Our Brave New Digital World

My good pal and historical romance author Kris Kennedy is in the house today.  She’s here to give us a preview of an exciting new digital project, and also talk about her upcoming indie published novella.

Take it away, Kris!

It’s a brave new world in there. In your ereader, I mean.

Over the past few years, the reading/writing/publishing world has gone through seismic shifts. So many e-reading devices, so many e-published stories. It’s a readers’ cornucopia, and it is seriously overflowing.

If there’s a downside to all this plenty, it’s figuring out a way to navigate this new world. A map, a compass, some way to find quality. Something like...Rock*It Reads.

Rock*It Reads is a group of stellar New York published authors who are also self-publishing romances. We’ve each made a commitment to put out only high-quality self-published works, and the logo is intended to communicate that. When readers buy a Rock*It Reads-logoed book, they can know they’re getting a story that has been tended with the same level of attention and professionalism as we give our New York works. The logo is meant to be a sort-of ‘seal of quality,’ because we care as much about writing great stories as you do about reading them!

Who are Rock*It Reads authors?
Vanessa Kelly (Our fabulous hostess)
Me, Kris Kennedy
Pamela Clare
Cheryl Holt
Elisabeth Naughton
Monica Burns
Mia Marlowe
Margo Maguire
Lila DiPasqua
Sharon Page
Joan Swan

Now, Rock*It Reads is not a publisher. Not in any way. These are 100% self-published works, done by each author, on her own dime, on her own time.

We’ve simply banded together to form Rock*It Reads to help our readers find other high-quality self-published works. We’re hoping that the logo will be a like a little beacon or guide though the vast world of self-published romances.

For me, I have 3 1/2 books out from wonderful New York publishing houses (the fourth, DECEPTION, with Pocket Books, is on its way in late July!) and I hope to have lots more.

And . . . I’m self-publishing my first romance novella, CLAIMING HER. It’s shorter than my single title stories, hotter, and set in Elizabethan Ireland. All those things set it off the beaten track in enough ways that it’s hard to imagine how it could ever reach a bookstore in the traditional route. But by self-publishing, I get to write a story that’s been wanting to be written, and readers get to read a story they might never be able to the traditional way. Win-win!

It’ll be out late spring/early summer, and it’ll be proudly bearing the Rock*It Reads logo. Because I want to help readers to find other great stories they might love just as much.

So, come by and check us out, and find a romance to rock your world!


Guest Author: Sophie Jordan & Giveaway!

Sophie Jordan is my featured author on the blog today, and this woman is so talented and versatile it’s hard to know where to start.  She writes in three genres, and she’s been phenomenally successful in each one.

Sophie spent several years as a high school English teacher before bursting onto the scene with her first book, a historical romance called Once Upon A Wedding Night.


Once Upon A Wedding Night was a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best First Historical Fiction.  Right from the beginning, Sophie got great reviews, including this one from Once Upon A Romance:

“…a well-written and compelling story in her debut. It’s sensuous. It’s fast paced and full of intense emotions with a few twists and turns thrown in along the way.”

Her second book, Too Wicked To Tame, broke out of the box as a USA Today Bestseller, and subsequent historical romances were New York Times bestselling books.  Sophie’s books have received numerous Top Picks from RT Book Reviews, have been featured as alternates in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Bookclubs, and—well, you get the picture!

As if that kind of career isn’t already busy enough, Sophie also writes YA fiction for Harper Teen, and contemporary paranormals for Pocket Books under the name of Sharie Kohler—all to great acclaim.  Seriously, I don’t know how the woman does it!  Her first YA book, Firelight, has already gone into its fourth printing and sold to seventeen countries, AND it’s been optioned for film by Mandalay Entertainment.

You can find out all the fascinating details on her website.


But Sophie hasn’t give up writing historical romance, thank goodness.  In fact, she has a new book out called Wicked In Your Arms.


Isn’t that a gorgeous cover?  Man, I love all of Sophie’s covers!  Here’s the blurb for Wicked In Your Arms:

One of the most notoriously eligible bachelors in Europe is finally ready to marry . . .

For fiercely independent Grier Hadley, being the illegitimate daughter of one of London’s most unsavory characters has only one advantage: an enormous, ill-gotten dowry.

Prince Sevastian Maksimi knows where his duty lies: he must find a well-bred young lady-one with a considerable fortune to her name-wed her promptly, and get to the business of producing an heir.

The last thing Grier needs is some unattainable prince curling her toes with his smoldering glances and wicked suggestions. As far as Sev is concerned, she lacks the breeding to become a princess. And yet one kiss from this arresting female is all it takes for him to realize that anyone else in his arms would be unthinkable . . .

Yum!  Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?  You can find out all the details and read an excerpt on Sophie’s website, and while you’re there, check out her YA website and also her books written as Sharie Kohler.  On all her sites, Sophie has posted a number of book trailers, and really cool videos in which she talks about her books.  If you have a few minutes, please do watch them.

For my readers in the United States today, Sophie has graciously donated a copy of Wicked In Your Arms.  Since Sophie has such gorgeous covers, let’s talk about that.  What kind of cover do you like on your romance novel?  Do you like a clinch cover, a man or woman alone, a naked chest, or something a little more discrete?  And what don’t you like on a cover?  One reader who comments will win a copy of the book.

 


We Have A Winner!

The winner of yesterday’s e-book contest is Cate Sparks.  Congratulations, Cate!  You’ve won the first two books in Stacey Joy Netzel’s and Donna Marie Roger’s small town series, Welcome To Redemption.  I’ll be in touch with you soon.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the blog on Wednesday.  And please stop back tomorrow.  I’m featuring the wonderful Alix Rickloff, who writes dark and sexy historical paranormal romance for Pocket Books.  We’ll be talking about her upcoming release, Lord of Shadows, and doing a giveaway.

See you tomorrow!

 


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