Off I go! Today I’m driving, and tomorrow morning (waaay too early, and not by choice) I’ll be hopping across the country on my way to do some socializing before the annual Romance Times convention. This will be my first conference as an author, and I just happened to pick one of the doozies.
Times like this I have to dig deep inside myself for the outgoing side of my personality. Seriously, I’m a shy person. I can see the eyes rolling, but anyone close to me knows. I sit behind this laptop screen and type away, and I’m sheilded by the anonymity of the internet and a pen name. The RT Convention will not only crack the shell, it will likely break the whole thing, crumbling away and getting stomped on at the Fairy Ball. (Oh yes. An entire get-together where everyone is dressed as woodland creatures, and me without any wings.) It will be good for me though, and I plan on learning a lot, and maybe sneaking a shot or two of whiskey to keep my inhibitions at bay.
As far as writing goes, I’ve finished Tessa’s Pride as Olivia Brynn, and I’m in the middle of a romantic suspense that hasn’t been titled yet…I like to leave that for last. Once I’m home from my trip, and things settle down a bit, I’ll be able to dig back into that one.
I also took a little break to redesign Olivia’s website. Now that I know how to tweak things on there, I’ll never have any free time! That’s okay, it’s fun. Besides all of that, I’m editing for one publisher, and proof reading and sales-administer-ing for another, so although it might look like I’m sitting in front of my computer doing nothing, I really am doing something! Sometimes.
On a different note, did you see my initials on that airplane? I didn’t even have to photoshop them in there, it just came that way! Suppose it’s a good sign? Also, I found this beautiful Snow Fairy on an artist’s website. Click to check it out.
Alright folks, on to the trip, got my teddy-bear packed, and I’m hoping I don’t get chosen for the random body cavity search at any of the six airport stops before I get home.
~Alanna
Posted 4 months, 2 weeks ago. Add a comment
The Easter Bunny brought me a warm fuzzy! Just Erotic Romance Reviews, aka JERR’s newsletter came out on Easter Sunday, and Stefani gave Fine Print 4.5 stars! Here’s what she had to say:
Kara Sorrento has life by the balls, and if that doesn’t include a man, well so be it. She would like to have a baby though, and tough and thorough as she is, Kara has worked out the perfect solution to her little man-less problem. Now that she has found the perfect man, all she needs to do is convince him to agree. Derek Martinez can’t believe the petite blond had the nerve to ask him to father her child. The fact that she wants him to sign a contract, well Derek isn’t planning to follow her rules, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to share his DNA with her. First he has to break through her ice-cold facade, and then just when he thinks he is making progress, someone from her past shows up and throws them all into a world of danger.
Fine Print is the first story I have read by Ms. Coca, but it will not be the last. I love this story! Kara Sorrento’s character was a bit irritating at the beginning, but the more she opened up, the more I understood her. She is guarded but determined. Who doesn’t admire a woman who knows what she wants? When what she wants comes wrapped in an all around amazing package as Derek Martinez, well Whew! Need I say more? He is amazing, a great guy and brilliant at negotiating that contract. There were several secondary characters including Kara’s sister Kris who was a fun character and I would love to read her story one of these days. Sexually, Kara and Derek made my toes curl. There were a whole lot of romantic escapades and the foreign setting was perfect for the storyline. I can’t say it loud enough, for an awesome erotic romance grab a copy of Fine Print. You will be glad you did!
Thanks Stefani! Glad you enjoyed it. Fine Print is available in ebook and print, just click HERE for more information.
Posted 5 months, 1 week ago. Add a comment
I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve got a book 99% finished. The end is so close I could write it in a few hours. Why then, am I not doing just that? I keep finding other things to occupy myself. A shiny new romance book taunts me from my desktop. Just *one more* tweak on the website. One 140 character tweet on twitter. Maybe I’ll just *check facebook* to see what’s going on. Nothing? That’s okay, I have forums to haunt, people to send senseless text messages, and maybe a movie or two to watch.
I’m pretty sure the trouble lies in the stress that comes with a finished book. If I have one in progress, then I’m “writing”. Once it’s finished, I have to figure out where I want to submit it. Once I’ve decided *that* I have to actually do the work to send it in (if the pub requires a synopsis, that’s a whole ‘nother issue!) Then comes the worst part.
WAITING. The fact that after submitting to a publisher, I have to wait two to six months to hear a yes or no…nerve wracking to say the least. Maybe subconsciously I’m putting off the stress of waiting, when really I should finish the darn thing so I can get the waiting over with. Now I’m searching the Internet for a slap in the face. Let’s hope I don’t get distracted.
Posted 5 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
I’m hopping on the SSS wagon! Following are six sentences from my Work in Progress that doesn’t even have a title yet. I’ll keep you informed
“Don’t go.” She said the words before she could even think about the wisdom.
He speared her with those electric blue eyes. The heat behind them only fanned her desire. He sucked a breath through his teeth. “Brynn…”
“Stay.” She moved a step closer and gripped his forearm. “Please.”
For more SSS fun, visit Dee Carney , Sara Brookes, Jeanne St. James and Hailey Edwards. I’m preposting this blog, since I work on Sunday (can I get an “awwwww” ?) So if you’re also SSSing, leave me a comment so my readers can find you.
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago. Add a comment
Two of my books received some great praise early this week. Since I have no problem tooting my own horn so to speak, I’m going to share them with you here!
Préjà Vu received five hearts from Romance Book Scene! Here is a snippet:
“Interesting surprise ending twist in this story keeps readers guessing throughout the novel.
I just loved Ryann and Trevor as the heroine and hero of this book. Ryann is intelligent and well spoken. She isn’t some psychic or tarot card reader off the street. She has no idea where the dreams come from and she does the best she can under the circumstances. Trevor [is] completely taken with Ryann and isn’t afraid to show it.
This is a good read for those who like mystery, suspense with great romance and bedroom scenes.”
Nice huh? I like hearing good things about my books (from people other than my mother, sorry mom) it gives me a little warm fuzzy.
And Fine Print received four and a half diamonds from Got Erotic Romance! a snippet from that review:
“Wow…as an author myself, I was blown away by this story. It has everything…wonderfully developed characters, a delicious love story and a bit of suspense thrown in. I absolutely adored the building, halting relationship between Kara and Derek. And I think the author hit the mark (at least with me) because I fell completely in love with Derek. He’s the quintessential hero. And the way he wove his patient and loving way around the anal-retentive Kara was beautiful to watch. Seriously, this was one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. Nice job, Alanna Coca. I can’t wait to read more from you!”
I always love reader feedback. If you’ve read one of my books, love it or hate it, I’d like to hear from you. Something you would have liked to see? Something you didn’t understand? Wonder why I use so many ellipses? (So do I…it’s a weakness…I can’t seem to stop myself.) Drop me a line, or just leave a comment here.
Back to writing. Olivia’s got a story she just HAS to tell, and since I’m the fingers of this team, I’d better get with it. Stop by on Friday where I’m participating in a weekend-long blog tour loaded with prizes and eye candy. More information HERE. See you then!
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