Monday, April 8, 2019

Nervous as Hell, But I'm Doing it Anyway!

What am I Doing, You Ask? 




Well, I'm going to do an Author Takeover spot on Book Carousel, a Facebook group by Extasy Books. Whew! Those things make me

NERVOUS!

Why? I guess because, like most writers, I'm introverted. It doesn't stop me from talking to others, hanging out with friends, but I need to do those things in my own time.

So, there are times I find myself in the dark.


But that's okay because that's where good things occur. That's where you get those ideas after you've crawled under warm covers to sleep, then...

BOOM


Ideas happen.

Well, your readers want to know what those ideas are, the driving force that leads to writing stories where you write for hours and hours to gift them with a world from your mind.

The reader wants to know how your brain works. 

Why not tell them? Why not answer a few questions? Why not step into the light? 


Well, that's the plan. 

Next week, I'm doing Meet the Author Monday, April 29th in the Book Carousel Facebook Group from 8-9. Every now and then I get questions in my messenger wanting to know how, when, and where. That would be an awesome time to hit me with what you want to know, what you're interested in me writing more of, and for us to chat. 

Link for the group? 

I'm doing a little research on how to make it fun and interesting. 

Here are two links I found!







A Guide to Facebook Author Takeovers


Stephanie Ayers has great ideas worth checking out. I plan on following her word for word. 






And this other thingee is just a plethora of questions I plan to use as prompts. 

What's Happening in My World Other Than This?

Well, the little girl is getting help with her learning. I'm truly grateful about that because it's been difficult finding the best way to help her. The most important thing? Putting my own needs aside to focus on hers especially the ones that tell me to internalize what's happening here. Isn't that what we do though as parents? Internalize? That's poison. Finding a solution is more important. It's vital.


Love and taking care of my family. 

That's my world right now. 

Oh, yes. 

&

Writing! 

I'm writing Broken Promises right now, Kristoff's book. A little off, a little on. 


&


I participated in a contest with Queeromanceink! Keep your fingers crossed. 

People, let me tell you right now. A 300-word limit is torturous! 


&


 I'm actually getting messages that ask me to write more.


And that's what I'm trying to do!


So, put me in your Happy Planner, your calendar, your notebook, or whatever it is you use and check me out.

With love,
Deja















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