Thank you for letting me visit to chat about my two new releases. As an author, I always strive to create something new for readers and to challenge myself as well. I hope that readers will definitely think I’m bringing something different with my two new novellas.
I have to confess that it was a challenge to create a romantic arc in so few pages. It was also tough to create a mystery plot in GHOST OF A CHANCE and a new shifter mythology in THE SHIFTER’S KISS in shorter works.
I set GHOST OF A CHANCE along the Jersey Shore and wrote a story where the mystery revolved around a murder/suicide that had happened during Prohibition. It was fun doing the research and working in facts about what happened along the Jersey Shore during those years. It was also a lot of fun to add not only the ghostly element to them, but the romance between true crime writer Tracy Gomez and sexy Peter, the lawyer who has put together the crew he hopes can solve the mystery.
To read an excerpt from GHOST OF A CHANCE, you can visit
http://www.scribd.com/doc/124143411/ghost-of-a-chance-paranormal-mystery-e-novella
For THE SHIFTER’S KISS, I went for a totally different feel for the novella by choosing the San Blas Islands. The indigenous people there believe in shark gods who protect their islands and I used that to create a mythology about Nali, a shark-shifting goddess who is the last of her kind.
It became a very emotional story for me as I imagined how lonely Nali would be as the last one of her kind. It also upped the kind of sacrifice she would have to make to find and keep the man she came to love. It was a challenge working in the romance arc with the erotic story elements, but for me the romance has to be there otherwise the sexiness falls flat.
To read an excerpt from THE SHIFTER’S KISS, you can visit http://www.scribd.com/doc/126375941/THE-SHIFTER-S-KISS-Erotic-Paranormal-Romance-Novella
BIO:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and RITA® Finalist Caridad Pineiro wrote her first novel in the fifth grade when her teacher assigned a project – to write a book for a class lending library. Bitten by the writing bug, Caridad continued with her passion for the written word and in 1999, Caridad’s first novel was released. Over a decade later, Caridad is the author of nearly 40 published novels and novellas. When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife, and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista. For more information, please visit www.caridad.com.
I hope you will enjoy reading the stories as much as I enjoyed writing them! Thank you, for letting me visit!
Romance Books '4' Us
ROMANCE AUTHORS TALK ABOUT THEIR BOOKS AND WRITING LIFE. GUEST BLOGGERS WILL ALSO JOIN US SO KEEP CHECKING OUR BLOG!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Parade Inside !
Here's two covers from my Passionate Pursuit series. And a blurb from Dangerous Pursuit. No. five in the series, Daunting Pursuit is being edited so I'm delighted with that. And here are some words of wisdom from a world famous artist. I love this thought.
Words of wisdom indeed.
Joan Miro, one of the most celebrated artists in the modern
world, had this marvelous sentiment on his 85th birthday. In an
interview with the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, he urged reporters not be deceived by his demeanor.
Deprecating his fame, he said, “I live like a normal
citizen. But there is a Catalan saying that the parade marches inside you. What
happens is inside.”
The world knows that what happened inside him produced a
lifetime of sometimes amusing, sometimes thoughtful, but always powerful
abstract paintings that changed the world’s view of modern art.
So what’s going on inside you? It doesn’t have to be
earthshaking, but it IS important. Like a pebble dropped in a pond, the
widening circles of your action might astonish you if you could only know. My
personal philosophy is that every one you pass by can be affected by a smile on
your face. So I’m a Pollyanna! I like being one.
Naturally I have to include an excerpt from my latest
release, Dangerous Pursuit. From the Passionate Pursuit series of eight books
from Ellora’s Cave. This is mild erotica.
“Nicki looked
at the handsome face slowly descending to hers and knew she should run. Once
she let him kiss her, she sensed she’d never escape. Not until he wanted her to
go. Ordinarily that thought would have had her scooting out of his reach,
trying to protect herself from the heartbreak that would come from loving Vale.
Every woman who saw him wanted him. Why should he stay constant to one?
But his eyes
were heavy with desire, and she’d never seen anything like their narrow-minded
intent. Such beautiful eyes. He was about to kiss her with the passion she’d
always longed for, and never expected to find.
She’d fought
off groping hands as many nurses had, and she never let herself be alone with
Pringly. He’d tried to take her to dinner in spite of the stricture against
hospital staff dating. He’d tried to corner her in the hall, in the clean-up
room after an operation, even in some of the patient’s private rooms. Always
the ones who were too sick to be believed if they reported such an unlikely
thing as a doctor raping a nurse. Finally, fearing for her virginity, she’d
left the hospital. Although she liked nursing, she didn’t think she’d go back to
it as a profession. Genealogy was fascinating, and a much safer occupation for
a young woman.
Now she’d found
the one man for her, even though her mind told her it was temporary. Vale would
be hers only for a brief time, but perhaps she should taste love while she had
the chance. Surely she’d never match the intensity of her feelings for Vale
with any other man.
Her lips felt
hot, her body throbbed in a manner that surely was indecent, but she couldn’t
possibly turn her face away from his. Her lower body in particular pulsated as
she felt his lower body pressing against hers.
More than anything else she wanted his kiss. His kiss that she knew
would open a new world for her. And she craved whatever else he chose to show
her. Anything he wanted she wanted. He’d leave her eventually, she realized
that, although she strove to smother the thought. Perhaps she could somehow
learn to be such a passionate lover he would stay with her for a glorious
while.
She never
thought she’d allowed herself to be so passive. But he’d become irresistible.
His fantastic and alluring looks, his eyes that bored into her very soul and
made her feel she was the most desirable woman in the world. Even the way he
moved. Like some jungle creature sure of his power and narrowing in on his prey.
But his manner did not seem that of an overbearing and arrogant male animal.
She thought him above resorting to domination. Never ruthless. He seemed as
anxious to please her as she was to please him.
She was
completely confused but she no longer cared.”
Available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And
of course my website, www.jeanhartstewart.com
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Guest Blog: Kim McNiel: I'm a "Pantser"!
Panster! I realize that I am a complete panster and it’s just something I have to accept.
I’ve tried several times to plan out my writing, made an outline and everything, only to have my characters not cooperate. My muse can be quite difficult sometimes and very determined. Even if I have something lined out sitting next to me, when I begin typing my brain and fingers deviate from any plans I have. Over time I finally dismissed even making an outline, it never works for me.
As I begin typing, the story tells itself. It kind of surprised me because normally during the other things in my life, I seem to have things somewhat planned and organized, but not when it comes to writing.
That is completely a fly by the seat of my pants, but it works for me.
BIO:
Kim McNiel is a good ole' country girl at heart. She was born and raised in a small Texas town called Spring. As the mother of three, she spent most of her adult life dedicated to raising her family. With her children almost grown, she decided to fulfill her dream of writing. Her best friend, told her "pen to paper sweetie, never give up, and never let anyone tell you that you CAN'T--" she heeded his advice and didn't. She writes contemporary and steamy romance and several memoir pieces on the back burner.
BLURB:
Caleb loves the ladies and can't keep his ego in his pants. With a new set of legs to wrap around him every two nights, he never thinks about what he'd do if Sarah caught him - until she does.
he repercussions are cataclysmic, giving him a second chance at life. Who is Caleb really? The ego or the man he professes to be? This playa plays to win.
SYNOPSIS:
Living a double life, Caleb is a hard-working and self-assured man, who doubles as an arrogant, cocky and womanizing prick. With his choices of women on a layaway plan, he’s never lonely.
Caleb believes he’s nailed the market on being the ultimate playa and never wonders what the consequences could be if Sarah, his live in, ever found out…until she does. When Sarah turns his life upside down, Caleb loses it and catastrophe follows not far behind.
When his world gets flipped right size up, he begins to realize the things that are really important to him. Although Caleb makes some ultimate sacrifices to save his pride, ego and relationship with Sarah, he still hides one very important secret.
FB author Page
Amazon
Amazon UK
Amazon author Page
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17315790-caleb
Goodreads author Page
Google + : https://plus.google.com/106521405824328559113/posts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimMcNielauthor
I’ve tried several times to plan out my writing, made an outline and everything, only to have my characters not cooperate. My muse can be quite difficult sometimes and very determined. Even if I have something lined out sitting next to me, when I begin typing my brain and fingers deviate from any plans I have. Over time I finally dismissed even making an outline, it never works for me.
As I begin typing, the story tells itself. It kind of surprised me because normally during the other things in my life, I seem to have things somewhat planned and organized, but not when it comes to writing.
That is completely a fly by the seat of my pants, but it works for me.
BIO:
Kim McNiel is a good ole' country girl at heart. She was born and raised in a small Texas town called Spring. As the mother of three, she spent most of her adult life dedicated to raising her family. With her children almost grown, she decided to fulfill her dream of writing. Her best friend, told her "pen to paper sweetie, never give up, and never let anyone tell you that you CAN'T--" she heeded his advice and didn't. She writes contemporary and steamy romance and several memoir pieces on the back burner.
BLURB:
Caleb loves the ladies and can't keep his ego in his pants. With a new set of legs to wrap around him every two nights, he never thinks about what he'd do if Sarah caught him - until she does.
he repercussions are cataclysmic, giving him a second chance at life. Who is Caleb really? The ego or the man he professes to be? This playa plays to win.
SYNOPSIS:
Living a double life, Caleb is a hard-working and self-assured man, who doubles as an arrogant, cocky and womanizing prick. With his choices of women on a layaway plan, he’s never lonely.
Caleb believes he’s nailed the market on being the ultimate playa and never wonders what the consequences could be if Sarah, his live in, ever found out…until she does. When Sarah turns his life upside down, Caleb loses it and catastrophe follows not far behind.
When his world gets flipped right size up, he begins to realize the things that are really important to him. Although Caleb makes some ultimate sacrifices to save his pride, ego and relationship with Sarah, he still hides one very important secret.
FB author Page
Amazon
Amazon UK
Amazon author Page
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17315790-caleb
Goodreads author Page
Google + : https://plus.google.com/106521405824328559113/posts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimMcNielauthor
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
I have moved my computer back into my own bedroom again...
It's wonderful to have my own space again...
Without having to share it with a young adult male whose guitar, amp, dirty clothes, and the scent of dirty socks permeates the room. Sigh. A few months ago, just before the holidays, my grandson asked if he could come home (this was his home from the day he came home from the hospital in his mom's arms until he chose to see what the world was like outside). He spent time living with his dad, his dad's brother, and then his dad again...and found that the only place he had felt safe and loved was the one he had so eagerly left at age 16.
Over the past four years, I had moved my office into the bedroom he vacated. But having him move back in made that a very messy and crowded room. He needed his privacy in the evenings, and I was used to being on my computer in the evenings. I cannot seem to write in the daytime. LOL! So, when he returned to my house and moved back in, he agreed to share the room with my computer. The problem is, he never really had privacy if I needed to use it.
He got a job, works hard, and comes home stinky and filthy, covered in sawdust and grime. When he comes home, I vacate the room, shut down my computer, and leave him to his peace and quiet...but that means I cannot go in and write when the urge to put something on the computer strikes.
So it's much better this way...and maybe I will actually find the desire to write again. Who knows?
Hugs!
Fran Lee
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
RWA Membership...to Renew or Not to Renew
For those who don't know what RWA is, it stands for Romance Writers of America. I've been a member since 1994...and find myself wondering if I want to remain a member.Which way should I go?
Can you publish without being a member? Yes.
Have I found them helpful in the past? Yes...but not the recent past.
Has any fan ever asked me if I'm a member at a book signing or anywhere else? No.
Their magazine is full of interesting articles...but I now have access to so many interesting articles on the Internet.
Their switch to forums/whatever they call the new system they use is somewhat confusing and annoying. I've dropped out of a group that used their system because I felt it was time consuming to "join" different themed forums/loops/whatever.
PAN. I'm a member. Got in before the decision to make it hard for ebook authors.
Twice (with two chapters), people were removed as members...without the other members knowing why. When I asked for answers, they went unanswered. When I asked for help with one chapter seriously depleted by their actions, I got no response.
The past five years, I've paid my dues, only because I'd miss my local chapter. I stopped going to the big RWA conferences after the shabby way epubs were treated in 2007 (?). While RWA is improving in it's attitude toward epubs (and I think that's due to the advent of Carina Press - a Harlequin imprint), there's still a long way to go.
I'm annoyed that RWA can't create a category for erotic romance. The reason given to me? They couldn't come up with a definition of erotic romance. Lame excuse, and pitiful.
The Golden Heart Contest is a great contest. The RITA...more of a popularity contest...makes it difficult for epubs to enter since most have ebooks done first, and print versions published later. It's a matter of timing, and this makes it hard for epubs to even think about entering the RITA.
So many things to consider. More in the minus column than in the plus column.
In the end, I'll probably join for another year...because of my local chapter...hoping for better treatment/acceptance of epubs.
These are just my opinions. What do you think?
Photo: Flickr: massdistraction photostream
Monday, May 13, 2013
Mother's Day Retrospective
I'll admit to enough hedonism that I enjoy milking Mother's Day for
all it's worth. I consider this a survival mechanism, since I live my
life surrounded by men. Of course, since most of them are 20-somethings,
my MD spoiling comes mainly from my husband, who made me breakfast in
bed, then steak for dinner. I got haphazard "Happy Mother's Day" tossed
in my general direction from the others, although the one who sometimes
lives here though he's not biologically related DID take a moment to
stand in front of me and say the words with sincerity. I thought that
was a really nice touch.
This year is my first Mother's Day as a grandmother, and that's a special milestone. Unfortunately, I haven't seen my granddaughter in a while, and I did miss her. With my mother gone for several years now, and my m-i-l living across the country, we no longer have to bounce from one house to another. That's bittersweet, and I spend more of the day reflecting now than I did as a younger mom.Watching Facebook during my day of leisure, I watched friends grieve the loss of their mothers, grandmothers, or even a child--a devastating holiday in that case. Some folks whose mothers were dysfunctional find the idea of celebrating awkward or worse. Other women felt slighted, as aunts, stepmoms, foster parents, teachers, counselors, and other people who go out of their way to care for children who aren't even theirs by birth. As on commenter said, "Being a mother is genetic. Being a MOM is entirely by choice." I was forcibly reminded that for all my flip, princess-like behavior, a lot of people had a tough time yesterday. To them, I want to send hugs, and these belated greetings:
While I was lucky enough to be born into a mostly-functional family (come on, no one's family is perfectly functional!), I'm also well aware of the concept of family by choice. (In fact the theme crops up in my books--a LOT) A lot of women were mentors to me along my life's journey, and I'm grateful for every one. That's the best thing about love--it doesn't worry about genetics, and there's always room for more.
This year is my first Mother's Day as a grandmother, and that's a special milestone. Unfortunately, I haven't seen my granddaughter in a while, and I did miss her. With my mother gone for several years now, and my m-i-l living across the country, we no longer have to bounce from one house to another. That's bittersweet, and I spend more of the day reflecting now than I did as a younger mom.Watching Facebook during my day of leisure, I watched friends grieve the loss of their mothers, grandmothers, or even a child--a devastating holiday in that case. Some folks whose mothers were dysfunctional find the idea of celebrating awkward or worse. Other women felt slighted, as aunts, stepmoms, foster parents, teachers, counselors, and other people who go out of their way to care for children who aren't even theirs by birth. As on commenter said, "Being a mother is genetic. Being a MOM is entirely by choice." I was forcibly reminded that for all my flip, princess-like behavior, a lot of people had a tough time yesterday. To them, I want to send hugs, and these belated greetings:
- If you've ever taught someone to read or ride a bike, or any other skill, Happy Mother's Day
- If you've ever held a crying child, your own or otherwise, Happy Mother's Day.
- If you've ever given a teenager advice that kept them from doing something stupid, Happy Mother's Day.
- If you're grieving a loss or never had a mother's love, Happy Mother's Day
- If you've ever held someone's hand while they waited for news, Happy Mother's Day.
- If you've ever sat up all night with someone sick or in tears, Happy Mother's Day.If you've ever given up your portion of a meal, dessert or snack so someone else could have it, Happy Mother's Day.
- If you've ever skipped buying something for yourself so you could buy one for someone else, Happy Mother's Day.
- If you've ever scolded while choking back tears, Happy Mother's Day.
- If you've ever loved so fiercely that you would do anything for someone, Happy Mother's Day.
While I was lucky enough to be born into a mostly-functional family (come on, no one's family is perfectly functional!), I'm also well aware of the concept of family by choice. (In fact the theme crops up in my books--a LOT) A lot of women were mentors to me along my life's journey, and I'm grateful for every one. That's the best thing about love--it doesn't worry about genetics, and there's always room for more.
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