*Taps Microphone* He..Hello....

Is this thing on? Can anyone hear me? Oh cool, now that I have your attention, I have a very special announcement to make.

But first, today was a highly productive day. I got Day One of line editing sent off to my wonderful Editor Sione Aeschliman (find her here.) 

I spent the rest of my day working on my new organization and some edits, and even managed another 1K words. So all in all, VERY productive. 

So, now I bet you're most anxious for that sUpEr SPECIAL Announcement...right? If not, then just say you are so that I can get on with it. :-P! Oh and there is a nice lengthy snippet at the end of this special announcement so stay tuned...

First of ALL, my Manuscript finally has an OFFICIAL Title...ARE you READY?

Finding Love's Wings 

By Zoey Derrick

Now that you have the official title..What about a release date?

Oh, I think we can handle that one.. How about May 2013? That's right May 2013 you will see Finding Love's Wings on e-readers EVERYWHERE!

So Stay Tuned....There is more news to come. 

 Snippet from Finding Love's Wings!
Please note..the following snippet is subject to change at any time.

Eventually I managed to fall asleep and woke-up around six, showered and dressed in a tank top, button-up dress shirt, jeans and sneakers. I went downstairs and grabbed a cab and made my way to the cemetery.

After asking the cab driver to wait for me, I made my way to Bobbie and Evelyn’s grave. As I approach their headstone my anger grows to uncontrollable proportions. So much so that I walk up and kick Bobbie's name. “Owe! Owe! Damn it.” I fall to the ground, sobbing. “I hate you, you son of bitch! Why did you do this to me? I don’t understand. If you never wanted kids, why the fuck did you have them? Because, believe me, right now, I’m sure I would be better off.” The tears were so overwhelming and I couldn’t speak anymore.

I have never understood why my parents saw fit to let us be raised the way that we were. Why we never had parents, but house staff and student guardians at school to take care of us.

“Because of you, I’m dead on the inside. I can’t love or be loved. You’ve taken away anyone I’ve ever loved or felt loved by.”  I continued to sob.

My anger quickly turned to loneliness and isolation.

I sat out here in the warmth of the California sun for what felt like forever. I’m sitting with my knees pulled up to my chest and my arms wrapped tightly around my legs, starring at the grave of my father. It was only a year ago that we buried him here.

That fateful Sunday at the end of May, last year, I received a phone call from the only person with which I had any real connection to Bobbie, telling me that my father had passed away of a heart attack. It was not until then that I started to realize the weight of the anger I felt towards him. It was not until today, sitting near his headstone, that I realized, despite all his God-awful flaws, that I really do miss him.

We were never father and daughter, it was more like ward and warden, because he was always cold and unyielding when it came to expressions of love.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that maybe it wasn’t all Bobbie’s doing. At least telling myself that I was partly to blame helped ease the guilt that had built up in the months following his death. A guilt that eludes me in this moment. I’m so angry at the fact that I feel so lost and I have no one to turn to.

After a few more minutes the cab driver approached me. “Ma’am, we need to go if you want to make your meeting.”

I wipe the tears from my eyes and turn to him. “I’ll be right there.” I stood, starring at the headstone.

Robert A. And Evelyn C. Enders

Devoted Husband and Wife

Feb. 18th, 1956 - May 29th, 2011 & Apr. 8th, 1960 - Apr. 28th, 2002

I slowly backed away from the grave, refusing to pull my eyes away. As much as I wanted to hate him and be angry with him, which is easy to do, it’s no use as I’m yelling at a bronze colored headstone.

*HugS*

Until we meet again, 

Zoey! 

A Very Special...

Hi Everyone,
I know it is has been a hot minute since I have posted anything new and for that, I apologize. I'm Sorry and I will try my hardest to do better. :-)

I have been deep into the editing process of my upcoming MS and I have been working hand in hand with my wonderfully talented editor Sione Aeschliman (Twitter / Blog) on Draft Two, which I am happy to report is DONE. Sione and I spent nearly 2 hours on Skype today, deep in discussion regarding some much needed changes. She also spent a good deal of time making my head swell in delight at many of the things she had to say. So, with this being said, tomorrow I dive into Draft #3 with gusto and a stern determination at having it completed by Feb. 11th, 2013.
Once Sione and I have finalized a title, I will get the release date information out to everyone. It's soon, I promise.

Also, for those of you visiting my site that have been here before, my blog has undergone some major renovations. These changes are thanks to the wonderful, awesome and talented Bobby Salomons of The Severed Limb Movement and @D2DBooks. Bobby is the mastermind behind the wonderful blog header, as well as my Twitter page. So this blog post is a Very Special Thank You to Bobby. My gratitude knows no bounds and every time I see my Twitter page or my blog, it brings a great smile to my face. So THANK YOU BOBBY!

If you are not already following Bobby on Twitter, or even his blog, I highly recommend doing so. He is a great person, and a wonderful friend. *Big HUGE Fat HUGS*

Stay tuned for more fun and exciting adventures.

As February and the big V-Day approach, my wonderful Friends over at Deadly Ever After will be featuring some hot and steamy romance short stories. I know of a few of the authors that will be participating, myself included. Make sure you stick around because I am submitting another fun installment to "Devilish Desires" (Originally featured here.) I have been told by the Fabulous Mari Wells (Twitter / Blog) that Ice is a requirement when reading my stories.

So, with that being said, I am going to bid you all a fabulous Good Night!

Until we meet again,

*HugS*KisseS*

Zoey

Happy 2013 Everyone!

As I reflect back on 2012, I remember all the things that have happened. The good, the bad and the ugly. This year was by far better than 2011 and for that I am very thankful.

I spent this year with my nose in books and my fingers clicking away on a keyboard typing a book. I have spent this year growing as a person and even turned 30 in there somewhere. If you would have asked me a year ago where I saw myself on New Year's Eve 2012-2013 I would have said sitting around watching T.V. or playing World of Warcraft, which by all accounts is VERY UNEXCITING!

In May I embarked on a book that would lead me to be introduced to the wonderful world of the Indie and Self-Published Authors and their wonderful stories. If you have paid any attention to my blog, you know that I have made a habit out of reading and sharing my favorites with you all. Lately the list has grown stale as I embark on my own writing adventure.

Tonight I will keep my New Year's Wishes short as I am on a self-imposed deadline to have draft two off to my fabulous editor Sione Aeschliman. (On a side note, as a new author, who is unrepresented, I have found great comfort in having Sione at my side. She is there to read my emails when I am babbling like an idiot, or stuck on an idea or even to provide unbiased feedback on my MS. Without her, I probably would have given up on the whole institution of writing.) If you are an Author, just getting started on your own dream of writing, then I recommend seeking out an editor. I personally recommend Sione because her and I work very well together but editors are there to support you and to help guide you, not redirect your entire dream, so if you are seeking an editor, shop around and take advantage of their free services, such as a sample edit. Getting that Sample Edit means you can see what this person is thinking and or feels and see if your two visions come together. If they do and you feel comfortable with that person, discuss what options you may have available because you never know, it could make that project that much better.

Okay, so with that being said, I am off to Write and to Edit.

I hope 2013 brings you all your dreams, fantasies and even realities that you are seeking and that you have a Wonderful and Safe New Year!

Many Hugs, Kisses, and Wishes.

*Zoey*

Want a New Year's Eve Treat? A sexy excerpt perhaps?

*Please note, this excerpt is subject to change and contains language and sexual content not suitable for anyone under the age of 18*

Her breathing spiked. I could feel her heart pounding waiting against my hands, wanting me to continue. I continued the path my hands were making. Slowly I made my way up to her shoulders, her neck, her cheeks. Cupping her face. I bent down and brought my lips to hers. Pulling her against me. I wanted her close to my body, as close as was humanly possible. She kissed me back, urgent and excited. I could hardly breathe. She was literally taking my breath away. Just then, I felt her hands on my hips. Searching for,.. ah she found it, the hem of my shirt. She started to lift it up as I continued kissing her, but stepped back. I was nearly a full foot taller than she was, so I was trying to help her remove my shirt. She continued to pull upward until she met the resistance of my arms. I smiled against her lips. “Did you want to take off my shirt?” 

She giggled, but her giggle was hot and heavy, panting. “Yes” she breathed. I pulled back, raised up my arms and off went my shirt. She immediately dropped it to the floor and took a half step back to take in the full view of the dragon on my chest. Then she realized that my nipples were actually pierced with studs that were hard to see last night. Her hands met my shoulders, bringing them down my pecks, she found my nipples with her thumbs and rubbed lightly. Ah, my God, that...Jesus. “Ah!” I grabbed at her hips. Pulled her close. Her nipples pressed against my stomach, hard as a diamonds. My cock twitched, involuntary. God I want her. I want her so bad. But I need to stop this. I can’t....

The Next Big Thing...

The lovely ladies over at Deadly Ever After (www.deadlyeverafter.com) invited me to join The Next Big Thing Blog Hop, so here I am. Make sure you stop by their blog and check out their next big thing and their fabulous Holiday Horror Days, going on now.

Are you ready? Yes? No? Well tough cause here we go. 

What is the working title of your book? Well right now it stands at Love Burning, or maybe even Love is Burning, or who knows, by the time its published it could be something completely different. 

On a side note, I am working on a little short story that started with my girls over on Deadly Ever After, maybe you can find it? But I am not talking about that today. 

Where did the idea come from for the book? Love Burning is one of those stories that has been rattling my brain for years. I finally decided, after discovering the world of self-published books, that it was time to finally get the story out of my brain and on to paper, or text, or word. Well you get the idea. 

What genre does your book fall under? My book most definitely falls into the Romance Category.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? This is something that is a little harder for me to chose, although one of the mental pictures I have for Tristan (my hero) is Christian Bale. Just younger than he is today. Cami on the other hand is a bit harder. Her image is a bit 1920's to 1030's pin-up girl. Pale skinned, and pulls off dark red lipstick like no other. She is harder to cast because my mental image of her is hard to see in many actresses. 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? What happens when a woman with a past of neglect finds love for the first time?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self-published, in e-book format.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? About 4 months. I spent a lot of sleepless nights, believe me, it was well worth it. 

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Well, I hope that my story stands out as unique among all the wonderful books out there. Most of the books I know I read consist of the Billionaire Boyfriend...what happens when you have a Billionaire Girlfriend? O/o

Who or What inspired you to write this book? This is the hardest, yet easiest question to answer. I was inspired by E.L. James and self-publishing a story that has rocked the world. I was inspired by Jamie McGuire as I watched Beautiful Disaster go from a lowly self-published novel to being signed with Atria. Reading stories of struggles to write, struggles to publish, and all that inspires. Most of all the ones that kept me writing. Shoshanna Evers and Jennifer Probst are two beautiful ladies that kept me writing day in and day out. Just ask Shoshanna about writing dust or ask Jennifer about her wanting a copy of my MS when it is done. Believe me, nothing is more exciting and terrifying than that. :-)! 

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? It's Hot, It's Steamy, and it becomes something more than you expect. At least that is my goal. :-)! 

I posted today, so that means that on December 26th you should see blog posts from the following Authors. The Next Big Thing Blog Hop has grown by leaps and bounds and believe me, I had a hard time finding these lovelies. So make sure to stop by their pages, check out their blogs, and most of all, check back next week for some insider scoops on some upcoming work. 

I am nominating the following Authors...

Marata Eros

Ashlee Alexander

Mari Wells  ** Mari also nominated me, so make sure you check her out!

Sione Aeschliman

Jeanie Grey 

I hope you all enjoyed my little interview and don't forget to stop by and visit these other blogs, who knows, you might find the Next Big Thing, or just a new book to read! 

*HugS*

Zoey

Where Have You Been?

Better yet, where have I been? 
Well, let me tell you....
I recently got in touch with the wonderful Sione Aeschliman for some much needed feedback on the Big Bad Manuscript I have been writing. Through her wonderful sample edit, I quickly realized that her and I were on the same page when it come to my story. Not to mention the fact that she challenged me to answer questions that I did not realize I needed to answer out loud when it came to my story. 
After spending an hour on Skype with her, I hired her assistance for some developmental editing of my Work In Progress. 
In speaking with her, I realized that while I absolutely adore my two beta readers/best friends and their opinions on what I have written, I needed to know what you, my audience, were going to feel reading my story without a bias opinion. Sione has been heaven sent and has really helped me to be increasingly more motivated to finish my story. So I have been lost in the world of editing a 400+ page manuscript. 

Because I know you are curious, here is a snippet of one of Sione's favorite lines from my story...

The following comes from a portion of the book where Cami (heroine) is coming to understand a bit of her lustful attraction to Tristan (hero). There is no conversation here, just simply Cami's brain at work. 

Yes ok I have been starring at his face and his eyes for years, feeling a connection with him that I cannot even begin to describe. A connection through pictures. Yup...its official, I have lost my marbles. All of them, there is not even a hint of a rattle in my brain right now.

When I wrote my MS I was concerned that the attraction that Cami felt for Tristan would be lost on people, so when Sione favorited this line I was jumping up and down for joy. 

So there you have it guys, a small little piece of what I have in the works at the moment. 

**************************************

Now, this is not the only thing I have been busy with. 

The Fabulous Undead Duo over at www.deadlyeverafter.com asked me a few weeks ago to submit a short story for their Holiday Horrordays Blog event. 

When I was asked to submit a story I was extremely hesitant because they were asking me for something that I have never written, or never envisioned myself writing. Horror, or as my end result so happened to be, Paranormal. 

If you have not been over to their site to check out my story, please do so and don't hesitate to leave a comment for me, or you can leave one here as well. 

On the note of Devilish Desire (click to read)... The beautiful Shoshanna Evers (@shoshannaevers) posted up a request for someone to do a writing sprint with her and I stepped up to the challenge (and yes she beat me, but no worries, I am far from a sore loser). I stepped up, wanting to write but unsure of what to write, so I opened up Devilish Desire and I started pounding away on the keys and low and behold Devilish Desire has stretched into about 3k words and I do believe it intends to grow bigger. 

I have shared the story with the Undead Duo and they are both very excited at what as been added and I broached the subject of featuring the story via their blog. Will keep you all posted as to what happens with that little project. If nothing else it is helping me break up my editing a bit. 

*****************************

Stay Tuned on Wednesday December 19th, 2012 as I will be posting my portion of "The Next Big Thing" Blog Event. I hope to see you all here on Wednesday. 

You might just get another excerpt from "Love Burning".

As always, I hope this post finds you all well, 

*HugS*

Zoey