Officially seeking beta readers

Seeking out beta readers is a new endeavor for me, so bear with me. I’m working on a three-book light paranormal romance series, Wishes & Dreams; the lines are a little blurry. My primary desire is for my stories to be romantic, charming and with lots of humorous moments. My heroes and heroines (as well as an antagonist) include Djinn (genies) and shapeshifters. For the most part the world-building, especially for the Djinn, I’ve tried to make uniquely my own; i.e., not based off of Disney or Barbara Eden or anyone else’s. Rating: There are steamy parts, and a few explicit adult scenes in each book, appropriate to the story line and the development of the romance; make no mistake, however, I am not writing erotica nor am I writing “sweet” with the bedroom door shut. I like to stress the “appropriate” part 😉

The first two books are completed manuscripts, although the second book is in the process of some major revisions (most additions).

Here’s my mini-synopsis for Wishes in a Bottle, the first in the series:

     Centuries ago, in plague-struck Italy, Julian DiConti cast a powerful spell to have unlimited power to be able to help people. The spell goes spectacularly awry, leaving Julian enslaved to a Djinn bottle, bound to grant three wishes to each Master of the bottle until one Master uses all three wishes to help others. More than anything, Julian longs for a normal life – for a home, and a family. After six hundred years, however, he has begun to despair of ever being freed from the spell. Enter Alessandra DiConti, a young woman who has followed her calling to help others. The youngest of her family, she has watched her five sisters give up their hopes and dreams as they have been pushed into marriages of her father’s choosing. She views marriage as a trap and vows never to be caught in it. Then one day she finds an old perfume bottle in her attic. She’s drawn to the handsome, brooding Djinn. She’d gladly free him from the spell if she could, but he can’t tell her how, and one by one she’s forced to use the precious wishes to help others. But where will that leave Julian, and the growing love between them?

And the second book, A Gift of Jacinth:

     Douglas McCandliss considers himself an ordinary kind of guy, leading an ordinary kind of life. His biggest problem is that his alcoholic ex-wife kidnapped their two young children and disappeared. When a young woman appears in his living room and announces she’s a genie, come to grant him three wishes, he thinks she’s escaped from the funny farm. In no time at all, she reunites him with his children, and then proceeds to join them in turning Douglas’ well-ordered life upside down. What with the ebullient Jacinth’s beyond-beautiful mother popping in, followed by her languishing suitors, a supercilious shapeshifting cat, a disapproving guardian genie, and Douglas’ ex-wife trying to kidnap the children again, Douglas soon begins to wonder if he’s the one that needs to be in the funny farm! Jacinth has absolutely no intention of falling in love with a mortal. Having watched her mother grieve for a millenia over the human man that she loved, Jacinth has no intention of spending an eternity in mourning. Why should she love a mortal anyway, when there were so many handsome genies to choose from? Of course, she hasn’t found one she could love, but she’s only 900 years old, she just needs more time to run into the right genie. When she agrees to stay awhile with Douglas to help him with his children, she certainly doesn’t foresee falling in love. Even if her heart does go pitta-pat when he smiles at her. Because there is no way she’ll allow herself to love a human. Ever.

I’d like to attract beta readers who think they might enjoy this type of book, to give me feed back on the characters, conflict, plot. When something works for them, or doesn’t work, and why or why not. This is done via email; I’ll send a chapter at a time, along with a short list of questions about that chapter. I’d like a turn-around of 2-3 days, although understanding life happens. As soon as I get the questionnaire back, I’ll send the next chapter. I’ll also send several chapters if you’re chomping at the bit to go faster, just ask! LOL.

If you’re new to beta reading, check out my Blog Post with Jenna Moreci’s vlogs (video blogs) on beta readers and the beta reading process… besides informative they’re also hilarious to watch! I’ve also just found this FABULOUS blog post on What is Not Required of a Beta Reader… PLEASE read, whether you’re interested in being a beta reader, or interested in finding beta readers! Really, this has invaluable information!

Please give me a shout on Twitter or Facebook if you are interested in being on my Beta team, or email me at writer1@alliemccormack.com.

P.S. If you love romance but paranormal’s not your thing, I’ve got the first 2 of a 4-book contemporary romance series finished, and will be gathering a beta reader team for those as well.

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