NaNo? I Must be Trippin'.

Hey, Y'all,
Sooo, it's November. As a lot of other writers know, it's National Novel Writing Month, lovingly abbreviated as NaNo. I don't know how long it's been around, but I first heard of it maybe five or so years ago. The whole point of the month is to try and write 50,000 words in a month. Sounds like a solid, sane idea, right? Yeah, not so much. I'm pretty sure the whole idea is a little overambitious at best, and completely nuts at worst.
Add a crazy life to the mix, and it becomes even less sane.
I have no idea why I would choose 2012 to try my hand at this. Before I had kids was the ideal time, but I didn't know about it then.
This year is probably one of the worst years I could have chosen. I have two kids. Very young, needy, worrisome kids, one of which has special needs. I go to no less than four appointments every single week, during the five days a week that these places are open. My youngest is constantly climbing, or destroying, or swallowing something. I can see only a sliver of my office floor. Plastic building blocks, tiny socks, and broken crayons are everywhere. I have bills, and phone calls, and errands out the wazoo.
Today is November 20. I have logged 3,565 words. Out of 50,000.
If I make the word count in the next ten days, I'm sure someone will find the burned remains of my clothing in the chair at my desk, as I will have spontaneously combusted.
As I look from the calendar, to the clock, to the growing pile of dishes and laundry and mail, I ask myself, What the hell was I thinking?
What made me think I would actually do well with NaNo, at this time in my life?
A lot of my writing buddies are doing it, and blasting out thousands of words a day. Granted, these people are largely free from the responsibilities of young children and/or spouses. Their life stage is not better or worse than mine, just different.
I will probably write more on the WIP I started, because it's a project I've been sitting on for a while. But I'm done pressuring myself to make the NaNo goal. It's just not going to happen this year.
My life is hectic now, and there's not much I can do to change it. C'est la vie.
Ever been in over your head? Tell me about it in the comments.


Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra

Halloween Blog Hop!

Hello, Gorgeous!

It's that time of year, when the leaves are falling, the pumpkins are ripe, and children's minds turn to massive amounts of candy. (Okay, adult minds might turn that way as well, let's be honest.) The air is crisp, maybe even chilly. What better time to grab a mug of cocoa and snuggle up with a great book?
When it comes to romance, what's your flavor? If you like the paranormal side, shapeshifters and sorcerers, I invite you to try my PHOENIX Files series. It's lighter, so there's no blood and gore.

You'll find both books in print on Amazon, or for your Kindle, Nook, or other reader at ARe. Click the covers to find the books in the Kindle store.

So, let's talk. What does your family do this time of year? My children are young, and seem oblivious to the whole Halloween costume thing, at least so far. Still, their always happy to get candy. Leave your Halloween or fall traditions in the comment box below, and be entered for a chance to win my prize pack: a signed copy of Embrace the Night, plus pen, bookmark, magnets and swag!

Until Next Time,
Alexandra

Journey Back in Time with Jo Lewis

Hi, Y'all,

It's that time again. In a few short days, I'm releasing my newest work under my Alexandra Kane pen name- a short story. This will be the first in a series of short stories, which are paranormal with romantic elements. Brace yourself for the (non-scary) intrigue and suspense of the Jo Lewis Chronicles.

Don't get confused. Jo is short for Josephine, and she's no boxer. But she is a girl with gift- the gift of second sight. This story takes you back to the dawn of the 1980s, to the day when Jo first learns of her special talents.(If this sounds familiar to you, that's because this story first began as Under the Winter Moon. I've revised it and expanded on the storyline to create this series.) There's no hanky panky in this first story, as it takes place when Jo was only eight years old. However, the possibility of hanky panky in the other stories in the series, when Jo will be a grown woman, is pretty high. ;)

If all goes as planned, this story will be available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and ARE October 25th, and it will only cost you a mere 99 cents. The Jo Lewis Chronicles will all be short stories, and will stay that price. After six stories, if the feedback is positive and sales are good, I will release the stories in a print anthology. As always, I'm all about my readers. You'll let me know if you're feeling Jo or not- I sincerely hope you'll like her.

A post will go up on release day with all the buy links. I thank you in advance for your support.

Until Next Time, 

Alexandra

Growth and Expansion (Get Your Mind Outta the Gutter!)

Hi, Y'all,

I told you I'd be back soon with more news, right? I'm working hard on so many projects and blogs, but I'm determined to keep up. So, here goes!
For all of you who have a reader that's not a Kindle or Nook, I've heard your voice! I'm currently working on making all my titles available on Kobo and All Romance Ebooks! That means more formats for you, the reader, to get the books you want. Also, ARE will distribute my books to the iBookstore- hey, everywhere I can get my books, I'm doing my best. That is, except for Smashwords. Other author friends report low sales there, and the whole "honor system" thing they have pertaining to piracy doesn't really do it for me. However, I do this for the readers, so if you want Smashwords versions of my books, please let me know, either in the comments, or on FB or Twitter. Trust me, I'm listening.

I'm interested in getting my books in front of as many readers as possible. To that end, I am also pursuing contracts with two well established publishing houses. I will not name names, as it is too early in the process to do so. I love the control of self-publishing, but I'm also into diversifying. I know each house has it's own, established, unique fan base, and by being published with them, I can tap into their audience, who might otherwise not even know I exist.

I'm also striving to book more signings. I usually only do two in person signings a year, one at the RSJ conference, and one with my local RWA chapter. This year, I'm on tap to do three, and I have a goal to do four to six signings and events in 2013, including the Hot MAMA Land Fly Hat Society Luncheon. (We are still ironing out the details on that one.) I will post my 2013 schedule here in December, so you can plan to see me if you so desire.

So, now you know what I'm working on, in terms of career growth. I'd love to hear from you. What are you working on right now to change your future? It can be in any area of your life. Feel free to share in the comment section.

Until Next Time,
Kianna

When Life Happpens....

Hi, Y'all!
I'ts been a minute, I know. (Okay, more like a couple of months.) I've been busy with the start of school, several hundred doctor/therapy appointments for my son, keeping house, and writing- when I get a minute. Y'all already know my life is hectic and chaotic. With two little kids, a hubby, and all that other stuff, how could it not be? I've been thinking about this blog for weeks, and now, I'm finally getting a minute to actually write it.

So, I have some news to share with you about my latest release, and the Hot MAMA event. The Preacher's Paramour, the second book in my sweet historical romance series(The Roses of Ridgeway), is now available for Kindle and Nook readers. Also, a heads up- there won't be a print version of this book as a standalone. However, in early 2013, when the third story, Loving the Lawman comes out, there will be a print anthology of the series with all three stories in it. Will there be more than three Roses stories? I haven't decided yet. I always have ideas, but it depends on reader response. So far, the response to the series has been very positive. If it stays that way, then I will write and release more stories.

As for the Hot MAMA Event- we have had to move the date up to March 2013, but we are planning a great event for readers in the NC/VA/TN/SC area. (And if you live outside the area you are still welcome to come!) So, keep an eye out for more information, both here and over in Hot MAMA Land, about the "Fly Hat Society Luncheon."

There's lots more to tell, but that's all for now. I've gotta have some mystery about me, right? I promise to give you more news in the next couple of weeks- frankly, that's as long as I can stand to sit on it!

Until Next Time,
Kianna

Latest News: The Preachers' Paramour

Hey, y'all
Whew! I have been super busy, hence my absence from the blog. I have so many projects going on that it makes my head spin. But I had news, so I had to stop by and tell you about it.

If you look at my nifty word meter (courtesy of Sarra Cannon), you'll see I've finished The Preachers' Paramour, and did so at above my word count goal! Yay, me! This is the much anticipated sequel to Kissing the Captain. It is currently in the capable hands of my editor, Deatri King-Bey, who will whip it into submission before sending it back to me. Then, the work begins anew.

And before you ask, no, there's no nookie in this one, either. This series will be a SWEET series, meaning the hanky panky will be left out, and left to your imagination. Don't worry, not all my books will be that way. I just like to do a lil bit of everything, if you get my meaning.

The cover design is still in the works, but look for a cover reveal in the next two to three weeks. There's no date set in stone for the release just yet- it all depends on how much of a lashing the manuscript gets from Deatri ;) . But I can tell you that it will be out sometime in July. Fire up your e-readers and dig out those bookmarks- The Preachers' Paramour is on it's way!

Also, I'll be announcing a contest around the time of the release date. The winner will receive a super awesome prize pack, with all kinds of top secret goodies, so keep your eyes peeled for the details. I'll also post on Facebook and Twitter about this.

In other news, I've recently spearheaded the forming of a NC/VA black romance writers group. I discovered, while attending RSJ, that a lot of us live in the area. I'm happy to announce the "charter" members of Hot M.A.M.A (Multicultural Authors of the Mid-Atlantic).

*Iris Bolling
*Altonya Washington
*Angie Daniels
*Monique Lamont
*Denise Jeffries
*Cheris Hodges
*Loretta R. Walls
*Bridget Midway
and myself.

We may have missed some authors, so the group may be expanding in the future. We are just in the beginning stages now, and are planning an awesome event for this October. More details on that later.

So, that's what's happening in my neck of the woods. What's up with you? Leave a comment and let me know.

Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra

Diamond Jubilee Hop: Parallels Between the Queen and a Southern Belle

Hi, ya'll!
I'm just coming off finishing The Preachers' Paramour, my latest historical romance. It's the sequel to Kissing the Captain, and I anticipate it being available in July. As I let the manuscript "rest" before I go back to edit it, I thought I'd participate in the Diamond Jubilee Hop. Thanks for the opportunity, Random House!

This year Great Britain and the world beyond are celebrating Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. For all the uninitiated, that means she's been reigning for 60 years! I've seen her coronation picture from 1952 next to a current photo of her, and I've got to say, she's still looking good.
In honor of the momentous occasion (not many monarchs enjoy such a lengthy reign), I thought I'd talk about how the Queen, and a southern belle like myself, might have a few things in common.

First, of course, is our sense of style. We know what looks good on us, and what doesn't. More importantly, we know the difference between something we can wear out in public, and something we would only wear around the palace for our king. ;)

Screenshot from Designing Women, Season Two Episode "Dash Goff, the Writer. "

Next is resiliency. Being Queen has its perks, that's for sure. However, the job comes with its own set of stressors. For the Queen to last as long as she has, she's got to posses a certain inner strength- something I think women in the South also have. Some of us obtained it though hardship and life experience, but dang it, we're survivors.

Lastly, the Queen does things in grand fashion, and that's a time-honored tradition down South. A lot has changed here since QE2's coronation (in most cases, for the better,) but the cotillions, balls, and afternoon teas continue.

There may be more, but those are the three things that stand out the most to me. There are some differences, as well. Somehow I doubt the Queen consumes half as much sweet tea as we do down South. Also, I can't really see the Queen showing anger or snapping on someone in public- but I can totally see myself doing that. Putting the proverbial "bee" in a belle's bonnet just isn't a good idea.

I don't mean to discount women from other regions, I'm just speaking on what I know from personal experience. If you've got something to add, or feel I left something out, I'd love to hear about it in the comment thread.

Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra

The Lowdown on Romance Slam Jam 2012

Hi, ya'll,
I've been back from Little Rock for about three days now, and I'm finally coming out of my exhausted, jet lag induced fog. So, I figured it would be the perfect time to tell you about this year's RSJ conference.
Romance in the Rock was a spectacular event. Hosted by the Sistahs of Color Reading Group and author Laura Parker Castoro, RSJ 2012 will go down in the history annals as one of the best. Fantastic workshops, great food, great service from the book club and the hotel staff- this was truly a phenomenal event. On top of that, there was the wonderful sense of camaraderie I've felt at every Slam I've attended. When die hard readers and authors get together to talk about the books they love, the good vibes really get to flowing!
There were workshops on various topics, from e-publishing and self-publishing, to book clubs, to social media, and more. There was truly something for everyone in attendance. I myself facilitated a panel on the use of pen names, along with Celeste O. Norfleet, Shelia Goss, and Altonya Washington.
Rubbing elbows with your favorite authors in a casual, friendly setting is part of the magic of Slam. Everyone who knows me will tell you I am a total fan-girl for Beverly Jenkins. Over the course of three Slams of following her around (wink, wink) I have become good friends with my idol. She has mentored me and pushed me when I needed it, and being able to see her at Slam is always one of the best parts of it for me. And it's not just Beverly. Farrah Rochon, Gwyneth Bolton, Wayne Jordan, Evelyn Palfrey, Monique Lamont, Denise Jeffries, Iris Bolling,... the list of down to earth, helpful authors I've met at Slam goes on and on.
Then there are the readers. I get such a confidence boost from being at Slam. When you live in sweatpants and spend your days cleaning up spilled milk, refereeing pint sized wrestling matches, and doing endless loads of laundry, you get a really big kick out of being asked for your autograph. Meeting awesome readers like Christian Hines, Erica George, Donnie Robinson, and Judy Jordan keeps me motivated to write. (Well, that and Beverly giving me the side eye and saying, "Eboni, no quitting. I need a vacation.")
There are so many great pictures I took, they wont all fit here. If you find me on Facebook, you can see them. I also took some pictures of Little Rock landmarks, like the statues of the Little Rock Nine, LR Central High School, and the Harriet Tubman statue. And, I was pretty giddy to get a photo of the house used for the exterior shots of Sugarbaker Design Firm in the 80's TV show Designing Women. Yep, that was my geek moment.
I'm so excited already about next year, when the Lovely Ladies Book Club invites us to "Melt in Milwaukee." Hope to see some new faces there!

Until Next time,
Kianna/Alexandra

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year- RSJ Time!

Hi, ya'll,
I know, I know. When folks start talking about the most wonderful time of the year, you probably think of Christmas. I love that, too- although I don't care for cold weather, I love the family time and great food. But in my mind, the funnest time of year is April. Spring is in the air (I try to overlook the pollen), the temperatures are on the rise, and the Romance Slam Jam conference is poppin'!

You say you don't know about RSJ? What the what? Head on over to www.romanceslamjam.org and educate yourself about this fantastic event. Every April, hundreds of readers and authors of multicultural romance descend on one lucky city and bless it with their combined awesomeness. This year, the chosen venue is Little Rock, Arkansas, and the festivities kick off two weeks from today! I'm so excited I could bust my buttons, y'all!

So many great authors will be in attendance- Beverly Jenkins, Farrah Rochon, Gwyneth Bolton, Iris Bolling,Victoria Wells, KD King- the list goes on an on. The fabulous Sistahs of Color Reading Group is the host book club,and Laura Parker Castoro is the host author. Oh yeah- I'll be there too, if you're interested ;) - I'll be speaking and signing under both my pen names.

I have attended two previous Slams (2008 in Chicago and 2011 in Baltimore), both of which were fantastic. A plethora of great workshops, parties, and networking opportunities happen at the Slam. The environment is so friendly, probably because serious readers love authors, and we authors love them right back.

As I get myself together for this year's Slam,I thought I'd share some photos from the 2011 event in Baltimore. Can't wait to see my RSJ buddies again!

Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra

My Take on Paranormal: The Gifted Among Us

I'm a dreamer, always have been. My mind is nearly always pondering some far-fetched idea, only they don't seem so far-fetched to me. My husband says I think too much. He's right- one shouldn't be up at 3 AM thinking, “Gee, I wonder what would happen if Hancock and Storm had a baby?”

I'm a fan of the movies, shows, and books that capitalize on the idea of the paranormal in the modern day world we live in. Will Smith's movie, Hancock, comes to mind as a good example. The story of a character with extraordinary powers in today's world is one that always intrigues me, though some may say it's been done to death. In the case of Hancock, the very presence of the powers that some folks might welcome is what has made the main character a lonely, bitter outcast, with the temperament of an angry fire ant. When you think about it, stories like this are really a study of the human condition, social mores, and how we treat those we perceive to be different.

That's the reason my multicultural paranormal romances, the PHOENIX Files series, take place in the very world we normal folks occupy. (Normal being a relative term ;) ) I feel that placing characters with amazing abilities in a world full of people who are uncomfortable with anything they don't understand helps draw out the character's true essence. For example, in Darkness Rising, the first book of the series, heroine Lalah Norris has spent her entire life hiding the fact that she's panthera(a panther shifter):

(click cover to purchase Kindle version)

Lalah awoke in a pool of cold, sticky blood. Her clothes clung to her like a slimy second skin, the metallic scent invading her nostrils. Corbin, Dell Christopher's thug, lay a few feet away from her, unmoving. His body was covered with claw marks, and a particularly large one traversed his chest beneath the jagged, ripped halves of his dress shirt. I must have shifted.

Her head throbbed, and she cursed. If Corbin woke up, he would demand to know how she, a petite black woman, had suddenly been replaced by a ferocious panther. It wasn't a conversation she wanted to have.

I'm not a killer. But if I'm here when he wakes up, what choice will I have?

As you can see, living life with that kind of secret complicates things...a lot. So far in the series, all the characters with special powers live this way, only sharing their secret with trusted friends and their partners in the PHOENIX organization.

PHOENIX is a covert operation which exists to use the special talents of the “supernaturally gifted” in squelching crime and bad deeds. Branches exist in every major city in the world, and work in cooperation with various law enforcement agencies to get the job done. They take on the cases INTERPOL, FBI, and all those other alphabet agencies don't want to touch.

When it comes right down to it, we all have a gift of some kind. Whether it's supernatural or not is beside the point- everybody's got at least one. Think about the things that make you a unique person. Are they points of pride, or embarrassments? I'd love to hear from you about it.

Best,

Alexandra Kane

Book News, And New Blog Endeavors

Hi, Y'all!
How was your week? Mine was pretty hectic. I've been tweeting and Facebook-ing and promo-ing like mad, to get the word out about Kissing the Captain. (In case you've been on sabbatical in Siberia or something, it's a sweet interracial historical, out now for Kindle and Nook e-readers.} I've been receiving very positive feedback on it, and I appreciate it from the bottom of my lil 'ol heart. If you've read it, please rate and review on Amazon and all those sites where book lovers gather. If you haven't read it, as we say in the South, whatcha waitin' on?
I also received my print proof this week, and I'm happy to say it looks pretty dang good! I'll likely approve it, and make it available for sale within a few days. Print book lovers, your wait will soon be over.
Also, if you'll glance to the sidebar, you'll see I'm making great progress on Book 2 in the Roses series, The Preachers' Paramour. The story is really coming together, and I hope to complete it before I board the plane next month for the Romance Slam Jam. If you don't know about the Slam, please visit the link. It is hands down THE place to be for writers and readers of multicultural romance.
If that isn't enough activity for you, I uploaded new covers for both books in the PHOENIX Files series. The new covers are embedded in the post. Ain't they purdy? All ebook versions have been updated, but I'm holding off on changing the print covers till May. I'd love to hear what you think of them, so drop me a comment or an FB message.
In other news, I'm opening up my blog to guest posts. That's right, more exciting content for you, my beloved readers :) . I'll be hosting other authors on Mondays and Fridays, beginning in April, so be sure to swing by and see what's new and hot in romance of every genre.
Well, that's all for now. Here's hoping your weekend is as awesome as I think you all are!

Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra

News: Lady Jane's and The Roses of Ridgeway Series

Hi, all,
Last week was a busy one for me. I read live and in person at Lady Jane's Salon RDU this week. It was great fun, and I love getting in touch with readers one on one. The picture above is from the event.
I also wanted to let you know that the Kindle and Nook versions of Kissing the Captain are live, live, live! Not only that, but each version has also got it's very own five star review. I'm beaming with pride, and I hope more and more of you will read, rate, and review this title on Amazon, BN, Goodreads, Shelfari, Facebook...well, you get the picture. If you read it, please share it with others!
Those of you waiting on the print version, it will be available this week.
And those of you waiting on the sequel, The Preacher's Paramour, it will be available this summer. Look to your right, and you'll see the progress meter, which will help you keep up with my writing progress. I'll be updating it at least once a week. If you think I'm writing too slow, you're welcome to say so. ;)
I'm a busy bee, juggling family responsibilities with writing and promotion, but I'll holler at you again in a week or so. Until then, good health, and happy reading!

Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra

Kissing the Captain: Coming to Your E-Reader in a Few Days!

Hi, Ya'll,

As I write this post, I've already uploaded Kissing the Captain to both the Nook and Kindle sites. I will also be finishing the PDF version today, so other e-readers can get in on the party. :) For those of you craving a print book, that version will be out by the end of March. If you're coming to the Romance Slam Jam in April, I'll have copies of it there as well.
I'm so excited about Kissing the Captain! Historical romance has always been my very favorite reading material, with Beverly Jenkins being my very favorite author. I'll tell you up front that my writing style is not the same as hers. My stories are a bit shorter, my voice is different... I don't write like Beverly, I write like Kianna. I put a lot of work into this book, and I don't think you'll be disappointed. I will, however, admit that I'm hoping my books will fill some of the time between her releases for her fans, thereby giving her some much needed vacation time(wink, wink).

So, I'd like to give you a little sneak peak at the story, so you'll know what you're getting into. I'd also love to hear your feedback, so feel free to leave a comment.

Chapter 1

Northwestern California

April, 1879

Draped in black mourning clothes, Lilly Warren sat on the old oak rocker on the front porch. Beside her on an upside down barrel was her untouched tumbler of lemonade. A weariness reserved for those well beyond her twenty-four years of age gripped her soul like a spider holding its prey.

The bounty of spring's first blush lay before her. The green branches of pines and oaks shaded the house from the sun, and the blooms of golden poppies, violas, and verbena filled the landscape with color and life. Yet on the inside, she wilted.

"Lilly, you must eat or drink something. Your pa would want you to."

She turned to face Prudence, who stepped out of the house. The way her best friend's face appeared lined with concern told her much. "I'm not inclined, Pru."

Prudence folded her arms across her chest. "Three days have gone by since we buried your pa. You can't go on this way, without nourishment." Brushing her hands over her plain brown day skirt, she sat at Lilly's feet. "Besides, the lawyer will be here any minute. Do you want him to see you in such distress, and wearing that sour puss?"

Lilly felt a smile play over her face for a brief moment. She sighed. "I know you're trying to cheer me, Pru. I just can't believe Pa is... gone."

Her friend looked wistful. "I shall miss Mr. Warren. He was a good man." Eyes wide and damp with emotion, she continued, "And I know he would want happiness for his only child."

"I only wish we had known his ague was really the influenza." She swept away a tear falling down her cheek.

Ever the optimist, Prudence patted her leg. "Time to acknowledge the corn. You just inherited twenty-six acres of the most fertile California land there is."

"That may be so, but there is only one of me." She let her head fall back against the rocker. She knew little to nothing about the finer points of the farm's operations. "Who will help me plant the fields, care for the animals, bring in the harvest?"

"I will do whatever I can to help, Lilly. And I am sure you can hire a hand or two in town."

The sound of creaking wheels caught their attention. Lilly eyed the approaching carriage. "I suppose that is Pa's lawyer now."

The covered vehicle, drawn by two horses, pulled to a stop in front of the farmhouse. The driver hopped down from the seat and opened the door. A well-dressed Englishman of about forty exited the carriage, leather satchel in hand.

"Miss Warren?" The Englishman stood at the foot of the porch steps.

"Yes. You must be Mr. Peters."

"I am. Pleased to meet you, miss. And may I offer my sympathies on your father’s passing." He tipped his black bowler hat.

She nodded. "Thank you, sir. Please, sit." She gestured to the empty rocker on the other side of her barrel table. "This is my friend, Prudence."

Prudence smiled. "Hello, sir."

Tipping his hat again, Mr. Peters took his seat. "I'm here to inform you of the details of your father's will." He opened his satchel, shuffling through leaflets of paper until he came to the one he wanted. "Mr. Warren has stipulated ownership of the Warren land belongs to you... and a third party, jointly."

Eyes wide, Lilly sprang up in her rocker. "Who is this third party?"

"His name is Ricardo Benigno, and he is the captain of a shipping vessel. As I understand it, he is also the son of your father's good friend and business partner, Diego."

Her memories of the elder Benigno were vague at best. She could recall him a few times as a child when her father would come back from a shipping expedition. But she had no recollection of meeting this Ricardo person. "Pa expected me to share the land with a complete stranger?"

Mr. Peters nodded. "That is what his will demands, I'm afraid."

Good Lord. She had no idea what to think. Her pa probably thought this was the best way to ensure her comfort and safety, but knowing that did nothing to relieve her apprehension. He'd raised her to take care of her own needs, and find her own way in this world. How could he expect her to meekly go into an arranged marriage? Her limited experience with men left her feeling very anxious about partnering with a strange fellow, a foreigner no less.

The pounding of hoof beats jarred her back to reality. Prudence stood, pointing out toward the fields. With a sly look on her face, she announced, "Looks as if someone else is coming to call on you, Lilly."

A black stallion advanced across Lilly’s land at a gallop. As the beast neared the house, the rider pulled back on the reigns. His Spanish commands to the animal echoed in the silence.

Mouth aloft, Lilly stared at the handsome man seated on the majestic beast. Initially, she wondered whether rider or mount was more magnificent. As she took in the man's golden face, holding full lips and a pair of black eyes sparkling with mischief, she knew the answer to that riddle.

Long waves of shiny black hair grazed his well-muscled shoulders, bulging beneath a white, fancy collared shirt. His thick legs were encased in form fitting black riding pants capped with low heeled black leather boots.

"Hola." He slipped from the horse's back with an air of grace and confidence. He ascended the steps and knelt before Prudence. "I am Captain Ricardo Benigno, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Señorita."

Intrigued? I sure hope so. The plan is for this to be the first in a series of stories about the women of Ridgeway, a fictional mixed California race settlement I've created.

I hope you've enjoyed the excerpt, and I appreciate your support from the very bottom of my lil' ol' heart.

Until Next Time,
Kianna

New Year, New Awesomeness

Hi, Y'all,
This is my first post of the New Year, so Happy 2012! I know I'm a little late to the fair, but hey, I lead a hectic life.
Anyway, there are so many neat things happening right now that I want to crow about. The year is off to a great start in books and films, and I hope the trend continues.
So here's my two cents about what's hot right now.

Movies:
(Full disclosure, I have yet to visit a theater in 2012 but am definitely going to in the next week or so. I have little kids...there's the issue of a babysitter. Any volunteers?)

Red Tails: George Lucas+Awesome Special Effects+Great Cast+Much Needed History Lesson= A Movie We Should all See!

One For the Money: Janet Evanovich fans, rejoice! Finally, the quirky heroine Stephanie Plum makes her way to the big screen (played by actress Katherine Heigl.)

Books:

Rival Demons, by Sarra Cannon: This is the fifth installment in the edge of your seat young adult fantasy series, Peachville High Demons. I am currently on book four (Shadow Demons), and can't wait to finish so I can get the next one. This is a genre I don't usually read, but I'm telling you, the story will grab you and hold on tight. Check the series out!

Indigo, by Beverly Jenkins: Technically this was a 2011 re-release of a 90's release. The e-book version of this classic African American romance tale came out late last year. It was my first read since I missed it the first go round, and let me tell you, heroes don't get any hotter than Galen Vachon. Don't miss this one.

What's happening in my world? Well, I'm hard at work on two books, a contemporary AA romance, and a historical interracial romance. I also have another book in edits right now (that's Kissing the Captain, which I hope to release in February or March.) More details on that release coming soon. I also have yet another short AA historical on submission to a small but well established publishing house. It will likely be awhile before I hear from them but I'll let you know when I do.

In other news, Lil Dude (my son) has started kindergarten. My sweet daughter is learning so many new words I can hardly keep up. And I am preparing for the upcoming 2012 Romance Slam Jam, to be held from April 11-15 in Little Rock, Arkansas. For me, Slam is the most fun time of the year, and I can't wait to see my readers, fellow writers, and partners in crime again.

Here's hoping 2012 will be full of new awesomeness for you and yours.

Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra