First Reviews for Bloodchained

Reviews for the book are starting to come in, and show that the SS Partners did a fabulous job working with me on our book!

5 STARS - Sime~Gen: "This carefully plotted novel by Diana Laurence was such a treat to read! Not many books are able to capture me completely the way this wonderful book did. Each chapter of Bloodchained made this reader hungry for more…a superb love story that touched my heart. I highly recommend this phenomenal read!"

4 1/2 BLUE RIBBONS - Romance Junkies: "This unusual approach to novel writing has produced a story that will thrill paranormal and historical romance lovers alike...the blending of these genres is definitely a winning combination. The romances, and there are more than one in this novel, are at times sweet and at other times extremely intense. Laurence has imbued her characters with traits that range from one extreme to the other, from honor to depravity. I cried at heartbreaking moments in the story. At other moments, I laughed at the quick wit exhibited by several of the characters. Through it all, I enjoyed this story of love and passion, betrayal and redemption. Grab a copy of this superb book and experience the world of the Roicans for yourself."

Coffee Time Romance: "The story of Bloodchained has a fresh and unique twist to the whole vampire genre of romance stories. The five main characters in this story are all well written and so unlike each other that you really find their interaction with each other at times moving, and at times amusing. This is a nice story to read on lonely nights when you are in the mood for romance mixed with a little suspense."

The Bloodchained Trailer

If you're curious about our novel, and would like to become even MORE curious, check out the book promo video:

 

It's a Wrap!

I just went to press with Bloodchained! The official Bloodchained website is also live at http://www.bloodchained.com/, and I invite you to visit there for ongoing news about the book. There's plenty of cool stuff on the site, including buy links, character sketches and portraits, an excerpt, reviews, the Fans' Tavern (with all sorts of goodies), and how to sign up for the Bloodchained Readers Club.

My congratulations and thanks to the 63 members of the Soulful Sex Partners for a fabulous job in bringing this book into existence. Now we'll sit back and see how it is received by readers everywhere!

We have a cover!

Check out the fabulous cover design completed today by my daughter and illustrator, Katie Nelson. I couldn't be more thrilled with it. Hooray for you, Katesi!

In other news, the "Bloodchained Marketplace" Cafe Press store is now open for business, and offering a variety of fun items for fans of the book. I hope you'll check it out!

Stay tuned for the launch of the new Bloodchained Website, currently under contruction by yours truly.

Oh, and that book? Oh yeah, that book! My editor and I have completed the final edits through chapter 28. Only 12 chapters to go, and I believe I'll be seeing those very soon from her. Still right on target for that mid- to late-September release.

But other than that, I'm just bored out of my mind! LOL

The Bloodchained Virtual Tour has begun!

I kid you not, I have started the delightful process of appearing all over the web talking about the phenomenon that is Bloodchained. Here are my first appearances:

August 8 - The Romance Studio - Romance vs. Sex in Bloodchained
August 9 - Suite 101's Romance Fiction Department - Getting Help from the Fans
August 9 - The Difference Now Blog - Bloodchained and the Writing Life
August 10 - Bloodchained - A Unique Experience - American Chronicle

Exciting, no? And starting next Monday, tune in to seven days and seven chapters of the complete behind the scenes story of Bloodchained and the Soulful Sex Partners Project, on Novelspot's Behind the Scenes feature! Whoa, this series of articles was a blast to write.

Meanwhile, I'm closing in on the last edits to the book, and awaiting comments from my professional editor Sarah. My illustrator is reading the book and planning the cover, too! That September publication date is coming right up...can't wait!

And now, from our Marketing Department...

It’s not too early to be planning the promotion of the book, so here are some shameless pleas on that subject!

ATTENTION REVIEWERS: Do you review romance books for any websites? If the terms of your service permit you to select what you review, I hope you’ll consider doing a review of Bloodchained. Just shoot me an email telling me for whom you do reviews. I should have the advance review copy (ARC) of the book ready in about three weeks (pdf format), and will supply you with a copy (free of course). First come, first served though--only one reviewer per website. A couple of the SS Partners have already offered to do reviews (what sweeties).

LOOKING FOR INTERVIEWS: Secondly, I’m hoping to line up some interviews for after the release. This was such a unique and exciting project, I think a lot of romance fans will be interested to hear how it went down. If you are affiliated with any websites in this capacity, or know people who are and would like to suggest to them that they do a story on the project, please let me know. I already have one interview lined up from a very wonderful fan!

DO YOU HAVE A BLOG? Lastly, another friend of mine in the writing community suggested I do a “virtual book tour” by appearing on a series of blogs. Fun huh? If you have a blog and would like me to “stop by” for a little Q&A after the book release, just shoot me an email and I’ll give you more details.

These requests are of course for SS Partner members and non-members alike. Stay tuned for more on the promotion of the book!

DONE!!! And now it's time to edit...

I couldn't be happier to report that yesterday I finished writing Bloodchained! Can I get a big "Hells, YEAH!"? It is currently at ~93,000 words (think of that as approximately 275 pages in paperback).

I sent out the final ten chapters this evening to the Readers team and I know there are a couple of them who may end up staying up tonight reading, from the way they've been craving to know how the book ends.

Meanwhile, I'm heading back to the beginning of the manuscript to begin the final edits. This is always my favorite part! I love having the hard work of plotting completed, especially in the case of a book like this that is doing it's best to be in the page-turner, shock-every-other-chapter genre. Now I can work on perfecting the language, listening to the dialogue, and injecting some richer description.

I have to say, I'm very happy about the experience of writing a book not so focused on sex this time. Not that there isn't any sex...there's the dream sequence with Character X and Character Y, the nasty but hot scenario with Character A and Character Z, the creepy but hot business between Character Y and Character B, and the divinely sweet and sensuous scene between Character A and Character C. But I did get to spend a lot more time on other aspects of the story and that made for a book that I believe is much more deeply engaging. Engaging, with sex. And some nice kisses, too.

All rightee then, wish me luck on the editing!