Scions:Revelation (book 3) cover!
Current mood: excited

Here 'tis!



The blurb for my 3rd Scions book, SCIONS:REVELATION!

They thought they understood the prophecy.

They were wrong.

Caine Grennard was a werewolf, living among humans and lacking purpose--until the night he met a woman with an exotic, irresistible scent. A woman who might be his deadliest enemy.

When her aunt is kidnapped, Emma Gray swears to do anything to get the older woman back. Even if it means trusting the mysterious--and sexy--stranger named Caine.

But more is at stake than one woman's life: Emma's past holds the last key to unlocking a prophecy Caine's clan is depending on. The fate of both their clans rests on them trusting the impossible, electric connection between them, even in the heart of betrayal...

If you're interested, it's available for preorder on Amazon. The book releases December 1, 2008! :)

A Blast from the Past
Current mood: thankful

...to put it ALL in perspective!

Back in July I was poking around in my family's attic and ran across this.

Woohoo!

There's nothing a writer likes to see more than antiques that pertain to writing. *g* We love to imagine past writers sitting at their desks, creating their manuscripts.

I had to snap a photo because I instantly thought about the good ole days when manual typewriters were all we had. Then came electric typewriters and word processors and then the computer, but wait it wasn't long before...ah, the ultimate came along--the laptop!

As I sit here on my couch, tapping on my laptop, I think about how far we've come with the tools we authors have at our disposal today vs a few decades ago. Ah, what a difference!

It was kind of eye opening when I blew that layer of dust off that old Underwood machine and thought, I'm so glad I don't have to hammer out 2,500 words a day on this sucker!

So when I'm slow in sitting down and getting started on my story for the day, I think about that typewriter and how much easier I have it than folks did back then. I can't complain. Well, except to say...at least a manual typewriter would NEVER crash on you!

Patrice

My Lucky Charmer gets a facelift!
Current mood: impressed

A couple of years ago, I participated in an eBook challenge that author Lynn Viehl (aka Paperback Writer) hosted on her blog, where she challenged authors to provide a free story for readers in an eBook format and she would host links to the stories on her blog. Not only did we have to create the PDF version but we were also asked to design our own book covers. Eek! No stress. ..

Over a hundred authors participated and I was one of them with my fun paranormal story My Lucky Charmer. What's interesting about My Lucky Charmer is that it was a bit of a departure from my usual writing style in that the story was written in first person and had a more humorous slant than my other darkly intense books, but I had so much fun writing it that it seemed a waste not to share it with others. Hmmm, which makes me ponder the question...does an author's "voice" show through in a story no matter the style? 8)

The other day I received a wonderful email from a reader, Toni Walker who said she'd enjoyed My Lucky Charmer so much that she'd created a book cover to represent the story. Toni is a graphic artist and I thought she did such a wonderful job I asked her if I could share the book cover on my blog.

So without further ado, I give you Toni Walker's book cover for My Lucky Charmer!

Conestoga 2008!
Current mood: exhausted

Some background info...I'm a member of the online urban fantasy and paranormal romance community Fangs, Fur and Fey and FFF decided to do a con within a con as part of the Conestoga conference, so 30 FFF authors descended on Tulsa, OK for the Conestoga conference this past weekend.

Conestoga was a great time! Well, once everyone got there. Apparently, Thursday travels were the worst for everyone. Jeaniene Frost and Ilona Andrews got stuck in horrendous traffic and Mark Del Franco, Melissa Marr, Jeri Smith-Ready and Caitlin Kittredge all had flight delay issues that had them arriving either very late Thursday night or Friday. So I twiddled my thumbs waiting for others to arrive. When they finally did, I silently screamed, Oh, thank God...peoples! Jeaniene and Ilona had dinner with me and I had a blast chatting with them. I'd met Jeaniene, but this was my first time meeting Ilona. She's funny and down-to-earth honest and she instantly sets you at ease. I wish I had her gorgeous thick hair and lovely Russian accent!

After dinner it was back to the hotel where there was a flurry of activity while we divided up all the swag (promo items) authors sent in into ten different gift bags that were to be given out at the various Fangs, Fur and Fey sponsored panels. The bags were awesome black tote bags with Fangs, Fur and Fey in flashy silver lettering. I wanted one. *pout* And FINALLY late that night, after her own round of flight delays, my room mate, Jeri Smith Ready showed up. And then Jeri and I took off to the bar to hang with the ever hilarious and irreverent Mark Henry, who introduced me to Jaye Wells and her friend Leah Hodge as well as Tiffany Trent. Jeanne Stein joined the group along with Mark Del Franco.

For the first half of the day on Friday I helped with the filming of the first Fangs, Fur and Fey panel (yep, FFF videoed most of the panels to put up on the FFF blog later for those who didn't get to attended Conestoga). Then I participated in a panel with Rachel Caine, Rachel Vincent, Jeaniene Frost and Gena Showalter where we talked about the differences between paranormal romances vs urban fantasy.

That evening the FFF group as well as several readers commandeered part of the bar and we hung out and chatted for several hours. That's where I met Dean Lorey and talked to him not only about his current middle grade books (Nightmare Academy) but also about the fact he's a screen writer who has written many popular tv shows and movies. It was fun hearing which ones! :yes:. I also got a chance to chat with Rachel Vincent that evening. I first met Rachel at RT in Houston two years ago, but this is the first year that I really got to know her better. A super nice lady, Rachel might have a soft-spoken way about her, but she comes up with some witty zingers that'll keep you laughing. Late in the evening Sarah Rees Brennan showed up. We'd conversed via email several times and it was so wonderful to finally put a smiling face with her brilliantly written blog posts. She never ceases to make me chuckle.

Saturday I participated in the Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang panel with Jaci Burton, Rachel Vincent, Dakota Cassidy and Michele Bardsley. What a fun panel! We talked about how you craft action scenes and then how you segue into emotionally intense romantic scenes. Dakota and Michele always make me laugh, no matter the subject or venue! Jaci and I have known each other for years. I met her on-line during the early days of writing when we were both unpublished. Ironically, we hadn't really had a chance to talk much until this conference and I'm so thrilled to see Jaci's career taking off! Not only does this woman moderate a panel like no one's business, but she and her hubby are two of the nicest, easy to talk to people!

Later on that day, I sat with Mark Del Franco during my assigned book signing time. Mark has such an engaging way of making you comfortable that you instantly feel as if you've known him for years. And now I know why he was our emcee for the speed dating and moderator of several panels throughout the con!

Next I participated in the Let's Talk about Sex Panel with PC Cast, Jeaniene Frost and Jeri Smith-Ready. What a laugh-out-loud panel. We had a good time and PC kept me in stitches with her references to her father reading all her books, complete with side commentary in a deep, gruff voice.

The author speed dating event took place right after the Let's Talk about Sex panel. Mark Del Franco emceed the event in which two FFF authors were assigned a table and there were three slots for readers who signed up to do the event. We start at table one introducing ourselves to the readers and then after four minutes the authors get up and move to table two for four minutes and then table three and so on. The purpose of this fun and very fast paced event was for forty-five readers to get a chance to meet thirty authors and chat face to face before the conference's general reception started where the entire conference mingled. Jeaniene Frost was my partner-in-crime during the speed dating event. I met her at RT last year, but hectic schedules didn't allow us much time to chat. Always smiling, Jeaniene comes across so polished and put together. Plus, she thinks walking through graveyards is relaxing. That's so cool! She made speed dating a fun adventure and between the two of us we were able to find the "next" table we were supposed to move to fairly quickly, er…most of the time. LOL!

During the speed dating event I met so many wonderful readers, including FFF watchers Shay, Brian, Robert, Kelley, Erin and many others. One of the readers, Sherri (I hope I spelled it right) was from my Yahoo group. She said Conestoga was her first conference. I wished I'd been able to talk to her longer but I didn't see her again after the speed dating. Sherri, I hope you had a blast the rest of the conference and that you'll consider attending RT as well. I heard from several readers that four minutes just wasn't enough, so maybe next time they'll bump the time up by a minute or two. :) At the end of the speed dating I talked for a long time with PC and Kristin Cast about their YA series' success and truly enjoyed myself with these ladies. Then I sat down with Sara and Gwen Reyes from Fresh Fiction (an author community site) and chatted about our love of reading. Gwen and I yammered on for a good while about our enjoyment of the Twilight series and she convinced me I needed to try LJ Smith. Can you hear my bookshelf groaning? LOL!

That evening I made my way up to Melissa Marr's room where a group of us chilled for a couple hours and told funny stories. Jen Barnes entertained us with a scary yet hilarious story about a monkey island involving an alpha male monkey, an armload of lemons and a rock. And then there was Ilona, who stole the show with her re-enactments and tales from the past that involved a dead cat, maggots, a dead man, a broken sled, a gang thug, her favorite clothes, a pig and impossibly high heels. Of course, Ilona's wit has made me bug my neighbor for my Ilona Andrews books she borrowed a couple months back. Melissa sat back and watched us yammer on, encouraging everyone to tell tales. Melissa's so much fun and easy to talk to, but I didn't get to spend as much time with her at Conestoga as I would've liked. =( If we don't get together before RT, Melissa, I'm glad we'll have five days and sunny weather in April!

On Sunday, I participated in the Pen and Sword (writing fight scenes) panel with Dean Lorey, Jeanne Stein, Steve Wedel and Marie Brennan. I understand Marie Brennan knows how to wield many types of swords quite well on her own, so she has some personal experience that can be brought into writing a scene for sure! LOL! She and Dean Lorey did a wonderful job co-moderating this panel. The first half of the panel we talked about the elements to use in writing action/fight scenes. Then the second half of the panel, each author read a fight scene from their book and the Twisted Blades (a performance group from the School of Stage Combat) used real weapons and fight moves to reenact our scenes out on a stage. I used the fight scene from Scions:Resurrection where Landon and Jachin fight each other in the woods. That was great fun getting to see the scenes we've written live and in person! Jeanne Stein sat beside me as we watched the scenes unfold. Jeanne just makes you love her with her easy going self. This awesome lady writes a kickass fight scene, which doesn't surprise me considering she held her own very well during a male dominated panel. :yes:

Throughout the conference I spent time with my roomie, Jeri Smith-Ready. Jeri's so funny and smart, and she's written the first book to a fantastic vampire series with such a unique hook...I mean an ex con-artist heroine and vampire DJs? What's not to love?

I met many other FFF authors including Carrie Jones and Devon Monk and also agent Miriam Kriss, who took her clients Rachel Vincent and Devon Monk to see Dark Knight on the IMAX....now THAT'S a great idea! I wish I had gone. Deliciously dark and twisted, Dark Knight was an all around fantastic movie! Christian Bale played a deep and conflicted Batman and Heath Ledger stole many scenes with his psychotic and psychological masterminding! Loved every minute of this two and a half hour movie. Uh, tangent, anyone? Sorry, just had to share my delight with how good that movie was!

Many thanks to Melissa Marr and Jeaniene Frost for managing all of the FFF authors as well as coordinating logistics with Elspeth Bloodgood - the always smiling and amazingly calm Conestoga coordinator!

I hope you enjoyed the write up, and now I must go get some rest!

Patrice *falling over with exhaustion*

Here are a couple of pictures I did manage to snag...

From L to R: Dakota Cassidy, Marie Brennan, Dean Lorey, Melissa Marr and Jeaniene Frost talk to readers at the signing table

Dean Lorey and Me


Me and Jeri Smith-Ready



Patrice, Jaci, Leah and Jaye


PS...I promise to share more pictures when I can steal get them from others who were smart enough to actually USE the camera they brought. Many thanks in advance to those who shared their pics!

8:08 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Book signing this weekend at Conestoga conference!
Current mood: bouncy

Here's the info about the conference. From July 25 - 27th, I'll be participating in the Conestoga conference in Tulsa, OK. I'll be on the Fangs, Fur and Fey panels and a Conestoga panel as well as participating in the book signing. I believe I'll be signing copies of Scions:Insurrection and A Taste for Control. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by. :)

Fangs, Fur and Fey, the largest online community of published urban, young adult and contemporary fantasy and paranormal romance writers, teams up with the Conestoga Sci-fi/Fantasy Convention to present this year's "Con Within a Con", commencing July 25th at the Tulsa Radisson Hotel. Fans of vamps, ghouls, werewolves, demons, faeries and a legion of other fantasy creatures will be in heaven…or hell, depending.

Authors from Fangs, Fur and Fey scheduled to attend are: Michele Bardsley, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Marie Brennan, Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Caine, Dakota Cassidy, Kristin Cast, PC Cast, Mark Del Franco, Jeaniene Frost, Justin Gustainis, Bev Hale, Mark Henry, Carrie Jones, Caitlin Kittredge, Dean Lorey, Melissa Marr, Patrice Michelle, Devon Monk, Justine Musk, Gena Showalter, Jeanne Stein, Shanna Swendson, Tiffany Trent, Rachel Vincent, Steve Wedel, Jaye Wells, Jeri Smith Ready

Here are the panels I'll be participating in:

Friday, July 25, 2008

4:00 PM Paranormal Romance: Rachel Caine, Patrice Michelle, Rachel Vincent, Jeaniene Frost, Gena Showalter

Saturday, July 26, 2008

1:00 PM Interview: Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang

5:00 PM Let's Talk About Sex: PC Cast, Patrice Michelle, Jeaniene Frost, Jeri Smith-Ready, Gena Showalter

Sunday, July 27, 2008

11:00 AM Thrust & Parry (writing fight scenes): Dean Lorey, Patrice Michelle, Jeanne Stein, Steve Wedel, Marie Brennan

Blurb for Scions:Revelation (book 3)!
Current mood: cheerful

Here 'tis! The blurb for my 3rd Scions book, SCIONS:REVELATION!

They thought they understood the prophecy.

They were wrong.

Caine Grennard was a werewolf, living among humans and lacking purpose--until the night he met a woman with an exotic, irresistible scent. A woman who might be his deadliest enemy.

When her aunt is kidnapped, Emma Gray swears to do anything to get the older woman back. Even if it means trusting the mysterious--and sexy--stranger named Caine.

But more is at stake than one woman's life: Emma's past holds the last key to unlocking a prophecy Caine's clan is depending on. The fate of both their clans rests on them trusting the impossible, electric connection between them, even in the heart of betrayal...

And yey, Scions:Revelation is now up for preorder on Amazon!

I've also written a novella connected to my Scions world. I'll share more about it when I'm able to. :)

Chance to win a copy of Scions:Insurrection!
Current mood: talkative

Tomorrow morning from 10-11am (EST) I'll be a guest on Jacquelyn Frank's chat (click the Visit the Chat Room link in the top left corner of the message board page). We're going to talk about the Scions books and have fun socializing...oh, I'll be giving away a copy of Scions:Insurrection (book 2) while I'm there.

Since Scions:Resurrection (book 1) appears to be sold out everywhere in print, the second book might not be too far behind, so this would be a fun opportunity to try and win a copy of Scions:Insurrection before they're gone.

I hope to see you there!

Best,

Patrice

Catching up & Scions:Insurrection gets top honors!
Current mood: rejuvenated

I know I've been quiet lately, but I've been in full edit mode! I just finished up edits for book THREE, SCIONS:REVELATION. I CAN'T wait for you all to read how the prophecy is revealed, not to mention...for you to delve headfirst into Caine's story...ah, that dark and sexy rebellious Lupreda! When I can share more info, such as the blurb and an excerpt, I promise I will. :yes:

I've recently spent some time traveling to the beach and to NY city. Who doesn't love sinking their toes in the toasty warm sand and listening to the surf beat against the shore? And I loved visiting NYC, too. I always feel so invigorated when I walk around Manhattan. The sights and sounds are very inspiring. I had a great time spending some quality time with longtime friends.

As for what's coming up...I've been invited over to Jacquelyn Frank's digs for an all day long author chat. I think I have a morning slot...for you early birds. =D I KNOW Jacki's going to line up some great guest authors, so I hope you'll stop by on June 28th and chat about books with us!

What else...oh, I was recently interviewed by Tammie with Night Owl Romance. You can check out the full interview here.

And YEY, some more great news about my Scions book two...SCIONS:INSURRECTION has received top honors from two more review sites! Here are some of the wonderful review snippets!


"...Scions: Insurrection was an engaging and enjoyable read which drew me into the story almost immediately. The world Ms Michelle created in this series is immense, diverse and vibrant. Filled with intrigue and romance, mystery and passion, twists and turns, Scions: Insurrection is a sexy, powerful story about love and forgiveness." ~ Danni, Night Owl Romance


"...SCIONS: INSURRECTION is a fabulous sequel to Scions: Resurrection. Patrice Michelle has done another wonderful job. Landon and Kaitlynn were meant for each other from the beginning. After his secret is revealed and they are both able to forgive and live on, then they are finally able to truly show the love they have for one another. With Landon and Kaitlynn we learn a little more about the prophecy mentioned in book one. Thankfully there's more of the prophecy to be revealed, and I can't wait to see what else happens." ~ Heather M. Riley, Romance Junkies

Scions:Insurrection interview and review
Current mood: animated

Hi everyone!

Thought I'd share another great review for SCIONS:INSURRECTION, this time with Vampire Romance Books. Here's a snippet.

"...Just like its predecessor [Scions:Resurrection], Scions:Insurrection is a swift and engaging read with compelling characters and a hot romance..." ~ Dawn, Vampire Romance Books. Click here to read the whole review.

Also, Sidhe Vicious posted an interview with me on her Raves & Rants blog. Click here to read it. :)

Patrice

Cutting room floor - Scions:Insurrection
Current mood: contemplative

Over on the Fangs, Fur and Fey blog, Melissa Marr posted a request for us to post our "Dead Darlings" - these are scenes we've cut from manuscripts for whatever reason. The request was 1) Name the book the scene was from. 2) Give the scene 3) Tell us why you liked the scene, etc. So here was mine. Click here to read it!

Patrice