New sale to Ellora's Cave -- Hidden Force

Contracts are signed and edits are done! I sold a new m/m contemporary novella to Ellora's Cave! All I'm waiting on is the release date! Here's the blurb:

Hidden Force

Cold-blooded murder and hot-blooded passion...

Memphis homicide detective Tony Costa's life is twisted with both. A killer is stalking prey in the bitter winter nights leaving a trail of victims with hauntingly familiar features. The blond haired blue eyed young men resemble the vice cop whose bed he secretly shares. Afraid of revealing his secret to the world, he may be too late to tell the one person that matters.

Luke Nilsson wants more than a friend with benefits. Out about his sexuality since high school, Luke doesn’t like hiding his relationship with Tony but he’s not willing to end it. Asked to work with Tony on a series of murders, things heat up, and not always in a good way. When an old lover resurfaces during the investigation, Luke makes a decision that may be his last.

Mission Almost Accomplished!

I was on a mission this weekend. I started work on a proposal last week. Tweaked the synopsis on Thursday and Friday nights. Started writing Saturday morning. With a little help from my friends in the way of timed writing, I wrote almost 8000 words this weekend! Two complete chapters and about 2/3 of chapter three. I only need three chapters for the proposal.

I'm bleary eyed and exhausted this morning but I'm almost done with the writing. I plan to finish tonight. This will leave me the rest of the week to edit and tweak.

Of course, I didn't get much else done...things like housework, laundry, yardwork... Oh, well, I'll squeeze those in this week.

Now, I'm off to get ready for the dratted day job.

Hugs to all,
Shayla

Huge sigh of relief...

Well, I finished another project. A short story for Harlequin Brief. I emailed it tonight so now I get to wait. Probably a long time. The editor I spoke to at RWA National said they were backed up before the conference. I can only imagine how bad the queue is now! But it's off my computer and I can get back to my TOR proposal. Which is due the 5th of August. *headdesk* Why do I do these things to myself?

Back to the grindstone!
Hugs, Shayla

CONTEST: A chance to win a print copy of The Cost of Eternity!

Shayla's Eternity Contest!

In celebration of the release of The Rememdiu, I'm giving away a signed print copy of the story that started it all, The Cost of Eternity!

Go to my website at www.shaylakersten.com/shaylaevents.htm and answer the questions to enter. The winner will be picked at random at 10PM July 31st!

The Rememdiu
By Shayla Kersten
Available July 27th at Ellora's Cave!
http://www.ellorascave.com/

Blurb:

Roger Malloy has devoted his life to the Secret Service until one assignment gone wrong destroys his career. Little does he know how the chain of events started by his contact with Lorcan MacKenna would end. Now on the wildest ride of his life, Roger finds himself drawn to a strange trio of people claiming to be immortal vampire hunters.

Adria has spent the last four hundred years looking for the Rememdiu, the one person capable of destroying the night demons, only to find a very uncooperative Roger Malloy. Although she knows he has the genetic makeup to be the Cure to the scourge of vampires, convincing him is harder than she expected. Her two men are more than willing to help her persuade him in any way necessary. Unknown to her is Roger’s true nature and the real meaning of the Cure.

Romance Writers of America Conference!

Even almost a week later, I’m still worn out from all the activities but I wouldn’t have missed it. I was able to spend time with my friends, Delilah Devlin, Myla Jackson, Layla Chase, Eve Savage and Megan Kerans. Delilah, Myla, Layla and I shared a room. Completely by accident, Eve and Megan ended up in the adjoining room next door. We had a big slumber party! No pranks ensued although there was talk of painting Delilah’s face with all kinds of makeup when she fell asleep early on Saturday but unfortunately, she’s a light sleeper.

Wednesday was very interesting. One of Delilah’s publisher, Avon Red, had contacted her regarding a television interview with a local reporter. Wednesday morning our whole group accompanied her to a local coffee shop where we watched Mike Castellucci of WFAA-TV work his magic. To see the final result, check out the video at this link. (http://www.wfaa.com/video/index.html?nvid=158607) If you check the background, you’ll see part of Delilah’s Posse in the background.

My first print title, The Cost of Eternity, was released in time for the National Literacy book signing. Wednesday night was amazing. Over 450 authors autographing books for charity! The event raised over $56,000. The authors are seated alphabetically so my friend and critique partner, Megan Kerans, was right next to me. On the other side of her would have been Sherrilyn Kenyon except she was signing as Kinley MacGregor so she was in the “m” section. We had fun directing traffic for her! She was all dressed up in a long gown and a hat with a huge black swan on it. She was gorgeous!

When confused looking people wandered up, we would ask them, “Are you looking for Sherrilyn?” Imagine my surprise when one woman said “No, I’m looking for you!” I squealed like a silly schoolgirl! LOL I sold a total of seven books, which is excellent for a new author in a venue with so many famous names. I also met my LJ and Gateworld friend, Sela, who I’ve known online for over three years but never seen in person. She went to dinner with us after the signing and we had a blast.

I met several editors and one agent I’m interested in submitting work. I met tons of authors I know from online but haven’t had the chance to meet. My roomies and I got in some excellent brainstorming so I have a few new projects to work on now.

On the Monday before I left for Dallas, I recieved word from my Ellora's Cave editor. Hidden Force, a new m/m contemporary romance, was accepted! Woo hoo! Another sale! That's four books with Ellora's Cave now.

While I was at National, I recieved the cover to my Wild Rose Press short story, Double Deutsch! Quite yummy! Although there are two men in this one, they don't play with each other! *cackle* I know, people are in shock. Me writing somethine without male/male sex! But it's true! It is, however, a menage a trois... *arches eyebrows* Here's the cover. It's part of the Destination Pleasure series. The series lauched in June with Desiree Holt's Made in Mexico. The second one is by Eve Savage, Wicked in Wales, and was released this week. There will be a new story each third Thursday of the month for at least nine months. I think there were nine original stories. They may add more later. Double Deutsch comes out November 21st.

So all in all, it was a wonderful week. I'm still recovering but I have to get my posterior moving and out of the house. Diamond State Romance Authors meets today. As President, it's best I show up. LOL Especially when we've scheduled our "National roundup" to go over the conference!

Later all! Have a wonderful weekend!
Shayla

Cover for The Rememdiu!

Check out the gorgeous cover for my July 27th release, The Rememdiu! This book is the sequel to The Cost of Eternity!

Blurb:

Roger Malloy devoted his life to the Secret Service until one assignment gone wrong destroyed his career. Little did he know how the chain of events started by his contact with Lorcan MacKenna would end. Now on the wildest ride of his life, Roger finds himself drawn to a strange trio of people claiming to be immortal vampire hunters.

Adria spent the last four hundred years looking for the Rememdiu, the one person capable of destroying the night demons, only to find a very uncooperative Roger Malloy. Although she knows he has the genetic makeup to be the cure to the scourge of vampires, convincing him is harder than she expected. Her men are more than willing to help her persuade him in any way necessary. Unknown to her is Roger’s true nature and the real meaning of the cure.

Blogging at Liquid Silver's Silver Expression Blog!

Stop by Liquid Silver's blog on Friday, July 20th, and tell me something fun you've done this summer! Or something not so fun! Leave a comment for a chance to win a download of any of my available books!

http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/blog/

Hope to see you there!
Hugs,
Shayla

Too busy!

*takes deep breath* I've been running non-stop for the last month. Sometimes it feels like I don't have time to breathe. I finished a couple of projects--another EC novella and a proposal with three chapters for Kensinton Aphrodisia. Managed to start, and almost finish, a short story targeted at Harlequin Spice. I need another couple thousand words and I'm finished with it.

The day job has been hectic. Everything is in flux there. All kinds of changes coming and I'm in the middle because of systems changes. Plus, because I'm on vacation starting Tuesday, we had to close the books in record time.

Vacation! Woo hoo! Going to Dallas for the Romance Writers of America national conference. I'll get to see my Kensinton editor, the one I sent the proposal to. I'll be asking about it for sure! LOL I have a luncheon with Ellora's Cave authors and editors on Wednesday at noon, a cocktail party for Kensington authors and editors on Friday night, and the highlight of the conference for me, is the book signing on Wednesday night where I get to sign copies of my book, The Cost of Eternity. That is, if anyone wants to buy it! *cackle*

I've got tons of stuff to do today to finish getting ready, not the least of which is cleaning my house! I've been so busy, housework has been cursory at best. Momma will be coming over to check on my critters so I need to at least make the house presentable! As well as the yard! And I need to go get my haircut and pick up a few things for the trip. So what am I doing? Updating my blogs and groups plus playing Flash Fiction Sunday on Liquid Silver's blog!

Okay, I need to hit the shower and head out for the haircut and quick shopping!I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday!

Hugs,
Shayla

4th of July Manlove Chat!

Join us on July 4 ( you know you want to!! ) for a ManLove "Day at the Beach". We've set this up to be very informal - the following authors will be dropping in throughout the day , chatting and posting HOT, HOT excerpts: Michael Barnette, Sharon Bidwell, James Buchanan, Anne Cain, Matthew Haldeman-Time, Jules Jones, Shayla Kersten, Rowan McBride, Jet Mykles, Barbara Sheridan and Stephanie Vaughan.

When? July 4, 2007 starting @ 10:00 Eastern

Where? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LiteraryNymphsChat/

Why? Cuz it's gonna be hotter than a firecracker! *groan*

A wonderful review for Gaps In Your Soul!

Just Erotic Romance Reviews
Rating: 5 Stars
Heat Level: S
Reviewer: Aggie Tsirikas

Excerpt of Review:

Gaps in Your Soul is part of Ellora's Cave Naughty Nuptials series. This is a very well written story about the love that's endured between Jared and Dalton for ten years from their one night together, despite an earlier misunderstanding. Dalton and Jared clearly show they need each other, and Ms. Kersten does a wonderful job in taking the reader on their emotional journey in this short story. I was surprised to see Dalton being the more aggressive of the two as Jared had been in a leadership role in the Army. This only brought out the men's personalities and highlighted what wonderful and well crafted characters they are, people with an interesting story to tell. The sex between them was sizzling, sensual and at times sensitive to their needs and their burgeoning relationship. It was also hot and emotional, and the aggressiveness in Dalton is very much a turn on. Some heartfelt emotion may wring a few tears from some readers, but I felt this story definitely showed the emotional ties between these two men and made reading their story all that more enjoyable. Gaps in Your Soul was a truly wonderful story that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to readers.

This review is archived on the JERR Yahoo Group Newsletter #103.