The Next Big Thing!~Nordic Prince

I got tagged in the Next Big Thing blog hop by Virginia Nelson!  So this is my Next Big Thing blog, featuring my February release with Champagne Books.

1) What is the working title of your novel? 

Nordic Prince

2) Where did the idea for the novel come from?

 I was lucky enough to Beta for a friend of mine. She wrote some really steamy F/F erotic shorts but somehow her characters are always relateable and likeable. And I thought it might be interesting and fun to see if I could get a good story out with two very yummy men. Then I let my imagination run wild.

3) What genre does your novel fall under?

 Contemporary erotic romance

4) Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Originally, I pictured Matt Damon for the main protagonist and Alexander Skarsgard for the love interest, Erik.

5) What is the one sentence synopsis of your novel?

More than he never knew he needed; more than he could ever hope, but does he dare claim the prize of the Nordic Prince.

6) Will your novel be self-published or represented by an agency?

 Nordic Prince will be out in February 2013 through Champagne Books: Carnal Passions Imprints.

7) How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript?  

Just over a week. I started it while a lot of things in were happening in the “real world”.

8) What other novels would you compare this book to within your genre?

I haven’t really compared myself to anyone because when I look at all the other great stories written by fantastic authors I am amazed to be part of them.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this novel?

My friend Virginia Nelson had faith in my ability to write and pushed me to submit my story to Champagne Books. She is made from Awesomesauce.

10) What else about your novel might pique the reader’s interest?

There are two hot men on a pleasure cruise. They define the word ‘fun’ in so many naughty ways.

Blurb:

When Doctor Steven Mills is dragged onto The Nordic Prince for fun in the sun by his sister, Amanda, he is certain he will be miserable. Until he meets Erik.

Erik is fun, exciting and just what the doctor ordered. Some drinks and dancing with him are more enticing to Steven than any date he’s gone on with women. Before long, the two escape the busy dance floor for the quiet—and private—spa where Eric works on Steven’s body with very skilled hands. Steven is overcome with an onslaught of new emotions and sensations and has the best sexual experience of his life.

Now Steven must wrestle with new feelings and desires and make a decision that could change his life forever.

Tag:

Gemma K. Murray

Krystal Brooks

Saranna DeWylde

Excerpt:

Steven looked on with curiosity.  “What are you…?”

With two long strides Erik was by his side, his lips closed over Steve’s, momentarily silencing any further words. 

Erik probed Steve’s lips with his warm tongue.  Lust kindled earlier exploded into an inferno of complete hunger, which threatened to consume his impulse to resist. 

Lightly touching Steve’s face, Erik gazed at him.  “I have wanted to do that all night.”

Steve’s will reasserted itself once more. He backed away a step.  Feeling very confused, he tried to articulate the war that raged within his heart.  “I can’t.  You’re …It isn’t…” 

Like a sensual panther, Erik stalked toward Steve’s retreating form, backing him against a wall.  Growling with an animalistic lust, “I want you.”  Erik’s mouth descended on Steve’s neck, licking and nipping, causing a pure desire, which had him moaning once again. 

Surrendering, Steve’s hands wrapped around Erik pulling him closer of their own accord

Guest Blog with the wonderful Virginia Nelson!

Hello Folks.

Are you ready for a treat?
Today best selling author Virginia Nelson has stopped by to tell us a little about her new release: Odd Stuff.
I have read Virginia Nelson's work before and find it fun and engaging. I am eager to read Odd Stuff and I think after you read what she has to say, you will be too.

Here is Virginia!! 

Thanks so much for having me on the blog, Heather!

Odd Stuff was written in a world like our own—just like our own since I set it in the Historic Ashtabula Harbor which is only about a half an hour from my home.  The difference is that in the Odd Stuff world, there’re things that go bump and grind in the night.  Janie, my heroine, doesn’t want to be part of the paranormal world but it keeps dragging her back in. 

I was thrilled when this book won HEAReviews Best Books of 2010 and got multiple great reviews.  Hopefully readers will have as much fun with this book as I had writing it!

Blurb: Janie Smith tumbles through the paranormal world making mistakes and not keeping her sharp tongue in check. Pretending to be normal is what she has spent her whole life perfecting. But when her best friend, a witch named Mia, gets tangled in a murder investigation, Janie tries to stick to her guns and solve it without any “extra” help, be it supernatural or sexual. The hitch is that Mia is suspected to have murdered a vampire...and how do you prove you haven't killed someone who has no pulse?

About the Author: Virginia Nelson spends her days chasing three very active kids around. When she is not doing this, or plotting taking over the world, she likes to write, play in the mud, drive far too fast and scream at inanimate objects. She can often be found listening to music that is far too loud and typing her next fantastic tale of blood, sex and random acts of ineptitude. Romance, in Ms. Nelson’s opinion, is not about riding off into the sunset on the back of a horse with the knight in shining armor— it is about riding the dragon. If the knight can keep up… well, that is love.  Find me online virg-nelson.com

Grab your copy of Odd Stuff today! Link http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=352&products_id=1208

New Cover Art. The "Nordic Prince"

Today I got the cover art for my M/M erotic romance due to come out in Feb. 2013.
And I am Excited!!!
My story is contracted through Champagne Books. And I knew that it was getting worked on to be published. But:
Waiting is not something I do very well.
(I will admit, I have been checking my e-mail daily for any morsel of info to drop into it.)
So I'm Like:

Then, today I checked and...

 

My Cover Art came in! And It looks really amazing. (And Steamy). They did a wonderful job on it.

Somehow, seeing the cover art brings it all home.

My book is being published and will be out in February of 2013. Wow!

So without any further adieu...

Here is the  Blurb and the Cover art for "Nordic Prince"

 Blurb:

When Doctor Steven Mills is dragged onto The Nordic Prince for fun in the sun by his sister, Amanda, he is certain he will be miserable. Until he meets Erik.
Erik is fun, exciting and just what the doctor ordered. Some drinks and dancing with him are more enticing to Steven than any date he’s gone on with women. Before long, the two escape the busy dance floor for the quiet—and private—spa where Eric works on Steven’s body with very skilled hands. Steven is overcome with an onslaught of new emotions and sensations and has the best sexual experience of his life.
Now Steven must wrestle with new feelings and desires and make a decision that could change his life forever.

Writing: a way to ignore waiting

I hate waiting.
It dives me nuts. I am not a patient person at all. I can't even wait for the toaster or the coffee maker without fidgeting from foot to foot. It does not matter the duration of time that passes...if I have to wait at all it has been far too long for me.

I know patients is a virtue and good things come to those who wait but I just can't seem to shake the impatient me.

Currently, I have a book that is getting the first round of spit-shining with my editor. And let me tell you, it already has gone a lot faster than generally expected.  After everything is all said and done the book will be out in E-format in February.  How awesome is that?

The problem is: I am an antsy impatient person. Sadly, I am also the person who jumps to my e-mail constantly to see what is up and if I get anything. *shakes head*

To reign in my bad behavior I decided that I needed to keep busy and use some of my creativity elsewhere. So, I decided to write another story.

Insert story instead of Essay and you have my writing process.

This one is about my main character's sister and is set  on a steamy tropical getaway.

In one sitting late last night I wrote 1500 words and feel at least another poking at me. At this rate I should have the story done by the weekend and giving myself a week to clean it up. I think I will have a new story to shoot off to my editor.
I'm not sure if she will be happy or if she'll boop me on the head for throwing more crap in her lap but I think this might be the perfect solution to keeping my mind off the other story that's sitting on the back burner.

With that in mind. I plan to go purge my imagination of the demons that are chasing my Muse around. Until next time. Tata.

So what are some of your flaws. Are you patient or just as nuts as me? How do you fight the problem ani-virtue?

Writing around life

Like everyone else, I have many things that I juggle everyday. Work, school, family, obligations, etc...
The one thing I have learned is that if you want to be a writer, you have to set aside time for writing every day. You have to treat it like a job and sit down and spend a certain amount of time at your computer. Just like a job.
           So what if you have a horrible work ethic? Not very motivating to treat your writing like a job.
Well, then treat your writing like a child. (which it is sort of like that)
Just like a child you:
-create it through much time, effort and labor(Outlining, research, typing, cursing, pulling out hair)
-you have to nurture and feed it and keep it healthy and growing(more writing and researching)
-you have to clean it up over and over(editing)
And then, just when you think everything is clean and happy--you have another mess to clean up(more editing and revising)
-but then after much, blood, sweat and tears. Finally your child(book) has matured and developed and is getting ready to go out into the cold, judging world alone. Now you have to set it free and sit back and worry and fret while it bounces around out there without you.
And if your lucky, your child/book will find a new home(publishing company) and a place in the world(New York Times Best sellers list? hopefully) And you my friend, will rejoice!
And then....
You start the process over again.
But if you have a sense of freedom and escape through your writing--then you know that it is worth it.
So, find time in your day and just let yourself go. See where your imagination takes you.

How do you write? Do you write every day? Have you queried a company and waited in nail-biting suspense for a response?
I'd love to hear from you.