Hunting Lust - Release Date

After a rough few weeks, wrangling with Amazon, Hunting Lust, Part 3 of my Orion the Hunter series will be released on Monday, 18th February.  Yes, that's this coming Monday!!  I can promise you that Lucas Hunter just keeps getting hotter and hotter!

As a thank you to my lovely, lovely readers for their patience and continued support, I have made all books in the series available for a free personalized authorgram (the equivalent of a book signing for ebooks).  They are available from http://www.authorgraph.com/authors

I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Remember to come and hi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/J-D-Chase/417604931642686 and on twitter: :JDChaseAuthor

I have THE best readers and I love you all!

J.D. Chase x

Serialized Novels Anyone???

I have a confession ... I love a good serialized novel.  If I am hooked by a book, I will read and read until it is finished, often reading through the night (I speed read too).  Serialized novels prevent that, so my enjoyment of a novel lasts longer.  I could, of course, simply read more slowly or force myself to stop reading after a while.  But I am too weak!  I enjoy knowing that a new installment will be available in the near future and I love it when I turn on my kindle and it is there, as if by magic!  

Admittedly, they are hard to find - I have experienced more that are not so good, than I have quality serials.  And some seem to go on for ages and when you add up the cost ... oops!  Mine was intended as a 5 or 6 part series but I am trying to shorten it to 4 parts by making parts 3 and 4 longer (the whole novel will be the equivalent to two full size novels approximately).  This is delaying the release of part 3 a little.  I had originally planned to publish it this week but it will probably be next week before it is done.  (Sorry to all those of you who have been contacting me to ask when you can get your next fix of sexy Lucas!  I won't make you wait any longer than I have to!!)

I decided to write Orion the Hunter as a serialized novel because I thought that lots of others enjoyed them as I do and because it is so challenging for a writer.  Once an installment is complete, it is published.  Then you write the next, publish and so on.  There are no opportunities for changing your mind as there are when writing a complete novel ... you can't go back and amend because it has been published.  If you forget to insert something - tough!  I have so many new ideas now that I am part way through and it is frustrating that I can't revise what I've already written.

I find editing as you go along extremely difficult.  Obviously, you usually write the whole thing and then spend almost as long editing and redrafting.  Not with a serialized novel.  Of course, I have the option to edit the whole thing and release as a single novel at the end so I may yet have the opportunity to edit the whole novel.

Parts one and two are selling more than I could have hoped for (both consistently in Amazon.co.uk's top 20 erotica bestseller ranking since their release on Kindle) and I am so thankful to my lovely readers for their support, their generous ratings and, for some, taking the time to write reviews.  I appreciate it more than you know.

However, I have come to realize just how many readers are not fans of serialized novels, although some of you are buying mine!  Thank you!  I understand now that not everyone likes to be kept waiting for the next installment.  I have been requested to publish the novel as a single book when I've finished.  It wasn't my original intention but I am now considering it.

I know I can't please all of the people, all of the time but I do listen to readers' feedback and I do try to be accommodating to requests.  In the words of Dr. Frasier Crane, I'm listening ...


J.D.C.

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

The lovely author, A.L. Jambor has tagged me in the Next Big Thing Blog Hop. The blog hop is a chain of blogs where each author answers ten questions about whatever their next “big thing” is. Each author then tags more authors and so on and so forth.

It’s a fun way to find out a little bit about what your favorite authors are doing – or maybe being introduced to new authors. I’m going to talk about the book I’m working on right now, Hunting Lust, which is part 3 of a serialized novel called Orion the Hunter.

1. What is the working title of your book?

Hunting Lust

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

The challenge of writing a serialized novel appealed to me.  Once each part is complete, it is published so there is no final editing stage of the whole story.  I cannot go back and change or insert anything so it is definitely challenging!

3. What is the genre of the book?

It’s contemporary romance with mild erotica.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I honestly couldn't say but suggestions are welcome!!  I am not usually a fan of movie adaptations and always prefer the written version.  I prefer to let my imagination picture the characters and interpret the action.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Intense relationship of two independent adults who have issues from their pasts - oh, and there is a rock band too!

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?

This one will be self-published.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Because I am writing a serialized novel, there is no first draft!  I write 35,000 - 40,000 words, publish those chapters and then continue the story with the next part.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I wouldn't but reviewers and fans on discussion forums have compared the series to Bared to You by Sylvia Day and the Because You are Mine series by Beth Kery.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I love the romance genre and have read so many over the years.  As previously mentioned, the challenge of writing a serialized novel appealed to me so I decided to write one in the genre that I enjoy immensely as a reader.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

From the reviews of Parts 1 and 2, the chemistry between the sassy, strong female lead and the mysterious alpha male who has just declared that he is a former Dominant, and the journey into the unknown upon which they have embarked.  There is also a 'great supporting cast' including a rock band.  From Part 3 a light sprinkling of D/s flavor will color proceedings.  Reviews of Parts 1 and 2 have all been 4 and 5 stars out of 5.  The characters I have some lovely readers who are very generous with their praise and who keep reminding me that Part 3 is due in January so I'd better get back to writing!!

Thank you so much for reading.  And now it’s my turn to tag people! Check out their blogs in the near future to see their answers to these ten questions.  I am tagging some of my fellow Goodreads authors:

Carol Fragale

M.J. Kane

Jasmine Schwartz

To review or not to review, that is the question!

Today I have had a bit of an epiphany!  I have been a terrible fan to all the writers whose work I adore.  I shall explain.  Well over 1000 copies of my Orion the Hunter serialized novel have been downloaded from Amazon in the last 10 days.  Yippee! I am very grateful to everyone who has bought a copy of The Hunter or The Hunted.  However, only two people have written reviews on Amazon.com and one person has written a review on Amazon.co.uk.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am delighted with these reviews (two 5 stars and a 4 star)- they are very good for my ego!! Only joking, this feedback is fantastic for a writer and yes, I am lucky that feedback has been all good so far.  On goodreads, 7 ratings (all 4/5 stars) but no text reviews.  And I find myself really wanting to know what people think.

Now I totally regret not writing reviews for the books that I adore.   I had never before realized the value of them to the author.  I have been selfish and I have learned a valuable lesson.  

I like the goodreads system where you can rate a book out of 5 stars without having to do a full on review.  This way, people who don't feel competent at reviewing or just don't have time (after all, who wants to waste valuable reading time, right?) can still give a basic opinion when they rate.  Amazon don't allow this.  I now wonder whether this is why there are so few reviews on Amazon compared with sales.

So, I hold my hands up as guilty and will endeavor to change my bad habit.  Should anyone who has read either of my books decide to review it honestly, I would be most humbly grateful.

J.D.C.

Out Now - The Hunted (Orion the Hunter Part Two)

I hope everyone had a very enjoyable Christmas.  Thank you to anyone who has read and thought so highly of The Hunter, part one of the Orion the Hunter serialized novel.  I am humbled by the comments and reviews that I've read.  Thanks for taking the time to get in contact or post a review - it does mean such a lot to me.  

I have just released part two on Amazon Kindle.  Following on from part one, The Hunter, things come to a head when Issy and Lucas give in to their desires for one wild night. But what will the consequences be? Issy learns a secret from Lucas' past and surprises them both by wanting to explore a new direction. The band find themselves with an unexpected temporary agent.   

I am currently around a third done with part three.  There are too many books on my 'to be read' list ... such a distraction from my writing!!  Must concentrate ... must write ... must get part three ready for publication in January!!  

Please feel free to leave comments or drop by my Facebook page or look me up on twitter.  I also have an author page on Amazon and on Goodreads.  

The Hunted, Orion the Hunter Part Two  on Amazon Kindle

The Hunted (Orion the Hunter Part Two)

Just putting the finishing touches to The Hunted before its release next week.

I find writing a serialized novel very challenging.  As I write, I get new ideas that usually mean I need to go back and amend something in an earlier chapter or to insert something.  This isn't possible with a serialized novel.  The earlier chapters have been published so cannot be changed.  

I am relishing the challenge though!  Thanks to everyone who has bought Part 1 and for rating is so highly.  I hope you like Part 2 as much - or even better.  

Please feel free to connect with me on my Facebook page, on twitter or on Goodreads.  My Amazon author page is taking forever to build but should be up and running by the time Part Two is released.

Merry Christmas to you all! 

The Hunter (Orion the Hunter Part One)

Well, I've finally gone and done it - after years of writing I have self published my first book via Amazon Kindle.  I have to say though, if it hadn't been so simple, I probably wouldn't have.  

My friends tell me that they enjoy what I write very much and that I should submit some to various publishers but I've never felt the inclination.  And then somebody told me how simple it is to self-publish and ... bingo!

Anyhow, for today and tomorrow only, the ebook is available from kindle for free - yes, FREE!  Usually the bargain price of $2.99/£1.53.  

Be warned, it is an adult romance with adult content and isn't for the faint hearted!

Part 2 will be released next week - now that I know how simple it is to publish!!

Well done Amazon for making the experience so simple for authors and for bringing many new books to readers who otherwise wouldn't have read them.  I have read quite a few self-published books now and I have enjoyed most of them immensely.

Free from Amazon.com on 21/22 December

Free from Amazon UK on 21/22 December