And then a little miracle happened. My assistant Tina received a message from Brandee Price  @ Bookworm Brandee who agreed a while back to read and review my Dacian Legends series BORN IN VENGEANCE and BORN IN SIN. Curious about her reviews I went to her site and read them. With each new sentence I read, a smile made it’s way to my face, at first shy then larger and larger. At times like this (when I smile with my whole face) I’m glad I have ears, otherwise my mouth would stretch all the way to the back of my head. Because that’s exactly what Brandee’s reviews did to me: made me smile with my whole being.

I recommend you stop by her blog not only for her reviews of my books but because she has some other really great reviews. Not sugarcoating, but insightful and clear.

I know the naggers will always be in my head. If is not my books they complain about it’s my weight, my wrinkles, my dark circles, my fine hair, my… do they sound familiar? Well, I don’t know how to stop them forever. But I know they can be tuned out even for a day. And that’s what I chose to do today. Taking a break from my naggers.

Have you tuned your naggers out?

After finishing my second book in the Dacian Legends series BORN IN SIN, my incredible assistant Tina Rucci and I looked for bloggers interested to review it. We came across Cremona’s blog @ Mythical Books and asked if she were interested. She said yes and the rest is history.

Today I’m happy to announce that Cremona reviewed the book. She calls it, “I think the strength of the Born in Sin are the characters. Everyone has something to offer, from each of them we learn something. Their Brotherhood (perhaps everyone will have a leading role in the series, at least I want them to have) is itself a “live organism” that is changing, developing.” For her full review please take your time to visit her page here.

Cover Art by Morteque http://morteque.deviantart.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MyBeautifulDarkness

So far, great reviews for Psyched!

Psyched is part ghost story, part suspense, part demon-hunting thriller, part budding romance, the story of a girl named Aisi who’s doing her best to keep it together for her wreck of a family. She is smart, sassy, and sarcastic enough to keep things interesting. When she meets Vance on the single worst day of her life, she finds a guy who just might be the first person ever to get her, to believe in her, and to out-random her with bizarre observations at the worst possible moment. There’s just something about him that she knows she can trust.

Together, Aisi and Vance wander through the memories of others to unlock the secrets of her past while battling a demon who wants to ensure she never finds what she’s looking for. Aisi vanquishes demons all the time, but Malus Indolus is too strong. And he has plans for her…and her family.

Psyched is Juli’s second novel, the first as an indie writer,
and her first experiment with her true love as a reader: paranormal
fiction. Her debut novel Beyond Perfection is also available.

You can find Juli on her webpage, Twitter, Facebook,  and blog.

I hope you enjoyed a tasty lunch, a delightful cup of coffee and your newspapers. Your laundry machine is humming and the kids are playing. Hubby is long gone to work. Now it’s your me-time.

For you to savor your me-time I wrote a guest post titled From Caterpillar to Butterfly hosted by the incredible Kathy @ I’m A Reader Not A Writer. I know everybody knows how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, but I’m not sharing entomology 101, but rather, hmmm…. how should I call it… maybe a secret?

Along with the guest post Kathy features my historical romance BORN IN SIN (Dacian Legends, #2) along with a generous giveaway: e-copies of BORN IN VENGEANCE (Dacian Legends, #1), BORN IN SIN (Dacian Legends,#2) and a $20.00 Amazon gift card.

Could your day be any better?

Later in the afternoon I met the committee organizing the AZ Dreamin Conference, Arizona’s FIRST Romance Reader Event and began preparing to welcome the attendees. Beginning Thursday night I didn’t get home until after 10pm only to do it all over again the next morning starting at 8am. I have to admit that while my energy level sunk progressively toward the afternoon I operated on Carmel Machiattos which gave me the exact needed boost. Whoever invented Carmel Machiatto: God Bless You!

Friday morning during the Buildin’ The Dream Event I took some interesting workshops about The Pitt falls of Self-publishing with the sassy Morgan Kearns, Creating Your Brand with the one and only Kris Tualla, and Characters To Love and Hate with Erin Quinn and Erin Kellison.  I also wanted to attend Deena Remiel‘s workshop about Marketing your books, but it was given at the same time with Morgan’s workshop and unfortunately my clone wasn’t there to join me. I’m humbled and honored to have spent hours in their lovely companies while learning more about the crafts of writing and publishing.

While I met old friends I made new ones. Loved catching up with everyone, and being introduced to new authors. Sharon Hamilton is one of them. Not only is she a sweetheart, but Sharon is also a mother of a SEAL, which brings both of us on common ground since I’m a sucker for all things army. Tami Vinson, KC Klein, Amber Scott, and so many more have also been added to my fave list of new authors.

The highlight of Saturday night was the contest “Man Of Our Dream.” Tall, handsome, packs of muscles, corky, funny–you name it, the guys had it all. They gave us a ton of reasons to laugh and enjoy the view while entertaining us with their sexy persona and not only. And that’s as far as I’m going to disclose what happened there… I would only add that James D Magnussen won. Look at the photo below and you will understand why…

Sunday morning’s author panel brought everything to a point we all dreaded: saying goodbye. I already miss “my girls”, but I also look forward to keeping in touch and seeing them next year at the 2014 AZ Dreamin Conference.

For those of you interested to meet new authors, make new friends with the same passion for books you can also join us. Kris, Morgan and Deena are hard at work organizing already the next event. For more info click here. Check regularly for when tickets go on sale. I know this year we were sold out at least a month in advance so get your ticket in time.

Goodbye AZ Dreamin 2013. Hello AZ Dreamin 2014!

To celebrate there are a few places you can stop by and enjoy the fun:

1. On Facebook for the virtual party starting at 8am AZ time.

2. At A Diary of a Book Addict for covers reveal for both books in the Dacian Legends Born In Vengeance and Born In Sin and a giveaway for both books.

3. At Rambling from A Chaotic Mind for a 4star review posted by Pam. She calls BORN IN SIN “An amazing story told entirely from Zyraxes point of view, which is unusual for a historical romance. I actually enjoyed the man’s view for a change as you get to see why he loves her and what he feels when he thinks she is lost to him.” For her full review go here.  

4. At TiffyFit’s Reading Corner for another excellent review and giveaway. Tiffany calls BORN IN SIN, “If you like books on early Roman times, focusing on the wars and skirmishes, seeing flashbacks to the time that was, and enjoy some really great bloody battle scenes, Dacian Legends is for you!” For her full review go here. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway while at her site. 

What are you waiting for?

Do you live a life full of regrets? What’s the one think you’ve done in your life and you regret the most? Personally I have two major regrets. While I try not to dwell on them at times they do haunt me… Hop over at Cindy’s to see what they are.

She has also reviewed my upcoming historical romance you’ve heard me talk so much lately called BORN IN SIN. She calls it, “My favorite part of their love story is that it’s so believable. There’s no instant look of burning desire. There’s a history of innocent love between them, and familiarity.” For her full review go here.

With less than a week to the release day of BORN IN SIN (Dacian Legends, book #2) I stop today at Sapphyria’s Book Reviews for some TLC she agreed to give my book. Thank you, Saph!

In return for her generous offer she will giveaway e-copies of both Dacian Legends BORN IN VENGEANCE (book #1) and BORN IN SIN (book #2). For your chance to win click here.

Happy Friday everyone!