It's been forever since I updated my blog. I've turned into such a blogging slacker! But maybe I can use the excuse that I've been busy writing stories to pardon me (which I really have been). So, here's what's been up in Linda Kage land:
First up, my blog and website have been redesigned. I'm so thrilled. The lovely Emily at Blogoholic Designs put together the blog for me and then gave me permission to use those graphics in my website, too. I think she did an amazing job. I'm in love with that top banner!
I've also entered a new venture that I've never tried before. Price of a Kiss is going audible!! That's right, it's in the production stage to become an audio book. I have no idea how it will turn out or when it'll be out, but I've gotten to listen to some sample sections of the story. And oh my goodness, it's kind of embarrassing to hear your own book spoken back to you. I think I blushed and giggled the entire time because, wow, that was a professional narrator telling my story. My four-year-old was suddenly right there on my lap, listening to everything too, so yeah, I had to cover her ears a few times during the prologue!
Okay, next news!!
Book Four in the Forbidden Men series is officially completed! This is Quinn's story, and it's called With Every Heartbeat. Since my good friend, author Ada Frost, has proclaimed Quinn as HER book boyfriend, I let her pick out the kind of heroine Quinn would have, and she said Zoey had to be shy. I'd originally planned for Quinn's other half to be outgoing, since he's a shy guy himself. She could kind of boost his confidence and encourage him to be a little more assertive. To make my friend happy, though, I turned Zoey shy. Having both the hero and the heroine introverted was more of a challenge, but I finally got through it! We all came out slightly unscathed by the end.
It's in the beta-reading stage right now. I woke up this morning to my first bit of feedback, which said, "I just can't wrap my mind around this book! You wrote this? I'm in awe!!! It feels like its a new you! I totally love Ham!!!" so hopefully I'm on the right track!
Oh, and my hubby would like to say, "thank you," to all the people who like the cover. I consulted him before deciding on the final, and it was his suggestion to make my name red, plus enlarge the title and put it where it is. So, good job, hubby!!! Thanks for your brilliant opinion!
With Every Heartbeat will release in March 2015.
While I'm waiting to hear back from my beta readers, I've been working on Book Five in the Forbidden Men series. I'm currently 60-some thousand words into Ten's book. I think that means I'm at least half way through, but I've been getting pretty wordy lately! The last book I finished was 136,000 words long, the one before that was 122,000 words, before that was 113,000, before that was 102,000, and before that was 95,000. I seem to be adding another 10,000 words with each new manuscript one I write, but I'm hoping to break that pattern with this story!
Anyway, after I finish A Perfect Ten, I'll begin working on Bailey's story from The Granton University series and also Asher's story from The Forbidden Men series. I also have ideas for Sarah (from Price of a Kiss) and Cassie (from Delinquent Daddy) plus about six more books after that! I wish I could just write faster! I really love sharing my stories with people.
Now, onto the last bit of news I have in Linda Kage world: I'm excited to see that I had so many likes on my Facebook page. It was at 1,996 when I last checked it. So, I'm going to give away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to the 2,000th person to LIKE https://www.facebook.com/authorlindakage ! Everyone once in a while, I throw giveaways on there, so it might not be a total waste of time to like it! But you certainly don't have to if you don't want to!
And that's what's been going on around here. I hope all is well with you. Before you go, here's a little excerpt from With Every Heartbeat (rough draft version) where our shy heroine Zoey meets Quinn for the first time!
From Chapter One:
He had a nice laugh. Nice smile, too. Very nice backside. Not that I was looking...much.
Under his pretty face and intimidatingly hulking physique, however, I wondered exactly what kind of person my best friend had attached herself to. He’d been so quick to shove that other guy into a wall. I prayed Cora hadn’t found a violent man. That was one thing I wouldn’t be able to handle.
Then again, he’d been just as quick to settle down, and he’d even stopped his friend from taking the argument to the next level. Actually, he’d seemed more protective than hostile. Made me wonder what kind of picture had been on that phone.
“Can we help you with something, sweetheart?”
I jumped at the question, realizing Quinn’s friend had spotted me spying on them. My mouth went dry. It was now or never time.
With a small clearing of my throat, I nodded. “I...I’m sorry. I was just...I was looking for Cora.”
Hearing her name, Quinn turned.
And looked directly at me.
His blue-eyed gaze froze me. I felt like the guy he’d shoved against the wall: held captive in his grip and unable to break freak. Then he blinked a pair of overly long dark lashes. Every organ inside me seemed to ignite into flames. My skin prickled and my flight-or-fight instinct kicked in, making me think my reaction to him was fear. But I’d never felt a tightening deep in my stomach when I’d been scared before. This was...I don’t even know.
My body didn’t seem to know what the heck was wrong with me, either, so it rebelled against the overwhelming, foreign sensation, making my breath quicken and my fingers and toes tingle.
“I...” Smoothing some hair behind my ear, I gaped back at Quinn Hamilton. “I’m sorry for interrupting. I know you don’t know me. But I’ve seen pictures of you, and I thought you could help me. But, I...” I tried to apologize again as I backed toward the doorway, except the words stuck in my throat. “I’m...”
“Zoey,” Quinn said softly, as if finishing my sentence for me. And, oh my word. Hearing my name come from his mouth set off all kinds of tingling and tummy tightening inside me.
Yep. I was in big trouble.
“I’ve seen pictures of you, too.” A soft smile lit his face as he started toward me. “Cora’s inside.”
I tripped in reverse as he came closer, my eyes going wide.
My behavior caused him to jerk to a halt. His mouth opened and apology entered his gaze, but he said nothing. He cleared his throat and pointed toward the back door of the frat house. “I can...I’ll show you where she is.”
Nodding my compliance, I stayed mute as shame flooded my limbs. The guy had only been trying to be nice and help me out, and I’d been shying away from him as if he were an ax-murderer.
Way to make a first impression to Cora’s boyfriend, you idiot.
