Terrific Tuesday: New Release: Matching Wits With Venus

We are so very happy to release Matching Wits With Venus to our library of books. Please check out Venus and add her to your TBR pile on your reader.

For centuries, Cupid has longed to be more than Venus’s arrow boy.  When he’s sent to eliminate “Happily Ever After by Amelia”, the matchmaking business threatening Venus’s status as the goddess of love, Cupid decides to steal Amelia’s methods and make his own matches.  While spying on Amelia, Cupid accidentally shoots himself with his magical arrow and falls in love with her.  But bereaved Amelia doesn’t believe in the existence of Roman gods, and she’s certainly not looking for romance.  She’s too busy perfecting the patented personality profile that’s made her Hollywood’s favorite matchmaker.

Disguising himself as a mortal financial advisor, Cupid manages to break through Amelia’s guarded exterior.  As their passion deepens so does Cupid’s guilt about deceiving Amelia.  Cupid’s interference with Amelia’s life causes her business to falter, leads to a sterile spring that threatens the animal kingdom and shatters the longstanding peace between the Roman and Greek gods.  With the fate of the natural and under worlds at stake, Cupid must decide whether to reveal his true identity and risk losing the chance to live happily ever after with Amelia.

Therese Gilardi – Release Questions – « Matching Wits With Venus »

1.       Do you have a playlist or special songs for different situations? Absolutely. I adore music and use it to set the mood and pace of my work, as well as to evoke different emotions. I listen to everything, from sweeping piano concertos to experimental indie music.

 2.       How many emails do you receive a day? Several hundred. I am not sure how or why, but I suspect it has something to do with being on the west coast – the rest of the world is already humming along at quite a clip by the time I’m sitting down at my desk.

3.       If this isn’t your first release how is it different than your first?  Well, I feel like every time my work appears in print I have a reason to celebrate! I have framed copies of my clips in my office and a picture of myself  and my daughter at a book signing as my screensaver.  I think I’ll feel the same sense of joy and gratitude when « Matching Wits With Venus » is released.

4.       If this is your first release what did you find surprising? Easy? Hard? I’ve had poetry, essays and short fiction in print since 2002. Since my work has appeared in magazines, literary journals, and anthologies, I was certain I knew a lot about editing.  However, this is my first novel. I’ve been surprised at how much formatting is required for a full-length book.

5.       Do you have a writing routine? I’m not a very organized person but I do have one rule: I must write every day. I just don’t feel like I’ve lived  a day if I haven’t put pen to paper. For years I’ve kept a tiny notepad with me at all times. And I always keep paper in my car. I write anywhere and everywhere.

6.       What is a typical day for you like? My weekday routine is dominated by the school run. After I return from the morning drop-off I walk one of my dogs while listening to the music I think will inspire me for my current work. First I write the rough equivalent of Julia Cameron’s « morning pages » (I know it’s cheating not to do them first thing, but come on, who can think without coffee), then I try to read through some of those e-mails that have found their way to my inbox. Next I usually work on my new novel.  However, I’m also working on a chapbook of poetry and a memoir of my years as a writer, wife, mother and ratatouille fan in Paris. That means there are times, especially when those Santa Ana winds are blowing, that I abandon fiction in favor of poetry or memoir. No matter what I’m working on, I always eat a proper lunch. I don’t understand this skipping meals stuff – to me constant access to the stove is one of the perks of the writing life.

7.       What does you family think about your writing career? I wish every writer could have a family like mine. My fabulous husband framed the cover of « Matching Wits With Venus » as a Valentine’s Day gift. My son gives me a lot of constructive ideas. My parents and in-laws have shared my success with their friends. But my daughter … she’s been my biggest fan and most loyal supporter, ever since she passed around my work for show and tell when she was in the third grade.

8.       Where do you hope to be in a year in your career? I would love to sell a screenplay. I would like to finish the dark mystery I’ve been working on for five years. I would also like to complete my contemporary romance, and write a YA. And of course the memoir and the chapbook ….

9.       How do you define success in your career? It may sound crazy, but I like to know I’ve been able to make someone laugh or cry. To me the reason we read and write is to connect. I have to admit, I do have a fantasy that one day one of my poems is nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

10.   Have you ever thought of giving up? If so what stopped you? I can’t imagine not writing, because it gives me such pleasure. That’s not to say that it’s not challenging at times. Yet I would never give up. After all, I’m a romance writer. I believe in « happily ever after ». 

 To find out more about more about Therese Gilardi click here. 

Character Monday: J F Jenkins and the Oceina Dragon Saga

Legend of the Oceina Dragon

Darien Oceina is the youngest son of the Great Dragon Lord of the Water. For years he's loved and cherished Tai Dawson from afar. Tai is a simple, ordinary girl who doesn't even know Darien exists. On his eighteenth birthday, he chooses her as his wife. But there’s one problem: She thinks his choice means she's going to be offered as a sacrifice to the Dragon Lord, but instead, she’s forced to move to his home, far away, to give up her life and be his bride.

When she first sees Darien after the ceremony, she doesn’t expect to feel anything but hatred toward him. The two are struggling with the complications of a new marriage when their nation is attacked by a rival dragon species. Together they learn to love one another while they struggle to stay one step ahead in a game where the prize is their survival.

"All about Dragons: An Interview with Darien Oceina"

J.F. Jenkins: Darien, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions from your fans! For those of you who don't know, Darien Oceina is one of the great water dragons. A couple of weeks ago, fans of "Legend of the Oceina Dragon" were given the opportunity to ask him some questions. Almost all of them were about the dragon species. So let's get started!

Do dragons shed their skin like lizards and snakes do?

Darien Oceina: We don't, but my kind also do not stay in our dragon form for long periods of time. I bet if I spent a significant time in my dragon form, I would start to shed it off. When I transform though, my dragon skin refreshes itself.

Is the Loch Ness Monster a dragon, or some other mythical creature you’re not related to?

DO: I don't know what the Loch Ness Monster is.  Sounds scary! I don't think I've ever seen a monster that isn't scary. I would say though, if it looks like a dragon, it probably is one.

Are baby dragons born knowing how to swim/fly/do whatever else dragons do, or do they have to learn how, like birds?

DO: They have to learn how. Some of it is instinct. My kind, being so in tune with the water, we go into the pool with the young ones and let them explore. They learn that they can breathe underwater and how to swim - even in the human form. Flying is harder to learn, especially since we don't become solid in our transformations until about five years old.

How big are your scales?

DO: About the size of a dinner plate. Keep in mind, I am small in size for my kind though. On average, they're about the size of 14" pizza. These are the big main scales of course. They vary in size, based on the location and function of the scale. Some are small and flexible. The big ones are for plating and protection.

How close can you get to a princess before you singe their hair off?

DO: My fire can project about thirty feet or so. I'm not sure if that answers your question or not? I guess it depends on if I'm breathing fire!

What are your weaknesses?

DO: Magically speaking, I'm weak against Earth magic. All of the dragons were created with balance in mind. Water is weak to Earth, Earth weak to Wind, Wind weak to Fire, and Fire weak to Water. Now if you mean me as a person, that's something different all together.

Do all dragons have magical abilities?

DO: Yes!  All the dragon species have an element, and their magic reflects said element. My spells all revolve around the water and life. There's a theory that we can combine our magics together even, but no one has tested this recently. It's kind of a myth. I'm certainly curious.

 

 

Wow Darien thanks so much for sharing all this info and thank you JF for allowing him to come visit. If you want to fine out more about the author JF Jenkins and Darien click on her name.

Feature Friday: Astraea Press Collaboration of a Short Story Continues...Part 3

Part 3 of the continuing short story collaboration of Astraea Press author is by J.F. Jenkins author of Legend of the Oceania Dragon.

Ellea walked towards the tall, thin man cooly. Confidence oozed from her as her shoes echoed on the floor. He didn't notice her until she sat next to him, and even then it was only a brief glance. She pulled out her badge, and then the picture of Mary Jo.

"Do you know this woman?" She asked.

The man studied the picture, slowly running a hand over his rough, unshaven, chin. "Psycho, yeah, I know her."

"I heard you two were involved. Is that true?"

"Yeah, we dated." He said cooly, and then took another drink from his beer. "It lasted a few months. I didn't like her too much, but she did some pretty kinky things if you know what I mean." The man glanced past Ellea and at Deuce.  His smirk widened when he watched the other man bristle slightly. "Yeah, you do know what I mean, don't you. I recognize you from all of the pictures she carried. You and the little brat she obsessed over."

Deuce's fists clenched at his side. Ellea reached a hand out to his arm, in an effort to calm him. Fighting wouldn't be productive.

"The boy is missing. Mister?" Ellea raised an eyebrow, hoping this man would offer up a name.

"Mister Eli Stover," he nodded at her. "He's missing you say? Too bad. I wouldn't put it past her to have taken him. I meant it when I said she's psycho."

"Do you know where she went Eli?"

"I haven't seen her since we broke up about a month ago." He downed the last of his beer, simultaneously waving the bartender over to fill him up again. "I may have had a brief encounter, but the details are getting a little fuzzy."

Ellea rolled her eyes.  "I'm guessing they'll be less fuzzy after I pick up your tab."

"It would help."

"Fine, now tell me what you know."

"When I met Mary Jo, she was pretty unstable." Eli explained, grabbing his newly filled mug. "She stopped taking her medication, so she was all kinds of a walking disaster. She just wanted to feel good. Who am I to deny her?"

Ellea nodded, but said nothing. What a pig.

"It felt good helping her out. She started to relax a lot more. Things were going good. I actually kind of like her when she's sane." He took another large gulp. "Then it went south. She found religion. Those were her words at least. In my opinion, she found a cult. They call themselves the Natural Assembly. They didn't sound bad at first. She told me how they preached peace and understanding, acceptance of all. They're in touch with nature and respect the Earth. Kind of hippy sounding, but to each their own right? Well, my opinion changed pretty fast."

"Why's that?"

"Because she killed my dog for one of their witchcraft rituals." He stated, his dark eyes meeting Ellea's. Their expression dead serious and filled with intensity. "Naturally, that was kind of a deal breaker. I dumped her so fast her head spun."

"What kind of ritual was this?" Deuce asked in disgust, beating Ellea to the punch.

Eli shrugged non-chalantly. "She said she stopped something bad from happening to the county - something big. Mary Jo was all kinds of honored because the leader had told her it was her responsibility to protect everyone. Only she could do it. She was to use it as practice for the bigger picture. She believes she's the chosen one. The one who will save the world."

Wow that's a great spin JF! To see what happens next come back next week for part 4. To find out more about JF and her books check it out here. 

Tremendous Thursday: It's a Double Header of New Releases

Well Astraea Press is on fire...no not like King of Leon's Sex Is On Fire! We are on fire with new releases. It's a double header so be sure to check out both novels Promise To Laura and Spartan Heart 2.

Writer Wednesday: Right Here Write Now...the words of Cheryl Grey

Right here, right now

“The times, they are a-changin,” Bob Dylan sang in his inimitable style back in 1964. (Never did like that song, personally.) While you could argue that perspective for just about any era, it’s particularly apropos for the publishing industry right here, right now.

The state of the industry

Epublishing is changing the game. In January 2011, ebooks outsold hardcovers industry-wide (not just through Amazon.com and yes, including university textbooks). That font of all things digital, Amazon, currently sells three times as many ebooks as hardcovers, a balance that’s likely to continue shifting and consume paperbacks, as well. And while everyone debates just when ebooks will comprise the biggest portion of the entire reading market, no one doubts that it will ultimately happen.

Publishing industry and bookstore profits are down and not merely because of the dawdling economic recovery. Paper printing costs aren’t likely to fall, which will continue eating into those profits, and Borders shot itself in the corporate foot by releasing control of their ebook commerce to Amazon just as the party got started, back in 2002. The big publishing houses, the so-called “Six Sisters,” are nervous and growing even more unwilling to take a chance on new authors, even those who have successfully wooed and won agents. Ironically, it seems both agents and editors are using digital self-publishing and epublishers as a proving ground, offering lucrative multibook deals to those authors who demonstrate they don’t need them.

So tell us some good news

But it’s not all doom and gloom (to exercise an embarrassing cliché). For writers the good news is, there’s a growing demand for their output. In particular, novelists who never stood a chance with the Six Sisters are seeing their work being snapped up by epublishing houses. This past week, at least four of my Facebook writer friends signed ebook contracts, most of them multibook arrangements. No, there’s no advance. But they’ll be earning more with their writing through epublishers, no matter how small the amount, than they’ve ever earned from New York.

Now here’s where it becomes seriously interesting. For decades, writers have been told to write the book, get it critiqued, rewrite it, and then polish it until it outshone a polyester suit. Everything had to be excellent—plot, characterization, story arc, pacing, tension, style, voice, and especially grammar—or the agent or editor would shoot back a form rejection. And all of these elements had to be demonstrated as excellent in the three sample chapters, bolstered by an equally riveting (and time consuming) hook, query, synopsis, and chapter outline.

“Wait a minute,” we said. “Not everyone is good at everything, much less excellent. We’re storytellers, not grammar Nazis. Isn’t that what editors are for?” Nevertheless, agents and editors expected, and accepted, nothing less.

That expected writerly balance, between the storyteller and the grammar Nazi, is something else that’s shifting in publishing. Right now.

Okay, here’s the good news

As my friends and I discovered to our delight, ebook publishers don’t expect excellence in all things because they haven’t forgotten the definition of the word “editor,” nor what the job entails. Nor have they forgotten that a writer’s first job is to tell a flat-out good story. Therefore, the balance between storytelling and grammar is something else that’s shifting within the publishing industry—back to where it should be. Epublishing editors are showing a willingness to accept manuscripts that aren’t grammatically or stylistically perfect, so long as the flame of a good story is there.

Does this mean you can haul out your convoluted NaNoWriMo attempt from ten years ago, send it to an epublisher, and expect a grateful acceptance? No world is that perfect. And writers should not be so unprofessional. Your submissions should still be finished manuscripts which have been through critique partners, proofreaders (even if it was your coworker’s nephew), and the entire polishing process. But when you do send it in, you’ll know it’s being judged on the story’s merits, not on your sense of pacing or ability to differentiate between their and they’re.

Nor does this mean all our problems are over. Instead, it presents epublishing writers with a series of entirely new problems—marketing the novel, creating a book trailer, building a web presence, attracting readers and reviewers, etc. But these problems were being shrugged off by the publishing houses onto their authors for years now, in any case, through the phenomenon known as “the incredible shrinking marketing budget.” This is merely addressing it before you land a New York publishing contract (which could follow) rather than afterward.

The other good news

For those writers who don’t want epublishing as their entire career, another option is to consider it an apprenticeship. It used to be that budding novelists signed on with publishers as pulp writers, churning out short (45,000 to 60,000 words), fun-to-read books sometimes as quickly as two per month. They learned the trade, they earned not a lot but some money, and many of them graduated to “real” novels, such as Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Upton Sinclair, and H.P. Lovecraft. Now writers can serve a similar earning-and-learning apprenticeship with epublishers. (Allow me to give a nod to Chris Stout, who first brought this parallel to my attention.)

With the news that Amanda Hocking has signed a four-book deal with St. Martin’s Press, this theory gains credibility. Remember, she couldn’t sell to the Six Sisters until she proved she could sell.

Thank you so very much Cheryl for imparting your experience and wisdom with us this Writer Wednesday. To find out more about Cheryl and her books click here.

Terrific Tuesday: Featuring New Release Dangerous To Know

Hello Everyone...Well today we have egg on our face. You may have seen a blog feature earlier talking about Matching Wits With Venus releasing today....It's next Tuesday. Oops.  So without further procrastination please checkout Dangerous To Know....

Character Monday: Caroline Davis White Talks Art, Men and Money.

Interview with Caroline Davis White from “Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights”

1.      If you could live in another time, when would that be? I’d live during the time of the French Impressionists and I’d live in France. Of course Mike wouldn’t be there, but perhaps I’d marry Claude Monet or Jean Renoir. It would be so romantic to be married to a terrific painter like that where we could spend our days painting together. *sighs*, so romantic! But we would probably be poor. Can you live on love and paint fumes? *laughs*.

2.      If you could relive something in your life, what would it be? My days with my mom. I didn’t realize how tough life was for her. When my dad died, it was hard for me, but she never recovered and never loved another man again. I think they had a great romance and when he died, something in her died, too. Life got difficult then, we never had enough money and it ate away at her. I never gave her enough credit for keeping things together for us and putting me first all the time.

When I discovered the portfolio of my work she kept, I realized she did value my art, my talent. But she was lonely for my dad and trying her best for me, so afraid of making the wrong decisions. I don’t think I made it any easier on her and I regret that. If I could go back, I’d be more respectful of her situation and what she was going through…and maybe a little more obedient.

3.      Why did you go to all those expensive charity dinners? Because mom was husband hunting for me. At first it was fun to dress up and be among so many rich and fancy people. Although mom was a good sewer, I knew my dress was homemade, even if no one else did. I felt like a fraud most of the time. Though when I look back, I realize we weren’t the only ones husband hunting at those things. I did it for mom, because my marrying a rich man would give her peace of mind.

4.      What kind of men did you meet there? I met some doozies! There were many attractive men there, of course, and some took an interest in me. There were also poor men looking for rich wives. When I went out with one of those, my mom sniffed him out and insisted I stop dating him. He was nice but I knew once he found out I was as poor as he was, he would be gone anyway, so I didn’t mind. I did go out with some attractive men but often all they wanted was sex. They knew they would end up marrying a girl from their own social circle if they didn’t want to be disinherited by daddy. I found them predictable and fighting off their advances all the time was annoying.

5.      What made you pick Brad? Brad was the smartest man I met at those dinners. He wasn’t the best looking but he had confidence and he liked me. Of course he was just as interested in getting me to bed as the others, but he showed an honest respect for my art. He wanted to see my paintings and sketches. He is knowledgeable about art and was very supportive.

Since I wasn’t getting support in that area from my mother, I guess I latched on to his in a big way. He wanted to be someone in the world of art but didn’t have the talent himself. So he decided to make me a celebrity. It worked and it was amazing for me. I’m sorry my mom or dad didn’t live to see my shows at the tony galleries in New York City and the auctions where my paintings sold well and for a lot of money. They would have been proud. It was Brad’s interest in my art that made me overlook his faults.

6.      Do you regret marrying Brad? That’s hard to say. Yes, he made me miserable by cheating on me for two years, but he also made me famous. At first, I loved living in his big house with tons of household help, but at the same time, I felt the lack of love so keenly. I missed the genuine love of a husband for his wife and it wasn’t long before the house felt more like a prison than a luxury. I wondered what it would be like to live in a house like his with a man who truly loved me. I’ll never know. The first two years with Brad were okay. Although I never loved him like I love Mike, *blushes* we had a pleasant life together.

7.      Why did you fall for Mike? Mike and I go back a long way. I know who he is inside. He’s a great guy who had a short detour in his life. It wreaked havoc on him but he recovered. I think he’s better than ever. Besides, he’s always been so incredibly nice to me, taking care of me, sort of, in a non-obnoxious way, if you know what I mean. Besides, he’s a real hunk, great…uh, well, that’s enough on that topic. *blushes*

8.      What about him attracted you to him when you were younger? Mike, or Mickey as he was known then was everybody’s hero. He was the one who rescued all the little kids who got into trouble. When I was cornered by a poisonous snake, my friend, Karen ran and got Mickey. He sneaked up behind the snake and chopped its head off with a shovel. That part was pretty disgusting, but I was glad to see it dead. He was always doing things like that.

When I was 13 and he was a dreamy 18 years old, my teenage hormones went into overdrive and he was…*blushes*, well, enough on this topic. You should speak to Karen if you want more detail. She’s more comfortable talking about Mickey than I am.

9.      Were you ever in love before Mike? If so, with whom? I dated Hank Collier in college. In fact he was my first…*blushes* well, never mind. Let’s just say we dated for two years, my last two years of college and I fell for him big time. Tall, blond, good-looking and smart. Hank wanted to be a lawyer and got into Yale Law School. He wanted to keep seeing me, wanted me to wait for him to graduate, but my mom convinced me not to. It would have been three years and she felt even with a degree from Yale Law School, he wouldn’t be as much of a sure thing as Brad.

She was sick, very sick, which I didn’t know at the time. I felt it was important to her and I trusted her judgment. Maybe I was wrong. Hank met another woman, an undergrad at Yale while he was there and married her. They have three children now and seem very happy. He and his wife live in Connecticut, so I used to see him for lunch from time to time when I was married to Brad.

I called Hank when I wanted to divorce Brad and he handled everything for me. He was so sweet, he hated Brad and took very good care of me. Am I sorry I didn’t end up with him? I used to think so, when I was so unhappy those last two years with Brad. Now I realize if I ended up with him, I wouldn’t be here with Mike. In a funny way, it’s all worked out well for me and I’m happier than I thought I could ever be. Who would have thought so a couple of years ago?

10.  Did you have a big wedding to Brad? His mother insisted on doing everything. We got married in his church with a huge reception at his country club. It was a massive wedding with 300 people there, 95% of which were their friends and relatives.  They were generous and paid for everything, including my dress which they had custom made at Vera Wang. Mom made herself the most elegant dress and looked terrific. My wedding day made her happier than I had seen her since my dad died. She was relieved I wouldn’t have to worry about anything. Or so she thought.

Her intentions were good, even if things didn’t work out so well. If she had sold that cabin and not left it to me in her will, with enough money to pay the maintenance on it for two years, then I would have been in trouble. That cabin saved my life, saved me from the worst decision I ever made…and brought Mike and me together.

So even though she was wrong about Brad, she gave me the cabin, opening the door for me to meet up with Mike again. I guess her love for me was guiding me after all. I know she would be so happy to see me where I am now…and so would dad. Mickey was like a son to them at The Birches. I miss them but have a wonderful life and so much to look forward toward to. I’m lucky, *smiles her dazzling smile*  I guess.

Wow Caroline thanks for visiting and sharing some much about your life. To find out more about Caroline and her creator Jean Joachim click here.