A. J. Cove's Blog

2007-10-15T16:49:00.000-04:00

WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?

When I write, I tend to not like the parents of the hero and/or heroine to be around. Is there something psychologically significant there? But I fall into a rut like the parents were killed years ago in a car accident or something. I don't know, I just don't like spending a lot of time on what happened to the parents. I just want them gone! Hahah.

But in my current work, I've made my heroine's mother run off when he's three because the grandfather lost all his money and can no longer support them the way she likes. The hero never knew his father, so he's out of the pictures. The heroine is estranged from her father, even hates him, and her mother is off in Paris enjoying the high life.

So what's the deal with that? Why do I do it? Feel free to psychoanalyze me. Haha.

2007-10-09T17:08:00.000-04:00

It's Coming! Yes! It's my third book in my shift series
Dragon Shift by A.J. Cove

Eve is an alien who is enslaved by an evil master. When her Master takes her to Earth to trap a dragon, she never imagines that Terrell will teach her what it means to feel again—and if she can trust him—free her from a life of servitude. Terrell has always been about finding the hottest shape-shifter on Earth to warm his bed. When he meets Eve, the sparks fly--literally. Eve is so hot, her hair is a constant flame of fire. Together, when they make love, they nearly burn down a forest. But will the power between them be enough to save their lives?

Excerpt:

Not turning around, he spoke.

“So, who are you?”

Her eyes widened, and she gasped, placing a transparent hand across her lips. “Y-You know I am here?” she whispered.

He laughed and spun to face her, a cocky grin spreading across his face. “Damn. And beautiful, too. Mmm, I knew I’d smelled a sexy woman. My nose never fools me.”

A sense of panic welled within her. Her spirit jerked backward as she fought to keep concentration. “I do not understand. How can you see me? No human has ever been able to see me.”

He shrugged. “How many have you met?” He gestured toward the explosions fading behind the ship. “We’re a bit busy right now fighting a stupid war, but there might be one or two available to experiment on.”

“You jest. I need to know. How?” She paced, or, rather, floated, from a wall with a doorway probably leading below deck to the railing and back. “It is because you are part dragon, I guess. Dragons are magical creatures.”

He froze again, “How do you know that? No one, other than those closest to me, knows about my abilities. They either know me as Terrell or as the dragon come to kick their asses.” He chuckled.

“It is him. He has ways of finding out things. Knows where creatures are. I work for him. So, it is confirmed. You are here . . . Terrell.” She spoke the name softly, liking the way it rolled from her tongue. From the first time she saw his face in a device for showing such things, back on the space craft, she knew she wanted to get to know him.

“You know my name, baby. What’s yours?”

She hesitated, not sure he would approve. But it seemed harmless enough for the dragon-man to know. “I am Eve.”

He grinned again. “Eve. Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Tell me, Eve, where is your real body? Surely, you’re not this ghostly all the time ’cause it would be a real shame not to be able to touch flesh and blood.”

She almost smiled for the first time in many months. “You are very interesting, Dragon. Do you always say such bold things to the women you meet? I imagine the human women like it?”

The twitch of his eye could be annoyance, but she was not sure of human expressions. “I get action when I want it. Maybe I need to school you. Then again, I have a thing for shape-shifting women. You don’t happen to transform, do you?”

She gasped, knowing he was getting back at her. So, she had insulted him. Though it was not intentional. Maybe she needed to spend more time studying the logs on other species and less time in the simulator outside her body. Then, she would know how to speak to others. But leaving her body meant freedom, and as long as the man back on shore did not prevent it, she would exercise her ability as much as possible.

“No, I am not a shape-shifter. I am not even from the same galaxy as the shape-shifters,” she admitted. “But you are one, though not naturally.”

He grunted. Somehow, she had offended him yet again.

“I did not mean to offend you, Dragon. We want to get to know you. Talk to you about your transformation and how you became as you are.” Her words were rushed, hopeful of making up for her social faux pas.

“We? Who are we?” he queried.

She bit her lip and glanced back over her shoulder. “He is on shore, waiting to meet you. If you will become a dragon and fly there, he will talk to you, tell you what he wants.”

“In case you haven’t noticed while you were floating around, we’re in a war. My friends need me, so I’m not going anywhere to satisfy some guy’s curiosity. But if you give me your number, you can be sure I’ll call to get a chance to see you inside your body.”

The grin had returned, and so had the charm. She found herself warming to his words. In the simulator, could she touch him outside her body? Could she help him leave his body? She had never wanted the man she called Master to capture another but found herself longing for more interaction with this man, something she had not allowed herself with the other captives she had met. Now was not the time. He was calling to her to return to her body.

2007-04-19T10:37:00.000-04:00

I Can't Believe It!

So all the authors were chatting inside the author group for Amira Press and one author said where she works she was talking to a woman about her book that was soon to be released. So the author named Amira Press and the woman had heard of it and then she said how she remembered an author from there, A.J. Cove!

Me!! Can you imagine? So what it was only one person, but how wonderful that she knew me. She made my day!

2007-04-11T22:13:00.000-04:00

Check it Out! Here is my newest book in the Shift Series. Shift Hunter is finally coming to Amira Press! Did I also mention my book Fae by Email is coming to New Concepts Publishing? Woo hoo!!!!

2007-03-04T06:48:00.000-05:00

Your Fantasies

Do you ever fantasize about writing stories that you know aren't what anyone wants to read, that probably wouldn't sell well, so you just play them out in your own mind? One author said she has a love of secret pregnancies and she has to resist the temptation to write that into her stories.

For me, I dream of meek little heroines who desperately need a man to save them from the cruel world. Lol. Sometimes, I dream of him hating her for some reason initially. Maybe her brother or father has destroyed his business and now that he's fought his way back to wealth, he's seeking revenge. And the best way to hurt the male in her family is through her..

So he seduces her, makes her fall in love with him, even marries her. Then the real deal comes out. He treats her like trash for a long time. She runs away a few times and is always found by her cruel husband, who drags her back home to humiliate her at his cocktail parties and the like.

And just when she's completely broken to the point of not eating and stops talking, he realizes what he's done to her and begins to gently care for her like a loving husband should have in the first place. But this takes a very long time, maybe years since she trembles with terror every time he comes near.

Oh how I love that type of story. Sigh. But I don't write that way. I create strong, independent heroines who are not to the point of "I don't need a man", but still sassy and irreverant of their eventual mates. :)

So what about you? Do you have any fantasy stories that you keep for your own secret delight?

2007-02-21T05:59:00.000-05:00

I'm On Cloud Nine!

I just woke up to the news that NCP (New Concepts Publishing) has accepted my novella, Fae by Email. I'm so excited. I can't believe it. I was ready to give up. It's been over three months or has it been four? It's been so long, I'll have to reread it to fill out the art form and to write the blurb. Lol.

But who cares. It's wonderful news. Oh my!

2007-02-02T19:07:00.001-05:00

I'm Getting Excited!

On the way home from work today, I started formulating my free story. Oh how I LOVE that first part of thinking up a new story. I think I've said before if I could do the synopsis of my stories only, I'd die a happy woman! That's the fun part.

I was determined to do a vampire story for the first time and I think I'm starting to get something. Do I reveal what I'm thinking? Do I keep it quiet until the 14th or at least until I actually write something? Hmm, I just don't know.

Ok, here's a little bit. I haven't gone too far with the idea. I just finished cooking dinner and am finally able to sit down to the computer. I can't even believe this is the second post I've done this week. What's the world coming to? I've been so slack lately.

Oh yeah, the story. This is weird too because usually I come up with the name first or somewhere in the beginning processes. Hmm. I have an ordinary guy. He's not a jock. He has no real social skills, not amazing to look at in any way. It would be something if he was at least a nerd. Then he could lay claim to having a genius' mind or something near it. Nope, he's Mr. Average.

Mr. Average (I don't know his name yet) is in love with a woman who doesn't know he exists. Isn't that just always the thing? So sad. Now, you might think the woman is the heroine right? Nope. She's not.

The heroine is a friend of Mr. Average's love interest. In fact, Mr. Average spends his pointless days chasing after Ms. Heroine (don't know her name either) trying to convince her to help him get noticed by his lady love. Dang, he's pathetic.

But Ms. Heroine is busy planning her wedding. She's in the perfect relationship. Her fiance is a wonderful man, with money and good looks. They've been together for years. What more could she want? If you're thinking she's secretly bored with him, you'd be wrong. Haha. She's happy, content. Really.

But one interesting night all of that changes drastically. Somebody becomes a vampire. How does that happen and who is it? Wouldn't I like to know. I haven't thought it up. But you can read it for free when/if I actually get it done in time for V-Day. Wish me luck.

-AJ

2007-02-01T22:31:00.000-05:00

Ugly Betty!

Well I was watching Ugly Betty tonight. I had to work late and do some homework, but I was determined to get time for that. Is it me or is Betty looking better? I mean the braces are still jarring, but her skin looked really smooth and she looked like she was wearing makeup.

Anyway, I'm thinking the show is really getting soap opera-y. And when it gets like that, I slowly lose interest. How I hope I can keep liking it. I have such a short viewing list as it is.
I really don't like the way they took the show with Daniel's brother becoming a woman and having his/her father arrested. Ok, I knew it was going there on the father part, but the brother/sister part just seems silly.

I did love hearing Daniel all new man-y when his wild friend was tempting him. I could only sigh and smile. He is so cute and has this little boy innocent look to him anyway.

Ok, enough of that. This blog had no point whatsoever other than to rant and rave about my Thursday fave. Sorry, I clicked off the tube when Grey's Anatomy came on. Definite soap opera!

2007-01-12T22:03:00.000-05:00

I've Been Reviewed!

My novella, The Invisible Rose, has been reviewed by Romance Reviews Today. The full review is below. Of course, they call it a short story, but it's a novella.

THE INVISIBLE ROSE - A.J. Cove
Cobblestone Press - www.cobblestone-press.com
ISBN: 978-1-60088-074-2
December 2006
Erotic Fantasy Romance - Short Story
Rating: Wanton

Kingdom of Glamdire

Princess Doshi Glamdire has always lived in the shadow of her older sister, Gabriella. Although Doshi is only two years younger than her sister, who is nicknamed Wild Rose for her promiscuous behavior, Gabriella always seems to get more attention. So much so, that Doshi feels like she might as well be invisible. Then one day, while thinking this and looking outside the castle windows, she sees an old woman. Doshi hears the woman's voice inside her head, and she tells Doshi that her wish will be granted. From that day forth, Doshi has the ability to become invisible.King Glamdire, sick of Gabriella's unruly behavior, decides to marry her off to Prince Tarin and throws a party to celebrate the union. When Doshi sees her father talking to the most beautiful man she has ever seen, she uses her powers of invisibility to kiss him, and in the process, hears her father refer to him as Prince Tarin, the man who is to wed her sister. Doshi is a good person, but not so good as to completely keep away from Prince Tarin. She's a virgin, after all, and has never been this attracted to a man. Although Doshi does wonder, why isn't Prince Tarin troubled by her invisibility?

Ever been asked, "If you had a choice between flying or invisibility, which power would you choose?" I have always chosen invisibility, and after reading this story you will know why. Doshi, always feeling like the most overlooked person in the room, ironically gains confidence when she literally can become invisible. It is only because Prince Tarin can't see and compare her to Gabriella that Doshi relaxes enough so that her sexuality and personality comes pouring out. Prince Tarin is a kind and intelligent man who is willing to marry a woman who, in all likelihood, will cheat on him because the marriage will benefit his kingdom. But when he finds himself falling for a woman he can't even see, will he choose his heart's desire over his duty? Will Gabriella finally get her comeuppance?

A fairytale premise for every woman who has ever felt overlooked and a story that proves that invisibility is the better power, check out THE INVISIBLE ROSE by A.J. Cove.

Nickole Yarbrough
RRTErotic

2007-01-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

Why Is it So Hard?

I don't get it. I blog hop around and find many people out there who have the gift of gab. They even get me interested in what they had for breakfast this morning. I'm just lost in the latest in their family saga. Yet, I can't think of a thing to blog about half the time.

I wonder if it's because I consider myself or my life somewhat boring. Hmm. No, that's not exactly it. I do have ALOT of drama happening right now. Maybe it's that I don't want to air out the granny drawers online. Haha. <-- Ok, that was so not me. Keeley, get off the darn computer!

Sigh. What I do for a laugh. So what should I chit chat about on here? I mean do I really want to yammer on about my book again? Um, yeah! But I won't. Ok, I will.

I'm right at the place where Tony and Cae first do the deed! She's telling him basically how much she hates him and those like him. He's telling he likewise. Both of them are wondering why they can't separate their lips from the other's body. Oh boy, oh boy!

Of course you realize this is all in my head, because I think I stopped writing right when he kissed her and carried her over to the blankets by the fire. I stopped there and went to work. Somehow, even when I had a break, I just couldn't bring myself to write sex scene at work. The atmosphere was all wrong. I mean when Don came in asking for binder clips, that just ruined the whole feel. Know what I mean? Or are you being dirty-minded, wondering what you'd do with binder clips? Yowee!

So, I was asked recently in an interview what were my bad writing habits. I had no idea what a bad writing habit is, though I'm sure I have plenty. I'm thinking now (after the fact of course) that one is blogging and blog hopping when I'm supposed to be writing. Or is that something else?

Ok, I'm ending it 'cause I ran out of endless drivel. :-) Have a great one.

-AJ

2007-01-01T17:08:00.001-05:00

Timeline Confusion: Lost in Space

So have you ever been writing your story and you wanted to jump back in the past, before certain events you've already written about, then got tangled all up in the timeline? That's where I am right now. Ugh! Here's the deal.

In book one (Shift for Hire) Tara has indicated that she and her race came to Earth only five years previously. But then I had the nifty idea in book two (Shift Hunter) to change that accepted fact to a small evil group of Shifts having secretly come to earth roughly ten years previously.

As if that wasn't enough for my befuddled brain, I had the hero as a child of six and half (I think 20 years before Tara's story) and then almost seven years before Tony, his mother encountered the evil group of Shifts. Sheesh!

I opened up an Excel spreadsheet just to see a visual of what in blue blazes I was talking about. I know what I just typed wasn't clear, but it gives you an idea of how lost I am in this timeline deal. I hope I get it worked out soon.

So have you ever flitted back and forth across timelines and storylines and gotten lost somewhere in the worm holes? Haha.

If you see me on your journeys, please direct me home. Thanks.

2006-12-31T15:46:00.000-05:00

Shift Hunter

Ok, for lack of something else to chit chat about, below I'm posting an excerpt from the sequel to Shift for Hire. This new story, as you may have read in a previous post, is called Shift Hunter. Hope you like it. Thanks.

Tony progressed soundlessly through the trees, his eyes and ears alert to movement around him. He hadn’t wanted to leave the women alone, especially having taken on the job of delivering Cae to his contact, but the necessity of slowing down his competition was more pressing.

He paused behind an aging oak, tilted his head and closed his eyes. As he concentrated on his surroundings, allowing sound to flow to and through him, he caught a faint rustle like canvas cloth rubbing. On a chilled breeze, the sound of someone walking came to him, the crunch of snow beneath their feet. His ears hadn’t failed him since he was a child. He’d always been guided by them.

Still in stealth mode, he flipped open a small pocket on his right leg, halfway down to his knee. He had no intention of using his gun again. He needed to keep his location hidden from his enemy as long as possible. If necessary, his knife would do the trick just fine.

Crouched low, he stepped lightly forward, the swishing cloth coming closer. Suddenly the man hove into view and Tony pivoted around a tree so that he faced the man from behind. A brief choke hold, a tap to the hollow on his shoulder, and the man dropped like a weighted sack.

A few more of the bounty hunters followed their friend face down in the snow before Tony had doubled almost all the way back to the factory. It was then he noticed the reinforcements they’d called in, in jeeps. Damn! Just how many of them work together?

Cae’s capture did offer a very high reward, enough to spread generously throughout the group, still these guys were greedy. He’d seen them fight over a few dollars. It was better to remove temptation from their grasp. He was not inhumane either. He had been truthful with Cae about their tendency to rape the Shifts, not feeling obligated to follow laws concerning them. He had no love for Shifts himself, but that didn’t mean he would go to the extents that these men did. The thought alone disgusted him.

His eyes roved the open area the men milled in. Four leaned against one jeep, another two sat inside each of three vehicles. Three more were strolling back from the wooded area opposite him. Were there more in the trees? He listened and detected nothing. He’d have to chance it to slow them down, and then he’d high tail it back to the Shifts. Something told him the pigheaded Cae would not follow his order to stay put.

He felt a sensual awareness just thinking of her and brutally swallowed it. He was not attracted to that Shift! He stepped backwards the way he came and shielded himself with a wide tree trunk, then began removing his clothing.

So, there it is. Are you wondering what in the world Tony's doing removing his clothes in the middle of a snow-covered forest? Good. :)

-AJ

2006-12-27T21:58:00.000-05:00

Sick and Reading

I took off the entire week so I could enjoy wonderful relaxation. My copy of I'm the Vampire, That's Why came today. I'm enjoying it, but wouldn't you know it, I'm sick! Stomach's upset, nauseous.

I had goals darn it. I wanted to type out at least 2000 words on my story, but I can't concentrate over the rocking and moans. Ah well, at least I don't have to be at work suffering.

Maybe I'll lose some weight from all the um...never mind. Have a good one.

-AJ

2006-12-20T06:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday, Somewhat

Ok, we're halfway through the week and yesterday the VP of HR told us we get off half a day on Friday. Yayy! Great news moving through this impossible week before Christmas break. I hope everyone has the good fortune to be off at least one extra day for the holidays.

So here I sit biting my nails because of my first family dinner in my house. I was able to finagle getting my mother to cook the turkey instead of me. I'm footing the bill though. :) And I've made a list for everyone to bring something. Of course, now my sister informs me that for everything that's not on the list, I have to supply it. What the? Now I have to supply the drinks, the paper goods, the rolls and whatever else that's missing. Like I was taking notes when everyone else coordinating these things? Ok, the truth's out. I'm not a hostess either, along with the not liking to cook. Ah well.

I'm also contemplating the subject of my free V-day story. What to write, what to write. I have no idea. I've never written one. Nothing is coming to mind. I want to stay with my fav genres though. Even when I think of writing a contemporary or something, my mind starts veering off to giving the guy or girl powers of some sort or making imaginary creatures. I'm incureable on that head.

Ah well, any ideas?

2006-12-17T12:19:00.000-05:00

Pancakes and Men

So last night I went to my sister's open house for another one of her real estate ventures and my brother-in-law began to tease me about how they haven't heard from me lately. I can't explain to him for some reason that I've been spending most of my free time writing. He claims my sister called me twice and twice this week my kids said I was at the store. So now he's saying I must be going to the grocery store to meet secretly with...get this...Buford! Buford? Can he not have a sexier name, this secret--imaginary--man?

Then we all got into a big debate about whether I would be able to hold on to a man since I hate cooking so much. Where upon I announced, "Well what will he do to hold on to me?" That got the ladies agreeing quickly and the men grumbling. I never did get away from his Buford theory.

So this morning--at the grocery store--lol, I decided I'd get a pancake mix and some sausage. Well, I better find a really good man who loves to cook or suffer alone, because my pancakes were extremely flat and had no taste beyond the thick Mrs. Butterworth syrup I overpoured onto them. Ugh!

So, Mr. Right, if you're reading this and it's a Sunday morning, I would like two thick pancakes, two sausages and you in nothing but an apron. :)

-AJ (PS, my son is just reading my children's book and told me it's "laugh out loud funny". How cool is that?)

2006-12-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

Subplots

What do to, what to do? So I'm reading this book and the author has all kinds of delicious subplots going on. And I'm enjoying it so much, while at the same time writing my sequel, as mentioned. I want to add in a few subplots to Shift Hunter, but nothing's coming to mind. Here's what's happening right now:

Caelynn is on America's Most Wanted list because of her illegal activities with the Shift rebellion. She threatened to blow up one of the richest men in American and his multi billion dollar corporation. This guy has influenced nations with his money. So the government, upset that she's messing with their honey pot, hires the Shift Hunter. In less than 24 hours after he's hired, this man catches her. Some rebel she is. The fun will be in her trying to escape with her pride intact.

Since I can't resist being funny, or at least it's funny to me. Maybe I'm weird. I'm right at a point when Cae's powers of ESP are not working so she didn't know who was about to come inside the room she's locked in. She throws a flying kick and it lands smack in the face of one of her rescuers. When she realizes it, she tries to pull back, only to crack her toes on the door jamb. Now she's got broken toes, her abilities are blocked, one of her friends is unconscious on the floor, the other is leaning over her in a panic and the Shift Hunter just woke up.

Wow, she's in a pickle! I think that's funny too. But I need subplots! Any ideas?

2006-12-11T18:54:00.000-05:00

Chess Club, My Space and Fellow Divas

I have so much to blog on but so little time, so I apologize to those who would object, but I've got to put it all into one big happy post. Let's see.

Well, I finally created a myspace page and I fell in love. I don't know why but my blogspot makes me feel all alone in the world (lonely). Ok, it doesn't take much since I go to bed alone at night in my queen-sized bed. But on myspace, I feel like tons of people are right there near me, waiting for me to drop over on their page or comment on their blog. Anything. I can do the same thing on blogspot, but it feels different. Ok, I'm weird. I accept it.

So, I blogged a bit about my son's chess tounament this weekend. It was his first time, and I was bucking against having to sit in on the boring thing for four hours. Turns out it wasn't boring at all. At one point, I was even biting my nails and peeking through my fingers at every move my son made. I saw that he was better than the last opponent he went up against, but he was tired and hungry. He wasn't playing his best.

His school came in third place and two kids in his club won a trophy. He was discouraged about playing again in February and I found myself encouraging him that we'd be better prepared, etc. Now, he thinks he'll try again and I just hope my fingernails can stand the strain. :)

Next,
I just finished Crystal Jordan's ebook, Wereplanets: Ice. It was really...and I mean really...hot! I was crazy enough to be reading it at work! (Plug for buying ebooks--you can look busy while goofing off.) I was getting so worked up, but I just had to keep going. Whew! So I'm looking for more books by Crystal. She's so good! Thanks for the great read, Crystal.

Finally,
I'd like to blog on Sweet Surrender by Pamela Marshall

Having narrowly escaped her abusive husband, Rachel Mackenzie finds herself alone and pregnant with only the clothes on her back. She takes up refuge in a shelter for domestically abused women, but is unhappy. Learning of a job caring for a mildly autistic teenager, Rachel leaps at the chance for independence.

Wealthy and handsome Matthew Steele has secrets of his own. He spent four years in a boy's home following a family tragedy and his past has left him emotionally distant, except around his sister, Kendra.

When Rachel and Matthew meet, neither can deny the instant attraction — it sends them both reeling. However, Matthew warns Rachel not to think of him as more than an employer, if she wants the job and she agrees. The handsome young man with the stammer and off-putting demeanor may intrigue her, but she only wants his friendship.

Events occur that challenge their resolve and force them to grow close. Is Rachel's husband really out of her life? Will Matthew be able to resolve his past and surrender his heart? Can Rachel learn to trust Matthew in spite of her abusive past and his indecision? Neither feels they deserve love; see if they can find it with A Sweet Surrender.

COMING JANUARY 2007!Linden Bay Romance http://www.lindenbayromance.com
Pamela Marshall http://users.solarus.biz/~pammarshall/surrenderexcerpt.html

-AJ

2006-12-08T21:02:00.000-05:00

Yummy!

This is Liu Kang of Mortal Kombat. His real name is Robin Shou. Is he hot or what?!

2006-12-07T15:28:00.000-05:00

Stone Guardian Strikes Again!

Wow, I'm on a roll! Stone Guardian got 5 hearts from The Romance Studio. Woo hoo! Here's a bit of the review:

"A J Cove delivers a tautly plotted tale with twists and turns no reader will expect or see coming. The characters are delicious and well-delineated, and the setting is lush and gorgeous, the envy of this reviewer. Stone Guardian is a book I can heartily recommend and I expect it to become a re-reader for many."

To celebrate and because the book isn't available at Amira Press right now, I am going to give away a FREE copy of Stone Guardian to whoever emails me a copy of your purchase receipt for my book Invisible Rose, available now from Cobblestone Press. I'm only giving away 5 copies, so you'd better hurry. It doesn't matter when you purchased it, meaning before this post or after. The first 5 get the free copy of Stone Guardian. Email me at ajcove@comcast.net.

Below are the blurbs for both books and my heartfelt thanks to the reviewer, Annie, who took the time to read it. The full review can be found here.

Stone Guardian
Tina is stuck in a foreign airport because she neglected to get a letter-of-invitation into the restricted country. Before she can resolve this crisis, she meets a handsome stranger who, without her knowledge, slips a virtually undetectable bomb inside her pocket, set to kill her and everyone around her.
When she awakes sometime later, she's in Ireland, in a stranger's home and the woman nursing her will not reveal any of this man's secrets--not even his name!
When she's recovered enough to rise, Tina discovers she's wanted for terrorism, her name has been changed and so has her face.
Now she's being hunted by not one but two creatures of the dark, bent on destroying all that's left of her fragile identity. Her best chance is to learn all she can from the man she knows only as "Saint John". But can she trust him with her life and her heart?

Invisible Rose
Doshi is all but invisible because of her sister, who’s known as the Wild Rose because of her wanton behavior. Doshi fades in the shadow of such a paragon, except when spilling hot tea on a suitor and meeting a prince while covered in mud.
Then Doshi discovers she really can become invisible and decides to act on her fantasies, beginning with an affair with Prince Tarin. Doshi's dreams never prepared her for the pleasure she has making love with a prince while invisible, nor did she count on falling in love with the man promised to marry her sister.

-AJ

2006-12-05T06:49:00.000-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I want to say thank you and congratulations to Jenny! She won a free copy of my book Shift for Hire. I hope you enjoy it Jenny. Let me know what you think. Thanks so much for reading.

-AJ

2006-12-05T06:35:00.000-05:00

Back Pain and Writing

I've been at home suffering from awful back pain. I was unable to sit down. I had to stand or lay across the bed. I figured it's because I've been sitting at a computer for hours on end every single day. Of course it could also be stress.

But thank God it's getting better. And you know what happens after that. I go right back to what caused my issues in the first place.

Seriously, will there come a time when people have to seek therapy because they can't stay off the internet? Because I'm thinking if I am in terrible pain and I remedy it by laying flat on the bed using the laptop instead of sitting at my desktop, there's a problem.

In other news...

I just did a short story called A Man for Lacie. It's available as a free download from Amira Press' yahoo group. You can get to it if you visit their page here. Here's the blurb.

Lacie Liu is a librarian, with her nose buried in a romance novel at every free moment. She dreams of finding a man who will help her to experience the longings in her heart and body. Her boss, who loves her like a daughter is constantly trying to set her up, with disastrous consequences.

One night, while working late in the library, Lacie meets a man who has the ability to be all that she could ever dream of. They spend one perfect night together and Lacie wakes the next morning longing for more. Her heart cries out to her secret lover and he shows up again to meet her wishes. The difference is, this time, his pleasuring could mean a lifetime of enslavement and death to her lover.

Stay well,
-AJ

2006-12-05T06:23:00.000-05:00

HOORAY! I'VE BEEN REVIEWED!

CoffeeTime Romance gave Stone Guardian 4 cups! Here's a bit of what was said:

"This is not your usual damsel in distress because Jade fights every step of the way. Our hero is also made out of different stuff, stone and harder when need be. I liked that it started off with a bang and quickly shifted gears for Jade to face her altered reality. Jade and Saint John believe that even if the outer you has changed, inside is your core and remains constant. We are who we are inside and there is no changing that. We must accept our realities as they come to us whether facing a demon, fighting an attacker or falling in love with a gargoyle."

You can read the full review here: Stone Guardian. Thanks, Lainey. You made my day!

-AJ

2006-12-02T00:27:00.000-05:00

She's Got Legs, What About Me?

I just finished reading Amanda Brice's chicklit story and let me tell you, Amanda can write! I loved it. The heroine, Daria, was so firey and funny. I felt like I was peeking into her life, she seemed so real. And I love being nosy.

So I laughed on through until I got to Daria's love interest. His view of Daria had me wishing I had those incredible legs you see on the cover. I think if I bent over to pick something up, the men wouldn't be lusting, they'd be running before my butt sucked them up. Ok, I'm exaggerating. Haha.

But, this was my first clicklit and I'm glad I chose it. WTG, Amanda.

-AJ

2006-11-29T15:51:00.000-05:00

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Neither does Jenna Peterson, but naughty girl she is, she set out to prove it to the world. It started with a dare but then she couldn’t resist the handsome man beneath the beard and had to give him a little something to remember her by.

When Scott signed up to be the mall Santa Claus, he never dreamed that two naughty girls would be sitting on his lap or that one would capture his heart and then just walk away. Could he convince her that this was more than physical attraction and to trust her heart? Or was she determined to stay on Santa’s naughty list?

You can buy it from www.mardigraspublishing.com after December 23, 2006.You can visit Missy Lyons' web page and learn more about her at www.missylyons.com

2006-11-26T22:33:00.000-05:00

Me And My Shadow

Ok, I admit it, I just typed in the first title that popped into my head. I've been running ragged and having bad things happen to me this weekend. I don't know which way I'm headed next. I hope it can only get better from here.

I'm working on the sequel to Shift for Hire. That's my best selling novella so far. I wish I knew why. I'd duplicate it in everything I wrote from here on out.

The sequel is entitled, Shift Hunter and is roughly about a woman who is half shapeshifter and half human. She is the most wanted rebel in the Shift resistance against new government laws that take away Shift rights. Though she has sided with the Shifts, they do not fully accept her and the humans resent her for her shapeshifting abilities and Shift blood. Needless to say, she doesn't belong anywhere.

But Caelyn Stevens hates humans, or at least their skin. She turned off by the fact that humans have porous skin, while Shifts' skin has no tiny holes at all. It's flawless. She also has an anger problem which gets her into trouble more often than not, with the government and with her Shift rebel leader.

So, when the government doesn't know what to do to capture Cae, they hire a man known as Shift Hunter. Antony (Tony) Maddox is as much of an outsider as Cae is, but his is by decision. He lives a lonely life, working endless hours tracking down criminal Shifts every day. His hatred of Shifts is a well-known fact.

How in the world will I bring these two together? Can a woman be attracked to a man whose very skin repulses her and whose job it is to bring her in by any means necessary? Can a man want a woman who has openly declared her intentions of destroying the company and the man who's backed all laws against Shifts?

He stands for everything she hates.
She stands for everything he hates.

It will be so much fun finding a way to unite them.

-AJ

2006-11-21T20:09:00.000-05:00

Interview

Today I am interviewing Princess Doshi Lagrin of the Glamdire Kingdom. Let's see if we can get an idea of what this naughty miss has been up to in The Invisible Rose.

AJ: Doshi, why would you have an affair with your sister's fiance?

Doshi: Well, he wasn't really her fiance. The agreement papers hadn't been signed. Besides, Gabriella only cares about getting a new lover. She didn't care if Tarin took a lover, and after all I was invisible. That skill gave me such interesting ideas. I had to try them out.

AJ: What's Prince Tarin like?

Doshi: He's the kindest man I've ever met. He pays attention to me and listens to what I have to say. Aside from that, he is a prince and his body (blush) is what I've always dreamed of. How did I know he would be in the bath when I first visited his room without him knowing?

AJ: What kind of mischief did you get up to while invisible?

Doshi: Being able to be invisible made me more visible, if you can understand that reasoning. I could be bold and take the things I'd only longed for previously. When I saw Prince Tarin standing there in the middle of that ballroom, I couldn't resist getting closer. It was the invisibility that made me do what I did.

And it will be a while before the maids calm down, but a princess has to have an outlet sometimes. Correct posture, correct clothes, correct everything gets wearying. Tarin agrees with me. You should see what he does when he thinks he's alone in his rooms (BIG GRIN).

AJ: Last question. So, did you get the guy or what?

Doshi: I'm not telling. You'll have to read my story to find out. But I will say that there are a couple of cute surprises at the end of the book.

Well there you have it. If you're interested in learning more about Doshi's antics, pick up a copy of my book The Invisible Rose from Cobblestone Press.

-AJ
(PS, I'd be happy to feature an interview with your character on my blog. Just send me an email at ajcove@comcast.net.)

2006-11-16T14:40:00.000-05:00

I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can!

Ok, so here's the tiny bit I know since getting online for writing purposes, which isn't much. Many authors are using blogs, messageboards, chats, newsgroups, etc. to get themselves and their e-books known. Are these effective? Are they working out.

I've learned that it's important to get your book reviewed and that will draw more readers to you. So I put together a teeny tiny list of review sites I've learned about. Here it is:

Coffe Time Romance
The Romance Studio
The Romance Reader's Connection
Tara M. Leigh's Reviews

I know it's little, but I'm not at home where I have this stuff bookmarked, unfortunately. Anyway, my question is what else are you authors doing to get yourself out there? What canI do, a girl who's the shy little wall flower type who let's it out only in her books? :P Any tidbits you give to me will be shared with as many as I can share it with to pay it forward, so to speak.

Hope you'll drop by soon. Thanks, everyone.

-AJ

2006-11-10T09:38:00.000-05:00

She's Baaaaaaaaacckkkk!!

Has it been so long? My internet was down at home and I thought I'd lose it if I had to go another day without it. I could have kissed the repairman when he came last night. I would have if he looked like this.

Instead, he ended up looking like this.

Ok, just kidding.

My kids were experiencing the pain of separation also. After it was back up, I didn't see them again, except when I peeked in their room.

Anybody else net crazy?

2006-11-03T10:45:00.000-05:00

I Got My Cover!

I finally got the cover of my new novella from Cobblestone Press. I'm so happy. Now I'm ripping my hair out, wondering when it will be released. In case you're wondering it is the story of a shy little princess who fades into the shadow of her beautiful older sister, only to one day be given the gift to fade for real. She now has the gift of invisibility. Suddenly, there's no limit to the amount of mischief she gets into with her new power, including pursuing her sister's intended husband.

The book is fantasy, with imaginary kingdoms from my own mind; however, it does have a strong similarity to life as it was in the 1800s.

I will keep you posted on when it will be released, and please let me know what you think of my cover. Thanks.

AJ

2006-10-29T13:22:00.000-05:00

Eureka!

It only took me thousands and thousands of typed words to find out, but I finally realized that I can be rather anal with my chapter lengths. For example, if I am working on a full-length book, I tend to want my chapters to be exactly 10 pages of single-spaced text each. On very rare occasions, I allow eleven pages or maybe nine pages. On my novellas, I have sometimes set for myself five pages in length for each chapter.

The problem with this rigid ridiculousness is that there may be tons of dialogue, description or background that I want to add, but because I'm trying to keep to my limit per chapter, I cut it off. Sometimes, by the time I'm ready to start the next chapter, I've forgotten the original train of thought. This can cause problems later on.

So, to fix my little control-freak dilemma, I have decided to write my next book using only asterisks for scene breaks. I'll only track number of words and then go back after I've finished to separate it into chapters. I'll keep you posted on my progress and whether I start having withdrawal pains from the loss of control over the pages.

Has anyone ever tried doing this? Was it successful? Do you think I'm insane? :)

2006-10-27T05:33:00.000-04:00

It's 5:26 am and I haven't a Thing to Say

I didn't want to let too much time go by without posting something, but my mind's blank. I'm tired, but can't sleep. Ugh. It might have something to do with the fact that yesterday I got my first edit of my novella Invisible Rose from my Cobblestone Press editor. Those girls are THOROUGH! Boy, do I feel overwhelmed with all I need to do to get my writing in tip top shape, and a little down too.

I start to feel like I can't do it. Though I've written tons, I feel like the well might run dry any second and I won't be able to create anything interesting again. But I stuff down those feelings and I shuffle forward. At least I try.

Well at least it's Friday. Does anyone else ever feel daunted by all the editing?

2006-10-24T16:34:00.000-04:00

What's Your Poison?

Am I wrong or is that how a person asks what you like to drink? In this case, I want to know what do you like to see or rather read in a blog. What do you like and don't like when visiting another person's blog?

For myself, I enjoy reading funny tales of a person's life. I'm nosy that way. Can't help myself. I love to laugh and I get a special kick out of reading a clever title and sassy little quips about this and that from the really gifted and talented folks out there in cyber land.

For my dislikes, please excuse me, but I don't like an announcement only type blog. I want to feel I'm chatting with the blog author. When we don't share and socialize, it distances us from our audience. That doesn't mean no announcements should be made, but I believe there should be more shooting the breeze. Just my thoughts.

So what do you prefer to read in another's blog? I'll add a small list below, but feel free to add anything you like in your comments.

I Like
1. To read about the family (DH, babies, etc.)
2. To read about challenges and struggles
3. Crazy things you did in your day that you can only share with your cyber family
4. Sassy humor
5. Writing and publishing tips
6. Games, challenges, riddles, contests
7. Something unique
8. Your thoughts

So please don't be shy, let me know what you like and don't like about blogs you've stumbled upon. And I hope you won't say you hate posts that ask you what you like and don't like! :)

AJ

2006-10-22T14:58:00.000-04:00

Stone Guardian Received 4.5 Orgasms!

Oh mama! I got a good review from Tara's Reviews. Tara wrote,

A.J. Cove delivered a well-crafted and original novel. Although there were no wolves or hawks, there were a lot of sensual scenes brought to life by her wonderful descriptions. Pick up the book, you wont be disappointed.

[Note: There is a gargoyle and a demon in there. :) ]

I've added a little snippet from my book to give you a better idea of what you're missing if you haven't read it yet. BTW, for some reason my apostrophes and the like are not showing up properly on my screen. Please excuse the fact that I took them out to be easier on the eyes. Thanks.

Jade, he breathed, youre not a tease.

No, Im not.

Comprehension lit his eyes and John strode to her side to haul her onto his lap, I wont ask why youve changed your mind. Right now, I dont care. I must have you.

The feeling is entirely mutual.

Jade didnt wait for Johns leading. She stretched out an eager hand to unzip his pants and reached inside to stroke him into readiness. Johns groan rumbled against her breast where hed rapidly uncovered her aching nipples. He fed first one, then the other inside his mouth and sucked until she too cried out. His circling tongue drove her to buck against him and John tossed her down on the chair as his hands relieved her of her panties.

Spread your legs, Jade, he ordered. I need to get inside you right now.

She was only too willing to comply and hooked her legs on his hips to assist. Johns body pressed her firmly into the couch, his hardness penetrating her already moist center. The two moaned in unison as their bodies worked a spell of grinding pleasure.

John, I cant believe. I cant believe. Her voice trailed as she reached her peak, the first of many if she knew her perfect lover at all. She sought his mouth greedily and shoved her tongue inside, while tangling her fingers in his hair.

Stone Guardian can be purchased here. Happy Sunday!

2006-10-21T08:20:00.000-04:00

Book Reviews - My Clever Title

Happy Saturday! Let me start off saying I admire those who can come up with catchy titles to snare you right off the bat and have your sticking around their site for a bit. However, as you can see by my title here, I am sorely lacking in that skill. Forgive me.

Ok, I discovered a writer didn't know about. I'm sure millions have heard of her. Since I'm still green behind the ears and wet around the gills (haha I did that on purpose), I didn't know Tara existed.

But the point is, Tara does reviews. And she says many others are starting review blogs also. So I'm wondering why would be authors do it? Ok, the obvious reason is to get to read more books, but how does it help one's own career other than make other authors think you're the most special person on the plant, which I now feel about Tara. (Ok, I really hope she likes my books.)

If you have the foggiest notion of why an author would do it other than the obvious or you are an author reviewer with your own review site, please comment and let me know. I'm terribly curious.

Oh yes, Tara's review site is here: Tara M. Leigh Reviews

2006-10-20T10:49:00.000-04:00

Found a new blog called Craft Related Crap! Bec is hilarious! She'll have you rolling on the floor. Run over there real quick and check her out. I'll wait for you to get back... See, told you. :)

2006-10-19T18:40:00.000-04:00

To Plot or Not to Plot...

So, I'm about to map out a new novel which I hope to be motivated into writing by joining the NaNo challenge next month. Hold a sec while I sign up... Ok, I did it!

Now, I'm thinking do I follow my normal mode of writing or do I really get serious and start plotting. Actually, most of the time I write out a two to three page general synoposis of what my book will be about, and then I start writing. I work out the details as I go along. That has worked great for me so far.

However, currently not only am I delving into a new area for me (magic and faeries), I also did not do my synopsis. Needless to say, I am behind my schedule and struggling along at a snail's pace trying to figure out what should happen next.

I wrote a summary of each chapter of my 65,000 word book, which was my first book. I wrote a summary for my 45,000 word book. And I've written summaries generally for all the others, so why haven't I gotten it into my head that I need a synopsis or some type of notes?

I blame Ms. Procrastination. If she were real, I'd give her a smack and lock her out of my house. But I suspect she's an amazon genie and she'd have me in a full nelson before I knew what hit me.

The weird thing is, one of my sons is a procrastinator like me and the other isn't. If he has a month to do a project, you can believe he can't wait until the weekend for me to get his poster board. He needs it tonight because time is running out.

So with all that said, my question to you my friends is: do you plot or do you fly by the seat of your pants? And if you do plot, is it a simple summary or do you map each chapter?

2006-10-18T17:21:00.000-04:00

Do you believe in magic?

I did it! I just finished writing a scene in my newest novella where my fae heroine has discovered how to use her magic. I feel like I just created that little ball of energy myself. Poor thing, she nearly gave the cat a heart attack when she inadvertently hurled a sphere of fae magic at its back. Mrs. Kitt will get over it. Mai's a real fae! She's so excited.

So tell me, fellow writers. Do you believe in magic? And have you ever gotten so caught up in a scene you're writing that you feel like it's you living it? Isn't writing wonderful?

2006-10-16T21:39:00.000-04:00

Now that it's getting colder in Baltimore, I miss the summer when my kids and I sailed to St. Thomas. Where did the warmth go?

Today, my thirteen year old went off camping, leaving my ten year old lonely without his brother. Now I've been his playmate and let me tell you, I miss my older son! I love my child, but I really can't bear to hear another discription of what spongebob did or what happened on pokemon. Somebody help! And this is only the first night.

Needless to say, I can't do much writing tonight. I can't concentrate. Okay, that's just an excuse. I'm feeling lazy. Tomorrow is a new day. :)

2006-10-16T20:49:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited! Cobblestone Press accepted my new novella, Invisible Rose! Below is a brief synopsis:

Doshi is all but invisible because of her sister, who’s known as the Wild Rose because of her wanton behavior. Doshi fades in the shadow of such a paragon, except when spilling hot tea on a suitor and meeting a prince while covered in mud.

Then Doshi discovers she really can become invisible and decides to act on her fantasies, beginning with an affair with Prince Tarin. Doshi's dreams never prepared her for the pleasure she has making love with a prince while invisible, nor did she count on falling in love with the man promised to marry her sister.

2006-10-02T10:59:00.000-04:00

Good morning everyone,

Today I'm a little down. I've made such progress with my writing, and have two or three more in the works (books), but I feel like I'm in a slump still. I'm trying to learn the game of being online. Boy is this joint huge! :)

I've also started reading The B*E*A*S*T Within by Rebecca Goings. It's pretty interesting so far and Rebecca's a good writer. I will definately be on the lookout for other books by her.

I'm new to the shift into animals thing and wanted to see what I was missing. I know what you're thinking, I'm new at everything. Sorrrryyyy. Have to start somewhere. :-)

For my own book, Shift for Hire, the heroine shifts only into humans. She's an alien in case you didn't know. But just because she can't turn into one of the big cats, doesn't mean she doesn't get into her own scrapes.

I'm almost finished with my latest book, Stone Guardian. It's been incredibly fun writing and I believe it will be a fun read. I'll post here as soon as I get it published at Amira Press. I welome comments.

Thanks. Have a great day!

2006-09-30T20:04:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone,

I took some time off work and did ALOT of writing. I think it was almost six thousand words. I am closing in on completing my new novella, Stone Guardian. I'm enjoying it as if it were someone else's work. I think my books write themselves and I'm just the fingers curved over the keyboard anyway.

Stay tuned because I'm getting closer to posting a contest to win free copies of the new book. When I do, you can check here or at www.amirapress.com for the details. I'll keep you posted.

Already I'm mapping out my next project. It's going to be so exciting. But I'm not going to give details until I release Stone Guardian. I can't wait. It'll be hot!

Oh yes, be sure to check out my new pages on the Amira Press site. I have a Q&A and my bio. Some of the bio is a repeat of what I have here, but I've added a few tidbits too.

I like to hear from my readers and make new friends. Feel free to drop me an email at ajcove at comcast dot com. Thanks.

A. J.

2006-09-28T22:29:00.000-04:00

I haven't learned where to add links to the side of my blog, so here is a link I found very interesting. Hope you enjoy.

Site: http://www.spacejock.com.au/Articles.html
Description: Over the past ten years Simon Haynes has grown from a beginning writer to a bestselling, award-winning author, and his site contains numerous articles with useful advice and warnings on writing, publishing and agents. Learn from his mistakes so you don't make them too.

2006-09-28T09:12:00.000-04:00

Shift for Hire seems to be my most popular book. Apparently, women can't get enough of shapeshifters. Though I've mostly seen books written where the shifters are able to change into various animals. My shift, Tara, changes to look like different people, females in trouble.

I'm planning at some point soon to start on a sequal to this book and ultimately, I think it will be included in a trilogy. I have this thing for sequals. I'm already wondering how I can continue my Stone Guardian book too. Since I haven't finished it quite yet, that remains to be seen.

I do have a female pirate idea in mind, if anyone wants to let me know if there is any interest there. I think I could probably come up with endless ideas, especially since I'm still new. But I do want to know what my readers want and to deliver that. I am highly entertained by what I write, but my reader's satisfaction is more important. So, let me know what you want. Thanks.

2006-09-28T08:40:00.000-04:00

Hello,

Welcome to my blog. I am A. J. Cove, author of Shift for Hire and soon to be released, Stone Guardian. I can't promise this blog will be interesting as the mere word 'blog' intimidates me to the point that I want to curl up under my bed and suck my thumb like an infant.

But I'm giving it a go and seeing where it will take me. If anyone out there has any suggestions as to how this whole thing should work or if I've already blown it big time, write me a comment. I'm open to learning--mostly. :)

Anyway, my plan for this blog is to update you on my activities, my plans, upcoming contests, books and deals. I'm not new to writing, but am new to public exposure of it, so I'm feeling my way. If you have suggestions and/or comments about what I write, let me know. Also, feel free to let me know what you'd like to see here.

Welcome.

A. J.