It's been so much fun since I self-pubbed my novella, Summer Lovin', I decided I wanted to publish something full-length. So I just put one of my Regency historicals, Lord Midnight, on Smashwords, and it is now available on Amazon too.
This is a story that I've loved for a very long time. It was the first full-length Regency historical I wrote, after writing several shorter (70k) traditional Regency novels. It has won a couple of contests, and also come very close to being traditionally published.
Here's a short blurb about the story:
Lord Midnight, a dashing highwayman, lives for revenge against the uncle who stole his title and tried to kill him when he was a child. His plan for vengeance--seducing his uncle's bride-to-be--collides with his passion for this spirited young woman desperate to escape her wedding. Soon he must choose: the woman who stole his heart, or revenge against the man who stole his life.
The beautiful cover was done by Carrie Spencer of Cheeky Covers, and once again she's produced a cover that makes me just want to sit and stare at it all day! When she thought she was all done, I managed to come up with a last-minute idea to add the crescent moon, something that is important to the story. Carrie was gracious about adding it and then tweaking it when I said, "Can you make it face the other way?" and "It needs to be more crescent-y". She must have been thrilled when I finally squealed, "It's perfect!" (We'll have a chance to find out her exact thoughts since she agreed to let me interview her in the near future.)
So thanks for sharing in my excitement today. I hope you'll get a chance to fall in love with Gabriel and Marisa, just like I did while writing their story. Now I'm off to tend to another couple, Hugh and Felicia, who might be the next candidates for self-publication. . .
lol...I did enjoy the squealing and the "it's perfect!" =) Enjoy your cover and here's hoping for great sales! =)
Posted by: carrie spencer | December 23, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Carrie, you're so wonderful. When I said you were thrilled, I meant you were RELIEVED that I wasn't having you make any more tweaks. LOL I love both my covers, and I'm sure this new one will get as many compliments as the first one did! Thanks again. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 23, 2011 at 09:50 AM
I am another one squealing over that cover! It is so beautiful! Carrie, I am hoping to come find you soon for my story! I'm looking forward to your interview. :)
Donna, this is wonderful! Congratulations! I can't wait to read this one too. :) I read the excerpt and I love the adventurous spirit of Marissa.
I'm definitely sharing your excitement and finding your self-publication energy and successes very inspirational!
Posted by: Melissa | December 23, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Melissa, isn't it lovely? I've been online buddies with Carrie for a while, and I love her writing, but I didn't even realize she did book covers until she left an offhand comment in a tweet one day. LOL
And I'm glad to hear you love Marissa's adventurous spirit. :) I'm rather fond of it too. Heck, I wish I *had* that kind of adventurous spirit. LOL
I'm also delighted that you're inspired by my self-pub journey. It's a bit daunting to do this, but it's also a lot of fun to share my stories with readers. It keeps me motivated too. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 23, 2011 at 11:53 AM
That is a wonderful cover... I love a good crescent moon! The blurb sound wonderful, looking forward to seeing it on the Smashwords site!
Congrats!
Posted by: Maureen O. Betita | December 23, 2011 at 12:13 PM
I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Is it available now? How soon is soon? That is the best cover--I want to stare all day. :)
Posted by: Hellion | December 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Thanks, Maureen. I'm partial to a crescent moon too, and I think Carrie got it just right. Thanks for checking it out on Smashwords. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 23, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Hellion, I love it too. It's a wonder I got the book finished since I had to keep looking at it. LOL
The ebook is available on Smashwords, and hopefully it'll be live on Amazon tonight. Then I'll have to figure out how to make it available via POD (print-on-demand), for those who don't want to or can't get it via an ereader.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 23, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Just bought it on Amazon. =) Thanks for the nice compliments everyone. =) It's so much fun to see a book "live".....
Posted by: carrie spencer | December 23, 2011 at 11:33 PM
Donna, I'm already in love with Marisa and Gabriel!
That cover is fabulous. Perfect for such a stunning story.
As I had the privilege of an ARC I'm going to buy it now, and not just to get that cover!
It is very exciting to witness a new nova in the writing firmament *smile*
Posted by: Quantum | December 24, 2011 at 06:14 AM
Carrie, I was planning on giving you a copy! The cover designer shouldn't have to buy their own. :) I'll definitely get you on the next one!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 24, 2011 at 07:42 AM
Q, thanks so much for your kind words. I was so happy that you beta read it for me, and I'm glad that you've fallen for Marisa and Gabriel too. :) I don't know that I can be compared to a nova, unless. . .is that one that's filled with hot air? LOL
Thanks again--hope you enjoy Lord Midnight in its "final" format. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | December 24, 2011 at 07:45 AM