Saturday, July 30, 2011

Galen has a Cover!

The novella is written, it's in edits. The blurb and marketing materials are underway. Next, that all important moment arrived that should come with its own built-in drum roll: an email appeared that said, "Cover Image." I tore through the email itself, whipping out a reply, held my breath, and clicked the attachment. There, in living color, was the image that will grace the cover of my latest creation. I squeed. And perhaps woke the neighbors. (Kinda hard to do when nearest house is 1/4 mile away, but hey, you never know.)

I'll post the blurb once it's available, but I'll tell you now that I've been mixing genres again. This novella, at approximately 30,000 words, is M/M, humorous/fantasy/shifter. Look for it September 10 as an Absinthe title from Torquere Books.

Ya'll, I give you the cover of Galen and the Forest Lord.




Friday, July 29, 2011

Free Short M/M Story

I entered a flash fiction contest on the Torquere Social page using the prompt words: chipmunk, clipboard, and squash. The words counts were to be between 150-250 words. Coming in at exactly 250 words, by my count, here's what I came up with:

It all started with a chubby-cheeked little woodland creature. One with a taste for non-GMO, organically-grown, pesticide-free vegetables.

A panel of guest judges jotted notes, their faces mostly hidden by clipboards. Jason and his teammates stood nearby, heads hung in shame. The campus' "new-age, tree-hugging" contingent had tried and failed to prove to their meat eating brethren that not only could vegetables be grown without chemicals, they were better off that way.

That pesky rodent just had to feast the day of the final evaluation! Jason envisioned a large, red "fail" stamped across his agriculture project report. Then, a brown and black head peeked from beneath a rather large crookneck squash, belching loudly. What?! Oh HELL no!

Jason dove for the freshly tilled soil, rethinking his stance on the ethical treatment of animals. Instead of a chipmunk, however, his hands closed on a cruelty-free, non-leather loafer. His teammates groaned.

He gazed up into eyes the color of the cornflowers blossoming in the next row and, like Alice down the rabbit hole, he fell -- hard. Those blue eyes crinkled at the corners when the handsome man smiled.

"Hi," tall, dark, and earth-friendly said. "I'm with Environmental Times, and want to compliment your efforts at organic farming."

"But… but… a stupid chipmunk ate the squash!"

 The man's soft smile widened. "He was hungry, so am I. Have dinner with me?"

The next year Jason and his new husband planted a macrobiotic garden, and didn't mind a bit sharing with "the neighbors."


Why I Love Figure Skating

Cowboys, tight jeans, high spirits, and grins that have me thinking wicked thoughts. What's not to love?


Sale at Torquere Books

Got your eye on a Torquere title? Now's the time to buy!

--reposted by permission--

Almost August Sale!

It's almost August! So we're offering 15% off your purchases from now
through the end of day Monday! Just put 'almost2011' in the coupon code box
any time you check out at Torquere Books before Monday at midnight to get 15% off your order.

Sale good now through Monday August 1 at Midnight (est).


Welcome in August with a book from Torquere Press today!



Rainbow Awards Cover Contest - Round 1, Slot 14

More lovely covers to vote on this week! Too bad you can only vote for twenty-five.

To show your support for the covers that caught your eye and the artists who created them, go here to vote.

The covers are here. It's easier to have two windows open, switching back and forth between the covers and the poll.

Authors, if you have a novel you'd like to enter in this year's Rainbow Awards, I believe time is running out.





Wednesday, July 27, 2011

More Love for Highway Man

Just last weekend I found myself hoping that someone would show some love to my first Dreamspinner Nap Sized Dream, Highway Man. Since then it's received not one, but two awesome reviews. I've already posted the one from ReviewsbyJessewave, but today, reviewer Max at Man Oh Man Reviews rated Highway Man an A and said:

 "...the story itself was gritty, hot, and well-written. The sex was extremely stimulating and for a short, this one hit all the right spots."

Here's the link:


Available here from Dreamspinner Press:

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Lovely Review for Highway Man

What a lovely thing to wake up to: a 4.25 review for Highway Man at ReviewsbyJessewave. Guest reviewer Kassa called it "a lovely and satisfying short story" and had this to say:

I’m pretty open about my admiration and love of Eden Winters’ writing and dayum, that woman has done it again with Highway Man. Just a quick story, too quick in my opinion, that introduces some intense characters, a hint of possible love, painful pasts, and a cowboy future. Seriously I’m not sure what else the author could have included but altogether this delightful little story is wonderfully angsty, incredibly hot, and a delicious bite you won’t want to miss.


Read full review here:

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Paul Richmond's Lovely New Painting

I subscribe to artist Paul Richmond's newsletter and caught a sneak peak at his latest work, Sanctuary, last month. Well today I received the announcement that it's complete, and it's utterly breathtaking. Just looking at it is calming.

Check it out here:

Also read about the We Will Rise Project, a website featuring artistic expressions of the victims of bullying.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Five Divas and a Fabulous Review for Fanning the Flames at Dark Divas Reviews

Crys at Dark Divas Reviews rated Fanning the Flames Five Delightful Divas, and had this to say :
  
Some holiday-themed stories are best enjoyed in their season, but the humor and sweetness of Fanning the Flames by Eden Winters make it welcome all year round.

Read full review here:


Here's the blurb:

The man of Barry's dreams has gone from a sugarplum fantasy to sweet reality, thanks to the GLBT dating site GetaDate.com. Introducing a new boyfriend to the family and settling into coupledom isn't the easiest thing in the world for a man with little dating experience, but the romantic demands of Valentine's Day are beyond Barry's imagination. His piteous cry for help brings all kinds of suggestions from family and friends.

Fully believing he's found the perfect ways to charm his sweetheart, Barry isn't prepared to hear "Achoo!" at every turn. Adam's allergic to what? And will sneezes and welts wreck Barry's painstaking plans for fanning the flames?

Find it here at Torquere Press:


Saturday, July 16, 2011

Rainbow Award Cover Contest - Round 1, Slot 12

Who knew there were so many m/m novels released in the last year? Once again it's time to vote for your favorite covers.

Here's the covers:

Here's the poll:

I'd also like to encourage all authors who released a m/m novel in the last year to enter this contest if they haven't done so already. There is no charge.







Monday, July 11, 2011

Night Watch is Now a Free Read at ARe!


Last week my novel The Telling posted all All Romance Ebooks as a free read, and it's joined this week by the short sequel Night Watch, which picks up roughly a year where The Telling left off.

Javier "Jay" Ortiz had always considered the Fourth of July a time for celebrations, fireworks, and cookouts – that is, until he met Michael Ritter, a US Army veteran traumatized by the horrors of war. For Michael, the Roman candles sound like rockets and the pops and blasts of fireworks mimic rifles and grenades. When bitter memories trap him in the hell of his own mind, can his partner's love bring him back?
Find it here.

The cover was designed by my good friend Jared Rackler, of Jared Rackler Designs, and I think it's so perfect for the story.



The Other Side of the Coin

As a writer, I belong to several online groups for both readers and writers, and on both forums I've seen debates about whether or not authors should respond to reviews, or make contact with reviewers at all. And haven't we all seen recent articles about author meltdowns in regards to critique?

I love chatting with reviewers, personally. Okay, I love chatting with pretty much anybody, especially if they're talking books, so I'm one of those authors who will gush, "Thanks for your kind words," or say, "sorry you didn't like it," if someone takes time out of their busy day to comment. Hey! I'm getting free feedback that can help me grow as a writer. I won't deny that it hurts when someone doesn't like what I've poured my heart and soul into, but not everyone will. My goal is still for anyone who buys my book to think they got their money's worth.

Anyway, enough about me. What I really want to share is a very eloquent answer to the question of 'should authors reply to reviews?' from a reviewer's perspective. It's posted at Cryselle's Bookshelf, and I found it quite interesting.

See post here.

Friday, July 8, 2011

The Telling, now at ARe!

My very first novel, The Telling, is now available at All Romance Ebooks as a free read. Sadly, it's only in PDF format, because I don't know how to create the other kind. (I had help with the PDF!) Anyone know the secret to creating an EPUB or other format that's not gonna require me to whip out my poor, long-suffering credit card?

Here's the link to ARe:

Thursday, July 7, 2011

When Sequels Happen...

There I was, typing away, fingers flying on the keyboard, muse perched on my shoulder asking if I had more beer, and then....WHAM!!!!! I stare in horror as The Angel of 13th Street 2 - Broken Wing squirms and wriggles, and then,  like some weird, single-cell thing-a-ma-bob on a microscope slide at the local junior high school, it splits! I mean, completely in two, right down the middle! I now have two books in progress that cover the same period in time. What was to have been one novel told from four points of view in now two, with two POVs each: Broken Wing steps into position as The Angel of 13th Street 3, and the still squalling newborn Fallen Angel will become The Angel of 13th Street 2, leaving me roughly 26,000 words into each book.

Probably for best, though. Broken Wing is gonna require a whole lot more research. Serves me right for saying, "Outline? I don't need no stinking outline!" Sigh. Perhaps it's time to rethink my writing method.









Saturday, July 2, 2011

I Found a New Terry!

Although the next installment of The Telling is currently on hold while I work on The Angel of 13th Street 2, I stumbled across some pictures the other day that I feel are much more perfect for Terry than the one I originally chose. As a beta said, "No wonder he gets away with being such an ass..."

So, what do you think? Can this man help poor Ryan learn to live again?








My Muse Has Returned From Hiatus!

Though it's not that much, word-wise, I did managed to forward The Angel of Thirteenth Street 2, tentatively titled Broken Wings, today. I made it through a key scene, with four more major scenes to write. At 35,000 words, I estimate I'm about halfway through with the first draft.

By necessity, this installment of the Angel series will be longer, as it features not one, but two couples. Noah and Jeremy's relationship is still new, though they're definitely "established" at this point, and fearing what will happen when Jeremy leaves for college.

Two new characters are being introduced. One is a young man who's trying to find his way back from drug addiction, and the other has reason to make sure the man succeeds. Although these things cannot be rushed, I'm hoping to have this manuscript polished and submitted by August. At least, that's the goal.


Rainbow Awards: Cover Contest - Round 1 - Slot 10


Sorry, I'm late posting this, but life's been hectic lately. I think you know the drill by now, you're offered fifty lovely covers and can only vote for twenty-five. Sigh.

The covers are saved here:

And here is the poll:

Opening one window for covers and another for the poll is what works best for me.

So many beautiful offerings this week!