Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 19
May 13, 2019
I'm Blogging at Romance Gems Today!
High Tea or Afternoon Tea? Will this American Writer Abandon her Mug of Coffee? By Connie Vines
Join in the Fun! There is a chance to win prizes, too!
Romance Gems
Join in the Fun! There is a chance to win prizes, too!
Romance Gems
April 27, 2019
Does the Season Play a Part in Your Story? By Connie Vines
This month’s Round Robin Topic:
Does the season ever play a part in your setting?
How do you think seasons affect setting & plot either physically or metaphorically?
Winter Despair and Hope. References to winter in literature may refer to death, old age, pain, loneliness, despair or an end. Spring Joy and Love. Themes of rebirth and renewal often use symbols from the spring season. Summer Searches and Reflection. Autumn Bounty and Changes.
These are the classic examples of seasonal symbolism. While I often rely on seasons to affect my plot or play a major part in my novel, I try to be less…well, symbolic.
In my YA Historical novel, Tanayia—Whisper upon the Water , my prologue and chapter openings gave the readers an emotional touch-stone into the life and emotions of my main character.
Prologue, 1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries.
Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remained where sagebrush was stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reached out into the silence.
A world of hunger and hardship. This is my world. I am Tanayia. I was born thirteen winters ago. My people and I call ourselves “Nde” means “The People”. The white man calls us Apache.
The seasons were: Swimming Ducks, Gathering Corn, Red Grass.
However, if my main character had been Anna Thunder, a member of a nomadic tribe (Comanche) the seasons would have reflected her reality.
Settings and Plot
I find my settings and plots usually reflect the seasons because the seasonal changes are an occurrence in our life.
I have an anthology set in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is a part of the culture and my story has the season woven throughout the story line.
And, of course, my ranching/westerns have the seasons woven throughout the plot.
Brede, Rodeo Romance Book 2
Several hours later, she clung to the soothing tone of Brede’s voice as she cleared away the dishes and filled the sink with soapy water. She trusted him to keep his promise. Brede was the only constant in her life. She only hoped when she discovered where she belonged it would be a world as safe as this one.
After nestling the last piece of silverware into the draining board, she reached for the saucepan and glanced out the rain-streaked window. Thunder clapped overhead just before a jolt rattled the dishes in the cupboard. Lightening stabbed the earth just beyond the kitchen window, bathing the room in a sharp flash of surreal brightness.
The flash of light was so unexpected, that it took her a moment to realize the electricity had gone out.
The saucepan slipped from her fingertips and clattered to the floor.
She tried to tell herself that it was only the storm and the lights would come back on in a matter of minutes. Still, terror that was icy cold and merciless grabbed her by the throat and crushed what little courage she possessed when the cloudy, moonless night turned the room to inky black.
She remembered the darkness, the terror, and the unrelenting sound of the rain.
She was alone.
Alone in the darkness.
A mindless whimper left her lips as her mind threw her back into a pit of terror.
I find the seasons a way to influence my plot-lines, and add depth to my settings and characterization.
Remember to visit the other members of Round Robin Blog.
Happy Reading,
Connie
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
> Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
> Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
> Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
> Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
> Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
> Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1yE
Visit my Amazon Author site
Or my website: www.novelsbyconnievines.com
Does the season ever play a part in your setting?
How do you think seasons affect setting & plot either physically or metaphorically?
Winter Despair and Hope. References to winter in literature may refer to death, old age, pain, loneliness, despair or an end. Spring Joy and Love. Themes of rebirth and renewal often use symbols from the spring season. Summer Searches and Reflection. Autumn Bounty and Changes.
These are the classic examples of seasonal symbolism. While I often rely on seasons to affect my plot or play a major part in my novel, I try to be less…well, symbolic.
In my YA Historical novel, Tanayia—Whisper upon the Water , my prologue and chapter openings gave the readers an emotional touch-stone into the life and emotions of my main character.
Prologue, 1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries.
Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remained where sagebrush was stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reached out into the silence.
A world of hunger and hardship. This is my world. I am Tanayia. I was born thirteen winters ago. My people and I call ourselves “Nde” means “The People”. The white man calls us Apache.
The seasons were: Swimming Ducks, Gathering Corn, Red Grass.
However, if my main character had been Anna Thunder, a member of a nomadic tribe (Comanche) the seasons would have reflected her reality.
Settings and Plot
I find my settings and plots usually reflect the seasons because the seasonal changes are an occurrence in our life.
I have an anthology set in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is a part of the culture and my story has the season woven throughout the story line.
And, of course, my ranching/westerns have the seasons woven throughout the plot.
Brede, Rodeo Romance Book 2
Several hours later, she clung to the soothing tone of Brede’s voice as she cleared away the dishes and filled the sink with soapy water. She trusted him to keep his promise. Brede was the only constant in her life. She only hoped when she discovered where she belonged it would be a world as safe as this one.
After nestling the last piece of silverware into the draining board, she reached for the saucepan and glanced out the rain-streaked window. Thunder clapped overhead just before a jolt rattled the dishes in the cupboard. Lightening stabbed the earth just beyond the kitchen window, bathing the room in a sharp flash of surreal brightness.
The flash of light was so unexpected, that it took her a moment to realize the electricity had gone out.
The saucepan slipped from her fingertips and clattered to the floor.
She tried to tell herself that it was only the storm and the lights would come back on in a matter of minutes. Still, terror that was icy cold and merciless grabbed her by the throat and crushed what little courage she possessed when the cloudy, moonless night turned the room to inky black.
She remembered the darkness, the terror, and the unrelenting sound of the rain.
She was alone.
Alone in the darkness.
A mindless whimper left her lips as her mind threw her back into a pit of terror.
I find the seasons a way to influence my plot-lines, and add depth to my settings and characterization.
Remember to visit the other members of Round Robin Blog.
Happy Reading,
Connie
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
> Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
> Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
> Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
> Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
> Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
> Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1yE
Visit my Amazon Author site
Or my website: www.novelsbyconnievines.com
March 25, 2019
Happy National Puppy Day!
NATIONAL PUPPY DAY!
I love puppies
March 23, 2019
Self-Editing (minus the primeval scream) by Connie Vines
This month's Round Robin Topic: How do I self-edit my books before submitting or publishing?
Self-editing is painful. Every writer I know fights the urge to 'self-edit' while creating the first draft of his/her novel. Remember the cartoons you watched as a child (or perhaps still watch. I'm not judgmental) where the hero has a devil sitting on one shoulder and the angel on his other? Both were whispering in his ear. Your hero is overcome with confusion and self-doubt, uncertain of what to do next.
Well, that is a large part of the writing process--learning to ignore the self-editing instructions that are always at the back of your mind.
When a I type THE END, I breath a sigh of relief.
For a few minutes, perhaps even several hours, I'm thinking about my next project.
Then reality sets in (hence the mention of a primeval shout) how many times did I write the word 'that'? I read a book once where every chapter started with a description of the weather. I didn't tie-up that loose-end.
I believe I must self-edit before sending my novel to a beta reader.
If you’re ready to self-edit your book, consider these 10 tips:
1. Rest your manuscript
When you’ve finished typing the last word of your masterpiece, set it aside for a few days. In On Writing, Stephen King relates that he places his finished drafts in a drawer for at least six weeks before looking at them again.
Why rest your manuscript? When you do come back to self-edit, the book almost seems as if someone else wrote it.
2. Listen to your manuscript
Hearing your words spoken makes mistakes glaringly obvious.
If you’re a Mac user, click the Apple logo at the top left of your screen, select System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Speech. Choose a System Voice and Speaking Rate you can tolerate, then select “Speak selected text when the key is pressed.”
Once you’ve enabled your preferred shortcut key, simply highlight any text (within any program) that you want to hear read aloud. Then hit your shortcut keys and follow your words on-screen as your computer reads them aloud.
For PC users, make use of Narrator, part of the system’s Ease of Access Center. Press “Windows+U” and click “Start Narrator.” Since the program is intended for blind users, it will automatically begin to read any text your mouse encounters. To turn this off, hit “Control.” To have Narrator read a paragraph, place your cursor at its beginning and type “Caps Lock + I.” To have Narrator read an entire page, press “Caps Lock + U.”
Or make use of a recording app on your iPhone. I think in chapters of three when writing. So, I will read my novel three chapter at a time. Often, I catch the mistakes when reading. Pause, make a note, and then go on reading.
3. Search for troubling words
I am a fan of Grammar Girl podcasts.
To help you consider what your troubling words might be, here’s a good starting list, excerpted from the first chapter of Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing:
a lot/alot
affect/effect
can/may
further/farther
good/well
i.e./e.g.
into/in to
it’s/its
lay/lie
less/fewer
that/who
their/they’re/there
then/than
who/whom
your/you’re
4. Remove or replace your crutch words
Outside of necessary articles and prepositions, you may be surprised at what words you tend to use over and over.
5. Remove all double spaces at the end of sentences
If tapping two spaces following your sentences is an age-old habit ingrained into you.
Conduct a find-and-replace search after you’re done writing. In Word, type two spaces in “find” and one space in “replace” and hit enter. Voila!
6. Run spell check or use an automated editing program
8. Purchase The Chicago Manual of Style.
You can subscribe to the online version for $35 a year. I prefer the the hardbound copy.
9. Set aside an hour or two to go through this list with your manuscript, but be careful about over-editing.
10. Send it off to your beta reader/plotting partner. Remember to reward your reader with a gift card.
Happy Reading and Writing,
Connie
Stop by and see what the other Round Robin members have to say about the "torments" of self-editing:
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_seaDiane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1yEVictoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.comHelena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blogJudith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
See my website for this giveaway
My Motto
Self-editing is painful. Every writer I know fights the urge to 'self-edit' while creating the first draft of his/her novel. Remember the cartoons you watched as a child (or perhaps still watch. I'm not judgmental) where the hero has a devil sitting on one shoulder and the angel on his other? Both were whispering in his ear. Your hero is overcome with confusion and self-doubt, uncertain of what to do next.
Well, that is a large part of the writing process--learning to ignore the self-editing instructions that are always at the back of your mind.
When a I type THE END, I breath a sigh of relief.
For a few minutes, perhaps even several hours, I'm thinking about my next project.
Then reality sets in (hence the mention of a primeval shout) how many times did I write the word 'that'? I read a book once where every chapter started with a description of the weather. I didn't tie-up that loose-end.
I believe I must self-edit before sending my novel to a beta reader.
If you’re ready to self-edit your book, consider these 10 tips:
1. Rest your manuscript
When you’ve finished typing the last word of your masterpiece, set it aside for a few days. In On Writing, Stephen King relates that he places his finished drafts in a drawer for at least six weeks before looking at them again.
Why rest your manuscript? When you do come back to self-edit, the book almost seems as if someone else wrote it.
2. Listen to your manuscript
Hearing your words spoken makes mistakes glaringly obvious.
If you’re a Mac user, click the Apple logo at the top left of your screen, select System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Speech. Choose a System Voice and Speaking Rate you can tolerate, then select “Speak selected text when the key is pressed.”
Once you’ve enabled your preferred shortcut key, simply highlight any text (within any program) that you want to hear read aloud. Then hit your shortcut keys and follow your words on-screen as your computer reads them aloud.
For PC users, make use of Narrator, part of the system’s Ease of Access Center. Press “Windows+U” and click “Start Narrator.” Since the program is intended for blind users, it will automatically begin to read any text your mouse encounters. To turn this off, hit “Control.” To have Narrator read a paragraph, place your cursor at its beginning and type “Caps Lock + I.” To have Narrator read an entire page, press “Caps Lock + U.”
Or make use of a recording app on your iPhone. I think in chapters of three when writing. So, I will read my novel three chapter at a time. Often, I catch the mistakes when reading. Pause, make a note, and then go on reading.
3. Search for troubling words
I am a fan of Grammar Girl podcasts.
To help you consider what your troubling words might be, here’s a good starting list, excerpted from the first chapter of Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing:
a lot/alot
affect/effect
can/may
further/farther
good/well
i.e./e.g.
into/in to
it’s/its
lay/lie
less/fewer
that/who
their/they’re/there
then/than
who/whom
your/you’re
4. Remove or replace your crutch words
Outside of necessary articles and prepositions, you may be surprised at what words you tend to use over and over.
5. Remove all double spaces at the end of sentences
If tapping two spaces following your sentences is an age-old habit ingrained into you.
Conduct a find-and-replace search after you’re done writing. In Word, type two spaces in “find” and one space in “replace” and hit enter. Voila!
6. Run spell check or use an automated editing program
8. Purchase The Chicago Manual of Style.
You can subscribe to the online version for $35 a year. I prefer the the hardbound copy.
9. Set aside an hour or two to go through this list with your manuscript, but be careful about over-editing.
10. Send it off to your beta reader/plotting partner. Remember to reward your reader with a gift card.
Happy Reading and Writing,
Connie
Stop by and see what the other Round Robin members have to say about the "torments" of self-editing:
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_seaDiane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1yEVictoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.comHelena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blogJudith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
See my website for this giveaway
My MottoMarch 4, 2019
March Contest and Giveaways!
The winter chill is in the air but I have great way for you to fill those hours until the Spring thaw!
Win great prizes with #RomanceGems LUCK O' THE IRISH March #Giveaway. COMMENT & WIN has $5.00 AMZ Gift Card up for grabs every week. FRIENDS TELL FRIENDS, new giveaway, open now. Enter for chance to win a Romance Reader's T-shirt or Audiobook. Rafflecopter, awesome prizes, opens Mar. 4. Details here: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/2019...
Share the Love and follow these Participating RomanceGems Authors: Bonnie Edwards * Cheryl Bolen * Connie Vines * Author Elsa Kurt * Jan Scarbrough * Joan Reeves Writes * Karen Kelley * Kathleen Lawless * Lucinda Race * Nancy Fraser * Nora LeDuc * Peggy Jaeger, Author * Satin Russell
Congratulations to Debby from FLA who was one of the winners in our Grand Opening Contest.
I'm also a member of Charmed Writers!
We are having a Flash Fiction give-a-away. (Remember to logon to our Charmed Connection for Readers and Writers on Facebook).
Free flash fiction by Charmed Writers.
bookfunnel link
Join us at Charmed Connections for Readers and Writers!
Here is another one of my solutions for surviving the extended winter days and nights. . . you must remember I reside in the Quirky Suburbs of SoCal where winter seldom falls below 65 degrees.
Win great prizes with #RomanceGems LUCK O' THE IRISH March #Giveaway. COMMENT & WIN has $5.00 AMZ Gift Card up for grabs every week. FRIENDS TELL FRIENDS, new giveaway, open now. Enter for chance to win a Romance Reader's T-shirt or Audiobook. Rafflecopter, awesome prizes, opens Mar. 4. Details here: https://romancegems.blogspot.com/2019...
Share the Love and follow these Participating RomanceGems Authors: Bonnie Edwards * Cheryl Bolen * Connie Vines * Author Elsa Kurt * Jan Scarbrough * Joan Reeves Writes * Karen Kelley * Kathleen Lawless * Lucinda Race * Nancy Fraser * Nora LeDuc * Peggy Jaeger, Author * Satin Russell
Congratulations to Debby from FLA who was one of the winners in our Grand Opening Contest.
I'm also a member of Charmed Writers!
We are having a Flash Fiction give-a-away. (Remember to logon to our Charmed Connection for Readers and Writers on Facebook).
Free flash fiction by Charmed Writers.bookfunnel link
Join us at Charmed Connections for Readers and Writers!
Here is another one of my solutions for surviving the extended winter days and nights. . . you must remember I reside in the Quirky Suburbs of SoCal where winter seldom falls below 65 degrees.
February 1, 2019
Introducing Romance Gems by Connie Vines
On February 1, 2019, Friday, 23 popular authors including NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors, open the doors on ROMANCE GEMS, a wonderful new group blog where the focus is on Readers. Look for conversations about Life, Love, Books, Romance, Sex, Kids, and all the other really important things in your world. Some chuckles and some good times await you so drop by and check out ROMANCE GEMS at http://RomanceGems.blogspot.com.
Be sure and enter the Rafflecopter (A Chance to Win Books, Kindle Fire, and ebook Gift Bundles/) for a Kindle Fire and ebook Gift Bundles. Every week, there will be a "Comment & Win" Random Draw for an Amazon Gift Card. Read and comment with your email address written out on the daily posts. The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning. Enter the Rafflecopter and the "Comment & Win" Random Draw as often as you wish. The more you enter, the greater your chances of winning.
If you've been looking for a Gem of an Author and/or a Gem of a Romance, look no further. You'll find both at ROMANCE GEMS.
Be sure and enter the Rafflecopter (A Chance to Win Books, Kindle Fire, and ebook Gift Bundles/) for a Kindle Fire and ebook Gift Bundles. Every week, there will be a "Comment & Win" Random Draw for an Amazon Gift Card. Read and comment with your email address written out on the daily posts. The more comments you make; the greater your chance of winning. Enter the Rafflecopter and the "Comment & Win" Random Draw as often as you wish. The more you enter, the greater your chances of winning.
If you've been looking for a Gem of an Author and/or a Gem of a Romance, look no further. You'll find both at ROMANCE GEMS.
January 19, 2019
Character Development—Personalities and Break-Out Secondary Characters by Connie Vines #RR68
This month’s Round Robin Topic: How do you develop different personalities in your characters? Break-out secondary characters—the making of a new story.
The ‘How’ of the writing is always interesting for me to analyze.
While I have detailed plot lines before I write a story or novel, I am instinctive when creating my characters.
As I’ve blogged before, I begin with a sense of time and place. When the story in bubbling in my subconscious, I heard snippets of conversations, a song playing in my head (you know that annoying song simply leave you alone), or a impulse to cook a certain regional food.
A few examples: When writing ‘Lynx” Rodeo Romance book 1, “Amarillo by Morning” kept playing in my mind. I located by paternal grandfather’s Tex-Mex chili recipe and made chili once a week. And then a brassy woman speaking with a Texas-twang and popping her chewing-gum would pop into my head (ala 'Flo’ in an old TV sitcom).
We all know a novelist always falls in love with her ‘first hero’. My first romantic hero was Lynx Maddox. While his younger sister was only mentioned in the first book of my Rodeo Romance Series, she became by break-out character in the second book, “Brede”. Whereas Rachel Scott and Lynx Maddox were the stars of my contemporary romance; Brede Kristensen and Amberlylnn Maddox stars shine in my romantic suspense novel, “Brede” Rodeo Romance book 2.
My characters also ‘drive my story’—often in a different direct, thus destroying months of detail research. “Nooo! Not again.” Yes, this is my first reaction. And, of course, I rebel at the very thought of shoving my months of detailed research back into my file overflowing file cabinet. I’ve learned I am not able to force my characters to act against his or her nature. Painful though it may be, I listen and I shift my story-line.
When did this happen?
The first time I experienced this ‘traumatic’ writing experience, I was plotting, “Tanayia—Whisper upon the Water” my sweet historical romance.
Tanayia was to be a member of the Paiute tribe of Native Americans. She was being groomed for the ‘taking of the shawl” (becoming a medicine woman). I was involved in Native American Education Programs, served on a PAC Committee (parent advisory council), and participated in powwows. I interview tribal elders and traveled to historical sites, etc. I’d plotted by novel down to a puppy’s freckle, so to speak.
While Tanayia allowed me to keep the historical event which formed the opening event of my 1st chapter, I learned she younger. She was also a member of the “Nde” Apache tribe. Tanayia was also strong-willed and determined.
My novel was not set in a different tribal area, difference climate, different customs, beliefs. . .well, you know what that meant. Yes, more research. I live within driving distance of Sherman Indian School in Riverside, CA. In fact, I attended powwows where the Apache (Fire) dancers from the White Mountain Reservation danced each year.
In the end, Tanayia was correct. My story was her story. It was her life, her experience—it was history, accurate, painful. It was the personal growth of a young woman, torn between two-worlds. I must, in the end, thank Tanayia for the awards this novel was awarded: The Independent e-Book Award for YA Historical Fiction, The Dream Realm Award, and a National Book Award Nomination.
Are more break-out characters evolving in my novels?
Yes, there are a few nudging me now.
I also have a new hero, or two, with a foot hold in my plotting-world right now, too.
Watch for my flash fiction story in anthology available February, 12, 2019. Cover reveal and more info will be posted soon on my blog (here) and at my website very soon.
Happy Reading and Writing,
Connie
Remember to visit the blog sites of these wonderful Round Robin authors:
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
> Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
> Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
> Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
> A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
> Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
>> Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
> Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1qI
> Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
> Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com
December 15, 2018
The Sprint of the Season by Connie Vines #RR, #Christmas
Thank you, Rhobin for our Round Robin topic, for this month.
To me the spirit of the season is about love, and often about sacrifice. This sacrifice can take many forms: be it a military man servicing overseas, overseeing a meal for the needy, and many other ways. “How much are you willing to sacrifice for someone you love?”
My Christmas teaser is taken from “Brede,” Rodeo Romance, Book 2.
“You are welcome to stay on the ranch.” She placed her fingertips over his lips. “I can’t.” The words trembled from her mouth in much the same manner her fingertips trembled against his firm lips. “If someone’s trying to kill me, I’m putting you and everyone else on the ranch in danger.” “That’s the very reason you should stay.” She shook her head. The sweetness of his words, his generous offer of help, brought tears to her eyes. It would be so easy for her to stay, but that didn’t make it right. “if you’re worried about the kiss…” “No.” She denied it much too quickly. She was worried about how much she’d enjoyed his kiss, and how easy it would be to kiss him again. He gave her one of his rare, heart-stopping smiles, and Kate wanted to clutch his shoulders for support. Instead, she pulled back to get a good look at him. “I’m a grown man,” he reminded her. “I can take care of myself and so can my men. No one’s going to hurt any of us.” She smiled back. He did look big, strong, and invincible but fear clung to the edges of her mind. Whoever had hurt her didn’t play by the rules, Brede might not like to admit it but the remoteness of the ranch would work in her attacker’s favor. He had stalked her. Thant meant he could be outside watching them now, and waiting for an opportunity to strike again. She bit her lower lip. His face was only inches from hers, so close she could see the heavy stubble of his beard. She had an urge to run her fingers over that dark shadow but she didn’t.She knew if she touched his face, he’d kiss her, and things would get out of hand, just like that other time they were alone in the kitchen. That’s why it was better that she leave, better that he believed someone had filed a report and wanted her back. He’d done enough to help her, she owed him piece of mind, if nothing else. She was attracted to him beyond reason. She had no business feeling this way about him. After tomorrow, they might never see each other again.
Thank you for stopping by my blog today. Please visit the other wonderful authors participating in this month’s blog tour.
Best Holiday Wishes and Gingerbread Kisses,
Connie
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1qI
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com
November 4, 2018
I'm Blogging at Gems in the Attic on 11/4/2018
Is it too soon for Eggnog Latte?
October 28, 2018
Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow--Teaser by Connie Vines #CharmedWriters, #BWL, #CharmedConnection #Halloween
Here Today, Zombie TomorrowBy Connie Vines
“You and Elvis have done a great job on this house," Meredith said as her older sister led the way downstairs toward the kitchen where the tour began. “Sorry I couldn't get over, until now, but I've been sort of… well, busy." Slipping her Juicy Couture tortoise-shell framed sunglasses into a bright pink case; Meredith crammed them into her black Coach handbag. She hoped her sister didn’t ask her to define busy. Becoming a zombie, and dealing with the entire raised from the dead issue over the past six months, was not a topic easily plunked into casual conversation. Pippa waved the comment aside. “I'm glad you like it. We had such fun decorating. Of course, we couldn’t do it all at once, but it's more satisfying putting it together treasure by treasure." Meredith glanced from Pippa’s impish features and short spiky black hair to the perimeter of the room. Taking in every detail and nuance of Pippa’s decorating talent, she let her gaze rest on a collection of figurines by fantasy artist Jasmine Beckett-Griffith crouching at the top of the ebony stained cabinets. A black arch-top fireplace mounted against the wall, flames flowing from a bed of clear river stones, and HOME SWEET HOME embroidered on a sampler with a tiny vine of blood-red roses tangling though out the letters completed the focal point of the room. Even though Meredith was on the best relations with her sister, she couldn't help but feel a sharp nip of jealousy. It hadn’t been so long ago that she’d had her own happy home. Unfortunately, she’d filed for divorce from Viktor and then there’d been that bizarre little accident where she’d ended up dead, and then undead. While Pippa’s two kids, Ethan and Emma, played in the living room, to the accompaniment of 1960s rock-and-roll musical on cable TV, Meredith sat in the kitchen with her sister, fiddling with the end of the tea bag that dangled from the rim of her China cup.Since her sister was contemplating the contents of a tin filled with Danish cookies, Meredith found herself cataloging the events that led up her ‘accident’. A charter member of the SoCal Arts Association, she’d been participating in the annual Zombie Walk Festival in Long Beach when it ‘happened’. Crowds always made her uncomfortable, but this particular event was to raise money, so she was obligated to attend. And, it only went to reason; this year’s participation broke all past records. Twelve-thousand gleeful ghouls stormed Long Beach’s renovated Promenade. The crowd became so large that it spilled out over Pine Avenue for an all-out downtown invasion. Meredith didn’t recall much about the accident, nor who or what, reanimated her. She remembered over hearing a security officer informing a pungent-smelling zombie that he couldn’t purchase an alcoholic beverage (apparently, he didn’t match up with his photo ID). Within moments, a shoving match between the two men ensured, quickly escalating into zombie chaos: shouting, running and chomping. Chomping?At the time, Meredith thought it was all part of the festivities, perhaps a little odd and definitely crazy. Just like the cornstarch-based zombie-vomit and fake blood, everyone had globed and smeared on themselves; but hey, it was an Arts event. Even after finding herself wedged in the center of the zombie mob, lunging and bumping along until they were in sight of the pier, Meredith wasn’t overly concerned.In hindsight, perhaps she should have been extremely concerned. Because the next thing Meredith knew, she was in a zipped body bag, feeling entirely not like herself. No. She wasn’t going to dwell on the past. Again. She’d just keep muddling on with her life and try to focus on the bright spots.Pippa and her family were a definite bright spot in her life. “I wish you would let me help with dinner,” Meredith said, pulling herself back into the present. “I feel guilty just sitting here doing nothing while you do all the work.” Being a vegan, Meredith found her transition of zombie-hood, particularly exigent. Brains, human or otherwise, had never been on her menu—now, protein, in fowl or bovine form was a requirement of her reanimated state. Difficult though it was, she had to come to terms with the change. After discovering an underground support group who met monthly in a banquet room of a coffee shop near the I-10, she was thankful she didn’t require human protein like most of the other Zombies. However, consuming tofu with herbal tea (her lunch before reanimation), she discovered, had unfortunate, and unexpected, side effects. Pippa, turning from the stove with the pecan pie captured between two oven mitts, shook her head. “Meri, don’t even think about helping me with the meal. When Elvis’s mom and dad decided to take a paddleboat cruise up the Mississippi, I thought I wouldn't have anybody but my own offspring to fuss over on Thanksgiving Day. You just sit there and relax." "I really appreciate the invitation," Meredith said, glancing out the window to catch a Monarch butterfly pick its way along a lipstick red hibiscus blossom. "Cooking turkey for one just isn't my style."Pippa did a double take at Meredith’s statement, but didn’t comment. Instead, she said, “You’re welcome to come for Christmas dinner too, you know.""Thanks Pippa, but Christmas is out. I have to finish the new book by February so I'm driving up to Forest Falls tomorrow. I'll be staying there for a month or so." "Christmas at the cabin," Pippa mused. "That sounds nice. Are you sure you want to be up there all by yourself?" "I’m not hiding,” Meredith replied. "I know. You’re healing. . .” She left the words: and licking your wounds, unspoken. “I just don't want you to be lonely." "I won't be,” Meredith reassured her. “I'm taking Gertie with me."Pippa laughed indulgently and shook her head. "A hamster doesn't count.""Don't say that when Gertie’s within ear shot. She follows me all around the house in her exercise ball. We’re BFs." “Well, I'm glad you could join us for Thanksgiving," Pippa said. ***
As Meredith surveyed the beautifully decorated dinner table, irony struck right her right between the eyes. A lot had happened in the six months or so (being reanimated unexpectedly), and then there were all the hidden expenses. Body moisturizers, specialty make-up loaded with anti-decay properties, hydrating beverages, bimonthly injections—to keep the virus semi-dormant so that she didn’t partake in some zombie flash-mob; or worst, (morph into a Hannibal Lector type wearing red stilettos, roaming the suburbs). While she still had a lot to be thankful for, it was difficult adjusting to the major changes in her life.Her career, however, was something Meredith gave her stamp of approval. After seven years as a struggling advertising/blog writer, she’d finally gotten her big break! Not only was The Isis Factor published but also was a huge success! There were book signings, press parties, interviews, and even an e-Book launching cruise. Not bad, for a girl who worked her way through college waiting tables and writing nonfiction articles on spec.The Luxor Papers, published a few months later, had been an even greater success. Who would have ever thought that Meredith Misso, author of quirky short stories and nonfiction articles, would've found her niche in the Steampunk market (Steampunk: Victorian science fiction/fantasy—circa 1850 to pre-World War I, often set in London, England)?“I really wish you'd reconsider and spend Christmas with us,” Pippa said later. As she and Meredith took turns rinsing the dishes and loading the dishwasher. “I like the thought of you all alone in that cabin during the holidays.”Meredith smiled, touched by her sister’s concern. Same-old Pippa. It was reassuring that one part of her life hadn’t changed. “Don't worry about me,” Meredith told her, readjusting her thick plastic gloves. “I'll be just fine. Being alone is what every writer hopes for—a writer’s mantra, in fact. Without interruptions, I can finish the book and maybe even started the next one.”“Glad to see you’ve lost none of your ambition,” Pippa remarked, fitting a casserole dish on the top rack of the dishwasher. I can't even imagine wanting to work right up until Christmas.”Meredith shrugged, feigning indifference. "It's just a day like any other," she said."Have you thought about calling Viktor?"
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