Ups and Downs

This has been a week of ups and downs for me and my family. The lows include two close friends being diagnosed with cancers, my son (with whom we live) being laid off, and the death of our darling cat(we had her for 19 years). All rough patches. But there were high points too...The bookstore where I work held a book signing for me (and two other local authors) on Friday night. Though I had all three of my "print" books there, the focus was on my newest one, PRIME TIME, and I thought it went pretty well. During the signing, the local TV station came in and interviewed us and we made the 10:00 news. That was fun. My best friend and critique partner came over on Thursday and we spent several hours brainstorming and got problems worked out for both of us on our current works-in-progress.

That brainstorming session gave me the nudge (re: kick in the butt)to get focused. I was splitting my writing time between two stories, not into either one enough to really work on it much. According to my own logic, I was too concerned about my own issues to worry about a character's problems. And yes, I'm still worried, but I am also dealing, which I wasn't before.

My new story, a fantasy, is starting to shape up nicely. I've got the main characters named and fleshed out, the issues they're facing and when they're facing them charted out, and work done on secondary characters. I'm starting to love this book more and more with each day. The excitement of writing is back for me, plus, it's a bit cathartic. As I write my characters into - and out of - bad situations, I work through my own troubles. My characters are facing thing much worse than I'll ever face, and they're going to survive (at least, the two main ones will!) so I will too. Together, we'll all get through this. Like my characters in PRIME TIME, you can't hide from your problems, but have to face them. To find out more about PRIME TIME, or any of my other stories, click here. It will take you to my wordpress site where you can see both Vicky Burkholder, and Victoria Allen's stuff.

May you have a good day/week with more highs than lows.

Vicky/Victoria

Springtime

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. Not only do we have the "prettiness" returning to the land, but there's the air of love, of life, of newfound beginnings that comes with Springtime. An air of romance to come, or maybe romance rekindled.


There's also spring storms in my neck of the woods. Passionate unleashings of nature, that can have devastating effects, but also replenish what the grey of winter has made dormant. In this, the first week of Spring (maybe not officially according to calendar but according to my Claire Laws of Climate), we've already weathered hailstorms with golfball to tennisball size hail, and in a couple days we are preparing for another round of severe storms with possible tornados. Such is the life for those of us in Tornado Alley.


But there's another part of me that comes to life when Spring rolls around, and it's, of course, the horses. This is the first year in many that I will have a foal on the ground. And, as I've shared here before, my stallion passed so this coming foal is extra special to me. Little baby Arabians... who will grow up into the elegant beauties that inspire my heart.


A perfect combination to go with the release of Waiting For Yes, the steamy contemporary that was inspired by my coming foal's sire. Initially I was a bit disappointed it wouldn't see a winter release given the setting of the novel. But, in hindsight, I don't think I could ask for a better schedule. It all fits together so very appropriately... perhaps a little too appropriately.


In any case, Waiting For Yes, is now available for pre-order and in paperback through The Wild Rose Press. It's a story about courage, trust, fears and dreams. And I sincerely hope you will enjoy it.


Gabrielle Warrenton gave up everything to pursue her dream of a first-class Egyptian Arabian breeding farm. Her future lies in her new stallion’s success. Though she possesses an exceptional eye for horseflesh, she lacks the training knowledge, and Bahadur Mamoon has a date with the nation’s most affluent show in three weeks. Nothing that would present a problem given his previous credentials. Only, the sellers disguised one critical fact—he’s crazy.


Jake Lindsey-Sullivan was once part of an exceptional Arabian training team. Under his mother’s guidance, he developed an instinctual talent, but she was the star, the cornerstone of his life. Until she met a premature death. Grief-stricken and plagued by guilt, Jake abandoned the world of horses. Now an over-the-road truck driver, he evades the memories.


When a snowstorm throws two Arabian professionals into close-quarters, they discover an engulfing passion. But will Mamoon rip open emotional scars, or forever seal them shut?


EXCERPT


In slow motion, he leaned forward. One thick palm framed the side of her face. His eyes searched hers, emotion flickering behind their sky blue depths. Sorrow, regret, and affection stared back at her as his thumb caressed her cheek. “Be safe, Gabrielle,” he whispered.


She closed her eyes against a storm of sorrow. Instinct filtered through her hope, and in the half-second of time that passed before his other hand came up to join the first, she knew. This wasn’t a temporary goodbye. Jake intended on driving away forever. A sob bubbled in the back of her throat, threatening to strangle her.


Before it tore free, Jake’s mouth settled against hers. He nudged her lips apart, inviting himself inside. Softly, slowly, he explored. Roused her awareness until the reality of his departure gave way to striking tenderness. She responded to the familiar feeling he awakened, her body tightening with an anxious surge of energy.


He held her in place, seemingly content to kiss her until time stood still. In the quiet, she caught the hard fall of his breath. Beneath her fingertips, his heart hammered fierce. His mouth took on a more demanding quality as he slid one hand into her hair and curled his fingers against her scalp.


A sound of pleasure vibrated in his throat, and Jake drew the kiss to a lingering close. He touched his forehead to hers, then sucked in a deep breath. “Win for me, sugar.”


Before she could gather her senses and respond, the passenger’s door slammed shut. Panic flooded her. He couldn’t walk away. That kiss alone said things she’d longed to hear. He cared for her. She loved him. He couldn’t just turn his back on all that.


Jamming her hand against the handle, she shoved open the door and jumped out. “Jake!”


~Claire


http://www.claireashgrove.com/

Interview of Author Viviane Brentanos

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author Viviane Brentanos.

Latest Book: Written in Stone
Buy Link: http://museithotpublishing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=82

BIO:
I was born in Reading UK in 1958. My father is English and my mother is French although there is a strong vein of Spanish on my maternal grandmother’s side. I was educated at various schools before completing Sixth Form College at St Peter's Huntingdon. I somehow managed to collect A levels in English, French and History and I subsequently won a place at Sheffield University where I decided to read Classical Civilization. Once there, however, I decided that I had had enough of the academic life; I found the student mentality rather false and having been brought up in student circles, rather boring. Much to my mother's horror, I gave up my studies and went to London to begin a course as a Canine Beautician. In 1984, my first husband and I parted ways amicably and I decided to visit the Ionian island of Corfu to celebrate my new freedom. It proved to be a life-changing decision. I still remember to this day, sitting in a café-bar, overlooking the crystal clear azure sea and saying to my friend. "I never want to leave here". I absolutely love the life-style here. I would recommend it to anyone. I remarried and have two children.

But I decided that there was more to me than being a mother and wife {although, I hasten to add, it is a worthy assignment.} I decided to finally get my head down and do what I'd always promised myself; I was going to write. I have been writing romance since my early teens, mostly for my own satisfaction and for my friends but now I really want to work at it. Writing has become my passion. I have always been a "Romantic", often accused of not living in the real world but who wants to do that? I like to call my work Romance with a quirky, humorous Brit twist and I am always striving to make my characters real, characters we can all relate to. I hope you all enjoy my world.


Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: Mmm – Interesting question and one I am not sure I have the answer to. If I remember, I think the first sale I knew of was to my sister. She bought the book to support me. I knew she would never read it because of her beliefs. As a Christian she found it a tad too racy. To be honest, I never really think about sales. A good review, praise from my peers is more important to me. Plus, usually, by the time a book is doing the rounds, I am already immersed with a new w.i.p. A bit like a mum with a new baby.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: Another good one. Shall I be totally weird and say the beginning? I just love picking up pen and paper {yes, I am a freak; I write long hand initially} and writing down that opening sentence. I usually have the entire plot mapped out in my head but that first chapter, I just wing it. Whatever comes out of my head, sets the tone and style for the whole story. Again, maybe it’s the excitement of a new work but I usually love my opening chapter.

Q: If one of your books became a movie, which celebrity would you like to star as one of your hero? Tell us about your hero.
A: Ok, I would love it if all my books were picked up by Hollywood. It would be great if Old Spielberg could direct or probably best go with Clint Eastwood. He seems to do sensitivity really well. For sake of argument, Written in Stone is picked. Lots of wonderful angst, here, so I need to find an actor who can bring the part of James McIntyre to the big screen.

James, apart from being boy-next-door type dark and handsome, possesses great charm. He is softhearted, a champion of human and animal rights. He is warm, funny – sensitive. He is a man in turmoil, in conflict with his love and his family. He feels guilty because he knows his life choices have disappointed his family. His relationship with Cassie challenges all he thought he knew about himself. He falls in love with her which makes his life hell because he is still in love with another. James is all about wanting to do the right thing and not hurt the people he loves. So, who can I pick? Personality wise, Colin Firth springs to mind but the look isn’t quite right. So, I think I am going to go with…John McAvoy. He has the look, the sensitivity. He is just gorgeous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_McAvoy

Q: Do all your heroes and all heroines look the same in your mind as you “head write”?
A: Absolutely not. Variety is the spice of life. In fact, I usually build a male character around someone I admire or fancy the pants off. My first, as yet unpublished, novel was all about Mr. Russell Crowe. The hero is Australian, green eyes, strong, caustic wit but really charming once you get to know him. Daniel for my soon to be released Cold, Cold Heart {MuseITHot Publishing} is inspired by Darren Hayes. Singer/ songwriter, dark-haired, sensitive, wears his heart on his sleeve but possessing underlying strength. David from Dreamweek {Red Rose Publishing} is the delectable, hunky Mr. Gerard Butler. Imagine him in his leather Speedos from 300 and you get the picture. Fragile Dreams – the sequel to Dream. Mmm – this is more difficult because, for once, my character of Michael was inspired by someone I know and I cannot give away the secret. He would be embarrassed. Written in Stone – ok, maybe here, I used Darren Hayes again but then he is my special favourite. My w.i.p, Past Undone, I am going with a certain Mr. Daniel Craig. I also have starring parts lined up for Rafa Nadal and Enrique Iglesias

Q: What’s your strongest point as a writer?
A: If I had to pick what I believe to be my strongest point, I think I would have to go with my dialogue. I try to keep it authentic, often laced with caustic wit. I am, as my friend will tell you, very sarcastic. Think Chandler from Friends and you will get my drift. I think, generally, we Brits tend to lean towards wit, even in times of emotional stress. We tend to find humour in most situations. It’s part of the British character. Let’s face it, who else could come with a team like Monty Python?

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: Oh, interesting but easy. I would immediately click on to You Tube, make a play list of Darren Hayes/Savage Garden love songs and then get down and dirty in the surf.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
http://corfu-author.tripod.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Viviane-Brentanos-Author-of-Womens-contemporary-Romantic-fiction/78109311746
http://myspace.com/chicholina
http://viviane-brentanos.blogspot.com
http://museithotpublishing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68&Itemid=82

BLURB:
Dumped five days before her wedding, Cassandra Hall decides not to waste the honeymoon. She sets off to London. What was supposed to be her dream week turns into a nightmare time of introspect, self-doubt. Then she meets James, literally falling at his feet in an attempt to save his Afghan hound from colliding head on with the traffic.

James is witty, charming, too good-looking and also--not available. Despite this, Cassie is captivated by him. What follows is a week of fun, companionship and a bonding that Cassie has never experienced.

James, sensing Cassie’s unhappiness, goes out of his way to make up for her jerk of a fiancé’s rejection. He is drawn to her vulnerability--something he finds disturbing, threatening to shatter all he thought he knew about himself. Cassie, he senses, is falling in love with him. He ought to back away but cannot. Cassie bravely makes her true feelings known and when he rejects her, he knows he has broken her heart. He is left confused, guilty because....James has a secret.

EXCERPT:
Watercolor grey light filtered through the gap in the partially drawn curtains, collecting pinpricks of dust in its shadowy fingers. Despite the warmth of the room, Cassie shivered. So much for the promised Indian summer. Served her right for believing the Channel Four weather girl. Perhaps if Annika—or whatever her name was—spent more time on studying the met office predictions than on her daily wardrobe, she might occasionally get it right.Cassie sniffed. Not that the weather mattered. She wasn’t going anywhere—except perhaps home. Staying in London was a stupid idea.

Glancing at her watch, she winced. Ten a.m.? She’d slept through breakfast and dinner. Her grumbling stomach was proof. For the first time in days, a dreamless slumber had left her strangely calm. She was done reliving that nightmare of a week. Swallowing against a parched throat, she rubbed at gritty eyes. Knees folded under her butt, she shuffled across the bed and reached for the phone. “Okay Martin,” she punched down to reception, “let’s see if this hotel is worth the price you paid. Hello… I would like some coffee sent up, please. Java, naturally and some fresh croissants—French. Yes now! Thank you.” She fell back against the mountain of pillows and giggled. Well Martin did say she had to learn to be more assertive.

Hands folded, her arms behind her head, she stared up at the nymphs and cupids frolicking in Arcadia. Someone’s idea of tasteful art? She wanted to vomit. “Well, Cass.” She wriggled her nose. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life, so what are you going to do about it?”

Perched on her left shoulder, Miss Self-Doubt whispered gleefully in her ear. “Nothing, you pathetic, weak creature! As always.”

She was right, of course. All Cassie’s life she’d been a doormat, first bending to her mother’s will and then, although he’d been more subtle, to Martin’s.

A faint tapping inside her skull made her sit up.

Miss Kick-Ass shoved Self-Doubt off her perch. “Oh pur-lease!” she hissed. “Get off your cross, you poor excuse of a woman. Take control. You’re young, bright. Tell the world to go and screw itself.”

She liked this new inner voice of reason. Swinging her legs round, she jumped to her feet. “You are so right.”

She wandered over to the dressing table mirror, feet buried in thick cream carpet. Dragging her fingers through turbulent tresses, she frowned. “Oh well, that’s a hundred quid’s worth of extortionist stylist down the drain.” But then she doubted even ten cans of hairspray could have saved her coiffure from the ravages of her mad flight across the rain-battered park. She couldn’t help a glimmer of mean satisfaction from sparking. If her mother could see her now, she’d reach for her happy pills.

A too pale face jumped out at her, making her draw in her breath. Dark smudges betrayed the days of fitful sleep and endless tears. “Damn you, Martin!” Reaching out, she stroked the cheek of this stranger staring back at her. A sigh clawed its way to the back of her throat.  Clenching her fists, Cassie swallowed it away, banishing it, she hoped forever, along with the fresh wave of loneliness lapping at her heart. “I can do this,” she whispered. “I know I can.”

She dressed with meticulous care, as she laid out outfit after outfit on top of the bed. Most she discarded into a crumpled heap, throwing them back into her suitcase. She didn’t have to dress to please Martin any more. Adrenalin kicked in as she reveled in her newfound freedom. Grabbing her much beloved and missed worn and scuffed jeans, she held them against her chest, glad she’d sneaked them in when Martin’s back was turned. He abhorred her in trousers of any shape or size. Well there was no more Martin, and as she wriggled her legs into the skinny jeans, she began to wonder if it was such a bad thing after all. Pulling the ecru polo neck over her head, she decided not. At least she got to wear her worn and cracked tan boots—flat boots.

Next, hair. She gathered her unruly mane back off her face and tamed it into a sleek French plait. It was a look Martin hated. He was more of a catwalk siren man. “Mmm,” Cassie twisted and turned. “Very ‘Town and Country.’” Reaching for her make-up bag, her hand hovered over the expensive array of beauty products. Mouth twisted into a rebellious pout, she tipped the entire contents into the wastepaper bin. Some chambermaid was about to have her day made. “I am no one’s mannequin,” she whispered.

The mirror challenged her. A salon perfect eyebrow arched. “Are you sure about this?”

“Okay so I am not a total masochist.” Rummaging in the basket, she retrieved the mascara.

Five minutes later, she studied her reflection, satisfied. A confident, poised young woman met her stare head on. Cassandra Hall had neither room nor need of men in her life. Placing her fingers against the doppelganger image, she smiled. “Me, myself and I. That’s how it’s going to be.”

The internal phone rang out, and she jumped back into uncertain reality.

“I am so sorry to disturb you, but there is a Mr. McIntyre in reception who wishes to speak to you.”

Cassie froze. Was Martin up to his old tricks again? She wouldn’t put it past him to send someone to check up on her. He treated her like a child. “I don’t know any Mr. McIntyre,” she snapped.

“One moment please.”

She strained to hear the muffled conversation.

“Yes, sir…certainly, sir…Hello? I am sorry, madam, but Mr. McIntyre is most insistent. He wishes me to tell you Madonna is anxious to thank you for saving her life.”

Cassie’s fingers tightened around the receiver, her knuckles white against the oyster pink of her French manicured nails. How had he found her?

Guest Blog: Jane Toombs: What's the Point of Point of View?

The point is who, meaning which character or characters, do you intend to have tell your story.

1. The I or first person character.
If you chose to have one character tell the story, using I, rather than the characters name, this tends to make the story more immediate. The drawback is no other character can have a voice, so the I person must base everything on what she or he hears and sees.

2. The You or second person character.
This is rarely used because most readers find it off-putting. It’s difficult to do successfully.

3. The third person character who now will have a name.
Stories have been where this character was never named, but those are uncommon and take skill to pull off.  Third person telling is the one most authors choose because it allows more scope to the writing. Third person can be from only one character’s point of view or from two alternating characters’ points of view. Or it can be omniscient where the major characters and even some of the minor ones all can have a point of view.

When one named character, usually either the hero or heroine. Tells the story, no other person can intrude with their point of view. Many stories use this two named person point of view so the reader can see the story from both the heroine’s and the hero’s point of view. But this can be tricky because the author must be careful not to get into head hopping, which is going back and forth from one to the other in the same scene and can be very confusing to a reader. Ideally each scene is told from one of their points of view. But with a line break to tell the reader the point of view is shifting, it’s possible to use both in a scene. Try to limit this use to once per scene.

Sometimes the villain needs to have a point of view as well. Now the author gets into limited omniscient third person point of view. The least confusing way to do this is to give the villain his or her own chapter each time, even if it’s a short one.

Omniscient third person, if it’s not limited, can be a disaster for a writer who isn’t already skilled in handling multiple points of view, so my advice is to leave it alone.

Wrong example of first person POV:
I hurried down to the wharf to be the first to great my father when he disembarked. He looked down from the rail, and saw me, then wondered why Richard wasn’t there.

Right:
I hurried down to the wharf to be the first to greet my father when he disembarked, He looked down and saw me. I could tell by his frown he wondered why Richard wasn’t with me.

Why is the first example wrong? Because the point of view shifted from the I character’s head to her father’s head. If you use first person POV only the I character has any POV.

No example of the second person POV because the likelihood of anyone using this awkward way of telling a story is unlikely.

Third person limited wrong example:
Mary walked faster when she saw John’s familiar figure emerge from the store. When John saw her he smiled, knowing she was as eager to see him as he was her.

Right:
Mary walked faster when she saw John’s familiar figure emerged from the store. When he smiled she knew he was as eager to see her as she was him.

Why is the first example wrong? Because the POV shifted to John’s head when the entire story is being told from Mary’s POV.

Third person with two characters’ POV wrong example:
When John took her in his arms, Mary’s zing of excitement made her sigh in anticipation. John heard her blissful sigh and knew she was all his tonight.

Right:
When John took her in his arms, Mary’s zing of excitement made her sigh in anticipation and wondered if John could tell she was all his tonight.

Why is the first example wrong.?
Because John is getting his say too early. We need to see a lot more of this from Mary’s point of view before a page break where we get to know how John feels. Or the entire scene could be told from Mary’s POV.

Third person omniscient with three characters wrong example:
Had anyone ever died of passion? Mary wondered as she gave herself up to John’s lovemaking. John, so caught up in his intense web of pleasure no longer thought, only felt. Zoe, having used the key she’d stolen from Mary to get into the house, eased open the bedroom door and leveled her Glock.

Right:
In this chapter we see a prelude to the lovemaking between John and Mary before they get into it. It is their chapter whether we see only her POV or both, remembering to use a space break if both. It ends with them still making love.

Another chapter begins with Zoe coming into the house, sneaking upstairs and catching them making love. What happens next depends upon whether she shoots one or two or none, and is in her POV.

Some time before this , if the author feels so inclined, she can have a short chapter where Zoe is stalking them, so the reader has a premonition something bad is going to happen. In other word the villain has her own chapter.

If an animal gets to think or speak, then it has to be considered a character and have a prominent part to play in the story. Otherwise let it be an animal and act like one. So if you intend to have a thinking or speaking animal, you need to plan to include that animal as a character, and be careful not to head hop if it gets into a dialogue with a human.

So how many whos are telling your story?

BIO: Jane Toombs, the Viking from her past and their grandcat Kinko live in an uncursed house on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula. Here they enjoy three great seasons and suffer through the miserable winter one. Jane writes in many genres, her favorite being paranormal romance. She's edging up toward ninety published books, with so-far-uncounted number of novellas and short stories.

BLURB: Hallow House: Part One (out now)
A house built for love and cursed with death. Two children, one will live, one will die. Magic potions and secret rooms. Is there a curse or does evil reside with innocence? What is the real secret of Hallow House?

Part Two will be out soon from Books We Love Publishing Partners. Buy Link at: http://www.janetoombs.com 

Romance’s tender, quiet moments. . .

(Photobucket)

Although it’s always fun to write between-the-sheets encounters in a romance, some of my favorite scenes are those in which the hero and heroine are first discovering each other, learning about each other’s pasts.


These can be powerful moments in a romance, whether it’s a graphically erotic tale or not, which adds depth to the inevitable sex scenes.

In the following excerpt from one of my earlier erotic romances, Deep, Dark, Delicious, Rafe has just arrived at Eden’s home to begin his 30 day stay as her guest. She needs his fee to save her house from foreclosure. He simply needs to be close to her, having already lost his heart. However, he must woo her, as she’s been hurt badly in the past. Their romance at this point is tender and quiet, laying the groundwork for the intense passion that comes later. Read on:

She led him past the curved doorway into the formal dining room, equally attractive with numerous windows, plants and a sunroom just beyond the finely crafted table and chairs. There, he stopped once more, touching the edge of the chandelier hanging above the furnishings. Its countless crystals created a waterfall of light on the table, floor and walls. The small pieces of glass jingled beneath the air-conditioning’s rush of air, sounding like wind chimes. “This is amazing.”

Eden’s arm bumped his. “It’s Trish’s design. I’ll tell her you like it, if that’s all right with you. Or will I be giving away too much?”

Amused at her sarcasm, liking her goading, he swung his face to hers, his manner deliberately somber. Without the heels she’d worn last night, the tip of her nose barely reached his shoulder. Haltingly, her eyes ticked upward from it, her expression distracted, disoriented. The look a woman wears in bed after being fucked good and hard by a man.

“No, it would not,” he answered.

She closed her eyes slowly, breathed deeply and looked at him again. “What?”

She’d lost track of their conversation. Poor girl. After today, she’d have trouble concentrating on anything except him and their pleasure. “Your kitchen, where is it?”

Again, she gestured generally east. “Through the doorway.”

The room was an eighth the size of his mansion’s gourmet kitchen with a thousand times the appeal. Dark brown Spanish pavers graced the floor, complementing the pale mustard walls. Two more ceiling fans were above the kitchen table and prep area, their shiny copper blades turning slowly. A series of gourmet cooking utensils hung from a pot rack over one of the counters. The cabinet below the kitchen sink yawned open. Beside it lay a metal box as big as a suitcase, crammed with every gadget imaginable. “Are those your tools?”

“Some of them. This place is really old. I have to repair it on a daily basis.”

His brows lifted at the C-clamp in the center of one of the pavers. He didn’t know any woman Eden’s age who would’ve been able to identify, much less use the device. “Before you bought this place, didn’t you have an inspection done of the plumbing, electricity and other structural matters?”

“I inherited it from my grandmother when she died. I’ve been fixing this stuff since I was a kid so I could save her some money.”

Pride and sadness rang in her voice. He put the wrench on the counter and looked at her.

She’d crossed her arms over her chest just as she always had in front of the judges’ table during the competition. Unlike her voice, her expression held no emotion. “You lived with your grandmother?”

Her eyes moved past him to the window by the kitchen table, its view of the backyard and pool. “My mother dropped me off when I was twelve. Mitch, her boyfriend at the time, wasn’t into raising kids and wanted me gone.” She lifted her narrow shoulders as if to say she couldn’t have cared less. The slight tremor in her voice said otherwise. “Grandma was so happy to have me she decorated the spare bedroom in all this frilly pink junk a fairy princess would’ve gagged on.” She smiled at the memory, her eyes sparkling with tears. “I lied and told her I loved it. I would’ve died for her. She gave me my first real taste of home. She was always here when I got back from school. She sat with me after dinner to help me with my homework. She even took out a loan on this place to send me to the culinary institute. That was before the housing boom caused the house to appreciate. I paid her back within a year of graduating. I worked three jobs in order to do it. I didn’t want her to struggle or want for anything.” She sighed deeply.

Compassion flooded Rafe, urging him to take her in his arms and comfort. He didn’t move, suspecting empathy wasn’t what she required. She needed his respect and had it. Her story awakened memories of his own childhood, wanting to succeed so he could make life easier for his parents. Here was the soul missing from her dishes during the challenge. Here was the real woman buried beneath the confident ‘I-have-to-be-perfect’ chef. “When did you lose her?”

She fingered the corner of her eye and looked at the tears she’d wiped away. “Five years ago. A stroke. It was very sudden. She hadn’t even been ill. She lasted only a few days before it was over.”

“I’m sorry.”

She dropped her hand and shrugged, then added softly, “Thanks.”

“Do you ever see your mother?”

She exhaled loudly, more a complaint than a weary sigh. “She manages to come around when she needs money.”

“Do you give it to her?”

New tears brimmed in her eyes. Her voice was whispery, belonging to a twelve-year-old child who still missed her mom. “If I can spare it. How could I say no? She’s my mother.”

He moved closer, but didn’t touch her. He wondered what type of a mother could willingly give up her own child. And what of her father? Had she known him or even met him or was he a shadowy figure her mother seldom mentioned? “Eden, are you certain you want strangers to live in your house?”

She stepped back, arms across her chest again, no sign of tears in her voice. “I don’t have a choice. In order to open my restaurant I took out several home equity loans. Grandma left the house to me free and clear. It kept appreciating and the restaurant was doing well. Until the economy tanked, I didn’t think I’d have any problem meeting the payments.”

He now understood the depth of her financial situation. She surely owed more than the home’s current worth and bankruptcy would forestall the inevitable for only so long. “Is the bank threatening to foreclose?”

“Not since you wrote me the check last night for your stay. Even if you end up hating it here and decide not to invest, I’ve bought myself a few months, more than enough time to get new vacationers. And no way am I losing this place. I couldn’t do that to Grandma.” She inclined her head to the sink, her voice stiff. “That’s not going to fix itself. If you’ve changed your mind, I can –”

Patiently, he interrupted. “I haven’t changed my mind.” He grabbed the industrial-sized flashlight from the counter and handed it to her. “You do know what to do with this, no?”

She tapped its head against her palm, making small thwacking sounds. “If you fuck up my plumbing, I get to whack you over the head?”

He laughed. “You’re going to pay for that.”

The tapping stopped. Her skin pinked up nicely. She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “How?”

“That would be telling. Time for me to fix your leak.”

“Wait.” Her free hand went to his upper arm, her moist fingers hugging it. “It’s dirty down there. You’ll mess up your clothes.”

Heart pounding, he studied her fingers on him. “You want me to work in the nude?” His eyes slid to hers.



In the following pages, they come together – man to woman in a powerful sex scene that I believe is all the more satisfying because of the quiet, tender moments that preceded it.



The First Time is Always Scary

A friend of mine recently asked me if there were any special requirements for submitting to an e-publisher. I gave her the same advice that someone was kind enough to give me.

Know who you’re dealing with. Don’t just check out their websites, check out any information you should know. How long have they been in business? What’s their background? Do you know authors who work with them? Are you familiar with the books they publish? After investigating all of this, do you think they’d be a good fit for your expectations?

And how do you investigate this? Check out the sites who rate the publishers such as Preditors and Editors. Some websites will tell you how long they’ve been in business and if they don’t, check them out on the internet. If you want to know about the books they publish, check out their free reads or buy a book or two to see how they are edited. If you like what you see, the next step is to check out their submission policy.

Your submission is their first impression of you as an author. Be professional and follow their guidelines. Check to make sure that your submission is properly formatted and saved to a file that they’ve requested. Word (doc.) and Rich Text Format (rtf.) are practically default but always check. Most guidelines will inform you of line spacing, acceptable fonts, the length of the submission and what contact information should be sent on the Title page. The guidelines may also suggest a specific way of naming your file. The most logical way to get your work in front of an editor in a timely manner is to make it as stress free as possible and follow the guidelines.

If you have been invited by an editor to send a full instead of a partial submission, mention this in your submission’s cover e-mail and send the required attachments.

You’ve followed the guidelines, the e-publisher has sent a response that your submission has been received and then, as with traditional publishing, you wait. The guidelines usually mention how long it should be before you receive a notification of an acceptance or rejection. Response times vary but when you do get a response, you still have some decisions to make.

If you’re rejected, it doesn’t mean that your story isn’t any good. It might mean that the publisher doesn’t think it would be a good fit for them at the time. If they’ve sent you suggestions on how to revise your story so that they might be interested and an invitation to resubmit, it’s a rejection that could ultimately turn into a sale.

If you’re manuscript is accepted, celebrate! And as a professional courtesy, whether you are accepted or rejected, respond to the email and thank the publisher for considering or accepting your book.

Someone else may have different advice to share and I invite any and all to contribute to the discussion today. Because somewhere there might be an author who may need the advice that someone was kind enough to give you. Pay it forward and share:)

Until next month,

Paris Brandon

http://parisbrandon.com

Head Over Heels—Finalist in the Novella category of Passionate Ink’s, Passionate Plume contest.

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8181-138-head-over-heels.aspx

Free Reads and book prices!

Hey everybody,

Yes, it's me again with my oh-so-important-intriguing blog. LOL

Today, I'm blogging about free reads. Yes, I have one on my website called Sexy Neighbor and it's been getting lots of great comments and tons of hits for me on the days a new piece is posted. It's kind of like a soap opera thing and I switch from the hero to the heroine's POV every other week. Readers seem to like it so I keep doing it.

What I'd like to know is as a reader or writer, does having this kind of thing draw you to a website? I mean, yes, I'm getting more hits, but does it help sell my books? Mmm...good question and one I can't really answer because there doesn't seem to be a way to track that kind of thing. I think it helps get my name out there and that is the important part.

Another question I have since things kind of hit the airwaves of the internet, does the price of the book make a difference to the reader? There is one self-published author on Amazon who priced her book at $.99 and has sold over 900,000 copies. Yes, that is nine hundred thousand copies. So, do you like to see your ebooks down in that range? $2.99? or is $6.50 too high for a book? Granted, she found a niche in whatever her books is about. No, I haven't read it and I don't even know what it's called off the top of my head. One thing I do know is Amazon pays two different ways. You either can do 35% and not pay a handling fee or you can get 70% and they charge you a small fee. The other thing within this realm is the 35% option, your book can be any price. In the 70% option, it cannot be lower than $2.99. So for this author who has sold 900,000 copies, she's getting 35% of her $.99. Granted it's still a good chunk of change.

Something to think about.

Until next month ~ Sandy

Guest Blog: Kelley Heckart: Warrior Women Have Better Aim

I like writing warrior women. Maybe it’s that bit of the feminist in me or perhaps it’s because I think that women can be every bit as dangerous and battle experienced as any man. But mainly it’s because a warrior woman is way more complex to me than a typical woman staying at home and waiting for her knight to return from battle.

A couple of my warrior women wielded swords, but I prefer female archers. Not sure why except that the bow and arrow seems like a natural weapon for a woman, especially if she is small and not as strong as a man. Plus she doesn’t have to get into the crush of battle with the messy, unpleasant aspects of fighting, but can fight from a distance. The bow and arrow is a graceful weapon that requires aiming skill and patience. I’m also a fan of the Greek moon-goddess Artemis who used a bow and arrow. I think I invoke Artemis, the huntress, when I create my female archers.

My women warriors also have a warrior heart. This means that something in their life put that fierceness into them that makes one become a dedicated warrior. I needed to have some reason that would make a woman give up a normal life to be a warrior. For instance, one woman was brutally raped as a young child and another lived through a terrible experience. Both of the women were left with vengeance in their hearts and this gives them the motivation for battle.

I’m not saying that men can’t handle a bow and arrow with skill, but in my fantasy worlds it’s the women that make that arrow sing from the bow and into the target.

Kelley Heckart
'Timeless tales of romance, conflict & magic'
http://www.kelleyheckart.com

BIO:
Kelley writes Celtic historical romances with fantasy/paranormal elements. Her stories reflect her passion for history, storytelling and the supernatural. Inspired by the ancient Celts, her tales are filled with fierce warriors, bold women, magic, conflict and romance.

BLURB for "Beltaine’s Song":

For each of them, spring's song has a different meaning.

Aedan and Domelch must battle earthly foes—enemy kings and traitorous allies. For the first time, the arrival of spring heralds the sound of a harsh battle horn as their foes close in. Through all this turmoil, can their love survive?

For their son, Gartnait, spring brings with it the promise of new love and the thrilling sound of the battle horn, putting those he cares about in danger.

When do you find the time?

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"Reviewer" uses the term "B-R"...Bodice Ripper!

Okay...not everyone will like what/how I write. Fine. Unfavorable reviews will come. Not everyone will "get" my voice, like it, or love my stories. I can live with that.

Strange thing, though. The romance industry professional review sites we've come to respect have given all my books great reviews. I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about "reader reviews" at one particular (unmentioned) book buying site. This site encourages reader reviews and offers "reader review ratings", etc.

My first book, a paranormal romance titled "Second Sight Dating", became available as a FREE ebook two months ago. Suddenly, I started getting "reader reviews". Sadly, they jolted me out of my great "romance industry reviews" cocoon and tossed me into another whole realm.

  One "reviewer" starts out with "This book is another reason why I don't read bodice rippers!!!!!". Yes, that's how many exclamation points the "reviewer" used. Obviously not a romance fan (more of the "review" leads to this conclusion)...so why did she read a romance book?

Another starts out "Think twice before you waste your money on this one." It was free...that's how the reviewer got it.

 Another gave her "review"...and then  used the review space to promote her own group: 
"Feel free to join my book group on facebook ( she named a FB group) we have well known and indie authors and avid readers as members who are apart of this group who would love to hear about new books and thoughts."(I spelled/have written everything exactly as this "reviewer" wrote her message)

Two didn't like the ESP aspect of the PARANORMAL romance:
"Plus....the ability was just stupid."
Uh...paranormal means different than normal...and the ability I created isn't normal...does that make it "stupid"?

"I've worked at a dating agency and I couldn't bear this book, the author had done no research and got so many things wrong."
It's NOT a normal agency and wouldn't work like a normal agency would work. It's a PARANORMAL romance and anything goes.

I think two reviewers used actual names and the rest didn't. Some should have edited before posting.  

Did I mention the "reader reviewer" who called the book "tripe"?


Frustration is the best word to describe how I feel. How do you counter this? I went to the Editorial reviews section and added a line or two from each professional romance industry review I received for Second Sight Dating. Even added a note from the author. But unless you click on See All Editorial Reviews, you don't see my message about checking my website for professional reviews.

Another frustrating thing: I had to do all this three times: for print, ebook, and large print versions. All the "reader reviews" appear on all these format pages. If it were available as an audiobook, I'd be adding my information a fourth time.

The book ranks 26th in  this site's Romance - General rating system.

How would you handle this? Confronting reviewers isn't a professional option. Smiling and offering professional romance industry reviews seems like a logical choice.