It ain't easy being green...

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I decided to blog on what it means to be green. Sure, we can all wear green, drink green beer, and even swim in the green Chicago River (though I wouldn't recommend it) on St. Patrick's Day. But what does it mean to be green?

When I decided to sell to an e-publisher instead of a traditional NY publisher, the decision wasn't made lightly. I've always had the dream of walking into a bookstore and seeing my books on the shelves. It is the dream of any writer.

So I started doing my research on traditional NY houses. I learned about advances, which thrilled me. Being paid upfront for work not even out, yet? Where do I sign! But then I learned about returns, and print runs, and all that goes along with that. I was shocked. Traditional publishers print a run of several thousand books right out of the gate with no guarantee even one will sell. This not only ties up a heck of a lot of money in overhead, it also wastes valuable resources (paper, chemicals, time, etc.). If the books don't sell, we now have several thousand books in a landfill somewhere. That's right. They just toss them out.

Are ya kiddin me? In this day of the digital age it just doesn't make much sense to me, which is why I turned to e-publishing. It made more sense, and is the more Earth-friendly approach.

An e-publisher has an online bookstore. All of their books are available on demand, downloadable immediately after purchase. No paper necessary. No landfills involved if the book doesn't sell well. And, if you're lucky enough, your book still goes to print, just in a much greener way. I say it's about time we take a closer look at how we can all be green...

There is a new trend sweeping the publishing industry. Well, actually it isn't new at all. It's been around for some time, but it's just now catching on (finally)! It's called Print On Demand, or POD.

Print On Demand with digital technology is used as a way of printing items on demand. In other words, unlike a traditional print run publisher, POD will only print the book when it has been ordered. POD has many benefits. Some of them are:
· You can still order books that otherwise would have been out of print and no longer available. As long as that book is in digital format, it will always be available.
· Large inventories of a book or print material do not need to be kept in stock, reducing storage, handling costs, and inventory accounting costs.
· There is little or no waste from unsold products.
· POD advantages reduce the risks associated with publishing books and prints and can lead to increased choices for consumers.

I'm doing my part at being green, or at least trying. I still eat off paper plates, use paper towels, and forget to turn the light off as I leave the room. Still, every little bit helps. I'm not going to chain myself to a tree to show my "greener" side, but by choosing an Earth-friendly publisher and buying e-books to read on my e-reader, I am showing that I at least do have one.

~Allie K. Adams~

"At Any Cost", Siren

"Seek And Destroy", Siren

http://www.alliekadams.com/
http://alliekadams.blogspot.com/
alliekadams@blackfoot.net

~Eve Adams~

"Under the Covers", Menage Amour

"Riding Double", Menage Amour- ComingSoon

"Trio", Menage Amour - ComingSoon
http://www.alliekadams.com/EVE.html
http://alliekadams.blogspot.com/
alliekadams@blackfoot.net

UNDER THE COVERS now out - by Eve Adams

Have you ever wondered what really goes on in the dark world of Seattle's underground nightlife? In the newest release by Allie K. Adams, w/a Eve Adams, you'll find out!



UNDER THE COVERS is the first in the "Covert Lovers" series -- a new series in the Menage Amour line with Siren Publishing.



Desperate to find her missing sister, Mia Andrews follows her trail to an underground sex ring where women are sold off every night. Under cover as a courtesan, the only way to find her sister is to go in with no holds barred.

Undercover Agent Wayde Davis bids on the sexy-as-sin Mia the instant she wobbles out onto the stage in 4-inch stilettos. She fits the profile of the missing women and may be next. If protecting her means taking her to bed, he'd be more than willing to make that sacrifice.

Painfully shy, high-roller James Pearce wants the beautiful Mia as his permanent courtesan. He also knows his unique fetish requires the help of another man, one so taken with Mia he's willing to do anything to stay by her side--even share her.

Her desperation drives her into both their arms. Her pleasure drives them all to the boiling point!In the dark world of underground sex clubs, there is more to lose than your innocence when working UNDER (the) COVER(s)...

I hope you enjoy!!!

What is erotic romance? How about erotica?

No purple prose here. No suggestive words at what they are doing behind closed doors. Not even a hint. When you write erotic romance/erotica, you leave nothing to the imagination. Everything is spelled out in black and white for the reader to see.

I write HOT erotic adventure/suspense. I also write erotica under the pen name Eve Adams. It's hard to write in a genre my twelve and sixteen year olds can't read (because I won't let them for obvious reasons). My husband LOVES to read them (again, for obvious reasons)!

When I sold my first book AT ANY COST back in March 2008, it was really more of a mainstream romance. There were love scenes, but they were mild at best. My publisher asked me to "steam" them up as hotter romances always sell better. So I did. I never knew I'd have such a great time writing that HOT. Now that I've given in to the "dark side" of romance, I'm never turning back. I absolutely love writing HOT romance. Take a look at SEEK AND DESTROY and you'll see what I mean. My first NASSD Counter-terrorist Agency book was hot, but the second one catches fire!

Erotic romance/erotica isn't for everyone. There are terms in the books that would stop the heart if the reader is offended by explicit words. The graphic love scenes are meant to stimulate the senses. If that is not what you like to read, then stay clear of erotic romance/erotica.

I'd like to delve deeper into what erotic romance/erotica is and what it isn't. It isn't pornography, much to the contrary of those advocating against the genre. It isn't stories exploiting woman (or men). It is a genre centered around the relationships of the characters--their trials and tribulations, their conflict and resolution. Romance is the central theme. It is the pursuit of the proverbial HEA, aka Happily Ever After.

I love writing stories about characters who get into adventurous situations just to see how they'll get out of them. These characters play hard, love even harder, and never back away from what is the right thing to do. All of my books have the same thing in common: they all have the HEA.

If you are curious about erotic romance/erotica, I urge you to pick up a story and read it. Who knows, you may fall in love with the genre and find yourself a lifelong fan. All it takes is that first taste of the "dark side" and you'll be hooked. :-)

~Allie

Allie K. Adams write erotic romance, and also writes erotica under the pen name Eve Adams. She lives in southwest Montana with her family. As the neighborhood mom, she always has a houseful of kids, and is always fighting the losing battle of keeping the fridge stocked when there are that many mouths to feed. When she isn't working full-time (60+ hours per week), or writing, she's outside riding her ATV/Snowmobile, depending on the season. She is also an avid volunteer for the local Search and Rescue. Allie loves to hear from readers, so please drop her a line!

~Allie K. Adams~

"At Any Cost", Siren - Available NOW
"Seek And Destroy", Siren - Available NOW
"Rescue Me", Siren - Early 2009

http://www.alliekadams.com/

http://alliekadams.blogspot.com/

alliekadams@blackfoot.net

AT ANY COST Excerpts Posted!

Below is the story excerpt for AT ANY COST. This excerpt gives you a little taste of the dangers the characters are up against.

Because it is a romance, and does include explicit language and sexual content, I add the disclaimer that you need to be over the age of 18 to view. Please, read on...

Dan and Snyder were quieter than church mice. They'd taken the guards out before they could call in. It didn't make any sense.

His answer came then, and Dan cursed through clenched teeth. Goddamn that woman. If they made it out of here alive, he was going to kill her.

JT Turner, dressed in all black, raced toward him. She had a mask over her face, but he knew her body well enough to know who it was.

Not again.

She had quite a crew after her this time. She skidded to a stop the minute she realized who it was. "Dan?" He thrust an UZI into her hands. "Guns? How did you get these? I thought we were unarmed? At least I was."

"Not now, Turner." He fired into the crowd chasing her, dropping the first layer. "Did you get him?"

"No." JT fired and took out two more.

"Move it." He pushed her behind him. "There's a hole under the fence dead ahead. Slide under and keep going until you see the car. Get in and get down."

"But I can still take him!"

"Too late, Turner. Now move." She ran off toward the fence. Dan followed, every few seconds turning and firing, taking out another layer. But they just kept coming.

Dan made it to the hole and slid under. He noticed a piece of fabric with blood on it. Knowing it wasn't his, he growled. She couldn't even slide under a fence without hurting herself.

Racing toward the car, he almost collided with Snyder as he appeared from behind some trees. They both sprinted toward the car. Snyder didn't even pause when he spotted JT Turner behind the wheel, motioning for them to hurry up.

Dan jumped in the passenger seat, Snyder in the back.

"Haul ass!" Dan yelled.

"I'm hauling," JT sang, and he wanted to wring that defiant little neck of hers. She drove fast, but not fast enough. Dan saw lights behind them. SUVs. ATVs. And whatever else the tango had at his beck and call.

And they were gaining on them.

"Move over, Turner. I'm taking the wheel." He grabbed the wheel and positioned himself to take over. She threw the seat back and rolled out of the way, while at the same time Dan jumped into the seat.

He picked up the pace and the lights in his rearview mirror started to fade. "Fire off some cover, would you?"

"My pleasure." JT crawled over the back of her seat and landed ungracefully on top of Snyder. Dan watched in the mirror as Snyder helped her up. The way he touched her, smiled at her, made Dan tense. "Thanks." She offered.

"Any time," Snyder, too easy and too damned charming, replied. Dan clenched his teeth. "Hey, Weber? Flip that little purple toggle switch."

Dan did and the back window lowered down. "Nice option."

JT popped her head up and rested the UZI on the back dash. Firing behind them, she must have hit some of them. Lights visibly swerved, and one flipped into the air.

That's my girl. Dan drove faster, narrowly missing trees and vines as he navigated the jungle. JT fired off another volley of shots, this time not aiming for anything in particular. The woman just liked to shoot.

"I think I got 'em all." JT slid back down into the seat.

"Think again." Dan spotted another set of lights as they crested the horizon. "Snyder, take 'em out."

"I can do it." JT glared up at Dan through the mirror. He glared back with equal fury. Just wait, Turner. You think I'm pissed now, wait until we get back to the hotel.

"Allow me." Snyder capped the driver of their tail. The lights slid off into the bushes and stopped.

"Very nice," JT offered.

"Thank you," Snyder replied with a nod. He sat back and gave JT a sideways glance.

"You must be the lovely Miss Turner."

"I must be," JT replied. Dan looked behind them. No more lights. They were in the clear. "And you are?"

"David Snyder, NASSD." He offered his hand. When JT accepted it, he kissed her fingers. Dan jerked the wheel and knocked them off-balance. JT pulled her hand back to find purchase against the seat.

"I was doing fine until you two showed up."

"Obviously," Dan ground out.

"Let me guess," Snyder said after several seconds of intense silence. "Weber didn't tell you about this?"

"No," she said way too sweetly and forced a smile. He looked at her through the rearview mirror. She looked ready to jump over the seat and take him out with her bare hands. "He must have forgotten to mention it."

"Did you get him?" Snyder asked JT.

"No," Dan choked out. Again his anger singed the corners of his control. He shook his head and muttered a round of his favorite curses. Twice.

"So now we are back to Plan A?" Snyder asked.

Dan swung his angry gaze over to her through the mirror. She'd botched the mission. Blew the fucking op. Damn it all to Hell! If he could, he'd throw her on the next plane out of Colombia and go after the tango himself.

But HQ wanted it done their way. Hell and brimstone. He debated whether going against a direct order and sending her home anyway. Yes, it would be his final mission, because as soon as HQ found out Dan went with his own plan, his career would be over.

He could always go along with HQ's ridiculous plan. JT would go into the compound and work the tango from the inside. Dan would work the mission with Snyder from the outside. It could work, Dan finally admitted, with a few modifications.

The only way to keep an eye on her was to keep her in the mission. Son-of-a-bitch. He didn't want her there, didn't want her going into the compound unarmed and alone.

But it was the only way.

If you like what you read, you can read more at my website www.alliekadams.com.

~Allie

What is Print On Demand (POD)?

There is a new trend sweeping the publishing industry. Well, actually it isn't new at all. It's been around for some time, but it's just now catching on (finally)! It's called Print On Demand, or POD.

First, let's talk about what POD is NOT. It is not vanity publishing as some would have you believe. Vanity publishing, or self-publishing, is when you take your material, complete your own line edits, find your own printer, print and bind your own books, and sell them yourself. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with self-publishing. I just want to provide the distinction between vanity publishing and POD.

Print on demand with digital technology is used as a way of printing items on demand. In other words, unlike a traditional print run publisher, POD will only print the book when it has been ordered. Traditional publishers print a run of several thousand books right out of the gate with no guarantee even one will sell. This not only ties up a heck of a lot of money in overhead, it also wastes valuable resources (paper, chemicals, time, etc.). If the books don't sell, we now have several thousand books in a land fill somewhere. In this day and age of "green" and protecting our resources, POD really does stand out as the more Earth-friendly approach.

POD has many benefits. Some of them are:

• You can still order books that otherwise would have been out of print and no longer available. As long as that book is in digital format, it will always be available.
• Large inventories of a book or print material do not need to be kept in stock, reducing storage, handling costs, and inventory accounting costs.
• There is little or no waste from unsold products.
• POD advantages reduce the risks associated with publishing books and prints and can lead to increased choice for consumers.

So there you have it. I hope this helps you understand what POD is and why it is growing in popularity, and why I chose to go with a POD publisher. I'm not going to chain myself to a tree to show my "greener" side, but by choosing an Earth-friendly publisher like Siren-BookStrand, I am showing that I do have one.

Book Trailer for AT ANY COST - actual trailer

I've had a couple people ask if I would post the actual video trailer here instead of the link, so here it is. I would love to hear what you think of this trailer as it is my first one and I want to make one for each of my books. If this totally blows, then I want to know so I don't turn around and make the same type of trailer for SEEK AND DESTROY. However, if you just love it, I'd like to hear that, too!

Book Trailer for AT ANY COST

I wanted to share with everyone my efforts at creating a book trailer for my first book out, AT ANY COST.

http://www.youtube.com/v/nNMaDGpe6vs

Tell me what you think.