January 2013 – Behind Closed Doors

Dealing With A Bit of Writer’s Block…or am I?

I’ve been having a bit of a time getting back to work on the Now and Forever series. At first look it would seem that I have writer’s block, but that’s not entirely true. I think what’s happening is that I have so many different stories flying around in my brain and so many different characters demanding to be heard, that I’m on sensory overload.

How do other authors do it? How do they handle all of their real life responsibilities and still manage to crank out a book every few months or less? I don’t want to go a year between books, but at this rate, that’s what’s going to happen. Now magnify it all by three and you have my world. Why? I have three pen names now and multiple works in progress (WIPs) with each one of them. There isn’t enough time in the day for me to get all of that done and work on myself.

I’ve let my health slide in the middle of all of this and it’s set me so far behind on things, some of which I’m extremely embarrassed about. I still have to send out all of the prize packages to the winners of the various blog hops and contests I did over December and there is one winner who won during last year’s Easter Hop who still hasn’t received her handcrafted rabbits. I’ve had to make those bunnies four times now and so far I’ve kept the last group hidden from the prying eyes of little nieces who I can never say no to.

To make it up to this wonderfully patient winner (Jean P. this is about you!), I’ve made a few extra goodies to go along with her prize package as well has the paperback versions of all of my books. Just the ones so far? Yep and all the ones in this series as well as the poetry. She deserves it. Not only has she been so patient while I’ve muddled through all of my personal issues, she continues to join in on all of the hops and post. This is the only way I know how to thank her.

I’m thinking that I just have to schedule specific time for my writing and stick to that schedule even if it means getting up before dawn. Many of you know I am not a morning person and would prefer to sleep in and stay up until the wee hours of the morning. Unfortunately, that is getting me nowhere fast. I have to make changes in order for this all to work AND for me to realize my dream of running my own publishing house…Sassy Vixen Publishing.

Well, I had better be off and get some sleep. Tomorrow starts the new schedule. It’s more than a bit scary, but exciting too. My dream of being a successful writer depends on me finding a way to make it all work.

Thank you all for coming along with me on this journey!

~Tammy

Introducing Stephanie Ryan…

As many of you know, I write under different pen names in order to write in many different genres. As myself, I write poetry, erotica and erotic romance. As Lia Michaels I get to explore more of the erotica and erotic romance subgenres by writing menage, BDSM and GLBT pairings. Basically, Lia likes all things most people consider taboo. Now I’ve decided to bring a new personality/alter ego into the fold. Stephanie Ryan will take over my manuscripts that are meant for the young adult crowd, mainstream fiction and romance (nonerotic).

As with my current blogs, both Lia and Stephanie have days to host guest authors. The three of us make up the core set of authors that is Sassy Vixen Publishing. Confused? LOL Sometimes I am too, but overall it’s a blast having these alter egos.

This is the photo I’ve used for Lia Michaels. Her website/blog is called

The House of Taboo

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+

This is the photo I chose for Stephanie Ryan. I thought one of us should have the long brown hair since both Lia and myself have the short and sassy styles. LOL! Steph’s website/blog is Through Stephanies Eyes.

She’s also on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+

So stop in and tell them both hello and help them build up their followings by signing up for their blogs and spreading the word about them. Thank you all for your continued support of my dream!

Brightest Blessings and Happy Reading!

~Tammy

Update on Courtship of the Vampyre release date

Coming Soon January 2013 — Coming Soon February 2013

I had originally thought I would have my second book of poetry up and ready for publication by the end of this month but as with many things, life got in the way! LOL

My writing and blogging has had to take a backseat for a bit due to some unforeseen circumstances with my health and that of my husband. Even though the flu is sweeping our neck of the woods, so far we haven’t had to deal with that, but killer colds on top of other things. My husband still has a battery of tests coming up and we are awaiting the results of biopsies done last week. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers you’ve sent our way during this time. It meant a lot to both of us. Thank you!

My projected release date will be February 14th. If all goes well and all the proofs are approved, I hope to have both the ebook and paperback versions released on the same day. I’ll keep you posted on any further updates. Thank you all for your patience and continued support of me and my writing.

Want to Share Your Writer’s Words of Wisdom?

On my sister blog Not Enough Time in the Day, I participate in a weekly feature called Writer’s Words of Wisdom. It’s a group of authors who wish to share what they’ve learned on their journey to become published traditionally and the self published route. I’ve learned so much from this group already from Triberr to using Pinterest for promotions. I’ve shared what I’ve found works for me with designing swag and promotions to the fun Add This buttons for blogs.

Are you an author who would like to share your wisdom with new authors? There are two ways you can go about doing it with our group. You can join us on Facebook and sign up to do your own weekly post, or you could sign up with me for a guest spot on Not Enough Time in the Day. You can do as many spots as you’d like or just a one time deal. Either way, you get to give back a little to help support other authors.

Here’s the link to my post for this week. You can search the blog for the others I’ve done to see if WWoW would be something you’d like to do. Here’s the Facebook Page for you to check out as well.

Leave a comment below if you’d like to do a guest spot on my blog and I’ll contact you to work out the details.

Happy Writing and Brightest Blessings to you all!

~Tammy

The Island is available in print!

Hello everyone!

I’m sorry it’s been a little bit since I’ve been back to give you any more updates on my writing. It’s been a hectic last few months to say the least. Now that the official book tour is over, I can sit back and breathe a little bit. I had received word from Siren Bookstrand that The Island (Now and Forever 2) was going to be released in print much sooner than the April projected dates. Imagine my surprise when I was updating my links on Amazon to find that the book was available a full TWO WEEKS before the new projected date! Whoohoo!

So now you can get the paperback versions of The Island on Amazon and on Barnes and Noble. I’m sure there are other sites out there that may have it available and if you find them, just put the links up in the comments section with this post.

Thank you all for supporting me in my journey. I couldn’t do any of this without you. The new poetry book is nearly finished and will be edited shortly. I still have the goal of the end of this month to get it out on Smashwords. Amazon will follow shortly after that. I’m going to try a new writing program called Scrivener with my new projects. I have so many open WIPs and tons of notes all over the place under multiple pen names. I’m confusing the hell out of myself on a daily basis! If I’m confused, how the heck will I ever get my characters all sorted out and in the right books with the right authors. Oy!

Another project I’ll be undertaking is creating a shared world called the Tempations Resort series. I got the idea for a shared world project from the amazing one done by the authors with Wiccan Haus. I have loved all the books I’ve read by the multiple authors and I still plan on one day submitting one of my own for consideration in the series. If you haven’t checked them out yet, make sure you do especially if you love paranormal romances. Here is the LINK for their blog. It will explain their whole world.

For Temptations Resort, I wanted to create a world centered around an adult island getaway. There guests will be able to explore any and all of their sexual fantasies whether sweet, sensual, exotic, erotic, or taboo. Once the first book is out, then other authors can add to the world with their own works from all heat levels of romance. Now I write erotic romances, but the sweet stuff is very welcome too. The core idea here is that it’s a fantasy world where the characters get to explore their secret dreams and desires. They can learn about and experience the world of BDSM, create role playing scenarios with a partner or two, experience a menage with as many partners as they wish, or have a quiet getaway with their love. Look for that series to start being released later in the year, maybe by summer from Sassy Vixen Publishing.

Chasing The Dawn #poetry from Courtship of the Vampyre

Here we are at the beginning of a brand new year. The last one has brought a few sorrows yes, but the joys outweighed them by far. I’ve continued with my passion of writing and sharing it all with you through this blog and others and through my published works. I’m happy to say that within the next month I will have another book published. The Courtship of the Vampyre is shaping up nicely. It’s taken a turn that I didn’t see coming, but I’ve decided to embrace it. This collection of poetry is definitely a companion to The Kayne Legacy Series and it’s become more of an outline for it. A secondary character I didn’t even know existed decided to jump on in there and ask for his story to be told. You’ll get to learn more about him in other poems and in the series itself, but the poem I want to share with you introduces him.

Enough of the introduction. Let me just share the poem with you and see what you think.

Brightest Blessings!

~Tammy

Chasing the Dawn

Longing to see the brilliant colors explode across the sky,
I risk my life for just one more peek.
When the blazing ball of fire reaches the mountains on high,
My sight will grow dim and my knees will get weak.

It wasn’t always like this,
The fascination with chasing the dawn.
As a mortal, sleeping in until noon was a coveted bliss.
The memories of those days are fading fast,
And soon will be forever lost, simply gone.

Bitten by one filled with blood lust,
I thought death was close at hand.
But he took pity and gave me a choice
That could never be undone.
End this life forever or be reborn
And at his side would I stand.
Together we’d rule the night,
Never again to see the light of the Sun.

Immortality I chose, or should I say it chose me.
I gave in to every need and erotic desire.
I avoided those Immortals blessed by The Three
For fear that they would one day
Toss me on my funeral pyre.

As centuries passed and all that I have ever loved
Had now come and gone,
I sought out the truth from those with whom we had clashed.
Why were we cursed to walk the night
And forever chase after the dawn?

The First Born Cain guards the Essence of the Tree of Life.
This task was given directly to him by the Goddess Fate.
He was commanded to leave all he had ever known
In search of Lilith to be his wife.
Each of their descendants had to take a Royal Fae as their mate.

This part of the story I had heard many times before.
Why was there such hate between the Cursed and the Elite?
Turns out much of what I know was nothing more than Vampire Lore.
All of it beginning when the seventh son of Adam
Sought to avenge his mother’s grief.

Angry and jealous that his elder brother
Should be blessed instead of cursed,
He plotted to take by force what he felt was his birthright.
This angered The Three, making their blessing evil and perverse.

Lucius marked this son of Adam as an abomination
Who would thirst for blood, and forever hide from the Light.
“The Seventh Son of Adam will cease to exist.
Instead a Nightwalker will take his place.
Immortal you shall be, but Our mercy you have not won.
For you bring no honor to your parents, only shame and disgrace.
Nevermore will you see the light of day,
But forever chase after the dawn.”

Cain pleaded with Lucius to spare his brother
From his wrathful decree.
Lucius refused. “What’s done is done.”
“All of this must come to pass in order to protect the Essence of the Tree.
Once the lesson is learned, your brother’s descendants
Will once again be able to enjoy the light of the Sun.”

My sire never told me this part of the tale!
Were we ever taught this lesson?
Who could give me the answers?
Where have they all gone?
I searched the world high and low for any clue.
So far to no avail.
I’ll keep searching.
The answer is out there,
Somewhere chasing the dawn.

The Island Has Been Nominated for an Award!

I’m thrilled beyond belief right now. I just received word that The Island has been nominated for Best Erotic Romance of 2012 on Sizzling PR’s website. This is the first nomination I’ve received for my writing and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With all the craziness of trying to balance our writing with my evil day job, I’ve had some trouble concentrating on finishing some of my current works in progress.

Having someone acknowledge all the hard work I put into this series has given me that extra boost and put a huge smile on my face. What a way to start off the new year!

Won’t you join me in the fun and take a moment to stop into Sizzling PR’s website by clicking the following link. There you will find the list of categories and the instructions for casting your votes. We have until January 20th to get those votes in. Thank you all for stopping in today and sharing in my happy dance!