Which would you rather have: an e-book or a print book? I just got an e-reader and am finding that print books suddenly have less appeal. They are more expensive and take up more space. It's so much easier to have my books stored in one place on a compact e-reader. And I wonder, ten years from now, how many bookstores will still be around in the same way they are today. I don't buy as many DVD's (in fact none) since I have a DVR. I also published my last book "The Montezuma Secret" as an e-book on www.amazon.com. If people don't have an e-reader like a Kindle, they can also read it on their PC, MAC, iphone, Blackberry, iPad, and Android, which makes it very convenient.
Here's a blurb and an excerpt: "The Montezuma Secret"
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004JU0IX6 -Only $2.99
Murder and passion meet head-on in the steamy jungles of Belize.
Hunky Trey Zacco, gritty survivalist and host of the hit "Wildman" series and glitz and glamour girl, Erica Kingsley, host of the "Lap of Luxury" show, are thrown together in the steamy jungles of Belize as a publicity stunt and to search for Montezuma’s lost gold. Zacco cannot hide his resentment at having to share the spotlight with the flighty fashionista Erica, and he locks horns with her every step of the way even as both try to ignore the strong physical attraction growing between them. But when Erica’s father's plane goes down in the jungle, Trey and Erica launch a desperate search to find him. And when members of the crew are killed and the equipment sabotaged, Trey and Erica find themselves stranded in the middle of the jungle, where no rescue crew can reach them.
An Excerpt from "The Montezuma Secret"
"Up?" she pointed, unable to believe her ears.
Trey gave her a hard shove.
"Get going!"
"But how?"
"Grab the vines and pull yourself up!" he shouted over the thundering rain.
"You must be joking! It’s got to be one hundred feet high!"
"Good calculation. Now move!"
She stood her ground. "But why?"
"A. There’s no other way. B. I’m ordering you to. And you’ll listen if you ever want to get out of here."
Trey stifled an urge to smack her luscious wet bottom and watched in amusement as she struggled to grab hold of the slick vines, then smirked as she scrambled up a few feet and then landed in the muck with a splat. Her thick mane of black hair, once so splendidly coifed, was heavily matted and caked in mud.
"Again!" he yelled.
Raindrops, big as bullets, pelted her mercilessly. "I can’t do it. It’s impossible."
"Watch the master," he said, stowing the camera in his backpack.
He brushed her aside and grabbed one of the sturdier vines, then pulled himself up arm over arm with the agility of a spider monkey until he reached the top of the cliff where he had a perfect view of the lush jungle canopy and could see for miles.
"Now you know how it’s done. Get your ass up here or I’ll leave you behind."
"You can’t do that. You wouldn’t."
"Pull yourself up, Kingsley. If you have to, use the side of the cliff to push off and boost yourself higher. But watch out for the holes. There may be spiders and bats hiding in those nooks and crannies."
Erica re-tied her sagging ponytail and pinned it to her scalp. Her breath was ragged, her heartbeat erratic.
From above, she heard the sudden monotonous drone of a plane’s engine cutting through the rain splatter, then listened to the sputter as the motor spit and coughed, struggling to stay aloft. Wings slashed through the jungle over her head five hundred feet from her, both turbo props flaming. The plane wobbled and rolled before hitting the ground with an ear-splitting shriek of steel against steel followed by a blinding explosion of light that knocked her off her feet.
A sickening sensation shot through her and she suppressed the urge to vomit. The stench of black smoke as dark as blood filled her nostrils. She knew what had happened. She hoped to God she was wrong, but more than ever she wished with all her heart and soul that she was still safely home in Miami Beach and that she had never come.
From a safe distance, comfortably positioned to witness the entire spectacle, a smiling figure breathed a sigh of relief. It had all gone according to plan. On schedule and on time. They were right where they needed to be. Soon they’d both be dead and no one would be the wiser. Untimely accidents. Marauding terrorists. Ancient Mayan curses. Any excuse would do. Completely believable, considering the dangers of the jungle. They’d just disappear. Perfect. Simply perfect."
The world of publishing certainly will be very interesting. What do you think the future holds?
Alison Chambers
www.alisonchambersromance.com
Showing posts with label romance writer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance writer. Show all posts
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
That Electrifying First Kiss
by Maggie Toussaint
Do you remember your first kiss? Was it all heart-poundy and nerve-wracking or did you go with the flow? I remember being both thrilled and terrified. A tomboy from the cradle, I wasn’t sure I wanted to swap spit with anyone, so I held out a lot longer than some of my classmates at the middle school dances.
Finally, I met up with a kindred soul who was just as reluctant but wanted to see what the fuss was all about. We kissed each other, and were sorely disappointed. Later, I realized why – no spark of attraction.
Attraction gives kissing a kick that isn’t soon forgotten. My first real kiss came when a friend’s handsome cousin visited one summer. He was different from the boys around here, and he listened to what I had to say. I fell for him in all of an hour. His kiss seared my heart and set the standard for all future kisses.
As a romance writer, I want that same level of zip-zam-zowie in my character’s love lives. Here’s a snip from Muddy Waters. Let me know if you enjoy Roxie and Sloan’s first kiss at a friend’s wedding:
Strains of a haunting song about forever love filled the room. Folks around the room applauded when Roxie stepped into Sloan’s arms. “This is so embarrassing,” she murmured against his chest.
“Not a problem.” Sloan danced with her in the only way he knew, up close and personal. She felt great in his arms. With her height, he didn’t get a crick in his neck or back due to bending over to talk to her.
She was light on her feet and her fragrance triggered a deep, sensual hunger. The urge to kiss her thrummed through his blood. Though she felt right in his arms, he knew better than to trust his instincts when it came to females.
Kissing her would prove she was just another woman.
With that in mind, he navigated them toward an alcove, a secluded spot he’d noticed earlier when they entered the hall. With finesse, he angled her into the private space, then waited, silently urging her to look up.
When she did, he lowered his head slowly, giving her an out if she wanted it. She didn’t break eye contact, didn’t utter a sound in protest.
He brushed her lips with the barest of kisses. Raw current arced between them. A sexy little moan sounded deep in her chest. He went in for a second taste, nibbling, nuzzling, silently imploring her to open for him.
When she did, he was lost.
--
MUDDY WATERS in Digital format: Kindle and Wild Rose Press
MUDDY WATERS in Print: Wild Rose Press and Amazon
--
I’d love to hear about your first kiss!
--
Maggie Toussaint
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
