Seven Seals Series by Traci Douglass

MY LIFE IN HELL’S KITCHEN

I admit, since getting my Roku box, I’ve been catching up on a bunch of shows that I never watched before. One of them is the Fox TV show Hell’s Kitchen. Do any of you watch this?

I’d heard of Chef Gordon Ramsay before, seen him on various talk shows, and had a pretty good idea of his bombastic, ballistic temper that is the show’s biggest draw. At first, I cringed each time he chewed one of the contestants a new one. After watching for a while though, I chuckled and even cheered at Chef Ramsey’s most-times accurate descriptions and dressing-downs of the hapless cooks in his kitchen. In the opening sequences for the first season, he sets the stage for the show to come shows his true passion and commitment to the work he does. In the montage Ramsay says, “I’ve always extracted the best out of individuals because I push them to the absolute max.”

This is a pretty good metaphor for new writers entering the publishing world as well. Not to get all preachy on you guys, but if I’ve learned anything in this business so far, it’s go hard or go home.

As a newbie myself (my first book came out in January 2013) it’s both exhilarating and terrifying to realize that the words you’ve slaved over and crafted so carefully for months and years will finally make it into the hands of an audience. Not everyone is going to like what you’re serving and some people will be downright obnoxious about it. Agents and editors will reject you, publishing houses will toss your work into the black hole of the slush pile without more than a glance or a word or warning, reviewers will pan the novel you were born to write. It can be brutal. But you have to realize these people expect the best from you—your best work, your best attitude. If you can’t bring it, don’t bother showing up.

But just as the cooks in Hell’s Kitchen have to increase their game to succeed, authors have to hoist up their big person pants, grow a thick layer of skin, and keep on keeping on. Keep learning, keep growing, keep pushing yourself to the next level.

This year so far has been particularly tough for me. I spent six months watching someone very close to me fight a valiant battle against cancer and lose. I’ve got another relative who’s just diagnosed and friend’s who are struggling. And I’ve been bumping my way through the world of published author-hood, trying to get things right. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. But I don’t give up. I keep going, knowing that someday my hard work will pay off and I’ll be running that Hell’s Kitchen of publishing like a boss.

So author’s, keep your heads up. And readers please keep buying those books and writing those reviews. You’re the reason we keep trudging ahead.

Now, as Chef Ramsay would say, “Pi@@ off and come back here ready to work tomorrow…” 
Seal Of Surrender
Seven Seals Series: Book 2
Traci Douglass

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Number of pages: approx. 270
Word Count: 72,000

Book Description:

Love, like War, will always find a way…

War has shaped every aspect of Irena Soldan’s life—her childhood, her work, her DNA. Unaware she is the genetic host of the second Seal of the Apocalypse, Irena battles for those who cannot fight for themselves. As a top human-rights operative for The Omega Consortium, her company provides both the financial backing required to undertake her task and a charismatic, publicity-loving boss to promote her cause. Life proceeds on plan for Irena until a mysterious, sexy stranger arrives claiming to be her guardian and Irena’s path takes a sudden, inauspicious turn for both the erotic and the lethal.

Chago has always been the quiet one amongst his warrior Scion brethren—the brooding, Spanish combat expert with a hidden soft side. A member of Divinity’s covert special forces, he’s protected humanity for more than a millennium. Still, his greatest joy comes not from the battlefield, but from tending the cattle herd on his remote Montana ranch.

Irena’s new assignment takes her straight to the heart of a bloody civil conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa and Chago’s mission demands he follow. Expecting a seething cauldron of female whoop-ass, he instead discovers a harbinger of peace amidst a world of ever-increasing violence. The explosively tense situation is further magnified by the cunning Omega Consortium leader, his ambiguous personal agenda, and an ancient foe whose audacious rise to power threatens the world’s very existence.

Despite the cataclysmic circumstances, an undeniable attraction ignites between Chago and Irena. Together, they must unravel the ancient puzzle of the Seals and discover her employer’s ulterior plans before they both become casualties of War. Soon, both are forced to choose between a past riddled with old torments or risk everything they treasure on a love capable of defeating evil incarnate.

Seal Of Destiny
Seven Seals Series Book One
Traci Douglass

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Number of pages: 263
Word Count: 70,000

Book Description:

Love conquers all… but can it stop the Apocalypse?
Mira Herald is having the worst life ever. Not only is she plagued by horrific nightmares starring the Devil himself, she’s now the target of a power-hungry, rogue minion, freshly sprung from Hell and bent on her destruction. To complicate matters further, she’s acquired a stalker. One who insists he’s a divine warrior sent for her protection because she houses an ancient relic with the power to unleash Armageddon. Last time Mira checked, she wasn’t insane. Still, all this celestial mayhem is enough to drive a girl crazy.
Kagan is a member of the Scion, an elite team of immortal warriors selected by Divinity to aid mankind and save the world. After a century alone, Kagan is summoned for a new mission. He’s eager to begin. Eager until he’s informed his mission consists of protecting a woman with no clue to the power she wields. Plus, his briefing fails to prepare him for his new target’s cosmic-sized attitude problem. As Divinity’s sworn servant, he’s required to fulfill his duty. His oath, however, does not require him to be enthusiastic about his new assignment or warm-and-fuzzy toward his new compatriot. He plans a wham-bam rescue and a quick return to solitude.
The rogue minion attacks—with the backing of a mysterious organization—and all Hades erupts, putting a fast end to any whirlwind escapes. Accustomed to staunch independence, Mira’s survival now requires full cooperation and an unwavering belief in Kagan. The battle-hardened warrior is also forced to chose: between duty and desire. Amidst the turmoil, Kagan and Mira’s undeniable passion draws them closer to each other and down a path neither expected but both yearn for, more than they ever knew.
Will love save the day? The world’s fate depends on the answer.

Book Trailer for the series: http://youtu.be/vTn0_15T2iY

About the Author:
Traci is the author of paranormal/urban fantasy and contemporary romances featuring a sly, urban edge, including her current Seven Seals series. Her stories feature sizzling alpha-male heroes full of dark humor, quick wits and major attitudes; smart, independent heroines who always give as good as they get; and scrumptiously evil villains who are—more often than not—bent on world destruction. She enjoys weaving ancient curses and mythology, modern science and old religion, and great dialogue together to build red-hot, sizzling chemistry between her main characters.

Traci is an active member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) and Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Writers (FF&P) and is pursing a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction through Seton Hill University. Her stories have made the final rounds in several RWA chapter contests, including the 2012 Duel on the Delta, the 2012 Molly Awards, and the 2012 Catherine Awards. An earlier draft of Seal of Destiny won the paranormal category of the 2012 Marlene Awards sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers.

Other current projects include upcoming books in the Seven Seals series and a new futuristic suspense series with hints of the paranormal and plenty of romance.