Are You Talkin' to Me? With Guest Blogger: Margaret West

Let's Talk about Dialogue Today with our Featured Book of The Month Author Margaret West!

Stay tuned for a chance to win a FREE book from Margaret!

Earlier this month, we met Margaret West during a fascinating Author Interview segment. If you didn't get a chance to check it out, click here to view.

Now, let's hear what she has to say about dialogue...


Writing Dialogue

If I could write a book on the amount of questions that I’ve been asked with regards to dialogue – it would be an epic!

Realistic dialogue doesn’t always come easily to everyone. But I can’t tell you how important it is. Dialogue advances a story and fleshes out the characters while providing a break from straight exposition. But, nothing pulls the reader out of a story faster than bad dialogue. It takes time to develop a good technique, but here’s a few guidelines I use that might help.

Listen to how people talk. Don’t become a stalker or anything, lol But eavesdrop and scribble down phrases you like. The right words can bring a character to life. Likewise, the wrong word/phrase can destroy the reader’s belief in the character.

For instance, it’s unlikely that a builder is going to use the word “goodness me” or that a solicitor would say “blimey." Dialogue should read like real speech. But, in saying that, real speech has words and sounds that would be distracting if included on a page. New writers sometimes think that including words like “uh” and “oh” makes their dialogue sound more realistic. The truth is, these kinds of extraneous words look unprofessional. Alfred Hitchcock once wrote that a good story was “life, with the dull parts taken out.” It’s good to keep this in mind.

Now comes the tricky part. Cut words and phrases out that don’t serve the conversation’s purpose. What I mean by that is, any dialogue should move the story forward while bringing your characters to life. If it doesn’t, cut it out altogether.

The mistake I noticed whilst I was an editor, was writers sometimes provide too much information at once through dialogue. It should never be obvious that you’re communicating information; otherwise you run the risk of info dumping. Give no character more than three uninterrupted sentences at once. You can trust the reader to remember details from earlier in the story. Make sure you break up dialogue with action, because physical details help to break up the words on the page.

Tag lines can be the bane of writers' lives to write and read. Don’t try too hard to vary them. Veering too much beyond “he said/she said” draws attention to the tags. Readers tend to skim over them anyway. If you write “interjected,” or “he sighed,” you’ve now drawn the reader out of the action you’re trying to create. If your dialogue is working, you won’t have to say any of these words in the tag line.

Most of all, the most important thing of all is to punctuate dialogue correctly. Nothing, to an editor/publisher/agent is more distracting than a writer who doesn’t know how to use punctuation. A polished MS is no good if it’s covered in punctuation errors.


A Note from the Book Boost: This is all excellent advice, Margaret. I'm sure all of us writers have made a few of these mistakes from time to time (I know I sure have--gulp). Thanks for sharing your pointers with us! How about an excerpt from your amazing book The Heart of a Warrior?

Excerpt:

“What’s making you frown so deeply,” Yuma asked, jolting Belinda from her thoughts.

Belinda propped herself up on an elbow and stared at him. He was a handsome man, even weathered by the sun, his skin still held a silky, smoothness that she never tired of staring at.

Dark eyes, framed in long silky lashes, stared thoughtfully back at her as he traced the line of her jaw with his finger. “You’re so beautiful, Ayiana.” He pulled her head towards him and gently touched his lips to her forehead. He laid feather light kisses on her neck and cheeks, which sent quivering sensations down her arms and thighs. The tips of her breasts tingled with anticipation as pinpoints of pleasure swirled, spread and compounded through every part of her body.

Yuma folded her into his arms and Belinda felt his desire instantly press against her, as he flipped her onto her back. His lips captured her mouth with a fervent urgency and hers parted, pulsing with the inflow of warm, sensual blood. When his warm hand cupped her breast through her nightshirt she almost wished he would tear it from her. She needed to feel his naked skin against hers.

Want more?

Click here to purchase your copy of The Heart of a Warrior TODAY!

Click here to watch the exciting trailer!

Click here to visit the author's Website!

Contest Time!

Want to win a FREE copy of Margaret's coffee break read, Two Faces One Life? Just visit Margaret's website to find the answer to this question...What are the names of the two main characters in this book?

We will draw a winner from all correct answers on FRIDAY and post the winner here on the blog in the Recent Winners box on the right hand side of the blog page. Good Luck!

Just Fitting In With Guest Blogger: CJ Ellisson

Does Your Book Fit the Romance Mold?

What happens if you don't follow the traditional romance guidelines when writing a book these days? What if there is not enough tangible relationship conflict within your story? What if your characters are happily married? What if you don't have a happily ever after ending? Does it even qualify as romance if the relationship is not the central focus?

I've been an avid reader for over three decades. I've read every genre and book classification out there, and yes, for a time in the 1980's I devoured anything remotely related to romance. But my tastes as a reader grew as I aged. In life, I found my own "hero" and we married.

I still enjoy reading the sex and relationship aspects inherent in many well-written romance stories, but they do not have to be the sole focus for me anymore. Taking an escape from my own hectic life, even briefly, was what I enjoyed most about books. To suspend reality for just a moment and be transported into the world my favorite authors had created was incredible.

The romance end of the book industry has, in my mind, been a trailblazer. From the old standards that required virgins and mandatory forced sex scenes where the heroine received no pleasure, to the modern day urban fantasies with strong protagonists who have a take-charge attitude and enjoy sex.

Does she solve crimes? Does she uncover a mystery and work to find the answer? Does she battle evil and help good to prevail? Does she somehow protect those she loves from danger? Or does she have lots of hot sex throughout the course of the loosely connected plot?

Hey, erotica is selling because sex sells. You can compare it to the male equivalent of the adult film industry. Yes, they have a small percentage of female customers, but primarily their target audience is men. Can't the same be said for romance books and most specifically the growing trend the romance industry has seen with erotica? I'm not sure if it's because our brains are wired differently or women have better imaginations, or maybe it's just that we don't like to look at silicone-filled barbies who barely look old enough to drink legally.

The romance industry as a whole has paid attention to the growing needs of its readership. It has listened to the readers and has encouraged all writers to follow their dreams and write the story within them. It has helped steampunk, space opera, erotica, urban fantasy and everything paranormal become the cutting edge of what is leading the industry in sales.

It's an interesting time we live in right now. Ebooks and new publishing models are changing the very course of the industry. It's exciting to see where things will go. Print will never die, at least not in our lives, but who knows what the future holds?

I've written a story that doesn't fit the traditional romance guidelines. It has hot sex, a loose mystery, intrigue, suspense and a funny relationship between a happily married couple-—where the wife is a powerful vampire. It's not your average story, but it's no Twilight either. It does not fit neatly into a category.

But the romance readers and writers have welcomed me anyway. And for that I'm eternally grateful. In the end it doesn't come down to labels and categories. It comes down to trying to tell a good story and hoping others will enjoy it as well. Don't despair if your book doesn't "fit". If you've done your job people will want to read it.

A Note from the Book Boost:

Meet the new and incredibly talented author, CJ Ellisson! Who has written a sexy romp into the paranormal wild side that will leave you panting for more. Trust me, because I've just finished reading the manuscript myself!

Want to know more about it? Want to pick up an ADVANCED bound proof of the novel? Keep reading on how to win it for yourself! Thank you for joining us today, CJ and I know that this book is going to be flying off the shelves for you in short order. Trust me on that.


Here's a little taste (pun intended) of Vampire Vacation by CJ Ellisson:

Meet Vivian. She’s a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sex, has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot—a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true.

Vivian knows the best performance requires perfect timing, but the powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body, convinced that he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests.

Juggling the increasingly outrageous demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn’t easy. Will their poking and prodding give them the answers they need, or will it uncover secrets that Vivian would kill to protect?

A Quick Excerpt for your feeding (I mean reading) pleasure:

I open the door to find a body at my feet. The rich smell of blood causes my canines to lengthen. Reaching out in the darkness, I flip on the switches. Light comes on across the room, illuminating the dead guy lying face down in front of me. The whole scene makes me wish I’d stayed in bed today, curled up next to my warm husband.

“Crap, look at the rug.”

Okay, out loud that sounds rather dispassionate. Whoever this poor stiff is, he’s dead. I’m the one left with a huge mess on my hands and guests arriving within the hour. Good thing I caught this before one of the maids did. Their screams from the last time were a devil to calm down.

Reaching out with my mind, I connect with my husband in a soft electrical tingle of sensation. Rafe?

There’s a dead guy in suite six. We’ve got to move fast before the next group arrives.
Rafe’s rugged face appears in my head. My extended consciousness lets me see the room around him as well as hear his thoughts. He’s leaning against the sink in our private kitchen, wearing a robe, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand.

Does it look like an accidental overfeeding? His mental voice sounds incredulous. We haven’t had one of those in years.

No, there’s way too much blood. Can you come up here and help me?
Sure, Dria. I’m fresh out of the shower—give me a couple minutes.
I step over the body and into the room, closing the door behind me with a soft snick of the catch. I’d rather not have the guests get a whiff of this mess. Some of them would probably think we did it on purpose for “ambience”. But others might not.

Walking over to the bench at the end of the bed, I sit then look around the suite. A king-size bed, neatly made, gleaming dark furniture and lush brocade fabrics greet me. Nothing but the corpse looks out of place. The stark white face turned toward me doesn’t look familiar. I’m sure he isn’t a mate of one of the vampire masters staying here; I make it a point to meet all of them when they arrive.

Examining his brown hair and twenty-something face, I don’t recognize him as a vampire servant either. Not many have come to stay with the current crop of undead we’ve got right now. Who else?

The blood arouses my basic vampire needs while confusing my train of thought. I concentrate, trying to clear my head. Think, dammit, think!

Could he be a companion? A lot of masters bring “food” with them. Being a full-service hotel we can provide all the needs of our guests, but some still insist on BYOB.

Want more CJ?

Visit her website here: http://www.cjellisson.com/

Or her Author blog here: http://cjellissondailygrind.blogspot.com/

Or one of her Group blogs here: http://writeintheshadows.com/

Contest Time!

To win a bound un-proofed ADVANCED copy of Vampire Vacation, just leave a question or comment for CJ! We'll draw the winner on Friday and post your name in the Recent Winners block on the right side of the blog. Good Luck!

Random Acts of Kindness & Guest Blogger: Brenda Novak

A Special Message from Kerri (@thebookboost):

Lately, I've been feeling the strain of every day life. Too many obligations plus too much stress equals too little time to enjoy and appreciate the best things in life. Those things are family and friends and taking a moment just to be thankful for your many blessings.

This morning I woke up feeling a bit down and disheartened about life in general and then I realized that I needed to do something just because I can. What do I mean by this?

Today, I'd like to hear from readers and authors and I'd like you to tell me something you want or need. It can be anything. From a prayer for someone to a critique of your work in progress to a free book. Just something that you want or need that would make your day a little bit better right now.

I'm going to choose 5 requests and do my best to make them come true. Today, I will pursue 5 random acts of kindness for those who simply ask! All I ask is that you spread the word to someone you know who might need some random kindness.

You can leave your comment here OR you can e-mail it to me privately at: thebookboost@gmail.com. TODAY ONLY, please! :-)


NOW...I'm honored and thrilled to announce that we have a special guest blogger today...the Bestselling Author Brenda Novak and she is one of my own personal heroes!

If you don't know by now, my 9 year old daughter Brooke suffers from Juvenile Diabetes (check her out on my homepage this month www.KerriNelson.com) as does Brenda's son.

Every year Brenda runs an amazing auction to help benefit research for a cure of this terrible disease. Let's hear what Brenda has to say about the auction which is hitting its mid-month stride right now. Then stay tuned below for details on my special auction for today only!

Take it away, Brenda!

SHOW TIME….

I’m SO excited! My 6th Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research began May 1st (at brendanovak.com). With over 2,200 fabulous items, many of which you can’t get anywhere else, it's going to be a blast.

I started this fundraiser in 2005 and have made it an annual event in an attempt to help my thirteen-year-old son (diagnosed at 5) and the many, many others who struggle with diabetes--like Kerri's daughter. The need is there. Anyone who lives with a diabetic will tell you about the constant fingertip pricks, the shots, the pump insertions, the danger that comes with blood sugars that are too high or too low or swinging wildly from one side to the other.

It’s almost impossible to avoid the fluctuations, no matter how hard you try. But you rarely hear about that, or about the tragic side affects. Diabetes affects every part of the body—the heart, the liver, the kidneys, the skin, the nerves, the eyes, everything. But...thanks to my many, many generous donors--and shoppers--we’re doing what we can to help!

Last year we managed to raise $280,000, which brings us to over three-quarters of a million so far. In 2010, we should break the $1 million mark! Judging by the increase in donations and web traffic, I think we’ll get there. Not only does the auction offer fabulous items like original paintings, handmade quilts, trips and stays and autographed books and baskets from Big Name authors, it offers fabulous opportunities for readers and writers. How would you like to have lunch with one of your favorite authors—authors like Barry Eisler, Diana Gabaldon, Linda Howard, Beverly Barton or Catherine Coulter?

Kerri Nelson, John Lescroart and Christine Feehan are offering you an opportunity to name a character in one of their novels. Jane Porter is donating a trip to Hawaii! Heather Graham has donated a trip to New Orleans, which includes her Writers For New Orleans Conference. Nora Roberts is offering a stay at her inn. And Anna DeStefano has put up a whole category of Coach purses.

For aspiring writers, we have more agent and editor evaluations and author critiques than ever before. There are too many items to list here, so hop over and check it out. For those of you who have never participated in an online auction, don’t worry--it’s easy. This auction runs just like E-Bay. You shop the entire month of May (there are also one-day auctions so be sure to check the schedule), bid on whatever you like and pay for what you win via credit card or Paypal when it’s all over, at which point it will be shipped to you (in most cases, the shipping is free).

The person who places the highest number of bids each week will be awarded a fabulous prize (the first week it's an iPad as well as an Advanced Reading Copy of my new book, WHITE HEAT, due out July 27th). There will also be lots of other prizes given away via random drawings. And we have something new this year for aspiring writers. It's a writing contest that will be judged by New York Times Bestselling Authors. The winner will receive a 6-month mentorship from me and guaranteed reads from my agent and editor.

One other thing I should mention. To help promote the auction, I’m currently holding a drawing for a fabulous Trip for two to Curacao. This trip includes airfare and hotel stay at the Hyatt Regency. To enter, visit brendanovak.com and click on the Contest link.

Here’s hoping I see you at the auction!

Note from Kerri (@theBookBoost): Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to stop by and share more details about this important auction with us! Everyone, please see the details below about how to access the auction AND if you are a YA writer or YA fan, I have a special one day auction today for my YA novel Surviving Truth! Don't miss it!

Here are the links:

To the auction homepage:
http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Home.taf

To my One Day only Auction Today:
http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=1786592

History is No Mystery With Guest Blogger: Maeve Alpin

Join Us Today to discuss the Steampunk Romance As Timeless As Stone by Maeve Alpin!


Enter to win a Steampunk Necklace! (ooh! aah!)

In a day dream I had, a missing head was placed back on the neck of a statue which then came to life. I thought now there’s the beginning of a story and As Timeless As Stone was born.

I love history and I often include historical figures in my work, As Timeless As Stone is no exception. The key secondary character is none other than the founder of Scientific Egyptology, Jean François Champollion, who is best known for his work on deciphering the Rosetta stone. He was also a loving father and husband and I included his wife Rosine Blanc and his daughter Zoraide as well. I am thrilled to bring them from the pages of history and place them in my story. Of course I love my handsome Parisian, Egyptologist hero and my ancient Egyptian priestess heroine even more. The purpose of this fun filled fantasy is to sweep you away from the cares and woes of the real world as you share Seshat and Ricard’s rousing adventure spanning Ancient Egypt to 1830’s Parris.

Here is the blurb for my first Steampunk Romance, As Timeless as Stone, which will be released TODAY May 17th:

Though society stands in their way, can love transcend time with the aid of robotics and ritual?

In peril for her life, the Priestess Seshat turns herself to stone in ancient Egypt. Centuries later, Ricard, a dashing nineteenth century Frenchman, repairs a broken statue and reads its incantation--unprepared for the gorgeous flesh and blood woman who steps forth.

Seshat is drawn to the brass robots Ricard creates and the glamour of the Victorian age, and most of all to Ricard himself. But the society of his day cannot accept a woman like her.

How far will Ricard go to secure her happiness? Is their love strong enough to transcend time itself?

And here's and Excerpt:

Ricard stepped back as his gaze devoured the entire woman, though stiff and lifeless. The stone looked like lush, sun-warmed skin. Her oval face was dark and delicate, with full, rosy lips. He admired her long lithe body, clad in a sheer, white, sleeveless dress, held up only by two delicate linen shoulder straps. He longed to roam his fingers and lips over her high perched breast and the thin waist which flared into curved hips and lithe thighs. Then, down to her pretty legs and her slender feet garbed in white papyrus sandals, of the station she depicted, an Egyptian priestess of the Middle Kingdom. He drank in her beauty, then he noticed the ornament lying in the valley between her breasts, a thick ankh of gold hung from a chain. His fingers absently tried to grab hold of the necklace but it was only part of the statue, no matter how real it seemed.

"What is this?" He looked at the plaque in the statue's stone hands, held beneath the ankh. The last hieroglyphic depicted the symbol for life, an ankh, held up to the woman's nose. Ricard read it silently, sounding it out, Nce xarp wt pwwne Ab etoot abrem... Toujo Abrem etoot pwwne ab... xarp wt au ai ankh qe, and translated it under his breath. "God Horus, as you turned my flesh to stone... God Horus, save me, make me whole...change my stone to flesh...give me the nose breath of life, once more."

The room vibrated and an unnatural wind swirled within. Ricard's hair stood on end, but he could not tear his eyes away from the statue. He grabbed the ankh, and this time it gave way, lifting from the statue's chest. The curiosity that drove him as a scientist, as an Egyptologist, caught hold and as strange as this all seemed, he felt he had come this far, he had to see it through. Laying the ankh against the statue's small nose, Ricard acted out the last hieroglyphic on the plaque.

He shuddered at the sound of a gush of breath. A flash of light struck inside the room. The shock knocked the breath out of him. The statue moved, but she wasn't stone anymore.

Jean François gasped and stepped back.

Ricard couldn't move. It's a living, breathing woman. He dropped the ankh and it fell against her chest, which now rose and fell with heaving breaths. Ricard managed to step back on shaky legs. He gaped at her, unable to think or speak.

Alive.

The priestess shrieked. Her brown eyes glowed with anger. "Come near me you Hyksos cobra, and you will die!" she warned in Old Egyptian.

Note from the Book Boost: Maeve, this sounds absolutely amazing. I'm going to have to pick up a copy of this myself. Thank you so much for joining us. Everyone, please find the contest details below and find out where you can pick up your copy TODAY!

Click here to buy your Copy!

Be Sure to Visit Maeve here!

And Now...CONTEST TIME!

To be eligible to win the gorgeous Steampunk necklace from Maeve, just leave a question or comment for her here. All winners will be selected on Friday and posted in the Recent Winners block on the right hand column of the blog! Good Luck!

Let's go Shopping! With Guest Blogger: Sandra Cox

***A Note from Kerri & the Book Boost: Last week's True Lies contest results will be announced Friday, May 21st here at the Blog. Thanks to all who participated!***

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

A KILLER SHOPPING SPREE?

Win A Copy of a Free Book from Sandra Cox TODAY ONLY!


I approach shopping the way some folks do hunting--which I'm not that in favor of by the way:) But like hunters for me its the thrill of the hunt. Unless my back is against the wall I never buy clothes if they aren't on sale. The kind term for one such as myself is 'power shopper'. But in actuality I'm a bit of a bottom feeder. I try not to buy until a big sign is posted on the rack that says '50-75% off last marked down price' and then I move in for the kill, err, swoop in for the sale.

Like the hunter, after my purchases are 'bagged' I proudly carry my sacks around the mall like trophies, swept along on a shopper's high.

For those of you who are new to this type of hunting a few words of caution and suggestions:

• There will always be sales. If you can't use it don't buy it.
• Buy at the end of the season. You will get your clothes at a fraction of the cost and will have a brand new wardrobe to pull out of the closet in about six months.
• Check the adds: Often time there's a 20% coupon that can be applied to the 50-75% clearance rack.
• Pace yourself. Don't get so caught up in the thrill of the hunt that you spend more than you normally would have. I allow myself X amount of dollars per month. When its gone its gone and I sit tight until the beginning of the next month when my allowance kicks in again.
  

Okay ladies, are you ready? Take your vitamins, do some stretching exercises and wear comfortable clothes, this could be all day event. Its time to shop!

CONTEST TIME:

Click the cover to pick up your copy TODAY!

For a chance to win a PDF copy of Sandra's book GROUNDED just leave a comment. The drawing will be held Sunday.

Want more Sandra?

Visit her website: www.sandracox1.com
Or her YA Blog: downtownya.blogspot.com
Or her Author Blog: sandracox.blogspot.com

Feeling Spacey? With Guest Blogger: K.M. Tolan

Space Opera, anyone?

Join us today as guest author K.M. Tolan discusses the science fiction genre!



Space Opera. Why did I end up writing in this secluded little niche? It is a fair question for me to ask myself as I wrap up a fourth book. From a marketing perspective, science fiction lags well behind romance and fantasy when it comes to e-books. Then you have the sub-genre of space opera – a little sister to those stories dealing with speculation and hardware.

I guess I fell in love with characters – the staple of space opera. I love putting characters into settings that do not yet exist, but are plausible just the same. Being a hopeless geek, I also love gadgets and the “Gee, what if?” stuff, but not to excess. No, don’t ask me to write out painfully detailed schematics of how this or that ship manages to cheat physics – just accept that it does. I may test your credibility, but not break it.

What interests me is that pre-teen girl staring through the window on the second deck of my ship. Her eyes are wide, the blue arc of a new world filling her vision. What is she thinking? What change will evoke the march of a child into young womanhood on a world where plants sing and the rain kills?

There you have it – the mix of a familiar coming of age theme with something quite different. Her name is Helen Cresly, by the way. Oh, she will be known as Hanya (She who sings back) when her parents finally find her after the crash. She won’t be their little Helen anymore. She also won’t be human...not quite. Hanya will still seek love, and an understanding of her place within an all but forgotten life. She will also hear the singing...and the beckoning.

This is space opera. If the images come to your mind as they have to mine, and you can see a young girl running through an alien forest trying to find herself, then you will understand why I write this stuff. The ideas are timeless, and they can be applied to settings of so infinite a variety as to defy one’s expectations of an outcome.

Writing about Helen will have to wait, though. I only thought her up a few moments ago.

A Note from the Book Boost: Thanks for joining us today at the Boost! I'm a fan of Sci-Fi and enjoyed reading about the genre today. Will you share some details with us about Rogue Dancer which I understand is the second in a series?

Here's an Excerpt from Rogue Dancer:

After a hot evening meal, she stood outside the fort watching an orange sun sink beneath waves of grass. In its place, the sky filled with the flowing purple majesty of the Curtain, the swirl of stars and gossamer filaments casting its own hues across the land. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing Kioranna so soon.”

“Didn’t think I would be out here at all,” Paleen added beside her. She rubbed her arms beneath a coat similar to Mikial’s. “Cold wind.”

“Not much to break it out here.”

The Ipper stared toward the darkening village. “Do they really hate us?”

“Care to go over and ask?”

Paleen shook her head. “I’m not going near them.”

“That’s part of why they hate us,” Mikial softly answered, her breath coming in steamy puffs.

“Our Taqurl ancestors fashioned them to be a slave race, and we still call them Servants to this day. They are fading out here, Paleen. Most of the babies they have will be Qurl, and end up given to the nearest Holding like I was. They hate us for that too.” She let out another long breath. “Your sect is actually withholding information. It’s about as unprecedented as my getting replaced.”

Paleen returned an undaunted scowl. “Mikial, when you shoot a dart, that’s it. Say what you want. Do what you want. It doesn’t matter because the dart’s going to go where you aim it. What if that weren’t true? What if you had to watch everything you said and did afterwards for fear you would miss that mark?” Paleen reached up and put a hand on Mikial’s shoulder, turning Mikial to face her. Her ear fans flicked in agitation, some of the fear crossing over to shake Mikial’s own fans and thoughts. “Mikial...my sect doesn’t dare even breathe right now.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

Paleen’s smile softened the worries. “Swimming beside you, silly. Like I always have and always will.”

“My sect wants me to kill this other Suria.”

Paleen nodded. “You will do what you have to, Mikial. It is as simple as that.”

Want More Tolan?

Visit Planet Tolan here!

Pick up a copy of Rogue Dancer: Click Here!

Ten Words Or Less with Guest Blogger: Kari Thomas

Today, author Kari Thomas discusses simplifying your plot and stay tuned for details on how to win a Free Book!

TEN WORDS?

You've got to be kidding!

One of the first things most Editors/Publishers will ask an author is to describe your book in Ten words or less. And if you're like me, you blink rapidly, swallow a gasp of dismay, and then try to make your fuddled, scared mind come up with just the right words at the drop of a hat. HA. Easier said than done! I can truthfully admit I've failed that test every time! So, after too many embarrassing moments like that, I finally came up with those dreaded "Ten Words or Less" for each of my books. Was I successful? You judge for me. Come on, I can take it...!

HUNTED MATE --- A Shapeshifter's debt stands in the way of true love.

HER HEART HIS SOUL --- An Angel Warrior must choose love or his soul's redemption.

SEDUCING THE HERO --- Trust and Seduction go hand in hand, turning into love.

TEMPTATION UNLEASHED --- Tempting the Beast releases a love that is beyond Magical.

PREY FOR THE WOLF --- A game of dangerous love surrounds the Wolf's Prey.

UNDER A SHIFTER'S MOON --- A Jaguar Shifter chooses life or death for his Truemate.

SPELL KISSED --- A witch and her hero fall into a parallel world. (Release forthcoming in July 2010)


After you read these, take a look at the Blurbs of each book. I'm currently holding a CONTEST where this sentence:

"Something wild this way comes..."

Appears somewhere in one of the Blurbs. Send me an Email at authorkari@yahoo.com and tell me which Book has it. I will choose a Winner at the end of May and the Prize will be a PDF copy of my latest Novella HOLD ONTO THE NIGHT (see info on my web book page at www.authorkari.com/books.html ). Thanks for stopping by!


A Note from the Book Boost: Thanks Kari for stopping by we enjoyed hosting your post! (That was 10 words!)

Before you go, tell us a little more about your newest book with that hot cover up there?

UNDER A SHIFTER'S MOON
THE WINNER OF THE BEST 2009 SHIFTERS BOOK AWARD!
Click here to purchase!
View the Trailer here: www.blacklyonpublishing.com/trailers.html

BLURB:


He was fated for another, but created to love her …


Decreed by Elders, alpha Jaguar Shifters Lyon Savage and his brother must decide Pride rule in a way not seen for centuries. Under a Shifter’s Moon, a mating can take place with a chosen human to produce a child, and the father of that child will become the one Alpha. Now Lyon must choose the love of his Truemate—or accept the decree to save his Pride and secure his future.


Strong and selfless, Kitlene is a rare woman whose blood, like her niece’s, carries something of the Shifter within its DNA. Willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of family, she offers herself to the Alpha Cat whose very presence pulls at her soul—and whose love brings with it a deadly complication.


EXCERPT:

She was facing the direction of the stairs so he could see her face clearly. His breath caught. She was incredibly beautiful; an oval face, softly pink-tinged complexion, cupid-bow mouth, small nose. Her long-lashed eyes were large and round. For some reason, her eyes made him instantly think of a Persian cat’s eyes. He grinned at the contradiction; he had the odd thought that her obvious spunk would keep her from being as sweet natured as the Persian breed. Even from his distance he could see the soft, dove-grey color.

They were the most fascinating eyes he’d ever seen on a woman. A man could easily—willingly drown in their mysterious, sultry depths. He could. He frowned at the disturbing thought. He let his gaze roam over her one more time before coming back to rest on her ethereal face. She wasn’t wearing makeup—or she was an expert at making it appear that way—and the look was as much innocence as it was sensual. The odd combination was fascinating and it intrigued him like nothing else had in a long time. He watched her gaze around the room. Her expression was neutral, but even from this distance he could see her eyes mirror her nervous thoughts. What would those expressive, lovely eyes reveal when her gaze first met his? He was suddenly anxious to find out. Lyon found his feet moving before he even had the actual thought. He bounded down the stairs, sending a glance toward the corner where Mason and Beau were talking to the coyote group. His body was tight, his muscles tense and ready to allow his jaguar self to emerge. But this time it wasn’t because of the anticipation of a fight.

No, his jaguar soul had sighted prey. His prey. His. That soul-felt confirmation only proved he was right. This woman was Ariel. Somehow his jaguar self already recognized her.

Whoa. That shocked him. Realization hit him like a hard, breath- stealing punch to the gut and then arrowed straight to his soul. He came to an abrupt standstill yards away from her. He inhaled roughly, taking her sweet, oddly familiar scent deep into him. His entire body immediately went into hard sensual overload. Stark, possessive instincts rose in him for the first time in his life. He’d never felt anything like it. His jaguar self pushed forward. Primal.

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