The Big Cover Reveal

Found this in the inbox

I had a rough weekend. Between my back spasms and then a bout of what I think was food poisoning (thankyou supermarket deli ham), I got stuff all done as far as writing, housework or general living is concerned. Work was its usual thrill a minute, but it pays the bills so whaddyagonnado?

Then this morning I opened my inbox to find this great message:

Dear Sami Lee,



EPIC, the Electronically Published Internet Coalition™ (www.epicauthors.com) is delighted to announce that your entry, Sunset Knight, is a finalist in the Contemporary Erotic Romance Category of the 2011 EPIC eBook Awards Competition™.

Well yay! I entered the comp when I was searching around for something writing related to do that would excuse me from doing any actual writing, and yippee I'm a finalist. There were around 62 entries this year so I'm quite chuffed. Yes, I'm saying chuffed like a Brittish person.

Now I'm invited to an awards dinner at historical Williamsburg, Virginia. Anyone got a private plane?


Sami

Available in the Flesh

I do so love coming up with provocative blog titles. Overnight/this morning Sunset Knight was released as a trade paperback edition. Yes, it's arrived and you can get your hands on it in the flesh, so to speak. This is another excuse to shamelessly post the cover, which is totally scrummy.

It's available wherever quality books are sold... isn't that what they always say? They must sell crap books at A & R then because you can't get it there :). The usual places that cater to the left of centre romance tastes will stock it though, and of course you can get anything online.

My Bookstore and More

The Book Depository

Or just follow any of the links from the book page at Samhain.

I'm posting all this here because I can't see myself updating the website tonight. It's on tomorrow's list.

Cheers,
Sami

Kisses and Giveaways

I'm over at the Samhain Cafe chatting about myself (shouldn't take long eh?). I'll be talking first kisses and anything else that comes up. Come over and join me and you could win a book or a gift voucher, or you could just have a good time. Why don't you find out.

Also, I've blogged over at the Divas about movie kiss scenes, with pics and all. I was going to load them here to my blogger started having a heart attack of some sort and time is short here today. Kids are occupied with Dora, but who knows how long that'll last?

If you want to go in the draw to win a copy or any of my backlist titles or a $10 gift certificate from My Bookstore and More (that’s two separate prizes) all you have to do is leave a comment here or at The Divas. Vote for your favorite kiss or tell me the one you wish was on the list and you’ll go into the draw... or just say hi. It’s that simple.



Thanks for stopping by!



Sami

You Like Coyotes or What?

My mate and fellow diva Rhian Cahill has a new book out, a prequel in the Coyote series that has already been HUGELY successfull over at Ellora's Cave. Honestly, she's a dynamo. She has four kids and a hubby who works a lot, has moved recently--not only to a new house but to a new country--and she's got all these gorgeous books out. I'm so spitting jealous of her ability to keep the writing flowing through life's usual challenges :).  

So if you want to check out the books and find out more about Rhian, go to her blog. http://rhiancahill.com/blog/. She'll no doubt be tooting her horn over at the Diva's blog later today too, cause she likes to do that. She had a bit too much champers last night too, so she might say anything.

Congrats Rhian! You's a LEGEND (cyber smooch)

Sami

Just for the Hell of it

I've done a little revamp of the website. Nothing dramatic or flash, but a little alteration of the colour scheme. I've also added a couple of extra pages--a free read and a deleted scene from Sunset Knight, for anyone who feels like getting it on with Brody again.. I mean reading another love scene involving the big 'B', he he. You can find the links on the books page. I'd love for you to pop over and take a look, then comment and tell me what you think. I'm not yet married to the colours and may consider changing it all back.

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday. I for one have now had two glasses of fuckit--ah, I mean chardonnay, and now I'm feeling very relaxed and totally incapable of anything useful. Ah, this is the life. Now I'm going to watch Colin Firth on 60 minutes and dream...

Sami

The Sammies

Voting is open in Samhain's poll of the most popular books for 2009, called the Sammies. The categories are favourite hero, heroine, book and cover, in both e and print categories. Being a 2009 release, Sunset Knight is featured in all the e book categories. If you want to vote--wink wink-- you can do it via the link on Samhain's home page.

Ta.

And now back to the day's word count goal.

Sami

Review Time

I got a lovely review for Sunset Knight over at Whipped Cream Reviews:

The first thing I did after reading Sunset Knight was to make a direct trip to Samhain to purchase the story’s predecessor, Chasing Sunset. The characters quite literally pop off the page, each one as well developed as the one before. And to be quite honest, after you get a taste of the super-yummy Brody Nash, you can’t help but want seconds. The chemistry between the protagonists is molten hot and heartbreakingly sweet, an emotional and sensual combination, and you’ll enjoy this fantastic story from start to finish.

It got 4.5 whipped cream cherry thingies, which sounds really yummy. It's up for best book of the week, which is lovely too, for those who like to vote, wink wink. The comp only runs for the weekend though.

A nice way to start my Sunday morning.

Sami

Some Promo of Moi

Have been very lax in the blog post department haven't I? Well, don't look for it to change today. I'm featured over at Black Raven's Erotic Cafe, where I've been suave and witty in an interview (sure, sure), have posted some excerpts (warning: they're not rated G for general), and generally blown own trumpet. There's also a comp where you can win a download of Chasing Sunset (yeah I know, you've already got it. Darn. You'll just have to enjoy the interview for its own sake).

Promise I won't stay away so long before the next post. For now I have to go--how is it a 1.5year old can whine, scream and otherwise chuck tantrums for an entire day and not get sick of herself? What's with that? We're all over it Cherub, so take a break.

Sami

I'm a Smart Bitch

Just about anyone who's met can confirm this. However on this occasion I'm not referring to my razor-sharp tongue and general snarky demeanour. I'm referring to my recent appearance on the Smart Bitches blog. Check it out.

http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/my-bad-you-win-a-samhain-giveaway/

There's a rather annoying reason for my moment of fame, however. Apparently no one in the US has been able to purchase any of Samhain's releases from last week through Amazon. The titles are 'blocked'. Seriously. I feel like DH Lawrence when the pillars of society shunned him for writing Lady Chatterly's Lover. I mean, BLOCKED. How bloody insulting.

The good news is if you have tried to purchase any of last weeks releases without success (of course I assume it would be MY book you've been trying to get, not Lorelei's. Not like the Smart Bitches who made no bones about which book THEY were interested in. Sigh), you're in luck. If you post on their blog you're in the running to win a book of your choice from those that have been sadly unavailable through Amazon--Amazon, Schmamazon. It took me months to get them to put up my cover art for Born Again Virgin too. Clearly they have a vendetta.

So if you still haven't purchased Sunset Knight, there's a chance you could win it over there. If you have already purchased my masterpiece, thanks! Maybe you want to pop over to Smart Bitches and win, oh, I don't know, LORELEI'S book. Go on, be like everyone else. I'm not upset. I'm not jealous of the massively popular, wonderfully talented, No 1 bestseller, Diva of the divine that is Lorelei James. NOT AT ALL.

Rant over. Envy subsiding with ingestion of chocolate...

Sami

Thought It Wouldn't Happen

1. All Jacked Up by Lorelei James
2. Burn For Me by Dee Tenorio
3. For His Eyes Only by Avery Beck
4. Sunset Knight by Sami Lee
5. Protecting Phoebe by Shelli Stevens

Actually made it into the top five. Yay! I was just relieved my baby made its way onto the list at all, so I'm particularly stoked with top five.

Wanted to take a copy of the list and savour the moment because today (tonight) is new release night, so a whole new stack of books are about to bump me off my perch. The author to watch is my fellow Aussie, occasional critique wench and email pal Jess Dee, whose book, A Question of Love, comes out any moment now. Congratulations Jess! I look forward to seeing your book up there soon!

Sami

No More Votes Please

The winner has been drawn and it's HOCKEY VAMPIRESS. Please contact me to claim your prize as I don't have your email address.

To everyone else, thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to vote. The results of the Wet T-shirt Comp are listed below.

WINNER: Vin Diesel

2. Keanu Reeves

A tie for third place Jake Gyllenhaal and Matthew Fox

5. Colin Firth (one sad vote for the restrained but sexy Mr. Darcy).

Thanks all,

Sami

Wet T-Shirt Comp--Pick Your Favourite Guy and Win!

Oh yeah, this is a fun kind of contest! All you have to do is vote for your favourite wet man pic in a comment and you're in the running to win a free download of any of my backlist, or a signed print copy of my first ever release Born Again Virgin. I'll draw out a name at random... and I'm so interested to know who's most popular out of these guys!

I'll keep the comp going for a few days and announce the winner here and in the Samhain Cafe. Good luck!

Sami

Yipyoo It's Out!

Woo Hoo, Sunset Knight is now up for sale at My Bookstore and More, and incredibly, have already received a positive email from the lovely Joy from the Samhain Cafe, praising the book. How do these people read so fast?! Words like 'awesome' and 'fantastic' do wonderful things for my undernourished writer's ego.

Will be back soon with a competition, some man pics or something else of that nature. I'm on my second glass of wine tonight so can't promise I'll be making any sense. Am also planning to eat the hazelnut crunch drumstick I've been saving for a special occasion. Oh yeah, I'm celebrating with food and alcohol, against all weight watchers' edicts. I'm not in a rule abiding mood right now.

Sami

Time's Acreeping Up

I got my final versions of Sunset Knight today. I have to say they look gorgeous. Am I the only nerd who goes into each and every e reader program to see how it looks? 'Oh, look at the Mobipocket version, it's soooo cute!'. Oh yes, I'm a dork.

Only two more sleeps and hubby will be back home, and eleven more sleeps until release day. Am counting down for both with similar anticipation. Here's another of my favourite snippets from the book:

“I’m not the kind of guy you should tease. I might take you seriously.”
One could only hope. Lana’s pulse thundered in her ears, so she was barely aware of when Van Morrison ended and Eric Clapton began. “Who says I’m not serious?”
“I do. You’re not exactly…”
When his words trailed off Lana filled in, “I’m not your type.”
His soft chuckle tickled her earlobe. “Lana, female’s my type.”



Sami

Pimpin' Myself

The October issue of the Samhellion, Samhain Publishing’s newsletter, is out now, and this month it’s super good. Because I’m in it? Oh, I wouldn’t be so presumptuous. In honour of Halloween the theme this month is bad boys. As I thought Brody, while not a ghost, ghoul or vampire type, was a bad boy in the contemporary, your-mother-wouldn’t-approve kind of way, he’s been featured in a short piece of fiction you can access through the newsletter (follow the links to the October issue, then Loving the Bad Boy). The piece is now an excerpt, but an outtake, a scene that didn’t make it to the final version of the book when I had to tighten everything up—I rewrote it for the Samhellion. The newsletter also includes the recipe for Brody’s BBQ sauce, which has a supporting role in the finished novel. My Dad's recipe in actuality, and totally scrummy.

Just over two weeks until SK is released! I’ve been going through the book trying to pick out my favourite bits to offer up as sneak peeks. I like this bit. It’s right after Brody and Lana’s first kiss, and Brody shows that tact is not exactly his forte:

Lana brought her hand to her lips. They felt singed where Brody’s had been pressed against them a moment ago. “You kissed me.”
He pushed out a breath, sounding as stunned as she did. “Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been at sea for six months…. You look really good tonight. I guess it threw me.”

Way to charm the lady B!

Sami

Lucky You

If you haven't read Chasing Sunset yet, shame on you. Just kidding. Maybe you haven't gotten around to buying it yet, or you've been thinking it's not your sort of thing. How would you know right?

Well it's your lucky day. As part of Samhain's Discover New Authors programme you can now download the first half of the novella for free. Not just an excerpt, not the first chapter--the whole first half of the book. That's a pretty good deal isn't it? If you hate it you never have to buy the second half--no royalties for me boo hoo. But I'll never know so what's the harm hey? Just don't email me and tell me you hated it please. That's something I don't need.

If you're interested, just hop to the samhellion, and the link's there on the first page. I don't think you have to be signed up to the newsletter itself to download the pdf (but if so it only takes a couple of minutes and all you get is one digital newsletter a month that has loads of good articles in it. No spam, I promise).

So go forth and read :).


Sami

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Natasha. Her name was drawn out of the hat (literally), and she has won herself a copy of Born Again Virgin. Thanks to everyone who entered the comp.

Many thanks also to everyone who came to visit me in the cafe or here at the blog during e book appreciation week. Hope to see you all again soon.

Sami

Celluloid Sex

I’m participating in Samahin’s e book appreciation week and will be taking control of the Samhain Café chat on March 11 from 5-6pm US time (7-8am March 12 Oz time). I’m also blogging at TRS Blue on March 12 US time, so it’s a mini media blitz. I didn’t plan it this way, so imagine my surprise when the reminders popped up in my outlook!

I’m be running a competition over the next few days. Anyone who comments on this post will be in the running to win a free e-book, your choice of any of my titles. I’ll announce the winner here and in the Samhain Café on the weekend.

I’m triangulating on this topic of favorite movie sex scenes. Or love scenes, if you prefer to call them that :). Here’s my top five list – what do you think I’ve missed?

1. An Officer and a Gentleman – If you’ve read this blog before you already know I have a Richard Gere thing. It’s not a stalker thing, honestly. I just think he’s sooooo cute and sexy and I could eat him with a big ol’ spoon. And this is probably my favourite of all his movies. The scenes between him and Debra Winger were so steamy it proves the only thing better than a man in uniform is a man out of one.



2. The Big Easy – I love the mood of this movie. The sultry atmosphere, the southern accents… and Denis Quaid’s abs aren’t bad either. There’s a scene when he’s seducing Ellen Barkin and he tells her that things are done nice and slow in the big easy that makes me want to hope a plane and go there. And not just for the Gumbo.



3. Bull Durham – Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon put some interesting visuals to the musical lyrics ‘Sixty Minute Man’. There’s actually no nudity, only very strong suggestion of what’s going on. Is there such a thing as explicit suggestiveness? Who can forget the bath water sloshing over the side of the tub, or Kevin tying Susan up to… paint her toenails. Now that’s a pedicure.


4. Unfaithful – When I first heard about this movie I didn’t get it. The character played by Diane Lane is married to a character played by Richard Gere. My Richard Gere thing raises it’s head again. How could anyone cheat on him? Then I saw the movie and I got it. The picture pretty much says it all.





5. Titanic -- whatever you or I might say about the movie, i.e. that it’s a tad long and a manipulative tear jerker, that scene in the car is damn memorable. Kate Winslet’s hand sliding down the window, all that panting. It’s pretty sexy and made the three hours I spent at the
cinema worthwhile—if not the experience of that song. My poor, poor ears.


Sami

Freebies!

The Samhellion Swag hunt is in full swing, but you still have time to nab yourself some free books. And for those of you already on the lookout for clue graphics, here's yours again, just to make it easy on you :). Just click to be taken to the entry form.

Am deep into edits/rewrites and web design at the moment. Will pop out of my hidey hole again soon...

Sami