Monday, November 16, 2009

Meet Alicia Dean, Author of HEART OF THE WITCH

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to a fabulous woman, one who is very dear to my heart. She's the wonderful editor who helped to make my first two books good enough to receive four and five star reviews. She's also a great author. Today, she's here to talk about her upcoming release, HEART OF THE WITCH, by Dorchester. I cannot wait to purchase this book! One of you may be lucky enough to win a copy. Every comment will get that person's name in the drawing. Wednesday the winner will be announced on this blog. Good luck!

And now, please help me welcome my dear friend, Alicia Dean!



All struggling writers that I know have broken into the publishing world in various ways. My story is what I'd call a stroke of luck and part miracle. I am a member of Oklahoma Romance Writers of America and Sharon Sala is also in that chapter. A few years ago, she offered to read a book by each of the unpublished authors in our chapter. (An amazing and very giving gesture for someone of her success). She only meant to offer some general comments on how to improve our writing. There were a few of us whose books she liked well enough to help us get published, and fortunately, mine was one of them. She referred me to her agent, Meredith Bernstein. Now, Meredith wouldn't have signed me just because Sharon liked my book. She's a businesswoman and had to feel she could sell my MS. She did sign me and it took a year, but she sold my book Heart of the Witch (formerly Tin Man) to Dorchester. I will be forever grateful to Sharon, my miracle worker. I was able to skip all the queries and rejections and letdowns. I hadn't even really been submitting up to that point. Now, while Meredith was trying to sell my book, I suffered quite a few rejections, so no matter what your situation, it can and will happen if you do one thing. Never give up and explore every opportunity (Okay, maybe that's two things )

I am holding a contest between my book's release date (November 24th) and the end of the year. The information isn't yet posted on my website, but will be soon. In the book, one of the character's names is a scrambled version of someone connected to the original Wizard of Oz movies. On January 1st, 2010, I'll draw one name out of all the correct guesses that are emailed to me. The winner will receive a 70th anniversary edition of the Wizard of Oz DVD, a $30 Amazon gift card, and a signed copy of Heart of the Witch. Check out my website for more details: AliciaDean.com (NOTE: My web site has been under construction, hopefully, it's up and running now.) If not, email me with any questions at AliciaMDean@aol.com. You can also use that email to enter the contest, but the subject line must say 'Name Scramble Contest'

Thanks for stopping by...I can't tell you how thrilled I am that my dream of publication finally came true and my 'baby' will be out there in the world in a matter of days.

There is a monster on the loose, a serial killer murdering young women near Oklahoma City. On each corpse he writes his name in blood:

THE TIN MAN

But while the villain claims to be heartless, he’s not beyond making a mistake. This time he left his prey alive, and ex-homicide detective Nick Lassiter plans to use her to crack the case wide open. Yet, Ravyn Skyler is nothing like he expects. She remembers little of the crime, and for a victim, she has a deep reserve of quiet strength. In her eyes he sees both helpless waif and merciless vigilante, and in her kiss he tastes both passion and power. With a tale of a tin man, it only seems fair that there’s a witch. And this witch guards a secret that threatens not only their lives, but their souls.

Excerpt:

“You’re not making any sense,” Ravyn snapped. “I’d
give anything to find and stop this maniac. I don’t
know what you’re accusing me of, or why. Why?”

Nick sighed and shook his head. “Damn it, I don’t
know. I don’t know.”

She put a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Nick.”

He gave her a small, humorless smile. “Sorry for
what? Are you sorry Kayne is a dangerous fanatic? Or
are you sorry that I can’t stop thinking about you, can’t
stop wanting you? Sorry that my desire for you is stronger
than it ever was for my dead wife?” He grabbed
her once more and pulled her to him. “Do you have
any idea how crazy that is? How it makes me feel? I
want you every second of every day. Even with people
dying around me, even with the frustration and guilt
of not being able to stop this murdering psychopath,
I still want you. It’s . . . it’s like I’m under some sort of
spell.”


Visit Alicia Dean at her website: www.aliciadean.com

21 comments:

Janie Mason said...

Your story sounds great! (BTW, I'm a huge Wizard of Oz fan) Thanks, Carol Ann, for having Alicia at your blog today. Heart of the Witch sounds like a book I'm going to have to pick up. Best wishes on your release.

Sandy Wickersham-McWhorter said...

Hi, I looked around Alicia's website, not sure where to find the name to unscramble. Anyway, I may have to buy this book! I don't much like serial killer stories but a good paranormal mystery is right up my dark alley! We have Stacy Dittrich here in Mansfield who's become world famous writing a series based on Ashland and Richland county murders; I couldn't get very far into her first one, very scary. I hope your success matches Stacy's, Alicia! Sandy www.sandywick.com

Liana Laverentz said...

What a great picture! I wish you many happy sales with Dorchester and beyond! Good luck updating the website!

Silver James said...

Hi, Alicia! I love the premise of this book and I can't wait to get my hands on it when it comes out. It's going to the top of my TBR pile. Have I mentioned that I think your cover rocks, too?

Good luck with the book and glad to have you back in OKRWA territory!

Anonymous said...

Ally, you are BEAUTIFUL!! (of course, I knew that anyway. :) ) Oooh, this story sounds rather fearful, so even in the excerpt, you've captured the atmosphere excellently! :)

So happy for you, and best of luck with Dorchester! :)

Anonymous said...

Great post, Alicia. Best wishes with the book (although, knowing what a great writer you are, luck will have little to do with it.). Bx.

Barbara Monajem said...

Finally! I've been looking forward to this book for months. Congratulations, Alicia!

Faith V. Smith said...

Alicia,

This is wonderful! So happy for you!

Alicia Dean said...

Okay, not sure if I can get this to work. I'm a novice. :-)

Thanks, Janie. I hope you enjoy the book. I must admit, this is my first blog, so if I do something wrong in responding, please forgive me. I'm also a huge Wizard of Oz fan, obviously. :-)

Hi Sandy, thanks for the well wishes on my success. I hope so, too! As far as my website and the contest, I must apologize. The new website isn't up and running yet. The one you saw is the old one and I haven't put the contest info up yet. The name to unscramble won't really be on the web site, it's in the book.

I'm not sure how to respond to each post, but thanks to all my friends who stopped by, Silver, Liana, Barbara, Natashya, Miss Mae, Faith...you guys are great!

Toni Anderson said...

Alicia, Congratulations!!!!! I can't wait to read it.

Helen Hardt said...

How very exciting! I love the premise, Alicia, and can't wait to check it out. Best of luck to you!

Helen
www.helensheroes.blogspot.com

Tina Joyce said...

Alicia, congratulations!!!! I'm definitely looking forward to reading this book.

Calisa Rhose said...

Ah Alicia. Home Girl! I never get tired of hearing about this story. Now if I can buy it (or win it) I'll like it even more. Once again, congratulations! And bless Sharon's giving heart. And we shall dub her 'GLENDA'.

Anonymous said...

Alicia, your book sounds fabulous! I can't wait to read it. I can't believe Sharon as so generous. Wow, I loved her before, but now I adore her. Congratulations and may you have tons of success, which I'm sure you will.

-- Shea Berkley
www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com

J L said...

You won't be a novice at this for long, Ally -- have fun with your release & all the attendant fuss that surrounds it!

Jodi said...

As always, wishing you the greatest success with the release of Heart of the Witch (probably will continue to be Tin Man to me)and, although I don't necessarily need to read it, an autographed copy would be nice—but that might be considered cheating. =)

How's that second book coming? I know there's one in the works...

Joelle

Rebecca Draco-Savage-Giallongo said...

I bet this is an excellent book because I know sharp you are!

Alicia Dean said...

Hello again...I've been gone all day, so sorry for the delay. Thanks for all the comments.

Yes, Sharon is extremely generous. She's a wonderful person. I think Glenda is a fitting name for her. :-)

My next book is in my agent's hands and she said she loves it, so I hope she'll sell it soon.

Sorry about my web site, everyone. It's just not quite updated yet, but hopefully will be soon.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you. Wishing you continued success!!!

Merline Lovelace said...

Hi, Alicia - As you said, it's been a loooong wait to see your baby in bookstores but that magic day is almost here. I'm so proud and happy for you.

ALICIA'S BIGGEST FAN said...

Alicia....as your sister, your best friend & your web mistress, (sorry to all that have been waiting for the updated site...I'm finally getting there :), I have watched this dream unfold as we have gone from children to adults. There is nothing I can say to let you know how proud I am of you & how excited I am for your future success. LUV U!