Black Orchidby Abigail OwenTour Dates: June 23-30, 2014
Publication Date: May 23, 2014Series: Black Orchid (Svatura #4; final book of series)Genre: Paranormal RomanceTypes of Posts: Reviews, Interviews, Guest Posts, Ten ListsFormats Available: PDF, ePub, MOBI (previous books available)Giveaway: $40 Amazon or B&N G.C. –or– $40 worth of books from the Book Depository
Heartbroken...Adelaide Jenner feels nothing... she is completely numb inside. Her te'sorthene, her fated love, abandoned her and joined their enemy. On that day her sister turned off all Adelaide's emotions in order to save her from a heartbreak that could push her over the edge of sanity. But great power wielded without compassion or love can only lead to pain.
Deceived...Nate Pierce believes Adelaide used her extraordinary powers to deceive him all these years. So he destroyed a relationship he thought to be false and hungers for revenge. Now, Nate serves Maddox. He is unaware that his new leader is using him as a pawn in a bid to enslave all Svatura.
Unraveling...The only hope of finally defeating Maddox is for Adelaide and her sisters to combine their growing powers against him. But the the key to a Svatura's power is the heart, and Adelaide's is still missing.
Other books in the series
Character Interview - Nate Pierce
Abigail Owen
- Have you tested your strength/speed?
It's hard to test since no one can keep up with me. I'm faster than most cars. I haven't tested it against race cars yet thought, just road cars. The strength part is even harder to test. I can lift a large tree by myself. That's probably been my biggest challenge. It was easy.- Who are your real parents and what happened to them?
They were from England. My dad was Svatura, my mom just a normal girl. She died giving birth to me. My father was so heartbroken that he went a little crazy, started drinking, picking fights. A man in a village shot him over a card game. Charlotte was their friend. She raised me practically from birth.- Why did you leave Adelaide?
Everything that's happened between us was deception. She and Lila used their abilities to manipulate relationships and emotions to make me think we were te'sorthene. Who does that?!? And why? I just thank God that I found Talia - my true te'sorthene - and learned the truth in time. But Adelaide owes me. And she'll pay.- Don't you have any good memories of her?
I do. But it's all lies. So everything good about them has been ruined.- What are you doing now that you're with Maddox's people?
So far? Sitting on my tail. I'm not a wolf shifter, so they won't let me fight, or patrol, or anything. They're wasting my gift which makes me a perfect fighter. So what if I can't hear the hive mind.James Lipton Speed Round
- What is your favorite word?
smorgasbord
- What is your least favorite word?
Adelaide.
- What turns you on?
Talia.
- What turns you off?
Being bored.
- What sound or noise do you love?
The cheer of a crowd at a game.
- What sound or noise do you hate?
A girl crying.
- What is your favorite curse word?
Shite, but said with a good Irish accent. Very important.
- What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I wouldn't have minded being a professional ball player - football or baseball, either one.
- What profession would you not like to do?
Librarian. I'm not exactly quiet.
- If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Man, that's the way to live a life.
Award-winning author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by obtaining a degree in English Rhetoric/Technical Writing. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
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Guest post - Oh, the Drama!
I am, primarily a writer of paranormal romance. However, I both read and write contemporary romance as well. A trend I have noticed just in the last five to ten years or so is that of the need for serious drama in contemporary romance story lines. Anyone else seen this?I will admit that paranormal romance is fairly easy in the drama department. Supernatural powers tend to come with their own drama. But in contemporary romance, there seems to always be some sort of major and very serious issue that must be overcome by the couple. She... lost her husband, survived cancer, was raped, was abused, is being stalked, etc. These are all extremely serious issues.I've noticed that these story lines are in a majority of contemporary novels these days - or at least it feels that way. Even if it's not mentioned on the back cover, it's still in the plot. And my question is... why do we feel the need to add such serious drama to our contemporary romance story lines?I remember a time when the drama was entirely about whether or not the couple would fall in love. Isn't that drama enough? Why is there the need to add more? Do these serious issues have their place in romance? Absolutely. Because they do happen to real people and we love to see someone who has been hurt find happiness. I'm not saying that these aren't important issues, or worthy of reading by any means. And, of course, they can add a lot of emotion to the story.But, my personal opinion, is that these topics belong perhaps more in the women's fiction space - Nicholas Sparks is a good example of doing these very well. But I'm a little tired of seeing them in the series romance - Harlequin-style. I prefer "lighter" topics in these books because they are my escape. Keep the sheikhs, and the cattle barons, and the billionaires, but keep it lighter people.
Designing My Owen Book Covers
Over the last few months I've been on a bit of a journey in relation to my book covers. Let me start at the beginning...
Tax season rolled around this year and, of course, we had to submit all my book related stuff. I'll admit that for the year 2013 I was a tad disappointed with where I came out from a net perspective. I had good sales last year with the release of Hyacinth and Crimson Dahlia. Blue Violet was free - so bringing in readers, but making me no money. But my expenses were taking too big a chunk out of my earnings.
I put on my business hat - I have to do this periodically as a self-published author. I looked at my expenses and tried to see where I could cut back to help make my bottom line look better. There were some small changes I could make. But the biggest ah-ha for me was that my book covers are approximately 1/3 of my total expenses for any given book.
Which got me to thinking... I spent 5 years as a web designer. Maybe I could do my own book covers?
I never dreamed of taking on my own book cover design for several reasons. First, it's been about 9 years since I did any graphic design. Second, web page design is very different from book cover design. Third, all of the advice for self-published authors is spend your dollars on 2 things - editing and book covers. Fourth, it's one more draw on my time. And so on.
In addition, I absolutely adore the book covers that Jason and Regina have done for me, which makes me very reluctant to stop going to them. And that time away from my writing thing is also a big deterrent. However, saving 1/3 of my total expenses is huge from a business standpoint.
I decided to start playing around with some book cover designs for some possible future projects as well as some past books. I wanted to both knock the rust off and determine if I could make something that looked professional enough.
Here are a few I've done so far...
I discovered that I LOVE doing my book covers. I access a different creative part of my brain. I find that they help me picture things more clearly for my stories in odd ways. In addition, I have full access to the graphics which allow me to do more things with my website, FB banners, etc.
It's a bittersweet decision to make. Like I said - I adore Jason's and Regina's designs. But after full consideration... look for future book covers to be from Abigail Owen. We'll see where this new dimension to my writing takes me!
Top 5 Literary Heroes On Screen
Photo by Ginny from Flikr.com This started as a list of the most attractive on-screen heroes (according to me), not just literary heroes on screen. But when I realized the all of the men I selected were also literary heroes first, I just had to alter the theme a bit and explore why.
In thinking through each character, I realized that there are some similar qualities across them - loyal, protective, not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, not afraid to buck societies rules (eventually). In thinking through each performance - I realized that I liked very specific things - a look, the journey, the subtly of the performance, the actor truly becoming the character.
But, even more important, ALL those qualities are elements I'll have to make sure I try to weave into my own heroes moving forward as a writer. So, without further ado, here they are...
5. Hawkeye - Daniel Day-Lewis in Last of the Mohicans
Adapted from the book by James Fenimore Cooper (loosely). I'll be honest - I never was able to get through the book. So my selection of this character has more to do with the movie. Hawkeye is smart, capable, a man's man, irreverent, and follows his own path. The pent-up passion between him and Cora is a work of art. And his transformation from a man reluctantly helping this woman and her friends to risking everything to save the same woman who he now loves is wonderful to watch. Daniel Day-Lewis is, of course, a phenomenal actor. Nuf' said.
4. Rhett Butler - Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind
Adapted from the book by Margaret Mitchell. The quintessential anti-hero, Rhett Butler is, at first glance, just as ruthless and selfish as Scarlet O'Hara. But what makes him a great hero is that he does truly love his wife and hopes for her love in return, or he wouldn't be so devastated by thinking she'd go to Ashley when Melanie died. But even more compelling is the love he shows for his daughter - amazing to see this cynical man so humbled by his child. And Clark Gable's on screen performance is incredible - strong, funny, smart, and likable. You root for Scarlet to see the light.
3. Atticus Finch - Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird
Adapted from the book by Harper Lee. This is one of the more understated performances of all time and that's what made it great. Atticus Finch is, at first glance, a simple character - a widower trying to raise his two children. But his willingness to risk society's disdain and even attack to stand up for what is right is admirable. Doing this while being a solid father shows men everywhere what a real man looks like. In any "top heroes" list, Atticus Finch is inevitably near if not the top. Even the author said, "In that film, the man and the part met."
2. Ben Quick- Paul Newman in The Long, Hot Summer
So technically this isn't just one role. The movie draws from a few Faulkner stories as well as Tennessee Williams. But this is one of the sexiest performances I've ever seen. Though perhaps I was just getting caught up in Newman's baby blues. The role of Ben Quick is another one of those anti-heroes. This man carries the weight of his father's negative legacy with him everywhere. But he's smart and turns those smarts toward bettering his position in life. He manages to fall in love at the same time, and I think is as surprised by that as anyone. His pursuit of Clara is spine-tingling. Very subtle by today's standards, and that's what makes it so incredible.
1. Mr. Darcy - Collin Firth in Pride and Prejudice
Adapted from the book by Jane Austen. Technically a mini-series rather than a movie. Mr. Darcy is already my all time favorite literary hero. He starts out as very reserved but ends the book as a man of passion. What makes this performance extra special is that Colin Firth can deliver a look like no other actor. It's impossible to describe - a subtle combination of admiration and watching and longing and reserve and fascination. It gives me goosebumps every time. That combined with the character make for a great cinematic hero.
Here's what I find very interesting... I had to go fairly old school to find my top 5 for this list. The most recent is Pride and Prejudice (1995) and it's almost 20 years old.
Now, I will admit that I'm a classic movie junkie. But I have to wonder if the performances of late fall short of my expectations for that hero (Edward Cullen)? Or perhaps the heroes aren't quite as hero-worthy? Though I feel that's less true. And there are some great heroes out there who are more recent like Daniel Craig's portrayal of James Bond, or Viggo Mortensen's portrayal of Arragorn from Lord of the Rings .
However, I don't seem to be the only one in this boat. Take a look at AFI's list of the top 100 heroes and villains of all time (not literary - just movies). The majority of all those movies are pre-1990s even.
Either way, those are my top 5 - take 'em or leave 'em!
Guest Post
Oh, the Drama!I am, primarily a writer of paranormal romance. However, I both read and write contemporary romance as well. A trend I have noticed just in the last five to ten years or so is that of the need for serious drama in contemporary romance story lines. Anyone else seen this?
I will admit that paranormal romance is fairly easy in the drama department. Supernatural powers tend to come with their own drama. But in contemporary romance, there seems to always be some sort of major and very serious issue that must be overcome by the couple. She... lost her husband, survived cancer, was raped, was abused, is being stalked, etc. These are all extremely serious issues.
I've noticed that these story lines are in a majority of contemporary novels these days - or at least it feels that way. Even if it's not mentioned on the back cover, it's still in the plot. And my question is... why do we feel the need to add such serious drama to our contemporary romance story lines?
I remember a time when the drama was entirely about whether or not the couple would fall in love. Isn't that drama enough? Why is there the need to add more? Do these serious issues have their place in romance? Absolutely. Because they do happen to real people and we love to see someone who has been hurt find happiness. I'm not saying that these aren't important issues, or worthy of reading by any means. And, of course, they can add a lot of emotion to the story.
But, my personal opinion, is that these topics belong perhaps more in the women's fiction space - Nicholas Sparks is a good example of doing these very well. But I'm a little tired of seeing them in the series romance - Harlequin-style. I prefer "lighter" topics in these books because they are my escape. Keep the sheikhs, and the cattle barons, and the billionaires, but keep it lighter people.
Who's with me? And who prefers the drama?A $40 Amazon/B&N Giftcard or a Book Depository shopping spree of the same value, plus the first three books of the Svatura series will be given away as digital copies. Open Internationally. Ends 7/7. Void where prohibited.
- See more at: http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com/#sthash.G8u3kKel.dpufGuest Post
Oh, the Drama!I am, primarily a writer of paranormal romance. However, I both read and write contemporary romance as well. A trend I have noticed just in the last five to ten years or so is that of the need for serious drama in contemporary romance story lines. Anyone else seen this?
I will admit that paranormal romance is fairly easy in the drama department. Supernatural powers tend to come with their own drama. But in contemporary romance, there seems to always be some sort of major and very serious issue that must be overcome by the couple. She... lost her husband, survived cancer, was raped, was abused, is being stalked, etc. These are all extremely serious issues.
I've noticed that these story lines are in a majority of contemporary novels these days - or at least it feels that way. Even if it's not mentioned on the back cover, it's still in the plot. And my question is... why do we feel the need to add such serious drama to our contemporary romance story lines?
I remember a time when the drama was entirely about whether or not the couple would fall in love. Isn't that drama enough? Why is there the need to add more? Do these serious issues have their place in romance? Absolutely. Because they do happen to real people and we love to see someone who has been hurt find happiness. I'm not saying that these aren't important issues, or worthy of reading by any means. And, of course, they can add a lot of emotion to the story.
But, my personal opinion, is that these topics belong perhaps more in the women's fiction space - Nicholas Sparks is a good example of doing these very well. But I'm a little tired of seeing them in the series romance - Harlequin-style. I prefer "lighter" topics in these books because they are my escape. Keep the sheikhs, and the cattle barons, and the billionaires, but keep it lighter people.
Who's with me? And who prefers the drama?A $40 Amazon/B&N Giftcard or a Book Depository shopping spree of the same value, plus the first three books of the Svatura series will be given away as digital copies. Open Internationally. Ends 7/7. Void where prohibited. - See more at: http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com/#sthash.G8u3kKel.dpuf
Monday, June 30
Writing My Life Away (Promo)
Writing My Life Away (Promo)
Danita Minnis (Interview)
Coffee Talk Writers (Guest Post)
Giveaway: There is a giveaway for this tour. A $40 Amazon/B&N Giftcard or a Book Depository shopping spree of the same value, plus the first three books of the Svatura series will be given away as digital copies.
Open Internationally. Ends 7/7. Void where prohibited.
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