A Blog Hop and a Beast Sighting!

For those of you here for the Crimson Romance A Year in Love Blog Hop, please visit the Blog Hop Page Tab at the top of this page!

That little message up there is simply to direct readers to the correct place, but I wanted to stop by today and talk a little bit about what the blog hop is about, and also to show you a teaser about the next book in my Furry Tale Chronicles series...

A Year in Love Blog Hop

It's pretty self-explanatory, really... my publishers, Crimson Romance, are celebrating their first anniversary throughout June, and while Crimson are doing lots of lovely things to promote the milestone (you can check their Facebook and Twitter to see what they have planned), the CR Sisters decided that they needed to do a little something extra to help with the partying!

For three weeks in June, the CR Sisters are hosting a blog hop, where we will be offering a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards (one for Amazon and one for Barnes & Noble) to all those who visit our blogs. There are also going to be individual book giveaways from many of the participants, so be sure to check out everyone on the hop list, because there are prizes aplenty!

As well as the prizes, the participants are posting excerpts from their books to tempt you. And as if that wasn't enough, there is an exclusive brand new short story being posted, written by seven Crimson Romance authors (I wrote the first 'chapter' - eeek!). Everyone is synchronising their posts, so all excerpts and story chapters will be available immediately, meaning you can spend all day happily clicking lots of lovely links and reading to your heart's content! Please drop by and share in the fun!

Beast Sighting

I'm excited to announce that I finally have the inspiration for the next book in my Furry Tale Chronicles series! After several false starts, I was worried that I'd never find the right beginning for my second book, but a few days ago I was hit with a flash of  inspiration, and I'm currently hard at work on the first draft of my next book. The EXCELLENT thing about this, is that the excitement I feel about this project is exactly the same feeling I got when I started writing If The Shoe Fits. And to add to the awesomeness, I am writing this during a WriMo month, which is the same way I wrote my debut furry tale. Everything has clicked neatly into place, and I have that all important 'good vibe' feeling about it, which bodes well for finishing the book and sending it to my publishers by the end of July (*fingers crossed*)!

As visual stimulation, my good friend Joris Ammerlaan created some cover art for me, and while I know it will not be used if and when the book is published, I think that having a cover art in place is a great boost to the writing process, and I am excited to let you all have a peek at it! There is also a short blurb - again, a work in progress - just to let you guys have a glimpse of what is to come...

The Blurb

Model by day, wolf by night...

Jennifer Hope has everything she ever wanted. She's a successful model, financially independent, has fantastic friends, and enjoys being single. She also hides a secret, and this secret means holding down any kind of relationship is never going to be more than a fantasy.

Brandon Denning is a ruthless agent, dubbed ‘The Beast’ by all who work with him. Grumpy, foul-mouthed, and perpetually pessimistic, he takes an immediate dislike to Jennifer, who sashays into his organised world and creates instant chaos with her inability to take anything seriously.

Thrown together, this Beauty and Beast seem doomed to be forever at odds. But Jennifer isn’t the only one with a secret, and Brandon may get more than he bargained for when he discovers that Beauty is far more Beast-like than he could ever be...

And that's my current news! I'll keep you all posted on the progress of Beneath the Beast, and don't forget to check out the blog hop - it'll be a blast!

Z is for...

Zips

Original image

Ella has a problem with zips

And buttons, and sandals and slips.

She'd like to undo

More than just one or two

But usually ends up having trips!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

Y is for...

Yay, Yay, Release Day!

When hoping to publish your book

You need something to use as a 'hook'

I tried this and that

But went with a cat

To find out some more, take a look...

Life isn’t a fairy tale… except when it is.

There’s nothing wrong with Ella Gibson’s life— it just isn’t very exciting, despite being surrounded by lingerie. Working for Cardiff’s top modelling agency should have been glamorous, but most of the time Ella is running around with memos and cups of coffee. It’s a far cry from living the dream, but skirting the edge of her fantasy life is enough.

Then comes the day when her cat starts to talk, claiming to be Ella’s fairy godmother. As if that weren’t crazy enough, the pesky puss becomes a fashion advisor and behavioral expert, too. Add an evil ex-stepmother, a hunk called Charming, plus a looming party-cum-ball, and you have all the elements of a classical fairy tale. There’s even a couple of ugly sisters—the fact that they are two gorgeous gay men being neither here nor there.

Ella’s not your typical fairy-tale princess though, and it will take more than a discarded glass slipper to get her man. It’s quite possible she may have to curb her enthusiasm for cursing a wee bit, not to mention her love of vodka. And can Muse, her surprisingly straight-laced feline friend, overcome her prudishness long enough for Ella to sneak a kiss or three with her intended beau?

 Amazon UK  Amazon.com   Kobo  iTunes



Release day is here!!! Can't believe my book baby is finally available, and that my prudish pussy cat is now unleashed, ready to amuse (and possibly scare) the world at large! For those of you who take a chance on this, first and foremost, you have my heartfelt thanks!! Second - I hope you find the story as funny and snort-worthy as I did when I wrote it! Definitely the best time I've ever had writing something, and hopefully the reading experience will be as laugh-inducing as the writing of it was!

*hugs to all*

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!!

X is for...

Xerography 

Original image

To make copies is Ella's main duty

A job that's in no way a beauty.

The office PCs

Often break down with ease,

And Ella is rushed off her booty!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

W is for...

Window

Original image

When looking through panes of glass

You might think that the scene is crass

But do not despair -

Sight may be impaired!

And good things can still come to pass! 

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

V is for...

Voluptuous

Original image

Ella's proud of her ample chest

And doesn't mind the odd joke or jest

But do it with charm,

Don't use slimy smarm!

Be witty, not smutty, that's best!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

U is for...

Uh-oh

Original image

When Ella keeps having mishaps

She tends to yell out 'Oh crap!'

Muse replies: "Oh, dear no -

You should say 'uh-oh'!"

But Ella will have none of that!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrasination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

T is for...

Tartan

Original image

Ugly sisters aren't meant to be male

But this is no ordinary tale

To add some more quirks

I dressed them in skirts

With Scottish kilts,you can never fail!

I'm also blogging at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

S is for...

Shoes

Original image

When preparing for party-cum-balls,

You'll have to give it your all.

Listen to Muse

And try on those shoes

And attempt to avoid nasty falls!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

Pssst!! One week until If the Shoe Fits releases!! *faints*

R is for...

Rules

Original image

A fairy godmother has some tools,

To stop clients acting like fools.

She warns to take care,

Not to drink or to swear

And to follow her godmotherly rules.

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!!

Q is for...

Quirky

Original image

Quirky twists are an absolute must

But don't be alarmed or nonplussed

My fairy godmother

Is unlike no other

And the sisters are men you can trust!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

Announcement!!!

I've just updated this blog to include some more information about me and my works, both published and in progress. Please check out the page tabs at the top of the page! And pay attention to the endorsements, as I've highlighted some lovely comments from the fabulous Louisa (known as 'Weesa'), who has been reading my stuff for a long time - since my fan fiction days! - and has always been wonderful with her support! Thanks, Weesa!!

P is for...

Profanity

Original image

Fairy G doesn't like to swear

So risk her wrath if you dare!

If you blurt out "CRAP!"

When reading a map,

She'll respond with a deadly glare!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

O is for...

Ogling

Original image

The man called Derek was a pain

He could never learn to refrain.

He'd eye Ella's chest

And claim it was 'best'.

But Ella would respond with disdain.

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

N is for...

Naughty

Original image

When molding your plot, it's like putty.

Just take care not to make your girl slutty.

There are those who get haughty

When reading stuff naughty

But by adding some laughs, it's not smutty!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

M is for...

Maltesers

Original image

When offered comfort by two geezers

Ella is given maltesers

Those chocolatey balls,

They kept her enthralled

And did marvellous things to please her!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

L is for...

Lurking

Original image

If your plot needs a little reworking,

Chase your foe, and plan on some lurking.

Pack some food  (and the cat!)

But no more than that!

And next time, leave out the gherkins!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination. Please drop by!

K is for...

Klutz

Original image

Wearing high heels can be scary

Of staircases Ella is wary

"One little slip,

Becomes a big trip!"

Warns Ella's godmother (fairy).

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

J is for...

Jake

Original image

When designating Ugly Sisters

Sometimes you have to use 'misters'.

Danny and Jake -

The sisters (though fake)-

Fill the spot like a juicy tongue-twister!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!!

I is for...

Insanity

Ladies do NOT swear!

She's left sanity far and behind -

She's sure that she's losing her mind.

Her cat gives advice

 - and not about mice!

Seems Muse is one of a kind!

I'm also blogging over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please stop by!

*Image self-taken.

H is for...

Heroine

Original image

Not typically thought of as stunning

As a model she's out of the running

But when friends need her aid

She'll be there, come what may

You just need to coerce with some cunning.

 Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

G is for...

Giggles

Original image

When things that happen seem drastic

Make your lips become like elastic

Stretch them wide, and wriggle

They frame a good giggle

And things will end up fantastic!

 Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

F is for...

Fire

Artwork by my lovely friend, Ana

When your puss is a staight-laced cat

You plans can sometimes go SPLAT!!

When Puss starts a fire

Things can end up dire

And your smooching... that's the end of THAT!

 Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

E is for...

Ella

Original image

She's often found tripping on air

And finding herself suddenly bare

With a slip and a yelp

She often needs help

Good job her Prince Charming's there!

  Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

D is for...

Dancing

Original image

When having a night on the town

It's best to smile, not to frown

A snazzy outfit

Will do just the trick

Just steer clear of overlong gowns.

  Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

C is for...

Cats

Image self-taken

When your feline decides to start talking,

You may find yourself suddenly gawking

You might think you're mad

But please don't be sad

Your puss entertains when she's squawking!

  Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z.  Please drop by!

B is for...

Balls

Original image

Sometimes you have to embrace

The fact that you must show your face

And if you should fall

At the party-cum-ball

You'll stand out, even if you lack grace.

  Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing  over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

A is for...

Alcohol

Original Image

Ella likes a vodka or three

When feeling the need for whimsy

She'll even drink wine,

Some of the time,

Just enough to get slightly tipsy.

Limericking my way through the challenge on this blog, and book blurbing over at Princess of Procrastination for the April A-Z. Please drop by!

Cover Reveal!!!

I got my cover, and isn't it purrrrrty? The art department at Crimson are absolutely fantastic! Actually, I need to reiterate that the entire team at Crimson are awesome. Nothing but friendliness & helpfulness, and super efficient into the bargain! I really couldn't ask for more.

I love the simpleness of the cover. It looks clean and fresh. And I love the kitty cat, sitting so saucily on the title, cleverly echoing the letter 'S'. Gorgeousness all over really... *sighs happily*

And now for the official blurb:

Life isn’t a fairy tale… except when it is.

 

There’s nothing wrong with Ella Gibson’s life— it just isn’t very exciting, despite being surrounded by lingerie. Working for Cardiff’s top modelling agency should have been glamorous, but most of the time Ella is running around with memos and cups of coffee. It’s a far cry from living the dream, but skirting the edge of her fantasy life is enough.

Then comes the day when her cat starts to talk, claiming to be Ella’s fairy godmother. As if that weren’t crazy enough, the pesky puss becomes a fashion advisor and behavioral expert, too. Add an evil ex-stepmother, a hunk called Charming, plus a looming party-cum-ball, and you have all the elements of a classical fairy tale. There’s even a couple of ugly sisters—the fact that they are two gorgeous gay men being neither here nor there.

Ella’s not your typical fairy-tale princess though, and it will take more than a discarded glass slipper to get her man. It’s quite possible she may have to curb her enthusiasm for cursing a wee bit, not to mention her love of vodka. And can Muse, her surprisingly straight-laced feline friend, overcome her prudishness long enough for Ella to sneak a kiss or three with her intended beau?

If The Shoe Fits releases with Crimson Romance April 29th.

  

Still in a sort of euphoric daze at present... I've had some fabulous feedback on the cover, and I've also had a sneak peak at a review that will be posted somewhere very soon, so I'm pretty much floating on a high at the moment.

Catch you soon, my lovelies!! x

Quickly Passing Through...

Hello!!

Just wanted to quickly stop by and fill you in...

Release day is creeping ever closer, and yesterday I received both my ARC's (that's advance reader copies for those of you who, like me until very recently, didn't know what an ARC was) and the mock-up of my cover. The cover is AWESOME, but I can't share it yet. There'll be a cover reveal post later this week though, and I can't wait to show everyone!

Also, you may notice that up on the left of the screen there is an A-Z badge. I am nuts, but I have decided to take part in this year's April A-Z challenge on BOTH of my blogs. And seeing how If The Shoe Fits releases at the end of April, I'm going to use both blogs to spread the word. Over on my Princess of Procrastination blog, I'll be using each letter to represent a word that is something to do with the publication process, while on here, I'm going to do what I'm calling 'promotional limericks'. These limericks will somehow link to a character or scene from the book, and I'm hoping the little teasers will help to engage some interest in potential readers.

Plus, limericks are fun... *grins*

That's all for today... it really was a quick visit! I'll be back in a few days with the cover reveal!

Doing Some Grown-up Work

*sigh* It's sad to say, but I've had to abandon my silly side and become more of an adult, even if it's only temporary...

Those of you who follow me elsewhere - Facebook, Twitter, or on my other blog - will know that I had some exciting news at the beginning of the month. My book baby got accepted!! I spazzed a bit over at my Princess of Procrastination blog (not to mention all over Twitter and Facebook *shifty*), so I won't repeat myself here, but suffice to say I am still squealing. I think it's taken a couple of weeks for the initial shock to wear off, but now that it has, I've had to knuckle down.

The first order of the day was regarding the title. Much as I love the play on Cinderella, and the fact that my home town was a part of the original title, I had to agree that Cardiffella wasn't going to work. Unless you know Cardiff, the reference was going to be lost, and readers would just be confused. So I did some brainstorming on Facebook, and after coming up with a few possibilities, I settled on a shortlist. Fortunately, the editors immediately liked my first choice, and as of now, Cardiffella is no more *sniffs*. Despite being a bit teary over it, I am incredibly happy with the new name, and there is a funny little story behind it too.

Bye bye baby... *dabs eye*

As I was thinking of new titles, I added them to my Facebook poll, whether I thought they were good or not. I just wanted to sound them out, you know? Anyway, I'd thought of If The Shoe Fits, but didn't add it to the poll. I think it was mostly because I had a vague notion that it had already been used as a book title before now, though I have no idea why I thought this (you already know how nutty I am, yes?). Then my good friend Tami (also known as The Watery Tart) suggested it to me, and it just tickled me that she had the same idea as me. I did a little research, couldn't find anything obvious in my investigations, and added it to my poll after all.

Eventually I had a shortlist, which I dutifully sent to my editor. Now comes the really funny part. You see, just as I hit 'send' on the email, I had an email alert. Another editor, who was working on my cover art, needed me to send her my ideas for the new title so that she could get a feel for the tone. Over the next few minutes, both editors and myself engaged in crossed emails, and BOTH came back with immediate approvals for If The Shoe Fits. Have I mentioned how fabulous the editors at Crimson are? No? Well they are! Fabulous, that is. Super friendly, super helpful, and all round awesome, actually. And that's a genuine endorsment from me, I'm not saying it because I have to, I'm saying it because I mean it. They've made what could have been a daunting process for a newbie author incredibly easy.

So anyway, I guess it was kind of meant to be. I'm happy, they're happy, and most of the people I polled are happy. Sorted!

Currently I am busy editing. I'm happy to say that there were no major revisions needed. The majority of changes are due to the fact that it's an American publishing house, which means that I've had to format according to American English rather than British English. Aside from typos and a few grammar boobies, the original manuscript is virtually unchanged. I'm currently 50 pages in, so I'm about 25% done, but it is an easy job and I'm aiming to finish by the end of the week, which is a full week ahead of my deadline. Not only am I determined to show that I will be a good client, I am also committed to taking part in a WriMo in March, where I fully intend to get the next book finished, so that I can spend April polishing and revising it. My aim is to submit it to my editor just as If The Shoe Fits releases.

This is where a series title comes in. You may have noticed that as well as the book, the title for this blog has changed too. I've had to be ruthless and get rid of it. *wipes away tear* But again, I'm really happy with the new name. The Furry Tale Chronicles is what I can hopefully call the series, though until I contract a second book, a series title is not up for discussion. Crossing my fingers that things will go to plan, though!

Lastly, and again I'm wiping away a little tear, I won't be able to use the cover art that was so beautifully created for me. Ana did a wonderful job on it, and I will keep it on display not only because I love it so much, but because I'm super grateful to her for finding the time to do it for me. Not to mention Joris (Joris Ammerlaan Design), who is the exceptionally talented graphics whizz who spruced up the original drawing. Between the two of them, they made a fabulous cover design that I will always be fond of.

I'm waiting with bated breath for the new cover to be finished. I have no idea what it will be like, which is part of the excitement, but I'm confident that it will be fabulous!

I think that's enough news for one day. Now I have to get back to my edits...

If The Shoe Fits releases with Crimson Romance April 29th.

PS - Okay, apparently it wasn't enough news for one day. My signed contract just landed on my doormat! Clearly I am still not over the initial shock, and am still in the Spazzing Phase. *squeals*

Something To Blog About

*dusts off page*

I finally have some news on my book baby, though sadly not as good as I could wish for. The last time I updated you guys was way back in September - all of five months ago!- but to be perfectly honest, there really hasn't been anything to report. Several times I stopped by, opened up a 'New Post' window, then left. After all, what on earth could I say when I was still in the land of Limbo?

The beginning of January arrived, and I'd yet to hear from either of the two publishers that I submitted to, so I figured it was time for a gentle pester. The minimum 16 weeks had passed, you see, and while there are those who say 'no news is good news', I'm more of a believer of the 'no news is wearing on the nerves' train of thought.

Both publishers replied, asking  for a little more patience as my manuscript was currently under review with their editors. Great news, I thought! At least it wouldn't be too much longer until I heard anything. Two weeks late I got my first official rejection, and it sucked, despite having more or less expecting it. Still,I wasn't disheartened.

This week, on Wednesday to be exact, I got my second rejection. Boo-hoo!! I was gutted, obviously, but again I wasn't overly surprised. I was also really encouraged though, because despite getting turned down, my book baby actually did rather well. Although the rejection email was pretty much a form letter, it did tell me that my MS had reached the acquisition team, and that the entire book had been read by a number of people. My understanding of the process is that you need a 'yes' from an editor, and one from a member of the acquisition team. If the team member passed on it, a second member would also read to give it a fair chance. Two agreeing votes are needed to decide the outcome. So, unless I completely misunderstood, I was literally one vote short. Bummer, huh?

Now, despite the disappointment, I was fairly buzzing. I'm new to all this, but I know that getting this far, especially on a debut submission, is really good news. It would have been helpful to know WHY I didn't get my final 'yes', but feedback is rarely provided, so it's just one of those things.

My guess is that my feline fairy godmother is is the culprit. That's going to be a hard sell, and I've always known it. But as a good friend pointed out to me - and I fully agreed with her (she's a Smart Tart, after all) - it is this hard selling point that will probably be the 'win' factor if and when I eventually get a 'yes'.

So I will keep plodding along. In fact, I've already submitted to four more publishers! Unfortunately, I've already received a pass from one of them, but again, it was an encouraging rejection. That particular editor was already working on a series that was similar apparently, so she declined before reading the full MS. Having sent the blurb and first three chapters, though, she also commented that she thought it was a 'fun' idea and that she 'loved my voice', which was AWESOME, as I finally had a teeny tiny bit of feedback.

This leaves me with three queries currently pending, and as soon as I have anything of any interest to report, I shall be back. In the meantime, I need to continue working on the sequel - something that is loosely based on the Beauty & the Beast story. After all, this is a series I am trying to sell, so it stands to reason that I need at least one more book written and polished ready to submit as soon as I get a 'yes' for the debut, right?

*positive thoughts*

Belle, the muse for my Muse character, fainted with shock at the news that her mistress's book got so far!