News roundup

New reviews! Woo hoo!

Lisabea and Sula posted a very fun and interesting dueling and (dual!) review for Master of Obsidian. Go check it out. Also, we're answering questions in the comments, so go participate in the discussion.

Mystical Nymph at Literary Nymphs reviewed our March Calendar Boys story, Kiss Me, and gave it 4 nymphs:

The writing team that makes up Jamie Craig has crafted a tender and well plotted romance with March: Kiss Me that’s perfect for an afternoon read. It’s well written with two main characters that are not only interesting and well-rounded but likable. Mal and Alejandro are perfect together, even if they are both more than a little apprehensive about starting a relationship. Mal is afraid that he wouldn’t measure up physically and Alejandro just wants to be a normal guy…one who has a boyfriend willing to stay home and cuddle with him. While he might make his living in front of a camera that doesn’t mean he likes being on display when not working. I also loved that Alejandro was jealous and possessive of the plainer looking Mal, making certain that others knew he was taken. If these two guys can get over a few minor misunderstandings, they have a good chance at long term happiness, and I wish them well.

Book Fetish gave Chasing Silver 4 stars and said:

Very good, and very frequent, sex scenes. If this novel wasn’t so predominantly set in the sci-fi genre, I would have thought it a good candidate for the paranormal romance genre. It's a quick read with a fast moving story-line. Issac’s character is very well written, the perfectly protective best friend and ex-partner, current cop … just the right mix of support and suspicion.

News roundup

Bad Vivien! I got so bogged down in work late last week and on the weekend that I totally forgot about Flashback Friday until Pepper mentioned yesterday needing something to blog about. So the fact that our flashback showed up on Sunday is totally my fault. Hopefully, this week will be better.

We have a new cover to brag about! Our upcoming release for Liquid Silver, Fortune's Return, is about a man who returns to his childhood home after a bad break-up, only to fall for his brother's new ranch hand. Pepper asked that we request David, who did all her solo titles there, because he creates original canvases that then get scanned in rather than using stock photography. The end result is quite evocative, we think:


On the review front, it's been good.

At Romance Junkies, Robin Snodgrass reviewed Chasing Silver and gave it 5 blue ribbons:

Jamie Craig has penned a thrilling adventure in CHASING SILVER. This time-travel romance is filled to the brim with non-stop action, sexy dialogue, and sensual love scenes. Remy is a sassy, street-smart heroine who refuses to give up, no matter what the obstacles. In my opinion, Nathan is the perfect hero for her. He is strong and protective toward Remy even though she is a strong woman who does not need coddling. They work exceptionally well together whether tracking leads, dodging bullets, or just having fun in the bedroom. CHASING SILVER is an inventive and exhilarating adventure that you do not want to miss. The explosive conclusion left me breathless! I cannot wait to see what Craig has in store for these remarkable characters in the future.

Natasha Smith at the same site reviewed Trinity Broken and gave it 4.5 blue ribbons:

TRINITY BROKEN by Jamie Craig took me on a rollercoaster ride like none other. I could not stop reading this book and while I winced, cried, and even got angry at the turn of events in the storyline, I relished and cherished the end result which was a truly magnificent story of love, forgiveness and the ability to overcome horrendous odds to find true love. Quite simply, it was glorious. Sara and Cameron are mates and while they love each other, their ability to love and accept Josh into their lives is very beautiful. Josh had never experienced anything as profound as Sara and Cam’s love and his ability to accept them as well is realistic and often times steamy! The trinity that is Cam, Sara, and Josh is written in such a way that unconditional love is endless – and to me, that is the way it should be.

We've also gotten an early review for our new release tomorrow at Samhain, A Hidden Beauty. Mrs. Giggles gave it an 83 and called it a "romantic gay story." She especially liked Jefferson: Jefferson has that nice tortured artist vibe about him that is most attractive. He doesn't overdo his whining or self-pity, in fact, he's an adorable woobie who is hurt and in need of some TLC.

Last but not least, we have a new contract with Samhain! The story we were working on last week, actually, at our editor's request. Querida is a May/December het novella and is scheduled for a July 22 release.

News roundup

No new releases today, which means you get week's news instead. We got a new cover last week for our April Calendar Boys story, but since that's coming out this coming weekend, we figured we won't inundate our blog two weeks running with it. We did, however, finish our het song pax, Time in a Bottle, and totally messed up our upcoming writing schedule with a new bunny. We're just pathetic. But it's not our fault. We're blaming Macaulay and Wendy from the pax.

There were two new reviews, too, both from Romance Junkies. The first is for Chasing Silver. Robin Snodgrass gave it 5 ribbons, and said:

Jamie Craig has penned a thrilling adventure in CHASING SILVER. This time-travel romance is filled to the brim with non-stop action, sexy dialogue, and sensual love scenes. Remy is a sassy, street-smart heroine who refuses to give up, no matter what the obstacles. In my opinion, Nathan is the perfect hero for her. He is strong and protective toward Remy even though she is a strong woman who does not need coddling. They work exceptionally well together whether tracking leads, dodging bullets, or just having fun in the bedroom. CHASING SILVER is an inventive and exhilarating adventure that you do not want to miss. The explosive conclusion left me breathless! I cannot wait to see what Craig has in store for these remarkable characters in the future.

The second is for Trinity Broken. Natasha Smith gave it 4.5 ribbons and said:

TRINITY BROKEN by Jamie Craig took me on a rollercoaster ride like none other. I could not stop reading this book and while I winced, cried, and even got angry at the turn of events in the storyline, I relished and cherished the end result which was a truly magnificent story of love, forgiveness and the ability to overcome horrendous odds to find true love. Quite simply, it was glorious. Sara and Cameron are mates and while they love each other, their ability to love and accept Josh into their lives is very beautiful. Josh had never experienced anything as profound as Sara and Cam’s love and his ability to accept them as well is realistic and often times steamy! The trinity that is Cam, Sara, and Josh is written in such a way that unconditional love is endless – and to me, that is the way it should be.

Saturday's News Roundup

ETA: Amber Quill's best sellers for February were posted today. Calendar Boys--February: Mine was number 6 for the month, and A Little Bit Bewitched was number 3! WOO!

Some good reviews this week. It's an embarrassment of riches.

First, Ms. Vivien got a 4 Angel review from FAR for her Ruby Red Rebels.

Ruby Red Rebels by Vivian (sic) Dean has two of my favorite things, vampires and cowboys! Max is both and he is a sexy and charming hero. He proves that vampires don’t need to be dark and brooding. Every scene with him makes me smile and wish I had him all for myself. Serena is a plus to the story as well. She is a strong character who doesn’t wait around to be rescued. She dives right in to help out, and once she gets over her distrust of vampires, she takes what she wants with Max. These are two characters I would love to learn more about, and I definitely want to explore the world Vivian (sic) Dean has created.

Speaking of vampires, At the Advent of Dusk got a 4 Star review from JERR.

Reviewer: Suni Farrar
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Heat level: H

The year was 1952 and a vampire by the name of Gideon Keel ran Chicago. Humans and vampires alike quaked in his presence, all except for one. Mary Straugh was a charismatic and rebellious young woman. She needed help finding the vampires that killed two young girls who belonged to her church. If she had the get that help from another vampire, then so be it. She was not afraid of Gideon and one night with him would not kill her . . . at least she hoped it did not.

I had the honor of reviewing the first novel in this great series, Master of Obsidian, and I must say that At The Advent of Dusk lived up to the high standards set by the original. I would venture to say that At The Advent of Dusk was not as dark as its predecessor was, but it did have its moments. Take for instance the opening line of the novel. I have read nothing more powerful and depraved. Gideon remained a contradiction throughout the tale. One instance he was a blood hungry vampire without many morals. The next moment he would care and protect Mary with his whole heart.

It was something about her that brought out the gentleness in Gideon. She was one human that he did not see as food. It could have had something to do with her gumption but Mary was not a fragile woman. She fought for what she believed in and Gideon respected her for that. The magnetism between the lead characters combined with the dark plot sent the sexual tension soaring. I read the story straight through and then headed upstairs. Luckily, for me the pages went by quickly. I adored At The Advent of Dusk. Brava, Ms. Craig.

Trinity Broken got some love from RRTErotic

A provocative tale about being true to yourself, and the ones you love, TRINITY BROKEN is an intense and complex romance. The characters are written with such depth that at times I felt like I was intruding on their most intimate moments as all three struggle to become the loving, happy family they were before all this madness entered their lives. They all suffer from their fractured relationship, and Jamie Craig's book is a journey of rediscovery as Cam, Sara and Josh search not only for those who mutilated Sara, but for the one thing that can bring them back together. The only quibble I had is that this story starts off in the present, with flashbacks to much more carefree times sprinkled within chapters, which became a bit confusing at times.

There are parts of the story that are pretty graphic, not only with violence, but with the sex scenes as well, which involved all three parties, or just Cam and Josh. But if you're looking for something a bit darker, a bit more raw, then TRINITY BROKEN is perfect.

Courtney Michelle

And last, but not least, Fresh Fiction reviewed Chasing Silver.

Jamie Craig has written a heart thumping tale with evil villains and a time travel romance where the sex between Nathan and Remy is beyond hot. These two are attracted to each other right away and that doesn't stop them from acting on their feelings for each other. Even though a future between them may not be possible, they grab what happiness whenever they can. CHASING SILVER has excellent written chase scenes along with mind numbing fights. Nathan is one incredible and sexy hero who won't back down from getting what he wants and protecting those around him. Remy in turn may act tough, but she is soft when she needs to be, and that means when she is with Nathan.

Kristen is the worst kind of villain, a very amoral character who will kill without any reason. Remy is the total opposite of her but she has a sharp mind and will try her best to come on top. Isaac also rounds out the good guys with his wit and observations. For anyone who likes stories that will keep them on the edge of their seat, CHASING SILVER is the one to read.

We also finished up the fifth book in our Calendar Boys series. May's Corazón. Corazón is Spanish for heart, and I think this might be our most complex novella yet for the series. It's certainly the longest, at over 30K.

Next up, our novella Time In a Bottle. I'm excited about this one. It's an insert for the Master Chronicles. Jesse is hopping dimensions again, but with a much different purpose!

Saturday's News Roundup

First, we have a lovely review for Mosaic Moon. From Ariel at RRTErotic.

MOSIAC MOON actually smokes when these three characters play together for the first time. Jesse is a beautiful, shy and sexy character with a sharp mind and who does not mind mixing pleasure with a little pain. Gideon is a bad-ass vamp who deeply loves Jesse and is willing to share him with Emma just to make him happy. Gideon is also a complete Dom in the bedroom, so just imagine what could happen if he changed roles who played the submissive just once (ok, I know that is a teaser!) Emma is a sweet treat to both men who is ready to let go of her inhibitions. She cares for Gideon but is in love with Jesse and is willing to do anything for him…even practice a little BDSM (another teaser). There is also an unexpected twist involving black magic and a grave robber that adds a level of suspense to MOSIAC MOON. Although MOSIAC MOON is a stand alone tale, it only hints at how Emma met Gideon and Jesse. Since this story was so good, so good in fact that I am going to find the first two The Master Chronicles to get up to speed. Yeah, it was that good.

And another nice review for Chasing Silver from Scooper Speaks.

It entertained me. I was interested in the relationship between Remy and Nate and I loved Remy’s dialogue. Try as they might to disbelieve Remy, Nate and his ex-partner, could not ignore her weird slang.

Second, we have a new cover for our series The Calendar Boys. It's for the month of March, Kiss Me.


Third, the best sellers for Amber Quill were posted yesterday. Fortune's Honor was #4 for their Amber Heat line, and Miami's Perfect Weekend was #2 for their Amber Allure line. :)

Saturday's News Roundup

Two covers and a review today!

First, the review.
Chasing Silver.
Fallen Angel Reviews.
Reviewed by: Stephanie B.
Rating: 5 Angels out of 5 Angels. A FAR Recommended Read.

Chasing Silver by Jamie Craig is a marvelously inventive, time-traveling, suspenseful, steamy romance. The main characters are rough around the edges, distrustful, take the law as advisement, yet are loyal and caring deep down under their prickly skin if they choose to befriend someone. Their situation is impossible, how can someone from the future function in the present time frame and how can someone from now understand the differences inherent in the time differential? And yet, Ms. Craig makes the impossible seem obtainable. The story is non-stop action from page one and keeps the reader on their toes trying to figure out how Remy and Nathan can possible make this work if they even survive all the people who seem intent on harming them. Oh and when Remy and Nathan decide to take their relationship further their love scenes are steamy yet sensual. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is closure for most of the elements to this story and yet Ms. Craig has left a perfect set up for a sequel. And as hinted, at the end of the book, there is a teaser for a sequel. I can’t wait for the sequel to be released; it should be very good book too! I highly recommend Chasing Silver for fans of gritty and steamy romantic suspense, time-travel, or even science fiction!

We received our cover for A Little Bit Bewitched as well.

It’s nearly love at first sight for Professor Daniel Meyers when he meets his associate’s, Charles Cowling, American assistant, Lucy Hensen. She enchants him, but he soon learns that when it comes to Lucy, enchanting is not merely hyperbole. A very powerful witch, she’s more than just Charles Cowling’s assistant. She’s his initiate in his coven. And his lover. If that wasn’t complicated enough for Daniel, he finds himself fantasizing about Charles—and Charles’ mouth—at the strangest times.

When Lucy and Charles invite him to a coven meeting, he is curious enough to agree. There he discovers his own latent magical abilities. But he wants more from Lucy and Charles than a night of magic. In fact, he’s more than a little bit bewitched by both of them.

And we also received our cover for A Hidden Beauty.

A student of letters, Micah Yardley wants one thing: To meet Jefferson Dering, a poet he’s long admired from afar. After hearing his idol speak at Harvard, Micah travels to Jefferson’s home in Wroxham, entertaining visions of discussing poetry over dinner and drinks. What he experiences exceeds anything he ever anticipated.

Jefferson finds Micah mesmerizing, passionate, everything he has ever wanted. But ten years earlier, caught in a compromising position with another young man, he exiled himself from Boston and proper society. Now Jefferson represses his desire out of respect for Micah, but his tumultuous emotions stir the restless ghost of Wroxham church—with deadly consequences.

Amid denial, desire, and the villagers rising panic, a single kiss is enough to change the course of their lives…and ignite the flame that could fulfill a generations-old promise.

We also submitted the fourth book in our gay novella series, Calendar Boys. It's called April--Out of the Storm and here's the blurb

When it rains, it pours. Television weatherman Nick Lau’s romantic weekend with his boyfriend, Austin, ends in disaster before it even has the chance to begin. Austin dumps him and leaves their cabin just as the heavens open and soon the mountain is awash in dangerous flash floods.

Jay Archer just wants to escort the tourists off the mountain and to safety. But instead, he finds himself stranded in a small cabin with the very attractive Nick Lau. He seeks sanctuary with Nick. Soon Nick returns the favor by seeking a different kind of sanctuary in Jay’s arms.

Also, the winner of this week's drawing is

!!!!JEANNE!!!!

Please email us at jamiecraigbooks (at) gmail. com in order to collect your prize.

Chasing Silver--A Contest!

Chasing Silver is special to Vivien and me for a lot of reasons. For one thing, it is literally the first novel we ever wrote together. And we love this story so much. We love the characters. I don't know if any other book is so close to my heart. And now it's going to be in stores across the nation on December 1, 2007.

Here is the blurb on the back of the book:

On the run in Washington, D.C. from a cop who cares more about inflicting pain than serving justice, Remy Capra grabs a handful of coins and jumps out a window. She lands seventy-five years back in time and across a continent in Los Angeles--at the feet of bounty hunter Nathan Pierce.

Remy isn't like any woman he's ever met. She's street-smart and sassy, but she needs help, and Nathan, against his own better judgment, offers it. Danger looms on all sides: Remy might be whisked back to her own time at any moment, a murderous gang lord is after them, and then there's the mystery of the Silver Maiden, a mystical coin with strange powers. Remy and Nathan may have a future--if she can evade her own past, and if they manage to keep alive in the ever-threatening present...

We want to celebrate. And we want everybody to celebrate with us. And in my entire life, I don't think I've ever experienced anything as exciting as knowing that my book is going to be in book stores across the country. I'd love to see some proof of it! So here's the deal: If you see a copy of our beautiful book and take a picture of it and mail me the link to jamiecraigbooks (at) gmail.com, I will send you a book from our Jamie Craig backlist. We'll be running this contest all month. Also, if you post this in your own blog, livejournal, etc, and post a link here you can win another book from our backlist.

To summarize:
1) Take a picture of Chasing Silver in a bookstore
2) Email the picture to me at jamiecraigbooks (at) gmail.com
3) Win a copy of a book!

Or
1) Cross-post this to your own blog/LJ/etc
2) Email me the link at jamiecraigbooks (at) gmail.com
3) Win a copy of a book!

Or
1) Do both
2) Win two books!

Submitted: Touching Silver

Our first book with Juno Books, Chasing Silver, is due for release on September 1st. It will be released as a mass market paperback--the first of four Juno Books plans to release as a mass market paperback this year.

About a week before the editor, Paula Guran, informed us of this decision, she emailed and asked how soon we could complete the sequel to Chasing Silver. We told her by the end of May, which gave us just a little over two months to write the novel from our brief outline.

Sounds crazy, don't it?

We were very excited to have a chance to write this book. What author isn't excited when an editor requests a sequel, right? But Chasing Silver was the first book Vivien and I wrote together. The characters--Nathan, Remy, and Isaac--are very important to us. Well, all of our characters are important to us, but these three have a different meaning. We also had a chance to introduce a new character, Isaac's love interest, Olivia Wright.

Olivia is a smart, no-nonsense, kickass heroine with a great sense of humor. Though she's my character, so I might be a bit biased, lol. I was thrilled to meet her, to bring her to life, and to get to know her. I was especially happy to let her fall in love with Vivien's character, Isaac.

We wrote this book in twelve days, then took another two weeks to edit it. We started it on May 9, 2007, a little over one year after we started Chasing Silver, and submitted it to Paula this afternoon. I won't exactly be doing my happy dance until Paula gets back to us, but in the meantime, I can't deny the very real sense of satisfaction.

I say this to my esteemed writing partner often, but the thought strikes me every day--we make books. How cool is that? We make characters, worlds, mythologies, relationships. This story didn't exist before, but now it does, and we get to share it with the world. Isn't that the coolest job ever?

I'll post a blurb for Touching Silver as soon as I can.