Thursday, January 24, 2013

A treadmill, a hair cut and Paris ROW80 week 3

Sometimes life is like running on a treadmill. You find a nice steady pace around 4 on the dial. You can keep up with, tasks come along and you jog right through them. Then someone walks by your machine and cranks the dial up to 10. Life gets busy, crazy and that jog turns out to a full out run.

Still doable but… there’s always that shoelace that comes undone and trips you up. Sometimes you can regain balance and run through the craziness, other times…. Well other times you just fly off the belt and lay on the floor for a while counting stars.

Jean Paul as we run through Paris. Hey I can dream :)

Life is full of those crazy moments it’s how you deal with them that makes the difference. While you’re on the floor taking in those stars, think about the events that have lead up becoming airborne. What was the catalyst? Is there something you can do that would help turn that dial back down to a manageable pace?

When you can get a breath and peel up from the tile take a break. Doesn’t have to be a long one, even five or ten minutes makes a world of difference. Take a break do something that has nothing to do with what is stressing you. Get some fresh air, read a book, indulge in a sweet treat, have a shopping therapy session.

Now you’re ready to get back on that treadmill and imagine you're running through the streets of Paris with sexy Jean Paul. Oui Oui!

You’ll be able to look at everything with fresh eyes to pinpoint where those laces got tangled. It’s easier to untangle the knot with a relaxed clear head, than to try and struggle with the burden of frustrations.

This week was that kind of week for me easy going then whoa! Then my birthday so I took that day off and indulged. I got a much needed hair cut (11 inches off !) and had lunch with my son. It was a nice afternoon and a much needed respite. Though, I failed one goal, I didn’t get my article for the week finished. I don’t feel discouraged, I’m ready to get back on that treadmill.

It’s a new week for ROW80 and the treadmill is reset. Speaking of … time to reset goals.

1. 1000 words a day

2. Edit for at least 30 minutes every day.

3. Write one article a week.

Your turn! What do you do to recharge after getting thrown off the treadmill?

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Author Stromie Kent talks about the novel setting for Battling Rapture

Today we're welcoming Stormie Kent Author of Battling Rapture to the ludis. Kick back and have a read as Stormie talks about her latest novel's setting. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

Book Length: Novel

Genre: Futuristic Erotic Romance

Release Date: January 18, 2013

Thanks for having me on Gladiator’s Pen today.

When I was writing Battling Rapture, there were scenes where I wanted the scenery to not only say something about the futuristic world my heroine lived in after Earth is invaded by aliens, but also about the woman who was my heroine. She had to be everything the heroine in my previous book wasn’t. That difference was the result of the trauma they had both experienced as children. Niki (Battling Rapture) is resourceful, hostile, guarded and dangerous. What kind of environment would test her limits? What would Earth look like after a battle with aliens?

I decided to open with a hospital. Why? I wanted to take a place everyone goes when they are hurt or injured and destroy the hope of finding solace there. I thought of scenery in terms of damage from firepower. I imagined the accelerated wear and tear on a building long neglected. I wondered what had happened to all of the animals in the area. Then I threw my heroine in and waited to see what she would do. The excerpt below is just a snippet. I hope you enjoy it.

BLURB

Niki is captured by hostile aliens after Earth is invaded. Once a soldier, she is now a slave. She is sold to the highest bidder, and then lost in a game of cards to a tall Ordanian spaceship captain, who claims to have been sent to rescue her. They work together to survive the dangers of the United Universe, while Niki battles her desire for the only man to ever enflame her mind, body and soul.

Captain Rhine’s mission is to reunite the Earth woman with her family. Outmaneuvering beast shifters and a crazed stalker are the very least he is willing to do to keep her by his side. Her touch ignites his passion. Her scent drives his lust. Her strength eases his soul even as she challenges him every step of the way. In the end, Rhine understands, the biggest battle is for her heart.

EXCERPT

The following excerpt is for those readers who are 18 and over only.

She filled bags with medicines, needles and bandages. She saw a pile of hospital gowns and shoved those in too. She had a little of everything loaded into the packs, including soap, hospital toothbrushes and sheets. Their third salvage mission might be their last. The next time they came, the entire place could be vaporized. This was the only city for miles which still contained the original architecture and infrastructure—even if it was in ruins.

She walked to the gaping hole in the wall. Craters dotted the landscape. Some were filled with buildings, others with vehicles. The building across from her had the top two floors collapsed in. All the windows were blown out. She looked down. Movement caught her eye, and she quickly hid behind what was left of a pillar. She carefully peered down again and relaxed when she noticed it was only a pack of stray dogs.

At least it isn’t a lion or tiger from the zoo.

She heard a whistle, and then a man stepped into the doorway.

“You ready, Niki?” Antoine said.

“Yes, let’s get these down to the wagons and go get the others. I hope they found baby formula and ammunition.”

Dragging the heavy packs down the emergency exit stairwell was slow work. When they reached the ER entrance, they began loading the bags in the carts.

“I wish I knew how the aliens track us when we use cars and trucks. This would be so much easier without the horse and cart,” Antoine said.

“Just be happy we don’t have to hike back up the mountain with this stuff on our backs or pulling it behind us on a makeshift gurney.” She was slightly out of breath. Some of the bags she’d packed weighed more than she did. She pulled her gun from her hip. “You steer the cart. I’ll be lookout.”

There were four teams spread out all over the city. They needed to pick them up and make it back to the mountain by late afternoon without stumbling onto an alien hunting party.

She scanned the rubble for dead bodies. They tried to burn them when they could. If not, the animals—well, it was better if they burned the bodies. She refocused. She had a job to do. To make it back to camp safely, they all needed to use their heads, stay sharp and work as a team.

Their survival depended on it.

Want more? Click the link for another excerpt.

Now for my blog tour contest. Every eligible comment along my blog tour will be entered to win. All those who enter a positive comment here between now and 11:59 p.m. Eastern (USA) on February 1, 2013 will be entered in a drawing for a $20 Amazon eGiftcard. You must leave a valid email address in the comments to be entered. The winner will be announced the night of February 2, 2013 on my blog, http://stormiekent.wordpress.com.

Happy Reading!

Stormie Kent

Monday, January 21, 2013

The 7 Line Challenge and a vampire's kiss

Writers are asked to post 7 lines from either the 7^thline down on either the 7th or 77^th page of their book or work in progress. I dare you to say that 7 times fast :) The following passage comes from my paranormal thriller HALF.

Valeska appeared to glide along the floor. Her movements were almost ethereal as she approached a man with long dark hair like hers. He wore black jeans and a white shirt that looked like something a pirate might wear. A gold cross-dangled from a hoop in the man’s ear. It should have seemed absurd but somehow it seemed just as it should be.

Valeska bowed before him but the man raised her chin and kissed her lips lightly. In a

macabre dance, they turned as he offered her his wrist and in return, she offered hers.

Each took a moment to kiss the sweet pulse there before taking a different kind of kiss.

A vampire’s kiss. Each sipped then let go.

Did you enjoy that little tease? You can get the full novel on Amazon or Smashwords

Now seven fellow writers are nominated to take the challenge.

Rose Mangrobang

Michelle Moon

Michelle Turner

Vanna Smythe

Stormie Kent

Pepper Philips

Mia Downing

Friday, January 18, 2013

OneWord 60 Seconds: Sound

The room was quiet but for the sound of water dripping from the corner. It was dark and damp, smelled like dirt, a basement maybe. She twisted and pulled at the ropes on her wrists. A sound from the corner made her pause. Scratch.. scratch...the rustle of paper or maybe cloth then a large rat ran across her feet. She gasped and wiggled her feet as much as the ropes would let her. There wasn't much time left, she worked harder and managed to loosen the knots just enough. Her hands trembled and pulled furiously on the other bonds until the door creaked and a sliver of light crept toward her. He was back.

OneWord.com is a website for getting the muse warmed up. Each day you get one word and sixty seconds in which to write what it inspires.This is my entry for today's One Word. What's yours? For more of my past One Word entries check out my One Word Profile EliseV

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Short term goals are the yellow brick road to success

Last week I set two simple goals to accomplish this Round of Words session. To write every day and write at least one article a week. *does a happy dance * I met those goals and have been feeling a bit more spring in my step because of it.

Goals are important motivational tools for most facets of our lives. We have weight goals, employment goals, life goals, and so on… All those are long term goals, our Emerald City.

We want to get to the Emerald City, achieve success in our goal and that’s going to take time. Maybe a lot of it. If we solely strive to reach the city we’re going to stumble and maybe even get so discouraged that it’s taking so long to get there we give up.

That is why short term goals are important. The yellow brick road that leads to your Emerald City won’t just appear like it did for Dorothy. We have to build it with short term goals as our bricks.

Short term goals should be simple with a reasonable time limit. That is the real key to success. Short and simple.

Trudging through Oz can be daunting some days. Looking up the Emerald City that long term goal looks so far away and possibly unachievable. With each successful short term goal we’re encouraged and more confident that we can make it to the end of the yellow brick road.

Sure, there’s going to be an occasional flying monkey show up to knock us off the path. That’s okay, don’t let it put a pothole in your road, stuff happens, it’s what makes our lives interesting. We’ll just kick the hell out of that monkey with our ruby slippers by readjusting our short term goal a bit.

Stuff a little hay here, a drop or two of oil there and viola we’re off to see the wizard once again. Even though our long term goal is fixed and unchangeable, short term goals make up for that. We can flex a short term goal as much as we need to so we keep heading down that yellow brick road for success.

Don’t forget to take the time to celebrate each of those successes. Remembering how good making a goal feels will keep us striving to make the next one, and get through those flying monkey attacks.

Now it’s time for to set my ROW80 goals for this week. I’m setting a goal for this session. To finish re-editing Don’t Touch for re-launching. My goals for this next week will be the same as last week, to write every day, write at least one article a week. Plus edit for at least 30 minutes each day.

Let’s see how far those bricks take me. I know there’s going to be some flying monkeys popping in. That’s okay I’ve got my six inch ruby slippers on to kick some monkey ass. Next stop Emerald City.

What are your goals this week? What do you do to combat those monkeys when they pop up in the way of your goal?

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Gladiator's Pen chats with publishing icon Bella Andre about writing habits and success

Publishing icon Bella Andre, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the contemporary romance series, The Sullivan joins us in the ludis today. Bella will tell us about her writing habits and success. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including special romantic swag baskets for each book, an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, and Kobo eReader, and Amazon and iTunes gift cards! So refill your cuppa and let's get started!

1. Tell us about writing and publishing your very first novel. What were your expectations when you first waded into the self-publishing pond? Is there anything you would do differently if given another chance?
I honestly had no expectations other than some of my loyal readers would finally get a chance to read my book - and that was enough for me. Meeting so many new readers and fans has been icing on a cake I had no idea was being served.

2. You're an icon in the indie publishing community. Your success is something we all aspire to. What do you believe has been the greatest contributing factor to the success of your novels? Thank you, that's lovely to hear. I've so enjoyed self-publishing these past couple of years, and I've been lucky to have the most wonderful fans with me every step of the way. There are so many things that go into success, but I think my focus and determination - along with the best readers in the world - have been the biggest factors.

3. What was your reaction when you first found out you broke onto the New York Times and USA Today best-sellers' lists? How did you celebrate?

Actually, it's kind of a funny story. I was on my way to the RWA National conference last summer and was sitting in the airport in Albany, New York when I found out I had three books on the USA Today bestsellers list. I called my husband and we had a mini celebration on the phone. I flew into Atlanta where I was switching planes for Anaheim, and when we landed I turned on my phone and checked my email. An agent (not mine, I was agentless at the time) had emailed me with the title "CONGRATULATIONS, New York Times!" That was when I found out I also had three books on the New York Times bestseller list…and I started crying. On the airplane. With a very conservative woman sitting next to me. She must have thought I was losing it, because she promptly turned her back on me. :) Of course I called my husband and cried happy tears some more. That night when I got into Anaheim, all of my closest writing friends came up to my room and we celebrated. It was AWESOME!

4. You've recently shared some very exciting news—Harlequin MIRA has optioned the print rights for The Sullivans in a record-breaking seven-figure deal. Congratulations! How did this transpire? And how does it affect your writing and publishing plans?
Thank you, I'm beyond thrilled about it and Harlequin have been a dream to work with. They are so incredibly enthusiastic about putting The Sullivans out in paperback in English all over the world, with a simultaneous launch in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia starting this June and going back-to-back each month with the first eight books through April 2014. My ebook sales numbers for the self-published Sullivan series had been growing bigger and bigger in the year since I'd started publishing the series, and I knew a print-only deal was going to happen soon. When so many Sullivans hit the New York Times and USA Today all at once, that was when the publishers started calling and making offers. I truly feel that Harlequin is the *perfect* publisher for my sexy, emotional contemporary romance Sullivan series. Because I retained all of my ebook, audiobook, foreign translation and film/TV rights, I am continuing to put out my Sullivans, and other future books, as self-published ebooks and audio books. I have released seven Sullivan ebooks so far and the eighth (ALWAYS ON MY MIND, Lori Sullivan's story) will be out this spring…and I have a great idea for a brand new series that I hope to start writing this year as well. I have licensed the series in Brazil, France and Portugal so far, and the first two books are already big bestsellers in Brazil, which is very exciting.

5. You write fast! Not only do you produce several novels per year, you produce several well written, polished novels per year. What is your writing process like? Do you have any advice for other wordsmiths struggling with productivity?
Thanks for the great compliment. I work so hard on my stories to make sure they're emotional and fun and sexy and that they take my readers out of their lives for a little while. I write every day, everywhere, no matter what. I don't wait for inspiration or a muse to come calling. Fortunately, my favorite thing is writing. In fact, today as I was sniffling over my keyboard during a really emotional scene between my hero and heroine, I was thinking how very happy it made me to be able to write books all day…and to know that I have the best fans in the world waiting to read them!

6. In the early days, what did you do to market your books? Would you recommend these strategies to writers in today's market?

I took a really personal approach. Because I had started digital publishing in response to my readers who had emailed asking me for books, whenever I released a book, I individually emailed each and every single reader to let them know about it. Now, thanks to Facebook and Twitter, I can interact with my readers in other ways that let me spend more time on actually writing, and I recommend doing anything that puts you in touch with your readers.

7. How has making it big changed your approach to writing and marketing your work? Has it changed your approach?
I truly believe that my fans want me to spend more time writing and less time gabbing. :) So I always err on the side of writing…and then once I've met my page count goals for the day, I go onto twitter and Facebook and answer emails.

8. You've connected with a large international fan base. Do readers abroad respond differently to your novels than those in the USA? Which countries in particular have fallen in love with your work?
I'm having a love affair with my Brazilian readers, and I also love love love my Australia/New Zealand, UK and Canadian readers as well! They're so passionate and supportive of The Sullivans - but I've been really fortunate to find readers everywhere have been kind and amazing.

9. You attend a lot of conferences. Recently, you delivered the keynote address at the 2012 Book Expo America. How have conferences contributed to your writing career?
Conferences are an amazing opportunity to stay abreast of what's happening in the business. I get incredible value out of networking in the lounge and hearing what people are up to and what ideas they have. The thing is, I truly love this business and everyone I've met had been wonderful…so it's really not work at all for me. In fact, going to a conference and meeting with people is always such fun.

10. My, you are a busy bee! How do you find balance between writing, publishing, and promoting your books and the rest of your life? Any tips for the rest of us?
Give up sleep and sanity…and have an awesome husband who is happy to take care of absolutely everything non-book-related in your life! :) But seriously - get a good team behind you. I have a team of beta readers, editors, proofers and digital file producers, I work with great bloggers, and I also have the love and support of my family. Everyone thinks "indie publishing" means being independent, but it's not the case at all. While you get to be charge of your own career and your own vision, you also work with tons of great people to put your book out there!

The Sullivans are on tour with Novel Publicity. Follow along for your chance to win amazing prizes. We've got special romantic swag baskets for each book, an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, and Kobo eReader, and Amazon and iTunes gift cards. WOW! You'll also get introduced to this amazing contemporary romance series via excerpts as well as interviews with and guest posts from New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Bella Andre. You'll definitely want to learn more about the family that has captured the world's heart. All the info you need to join the fun and enter to win amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win! To Win the Prizes:

Purchase any of the Sullivan ebooks by Bella Andre for just $4.99 (optional)
Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity (go here)
Visit today’s featured social media event (that's where the HUGE prizes are)

About The Sullivans: In this sexy, emotional and funny contemporary romance series, each member of the Sullivan family will eventually find true love...usually where he or she least expects it. Get the eBooks via Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, the iBookStore, or the Kobo Store. Audiobooks are also available for the first five in the series (with more coming soon). Plus, keep an eye out for paperback editions coming from Harlequin Romance starting Summer 2013.

About the Author: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Bella Andre has always been a writer. Songs came first, and then non-fiction books, but as soon as she started writing her first romance novel, she knew she'd found her perfect career. Known for "sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance" (Publishers Weekly) about sizzling alpha heroes and the strong women they'll love forever, nearly all of her novels have appeared on Top 10 lists at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and Kobo. Her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine "Red Hot Reads" twice and have been translated into nine languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post has called her "One of the top digital writers in America" and she has been featured by NPR, USA Today, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. She has given the keynote speech at Book Expo America on her self-publishing success and has sold more than one million books. If not behind her computer, you can find her reading her favorite authors, hiking, swimming or laughing. Married with two children, Bella splits her time between the Northern California wine country and a 100 year old log cabin in the Adirondacks.

Sign up for Bella's newsletter at www.eepurl.com/eXj22
Visit Bella's website at www.BellaAndre.com
Follow Bella on twitter at www.twitter.com/bellaandre
Join Bella on Faceboook at www.facebook.com/bellaandrefans

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, January 10, 2013

A Lady Never Cheats on the Something New Something Naughty Blog Hop

Gladiator’s Pen is part of the Something New Something Naughty Blog Hop running from January 10^th thru 13.^th, sponsored by Jennifer Wright and Lisabet Sarai. They're giving away great 3 great prizes! One lucky winner will receive the grand prize of a $60 gift certificate to EdenFantasys, and 2 $25 gift certificates for the book site of the readers choice. (Amazon, B&B, All Romance E-book or Total-E-Bound)

Enjoy the short story below and as an added bonus two lucky commenters will win an e-copy of my novel HALF! So be sure to leave a comment with your email or Twitter below.

A Lady Never Cheats
by Elise VanCise

The rowdy noise of the saloon floor rose up to where Caroline and some of the girls leaned on the balcony rail. Caroline took a long breath as she gazed down at the floor.

Miners had started to fill the room, their pockets filled with gold nuggets and ready to spend their new found fortunes. Caroline was ready to relieve them of it. One man burst with laughter, her husband had laughed that way. May he rest in hell.

With that thought it was time to get to work. She checked her bodice and her gun hidden in her skirt, and then walked down the stairs. A young miner eager for company caught her hand at the landing. “How much for your time? “

She raised a brow was he referring to her as a … she tilted her head with a sassy grin. “Sorry, darlin’, you can’t afford me?”

Caroline paused at the bar to pick up a bottle. After a glance around, she sat near the poker table to watch the players for a few hands. After the fourth hand played one of the men folded, closed his cards and gathered what was left of his wealth.

When he vacated the table with the remainder of his cash to the bar, Caroline smiled as she takes the seat. “Evening boys, mind if I take some of your money?”

A few laughed heartily as she poured herself a drink and tossed her ante into the pot. The pot was well stocked with cash and gold bits. She would be able to move out of his stink hole and into the hotel for a few days on this kit.

The dealer began the ritualistic shuffle and toss of cards before he passed them round. Caroline waited until all five were dealt before she picked them up in her dainty gloved fingers.

The player to her left a well-to-do rancher leaned over with a grin. “Just match the numbers, honey.”

Caroline closed her cards and held them to breast, with an innocent expression. “Thank you, for your advice. I’m such a novice at the game.”

Three hours later….

The dealer called for the final time and Caroline laid a straight flush across the table top. Two of the men swore and sighed as they tossed their cards back to the dealer. The third shook his head. “You must have that beginners luck or somthin, Miss Watson.”

Caroline grinned and reached out to pull the large pot her way. “Thank you, gentlemen. It’s been a true pleasure meeting your acquaintance this evening.”

The rancher scoffed and grabbed her wrist. “You’re not taking my money. This was a con of some sort.” He jerked her sleeve up searching; the pearl buttons snapped off and tumbled into the cash.

Caroline tried to pull her arm back but his grip was too tight. “Sir, I assure you, my game has been honest. Or do you question my skill as to deflect attention from the real cheat?”

“Lady, I don’t know what your scheme is but I know a cheat when I see one.” He squeezed her wrist tighter just to make his point as the other men around the table started to question and protest.

Calmly she reached to his far vest pocket with her free hand. Caroline slipped the ace from her cuff. From the view of the other men around them, it appeared she pulled the card from his pocket. “So do I, sir. I think these gents do as well.”

One player grabbed the rancher, another swung, it didn’t take long before Caroline was forgotten. She plucked the rancher’s hat from the back of the chair and swept everything from the table with her arm into it. She’d sort chips and shot glasses from the take later.

Caroline hurried upstairs for her bag and an exit out the window. It was a new year and time to find another town, she’s been too naughty here.

For a chance to win more prizes hop on over to one of these blogs for more Something New Something Naughty fun! Don't forget to comment for your chance to win an e-copy of HALF!

Adriana Kraft Adriana Kraft	Alisha Paige/Ruby Vines Addicted to Genre Bending	Ann Cory Ann Cory
Cassandra Carr Hot Blogging with Heart	Cherie Noel Great Expectations	Diane Thorne Diane Thorne - Erotic Romance Author
Donna George Storey Sex, Food, and Writing	Donna Michaels Romaginative Fiction-Donna's Dish	Elise VanCise Gladiator's Pen
Harlie Williams Harlie Williams, Writer	Helena Harker Open the Door to Your Fantasies	Jennifer Wright Jennifer Wright's Blog
Justus Roux Where Love and Erotic Know No Boundaries	Kayelle Allen Unstoppable Heroes	Kelli Scott Lip Service
Kendall McKenna Love and Dog Tags	Lisabet Sarai Beyond Romance	Lisa Carlisle Lisa Carlisle's News
Lyndi Lamont Lyndi's Love Notes	M. S. Spencer M. S. Spencer Tale Spinner	Marie Sexton Marie Sexton
May Water May Water's Erotica	Michelle Moon Ink Dipped Moon	Mona Karel Mona Karel Blog
Naomi Bellina Naomi Bellina Adventurous Erotic Romance	Nicole Morgan Bringing Passion To Life	Rose Anderson Calliopes Writing Tablet
Roz Lee Roz Lee	S. Dora S. Dora	Sapphire Phelan Sapphire Phelan's Passion Corner
Stormie Kent Stormie Kent's Musings	Suz deMello Fearless, Fast-paced Fiction	Synithia Williams Synithia Williams
Victoria Pinder Victoria Pinder Romance Author	Virginia Nelson Virginia Nelson, Author

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Accepting the ROW80 Challenge

First you may be asking what is this thing? ROW80 stands for A Round of Words in 80 Days, it challenges writers to set goals and write. Unlike some other writing challenges that demand you put aside the rest of your life to take on your writing project, ROW80 knows, well that life happens.

With ROW80 the year is broken up into 4 rounds, each lasting 80 days. The participant sets a goal for those 80 days and checks in on their blog on Wednesday and/or Sunday to post about their progress or make any changes to their original goal. That is the unique aspect of this challenge.

The participant makes the goal, but if life happens as it often does and something needs to be adjusted that’s okay. Check-ins keep participants accountable for those goals without the pressure and stress of having to rearrange life to meet them.

This challenge is exactly what this writer needed right now. I’m having a bit of ‘life’ happening right now and need something to help me get back to focus. Here is my beginning goal list for ROW80 2013 Session 1

*Write every day

*Post at least one article a week and one blog post a week

Goal setting is an important tool for all parts of our lives, but even more so for a writer. It can keep us motivated and positive when the writing gets tough. Even if you don’t sign up for a challenge like ROW80 or NaNoWriMo set a time period and challenge yourself. The rewards of seeing a goal, no matter how big or small, realized is more than worth it.

For more about this challenge check out their site ROW80

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Alpha Heroes & Happily Ever Afters: The Perfect Combo guest post by NY Times best-selling author Bella Andre

Gladiator's Pen welcomes,New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Bella Andre. Bella has taken the indie market by storm The Sullivans, her contemporary romance series. Plus you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour sponsored by Novel Publcity, including special romantic swag baskets for each book, an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, and Kobo eReader, and Amazon and iTunes gift cards!

Alpha Heroes & Happily Ever Afters: The Perfect Combo

A guest post by Bella Andre

Alpha heroes are my favorite kind of hero: sexy, rugged, independent and take-charge. Yum! Take Chase Sullivan, the hero of THE LOOK OF LOVE, the first book in my best-selling Sullivan series. He's a jet-setting photographer, a mind-blowing lover, and is surrounded by gorgeous models all day long. But it isn't until he meets Chloe Peterson on the side of a road during a rainstorm in the Napa Valley wine country that he falls in love. One of my favorite things about an alpha hero falling in love is that all those alpha traits - his single-minded determination, his focus - are then devoted entirely to the woman of his dreams. Chloe's been burned by men before, but Chase is determined to show her that he's worth trusting. What follows is his relentlessly sexy pursuit of Chloe, because now that Chase has found love, he won't accept anything less. Each of the Sullivan heroes is an alpha in his own way. Marcus (FROM THIS MOMENT ON) is the de-facto family patriarch. He looks after the rest of his family and takes care of them. Gabe (CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE) is a take-charge firefighter. He rushes into danger to save lives - what's not to love? Zach (IF YOU WERE MINE) is a handy, self-sufficient mechanic and businessman. In addition to being wealthy and successful, he's useful with a wrench. What's hot is when those alpha traits are turned towards pursuing - and catching - the women of their dreams.

Purchase any of the Sullivan ebooks by Bella Andre for just $4.99 (optional)
Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity (go here)
Visit today’s featured social media event (that's where the HUGE prizes are)

Sign up for Bella's newsletter at www.eepurl.com/eXj22
Visit Bella's website at www.BellaAndre.com
Follow Bella on twitter at www.twitter.com/bellaandre
Join Bella on Faceboook at www.facebook.com/bellaandrefans