Don't miss an exclusive LUNCHBOX CHAT ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25TH at 12:00PM EDT with an agent from The Knight Agency. Everything will be up for discussion, from current trends in publishing to hot new releases. 
PEACE IS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.
And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar is one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn’t sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord has made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second-in command on her starship – and through some grand cosmic irony – front and center in her thoughts…and her heart.
WARLEADER. PIRATE.
Either title sat easily on Finn’s battle-hardened shoulders. Though second-in-command to “Stone-Heart” Bandar? That would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war, so he’d comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy’s tentative truce turned into all out war?
ABOUT SUSAN GRANT
RITA award winner and NY Times best-selling author Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows: flying, adventure, and the often unpredictable interaction between the sexes! When she’s not writing romances set in far-flung locales, Susan pilots 747 jumbo jets to
REVIEWS
4.5 stars! The quick pace and compelling characterization make this space adventure riveting! --reviewed by Jill Smith, RT Magazine
[A gripping storyline, fascinating characters and great writing. Susan Grant has an immense talent for writing this special brand of romance. --Tanzey Cutter, Fresh Fiction."[A] can’t-put-down read that draws you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the tension-filled final chapters!" -- Linnea Sinclair, RITA award winning author of THE DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES
"This tale packs a punch! Fans of the Honor Harrington series (by David
Weber) will thoroughly enjoy Brit and Finn's story. I could not help but give a spontaneous high-five when I finished this gem." -- Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews
"This book kicked serious butt. Susan Grant can write more like this and I'll be ready to devour them at a moment's notice!" -- Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews
Website: http://www.susangrant.com
I know it’s been awhile since I blogged, but now you can see what I’ve been working on! The first novel in my new GODS OF MIDNIGHT series, RED FIRE, will launch on October 7th. I can’t wait to introduce you to the seven immortal Spartan warriors who were granted immortality in exchange for protecting mankind from evil, including their number one nemesis, a powerful and crafty Persian Djinn.
Book One follows the journey of Ajax Petrakos. Check out the cover copy below for a sneak peak:
“Powerfully sensual and mind-blowing,” Deidre Knight’s novels have set the standard for boldly erotic paranormal romance. Now she unleashes an electrifying new series in which seven Spartan warriors, immortal protectors of humankind, battle their passions…a weakness that can only bring their downfall.
– Romance B(u)y the Book
Eternity has become a prison for Ajax Petrakos. Centuries after he and his Spartan brothers made their bargain for immortality,
As she and
RED FIRE is currently available through presales on Amazon. Stay tuned for more tidbits about this thrilling new series, as well as some fantastic giveaways designed to stoke your “Spartan love!” In anticipation of RED FIRE’s release, I have launched a new message board. Hope you will swing by and check it out!
For those of you still hungering for more of my Midnight Warrior series (the PARALLEL books), I have a special announcement. Samhain Publishing has exclusively re-released PARALLEL FIRE, A MIDNIGHT WARRIOR’S NOVELLA. Previously, the book was only available in the
Check back soon for more updates on RED FIRE and the many other exciting projects we have on the horizon.
Best,
Deidre
Known for their dynamic characters and mind-bending plot twists, these ladies are forerunners in the field of paranormal romance. Jess’ latest novel, NIGHTKEEPERS, Book One in THE FINAL PROPHECY SERIES, is based on an ancient Mayan doomsday prophecy, and Book Six of J.R. Ward’s enormously popular, THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD SERIES, LOVER ENSHRINED, hit bookshelves this month to worldwide acclaim.
Don’t miss the opportunity to talk with these amazing writers and get the inside scoop on their novels and upcoming projects! Visit the The Knight Agency Blog and leave a comment in the "Jess & J.R. Chat It Up" post to win a copy of NIGHTKEEPERS and LOVER ENSHRINED. Check the TKA Blog on Thursday to see if you are the lucky winner and read special guest blogger Jess Andersen's views on picking the perfect critique partner.
WHO: Jess Andersen & J.R. Ward
WHAT: CHATTING LIVE!
WHEN: THURSDAY, JUNE 12th @ 8PM EST
WHERE: TKA CHAT ROOM
Accolades are in order! We are excited to share that Three TKA clients have been nominated for the 2009
Shannon Greenland’s THE SPECIALISTS: MODEL SPY, Lynn Flewelling’s LUCK IN THE SHADOWS: NIGHTRUNNER VOLUME 1 and Linda Gerber’s S.A.S.S.: NOW AND ZEN are all up for this honor which celebrates entertaining books that have been influential in encouraging teens to read. Congrats ladies, we could not be more proud of our accomplished authors!
Recently, we were lucky to have
Help support
Be sure to check out not only the authors’ nominated titles but also their exciting new young adult releases.
She fights. Janie Parker’s a supernatural assassin—not by choice, but what’s a girl gonna do? The only thing standing between her and decapitation at the hands of her hellish boss is a magical artifact called The Eye. To get it, all Janie has to do is find a dark, broody vampire named Michael Quinn and take it. Easy, right? Except if Quinn keeps kissing her that way, she just might lose her head...in more ways than one.
Is she an indispensable ally. . . or his worst enemy?
When Intersolar Mining entrepreneur Derrek Archer rescues Azsla from her emergency sleeping pod, he's confounded by his desire for her. An inexplicable desire. An irresistible desire that causes Derrek to wonder if he's been drugged or hypnotized.
Is she better off with him . . . or without him?
Azsla's attracted to the sexy asteroid miner, but she fears getting close to Derrek might compromise her mission and reveal her secret. A secret that she's an enemy spy and her facade hides a complex and powerful woman—one capable of enslaving Derrek and destroying everything he holds dear.
Will Azsla's devastating secret destroy them . . . or save them?
When a cataclysm of deadly proportions threatens Derrek's world, they must overcome their distrust, suspicion and opposing loyalties. But while uniting forces might save a planet, working together might tear them apart or bring them together. Forever.
Read an excerpt from SOLAR HEAT HERE!
ABOUT SUSAN KEARNEY
Susan Kearney used to set herself on fire four times a day, now a USA TODAY BESTSELLING author, she does something really hot—she writes paranormal romance. With over 50 books in print, she can still apply the old rule of "write what you know" and never run out of ideas for characters and plots. An All-American and professional diver, expert in martial arts, sailor, real estate broker and owner of a barter business as well as women's fitness and three hair salons, she has enough material for a lifetime.
REVIEWS for Solar Heat
Romantic Times 4 ½ Stars Top Pick
"Susan Kearney writes futuristics as good as anyone in the business. Her world building is fantastic, but yet doesn’t overpower the characters or the inherent love story. Sparks fly off the pages of SOLAR HEAT, be careful you don’t get burned."—Cat Cody
"Susan Kearney has written another great futuristic romance. The characters reach out to the reader, even through the galaxies. SOLAR HEAT is definitely hot!" - Lori Sears
"A hot and sexy sci-fi fantasy set among the stars." -Mandy Burns, Fresh Review
"SOLAR HEAT is one sensual roller coaster that will speed up any reader's heart rate. I give Solar Heat 5 Moonbeams." -Veronica, Strictly Romance Reviews
Website: http://www.susankearney.com
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME by Robin D. Owens
Mishka Le’Ace was created to be an undercover operative . . . literally. Her beautiful body has been mechanically augmented to give her superhuman strength -- strength she’s going to need. Her latest mission sends her to rescue Alien Investigation and Removal agent Jaxon Tremain from torture and death. With him, she discovers a passion unlike any other. A passion she was forbidden to know. . . 
In celebration of the release of the final installment in the Midnight Warriors Series I am guest blogging and doing interviews all over the web! Be sure to take a trip over to The Midnight Hour Blog where some very talented authors have given me a chance to share in the spotlight today. Also be sure to stop by Between Your Sheets for a great interview I did on Parallel Desire. 
And finally I wanted to extend a great big thank you to all of you that stopped by during my chat last night! As always it was a great time talking books with you all, and I SO appreciate the never ending support you each have for me. For those of you that missed the chat, click HERE for a transcript from last night! 
Come and join author Deidre Knight for a pre-release “cocktail hour” celebration of PARALLEL DESIRE’s publication!
Hosted by her e-loop, we’ll be chatting, doing giveaways and trivia from 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST on 11/9/07 at the TKA chat room!
Come one, come all and have a blast with us for a special TGIF!!
Win a Galley! The Final Book in my Midnight Warriors Series!
I am giving away a galley to my upcoming novel,
PARALLEL DESIRE. For fans of the Midnight Warriors, this will be the last book in the series—but no worries, a new series will launch from me next fall!
In order to win the galley, you must submit your name via *email* (not myspace mail) to Deidre@Deidreknight.com. Be sure to get your entry in by this Friday at noon EST. Along with your contact info, also please answer these three questions:
1. Which book comes first in the Midnight Warriors/Parallel Series?
2. How many titles are there in total for the series, counting my upcoming December release of PARALLEL DESIRE?
3. Which couple is your favorite in the series?
I recently updated my website, so please come check it out!
Follow this link (http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.pl?id=115545), enter a screen name and simply select “login.”
*Rules of Play: To keep things organized, the chats are all moderated. The moderator will begin by posting the following rules of play: when you have a question, simply type a “?” and the moderator will keep a list and call on you when it is your turn.
*Chat tips:
When waiting on your turn, type your question in Word or another application so when it is your turn you only have to copy and paste. (Keeps the chat running smoothly)
Click on any screen name in the list to open a Private Message conversation (a lot like AIM).
If 15 minutes of fame is the standard, then I suppose I should count myself fortunate, because I received half again that much—22 minutes, which is the length of a Jeopardy game minus the commercials.
You may have seen me, if you happened to be watching on Wednesday, June 27. That was me in the middle—“A literary agent and writer from
Like a lot of things in life, my Jeopardy experience involved a great deal of preparation that culminated in a very short real-life exercise. The event, in fact, had been five years in the making.
For years, Deidre had been telling me that I should try out for the show, and in 2002 she signed me up for an open audition in
Given my state of distraction, as well as the difficulty of the test—50 questions, each on a different topic—I didn’t have very high hopes. And chances were indeed slim: out of more than 100 people in the room that day, only two passed the test. I, however, was one of them.
After they excused the rest of the group, the contestant coordinators invited the other person and me to play a mock game of Jeopardy. Then they bade us farewell, telling us that we might receive a call to appear on the show.
The call never came in, so in March 2006, when I took an online test for potential Jeopardy contestants, I had even lower expectations than before. Once again, I passed the test, and received an invitation to audition in
And they did, in January 2007, with an invitation to compete on March 5 and 6.
On weeks when they’re taping, they do five shows a day (a week’s worth) over the span of two days, and I could be selected for any of those games. So I flew out to
What followed was an excruciating ordeal, one I would liken to jury duty, with a great deal of added tension because each participant knows that at any time, he or she may hear the fateful words, “You’re up next.”
Throughout that day, we remained sequestered from everyone else—the show’s crew (all except for our handlers, the contestant coordinators), as well as the people who had come to watch the taping.
The soundstage is much smaller than it appears on TV—I’d compare it to an elementary-school gymnasium—which only heightens the surreal feeling when Alex Trebek himself emerges onto the stage just a few feet away.
After they began taping, they took breaks equal in length to the commercial pauses on the actual show, and during this time Alex had his picture taken with each of the contestants participating in that particular game. Between shows, he answered questions from the audience—that is, from the “civilians,” not from us potential competitors—and then went backstage to change. Though they tape several shows in a day, these air over a period of many days, and so as to create the proper illusion for the folks back home, both Alex and the returning champ change clothes between games.
Back in the green room, which was literally green, tension remained high. The place was cramped, and everyone was nervous, waiting for his or her moment of truth. Mine didn’t come until the next day, by which time exhaustion and fatigue had set in.
Many months later, watching the show on TV, that exhaustion was apparent to both Deidre and me. I started off strong in the game, but fell back as time wore on, almost as though I’d expended all my energy simply in preparing for that moment. (My two opponents, by contrast, came in on Tuesday, fresh and rested.)
By then I’d come to recognize the single greatest challenge of the game, which is “buzzing in” on time—that is, activating the button that allows a contestant to ring in and answer a given question. If you do it too soon, you are locked out for 0.2 seconds, an eternity in Jeopardy time, but if you’re not lightning-quick enough, you’re likely to find yourself shut out by an opponent who is faster than you.
That’s what happened to me again and again. Worse, because ringing in on time is so difficult, I did it a couple times when I didn’t actually know the correct answer, which resulted in my losing points. My best opportunities came when the other two simply didn’t have the answer, which tended to be on the most academic and non-“trivial” questions.
In fact, having watched literally hundreds of shows and tested myself against the most successful Jeopardy champions, I’d say that the particular set of questions in my game were among the hardest—again, for my particular skill set—that I’d ever seen. Compounding the problem were a number of highly unrevealing category names (e.g., “No Matter What You’ve Heard”), as well as a technical malfunction in the airing of the video clue.
Still, I did answer my Daily Double correctly, and by the time we came to Final Jeopardy, I wasn’t far behind the other two. Seeing that the category was Literature, I thought that this would be my opportunity to surge ahead, because if I got the answer right and they got it wrong, I would win.
Unfortunately, though, all three of us got the answer to the question, which concerned the Iliad, and that was that. According to the scoreboard, I had won $13,000, but that didn’t mean anything: in Jeopardy, only the winner gets to keep the money, with awards of $2,000 and $1,000 for second and third place respectively.
If I had it to do over again—and a non-winning contestant cannot return to the show unless the host retires—I would have spent all my time playing video games so as to prepare for that all-important buzzer. More than that, though, I would take my focus off of winning, and just concentrate on having a good time.
Naturally, we learn much more from our defeats than from our victories. One of the most important things I came away appreciating was the value of the love and support that come from the people who truly care—Deidre in particular. When I called her that day from the Sony lot to tell her the bad news, she didn’t for a moment count the cost, but only told me how proud she and our daughters were that I’d come as far as I had.
Many months later, as we watched the show with friends here in
Parallel Heat: A Novel of the Midnight Warriors, Book 2 (Signet Eclipse)
Parallel Seduction: A Novel of the Midnight Warriors, Book 3 (Signet Eclipse)
Posts
All Comments
