Gull Harbor released on Kindle Select! Kathryn Knight

I'm officially multi-published!  Last evening, while waiting for my son's soccer game to start, I hit refresh on my phone's search for Gull Harbor on Amazon.  I had been told by my publisher to expect it to go live within the week, but thus far only a similarly-titled cookbook showed up in my searches.

This time it came up--what a feeling that is to first see the novel you worked so hard on make it from your computer to an enormous marketplace.  I scrambled to start promoting from my phone while following the soccer game as best I could.

I still can't believe I've had 2 full-length novels release within 6 months.  I don't imagine I'll ever have that happen again, so I'm trying to enjoy the feeling now.  I'm about 7,000 words into a paranormal YA romance right now, so my third novel is a long way from even a completed rough draft.  But I know that since August, I've been very busy promoting Silver Lake and editing Gull Harbor, and that has cut into writing time.  It's tough to balance it all with a part-time job and family and pets, but I'm not complaining--this journey has been rewarding in so many ways, and has resulted in a dream come true.

Silver Lake was not part of the Kindle Select early release, so I'm interested in how this will play out, sales-wise.  If anyone has any tips for me for the next 3 months, I'd love to hear them!  If you'd like to purchase a Kindle version of Gull Harbor, the link is below.  And if you don't have a Kindle but can't wait till June, you can download a FREE Kindle App from Amazon for your laptop.  I have one and it's great.  I've included that link too.  Thanks for stopping by and celebrating with me!

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Gull-Harbor-ebook/dp/B00BK9QWNY/ref=la_B00919ENJA_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361839287&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kinh_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771

Gull Harbor's Official Release Date! Kathryn Knight

I just received my release date from The Wild Rose Press for my second paranormal romance, Gull Harbor!  Like Silver Lake, Gull Harbor is also a ghost story and a "second chance" romance between two main characters with a rocky history.  I began Gull Harbor while waiting to hear about a contract for Silver Lake.  At that point, my wonderful editors had helped me get the pacing perfect for Silver Lake - beginning the story right at the point of action and cutting everything out that slowed the story down.  I was hopeful my last rewrite would result in a contract, but to deal with the waiting, I got to work on the next novel I had brewing in my imagination.

When I got "the call" that Silver Lake had been offered a contract, I was obviously ecstatic.  I learned so much during the editing process of that first novel--especially what pitfalls to avoid.  Gull Harbor was finished in record time (for me that means 9 months as opposed to 2 1/2 years).  Thankfully, Gull Harbor was offered a contract immediately after the first submission.  But of course the entire process takes time, and a release date was still far away.

Once a novel has been contracted with The Wild Rose Press, initial edits begin. Cover art, blurbs and author bios must be created.  Pre-galley and Galley copies must be proofed and approved.  Even after all that is completed, a novel must wait its turn.  While Gull Harbor was going through the process, other TWRP novels were in different stages and "getting in line".  TWRP only releases 5 new books a week, so that each new release can spend an entire 2 weeks on the Home page and receive the full attention it deserves.  So the general time frame can be up to 6 months from final Galley to official release.

Which brings me to my date:  June 21, 2013!  However, now that TWRP participates in Amazon's Kindle Select program, it may be available on just that format much sooner.  I can't wait!  Please enjoy the blurb and cover art for Gull Harbor below:

When Claire Linden’s job sends her to the sleepy town of Gull Harbor, she never expects to encounter her ex-boyfriend. As a medium, the prospect of tackling a haunted house is less daunting than seeing Max Baron again. Throughout their passionate college relationship, he promised to love her forever. Then, without explanation, he abandoned her on graduation day.

Max never intended to break Claire's heart—a cruel ultimatum forced him to disappear from her life. While he's shocked to find her in Gull Harbor, he isn't surprised by the bitter resentment she feels for him...or the fiery attraction that remains between them.

Claire is determined to rid her temporary home of its aggressive ghost, but Max soon realizes she's facing a danger beyond the paranormal. When Claire risks everything to help a desperate spirit, Max must race to save her—before another tragedy tears them apart forever.

$25 giftcard & book giveaway - Wraith Redeemed

Today's Meet A Hero Monday features Conor O'Shea from Wraith Redeemed, by Melissa Fox.  Enjoy his interview and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a copy (print or electronic - winner's choice) of the book AND a $25 Amazon gift certificate!

Welcome Conor.  When is your birthday and how old are you?

My birthday is April 28, and I’m twenty-nine years old. Birthdays don’t hold good memories for me, at least, not since my twenty-first. Shit got real that day.

Having read your story, I understand.  How do you spend your days and what are your hobbies?

Hobbies? Like…stamp collecting? Ha. I train and study a lot. My life and others often depends on my skill and conditioning, as well as my knowledge of demons and how to kill them. There’s only nine Wraith warriors to fight demons in this world, so we don’t get much down time. When I’m off rotation, I like to ride Brimstone to relax and spend time with Merry, of course. I went too many years not being able to do that.

Can you list 3 words that best describe you?

Loyal, deadly, determined

All good qualities in a hero.  Where have you traveled?

There isn’t anywhere on this earth I haven’t been—Wait. No, was there last year.

So...well-traveled!  If you could keep only one material item you own, what would it be?

Only one, huh? My knives. The photo of Merry I carried for eight years I know by heart. I don’t need to see it to remember one thing about her face. But my knives…I can take on anything with those blades, and I do mean anything.

That's good for the rest of us!  What is your favorite food?  Favorite drink?

Steak. A lot of it. Rare. And a good Irish whiskey.

Finally, who would play you in a movie?  

Henry Cavill comes the closest. But I’m bigger.

 Please enjoy the blurb below and don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

Demon-slayer Conor O’Shea is about to engage in the most dangerous encounter of his life—facing the woman he scorned.

For years, Merry Bradbury's world revolved around Conor O'Shea. After his sudden betrayal leaves her alone and heartbroken, she comes home to settle her past and move into the future. The last person she expects to see is Conor.

Conor never wanted anything more than forever with Merry. Discovering he is a Wraith warrior, honor bound to fight demons, destroys that plan. Merry is his Amorta, his one true soul mate, but he leaves to keep her safe from the evil that stalks him.

Eight years later, Conor's worst fear is realized, and he returns to defend Merry from his enemies. Can he save her from an unspeakable fate and reclaim her heart? And if he does, will Merry be able to accept all that he is?  

 

AUTHOR BIO - Melissa Fox

After being rationed books by my parents like most kids get rationed candy, I turned to writing to tide me over between fixes. Having lived in the suburbs of the Mid-West, desert of the Southwest, foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I’m now living on an island in the Puget Sound with my husband and dogs.

My debut paranormal romance, WRAITH REDEEMED, is now available on Amazon for Kindle and due for official release in all print and ebook formats on February 15, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Wraith-Redeemed-ebook/dp/B009Y85JT6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1361121473&sr=1-1&keywords=wraith+redeemed

Favorite Fictional Couples - Kathryn Knight

In honor of Valentine's Day, I created a personal list of my favorite fictional couples.  These are couples from books, although some have made the transition to the big screen and now have actors who embody the characters.  Here are my top 5 - the notable exception being Rain and Jason, the characters from Silver Lake - since it's possible I may be biased when it comes to them!  Please share your favorites too.

5.  Edward Cullen and Bella Swan in Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer.  Yes, I admit it, I enjoyed the romance between these two young characters.  Paranormal romance is (obviously) my favorite genre, and Edward is mysterious, witty, intelligent, and a dangerous predator.  Already striving to be a "good" vampire, his love for Bella allows him to overcome his primal instincts.  Protective, polite, and ridiculously handsome, it's obvious why Bella falls for Edward.  But Midnight Sun, Twilight written from Edward's viewpoint, helps reveal the qualities in Bella that Edward treasures: selflessness, kindness, and loyalty.

4.  India Selwyn-Jones and Sid Malone in The Winter Rose, by Jennifer Donnelley.  India, a naive but fearless young female doctor in 1900 England, encounters East London's crime lord Sid Malone as she tries to improve the lives of her poorest patients.  The obvious clash in their social stations is just one of many conflicts that work against these two damaged souls.  This historical romance takes the reader on an incredible journey as the characters fight to find their way back to each other.

3.  Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell.  Between the novel and the movie, almost everyone is aware of the powerful but doomed relationship between Scarlett and Rhett.  I love Scarlett for being the anti-"Mary Sue": she's not very sympathetic, and she's certainly no saint.  She's feisty, selfish, and ruthless, but also strong, driven, and fearless.  Rhett can't help but love her.  Rhett can easily admit that he's no gentleman according to Southern society standards, but it soon becomes clear that he is a hero when it counts.  And although Scarlett fails to realize how much she loves him back until Melanie's demise, their story continues in Scarlett, by Alexandra Ripley.  While not nearly in the same league as GWTW, the two star-crossed lovers get some closure in this novel.

2.  Whitney Stone and Clayton Westmoreland in Whitney, My Love, by Judith McNaught.  The arrogant and dashing Duke of Claymore wants Whitney for himself...yet she wants Paul, her childhood love.  For me, this story paralleled some of the relationship conflicts in GWTW, but this novel is set in 1800s England.  Certain scenes in the story are controversial, but that is part of what made these characters feel so real - they are flawed.  They make terrible mistakes.  And the emotions I felt throughout the story - my heart actually hurt at some points.  The sexual tension had me turning pages well into the night, desperately hoping Whitney and Clayton would get their happy ending.

1.  Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall in Outlander, by Diane Gabaldon.  Another paranormal romance, this time travel story takes Claire from 1945 to the Scottish Highlands of 1743.  Jamie is a young, fierce warrior with a sweet and innocent side...who doesn't love a hot Highlander?  And when fate throws him together with Claire, a strong and competent combat nurse from the future, he nicknames her "Sassenach" - Outlander in his Celtic tongue.  I love everything about Jamie - his speech, his insight, his courage, and his protectiveness.  Claire is already married...but in another time and place.  This series continues on through 7 very large novels, so I had a pretty good idea the couple would be reunited when Claire is forced to return to her former life...and yet I was sobbing.  That's a compelling couple and amazing writing.

Those are my favorite literary couples...yours?

Giveaway and Character Interview - Historical Romance!

It's Meet A Hero Monday again, and today we have Lazarus, the hero of Katherine Grey's An Unexpected Gift.  Lazarus also appears in The Muse - you can comment today to enter for a chance to win a copy of The Muse by Katherine Grey.

Tell us, Lazarus, when is your birthday and how old are you?

I'm not sure of my actual birth date so every year in June I just say I'm a year older than I was. I'm almost certain I'm 28 years of age.

You don’t know your birthday…hmm.  I’m intrigued already.  So, how do you spend your days and what are your hobbies?

I spend my days running a vast network of businesses, most of them legal, others not so much. I fear I don't have time for hobbies.

Even more interesting.  Can you list 3 words that best describe you?

Demanding, ruthless, and compassionate toward those who deserve it.

Oooh…sounds like traits you need in your business activities.  Where have you traveled?

While I haven't traveled outside of London and the surrounding countryside, I know the stews of London like the back of my hand and could lead you a merry chase.

I bet!  If you could keep only one material item you own, what would it be?

I learned long ago that material items do not matter.

That’s an excellent outlook.  What is your favorite food? Favorite drink?

I have a fondness for lemon tarts. My drink of choice is Scotch, though I do not imbibe often.

You sound very disciplined.  Finally, who would play you in a movie?

I'm not certain I know what this thing, a movie, is. If I were to choose someone to impersonate me I would say Hugh Jackman. He can be kind but ruthless as I must be to keep control of the docks.

 

Great interview and gorgeous cover!  Please leave a comment for a chance to win the first book to feature Lazarus - The Muse.

An Unexpected Gift Blurb:

Known only as Lazarus to the band of cutthroats and thieves he leads, William Prescott will do anything to find his missing sister, even blackmail a fragile young woman into helping him. But he never plans to fall in love with this mysterious woman with a troubled past.

Haunted by the memories of war, Olivia St. Germaine wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But when her brother, a doctor, suddenly leaves town without a word, she is forced to use her medical knowledge to help an injured man who puts her life in danger. Can she keep herself safe as she tends Lazarus, or is her heart more vulnerable than she realizes?

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press - http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=905&zenid=8efee4535603203ba295cd3edd2fac6c

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/An-Unexpected-Gift-ebook/dp/B009Y8APVI/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-unexpected-gift-katherine-grey/1114371314?ean=2940016394534

Our Rescue Pup's First Week - Kathryn Knight

Tomorrow (Friday) will mark one week since Otis arrived (his initial story here).  Last Friday morning my husband met the transport van in a parking lot in Vermont, and Otis began the last leg of his 24+ hour ride to his forever home.  He had experienced car sickness on short trips with his foster mom, but he did remarkably well on his long journey.  After some get-acquainted play time, I gave him a bath.  Then he curled up with my husband for a rest.

We started out the first night with crate training, something I've never done before but now can't imagine why not.  He was a bit nervous at first, but I had the crate in our bedroom, and he could see my husband and myself, along with our older dog Winston.  He did really well and slept through the night.

The crate is invaluable in terms of keeping Otis (and our house) safe while we're not at home.  Now he will go right in and lie down without a sound.  Dogs do not like to make a mess in their "den" and he has had no accidents in his crate.

Potty training has been a bit of a struggle this first week, but we are getting in the grove.  He absolutely understands peeing outside (he's a mix of some smart breeds).  The other part is a little more complicated, but he's getting it. 

Winston & Otis

So far he is very attached to our senior dog Winston (another rescue, Winston came to us when he was about 2 years old and is now about 11 or 12).  Unfortunately for Winston, Otis enjoys trying to rough house with him.  But Winston is making out well for himself...more walks, extra treats, lots of attention. 

The cat is not quite ready to make friends.  But when Winston arrived 9 years ago, he chased our cat everywhere.  Another older adopted dog did the same.  And eventually our cat put them both in their place.  So I'm confident the two of them will work out a truce soon.  Right now they are about the same size - which is actually not always a good thing, as Otis can crawl under a bed or fit through a cat door!  The cat is mostly taking refuge up on beds...Otis can't jump that high.  Yet.

Character Interview and Giveaway - Topaz Eyes

Today’s blog will be Meet A Heroine Monday!  I have Keira Drummond, of Topaz Eyes by Nancy Jardine, answering some interview questions.  A FREE e-copy of Topaz Eyes is being offered to one lucky commenter...please leave a comment with a way to contact you should Nancy draw your name from the hat!

Hi Keira…some background info first…when is your birthday and how old are you?

That question makes me feel even older already! I’m a Pisces, born 15^th March and I’ll be 28 come my next birthday.

How do you spend your days and what are your hobbies?

Before I got embroiled in the quest to find the Tiru Salana jewellery collection with Teun Zeger my days now seem pretty tame. I’d mostly be spending the day doing my work as a translator, on the internet a lot, and sometimes on the phone for long consultations. Occasionally I’d travel to the client which might mean some short trips to Europe. All that didn’t leave me much time for hobbies, but when I can manage it I love to explore new places. I guess the hobby part is finding out what I can about the place before I go, and where to see when I get there.

A quest like that sounds exciting!  Can you list 3 words that best describe you?

Dedicated, tenacious, pain- butt (that’s what my sister calls me!)

I’m sure she means it lovingly!  Where have you traveled?

I am so…lucky about that. My work has given me lots of opportunities for travel, and as a student I lived and worked in quite a few places in Europe. Heidelberg –of course - is where the treasure hunt began.  And the Topaz Eyes hunt also took me to Vienna, Amsterdam… If I look at a map of Europe there are not all that many places I’ve not been to! I’ve not made Greece yet, or Hungary, but someday I will. The fantastic jewellery search with Teun has meant I’ve managed to get across the Atlantic to the US, to Rochester/ Minnesota, and Duluth, and New York. All flying visits but I’m convinced I WILL return!

Wow, how wonderful to have seen so much.  If you could keep only one material item you own, what would it be?

Ah! That would definitely be a certain item of jewellery that Teun Zeger has given me. I won’t tell you exactly what, or that just might give away too much of the story!

What is your favorite food? 

Being a Scot I have to honestly say it has to be haggis, neeps ‘n tatties. For those who’ve never heard of that famous Scottish dish it’s a kind of oatmeal pudding. Traditionally it’s made from the sheep’s pluck – that’s the liver, heart, lungs - mixed with oatmeal, onions, and suet. Haggis is served with mashed neeps – that’s orange fleshed turnip in Scotland, what the English call swede – and mashed potatoes. The veggies are usually mashed with a bit of butter and pepper. I love a moist haggis and not too peppery!  

Well, I can safely say I’ve tried none of those things.  Favorite drink?

Well, that’s not Scottish –it’s Aurum from Italy - a spectacular orange liqueur. You really want to try it sometime! Mmmm..

That’s more my speed, lol.  Lastly, who would play you in a movie? 

Oh, someone who looks like the English actress Keira Knightley would be perfect.

Oh, she’s beautiful!  Thanks for sharing with us, Nancy and Keira.  Readers please enjoy the blurb and be sure to leave a comment to enter the contest!

Topaz Eyes Blurb:

A peculiar invitation to Heidelberg embroils Keira Drummond in the search for a mysterious collection of extraordinary jewels once owned by a Mughal Emperor; a hoard that was last known to be in the possession of Amsterdam resident, Geertje Hoogeveen, in 1910.

Who among the progeny of Geertje – hitherto unfamiliar third cousins brought together for the quest – can Keira rely on? Distrust and suspicion among them is rife.

Which one is greedy, and determined enough, to hire thugs to tail her… and worse… as she travels to Vienna and Minnesota?  Can Keira even trust Teun Zeger - a Californian she is becoming very drawn to – as they pair up to unearth the jewellery?

As they follow a trail of clues, will they uncover the full collection before the hired gun kills them? Details remain furtive and undisclosed until danger and death forces their exposure. And who harbours the ultimate mystery item that is even more precious than the Mughal jewels?

Greed, suspicion and murder are balanced by growing family loyalty, trust, and love.

 

 

Buy Links for Topaz Eyes:   

Amazon http://amzn.to/RhRWK1

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/261511 

Amazon author page for books and YouTube trailers: http://amzn.to/RJZzZz

Nancy Jardine can be contacted at these places:

http://nancyjardine.blogspot.com   http://nancyjardineauthor.weebly.com    http://facebook.com/nancy.jardine.56    Twitter @nansjar