New Release - Blood Vine

Omnific is so excited about our first release of 2013!! Amber Belldene brings us a new and sexy vampire world in her debut novel, Blood Vine. If you are a fan of powerful, gorgeous, sexy, vamps whose bite is as erotic as their full attention...then this is definitely the book for you (it's ABSOLUTELY the book for me!!)

When public relations pro Zoey Porter arrives at an enchanting California winery, she discovers her sexy new client is the almost one-night stand she can't forget. After her husband's suicide, Zoey has vowed never to risk her heart again. But can she walk away from the intriguing winemaker a second time?

Driven from Croatia by his ancient foes, vampire Andre Maras has finally made a blood-like wine to cure his fellow refugees. Now he needs Zoey's PR expertise to reach them. After his wife's death, Andre has a vow of his own—never to risk another painful blood bond. And one taste of the tempting Zoey would bind him to her eternally.

His secrets stall her PR plans. Her jealousy is stoked by the blissed-out beauties leaving his bedroom. At every turn, he utterly fails to resist her. When she discovers he is a vampire, will she be lost to the golden-eyed Hunters, or lose herself to the emptiness in her heart, before she can help him save his kind?

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Because I begged and pleaded (not really, she's way too nice to make me beg) Amber agreed to answer a few of our questions.

Omnific: Blood Vine is a vampire story, but they are different vampires (Sexy as all get out by the way!). How hard is it to create a whole new mythology for your story?

Amber: Great question!  It wasn’t too hard.  I’ve read about a million vampire books, so I am familiar with all the conventions, and the liberties taken with them.  The underlying premise of Blood Vine, that vampires are bound to their native soil, comes from the idea that vampires must sleep in coffins lined with the soil where they were buried.  I played around with the implications of this convention and remembered something I’d learned about Homer’s Odyssey from a preaching professor back in seminary—the ancient Greeks understood nostalgia to be one of the most basic and powerful human emotions.  All this sounds really geeky and intellectual, but what it feels like to my vampires is just plain, old gut wrenching.  The rest of the mythology just kind of evolved from that premise—I knew how Andre had become a vampire, and so I knew he didn’t die and spend a night underground, which meant he was alive, just a different species from us humans.  And yes, I think they’re a rather sexy species too!

Omnific: What was your inspiration for Blood Vine?

Amber: Probably the very first inspiration was my ravenous craving for vampire novels during my pregnancy.  I consumed them at the rate of two per day during my third trimester and into my maternity leave.  Then, I got analytical about what made them work, and why I loved them, and so I began to dream about writing a story like that.  One day, inspiration struck on the way home from a wine shop in my neighborhood in San Francisco.  I can still remember exactly which stretch of block I was on under some lovely, smelly eucalyptus trees (very near Omnific author Sarah Glover’s house, in fact, although I didn’t know her then!).  And, I suddenly knew I had to set the series in wine country, north of where I live.   I know a bit about wine, and that region.  But more importantly, I love romance novels where the hero and heroine are stuck together in close proximity, with plenty of chances to get under each other’s skin, and a winery is perfect for that. 

Omnific: Can you share a little bit about your writing process with us? Are you a planner/outliner or do you just write as it comes?

Amber: I am what they call a “plantser”—halfway in between.  I usually know my plot arc when I start writing, but I don’t fully understand my characters.  Once I get to know them, things shift around a little.  I’ve tried to plan things out more before I start, but I end up changing too much that way, and the planning becomes wasted effort.  When I'm in the throes of writing a novel, I finish one scene and immediately begin imagining the next one—I never watch T.V. or turn on the radio because I am totally consumed by mentally drafting the next part of the story.    

Omnific: Since Omnific is all about the romance...what is your favorite romance scene in a book?

Amber: What a great question.  Can I say two?  I love the scene near the beginning of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander, when Claire is examining Jamie’s scars.  All kinds of sexual and spiritual stuff goes on for me with scars, and the way our bodies heal but we carry the marks of our pain.  Also, I am a huge fan of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood, and my favorite brother is Vishous, who is terribly scarred by his father.  I love the scene in Lover Unbound when his heroine, a physician, discovers his below-the-waist scars, and that book has one of my all-time favorite sex scenes in it, too.

Omnific: Now, if they made that into a movie who would you want cast opposite you?

 Amber: I like the subtlety of this question.  Of course I would be the heroine J!

 And when it comes to Vishous, I think he is one of the few heroes I actually want for myself, not for his Doc Jane.  But I have never let myself consider who would play him.   So, when I read this question, I put out a call on Facebook and Twitter for suggestions, and several pictures of very handsome men came my way.  But none of them were my Vishous.  

That’s what I love about reading—the way our reading minds participate with the author’s words to imagine something wholly unique to our particular encounter with a book.  What you like about Outlander might not be what someone else likes about it, you know?

So thanks for the help, tweeps, but y’all can have those Vishouses, and I’ll just keep mine to myself.  

 Omnific: Finally, are you working on anything new? *cough* sequel *cough*


Amber: I find that coughing very flattering—seriously, the idea that people want to read more of my work is humbling and thrilling.  Yes, I’m making my final revision on the sequel to Blood Vine right now, and plan to get started on the third book immediately!

Thanks so much Amber! And since you didn't have a Vicious, I went and found a compromise - one that doesn't ruin the pic you have in your head. HAHAHA! And in case anyone is wondering (because I did immediately email her back and ask about that favorite sex scene) it is Jane+V+sink! 

This is one that you definitely don't want to miss!! It's exciting, and sexy and romantic...sigh...I love this book!

If you want to find Amber and get some more information about Blood Vine or her attachment to Jamie Fraser or Vishous, here's where to go:

Amber Belldene
Facebook
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Goodreaders

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year from Omnific!!

What a great year it was for Omnific. So many great new releases this year from some awesome authors. A few bestsellers that we are proud of. And an amazing giveaway to wrap up the year. 

Congratulations to our Kindle winners Beth McCraw, Mette Viby, Michael Di Gesu!  Each of these lucky people won a Kindle loaded with a collection of Omnific books...how awesome is that? Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and here too so you can get in on the great giveaways we have in the year to come!

And now, it's time for the first Blog Bounce of the New Year!!

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.

Day Twelve: Carol Oates

A Christmas Angel

-alternate chapter from Ember-

Candra wiped her dusty hands on her jeans before she reached into the last storage box. She ignored the star that usually topped their tree and pulled out the ten-inch figure, smiling to herself. The twinkling white lights twisted around the evergreen’s branches caught the gold treads running through the ivory robe of the angel and glittered beautifully.

The angel was older than Candra was and had belonged to her mother. With everything going on, she’d been thinking of her mother and father while trimming the tree. Since her father died, she and Brie had spent Christmas alone. Now Brie had her family back, maybe she’d want them around her this year. The idea of making nice with Sebastian over crackers and cranberries didn’t appeal much. She fluffed the white feathers of the angel’s wings. Do Watchers even celebrate Christmas?

“I’ve never quite understood this particular tradition", Sebastian said from behind her. “Nothing says Christmas like cutting down forests.”

Candra turned to see him leaning casually against the doorframe of the sitting room with his arms crossed, observing her. “Seriously, make some noise or something.”
“What kind of stalker would that make me?” he asked innocently. His eyebrows rose as though her irritation shocked him.
“At least you’re admitting your stalkerish tendencies now,” she grumbled, waiting for his usual it’s-for-your-own-good speech.

Sebastian uncrossed his arms, pushed off the frame and approached her slowly. Candra still found his movements disconcerting. There was fluidness about how his limbs worked, something so very perfect—Angelic, she thought to herself. She tried to look away, she really did. Regardless, her gaze traveled the length of him from his heavy black boots to his knowing smirk. Candra flushed and returned her attention to the figure in her hands.

“I’m surprised. I would have thought the last thing you want is another angel around.”
Sebastian plucked a red and white striped candy cane from the tree and began to unpeel the plastic covering.
Candra pressed her lips together and scowled. She’d spent a full two hours carefully placing every light and ornament on the tree. She didn’t expect anyone to eat the decorations.

She climbed the stepladder with the figure in her hand. “I wouldn’t let Brie use this when I was kid. I thought it was cruel to stick a tree branch up an angel’s ass.”

Sebastian laughed. “And now you’re wishing it was me up there.”

She carefully positioned the angel. “Oh, I think we both know you already have a giant stick up your ass.”

“We have a comedian!” He snorted a laugh and bent over the pile of discarded boxes on the floor, the cane poking out of the corner of his mouth.

Candra jumped down and stood back to examine her handiwork.

Sebastian removed the cane. “Now, this is a tradition I’m in favor of.” He straightened up holding a plastic sprig of mistletoe.

“It’s fake,” Candra said quickly. He was right beside her and Candra hoped he couldn’t feel the heat burning off her cheeks.

“Oh come on,” he teased with an easy confidence that immediately got under her skin. “You can use your imagination, can’t you?” Sebastian smirked and held the green and red
plastic over the space between them, mischief glinting in his brown eyes.

Candra hated that her heart beat faster and her first thought was Sebastian’s lips would taste of sugar and mint. Her cheeks burned hotter but she refused to be the first to look away.

Their silent standoff lasted several long moments before he lowered the mistletoe and offered it to Candra. She snatched it from his hand and tossed it back into the box.

“You’re such a pig sometimes.”

“Merry Christmas, Candra.” Sebastian chuckled as he left the room.

Ember, Book One:
When Candra Ember wakes up in hospital after a dangerous encounter
with a red-haired woman, she is shocked to discover that seeing a
winged boy wasn’t her imagination. Candra is exposed to a world of
rivalry and sacrifice she never knew existed, and the aftermath of a war
to save humanity thousands of years ago. Soon she finds herself
relentlessly stalked by Sebastian, a beautiful and arrogant Watcher
Angel and romantically pursued by his darkly seductive rival, Draven.
Ultimately, dubious about her own goodness, Candra’s very existence
compromises a tentative peace in the city of Acheron.

Iridescent, Book Two:
Candra Ember used to dream of saving the world one person at a time.
She never expected to become an angelic weapon and the last hope in
the battle against ultimate darkness. Falling for a Nephilim wasn’t part
of Sebastian’s plan. Distraction is something he can’t afford when his
rival, Draven, wants what Sebastian has. Lies, manipulation, and
corruption are twisting the lives of the citizens in Acheron. The Arch is
missing from Heaven, and a demon is intent on claiming the city. At a
time they should be growing closer, grief and paranoia is driving
Candra and Sebastian apart. If the price of restoring the Watchers to
Heaven is a human soul, who deserves to be saved?

Blog
Twitter -- @CarolOates
Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/caroloates.author
Goodreads -- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3988619.Carol_Oates
Amazon

Share this post and the others to win a Kindle full of YA Sweetness!

Day 10: Victoria Michaels

Boycotts and Barflies Christmas Cocktails

The boy’s drink of choice for the holiday season would be:
The Three Wise Men

• 1/3 oz Jack Daniels
• 1/3 oz Jim Beam
• 1/3 oz Johnny Walker

Procedure:

1. Put some ice in a cocktail shaker.
2. Pour the “three wise men” inside the shaker.
3. Shake for about 10 seconds then serve.

The girl’s drink of choice for the holiday Season would be:
The Candy Cane Martini      
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 - 1 tsp peppermint schnapps
• 1 oz club soda
• ice
• crushed candy canes

Procedure:

1. Put some ice in the cocktail shaker.
2. Pour the vodka, peppermint schnapps, and the club soda inside the container.
3. Shake the shaker vigorously then pour its contents in a martini glass which has been dipped in the crushed candy canes.
4. Serve.

Trust in Advertising Christmas Cocktail

A cocktail fitting Jade and her shrunken heart this time of year would have to be:
The Grinch                  
Ingredients:

• 2 oz Midori
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp sugar syrup
• 1 cherry

Procedure:

1. Pour the Midori, lemon juice and the sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker.
2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Pour the shaker’s contents in a martini glass.
4. Place a cherry on the drink then serve.

Amazon B&B : http://www.amazon.com/Boycotts-Barflies-ebook/dp/B00394DSDA

Amazon TiA: http://www.amazon.com/Trust-in-Advertising-ebook/dp/B003XIJ8CW

My website : http://victoriamichaels.net/

My trailers: B&B http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1YjJR784Fg

TiA : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOznT80bm0I

My Blog: http://www.victoriamichaels.net/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/victoria.michaels.779

Day Nine: Cherie Colyer

  I’d like to thank Omnific Publishing for hosting such a wonderful giveaway and for including a copy of my young adult paranormal romance/thriller Embrace. Join Isaac and Madison as he shares one of his holiday traditions.

   “My grandfather used to bring me here on Christmas Eve.” Isaac Addington held his arms out wide to indicate Ipswich Bay and Annisquam Lighthouse. “My parents would have killed us if they knew.”

“Isaac, it’s freezing.” Madison held onto the hood of her pink ski jacket to keep it from blowing off and tried unsuccessfully to share his enthusiasm about being out at midnight on the most blustery night of winter.

“Trust me. You’re going to want to see this.” Isaac paused, his hand near the heavy wooden door of the lighthouse.

A faint click whispered through the night as his powers unlocked the door. A moment later they ascended the winding staircase to the top. Knowing the break from the cold would only last a few minutes, Madison reveled in it. Too soon they were through the trap door and out onto the balcony. Isaac wrapped his arms around Madison. At the same time the breeze stilled and the air warmed to a bearable forty degrees.

“My grandfather taught me this,” he said.

As if his words turned on a radio, the song Frosty the Snowman rang out around them. The images of half a dozen elves dressed in colorful jackets, hats and mittens appeared out of nowhere. They rolled a low hanging cloud into three large balls as if it were a blanket of snow. Madison giggled as a mischievous elf whipped a snowball at the back of his friend’s head.

“He does that every year,” Isaac said.

“Your grandfather used to bring you here to watch Santa’s Little Helpers make a snowman?”

Isaac shrugged. “I was eight the first time. It was way off the cool charts back then.”

“Still is,” Madison confirmed. She glanced back at the parking lot. Isaac’s Jeep was still the only vehicle there. “Can anyone see this?”

“It’s only visible for about a hundred yards, but yeah. That’s why we had to come so late at night.”

“No wonder you and your grandfather had to sneak out. Using magic in the open like this,” she said with mocked horror.

Three elves climb onto each other’s shoulders and place a black top hat on the snowman’s head. It shimmered, then shook its body and said, “Happy Birthday!”

    Madison outright laughed this time. “That’s from the movie.”

    Isaac gave her a squeeze. “Frosty was my favorite holiday cartoon when I was little.”

   The scene in front of them faded, leaving the sky a midnight blue canvas flecked with bright white stars. The faint sound of jingle bells could be heard as a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer pranced across the moon. Madison could have watched the sky all night, protected from the cold in Isaac’s magic bubble, but he turned her to face him and slid an arm around her lower back. Silver Bells now serenaded them as they swayed to the music.

    “Merry Christmas, Madison.”

    “Merry Christmas,” she echoed against his lips, enjoying being in his arms in such a magical place.



Cherie Colyer, author of Embrace, has a couple of fun giveaways going on this month. Be sure to stop by her blog for more information.

Happy Holidays, everyone!!
Isaac and Madison


Buy links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Find me:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BXJQTyRN6L8

Be sure to SHARE THE LOVE to enter to Win a Season of Sweetness Kindle full of YA Goodness. Go HERE for the Rafflecopter!

Day Eight: Ivan Rusilko and Everly Drummond

Hi guys!

I bet that right about now you’ve had it up to your ears with Christmas: the shopping, the busy malls, and unexpected visits by family. Me too, or so I thought until I stumbled across a gift bag from last year that was hidden in the back of my closet. See, last year was the first Christmas Ivan and I had spent apart from our families. He was busy with work, and well, I didn’t want to spend Christmas without him, so we decided to have a nice quite Christmas in Miami, just the two of us. Sigh.

Sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas—or work—and forget about the simple things like... cookies! Who doesn’t love cookies, right? Especially when half the fun is baking them together, like this recipe for Grand Marnier cookies that I found tucked away in the gift bag:

2 cups minus 2 tbsp of cake flour
1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar
 Zest of 1 orange
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp Grand Marnier orange liqueur ***plus 8 shots (We’ll get to this part later)
 1 1/4 lbs bittersweet chocolate, 60% cacao content, chopped into chunks

First, you want to start by getting a couple of shot glasses from the cupboard and pouring out two generous shots of Grand Marnier, one for you and one for your significant other. Trust me. This will help with the eye rolling from you-know-who when you play your favorite Tom Jones Christmas song. Agreed, Frank Sinatra is one of the greats, but there’s something very swoon worthy about Tom Jones singing Baby it’s Cold Outside. But enough about that, let’s get back to this recipe.

You want to sift the flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl, and set aside. Then pour two more generous shots of Grand Marnier. Hey, this is a labour intensive job so you’ve got to keep yourself well hydrated. Next, using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, sugars, and orange zest for about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and slowly stir in the vanilla and Grand Marnier. Reduce the speed to low, add dry ingredients, and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. By now you’ll be working up a sweat and need to pour two more shots of Grand Marnier, one for you and one for him. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them into dough. Cover the bowl with Saran wrap and place in the fridge. Pour out two more shots. Now, for this recipe you have to refrigerate the dough for 12 to 36 hours, but after drinking all that Grand Marnier, I’m sure you and your significant other can find something to do to kill time. ;) Once the cookie dough has set, you’ll want to preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat. Scoop golf ball sized chunks of dough onto the baking sheet, sprinkle lightly with sea salt, and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. When they’re done, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

 Another thing I found tucked away in the gift bag is this old picture of Ivan dressed in his Santa suit. It was taken in Pennsylvania a few years before we started dating, but it always brings a smile to my face. I keep teasing him that I’m going to use this pic for Christmas cards. I don’t think he finds it as funny as I do, but you have to admit, he does look kinda hot.

 I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t sweat the small stuff. Take a break from the hustle bustle, enjoy a glass of wine or two, spend time with family and friends, and bake cookies! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Years.

 Jaden


Check out more from The Winemaker's Dinner Series HERE! Share this post for more entries to win a KINDLE HERE! Book Two, The Winemakers Dinner: Entree comes out Tomorrow, December 18th, just in time for sexy holiday giving!