Friday, June 29, 2012

Fabulous Author Friday ~ D'Ann Lindun


Please help me welcome author D'Ann Lindun!

Without further ado....

Tell us a little about yourself.   
Falling in love with romance novels the summer before sixth grade, I never thought about writing one until many years later when I took a how-to class from Superromance author, Margot Early. I was hooked! I began writing and never looked back. Romance appeals to me because there's just something so satisfying about writing a book guaranteed to have a happy ending. My particular favorites usually feature cowboys and the women who love them. This is probably because I draw inspiration from the area where I live, Western Colorado, my husband of twenty-nine years and our daughter. Composites of our small farm, herd of fourteen horses, five Australian shepherds, a Queensland heeler, eight ducks and cats of every shape and color often show up in my stories!

Did you always want to be an author?  
Not until I took Margot’s class.  Then I thought I might actually be able to do it.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author? 
Putting the stories/characters living in my head onto paper, and having others read and enjoy them.

Tell us a little about your book.
Wild Horses involves a cause dear to my heart—
the slaughter of the American mustang.  The heroine, Castaña Castillo, doesn’t like it, but she believes the government knows what they are doing by removing the horses from federal land.  Jake Breton is a disgraced FBI agent who is sent to arrest Castaña’s brother for murder.  They are forced together, both trying to find Castaña’s missing activist brother.

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book?
It was twenty years ago, and I finished that first manuscript in about a year.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere!  A TV commercial, driving to work, at work, in a dream, my imagination…

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  
Plotter or Pantser?  Pantser!  I get an almost fully developed scene in my head, then I write it.  From there, it’s figuring out GMC, names, location, everything.  I’ve tried to plot, just can’t do it.  If I do, it takes all the fun out of it for me.

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published?  
Sure!  My CP sent me a note that Crimson Romance was looking for subs.  I have a drawer full of manuscripts I was unable to sell, so I sent one in.  About two weeks later, I got an email from Jennifer Lawler, saying they wanted it!

What book have you most recently released?  
When this interview comes out, I will have two brand new books out, Wild Horses from Crimson, and A Cowoby to Keep from Ruby Lioness Press.

Fabulous! That is so exciting!

What was your favorite part of the book?  
In Wild Horses, it’s when Castaña finds she can trust and rely on Jake.

Rate your story in terms steaminess?  
Not super high.  3.5.

Do you have another book in the works?  
Always!  I’m working on two now.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?  
Oh, lord.  How much time do you have?  Learn your craft.  Don’t give up.  Write and keep writing.  Don’t be discouraged by a rejection.  I have over 200.

Boxers or Briefs? 
Boxers.

Pizza or hamburger?  
Pizza, super supreme.

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?  
I don’t drink, except maybe a margarita on my birthday.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else?  
The mountains, on a horse camping trip. I would do a lot of riding, some reading and nap!


(Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?  
Castaña:  Jake was sick, he was sunstroked.  All I could think was to get him out of the sun.
Jake:  She was unbelievably gorgeousEven in my delirium, I could see that.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other? 
Castaña:  Jake’s open mindedness.   
Jake:  Her loyalty.
 
What are your plans for the near future? 
Castaña:  I’m going to move back to my hometown and train horses.  
Jake:  I’m getting a transfer to the Payson office.  We’re going to go from there. 

Excerpt from WILD HORSES

"Damn, it's hotter than the devil's backyard out here."  Castaña Castillo took one hand off the steering wheel just long enough to swipe at the trickle of sweat running down the nape of her neck and adjust the volume on the radio.  One of her favorites, "Amarillo by Morning", wafted from the speakers. 
            Not even George Strait's silky-smooth voice helped ward off her exhaustion.  Castaña’s hands felt like twisted claws wrapped around the steering wheel, and the space between her shoulders ached until she prayed it would go numb.  The AC had gasped out its last breath of cool air somewhere in the middle of Texas yesterday afternoon.  Both windows in her old Dodge were down, blasting June air through the cab like a roar from an open furnace.  An enormous red and orange sun sinking out of the Arizona sky made a blinding glare on the bug-splattered windshield.
            Her eyes burned from keeping them open.  She'd tried to rest last night, parked near the highway, huddled in her combination camper-horse trailer, but worrying about her missing brother had kept her awake until almost three in the morning.  According to a woman who refused to identify herself, no one had seen Martin in a few days.  The mystery caller implied that he might be lying out in the forest hurt . . . or worse. 

Thank you so much for visiting with me today D'Ann!  I loved getting to know you and learning about your newest release!

Readers, be sure to leave your email to enter to win a copy of WILD HORSES!

Be sure to visit and show your support for D'Ann@

Websites, Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook, etc. http://dlindunauthor.blogspot.com/
D’Ann Lindun author on Facebook



Wednesday, June 27, 2012

How do you write a Scene? #1

So I've decided to in addition to being a stay at home mother to a two-year-old female tyrannosaurus...ooops! I meant darling daughter, LOL.  I am working on two WIP's at the same time,  taking a writing class with Candy Havens, and I'm reading a fabulous book called Scene and Structure by Jack M. Bickham.  Each Wednesday I will find a way to share with you what I learned that week about creating a strong scene! Whoooo! I hope you will enjoy my adventure into scene and structure. I know I sound like a geek. But what else is an ex-english teacher to do for fun....? No! Don't ask! *Giggle* At least wait until I've had a glass or two of wine.

CHAPTER 1 - The Structure of Modern Fiction

Haha! Don't leave. I promise to have something interesting to say.

"Structure is nothing more than a way of looking at your story material so that it's organized in a way that's both logical and dramatic."

See. This could be helpful.

As a romance writer and a confessed plotsner (half pantser-half plotter) I need some organization! I stole that from my friend Elysa Hendricks! Fabulous author by the way. I use to despise plotting, but my critique partner rubbed off on me and now I find that it is quite helpful to plot scenes. I don't necessarily plot the whole book, but I do now really enjoy planning out a scene.

Writers want their writing to make sense and hold together and readers want to go on the same adventure. Readers want us to succeed! They want books! I'm a reader and have several authors on my auto buy list. I want their stories to be fabulous and I count on them being able to deliver. That's why I buy everything they write. I can't wait to be that kind of author for readers.

We are told our stories need a "beginning, middle, and end" or "a situation, a complication, a climax, and a denouement". Short stories and novels are built on the same principals.  Bickham promises that as long as you understand the structure of building a story there will be no more staring "at your word processor with tiny droplets of blood oozing from your forehead".  Isn't that fantastic! So looking forward to this book! I hope you will join me on my adventure to building a better scene.

Happy Writing
Krystal Shannan





Sunday, June 24, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday #8



Yay!  Welcome back to my blog for installment #8 from my upcoming novella OPEN HOUSE: Pool of Souls.  So glad you came by.  Be sure to visit www.sixsunday.com for more links to other fabulous blogs.

Ok, so the question last week was "What the hell happened in the kitchen?"
*Giggle*
Here's a little bit from the scene in the kitchen.

She gripped the edge of the countertop as his face dropped between her legs.  His gorgeous mouth was on her bare sex and she bucked her hips as he nibbled on her clit.  Strong arms wrapped around her hips and held her still as he flicked his tongue back and forth before thrusting it deep inside her.
“Oh, god,” Rebecca moaned and rocked her hips.  “Please.”  She heard herself begging, but she didn’t even care. 

Friday, June 22, 2012

Fabulous Author Friday ~ Christy Parks



Please help me welcome author Christy Parks!

Without further ado......

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm one of those rare people who are blessed to stay home and write all day. When I'm not writing, I spend most of my time being a slave to my small menagerie of animals, including a very spoiled six foot iguana. 

Iguana, how cool!  I love lizards!  I have an entire room in my house decorated like a tropical rainforest and all types of decorative lizards mounted on the walls.  My husband thinks I'm crazy, but my daughter loves it.

Did you always want to be an author? 
Oh man, ever since I read Charlotte's Web. I have an older brother, and when I was a kid, I wanted to do everything he did. Because of this, I learned to read before I was in kindergarten, just so I could do what he did. Since the first time I picked up Charlotte's Web I've always found myself rewriting books in my head. You know, I made sure Charlotte lived, and raised all her little baby spiders. 

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
Playing with all of my imaginary friends. How many people get to build their fantasy world, their fantasy men or women, and kill the bad guys? I heard one person refer to writing as playing God; I don't think God is as warped and demented as some of us writers.

I agree.  I think we are worse.....

Tell us a little about your book.
In She Who Hunts, Tenna Massey is faced with the fact her husband is possessed by a demon, and the only way to free his soul is to kill him. In the meantime, someone is slaughtering innocent people, and if she doesn't find him and stop him, the killing won't stop. What she doesn't realize is while she's hunting him, he's hunting her, and killing anyone in his way.

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I started writing short stories in elementary school. I used to write a lot of short stories in middle school, and the male lead was always a member of the New Kids On The Block, or one of the guys from The Disney Club. (Anyone ever hear of the Disney music group called The Party?)

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get asked this a lot, as do all authors. The answer is simple and not-life. With She Who Hunts, I remember watching the news about a man killing his family. Everyone who knew him stated how he was such a kind and loving man. An errant thought ran through my head, 'he's possessed.' The story just spun from there.

Fabulous!

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser?
Can I call myself a Plotser? Laughs I do both, actually. When I start thinking about a book I want to know everything I can about the characters, all the way down to their bra size, favorite childhood cartoon, etc. Once I get the main key points nailed down, I think about how I want to get the character from Point A to Point B. All the rest just flows as I put my fingers to the keyboard.

Ooooooh, I like that ... Plotser... I'm going to steal it!

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published?
Actually, my first book was published last year, but I pulled it after doing another read through. It definitely needed more work. As for this one, my baby, I originally sought an agent or publisher. While it was on sub, I continued doing some research into the world of publishing. After realizing, as a debut author, I would end up doing a majority of the work myself - ie; marketing, publicity, etc – I chose to go the route of self-publishing. If I'm doing most of the work myself, why don't I get to keep more of the royalties. Plus, I have complete creative control over the final product, including the book cover. I've never been one to swoon over scantily clad males nibbling on the neck of some damsel in distress.

What book have you most recently released? 
My book, She Who Hunts, was released in the beginning of May on Amazon and Smashwords. It will be available on all e-readers within the next few weeks. As of this week you can also find the paperback through Amazon.com.

What was your favorite part of the book?
I'd have to say when Tenna finally accepts her place in the world and realizes she's saving her husband by setting him free. She's strong, yet human.

Rate your story in terms steaminess?
Man, I don't know. I guess on a scale from 1-10 (1 being Sookie sweet, 10 being Fifty Shades of Grey), I'd have to go with a five. There's a hot sex scene, but the book revolves more around the character's actions, than the physical attraction building between Tenna and Jason. Don't worry, now that they've begun to explore their feelings, book Two will contain way more sensuality.

Do you have another book in the works?
I do. Tenna has a long story which needs to be told. She Who Hunts is just the first in the series.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?
Read. Keep reading. Then read some more. Read books in your genre, books outside of your genre, and books on writing and editing. You can never read too much.
I've learned this business is not for the faint of heart or people with thin skin. If you go the route of traditional publishing, you'll be told 'no' more times than a toddler. If you go the route of self-publishing, you'll have to endure thousands of hours of marketing, networking, and promoting, on top of the hours spent researching and actually writing.

Boxers or Briefs?
Can I say boxer briefs? I love the tighter fitting boxers on a man. Of course, au natural works, too.

Pizza or hamburger? Steak! laughs

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? 
Bud Light Lime, or a good Captain and Coke. Never been much for wine.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else?
I've always dreamed of seeing Africa and Australia. I would definitely bring my laptop, or at least a notebook, but hopefully, I would be too busy exploring to have time to write. Who am I kidding, I write even when I'm sleeping!

(Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?
Tenna: He was so bossy. Almost a little arrogant. But his eyes were so pretty.
Jason: She seemed kind of weak. I went into the situation thinking maybe the stories were right about her, but when she passed out at the courthouse, I started having second thoughts. I think she's proven she can handle herself, though.
Tenna: Yeah, thanks for bringing that up again.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?
Tenna: His eyes. smiles up at Jason His eyes seem to be a portal to his soul. 
Jason: I don't know if you're able to post that in a blog. Just kidding. I love running my fingers through her curls. That, and she's one of the spunkiest women I've ever met.

What are your plans for the near future?  
Tenna: I was hoping to enjoy some down time after the incident with Paul, but I think we have to get back to work. I can't let people die just because I want a vacation.
Jason: I'm with her on that. I was hoping to spend a little time with Tenna, but with our two housemates joining us, and murders on the rise, we really need to get back to Hunting.


Excerpt from SHE WHO HUNTS


My hands were warming on the sides of the mug, the smell of the coffee filled my nose, but I was uncomfortable. My skin felt ready to crawl off my body, like insects were roaming just under the surface of my flesh. I hadn’t felt that feeling since…yesterday morning.
“Claire, get up!” I screamed as I jumped to my feet. There was a demon somewhere outside. I couldn’t tell how far, or which direction it was moving in. I only knew there was one nearby, and it more than likely sensed me just as I had sensed it. This damn energy sensing talent of mine was also a curse. I wasn’t able to suppress the energy I put out, it was far too easy for others to find me…if they knew what they were looking for.
I bolted to the windows, searching the woods with my eyes as Claire shuffled out of her room. “Where’s the fire?” She asked, her voice hoarse with sleep.
With one glance from me she knew where the fire was…we were standing directly in it. “Oh shit! Again? Here? Where? Who? Where the hell is Jason?” Her questions rolled one on top of the other. She was asking the room as much as she was asking me.
“I don’t know who or where it is, and I don’t know where Jason is,” I said.
“Then how do you know it’s one of them?” She asked. She had backed into the kitchen, and pressed her back against the far counter, probably wishing she could disappear into the wood and granite. She slid down the counter, landing hard on her knees. Her eyes were wide, filled with terror, as she shook her head from side to side, over and over again. “Not again…not again,” she whispered over and over again.
“Just stay down!” I whispered. The windows were only about two feet from the ground, ducking under them wasn’t totally possible, but I crouched as low as I could while still watching through the long row of glass. “Where the fuck is Jason?” I whispered more to myself than out loud. He was supposed to be protecting us. Then again, I was supposed to be the offspring of two of the best Hunters through history. Yet, here I was, ducking under the windows, whispering like a kid hiding from the monsters.
“Fuck this.” I climbed to my feet and stood, fully visible to anyone outside who might be looking in. That wasn’t quite enough for me. I turned on my heel and headed toward the door, my feet thudding against the floor with each step.
“Tenna, what the hell are you doing? Get down!” Yeah, I heard Claire, but she might as well have been talking to the wall for all I cared. I was tired of being a victim. Tired of being afraid.
The door opened with ease, and made a loud thud when it hit the wall from the force of which I yanked it open. I stood in the open doorway, daring whoever - whatever - it was to show itself. Adrenaline singed its way through my veins, pumped my heart, and brought my vision into crystalline focus, my hearing so acute I swear I could’ve heard a bird poop in the woods.
Footsteps crunching on gravel brought my attention to the right, but the energy flowing from the source of the steps wasn’t what had me on edge. This was a soothing energy, Jason’s energy.
“What are you doing?” He asked. His eyebrows were pulled together, his mouth turned down slightly at the edges.
“Someone’s here,” I answered.
He stopped mid-stride, and focused his attention on the surrounding woods. “Where?”
"Don’t know…close.” I stepped though the door and padded, still barefoot, to stand next to Jason. He put a hand out, his arm stretched across my chest, and attempted to push me behind him, all while shuffling backwards towards the house.
“Stop. I’m not going back inside. I’m done running.”
“You have no idea what you’re saying,” he protested, his back still to me.
“I’m perfectly capable of fighting.”
He turned on me. “I can’t fight with you…”
“Shh. It’s here.” The energy that flowed across my skin now burned and froze my flesh. It wasn’t a sensation which could be described with one word, it was anything and everything you could think of when describing evil. It was the epitome of pain and torture. But I was accustomed, though not exactly use to the feeling. I always have, and always will hate the feeling of evil.
As if on cue, a man appeared through a thick spread of overgrown bushes at the edge of the tree line. He was no more than an inch taller than me, and thick around the waist. His hair was thinning which emphasized his bulbous nose and beady eyes. He stopped when he spotted the two of us watching him.
His hand moved forward and up, and he waved. He actually waved. It was an awkward motion, sort of a salute. That was a first for me. In the times I’d seen any demons they would either turn and run when they felt who I was, or they would try to kill me - as Paul had done on many occasions.
“What is he doing?” I whispered.
Jason raised his shoulders in a half shrug in response. Great. We’re both flying blind.
“Should we just go out there and kill him?”
He shook his head. “Could be a trap. Could be more in the woods.”
I felt my eyes go wide in unison with my accelerated heart beat. Wait, I would feel it if there were more. “He’s alone.”
Jason turned his head to side just a fraction of an inch. “How do you know?”
“I told you…I can feel them. He’s burning my skin as we speak. If there were more, trust me, I’d know it.”
Jason actually risked a glance down at me this time. Just a quick shift of his eyes. But the man, the demon, took a step toward us, shifting Jason’s attention back to the doughboy in front of us. He was actually walking toward us. He’s got some balls. Gotta give him that much.
“Now what?”
“Find out what he wants. Then kill him,” his tone was flat, matter of fact, deadly.


Thank you so much for hanging out with us today Christy!  It was so great to get to know you and find out about your newest release, SHE WHO HUNTS.

Readers be sure to leave your email to enter to win a signed paperback copy of SHE WHO HUNTS!  Fabulous!

Be sure and show your support and visit Christy@

Websites, Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook, etc.
@clparks05
The stalking options are endless!


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wednesday Spotlight ~ Sarah Carr ~ How to write a Scene...


Please help me welcome author Sarah Carr.  She is sharing a bit of advice on constructing a scene.

        Each scene should contain a beginning, middle and end, similar to the structure of a novel. This element of story building is important because scenes illustrate a story as it happens, propelling it forward. In turn, that scene then forms into the next and so on. A scene should be intriguing and lure a reader in, making them feel like they’re a part of the story, tugging them forward.
        For me, the setting is key in a scene, which then brings my senses into play. My first step when creating a scene is painting a mental picture and establishing it into words. For instance, am I standing on a dock? If so, can I taste the salt in the breeze? Does the wind make me shiver? Can I hear the birds flying overhead? Can I see boats bobbing in the water? All of these elements are key in creating a visual for my readers. Now that I have this beautiful canvas, I start to think about the potential dilemmas and conflicts that can occur here. I break out the questions: “Who”, “What”, “Where” “When” and “Why”.
        From here, the possibilities are endless. Perhaps it’s late at night and my character was a witness to a grisly crime. She’s running away from a murderer and is cornered on the dock. Here’s another scenario. Maybe my character recently lost a loved one and she’s seeking solace from the water as she watches the sunrise. She meets someone who causes her question her life. The story could go in a completely different direction. Possibly, my character is about to embark on a cruise and overhears a crewmember say there’s something wrong with the ship right. Does she investigate the situation herself? Will she get caught? With painting one simple picture of a “dock”, there are numerous different scenes that populated in my head.
        It’s these types of actions I used in Revealing Hamilton to get the story from start to finish. Below is a part of a scene from my new release, Revealing Hamilton.

Something felt wrong.
In the living room, an ottoman rested on its side and a magazine lay open on the floor. A colorful article advertising Las Vegas blared from the pages. From the corner of my eye, the screen of Connor’s cell phone caught my attention. I watched it periodically blink, communicating new messages awaited.
I went to the kitchen next and found the latest stack of mail on the island. The top envelope made me cringe when I saw the return address. It was another letter from the State of Washington. This one was addressed to Amelia Brooks.
My identity had been an issue for years. Since age 18, I submitted multiple requests to change my last name from my grandfather’s back to my parents. With each attempt, the paperwork came back denied, stating my name was Amelia Benedict or another obscure surname starting with the letter “B”. Double-checking each field, I clearly filled out the forms to read Amelia Hamilton, but was contradicted every time. I determined it a sick way for my grandfather to haunt me from the grave. The latest correspondence would have to wait.
A broken wine bottle and bandage wrappers were on the counter next to the refrigerator. Droplets of dark fluid created a path from the bottle to the sink, making me shudder. The room began to feel too warm and nausea flooded my stomach. I grabbed a rolling pin from the island, gripping it so tightly my knuckles hurt.
“Calm down, Amelia,” I said. “There’s a logical explanation and no one is going to hurt you.” I forced my mind away from childhood memories of a basement.
Swallowing hard, I tiptoed across the living room to the bedroom. As usual, the door was cracked open. I held the pin over my head, ready to attack in an instant. From where I stood, I couldn’t see more than the corner of the dresser and a beam of soft light. I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. A flashlight rested on the nightstand, pointed toward the ceiling. As I scanned the room, my jaw dropped and my heart paused.
“Connor?” I dropped the makeshift weapon at my feet.

Fantastic scene!  I loved your explanation of what goes through your mind as you contemplate the setting.  Thank you for sharing.  

Now lets get down to business and find out all the juicy details about you and your new book.

Tell us a little about yourself. 
I’m 32 years old and Revealing Hamilton is my first published novel. By day, I work in a radiology billing office and I’m a novelist by night. I live in Washington State with my wonderful husband and son. In my spare time, I like to splash in mud puddles and smell bookstores.

Did you always want to be an author? 
When I was a child, I wanted to be a circus performer. I hate heights, so I’m not sure what I was thinking back then. I did start writing stories when I was a child and dabbled with it on and off. It was only a few years ago that writing became a necessity to my day.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author? 
I love plot twists.  One of my favorite aspects is when a reader tells me they didn’t expect a story to turn out like it did.

Blurb from REVEALING HAMILTON


A conversation with a stranger changes Amelia Hamilton’s life forever. When she learns her grandfather faked his own death, normalcy slips from Amelia’s grasp. To make matters worse, he is coming for her in less than seven days. What she hasn’t determined is why.
Amelia’s grandfather, Marius Benedict, once headed The Physician’s Coalition, an elite group of doctors who threw the Hippocratic Oath out the window. Years ago, they used a low-risk medical research study as a front to their experiments. Without their consent, innocents were injected with JackRabbit7, a hazardous substance used to alter their DNA. The victims were left with less-than-desirable super-human powers or excruciating death. Years after he disbanded the group, Marius has a new plan and is reforming The Coalition.
Max, a mysterious stranger from the Insurance Agency, offers to help keep Amelia safe. He introduces The Agency as an underground government organization that contains and eliminates those who intend to harm the world. To protect The Agency, the truth of their activities are concealed and replaced with sugar-coated stories in the media.
Over the course of the next week, Amelia has to accept the truth and learn who can be trusted. At midnight on her 23rd birthday, a contract between The Coalition and The Insurance Agency will expire, giving Marius full rein to approach his granddaughter and finish the project he started with her so many years ago.


When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book? 
The idea “hatched” in 2005. Keep in mind, I wrote a little and then put the story away for a long time. I’d pull it out and work on it occasionally, but in 2008 I really started diving back into the story. I submitted it to Ruby Lioness Press in December of 2011 and it was under contract shortly thereafter.

Where do you get your inspiration? 
So many places! I think music and my writing environment are very important aspects of creativity. I love to write at coffee shops, on my couch late at night or with my writing group. As long as my iPod is playing, the creative juices are flowing.

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser? 
There’s no easy answer to this for me. It’s a little of both. I have a general outline of where I expect the story to go. I branch out the outline from there and “pants” it. It doesn’t always turn out the way I expect and I embrace my characters for having minds of their own.

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published? 
Honestly, RLP was the second publisher I submitted to. Ever. The one other company I submitted to, turned me down in a matter of days. When I found out I was pregnant, I had absolutely no creativity so I put a halt to writing for a while. I jest my son stole it from me for the nine months I baked him.

What book have you most recently released? 
Revealing Hamilton is my first published novel. Each novel in the series is known as a JackRabbit7 novel.

What was your favorite part of the book? 
There’s a moment toward the end of the story where Amelia has a massive realization and a lot of “tidbits” of story click. When that light bulb goes off is when the story snowballs.

I love that part of the story!

Rate your story in terms steaminess? 
On a scale of 1-10? Currently, Amelia isn’t so savvy in the ways of relationships, but for the novel as a whole, I’d say a 3 and that’s being generous.

Do you have another book in the works? 
Yes. Embracing Hamilton, the sequel, is under contract to release in early 2013. At this point in time, I have plans for at least four novels in the series.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business? 
If you’re passionate about something, keep at it. Join a writing group. Find other authors who write the same genre you do. Bouncing ideas off of one another can be extremely helpful.

Boxers or Briefs? 
Boxers

Pizza or hamburger? 
Hamburger

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? 
Mixed drink

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else? 
I’d say Maui or anywhere tropical. I’d write and spend time with family.


(Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other? As an author~ My first impression of Amelia was, “Good grief, this girl is accident prone. I hope I don’t break her by the end of the book.”
LOL!

What’s your favorite characteristic Amelia? 
My favorite characteristics of Amelia’s are her drive and determination.

What are Amelia's plans for the near future?  
It’s always up in the air considering the company she incurs.

Thank you Sarah for being my guest today!  It was fabulous.  I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Be sure to visit Sarah@

Where to find you @
Websites, Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook, etc.




Sunday, June 17, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday #7

Yay!  Welcome back to my blog for installment #7 from my upcoming novella OPEN HOUSE: Pool of Souls.  So glad you came by.  Be sure to visit www.sixsunday.com for more links to other fabulous blogs.

           “Good things come to those who wait.”  She winked at him and laid out the comforter on the floor. “And what you did to me in the kitchen…”
            “Worth the wait?”
            “Hell yes.”  She nodded vigorously.  

Friday, June 15, 2012

Fabulous Author Friday ~ Anna Christie


Please help me welcome author Anna Christie today!

Without further ado.....

Tell us a little about yourself. 
I’m your average every day kind of gal! I am a fulltime working mom and wife with many, many pets! I love to try new things all the time and I like to take risks. I figure if you’re not trying something at least once, then you’re not living life. I love my two daughters immensely and try to stay involved in everything they do. I think sometimes I’m funny. LOL I am a musician and a graphic/fine artist. Did I mention I tend to spread myself to thin?

Did you always want to be an author?  
I actually had never considered it before. That was completely a self-confidence thing because I had never really tried to set out to do it before. But everyone has to take risks in life or try new things. Otherwise you aren’t really living life to the fullest.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author? 
Honestly it’s seeing my readers’ reactions or takes on the stories I write. If I can make one of my readers cry (or any emotion really), then I know I’ve touched them and that means everything to me. That means my characters are “real” to them and I accomplished what I set out to do.

Absolutely!  I agree!

Tell us a little about your book. 
I would call it a very sultry romance story.  But from start to finish it’s an emotional roller coaster. It revolves around three lifelong friends who were raised together on a remote cliff, Lanie Rhodes, Grant Bennett and Dane Voight, who as children, made a pact to always remain like family forever. But the boys made a pact too, to never vie for Lanie’s love. Now all grown up, Lanie and Grant, who have always had feelings for each other, finally give in and let love blossom. Dane, however, realizes he wants Lanie for his own and proceeds to do anything to break them apart. And he is pretty evil sometimes. I can tell you, you’ll be shocked at everything that happens. One little thing I need to let you know. Every single chapter in The Cliff ends in a cliffhanger. So you won’t be able to put this book down!

Fabulous! 

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book? 
I’ve always dabbled in writing, mostly advertising copy. But I started writing The Cliff, which is my first book, in January of 2011 and finished it in July.

Where do you get your inspiration? 
This particular story kept knocking on my brain telling me that it wanted to be told. It just kept popping into my head over and over again. So if you consider that inspiration, then that would be it. Of course my children are an inspiration to me everyday. I watch them have such enthusiasm for life because everything is so new to them, and I guess they were the reason I took on chance writing this story in the first place.

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser? 
Oh no, I just sit down and write. My stories like to tell me what happens and how they’re going to end.

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published
It was quite an experience. I think I was really lost at first. I wasn’t even sure where to start. But after researching the different types of publishers and publishing venues out there, I finally figured out whom to send my manuscript out to. Then revising my manuscript over and over to fit the requirements of each publisher, writing my synopsis and query letters, it was all so daunting and frightening actually. Getting my first rejection was pretty upsetting, but I think by the time I got my ninth, I was used to it. LOL When you finally get that acceptance letter, you’re just on cloud nine. And then it’s a whole new ball of worms. But I happened to luck out and Ruby Lioness Press offered me my first contract. This publisher is amazing and really supports and teaches you everything you need to know. They also have a great author/editor support group they call “The Pride”. It’s more like being part of a family. Great, great people, all of them.

What book have you most recently released? 
I have my very first published story in an anthology called Love Down Under. My story, The Adventure of a Lifetime, gets to sit on the pages of this book with three other great authors, so I am totally stoked and very honored to be published with them.

What was your favorite part of the book? 
Oh I love the whole book, but I think my favorite part is when my main characters finally get together. There’s nothing like that sexual tension and then the first kiss, first time you make-love. I guess when I write the scenes I get to relive them in a way. But don’t let me forget Chapter 14, which is known as the Nutella Chapter.

OMG!  A Nutella chapter.  My critique partner April London will just have a fit.  She loves Nutella.

Rate your story in terms steaminess? 
Oh my, The Cliff is very sexy steamy, but all my love scenes are pretty tender because of the connection between the main characters. But still very hot! I get all hot and bothered writing sometimes, but my husband appreciates that and research! HAHA

Do you have another book in the works? 
Yes, I have another book coming out in March 2013, called The Purple Heart. This story is my baby and I am so excited about it. But we’ll talk more in March (wink wink)! I am also working on my third book and hope to have it ready for submission for publishing soon.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business? 
Give it a try and don’t give up. I almost gave up several times and if it weren’t for another author, who told me to keep trying, I wouldn’t have. You wouldn’t believe the support group with my publisher, editors and other authors. It’s like a family and they are holding my hand through this all. Don’t be afraid to ask questions from people in the industry. It’s not an easy place to get your foot in the door. But once you do, it doesn’t seem as hard.

Boxers or Briefs? 
Depends on who’s in them! ;)

Very True! Very True!

Pizza or hamburger? 
Oh a nice juicy, still-mooing hamburger!

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? 
I like fruity drinks on the beach!

Fabulous!

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else? 
Hawaii or Italy! And no, that vacation would just be for my relaxation so I could reboot my brain. But it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do a little research… Hubs can come with me right? LOL And I like to experience everything so, I’m up for doing whatever adventurous thing I can find when I am not lounging on the beach.

(Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other? Well, we’ve known each other our entire lives (since birth), so we have never known life without the other. And we hope never to have to know what that’s like.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?
Grant: Lanie is just everything any man could want in a woman. She’s free-spirited, funny and loving. But most of all, she’s the most loyal person I know.
Lanie: Grant has always been there to rescue me no matter how big or small the situation I’m dealing with is. So knowing he’s always by my side, never giving up on me, is the greatest thing about him. It doesn’t hurt that he’s hot as hell.

What are your plans for the near future? 
Grant: To finally be together in any and every way possible. We’ve spent so much time hiding our feelings for each other that I think just getting that chance to freely love each other is all we want.
Lanie: Big wedding, lots of kids. I want it all with him until forever.



Excerpt from THE CLIFF


“Lanie, do I have to spell this out for you?”
“Yes please. Spelling, definition and then use it in a sentence.”
And then he just kissed me It was a soft gentle kiss that sent a shock wave from my lips right to my girliest of girl parts. When he pulled away, not very far away, he just stared into my eyes with something that was not looking at me like a sister. What was he searching for?
"Could you please spell that again?" I murmured. He relaxed, laughed softly and kissed me again, this time allowing his tongue to brush across my bottom lip. I was melting.
It took everything not to pounce on him and do all the naughty things that were suddenly running through my head right there on my porch.
"Use it in a sentence, please." I whispered with my eyes still closed, my head still tilted.
"Of course." And he crushed his lips to mine, pulling my body against his. I was lost in him. His tongue began swirling with mine and my head began swirling too. We remained in this sentence, which was slowly approaching a paragraph. I didn't care, I would have been happy kissing a novella with him.

Thank you so much for being here today Anna.  It was so great to get to know you and find out about your book.

Readers, be sure to leave a comment with your email to enter to win a copy of Anna's first publication in an anthology called LOVE DOWN UNDER.

Be sure to visit and show your support for Anna@

Twitter: @AnnaChristie333
Websites, Blogs: www.AuthorAnnaChristie.com



Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tuesday Teaser!



Thanks for joining me for the Tuesday Teaser.  This is a snippet from my upcoming novella Open House.  Be sure to pop over to April London's teaser too!

            “I don’t think you’re going to be finishing that food right now.”
            “Really.”  Rebecca set her paper box of Edamame on the floor.  “Why not?”
            Robert carefully placed his box of noodles on the floor to his side.  He pushed her food out of the way and grabbed the edge of the cushion she was sitting on.  The pillow slid easily on the hardwood floor. 
            “I need to kiss you.”  His voice was low and his words seemed to light a fire in Rebecca’s belly.  She smiled and leaned toward him, closing the rest of the gap between their lips.  His mouth closed over hers and his strong arms wrapped around her back.  He pulled her tightly against his chest.  Rebecca looped her arms around his neck and sank into the embrace.  His tongue swept through her mouth.  Then he nibbled on her lower lip before loosening his hold on her body.  He draped her across his lap and started undoing the buttons to her blouse.  She trembled as his fingertips caressed her breasts.
“So beautiful.”  He murmured, leaning down for a taste.  His lips wandered along the top of one breast and then over to the other.  Rebecca moaned as his lips moved up her collarbone and back to her mouth.  Robert’s hands fumbled for a second before her bra snapped loose and he pulled her free from it and her blouse.  She heard a satisfactory growl before his mouth clamped down on a pink nipple.  A thread of fire wound its way through her body from her breast to her core.  The ache in her belly grew and she could feel her entire body start to pulse.  She had experienced orgasms before by herself, but it had never felt like this.
Robert held her close to his chest as he stood.  Rebecca opened her eyes.
“Where are we going?”
“The kitchen.”  She slid her hand into his shirt and grazed one of his nipples with her fingernail.  He shuddered and flashed her a grin.  “I’m going to have you for dinner.”
             “I thought you already were,” she answered.


I hope you enjoyed it!

Monday, June 11, 2012

What does what you read make you write?


Ughhh... It is so hard to go to my bookshelves and pick FOUR favorites.  But here we go... here are four OF my favorites :-)

Princess of Fire by Shannan Drake - 1989
In this book, I love the intrigues. One problem after another befalls the hero and heroine.  They struggle and at the same time, through all these problem, the heroine can't stand the hero!  So he has an even bigger problem than she does on top of all the invading armies, and angry families trying to take over.  Normans, Saxons, and Passion.  I really enjoy a hero who has to woo an unruly or angry heroine.  It makes the 'HEA' that much more satisfying when she realizes she's completely in love with him.
What I didn't like..... There were a few places the book switched POV's rather quickly and without warning.  Several places were paragraphs had sentences that started with She, She, She, etc.  Nothing I think would have noticed or cared about, had I not started writing and been told to avoid things like that.

Twin of Ice - Twin of Fire by Jude Deveraux -1985
In this book, one sister finds a match other than her betrothed and the other sister finds that her match is her sister's betrothed!  Chaos ensues!  I actually have not read a Jude Deveraux book that I didn't love. When a book reads like a movie, I can't get enough.  I can see, hear, smell, and feel everything as it occurs for the characters. I am able to completely sink into the heroine's world and live her adventure.  Ok, maybe that sounds corny, but I love it!
Again in this book, I find things about the POV that bother me.  The changes are seamless from one paragraph to another.  I find it interesting that the rules now seem to be much more strict and for the most part an author must write an entire scene in one POV before switching away to another character.  In both Deveraux and Drake, I find one page in one character's POV and then the next page goes back to the dominant POV for the rest of the chapter.

Goddess of Spring - P.C. Cast -2004
This book sinks a normal human woman into the paranormal world of the ancient greek gods.  I have always had an obsession with the greek gods and the worlds other people have created around them.  Which is probably why my novella is centered around Aphrodite and Ares.  Anyway, I digress.  I like this book because it brings to life a fantastic supernatural world and its characters.  Lina, the heroine, falls in love with the stone faced unfeeling Hades and he has to come back to the mortal realm to get her to come back with him in Persephone's place.
Things I didn't like.... Can't think of one, sorry.

Acheron - Sherrilyn Kenyon - 2010
Alright, so my obsession with the greek mythos continues with Kenyon's reinvention of the greek pantheon and Atlantis.  Fabulous storytelling.  It was a 700+ page novel that I literally ate with and fell asleep reading until it was finished.  I can only dream that people might feel the same way one day about my stories. *A girl can dream :-)*  I think the true beauty of Acheron is that you get to know him so completely that you almost know how he will handle problems as they arise.  Kenyon's character building is phenomenal.
Things I didn't like...... maybe that there was sooooo much information, I had to go back a few times and reread parts when they were referenced later in the book to be sure I had it right in my head.

Ok, things I like: unruly, angry heroine, hero has to work hard to woo and win her over.  Intrigues!  Lots of problems arrise to create issues.  I like to sink into heroine's mind and world.  Historicals and Greek gods! Greek gods! Greek gods!  Did I say Greek gods?
Things I don't like: unnecessary POV switches  

So my perfect book to read/write would include a heroine not liking the hero right off the bat.  The hero has to works hard to convince her otherwise.  It would be a historical novel that somehow incorporated the paranormal pantheon of the Greek gods.  

After picking through my books and writing all this down I have to giggle a little because I've already been planning something sort of up this alley.  The hero and heroine do like each other right away though, no angst or hatred to be found, LOL.  But, kidnapping and other intrigues abound.  The secondary love story however, does follow the betrayer working to earn the trust back from the woman he betrayed.  So that covers my pissed off heroine, LOL, even though she's the secondary heroine.  I know.... I've bit off a lot, right!  Two stories in one.  One is human and one is supernatural in......wait.....you guessed it.... the Greek pantheon of gods!

This epiphany is all thanks to Candace Havens and her comprehensive class.  Which you should totally take!  It is so worth the money!  This is my second time through it and I know I'll get even more this time.  Last time she helped me finish my first novel :-).

So I'm going to wander back off to my pages of notes that are covering my couch.....I hear my characters calling to me, telling me I need to work on their stories.  Oh, wait...., that was the 2yr old whining that she needs a nap.  Must attend to that first.

Hugs,
Krystal

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Six Sentence Sunday #6


Yay!  Welcome back to my blog for installment #6 from my upcoming novella OPEN HOUSE: Pool of Souls.  So glad you came by.  Be sure to visit www.sixsunday.com for more links to other fabulous blogs.


The man who got out of the driver’s side of the truck was Robert.  He had changed quite a bit from his skinny, black glasses, and pocket protector days.  Though he had been adorable to her back in high school, looking at him now, she felt a rush of heated desire.  His dark hair was cut short and his narrow rim glasses framed a handsome chiseled face.  The familiar square jaw was more defined that she remembered and he wore a five o’clock shadow very well.  He was wearing loose jeans, a bright turquoise polo shirt, and a pair or well-worn brown sandals –Texas casual. 

Friday, June 8, 2012

Fabulous Author Friday ~ Denyse Cohen



So excited to have author Denyse Cohen here today on the blog!

Without Further Ado.......

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m from Brazil and I came to the U.S twelve years ago to learn English. Since then, I’ve gotten married to a wonderful American man, had a beautiful son, and learned to love the U.S as much as I love Brazil. I have a bachelor’s degree in studio arts from CalState-LA and I currently live in South Carolina.

Fantastic!

Did you always want to be an author?
I’ve always loved to write and yes I’ve always (secretly) dreamt about being an author. I had notebooks when I was little to write my stories (unfortunately I don’t think any of those survived.) I studied Social Communications in Brazil and I wanted to be a journalist. When I came to the U.S and decided to stay, I turned to another passion of mine: art, because I was self-conscious about pursuing a journalism degree in a language other than my native language.

I have boxes of notebooks too! *grin* 

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
I think is being able to convert the stories/daydreams from my head into  concrete pieces of work that can be shared with other people. It’s an amazing feeling to have someone read one of my stories and see that it has touched them even if in a small way.

Tell us a little about your book.
One Hit Wonder is a contemporary romance with setting in L.A. (most of it, at least.) It’s the story of a woman who feels really lost. (late-bloomers in the house—high fives) When she posts on Facebook her frustration at being laid-off, a long-lost childhood friend offers her a gig to photograph his wannabe rock band on tour.
Inside a rundown Winnebago with the all-male band, her cynicism is only matched by her fear of being taken for a groupie. Despite her own resistance, she falls for the one member who keeps her at a distance. Then John writes a song that reveals his pent-up emotions for her and propels the band to instant stardom.
They head to L.A. where the problems start and Audrey struggles to protect her relationship and find her own professional success, while the band deals with the dangers of fame.

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book?
This is my first book. I started January 2011 and just finished. (seriously, I was hanging on it and doing revisions until the last second of the deadline)

Congrats on the first book!

Where do you get your inspiration?
From everywhere, really. The other day I was in the hair salon and as my hairdresser placed a foil on my bangs and brushed the color in I thought how funny would be if the foil came off and he brushed the color all over my face. I immediately thought what a funny scene for a story!

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser?
Pantser all the way! I wish I was a plotter, I think life is easier for them. *sniff* But inspiration strikes me like summer lightning and I have to sit and write, only getting up when I have the scene down; from there, the story grows organically.

I am such a Pantser too, but I'm rapidly learning the value of a little bit of planning, LOL.

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published?
When I finished the manuscript and first round of edits I started to send queries to agents. I didn’t know much about the process ( and still don’t.) I continued editing and rewriting while waiting for answers. One day, I saw someone mentioning Crimson Romance at my RWC online group, then I found an online interview with the wonderful Jennifer Lawler (Crimson’s Imprint Manager) and decided to give it a try. After about three weeks, I received a critique letter with great suggestions on how to make my story tighter and ready for publication. At that point, I was beyond myself with excitement, the critique letter alone was more than I had bargained for (I couldn’t afford a professional editor to read my book that way.) Every suggestion from the editors at Crimson was worth pursuing and it made a huge difference. I worked ten hours a day for ten days, they liked the changes I’ve made and respected my original vision for the story, and after they re-read the manuscript I was offered the contract. YAY!  It's the most fabulous feeling in the world!

What book have you most recently released?
One Hit Wonder is my first book. *ear-to-ear smile*

What was your favorite part of the book?
Hmmm…probably when Audrey realizes that, despite herself, she has fallen in love. She wasn’t very happy about it…lol.

Rate your story in terms steaminess?
I’ll borrow from my editor’s description on Amazon, “Sensuality Level: Behind closed doors.” It made me chuckle. But, to be perfectly accurate, it has some steamy scenes that I—thoroughly—enjoyed writing.

Do you have another book in the works?
Yes, I do. I’ve started to work on a urban fantasy romance. I know nothing about the genre, so I have lots of researching to do. But I want to first write the entire story the way I envisioned without worrying about the “rules.” Sounds like a good plan.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?
I’m actually still looking for advice *laugh* But, one thing I’ve learned in my experience is to have as many beta-readers as you can. There’s just some stuff you can’t see for yourself, like you’re reading the way it’s in your head, not how it’s written on the page. And don’t be afraid to query and query. If people don’t see your work, how can they buy it?

Boxers or Briefs?
Boxers

Pizza or hamburger?
Pizza

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?
Beer


(Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?
Audrey: I was immediately attract to his broad shoulders, expressive eyes, and perfect lips. Not your male-model kind of beauty either, but a rugged look that screamed “I can load a truck with firewood and still make tender love to you in front of the fireplace.” But he gave me the brush-off and I though he was a huge snob.
John: She was breathtaking: amazing body, long wavy hair, amber skin. I was so nervous around her, I felt like a little boy on fifth grade having my first girl crush. 

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?
Audrey: John is the most caring, warm, and trustworthy person I know. I love that his eyes speak for themselves.
John: Audrey takes absolutely nothing for granted. She’s tough and honest, and she can hold her liquor.

What are your plans for the near future? 
John: Make more music, with Audrey by my side.
Audrey: Plans? One thing I’ve learned is that life is unpredictable. My only plan is to take one day at time and never again be scared of what life might bring me.

Where to find you @
@denysecohen
www.facebook.com/DenyseCohenAuthor


Denyse, it was fantastic to get to know you better.  I loved your sweet romance!  A random winner from comments will get one ebook copy!  So don't forget to leave your email when you stop by.


Excerpt from
One Hit Wonder

In nearly five months in L.A, she witnessed how much the very dynamics of the city seem to work to keep people away from each other. It could take two hours to drive ten miles because of the mind-blowing traffic. But when she left Ben’s gallery in North Hollywood, not even that could ruin her mood.
i am taking you to dinner tonight, my treat. She texted John as soon as she got in the car. It turned out Edward was right, Ben had asked her to dinner to “discuss further” the terms of his gallery’s representation. Luckily, he had already bought two of her photographs for five hundred dollars each, and invited her to participate in a group show at the end of October. Audrey politely told him she had plans—with her boyfriend, and saw his enthusiasm burn out like the flame of a jar candle covered by a heavy book.
Not long after she started the four-wheeled dance toward the interstate, her phone rang.
“I have good news,” she said.
“Tell me.” John said.
“You’re talking to a represented artist, who’s sold two photographs.”
“I knew you had this one, babe.”
“Thanks. And I’ll be in a group show in October.”
“Cool. What about?”
“Time.” Audrey was so happy the thick mass of cars as she merged onto I-134 East didn’t phase her. “Do you want to go to the Argentinian Place on Green?”
“Oh, babe. Bill is getting into town tonight and we’re all supposed to have this dinner with Tim and Jennifer to talk about the new tour.”
“Oh.”
“Jennifer told me only thirty minutes ago. I was about to call you. I didn’t want to interrupt your meeting. Why don’t you come with us?”
“Business dinner? With Bill?”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ve heard we’re eating at the Polo Lounge. Supposedly, Tim loves the chef there. I’ll get us a room and we can celebrate afterwards.”
“At the Beverly Hills Hotel? John, it’s too expensive.” Even as she said it, she felt a surge of excitement tingling her fingers.
“I think the occasion calls for it.”
“Hah, you’re the one on the top charts. We didn’t do anything special when you got signed.”
“Yes, I think we did.”
She blushed and remembered them walking out of a storage closet inconspicuously after a quickie at a bar in Silver Lake. The band and Audrey had made friends with the bartender while living at the Atlantis house. They’d gone there to celebrate and the bartender had let them use a back door to go outside and smoke in peace since the front entrance was always jammed with people. She didn’t smoke, but she had walked out with John, and his eyes changed when she took a drag from his cigarette, still in his fingers.
“You’re so sexy,” he said as she exhaled the smoke. She’d helped his hand between the buttons of her dress, threw his cigarette out, and led him to the—doorless—closet she’d noticed on their way out. From a dark corner of the room, behind a shelf stocked with cleaning supplies, they could hear the waiters walking on the corridor. If any of them had made a left turn instead of right, in search of paper towels or a mop, he or she would had been in for a big surprise. John was motionless, completely taken aback by her initiative. She felt powerful, invincible. When she unbuckled his belt, he pleadingly murmured her name, but she muffled the sound taking his mouth into hers, then knelt down and his entire body quivered