Last Chance to Enter 2011 NRCA
28 Nov 2011 2 Comments
in Contests, getting the word out, judges, NRCA, Promotion, published authors, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, excited, Writing
Osiyo~
Did you intend to enter and time just slipped away? This is your last reminder to enter 2011 National Reader’s Choice Awards before the December 1 deadline! Go. Now. Enter. At any one or two or all of these links that apply to you!!!
Contemporary Series Romance 2011 release in print? Time to enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Contemporary Series Romance: Action/Suspense w/ 2011 release? Enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Contemporary Single Title w/ 2011 release? Enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Sexy Erotic Romance w/ 2011 release date? Enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Historical Romance your writing cup of tea w/ 2011 release date? Enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Novel w/ Strong Romantic Elements released this year. Enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Does your Paranormal Romance have a ghost of a chance? Enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards & find out! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Did your Romance Novella release in a print anthology in ’11? Enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
2011 Romantic Suspense authors, it’d be murder not to enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
YA Authors – your 2011 book doesn’t have to be a romance to enter Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Debut authors, enter your 2011 book in Nat’l Readers Choice Awards! for category & Best 1st Book! http://tinyurl.com/6aknjws #NRCA
Hurry! You have two more days!!!!!!!
Good luck to all who have entered!
Dodadagohvi~
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Historical author- Callie Hutton!
22 Nov 2011 53 Comments
in Author guest, Blogs, Book trailer, Debut release, getting the word out, Interview, Promotion, Release Day, TWRP, Welcome Tags: A Run For Love, Calisa Rhose, Callie Hutton, Debut author, Debut book, guest, The Wild Rose Press, Writing
Osiyo~
I am so thrilled today to have my very own fellow OKRWA member, and critique partner, historical author Callie Hutton on the ranch today. I thought it might be fun to put her in the round pen and chase up a little fun.
Let’s begin with a peek at her DEBUT BOOK which releases to-mor-r-ow! (Insert musical tones for this part. You know, how Oprah used to sing-song an intro? Yeah, like that.)
So Callie, tell us about A Run For Love.
Book: A Run For Love
Release Date: November 23rd.
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Blurb:
In 1889, determined teacher Tori Henderson desperately wants to enter the Oklahoma Territory land run for a piece of free land in the town of Guthrie. She and her orphaned nieces and nephews are about to be homeless, and she needs a teaching job.
Attorney Jesse Cochran is the son of a whore, a background he wishes to hide. As her new neighbor in Oklahoma, he is attracted to the cantankerous woman, but she has no desire to put herself under the thumb of a man.
When one of her nieces runs away from home, Jesse and Tori go after her, and the few nights spent together results in an unplanned pregnancy. Unwilling to repeat his parents’ mistakes, he insists on marriage. Tori is adamant no man will take away her independence, and her stubbornness leads to a tragedy that tears them apart. But Jesse has a plan and is not about to give up. Is his stubbornness enough to win her back?
- Do you have critique partners?
Yes, I do, and I love every one of them. We’re a helpful group, willing to offer honest, but never cutting critiques. We also cheer each other’s successes and encourage the member or two who may occasionally need some TLC. We share our personal lives as well as our writing life. Three of my critique partners all have debut novels coming out the same time I do. It’s a definite rush for our group
- If you could time travel would you go forward or backward?
Definitely backward. As a Historical Romance author, I love all things from the past. I was also a history major in college, which fits right in there, too. I would love to visit medieval England/Scotland. The English Regency period, the Old West, New York during the late 1800s. One caveat: I would definitely pack a bag with aspirin, antibiotics, and toilet paper for my trip.
- Why do you write what you do?
I write mostly historical romance because I love history, and I love falling in love. The time in your life when you meet ‘the one,’ the feelings start to grow, but also doubts–will it turn out with a happily ever ending after–can’t be matched.
I also love the way things used to be in times past, where everything wasn’t so free and open. Where certain rules and regulations were followed, certain decorum expected. I think that allows for more intrigue and excitement in romance novels. Amazingly enough, even my nineteen year old daughter agrees.
- Tell us a little about your WIP.
I’m currently re-writing a story I wrote last year about a mail order bride who, after a life of luxury, finds herself penniless, and on her way from New York City society to meet her new husband, a widower with five children in Oregon. At the same time, I’m writing a new story that is the second sequel to A Run for Love. The first sequel, A Wife By Christmas, will be released by Soul Mate Publishing on December 1st.
- Tropical or European vacation?
Definitely European. I would love to investigate the crumbling castles of Scotland, and the villages of Ireland and England. It’s a trip my husband and I plan to take in a few years. I hope to do a lot of research for future books.
- Are there any books you would recommend for a new writer to help them learn the craft?
Definitely G.M.C. – Goals, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon; and Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight v. Swain. For love scenes, I highly recommend The Art of Sensual Loving by Dr. Andrew Stanway. It’s an illustrated book, which helps me to keep all the body parts in the right spots. J
- What can we look forward to in the future with your writing?
I have a few more sequels to A Run For Love. I also have a Regency I started that I plan to go back to. Next year I have a book coming out from The Wild Rose Press, Annie’s Attic, which is my first contemporary book. It was part of a project my Oklahoma Writers Group did about a doll with a curse. I had fun writing the contemporary because I got to use all the modern day sayings normally off limits to us historical writers.
Where we can find you and your book to buy?
Publisher’s website: www.soulmatepublishing.com
Callie’s website: www.calliehutton.com
Book Trailer:
That was fun! I love this trailer! Again, Callie’s book becomes available TOMORROW!!!
BUT this is a contest! Win your choice of A Run For Love now, or A Wife By Christmas when it releases on Dec. 1st, you need to leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL either here, on Colleen’s blog or, our other critique partner, Christine’s blog. One winner will be selected on Friday, November 25th so be sure to comment at all three blogs for THREE chances to win!
Don’t forget to watch Colleen’s blog for details of her upcoming books.
Dodadagohvi~
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What NaNo taught me
17 Nov 2011 24 Comments
in fun, Goals, Home, My writing, Progress, Writing Tags: Calisa Rhose, ItMotM, NaNoWriMo, Writing
Osiyo~
I’m not nanoing this year but I hear from some new-to-Nanoers who are having trouble keeping up with the pace. My friends are going bald. So I thought I’d offer a bit of advice to help those who are stressing over Nano keep their lovely hair and sanity by talking about my first Nano experience and what I got out of it.
When I did nano for the first time, and only one to date, I chose to let the characters lead me, tell me who they were and what their story was. I didn’t plot before hand, didn’t try to think up a story or characters. Okay, being a complete pantser had a lot to do with that. These days I have transformed into a plotser- I plot a little, still write by the seat of my pants a lot.
On Nov 1, 2006 I sat and wrote whatever came to me, no matter what it turned out like. Every day I started as soon as my last daughter in school was gone for the day. A fresh, new story, not one I’d been thinking about beforehand. I got the surprise of my life when it turned out to be a paranormal—something I never had attempted or even imagined myself writing as a strictly contemporary writer. I rarely read anything different than what I wrote back then. Nora Robert’s Key Trilogy was the most paranormal-y thing I think I’d read in ages, in fact.
At the end of each day I would do one of two things. One, we aren’t supposed to do but I was just doing well not to edit during the writing process each day, so I went back and read my day’s progress, fleshed it out a bit to see what I had and who my characters were turning out to be… or two, I wrote on one of my current wips and put nano away until the next day.
That seemed to help me get through the month. I did finish my nano challenge out. I didn’t let it stress me. I had fun. It shouldn’t be a chore to do what we love. Write. We’re supposed to have fun and learn to turn off the internal editor and just write, nothing more. I accomplished that even if my word count came in under the wire by several thousand words. December is for fleshing out and edits. November I wrote. I don’t think there’s been one month since that I can say “I wrote every day this month.” I miss Nano. But it seems like each year when the contest rolls around I’ve either just begun a new story, and for nano you need one never started other than primary plotting, or I was in edits. This year? I’m trying to finish a story for a specific project with my publisher. Last year? I had a request from Harlequin-Mills & Boon for a full manuscript (ms) that wasn’t written to completion and only had two months to write it, to be complete by the end of November.
So what happened to that single Nano ms from 2006? Check out the excerpt below and tell me what you think.
Setup: Working title- In the Mist of the Mind; Dray Corbeau’s subconscious keeps calling out for help and Chelcie Miles has picked up on his distress. After two conflicting meetings in the minds she is determined to discover who he is and what he wants from her. Chelcie has decided to risk contacting Dray by telepathy, after her aunt/guardian, a powerful mind manipulator, has warned her not to.
“Are you there?” Chelcie spoke aloud to break the silence then waited to the count of ten. She hadn’t had a lot of practice calling, though it was a basic gift for some, and wasn’t sure if she was doing it right.
When she heard nothing in response she closed her eyes, not giving up. Face raised to the sky, hands lifted high with palms upward, she exhaled slowly, calling on the Spirit element to guide her mind. With a swift breath she sucked the cool, wet spring air deep into her lungs, and let the moment draw her in as she waved her fingers before gradually curling her hands into loose fists. Her very being was drawn into mind as she focused. In an instant she felt her mind drift from her body.
“I need to speak to you.” With breath held, she waited, but only briefly this time.
“What do you want, Ma Petit?” The French words came across soft and slightly hesitant, as though he was holding back in preparation for retreat.
She let her breath go slowly and opened her eyes, but she didn’t see the garden around her. Her gaze focused within a warm mist. “You mistrust me.” After he’d invaded her sleep and did such sinful things to her, he didn’t trust her. What a farce!
Fallyn would be furious beyond compare if she knew Chelcie had not been swayed from contacting the stranger. The pain of being caught still rested on the verge of her conscious mind. And yet, did that excruciating experience stop her from allowing him back inside? Not at all. And how else could he invade her sleep unless she had allowed it?
Not only had she allowed him inside, she had welcomed his caresses. Worst of all was letting him seduce her and get information in doing so. It was as though he’d silenced her until she couldn’t speak so she had to use her gift to communicate…
Had that been his intention all along? Had she been drawn to him by trickery?
It was possible he didn’t know her enough to get what he needed, but Chelcie had volunteered a small tidbit of herself, therefore opening the door for him to enter, and to take freely whatever he desired.
“With good reason,” his voice broke in to suggest. “You very nearly crippled me the last time we spoke. It left me no alternative but to slip in unawares. Much the way you tried to do to me, don’t you agree?” So the yanking had been as painful for him as it had for her.
And, he had a point, but she was loath to admit it to him as she set the blocks in place. He would not get more than she was willing to offer. In sleep, or awake.
“It was a rotten thing you did. I was sleeping unprotected.”
“I wouldn’t harm you, Little One. Not without a very good reason. You were completely safe with me,” he promised. “But, you already know that, Ma Petit Familiar,” he added in soft allure.
“Why do you call me little one when you know my name?” The version of the pet name he used suggested intimate familiarity between them. It brought back vivid memories of the dream he’d created for her. Almost pleasant memories. She shook that thought from her head.
“You said you need me.” He failed to answer her question.
“I said I needed to speak to you.” She corrected with a secret pleasure that he was playing with her, being as seductive as a lover. A lover whose name she did not know, and was hesitant to ask should it open her up to him more.
“So, we will meet,” he said with confidence that worried and excited her. The continuing softness of his voice teased her senses and she knew an instant of panic. He could destroy her with his mind alone.
“Yes,” she breathed.
I wrote two characters I still adore and that was important to me. This is the very first time anyone will taste a sample of that NaNoWriMo project. It’s my hidden ‘baby.’ So what do you think of it?
And should it be delegated to a box under the bed/in the closet/lost file? Or should I finish and submit? I really do want to know what you think.
Dodadagohvi~
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Historical Awesomeness-Ruth A. Casie
15 Nov 2011 23 Comments
in Author guest, Contests, Debut release, giveaway, TWRP, Win Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, excited, giveaway, guest, historical, Knight of Runes, Ruth A. Casie, Winner, Writing
Osiyo~
Wow. Just awesome wow! Here on the ranch I try to showcase some wonderful authors. Mostly new authors I’ve met through TWRP, my critique groups, or friends I met through workshops like this wonderful guest today. Active on so many levels of RWA and other writing organizations, she still finds time to write such incredible books like Knight of Runes. I first read samplings of this awesome book over a year ago when she was still writing it, it was amazing even in the rough draft stage, so I’m doubly excited to have her tell us about the book today. Please welcome Ruth A. Casie to the round pen!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DEBUT RELEASE, RUTH!!!!!!
How I Got From There to Here
I’m on the Carina Press site admiring the cover of my debut novel, Knight of Runes. Okay, so you may think I’m staring at it because he’s a really hot guy. I have one in residence, hot to me that is. The picture on the book cover may be the illusion of mighty Lord but my novel is really published. That’s no illusion.
I started the project March, 2009 excited to help a friend with her writing. It quickly escalated into creating a series of romance novels. We each had stories in our head and made plans to connect them. After a few months of hard work and several tens of thousands words on each story, we found the stories worked better individually. It was a big stretch to work them into a series. We decided to critique each other’s stories and finish our books.
Her life was filled with training for the New York Marathon, a beautiful daughter getting ready for high school graduation and college tours, and a job that took her all over the country (and sometimes the world). My situation was very different. My three are children are independent and on their own. I use my treadmill as an extension of my closet, and my job is a ninety minute commute to New York City.
I had the time and I had the story so, I wrote. I researched all sorts of things, the renaissance, manor life, herbs, poisons, karate moves, survival training, field medical procedures, druids, magic, warding, myths, and knights. I wrote some more. By August, I had 105,000 words and a completed manuscript. Now what? I didn’t know what to do with it.
I looked for a support group and found Romance Writers of America. I spent the next fourteen months learning about craft, publishing, and career building. I pitched to agents and editors and kept on polishing my manuscript.
In October, 2010, I participated in an online pitch sponsored by Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal (FFnP), an online RWA special interest chapter. Angela James, the senior editor at Carina Press, requested my full manuscript. I gave it one more polish after taking Eliza Knight’s class, Edit Your Book in a Month, and sent it off January 2011. February, Angela James called. Carina Press wanted to publish my story.
I asked her to repeat her name. I must have heard it wrong. It sounded like she said Angela James. It finally sunk in. This was THE CALL. All that practicing in the shower going over and over what I would say, how sophisticated I would sound and the brilliant questions I would ask, must have floated down the drain. I sounded anything but coherent and witty.
For days I thought, Angela must be mistaken or she must be calling everyone that pitched. So many agents and editors told me that time travel romance wouldn’t sell. I was certain Carina Press would change their minds. When the contract came I had to admit that it was real.
My family, day job colleagues, and friends (writers and non-writers), all celebrated with me as the project moved into its next phase, ready for production. With my editor, Denise Nielsen, we worked through the edits, cover fact sheet, and back cover blurb.
So, I sit and look at the cover (on the Carina Press buy site) and realize that all that hard work, the disappointments, and even the doubts were so worth it. I look at the cover, a symbol of reality to me, and the excitement bubbles up all over again. And that hot guy, the one in residence, told me he knew it all along.
Knight of Runes
It’s the 21st century and time travel is still a Wellsian fantasy but not for Rebeka Tyler. While on an impromptu tour of Avebury, she takes a misstep at the standing stones, and finds herself in the right place but tossed back into the 17th century. When Lord Arik, a druid knight, finds Rebeka wandering his lands without protection, he swears to keep her safe. But Rebeka can take care of herself. When Arik sees her clash with a group of attackers using a strange fighting style he is intrigued.
Rebeka is desparate to return to her time. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to help find out what’s killing Arik’s land to get access to the library. But as she decodes the ancient runes that are the key to solving his mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.
As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik’s household schemes to keep them apart and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. To defeat him, Arik and Rebeka must combine their skills. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.
Ruth’s Bio
Ruth A. Casie was born in Brooklyn, New York. For twenty-five years she’s been writing for corporate America. Encouraged by her family and friends this ballroom dancing, Sudoku playing, aspiring gourmet cook has given way to her inner muse. She’s let her creative juices flow and started writing a series of historical time travel romance stories. She hopes you read and enjoy her stories.
Ruth A. Casie
Title: Knight of Runes
ISBN: 978-14268-9258-5
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: November 14, 2011
Genre: Historical time travel
Ruth’s web site: http://ruthacasie.com
Ruth’s blog: http://ruthacasie.blogspot.com
Ruth’s Twitter: Twitter.com/RuthACasie
Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Leave a comment with your email address. One person will be randomly selected at the end of the day.
Did you miss that? Yesterday was Ruth’s RELEASE DAY!!!! Don’t forget to leave your email in a comment!
Dodadagohvi~
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Debut author special event
11 Nov 2011 64 Comments
in Author guest, book to read, Debut release, Ghosts, Promotion, published authors, Release Day, Welcome, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Donna Shields, Free books, giveaway, Soulmate Publishing, The Swan Cove Murders, Writing
Osiyo~
OMG! (for those who don’t know- the ‘G’ stands for Gosh) I am so, so excited today! My critique partner of nearly two years is here on the ranch. Welcome my dear friend and awesome author, Don-na Shi-el-ds!!!!! (Yep, still Oprah today. Don’t ask. 
)
This is so very special for me since we joined our CBC crit group within a short time of each other. Neither of us published, very few submissions or rejections under our belts at that point, raw newbies basically. And yesterday…yesterday… her first book was released with Soulmate Publishing!
I can’t express how thrilled, how proud (or how jealous of her Jimmy Thomas cover!) and just how WOOOHOOOO I am of her! I had the chance to read this story before it was sold. From the first tentative words I was hooked.
It takes some of my favorite ingredients and makes a great story. Hot detective, misunderstood psychic, ex-fiancé and a ghost. Ok, those last two are one in the same. That’s what makes it such a great read. Not convinced? I’ll let Donna tell you about her journey and The Swan Cove Murders. Grab a coffee and a gooey cinnamon roll, or chocolate éclair if you prefer (I’m still looking for my own chuckwagon chef) and get cozy. It’s all yours, Donna.
My first sale. Wow. I’m still in awe over it. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride, that’s for sure. I think fleshing out the idea for The Swan Cove Murders might have been the easy part. Okay, maybe not. There really is no ‘easy part’ at all. No sugarcoating it here! But, with all the hard work, some sleepless nights, great criticism and lots of endless hair pulling, in the end it was all well worth it.
It all began with that spark of an idea – spirits communicating those final words. A simple ‘I love you’ or ‘I’m okay’ or even ‘Leave my home’. Well, in the case of my story, my ghosts are a bit more complicated. One is a murderer and the other is my heroineLena’s fiancé and also my hero Nicholas’ brother.
Then came Savvy Authors May Boot Camp, much like NaNo only in May, lol. I signed up. I struggled. I yanked my hair out. I even wanted to throw my computer out the window. And it wouldn’t be an experience without my hero and heroine wanting their story ‘right now’. But, over that 31 day period, I wrote that first rough draft.
Next was June Revision Hell at Savvy Authors. The same scenario but amplified by a hundred times. Again, I pushed myself to do it. One in particular, Barbara Rae Robinson, kept encouraging me and vice versa throughout June. Even into July. She was a pretty solid rock for me.
And then came the pitches over at Savvy. Talk about tough competition. Lots of writers had some great pitches going on. And I didn’t think anyone would even remotely take on my story. It’s blended genres after all. From what I hear, it’s hard to get into traditional publishing companies with these. Finally came my chance when Debby Gilbert from Soul Mate Publishing wanted to read my first 50 pages. Off I sent my baby and I was scared to death. I thought for sure she would hate it. She shocked me when she asked for the entire manuscript. Of course I figured: Great, I hooked her and she’ll hate the rest of the story.
But I got THE email (kind of like THE CALL) saying she was offering me a contract for The Swan Cove Murders and I cried. Yup, sure did. No pride here. When she told me over and over again every time she read it for edits, semi-final galley, and final galley that she loved reading it each time, the tears fell, but of course for joy.
That’s pretty much it. Within a week, I had my cover book art. And that even blew my mind away. It came out better than anything I could have dreamed of. Since Wednesday, I’ve been on cloud nine and I don’t want to ever come back down.
Available NOW: The Swan Cove Murders: Where the dead speak to her, danger finds her, and love saves her.
Coming in December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge
Soul Mate Publishing http:/ www.soulmatepublishing.com/
Blurb:
As if the violent murder of Lena Dixon’s fiancé hadn’t been bad enough, now his brother, Nicholas Hunter, is court ordered to live with her for the next thirty days. And to top it off, the murderer’s ghost is asserting his innocence and refuses to leave untilLenaand Nicholas prove it.
The skeptic in Nicholas believesLenahas lost her mind until he witnesses some unexplainable events and is forced to believe in her psychic abilities and his heart’s desire.
As their sexual chemistry heats up, so do their guilt levels. Can they make their newfound relationship work, or will it be too late when the real killer comes calling for her?
Excerpt:
The door slowly opened, and she slid through the slim opening. The purple smudges under her beautiful hazel eyes spoke volumes to him, crushing his heart. Be strong.
“What do you want? The sheriff already delivered the papers.” The glare radiating from her hazel eyes spoke of wanting to set him on fire, burning him alive. She’d been crying.
“I know.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, you also know Earl left me the house.”
“A small technicality which will be fixed the day after tomorrow in court.”
She sighed. “Then what do you want today of all days?”
“I would like to get into my attic.” When she didn’t answer, he smiled. “Please.”
Suspicion crept into the fiery gaze. “Why should I let you?”
“I have a key. I can come and go anytime I please.” Vixen. “I thought I’d be nice and ask, before forcing my way in.”
“You certainly aren’t winning me over.”
He put his hands together as if in prayer. “Please. I just need the trunk.” His and Earl’s trunk. After the funeral,Lenahad insisted Nicholas take the treasure trove with him, but the memories inside had been too much to handle at the time.
Her swollen eyes softened a little. “Well…” She pushed open the door and waved him in.
He made his way through the foyer, pausing when he spotted the family photos hanging on the wall. “I see you haven’t changed anything.” He hadn’t been inside the house since Earl’s death.
“Why would I?”
His eyes caught the flower arrangement on the side table near the staircase along with the card sticking up in the middle. “Secret admirer?”
Her face flushed. “How about none of your business? Do you want time with the trunk or what?”
***
Bio:
Donna Shields grew up on romance and scary stories. With her love for suspense and the slightly unusual, she enjoys tying these elements together to create stories full of love, danger, and the paranormal.
She lives in the beautiful upstate ofSouth Carolinawith her husband, her children, and some great haunts. She’s a mom, a ‘gramma’, a wife, a friend, an avid reader and writer. When she’s not occupied with all that, she loves traveling to Playa del Carmen andJamaica.
For one lucky commenter she’s offering an ecopy of The Swan Cove Murders! Yep- and if you just can’t wait, you can buy it now.
http://soulmatepublishing.com/the-swan-cove-murders/
Also available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Swan-Cove-Murders-ebook/dp/B0065M6GNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320978544&sr=8-1
Find Donna Shields at any of these (non tropical but just as lovely) locations:
Blog: http://donna-realworldwriting.blogspot.com/
Website: http://donnamshields.wordpress.com/
Soul Mate Authors Group Blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Donna-Shields/192982964105589
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Donna_Shields
Donna, I wish you many wonderful sales and future successes!
Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered for the copy of her book.
Dodadagohvi~
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To Give Thanks, Or Not?
09 Nov 2011 29 Comments
in Welcome
Something’s about to happen, guys. I feel it in my wings. My horoscope today warned me to watch out, or I might lose my head!”
Osiyo~
Tuesday Tales guest spot is moved to Wednesday for a reason this week. My special guest today is a funny lady, and a talented Young Adult author I met during a workshop offered by the delightful historical author, Eliza Knight last fall. A group of wonderful ladies all came together for her workshop on self editing your book in a month, and we stayed together afterwards to help, cheer, and boost each other’s writing efforts. I love all my Romance Divas! Please welcome Joelene Coleman, aka Harley Brooks, to the ranch today to gear us up for Thanksgiving in a way you’ve never viewed the foody holiday!
Wow! So this is the ranch? I’m honored to be counted among the special guests you’ve invited here. Thanks for letting me post my WACKY WEDNESDAY blog on your site.
This particular blog I’m dedicating to the “feast of foul”…Thanksgiving dinner. Why do we do it? Tradition? The need to gorge ourselves? Impress the in-laws? Or need an excuse to hold a sharp knife close to our wrists? My first Thanksgiving with my hubby was actually in a Denny’s restaurant. Someone else cooked, served, and cleaned up the mess, for a heck of a lot less money than I spend every year to subject myself to the torturous task. I’m re-thinking the “$5.99 special.”
I love sitcoms – back before Reality TV turned our brains mushy. (Anyone else tired of the heartbreaking drama poor deprived Kim Kardashian has to endure? My apologies to those who adore her and can’t afford therapy.) One of my favorites was Frasier – the “Lilith Thanksgiving.” The best line delivered was “…I have a turkey so undercooked, a skilled veterinarian could still save him…” Memories flash of my first time at trying to cook a turkey the way generations of my family had. We finally ran out of munchies and ate the pies while waiting for the main course. After that, I discovered the “cooking bag” – my holiday guardian angel!
Another favorite, WKRP in Cincinnati – the infamous “turkey drop.” Live turkeys were dropped from a helicopter for a publicity stunt and well, the best line explains it all…”As God is my witness, I really thought turkeys could fly…” Check out http://youtube.com for snippets.
I live in a house of men. My daughter lives at the other end of the state, leaving me to cook the traditional feast by myself. Every year I have great expectations that I will finally achieve the perfect Thanksgiving holiday. I’ve been in charge of the feast for over twenty years, and I’ve yet to serve it on time.
The minute the calendar flips to November 1st, my thoughts turn to Thanksgiving. I start planning the menu, clean the house (wondering if it would just be easier to buy new blinds than dust them) and make sure all the cutesy decorations no one notices, are out. The only decoration the “man team” cares about is that the tablecloth be plaid. They hold “napkin ring races” after dinner and the criss-cross pattern serves as “point markers.”
I picture myself getting up early Thanksgiving morning, welcoming the sunrise with a cup of coffee. I set the table, arrange the centerpiece, and prepare the turkey. Of course everything will go smoothly…the side dishes will all be ready at the same time. The gravy will be the perfect consistency, and “football” won’t interrupt my magic moment. Oh, and I’m also dressed in a stunning holiday outfit and wearing high heels (now we’re talking “fantasy”).
Here’s my “reality show.” I do get one, maybe two cups of coffee in me before the clock starts racing against me. I start with the turkey. I rub my foul friend with butter, apply the seasonings, and then…attempt to put him in the cooking bag…alone. You see, the captain of the “man team” knows his help could be used in the kitchen, so he fakes a coma until he’s sure the turkey is actually in the oven. I’m balancing 23 pounds on my wrist (which as I get older, could snap) while fighting with the plastic. I swear the turkey spreads his wings at the last minute to avoid going inside.
As the day progresses, things slowly get out of control. The “man team” starts circling, waiting for the hors d’oeuvres to be set out. Shrimp rings last approximately 5 minutes. The seven layer dip looks like a murder scene within seconds, and deviled eggs are literally inhaled like oysters on the half shell. Meanwhile, I’m lucky to pop an olive in my mouth as I work feverishly to have dinner ready within 30 minutes of when I told guests.
Of course, all the timers go off at the same time, which causes the captain of the “man team” to disappear. By now, the 23 pound turkey has doubled in weight with all the juices. The family room is filled with testosterone and a football game playing loudly. I find hubby hiding in the garage. I always seek him, holding the carving knife. One wrong word, and I’m changing him from a rooster to a hen.
Together, we gingerly slide the turkey onto the platter. One year, we held the bag at too high of an angle and the turkey overshot the platter and landed on the floor. I immediately pictured my husband without a head. He quickly scooped up the escapee and cleaned it off with paper towels. Luckily, it wasn’t a rollover accident. No one saw the mishap or heard me exercise my right to freedom of speech, thanks to a “touchdown.” I was mortified and reminded my husband that Lorena Bobbitt was my hero, so he better not cut any meat off close to the bottom. He complied, and our guests were never the wiser.
I’m also lucky to get a toothbrush in my mouth and out of my pajamas before company arrives. Most of the time, I’m zipping my pants on the way to answering the door, opening it with a wide smile, oozing the illusion of “calm and collect.” Inside, I’m praying my shirt isn’t on backwards, let alone inside out, and that they’ll never notice the constant twitching above my left eye. Hair? Pulled back. Make-up? Possibly still yesterday’s. Bra? Optional (not by choice – by brain fart). From this point on, whatever isn’t done, never existed in the first place.
I figure it takes less than an hour to devour ten hours worth of preparation. By the time everyone finally leaves, the kitchen and dining room resemble a war zone. Hubby, fond of certain appendages, helps dry the dishes that don’t fit in the dishwasher and snuggles with me on the couch. I’m usually asleep before the first log on the fire burns out, and just as the feeling is starting to come back into my legs and feet, the alarm goes off. It’s Black Friday. Time to shop!
So why do I put myself through all the fanfare, spend the money, and pack on the pounds for one day? Because for one glorious moment, I have my family and friends surrounding me, and when we go around the table naming the things we’re thankful for, I’m lovingly acknowledged by my “man team.” Traditions are important. They keep our lives balanced in a very rocky world. Yeah, they can be a pain in the ass, but in the end, they’re worth every memory.
Thanks again Calisa for letting me share a page from my wacky life on your site.
If you feel so inclined, you can check out Joelene’s Wacky Wednesdays each week on her blog http://www.jcolemanauthor.blogspot.com/ I promise you won’t waste your time!
*Chokes down the final hiccoughs * Thank you for that laughable enjoyable recount of what this holiday truly means, Joelene. I could tell about my own, but then we wouldn’t have this great chance to visit with my lovely lady friend! Yeah, I realize how that sounds- but you heard her talk about her “man team” and you’ve read some of my work and the men in it- so you know I don’t swing that way. Lol
I hope you’ll all take a moment to share some of your own Thanksgiving memories with us before you wander off to more important stuff.
Be sure to come back next Tuesday to meet another of my Divas and Carina Press author, Ruth A. Casie, as she shares her debut novel, Knight of Runes. Trust me, you DO NOT want to miss that one!
Dodadagohvi~
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‘Tis the season with Debra St John
04 Nov 2011 35 Comments
in Author guest, book to read, Promotion, published authors, The Wild Rose Press Tags: #TWRP, A Christmas to Remember, Calisa Rhose, Debra St John, giveaway, guest, The Wild Rose Press, Writing
Osiyo~
With colder weather comes stories. October thrills us with ghost stories, November brings…what pilgrims and Indians? But December has my favorite holiday (no, not my birthday, though by now everyone should know when that day is so I expect lots of presents!). I’m talking about Christmas.
This week I have the uber talented Debra St. John. She’s one of my fellow Roses, too. Aren’t ya jealous? You know you are! I would be.
Well, guess what? She has a wonderful Christmas book out. Don’t we all have one, or wish we had A Christmas To Remember?
Welcome Debra! Have a croissant and coffee while you tell us about you and your book.
Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. I love the decorations, I love wrapping presents, I love the smells, I love the food, I love the music. Sliding that first CD of the season into the player is always such a thrill. When the house resonates with Christmas music, I know the season has officially arrived. (And I’m a stickler…absolutely no Christmas music until the Friday after Thanksgiving.)
Growing up we always had music playing when we decked out the house for Christmas. One of our favorite albums (And I do mean album…we had it on vinyl!) was Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s “Once Upon a Christmas”. As an adult I was thrilled to get a CD of the album as a gift. It’s still one of my favorites for the holidays.
The song “A Christmas to Remember” always struck a chord with me. Every year when I listened to the song I’d think…this is such a great idea for a story…I could practically see it unfolding in my head: the cozy ski lodge, a sexy and mysterious stranger, sleigh rides, ice skating, the works… But with the busyness of the holidays, I never got around to writing it. Last year, after the season, I decided the time had finally come. Determined to have it done before Christmas rolled around again, in January I sat down at my computer to write the story that had been dancing in my head for years. I finished in time to meet Wild Rose’s holiday deadline and sent it off. The result, a contract for the novella A Christmas to Remember.
Sam and Heather’s story has finally arrived. I hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. And I hope it brings to mind the wonders, memories, and wishes of the most festive of seasons.
Blurb:
Newly single, Heather Morgan gathers her courage and decides to take a Christmas ski vacation on her own. However, the festive holiday atmosphere reminds her how dispirited and alone she feels. When she meets a mysterious stranger, her lonely vacation take an unexpected turn.
Sam is at the resort at the urging of his brother, who thinks he needs to get out and have a little fun. Having no desire to get involved with anyone, Sam needs a way to get his brother off his back. The intriguing Heather seems like the perfect solution to his dilemma, so he makes her an offer she can’t refuse.
Sam restores the joy of the season to Heather. Their time together is magical, something she’ll never forget. Soon her feelings for him deepen beyond their romantic holiday fling. But Sam has a secret, one that could prevent the fantasy from ever becoming real.
Excerpt:
As she turned to go, a deep voice spoke from behind. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I couldn’t help but overhear.”
Heather pivoted. The man’s movie star good looks matched the sexy timbre of his voice. Thick lashes framed piercing blue eyes. Laugh lines fanned out from the corners, deepening when he smiled at her. Even white teeth stood out against his tanned, chiseled features.
“Would you like to have dinner with me?”
She opened her mouth, but no sound emerged. Was she having an out of body experience? Handsome strangers usually didn’t appear out of nowhere to extend a dinner invitation.
Before her mind could unscramble enough to form a coherent reply, he spoke again. “Like I said, I couldn’t help but overhear, and I thought maybe I could help you out. I was supposed to have dinner with my brother, but he found other, uh, companionship, so I’m on my own tonight. And I just happen to have a reservation for two.”
Heather shook her head. “That’s really nice of you, but I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
The man smiled and something about the curve of his full lips made her heartbeat quicken. “There’s nothing to intrude upon. Like I said, I’m all alone tonight.” His eyes twinkled at her. “I’d love some company. And I promise, I don’t bite.”
What a shame. At the shockingly inappropriate thought, Heather lowered her gaze and hoped the blush heating her cheeks wasn’t visible in the dim light.
“I’m Sam by the way.” He held out his hand.
She placed hers in it. His palm was slightly rough against hers. A pleasurable tingle skittered up her arm. “Heather Morgan.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Heather. And it would be my pleasure to have you join me for dinner.”
Heather hesitated. Of course she should refuse. But something made her want to say yes. The lingering shiver from the brief contact of their hands? The compelling look in his eyes? The interest of a handsome man acting like a balm on her bruised heart? Or maybe the adventurous spirit she’d discovered when she’d decided to take the trip alone?
Whatever the reason, she found herself returning his smile. “I’d like that.”
Buy Link:
Where to Find Me:
http://www.debrastjohnromance.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://heroineswithhearts.blogspot.com
I’m also on Facebook.
Well thank you Debra for that wonderful peek into your holiday book, A Christmas to Remember. And one lucky commenter will win a copy chosen by Random.org, so be sure you leave your email address with your comment.
Dodadagohvi~
Welcome Jenna McClure
01 Nov 2011 27 Comments
in Author guest, Debut release, getting the word out, giveaway, Interview, The Wild Rose Press, Welcome, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Animal Attraction, Calisa Rhose, Free books, giveaway, Jenna McClure, The Wild Rose Press, Writing
Osiyo~
Want a super read? I have Jenna McClure with me on the ranch answering some questions and talking about her July release, Animal Attraction from The Wild Rose Press!
Welcome, Jenna. Let’s do this!
Q: What was the best advice you were given leading you to getting published?
A: Believe in yourself, your story and never give up! It really pays to be persistent and consistent with query letters to agents or editors. You never know who is going to believe in you and your story enough to take a chance on it. It also helps to attend conferences and seminars, and network with as many people in the business as possible. But in order to sell your story, you have to believe in yourself enough and have enough faith that it will happen, eventually.
Q: Why do you write what you do?
A: I write romance because, like other authors, I am a hopeless romantic and I wanted to write my own story. I also like to think I have a message to relate. For my first book, I wanted to get a message out there about how eating meat affects the environment, but I didn’t want to do it in any way that would put people off from reading the book. Writing has always come easy to me, but writing from the heart to hit someone else’s heart takes more than just writing. It takes an understanding of people, emotions and conflict, and learning how to intertwine them into a believable story that someone else wants to read. I want to be an author that a lot of someone else’s want to read.
Q: How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?
A: It’s probably less likely to happen in this litigious society because you never know who is going to take offense at reading about a character that may seem a little too familiar for comfort, but it’s still a possibility. I’ve only written one book, and the characters may or may not have some personality quirks that may or may not be similar to those of people I know. I would imagine most authors draw upon personal experience to some extent for their work, and that probably includes people, or at least parts of them. You’d have to be incredibly imaginative and creative to not have to draw upon real-life people. Either that, or you just use the same characters, only with different names, over and over again.
Q: What is your favorite time of year?
A: Fall, definitely. I love the clean, crisp Fall air, the colors of the leaves and the warm (not hot) sun on my face. I am definitely more of a cold-weather person than a hot-weather person. One of the reasons I moved to Colorado was for the cold weather because you don’t get a lot of snow in the South. Besides, if you get cold, you can always put on more clothes, but if you get hot, well, there’s only so much you can take off.
Q: If you were going to cast the hero of your book, what actor would get the part?
A: Jake Gyllenhall, no question. He is an absolute hunk with that dark hair and those baby blue eyes. He is yummy sexiness rolled into a whole lot of hottness, and I know he looks good in a cowboy hat (think Brokeback Mountain).
Blurb:
Environmental consultant Emmalyn Ashmore is outraged when she discovers the last minute replacement for the guest speaker at her annual conference is none other than Adam McLean, a cattle rancher, whose lifestyle represents everything she stands against.
Adam McLean has never met a more contrary woman. From the moment Emmalyn opens her mouth, he knows she’s exactly the type of woman he doesn’t need in his life – ever.
But Fate has other plans, and as the sparks fly, Emma realizes there’s more at stake than conserving just the environment. She has to learn how to conserve her heart, before she loses it forever.
Excerpt:
“It’s never good to make assumptions about people you don’t know,” Adam replied, throwing her words back at her.
She jerked her eyes to him, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Right. Sorry.”
Idly, he wondered if she was always this nervous, or if it was just him. Selfishly he hoped he had the same effect on her as she did on him.
“I know you’re a cattle rancher and all,” she started, “but I couldn’t let you leave without talking to you about your speech.”
He didn’t care for her opening words, but he liked her voice, so he concentrated on that. Besides, if he missed anything important, he’d ask her to repeat it. Over dinner, he mused as he continued to stare at her mouth. It was still moving, which meant she was still talking and he was still not listening, but she didn’t seem to notice.
Or so he thought.
Her lips stopped moving, snapped shut, then opened slightly. A brief, shrill whistle pierced the air. He jerked his eyes back to hers, and found her staring at him in angry disbelief.
If she didn’t look so mad, he might have laughed.
“Mr. McLean, were you listening to a word I said?”
Adam scratched his chin. “Sure. You said something about me being a cattle rancher, which I already knew, and then something about your impressions. But you kind of lost me after that.”
She placed her hands on her hips. “I was trying to talk to you about how misleading your speech was.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah? I must have missed that part.”
“I think you missed all my parts.”
“Trust me, I didn’t,” he drawled.
You can buy the book here http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_133&products_id=4572
And contact Jenna on her website on Facebook and on Twitter
Thank you for visiting Jenna! I want in on this drawing…just saying- horses+hot man= I’m there!
For one lucky commenter, Jenna has a free copy of Animal Attraction, so be sure to leave your email and format preference in your comment and Random.org, or Jenna will choose a winner tomorrow!
Dodadagohvi~
I write contemporary and paranormal romance, with sensuality as the key ingredient and spice for kick.
