Blogging at Bitten By Books tomorrow!

Hey! If you’re not going to RWA this week, stop by Bitten By Books – you can win a copy of my book 2 (signed if you’re in the US, but still open to worldwide residents).

Just stop by here and RSVP: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=28084

Remy and Jackie will be answering questions, so be sure and drop by and ask something you’d like answered. No holds barred! (Well, maybe a few holds.)

My summer vacation

What I wrote:
17k in my current spec project (nothing you guys have heard of)
Some noodling in a Zane-POV short

What I read:
Re-read Demon Bound – Meljean Brook
Re-read Demon Blood – Meljean Brook
Re-read Demon Forged – Meljean Brook
Re-read When Dreams Begin – Lisa Kleypas
Innocent in the Harem – Michelle Willingham

What I watched:
Haven TV show (not for me)
Lots of House reruns
Pan’s Labyrinth (loved it)
Outpost (Ray Stevenson ftw)
Dead Snow (Norwegian Zombie Movie = awesome)
Triangle (very deja vu but decent)
Daybreakers (too emo and plot sucked)

It was an awesome vacation.

Dang! I’m a crappy blogger!

You know, back in the day…I used to pooh-pooh those that would only update their blog every few weeks. What is wrong with these people that they can’t find the time to update on a daily basis? Just a couple of paragraphs?

Yeah. And as karma proves, I am now one of those lazy people. Go figure. To be honest, I run for my blog when I have something new and exciting to share! I can’t wait to share news or bits of writing with everyone. The sad truth of the matter is that at the moment, I am just between news. I have nothing going on, and I am spectacularly unexciting to boot.

I do hope I can share finalized cover art for MY FAIR SUCCUBI pretty soon. You might have seen an early version floating around on the internet, but the final version looks slightly more jazzy and has some cute text on it, and just looks better all around. At least, I think so.

Also to note – any of the blurbs you might have seen online? Not the final back cover copy. Not sure if I can share that yet either, so you’ll have to be patient a wee bit longer. I did get a few panicked questions because the blurb on the web does not mention Zane. Please be assured that all Team Zane fans will be VERY HAPPY with book 3. I would not do that to you guys! Or Zane!

Someone did ask for a Zane snippet the other day and I thought I would provide the following. It’s not in Book 2. It’s not even in book 3. It is a mystery snippet for a freebie I am (tentatively) working on that might or might not show up on this website someday. Tell me what you think!

Some days, eternity was far too long.

Zane opened his eyes slowly, shaking off the day-slumber, and hating that he had to return to consciousness. Being awake meant another day living, breathing, feeding without her…and another day serving the queen.

As if she sensed his mutinous thoughts, the queen loomed over Zane’s body and grazed a hand over his chest, her sharp fingernails scratching a pattern onto his bare shoulder. She could do that to him – she owned him. And he hated it. A thousand years ago, he hadn’t minded. A hundred years ago, he was content. But everything had changed in this last year, and Zane found this his reasons for living had changed. And his future plans? Did not include the queen.

For now, though, he had to bide his time. So he gritted his teeth and gave her a mockery of a smile.

The queen’s red eyes gleamed with interest as she studied him, trying to interpret his thoughts. Like a thundercloud rolling through his senses, her mind pressured his own, nearly overwhelming him with the possessive murk of it. “I have decided you will feed me today.”

Punishment. Again. Careful to hide any emotion, Zane swung his legs over the side of the marble bier and extended an arm toward her with an almost bored expression. “Eat up.”

Instead, the queen smiled, revealing her razor-sharp teeth. She crooked a finger at him, slowly beckoning. “No. Not like that. Give me your neck today.”

Yes? More? No? Boring? Bueller?

Some Good Readin’

Those of you that follow my Facebook or Twitter know that I have a Goodreads account that I update on a regular basis.  Lately, I’ve been trying to review everything that I rate.  You might notice I’m a bit of a Suzy Sunshine over on Goodreads, and I’m afraid this is true — for every review I post, there are 3 or 4 books that I loathed and reviled and possibly flung against the wall. These are the books that never, never get mentioned again. Why? Because I’m a professional (sorta) and I’m doing my best to not be an author douchebag. Also, I’m a very impatient reader. If the story is going off the rails by page 50, I’m not going to stick around for the next 300 to see how it turns out. My DNF pile is quite huge.

But when something does make it on my Goodreads, it’s usually because I enjoyed it and want to talk about it! And I’ve had a really good spate of reading lately. I’m not sure if it was because I was in a reading mood, but whatever it is, I am thoroughly enjoying my time with books lately. And since it was a long weekend, and my husband was sick, I read. A lot. And it was so NICE. I read:

Meljean Brook — DEMON BLOOD. Ok, confession time. When you are an author, sometimes you get early copies of coveted reads because people want you to blurb them, or because you shamelessly beg in email or you have connections. I got an early copy of DEMON BLOOD and I’ve already read it. Twice. Probably going to read it a third time this week. It is so good. SO GOOD. Meljean does an amazing job with making her stories emotional and sexy and still keeping the overarching plot tense and action-packed. This also just came out today, so you should buy your own copy so we can squee over it together. I’m just saying.

Lisa Kleypas – LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON. Loved this! I went in not expecting much, because I put down MARRIED BY MORNING after about 3 chapters. I loved this one so much that I went back and finished MARRIED BY MORNING afterward.

Victoria Dahl – CRAZY FOR LOVE. Okay, so Dahl is on my auto buy because she writes such fun, breezy contemporaries. This one did not disappoint.

I have a few books in my queue that I need to finish (including THE PASSAGE) but…I’m a goober and I started re-reading Meljean Brook’s books again. Ah, comfort reads. How I love thee.

Giveaway over at Odd Shots

If you don’t read the Odd Shots group blog, then you’re missing out on a great giveaway! Meljean Brook is giving away 20 copies of DEMON BLOOD (the next book in the Guardians series). I’ve already read this one and it’s hot, emotional, and angsty. Yum. And no, I don’t think you need to read the rest of the series first – this one starts with a prologue that introduces you to everything you need to know about the world.

It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. You should go comment!

Downside of the nook

So, ever since getting my nook several weeks ago (or has it been a few months? I forget), I’ve pretty much read exclusively on it. Paper has not crossed my hands since buying it. I figure I’m telling myself that I’m trying to get my $250 out of it, but…who are we kidding? I use the nook because I am super lazy and it can instantly download any book within seconds.

The downside of the nook?  No more early releases. It’s true – I confess. I’m one of those horrible people that starts scouring the shelves of the local bookstore a week or two in advance of an eagerly-anticipated book, all in the hopes that some employee might slip a copy or two onto the shelves early. I scan the grocery store, hoping that the distributor has ignored the lay-down dates and stuck the newest books out in advance! Release date? Shmelease date! Gimme my books now!

This, of course, does not work on the nook. It’s release day or nothing for them, and they don’t release the files early. This makes me a VERY SAD READER. I mean, as an author, I should rejoice in the hard release date for e-files because it makes it that much easier for someone to hit the lists, right? And I want my friends to do well.

But the reader in me? Wants your book NOW.  F&ck waiting! I think there should be a program where we can pay a dollar or two extra and get your book a week or two in advance. I’d pay it. A dollar buys me a candy bar…or my Meljean Brook fix a week earlier. I know which way I’d rather spend it.

So has anyone else felt this impatience with e-files on the nook or Kindle, or am I the only one feeling the pain of being forced to open Christmas presents on Christmas Day?

Art

My husband has been on a drawing tear lately. This is the latest piece he’s done (Ashley Williams is copyright Bioware and Mass Effect). Isn’t it pretty?

Click through to view Deviant Art Page

He’s going to do my succubi next – I can hardly wait! It’ll be a few weeks, but I’m already rubbing my hands with glee. I love his stuff and I’m a huge fangirl of what he draws, so I’m going to occasionally link back his art here.  Shameless plugging ahoy!

Snippet time!

So I’ve been a pretty lousy blogger lately. I’m sorry! If I had interesting stuff to talk about, I’d post it here. I’m sure no one wants a run down of the dayjob work projects or what I had for lunch or the fact that husband and I have been marathoning ‘Deadliest Catch’ like it’s going out of style.

Nope! Here’s a snippet of MY FAIR SUCCUBI instead. This one is for all you Noah fans. (You’re out there, right? Right.)

The concrete was cold and dusty against my bare feet, and I tiptoed quietly, peering at each door as I passed it. Every cell looked identical to the one I’d been held in – the window had been knocked out and replaced with bars, and each one was locked with a biometric key. I peered into one or two but I hadn’t seen Noah. It concerned me a little, but I forced myself to continue down, past each door, all the way to the end of the hall. And at the last door, I peered in and saw a faint shape bent over on the side of the cot, elbows resting on his knees. His head was down in a defeated pose, and his fists were clenched.

Poor sweet Noah. My heart fluttered at the sight of him, so defeated. It was probably killing him that he wasn’t able to protect me. I felt a surge of affection and swiped the badge against the reader quickly. Like clockwork, the red light flashed to green and the lock unbolted.

Noah didn’t get up.

“Noah?” I whispered. “Noah, are you all right?”

No response. His hand clenched, and then unclenched slowly, so I knew he was awake. Worry shot through me, momentarily overriding my lust. “Noah?”

“Leave me,” he said in a harsh voice.

What on earth was he talking about? I stared at him through the door, puzzled, then moved inside, crossing the cold floor on bare feet. The heavy door slid shut behind me, locking into place again, and I clutched the badge close. “Noah, are you all right? I’m here to get you out of here. We have to escape.”

He shook his head slowly, as if trying to deny my words.

This was getting ridiculous. I moved to his side and went to touch his shoulder. “Come on, Noah.”

Before I could touch it, his hand whipped out and trapped mine by the wrist. The word burned into my flesh hurt like a bitch. Before I could complain, he moved forward a fraction, and leaned in close to my hand. Sniffed it.

Exhaled sharply.

“I smell two other men on you,” he said, his voice a low growl.

What in the world? I tried to jerk my hand out of his. “Noah, I didn’t sleep with anyone. You’re jumping to conclusions.”

He tilted his head back and regarded me. The expression on his face was raw with need. His eyes were so deep a blue that they glowed in the dark, and the set of his jaw was firm, unyielding.

“Tell me who I smell.”

A command. Oh great, we were going to play this game? I tried to jerk my hand out of his even as I answered. “Ariel and Ethan, probably.”

His eyes darkened, his expression barely controlled.

“Don’t be an ass, Noah.” Oh lord, even him being completely batshit crazy was turning me on. I could feel my panties growing damp, felt my sex begin to heat. “Nothing happened. Listen to what I’m saying.”

“Your scent. You took two others for your need?” He slowly raised to his feet with slow, precise motions, not releasing my wrist from its death-grip in his. His eyes were blue, glowing slits of anger. “They brought me a woman and I refused her. Refused because I wished to stay loyal to you.” His voice was hoarse with anger, almost unhinged. It brimmed with barely restrained force. His eyes seemed to flash purple with hunger and need. He was beyond rational thought.

“Noah, don’t do this,” I began in a husky voice. Do it, do it, my body was screaming. My sex was slick with need, and my breath was coming in small, excited pants. We didn’t have time to stop and feed our needs. I couldn’t wait to get him alone in private, though. My libido was off the charts at the moment.

He stared at me with those insanely dark eyes, and leaned in and gently bit at the flesh of my palm, as if tasting me.

My knees went weak. “Noah–”

“Kneel.”

Good times, people. Good times.

Blah

I am having a blah week, but seeing this article helped!

http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2010/05/final_book_in_jean_m_auels_ear.html

The final Ayla book is coming out next spring! Woot! I read THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR when I was twelve, and the entire series was pretty much my gateway drug to romance novels. They’re awesome. I’m excited.

PS – I wrote fanfic for Ilona Andrews yesterday at Odd Shots.

Free Succubus Short Story!

Yay!!

So I talked with my editor a while back – I wanted to do a freebie for my series. Just a small something as a ‘thank you’ for everyone that’s read my books so far and was hoping for more. There will be more in book 3, right? But book 3 is still so far away (December!)…

I wrote a prologue for the Succubus Diaries — you might recall that book 1 starts with her waking up in a Dumpster after a crazy night and meeting two rather unique individuals. So…I wrote the prologue to show a little bit more about how that night went down.

I hope you enjoy it! It’s short and sweet and (I think) sets up some interesting teases for MY FAIR SUCCUBI, in which some questions are answered.

To download the short — entitled FOREPLAY, naturally — click on the banner above or go directly to the Simon & Schuster website. It’s available until June 18th, so ACT NOW QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED.

Let me know what you think, guys!

http://www.simonandschuster.com/giveaways/jill-myles-free-download

(And yes, you do have to put in your email address, but you want to be notified about free stuff anyhow, right? Right.)