Thursday, April 26, 2012

Author! Author! Blog Bounce

Happy Thursday! Have you picked up our new title, Burning Embers by Hannah Fielding? It's set in Africa in 1970, and as the weather heats up, you'll want this hot romance by your side! A twist on your typical historical, and a totally unique romance, true to Omnific's mantra...Romance without rules!





It's time for the blog bounce!!


Here's how this works:



If you are an author, click on "Get the Code Here" to get the link. Copy and paste that link in your blog post. Then hop right on and add your blog url to get added to the list.



If you are a reader, you get to bounce from blog to blog and meet some great new authors and maybe find some new books to read.


So everyone hop on and go for a bounce!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

New Release - Burning Embers by Hannah Fielding

Omnific is proud to announce our newest release – Burning Embers by Hannah Fielding available Tuesday, April 24.

Coral Sinclair is a beautiful but naïve twenty-five-year-old photographer who has just lost her father. She's leaving the life she's known and traveling to Kenya to take ownership of her inheritance--the plantation that was her childhood home--Mpingo.

On the voyage from England, Coral meets an enigmatic stranger to whom she has a mystifying attraction. She sees him again days later on the beach near Mpingo, but Coral’s childhood nanny tells her the man is not to be trusted. It is rumored that Rafe de Monfort, owner of a neighboring plantation and a nightclub, is a notorious womanizer having an affair with her stepmother, which may have contributed to her father’s death.

Circumstance confirms Coral’s worst suspicions, but when Rafe’s life is in danger she is driven to make peace. A tentative romance blossoms amidst a meddling ex-fiancé, a jealous stepmother, a car accident, and the dangerous wilderness of Africa.

Is Rafe just toying with a young woman’s affections? Is the notorious womanizer only after Coral’s inheritance? Or does Rafe’s troubled past color his every move, making him more vulnerable than Coral could ever imagine?

Set in 1970, this contemporary historical romance sends the seemingly doomed lovers down a destructive path wrought with greed, betrayal, revenge, passion, and love.

Hannah was so kind to let me pick her brain a little and answered some of our questions as well as giving us a little peek into the book with her favorite quote.

Omnific: Burning Embers is set in such an amazing landscape that it becomes almost a character in the story. What was your inspiration for writing Burning Embers?

Hannah Fielding: Burning Embers began not as a story, but as a vivid landscape in my mind. The seed of the idea was sown many years ago when, as a schoolgirl, I studied the works of Leconte de Lisle, a French Romantic poet of the 19th century. His poems are wonderfully descriptive and vivid – about wild animals, magnificent dawns and sunsets, exotic settings and colourful vistas. Then, as a teenager, I went on holiday to Kenya with my parents and I met our family friend Mr Chiumbo Wangai who told me extensively about his beautiful country, its traditions and its customs. I was enthralled, and when I put pen to paper Burning Embers came to life.

Omnific: Given the descriptions and details in your story, I assume that you have been to Africa? Do you travel often and where is your favorite destination?

Hannah Fielding: I grew up in North Africa in a house overlooking the Mediterranean, and I loved nothing more than to learn about exotic, far-off places. After I left university, I travelled extensively to many of the places I had read about. Traveling still takes up a large part of my life, but mostly now I travel to the romantic places where my novels are set. The sun and the sea are always present in my travels and in my novels – they are a great source of inspiration for me. I find it difficult to decide on a favourite destination; it is usually the place in which my latest novel is set! But I think that Spain might be the country closest to my heart: the countryside, like its people, is rich and flamboyant and suits my passionate nature.

Omnific: Can you give us a little insight into your writing process? Are you a plotter and planner or do you just write as it comes?

Hannah Fielding: I am definitely a plotter and a planner. I love the planning phase of a new book. I spend a lot time researching places and cultures – reading books, listening to music, watching films and, when I can, visiting in person. I really enjoy the excitement of a new story taking shape. I try to set down a framework before I commence writing, but I don’t stick to it rigidly. Sometimes as I write the words flow out and take the characters somewhere unexpected, but intriguing! I am always writing in my head. In fact, I keep a notebook and a pen in my bag, and next to my bed (with a torch so I don’t disturb my husband). Anything around me can prompt inspiration for the novel in hand or a future story. A painting, a view, a ship gliding on the ocean in the night, houses, people in the street, in a restaurant or at the airport – anything and everything that prompts a romantic scene in my mind can trigger the muse.

Omnific: Since Omnific is all about the romance...what is your favorite romance scene of all time?


Hannah Fielding: Choosing a single scene in the profusion of romantic scenes that exist in literature, music and the world of cinema? That’s very hard! I think my favourite would have to be from the 1958 Spanish film La Violetera, a classic story of impossible love between Soledad, a flower girl, and Fernando, an aristocrat. Fernando, who is obsessed with family honour, ends their idyll. But then Soledad becomes a super star, and Fernando has a change of heart and decides that he can’t live without Soledad. So he goes to the theatre where she is giving one of her shows. Soledad spots him in the audience (he is in a box quite close to the stage) and she sings La Violetera, the song she used to sing when she was a flower girl in the street back when they first met and fell in love. Their eyes connect and he pales and leaves the box to find her backstage. This scene always brings tears to my eyes – even as I write now I am moved and I will probably take out the DVD tonight and watch it for the umpteenth time.


Omnific: Now, if they were to make that into a movie, who would you cast in the roles for that scene? (Or if it has already been made would you recast it?)

Hannah Fielding: The roles are perfectly cast: Sarita Montiel as Soledad is wonderful. She is beautiful and has the most moving voice. And Raf Vallone is superb in his role as the handsome, passionate aristocrat. I love French, Italian and Spanish cinema. The films are often low budget, but have brilliant plots and wonderful direction that creates very evocative films.



Omnific: Do you have anything new on the horizon?

Hannah Fielding: Yes, I have written a trilogy which takes place in Spain and which follows three generations of a family from the 1950s through to the present day; and I am in the middle of writing my next novel, which takes place in Venice and Tuscany, Italy, in 1980. And just to tease you a little bit after hearing all about the spectacular love story and setting, we are giving you a little look into the book with Hannah’s favorite excerpt…enjoy!

He gave that devastating smile that made her melt inside. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a flash.”
She stepped out onto the terrace. It was south facing, giving it full sun all day. The fragrance of the plants and creepers here was bewitching, making her head feel lighter. The voices of the countless insects seemed to make the air vibrate with a continuous faint pulse. For a second, she had a disconcerting feeling that her mere presence here was an intrusion, that she was treading the edges of another human being’s private moonlit universe: Rafe’s world. She momentarily found herself wishing to be part of that dream for ever.
 Coral sensed his presence behind her and turned. Rafe was standing very still, just looking at her. His dinner jacket had been removed, his bow tie hanging loosely around his unbuttoned shirt collar, and his rolled-up sleeves revealed strong, tanned forearms. Approaching a tall raffia basket that served as a table, he set down a cup of steaming coffee, a glass, and a bottle of cognac, then took a blanket from over his arm and wrapped it around Coral’s shoulders, letting his palms linger a little over them as he had done on the boat not so long ago. Her heart turned right over in her breast, and perhaps she started a bit, as he drew away from her instantly. Her shivering only seemed to increase.
“That should keep you warm,” Rafe whispered as he handed her the cup of coffee. “Sip it slowly.” His voice was caressing and silky. “These coffee beans come from the plantation of friends of mine that live in the plains of Southern Kenya along the border with Tanganyika. The aroma is stronger than the brands you find on the market.”
The hot brew warmed her up: it was soothing and comforting. Rafe took a pace or two away from her and savored his cognac with the air of a connoisseur. He leaned on the bannister of the terrace and gazed out over his domain to the sea in the distance. A light breeze flicked at his dark hair, and he pushed it away from his eyes.
“A shooting star, Rafe. Make a wish,” Coral exclaimed. He stared fixedly at her, perhaps wondering what her wish had been, then gave her one of his enigmatic smiles. His hand slid along the top of the balustrade and touched her elbow. It was a momentary contact, but he drew away quickly as if suddenly afraid of touching her. Coral could see him staring at her lips, and her breathing quickened. He met her eyes, and still he did not move, his steady gaze delving into her soul, as if searching intensely for something in Coral.
And then all at once, she was melting in his arms, trembling against his powerful body as his mouth moved tenderly over her eyes, her cheeks, her neck, whispering his desire and his need softly in her ear. This must be what paradise is like, Coral thought crazily as she strained toward him.


Thank you so much, Hannah. I loved the story and can’t wait for the rest of the world to get a chance to read it!

If you want to find Hannah, I know that she would love to hear from her fans. Here is where you can find her –

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Hannah-Fielding-Author-Page/340558735991910
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5333898.Hannah_Fielding
Website - http://www.hannahfielding.net/
Twitter - @fieldinghannah

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Chicago Time! and Blog Bounce!!

Happy Thursday from Chicago!!

We are having a great time on our first day the the RT Booklovers Convention. Omnific Publishing did one of the first sessions with a presentation for some of the authors in attendance that was a lot of fun. We got to meet up with Reggie and Kasi Alexander who are here with a little sneak peek at their new book coming soon, Saving sunni - the second book in the Keyhole Series.



It so much fun to see Omnific represented so prominently here with our offerings in "Author Alley", our banner, and the fun bags up for raffle in Club RT.


Looking forward to tomorrow with editor appointments and a table at the Indie Book Fair. Meeting lots of people and having tons of fun!




And it's time to BOUNCE!!


Here's how this works:



If you are an author, click on "Get the Code Here" to get the link. Copy and paste that link in your blog post. Then hop right on and add your blog url to get added to the list.



If you are a reader, you get to bounce from blog to blog and meet some great new authors and maybe find some new books to read.


So everyone hop on and go for a bounce!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Omnific is Heading to RT

This years RT Booklovers Convention is being held in Chicago, and Omnific Publishing will be hitting the windy city to attend! We are so excited to have such a huge presence at the convention this year with several of our authors attending and signing books, a Publisher's Spotlight, and Dr. Ivan Rusilko signing pictures.


Check out our schedule and make sure to check out our table spot for some great Omnific author swag - including our new Men of Omnific buttons (want to own a little bit of Gabriel or Jack?? Here's your chance!).


Omnific RT Schedule

Wednesday
 

1-1:30         Omnific Publisher Spotlight - Midway Room



Thursday


10 -11        Editor Appointments - pitch your book to one of Omnific Publishing's Editors, Lisa O'Hara or CJ Creel
       

1:30 - 2:30    Editor Appointments - pitch your book to one of Omnific Publishing's Editors, CJ Creel
       

2:45 - 3:45    Editor Appointments - pitch your book to one of Omnific Publishing's Editors, Lisa O'Hara
       

4:00 - 6:00    E-book/Indie Pub Expo - Author Jennifer Lane will be signing her books!


Friday


10 - 11       Editor Appointments - pitch your book to one of Omnific Publishing's Editors, Lisa O'Hara or CJ Creel
       
12 - 2        Pitch-A-Palooza - pitch your book to one of Omnific Publishing's Editors, Lisa O'Hara

 
2:45 - 3:45    Editor Appointments - pitch your book to one of Omnific Publishing's Editors, Lisa O'Hara or CJ Creel
       


Saturday

11:00-2:00    Giant Book Fair - Author Kasi Alexander (Becoming sage) will be signing her book!

 
11:00-2:00    MEET DR. IVAN - Dr. Ivan Rusilko & Everly Drummond, co-authors of the upcoming The Winemakers Dinner signing autographs in the Ballroom Foyer.

 
6:15-7:30    FAN-tastic Day Meet and Greet - Dr. Ivan Rusilko & Everly Drummond will be meeting and greeting fans at this fun event!



Can't wait to see you all there!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Author! Author! Blog Bounce

It's Spring!! YAY!!

With the warm weather comes more time to spend sitting in the sun and reading...be sure to check out Omnific's great e-book selection to find something that you can spend a nice lazy afternoon in the sun with. And if you're not sure, check out our free downloads and sample some of our authors!

We are so excited about the coming months and we are kicking things off next week at RT in Chicago. Out newest authors, Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko will be in attendance and signing pictures, along with Becoming sages, Kasi Alexander and author of our newest release, Jennifer Lane. Make sure if you are going to be in Chicago you stop by and say hi to our Omnific family!

Annddd...it's time for the blog bounce!!


Here's how this works:



If you are an author, click on "Get the Code Here" to get the link. Copy and paste that link in your blog post. Then hop right on and add your blog url to get added to the list.



If you are a reader, you get to bounce from blog to blog and meet some great new authors and maybe find some new books to read.


So everyone hop on and go for a bounce!