Winner and Updates

You guys did a great job of cheering me up. I don't know why I let some yahoo get to me. I guess deep down I always want to think the best of people and when they disappoint, it's very disheartening.

There were an awful lot of good rhymes and stories, but I have to pick one winner. 

I dip my hand into the Fishbowl of Fate and the winner is...Linda Leszczuk.

Linda, email me your physical address and I'll send some 'poop' right over.

***

The other day, I decided to update 'My Books' and put True Believers on top since it's about to come out. 

But then I wondered...what about Mistress Of The Stone? I need to mention that book and beg --er, ask for votes. So I browsed for shareable art and found a saucy wench to play the part of LuĂ­sa, the heroine in Mistress.

Pop over to My Books and let me know what you think. I know it's a little racy, but most of her is covered up. Does it look sexy and paranormal? 

I wish I found a similar picture for the hero, Xander Daltry. But so far none have done him justice. (I'm so picky!)

A couple of things occurred to me about this contest. Any one of the ten finalist manuscripts could win a contract, so they're all good. The real test is how much enthusiasm each author can muster for her book.

Is it a popularity contest? Most definitely.  

But I didn't enter this novel to see how popular I was (or wasn't). I entered it because I think it's one of the best stories I've written next to Apocalypse Rising, the sequel to Touch Of Fire.

Mistress is fun and cheeky, and yes, romantic. Wait til you get a load of the love scene excerpt. It smolders on the page! 

Unfortunately, it's the last excerpt in the challenges, so if I get voted off the island beforehand you won't see it. --Not right away anyway.

Even if Mistress doesn't win the contest, this is a book that will definitely sell. That's how sure I am of it. I can feel it in my bones.

Programming note on guest blogs: If I promised you a post, you will get it by October 11 unless I'm scheduled for November on your blog. I'm waiting for the contest link to go live so I can add it to each post.

Except for two posts, they're all done, so I'm in good shape.

Comments

Linda Leszczuk said…
Hey thanks! I'll e-mail you my address and wait eagerly for that poop. :-)

I love the cover. And you can count on my votes for Mistress.
Maria Zannini said…
You're welcome, Linda.

Ref: cover

Oh, it's just a piece of art I found. I wanted something flashy. :)
Joanne said…
That's a great cover, I love the strength and determination that it definitely portrays. She looks like someone who gets her way, very effective!
Bookewyrme said…
I love the cover picture. I would DEFINITELY pick that up in a bookstore for a second look. I have to say though, it looks less paranormalish and more straight Fantasy. She looks like a gypsy!

Anyway, good luck!
~Lia
Congrats to Linda. She definitely had my vote.

And yes, Mistress of the Stone cover is VERY sexy and paranormal. Forgive my naivete (and spelling of that word), but who is the target audience for this genre? Because the cover art feels like it screams to young men (or all men for that matter). I wonder if a woman wouldn't be put out by the brazen bomshellness (made up that word) of the heroine.
That's a pic of Elektra, right? I think it fits your premise, though.
Jackie said…
Maria, have to say at first I burst out laughing and not because it is a bad picture but in amazement at the fact of your description "fitting" the photobucket photo find! i am so excited for you about your quest with "Mistress of the Stone" and so hope you win... We are all going to try very hard to generate enthusiasm and of course votes besides the ones you will get from your blog followers! Cannot wait to see what post you have come up with for my blog! October 11th is coming quick for sure!


jackie ^_^
Maria Zannini said…
Joanne and Lia: Thanks!
Maria Zannini said…
Wendy: It's the best I could find on Photobucket. For some reason my computer didn't like being on that site. It shut down twice, so I picked the only art that looked close enough.

It is definitely eye candy.

If something better comes up I will most likely update the page.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara:

Ref: Electra
I have no idea. I think she uses those blades but I don't know about the rest.

I think the artist was just going for sexy babe.
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: I am starting to get self conscious. LOL.

The drawing itself is well done, though I would have rather she be wearing something more than a scarf.

I'll keep my eye open for other shareable art. I just wanted something to make people stop and read the copy. (guess it did that.)

I'm going to have to post a disclaimer. :grin:
Dru said…
I like the cover and once voting begin, you'll have my vote.
Oh my!! I love the art of Luisa!!=) Checks on all accounts: sexy, paranormal and all around bada$$- pardon my money signs. hehehe!!=)

Swords would be my weapon of choice and Luisa looks like a heroine I am easily root for. Great find!
Marianne Arkins said…
Congrats to the winner -- and I think I enjoyed reading the rhymes as much as you did. :-)

I'm so excited for you and your book -- and I love the art. I'm having similar issues finding pictures for my fantasy. Try some free sites like www.sxc.hu, www.morguefile.com or www.freedigitalphotos.net
Maria Zannini said…
Chas: Oh, Luisa is a spitfire that's for sure.

I really love that story. It was so much fun to write.
Maria Zannini said…
Marianne: Oh! Thanks for the links! I'll check them out next week as soon as I get Greg back on the road.
Anonymous said…
Great art! Sounds like a great heroine.
Maria Zannini said…
Charlie: I love the heroine in Mistress. She was great fun to write and real challenge too.
Arlee Bird said…
All of a sudden I have that old song "Lady in Red" running thru my head. And that song doesn't even really fit the picture-- well she is wearing red. She looks like one bad babe.

Lee
Tossing It Out