Thank you, Bookish Temptations! ❤
~ Kat
Hey peeps!
We’re having a book launch party and you’re all invited…
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Tag Archives: alpha males
Interview: The Forged in Dreams and Magick Beta Readers
Hello, everyone!
Today, I have a special treat for you.
The driving reason for my Transparency in Self-Publishing Series over the past four weeks was to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the self-publishing process. Much of the information contained in those posts came from my curiosity along my journey and an absence of detailed information elsewhere.
Have you ever had a peek into the minds of beta readers?
No?
Me either.
I’m not sure anyone has ever interviewed their beta readers before, let alone posted the fodder for public consumption. So here is the first ever beta interview! {grins} I hope you enjoy!
First, let me introduce you to my beta readers, beloved friends of mine who love me, and luckily for me, also love to read:
City Beta (Heather) is an avid reader, and she’s also my critique partner. A huge paranormal fan, her favorite books involve those with a bite. 😉 We met through a common love of books at a Romance Writers of America function. When I shared the rough story idea of Forged in Dreams and Magick with her at a conference in 2010, she’s the one who said, “That’s the story you need to write.”
Swamp Beta (Misty) is an occasional reader, loving wife, and mother, who is a huge Twilight fan and talented photographer. We “met” online in 2011, and although we’ve never met in person, she’s become one of my closest friends and a fervent supporter of my writing. She beams with pride of being born, raised, and living in the boondocks of the South.
Alpha Beta (Stone) is my real-life alpha. Before reading my stories, he’d never read a romance novel. As you’ll find out below, he’s an action-adventure fan, Clive Cussler being his poison of choice. Since his trial by fire with me, he’s read and enjoyed Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture by Sylvain Reynard, Tangled by Emma Chase, and Wallbanger by Alice Clayton. {grins}
What is your favorite genre of Books?
City Beta: My favorite genre of books is paranormal, but I’m an avid reader of all genres. As long as there’s romance, I’ll read it.
Swamp Beta: ~laughs~ Normally I read Christian books like The Shack! But any book that makes me feel better is definitely worth my time!
Alpha Beta: Action-adventure with a bit of romance intertwined…
What was your favorite book as a child?
City Beta: My favorite book as a child was Where the Wild Things Are.
Swamp Beta: Hands down…Return of the Black Stallion. I rented it so much from the library as a child that the librarian finally gave it to me. It was a very old, green colored, hard bound edition!
Alpha Beta: Anything with “Marmaduke” or “Family Circus”…HeHeHe…
Before Forged in Dreams and Magick, had you ever read a Highlander romance? A time-travel romance? What are your thoughts about Forged in Dreams and Magick?
City Beta: Yes, I’ve read many Highlander romances.
Time travel is one of my favorite possibilities in a story, though it is hard to find one written so well.
I loved Forged in Dreams and Magick from the very moment Kat brought up the idea to me.
Swamp Beta: Nope. Guys in skirts never did anything for me. But that was before Forged in Dreams and Magick.
Nope. Time travel normally confuses me so I stay away from them typically.
Well that’s a loaded question. I think I now love guys in kilts, plaid, Highlanders, time travel, and…Cupcakes!
Alpha Beta: Highlander? Um, Nope…
Time-travel romance? Nope. Though I never read the book connected with a time-travel movie I saw decades ago, “Somewhere in Time”, it really moved me then and I remember the depth of the romance today…
What are my thoughts about Forged in Dreams and Magick? Love the story, the way it flows and the depth of characters and how they deeply care for the others within their sphere…
What were your thoughts when Kat asked you to Beta for her?
City Beta: Um, yes. I couldn’t say no to Kat. And besides, fair is fair. I read hers, she reads mine. *grin*
Swamp Beta: Honored doesn’t even begin to cover it. I know how long she has worked on this book. I know how protective she is of this story and how much she wants everyone to enjoy it. I know it was hard for Kat to entrust people to read her raw emotions in this book and be open to feedback. Isn’t that hard for every writer? To bare your soul and pray people love it? So yeah…honored will never cover it but it’s the best the English language can do.
Alpha Beta: Honored!…
What was your favorite scene? Chapter? Sentence?
City Beta: My favorite scene would have to be where Isobel is first transported to Iain.
My favorite chapter is fourteen. Where Isobel meets Velloc, her second soul mate.
My favorite sentence is: “But in the pulse of a heartbeat, the rogue wave of a new paradigm crashed upon the rocky outcropping of my life, scattering accepted principles into a million effervescent bubbles, each one bursting with every thought I’d known to be true.”
Swamp Beta: There is a blanket picnic scene to die for. Alpha Male…letting his alpha-ness (If that’s a word. If not…we just damn well made it one) down and showing the soft and thoughtful side that no one gets to see but the lucky lady! I’m a SUCKER for Alpha Males being brought to their knees!
Alpha Beta:
Favorite Scene = Several!…
Favorite Chapter = Many!…
Favorite Sentence = Lots!…
In one word and one word only, describe Forged in Dreams and Magick. Explain your word, if you’d like.
City Beta: Transcendental.
This book takes you on a journey of faith, love and self-discovery. You cannot ask for anything more in a story.
Swamp Beta: ~mumbles about how impossible this actually is~ Life-Changing (and yes I can use life and changing as one word because I put a “-” in there connecting the two! It’s like duct tape to a Southerner!!!)
Explain? Oh hell yes! Take a seat! You know those love stories that shape our culture and our views of what love -should- or -shouldn’t- look like? Stories like Romeo and Juliet, Pretty Woman, Sleepless in Seattle, and even Sleeping with the Enemy (showed us what it shouldn’t look like) all those come to mind. Not to mention The Notebook ~swoons~ All those movies and books leave us wanting for a love like that in our lives. They challenge us to stretch beyond our stereotypes and grow as individuals. Well…that’s what Forged in Dreams and Magick is going to do for those who “allow” it! It is going to challenge the old thinking of having only one soul mate. It’s gonna make you proud to be a woman and pull for a woman who is thrown into a heartbreaking life being torn from those she loves. You’re gonna root for Isobel. Be mad at Isobel at times, but even when you’re mad at her…you’re still proud she didn’t lie down and just give up! In the end…she’s gonna challenge you to be open and love who you are and who you’re with! See? Life…changing!
Alpha Beta: “A-Must-Read!”… Um, is that a word?…
What three words describe your favorite character?
City Beta: Alpha, sensual and leader.
Swamp Beta: Dominant. Feisty (as fuck…and no those don’t count towards my three word limit cause they are in parenthesis… LMAO.) CAPTIVATING. (as in will leave you BEGGING for more of him…UGH!)
Alpha Beta: Don’t have one favorite…
Do you have a clear, favorite character?
City Beta: Yes, but like most books I fall in love with each character will always have a special place in my heart.
Swamp Beta: ~laughs and points to my answer above~ Uh…yeahhhhh
Alpha Beta: Um, Nope…Connected to various characters for their depth…
Who is your favorite character and why?
City Beta: Velloc is my favorite character. I think he meant so much to me because he was the underdog. I always root for the least likely to win the race.
Swamp Beta: I will say this…I have a new found yearning for Cupcakes! Damn! ~fans myself~
Alpha Beta: Um, a favorite in various categories would be easier for me to answer:
Perseverance = Isa
Leadership = Iain
Sacrifice = Velloc
Friendship = Brigid
Calmness = Orion
Primal = Skorpius
What themes run through the story that resonated with you?
City Beta: That love transcends both place and time.
Swamp Beta: Well alpha males ooze out of every scene…almost every page. But the thing I am most “proud” of is the strong, independent females that are a refreshing sight! It’s not your typical “damsel in distress” book. While the damsel is certainly distressed….she can handle herself quite well and it’s in -that- where we watch the Alphas cringe and learn to ~clears my throat~ UP…their…uh…game! ~winks~
Alpha Beta: Love, Fortitude, Destiny, Redemption…
What was the most memorable comment about the book that you made to Kat?
City Beta: “This book is the one. This book is the one you need to write.”
Swamp Beta: Oh Fuck. I have no clue. I imagine it’s something about Cupcakes! But if I know Kat like I do, she remembers and can tell you her favorite! Maybe she should tell you all her favorite quotes we all said! ~laughs~
***Interjection from Kat*** From my texts? Which one? {dies laughing}
“OMFGGGGGGGG! BEST. BOOK. EVER.” OR
“She had Sunshine at her beck and call LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!” OR
“OMFGGGGG I had tears in my eyes!” OR
“Your book…is the ULTIMATE ULTIMATE TEST…to let the woman you love go and be with another? No one has ever portrayed that more beautifully (if they’ve ever attempted at all.)
Alpha Beta: I am amazed I know somebody who can write with this skill, and I reminded her to never let anyone tell her she cannot write…
When, where, and how did you read the book? Like…how quick did we read and what were we doing at the time?
City Beta: This one I really can’t answer. I have read this book by email, by chapter from beginning to end and then back again. Each time the story came to life a little bit more. The characters became more compelling and every word gave the book its breath of life.
Swamp Beta: I was in my vehicle taking a 19 hour…ONE WAY…trip to pick up a Great Dane puppy! Let’s just say it was the best escape POSSIBLE for that trip!
Alpha Beta: Like….how quick did we read and what were we doing at the time? Late in the evenings while lying in bed with my Kindle glowing under the folded edge of the coverings…
What suggestions did you give Kat to improve the story?
City Beta: Show don’t tell! *laughs*
Swamp Beta: Honestly? As far as improving the story itself…I don’t think anything I suggested helped improve the story. Most of mine were mistypes or small places where I might have been confused. But being from the Swamp….that’s a constant state! Kat is accustomed to this! She has this story played out in her mind so beautifully that all my suggestions were mere grammatical.
Alpha Beta: Barely any comments other than a few word addition or changes…
Would you recommend it to others?
City Beta: I would and I have.
Swamp Beta: Yes! But I feel the need to add this small, tiny, itsy bitty, teenie, weenie disclaimer! Any and everything to do with cupcakes…I call DIBS! There…now that -that- is settled! Let’s continue! ~dies laughing~
Alpha Beta: Abso-freakin’-lutely!… Um, Abso-bloody-lutely!… Um, er, Yes!…
Who do you think would best enjoy Forged in Dreams and Magick?
City Beta: Anyone who believes love can conquer all.
Swamp Beta: Anyone who has had sex, who hasn’t had sex, who wants to have sex, who doesn’t wanna have sex (cause after this they will), Oh and…those who love Alpha males, who hate Alpha Males, who have Alpha Males, who wanna have Alpha Males. So basically, any woman who has a pulse. Read it then do all your female friends a favor…and give them Oozing Alpha Males for Christmas presents! ~whispers~ You can even probably find some ribbon in the “Brodie clan colors” and wrap it all nice and neat!!!!
Alpha Beta: Anybody with a heartbeat resonating in their chest who enjoys love, being in love, time-travel, adventure and the power of intertwined hearts accomplishing near-impossible tasks related to survival…
Who is your dream cast for the movie?
City Beta: Can I say Channing Tatum here…please. No, seriously I would love to see Chris Hemsworth as Iain. Jessica Alba for Isobel. As for Velloc…Orlando Bloom or Taylor Lautner.
Swamp Beta: Well Hollywood doesn’t have males like the ones in my mind. But I will volunteer to play the role of Brigid! And I will play that role for free. Just give me my Alpha! #ThatIsAll #LipsAreZipped ~grumbles and crosses my legs squirming~
Alpha Beta: Will have to actually look-up some names versus me saying “that guy/girl in that movie where that thing happened, remember?”…
Okay, my beloved betas, you’e been grilled enough for one interview. Do you have any questions for me?
City Beta: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
The moment I finished my first 100,000 paranormal romance draft in June of 2010, with the unique exhilaration of having created a story flowing hot through my veins, I knew.
City Beta: What is it that draws you to having a Scottish Highlander for a hero?
Due to the rugged Scottish Highland terrain, clan disputes, and invasions over the course of their history, the warriors of their time are the quintessential romantic hero.
City Beta: How did you come up with the title of your book?
Upon several days of reflection, I settled on a rhythmic sounding title that captured the essence of the story. The longer name also enabled it to be unique among book titles, which is advantageous to an author.
City Beta: If you could offer one piece of advice to beginning writers, what would it be?
Relax and have fun with every part of the process. Creativity flows from most easily when we’re in our best frame of mind.
Swamp Beta: Who is your favorite character?
Oh, wow. Each of the characters holds a special place in my heart for different reasons. I love them all!
Swamp Beta: Is there anything you had to omit due to length restrictions that you wish you would have included?
My goal was to fit the enormous story into 100,000 words, while choosing the best words and scenes to reflect emotional depth of the characters and the key parts of the story. The pacing is intentionally kept fast and tight to be an edge-of-your-seat page turner. At the end of the novel, there are a few secrets remaining about our story world and Isobel’s exact role in the bigger scheme of things, but those will be revealed at the appropriate time in the other Highland Legends novels.
Swamp Beta: What was the hardest part of the journey for you? The best part?
The hardest part of the journey was receiving rejection letters from agents and publishers in the industry. I eventually took their passes in stride, because I understand the shift in the industry has compelled them to avoid risk. My novel is not your typical cookie-cutter home run, but instead has a unique edge with a story line never before written. Those rejections led to the best part: my decision to self publish, making the manuscript into The Best Book Possible, and having total control over the timing, marketing, and pricing decisions.
Swamp Beta: What’s the best piece of advice you got from each of your betas?
All three of you gave a similar piece of advice in specific different areas of the novel. You each highlighted sections of confusion, which was key in enabling me to tighten up those scenes. Oh, and City Beta’s mantra to show and not tell! And there was something about a car snorting… {dies laughing}
Alpha Beta: You keep your stories a secret from the betas while you draft and edit. Explain your rational behind the zipped lips.
I want you to enjoy the story as readers. If you don’t know any of the details, the twists and turns are a surprise to you, enabling your spontaneous reactions. Those uninformed responses are vital to me as an author to gauge how a reader would receive the story.
Alpha Beta: What’s next for us as betas and the readers? When will we get more Highland Legends to read?
After the promotion period for Forged in Dreams and Magick (releasing September 23, 2013) and the promotion for Bound by Wish and Mistletoe (releasing November 4, 2013), I’ll begin drafting Born of Mist and Legend. I will start writing in earnest in January, so expect to have a story to beta read around April-May of 2014. I intend to release that novel in the fall of 2014. The final novel will follow a similar schedule in 2015.
Alpha Beta: Who’s your book boyfriend? You can’t name your characters.
Hmmm . . . I don’t have book boyfriends. They all pale in comparison to my alpha. 🙂 However, primal characters with hidden depth are the most intriguing to me, such as Barrons and Ryoden from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever Series. I’ve also developed a fondness for the more refined, but oftentimes surly master-of-art-and-seduction, Professor Emerson.
~~~
That’s all for today. I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the minds of my closest friends and beta readers.
12 more days until Forged in Dreams and Magick releases! Mark your calendars for September 23, 2013!
You can add Forged in Dreams and Magick to your Goodreads to-read shelf here:
Be sure to follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, and friend me on Goodreads to catch all of the exciting events coming up with Forged in Dreams and Magick and Bound by Wish and Mistletoe!
Thank you for all your support, my friends. I cannot wait to share my exciting world of Highlanders and magick with you.
Until next time . . .
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
Hump Day: The Flirty Reader Celebrates the Sexy of Forged in Dreams and Magick
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Last week on Wednesday, The Flirty Reader shared a spectacular Hump Day post. I loved it so much, I had to share it with all of you. Especially since she said Forged in Dreams and Magick is a “must read” and rated it 5 stars on Goodreads with a review to come. Thank you, The Flirty Reader. I’m thrilled you loved the book. For everyone wanting to add “very hot sexy times” on your Hump Day . . . Enjoy . . . (click on title/pic below for the full sexy post on The Flirty Reader) Hump Day: Just An Excuse To Read Sexy Times08/14/2013
~~~
Thank you again to The Flirty Reader, and to everyone for your continued support.
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
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Talk to the Shoe One-Year Blogiversary ~ Celebration and Giveaway
Hello, my friends.
{tosses confetti and streamers}
Happy Blogiversary
Talk to the Shoe!
Has it been an entire year already? So many incredible events happened over the course of these first 52 weeks, it feels like my first blog post went up only yesterday.
To commemorate a bustling year for a blog meant to chronicle my adventures in writing and publishing, I’ve decided to highlight memorable and favorite moments.
{sips champagne with you all and starts the slide show}
My First Blog Post
I was recently asked an interview question by Debra on her blog Words from Across Oceania:
“What do you think about social media as an avenue for getting independent writers out there?”
My answer: ” I think it’s unparalleled.”
On July 20, 2012, I penned my very first blog post:
The Twitter Trap – Social Media: Blessing and Curse.
It’s wonderful to look back at the thoughts and suggestions I gave after being on Twitter for a short six weeks. I’m forever grateful for learning the ropes while trusting my instincts.
Twitter is an unrivaled virtual coffee shop filled with friends just waiting to meet us and chat over a coffee and zero-calorie online danish about the latest web happenings and favorite book boyfriends
. . . or Highlanders . . . or shoes.
And let’s not forget the #StilettoSports discussions!
I’ve made wonderful friends on Twitter in the past year, lasting connections with kindhearted, generous, and supportive people who are there to interact, laugh, and share love.
The Most Popular Blog Post
On August 29, 2012, something seismic happened . . .
I posted The Lure of the Great Alpha Male.
Wow.
That would be the post that had over 170 hits on my fledgling blog in one day. It also had 46 comments and a fun debate that spilled into Twitter over which of our alpha males was the hottest, resulting in a dead heat between Jericho Z. Barrons and one Gabriel O. Emerson, The Professor. And I still had yet to meet The Professor . . . {laughs}
It was my first post to be reblogged on a fabulous new-to-me back then blog Bookish Temptations. The Lure of the Great Alpha Male is still the most popular daily and weekly post on my blog. It has multiple daily views, and is often the first or second in views for the week. It seems the Lure of the Great Alpha Male is quite undeniable indeed.
Aftershocks from those great alpha males still occurring daily . . . 😉
My First Poem and Utterly Loved
September 12, 2012 brought to the blog and the world a most unexpected development. I created and shared my first poem Heaven… Found. Surprised to have poetry flow from my heart onto the page, I was thrilled when it was reblogged, liked, and shared on Twitter with everyone raving about the sensual poetry.
A burst of poetic creativity followed, which led to the publication of Utterly Loved, a book of romantic poetry for charity which includes a brilliant foreword written by the inspiring humanitarian and New York Times Bestselling Author Sylvain Reynard. Several other poems not included in Utterly Loved can be found in the poetry category on my blog.
A Most Uplifting Post
On October 17, 2012, I gave a glimpse into who I am and how I live my life along with suggestions on how to increase your optimism in the post Adventures of an Optimist.
Throughout that day and the next, people contacted me on the blog and social media to let me know how my post brightened their day. To know that I helped others by sharing how I strive to be and stay positive made my day . . . and then some.
My First Guest Blog Post
By October of 2012, I’d posted just over dozen blog posts when I received my first invitation to write a guest post on another blog. The guest post, Embracing Sensuality, appeared Tamie’s blog Bookish Temptations for her one-year blogiversary celebration. I was and still am deeply honored to have been included.
A Glimpse of Heroes
In April 2013, in the wake of the devasting bombing at the Boston Marathon, I was invited by Jenn at Argyle Empire to participate in their fundraising efforts for the Red Cross in support of the bombing victims. As a part of those efforts, I shared an experience from my past with the American Red Cross. I revisited that heart-wrenching night and made a plea for donations to the American Red Cross and the Boston One Fund to support those charties in A Glimpse of Heroes. Jenn and Argyle Empire, thank you for wanting me to be a part of such a worthwhile cause.
Charity Support and Awareness Pages
In June of 2013, I became more involved in using my author platform to benefit charities, especially those that fight against human trafficking, by launching the Charity Support and Awareness pages on my blog and website. The page shares my thoughts and feelings, ways we can all help, and links to their various pages.
Highland Legends: Forged in Dreams and Magick
Throughout the entire year, hints and teasers have been posted about my upcoming release, from the series and book names, to the book description, and ultimately to the Cover Reveal on July 9th through AToMR Tours.
Take a peek at the cover described as “lush” and “stunning” and the description one said “hooked me immediately” for my debut Highlander, time-travel, paranormal romance novel Forged in Dreams and Magick.
~ ~ ~
And . . . there’s one more post I’d like to share as we step off memory lane into the future . . .
Teaser for Forged in Dreams and Magick
I’m thrilled to announce that an exclusive teaser for Forged in Dreams and Magick will be posted on Bookish Temptations on Monday, July 22, 2013. In just two days, that teaser post will mark the two month countdown to the release of Forged in Dreams and Magick on September 23, 2013.
Blogiversary Giveaway
I’m giving away a few party favors to commemorate my Blogiversary. Four winners will be chosen by Random.org. Each of the four winners will win a $25 Amazon gift card AND a signed copy of Utterly Loved!
It’s easy to enter. All you have to do is leave a comment on this Blogiversary post OR leave a comment on the Bookish Temptations’ Forged in Dreams and Magick teaser post. That’s it!
And if you leave a comment on each post? You’ll be entered twice! (Only two entries allowed per person.)
Comments until midnight EST on Thursday July 25, 2013 will qualify for entry to win the giveaway.
~ ~ ~
So leave those comments! I’d love to hear about your favorite moments from my blog over the year.
An enormous thank you to all my friends and followers. Your excitement, support, and love along my adventures on the road to published are deeply heartfelt and tremendously appreciated.
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
Cover Reveal Sign-Ups and Other Highland Legends News
Good morning, everyone!
Lots of exciting things happening at the Kat Bastion writing desk. What a perfect day to share the latest Highland Legends news . . . as today Forged in Dreams and Magick is being sent off for final proofreading and formatting services. {vibrates}
Cover Reveal Sign-ups
The sign-ups for the beautiful Forged in Dreams and Magick cover are now posted on AToMR Tours.
Please join in and help me spread the news! The Cover Reveal will occur on July 9th through participating blogs.
Tour Update
Forged in Dreams and Magick is now scheduled for an expanded tour through AToMR Tours.
Sept 16-21 will be a Buzz Tour week with excerpts, interviews, and other fun items, including an e-Book giveaway per blog.
September 23-28 will be a release week ARC Tour with reviews on participating blogs and a Rafflecopter giveaway.
Stay tuned for links to the tour sign-ups on AToMR, which should post mid-July.
Countdown to Release
Today marks the 3 month countdown to the upcoming release of Forged in Dreams and Magick!
Mark your calendars! Release day is September 23rd, 2013.
Oh . . . and have you added Forged in Dreams and Magick to your Goodreads shelf, yet?
Thank you for all your support, my friends. I cannot wait to share my exciting world of Highlanders and magick with you.
Until next time . . .
{disappears into a snowy forest for Bound by Wish and Mistletoe}
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
Forged in Dreams and Magick Book Description Reveal
Hello, everyone!
The time has finally come to reveal the book description for Forged in Dreams and Magick, the first novel in the Highland Legends series and my debut novel.
I would like to thank my friend Tamie for graciously assisting me by being the first to share the news on her fabulous blog Bookish Temptations.
And now…
{hears drumroll}
Forged in Dreams and Magick Book Description
Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten days’ end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .
Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .
Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between
two millennia . . .
Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of
history . . . of everything.
Isobel, a rising-star archeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.
She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them.
~~~
{whispers} Sooo . . . what do you think? I hope you’re as excited to read the story as I am to share it with you.
Please add Forged in Dreams and Magick to your Goodreads by clicking on the button below!
Be sure to also follow/like/friend me on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads so you don’t miss a thing!
Your continued support and excitement about the upcoming releases is appreciated more than I could ever express. Thank you.
Until next time…
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
Forged in Dreams and Magick releases September 23, 2013
Bound by Wish and Mistletoe releases November 2013
Bound by Wish and Mistletoe releases November 2013
Utterly Loved with foreword by Sylvain Reynard
Romantic poetry to the world for charity
Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Kobo and Smashwords
Highland Legends Series: Book Titles Reveal
If you prefer a bit of historical in your romance, love to fall in love with medieval Highlanders, or wonder about those enigmatic Highland Picts, then you will find everything you’re looking for and more with my Highland Legends series.
My debut novel, and the first book in the series, is set to release this fall with the holiday novella releasing just before Thanksgiving.
Without further ado, below is the unveiling of all four titles in the series:
Highland Legends Series
Forged in Dreams and Magick
Bound by Wish and Mistletoe ~ a holiday novella
Born of Mist and Legend
Found in Flame and Moonlight
Be sure to follow me and friend me in all my usual hangouts for updates as the weeks progress!
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Official Website
Meanwhile, I shall be working with an editor and cover designer…writing and tour planning!
Lots of surprises are being planned for the next six months, including an excerpt, outtakes, and some very special interviews you won’t want to miss!
Until then…
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
Series Name and Upcoming Title Reveal
Hello, my friends.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be ripped from your modern-day world and thrown into the past without warning or permission?
I have.
I’m lost in a world where…
The heroes are Highlanders… great alpha males to the core.
The heroines are feisty, refusing to bow down to circumstance.
{smiles} Won’t you join me?
The name of the series encompassing the four stories…
Highland Legends
Stay tuned for the reveal of the titles for all four books in the series…
For further updates: follow me on Twitter, “like” me on Facebook; and “friend” me on Goodreads.
Until the title reveals…
{disappears into the Highland mist, notepad and pen at the ready}
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
On the Road to Published…
Hello, everyone!
In recent weeks I’ve been posting weather reports on Twitter from the Highlands. Every morning before dawn, I race into the woods after my favorite alpha male characters and their feisty heroines, inking their adventures into stories to share with all of you.
If you hadn’t already noticed on either my website or my spirited Twitter posts, I write time-travel paranormal romances set mostly in the medieval Highlands of Scotland.
This fall, I’ll be bringing you the first story in the series.
{vibrates excitedly}
The 2013 Calendar
First Manuscript
The first award-winning manuscript in the series is nearly ready to publish. Starting next week, I’ll be glued to my keyboard as I incorporate the insightful suggestions made by my beta readers.
In mid-April, the manuscript is going to a wonderful freelance editor.
{cringes, imagining a chainsaw ripping into my work of art}
A creative summer will be filled with final edits, final proofing, cover art, and arranging a promotional tour.
The first book is tentatively set for a September 2013 release date.
Holiday Novella
My early morning Twitter weather reports from Inverness, Scotland?
They’ve prepared me for the daily plunge into the snowy forests of the Highlands in a holiday novella I’m also penning for the series.
Incorporating characters from all three of the longer novels, the novella will release in November of 2013.
Second Manuscript
Furious drafting of the second manuscript has begun. While chasing after my characters to document their wild adventures, I’ve been typing two to three thousand words a day.
I anticipate an early 2014 release for the second book.
About the Stories
I’ve had such a blast combining my favorite genres–paranormal, romance, and the medieval Highlands–into my writing. All the stories feature strong characters who go on a journey of self-discovery, finding unexpected love amid their turbulent adventures.
Many themes center on the difficulties in overcoming issues of trust and the rewards of learning acceptance. Redemption will play a large role in the second and third novels of the series.
Some of the stories will also highlight the great tragedy of human trafficking set within the timeframe of the stories. The characters struggle with the grave injustice brought into their lives and learn to survive and thrive in spite of the darkness of their world.
The completed series will tell the stories of three siblings whose lives and clan are affected by a very unique kind of magick.
{refuses to give away spoilers} 😉
ARC Reviews and Blog Tours
Are you a book reviewer?
Do you love paranormal romance, time-travel, or Highlander romances?
I’ve begun a list for ARC copies. If you’re a book reviewer interested in reviewing the book for its release, and we’ve not yet spoken, please contact me via Twitter or by email. I’d love to add you to the list.
If you participate on a blog or with a magazine and wish to be a part of any of the promotional tours, please email me your information and ideas. I’d love to start building that list and calendar as well.
As I mentioned, I’m anticipating a release of the first book sometime in September 2013 and the novella sometime in November 2013, but will know firmer dates as the months progress.
Donations to Charities
In recent months, traveling along my own road of self-discovery, I’ve become a more selfless creature and strive to continue toward that end every day.
Both World Vision and Covenant House support efforts to fight human trafficking. In November of 2012, the romantic poetry collection of Utterly Loved, with inspiring foreword by the incredible author and humanitarian Sylvain Reynard, was published to support those worthy charities.
With every other book I publish, a portion of the proceeds will go to an ever-growing list of charities in the hopes of raising awareness and increasing support for those that are lost in this world and in need of our love.
Final Thoughts
Now that I’m chronicling a rowdy clan of Highlanders, my weekly blog posts will transform into spontaneous musings. I’ll occasionally wander out of the forest for a signal on my electronic devices.
My goals for the year are to get that first book into your hands by early fall and release that novella by the holidays.
Meanwhile, be sure to follow me on Twitter, where I try to say hello at least once or twice daily; “like” me on Facebook; and “friend” me on Goodreads.
Thank you for every bit of enthusiasm and support that you’ve given for my writing and for the charities I support.
Until the next blog post…
{disappears into the Highland mist, notepad and pen at the ready}
Your humble shoe,
~ Kat
© 2013 by Kat Bastion
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