Brr. It’s cold here in Minnesota. So, I’m warming myself up with pictures of a beach. Nice. So inviting.
Now for my update: I’ve finished my novel “Bewitching The Beast.” Hazzah! This book is an urban fantasy romance, and I’m crazy about it.
Set in New York City, this story introduces a new type of paranormal element – dragon spirits from a magical realm that must possess human hosts to survive. They feed off of “luck energy,” a force within all humans that protects us from accidents, violence, and disease. This energy is similar to our immune system. With it, we can fight off most diseases. Without it, we are at terrible risk of contracting something fatal.
This type of spiritual beast is what Ethan Lockwood struggles with:
Ethan hates what he’s become. He’s compelled to violence by The Beast, a dragon spirit inside him who lives off the luck energy all humans possess. After a year of fighting The Beast’s demands, Ethan has lost all hope. He sees Tess at a dance club, and can relate to her weary look, the sadness in her eyes. The Beast forces him to drain her luck. Disgusted by what he’s done, Ethan chases after her. Without her energy, she’s sure to die unless he’s there to protect her.
Since her fiancé’s death, all Tess wants is to be left alone. Life has no meaning now that he’s gone. She doesn’t believe Ethan when he explains the danger she’s in, even as bad luck rains down on her. He’s a nut job. Cute, but delusional. It isn’t until he saves her life with eerie magical powers that the truth sinks in and her world goes on tilt. Tess learns she’s descended from witches. They warn her of her fate. The Beast isn’t the only one of his kind. There’s another, and he wants Tess dead.
While The Beast grows stronger within him, threatening to take total control, Ethan struggles to keep Tess safe as she learns the magic she’ll need to fight the spirits. But who will protect her lonely heart from him?
The querying process has just begun. In the meantime, I’m turning my attention to the next book in this series. Ethan is only the first in a team destined to fight these creatures.
Stay tuned.
Tamara
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2nd Place! I’ll take it.
The American Title V competition has come to an end. It’s been a stressful six months, but I’ve learned a tremendous amount about marketing and the importance of getting your name out there.
A huge thank you to all who voted for “Once Upon a Masquerade.” I was amazed by the support I received in this contest, by family, friends, neighbors, fellow writers, and readers. Amazing.
I won’t lie. I was disappointed that I didn’t win, but looking back on it now, I really see this whole experience as another step down the path to publication. I’ve met some fine people along the way, and feel honored that Dorchester Publishing chose me to compete. That in itself is a validation that I can and will succeed.
With that thought in mind, I dragged my sister Tina to Orlando with me to attend the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. I had a great time. I met a few of the Romantic Times staff, former American Title finalists, many readers and booksellers, and a few agents and editors too. And of course, I attended all the parties. Below are some of the pictures I took.
First of all, let me say Orlando is a beautiful place – lots of sunshine and palm trees.
As I mentioned, I met a few of the Romantic Times staff. Pictured here is Senior Editor Elissa Petruzzi, Review Coordinator Stephanie Klose, and Managing Editor Liz French (Liz was our contact throughout the contest).
Each day there were parties we attended, including the Ellora’s Cave Fantasy Party (a jungle theme), the Seelie & Unseelie Dinner and Dance Faery Ball, and Heather Graham & Helen A. Rosburg’s Comic-ula Vampire Dinner & Dance Ball. My sister and I tried to dress up for each, but some of our costumes were better than others. Here we are as a demoness and vampire.
And ooh boy, a Mr. Romance competition played out all week too. The competitors attended nearly every function, mingling for votes. Here are several at the Deidre Knight’s Gods of Midnight Party. After this picture was taken, two rousing games of musical chairs commenced, with the cover models acting as chairs for women brave enough to play. Tina and I watched (I know, pretty wimpy).
We also witnessed a “cover shoot” staged by former Mr. Romance Jimmy Thomas.
What a tough and exhausting week. Between parties and mingling with cover models…it’s nice to be back home.
