My bad

Things have been so crazy busy for me these past few months that I've let my blog slide. I really need to set up a schedule to get everything done and still have time to blog. My marketing career is taking over my author career and I need to separate the two. Anyone have any suggestions?

So, in the past few weeks I've had two releases. The last two books in my Darkness series are now available. Consuming the Darkness and Surviving the Darkness are now available at Breathless Press. www.breathlesspress.com

I've come to a conclusion recently, which if I follow through with it will mean upheaval in my life for the next God knows how long. I'm not an ebook author. Don't get me wrong, I am all for ebooks, its just that my writing style and length don't work for ebooks. For one, I'm a romance author. I don't write erotic or erotica novels. I'm more of a story teller with romantic aspects to the story than anything. Not that my books aren't hot. They are, but not erotic hot. I've had several people telling me lately that I should look at getting an agent and selling my stories to bigger publishers. So that is my goal. And it terrifies me. LOL

Right now I have nothing coming out but I am working on stuff. For one, I have my crit partner looking at a book I wrote a few years back called Spiritual Calling. It's somewhat of a sequel to Secrets of the Dean in that it is the daughter of the hero and heroine in Secrets. She, like her father, has the ability to communicate with the dead. Only problem is, they haunt her sleep as well as her waking hours. I've written three stories in the Spiritual series and each book is over 60,000 words. Definitely not a quick ebook read.

The other thing I'm working on is rewriting my Demon series. Again, there are three books in the series. For those who aren't familiar with it the series is about a generation of demons working for Satan and trying to find a way out of it. This has always been my favorite story (ssshhh don't tell my other novels) though I'm not entirely sure why. There has just been something about the book from the moment I dreamt it that has pulled at me. I subbed it to Linden Bay when I was with them but they turned it down due to the Satan aspect. I'm hoping someone will love it and want to publish it.

Aside from that, I've been busy working for Breathless Press, helping get them off the ground and promoting the heck out of them. If you've never heard of Breathless Press, go check them out. They're a great ebook publisher with some really wonderful authors. www.breathlesspress.com

Well, that's it for me for now. I promise I'll be back to talk more about myself and my life.
In the mean time, go check out Consuming the Darkness and Surviving the Darkness. www.breathlesspress.com

A new vibrator

Have you seen it? The new vibrator? It's all the rage now and every woman is dying to get it. The ads for this new vibrator states: "Be the first to feel the vibe." It even claims to have "Unprecedented elongation." "Moves with Unique Zig Zag." and the vibrating engine even goes to turbo. Hot damn! Now here are some reviews.

"I just received this product in the mail today and couldn't wait to try it. I love it. Would make a great stocking stuffer for Christmas." Rosemary

"This is definitely on my Top 10 list!!!" absolute_ly-flawless

"I have lusted over the pricier versions. The pulsing adds to the effect and adds some novelty, too! I would definitely get the Very Black next time." ekmurray.

With reviews like this, what woman could resist running right out and buying it. Except...it's Mascara. I kid you not! Disappointed? I know I was at first, but then I couldn’t stop laughing. Maybelline has come up with The New Pulse Vibrating Mascara. WTF?

Seriously, would you use a vibrator on your eyes? "It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye." LOL

I know of much better places to use a vibrating wand. Oh hey, now I get it! This is just a ruse which allows women to carry a vibrator in their purse without drawing attention to herself. Seriously, picture this. A woman is at the grocery store, she's at the cash register rifling through her purse for her wallet and out falls her vibrator. OMG! How embarrassing! Now everyone knows her little secret. Now picture this little scene.

A woman is at the cash register, rifling through her purse for her wallet and out falls her mascara. Big deal, it's mascara. What's the big deal? She picks it up with a snicker and gently lays it back in her purse. Her little secret is still safe.

How brilliant!! Women unite! Now even the shyest woman can use a vibrator without feeling awkward. It's only mascara after all. And let's not stop there. What about the vibrating shavers? Seriously, why were those invented if not for self gratification without embarrassment.

"Mom, what is that rrrring noise?"
"It's just my razor sweetie. Mommies shaving her legs." snicker snicker.

Now the same thing can be said for the mascara.

"Mom, what is the rring noise?"
"It's just my mascara sweetie." snicker snicker.

I wonder if Maybelline will come up with "accessories" for the brush. Maybe a water tight liner to slip over your "Mascara tube" to ensure that it doesn't "leak" all over your purse if it gets hot or breaks. Or rather, Once you're finished "using it" you can remove the liner and toss it in the trash and no one will ever know the difference.

This is the greatest invention since...well...the vibrator. LOL

Check out the Pulse Mascara here. http://www.maybellinenewyork.ca/caeng/whats_new/l190l2879.htm

What Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett meant to me.

When I heard that Farrah had passed on this morning, I was saddened. I knew she was dealing with cancer and that her battle was nearing it's end but it saddened me to hear such a beauty was gone. Then I heard about Michale Jackson had passed away and I was shocked! How can this be? As far as I knew, he wasn't ill. Sure, I knew he wasn't well, hadn't been well for a while but he was planning a comeback tour. And now he's gone.

Two people who I grew up idolizing are gone.

Let's begin with Farrah Fawcett and how she affected my life. Charlies Angels.

Three women who were in charge of their own lives, in a world predominantly male oriented, they showed women they could be empowered. And who didn't love and want the Farrah hair? I know I did. I worked hard to get my hair to feather back like hers.

Even to this day I wear my hair similar to hers. I know, time to move on but still... Some things are hard to give up. But hair aside, I envied her for another reason. She was married to the six million dollar man. Come on, Lee Majors. Yummmyyyyyyy!!! I used to pretend to be Farrah on Charlies Angels. There was just something about her that I felt empowered by. Maybe because I was blond that I felt closer to her than the other Angels. In any case. She was a wonderful woman and she had a hard battle. I'm sad to see her go, but I'm glad her pain is over. Rest in peace Angel.

Michael Jackson. He was such an icon to everyone. Who doesn't know a Michael Jackson song? Well, maybe infants now but most know him for his music and yes, his wackiness. His music is what I remember and will always remember. When I hear Beat It, I know what I was doing when that song originally played on the radio. I was in my bedroom, small portable radio blasting the song while I danced to the beat. Pretty Young Thing reminds me of when I met my husband. Thriller reminds me of my father. My dad was never listened to rock music, well, rarely. When the video for Thriller came out, I knew I wouldn't be able to see it because my dad wouldn't let me. I was utterly thrilled when I walked into the room and found him watching it. My dad is gone now, and hearing of Micheal's death reminded me of my dad. Another memory I have of my dad is driving me to one of my chiro appointments and listening to Rock With You on the radio before my dad changed the channel. I used to dance to his music and okay, I'll admit it, I still do.

Micheal's music is phenomenal and will always remain phenomenal. I have several of his albums and tomorrow, I plan on listening to them all. He was suck a talented artist who inspired so many artists today. Despite his weirdness at times, the allegations of child sexual assault he was an incredible artist and will be deeply missed. I can;t believe he's gone.

Show the angels how to dance, Michael. You have a whole new audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Are you afraid of the Dark?

Come on by The Fantasy Pages and read all about my addiction. You won't want to miss this. Two lucky commenters will win a Darkness T-Shirt or a Tote bag. Plus...I reveal the NEW Darkness covers. They are to die for. :)

http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com/2009/06/afraid-of-dark.html

Featured author

I'm the featured author on Ann Lory's June Newsletter. Check it out!

Featured Author: Shiela Stewart

AL: Thank you so much Shiela for participating in my newsletter.

SS: Thank you very much, Ann, for including me in your wonderful Newsletter.

AL: Tell us about your Darkness Series? It’s set in the future and all sorts of things
are going down.

SS: The Darkness series is set in 2025, the not so distant future and for the most part,
things are relatively the same as they are now, except for a few minor details.
Technology is a little more advanced in that some things are more computerized. Originally when I wrote the first book, it dealt with the eclipse of the sun and the story evolved around it. After a few rewrites, I changed a few things, but the eclipse is still the catalyst to bringing the once evil king of all vampires back from his con­finement in the Realm of Dark Mystics by sacrificing five virginal girls during the eclipse. Trinity Ford and her once lover, Basil Hawthorne, want to stop it. What ensues in the following books is the desperation from these two to bring back the sunlight that was cloaked during the ritual, and protect the city they call home. Of course, love blossoms even in the darkest times and in each of the eight books, a relationship blooms and has a pivotal part in the stories.

Penetrating the Darkness is my current release and is the sixth book in the Darkness series.

Here is a glimpse:

Felicity Hawthorne is finally waking up—literally. Everything about her sheltered life in the Land of Mystics has been a lie, including the whopper that her natural mother is evil. Determined to find the truth, she breaks free…and touches down in the middle of stark, cold Jacob’s Cove, surrounded by a pack of bloodthirsty de­mons.

Dusty Ryder didn’t ask to be turned into a vampire. Even now, on the brink of his unwilling initiation, he is looking for a way out. A reprieve comes in the form of a dark-haired goddess whose beauty drives him to rescue her from his new “family”. Except she’s not quite as helpless as she looks.
As they embark on a journey of self-discovery, they uncover more secrets that bring Felicity face to face with her forgotten past—and make Dusty wonder if he’s gotten in over his head. But it’s too late. Now that he’s had her in his arms, he can’t bring himself to let her go.
Until Chaos rains down on them, threatening to end it all.

AL: Do you have any new or upcoming releases you’d like to fill us in on?

SS: There are going to be quite a few changes for me and my books in the
coming months including a new publisher, new covers and new release
dates. But the Darkness series will still be released in the order they were
written with Consuming the Darkness: A New Beginning, following shortly
after Penetrating the Darkness this summer. So stay tuned.

AL: When did you know you had to be a writer?

SS: Gosh, I’ve always written in one form or another. Even as a child I
would write tales or tell my cousins elaborate stories. I loved to fantasize.
It has always been a part of me. But it wasn’t until after one particularly
bizarre nightmare that the need to “write” became so gripping I was
compelled to do it. A lot of my stories come from my nightmares. After
putting it to paper, my husband read it and insisted I start looking for a
publisher. I laughed it off, thinking there was no way I was good enough
to be a published author. With his persistence, I began looking into
publishers and after several rejections, I was finally accepted. And here I
am now, and author with nine books published and contracts for four more.
Not bad I guess, for a woman who was nicknamed “The Dreamer” in
school. LOL

AL: Who inspired you to follow your dream of writing?

SS: My husband has always been a huge supporter of mine. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t be talking with you today. If there is one author that I would say inspired me to write it would be Nora Roberts. After reading one of her books for the very first time I decided this is what I wanted. I wanted others to read my stories.

AL: Who are some of your favorite authors?

SS: As I stated above, Nora Roberts is definitely on the top of my list. Her Alter ego, J.D. Robb would be sec­ond. I also love J.R. Wards Brotherhood series.
I’m a big paranormal nut and I love a good, seat gripping suspense.

AL: Do you have a favorite sport, &/or team that you follow?

SS: I’m not a big sports nut, but I do enjoy watching my hubby and sons play
occer. One of my sons was also in wrestling and though I tried to be a
supportive mom and watch a few of his matches, I did it with tense muscles
and held breath. I’ve seen plenty of boys come out of it with concussions and
broken bones. Thankfully the only wound my son incurred was a dislocated
finger and some bruises.

AL: What favorite movie; or T.V. show makes you hunker down on the sofa
and settle in for the night?

SS: Wow, there are several actually. Monday nights are my big, TV night. I
love Heroes, How I met your Mother, Bones, Eleventh Hour, CSI Vegas. But
my all time favorite show right now would have to be The Tudors. I’m a big
fan of the royal Tudor family and can’t get enough of their stories.

AL: If you had to write yourself as a heroine, what kind of heroine would
you be? What would you be named?

SS: Oh wow….now you have me thinking. I would be a no holds barred
kick ass type of heroine. Much like the Heroine, Trinity, in Seducing the
Darkness. I was once given the nickname of McNasty by some friends
because of my writing style and….bluntness shall we say. I guess it’s as
good a name as any.

AL: Now that we know what kind of heroine you would be, who is your
hero?

SS: My husband. I know, corny but it’s true. He never lets anything stand in
the way of what he wants. He worked his way from the bottom to the top
and even during some serious hard times he has risen above. He has a kind
heart, generous and is always there to lend a hand. And he puts up with me.
See…that’s why he’s my hero.

AL: Please share a favorite quote, or any quote that means the most to you.

SS: “It’s a dog eat dog world and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.” A line from the eighties TV series, Cheers quoted from Norm. Anyone ever watch it? I loved that show and Norm was so right. I feel that way sometimes. I guess every wife and mother does at some times. Hell, who doesn’t feel that way sometimes. :)

AL: Thank you so much Shiela for sharing with us this month.

SS: Thank you Ann for giving me this opportunity to share a bit of myself and my work with your readers.

Check out Ann Lory's Website to sign up for her Newsletter.

Ann Lory
Website: www.annlory.com
Blog: www.annlory.blogspot.com

New things in the works

Good day one and all.

There are some major changes going on with me and my books in the next few months that I would like to inform you all of. First off, let me just say just how much I appreciate each and every one of my fans. Without you, my books would go know where.

Now on to the news.

Back in January, the authors of Linden Bay Romance were notified that the ownership was changing and that Samhain Publishing would be taking over. We were assured that things would remain as they had been with the previous owners. For the most part, things moved forward much as it had before the buyout. Three weeks ago, LB authors were informed that the LB line would be discontinuing as of December 2009 meaning there would no longer be a Linden Bay Romance. Samhain editors would go through all the LB authors books to see which ones Samhain would want to take over to their publishing company, meaning not every author would be invited to join them.

I saw this as an opportunity to move forward and so I contacted SP and asked for my rights back to all of my books. I was granted the rights back and now have a new publisher for all of my books, new and old. Absolute XPress publishing, a division from Hades Publishing and Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy has taken over all of my work plus, publishing new works. As of August 1st, my books will take on a major change. Not only will the covers be different, but the content on some will change as well.
Kidnapped, my first book published will be altered back to its original state. Secrets of the Dead will have some changes as well. Several of my Darkness books will have added content.

Why you may ask?

When I submitted Kidnapped to LB it had to be cut down on word count to fit their criteria. So half of the book was cut out. I’ve always regretted that but sacrifices have to be made when wanting to move forward. The reviews I received for Kidnapped always had one similar aspect. The book seemed rushed and things happened too quickly. So that is one of the reasons I’m going to submit the old version. Secrets of the Dead had to be cut back as well. AXP’s criteria is different in that they call for a higher word count. So that is why some of my books will have new content. The overall theme of the book will remain, with some added sections.

Along with added content, the book covers will change as per copyright and licensing agreements. But trust me, the new covers are to die for. J I am very pleased so far with the covers I’ve received. The Darkness series covers are incredible and I can’t wait to showcase them.

There may be some delay in the ability to purchase my books from now until August 1st but I hope all of you will bear with me and be patient. Samhain/LB have already begun taking my books off of the selling lists such as Amazon, fictionwise, My Books and More and the Linden Bay site. It will take several months for them to all be taken down but I wanted to warn you that if you’re looking to purchase one of my books and can’t find it, this is why.

Beginning August 1st, my books will be rereleased with AXP with new covers and content in a month to month or every other month basis. Two books will be released at a time each month to get the ball rolling. Plus…I have a new release coming in August with AXP titled, Until Death Do Us Part. It’s not my usual paranormal romance but instead it’s a romantic suspense. If you enjoyed Escape in Passion and Mercy in Passion then you will love Until Death Do Us Part. I don’t have a cover to share with you all just yet but when I do you can be sure I’ll be posting it. I’ll share a blurb at the end of this letter.

On a personal note. I’m sure you’ve noticed the scarce posting on my blog these past few months, as well as few Newsletters. This has been a tough nine months for me and my family in the wake of my father’s sudden death in August. I’ve also been struggling with some health problems along with dealing with my eldest son’s Bipolar disorder. I appreciate all the patience you have given me and I promise in the next few months you’ll be hearing more from me.

I’m looking forward to the future and not to worry, I’ll be producing new works very soon.

Now, for a look into Until Death Do Us Part (This is an unedited draft and may not be the final blurb)

Blurb:

Beautiful, wealthy, a luxurious home and a handsome and devoted husband, Victoria Brentwood has it all. Until a sudden explosion takes the life of the man she loves. Alone and grieving Victoria knows she has to go on for her unborn child’s sake and the multi-million dollar hotel empire her husband left her.

Struggling to raise her daughter and make it alone, Victoria continues with life haunted by one question. Who killed her husband? Victoria begins to rebuild her life and has it all turned around when her dead husband, Christian, walks back into her life.

Under the Witness Relocation Program, Christian has spent the past year and a half of his life in hiding while the police search for the man who wants him dead. When he’s told to come out of hiding to lure the killer out, Christian has no idea what’s in store for him. Upon his return he is faced with a wife who refuses to take him back and a child he knows nothing of. Wanting both back in his life, Christian expects Victoria to take him back. She on the other hand, isn’t quite so ready.

With a killer on their trail, will they be able to mend the broken fence that is their marriage before it’s too late?

Please vote for me

My book, Embracing the Darkness has been reviewed by Whipped Cream reviews and they gave it 5 Cherries. 5! I am so thrilled. And on top of the glowing review, I’m up for Best Book of the week as well.

So if you have a moment this weekend, please go vote for Embracing the Darkness. I would really appreciate it. The poll is only open today and tomorrow.

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/recentrev.htm

Thank you so much!

Here is a little snippit of the review.

If you want a sexy story with a gut-wrenching twist and intelligent characters you won’t forget, then Embracing the Darkness is the novel for you. I highly recommend this read for the keeper shelf and give it 5 cherries. Kudos!