Wicked Ways with @Cassandra_Carr, a Vampire, a Witch & a Werewolf

Sometimes writers get together and do quirky things. Some may see it as another form of promotion, but in all seriousness -- from my standpoint -- it also helps to break free from this isolated activity. Most creativity takes place within our heads, and the writing itself is done while we're secreted away. That's why offices are often referred to as "writing caves." We hibernate. Alone.

Outlets such as Twitter and Facebook provide a glimpse out into the world -- where others understand what our process is like, juggling a regular job, family life and writing on top of it all.

Recently, Cassandra Carr and I broke free, and let down that barrier between fiction and reality. I interviewed Conner and Brady from her new release, Impact, and she sat down and grilled Lawrence, Lily & Trevor from The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf. Gain a little insight into these characters, and maybe the minds of their creators.

Exclusively on the Day Dreaming Blog -- Thanks Dawn!

A Vampire's Aura & Were Vamps Romance Gives "Chains of SIlver" 5 Stars!

I’ve been saving one super-special topic related to The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver, and that’s the research on a vampire’s aura. The sentence weighs heavily with terms that unbelievers may not know how to interpret: Vampire, aura and research? How does one look into a vampire’s life energy and come out alive?

To read the guest post, and the 5-star review visit WereVamps Romance.

Going the Distance – Wrapping Up the Chains of Silver Tour

We’ve reached the end of the year, and just about the end of the Chains of Silver release tour. Events and guest blogs jam-pack this final week.  Many of these stops offer contests, from copies from my backlist to gift certificates and more.

Here’s a Wrap-Up:

Cocktails & Books

After booking with Bewitching Book Tours, I’ve been fortunate to discover a great many new book-related blogs. Talking about my first experience with The Green Fairy, absinthe in New Orleans, and how it features in my first m/m novella The Vampire & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Christmas.

Guys Like Romance, Too!


Such a fantastic gay-friendly blog. It’s got a great, easy vibe. Dishing on "Vampires & Werewolves in the Easy? Why Not!?"

Stuff Your Stocking with Books Blogfest

On Friday, I’ll be guest posting on “A Naughty New Year’s Eve.” Whipped Cream Reviews is wrapping up their Stuff Your Stocking with Books Blogfest, and each post has contests.

Coming up! New Year’s Blog Hop!

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, I’ll be taking part in a major Bog Hop with lots of good prizes! At last count, I think we have 65 authors and reviewers. We’ll be talking about our favorite New Year Memory!

What does that mean for you? Well we are giving away gift cards, books and other swag goodies throughout the day! Each author will choose their own winner - so that means more than 50 winners! And you can win on multiple pages!

And the best thing? We have TWO Grand prizes. 

One being a Kindle Fire to a lucky winner!

Our second grand prize is a $80 Amazon GC!   

So that’s the *basic* wrap-up for the end of the year. Today, I head out camping for the holiday weekend, but I will be checking in and saying hello.

Enjoy yours!

Louisa

Two Ways to Pick Up a Copy of "Chains of Silver" -- Wednesday Only

When my OCC/RWA chaptermate Lex Valentine said she was planning a "30 Days of Christmas" Giveaway, I knew I had to get in on the fun! Today, she's offering chances to win one of three books. In addition to The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver, Lex is featuring her book Hot Water – Tales of the Darkworld Book Two, and Ari Thatcher's M/F/M BDSM Romance, Fighting for Control.


To enter, visit Lex Valentine's Blog.

The Romance Studio's Book-A-Day Giveaway

When I signed up for The Romance Studio's Book-A-Day Giveaway, I had no idea it would be scheduled for the same day. So now, readers have not one, but two chances to win a copy of Chains of Silver ... today.  To enter, visit The Romance Studio, and on the right-hand side click on Book-A-Day.

Good luck! And stay tuned for more during Chains of Silver Virtual Book Tour!

Unleashed! Chains of Silver Video Trailer Premiere

Chills. When Lex Valentine of Winterheart Design sent me the link to The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver video, the hairs on my arm stood up.

Valentine captured the heart of the story through the two-minute video. And let me tell you, this representation of Nick rings true. Do those dynamic eyes pierce or what?

Enough talking. Let the video speak for itself:

So what do you think? 

Chains of Silver is available via Amazon and ARe.

Chestnuts Roasting on a … Your Traditions?

This past week I went shopping at the 99 Ranch Market, which is a “Chinese supermarket chain.” I stand out a bit in the store (I’m Italian-American), but my family likes products such as roasted seaweed and Little Prince snacks. As I cruised through the fresh fruit & veggies aisle, what did I spy?

Castagna!

Hanging at The Romance Studio's Thanksgiving party. Come check out our traditions, and share yours.

Celebrating Chains of Silver Release & New Orleans Goodies

Thanks for celebrating the release of The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver with me. This book is particularly special since the story of Silver resonated since writing the first book in the series, A New Orleans Threesome. A few months ago, I wrote a post about her love interest Nick, and what a man! The book took a few twists, and hopefully you’ll enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

Giveaway info below, but first here’s a teaser:

The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver

Adopted at birth, Silver Ashe discovers her blood-brother Trevor Pack is a werewolf, with a vampire and witch for lovers. All her teachings about the evils of the paranormal Others come into question. She runs to a family friend, Nick, for help.

Nick Stake takes his hobby as a vampire hunter personally. He strives to rid the world of evil bloodsuckers. When his best friend’s “kid” sister comes to him for advice, Nick discovers Silver’s more than grown up. He battles his growing desire for Silver and blindly holds true to his convictions.

Once Silver reaches her sexual maturity, she’ll inherit her full genetic heritage and turn into a werewolf. When death comes calling, Silver and Nick must face their darkest fears in order to break free from the chains that bind.

Available now via Ravenous Romance

If you’re an Amazon-only reader … you’ll have to wait a few days.

In October, I visited New Orleans for the GayRomLit Retreat, and picked up a few goodies with this day in mind! Check out the edible yum-ness!

The Bag of Goodies

What's Inside the Bag! 

Contest Information: Over the next week, I’ll be taking part in The Romance Studio’s Thanksgiving Party (Nov. 19-22), and a Black Friday Blog Hop (Nov. 25). Leave a comment (and your email address) on my post today, or any of those and you’ll be entered into to win my Grand Prize, which is that New Orleans Goody Bag. The Black Friday Blog Hop is hosting a giveaway of an electronic reader ... so it's worthwhile! (I’ll also be giving away some other prizes, too, so stay tuned!) 

Price equivalent of the New Orleans Goody Bag is around $30 (and I’ll pay for U.S. shipping). (International entries are eligible for the gift certificates and electronic book giveaways, but after filling out custom forms the last week I don’t think I can ship food legally!)

For the next 24 hours, I’m offering up a $10 Ravenous Romance gift certificate for one commenter. (I’ll choose the winner at 5 p.m. PST on Saturday. I’ll be at an RWA board meeting in the morning, and will draw when I get back home.) The winner of my contests will be chosen via Random. org.

Goodreads: Finally, if you’re on Goodreads, I’d appreciate if you’d add Chains of Silver to your TBR list … pretty please!

So tell me, what do you think of when you think New Orleans?

Grazie!

Cover Reveal – The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver

As an author, the publishing process happens in little steps. After the acceptance, there comes the contract, edits and copy edits. One of the most-exciting milestones has to be seeing the cover for the first time.

Finally, here’s a sneak peak at The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver.

Ravenous Romance design guru Allan possesses a flair for capturing the feel of a novel, and offering up some enticing subjects. Wait until you read how that roller coaster in the background ties into the storyline!  

And, don’t you think that the hunky male looks a little bit like a certain, um, teen werewolf? Oh, yes, that’s where my imagination keeps going.

The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver releases on Friday, November 18, via Ravenous Romance, and will be available on Amazon and ARe soon after.

Been riding this high all day long. Thanks for letting me celebrate! Now back to writing my Christmas novella … 

Nominated for Best Erotic Paranormal – Wizard or Witch

Good news travels through “innocent” Tweets!

Here I was, minding my own business and right before I went to turn into bed, I checked onto Twitter. Oooh, I had a few “mentions.”

Shay MacLean musing on a series title to encompass her novella “Shooting Stars” and upcoming full-length release, “Falling Star.” (Don’t you think “Wish Upon a Star” sounds like a great series title?)

Wait? What’s that one from @RachelFirasek?

@Louisabacio Hey, congrats on your TRR nom. […] Goodluck!

(And Rachel’s up for an award, too, for her book Piper’s Fury!)

The Romance Reviews nomination? I was nominated? Whoo-hoo! Thrilled to announce that The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome is up for Best Erotic Paranormal Romance in the category of Wizard & Witch.

Voting runs through Nov. 30, and now comes the plea! Please go vote! (Big puppy-dog eyes …) Please!

Here’s the magic link:

http://www.theromancereviews.com/bookvote.php

Now for a little tease! Got a glimpse of my cover for the upcoming sequel Chains of Silver. The art designer/magician at Ravenous Romance is not holding back at all! Yes, it’ll be coming soon!

Grazie! 

Wow! That’s a lot of winners!

Well, I had a blast at all of the Halloween Blog Hops this weekend, including the non-virtual kind! Hopefully, you did, too. Emails have been sent out to all the corresponding winners, and goody bags will go out later this week. (Realize that I’m notoriously slow in going to the post office. I want to get all the addresses back first so it’s only one trip!)

Stay tuned for information on the release of book 2, The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver. I’m also working on a Christmas novella of The Vampire & The Werewolf, for those readers who’ve asked to read their story. I’m listening (and BOY are those boys talking!)

In celebration of the release of Chains of Silver, I’ll sponsor some more contests and an awesome New Orleans Goody Bag filled with treasures I picked up while at GayRomLit. And, there’ll be a free read about those ghosts that pop up periodically at Pages Bookstore. (Just who are they?)

Here’s the list of winners:

While three of the winners possessed the names Jessica or Jess, all showed a different last name and email address. I see a trend here with a lucky name (and initial)!

Jessica -- .pdf copy of The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome, via Romance Studio Party.

Jessica -- .pdf The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome in the Simply Erotic Reviews Halloween.

Jess -- $10 Ravenous Romance Certificate from my Blog as part of the Goblin Girls Gone Wild Hop.

Jean – Winner of a backlist book via Goddess Fish Promotions.

Leni – Winner of the $10 Ravenous Romance Certificate, as part of Spookapalooza, at the Romance Studio.

Grazie, again, to all who participated!

Vampire’s Kiss -- A Halloween Cock-Tail

In my upcoming novel The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf 2: Chains of Silver, Nick Stake bartends at Club Blood in New Orleans, a wannabe fang-banger hangout that some creatures of the night use as feeding grounds. As a vampire hunter, Nick earns tips along with identifying his targets.

Witches Brew

With Halloween literally right around the weekend, one of my favorite activities is researching new themed-related drinks. Last year, I made Witches Brew, and had a mini nightmare trying to buy dry ice to get that cool fog effect.

Chains of Silver features Club Blood’s “signature” martini, Vampire’s Kiss, and this one isn’t a sexy sliding of the teeth into a willing, warm neck. The drink consists of chilled vodka, champagne and Chambord, a black raspberry liquor that adds that blood-red tone. On Saturday, I’m hosting a poker night – complete with a Halloween costume contest for the attendees’ kids – and I plan on serving up some delectable cocktails (photos to come!).

Have a favorite spooky drink? Share and leave an email address, and I’ll send you a goody bag filled with: Gummy Vampires or Gummy Werewolves, a “baby” that can be found in King Cakes from New Orleans, and other assorted goodies. Plus, one lucky "grand-prize" commenter will win a $10 gift certificate to Ravenous Romance. Hopefully, you'll save it for my Chains of Silver release! (Hint. Hint!) 

This weekend, I’ll be blog-hopping all around. Join me and a host of other writers for the Romance Girls Gone Goblin Halloween Blog Hop (try saying that five times fast after a few Vampire’s Kisses! Other parties include the TRS Spookapalooza, which is giving away a Nook!, the Whipped Cream blog, where I’ll be “visiting” on Saturday, and the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion.

Have a delightfully fun – and safe – Halloween weekend!

Louisa

www.facebook.com/louisabacio

www.twitter.com/louisabacio

Leftover Goodies from GayRomLit! Come Get 'Em

I'm making two special appearances today, and offering opportunities to win one of these goody bags from last week's GayRomLit Retreat in New Orleans.

Includes:

New Orleans King Cake "Baby" for Good Luck
Either Gummy Vampires or Werewolves
Trading cards for The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome
And assorted candy ...

To enter, visit one of the blogs I'm visiting and leave a comment with your email address. Depending upon the demand, will decide how many I send out (multiple domestic and two international).

Where to go:

Today's Thursday Treat 

My CP and friend interviews me and the responses get a bit quirky.

Chains of Silver Coming Soon & Giveaway!

Plus, there's a major party happening today at the Romance Studio. Come tell me your favorite activity, and you also can be entered into winning.

Stay tuned for more news about my upcoming erotic paranormal The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: Chains of Silver.