My guest today is aspiring author Candi Wall. She is a co-contributor at MuseTracks Blog and a contestant in the latest Dorchester contest for aspiring authors: The Next Best Celler. Contestants publish a story in increments of 500 words between June 1 and November 1, 2009. Readers vote on their favorites, and the twenty most popular stories move on to the next round. Dorchester editors pick their favorite ten out of the semi-finalists, and a winner is chosen from those ten based on fan base and editorial input. The finalist wins a coveted $2000 publishing contract from Dorchester.

Ciara: What’s your story about?

Candi: My story STAY is a contemporary romance set in Maine.

My hero, Bracken Elliot is the Captain of the local Fire & Rescue team. He’s a bit cynical and lives with a deep seeded guilt over the deaths of his youngest son and wife in a tragic accident. Overcautious tends to be an understatement with Brack, and when his deaf sixteen year old son is kicked out of school, he’s got his hands full.

Candi: I first heard about the contest on the RWC loop. At first, I didn’t think about it too much. Just seemed like a strange way to write. When I read a few blog posts and visited the site, I was intrigued by the novelty of the idea. I registered, posted my first chapter – and I was hooked..

Ciara: What makes text novels different from regular novels?

Candi: I think what really sparked the text novel popularity is the emotion that’s contained in some of these novels. Short chapters might be daunting for those of us used to reading a huge portion at a time, being sucked into another world and reading for hours, but the intensity inherent in some of these small chapters is amazing. I truly believe that the power of the words in that small increment is what makes the readers come back for more.

Ciara: How do I read your story on my iPhone?

Candi: Textnovel is accessible through the browser of most cellphones. Just open your browser and go to textnovel.com to read through stories. Normal connection and data charges from your carrier apply.

Ciara: If you were stranded on a desert island, what five books would you bring?

Candi: This is an easy hard! Would I get a day at the bookstore before being stranded?

Ciara: Do you think you are the next Charles Dickens or the next Louisa May Alcott?

Candi: Absolutely not! I don’t even pretend to want to stand in the shoes of greatness. I want to write and be read. I want to know that somewhere, somehow, my words affected someone and made them smile, laugh, cry, or think.

Dorchester, the publishing house that brought you the American Title and Mr. Romance contests, is again looking to social networking for their next publishing contract. (Marie Claude Bourque, the winner of American Title V, will be published in February 2010.) Dorchester is bringing cell phone novels–popular in Japan–to America by inviting aspiring authors to post their novels in short increments online. Fans and readers will download, read and vote on their favorites. The winner of the NEXT BEST CELLER CONTEST earns a coveted publishing contract with a $2000 advance.

“Our increasingly fast-paced and chaotic lifestyles have created challenges for many individuals who can’t or won’t make the time to read.  Between fragmented attention spans, the enthusiasm and devotion cultivated by fan participation in reality television and the social networking revolution, we think the time is perfect to bring readers and writers together through Textnovel and we hope to discover America’s Next Best ‘Celler’.” -  Brooke Borneman, Dorchester’s Sales and Marketing Director

The serial novel was popular in the Victorian era, with now-famous authors Charles Dickens and Louisa May Alcott making a career out of it. Dorchester’s latest contest pairs Victorian romanticism and futuristic technology; Did someone say Steampunk?

The winner of the American Title V contest was announced last night at the RT Booklovers Convention in Orlando. For those of you who’ve been following the blog, you know I’ve been pulling for my writing friend, Seattle RWA member Marie-Claude Bourque. The competition was fierce, but she’d survived round after round until only two contestants were left. She did it! She wins a coveted publishing contract with Dorchester Publishing for her book ANCIENT WHISPERS. Inspired by the poem Evangeline (Longfellow, 1855), ANCIENT WHISPERS is the tale of a immortal bold sorcerer and his quest to be reunited with the fiancée he lost tragically centuries ago.

Go Seattle! Go Seattle! GO!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

The final round in the Dorchester & Romantic Times American Title V Contest is upon us. Only two contestants remain, and your vote is needed to decide who will get a coveted publishing contract from Dorchester. My friend Marie-Claude’s manuscript ANCIENT WHISPERS about star-crossed lovers from Acadian legend has made it to the final round. Help her achieve her dreams!

Last Contest: VOTE ON THE BEST ROMANCE SCENE

To vote, e-mail; votes@romantictimes.com by March 29, 2009, with book title in the subject line. (ie To vote for Marie-Claude put ANCIENT WHISPERS in the subject line.)

The winner will be announced during the Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 24, 2009, at the RT Booklovers Convention in Orlando, FL, and in the June issue of RT BOOKreviews. In addition, on Monday, April 27, 2009, the winner’s name will be posted online here at romantictimes.com.

Love Scene from ANCIENT WHISPERS by Marie-Claude Bourque

“Well.” Gabriel winked at her. “I could show you how I love you in a very special way.”

“Sex? You mean when we are having sex?” Lily couldn’t believe she’d just said that.

He laughed. “If I use my powers while making love to you, it’ll be a whole different experience.”

“Show me.” She stared at him with intensity.

“Aren’t you a little afraid? I’m very powerful.” A twinkle shone in his eyes as he linked her fingers through his. “I’m a sorcerer. I’ll make you entirely mine.” He still radiated the unnatural power she’d felt earlier.

“Show me.” She was very curious now, and she had to admit, a little fearful. But the hint of fear crawling through her bones made her body tingle with lust. She flirted with danger and she knew it, finding that speckle of darkness in Gabriel strangely enticing.

Keeping his fingers intertwined with hers, she got up and led him to his bedroom.

He followed without protest, then sat on the bed.

As she stood facing him, he looked at her eagerly, waiting.

Her emotions had boiled in turmoil ever since she’d seen him on the beach and she felt compelled to show him her love. As if possessed by an uncontrollable force, she wanted to be naked for him, wanted to let herself feel vulnerable in front of him.

Where did this wild feeling come from? A sorcerer, he was a sorcerer, immortal. What would he do to her, what would his love feel like with magic?

With her gaze fixed on his handsome face, she worked the buttons of her shirt, one at a time. She wiggled out of her jeans while he sat on the bed, hands together, his expression full of desire.

Clad only in a lacy black bra and matching thong, she noted her boldness. She loved the power she held over him, loved seeing the admiration in his eyes. Stripping in front of him made her feel extremely feminine and untamed.

She brought her hand to her back, unfastened her bra to let it fall at her side. Her nipples hardened at the cool air and at the intense emotions running though her.

After sliding her fingers under the lace at her hips, she pushed the thong down to her feet. She stepped out of it and stood motionless, letting his gaze trail over her entire naked flesh. She was all ready for him, for his magical power.

Conscious of her nakedness and his fully clothed body, she kneeled down to his level and cupped his head in her hands.

“Make love to me, sorcerer. Show me your powers.” Her voice purred in a whisper as her body heated with anticipation.

He grasped her wrist gently. “As you wish my lady, as you wish.” He sounded unusually solemn.

Still sitting at the edge of the bed, he pushed her up to her feet and eased her to stand between his legs. He pressed his lips to her belly as he pulled her closer.

His jeans felt rough around her naked thighs, the warmth of his bare muscular arms encircled her waist and his soft T-shirt brushed her navel.

He cupped her naked buttocks. “You’re so beautiful. Your skin, perfect.” His voice was hoarse while a passionate fever burned in his eyes.

“Don’t you have to say some weird words like hocus pocus or something like that?”

Gabriel laughed. “No, it just comes to me as I go along.” He got up to her level, then guided her to his bed so she could lie on the immaculate sheets.

He then stood, all strong muscles and raw power, admiring what she had to offer.

She felt his physical power but also something more, something about his will, as if he wanted her to submit to it. She was not scared but awed and a little docile about what may happen. This was Gabriel, whom she loved and trusted.

She remained motionless as he knelt by the bed and held one of her ankles. He brushed the top of her foot with a kiss.

“Reizh leski,” he whispered, his breath warm on her sensitive skin. He then blew softly on her leg. A tingling started where he’d kissed her. It spread along her leg, an incredible sensation flowing upwards, first though her thigh, her hip, then to her belly. It ended between her legs in a hot and teasing explosion.

She moaned with pleasure. How did he do that?

He then grasped her other ankle and pinned her with the strength of his grip.

“You’re all mine now, baby.” He flashed her that wicked smile again, then laughed. His laugh was playful but with a hint of something inhuman in it.

There was no turning back now.

Ten aspiring authors are battling it out for a coveting publishing contract with Dorchester Publishing and need your help to determine the winner. Two have been voted off the island. Six have survived.

The 3rd Round of the American Title V Contest judges the Story Summaries. Please stop by the website to read the summaries and see the judges comments, then vote for your favorite.

If you vote you can enter to win one of five prizes from aspiring author Marie-Claude Bourque. Tell her you voted and you can win either a silver Celtic star pendant or one of 4 Amazon gifts-cards (10$).

Your vote is needed in the second round of the American Title V Contest, sponsored by Romantic Times and Dorchester Publishing. In the last round each of the eight contestants were judged on their first lines and one was eliminated. Character descriptions of the hero and heroine are the subject of judging in the second round.

To vote, e-mail votes@romantictimes.com by December 29th, 2008 with book title in the subject line. (One vote per person. Your e-mail address will be used for the purpose of this contest only and will not be shared.)

Marie-Claude Bourque‘s paranormal romance reuniting star-crossed lovers from Acadian legend needs your votes. Email votes@romantictimes.com with “ANCIENT WHISPERS” in the subject line to vote for her!

ANCIENT WHISPERS
(Paranormal)

Heroine:

A pediatric nurse in Providence, Lily yearns for a peaceful life in her own dream home with her beloved great-aunt under her care. Purposefully ignoring her latent magical abilities, she seeks an existence far different from her unstable childhood. Can she be ready to embrace the soul of another and fulfill her legacy as the priestess of an ancient coven?

Hero:

With black curls falling over his smoky-green eyes, Gabriel Callan’s dangerous air betrays none of the turmoil brooding in his heart. Member of the Priory of Callan, a Celtic brotherhood of cursed immortal sorcerers and alchemists, each deadly and haunted by a tragic past, Gabriel remains tortured by the devastating events of the 1755 Acadian deportation. He wants nothing more than to reunite with his lost soul mate, now reborn to this century as the cool-headed Lily Bellefontaine. But is it Lily that he loves, or the memory of his lost fiancée?

Check out Marie-Claude’s Desert Island Interview or see the book trailer and read the Longfellow poem that inspired her paranormal romance.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Vq7lpWo4s]

The American Title V contest has begun! Sponsored by Romantic Times Magazine and Dorchester Publishing, the American Title Contest pits eight unpublished manuscripts against each other in a show down of best first line, best hero and heroine, best story summary, best dialogue scene and best love scene. Each round a contestant or two is voted off the island. The winner gets her book published by Dorchester. Let the games begin!

Contestant Marie-Claude Bourque‘s book ANCIENT WHISPERS is a powerful dark paranormal romance of star-crossed lovers from Acadian literature reunited centuries later by a sorcerer’s magic spell. Marie-Claude is a friend of mine. Please take a moment to watch the book trailer for ANCIENT WHISPERS and vote. The voting this round is open until November 24, 2008.

I twittered tuesday: “Thinking about Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, or YA. Decisions, decisions.” Cranberrytarts came back at me with “SHOMI!” I’d heard this word around the internet, but I had to look it up. Turns out, SHOMI is a little bit of everything speculative fiction – fantasy, thriller, science fiction, cyberpunk, and romance – under a new line by Dorchester Publishing. Magna-inspired romance. I picked up DRIVEN by Eve Kenin, a cyberpunk siberian trucker romance, and really enjoyed it. Post-apocalyptic, rebellion, tons of action, hot romance. I highly recommend it! I hear from Katie(babs) that her second SHOMI, HIDDEN, is even better.

Lucky for us, the Book Binge is having a SHOMI contest right now!

Da Rules:

1) Pimp this contest on your blog/website/Twitter and leave a link telling me you’ve done so
2) Leave a comment on Book Binge post, or post on your own blog/website, telling me what Shomi novels you have read or want to read in the future and why (bonus points if it’s b/c of this spotlight)
3) Contest ends Saturday, August 30th at midnight

Da Prizes:

Ah yes, the most important part! Let’s see..what can you win? How about….

7 Shomi Books. Yes, that’s right, I said 7:

Go check it out!

Dorchester Publishing is running a contest that’s right up my alley: For the LIVE THE ROMANCE contest, fans are asked to create costumes of one of their favorite characters from a Dorchester novel, snap a photo, and email it to cnelson@dorchesterpub.com. Costumes will be judged in four categories: Best Historical, Best Paranormal, Most Romantic and Most Creative.

Man, woman, child—it doesn’t matter. You could be Egan MacDonald from HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER fighting in his plaid and paint or Rain Tarien Soul from KING OF SWORD AND SKY, shape-shifting and brandishing your deadly blade. Perhaps you’d like to go shoe shopping and mystery solving like the indomitable Maddie Springer from ALIBI IN HIGH HEELS. If the future is your bag, dash across the Northern Waste as Raina Bowen in DRIVEN. The sky is the limit!

How frekin’ awesome is that??? Authors Liz Maverick and Marianne Mancusi made a video of their most infamous famous costumes from conventions and book signings to introduce the contest. Winners receive cash prizes and copies of authors books. Unfortunately I didn’t see a deadline on the website. Help?

My mind is churning out ideas. What character would you impersonate?