We should love what we do

Lately, I've been blessed with a wonderful opportunity. As the contracts for many of my books expire, I am re-releasing them on my own. Why is that a wonderful opportunity? Because through this, I am rediscovering why I love to write, and why I decided to pursue this as a career in the first place.

All of the titles in question are being extensively re-edited before I self-publish them. There are many things that after 5 years of experience, I would like to say differently. In many cases, the word count has been altered by as many as 8,000 new words.

In re-releasing and editing the first two books in the Lilith Mercury, Werewolf Hunter series, I remembered that I based Lilith on myself. Yes, I readily admit that. Ha. Ha. Ha. I know that many writers do things like this, but would never own up to it. My reasoning was simple. If I want to write an ongoing series, I need to know the main character well. As I read over her adventures again, I realized not only how much we were alike, but how much I had changed since I first began her story. I've grown as a person and hopefully when I begin to continue the series, Lilith will grow as a character. She was a little harsh in the beginning, with very good reasons. She and I both have softened and hopefully matured over the past 5 years.

Now, I'm working on the re-release of Bitten. This is to date my very best seller, and in my opinion, one of the best books I've ever written. As I've begun to read the story again, there are so many details that I'd forgotten. So many things that make this story memorable to me had become more feelings than actual memories. After all, I wrote the story near the end of 2007. I believe I finished it January, 2008.

Anyway, I adore these characters. Reading their story again is like visiting old friends. Sure, I'm getting ready to self-publish these titles and I know that many still frown upon that. But you know what? I'm grateful to get to know them again. If I hadn't chosen to not renew my contracts, I probably never would have taken the time to read the complete books again. That would've been a mistake. I'm learning from myself as strange as that may seem. I'm learning what has worked in my writing and what needs to change. I'm developing my skills as a storyteller. And I'm getting to know people that I've missed.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to discover my writing all over again. I am reminded (the more I read and edit) why I love this so much. Writing is my passion and I am blessed to be able to do what I love.

Another great review of Bitten

Bitten has just received a 4.5 review from Night Owl Romance. How cool is that?

I'm a reviewer top pick:) The review came with a neat little graphic I couldn't get to display here and everything. LOL But, if you click on the review link, you can see my pretty little top pick graphic there:)




http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4027

Bitten is now available in print!

Sandra Ashton is a witch who suddenly finds herself dating three vampires. So, what do you do when you’ve got three immortal beings professing their undying or is that undead love for you? You agree to what they like to call, ‘joint custody’.


http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/bitten.htm

Good news and sad

Bitten is the #3 bestseller for NCP at Fictionwise and the #1 highest rated. Plus, it's #41 in the Erotica category. Holy crap! I have never had a book do this well at Fictionwise. I am so excited. Looks like my readers and I are on the same page because I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book. Thanks so much to everyone who has helped to make Bitten such a success. I really do appreciate your support:)


http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook88485.htm?cache


This couldn't have come at a better time to cheer me up. My grandfather passed away yesterday. The funeral will be tomorrow. I'm still not sure how to react. We knew it was coming, but that doesn't make it easier. I was just so glad to have some good news to report. And yet ... it seems morbid to enjoy life sometimes when faced with the reality of death. My grandpa had already had so many strokes that he wasn't really where I could tell him about my writing career once it got started. But I know he would have been proud of me. As would all of my relatives who have already passed on. Their blood and creativity live on through me and in their own way, through our memories and DNA, they have found immortality.

Pa was a man who enjoyed life's simple pleasures and I really don't think he'd mind that I'm happy about my book sales today. Happiness is a choice and truly a simple pleasure.

Bitten is going to print!

I just found out and I am thrilled! Bitten has done well enough as an ebook that it will be released in print this July. Thank you so much to all my readers:) If I haven't told you before, I love you guys. LOL Seriously, without you I wouldn't have a job:)

You can purchase a download of Bitten here:

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/bitten.htm

How can one witch get so lucky?

This is the very first review of Bitten and I am thrilled! I am so glad that people are enjoying this book, because I LOVED writing it:)

http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=31135

Special Announcement:)

Guest what guys? I'm featured in this month's Brass Spectacle Magazine! *Go me, go me. It's not my birthday.* LOL

The Brass Spectacle Magazine

Okay, I'll stop dancing, but I refuse to take off the purple hat. Anyway, the short story I have featured (and mentioned on the cover) Wooo! is called Bitten. This is actually the introduction to the novel Bitten, which was released just last month:)

So, if you like it (short story) then you can visit http://www.traceyhkitts.com/ and find out how to purchase the full novel. Pretty cool, huh?

Hope you like it:)

Bitten has just been released!

Check it out! I'm so excited:)

Sandra Ashton is a witch who suddenly finds herself dating three vampires. So, what do you do when you’ve got three immortal beings professing their undying or is that undead love for you? You agree to what they like to call, ‘joint custody’.

You can purchase a copy of Bitten here: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/bitten.htm

Something cool

I just got a look at the cover for the March 2009 issue of The Brass Spectacle Magazine. And guess what? I'm mentioned on the cover! Pretty cool, huh? I knew that my short story would be featured in this issue, but I never expected it to be mentioned on the cover. Wow.

The story being featured is Bitten. As some of you may already know, this is the short story (originally written for Coffee Time Romance to share with their readers) that inspired the full length novel. Everyone liked it so much (including me) that I couldn't resist telling the rest of the story.

Bitten, the novel, is scheduled for release sometime later this month with New Concepts Publishing. I have to say, it's the hottest thing I've written to date:)

Editing and Insomnia

For once, I'm glad I can't sleep. I just got back Bitten for a final read through and I am enjoying this story so much. Since it's been several months since I finished it, I can read it now with fresh eyes. And I love it.

It's so easy to fall for the characters all over again. As you may have guessed from some of the excerpts, the main female character, Sandra, is involved with more than one vampire. One is a former Scottish patriot who fought alongside William Wallace. Another used to be a sword maker about a hundred years ago in England and the last ... is actually my favorite. He's a bit wicked, but I love him even more for it. I won't give away his history, but I will tell you that he's a historical figure that I have always been fascinated with.

I can only hope that everyone who reads the book falls in love with it the way I have. I'm not saying any of this to brag ... more to explain why I like to write and how much I have loved this book. A little bit of me goes into everything I write and I think this story got a slightly bigger portion than usual. I'll probably finish the entire edit tonight. I just can't stop myself.

Bitten and Eden have cover art!

Bitten and Eden have cover art! How hot is this?! I couldn't be more thrilled with the way these turned out. Even the city of Eden in the background is exactly as I pictured it. Not to mention Viktor! And Nicholas (from Bitten) is perfect! (He's the one with the pointy goatee.)

Coming Soon

Here's what I've got coming up:) As soon as I know a projected release date, I'll post it here.

Brain Dead is scheduled for release any day now:)

Brain Dead
Jane Masters has no idea she’s a necromancer. Luis Phillippe is the vampire responsible for the power mingled in her blood. Though her love life improves dramatically after meeting Luis, Jane faces a more urgent situation than dating a vampire; her boss is a zombie and it might be her fault. As Luis reveals the details of her past life and the source of her power, they learn there’s a killer on the loose and Jane is next on the list. As for her newly discovered past with Luis, her heart remembers him. But will she survive to love him this time?


Original Sin, book four in the Lilith Mercury: Werewolf Hunter Series
The time has come for Lilith to make a decision about the wolf pack and its leader the super sexy wolf king, Marco Barak. Will she become his queen and help him lead the pack? And if she does, where does that leave her relationship with Dracula?


Bitten
Sandra Ashton is a witch who suddenly finds herself dating three vampires. So, what do you do when you’ve got three immortal beings professing their undying or is that undead love for you? You agree to what they like to call, “joint custody.”
With three sexy vampires at her beck and call … who wouldn’t want to be bitten?


Eden
Catrina’s world is turned upside down the moment she agrees to Viktor’s plan. Who even knew that Abraham Van Helsing had a younger brother? Not only that, but a brother who was turned by the King of Vampires and who held such obvious power. Now she must deal with the consequences of her actions and an attraction she can no longer deny. For in Eden ... not all paradise is lost.

Free Short Story

Looking for a little treat this Halloween? Why not check out my free short story, Bitten?

You can find it here:
http://www.traceyhkitts.com/Free%20Reads.htm

Happy Reading,

Tracey