I Could Use Your Votes! :)

Rites of Romance is running their annual polls for Best Of 2007 in a whole bunch of different categories and I’ve been nominated in a few. If you have a moment, I’d love for you to go over there and cast a few votes for me, if you feel so inclined.
First, you have to be a member of the RORRChatters Yahoo group

Then you need to check out the polls for their 2007 Awards. There are lots of categories, but here are the direct links to the polls in which I’m nominated:

You also might notice my friends Stella and Audra Price listed in a few categories like Best Cover Artist, Best Urban Fantasy/Dark Fantasy Book 2007, and Best Paranormal Author. I hope you’ll take a moment to vote in each category! And thanks for your votes!!!

New Cover for Davin’s Quest!

Isn’t this a great cover?

For more information, check out my website. This book will be out in ebook formats on February 19th from Samhain.

Merry Christmas!

Sad News

I think many of you know I’ve been scarce of late and wrapped up in family concerns. Unfortunately, the trend will continue for a bit. We’ve had a death in the family, which in a way is a bit of a relief because he was so sick, but still it’s heartwrenching. So I’ll be around, but not as much as usual for the next little while. Thanks to those of you who’ve prayed for my family. I hope you’ll continue to remember us in your prayers, if you believe in such things.

Bianca

Great News! 2008 EPPIE Finalist!

I’m thrilled announce that Hara’s Legacy is a Finalist in the 2008 EPPIE Awards in the category of Best Erotic Romance Science Fiction/Futuristic. I got an email this morning with the news and I assume the official announcement will be up on the EPIC website sometime soon. In the meantime, I’d like to congratulate all the entrants and finalists. Well done! And thanks to the judges who voted for Hara’s Legacy to this point. I’m truly honored.

Sweeter Than Wine - Just Released!

Sweeter Than Wine

An abused woman has the power to unite werefolk, fey and vampire against an evil that would see them all dead—if she can learn to love again.

Christy lies near death after a brutal beating by her estranged husband. Her preternatural friends reach a desperate conclusion: The only way to save her is to turn her. Sebastian steps forward to take on the burden of being her Maker.

For him it’s no burden at all. She draws him as no other woman has for centuries. With the help of a werecougar friend, Sebastian teaches Christy about her new life and abilities, making certain she is as strong as he can make her. Only then can she face her abusive ex-husband and put her old life behind her. But Christy’s ex-husband is involved in something more dangerous than any of them had guessed.

Vampire, were, and even a fey knight must work together to put an end to the threatening evil. To overcome her past, help keep the darkness at bay, and fight for a new life with Sebastian, Christy must draw on all of her new-found strength.

Will it be enough?

Warning, this title contains explicit sex, graphic language, ménage a trois, hot neck biting and werecougar stroking.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy Now in eBook formats from MyBookstoreAndMore.com

I’m really excited to see this book come out. For one thing, it’s the followup to Lords of the Were that everyone always asks me about. While it’s not a direct “sequel” per se, some of the characters from Lords of the Were make an appearance, and we also meet several great new characters as well. While concentrating a little more on the vampire society I’ve written about in the past, this book ties together my vamps and weres in a very tangible way. And another special bonus is that when you finish this story, the love story that follows chronologically after it - Ian and Jena’s story - is already out and available in both print (Caught by Cupid anthology) and in ebook (Forever Valentine).

There’s adventure, intrigue, a dash of true love, a little naughty werecougar stroking, and a whole lot of excitement in this book. I hope you will enjoy it! Here’s a different excerpt from the one on the Samhain site to help whet your appetite…

EXCERPT

Christina woke in slow increments, like a kitten just learning about the world around it. Sebastian watched her from the side of the large bed, waiting for the moment when she’d realize she wasn’t alone.

“I bet you’re hungry.” He was enchanted by the sleepy look in her eyes as she met his gaze. Rubbing her tummy, she looked like she was considering his words.

“I feel strange.”

He nodded and moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “That’s to be expected when you’re newly turned.”

“Then it wasn’t a dream?”

“No, my dear. It was most certainly real.” He dipped his head closer, smiling so she could see his fangs. He was hungry too, it seemed. “You’ve been deep in healing sleep for more than two days. That’s longer than most of the newly turned, but you were gravely injured, so I encouraged your sleep.” He tugged at the sheet that covered her, inching it away. “I’ve decided on a course of action some might consider reckless.” He paused. “Do you trust me?”

She seemed to think that one over before answering. “I think so.”

“What I’m going to ask of you will seem strange, but I need you to believe it is for your own welfare that I’ve even considered this.” He pulled the sheet a little lower.

“Now you’re frightening me, Sebastian.”

“That’s not my intent. But I need you to know that what comes next is necessary for your future. I want you to be strong enough to deal with Jeff Kinsey on your own. I believe standing up to him—and winning—is the only way to face the rest of your years, now that you are immortal. If you let him win, even the smallest confrontation, it will set a tone for your new life that could prove disastrous.”

“Did I mention you’d already scared me enough?”

Sebastian was glad to see a spark of humor in her wary eyes. It made him feel a little better about what he was about to do, though other aspects of his plan still made him uneasy. There was jealousy for one thing. It was likely to eat him alive before long. Good thing the task could be accomplished quickly. He knew he couldn’t take too much of this.

“I’m sorry, Christina. What I propose will not hurt. On the contrary, it will bring you great pleasure, but it is somewhat…risqué. I know from your friends that you’ve never been very adventurous sexually. That will have to change.”

She looked wary, but receptive. “What exactly are you talking about?”

“Your body is fully healed now, and its chemistry forever altered. Now it’s time for your lessons to begin.”

“Lessons?”

“I promised to teach you everything you need to know to survive in your changed state. Those lessons begin now, with our most basic needs–blood and lust. You need to feed.” He dipped his head, kissing her savagely. He didn’t mean to do it, but her soft lips were so close, so inviting, he couldn’t resist.

Sebastian reveled in the sweet taste of her, delving deep with his tongue as her petite fangs began to emerge. He ran his tongue over them, encouraging their arrival. He’d forgotten how it felt to kiss one of his own kind. It was beyond erotic. It was nearly orgasmic in itself.

When she jumped, he pulled back, looking past her beautiful, bare body to see what had scared her. Sebastian understood her alarm when he saw Matt. He’d come in and prowled right up to the bed, taking a seat near the foot as if he belonged there, while Sebastian had been distracted. It was a shock to realize he’d been so lost in her kiss, he hadn’t even sensed Matt’s arrival. Matt’s knowing wink didn’t go a long way to soothe Sebastian’s self-recrimination, but it did make him smile. The lad was audacious, but Christina needed a little nudge to guide her on this path. Before the night was through, Sebastian knew she’d need to put all her inhibitions behind her and Matt Redstone was just the creature to help her do it.

“I invited a mortal friend to help you learn how to feed both bodily and psychically.” He waved one hand toward Matt, releasing her slowly. “He is were. You might note the difference in his scent from ordinary mortals. He’ll make an excellent first feeding for you to grow strong and he’s agreed to let us use him as our guinea pig for this evening. It’s a rare honor. You should be thankful.”

Christy looked at the gorgeous, muscular man who sat on the edge of her bed and began stroking her legs. “Um, thank you?”

Get your copy of Sweeter Than Wine today! And to read more in my paranormal world, check out both Lords of the Were and Forever Valentine, both now available from Samhain.

Welcome to the D’Arc side…
Bianca
www.biancadarc.com

Dove Chocolate - Holiday Wisdom

I’m new to this whole Dove chocolate phenomenon. Until I started interacting with romance fans from around the country, Lindt was “it” for me. Okay, Godiva occasionally. And Leonidas if I was feeling particularly posh.   But this Dove stuff is pretty darn good! I bought my first holiday package of milk chocolate squares with almonds (yum!) recently and found that there are there little sayings — sorta like a fortune cookie — inside the foil wrappers. Some of my new favorites include:

- Holiday magic starts from within. (I couldn’t agree more. You have to be in the mood for the holidays or the spirit won’t move you to enjoy all the hoopla.)

- Warmth on the inside can melt cold on the outside. (Hmm… that’s an interesting thought.  

- If old acquaintances be forgot, give them a call and remember. (Nice reminder to stay in touch with friends, which is something I often forget in the mad dash that is my life.)

- Add a little sweetness to your day. (Self-serving promotion, but a nice thought all the same)

- The best holiday decoration is a smile. (Sappy, but sweet.)

- Spending time is a great gift than spending money. (I totally agree!)

- Friendship is a gift in itself. (Again, sappy, but a nice sentiment.)

- Promise yourself some relaxing holiday moments. (I SO need to do this.)

- Miracles aren’t limited to holidays. (I like this one best of all.)

Being a lover of fortune cookies, I think I’m now officially hooked on this Dove stuff. What a great idea to put these fun little messages in the wrappers!

Tomorrow I’ll be posting about my new release, Sweeter Than Wine, which comes out tomorrow, so check back for that!

Holiday Luncheon Fun

I had a lovely day, spent chatting with the ladies of my local Romance Writers of America chapter at our annual holiday luncheon. Members Edith Layton and Bertrice Small donated books for all of us to take home, which is always nice, and I got to say hello to Michele Lang, whom I will be doing a talk with in February on the topic of epublishing. She brought along her new little baby, so everybody was cooing at the little darling all through lunch — which lasted a good four hours! These ladies can TALK!

So I had my fun and now it’s back to writing. (Supply your own whip cracking sound effect here.)

I’ll be closing the goody list soon, so send me that email before I finish up and start sending stuff out. Thanks to all those who’ve responded already. This year’s list is at least twice as long as last year’s so far!

Time To Get On My FREEBIE List!

I have a little LIST going - sorta like that jolly old elf guy - for folks in the US only (sorry about that, but it has to be that way for now) - who might want a greeting and some goodies from me this holiday. I’ll be sending out cards and a CD from my good friends at ARe with codes for 2 free books on them (or so I’ve been told). I’ll also include some of my promo things, including a 2008 magnetic calendar, bookmarks and signed goodies.

All you have to do is send your mailing address to BIANCADARC at GMAIL.COM.

Amazon Kindle

I was really interested to see a whole bunch of my electronic titles now available on Amazon again. They’ve got all the Chippewa/Lady Aibell stuff up there now, though I don’t know how long that will last since the company is supposed to be out of business. I heard on the news the other day that the Kindle readers sold out pretty quick, so this looks like something people are really interested in. It’s about time, too! I’ve been an ebook convert for the past 3-4 years now and there’s no going back. For one thing, I LOVE all the extra room in my house now that every spare square inch isn’t filled with paperbacks! LOL

So, what do you all think of the Kindle and/or ebooks in general? Are you converts like me or still on the fence? Will the Kindle - if/when it comes down in price - influence you? Is it too expensive? It’s about $400 I think, and to me that’s just a bit too pricey, but if it came down to about half that or lower, I might be seriously tempted to get one. Who’s with me?

BTW, this is what the Kindle device looks like: