Updating.....

Hey Guys,

I haven't been around lately. Kinda like hiding out on plain sight. On top of trying to rewrite the mess of Premonitions into a wonderful story called Warrior's Heart. It's like getting slammed up against the wall trying to pull new ideas out of my ass. But I'm seriously not complaining. I love the fact that I'm revamping the entire story. Makes it new fresh. Gives it flavor. What I like to do, but It's not taking away my voice like some authors complain. I'm actually writing the daggum thing. What's to take away? Nothing. Rocky, who's the saint sent from heaven for putting up with, has been wonderful and full of advice. Though, I admit I'm not always readily available. I'm so super busy, but it's coming along.

On another note, my son was diagnosed with Autism. It's mild, and no matter how much I've denied it, like all mothers, I knew. How could I not? He's not talking and when most 3 years are striking up whole conversations, he would only hoot like a monkey. I just deal with it, that was until my mother in law pointed out that something was wrong with him. Not that she was being mean, but because she dealt with children with mental disabilities. And she has been wonderful help. She's taken the kids sometimes just to give me and my husband a break. She's made Devon talk when I couldn't or wouldn't. Though even now he's doing better, you can see the intelligence in his eyes, he has a long way to go. And I have a lot of research to do. SO...If I don't talk much, just bear with me. I'll be talkative soon

Red Rose Publishing RWA Recognized!!

Extra! Extra!! Red Rose Publishing is now a RWA Recognized publisher!!

I am so excited to announce this. Of course, Wendi, my beloved editor and chief has done nothing but good since opening up RRP. I am so proud to be part of a company that has it's main drive is to publish quality ebooks and not throw something out there just to make a quick buck. Her biggest drive is her authors. Though the company just opened up in July, RRP has made waves on the net with its contest not to mention a variety of tantalizing reads to catch everyone's appetites.

Yes, I sound biased, and I should. For the first quarter sails for this booming publisher have topped what MGP did in it's entire frivolous life. RRP made over 2900 book sales (combined with site, Fictionwise, Mobi Pocket and ARE sales). Top that Mardi Gras. Teresa couldn't get those sales if she'd pulled the out of her....okay, I'll be nice.

But all and all, I am extremely proud to be a part of a good family and I made a really good choice in putting my novels here. And by the way it's growing, it's going to become one of the great pubs like Samhain and Ellora's Cave and Loose-ID.

Leah V.


http://www.redrosepublishing.com/

The Aweful Truth

As you all know I pulled Premonitions from Mardi Gras Publishing last May because Teresa failed to pay me and many others and renigged on the contract. Here I am thinking it was over and I submitted it to Red Rose Publishing for a fresh start. Changed the name and every thing, but I soon found out that it wasn't over.

It was brought to my attention that my book has been place BACK on Amazon.com ready for sale. Shocked, appalled and very much pissed off, I called Amazon to see what can be done about taking it off. Nothing. They said that I wasn't the person to put it back up there so there was nothing I could to to get it taken off of there.

Pissed off to the hightest level of pisstivity is an under statement. I wanted blood. I called my Wendi to see if she could get it taken off. And in return she calls Amazon Legal department and see what they could do. And I'm still waiting on the call. Mind you, this was all this morning BEFORE coffee.

Not only is this a black mark to me, this is a black mark to all the authors who were once with MGP. Teresa Jacobs has taken 'crook' to a whole new level. Not only has she taken our money, but she is still trying to make money after she deserted her own company to build a new one. It's illegal, damn near federal if it ain't all ready. I can't believe a person would stoop so low to make money off of a book that was out of her possession long before she close the door. Our books were too good for her company. Our integrity was too good for her and look how she does the very people who put the money in her pocket to spend. She screws us with a rusted spork and leaves us to bleed to death. I think it's such a load of crap. Something needs to be done. MGP wasn't the only company to dry up.

There are companies like this everywhere, which is sad because authors put their trust into publishers who we think is going to give us a good expierience. Yet, that's not the case. They screw us, take our money, bind us in stupid contracts and when the going gets tough, they book out and run taking our works and money with them.

I was lucky. I only had one book with MGP unlike others who had several. MGP was there only publishers and probably felt obligated to give them all their work which sucks.

As an update to this morning, the wonderful people at both Amazon and Ingram has pulled the Premonitions cover from the site and is no longer available. As it should be. We shouldn't have to stoop to BITCH levels just to get something done that should have been done months ago. It just goes to show what kind of people are out there and what kind of damages they could do to one's career.

Keep your eyes and mind open. It could happen to you.

Leah V.

Publisher problems pt 2

To all of those who have not heard about Mardi Gras Publishing pretty much closing its doors, I wanted to formally give you the info. My heart goes out to all the authors who have put their time and effort with MGP, especially for those authors, like my self once, only had one work out. This shouldn't happen to any author and only makes the struggle harder and harder to trust reputable authors.

That being said, there are certain steps that should be taken in order to look into the company before you leap in and sign the contract.

1.Ask around--If there are people with a particular publisher ask about their experiences with the publisher. Email a few of the authors and ask questions.

2. Join the chat groups--One way to get in on group gossip especially within the publisher is signing up and the groups.

3. Check it out for yourself--If there is a problem within the publisher check it out. I could be true or it could be a disgruntled diva wanting to get back. You'll never know unless you dive in to you inner sleuth and do some snooping yourself.

4. Be bold and ask questions--Don't be shy. This is a professional business and if you don't know ask. This is your money, time and patience that's at stake here. Just don't go into this blind expecting all glitz and glamour. It is also what you make it.

5. Don't afraid to express your concerns--If you see something is up don't be afraid to point it out. Though some things might be small and can be easily fixed, other things like forgetting to sign the checks, or pay the author within the allotted time of the contract are some things that can't go unnoticed.

If you have more to add to this feel free to add away. Enough blogging. Time to do some writing.

TTFN

Leah V.

Warrior's Heart Cover and a Quick Up date

I am so excited. This is the new cover for Warrior's Heart being released for red Rose Publishing. Don't you just love him. I could jump in the picture and hug him. LOL. Rene Lyons really did a splendid job.

I have updated my website since it was totally screwed up for the past week. I changed the template to give it some color, added my covers, and more slut pupply gorgeous pics to please the eye. Check it out and tell me what you think. www.freewebs.com/ladyofgrace25

I also added a blurb about my new book Captive Temptation, part of my Bounty Hunter Series. Just to tell you a 'lil bit about it, here's a short blurb.

For Gage, being a bounty hunter meant putting your personal life aside to catch the bad guys and bring then to justice. That is, until a close friend becomes one of the fugitives he’s supposed to capture. But one look into her deep brown eyes and he’s lost remembering the hot way he felt about her from a relationship he thought was long dead.

Naeva, framed for the murder of her father and her colleague did the one thing she could thing of. . . run. Not that she didn’t want to cooperate with the authorities, something didn’t seem right about the entire situation. When Gage shows up to take her back, she pleads with him to help her. Feelings arise between them as she tries to get past the hurt she caused him when she left.

Can they work together to prove her innocence, but can their love stand up to the challenge?

Read more about it on my website.

And last but not least, I wanted to introduce my new niece Brooke Alana lovingly called "Bam". She was born August 9, 2007 weighing 7 lbs 4 oz, a whopping 2 lbs smaller than her big brother. She is a beauty looking just like her mother. Congrats Dana, Nicky, and Hammie!!!!

Now enough blogging. I'm going to bed. I'll blog later.

Leah V.

Blogging

I so totally suck at blogging. I never blog. I think it's because I shoot my mouth off about so may other things, or maybe because I seriously spend about 15 hours a aday sitting infront of a computer just to come home to another one. I kinda feel bad, but then again if I sat here and read all the emails in my box (I'm not even looking at yahell right now) and the IMs from my mom sending me pics of by new neice, I think I would honestly go insane or my head would explode.

What's so bad is that it comes so easily to me. Though I think if I sit down and devote two hours to writing, I think I could blog a lil bit. . . . . nah!! I'll just leave you in the dark like I normally do. But if anything interesting comes a long I'll write about it. Other than that, I'll think about it. Blogging ain't my highlife.
Leah V.

Coming Soon from Red Rose Publishing . . .

Want something no one else has?

A contest to beat all contests!

Red Rose Publishing has it all, a great contest with even greater authors to dazzle you with their stories!

www.redrosepublishing.com

Opening soon!

Join their yahoo group to find out what the deal is; maybe you will be the one who walks away with that diamond tennis bracelet!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/redrosepublishing/

Looking for a Home

Well Ya'll I'm looking for a new home for Premonitions. Since there were problems and I will not even thing about boring you with details, i have left Mardi Gras Publishing. Now, get me wrong it was a great blast because I was a new author and this was my first book and it gave me a great opportunity start my dream. Yet on the other hand, with the problems that were coming up and stepping on to my IM, I didn't feel that this was a professional place to be. We as authors need the family atmosphere, but also we need professionalism. If not it will be just like being at home with mom all over again and you're fifteen years old.

I didn't need that and neither did Premonitions. So we are looking. and I'll keep you posted. If you have any suggestions email me. Leahvaughn06@yahoo.com


Leah V.

Problems with Publishers

It has come to my attention that certain practices by Mardi Gras Publishing should be know about. For instance, there are many of us authors that have known about the increase of publishing fees. The increase was not written into our contract nor were we notified in writing email or other wise about the changes. The change came as word of mouth only confirmed by on of their former editors. As one of their authors. This should not be the way to do business. We should be notified by the price changes especially when the price includes fees that should stick to the price that was arranged when we signed. A lot of us don’t have time to sit here and worry whether or not the publisher is worthy or comes through. We give them our lifeworks and expect to be respected. By doing this I don’t think we as authors are respected enough to honor a contract. Like we are worthless.

Another things that brings to mind is the fact that of corrections. Other authors have placed in concerns and have taken their books off to be reedited because of corrections needed. I have found several flaws with in my own book that would make even me cringe. It is a group effort about corrections. I have read different blogs from other others that thought the same thing.

One author went in to listing the Publishing Chain of Command. We pull the work out of our heads and polish it to the best of our ability, then with our hearts on the line, we send it to a publisher who chooses us and, we hope, will give us respect and treat us with dignity. They help us by polishing the work with us, finding all our little flaws and send it back to us to see if we like the corrections. We send it back accepting the changes without changing too much of the original story, but in return correcting all the mistakes that we don’t see. It never takes one set of corrections. Sometimes it takes more than three minimal for the novel to be relatively correction free. After than more polishing by the head editor before the book is put into print. This could take weeks because of busy schedules or even months.

Though we are not perfect and some corrections may slip through all the eyes that see them, but it is in no part more one person’s fault than the entire time including the author. I am paraphrasing from another author, but what she says rings true. If a book has imperfections and the readers point it out, it everyone’s job to pull together and get the book in a well groomed position to boost the sell of the book.

Besides if no one cared, the book would be an English teacher’s worst nightmare and it would never sell. And who would want that?

Hey Ya'll.

I though you would all like to know what's happening on my side of the planet. Well, I finally changed my shift to work earlier so that I can be at home with my babies, Pluses for me, not to mention I love at night writing. Nothing like the sound of the night ot get the creative juices flowing....amung other things.

Since I'm not able to go to RT and my hubby feels really sorry for that, He bought me a new PDA and a Laptop. Talk about spoiled brat. Don't worry, I don't have him eating out of my hand yet. Just biding my time and waiting until the right moment.

I get my new toys tomorrow so look for more post from me. I'll have more computer time.

hahahahahhaha


Leah V.

Leah's Thoughts About Sex and Romancing The Story

After reading a book from one of my favorite authors (Angela Knight) I came to one conclusion. If the characters in your story want to screw like bunnies, let 'em.

I have been sitting here thinking bout Fire and Desire and wondering what road I would take with my characters. I have written several sex scenes that I have yet to put in to the story thinking that if i did this then it would be more about sex than the story.

I've always thought about sex scenes like this, but one you start writing you find that it's not about the sex, it's about the story.

Sure it sells, but would you read a book that all they did was have hot steamy sex and there was no story to it? Yeah, probably, but no. Eventually you'd be throwing it across the wall along with the other bad ones you read.

There has to be a story. Some where inside all the sex and lust there has to be something meaningful to help fluff the sheets. Whether its a warlord taking revenge against the people that killed his family using the United Galactic President's eldest daughter to exact his revenge. (You know what I mean), or a husband trying to think of a way to get his wife back into his arms, there has to be a story.

"And the Muse said, 'Let there be SEX!'"

Okay, now to the nitty gritty. Every good book hooks you in with the first sentence but better books have the mention of sex within the first few pages. The eye poppers, I say, have you gasping for breath with every word. Be creative. Better yet, you know how you want to be treated, or mistreated by a Merc or some strong alpha male bent on sexual play. Write about it and don't be stingy on the nitty gritty. Make the scene worth while. Make the reader want to turn the page.

Let your imagination run wild with ideas. Put yourself in the heroine's shoes and find out what she wants. Is he hot like GQ, knock 'em dead, lady killer kind of hot? Is he possessive, special ability, dark, manipulative? Erotic? How does he make her feel just by standing there? Ask yourself (heroine) the questions and write them down if you must. If you don't think that they would be good for now, keep them. they would be good later.

Now put yourself in your hero's mind and ask the same questions, but you know you have to sweeten the deal a bit. "Every man likes a little meat and if you got a lot of meat then the more time it's gonna take him to get to the bone." (my mama said that!!) LOL But it's true. You don't have to be a stick figure all the time. Give the heroine voluptuality and a hidden sexuality that would entice any man.

Last but not least, bring them to life. let them explore each other, touch, feel, taste, see-mental, see-physical. Use every sense and emotion that comes to mind to let that moment be one of many great moments between them. And Enjoy!!!

Enough ranting...but if you got a topic you wanna discuss email me here.

Leah V.

Leah's Decision...

I thought a lot about the new novel I'm working on and I come to one conclusion. There is just too much to go in one book!!! I thought about writing a series starting with Aleqwyn and Chantiryn first then Vanessa and Tyron second, then Cole and Lyta third, then ending with all three couples in the ending series.

Speaking of characters...I had to add an odd ball in there. Cole was partially turned into a Dark Minion.

Vanessa is Chanti's friend and Coles twin sister, who is badly injured during the last fight with Dark Lord and is taken care of by Tyon on Alura.

Cole was partially turned into a Dark Minion ( I say partially because he's still fighting it), but is saved by Lyta when she heals him of a deadly wound. She see's his heart is still good and places a field of protection around it.

And then of course there's Aleq and Chanti. Which I think I honestly thought to put them off until last, but now I don't know. They've grown on me. It has been difficult to visualize Aleq any thing but strong domineering but he is still a total sweety. I've started with Aleq and Chanti I think I'll end with them too, but bigger and badder than the last one. You know I have to have my Bad guys and the last bad guy is a whopper. You'll kinda guess but then you knock it off like I have. lol.

Not to put too much out there, but there is a lot of story to tell with this one. I think that you all will be surprised. Oh, and lots of steamy sex scene to keep every one happy.

Got to go blogging from school. TTFN more news about Fire and Desire on the way.

Leah