Pinterest Board... Facing the Music novels

It's been on my to-do list for some time, but at last, I have finally got started on a Pinterest board for the Facing the Music novels; featuring teasers, outfits, recipes, settings, inspiration, and more.

I will also be creating character sheets for each of the main characters over the coming months, as well as getting stuck into writing book 3, so be sure to follow the board to stay up to date with the latest pins.

Follow Aurelia B. Rowl's 'Facing the Music' Board on Pinterest.

The Popping the Cherry tour bus is now at... Book Angel Booktopia

My guilty little secret is about to come out... 

After my chat about genres with Liz Fielding this morning, the tour bus got back on the road and paid a visit to Book Angel Booktopia to talk about character crushes...more importantly, MY character crushes. Read all about my guilty little secret here: http://www.bookangelbooktopia.com/2013/09/character-crush-with-aurelia-b-rowl-plus-give-away.html

As part of my blog tour, you can enter the giveaway (both giveaways if you're in the UK) via the Blog Tour page on my website.

Out Now...

Carina

Amazon UK ¦ Amazon 

iTunes 

Google 

Sainsburys 

Nook 

Kobo

The Popping the Cherry tour bus is now at...Maria's Book Blog

Ah, the weekend is over all too soon and the Popping the Cherry tour bus is back on the road... 

It's okay though, because I'm off to India this morning to visit the lovely Maria of Maria's Book Blog and share a few random facts about myself. And it all came about when Maria asked me where the inspiration for Popping the Cherry came from. Read the full article at: http://ishmarind.blogspot.in/2013/09/aurelia-b-rowl-on-blog-tour-stop-for.html

In addition to the international giveaway featured, there is also a UK-only contest, which you can access via the Blog Tour page on my website. Not only that, there are still a couple of days left to enter the Release Day Blitz mega ebook giveaway.

Did you also catch my flying visit to Emmy Neal on Friday evening? If not, you can find the post here: http://emmyneal.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/blog-tour-popping-the-cherry-by-aurelia-b-rowl/

Out Now...

Carina

Amazon UK ¦ Amazon 

iTunes 

Google 

Sainsburys 

Nook 

Kobo

The 'Next Big Thing' Blog Hop

I was absolutely convinced that I had already done the 'next big thing' blog hop, but, having scanned through all of my blog posts, it would appear not.

How strange?! 

So what is the 'next big thing' blog hop?

The idea is for me to answer ten questions about my book, and then tag other authors in order to continue the 'hop', not unlike the frog hopping from one lily pad to the next.

I was tagged by Brandi Kennedy (along with Jacinta Maree), and looking back along the trail of lily pads, I can see Brandi was tagged by Michelle Turner, who was tagged by Ferris Robinson, who was tagged by Patricia Zick, who was tagged by Lynn Thompson, who...no, I'd probably be here all day if I listed all of them.

As you can see though, the hop is never ending. The beauty of it is, aside from Jacinta, I hadn't come across any of these authors nor their books until I was introduced to Brandi for this blog hop.
Like a newly planted tree, the roots are of the blog hop are bedded into the ground, giving the tree a firm footing and allowing the branches to spread even wider and reach more people.

But enough with the rambling and the excessive use of poetic license (please excuse the verbal diarrhoea, it's been the half-term school holidays and I've not managed any writing all week so my brain is rebelling), I shall finally get on with it.

Ten questions about...

Matilda 'Tilly' Carter didn't think her day could get any worse, but even Christmas had just been cancelled.

The one girl Dean Watson has sworn never to have—never even expected to see again—just flared back into his life and into his home—his sanctuary—like she belonged there. Christmas would certainly be more bearable with Tilly around though…

As the chinks in Dean's armor appear, Tilly seizes the chance to win her knight once and for all. She's not about to take no for answer—not this time—but Dean must resist, even as his heart rebels and temptation threatens to undermine his resolve.

Win or lose? Love or honor? Which will Dean choose? Assuming he gets a choice…

1: Was Christmas is Cancelled always the title of this book, even when it was a work in progress?

Christmas is Cancelled became 'A Resolution Too Far' for a while, when I was having to try and make it fit a New Year call-out, but it reverted to Christmas is Cancelled. I still love my title, so much so, the sequel will be called Christmas is Cancelled... Again!.

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

I saw a call-out by Entangled Publishing for holiday themed stories up to 15k words. I stared at the blank screen long enough to get a spark and it took off from there. The first half was definitely writing by the seat of my pants, but by then, I knew the characters and could roughly outline the rest. It was a shock when Dean confessed his past, that's for sure!

3: What genre does your book fall under?

It is a Christmas-themed contemporary romance.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I don't know! I really don't watch much TV and rarely get to the cinema. Sorry. When I was writing the book though, I had the young Hugh Jackman as inspiration for Dean but with a twist. Tilly would need to be a feisty redhead, although when I was writing her, I used Alyson Hannigan for inspiration.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Christmas is Cancelled is a contemporary romance set in the UK during the Christmas holiday and is based around a chance reunion with Tilly and her older brother’s best friend, Dean, at a time when Tilly’s carefully constructed world has collapsed around her, as well as being a tale of unrequited love, or at least that’s what Tilly thinks.

6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My book was immediately contracted by Breathless Press and released in December 2012.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I started on the eve of May 30th, then put it aside on July 16th. The characters had other ideas though, so I picked it up again on August 28th and after a frantic couple of days submitted it to Breathless Press on September 1st. All in all, it looks like under three months then, with only evenings, weekends, and snatched moments to write, fitting in around my young children who will always come first.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

There is a touch of Harlequin/Mills & Boon feel to my story, with a dash of suspense and mystery, and some pretty hot - but non-explicit - love scenes making it more of a sexy romantic read but using the Christmas holiday as the turning point. I guess it could be compared with other Christmas romances of that ilk, but I couldn't actually name one for you right now.

9: Who/what inspired you to write this book?

There wasn't any particular inspiration for the story, but the location was very much inspired by the beautiful area in the UK I call home. Local readers may recognise the inspiration for some of the landmarks and scenery described.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

If you're looking for an erotic read then this isn't it, but if you're looking for a good old romance, one that will make you smile, sit on the edge of your seat, and sigh with content, then this could be just what you're looking for. You don't even have to take my word for it, just check out the reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

So there you have it!

If you like the sound of my debut novella, you can buy Christmas is Cancelled right now using the links below. If you'd like more information, you can find it on over my website where you can also read the first chapter for free...

Buy it now...

ISBN: 978-1-77101-938-5

Word count: 40,458 / Heat level: 3 (steamy, but non-explicit)

Breathless Press (all formats/currencies)

Amazon

Amazon UK

All Romance eBooks

Bookstrand

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble (coming soon)

iTunes (coming soon)

Tag-time...

The time has come to tag some other authors so first up is Carmen Falcone, my fabulous crit partner, because I want to hear lots more about her latest book and what else she's been up to. (And just because I'm evil, she hasn't got a clue this is coming, unlike the others :-D )

Website   Blog   Facebook   Twitter

Next up is Téa Cooper, who has been a great support to me since I started this writing lark and most definitely helped me get up to speed quickly.

Website   Blog   Facebook   Twitter

And last, but by no means least is Emma Mills, who not only writes WitchBlood, one of my favourite YA paranormal series with both witches and vampires - and did I mention angels and zombies? - she is also a friend and fellow local author.

Website/blog   Facebook   Twitter

Take it away lovely ladies!!

(And thank you all for adding a touch of glamour to today's blog post. Wowsers!)

The Road to Publishing: Cover Art Request

Dreamstime image

Just a quickie to let you know the next stage of Christmas is Cancelled seems to be racing along at a fair pace. 

Last night I received a cover art request through from Breathless Press. How unreal is that? Especially as I haven't actually received the contract yet.

The Art Director needed details and any thoughts I had about my cover, along with a short summary of the story and any relevant links or images. I answered all of the questions, hopefully with enough information, and inserted my images then hit 'send'. 

Now the wait begins but I really can't wait to see what the experts come up with for my book cover...

Allow me to introduce...

Just a quickie today, whilst I frantically try to complete my current WIP and get it ready to submit.

Seeing as I've been completely neglecting my blog because of it, I thought you may like to have a look at the inspiration behind the two main characters in it.

So without further ado, let me introduce you to Matilda and Dean...

Introducing 'Karen' from 'Love in the Aisles'

I don't know why but I've found Karen even harder to pin down than Scott for 'Love in the Aisles'. I really wanted to get it right and be able to really visualise her, which I was struggling to do.  Even the name felt wrong without an image to match it to.

I wanted somebody sweet but sexy, dainty but strong, someone the girls would really like and the boys would lust over - no mean feat I tell you - but thankfully, inspiration struck this morning.

With the help of Google, I can now introduce you to Karen...

Who is your guilty pleasure?

I have a confession to make...

I have a crush on Zac Efron, even though I'm over a decade older than him, and he is most definitely my guilty pleasure.

It is my children's fault, of course, as they are already obsessed with High School Musical and play all three on the TV regularly. I have therefore watched him grow from the young adult into a rather fine man!! #blush

Introducing "Scott" from 'Love In The Aisles' (updated)

You need to use your imagination now and pretend you can hear a drumroll.

When writing the character of Scott, I make a big deal of the character's eyes... and as I was writing some of the scenes, I recalled some photos of a friend of mine.  With his kind permission, I can now share a couple of pictures with you.

Are you hearing those drums yet?

Well, here he is!