Leap Day

Today is Leap Day, an extra day given every four years.  I love this!  An extra 24 hours when anything could happen is truly a gift.

Leap Day is an opportunity to celebrate.  Enjoy!

The Antagonist

Recently, I read an article on writing protagonists and antagonists. I guess I believed all writers naturally would know this or they wouldn't be able to construct a well-written story, but it appears that the idea of the antagonist is confusing to some. This writer of this article claimed that George McFly was the antagonist to Marty McFly in the film Back To The Future. 

Antagonist comes from the Greek and means "opponent" or "competitor". The antagonist is whoever or whatever works against the protagonist, the main character. In Back To The Future, George McFly is a secondary character, made so by the antagonist, which is the past or Biff, depending on whether or not you require a physical being to be in the role of antagonist. In reality, it's the past that works against Marty more so than anything else. Biff is the personification of that past.

George McFly, in the person of Marty's father, is ruled by other characters' actions. Biff makes him a nothing in their 1950s world. And it's only because Marty goes back to the past and changes it that George McFly doesn't end up as a greasy-haired, peanut brittle eating for dinner, low man on the corporate totem pole. George is inconsequential and buffeted by the changes others put upon him, for good and for bad, so he couldn't be the antagonist. The mistake in thinking George is the antagonist comes from not seeing the action from the characters' perspectives and instead seeing it from the audience's perspective, which is omnipotent.  While it sounds nice to say that Marty does everything he can to change the past for his father, that's not true.  Marty acts as he does because it's who he naturally is.  That he changes the past and the future is a surprise to him, not a planned action.

This misunderstanding of who acts as the antagonist in Back To The Future is a good example of why I am often dubious of writers who claim they're very much about the "craft." The "craft" is bandied about online by published and unpublished writers all the time. They read books about it, write blog posts about how much they've learned from books, and then proceed to write a confusing or boring story because they took the wrong advice.

I learned about literary devices in undergraduate school as an English major, but I often find writers who haven't had any training at all and are relying on how-to books. While someone may find a nugget or two of information they can use, the real knowledge necessary to construct a well-written story is likely somewhere else. I guess it's natural for would-be authors to reach for a book to learn something. Sometimes, however, the book isn't enough. And sometimes it's written by someone who doesn't understand the idea any more than the apprentice writer does. 

There are some who argue that readers don't pay attention to the deep things like who's the antagonist, so it's not really important to the writer.  While readers may not analyze every story they read, they understand the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist and when it isn't done well, they know there's something missing in the story.  It's incumbent upon the writer to create an antagonist who is meaningful and can stir emotions in readers.  Without a solid antagonist, a story has little real conflict, and without that, the story's nothing. 

Erotic Romance vs Erotica Redux

I may have been hasty in my praise for the move to separate erotic romance and erotica at All Romance eBooks considering the move by Bookstrand to eliminate all indie pubbed erotica that didn't conform to the strict PayPal rules.  (For a full rundown of the issue, Selena Kitt does a nice job.)  What it seems like now is that all the third party sites are kowtowing to PayPal's idea of what's appropriate. 

Censorship is never a good thing, no matter what the ultimate justification given is.  While I don't read or write books that contain incest, pseudo-incest (stepfathers and uncles seem to be the favorite main characters here with barely legal young women), bestiality, or rape for titillation, I accept the fact that there is a market for it.  Don't believe me?  Visit the erotica section on Smashwords and Amazon and check out the titles.  Yeah, there's a market for it. 

So where's the line to be drawn?  I don't know, but for me, I always prefer to err on the side of liberty.  I may seem naive here, but is anyone forcing  people to read these stories?  At no point on my trips to Amazon, All Romance eBooks, or Bookstrand has any entity attempted to have me purchase anything that the powers that be claim crosses the line.  And what about certain epubs that seem to focus on this type of book?  (Always leery of the legal issues with my first publisher, I will leave the names out.)  Bookstrand seems to be making it seem like only indie pubbed authors were publishing the "inappropriate" works, but a quick look tells a different story.  Epubs have been dipping into this murky pool too.

But I don't care about those books or those publishers as much as I care about the idea that this is quickly becoming a case of censorship.  No, it's not a First Amendment rights issue because it's not the government behind it, but it's censorship, nonetheless.  We walk a very precarious line when we do this.  What's next?  Any sex that someone finds offensive?  I find badly written sex in romance offensive.  It makes me cringe when I have to read purple prose like "honeyed portal" and I want to throw my Kindle Fire at the wall.  Should books that contain it be censored?  (The answer is no.  They should just be written by better authors who've had good sex once or twice in their lives.)

The ironic thing is I remember the publisher of my first novel telling me readers would hate my main character because he killed his first wife in the heat of passion and was put away for it.  His behavior would offend them.  As she spoke to me on the phone explaining why I had to change him to be nicer (I didn't), I clicked through the publisher's website and read a number of blurbs containing the issues being ruled as offensive today and thought, "This is fine, but Varek killing someone and paying for it with his freedom isn't?"  I may never enjoy those types of books, but I wouldn't suggest they be eliminated.  All I asked was the same for my story.

Just as I didn't allow her to censor my book, I don't believe we should censor these books that are now upsetting people.  Unless we're talking about stories straight out of snuff porn, it's simply a matter of taste.  Just don't read them.  It's that simple. If the sex is not your flavor, then don't read it.  But making it next to impossible for writers to sell erotica that makes you uncomfortable is the first step down a road that will inevitably turn on those who want to censor because at some point, your idea of what's appropriate will fall out of favor.  It may not happen tomorrow or the next day, but it will.

First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.
--Martin Niemöller

Blood Avenged at Kindle Spice and Other Thoughts

Blood Avenged is featured at Kindle Spice today, with Vasilije in all his glory there.  He does spice up the place, doesn't he? ;)  And here's another goody with the delicious vampire:  the cover of his print book.  I love it!!  Talina has knocked that ball out of the park with this one, hasn't she? 

On other fronts, there seems to have been some dust up at a paranormal blog I love in the last day or so.  Unfortunately, an author disliked a review and voiced her opinion about it.  I certainly understand the frustration of a review that isn't complimentary, but that kind of opinion needs to stay with friends over a decent amount of alcohol.  I have days when I read a review of one of my books and think, "WTF?  Did this person even read the book?"  Basic errors about the plot or the main characters make me think they've skimmed, at best, and spelling and grammar errors in a review that criticizes my writing are infuriating, to say the least.  But the reviewer never knows what I think.  Only my friends and editor do, and after we've hashed out what we really think (usually over too much beer), it's done.  I don't go back to reviewers who I believe don't do a good job.  Period.  There's no bitching and arguing.  I just take them off the list. 

The author who had a problem at this site yesterday should consider this method over the one she's chosen.  Just my opinion.

I'm on a number of author loops and have seen a rise in the animosity toward reviewers in the past few months.  I think the proliferation of book review blogs is actually hurting the better bloggers because there are some who just put up a blog and think they can attack at will.  Authors are naturally lumping all the bloggers together, and the bad ones are affecting how authors see all bloggers.  It's too bad for the ones who are thoughtful and careful with what the write, but I see it happening more and more. 

Finally, I was at Dear Author's site the other day (about something with my first publisher) and saw a discussion about indie authors padding their Amazon reviews with those of friends, fellow writers, and even reviews written by themselves in fake names.  I know of one author in particular who does this routinely, in addition to the one discussed at Dear Author.  The reviews aren't from reviewers, bloggers, or strangers but fellow writers and the writer herself.  Always 5 stars, they gush about how wonderful the book is, but I have to wonder why she feels the need to do this?  If you're selling well, why act like this? 

Indies who cheat the system don't help themselves or the indie movement at all.  Cheating never pays off in the long run.  (I sound like I'm talking to my students, but it's true.)  What you know or don't know and what you're good at or aren't good at always comes to light in the end.  Cheating just puts that day off a bit, but it's always going to come.  And it makes people who are skeptical about indie publishing in the first place feel that their dislike of it is justified when they find out an indie has been gaming the system.  Bad joujou for those authors. 

I'm off to do the home school thing and then write later this afternoon.  The details about the other Sons have been worked into Blood Betrayed and the end is ready.  Hope everyone has a good one!

Erotic Romance vs Erotica

All Romance eBooks sent out an email yesterday telling authors that they're creating a new category of erotic romance.  I wholeheartedly cheer this on and hope Amazon sees this as a good step it should emulate.  The difference between erotic romance and erotica is big enough that there needs to be separate categories. 

For example, my novellas of the Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy are pretty steamy, especially compared to most of the historical offerings out there, but they're in no way erotica.  However, for a long time I classified them in the erotica category at Amazon because I was concerned they were a little too hot for the average romance reader, especially your typical historical romance reader, who seems to be a bit more conservative than paranormal or contemporary readers.  The problem with putting them in erotica is that they then must hang out with books with titles like Daddy's Little Whore and Doing My Stepbrother. (LOL  I've tried to use titles that I've never seen before, but these may be in existence for all I know. It's a wild crowd over there.)  Anyone who likes those titles wouldn't be satisfied with the story I insist on including, especially the history that makes its way into the stories.

I applaud All Romance eBooks' decision to differentiate between these two genres, and I encourage Amazon to do the same.  This is a decision that has nothing to do with segregating one genre or the other and everything to do with providing customers with clear distinctions so they can purchase items more effectively. 

Destiny Redeemed FREE at Amazon February 20 and 21!

Destiny Redeemed is coming to the end of its time in Amazon's KDP Select program, so today and tomorrow it will have its last free days.  Worldwide, readers can pick up a copy of one of my favorite books with one of my favorite heroes, Amon. For the blurb and excerpt, click HERE and follow the buy link to get your free copy today!

Winners!

I just realized I forgot to post who the winners were for the two giveaway hops I did last week. Doh!  Here are the lucky people who won:

JoAnna-signed paperback copy of The Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy and swag pack

Samantha-$10 Amazon Gift Card

Chris-signed paperback copy of Blood Avenged
Mara and Amber-Blood Avenged swag packs

Thanks to everyone who came by and don't forget to check out future hops for more books, swag, gift cards, and other prizes! 

Kindlegraph Made Even Easier and A Stop Over At Erotica For All

Kindlegraph has made getting an autograph on your favorite Kindle books even easier.  All you need to do to get a personal message from me on any of my books on your Kindle is click the widget on the top left sidebar. It will open a new page where you can request an autograph, and then the clever Kindlegraph people let me know of your request.  Easy peasy!

I'm over at the terrific Erotica For All with Lucy Felthouse today talking about the dark hero and why I adore him.  Stop over and say hi! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  I'm looking to possibly complete Blood Betrayed, so it could be an important weekend for me. Enjoy!

Midweek Ideas

How is everyone doing out there on this fine Wednesday?  It's a dreary day in the northeast, but February is half over, so spring is coming soon.  :)  I'm filled with all sorts of ideas this morning, so here goes.

My son is beginning to look into universities since he's in sophomore year and time's moving quickly.  He's thinking of majoring in the sciences, maybe engineering.  He's in pre-calc now and is enjoying it, but next year's physics will tell the tale.  If he does as well in that as he's doing in math, then maybe engineering would be a good choice. 

If it seems like I'm not overly excited, let me explain.  I see students every day who want to be engineers or nurses or lawyers who have none of the skills necessary to be such things and none of the ability needed to learn the skills.  This doesn't mean they're useless.  It just means they've been lied to for the first twelve years of their education. What they needed was an honest assessment of their skills and abilities, and what they got was "You're super!"  Unfortunately, by the time college rolls around, it's too late.  The time to learn the basics and find out if you have the skills for a particular profession is in the twelve years before me. 

I have tried to be honest with my son regarding his abilities.  That he scored in the high 600s on the SAT math section in eighth grade is great, but to be an engineer from a good school, that needs to bump up into the highest echelons.  And since I'm not paying for his college education until quite later, if ever, (actually, we have a deal--he graduates with higher than a 3.0 after 4 years of undergraduate work and I'll pay his student loans), he needs to plan for all contingencies and qualify for scholarships.  All this is a lot to think about for a 16 year old who prefers to skateboard and play guitar to impress the girls. 

Okay, now for something entirely different.  I fell in love with the show Spartacus a while back.  Let's be honest here.  I fell in love with the actor who played Spartacus, Andy Whitfield (who was, incidentally, an engineer before he went into modeling and acting).  He was taken from this world too young, and now they have a new Spartacus.  I want to like him.  I do.  But it's just not the same.  When Whitfield was Spartacus, I don't think I even noticed there were other men on that show. Well, that might exaggerating a tiny bit. ;)  LOL  Now, I don't even like the scenes with Spartacus.  They've given him that love interest, and I don't think I've seen cooler love scenes ever.  Not cool as in "Wow!" but cool as in "Do they even like each other?" or "Is there someone with a gun behind them?" 

I've even taken to liking the bad guy more.  A Roman!  He does have great arms, though. LOL  Seriously, in my mind, it's not as good with this Spartacus.  No offense to him, but it's not working for me.  Keep in mind that I've read that people are liking him.  I just don't. :(  I do have to admit that when Gannicus comes back on the scene, I may be back to liking the show, though. I'm keeping an open mind.

And just to keep the mind moving on this Wednesday, the ladies of Riverina Romantics have their XXX Hump Day Hotties post up, and if you're in need of some midweek inspiration, definitely check out their blog today.  If those fine men aren't enough to get you to Friday, I don't know what will. 

Have a great day!

Romance For The Ears and Soul

Fellow historical romance author Natasha Blackthorne blogged about her favorite romance song today, and this made me think what my fav romance songs are.  I have a few, so I thought I'd share them. They aren't necessarily sweet or sappy (I'm not either), but they speak to me when I think about what love is--powerful, sexy, thrilling, messy, sad, and something that can shake you to your core. If you've read my books, now you know why my characters are the way they are.

First up, the lady who brought down the house last night at the Grammys--Adele with Rolling In The Deep.  Throat surgery?  You'd never know.  Her voice is so incredible. I can still remember the first time I heard this song.  I thought, "Wow..." Then when she sang it last night, I was blown away. 





Since I'm of a certain age, Bad Company's Feel Like Makin' Love is definitely on the list.  I love how the music builds higher and higher as if the song mimics the movement of two people making love.  Good stuff!





Next is U2 and Mary J. Blige with One.  The original was great, but Mary takes this song into the stratosphere. 





And last, but certainly not least, there's I Will Always Love You from the late Whitney Houston.  I've never been a Kevin Costner fan (except for JFK), but I can watch this film over and over knowing I get to listen to this song.  R.I.P Whitney.

With Love Valentines Day Blog Hop

Welcome to the second giveaway hop I'm hosting for Valentine's Day.  As a romance author, it's the perfect time of year to show readers how much I love them, so thanks for stopping in! 

Here's what's up for grabs:  One $10 Amazon gift card will go to one winner and a second winner will get a signed paperback copy of The Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy and a swag pack of bookmarks and cover flats from all my books.

So what do you have to do?  The only mandatory entry is that you must leave a comment with your email address below, but I'd love it if you did the other entries.  The winners will be chosen by random.org after the giveaway ends at midnight on Valentine's Day and will be notified by email.  The giveaway is open internationally, so everyone's welcome to enter.

Be sure to visit all the wonderful blogs that are participating at http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/ and don't forget to stop over at the other giveaway hop I'm doing, the Vampires For Valentines Giveaway Hop where I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of Blood Avenged and two Blood Avenged swag packs! I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day full of love and romance (and great sex? ;) Good luck!

Vampires For Valentines Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Vampires for Valentines Giveaway Hop!  Thanks for stopping by!  If there's one kind of paranormal hero I love, it's vampires.  Bad ones, good ones, dark ones, and sexy ones, I love them all.  Naturally, then, I couldn't pass up a giveaway hop dedicated to them on the most romantic day of the year. 

I'm currently spending time with two delicious vampires from my Sons of Navarus series, Vasilije from Blood Avenged and Saint from Blood Betrayed.  Vasilije is earthy and hedonistic, reveling in the pleasures of the flesh, while Saint is darker and tortured, but no less interested in those pleasures Vasilije loves to indulge in. A quick look will show you that both males have what it takes in the pleasure department. ;)

So what's up for grabs in this celebration of vampires for Valentine's Day?  One winner will get a signed paperback copy of Blood Avenged, due out this month, and two winners will get Blood Avenged swag packs, including bookmarks from Blood Avenged, Blood Betrayed (the next book in the series due out in May), and Blood Spirit (the third book in the series due out this fall).  Plus there will be surprise swag included from my other books too. :)

The only mandatory entry is that you must leave your email address in a comment below, but I'd love it if you'd do the other entries.  And if you'd like, come find me on Facebook and follow here!  The more the merrier, right? The giveaway is open internationally, and the winners will be chosen by random.org after the giveaway closes at midnight on February 16.

Be sure to hop around to all the blogs entered, and good luck!

Two Great Reviews For Blood Avenged And Goodies For Readers

Yesterday was quite a day for reviews here.  Blood Avenged garnered two great ones.  Night Owl Reviews gave it 4.5 stars and said, "A very well written and emotionally exhaustive paranormal romance book! I loved it! I love finishing a book and thinking, "Wow, I've got no more left"! Bisset is rapidly climbing up in the world of PNR and is a definite must-watch-for writer! I can't wait for the next book in her new Sons of Navarus series!" 

And Just Erotic Romance Reviews gave it 5 stars and said, "When you put a great character like Vasilije in a beautifully written story like Blood Avenged you score an instant hit. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Bisset!"

Click on the links for the entire reviews.  They're much longer than what I include here, especially the NOR one.

Also, you may have noticed above this post the big pink graphic. To show my appreciation for the wonderful readers out there, my novella Love's Master will be on sale for $.99 February 11-18 at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For a little sample of the story, click on the graphic at the top of the post. 

Finally, don't forget the TWO Valentine's giveaway hops I'm doing.  The Vampires for Valentines Day giveaway begins Friday, and the With Love giveaway begins Saturday.  Don't miss them!  There will be swag, giftcards, and even paperback books to win, so make sure to come by!

Lower Price For My Paperback Books

Something has changed at Createspace that has allowed me to lower the price of both paperback versions of Destiny Redeemed and The Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy.  I'm thrilled because when I published them I'd wanted the price below $10 and couldn't do it because of Createspace's policies.  Well, now that's all changed! 

New today, Destiny Redeemed and The Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy are both now $9.99 at Createspace and should be priced the same at Amazon within a few days.  So if you're a fan of having the book in your hand when you read, you can find them at these locations.

Destiny Redeemed

Createspace
Amazon

The Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy

Createspace
Amazon







Thanks to all the readers who have asked if my books are in print.  While I love my Kindle, I still love the feel of a book in my hand like you do, and I'm so happy I can offer them for a lower price.  And look for Blood Avenged in paperback coming soon!

First Sneak Peek at Blood Betrayed

Over the weekend, amid all the hustle and bustle, I had to finally write the blurb for Blood Betrayed so it could appear on the bookmarks that are being made as I type this.  With just a few chapters left in the story, I guess it was time. 

It usually takes me a good long while to craft the blurb.  I've been trying to keep them under 100 words, and if you've ever had to encapsulate a novel in such a tight space, you know it's a chore sometimes.  I have to admit that the blurb for Saint's story came pretty easily, relatively speaking.  For once, he didn't give me a hard time. :)

So, here's the blurb for Blood Betrayed so you can have a sneak peek at the story.

I am everything forbidden.  I am vampire.

Haunted by betrayal, Saint hides in the human world, giving his heart to no one and finding the only solace from his past in the arms of human women. Now as the Archons begin their takeover of the vampire world, this Son of Navarus has been marked for death. 

Summoned to defeat the Archons by the world that shunned him, Saint must face his past and Solenne, the woman he loved and lost a century ago, for only in accepting her will his body and soul finally find salvation.

Look for Blood Betrayed this May. And if you love swag, watch for pics of the bookmarks for the first three books in the Sons of Navarus series later this week.  They're gorgeous!  Thank you to Talina for the stunning designs.

Hunky Hero Giveaway Hop Sign Ups

I wanted to give a shout out about the Hunky Hero Giveaway Hop sign ups going on right now over at Riverina Romantics.  The great bloggers over there are hosting their first giveaway hop April 16-22.  Here are the details:

All authors and book bloggers are welcome to sign up; however we do ask that you are followers of Riverina Romantics either by GFC or Facebook. We also ask that the giveaway is book related, either ebooks, paperbacks or even hunky hero swag. If you link up to this giveaway hop you are responsible for providing the prize(s), determining the winner(s) in a fair manner and for posting them to the winner(s).

So what are you waiting for?  Head on over and sign up!  I wonder if they're going to be showing hunks like they did a few Wednesdays ago during the XXX week?  Hmmmmm....one can only wish.  ;)  I know I'll be giving away my hunks, including some really great swag with those yummy men from my Sons of Navarus books, so look for that in April.

Have a great one!

Author Tracey Kitts Guest Post

I see no reason why Frankenstein can’t be sexy

Seriously. Why should Dracula and The Wolfman get to have all the fun? In Mary Shelley’s story, when Victor Frankenstein first looked at his creation he saw him as “beautiful.”

I’ve always thought he had the potential to be not only beautiful, but sexy. We already know he’s supposed to be tall and dark, the rest shouldn’t be a stretch. Ha. Ha.

I’d like everyone to know that my story Frank and The Werewolf Tamer has nothing to do with Mary Shelley’s version, or anyone else’s for that matter. This is my version of a classic creature, with a completely different background. The man in my story, Frank Eastwick isn’t your traditional sort of monster. To me, he isn’t a monster at all.

I can’t tell you all of his secrets in one post, or I’d give away the story. Maybe the best way to describe him is to share an excerpt. This is the first time the heroine of the story, Katherine, sees Frank.

Enjoy!

Frank and The Werewolf Tamer, excerpt:

It was late January and there was still a chill in the air, even in Florida. I’m not sure if it was the warmth coming from inside or fate that made me walk into the main arena that night. The air was filled with the scents of cotton candy and lots of liquor. Needless to say, Notte Oscura was for the twenty-one and over crowd.

I hadn’t taken in any of the attractions on my previous visits, so I had no idea what I was walking into, or why most of the women in the crowd reeked of sexual arousal. I heard the crackle of electricity, and then I saw him. He was well over six feet tall and stood directly in the center of the stage. He was stripped to the waist and though he man had many scars, they did not distract from his beauty. His head was down and mounds of long, black hair trailed over his chest. It looked like the beginning of a live S&M show. His arms were bound to what appeared to be enormous antennas, the way he was turned showed off the well sculpted muscles of his arms. It also revealed what looked like a completely metallic right elbow. He twitched slightly and lightning arched between the polls and from numerous other places around the stage. As the flashes of light and crackle of electricity came to a peak, he tossed back his hair and with a primal yell, broke free from his chains.

He smiled. The crowd went wild and in that instant, looking at that smile, I knew I was lost.

The lightning stopped and with a dramatic flair the tall man slipped into a cloak.

“My name is Frank, and I’ll be your host this evening. Welcome to Notte Oscura.”

The crowd cheered again and I took an involuntary step forward. Though he used his hair to cover the right side of his face, I could tell he had another scar there. I was trying to get a better look when someone pinched my ass. I can think of few things that piss me off more. I reached behind, using my superior speed to grab the pincher by the wrist. I was a bit surprised to feel fur, but that didn’t stop me. I twisted the arm with a violence born of the frustration of my night and locked his elbow in place, taking the werewolf to the floor with a pain-filled howl. This all happened just as Frank said, “Please allow me to introduce…” His words trailed off as the spotlight hit us. “Our new werewolf tamer!”

Frank began to clap and the crowd soon joined him.

“You’re hurting my arm,” the werewolf growled, though he was careful to keep his voice fairly low. Obviously, he didn’t want the crowd to hear.

“I should break it,” I said, pushing down harder to emphasize my words.

He yelped again, but I let him up. He ran onto the stage, snarling and growling on all-fours. With a gesture from Frank, I followed.

Purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Werewolf-Tamer-ebook/dp/B006PU2JBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325023363&sr=8-1

You can find out more about me and my other books at www.traceyhkitts.com

Grab life by the fangs!

Blood Betrayed So Far...

Thanks to a terrific schedule this semester, I've had far more time to devote to writing, which is fantastic.  If the work gods smile on me, I'll have even more time for the fall.  (More on that if it happens.  Keep fingers crossed.)  In addition to most nights, two days during the week I can devote to writing, and of course, all day Saturday is a given in that department.

Last night I wrote a scene between Vasilije and Saint, and I love how those two work off each other.  Vasilije is so smooth and almost smug at times with Saint.  There's almost a brother dynamic to their banter, and as easily as Vasilije's words come out of my pen, Saint's flow even nicer.  Smooth is great, but I love writing a smart ass.  :) 

In addition, I've enjoyed creating Saint's relationship with Solenne.  While my female leads are never tender flower types,  none have ever been as strong as Solenne.  I'm not a huge fan of super-tough heroines.  They tend to get in the way of what the hero needs to do.  I can't tell you how often I've wanted to throw a book across the room (or throw my Kindle across the room) because some female character is in the way of what the hero should be doing or adding to his problems by doing stupid things.  So I've been very careful to make Solenne the kind of strong that complements Saint instead of hindering him.

Following up Vasilije has been a real challenge for me, but I think readers will enjoy Saint's darkness in Blood Betrayed.  I do love me a tortured soul!  And I get to introduce more focal points in the vampire world I'm creating.  The Archons are far more involved in this story, and the prophecy the Sons need to figure out is beginning to be revealed to readers. 

I'm still looking at a May release for Blood Betrayed.  Depending on how the action flows now that things are coming together in the story, it may be an early May release, though.  Then it's on to Blood Spirit, which I'm still planning to release in the fall, but I might sneak in a summertime novella before I jump into the third book in the Sons series.  I'll have to see what I can fit in, but the trilogy of novellas I planned out a few months ago is still waiting. 

Keep checking back for more on Saint and Blood Betrayed. I'll be posting snippets in the upcoming months as things draw to the end. And, of course, I'll be sure to give readers a sneak peak of the sexy side of the book!