Sunday, December 9, 2018

Shameless Plug (Not that kind) and Random Thoughts

Thinking about plugs. Did you know there's a plug flute? Like how does that even work? Do you pop that bad boy in and blow? The visual images! Goodness! Is that even a thing?

Sorry there. You know me. I flit here and there, all over the place sometimes.

First off, the actual plug!



Guess what's available for preorder!


Sequel to the Spring Fever anthology these six stories bring you shifters seeking warmth and cheer with a little Winter Magic thrown in for this festive season.
Winter Magic – where warmth and cheer and all good things associated with the festivities of this magical season are set to make your hearts glow. The Winter Magic anthology features six shifter stories from some of your favorite eXtasy Book authors. Let romance work its magic for you this winter.

****************************************************************************
Included in this amazing read is my story Challenge the Sun:

A Tengu Goblin finds his mate, but the hair consultant is broken, or is he? What will it take to give these two the perfect Christmas?

Dimitri Akiyama arrives in Louisville, Kentucky with his brother and his brother’s mate to celebrate the Christmas holiday, and he’s not happy about it.

Little does he know he’s about to get his own Christmas gift in the form of a human hair consultant named Eric McAlary.

The problem?

Eric’s injury from a military past and Dimitri’s belief that a Tengu demon can’t have a mate who’s broken.

It will take a little intervention to help these two find a love so great that they will challenge the sun.
Go ahead and pick up your copy today!


I'm excited. There's a bit of something unusual in Challenge the Sun, me playing with ideas I've been considering and possibly venturing off to do a bit more. We'll see. Crossing my fingers it's well received. Winter Magic releases December 14th.

Shameless plug over.

Works in Progress

It's been an awful few months for me as of late. One of the recent mass shootings was here in Louisville, and one of the deaths hit close to home as a student who I consider a part of my family lost a member of his own. It was hard, and I started thinking that my words had no value. Why write? What was the point when there have been at least 307 mass shootings and other atrocities? What could I say or do that would be worth putting out there? Who would even care to read it?

Well, that's when my support system kicked in. My family and my friends, in particular, Erika who told me about her own suffering and dark times and how she used books as a means of escape, that what I write could actually help others. She challenged me to get back out there. I can appreciate that. I needed that. 

So, here I am. 

Now, I still have dark moments. Every night before I go to sleep, I remember the unfortunate people who were killed just because of their race and wanted to go to the store. I remember my student and his pain. I remember hearing about the way the gunmen went to a church with the intent to kill everyone inside. I am fearful of where I go, who I see, and the darkness that exists in the world.

Then I take a deep breath, I pray, and eventually, I go to sleep. 

And, when I wake up in the morning, I write.



Currently, I'm working on Broken Promises, the third book in the Broken Series. The first one, Broken Bones, can be found on Dreamspinners. The second, Broken Pieces, is on Extasy Books. This one picks up where Broken Pieces left off, with a missing Kristoff. Jeremiah, alpha of the Iriquois pack, is going off to find him. Finally, these two will come together. There's someone hunting them and family issues to overcome, like how does one convince an ancient race of vampires to accept a leader who is half wolf and mated to a human? It won't be easy, but it will be totally worth it in the end.


Thinking of Broken Bones. Extasy Books picked up that one with the new scenes I added. I'm excited about that. Edits start after the holidays. Keep an eye out.

And, after Broken Promises, I have a griffin book that needs my attention.  Oh, and a merman story.

Wow, I've got work to do! Feel free to read them when they're done!


In other news...



Well, 'tis the season of Girl Scout Cookies right around the corner. It's funny. I remember the troop leader saying she wasn't ever selling cookies again. Well, here we are. Again. Can't start until January 13th. Apparently it's among the Rule of the Cookie Sales. There's a pretty intense list of rules.

And if you break a rule, you'll have to answer to this!


Maybe not, but from the way she was doing her drill sergeant routine, that's what I felt like.

Oh, well.

Happy Cookie Sales!


School is almost halfway over, and something unusual happened. I have this class that's been hell since they were freshmen. Now, they're juniors. Well, let me tell you, the things they have done have been enough to make me want to pull my hair out. My students are actually considered the best ones out of the junior class, though. No lie. Anyway, my birthday was last week. They bought an ice cream cake, put together a party, and even prayed before they ate, inviting me in with them. To say I was shocked wouldn't cover it. 

Anyway, I joined in, and I've been working on my perspective. I'm trying to see them and not their behavior, to love them and teach them. It's not only my job. It's who I am. By doing this, I can send more good out into the world. That's the goal.

Life. You have to look at the little things. Let those moments inspire you. Sometimes those little moments are all you have. 


Love,
Deja






Sunday, November 25, 2018

Look What Just Made the Editor's Choice List for Extasy Books!

I was cruising through Facebook looking for something to make me laugh, deciding which pretty picture to put up next, and responding to my friends when I finally noticed I was tagged. I'm terrible at that. First I try very hard not to tag because I was burned once. A while ago, someone sent a message by someone else to tell me not to tag big named writers, that it was name dropping and as I didn't know the people who others personally, I should not. It was a "friendly" message that totally freaked me out. So, yeah, no tagging.


Then, when I do get tagged, it takes me a day or three to notice it, like there's this extra step to social media I sometimes forget about. There are so many different rules to social media. Anywho, let's save that for another day. 

About the whole reason I started this, here's what I was tagged with! 

This week's Editor's Choice comes in the shape of The Guardian's Prize by Deja Black ~ currently $3.99

"A dragon in denial, an impatient guardian of Neptune, and a mating lust that can't be denied...what's not to love about this story? Join the adventure in this second book in the Men of Neptune series by Deja Black. I know you will enjoy it like I did." ~ Editor
What’s a merman to do when his mate doesn’t seem to want him? Go after him anyway? Life for this guardian will never be the same.
Tetra Batair, grandson of Neptune himself and guardian of the god’s military forces, has arrive in Charleston, South Carolina for his mate. The only problem? His mate doesn’t want him. Now what’s a merman to do?
Aoki Tatsuo, an art teacher who’s half dragon and half human, doesn’t want to be anyone’s mate. Or, at least that’s what he’s telling himself.
When the two first meet the earth trembles…literally.
A merman and a dragon.
One will have to learn patience.
The other will have to learn there’s more than one way to love.
Can the two of them work through the obstacles in their past to find their perfect future?
Book one, Song of the Siren can be found here;
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1553-2-song-of-the-s…/
Is that not the coolest thing? I was blown away.
I mean there are so many times when I doubt myself as a writer. There are times when I fall into the trap of comparing myself to other writers. 
"I don't write like she/he does."
"Why can't I describe things like she does?"
"Do my sentences flow like that one did?"

And you know what? They shouldn't because people are different, and my books will be, too. I have a problem remembering that sometimes, that I can write and people enjoy my stories.  That age-old expression about you being your worst enemy is so true. 
What I've realized is I'm not alone in my self-doubt. I found a great article for you to check out, and for those who'd enjoy a video on the subject, there's one there, too. 

How To Deal With Self-Doubt As A Writer


Bounce over there and check Joanna Penn out. She has a lot to say that's definitely worth hearing. Use those tips. Grow. 


So, what am I doing? I'm writing. 



And if you're a writer, you should be, too. 


Love,
Deja





Sunday, October 7, 2018

In the News, In Other News, and a Shout Out to a Hardworking Author

In the News...

Or in my email...

Edits for Challenge the Sun arrived! 
I'm so excited! It's the next story in the Tengu Goblin series and releases during the Holidays. The blurb?



Dimitri Akiyama arrives in Louisville, Kentucky with his brother and his brother’s mate to celebrate the Christmas holiday, and he’s not happy about it.

Little does he know he’s about to get his own Christmas gift in the form of a human hair consultant named Eric McAlary.

The problem?

Eric’s injury from a military past and Dimitri’s belief that a Tengu demon can’t have a mate who’s broken.

It will take a little intervention to help these two find a love so great, they will challenge the sun.


Of course, I need a day to actually look at them. Have to get myself prepared because EDITS! Whew!


So, anyway, after I take a day and breathe, I'm diving into the edit. 


Other News?

Broken Bones, a book formerly released by Dreamspinner Press, is joining Extasy Books. Now, I'm thrilled! There will be more scenes, more moments between Aiden and Dan, and a bonus scene at the end. And the new cover will be...



siz·zling
ˈsizliNG/
adjective
INFORMAL
  1. very hot.
    "the sizzling summer temperatures"
    • very exciting or passionate, especially sexually.
      "that was the start of a sizzling affair"


Of course! It's Extasy Books! It has to be!


And on the Homefront...

The seven-year-old is back for another year of Girl Scouts with the troop leader who could benefit from mindfulness, awareness, and all-around-kindness. But, my little one likes the activities and the fun she's having, so sometimes you just have to smile and keep going. 




MeWe is working out. It's small but growing, and the possibilities for building relationships is there. 

http://www.mewe.com/i/deja.black


And I'd like to give a shout out to 




Cameron Allie











This amazing woman is working hard on Facebook in the Book Carousel group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookcarousel/

She is helping authors and readers build relationships! There are some fantastic questions to answer, occasional contests to enter, takeovers by authors, and a platform for authors and readers to interact. I love it. I've even answered a few questions of my own. Get over there and see what's happening. 


Love,
Deja



Sunday, August 26, 2018

Deja Black is Back!

School's In! 



Hi, beautiful people! School's back in, and I'm adjusting to life as a hardworking teacher with a family who also writes.

So, I am...

TIRED - Red-eye tired - Can't get enough sleep tired

But, that doesn't mean I've totally given up writing. In fact, I've recently finished a short story to be included in Winter Magic, a new anthology by Extasy Books releasing during the holidays.

My story?

It's Challenge the Sun. I bet you'd like to read the blurb right?

Nod.        Nod.
        Nod.

Okay...here goes!

5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1


Dimitri Akiyama arrives in Louisville, Kentucky with his brother and his brother’s mate to celebrate the Christmas holiday, and he’s not happy about it.

Little does he know he’s about to get his own Christmas gift in the form of a human hair consultant named Eric McAlary.

The problem?

Eric’s injury from a military past and Dimitri’s belief that a Tengu demon can’t have a mate who’s broken.

It will take a little intervention to help these two find a love so great, they will challenge the sun.



I loved writing this one and am beyond excited about its release.

What am I working on now? 



Broken Promises, Kristoff's story. After that? Well, it's the next installment in the merman series. Then, the gargoyle book I've been waiting to get back to. 

Unicorns...
Oh, and I've been playing with ideas of a unicorn. Any thoughts? Well, I keep running into them, and I think I have some ideas, some tantalizing, battle-worthy ideas. Let's make that happen.

In Other News
Facebook blocked me from posting in groups for a few days. Now, the places I posted my book were book groups where I usually post, and it was the same post I'd been doing for a while. No more, no less. Facebook wants to make money, and they want me to buy advertising space. Well, I'm not making that type of money, so I've started looking elsewhere.

Namely, MeWe.



www.mewe.com/i/deja.black

There's more freedom there, more opportunities. But, I warn you. The chat rooms are no holds barred.

So, I'm on this blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google Plus, and now MeWe. Whew! Feel free to hit me up anytime. Use my name to search any of those, and you'll have me. Need to ask a question, or you have something awesome to share? Go for it! I just need to connect, and if this gives me another way, I'm there.

Interested in other ways to promote? Check this out!

46 Ways to Promote Your Writing


https://bit.ly/2MRjR4N

Now, don't forget the best thing to do is write, publish, build relationships, and get to know your readers.

Hasn't failed me yet.


Love,
Deja






Monday, July 30, 2018

Facebook! What Are you Freaking Doing to Me?

https://mewe.com/i/deja.black

So, can't promote, and if you write, you feel my pain. If you read my books, you know I need you to hear my voice. I don't scream loud. I'm more a subtle kind of girl.

But...
Arghhhhhhhhhhh

Effin Facebook has blocked me from promoting on Facebook in groups where I can promote. And if there doing that, how long before they just cut me off totally? What about my friends, my readers, and my people?

Who will GET me?

So, this is me waving at you and telling you to please join me at MeWe. Will I still use Facebook? Blog? Twitter? Instagram?


Nod. Nod. Nod. 

I need to connect with you in any way that I can. So, let's look at MeWe as an option.


Please. 

With love,
Deja

Friday, July 6, 2018

Blog Under Construction

Working on making my own images in an effort to not become penniless. Thank you for understanding. 
Current Book? 

Stumbling in the Dark

Blurb
Summer fun. Summer sun. What’s a knife thrower to do when the lion tamer he wants doesn’t want him? Well, go out and get his groove thing on, of course. Unless…that lion tamer turns out to be his mate. Then the fireworks will really start.

The circus is a place for the unusual, a sanctuary for the wanderer. For the circus knife thrower Jake Gallinari, it was the place he stumbled to as a child. He arrived broken in spirit and body, hungering for affection. He found love, acceptance, and a family to call his own. 

Blaine Leander needed a sanctuary as well. The lion tamer had no idea that he would one day see his mate in the circus, no less. For seven years he’s watched Jake grow into a man, afraid to take the step to make Jake his own.

It’s summer, and with the bright sun and the blue sky, these two men have a chance for life to change. 

Just what will it take to make that happen?

Buy Link:
Extasy Books: https://goo.gl/BEJpvz

Need to see a review? 


Read what two reviewers have to say about my latest read!

Oh, it's so good to know I'm in the right place. I love writing, and I love the people who "get" my guys! 

That means you! 

Again, the blog is under construction!

Love,
Deja

Sunday, May 20, 2018

The Happy Planner - My New Obsession and maybe other things?


My New Obsession: The Happy Planner - Give Me All The Stickers!  (Oh, and a few other tidbits)



So, yeah. I know I'm supposed to write about writing on this blog, but lately I've been obsessed with the Happy Planner. Don't know about it? You have to look this thing up. Do you have a Michael's or almost any office supply store? How about Amazon?




Okay, good. 

These things are great. So, you buy the planner. It doesn't even have to be the Happy Planner. I'm using this spiral planner they sell with the stickers at Michaels. I love this one. I'm all about color, and the size is small enough to carry in my purse. Also, I like the messages at the beginning of each month. 


Then you get the stickers!
 



And, you end up with...Well, I shouldn't say that... I end up with something that looks like this:



The best thing about this to me is being able to reflect. I have these moments where I feel like I've accomplished nothing, where I'm so busy, busy, but what did I do? I can look back at these days and see it, so it becomes more reflective than anything else. My hubby says, "Hey, you can just write that." You know what? I write it, I don't care about it anymore, because it just becomes another list. With the stickers and washis. Oh, the washis. Hang on a second. 

Okay, these things are what you can use to block out weeks, days, or just outline. Just another way to make it fun. 

Anyway, I look forward to my days now. Date nights, dinners, times to write and work, due dates are all made a little more colorful with this. And, I get to look back and see what I've done and smile. 

That makes me happy. 

As far as books? 


Well, The Guardian's Prize is the most recent release right now. Here's the info. 



Aoki Tatsuo, an art teacher who’s half dragon and half human, doesn’t want to be anyone’s mate. Or, at least that’s what he’s telling himself.

When the two first meet the earth trembles…literally.

A merman and a dragon.
One will have to learn patience.
The other will have to learn there’s more than one way to love.
Can the two of them work through the obstacles in their past to find their perfect future?

Extasy Books  https://goo.gl/39ZCFs


And, Stumbling in the Dark is on its way. 

The circus is a place for the unusual, a sanctuary for the wanderer. For the circus knife thrower Jake Gallinari, it was the place he stumbled to as a child. He arrived broken in spirit and body, hungering for affection. He found love, acceptance, and a family to call his own. 

Blaine Leander needed a sanctuary as well. The lion tamer had no idea that he would one day see his mate in the circus, no less. For seven years he’s watched Jake grow into a man, afraid to take the step to make Jake his own.

It’s summer, and with the bright sun and the blue sky, these two men have a chance for life to change. 

Just what will it take to make that happen? 

Release Date (tentative) June 1, 2018

No buy links yet. I'lll keep you posted.

In other news

We survived Girl Scouts.
School is almost out.
The temps have finally cooled down which is awesome because we're still trying to figure out what's wrong with the air conditioning in my car. When that's fixed, I'll be the happiest woman ever! 

Love, 
Deja


Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Arc Teams, Instafreebie, and Book Confusion! Oh, my!



Guess what I just learned about? Arc Teams! Did you know about this? You give a team of people, 15 -20, a copy of your book through Instafreebie, and they will review it. And, presto! Reviews! Now, they're honest reviews, so no worries. You can still use them to help your writing, but wow! I had no idea! I'm still learning, of course, so I knew nothing of this! At book 8, I finally see a way to get more reviews thanks to help from other writers. If you're an GLBTQ writer and need help, too, try this group on Facebook. They are awesome!

GLBTQ Writer Support Network



You have a question? They have an answer. They want to help, and there are even questions you can answer, too! The help is out there! Take advantage of it!


Now, I know about Arc teams, Instafreebie, and I absolutely had to share it with you! 

Instrafreebie is easy to use. Google it, make an account, add your books, and create a giveaway. You can choose Arc groups on Facebook or use another social media, but go for it. 

Book Confusion


By the way, there's some confusion with my recent release, The Guardian's Prize. It's Book 2 of The Men of Neptune. The confusion? Book 1, Song of the Siren, is a part of the Christmas release by Extasy Books. The editor mentioned there were questions, so I must clear this up. Below is the information for Song of the Siren and The Guardian's Prize!


A broken soldier, a siren, and a pastor. Sounds like an intro to a bad joke, but it’s the Christmas story of how a siren’s song can heal.

Graham is a broken soldier in body and soul. With no place to go, he moves to the coast to live with the only relative who loves him. Lost and without hope, Graham is not sure how he can get his life back. That is until he hears the song of the most gorgeous man he has ever seen.

Kamau is a siren who lives part of his life with his siren mother the other part with his human father. Dutiful son to mother and father but never true to himself. That is until Graham walks into the church and Kamau realizes he has found his mate.

Jonah Anderson is the pastor who relies on his son’s gift to grow his church. All is going well for him and the church. That is until he sees the way Kamau looks at Graham.

At a time when Christmas presents are given for the holiday, will Graham and Kamau receive the gift they’ve dreamed of for a lifetime? Each other.

Buy Link:


Tetra Batair, grandson of Neptune himself and guardian of the god’s military forces, has arrived in Charleston, South Carolina for his mate. The only problem? His mate doesn’t want him. Now what’s a merman to do?
Aoki Tatsuo, an art teacher who’s half dragon and half human, doesn’t want to be anyone’s mate. Or, at least that’s what he’s telling himself. 
When the two first meet the earth trembles…literally.
A merman and a dragon. 
One will have to learn patience. 
The other will have to learn there’s more than one way to love.
Can the two of them work through the obstacles in their past to find their perfect future?

Buy Links:
Extasy Books  https://goo.gl/39ZCFs


Alrighty! Hope this helps, and my apologies for the confusion!

Love, 
Deja


Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Time to Stop Being Afraid, Deja! Write!

It's Kristoff's Turn!

New writer here, so I'm still learning. What have I learned recently? To keep writing! Okay, while that's nothing new, I'm referring to my series. One of them, Men of Neptune has a new book releasing soon! It’s called The Guardian’s Prize, and I am beyond pumped.



It has me thinking. Why haven’t I started Kristoff’s story, Broken Promises? Broken Promises is from the Broken series, one I started with Dreamspinner Press. The first book was Broken Bones.



Then, I moved to Extasy Books, and the first book became Broken Pieces.



Now, the character Kristoff is in both stories and was a favorite side character in each. People often ask me where his story is.



It’s not like I don’t have the storyline ready. I do. It’s been sitting at least a year waiting.


And waiting.


And waiting.





You get the idea.

I think my issue was that I was terrified.  The what ifs were killing me. What if I write his story and everyone hates it? What if he’s different than people expected? What if…






But, there comes a point when a writer simply has to just do it. Just write the story. Just put it on paper.
Okay, maybe not paper, but you know what I mean.






Just do it!




Face your fears, right? I mean, what could it hurt? I’ll never know the readers’ response if I never write the story. And, really? I need to write this for me, and for Kristoff. Pretty sure he’s angry with me. I need to tell his story and conquer my own fears.

I’m ready.



So, Broken Promises? It’s the story of Kristoff and Jeremiah. The guys? Yes, because you know they’re guys. That’s all I write. That’s all I want to.

Ah! Here they are!











Their story?

Kristoff has left Jeremiah’s pack. He feels that somewhere along the line he lost his focus. His need to protect his nephew and his love for Jeremiah has left him vulnerable. He’s failed his nephew and his alpha. He’s failed himself and has moved to Charleston, South Carolina to start over again.

Jeremiah has struggled with his feelings for Kristoff for years, feelings he’s chosen to ignore as he continues to mourn the loss of his mate. When an old enemy from Kristoff’s past resurfaces, Jeremiah decides enough is enough, that Kristoff needs to come home. Jeremiah needs Kristoff where he can see him, where he can keep him safe.

Okay, there’s a ton to go along with this. Shifters and creatures of all kinds. Fighting. Passion. Love. Definitely love. They’ve been waiting long enough. It’s time.



Now, the thing about writing a series is that it’s not easy by any means. How do I reintroduce the characters? How do I continue the story? How do I fit the pieces together without confusing the reader?

I mean, do I want to sound like an old Kungfu movie where the two characters talk, and we know all in a few brief lines?



No, I want the story to flow, to appear natural. Now, there were two great articles I found on this.

How to write a series: 8 novice mistakes to avoid
https://www.nownovel.com/blog/how-to-write-a-series-mistakes/
I like this. It gets right to the point of what doesn’t work. It’s worth a look.


https://nybookeditors.com/2016/11/plan-book-series/
Now, this one has some real meat to it. How to organize the series and what to consider are things I’m interested in, and this seems to be packed full of goodies.

Okay, armed with Scrivener, my notes, these articles, and my betas, I should be ready.
Let’s go!



Coming Soon!

Spring Fever

Wing


Spring Fever features six stories. The one that I wrote is Wink.
Here are the details:
Calyx, a Tengu goblin, has one thing to do, and that’s to get an education that will help him protect his mountains and lakes in modern times.
Trey, a wolf shifter, has always been afraid of being himself and has lived his life according to his mother’s rules, rules wrapped in fear and heartbreak.
But, it’s spring break, and these two shifters have spring fever.
It’s time for everything to change.
Available now!
Buy Links
Publisher
http://www.extasybooks.com/?route=product/search&search=spring%20fever
Amazon
https://goo.gl/uz9MxN
Only 4.99!

The Guardian’s Prize





Tetra Batair, grandson of Neptune himself and guardian of the god’s military forces, has arrived in Charleston, South Carolina for his mate. The only problem? His mate doesn’t want him. Now what’s a merman to do?
Aoki Tatsuo, an art teacher who’s half dragon and half human, doesn’t want to be anyone’s mate. Or, at least that’s what he’s telling himself.
When the two first meet the earth trembles…literally.
A merman and a dragon.
One will have to learn patience.
The other will have to learn there’s more than one way to love.
Can the two of them work through the obstacles in their past to find their perfect future?

Release Date: May 4, 2018
Available for Preorder!
Buy Links:
Publisher
https://goo.gl/39ZCFs

In Other News


School is almost over. Teachers are having a rough time of it in Louisville. Our pensions are being threatened and our retirement limited if we have one at all. And, if that isn’t enough, we just learned yesterday that the state may be taking over our school district. So, while I’m looking forward to summer, I’m more concerned about what will happen in our future.

We’ll have to see.

Love to you all,
Deja