biancadarc.com Blog

NaNoWriMo Winner!

I should’ve posted this a day or two ago, but I just thought I’d mention, I reached my 50,000 word goal for November and won the annual NaNoWriMo challenge. Yay!

This year, I split up the word count between two novels – the end of Grady’s Awakening and the beginning of Inferno. I know that’s sort of “cheating” according to the strict NaNo rules, but the way I look at it, 50k is 50k and I couldn’t just drop everything and stop writing my WIP at the beginning of November. Instead, I used the NaNo challenge to write more on that book and another, reaching 50k by the end of the month. I think that’s acceptable.

I apologize to any purists out there, but that’s JMHO. So, did any of you take the NaNo challenge this year? If so, how’d you do?

Not Complaining, But Disappointed…

…in the response so far on Amazon to the Maiden Flight freebie. Since the book was given away free for the Kindle, there have been about 3 reviews entered on Amazon and all three are very negative. Why? The only thing I can figure is that the people in question grabbed a freebie without knowing it was EROTIC romance. All three complaints share the common theme that the book was “porn.”

*sigh*

I know hundreds, if not thousands of people downloaded the book for free but so far only those three unhappy people have stepped forward to offer their opinions. I’m glad they did, though I wish they could have confined themselves to opinion instead of giving away details of the plot. (Hello? Spoilers?) But I know for a fact that this book sells well and it has always done well with professional reviewers. The print version scored a 4 at Romantic Times (they only go as high as 4.5 for a special few books each month, so 4 is basically as high as you can get without being singled out as a “top pick”).

So I’m back to my worries over the cover. I know the cover doesn’t exactly shout “erotic romance” and one of my ongoing fears with my dragon covers especially, is that some kid is going to pick it up thinking it’s a fantasy/adventure tale – which it is – but be shocked to hell and back by the erotic content. :O

If I had to guess – and at this point, that’s all I can do – I’d say these people on Amazon picked up the book because it was free. They didn’t really choose it. They may or may not have realized it was erotic romance – though if you read the blurb, it should be pretty clear it’s a menage story. They may or may not have ever even read an erotic romance before and my little book shocked the bejeezus out of some of them.

Not my intention. I wrote this book for adults who enjoy erotic romance and I know there are lots of us out there. The market for erotic romance is huge but if someone doesn’t like it – like anything – they can choose not to read it. Whatever floats your boat. BUT, I think it’s kind of rotten to get something for free, not even bothering to check if it’s something you’d object to on principle, then trash it because it’s not your cup of tea.

As a writer, I value the reviews from people who know the genre much more than the folks who’ve never read a book like mine before. Those are the reviews I can really learn from. I value the opinion of how my book stacks up against books like it. If you’ve never read an erotic romance before and dislike the entire concept, then in what way is that opinion valuable to me or to anyone who might want to buy the book in future? It’s not.

Now, if you want to issue a “warning,” by all means, go right ahead. Although I have to believe that anyone who reads the blurb – which is something I always do before spending my money on a book – will realize right away that it’s a menage and therefore something outside the norm.

It’s just very disappointing to have this so-called “promotion” work out like this. Only the unhappy people have responded on Amazon, while many very happy new readers have emailed me privately to say they enjoyed the book and have bought more of my books. Why do the cranky people always feel the need to complain loudest while the happy people keep their mouths shut? *even bigger sigh*

Right now I’m disheartened by the public response on Amazon. I can only hope the silent, happy folks are the majority and that my pet theory will be proven in higher sales for the subsequent books in the series. Thanks to those of you who have offered public opinions on my books. It’s much appreciated – especially from people who know and like the genre as a whole.

Sneak Peek: Inferno (WIP)

I’m working on the first draft of this book right now and thought I’d share a little here for those who might be interested…

(c) 2008 Bianca D’Arc. All Rights Reserved.

It was likely they’d seen the last of Patrick Vabian, though his allies in the Venifucus were still enemies to be reckoned with.

But that battle was for another time. For tonight, there were women to bed and blood to be savored. Dante followed Duncan into the night club, well aware they would find more than a few willing mortal women inside. Dante paused to sniff the air, satisfied for the moment with the ripe scent of humanity that assailed his sharp senses, but just then he noticed some other, more subtle scent lacing the air.

It was off to his right.

Dante opened his eyes and looked around, only to meet the gaze of the most alluring woman he’d ever seen in all his long centuries. Lustrous, mink brown hair framed her face and swayed gently with her movements. Snapping hazel eyes fringed with thick, dark lashes batted at him with come hither motions.

She was sitting on a bar stool, surrounded by mortals, but she shone as if she were the only being in the room. She was not human.

Dante sniffed again.

Were.

And she was looking directly at him, meeting his eyes boldly while she raised a glass of red wine to her lips. He followed the line of it as her luscious throat flexed in a swallow and he got hard. Just like that.

This woman was something else.

And she held knowledge in her eyes.

Silently, she stood from the bar and stalked toward him. She moved like a predator, sinuous and sensuous as she held his attention, and his gaze, mesmerizing him. He got the feeling he was definitely her prey and not the other way around. It was a novel experience for him. Never had a woman enthralled him so completely.

And they hadn’t even touched.

But that would soon be remedied.

“She’s a fine looking woman, but beware my friend,” Duncan said in a low voice, “she is not what she seems.”

Dante nodded, his gaze glued on the woman as she approached. “I know what she is.”

“But do you know why? Why would such a creature seek you out?”

Dante shrugged. “Probably for no good reason, but I find it hard to resist the puzzle she represents.”

“Just be certain this puzzle doesn’t get you staked out in the desert at dawn.” Duncan laughed as he moved off, two women already in his sights. “I’ll be near if you need backup.”

*

She didn’t realize he’d be so handsome, but then bloodletters were said to have a Glamour all their own. She also didn’t think she was close enough to feel his influence, but then she didn’t have any personal experience with his kind. Their powers were said to grow with the centuries, and Dante was downright ancient.

There was something about the tall man at his side too. Something that gave Megan the heebie geebies, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what the deal was with him. He wasn’t a bloodsucker. His scent was different, but very, very magical. Not human entirely, but not anything else she recognized either. She would have to tread carefully—very carefully—until she knew exactly what she was dealing with.

Still, the ball was in play now. She’d have to see it through and play the game she’d planned. Just this one last task, and she’d finally be free of those meddlesome Altor Custodis. She’d do just about anything to clear her family debt of honor, but she had to be careful. This Dante fellow was more than likely the most deadly being she’d ever meet.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked right up to him and shifted her weight to one foot, letting her opposite hip jut out toward him provocatively. Dante was certainly a tall drink of water, almost a foot taller than her own five foot four. Of course, she was petite for a wolf shifter, but then, she was only half-were by blood.

She didn’t speak, just looked him over and let him look in return. She saw the flare of interest in his eyes before he banked it to something less obvious. She was close enough to scent his magic now but was well protected against the vampire mojo. Still, he certainly did have an effect and she had to admit—mojo or not, this man was potent with a capital P.

“Do you like playing with fire, little one?”

His voice wafted over her like dark silk, caressing her pelt in the most sensuous way. She had to suppress a shiver of pleasure at the tone and timbre. And this was just his voice!

She struggled for nonchalance. “I know what you are.”

“And still you come to me? You’re a brave little shifter. Does your pack know what you’re up to?”

“I have no pack. I’m a loner.” Her chin rose defiantly.

“Ah, a lone wolf out on the prowl.” He made the words mocking, but she stood her ground. “You are a foolhardy youngster then, out to test her limits.”

“No doubt I’m younger than you, but by no means a child.” She thrust out her chest and was glad to see his gaze snagged by the motion. “I’m curious, I’ll admit. I’ve heard your kind has certain abilities for pleasure.”

Dante leaned back, studying her from under hooded eyes. He was a seducer of the sense in every word, every motion. It would be hard not to fall under his spell—magical or not. Everything female in her wanted to be with this male, regardless of his species or his power.

He watched her, seeming to come to some kind of decision. “My name is Dante.”

She laughed. “Playing with fire, indeed. I get the literary reference, Dante.” She winked at him. “My name is Megan.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wallpaper Wednesdays

Fighting Fey Pin-Up Girl
800 x 600 – 1024 x 768 – 1280 x 1024 – 1600 x 1200

Click on the size you want, then right click and “Save as Background” on most systems.

Enjoy!

New Sale! Phantom Desires

Great news! My third and final Brotherhood of Blood novella was just sold to Samhain Publishing for publication in the Spring!

This is the last of my vampire reprints and tells the story of Carly and Dmitri Belakov. It rounds out the three Brotherhood stories and completes the set, which will most likely come out in a single print volume sometime late next year. (More news on that when I get it myself!)

The trilogy is in the process of re-releasing — these stories have been out before but in much shorter versions with another publisher that went out of business last year. One & Only, the first of the stories, released on November 7th. The second one, Rare Vintage, is scheduled for February 6th, and the third, Phantom Desires, should be out sometime in April. I’ll give you the exact date when I find out.

So it’s shaping up to be a full year for me already! The schedule for releases over the next few months stands as follows:

December – Davin’s Quest in Print

February – Rare Vintage in eBook

March – FireDrake in Print

April – Phantom Desires in eBook

May – Jaci’s Experiment in Print

I’m also planning for book 4 of my Resonance Mates series, Grady’s Awakening, later in the year and the long-awaited sequel to Lords of the Were… Dante’s story, which I’m calling Inferno right now. (That might change, but I kind of like it, so maybe not.) Another dragon book is on the agenda as well, but I’m not sure when I’ll be starting that. Grady’s Awakening is mostly finished in 1st draft form and I’m letting it sit for a month or so before I tackle polishing and writing the final scenes. I’m working on Dante’s book right now and it’s moving along like gangbusters! As of today it’s about 1/3rd complete and showing no signs of slowing down.

Edits are in process for Rare Vintage and moving right along. The story was expanded quite a bit. It doubled in size and then after my editor read the first draft, we decided to add another scene which morphed into two more chapters and made it about 3 times the size of the original. It’s all good. The story is way hotter and much more interesting than its original, much shorter form, IMHO.

Can you tell I’m excited? Things are shaping up for a great, busy year! I love it!

Win A Kindle in December!

I’m participating in a huge giveaway that will include 2 Kindles and at least 12 days worth of other prizes, so mark your calendars and check out Angie’s blog on December 1st!

Cheat Sheet: French Love Words

I’m writing a sexy Frenchman. He’s actually a 600+ year old vampire, so he tends to speak in somewhat old-fashioned terms from time to time. He’s a fun character to write and every time I use Master Marc LaTour in a story (he shows up in cameo roles in other books), I always get a chance to recall part of my own ancestry and use words I would normally never use when speaking with my family back in the old country. Terms of endearment, mostly. Things like “ma cherie”, “mon coeur”, “ma petite”, etc.

But I don’t use my French skills very often, so I like to check things like my spelling and masculine/feminine pronoun agreement. It also makes things interesting when doing edits. If the editor doesn’t know much French, we usually have to find some kind of authority that breaks it down so we’re sure I’m right.

I just did a quick search and found a great little cheat sheet for writers that I thought I’d pass along. Check it out on About.com. Whether you just need a refresher or don’t speak much French at all, this little list could be of great help as you write, n’est-ce pas?

Wallpaper Wednesdays

800 x 600 – 1024 x 768 – 1280 x 1024 – 1600 x 1200

To use, click on the size you want, then right-click to “Set as Background” on most systems.

Writing Update

Good news! I finished the rewrite on Phantom Desires last night and submitted it to my editor. Phantom Desires is the third in the Brotherhood of Blood trilogy. (One & Only and Rare Vintage are the first two stories.) All three were originally published by a now defunct publisher, and were much shorter.

One & Only started out as a very short story of about 3,500 words and was re-written and expanded to somewhere near 25,000 words. Rare Vintage started out as a story under 10,000 words and was also expanded and re-written to be about 23,000 words. Likewise, Phantom Desires started out at just about 10,000 words and is now 24,000 words. All are much better stories now, in my humble opinion, than they were before, and I’m very excited to see them starting to re-release.

One & Only just came out at the beginning of this month and Rare Vintage is slated for early February. If all goes well, Phantom Desires will be accepted and scheduled for sometime early next year. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed!