Erika Knudsen's Blog | Erika Knudsen's Blog

Nothin’ says, “F**k you Mother Nature” like goin’ to a book launch!

Eris_author — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:43:08 +0000

On Saturday April 13, 2013, Monarchy Of Blood was launched. When I woke up that morning I thought that wasn’t going to happen. What did I wake up to find? A spring blizzard! After a wonderful phone call from my mother, “Oh, it’s really bad out there. They are saying no one should be traveling on the roads. What are you going to do?” and a couple of texts from hubby and a friend that the roads were sh*t that morning, I realized I was going to have to suck it up and cancel. No point in hosting a party with no one in attendance. Yes, there may have been some tears shed from sheer disappointment to frustration. But as I started to contact some of the guests who had to travel the farthest, they were still willing to come. Then I started to get the facebook messages that more were still planing on going. After all, these are vampires that reside in Canada, and so do we! So the weather shouldn’t hold us back, right? And as this all started to go down, no word of a lie, the snow started to stop falling and what had been collecting on the ground was beginning to melt! I thought, thank God! Things are turning around for me! Or so I thought…

Figuring I better contact the venue to make sure they knew I wasn’t going to not show up because of the weather, I called–only to find out that she had thought I had cancelled! Silently I started to panic all over again–I had JUST re-confirmed with everyone that it was still a go! After re-assuring her that it wasn’t me that had cancelled, she realized it was “supposedly” someone else who was booked for earlier in the day. (My event was for the evening) With that, a sigh of relief escaped my lips and I hung up. About ten minutes later, I had a bad thought: I hope she remembered that I had asked for the projector. I call her back thinking that all she needed was a reminder so she wouldn’t have to scramble to find it when we got there. Well, so much for that “easy-going” thought. “I can’t get to it. Did you ask to use it?” I suck in my anger. I rave to myself: Yes, and I have used it the past two times before. “Yup , I asked for it. What do you mean you can’t get to it?” “It’s locked up and I don’t have a key,” she says.

Oh. My. God! I think my face has just turned 50 shades of… RED!

I hang up. I fume. I am at a loss and don’t know what to do. That was a major part of my presentation. After trying to find a place to rent one, with no success, I started to see how much they were to buy. Yes, I was getting desperate! (They start at $400.00 CND by the way.) THAT wasn’t going to happen. Not knowing what else to do, I call my cousin. We try to work out ideas, most of what I had already thought of. But then! He suggests: use a tv. YES! That’ll totally work! He was nice enough to unhook his and use it for the night. He was my saviour! (See, family can be a good thing! lol)

Now things seem to be back on track. Right? Well, until I get to the venue that is. Yes, more fun! *sigh* We get there, (said cousin and myself) and I go in to let her know we are there to set up. She shows me the room. It has changed since the last time I had rented it. Now I have to re-think on how to set it up. I notice only one folding table. I need three. “Oh, I didn’t want to go out to the shed and bring them in. You can use the dining tables from downstairs.” I suggest that my cousin and I can haul them in for her. She takes me to the shed. No tables. “Oh, I don’t know where they are.” *sigh* Yes, we ended up hauling tables up from downstairs… Then I discover that the, at one time movable walls, were no longer movable. (They use it as an art gallery most of the time.) Right smack dab in the middle of the room was one of those walls. *sigh* Eventually we figured it out. Just a wee side note: Anyone planning a party of any sorts in the future, don’t do it on a double 13! I can laugh now, but holy sh*t, was I stressed!!

Overall though, the actual party went on without a hitch. My event was even graced with the precence of someone from our local paper; so really, it was a good thing for that alone that I didn’t cancel my launch party. I need as much exposure as this struggling indie artist can get! Here are some images from the party.

If you would like a chance to win an ebook copy of Monarchy Of Blood, check out: Vamps, Weres and Cassey OH My!

Par-tay!

Eris_author — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 22:55:52 +0000

Well folks, the long awaited day is approaching quickly now. With Monarchy Of Blood currently at the printers, I’ve been getting ready and planning for the launch party. Here is the official invite! I am also planning on doing an on-line post-launch party, but that info will come in a couple weeks. I am too busy with trying to plan everything for the upcoming release. So, behold, the purdy and alluring invite! It whispers, “Come… I know you want to!”

Make sure to like MOB on facebook to follow the fun and interavtive posts to keep up to date!

Running AMOK

Eris_author — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:52:10 +0000

Well, since I have a bit of free time while waiting for Monarchy Of Blood to be printed, I thought I’d do a wee post about my events last weekend.

This past weekend me and two friends ran AMOK. What’s AMOK you may ask? Well, it stands for Annual Melee Of Kindness. I had participated in it last year and wanted to do it again for 2013. Because we managed to get lots of support from a few friends, we were able to amp it up a bit this year. If you are curious about what we all did, check out the video I created for it. Just click on the image.

Hiccups…Vampires get indigestion!?

Eris_author — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:58:03 +0000

Well… there have been a few hiccups along the way for Monarchy of Blood: from having to go back to work, to life in general giving me a swift kick in the pants. But as I enter March, the light at the end of the tunnel is not only visible, I’m going to be bathing in it VERY soon! Yup, that’s right. The official release date is set for April 13th! The hall has been booked, I’m getting everything ready for the printers… I’m super excited.!! And I can’t wait for y’all to sink your teeth into it! *wink*

Other exciting news is that the book trailer for MOB has been released already. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the link: Monarchy Of Blood. This trailer is a bit more edgy and rocker then the others, which I love! Sets the perfect tone for the book. In a couple of weeks I’ll be posting an excerpt, just to tease those who have been waiting patiently, and to hopefully hook new readers. *evil grin* So look for #TeaserTuesday, March the 12th for an awesome sneak peak!

A vampire’s love…

Eris_author — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:53:31 +0000

It’s Valentines day tomorrow. It’s that time of year where some love, and others love to hate it. Me? I’m not much of a romantic, so my hopes are never that high. (lol) HOWEVER, with that said, I guess I wouldn’t scoff at getting flowers or being taken out to dinner. *wink*

Because I am working hard to get Monarchy Of Blood released, which I’m excited to say, the tentative release date will be March 16th, I’m cheating. I’m recycling the vampire quotes blog post about love from last year. They are from a TV show called Forever Knight. It was a vampire show from back in the early nineties. It was my favourite show. My reverence for the show led me to name a few of my secondary characters after some of the characters on Forever Knight–so you may recognize the names attached to these quotes. They are not from my books and not my characters, but from my beloved vampire cop show. A bit of vampire thoughts on love. Enjoy… if you haven’t already!

Love: It warps our senses, twists our souls; can take us past hope, past cure, past help. I know about love. It’s suffering, it’s anguish, it’s pain. Heaven makes means to kill our joy with love. And yet we must have it at any cost. But are you so enamoured that you will over look your love of life? And you do love it. I’ve seen you smell the sea, gaze at the stars at night. Are you willing to sacrifice one mistress for another? Look into your heart and tell me that you are willing to make the choice. ~ Lacroix

Love: How it toys with us, makes utter fools of us; flogs, whips and spanks us—rushing through our fingers, unstoppable, fleeting… gone. And yet, when we touch this love, it burns us with its rightful name. ~ Lacroix

A vampire’s heart must be cold. Immortality makes this so. Death is always around us but we must never allow it to touch us, so we cannot allow the emotion of loss to infect us… 800 years is a long time to live with a cold heart. ~ Janette

Happy New Year!

Eris_author — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:20:14 +0000

It’s 2013 and we have “survived” yet another end of the world prediction! Not that I really wanted anything to happen… I watch The Walking Dead… that really would suck!

I had a wonderful Christmas holiday, but I’m glad that it’s over. Now I can get back to my writer duties and get Monarchy Of Blood launched! Sadly, It will definitely be the end of February (possibly the beginning of March) when it’ll be released. I’m currently editing and doing some re-writing to polish things off. And in the next few weeks I will be planning the launch party and all that goes with that. So you’ll probably not hear from me until I’m picking up the books from the printer! I can hardly wait. I hope you are just as excited as I am! So, until then, may the wind always be at your back… and that the zombies run slower then you! Happy New Year everyone.

Patience is a virtue

Eris_author — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 06:04:09 +0000

You know the old adage: Patience is a virtue? Well, that’s one virtue that I lack, I will be honest. Things have been going good with Monarchy Of Blood, the bar code has been acquired, the ISBN assigned, the book cover has just been completed. The editing however… the editing is taking longer then I planned. Sadly, with having to go back to work part time, it has messed up my previous schedule and deadlines. So sadly, I have to accept that Monarchy Of Blood will not be launched until at least January or possibly February 2013 rather then December. I’m totally bummed but its for the best. So to ease your disappointment too, I thought I’d share with you the cover.

Trick or treat? Definitely a treat!

Eris_author — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:43:32 +0000

It sure is getting exciting, and a wee bit stressful around here, as the deadline draws closer and closer to completing Monarchy Of Blood. It officially has an ISBN and bar code. The book cover is in the works, which is always my favourite part with the fruition of a book. Still fine tuning the back cover blurb, but I think I’ll give y’all a wee treat (in the spirit of Halloween of course) and share it. If you comment on this blog post I will enter your name to win an ebook copy of Monarchy Of Blood when it is released, which is aimed for the beginning of December. So, enjoy and go ahead, comment and put your name on the list to win!

After surviving the streets of Montreal for most of his life, Stone Rossi was beaten and left to die. Like a dark angel who sought to end his suffering, his life was left to the capricious desires of a vampire. Seeing that Stone refused to die peacefully, Mylana admired his will to survive. Leaving his humanity intact, she took him in. Fate tore his life asunder when against his will, and Mylana’s, he was embraced into the immortal family. Following his chaotic transformation, Stone falls for Olivia, a mortal woman who stirs a deadly obsession.

While unknown to Stone and others at La Maison Chantonnay, vampires are being tortured and eviscerated. With these grotesque murders making headlines, a new sovereignty is formed to combat the unknown enemy. Willing to risk their lives, they must keep their existence in the shadows or suffer genocide at the hands of humans.

Blood stained lips & No remorse — Bloody vampires!

Eris_author — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 02:36:54 +0000

Join the release party on Oct 5th at Inkspell Publishing website to find the Blog hop winners!

The “Halloween Sucks, says Lily Drake” blog hop has officially begun!! It runs from today, October 1st to the 5th. Follow the blogs listed at the bottom of this post and you can win a fabulous prize.

Halloween is just around the corner. My favourite time of year! The more ghouls, zombies, vampires, werewolves and all things supernatural the better! This blog post is dedicated to vampires that act like vampires, where their desire to drink blood is like an addiction and for the most part have no remorse. Myself, I’m okay with a slight wavering mortal coil. I do love self torture to a point, but as long as they eventually give in to their nature! *evil grin* So with that said, I’m going to post some of my favourite bloody scenes. Do you agree with my picks? What would you have chosen?

As an additional fangtastic bonus, if you comment on my blog post, your name will be entered to win all three of my novels in ebook form!

: “Win Me!” ebook trio

: Blade Rave Scene

^click on image to see the video^

: “…but you must feed!” David showing Micheal what he is – Lost Boys.

: Lestat feeding on Louis – Interview with the vampire

^click on image to see video^

: It’s all in *where* to bite! This may not be a bloody scene per-say, but it’s a bloody good one!

^Click above image for video^

: Caroline from The Vampire Diaries

: Mick St. John – Moonlight

Below are all the links to the participating blogs. Check ‘em out!

www.moosubi.blogspot.com/
www.booksandbeyond.net
www.supagurlbooks.blogspot.com
booknerd.ca
bookbreather4lyfe.blogspot.com
www.lettersinsideout.net
sarahelizabethsbookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/
raelori.blogspot.com
iheartreading.net
www.christysbookaddiction.blogspot.com
bookshelf.shotgunopera.net
www.bookwhales.blogspot.com/
mommacatandherbabies.blogspot.com
www.midtown-underground.com
www.nightlyreading.wordpress.com
www.crossroadreviews.com
www.bookmice.org
pnrurbanfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/
vanessaleighbooks.blogspot.com
www.everythingatoc.blogspot.com
readingcave.blogspot.com/
andisbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/08/for-love-of-vampire.html
janieraeldridge.blogspot.com
www.readergirlsblog.com
book-spark.blogspot.com/
the-itzel-library.blogspot.com/
bookmaven623.wordpress.com
thelifeofanasiandreamer.wordpress.com/
booksbycenteno.com
megantalksbooks.blogspot.com
fullmoonbites.blogspot.com/
lisavoisin.wordpress.com
www.alwaysyaatheart.blogspot.com
in-interest.blogspot.com
www.bookliaison.com
teenyreader.blogspot.co.uk/
www.jbridgerwriting.blogspot.com/
www.stephaniekeyes.com
www.facing50withhumour.blogspot.com
www.readersconfession.com
www.melissakeir.com/blog.html
cecereadandwrite.blogspot.com
paranormalopinion.blogspot.com
highlyreadioactive.blogspot.in
www.snowdropdreams.ca
sweetandsassyreviewz.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-hop.html#comment-form
booksdownmypillow.blogspot.com
www.snifferwalk.org
pinkfluffyhearts.blogspot.com/

Krystal’s Enchanting Reads

Erika Knudsen

Aliaa @ Mademoiselle Le Sphinx

Michelle @ Mom With A Kindle

http://www.tmichellenelson.com/blog.html

* On October 5th, the winner will be announced here: https://www.facebook.com/InkspellPublishing?sk=app_228910107186452#!/InkspellPublishing/app_228910107186452

Absence makes the heart grow fonder…

Eris_author — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:46:42 +0000

The first week of September is already almost over and I realized I hadn’t done a post in a very long time *looks down sheepishly* Sorry! BUT, you’ll be glad to hear that I’ve been working like a mad woman on my newest instalment for the vampires series. The title is set: Monarchy of Blood. Every time I say or type it, it gives me goosebumps. I can’t wait for this book to be launched. I’m so excited! I am a bit mad at myself that I’m not as far along as I had hoped to be. Life in general has been a bit of a bitch this year and well, you know… The time I usually had for writing was slotted for way less fun work. However, with that said, I’m still aiming for at least a pre-Christmas launch. But if I cannot get a great product out by then, y’all will have to wait a bit longer. If you do have to wait, it will be worth it!

In a month or so, I should have a first glimpse of a cover for you to drool over as I work on the last bit of writing and editing. So times will be VERY busy for me, since sadly, I have gone back to a part time job. But I have to admit, I think I work better when it comes down to a crunch. It’s all about the adrenaline.

So with all that said, you, my beloved readers, would you like a small excerpt from Monarcy of Blood to tie you over until the actual launch? Or would you rather not “spoil” yourself and wait? Let me know by leaving a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter.