Real World on Writing

Insecure Writers Support Group-Novel vs. Novella

2012-03-08T07:14:00.003-05:00

Happy Thursday my fellow writers. I’m a day late, so forgive me. I just finished up edits for Secrets of Jenkins Bridge which is a novel at over 50K words. And all I could think was how long it took me to go through the editing process on this one compared to my novella, The Swan Cove Murders. I’m beginning to believe my forte is leaning more toward writing novellas than a full novel.

When writing a novel, granted, there are more pages to write about the settings, descriptions, and more time to develop the characters, both primary and secondary, over the time period of the story. But, there are also more pages to edit overall, possibly more subplots that need tying up at the end of the story, etc.

When writing a novella, it is more fast paced therefore I can’t drone on about the sun setting or the leaves changing colors or anything else. I have to get straight to the nitty gritty and stay that way throughout the entire story. But, for me, this makes it easier for me to ensure there aren’t a lot of loose ends, or secondary characters that aren’t working out for the story, and truly, I can’t put more than a couple of secondary characters in this type of story. Again, time and page restraints.

There are authors who like writing the full length novel, but I’m finding it may not be for me. Or maybe it was just this one (my baby) that was tough. I think in the future I’ll write another full length novel and see how it goes, but for now, I’ll be writing a few novellas.

Which do you prefer writing, the novel or novella? Which do you prefer reading?

I'm over at Kindle Paranormal Authors today.Stop by for a visit.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date coming soon: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

CassaFire by Alex Cavanaugh-It's Release Day!!!!

2012-02-27T12:13:00.000-05:00

I'm super excited today as it's the Catch Fire Blog Party, celebrating the release of CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh! The goal is to help CassaFire “catch fire” on the best seller charts and achieve the success of the first book, CassaStar. There’s also a special package of prizes being given away at Alex’s blog (copies of CassaFire, CassaStar, tote bag, mug, and bookmarks) as well as book giveaways during his two-week blog tour. See Alex’s site for details: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

His blog tour runs from February 27 through March 9 – and anyone who comments on his great blog posts during that time can win a special package from his publisher.

The Twitter hashtag for the party is #CatchFire

Alex is also responsible for the birth of The Insecure Writers' Blog, where writers can find a great support group that posts the first Wednesday of every month. Be sure to check this out.

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities.

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

Available today!

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

You can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Book trailer available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6VINRGtyE.

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cassafire-alex-j-cavanaugh/1034742568

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/0982713940/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329417150&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-ebook/dp/B007A2TSNG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329663355&sr=1-1

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date Coming soon: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

For My Special Valentine

2012-02-12T09:03:00.002-05:00

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I've decided to go with a simple yet special blog...just for my hubby, Michael.

© Photographer: Anatoly Abyshev | Agency: Dreamstime.com

We've been together 15 years and married for nearly 14 (of course, he would say over 100 and chuckle). With lots of ups and downs, somehow we are still one. And believe me, there is no special secret. We're still learning and growing. I don't believe that ever ends. Even at our wits end with one another, we manage to lift ourselves up above and find our way back.

I'm going to share our wedding song lyrics, It's Your Love by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Dancin' In The Dark
Middle Of The Night
Takin' Your Heart
Holdin' It Tight
Emotional Touch
Touchin' My Skin
Askin' You To Do
What You've Been Doin'
All Over Again
Oh, It's A Beautiful Thing
Don't Think I Can Keep It All In
I've Just Gotta Let You Know
What It Is That Won't Let Me Go

It's Your Love
Just Does Somethin' To Me
Sends A Shock Right Through Me
Can't Get Enough
And If You Wonder
About The Spell I'M Under
It's Your Love

Better Than I Was
More Than I Am
All Of That Happened
By Takin' Your Hand
Who I Am Now
Is Who I've Wanted To Be
Now That We're Together
Stronger Than Ever, Happy And Free
Oh, It's A Beautiful Thing
Don't Think I Can Keep It All In
And If You Ask Me Why I'll Change
All I Gotta Do Is Say Your Sweet Name

It's Your Love
Just Does Somethin' To Me
Sends A Shock Right Through Me
Can't Get Enough
And If You Wonder
About The Spell I'M Under
It's Your Love

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming soon: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Blog tour/award/and more!!

2012-01-28T07:32:00.000-05:00

I'm three days into my blog tour and the responses have been great! We're still not released yet, but my editor and I are working our tushes off to get it done. For all who either come here or visit any of the blog stops, I am giving away a basket full of goodies!! The winner will be picked at the end of the blog tour and posted here. In the meantime, as soon as Secrets of Jenkins Bridge is released, I will begin giving away free ebook copies :)

Next up, I was one of ten nominated to receive this here The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award from my awesome friend and critique partner, Calisa Rhose! Thank you :)

The rules to being able to accept this award are simple. I have to pick 10 blogs to award and post 7 things about myself others may not know.

So, first are the 10 blogs I'm nominating:

Empty White Pages

Leovi's Abstract Photos

Spunk on a Stick

The Tardis Scribbles

Coming Down The Mountain

Following The Whispers

Alyssa Fox

Talli Roland

Cheryl Yeko

Ye Olde Inkwell

And now for the 7 things others may not know about me:

1) I grew up and lived in Connecticut up until 8 years ago when we decided to be adventurous and move here to South Carolina where we knew no one.

2) I had gone to college for Pre-Med. Unfortunately, family circumstances caused me to stop going. I was going for Pediatric Oncology.

3) I'm a country music girl. My favorites are Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Toby Keith.

4) I used to smoke those yucky cigarettes, but it's been nearly two years (March) since I quit.

5) My husband and I have fish for pets. Koi, goldfish, Shubukan, and kissing fish!

6) I used to be a HUGE Nascar fan (As typical, life gets in the way and priorities change). My favorite? Richard Petty. When he retired, I cried :(

7) I'm a Big Bang Theory junkie. Absolutely love these guys, especially Sheldon. He cracks me up.

There you are. Now I have to get back to edits so I can get this book released!!

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date January ? Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Blog Tour Schedule

2012-01-21T19:24:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry I have been lacking on my blog posts. The edits for Secrets of Jenkins Bridge has gotten away from me. We're cutting it extremely close. May not even be able to release on the 25th. But, if I get it back for final edits in the next day or so, I'll stay up all night finishing them if need be.

Here are my blog tour dates and places. Be sure to hop along!

Jan 25th: Cheryl Leko   http://www.cherylyeko.com/
                 Callie Hutton http://www.calliehutton.com/

Jan 27th: Michelle Miles' Ye Old Inkwell http://www.michellemiles.net/blog

Jan 30th: Rebecca Grace's My Writing Corner http://rebecca-grace.blogspot.com/

Feb 1st:    Meggan Connors http://megganconnors.wordpress.com/

Feb 2nd    Adriana Ryan http://adrianaryan.wordpress.com/

Feb 3rd:   Mandi Casey's Paranormal Blog http://www.whoareyoucallingavampire.blogspot.com/
                 Casey Wyatt    http://caseywyatt.com/

Feb 4th:    Ann Montclair http://www.annmontclair.wordpress.com/

Feb 6th:    Nas Dean's Romance Book Paradise http://nas-dean.blogspot.com/

Feb 7th:    Riya Dean's Romance Reader http://romancereader-riya.blogspot.com/
                  Calisa Rhose    http://calisarhose.wordpress.com/

Feb 9th:    Rebecca Heflin   http://www.rebeccaheflin.com/wordpress/

Feb 10th Tammy Winbush http://tamis-ramblings.blogspot.com/

Feb. 13th Karin Shah http://karinshah.wordpress.com/

Feb. 15th Elizabeth Craig http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/

Feb. 17th: Secrets of 7 Scribes http://secretsof7scribes.wordpress.com/

Feb.29th Shelly Bell http://shellybellbooks.com/blog

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date January 25th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Karina Buchanan is in The House!! Woot!!

2012-01-08T10:34:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited to have Karina Buchanan here on my blog today with her new release, Daring To Love.

Welcome Karina. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Karina Buchanan and Daring to Love is my debut novel. I live in Northern Ireland with my husband and two boys. I'm a stay at home Mum, so the writing stops me from going completely insane.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?

A couple of years ago, for our anniversary, my husband bought me a new engagement ring to replace the old one which had worn away to nothing. The new one has three diamonds and he told me they represented our past, present and future together. Actually, I think I wrote that into a story somewhere…

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

Will I get thrown out of the writers' club if I say no? Lol I do like to wear comfy clothes though, when I'm writing.

What are your pet peeves?

Rude people. I can't stand people who are plain nasty.

Cats or dogs?

Definitely dogs! I have a six year old collie cross called Maisie who is slightly mad (like the rest of the family).

White wine or red?

Very sweet white wine.

Coffee or tea?

Very sweet white tea J

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Chocolate. What's the point in having vanilla?

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

An umbrella – the constant rain in Northern Ireland is the reason the countryside is so green here. Lipgloss – I'm not a real girlie girl but I like my gloss! And of course a notebook and pen – I prefer to do all my writing longhand and you never know when an idea will strike.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Laptop. Then I can curl up anywhere with it

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Sundays seem to be the perfect day for writing for me. Hubby makes Sunday lunch then he and the boys watch football on the telly, while I disappear into the bedroom to do some writing.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

I've had a long hard think about this one. At first I just wanted to jump in with the names of good looking men but I think I'll go with Jackie Collins – who could keep me entertained with celeb gossip, Bruno Mars – to serenade me and Joe Manganiello – for obvious reasons ;)

An actor you have a crush on?

At the minute, it is definitely Joe Manganiello. He plays Alcide, a werewolf, in True Blood and he is a major hottie.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

My favourite show is definitely True Blood. Not only is it choc-full of eye candy but I love the paranormal element to it and it made me go out and buy all Charlaine Harris's books.

What made you decide to be an author?

I always enjoyed writing, even at primary school. It was the only thing I ever wanted to do as a career and it means I can work from home.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

Between my Gran and Mum, there was an abundance of romance novels available when I was growing up, I'm sure that had something to do with it. And I just enjoy a good love story with a happy ending – it makes me all mushy inside

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?

I'm a mixture of both. I start out with a rough idea of where I want to go but usually, as I'm writing, the characters choose a different path

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?

I love the Irish author, Maeve Binchy. She writes lovely romances but she also manages to weave the lives of so many characters into her work that the reader cares about, it amazes me

What is your all time favorite book?

I would have to say, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I think it was the first 'proper' novel I read and one of the few books I would read over and over again. It has everything in it – mystery, drama, a brooding hero and of course, romance

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

That would have to be where Andrea tells Matt to turn around so she can 'slap the gold star on his backside for a job well done!' It's the sort of thing I say to my other half when he tells me he's washed the dishes like it's a major achievement

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?

I found Andrea pretty easy to write, she's a straightforward sort of girl who lives life by the rules so she doesn't get hurt. But Matt gave me a bit of trouble. I really had to dig deep to discover the reasons behind his daredevil lifestyle and what drove him on. I did torture him a bit…

Where do you get your ideas from?

Ideas come to me out of the blue. Sometimes it can be a tiny detail in a newspaper article that can weave a whole story in my head. Other times, a long drive in the country will give my imagination time to run wild because we have such beautiful scenery here that's the perfect backdrop for a love story.

How did you choose your title?

I started off with the title 'The Daredevil and the Dietician' and the ladies in my crit group, UCW, came up with the somewhat better title, Daring to Love, after a brain storming session.

How do you cure writer’s block?

When I'm really stuck, I leave the writing for a few days and do some reading. That usually gives me time to think and nudge me on. Failing that my UCW ladies usually get the whips out! Lol

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?

Write! You won't get anywhere if you don't finish anything and with every ms you write, your voice will improve

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?

When I was in my 'I can't do it', whiny stage, a very wise author gave me a reality check. She said 'If you think you can really give up, do so'. As all us writers know, those voices in our heads won't let us quit. So, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and got writing.

Where can your readers stalk you?

I'm on Twitter @karinabuchanan1

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002715462350

And this is my blog where I am doing a giveaway of my book and a gift from Ireland http://karina-buchanan.blogspot.com/

Tell us about your new release

Daring to Love

Andrea Macleave is determined to lose her 'Miss Stuffy Knickers' nickname with a rappel down Ireland's famous Europa Hotel, for the hospital where she works. Risk taking goes against everything she believes in and it takes a kiss from her hunky instructor to send her on her way. With her wild side let loose, a one night stand with the action man seems the perfect antidote to her staid life.

Excerpt

"I should have known you couldn't handle your drink." With the devil in him, Matt pushed the buttons guaranteed to re-activate his Andie.

A frown, a purse of full pink lips and she took the bait. "I'll have a whiskey if you're buying." The determination to prove him wrong blinded her to the goggled looks she garnered and the sudden quiet at the table.

He couldn't help his smile getting wider, the more irritated she became. "One whiskey, coming up. Jimmy give me a hand getting these in, will you?"

I've a good mind to get you fired!" Matt hadn't noticed Andrea following him over to the bar. At the sound of her sexy, pissed-off voice, he slowly turned his head.

She stood, ram-rod straight, giving him clear appreciation of long, lean legs. They seemed to go on forever in those spiky black heels she had swapped for her trainers, even if she still had to look up at his six foot four frame. The figure-hugging jeans would bring a grown man to his knees but he would prefer to see her in something to better show off those pins.

The rose tint in her cheeks gave away her embarrassment at being so openly admired and coming across as a letch was not how he wished to be perceived. Nevertheless, he did enjoy throwing her off guard.

"You should be thanking me really." He wound her up and let her go.

"Thanking you?" She crossed her arms across her chest, drawing the V of her top down to give a tantalizing peek at her cleavage. "I should have you arrested for the way you behaved, never mind getting you fired."

"It got you over the edge, didn't it? You were so caught up, being ticked off at me that you didn't have time to think about what you were doing."

"In that case, turn around."

"Why?"

"So I can slap the gold star on your backside for a job well done! Do you seriously think that's a good enough reason for your behavior? Is that the way you carry on with all your clients?"

"Only the pretty, obstinate ones. As for having me fired, well," he backed his elbows onto the bar, "I do the charity rappels voluntarily. It's difficult to replace a trained instructor willing to work for free but if I caused you so much offense, do what you must."

Her delicious mouth opened and closed and he was assaulted with memories of tasting her. And how good it would be to do it again.

"Since it's for charity and all, I suppose I'll let the matter drop. Forget it happened." The defensive arms slackened and fell to her sides. With the thaw setting in, Matt impulsively stepped forward, to invade her personal space.

"Are you sure that's what you want, Andie?" If he could forget his rules for one night, she could stop pretending she didn't want him.

Instead of seeing the look of longing staring back at him, her pupils narrowed. "Where do you get off calling me 'Andie', anyway? My name is Andrea." She lifted the tumbler of the finest whiskey from the bar, knocked it back and stalked back to her friends.

Matt King never was one to back away from a challenge.

Daring to Love is available to buy at amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Daring-to-Love-ebook/dp/B006UITZ5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325951253&sr=8-1

Thanks Donna, I had fun

You are so welcome, Karina. I had fun too! Daring to Love sounds HOT! Thank you for being here today.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date January 25th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

The Insecure Writers Blog Post: Edits and Editors

2012-01-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

It's the beginning of the month which means it's time for The Insecure Writers Blog. I'm close to two days late, so for that I'm sorry. Been a lot going on in the family and outskirts. My life I can honestly say is never boring.

This month I'm blogging about edits and editors. As I'm working through my edits for Secrets of Jenkins Bridge, I have a couple of huge insecurities I'm facing.

The first one would be getting these edits done on time. At 186 pages, it is a rather daunting challenge to work through these. Between the full time job, having been sick and now my son is sick, my BIL in the hospital and that's not looking good at all, the edits become even more daunting. But, I am taking it one page at a time and trying not to sweat it.

The second insecurity is what if my editor hates my edits? What if I added more than I needed to? What if I changed something that she wanted me to change, but it wasn't exactly what she was thinking? All the 'what ifs' could be the death of me yet. And I know, it's my book. And no, she's not asking for anything unreasonable, like totally revamping the story (which is good because I've heard some horror stories). But, still I want her to be happy with the ending result as much as I will be. After all, she's investing a lot of time into me and my book. I think I'm just driving myself nuts.

I need to just breathe and attempt at relaxing a little.

Today as a little giveaway to make us insecure writers smile, I'll pick 5 random commenters to receive a The Swan Cove Murders bookmark!! Be sure to leave your email or access to where I can reach you, so I can get your snail mail.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date January 25th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Happy New Years!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-31T10:20:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Normally I'm on schedule with the posts, but I've been buried between work and edits. And of course now I'm sick with some wonderful stomach bug.

But, I wanted to be sure to wish everyone a wonderful Happy New Year! Be safe and have lots of fun.

My New Year's resolution: To attempt to manage my time better than this year. To complete and publish at least two books. To be more healthy.

What's your New Year's resolution?

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date January 25th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

New Release Date

2011-12-21T06:35:00.000-05:00

Remember when I said how easy the edits had been for The Swan Cove Murders, and with any luck, it would be the same with Secrets of Jenkins Bridge? And that I'd probably regret saying that?

Well, here I am eating crow. Lots of edits and not just grammar usage etc. Nope, total rearrangements, deletions, and additions. Now I can honestly say that edits are no picnic. And I know my editor is only helping to make Secrets of Jenkins Bridge the absolute best that it can be.

There is just no way in Hades I'll ever make my deadline to have the book released December 28th. Not with the holidays and a full time job (not to mention the kids and grandkids). So, we've decided to push the release date out to January 25th. That'll be an extra special day for me as it's my birthday:)

I still plan on a nice little package giveaway on that day: a t-shirt, a mug, a postcard, a magnet, and a keychain all bearing Secrets of Jenkins Bridge book cover!! So be sure to mark your calendars.

As for The Swan Cove Murders, if you haven't picked up your copy, it's available at Soul Mate Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Here's an excerpt:

The door slowly opened, and she slid through the slim opening. The purple smudges under her beautiful hazel eyes spoke volumes to him, crushing his heart. Be strong.

“What do you want? The sheriff already delivered the papers.” The glare radiating from her hazel eyes spoke of wanting to set him on fire, burning him alive. She’d been crying.

“I know.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, you also know Earl left me the house.”

“A small technicality which will be fixed the day after tomorrow in court.”

She sighed. “Then what do you want today of all days?”

“I would like to get into my attic.” When she didn’t answer, he smiled. “Please.”

Suspicion crept into the fiery gaze. “Why should I let you?”

“I have a key. I can come and go anytime I please.” Vixen. “I thought I’d be nice and ask, before forcing my way in.”

“You certainly aren’t winning me over.”

He put his hands together as if in prayer. “Please. I just need the trunk.” His and Earl’s trunk. After the funeral, Lena had insisted Nicholas take the treasure trove with him, but the memories inside had been too much to handle at the time.

Her swollen eyes softened a little. “Well...” She pushed open the door and waved him in.

He made his way through the foyer, pausing when he spotted the family photos hanging on the wall. “I see you haven’t changed anything.” He hadn’t been inside the house since Earl’s death.

“Why would I?”

His eyes caught the flower arrangement on the side table near the staircase along with the card sticking up in the middle. “Secret admirer?”

Her face flushed. “How about none of your business? Do you want time with the trunk or what?”

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date January 25th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Deja Vu Blogfest:!!!

2011-12-16T06:00:00.006-05:00

This is how the Deja Vu blogfest works. Simply sign-up at the Blog Sign up here. Take the badge above and plaster it everywhere, blogging graffiti gone wild. The repost your favorite blog post or one that never received the exposure it should have. Then hop from one blog to another. Encouragement, enlightenment, knowledge, bared souls, stimulation, hilarity, insecurities, success stories! All on display. Discover some new blogs and rediscover some older ones. And have a blast!! Sign up here.

Here is my resurrected blog back from July. I couldn't pick 'the best one', so I picked one that was informative - one that may help someone attempting to write that hair-pulling, nerve-wrecking synopsis. And believe me, I am no expert. It still takes me forever to write one of these, kicking and screaming all the way.

Synopsis Hell

I'm sorry I haven't posted in almost two weeks, but there have been a lot of little problems. And of course they all come at once. Life would simply be boring if it didn't happen that way. But, alas I'm back.

The title says it all. As I'm doing some final editing on The Doves Cove Murders (was Spirit Writer), I'm also beginning the vicious process of drafting my synopsis.

I have written a synopsis once before, and seeing as how that one at the very least got me a request of my full WIP-I must have done something right (I think). So I figured I'd post how I go about writing up a synopsis. This isn't going to work for everyone. I don't have the perfect formula for doing this.

It's all about condensing your story. (And it's a royal pain in the butt. Yet, when you have the finished product, it's well worth the effort!) The only way I can condense a 55K story into a two page synopsis (or whatever the requirements are for each publisher/editor/agent) is to do it in baby steps.

'So, I'll have to rewrite this darn thing several times?' you say? You bet you will. All I do is take each scene and write one sentence describing what's going on. Can't do just one? That's fine. Do two sentences, but no more than that or you'll be in editing hell instead. (Keep in mind you'll have to take this and condense it even more!). Go through your entire story writing down these sentences.

Once you're done, you do NOT get to string the sentences together and call it a synopsis. Unless you are real good at doing this, please don't string them together just yet.

Now, set that all aside. Breathe. Enjoy the sun. Then, back to work. This step you can do first before going through your story and writing those sentences, but I prefer to do it after. The first paragraph is going to be the PUNCH! Or the hook. You need to hook them in to read your story. This is the log line-your entire story rolled into 25 to 30 words. LOL! I know-impossible! But, with a little work it is possible. I guess that's a bit intimidating. I look at it like the blurb for your story. That's easier to wrap my head around at least.

Once you have that polished, it's onto your sentences you set aside. Ugh! I know. Read through it once WITHOUT making any corrections. You'll be able to pick out the important key parts needed. On the second read through, grab your pen, pencil, marker, etc (I prefer a red pen) and cross out the unimportant parts. You need to have the key points of your story. Think of them as the cause and effect points of your story. You don't want secondary characters (unless they pertain to the main plot and then you don't usually use their names) or any subplots. Another way to think of this: ACTION, REACTION, DECISION. This leads up to the climax. Remember, you're not throwing these sentences together. You have to weave them so they flow naturally and logically. Same goes for your paragraphs.

Now comes the ending. DO NOT leave them hanging. Tell what happens at the end. This is where you have the crisis-the black moment-when everything appears as if it's all about to come tumbling down. And of course the resolution and HEA. Be sure you have all loose ends tied up at the end.

Done? Okay, again breathe. Enjoy the sun. Now, you have to polish this the same as you have polished your story. UGH! I know, but it has to be done, like it or not.

A couple of last tips:

1) Write in the present tense.

2) Pay attention to what the publisher/editor/agent's requirements are on the length of the synopsis.

3) Avoid the passive voice

4) BREATHE! And have fun writing it. You should be excited about your story and if that is in fact the case, it will show in your writing. :)

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Cheryl Yeko is in the House Today With Her New Debut, Protecting Rose

2011-12-15T06:20:00.001-05:00

Today, I have fellow SMP Author Cheryl Yeko in the house!! She's here to chat a little about herself, being an author, and her new debut, Protecting Rose, which was released yesterday. I say the book trailer a couple of days ago, and I must say it's awesome!!

Welcome Cheryl and congrats on your new release. Can you tell us a little about yourself? Sure. I’m happily married with 2 children and 3 grandchildren. I love to read, write and play piano.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you? After 25 years together, he still opens my car doors for me. I love that!

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? Always. The more comfortable I am, the better I write.

What are your pet peeves? I still have to wrestle with my husband over the 2 degrees difference on the thermostat. Ugg.

Cats or dogs? Cats. Dogs are too much work.

White wine or red? I like White wine. German Rieslings being my favorite.

Coffee or tea? Coffee. I love coffee. My children went together and bought me a coffee/espresso machine a few years ago, and now every weekend, my husband makes us a latte in the mornings. I love that!

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Vanilla. Although my husband tells me that it's not actually a flavor.

What are 4 things you never leave home without? My purse, my phone, my car keys and my Kindle.

Laptop or desktop for writing? Well, actually, I use both at the same time. I purchased one of those desktop holders for your lap. I write in bed with one of those funny pillow/arm things behind me and my laptop holder on my lap. It's even has a drawer for my flash drive, and a spot for my mouse.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? I would love to be able to write all day long, but I work during the day. So, I do my writing in the evenings and on weekends. Many nights I wake up around one and write until four or five before catching another hour or so of sleep.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Bruce Willis because he would just be a blast and keep thing interesting. Brad Pitt because he's just so nice to look at and Sandra Bullock, because I would need a girlfriend to talk to.

An actor you have a crush on? My most favorite actor ever was Patrick Swayze. I'm still mourning his passing.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? Honestly, since I started writing I've pretty much given up on TV and movies. I can't remember the last movie I watched.

What made you decide to be an author? My husband, Patrick, bought me a kindle a few years ago and I rediscovered my love of reading. Within a few years I had over 500 books in my library. Mostly Romance Suspense and Paranormal. I decided I wanted to write one and spent the next year writing Protecting Rose.

How did you choose the genre you write in? I have always love action/romance movies. Bruce Willis being one of my favorites. I visualized Bruce when I wrote the story.

Are you a punster or a plotter and why? Totally a panster.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you? Karen Rose is one of my favorites. She writes the best bad guys. I also love Alexander Ivy and her Guardians of Eternity series.

What is your all-time favorite book? That is a tough question. I don't have a favorite book, but I have favorite series. J.R. Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood comes to mind. Next to Romantic Suspense…I love Paranormal. Protecting Rose is the first in a series of three. When I'm done with those stories, I plan to write a paranormal story. That is going to be fun.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

That's a funny story. I was writing an explosion scene and I had written "the warehouse doors were blown open with a loud explosion…or something like that, can't quite remember the exact sentence. One of my crit. partners said "aren't all explosions loud?" lol…she was so right.

So, I'm trying to think of a way to boost the scene when I was driving with my husband in his car one day and he picked up a voice mail from one of his buddies over the speaker phone. His friend was telling him about the airshow he was at and he said, and I quote, "the planes flew over low enough to shake by balls!"

I loved it. When I was finished laughing I wrote the following sentence:

"Multiple explosions rocked the air with enough force to shake his balls when the warehouse doors were blown open."

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one? Not much really. The story just came pouring out. The edits gave me more trouble. I wrote the story and then learned the craft. I learned that I had a lot of newbie mistakes in it, such as writing in a passive voice, head hopping…overused words and phrases, and such. I had to go back and fix all of that. It was time consuming, but didn't really change the story much, just made it a smoother read.

Where do you get your ideas from? My muse.

How did you choose your title? I brainstormed with my daughter, Michelle. My first idea was Guarding Rose, but my daughter and I kicked it around and came up with Protecting Rose.

How do you cure writer’s block? I step away from the story for a while and read a book.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer? If I can do it, you can do it. Don't ever give up!

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer? The best advice I ever received was to join a critique group. I have learned much from my crit. partners. They are a wonderful, supportive group of women.

Where can your readers stalk you?

http://www.cherylyeko.com/

My book trailer is here: http://www.cherylyeko.com/p/books_24.html

Tell us about your new release:

Release Date: December 14, 2011

Rescuing damsels in distress is all in a day's work for Detective, Nate Stone. After saving a beautiful woman from a burning car and assassin’s bullet, he vows to protect her. But the determined assassin always seems to be one step ahead of the game. Suspecting a leak within his Department, Nate takes her and runs. He soon discovers that the hardest part of the mission is resisting his desire for the woman who trusts him with her life.

She awakes in a hospital with no memory, only to discover that someone tried to kill her. Her only chance to survive an assassin’s game of cat and mouse is the man who saved her and who has promised to protect her. She may not know her past, but she knows her heart, and it longs for her protective warrior who ignites a passion in her she can't deny.

Sounds like a great suspenseful read. Thank you Cheryl for coming over and visiting us.

If you want your copy of Protecting Rose, hop on over to Soul Mate Publishing here.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Meggan Connors is Visiting Me Today: Her New Release The Marker!!!

2011-12-14T06:23:00.000-05:00

Today, I have fellow author Meggan Connors in the house. I'm pretty excited to hear all about Meggan and her new debut release, The Marker, out now at Soul Mate Publishing.

It’s so great to have you here to chat, Meggan! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm a wife and a mom to two little kids, six and four. I'm also a speech pathologist, and I have a lot of preschoolers on my caseload. My secret talent? I can sing a mean "Twinkle, Twinkle."

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?

I could go with the obvious, where my hubby asked me to marry him on a beach in Hawaii at sunset. But honestly, I think it was when I decided I was going to write a novel. I mentioned vaguely that I'd like to go to a certain conference (my first!), and he investigated it, signed me up, booked a hotel and flight, and arranged for a babysitter so he could go with me. All with no prompting from me. I never would have gone to that first conference if it hadn't been for him.

Do you ever write in your PJs?

Doesn't everyone?

What are your pet peeves?

They are too numerous and varied to list here! J

Cats or dogs?

Both

White wine or red?

Heavens, you want me to choose? That's so not fair!

Coffee or tea?

Coffee, absolutely. (This book is brought to you by Starbucks).

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Chocolate, the darker the better. Mmm…. Chocolate.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

Cell phone and purse (which always has a set of matchbox cars and crayons, but may or may not contain my wallet and my keys… Sigh)

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Laptop.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I usually write between 8:00PM and midnight in my bed. Hence the PJs and the laptop.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

1. Viggo Mortensen, because a girl's got to have something pretty to look at, if she has to be stuck on an island.

2. Jon Stewart, because he's funny, and we'll need some quality entertainment.

3. Cody Lundeen, the primitive survival expert. Not only will he keep me and the boys alive, but once I tire of Viggo and Jon, I'm sure he could figure out a way off the island. I also find it oddly endearing that he never wears shoes, though I don't know why. Granted, he'd have to agree to be my puppet, which, if you've watched the show Dual Survival, would never happen, but it's my fantasy and my deserted island, so…

I do so enjoy being the puppet master. It's awesome.

An actor you have a crush on?

Oh, Viggo… (stares off dreamily into space)

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I recently watched Anonymous, and this former English major was in Lit geek nirvana.

What made you decide to be an author?

I've always told stories to myself to help me get to sleep. Before I went to graduate school, I used to write a lot, but once I finished my thesis and the professional articles I had to write after that, I stopped for a while. One day about two years ago, I woke up and told my husband, "You know, I think I'm going to write a romance novel." And so I did.

It was terrible. No, seriously. Terrible. But it was a start, and we all have to start somewhere. I still love that book, though.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

You mean, I have to choose? Rats! I write whatever strikes my fancy, though they are all set in the west. Right now, I'm so interested in western steampunks. They're not so different from the Victorian-era historicals I've been writing, I suppose.

Are you a pantser or a plotter and why?

Both. I tend to have a general arc that I follow. Typically, I will have three or four things carefully plotted out that have to happen. How the characters get there is up to them.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?

I can safely say that Johanna Lindsay, the author of the very first romance novel I ever read, definitely was an influence.

What is your all time favorite book?

I could never pick just one, but Trinity by Leon Uris makes me cry every time I read it. So does The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. And the Lit geek in me loves Wuthering Heights and MacBeth (I know everyone else likes Hamlet, but I love MacBeth. Maybe it's the influence of all those Scottish historicals I read as a teenager). I really enjoyed Karen Moning's Faefever series, too.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

I love this exchange:

He broke the kiss first, his breathing ragged. Beneath her fingers, his pulse drummed to the same mad beat as her own. He cupped her face in his big hands and said softly, “You’re a goddamn liar.”

“What?” she breathed.

He gave her a small, sad smile. “A woman doesn’t kiss a man like that unless she loves him…"

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?

Nicholas gave me some trouble. My early readers told me Nicholas was unsympathetic. I kept trying to make him sympathetic, but every time I did, he dug in his heels and refused to change. In some ways, he got even more reckless. So I entered The Marker into a contest and wound up winning my category. If Nicholas hadn't insisted that he stay the same, I doubt that would have happened.

Where do you get your ideas from?

Beats me. The ideas show up and I write them down. I've gotten ideas from looking at maps and from watching shows on food trucks. The ideas come from crazy things that wind up having nothing to do with the story that gets written.

How did you choose your title?

The title is a reference to my heroine. She is the marker her father bet in a card game.

How do you cure writer’s block?

I usually write something else. Or, if I'm stuck, I'll skip ahead and write the scene that's bugging me.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?

Keep writing. Keep trying to improve your craft, and get to know other writers. And, for the love of all you consider holy, get a critique partner. I was late to the party on this one, but I can't even tell you how much having a CP has helped me with both my writing and my confidence.

What sacred advice have you been given by another writer?

I think the one thing piece of advice I was given that really struck a chord with me was advice I got from the first contest I ever entered. The judge said, "Write the scene from the point of view from the person who has the most to lose."

Now, each time I start a scene, I think, "Who has the most to lose, and why?" It's helped.

Where can your readers stalk you?

I would love to hear from readers! They can visit my website/blog at www.megganconnors.com. They can also like me or friend me on Facebook! I'll be having a contest soon with some giveaways coming soon, and Facebook is the way to get in touch with me to find out more details!

Tell us about your new release:

When her father loses her in a poker game, Lexie Markland is sent to work in the household of Nicholas Wetherby for one year to pay off the debt. Innocent but not naïve, she is savvy enough to know she must maintain her distance from this man who frustrates her with his relentless teasing but whose kisses bring her to her knees. Because although she may be just another conquest to him, the marker he won at the card table, it’s not just her heart in jeopardy should she succumb to Nicholas’s considerable charms.

Since his brother’s death almost a year before, nothing has held Nicholas’s attention for long–not women, not booze, not even an excellent hand at cards. Nothing, that is, until he meets the woman he won in a drunken night of poker. Intrigued by his prize and her chilly reserve, he makes it his mission to crack Lexie’s cool demeanor. But even as passion explodes between them, the question remains: will Nicholas be able to take the ultimate risk… and gamble on love?

Thank you Meggan for being here and sharing a little bit of yourself and your new release The Marker with us. Congratulations!!

You can purchase The Marker over at Soul Mate Publishing beginning today.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Winner of When Hearts Collide and I'm Over at Mare's Place Today :)

2011-12-09T21:16:00.001-05:00

Today, I'm over at Mare's Place discussing The Swan Cove Murders and my Christmas memories.

All this month as you can see by the pic on the left, Mare's Place is hosting one or two authors each day along with some great prizes.

So, don't miss your chance to win some freebies and meet some awesome authors and their new releases over at the Romance Countdown to 2012!!

And now onto the winner of When Hearts Collide from Kendra James: caseywyatt!!! Woot. Congrats Casey. Contact me at shieldsdonna@hotmail.com.

And that's pretty much all that's going on in my little corner of the world. Have a fabulous weekend all :)

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

When Hearts Collida author Kendra James is in the House!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-07T06:00:00.004-05:00

Woot!!! I have Kendra James in the house today for a great interview about herself, her writing, and her new debut, When Hearts Collide, which releases today over at Soul Mate Publishing. She is giving away a free copy to one lucky commenter here today :)

Welcome aboard, Kendra. I'm so excited to have you here today. Can you tell us a little about yourself? I’m a registered nurse who lives in London, Ontario with one dog and three cats. I’m retired from hospital nursing and an the nurse for a children residential treatment center. I love the three R’s, reading, writing, and horseback riding. As I don’t have my horse anymore, I have more time for the first two.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?

Tell me my dream of being published would come true.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? Sometimes and sometimes if the muse is evasive I’ll put on my purple fairy T-shirt or my Tinker bell top.

What are your pet peeves? False advertising, telemarketers.

Cats or dogs? I love dogs, I only have one right now, a collie-cross named Tiff. I had two other dogs until a few months ago, Shoona, Tiff’s sister, and Mister, a Chihuahua with a heart problem.

Cats love me. None of my three cats were picked by me. My white cat, Zeus, hid in my car in 1997 when I moved off the farm. She thinks she owns me. Jack, my lovely gray cat, I inherited when my daughter moved to Fort MacMurray. Jinx, a tabby, also from my daughter was dropped off several years ago. She’s like the Eveready bunny. Well in her twenties, she just keeps on going. It becomes a contest as to who can monopolize my lap and try to help with my writing.

White wine or red? A sweet white, or a strawberry Zinfandel

Coffee or tea? Coffee please, double cream and sugar, or better yet, a large French vanilla cappuccino

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Chocolate of course, unless it’s French vanilla

What are 4 things you never leave home without? A note pad, multiple pens, my ipad, and my lipstick.

Laptop or desktop for writing? My MacBook.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? After I fade for a bit in the evening, then rouse and write till one or two in the morning.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Pearce Bronson.

An actor you have a crush on? Richard Gere

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? Tower Heist

What made you decide to be an author? I had no choice. I had to, had to, do it.

How did you choose the genre you write in? I write in several genres. I don’t feel that a writer needs to be confined to any one genre. I wrote poetry since grade two, was published for a poem in grade three. I wrote a lot of poetry that I never showed anyone until later in life. When I broke my hand getting a horse on a trailer, I had time off from my nursing job and started writing children’s stories and a romance that still might get published. I love writing mystery and adding a touch of medical to it.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why? Panster, but I am trying to become a dreaded plotter as I think my writing might and would definitely be more organized.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you? Oh, there are so many, Taylor Caldwell, Victoria Holt, Michael Palmer, Lee Child, Harlen Cobin, Jodi Picoult.

What is your all time favorite book? Sacagewa. Anything by Taylor Caldwell or Jodi Picoult.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

I liked my beginning before editing as I love doing anaphora.

Molly Tanner is choosing flight over fight. She is choosing to run away and let someone else crusade for her. She is choosing to abandon her nursing career, her friends, her home. As she clutches the leather-wrapped steering wheel of her Cavalier, her grandmother's favorite saying echoes in her head. "No one ever said life was fair.”

Well, wasn't that the truth. But is her choosing to flee, the right decision?

But with that cut, I guess I will go with:

The silence was eerie—no child’s laughter, no dog barking, no male voice to send her heart hurtling out of control. No sound at all, just the hush of hollow spaces. She let the pillow absorb her tears.

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one? I related with Molly as I am a nurse but I think the most trouble was having her have had trouble in her nursing career without people thinking she was a bad person.

Where do you get your ideas from? Everywhere. I just don’t have time to write all the books I want to.

How did you choose your title? Another thing that just came to me. The book starts off with Molly fleeing her home and her career. She misses hitting a deer but the oncoming Jaguar is not so lucky. The story evolves from the collision, so WHEN HEARTS COLLIDE, just seemed the perfect title.

How do you cure writer’s block? Do a wash, organize my writing area, have music in the background and if that doesn’t help, I go for a walk and hope the muse is there when I get back. But writing is really putting your butt in the chair and the hands to the keep board. Even if you write garbage, you are still better than a blank page.

Writing a poem to start off sometimes helps.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer? Keep at it. Take courses, join writer’s groups. Test the waters by entering writing contests. The feedback can be priceless. My friend, Brian Henry, a writing workshop teacher, says it takes three things to be published, talent, luck and persistence and if you have even two of those you can be published.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer? Write it, rewrite it, then get it out there.

Where can your readers stalk you? I have two websites, or I will have when my son finishes my websites. (Did I mention it’s not always a good idea to have family do these things. They don’t always have the same vision or urgency.) My website for Kendra James (pen name for my romance writing), http://www.kendrajames.net/ is up and more will be added to it. My other website, http://www.bevirwin.com/, is still very much a work in progress. My son promises soon.

Tell us about your new release: WHEN HEARTS COLLIDE is a medical romance about a nurse, suspended from her nursing job, stops to assist at an accident scene. She is attracted to the semiconscious man but stunned when he asks her to care for his daughter so she does not end up in foster care again. Pretending to be his wife and mother of his gorgeous daughter proves to be more than she has bargained for when she looses her heart to both of them.

It's been wonderful having you here. Thank you so much for stopping by, Kendra.

Everyone: You can get your copy of When Hearts Collide over at Soul Mate Publishing.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders
Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Book Releases, Kindle Giveaway, and Updates

2011-12-03T07:10:00.002-05:00

This weekend I wanted to post early as there is some major catching up that I need to do around the house and with my writing and other commitments.

There are lots of updates.

You can get The Swan Cove Murders at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And if you're not yet convinced about buying it, both have sneak peeks of the entire first chapter.
****If there is anyone who would like to read and do a review on The Swan Cove Murders, please shout it out and leave your email and I will contact you with a copy of it**************************

Over at SMP Authors Group Blog, we have a winner for November's giveaway. Congrats to Viola Cross!!!
Head over there this month for a Kindle giveaway. Click here to get the details. Seriously, who wouldn't enter?

New releases out:

Kira Taye's His Treasure is now out at Breathless Press

In a time when men ruled their households with firm hands, can a quiet man tame his rebellious wife with persevering love?
Angry at being forced to marry a man not of her choosing, Adaku stubbornly shuns her new husband on their wedding night. However, she soon discovers there are worse things than giving into a man whose touch awakens her deep desires. In a land where fruitfulness is celebrated, she could soon be labeled a barren woman.

Obinna knows there are several ways to tame a rebellious woman. Patience and perseverance are two of them. Adaku is his treasure and he will never let her go. When her fears push her into his arms, will he be able to convince her to stay with him forever by unleashing the passion within her?

Xandra James Reluctant Revenge is now out at Pink Petal Books

Nash was bound to Sienna completely – by a blood connection and a deep desire. An Enforcer for the Supranormal community, he was obligated to protect his sexy assignment, despite her family devastating his world.

After being betrayed, Sienna falls into the arms of her surly protector; a demon with a secret of his own. But can she face her destiny knowing she's more dangerous than those Nash was protecting her from?

Callie Hutton's A Wife For Christmas is now available at Soul Mate Publishing

Guthrie, Oklahoma, 1906
History teacher Ellie Henderson, has been a thorn in High School Principal Max Colbert’s side ever since he took over three months ago. When she’s not flying by his office, late for her class, with books and papers jumbled in her arms, she’s attending Suffragettes meetings against his orders.
Because of her family connections, Max can’t fire her, but he can certainly find someone to marry her, and keep her busy in the kitchen--and far away from his school. Max soon finds that what seemed like a good idea can turn into disaster when Miss Ellie Henderson is involved. The woman is a master at getting into trouble.
With the Christmas season in full swing, he has many opportunities to introduce her to prospective husbands. However, he gets the uncomfortable feeling that no one is worthy of the minx...

Got my bookmarks and I must say they came out wonderful. In case anyone forgot, here's a pic:

Got them made at IPrint.com. They are inexpensive and do such a fabulous job!!!

And my grandson (my monkey :) ) is doing better. He's still in NICU, but is now 5lbs 1 oz. And in the next couple of days he will finally be in a regular crib instead of the incubator. Fingers crossed that he is home by Christmas. Here he is:

And a shout out to all of you who follow me. Thank you.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Susan Muller and her new debut book, The Secrets On Forest Bend, are in the House!!!

2011-11-30T06:22:00.000-05:00

I'm super excited to have Susan C. Muller here today to talk about herself, her writing, and about her new release, The Secrets On Forest Bend. I love my ghost stories and this certainly seems to promise that and more!

Thank you Susan for visiting with me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself? I live in a suburb of Houston, with my husband and rescue dog, Buster, a 120 pound black lab. I have two children and four grandchildren. When not writing, I do volunteer work in a local hospital.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you? My husband and I are planning a cruise next summer for our fiftieth anniversary. He must be doing something right.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? Whenever possible, but I often walk with a friend first thing in the morning. Last summer was brutal in Houston, with temperatures reaching 105 to 107 degrees, and we had to walk earlier and earlier. My neighbors are understanding, but they frown on walking in PJs.

What are your pet peeves? Narrow minded people.

Cats or dogs? I have often had one of each, but I’ve never been without a dog, sometimes two.

White wine or red? White - Riesling or Piesporter

Coffee or tea? Both, but they have to be decaf (boo, hiss) so what’s the point?

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Butter pecan

What are 4 things you never leave home without? Credit card. That’s all you really need.

Laptop or desktop for writing? Laptop for reading and emails, desktop for writing.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? I write upstairs in the guest room/office, whenever my husband is playing golf or watching a ball game.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, and Sean Bean. Two 007’s and a 006. What, you thought I would say something deep – Eleanor Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, and Steve Jobs?

An actor you have a crush on? See above, but add Hugh Jackman and Veggo Mortensen

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? I love THE AMAZING RACE and RAISING HOPE.

What made you decide to be an author? I wanted to know if I could do it.

How did you choose the genre you write in? I didn’t. It chose me.

Are you a punster or a plotter and why? I’m way too unorganized to be a plotter.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you? John Sandford, Jim Butcher, and Janet Evanovich are three I enjoy.

What is your all time favorite book? TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release? Adam brings Jillian to dinner with his partner and his partner’s mother.

Ruben placed a huge hand on Adam’s shoulder, holding him back. “Where did she come from? How did you ever find such a beautiful, sexy, and completely inappropriate looking woman? She looks like a biker. Please tell me she rides a Hog.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen one. But she does have a tat.”

It didn’t seem possible, but Ruben’s grin got even bigger. “Where is it? Will Mamacita see it?”

“Not with that blouse on. But there’s one thing even better.” Adam hurried on before Ruben asked how he knew what was under her blouse. “She owns a gun store.”

Ruben leaned his head back, looking at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and put his hands together. “Thank you, Lord,” he said. When he looked back at Adam, his grin returned. “Never in the history of the world has one man made such a sacrifice for a friend. I will remember this forever. No matter what I do from now on, no matter whom I bring home, anything less than a hooker and I’m golden. She’ll never complain about my girlfriends again.”

Adam waited for a growl to build in the back of his throat, but surprisingly, nothing came. What was wrong with him tonight? He was too young to start mellowing.

“After dinner we need to talk,” Adam said. “I have a problem.”

“You mean in addition to the fact that you just brought a gun-toting, tattooed biker chick into Mamacita’s house? I can’t wait to hear it.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one? This was supposed to be Jillian’s story, and she is the young girl in the prologue. Somewhere in Chapter One, I realized it was Adam’s story. When a good-looking guy taps you on the shoulder and says, “I’ll take over now,” what are you going to do?

Where do you get your ideas from? I have no idea.

How did you choose your title? The story was long finished before I chose the title, even then I changed House to Secrets.

How do you cure writer’s block? I take a (short) break – put the clothes in the dryer, walk the dog around the block – then get back to work.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer? Write, write, write. Yes, take classes, read books, but keep writing.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer? Learn the rules before you try to break them.

Where can your readers stalk you? www.susancmuller.com

Tell us about your new release: A Homicide detective is chasing a serial killer when he stumbles across a crooked cop, an intriguing woman, and a vengeful ghost. Can he stay alive long enough to bring down the cop, win the woman, and destroy the ghost?

Sounds like a wonderfully spooky read. Thank you so much again for stopping in Susan.

Get your copy of The Secrets On Forest Bend at Soul Mate Publishing here.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Memories of Christmas Past

2011-11-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

This time of year with Christmas around the corner always has me reminiscing of Christmases past. My mom's house was filled with the majority of us children and grandchildren. The ones who couldn't make it because they lived much further away would call, and we'd just pass the phone around to say hi and Merry Christmas. Mom would start between 6-7 am making apple, pumpkin, mincemeat, and chocolate pies and storing them in the back part of the house where the room was cold (you could see your breath). Christmas dinner consisted of a ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pearl onions, green beans, corn, a tossed salad, fresh baked rolls, and of course her famous raisin sauce for the ham. There was always more leftovers than we knew what to do with. The Christmas songs were blasted from the radio all day and into the night. In the evening, us kids would go play and the adults would play penny poker. It was fun to hear their laughter in the kitchen. As I got older, the card games changed but I had finally been included. I have so many memories, it's hard to nail down a favorite as each one meant the world to me.

Now, we're spread out quite a bit. Mom has many more grandchildren and great grandchildren. It been 16 years since my dad had passed away and 7 years for one of my brothers. I'm not saying Christmas now is less than great. Just that it's changed and I'm learning how to make my own family's Christmases memorable for them. It's just nice to go back and remember the smell of Mom's apple pie baking as I opened my presents with Dad sitting in his recliner dressed up like Santa handing the presents out. Or my brothers and sisters showing up later on for dinner and how I couldn't wait to see them. Great Christmas memories :)

Here's the deal. Tell me about one of your favorite Christmas memories along with your email address and I'll have my son draw one lucky name to win a copy of The Swan Cove Murders and my new bookmark. See below.

And be sure to stop by The Dark Phantom Review for my guest interview!

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Callie Hutton And Her New Release: A Run For Love

2011-11-23T06:00:00.008-05:00

I'm excited to have Callie Hutton here. Her debut book, A Run For Love, releases today and it sounds like a great historical romantic read. Find a cozy seat, grab a cup of coffee, and join us.

Welcome Callie. Thanks for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’ve been making up stories in my head since elementary school, and writing since I learned to type in high school. I’ve had a number of things published, and finally last summer, decided to put it all together and write a book. So far I’ve finished four Historical Western Romances and one contemporary as part of a project with my Oklahoma Romance Writers group.

Being a History major in college, it follows that I write mostly Historical Romance. Oh, I also like falling in love — did it myself and now I enjoy writing about it. And yes, I fall in love with all my heroes.

Although we’ve lived in several states, Oklahoma is where I’ve hung my hat for the last several years, but I hail from New Jersey. I’m an Okie-Jersey girl. And proud of it.

My hubby supports me in all my ventures, truly being the wind beneath my wings. We have two kids at home–21 and 19–and we’re so happy our two dogs and new little kitten allow us to share their home.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you? One time years ago, as most newly married couples, we were kinda broke. The women in the office where I worked at the time were going out to lunch, but I didn’t have the extra money. I called hubby and told him, and he suggested I come home for lunch. When I got there, he had the table set with our best dishes, tablecloth, etc. He’d made us both a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and we split a soda. He wore a suit, and had a cloth napkin over his arm. It was a riot, and something I never forgot.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? But of course! How else?

What are your pet peeves? Books with illogic or inconsistences. I hate when I’m reading a book and someone who the heroine knows has an agenda tells her a horrendous lie about the hero, and the nitwit believes it. I also hate books where a five minute conversation would clear up the ‘conflict.’ I once read a book where one word would have cleared up the conflict. I can never finish those books cause it really annoys me.

Cats or dogs? Both. I have two dogs and a new little kitten.

White wine or red?
Club soda with a twist of lemon

Coffee or tea?
Both. Depending on my mood and the time of day.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream? Kinda both. Vanilla with chocolate syrup.

What are 4 things you never leave home without? Cell phone, keys, flash drive with my music, debit card

Laptop or desktop for writing? Laptop. I take it with me everywhere I go.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? Any place, any time.

An actor you have a crush on? Bradley Cooper

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? Don’t really watch TV, the last movie I saw that I really liked was Bridesmaids

What made you decide to be an author? I love to make up stories.

How did you choose the genre you write in? I was a history major in college, and I love reading historical fiction.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why? Both—neither. I do some planning at the beginning (character sketches, outlining). I usually don’t stick to the outline too closely. About mid way through the book, I’ll do a more detailed outline, when I see where the characters took me.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you? Lynsay Sands, Sandra Brown, Janet Evonovich.

What is your all time favorite book? Absolutely impossible to say. I’m not even sure I could name a favorite in each genre.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release? ““Jesse never gave up on me.” She pointed a shaky finger at the pastor. “He never gave up. Never! No matter how many times I pushed him away, he never, ever gave up. You didn’t know that did you?” Her voice lowered and she rubbed dirty, bloody hands down her skirt, her voice shaking. “I’m not giving up on him either.” She flung her arm out. “So you can all go on home, but I’ll be here until I find him.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one? I had to whip Tori into shape cause she was a stubborn one. But in the end her stubbornness paid off.

Where do you get your ideas from? Everywhere

How did you choose your title? My book is based on the Oklahoma Land Run, so A Run For Love just seemed to fit.

How do you cure writer’s block? A recent writer’s block ended when I took the characters out of the setting they were in and put them somewhere else. Worked great. It was two male characters, and they were much more cooperative when I took them out of an office and put them in a bar with a beer in their hands.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer? Write, write, write. Read, read, read. And not just books on the craft of writing, which are good, but reading books in your genre will inspire you and see what works and what doesn’t.

What sacred advice have you been given by another writer? Make sure you keep your story yours. Don’t take so much advice from others that you lose your story, or your voice.

Where can your readers stalk you? www.calliehutton.com

Tell us about your new release: TORI HENDERSON wants independence, freedom and no husband. JESSE COCHRAN wants a new start, far from the crippling effects of a childhood stained by being the whore’s kid.

It’s April, 1889 and the Oklahoma Land Run is about to begin. Since they’re going to be evicted from their Kansas home, Tori needs land to provide a home for her four nieces and nephews. After the unexpected death of her brother, she became their only parent. Jesse wants to leave his past behind, and practice law.

Their first encounter in Arkansas City, where thousands have gathered to await the firing of the cannons to begin the race, has them snapping at each other. His opinion on a woman participating in the Land Run without a husband certainly reinforce her opinion of domineering males. It’s easy to dismiss each other, however. That is until the dust settles after the Run, and they end up next door neighbors in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Will these two survive life together when an unintended pregnancy forces them into marriage?

A Run For Love book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kCfEl_F4g

My website: www.calliehutton.com

You can purchase here www.soulmatepublishing.com and don’t forget to go to Soul Mate Publishing to check out all the other great new debuts.

Thank you so much for being here today Callie.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Release Date December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Thanksgiving Done Early

2011-11-19T19:27:00.000-05:00

I have decided to partake in my Thansgiving early. Not the turkey and the trimmings and the family. Just what I'm thankful for this year. And there is quite a list.

1. For my recovery from the whole gallbladder, stones and pancreatitis from the beginning of the year. That was a rough few weeks. But without my son's help, it would have been so much worse. Which leads me to the next.

2. Because I was so sick, my son, Aaron, came back from Tennessee to be by my side and help me through all the days at the hospital and especially after coming home.

3. I'm thankful for Savvy Authors hosting May Bootcamp, June Revision Hell and July Pitches. Without that, The Swan Cove Murders would not be completed and published.

4. I'm thankful for all my family's health. For the most part, they are all doing okay. I have a very large family (I'm the 9th child) plus all the extensions meaning in laws of everyone plus my own. You are talking multitudes here. And all of us are pretty good.

5. For my close friends. Without their support, I'd probably be bald from yanking all my hair out. They keep me sane.

6. For my critique partners (Twinkies!!). They are like family to me and they tell it like it is. That's exactly what I need at times.

7. For my new writing group, Writers Up and Coming. Even though I haven't been able to do a whole lot here lately, they still root me on and have some great patience.

8. For my new grandson and his continued health. He is doing better and is gaining weight and is finally drinking from a bottle. Yay!! We are keeping our fingers crossed that he's home by Christmas.

9. For my family, again. Without their support of my writing, I don't know that I could push through. Let's just say I have a HUGE cheerleading squad and they rock!!

10. For my editor who saw something no one else could see in my writing. That little difference, a little twist if you will in mine. And she took a huge chance on me and ran with it full force. She is an awesome editor and I couldn't have asked for anyone more solid, more understanding, and more there by my side than her. Again thank you Debbie for all you do.

11. For my imagination and the ideas that continue to flow. Without them, well there would be no writing period. I believe we're all given some type of gift and writing is mine.

12. For my new found friends and fellow authors over at Soul Mate Publishing. I'm so glad to have met you all and how fast we're growing in our writing together.

13. Thankful for my mother's continued good health. At 84 she has finally had to slow down. And let's just say she's not liking it. The age factor is starting to catch up to her however. So, every day that I call her and can hear her voice is another day that I'm especially thankful for as she is and always will be my absolute best friend.

14. For my new job. It came at the right time as all things usually do. The place is great, the people are awesome and I'm making some decent money so I can catch up on bills and have a good Christmas.

15. For the troops whom have fought and continue to fight for our freedom every day. These are my real heroes.

Okay, I could go on and on with the list, but now it's your turn. What are you thankful for this year?

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Angeline M Bishop is in The House Today!!

2011-11-17T06:00:00.003-05:00

I am so excited today. I have Angeline M Bishop here today to talk about herself and her new release North Star. She is a fellow author as is Char Chaffin (if I didn't mention that yesterday) over at Soul Mate Publishing. Angeline, it's wonderful to have you here. Pull up that cozy seat and let's get started.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a southern belle making a living in fast-paced New Jersey, where multi-tasking, NJ Turnpike exits, and talking with our hands is a way of life. (laughter) Wow, I just thought about my Atlanta, Georgia based aunts sharing quizzically looks as my purse chime with incoming emails. We’re super connected in the New York/New Jersey area. I guess that’s why the some of the new G4 commercials crack me up (see http://youtu.be/bvVVQGgbKk0). We do everything fast here, we really need reminders to slow down and disconnect.

I know all about those New Jersey exits!

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?

Well, let me see. I would say he made our night during a blackout in a French château-like hotel, seem like a scene from a wonderful romance movie. And I have to find a way to weave it into a story. The wonderful thing about that time was he wasn’t even trying to be romantic. I guess romance comes natural for some people.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

Yes, I love to do that! I race home, cook, eat dinner, jump in the shower, and by 7PM I’m writing my novel. My red Rutgers pajama bottoms and a white tank are my favorites. Go RU!!

What are your pet peeves?

Pets that pee! (laughter) No, I’m just being silly. I don’t like narcissists that wear elitist looks on their faces (you can be a narcissist just don’t let me suspect it). (grins) People that squeeze the toothpaste tube in the middle, jaywalkers on college campus (yeah, I can’t see you if you choose to jump out from between the buses). And people that take the last sip of juice without calling out that they are about to finish it.

Cats or dogs?

I love DOGS! Loyal, welcoming, protective. Yeah, I love the agility of felines but dogs have a special place in my heart.

White wine or red?

I’m going to try not to get a funny interview tagline with my response. (laughter) My fellow Soul Mate Publishing authors know what happened the last time I answered this question on a blog. So I’ll keep it simple, I like white wine.

LMAO!!

Coffee or tea?

It would be herbal teas, I find them so calming. My favorites are Chamomile and Cranberry Pomegranate.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Mmmm, I like vanilla-based ice creams. Haagen Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond, Cherry Vanilla and Butter Pecan are my favorites.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

My BlackBerry smartphone, my purse, my car keys and my Bluetooth ear piece.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Laptop because I can take it anywhere to write and not be stuck at home. It’s also better for traveling.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I enjoy writing at home at night right now, but in the beginning of my writing career I was a morning writer. It’s funny how things change when your life gets busier.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

Oprah because she knows enough people to get us rescued quickly.

Wolfgang Puck because he would make sure we ate decent meals while we were there.

And Hugh Jackman to act out any story I wanted to write.

An actor you have a crush on?

I can’t pick just one. Right now I’m adoring Hugh Jackman, Boris Kodjoe and Blair Underwood. Just let me mix them together.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I love Grey’s Anatomy. Totally addicted to it but now Once Upon a Time is drawing me in. I love how the writers are turning my classic fairy tales on their head.

What made you decide to be an author?

Well Oprah and Tyler Perry caused me to re-examine at my childhood wish to be writer and push myself to make it a reality. They firmly believe all goals are a possibility and the only person preventing my dreams from taking flight was me.

At first, I didn’t believe it was that simple but it really is. If you want something bad enough, work hard to get it, you can achieve it. When I look back on my life, I’ve always wanted to be an author. I was even vice-president of a high school club called Future Authors of America at DeSoto County High School in Florida. It was before I graduated from Gainesville High School but it proves I wanted to be a writer as a youth. The desire was always there.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I took the write what you know philosophy. I know about contemporary times because my readers like seeing bits and pieces of our times in their novels. Does it date the work? Of course but a good story can stand up no matter what the timeframe.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?

I’m a plotter and I blame my college literature professors for that practice. They strengthened my plotting skills with every essay, story and research paper. One day, I’ll try to craft a short holiday novella as a panster (a writer that simply sits down and starts writing, trusting that they will figure everything out as they go along. The name comes from the fact that they write by the seat of their pants).

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?

I would say there were two, Maya Angelou and Richard Wright. I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Native Son at age twelve because my mother pushed reading more than television in our home.

My mother was leery about me reading Native Son because it was a book meant for my brother but I didn’t like the fact that everyone in my home read that novel while I was busy reading Encyclopedia Brown.

What is your all time favorite book?

Homer’s Greek epic poem The Odyssey. I love the story of the Greek hero and his long journey back home Ithaca, and his wife, Penelope.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

Right now, it would be, “He was cold and distant, making it very clear that he wasn’t her safe place to fall. When they hung up, she waited until she was alone to cry. Long streams of hot tears cascaded down her face as her heart pounded in her ears. The realization that he had no concern for her made her throat tighten and her body shake as she sobbed.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?

Yvette was a hand full. I could feel myself wanting to tell her story more and more but it's not her time. She has many layers and it take a special man to step into her world. I’m not one hundred percent sure when I’ll work on her story but it’s coming.

Where do you get your ideas from?

I observe real life love stories all the time. Men and women are so open about how they met their loved ones so I listen and sometimes it sparks a story

How did you choose your title?

The Sheridan series deals with the love stories of four siblings so the first book, North Star will deal with Graham’s story. The other stories will also have the navigational directions in their titles too.

How do you cure writer’s block?

I plug in my iPod and dance around to release stress. Then I live life away from the laptop by visiting friends or spending time with my daughters. If that doesn’t work, I pick the brain of a flesh and blood alpha male until he raises an eyebrow and laughs me away. (laughter)

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?

Write, write, write! You can’t be a writer if you don’t write, it’s just that simple.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?

Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, Jackie Collins all say the same thing, “Your story is right for your type of reader and publishing is a business.” Writing may be art, but publishing, when all is said and done, comes down to dollars.

Where can your readers stalk you?

My website: http://www.angelinembishop.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AMB.Novels
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ambishop1
Email: amb.novels@yahoo.com

Tell us about your new release:

When Caresse Aldana is chosen to persuade Psyche's dangerously handsome editor-in-chief, Graham Sheridan, to feature an article on Mason Community Center, she tells herself it's just business but he's just the man to prove her wrong and make her his own. NORTH STAR takes inspirational themes of family bonds and community involvement and gives readers a passionate romance.

Book trailer: http://youtu.be/WNMhnmqhfkM

It was great to have you here today, Angeline. I wish you well with North Star. It sounds wonderful.

You can purchase your copy of North Star here over at Soul Mate Publishing.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December 28th: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

Char Chaffin's in The House!!!

2011-11-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

I'm super excited as I have Char Chaffin here today to talk about herself and her new release Promises To Keep. I am so glad you could make it here, Char. Pull up a cozy seat and let's get started.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in Upstate New York, married an Air Force man and have traveled all over the US and Canada. We’ve been in all fifty states, Mexico and much of Canada, and right now we’re living on a sixty-acre farm about twenty miles from my hometown. We’d chuck it all tomorrow for a chance to return to Alaska!

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?

Every time I’ve needed to grow, to stretch my wings, he’s encouraged me. There’s nothing more romantic than a man who understands me. And he holds my hand while we sleep.

Wow. That is definitely romantic.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

Well, I don’t wear PJs, or anything else like that, so I’d have to say “no.” I’ve been known to write in my underwear, though. ::wink::

What are your pet peeves?

Sarcasm, overuse of the word “basically,” people who ask me a question by beginning the sentence, “Question,” and drivers who cut across parking lots. I once got hit in a parking lot by a guy driving a truck who cut across instead of following the lanes like a sane person.

Cats or dogs?

Definitely dogs. Cats don’t understand me.

White wine or red?

Neither. I like beer.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee, but only if it’s loaded with French vanilla syrup, and pale with vanilla creamer.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Chocolate. The only vanilla I ever want is in my coffee.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

1. A wristwatch. I’m addicted to them and I collect them. I have about thirty that I wear regularly. 2. My cell phone. Not because I like talking on the phone (I don’t), but because if I get stuck somewhere, I can pull up my Kindle app and read a book. 3. A bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper. 4. Chewing gum.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

Lately it’s been my laptop. Got it for my birthday and LOVE it.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I write in the living room with my laptop and my trackball mouse, with my Natural keyboard attached. I used to write in my office, but it’s sure nice to be in the same room with my hubby!

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?

George Bush, Laura Bush and Ronald Reagan.

An actor you have a crush on?

Oh, why focus on one when so many are cute???!

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I adored ‘Friday Night Lights’ and ‘Lost.’ Two shows I hated to see end.

What made you decide to be an author?

It was something my hubby said. He told me I wrote the most wonderful letters and maybe I should try my hand at writing short stories. Then he encouraged me to try writing something longer. Then he persuaded me to try my hand at writing a novel. By then, I was hooked on writing, and I’ve never looked back.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I don’t know; I just started writing and it fell into the mainstream romance category. Which is crazy since my favorite reading material is horror and science fiction. I do adore romance and I read a lot of it. But my first love was always horror.

Are you a punster or a plotter and why?

I just start writing and let it fall where it will. After a few chapters, if I feel I have something worthwhile, I might do up an outline. Sometimes I think up a title and then write around it.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?

Nora Roberts has definitely influenced the romance side of my writing. I’ve probably learned the most by reading her.

What is your all time favorite book?

Not a single book but a series: The Quinn Brothers series, by Nora Roberts. Nobody writes men and relationships like Nora.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

“The day I fell in love with you was the day you gave me half your fish and all of your worms.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?

My lead characters were a dream to write. I knew where they were going, how they’d get there and what personality traits they’d show, along the way. My secondary character, Ruth, was much more difficult. I needed to show her as a terrible person while still giving her vulnerability and writing her in such a way that the reader would ultimately feel sympathy for her.

Where do you get your ideas from?

All over the place. Songs, dreams, a nightmare or two. Places I’ve traveled through. It’s hard to just pin it down to a few things.

How did you choose your title?

From the way my characters relate to each other as well as a line from a Frost poem: “I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.”

How do you cure writer’s block?

I don’t. I let it take me. It’s no use fighting it, at least not for me. Fighting it only makes it worse. It may mean I don’t write a word for weeks, but if I tried to cure or work through it, I might not write again for years. I think writer’s block happens for a reason. Maybe I really need the downtime.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?

Never stop writing. If you have something to say, then say it. When you think it’s done, it’s not. Polish your work to death, then give it to a critique partner and polish it some more when they send it back to you. You might love it but others have to love it, too. Follow the basic writing rules but don’t concede your impulses when you’re sure you’re right. Most of all, learn humility and learn to listen to others who have already published and know the ropes. Join writing groups, participate in social networks and enter a few contests now and then. Read as much as you can, as often as you can, and read in your genre as well as in other genres. Pick a favorite author and read everything they have written. But most of all, WRITE.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?

See above! Someone said it to me, I took their advice and now I pass it on to others. It’s sound advice, trust me.

Where can your readers stalk you?

My website: http://char.chaffin.com My author group blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/ Facebook and Twitter: http://twitter.con/char_chaffin http://facebook.com/char.chaffin

Tell us about your new release:

PROMISES TO KEEP is a mainstream/family drama set in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia. For Annie Turner and Travis Quincy, social status doesn’t matter. Like two halves of a whole, they’re only complete when they’re together. And nothing is more important than the vow they make to someday marry.

But the rich, privileged boy and the girl from the wrong side of town will find that when it comes to keeping the pledge they made to each other, it's easier said than done. Travis's mother, Ruth, has plans for her son and they don't include a girl like Annie. With cold determination she sets out to destroy their bond.

Love is magical at any age … and a promise is forever.

Isn’t it?

Sure is Char! Thank you so much for being here on your special day. For those who would like to win a free copy of Promises to Keep, go to SMP Authors Blog and comment on Char's blog.

You can find Promises to Keep at Soul Mate Publishing

And tune in tomorrow as I will have Angeline Bishop in the house for an interview about herself and her new release out today North Star over at Soul Mate Publishing.

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders Coming in December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

November Releases at Soul Mate Publishing

2011-11-13T08:43:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for your support and encouraging words in regards to The Swan Cove Murders and Highland Legacy release day.

There are more great releases coming to Soul Mate Publishing this month and I wanted to feature them here today. But before I do, every Wednesday and Thursday for the remainder of the month I would like to have author interviews with the ones whose books are being released that given week. For this coming Wednesday will be Char Chaffin chatting with me about her new release Promises to Keep. And Thursday I hope to have with me Angeline Bishop and her new release North Star.

Enough with schedules. Here are the new releases and their given dates for the remainder of the month. All can be purchased at Soul Mate Publishing.

Coming November 16th:

Annie Turner has lived in small-town Thompkin all of her life. Her family is poor, but she and her siblings have loving parents and a roof over their heads. As far as she’s concerned, she’s a lucky girl.

Travis Quincy’s ancestors founded Thompkin, deep in the Shenandoah Valley. He’s known immense wealth from birth, and for him that wealth is a part of his life that he’s never had to question.

While still in grade school, Annie and Travis meet and fall in love. Neither understands why they’re drawn to each other, but it doesn’t seem to matter. Like two halves of a whole, they’re only complete when they’re together. And nothing is more important than the vow they make to someday marry.

Growing up together, the rich, privileged boy and the girl from the wrong side of town find that when it comes to keeping their pledge, it's easier said than done. Travis's mother, Ruth, has plans for her son and they don't include his marrying a Turner. Her painful and secret past gives her an unwanted connection to the Turner family and a reason to hate them all. With cold determination she sets out to destroy the bond between her son and Annie.

Love is magical at any age...and a promise is forever.

Isn’t it?

Caresse Aldana is chosen to persuade Psyche’s dangerously handsome editor-in-chief, Graham Sheridan, to feature an article on the Mason Community Center. She tells herself it’s just business.

She thought her heart wasn’t in jeopardy, but she clearly underestimated Graham’s charm, and his determination to win her heart. As their passion intensifies, disturbing mishaps at the Center place Caresse’s life in danger.

The highly anticipated Mason Ball fundraiser is in peril. Can Graham decipher the evidence, finger the culprits, and save Caresse before it’s too late?

Coming November 23rd:

Tori Henderson is binding her breasts and donning her nephew’s clothes. Why? Because she just became the only parent to four teenage nieces and nephews, and they’re about to be homeless. So she’s joining the thousands of hopefuls surrounding the Oklahoma Territory borders to race for a piece of free land. Certainly disguising herself as a man will protect her from unwanted attention. Won’t it?

Set in 1889, A Run For Love depicts one of the most amazing events in our nation’s history. It pits the feisty Tori against the arrogant Jesse Cochran, attorney at law, and her new neighbor in Oklahoma.

Tori sees herself as a slightly overweight, spectacle wearing, no-nonsense woman. She has no time for men or the entrapment of matrimony. Jesse wants to distance himself from a town where he’s known as the "whore’s kid." Respectability is in his future, and he’s settling for nothing less.

When Jesse and Tori first clash in Arkansas City before they even begin the run, sparks ignite and insults fly. They come to a somewhat truce as they settle in their neighboring homes, but a family emergency puts the two of them on the road together where the sparks turn into flames. But forces are pulling them apart, even as they work to find an everlasting love.

Molly Tanner, unjustly suspended from her nursing position, is choosing flight over fight. Driving along a lonely, twisting highway, Molly misses a deer, but the oncoming car is not so lucky. She rushes to aid the injured motorist. Slumped over the steering wheel, he is not moving, but Molly hears the cry of a child coming from the backseat.

Smelling gas and afraid of the car exploding, Molly pulls the driver and child to safety. Semi-conscious, Pearce beseeches her to pretend to be his wife so his daughter won’t go into foster care again. Remembering her own life in the system, she agrees. But while caring for Gracie, and her father, Molly finds she’s in danger of losing her heart to both of them.

Coming November 30th:

Fairytales don’t always work out the way you plan.

Jenn Taylor has been with her husband, Jack, since they were in college. They had a fairytale life plan. They were going to finish college, get married, and have three perfect children all two and a half years apart.

Before they knew it, the three perfect children become four not-so-perfect children. They find themselves so busy keeping a handle on work and children, they don’t have the time or energy to keep the spark of romance in their marriage.

Jenn complains to her friends, who suggest she should recreate some of the scenes from her much loved romance novels and surprise her husband.

All the while, she is trying to contend with three boys who do not know how to stay out of trouble and an environmentally and socially conscious daughter who is trying to become a vegan.

Is her marriage doomed to stay in a rut forever? Will she finally succeed in bringing the romance back? Or will she end up permanently injuring her husband with all the romantic scene mishaps?

Another day. . . another dead body.

When Detective Adam Campbell learns that a WWII gun is connected to several murders he’s investigating, he hopes that tracking down the killer will be as easy as tracing the gun’s history. When he meets Jillian Whitmeyer, the last known owner of the weapon, the case becomes anything but simple.

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

Adam soon learns that people who get close to Jillian have a bad habit of turning up dead. Jillian claims that the spirit of her sister, accidentally killed with that same gun, is responsible for the deaths. She warns Adam that he is likely to become the next victim. Adam’s been a lousy judge of women in the past, and this one’s obviously a nut case. Or is she? How does a just-the-facts detective deal with a ghostly serial killer and the sexy-as-hell sister she won’t set free?

AVAILABLE NOW @ Soul Mate Publishing: The Swan Cove Murders
Coming in December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

It's Finally Here!!!

2011-11-09T06:18:00.036-05:00

It's Wednesday and that means only one thing: it's release day at Soul Mate Publishing!!! Woot!! And I'm so on cloud 9! And I'm sure my fellow SMP author B.J. Scott is just as excited. We're not only debuting our books, but also ourselves as published authors. I'm still stumbling over that one. It will take some getting used to.

Since I've already given my interview a couple of weeks back, it is B.J.'s turn in the hot seat. But before the interview, I want to remind everyone who posts a comment here up until Friday will be entered into a random drawing for a $10 gift certificate good @ Soul Mate Publishing. The winner will be announced at the top of this blog post on Saturday morning.

I want to personally thank my editor, Debby Gilbert, over at Soul Mate Publishing as this wouldn't even be possible without all of her dedication and hard work.She believed in me and this story when no one else would. Huge hugs.

Today, I'm over at Anna James' blog for an interview. Click here. And tomorrow I'll be over at Kristina Knight's blog for a quick one. Click here.

One last thing. Be sure to head over to SMP's Author Blog tomorrow where B.J. Scott will be blogging and holding a big contest to win a ton of great prizes.

Now, onward with the interview!!

B.J. Scott is in the house. I'm so glad you could make it and answer some questions for us.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in the Niagara Region of Ontario. After spending 12 years as a Reg. Nurse and three years in Child and Youth work, I met my husband Steve, and we moved to a small village in Southwestern Ontario on the shore of Lake Erie. In addition to my current job in child care, I have a small home-based business. I have been making a variety of heat sublimated products, doing custom embroidery and other hand crafted items for the last 7 years. You can often find me at a dog show on the weekends from spring thru fall selling my products. www.krittersnkrafts.com When not working or writing, I enjoy reading, camping and antiquing.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?

He is such a sweet man it is hard to pick one thing. We met later in life, so initially planned a very quiet wedding to be shared with our immediate family and friends. We arranged a small intimate ceremony on a Friday afternoon and booked a room at a quaint bed and breakfast for our wedding night. A party was planned for Sat night and on Monday it would be back to everyday life. The place we stayed turned out to be amazing. Instead of a regular room, he had arranged a suite with a fireplace, and Jacuzzi tub big enough for a group of people. We had a quiet dinner in a lovely, private dinning room. It had a fantastic view and there was a gourmet meal and a bottle of our favorite wine waiting for us when we arrived. After that, he told me we would be having a honeymoon in Hawaii. We got married in Oct so decided to wait until the weather got colder. We spent two glorious weeks, basking in the sun. We went on Valentines day. Romantic things don’t have to be that elaborate. I collect giraffes and he often just brings one home or picks one up when we are out antiquing. That means every bit as much to me as any large gift or gesture.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

All the time! I would live in pjs if socially acceptable. lol

I find my muse hits in the early morning and late at night so being in pjs is natural.

Cats or dogs?

I have four dogs: a golden retriever, Cailin…named after the heroine in my book ;), Jazz a yellow lab and Lilly and Willie, two Norbottenspets…I know odd name and one no one has heard of. They are the national dog of Sweden, quite rare and very sweet. They grow to be about 20 lbs and live to be 25 years old. Lilly is a show puppy and I am planning to take her to some dog shows in the spring. She is only 16 weeks old right now. We also have a 4 year old tabby cat that I picked up on the side of the road one day. Kismet was about 6 weeks old when I found her. Someone had dropped her and the mom on the country road and left them there. Sadly mom was hit by a car and Kizzy was left alone. Both my husband and I are huge animal lovers.

White wine or red?

White… and sweet. I love a late harvest Riesling or Vidal.

Coffee or tea?

Green tea

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?

Vanilla, but like to add either strawberry or chocolate sauce.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

Pen, paper, my netbook, cash ;) My e-book reader is in a close tie for 4^th.

Laptop or desktop for writing?

I do final read through on my PC, but write on my netbook.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Anywhere the muse hits. I do a lot of writing in my big comfy chair in the corner of the family room. There is nothing nicer than writing with the fireplace going, and some music in the background. I like to have things going on around me when I write so if I am not listening to music, the TV is on, dogs are playing, etc

An actor you have a crush on?

I don’t see many movies so really don’t have a favorite to speak of. I like watching the older classic movies more so than the modern ones. My all time favorite actor was Jimmy Stewart. I loved his sweet gentle, understated nature. He was funny and yet he could play the serious rolls with finesse. Can’t say I had a crush since he was old enough to be my grandfather, but thought he was a great actor.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

I don’t have a lot of time to watch movies or TV shows. When I am not working or completing orders for my small business, I am writing or reading. I do enjoy the talent related TV shows like So you think you can dance or X factor. Love to see new talent discovered and get a break. I enjoy both music and dance shows.

What made you decide to be an author?

I have loved to read and write from the time I was a child. A true Gemini, I was blessed with the gift of gab, the need and ability to tell a story. I have had so many experiences in my life and have such a love for books, it seemed my natural calling. About ten years ago, I started to write for fun and as a way to express my feeling, hopes and dreams. One day I showed my writing to a friend who encouraged me to pursue it further. It has not been without its ups and downs or its fair share of hard work and disappointment. Now that I have reached the next step in my writing career and publication a reality, the sky is the limit.

If using a pen name, how did you chose it and why?

When I decided to become a writer and to submit my work for publication, my husband and I discussed the name I should use. While there was nothing wrong with my name, we both felt something with a little more pizzazz was needed. It was not difficult for me to decide. Given my Scottish, English and Irish ancestry, something along that line made sense. I was named after my father’s mother… her maiden name Barbara Scott. She was a true heroine in her own right. Leaving her home and family in Kirkintillock at age 21 to come to Canada to start a new life. Ironically, my maternal grandmother, born in England, also had the maiden name Scott. She and I were very close, and I respected and admired her very much. My mother’s name is Joyce (my middle name) By choosing B.J Scott as my pen name, I honor my ethnic heritage and three woman who were very important in my life.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I have always been drawn to history, especially anything Celtic, Native American or Civil War related. I also worked at a historical museum/village for 8 years, did some 1812 and Civil War reenacting and loved every minute of it. I enjoy antiques and anything with a past.

I also write contemporary, paranormal and romantic suspense.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?

Both. Depends on the story. I like to have a basic idea or storyline in my head, but nothing is set in stone until the words are written. I have been known to change my entire story part way through and some, I have writer as I went along.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?

As a child, I loved to hear a bedtime story, but in grade four when our class went to the library and I found my first copy of C.S. Lewis The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, I was hooked from then on.

What is your all time favorite book?

So many to choose from. It is difficult to pick just one. Historical romances, and ones based on actual historical events are among my favorites.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

“Sometimes the only way to fight temptation is to surrender to it body and soul.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?

The characters were pretty clear in my mind from the start. Connor was no problem at all. Being the typical alpha hero, it was as if he leapt off the page and into my room every time I wrote. Cailin was clear in my mind, but my first drafts had her as too much of a victim and not spunky enough for a true heroine. After some excellent advice from an agent who read my first ten chapters, I went back and made some changes. She became a much stronger character, more resourceful and she was no longer a victim needing to be rescued. Keeping the secondary characters in check was harder than the main characters. They all have such strong personalities and could easily take over if I was not careful.

Where do you get your ideas from?

Like most authors, they come from a variety of places. They are often inspired by people I have known or heard about. Historical facts are important to me so often they are loosely based around a historical event. Highland Legacy, while a true romance has some very interesting, accurate historical facts that help to make the story feel more authentic.

How did you choose your title?

It just came to me and stuck. Started out to be what I thought was a working title. I figured it would change once I had more written and had a better feel for the story and characters, but never changed it. The story is loosely based on Scottish history and the legacy left by those who lived and fought during the struggle for independence, so thought it fitting.

How do you cure writer’s block?

Good question. It depends on the reason for it. If it is because I am swamped with other things, I try to put as much aside as I can and take a break. Sometime if I leave the story alone for a few days, or go over some other ideas, the muse starts to talk again.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?

Follow your heart and never give up if this is truly what you want. Learn as much as you can about the craft. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. If you join a critique group, submit a manuscript to a publisher or enter a contest, take the comments (good and bad) and advice offered. Use it to make yourself a better writer.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?

Never give up. You are only as good a writer as you think you are.

Where can your readers stalk you?

www.authorbjscott.com, facebook, the SMPAuthor blog, Soul Mate Publishing,

or email me at bjscott@authorbjscott.com I would love to hear from readers.

Tell us about your new release:

While it does have actual historical fact woven into the plot, it is a true historical romance in every sense of the word.

Dunkeld Scotland, 1306
Faced with an abhorrent betrothal, Cailin Macmillan flees her father’s castle and quickly learns that a woman traveling alone in Medieval Scotland is an easy target for ruthless English soldiers. When Highland patriot, Connor Fraser, comes to her aid, his steadfast dedication to king and country is challenged by an undeniable attraction and overwhelming desire to protect Cailin—even if he must marry her to do so.
Accused of murdering one of her assailants and determined to rely on her own initiative, Cailin dresses as a lad, intent on seeking refuge at the camp of Robert the Bruce. Can she elude the enemy from her past? A vindictive English lord with a personal grudge, bent on her capture and utter demise? Or will she fall prey to his carnal intent and be executed for a crime she did not commit?
Can Cailin breach the walls that guard her Highland warrior's heart, or will the twist of fate that brought them together, tear them apart forever?

Thank you so much for the interview B.J. It was great to have you here today.

And don't forget, you can purchase Highland Legacy here.

And now, a little bit about mine:

The Swan Cove Murders Blurb:

As if the violent murder of Lena Dixon’s fiancé hadn’t been bad enough, now his brother, Nicholas Hunter, is court ordered to live with her for the next thirty days. And to top it off, the murderer’s ghost is asserting his innocence and refuses to leave until Lena and Nicholas prove it.

The skeptic in Nicholas believes Lena has lost her mind until he witnesses some unexplainable events and is forced to believe in her psychic abilities and his heart’s desire.

As their sexual chemistry heats up, so do their guilt levels. Can they make their newfound relationship work, or will it be too late when the real killer comes calling for her?

Buy your copy of The Swan Cove Murders here.

Mark Your Calendars!!

2011-11-06T07:00:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, I'm having a blog party/interview for my new release The Swan Cove Murders. You all have to stop by and join in the fun. There's a prize in it for someone!!!

And along with me, B.J. Scott's new release Highland Legacy is premiering the same day. Woot!! And hers sounds like an awesome true Scottish read. I love a man in a kilt, lol. Hmmmmm....

Exhibit A!!

Back to the blog party. Since I've already posted my interview, I wanted B.J. to give us some info on her and Highland Legacy. And she has graciously accepted.

So, be sure to stop by on Wednesday and comment. I will randomly choose one lucky winner on Friday who will receive from yours truly a $10 gift certificate for the Soul Mate Publishing website where you can purchase some wonderful new releases!

Also, be sure to stop by SMP's Author Blog site on Thursday for details on how to win some fabulous prizes including a stainless travel mug with Soul Mate Publishing logo, $25 gift certificate to purchase books, a mouse pad featuring the Nov releases, book marks, and e-book downloads.

It's going to be fabulous!!!!! Pass along the word :)

Release Date: November 9th!!!

2011-11-03T06:51:00.002-04:00

Soul Mate Publishing has given me a release date for The Swan Cove Murders: November 9th. That's like next week and I'm so excited!!

The journey thus far has been one hell of a roller coaster ride, but wow what a ride! It is finally coming full circle. It's still a little surreal to me that a simple spark of an idea has led to Nicholas and Lena's beautiful (and a little spicy) story. I still get goosebumps.

Also premiering on November 9th is my fellow SMP author, B.J. Scott and her book, Highland Legacy.

So, B.J. and I would like to do something special and fun for our release date. And I thought maybe some of you would like to pass along to us what you'd like to see for a blog post next Wednesday. A blog party? Interviews?

I would like to give all of you the opportunity to give me your input on this. The cutoff date would be this Sunday so we can prep for November 9th. All ideas welcome.

And don't forget to spread the word!!!

November 9th: The Swan Cove Murders
Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge
Both coming to Soul Mate Publishing

Happy Halloween and An Award To Pass Along

2011-10-30T08:43:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone!!! As you all know from my last post (scroll down and see my new grandson!) I've been busy.

Last week, I was awarded an One Lovely Blog Award. An it certainly is a very pretty one. So there are rules I must follow in order to graciously accept this award:

1) Thank the one who gave it to me: Thank you very much Murees Dupe. It's beautiful.

2) Pass this award along to 15 deserving bloggers:

Paula Martin-Romance Author for her great six sentence Sundays I enjoy so much

La Fotografia Abstracta-Abstract Photos the awesome and beautiful photos on here are simply amazing!

Empty White Pages for all the cool music she posts.

Coming Down The Mountain I love reading her advice and anything she posts.

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part simply because she deserves it :)

Author Karen Walker for her Monday Musings I enjoy.

Left Brained By Day, Right Brained-All The Time I love her Fun Fridays

Romance Book Paradise for her awesome interviews and great giveaways.

Spunk On A Stick for her weekend sillies

Book Dreaming a new blogger I found during Pay It Forward that I enjoy

The Misadventures In Candyland another one I enjoy and she deserves this one

Katie O'Sullivan I love reading about her dog and all things to do with them.

Mandi's Paranormal Romance Blog new author with Soul Mate Publishing I enjoy reading about

The World of Julie B for her food :) And of course her writing and crocheting.

The Tardis Scribbles for her hot and saucy posts!

There's my fifteen. Go visit them and enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Both coming to Soul Mate Publishing

Special Post for the weekend.

2011-10-28T16:54:00.000-04:00

I had told y'all weeks ago my daughter, Jessica was having some issues with early contractions. Well, that's how it has been for the last week. But, lo and behold, Joshua Matthew Bright, Jr. was not having it any longer. He wanted to meet and greet the world.

Joshua was born this morning at 5:20 am with gramma making it 10 minutes before. He is 3 lbs. 6 oz. and 16 3/4 in long. And lots of blond hair :)

Happy Birthday Joshua Matthew!!!

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Both coming to Soul Mate Publishing

Edit Time!!

2011-10-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

I have gone through the next step in the process of becoming published. Edits. Revisions. Take your pick. My editor calls it semi-final galley edits. Semi-final meaning I'm not done yet. I had been dreading this step as I had read many different blogs, statuses, and such of how bad it can be. Like rewriting entire scenes. I even read once where someone had to rewrite an entire chapter. UGH! I truly dreaded it.

Surprise to me! My first round of edits were relatively painless. Some 'stupid me' mistakes. Add a tad bit here or there. Delete this or that. But truly a great experience. It helps that my editor is awesome!

Now, that's not to say round two will be fun. But I really expected huge slashes (or strike throughs lol) like back in middle school when you wrote an essay not up to par. Red slashes through the sentences. That's all I can picture at times.

Regardless, whether slashes or strike throughs or OMG get rid of this crap, I'm loving this part of the process.

Enjoy the rest of your week :)

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Both coming to Soul Mate Publishing

Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Book Cover

2011-10-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

I would like to thank everyone who has visited my blog during Soul Mate Publishing's launch and their debut authors' interviews. Also for Pay It Forward. I'm still working through all the blogs.

I got back my first galley edits for The Swan Cove Murders and have sent it back to my wonderful editor, Debbie. She rocks and is so easy to work with. I've been very lucky thus far. Soon, I should have a release date.

As for Secrets of Jenkins Bridge, here is the book cover. Squeeeee!! I must say I absolutely love it. Again, just like with The Swan Cove Murders cover, it's much more than I expected. I''m so glad they got the little key chain teddy bear in there as this is significant to the story.

Hope everyone's weekend is great!!

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Both coming to Soul Mate Publishing Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

My Own Answers per Request

2011-10-21T05:00:00.037-04:00

Some of the girls at Soul Mate Publishing thought it would be fun if I answered the same questions I gave them over the last few days. So, without further ado, here you are girls!

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a mom of six, a gramma to one spectacular little girl and another one – a boy – on the way. I’m married and live in Upstate South Carolina – that’s by the North Carolina mountains. I love to read romance and suspense novels.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
First date with my husband was a homemade spaghetti dinner. He had a long low coffee table that he set with the plates, champagne glasses, and candles. He set up pillows on the floor for us to sit on while we ate.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Yes, absolutely. That’s the most comfortable way to create!

What are your pet peeves?
Ignorant people drive me a little batty and a chair scraping across the floor. That’s actually worse than fingernails on a chalk board.

Cats or dogs?
Dogs. I prefer a pug, but a black lab puppy my son named Rex adopted us.

White wine or red?
I’m not much of a wine person, but if I had to pick it would be white.

Coffee or tea?
Definitely coffee. An absolute must in the morning. Never acquired the taste for tea….although my mom has tried time and time again in convincing me it’s great and I don’t know what I’m missing out on.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Always always chocolate. Hands down.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Purse, cell, paper, and pen.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
I use both. More with the laptop as I can freely move around the house or outdoors.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I prefer to do it at home, but usually there is no set time I write. It could be morning one day and night the next.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
That’s tricky. Sean Connery, Rupert from Survivor, and Garth Brooks. That’d work. That covers sexy, great survivor skills, umm sexy again along with great music. Garth would have to bring his guitar though.

An actor you have a crush on?
Sean Connery hands down.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I’m beginning to get into X Factor. Love to listen to the various talented singers and watch them improve on their voices.

What made you decide to be an author?
Ever since middle school when my English teacher told me I had talent. At the time I thought he was just being nice cause he had to. But somewhere inside I knew it was more than that.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
When I wrote my first story. The suspense just kept creeping up into it with my characters screaming ‘leave it!’ And I’m a sucker for a great ghost story and all things paranormal. What we can’t see or can’t explain has got to be great!

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
I’m a bit of both. I can’t fully outline a book because I feel inclined to stick to it and don’t think I can change the story once it’s set in stone, but with a vague outline I keep myself in relative check.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
Lol, that’s a bit of a list. I’ll choose three: Stephen King, John Grisham, and Mary Higgins Clark

What is your all time favorite book?
That’s a tough one. I’d have to say Stephen King’s The Talisman. Love Jack Sawyer’s story ‘right here and now’. (Gotta read the book.)

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?

Nicholas is trying to understand and believe Lena’s gift of Spirit Writing, but he’s a bit closed minded here. I love his attempt at reasoning and the last line.

“Some had a violent or sudden death and their spirits are ripped out so quick they don’t realize they’re gone.”
Don’t laugh. Don’t do that to her. He shook his head.
“Why am I explaining myself to you?”
“You want me to believe you?”
“I’ve been doing this for years with the police. They believe me. Why can’t you?”
If he couldn’t see it, it wasn’t there. The simple conclusion was that it wasn’t real. As far as he was concerned, there was no afterlife, heaven, hell or reincarnation. It was utter blackness. The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out...

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
I’d have to say Nicholas cause he just wanted to be nasty toward Lena at the beginning. He loves her, but he has a pride problem and the fact that he wants to blame her for his brother’s death. He melted real fast!!

Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere. I even got a story from Pawn Stars. Someone brought in a 1880s coin of some sort and I was able to spin a story idea for it.

How did you choose your title?
It was going to be The Doves Cove Murders, but we had problems with it sounding funny, so I changed the name of the town to Swan Cove and presto, it became The Swan Cove Murders.

How do you cure writer’s block?
Usually a break. Sometimes I can just read a chapter or two of a book. Other times I need a 2 to 3 day break.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Don’t ever give up. Keep writing!

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?
Keep submitting, your book has a special home. And that person was right.

Where can your readers stalk you?
Everywhere. Here, on Facebook, on Twitter, on SMP authors blog, and over on Savvy Authors too :)

Tell us about your new release:

This is not the final blurb, but here you go:
As if the violent murder of Lena Dixon’s fiancée hadn’t been bad enough, now his brother, Nicholas Hunter, is court ordered to live with her for the next thirty days. And to top it off, the murderer’s ghost is asserting his innocence and refuses to leave until Lena and Nicholas prove it.

The skeptic in Nicholas believes Lena has lost her mind until he witnesses some unexplainable events and is forced to believe in her psychic abilities and his heart’s desire.

As their sexual chemistry heats up, so does their guilt levels. Can they make their new found relationship work or will it be too late when the real killer comes calling for her?

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Both coming to Soul Mate Publishing

Dawn Ireland Has Come To Visit!!

2011-10-20T05:00:00.001-04:00

I have Dawn Ireland in the house visiting and chatting about herself and her new debut, Love’s Guardian.

Welcome Dawn. Thanks for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up in Iowa in a small town my father said had a population of 15,000 – 10,000 of which were cows. It was a great place to play and dream. Of course, I had the normal dreams. One day I’d grow up, marry a prince and move into the castle down the street. Even at that young age, I was attracted to the elegance of a bygone era. I guess that’s why I write historical – I get to “play” in that world for a time.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
He buys me flowers for no reason at all.

That certainly qualifies in my book!

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Of course. Doesn’t everyone?

What are your pet peeves?
Rudeness. I’m not sure why people can’t be civil to one another.

Cats or dogs?
Either. I love animals because they make me laugh and don’t have any major “expectations.” Right now we have cats, but we’ve had dogs as well. I am constantly amazed by how different one cat can be from another – just like people.

White wine or red?
White, sweet, with a strong grape taste. (I know, you wine experts out there are gasping, and the doctors are saying the red is better for me.)

Coffee or tea?
Strong Earl Grey tea with cream and sugar.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
It depends on my mood, and what I’m eating with the ice cream. I can tell you I love the smell of Vanilla, and I’ve been known to dab a bit behind my ear when I’m baking.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Purse, Keys, Cell Phone, Pen/Paper

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Desktop

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I have to work my writing in around my hectic schedule. That said, I’m always thinking about stories and what I would do with my characters, so by the time I sit down to write, I’m prepared.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Hugh Jackman – he strikes me as resourceful, as well as talented and attractive. Ken Jennings – the multiple winner on Jeopardy, because I suspect he could figure anything out, Dr. Oz – because I’m hoping he could keep us well

An actor you have a crush on?
Mmmm. Hugh Jackman? Pierce Brosnan? Dillon McDermot? Daniel Day Lewis? It depends on the character they are playing. Come on now, who could resist the wounded vulnerability of Hugh as Wolverine, or Daniel in The Last of the Mohicans?

I vote for Pierce Brosnan!!

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
Movie: The Wedding Date because the interaction between the hero and heroine made me smile. As for TV, hands down it’s Castle, for the same reason. I love well written characters, and shows that have a lot of sexual tension and witty dialogue.

What made you decide to be an author?
Characters. It’s fun to create characters and drop them into situations that test their beliefs. Through story I think we all learn something about ourselves.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’m a “Disney” kind of girl, so of course I’d write “Happily Ever After.”

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
Usually my books start with characters I want to write about. I create their conflict and see where the story takes me. Generally I have a vague idea about how it will end, but most of it’s worked out in my head as I go along. It stays fresh for me this way. It’s funny, I guess I’m reading the story as I’m creating.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
Jude Deveraux’s early books. Her characters are fun.

Agreed

What is your all time favorite book?
Jude’s “A Knight in Shining Armor” The story is a time travel that has stayed with me over the years. I love the opening scene – talk about a vulnerable heroine.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
Well, my favorite is the very last line, but I won’t ruin it for you.

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
(I think you have that wrong – I give them trouble.) Actually, this book was supposed to be a “Love at First Hate,” which means that Alex was supposed to be upset with Declan until the resolution at the end. Imagine my consternation when half-way through the book Alex decided she loved him!

Where do you get your ideas from?
People. I love to watch them and play the “what if” game.

How did you choose your title?
As my story is wrapped around a “guardian,” it seemed very straight forward to me.

How do you cure writer’s block?
I spend more time “thinking” about what motivates my characters. What do they want, and what stands in their way?

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
What ever you do, remember you are writing to entertain. Readers are taking hours of their lives to read your books, make sure to give them the best emotional story you can craft.

What sacred advice have you been given by another writer?
Start and end every chapter AND scene with something that holds your readers attention and doesn’t let them go.

Where can your readers stalk you?
I’m not hard to find, check out my website www.Dawn-Ireland.com for book signings, plus I’ll be blogging on a regular basis at www.SMPauthors.wordpress.com Or, you can fan me on Facebook.

Tell us about your new release:
Love’s Guardian is the first in a series of 4 books. Each of the books will stand on their own, but some of the characters overlap. I love writing about the late 1700s in England. It was such a fabulous time of intrigue, innovation and infamy. Societies “rules” give my characters something to break. Not that I believe in breaking rules, but really, Alex shouldn’t need to marry if she doesn’t want to. And I think knife throwing improves hand-eye coordination, and can come in quite handy if you need to protect yourself. So, you see, it’s all a matter of perspective. At least, that’s the way Alexandra and I see it.

Sounds like an awesome read. Can’t wait to check out some knife-throwing in good ol’ England! Thank you so much Dawn for coming here today and sharing with us.

You can purchase Love’s Guardian here and don’t forget to go to Soul Mate Publishing to check out all the other great new debuts.

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

Karin Shah is Here!!

2011-10-19T05:00:00.001-04:00

Karin Shah is in the House today to tell us about herself and her great new debut, Blood and Kisses!

Thank you Karin for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up in Rochester, NY and was a School Library Media Specialist (Librarian) for several years before focusing on writing full time.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
When we first started to date, my dog got hit by a car, (she survived and lived to a ripe old age) but my husband called the vet hospital every hour all night to check on her. It might not be romantic, but it told me he was the one!

That certainly qualifies!

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
All the time.

What are your pet peeves?
Judgy people, probably because I fight against my own tendency to judge and I don’t like that part of myself.

Cats or dogs?
Dogs. I have a basenji and a Vizsla and I enjoy showing at dog shows. I’m hospital allergic to cats or I would say both, because I think cats are beautiful,. I just can’t go near them.

White wine or red?
No wine for me except w(h)ining. I get a headache.

Coffee or tea?
Tea. I force myself to have coffee in my cocoa for the health benefits, but I don’t really enjoy it.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Cookie and Cream.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Iphone, wallet, lipstick, clothes.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I prefer to write on my laptop on my bed, but I often write at the kids Tae Kwon Do studio or on the risers at gymnastics.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Three previous Survivor winners. They may be backstabbers, but they know how to build a fire.

I would so have to agree!

An actor you have a crush on?
No real crushes on actors. I save my crushes for fictional characters. On that note, Dr. Daniel Jackson of Stargate SG-1. Though, as actors go, Orlando Bloom is pretty hot.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I adore Stargate SG-1. I watched all ten seasons on netflix this summer and fall. It just got better and better. I finished in September, but I’m still having withdrawal.

What made you decide to be an author?
I don’t know if I ever chose to be an author. The stories come. I might as well right them down.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I write what I love to read, so I write Paranormal Romance, Science-Fiction Romance and Fantasy.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
I’m a pantser. If I write out a whole outline, so much of the story is expended, it’s hard to get the enthusiasm up to write it.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
I love Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, and Linnea Sinclair. I’ve been writing for a long time though, for influences you’d probably have to go back to Dorchester’s Lovespell line of Paranormal Romances and Futuristics. SaraAnne Dawson and Anne Avery come to mind.

What is your all time favorite book?
That’s a hard one, but I’d have to go with The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
Apparently, I like my own work. It’s pretty hard to choose, but…
Gideon nodded. “This is a revenant. Just a husk, really, with some limited intelligence. Someone’s puppet.”
Thalia noticed the knife lying next to the revenant for the first time. A chill that had nothing to do with the rain rolled over her. “He didn’t have a stake.”
“That’s because it wasn’t me he was gunning for.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
My characters rarely give me any trouble. It’s real life that usually interferes in the form of doubt monkeys.

Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere.

How did you choose your title?
My then five year-old son chose the title. I had a different one, but another book came out with the same title and I decided to use it as an opportunity to think of something better. I had my then seven year-old daughter and my son out on the back deck and I asked them to help me brainstorm. Frankly, I thought they’d wander away after a few minutes. My daughter suggested BLOOD AND WITCHES and then my son came up with BLOOD AND KISSES and since there is a letter at the end of the book, it seemed appropriate.

What a great choice!

How do you cure writer’s block?
Writer’s block is about self doubt. The best way to overcome it is to write. If you can’t force yourself to work on the project you should be working on, write something else until you can get past it. And take lots of baths, the best ideas come to me in the bath.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Write, write, write and read, read, read!!

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?
I’m trying to pick something Linnea Sinclair has said to me, but she’s so wise it’s hard to pick one. I guess it would be “bleed on the page.” We censor ourselves so much while writing. We have to shut off the inner critic and pour the emotion on the page, otherwise the reader won’t be swept away. This is often easier said than done.

Great advice.

Where can your readers stalk you?
At Easton Towne Center in Columbus, Ohio. My family loves to go out to eat and see a movie there.

Tell us about your new release:
BLOOD AND KISSES
A powerful immortal vampire and a beautiful witch must work together to stop a murderous rogue vampire who is terrorizing the city. As they work together, an uneasy alliance turns into something more, but they can’t afford to get too close, witch blood is poisonous to vampires…

Sounds like a great read! Can’t wait to see how they can overcome the poison. Thank you again Karin for joining me and talking.

You can pick up your copy of Blood and Kisses here and go to Soul Mate Publishing for other great new debuts!

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

Tracy Hewitt Meyer's in the House-Woot!!

2011-10-18T05:00:00.001-04:00

Today, Tracy Hewitt Meyer has come to visit me and let everyone in on a little about herself and her new debut, Trust of the Heart.

Thank you Tracy for coming in and visiting. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a writer, mother, wife, daughter, grand-daughter, sister, friend. Hopefully not an enemy.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
There are so many! Yes, I’m a lucky gal. The most recent romantic thing he’s done is surprise me with a watch on our 11th anniversary. I wear it everyday.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
All the time! Sometimes at 3:00 a.m.

What are your pet peeves?
Noise (which is tough having three small children), smells, especially of wet cereal.

Cats or dogs?
Dog. I have a goldendoodle named Bailey.

I love the name Bailey

White wine or red?
Red in the winter; white in the summer.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee, coffee, coffee.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Rocky Road.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Sunglasses, chap stick, cell phone, moola or check card.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop, though I’m answering these questions on the desk top because my laptop won’t save documents right now. Can you imagine how traumatic this is for a writer??!!

Completely! That would drive me insane.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
Very early in the morning when the house is asleep.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Henry Cavill, Ian Somerhalder, Chris Evans. Hmmm…they’re all men, aren’t they??

Great picks!

An actor you have a crush on?
See above!

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I’m a gleek through and through.

What made you decide to be an author?
There was nothing else that fit with who I am. I’ve tried secretarial work, spent time on the Hill, and worked with the homeless; but my passion is writing. I finally just decided to follow my heart.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’m a hopeless romantic and I like to write what I like to read.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
I’m a plotter without constraint, ie I throw things out the window and change direction all the time.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
Karen Marie Moning, Jude Devereaux, Marion Zimmer Bradley – and that’s just a few!

What is your all time favorite book?
The Mists of Avalon.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
How could she not have known Alex was married?

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release?
Which one? For this story, they gave me no trouble. They were clear in my mind the entire time and took a life of their own.

Lucky you

Where do you get your ideas from?
People, movies, the time I spend with my head in the clouds, just thinking.

How did you choose your title?
It simply came to me. It was the only title the novella ever had.

How do you cure writer’s block?
I work on something else. I don’t fight it. If I can’t concentrate on any writing, I tackle the massive amounts of laundry and cleaning that comes with a household of five people.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Write. Write. Write. And don’t give yourself any other options. If you want to be a writer, then do it.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?
See above. There is a consistent theme that has spoken to me – never give up.

Where can your readers stalk you?
My website, www.TracyHewittMeyer.com, and Facebook via Tracy H. Meyer.

Tell us about your new release:
Trust of the Heart is a contemporary romance novella set in the heart of the Shenandoah Mountains. If you like hunky southern Marines and intelligent New York City ladies, this is the story for you! And the ending is my favorite, though getting to that point was pretty sweet too!

Sounds great! Thank you again Tracy for joining me today and answering my questions.

You can get Trust of the Heart here and go to Soul Mate Publishing for even more great debut reads.

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

I Have Jamie Brazil in the House!!

2011-10-17T05:00:00.001-04:00

Jamie Brazil is visiting me today and answering some questions about herself and her new debut, Prince Charming Inc.

Thank you Jamie for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I have so many sides to my personality that I sometimes feel like two people (maybe three or four). I immigrated to the United States in 1993 and still have a few quirks from my country of origin. If gravy on French fries sounds good to you and you wear a touque, you know where I was born!
As for jobs, I’ve had a lot. One of my very first jobs waitressing. It lasted for several milliseconds. After I dropped a chocolate sundae on a customer’s white suit I was fired.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
A half dozen times a year my husband will climb behind the wheel and be my driver at certain neighborhood-wide yard sales. While it doesn’t sound romantic, my favorite hobby is a torture to him. Traffic snarls, crowds and frenetic energy make him edgy. But he knows I love garage-sale shopping.

Now that certainly takes a special kind of man. I love going to yard sales and trying to get and out of traffic is sometimes worse than rush hour traffic.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Who doesn’t? We’re writers.

What are your pet peeves?
Interruptions when I’m on a roll, and dirty dishes in the sink. I swear the dishes are taunting me with their little dirty dish voices. “I’m covered in day-old lasagna! Help me!”

Chuckles

Cats or dogs?
Hound dogs. My bloodhound, Frankie, is my pride and joy. When my husband is off on a job Frankie spends most of her time editing my work. Thank god she’s willing to work for kibble.

White wine or red?
Champagne for celebrating. For non-celebratory drinking I’d have a basil-orange mojito at my favorite Thai restaurant. Pair that with their crispy duck and I’m over the moon.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee, strong, and keep it coming. Functioning without coffee in the morning is like trying to start a car without gas. I’m also a bit feral before my third cup. Has anyone else used a Chemex carafe? I’m hooked. There is no bitterness at all.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Chocolate anything. I’d move into my Godiva store if they’d let me.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
A pen, paper, purse and wedding ring. Could I mention one thing I should carry, but don’t? GPS. I have a terrible sense of direction.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
I have a desktop in my office (can you call a room smaller than a walk-in closet an office?). It’s cozy, especially when the dog’s here.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
For day-to-day slogging through the pages, afternoons seem to be my more productive and lucid time. Then there’s Ernesto.
Ernesto is the house muse (it’s a long story). When Ernesto is with me, I write. That’s the rule. Sometimes he comes at 3 a.m. Sometimes in the middle of breakfast or dinner. It is simply understood in our house that if Ernesto decides to inspire the writing, we write. Ernesto knows best.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
How about desserted on an island? That’s easy. New York cheesecake, fudge brownies and Godiva chocolates.
Okay, no dodging the question. People. Edith Wharton, Jacqueline Susann and Pee Wee Herman. Now there’s a party.

An actor you have a crush on?
Pee Wee Herman.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

“Downton Abbey”, “Mama Mia”, and “Paris Je T’aime” are all in my DVD collection.

What made you decide to be an author?
Graveyard shift. During my years as a dispatcher there were many slow nights spent reading. Two category romances or one mainstream novel per shift, but not when the moon was full. Those shifts were often crazy. The book that flipped a switch in my brain, that made me utter those words that almost every author has said at one point or another, I could write that, was Olivia Goldsmith’s “Marrying Mom.”

How did you choose the genre you write in?
Love. I love romance. I read romance. If I’m not writing romance I’m curled up with a romantic novel.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
You’ve opened a can of worms here. My husband, who is a screenwriter, swears I’m a panster. I howl and vehemently deny that accusation. I’m totally a plotter. I need a map to get from the opening to the end and that means a poster board, stacks of sticky notes and colored marking pens to plan scenes, flesh out characters and build subplots. Unfortunately, I suck at directions.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
My husband. Just the other week I got stuck. My poster board roadmap had failed and my usual arsenal of tricks for writing my way out weren’t working. In walks my husband. I unload on him and he thinks about it for a few moments before giving me the answer (and then telling me dinner’s ready). So that’s my hubby. He walks into my office, solves my structure problem, knocks up my secondary character and leaves – all in under two minutes.

What is your all time favorite book?
“House of Mirth” has a permanent home in my heart, but not in the way that my first Jackie Collins novel also resides there. I stole it after the librarian refused to let me check it out. I was 13 and, arguably, too young for the content. I smuggled “The Stud” back to its place on the shelf days later.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
There’s a passage describing Elyse’s Hermes bag (purchased at a church basement tag sale, of course). Her new client thinks the bag is a knock off and there’s this wordless power struggle as she proves its authenticity.

Opening a Hermes bag was one of life’s simple, yet deeply satisfying pleasures. Like sex, only better. A woman could surrender herself dozens of times a day, taking full gratification that the petal-soft inner folds were actually the foundation of something much greater than a purse. Men may come and go, but a Hermes was a guaranteed lifetime commitment.
Elyse opened her bag conspicuously wide, dispelling Saban’s thoughts of a well-made forgery. The interior, as posh as the exterior, was revealed. But it was more than that that set the real thing apart from the fakes. Hermes bags held a heady, intoxicating scent. While cheap leather always smelled of leather, the subtle fragrance of a Hermes bore the unmistakable aroma of handmade French quality.
Saban listed toward Elyse, her nostrils flared accordingly.

Love the nostril flaring part!

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
One of the heroine’s best friends, Madeline, was a tough write. Maddy was born old along with her money and is the author of self-help books. She has the attention span of a ferret on a triple espresso. Getting her comedic voice right took many, many drafts.

Where do you get your ideas from?
China. They make everything.

Chuckles

How did you choose your title?
Earlier this year, I was polishing pitches for my RWA chapter’s spring conference and I decided I needed a way to tie my two books together, like the start of a series. With a couple tweaks and minor rewrite, Prince Charming, Inc. was born. The new sibling, Trophy Wife, Inc., should be finished soon.

How do you cure writer’s block?
Buddhism. Kind of. One thing I like about Buddhism is that everything is temporary. If writing really well is temporary, so is writer’s block. When writer’s block hits, knowing that it’s temporary, that it will change, gives me the freedom to go fill the creative well.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Don’t get me started! In one of my dubious past lives I was a writing conference coordinator. If I haven’t made the mistake myself, I’ve seen it all. Honest, once I carried my manuscript through the hallways of a conference in the hope I’d bump into the right agent or editor. I actually did bump into one and the manuscript exploded out of my hands creating a blizzard of pages. It was an embarrassing low point. Not that I gave up. At that same conference, the next day I dressed way too sexy. Was I overcompensating for the previous day’s disaster? I don’t know. While no offers of representation came my way, I did get a lot of attention from a certain man who later became my husband.

So advice… Read. Write. Celebrate often. Grieve when you must. Then get back to work. And before you strut out into a conference with hundreds of attendees, agents and editors, carefully consider why you’re wearing the body-hugging, black spandex skirt with the dragon graphic up one side and a thigh-high slit up the other.

That’s a great story in itself!

What sacred advice have you been given by another writer?
“I can fix a bad page, I can’t fix a blank page.” ~ Nora Roberts.

Where can your readers stalk you?
http://jamiebrazil.wordpress.com

Tell us about your new release:
Prince Charming, Inc. was a hoot to write, and then later, rewrite. Elyse Tobin rebuilds average guys and sells them off as “perfect husbands” to socialites. But when her final man remodel goes south and the I.R.S. audits her, she’s forced to confront Nick Salvatore, the man she’s spent years avoiding, the very man she’s modeled all her grooms on.

That sounds like an awesome read. Thank you so much for coming today, Jamie.

You can check out Jamie Brazil and Prince Charming Inc here and go to Soul Mate Publishing to check out all the other great debuts!

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

Mandi Casey is in the House Today :)

2011-10-16T08:08:00.001-04:00

Mandi Casey joins me today to chat about herself, her writing, and her new debut, Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick
.

Welcome Mandi! Thank you for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a paranormal romance/ urban fantasy author. I love the paranormal because of the dark mystery surrounding it. I also love the idea of having a life-mate, that one person who is meant to be your other half, for better or worse.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
It had to be when my husband proposed when we were on a mountain near Arizona. He officially popped the question while we were close to the top. The view was amazing.

That sounds pretty romantic

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Um… When don’t I? would be a better question. Lol, I write in my PJ’s quite often late into the night and early morning.

What are your pet peeves?
I have a hard time with people who don’t own up to responsibility, to themselves and others.

Cats or dogs?
I have three amazing dogs from really big down to small-to-medium sizes. We also have a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and his best friend is our youngest pup.

That is too funny. Had a bird once who thought he was a kitty.

White wine or red?
Red, when I must. Wine gives me an atrocious headache in the morning, just from one innocent glass. So, I tend to stick to the super, uber, sissy lite-beers, they’re safe.

Coffee or tea?
Coffee, any way I can get it.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Vanilla and chocolate mixed is the best. I think I enjoy them equally.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Purse, keys, phone, and my trusty notepad for when a light-bulb goes off and an idea hits that I have to write it down for my novels.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop, I love to move around the house from room to room and write, depending on what’s going on.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I write my best when it’s quiet around the house. Anytime of the day suites me just fine. I love sitting out of my deck, overlooking the farm fields that are next to me during the summer.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Bobbi Flay, Iron Chef, because he can cook with almost anything. Jason Statham, I think he’d be awesome at defense, and well, he’s super gorgeous. My third person would have to be Frank Lloyd Wright, because he’d be able to design and build the most awesome housing for all of us.

An actor you have a crush on?
Definitely Jason Statham, from Crank and the Transporter.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I love Vampire Diaries and True Blood.

What made you decide to be an author?
Writing is something that I’ve always enjoyed. I’ve been a big reader for most of my life, and I strive to write that ultimate novel, if it exists.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve always been into the paranormal, all parts. I’m intrigued by the dark allure, mystery, and romance that shrouds it.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
Both, but I’m leaning towards being a plotter to be more efficient. It also helps me add a lot more depth to the story and characters.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
Charlaine Harris was a big influence. Her Sookie Stackhouse books had me at page one.

What is your all time favorite book?
I’d have to say it’s not just a book, but a series, from Karen Moning. The Fever series was so complicated and simple at the same time. I loved her writing, and I connected with the main character on multiple levels.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
Who knew what was lurking out there in the dark?
I did.
I knew.
And now it knew me.
I love these four simple lines. They’re short, yet very chilling.

I agree. Definitely makes me want to find out who ‘it’ is!

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
Writing as Sydney Sedrick gave me difficulties at times. I know what I would do in some of the hairy situations she finds herself in, but sometimes I have to take myself out of it and really listen to what she says. Eventually she always tell me.

Where do you get your ideas from?
Every moment of every day I’m always looking for ideas and how they can be incorporated into my novels.

How did you choose your title?
Sydney’s life took a very bizarre turn when she moved back to Kenosha, which led to Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick.

How do you cure writer’s block?
I pull out the ol’ plotting board and take some time to work on future stories. Either that, or I completely take myself away from my laptop and go Frisbee golfing.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
The main thing, to save a writer’s time in the submission process, is do your homework on the basics; grammer, punctuation, and sentence structure. They say you can punctuate yourself to a contract, if your story is good.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?
The saying ‘An author is a writer who didn’t give up’ has stuck with me for years.

Where can your readers stalk you?
I can be stalked on Facebook, or contacted through my blog at www.whoareyoucallingavampire.blogspot.com

Tell us about your new release:
Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick is set to release on 10/12/11 with Soul Mate Publishing. The blurb: Thanks to her new unwanted powers as the Selected, triggered by a rogue werewolf bite, Sydney Sedrick is dragged into a war of vampires and werewolves battling over total species domination. Whisk together the occasional bout of involuntarily vomiting on expensive Italian leather shoes, searing advances from the irresistible heir to the Midwestern Werewolf Pack, add a splash of local demons with political aspirations to take over the Legions of Hell, and you get the perfect recipe for the BIZARRE LIFE OF SYDNEY SEDRICK.
Werewolves, vampires, and demons try to use her as their pawn and are all willing to use any force necessary to gain control of her new special gifts to rise above the others and control the city. With only a journal left behind by her grandmother and Blake, the sexy werewolf who insists they are meant to be together, to help guide her through the dangerous political war of the supernatural societies. Sydney must accept and embrace her birth given destiny and join the battle against those who want to be the ones in complete control or lose everything and everyone she holds dear.

Sounds like a wonderful, action-packed read. I’m a sucker (no pun intended) for suspense

Thank you again for being here today Mandi.

If you’d like to check out more and buy Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick, click here or go to Soul Mate Publishing to check out all the new October reads.

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

Teri Gilbert is Here! Yay!

2011-10-15T08:16:00.000-04:00

Teri Gilbert joins me in the house today. She's come to tell us about herself and her new debut, Legacy of Olympus.

Welcome Teri! It's great to have you here today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I enjoy the outdoors, camping, and I love to travel.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
My husband of almost 30 years is always planning romantic outings for us, whether it be a weekend at a hotel during the cold winter months, or a weekend of camping during nice weather. Although our unpredictable weather, courtesy of Lake Ontario, has had us camping in the snow a few times.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
The more appropriate question might be, have I ever written in my day clothes?

What are your pet peeves?
I’d have to say my biggest pet peeve is a lie. I’m a ‘call a spade is a spade’ type of person. That’s not to say that you can’t be nice. I’m also an, ‘If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all,’ type of person. So you know you’re in trouble if I get very quiet. :)

Me too Teri! The silent treatment gets them every time.

Cats or dogs?
I love both cats and dogs and have had both. Right now I have a cat, Michaela, named for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She’s part coon cat, so she’s big and feisty. At this moment, she’s at the vet having something removed from her stomach and intestine. I have a feeling it will turn out to be a piece of my rubber-soled shoe. She’s like a dog. She chews on everything. I have to store all my flip-flops and comfortable walking shoes in drawers so she can’t get them.

White wine or red?
Living so close to New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Region, I’ve always enjoyed sweet, grapey wines. However, I do enjoy a glass of a rich red wine every now and then.

Coffee or tea?
Although I mostly drink coffee, I also enjoy tea, especially in the winter months.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Vanilla soft serve with chocolate sprinkles or Chocolate Almond from Abbott’s.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Purell (Winter in Upstate New York), my purse, something to read, and coffee.

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop. I find I’m able to disappear into the story if I’m comfortable.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I’m a morning person. I can be up and working at 5 a.m., but don’t ask me to engage in any significant activity after 9 p.m. This comes from teaching students at 7:30 a.m.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Nora Roberts. With all that time, can you imagine how many stories she’d write? Chef Gorden Ramsey. Yes, he’s an alpha male who’d get on my nerves, but he’d keep everyone in line and would know how to cook amazing dishes from all the exotic fruit and fish. Jeff Probst. He has to know something about surviving, right?

Absolutely! Funny cause I was thinking Rupert :)

An actor you have a crush on?
No-brainer. Hugh Jackman. Not only in he hunky, but from all accounts, he’s a good person, too.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I’m a fan of both True Blood and Mad Men. Both series have great characters and unpredictable plots.

What made you decide to be an author?
I think I’ve always wanted to be one, from making up stories in Girl Scouts to writing them for English class.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve always been fascinated by the paranormal. I’m sure that comes from reading every single Stephen King novel as it came out.

Yup, Stephen King fan here too!

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
I am a planner at heart, so I’m definitely a plotter.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
I can’t say there is any one particular author who has influenced my writing. However, I enjoy Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Maggie Shayne, Heather Graham, Roxanne St. Claire, Karen Robards, Elizabeth Lowell, and many, many more.

What is your all time favorite book?
I’m going to be cliché, but it has to be Gone with the Wind. I was in 8th grade when I read Gone with the Wind. I never knew a story could be so rich, so detailed, with heavily flawed, yet likable, characters all set against a fantastic historical backdrop.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
Add a slim Amazon, a pit bull of a warrior, and the invisible man into the mix, and they had one helluva team.

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
At times, Alec gave me trouble. He’s not an alpha male at the start, so I consciously had to keep him from appearing too soft.

Where do you get your ideas from?
I like to play, what if? What if there are descendants of the Greek gods living in our society? What is some of those descendants decided to try and take over the world? Who would stop them?

I love the What If? game.

How did you choose your title?
The series is designed to be past-paced and action-oriented like a James Bond, so I gave the series the title In the Gods’ Secret Service. Since Book #1 introduces the main theme, it’s entitled, Legacy of Olympus.

Well, it certainly sounds like a winner to me.

How do you cure writer’s block?
I don’t force my writing. Anytime I force myself to write a scene, even though I’m not in the correct frame of mind, I end up having to do substantial rewrites. Instead, I don’t write. I do something different, allow my brain to wander and relax, and that usually does the trick.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Don’t give up. I always thought I had to be published through a New York Publishing House. That’s not the case anymore. It’s a whole new world out there, and there are plenty of avenues available.

What sacred advice have you been giving by another writer?
Read your story out loud.

Where can your readers stalk you?
www.TeriGilbert.com

Tell us about your new release:
Legacy of Olympus is the first book of the series, In The Gods’ Secret Service. This is the story of Eleni and Alec, both descendants of the Greek Gods. They are pitted against a formidable enemy who is determined to destroy the world for financial gain. In order to succeed, Eleni and Alec must accept who they are and learn to trust one another.

Sounds like a great read, Teri! Thank you so much for stopping in and chatting.

You can find Legacy of Olympus over at Soul Mate Publishing. Go get your copy!

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge @ Soul Mate Publishing

The Awesome Elle Hill is here today! And Pay It Forward

2011-10-14T07:27:00.000-04:00

Elle Hill is in the house today and will be answering some questions about herself and her new debut release, Hunted.

But first, today is also Pay It Forward over at Alex J. Cavanaugh's website. The rules are simple. List, describe, and link to three blogs that are awesome, ones you love, but may fly under the radar of other bloggers. My three are as follows:

Alyssa Fox She's witty and with her sensual/erotic six sentence Sundays and Eye Candy Mondays...well let's just say enough said. She's a talented writer of erotic pushing the boundaries.

Sarah Pearson She does this Musical Library picks on Fridays and what she picks are unbelievable beauties of music.

Calisa Rhose This one I may be a bit biased on, but if you visit her page and read her author interviews and other witty and funny posts, you'll fall in love with her blog too. She has such a great sense of humor and a great outlook on life. And yes, at times, I believe she flies way under others' radars.

Now, onto Elle Hill!!

Elle, it's great to have you here with me today! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m an overeducated, underpaid thirty-seven-year-old who spends her days teaching college students and her night penning novels and poetry. In my spare time, I volunteer in my community, helping animals find homes and humans strive for social justice. I live with my sister and our cats in Southern California and find myself representing my profound ambivalence for the area in my L.A.-themed urban fantasies.

What is the most romantic thing your significant other or anyone has done for you?
My favorite “romance” story: When I first started dating the man who was destined to become my ex-husband, I patiently explained to his adorably nerdy self the point of little, meaningless gifts. He nodded seriously throughout the conversation. Next time he arrived at my house, and knowing my fondness for it, he shoved a block of cheese into my hand and blurted, “Here’s your gift.”

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
You mean there’s another way to write?

What are your pet peeves?
* The surest way to earn my ire is to relinquish a pet for any reason other than death, either the person’s or the pet’s.
* Something destined to make me cranky: Hearing anything that has to be preceded with, “Some of my best friends are…”
* I hate, I mean hate, being interrupted when I’m talking.
* Oh, academics, why do you give us all such bad names by substituting “the ways in which” for “how” or “ways”? Groan!
* Finally, why do fruit cups always come with cantaloupe? Does anyone really like cantaloupe?

Cats or dogs?
I have cats but love all animals: fur, feathers, fins, and scales. I even, strangely enough, find I have a deep love for those human animals as well.

White wine or red?
I so wish I could get in on the wine connoisseur thing. I want desperately to be one of those folks who swirls red wine in her glass and talks about “undertones” and “hints” and “tannins.” Perhaps because I grew up a poor child eating government cheese, though, I never got the chance to train my taste buds. My mouth tells me it much prefers soda and grapefruit juice to any kind of alcoholic beverage.

Coffee or tea?
Yes, please. The more caffeine, the better.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
I like my ice cream like I like my romances: vanilla!

What are 4 things you never leave home without?
1. Fumbling for my keys
2. Fervent promises to my kitties to be home “soon”
3. A cell phone that almost certainly needs to be charged and will die the second I require it
4. My “slut red” lipstick

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Desktop, in part because if I wrote with a laptop in a chair, my cats would crowd around it like furry little heat-seeking missiles.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
Where: At home surrounded by my loved ones (and silence, if I’m lucky).
When: During the wee hours when sane people are sleeping. I sometimes wonder if others’ dreaming brain waves fuel my creativity.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
1 and 2. The people who invented bungalows and air-conditioning
3. Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island, since she could make just about any food from coconuts

An actor you have a crush on?
I plead the Fifth, since I’m on the dating scene and this question might come back to bite me.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I don’t watch TV, mostly because the lack of human diversity tends to drive me up the wall. (A rocket scientist is really a 26-year-old, buxom blonde? Really?) As for movies, I don’t tend to watch many of those, either, but like any nerd, I loved the Harry Potter flicks.

What made you decide to be an author?
I didn’t choose; writing chose me. I started writing when I was a wee lass. Throughout my life, I never stopped writing; the writings themselves varied from stories to novels to opinion columns to research papers to dissertation to poetry and finally back to novels.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
It’s what I read. I love all sci-fi and fantasy but am especially in love with urban fantasy, both because it’s where one tends to find kick-ass women and because I don’t have to know anything about horses or the taste of mead.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
Doesn’t a punster make puns? I don’t think I do this too often. As for plots, I tend to make an outline (usually written on napkins at diners) and expand on it as I’m writing. (Also, I plot to take over the world and make it illegal for peeps not to spay and neuter their pets, but don’t tell anyone that.)

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
Many of the amazing and well-known urban fantasy writers: Charlaine Harris, Ilona Andrews, Kate Elliott, Lauri J Owen, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher. Although, honestly, if I read another rape scene or attempted rapes in one of these authors’ books, I’m gonna seriously start getting’ my crank on. Just sayin’.

What is your all time favorite book?
Mumble, mumble Little Women mumble, mumble.

What is your favorite sentence or quote in your new release?
“Show her a gun-wielding, brainwave-altering lunatic and she was in her element; shove her into a college classroom, and she had to resist the urge to shuffle awkwardly to the back row.”

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release? Which one?
Simon might have given me a little bit of trouble, or maybe it was I who gave me trouble. I had a really difficult time reconciling Simon’s pacifism with his need to defend himself. Given my 15,000 word limit, I didn’t delve too deeply into his dilemma, but he (and I) definitely felt ambivalent.

Where do you get your ideas from?
While I’m driving in really bad L.A. traffic, ideas tend to pop out of the ether and into my grumpy brain. It helps distract me from the pain.

How did you choose your title?
It’s a pun. (Ha! Maybe I am a punster!) Gray is a Hunter, and Simon is hunted by the Leeches. It seemed like the perfect title.

How do you cure writer’s block?
Push through it. If it needs to be done, inspiration doesn’t matter a bit. For me, anyway, inspiration tends to come after the writing starts. Also, when I’m writing, I force myself to stop for the night at the height of a dramatic scene. This way, I’m dying to get back to it.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
Have a backup job and a steady income. You know how everyone tells you to follow your dreams? Go ahead and do that, but never expect your dreams will pay the bills. Romantic movies and songs aside, my friend, dreams are for your spare time.

What sacred advice have you been given by another writer?
“Shut up and do it already!” from my beloved sister and fellow writer, Lauri J Owen.

Where can your readers stalk you?
I have a sexy blog where I spew forth my political opinions (and yes, I have lots of them): http://ellehillauthor.blogspot.com/. I also have a website, built and maintained through the grace of my beloved sister: www.ellehill.com. I’m also on Facebook as “Elle Hill Author.” Oh, and I finally bit the bullet and started tweeting; I’m ElleHillAuthor. Or, if you’re in the L.A., send me a Facebook message, and we’ll do coffee (but not wine).

Tell us about your new release:
It’s my very first published work, and I’m so excited! It’s a 15,000-word novella that, like my subsequent novels, grapples – albeit briefly -- with the question of whether/when violence is or can be ethical. Also, it includes a seriously powerful woman and a cute scientist; she keeps him alive and he, in turn, teaches her how to cuddle. What’s not to love?

Indeed!! It was so wonderful having you here today, Elle.

You can purchase Hunted here. And check out all the new releases at Soul Mate Publishing.

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

Karen E. Rigley is in the House!!

2011-10-13T07:25:00.001-04:00

Karen is the first author from Soul Mate Publishing on my schedule for the week. Her book, That Carrington Magic released yesterday!! Without further ado, here is Karen....

It's great to have you here on my blog! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Incurable romantic who never gives up on the dream of happily ever after. Also an award-winning author/designer/poet. Writing is essential as breathing to me & I’ve been writing since childhood--inspired by my love of reading. I have a big crazy family, so often my stories center on families. I adore mine--especially my daughter & grandkids who are the joy of my life.

What do you consider to be the most romantic thing?
When your special someone does something out of the blue to lift your spirits or ease a burden. That’s true love.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Oh, yes. Often the muse hits when I’m in bed & supposed to be sleeping. Sometimes characters & stories give you no choice but to get back up and write. I also write wearing my grubby gardening clothes or painting clothes. I won’t win any style awards for my, ah, writing attire. Barefoot & wearing worn, faded jeans is most common.

Cats or dogs?
Both. That includes writing or reading about both as well. ;-)

Favorite drinks:
When it’s chilly, I enjoy hot cocoa or tea. When it’s hot-- ice water, raspberry lemonade, Vanilla Coke Zero or Vanilla Diet Pepsi.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Not so much into ice cream—prefer frozen yogurt or sherbet. Food weakness is I’m a chocoholic. Dark chocolate anything & it’s difficult for me to resist.

What are 4 things you never leave home without? Purse, lip gloss, cellphone & shoes—I often have to remember to put shoes on. . .

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Both. I even email files of work in progress to myself from my laptop to desktop or visa-versa.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
Most anywhere: if at home--living room with the TV on, kitchen with music playing, outside on the glider-swing or even upstairs in my office.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
I’d prefer my family, but for famous people—hmm. That’s hard. Got to think about that one. Maybe Nat King Cole so he can sing to me, Agatha Christie so she can tell me stories & a hunky carpenter like Kurt Russell played in Overboard who can build us a boat.

An actor you have a crush on?
Cary Grant. I know, I know—he’s old & dead. But have you ever watched his old movies???

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I love the combination of mystery & romance in Castle.

What made you decide to be an author?
A writer is a reader first. My love of reading inspired me to write.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I write in many, but I weave romance into all of them.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
Bit of both.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
So many. Mary Higgins Clark wins for romantic suspense.

What is your all time favorite book?
How can I choose only one? Truly, this is impossible for me to answer.

What is your favorite quote from That Carrington Magic?

A plastic rubber-tipped arrow zinged past Jami’s left ear. She glanced up just as the arrow hit target. It stuck onto the forehead of a very handsome, very startled man, who halted mid-stride with his hand outstretched toward her.
So much for Cupid. Jami cringed. Toby-the-Terror had struck again.

How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release?
My characters demanded my attention at the most inconvenient times. Plus they said & did things of their own accord—not in the game plan, but always made for a better story.

Where do you get your ideas from?
Ideas come from everywhere—a fragment of overheard conversation, fragrance drifting on the breeze, a love song, sunset turning the ocean to liquid copper, a gossamer memory, inspiration is endless as the simple phrase “What if?”

How did you choose your title?
THAT CARRINGTON MAGIC was actually title number five—after playing with the others, this one felt right.

How do you cure writer’s block?
Outdoors in nature helps. Or closing my eyes to let my mind drift. Or switching to another project for awhile.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
No matter how much talent you possess or how great your story is--often the difference between published & unpublished is persistence.

What sacred advice have you been given by another writer?
A.C. Crispin once said that an author’s willingness to rewrite was worth more than gold.

Tell us about That Carrington Magic:

Single mom Jami Rhodes "wins" a romantic getaway with her ideal match. Only the contest is a publicity sham to launch her friend Sierra's Internet matchmaking service, CupidKey, and the "match" is Sierra's brother-in-law, Grant Carrington. Miffed for being railroaded, Jami drags along her mischievous little boy, Toby. As if Toby isn't enough trouble, Grant gets stuck with the infamous Carrington Cupid charm. A clash of wills ensues, proving love sometimes needs a bit of magic.

That Carrington Magic is the first book in the CupidKey series. Book Two: Wild West Cupid is coming this December, with a new target for Cupid's arrow.
Plus future CupidKey stories are on their way.

Thank you so much Karen for stopping in today.

Be sure to visit Soul Mate Publishing where you can pick up That Carrington Magic here!

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

Launch Day at Soul Mate Publishing!!!

2011-10-12T06:53:00.001-04:00

It’s Wednesday, and that’s means it’s time for Soul Mate Publishing’s launch party! Woot!!

So, grab those party hats, a glass of champagne (or whatever your favorite drink is), crank up the music, and kick up those heels (or shoes – sorry men!) because it’s a celebration!!

Before we get too carried away, raises your glasses for a toast to Deborah Gilbert, for without your awesome vision and all your hard work, this wouldn’t even be possible.

And let’s not forget eight great books debuting today!

Love's Guardian by Dawn Ireland

Prince Charming, Inc. by Jamie Brazil

Blood and Kisses by Karin Shah

Trust of the Heart by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

That Carrington Magic by Karen E. Rigley

Legacy of Olympus by Teri Gilbert

Hunted by Elle Hill

The Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick by Mandi Casey

Over the coming days, I will be having these women as guests on my blog.

SCHEDULE

Thursday Oct 13th: Karen E. Rigley
Friday Oct 14th: Elle Hill
Saturday Oct. 15th: Teri Gilbert
Sunday Oct. 16th: Mandi Casey
Monday Oct. 17th: Jamie Brazil
Tuesday Oct. 18th: Tracy Hewitt Meyer
Wednesday Oct. 19th: Karin Shah
Thursday Oct. 20th: Dawn Ireland

You definitely need to come back and check out these great author interviews.

And don’t forget to sign up below for the Blog Hop. You can hop to others’ blogs and they can hop on over to yours :)

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!

Pre Launch for Soul Mate Publishing

2011-10-06T00:01:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to announce that Soul Mate Publishing will be launching their site this coming Wednesday, October 12th!! So I am hosting a Launch Party right here on Wednesday. Bring your friends, pass the word along, and don't forget the __________ insert your favorite drink here!! Along with SMP's site launch are eight new releases from eight great authors. Be sure to visit Soul Mate Publishing for their debuts!

1) Love's Guardian by Dawn Ireland

2) Prince Charming, Inc. by Jamie Brazil

3) Blood and Kisses by Karin Shah

4) Trust of the Heart by Tracy Hewitt Meyer

5)That Carrington Magic by Karen E. Rigley

6) Legacy of Olympus by Teri Gilbert

7) Hunted by Elle Hill

8) The Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick by Mandi Casey

Please sign up below on the Blog Hop and don't forget to post it in your own blog to spread the word and meet some new bloggers :)

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders
Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge
Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing.

Insecure Writers Support Group

2011-10-05T07:34:00.004-04:00

It’s Wednesday which means it’s time for the Insecure Writers Support Group. The group blog postings are for us writers to support one another in our individual journeys. And if you’re like me, there are some insecurities.

With two of my books coming out in November and December, my insecurity is no one will like my stories. Maybe they’ll think my heroes and/or heroines are fake or flat. Or my descriptions aren’t enough or there is too much description. Or that the middle sags. Or the endings aren’t satisfying enough. I could go on and on.

And the closer I get to launch times, the grayer my hair turns. I swear! Where’s the hair dye?? Lol. Seriously, I’m so very nervous.

What scares me even more? My family and friends reading my books. 1) They’ll hate my writing. 2) The two sex scenes in The Swan Cove Murders are a little graphic  My mom already said she wants a copy. She probably won’t read it. She’s not much of a reader. But, she’ll hold on to it forever. It would be a little awkward if she did read it, but not as bad as one of my sisters or nieces reading it. I’m sure after the first couple books, this will pass.

So, I guess the only thing I can do is hope for the best and believe in my ability and my writing.

Oh, and one more GREAT piece of news: Soul Mate Publishing sets to launch Next Wednesday, October 12th. Yay!! I'm excited! I will be having a launch party for them here on the same day. Please spread the news as everyone is invited to the party! I will post a blog hop this Sunday for everyone to sign up.

Hop along to others' blogs and lend a bit of support.

My Cover Models

2011-10-02T13:10:00.000-04:00

It was so awesome this week to find out who the models were on my The Swan Cove Murders book cover. Thank you B.J. Scott, one of my author friends over at Soul Mate Publishing.

They are Jimmy Thomas (I am his 1900th!!!!) and Ashalee Vita. You can find them both on Facebook here:

Jimmy Thomas

Ashalee Vita

They are both wicked nice and down to earth people. Thank you both for adding my book cover to your sites :)

Don't forget about The Insecure Writers Group this coming Wednesday over at Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog. And he's also helping host Pay It Forward on October 14, 2011. It's a great way to meet more fellow bloggers!! The idea is to post a description and a link to three blogs that you enjoy and you know others would too! Go check it out and sign up!!

Anything cool going on that I may have missed? Let me know!!

Happy Wednesday!! Magical Powers

2011-09-28T14:45:00.000-04:00

The week is halfway through. I wish it was Friday already, but I have no magical powers, lol. Some days I could really use those powers.

Like wiggle my nose like in 'Bewitched' and my house would be clean. My lawn would be mowed. My garbage would mysteriously disappear. My roses would become instantly weed-free and perfectly trimmed. My books suddenly rough drafted with only my thoughts. Okay that one would be a train wreck waiting to happen. The paper would look like a very bad puzzle put together horribly wrong.

But, then again, maybe it is a good thing I don't possess special powers. I'd have too much fun pranking people. Disappear and then suddenly reappear behind someone. Amongst other pranks.

What special powers do you wish you had?

Writing Perfection Syndrome

2011-09-25T09:41:00.000-04:00

That's me. I'll begin writing a scene. I have it pictured in my head where it plays out perfectly. But on paper, to me, it seems lacking the pizazz I had first pictured. I'll attempt to 'fix' it over and over again. but by the time I'm done, I believe I have ruined its essence I had started out with.

This is how I used to be. I've become better about the 'perfection' thing. I'd never heard of perfection syndrome. Too funny because when I typed in the title for this post, I thought, 'I wonder if there is a such thing.'

Lo and behold, there is. And thankfully I don't have it as bad as some do. I've somewhat disciplined byself. I've had to tell me it's okay if something isn't absolutely perfect. I'm able to participate in NaNo and allow myself to write freely without editing until the end. I still get a little frustrated, but I push myself forward. That's probably half the reason it had taken me so long to finish Secrets of Jenkins Bridge.

I still have a small problem with mistyping words and wanting to go back immediately to fix them. Even as I type up this post, the red underlines are driving me a little batty.

Anyone else have this problem?

Close Call

2011-09-21T06:30:00.024-04:00

My grandson-to-be decided he wanted to attempt being born early a couple of nights ago. Scared the living daylights out of us all! But, after the frights, he is still baking away.

However, she is now termed Preterm Labor. She's 1 cm dilated and almost 75% effaced (basically her cervix is thinning out) and she's only 25 weeks. So, we are attempting to keep little Joshua right where he's at for now. Good news is Jessica hasn't had any more contractions (poor child's going to suffer-she had back labor pains). Bad news is her boyfriend and a roommate are both sick with bronchitis. She came home with me.

Sorry for the short post today, but my hands are full for the next couple of days.

Oh, and my editor offered me a contract for Secrets of Jenkins Bridge. :)

How is everyone's week going?

Curses and Negativity

2011-09-18T06:07:00.000-04:00

In my WIP I'm currently working on, my poor hero has been cursed. I'm pretty much torturing the man so he can see a world outside his short-sighted life. He fights me tooth and nail, but darn it, he's going to grow!

Anyhoo, I figured I'd post about curses. Not that I know anything, but what my beliefs are on them. The way I figure it is the psyche works in strange ways. If I believe that my life is doomed and I'm superimposed with strings of bad luck, then that negative thinking alone is enough to make that true. (I know someone like this and the person truly has the worse luck I've ever seen).

But, if I believe my life is full of love and joy and I'm satisfied where I'm at in life, then I'll have a joyous life. And if not, I can make some changes in what's not making me happy.

And, of course, there is prayer, and I must say it's pretty powerful. Hope and faith can be the very strength one needs.

I believe if the back luck person I know would just start believing his/her life could turn around and actually attempted to set out to do that, then he/she might be surprised by the outcome.

To me, this is generalized. There are people out there who no matter what they do, nothing seems to work out for them. Why? I wish I knew. I'd love to help everyone have a happy and loved life. Since I can't, I'll just continue to work on my hero and maybe in time, my readers will at least enjoy the adventure I've created with this story when it's done.

Have you ever known/heard of anyone being cursed?

It's Wednesday - If I could be anyone, I'd be...

2011-09-14T11:02:00.000-04:00

And kind of a yucky one. At least for my sinuses which are reeking havoc upon my poor head.

I'm blogging over at our new group blog, Soul Mate Publishing Author Group and would love for you to come visit me :)

It's Talli Roland's launch of Watching Willow Watts! Woot! Go over there and share with her If I could be anyone, I'd be....

If I could be anyone, I'd be...any one of the Charlie's Angels! Doesn't matter which one - They're all beautiful and kick some serious butt! They have all the right moves. Who wouldn't want to be one?

So, if you could be anyone, who would it be?

9/11 Tribute

2011-09-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

Like most Americans, I will never forget where I was and what I was doing when each plane struck the Twin Towers and the Pentagon along with those courageous men and women aboard Flight 93 overtook the hijackers. I had never been more proud of America is those coming days and months as we came together as one nation, under God, indivisible.

A wonderful friend passed along this poem to me. I'm dedicating it to the survivors of 9/11.

If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and hug you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things
I might miss some tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day is the same way,
There's no longing for the past. "

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there, in your heart.

Those Yucky Rs

2011-09-07T14:36:00.002-04:00

First, let me introduce The Insecure Writer's Support Group. It is held the first Wednesday of every month by Alex J. Cavanaugh so we writers can post our fears and doubts and also offer encouragement for one another.

Here's mine for this first Wednesday of September.

It didn't take me long to receive an R from Pink Petal Books, but it's alright. I figure I'll list the pros and cons to the rejection.

We'll start with the cons and get them out of the way:
1) It hurts regardless of the reason. I mean you can understand if they just don't have any more room or what-have-you, but when they just say 'Sorry, but we are going to pass on your submission' it still tears the insides up a bit.

2) I don't know about anyone else, but a rejection generally leads to a huge bowl of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream and sometimes a couple of margaritas. FATTENING!!!

Now with the pros:
1) It wasn't meant to be there, and there's a better home out there for my baby :)
2) The R is a way to prove I'm not doing this writing as a hobby.
3) Gives me more time to polish my synopsis (afraid I may totally destroy it though if I keep hacking at it!)
4) Perfect excuse for the ice cream and the margaritas :)

Onward and upward. I know I'll find Secrets of Jenkins Bridge a special home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Labor Day!!

2011-09-05T12:19:00.000-04:00

A day off?? Not here, lol. But, then again, I was lazy daisy yesterday. The rains coming in from tropical storm Lee has dampened any outdoors fun, so I will get some writing done.

I submitted Secrets of Jenkins Bridge this morning to Pink Petal Books (crossing my fingers they love it) and the wait begins. When I hit the send button, my stomach did flip flops!

Labor Day generally marks the end of 'summer fun' but here in the south, it's stays toasty warm for about another month (give or take) so we can at least enjoy the weekends swimming in the pool. I'm looking forward to autumn though as it's been so incredibly hot here. I'll enjoy morning coffee out on my front porch.

Are you looking forward to the Fall?

Another special blog- I'm sharing!

2011-09-02T16:47:00.000-04:00

In order for me to receive a COOL Blog on Fire Award, I have to answer these 10 questions. Thank you Paula Martin!

1. Are you a rutabaga?
Definitely not. A cross between a cabbage and a turnip? Short answer-Yuck! I didn’t even know what this was until I looked it up, lol. Part of my daily learning adventure.

2. Who is your current crush?

Ryan Reynolds. He’s just simply cute in the All-American Boy kind of way. My all time favorite is Sean Connery. He ages well…

3. Upload a heart-warming picture that makes you smile.

My son when he was three…the superhero king.

4. When was the last time you ate vine-ripened tomatoes?
Last week. These are the type I usually buy. I miss my mom’s garden of tomatoes with the salt shaker.

5. Name one habit that causes people to plot your demise.
I have no control over it, but it has to be my snoring. Apparently I’m REAL loud. It’s a good way to know when I’m in a very deep sleep. No amount of shaking or screaming wakes me up in this state.

6. What’s the weirdest, most disgusting job you’ve ever had to do?
I don’t know about weird, but the most disgusting would have been cleaning toilets at a local clothing factory. That wasn’t a very pretty sight to say the least.

7. Where da muffin top at?
If we’re talking my side rolls (lol) yeah I try very hard not to let da muffing top show! If we’re talking regular edible muffins, I’m fixing to make me some chocolate chip ones :)

8. Which author introduced you to your genre?
It all began with Rita Herron and B.J. Daniels (Harlequin Intrigue). I love my suspense, but have since added some paranormal into mine because I like the strange and unusual.

9. Describe yourself using obscure Latin words.
Fun pio-potissimum vicus - Fun loving most of the time.

10. Who else deserves this award?
I don’t like narrowing my choices down to just one, so here’s the deal. If you post your own answers on your blog (let me know you did) and answer this one question in the comments below, you will be awarded with the Blog on Fire award: What is your all time favorite book and why?

Psychic Abilities

2011-08-31T07:34:00.098-04:00

When I was researching psychic abilities for The Swan Cove Murders, I didn't realize how many different abilities there were. I know of the majority of them. I just didn't think of them all collectively. That's what I love about research-I learn something new every time.

Animal Telepathy-"pet psychic"
Aura Reading-the ability to see one's energy surrounding a person. This one I never knew about. Could make for an interesting new book!
Astral Projection-out of body experiences. Another good one for a book.

Automatic Writing-writing through the guidance of an outside intelligence or through the subconscious mind. This is my heroine's ability, but she calls it Spirit Writing.
Channeling-using oneself as a vessel for an outside intelligence.
Clairaudience-the ability of hearing what is inaudible. Like if you were in Paris and you could hear your sibling in New York cry out in pain. Another one that would make a great idea.
Clairvoyance-the ability to see visions of something hidden or far away.
Clairsentience-the insight of knowing a hidden or forgotten fact.
Dowsing-also called water witching, it uses rods or sticks and a pendulum to locate water or a missing object.

ESP-the awareness of information about events external to the psychic that are not gained through the senses and not deducible from previous experience.
Intuition-the power of attaining direct knowledge without interference or rational thought.
Levitation-ability to cause one's body to hover off the ground.
Precognition- the ability to know a general semblence of the future, sometimes with some detail.
psychometry-ability to pick up psychic vibrations on an object left by a person who had handled it.
Telekinesis-ability to move objects with one's mind.
Telepathy-ability to read one's mind.

Lots of ideas come to mind as I go over the list. I know intuition can be pretty strong...as in mother's intuition. I usually have a sinking feeling, almost like being sick to your stomach, whenever something is off with one of my children.

And I've heard of twins being in-tune with one another.

I've met a psychic once who blew my mind. She was doing palm readings at a fair. She told me things there was no possible way she could have known. Things about my ex husband, things involving my son...it amazed me. So, I do believe there are people who have the sensitivity to certain abilities. I also know there are people out there taking advantage of other people.

Do you know anyone with any of these abilities? Had a good or bad experience? Know of any ability I didn't list? (I love to learn new things ;) )

Time flies!!

2011-08-25T08:01:00.002-04:00

Wow! This week has gotten away from me so quick. I meant to post yesterday, but had so much going on.

First, thank you Deirdra for The Brilliant Writer Award. It is much appreciated :)

Next, The Swan Cove Murders has a tentative release date of November. Yay!!

Savvy Authors' Summer Symposium 2011 has kicked off and I think I may have overwhelmed myself. I signed up for nearly every workshop (at least 3/4 of them). Now I have to figure out how I'm going to keep up. But I just couldn't resist. There are many great workshops and chats. Honestly, who could resist??

So, how has everyone's week been?

The Swan Cove Murders Cover Art

2011-08-19T11:15:00.000-04:00

I think an added blog post this week was called for when my editor sent over the cover art for The Swan Cove Murders. (we changed the title)

I'm so excited!! As soon as I have a release date, I will post it :)

Savvy Authors Summer Symposium

2011-08-17T07:11:00.000-04:00

It's my favorite time of year. From August 24th-28th, Savvy Authors will be hosting their awesome Summer Symposium. This online conference is packed with lots of great workshops from character and plot to writing sex scenes to tips on getting published. And the chats are so informative and fun. Both allow great interaction and feedback from writers and authors alike!

It does cost $30 for basic members for the five days. BUT, if you take that same $30 and buy yourself the premium membership, presto! You not only have access to the Summer Symposium, but now you have a full year membership. Makes more sense this way. They have so much to offer. And really, the only way to find out is to go here: If you're looking for the Summer Symposium, click on contests/events at the top of the page, then click special events and the Symposium is first on the list. When you click on this, simply scroll down to see the line up of activities taking place. It's a lot.

I truly love this site. I've learned so much in such a short time and I've met some amazing writers and authors here.

Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

2011-08-14T14:18:00.000-04:00

Since being offered a contract last week for my novella, I've been on cloud nine and doing the happy dance all over the place (I'm sure my family is sick of me by now, lol). But, today I have finally returned to Earth.

Today, I have decided that after four years in the making, Secrets of Jenkins Bridge deserves its spot. And with a couple of huge contests coming up, I need to get my bum in gear! I've been fine tuning and polishing it one last time. This is my baby. I know...each one is my baby, but this one is my first born and it's high time to let go. And, of course, that means torturing myself through another synopsis. UGH! But, I think this one will be less painful. I know my hero and heroine inside and out, their dreams, their goals, their tragic past, their wonderful future with one another.

Lol, I could go on and on, but I need to get back to work. Hope everyone's weekend has been awesome!

Ups and Downs

2011-08-10T06:08:00.003-04:00

Let's dispense with the 'downs' first. Lots of hurtful personal issues arising in my marriage. And my mom, whose my absolute best friend, is not doing so well. I am very lucky I've had her for all these years (she's 83) but no one is prepared for the downhill fall. At the very least, it seems to be the beginnings of dementia, quite possibly Alzheimer's. And it's bothering me to be so far away from her at the moment. I'm not going to kid myself that it's temporary. If you knew my mom, she's a spitfire full of energy (hell she just quit working one month ago!). It's hard to hear her this way.

Now, with the 'ups'. I have been offered a contract from one pub for The Doves Cove Murders. I had to read the email over and over again! I was in shock at first not knowing how to react. Then, my brain finally kicked in and I was doing the happy dance, lol. I'm still excited!

So the emotional roller coaster has just begun on both ends of the spectrum. I'm ready for a complete new journey in my life. :) After all, I am my mother's daughter and we know how to survive turbulence.

Twitter

2011-08-03T13:31:00.003-04:00

After much debate (and of course the dragging of my feet), I have finally jumped on the Twitter bandwagon. Now, I have to figure out how it works.

I get it's kind of like Facebook. Kind of.

But, what's up with the # symbol? Is that like Twitter's way of links or what? Lol, I'm just confused.

Anyone have any suggestions or advice as far as Twitter goes?

Synopsis Hell

2011-07-26T07:12:00.002-04:00

A Break

2011-07-14T15:54:00.002-04:00

With all the crazy editing I've been doing, I've decided I needed a much deserved 30 minute break. So, I went on over to Facebook and cracked up. My awesome cousin sent me to a link and read a blog making me nearly keel over. Here is the link:

http://thebloggess.com/2011/06/and-thats-why-you-should-learn-to-pick-your-battles/

It makes me want to go out and do something along the same line. I couldn't help but to share this with you all as I'm sure you're in need of a quick break and a laugh.
Thanks Laura for sharing with me.

Enjoy ;)

Bundle of Nerves

2011-07-07T10:17:00.002-04:00

Savvy Authors are kicking off pitches today, and I am a bundle of nerves. I'm finding that I'm questioning my three line pitch constantly. I didn't get enough sleep last night. I'm a complete mess and the pitches go on for the rest of the month. *Sigh*

Now I see what my fellow writers are talking about. The frustration. The second guessing. The comparing of yours to others. By the end of this, I may just need a straight jacket, lol.

Seriously, I believe this is going to be a fun ride. Stressful, but fun. If I didn't have any stress, I'd be bored :)

My head is held high knowing I've done my absolute best. A special thanks to two of my twinkies, Mel and Ally, who helped me brainstorm my pitch. You girls are simply awesome.

Here goes! Wish me luck.

Editing Craziness

2011-07-01T12:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was the last day for the June Revision Hell. And am I done?

Nope.

I am up to Chapter Six. I don't want to rush through this as I want it to be good.

And after all, pitching doesn't begin until July 7th. So that should give me a little more time. The editing is moving faster now that I'm done struggling through the first two chapters. Four more to go, give or take. I'm considering making my chapters a bit shorter on the page count.

Anyone else pitching this month over at Savvy Authors? If you're interested, here is the link: http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/showevent.php?eventid=1029

Have a great and safe 4th of July! And remember to think of our troops at home and overseas :)

4 more days to go :)

2011-06-26T10:56:00.002-04:00

Countdown to the last day of June Revision Hell. I have 4 more days until the end and I'm only on chapter three. However, I do expect it to go much smoother as I've revamped chapters one and two. But I do have an unruly ghost in my WIP! Let's just say he keeps things busy, lol.

The first pitch isn't until July 7th, so that'll give me 7 extra days (thankfully cause I'll need it!)

Other than that, it's been the same old stuff. Busy, busy, busy!!

How is everyone doing???

Free Book Giveaway At Carina Press!!!

2011-06-19T13:26:00.000-04:00

It’s FREE BOOK WEEK at Carina Press!!!
Every weekday, all week, Carina is offering a spectacular title for free download. And when they say free, they mean ACTUALLY free. Not “sorta free”, or “free with a $50 purchase” free, but actually, totally, no strings attached FREE! So, get thee to Carina press to download a free book every day! Here are the books being offered, and the links and promo codes for your free download:

Monday’s FREE BOOK is:
The Debutante’s Dilemma by Elyse Mady
Just type in the promo code DEBUTANTEFREE at checkout
(insert the following link: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=50C0978A-DAC7-44E7-B627-C26A520471C0

Tuesday’s FREE BOOK is:
Demon’s Fall by Karalynn Lee
Just type in the promo code DEMONFREE at checkout
(insert following link: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=1E5A3A07-9BC7-4449-9B8F-377C21E2F664

Wednesday’s FREE BOOK is:
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Just type in the promo code TWISTEDFREE at checkout
(insert following link: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=D79D7CD6-1BAA-4D2E-AE65-FF0E42F79BE7

Thursday’s FREE BOOK is:
Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley
Just type in the promo code GALAXYFREE at checkout
(insert following link: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=827CC21D-6F33-437A-977B-B0F291B70367

Friday’s FREE BOOK is:
Friendly Fire by Megan Hart
Just type in the promo code FRIENDLYFREE at checkout
(insert the following link: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/ContentDetails.htm?ID=E1466469-DB0C-404F-A0AA-3491BB9E9B14

It's finally done!!!!

2011-06-05T13:32:00.002-04:00

My bare bones first draft of Spirit Writer (will have to come up with a better title) is finally finished! I'm so proud of myself right now. I love my story and my characters.

Now comes the June Revision Hell in which I am participating in over at Savvy Authors. Time to tear it apart and fill it in more and make it SHINE. July will be when I get my chance to pitch it over at Savvy. So, I have roughly 25 days to finish. I think I may like this part the most.

Back to work. Just wanted to share this with everyone :) Have a great Sunday.

That last chapter

2011-06-02T17:26:00.002-04:00

For me, writing that last chapter is the hardest of them all. I have to make sure all loose ends are tied up, and then, of course, there's the black moment and the HEA. Both have to be slam dunks. And I make it a bit worse on myself when I put the restraints on editing. As a matter of fact, during May Bootcamp, you couldn't go back and edit because the point was to complete a WIP in 30 days.

Back to the ending. That last pesky chapter and the characters are screaming at me to finish up already while I'm trying to ensure there's the big BANG! Yup, I'm frustrated with mine at the moment. I have the whole action climax set(my heroine is tied up and has passed out-the villain has turned on the gas. My hero is on his way to rescue her, of course, before the both of them are blown to smithereens) But, here's my problem. I need their black moment after this. Which I'm sure I'll get it sooner or later. I just prefer sooner!

How about you? Do you get frustrated with that last chapter or does it come fairly easy to you (Lucky you!)

Creating Story Ideas

2011-05-28T06:13:00.002-04:00

I'm amazed at how simple ideas pop into my head at any given time. While driving, while on the treadmill, while sleeping, and while watching TV.

Friday evening my husband and I were watching Pawn Stars. I love this show as people bring in the most amazing items to sell to the guys. And, of course being the writer I am, every item has a story whether real or imagined in my fascinating brain. I think I drive my husband a little nutty with my notebook in hand, furiously scribbling while watching the show. He has yet to ask what I'm doing. I'll write down a story idea for each item I think has that perfect story behind it.

So, I thought it would be fun (and a little brain stretching) to list three objects where everyone can pick one and create a story idea. I'll begin.

Here are the three objects to choose from:

1. 1880 $2 Gold Canadian coin

2. 1789 Acts of Congress Book

3. 1986 Apple Computer

I'm picking the 1880 $2 gold coin which my hero has won in a hand of poker. He's never won anything before in his life and he thinks it will bring him luck. Which it does-he wins various material items and money, BUT what he soon realizes is it's also a curse! Complete involuntary celibacy! His playboy ways seem to be ending. Until he remembers the enchanting witch by the oceanside he'd met a couple of days before the poker game. He goes to her hoping she can make heads or tails from his problem.

My enchanted heroine has known this playboy for some time now, watching him break girls hearts wherever he goes, including a close friend. She had to teach him a lesson. She found where he frequented the most and realized he enjoyed a hand of poker every now and again. She'd turned herself into 'one of the guys' long enough to ensure he would win the gold coin she'd put the curse on. But, of course as he comes to ask for her help, she realizes his charm is hard to resist. She doesn't want her heart broken so she leaves the curse in place hoping he'll end his old ways and maybe settle for one woman....her.

Have fun and stretch your brain some. If you feel uncomfortable, you don't need to post yours if you don't want to.

I may do this every Saturday. Let me know your opinion.

Changes Abound

2011-05-25T20:35:00.002-04:00

Yup, that's right. My life is going through some little changes and making it all challenging. I had already mentioned it all in the last blog post. So, here's some updating.

Apparently, the doctors can't come to a definitive due date as they keep changing it. Now, it's Dec. 28th. But, since that was with an ultrasound, maybe that will be the date. As you can see, I posted the pic of him/her. My son says it looks like a gummy bear. I'm inclined to agree.

I've put in my notice at the full time job. My last day is Friday. Hopefully, the motorcycle shop will turn around.

I did manage to write 1985 words this past weekend. Today I got in 684 words. I'm at Chapter Six and am getting into the story. I have to force myself not to do any editing until June. That's so hard for me. So, I plow forward full steam ahead and hopefully I can get this book finished in the next 6 days. That'll be an all weekend project and hopefully I can pull it off with Memorial Day and all.

In case I don't post again on Sunday, Happy Memorial Day everyone. I'm going to see Joe Nichols at Freedom Weekend Aloft in town this Saturday night :)

A Little Procrastination-Alot of Life

2011-05-21T13:32:00.002-04:00

I had every intention of keeping up with the twice a week blog posts after the Blog Challenge. Then, life happened.

Let me say I am still working toward my goal of writing twice a week-Wednesdays and Sundays. So, why am I posting today? Because I need to devote a huge amount of time tomorrow toward my writing.

First, I found out that my daughter will be having a bundle of joy (and future payback for her of course-this would make a very long blog post in itself) around December 31st. Maybe with any luck, he/she will be born on New Year's Day.

Second, I've been working a full time job, waking up at 5am and after work, I go down to the motorcycle shop to deal with it for a bit most days. And I spend half of Saturday there usually. If I'm not down there, then it's the house cleaning, running after children or for them. By the time I'm done at 7:30 pm, I can't usually write being too tired. To fix this problem, I guess I'm giving my notice at the full time job (also because who we hired as manager at the shop isn't doing his job at all), return to the shop and at least there, I have a better chance at writing. (No more 5 am for me).

Third, there shouldn't be any excuses why I haven't been able to just say, "I need my own time." and be able to do that.

Since my last post, I haven't written a whole lot, so I'm attempting to devote pretty much the whole weekend to writing (of course, as much as my family will allow.)

Wish me luck!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-07T13:50:00.003-04:00

I have decided to post twice a week in order to keep up on everything and not bore the heck out of you. It'll be Sundays and Wednesdays. Seeing as how tomorrow is Mother's Day, I'm posting today.

First thing-Happy Mother's Day to all my fellow Moms. My mother is 83 years old and one strong kick-ass mother. She's still working part time-she simply amazes me. She has nine of us rugrats, 22 grandkids, 10 great-grandkids, and ALL of the inlaws too. We have a pretty large family and she is most definitely the cornerstone of it. She's my best friend and my rock. And I'm sure with all of the experiences she's had to endure from us 9, nothing shocks her and she has probably lived through it all.

Second-my word count for the week over at May Bootcamp sorely lacked greatness. I'll be plugging away this weekend to get my numbers up. But the story is forming nicely and I'm enjoying writing it. Will give you all the story blurb by next Sunday.

Lastly, I'm enjoying the blog hop. I'm meeting more great people and some awesome blog sites. If I don't get to every one that I've begun following, I will attempt to at least once a week.

Have a great Mother's Day!!!

Day Three

2011-05-03T20:16:00.002-04:00

Today wasn't any better. Lol. Got to find a way to balance the work and the writing.
So, tomorrow's plan is to write some at lunch and some after work. That may bring the total up some.

Today's total: 490. I know that it's better than not writing at all. My H/h don't seem to want to participate and get along with me today. Will 'whip' them into shape!! Wish me luck.

Day Two: May Bootcamp

2011-05-02T19:53:00.002-04:00

I must say Day One was easier as it was Sunday, and I didn't have to work. I manage 1614 words. As for today, I worked, so the most I managed was 764 words. Whew. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow.

Until then....

The A-Z Blogging Challenge Reflections Post

2011-05-01T10:10:00.005-04:00

Wow, what a month! I have successfully completed the A-Z Blogging Challenge and am very proud of myself and everyone else who also completed it! Yay us!!!

It has been such a great opportunity for me to have been involved in the Blogging Challenge. Thank you goes out to the people who made the challenge possible:

Arlee Bird Tossing It Out
Alex J. Cavanaugh Alex J. Cavanaugh
Candace Ganger The Misadventures in Candyland
Jeffrey Beesler Word of the Scribe
Jen Daiker Unedited
Talli Roland Talli Roland
Karen J. Gowen Coming Down the Mountain
Stephen Tremp Breakthrough Blogs

I've discovered lots of blogs and have met some wonderful people from all around the world.

The biggest change in myself involving my blog is consistency. I'm more disciplined in posting daily. I've also learned how to narrow down on a topic quickly and stay focused on my goal for the blog post.

Was there anything I didn't like about the challenge? Well. not really. Finding the time was a bit tricky at first, but I discovered how to post ahead and schedule those posts. It made my life much easier.

What did you learn from the challenge? The best thing about it? The worst? And will you do it again next year?

Day One of Savvy Authors Bootcamp

2011-05-01T09:09:00.003-04:00

I love challenges. They keep me motivated and encourage serious creativity. So, I'm jumping right in again one day after the A-Z challenge ending. This month's challenge is writing a first draft of a novel in 30 days. The minimum word count is 2000 words per day, so I'd write 60,000 words, a full novel, in 30 days. Since I'm writing a novella, I'll be done much sooner and will be able to apply the rest of the month's count toward another novella, Boneknapper, and quite possibly finish it up.

In June, it's a month's worth of revisions! Whew! But, with my fingers crossed (maybe I should throw a little salt over my shoulder), I should by all accounts have TWO novellas done. Providing something crazy doesn't go on in my life :( I'm warding off all bad mojo for the next two months!!!

I'm very excited to start the challenge-no procrastination I tell myself. Now, I'll begin.......

PS I'll keep up posting daily here.

Z=Zone

2011-04-30T08:03:00.001-04:00

The writing zone of course! I generally have a hard time getting into the writing zone. It'll take me at least a good 10 minutes to truly fall into it. How do I make it happen? Either I'll doodle next to my notes as I read them over and over (it'll click) or I'll play the What If game with the next scene (even if I have the scene preplanned) or I'll just start typing crazy nonsense until that scene starts to take shape. In the event none of these work, I jump on my treadmill or do some cleaning and vaguely think about the upcoming scene. This usually works when all else fails.

Staying in the Zone comes easy for me once I'm there. I usually have to force myself to stop, otherwise I'd go all night!

What helps get you in 'The Zone"?

And a quick Congrats to all of us who participated in the A-Z Challenge! It was fun and glad to have met such awesome peeps!!!

Y=Yummy

2011-04-29T07:55:00.000-04:00

As in yummy treats! These should make your mouth water!!

X=X names for boys and girls

2011-04-28T07:28:00.000-04:00

I had a hard time coming up with one for the letter X. Yup, could have gone with X rays. That would have been way too simple. This one is pretty simple too, but more original :)

Boys:
Xander (man's defender)
Xanthus (golden haired)
Xavier (bright, splendid)
Xenos (hospitality)
Ximenes (listening intently)

Girls:
Xandra (variant of Alexandra)
Xenia (quest, stranger)
Xanthe (yellow, blonde)
Xylia (woodland)

There are more, but I thought these were the best out of the bunch.

Weaknesses and Waterfalls

2011-04-27T07:02:00.002-04:00

I'll start with the waterfalls as this one is quite simple. I love them ;) Here's a pic. I can just picture my house right here. Life would be tranquil!

On to weaknesses. Mine in particular when it comes to writing.
1) I'm a huge procrastinator. Some of the time, I'm just so tired from working all day, then coming home and making supper, cleaning, dealing with the motorcycle shop that all I want to do is crash! Other times, I find stupid reasons for putting it off. I'm getting better about it though.

2) When I'm in the beginning stages of sketching a story out, I forget to play the "What If" game and have severe tunnel vision. I forget this is fiction and some things don't have to be conformed to exact reality. Once the game begins, however, the tunnel vision is gone and my mind is wide open!

3) This is probably my absolute worse weakness. I over edit. Yup, I keep cutting and changing my mind until the essence of my story is transformed. Thankfully, I learned this lesson early- the first WIP-and I catch myself quick enough to not totally screw up my story!

Truth time! What are your weaknesses?