Excerpt from tigress by the Tail

9:08 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Moon - Tigress by the Tail
Category: Writing and Poetry

I'm so excited.  Tigress by the Tail was accepted by Tease Publishing for their Dark Tarot line.  As it's a special line, the cover is a Tarot Card, so that's why there's no tigress on the cover.  But this is an awesome cover, don' t you think?  I'm very excited, as the release date, July 2008, corresponds with a booksigning over near a Marine Base.  Me, retired Air Force, member of Romvets and visiting a marine base at the time of my release.  OH yeah, Hooahh!

Oh wait, you can to read about Tigress, didn't you.  OK, here's my blurb for ya. :)

Lance is a Wizard. He's not a great wizard, but he's all right. Descended from a long line of wizards, his brothers taunt him for being slow to learn. And as the youngest, it's his due course to accept such teasing. Life is good, and normal. For a wizard that is.

Cassie is a Shifter. A tigress to be exact. Raised by her father after her mother's death she's as well adjusted as any shifter can be, and still live in the human world, hiding who and what she is.

Bliss comes to a screeching halt the night Satanists kidnap Cassie and her best friend to use as sacrifices to bring forth their Dark Lord. When Cassie literally collides into Lance, she begs him to help them escape their captors, despite the dangers. The couple work together to save the life of Cassie's friend, only to discover a shocking passion driving them closer together at a time when both should be devastated. But when Lance overhears Cassie's father threaten his life, he heads for the hills. Cassie follows, determined to clear up the confusion. But evil is still afoot and Cassie is taken by a secret government organization dedicated to the eradication of all things magick. Is Lance willing to put his life on the line for a woman he believes is out to kill him? Especially when he realizes the organization that's taken her, is the one he works for?

12:24 PM - 9 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

Celebrate Romance, Feb 29 - Mar 2
Category: Parties and Nightlife

I'm excited, and maybe a little bit nervous to be attending my first ever reader's conference as an author.  Ok, that's not true.  It will be my first ever reader's conference ever.  Phew.  They say the first step to fixing a problem is saying it out loud, so I Guess typing it for all to read will have to do.

I'm really looking forward to this.  It's one of the few conferences close to my area, and also has alot of my favorite authors in attendance.  Just to name a few is Vicki Lewis Thompson, Sabrina Jeffries, Jade Lee, Linnea Sincliar, and so many more to follow.  Here's hoping I don't slip into too big of a fan girl moment. 

But if you're in the South Carolina area, please, come join us at Celebrate Romance in Columbia.
 

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End of the Year Blow Out Special

Or is that the before taxes special.  You hear it everywhere, even in the world of writing.  January is a big month for awards.  To be eligible your book has to have been released in the year 2007.  Surprise, I qualify!  By two weeks. 

So, I was thrilled to discover I'd garnered nominations in two categories - one for best cover, and one for Best Romance of 2007.  Both were at Preditor's & Editor's reader's poll!  Votes are still being counted over at P&E, and results are expected mid February, but It's already official in one category - SheWolf took fourth place for best cover art!  Now that's just awesome.  A nice little "kudos" to put in the "Good" jar. :)

But that isn't all.  You see, SheWolf is earning more attention!  At ecataromance.com SheWolf is in the running for the best Paranormal Romance, eBook, PLUS for the Best Debut author!  how exciting!  Y'all are more than welcome to go vote:  http://www.ecataromance.com/index.php?page_id=323

AND, I have also been nominated for Best Debut Author at allaboutromance.com, another huge honor.  However, I have just discvoered I'm no longer on the list - meaning, I didn't maintain enough votes.  Dang!  But you know what, it was still so awesome to be nominated, and to hang on for as long as I did!  Afterall, a debut eBook 2 weeks before the end of the year? But hey, it can change!  All I need is a few more people voting, right?   Hop to it (just kidding).

But what does all this mean?  Heck if I know. I'm just along for the ride.  But what I can tell you is I'm so honored to even be in the same category as some of these great authors. 

So to everyone who nominated me - Thank you.  Everyone who voted, thank you.  And if you didn't vote, that must mean you haven't read SheWolf yet.  What are you waiting for people????  READ!  Laugh, Cry and cheer!!!  Come on, you know you want to!

4:30 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

You are Invited!
Category: Writing and Poetry

Please join me at the Romantic Inks Interactive chat! I can't wait to meet everyone. I'll be chatting at 9 PM EST, and everyone is invited! Come talk about SheWolf, the publishing process, or just to gab! All you need is your computer, and internet access.

What:An online chat!
Where: http://romanticinks.com/chatroom.htm
When: 24 January, 2008, 9 PM EST

So come join me! Invite your Friends, and let's have a party!!

Please feel free to pass this on to your friends.

10:41 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Tag, You’re It

Well, I lasted a long time without getting tagged!  Really, I did.  I've ducked it for a good six months, so I guess I can't complain.  I was tagged by Lauren Murphy who was tagged 2 days after starting her first blog, so I guess I Can't really complain. :)

The tag was placed on my Myspace blog, but I will put it online at both places, as my primary is at http://teresadamario.blogspot.com

The rules:
Link to the person who tagged you;
Leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours;
Post the rules on your blog;
Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog;
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post;
Include links to their blogs;
Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven things about me:
1. I'm a huge paranormal freak.  Paranormal everything.  It could be tv, books, stories in the news.  Been this way all my life.
2.  I'm addicted to facebook.  Ok, I tell everyone it's because it's great marketing strategy, but I can't seem to stop playing all the silly, useless games!  Vampires, Slayers, Werewolves, Oh My!
3. I tell people I'm from Alabama, but I was born in Atlanta.
4. I'm terrified of these little bugs I can't even type the name of because they give me such creeps.  Ok, in Alabama they aren't so little!  And they FLY there too.  Ewwww!
5. I once had a cat in a no pet apartment I rented - This is a do as I say, not as I did, because I got kicked out over it!
6. I wrote my first story in 6th grade.
7. I finally decided to write my first book after my husband thought about writing one himself. I finished mine - but then I type faster too.

I am tagging the following bloggers:
1.  Sonya Foust
2. Jenna Black
3. Larissa Ione 
4. Bethanne Strasser 
5. Emily Ryan-Davis My fellow Freya's Bower author
6. Ava Rose Johnson 
7. Tess MacKall

11:42 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

What says Love?
Category: Writing and Poetry

Today I was talking on a message board about favorite authors and books, and I was reminded of my favorite "That says love" moment in a book.

Today, alot of Paranormals, mine included, have "MINE" moments.  It's powerful, and strong, an instinctive acknowledgement that this is the one.  But that's not love. Authors don't intend people to think it is.  But it says something, about deep inside of that character.

But as the story progresses, the reader is looking for more.  At least in romances they are.  They want to feel the characters fall for one another, admire one another.  And most importantly, love one another. 

Every book has it, the moment the hero or the heroine make known their love, not in the words "I love you", but in their actions, or other dialogue.  The moment that makes you get all warm and fuzzy inside.

That character may not yet have even acknowledged the emotion inside - per the story line, but you know it's there, because you, as the reader, feel it.

My favorite is from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Unleash the Night,  and I hope she will forgive me as I butcher out the Dialogue tags and action in between and provide you with only the dialogue.

Setup:  The Heroine is returning the hero's wallet.  He on the other hand is trying to convince her he can't see her anymore.

H:  "Have you ever wanted something you knew was bad for you?  Something that you ached for so much that you could think of nothing else?"

h:  "Yes, which is why I end up eating the whole chocolate bar anyway."

H:  "And I want to inhale my chocolate, kitten.  Even if it kills me."

Now that says love.  Her response, in this case, isn't what's important.  What's important is not the herone's response to his declaration, because it slips right past her, but in how he not only explains his dilemma, but how he associates it with her, and how much he wants to give up for her.

So tell me, what says love in your mind?

10:20 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Nominated for Two awards at Preditors & Editors!

I made the mistake of telling hubby it's open nominations after my cover got nominated, and he jumped in and nominated me for a 2nd category. LOL Gotta love a man who wants his wife to succeed!  I didn't have the heart to tell him that a book less than three weeks old doesn't stand a chance at best book of the year. :D  So if you haven't voted, and dont' want my hubby to feel bad,vote for Best Novel of 2007 as well! :D

So, without further ado:

Best Novel
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml

And, as if you guys couldn't POSSIBLY Guess by the stir my cover has
gotten here locally:

Best Cover Art
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/reviewsite.shtml

So if you haven't already voted in those categories, take a look now!

Teresa D'Amario
SheWolf - available at Freya's Bower NOW
http://teresadamario.com
The tension is unmistakable, the action exciting, and the book will
stay in your mind and on your shelf for a long time to come.
~Romance At Heart


Within every breed of creature lies a subspecies where evolution
took an odd turn. In the darkness hides a world where animal and man
are one.
Man and Beast.
Beast and Man.

Together, their hearts reign.

An unknown war has been fought in the city streets, and Man is no
longer the strongest predator.

For in city jungles, The Beast has won.

10:03 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Make ’Em Believe
Current mood: flirty
Category: Writing and Poetry

Often when writing paranormal romance you hear the phrase "Suspend the reader's disbelief".  It's a HUGE part of writing paranormal.

Interestingly enough there's another part of writing, one that applies to all styles and methods that is just as important.  "Making the reader believe."  Now I'm not talking about making them believe the Hero and Heroine are in love.  That's a given.  No, I'm talking about taking it a step forward.  Let me give you an example.

When I decided to become an author I read and reread the books of authors I loved, and asked myself questions about them.  How did they do what they did, what made them successful, and so forth.  So when I decide to learn to do something new in my work, something that others have done expertly, I go re-read their books and ask myself those same questions.  It was time for me to learn to write action.  Not just any action, but fights.  Fist fights, knife fights, anything that took human contact.  I'd read everything on the topic I could, and now it was time to compare against the author who was an expert at it.  I chose the one author I knew had outstanding fight scenes.  An author who kept me on the edge of my seat with action and intrigue.  Her name?  JR Ward. 

I opened all five of her books that were out at the time and scanned them.  Uh oh.  Something's missing.  There's no fights.  Ok, yes, there are fights, but not the detail for which I searched.  All but one fight scene was in a third party's point of view, and that third party was always looking the "Other way" when the big things happened.  JR Ward Made the Reader Believe.  She made me, the reader, believe she had this wildly exciting battle.  It's the way she built the tension, the way she handled the entire scene.  It's the way she tied up everything into a tightly wrapped package.

Recently I've been receiving comments of how hot SheWolf is.  One even compared me to Laurel K. Hamilton herself.  At first I wasn't sure how to take these comments.  You see, I don't want to be known as an erotica author.  I don't write erotica. I write romance.  While I have explicit sex scenes, they are not nearly as explicit  as the current trend has led.

Then I realized I'd managed to do the same as JR Ward had done.  I made them believe.  I made the reader believe the scene was more than it was.  The power and emotion dragged the reader deep inside and they felt what wasn't said.  They felt the intensity and the heat, and the final satisfaction of the characters.  All without saying the C words.  Not a one.  Not even the most acceptable C word of all.  I didn't describe the color of pulsing body parts, nor did I write a book where sex was the primary purpose.  Is there a lot of it?  You bet.  This is a shifter books and shifters are driven by instinct and included in that is the instinct to mate.    But it's done on a level that can only be described as "tasteful".

So I'm satisfied.  I've got the afterglow of a new writer who's just received a big award.  I did what was always one of my goals:  I Made 'Em Believe.

12:06 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

eBooks and eBook readers and why are they suddenly so fascinating?
Category: Writing and Poetry

I'm sure you all know by now I've released my first book SheWolf as an eBook with Freya's Bower.  A friend asked me why I chose eBooks instead of paperback for this particular project.  While there are numerous reasons for this choice, I am beginning to think I couldn't have been published at a better time in the eBook community.

One of the reasons I think this is because eBooks are suddenly gaining in popularity.  Even Adobe is getting into things by creating eBook specific software.  Once version 8.0 of the program figures out you're opening an eBook, it asks you to do so in it's new eBook reader program.  Interestingly an eBook publisher (who shall remain unnamed) told me when I had problems opening their book, which Adobe 8.0 does not support eBooks and I'll have to contact them for another format for the book in order to read it.  That's not necessarily true.  It was no more difficult to add the new update to allow eBooks as it was to download a plug in to be able to listen to Internet Radio online.  I just needed to know what I had to do.

Everywhere I turned during the shopping season was someone selling something compatible as an eBook reader.  Reviews, ideas on future ones, and sales, sales, sales.

So why are eBooks suddenly so popular? 

One of the possible reasons is how busy people are today.  We work 40-60 hrs a week, we record our TV shows to watch when we're ready for them.  We eat more fast food than any other nation.  We are what I positively and affectionately call THE NOW GENERATION.  Another friend of mine calls it the desire for instant gratification. 

As a strong proponent of the Now Generation, I like to read when I like to read. I don't want to jump in the car and drive across town to pick up a good book.  I don't want to have to log onto one of the many wonderful online book stores and order, waiting impatiently for it to arrive.

What I want is a good book when I'm bored.  Don't get me wrong. I STILL adore a good long book.  (JR Ward, don't you dare start shortening your books for the Now Generation).  But that doesn't mean shorter, eBooks don't have their place.  Others like ALL books in eBook format, but for me, I like the short stuff.

I'm a "Now Generation" reader.  I do everything fast. I write fast.  I clean house fast. I work fast.  And, yes ladies and gents, I read fast.  For me, an eBook of 50-70K words is an excellent couple hour read.  I'm bored, there's nothing on TV, and can't think of a thing to write?  Download an eBook.

Interestingly, I don't have an eBook reader (Unless you count Adobe on my new laptop computer), but I'm on the lookout, just waiting for them to match what I want.  The problem is, I don't KNOW what I want.

So, ladies and gents, (wow, I keep trying to type ladies and germs.  Anybody know where that comes from? I do!) I have a couple of questions for you:

1.  Do you read eBooks?  If not, why not?

2.  Where do you purchase your eBooks?

3.  What type of reader do you use?

4.  And when all is said and done, do you consider yourself part of the NOW generation?

9:44 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment