Family of Misfits Character Collector Cards

I've been dying to share my character cards with everyone that didn't go to GRL and since it's over, here they are. :) My fabulous friend, writer and graphic designer - L.C. Chase - made them for me - she's also the one who did the cover for Lucius' Bite and will do the rest of the series too. And if you ask her what kind of client I am I'm sure she'll say a very picky, anal retentive, perfectionist one. ;) And I totally am.

It took me a long time to find the right faces to go with my characters - would be so much easier if we could pick just any old picture off the net and use it how we see fit. But since that's definitely not the case, I scoured the photo sites looking for just the right boys and I think I've found them. Ali and Nicu were the toughest and poor L.C. had to try to Ali-up my witch's hair. Manny will be my next searching task. You'll notice Kalo doesn't have a bio because he's still a bit of a mystery but his card has a teaser for the next book in the series, tentatively called Ali's Intuition. Hope you like. :)

(PS I have lots leftover if anyone would like a set)

Not going to GRL? Enter my prize pack giveaway.

Happy Monday, y'all. You know I don't say that in real life - ya'll. But I have a lot of friends who do and I enjoy writing it. :)

For anyone who isn't going to Gay RomLit, this is your chance to win a prize pack of the things I'll be pimping at the retreat.
The prize pack will include:

 A signed, print copy of LUCIUS' BITE - FAMILY OF MISFITS 1

A signed, print copy of DOMESTIC RELATIONS

4 Collector Character cards from Lucius' Bite

A double-sided postcard featuring two of my books.

Two K-lee Klein pens *snickers*

And maybe something Canadian, eh?

I'll ship anywhere - just keep in mind the further you are away, the longer the wait will be, plus the mail system is a little damn slow.

The random giveaway will close on October 25 and prizes will be shipped after that date.

To enter, leave your name, email address and some small comment that will make me smile (always appreciated). For extra entries - 1. invite a friend to enter (they should mention your name in their comment), 2. follow my blog, 3. follow me on twitter, 4. post this link somewhere else.

I'm not sure how many posts I'll have between now and then, but with two new releases at the end of October, you can expect at least two more contests when I get back.  Good Luck and have a great couple of weeks.

Hugs.

A new release, some news, trees and waterfalls

I'm a bad, bad, bad author. Didn't even do a post for my release day so let's pretend it's yesterday, shall we? Happy Release Day to meee! Domestic Relations is live and ready for take-off. You can grab it at Less Than Three Press.

I hope you like reading about Riley and Josh and their "little' issues as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was actually supposed to be a short story to begin with and as usual, it grew but this time into novel proportions, and yes, it will be available in print as well. My second print book - very exciting! Now I'll have two books to sign at GRL should anyone want to 1 - buy them and 2 - want me to sign them. :)

Talk of swag, stock photos & other babble...

I still haven't deleted all the pics on my blog. *sighs* Still not sure what I'm doing about that. It's mostly my main page that will be a bummer. I know I can still use Nicu

<-- Nicu

because he's bought and paid for and yes, he did have a female behind him in the original. He looks better without, don't you think? :)

Thursday night pretties...

Just wanted to post some pretties and share what I got in the mail today. I had a total squee-fest. They look so awesome. :)

In writing news - I've been doing 30 minute sprints (or WordWars) and have had good results. 3,464 words yesterday and 3,331 today all on Ali's story. :) Gonna try to keep it up.

In other news, I got my steroid injection in my knee on Tuesday and though it doesn't feel like the one I got before, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will work. It's certainly not a pleasant thing to go through. AND I've made some summer plans. I'm going to Vancouver for a week to see my daughter and for Pride then housesitting in Parksville, BC (it's on Vancouver Island) for four weeks all by myself. :) It's supposed to be a beautiful place and I'm looking forward to getting out of the city. And now, on to the pretties. :D

Aren't they awesome?

I'm back, books are out and 777 challenge :)

Greetings! I've missed you people. Hopefully I remember how to post again. :) I'm still jet lagged and on some weird half-Canadian-half-Eurpoean sleep schedule but I want to start stepping back into RL again.


Both my new releases are live - Yays! Countdown to Daddies has gotten some great stars and reviews and hopefully once a few people read Lucius' Bite I'll get those, too. Can only hope people like what you write, right? I think that's natural. The sequel to Lucius is already floating in bits and pieces in my head, just need to find some time to put them on the page.


I'm going to do a post on my trip - probably a couple of them since I feel so ADHD at the moment and my focus is worth crap. Hope you don't mind if I put up a couple buyers' links for my books - here they are:

Ramblings, updates, hiatus (sort of)

<---THIS! Yes.

I do need more time despite flitting and procrastinating it away the past couple of weeks. I leave Tuesday for a 12 night cruise to Northern Europe, all in total gone from June 5-23 and I am not prepared. Haven't decided what I can wear (read - what I can fit into that's not disgusting on me), what I should take (I'm an obsessive over-packer), what can stay behind (not much - kitchen sink maybe?) Anyone have any must-sees or suggestions for London, England - we'll be there 3 nights after the cruise?

I'm also a little discouraged that I have two new releases coming out while I'm gone. Author fail in the promo department, a department I suck at anyhow. Countdown to Daddies is a sweet story if I do say so myself but it's Lucius' Bite that is the meat and potatoes of my books at the moment. In the back of my mind I have this notion that if it does marginally well, if people like it, then I am finally an author. It's probably because it's my longest to date, my first book I'll be able to hold in my hand because it will be in print, plus it's a genre I've never written (not even really in fanfiction). I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself, even hesitating on really starting the next one in the series because if Lucius flops, there's no point.

I will be making up a couple scheduled posts with a give-away on Countdown to Daddies (comes out June 15) and Lucius' Bite (June 22) and hopefully blogger won't screw those up. I'd appreciate it if you read those posts that you'd tweet the links or whatever, just to get the word out. I have a couple of other blogs doing give-aways, too, and will keep try to update you on that.

As for the promo thing, most days I just don't have a clueI know there are no guarantees in writing and unless you really put yourself out there, nothing will happen for you but sometimes it's discouraging. I'm also feeling some readers/buyers guilt because I've finally realized that waiting to buy books at All Romance (for the deals), Fictionwise (for the sales) or even on Amazon (for the format) severely cuts into the royalties of authors. My first royalty statements cleared that up in my mind and I'm definitely going to try to buy my books right from the publishers now. Third party sales are wicked hard on the author. I've definitely learned a lesson and it's discouraging because I know why people (myself) buy them from those distributors so asking someone to just buy from the pubs is unfair. This isn't a lecture by any means, just a realization that struck home hard and fast.

Domestic Relations is on the cusp of being submitted to Less Than Three - those last few edits, revisions and read-throughs just seem like hell to me. I don't have a release date yet for my pretty lawyer boys, but I'm thinking near the end of the summer. When I get a cover I'll share that too.

I have some end-of-Hop ends to tied up (thanks again to all who participated - I believe it was a success) on top of the editing, packing and freaking out so I should get my procrastinating butt moving on at least doing something - my mood's been low so that just adds to my lack of motivation.  Hopefully I'll get one more post in before I leave. Have a great weekend.

Oh and if you're going to the movies this weekend (and decide not to go to The Avengers LOL 

- it's only been 4 times for me), keep in mind this movie is out with the lovely 

(sexy, hot-as-fuck) Chris Hemsworth. :)

New Contract, excerpt & tattoo problems

<-- That right there is a tattoo I really want - maybe with some background added in. I've always loved wolves and it sort of resembles my dog's face that I lost last year. 


And in other tattoo news, I'm looking to turn my simple Red Hot Chili Peppers logo tattoo into a mandala tattoo. Basically a mandala can have certain symbolism behind it, there are celtic, chakra, etc. or it can just be things woven together that represent parts of a person. I want to work outward from my Peppers tattoo, maybe fill in the middle with another layer of the logo. My problem is I cannot draw or design to save my life and I'm hoping someone might be willing to offer me some assistance. I know I have some artistic friends out there. Thoughts? Anyhow - on to the next part of the blog.


I'm thrilled to say that my shifter/witch/gypsy/etc paranormal series - at least the first book - has been accepted for publication by MLR Press. I've been working hard on Lucius' Bite and it's my longest story to date (not counting that 90k one I started three years ago and haven't been back to :P). 


I spent last week re-reading it, revising it, editing it until I never wanted to see the characters again - Lucius who? But it paid off and now I've already gotten through the first set of edits so it's on its way. I fall in love fast with my characters and both the MCs drove me freaking crazy at different times during different scenes but I love them so hard. I don't have a publication date yet, of course, but hopefully in time for GRL. 


AND it will be in print too. That kind of makes me squee inside -even though people don't buy a lot of print anymore, especially m/m - it's more about having my name on a cover of something I can hold in my hand. :)  And speaking of covers, I may be having a friend do one but it's still too early to tell. I'll keep you posted.


Now here's an excerpt: (it's a more humorous one but the story is still a mix of angst with some light-heartedness once and a while) Hope you like.

Wow, an actual update

I must repeat "Wow". It's been just over a month since I was here and I'm not sure I actually remember how to blog now at all. But I'll give it a try.

My New York trip went well, if not more than a little annoying on crutches. Even taxis are frustrating with crutches - they want you in and out as fast as possible and some of those backseats have zilch in the way of legroom. I have to give huge kudos to my bff Piper Vaughn for putting up with having to haul me around New York and for being an awesome roomie. :)

I was worried about the whole airport situation - having to haul my *ahem* huge bag around with me but ended up being carted in a wheelchair through the entire airport both times. It was embarrassing but necessary I guess. The weather was good and the hotels we stayed in were both good, too - each having its own pluses and minuses. We did some sightseeing on the top of a Hop On Hop Off bus - after being shuffled to the very front of the line because *ahem* I was the Chosen one. Lol. The bad part of the bus was the guide and his annoying little earbud commentary but I won't get into that. We walked a fair bit that day too and I have to say I was a trooper considering it was hot and my right leg was screaming at me to just stop and sit down.

Some highlights - the Rainbow Book Fair was interesting though the table Piper and I were in charge of (for Less Than Three Press) was not in the section where we got the m/m traffic. We still talked to a few people, sold a few books and got to meet some of the other authors. Amy Lane is a sweetheart and gives great hugs and squees. Christopher Koehler is taller than the damn Empire State Building - well, okay, he's just really tall. Gosh, it's been so long I can't remember who else was there. Damon Suede did the manly thing and packed all of our boxes to the curb then became Superman when he jumped in front of a taxi and told him exactly what he had to do.

That's one thing Piper and I were not so good at in New York, hailing taxis... and knowing where we were. Lol. Also, got to meet K. Piet who is an absolute sweetheart. Also present but I'd met before were: Rowan Speedwell, J.P. Barnaby, Ellis Carrington, Rachel Haimowitz, J.M. Snyder (never met before actually) and I know I'm missing a bunch.


Central Park Carriage Ride We had the cutest Irishman show us around Central Park on his lovely horse and carriage. I could have listened to his accent all night and when he took out his cropped and whipped the bad taxi-cab - let's just say parts of my body came to attention. Lol. Just ask Piper.

Broadway! We saw the most fabulous show EVER! If you go to New York and want drama, comedy, fabulous dancing, singing, smiling, and hot men in dresses doing all those things, you have to go to

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT.

It was so damn good and interactive and funny and sad and anything else you want in a show. 1/4 the way through I just wanted to go again. The stand-out for me was the multi-talently and totally gorgeous Nick Adams. He will have his post soon. He sang, he danced, he had perfect comedic timing, his smile could launch a thousand ships and he was so ripped and hot I wanted to stick bills in his pants. Hot damn.

Finally meeting a friend in person. One of the most exciting highlights for me was meeting someone I'd become close to online, someone who has nothing to do with my writer side, just my friend side. I was nervous as all hell - crutched my way up God knows how many metal stairs just to want to turn around and go right back down again because my nerves were screaming at me. I didn't and it went well. He was everything I thought he was and more.

I got to spend my last day with him, crutching around Soho and I don't know where else. He showed me his fave stores and I bought a few things for my kids including this adorable freeze-dried bat for my baby boy. It seriously is. They all had different looks on their faces so we had to pick one out. This one looks a little diabolical and we liked his face. :)

Overall it was a very good trip and I was exhausted when I got home. Don't let anyone tell you that crutches are easy to walk around New York with, they're a total pain in the ass. My knee continued to get worse again when I was gone, too much use obviously.

Yesterday I got a steroid shot in the anserine bursa of my knee. Holy mother of something, it hurt like hell. My mom gets cortisone shots in her knee for arthritis but they put them right in the joint. With a bursa shot they have to find the exact spot where the pain is the worst so it took a lot of freaking pain to even get to the part where they put the needle in. It swelled up even more last night but today it's settled down a little. I'm trying to keep positive that it will help and I'll be able to take a chainsaw to those crutches soon but even the doctor wasn't all that sure if it would work. I need to be walking at least semi-normally by the beginning of June for the Northern European cruise the hubby and I are taking. *keeps fingers crossed*

Writing After what seemed like forever of revising and editing and reading through it again and again and again and humming and hahing and being nervous, I finally finished and sent Lucius' Bite off to be considered for publication. I procrastinated so long on doing it and now that it's gone, I feel like a weight has lifted. I really love the story and there are already sequels floating around in my head. I also finished a story for the Love Is Always Write challenge on GoodReads. It's called Lazy Sundays and I think it's pretty sweet. The pic I was given for inspiration is posted on the right side of this blog.

My next project is to get my Father's Day story finished by May 1, as well as my lawyer story that is drowning in dust. And wouldn't you know it, Less Than Three posted an anthology call for - are you ready - ROCKSTARS! My favourite subject. I have to get these other two finished first though, plus I have Glitter Fox 2, and Home on the Ranch 2  sitting on the back-burner steaming away.

In other news, I started a Tumblr. It's mostly hot shirtless men, gay couples kissing and snuggling, and more hot men so if anyone's interested in that kind of thing, here's the link.

K-lee Klein Tumblr

I'd also love any feedback you want to give me. Is there anything I used to post on my blog you'd like to see more of? Do you like author interviews or WIP postings? Do my music posts interest you? I'm just looking for ideas to improve what I'm doing. Thanks guys. Have a good weekend.



I'll leave you with a pic of my favourite Survivor character this season. Say hi to Jay Byars. He already got booted off - I don't know what those people were thinking. I wouldn't kick him off the island for anything in the world.  :)