Breaking The Covenants

[rgraham666]

I've decided to start a thread to promote this book now that the first draft id finished. At 115K words.

Here's the blurb for it.

The German vampire Gunther von Wittersheim has a problem: he’s fallen in love with the English Lady Marguerite and his greatest immortal enemy knows about it. Alphonse de Brunel is also a vampire, and ruthless enough to use the human girl as a weapon against his foe. When de Brunel captures Marguerite and turns her into a vampire against her will, Gunther swears to destroy him.

But vampires are bound by the Covenants, a code of law enforced by the mysterious and most powerful of the vampire Elders. If Gunther kills de Brunel, the Conclave will destroy him. Marguerite must find a way to keep Gunther’s thirst for revenge from leading him to his death. When they pursue de Brunel to St. Petersburg, they find themselves caught up in a revolution that pits vampire against vampire. Can they find a way to capture de Brunel and return him to the Conclave before the violence in Russia sweeps them up? Or will they, too, fall prey to the breaking of the Covenants?

More updates to follow.

[Dani]

This sounds very interesting Rob. :)

[rgraham666]

Thanks Irish.

It's been a lot of fun to write. :)

[rgraham666]

Latest report.

We've got a request to turn the first three chapters in. So Celina and I shall be polishing busily over the next few days.

:)

[rgraham666]

Okay, revisions are underway. We should have the first three chapters done by the end of the day.

[Dani]

Excellent news Rob! Good luck! :biggrin:

[rgraham666]

Thanks Irish.

First three chapters are done. Seventeen more to go. And then the editor at the publisher gets their paws into it.

[hollie]

it'll all be worth it in the end :clap:

[rgraham666]

I'm sure it will, Hollie. :)

It is a damned good story.

[rgraham666]

Update.

Beta readers liked it. They did point out some pretty glaring errors for that type of book which we're in the process of fixing.

Sent a partial to the publisher. They want to see the full. :D

Things are going well.

[Dani]

Great news Rob! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. :)

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani. :)

[rgraham666]

Time for a report.

Not much to report. ;)

We've decided to redo about the first third of the book to fit more closely to the social mores of Georgian England and to add romantic tension to the book. Some of the secondary characters will be filled out to add more tension and to increase the shock at one of the major turning points.

My co-author has been off line visiting family for Christmas. I hope she's back soon. I really want to get back to work. :)

[hollie]

Romantic tension is good keep up the good work i can't wait to read it

[rgraham666]

Thanks hollie. :)

[rgraham666]

Well, my co-author, Celina Summers (http://shootthemuse.bravehost.com/) is back and working with her usual verve.

So we're almost done the re-write we needed to do. She's added some wonderful twists that have added a lot of tension and romance to the book.

Now I have to get busy and hold up my end. ;)

[Dani]

Great news Rob. Hopefully things will get moving smoothly from here on out.

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani.

I'm managing to keep up with her, barely.

This really is a wonderful story. :)

[rgraham666]

We're pretty much done the rewrite of the first part of the book.

Looking back, it's not surprising it needed to be done. We didn't have the main characters firmed up in our minds and I was writing an erotic novella rather than a fantasy novel with a pile of characters.

But it's looking very good now. :)

Once we redo the first part it will be pretty smooth sailing.

[hollie]

All the hard work will pay off soon enough keep it up :clap:

[rgraham666]

Thanks hollie.

My co-author, who as I've noted is an insanely busy person has decided to we have to have the book ready for contracting by next Wednesday.

So we have to buckle down and get to work.

We'll make it. No worries.

[Dani]

Fingers crossed for you that you and your co-author get things done in time.

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani. We should.

It's not a hard deadline from the publisher. It's one my co-author requested. She's very, very busy and wants to get this project out of the way as quickly as possible.

[rgraham666]

Well, Breaking The Covenants has been submitted. :swoon:

142K words. :swoon:

I'm pretty sure we'll get a contract out of it. It's nice and clean and a damned good story.

We've already brainstorming book #2. No title but it will start in Venice and end in Paris during the storming of The Bastille. One of the major characters will die. Not the hero or heroine of course. But maybe in book #3. :biggrin:

[hollie]

Cheerleader congratulations i'll keep my fingers crossed for you

[rgraham666]

Thank you, hollie.

And we've got the contract!

smilies/dancingspots

[Dani]

WooHoo! Congratulations on the contract! :huepfen017:

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani.

We've decided that book two will be called Warding The Covenants. There will be all kinds of intrigue, mostly in Venice.

But the book will finish in Paris on Bastille Day. :)

[Dani]

That sounds interesting. I've never really learned a lot about Bastille Day, but I'm going to look it up now. Will you be putting up info about it in the book too?

[rgraham666]

A little, just to set the mood.

The bad guys will be using the chaos to murder one of the major characters. Closest literary equivalent would be Dumbledore.

[Dani]

Wow. That will be interesting to read.

[Mary Quast]

Hi Rob... I know you from Romance Divas. This book sounds really good.

[rgraham666]

Hi Mary. It's good to see you here. :)

It's been a lot of fun to write.

Celina and I are currently working on the second book in the series; Warding The Covenants. We're planning on having the third one, as yet untitled, released in time for Halloween. :biggrin:

[rgraham666]

Time for an update.

Breaking The Covenants is scheduled for an April 24th release. Hopefully I'll have a cover and excerpt available for you soon.

Celina and I are about 1/3rd of the way through the second book, Warding The Covenants. Things have been very exciting in Venice in 1789. :)

[Dani]

Congrats on getting your release date! Bouncy Icon Smilie

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani. :)

Celina did something very cool. She created a trailer (http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=7717297749452010425) for Breaking The Covenants.

I've never had one of those before. :)

[Dani]

That's great! :)

I couldn't get the trailer to play for me, but maybe that's because I'm on my MacBook. I'll try again when I get on my PC. LOL!

[rgraham666]

Tsk. Been too long.

Well, Breaking The Covenants is on schedule. The release date is April 24.

And for those who couldn't run the trailer last time try it again. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuWSBqk2OdM)

We should have a cover soon.

[hollie]

great trailer and good luck with your release

[Dani]

Congrats on the release date and the great trailer (it worked this time)!

[rgraham666]

Thanks hollie, Dani. :)

[rgraham666]

We have our cover! Isn't it gorgeous?

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q166/rgraham666/CSRG_BreakingtheCovenants_500x750.jpg

[Dani]

Wow, it is! Congrats on getting it!

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani.

The artist nailed both characters. :)

[rgraham666]

My co-author, Celina Summers (http://shootthemuse.bravehost.com/) came up with a great idea to promote The Vampire Covenants Trilogy.

She created a website for it! (http://thevampirecovenants.bravehost.com/)

Doesn't it look great?

[Dani]

The website looks excellent. I spent a lot of time looking over it and reading everything there just about.

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani.

[hollie]

oops i'm behind. your cover is lovely and so is your website :huepfen017:

[rgraham666]

Thank you, hollie. :)

[rgraham666]

A quick *bump* so people can check out the the website (http://thevampirecovenants.bravehost.com/).

Less than two weeks. :thewave:

[rgraham666]

A quick reminder. Breaking The Covenants will be available in one week's time.

Don't forget to check out our website (http://thevampirecovenants.bravehost.com/) to find out all about the world Celina (http://shootthemuse.bravehost.com/) and I have created for the books.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q166/rgraham666/th_CSRG_BreakingtheCovenants_fw.jpg

[rgraham666]

Sigh.

Unfortunately Breaking The Covenants has missed its release date. Various things happened to the people involved that have held it up. :(

In the meantime, check out the website (http://thevampirecovenants.bravehost.com/) to tell you all about the world we've created for it.

[Dani]

Well that stinks. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before it's released.

[rgraham666]

I'm letting everyone know that Celina and I will be chatting at Coffee Time Romance & More-Chatters (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karenfindoutaboutnewbooks/) on Saturday, May 2nd from noon to 9 EDT.

Hope to see you there. :)

[CharmedGirl]

Sigh.

Unfortunately Breaking The Covenants has missed its release date. Various things happened to the people involved that have held it up. :(



That's bad. But hopefully everything turns around and the book is released shortly.

[hollie]

I'm letting everyone know that Celina and I will be chatting at Coffee Time Romance & More-Chatters (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karenfindoutaboutnewbooks/) on Saturday, May 2nd from noon to 9 EDT.

Hope to see you there. :)

I'm one of the moderators on a Saturday so i should be there but as i'm 5 hours ahead of you i'll miss the end

[rgraham666]

Thank Hollie. Looking forward to it. :)

[rgraham666]

Breaking The Covenants (http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/breaking-the-covenants/prod_231.html) is now available from Aspen Mountain Press (http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/). Written by the lovely Celina Summers (http://shootthemuse.bravehost.com/) and myself it is the first book in The Vampire Covenants Trilogy (http://thevampirecovenants.bravehost.com/) and takes vampires back to their Gothic roots.

__________

The German vampire Gunther von Wittersheim has a problem: he’s fallen in love with a mortal, Lady Marguerite Giffard. His greatest immortal enemy, Comte Alphonse de Brunel, knows, captures Marguerite and turns her into a vampire. Gunther must put aside his desire for revenge and help his beloved through the painful transition to immortality.

Vampires are bound by the Covenants, a code of law enforced by the mysterious Conclave of Elders. If Gunther kills his enemy, the Conclave will destroy him. The couple is ordered to bring de Brunel alive to the Conclave to answer for his crimes. Gunther and Marguerite pursue their foe to St. Petersburg, where they are caught up in a revolution that pits vampire against vampire. Can they find a way to capture Alphonse de Brunel before the violence in Russia erupts? Or will they and their love fall prey to the breaking of the Covenants?

__________

The cover is gorgeous. The artist caught the characters just right.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q166/rgraham666/th_CSRG_BreakingtheCovenants_fw.jpg (http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q166/rgraham666/?action=view&current=CSRG_BreakingtheCovenants_fw.jpg)

Every one should buy a copy. :lol:

[CharmedGirl]

Congrats on the release.

[rgraham666]

Thanks. :)

Here's a quick reminder that Celina and I will be chatting at Coffee Time Romance & More-Chatters (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karenfindoutaboutnewbooks/) from noon to nine today. We'll be posting excerpts, giving stuff away, telling you all about The Vampire Covenants (http://thevampirecovenants.bravehost.com/) and otherwise keeping you entertained.

Hope to see everybody there. :)

[Dani]

Congratulations on the release of the book Rob!

Unfortunately, I missed the chat because I was sick and stayed mostly in bed.

[rgraham666]

Well, that bites. :(

And thanks. It's doing well. :)

[rgraham666]

Breaking The Covenants is still doing great!

You should get a copy. ;)

Isn't the cover gorgeous?

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q166/rgraham666/th_CSRG_BreakingtheCovenants_fw.jpg

[Dani]

It is beautiful! I'll get it when I can because it sounds so interesting. :)

[rgraham666]

Thanks Dani. :)

[CharmedGirl]

I like the cover Rob. It's fantastic.

[rgraham666]

Thank you, Bec. :)

[rgraham666]

For your enjoyment, here's an excerpt from Breaking The Covenants

__________

I fluttered down from the night sky and hovered outside Marguerite’s window. Even with my vision I could barely make her out through the filmy drapes. Her beauty was breathtaking but there was now an edge of sorrow on her features.

I looked at the vampire set on watch but he was quite deliberately paying no attention to me. Even though I knew better, I flew into Marguerite’s room and took my human form.

At once I was filled with that strange, glad and bitter emotion that had burdened me since I last saw her. How can something be soothing and painful at the same time? My existence had gotten complicated. And I was not, really, at all sorry that it had.

Marguerite’s eyes opened and she raised herself on one elbow. She smiled at me but a glimmer of pained tears appeared in her eyes. “We’re dreaming again. I was afraid I’d lost those dreams. It’s been three nights. I’ve missed them.”

“I have not slept a night since we parted, Liebchen.” That was true, after a fashion.

“My sleep has not been the best either.” Her mouth went hard and a touch of fury replaced her tears. “I am not happy with you, Gunther. You know how I feel about you and I know you feel that way as well. Yet you’ve pulled away from me. I didn’t know you were such a coward.”

My own ire rose at that accusation. “Coward?”

“Yes, coward. You were a soldier. You know about fighting. Why are you not willing to fight for us?”

“Because, Liebchen, a soldier does not endanger the innocent. We protect them. When we fight we do our best to ensure it involves only those with a stake in the conflict. We, I, do not wantonly inflict violence.” Reciting the duty I’d always carried with me calmed my dark feelings.

She sighed and smiled. “I am not as innocent as you think, Gunther. I do have a stake in this. If you are not willing to fight for our love, I am, and will.”

I went stiff. We could not love one another. It could only end in tragedy.

My love, bright woman that she was, did not miss this. “I do not fear that French Comte. I don’t know why he holds such enmity for you. Even Lord Hetherington wouldn’t tell me, but I don’t fear him. He will not come between us!”

“You went to Lord Hetherington?” That was a great surprise and it showed on my face.

“I did, Gunther. He offered his power and services to me because my father was his lover.”

“You knew about that?” My surprise grew.

“My father told me. He carried the pain of his separation until the end of his days. His last words were to tell me not to let go of love when I find it. I have found it. I will not let it go.”

Joy and pain slashed through me. “You do not understand and it is better that you do not. Do not love me, Marguerite. I can only be your destruction.”

The firmest determination appeared on her face. It enhanced her comeliness beyond measure. “Lord Hetherington said much the same thing. I know there is something he is hiding, that you are hiding. I will find that secret and then it will no longer stand between us.”

“No!” burst from me. “No,” I said again, softly. “Do not seek that knowledge out, Marguerite. It is hidden for a very good reason. If you uncover it you will find yourself in a place that you can never, ever leave. You will lose everything; your house, your estates, your friends. You will travel far from your bright, happy world and never return.”

At my vehement statement she paled but her set expression remained. “Will I have you?”

I stepped back to the window. My fear told me to run fast and far. I’d said too much already. My emotions calmed a little when I realized she would regard this as only a dream. And dreams were not the truth.

They could be a warning though.

“No, Liebchen, you will not. I am still your friend and discovering my secret will lose you everything.”

She stared at me. A sharp anger began to burn in her eyes. “Liar,” she finally said. “You’re trying to protect me again. I do not need your protection. I need your love.” A wicked, almost vampiric smile shaped her mouth. “And I shall get it no matter how you twist and turn. No man can deny me if I’ve determined I want him. You, Ritter von Wittershiem, are no exception.”

Despite everything I felt; my fear and pain and distress; I couldn’t help but laugh. “Marguerite Giffard, you are the most beautiful and frightening woman I have ever met. Let us play your game then. You will lose.”

“I shall win,” she replied with the most supreme confidence in her voice.

My lady love lay her head back on her pillow. “This dream is at an end, Gunther. I have made up my mind and I won’t be turned from my path.”

“Prepare to be disappointed on your decision.” I reached out with my power and slowly calmed her. Soon her eyes closed and she slept with that wicked, sweet smile still upon her lips. I watched for a while admiring her beauty and basking in the glow of my feelings for her.

A small pang of hunger clenched my stomach. I had not hunted this evening. At that urging I transformed and flapped my way towards my favorite hunting ground.

As I went I marveled yet again at my good fortune in meeting her. Despite our travails just a few minutes with her had lifted my spirits beyond measure. She was safe from de Brunel. Lord Hetherington would make sure of that. And I would make sure of that. When my meal was done I would return and add my presence to her guard.

That would free us to be friends. She would try to seduce me, she would fail. And we would laugh about it. Marguerite would never find out the truth about me.

A shiver of fear dampened my happiness. Don’t beg questions of the future.

[CharmedGirl]

Great excerpt Rob.

[Dani]

I agree, great excerpt!