Awaken news

Hello everyone!

 

I have some major news!  Awaken's book cover is below, and let me tell you, when I saw it, my jaw dropped.  It's stunning and captures the tone of the story perfectly.  My publisher is absolutely amazing.  I swear, there's pretty much nothing she can't do.  (Find out more about her at http://www.reneeromance.com/).  My boyfriend has it as his phone's background because it looks so AWESOME.

 

 

 

The free ARC giveaway is officially closed.  If you didn't get a copy, it's okay because it's currently on sale for $2.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Yes, you read that right: Awaken has officially been released.  Those of you who promised a review in exchange for a free ARC can go to either website to leave one.

 

That's not all.  Below is the first chapter of Awaken just to tease your appetites if you're still on the fence about buying it.  I had such a blast writing it and I really hope you'll enjoy reading it.  I've gotten positive feedback so far!  (If you have a problem viewing the PDF, let me know and I'll send you a Word Document.)

 

Finally, I have a Goodreads page here, and Four Sides and Awaken have their own sites as well here and here, so if you have an account, please add me!  I'd love to get to know you better and find out what you guys recommend reading! 

 

Keep in touch!  I'd love to get your opinion on the book cover, the chapter, the book itself, or anything really.

 

Check back next Monday for more Aspiring Writers interviews!

 

Chapter 1

  To put it mildly, Andie was pissed.

  Her strawberry blonde hair decided to go frizzy the one day she needed to look professional for an interview, and it was especially noticeable since she decided to cut it to her chin over the summer. As she was getting her usual hot chocolate with extra whipped cream from Starbucks, some jerk completely spilled his hot black coffee all over her only white collared blouse. By the time she reached Phillip Enterprises for her interview, she already knew she wasn’t going to get the internship due to her frazzled appearance, but she had to suffer through it thanks to her high school business class requirements. She needed some sort of internship by the end of the week or else she’d fail the class. She was already stressed out, thanks to her mother’s reminder of how important it was that she got this internship, how the money from Andie’s job at the Spirit Museum and Keirah’s job at the bank just wasn’t cutting it anymore, that taking care of family was more important than getting a good education. Well, her mother would certainly be disappointed and no doubt remind her how desperately they were struggling ever since their father left and how she was depending on Andie to help out and couldn’t she just do a little more? It would go such a long way.

  The interviewer – who, by the way, was not Jack Phillip like she was told it would be, but some old guy, because apparently Phillip couldn’t be bothered to interview a high school junior clamoring for the lone internship his company offered even though he was only a few years older than she was – began the question with the dumbest question she had ever heard: “Did you know you have a stain on your shirt?”

  The pressure she felt pooled over. “Yes, I did. I wanted to stand out from my peers by arriving to a very important interview with a big-ass stain on my very nice, very expensive shirt.”

Because of that particular retort, security had to be called because what’s a party without rent-a-cops? In a commendable fifteen seconds, Andie found herself walking the streets of Onyx, running her shaky fingers through her brow-length bangs. This was a new feeling for her, being absolutely furious. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with herself. Her fingers itched to call Carey, but she was heading over to Carey’s house now, and anyways, it wasn’t likely she could even formulate words at the moment. Her head was starting to pound so she wasn’t up to par with her well-honed pedestrian dodging skills. She ran into someone, someone built, because instead of knocking him over, she fell down rather ungracefully on her backside.

  “This is just typical,” she hissed through gritted teeth. Before she knew it, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.

  She cast her eyes up, ready to tell the person to watch where he was going, when she came in contact with a pair of jade-green eyes. He was tall, probably six feet, and dressed casually – something uncharacteristic for him since he was rarely seen in anything but one of those designer suits he owned. His thick, chestnut brown hair was not slicked back from his face the way he normally wore it, but fell loosely, framing his long face. His thin lips, notorious for frowning and making out with his flavor of the week, were pursed, and he looked at her with a quizzical brow, probably due to the furious look she was giving him.

  “Of course,” she muttered. “Who do I happen to run into on this already horrible day? You.”

They were standing on the bustling sidewalk, the passersby none the wiser that there was a celebrity in their mist. Andie could tell he was getting uncomfortable, but she didn’t care.

  “I’ve had the worst day because of you,” she snapped, poking him in the chest. He was wearing a royal blue V-neck sweater with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. The material was soft under her fingertip. “I went to your building to be interviewed for your internship and obviously didn’t get the job because the interviewer – who wasn’t you, by the way, like I was led to believe – asked the stupidest question and ugh!”  She threw her arms up in frustration.

  Phillip blinked once, twice, and then said in his usual low, soft spoken voice, “Do you think it might have to do with your attitude? Because, certainly, my staff – who I do train personally, though it isn’t any of your business – would never hire someone as rude, brash, and obnoxious as you. And they certainly don’t need me to tell them otherwise. You, on the other hand, would need more supervision than I could afford to hire. Want some advice? Watch your mouth.”

  Her mouth dropped open as fast as if he had reached over and slapped her across the face. Maybe he was right. Maybe she was PMSing. Maybe she was having some sort of breakdown because of all the pressure and expectations she just failed to meet. She was being completely unprofessional, but in the heat of the moment, it didn’t matter. His words had no time to sink in. Before she realized what she was doing, she grabbed her water bottle from her oversized bag, unscrewed the cap off, and dumped it on him. Being only five foot six, Andie couldn’t pour it over him like she wanted to, but at least she got him wet. His demeanor darkened and his jade green eyes took on an edge.

  Phillip’s sudden demeanor change didn’t intimidate the seventeen-year-old. “Don’t act like you know me,” she said. “Do you think I’m naturally a bitch?”

  Before she could follow up, he answered with one firm nod. “Yes.”

  Once again, her mouth dropped open, and before she could finish, he began to walk away. She would be damned if she let him get away with the last word, so she quickly positioned herself directly in front of him, preventing him from walking any further. “Maybe you’re right and my attitude could use some fine-tuning,” she admitted. “It’s no excuse for my behavior, but I’ve had the worst day, and look at you, walking the streets without a care in the world. Well, I’m sorry Mr. Phillip, but we weren’t all born into wealth and privilege; we all can’t walk the streets when we want to get away from our problems. We have to work for money and good grades, but you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you? Your life was pretty much made for you before you were born.” Her pale eyes hardened into emeralds. “Instead of doing any good, you walk around like you’re better than us. Let me tell you something: Just because you have more money than everyone doesn’t make you a better person, it just makes you an asshole.” With that, she ran her fingers through her frizzy tresses once more before sidestepping him and disappearing in the crowd.

  It was a blur to Carey’s home – a townhouse tucked in Onyx Garden, a gated community – and she had to press in the key code three times before her fingers got the keys correct. From there, it was a two minute walk to the blue and white classic American style home. Andie walked up to the door and all but pounded on it.

  “Jeesh, Andie,” Carey said as she opened the door. “What’s your” - she stopped midsentence, her quick brown eyes taking in her friend’s appearance. “You look like shit.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Wanna talk about it over chocolate chip cookies?”  Carey led Andie through the foyer to the marble-topped kitchen. “My mom made a fresh batch before she had to scurry off to confirm a really important job tomorrow. You know, the one we’re waitressing for?”  She winked as she took a seat on the barstool.

  Andie headed for the cabinet, preparing for a glass of milk. She took a seat across from Carey and remained silent while she took a bite of the still-warm cookie. It melted on her tongue. She had no idea how, but homemade chocolate chip cookies always made her problems disappear. Now she could talk.

 

---

  “Oh my God,” Carey said, reaching up to touch the back of her neck. Her pixie-cut dark blonde hair and soft facial features made her look like a fairy and her dimples just added to the allure, giving mischievousness to her adorable façade. “You did what?”

  “I know, I know,” Andie said, wincing like a puppy being scolded. “I shouldn’t have gone off on him. It just happened. Look, in all likelihood, I’ll never see the guy again. I’m planning to chalk the whole incident up to PMS, learn to not take my problems out on rich douchebags, and forget about the whole thing, okay? I just hope the guy hasn’t blacklisted me. Oh my gosh, do you think he can fire me from the Spirit Museum? I mean, he technically doesn’t own it, but he donates so much that I bet if he called them” –

  “Dude, Andie, calm down,” Carey said, grabbing Andie’s wrist to emphasize her point. “You’ll be fine. It’ll all work out.”

  Andie’s eyes narrowed on Carey’s sucked-in cheeks. Carey only sucked in her cheeks when she wasn’t telling Andie something, something important. “What, Carey?” she asked. “What did you do?”

  “Okay, the thing is, when you hear what happens next, you’ll be slapping your knees due to how funny life is,” she explained, her voice getting breathier the faster she spoke. “You know the waitressing job tomorrow night? The catering job my mom is confirming right now that you already agreed to waitress with me? Well, that job is at Phillip’s party tomorrow night.”

  Andie’s mouth dropped open. “That’s just great,” she muttered. “Not that I don’t appreciate the job, Care, because I do. I definitely need the money, but I’m pretty sure once he sees my face, he’ll kick me out of his house for sure.” She paused, sighing, and then, in a nicer tone, asked, “There’s no way I can get out of this?”

  Carey pressed her lips together and looked at the smooth surface of the marble countertop. That was a no.

  “Fine.” Andie felt her stomach sink into a pool on the black and white tile floor. “What time tomorrow night?”

 

Aspiring Writers Series Interview #1: Ksenia Anske

Happy August everybody!  If you weren't already aware, I want to turn this month into the month of Aspiring Writers.  Basically, I want to interview a whole group of people who are still writing, have stuff on Fictionpress/Fanfiction.net, who have self-published, or have published something.  If you're a writer, I want to email you.  Please email me at heather.myers@ymail.com with the subject line Interview, and I'd be happy to conduct one with you.

Today, our first interviewee is Ksenia Anske.  You'll find out all about her, her writing style, how she accumulated over 63,000 followers on twitter, and advice she has about the self-publishing industry.  Interested?  I thought so!  Let's jump right in!

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I'm both, I think, though leaning towards pantser now. I have plotted SIREN SUICIDES, my first novel, extensively, but then had to abandon most of the structure while writing it, because the story changed. With ROSEHEAD, my second novel, I didn't plan anything at all, having only one clear image in my head and writing on the whim. I think I will do this style of writing from now on, it gives me more creative freedom.

What inspires you to write?

I have lived through so many both horrible and amazing things in my life, that I can spend the rest of my life in my room, writing. I've had a turbulent and often violent childhood in Soviet Union. My father physically and sexually abused me, so I ran away from home at sixteen, got pregnant at seventeen, became a mother at eighteen, married, divorced, married again, divorced again. I witnessed a murder, had lost a family member to brutal murder, have been chased, escaped, and ultimately left country to come to US fifteen years ago, and learned English here. My first attempt to write down my stories manifested itself in the form of a diary, I was fifteen years old. Since then, I've been trying to find a medium that felt like it fit me like an old worn leather glove. I did poems, short stories, screenplays, flash fiction, even tried a memoir, and finally ended up loving the novel format. It just felt like home. My novels are based on my life experiences, they inspire me to write.

How do you get in the mindset to write?

I adhere to a very rigid schedule, you can read more about it here: http://www.kseniaanske.com/blog/2012/12/19/let-your-novel-thrive-in-schedule-numbers-and-routine.html Basically, I have a routine that I follow, and as long as I follow it, I'm in the mood for writing when I sit down in my room, close the door, shut down all browser windows except my Pandora radio, turn off my phone, and start writing. I don't let myself out until I have either written for four hours, or have written at least 2,000 words. This way, it takes me about six to eight weeks to complete a novel draft.

What do you like to write?

Fantasy. I loved fantasy every since I learned how to read. Fantasy was in such short supply in my childhood, that I escaped into my head, creating fantastical worlds, and fed them by reading books that mad magical elements, like fairy tales, for example. Fantasy is an amazing genre, you can write about any truth, but you shroud it in fiction and in made-up bizarre plots that let you get away with things that normally would be too hard for people to read.

What made you choose the self-publishing route? 

I have had several agents approach me, and has two small publishers interested in my first novel, after I contacted them, but it took the agents to get back to me several months, and I have learned that the publishing process will take up to two years. I have already about 300 beta readers, and many of them are eager to get their hands on the finished published paper copy, so I have decided to bypass traditional route and publish myself. It's faster, I have complete control over the book cover, interior design, formatting, and other little things that make a book beautiful. Plus, I decided to spend my time writing more books instead of spending it on writing query letters and researching agents, publishing houses and the like.

What advice do you have for readers who want to take that route? Any do's and don'ts?

Do's - do it, do it all yourself, every step of the way. In today's market even if you are traditionally published, you still have to do a lot of heavy lifting yourself, marketing in particular. Because you will be doing it yourself, take your time how to learn it properly, from editing to formatting to picking the right font to designing covers to... you get the idea. Seek professional help, if you can afford it, if not, take your time to learn it. Don'ts - don't assume that once you've written a couple drafts, they are ready to be published. It takes a lot of time and effort to produce a book that is readable. Don't publish your book until it's ready. Especially take great care with your first book. People will be judging you by it, and if you burn a reader once, a reader will hardly ever pick up another book written by you.

You've sold an amazing amount of books for being self-published. When you first started off, how did you advertise your work? Any tips on advertising/promoting your book?

I haven't sold much yet, actually, only my little book of tweets, BLUE SPARROW, as SIREN SUICIDES, my first novel, will be published in the next couple of weeks. I have started building a community or writers and readers mostly on Twitter, tweeting about my writing process, my successes, and my failures as a first time novelist. I have now a little over 63,000 followers, and it's a result of daily work for a year. Tips? Be yourself. Don't shove your book under people's noses, rather, share what is happening in your writerly life, it will get other people to relate and want to find out more.

Was success overnight or did it come gradually?

There is no such thing as an overnight success. It might seem so to the public, but usually there are years and years of hard work behind that hardly anyone saw, except family and friends of the writer. I have been carrying my first novel story idea for five years in my head, starting on it, abandoning it, starting again, until on third try I wrote it all the way. Without these years it wouldn't have had enough time to gestate and to form, although on the outside I wasn't working on it, it was mostly cooking in the background in my mind. In this way, when it's published, it will be the result of five years of work as opposed to only one year that I have been actually writing it.

Tell us about your latest project and how you came up with the idea for it?

ROSEHEAD is my second novel. I have finished first draft several weeks ago and am starting second draft next week. The story has been inspired by one of my phone calls back to Russia, to talk to my mom. You see, because I came out of the family where horrible violence was an every day occurrence, on the background of poverty and neglect, I tried to shield myself from it my entire life. I only call my mother occasionally, when I know I'm able to digest her stories and still function (usually I break down for a whole day). This time it was a story of her father pouring boiling water on her when she came to visit. He is not right in his head anymore, but still, the story shocked me. I woke up one morning from a dream of a man luring women into his house, scalding them with hot water on purpose, and then killing them and burying them in his garden. ROSEHEAD grew out of this. It's a story about a twelve year old girl, Lilith Bloom, who with the help of her talking pet whippet Panther discovers what exactly her grandfather is feeding to his rose garden.

When will it be available for purchase?

ROSEHEAD? You can pre-order it here now: http://www.kseniaanske.com/books/rosehead, but I think I will publish it closer to October of this year.

Where can we find other works of yours available for purchase?

All of my books are available on my website:  http://www.kseniaanske.com/books/, but you can also buy them on Amazon as they become available: http://www.amazon.com/Ksenia-Anske/e/B00D3CSVTO.

 

BIO: Ksenia was born in Moscow, Russia, and came to US in 1998 not knowing English, having studied architecture and not dreaming that one day she'd be writing. SIREN SUICIDES, an urban fantasy set in Seattle, is her 1st novel. She lives in Seattle with her boyfriend and their combined 3 kids in a house on top of the hill that they like to call The Loony Bin.

Website: http://www.kseniaanske.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kseniaanske

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ksenia.anske

Google+: https://plus.google.com/109572538028745590669/posts

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/kseniaanske

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kseniaanske/

 

Tardy for this giveaway

So I was supposed to post some news about a giveaway last night but personal stuff got in the way and I couldn't.

The giveaway: the first 5 people to email me at heather.myers@ymail.com with the subject line Awaken - Free Copy will get a free copy of Awaken IN EXCHANGE for a review either on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If you're interested and will leave a review, I'd be happy to send you a copy! But I can only give away 5 so be sure to email me ASAP!

Four Sides: Chapter 1

So, I'm definitely a bit late, but here is the first official chapter of Four Sides of a Triangle.  You can purchase it here or here for $1.99!  I hope you enjoy!

Check back at 5:30pm Pacific Time because they may be a HUGE announcement/giveaway you won't want to miss.  Sign up for the newsletter by emailing me at heather.myers@ymail.com and you get priority!

Chapter 1

 

Weddings are one of those events that can mean anything to anybody. For me, they symbolize the union of two people who can commit, are ridiculously in love with each other, and want to spend the rest of their lives together. For my boss – a man and a self-proclaimed bachelor for life – weddings symbolize death, which is why, when Harold Morris, who happens to be a close friend of Mr. Swift’s as well as a prominent member on the board at Swift Enterprises, got married to Melinda Wilson this past Saturday, Mr. Swift skipped the wedding ceremony and only showed up to the reception. And the only reason he showed up to the reception was because I happened to mention there’d be an open bar, something Mr. Swift has a talent for taking advantage of.

 

Robert Swift may have two degrees from MIT and run one of the most successful business corporations on the planet but he’s also a tad dramatic. Not that he would ever admit this, of course. But even now, he’s standing in a studio owned by GQ, preparing for a photo shoot of the year’s Best Dressed Men, ranging from actors to musicians to businessmen. This is the third year that Robert’s made the list and the first where he’ll be on the cover.

 

“Maddy,” he says, beckoning me over with a tilt of his head. “My tie isn’t cooperating.”

 

This is his way of asking me to help with his tie. For all his intelligence, he hasn’t mastered the art of tying ties, but he’s too stubborn to admit it and too prideful to wear a clip-on.

 

I walk over to him and fall into a natural process of doing what he has asked me to do without, of course, actually asking. “For the millionth time,” I say. “It’s Madeline. Madeline. Not Maddy. You know I hate it when you call me Maddy.”

 

“That’s why I call you it,” he tells me in that quick, charm-laced voice that has so many women clamoring to be the first and only Mrs. Swift. Or at least the five hundred and seventh woman he’s bedded this past year. Not that I’m counting or anything. He tilts his head down so the tip of his chin brushes my knuckles. “Nobody else does.”

 

“So you don’t care that I don’t like it?” I ask as I take a step back. Instead of looking at him, I’m admiring my handiwork. “And besides, we’re in public. You should address me as Ms. Perkins.”

 

“You may not like it, but you let me get away with it,” he points out and then turns around to face the full-length mirror that’s just behind him, “and that’s good enough for me.”  He’s silent for a moment, his brown eyes critiquing every aspect of the Armani suit he’s wearing and how he happens to look in said suit. “Well?”  He turns to face me once again. “What do you think?”

 

I roll my eyes. “You ask me this every shoot,” I tell him.

 

“I know,” he replies with a wolfish grin. “I just like hearing you tell me how good I look.”

 

It’s true; Robert is a man who somehow always manages to look good no matter what he is or isn’t wearing. I’ve been with Robert for three years and at thirty, I’ve never seen him look better. Okay, he’s kind of short and has a little-man complex – which explains his astronomically large ego – but ladies of all shapes, sizes, and colors don’t seem to mind his five foot eight frame. Oh, excuse me, five foot eight and a half frame. Like he’d ever let me forget that extra half inch.

 

His body makes up for his lack of height though. He has broad shoulders, defined arms, and a well-built torso. Robert has no apparent shame about his body, and I happen to have seen him naked more times than I would have preferred in various sorts of scenarios, many of which I couldn’t even comprehend before meeting him. This is how I know he has a small scar on his right hipbone that he got when he was five while riding a bike for the first time without training wheels, and that he also has an outie bellybutton, something I never thought could be attractive but on Robert, it just fits. He likes to keep in shape with boxing, mixed martial arts, and other certain activities that cause sweating, ragged breathing, and may or may not require a partner. His face is heart-shaped and sharp with a well-defined jaw that contrasts nicely with his slender, upturned nose. As usual, the lower half of his face is shaved and his hair, normally messy and unruly, is actually combed and pushed back from his face. I can even see bits of graying hair on his sideburns that he continues to be in denial about, which is why he hasn’t dyed his hair. Plus, I’ve told him that if he even tried such an act, I would flat-out quit, something he knows I’m serious about. His grey hair makes me smile because – I would never tell him this – I’ve always felt that grey hair is particularly sexy on a guy.

 

“Well?” he asks, giving me an expectant look. “Or are you too busy picturing me naked to formulate a response?”

 

“I’ve seen you naked plenty of times,” I remind him and hope that he doesn’t notice my blush. “And none of them were on purpose. You really should get a lock on your door or at least hang some kind of article of clothing on your doorknob so I know not to disturb you when you’re… indisposed. And how about throwing some clothes on when you know I’m coming over for that matter?”

 

“Maddy, you’re twenty-four years old and you’re blushing about the topic of sex,” he tells me in a flat voice, but those brown eyes currently house an amused sparkle. “You can’t tell me that you’re unfamiliar with the subject.”

 

“That has sexual harassment lawsuit written all over it,” I murmur, not that he’s going to listen to me or anything.

 

“If I said that the only reason I mentioned it in the first place was because of your ravishing good looks, the thought that you might be unfamiliar with such a thing never crossed my mind, would that make a difference?” he asks in a hopeful voice. He must see the look on my face because his eyebrows slowly descend. “No?  Well, what if I told you that you get this attractive shade of red whenever I mention things you’re uncomfortable with? Will that smooth things over?”

 

“I swear,” I say as I shake my head. “Anyone else would have either slapped you or quit. Probably both.”

 

“Or slept with me,” Robert adds. “But you have been elusive on all three fronts, although I think I might be wearing one down.”

 

“You’re right. I am this close to slapping you.”  I press my index finger and thumb together so there’s only a slit of space between them to emphasize my point.

 

“Seriously though,” he says, turning back to the mirror as he folds his shirt collar down. “How do I look?”

 

I make sure my sigh sounds exasperated. “You look fine, Mr. Swift,” I tell him, positioning myself behind him so I can look over his shoulder. “Much better than at the wedding on Saturday.”

 

He gives me a dry stare through the mirror. “You can’t blame me for indulging at that travesty,” he says. “So maybe I got a little carried away. That’s why I had you there with me.”

 

“Personal assistant does not equal babysitter. And I’m glad you took into consideration my desire to dance and enjoy myself, considering I was the one who introduced Harold and Melinda in the first place, without having to worry about you before you decided to get plastered, steal the microphone from the wedding singer in order to sing an AC/DC song. For the record, AC/DC isn’t romantic.”

 

“I felt that ‘Highway to Hell’ was the only song that represented the moment.”  Robert cranes his neck so he’s looking me in the eyes. “I hope you know that setting those two up was the beginning of the end.”

 

“I am so sick of you talking like you’re some stereotypical down-with-romance yuppie businessman in every other romance novel or chick flick. You’re like every single guy who think they’ll be single and happy for the rest of their life until, of course, you meet That Girl who walks in with her luxurious hair blowing in the wind and changes everything with her quick wit and easy smile, causing you to fall in love with her in a matter of days, propose marriage by the end of the month, and pop out a couple of kids in order to fulfill the necessary happily ever after ending men like you seem so set out against.”

 

“Don’t start writing my love story, kid,” Robert says, frowning. “I’m not another one of those pawns you set up like Harold and Linda. I don’t know why you like setting up people anyways. It’s the most depressing thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

 

“Ten minutes, Mr. Swift,” an assistant informs us, and just as quickly as he shows up, he disappears.

 

“First of all, I would never attempt to set you up,” I say in a decidedly softer voice in case other people are attempting to listen in on our conversation. “I know you too well to even entertain such an idea. And secondly, I set people up who I know will work out together – like Harold and Melinda – because I like to help people. You know how you have your charities you donate to?  Well, setting people up is like my charity but instead of trying to aide them financially, I get to watch them fall in love.”  I shrug my shoulders. “And on a more selfish note, I get to live vicariously through the lucky people I set up who actually do fall in love since my job as your PA turned out to be a twenty-four hour kind of thing rather than a nine-to-five deal. I will probably never have a semblance of a normal, healthy relationship because of how much time and effort I have put into this job.”

 

“I’m flattered,” he says with what I can only describe as a snarky smile, “that you devote so much time to me.”  He fiddles with his cufflinks. “And you’re welcome, by the way, for saving you from a lifetime of misery. I mean, can you really imagine having sex with the same person for the rest of your life?  And don’t give me that love crap because love is just chemicals in our brains that eventually wear off. Biologically, humans aren’t supposed to be with the same person anyways.”

 

“You’ve told me that three times now,” I mutter.

 

“Obviously you’re a bad listener.”  He turns around fully and places his hands on my shoulders so I look up into his eyes once again. I think one of the reasons he likes me around so much is because I’m three and a half inches shorter than he is. “Now please, no more of this cupid business, okay? We have a lot of events that need planning and attending and all that jazz, and I want to have your full attention, okay? Please?”

 

Before I can give him a definitive response, the same assistant comes in and informs us that world renowned photographer Miguel Hernandez is ready for Mr. Swift. Robert gives me his trademark wink and disappears, following the assistant out of his dressing room and into the studio.

 

I stay in the backstage area, deciding to watch the shoot from my position behind the scenes. No one pays any attention to me, probably because I’m not a model or a celebrity or anybody like that. Though, for whatever reason, people do seem to know me as Robert’s personal assistant, and celebrity bloggers are always speculating that Robert and I are sleeping together or have some sort of secret relationship. Which is impossible, because I’m not the type of girl who sleeps around and Robert doesn’t believe in love at all, let alone for himself. He thinks the rumors are funny; I think they hurt my chances at being taken seriously at my profession.

 

I wasn’t expecting that sort of reaction when I took the job as Robert’s PA three years ago. In fact, I honestly never expected any sort of focus on my private life or any beliefs that my private life was somehow entwined with Robert’s. At twenty-one, I was naïve. I had been a part-time accountant at Swift Enterprises while I finished my college education. Because I didn’t have my degree at the time of employment, I only occasionally worked with actual numbers. Instead, I took phone calls, got coffee, that sort of thing. But that all changed six months into the job.

 

In order to teach me the skills I would need as an accountant, my manager Dick Ferguson had me double, triple, and quadruple check his numbers. I never did the work, I just checked his. Normally, everything would add up and that was that. Until one day they didn’t. At this time, Robert was a recluse due to the unexpected death of his parents in an overseas car crash. But I did what I thought was right; I bypassed Dick and interrupted Robert’s solitary confinement in his Malibu mansion. Apparently, I didn’t get the memo that he wanted nothing to do with the general public, including his employees – employees he didn’t know about since, even though he was technically CEO since his father’s death, he never really ran the company and let the Board take over in his chosen absence. I went to his house, ignored his flu-induced come-ons, took care of him, and when he was better, showed him my findings. I hadn’t expected him to be sick when I first met him, and it wasn’t like I could just let him get sicker, especially since he was too stubborn to see a freaking doctor for some antibiotics. But I think the fact that I did stay caused Robert to start to trust me. Well, to cut an already long story short, he got out of his funk, took back control of his company, offered me a promotion in the form of being his personal assistant, and fired Dick. We’ve been together ever since.

 

But three years with Robert is like forty-eight dog years. Nobody was expecting him to keep me around very long because everybody figured he’d tire of me after sleeping with me and wouldn’t want any unnecessary drama afterwards when he continued to sleep with supermodels and starlets, or that I wouldn’t stay with him because my heart would be broken and I wouldn’t be able to continue to do my job; I’d be in the bathroom the whole time crying, washing my face, and reapplying my mascara. Now, people seem to have accepted the fact that Robert and I aren’t going to part ways any time soon, but I think that they still believe we have some sort of friends-with-benefits thing going on rather than the truth of the matter which is that we have mutual respect for each other.

 

And plus, I would never sleep with Robert Swift. Even setting aside the whole fact that he’s my boss, Robert and I…  Well, let’s just say that being his assistant shows me who he really is. He’s always reminding me that he’s incapable of falling in love and he’s with a different woman as often as the sun rises. Yes, he’s attractive and said good looks are highlighted by his devastating charm, but I’m not the type to sleep around. Trust me, if I could, I would – I would love to be able to have sex without feeling anything – but I know myself and I know I can’t. Especially with Robert. There’s no way I’m letting a man incapable of loving anywhere near my heart, thank you very much. It’ll only end up broken and I’ve been down that road before and don’t have any plans on going back.

 

I do still believe in the concept of love though. And I believe that somewhere, that special somebody made just for me is searching for me, and one day in the future, we will meet and all the pain we each went through on the journey will be totally worth it. Because we’ll have each other.

 

Until then, however, I am perfectly satisfied watching the people around me fall in love. And I know I probably shouldn’t involve myself in setting people up anymore – I don’t want to mess with Fate or anything – but sometimes, people are just begging to be helped along the way to their destiny. Like Ethan McCoy.

 

Ethan McCoy is young, handsome, and rich. As the only son of Don McCoy, he’s definitely used to getting what he wants. Rumors have been swirling though, and as Robert’s PA, they’re easy to come by. Apparently, Daddy McCoy is cutting the apron strings unless Ethan starts getting his act together in terms of taking life seriously. But that’s all I know. Ethan’s in the market for a girl who, I think, will not only win over his father but will understand him as more than Don McCoy’s son and a baby-faced mega-millionaire.

 

Everyone wants to fall in love. Even Robert Swift.

 

“Maddy!”

 

I’m shaken out of my thoughts by the devil himself, calling out to me in the middle of his very important photo shoot, something completely unprofessional, and by a nickname he knows I detest. I push myself off the wall I’m resting against, feeling a red mask slowly start to slither across my face. The shoot is literally placed on hold as I make my walk of shame across the room – mindful of the multiple cords and the placement of my feet – and wonder what in the hell he needs me for.

 

“What is it, Mr. Swift?” I ask in a low voice once I’ve reached him. I hope that the fact that I’m asking through gritted teeth and the extra emphasis on his formal name hints that Maddy is not what he should be calling me in a public setting while I’m on the clock.

 

“See?  I told you she absolutely hates when I call her Maddy, but I like the name.”  Robert, I can tell, is having difficulty looking at only one of the three scantily-clad models that surround him – a tri-fecta, actually, consisting of a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead – so he plasters on his charm smile reserved for this particular audience, and rests his eyes on me. “Hey Maddy. Whoa, you look upset.”

 

“I’m not upset,” I say in the same tight voice. “What do you want?”

 

“Of course you’re upset,” Robert says and then points a long finger at my nose. “You get that cute wrinkle over the bridge of your nose whenever you’re mad. Do you see it?”  The question is directed to the redhead, but it’s open to them all. “See the wrinkle?”

 

I clear my throat before they can answer, catching Robert’s attention once again. It’s more difficult now that he has beautiful women around him he hopes to impress. Not that that will take much, by the looks of things…

 

“Right,” Robert says. “I was just talking with my new friends – Bella, Lindsay, and Kay, so you know – and they haven’t seen the sights that LA has to offer. Can you believe that? What a waste, to come all the way out here from New York and not see the –“

 

“Mr. Swift,” I interrupt him, my impatience getting the better of me. “You’re in the middle of a very important photo shoot. How can I help you?”

 

“What’s the rest of today look like?” he asks me, finally cutting to the chase. “Actually, doesn’t matter. Cancel everything. I’m going – well.”  He winks at me. “You know.”

 

I do know, and I can’t stop the look of disgust touching my face as I turn and head to my place backstage. Apparently, Robert can amuse himself with his own version of love just like I can.          

Quick update

Sorry about the lack of updates. It's been a busy week.

If you're interested in joining my mailing list and getting updates about contests, giveaways, and upcoming books, please email me with the subject line MAILING LIST and I'll be happy to add you. The first one has already gone out and I expect another one to go out in a couple weeks.

August, I'm switching up the blog a bit. I'm interviewing aspiring writers to talk about the writing process, where they get their inspiration, what they're working on, and their writing goals. Are you an aspiring writer? Then us love to interview you. Email me at heather.myers@ymail.com with the subject line AW INTERVIEW. I also plan to interview successful self-published authors and more surprises, so keep your eye out!

I just finished Awaken's edits over the weekend, as well as edits for two super-secret works in progress. Once I get the okay, I'll drop more hints on just what they are. I'm also writing Awaken's sequel so... Yeah, I've been busy.

Personally, my boyfriend and I have adopted two terrier-chihuahua puppies, and let me tell you, they are exactly like kids. All they do is way, poo, and sleep, and we're still working on potty training, but they're so cute and who can resist them. Look for pictures soon.

How are you guys? What's going on with you?

Mean messages and mailing lists

So. I'm not sure if you got my message through fictionpress, but if you're interested in getting news of my upcoming publications, advice on writing and publishing, etc. feel free to comment this post with your email or email me at heather.myers@ymail.com

I don't want to continue spamming you guys about the mailing list and things like that. That was one of the reasons I created the mailing list in the first place because, for the most part, I don't want to keep spamming you with fictionpress emails.

I got a really nasty review after sending that message calling me all these names, saying I'm selfish. Of course this person was anonymous. The thing is, through the harsh and convoluted language, I understood the message. It makes me uncomfortable sending out messages through fictionpress but I'm not sure how else to contact you, and I do address that in the message.

I apologize for flooding you inboxes the past couple days, but with this mailing list I can assure you that that won't happen.

Not for a while, anyways.

First 2 reviews for Four Sides

The first two reviews have been posted on Amazon for Four Sides of a Triangle!  Both are 5 stars and I decided to post them here for you to read:

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and it was such a joy to be able to read it again. I had originally read it on Fictionpress, and I had immediately fell in love with the story from the first chapter, with Madeline's frustration with Robert from the beginning with him calling her by her nickname 'Maddy' which she hates. As the story progresses their relationship becomes much deeper and romantic, with twists and turns along the way.

As it says in the description it is a modern-retelling on Emma by Jane Austen, and if you love Jane Austen novels like I do then I think you will also enjoy this.

AND

This is such a good romance story! I'm so glad to be able to read it again. The chemistry between Madeleine and Robert is impeccable and it just causes all kinds of sparks to fly everywhere. The greatest element in this story is it's setting- The Corporate World and it works quite wonderfully. I've been adoring this tale since it's days in Fiction Press and now that i've been lucky enough to receive it's improved version i'm glad that it's up for the world to see.

It makes me so happy that you guys are enjoying Four Sides.  When you guys leave me reviews, it helps my story and I appreciate all the words you have to say about it - good or bad!  Thank you thank you thank you!

If you're interested in buying Four Sides from Amazon, the link is here: http://www.amazon.com/Four-Sides-Triangle-ebook/dp/B00E0UHX0Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1374295570&sr=8-3&keywords=heather+c.+myers and for Barnes & Noble, the link is here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/four-sides-of-a-triangle-heather-c-myers/1116107494?ean=2940148784029

It's only $1.99 and a perfect read for lazy summer days!

Release day

Guys, I'm literally exhausted.  It's been a long, amazing day.

However, Four Sides of a Triangle is out and ready to be read by YOU.

Here is the link to purchase it on Amazon for $1.99: http://www.amazon.com/Four-Sides-Triangle-ebook/dp/B00E0UHX0Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1374206027&sr=8-4&keywords=Heather+C.+Myers

And once I get the link to buy it on Barnes & Noble, I'll edit the post and add it here (it's still processing but should be up some time tomorrow). EDIT: Here is the link for Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/four-sides-of-a-triangle-heather-c-myers/1116107494?ean=2940148784029

I'm sorry this post is so short - I promise to write more tomorrow - but I just wanted to say thank you for your love and support, and I sincerely hope you enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

This is only the beginning, my friends.

Book cover reveal

Well guys, it's officially here: book cover release time! The credit goes to Renee, who is so incredibly talented and artistic. If you're in the market for a book cover, feel free to check out her portfolio at her site, http://www.reneeromance.com

One other point of contention: the Four Sides ARC giveaway is officially closed. I want to thank everyone who entered. Also, keep in mind that my book Awaken, Book I of The Dark Paradise Trilogy will be released in the next few weeks. It combines Saving Smiles and Fatal Attraction, and a similar giveaway will be hosted around that time. Keep checking back and follow me on twitter for the latest news!

Now, without further adieu, here is the book cover for Four Sides of a Triangle!

It's beautiful and flirty and the models are perfect. I'd love to hear what you think - feel free to drop me a comment!

Also, Four Sides should be released some time today, so keep your eyes peeled!

Mutually beneficial relationship

So.

I have MAJOR news.

Four Sides of a Triangle will officially be released tomorrow evening where you'll be able to purchase it on your Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook. I'll release the book cover tomorrow morning/afternoon. 

With every debut indie author, I'm going to need your help to get word out. If you're interested in attaining a free copy of Four Sides, please email me. All I ask is you leave a review either on Amazon or Barnes & Noble website. The first 50 people to email me at heather.myers@ymail.com will get a free copy if Four Sides with the requisite that you leave a review for it.

I'll post the first chapter either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Hope to hear from you soon!