Monday, April 21, 2014

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Lost Library by Kate Baray

UFI welcomes Kate Baray Author of Lost Library. Thanks for Joining us!!

The Ritual of Writing

A comfortable spot, the best time of the day, a favorite computer—perhaps a typewriter or pen for those luddites out there. These are some of the components of my writing ritual. Getting in the right frame of mind can be helpful when you sit down each day to write. Following a ritual can even make one more productive. When I first started writing regularly, writing very quickly became an important part of each of my days. It wasn’t until after I’d been scribbling daily for several weeks, however, that I started to notice I have my own rituals.

I’m not particularly superstitious—even if some of my characters may be—but I do believe in the concept of rituals. For those who haven’t read my bio, I’ve been a dog trainer and have a trailing dog. It is very common in trailing to have what many trailing folks call a start ritual. There are certain steps that I follow each and every time I take my trailing dog out to train. Out of the crate, 3-5 minutes of walking around and sniffing, a systematic method for checking the area where he’ll be starting his trail, harnessing him the same way each time, presenting the scent article, and then providing him with the same start cue each time. Why do I and many other trailing dog handlers do this? Because it mentally prepares the dog for the upcoming task. It allows the dog to become more and more focused as the process unfolds. It also generates a good amount of enthusiasm for most dogs.

Why do I, or you, care about a trailing dog’s start ritual? Speaking for myself, I can say that I am that excited bloodhound. Because having a start ritual for writing prepares me mentally for the task, invites focus, and generates enthusiasm for the story and writing. While I may not adhere as strictly to my writing routine as I do my hound’s start ritual, I do try to be aware of the components of my ritual. Doing so allows me to help myself if I get stuck. If I’m having a hard time working, I may need to change location, tool, or schedule.

One of the interesting facts of my writing ritual is that I’m most productive early morning, evening, and late-night. The interesting part? I am not a morning person. I struggle to get going in the morning. But I can roll out of bed and write before I’ve had coffee, breakfast, a shower, or any of those other things that I routinely rely upon to get me started in the morning…if I incorporate some of other parts of my writing ritual.

So if you’re interested in writing, already writing, or have some other task that a ritual might aid—give it a try! And if there’s a ritual you practice to invite creativity or productivity, then tell me about it :) You can post responses in the comments
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Kate Baray is a paranormal romance and urban fantasy writer. She lives and writes in Austin, Texas with the help of her spotty dogs and hound. Kate has worked as an attorney, a manager, a tractor sales person, and a dog trainer. All exciting and interesting jobs, but none so much as writing!



Find Kate and her books
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Lost Library

Author Kate Baray begins her new paranormal romance series with Lost Library, a tale of werewolves, magic, adventure and romance. 
 
John Braxton arrives unannounced on Lizzie’s doorstep. Little does she know that when she invites him to a drink on the porch, Lizzie opens the door to a secret world of werewolves—oops, they don’t like that name!—Lycan, magic, spelled books, and power hungry evildoers. Caught up in one man’s search for power, Lizzie soon begins to uncover surprising secrets about her own past and powers. 

And romance with a serious but sexy Lycan? It might just happen…
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Edge April Release Blast


Edge, a digital-first single-title romance line from Entangled Publishing, takes its lead from their popular Select imprint but gives its novels an edge in the marketplace by bringing great stories to readers at reasonable prices in a quick-and-easy way. Whether sexy or sweet, traditional romance or love and lust with a women’s fiction bent, at the center of every Edge book is heart. From Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance to Science Fiction Romance, Edge has a book for all romance readers—and right at their fingertips! As they say, all’s fair in love and war. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Today I'm happy to be featuring Edge's April 21st releases!!


A Shot of Red by Tracy March

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!


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When biotech company heiress Mia Moncure learns her ex-boyfriend, the company’s PR Director, has died in a suspicious accident in Switzerland, Mia suspects murder. Determined to reveal a killer, she turns to sexy Gio Lorenzo, Communications Director for her mother, a high-ranking senator—and the recent one-night stand Mia has been desperate to escape. While negotiating their rocky relationship, they race to uncover a deadly scheme that could ruin her family’s reputation. But millions of people are being vaccinated, and there’s more than her family’s legacy at stake.


Undying Desire by Jessica Lee
Enclave #3

Special $0.99 Introductory Pricing!

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Eve Devonshire is a woman hiding in plain sight. Not completely human, but not quite a vampire, she’s accepted by neither race but is more powerful than both. To stay alive, Eve can't trust anyone, including the alpha vampire with midnight eyes and a thirst for pain and submission. With her enemies nipping at her heels, Eve has Guerin cornered, and both are determined to get the answers they're looking for or die trying... if they can fight their desires long enough.


The Perfect Hostage by Misty Evans

Special $0.99 Introductory Pricing!


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Sergeant John Quick has seen the worst in life, both personally and professionally, and long ago decided loving someone comes at too high a price. But when the woman of his dreams “kidnaps” him for a weekend affair with no strings attached, he can’t resist. The smoking-hot weekend turns deadly when John and Lucie are trapped during a blizzard and discover they’re not alone. Someone from their past has come hunting for revenge. Now John must become the perfect hostage in order to save Lucie’s life.




Untamed Hearts by Heather McCollum
Special $0.99 Introductory Pricing!

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Jonet Montgomery has longed for a chivalrous knight her whole young life. Instead she found herself wed to a scoundrel and left a widow. When a lusty, silver-tongued rogue steals a kiss and opens a crack in her routine life, she’s tempted by his offer to taste adventure of the most pleasurable kind. Will’s heart of gold shines through despite his infamous past. But is Jonet enough woman to keep this sexy pirate from straying? With past embarrassments haunting her, she risks more than just her reputation this time. She risks her heart.

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