Anika's Books

What More Proof Do You Need?

One of my publishers have directly on their website: "Due to lack of reader interest, we are NOT accepting F/F/M, one man with several women, or F/F." Sadly, I can't even say I'm surprised. I had already known this was an unpopular genre. But since it got me in the door, I can't really knock it.

Frankly, I'm glad they placed this note on their website. There can be no doubt about what they do and don't want. Also, I am noticing more and more publishers have a big no-no for F/F romance. What I didn't realize is that that genre is considered male fantasy in the writing world? Go figure.

So what does this mean for me? I have noticed the difference in the sales for my F/F romance and my M/F romance. But luckily for me, I write in other genres or I would be lost. Nevertheless, I am glad I got the contracts for both those stories because no matter what they were good enough to be accepted even though their isn't a real big market for them.

By the way, instead of writing the blurb and synopsis for the story I'm working on I'm doing this blog. I am such a procrastinator.

Happy Labor Day!!

SRR reviews Good for Something

Anika Hamilton’s novella Good for Something had you hanging on for the happy ending with baited breath . . . Good for Something shows the reader how love can conquer all despite the odds. Ms. Hamilton successfully weaves a story that has you wanting to know that all things turn out for the good.

~ Tami, Simply Romance Reviews

The 100 Days Challenge . . .

One of my publishers is conducting a 500 words per day, 100 days challenge. The challenge began today and should end sometime in November. I'm going to do my best to stick to this challenge and not let writer's block or stress stop me. Especially since this is in line with the personal goal I have set for myself. You know write every day, so my goal per day is going to 500 words.

The interesting thing about this challenge is the competitive nature of the other authors. Some of them are already very proficient in writing epics, of which I'm not ready to attempt right now, probably never will be. Anyway, it will be interesting to track the progress of everyone.

So what's my point? I actually don't have one. I just find it exceedingly interesting to see people competing so viciously for some visible or invisible goal. Are you a very competitive person? Why?

Anyway, I'm going to try this thing, so wish me luck.

P.S. and one more thing: today is the implementation day for the hard work I put in for the library. Shorter hours, scared and pissed-off employees, angry customers, grandstanding commissioners, let the (not-so-fun) games begin.

Good for Something Reviewed

Good For Something is a suspenseful tale about love found in the most unlikely of places. Escaping from an abusive lover was Nicolette’s primary goal when she moved from Arizona to Florida. But finding Casey helped her to realize that love comes again when you least expect it. Nicolette also learned that no matter how far you run, your past can still catch up with you, but when faced with her fears, she courageously tackles them head-on. The sensuality between Nicolette and Casey is intimately endearing and mildly erotic. With the spurned lover stalking the women, Good For Something makes for a wonderfully entertaining read.

Fallen Angel Review - Good For Something

Busy . . . Yeah Right . . .

I wish I could say that I have been too busy to post because of writing. But since I always try to be honest, let's try out the truth. My mind right now is such a jumble I can't even figure out what to write on my blog.

I have tons of works in progress and I'm excited about all of them, but I just can't seem to focus on any one long enough to get it done. I wouldn't say I have writers block per se I'm just anxious. I want to get so much done so quickly that I make myself nauseous.

Additionally, I had a mini-melt-down last week, I'm over it now. So I know that a lot of people do not read F/F so I have been trying to do research on the best places to market my work. I have noticed that even when the public forums/yahoogroups that I am a member of advertise GLBT days they really only mean the G and B. Thank goodness I write other genres or I would not even get a nibble for my work.

I'm also very tired from the day job. The workload has been increasing since the success of our last major project, add to that my boss will be going away on maternity leave soon. And I'm trying to catch up on a whole missed month of work.

Lately, I've been telling a friend of mine that I want a job where I don't have to think anymore, some kind of mindless work, something automatic. She doesn't think I would last long in one of those. But really if I earn the same amount as I do now, I would satisfied at least for now.

Amarinda Jones did a blog post about being a pleb, click her name to check it out. I think I need to go lower on the totem pole, because even though I'm not a manager, too many people depend on me for too many things. Oh and since I don't consider writing work or a hardship I would love to dedicate more time to that than the day job.

Anyway, that's enough whining for one day. Until I think of something else to say . . .

Dessert Box . . .

. . . released today from Siren-BookStrand. Woo Hoo.

So my second book is being presented to the world today. To read an excerpt and pick up your copy of Dessert Box, click the cover:

Also, my cyber-friend, Amarinda Jones, is having a little get-to-know Anika on her blog today. So don't miss it.

Dessert Box

BLURB

Carmella Simone and Sandra Tucker have been together for the past ten years. Every year for Valentine’s Day, one or the other is tasked with creating a memorable and passionate experience.

This is Sandra’s year and she has planned the ultimate Valentine’s Day treat. She has commissioned a specially designed box, locking herself inside. Now Carmella must figure out the clues that will unlock her gifts: Sandra and chocolate.

Join them on their erotic journey of a sweet treat and body heat.

Genre: African-American Lesbian Romance, Light BDSM

"Dessert Box was created to show you that a loving relationship can have passion, and that passion can be as wicked as you want it to be. Remember, you can have boundless love and risqué loving." ~ Anika ~

EXCERPT

Sandra lay in a box that was the size of a coffin but had jail-like bars made of wood and steel. The box rested on top of the dining room table. She lay on a comforter that was neatly folded under her obviously to protect her skin. Her arms were secured above her head and a gag ball hindered conversation, the restraints adding to the erotic picture.

The opening between each bar not wide enough for Carmella to reach in to swipe up some of the chocolate, but she tried snagging some anyway to no avail. This whole scenario was designed to torture her.

Shaking her head, Carmella remembered the questions she and Sandra had gotten about why two people needed a table that seated twelve. The current situation proved that it did come in handy sometimes.

Licking her lips, Carmella stared at the feast laid out for her pleasure. And obviously her pain. Sandra had finally outdone herself this time. Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. The dining room table was set and she would eat pretty tonight. Once she got through that damn box.

“Where to start?” Carmella wondered aloud, staring at the contraption on their dining room table. “How do I get to my prize?” she asked, not really expecting an answer from the woman on the table. Her companion was gagged after all, and wouldn’t be able to add anything to the conversation.

For now.

This was part of their game though, exposing their thought processes to each other. Carmella would explain her emotions as she felt them; as many and varied and in as vivid a detail as she experienced them. She wouldn’t—couldn’t—keep them to herself. Reaching over, she retrieved the note affixed to the top of the box, right next to the big red bow. It revealed the instructions necessary to enjoy her ultimate feast.

Turning her attention to the note, she read aloud:

Five questions to enjoy your feast;
Five answers to receive your treat;
Five pieces to create one tool;
Five components to achieve one goal;
Five reasons to set me free;
Five flavors of chocolate on me.

Circling the box, Carmella examined the setup of the box and inspected her girl more closely. Five flavors covering five erotic points on Sandra’s body: toes, navel, lips, breasts; and clit. This should be fun. Turning the note over, Carmella discovered her first inquiry.

Romantic Dialogue Author Interview . . .

My first book, Lust Bites: Good For Something, will be released from Total-E-Bound on June 30.

To celebrate the Romantic Dialogue Crew, Aleka Nakis, Catherine Chernow, Tia Fanning, and Maddie James, has invited me to participate in an author interview. This will be a fun night which begins at 9:00 p.m.

So stop by and say hi: Call the show at (310) 984-7600 and enter Show ID 245692. Or, visit the show at: http://www.nowlive.com/show/AlekaNakis.

Hope to see (talk to) you there.

Lust Bites: Good For Something

Casey never had a really serious relationship; while Nicolette just got out of a bad one.

Nicolette Marchand relocated to South Florida to get away from an abusive lover. In her new home, she loves the sun, the beaches and the bookshop owner with the hazel eyes and beautiful smile. Spending her evenings in her home away from home, life was really good. At least, until the phone started ringing.

Casey Addison, bookshop owner, was a native of South Florida. She never really cared about anything or anyone other than her store before now. A chance encounter with a fellow book lover changed all that. She thoroughly enjoys the company of her bookshop's new fixture. Unfortunately, someone is threatening her new found happiness and Casey gets caught in the middle.

Helping each other, will these two women discover a love they never knew they needed? And can Nicolette open herself up and trust that together, they are both...

Good for Something?

Hi all:

The cover for my book Dessert Box is complete. :-) I love it.

Dessert Box is an African-American Lesbian Romance with Light BDSM.

Story Blurb: It’s Valentine’s Day and Sandra has set the scene. Carmella will have a delicious feast filled with everything she loves. By the end of the night, Carmella will discover which is sweeter: her woman or her chocolate.

Welcome to my blog...

My name is Anika. I'm a Jamaican, living in South Florida. And I'm an author.

Since blogging is a relatively foreign concept for me, it will take me awhile to grow comfortable enough to start talking . . . typing. But when I do finally open up, watch out.

Over the next few months, you should hopefully be seeing more from me. By then, I should have gotten over all my phobias about being open with others . . . I hope.

I'll also be finished with school by the end of April (woohoo). This will free up a lot of time for me to write again. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to dedicate to work, school, and my passion (bummer).

Anyway, shortly after school ends, my first book, a lesbian contemporary called Lust Bites: Good For Something will be published by Total-e-Bound Publishing (Yippee). The scheduled date is June 2008. Then two short stories will released by BookStrand, Inc.: Dessert Box in July 2008 and Reclaiming Nicola in August 2008 (big dreamy sigh).

I'm also currently working on a number of other books that should be ready for submission soon. But all that must wait until after school is done.

Stay tuned for more in the writing world of Anika. Until next time....Imagine