Four Angels!

Mary Hart has offered readers a short story about magic and the magic of love. Connell’s inability to love another woman after Elspeth is heartfelt. Elspeth’s desire to keep the one she loves safe from undue harm is touching. Elspeth’s realizations that sometimes love is more important than anything else is endearing to witness. It was a pleasure to watch the story unfold between Elspeth and Connell to the point that Elspeth is able to have what she has worked so hard for. Everything Counts is a touching short story in the midst of fantasy and has earned 4 Angels!

Reviewed by: Jessica for Fallen Angels Reviews

Aside from the part where she calls me Mary, not too shabby! :)

M

Several new covers

Here's two covers for upcoming releases....(click on the thumbnails for the full-sized version)....

A Beguiling Intrigue by Jane Toombs (Available January 2006)
Hero Adrift by Trixie Stilletto (Available January 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

New cover this morning

Here's a cover for an upcoming release....(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Scarlet Fever by Chevon Gael (Available January 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

New covers this morning...

Here's two covers for upcoming releases....(click on the thumbnails for the full-sized version)....

Besieged Adept by Leslie Roy Carter & Margaret L. Carter (Available December 2005)
Calling All Heroes by Various Authors (AmberPax Available January 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

New Release!

Amidst A Crowd of Stars
by Megan Hart
SF Erotic Romance
Amber Quill Press
Cover by Trace Edward Zaber

BUY NOW

Blurb:
When Marrin Levy sends away for a field-husband to help her on her homestead, the most she hopes for is a man who can help her survive on the harsh desert planet of Lujawed. Keane Dealcore's heart is as strong as his back, and he brings Marrin more than just his help in the fields. He brings her the love she thought she'd never feel again...

Excerpt at my blog!

New Cover

Here's a cover for an upcoming release....(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

I Am For You by Caitlyn Willows (Available December 2005)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Coming Soon To Amber Circle.....

~~ EPISODE 3 COMING SOON! ~~

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Amber Circle Fans,

Finally, after weeks of anticipation and speculation, we have some news to share....

First of all, a new "Cast Photograph" wallpaper (small version shown above) is now available for download at the Amber Circle website. To snatch a free version to use for your computer, just head over to this page and download your copy now, in a variety of screen resolutions.

And now, to the biggest question of the past few weeks...

What about the next Episode???

Fear not! To address your frantic emails, please know that Episode 3 of Amber Circle was delayed due to a variety of reasons, including unexpected and major health issues from some of the writing team, previous authoring and business committments, etc.

Please know, however, that the 3rd Episode will soon be available, within the next week or so. And to make up for the tardiness, this new Episode will be longer than the previous installments!!! Indeed, with more than 32,000 words at the current (draft) tally, this Episode has moved into "novel territory."

Moreover, Episode 4 promises to be just as lengthy as the forthcoming Episode 3, thereby giving you an extremely healthy dose of all the danger, the mystery, the passion, and the intrigue you have come to expect from the residents in the fictional town of Amberston.

What you can expect in the coming weeks?

Of course, contractual obligations prohibit me from revealing too much information, but please know that Episode 3 features the following spoilers....

-- Dana Grayson, while in the throes of researching her book, shares information with her landlady about her psychic gift and the ghosts she perceives are lurking at The Silver Belle Bed & Breakfast...

-- With plans to save his shaky marrige, the personal cost be damned, Skylar Tatye grudgingly seeks the aid of someone he intensely distrusts...

-- Talia Jewell's "unknown telephone employer," along with the motive for the attempt at destroying Kendra Tayte's marriage, is finally revealed...

-- Egocentric and sexy rock star Aidan Nash confronts the possible dismissal from Barbed Wire Bouquet, the Amberston-based and internationally-renowned rock band...

-- Upon a horrifying nighttime investigation, Dana Grayson uncovers bizarre happenings at the abandoned Devon estate known as Chantilly...

-- With deep secrets to hide, Neville Devon confronts his demanding mother Olivia's determined questioning and vows once and for all to become his own man...

-- Dana Grayson recounts the terror she experienced the previous evening and questions her landlady about the mysterious history of Chantilly...

-- The Silver Belle Bed & Breakfast receives a new lodger whose mere presence promises to stir up a whole lot of trouble, both "personally" for its guests, and "supernaturally" for its "otherworldly" residents…

-- Jaded musician Aidan Nash returns to his childhood home, but has much more on his agenda than simply reconnecting with his estranged brother or attempting to resurrect his dead musical career…

-- After years of intense animosity, Amberston detective Brick Nash faces off with his estranged brother Aidan...

-- Chastity Evans forces her lifelong nemesis Olivia Devon into a heated and unnerving confrontation...

-- Skylar Tatye intercepts a mysterious package addressed to his wife and attempts to discover answers of how someone could know so much about his sinful past...

-- Seeking her own answers to her marital problems, Kendra Tayte turns to a new and sexy friend Earle "Rocky" Rockland for help...

-- From his sickbed, Harold Devon finally voices his intentions to his domineering wife Olivia...

-- Bolstered by a new sense of security, Chastity Evans puts into motion a plan that will forever change the lives of several Amberston residents...perhaps with deadly consequences...

So stay tuned...Episode 3 will soon be available!!!

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

"I Wish Money Grew on Trees"

Just in case you haven't had enough Heat Wave stories yet...

I was published in 1999 with Avid Press, now defunct, and in 2001 with Echelon Press, who is still one of my publishers. But I had a friend who found considerable success with Amber Quill, so I'd been "watching" them for a while. I heard really good things about the business end of the company, and I liked the product they put out. But like Adrianna said, they were closed to submissions.

My friend nudged me to enter the contest, which I'd already heard about but had absolutely no ideas for. She nudged me again, and still I had nothing to write. Then one day, I was driving my daughter home from school and she said, out of the blue, "I wish money grew on trees."

I was quite amused, because she said it as if she'd never heard the phrase before, and it's such an overused term. But my Writer Brain started working on it. What if money did grow on trees? What kind of system would that be? Where? The TreeKeeper was born.

I went home and raced through the writing of that story, submitting it on the final day of the contest. When I got the announcement of the winners, my story wasn't among them. I shrugged and figured I could try to sell it elsewhere, and if not, it had at least been fun to write.

Later that night, I launched my e-mail program and checked the spam folder, which never has more than a couple of messages in it. And lo and behold, there was an e-mail from Amber Quill! My story wasn't good enough to win against the very stiff competition of the contest, but if I was willing to make some changes, they'd consider offering me a contract.

Woo hoo!

Since then, I've had some fabulous opportunities to stretch myself, indulge my fantasies, and work with a group of the best people in the business.

Thank you, Amber Quill!

Outdistancing Fear

Right behind public speaking is entering contest when it comes to "things I hate to do." Ouch! Back at the beginning of 2004, the kids were out of the house, we'd moved to a new state, and it was time to get down and serious about writing. If I was ever going to do it, now was the time. I set a goal in December of 2003 to joint a crit group and to submit something...anything...at least once per month. How could I ever have known that setting that goal--and keeping to it--would change everything?

I really wanted to polish "She Moves Through the Faire" and submit that. I'd had my eye on Amber Quill for quite some time, but being unpublished didn't bode well for getting them to look at something I'd written since they were closed to submissions. So I started making a new list of possibilities. I found an excellent crit group at Critique Corner with some very supportive writers and at least one member who wrote erotic romance.

And then I saw the announcement for the Amber Heat Wave Contest. It seemed like fate was going to intervene. I waffled back and forth..should I or shouldn't I? from January until just before the contest closed. I'd never written explicit scenes, but I'd read enough romance over the years, and erotic romance in the last couple of years, to have an idea of how to put something together. What did I have to lose by entering and not winning a spot? Was I serious about where I was headed with my writing career or not? So I wrote Esmerelda's Secret over the course of ten days before the deadline. There wasn't enough time for my crit partners to really look it over, but I wanted to take the chance--needed to. And so I did.

The day the results were posted I got up and went to my computer with butterflies in my stomach, afraid to open my mail. I never won contests so what was I expecting? The first email I saw was from my friend and the subject was "CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WON!" I couldn't believe it. I've since decided I only win the really important contests in my life--which amounts to one or two in my lifetime. And that's just fine with me.

And, of course, the rest is history. What would have happened if I hadn't taken that chance? If I'd let the fear of rejection immobilize me? If you're thinking about entering...then do it. One of my favorites quotes -- "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." --Eleanor Roosevelt.

So...believe...

Adrianna

Coming in February....

Another new cover this morning, for a highly anticipated paperback collection....(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Cave Creek Cowboys by Brit Blaise (Paperback Available February 2006)

Including the following stories...
Cave Creek Cowboy (2005 Amber Heat Wave Winner)
Another Cave Creek Cowboy (2005 Amber Heat Wave Winner)
Cave Creek Cowboy In Vegas
Cave Creek Cowboy: Too Many Brides
Cave Creek Cowboy Christmas

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

When Gambling Pays Off

I was skittish about entering contests, firstly because so many of them want entry fees that, at the time as an unpublished or pre-published author – I didn’t have. When I saw Amber Quill offered a contest with no fee, I thought, there’s something I can afford! I’ve got to give it a shot!

My story, Renna’s Sacrifice, sort of poured out of me. I didn’t have much experience writing hot. I’d only written one erotica story so far and at the time was still waiting to hear if the publisher accepted it. I was convinced that anything I could come up with would pale in comparison to the steamy stuff the other contestants would be offering. I couldn’t imagine anyone reading my stuff and thinking, “Ohh, this is hot, I’ve got to go find my significant other right now!” But I was in a gambling mood so I waited patiently for the submission time and sent it off into cyber space on a wing and a prayer.

A month later, I had already received my first publishing contract for an erotic short story when I got the acceptance e-mail from Amber Quill. I was in shock. It all seemed surreal. Someone actually thought my story was prizewinning material? I hadn’t been completely outshined by all the other authors out there? No way.

I must have checked the website winner’s list a dozen times just to make sure my name was actually on there. It was a great feeling to be part of a winner’s circle and it gave me a much needed incentive to keep writing and start building my career. I can’t believe it’s less than a year later and I have two stories available with Amber Quill and FOUR more on the way in 2006. Talk about a gateway.

So don’t be shy. Take a chance. By this time next year it could be your ‘How I Won the Amber Heat Wave Contest’ story posted on this blog.

How I bungled my way to Amber Quill

Since we're celebrating past Amber Heat Wave winners, I wondered if any other authors cared to share their "How I Got to AQP" stories. How did you react when you got the news? Any stories about sending in your contest entry?

Here's mine:

Friend and fellow writer Bridget Midway told me about the contest in mid-December 2004, which for obvious reasons is not a good time to start anything. As presents cluttered the floor unwrapped and others remained unpurchased, I decided to write Chella's Quest. But I got cold feet and thought I'd stop until after Christmas, then see how I felt.

With a few days vacation left, I decided, "What the heck?" and wrote. And rewrote. And ignored my family, lived in my pajamas, and drove my husband nuts. On the last day to enter, a good friend invited me to a, um, adult toy party - how could I pass that up? I was almost done, I told myself. Just needed an ending. I'd leave the party around 10 pm and still have plenty of time to wrap things up and send the story on its merry way.

I got home, settled into the computer chair, and stupidly decided that this was the time to revise it once again. I did write an ending. Hated it. Scrapped it and basically wrote the very same ending. Tried another ending...that kept going and going and going. Looked at the clock. 11:30 pm. Heart pumping, fingertips sweating, I did the best I could and had one final look. Then one final, final look.

It's now 11:58. I had my cover email ready. I was ready. Time to kiss this baby goodbye and let the waiting begin. At 11:59, I hit send.

My email hangs up.

My heart turns to dead weight in my chest and sinks. I stare at the hourglass taunting me, then run into the living room to put on a full-blown freak-out show for my husband (who was waiting up for me to offer support and congratulate me when I was done). The things I do to that poor man.

I go back to the computer. The hourglass is gone, so I frantically check the official time sent on the outgoing email. 12:01. Then - in a moment of optimism and unprecedented clarity - I decided to see if AQP was Eastern Standard Time like I was. They weren't :D I treated hubby to a happy dance, then went to look at the email one more time. I sent the wrong file format.

So I made it on time, but looked like an idiot. Hubby got a second "Laura Freaks Out" performance. Good thing he's used to it...

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a first-class ditz. So I decided there's no sense in hiding that from the good folks at AQP. Since I figured I didn't have anything to lose, I sent the correct file with a very apologetic cover email. Now for the waiting.

Imagine my surprise when Chella's Quest was selected! I was thrilled, and I'm still thrilled when the powers that be give me the green light on a new story. To all those thinking about entering the contest, please polish your work (and don't wait until the last minute - ha ha) and send it in. Amber Quill is a class act through and through! And if you need any more incentive to submit, take a look at Trace's wonderful cover art ;)

Anyone else?

Amber Heat Wave Spotlight Begins November 15th

Did you all remember the Amber Heat Wave Contest will be starting in January? On the list, we'll be talking a little bit more about that contest.

Starting November 15 and ending November 30, we'll be seeing excerpts from the past winners of this great opportunity and hopefully hear more about their successes since winning the contest.

If you're out there and are thinking of entering this year's contest, don't be afraid to step up and ask the authors, and the editors, questions. We'll all be hear to answer.

So get prepared for some sizzling excerpts over the next two weeks.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amberheatreaders/


Adrianna
adrianna@adriannadane.com
www.adriannadane.com

New covers this morning

Here are two new covers for upcoming releases....(click on the thumbnails for the full-sized versions)....

Scarecrow & Betsy McGee, Book IV: Planes, Trains, And Betsy by Trixie Stilletto (Available January 2006)
Images Of Desire by Adrianna Dane (Paperback Only Anthology - Available January 2006)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Another new cover

Here's a new cover for an upcoming release....(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

Cowboy First Aid by Deirdre O'Dare (Available December 2005)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

New cover

Here's a new cover I created this morning....(click on the thumbnail for the full-sized version)....

One Touch by Caitlyn Willows (Available December 2005)

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

Day in the Life

Get out of bed.
Children fed and off to school.
Dance at the still-new glory of two kids out of the house. :)
Shower.
Breakfast. Oatmeal and a pot of tea. Yes. A WHOLE POT.
Check email. Check blogs. Check celeb gossip sites.
Open document.
Stare. Stare. Stare.
Drink tea.
Bathroom.
Stare.
Bathroom.
Stare. Type two words.
Bathroom again.
Print out document thinking that reading over it will jog some inspiration.
Read more blogs.
Bathroom.
Compose letters in head to EW regarding best selling novel made into smash hit starring Jude Law.
Bathroom. (Think about Jude Law)
Give up on WIP and clean desk.
Find unpaid bills. Oops.
Pay bills.
Find uncashed rebate check. YAY! Win at life!
Bathroom.
Ponder meaning of life.
Pull document from printer, intending to read it and edit it in hopes of inspiration.
Bathroom.
See kitchen in disarray.
Feel guilt.
Bathroom.
Contemplate fingernails in need of manicure.
Note have only one hour left before child #2 returns from school.
Vow to get to work but first...
......Bathroom!

New covers

Several people have also requested that I use the blog to post the newest book covers as I finalize them, therefore, here are the most recent ones......(clicking on the covers will take you to the full-sized version)




Cave Creek Cowboy Christmas by Brit Blaise (Available December 2005)
Lucky In Lust by Laura Bacchi (Available December 2005)
Jebediah's Promise by Adrianna Dane (Available December 2005)
Molding Clay by Trixie Stilletto (Available December 2005)
Realm of the Ice God by Adrianna Dane (Available December 2005)
Where Vesuvius Sleeps by Carolina Valdez (Available December 2005)


Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com

New Titles Available from AQP

Several people have asked me to memorialize on this blog our newest books as they are released, for easy reference. I agree...it sure beats searching through the old posts on any of the various AQP announcement lists at Yahoo. Here at least people can view at a glance what's been happening. Therefore, without further ado, here's what's been released so far this month.

_____________________

RELEASED NOVEMBER 1ST, 2005

The Academy
by Scarlett Dean
ISBN: 1-59279-444-0 (Electronic)
ISBN: 1-59279-769-5 (Paperback)
Horror
Cover Copyright ©2005 by Trace Edward Zaber

When fourteen-year-old Grant Taylor becomes the newest student at the Knollwood Academy for delinquent boys, he discovers the real danger lies inside the school. Are the tortured screams and mutilating accidents all a ploy to frighten the rebellious students, or is there something truly evil lurking in the Academy?Grant befriends the new art teacher, Dreeson “Coop” Cooper, in an effort to uncover the truth about paranormal occurrences and altered classmates. Their worst fears are confirmed with the discovery of a mysterious black book rumored to be Satan’s bible. Time is running out as they hurry to decipher the book’s archaic script and learn evil’s true plan before it can destroy the world......Find Out More!


Servant of the Gods
by Amy Wolff Sorter
ISBN: 1-59279-443-2 (Electronic)
ISBN: 1-59279-770-9 (Paperback)
Historical/Historical Romance
Cover Copyright ©2005 by Trace Edward Zaber

When Devorah b’Shiri first lays eyes on Aryeh ben Abinoam, she sets in motion events leading to the ultimate survival of the Tribes of Israel......The inspirational “Song of Deborah,” from the Book of Judges in the Bible, describes the victorious tale of how, against all odds, a rag-tag army commanded by Deborah and Barak conquers an extraordinarily powerful enemy force to lay claim to Israel and its people. Deborah's Song is one of courage, tenacity and divine intervention, from the defeat of hostile forces to the death of the Canaanite leader, Sisera, at the hands of Jael. In Servant of the Gods, Amy Wolff Sorter goes beneath the legendary Biblical tale to focus on Deborah, the woman behind the divine myth. Set against the conflicted and violent backdrop of Ancient Israel, the novel details Deborah’s torturous road from her birthright as Canaanite priestess to her final destiny as a staunch defender of the Israelites; a female leader in a patriarchal society who, despite her own self doubts, is driven to use her incredible powers to save her people......Find Out More!


Scarecrow & Betsy McGee, Book III: Chinese Delight
by Trixie Stilletto
ISBN: 1-59279-445-9 (Electronic)
Short Contemporary Erotica
Rating: Graphic Sexual Content/Language
Cover Copyright ©2005 by Trace Edward Zaber

Betsy’s normal delivery boy from the neighborhood Chinese restaurant is missing. She suspects foul play. When Roarke learns there are foreign nationals being smuggled over the border and pushed into slavery with promises of restaurant jobs in Buffalo, he thinks she may have stumbled onto something. Can Roarke and Betsy keep their minds off the delights they find in each other long enough to stop the ring?......Find Out More!


Warrior of Earth Saga, Book II: The Ride To Revenge
by Alan M. Brooker
ISBN: 1-59279-417-3 (Electronic)
ISBN: 1-59279-776-8 (Paperback)
Dark Science Fiction/Fantasy
Cover Copyright ©2005 by Trace Edward Zaber

As the battle with the evil Prince Khuramani intensifies, the Warrior of Earth faces new challenges in his effort to save Princess Charni from her evil brother. Jason tracks Khuramani across the plains, through the forests and marshes and into the desert land of the Sarabandi pirates. But will he be able to stop the prince's plans to destabilize Praesepe and install the Evil Ones as his allies?........Find Out More!

_____________________

RELEASED NOVEMBER 6TH, 2005

Star Ravaged Man
by Caitlyn Willows
ISBN: 1-59279-446-7 (Electronic)
Short Futuristic Erotica
Rating: Graphic Sexual Content/Language
Cover Copyright ©2005 by Trace Edward Zaber

Durok's broken her heart more times than Cayana cares to admit, but she will never forgive herself if she doesn't try to save him...one last time. A host of sins lay at Durok's feet and he knows he is responsible for them all. His salvation lies in the hands of the one person who has not deserted him, but even he thinks saving him is a lost cause......Find Out More!

_____________________

Happy Reading!

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!
http://amberquill.com/

Thief of Hearts & the 80s

Last night I watched a great movie. It's older...made in the 80s, which--okay, I'm about to date myself--was my decade. My friend, fellow AQP author Denyse Bridger, sent the movie to me since it's one of her faves. It's called Thief of Hearts. I'm a huge movie fanatic, so I couldn't believe I'd never seen this one before. It was quite yummy!! The actor, Stephen Bauer, was a hunk. How come I've never seen him in anything else? And the sex was very hot. I've read that when the movie was originally out and on VHS, the bedroom scene was considerably longer than it is in the DVD version. Now why the heck would they have cut a bunch for the DVD?! Maybe they thought they'd screwed up by giving it an R rating the first time, that it was too steamy, so they thought they'd better tone it down for the DVD before someone had a fit? I, on the other hand, wanted more! I may have to eBay a copy of the VHS so I can see the rest.

And speaking of the 80s, have you heard that song called 1985 by Bowling For Soup? They've been playing it on the pop stations for a few months now. Well...I love that song because I can so relate! I can't say I ever wanted to shake my ass on the hood of Whitesnake's car (LOL!) and I don't have teenagers...yet. But otherwise, that song--the recap of the music and everything from the eighties--reminds me so much of my high school and college years. I crank up the volume every time it comes on the radio, and I downloaded a copy of it from iTunes. And, by the way, my SUV isn't yellow...it's gold. :)

Favorite Lines From Firefly

I've just rediscovered the TV show Firefly. It devastates me that the network so screwed up this show. The writing and acting are superb. I'm guessing, since so many AQP readers are fans of paranormal and S/F fiction, a lot of you are also fans of Firefly/Serenity.

In honor of the five episodes (yes, FIVE) I watched last night, here are some of my favorite lines:

"Also, I can kill you with my brain."

"YoSaffBridge..."

"I just wanted you to face me so she could get behind you."

"Name one order she didn't obey."
"Not marrying you!"

"I'll be in my bunk."

"I've never shot anyone before."
"I was there, son. I'm fairly sure you haven't shot anyone yet."

"You're on my crew. Why are we still talking about this?"

"If you've got guests, I can come back later."

And the quote that wraps up the entire show for me:
"You turn on any of my crew, you turn on me. But since that's a concept you can't seem to wrap your head around then you've got no place here."

Malcolm Reynolds displays all the qualities of a True Hero. Loyalty, determination, compassion, love...and a wicked sense of humor.

More "Coming Soon" News

Amber Quill Press is also pleased to announce the impending re-release of two soul-stirring romances by multiple award-winning author Barbara Clark.


Rainbow Valley
by Barbara Clark
ISBN: 1-59279-449-1 (Electronic)
ISBN: 1-59279-767-9 (Paperback)
Contemporary Romance
Available December 2005!
Cover Copyright ©2005 by Trace Edward Zaber

When gourmet chef, Annie Reed, takes the job of cook on a working cattle ranch, she fights her attraction to her hard-headed cowboy boss, Jake Stone. But, she's learning to ride the mare, Sage, and the valley feels more like home every day. Jake battles his attraction to the lively young city woman he's hired, in desperation, as cook. He has a ranch to run and a mortgage to beat. Even more, his deceased wife had taught him a bitter lesson of mistrust. Will betrayals from his past force Annie to leave him and Rainbow Valley?

EPPIE finalist—Best Romance!


Montana Bride
by Barbara Clark
ISBN: TBD (Electronic)
ISBN: TBD (Paperback)
Contemporary Romance
Available January 2006!
Cover Copyright ©2005 by Trace Edward Zaber

A rugged cowboy, cynical about wealthy women, takes the job of foreman on a Montana ranch for an heiress who's trying to raise her orphaned niece and nephew—and battle her wealthy father's attempt to gain their custody. To protect the children, the cowboy and the heiress enter into a marriage of convenience, an arrangement that may prove love conquers all...

Winner—Golden Quill Award—Best Short Contemporary Romance Category!

Coming soon from Amber Quill Press....

Amber Quill Press is pleased to announce the addition of these previously published titles (with one exception) to its upcoming schedule of releases!

With the unfortunate closing of LTD Books (our friends in Canada), Amber Quill Press has decided to contract the following manuscripts, giving them a new home. All of the following books will be republished in both paperback and electronic versions within 2006 or 2007. (The tentative release month is listed where applicable.)






By Catherine Snodgrass
-- Another Chance, Another Time (Dec. 2005)
-- Feather On The Wind (Jan. 2006)
-- The Wishing Tree (Feb. 2006)
-- The Marriage Committee (March 2006)
-- Seven Rings Binding (April 2006)
-- The Quest For Gillian's Heart (May 2006)

By Michelle L. Levigne
-- The Dreamer's Loom (formerly The Dark One) (Feb. 2006)

By Darlene Marshall
-- Captain Sinister's Lady (March 2006)
-- Pirate's Price (April 2006)
-- Smuggler's Bride (May 2006)

By Dee Lloyd
-- Change Of Plans (March 2006)
-- Ghost of a Chance (April 2006)
-- Unquiet Spirits (May 2006)
-- Ties That Bind (June 2006)
-- Mine (July 2006)

By T. K. Sheils
-- Butterfly House (March 2006)
-- Smoke Around The Moon (April 2006)
-- Nobody Told The Wind (May 2006)
-- Poe The Musical (June 2006)
-- The Craving (July 2006)
-- 50 Ways To Kill Your Lover (August 2006)
-- Knight's Tiger (Sept. 2006)
-- Dreams For The Wind (Oct. 2006)
-- Par For The Corpse (Nov. 2006)
-- Gift of the Seas (Dec. 2006)
-- Modem Operandi (Jan. 2007)
-- Rara Ibis (Feb. 2007)

We look forward to seeing all of these exciting and compelling titles by these very talented authors re-released at Amber Quill Press!

Happy reading...

Trace Edward Zaber
Owner/Editorial Director/Creative Director
Amber Quill Press, LLC
The Gold Standard In Publishing!

Growing as a writer

My next release is called Amidst A Crowd of Stars.
, and it’s scheduled for release November 19 as part of the Starlight Serenade AmberPax.

I’m really excited about this story. I usually like most of the stories I write, or at least finish them knowing I did the best job with them that I could. I’m proud of my work, the effort I put into it, the way it can touch readers the way it touches me. A writer, like a mother, isn’t supposed to admit she’s got favorites, but I do. Amidst A Crowd of Stars.
is one of them.

Why? For several reasons. For one, it’s science fiction, which I always enjoy writing. For another, the hero, Keane is to-die-for cute, and not only that, but an excellent lover. Though he and the heroine, Marrin face a number of challenges during their marriage, his love for her and for her children is an abiding constant in their life together. I loved finding this world, Lujawed, a desert planet (probably inspired by Tattooine, now that I think of it…Star Wars geek to the end! LOL). I loved thinking of the different ways a desert planet and its native people would interact, react and accept homesteaders. I love world-building, and this story, though it’s short, really drew me in.

Aside from that, the format of this story was challenging and exciting to write. I’d tried my hand at something similar in Sand Castle, a story that is told chronologically in order, though the characters experience shifts backward in time. While the events of the story move forward, they are moving into the past. Complicated, but interesting.

With Amidst A Crowd of Stars.
, I tried something even more different. The story is told completely backwards, beginning at the end and moving toward the beginning and their first meeting. Often in romance we assume the hero and heroine will end up together, but the fun of the story is discovering how, or wondering if, indeed, they will.

In Amidst I took a whole new approach. We already know the hero and heroine are married when the story begins, because the first scene describes them as husband and wife. We already know what’s going to happen to them, because that is clearly described as well. But each section after that jumps back in time, to their past, describing the events leading up to the section before it.

If you’ve seen the movie Memento, it’s somewhat like that, though not as closely tied together. In a short story format, I didn’t have room to describe every year in full detail. I had to be satisfied focusing on the events that would make the story an erotic romance – the lovemaking between Keane and Marrin, and how they came to find and love each other.

Wow. I guess you can see how excited I am by this story, and imagine how nervous I’ll be waiting for its reception from my fans. But if I don’t challenge myself as a writer, there’s no point in continuing. I might have failed miserably, but damn, I had a great time trying.

AMBER HEAT WAVE™ CONTEST

JANUARY 1ST THROUGH JANUARY 15TH 2006...

AQP’S 3RD ANNUAL
AMBER HEAT WAVE™ CONTEST
WIN A PUBLISHING CONTRACT FROM AMBER QUILL PRESS!

ATTENTION AUTHORS OF EROTIC ROMANCE...

After the success of our previous Amber Heat Wave™ Contests, Amber Quill Press has decided to repeat the process again, welcoming you to send us the hottest, steamiest, most sizzling fiction you can create! Think you have what it takes to win a publishing contract with us? Then submit your short Erotic Romance story (see below for content guidelines and word count) to AQP’s Amber Heat™ imprint during the first two weeks of January 2006! Apart from this annual contest, Amber Quill Press remains closed to all "outside" manuscript submissions throughout each year, therefore, this will be your single opportunity in 2006 to show us your writing skills and possibly become a part of the AQP family of authors. Winning entries will be published in electronic format in June 2006 to coincide with our 3rd annual Amber Heat Wave™ celebration.

CONTEST DETAILS

To enter this contest, please carefully read and adhere to the following criteria...

Dates Of Entry: January 1st through January 15th 2006 only. (No exceptions.)

Author Eligibility: Both published and non-published authors may submit. (Authors already under contract with Amber Quill Press need not enter.)

Genre: Erotic Romance—all sub-genres are eligible...Contemporary, Paranormal, Fantasy or Dark Fantasy (ie. Vampire, Werewolf, etc.), Historical (including Western), Science Fiction/Futuristic, Suspense/Thriller, etc.

Sexual Content: Any Erotic Romance stories with at least a “Hard-R” rating (based on the standards of the motion picture industry) are eligible. Please note: Amber Quill Press publishes stories where strong plotlines are more vital than the overall sexual content. In other words, we are looking for submissions where the stories can actually stand on their own, even without the sexual content. Therefore, a story containing a flimsy plot wrapped around an endless string of sexual encounters will not impress us. Moreover, we are not looking to publish pure erotica, hard-core BDSM, pedophilia, incest, gay/lesbian, etc. Each story must focus around a M/F romance. For a clearer understanding of the types of stories we publish, we suggest you sample several of our erotica titles—you can browse through our erotica section by clicking here.

Word Count: Stories should be between 5,000 and 12,000 words.

Judging Criteria: Each story entered will be judged on the following...

+ Plotline and Overall Story
+ Story Pacing
+ Characterization
+ Genre Appropriateness
+ Descriptives
+ Dialogue
+ Writing Mechanics (Grammar, Punctuation, Sentence Structure, Etc.)
+ Originality of Writing Style

Final Note: Authors may enter as many stories as they wish, so long as they are not contracted, and not under consideration, with any other publisher. Authors must have all rights to each story submitted. Sorry, there are no exceptions.

Submission Procedure: Manuscripts must be saved in either DOC (MS Word Document) or RTF (Rich Text Format) and emailed as an attachment to us at tezaber@earthlink.net only between the dates specified above. All other formats will be rejected, as well as manuscripts sent outside of the two-week time period. Again, sorry, there are no exceptions. In the “Subject” line of your email, please type THE FULL TITLE of the attached manuscript and its appropriate SUB-GENRE (example: Historical Erotica, Fantasy Erotica, etc.). In the body of the email, please list your NAME, PEN NAME (if applicable), full SNAIL-MAIL ADDRESS, and your EMAIL ADDRESS. Additionally, if sending more than one entry for consideration, please send each in a separate email.

Prize: Winning manuscripts will receive our standard two-year contract for our popular Amber Kisses™ imprint (short erotica fiction) and be published in June 2006 to coincide with our 3rd annual Amber Heat Wave™ celebration.

Winners will be announced on March 1st, 2006!

Should you have any questions or need clarification regarding any contest details, please email tezaber@earthlink.net.

Good luck to all!