by Sarah | Aug 7, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Books, Changing Tracks, Publishing Credits, Writing
My contract has been signed, my cover art questionnaire has been filled out, my blurb has been hacked down to size and all my ducks are in a row. I’ve been bursting with this news for well over a week now and I’m so glad to be able to finally share it!
Seven years ago I set out to get published – back before ebooks were in and before I knew what an adverb whore was or how to stop myself from being one.
Three years ago I abandoned my first novel and started on this one, on this series. Changing Tracks and its main characters, Jane & Cole have come to mean so much to me. All I have wanted for them is to give them the story they deserve and to see it published in print.
I have just signed with Secret Cravings Publishing to make that dream a reality. Even better they are using the cover art I made for the book three years ago.
In February 2013* Changing Tracks will be published in ebook format. Six months later, in August of 2013* it will go to print.
Now I’m setting out on the crazy ride of getting the book into print and I’m bringing you all along with me. For now, I’ll leave you with the (long version) of my back cover blurb.
*~*
There is nothing simple about forgetting your past.
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in Dominion Falls. He makes time with his women, makes a killing gambling, and exerts his power how he pleases. One thing he never does is let anyone in.
Until the day she falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. He saves her from the pine box, and finds he can’t walk away. The problem is, if he lets her get close he could relive his past – and he worked too hard to forget it.
She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief that someone wanted her dead. With no name she keeps ‘Jane Doe’ and tries to carve out a life. She finds herself drawn to Cole, and they start a fiery relationship that sets the whole town talking. Their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – keep them from admitting the depth of their feelings, but they find they only trust each other.
Through the chaos of renegade Indian raids, an abandoned husband and her recurring nightmares they fight to find the truth of what happened to her. She soon learns that sometimes the truth is the last thing you want to learn, and she starts to think it may be best to leave the past where it is.
That past isn’t that willing to let go. A stranger proves that he’s willing to kill to keep his secrets safe. If Jane doesn’t remember soon, everyone she loves will be in danger.
*~*
*Publishing dates are estimates and subject to change. Once I receive more exact dates I’ll share that news.
by Sarah | Aug 3, 2012 | Books, Changing Tracks, Critters, Masked Hearts, Writing, writing tips
Line edits are awesome…
When it’s someone else’s work.
If the paper, book, webpage, word doc, whatever it is that’s in front of me was not written by my own hand I can swoop in and find the errors in an instant.
No problem.
When it’s my piece?
The one that I’ve worked on for X amount of years?
What errors? I don’t see them?
No, there’s a comma there don’t you see it? Oh wait, it’s all in my head isn’t it? Damn.
I miss far too much.
I’ve tried the tricks.
I’ve changed font.
I’ve printed it out on paper.
I’ve put it on my nook.
I still miss those suckers because my brain inputs them where my fingers did not.
But – it’s time for me to line edit.
Thank goodness I’m writing another piece in between. One chapter at a time with the line edits because I get cross-eyed and confused way too easily.
You want to do my line edits? I’ll trade you evenly – I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.
by Sarah | Jul 30, 2012 | Changing Tracks, The Muse, Writing, writing tips
[flickr id=”7665973486″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I have a new weakness. A new collection brewing. It’s small for now – just 3 items, but I adore them.
Last year I discovered a section at our local book resale shop (you know the one, I named it up there^^) called “Collectibles”.
Since discovering it I’ve been fortunate to find three items that manage to both bring me joy and inspire me all at once.
Three books with publication dates pre-1900 in pretty amazing condition.
Three books that one of my characters could have, and likely would have, in her lifetime.
[flickr id=”7665943684″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]Jane Doe from Changing Tracks is an avid reader with an eidetic memory. She loves poetry, but reads just about anything she gets her hands on (she has even been known to read medical texts).
So even when I’m not working on Changing Tracks. I love having these books on hand. They make me think of her, and then in turn my other characters. They bring me inspiration, and a chance to focus on my characters and give them a little more depth.
None of them cost me very much (although I would have willingly spent more on each of them) – but they are books that will never leave my home. While I willingly resell books all the time to keep some space open in our cramped home, I have handfuls of books that never leave the shelves. These have and will maintain a prominent and permanent place in my home.
To me, they bring Jane to life even more than she already is in my head.
Let her out to breathe.
There’s no better inspiration than that.
by Sarah | Jun 29, 2012 | Books, Publishing Credits, Sirens Call, Writing
I’ve been working at this writing thing for a few years now. Always looking for that day when I could go from being ‘writer’ to ‘published author’.
I am notoriously incapable of writing anything shorter than a full length novel. So I’ve been struggling to get anything out there.
Now I have bridged that gap.
With a piece of flash fiction.
500 words.
Not of romance – oh no.
Psychological horror.
In the June 2012 of The Sirens Call eZine “Obscure Ink” I have a piece. Page 48 contains my flash fiction piece entitled “I Win.”
Buy it.
Read it.
I might just creep you the hell out.
*~*~*
Really, it’s $2. Buy it. There’s a ton of amazingly creepy stuff in there.
*~*~*
I won’t be stopping here. While I’m still writing my romance pieces I have another horror short in mind to submit for one of their upcoming anthology open submissions. I’ve made the leap and now I’m hungrier than ever.
by Sarah | Jun 27, 2012 | Books, Guest Authors, Reviews
All it took for me to review this book was the cover. Is that not just gorgeous?
Gorgeous cover aside, I didn’t know what to expect when I dove into this book. Obviously I read the blurb (see below) – but I hadn’t read any of Marie Treanor’s books before. This book is the start of a new series for her, but the new series is a spinoff of her Awakened by Blood Series.
While I hadn’t read that series I found it wasn’t necessary. Even though I didn’t know the existing characters (which make appearances), there was enough background information given that I never once felt lost.
I have to say that it has been a while since I devoured a book this fast. While I have been out of my ‘reading’ phase, this book made me forget that I took a few months off of reading. I read it so fast that I was incredibly sad it was over and already researching how much it would cost to buy the original series (side note: not a lot…I’ll be getting them very soon).
Mihaela is a damaged and lonely vampire hunter. She spent her whole life living for her job – but recent events have changed the rules she’s always known. While she’s trying to cope with the change in rules and the division of her loyalties and beliefs – she goes on vacation to Scotland.
Of course, what good vacation isn’t ruined (or is it made ages better?) by complications? The complications come in the form of a powerful young boy, an old vampire with whom she has a vendetta against, and an even older and far more perplexing vampire named Maximilian.
Mihaela has to learn how to adjust to the new rules – and her own changing heart – as she races to save not just the little boy, but the whole world.
I instantly fell in love with the damaged Mihaela. I’m a sucker for damaged characters, and Mihaela fit the bill. I truly enjoyed the fact that while she was damaged, she was fiercely loyal – but also not opposed to learning the new rules and seeing how things would go. Granted, her willingness to do that added another layer of trouble to her life, but it also added more layers to her.
Maximilian took me a little to warm up to – but only because I could see easily see him through Mihaela’s eyes. Of course, he won me over fast and thankfully he at least made dents in Mihaela’s wall early on. I think the moment he truly won me over though was when, despite his intense needs and wants – when he was told ‘no’ he walked away. Pretty sure I cheered out loud at that point.
Together the two had the kind of fiery but fun relationship I adore. The love scenes were smoking hot and intense. The relationship had it’s flaws from the start and at the end things weren’t “perfect” – but the issues were on the table and everyone agreed to work to keep it that way.
[amazon_link id=”B0088Q23F8″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood Guilt[/amazon_link] is definitely one of my favs for the year so far and I look forward to book 2. Until then I’ll be satisfying myself with [amazon_link id=”B005B1H9X4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood on Silk[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B0064XCOH4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood Sin[/amazon_link], and [amazon_link id=”0451234723″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blood Eternal[/amazon_link].
*~*~*~*
BLOOD GUILT
(Blood Hunters, Book 1)
By Marie Treanor
eBook coming 5th June 2012
The first of a new vampire romance series, a sequel to the Awakened by Blood trilogy.
Natural enemies, deadly attraction…
Mihaela, a fearless vampire hunter secretly haunted by loneliness and childhood tragedy, finds it difficult to adjust to the new world order where vampires are not always the bad guys. She’s taking a much needed vacation inScotlandwhen she sees a little boy being chased through the streets ofEdinburgh. Rescuing him brings bigger problems – two vampires from her past: Gavril, who killed her family; and the reclusive and troubled Maximilian, gifted Renaissance artist and one-time overlord of the most powerful undead community in the world. Maximilian once saved her life and now needs that favor returned.
The earth moves for Mihaela in more ways than one. From Scotland to Budapest and Malta, she races against time to prevent a disastrous, vampire-induced earthquake and save an innocent yet powerful child – all while fighting a dreadful attraction to Maximilian, her only ally, whom she can’t afford to trust. For Maximilian, the hunter becomes a symbol of renewed existence, as he struggles to accept his past and rediscovers his appetite for blood and sex – and maybe even happiness.
Author Bio:
Marie Treanor lives inScotlandwith her eccentric husband and three much-too-smart children. Having grown bored with city life, she resides these days in a picturesque village by the sea where she is lucky enough to enjoy herself avoiding housework and writing sensual stories of paranormal romance and fantasy.
Marie Treanor has published more than twenty ebooks with small presses, (Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Changeling Press and The Wild Rose Press), including a former Kindle bestseller, Killing Joe. Blood on Silk: an Awakened by Blood novel, was herNew York debut with NAL.
Website: www.MarieTreanor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Treanor-Paranormal-Romance/105866982782360
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marietreanornewsletter
Blog: Marie Treanor’s Romantic Theme Party:
http://romanticthemeparty.blogspot.com/
by Sarah | Jun 19, 2012 | Books, Guest Authors, Reviews, Writing
If I say I got signed up for this book just because of the blurb you can take it to heart. Me and mythology? We have never mixed well.
Still, even I know of Medusa – at least the basics. Beyond that I knew nothing. I didn’t know the original mythology or the reworking by Ovid (some of those old tales disgusted me when I checked on them after reading this book), I only knew what we all knew.
Medusa. With the ‘hair’ and the turning people to stone.
Sasha Summers created out of old sexist mythology a tale that I could truly enjoy. Medusa and Ariston were characters I fell in love with and got invested in. Their love transcended duty and grew out of true affection. They could not even touch each other for the first portion of the book.
By the time I got halfway through the book I became so enraptured with the love of the two that I didn’t want to go on. Things were happy, things were beautiful – why on earth would I want to see the hell that would occur? War, betrayal, and the eventual curse?
I did push through and I’m glad I did. The ending brought everything to a satisfying conclusion and even though I still could care less for most of the Gods – the mortal beings were wonderful to behold.
Because I insist on being honest in my reviews I do have to comment on the one thing that bothered me and occasionally pulled me out of the story. The frequent hard breaks and back tracking to switch POV’s in a chapter (or in a scene) wore on me after a time. I also love to know what everyone is thinking, but not at the expense of losing the flow of what I’m reading. Sasha hints in her epilogue at another story in this mythological world and I hope that this is addressed – because books like hers may be the only way I actually manage to learn any mythology at all.
My final ruling? 4 stars out of 5.
*~*~*~*
[amazon_link id=”B007WSV5JI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Medusa A Love Story[/amazon_link]
By Sasha Summers
Blurb:
It’s said love can change a person. Medusa wasn’t always a monster…
Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She’s no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. WhenOlympusfrees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves… and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.
Ariston goes to war with a full heart… and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her.
Poseidon will useGreece’s war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.
book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90fH7xoZiCo
Excerpt:
“You asked for an audience, you have it. Now tell me, where do you belong?” Hades’ voice was deep, emotionless.
Ariston swallowed. “Athens.” He met Hades’ gaze, but the God revealed nothing to him.
“Why? You died with honor and glory. Is that not what every soldier wants?”
“My wife…” His voice wavered.
Hades brow lifted slightly. “Lives. You do not.”
“She is in danger.”
“Earthly danger. She is no longer your concern, Ariston.”
“The danger she faces is not earthly, but far from it…” Ariston’s voice was hoarse, his desperation mounting. He took a wavering breath before he began again. “She is everything to me. I am proud of my death, but it means nothing if she is in peril. I must know.” Ariston kneeled. “I beg you. I beg you to return me toAthens.”
Ariston waited, willing himself to be strong.
“Who is this wife?” Hades asked.
“Medusa ofAthens.” He paused. “Now ofRhodes.”
Hades was silent, his dark blue eyes regarding him steadily.
“When I die—” Ariston began.
“You are dead,” Hades assured him.
“When I return…die again, I would serve as guardian to Tartarus. I am a skilled warrior, a skill I might offer you.” He spoke with confidence.
“You vex me,” Hades muttered, the slightest crease appearing between his eyes. “You offer this to me for a woman?”
Ariston nodded. “She is worthy.”
Hades was silent again, his eyes shifting to the blue-white flames in the massive
fireplace.
“My words do not…adequately express the love I have for this woman. But I cannot leave her. She is at risk. I must return.” The words came without thought. How could he justify such emotion to a God who reviled affection or companionship? “AsOlympushas my arm and sword, she has my heart – a mortal, and perhaps weak, heart.”
The room was silent for too long. He would have to fight his way out…
“It is a weakness not reserved for mortals alone, Ariston of Rhodes.” Hades’ words were so soft Ariston feared they’d not been spoken. But Hades continued, strong and clear. “I will return you to your ship so that you may lead your men to victory. Too many have fallen from this war and I would see it end. When that is done, you may go to your wife.” He paused then added, “When you return to my realm, I will have your fealty.”
The God of the Underworld, Lord of Death, gave him mercy? Mayhap there was one God he might serve with honor.
Ariston vowed, “You have it.”
*~*~*~*
Author Bio:
Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe.
She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so.
Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.
Sasha is an active member of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict, she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.
Facebook Author Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-Summers/213036208773108
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759214.Sasha_Summers
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sashasummers/
Twitter: @sashawrites
Webpage: http://www.sashasummers.com
