I’m over at Word Whores today, talking about being a fraud as a writer – but also how I still think antagonists don’t have to be people.
Non-Human Antagonists (and I Don’t Mean Aliens)
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The News You’ve Been Waiting For!
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Been champing at the bit for Ursula’s book? It’s heeeerrre….
That’s right! I have ARCs (Advance Reader Copies, for those not in the know) of THE TALON OF THE HAWK, book 3 of THE TWELVE KINGDOMS. I’m really excited for you all to read this one. It gutted me to write and I’m still a more than a little obsessed with this one. (I may have faxed 94 pages of corrections on the galley proofs – my production editor actually called me “Nutbar,” which she insists it a term of affection. Fortunately she does love me and promised to make as many of the changes as seemed within the realm of sanity.)
ANYWAY.
So, I have ARCs! Want one? Let me know! Ping me in the comments or elsewhere. You all know where to find me. I’ve already got a growing list, so let me know soon! I don’t know if it’s up on NetGalley yet – can anyone tell?
ALSO!
I really thought I’d posted this already, at least as a news item, but when I found out I was focusing on the release of UNDER HIS TOUCH and so I guess I missed putting it here. All y’all who’ve written to ask about Dafne’s book??
YOU GET DAFNE’S BOOK!!
Yay!!!
(Apparently this is all caps day at JeffeKennedy.com)
Here’s the official announcement, which is not easy to read, I know:
If you don’t want to squint, it says:
Jeffe Kennedy’s THE PAGES OF THE MIND, the first in a new series set in the world of THE MARK OF THE TALA, a woman finds herself trapped in a foreign land by a warrior king who cannot understand her clever words, to Peter Senftleben at Kensington, in a two-book deal, for publication in Summer 2016, by Connor Goldsmith at Fuse Literary (World). Dramatic rights: Brandy Rivers at ICM Partners.
The “woman” in question there is, naturally, our favorite librarian. This story is going to be SO fun! You see, Dafne is going to have to go on a quest, because of all the shiz that goes down at the end of TALON. Because of what Ursula – oh, wait. That’s right. You guys haven’t read it yet!
Hee hee hee.
~waves to Ericka~
The point is, you CAN! So let me know if you want an ARC to read and review! Happy Friday everyone! 
Convention Report – Coastal Magic Con
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Last week I attended the Coastal Magic Convention and had a fabulous time. As evidenced by this hysterical pic above, taken by lovely blogger Little Read Riding Hood, in which Damon Suede and Lucienne Diver look on in bemusement during our Flash Fiction Panel. You can read my convention recap on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Blog.
Check back tomorrow because I shall have some exciting news about the Twelve Kingdoms books! Eeeee!!
Show Rayfe and The Mark of the Tala the Lurv!
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Kensington is running a Hero vs. Hero Ultimate Showdown. They’re pitting the heroes from various books against each other for fans to vote on. For all of you out there who share my mad love for Rayfe, King of the Tala, then get ready to vote tomorrow, February 11! He’s up against some shaggy blond dude, so this is our chance to show that Rayfe rules supreme in our hearts.
Shapeshifting wizard kings FOR THE WIN!
(I nearly typed “wine,” which is accurate also.)
Here’s Rayfe’s dossier:
Feel free to share both the pic above and this dossier. And vote as often as you like!
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!
How to Build a Better Villain
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I’m writing from the Coastal Magic Convention, right on lovely Daytona Beach. I’ve been doing sunrise beach walks each morning with fab book blogger Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Wonderful way to start the conference day!
I’m over at Word Whores today, talking about how the development of positive traits builds better villains.
How to Hate an Author
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I’m over at the Contemporary Romance Cafe, examining the fraught and turbulent feelings of loving the work, but hating the artist.
Under His Touch Cannoli
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The delightful and incredibly talented Elisabeth Lane has worked her magic and created the cannoli that Alec and Amber enjoy (somewhat lustfully) in Under His Touch. Warning: You Will Drool. But OMG! You *have* to check this out!
Why Mary Poppins Should Die
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I’m over at Word Whores, talking about why I write flawed characters. Short answer: because OF COURSE.
Hot Reviews and WordSwag How To
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A number of amazing reviews for Under His Touch came in over the weekend, so I’m doing a group post of them here.
Jennifer at Romance Novel News – who is @JenniferRNN on Twitter, tweeting live reads of smexy from fab to eye-bleeding (totally worth following her!) – gave the book such a lovely review. She says:
Under His Touch is one of the hottest books I’ve read of late. It also has a fantastic although angsty romance that made my heart happy. Alec is a bit of reluctant Dom, but one who falls fast and furiously. The age play scene could make some readers uncomfortable, but it fits Alec and Amber perfectly. This is one dirty book and I highly recommend it (as I do for all the books in this series).
Pansy Petal at the Jeep Diva, a first time reader of my books, said some amazing things in her review, like:
Amber had exuberance and was willing to go the extra mile to learn what Alec liked and wanted. Alec had the maturity and experience to handle her, the way she wanted to be handled. (And did he handle her! *sigh*) I loved their roll play. It was so hot! All of it.
This is not the typical erotic office romance. NOTHING happened in the office except professionalism and the job. I had to respect that. Outside of work however, once they got past the “this can’t work” thing, well . . . as I said, “HOT!”
To wrap up this trio, the Maldivian Book Reviewers, also first-time readers, called it a Great Read and said:
Alec is a hero that would drive most readers nuts, and all in a good way. His sexuality is one that is not all over the place, but yet the strength of it could be felt at the turn of every single page. Amber labeling his attire as suit porn was one I could definitely relate to. I couldn’t help but smile and fan myself a bit everytime Alec came into the picture. Yes ladies, he is that enchanting! And now imagine all that with a sexy British accent? Swoon!
Just love hearing the suit porn joy!
Finally, Angela Campbell asked me to visit her blog for her Marketing Monday feature. I’m talking about how to make WordSwag, so if you want to play, come on by!
Three Ways to Put More Emotion on the Page
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I’m over at Word Whores, giving my tricks for putting more emotion on the page – something that was not intuitively easy for me.