick my foot into the aisle for a smidge more leg room. Well, until the service cart comes by.
Sitting in the middle between strangers–who frown upon my leaning against them should I snooze, which I rarely do–makes me tense. Sitting by the window is marginally better, but I feel trapped.
How does this relate to menage? During the implied activities I think I’d be fine no matter where I was. Too busy to care, shall we say. But afterward, when everyone settled to sleep (I’m assuming sleep goes with the menage thing) I’d need to be on the end. I can’t stand being trapped under the blankets or between bodies.
No, I haven’t had this experience with adults, but I have had a child crawl into bed with me and my husband. I had to scramble out of the middle to the freedom of the edge or to the couch. The idea of being sandwiched between two adults makes me twitchy. Even when it’s just me and my husband I need to be able to kick the blankets off or stick a foot out from under the covers.
I don’t think I’m claustrophobic. Other small placed don’t bother me. Though I’m not keen on sleeping bags that are too close-fitting. Forget a mummy bag.
Should I ever get inspired for a more adventurous romantic liason, there will be a post-coital condition. I sleep on the end. If I’m with two men, I hope they like each other because a MFM will become a MMF. If it’s another woman, I can only hope she isn’t like me.
Either that or someone’s on the couch for the night.
How about you?