“Hedda’s Sword PRINT” by Renee Wildes

Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Fantasy Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504- 436-1
Length: 272 Pages
Price: 15.00
Publication Date: November 1, 2009
Cover art by Anne Cain

 

She’s known nothing but pain—but love waits in the arms of one man.

Guardians of the Light, Book 2

 

Maleta is a true survivor. Attacked and left for dead at a young age, she has traded her heart and emotions to become the ultimate weapon of vengeance for the Grey Goddess, Hedda. She swears to depose Queen Sunniva and restore her ancestral home to her brother, no matter the cost.

 

Cianan is drawn to the mysterious land of Shamar on the power of a vision—the death of a beautiful swordswoman to an army of skeletons. When he meets Maleta, he recognizes two things. She is his true Life-Mate. And she is the woman fated to die this horrible death.

 

He vows to change her fate.

 

Cianan must unite the diverse people of a fragmented land to overthrow a vicious despot and convince their true queen to take the throne. Falling in love with a mortal woman who’s buried her heart and shies from his every touch—that’s the real challenge.

 

Maleta knows she can trust Cianan to save her country. Can she trust him to help her save herself?

 

Warning: Take one narcissistic queen bent on genocide, an assassin nun made of ice and a hero convinced he can change the course of Fate by his will alone. Add a true queen with an aversion to power and a mercenary with a secret that threatens to tear the land in two. Stir briskly. Season with a child-Seer who never shuts up and a tree sprite looking for an apprentice. What do you get? Either a rollicking rebellion or a recipe for disaster. Look for a few familiar faces from DUALITY. Be prepared for tears and laughter. Contains murder and mayhem, drugs and slavery, patricide and references to a memory of rape.

Read An Excerpt Online

Easy Contest – What’s your favorite Halloween memory and Halloween tradition? Costumes, parties, recipes, movies. Do you prefer funny or scary? Step up and share!

One winner in each category wins choice of Guardians of Light ebooks:

Duality

Hedda’s Sword

Lycan Tides

Contest will run all month through 10/31/09 ad I’ll pick a winner November first.

GOT WOLF? Introducing “Marek’s New World” by Renee Wildes

MAREK’S NEW WORLD by Renee Wildes

When park ranger Cheyenne Refferty’s truck is disabled in a MT earthquake, she thought her day couldn’t get any worse. Until she runs afoul of a demon from the ancient past – and the charismatic warrior sent to destroy it…

I’m a nature girl at heart – much more comfortable horseback riding through the woods than shopping in a mall. So when I heard about the Got Wolf? contest at the 2008 WisRWA Conference, I knew I had to pick a natural spot for my setting. “Rural fantasy” instead of “urban fantasy” – it’s much more “me.” I’ve taken several trips out west, across the Rockies, visiting Yellowstone, and knew that’s where I wanted to go. Someplace wild and rugged, off the beaten path. Kootenai Nat’l Forest caught my eye. Love the name. Love the location. NW MT, almost Idaho. Almost Canada. Earthquakes? Check. Reintroduced wolf packs? Check. Tiny towns nestled within immense tracts of wilderness? Check. Perfect place to hide a werewolf civilization. And it came naturally to have a heroine as concerned about the state of the natural world as I was, so making her a park ranger with the forestry service totally worked. Who wouldn’t want to preserve something that looks like this:

Marek never expected the future to be oblivious to the danger. The new world is a fearsome and wondrous place. His only ally is a beautiful white-wolf Shifter who makes him burn – and doesn’t understand a word he says. The demon killed everyone he loved. He won’t risk losing another.

Cheyenne’s never met anyone like Marek. Her family doesn’t trust him, but Cheyenne can’t stay away. She vows to help him, whether it costs her her heart – or her life.

There’s more to the demon than Marek realizes. But there’s more to Cheyenne’s powers and destiny than she suspects – powers that will shape the future of the Pack forever…

EXCERPT:

“Don’t move!” Cheyenne pointed her shotgun at the blood-smeared stranger as he stood and turned away from the prone body. Sister growled at the stench of the yellow-green goo that splattered the ground and the men. Cheyenne feared she’d come upon a murderer, but the raw agony in the living man’s eyes belied that. “What’s your name? What happened here?”

He frowned. Puzzlement clouded his gaze. She repeated her questions in every Native language she knew. Frustrated, her repertoire exhausted, she fell silent and studied him. Clad only in moccasins and intricately tooled leather breeches that buttered his muscular thighs, he stood tall and straight before her, covered in human blood and bits of that weird sulfur-smelling goo. Long raven hair tied back with a leather thong revealed a proud, almost raptorial visage, with piercing black eyes and a strong jaw. Native cast, but with an aristocratic edge that set him apart.

Used to fit men from the braw males of her own Pack, she still couldn’t repress a feminine shiver. This was without a doubt the most ripped man she’d ever seen. She wondered if he was some kind of soldier, doubtful with that hair.

Leave it to her to find a romance-cover-model-turned-ax-murderer in the middle of nowhere…

I hope you enjoy reading Cheyenne’s and Marek’s tale of love and adventure! For more info about me and my books, please feel free to visit me at:
http://www.reneewildes.net/

Fantabulous Multi-Author Treasure Hunt Is Underway!

THE ROARING TWENTIES

A Romance Treasure Hunt!

20 authors, over 20 prizes, 20 chances to win. Read below to learn how to enter.

September 16-30

 

World War I is over, jazz music is blossoming, the flapper changes the definition of modern women, Art Deco is peaking, and the Great Depression looms! Go back to school (just for a few minutes) and learn about this fascinating era through photos. You’ll have a chance to win one, or perhaps several, prizes donated by some of your favorite romance writers! 

Here’s how it works: Find one image (it won’t be hard) on each of the following websites. They could be Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie, a well known image from the Dust Bowl, or perhaps a flapper! You’ll know it when you see it.  The more images you find (each author has only posted one image), the more chances you have to win. Find one image, you are entered once! Find twenty, and your name is entered twenty times!

One you have danced your way through the sites, email your answers to ciarcullen@gmail.com  

NB: If you want to opt out of being put on any newsletter lists, please just tell us so in your answer email. We will NOT be offended! We promise that if you opt out, it will NOT affect your chances of winning.

 Here’s how to answer: “I found a flapper on Betty’s new release page.” No links, please!

Easy? You bet. Want to get started? Here are your links! Contest opens 9/16 and closes 9/30 EST. Good luck. Now, 23 skidoo, scram. And have fun!

http://www.pamchampagne.net Prize: Two winner’s choice ebooks! 

http://www.michellepillow.com Prize: Ebook Divinity Warriors: Lilith Enraptured

http://www.imogenhowson.com Prize: Ebook Heart of the Volcano 

http://www.shelleymunro.com Prize: Winner’s choice of download from her Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen or Samhain backlist

 http://www.catherinewade.com Prize: Her latest release, Another Time Around

 http://www.debraparmley.com Prize: Ebook A Desperate Journey  

http://www.sharoncullen.com Prize: Ebook Obsession

 http://www.juniperbell.com Prize: Ebook The Extremist

 http://www.debbiemumford.com Prize: Ebook The Silver Casket

 http://www.lesliedicken.com Prize: Ebook Beauty Tempts the Beast

 http://www.carolanivey.com Prize: Choice ebook or print A Ghost of a Chance: Legends, Book 2

 http://vivianarend.com Prize: eBook winner’s choice of backlist

 http://www.ciarcullen.com Prize: Ebook winner’s choice

 http://www.reneewildes.net Prize: Paperback Duality

 http://www.mychaelblack.net Prize: Ebook Blood & Fire 

http://www.elizagayle.net Prize: EBooks Rope Dreams and Watch Me Hide

 http://www.skylarkade.com Prize: Ebook Maison Domine

 http://www.jannaleehayes.com Prize: Ebook Drive Me Crazy

 http://www.sydneysomers.com Prize: Winner’s choice download from backlist

 http://www.elladrake.com Prize: Ebook Scent of Cin

 http://www.pamelafryer.com Prize: Punch Studio Tiny Book

 http://www.megbenjamin.com Prize: Ebook Wedding Bell Blues

Just got home from Maine a couple hours ago. Cat is currently SLEEPING in my not-quite-emptied suitcase – what’s up with that? Flew out EARLY Friday morning. Like got-up-at-three-A.M. early. Tried to save $$ on cheapflights.com. The tradeoff to that is…LOTS of connections and layovers. Wausau-to-Chicago-to-Portland on the way out and Portlands-to-Dulles/Washington, DC-to-Chicago-to-Wausau on the way back. United charges $$ to “check” bags. Didn’t know that. Didn’t have it on me. Fortunately the suitcase was small enough to qualify as a carryon. The security guards threw away my 4-oz. thingie of toothpaste.

Went out to lunch at Old Port, ate at a restaurant with an outside patio. Seagulls and pigeons kept divebombing people & stealing potato chips. There were two cruise ships in port. Biggest boats I’ve ever seen. According to the waitress, they were little ones. Yep – hick from Wi, that’s me, gawking at the li’l ol’ cruise ship. There’s a “whale wall” done by Wyland that’s apparently going bye-bye b/c the building’s being torn down. Sad. <sigh>

Had a great impromtu party at the Elks Club. Gave away a bunch of bookmarks and business cards and brochures (excerpts & reviews) until I ran out. Then we had a fantastic dinner at the Admiral’s (Admiralty?) Steakhouse. Wonderful place to celebrate – not really for every day for most folks. (Okay, poor people like me!) Had a ball. Met a lovely couple, friends of my dad’s, who’d been to Scotland <sigh> and Ireland <double sigh>. They had all kinds of interesting ghost stories – and more mundane stories about, like, forgetting to plug the electricity meter and having all the power go out!

The book signing was a great success. Sold every book Borders had – could have used a few more, as a couple folks left empty-handed and will have to order it. I’ll get some book plates to sign, and told them to email me their addresses so I can still get them “autographed copies” since I’m not really in the neighborhood, as they say. Borders did a lovely job, with a table complete w/tablecloth (very pretty) right up front, and they made announcements. Bill, the coordinator, rocks – VERY nice to work with. they let me leave bookmarks & business cards. The local paper did an article advertising the signing – I got copies. And the party afterward at the Elks Club was a whole lot of fun. Both bartenders are fantasy fans, so maybe they’ll check out the books.

Called home Saturday night – missed my kids. Joshua’s first football game was that day – his team won, and one of their 6 touchtowns was his! Then he played street-football at his friend Ryan’s  b-day party & skinned up his knee. His adult half-brother Bryan showed up and watched Josh play, so Josh had a pretty good day. Tami had a terrible day – TOO MUCH FOOTBALL is what I heard. (Until her Giants beat my Redskins – she was entirely too gleeful about that one! Josh’s Vikings and Todd’s Packers won, too. (Everyone but me!)

Broke my glasses – got head-butted by a yellow Lab and the pin in the bow went flying God-knows-where. So we spent some detour-time at Sears Optical, and I gave her a bookmark, too. Met my uncle’s new wife. Nice lady. I went to a skeet/trap-shooting competition w/my dad on Sunday. I guess Richmond & Bowdoinham have this 50+-year rivalry going on & they have an annual contest to decide the next year’s bragging rights. Bowdoinham won this year (again). Ended the evening with a chicken barbeque at the American Legion.

My home flight was delayed an hour b/c United in their infinite scheduling wisdom decided to have our plane crewed by an International flight crew flying in from Quebec. The first officer got hung up in customs, had to run through like the entire airport, and then fly our plane. Finally got home!

Crazy crazy weekend!

Hubby worked inventory yesterday. Note to self: NEVER schedule a booksigning on the last Saturday of the month. EVER. Came downstairs in black pants, burgundy-and-black print blouse, & black jacket w/my Barclay Sterling & Where the Magic Begins pins. (Okay, Hedda won them and not Duality, but who’s counting?) My son told me how nice I looked. (Wonder what a hag I usually appear to warrant THAT from Mr. Oblivious?) My daughter’s comment? “Ma, why are you wearing your riding boots?” Umm…because they’re the only thing I have with heels?

Three hours in car w/2 kids and 1 gameboy. (2nd note to self: buy gameboy for next-closest holiday…) Box of granola bars not big enough. Next time buy case. Music to listen to on the way down: Nightwish and Jaded Heart’s “Synical Minds.” Josh fell asleep. (Only HE could sleep through hard rock!)  Tami stole the gameboy. Rain threatened. Left at 8:15 in case something happened.

Nothing happened. Arrived early. L or R on 76th street? Haven’t been in this part of Milwaukee in over six years. Flipped a coin. Turned L. North. Shoulda turned R. South. (Note to self – spend coin. Next time use another.) Wound up in residentialsville. No businesses. Turned around after Josh woke up and asked, “Where are we?”

Can tell my kids live in a small town. They were totally overwhelmed by the FOOD COURT and were WAY too entertained by the escalator. Best babysitter in the world!

Everyone at the book store was really nice. I had a pretty little table right at the front of the store so I could meet and greet everyone coming and going. They had 20 copies of DUALITY and a nice sign in plexi. I brought my 2006 WisRWA FabFive Silver Quill award (THAT WAS won by Duality), excerpt brochures, reviews brochures, business cards, bookmarks and Samhain pens. I also had Hershey’s Nuggets chocolates in a crystal candie dish, my blood-red depression-glass goblet, and the framed covers of Hedda’s Sword and Lycan Tides. Made a nice display.

Fellow Samhain authors Liz Kreger and Mary Hughes stopped in to say hi – and they bought Duality. Liz was tremendous help getting me through my first Samhain contract – I will always be grateful. And her scifi romance “A Part of Tomorrow” series ROCKS. I have both titles. Found out Mary’s “Biting Nixie” comes out in print 11/1/09 – same date as Hedda’s Sword. I’m in awe of Mary – she managed to hush up a certain editor at the WisRWA conference who’s legendary for always finding SOMETHING wrong w/a manuscript…until Mary’s. Mary’s now LEGEND! Definitely want to  do a double signing with her. Both paranormal – she’s got the snarky sassy voice and I’ve got the drama. We did a Samhain chat party together and it was a ball. I soooo want to do one LIVE…

My sister stopped in dragging two of her friends. A WisRWA friend Marilyn stopped in, as well – awesome surprise! Had a lot of people stop, and ask questions. They all took some literature about the book – heck, I gave a bookmark to everyone who left with a book-in-a-bag. I figure they could always use a bookmark WHATEVER they were reading…

If one more teenager asked if Duality was like Twilight, I woulda screamed…

I told people Duality was my Cinderella story and Hedda’s Sword was like Sleeping Beauty…(That analogy ran thin when I got to Lycan Tides, however!) But what “Cinderella For Grownups” didn’t win over, there’s always “total escapism” and the guaranteed good-triumphs-over-evil and the HEAs. Sold 8 books and gave away probably 30 bookmarks or brochures, so some of those might come back. Wonder how many people will check out the website?

The kids got bored. Tami curled up with some teen mag featuring Hannah Montana and Josh rode the escalator and ogled girls. Help! Puberty’s coming! I must have heard “I’m hungry” at least 7 times. Ate “Big Easy” down in the food court. Pouring rain on the way home. Josh again fell asleep. Tami again hogged the gameboy. I sang along w/David Redman/PC69 and managed to miss my exit (29 off 39) and had to turn around in Rib Mountain. Coulda been worse. Could have ended up in Merrill…

Lesson learned – chocolate’s good, but attracts kids. Plus side – kids usually followed by moms. Anne Cain covers are REALLY good eye-catchers. (If she ever quits or dies, my writing career is over. Anne Cain, may you live forever!)<LOL> Really DO need 2 gameboys. Only do book signings is stores near escalators. The “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty” angle works well – easy for people to grasp. Riding boots only comfortable while SITTING.

Am making a sign that says “Duality is NOT like Twilight” to save me the trouble of repeating myself…

What did I do when I got home? Put my feet up, waded through 1500+ emails and watched Ladyhawke!

Folks who know me know I got a double whammy in the guardian genetics category – I’m a Navy brat and a cop’s kid. My dad was a cop. My landlord’s a cop. Several friends and neighbors are, too – active and retired. A state trooper lives right around the corner from me. A guy in my church is a sheriff’s deputy. They’re all family, friends and neighbors. They have wives, girlfriends and kids – some have grandkids. And they all face the “today might be my last” with honor and fearlessness.

What’s the most dangerous threat to a police officer? Not bullets. It’s cars. Cars driven by stupid people. Cars driven by inattentive cell-phone-talking/yelling-at-the-kids-in-the-backseat people. Human vesus moving vehicle? NOT good odds.

So do them and their families a favor. When you see an officer has pulled someone over, move into the other lane AWAY from them if there’s one available. If not, slow down and give them a wide berth. If there’s no oncoming traffic, cross that yellow line. Give them room. We’ve all seen the reality TV videos where rubber-neckers rearend or sideswipe the parked squad car with all it’s lights flashing. Don’t do that. Slow down. Move over.

Mind your own business…

Slowing down won’t kill you. NOT slowing down might kill them – or really hurt them. So watch out for the ones watching out for you.

Hedda’s Sword by Renee Wildes

http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/heddas-sword-by-renee-wildes.html

NOMINATED FOR BOOK OF THE WEEK AT LASR!

Hedda’s Sword by Renee Wildes
Publisher: Samhain Press
Genre: High Fantasy
Length: Full (290 pages)
Heat: Sensual
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Eglantine

She’s known nothing but pain—but love waits in the arms of one man.

Guardians of the Light, Book 2

Maleta is a true survivor. Attacked and left for dead at a young age, she has traded her heart and emotions to become the ultimate weapon of vengeance for the Grey Goddess, Hedda. She swears to depose Queen Sunniva and restore her ancestral home to her brother, no matter the cost.

Cianan is drawn to the mysterious land of Shamar on the power of a vision—the death of a beautiful swordswoman to an army of skeletons. When he meets Maleta, he recognizes two things. She is his true Life-Mate. And she is the woman fated to die this horrible death.

He vows to change her fate.

Cianan must unite the diverse people of a fragmented land to overthrow a vicious despot and convince their true queen to take the throne. Falling in love with a mortal woman who’s buried her heart and shies from his every touch—that’s the real challenge.

Maleta knows she can trust Cianan to save her country. Can she trust him to help her save herself?

How can you tell, within the first few pages, whether the ebook you’re reading is likely to be good? Usually, clean editing, easy-reading language and a story scenario that draws you in, are good indicators. But how can you tell if it is likely to be really good? If you have all the above, and in addition to that you find a sentence as beautifully descriptive as this one: “All around him, the skeletal branches of trees loomed. They clutched at his clothing like the wasted fingers of the dead…” on the very first page, things would have to change dramatically for the worse from there for the book as a whole to not be brilliant.

Ms Wildes builds a world for us which is believable and real. She peoples this world with characters which have been shaped with the same care, so that their challenges and motivations stir our sympathy and open a place in our hearts for them. While there were two incidents which, in my opinion, wobbled a little, seemed too underplayed for the great significance they held, the story’s strong points were sufficient to compensate for my momentary frown.

Favourites from the first book in the series, Duality, make some brief appearances, but Hedda’s Sword definitely stands alone, you can enjoy it without having read the first. I would recommend you do, though, as I will be surprised if anyone comes away from this book not wanting to track down more of Ms Wilde’s stories. Definitely worth buying.

http://howlinggoodbooks.com/index.php?id=86

Reviewed by Nicole Hicks

Genre- Paranormal Romance/ Fantasy

 

5   PAWPRINTS !

Dara Khan Androcles has learned the art of fighting. Because it is a forbidden for women to learn she must hide her warrior’s heart beneath another art, one of healing. But even that she must be careful of, for even within the traipsing of her ability to heal are forbidden arts. Can she handle the ways of the warrior with the heart of a healer?

Loren ta Cedric knows he must warn the mortal king of the danger that he knows of. What he doesn’t expect is to be brought down. Or for a young mortal to be willing to sacrifice their life in order to save his safety. Or for the debt bond that he offers to bind them so completely. Or to feel some much for one person, other than his War Mare Hani’ena.

Love and loss proceed change. A change of knowledge, destinies, and the possibilities. When Dara is thrust into the middle of her world changing, can she manage? Can she follow her path, as convoluted as it may seem, to the end? Can she follow her heart?

Renee Wilde surprised me thoroughly. I found myself drawn into her world by the descriptions and lively characters.  I ended up drowning within her world by the emotions that the story conveyed. Her writings remind me of Michelle Sagara; an innocence with a touch of seduction rolling in the endless possibilities. The world she introduces is one filled with life, good and bad. She weaves a story that makes the reader not want to put the tale down. I found myself unable to sleep, reading until 4 in the morning so that I could see where she took the characters, as well as me. I enjoyed being so wrapped in the story that I cried at the end.  I look forward to the continuation of the Guardians of the Light series!

You always hear about what a lonely profession writing is…sitting alone w/your computer…praying to (whomever) that inspiration strikes…

Yeah, right!

Now I sit at my computer every day, but I’m never alone. I have my family at home and my friends at work. I have a whole community online. I have my local and state writers groups. I have my critique partners. I go to conferences. I have my editors, and a slew of contest coordinators as I’m always judging an RWA writing contest for SOMEONE.

And I have all those voices in my head…<LOL> The characters in Bk 5 are trying to push the characters in Bk 4 out of the way so they can have THEIR turn. Although, one of my characters in Bk 4, Dust of Dreams, is a troll and he doesn’t push very far! (Don’t think trolls are sexy? Picture Ronan Dax in Stargate Atlantis. I think Jason Mamoa is totally HOT!)

So don’t feel sorry for us writers. Envy us for getting to work in our jammies! Hey, casual day takes on a whole new meaning…

So, next time a writer bemoans their “lonely existence” – ask them about any of the above!

Holy Hannah! This morning Marty Mathews from Samhain sent me the following:

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/DualityGuardiansofthelight.html

DUALITY: GUARDIANS OF THE LIGHT BOOK 1
RENEE WILDES
ISBN# 1-60504-216- 1
October 21, 2008
Samhain Publishing
www.samhainpublishing.com
E-book
$6.50
333 Pages
Fantasy Romance
Rating: 5 cups

Dara Khan Androcles is a healer who was adopted by peasants. Unlike
many women, she is a warrior.

Loren ta Cedric is an elven prince come to aid Dara’s king against
the coming enemy. The first time he sees Dara, he knows that she is
more than she seems.

When Dara finds a wounded Loren, she has no idea he is not just
another soldier. After she heals him, his glamour falls away and she
truly sees him. She takes him home with her, and Loren binds his life
to hers shortly thereafter. However, Dara has no real understanding
of what he has done, though she does wonder if the attraction to
Loren that she is feeling is part of it. Other survivors trickle in,
and Dara is called upon to use her healing powers, but when one of
her patients dies and Loren has to leave her, she is forced to flee.
Unfortunately, she is captured by the enemy. It is then she learns
that a demon is on the loose in her land. Only time will tell if she
is strong enough for what is to come, and/or if she will see Loren
again.

Duality is a stunning read with glorious mental vistas. While the
book is a fantasy, it has a definite message we all can easily relate
to—that love can be found during great adversity. I enjoyed reading
about how Dara gains her strength to be who she truly is from her
love for Loren and her ancestors. Loren as the valiant warrior who
loves his lady in spite of her differences brought tears to my eyes
on more than one occasion. This book has the best of everything in
the romance genre, and I highly recommend it. It is a keeper!

Regina
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Okay – the BIG DAY has arrived! DUALITY’s release day! Thought it would be fun to have a little contest with a drawing. Since I’m a HUGE F/S&S fan, even of the BAD movies, I thought I’d do this:

Just leave a comment ON THIS POST as what your favorite Fantasy/Sword & Sorcery Book AND Movie are. (I’m an equal-media employer!)

I absolutely adore the movie WILLOW. I’ve watched it with my kids so many times we can practically reinact it start to finish. I love a quest story, I love a character who denies his destiny and then embraces it & becomes stronger for it. I love a villain turned to good. (I’ve used all three in my own books!)

Other Movies I Like, in no particular order (even the bad ones have SOME good points!):

• LOTR (all 3 PJ)
• Dragonheart
• The Hobbit
• Princess Bride
• Ladyhawke
• Kull
• Krull
• Clash of the Titans
• Beastmaster
• Red Sonya
• Conan
• Legend
• Dark Crystal
• Labyrinth

For books, I’ve already mentioned Barbara Hambly’s ”The Ladies of Mandrigyn.” In addition, I grew up on Mercedes Lackey – love the Valdemar series. Probably my favorite book is “Exile’s Honor” and my favorite trilogy is The Mage Storms:

• Storm Warning
• Storm Rising
• Storm Breaking

These four ML/V all feature Karsite citizens relocated to Valdemar. For those out of the know, Karse & Valdemar are bitter “I Wish You’d All DIE!” enemies. When enemies become people, then friends, it leaves the question, are there enemies in the world, or just friends who haven’t met yet? How much “hatred” is simple misunderstanding? A Karsite calvary captain can become a Chosen of Valdemar, and a Karsite priest can become an ambassador for peace. LOVE these books. “Exile’s Honor” makes me cry every time I read it.

So what are YOUR favorites? Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered in a drawing at the end of today for one of three prizes:

• free copy of DUALITY
• Barnes & Noble Gift Card
• Bath & Body Gift Card

Thanks for livening up a fun day. Thanks to everyone who entered. And the winners are:

 

free copy of Duality goes to:  Brenda ND

B&N gift card goes to Donna

Bath & Body Works gift card goes to Theresa

 

Congrats!

Renee Wildes

Genre: fantasy romance ISBN: 978-1-60504-216-9 Page Count: 333 Price: $6.99 Reviewer: Susiq2
	Sensuality Rating: Sultry Star Rating: 5 Stars Author’s Website: http://www.reneewildes.com/

Duality,by Renee Wildes, is the best fantasy story that I have ever read! This story has it all: Heart stopping adventure, True evil versus good, Love, Handsome Fae, and a gorgeous dragon. What more could a reader desire? This fabulous story is to die for!

Quote: “Duality: Pride, Beauty, Unbreakable Spirit, Overwhelming Spirit, and Undisciplined Passions. Dara brings passion to reason, conflict to peace, chaos to order. Duality be in her blood, her soul, her very nature.”

I cannot remember when a story grabbed me, and held me to the very end as this story has. Let me begin to tell the story of how and why:

Rufus Quickblade, Dara’s father figure, had not returned from warning the King about the Boar invasion. Dara is a Safehold healer, so she prepares herself to go to the battlefield to help any injured. Dressed as a woodman, carrying her medicines, and her knives, she searches the battlefield for her father, and any injured that she can help. Hearing from others about a blond warrior who had saved many lives during the battle, Dara finds him injured, and attempts to help him. Dara is attacked, and must fend off 3 Boar warriors to keep herself, and the blond man, named Loren, alive. Finally able to tend his injuries, and to drag him to her humble hut, Dara is shocked when Loren claims life debt to her, and speaks these word to her: “My life I owe you. Life Debt. I bind myself to you. Whenever, whatever your need, I shall come to you. To you do I answer with sword, bow, or blood. My life for yours. My soul to yours, ’til our last breath. Never again shall you be alone. You are mine, in this lifetime, and the next. I shall be ever yours, for always. We are one” as he gently kissed her.  Then Loren’s horse appeared, almost  breaking down her door to reach the man in her bed. Thus Dara meets her first “talking horse”.

This story, while epic in scope, is so thoroughly engrossing, that the pages are blurs to the eye as the trials and tribulations, adventures, and heart stopping rescues occur at such a pace that time is all but forgotten as the reader is lost in the beauty and adventures of this remarkable tale of good versus evil.

Dara discovers her amazing heritage and skills, and as her love for Loren grows, will she be able to accept his heritage as he must accept hers?

This story is like  taking Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, and C.L. Wilson,  mixing up the very best that they have to offer mixed in with the “new voice”of Renee Wildes to produce this masterpiece.

I stand humbled at having the honor to be able to review this story. My words could never do it justice. This story is a marvel, it will be a tremendous best seller when word gets out about this book’s release. Please find this book. This is truly a once in a life time event.

Finished the first week (which really was only 3 days’ worth of sales, since it came out on Tues & list posted on Fri) at #7! Not too shabby for a newbie no one knows yet. Feel like a backyard breeder who just found out her modest homebred can run! Nice high, of course, brought back down to earth by OT @ the RLJ, dirty socks, burnt meatloaf, and kids needing help w/”new math.” New Math? I barely conquered the OLD math! I can balance a checkbook and call it good!<sigh>

At least one thing’s going great this week! YAY!

Duality by Renee Wildes Reader Reviewed by Sandie

Duality is Renee Wildes AWESOME debut publication so she needs a round of applause!!

This book can be purchased at My Bookstore and More

Duality gets one of my highest recommendations. This is the first book in the Guardians of the Light series, and it sets the bar very high. This story takes place in a magical world that will enchant you, while horrifying you with the evil let loose in the land.
Dara has had to conceal her half-dragon mage fighting skills behind the guise of a healer. Now a demon threatens all that she cares for and she must find help, and also learn to use her powers to fight this evil. She finds Lauren who is an Elven warrior prince and a powerful empath. His sentient war mare Hani’ena is able to talk with him telepathically. There are many more different magical beings then I could count in this powerful and compelling tale of danger, death, self sacrifice, and heroism.

Do not let all the action and danger fool you though. Renee has given us a story of deep and abiding love. This was an edge of your seat book at its very best. If the second book was already out, I would already be reading it. Duality is a book that you do not want to miss out on.
sandie

HEDDA’S SWORD (book 2 of Guardians of the Light) releases through Samhain Publication 1/6/09

Author’s Blurb

Love will give them strength—or prove to be their fatal flaw.

Guardians of the Light, Book 1

Dara Khan Androcles is really in over her head this time. From childhood she’s been forced to hide her half-dragon mage fighting skills behind a public persona as a healer. Now, with a traitor and his demon threatening the throne of Safehold, Dara has no choice but to turn reluctant warrior—and seek help.

She strikes a bargain with runaway Elven prince Loren ta Cedric and his sentient, pain-in-the-butt war mare, Hani’ena. Loren’s not only too handsome for Dara’s own good, the powerful empath can see right through to the pain that drives her.

Loren can’t help but feel Dara’s every hurt, physical and emotional. Though his need for her drives him half mad, he must stay his course to see justice done for his people. Even if it means swearing a Life Debt to the distracting mortal.

That vow, made in the heat of their parallel quests, carries more power than either of them guessed. The power to bond the unlikely pair as Life Mates. The power to lay bare the fears and desires that could bind them to a single purpose—or tear them apart.

All the while a demon awaits, ready to destroy all that they hold dear.

Product Warnings
Contains patricide; noble self-sacrifice; one bad-ass, demon-possessed despot; a bad-tempered dragon; and a water mage who likes to “rain” on her husband’s parade—literally. Downside: A quest for a magic book (written in blood) that nobody wants, and a talking war mare with the warm, fuzzy voice of Judy Densch. Upside: Serious ass-kicking. Be prepared to learn to curse, cry and laugh—in Elvish

Posted by Ebook Addict at 10:25 PM 0 comments

Labels: fantasy, Sandie

Did dragons exist? There are so many references throughout the world, that it’s hard to fathom they didn’t. But what happened to them? Did they all die out, or are they like other mythical beings, still living in secret amongst us?

In celebration for all Duality’s growing popularity, I’m running a new contest. Just leave a comment as to what you believe happened to the dragons in the world. All commenters will be put into a drawing for a pair of red Depression-era glass goblets, which one lucky winner will win Halloween morning! Come toast to future successes!

Sorry there was a delay in the drawing. Trick or treating, work and my anniversary all on the same day. Put all the names in a hat and the winner was…

MEAGAN HATFIELD!

WooHoo!

A little birdie told me this morning that I managed to sell my werewolf short story “Marek’s New World” on Halloween, based on TWRP GOT WOLF? Contest. Go to http://www.thewildrosepress.com/publisher/ for the following:

Got Wolf Contest Results!

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who entered our Got Wolf Contest.

In the long category (25K- 40K)y the winners are:

Helen Hardt – Blood Wolf (40K)
Ria Ellis – My Lord Werewolf (32K)

For the short category, the winners are: 

First Place - Isabel Roman – “Shadow State” –  (23K)
Second Place – Dawn Raspberry – “Raven’s Shelter” – (19K)
Third Place – Karen Holck – “Werewolves in London” – (19K)

We had a tie for Fourth Place:

Fourth Place – Renee Wildes – “Marek’s New World” – (24K)
Fourth Place – Autumn Shelly - ”Blood Moon” – (20K)

[edit] As James Clemens

I don’t know about you, but I was a great fan of Michael Crichton. I looked up a list of his books – it’s a formidable list: (compliments of Wikipedia)

1966	Odds On
1967	Scratch One
1968	Easy Go
	A Case of Need
1969	The Andromeda Strain
	The Venom Business
	Zero Cool
1970	Grave Descend
	Drug of Choice
	Dealing
1972	The Terminal Man
	Binary
1975	The Great Train Robbery
1976	Eaters of the Dead
1980	Congo
1987	Sphere
1990	Jurassic Park
1992	Rising Sun
1994	Disclosure
1995	The Lost World
1996	Airframe
1999	Timeline
2002	Prey
2004	State of Fear
2006	Next

He was a fellow Midwesterner and the king of the scientific “What If?” He wrote true science fiction, that made the improbable plausible. He kept me up late many a night, on the edge of my seat. Many filmakers tried to capture his magic, but no film could possibly do the books justice. A sad day for us all.

For anyone looking for a similar vein, I can wholeheartedly endorse James Rollins, a veterinarian-turned-novelist. The same science/action combination, with such titles as: (compliments of Wikipedia)

As James Rollins

1. Subterranean (1999)
2. Excavation (2000)
3. Deep Fathom (2001)
4. Amazonia (2002)
5. Ice Hunt (2003)

SIGMA Force series

1. Sandstorm (2004)
2. Map of Bones (2005)
3. Black Order (2006)
4. Judas Strain (2007)
5. The Last Oracle (June 24, 2008)

The Banned and the Banished series

1. Wit’ch Fire (1999)
2. Wit’ch Storm (1999)
3. Wit’ch War (2000)
4. Wit’ch Gate (2001)
5. Wit’ch Star (2002)

Godslayer series

1. Shadowfall
2. Hinterland

Michael Crichton will always be the one all future writers of this genre will be measured against.

The PBR Finals just finished up this weekend. Guillerme Marchi was runner up 3 years in a row – 2005, 2006, 2007. Like Moonlight, he stuck to it, dug deep and FINALLY came out on top as World Champion! I bawled like a baby. It was SO deserved! He never gave up, never settled for second best.

Veteran Adriano Moraes retired. The greatest ambassador the sport has ever seen pulled his rope for the last time. He was crucial in bringing up young guns from Brazil, he was role model and a fierce competitor, yet always gracious with his fans. Bawled like a baby for that too.

They retired my favorite bull Reindeer Dippin too. A young classic bull named Crosswired looks to be the heir-apparent. Bucking style is very similar – wild and crazy.

So who do we pass the torch to? Robson Palermo won the Finals, Reese Cates won Rookie of the Year and Bones won Bucking Bull of the Year.

I love cowboys. I love their straight up honesty, how they don’t make excuses or put on aires. I don’t know how many times an interviewer asks a guy that got bucked off what went wrong and they say “I got bucked off” or what they’ll do differently “Hold on tighter” or what it’ll take to finally win an event “Ride better.” Those are the shortest interviews in the the world!

My favorite rider is Wiley Peterson, from Idaho. Mr. Calm Cool & Collected when he rides, but he loves to ham it up for the camera. Mr. Consistency when he’s healthy. I’ve woke my kids up cheering for him when he rides. He won the Finals last year, was Top Ten this year.

My biggest kudos go to retiring Justin McBride. He made the decision b/c his heart wasn’t in it. He said he used to ride selfish, then realized it wasn’t about himself anymore. He wanted to spend more time with his family on the ranch. You’ve gotta respect a guy who puts family first.

It’s been all over the web this morning. Multiple Yahoo writer’s groups. Since I now belong to 65 of them, I have had a BELLYFUL of sour grapes. The gist of it is, RWA National doesn’t consider us Epubbed authors “real” PAN authors. There are requirements to joining – you have to make at least $1000.00 in royalties and advances. We don’t make it on advances. But we can make it in royalties. Check out the RWA’s listing of qualifying publishers. Most of our houses are on that list.

PER RWA:

Option Two: Any General or Honorary member who has earned at least $1,000 in the form of royalties or a combination of advance plus royalties on a single published romance novel or novella published by a non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher may join PAN as a full member following the publication of the title. In order to prove publication under Option Two, the member must submit a copy of the novel’s or novella’s copyright page to the RWA office, together with proof of earnings of at least $1,000 on the qualifying novel or novella. Proof of earnings may be shown in either of the following ways: (1) royalty statement(s) from the publisher showing earnings of at least $1,000; or (2) a letter from the acquiring editor stating that the author has earned at least $1,000 in the form of royalties or an advance plus royalties. Documentation must reflect earnings on a single novel or novella. In the case of a multiple-book contract, or in the event royalty statement(s) show earnings on multiple books, the earnings on the qualifying novel or novella must be shown separately. Any percentage of earnings deducted by an agent shall still be considered earnings to the author; however, the pre-deduction figure must be reflected in the documentation.

Most of the big epubs are go-to-print and through hard work and marketing we can make the sales requirements. I’m published w/both Samhain & TWRP and both of them can get into the big bookstore chains, and I’ve seen Cerridwyn & Ellora’s Cave titles, New Concepts, etc.

I think RWA National has a lot to offer. For networking and new author education they’re second to none. Great local chapters – I belong to WisRWA & FF&P RWA, educational magazine, the PRO program and wonderful conferences. I came up through the RWA contest circuit w/Duality & Hedda’s Sword. I sold Duality to Samhain b/c I went to the 2007 NJ RWA PYHIAB Conference and pitched to Angela James (same conference where Hedda’s Sword came in third in PYHIAB Contest/Paranormal).

Are epubbed authors considered not quite as “worthy” as NY authors? Yes. Does that make me personally unhappy? Yes. But the way to fix it is not to snap and snarl at each other about it. That’s just a mob mentality. Let’s PROVE to them how professional and organized we are. Write emails. Write letters. Speak with your local chapter officers to bring that up when they have their board meetings. Buy a board member a drink at the next conference you attend and voice your concerns. Encourage your publisher to step up their networking w/RWA. The more we make our presence felt, en masse, the more power we’ll have. We’re professional. We’re organized. We’re calm, but determined.

http://loveromancesandmore.blogspot.com/search/label/4%20hearts?updated-max=2008-10-28T04%3A38%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=20

Monday, October 27, 2008

DUALITY: Guardians of the Light Book 1 by Renee Wildes

Publisher Samhain Publishing
Date published October 2008
ISBN 978-1-60504-216-9
Genre Fantasy Romance
E-book

Reviewed by Dawn

CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Dara Khan Androcles never fit in no matter where she was. Always different, always adrift, healing and doing what she could to ease a person’s suffering, Dara finds out soon enough what she really is and what destiny has in store with her when war rages across her land and her friends and family brutally slain or cowered. Then she meets Loran, an Elven prince who helps Dara find a way to fight the encroaching evil that covers Dara’s homeland. Secrets abound, passion is scorching and powers unlike both have ever seen before are coming full circle as Dara and Laren race against the clock to stop a madman from enslaving them all!

Wow is all this reviewer can say after reading DUALITY. It was a spellbinding story full of elves, magic, demons, war and love among other things to keep the reader enthralled from start to finish. With each page, get drawn in a world where a demon possessed madman is determined to cause havoc and chaos before destroying everything in his path that opposes him. It takes Dara, a Halfling who has no idea what her destiny holds or why she always felt out of place in her homeland, to tip the balance in favor of the light as darkness grows. Throw in a handsome Elven prince, some magical elemental mages, and you’ve got a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat as the twists and turns captivate you.

Ms. Wildes delivers a fast pace ride so hang on tight as you read DUALITY. This is the first book in this author’s Guardians of the Light series and this reviewer is anxiously awaiting the next chapter in this riveting tale. With complex characters that fairly leap off the pages to magic that will wrap itself around you, the story itself grows with each page. This reviewer was hard-pressed not to bring out Tolkin’s Lord of the Ring’s books. This is an author who delves deep into the souls of her characters, giving them vulnerabilities that had me weeping at times and laughing at others. With each page, DUALITY delivers a spellbinding story that will keep you entertained till the very end. I am looking forward to the next chapter of the Guardian’s of the Light Series and hope I don’t have to wait long for it. If you enjoy a wonderful, lyrical story that seems to melt as you read it with captivating characters then run to grab DUALITY. It will keep you enthralled from start to finish!

http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook& BOOK=290811& v=ratings

MadKatter
Blurb sounded good, so I bought it book is even better than I hoped!
Classic good vs evil, but very well done, well written, great
characters (likable & neither perfect nor too stupid to live),
interesting plot with plenty of twists and turns. Warning: given the
whole light vs dark nature of the plot, the dark bits are quite dark–
gives the book some of it’s strength, but can be hard to read… Pretty
much devoured it, and now waiting impatiently for the next in the
series.

“Hedda’s Sword ” by Renee Wildes

Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Fantasy Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-371-5
Length: Novel
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: January 6, 2009
Cover art by Anne Cain

She’s known nothing but pain—but love waits in the arms of one man.

Guardians of the Light, Book 2

Maleta is a true survivor. Attacked and left for dead at a young age, she has traded her heart and emotions to become the ultimate weapon of vengeance for the Grey Goddess, Hedda. She swears to depose Queen Sunniva and restore her ancestral home to her brother, no matter the cost.

Cianan is drawn to the mysterious land of Shamar on the power of a vision—the death of a beautiful swordswoman to an army of skeletons. When he meets Maleta, he recognizes two things. She is his true Life-Mate. And she is the woman fated to die this horrible death.

He vows to change her fate.

Cianan must unite the diverse people of a fragmented land to overthrow a vicious despot and convince their true queen to take the throne. Falling in love with a mortal woman who’s buried her heart and shies from his every touch—that’s the real challenge.

Maleta knows she can trust Cianan to save her country. Can she trust him to help her save herself?

Warning: Take one narcissistic queen bent on genocide, an assassin nun made of ice and a hero convinced he can change the course of Fate by his will alone. Add a true queen with an aversion to power and a mercenary with a secret that threatens to tear the land in two. Stir briskly. Season with a child-Seer who never shuts up and a tree sprite looking for an apprentice. What do you get? Either a rollicking rebellion or a recipe for disaster. Look for a few familiar faces from DUALITY. Be prepared for tears and laughter. Contains murder and mayhem, drugs and slavery, patricide and references to a memory of rape.

Read An Excerpt Online

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. My family most of all. The chance to share my love of reading, writing and horses with my kids. I grew up with the Wisconsin Arabian Horse Association, and now my children have the pleasure of growing up around horses, too. My father-in-law just doesn’t get it, but I’m just like my mom. The barn was always perfect and the house was a wreck, but we were always in the barn anyway so who cared?

Tami & Todd w/Sassy (Temptation Fyre N Ice) 4 yr old Morab mare

Josh feeding Sassy

And then we got a new horse – a 15-yr-old Welsh/Arab mare named Moonlight that we bought for the kids. The younger the rider, the older the horse.

Josh & Tami w/new pony, Moonlight

She was skittish and hard to catch, had one kamikaze run-in with a tree branch that just missed the jugular when it impaled her neck, but she was real easy to treat and is great with the kids. My husband Todd recently rode a horse for the first time in his life.

Horses are great for bonding, for teaching kids responsibility and caring, and they’re friends and partners that never criticize or judge. It’s only natural that I feature horses with strong, distinct personalities in my stories. It’s as natural to me as breathing. The smell of horses, hay & apples, and leather is my favorite scent. It’s impossible to be stressed around them. They don’t have bad days. They don’t care what people say to them. They just ARE. I can just watch them playing in the pasture, or groom them, and the stress just melts away.

I had a bad wreck w/Sassy this summer when she got spooked by a Harley that passed too close and kicked gravel up into her face. She dumped me in the ditch but never left my side. I had to walk her in – slowly, couldn’t breathe, but she was very solicitous. Stopped to let me catch my breath, didn’t balk or pull. She seemed to know I was hurt. Turned out to have broken ribs and a collapsed lung. When I got back on her for the first time after two months, I was shaking. Very weird feeling for someone who’s ridden her entire life. Rode Sassy around the round pen, and the yard. And she’s as gentle as if I’d placed a baby on her back. Both my kids ride her in the round pen and up and down the driveway. She reins a little better than Moonlight, but they’ll graduate to Moonlight next year.

I could never not have horses in my life, my world or my books. Even when that $1000.00 winter hay bill lands on my doorstep. I’m proud to be a “horsey nut” and I hope my kids always feel the same way.

I’ve been a huge fantasy fan & voracious reader my entire life. I was a Tolkien fan WAY before Peter Jackson jumped in. If Joseph Campbell had had disciples, I would have been one. Fantasy is mytholgy and mythology is people. Mythology is truth.  The basis of all classic fantasy for me is good triumphing over evil and an ordinary someone accomplishing something extraordinary.

Doom and gloom are all around us. The war, the economy, political dissention, religious dissention. Seems you can’t turn around without someone telling you how horrifically tragic everything is. Some people are saying book sales are down – people won’t buy books when they can’t afford essentials. But they’re wrong. Readers will read regardless. Readers will read MORE to escape their own reality.

Why not with a fantasy book where an honest man can bring down a tyrant, an evil dragon can be turned to good, good and Light can triumph over evil and Dark? Shea uses the Sword to defeat the Warlock Lord, Alias discovers she’s as human as a born being, Esmay discovers the strength to rally a crew in mtiny and win a battle, Mahree becomes a beacon for peace in an intergalactic misunderstanding (In order: Terry Brooks’ Sword of Shannara, Kate Novak’s Forgotten Realms – Azure Bonds, Elizabeth Moon’s Once a Hero, & A. C. Crispin’s Starbridge).  Each of those characters decided they’d had enough of their situations and if no one else was going to do something to fix it, then they were going to suck it up and do it themselves. “It starts with me.”

I think that’s a great attitude. “It starts with me.” Make a ripple of positive in the negative pond. Instead of thinking about what’s wrong in the world, think about what’s good in your life. In your home, in your family, in your church or school or work or community. What’s good in the state, country, world. Smile at the Salvation Army bell ringer. Hold a door open for someone. Compliment a coworker’s new hairstyle. Thank everyone who does something nice for you. Smile at everyone. If there’s something you want to change, make a resolution and fix it. Like those characters in our favorite fantasy books, “It starts with me. I can make a difference. I will make a difference.”

Less talk. More action. You’d be surprised who can move mountains!

Think about all those presents you’ve received over the years. The ones you’ve adored, the ones you’ve hated, the ones that made you go “Huh? What were they smoking when they thought THIS would be a good idea?” What are your most memorable gifts ever?

The best/most romantic?

The worst/most awful? The one you couldn’t wait to regift fast enough?

The just plain WEIRDEST?

I’m giving away a $20 B&N Gift card for each category. So go ahead – Share! Spill! Let’s have some fun with this one!

Best Present: Kelly

Weirdest Present: Crystal

Worst Present: Beth

Congrats, Ladies!

The Ultimate Ladies Man Meets The Ultimate Challenge…

 

Genre: Fantasy Romance ISBN: 978-1-60504-371-5 Publication Date: January 6, 2009 Cover art by Anne Cain ORDER! Love will give them strength—or prove to be their fatal flaw. Guardians of the Light, Book 2 She’s known nothing but pain—but love waits in the arms of one man.

Maleta is a true survivor. Attacked and left for dead at a young age, she has traded her heart and emotions to become the ultimate weapon of vengeance for the Grey Goddess, Hedda. She swears to depose Queen Sunniva and restore her ancestral home to her brother, no matter the cost. Cianan is drawn to the mysterious land of Shamar on the power of a vision—the death of a beautiful swordswoman to an army of skeletons. When he meets Maleta, he recognizes two things. She is his true Life-Mate. And she is the woman fated to die this horrible death. He vows to change her fate. Cianan must unite the diverse people of a fragmented land to overthrow a vicious despot and convince their true queen to take the throne. Falling in love with a mortal woman who’s buried her heart and shies from his every touch—that’s the real challenge. Maleta knows she can trust Cianan to save her country. Can she trust him to help her save herself? Warning: Take one narcissistic queen bent on genocide, an assassin nun made of ice and a hero convinced he can change the course of Fate by his will alone. Add a true queen with an aversion to power and a mercenary with a secret that threatens to tear the land in two. Stir briskly. Season with a child-Seer who never shuts up and a tree sprite looking for an apprentice. What do you get? Either a rollicking rebellion or a recipe for disaster. Look for a few familiar faces from DUALITY. Be prepared for tears and laughter. Contains murder and mayhem, drugs and slavery, patricide and references to a memory of rape.

Renee Wildes Signature

It’s -20 today and all the area schools are closed. When the schools close we parents can opt to stay home from work, too – perk my employer grants. Those with teens don’t, but it’s a godsend for those of us that also use grade school as daycare, LOL.

Can we spell FREE WRITING DAY?

Funny thing is, it’s sunny and gorgeous when you look out the window – until you stick your head out the door and your nose falls off! I have to take the garbage out but I’m too chicken yet. I also have to take my daughter shopping for a present for her friend’s b-day party. Wimping out on that score, too. Why I live in WI when I’m such a big baby is beyond me. but the only other place I’d consider moving to is Maine, and it’s just as balmy there, too.

Check out this blog from  http://www.ninapierce.com/romanceblog/ - there’s a frightful picture of deer “swimming” through snow.

AH WINTER!

Just got the invite for the WisRWA “Love Is In The Cards III”  25th ANNIVERSARY Conference in Green Bay, WI on June 5-7, 2009. It’s at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center by the Airport. There were 77 published members’ names listed. Now I know for certain there are at least 2 I know of who don’t live in the WI arctic, but I can’t help wondering if we have so many writers because it’s TOO COLD TO DO ANYTHING ELSE HERE? My favorite author Sherrilyn Kenyan is the featured speaker. I am in awe of that woman. Want to say hi and have her sign my books. Will probably sound like a dork if I open my mouth. <sigh>

The horses look like woolly mammoths. Hay bill is HUGE because they eat more to stay warm.

The cat keeps trying to sneak outside. I let her. She high-tailed it right back inside and is now cured for another year.

Wonder if my car will start?

I’ve started another blog, one strictly populated and posted by the characters from the Guardians books. It’s in it’s infancy, but I plan on posting there every M-W-F http://guardiansoflight.wordpress.com/  and here every T-Th.

It’s not about the books, it’s about the characters themselves. From their POV. What they’re thinking about – hopes, fears, dreams, disappointments.  How they see their world, and react to it.

Hope people will find it and check it out!

Okay, let’s have a bit of a treasure hunt/trivia contest. The answers are either here, at my regular website http://www.reneewildes.com or at my new character blog http://www.guardiansoflight.wordpress.com

The questions are:

1.)  What are the names of my two horses?

2.) What are my favorite flowers?

3.) What book won the Ecataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award?

4.) What’s the title of my newest sale (not released yet)?

5.) Which 3 characters have blogged so far, and on what topics?

Whoever posts a comment here, with the correct answers, enters a drawing for  a belated Valentine’s Day goodie basket. Drawing to be held tomorrow morning.

Good Luck!

Okay, everyone knows I’m a huge PBR fan and an even bigger Wiley Peterson fan. I got to drive my kids nuts (and deaf) this weekend cheering on my favorite guy in St. Louis, MO.

Round 1 vs SMOKEY = 86.5 pts (4th in round)

Round 2 vs WHAT I SAY = 86.75 pts

Round 3 vs KABOOKIE = 86 pts

Championship Round vs PEARL SNAP = 88.75 points (4th in round, but 1st place in the average w/a total of 348 pts and was one of only three men to ride all four of his bulls.

Even better, it bumped him up to #4 in the world at the moment. Yay! Been a bit of time since his last win, and I’m thrilled to pieces for him and his family.  Although on behalf of your wife, mister, I hope you DO wash those jeans! <LOL>

It was a great weekend in MO, ID and WI!

March Madness has NOTHING to do w/basketball. Not in MY world.

Every March we go through this. My son’s birthday and my daughter’s ice show. Together. Simultaneous. In direct conflict. First, I work 10-7 so my HUSBAND had to take Tami to the rehearsals, on the city bus - with Josh in tow. Because the 18-year-old w/the car is completely undependable as to whether he’ll be around or not when you might actually need him for something.

By Friday night, after four hours “technical rehearsal” Josh had a meltdown. Saturday morning he stayed home alone during “dress rehearsal”. Alone for 3 hours. Todd and Bryan were working. I was locker room mom at the rink for 20 girls, changing costumes, spraying hair, pinning belts, velcroing mondors, fixing lipstick. Tami’s eight. She does NOT wear makeup, ever – even for shows. She’s a little girl. Period. The other moms can call me a prude. I could give a damn. I don’t. Wear makeup OR give a damn. (I wore makeup for my wedding. That was twelve years ago.)

Joshua had a peaceful, quiet, girl-less morning watching Star Wars. He got his balance back. He’s a lot like me – he needs alone downtime sometimes, with no one in his face. When Tami and I returned to the rink for the 5-9 first show marathon, Josh stayed home w/dad to cheer on HIS PBR fav, J.B. Mauney.

Sunday was the afternoon show where I get to WATCH, not work. Bryan actually showed up. Josh sulked the whole time. Tami yawned in the middle of her second number and got caught by the woman sitting in front of us. I almost smacked her – the woman, not Tami. Tami was exhausted – a bad cold didn’t help – and it showed. Those little girls are troupers, but between school, homework, practice…I’ll bet Tami wasn’t the only one too tired to finish her mac n cheese by Thursday. She got a note from school for snapping at a sub. She does that when she’s tired. Snaps at anyone and everyone, then collapses in a corner.

Josh’s birthday was yesterday. Star Wars presents…MN Vikings cake. Yes, you can get them in WI! (Much to my GBP-loving husband’s chagrine!) He’s wearing the Clone Wars shirt this morning. All is right with the world once more…until NEXT March.

http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/02/duality-by-renee-wildes.html

5 BOOKS!!!

WooHoo!

We have a Paperback Release Date: 11/1/09!!!

http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=30257 WONDERFUL

http://www.ecataromance.com/?p=816 5 STARS

http://blog.lyndacoker.net/2009/02/22/wrdf-review-of-heddas-sword-by-renee-wildes.aspx MEMORABLE

http://loveromancesandmore.blogspot.com/2009/03/heddas-sword-guardians-of-light-series.html 4 STARS

Go to http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/renee-wildes and find out what all the ruckus is about!

Just thought I’d have a little fun here. If you could have any dream birthday present you could conjure up – no holds barred – what would it be? For yourself, personally? Nothing universal like world peace, either. That’s too easy, Miss United States! (Says the closet fan of Miss Congeniality.)

Horseback riding through the woods with Viggo Mortensen? A picnic in the Scottish Highlands with Gerard Butler? Being stranded in a snowy mountain cabin with Hugh Jackman? (Oh, right – those are MY wishes! LOL!)

C’mon – spill! Let’s have some fun and go nuts. The sky’s the limit! Seriously – if you want to joy-ride with the Blue Angels, that’s cool. Today anything goes. Dream away!

VIVI ANDREWS!

Have home Internet again – just in time for Tuesday’s new release of LYCAN TIDES, Bk 3 in Samhain’s Guardians of Light series. Hero Trystan was secondary character in Duality (Bk 1 – Queen Moira’s brother) and I knew then he’d have to have his own book.

Coming Tuesday 7/14/09!

The Anne Cain cover is shown as an example of a lovely cover: http://cerebralreviews.com/

 

“Lycan Tides” by Renee Wildes

Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Fantasy Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-623-5
Length: Novel
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: July 14, 2009
Cover art by Anne Cain

Giving in to the lure of passion could lead to disaster…

Guardians of Light, Book 3

 

Selkie princess Finora is all too familiar with betrayal. Betrayal by her curiosity, which led her from the sea. By her body, which yielded to a handsome human under the full moon. By the human, who hid her skin and took its location with him to his grave. After seven years of searching, she no longer believes in miracles.

 

Trystan is a werewolf on a mission to find and return dragons to his homeland. He follows a slim lead westward across an unfamiliar sea. Gravely wounded in a pirate attack, his ship foundered in a storm and sinking fast, he comes face to face with the most unexpected rescuers—Finora and her two half-human children.

 

Selkie and werewolf. Both creatures ruled by the moon. The attraction is instant, mutual, undeniable…and impossible. Trystan is destined to return to the mountains and Finora can’t leave the sea. Their only gift to each other is one night of searing passion—which could lead to the greatest betrayal of all…

 

Warning: Contains searing passion, bitter betrayal, hard choices, seven-year curses, and lost seal skins. Throw in an impending selkie war and one wicked ship-wrecking storm. Add a cranky sea-goddess, soul-stealing dragons, interfering mermaids, and children in peril.

TODAY’S THE BIG DAY! LYCAN TIDES is now available at http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/shop/product.da/lycan-tides

LYCAN TIDES is dedicated to all the single moms out there who every day make their own miracles happen. Their strength inspires me every day to emulate their example. My heroine Finora’s first husband was lost at sea. She’s raising two kids on her own when Trystan enters her life.

I’ve decided to give half my proceeds of LYCAN TIDES ebook royalties to The Women’s Community, a local shelter who help abused women and children on their first step to safety, freedom, and self-esteem. I stand in awe of their strength and courage in the simple declaration, “I deserve better.”

Take a moment to think about the strong women in your own life, who have influenced you to be more than you were at the time, who helped make you what you are today. A relative, a friend, no matter. Sing out their praises! All comments will be entered in a drawing to win 1 of 2 $25 Barnes & Noble gift cards. Let your own personal heroines shine today!

NANCY & BARBARA!

I had a reader on one of the Yahoo groups I belong to challenge that fantasy writers don’t have to do any research because we just make stuff up as we go along. HUH? Maybe THAT’s what I’ve been doing wrong b/c I’ve been wasting all this time RESEARCHING for YEARS! Hmm… So I took a look at my shelves, and here’s what’s there for all my unnecessary research:

MYTHOLOGY:

• JOSEPH CAMPBELL
• Kalevala
• Saga of the Icelanders
• Celtic Myths & Legends
• Myths of the Norsemen
• Nordic Gods & Heroes
• Edith Hamilton’s Mythology
• Encyclopedia of Gods

HISTORY:

• Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
• Life In Ancient Egypt
• Alexander of Macedon
• Warfare In The Classical World
• On Sparta
• The Spartans
• Thermopylae The Battle For The West
• Attila King of the Huns
• The Year 1000
• Surviving the Iron Age
• In Search of the Dark Ages
• Warriors of the Dark Ages
• Mysterious Lands & Peoples
• Western Europe in the Middle Ages
• Europe In The Central Middle Ages
• Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings
• The Vikings In History
• The Ancient World of the Celts
• A History of Their Own: Women in Europe From Prehistory to the Present
• The Concise History of Costume & Fashion
• Medieval England
• What Life Was Like Among Druids & High kings
• The Celts (actually have 5 different bks/authors – same title)
• The Vikings
• Daily Life In Medieval Times
• ALL THE EDWIN TUNIS BOOKS, Esp.:
  • Wheels
  • Weapons
  • Oars, Sails & Steam

MEDICINE/HEALING:

• The Way of Herbs
• The Herb Book
• Earth Medicine
• The Medicine Way
• Culpepper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician, Enlarged
• Coyote Medicine
• A Midwife’s Tale

MAGIC:

• The Writer’s Guide to Fantasy Literature From Dragon’s Lair to Hero’s Quest
• The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference
• Magickal Mystical Creatures
• Earth Air Fire & Water
• Celtic Traditions
• By Oak Ash & Thorn
• The 21 Lessons of Merlyn
• Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom
• Wisdom of the Elements
• The Book of the Dragon
• The People’s Guide to J.R.R. Tolkien
• Witches & Witchcraft
• Magical Arts
• Ancient Wisdom & Secret Sects

And this doesn’t include my two shelves of WRITING books (characters, plotting, dialogue, conflict, editing) or reference books (distionary, thesaurus, baby names, punctuation) OR my colonial America collection!

Sad to think all those books wasted…

But THEN I got an email from someone asking if my books were set in a real place/time, they seemed so real, and I had a couple reviewers comment about my worldbuilding, (and I got compared to the lovely Bianca D’Arc with both of us being named worldbuilding champs in the same sentence/breath. I LOVE Bianca D’Arc’s books, so that made me sniffle a bit to be mentioned w/HER!) so maybe I’m going something RIGHT.

Right or wrong, I think I’ll keep doing it!

MARY’S QUESTIONS: send answers to mary@MaryHughesBooks.com
1)    In the YouTube trailer for Biting Nixie, what color is Julian’s tie
(not including the chroma shot)?
2)    In her review of Biting Nixie, JoyfullyReviewed.com’s Shayna wants to
learn more about which character?
3)    In the free short story A Biting Christmas Special linked to on
MaryHughesBooks.com, what ring tone does Nixie use for her mom?
4)    In the blurb on MaryHughesBooks.com, Bite My Fire may contain what food?
5)    In her review of Biting Nixie, fallenangelreviews.com’s Hayley’s icon
has what color wings?
6)    Biting Nixie is part of what Samhain Samhellion program?
7)    Bonus question! What is the time period for the dance tune used in the
Biting Nixie Trailer? Bonus-bonus—what’s the name of the dance?
8)    Bonus question! What Taekwondo form is described in the posted Biting
Nixie excerpt?
9)    Bonus question! What is cussing for?

RENEE’S QUESTIONS: send answers to http://www.reneewildes.net/contact.html 

1.) What are the names of my two free holiday reads on my website? Hint: They were Samhellion freebies…

http://www.reneewildes.net

2.) DUALITY won the 2008 Reviewer’s Choice Award from which review site? http://www.reneewildes.net

3.) Who is my favorite PBR cowboy? http://www.reneewildes1.wordpress.com

4.) What review site did an expose on book covers where LYCAN TIDES was sited as a good example of Anne Cain’s work? http://www.guardiansoflight.wordpress.com 

5.)In HEDDA’S SWORD, whom does Cianan suggest might be able to help Maleta’s brother Jovan?

Hint: Excerpt  http://www.reneewildes.net 

6.)In LYCAN TIDES, what’s the name of the sea goddess Finora rails against? http://www.guardiansoflight.wordpress.com

2 BONUS QUESTIONS: (Gets an extra “name ticket” in the drawing)

Who’s the “model” for Loren in DUALITY’s book trailer? Hint: His eyes are Photoshopped a different color

http://www.reneewildes.net 

What artist provides the music for my book trailers? http://www.reneewildes.net

My kids and I have always recycled, but our latest thing is to volunteering at the New Life Pet Adoption Center, a local (well, okay, semi-local) no-kill humane society. They’re totally dependent on volunteers and donations. So I signed me and the kids up. I figured it’s a good way for them to learn how to make a difference in the world around them. They love animals, and it’ll teach them empathy and responsibility. Josh loves cats. Tami wants to be a vet and it’s never too early to pad a resume for them. We’re working weekends, cleaning cages, feeding & watering, & just “socializing” which is the technical term for grooming/petting/exercising (playing with) the critters. It’s the perfect job!

We’ll be selling soda at the county fair this Sunday afternoon as part of their fundraiser.

We went to the Milwaukee Zoo this weekend, and they got to see a whole variety of endangered species, and what zoos are doing to help. My kids grew up watching my hero, the late Steve Irwin, so I want to make sure they have an appreciation for the planet and everything on it.

I hope everyone who buys a soda appreciates a couple of kids trying to pitch in and make their world a better place. I try to follow their good example!

DUALITY

Go to my Guardians of Light character blog and leave a comment on any of the entries thus far. My heroines have commented on a variety of topics important to them, and would love to hear your opinion on their subjects.

All who enter go into a drawing for one free ebook of choice of my titles,

Duality-Hedda’s Sword-Lycan Tides

Simply go to http://www.guardiansoflight.wordpress.com and comment to enter, enter to win!