Happy Birthday, Desert Breeze Publishing

  

The publisher of my Chronicles of Kassouk Series, Desert Breeze Publishing, is two years old at the end of this month. Hard to believe such progress was accomplished in such a short time. And since I agreed to tell everyone how I found this wonderful publisher for this sci-fi romance series, here is the story.

In 2007, my publisher of the time (which shall not be named) closed their doors. A bitter and lengthy battle ensued for the authors' rights to their own stories. For a time, I kept writing and looking for new publishers, found an eBook outlet for my contemporary novellas, but my back list of sci-fi romance novels was now out of print and I didn't own the rights to my previously written books, not even those that never were published but had been contracted by this defunct publisher.

At the RT Booklovers Convention in Orlando in April 2009, after attending agent and editor panels, I roamed the corridors and bumped into the familiar smiling face of Gail Delaney, a fellow author and former editor for that defunct publishing company. She invited me to a shindig on the grounds to meet other authors and to tell me about a project of hers.

Intrigued, I accepted the invitation and had refreshments with a friendly bunch while she explained that she was moving to California and starting a new publishing company with a very talented partner, and she would name the company Desert Breeze. The electricity in the room all but sparkled. I knew Gail had seen the insides of that sorry defunct publishing company as an editor and more. She'd learned exactly what not to do. When she reminded me of the stories she'd edited for me and how much she liked them, and asked me to submit whatever I had, I immediately accepted. Not only I saw an opportunity to get back in the game, but I finally owned the rights to my books, and I trusted Gail's unquestionable integrity.

You would think things went smoothly after that, but it wasn't the case. Actually, Gail rejected my first two manuscripts (my most recent and never published novels) for reasons I fully understood (too sexy, not suitable for the kind of lines she had in mind, or other concerns not related to the writing). I fully respected her choices, each publisher has very specific house rules. These other novels since found a home elsewhere.

Then Gail reminded me of a title from my previous publisher, White Tiger. She'd read it and liked it and wanted to re-publish it. That was easy. I revised and polished the manuscript and sent it to her. It happened to be exactly what she was looking for. When I understood the kind of books she wanted, I suggested that White Tiger could be the first book of a series, and I could write more set in the same futuristic world.

She was very enthused, asked me for two more titles, a name for the series, and send me a three-book contract. Since then I've been writing the CHRONICLES OF KASSOUK series. These three books are now out. Book Four, Blue Lioness, is coming in August, and the prequel, Noah's Ark, is scheduled for release in 2012. I'm also writing a novella for their Borealis III sci-fi romance anthology coming in October 2011.

This is how I became a Desert Breeze author and I never regretted it. I just saw Gail Delaney, Patrick Delaney, and Jenifer Raniery at RT in LA this month, and their publishing company is healthy, growing, and taking giant strides, while maintaining impeccable quality. Have you seen the cover of White Tiger? It won the ARIANA award and the QUASAR award for Best overall eBook cover of 2009. An author can't ask for more. I am very priviledged and proud to be a part of the Desert Breeze Publishing family.

Find the Chronicles of Kassouk books at Desert Breeze HERE

Follow top right links on this page to find all my paperbacks and eBooks in various formats from Amazon kindle, B&N Nook, ARe, Smashwords, and other places.

If you leave a comment on this blog you can win the pdf of either White Tiger, Red Leopard, or Black Jaguar (your choice), and be entered for the Desert Breeze Anniversary grand prize at the end of the month. So go ahead.

The Desert Breeze Birthday tour continues tomorrow Sunday April 24 at:

SUE PERKINS' blog: http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Vijaya Schartz
Award-winning sci-fi and romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

SCORPION BAY by Michael Murphy is out

Award winning mystery and suspense novelist, Michael Murphy, introduces a chilling thriller of murder and revenge and a surprising splash of humor.

When a car bomb kills the prosecuting attorney and a key witness against a powerful bioengineering industrialist, the blast shatters the life of the attorney’s husband, popular Phoenix television investigative reporter, Parker Knight. After authorities hit a dead end, Parker risks his career and his life to seek his own revenge. Riding a high tech motorcycle and wearing a black disguise, the crusading newsman inadvertently becomes a media created superhero jeopardizing his quest for justice.

This book is available in paperback and in eBook format everywhere, including Kindle and on Smashwords.

EXCERPT:

Parker awoke in a hospital bed, hooked to an IV drip while an annoying heart monitor beeped beside him. Only a florescent light above a mirror and the green glow from the monitor illuminated the dimly lit room.

He felt groggy, no doubt from pain medication, and gazed down at a bandage on his left forearm and wiggled his fingers. He struggled to lift his arm and the room began to spin. He took a deep breath and managed to move his left leg then his right. Taking inventory of his injuries, Parker felt sore in spite of the medication, but nothing seemed broken.

The window blinds showed the darkness and soft glow from a parking lot. A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the room.

Closing his eyes, Parker replayed the accident as the details of the night began to emerge from his foggy memory. He remembered the abduction, his escape and shots fired by Carl as he and Lenny pursued Parker outside the drop house. His Kawasaki might be totaled, but at least he’d escaped the clutches of Raymond Camino’s men and was safe in the hospital.

Wanting to know about his condition and how long he might be hospitalized, Parker reached for a call button. A moment later, a nurse entered the room and closed the door.

“What time is it?” Parker asked, aware he was slurring his words. What kind of drugs had they given him?

“Time for another pain pill.” She stepped forward, poured water from a pitcher and handed him the pill and a plastic glass. “I’m going to take good care of you, Parker.” A lightning flash revealed the nurse’s smiling face.

“Kimberly.”

“So you haven’t forgotten me.”

Parker palmed the pill and pretended to place the drug into his mouth. He sipped the water and tried to set the glass on a tray beside the bed.

Kimberly set the glass on the tray then slid a chair beside his bed. Her employee-of-the-quarter smile twisted into a scowl as she looked down at his balled fist. She pried his fingers apart and grabbed the pill.

Turning her back to him, Kimberly crossed the room and stopped beneath the light. “If you won’t take the pill, Mr. I’m-too-busy-to-call Anchorman, I’ll have to give you an injection.”

Parker tried to shake his drug-induced stupor. He reached for the call button but only managed to send the device clattering to the floor. His mouth went dry as Kimberly approached the bed holding a long syringe with a two-inch needle at her side.

Kimberly’s eyes burned with contempt. Her voice choked with bitterness. “Before I give you the Demerol, explain why, Parker Knight, after I sent all those beautiful roses day after day, you never called me.” She brought the syringe closer to the IV line in his wrist. “Never!”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Part time urban chicken rancher and full time writer, award winning novelist Michael Murphy and his wife make their home in Arizona with their two cats, four dogs and five chickens. He enjoys writing mystery and suspense novels with twists and turns and splashes of humor. Scorpion Bay is his seventh novel.

If you like a laugh along with your chills, you might want to give one of Michael Murphy's novels a try.

Visit his website at: http://www.mjmurphy.com/
Find Michael Murphy on Amazon.com HERE
Find them at Smashwords HERE

A great time at the RT Booklovers Convention in L.A.

The Book signing and the ebook Expo at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention April 6 to April 10, 2011, were hugely attended. Authors, readers, librarians, booksellers and book lovers of all kinds attended not only the book signings but also the workshops and the wild costumed parties. From Faeries to vampires, from Bollywood to Hollywood, there was something for every taste.

RT is always a joy to attend and everyone is so friendly, it doesn't feel like a working conference, but like a place to meet friends and a big family of readers and book lovers.

An attending reader brought home baked cookies to distribute to her favorite authors. Where else but at RT can you find such atmosphere?

Yes, it's me on the photograph, at the eBook Fair, showing off my kindle and talking to readers, and holding the poster of Red Leopard. Book Four in the Chronicles of Kassouk series is due in August 2011 and is titled BLUE LIONESS.

Already looking forward to the next RT Convention in April next year. It will be in Chicago. Brrrrr.


The only glitch was the unusually cold weather. I brought my bathing suit but didn't get a chance to hit the pool. It was too cold anyway. Now I'm warming up my bones back home in Phoenix Arizona, where you can always count on the sun.

Vijaya Schartz
sci-fi & Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

EXCERPT OF SNATCHED, now available in eBook

Snatched from a post-apocalyptic battlefield by galactic traders, Zania is sold to a clandestine ring of fighting Amazons on a planet lush with green jungles and teeming with deadly felines. She resents the gorgeous and overzealous Viking champion, Svend, who saves her life but too easily accepts his slavery. Adulated by a woman who claims to know her, hated by the jealous Amazon queen who fancies Svend, Zania seeks escape... But Svend knows the price of rebellion. And on this seemingly peaceful planet, ruled and defended by machines, nothing is what it seems... Among the rumbles of a volcano threatening to explode, insurrection is brewing, and no one is safe...

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY ABOUT VIJAYA'S BOOKS:

"…keep you captivated from beginning to end." Gina – Love Romances

"…nonstop action packed adventure from start to finish. An exceptional tale full of unexpected plot twists and turns, action aplenty, and sexy heroic characters." Fallen Angel Reviews

"…will have you on the edge of your seat, reading page after page." Romance Junkies

"…intriguing… wonderful romance, sheer danger… powerful and alluring story…" Robin Taylor – Sizzling Romances

Find it in KINDLE HERE
Find it at All Romance eBooks (ARE) HERE
Find it at Smashwords HERE

EXCERPT:
 
"All sexual relations have been abolished in these parts," the synthetic voice volunteered.


"Abolished?" Zania stifled a nervous chuckle as she kept walking. "It doesn’t make much sense."

"The tendencies that bring sexual passions, or passions of any kind, also breed violence, and all violence has been bred out of the citizens of this Earth. It is the price they pay for lasting peace and safety."
The concept sounded so foreign, Zania started to suspect she had wandered into delirium. She must have lost her mind. "Did you say Earth?"

"That’s what the natives call their planet."

The natives? So her captors were from some other place? From space? Zania slowed down but remembered she had to keep walking in order to get answers.

"This Earth is different from yours. It survived. Your native planet is long gone."

"Gone?" How could a planet be gone? "What do you mean?"

"Gone as in destroyed, reduced to interstellar dust, volatilized."

Zania couldn’t accept that. The idea that Earth as she knew it was no more bothered her beyond belief. "When did that happen? How long have I been unconscious?"

"Your battle happened one thousand, three hundred and thirty one Earth years ago," the voice stated with confidence.

"What?" Zania’s legs turned to mush. Something in her gut told her it was the truth. Her father, her brothers, her cheating boyfriend, all dead... They never found her body, declared her MIA. "How is that possible?"

"You were selected and preserved for our specific purpose."

"What purpose?" Zania couldn’t stand not being in control of her own destiny. "Who made that decision for me?"

"We did."

That We again. The corridor ended into a sharp turn. The sound of many voices filtered into the hallway. "What’s this place?"

"The time has come to perform your duty."

Before Zania could protest, she emerged into a brightly lit arena, with people in the bleachers, cheering and yelling her name. They all wore gray robes and hid their faces under a hood, like ghosts. "Why do they all wear gray?"

"Color is not allowed on their Earth. Color breeds passions."

"But I wear blue, and the mat is red."

"This is clandestine entertainment We provide for them. They hide their faces for fear of being recognized."

Stepping on the soft red mat, Zania raised her gaze to the highest levels of the arena and noticed a gigantic projection of herself on the ceiling.

The deep blue veils suited her well, enhancing her dazzling blue eyes and apricot complexion, and revealing much of her body. With the long flowing hair and the eye makeup of an Egyptian queen, Zania hardly recognized herself. She looked more beautiful than she remembered. Of course, she’d never been the pampering type.

The cheering suddenly stopped and Zania realized she no longer stood alone on the mat of the arena. There, in the bright light, walked a tall muscular man, young, his long blond hair framing a tan face with icy gray eyes... The visage of Adonis on Hercules’ body.

Her gaze roamed over the regular lines of his jaw, the full, sensual lips, dimpled chin, down the expanse of his hairless pectorals, and stopped on the leather cod piece embossed with Tor’s hammer. That’s all he wore.

So, he was a Viking. Zania could easily imagine him swinging a sword or a battle axe like his ancestors. He certainly had the biceps for it. His bare thighs bulged with muscles, yet his face held an almost feminine beauty. She couldn’t help a shiver of appreciation for this perfect male specimen.

"Are you Adonis himself?" If he were, Zania would have to prostrate herself.

"No, Zania. My name is Svend." His amused smile told her he enjoyed her surprise. "Who is Adonis?"

"Never mind." How could he not know the gods of the Pantheon?

The synthetic female voice interrupted her thoughts. "This is the mate We selected for you."

"Mate?" Zania realized only she could hear the voice as Svend didn’t react to the outrageous comment.

"You must join with him here, now, for the pleasure of our illustrious clients." The lack of emotion clashed with the loaded words. "In exchange, you will live another day."

"You don’t say." Mating was out of the question.

"Think before you decide. If you delight the crowd, you may be auctioned off to a prosperous patron, or even earn your freedom."

Freedom... That had been Zania’s battle cry. "This is blackmail!" As a soldier, she had no tolerance for such practices. She didn’t risk her life in combat to end up as an unwilling porn star. "I’m not mating with this..." She lacked the words. Viking prince? Golden god?

Svend smiled and walked to her with debonair confidence. "Shall we give them a good show? How long has it been since you were fully satisfied?" The deep voice caressed and enveloped her.

How long indeed! "Don’t touch me!" How dare this stranger think she’d go along with his parody of seduction. "I can only have sex with a man I love." The man she’d loved had cheated on her while she fought on the front. Of course, she’d had casual sex before, and sacred sex at the temple as well, but she wanted to make a point.

Vijaya Schartz
Award-winning Sci-fi and Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

New contest to win SNATCHED

This brand new novel is coming out in eBook from BWLPP on March 9, 2011. It's a stand alone novel, not part of any series. Here is what it's about:

Snatched from a post-apocalyptic battlefield by galactic traders, Zania is sold to a clandestine ring of fighting Amazons on a planet lush with green jungles and teeming with deadly felines. She resents the gorgeous and overzealous Viking champion, Svend, who saves her life but too easily accepts slavery. Adulated by a woman who claims to know her, hated by the jealous Amazon queen who fancies Svend, Zania seeks escape... But Svend knows the price of rebellion. And on this seemingly peaceful planet, ruled and defended by machines, nothing is what it seems... Among the rumbles of a volcano threatening to explode, insurrection is brewing, and no one is safe..

Enter the contest to win it - Click on CONTEST on the left at: http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

In the meantime, check out all my other available books at Amazon.com HERE

Download my eBooks (best prices) at All Romance eBooks HERE

Find these titles in Nook at B&N HERE

Good luck in the contest.

Vijaya

http://www/vijayaschartz.com

Valentine's Day and Nicolas Hansen's Unshakable Excuse.

It is my pleasure to introduce historical author and friend Kris Tualla, speaking today about Valentine's Day and her hero, Nicolas Hansen.

Nicolas Hansen - hero of the Woman of Choice/Prince of Norway/Matter of Principle trilogy - did not do anything to signify Valentine's Day on ANY of the February 14ths that transpired in the three books. And Sydney, his wife let him off the hook.
Why do you suppose she did that?

In his defense, Nicolas IS Norwegian in heritage, and in Norway and the Nordic countries the celebration of Valentine's Day was an unknown practice until the late 1900s. So it wasn't built into his cultural awareness.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be celebrated around the 1600s. By the middle of 1700s, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection. It is thought that Americans began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s.

During the 1800s, hand-painted copper plates molded in the shape of hearts replaced paper cards. But the first mass-produced Valentines in America weren't around until the 1840s.

Since the trilogy happens in 1819-1822, Nicolas is "safe" again.

But you know what? He doesn't have to be. Nicolas Reidar Hansen is a romantic from the start. That's why he was so knocked off-kilter when his first wife died. His gentle first wife, his betrothed from childhood, who was never really strong enough for him, who never would have pushed him to be the man he was destined to be. He thought his one shot at love was gone when she passed.

In truth - he needed the stronger, spunkier Sydney by his side pushing him and allowing him to do what he needed to do.

And Nicolas is an amazing gift-giver. His choices are always non-traditional, but perfectly suited for the recipient. Somehow he taps into Sydney's or his son Stefan's or his orphaned cousin Leif's deepest desires and nails it every time. A custom-made corset and breeches… short swords for training… a stethoscope and business cards… a handful of dirt. (Really.)

Nicolas Hansen is the best gift-giver I have ever known. So February 14th? I'll cut him some slack. He's so worth it.

Is it time you discovered Nicolas Hansen?
Please allow me to help.

For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice - the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I'll give away three.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

In February at the end of my blog tour, I'll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here's how you can get in on that deal:

1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/  and find the "Secret Word" on my home page.

2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net  with "Signed Trilogy Giveaway" in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.

3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day's blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/

A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/


A Woman of Choice - Missouri Territory, 1819

A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.

A Prince of Norway - Christiania, Norway, 1820

American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather's throne. His new wife Sydney isn't about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?

A Matter of Principle - St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821

Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren't about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it's a matter of principle.

Leave a comment, and a winner will be selected for a free download of A WOMAN OF CHOICE.
Good Luck!