5 Great Lines from Elizabeth Hoyt, Wicked Intentions

5 Great Lines from Elizabeth Hoyt, Wicked Intentions

1

“Like the legless man, I’m unaccountably fascinated by those who can dance.”

2

“Every word you have ever uttered, is engraved upon my heart.”

3

“If he presses, tell him it’s a female matter. That stop any question.”

4

“You’ve used me to punish yourself, haven’t you?”
He watched dawning realization spread over her face, a confirmation more positive than anything she could ever say, and that arrow twisted deep in his
chest. Yet still he had to ask the last question.
“Am I anything to you but a punishment?”

5

“I’d walk through fire for you,” he rasped, his voice hoarse and broken. “I have walked through fire for you.”

—
Ava Delany
The Fetish Club Series, The Homecoming Series, and The Beginnings Series.
Look for my newest release- A Surprising Day – on Kindle, Allromanceebooks, and many other places where ebooks are sold.

The Thumper Rule

Mark Twain

by Kay Springsteen

Three rules in life get me by. The first is The Thumper Rule (“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” The second is The Mark Twain Rule (also known as the anti-moron rule: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”). And the third is the Common Sense Rule: If you don’t like it, don’t look.

The above was part of a response I gave on the blog of a family member, and about an entirely different subject than I’m about to discuss. However, as I was preparing my article, it was my memory of these words that kept surfacing.

Have you ever made an impulse purchase of a stranger’s book? Maybe it was on sale and you picked it up on a whim. You may have paid 99 cents or $1.99, and you took a chance, not knowing anything about the author, never having read anything by him or her…but the blurb intrigued you enough to make the purchase.

And from the first page, you hated the book, maybe even didn’t finish it. If you had plucked the book off the reduced rack at Barnes & Noble or the endcap of the book aisle at Walmart, would you have found a way to review the book? To tell others far and wide to stay away from this book because you felt it was shoddily written and the author shouldn’t quit his/her day job?

Most people probably wouldn’t go out of their way to post a review of a physical book. At most, we might say to a friend, “Man, I read a terrible book I just picked up at the store.” Out of all my friends and family, I can honestly say, no one has ever said to me, “I just bought a horrible book.” I have, on the other hand occasionally heard these same people say things like, “I just read a fantastic book—you should get it.”

For some reason, I’m noticing the opposite is true regarding reviews of books purchased on line. Actually, more than just books, but since I’m a writer and this is a blog about books, I’ll stick to that. Sales sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others encourage book ratings and reviews. And some of the reviews I’ve read on these sites range from glowing to downright mean—sometimes about the same book. You can chalk a lot of the glowing ones up to possibly being from friends and family trying to help the author out—even thought that is NOT necessarily the case.

But what’s with the mean reviews? Do readers really feel the need to warn fellow readers away from a book because it’s “that bad”? When I read reviews that stress “not worth the money,” or “don’t waste your time,” I admit to feeling a bit surprised. Obviously the book made SOME impression on the reader if he/she took the time to go to Amazon and write even a short review. But truly, what is the motivation behind a bad review that is not only bad but delivered in an unkind manner with no explanation of why the reviewer didn’t like the book? I’ve taken to clicking on “see all my reviews” on some of the more cruel reviews and have been outright shocked to find that quite often the reviewer in question ONLY writes 1-star reviews with a mean-spirited feel to their words. I’m going to leave you all to draw your own conclusions about that because I don’t understand it myself—there could be any number of motivating factors for such behavior but I can’t condone any of the reasons I can think up for being mean about a review.

The key words in any review are often not even written – “in my opinion.” And yet that’s all reviews are—the opinions of our readers. As authors we’re advised to enjoy the good reviews and let the bad ones roll off our backs. It’s not always easy, since sometimes there seems to be no rationale behind the low scores. But you know what?

As a READER who also writes and sometimes reviews, I try to recognize that what I like or don’t like may not be what someone else likes or

Thumper, what does your father say?

doesn’t. So if I found a story lacking to the point where I can only give it 1-2 stars out of 5, I apply the Thumper Rule (see above).  I do this as a courtesy to a fellow writer—rather than throw them over the cliff and dash them on the rocks below, I simply don’t comment. I do this whether I know the person or not because I believe just because a particular book is not MY PERSONAL cup of tea, someone else may not feel like that.

And while some reviewers may rationalize that they are compelled to give 1-2 star reviews so others will not waste time and money, I invite them to show some compassion and explain their reasons with their opinions for two reasons: (1) So the author can get some quality feedback, and (2) so other readers can decide for themselves whether what you found to be an impediment to your enjoyment will be a problem for them.

How about you? Do you review books? Do you have a personal review policy?

Kay is an author of edgy-sweet romance, a Sr. Editor at Astraea Press and part of the editorial staff at Secret Cravings Publishing. Find her on Facebook.

Lady With a Duel Personality – Tabs/Jaydyn Both Equally Wonderful

LTR: Welcome to the blog. We all want to know what’s going on right now with your writing career. What’s simmering in the pot, and what have you recently finished.

TABS: Gosh, it has been a busy few months for me. I recently signed on with a new publisher, Secret Cravings Publishingwho has agreed to republish my previous books. So that has been a very busy project getting them all reformatted. Witch’s Brew was just released in an extended version and Witch’s Heart is soon to follow along with the rest of series and whatever new books I write. What’s in the pot? So many things, I need more hours in the day and night. WILD, of course, the final installment in my Montana Men Series written under my Jaydyn Chelcee name. It will be my newest, previously unpublished novel to date and I expect it’ll be out much later in the year, along with the re-release first four novels in the series. I’m also in the middle of writing my first Sci/Fi and I’m loving it.LTR: If you could date one of the heroes in your books, which would it be?TABS: Beyond doubt, Dym, from Witch’s Touch, book six in the series and yet to be published. What features make you like him the most? Even though he is the Prince of Death, I like his vulnerability. He’s kinder than he thinks he is, and he has a heart, though he believes he doesn’t. I think readers will love getting to know his character.LTR: Can you give us an excerpt from one of your books?Sure. WARNING: R-Rated: Witch’s Brew Excerpt:

Saylym flinched as his mouth closed hotly around the aching bud. He suckled strongly, nipping the nipple with his teeth. Heavens. She was headed straight to hell.
“Strawberries and cream,” he whispered, and swirled his tongue around the aching bud.
Oh, yeah, straight to hell in a handbag. No directions required. Free passage. She had her boarding pass. All she had to do was get aboard.
Talon wasn’t a man to play favorites. He moved to the other breast, bit gently on the straining little berry, then soothed the slight sting with an expert flick of his incredible tongue.
“Sweet,” he breathed and fed deeply, rolling the nipple beneath his tongue, savoring the delicious taste of her.
Without conscious thought, Saylym slid her fingers into the silky strands of his dark hair and held him against her bared breast. “I…uh…oh…stars,” she cried as he brought his full weight on top of her.
He felt divine and smelled like sin. Rich, inviting sin. He moved his hips in a slow, rhythmic thrust as old as time itself. Slowly, he pressed her knees apart and allowed the hard ridge to settle snugly between her thighs as he rocked gently, moaning against her breasts.
Saylym felt his fingers slip to the waistband of her shorts, release the metal button and zipper, and then dip inside. “I have to touch you, La-Scheme,” he whispered against her throat. “Let me touch you.”
“Ah…I…” she gurgled, unable to form a complete sentence.
The cutoffs fell away with a brush of his hands. She saw his pupils dilate. His nostrils flared at the sight of the tiny, studded arrow pointing the way.
He choked.
Not that he needed direction, she thought wildly. He seemed to be blazing his own trail pretty darned well.
Talon slowly followed the direction of the glittering arrow with his index finger, paused at the very tip of it, before sliding underneath to stroke the tiny bud hidden beneath the red satin.
“Ah…I…” she couldn’t seem to get past those two words as she arched her body against the slow stroking of his finger. He slipped a second finger inside her, gently stretching her, stroking smoothly in a steady rhythm.
Saylym bucked beneath his touch as he explored the silken sheath of her womanhood. She felt him hesitate as he bumped against the proof of her purity. He muttered something, then slid a hand beneath her buttocks, lifting her hips. Slowly, he stroked the tiny button with his thumb, his fingers thrusting and stroking the velvet heat within.
She moaned, clawing at his shoulders, his hair. “Talon,” she gasped his name. Her body convulsed wildly. “I-I…”
“That’s it, baby,” he encouraged. “Come for me, Saylym. I want to feel you unravel.”
A tiny whimper slipped past her throat. He stroked faster, deeper. She shattered in his arms, her body quaking as he held her tightly. “Ssh…it’s all right, baby. It’s all right.”
Tiny whimpers escaped her throat as he withdrew his fingers. “Ssh,” he whispered, pulling her close to his bare chest, rocking her until she settled. “I need you, Saylym.”
She pressed her face against his warm flesh and wondered vaguely when he’d taken off his shirt. Or had she removed it?
She couldn’t halt the moan as he lowered her to the quilt and started over.
His tongue found the underside of her breasts, and he paused to lick her there, before moving slowly down her stomach, straight toward Beulah Land. He paused at the waistband of her thong.
Whimpers of desire tore from her clogged throat. Excited, she waited to see what he would do next. He poured wine on her stomach and then followed the red trails with his tongue, pausing to sip from her bellybutton, swirling and dipping his tongue into the tiny opening.
She couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe.
Her body burned as if he’d set fire to it. She wanted him to touch her again. To bring her to that delicious fever pitch and take her over the edge. He glided his tongue down her belly. Any second now she’d do a slow burn, melt into a puddle of steaming, wine-flavored liquid.
The man knew what he was doing.

* * * *

The man was insane with need.
Talon sucked in a deep, ragged breath. She was driving him crazy with those sexy little mewling sounds she kept making. Wildly hungry with desire, he knew he played with fire. And the more he played, the more he wanted to play, and he knew, damn it, he knew, he didn’t dare seek his own release or things could get way out of hand.
Still, he pushed her to the brink, to the very edge of completion with his fingers. His mind roared with the clawing need to be inside her.
Saylym moaned. “Please.”
“My intent is to please you, lovely Saylym. That has always been my objective.”
Talon raised his head and stared down into her passion-clouded eyes. Oh, how he wanted to kiss her. The need was so urgent, so overwhelming, he felt as if he was going to shatter into a thousand pieces.
He fumbled with the zipper on his jeans, released his blood-engorged cock and rubbed it against the portal of her womanhood. He swore he’d take it slow. Just a little. He’d enter her just a little, enough to give them both a taste of the raw heat and friction building to fever pitch between them. Enough to gain his own release, but not so far he couldn’t pull back, stop before he was too deep, stop, before he came inside her.
He tore the thong down her legs and tossed it to one side. Then settling between her thighs, he nudged her knees wider apart. The broad head of his cock stroked against the warm channel of her womanhood. By degrees, he pushed inside her, slowly stretching the sensitized muscles.
He rocked gently, working the tip in and out, going a little deeper with each penetration, until the head of his shaft bumped against the flimsy barrier of her virginity. Though he yearned to rip through the fragile membrane, he restrained the urge to thrust. Instead, he pulled back and teased her with the broad head of his cock, slow and shallow, rocking in and out in a torturous rhythm that was delicious agony for both of them.

LTR: And, yeah…muscles, um…virgin flesh? R rated? Nah…..yummy!

This is an age old question that every author has to answer about 20,000 times. What got you into writing, and how old were you?

TABS: *Giggles*…I never tire of this question. I was fifteen. My imagination and Marty Robbins’ Ballad, Big Iron On His Hip. I used to play that old 45 record over and over and from the song came my first idea for a story. I penned it on paper, but instead of writing it in novel form, I wrote it as a play. Back then I had no clue what I was doing. *Laughs*

LTR: I’m not quite sure I know what I’m doing now, and I’m not 15 years old. But that too is another issue.

If you couldn’t be a writer, what would you do with your life?

TABS: I was a nurse for fourteen years until an accident left me physically unable to do the job, that’s when I returned to my first love…writing. So if I couldn’t do that, I don’t know, I’d probably spend a lot of time searching for old coins. Coin collecting is my third passion. *Laughs*

LTR: How about you find some BIG expensive coins to get us some cabana boys? Sounds like a true winner for me.

Do you have a day job that interferes with your ‘real life’ as an author?

TABS: Not anymore. I put my writing on hold for years while I worked and raised a family, but now my time is pretty much my own.

LTR: I am ready for another 10 years when I can make my time my own. And maybe I can become rich and famous and have someone clean the house for me. (Other than my fiance!)

Tell us something unique about yourself that we don’t know.

TABS: Unique? Wow. I don’t think of myself as unique in any way. I love tattoos. And I tend to use them quite a bit to embellish my stories. I have two, one on my right ankle, a heart with a rose entwined through it and a dark blue butterfly on the back of my neck. It’s pretty large, but you can’t see it as long as my hair is down. *Giggles*

LTR: I now have two tattoos. I have a claddah with vines around it. The other is an elf sitting on a mushroom. Stupid things you do when you are 19. *smh* 

Bacon or ham?

TABS: Definitely bacon. It’s just about the only pork I do like.

LTR: I have a severe love for bacon too! I read about a recipe called ‘crack’ bread. Cut a round loaf across, and then across again. Stuff the cracks with cheddar cheese, then bacon, then butter and ranch. Bake in foil for 15 min, then out of foil for 10 min. *sigh*

Chocolate or Jelly Beans?

TABS: Ooo, chocolate. I’m a chocoholic. *Laughs*

LTR: Have you ever had a Canadian Aero bar? OMG – they are heaven. I know that Hershey’s is trying to copy it, just not the same.

Now that we’ve gotten to know you, we need to know where to find you so we can stalk, I mean visit you.

TABS: Anyone can email me at tabshay at gmail dot com/ Or visit my websites at http://www.tabithashay.com/
or http://www.jaydynchelcee.com

It’s been a pleasure to be here. Loved the questions.
Hugs,Tabs/Jaydyn

Update

Hi. I am not posting today but wanted to give you an update. Please look for the Tracy Ames interview that should be here shortly.

5 Great Lines from April Dawn, Crushing Desire

5 Great Lines from April Dawn, Crushing Desire

1

Reena’s hands twisted at her skirt, and she bit her lip, willing
him without a sound to face her. Suddenly, he turned in her
direction and their eyes met. A vibrant shock ran through her
body. She stared at him entranced for a moment. If his hair was
the sandy beach, his blue-grey eyes, the lake on which mysterious
clouds had formed.

2

“What? You know as well as I that the twins are merely courting
me because of their rivalry. I still remember the day in that
alleyway. They fought each other so that each ended with the
other’s head in his arm. It was rather ridiculous.” She grinned at
the memory, in spite of herself. “Anyhow, they are competing for
me. Remember when Uncle Howard had to turn them away when
they started to bring me flowers? It started with a single red rose
from Michael.”
Emily grinned as she grabbed the dress from the bed. “Your
uncle was quite put out with a house full of flowers and poor
Martin on the doorstep with four dozen roses.”

3

“You came to me and said:
‘Excuse me, but could I trick you into sailing to America where
you know no one and then leave you in a gutter with nowhere to
go’?”
She laughed.
“You’ve discovered my plan.” Reena put a hand to her chin
as if in contemplation “Well, I’ll just have to come up with a new
one.” She

4

“Reena closed the book and held it for a moment. She wanted
to get another peek at him. She loved to study Joshua, and when
he didn’t know she was watching, she could really take her time.
Her foot began to tap, and then her leg began to shake. Before Reena
even realized she’d made the decision to move, her book was
on the table, and she stood at the window of her uncle’s study.

5

“No tears now, my love. This is a moment for happiness, love,
and passion.”

—
Ava Delany
The Fetish Club Series, The Homecoming Series, and The Beginnings Series.
Look for my newest release- A Surprising Day – on Kindle, Allromanceebooks, and many other places where ebooks are sold.

Breaking Through Like the Boss

By Kay Springsteen

“Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true…Or is it something worse?” ~Bruce Springsteen, The River

Bruce Springsteen has long been an iconic superstar in the music business. You might love his music or hate it, but you know who he is and more than likely you’ll recognize at least one of his songs. Born in New Jersey in 1949, he had a life that was fraught with many of the elements and tensions other kids his age grew up with. But instead of letting his family angst get the better of him, he used the emotions he experienced in his music. It wasn’t immediately accepted. Before he made it to the big time with his particular blend of music, he played the bar circuit. His popularity grew and he had moderate success in his early career.

And then he wrote an emotion-packed, story-song that Springsteen refers to as: “A breakthrough song for me. It was in the detail.” The song he refers to is “The River,” and it was based on conversations he’d had with his brother-in-law after the man lost his construction job and was struggling to support his wife and child. The wedding in the song refers to Springsteen’s sister and brother-in-law, who married young. The exquisite attention to the small details and the seamless way Springsteen presented them in the song told an emotional story that haunts the listener in the same way as the broken dreams and faded memories he sings about in the song.

As writers of fiction, we struggle with our creations, too. What to include, what to leave out. How much does the reader need to know? We may have had some moderate successes but maybe we haven’t hit The New York Times top ten yet. So in the meantime, we learn things and practice them…we hone our craft.

It’s no surprise to me that Springsteen’s breakthrough song was “The River.” When Springsteen states the success is in the details, he may have been speaking of all the emotional minutiae of the story that he told from beginning to end—not only did he tell a story but the song conveyed the feelings of sadness and frustration and the longing for happier times. He did this quite well with the words. But he also did it with the way the song is paced, which is, in itself, a detail. The verses that speak of the ongoing story itself are slow and carry a sad flavor. But with the mention of the river and all the carefree memories and sense of youth the river represents, the tempo of the song picks up to a livelier and happier beat.

As romance readers, we feel anxiety to get to the heart of the story, to see the couple come together that first time in a kiss, or a caress in the moonlight. We are restless, wanting to see them work through their issues and come to an understanding. Depending on the heat level we read, we might want the big reveal love scene. Knowing these things are ahead of us is part of what keeps us turning the pages of the book and reading the story.

As romance writers, it is a struggle to not simply skip the preliminary dancing around the mat and get to the center of the ballroom for the big dance. After all, we know what we want when we’re reading a book – to get to the meat of the story. So why not start at the meat and heat?

When we read over our own creation, however, maybe it seems to fall a little flat. It doesn’t produce that same desire to keep turning the page. We may lament and wonder why it doesn’t flow as smoothly or what it’s missing. When I’m asked this question as an editor, the answer in almost every case is the same. The writer moved the couple from encounter to encounter, and gave nothing in between these interactions to show who they are, what’s happening to them as individuals, and what is keeping them apart.

The answer is in the details. Some details the reader needs to know. And some details are part of the overall story. If you leave these out, you risk unbalancing the story. Is it still a make-up love scene if you omit the fight that sets up the need to make up? What to use or leave out is all in the detail of pacing. If you don’t lead your readers along a trail of fear and trepidation, or allow them to remember when they used to be happy, give them a taste of future happiness…if you don’t take the time to build the chemistry between the couple through evoking emotional responses in the readers, when you get to the love scene, you’re shortchanging those readers by showing them just another day in the life of a romantic couple. You’ve removed the C from the GMC (goals, motivation, and conflict), and reduced your readers to nothing more than voyeurs in the lives of ordinary loving couples.

If I could offer new romance authors one bit of advice, it would be to build chemistry between your main characters by setting a pace that will at once interest and frustrate your readers. The balance is tough because you don’t want to send your readers into tearing out their hair saying “get to it already.” But the romantic aspect needs to follow a reasonable progression of time and events. Not only that, but it must take a few back steps that also follow reason. Consider this romance you’re portraying like a sword fight, to include dancing (around the subject), engaging (sometimes nicely, sometimes with a sharp edge to the tongue), parrying (giving back as good as they get), and, well…you get the picture. I promise if you build slowly and evenly, rather than diving headlong into the kissing and sexing, when you finally get your reader there, the explosion of emotion will make an unforgettable read.

It really is in the details – what to include and not include…all the elements that drive the pace.

~Kay (storyteller, editor, and romantic at heart)

Guest Blog – Jill Stone – He’s called spy, covert operative, secret agent, clock and dagger man and he is one of my favorite heroes.

Please help me welcome back one of our old bloggers, Jillian Stone, author of An Affair with Mr. Kennedy (The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard).

—

What is it about secret agents? Certainly they’re wicked smart, and who doesn’t find a brilliant mind seductive? Often these men are portrayed as sophisticated smooth operators––capable, cunning and deadly sexy. They are also adventurous heroes who are more than a bit…dangerous. There are so many reasons to be attracted to them, and they are also some of my favorite heroes to write!

I’m blogging today about two of my favorite characters, because I wrote them! First, let me tell you about Zeno Kennedy, the man who puts the dash in the dashing Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series and the hero of AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY. (debut novel releases January 31). Here’s a quickie-quick blurb: Beneath gaslit streets, anarchists with bombs plot a deadly attack on Victorian London. Scotland Yard operative Zeno ‘Zak” Kennedy’s investigation leads him into the arms of free-thinking impressionist painter Cassandra St. Cloud, whose connection to the terrorists catapults their passionate affair into perilous adventure.

My other favorite character is the hero of THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK. Phaeton’s prodigious gifts as a paranormal investigator are as legendary as his skills as a lover, his weakness for wicked women as notorious as his affection for absinthe. But when he’s asked to hunt down a fanged femme fatale who drains her victims of blood, he walks straight into the arms of the most dangerous woman he’s ever known, the very capable cajun beauty, America Jones. This is a super steamy Steampunk mystery romance, set in late Victorian London (releases this April 3rd).

There have been so many wonderful secret agents written over the years, from Jack Bauer (24) to Jason Bourne, from sexy Xander Cage to the sexier (?) Austin Powers! And what about The Avenger’s John Steed and Emma Peel? Or Mr. and Mrs. Smith? And as long as I’m mentioning women, I’d like to do a shout out to the wonderful Le Femme Nikita (foreign film version) as well as Angelina Jolie’s Evelyn Salt.

Any list of secret agents would not be complete without James Bond. Which Bond is your favorite? Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Or the attest modern day Bond played by Daniel Craig? Perhaps the best Holmes of all will always be the original written by Ian Fleming and pictured in the mind’s eye! So the question for the day is: Which Bond is your favorite?

To inspire comments I have several giveaways: One commenter will receive their choice of a signed ARC of either AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY or THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK. In addition, all commenters today will be entered in a special giveaway promotion: Jewelry inspired by the romantic notion of recapturing lost time as the French title ‘Le Temps Perdu’ A Steampunk watch necklace from the Time Travel Collection by Yolanda Pang. Cyber travel to Poetic Designs and see for yourself just how whimsical this watch necklace is Link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/86157293/le-temps-perdu-ii-steampunk-watch

This promotion will be offered over the next month during my blog tour. Each time you visit a different blog and leave a comment your name gets entered again! For a schedule of my interviews and blogs go to contact/press on my website. Good luck everyone!

Jillian Stone

Could the crime of the century lead to the love of a lifetime?
An Affair With Mr. Kennedy
2010 Golden Heart winner for Romantic Suspense
Debut release January 31, 2012 from Pocket Books

Phaeton Black, Paranormal Investigator
The Seduction of Phaeton Black
Available April 3, 2012 from Kensington Brava

Website: http://jillianstone.com

The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard mix business with pleasure in these Victorian Romantic Suspense novels from Pocket Books: An Affair with Mr. Kennedy, January 31, 2012 • An Intrigue with Detective Lewis, August 28, 2012 • A Private Duel with Agent Gunn, Early Spring 2013 And watch for these wild and sexy Steampunk adventures from Kensington Brava: The Seduction of Phaeton Black, April 3, 2012 • The Moonstone and Miss Jones, Early Spring 2013 • The Miss Education of Doctor Exeter, Fall 2013
—

—
Thanks for coming by to visit us here at Let’s Talk Romance. It was great to have you back and we wish you the best of luck.
—
April Dawn, author of Bound by Love and Crushing Desire.

Guest Post – Karen Frisch – The Defining Moment

Please welcome back Karen Frisch, author of What’s in a Name.

—
THE DEFINING MOMENT

What makes a professional? Does a writer become a writer, assuming the title and the sense of accomplishment that goes with it, when a first book is completed and she is able to type The End?

Or does she rise to that level when an editor from whom she’s been waiting to hear back for six months finally emails to say she’d like to see the rest of the book?

Is it the point at which an author realizes the last five paragraphs she’s written do nothing to move the story forward, and, instead of saving them for future use, she acknowledges they’re worthless and throws them out? That takes courage.

Many authors remember the thrill of The Call and feel that defines the moment they became a professional or at least officially made it onto the playing field. It might be the day they were able to announce a sale to their writers’ group. Others define success by their own standards, whether it be an aha moment or the decision to stay home and write rather than stick with the part-time job.

We probably all have images of successful writers. They spend most of their day at home. (I have to admit I do know some who are able to do that, and I’m envious.)

But not many, no matter how successful, are willing to say they’ve made it. From posts on Facebook to emails from friends, I hear the same insecurity and uneasiness. In the midst of hope and joy, no one knows whether the next book will sell, if their editor or publisher will survive, or where their books will be sold or in what format.

The one thing we have in common is worry. Writers are more vulnerable than those of many professions. Unlike a business in which a title and a corner office define success, ours is an industry in which there is no true security. What was true yesterday no longer is.

I remember the day I received a reply from an editor to my first nonfiction book proposal. The letter, by snail mail,recommended some additional chapters to my outline and said the publisher would be ready to go to contract when I delivered the completed manuscript. I read it in disbelief. Was this it? No phone call. No list of changes. Just keep going.

As writers, that’s what we do. We keep going. Keep on truckin.’ We need to share the joy and revel in it, because it doesn’t always last. We survive the struggle because we are all in this together. We buy, we read, and we support the endeavors of other writers. We know what their support would mean to us. We do it because we care, because we can’t imagine how awful it would be if no one wanted to read our stories.

What makes it real for you? Do you have tricks for banishing fear? If you have successful habits that make the writing life easier, please feel free to share.

Karen Frisch’s historical romance What’s in a Name was released last month from Avalon Books. Her other books include Murder Most Civil, a Victorian mystery from Mainly Murder Press, and Lady Delphinia’s Deception, a Regency from ImaJinn Books. ImaJinn also published her novella “A Delicate Footing” in the anthology A Regency Yuletide. She’s also written two genealogy books: Unlocking the Secrets in Old Photographs and Creating Junior Genealogists, both available from Turner Publishing or on Amazon.

Thanks for being here Karen.

—-
April Dawn
Author of Crushing Desire and Bound by Love.

Tantalizing Tamara Monteau Visits LTR

LTR: Welcome to the blog. We all want to know what’s going on right now with your writing career. What’s simmering in the pot, and what have you recently finished.

TM: My fourth novel, Haven’s King, is currently in editing. Once that one’s launched, I’m going to take a breather before resuming work on book five. Launching four books in six months time is quite a load! Book five, which I have yet to name, will delve more deeply into the inner workings of Haven and the histories of the creatures who inhabit it. I’m weaving all of this into Vincent’s story, and we will learn why he’s been so enigmatic.

LTR: How in the world did you get all those books out at once? You’re making me tired. I’m honored you could make an appearance today!

If you could date one of the heroes in your books, which would it be? What features make you like him the most?

TM: O-o-oh. Tough question. I guess it would depend upon the mood I’m in and what kind of date. If I’m looking for a light-hearted good time, I’ll pick Jason hands down. He is very much like my husband – both cock-eyed optimistic, both handling stress with humor, inspiring those around him. He likes picking on people and making them laugh. So, he’d be a fun date.

Now, if I were more interested in (blushing here) seduction and surrender, I would absolutely melt in Ronan’s arms. He has a tendency to be dark and mysterious. His power is phenomenal. To be overwhelmed, just once, to that kind of seduction would… (trails off dreamily)

LTR: Don’t feel you have to trail off on my account. I’d be more than happy to hear more about both men. And no blushing in romance darling! 

Can you give us an excerpt from one of your books?

TM: Sure you can.

*****

The light came from the kitchen, just a single bulb burning over the sink. She thought about pilfering from the ‘fridge, but it wouldn’t be polite, so she ignored the sudden cramp in her stomach. A door at the other end of the kitchen probably led to either a utility room or the backyard. Or both. A second door to the right stood ajar. More light glowed dimly from below. She stepped quietly to the opening and heard the sounds of conversation. The first voice she heard clearly was Jason’s, and his words made her pause.

“I’m in love with her. Every moment I spend with her makes me more sure of that.”

A sudden rush of emotion stole her breath. He was in love with her! Suddenly everything she’d sensed, everything she’d been feeling about him, made sense. He had been pursuing her after all. Maybe his motives with the station were honorable, but what about his motives with her? When she heard the word ‘danger’, she snapped back to reality.

“I’ve been watchful, but I can’t provide her adequate protection without compromising my promise.” Jason again.

“The enforcers have kept special watch on her apartment and her partner’s home in town. I doubt even the cleverest of their numbers could find a way past them.” The speaker had a soft tenor voice with an almost musical lilt.

“They can’t watch my back and discover the source of this wave. No. Obviously, there is some force out there opposed to my interest in her.”

“You could be right,” a man with a distinctive British accent said. “After all, you have some very powerful enemies.”

“All the more reason I should call off the hunt.” Jason’s voice sounded thick with sorrow. “She is my true and perfect mate, the other half of myself in every way. I must protect her, even if it means I have to let her go.”

The conversation stopped, but she wouldn’t have heard more if it continued. Her head whirled over what he’d just said. She felt confused, frightened. She was thrilled. Okay, so they’d only just met, but once she’d let her guard down and started to get to know him, she realized she did like him. More than she wanted to. Less, maybe. She couldn’t tell. Then the silence downstairs was broken by the mysterious Englishman.

“Have you ever thought she might be a potential ally in this new threat? After all, the citizens of Carrington are at risk, at least at present.”

“Dev, you know better than to ask that question. The police can’t be involved.”

“No, not the whole department, my boy, just her. After all, if we start finding casualties—”

“Sh-sh-sh!” Jason’s shush was sharp. A warning. “Mirissa? Is that you up there?”

LTR: Love, mystery and intrigue, I love it.

This is an age old question that every author has to answer about 20,000 times. What got you into writing, and how old were you?

TM: When I was a child, I was very shy and introverted. I spent more time with my nose in a book than playing. But of course, reading after hours was prohibited, so when I couldn’t sleep, which has always been frequently, I would make up stories in my head to pass the time until the sand man got around to me.

I’ve always loved fiction. I read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (the full version) when I was eight years old. Then (and this dates me) Dark Shadows made its appearance in my life, forever transforming me from innocent wanderer to dark dreamer. I dabbled a bit here and there, picking up steam during high school, but didn’t really get serious about exploring the craft until 1992, when Dan Curtis once again visited Barnabus Collins on my dreams. I was left aching for the poor, reluctant vampire, and thinking of ways I could help such a creature. Lost Hopes was written in 1993. It was pure donkey poop, but I keep one copy around for laughs. The characters and plot evolved after I completed work on Twilight Destiny and self-published it in 2008. I picked up Lost Hopes, and by the time it was finished, The Darker Path was born. After that, I couldn’t stop myself from writing if my life depended upon it.

LTR: I envy you. I still can’t seem to get past Little Women. But I have read Steven King’s The Stand. **3 times @ 900 pages** 

If you couldn’t be a writer, what would you do with your life?

TM: The only way I couldn’t be a writer is if I were to become hopelessly disabled or mentally impaired. That’s like telling the average mortal he’s no longer allowed to eat. So long as my mind is free, my stories will continue. If I can’t write them down, I’ll find someone who can. (determined grin)

LTR: Determination is such a wonderful thing. Do you have a day job that interferes with your ‘real life’ as an author?

TM: Nope! When the kids were ready to move on, my husband retired from the Air Force and found a second job. When he felt our finances could handle the change, he asked me to quit and stay home for a while because the stress of working, going to school, and preparing girls’ for weddings had crippled me. That was… six years ago? So I spend most of my days as I will, depending on the time of year. When the need to write hits, everything goes on the back burner. I sit on the sofa with my laptop, put up my feet, and let Haven’s Realm take me over. And if (blushing again) my imaginary lovers get too playful, my husband doesn’t seem to mind. Ah, what a wonderful thing imagination is! LOL

LTR: Imagination is great. My fiance loves when I read/write erotica since it spices up his life a little too! Tell us something unique about yourself that we don’t know.

TM: As hard as this may be to understand, I am a devoted Christian. I know, the average religious or truly spiritual would roll their eyes at that. My writing has nothing to do with my faith. On the other hand…

…My faith has a lot to do with my writing. When I began work on Haven’s King, I truly didn’t know where I was going with it. Before I knew it, I had written in a unique vampire culture, one which has an understanding with Heaven’s Forces, be they Christian or (grinning broadly) Greek. This is why I will not go hotter than three flames. My love scenes are necessary to my stories, not the other way around, and the few really satisfying parts are handled with the greatest of care. The main premise of my new culture is the firm belief that all creatures, be they mortal or no, deserve to be judged on their own merits. They limit their interaction with humanity, and wish only to explore their gifts and live in peace.

I wish I could let them.

LTR: Peace would make for a boring book I fear! 

How about another question (I swear I’m almost done!) Bacon or ham?

Um…both.

LTR: Chocolate or Jelly Beans?

No-o-o! Not the Jelly Beans! LMAO This is a joke between my husband and myself involving the crystal bowl of jelly beans I kept on top of my bookcase headboard, which chose the wrong moment to fall and break over the bridge of my nose. Brings a painful new meaning of coitus interuptus! After that, it’s been strictly chocolate…

And more chocolate…and…

LTR: OMG – you are hilarious! I will never look at jelly beans the same way again! Now that we’ve gotten to know you, we need to know where to find you so we can stalk, I mean visit you.

My website is http://www.havens-realm.com

My blogsite is http://havensrealm.wordpress.com

My facebook id is Tamara Faye Rudkin Monteau

You can buy my books from Secret Cravings Publishing.

JANET EVANOVICH’S INTERVIEW: THE DEBUT OF HER NOVEL “ONE FOR THE MONEY” IN MOVIE THEATRES

Good Morning Let’s Talk Romance Readers and fellow columnists. Today I bring you the Janet Evanovich’s interview. She is the author of the Stephanie Plum series of which the first novel in the series is a movie in the theatres this month. I hope that you enjoy a glimpse into her creative process and I sincerely hope that you go watch the movie. Without further ado, I bring you Mrs. Janet Evanovich.

1. Just a little background. What is your full name and how long have you been writing.

Janet Evanovich. I’ve been writing since my kids were little — I started around the mid-1970s.

2. When did you first decide that you wanted to be a writer?

I suppose it goes back to my youth. I used to invent stories in my head. I spent most of my school years wanting to be an artist and I even got an art degree in college. Unfortunately, I discovered that I was allergic to the pigments in paint and had to re-focus my energies. It was then that I found myself drawn back to the written word. It took me three novels and ten years, but I finally made my first sale.

3. When did you decide to come up with the idea of Stephanie Plum as a bounty hunter? Do you know anyone who actually personifies this character for you? For the movie, did you agree or disagree with the character being cast as Katherine Heigl? (I am a fan of hers as well. My favorite role to date actually happens to be in Knocked Up)

I was a fairly successful romance novelist when I saw the movie, Midnight Run, with Robert De Niro, in 1992. It was a really hilarious bounty hunter movie. It got me thinking. What about a comedic novel about a female bounty hunter? I started to do some research and Stephanie Plum was born. I loved the casting of Heigl as Plum. I’ve seen the movie and Heigl is fantastic.

4. Do you have to do any research for the novel itself?

I don’t do a lot of research these days, but I had to in the beginning. These were the days before Dog the bounty hunter had a TV show, so I had to talk to experts. I started hanging out with bounty hunters and cops. I picked their brains while I plied them with beer.

5. When you write your stories do you follow like a timeline, an outline or do you free write? And which method do you choose to use or do use regularly?

For me, an outline is absolutely essential. It saves me from getting painted into a plot corner. I shudder to think of having to scrap 3/4 of a novel because I failed to plot a logical beginning, middle and end.

6. When they first approached you with the idea to turn your Stephanie Plum series into a movie what was your reaction? Did you think It would or wouldn’t work and why?

I was thrilled because it happened before the first Plum book ever hit the bookshelves, when I was only known in the romance world. I always thought that the Stephanie stories would make good movies. So many authors sell movie rights, but few movies ever get made. Up until last year, it seemed like it would never happen. I’ve seen the movie and I’m happy to say, I really like it.

I hope you enjoyed the interview. I was very happy that she agreed to do it for me and for you so that you could see her thought processes in writing and how she got to her character and her novel. If you are looking for more of her novels check out her website: http://www.evanovich.com and also visit your local bookstore.
I am looking for the next book in the series. I think I am up to book Seventeen but I am going back to book Twelve to catch up. I suggest you guys get to reading.

What women really mean….

The other day I asked my husband to pick up cat food and litter. Okay, not difficult right? Well, he came home with cat treats and bird seed. We don’t have a bird by the way.

Needless to say I was really PO’d and let him know it. He then said something that really shocked me. He told me that he never knows what I mean and that it leaves him stressed trying to figure out what I “really” mean. Naturally I was complete confused, since , “Honey please pickup cat food and cat litter on your way home” seems pretty self-explanatory… apparently I’m mistaken.

We had a long discussion about the things I ask of him and what I “really” mean… This is what HE came up with…

When I ask, “Honey are you hungry?”

According to my husband’s brilliant deduction, this is what I mean….”I’m way too tired to cook anything so please say no and fix yourself a bowl of cereal.”

Finances….if we need to budget and I say…”Okay I’ll limit the withdrawals this month…”

He knows I really mean…”Get off my case, I work too and if you have a problem with my spending then maybe you should get a second job you bum.”

When he asks me what I want for my birthday, Christmas, Valentines Day etc…and I say…”Oh lets just enjoy the day and not get each other a gift…”

What I really mean is…”I’ve already told you what I wanted, so you should have already gotten it and if I don’t get you anything that’s okay cuz I labored for twelve hours to have your offspring!”

When I call him from the other room…”Hun do you have a minute?”

What I really mean is….”Since your not doing anything special, could you…” and I proceed to give him five pages of things I need done around the house to make my life easier.

and my personal favorite…

When he forgets my birthday, or some important “US” day…and all I do is walk past him  with a ” : )” not saying a word…every time we lock eyes….

What I really mean is…”Enjoy the quiet time, cuz it just you and your hand tonight!” Thank you “Pink” for paraphrasing.

All I can say is…looks like he knows me pretty well…no wonder I love him!

So if you have any “what you really mean is…” lets hear ‘em…this could be fun!

Emma

5 Great Lines from Kresley Cole, Dreams of a Dark Warrior

5 Great Lines from Kresley Cole, Dreams of a Dark Warrior

1

“For the record,” she continued, “it’s not my fault I came in here looking like Chesty LaRue. You caught me on laundry day, so I have no undergarments on. Though I will cop to a little extra spring in my step for your benefit.”

2

She murmured, “You’re unfinished.”
“Aye, precisely.”
“I need to go.”
When she moved to get up, he shoved her against his side and slapped her arse to keep her there. “You stay with me.”
She snapped, “What do you want from me, Chase?”
He drew his head back in confusion. “I want everything. You’re mine, Regin.”

3

“Your ultimatum didn’t sit well with me, so naturally, I voiced my opinion.”
“Which was?”
“That you should go copulate with a pig. It sounded way cooler in medieval French.”

4

“One day I’m going to make that little piggy cry all the way home.”

5

“I can draw you a diagram. Hint: I’m slot B, and you’re tab A.”

—
Ava Delany
The Fetish Club Series, The Homecoming Series, and The Beginnings Series.
Look for my newest release- A Surprising Day – on Kindle, Allromanceebooks, and many other places where ebooks are sold.

Is Your Story Filled with BS?

by Kay Springsteen

I find it ironic that back story can be abbreviated BS. Because most of the time, when I read a lot of back story information dumped into a book, the other word for BS pops into my mind. To be sure, back story is something we need to know and most of the time show…but as a reader and an editor, I can’t read even a paragraph of expository back story without thinking “wasn’t there SOME better way of conveying this information?

And the answer, of course, is yes. There most definitely is. In developing my characters I do find I need to know who they are and how they got to their age in life. I need to know their back story in order to understand how they will react to the plot elements my story throws at them. My readers, on the other hand, don’t need to know everything about the character to start their story. In fact, the whole point of writing a story is so the reader will meet and get to know your characters over the course of the story – in romance, usually right alongside the other character.

So when my heroine in Elusive Echoes got a letter from her brother, I gave a hint that this was not a welcome occurrence in her reaction to the letter. What I did not do was go into exactly how it could mean trouble, or why, or what exactly their relationship had been growing up and so on. All of this was given to the reader at the appropriate time – through snippets of the letters she read, from her sitting down and telling some of her story to the love of her life, or to the sheriff, or to her love’s father, etc. Some was through thinking, and the final piece fell into place when her brother actually showed up.

Hopefully, by the time the pieces started coming together, the reader would think, “Ah, so that’s why she feels the need to be independent…” or “So that’s why she knew how to deliver a baby.”

Basically, fiction is ALL back story being told inside of present story. The woman running from an abusive ex, for example, has a story to tell, but the story needs to unfold so the reader receives just the right amount of information at the right time. This attention to pacing helps avoid information dumping and giving the reader more than they need to the point where – well, there is no point in finishing the story.After all, you already know it.

One thing I’ve noticed while editing, is a tendency to rush the relationship. Often, on speaking with the authors, I find out that when they read, they find themselves unable to wait until the hero and heroine overcome the obstacles and end up together. Many times, they translate their angst (which is actually the original author’s goal for the reader to have) into a tendency to rush it during their own stories for the sense of gratification. Only thing is, it frequently falls short because it’s all tied up and there is nothing left for the characters to discover about one another and overcome. Seeing a page of back story, especially in the form of the characters sharing their long sad stories with each other, so there are no more secrets is a warning sign that the relationship is being rushed.

So if you find your stories filled with BS, you have a specific course of action to follow: (1) Determine how much is necessary for the readers to know (and how much is not relevant to the story), (2) Determine when the readers need to be given this information, and (3) Find creative ways to present the back story in little sprinkles instead of one long dump.

Happy writing!

 

HEALTH OF A WRITER

Hi guys. Update, the Janet Evanovich interview is coming. Please also stay tuned for Tracy Ames a writer of erotica as well.

Until then you have just me. But I want you to take a look at the Murderati article through this link and then join me. http://www.murderati.com/blog/2012/1/5/health-hazards-of-being-a-writer.html

What I had read elsewhere that beside stress as a contender for writers, that depression was also a problem for writers. To me it makes sense. When you make your living from writing words and your words either don’t come for any variety of reasons you get depressed. So how do you handle the blues or the possibility or reality of being ill and having a deadline when you have a migraine that won’t even allow you to open your eyes, or sound to hit your eardrums, or your body to move? You all know what I am talking about people. You have all had that type of migraine that only approximately or in reality a good night’s sleep will cure or a good day and night’s sleep will cure. So what do you do? You take the day off and then work like a demon the next day to make up for it.

So I developed a little plan to help through the months that might make you sick. Make sure you have your Vitamin C. You can get the ones that are like throat lozenges. I suck them down; they disappear within like two or three days. Also, take your milk, water and your vegetables. They will help keep your body full and regular. Now you might disagree with me but at the slightest hint of the flu, take Theraflu. Yes, I said it. Take Theraflu. You might get knocked out or not but I swear by it, you will feel better tomorrow. No kidding. And make sure- this is a must- I don’t care what you say- get your 8 count them 8 HOURS of sleep. No more and no less. You will find yourself refreshed- sans coffee and sans breakfast sometimes. OH and for those that are amorous in the morning- check that out! Little things make you feel better.

Hopefully though we all are getting through the winter without being devastatingly sick or otherwise indisposed. For those who are enceinte, you might still want to try the above. And you might also want to take your pre-natal vitamins on top of that. It will help you out I think. Not having been there with you, I can’t say what works for you. But it can’t hurt right? I think not. (P.S. Unless your doctor says so.)

Oh and another thing- for those who suffer from a disease such as M.S., or arthritis, I think the best thing to do is to consult your doctor if you write. Think of carpal tunnel syndrome, think of restless leg syndrome, and think of referred pain, any of that; it is best to consult a doctor if it affects your writing. For me, I actually get headaches and migraines which can be really painful sometimes. I just work with them and go to sleep.

I hope this along with the other article helps you with your illness and your writing. We like to share our stories with you and hopefully you will weigh in with suggestions that might be better than ours.

5 Great Lines from Jill Shalvis, Simply Irresistible

5 Great Lines from Jill Shalvis, Simply Irresistible

1

“There isn’t any poison oak in the winter. It’s hard to convince a girl you’re sexy when you can’t stop scratching your ass because of the rash.”

2

“Smile…it makes people wonder what you’re up to.”

3

“She’s drunk dialing contractors. Someone should stop her.”

4

“Sorry,” he said. “Let me drop the belt-”
“No.” She held on when he would have pulled away. “Don’t. I like it.”
Again, he lifted her face, and he smiled. “The tool belt turns you on.”
“No.” She closed her eyes and thunked her forehead to his chest. “Little bit.”

5

“I’m already yours. Always have been. All you have to do is step into the ring.”

—
Ava Delany
The Fetish Club Series, The Homecoming Series, and The Beginnings Series.
Look for my newest release- A Surprising Day – on Kindle, Allromanceebooks, and many other places where ebooks are sold.