Summer Cleaning

"No person who can read is ever successful at cleaning out an attic." ~Ann Landers

Since it rained all day yesterday (and is supposed to continue today), I tackled one of the biggies on my summer vacation to-do list: sorting through and cleaning the basement. It's interesting how things get piled up down there. Am I the only one, or does it happen to you, too? (We don't have much of an attic, so anything that gets stored in our house heads for the basement). A box of things here, a spare chair/table/humidifier there, and the next thing I know, there's an entire jungle of things down there that have created a mini-world all their own.

So after I vacuumed and dusted (never a fun thing...I swear I came across a dust bunny the size of a small child), I sorted - and sorted. Amazing what I found. Among the more interesting things in the three piles I finally established:

To Throw Away
*Notebooks from college classes with copious scribblings about things like "the structural analysis of readership" and "the economic exchange similarities of books and brothels" (true - I even wrote a paper on that subject)
*Random baseball hats from vendors that my husband accumulated (Note: he does not ever wear baseball hats)
*Old candles that used to smell like "birthday cake" and "peppermint" but now just smell


To Sell at a Yard Sale/on Ebay/on Craigslist
*A baby gate (originally used to keep our cats out of our bedroom...yeah, right)
*Slipcovers
*Dollhouse furniture

To Bring Upstairs and Find a Home For
*Gorgeous drapes from our previous home that I completely forgot we had
*My grandmother's china
*Books from my YA reading stage (books! - how could I forget they were down there??)

Hmm...reading over this post, it looks as though I'm a bit of a packrat who collects and forgets. Really, I promise, everything's very well-contained down there...I just have a hard time getting rid of things, apparently. What about you? Packrat? Super-organized? Or can you get rid of things with no problem?

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Dayana Knight

Welcome to another Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with author Dayana Knight, who has an exciting release coming up soon. Enjoy!

Thanks for being here today, Dayana. Can you tell us a little about your background?

Hmmm...I was born and raised a South Jersey girl. I loved the summers and trips to the seashore so it only made sense that I picked up and moved in my early twenties to South Florida. I picked up a pen early on and never really put it down. I enjoyed classes in creative writing and journalism in junior and senior high school. I published a poem in my 6th grade year book and attempted writing my first romance when I was about twelve years old.

My interest in the paranormal began at a very young age when Barnabas and Quentin Collins, Angelique, Maggie, Julia, et al were household names. Yep, I'm talking about Dark Shadows. I became infatuated with everything paranormal. I watched and read everything I could containing vampires, weres, witches, and ghosts. I studied books on the occult and witchcraft in my teens but dark magic, I must admit, frightened me. I even had some relatives that insisted they had ghosts in their homes. I loved scary stories and the thrill and chills they brought deep in the night. To this day I love the thought of and touring haunted houses, ancient cemeteries, legend and lore.

I remember in perhaps my early teens going to the neighbor's house(she was older probably in her twenties) and playing the Ouija board game. It scared the wits out of both of us, and I never fooled around with one again.

Ooh, I have memories of the Ouija board too! So when did you first begin writing? above Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I really have written in some form most of my life whether it be diaries, poems, journals, or stories but I actually hadn't written seriously until the year 2000. I'd had a very traumatic year. My father had lost a battle with the after effects of colon cancer and my eleven year old Sheltie, Kazzy, succumbed to lymphosarcoma. I was devastated and didn't know how to deal with my grief. I was keeping a journal on my computer at the time and was working through my thoughts and grief. One day I started searching the net for creative writing venues and stumbled upon The Writers' Village University who offered a free writing class. I joined and during one of the classes I actually wrote a scene that would turn into my first published novel, a crime suspense romance, which I wrote under another pseudonym. From there I moved on to my present writing career.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My present genre preference is paranormal, specifically shapeshifters(wolves) and vampires. As a matter of fact, I'm about to release the first novel of a planned series titled The Roma Wolf Tales. Curse of the Marhime is due out in ebook September 5 and print will be released December of this year by The Wild Rose Press.

It's the story of a woman whose routine stop at the grocery store alters life as she has always known it. She is drawn by accident into her seemingly mysterious past only to discover her destiny totally different than anything she'd ever imagined and with it has unwittingly found her soul mate.

How do you go about developing your characters?

My characters grow out of and around my story ideas. They tend to mold themselves once I get a story idea and begin to sketch it out in my mind and then down on paper. Actually, the story premise for Curse of the Marhime came out an actual experience I had when I'd stopped at the grocery store one night on the way home from work. Characters are unique to every story so I believe the grow and evolve much the same way the story does.

As far as character description, I tend to get a picture in my head and then I will look at random magazines and pick out random people who resemble the way I imagine the characters to appear. I am constantly foraging magazines for interesting people, scenes, places, etc. I have a file I keep the pictures and pages in for future reference.


Imagery to me is very important. You want to place your reader into the scene. You want them to see, smell, touch, and hear your scenery and feel what your characters feel. The better picture you draw using the senses, the more a part of the story your reader will feel and the more the reader will identify with your characters.

OK, now what advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Practice makes almost perfect! Just keep writing. The more you do it the better you get.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

My favorites are paranormal namely, shifters/wolves and vamps and other assorted dark sensual creatures. This is a tough one. I like several authors though I'd have to say my most favorites are Laurel K Hamilton, J D Ward, and Katie McAllister. I do dip into authors like Diana Gabaldon, Patricia Cornwall, Linda Howard, and Kathy Reichs, as well.

What do you find most difficult about writing?

I can not write on demand. If I am not in a creative frame of mind, I don't even attempt to sit down and write. I tend to write when the spirit moves me so to speak and that means there are times when I really don't sit down and do a good run for several days or even weeks, so I take advantage of those times when the craft flows.

I think that's interesting, especially since many authors say you must "write every day." It's good to hear from someone who doesn't work that way. What do you find most exciting or rewarding about the craft of writing?

When my characters take the reins. There comes a point when the characters come alive and take over. It is exhilarating and frustrating at the same time. I want them to do something they don't want to and the whole forward motion stops as if someone stepped hard on the brakes. Until I give in and move in the direction they choose, I'm going nowhere. I believe every author has experienced this phenomenon. That is when you know you've breathed life into your characters. That is when you know they've come alive.

Another very rewarding aspect is to finally complete a project and get it accepted. A definite Snoopy dance occasion.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

Writing is a natural part of my life. It is a form of relaxation to me. Some people sit down with a good book and read for relaxation. I write. I loose myself in the creation of characters, scenery, love, hate, conflict and I let the tensions of every day life slip away for a while. I create my own happy place or not so happy place depending on what's going on in the story.

My life is busy like everyone else's. I work a full time job during the day, have a home base business I tend to, and a family. Somehow it all works. I'm lucky I guess and I'm never bored. And I hate being bored!

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Some writers debate that writer's block even exists, but I truly think it has to do with what I mentioned above. The times that I truly cannot move my story forward is when I am not listening to the characters and what they want to do. When I finally stop beating my head against the desktop, sit back, analyze and listen, that's when things begin to move forward again. Sometimes it takes walking away for a while--days, weeks--whatever it takes.

Describe your writing space for us.

My writing space is pretty much anywhere I want it to be. I started off years ago in a spare bedroom that I set up as an office as well. It was light and airy, decorated like a french provincial bedroom and office. It was feminine and felt like my personal and private space. But eventually, I went out and got a laptop because we needed more than one computer with my growing need to write.

Now, I work anywhere I choose. I will sit beside my husband and tap away while he is entertained with NASCAR or Football. I'll work in my living room and enjoy my beautiful fireplace, or I can sit outside on the patio amid my orchid arbor and gardens enjoying the great outdoors.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I take long walks on the beach. I am an avid gardener. I like to do projects around the house, read, listen to music, dance. I keep busy:)

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

Everything! Writing, editing, cover art, galleys. Its all grueling work. But holding that finished book in my hands and knowing that I did it was awesome. But then, I had to market it. Whoa! Wow! That is something I didn't know or care to do. I'm a writer. I'm not comfortable in front of people, talking about myself or my stories. Marketing was something I'd never thought about but... well... its a necessity. Marketing is how you get yourself and you book out there. Marketing is hard work but I am now learning how to make it fun.

Anything else you’d like to mention?

Yes, for more information on my new release, Curse of the Marhime and to view my book trailer, as well, lots of chat and helpful writing information, please visit my blog located at http://www.dayanaknight.blogspot.com/ and my website at http://www.romawolftales.com/. Also, check out the contest/links page while you're there. My "Dog Days of Summer" contest begins August 1st. You will find all details listed. Win great prizes and get to know some great authors as well.

Thanks for being here today, Dayana!

Thank you for having me, Allie. Its been fun.

Updates

"The cat is above all things, a dramatist." ~Margaret Benson

Today, some updates:

Our container vegetable garden is doing quite well, despite the hot and dry weather conditions. We have lettuce and cucumbers every day, and the beans and peppers are starting to do well too. We're still waiting on the peas, tomatoes, and broccoli, but they look promising. And the basil...well, let's just say we're going to have homemade pesto through the winter.

Both cats survived their vet appointments yesterday, though the older one (who ended up in the hospital for 4 days last summer) had a rather rough time on the road trip. However, it seems that he has at least 9 lives, and probably more like 10 or 11, since his heart disease has reversed itself and is approaching "normal" numbers - against all odds.

The agent response to my Summer's Song queries has been lukewarm and reinforces my belief that it is tougher than ever to get an agent these days UNLESS you have one of the following:

~You write erotica.
~You write fantastic inspirational romance.
~You have a national platform like, say, Paris Hilton or Brittany Spears.
~You have a terrific voice AND a brand new, original idea.

I still want to find a home for Summer's Song - so will probably submit to my editor at Samhain. Fingers crossed that she likes it!

So, what's new with you?

Anniversary Party - Check Out What You Can Win!

Hey everyone, the folks over at The Long and the Short of It are holding a one-year anniversary party next month...and every day, you can win a prize from a different author! Not only that, but with each daily entry you’ll also be entered into the drawing for the $50 Amazon Gift Certificate they’ll be giving away on the actual anniversary date of August 27, 2008!

You can also get an entry for the grand prize just by telling other people about it on your website and/or blog... just enter the link on Mr. Linky on the anniversary page. You can see all the authors that are participating on the anniversary page. The question and link to each author's site will be on the LASR anniversary page on the designated day. Be sure and check every day, because once the link is gone.. it’s gone and you’ve lost your chance at that particular prize (and for your entry that day for the Grand Prize).

Of course I'm participating, so head on over to find out when and what you can win...along with all the other great prizes!

***

And in completely other, unrelated news, I have not one but two trips to (different) vets with my two cats today...not looking forward to it. They're always so traumatized by the experience. Anyone have any advice, besides heavy drugging? (Just kidding...sort of...)

My First Fan

Here it is: the picture of me with my fifth grade teacher, who wrote in my yearbook "Someday I'm going to read books written by you." I never forgot it...

I'm On the Road, So...

"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework." ~Lily Tomlin

Hey everyone, I'm on the road today, so no profound blog post until later this afternoon, when I'll be home and can share the details of yesterday's appearance. I did sell 32 books, so I was pleased with that. And I saw lots of familiar faces, including the 5th grade teacher who inspired me to write (and who is named in the dedication of One Night in Boston) - pics later, so check back, OK??

Another Appearance Today!

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm so excited, because today I have an author appearance at this HUGE craft fair in the town where I grew up - the event is almost 30 years old, and usually very well-attended (I'm crossing my fingers that the rain will hold off). Lots of crafts, and jewelry, and stuff to eat...but only one other person selling books besides me :)

I'm not only looking forward to having my books out in the public eye, but seeing some familiar faces from the past. It's a small town, and quite a few people I graduated with (that I never ever see) will probably be there.

I'll do my best to get some pics - now I'm off to set up my tent and do the sun-only dance!

But How Do You...?

"I even shower with my pen, in case any ideas drip out of the waterhead." ~Graycie Harmon

Devon asked yesterday how I found the writers' group I spoke to. Here's a little secret: check the newspaper. This writers' group was featured in my hometown paper, and my mom sent me the clipping. (So thanks mom!) But I also always check the "Local Events" calendar in my local paper as well, to see not only what authors are appearing where ('cause that might be an opening for me too), but also if there's a community group that might be interested in hearing an author speak.

To be honest, I had focused more on contacting book clubs and bookstores before, but it makes sense to target writers' groups as well. After all, they're REALLY interested in writing and getting published, so you would think they'd like to hear from someone who has.

There's an online site called www.meetup.com, and I've heard authors recommend contacting groups listed there, too. They have groups organized by geographical location as well as interest, so I'll probably be checking them out for possible guest speaker opportunities too.

But today I have to spend a little time revising One Night in Napa. One of my writer friends said she recently read a piece of advice that said you must "live in your book" as you're working on it, which makes sense. If I spend too much time away, I forget what's going on, character names, the whole feel of the chapter I'm in.

So I'm off to write...wish me luck...I want to have this revised by the end of the summer!

Put 15 Writers Into One Room, and...

"Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will." ~Goethe

Last night I spoke at a writers' group - in the library of the hometown where I grew up. Quite fun, I have to say, and a better turnout than I expected: 15 people, all writers, and all quite interested in what I had to say.

I spoke about my general background, my books, and then answered questions about the writing and publishing process in general. Since everyone there was a writer (except for one woman, who loved to read but thought writing seemed "much too hard"), it was a really cool, relevant discussion. They asked questions about writing, and finding an agent, and making $$, and self-publishing, and then at the end one woman asked me how old I was, and when I told her, she said, "No way! I thought you were in your 20s." So that was probably the best part of the night :)

If you're an author, I highly recommend connecting with writers' groups. It's a great way to spread the word about your own work, while having meaningful conversations with "other people who love words," as one woman put it.

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Marie Treanor

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm featuring a fellow Samhain author, Marie Treanor. Enjoy!

Hi Marie, and thanks for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about your background?

I was born in Scotland where I live now with my husband and three kids. I'm a history graduate and a librarian by profession, although I haven't worked in libraries for about eight years! I stopped work when we moved out of the city and travelling became too difficult (good excuse, eh?), and then my youngest child was born so I've never felt inspired to go back. I love having the opportunity to write.

When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I began about as soon as I could hold a pencil! But I suppose the trigger to actually trying to get published, was my last job, which I hated. In my innocence I thought I could earn an alternative living from writing :)

Ah, I remember those innocent thoughts too! OK, tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My latest book is Gothic Dragon, a sort of historical fantasy/not-quite-time travel romance, featuring a dark sorcerer hero. Basically my heroine stumbles into his world through a gothic novel, and falls in love with him. Well, so would I - have you seen the book's cover? :)

Wow, you're right - I love it! So how do you go about developing your characters?

Actually, they sort of develop themselves :) Usually they're the beginning of the story, and as I think about them, they become clearer. But I think they're only fully developed when I've actually finished the story!

What do you find most difficult about writing? What do you find most exciting or rewarding?

Hmm - I think I find the promotion most difficult, because basically I want to be writing. And yet there's less point to writing if you don't tell people the books are out there :) The most exciting is when the characters change the story for you, and the most rewarding when readers tell me they've enjoyed reading my books.

Great answers - I tend to agree on all three counts! But how do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

With difficulty! I don't work as many other writers manage to do, but I have a four year old daughter and two older kids who keep me busy! I like to spend time with my family and friends when I'm not writing, so basically it's my housework that suffers :)

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

When I began, I wrote by hand and then typed it up - it was quite a useful self-editing process, but now I find it quicker to both write and edit on the computer. For one thing, I don't have to decipher my own hand-writing :)

Marie, thanks so much for giving us a peek into your writer's life today. Readers, Marie's novel Gothic Dragon releases on July 22 - make a note on your calendar...and in the meantime, visit her website to read an excerpt or find out more!

Today, an Interactive Post

"Fiction was invented the day Jonas arrived home and told his wife that he was three days late because he had been swallowed by a whale." ~Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Two things for you to do today!

For all you animal lovers, click here to sign a petition asking Barack Obama to consider adopting a shelter dog (apparently he promised his daughters a dog if he wins the White House in November). Here's the skinny:

If Sen. Barack Obama becomes president, he'll instantly be faced with decisions that will affect millions of Americans. Obama will also soon be making a decision that could affect millions of American dogs. It has been reported that once the election is over, the Obamas will be looking for a new four-legged family member (much to his daughters' delight).

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has suggested five types of purebred dogs that would fit the Obamas' lifestyle. While we don't disagree that it's important to choose a dog that matches well with the family, mixed breeds should certainly be considered along with pure breeds. Also, whether purebred or mutt, we believe the Obamas should make a winning choice and adopt a family dog, not buy one.

Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, left-wing, right-wing or any other wing, please sign our petition urging the Obama Family to adopt, and encourage all your friends and family to sign it, too.

*****

And on a totally unrelated topic, here's an interesting quiz for you to take, borrowed from Chandler Craig (I have to say interesting here, because I'm not sure how the 6 questions led to "my" book, and, um, it's a little off base. But whatever. Take it anyway and see which book you are!)

You're Love in the Time of Cholera!

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Like Odysseus in a work of Homer, you demonstrate undying loyalty by
sleeping with as many people as you possibly can. But in your heart you never give
consent! This creates a strange quandary of what love really means to you. On the
one hand, you've loved the same person your whole life, but on the other, your actions
barely speak to this fact. Whatever you do, stick to bottled water. The other stuff
could get you killed.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Tips for Book Signings

"At a Boston signing, someone from the audience asked why I was so obsessed with furniture in my books. The question rattled around in my head. I had no idea that I was obsessed with furniture." ~Jonathan Carroll

So I'm always doing research on promotions and marketing, and I came across this really helpful article the other day: 40+ Ways to Make Your Next Book Signing an EVENT!

The author has some great tips, some of which I've already implemented. I wrote a press release for each of the places I'm going in the next few weeks, and I actually found one online for the Nichols Memorial Library in New Hampshire, which I thought was cool. Check it out here.

One of the article tips I really like is to bring a thank-you gift for the person who arranged your signing. Now, in most cases for me, it will be a woman, which is somehow easier to buy for: bouquet of flowers? box of candy? But the Director of the Nichols Library is a guy, and I know he's already advertised my appearance in a few places, including the library's blog. I definitely want to bring him some small token of appreciation...but what?

Anyone have any ideas on an appropriate thank-you gift for a man?

What I Learned...

"I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma." ~Eartha Kitt

OK, so the best thing you can do from any experience, I think, is learn. I've been to a half-dozen author appearances/signings in the last 8 months, and including yesterday's at the Hobart Book Expo, this is what I think:



1. I've figured out how to put together a decent display. Take a look:


This includes a sign with my info (made by a friend in the sign business), blow-ups of my book covers (mounted and laminated at Staples for $18 each), my books (display copy sitting in a $3 picture frame/plate holder from AC Moore), bookmarks and business cards (both made at Vista Print), book prices, and a clipboard with a sign-up sheet for my electronic newsletter.


By the way, yesterday I only sold 4 books... it was quite a low turn out (some of the authors there didn't sell any) and I probably wouldn't do this event again.


2. Stand by your table rather than sit (even though I'm sitting in the picture) - it's easier to talk to potential customers if you're standing.


3. Realize you can gain something by talking to fellow authors as well. I exchanged business cards with everyone there, and had a long conversation about small presses...with a man who turned out to be the owner of a small press in Ohio. You never know who you're talking to!


4. Charge prices in $5.00 increments if possible - OK, I read this somewhere, but it makes sense. You can make change more easily, and people might be more likely to purchase a book in the first place, if it costs $15.00 rather than $19.95 + tax. And by the way, I noticed that about half the writers there yesterday were self-published, and their books were quite expensive!


5. Keep writing books. Again, the self-published authors I spoke to were there with THE ONE BOOK they had written. And I think that's fine - if you have a book that's burning to be published, and that's your one baby, fine. But if you want to be successful, become a name that people will remember and seek out and want to follow, then you have to keep writing. Not one of the self-published authors (and some of the ones published with small presses fell into this category as well) had written a second book. Gotta do it. It's one of the biggest parts of your marketing strategy, in my opinion.


And that's all today, folks, on the subject of What I Learned From This Public Appearance...

Hobart Book Expo!

"Wear the old coat and buy the new book." ~Austin Phelps

I'm off to a book expo today, at the Hobart Book Village. This will be my first solo public author appearance, other than my launch party (which was mostly family and friends, so not scary). Should be a nice day, I hope, with some interesting other authors to check out too...

I'll be back here tomorrow and let you know how it goes! (With pictures, if all goes well ~ I'm remembering to bring my camera this time!)

TGIF!

“What We Think, We Become…” ~ Buddha

OK, I'm out of clever posts and pretty much all brain activity after my release blog tour this week, so here's the Friday Feast...


Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
About 4 weeks ago - with short hair I can't go too long or I start looking shaggy...

Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.
Um...not having to pay any bills?

Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.
Butter.

Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
Italian, so I could visit the country and actually speak their language, and also because an upcoming novel I have planned is going to have journal entries and love letters written in Italian...and that way I could write them myself!

Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
On the New York Times best-seller list. Hey, a girl can dream, right? Intention is everything...

Last Blog Tour Stop...

"Writing is a struggle against silence." ~Carlos Fuentes

My last stop on the mini-blog tour this week is over at Sizzling Pens today. I'm talking about a little trivia behind the book...you might be interested.

Bonus: I'm running one last contest there today only, and drawing one name randomly from all commenters to win a free download of One Night in Memphis. So if you didn't win yesterday and still want to try, hop on over and leave a comment (so I don't feel too lonely there, either).

***

In other writing, revisions on One Night in Napa are coming along pretty well, which is terrific. I read chapter one for my critique group Tuesday night and got some good feedback.

***

And I received this amazing email yesterday from a woman who works with my father-in-law, who just finished both One Night in Boston and Lost in Paradise, and said in part, "I read your books One Night in Boston first, absolutely loved it. I thought it was so well written, the intensity level was phenomenal and it really made it hard to put it down. Then I read Lost in Paradise which was absolutely amazing that one too was well written and very intense kept your interests peaked. There were mornings that I came in looking like I had been out partying all night because I stayed up too late reading!!! :0) Anyway, I was just telling [father-in-law] after reading your two books back to back that the Mary Higgins Clark book that I just read although enjoyable lacked the excitement that your two had... "

See, that's why writing and readers are so great. For every lousy review you get, there's someone who loves what you've done. Subjectivity is a nice thing, in some cases :)

Today's Contest Winner!

We interrupt today's regularly scheduled Writers' Wednesday post to announce the winner of my release contest...


(((((((((drum roll)))))))))


Diane!


Congrats to Diane, who will receive a free download of One Night in Memphis and her choice of an autographed copy of One Night in Boston, Lost in Paradise, or any other book from my shelf here. Diane, email me at allieb@allieboniface.com and we'll work out all the details!


Writers' Wednesday will return next week - until then, below is the official purchase link for One Night in Memphis...thanks to everyone who's been stopping by to visit and help me celebrate ~ I'll see you back here tomorrow!

It's Release Day!

Here it is, folks, the official release day for One Night in Memphis! (The purchase link won't be up 'til a little bit later today, but here's the main Samhain page, so keep checking, OK?) Since I actually wrote this story before One Night in Boston, I'm so happy for it to finally meet the reading world. Here's a peek at the trailer I just finished yesterday:

Now, I'll be drawing a name from everyone who's left a comment in the last week on my blog (or host blogs, including today's) to win a free download of the book, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to find out the winner!

Until then, please visit my blog tour stops today (I actually have 2 of them):

The Samhain Blog

Tracey Kitt's Author Blog

I'll see you back here tomorrow!

It's Time for a Blog Book Tour!

" book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy." ~Edward P. Morgan

Welcome to my release week! As it turns out, I'm doing a mini-blog tour this week, so please visit the blogs who've offered to host me each day. Added incentive: every comment you leave on those blogs today and tomorrow counts toward the contest I'm running (the prize: a free download of One Night in Memphis PLUS an autographed copy of one of my other novels, your choice, OR any book from my home bookshelf...I'll provide the list, you choose!). Plus, the blog hosting me on Thursday is running another separate contest, with another chance to win a download of One Night in Memphis, so enjoy the week, and please keep me company out there in cyber-world!

Today's stop is Fumbling with Fiction; a big thanks to hostess Chandler Craig! Hope to see you there :)

Excerpts Just For You!

"He’ll be the one who steps in front of a train for you. The one who climbs buildings to move them out of your way. The one who faces down dragons and brings you breakfast in bed the morning after..." ~from One Night in Memphis

I forgot to mention that my excerpt for One Night in Memphis is up on my Samhain author page, so you can check it out if you want to.

But I thought today, since Release Day is only 2 days away, I'd whet your appetites with a couple of extra excerpts, just for my blog readers :)

Here's the first, the initial telephone conversation between Dakota (our heroine) and her best friend, Sarah:

“Dakota? Got your message. What’s up?”
She took another look at her watch. Five minutes to boarding. Terrific. Where the heck was Gate A14? She stopped at a map of the terminal and tried to make sense of the multi-colored arrows. “Um…are you busy this weekend?”
“Don’t think so. Why?”
Dakota dug her boarding pass out of her pocket. “I’m sort of on my way to Memphis.”
“What?” Sarah whooped, and for a minute Dakota couldn’t hear anything but muffled conversation on the other end of the line.
“Sarah?”
Her friend came back on. “‘Sort of’? Or you really are?”
“I really am. I’m getting on a plane in about thirty seconds. That okay?”
“Are you kidding? Of course.” Sarah paused. “Wait a minute. Nigel just let you off work? In the middle of June?”
“I had vacation time.”
Another pause. “You broke up with Sean, didn’t you?”
Dakota handed her boarding pass to the flight attendant at the counter.
“Is that what happened, D?”
“Um…it’s a long story.”
“Are you okay?”
“I guess. I just—” Dakota’s voice broke. “I just needed to get away for a couple days.”
Sarah’s voice poured over her, warm and comforting. “Then you’re coming to the right place. Really. You’ll love it down here. And forget about that jerk. He’s not worth even ten minutes of tears.” She said something else that Dakota couldn’t make out. “I never liked him, anyway.”
“You never met him.”
“Whatever. I could tell. ‘No, he’s busy tonight.’ ‘No, he doesn’t stay over because he has to get up early and work out.’ ‘No, he’s still sorting out the details of his divorce.’”
“You don’t have to be cruel about it.”
Sarah’s voice softened. “Oh honey, I didn’t mean it. I just—listen, when you get here, we’ll party our brains out. You won’t even remember that guy in a few hours.”
That sounded perfect. “Good. I’ll call you when I land.”
“Where are you?”
“Philadelphia.”
“Already? You’ll be here…when? Couple hours?”
“My flight lands at two-thirty. But I can take a cab. Just give me your address, and I’ll—”
“You will not. I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
“I didn’t think you had a car.”
“Gunnar does.”
“Gunnar?”
“My hot downstairs neighbor. The one I told you about, like, two months ago. Do you ever listen to anything I tell you?”

And here's the moment Dakota and Ethan (our hero) first meet:

Someone whistled behind her, long and loud. Dakota turned. Ten feet away, ball propped on one hip, stood a stocky, redheaded guy. Thick freckles covered both arms like a tattoo. He winked and gave her a once-over. “Hey, good-lookin’.”
Dakota fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Hey yourself.”
Sarah tugged at her wrist. “Ignore him. He’s an ass. He’s here every weekend, hits on anything that walks by with boobs and a pulse.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Got room for two more in the game,” the guy called after them. “Or we’ll be over at Doc’s later. You should come by.”
Dakota cocked her head as she tried to think of a clever comeback. The guy jerked his chin in her direction and looked as though he was about to say something else when one of his friends jabbed a hand at the ball from behind. It spurted from his grasp and rolled away.
Dakota giggled.
“Hey!” The guy spun around, hands fisting.
She was about to follow Sarah when a basketball bounced near her feet. His? She wasn’t sure. It slowed as it hit the grass, but she kept on walking just in case.
“Can you get that?”
Dakota stopped at the voice. Still masculine, though different. Not the obnoxious rasp of the redhead. Soft-spoken, almost. Polite. Kind.
She squinted into the sun to see who it belonged to, and in that moment, the world tilted under her feet. A guy she hadn’t noticed before stood at the edge of the pavement: medium height, dark reddish-brown hair, flushed cheeks. His chest heaved as he panted with the effort of the game. He smiled, sort of a crooked grin that didn‘t make it to his eyes. Still, it worked its way under her skin, until she felt her cheeks burn. For God’s sake, stop staring at him. He’s just a guy. Ordinary. Not even that tall, or good-looking, or built. She reached down and picked up the ball, rough and rubbery under her fingers.
“Thanks.”
Dakota took a few steps in his direction. Now she could see the color of his eyes, a greenish shade that reminded her of the lake back home in early evening when the sun was right. They would make a girl stop and stare, she thought, a second before she saw the sadness coloring the pupils. Sadness and distance and—what else was that? She tried to read the other emotion there and failed. Maybe he wasn’t completely ordinary after all.
“No problem.” She bounced the ball over to him and he caught it on the second hop. Strong fingers, she thought, even as she told herself not to look.
He smiled again, wider this time, and something inside her lit up. “You visiting?”
“You can tell?”
“It’s your voice.”
“Oh.” She felt herself redden. “No accent?”
“A northern accent.”
“Yeah, well, I flew in today. Just staying with a friend for the weekend.” She put one hand on a hip, liking the sound of his voice. Wanting it to continue. Wanting him to come closer.
“That’s too bad.”
“That I’m staying with a friend?”
“That you’re only in town for the weekend. Memphis deserves a week or two, at least.” He studied her for a moment longer. Then one of his buddies yelled something and he glanced back at the court. “Well, have a good time while you’re here.”
“I’ll try.” Dakota dug her toes into the grass and watched the way his back flexed as he jogged away. She wondered if he would turn around. She waited. She willed him to.
He didn’t.

Now, go on over and read the Samhain excerpt (if you didn't already) and you'll see what's in store for these two a little bit later on.

Want to know more? The ebook is out on Tuesday!!