Thanks to everyone for coming to the party! It was a lot of fun. Wow! So much to clean up now. And that chocolate fountain spilled all on the floor! Where are you all wandering off to? There are dishes to be done. Vacuuming! Come on, people!! Sheesh! Okay, fine, you want to know the winners of the contest? I can do that. All randomly chosen thanks to Random.org. And all have already been contacted by email to claim their prizes….

Signed ARC of THE DEMON IN ME
Comment #6 – Tori (Book Faery)

Signed hardcover of DEMON PRINCESS: REIGN CHECK
Comment #84 – Stephanie Kelly

Signed copy of BEWITCHED, BOTHERED & BEVAMPYRED
Comment #29 – Shanna

$20 Gift Card
Comment #42 – Maureen McGowan

$10 Gift Card
Comment #1 – Amy Jacobs

******************

**Note: Due to a dispute between Amazon and Penguin, this book (and any other Penguin book) is currently unavailable on Kindle. I’m hoping this will be resolved very soon so Kindle users can read it. More information about this problem can be found here.**

Hooray… today’s the day! THE DEMON IN ME, book one in my brand new Living in Eden paranormal romance series hits the bookstores. This has been such a fun series for me to write and I absolutely love the characters, especially Eden and Darrak. I truly hope that readers enjoy the book!!

Here’s the back cover copy:

Hell hath no fury…

Fate has led Eden Riley to become a “psychic consultant” to the police, even though her abilities are unreliable at best. Those paranormal powers are about to get her into a jam she couldn’t have predicted. After her hunky police detective partner guns down a serial killer in front of her, Eden realizes that she’s quite literally no longer alone. A voice in her head introduces himself as Darrak. He’s a demon. But not in a bad way!

>>Book #2 is out October 2010!

…like a woman possessed.

Darrak lost his original body 300 years ago thanks to a witch’s curse. This is the first time he’s ever been able to speak directly to a host, plus there’s a bonus. Eden’s psychic energy helps him to take form during daylight hours. He wants to use this chance to find a way to break his curse — finally. Otherwise, Eden’s going to have to learn to live with this sexy demon…like it or not. And she thinks she might like it.

My release day vlog (try to ignore how many times I say “um”!):

Hope you can stick around a bit for the party. Please leave a comment to be eligible for a prize (this is open to everyone, no matter where you live). Have a question? Ask away. I’ll be popping in to check comments and I’d be happy to answer them for you.

What am I giving away? Check out the following….

1. My last yellow-covered signed ARC of THE DEMON IN ME (collector’s edition!)

2. A signed hardcover copy of DEMON PRINCESS: REIGN CHECK (this is my second YA book that comes out in a few weeks and no relation to my adult demon series).

3. A super-rare, hard to find copy of the out of print BEWITCHED, BOTHERED & BEVAMPYRED anthology that includes stories from Gena Showalter, PC Cast, MaryJanice Davidson and Vicki Lewis Thompson, among many others, with my very first published story in it. This will be signed by yours truly.

4. A $20 electronic gift card for your favorite online book retailer (Amazon, B&N, Borders, etc.)

5. A $10 electronic gift card for your favorite online book retailer (Amazon, B&N, Borders, etc.)

I will choose winners at random tomorrow, Wednesday, May 5th at 9:00 p.m. EST. Good luck!

So please, enjoy yourself. Have a virtual cocktail, some virtual goodies from the buffet — I recommend the demonically delicious chocolate fountain. Darrak will be around to chat with party attendees, but remember, he loses his human form at sunset so I suggest taking a large step back from him at that time just in case he might want to possess your body. Then again, that’s not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to Darrak.

Happy reading!

Michelle xoxo

To celebrate the countdown to my new release, the first book in the Living in Eden series, THE DEMON IN ME (officially out next Tuesday!!), I’m blogging every day (well, no, but it was a nice idea) — and some days I have fabulous guests and prizes!

Today it’s New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank , author of The Gatherers, The Nightwalkers, and The Shadowdwellers series. She’s generously giving away a signed copy of Noah, one each to two randomly selected commenters (US only please). Winner will be chosen Wednesday, April 28th at 9:00 p.m. EST**. Good luck!

***

What inspired you to write about demons?

I think I like turning convention on it’s ear. When I wrote my Demons, it was still very taboo to come right out and say they were Demons. I like doing taboo things. Hehehe.

Demons — shades of gray or always evil?

Shades of grey….even shades of white knights! Sometimes it’s all about the word ‘demon’. As a largely Christian society, we attach a lot of baggage to that word. I left the baggage at the airport and made my Demon the good guys

What’s your demonically awesome book about?

The Nightwalkers series is largely about the Demons, their culture and all the things wrong and right about it. Humans are an afterthought in most cases, and yet those pesky humans keep causing so much trouble! When they look at Demons, they expect to see creatures curst by hell, and eventually by their own prejudices they create what they are looking for. In the middle of all of this, my Demons are awakened to all new possibilities of satisfying true love. Something they thought they had lost…something they themselves have killed off the possibility of.

Let’s say Jim Cameron calls and he wants to make JACOB into a movie. Who are your actor/actress choices?

OMG!! James Cameron!! OMG!!! There are only like, three directors I would allow to touch my series. JC, Steven Speilberg and Joss Whedon. But I think my ultimate Jacob would be Gerard Butler. He has the power, the hotness…and I would love to be called as a consultant…(drool). Erm, as for the actress. Kate Beckinsale springs to mind for Isabella. Her range is amazing. She’d do her justice.

What’s your one line of advice for aspiring writers (demonic or otherwise)?

Keep on dreaming. You never know when that bright moment of serendipity will shine and suddenly…all the work and passion you’ve put into it will be worth it. Someone will see it for what it is. Someone will lift it up and think the world of you and your talent.

***

Thanks Jaquelyn!

To learn more about Jackie and her fabulous books, please visit www.jacquelynfrank.com!

**I’m off to the RT Booklovers Convention as of tomorrow and hoping for decent internet access. The drawing will take place at the time above or as soon as possible after it. Thanks!

***Thanks to everyone for your comments! Some great YA picks there! The randomly selected winner of the signed ARC of REIGN CHECK has been chosen (thanks to random.org) and it is comment #24 – Stacey Monte! Stacey has been contacted by email to claim her prize.***

My last post was not to my liking so I took the video down after a bit of thought. I’ll do another vlog next week when I am feeling a bit less frazzled and am wearing a bit more lip gloss.

To make up for it, I want to give away my very last Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of my May 25th release, the second Demon Princess book, REIGN CHECK, with its original pink cover. When it’s out it’ll have the black cover so this just might be a collector’s item. Maybe? Sort of? Hey, you never know.

Here’s what I want to know — what’s your FAVORITE young adult novel of the past couple of years? I’ll go first: mine’s The Hunger Games. Second place goes to Twilight series. Third place goes to my pal, Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. But you only have to name one (bonus points for saying what you like so much about it)! Throw a comment in and you’re in the running. I’ll pick a winner at random from all comments, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 21st at 9:00 p.m. EST.

To celebrate the countdown to my new release, the first book in the Living in Eden series, THE DEMON IN ME, I’m blogging (almost) every day — and some days I have fabulous guests and prizes!

Today it’s demonically delicious author Jackie Kessler, author of the addictive Hell on Earth series. She’s generously giving away a signed copy of Hell’s Belles and The Road to Hell, one each to two randomly selected commenters (International entries welcome). Winner will be chosen Tuesday, April 20th at 9:00 p.m. EST. Good luck!

***

What inspired you to write about demons?

I wanted to write something paranormal, and I didn’t want to write a vampire or a werewolf–there are tons of terrific vampire and werewolf stories out there, and I didn’t think I could do something different. The next creature I thought of was “demon,” so I ran with that.

Although, when HELL’S BELLES came out, that was right around the time that SUCCUBUS BLUES and DEMON ANGEL hit the shelves. Maybe there was something in the water…?

Demons — shades of gray or always evil?

Yes.

What’s your demonically awesome book about?

HELL’S BELLES is about a succubus who runs away from Hell, hides on Earth as an exotic dancer, and learns the hard way about true love. (Sex, strippers, demons…what’s not to like?)

The first two books in the series (HB and THE ROAD TO HELL) are about the (former) succubus Jezebel. The third book (HOTTER THAN HELL — coming out in mass-market paperback in September 2010, yay!) is about her incubus buddy, Daunuan (pronounced “Don Juan,” sort of).

The upcoming fourth book (HELL TO PAY) is back to Jezebel again — except everything changes. (Seriously. Everything. Stay tuned.)

Let’s say Jim Cameron calls and he’s wants to make HELL’S BELLES into a movie. Who are your actor/actress choices?

First, I have to say that I’m glad it’s Jim and not Frank Coppola. (Coppola stole my good luck pen during my honeymoon. For serious. That’s just uncool. Although I’d probably forgive him if he offered to make HELL’S BELLES into a movie.)

For Jezebel…I’d love to see Christina Ricci. For Paul, Sam Worthington. For Daun, Matt Damon. (Actually, Daun can look like anyone — benefit of being able to take on any human form. I just love Matt Damon.)

What’s your one line of advice for aspiring writers (demonic or otherwise)?

Don’t be afraid to try something completely out of your comfort zone. Maybe you’ve never written comedy, or you avoid sex scenes. Try writing something you never have before. You might surprise yourself and find you’re actually damn good at it. (Or you might suck at it. But you don’t know until you try.)

***

Thanks Jackie!

To learn more about Jackie and her fabulous books, please visit www.jackiekessler.com!

Don’t forget to comment on yesterday’s post in order to be in the running for a signed copy of one of two books Charlene Teglia is generously giving away.

My first foray into the world of angels and demons was indirectly inspired by one of my favorite TV shows at the time — Angel. Yes, I started writing about angels because my favorite vampire was named Angel. Angel with Attitude started its life as a mystery novel I wrote or Nanowrimo 2004 where a fallen angel worked to solve cases and do good in the world in order to be redeemed and go back to heaven. The original draft is nothing like was published in July 2006.

I rewrote it entirely after I was first contracted by Warner Books and it became a fun romp to the Underworld to find the key to heaven, involving a fallen angel who doesn’t know why she was kicked out of heaven, her talking rat sidekick (a man turned into a rat by his witch girlfriend), and — who better as a love interest for an angel? A demon, of course. Nathaniel, the tempter demon, was very interesting to write. A…reluctant demon. One who had to do his job and lure the beautiful Valerie to hell or there would be, uh, hell to pay.

I’m still asked to this day if there will be any sequels to this book. The answer: Nope. I said everything I wanted to about these characters and remember them very fondly. If it wasn’t for this book, I likely never would have come up with the idea for The Demon in Me. However, there are no talking rats in that one. Yet.

I’d like to give away a signed copy of Angel with Attitude (original cover) to a commenter. This contest is open to everyone, no matter where you live. Please comment and tell me — what movie, TV show, or book has been your favorite that features angels and/or demons? I’ll pick a winner at random on Friday, April 16th at 9:00 pm EST.

To celebrate the countdown to my new release, the first book in the Living in Eden series, THE DEMON IN ME, I’m blogging every day (yeah, I know I’m not doing so well so far. It was a lovely fantasy while it lasted – sigh) — and some days I have fabulous guests and prizes!

Today it’s fabulously talented author of smokin’ sexy reads, Charlene Teglia. Charlene’s generously giving away a signed copy of her books Wicked Hot and Claimed by the Wolf, one each to two randomly selected commenters (US only please). Winner will be chosen Friday, April 16th at 9:00 p.m. EST. Good luck!

***

What inspired you to write about demons?

Demons are fascinating! The ultimate monster in the closet, the mysterious unknown.

Demons — shades of gray or always evil?

Shades of gray. In Wicked Hot, the heroine is a demon (succubus) but not exactly evil. In the Shadow Guardians (Claimed by the Wolf, Kiss of the Demon), there are evil demons and good demons; Abaran is a demon and one of the good guys, but his intrinsic demon nature makes him a wonderfully dark hero.

What’s your demonically awesome book about?

Wicked Hot: A succubus is sent to tempt the world’s only two Nephilim, half-human/half fallen angels, who may be humanity’s hope or a force mankind can’t stand against.

Shadow Guardians: In Claimed by the Wolf, a witch finds a grimoire full of demon magic that can end the world unless she grows powerful enough to control it. In Kiss of the Demon, hungry ghosts prey on humanity until a psychic teams up with a demon to stop them.

Let’s say Jim Cameron calls and he wants to make Claimed by the Wolf into a movie. Who are your actor/actress choices?

Hmm. Maybe Gerard Butler and Angelina Jolie.

What’s your one line of advice for aspiring writers (demonic or otherwise)?

Write what truly fascinates you.

***

Thanks Charlene!

To learn more about Charlene and her fabulous books, please visit www.charleneteglia.com!

To celebrate the countdown to my new release, the first book in the Living in Eden series, THE DEMON IN ME, I’m blogging every day (except for the last two days, that is. *shifty eyes*) — and some days I have fabulous guests and prizes!

Today it’s New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione, author of the addictively sexy Demonica series. She’s generously giving away a signed copy of any published book in the Demonica series OR a Demonica tote bag to a randomly selected commenter (US addresses only please). Winner will be chosen Tuesday, April 13th at 9:00 p.m. EST. Good luck!

***

What inspired you to write about demons?

Well, I’ve always been interested in the paranormal, and the stories I read about succubi and incubi were always fascinating. So when I came up with the concept of Underworld General Hospital, I decided to staff it with demons. Plus, at the time, vampires were all the rage, but no one was writing about demons. (At least, I didn’t think they were. By the time I had Pleasure Unbound written, authors like Gena Showalter and Jacquelyn Frank were already ahead of the game! *g*)

Demons — shades of gray or always evil?

Shades of gray, just like people.

What’s your demonically awesome book about?

Well, the whole series is set in an underworld hospital run by vampires, demons, and were-creatures, but the main characters are mostly demons. Think, “Buffy The Vampire Slayer meets E.R.” My newest release, Ecstasy Unveiled, is about a half-human, half-incubus assassin who has been pitted against his newfound family in a life-or-death situation. The very person he’s supposed to kill is his brothers’ best friend, and making matters worse, there is someone protecting the target — a gorgeous angel whose very wings are on the line if she fails.

Let’s say Jim Cameron calls and he wants to make Ecstasy Unveiled into a movie. Who are your actor/actress choices?

Honestly, I can’t answer that. I just don’t have anyone in mind for these characters no matter how hard I think. Okay, wait…maybe Milla Jovovich for Idess, the heroine. But the hero, Lore? I’m open to suggestions! *g*

What’s your one line of advice for aspiring writers (demonic or otherwise)?

Never give up, never surrender! What, no? Right, that’s taken. Okay, how about, don’t be afraid to break the rules. Learn them, know them, and then toss them out the window!

***

Thanks Larissa!

To learn more about Larissa and her fabulous books, please visit www.larissaione.com!

To celebrate the countdown to my new release, the first book in the Living in Eden series, THE DEMON IN ME, I’m blogging every day — and some days I have fabulous guests and prizes!

Today it’s the fabulously talented Michele Bardsley, author of the Broken Heart Vampires series. She’s generously giving away a $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble to a randomly selected commenter who will be chosen tomorrow, Wednesday, April 7th at 9:00 p.m. EST.

***

Welcome, Michele! What inspired you to write about demons?

I never thought I’d ever write about demons, not after my traumatic childhood experience of watching “The Exorcist.” When I was very young, my parents went to the drive-in theater in our stylin’ ’70’s van (it was brown with porthole windows and shag carpet), opened the back doors and watched the movie. They probably thought I was too young to even understand what was going on, much less have the attention span required to watch it. Oh, I remember all right. Thanks for the trauma, parental units!

Eventually I stopped worrying about being possessed by Satan (although, those formative years in Catholic school certainly didn’t help much), and as I started writing paranormal tales, there was no way to avoid demons. They made good instant villains. Then later, I expanded my viewpoint … okay, I romanced it up. A lot. The hero in my latest novel, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER, is a half-demon. Connor Ballard didn’t choose his parents, or to have powers derived from the Pit. Other than that penchant for lying and lusting, he’s an all right guy. I mean he falls in love with a demon-hunting vampire, so you can see he has standards.

Demons — shades of gray or always evil?

Shades of pink, really. Maybe some flames. Anyway, I think demons can be moral creatures—although their methods may not exactly be on the up and up. It’s the end game that’s important.

What’s your demonically awesome book about?

When vampire and single mother Phoebe Allen allows lust to override her common sense, she finds herself mated to sexy half-demon Connor Ballard. Now she’s helping him search for an ancient talisman, fighting off his evil stepmother and her demon minions, and protecting Broken Heart from an underworld take-over.

Let’s say Jim Cameron calls and he wants to make COME HELL OR HIGH WATER into a movie. Who are your actor/actress choices?

I think Megan Fox would make an awesome vampire demon hunter. So, yeah, definitely her for Phoebe. As for Connor, Jensen Ackles with a Scottish accent. *swoon*

What’s your one line of advice for aspiring writers (demonic or otherwise)?

Don’t fall in love with your words.

***

Thanks Michele!

If you want to learn more about Michele and her fabulous books, please visit her at www.michelebardsley.com.

It’s become very important to me to give back to the fiction-writing community and encourage other writers. Therefore I think it would be BIG FUN to have a short story contest!

I know that a lot of people who read this blog, follow me on Twitter, or are my Facebook friends (as well as other social networks) are aspiring writers. Well, get yer hands on yer keyboards for my….

1st Annual O COME ALL YE FANGFUL* Short Story Contest

THE PRIZES

• First Prize: $50** Amazon, Borders, or Barnes & Noble gift card
• Second Prize: $30 Amazon, Borders, or Barnes & Noble gift card
• Third Prize: $20 Amazon, Borders, or Barnes & Noble gift card
   

THE RULES & REGS

• This contest is open to all writers, published or unpublished, anywhere in the world
• Stories must be 1000 words or less in length
• Only one story per entrant
• Entry must be in English (the only language I’m fluent in, alas)
• No fanfic, original stories only please
• Stories must have a holiday theme — Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, etc. — make it festive! (even if it’s just a smidge)
• Stories must have a paranormal or fantasy element (ie: vampires or werewolves opening up their gifts on Christmas morning. Ugh, don’t use that, but you get the idea) 
• All authors retain all rights to their work, but agree to allow me to post the top three stories on my blog for public viewing
• Entering this contest does not include a critique of your writing, advice on how to get published, or a recommendation to my agent/publisher. (you’d be surprised by what I’m asked for sometimes)
   

THE DEADLINE

• December 15, 2009 at Midnight EST, no exceptions
  
• Copy and paste your story into the body of your email (no attachments please) or send me a link to where I can read it on your blog or website
• Send the story or link to me at michellerowen@gmail.com with the subject line: “O COME ALL YE FANGFUL“
• Entrants will be contacted by email to confirm receipt. If you don’t hear back from me within 48 hours of sending, I didn’t get it. Please send again!
• Entries will be judged by yours truly, Michelle Rowen
• Winners contacted by email on Sunday, December 20th to claim their prize
• The top three stories will be posted here on my blog on December 22nd-24th (one per day starting with the third place winner) for all to enjoy
     

I look forward to reading your entries!

Happy writing!

Michelle

*thanks to Richelle Mead for suggesting the contest title
**Gift cards will be delivered by email and purchased in US dollars