What are the Chances...

For those of you with kids... and I'm sometimes convinced I'm the only one... if you love disney/pixar films you might recognize that saying from the Emperor's New Grove, when Kronk says it at the end... What were the chances that trap door would lead me out here...

Of course he helps save the day, and so on.. but I digress. I'm also convinced I'm the only person (other than those in my family because we share the same deranged DNA) that like to quote from movies... and since I have kids... well, hopefully you see the connection.

Okay, so what does any of that have to do with my post? Technically nothing, but I love that saying and it does tie into my post.... wow, that was a long way to get here.

What are the chances that I'd have a blog day on...well... a release day?! Yes, it's true. I'm thrilled to say that my fourth book with Resplendence, entitled Hard Target, is out today!!!

Now before I get into the blurb and an excerpt and the like, I have to say a bit about this book, because it's the first book I ever wrote. True, it resembles that original book very little, in the sense I've reworked it more times than you-know-who's nose, but the basics are there. The plot line is the same and the characters are still the way I envisioned them. But thanks to my fabulous editor, it's far more than I ever imagined. All I can say is... Chris... you rock!!!!! It was strange to go back over something I'd written a few years back and to see how far I'd come as a writer... or perhaps a better word is matured. To be able to see the story in a new light...something I hadn't been able to do before. I'm not sure if it was because I was too narrow-minded, or maybe, just not experienced enough to recognize that there were other ways to take the storyline that still got the job done, but that made it that much more exciting and engaging. Either way, I'm extremely happy with the end result, and I hope you will be too.

Okay, so... my new book. Hard Target is an action adventure story with some sexual interaction sure to make you squirm, lol. Here's the blurb and a quick excerpt...

A promise worth dying for…a woman determined to save him. All that stands between them and success is ten thousand feet and a mile of ice.

Ex-Federal agent Kyle Sullivan can’t afford any distractions. He’s in the middle of a highly volatile mission and the last thing he needs is to fall for the woman he’s entrusted his life to. But his heart has other plans.

Taylor Austin isn’t sure what to think of her new client, the not so bookish “professor” Kyle Sullivan. Everything about him screams sexy, and she can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding something. But just her luck, all he seems interested in is trekking his ass half-way across a glacier to a deserted cave. And in October, the Rocky Mountains couldn’t be more treacherous. If they can just make it across the ice sheet, perhaps she can convince him that she’s more interesting than his ancient artifacts.

Taylor is everything Kyle ever wanted in a woman…smart, strong and a whole lot of trouble. But he needs her, and not just to fill the emptiness inside him. She’s the only guide capable of getting him to a remote hideout alive, and that’s worth risking everything…even his heart.

Excerpt:

Kyle woke to the sound of the wind gusting against the window. It seemed distant and hazy, hardly worth noting. His body was hot and strangely heavy. He blinked, shifting his gaze when Taylor sighed. He tensed, suddenly aware of every inch of her lithe body against him. How the curve of her breast grazed his ribs, rubbing her hardened nipple across his skin. Or how her breath caressed his neck, making the small hairs tingle in response. He shifted, but only succeeded in rolling her thigh against his erection.

Damn! Surely he hadn’t spent all night with his cock tented against his briefs? He prided himself in having complete control, and yet, this was the second time he’d reacted to her. It was like having a hidden addiction he couldn’t fight. He shook his head and looked around, searching for a way out until he realized he’d wrapped his arms around her. Even if she’d wanted to roll away, his embrace would have kept her trapped against him. He took a deep breath, calming the sudden pounding in his chest. This wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind when he’d offered to share the bed. Though he had to admit, it felt dangerously good, or should he say…right.

No, not right. Wrong. Definitely wrong.

He needed to stay focused. And somehow falling for her didn’t seem to fit the bill. But she felt so good next to him, like she belonged there. He tightened his grip on her.

“Mmm.”

Her voice broke his concentration. He went to move, but stopped when she drew her hand across his chest, squeezing him as she repositioned her head. Her fingers grazed over his nipple and his erection hardened. He clenched his jaw, trying to will the damn thing away. What would she think if she found herself cradled in his arms, his cock hard against her thigh? He looked down at her, studying the fine lines on her face as he traced his finger up her side and along her arm. Her skin was soft and warm, and she moaned as he drew small circles on it. He swallowed, trying hard to quell the burning sensation in his stomach. If he didn’t stop now, he wouldn’t be able to.

“Good morning, Taylor.” He caressed her shoulder until she opened her eyes. “Sleep well?”

Taylor tensed, dampening her lips with a slow swipe of her tongue. “Great. You?”

Kyle groaned, wanting nothing more than to feel her tongue against his. He gave her a quick smile, before rolling her over, trapping her body between his arms. He knew she could feel his cock hard against her stomach, and he smiled at her breathy whimper.

He lowered his lips, brushing them enticingly against hers. “Seems you couldn’t be trusted after all.”

Taylor stared up at him, studying his face before her lips kicked into a playful smile. “Guess you should’ve let me sleep on the floor by the fire.”

He shook his head, repeating the soft caress. “There’re a number of things we could do on the floor by the fire, but sleeping isn’t one of them.”

“I thought you said if you were going to behave poorly, you would have done so already?”

“I lied.”

Her eyes widened for only a moment as her fingers fisted his shirt against his chest. He waited for her to push him away, but she didn’t, finally relaxing her grip until her hands palmed his ribcage. Her breathing sounded loud in his head, and he was certain he could feel her heart pounding against his.

Kyle stared at her, knowing if he crossed the line and took her as his lover, he’d never be able to step back. It’d change more than just their sleeping arrangements. It’d change him. He’d known the instant he’d met her, she wasn’t like the women he’d taken to his bed before. She was spirited with an enthusiasm for life that was catching. He sensed she wouldn’t accept anything less than his soul, and he wasn’t certain he had anything left to give her.

A loud beep broke the sensuous atmosphere and he jumped when he realized the alarm on his watch had chimed. He looked at his wrist then back at her, his feelings divided. It wasn’t until Jennifer’s face flashed in his mind that he was able to pull back. He’d already failed her once, he couldn’t afford to make the same mistake again.

He took a deep breath, mustering his best smile. “Looks like you’ve been saved by the bell.”

He waited one more heartbeat before rolling off the bed and stumbling over to the chair where he’d stacked his clothes. His body protested the act, his cock throbbing against his stomach as if begging him to reconsider.

He heard Taylor curse, a moment before her feet padded across the room. He glanced back at her across his shoulder, feeling his erection swell, as he watched her shimmy into her pants.

Lord have mercy.

He was in more danger than he’d thought. And Jack Conrad had nothing to do with it.

Well, that's my post for this month. I hope you get a chance to check out my new story. Hard Target hits the shelves... right now...

Cheers,

Kris Norris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

Romancing... Worlds Apart

Hello everyone.

Well, it's Monday morning and what better way to welcome in the week than preparing for my new release on the 25th. I'm thrilled about this one. It's my first futuristic novel, and only my second release with Resplendence. I've got more with my other pub (she whispers), but I'm tickled about this one. I absolutely love my new hero, Griffin, and the heroine, Samantha, can kick butt with the best of them.

I think what I love most about this book is watching the characters try to adjust to having a different culture join with them. And it happens on both sides. Samantha's crew is techno-crazy and come from a world completely integrated with technology. Griffin's world has spent the past five-hundred years surviving on instinct, and their barbaric nature definitely takes some getting used to.

So to whet your appetite and get you as excited as I am (please, let me have my visions of grandeur) I'll leave you with the blurb and an enticing excerpt. but before I do, I just want to do a shout out to Les, the amazing cover artist who made what could easily be my favourite book cover. I don't know if it's the sexy hunk of a man, the awesome desolate landscape, the way the woman's eyes stare at you or the overall combination, but I absolutely LOVE this cover. So thank you Les, for capturing my vision so perfectly. You rock and I'm thrilled with the outcome. Okay, now on to the ...

Blurb:

Two cultures—one dusty planet. Intergalactic relations have never been so hot.

Starship Captain, Samantha Grier, has only two options—crash land her warship on an unknown planet inhabited by God knows what, or drift through space. She never counted on becoming part of a colony of barbarians, or becoming the center of attention for their illustrious leader…a man more than capable of claiming both her heart, and her body. Too bad not everyone is thrilled by the new sleeping arrangements.

Griffin can’t believe his good fortune. Not only did the humans arrive just as their power grid was failing, but their Captain is a vision of beauty. With blue eyes and fair skin, he knows instantly that she’s his intended mate. But claiming her is the easy part. When brutal attacks bring the two cultures to the brink of war, will he be able to keep the colony together, while maintaining his role as her mate? Or will the tension leave them worlds apart?

Excerpt:

She could only shake her head as his tongue trailed along her neck, stopping at the sweet spot behind her ear. She clenched her jaw, hoping he couldn’t tell she was all but dripping arousal on the floor, when she felt his lips lift into a smile, and cursed under her breath. “I’d like to know what’s happening to me,” she began, her voice cracking into another moan when his hands cupped her waist, accentuating how small she was compared to him. “What the hell has biting got to do with anything? And why have I got this incessant thrumming in my head?”

“All in good time, little one.” He dropped an open-mouthed kiss on the tip of her shoulder, backing up enough to open the door. “Now let’s have your Dr. Quinn take a look at Cain’s pathetic attempt to defeat you.”

Sam fought off the sudden need to rub against him like some bloody cat in heat and walked into the room, not sure why her hips seemed to rock back and forth as if moving to a distant rhythm.

Quinn huffed, and shook his head the moment he caught sight of her. “What in the bloody hell happened now?”

“I cut myself,” she answered, not meeting his gaze.

“Let me guess. You were shaving and things turned ugly.” He grabbed some bandages, staring at her until she finally looked at him. “Just tell me you used some of that martial arts crap of yours and kicked the bastard who did this to you on his ass.”

“Your Captain did a very fine job of kicking Cain on his ass,” said Griffin. “I’m afraid my warrior underestimated her.”

Quinn laughed, angling a laser across her laceration. “She’s quite a spitfire. A fact more than a few of the crew has found out the hard way.” He dismissed her huff of protest with a firm glare. “I thought I told you to take it slow?”

“I had something to prove,” she stated.

“You always have something to prove, Sam. You’re worse than the men when it comes to that pride of yours. But you need to give your body more time to heal. I’ll be damned if I have to go through another blood transfusion. It wasn’t that much fun the first time.” Quinn cursed when the laser flickered and died, tossing it aside. “I don’t have the resources to keep treating you for life-threatening injuries.”

“It’s only a cut,” she said. “I’d hardly say it’s life-threatening.”

“Only because you won. You might not be so lucky the next time.”

“Don’t worry,” said Griffin, stepping up behind her until his chest brushed across her back. “There won’t be a next time. I made it clear she’d more than fulfilled the challenge.”

“Does this mean we might actually be seen as something more than merely human among your people?” asked Quinn, raising an eyebrow at Griffin.

“Fear is never easy to overcome.” He looked down at Sam. “But I think your Captain secured your place among us.”

“Good, ‘cause I’m running out of Sam-sized bandages,” added Quinn, taping one in place. He patted her on the arm. “You’re good to go. Just keep that on for a few hours, and for God’s sake, stay out of trouble for a while.”

Griffin laughed as Quinn walked away, disappearing behind a set of cabinets. Sam tensed as Griffin smoothed his hands down her sides, splaying his fingers across her thighs. She closed her eyes, hoping the dizzy feeling was somehow connected to the laceration, only to curse when a spike of need shot through her as he lowered his lips to her skin.

“Perhaps I should see to your doctor’s wishes, myself,” he rasped, drawing his mouth across the back of her neck to the other side. “Though to adequately assure him of your safety, I’d have to stay close.” He drew a deep breath, humming as his breath washed across her flesh. “Would you do me the honor of having dinner with me? I’d be more than happy to answer all of your questions.”

Sam bit her bottom lip. While she wanted to know the truth, a part of her wasn’t certain she was ready to hear it. She tilted her head, intending to turn, but he fisted his hand through her hair, halting her with her neck completely exposed to him. He growled this time, scraping his canines along the sleek muscle threading into her shoulder. She gasped at the erotic sensation, pressing into his mouth, wanting him to increase the pressure, but unsure why. He chuckled at her tactic, laving the area thoroughly before pulling back.

“Is that a yes?” he asked, releasing her hair, but trailing his fingers down her spine before moving around to face her.

She looked up at him, knowing she’d give him anything just to feel his mouth on her skin again. “What time?”

He smiled at her husky reply, tracing the outline of her lips with his finger. “Come by whenever you get hungry. I’ll be waiting.”

Sam held her breath as he walked out of the room, his back flexing beneath the thin vest. She closed her eyes, not sure what the hell she’d just gotten herself into, but knowing she’d be standing at his doorstep long before the first sun dipped below the horizon.

Hope you enjoyed a sneak peek at Worlds Apart, coming to you live on May 25th. If you'd like to read another excerpt, I'll be posting one on my website today as well. Hope to see you there.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

I Will Remember You...

Hi Everyone,

As you may recall, last month I totally gimped out and did a lamer than lame post. I was going through some family issues at the time, and well, I just didn't have the time or energy to get creative. Wouldn't you know, my family problems escalated this month. Just last week, I lost my mum. While she'd be ill for a while, I can tell you, I never imagined she'd pass so quickly.

Now don't worry, this isn't going to be an endless blog about dying or my views on the afterlife, but it's brought about another significant change in my life. I'm now the oldest living female in my family. Me!!!! In literally the space of a breath, I've gone from being the next generation to being the last generation, and I'm not exactly sure what to make of it. I mean, I'm not old enough to be the wise woman of the family...

I think what's really hit home for me, is how the passing of a generation also means the passing of traditions. As luck would have it, it's my birthday tomorrow...and it's made me realize that this will be the first birthday I don't get a card in the mail. (yes a few friends will hand me one, but you know what I mean.) My mum was a huge card person. I mean she'd send me a card thanking me for my thank you card. She's probably haunting my butt right now because I haven't sent out proper 'thank you' cards yet for those that came to pay their respects. I can assure you, Hallmark is already feeling the pinch. But I realize that sending cards is a tradition that's gone with her. I'm an e-card kinda girl. I'll send plain one, custom ones, and ones that dance and sing, but I hate spending five dollars on a card people feel guilty about tossing away because they know you've spent five dollars on the damn thing. E-cards I can keep on my computer forever if I'd like. It just seems to make more sense. But it's strange to think an entire tradition just vanishes.

There's other traditions that will be lost as well. Those strange concoctions at holiday dinners... you know that green jello mould thingy that no one liked... gone because I sure as hell don't know how to make it. Now that my be a blessing in disguise, but now I kinda wish I'd learnt, if for no other reason to make my children suffer the same fate I did. (Yes, I am that evil at times:) Then there's the stories...the ones about when she was a kid...silenced forever. And the pictures that no longer make sense because only she knew who was in them.

It makes me wonder about my heritage. How entire cultures manage to pass their information on from one generation to the next, yet for many of us, we can't recall our cousins if someone's not there to tell us their names. I never put much stock in it before, but it makes me question that decision now. Don't get me wrong, Hallmark will have to suffer the loss, and I'm really not fond of green jello, so it looks like the kids are safe. But I'm sure there'll be many times over the next year when I'll stop and say...hey, mum would have known the answer to that one.

So, I'd like to ask the million dollar question...what traditions have or will go in your family? How do you feel about becoming the oldest generation? Any words of wisdom? Feel free to leave a comment if you've also made this auspicious rite of passage, or if you're wise beyond your years...me, not so much.

I'll leave you with the lyrics of a song that's been haunting my mind for the past week. It's by Sarah McLachlan, called I Will Remember You..

I will remember you, will you remember me?

Don't let your life pass you by,

Wait not for the memory.

Dedicated to my mum...Lee.

While fleeting in my hand, you're forever in my heart.

Kris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

A New Kind of Writer's Block

If you ask any author they'll tell you there are many forms of writer's block. There's the kind where you sit and stare at the computer screen, hands poised over the keyboard, the same four words glaring back at you as if daring you to make a sentence. There's the kind where you clean the house, mow the lawn, even do the laundry in order to avoid opening the computer to see that empty page looking at you, emitting waves of guilt. There's even the kind where you write, then re-write the same scene over and over because nothing seems to flow.

But I've recently discovered a new form of writer's block....

Believe it or not, I've become a foster parent of the furry variety...

Just yesterday, I brought home a beautiful mother cat and her five babies, all rescued from a home that was looking to get rid of her as fast as possible. And after looking at these sweet faces, I knew what needed to be done.

There were of course other options... here in British Columbia, we have an excellent Rescue organization, the BC SPCA. But on the wake of discovering 94 cats sick and dying, trapped in a single house in the town of Cedar just a few days ago, sending these tiny kittens to the shelter was not even a consideration... and I won't begin to tell you what the other options I heard discussed. So long story short, they're now mine until I can find loving homes for the ones I can't keep.

P is a lovely 9 month old Maine Coon cat who got pregnant at the tender age of 6 months. Her kittens, now five weeks old are thriving balls of energy, that capture the heart of anyone who gets a glimpse of them. She's a gentle, easy going cat that has adapted into our family in the space of a heartbeat... now if I can just persuade her to fall in love with our malamute/husky cross, Bandit, all will be purrfect.

I'm not one to preach, but this situation brings about the age old question of who has the right to own pets. I realize not all people want companion animals living in their homes, but it never ceases to amaze me how some humans can discard their furry friends without so much as a sideways glance. Perhaps some see me as a soft hearted fool, but I prefer to think of it as respect for life, no matter what form.

It seems lately there have been blogs about prejudice and hatred. Of how people are judged for the type of stories they want to write, the shape of their body or by who they choose to love. And it seems our animal friends are not immune to this form of attack either. P was given up because she's no longer a fuzzy ball of fur that can fit in the palm of your hand. And why put out money for a cat that's already considered "broken" property.

After finally pulling myself away from these darling babies, I realized I hadn't prepared a blog for my turn at the Gem. But try as I might, absolutely nothing remotely associated with "writing" came to mind. I hope everyone will forgive the non-writing blog I've posted, but as you can see, I'm suffering from a near fatal case of kitten block.

I hope everyone has had a fantastic summer vacation. There has been a rash of brilliant releases at Resplendence this summer, and I've read my share of great books. I just finished Bronwyn Green's "Handcuffs and Lies" and highly recommend you add it to your must read list. Brynn Paulin also has a new book out entitled, Dragon's Blood, not to mention novels by Carol Lynne, Maddie James and Ann Cory. With school just around the corner, you still have plenty of time to pick up a few last quick reads before 'fall' is upon us.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you next month... with a hopefully cured case of writer's block.

cheers,

Kris Norris

Romancing life...one adventure at a time.

KrisNorris.ca

New Kid on the Block

And no, I don't mean the 80's boy band that took America by storm... I'm talking about being a new author in what seems like a genre of veterans. You know the kind, so green they blend in with the grass. The ones who want to jump in with both feet and join every blog, chat and group they can just to feel like they belong. And I suppose there's no one better suited to the title here at the "gem" than yours truly.

So let me introduce myself. My name's Kris, and I'm so new you won't even find my books listed yet. So you can imagine how strange it feels looking around and seeing all the beautiful cover art and the endless lists of titles under each author's belt. But, even though the only people googling my name are family and friends (yes, twenty dollars still goes a long way) I didn't want that to stop me. After all, who better to give you the insight of a work in progress author, than one in the thick of it. And if I've learnt anything over the past month, it's... there's a lot to learn.

Originally I figured writing a full, 90K novel was the hard part. I didn't know I'd have to write query letters and make tag lines and blurbs just to catch the editor's attention before they'd even open my sample chapters. So off I went, spending another seemingly endless amount of time trying to summarize my book into one line and finding a creative way to outline the theme in a couple of paragraphs that will have my novels jumping off the shelves, or in a lot of cases, downloading off into cyber space. I scrutinized every page, reading it so many times I couldn't have found a grammar error if it'd jumped off the page, constantly pondering if the few thousand words I cut were the ones I really should have kept. But, finally, there comes a time when you ask... what do I do next? Is it ready to hit an editor's desk? Do I really think I've got what it takes to make it past their slush pile?

Thankfully the answer was yes, but success rarely comes instantly and if you're going to pursue a career in writing, be prepared for your fair share of rejection letters. Whether you submit directly to a publisher or try to get an agent, it's tough to get past that initial selection process. But with determination, some talent, and a bit of luck from your old rabbit's foot, your day finally arrives... an email that doesn't tell you "they hope you find a home for your novel," but one that asks if you'd like to "contract it to them!"

So once you finish picking yourself up off the floor, be prepared. 'Cause now the real work begins. Who knew you'd have to have a website, a blog page, an email for fans? I know, I sat there staring at the request thinking... I'm going to have fans? I'm not sure about other authors, but I can honestly say, fans weren't the reason I wrote the book. I wrote it to please those voices in my head that wouldn't seem to quiet down until I told their story. (And no, I'm not completely insane yet, but thanks for asking.) And quite frankly, the thought of fans seems very surreal. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm looking forward to the first piece of fan email... another milestone down the road of becoming published. Just as soon as I start a myspace page and don't even start about the twitter thing...So, the reality is, there is still a ton of work to be done, even though others may think you've already made it.

Thus, to all you aspiring authors, take heed. Start now. Get a website. It doesn't have to be fancy and for quite a while mine was pretty meager. And while I've managed to fill it up, since my first book isn't due out until November, it's still just mostly for my pleasure. But it's there, ready to go, for my soon to be adoring fans. (yes, I will believe! If I make it, they will come.) And once you've got that done, start blogging. It doesn't have to revolve around only writing. I talk about everything, from relearning my 10 year old's math, to trying to rename a novel. All that matters is that you've got it all in place. Trust me, it'll save you a lot of frustration when that magical day finally happens.

So there's the tip of the iceberg, folks. There's much more to being the new kid than just making blogs and websites, but as I said, I'm learning as I go. I still don't know much about promo's and getting yourself out there, but each step is another down. Besides, those are great fodder for another post.

Here's to staying focused, and letting the crazy out slow.

Kris Norris

    Romancing life... one adventure at a time.