Tuesday, November 12, 2013

11/12/13!!!

Even though not much is going on, I couldn't resist writing a post on 11/1/2/13.  I read that this is supposed to be a lucky sequence.  Who couldn't use some good luck?

Hopefully, I'll have some news to report on here soon, there are a couple of things in the pipeline.  I'm waaaay behind on my NaNoWriMo project.  This is turning into an annual rite of passage for me.  Get all excited about NaNoWriMo, procrastinate when the day finally arrives, then beat myself up for not keeping up.  Except this year, I'm not going to beat myself up.  I've had some unexpected distractions, but it happens, life goes on.  I'm still excited about the project and I'll finish it, NaNoWriMo or not.  :)

I've discovered I write best in complete silence.  I wish I could write with the television on or with music playing, but I'm about 70% less efficient that way.  To get geared up for NaNoWriMo, I read 2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love.  If, like me, you need to increase your productivity, I highly recommend reading the book if you get a chance.  The suggestions that struck me the most were outlining what you want to write and writing in a place away from distractions.  I'm not an outlining fan, but the author made sense when she said that if you know in advance what you are going to write, you're more focused and you'll write faster.  Writing distraction free seems obvious, but I really noticed how much more I got done writing in silence as opposed to writing while trying to keep up with Homeland or Elementary.  Some people can write with the television on, and I envy them.  However, if I have any hope of reaching 50K by November 30, the television has to stay off.


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Author Mia Catherine and Unexpected Consequences Excerpt

I'm happy to welcome my fellow Totally Bound author, Mia Catherine to my blog.  Not only has she agreed to answer a few One Last Time questions, she's also going to share an excerpt from her latest book Unexpected Consequences.


1.  Last person I kissed... My 8 year old son

2.  Last time I said "I love you"... At bedtime, to all three of my boys.

3.  Last celebrity crush... Jason Momoa....mmmmmmmm. Yummy!!!

4.  Last chore I did... Laundry - it's a constant.

5.  Last injury I sustained... Do the aches and pains of aging count?

6.  Last reality show I watched... Survivor. It's the one and only reality show I watch.

7.  Last time I cursed... In written word, daily. In real life, very rarely.





Blurb

Kelsey Braden has lived her life obeying the rules, but now that she’s back in her hometown of Brookfield after having accepted her dream job, she wants more. Stuck in her protective shell and desperately wanting a way out, she finally decides to be spontaneous and acts on impulse.
Nick Jensen has lived a life full of challenges and pain. An intimidating loner, his history of mistakes and bad choices have alienated those once close to him. Now that he finds himself working for the wrong people, he struggles with his current assignment – betraying his former best friend.
When Kelsey finds out the hot stranger she's fallen for is not only working for a well-known gangster, but that his target is her brother, she vows to cut him from her life. Unfortunately, the powerful men Nick is involved with have discovered the connection Kelsey has with both Nick and her brother, and decide to use her as an insurance policy. Nick has to find a way to save his new love, protect her brother, and prevent Kelsey from hating him, all while battling demons of his own.





Excerpt

     “Baby, first of all, you are no girl. You are a woman—a very beautiful, sexy woman. The fact that you don’t know that only adds to your appeal. I knew early on that you were more girl next door than you wanted me to know.” He lifted her chin with his finger when she attempted to look away. “But I also knew you were an adult and perfectly aware of what you were doing.”
     She sat a little straighter and he saw her confidence return. “You wanna know what I think, Kelsey? I don’t think you need to decide between wallflower and sex kitten. I think the real you is somewhere in between. You just need to find her.”
     “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
     “Okay. I’ve got an idea. Tell me something you’ve always wanted to do, but have never done.”
     “I did it last night.” She smiled widely before nipping her bottom lip between her teeth.
He groaned and gave her a sneer. Damn, she’s sexy. Control yourself, Jensen. “Come on, there must be something you’ve always wanted to do.”
     “Well, there is one thing… Oh, but I couldn’t.”
    “What? Tell me, come on.” He was anxious to see her really cut loose. There was an incredible freedom that came from letting yourself go, and she’d only experienced a small part of it. He wanted to see her come to life.
    “Okay, well, when we were growing up, my brothers always loved to play cops and robbers and use weapons—you know, typical boy stuff. But I was always terrified of guns. I swore one of them was going to shoot themselves or each other.”
     “They had real guns?”
   “No, BB guns.” She giggled. “Now they have real guns, but are trained in how to use them.”
    “So you’ve never shot a gun?” he asked, trying to forget that she’d just told him she has two overly protective brothers who own guns.
     “No, and I’ve always wondered what it would be like. I could never try it, though. I was always preaching to them the dangers. If they saw me with a gun…”
     Nick jumped up off the couch and grabbed his coat from the nearby chair. “Let’s go, baby.”
     “What? Where are we going?” She stood from the couch, but made no move towards the door.
     “To the gun range. I’m gonna teach you how to shoot.”
     “But, I can’t. What if someone sees me?”
     “We won’t go to a range in Brookfield. I got a place in mind.” He stepped beside her and pulled her body against his. “We’ll take my bike out there. Go for a ride first. You like riding on my bike, don’t you?”
     She smiled as he felt her body relax. “You know I do.”
    He leant down and gently brushed his lips against hers. “Good. Now grab your things and let’s go.”
     “Why not?” She grabbed a light jacket and headed for the door. “Let’s go.”





Purchase links:
Total E-Bound: http://bit.ly/16RdWTL
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/19RtbMM

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Gearing Up For NaNoWriMo

I'm sorry I've been so bad lately about keeping up to date with this blog.  Part of the reason is that I haven't had much news to report.  I've been busy working on a new story and co-authoring another story with Anais Morgan.  I'm excited about both projects and will report back when there's news about either one.

I've attempted to write a novel for NaNoWriMo for the last few years with varying degrees of success.  I'm going to try again this year, and have an idea for a novel, the plot, and characters in place.  But lately, I've been tinkering with the idea of instead of writing a novel for NaNoWriMo, I would write four or five short stories that would total 50,000 words.  I know the "No" in NaNoWriMo means novel, but what's the fun in being a writer if you can't rewrite the script once in a while and create your own rules?  Basically, I'm going to aim for writing 50,000 words this month.  Whether it results in multiple stories or one novel, I still don't know, but I hope I make it to the 50,000 word goal line regardless.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Difference Between Promoting and Bragging

For a few days last month, Chemistry With The Billionaire, hit the All Romance Ebooks bestseller list as well as Amazon's top 100 bestseller list.  Evernight Publishing was gracious enough to tweet the news, and of course, I'm thrilled by the success of the story.

However, I felt uncomfortable tweeting or emailing the news myself.  I know other authors do it, and I celebrate their success when I receive the emails or read the tweets, yet I can't bring myself to do it too.  I realize making the bestseller lists is a great marketing and promotional tool, but to me, it feels too much like bragging.  Yes, making the bestseller list is a great accomplishment, but I guess I'm scared if I send out a tweet or email touting the news, I might be jeopardizing my future success.  I'm superstitious enough to believe that if you get too happy or high on one success, the wheel of fortune might bypass you for more achievements.  Irrational, I know, but that's what keeps me from sending out self congratulatory emails and tweets.  I'm probably passing up some great promotional and marketing opportunities, but I suppose I need to get a little more comfortable with the idea of 'tooting my own horn' before I actually start doing it.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Chemistry With The Billionaire's First Review!

I know I've been slacking off on the blogging lately, and I promise promise promise to get back on track later this week.  But in the meantime, I want to share the first review (at least the first review that I know of) for Chemistry With The Billionaire by Rainbow Book Reviews.  The reviewer called it "short, sweet, hot, with just a little drama."


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Led By Desire cover revealed!

I'm thrilled to share the cover of my latest e-book, Lead By Desire, which will be available in pre-release in November from Total-E-Bound.



This is my first M/F story for Total-E-Bound and I love how the cover captures the emotion and passion contained in the story.  Thomas is an ambitious banker who goes to a club where his ex-girlfriend works and ends up clashing with waitress Karin.  Though they are polar opposites, the undeniable chemistry between them ends up proving to be too much for Thomas and Karin to resist.  I'll post an excerpt in a few weeks but for now, I hope you all enjoy the cover as much as I do.  :-)

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Author Anais Morgan guest post and Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now excerpt

I'm thrilled to welcome my fellow Evernight Publishing author, Anais Morgan, to Noelle Writes and even happier she's sharing an excerpt from her hot new book, Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now, which releases on Saturday, August 31.

Blurb:
When they finally find love, can it survive the scrutiny?

Vincent’s days at work are spent admiring a hot hunk of man flesh named Jason. Unfortunately, Jason is straight—or so Vincent believes. When Jason asks Vincent out to a sporting event, he confesses he’s interested, and Vince has no problem exploring these feelings with Jason. After a night of passion, they decide they’ve held back their true feelings for too long and want to try a committed relationship.

Just as things start to work for them, their boss finds out that they’re gay. He turns them in for on-the-clock PDA and tells their co-workers. Can Vincent and Jason’s relationship hold up against that kind of hatred?



Except:
A knock came on the door. I walked over and unlocked the deadbolt. Jason smiled as I opened it. He stepped on the threshold, his brows furrowing the way they always had at work. Something was bothering him.
“We good?” I asked.
He hesitated before answering. “Yeah. Can I talk to you about something?”
“Sure.” I stepped aside to allow him to come in farther. After closing the door, I asked, “What’s up?”
He waited a few seconds, concern warping his gaze. I began to worry.
Jason said, “Look, Vincent, I know you’re gay.”
My teeth chattered while my stomach dropped between my knees. How did he find out? I’d been so careful, always watching my back. My hands shook, my knees wanted to knock so I leaned on one foot, trying to play it cool. “How did … you … umm. Well you see—”
Jason held up his hands in defense. Smiling, he said, “Look, I’m not mad. Actually, I think you’re cute.” He paused. “I’ve always thought something was wrong with me. I love sex, but mostly anal. Women turn me on, but not the way men seem to. Maybe I’m bi? I don’t know. But I want to find out.”
And did I ever want to pull him to my side. I smiled at him, my hands quivering and whispered, “I’ll help you.”
Jason took a step closer. He wrapped his fingers in my hair and pulled me in for a kiss. At first he puckered, unsure of what to do. I led him, kissing his bottom lip gently. He molded his lips to mine, following my lead.
“Want me to help you figure that out?” I opened his mouth with my own, sliding my tongue in. He massaged mine back, licking and playing with it. My body, and my cock, reacted to his touch. I wanted to break away and hug him, maybe jump for joy. But no, I couldn’t. I didn’t want the kiss to end.
Jason let out a small moan and I wanted him even more. Fuck the game, we could do this all night. I slid my hand up to the back of his neck. His hair stood on end. What did this mean? Could he be turned on, too? Or was he mortified?
Jason pulled back, gazing into my eyes. His were wide. He hated it, I could tell. He didn’t want it.
“That was … weird,” he said.
“I’m sorry.”
He smirked. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”
My cock twitched with his words. Wow. “That did just happen, didn’t it?”

Like what you’ve read? Want to read more? I’m hosting a giveaway. I’ll be on 13 blogs over the Labor Day weekend to promote Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now. All you have to do is comment on any of the blogs. Want more chances to win? Visit all of the blogs and comment! The more you comment, the better your chances. It’s that simple.


Visit www.anaismorgan.blogspot.com for a complete list of the blogs and dates. And as always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy.
-Anais Morgan


Links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anais.morganluv
Evernight: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/