Stephanie Tyler's Weblog » Hold On Tight

SEAL of My Dreams site up & running!

Stephanie — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:56:10 +0000

There are several upcoming projects I’m really excited about, but none means more than being part of the SEAL OF MY DREAMS anthology. All proceeds go to Veterans Medical Research and I’m so grateful to have a chance to give back to these heroes! I’m buying zillions of copies and everyone’s getting them for Christmas – everyone! The authors I’m side by side with are amazing and I can’t wait until release day – November 11th – Veteran’s Day! And yes, it will be available in both print and eBook format, thanks to Belle Books!

My short story is connected to the HOLD series – you’ll see Jake and Chris and Jamie and Nick and the rest of the gang. We were only supposed to write 5K and mine is close to 8K, so I cheated a little. But there was so much more I wanted to write! I’m definitely not done with this series and I’ve got plans, plans I tell you.

Anyway, as always, it’s been busy here, but Fall is always my favorite season. I think it has something to do with school starting and having taught, but I always view September as the beginning for me. I tend to get a huge bulk of writing done during this time too – I also plan for new projects as well.

I’m often asked how I write, how I stay focused, etc. In fact, Sarah just asked me on Twitter last night! If you’ve been visiting this blog for a while, you’ve heard this before, but I like to talk about my process in case there are new writers out there who think there’s only one way to do things.

There’s not. And when I first started out, I didn’t know that. I couldn’t finish a book to save my life and couldn’t figure out why. Somehow, I’d gotten it into my head that a book needed to be written in order.

The big secret? It doesn’t. You can write out of order! You can write the end first, the middle first, you can jump all around. At some point, of course, you have to pull the whole thing together, but until then, get it written any way you can. I typically see the big moments first, and I tend to write those first. I write down anything and everything that comes to mind. But the key is, I’m always writing – because I have to for my contracts, but more so because I love writing. I can’t not write.

I also write several books at once. I don’t plot much, so this definitely helps my productivity. I’m always moving forward on something. Obviously, the contracted work that’s due next is the priority, but I usually have a couple of things with close due dates, plus copy edits, etc. And somehow, the big mishmash all works for me. I’m a really organized person, and writing in a disorganized way works because I can see the bigger picture – I keep my eye on it the entire time and I know I can pull together the puzzle in the end. Is it the easiest way to write? I don’t know, but it’s the only way I can, and I’ve tried others. But I’ve written somewhere in the vicinity of 20 books or more and at this point, it’s my process and I’m sticking with it.

As we approach NanoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month in November) I’ll try to talk more about process and publishing and the like. If you’ve got anything specific you’d like me to talk about, feel free to put it in comments or drop me an email via my contact page!

New York Times Bestseller List!!!

Stephanie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:05:57 +0000

So I got the phone call last night from my agent and my editor that HOLD ON TIGHT hit the New York Times Bestseller List at #22!!!!!

I still can’t really believe it. I mean, last night, I was hyperventilating and in a general state of, well, stunned. Like, really and truly and I’m so absolutely thrilled and thankful and grateful to all the people who bought the books and talked them up and blogged them. You guys are awesome!

Even better, I get to share the thrill with Larissa Ione – we released the same day and her book, Ecstacy Unveiled, hit the New York Times at #23 and the USA Today Bestseller List at #58 (she’s hit both lists before and she just keeps climbing higher – I’m so proud of her!)

Larissa and I have done a lot together – I mean, we write together as Sydney Croft. But it’s more than that – we sold our own first project within three days of one another. She hit the Times with her third single title. I hit it with mine. And we’re right next to each other. And we have purple covers. So it’s really strange and really cool at the same time.

Zoo had a work dinner last night – when he came home, he said, you’d have thought I hit the list – everyone was buying me shots and drinks and stuff!

For the record, I had a brownie for dinner. I know – I’m actually pretty happy about that. Chocolate for dinner – who can complain?

Today, I’ll be trying to keep my mind on my revisions – and you can read my interview over at the Black Raven Cafe – stop on by and say hello and you’re eligible for a backlist giveaway!

Hold On Tight release day!

Stephanie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:06:51 +0000

It’s here! Book 3 in my Navy SEAL trilogy, HOLD ON TIGHT, hits shelves today!

*edited to add* Pearl, from Pearl’s World of Romance. has an awesome review of HOLD ON TIGHT up on her blog – she gives it a perfect 10! WOOT! One of my favorite lines (okay, I love the WHOLE review but I had to give you a sneak peek here) was this: “The combination of strength and vulnerability in all the main characters is written so perfectly that I am still in awe.”

She also has a great review for TOO HOT TO HOLD right below it!

And you can find me guest blogging at several places today, all with giveaways. Come visit me at Seductive Musings, Donna Grant’s Blog and Fresh Fiction!

HOLD ON TIGHT is Chris’s book. His relationship with Jamie started in TOO HOT TO HOLD, and, as their story continues and there are some surprises in store for both of them.

They were caught in the crossfire between danger and desire…

HE’S A NAVY SEAL SUSPECTED OF MURDER…SHE’S HIS LOVER, AND THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR

Chris Waldron, an elite U.S. Navy SEAL, is used to getting out of tight spots. But all his years of training can’t prepare him for the crisis he now faces. When a mission to rescue a kidnapped ambassador and his wife goes tragically awry, an FBI hostage negotiator is killed and Chris finds himself at the center of the ensuing investigation. Leading the charge is the blistering hot special agent and onetime lover who has re-ignited their mutual attraction.

Jamie Michaels is determined to keep things professional with Chris Waldron this time. But seeing him bruised and battered in that hospital bed has rekindled all those feelings she thought she’d left behind during their brief, passionate encounter in Africa. Now Jamie must keep her craving for danger at bay as she spearheads a search for the truth that just may blow Chris’s career to bits—and put them both in the crosshairs of an unseen enemy.

***

Today, you’ll be able to find Chris’s soundtrack, glossary terms specific to his book and a character list up on my site. I’ve got all of that for all three books now, plus maps and other extras, so feel free to look around and get lost in the site for a while.

Guest Blogging & Chat

Stephanie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:12:06 +0000

Today and tomorrow, you can find Chris and Lore interviewing one another over with Greta and Lillie at I Don’t Want To Wait. Stop on over, join the fun and leave a comment to be eligible for the giveaway! Because, in case you didn’t know, HOLD ON TIGHT and ECSTASY UNVEILED release on the same day – which is next Tuesday.

Tomorrow night (Friday,Jan 22nd – 8PM EST) Larissa and I will also be chatting at LIST - about Nick and Chris and Lore and SEALs and Demons and everything in between. Come on by (registration for the forum’s quick and painless) and have fun at the chat!

I’ve been holed up in the house (well, that’s nothing new) with a sick husband. That’s like, the most un-fun thing ever, because sick man = someone send help please. But thanks to Z-packs, he’s much better and should be going to work tomorrow so that way I can get back to work.

I’m so turned around anyway, thanks to the holiday on Monday. So I’m like a day behind in my mind and my watch is giving tomorrow’s date, so I’m not sure if I’m coming or going. Seems like a good time to huddle in and continue reading StarDoc. I’ve never read this series and Lynn pulled me in immediately. Loving it.

Romance B(u)y the Book!

Stephanie — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:00:15 +0000

So today I’m guest blogging over with Michelle Buonofiglio and the fabulous Bellas over at Romance B(u)y the Book, so stop by and say hello!

Oh, and I kept meaning to share this here – Yvette, a bud from the Writeminded loop let me know via Facebook that last week, she and her husband were in Walmart and she saw two women fighting over the last copy of Too Hot To Hold! She said they were arguing and pulling at the book and all I kept thinking was, dude, if they’d gotten into a fistfight and the cops got called, I could’ve gotten some awesome publicity. I mean, the headlines alone – WOMEN ARRESTED FIGHTING OVER STEPHANIE TYLER’S BOOKS!

Oh well, maybe someday. What? I can dream can’t I?

Also, Sue Grimshaw’s got her January book recs video up and she mentions two names that you might be familiar with (HINT – they are Navy SEALs and their books are out now!): Sue’s Must Reads | Borders Media.

Winners from the 3 day DIK contest!

Stephanie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:06:11 +0000

I had a blast over at Desert Island Keepers blog – and I’m thrilled to get to announce the winners!

Right, winners, as in, I had SO much fun, I asked Lea to chose 2 winners instead of one. So without further ado, the winners of a copy of HOLD ON TIGHT are…

MaryG and Jane!!!!

Congrats, ladies! You can contact me or Lea with your snail mail and I’ll get your signed copies out to you ASAP.

And even more TOO HOT TO HOLD

Stephanie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:01:01 +0000

So I’ve been invited over to the DIK Blog – that’s short for Desert Island Keepers, where I’m hanging out with Lea and the rest of the ladies…and some SEALs, of course! I’ll be there for three days of interviews and blogs and yes, there’s a giveaway. So head on over and comment or just say hi and have fun on the island.

Also, I was recently interview for The Big Thrill (the online publication of International Thriller Writers) by awesome author Mary Kennedy (who had a book release on Jan 5th, same day as Nick!). so check it out!

More on TOO HOT TO HOLD

Stephanie — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:20:57 +0000

Thanks for making yesterday such a great release day! I was bouncing all over the place, from Writeminded to LIST to Twitter to Facebook, posting pictures from readers who’d spotted Nick’s book.

I love the pictures. If you couldn’t tell.

Anyway, today I’m going to direct you to two places, both with a giveaway. I’m guesting over at Seductive Musings where I was interviewed by Carrie, and then Nick (and Jake and Chris) are over at I Don’t Want To Wait, I I Want The Book Now being interviewed.

Things got a little crazy there, but Greta kept them in check.

TOO HOT TO HOLD release day!

Stephanie — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:00:50 +0000

Nick is in the house!

Well, he’s been in some houses for a while – and I’ve heard from one person that he’s been vacationing in Disney! But as of today, you should be able to buy your very own copy of TOO HOT TO HOLD everywhere.

And, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the brothers hanging out together, the way Shannon (Dorothy? nah, too easy) Stacey did!

TOO HOT TO HOLD, for those readers new to my site, is book 2 in my Navy SEAL trilogy.

Book 1, HARD TO HOLD, is, of course, still available – you can check out the wonderful review Stacy (aka Trelaina) wrote up. I particularly like this quote: “They [the heroes] are flawed, and dangerous, a bit crazy even.”

And book 3, HOLD ON TIGHT, releases in a few weeks on January 26th!!!

I’ve added lots of little tidbits about Nick’s story on my site, so please go look around. You’ll also find a nice long excerpt of HOLD ON TIGHT that went up today as well!

T minus 1 day until TOO HOT TO HOLD!

Stephanie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:57:57 +0000

It feels like its been forever between the release of HARD TO HOLD and TOO HOT TO HOLD, probably because of the holidays, but tomorrow, it’s officially release day. And I have a feeling time will fly between TOO HOT and HOLD ON TIGHT. I’m trying to get ready for the whirlwind in between finishing up PROMISES IN THE DARK. Tomorrow, I’ll give a list of where you’ll find me blogging over the next week or so (it’s up on my events page as well!)

Today, I’ll share this with you – Lea at ClosetWriter wrote a wonderful review for TOO HOT. I’ll just give you a nice highlight:

“The plot of this story is fast paced and thrilling and I think Ms. Tyler incorporates an interesting paradox into the hot, intense romance that develops between Nick and Kaylee..The climax of “Too Hot To Hold”, is IMHO emotional, suspenseful and edge of seat exciting.”

If I owe you a mailing from a contest you won last week, I promise it’ll go out this week. I have a stack of printed emails to go through. I also have a zillion emails to answer, although I’ve already peeked at a lot of the emails from readers, because they always brighten up my day. I’ll answer them personally, but let me just say for now, thank you for all the wonderful things you say about my books. You guys rock!

The case of the haunted snuggies

Stephanie — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:59:03 +0000

aka, when snuggies go horribly awry.

So Zoo’s co-workers gave him a snuggie for Christmas. He looks like a cross between a monk and a cult leader. And then today, the same people gave Gus a snuggie. A large snuggie.

Large snuggies are not made for large weims. Never mind the fact that Gus was totally humiliated and would never wear this. Currently, he’s not speaking to us.

But dude, look at the floating orbs! They’re only in that picture…maybe it’s the ghost that lives on my second floor? No really, he does. And, at times, he smokes cigars. Drives me nuts.

Anyway, TOO HOT TO HOLD (aka Nick’s book) is out in 6 days! Well, five by the time I post this. And on New Year’s Eve, I’ll be guest blogging over at RomCon, so come on over and say hello! (I’ll update with a direct link when I have it.)

I have a book due on Jan 4th, btw. Instead of writing, I’m watching Chip Coffey get pushed down some stairs on Paranormal State. I blame the snuggies.

Borders True Romance

Stephanie — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:18:45 +0000

You can find me talking about HARD TO HOLD – and the brothers – over with Sue Grimshaw at Borders True Romance blog today! I’m also doing a giveaway of TOO HOT TO HOLD, which comes out January 5, 2010. My wonderful editor offered those up, and I believe you’ll get them before the actual release date, which is always nice!

So come on over and comment for a chance to win TOO HOT TO HOLD and talk about your likes and dislikes of series / trilogies, etc.

Obviously, I’m a fan of trilogies.