Heather Hiestand's Musings

Emily Bryan's New Contest!

2010-03-13T00:05:00Z

Author Emily Bryan stopped by to tell me about her new contest. It is open until March 31st! Don't forget to check out her FREE online novella!

See her blog for details, since it seems the HTML gods who rule my blogspot will not post the actual pretty picture Emily attempted to provide me - LOL!

Emily's Blog

Holly's Pledge receives 5 stars!

2010-03-11T20:30:00Z

I haven't seen any reviews yet for Holly's Pledge, but someone left a five-star rating (the highest) after purchasing it at Ellora's Cave so thank you, whoever you are, and I'm glad you enjoyed my novel!

In other news, multiple e-pirates had stolen HP less than twenty-four hours after release. Someone commented to me that at least I was popular, but I'd rather be popular among the book-BUYING population, rather than the thieving population. Starving artists have to eat too! I'm glad I write for a publisher who fights piracy as it is destroying writing careers. If we can't even make minimum wage, many of us do eventually have to quit writing and get other types of jobs. No more stories, then, for thieves or anyone. If you think books are too expensive, complain to publishers but don't steal books, please. And don't forget, there are libraries out there and some of them even have e-books these days. Ask your library to purchase a book if you can't afford it. I do it all the time since I'm a starving writer.

Off the soapbox, have a great day, all!

Holly's Pledge-fresh excerpt

2010-02-26T19:58:00Z

Holly's Pledge released today at Ellora's Cave! Buy here!

Excerpt:

Glaukos' lips curved. “I like women, but it has been many a year since I encountered any.”

“Why?” Had he been in prison? At least he wasn’t covered in homemade tattoos. That wasn’t her thing.

“The only females who take flesh in my world are demons and goddesses.”

“You must have a pretty black and white view of the world,” Holly commented, then turned the key in her ignition.

“Not at all. You, for instance, are clearly flesh and blood, with no taint of immortality on your soul.”

“So I’m a shade of gray.” She was amused by his flowery speech, especially with that accent.

“Someday perhaps, but for now you are a being of light.”

Holly raised her eyebrows. She kind of liked that. “Do you have a place to stay tonight? Where’s your luggage?”

“I expected Cherokee to take care of my needs.”

“If Brandi made dinner at my house, he’s probably planning to spend the night there. You could sleep on our sofa, or if Cherokee gives me the key and the pass codes I could probably run you to his house.”

“Clearly you are not a siren.” His voice deepened, hardening her nipples in response.

“Excuse me?” Holly watched for oncoming traffic then turned on to the street.

“I don’t enter the world often, but I’m used to women being friendly,” he said.

Okay, now he sounded exactly like Cherokee. She narrowed her eyes. “Friendly how?”

“Offering me the comfort of their beds instead of a lonely couch.”

Holly's Pledge - a clarification

2010-02-25T19:55:10Z

The official Holly's Pledge excerpt at Ellora's Cave refers to heroine Holly's love of sexy novels and specifically mentions one - Chrysanthemum. This is a short novel by Anny Cook and is the first book in her Flowers of Camelot series. Chrysanthemum was a fun eye opener for me that showed one way to push the boundaries of erotic romance.

I can't load the cover photo today since that part of my blog software isn't working, but here's the link:

Link

Blurb:

"On that dark day Arthur, mortally wounded, was taken to the Isle of Avalon by Vivian, Lady of the Lake, and Merlin, where he died and was laid to rest in the crystal cave…" Well, actually, that's not quite the way it happened.

In truth, Queen Vivian and Merlin abducted the king and returned him to his home planet, Avalon. Now he's anxious to marry off his youngest son, Gareth. When Florian LeFleur, his wardrobe guardian, asks permission to bring his three unmarried daughters to court, Arthur decides it's the perfect opportunity and assigns Gareth to oversee their time at Came-a-lot Castle.

Despite her determination to remain heart-free, Chrysanthemum immediately falls for Gareth. Life should have been rosy but there were roadblocks along the path to happily ever after. The Blue Knight captured Arthur, Percival the dragon demanded a virgin, Queen Vivian decided it would be the perfect time to stage a coup and the Abbott at Solomon's Choice Abbey chose Chrysanthemum for their ritual deflowering.

Will Gareth get Chrysanthemum to the priest in time to save the king and Avalon?

Link to Holly's Pledge

Holly's Pledge available this Friday - 2/26/10

2010-02-23T23:12:00Z

Learn more!

It’s so exciting to have a new release at Ellora’s Cave. That whole having-a-baby thing took me out of circulation for a while, but I’m thrilled to follow up my October 2008 ménage Cherokee’s Playmates with a novel-length paranormal ménage tale, Holly’s Pledge. One of Cherokee’s lovers is Dylan Bowles. This is his sister Holly’s tale. She’s been a minor character in the first two Men of Myth series and now it’s time she gets some epic loving of her own! The series adventure continues in this story, but it can be read alone. Tune in later this week for an excerpt, or go to Ellora's Cave now to view the official excerpt!

Holly's Pledge

By: Anh Leod

Book 3 in the Men of Myth series.

Glaukos, a legendary Greek warrior, hunts for an ancient killer in modern-day Los Angeles, but finds a desirable beauty instead. Meanwhile, Greg Levendakis fantasizes about a curvy redhead instead of his girlfriend. It turns out both men want the same woman.

Holly Bowles wants a boyfriend and thinks she’s found one in Greg, but he’s unavailable. Luckily, there’s another man right around the corner. Sparks fly when she spends the night in Glaukos’ arms, but he has been given only thirty days to live in the mortal realm.

Greg breaks it off with his girlfriend and sets out to make Holly his own. He hopes he hasn’t waited too long. It’s a good thing he believes if you love someone, you take the threesome, because that’s just where he ends up—in bed with both Holly and her mysterious new lover.

Note: For complete enjoyment, we recommend reading the Men of Myth books in order. The order is Claudia’s Pleasure, Cherokee’s Playmates, Holly’s Pledge.

Even Naughtier Nuptials is now available!

2009-11-21T18:04:00Z

For those of you who aren't yet sold on ebooks, the anthology containing my Anh Leod tale "Lucky Number Seven" is now out in print, just in time for the holidays, and is currently on sale!

Even Naughtier Nuptials - buy here!

Even Naughtier Nuptials
By: Anh Leod, Anna J. Evans, Brynn Paulin, Eve Vaughn, Heather Holland, Margaret L. Carter, Marianne LaCroix

Line: Anthology
Series: None
Book Length: 350 pages
Book Type: Trade Paperback

Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing

ISBN: 9781419959226
In Stock: YES
Regular Price: $16.99
On Sale For: $13.00

Wedding Jitters by Brynn Paulin
Dara is a fairy and she doesn't like it. But what's a girl to do when she's the fifth daughter of the fifth generation? The fifth daughter is always a fairy. Dara uses magic to hide her nature while she lives as a human but one thing is sure to blow her cover.

Sex - hot, out-of-control sex.

On the eve of her wedding to the most boring human she could find, another man, the Prince of Fairy, arrives intent on two things - making Dara reveal her wings and claiming her as his very own - by whatever means necessary.

Bridesmaid and the Beast by Marianne LaCroix
Bridesmaid and the Beast is a companion story to Beast in My Bed.

It's been eight blissful months since I, Sophia Monroe, Luckiest Woman in the World, found Greg, my British hunk of burning love, who also happens to be a complete animal in bed. But just when I thought life couldn't be sweeter, both of us were tapped to be in a coworker's wedding, which got me thinking - why hasn't Greg mentioned the M word?

So now, in the middle of surviving a bridal "storm", dealing with a drunken bride and trying to live down the sorbet-colored Bridesmaid Dress from Hell, I've become obsessed with wondering what I was - or wasn't - doing that made Greg altar-shy.

I'm trying to be patient...really! But at thirty-two, I'm just not satisfied with "boyfriend" anymore. If I have anything to say about it, Greg will be popping more than champagne corks before this wedding is through.

Seducing the Enemy by Anna J.Evans
Ancient prophecy says an Artuan first daughter will sit at the left hand of the king, but be as his right...

Astrid of the Artuan tribe will liberate her people from exile on the harsh jungle planet of Tiber...even if it means kidnapping a prince. Prince Jorunn's father ordered all the males of her clan killed fifteen years ago to secure his throne. Forcing the prince to perform the handfasting ceremony that will make her his queen seems a small sin in comparison.

Prince Jorunn can't believe the woman he mistook for a prostitute dared to drug him and take him back to her tribe for a marriage ceremony. The only thing more unbelievable is that a part of him - the part addled by the drug she slipped him, no doubt - doesn't think wedding this fierce and beautiful, kind and wanton woman would be such a bad idea.

Tentacles of Love by Margaret L. Carter
Lauren wonders why her fiancé Blake won't undress completely in front of her or consummate their sex play. Does his reticence have something to do with his family's eccentric customs and pagan rituals?

Before the wedding, when Blake takes Lauren to visit the family beach house where he plans for the two of them to spend their honeymoon, her questions are answered. First, he introduces her to his twin brother, who lives in a boarded-up attic room...for a very good reason. Then Blake finally takes his shorts off and their lovemaking expands to a whole new dimension.

Lucky Number Seven by Anh Leod
Meet the hottest werewolf in town.

When Vi Lane's cheating fiancé cancels their wedding only the day before the big event, she decides she's never going to trust a man again. But that doesn't mean she's willing to give up sex! In fact, she promises herself she'll experiment with the next man she sees. When she has a flat tire a few hours later, she's thrilled to see Cere come to her rescue. Little does she know his werewolf pack, Brotherhood of the Dog, has declared her to be Cere's true mate.

Can she learn to trust again, especially with a man who is hiding his true identity from the world? Will Cere himself be satisfied with a human mate? The Brotherhood is waiting for their answer.

This Side of Desperate by Heather Holland
Marissa is an angel from the top of her veiled head to the tips of her dainty feet, and Stone wants her with every fiber of his being. She appeals to everything within him, including his dark beast, and when she climbs out the window into his waiting arms, the wolf throws back his head and howls in excitement.

This woman is hot to the touch and liquid fire in his arms. When she claws his back and screams his name, he knows she's the one for him. However, things aren't as simple as they may seem. When danger finds them, Stone must do whatever it takes to keep his runaway bride safe.

Wedding Stud by Eve Vaughn
Desperate for a date to her cousin's wedding, Penny Marsh resorts to contacting an escort service. Little does she know, Studs for Hire is no ordinary escort service, but a cover for a mate-finding business for lonely immortals.

Nicholas has spent centuries searching for his true mate, and finally finds her in a lovely date for the night. He falls for the shy beauty right away, but how will she react when she learns the truth about Studs for Hire? And that he's a vampire.

Electronic books – the sanitary choice?

2009-10-26T19:43:00Z

The flu hit my city a few weeks ago, and as of yesterday it is in my neighborhood, maybe even next door. Rumor has it the neighbors have the dreaded swine flu, though from what I hear no one really knows if that is the case. Either way, yuck!

With a baby at home, and remembering my horrible triple-illness that knocked me flat for more than a month last year, I’m in a panic. I’m already mostly home-bound because of finances and baby, but what else can I do to keep germs at bay?

When I leave the house, it’s mostly to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, coffee place or library. I can’t avoid groceries, but do I need to hang out at the library? Do I need to be fingering those books and magazines that everyone has been touching? At least at Starbucks only the barista has touched my drink.

The only truly germ free book is an e-book! You buy it online and download it in your own home. No one has touched it! I’ve already been using my e-reader more because I can operate it one-handed while I hold the baby, but now I have another compelling reason to use it.

My ebooks won’t have flu germs on them, and maybe I have another way to keep the house germ free this winter.

How are you keeping the germs at bay?

Currently, Heather/Anh is reading Brianna by Judy Mays at Ellora's Cave.

Visit today to win a free book!

2009-10-15T21:02:00Z

I'm visiting Lia Slater's blog today. Join us to win a free copy of Ex Factor!

Lia's Blog

Sexy August sale!

2009-08-03T20:48:00Z

My Playing Lycan Games and other erotic romance tales are on sale at the Scarlet Rose this month! See Playing Lycan Games.

New Poem

2009-07-14T00:35:00Z

I just posted a fresh poem at http://rosecityromancewriters.blogspot.com/

And Andy is home again!

Last sale day!

2009-06-30T03:45:00Z

The book sale ends June 30th, so get shopping!

To thank you for your infinite patience during this transitory period JasmineJade is offering all of our treasured readers 10% off their entire order in the JasmineJade.com store for the rest of June. That includes Cerridwen ebooks and print books (even the ones on sale)!

To get your 10% discount enter ECWEB200 into the coupon field when completing your purchase at http://www.jasminejade.com./

Do you prefer large print books?

2009-05-31T00:46:00Z

My romantic comedy novel, Cards Never Lie, is now available in large print! Buy

Playing Lycan Games

2009-05-25T01:25:00Z

Playing Lycan Games releases at The Wild Rose Press on May 29th! This one snuck up on me unexpectly, so that's why you are just hearing about it. Here is the blurb for my latest shapeshifter novella - and note the new publisher!

Twice a year, Jem is compelled to leave his wolf form and solitary home in the Oregon forest to follow the scent of a woman. His woman. A weekend of intense pleasure is the most he can hope for because she doesn’t know about his other identity. Soon, he’ll melt back into the woods and his woman will return to her city life.But Catee turns thirty this year, and her goal has changed from playing erotic games to filling the empty spot in her life with Jem’s love, if only he’ll offer it to her after seven years of weekend passion.Can Catee have it all with Jem or has she picked the wrong man? Can their relationship survive his shapeshifter secret?

Website line

It should be released by noon and I believe the price is $3.50. The idea from this one came from exploring the region around the Columbia River out on I-84 with my husband.

http://thewildrosepress.com/publisher/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2292&Itemid=114

Ex Factor's first review!

2009-02-20T23:24:00Z

Full review

Stacy Link at ParaNormalRomance (PNR) calls Ex Factor ""a wonderful story of love lost, and found"--and I couldn't be happier!

Here's an excerpt from the review:

"Anh Leod's Ex Factor draws the reader into the fact that break ups are not always easy. The reader feels for Columbo and Teasy as they get a glimpse into their lives, and root for them to get past the hate of the rest of the world they live in and just find the love that is all theirs. Ex Factor is a wonderful story of love, lost and a fight to regain love again."

A foray into literary fiction

2009-02-15T19:25:00Z

My sister sent along some books and one of them was a sequel to Ship Fever. Since I can't stand reading the second book in a series, I borrowed Ship Fever from the library and read it yesterday and today. If you need a break from genre fiction, give this award-winning collection of short stories a try.

I was really impressed with Andrea Barrett's plotting and characterization skills, and can only imagine how much time went into crafting and researching the stories, most of which either were set historically around scientists or referred to past events. Stories like these can take as long to write as novels, and are just as rewarding to read, in my opinion. Ship Fever itself is a novella at the end of the book set during the time of the Irish Famine, and focuses on what happened in Canada as the ill immigrants arrived there. Wonderful, sad yet hopeful story and left me wanting to know more. It's amazing that any of the Irish survived, to have descendants like, well, me.

If you're curious to see what I'm reading, I list most of my reads on www.goodreads.com. Click the link below to see information about Ship Fever and I'm listed as Heather Hiestand if you want to friend me there.

Ship Fever

Emily Bryan contest winner

2009-02-11T01:38:00Z

The winner's name is Dewana H! Please send Emily a message through http://www.emilybryan.com/ with your mailing info so she can send you your prize!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Welcome to guest Emily Bryan!

2009-02-09T16:22:00Z

VEXING THE VISCOUNT TREASURE HUNT

Hi Heather! Thanks for having me here. How about a game instead of a blog post? Daisy and Lucian, my hero and heroine, are following the clues to an ancient Roman treasure. Let's enjoy a little scavenger hunt to get into the spirit of things. So here goes.

PRIZE: Signed copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT!

Rules:

1. Go to Emily's website.

2. Find the VTV Treasure icon. It’s located within 2 click from the home page (Ah! But which 2?) It’s near the top of one of the pages on my website, so you won’t have to scroll down (unless you want to!)

3. Click on the icon to go to the special VTV contest page. It’s the ONLY way to get to this particular page.
4. Fill in the empty fields and hit submit!

That’s it! Oh! And come back here tomorrow (Tuesday, February 10th at six p.m. Pacific Standard Time) to learn if YOU are the lucky winner.

Thanks for having me, Heather!

Reviewers on VEXING THE VISCOUNT:
" Bryan's delicious and witty romance has engaging characters whose fast-paced adventures will truly delight." ~ RT BookReviews

“Wickedly fun read. Terrific!” Detra Fitch—Huntress Reviews

“Simply too delicious to miss! Fun, fresh, romantic, passion filled and yes even adventurous, this one has it all.” –NightOwl Romance, Reviewers Top Pick!

“Emily Bryan's Vexing the Viscount is not your ordinary historical romance. If you're not drawn in by the heroine and her fiesty nature in the first few pages, you're obviously not a true historical romance fan.” ~WeWriteRomance

Vexing the Viscount Book Trailer:
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Romance contest winner

2009-02-05T18:59:00Z

And the winner is...Roberta! I will send her a private email. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice, and if you dropped by here too late to participate, I'd still love comments on pregnancy advice!

Don't forget to continue entering this monthlong contest. See my blog from February 4th for details on how to enter.

Updates

2009-02-04T16:08:00Z

Two exciting bits of news today. First, Ex Factor, my futuristic witch novella in the Sweets promotion for Ellora’s Cave, is out now. Second, I’m part of a large, multi-author contest in February and today is the contest day on my blog. Enter to win a download of one of my books today, plus enter to win the grand prize.

Other news:
In other news, I’m expecting a baby boy this June!

Ex Factor blurb:

Can you go home again? Columbo Balbane still misses his ex, even though he’s far away from her, transporting cargo around the solar system. He’s still in love…and in lust.

Teasy Rose never told Columbo she’s a witch. In the ten months since their relationship ended, she’s decided to stop living without magic. She’s sold her candy shop and founded Ex Factor, a facility where people simulate last meetings with old lovers. Spells help her impersonate other people’s exes and now Columbo has set up an appointment with her, without knowing it’s the real Teasy.

Is she ready for closure? If not, can he live with the consequences of her lifestyle change, particularly in a time when witches are outlaws?

Ex Factor first page:

Chapter One

March, 2310. Terminal 132, Earth

The protesters were out again, the dirty, blue-haired witches demanding equal rights in the free markets. They didn’t realize “free” had no meaning in relation to them. Columbo Balbane ignored the noise from their shouts, his muscles straining, sweat dampening his shirt despite the late winter cold enhanced by the icy air coming off the river where the public dock was located.

The mega-ship where he was enlisted as First Shipper hovered above the river, its only touch point a gangway leaning at a thirty degree angle to link it to the cargo hold. Smoke still hung in the air from the warehouses in the shipping compound that the witches had burnt using fire spells. He pulled his overloaded hand truck backward, its heavy cargo too rare and expensive to trust to the automated system moving most of the edible cargo bound for the Jupiter system. Everything was jury-rigged thanks to the witches destroying their usual docking point.

A creaking noise in his elbow told Columbo he needed to take a short break. He leaned the hand truck back against his belly and caught his breath, his arms wrapped protectively around the topmost box, the one containing fresh cherries for the Europan governor. The other boxes held parts needed for refurbishing oxygen generators.

He spotted a Shipper Assistant at the top of the gangway, his mouth hanging open with shock at the sight of the witch protestors below. Witches were a common sight on this planet but Gort hailed from Mars.

“Take this for me!” Columbo called.

The younger man trotted down the gangway, his eyes wide on his freckled face. “You’re the only one allowed to touch those.”

Columbo glanced at the signs hovering above the blue heads. There must be twenty or more of the cursed mutants, wasting their time demanding rights Earth wouldn’t give them. The protester’s signs shimmered with magic, giving them the effect of neon.

Romancing February Contest

On February 28th, one person will be awarded the grand prize of a $75 WRP gift certificate. All you have to do to enter the grand prize contest is make a list of each author in this blog event and name one title she has available. Submit your list to Christmasrideblog@live.com by midnight CST, February 27, 2009. The winner will be announced on February 28th--just in time to warm up that person's February.

Yesterday:

3 Alisha Paige http://alishapaige.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow:

5 Ashley Ludwig http://ashleyelizabethludwig.blogspot.com/

Since I’m pregnant, please leave me your best advice for surviving the second half! I’m approximately halfway through. Commenters will receive a chance to win a download of their choice from the Heather or Anh backlist. Please include your email addy so I can find you. I’ll announce the winner on February 5th, pacific standard time.

Romancing February and Release Day!

2009-02-04T15:59:00Z

Purchase Ex Factor