And I've posted an excerpt!! Go to my website and log in to the members-only section, go to Extras and Excerpts and read away!! I hope you love Ethan and Marie as much as I do!!
hugs,
Alyssa
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Grateful
I'm issuing a blanket apology to the universe for my crabbiness. I have so much to be grateful for - my family, our health, that my husband is home now instead of off in a war zone. My wonderful readers. I think I'm going to start a gratitude journal in one of my lovely, unused notebooks to focus on the positive instead of the negative. What are you grateful for today?
hugs and thanks for putting up with me!!
Alyssa
PS here's my favorite paragraph of the day as I go through edits:
Keely felt a wave of dizziness threatening to topple her from her feet. In the space of an hour, she'd gone from her nice, calm, bland office at Ohio State to a place where crazy people were planning to kill themselves or somebody else, to rescue more crazy people, who were running through a place that couldn't possibly exist, because of a vampire goddess, who couldn't possibly exist.
“Of course, I am standing in Atlantis," she said out loud, staring up at the dome over her head, again. "Either that, or I'm having some sort of psychotic breakdown."
- Atlantis Unleashed, c. Alyssa Day
hugs and thanks for putting up with me!!
Alyssa
PS here's my favorite paragraph of the day as I go through edits:
Keely felt a wave of dizziness threatening to topple her from her feet. In the space of an hour, she'd gone from her nice, calm, bland office at Ohio State to a place where crazy people were planning to kill themselves or somebody else, to rescue more crazy people, who were running through a place that couldn't possibly exist, because of a vampire goddess, who couldn't possibly exist.
“Of course, I am standing in Atlantis," she said out loud, staring up at the dome over her head, again. "Either that, or I'm having some sort of psychotic breakdown."
- Atlantis Unleashed, c. Alyssa Day
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Snippets from the universe of Karma
Things never to say:
1. My child would NEVER act like that! (the parenting fates will smack you down for this one, every time!)
2. I NEVER miss deadlines or ask for extensions! (until you've had to deal with a lot of deadlines, one on top of the other, in addition to a few life crises at the same time, saying this is just annoying to every other writer in the world)
Things never to do:
1. Go in the express lane at the grocery with way more than the designated number of items.
2. Tailgate another driver. Just DON'T do it. Ever. Especially to me. The next minivan that rides my tail because they're so hot to break the speed limit in my neighborhood is going to be very unpleasantly surprised when I stop dead in the middle of the road, get out of the car, and start yelling.
3. Separate me from the Diet Coke or chocolate on deadline.
Alyssa, a teensy bit stressed out (could you tell??)
1. My child would NEVER act like that! (the parenting fates will smack you down for this one, every time!)
2. I NEVER miss deadlines or ask for extensions! (until you've had to deal with a lot of deadlines, one on top of the other, in addition to a few life crises at the same time, saying this is just annoying to every other writer in the world)
Things never to do:
1. Go in the express lane at the grocery with way more than the designated number of items.
2. Tailgate another driver. Just DON'T do it. Ever. Especially to me. The next minivan that rides my tail because they're so hot to break the speed limit in my neighborhood is going to be very unpleasantly surprised when I stop dead in the middle of the road, get out of the car, and start yelling.
3. Separate me from the Diet Coke or chocolate on deadline.
Alyssa, a teensy bit stressed out (could you tell??)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Random snippets
Words: My word of the day e-mail from Dictionary.com (yes, I'm a geek, I know this, but we writers all have a mad love affair with words so better to just admit it) was virago. What struck me were the 2 so very contradictory definitions:
virago \vuh-RAH-go; vuh-RAY-go\, noun:
1. A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage.
2. A woman regarded as loud, scolding, ill-tempered, quarrelsome, or overbearing.
Strange, that. Speaks volumes about how society thinks of strong women. My Atlantean heroines are strong women, and Marie in Shifter's Lady in SHIFTER is no different. But she has a quiet sort of strength that is no less powerful for being gentler.
Deadline brain: Yesterday I sat at dinner and asked where the butter was. My son glanced at me, startled, then at the butter, where it sat not 3 inches from my plate. "Um, Mom," he said, very cautiously. "It's right here."
My daughter said, "Oh, oh, deadline brain."
Sigh.
happy weekend!
hugs,
Alyssa
virago \vuh-RAH-go; vuh-RAY-go\, noun:
1. A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage.
2. A woman regarded as loud, scolding, ill-tempered, quarrelsome, or overbearing.
Strange, that. Speaks volumes about how society thinks of strong women. My Atlantean heroines are strong women, and Marie in Shifter's Lady in SHIFTER is no different. But she has a quiet sort of strength that is no less powerful for being gentler.
Deadline brain: Yesterday I sat at dinner and asked where the butter was. My son glanced at me, startled, then at the butter, where it sat not 3 inches from my plate. "Um, Mom," he said, very cautiously. "It's right here."
My daughter said, "Oh, oh, deadline brain."
Sigh.
happy weekend!
hugs,
Alyssa
Sunday, February 10, 2008
when we meet Keely
Excerpt, ATLANTIS UNLEASHED
Chapter 4
Archaeology Department, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Dr. Keely McDermott folded her arms, realizing that both of the men in her cramped office could read her body language like a red warning flag, but not giving much of a damn. “I don’t care how prestigious it is, or what an honor, or which government is asking. I need a vacation.”
The powerful-looking man in the black suit opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Look, Mr. Liam--"
“Just Liam,” he said, a trace of impatience in his voice.
She studied his chiseled cheekbones and the waves of silken black hair that were just a shade too long for him to be a standard-issue government flunky. The breadth of his shoulders and chest combined with his towering height didn’t add up to cubicle jockey, either. Not with that kind of muscle. But since when did civil servants start looking like ancient warriors?
Ancient warriors? Where did that thought come from?
Keely blinked. For half a second there, his midnight-blue eyes had seemed to flash silver at her. She wasn’t just tired, she was at a whole new level beyond tired. Zombiefied, maybe. She glanced at her discarded gloves, which lay on her desk. But she didn’t need them; everything had been cleared. She was safe in her office. “Okay, Liam. Here’s the thing.”
She lifted her shoulders and rolled her neck to try to alleviate the tension that had knotted her up into hunchback status. “I spent eighteen months out of the past twenty working the Lupercale. Eighteen months, three cave-ins, one mugging, and two trips to the emergency room.” She shook her head. “You’d think my Italian would have improved more by now.”
George Grenning spoke up from where he hunched in a chair by the door, seemingly trying to fit his lanky frame into the smallest possible space. He’d worked with her for five years and was head of her department, but he still didn’t seem to have any self-confidence, even though he was her boss and had fifteen years on her. “You’ve been back a week, Keely, and still haven’t told me much about it. The Lupercale. The actual cave where a she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of Rome. I’d give my left arm to have been invited on that dig.”
Keely’s eyes narrowed, but George’s open, affable face showed only a touch of awe, no envy. Archaelogy was a small world, and academic politics lent themselves more to backstabbing professional jealousy than any true camaraderie, as she’d learned, painfully, through her own experiences. Even though he outranked her in the office and in the field, her special . . . talent . . . meant that she was highly in demand.
Highly in demand, in spite of the fact that nobody knew she was anything but normal.
Liam turned the full effect of his “I am in command” stare on George, who shriveled even further. “Dr. Grenning, while I appreciate professional curiosity, I have very little time. Perhaps you could excuse us while Dr. McDermott and I discuss the parameters of our request?”
Keely almost laughed at the sheer nerve of the man. He’d just dismissed George from her office. “George stays,” she said flatly, lifting her soda can. Maybe a little caffeine would help. “And you’re not the only one with very little time. I said no, so perhaps you should be on your way?”
Liam clenched his jaw, and the illusion of pleasant persuasion he’d worn like a mask faded, leaving stark arrogance and command stamped on his features. “I would be more than pleased to accept your denial, except that my high prince has tasked me with this mission,” he gritted out. “We are aware of your Gift, Lady Keely. We know you are an object reader, and as such you possess a Gift believed long lost in the waters of time. For that reason, and because of your reputation as a brilliant archaeologist of impeccable integrity, it is my honor to invite you to Atlantis.”
Keely’s laughter got trapped in her throat as she looked into his eyes, which now smouldered with pure liquid silver, distracting her. “How do you do that thing with the eyes? And, seriously? Atlantis? The lost continent? You--"
The beginning of his statement suddenly registered, and she shot an alarmed look at George, who was staring avidly at the psycho who claimed to be from Atlantis. “My what? I don’t know what you’re talking about, and clearly you’re a nutcase. Atlantis, right. Sure, let me pencil that in.”
She pretended to scan her desk calendar. “I can fit that in two weeks from now, right after I excavate Oz.”
Liam never cracked a smile. “I know not this Oz, but your priorities just changed.”
- copyright Alesia Holliday, writing as Alyssa Day, 2008 for Berkley Sensation
Chapter 4
Archaeology Department, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Dr. Keely McDermott folded her arms, realizing that both of the men in her cramped office could read her body language like a red warning flag, but not giving much of a damn. “I don’t care how prestigious it is, or what an honor, or which government is asking. I need a vacation.”
The powerful-looking man in the black suit opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Look, Mr. Liam--"
“Just Liam,” he said, a trace of impatience in his voice.
She studied his chiseled cheekbones and the waves of silken black hair that were just a shade too long for him to be a standard-issue government flunky. The breadth of his shoulders and chest combined with his towering height didn’t add up to cubicle jockey, either. Not with that kind of muscle. But since when did civil servants start looking like ancient warriors?
Ancient warriors? Where did that thought come from?
Keely blinked. For half a second there, his midnight-blue eyes had seemed to flash silver at her. She wasn’t just tired, she was at a whole new level beyond tired. Zombiefied, maybe. She glanced at her discarded gloves, which lay on her desk. But she didn’t need them; everything had been cleared. She was safe in her office. “Okay, Liam. Here’s the thing.”
She lifted her shoulders and rolled her neck to try to alleviate the tension that had knotted her up into hunchback status. “I spent eighteen months out of the past twenty working the Lupercale. Eighteen months, three cave-ins, one mugging, and two trips to the emergency room.” She shook her head. “You’d think my Italian would have improved more by now.”
George Grenning spoke up from where he hunched in a chair by the door, seemingly trying to fit his lanky frame into the smallest possible space. He’d worked with her for five years and was head of her department, but he still didn’t seem to have any self-confidence, even though he was her boss and had fifteen years on her. “You’ve been back a week, Keely, and still haven’t told me much about it. The Lupercale. The actual cave where a she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of Rome. I’d give my left arm to have been invited on that dig.”
Keely’s eyes narrowed, but George’s open, affable face showed only a touch of awe, no envy. Archaelogy was a small world, and academic politics lent themselves more to backstabbing professional jealousy than any true camaraderie, as she’d learned, painfully, through her own experiences. Even though he outranked her in the office and in the field, her special . . . talent . . . meant that she was highly in demand.
Highly in demand, in spite of the fact that nobody knew she was anything but normal.
Liam turned the full effect of his “I am in command” stare on George, who shriveled even further. “Dr. Grenning, while I appreciate professional curiosity, I have very little time. Perhaps you could excuse us while Dr. McDermott and I discuss the parameters of our request?”
Keely almost laughed at the sheer nerve of the man. He’d just dismissed George from her office. “George stays,” she said flatly, lifting her soda can. Maybe a little caffeine would help. “And you’re not the only one with very little time. I said no, so perhaps you should be on your way?”
Liam clenched his jaw, and the illusion of pleasant persuasion he’d worn like a mask faded, leaving stark arrogance and command stamped on his features. “I would be more than pleased to accept your denial, except that my high prince has tasked me with this mission,” he gritted out. “We are aware of your Gift, Lady Keely. We know you are an object reader, and as such you possess a Gift believed long lost in the waters of time. For that reason, and because of your reputation as a brilliant archaeologist of impeccable integrity, it is my honor to invite you to Atlantis.”
Keely’s laughter got trapped in her throat as she looked into his eyes, which now smouldered with pure liquid silver, distracting her. “How do you do that thing with the eyes? And, seriously? Atlantis? The lost continent? You--"
The beginning of his statement suddenly registered, and she shot an alarmed look at George, who was staring avidly at the psycho who claimed to be from Atlantis. “My what? I don’t know what you’re talking about, and clearly you’re a nutcase. Atlantis, right. Sure, let me pencil that in.”
She pretended to scan her desk calendar. “I can fit that in two weeks from now, right after I excavate Oz.”
Liam never cracked a smile. “I know not this Oz, but your priorities just changed.”
- copyright Alesia Holliday, writing as Alyssa Day, 2008 for Berkley Sensation
Friday, February 08, 2008
at least my feet are ALWAYS warm . . .
You'd never guess I have a big old house for them to run around in . . .
Oh, oh. Brennan's in trouble . . .
from ATLANTIS UNLEASHED, coming in August (but don't forget SHIFTER coming in 3 weeks!!) I'm on the final week of this book and thought I'd share little snippets so you don't forget about poor Lord Justice, trapped by Anubisa . . .
***
Before Alexios could move, Brennan flashed through the room, a miniature meteor shower of sparkling mist blasting through the air in his wake. He swept the woman up into his arms and turned to face Alexios and Christophe. He bared his teeth at them; all that naked rage and fury was once again on his face and battling with something else. Something shining and deadly, like an unsheathed sword.
Something Alexios had never once seen from Brennan.
But he’d definitely seen that look from someone else recently. When Prince Conlan looked at Riley, his bride-to-be.
Possession.
“Damn,” he muttered.
“Brennan, put down the nice human,” Christophe said, grinning. “She’s--"
“Mine,” Brennan said flatly. “She’s mine. Come near her and die.”
Alexios lowered his sword arm and sheathed his weapon, then sighed and lifted his head to stare at the ceiling. “Great. Just freaking outstanding. Unconscious bloody humans, Justice possibly in the Void, and Brennan has lost his tiny little mind. Welcome to my nightmare.”
An icy wind sheared through the room and materialized into the form of high priest Alaric, clad all in black that was only alleviated by the shimmering silvery green light of the power glowing in his eyes. “You are in luck, warrior. I specialize in nightmares.”
- copyright 2008, Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day & Berkley Publishing Group
***
Before Alexios could move, Brennan flashed through the room, a miniature meteor shower of sparkling mist blasting through the air in his wake. He swept the woman up into his arms and turned to face Alexios and Christophe. He bared his teeth at them; all that naked rage and fury was once again on his face and battling with something else. Something shining and deadly, like an unsheathed sword.
Something Alexios had never once seen from Brennan.
But he’d definitely seen that look from someone else recently. When Prince Conlan looked at Riley, his bride-to-be.
Possession.
“Damn,” he muttered.
“Brennan, put down the nice human,” Christophe said, grinning. “She’s--"
“Mine,” Brennan said flatly. “She’s mine. Come near her and die.”
Alexios lowered his sword arm and sheathed his weapon, then sighed and lifted his head to stare at the ceiling. “Great. Just freaking outstanding. Unconscious bloody humans, Justice possibly in the Void, and Brennan has lost his tiny little mind. Welcome to my nightmare.”
An icy wind sheared through the room and materialized into the form of high priest Alaric, clad all in black that was only alleviated by the shimmering silvery green light of the power glowing in his eyes. “You are in luck, warrior. I specialize in nightmares.”
- copyright 2008, Alesia Holliday writing as Alyssa Day & Berkley Publishing Group
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Historic Day
No matter what your political beliefs, today is an historic day. Two of the major candidates are a woman and a black man. One of them is going to be in the race for president. Think about that! This never could have happened back when I was a child, and now I can watch the Super Tuesday results with my children and know that a new era is finally beginning. I am so proud that this day finally, finally came for us.
Terrific Book Tuesday!!
I'm thrilled to share that my friend Colby Hodge's new book TWIST is out now!!!
I interviewed Colby, and here's what she had to say about TWIST:
There’s always a moment….
Abbey Shore never intended to be the savior of the world; it was just something that happened. She’d expected her importance no more than her father’s tragic death—or the fact that she was left poor and “flipping” houses in the Chicago suburbs to finish college.
And there was no way that she could have predicted the house on which she was currently working had an odder occupant than the usual resident ghosts: a swirling nether vortex that would not only reunite her with the handsome Doctor Shane X from the Sacred Heart’s ER, and the eerie, leather-clad beauty who’d seemed to shadow his every move, but send her one hundred years into the future, into a dying land filled with roving bands of humans fighting to survive, and the “ticks” against whom they fight.
Oh yes, Abbey’s life has had a… Twist
ALYSSA: TWIST is a departure for you – what made you want to write in such a different universe?
COLBY: Wow. That is a really hard question. It's not something I set out intentionally to do, as in hey, I want to start writing Urban Fantasy, it was more like Shane appeared in my head and the world formed around him and the opportunity presented itself with the new Shomi line. It was one of those times when the planets aligned correctly. I do have a lot of dark places in my head and now I let my imagination explore these places. The universe in Shomi was a fascinating one to explore. I love world building and also enjoyed the back and forth with my editor as he made me explain the logic behind the universe. Its a genre I'd really like to continue to explore.
ALYSSA: Tell us about Shomi.
COLBY: Shomi is a new line of cutting edge fiction geared towards the college age market. I like to think of it as a bridge between YA and traditional adult romance. Its purpose is to encourage young people to read. I like it because you can take more risks with untraditional plots and characters.
ALYSSA: Why will readers fall in love with Shane?
COLBY: Shane has seen a lot. In his lifetime he's seen the world go from a pretty happy place to a dark place where every minute is a fight to survive. He's seen a lot of personal tragedy also. Shane is a good person who is forced to do horrible things to survive. Every day he lives goes against every thing he believes in. When Abbey comes into his life, he finally finds something worthwhile to fight for and to die for.
ALYSSA: Just for fun, what movie have you seen lately that you love?
COLBY: Attonement. Loved it. The acting it in was just phenomenal and the story, even though tragic was beautiful. I also just watched Equilibrium with Christian Bale which was really good.
That's it!! Please check out Colby's website and her new book!! It's a wild ride!!
hugs,
Alyssa
I interviewed Colby, and here's what she had to say about TWIST:
There’s always a moment….
Abbey Shore never intended to be the savior of the world; it was just something that happened. She’d expected her importance no more than her father’s tragic death—or the fact that she was left poor and “flipping” houses in the Chicago suburbs to finish college.
And there was no way that she could have predicted the house on which she was currently working had an odder occupant than the usual resident ghosts: a swirling nether vortex that would not only reunite her with the handsome Doctor Shane X from the Sacred Heart’s ER, and the eerie, leather-clad beauty who’d seemed to shadow his every move, but send her one hundred years into the future, into a dying land filled with roving bands of humans fighting to survive, and the “ticks” against whom they fight.
Oh yes, Abbey’s life has had a… Twist
ALYSSA: TWIST is a departure for you – what made you want to write in such a different universe?
COLBY: Wow. That is a really hard question. It's not something I set out intentionally to do, as in hey, I want to start writing Urban Fantasy, it was more like Shane appeared in my head and the world formed around him and the opportunity presented itself with the new Shomi line. It was one of those times when the planets aligned correctly. I do have a lot of dark places in my head and now I let my imagination explore these places. The universe in Shomi was a fascinating one to explore. I love world building and also enjoyed the back and forth with my editor as he made me explain the logic behind the universe. Its a genre I'd really like to continue to explore.
ALYSSA: Tell us about Shomi.
COLBY: Shomi is a new line of cutting edge fiction geared towards the college age market. I like to think of it as a bridge between YA and traditional adult romance. Its purpose is to encourage young people to read. I like it because you can take more risks with untraditional plots and characters.
ALYSSA: Why will readers fall in love with Shane?
COLBY: Shane has seen a lot. In his lifetime he's seen the world go from a pretty happy place to a dark place where every minute is a fight to survive. He's seen a lot of personal tragedy also. Shane is a good person who is forced to do horrible things to survive. Every day he lives goes against every thing he believes in. When Abbey comes into his life, he finally finds something worthwhile to fight for and to die for.
ALYSSA: Just for fun, what movie have you seen lately that you love?
COLBY: Attonement. Loved it. The acting it in was just phenomenal and the story, even though tragic was beautiful. I also just watched Equilibrium with Christian Bale which was really good.
That's it!! Please check out Colby's website and her new book!! It's a wild ride!!
hugs,
Alyssa
Friday, February 01, 2008
PEARL Finalist (times 2!)
I received some very cool news today! The wonderful readers over at ParanormalRomance.org named ATLANTIS RISING and WILD THING (for which I give all credit to the amazing Maggie Shayne, Marjorie Liu, and Meljean Brook) both as finalists for their prestigious PEARL awards for outstanding paranormal romantic fiction. I am so honored to be part of such an amazingly talented group of finalists!
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