Heart of the Raven Halloween Sale

halloweensaleHalloween is one of my favorite holidays, and what better way to celebrate than to curl up on a stormy night with a nice cup of cider and a hawt vampire (or two)? Or, even better, hawt vampires that are on sale!

Through the month of October, Heart of the Raven, the newest in the Amaranthine series, is on sale for 66% off! So, instead of paying $2.99 you’ll only pay $.99 – a $2.00 savings – and you’ll still get all the Jorick and Verchiel yumminess that you can handle.  Or why not send someone else the gift of vampires? Nothing says you care like bloody battles, steamy scenes, and fanged creatures of the night.

Join Katelina, Jorick, Verchiel and a host of others as they hop across the globe in an effort to find the powerful relic, the heart of the raven, before Malick and his henchmen do. It’s a trip fraught with fear, betrayal, and passions that could unleash a nightmare worse than any of them have ever imagined.

Grab your copy today at:

Amazon  | Smashwords  | Kobo  | Barnes and Noble  | Apple  | Sony

And have a happy Halloween!

Prologue 7: Verchiel

With the release of Heart of the Raven looming, it’s time to meet the characters! But why just read a stale bio, when you can have a flash-fiction introduction? These take place the day before Heart of the Raven begins. Think of them as mini prologues. They will not appear in the book and this is the only place you can read them. Enjoy!

verchiel

January 10th
The High Council Chambers
The Vampire Citadel
Iowa

Verchiel whistled to himself as he walked through the empty audience chamber. It was getting late; the sun would be up soon, and he’d had a long day already. There were still a lot of repairs to make and the Executioners and Greater Guards had been put in charge of overseeing them. Though he had to admire Oren’s style – the explosions had created a brilliant distraction and plenty of damage – he didn’t have to enjoy cleaning up after it.

At the back of the room was a secret door, hidden in the paneling. He knocked and it opened to reveal a long table ringed in chairs. Eileifr, the new leader of The Guild, sat at the head of the table. His long blond hair fell around his shoulders, intermingled with braids. He had the air of a weary Nordic king.

Verchiel bowed. “You sent for me, Master?”

Eileifr nodded. Though he didn’t have the power to read thoughts, Verchiel could feel him scrutinizing him. He wondered if the silent inquiry came away with anything.

“We’ve been in contact with the True Council in Munich. They’ve asked us to send a pair of Executioners to testify about what happened here.”

Verchiel suppressed a grin. “You’re sending me?”

“That was a consideration, yes. But, at this time, only a consideration. Jamie is another likely candidate, one that outranks you. However, you were in the atrium with us when Malick made his exit, so your testimony might be of more value.”

Verchiel clasped his hands behind his back respectfully, though his eyes danced. “Yes, of course.”

“However, I need to be convinced that you and Jorick can work together.” He held up his hand as if to silence the other. “I know about your… differences, and they concern me only so far as your work is concerned, do you understand? If you are sent, I expect you to conduct yourself with the decorum and professionalism of one who is representing The Guild.”

Verchiel bowed his head. “Yes, Master. Of course.”

“Good. The… network is still down, from what I understand, but as soon as it is operational again we will generate the necessary paperwork for a trip to Germany. Assuming we decide to send you, that is.”

“Of course, Master.”

Eileifr made an appraising noise that sounded like “hmmmm.” He looked on the point of speaking further when a knock sounded on the door and he instead called, “Enter.”

Ark strode through the doorway, his long black coat swooshing behind him and a stack of paperwork in his hand. He glanced at Verchiel and then directed his attention to Eileifr. “The Executioner applications, Master.”

Eileifr took the stack and dropped it on the table in front of him. “Very good. Thank you, Ark.” He turned to Verchiel.  “You may go. And might I suggest that, for the benefit of all, you stay away from both Jorick and his human for the time being?”

Verchiel’s smile was tight and obviously fake. “As you say, Master.”

“Good. I will see you tomorrow. We will have to choose the replacements, and I want everyone’s input.”

Verchiel bowed again, mumbled, “Of course, Master,” and then let himself out. Despite the last minute edict, he was still delighted.  A trip to Munich would be just the thing.

Even with ol’ grumpy boots!

Get your copy today:

Heart of the Raven Blurb

double covers

This is the long version. A couple of shorter versions will appear later, though I have to admit that, after having done some research around the web and such, I don’t think those 100 word blurbs are always doing us authors the favors we think they are. There are plenty of complaints out there about book descriptions that are too short…

Katelina has barely recovered from the chaos of Malick’s revolt, yet she and Jorick must go to Munich to testify before the True Council. All hopes of a vacation are dashed when they ‘re assigned an entourage that includes Verchiel, a vampire Katelina never wants to see again.

Her hatred is forgotten when Malick and his henchmen penetrate the stronghold in Munich. Jorick hijacks the trip and diverts them on a quest to reclaim the Heart of the Raven. Said to be the disembodied heart of Lilith, the relic may be more reality than myth, and if it falls into the wrong hands it could have disastrous consequences for the world. Can they reach its hiding place before Malick?

The fifth installment of the Amaranthine series sees Jorick and Katelina draw closer as they surround themselves with their own miniature army and try to outwit the machinations of the ancient master. Katelina grows stronger and learns to stand on her own because there’s no room for the fainthearted in a world where darkness is eternal and the night tastes like blood.

signature for whiteAnd… opinions? I know you have ’em, and we all know I like to hear ’em. So fire away.

Next Big Thing Blog Tour: Tales of the Executioners

senyaIs this getting out of hand? Well, it’s a matter of opinion, but when the awesome Victoria Hudson asked if I’d take the tag I had to say yes! you can check out her post about her forthcoming book The Republican, and also look into her other books while you’re there!

Since Heart of the Raven is pretty much done and just going through the final edits, I am answering this about my next big thing. 😉

Here are the questions:

1) What is the working title of your book? 

Tales of the Executioners is my working title, but I may try to “morsel” it up so I can get some fun puns out of it, like “Tasty bites of fiction” or “re-vamped” or “more fang for your buck” or any of the other really bad ones I’ve used so far.

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

After I finished the Vampire Morsels short stories I thought it would be fun before I launched into vampire Morsels 2.

3) What genre does it fall under? 

Paranormal Short Story Collection

jamie4) Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Hideaki Takizawa can play Verchiel. My brother wants Kate Beckinsale for Senya, but I’m not sold on that. As for everyone else… I have no idea.

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

A collection of 14 (I think) stories about the dreaded Executioners

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

Self pubbed as always because I like it that way!

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft?

I haven’t actually started it yet but, if I do one a week we’re talking fourteen weeks or more. I’d say four months to be safe.

beldren8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I have no idea.

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

Honestly? I just think it’s a fun idea. I like to see where the characters came from.

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

It’s vampires so there’s bound to be some blood, some death, maybe a murderous rampage, probably at least one set of tragic lovers, and I guess Verchiel will finally get his own story.

As for tagging anyone, I don;t know who hasn’t done it yet, so if you haven;t then you’re tagged!

Cooking with the Sheep

How do you make a Jorick?

Can you guess the finishing ingredient in a Verchiel?

For your dining pleasure I’ve whipped up a couple of delicious recipes at the Alpha Male Diner, over on the I Smell Sheep blog. Not only can you sample two hot and tasty dishes, but while you’re there you can enter for a chance to win paperback copies of BOTH the special editions – that’s all four books in one awesome prize pack. Read, sample, taste, win. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Be sure to check out I Smell Sheep’s other great contests and promotions.

 

signature for white

One Lovely Blog Award – Verchiel Edition

Hello! Verchiel here! Yeah, I am blogjacking this blog because, well, I’m just more fun than the usual author. *cough*. Jo has been honored with the One Lovely Blog Award by Rooster Lady Says, who has a very informative blog full of product reviews. If you’ve never visited her blog, you should check it out!

And now for the rules:

  1.   Include the blog award logo in your post
  2.   Thank the person who nominated you.
  3.   Provide 7 random facts about yourself
  4.   Nominate 7 other blogs, and let them know you have done so

Check, check and if you’re reading this and have not had the award then it’s yours because I know your blog must be lovely – only people with lovely blogs hang out here as we have the best, most intelligent readers on the net 🙂 So, this leaves only the seven random facts! I could post seven random facts about our amazing author, but who wants to read that? I mean, she’s only semi-interesting, otherwise she wouldn’t need to make up characters.

SEVEN INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VERCHIEL

1. My eyes are violet. Why? Because my amazing author’s brother requested it. Yes, she takes requests. Jorick says it’s proof she’s a hack, but since I’m a better character I say it;s because she’s accommodating.

2. I can speak several languages or i should say that I can speak a little bit of several languages.

3. I like anime. Especially if it has school girls in it. Those tiny skirts and – um, never mind.

4. In Heart of the Raven there is a new character named Sadihra (though her name may change to Zadhira) and, though I keep hitting on her, so far I haven’t gotten anywhere. I think she’s a super-human vampire. It’s the only way to explain how she can resist me.

5. I’ve known Sorino (the treasure hunter who hauls that kid around on a chain) for a long time. In fact, I knew him before I came to America. He owes me a favor or two.

6. I don’t really have a favorite color, but if I had to pick one I lean towards yellow. Who doesn’t love yellow? (Besides my author, that is.)

7. I think Jorick is jealous because I get more blog time, but it’s his own fault because he doesn’t have the get up and gumption to just take the blog over like I do. He could learn a thing or two from me.

And that, dear readers, is seven interesting facts about your favorite vampire. Or second favorite in the case of a couple of weirdos. I kid, you’re not weirdos, you just haven’t discovered how great I am yet.

Remember, if you’re reading this and you don’t have this award yet… now you do!

For those who wanted to see Hideaki Takizawa

In my Next Big Thing blog hop, I mentioned that Hideaki Takizawa could play Verchiel, but it has come to my attention that his IMDB and his wiki page have no photos, and so here are links to a few (I couldn’t find any CC photos, so I can’t actually post them myself 😦 )

The guy on the right:

http://www.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/tt.jpg

shirtless:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/Gc0Dylgcmomo2ucmVeUf0SLdo1_500.jpg

Just lookin’ cute:

http://takimaru.bizhat.com/pic_video/Tackey%20-%20Olympus%20myumini.jpg

And though it is semi-unbelievable, I had actually designed Verchiel before I ran into this guy (who happens to have a similar hairdo and almost the right color of hair – it’s in the same family, anyway) But either way I think Tackey is hot, sooooo 😉

Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I’m honored to be chosen to be part of this blog hop, and I’d like to thank Ron Voigts  for tagging me to participate. This gives us all a chance to view new releases from authors we admire, as well as introduce us to some works in progress.


Ten Interview Questions for “The Next Big Thing” are as follows:

What is the working title of your book?

Heart of the Raven, named after the mythological heart of Lilith, who is the mother of the vampires. Or, at least it’s a mythological object in my Amaranthine universe. The truth is, I only invented the heart as an object because I wanted to use it as a future book title.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It’s the fifth book in the Amaranthine series, so many of the plot ideas have been percolating for awhile. I wanted to send my vampires overseas because most vampire series do at some point. Usually vampires go to Europe and, while they do have to go to Germany, I wanted them to do something unusual after that. Originally I’d planned Mexico, but Twilight used it so heavily that I chose another country. The problem was to figure out WHY they’d go there. And then I saw a documentary a year ago and it all fell into place. Well, with a lot of research.

What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal. If given no other choice I’d say Paranormal Romance because it has some hawt vampires in it and of course Katelina and Jorick’s romance. Oh, and a couple of sex scenes. There hasn’t been much killing thus far. By chapter ten the body count is only two vampires and *maybe* a couple of human port patrol officers. (It’s a bit ambiguous what happened to them in this draft.)

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

That’s a tough one. Jonathan Harvey once did a casting call for the series, and he did a pretty good job. I agree with most of his choices, except Patrick, and Jorick. I really don’t know who would play them.  Verchiel could be played by any number of smexy Japanese actors, though I lean towards Hideaki Takizawa.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Katelina and Jorick land in international hot water while trying to recover a legendary artifact, said to make its owner invincible.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self pubbed because I like being self pubbed.

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

I’m setting this post up in advance, and right now I am still working on it. Work keeps getting in the way.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

If I say I don’t know, is that a bad thing? I can tell you some books it is NOT like. Twilight, for instance.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

The series must go on. Mainly it’s the so-called apocalypse that has spurned me to hurry up, though. I know, I know. It’s superstitious and silly, but I’d like to have it done before December 21st just in case. Not that it’s going to be a conclusion, but it’s the last book where I have any events planned. Book six is going to be as surprising for me as for the readers.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Rather that giving you a sales pitch, I’ll let the book speak for itself. I’ve posted several UNEDITED snippets of Heart of the Raven for your reading enjoyment, so if you want to see sex, violence, and a vampire in a bath tub, check them out!

Last but not least, here are the authors I’ve tagged.  They will post their blog on November 14th, so be sure to check them out or you can always stop by in the meantime.

Steve Evans

Sharon Stouter

LC Cooper

Lindsay Downs

 

Special Edition Official Release!

Balloons

by edenpictures via Flickr under CC license

Hello! This is Katelina from Joleene Naylor’s Amaranthine series. I’d like to announce that the (un) awaited Special Editions Vols I and II are finally available everywhere. And here to tell us more about them is my author!

*Verchiel strolls in* Um, that’s a no go. Our amazing author is too busy.

Katelina: You’re joking.  What am I supposed to do with the rest of this post? I guess that’s it folks. Here are the links to grab your own copies of the Special Editions:

Amaranthine Special Edition Vol I:

paperback
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
Smashwords
Sony ebook

Amaranthine Special Edition Vol II:

.

paperback
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
Smashwords
Sony ebook

Verchiel: Wait, wait. What’s that? It doesn’t make people want to check it out. You have to tell them why they want to. You have to make them excited! Offer them some cookies, some punch, maybe a balloon!

K: You go ahead. besides, why do they want to check the Special Editions out? They probably already have the books, so why buy them again?

V: That’s true. Though there is a bunch of bonus content, like character artwork, flash fiction, links to downloadable content, deleted scenes and character interviews.

K: You mean those interviews where the blog readers asked us questions?

V: Those are the ones. Jo tidied them up a bit, but they’re basically the same. So for all those who asked questions, if you’d like to see your name in print…

K: And what deleted scenes?

V: You know, the Lost Chapters from Legacy of Ghosts. Geeze, where have you been?

K: And character artwork? that’s weak.

V: Not at all. Some of it is new, and the Executioner gallery has never been published anywhere before except those cool cards she gave away to three people.

K: Fine, so there’s a little bit of bonus content. Still not worth buying it.

V: You’re a tightwad. But fine, if someone already owns them then maybe it’s not worth it. What if they don’t, though  What if they’ve put off buying the ebooks, or even the paperbacks? I’ve done the math an it’s cheaper to buy the two special editions than it is to buy all four paperbacks. And as for the ebooks it works out to the same price for the Special Editions as buying all four individually, and there’s still bonus features. You can’t get better than that. And they make the perfect gift! What could be better than two books in one? Especially when I’m in them?

K: How about two books you’re NOT in? I just don’t see the point in combining them, except to give them shiny new covers without admitting that her old covers need some work.

V: You’re pretty negative when it comes to our wonderful author, aren’t you? The point is to put them together the way they were meant to be. If you remember, there were originally two loooooong books she split into four.

K: Whatever you say. Since you seem so enthusiastic about this, you finish the post up. I’m going to go do something more interesting like take a bath or watch paint dry. It’s not like our author cared enough to even show.

V: She’s very busy this month.

K: Yeah, writing more horrible crap happening to me. Oh boy, oh boy. Seriously, have fun. *leaves*

V: You’ll have to excuse her, dear readers. I’m afraid she’s a little bitter right now because… well, no spoilers, but let’s say Munich isn’t working out like she planned. In the meantime, if you haven’t completed your Amaranthine collection, or if you’re a new reader, or if you’re looking for the perfect gift, check out these links and snag your copies today!

Amaranthine Special Edition Vol I:

.

paperback
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
Smashwords
Sony ebook

Amaranthine Special Edition Vol II:

.

paperback
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
Smashwords
Sony ebook

And here’s a cookie!

Vampire Cookies (in honor of the new season of #trueblood starting tomorrow!)

by ijokhio via Flickr under CC license

Lots-O-Links #31

This is the thirty-first edition of Lots-O-Links, posts where I randomly share links. Fun, huh? I can now call it the weekly post that four (real, I presume) people have gone on record as liking. Pretty cool!

Patricia McLaine is going back to blogtalk radio with her show Exploring the Paranormal with Pattie?

Ruth Ann Nordin’s new novel Her Counterfeit Husband is out. Check her blog for links and more info.

Paige Adams has been sharing her writing on her blog. You can read all ten chapters of Beyond the Gate, and her most recent post is chapter two of The Dreamer.

Bill Hallamandaris has a new site: Spiritual Common Sense. Bill is the  Co-founder and Chairman of The Heart of America Foundation and has published two books. Check them out and also stop by this uplifting new blog!

David Kubicek gives great advice on writing a dystopian novel, but much of it translates into any kind of speculative genre.

Rodney Johnson unveils a new cover for On the Forge of War featuring his original artwork. Check it out and see what you think of the strategically placed shell fragments.

I Smell Sheep was at Dragon Con last week and they’ve been posting a bunch of interviews and photos! Check out their very awesome posts and brilliant giveaways!

Speaking of conventions, Barbara Tarn was at Chicon last weekend – check out her blog about it!

for readers: Rebecca Lochlann has some great advice on how to choose your next favorite book. You might be surprised what it is.

The Kindle Book Review has moved! be sure to update your bookmarks and subscriptions so you don’t miss out!

If you have any links to share please mail them to me at Joleene (at) JoleeneNaylor (dot) com or else post them in the comments! And that’s all I have right now. Have a great week everyone!

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    This is NOT the gender swap previously published on Patreon.

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  • Amaranthine: The Complete Saga

    Find the complete Amaranthine Saga, as well as Brothers of Darkness, the expanded Vampire Morsels, and the expanded Tales of the Executioners on Dreame, WebNovel, AnyStory, and more!

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    Joleene Naylor

    An independent author, freelance artist, and photographer for fun who loves anime, music, and writing. Check out my vampire series Amaranthine at http://JoleeneNaylor.com or drop me a line at Joleene@JoleeneNaylor.com

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