Hi everyone!

Okay, so I've been talking about contests for a while on Facebook, and now that the super-secret Templar project is done, I can focus on getting some of these things accomplished!

We're kicking off the Immortal Surrender Pre-Release Gala, with the first of two contests, beginning this morning!

Hi all!

I'm not going to go into great detail here, as I did so over at the Tori St. Claire blog, where it's a bit more fitting.  But getting into Sasha's head was a fascinating experience for me.  She had to both accept her fate so as not to eternally hate Alexei, and she had to be able to understand on levels that I don't think I necessarily would. 

I mean really, when you're betrayed by a neighbor who phones you in for failing to mow your grass while your mower's broken... are you all that interested in talking to said neighbor anytime soon?

I'm not really.  I'm more apt to be plotting how I can transplant a whole truckload full of weed seeds into his perfectly manicured lawn.

But I'm not a secret agent, I haven't ever worked in national security, and I've never been privlege to top secret information.  I've never been in any sort of position where I must lie in order to protect someone or something.

Hi all!  I had a wonderful time at RomCon 2012, met a lot of great authors and readers, bloggers and models, and reconnected with some old friends I haven't seen in way too long.  (And according to a few I got married there too, but that's a story for a different day.)

I have passels of stuff to share about RomCon and pictures to upload.  All of which I'll begin doing tomorrow.  And I came home with two amazing things:

1.  A new assistant -- oh thank the powers above now there is someone to keep me organized.  I'm so very excited to work out all the technical requirements and get her rolling.

2.  Remember this book?

First Up -- Guest Spot!!

I am so excited to be over at Jill James' blog site today. Please stop in and say hello -- she's a great lady, hosts a gracious blog, and I'd love to see you there.

Release day is almost here. Just five more days! Slowly, reviews have been coming in, and I'm beyond words at how well it's been received.

Here's a remark from Harriet at Alternative Worlds:

"The first Curse of the Templars urban fantasy is a super tale in which readers will believe in the curse, centuries old knights, demons, and a brave bookworm professor who cannot hurt a fly but carries a sharp sword." - read the full review

She had several other exciting remarks, and it was very satisfying to see the review on a site that isn't strictly romance.

Remember -- you can pre-order it now!

Meanwhile, the Virtual Book Tour begins January 1st! I'll be talking about IMMORTAL HOPE, the inspiration behind it, and giving you a closer look at the struggling knights, Merrick, Farran, Declan, Caradoc, Lucan, Tane and Gareth.

If you follow the tour, I'm giving away prizes!

I will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a second $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate to a second randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour.

Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning!

Click the badge to see where I'll be when.

Congratulations to Tracey, on winning this week's Monday Pick Me Up!

She receives a copy of A Christmas to Believe In.

Happy Holidays, Tracey!

A little something different on the blog today. Author Minnette Meador has dropped in to contribute to the New Voices segment, and she's on tour with her urban fantasy thriller, The Belle Stalker! She's sharing a bit of magic with us, and combining the experience with a wonderful giveaway.

Minnette will be giving away a small Kindle ($79) plus a Portland Tote filled with goodies to one randomly drawn commenter, along with daily prizes.

She will do the drawing herself for the daily winners. (Please note: The Kindle and tote bag are limited to US and Canada only; if an international winner, an Amazon GC will be substituted)

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

The tour dates can be by clicking the banner above.

I asked Minnette to discuss the multiple genres that she used in the creation of The Belle Stalker because how she blended such a unique set fascinated me. So with much ado, please welcome Minnette Meador!

JUST A HINT OF MAGIC -- guest post by Minette Meador

She saw them: Silhouettes against the streetlights, long shadows that joined and grew into a mass that shrouded the cars and street. There must have been fifty of them, all pushing or pulling a cart, a shopping basket, or crowded with dangling bags filled to the brim. They drifted toward her, a rolling tide of ruined women. The smell of stale mortality was heavy, stagnant.

Belle gathered the rest of her strength and bolted down the street before them. The sound of broken axles, whining wheels, stomping feet and babble intensified in her ears until she thought she’d go deaf.

Her legs fell one before the other, heavy, detached. Breath wheezed into her lungs. Pulsing veins throbbed through every inch of her skin.

Then she saw it; a glimmering dazzle of lights only two blocks away. She pushed herself toward it, but the noise was too much. A vibrating wheel caught her ankles, tripped her. She hit the street hard. - THE BELLE STALKER, CHAPTER TWENTY

TODAY'S PRIZE: eCopies of Starsight I & II

Claire asked me about what inspired this story and to address the multiple genres it encompasses. I had to think about that for a long time; inspiration can come from the slightest whisper or the biggest bang. I will do my best.

I love urban fantasy and have found an even newer love, steam punk. What fun it is to read about the modern world with a hint of magic. Years ago, Piers Anthony wrote a series where everyone used magic except the poor hero. He was the handicapped one. That was my introduction to this genre and I’ve never looked back.

Over the past few years I’ve read lots of vampire, werewolf, and shape shifting books. I do love them so. However, I wanted to create something different, something I hadn’t read before. So I decided to introduce Tequelin, an ancient mythic being who has gone insane from too much contact with humans. That’s all I’m going to say about him right now. I really don’t want to spoil the surprise.

There is nothing more exciting than discovering that there is a hidden layer of something fantastic beneath the everyday humdrum. I think that’s the appeal of fantasy, sci-fi, steam punk, and urban fantasy. But even more, what really sparks my engine is watching as plain ordinary people deal with these changes, accept them, and carry on with their lives knowing they exist; I believe human beings are one of the most adaptive creatures in the universe. It’s interesting that the thought of breaking any number of the laws of physics doesn’t even faze us. We are so open to the experience.

I am nothing if not eclectic; I love romance, mystery, science, fantasy, history, comedy, suspense, and thrillers, so I decided to combine them all. The love affair between Cranston and Belle even after eight years of divorce; the overwhelming desire of Tequelin to possess Belle; the mysterious dead body left in Belle’s apartment; the overwhelming power Tequelin possesses; the chase across a city that is collapsing under the hero’s feet that takes him across the Atlantic; the hidden city beneath the city they discover.

I honestly think the real world is a jumble of crossed genres… and I believe in magic. How about you? Make a list of how many genres you live every day. You might be surprised! :o)


Thanks for stopping in, Minnette. The Belle Stalker sounds absolutely fascinating -- by the way, Piers Anthony is a special favorite of mine. I can so relate to loving his work!

THE BELLE STALKER
An Urban Fantasy Thriller
by Minnette Meador

The police have done all they can, but it isn’t enough. When Belle finds the mutilated body of her lover strewn across the furniture she knows only her ex-husband, Homicide Detective Mike Cranston can stop the maniac who has been dogging her steps for over a year. The only problem is the man who stalks her...is not a man at all. Belle plays a dangerous game and only hopes that Cranston can stop the monster before it’s too late.


Read an Excerpt

BUY The Belle Stalker for your Kindle
BUY The Belle Stalker for your Nook
BUY From All Romance eBooks

For more information about Minnette, please visit her blog.

Make sure you leave a comment on this post to be entered in both the Kindle drawing and Minnette's daily freebie! And while I'm ineligible, I'll start the comments off.

The Prize:

A digital (.pdf) copy of Seduction’s Stakes























The Rules:


1. Answer the following question: “What are Maddie and Riley both trying to win?”
2. Email me the answer at: Claire@claireashgrove.com
3. I will put all the participants’ names in a hat tomorrow morning, and my oldest demi-demon will draw one. I’ll then contact the winner via email and send the .pdf. Winner will also be posted here.

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Also starting a new Monday routine – Contests. They won’t always be for a book. But this week we’ll start there. And we’ll make this one super easy.

The Prize:

A .pdf copy of Misunderstanding Mason











The Game:

All you have to do is leave a comment below. Names will be entered into a hat. My eldest demi-demon will select one, and I’ll post the winner here in the comments section tomorrow morning. That person will need to email me to receive his/her prize.

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

This is your last chance folks to win super prizes and possibly a NOOK from The Romance Studio.

Stop right now and hop over to the Party Site, see who’s doing what, and jump into the discussions.

I’m giving away a copy of my new release, Cursed to Kill to one lucky winner as well.

Cursed To Kill
Inherited Damnation , Book 1

It was either kiss her or rip out her throat.

The words his mother had written so infuriated his demonic nature, Cian couldn’t combat Miranda’s innocent interrogation. Each benign question she asked stoked fury he couldn’t control, and as he looked at her, he had been possessed by the stark need to kill. Instead, he fed the beast inside the only other satisfaction it would have – a dose of unchecked lust.

Miranda froze beneath the assault of his mouth, her shoulders rigid, her spine stiff as an iron rod. He was being too harsh, too inconsiderate. If he wanted her participation – and goddess above, he needed it to temper the hunger of his dark spirit – he needed to find a measure of control.

Easing far enough away he could look into her eyes, he let go of the fierce hold he had on her neck and dropped his hand to her shoulder.

Confusion filled her big brown eyes, but behind the unspoken questions radiating there, an ember of desire glowed. That solitary coal gave him encouragement. If he played this right, he could walk out of here and she would still be alive.

For tonight, at least.

He could return after his birthday, when he had fulfilled the words written in his mother’s hand-drawn runes.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

Drawn to the delicate length of her neck, Cian stroked his thumb over the strong pulse alongside her throat. Savage thoughts flickered again, filling his head with visions of wrapping his fingers around her throat. Telling him it would satisfy his soul, even more than making love to her would, if he slowly choked the life from her fragile, mortal body.

Purchase Cursed to Kill now

Good luck and I hope to see you there!

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Adding to the Release Week Excitement, and the Holiday Spooktacular, I have a couple things to share.

I've joined several other authors in Halloween Extravaganzas where you can win all kinds of new books this weekend. And I do mean all kinds. Loads. Lots of opportunities and little "work" required!

Stop One:

Pop over to The Romance Studio, October 28-31, where Paranormal Romance authors are talking about their characters that go "boo" in the night and giving away free stuffs. There's also a grand prize drawing for a NOOK.

If you'd like to snag a copy of Cursed to Kill, I'm holding a giveaway there as well. Come and join the Spooktacular fun!


Stop Two:

When you've finished there, stop in at Goddess Fish and Long and Short Reviews, for their Haunting Halloween Weekend, where they're giving away all kinds of gift cards you can use for a book of your choosing. Check out the latest from your favorite author, or find a new voice you adore on October 28-29th only.

Enjoy, folks, and may your Halloween be Frighteningly Good.

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Hi all!

Busy, busy month this last one. Copy edits, copy edits, and more copy edits, combined with my adorable, loveably little demi-demons' infatuation with the emergency room, pretty much covers where I've been. I had a post scheduled, but scheduled it for the day prior to when I wrote it... and that failed miserably. It's a subject I want to revisit -- so watch the blog in the next few days.

Also, watch Tori St. Claire's blog for some exciting information!

I'm slipping in here today to announce a contest that's running for all of you who'd like to try out a color Nook, or receive 249.00 in Amazon or B&N gift cards:

The Long and Short Reviews is sponsoring a web scavenger hunt. Full details are here. There's even two opportunities to enter! Come check out this exciting way to discover new authors and throw your name into the hat -- you can't beat the entry fee -- FREE!

And I will be back later this week with exciting stuffs and announcements!

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Congrats to Leigh D'Ansey, who won the drawing on the KMN Books blog interview, for a signed copy of Waiting For Yes.

For those of you who did not win and are still wanting an opportunity, tomorrow, Friday, is the last day I will be Spotlighted at Long And Short Reviews. They are handling another giveaway with the winner to be selected after Friday.

Also, on the 24th, I will be at Happily Ever After Thoughts, and they will be handling another drawing.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

~Claire

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Wow. Once again, a month's flown by and I haven't even realized it. It seems more and more like the rate things get added to my To Do list increases at two times the rate things get crossed off.

So what have I been up to in this last month?

Well, I finished my first round edits for the first book in my Immortal Templar Knights series. This was, quite frankly, fun, and I've discovered a whole new joy in the word editor. Mine has some seriously great ideas!

I also finished Templar Book 4, and it is currently out with my beta readers. It is, of course, my favorite one so far -- somehow they all end up being that way when I finish. This hero, however, has held my heart since the first appearance he made in the series. It was immensely enjoyable to grant him his happily ever after. And this book allowed me to take a slightly different approach to the subplot that I've been building.

Then, I ticked off a short story for The Wild Rose Press, and have begun work on another Christmas project for TWRP as well.

In between there, there's some working with critique partners, attending RWA meetings, and I've taken some time for me as well.

I also received news that my first romantic suspense novel finaled in the Great Expectations contest, and was absolutely thrilled!! It's now in the hands of the final round editor and I am anxiously awaiting results. Fingers crossed.

The latter really ended up in a total change to my scheduling. One thing I noticed, I write in a pattern more or less. Set hours, set word counts, certain things going on in my environment. For instance, I either have to have it quiet, or the History Channel, International must be on. Anything else distracts me. I prefer to write in two chunks -- one mid-afternoon, and one late at night.

Well, the mid-afternoon chunk had to be reapportioned into the late night chunk. Not a big deal in the scheme of things, but it has taken some adjustment. And I don't think I realized how schedule-driven I was until not writing in the middle of the afternoon left me a little restless.

Are any of you that way? If your writing time gets shifted, or compromised, or sometimes even negated, do you find yourselves out of sorts?

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

So last week I mentioned I couldn't go into specifics about a contest. This week, I can, and I'm super happy to be able to share.

I entered SOLA's Dixie Kane Memorial Contest, a contest that I really enjoy the feedback in. After much nail-biting, they posted the Official Winners List, and I found my name in there... three times:

1st Place Paranormal -- Seduced By Fire
2nd Place Historical -- Bound By Decency
3rd Place Single Title Contemporary -- Love's Redemption.

I kermit danced for a while (only now my chapter members are asking me to demonstrate that one.) We'll see how The Suzannah plays out. I entered two pieces, one not in the above list.

Also, in exciting events, I decided to give both online workshops and conference workshops a go for the coming year. I've received word that my online workshop for Digital Publishing was accepted through both Black Diamonds RWA and Lowcountry RWA. I'll be teaching those workshops in February and August, respectively -- hope you'll come!

I submitted a different proposal for a couple conferences (one being RWA Nationals) and fingers crossed that they will go. I really would like to present. Really, really.

So it's been fun and exciting this week on my end. Other news to come next week. Anybody else have any fingers-crossed stuff they can talk about? Or achievements? I'm anxious to hear.

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Well everyone, it's August already. I have trouble believing that, but it coincides with the fact that the older I get the faster the years pass. Boy how I wish I could go back in time some days!

But since we are in August, that means my Christmas In July contest has come to a close.

I'd like to congratulate Judy Cox! She's won a Borders gift card and a signed copy of her choice of one of my Christmas romances.

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Every author, almost, has a circle of critique partners who willingly rip manuscripts into shreds to help the author reach the best work possible. We cry together, we laugh together, and we most definitely vent together. As a good friend once said, critique partners are like marriages. And no truer words have ever been spoken.

This year, I'm tickled pink to see the accomplishments my critique circle has made. In one month's time, five of the eight people I have worked with on a regular basis have climbed mountains.

Elisabeth Burke finaled in The Golden Heart for her historical romance entry, The Healer.
Dyann Love Barr sold to The Wild Rose Press.
Alicia M. Dean sold another novel to The Wild Rose Press.
Trisha (name withheld) has editors jumping to review her manuscript.

Another woman, Heather Snow, (who has not been a regular critique partner, but who I have worked with on occasion, and is a fellow chapter member and good friend) finaled in The Golden Heart with her Regency Historical, Sweet Enemy.

I said five, and left off one. A week ago I signed with literary agent, Jewelann Cone of the Atlantis Literary Agency. This is a milestone for me, and I'm ecstatic about it. I will not share details, but suffice to say that in the short time I've been under contract, I am extremely impressed with the work she's done.

So... critique partners -- WAY TO GO!!!

I'm proud to work with you, proud to have been able to contribue to your success, and I am indebted to the contributions you've made to mine.

Let's toast and hope the rest of this year goes just as well.

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Yes, that's right, romance author me, does not celebrate the dreaded "V" Day. Now, admittedly, this didn't start by choice. I've been asked if I put personal things in my writing, and the answer is always, "Very seldom". However, in Timeless Valentine, I stole a real life experience. My introduction to Valentine's Day began with delivering flowers to my high school boyfriend's other girlfriend. Cough.

So, I've kept that tradition. Single or attached, I've never expected, nor received, anything related to Valentine's, parents aside. Oh, and the one year my best friend sent me flowers out of pity. And the hype that is associated with the holiday, I simply do not understand. Perhaps that's my practical side. I'd just as soon forego flowers (which die) for a coffee mug (virtually indestructable and a necessity to late-night writing). I don't like flashy jewelry, it tends to get ruined with horses -- so those commercials for diamonds make me roll my eyes. I'd rather skip the formal night on the town, for a home-cooked meal I don't have to prepare.

It has come to my attention, however, that as a romance author I'm supposed to be celebrating this holiday several times over. That my disassociation with it is somehow... taboo.

In light of that, I'm going to ask you all to share your Valentine's stories over the next week. What did you all do? What was the most special thing you've ever done? How did your significant other show you, you were number one?

Maybe you can inspire me to look at this Valentine's thing in a different light. And if you can, I'll send you a signed copy of Timeless Valentine.

Happy February 14th, everyone!

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com

Who was the most expensive Thoroughbred in a non-private sale, and why is this horse such an oddity?

~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com