Monday, December 3, 2012

Welcome Author KC Klein


You've heard me say it before, but I can't help it--it's true.  One of the best things about being a writer is knowing other writers and being able to introduce them to you.  KC Klein is a fellow romance writer and one of the nicest people I've ever met.  It's my pleasure to host her here today to talk about her novel, TEXAS WIDE OPEN.  Leave a comment and win a free download of this great book!

So, without further ado....  From the backcover of TEXAS WIDE OPEN:

“A tortured hero, a love that defies distance and time…this is a book you won’t soon forget.” –Cat Johnson 

Katie Harris loved growing up on a ranch. She had her horse, the beautiful Texas prairie, and Cole Logan, the cowboy next door. But there are a lot of secrets hidden under a Texas sky…

Katie always knew she’d marry Cole one day—until he broke her dreams and her heart. But now that Katie’s father is sick, she’s back home, older, wiser and nowhere near the love-sick fool she once was.

Cole knows Katie doesn’t want anything to do with him. But after so many years, he can’t pretend she’s no more than a neighbor. Holding his ground was hard enough when she was seventeen. Now that she’s her own woman, Cole’s heart doesn’t stand a chance…

“Passionate, gritty and fast paced…with a hot blooded, honorable hero to make every woman's knees go weak.”—Diane Whiteside

Don't forget to leave a comment to win a free download of TEXAS WIDE OPEN!

****
Excerpt:


Katie watched as Cole slowly turned, and at the sight of his bare chest, smooth and ripped with muscle, she locked her knees to keep upright. Instead of his inviting smile, there was a hardness she rarely saw that contrasted with the desire in his eyes.

Cole stood and stared. The silence between them crackled as if a whole conversation could be said without words.

Her breathing quickened as her nipples contracted into small, tight buds, sensitive to the brush of the cotton across them. She refused to hide her body’s reaction even as a flush of heat rushed to her cheeks. She’d been waiting all of her life for this moment. She was tired of hiding. She was ready. Unashamed, she gazed in his eyes and let the wealth of her feelings pour into her face.

Cole was no coward—he returned stare for stare—but she could see his jaw flex and knew he was pissed. She’d pushed him hard, but this was where the women separated themselves from the girls.

“I’m not a child any longer.” She took a step closer.

“And I told you, if you wear that shirt again, I’ll burn it,” he growled.

But Cole would have to do more than display a little anger to scare her. Before she lost courage, Katie crossed her arms and pulled.

She threw her shirt in his face, along with her challenge. “Go ahead and do it.”
_______
KC Klein has lived most of her life with her head in the clouds and her nose buried in a book. She did stop reading long enough to make a home with a real life hero, her husband, for over sixteen years. A mother of two children, she spends her time slaying dragons, saving princesses, and championing the belief in the happily-ever-after. Her debut novel, Dark Future, is a finalist in the 2012 Prism contest and has been honored with a reviewer’s choice award. Her other titles include a science fiction romance anthology, Hotter on the Edge, and a new contemporary romance, Texas Wide Open. KC loves to hear from readers and can be found desperately pounding away on her laptop in yoga pants and leopard slippers or more conveniently at www.kckleinbooks.com.
To buy TEXAS WIDE OPEN at:
Amazon (on sale for $2.99!)

Monday, November 26, 2012

Comment and Win Special Edition Giveaway

Fabulous Contest at Books We Love
 
Hi Everyone, thought you might be interested in this giveaway from Books We Love. 

Note--leave your comment at:  http://bwlpp.blogspot.com/ to enter.  Comments left on my blog won't be included in the drawing.

Details below:
*****
 
As our holiday gift to you, Books We Love has released a sleigh full of Special Edition Collections featuring many of your favorite BWL authors!

Each day from Nov. 26 to Dec. 23 we'll feature one Special Edition on our blog: http://bwlpp.blogspot.com/

Leave a comment with your email address. One comment each day will be randomly drawn to win a copy of that Special Edition!





11/26 Joan Hall Hovey
11/27 Jamie Hill
11/28 Renee Simons
11/29 Ann Herrick
11/30 Sydell Voeller
12/1 Ginger Simpson
12/2 Jude Pittman Triple Threat
12/3 Vijaya Schartz
12/4 Shirley Martin Secrets of the Night
12/5 Jane Toombs Golden Chances Collection
12/6 Jamie Hill Triple Threat
12/7 Kat Attalla
12/8 Shirley Martin
12/9 Roseanne Dowell
12/10 Janet Lane Walters
12/11 Juliet Waldron
12/12 Lee Killough
12/13 Margaret Tanner
12/14 Erin Quinn
12/15 Pat Dale
12/16 Rita Karnopp
12/17 Tina Gerow
12/18 Betty Jo Schuler
12/19 Kathy Fischer-Brown
12/20 Sheila Claydon
12/21 Jamieson Wolf
12/22 Jane Toombs Hallow House series
12/23 Gail Roughton's Dark Series

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Erin Quinn's [Un]Sexy Business of Writing Tracker

I've given several workshops on how I juggle all that I do (working full-time and writing full-time and a family).  One of the "tools" I use is a spreadsheet to help me keep track of my page and word count.  Not only does tracking give me a goal, but it also gives me a quitting time which is just as important.


As writers, we often think we should be writing every free minute we have.  That makes it very difficult to have one of those things called a life.  If you are able to set reasonable goals for yourself and stick to them, you won't have to work like a maniac when it comes to crunch time.  Tracking will help you make sure you stay on schedule.



Another wonderful thing about tracking?  It lets you know just how fast (or slow) you write.  When you get a contract and they ask, can you have the book done in six months?, it's very tempting to say "of course!"  But how will you know if you can do it, if you don't have some method of measuring how long--in the REAL world--it takes? Knowing in advance what your output is can save you untold stress down the road.



Hope this helps you as much as it helps me!

Instructions on how to use the tracker.
Tracker spreadsheet.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Dearly Beloved, 
We are gathered here today, to join two awesome things in a state of increased awesomeness.
Today, we're bringing together an author/reader mini-con, and the chance to WIN YOUR WAY IN FOR FREE!

That's right, ladies and gentlemen... you have 7 days to hop around from author to author, blogger to blogger, and enter at every stop to win one of 3 FREE REGISTRATIONS to Olde City, New Blood, the upcoming urban fantasy/paranormal romance mini-con in St. Augustine, FL next February.

You can check out the official website for the complete list of Featured Authors (I'll give you a hint... one of them is ME!!) and Featured Bloggers. There's also a main contest post with all the participating authors, bloggers, and dates for the contest. It's super easy. Visit each of the spotlight blog posts and author websites listed, fill out the Rafflecopter link on each one (one entry PER POST, not per day... and yes, they will be checking), and POOF, multiple entries to WIN!!

The prize is one of 3 FREE REGISTRATIONS to see me and about 49 other authors on the sunny beaches of St. Augustine, Florida, from Feb 8th-10, 2013. We're going to be doing panels, readings, meet & greets, and just generally having a fun weekend with our incredible fans!! Please keep in mind, if you win, you'll have to cover your own travel and hotel expenses, but your ticket into the party will be on Olde City, New Blood!!!

The contest runs from September 30th - October 6th, and the 3 winners will be announced on October 7th. Don't forget to click the Rafflecopter link above  before you hop off to check out the rest of the contest posts!! Good Luck, everyone!! I hope to see you ALL in Florida this February!!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

SEVENTH ANNUAL FALL WRITERS WORKSHOPS (FREE to the Public)


Hope to see you there!

SEVENTH ANNUAL FALL WRITERS WORKSHOPS
Saturday, November 10, 2012 – 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Open to all writers of fiction – free admission – No registration necessary

Location: SCOTTSDALE CIVIC CENTER LIBRARY - Downstairs
3839 Drinkwater Boulevard – Scottsdale, AZ 85251

9:30 am: Morning coffee and rolls – getting to know other writers

MORNING WORKSHOPS:

10 am to 10:50 am:
Silver Room: Laurie Schnebly Campbell – Building Conflict from the Head Down
Gold Room: Morgan Kearns – The Importance of Cover Art
Auditorium: Erin Quinn – Building a Career as an Author

11 am to 11:50 am:
Silver Room: Shelley Coriell – The Editing Waltz
Gold Room: Janeen O’Kerry – Show vs. Tell and why You Should Care
Auditorium: Kris Tualla – The 4 Paths to Publishing

12 noon to 1:15 – Lunch Break – lunch on your own –

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS:

1:30 pm – Auditorium – Featured speaker:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: JENNIFER ASHLEY

2:30 pm to 3:20 pm
Silver Room: Gini Koch – From Idea to Bookshelf
Gold Room: Annette Mahon – Writing the Cozy Mystery
Auditorium: Vijaya Schartz – Handle the Social Media Circus Without Losing Your Mind

3:30 pm to 4:20 pm
Silver Room: Pamela Tracy – The Hero’s Journey
Gold Room: Calista Fox – Writing the Novella
Auditorium: Connie Flynn – Surviving Publishing in the 21st Century

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Simply Ali Salutes Erin Quinn (aka, me) Today!

Stop on over to Simply Ali where the Saturday Salute is all about the SDSU Writers Conference scholarship I've given away every year for the past seven years!  It's a great conference and not too late to enter.  For more information, go to http://www.simplyali.com/2012/09/simply-ali-saturday-salute.html.



Tuesday, September 18, 2012

It's Plotting Month

Over at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, we've been talking about plotting and the different approaches to it that we all have.  Stop by and listen in.  :)

Also, don't forget to enter my scholarship for the San Diego State University Writers' Conference.  I'm giving away a conference registration and 1 appointment to a lucky writer.  All you have to do is enter at www.ErinQuinnBooks.com.  The scholarship link is on the lower left hand side of the page.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Welcome Rhonda L. Print


You've heard me say it before, but I'll say it again.  I do love it when authors come to visit me on Quinn's Essentials. 

Today I have Rhonda L. Print stopping by--actually, we're getting a twofer, because one of her characters is here to tell us why she fell in love with the sexy hero of Nightwalker, one of the exciting Leah Wolfe SINS novels.  You can learn more about Rhonda and her books at http://rhondalprint.com. Make sure to leave a comment--there's a giveaway!


Without further ado.....

Why I fell in love with Ian Nightwalker... by Leah Wolfe

He wore all black. A tight black shirt highlighted his wide shoulders and was tucked into his pants at his narrow waist. The pants were of a thicker material than denim and they fit snugly over the curve of his ass, a very nice ass. The pant legs disappeared into tall leather boots that form-fitted his calves up to his knees, similar to the boots of a pirate or a musketeer. I thought his hair was short until the moonlight glinted on it. It was actually as black as his clothes, wavy and inches from the middle of his back. It was longer than mine, but his body was all masculine male. He stood over six feet tall…

He turned slowly. His front was even nicer than his back. He looked good coming and going. His face was pale in contrast to his hair and clothing. His eyes were partially hidden behind his hair and while I couldn’t tell the color, they were deep set and inquisitive through the veil of his hair. His somewhat aristocratic nose set well in his masculine features and his mouth was full and bow shaped, his lower lip jutting out slightly.

Just pouty enough to make you want to kiss it. Repeatedly.

While sex appeal is important; and Ian Nightwalker had it in spades; it doesn’t always translate to love. I’d found that out the hard way when my former fiancé Joaquin Wildhorse crawled into the bed of another woman.

I thought maybe love just wasn’t for me and told myself that was okay. As a federal agent for Supernatural Investigations of Non-Human Species, SINS for short, I had my work, my family and my friends to fill the void where love was supposed to be.
Then Ian Nightwalker came into my life and I quite literally swooned at his feet. 

Okay, so I passed out and hit my head on a rock but swooning sounds so much more romantic.

Ian seemed to love me from the start. Why, remains a mystery to me. I fought against it every step of the way.

I came with a lot of baggage. Among my plethora of gifts is the ability to feel the emotions of people around me. Empath is the official title. I also speak to the souls of the dead. Not exactly traits conducive to being good girlfriend material and exactly the things that came between Joaquin and I.

But Ian came with some baggage of his own. He was a centuries old vampire with a hidden agenda that nearly tore us apart. He is also sexy as hell.

Where Joaquin wanted to change me, mold me into his perfect little wife to fit in with his perfect little plan, Ian just wants me. He pursued me with the patience of a man who’s lived for hundreds of years. He stood by me while I fought, let me lean on him when I cried and sat silently when he knew that I needed to talk. He slipped into my life with vampire stealth and pushed me to let my battered heart love again.
The bottom line is that he loves me, just as I am. What more could I ask?

You can read more about Leah, Ian and Joaquin in NIGHTWALKER: A LEAH WOLFE SINS NOVEL, THE ORDER OF CHAOS and releasing October 1, 2012 – JUSTIFIED. Rhonda L. Print is also the author of GUARDIAN. 

Learn more about the author at www.RhondaLPrint.com

Rhonda is giving away the readers choice of one of her backlists titles in e-format to one lucky commenter, so please talk to us!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Coming soon to a bookstore near you.....


I've been a busy girl lately!  You might have seen my announcement on Facebook and Twitter about my new series coming from Pocket Books next year.  The first book should be on shelves in Fall 2013 and I will be sharing excerpts through my newsletter so if you're not signed up, be sure to hop on over to my website and enter a contest or just sign up for my mail list at www.erinquinnbooks.com.  I promise not to bug you with a lot of updates--I only send out newsletters when I have something to say!


Hope your summer has been wonderful.  I took my baby to college this weekend so I've got a bit of the empty-nester blues, but she's not too far away so I'll get to see her!

All my best!
Erin

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Welcome NYT Bestselling Author Karen Harper


It is always a pleasure to have talented authors on my blog and Karen Harper is definintely that.  She agreed to stop by and chat about her upcoming release, MISTRESS OF MOURNING.  I learn so much every time she is here!  I hope you enjoy this question and answer session as I much as I did!  After you read the interview, leave a coment and be entered to win a copy of MISTRESS OF MOURNING!

Erin:  Can you tell us about your current historical novel, MISTRESS OF MOURNING?

Karen:  As you know, I’m fascinated by the Tudor era—I’m a true “Tudormaniac.”  My husband and I love to visit the British Isles and historic sites I use in my novels.  MISTRESS OF MOURNING takes place in England and Wales.  Wales was then a wild place full of superstition, legends, and chieftains.  The fens, bogs and deep forests made a great setting for the developing love story between my hero and heroine and their desperate search for a murderer.

Erin:  So this is a historical mystery rather than a “straight” history with your usual strong romance?

Karen:  Yes, the characters and plot led me right to a murder mystery—as a matter of fact, the murder of three royal princes.  I had always wanted to do a book about the first Tudors, the parents of Henry VIII.  The book begins in 1501 as King Henry VII and his wife, Queen Elizabeth of York, try to strengthen their new dynasty after winning what we today call, “The War of the Roses.”

Of course, one way to do this is to produce male heirs.  Their heir is teenage Prince Arthur, who has just wed Catherine of Aragon (Yes, later Henry VIII’s first wife.)  The spare to the heir is the ten-year-old Henry, who is already showing signs of being devious.  But in Wales, Arthur suddenly dies.  The queen fears he may have been murdered by Tudor enemies, much as her young brothers, the so-called Princes in the Tower, were murdered years before. 

With the help of Varina, her candle-maker and carver of effigies for the queen’s two children who died young, she vows to solve Arthur’s murder, although she cannot leave London.  But the book’s other heroine, Varina Westcott, accepts the royal assignment and travels to wild Wales with the man she loves, her guard, a man close to the king.

Erin:  So MISTRESS OF MOURNING really has two heroines?

Karen:  Yes, so that meant a double love story.  The queen is wed to her former enemy, but they are managing to make a marriage of the ruins of the past.  Varina Westcott is a merchant-class widow who owns her own chandlery (candle-making shop) and has done special assignments for the queen.  Varina is in love with Nicholas Sutton, an ambitious courtier who ranks above her—but they cannot deny their love for each other.  What allows Varina to be the perfect undercover sleuth in Wales is that the wax chandlers of the day also made wax death shrouds.  So the queen can officially send her to Wales to oversee Prince Arthur’s burial preparation, but also to secretly learn if he was poisoned.

Erin:  Catherine of Aragon must be young in this novel.  Usually, we see her in the Anne Boleyn era books where she is fiercely Catholic, barren, stubborn and past her prime.

Karen:  It was fascinating to write about her when she was pretty and young.  From the first, the English people welcomed and adored her, which is one reason the masses detested Anne Boleyn later.  (Besides, of course, they blamed Anne rather than Henry VIII for the ruination of their Catholic church.)  Catherine is an admirable character who lived her sad live with what we would today call class.

Erin:  You mentioned that Varina owned her shop.  Was that common in this era between the Medieval and Tudor periods?

Karen:  Sadly, it was uncommon for a woman to own her shop.  Varina controls hers only because her husband left it to her in his will.  Except for embroiderers, women could not belong to the powerful guilds nor own their businesses unless they had inherited them through a father, brother or husband.  Another shocker to me was that if a widow remarried, the control of her shop, her finances and any minor children went immediately to her new husband—not a good time to be a single mom or female entrepreneur!  Varina is being courted by another chandler owner.  It would make commercial sense for her to unite their two shops, but she’s in love with Nick, who ranks above her.  Ah, nothing like forbidden love.

Erin:  I see this novel had two different titles.  How did that come about?

Karen:  My British publisher, Random House UK, decided to retitle the release of the novel THE QUEEN’S CONFIDANTE.  It has a quite different cover also.  My historicals are making the bestseller lists in the UK, and I’m sure it helps in this royal Jubilee year to have the word  queen in the title.

Erin:  Thanks for a glimpse into your new novel and for giving away two copies of it to winners who leave a post.  By the way, are you still writing contemporary romantic suspense too?

Karen:  Yes, and that’s been a real stretch from ‘Merrie olde England,’ since I’ve set my most recent rom-sus novels in Amish country.  My latest trilogy is FALL FROM PRIDE, RETURN TO GRACE and in November, FINDING MERCY.  I’m currently writing another HOME VALLEY AMISH romantic suspense which is a Christmas novel, but that won’t be out until autumn of 2013.  

Thanks, for the interview, Erin.  I always like to touch bases with your readers, as I have really enjoyed your Irish historical romance novels.

Karen Harper is a NY Times bestselling author published since 1982.  A former university and high school English instructor, she won the Mary Higgins Clark Award in 2006.  Please visit her website at http://www.karenharperauthor.com/ .  You can find MISTRESS OF MOURNING wherever books are sold or at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your favorite online book seller.  For more information about MISTRESS OF MOURNING go to:  http://www.karenharperauthor.com/historical.html 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

California here I come....

The countdown is on.  T minus 7 days will find me on a plane heading for Anaheim, California where I'll be part of the RWA National conference.  I love this particular conference for many reasons.  The first is the chance to catch up with my friends and fellow writers.  Writing is such a solitary profession that I relish the chance to be social and talk with people who understand me and my passion for putting words on a page, even when I hate it.

Lucky me, I'll be rooming with my good friend and talented writer, Calista Fox.  We've torn up a few towns at this conference so I'm sure there won't be a dull moment.

I'm also giving a workshop at Nationals.  If you plan to be there, please add me to your schedule.  Of course I have nightmares about no one coming and me in a big room with my laptop, projector and one lone attendee blinking myopically at me.  Workshop details?

SOS (Simple Organic Structure) for Writers (CRAFT)
Speaker: Erin Quinn
Multipublished author Erin Quinn teaches an innovative method for creating page-turners that even a panster can follow.
Presentation Date: Saturday, July 28
Presentation Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room: Platinum 7

Also, don't miss the 2012 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing.  I'll be there (at table 903) along with amazing bestselling authors Nora Roberts, Nalini Singh and dear friend Sylvia Day whose new book, Bared to You is burning up the bestseller lists!  You can see the layout where everyone is at:  http://www.rwa.org/galleries/rwa2012/RWA2012%20Literacy%20Layout.pdf.

You'll also find me in the Berkley Authors signing on Saturday, so there's no excuse for not saying hi!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Stop by, leave a comment, be entered to win. Easy peasy.

Today I'm blogging in a couple of places.  I'm talking about writing, my books and other fun things.  There's a giveaway, so stop by and see me!

http://deannajewel.blogspot.com/
AND
http://rhondalprint.com/

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Story Gift

I did a blog today over at Much Cheaper than Therapy about a story gift I received.  What's a story gift you might ask?  Well, hop on over and find out.  :)  I wonder if anyone else has ever recieved such a wonderful present....

Any writers out there who know what I'm talking about?

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Arizona Dreaming here at last!

Last night was check in and a wine and cheese reception for those lucky enough to get tickets.  Guest appearances by cover models (ooo la la!) and lots of fun talking to readers and authors alike.  Can't wait for the day to begin!

We'll be starting with "speed dating" where readers and authors get to meet one on one.  I've never done that before but it sounds like a blast.  Next up, book clubs where readers choose the author they want to talk with and spend time in small groups.  (I have prizes packed away for this!)

And then the dinner where authors host tables with readers (I have a prizes for this too :)

And then more book clubs.  It's going to be such fun.

If you're here, stop by and say hi!   Want to know what you're missing?  Go to:

http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/about/ 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Don't you love win/win situations?

I know I do and Brenda Novak's Cure for Diabetes Online Auction is the perfect chance to give to a good cause and win for your efforts.  Seriously, you have to check out the great offerings you can bid on--BUT the auction ends May 31, so hurry!

I've contributed two items for all of you writers out there.
  1. Critique of First 50 Pages by Award-Winning Author Erin Quinn w/Follow Up Meet at RWA. Click here for details.  (And if you're not going to RWA, we can meet by phone or somewhere else)
  2. Coffee at RWA with Author Erin Quinn & her Agent Paige Wheeler of Folio Lit. Click here for details.  This is a great chance to pitch your project in a low stress environment.  I'll even help you hone that pitch first!  (And if you're not going to RWA, we can work out another way to meet).
Remember, auction closes on May 31! For more information on my books (plus trailers and contest information), go to http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/.  




Monday, May 14, 2012

There is still room for you!

Arizona Dreamin' is just around the corner!  It's been in the planning stages forever, ever since we said goodye to the last reader last year.  What is it?  A fun, interactive way to meet authors and other readers. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012

in CHANDLER, ARIZONA (Click for Hotel Page)

  • Meet 20 authors of various genres of romance.
  • Choose 6 you find the most interesting for “Book Clubs” – 10 readers with 1 author in 30-minute sessions to ask them questions and talk about their books.
  • Event Bookstore with discounted pricing.
  • Free Hospitality Suite with snacks and beverages.
  • Meet Jimmy Thomas, international book-cover model, and have your photo taken for a charitable donation.
  • All-you-can-eat Buffet Dinner.
  • Man of Our Dreams” cover model competition during dinner.
  • Huge raffle baskets.
  • FREE goody bags for everyone!
  • Meet with two publishers to see if there is a book in you.


It's not too late to join us for all of the fun.  Go to http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/ for more information.  I hope to see you there!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Welcome Author Dana Marton!

I love discovering new authors and I've just added Dana Marton to my TBR list.  A long time Harlequin author, Dana has branched out and written a fantasy novel that sounds fantastic.  It's great to have her here on Quinn's Essentials and I hope you'll join me in welcoming her.  Make sure to leave a comment--there's a giveaway at the end....

___________________________

Thank you so much, Erin, for having me as a guest!

I’ve been waiting for so long for THE THIRD SCROLL to be published, it almost doesn’t even seem real that here I am, talking about the release, finally.
I’ve published close to 30 books with Harlequin Intrigue and sort of learned the ropes there. But publishing a nearly 500 page epic fantasy is a new and scary venture. I spent about six months writing this book, then a number of months editing it, then nearly ten years figuring out how to publish it. (If there were any shortcuts along the road, I must have driven by them with my eye on the doughnut box on the passenger seat.)


Fantasy editors loved the book, but weren’t sure how to market it as it had too much romance, according to them. Romance editors loved the book, but it’s more of an epic fantasy than romance. So it took the Kindle revolution to reach readers who just want a good book (bless their hearts) and are no so worried about proper categories.
Sold into slavery, Tera, a budding healer, is thrust into the savage realm of barbarian warlords, the same realm which claimed her mother years ago. She must avoid the displeasure of her warrior lord and survive the cruelties of the concubines, even as war threatens on the horizon.

Yet a greater danger looms when she catches the eye of the most powerful lord of the land and he takes her for his Pleasure Hall. Tera struggles to escape, while searching for the secret behind her mother’s death. But what she discovers challenges everything she believes in. A path set long ago beckons. A path that could lead to triumph, or the destruction of her world.

Every author has a ‘special baby,’ a book they can’t let go no matter how many times it gets rejected. THE THIRD SCROLL is that book for me. I know it’s a special story. Still, I was more than nervous when I received the Kirkus Review for the book recently. They’re known for tough reviews and not mincing words. I was so relieved that they liked the book! So now the review, “Marton excels at worldbuilding and character development. Readers will find it impossible not to care what happens next to Tera… etc.” hangs above my computer. We all love our babies, but it’s so nice when somebody tells us our baby is beautiful, isn’t it?
But the true test still remains: the readers. I can never relax until I hear from readers on a book. So if you pick it up (the ebook is 99 cents until Friday to celebrate the release http://www.amazon.com/Third-Scroll-Hardstorm-Saga-ebook/dp/B007YWXDEW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335814926&sr=8-1 ), please let me know how you liked it. You can download an excerpt from amazon, or read it on my web site: http://www.thethirdscroll.com/. And if you have a minute, stop by my Facebook page www.facebook.com/danamarton  I’ll be doing giveaways all month long, starting with a giveaway for reviewers. The first 20 people who review the book online then come to my FB page and tell me about it, will receive a special THE THIRD SCROLL book bag!
Do you have a ‘special baby’ project, whether it’s a book, or a garden or running 5K at the township run, a special project that you’ve been carrying in your heart for years? I’d love it if you shared it. I’ll raffle off one of my Intrigues among the people who respond here.

May all your dreams come true!

Dana

THE THIRD SCROLL
An epic journey begins....
Coming to stores on May 1, 2012

http://www.thethirdscroll.com/
http://www.facebook.com/DanaMarton
http://twitter.com/
http://www.danamarton.com/

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Free, open to the public, and look who you can meet!

It's almost time for the massive Desert Dreams booksigning! 
WhereChaparral Suites, Scottsdale, Arizona
When?  Saturday, April 28, 2012, 5:30-7 P.M.   It's open to the public and free to attend!


Look at who you'll get to meet! NY Times Best Selling Authors Allison Brennan, Elizabeth Hoyt, Brenda Novak, Tara Taylor Quinn, Vicki Lewis Thompson, and the fabulous Erin Kellison, Kathryne Kennedy, Caris Roland, Gini Koch, ME and--oh so many more!!!! Full list here: http://www.desertroserwa.org/conferences/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Book-Signing.php.  We would love to see you there, so stop by, get your books signed and say hi.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Free booksiging open to the public

It's here at last!  Desert Dreams Conference in Scottsdale Arizona, April 27-29, 2012. 

The conference is sold out, but the book signing is free and open to the public Saturday, April 28, 2012, 5:30-7 P.M.  

Look at who you'll get to meet!  NY Times Best Selling Authors Allison Brennan, Elizabeth Hoyt, Brenda Novak, Tara Taylor Quinn, Vicki Lewis Thompson, and the fabulous Erin Kellison, Kathryne Kennedy, Caris Roland, Gini Koch, ME and--oh so many more!!!!  Full list here:  http://www.desertroserwa.org/conferences/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Book-Signing.php.  We would love to see you there, so stop by, get your books signed and say hi.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Arizona Dreamin' - A Romance Reader's Event


SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012 / CHANDLER, ARIZONA 

Have you ever been to a reader's event?  If not, you are missing out.  What makes them so fun is that it's all about the reader.  You meet authors (who often -- translate to always-- have fun giveaway items), you can get your books signed, ask those questions, and generally have a fabulous time with your friends.  You get to meet other readers who want to talk about books with you and get some tips on how to start that book club you've been thinking about for months....  And the best part--it's only $35.  That's it--and it includes dinner!

ARIZONA DREAMIN' is just such a reader's event and it's guaranteed to be fun time.

When?  SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2012

Where? CHANDLER, ARIZONA 

Here is what we are offering attendees:
  • Meet 20 authors of various genres of romance.  (Myself included)
  • Choose 6 you find the most interesting for "Book Clubs" - 10 readers with 1 author in 30-minute sessions to ask them questions and talk about their books.  (And for the record, I'm sure I'll have a giveaway, :))
  • Event Bookstore with discounted pricing.
  • Free Hospitality Suite with snacks and beverages.
  • Massages for tips.
  • Meet Jimmy Thomas, international book-cover model, and have your photo taken for a charitable donation.
  • All-you-can-eat Buffet Dinner with me!
  • "Man of Our Dreams" cover model competition during dinner.
  • Huge raffle baskets.
  • FREE goody bags for everyone! 
  • Meet with two publishers to see if there is a book in you.
  • All for only $35 dollars
PLUS: Hotel suites include a hot breakfast and are only $79 a night when you mention "Arizona Dreamin." A suite with 2 double beds and a sleeper sofa can sleep 3 comfortably, and that brings the rate down to less than $27 per person per night (plus tax).

For more information, go to http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

Thursday, March 15, 2012

So many ways to win!

I'm celebrating the re-release of Haunting Warrior in mass market paperback (originally published in the larger, more expensive trade size).  Today you'll find me in several places:

 Literal Addiction, where there's a fun interview and a giveaway!

Barbara White Daille's Blog where I'm doing a giveaway.

Writerspace Blogs where I'm doing a giveaway.

The Romance Studio where the giveaways are everywhere.

Whew!  Hope to see you at one of those locales!

Remember, both Haunting Beauty and Haunting Warrior are now part of the buy 3 get 4 book deal on Amazon!