Oh, anthologies…I LOVE anthologies. (And I am not just saying this because I have a paranormal romance anthology that will be re-releasing in mass market book form within 2 weeks. No, truly, the release of BELONG TO THE NIGHT is extra anthology fun!)

I love to write and read anthologies for a variety of reasons. I thought I’d share a few of those reasons with you today–and then you can give me your thoughts on the anthologies.

So, here we go…

1. I love to read anthologies because they give me the perfect chance to try new authors. The stories are generally about 100 pages, so I can get a great “taste” of a writer’s style.

2. I love to read anthologies because they are often centered around a central theme. Like all paranormal heroes (BELONG TO THE NIGHT alert!), or a holiday. I can’t help it–I’m a theme fan.

3. I love to write anthologies because writing a manuscript of 400+ pages, a novella gives me the chance to practice tight and fast pacing. With a novella, you have to get your story told, quickly, but you still have to balance your characters and show the emotional journey to your reader. A challenge, but a fun one.

4. I love anthologies because they often give me the chance to explore other characters that I have created in my books. Secondary characters can get developed, and they can get their happy endings.

5. I love anthologies because I can experiment when I write them. In EVERLASTING BAD BOYS, I was able to write about a hero who was, for all intents and purposes, the Boogeyman. Writing the story was pure fun for me.

Oh, I do love anthologies.

What about you? Love ‘em? Like ‘em? Hate ‘em? Why or why not?

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available now from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available now from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

Today is the kick-off day for the annual Romance Writer’s of American National Conference. So that means I’m in Orlando (along with 2,000 other romance writers!). I’m probably melting from the heat, but I’m also having a great time.

I love the annual RWA event. It’s a great time for me to re-charge my creative energy and to network with other people who love romances as much as I do. I once told my husband that this event was like finding my mothership.

While I’m at the conference, I will be participating in a workshop called “Serial Vampire Bondage: Genre Mashups” with some of my writing buddies. This workshop will focus on the merging of genres that is often seen in books.

For me, I always blend romance sub-genres. Sure, I write about vampires and demons. I love my paranormals! But I also like to throw in serial killers and stalkers. Romantic suspense elements often creep into my stories.

When I first sold to Kensington, I was told that my work would be considered “paranormal romantic suspense”–and I think that fits me pretty well. Not just paranormals, not just suspense–all of the above, please.

I think it’s common to see this genre mash-up today. And I love that.

But how do you feel about the genre mash-ups? And what’s your favorite blend?

Thanks for checking out my post!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available now from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available now from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

Hi, everyone! Like my lovely friend Emma Lang, I am currently counting down the days until my next Kensington Brava release. Emma and I are release buddies–our books will both be available on Tuesday, June 29th.

I’m so looking forward to the release of I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–and I sure hope readers enjoy the book!

Sometimes when I start a book, I begin with a particular scene in mind and that scene inspires the entire book. Other times, a character will take shape in my imagination and the rest of the story develops from that character. For I’LL BE SLAYING YOU, well, none of that happened.

Instead, I’LL BE SLAYING YOU came into being because…I thought of the title. One day, this title just popped into my head. I loved the title, and I immediately knew what type of story I’d write to go with it. But first, I had to set up the tale–actually, I had to set up the series. So I wrote the first book in my Night Watch series, ETERNAL HUNTER, and I introduced readers to my paranormal bounty hunters.

Then, when Jude’s story was finished, I turned my attention to I’LL BE SLAYING YOU. By this point, I pretty much had the entire story mapped out in my head. I started writing (it was around Halloween, so this made the tale twice as much paranormal fun for me), and my slayer story flowed quickly onto the pages.

I had a fabulous time writing this book. It was great to visit my Night Watch world again. And speaking of my Night Watch world…if you haven’t already taken my Night Watch Hunter quiz, here’s a link! Go find out which Night Watch hunter you’d be.

Turns out that I’m Jude Donovan–White Tiger Shifter. Guess I have an animal side. Do you? Or are you more of a slaying kind of girl? (Like Dee?)

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/10 from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available 07/27/10 from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

In just over a month, I’ll have a new book release! I’LL BE SLAYING YOU will be available from Kensington Brava on June 29th. (I love counting down to a release day, can you tell?)

Here’s the blurb for my book:

Sandra “Dee” Daniels is a vampire’s worst nightmare. Sure, she couldn’t get up to five-six in the highest heels money can buy—not that she ever wears heels. But the monsters in her past and the stake in her boot are enough to keep most bloodsuckers interested in staying undead out of Baton Rouge.

But there are changes afoot on her turf. Rumors of a Born Master in town—a vampire so powerful he can make the streets run with blood. And a new face in Dee’s dive bars and alleyways—Simon Chase, a strong, sexy shadow with a haunted past of his own. Simon knows a lot about the dark side of Dee’s work. He knows even more about how to make her body spark with desire. But the hot lust shimmering between them is only the beginning. Because Simon also knows a secret that will change Dee’s life—if she can live long enough to uncover it.

***

If you read ETERNAL HUNTER, the first book in my Night Watch series, then you’ve already met Dee. She’s small, she’s tough, and she really hates vampires. What can I say? Not all vamps are shiny and moody and angsty. Some are just bad and they need a good staking.

Would you like to win an early copy of I’LL BE SLAYING YOU? Then just tell me your all-time favorite vamp or vamp book. My all-time favorite vampire is (of course) Spike. So bad, but so wickedly good.

Thanks!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/10 from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available 08/1/10 from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

I’ve recently started a new novel (always fun for me). But when I start a book, I often try a few alternate beginnings as I try to find the first line and then the opening sequence that works best for me.

I’m a big believer in starting a story with an attention-grabber. The first line sets the tone for the story, and it lets readers know exactly what to expect from the tale. When I’m in a bookstore and searching for a new book, I always read the back cover blurb then I open the book and read the first paragraph. If I’m hooked by the beginning, I buy the book.

Yes, I’m all about those fabulous first lines.

Have you recently read a book with a fabulous first line? Then please, share it with me!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/10 from Kensington Brava

Hi, everyone! I’m in a paranormal frame of mind today. So, I thought I’d talk about the top ten reasons (cause there are many, many more) why I love paranormals. (And, yes, I’m going to do these in a countdown order!)

10. Spike. What? You don’t know who he is? Oh, you are missing out! Spike was the anti-hero in the Buffy series. He taught me that bad guys can definitely steal the show–and make it way more interesting.

9. I grew up watching horror movies and looking for ghosts in the dark–of course, I still look for those ghosts (only now, they’re really sexy pirate ghosts).

8. I get tired of the ordinary. I want “extra” ordinary. I want to believe there is more to this world than meets the eye.

7. I love Sam and Dean. So if you haven’t tuned in to watch Supernatural on Thursday nights, you are seriously missing out. This show is food for the paranormal mind. Demons, angels, hot heroes–oh, yes, I do love this paranormal masterpiece!

6. Anything goes in paranormals. The only limit is your imagination.

5. Vamps, baby, vamps. With paranormals, I can say “Bite me”–and mean it!

4. Diversity–I can read about any paranormal character I want these days. Genies, demons from the fourth dimension of hell, or even valkyries–they’re all there for me.

3. Fun. Paranormals just = fun for me.

2. Sub-genre blend. Paranormals aren’t just found in contemporary stories these days–you can find them lurking in historicals or futuristics. Any time period! Perfect!

1. When it comes to the “bad” boy heroes, the paranormals rule. Whether the hero is a demon, a vamp, a kick-ass shifter, or even a fallen angel–these guys know how to be very, very bad–and I sure do love that!

So tell me…do you have a top ten list? Did I miss a reason? Let me know!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 07/2010 from Kensington Brava

I like to write about paranormal characters. Okay, correction–I LOVE to write about them. And since signing on with Kensington, I’ve been able to write about some of my all-time favorite paranormals:

Vampires (I love strong, kick-ass female vamps)
Shifters (wolf, white tiger, and, yes, a dragon)
Demons (the badder, the better!)
Witches
A soul-eater (Yes, I said soul-eater! Luis was featured in the EVERLASTING BAD BOYS anthology)
Charmers

And now…I’m writing about an angel. Or, rather, a fallen angel. When angels fall, they can become very bad. (Yes, bad in a good way–hopefully!)

It is so much fun for me to create paranormal characters. With supernaturals, you can imagine anything. No limits.

I read and write paranormals because I truly enjoy that “no limits” aspect. With paranormals, there is always more to the world that meets the eye. As a kid, I was afraid of the monsters in the dark. As an adult? Well, I can’t wait to write about them!

But what about you? What’s your take on the paranormals?

Happy reading!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
ETERNAL HUNTER–Available now from Kensington Brava
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/2010 from Kensington Brava

When I was a kid, I used to love reading fairy tales. (Oh, who am I kidding? I still love them!). My favorite story was Beauty and the Beast. Hmmm…could that possibly be why I enjoy writing shifter romances so much? I do love a bit of the beast in my heroes.

Fairy tales (the not-so-Grimm) variety, got me hooked on happy endings. On love conquering all and on the hero and heroine surviving sometimes against magical odds.

Lately, it seems that re-telling the classical fairy tales is a popular trend. Old story, new twist. I’m intrigued by this trend, and I’ll definitely have to try out some stories. I’ve personally always wanted a new Snow White story. Why does she have to fall for the prince? Wouldn’t it be more fun if she fell for the hunter who was supposed to kill her? (But he couldn’t, of course, because he secretly loved her.) Or what about that Wicked Queen? Come on, even bad girls need love, too!

Yes, ahem, as you can tell, I’m all about the re-telling.

But what’s your favorite fairy tale? Is there a classic that you’d like to see re-told?

Happy Reading!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
ETERNAL HUNTER–Available now from Kensington Brava

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving–one filled with great family, wonderful friends, and terrific food!

I love Thanksgiving. For me, it’s a relaxed holiday. No rushing around. No stress. Just delicious turkey and laughter with my family. (My husband does the cooking–so see, there really is no stress for me! I just play with our three year old son.) On the day after Thanksgiving, we load up and drive to see a million twinkling Christmas lights…we head to see Bellingrath Gardens and their Christmas in Lights. Seeing the lights is a tradition for my family–it winds down our Thanksgiving fun and officially kicks off our Christmas time.

Do you have a special Thanksgiving tradition in your family? I’d love to hear about ‘em!

Be safe–and have a great holiday!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT–mass market re-release 12/1/09
ETERNAL HUNTER–available 12/29/09 from Kensington Brava

You can now get HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT free from Amazon Kindle (this free deal is good only from 11/21-11/23–so hurry and get the book now!).

You can also get the HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT ebook free from Sony (Hurry! The free deal from Sony also ends on 11/23.)

If you don’t have an ereader, no worries! You can download these books to your computer to read.

The HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT ebook will also soon be free from Barnes and Noble–as soon as the deal appears on their site, I’ll be back to put up a link.

Spread the word! Download the book! Read and relax before the wonderful madness of Thanksgiving!