Great Deals on Great Reads

The summer sun is scorching the earth and driving the world indoors to air conditioning.  Trapped indoor, we are presented with a great chance to get some reading done.  If you're looking for something new to read, but don't have a lot of money to spend on e-books, let me point you in the direction of some great deals that can be found.

First, I've got to direct you toward a few of my own stories.  Right now, I've got FOUR stories you can download for $2 or less.

The Dark Days series:

Bound to Me -- prequel novella to the Dark Days series ($0.99) -- Kindle or Nook

The Dead, the Damned, and the Forgotten -- prequel novella to the Dark Days series ($0.99) Kindle or Nook

Nightwalker -- first full-length of the Dark Days series ($0.99) -- Limited time pricing for Kindle

The Asylum Tales series:

The Asylum Interviews: Bronx -- prequel novella to the Asylum Tales series ($1.99) -- Kindle or Nook


Here are a few other great authors that I think you should give a try at an inexpensive price:

Dani Worth

Do you like your romance with a little extra spice?  These out-of-the-ordinary stories are hot and tender, with excellent storytelling.  Check them out!

Kithra --Book 1 in her Kithra series -- Approx. $3 -- Kindle or Nook

Replicant -- Book 2 in her Kirtha series -- Approx. $3 -- Kindle or Nook

After the Crux -- NEW RELEASE -- $2.66 -- Kindle

Vicki Pettersson

Urban Fantasy meets superheroes, check out Vicki's Zodiac series!  Her first novel in the series, The Scent of Shadows, is currently available on the Kindle for only $0.99.  If you haven't started this series yet, this is a great way to jump in.

Jeaniene Frost

Need some sexy vampires in your life?  Then you should definitely be reading Jeaniene Frost!  She's got a handful of wonderful short stories available at an inexpensive price.  This is a great way to get a taste of her world.

Happily Never After -- $1.99 for Kindle or Nook

Reckoning -- $1.99 for Kindle or Nook

Devil to Pay -- $1.99 for Kindle or Nook

That's 11 stories for you to try this weekend for just a few bucks a piece!  Great deals on some awesome escapes from the burning summer heat.  Have a great weekend and happy reading!

Bound To Me: Print Release Day

I'm just sticking my head up from work for a brief bit of self-promotion.  Bound to Me, the final Dark Days story was released as an e-book in April, but my publisher has decided to also release a print version.  If you would rather own a print version, I have included links below where you can order a copy.  I don't believe that it's going to be in the brick-and-mortar stores but I could be wrong.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

The feedback that I have been receiving from readers has been extremely positive.  Valerio has always been a favorite character of mine and it was exciting to give him the chance to spend some quality time with Mira.  If you've enjoyed the series, you don't want to miss out on this final slice of Mira's life.  Take a walk down memory lane with Valerio, Jabari, and Sadira.

And as an added bonus, the book also contains the first two chapters of the first book in my new series.  Angel's Ink, the first book in the Asylum Tales series won't be released until October 16, but you can get a sneak peek now!

Happy reading!

Bound To Me Release Day + Giveaway

Skip around the house, hugging your e-reader to your chest!
It's new book day!  Yeah for Tuesday!  Yeah for New Book Day!
And at long last, you can now download and read the final Dark Days story, Bound to Me.

If you pre-ordered a copy of Bound to Me, then it should be waiting for you this morning when you turn on your e-reader.  If you haven't pre-ordered, jump on now and get that book!  Read about Mira's adventure with the mischievous and sexy Valerio.  Also get an early sneak peek at the first two chapters of my new book, Angel's Ink, coming to bookstores and e-readers in October.

If you're still unsure if you want to get the last story, then here is my list of the top 10 reasons to download the book.

Here is a quick description of the book:

Mira, the heroine of Jocelynn Drake's New York Times bestselling Dark Days series, has been a nightwalker for centuries, traveling the globe as an enforcer for a secretive, powerful organization. In Bound to Me, for the first time, we travel back into Mira's distant past to see the great love affair that shaped her.

Are you excited yet?

How about if I give away a few copies of Bound to Me?  (Sorry, I'm not giving away a Kindle or Nook as well.  Just the e-book.)  Leave me a comment here, stating whether you'd like a copy for your Kindle, Nook, or from Kobo. (I'd offer for iPad but I don't know how to give it as a gift from the iBookstore)  Also, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me if you're new to the series or if you've read the series. 

Hurry and enter now!  So you don't have to wait too long to win a copy, I will choose 5 winners throughout the day.  The first will be announced at 1:30 PM Eastern time.  Others will be announced at 3PM, 5PM, 7PM, and 9 PM Eastern time.  Check back throughout the day to see if you won! Tell your friends!  Tell someone who needs to read the Dark Days series.  This is a great way to start!

Paper or Plastic... I mean Digital?

I am down to the last few pages of edits and I'm still loving the book.  At this stage, I usually read the manuscript so many times that I can no longer see the story amidst all the words.  It's all about weighing whether this word works here and does my main character seem like too much of an asshole in this scene.  At this point, I've usually forgotten what I liked about the story in the first place.  Not this time.  Angel's Ink is all new and the story seems fresh every time I read it.  I find myself looking forward to certain chapters just so I can see a favorite character again.  I can't wait for you to read this one!

In the meantime, we have a new story to tide us over until the next book has hit the shelves.  Yes, Bound to Me is hitting e-readers next Tuesday!  It's just over seven days away.  I know because I have finally created a countdown clock.  I feel like I should be throwing a huge party because this is the last Mira story I'm ever going to write.  But then I thought Burn the Night was going to be the last Mira story I was ever going to write and the nightwalker proved me wrong!  I guess that's what you get when you work with the undead.  They just won't rest.

I made a surprising discovery with Bound to Me not long ago and I'm still waiting on some details, but I am going to at least make you aware of it.  When the release of the novella was first discussed, we were only going to be releasing it as a e-book and I was quite content with that.  There are a lot of people who use e-readers and you can also download the story to read it on your computer if you don't have an e-reader. 

However, there are some who still prefer books (and I can totally understand that since I love the paper copies as well).  Well, we've got a way to make the paperback readers happy as well.  Bound to Me will be released as a paperback as well!  Yes, because of it's length, my publisher is doing a print-on-demand version of the story.  I am not yet sure if it will actually appear in stores, but you can order it online.  Amazon has it available for pre-order.  It looks like Barnes and Noble will have it as well, but you can't currently pre-order it.  You can only pre-order the e-book at Barnes and Noble.

E-book Details:
Released on April 10
On sale for $0.99
Approximately 100 pages long (this, of course, depends on the size of your font)
On sale at:
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
iBookstore iPad/Pod/iPhone

Paperback Details:
Released on May 1
On sale for $2.99
Approximately 128 pages
On sale at:
Amazon
(Barnes and Noble coming soon)

Yes, I know that date is slightly later for the paperback version.  I am sorry about that, but it's only a small wait and then you have a new Mira story.

Yes, I also know that the paperback version is $2 more expensive, but the paperback version also costs more to produce that the e-book version.

But for less than the price of a gallon of gas, you can get not only the untold story of Mira's love affair with one of the world's sexiest vampire, Valerio, but you also get the first two chapters of my new series.  Do you really want to miss out on that coolness?  Complete your collection of Mira stories.  Find out how she acquired Valerio's ring.

And when it's all over, pop by Asylum and meet Gage.  He can give you some nice ink at a fair price.

Developments Abound

Tuesday was a busy but great day.  I've discovered during the past few years since getting my first publishing contract that this industry is largely a "hurry up and wait" sector.  You rush to get things all in order and ready to go and then you wait for responses and decisions, which is fine but takes a little adjustment.  At the same time, when things do happen, they happen all at once, leaving you scrambling to catch up.  I'm not always the most patient person, which makes the "wait" part of "hurry up and wait" hard for me.  However, I do love a flurry of activity.  I like busy and hectic and lots of pressure surrounding quick decisions rather than just medium steady activity.

A number of things rolled through my email during the past 48 hours and there's a few things that I can't talk about just yet, but it's coming.

So... here's what I can talk about.

The Dark Days Series

Bound to Me

The final novella for the Dark Days series is due to be released to e-readers in approximately 20 days!  In less than three weeks, you will have a chance to get a very intimate look at Mira's relationship with Valerio.  You'll get one last stroll through the Main Hall in Venice before the Coven.  You'll get to revisit some characters who didn't exactly survive to the end.  I think you're going to like this story.

I try not to read reviews because they tend to make authors a little crazy.  But I couldn't resist.  I found the first review of BOUND TO ME  and I was pleased to see that it was quite good without giving anything away about the story.  The review also reminded me of a little tidbit that I discovered when I was working on the edits and then forgot about.

When you read the novella, not only do you get one last jaunt with Mira and Valerio, but the e-book will also contain an excerpt from my new book, Angel's Ink.  Angel's Ink is the first book in my new series, Asylum Tales, introducing readers to an entirely new world and new group of characters.  I believe the excerpt will be the first two chapters of the book.

So, for $0.99, you get a Mira/Valerio story that is approximately 80 pages long AND you get approximately two chapters of my next book, Angel's Ink, which isn't due out until October 16.  Have you pre-ordered yet?  No?  Here are some links to help.  You don't want to miss this story, due out on April 10.
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iBookstore

Hurry!  Go pre-order now!

In other randomness regarding the Dark Days series, I stumbled over to Audible (a group that specializes in audiobooks) and discovered that a couple previously unreleased Dark Days novels had been released as audiobooks.  I have to admit that I'm not a fan of audiobooks, but I listened to an excerpt from Pray for Dawn and FELL IN LOVE.  They told me that they were doing the books and that Hillary Huber was doing the narrating for the missing books.  It didn't dawn on me until I pulled up Audible that Pray for Dawn would need a male narrator because the book was told from Danaus's point of view.  Todd McLaren does a stunning reading for Danaus.  Here's a link to Audible if you're interested in taking a listen.  Right now, the only books not in audiobook format are Dayhunter and Burn the Night, but I believe they are still coming.


The Asylum Tales

Where to start?  The new series centered on a tattoo artist and his friends is going to be kicked off later this year with the release of TWO novellas.  The novellas are prequels to the first book, introducing readers to the main characters in the series.  My editor has read the stories, likes them, and has provided feedback.  I launch into edits this week, tweaking a few minor things and the ending of one story.  I'm hoping that the whole process will only take a few days.

I do not know things like titles or even release dates yet, but that information should be coming soon.  As in, as soon as I get my edits handed in we will be able to nail down titles and release dates.  These novellas will be released as e-books only and will probably cost only a dollar or two like my other novellas.  I will provide more information when it comes to me, but rest assured, the wheels are in motion.

Angel's Ink

It feels like things are picking up speed on this book.  What do we have done?  The book has been written, revised, and copy edited.  I will be receiving the First Pass edits today, which are due back to my editor in a couple weeks.  I think this is my last chance to my changes to the book and then it's all locked in.  I've seen the cover (and it is AWESOME) and we've gotten some great quotes from other authors.  The book is still slated for release on October 16 and will be available in trade paperback and e-book.

The newest bit of news I received is that my publisher is planning up an interesting bit of promotion.  I don't think I can make any announcement yet, but I got a sneak peek yesterday and it is so cool!!  I can't wait to show you.

In the meantime, my next couple months will be:
Finish First Pass edits on Angel's Ink
Finish revisions on Novella #1
Finish revisions on Novella #2
Finish writing Book #2 of Asylum Tales
Think of a way to celebrate the release of BOUND TO ME

Less Than a Month Until Valerio

It’s getting closer.

Each day gets us one step closer.

Just over a year ago, fans asked for a peek at Mira’s relationship with Valerio.  I listened.  My publisher listened.  And now, you have less than a month to wait until you can get your hands on Bound to Me, An Original Dark Days Story. 

The story will only be available as an e-book.  If you don’t have an e-reader, I am pretty sure that you can still download it and read it on your computer.  The story is fewer than 100 pages long and costs only $0.99. 

For only $1, you can travel back 200 hundred years and enjoy an adventure with Mira and Valerio through London, Venice, and Spain.  For only $1, you can visit many characters who appear throughout the series, with a surprise guest or two.

For more of my thoughts on Valerio, check out my recent Supernatural Underground blog entry.

If you’d like to pre-order the book, which comes out on April 10, here are some links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iBookstore

Cover Reveal: Bound to Me

I can finally reveal the cover for the new novella that will be released on April 10.

Bound to Me

I feel funny saying "finally" since I only saw the cover for the first time a couple weeks ago.  In most cases, I am forced to keep my mouth shut and sit on the cover for several months before it can be revealed.  But novella e-book releases are a lot faster than book releases and that takes some adjustment on my part.

So without further ado.....

Isn't it just lovely?  I am so proud of it.  I know, I didn't actually create it.  I didn't have anything to do with this cover, but I have been blessed by the cover gods.  I can proudly say that I actually thought of the title for this one!  I'm not very good at titles, but my editor liked this one.

This novella is something of a prequel to the Dark Days series.  The story centers on Mira and Valerio and is set roughly 200 years before the events of Nightwalker.  Mira and Valerio are in a unique relationship and are traveling about Europe, finding ways to amuse themselves while completing random errands and tasks for the Coven.  In this novella, Mira and Valerio are tasked with hunting down a creature in Spain that is killing nightwalkers and leaving them for discovery by the humans.  The story not only gives more depth into Mira's past, but also a closer look at the intense relationship she had with Valerio.

If you haven't read the Dark Days series, this is a great way to launch into the series.  You don't need the background to understand the events of the novella.  However, if you have read the series, this novella will provide even more depth to the characters that you've come to love and hate over the past several years.

The story is being sold for only $0.99 and is available for pre-order at:

Barnes and Noble 
iBookstore

It hasn't been posted yet, but it will soon be coming to the other e-book vendors such as Amazon, Google Books, and Kobo.  I will post links when I see it become available.

Book News: One Step Closer to Valerio

It's snowing!
I know! I can't believe it.  Winter has finally reached Cincinnati.  I don't mind this snow.  It's not sticking to the roads and isn't deep.  It's just enough to cover the world in a thin coating of white.

In other news, I think the signing went very well last night.  It was an intimate but enthusiastic crowd.  I shared insight into the new series and read the first chapter of the new book that will be released in October.  Yeah, they were a pretty lucky crowd.  I chatted with several readers and laughed a lot.  It's nice to get out of the house every once in a while.

I also shared some news with them, and I am happy to now spread the news here as well.  First:

I have one last novella coming out for the Dark Days series.  It is titled BOUND TO ME and will be released as an e-book on April 10.  I haven't seen a cover yet but I imagine that it will be coming soon.  I just received the copyedits and will be finishing those up today.  As I have said before, BOUND TO ME is a prequel novella that looks at Mira's relationship with Valerio.  Set roughly two hundred years before NIGHTWALKER, the story shows her time in Europe and brings back several characters from the series.  The story is not up for pre-order yet, but I will keep a look out and will announce it when it is available.

Second, the first book of The Asylum Tales is officially titled ANGEL'S INK and will be released on October 16.  The book is available for pre-order on Amazon now and it is ON SALE.  With this being a trade paperback, I am sure that you will want to jump on the discounted price.  I imagine that the other booksellers will be posting it soon and I will provide links when it becomes available.   I haven't seen a cover yet, but I have a feeling that it should be coming soon.

Finally, if you live in the Cincinnati area and couldn't make it to the book signing, I signed a stack of books at the Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.  If you would like an autographed copy for your collection, be sure to stop by and pick one up.  Actually, that store is close to me and I try to keep signed books at that location at all times.