What is multi-published?
30 May 2012 9 Comments
in book to read, Debut release, dreaming, fun, getting the word out, Home, medical, My writing, PDV, pitching, Progress, Promotion, sales, Word of Mouth Tags: Calisa Rhose, HOME, Perfect Dr. Viv, excited, Writing, Debut author, Debut book, Pen of the Dreamer, Lyrical Press, sold, Piper Denna
Osiyo~
No. That shaking isn’t an earthquake. It’s just me snoopy dancin’ around the Ranch this week.
Maybe my blog title should say WHO is multi-published.
The answer is… I AM!
I’m totally and completely thrilled to announce that Sunday, May 27, 2012 Lyrical Press offered me a contract for Perfect Dr. Viv via their Senior Editor, the lovely Piper Denna!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Even more fun, I get to be a debut author again, even though it’s not my first book published! *eyes HOME in the sidebar –>* It IS my first with Lyrical. 
Don’cha just love loopholes? *snort*
I will have edits and the story will be re-titled so as soon as I have that I’ll happily share and I’ve got all current info in my Bookshelf right here in my site to update as information becomes available. I canna wait to see what their cover gods come up with for a cover for this one. Especially if Piper gets her way and the title changes to Paws, Claws and Lacey Bras! *gulp* No, this is NOT an erotic- it’s a veterinarian! lol
Thank you for letting me scream my good news from your rooftops! Like you have a choice. 
Why don’t you hop over to my bookshelf page and check out the unofficial blurb and excerpt, and unedited stats, for Perfect Dr. Viv?
Feel free to weigh in with title suggestions for a tortured EMT-P (mediflight) and a sexy veterinarian. Don’t forget there’s also a 7 yo daughter and her pet skunk to consider. Or just help me pick one of these:
Kismet Unleashed
Paws, Claws and Lacey Bras
Rescued Trust
Hearts in Flight
Caged Trust
The Scent of Love
I can’t guarantee the winner will be the one accepted for publication, but it will be fun to see which one wins!
While you’re here, I’m blogging at Authors By Moonlight today on the joys of spring if you want to pop in there. I’d love to chat with you.
Dodadagohvi~
A Personal Dedication
07 May 2012 107 Comments
in book to read, Debut release, dreaming, fun, giveaway, Home, Promotion, Release date, TWRP, Win, Writing Tags: Calisa Rhose, Debut book, excited, Free books, giveaway, HOME, Nan Swanson, Pen of the Dreamer, Rhonda Penders, RJ Morris, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, The Wild Rose Press, Tina Lynn Stout, Writing
Osiyo~
I am so excited today! 
Because, because, because, becaaaaaause………. Because of the wonderful things she does!
Ok, I love The Wizard of Oz. I’m no Dorothy for sure, though I live in tornado alley with a tiny dog, Cocoa the temperamental Chihuahua.
But I’m singing praises for a wonderful woman by the name of Nancy Swanson today. Who? Let me explain.
Exactly one year ago I got an email with these words in it:
“thumbs up for HOME”
That email started out:
“Just got word from my senior editor…it’s a go! As soon as I can get a mouse to work with my laptop I’ll send you the contract documents…”
So, the reason for my excitement today is that it was the beginning of my dreams all coming true. I would finally be a published author! And true to her word, Nan Swanson- my beautiful editor at The Wild Rose Press- sent me the contract soon after! She was on her way to the annual TWRP retreat when she sent me the first email and just home again when I got the second one. That was the longest week in my writing history, let me tell ya!
Now a year later I’m waiting for my first payday for that Vintage Rosette, my Scrimshaw Doll short story, HOME, proudly listed under this lovely Logo on the website.
Of course, my editor isn’t the only one I have to thank for my first book becoming a splendid reality. It wouldn’t be nearly as appealing to look at on Kindle, PC or Nook (or whatever you use to read it) without the stunning job Tina Lynn Stout did on my gorgeous cover! I adore the colors and soft appearance Tina chose to bring out the effects of the era. That car is perfect to reflect the 60′s. 
Most of all, I have to thank Rhonda Penders and RJ Morris- 
- for taking a chance on me and over-looking my neurotic tendencies and offering that coveted contract! And to Lisa who made getting my baby out there possible with her talented marketing skills!
Here’s to The Wild Rose Press!!! 
In the acceptance of my story, TWRP also enabled me to meet the bestest group of writers in Cyberland or print! I adore and love my Sister Roses!!!! They (ya’ll) have made this last year a fun ride. Thank you and raise your glasses in a toast to all Roses!
So…in celebration of the event– I’m giving away a copy of Home to one lucky commenter and I’ll throw in a real signature Rose Rock from my town here in Oklahoma! These are sandy rocks that, because of the sulphur in the dirt and sand in this area and the way water runs over the terrain, forms unusual and unique rose-shaped formations.
They are not always distinct as you can see by these pictures.
(Rose Rock for a USA commenter only)
And since my name is Rhose…
Neat. Huh?
Join me in my celebration and win a book and a Rose!!! I’m verra excited to gift someone with my book!!!!!!
Leave your email with your comment and share what your most exciting or memorable event was as a writer. If you’re not a writer, what was your most memorable day in your adult life (weddings and baby births aside, because those always trump any other day!)?
Dodadagohvi~
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Clear As Day by Babette James!
03 May 2012 14 Comments
in Author guest, Blog Tour, book to read, Book trailer, Debut release, getting the word out, help author, Promotion, published authors, The Wild Rose Press Tags: #TWRP, Babette James, Calisa Rhose, Clear as Day, Debut author, Debut book, guest, Pen of the Dreamer, the ranch, Writing
Osiyo~
Oooh! I’m a horrible rancher! Bad- I tell ya. Someone get the rope! I offer profuse apologies to my sister Rose, Babette James! We were SUPPOSED to feature her debut release, Clear As Day by the Wild Rose Press on April 24th and I completely forgot to schedule her!!! Maybe I had a good reason for becoming totally Old Timers afflicted (my granddaughter lives with hubby and me and she fell at her Daddy’s Saturday the 21st and seriously broke her arm) but that’s still not an excuse. So I’m sucking the sour lemon of shame (because rose apples are just too gross), and apologizing to Babette and featuring her beautiful book now.
And Clear As Day really does have a lovely cover. Welcome Babette! Thank you for not boycotting the ranch for my blank-mindedness and sharing your book today.
Thank you, Calisa, for letting me visit and share a little about my debut novel, Clear As Day, a sweetly scorching contemporary romance from The Wild Rose Press.
Clear As Day is about two friends with benefits facing the fears and uncertainties of their changing relationship. I loved writing Clear As Day, it’s been a story of my heart in many ways, so seeing this story published is a dream come true.
When I was young, my family took camping trips every summer to Lake Havasu or Lake Mohave and I loved those scenic desert places. Later, when I was in college, remembering those trips, I wrote a short story, written from Kay’s first person point of view, as an exercise featuring that setting of the summer heat and cool waters of Lake Mohave, and the little story was born that would eventually grow into Clear As Day.
I never quite found a place for that short version, but in January of 2010, I took the story out once more, thinking to expand it into a small novella for a publisher’s call. I had fun with the story, adding in bits of my family’s trips to the river, other camping and fishing experiences, and my own enjoyment of watercolors, music, photography, and the desert. The resulting novella, now in Kay’s third person viewpoint, was rejected, but I received the nicest letter from the editor who took the time to briefly explain what she liked about the story and what she believed would improve the story. I took her comments and ran with them. The biggest change and challenge was adding in Nate’s viewpoint, and once I did that, the story just blossomed into the novel length it is now. Their simple friends-with-benefits relationship proved not so simple and from there grew the beginnings of their conflict, love story, and their tight-knit group of friends. I enjoyed exploring how Kay was the one resistant to commitment and how sweet and certain Nate was in his love for her.
There were more bumps and rejections in the road to publication, but I kept working to improve the story, and I didn’t give up, despite the doubts the rejections caused. The day I received that email from The Wild Rose Press saying they wanted Clear As Day was amazing. Now, with the 4 ½ star review from Romantic Times and being able to hold my book in my hands, I am so glad I never gave up on my story. I hope you enjoy Nate and Kay’s journey to love as much as I have.
Blurb:
What’s a girl to do when her summer lover wants forever?
Haunted by dark memories of her parents’ volatile marriage, artist Kay Browning keeps her heart locked behind a free-spirit facade and contents herself with the comfortable affair she has every summer with easygoing photographer Nate Quinn.
The only trouble with her plan? This summer Nate’s come to Lake Mohave to claim the lover he can’t let go. He’s done with the endless traveling and settling for temporary homes and temporary loves. Kay’s always been more than just a vacation fling, and now he must convince this woman, who sees love as a course to certain heartbreak, to take that leap of faith and learn how safe love with the right man can be.
Excerpt:
She trailed her fingers over his collection of pebbles on the table, polished by sand, wind and water. Be happy. Be happy. How could she feel so happy and terrified at the same time? You’d think one would cancel out the other.
She would be happy. They would talk. She would sort out her mind.
Don’t worry, be happy.
She slipped on her leather sandals and picked up her sunhat, sunglasses and beach bag. “All set.”
As Kay and Olivia arrived at Spider Camp, Nate was talking and taking casual shots of Dave sitting on his boat. Dave waved. Nate stopped talking the moment she came into sight, his attention fixed on her in a way that rushed heat through her and kicked a happy tumble in her heart.
He waved. “Hey, babe!” He raked his gaze over her. “Stop right there.” He raised his camera and made swift adjustments. “Okay, move.” Rapid shutter clicks followed his order. “Oh, yeah. Beautiful. Slower. Perfect.”
He met her halfway and kissed her hot and hard. “I was about to track you down. You look great.”
“And you look happy.”
“Life is good.” He gave her another quick kiss. “I took some awesome shots today.”
Be happy. Kay smiled. She just needed to practice. Starting now. “Want a beer then to celebrate?”
“Sounds great.” Nate slid an arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, “Damn, I love this suit on you. Why does it always make me want to peel you out of it?” He caressed his hand down over her bottom, holding her close. He softly nipped her earlobe. “Between this one and that yellow-dot one, I am one happy man.”
Desire twisted and heated through her. Wanting him was so easy. That, at least, she never doubted.
“Let’s go swimming, so I can play. Hmm?” he murmured, with more little nips. “Please?”
Go on, practice being happy. Go swimming. Play. Relax. Enjoy. Love.
What was so hard about all that?
Nothing.
Kay tugged the knot of her pareu free and tucked the wrap into his hand. “Okay.” She pulled away from him and strolled off, slipping off her shirt and tossing it, her sunglasses and hat on a chair as she passed, kicking off her sandals as she reached the damp sand.
Running feet pounded up behind her, and Nate scooped her up in his strong arms. He charged laughing with her into the water and threw them both in, the cool shocking splash against her sun-heated skin driving a giggling shriek from her.
Laughter and friendly catcalls rang behind them from their friends.
Nate tugged her to her feet, his body hard and warm against hers. He shook the water from his hair. A big smile, alive with affection and delight, lighted his face. Mischief danced in his eyes. “Come on, follow me.” He swam with lazy strokes toward the moored boats and flipped around, floating on his back, waiting. When she followed, he kicked farther on, putting Lloyd’s and Dave’s boats between him and the shore. She caught up with him. The water here was breast deep.
He snagged her wrist and drew her close.
Book Trailer:
Bio: Babette James writes contemporary and fantasy romance and loves reading nail-biting tales with a satisfying happily ever after. When not dreaming up stories, she enjoys playing with new bread recipes and dabbling with paints. A teacher, she loves encouraging new readers and writers as they discover their growing abilities. Her class cheers when it’s time for their spelling test! She lives in New Jersey with her wonderfully patient husband and three extremely spoiled cats.
Links:
Babette loves hearing from readers and you can find her at:
Website: http://babettejames.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BabetteJames
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BabetteJamesAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/babettejames
You can find Clear As Day at:
Come fall in love at the river.
Thank you for forgiving me, Babette, and for sharing the wonderful excerpt! Awesome! Congratulations on your release and I wish you many, many happy sales, my friend.
Dodadagohvi~
Nardi Point with Nancy LaPonzina
17 Apr 2012 27 Comments
in Author guest, book to read, Book trailer, Debut release, getting the word out, Interview, Promotion, Release date, Writing Tags: All Romance Ebooks, Calisa Rhose, critique partner, Debut author, Debut book, guest, HOME, Nancy LaPonzina, Nardi Point, Pen of the Dreamer, Rebel Ink Press, Writing
Osiyo~
I am so honored to introduce my cyber friends here on the ranch to another of my crit partners, and a talented writer. She’s here to let me dig into her gray matter a tad so I have her lassoed in the round pen. Let’s meet and then begin!
Ladies and gentlemen, (insert Oprah voice here) Nancy LaPonzina!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Calisa! I’m so excited to be here with my critique partner and chat. Congratulations again on the recent release of Home! Love the cover!
Ah, what a lovely thing to say. Isn’t Nancy a great sport? Even tied up she didn’t forget my novella. I love my cover, too, Nancy. Thank you! So, let’s get to the reason you’re here and then the li’l smokies ought to be warm and the wine chilled. As happens often on the ranch, we’ll party into the night!
- Which comes first for you—plot or characters? Ahhhhh, for me it’s plot. Snatches of scenes here and there work themselves together into a bare beginning, middle and end. Then the characters find me—a face in a magazine, a name from a dream or overheard. Sometimes once I have a heroine, I ask her more about her issues and she’ll introduced me to other characters. Having said that, I suddenly became aware of a character for a third book barely on the drawing board. And I don’t even like her name. Can I say that out loud? And I know she’s someone who works with books and therapy—a bibliotherapist.
- What aspect of writing comes easy to you? What is difficult? Believe it or not—revision. When I go back for line edits, I sometimes wonder who wrote this stuff? But I move along at a fast rate changing the words, changing long phrases into shorter ones, and it’s pleasing to see it “change for the good!” I suppose because the left brain editor gets her way during this stage and I don’t have to send her packing because this is her time to participate. Difficult would be structuring the POV character to let us know what other characters are experiencing through behavior and dialog. My characters could be called “thoughtful” so by that description, they are very aware of what others are doing or not doing in a scene and I have to show that.
- What inspires you? Inspiration comes from interests and questions I have. I generally write a list of issues to explore upfront. I find this is the best way to carry a story though the middle. It makes it easier if I’m interested. In Nardi Point I wanted to explore: the dynamic of beauty in a relationship; the effect of coincidence in pairing; preserving meaningful life moments against capitalism and greed; and exploring the toxic workplace. I have a big interest in archaeology; the metaphysical including astrology and dreamwork; alternative healing therapies, journaling; healthcare, and creating wonderful outdoor spaces of spiritual rest.
- Who are some of your must-read authors and why? I’m reading more women’s fiction than in the past. I’ve read Marilyn Brandt, and right now I’m loving Sarah Addison Allen for setting, North Carolina, her touch of the unexpected but inspired magic. I’m on my third book of hers right now, Sugar Queen, and it’s the kind of story I dread finishing because then it won’t be there for me to dip into. Now that’s a good book when that happens!
- What did you enjoy most about writing your latest work? Nardi Point’s setting is local. Seeing the culture and environment of Raleigh, North Carolina from a writer’s viewpoint and how quickly this developed into my story was very exciting. One of the strongest tenets of writing advice is, write what you know. Well this was absolutely the case with Nardi Point.
And now for some fun to let your readers get to know you better.
1. Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry and why? Oprah (Calisa says: see how she adores me? 
) or Martha Stewart. Both women have great clout, savvy, and presence in the publishing industry and are tested taste-makers.
2. Dog, cat, or neither? Cat right now. We have a rescue Maine coon, Copy, who loves to reach up to our faces and “butt it” in greeting. Then he rolls to the floor and rolls completely over three or four times. I wondered to our vet whether he may have been trained to do that. She gave me a look and said the challenge of teaching a cat to roll over would be amazing. So I took that for a no.
3. Favorite movie and why? Well, Out of Africa, and yes, Sound of Music have to top the list. I believe in large part to the wonderful soundtracks. If you have a great story with great music, the complexity of the movies is so rewarding and entertaining. And I really like to be entertained!
BIO
Nancy LaPonzina writes in the beautiful countryside of Franklin County minutes away from Raleigh, North Carolina, under Carolina blue skies. Her very first story, The Mystery of the Missing Desk, was a second-grade suspense written on three-hold punch, loose-leaf pages bound with pink satin ribbon. Most of her professional life was spent as a technical writer, website content provider, Registered Nurse, Big Four tax paraprofessional and CEO administrative assistant. However, school newspaper columns, publication in national magazines ARTnews, Ingenue, American Girl, True Astrology Forecast, Psychic Astrology Horoscope, web content contribution for Examiner.com, LiveStrong.com, and editor responsibilities for community service organizations, all confirmed paper, books, journals—all things writing—are her true touchstones.
Her women’s fiction explores thoughtful characters involved in challenging situations, and braids in touches of archaeology, the metaphysical, and alternative healing modalities. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, Friends of the Youngsville Library, General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina, Youngsville Woman’s Club, Holistic Nurses Association of America, and the Coe Foundation for Archaeologic Research. She lives in Youngsville, with dear husband Thom, and their rescue Maine Coon cat, Copy.
Her debut novel, Nardi Point, regionally set in Raleigh, North Carolina is available April 17, 2012 from Rebel Ink Press, Amazon/Kindle, Barnes & Noble/Nook, ARe, and BookStrand.
THAT’S TOMORROW FOLKS!!!!!!!!!!!
BLURB
Should the past make way for the present …
Stylish, brunette Laurinda Elliot is the type of accomplished business woman glossy magazines feature on their covers. Effectively managing a software product development team in Raleigh, North Carolina, Laurinda’s drive and savvy delivers all the perks: an upscale townhouse, Porsche Boxer convertible and designer clothing. Yet she now yearns for a different success—one that brings surprising first time experience with vulnerability. Her uber software code developer partner Dan Riser, can’t buy into the new direction she leads them, but goes along to keep the peace, and more importantly, beautiful Laurinda.
Or the present make way for the past—and love …
When prehistoric Native American pottery artifacts are discovered on the couple’s North Raleigh building site in the Nardi Point subdivision, the ancient past collides with the present and Laurinda and Dan’s relationship hangs in the balance. Laurinda must trump construction economics and greed to preserve commitment to her dream, uphold her friendship with holistic healing practitioner, Leyla Jo Piper, and answer to a new romance, all while attempting to conserve North Carolina history. Will digging up the past, bury her future? Nardi Point explores the thread of life that blends past, current, and future to recognize the importance of knowing who we are in the story of life.
*****
Get your copy at All Romance eBooks: http://bit.ly/IrAedz
Email: joywriter@embarqmail.com
Blog: www.nancylaponzina.wordpress.com
Twitter: @NancyLaPonzina
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-LaPonzina/345726075455168
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4IvixrsfiE
This has been FUN, Calisa! Thanks so much for having me today!er@embarqmail.com
Blog: www.nancylaponzina.
Thank you so much for visiting and letting me pick your brain, Nancy! I love your book cover. Good luck with your debut release!
Dodadagohvi~
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Six Sentence Sunday
08 Apr 2012 7 Comments
in book to read, fun, Home, My writing, Promotion, Six Sentence Sunday, The Wild Rose Press Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Debut book, HOME, Pen of the Dreamer, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, The Wild Rose Press
Osiyo~
I’m back for more Six Sentence Sunday! Go the the main site linked in the logo title for more great sixes.
I skipped more of the flowery perfume lines from last week but this takes up right where we left off with Poppy and Sam. You can catch that post here before we move on. G’head. I’ll wait.
Back so soon? Great. Here’s the new six from HOME from The Wild Rose Press. I hope you like it. Personally, I love her attitude.
Now she stood, hands propped on skinny hips, tapping one black-and-white saddle shoe-clad foot impatiently. “Well?”
Before Sam could think what to say, she shook her head full of springy black curls and knelt to gather vegetables, toothpaste, and toothbrush, along with several other items, in her small hands. “Get me a fresh bag, would ya, honey?”
Finally coming to the realization Poppy wasn’t going away, Sam accepted the new brown paper bag the cashier mutely offered. His eyes avoided the people watching him—the man from the local newspaper office, and Mrs. Deever with her two youngsters.
There you have it. It just gets better from here but I’ll have to let you read the story since it’s a novella and too much… You get the idea. Thanks for coming by the ranch today!
Dodadagohvi~
Happy New Year and the end of the official tour
01 Jan 2012 20 Comments
in Blogs, book to read, Contests, Debut release, dreaming, Followers, fun, getting the word out, giveaway, Home, My writing, Promotion, published authors, Release Day, The Wild Rose Press, Word of Mouth, Writing Tags: #TWRP, Blog tour, Calisa Rhose, Debut author, Debut book, excited, Free books, giveaway, HOME, Pen of the Dreamer, Poppy Tippen, released, Sam Callahan, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, Writing
Osiyo~
It’s January 1, 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Today ends the countdown to my New Year’s release party for my first book publication. I’m sure many of you have heard a LOT about HOME from The Wild Rose Press during this last week if you’ve been following the tour. Blurbs, interviews and tidbits about me have been plastered all over the world via the internet thanks to my wonderful, gracious friends who have hosted my week-long blog tour. I have to take this time now to thank you all! YOU. ARE. AWESOME!!!!!
Second order of business- if you missed any of those blogs you should hop over now and leave a comment before ten o’clock (GMT) tonight. Why? Because tomorrow I will be drawing a winner for a FREE copy of HOME!!! The more times you comment the greater your chances to win so hurry and get those last minute names in the drawing.
To make it easy for you, here are those links:
26th- Anna K. Lanier
27th- Silver James
28th- RELEASE DAY– Vonnie Davis AND AJ Nuest!!!
29th- W. Lynn Chantale
30th- Maeve Greyson
31st- Authors By Moonlight
What are you waiting for? GO!
I want to tell you what this week has been like for me. To do that I’m going back a year and a half. I’ll even include some pictures to please the eye.
When Alicia Dean first brought this project to Oklahoma Romance Writers I was hesitant to get involved in a series. I mean, I wasn’t even published on my own yet, how could I possibly pull off writing one book in a series? But I did it anyway. It was an experience and we had fun. As of this post there are six books in the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series under contract. It was decided that how much the doll played in the books would be determined by each individual author according to their story. Some feature the doll very heavily, as the main theme of the story. I contemplated how much it would feature in HOME and had all sorts of ideas. Unfortunately (not in a bad way I don’t think, so maybe I should say fortunately), it didn’t turn out the way I first imagined as a pantser.
Sam Callahan seemed to have a greater story to tell than that of a doll his mother was obsessed with. A war veteran who loved the town that raised him, idolized him, had suddenly turned its back on their one-time football star and future doctor. That became the story to a certain degree. Moreover, how he dealt with those horrible nightmares of the war became the story. I let him have his way.
How did he cope? With the courage and strength of a gypsy girl who had lived with stigmas all her life. What was alien to him was a way of life for Poppy Tippen. He learned to shuck the opinions of others by her steadfast, if not graceful, example. Popeye’s mantra became Sam’s unintentionally; I am who I am, and that’s all I can be.
Witchy voodoo curses and all that mumbo-jumbo belief and such were more wive’s tales in those days than actual curses and acceptable black magic. Yes, there were witches and such—at least according to my witchy aunt–it just wasn’t readily acknowledged as that in those days. So the doll took a back seat in my story. But for my time period (Vietnam 1967) that worked.
But I still hadn’t really thought as I wrote my story that HOME would sell. Have I mentioned that I’m a tad insecure? Lol When I finally felt ready to submit I got a wonderful editor in Nancy Swanson. She requested to buy it within three weeks of receiving my manuscript! To say I was shocked is a gross understatement. J But I was so excited. Then the excitement waned over the next month. A little. When I got the email with my cover attached it ramped up again. Again when I got my fifteen minutes worth of revisions. Yes, it took me that long to make changes she asked for. What can I say? I worked on this story, had fellow Okie Outlaws read and crit, until it was a clean ms. Then I sent it in before I could screw it up by over editing! Lol Round two revisions was a matter of basically accepting a few punctuation changes the proofreader suggested, the tap of a button and I was finished. Do I expect revisions on my next ms to be so easy? Hells NO! I wish, but I’m realistic enough to know better.
So back to this week. Most know my release date coincided with my own birthday so that was my favorite gift this year, though my lovely daughters competed very well and I will smell nice for a long while! Of course, any gift from my husband and partner of twenty-eight years will trump anything in my life so I won’t count him now. He is a gift I can’t beat if I sell a hundred books that become best sellers! But this week I’ve been up so high that next week will be boring for sure! I’ve been riding high on friends and family buying MY book! My creation. That’s a feeling impossible to explain. Incredible, scary, wonderful! And I already have a four and a five star review on Amazon! How cool is that? When I wrote HOME I worried I wouldn’t quite hit the emotional mark the Vietnam war left on so many since I was born two years into it, no more than eleven when it ended in 1973 (officially the final troops and POWs were brought out in ’75 just before Watergate took over the news airways). I remember my dad calling it the Eleven-Year-War, saying it was the longest and deadliest war in the history of the USA. I think that length has possibly been beaten more recently beginning with Desert Storm in 1991, but I haven’t researched that yet.
But I digress. I was sure no one would “get” the story, what I was trying to convey. Was I able to get across what was deep inside of me? The fears and recovery a soldier must go through, that he has to face those fears head on to conquer them? What about the era itself? Did I portray it correctly? Does the love and growth of my characters show?
After all, this is pretty much the extent of my memories of that time. I was almost five when this picture was taken. We lived in the middle of alfalfa fields like this one on a race horse ranch. I remember the horses more than I recall the strains of that war my uncle and cousins fought in (they came home). And, even though both Mommy and Daddy are gone now, they both knew I wrote way back when I was a teen, and I know they are smiling on my success today, partying in heaven for me!
I had my doubts until a few days ago. Read those reviews and you’ll see how wrong I was again. My family knows I hate being wrong, or admitting if I am, but in this process I’ve been wrong about a few things I’m happy to admit to!
HOME is out and available NOW at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon. If you don’t win here today I sure hope you’ll feel inclined to go buy it.
Now, to end this tour, here’s one last brand new peek from HOME to make you smile.
Excerpt:
Hearing Sam laugh did crazy things to Poppy’s insides. But she hadn’t forgotten the last time she’d said something to make him laugh. She’d avoided him in the days since. It had been dumb luck that she was out now instead of at work. Mother had sent her on an errand, and she was heading back to the shop.
Seeing Sam sitting at the stop sign had made her cringe. He’d looked like he was in another land, and she couldn’t help speaking up. Maybe he had been. It had startled and surprised her that he pulled over, since he was angry at her the last time she saw him.
She hadn’t forgotten the hurtful words he shouted under the big trees. “So what are you doing? Hiding from Mrs. C. again, I imagine.”
“Something like that. What about you? Can I offer you a ride?”
“You can offer, but I’m going right there.” Sam turned to look where she pointed, across the street to her mother’s doll shop.
He stared, for what seemed to Poppy a long time, before he swiveled back to her. “I’ll walk you over.”
“Yeah? Why?”
“To look at a doll. What else would a guy do in a doll shop?”
Poppy gauged his response and noticed the twinkle in his eyes. He was up to something fishy, but dang it if she knew what. Shrugging, she moved to cross the street. “Fine, soldier. Walk me across the street like a good Boy Scout.”
As she stepped off the curb, she felt his hand touch her elbow and she glanced up at him. “I am a good Boy Scout. Remember that.”
“Yeah? Prove it.” She had no idea why she said that. How did a grown man go about proving he was a Boy Scout? Not her best line, she admitted, and smiled as she softly whistled her favorite song, “He’s So Fine.”
“Why do you always whistle that song? There are a lot that are better and make more sense.”
Poppy stopped in the middle of the street to stare at Sam. “Are you serious? No one is better than the Chiffons! They say exactly what a girl wants to. You take that back, Sammie.”
Sam took her hand and led her from the street and into the nearest building’s shade, out of the August heat. She stood back against the brick and stared up, waiting for him to take back what he’d said.
“Do the Chiffons say what you’d like to say, Poppy? Why do you think of that tune around me?”
She thought she’d choke as she gulped air and looked away in embarrassment. How had she stuck her foot in so deep? Did he know what she’d been so diligent in hiding from him? “Just, they are a great group, is all.”
His eyes bored into hers for a fast count of fifteen before he raised his gaze to look out over her head at the street. “Hmm.”
“Hmm, what? What are you thinking, Sam Callahan?” Did she really want to know?
His eyes fell on her again and he leaned against the wall, one hand propping him to block her view of anything around them. He leaned close. She felt his warm breath on her cheek, could smell butterscotch on his breath. He’d been eating those cream candies Dr. C. used to give out. Now she knew where he’d been before finding her. Maybe he was getting ready to take over his dad’s practice. Holy Joe, he’d be her doctor!
“I’m thinking we need to visit the woods again, soon.”
“The woods? Why?”
He chuckled and leaned closer, so close his mouth almost brushed her hair. “I’d like to fix something that I can’t fix here on Main Street.”
Poppy forced her eyes to look at him so near, to gaze into his almost purple eyes. Her chest pounded with each breath punched out as she whispered, “What?”
Sam slid his lips across hers before backing away to a respectable distance, then smiled lazily. “That.”
Oh, my golly! It didn’t seem to matter how he’d hurt her, when he stood so close she could smell his shower soap. Poppy shivered and looked away from his intense gaze. “I don’t… We can’t…”
“Relax, Poppen. Let’s go look at dolls.”
What? Just like that he turned off the heated charm that left her legs feeling soft and gushy like chewed gum in sunshine and her head spinning out of control. It wasn’t fair he should be able to make her feel like heaven was touchable and then just walk away.
Dumbly, she followed him around the corner to her mother’s store. He opened the door and held it for her to enter ahead of him. Poppy knew she wouldn’t sleep soundly until she discovered the heart of Sam’s charm, why he was so easily able to heat her blood so thoroughly with a word, a kiss.
Maybe he was trying to charm her. But…why?
She was nothing more than a gypsy’s daughter, a doll store owner, a “bad” girl—the wrong girl, from the wrong side of the tracks. What could Sam want with her?
Ok, I’m gonna offer MORE chances to win! Tweet this post, Facebook– with the buttons below this post– RT it, and then tell me that you’ve done these. I’ll take your word for it. Just tell me which you did in a comment and I’ll add your name an extra time into the drawing for each thing you do. That’s three plus more chances!!!
Until tomorrow-
Dodadagohvi~
PS- don’t forget to check my schedule in the news>blogging news tab at the top of the page to see where I’ll be through January and February. You might have more chances to win a copy of HOME if you don’t get one now.
HOME For Love!!!
26 Dec 2011 4 Comments
in Blog Tour, book to read, Debut release, Home, TWRP Tags: Blog tour, Calisa Rhose, Debut book, excited, giveaway, HOME, The Wild Rose Press, Tina Lynn Stout, Writing
Osiyo~
I’m so SO excited to announce today is the day I kick off my HOME for Love blog tour!!! Here’s the next week’s schedule to make it easy for you to follow along for a chance to win a FREE ecopy!!!!!!!!
26th- Anna K. Lanier
27th- Silver James and Smut Writers Soap Box (this one I’ll be at all week but it’s not inc. in the contest)
28th- RELEASE DAY– Vonnie Davis AND AJ Nuest!!!
29th- W. Lynn Chantale
30th- Maeve Greyson
31st- Authors By Moonlight
January 2012-
1st- HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Come HOME to party right here on The Ranch!!! Where I will announce the first winner of a PDF copy of HOME!!!! 
I hope to see all my friends, and of course, my new friends-to-be, at each stop!
Dodadagohvi~
“HOME for love” blog tour is HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
14 Dec 2011 39 Comments
in book to read, Debut release, Home, My writing, Promotion, Release date, The Wild Rose Press, Welcome Tags: #TWRP, Calisa Rhose, Debut author, Debut book, excited, HOME, Tales of the Scrimshaw doll, Writing
Osiyo~
It’s TWO WEEKS (Dec 28th) until my debut book, HOME, releases from The Wild Rose Press! Wa-hooo!!!
Today kicks off my “HOME for love” birthday bash for my Vintage historical with The Wild Rose Press!!!!!!! Read on to find out how HOME and other books in the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series came about.
Spring 2010, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. One author, an editor for an epublisher, asked the Oklahoma RWA group if anyone would be willing to write in a series to submit to her publisher. Several jumped right in. Some held back. Over the next weeks others joined in and a theme and guidelines were tossed around.
That was the birth of the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series to be marketed to The Wild Rose Press.
I was one of those who held back. Unpublished, and as yet, nothing more than hopeful that “someday I would get noticed and sell a book,” I joined this fun project with many other Oklahoma authors.
This would be a project to showcase our state’s writing talents to the world in a single combined effort. Each book written would include the doll with carvings on its whale bone body. Each would be between 10,000 and 60,000 words and each would (hopefully) fit in a different subgenre The Wild Rose Press has to offer its readers.
I have to say our RWA chapter is chock full of talent! From historical to contemporary to paranormal, WE ROCK! Keep a close watch on my blog and The Wild Rose Press as more of these stories are brought to you one by one.
My followers and friends know I write contemporary. It’s my comfort zone. My passion for cowboys is widely-known. 
But for this event, and I don’t know why it did, the Vietnam era called to me. I have a respect for that time and the trials the world suffered, the losses the United States withstood, and still endure through the final ramifications from the war referred to as “a police movement.” I was a little tyke in those days so I don’t remember the impact of the moment it happened. But born in the middle of it may be why I feel a heartfelt need to learn, and subsequently, to write about love during that period when romance seemed forgotten. Hope took the back burner and so much was left behind.
But there were great victories at the same time; Elvis Presley, the Beatles and, my heroine’s favorite, The Chiffons, and let’s not forget the era of hot cars- all persevered, rose out of the smoke and strived for decades to follow.
That hope is what brings my hero Sam Callahan and my heroine, Poppy Tippen together. She refuses to let “that damn war” ruin her chance at the only man she’s ever loved. A man that same war destroyed, before spitting him back out into her lap and at the feet of a town that had always been home; but now makes Sam an unwelcome outcast. Poppy has the chance to show Sam where HOME really is, if only he’d open his eyes.
I try to find inspiration for my characters with each story I write. It just helps picture the person as I write. Poppy was instant recognition from early on in the writing of HOME. Sam- not to easy. After hours of searching, I can’t find him. I have a picture that comes close, but even after a year I haven’t been able to find “him” as hard as I’ve tried. So here is my impression of Sam and Poppy.
- Sam Callahan
- Poppy Tippen
My story of hope and love in a time when the world had little of either is my way of sharing what home means to me.
BLURB:
What could a gypsy and a Vietnam veteran have in common?
Silvertown’s outcast, Poppy Tippen, has loved football hero Sam “The Force” Callahan forever. But he never seemed to know she was alive. Now he’s home from the war and she suddenly finds herself comforting him from the demons of “that damn war.” Is his attention merely an escape from the haunting nightmares? Or does she hold the interest of the only man she’s ever truly loved?
Sam Callahan’s only solace from the war nightmares wrecking his life comes in the unlikely form of a gypsy girl with stigmas of her own. He’s known Poppy his entire life, but there’s something different about her now. Something special he desperately wants to hold on to. Can he convince her she’s the only thing he needs to put the past behind him?
EXCERPT:
“I’ll always want you, Poppy.”
Her head shook in automatic denial. “You’ll want a girl who fits your life. Not some gypsy with
no family lineage to brag about. Your momma won’t accept that, either. She’ll make you choose someone like Connie, someone who fits into your world. Not the girl everyone avoids and whispers about behind her back. You’re gonna be the town’s doctor. You need an uppity wife who will make you proud.”
When Sam laughed, his chest shuddered against her back. Deep, husky, real. He turned her in his
arms and looked down at her, smiling. “Poppy, do you honestly think I give a damn what people think? Look at me! I’m the town outcast, the survivor who should have died saving the others, not be here planning a future that includes a wife, a medical practice.
“I shimmy under park benches, run from my mother’s lipstick, for God’s sake. I wake up
screaming and crying over nothing in the middle of the night, crawl under my bed and hide, shaking, until morning. Hell, I can’t even be a doctor because I haven’t finished school yet.”
“I didn’t know. It must be awful for you.” No matter how it hurt Poppy to know he used her, it felt much worse to know how he hurt alone.
“The only time it isn’t awful is when I’m with you. When I think of you.”
****************************
I invite you to join me in the release celebration!
I hope you will love HOME as much as I do.
Get your copy of HOME (on December 28th) at The Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/tbYKGl
** NOTE: This is currently the ‘coming soon’ link so watch for updates on and after the 28th.
Small-town country girl Calisa Rhose lives in a semi-remote area of Oklahoma with her husband, five dogs and one horse. All of her three daughters and their families live within throwing distance. She’s a member of RWA and the local chapter OKRWA. She intends to nurture and continue to grow as an author with the help of her family and supporters.
Find Calisa at her website/blog http://calisarhose.wordpress.com
On twitter @Calisa_Rhose and Facebook @Calisa Rhose
She loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at calisa.rhose@gmail.com
I’ll be having a GIVE AWAY BASH on my blog, PEN OF THE DREAMER, on January 1- New Years Day! The tour will continue on, but on this day I’ll be choosing a winner for one copy of HOME.
Comment on all posts from December 26th through January 1st for more chances to win!
The day following the New Years Day party I will announce the winner. You can find the full tour schedule on my website at https://calisarhose.wordpress.com/news-promos/blogging/
See you on the tour trail!!!!!
Dodadagohvi~
I write contemporary and paranormal romance, with sensuality as the key ingredient and spice for kick.
