What I did last summer, fall, winter, spring…

June 26, 2015 · 31 Comments

A lot of you have been asking what I’ve been working on, lately, so it’s probably past time that I checked in. For more than a year, now–actually close to two–I’ve been working on a new series, supernatural thrillers. And I don’t mind telling you, it’s been kicking my butt. Which is both wonderful and frustrating because I’m learning and growing as a writer. But it’s been hard, hard work. Paranormal romances come easily to me–I’ve written 19 of them! Thrillers are an entirely different animal. Not only am I having to understand the intricacies of a new genre, but I’ve discovered that the way I wrote before doesn’t work as well for thrillers. My entire approach to writing has been turned on its head. The wonderful thing is, I am learning, and growing, and I’m seeing that growth in the writing. But it’s taking time.

I just finished the first book in the series for the third time. And I’m not talking about drafts and revisions. Pretty much the only pieces of the original story that remain are the setting (a modern day castle ruin in Argyll, Scotland), and the supernatural elements (which I still absolutely love). I wrote the book the first time and knew I hadn’t nailed it, not at all. The protagonist was all wrong, definitely not the right person for the job. So I fired her and found the perfect heroine. I adore her. The story changed drastically with a new protagonist, but when it was finished, I still wasn’t satisfied. I realized the pacing was off because I hadn’t gotten the thriller elements right.

Fortunately, I’m nothing if not stubborn. I never give up. Ever. But it was clear to me that I needed a completely different approach to the book. I decided, instead, to take a different approach to the writing.

I’ve always been a bit of a plotter. Not too in-depth, mind you. The characters still need plenty of room to take the story and run with it, and mine always have. But I usually spend about three months working out the basic plot structure of a book before I start writing. Kind of like planning a vacation by saying, “I’m going to travel from Washington, D.C. to Chicago, to Denver, to Dallas, and back, and do it in ten days.” And that’s about it. Maybe get some ideas for what you want to do in those places, but no reservations or commitments.

There are certainly writers who do far more plotting ahead of time. And I’d thought a thriller would certainly require that–setting up all the twists and turns. Instead, I decided to try going the other way and writing the second book in the series by the seat of my pants. No pre-planning at all. I typed ‘Chapter 1’, closed my eyes, shut down my thinking mind, and typed what came to me. I was completely startled to find my fingers flying across the keyboard, the words coming, not from my engineering brain, but straight from my muse, my imagination. I figured the book was the second in the series with the same protagonist (it was!), but I didn’t even know where it was going to be set. Turns out, it was Pompeii. I have never had a writing experience anything like that, the story unfolding beneath my fingertips. It was like riding in the backseat with no hands on the wheel. Over and over I was startled and delighted by the things that happened, things I never saw coming.

It turns out that my imagination is a far more creative plotter than my engineering brain. <head desk> And it only took me twenty-one books to figure that out. Another thing I realized was that since I was essentially channeling the story directly from my subconscious, I had to keep that channel open, which meant writing every day. I took a day off, early on, and had trouble getting going again. This took place last December and I still wrote every single day, even if only an hour in the morning before everyone else got up (over the holidays). I first-drafted that book in 20 days.

After that eye-opening experience, I had a much better idea of what I needed to do with the first book, though writing a book ‘fresh’ that you’ve already written twice isn’t easy. Still, I took a deep breath, handed the reins over to my muse, closed my eyes, and let her lead me on another wild ride. And she did. Not only is the story a far better one than before, but the characters came roaring to life in a way they hadn’t before. We (my muse and I) finished the book last Sunday, June 21st, the summer solstice, which I find fitting.

Now I’m heading back to revise the second book. I have complete faith that my muse knew what she was doing when she wrote all those lovely twists and turns, but she didn’t tidy everything up in the end, and it’s time for the engineering brain to get in there, sort everything out, and tie everything together. As I learn to trust my muse more, and as she and my engineering brain learn to work together better on the front end, perhaps my first drafts will be cleaner in the future. Hard to say. But I’ve decided that I’m going to write the third book in the series before sending any of these to my agent, because I may learn something else about this new writing process, or the characters, or the series, that I’ll need to work back into the first two.

I’m absolutely in love with this series. The stories fascinate me, I adore the characters, and despite the occasional head-banging, writing them is turning out to be an incredible experience. I can’t wait to share them with you!

OfBloodandPassion_200x300My thrillers aren’t the only books I’ve been working on. Between the second version of book 1 and the first drafting of book 2, I wrote the final book in my Vamp City trilogy. Quinn and Arturo’s story finally comes to it’s climactic end in Of Blood and Passion which will be out July 14th! Once these first three thrillers are off to my agent, I’ll have to decide what I’m going to work on next. I’m open to suggestions!

 

 

Next Stop: Vamp City!

June 23, 2015 · 14 Comments

OfBloodandPassion_600x900Fasten your seatbelts! It’s less than a month, now, until the July 14th release of Of Blood and Passion, the final book in the Vamp City saga and the climactic ending to the story NY Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks calls, “An amazing action-packed series”!

From the back cover:

They call her the last sorceress: Quinn Lennox, the only hope of the vampires who are trapped in Vamp City watching their dark otherworld slowly die. But an ancient curse shackles the magic Quinn needs to save not only the vampires she’s come to call friends, come to care for, come to love, but her beloved brother as well. Arturo Mazza, the ruthless vampire who once betrayed Quinn, and has since waged a steady and relentless war upon her heart, vows to help her break the curse. But when the mission requires them to face Cristoff Gonzaga—the brutal and vicious vampire to whom Arturo once pledged undying fealty—Quinn must find a trust in Arturo that will test the very foundations of her soul.

Pre-orders are now available for Kindle and iBooks!

I’ve posted the first chapter of Of Blood and Passion on my website. After you’ve read it, be sure to enter the contest (also on my website) for a chance to win a signed copy of A Kiss of Blood, the second book in my Vamp City series, and Wulfe Untamed, the final book in my Feral Warriors series.

Attention: Bloggers. If you reviewed one or both of the previous Vamp City books on your blog and are interested in reviewing Of Blood and Passion, please email me at Pamela@pamelapalmer.net, subject line: Vamp City Blogger. I’ll have a free download ready for you as soon as it releases!

And because a lot of you have been asking what I’m working on, I’ll be posting again in a day or two to tell you. (I know, don’t faint. Two blog posts from me in one week!) Stay tuned.

And enjoy the summer!

Pamela

 

Vamp City news!

March 24, 2015 · 4 Comments

At last, the third and final book in the Vamp City series, Of Blood and Passion, is done! Better yet, it’s coming out this summer! As soon as I know the exact date, I’ll let you know. Here’s a brief hint of what it will be about:

In the gripping conclusion to the Vamp City trilogy, sorceress Quinn Lennox and vampire Arturo Mazza battle the dangerously powerful vampire master, Cristoff Gonzaga, in a desperate attempt to save both of their worlds. As Vamp City crumbles around them, their only chance of survival demands an unconditional trust that will test the very foundation of Quinn’s soul, and surrender to a powerful love neither can deny.

I know what some of you are thinking. “She said the series would be four or five books.” Umm, yes. It happened again. I thought the Feral Warriors series would probably be nine or ten books and it wound up being eight. And my explanation for that miscount still holds true. I never know how long it’s going to take to tell a multi-book story until I get near the end of it. I’m great with individual books. I intuitively know how to spin a tale of the correct length for a novel or novella…thank goodness. But when it comes to a longer series, I’m in the dark. I always have so many ideas when I start that I’m certain it’s going to take books and books to tell. But stories have a natural rhythm and once you hit that point where it begins to race toward the climax, you have to let go and let it happen. And that point snuck up on me…again. But, honestly, I love it when that happens–when the characters rip the story reins out of my hands and take off with it on their own. It’s always the best ride!

So, what am I working on, now? As I’ve mentioned before, I’m switching gears, slightly. I’m currently writing a supernatural thriller series with romantic elements. I adore the concept and story and I’m in already in love with the characters. But it’s taking more time than I’d anticipated. Not only does a contemporary thriller require a lot more research than my paranormals (I can’t make it all up), but there’s a learning curve involved in switching genres. I know Romances well. Thrillers and I are still getting acquainted. But that is happening, more and more each day. We’re slowly becoming good friends. And I promise you, when this book is everything I want it to be, you’ll be the first to hear all about it.

If you happen to be in the Washington, D.C. area May 2nd, I’ll be at the Great Falls Library for a couple of events that day—a panel on how to get published in the morning and a ‘Meet the Local Authors’ and book signing in the evening. All the information is on my website here. If you can attend, feel free to bring books from home, to either session. I’ll sign whatever you bring!

 Think spring!

My summer is coming in twos

August 28, 2014 · 9 Comments

This summer has flown by! I say that every year, but it doesn’t make it any less true, right? My summer has been busy, busy, busy and, for some reason, it’s been coming in twos. I attended two family reunions, helped two kids move, and have been working on two books–the third and final book in the Vamp City series and the first book in a brand new series that I’ll tell you more about…later. (Evil author, I know.)

Apparently, my things-coming-in-twos theme is sliding into the fall, because I’ll be doing two appearances in Northern Virginia in September, both of which are open to the public.

The details:

 

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Fairfax Festival of the Book

Panel: From Sweet to Heat: How romance authors deal with love and lust on the page

Panelists: Pamela Palmer, Gail Barrett, Alexa J. Day, Terri Osburn, and Hope Ramsay

The Sherwood Center

3740 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, Virginia

3:30pm – 4:15pm

A book signing will follow the panel

 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Great Falls Speaker’s Series presents author Pamela Palmer

Great Falls Library

9830 Georgetown Pike

Great Falls, Virginia 22066

7:00 pm

I’ll be reading a short excerpt from Wulfe Untamed and chatting with attendees about writing and the writing life.

 

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In other news…the Ferals are now in audio format! The first five books are already out, all read by the amazing Rob Shapiro, and the remaining three will be out this fall.

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Also, Vamp City has gone German. A Blood Seduction, Book 1, is available now, and A Kiss of Blood, book 2, will hit stores and e-readers in January. And in case you missed it, my Feral novella, Hearts Untamed, is also available in German, now.

 

RT in New Orleans – Where to find me

April 26, 2014 · 17 Comments

It’s just two and a half weeks until the RT Booklovers Convention in New Orleans! I love RT, love New Orleans, and really can’t wait for this one. If you’ll be in or near New Orleans May 15-17th, whether or not you’re attending RT, let me tell you where you can find me.

The RT convention, this year, is being held at the Marriott hotel on Canal Street in the historic French Quarter. 555 Canal Street, to be exact.

Thursday, May 15th, from 11:15-12:15 I’ll be participating in my publisher, Avon’s, Hats and Tats reader event. According to the website, both authors and attendees will be designing and making a hat/fascinator, or painting a body tattoo. My artistic skills are nil, but I’ll happily assist, or cheer you on. Avon’s events are always the best, and this one will be no exception.

Thursday, May 15th, from 7:10-7:30PM I’ll be at the Avon Publishing group’s locale for the RT Pub crawl, Saints & Sinners – 627 Bourbon St. The Pub Crawl itself is from 6:30-8:30, but the bar where the Avon editors and authors will be hanging out is apparently quite small, and there are a lot of us. So we’ll be there in shifts. (Though the room where we’ll be hanging out will be open only to RT attendees, if you’re not attending RT and want to say hi, or have me sign a book or twelve, grab me (gently, please) on my way in or out.)

Friday, May 16th, from 11:15-12:15 I’m one of the authors hosting the Team Shifter vs. Team Vampire reader event. We’ll be running a Jeopardy-like trivia game and giving away a ton of prizes.

Friday, May 16th, from 6:15-7:45PM I’ll be at Avon’s Krewe of Muses, a huge book signing/giveaway party with free wine, snacks, and books, books, books. If you’ve never attended one of Avon’s RT book giveaways, you’ll be wowed. 50+ authors signing and giving away (yes…FREE), tons of books. It’s truly an extravaganza, not to be missed.

If you’re not attending RT, but will be in the area, I’ll be signing books at the Giant Book Fair Saturday, May 17th, from 11:00-2:00. This event is open to the public and more than 700 authors will be signing.

Hope to see you in NOLA!

 

Book Tour details and new Wulfe Teaser

December 28, 2013 · 15 Comments

The following is the list of cities I’ll be visiting with Jeaniene Frost as we both celebrate the final books in our respective series: Wulfe Untamed and Up From the Grave. Both books release January 28th. Hope to see you!

January 30th: Barnes and Noble in Cary, NC  at 7pm

January 31st: Laurelwood Books in Memphis, TN at 6:30pm

February 1st: Joseph Beth Book in Lexington, KY at 7pm

February 2nd: Books and Co. in Dayton, OH at 2pm

February 4th: Barnes and Noble in Homestead, PA at 7pm

February 15th: Turn The Page book store in Boonsboro, MD at 12pm. Group author signing includes Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb, Sylvia Day, Jaci Burton, Jeaniene Frost, Pamela Palmer, Stephanie Draven, and more.

In addition, here’s a new teaser from Wulfe Untamed, the final book in the current Feral Warriors story arc.

WulfeUntamed mm c“How many of you did I meet on my first visit here?” Natalie asked as she started up the stairs, Wulfe close behind. “I got the feeling Hawke, Fox, and Falkyn were all meeting me for the first time.”

“They were. None of them were here last time. The only ones you met were Lyon and his mate, Kara, and Paenther, Jag, and me.”

“Because you kept us in the prisons.”

“Yes. You were unconscious most of that time. We figured the less you saw and learned, the easier it would be to take your memories later.”

She stiffened at the implications of that. “How difficult will it be to take my memories this time?” He clearly wasn’t minimizing what she was seeing … or learning.

“Natalie,” he said quietly behind her.

She stopped and turned to him, only a single step between them.

He met her gaze, his eyes at once soft and fierce. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

They’d both heard Lyon. Wulfe knew as well as she did that her life hung in the balance.

“I’m not,” he repeated quietly, his gaze like steel, ordering her to believe him.

Warmth fluttered in her chest on wings of a rising affection for this honorable, enigmatic man. An unruly lock of hair hung across his forehead and her hand itched to reach for it, to brush it back, to touch him again as his words and actions touched her over and over. But he hadn’t welcomed her kiss to his cheek, and she feared he wouldn’t welcome her touch.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, revealing her growing affection with a smile instead.

An answering warmth flared in his eyes, his own endearing smile making a small, quick appearance, filling her with a sharp and unexpected joy. With the soft lamplight half illuminating, half shadowing his face, his scars faded to nothing, and the raw male beauty of the man all but took her breath away. His was a strong face, strong-boned, in perfect counterpoint to the body upon which it was attached. His warm, masculine scent wafted over her, pleasing her, drawing her, turning her body soft and warm with wanting. The heat that licked inside her startled her, setting her pulse to flight. And he saw it. She could see the awareness in his eyes. And the disappointment.

Cheeks heating, Natalie turned and resumed the climb, dismayed and embarrassed, because it was clear Wulfe didn’t feel the same. It wasn’t right that she felt anything for this man when she’d been engaged to another just this morning. But Wulfe called to places inside her that Rick never had, places in her heart, in her mind, that were beginning to awaken and unfurl. Places so deep, so new and untouched, that their awakening scared her on a primitive level. If she wasn’t careful, Wulfe, despite his promises to never hurt her, would. Without ever meaning to.

 

 

 

A Dream and a Destiny

December 9, 2013 · 11 Comments

Sapphire Dream“One of the best time travel romances I’ve ever read.” Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author

 

Sapphire Dream, a high-action romantic adventure that also happens to be a Scottish historical time travel with a pirate hero (yes, I’m serious) is the first book I ever wrote that got published. It didn’t sell first–The Dark Gate, the first book in my Esri series–was my first sale. But I wrote Sapphire Dream first, entered it in the 2005 Golden Heart contest for unpublished writers, and won! An editor requested the manuscript and I had high, high hopes for my first sale. Unfortunately, she left the business soon after. For two years the manuscript languished on one editor’s desk after another (I know this because I’d get emails from time to time assuring me it hadn’t been forgotten.) Two years later, I got The Call. Except it wasn’t, technically, ‘The Call’ since Nocturne already had me under contract for three of the Esri books by then. Still, selling this book was particularly sweet.

Amethyst DestinyI actually started writing Sapphire Dream several years before I finished it, then set it aside because I didn’t yet have the skills I needed to figure out the whole story. In the meantime, I wrote a couple of other books, and partials of several more–my learning projects–while I honed my skills. When I finally returned to Sapphire Dream, I knew what I was doing. The writing came, the ideas came, and I finally had a book I was oh so proud of. Honestly, I adore this story.

Anyway, Sapphire Dream and its sequel, Amethyst Destiny, were published under my pseudonym, Pamela Montgomerie in 2009 and 2010 respectively. I recently received my rights back for the two books and I’m excited to announce that I’m re-releasing them under my name, completely re-edited, with brand new covers, and at a reasonable ebook price. Both are now on Kindle and will be available on all formats in a few months. Keep an eye on my home page. I’ll announce more order availability there.

These books are connected, so you’ll want to read Sapphire Dream first! From the back cover:

The last thing Brenna Cameron expected when she arrived at Castle Stour on the coast of Scotland seeking answers about a past she doesn’t remember, was to find herself transported to a seventeenth-century pirate ship complete with dangerous crew and a handsome captain who is less than pleased to have her aboard.

Rourke Douglas, captain of the Lady Marie, knows the appearance of this lovely stranger is linked to the prophecy that has haunted his family for years. When the fiery-haired beauty materializes on his ship, courtesy of the sapphire pendant she wears around her neck and a bit of meddling magic, Rourke wants nothing more than to send her back to wherever she came from. But something about Brenna stirs his wounded soul, and Rourke knows he cannot outrun his destiny any longer.

I hope you enjoy these books half as much as I enjoyed writing them. They are truly books of my heart.

Release Day! A Kiss of Blood

June 25, 2013 · 25 Comments

kisslowres_276Book 2 in my dark paranormal Vamp City series, the sequel to last year’s A Blood Seduction, is finally here! New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost says, “A Kiss Of Blood took everything about the characters and world and turned them on their head. I loved A Kiss of Blood and I can’t wait to see what happens next in book three.”

From the back cover:

One of the few humans who managed to escape the deadly twilight world of Vamp City, Quinn Lennox vows to never return. But the vampires want her back, for only she has the power to renew the magic of their crumbling world–and free the vampires trapped within.seduction_350

When the handsome, dangerous, and all too seductive Arturo Mazza comes for her, Quinn knows she can never trust him after the betrayal she suffered at his hands. But with her beloved brother’s fate hanging in the balance, and her own power beginning to emerge, she chooses to risk all on yet another perilous journey back to Vamp City. And though she tries to deny it, her heart begins to hold hope that even a ruthless vampire can learn the meaning of true love….

For order links, to read an excerpt, enter my latest contest, or find out more about the Vamp City world, be sure to check out my website!

If you’re on my newsletter mailing list, you’ll be getting a newsletter from me today. If you don’t, and you want to know when I have new books coming out, please go HERE to sign up.

Happy reading!

Cover Reveal–Wulfe Untamed

June 19, 2013 · 55 Comments

The winners of my giveaway: Nicole Kingsley and Alaina! Send your mailing info to me at pamela@pamelapalmer.net.

I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of Wulfe Untamed, the eighth and final book in my best-selling and award-winning Feral Warriors series! Wulfe’s book comes out January 28, 2014 and, yes, it’s already available for pre-order. Never fear, Feral fans, although the Daemon blade story arc is coming to a close, I fully intend to write more stories in the Feral world. Vhyper and Grizz will come after me if I don’t!

wulfe untamed low resWhen my publisher and I discussed the cover for this book, I requested several things. First and foremost, that we not show his face. Wulfe is so badly scarred. I knew they’d never put that on a cover, but a pretty-faced model just wasn’t right for this book. So they photographed him from the back. Perfect, perfect, perfect. (And, oh, what a back.)

Second, I wanted a wolf on the cover. Every one of my Feral Warriors books has the animal somewhere on the front, though sometimes it’s a hunt to find it (Fox’s book!). I wanted the wolf to leap from the cover of this one, especially with a title like Wulfe Untamed.

Third, he had to have his wolf’s-head armband. Beautifully done. And fourth, I really, really hoped the cover model’s build would resemble Wulfe’s with his wide-as-a-sofa shoulders and his gorgeous, muscular back. And, oh yeah, they got it right. Wouldn’t you just love to run your hands…uh-hm.

I also love the tats! With each cover, I usually get an email from my editor saying the artist wants to add tats, am I okay with that? I always say, “Sure. Whatever he wants to do.” (Avon has its own, fabulous, art department, and still uses cover models, photographers, artists, the works.) I always have fun seeing what they come up with!

Wulfe Untamed’s cover is exactly what I had in mind. Thanks, Avon!

I’ll give away two signed copies of A Love Untamed (Feral book 7). One will go to the first person who can tell me where the fox is on the cover of A Love Untamed. The second will go to a random commenter. Not sure what to post in your comment? Tell me what you think of this cover. Or, tell me which of the Feral Warriors covers is your favorite. I’ll post the names of the winners on Monday. Be sure to check back then, or include your email in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

Go Feral!

Feral News and a Sneak Peek of Vamp City 2

March 6, 2013 · 17 Comments

kisslowres_276I’ve posted a sneak peek of A KISS OF BLOOD, the second book in my Vamp City series about Quinn Lennox and Arturo Mazza on my website HERE. A KISS OF BLOOD hits bookshelves and ereaders June 25th, just three and a half months!

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In the meantime, did you catch my Vamp City novella in the Vampires Gone Wild anthology? In A Forever Love, trapped vampire Lukas pines for his lost love, Elizabeth. When she accidentally stumbles into Vamp City, Lukas will fight to keep her alive. The anthology is already available for download in e-format and will be available in print format (on-line or special order through your favorite bookseller) on March 26th.

If you’ll be in Virginia later this month, come visit me, Jeaniene Frost, Kim Harrison, and Vicki Pettersson. We’ll be doing a panel at the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville on Saturday, March 23rd. On Sunday, March 24th, the four of us will be signing books and answering questions at Sam Miller’s Restaurant in Richmond. Details HERE.

In Feral Warrior news, we have a title for book 8! Wulfe Untamed will be out in less than a year (and with that title, I don’t think I have to tell you who it’s about). I’ve seen the cover art and it’s gorgeous. I’ll share it with you when I can!