The winner of my scavenger contest for the blog and chat is Jodi F! Congratulations, Jodi!
Thanks to everyone who played!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Literary Nymphs Labor Day Manlove Chat!
I'm hanging out at the Literary Nymphs Yahoo group this weekend. They are having a holiday weekend manlove chat! Stop by. Read excerpts. Play games. Win prizes!
Join the email group here! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LiteraryNymphsChat/
Join the email group here! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LiteraryNymphsChat/
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Blogging at Rainbow Studio!
I'm a featured author at The Romance Studio's Rainbow Studio. I'm also blogging at the Rainbow Blog. I've posted a scavenger hunt there! Stop by and play for a chance to win an ebook or print book of the winner's choice!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Must Have Pants!
Well, I'm a little more timely this time! At least a month hasn't passed by since my last post. Not as much to report though.
My critique partner returned the gay Greek time travel--tentatively titled FOR OLYMPUS' SAKE. Her comments weren't too harsh, thank heavens, but as usual, she's right on the money. I ran through the edits then finished up the submission package (synopsis, back cover blurb). I emailed the entire thing to my Ellora's Cave editor yesterday morning. Now for the nail biting. And nausea. I always feel a little sick after submissions.
Early in the week, I started working on a gay erotic paranormal murder mystery. Oh, and it's a cold case. Yes, I've got genre-itis. Let's see how many I can squeeze in there. The plotting is coming along well. The victim is a smart-assed nineteen year old. I twittered yesterday that if my murder victim was real, I'd want to kill him! *cackle* No, I will not be writing myself into the novel as the killer.
Okay, for those of you who follow me on Twitter, you might have seen reference to the family must-have-pants rule. It's a long story. Someday, I'll stick it in a book. But let's just say a relative forgot to wear pants one day. For whatever reason. The worst part had something to do with arguing with the cops after the accident. I shudder to remember all the details. So anyway... Now the deal in our family is you can get away with almost anything--as long as you have on pants.
I just found this on YouTube. To freaking funny. Would give my mother nightmares!
My critique partner returned the gay Greek time travel--tentatively titled FOR OLYMPUS' SAKE. Her comments weren't too harsh, thank heavens, but as usual, she's right on the money. I ran through the edits then finished up the submission package (synopsis, back cover blurb). I emailed the entire thing to my Ellora's Cave editor yesterday morning. Now for the nail biting. And nausea. I always feel a little sick after submissions.
Early in the week, I started working on a gay erotic paranormal murder mystery. Oh, and it's a cold case. Yes, I've got genre-itis. Let's see how many I can squeeze in there. The plotting is coming along well. The victim is a smart-assed nineteen year old. I twittered yesterday that if my murder victim was real, I'd want to kill him! *cackle* No, I will not be writing myself into the novel as the killer.
Okay, for those of you who follow me on Twitter, you might have seen reference to the family must-have-pants rule. It's a long story. Someday, I'll stick it in a book. But let's just say a relative forgot to wear pants one day. For whatever reason. The worst part had something to do with arguing with the cops after the accident. I shudder to remember all the details. So anyway... Now the deal in our family is you can get away with almost anything--as long as you have on pants.
I just found this on YouTube. To freaking funny. Would give my mother nightmares!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Another Month Gone!
Another month got away from me! I haven't posted since July 11!
Things have been a little hectic. Momma recovered nicely from her gall bladder surgery. I did a lot of running back and forth for the first couple of weeks because she couldn't lift anything over 10 pounds. She doesn't like anyone staying with her when she's sick because she can't rest. She feels like she's not being a good hostess by sleeping through the visit! *cackle* But she was just fine calling me when she needed something. Worked for both of us. I'm only six miles away and I don't like spending the night away from home. *shrugs* We work well together. I figure when the day comes she needs to live with someone, we'll get a house with a mother/daughter set up (also called mother-in-law quarters, depending on where you live). With separate living quarters in the same house, it would work out perfect!
I received some great reviews for my Ellora's Cave novella, FIGHTING FOR ETERNITY! It's book four in my ETERNITY series.
Teresa at Fallen Angels Reviews said: "Ms. Kersten has continued her series with this action packed paranormal story. ... The love between Estefan and Karl is beautiful as they meet again at the most unexpected time and quickly rekindle their feelings for each other. I can’t wait for the next book in the Eternity series."
Scandalous Minx from Literary Nymphs said: "Ms. Kersten’s story has action, suspense, and sexual encounters that intertwine basic need, passion, love and devotion. This is a wonderful installment, and I have a feeling she will write, at the very least, one more book. I found the story delightful and look forward to reading more from Shayla Kersten in the near future."
Christine Phoenix said on her blog: "I would recommend not only this series but all Shayla Kersten’s work. Her characters are brought to life and she keeps your mind completely planted in the story until the end. I can’t think of a better way of spending a couple hours than reading about her hot heroes. Did I mention how hot the sex was? It’s a must read!" (WARNING: Christine has spoiler warnings in her review.)
I really need to get started on book five but I have several other projects simmering first.
On July 27, I finally finished the ancient Greece time travel that I thought would never end! LOL Finished around 39k words. A little longer than my novellas usually run but hey, the characters kept having sex! What am I supposed to do! On July 28, I started a space opera novella for a special anthology call. Only problem, the deadline was yesterday! Can we say procrastination, boys and girls?
I finish it yesterday afternoon at 26k words. In 14 days. And some of those days I had to work the day job. Saturday, I kicked into high gear. From Saturday through Monday, I wrote over 17k words. Everything hurt. Hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, back! But I finished it. Monday night, as I was putting the finishing touches on the synopsis, with less than two hours to go on the deadline, my power went out.
My neighbor said it was a substation two towns north of us. The entire east half of the county was dark. I had no way to get internet. I kept working on the laptop battery until my head hurt from lack of light. I gave up and went to bed, with no air conditioning mind you. I left my overhead light in the bedroom on so I'd wake up when the power came back. However, if my neighbor was right, I didn't have much hope for anytime soon.
Luck would have it, the power came back on around 11:45. I jumped out of bed, half awake and grabbed my laptop. A friend had done an emergency read on the story. As soon as I downloaded her email, I ran through her comments, wrote a cover letter and sent it off. With an apology and explanation for missing the August 10th deadline. So it's out of my aching hands.
Now, I'm getting back to my mainstream scifi idea from several months ago. But I don't have a concrete deadline so I don't have to kill myself.
One thing about the speed writing of the space opera story, it helped restore some of my confidence. Writers--probably creative types of all kind--tend to be insecure creatures. Or at least the ones I know. No matter how many accolades the last project garnered, I always have a little voice in the back of my head calling it a fluke. Seventeen contracts later, the voice is still there. I submit each project with a certain amount of nausea, waiting for the editor to tell me how much it sucks! Each release, I bite my nails until I see the first couple of reviews.
Then I had a couple of stories I started that stalled. The little voice said I was a fraud as a writer. I couldn't finish a story. A couple of rejected projects... Depressing yes, but usually I manage to brush it off. After a lot of cursing. *cackle* You can't be a writer if you can't handle rejection. Still, the little voice... Saying bad things.
So by speeding through the space opera project, and turning out what seems to be a pretty damn good story--one that is designed to be the beginning of a new series--I have managed to bind, muzzle and stuff in a closet that annoying little voice. Now to get through the next project before the bitch chews through the restraints!
May you always conquer the voices of doubt in your life!
Hugs,
Shayla
Things have been a little hectic. Momma recovered nicely from her gall bladder surgery. I did a lot of running back and forth for the first couple of weeks because she couldn't lift anything over 10 pounds. She doesn't like anyone staying with her when she's sick because she can't rest. She feels like she's not being a good hostess by sleeping through the visit! *cackle* But she was just fine calling me when she needed something. Worked for both of us. I'm only six miles away and I don't like spending the night away from home. *shrugs* We work well together. I figure when the day comes she needs to live with someone, we'll get a house with a mother/daughter set up (also called mother-in-law quarters, depending on where you live). With separate living quarters in the same house, it would work out perfect!
I received some great reviews for my Ellora's Cave novella, FIGHTING FOR ETERNITY! It's book four in my ETERNITY series.
Teresa at Fallen Angels Reviews said: "Ms. Kersten has continued her series with this action packed paranormal story. ... The love between Estefan and Karl is beautiful as they meet again at the most unexpected time and quickly rekindle their feelings for each other. I can’t wait for the next book in the Eternity series."
Scandalous Minx from Literary Nymphs said: "Ms. Kersten’s story has action, suspense, and sexual encounters that intertwine basic need, passion, love and devotion. This is a wonderful installment, and I have a feeling she will write, at the very least, one more book. I found the story delightful and look forward to reading more from Shayla Kersten in the near future."
Christine Phoenix said on her blog: "I would recommend not only this series but all Shayla Kersten’s work. Her characters are brought to life and she keeps your mind completely planted in the story until the end. I can’t think of a better way of spending a couple hours than reading about her hot heroes. Did I mention how hot the sex was? It’s a must read!" (WARNING: Christine has spoiler warnings in her review.)
I really need to get started on book five but I have several other projects simmering first.
On July 27, I finally finished the ancient Greece time travel that I thought would never end! LOL Finished around 39k words. A little longer than my novellas usually run but hey, the characters kept having sex! What am I supposed to do! On July 28, I started a space opera novella for a special anthology call. Only problem, the deadline was yesterday! Can we say procrastination, boys and girls?
I finish it yesterday afternoon at 26k words. In 14 days. And some of those days I had to work the day job. Saturday, I kicked into high gear. From Saturday through Monday, I wrote over 17k words. Everything hurt. Hands, fingers, arms, shoulders, back! But I finished it. Monday night, as I was putting the finishing touches on the synopsis, with less than two hours to go on the deadline, my power went out.
My neighbor said it was a substation two towns north of us. The entire east half of the county was dark. I had no way to get internet. I kept working on the laptop battery until my head hurt from lack of light. I gave up and went to bed, with no air conditioning mind you. I left my overhead light in the bedroom on so I'd wake up when the power came back. However, if my neighbor was right, I didn't have much hope for anytime soon.
Luck would have it, the power came back on around 11:45. I jumped out of bed, half awake and grabbed my laptop. A friend had done an emergency read on the story. As soon as I downloaded her email, I ran through her comments, wrote a cover letter and sent it off. With an apology and explanation for missing the August 10th deadline. So it's out of my aching hands.
Now, I'm getting back to my mainstream scifi idea from several months ago. But I don't have a concrete deadline so I don't have to kill myself.
One thing about the speed writing of the space opera story, it helped restore some of my confidence. Writers--probably creative types of all kind--tend to be insecure creatures. Or at least the ones I know. No matter how many accolades the last project garnered, I always have a little voice in the back of my head calling it a fluke. Seventeen contracts later, the voice is still there. I submit each project with a certain amount of nausea, waiting for the editor to tell me how much it sucks! Each release, I bite my nails until I see the first couple of reviews.
Then I had a couple of stories I started that stalled. The little voice said I was a fraud as a writer. I couldn't finish a story. A couple of rejected projects... Depressing yes, but usually I manage to brush it off. After a lot of cursing. *cackle* You can't be a writer if you can't handle rejection. Still, the little voice... Saying bad things.
So by speeding through the space opera project, and turning out what seems to be a pretty damn good story--one that is designed to be the beginning of a new series--I have managed to bind, muzzle and stuff in a closet that annoying little voice. Now to get through the next project before the bitch chews through the restraints!
May you always conquer the voices of doubt in your life!
Hugs,
Shayla
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time Flies!
I just realized I haven't posted in over a month! I'm so bad! Not that I have a lot to report. Momma's been having some trouble with her health so I've spent a lot of time accompanying her to doctor appointments and hospital tests. The doctors finally determined that her gall bladder was bad. She had surgery yesterday. Lil Sis came up to stay with her for the weekend. Hopefully, Momma is done with doctors for now!
I received some nice reviews for HIDDEN HANDS (Ellora's Cave, April 2009)
Tina at Two Lips Review said: I loved the chemistry between David and Jeremy. I only wish this novel never had to end! Read the entire review 5 Star review here.
Elise at Ecataromance said: Hidden Hands is a captivating mix of emotions, heat and suspense, guaranteed to raise your own heat level while at the same time leaving our hearts satisfied. Read the entire 4.5 Star review here.
Sandra at Night Owl Romance said: Finally Jeremy Lawson from A Helping Hand and David March from Hidden Force get their story and what a story it is. You get lots of passion and angst. The sexy love scenes abound and create a fun and satisfying read. This is definitely a keeper. Read the entire 4.5 Star review here.
I'm still working on a WIP for Ellora's Cave. I'm almost finished. The story is a time travel to Ancient Greece. What's a guy to do when he gets stuck in Hades?
I joined the JulNoWriMo challenge. It's a take on NaNoWriMo except not as strict. I can work on more than one story to make up the 50k total. I'm woefully behind. I need to kick it in to gear. My plan is to finish the current WIP, write a submission for Samhain's Space Opera challenge and work on my scifi project from a couple of months ago!
Ideas for a non-romance gay book hit me last month. I have to put it behind all the projects listed above plus a ghost story idea. So many ideas so little time! Or sanity!
I revamped my website some. I put up an index for the different types of stories. You can choose from GLBT or Straight romance or Erotica. You can also pick Series & Related Books. I'd love some feedback if anyone has time!
Another site I'm working on setting up is at the GLBT Bookshelf. It's a wiki style site for GLBT books! I only have one page up. I haven't had time to play with it more. I plan to put up pages similar to the book pages on my website but with places readers can comment.
I hope everyone had a safe and happy July 4th holiday! I'll try to do better at blogging in the future! Have a wonderful weekend!
I received some nice reviews for HIDDEN HANDS (Ellora's Cave, April 2009)
Tina at Two Lips Review said: I loved the chemistry between David and Jeremy. I only wish this novel never had to end! Read the entire review 5 Star review here.
Elise at Ecataromance said: Hidden Hands is a captivating mix of emotions, heat and suspense, guaranteed to raise your own heat level while at the same time leaving our hearts satisfied. Read the entire 4.5 Star review here.
Sandra at Night Owl Romance said: Finally Jeremy Lawson from A Helping Hand and David March from Hidden Force get their story and what a story it is. You get lots of passion and angst. The sexy love scenes abound and create a fun and satisfying read. This is definitely a keeper. Read the entire 4.5 Star review here.
I'm still working on a WIP for Ellora's Cave. I'm almost finished. The story is a time travel to Ancient Greece. What's a guy to do when he gets stuck in Hades?
I joined the JulNoWriMo challenge. It's a take on NaNoWriMo except not as strict. I can work on more than one story to make up the 50k total. I'm woefully behind. I need to kick it in to gear. My plan is to finish the current WIP, write a submission for Samhain's Space Opera challenge and work on my scifi project from a couple of months ago!
Ideas for a non-romance gay book hit me last month. I have to put it behind all the projects listed above plus a ghost story idea. So many ideas so little time! Or sanity!
I revamped my website some. I put up an index for the different types of stories. You can choose from GLBT or Straight romance or Erotica. You can also pick Series & Related Books. I'd love some feedback if anyone has time!
Another site I'm working on setting up is at the GLBT Bookshelf. It's a wiki style site for GLBT books! I only have one page up. I haven't had time to play with it more. I plan to put up pages similar to the book pages on my website but with places readers can comment.
I hope everyone had a safe and happy July 4th holiday! I'll try to do better at blogging in the future! Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
FIGHTING FOR ETERNITY Releases today!
FIGHTING FOR ETERNITY, Eternity series book 4, releases today at Ellora's Cave! Woo hoo! I realized this morning that I'd never posted the cover for this one. I used it in a book trailer so I guess my brain registered it as done. My brain has a mind of its own. *cackle*Once again, Les Byerley worked is cover art magic! Thanks to Les for another great cover!
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7278-fighting-for-eternity.aspx
The blurb:
Searching for a murderous rogue vampire, Watcher Estefan Garza’s life is turned upside down by tragic loss and a surprise from his past. His bone chilling loss is warmed by fires of passion reignited by vampire Karl Brandt.
On a quest to destroy a former friend, Karl is startled by Estefan and his mysterious companions. Karl can’t understand why Estefan hasn’t aged in seventy years. Unwilling to let him leave until Karl discovers the truth, he offers Estefan and his friends refuge and assistance for their common mission.
As a bloody battle for Memphis ensues, Karl and Estefan bond between danger and destruction until all that remains separating them is a fight for eternity.
Edited for buy link. The old Ellora's Cave website hasn't been updated but the new Jasemine Jade one has!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Time Raiders Series Contest!
The Seeker
Time Raiders Book one
Silhouette Nocturne, August 2009
Lindsay McKenna, Cindy Dees, PC Cast, and Merline Lovelace are offering more than $1,000 in contest prizes to celebrate the launch of TIME RAIDERS, a series conceived by RomVets and published by Silhouette Nocturne.
Boogie on over to http://www.timeraiders
This series has a fantastic premise--a mix of scifi and fantasy with paranormal. Time travel to various ancient lands, exploring cultures. One of my fav time periods is covered! Book three was inspired by Queen Boudicca of the Iceni who fought the Romans in ancient Briton. Not many people even know who Boudicca was! But all of the books sound fabulous.
RomVets is a group of military women--former, active and retired--who write romance. I'm proud to be included in their number! For more about Romvets go to: http://www.romvets.com/.
Time Raiders Book one
Silhouette Nocturne, August 2009
Lindsay McKenna, Cindy Dees, PC Cast, and Merline Lovelace are offering more than $1,000 in contest prizes to celebrate the launch of TIME RAIDERS, a series conceived by RomVets and published by Silhouette Nocturne.
Boogie on over to http://www.timeraiders
This series has a fantastic premise--a mix of scifi and fantasy with paranormal. Time travel to various ancient lands, exploring cultures. One of my fav time periods is covered! Book three was inspired by Queen Boudicca of the Iceni who fought the Romans in ancient Briton. Not many people even know who Boudicca was! But all of the books sound fabulous.
RomVets is a group of military women--former, active and retired--who write romance. I'm proud to be included in their number! For more about Romvets go to: http://www.romvets.com/.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Never Forget!
Observe a moment of silence at 3PM your local time in memory of those who gave their all.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Time to mow the grass...
For weeks, my yard never dried out enough to mow. The east end, which is low, was slick with mud. Dangerous for a klutz like me. The grass on the west side was growing like a wildfire. Too thick and damp, it clogged my mower and stalled the engine. Great excuse not to mow, eh?
For the first time in months, Arkansas hasn't had rain in four consecutive days! My yard is finally dried out. But the forecast says rain on Friday. So I have no choice. Yard work is in my plans for today. I have to squeeze it in between timed writing and American Idol.
I don't watch American Idol but one of the final two is from Arkansas. His hometown, Conway, is about 20 miles from where I live. So out of a sense of support for a fellow Arkansan, I'm suspending my rule about reality shows. In spite of the reality show craze over the last half dozen years or so, I don't watch them.
Or I should say, I didn't watch them until last year. I broke down and watched Top Chef on Bravo. I still blame someone (Melissa Francis) for that. Oh, and I did watch a few episodes of Dancing With the Stars when Cloris Leachman was on. She's an unpredictable old dame with a foul vocabulary I can relate to and I just wanted to see what she'd do.
But tonight, I'll be glued to the TV to see if Kris Allen will beat Adam what's-his-name. Everyone says Adam will win because he appeals to the little fan gurls and they'll text for him over and over. But I'll still show Kris support by watching the season finale.
But in the meantime, I have a couple of yards to mow and a lot of writing to do! I stalled on a story I was working on for Ellora's Cave so I started a new one. And the characters are both having a grand time with the sex, not necessarily with each other. Good thing Ellora's Cave has the Exotica line. I'm not sure I can rein in the boys to make a believable "happily ever after". LOL We'll see how it goes! I need to get this finished and submitted so I can get back to my scifi idea.
Oh, I went to San Antonio Romance Authors conference a few weeks ago. Talked to an editor there and promised a gay ghost story that's been rolling around in my head since the DSRA group went ghost hunting last year! So I have a bunch of writing to do. And a bunch of yard to mow. Also, it's "tiara day" on Twitter. Go check out the profile pictures... http://twitter.com/ShaylaKersten You can click the profile picture for a bigger view.
For the first time in months, Arkansas hasn't had rain in four consecutive days! My yard is finally dried out. But the forecast says rain on Friday. So I have no choice. Yard work is in my plans for today. I have to squeeze it in between timed writing and American Idol.
I don't watch American Idol but one of the final two is from Arkansas. His hometown, Conway, is about 20 miles from where I live. So out of a sense of support for a fellow Arkansan, I'm suspending my rule about reality shows. In spite of the reality show craze over the last half dozen years or so, I don't watch them.
Or I should say, I didn't watch them until last year. I broke down and watched Top Chef on Bravo. I still blame someone (Melissa Francis) for that. Oh, and I did watch a few episodes of Dancing With the Stars when Cloris Leachman was on. She's an unpredictable old dame with a foul vocabulary I can relate to and I just wanted to see what she'd do.
But tonight, I'll be glued to the TV to see if Kris Allen will beat Adam what's-his-name. Everyone says Adam will win because he appeals to the little fan gurls and they'll text for him over and over. But I'll still show Kris support by watching the season finale.
But in the meantime, I have a couple of yards to mow and a lot of writing to do! I stalled on a story I was working on for Ellora's Cave so I started a new one. And the characters are both having a grand time with the sex, not necessarily with each other. Good thing Ellora's Cave has the Exotica line. I'm not sure I can rein in the boys to make a believable "happily ever after". LOL We'll see how it goes! I need to get this finished and submitted so I can get back to my scifi idea.
Oh, I went to San Antonio Romance Authors conference a few weeks ago. Talked to an editor there and promised a gay ghost story that's been rolling around in my head since the DSRA group went ghost hunting last year! So I have a bunch of writing to do. And a bunch of yard to mow. Also, it's "tiara day" on Twitter. Go check out the profile pictures... http://twitter.com/ShaylaKersten You can click the profile picture for a bigger view.
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