Mr. Alpha, what do you do for a living?

When I'm in the midst of developing a character, particularly a hero, the occupation is something I spend a great deal of time on. My heroes are pretty alpha. They're usually focused, strong-willed and yeah...arrogant and demanding in many cases :). There's just something about a take charge man, a man who is both controlling and possessive while exhibiting a core of unshakable integrity. Sigh... And of course, it's very satisfying to watch such a man come completely unravelled by the 'right' woman.

Those attributes though lend themselves to certain types of jobs, or probably more accurately, may eliminate a bunch as viable options. An occupation can define who someone is, can drive their goals or be used to achieve them. It can be a source of passion, of angst and can even provide a source of conflict. For me, an occupation has to fit the character first and foremost, but there are a group of common occupations for just this type of hero. Some I've written myself and others I've seen in books I've read. The most used for the typical alpha hero seem to be:

• Fireman
• Cop/law enforcement
• Military/special ops. Navy seal anyone?
• Private security specialist
• Demolitions expert
• Air marshal
• War journalist
• Self made millionaire

 What others would you consider alpha occupations? What jobs have you seen represented in books you've read? What occupations would you like to see more of?

For Love of a Wounded Man

Far From Broken, the first book of my Seasons of Invention series focused on Jasper and Callie, who were trying to find their way back to each other after a terrible event changed their lives forever. Callie had lost both of her legs, a hand, and an eye, and she’d been dealing with a lot of anger about it, while her husband had guilt up to his eyeballs and fear that he was going to lose the only thing that mattered to him even if, technically, she was going to live. There was a lot for them to wade through before they could even think about being happy again, and at the end of the book I felt glad for them that they would make it, but I wanted to show readers that it still wasn’t going to be an easy road.

That’s why I really enjoyed writing book 2, Broken Promises. I was able to go deeper into the lives of these two people, explore their healing process, and the extent of their love for each other in more depth.

But in book 2 we also meet Captain Jamie Dunsmoor, who has also been wounded in the line of duty, also been transformed by the War Office’s advanced medical, and isn’t happy about it. It’s cost him everything. His family. His career. His freedom.

Now I’m starting to plot for Dunsmoor’s book, and while I don’t necessarily want to have to become immersed in another character’s pain again, I know his story is going to have some darkness. I still haven’t found the right heroine to balance that, the one to bring him back into the light. But I’m working on it. I think she’s going to have to have a lot of spunk, and a lot of strength.

How much darkness do you want in the books you read? Do you want the nitty-gritty moments to be thick and black like oil and pull no punches, or do you read to get away from all that?

JK Coi

www.jkcoi.com

J.K. Coi is a multi-published, award winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She makes her home in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and son and a feisty black cat who is the uncontested head of the household. While she spends her days immersed in the litigious world of insurance law, she is very happy to spend her nights writing dark and sexy characters who leap off the page and into readers’ hearts.

Broken Promises (Book 2, Seasons of Invention)

Former ballerina Callie Carlisle is determined to rebuild her life with her new mechanical limbs. She's just learned to accept the enhancements that saved her from certain death when she experiences uncontrollable twinges and flashes of light that obscure her vision. Terrified of literally falling apart, she resists telling her husband. Jasper's already vowed to keep her out of harm, and she doesn't want to worry him further.

When the War Office's General Black arrives with an urgent mission—rescue the doctor who created Callie's enhancements—she has no choice but to accept. A rogue agent and former patient of the scientist believes the biomechanical modifications he received are killing him, and he's out for revenge.

Callie must reach the doctor before it's too late. But with an overprotective Jasper at her side, and her alarming symptoms getting more frequent, will she be able to hold herself together long enough to save the doctor...and herself?

Available now! 

Carina Press / Amazon  /  Barnes and Noble

Here Be News (And Halloween Party Week 3 Giveaway!)

Halloween Party - Week 3 Giveaway!
First of all, we'd like to congratulate Anna Genest, who won our Week 2 prize: the author mentorship package with Jeffe Kennedy!

This week, we're selecting not just one, but five (yes, five!) winners for our next prize. Five lucky winners will receive a first chapter critique from one of our participating authors - Evey Brett, David Bridger, Seleste Delaney, Nicole Luiken, or Shawna Thomas. Please note: Winners will be paired with authors at random. To enter, fill out the form below, and don't forget, you can still enter to win either a Kindle Fire HD or Nook HD by filling out the form here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Links of Interest

From NYTimes: "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced on Sunday that it had acquired the United States rights to publish a previously unknown work by J. R. R. Tolkien, “The Fall of Arthur.” The book, set for publication in May, chronicles the last days of King Arthur..."

The Great Spurt Study: A Seminal Look at Lora Leigh's Usage of Spurt

10 of the Grossest and Most Grotesque Vampires from Folklore. My fave is the last one. "The cats..."

Did you see the Arrow this week? If you missed it, you can watch it here. Really liked this new show.

Here Be Magic Group Announcements

What’s your favorite thing about Alpha Heroes? Veronica Scott and 200 other authors are ready to share their favorite Alpha Males, favorite things about them, and everything sexy and heated about those Alpha Males you can think of. *wink* Starting on Friday the 19th and ending on Oct 22nd, over 200 Authors and Bloggers will share their favorite things about those sexy men we know and love.

EACH author is doing a giveaway.
But that's not all....
There are THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times! The prizes are:
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: An astounding Swag Pack!


What's new with you? Read any good books lately?

Meet the Author - Jody Wallace & Meankitty

 Continuing our series of interviews with the Here Be Magic Authors, today we're talking with Jody Wallace and the famously infamous MeanKitty. Jody's giving away one free book - read thru the conversation to find out how to win!

Tell us a little about yourself:  

 I write paranormal romance as Jody Wallace and steamy romance as Ellie Marvel. The rest of the time I obey the whims of Meankitty. She’s thinking of starting up a review site just so she can badmouth my books. I’m telling you, it’s not an easy life I live.

What prompted you to start writing?

 I got in less trouble when I told my mom all my “lies” were actually “fiction, Mom, jeez.”

What’s your writing process? Where do you write?

 My writing process is to come up with some AWESOME premise that makes it onto the page if I’m lucky, because I usually think that shit up at three a.m. or when I’m driving or at some other inconvenient time. When I work on my books, I write in my shabby maroon recliner, which makes me feel like I’ve been punched in the spine after about 2000 words. That’s when I know I’ve done enough for that day.

Which three books would you take to a desert island and why?

 Everything You Need to Know to Survive on a Desert Island, for obvious reasons; The Complete Works of Some Old Dead White Man From Centuries Ago Who Wrote a Shitload of Books, because I suspect life on a desert island will give me insomnia; and Everything Else You Need to Know to Survive on a Desert Island that Volume 1 Forgot to Mention, because I believe in the power of revision.

 Which five people (real, fictional, historical) would you invite to dinner and why?

 I would invite my sister to dinner, because she can’t cook; I would invite my BFF Cathy P. in Alaska to dinner, because I’ve never actually met her and presumably the dinner invite would inspire her to visit; I would invite Yoda to dinner, because I don’t think he’d eat much and we’d all get a kick out of him saying, “Eat or do not, there is no try” to my 6 year old; I’d invite Spiderman to dinner, because my husband is his biggest fan and it would really make him happy…of course Spidey wouldn’t show up, but we’d know it was because he was out fighting crime, so it’s totally okay; and last but not least, I’d invite Susan B Anthony to dinner on Election Day, because she never got to see women in the United States voting, and we’d have some nice sandwiches while we stood in the long lines at the polls.(VS sez: Wow, can I attend that dinner??? Sounds like FUN...)

What’s your guilty pleasure?

 Vintage clothes. I buy them in thrifts and SAY I’m going to spruce them up for modern wear…but really, what are attics for?

 

How do you celebrate when you finish a novel?

 I refuse to cook or clean! This is different from normal days where I have totally valid EXCUSES not to cook and clean.

What has surprised you about being a published author?

 That I have not been elected Queen of the Literary Universe yet.

Do you do a lot of research for your books?

Yes! No. Wait, sometimes. Maybe. I’d have to look that up.

Have you ever used an incident from real life in one of your books?

 Oh, very much. When I was in West Virginia that one time and met those werewolves, I totally had to use my magical herbal witch powers to keep them from turning on the night of the full moon. I saved their hairy butts! They were all at a concert that night, see, and people with their thousands of camera phones would have blown their cover. I told them they should go to the monster truck rally, but nooooooo, wolves are such One Directioners.

Quickfire:

Favorite TV Show: Hubby says it’s Castle. Since Firefly isn’t on anymore.

Cats or Dogs? CATS. (VS sez: Right, duh, I shouldn't have even ASKED that one. Hope MeanKitty forgives me!)

Tea or coffee:  coffee

Boxers or Briefs: On my head? Briefs. On my husband? Boxers. On my husband’s head? Well, he refuses to cooperate with that.

Sweet or spicy: Sweecy.

Favorite food: Sweecy stuff.

Favorite time of the year: Fall

Finish this sentence  “I believe in the Magic of….Broadway. No, that’s a lullaby, sorry.”

What are you working on next? The sequel to Pack and Coven.

What one question do you want to ask your Readers today? Who wants a free book? No, really. Go to my website and look at all the stories I have available. First person to email me and mention this interview gets an ebook of their choice.

Where can your Readers find you online? NOT IN THE COMMENT S SECTION OF POLITICAL BLOGS. I’m not allowed. You could check www.jodywallace.com and www.meankitty.com if you want, though.

Buy Links for books:

 Stalking Evan: http://www.jodywallace.com/books/stalkingevan.htm

Pack and Coven:  http://www.jodywallace.com/books/packandcoven.htm

Halloween party giveaway - Week 2

WEEK 2 GIVEAWAY:
This week we've got a great treat to give away for writers, courtesy of our own super fabulous Jeffe Kennedy, whose novella Sapphire was a RomCon Readers' Crown finalist and took first in the short erotica category in Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s first annual International Digital Awards contest. The author of five published works, with more scheduled for release, Jeffe's latest novel is Rogue's Pawn, a fantasy adventure set in a magical land.

Jeffe will mentor the winner of this week's giveaway for a month, offering a three-chapter and synopsis critique, query letter critique and brainstorming session on who to query. This prize is best for work in permutations of erotic and fantasy romance.

Want to win? Complete your entries below. We'll announce the winner Monday, Oct. 15.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

KINDLE FIRE HD or NOOK HD GIVEAWAY:
Yep, there's still time to enter this month's main giveaway - winner's choice of a Kindle Fire HD or Nook HD. Just complete your entries below. Good luck, and remember to check back next week for our Week 3 prize!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here Be News

No new releases this week but we have two new cover reveals

Legends speak of three stones crafted in a forgotten time–ancient stones that must be reunited for the land to be whole again. The Siobani people have one stone, and another has been lost to memory. The third stone belongs to Sara. Raised by her grandfather on a remote island, Sara has learned everything she can about the stones, and about the Siobani people.
When her grandfather dies, Sara finds herself alone, away from the familiar ocean and tasked with finding the holders of the other stones—but it will not be easy. On the mainland, the Siobani and all knowledge of the stones have faded into legend.
Armed with little more than determination. Sara sets off. Along the way, she meets Zeynel, a mysterious peddler who seems to know about Teann, the source of the stones’ power. Together, Sara and Zeynel travel to the desert lands where they meet a nomadic people, the Heilini.
The Heilini, and their charismatic leader, welcome Sara with open arms. When the leader's son is kidnapped, Sara offers to help. With the guidance of Zeynel and the stone, she discovers a plot that could alter the desert lands forever. A plot hatched by a wearer of the missing stone... and he's been searching for her too.

Available February 2013

Althea Grant is doing fine. Sure, her Charleston gallery is suffering from the bad economy, and her artistic aspirations have gone nowhere. But she’s happy enough. When rugged metal sculptor Steel rides up on his motorcycle looking to rent studio space, his infusion of cash is more than welcome. But his art is raw, visceral, sexual—and completely inappropriate for her pastel world of watercolor landscapes.
Steel, fascinated by Althea’s rare albino coloring, sees in her the key to his next piece: a metal satyr that can be used for bondage games. Moving into her gallery basement is the first step; seducing the coolly polite lady into modeling for him is the second.
As Steel peels away her careful manners and tasteful outfits, Althea begins to realize her life isn’t just fine at all—it’s as pale and washed-out as the watercolor paintings she’s failing to sell. Can she transform her life and accept her most secret desires?

Available February 2013

Links of Interest

From Carina Press: Submissions opportunity: one week only…feedback & 6 week response time. And you can find out what editors are looking for on the Fall '12 Call for Submissions.

From RWA: Romance Literature Statistics: Readership Statistics

Interesting article. THE FUTURE OF THE AUTHOR-PUBLISHER RELATIONSHIP: "The future I would like to propose is one in which the publisher truly serves as a partner that seeks to empower its authors, and freely shares as much knowledge and information as it has available."

Skyfall pics! Daniel Craig Boxes, Javier Bardem Plays Dress Up In New Pics From 'Skyfall'.

I think this is a GREAT idea for a Here Be Magic group bonding trip. Sick of live-action zombie survival games? Try an overnight werewolf hunt.

Here Be Magic Group Announcements

Congratulations to Deb Wunder for winning last week's Meet and Greet prize! (You can still enter to win the grand prize here.) We'll announce our next prize tomorrow. Be sure to check back for details.

Cindy Spencer Pape will be interviewed live on “What the Els?” on Flint Talk Radio Tues. Oct. 9 at 1:30 pm Eastern US. www.flinttalkradio.com

What's new with you? Have you read any good books lately?

Remembering Differently

I write steampunk.

Phonograph
Azelia Ley Homestead

Such a simple sentence, but it means so many different things to different people. For me, it means a chance to explore history, to play with it and to challenge the world of today via an imagined past.

I've always loved history - not the Great Men doing Great Things stories, but the intimate social histories. How did people feel? How did they respond to the troubles of their time?

One of the most tangible ways to encounter the lives of the (relatively recent) past is to visit local museums.

Old Post Office
Perth, Australia

Walking through old streets is also incredibly evocative...though you have to remember to look up!

There are surprises everywhere -- and those surprises connect you to the lives, aspirations and humour of the people who lived here before you.

Fiction is one of my favourite ways to bring alive the past. The joy of steampunk is that it acknowledges -- heck, it celebrates -- the fact that such stories are shaped as much by present moods as past realities.

Stories tell us who we are. Steampunk means we could be anyone.

***

COURTING TROUBLE

The Bustlepunk Chronicles #2

Swan River Colony, Australia, 1895

All suffragette Esme Smith wants is respect. Her beau, American inventor Jed Reeve, may be more enlightened than most men, but lately his need to protect her is at odds with her need for independence. Esme begins to wonder if a modern woman can share her life with a man without losing some of herself.

With his courtship of Esme stalled, the last thing Jed needs is the pressure of saving the Prince of Wales. But when blueprints for a sonic destroyer fall into his hands, he uncovers an anarchist plot that could have deadly consequences.

While investigating the threats, Jed is determined to keep Esme out of harm’s way, despite her protests. But when the terrorists capture Jed and demand a priceless emerald in exchange for his life, it’s Esme who must draw on all her strength to save the day.

Amazon    B&N

Read the reviews at Goodreads

***

Jenny Schwartz is an Australian author in love with living in the suburbs. What could be nicer than chatting to your neighbour over the back fence? She's currently mis-using her history degree to write steampunk and can be bribed with TimTams. You can catch up with Jenny at her website, on Twitter, Facebook  or Tumblring about steampunk.