Last Monday, I signed the contract with My Green Publisher giving them publishing rights to The Howling Heart. It says the book will be published by June 30, 2013. I have an appreciation for graphic art, so I can’t wait to see what kind of cover they come up with. Their cover artist also has to design the back since the novel will be released in paperback. I have a pretty simple concept for that. I just want the story summary over rippling dark water.
Hallelujah! 
Riley & Paige will live on after all! For 21 months, I’ve been trying to publish my second novel, The Howling Heart, through 74 literary agents, publishers, and e-publishers. I had been waiting for one last publisher to respond and I finally received some good news. My Green Publisher will be acquiring my novel and I’m very excited to be working with them. I think it’s ironic their slogan is “The publishers that care.” I needed someone to care about my novel and realize its potential. The editor informed me that my novel won’t be released until after April 2013. That’s fine with me. I’m just grateful they took an interest in it. I’m thrilled they publish e-books and paperbacks because not all e-pubs do. I still owe some of my supportive readers free, signed copies of paperbacks. This reminds me, I need to update my bio and FAQ’s.
Over the past few months, I’ve seen many people post my Alex Pettyfer/Christian Grey poster around the Web. I found another one today on Tumblr. Even though I only read the first book in the Fifty Shades trilogy because the story didn’t hook me, and the original publisher of the series rejected The Howling Heart, I’m still an Alex fan. I’d love to see him portray Christian in the upcoming movie because the role would probably launch his career into overdrive. So, consider this my official support post. 
Oh, and to show you how serious I am, I’m including the fake movie posters I designed.
I’m not freaking out at all by this bizarre coincidence. In December 2011, British model Paddy Mitchell inspired me to write an 18th century paranormal romance short story entitled A Dark Scandal. I think he’s beautiful and should be forever young, so an idea for a vampire story popped into my head. I had shared it for free on deviantART. Some of you may have read it. I penned a character after him named Micah, who’s a thousand-year-old vampire and descendant of a fallen angel. Anyway, I didn’t almost die when I saw that Paddy had dressed up like a vampire for Halloween. No, I really didn’t. I was totally calm. 
One innocent glance in Micah’s direction, and he stepped out of the shadows and broke the facade he had worn all night. He and Sybil locked gazes across the room, and in that single moment, the vampire could no longer keep his distance.
He made his way toward her, his stride casual and lazy. He didn’t want her to sense his anxiety. Micah was a master at masking his emotions and hiding his true intentions, so to others, he appeared to simply admire the scenery. He felt her gaze on him, and his fangs tingled inside of the sheath of his gums. After pretending to stare at a portrait on the wall, he took a few more steps in her direction. She turned her head, and he moved beside her.
“My congratulations again, Mrs. Warrington.” An upper-class accent perfected over centuries laced his velvety baritone voice.
Sybil gasped softly, her dainty hand flying to her bosom. Micah heard her racing heart, and smiled. To say he was charming was an understatement. He stood over six feet tall with a strong build. His bronze hair shone under the crystal chandelier like spun silk.
“Are you enjoying the evening, my lady?”
Micah intensified his gaze, but not too strong to make her apprehensive. His gums tingled again when a blush crept up her neck and tinted her cheeks a rosy hue. The blood that had rushed beneath her skin smelled like sweet honeysuckle, and his fangs finally unsheathed behind his closed lips.
He wasn’t surprised to hear her breathless. “Yes, thank you, my lord. How are you faring tonight? Did you enjoy Francis’ recital?”
All Sybil knew of Lord Micah Angelus was from rumors and town gossip. She had never spoken to him about his personal life. Others told her he was a young aristocrat, orphaned as a boy, but inherited a fortune making him wealthier than the Warrington’s. He traveled extensively, and occasionally, he conducted business with the Duke of Kingsbury. His home, Kentwood Castle, was so magnificent that it rivaled the monarchy’s home. He was a bachelor, but had many people living with him who were not his blood relatives. The most mysterious of all—people only saw him after dusk.
Micah still battled with his sexual excitement for this human female, so he spoke with caution. The last thing he wanted was to reveal his sharp elongated canines.
“Yes, but…” He leaned down and whispered only for her ears. “…not as much as I enjoyed watching you.” His gaze darted to her jugular vein that carried the rich crimson nectar he craved.
Sybil swallowed thickly, her eyes wide. With Micah so close, she noticed his flawless ivory skin and bright azure eyes. Her eyes lingered for a moment on his lips. They looked sinful to kiss, and the color reminded her of plump cherries ripe for picking in summer. In awe of his angelic immaculacy, she struggled with her composure. She laughed lightly, but her trembling hand betrayed her true emotions as she touched the auburn curls on her head.
Micah stifled a growl of pleasure when her voice provided the one sound he wanted to hear all night. When he pulled back, a seductive grin lay bare on his handsome face.
I received an email today from Xcite Books and they rejected my partial submission for The Howling Heart. They gave me another typical vague response. Now I’m only waiting for Pink Flamingo Publications to respond. They are also considering my story for publication through My Green Publisher. My publisher list has been updated. I hope the editor at Pink Flamingo gives me good news. If not, I’ll have to wait until some time next year to put Plan B into action.
