Event Recap: My Visit to the Harnett Co. Library

Hey, Y'all,
Happy Wednesday! Hope your day is as awesome as all my readers. :)
I thought I'd give a brief recap of my visit this past Saturday, April 20, to the Harnett Co. Library in Lillington. I have to say, I had so much fun I forgot to take pictures. Sorry, y'all. :{

The room was set up beautifully when I arrived, with chairs for readers to listen to me speak and read from my books. I credit Barbara McLean, my liason at the library, as well as her staff members Heather and Mark, for the preparation that went into it. A beautiful full color poster was displayed right in the entrance, advertising me and my books. It was so pretty I asked to bring it home, and it's now hanging on my office wall.

I had expected to do a couple of readings and talk a bit about the writing process, but as is so often the case in this business, things didn't go as I planned. The gathering was more informal, instead of people sitting and waiting for me to entertain them, people walked up to me and engaged me in conversations about various things. Some wanted advice on breaking into writing, others wanted to know where I got my ideas and how I had managed to complete so many books. I shook a lot of hands, passed out a lot of bookmarks, sold some books, and generally had a good time. All in all, it was totally worth the 50 minute drive up 401 to get there, and I will certainly be going back.

 I'd like to thank Barbara, Heather, and Mark again for their hospitality, and I'd also like to thank all the people who stopped by for a snack, a quick word, or for whatever reason. I truly, truly appreciated each and every connection I made.

So, how was your weekend? What do you have on tap for the coming weekend? Let me know in the comment section- I'd love to hear.

That Sho' Sound Good!

Hey, Y'all,
I don't know how you feel on the topic, but I LOVE music. LOVE it. It is easily my second favorite thing after the written word. What's great is that it goes so well with books. :) That makes me a happy lady.
For me, music is like life's soundtrack. I hear an old song, like the one below, and am reminded of my days riding in the back of the family car, staring out the window and pondering my kiddie conundrums. (Yes, I realize I'm dating myself with these vids.)
Note, I loved this song as a kid, but thought the vocalist was saying, "Don't desert this fool." Go figure. As an adult, I can understand and appreciate the subtle nuances of the actual, correct lyrics. :)

The music of the nineties reminds me of my days in high school, the teenage angst, and the so-called "puppy love" I felt for my then boyfriend, who, by the way is my husband of almost ten years now. Not for nothing, but I tried to tell my parents this thing was for real. :)

The music of the early 2000's reminds me of my college days. They were so tame, they were probably...lame. I studied, never drank or clubbed, never went to parties. (I did once go to a baby shower in my junior year- does that count?) What can I say, I was just born sensible. While I was pretty much on the straight and narrow, I did enjoy some of the sexually overt music of the time.

My tastes are not as bland as they seem. I love all kinds of music- on my MP3 you'll find Reba McIntyre, The Gap Band, Mint Condition, Ella Fitzerald, and even Eartha Kitt singing in French. But every now and again, I hear something that moves me. That just sweeps me up in some type of magical. If you've never watched the show "The Sing Off" you might not recognize this group. Listen to the clip anyway. It is hands down the best thing I have heard in the last several years-musically anyway. Behold, the auditory delight of Afro Blue.

Music is a big factor in my life. No matter what I'm doing there is usually music playing- that includes when I'm writing. What kind of music do you like? Tell me in the comment section.

Until Next Time, 

Kianna

Calling All Party People: Midnight's Serenade Release Party!

Hey, Y'all,

The release of Midnight's Serenade, the third and final book in the PHOENIX Files series, is really close, and I am SUPER excited! Hopefully, so are you! This book has been over a year in the making, so I'm glad I can finally release it into the wild- I mean- release it to my awesome readers!

I don't know about you, but I think this is an occasion to celebrate! So, I'm going to throw my very first online release party! That's right, you can party with me on release day in your PJ's if you want to- no fighting traffic, no spending a half-hour searching for parking. When it's this easy to get in, you've just got to be there. You can like my Alexandra Kane FB page here- do it now if you haven't already, so you won't miss out on all the fun! There will be music, silly acting, and Marcello just may stop by to entertain the ladies! :) Also, the contest winners will be announced, so be there or regret it later.

Midnight's Serenade Online Release Party

Tuesday, April 30, 2013,

8:00-9:15 PM EST

@ Alexandra Kane Facebook Page

Don't worry, I'll remind you again about the party. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter to be kept in the loop.

Until Next Time, 

Kianna/Alexandra

The Sorcerer and the Succubus: A Look At Midnight's Serenade

Hey, Y'all,
If you follow me on Twitter and Facebook, then you know that the eBook release of Midnight's Serenade, the third and final book in the PHOENIX Files series, is just around the corner- a little less than two weeks away! You've probably seen this: #Midnight's Serenade #4/30/2013 - hopefully you've been sharing/re-tweeting it. :)

I've posted quite a few teasers and quotes leading up to this point, but today I'm giving you an excerpt. Let me set the scene. Marcello Spirelli, the landscaper/ sorcerer readers remember from Embrace the Night, is assigned to protect Dr. Le'Kisha Byrd, a brilliant scientist whose latest invention is wanted by everybody- good guys and bad guys. This is the point where Marcello has arrived at her home, and is about to inspect the upstairs of her house.

Marcelo shook his head. "You go first, just stick close to me." He couldn't tear his eyes away from the satin curve of her neck and bare shoulders, and the tops of her breasts exposed by the thin straps of her night gown.

She shrugged, and began to climb stairs.

He followed one step behind. Just as he'd just, the site of her hips, swaying beneath the thin night gown, which truly magnificent. She was taller than average, and very curvy. Watching her round little ass flex each time she lifted her foot was undoubtedly the best part of his day.

At the top of the stairs, she stopped on the landing and turned to face him. "What now?"

Her question broke him out of the trance, and he began to let his training take over. "Give me a minute to look around."

"All right." She folded her arms over her pert chest, and leaned against the small, wrought iron table.

He turned slowly into full circle. The walls, painted a soft green, were home to a variety of colorful abstract art pieces, bronze sconces, and ceramic plaques. An oval-shaped antique mirror sister the wall facing the stairs.

He walked his left, around the polished banister, and felt his shoes sinking to the plush carpet. He opened each of the five doors on the second level. There were two full bathrooms and two more kiss their rooms, in addition to the two bedrooms and powder room downstairs. Her bare room, at the end of the hall, was last.

As he turned the knob, she joined him. The decor echo what he'd seen all the landing; same paint shade, same art the queen sized bed set beneath the bronze and crystal chandelier, and was dressed in shades of cream and pink. He crossed the room, surveying her large walk-in closet, and the five piece master bathroom, which had told granite counter tops, stainless steel fixtures, and a bathtub large enough to double as a small pool.

When he returned to the bedroom, he found her sitting on the edge of the bed. Her questioning eyes were on him."So, what's your impression?"

He looked into the face of the woman he was charged to protect, and was struck again by her beauty. Her face was his art for the paintings displayed on her walls – bronze skin, high cheekbones, and deep set brown eyes framed by long, lush lashes. the blunt, tapered cut of her brown hair framed her face gracefully. Her full lips looked his plump ass cherry tomatoes ready to be harvested from the vine. "Your practical and logical – the same decor flows throughout your entire house. Your meticulous, because there's not one cricket painting or wilted flower anywhere.. The stuffed animal collection in your closet tells me you have fond childhood memories , and that even though you'd like a pet, you feel you're too busy for one."

She blinked several times, fluttering those dark lashes as if surprised. "I'm impressed. Go on." She crossed her legs, raising the hem of the gown to reveal her tapered calves and ankles.

He smiled. Women usually either enjoying his ability to read them, or were put off by it. He was glad she was impressed."There are books and magazines everywhere, meaning you love to read and like to stay informed. The table you leaned against on the landing is one recently moved, indicated by the grooves in the carpet. And, even though this house is well over 2500 square feet, there is only one decorative mirror." He eased closer to her. "That tells me you're a woman who is totally unaware of just how beautiful she is."

Of course you know, along with a new release comes a super awesome contest! The Rafflecopter box is in the sidebar, so just follow the directions there. Contest opens Tuesday, April 16 and closes on release day, April 30th.

Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra

Remember, you can pick up your eBook copy at ARe, Amazon, and B&N on April 30th.  

Whatever Became of Jo Lewis?

Hey, Y'all,
I realized I broke a promise to my readers, and I wanted to rectify that. Eagle eyed readers of the blog (I love you, by the way) may have noticed that I missed a release. Back in October, I was set to release a new adult paranormal short. In case you forgot, this the cover (which will probably change):

Well, I have to admit, a lot of things have occurred since the Jo Lewis Chronicles were conceived. I've gotten a contract with Ellora's Cave- I can officially say that as everything is signed and my bio is up on their site. I'm super excited about that. Also, I had a full manuscript request from a very large publisher famous for their romance novels. Beyond that, I have three other books in various stages of development, and I have two series to finish out this year: Kianna's Roses of Ridgeway historical series, and Alexandra's PHOENIX Files paranormal series. Whew. On top of that, throw in a home life best described as controlled chaos- two little ones, hubby, house- you get the picture.

I just wanted to let you know I have NOT forgotten about Jo- not by a long shot. This character and her stories have been in my head for a few years now. Jo is coming- but you may not see her until late 2014/ early 2015, depending on how things go here in Middle of Nowhere,NC. :)


All the Best,
Kianna/Alexandra