Shelly Alexander's Blog, page 4

Learning from the Master

Class Name: Six Hens and a Pocket Rooster

A common assumption is that published writers have already learned all they need to know about writing. If they hadn’t, they wouldn’t be published, right?

Wrong. Very, very wrong.

Once a writer signs that first book deal, we realize how much we still need to learn. How much we need to improve. How much we need to produce fresh and entertaining stories.

Why?

Working hard in the New Mexico sunshine.

Because readers depend on us to produce quality stories that grab them by the shirt collar, pull them into the story, and won’t let go until the last page of the story is turned.

I recently had the privilege of attending an Immersion Class with Margie Lawson. For five days I was immersed in Margie’s world of deep editing, emotion, deep POV, and her invisible tattoos. (Sorry, folks, you have to do an Immersion class to get the story on those.)

Would I do it again? Absolutely. And again and again and again.

Discussing what we learned over dinner

Because Margie Lawson is a master, and I never want to stop learning and improving.

Cover Reveal ~ Letting Go by Jessica Ruddick

Release Date: May 26, 2015

How long do you hold on?

Cori Elliott likes order. Her schedule, her social life…even her GPA is perfect. Then she finds out her high school boyfriend’s death wasn’t an accident—it was suicide. The devastating revelation is enough to fracture her perfectly structured life, sending Cori in a downward spiral of self-doubt and impulsive decisions.

And right into the arms of Luke Evans.

But Cori’s life isn’t perfect anymore. In fact, it’s all coming apart. The only way she can save herself is to let go of everything—including the girl she used to be. Even if it means losing the one guy who might just be perfect for her in the process…

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23302058-letting-go?from_search=true

About the Author:

Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at www.jessicaruddick.com.

Visit Jessica:

Website │ Twitter │ Facebook │ Goodreads

 

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Cover Reveal ~ Hidden Deep by Amy Patrick

Book One in the Hidden Series

RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2015

Synopsis:

Give in to the Glamour…

Sixteen-year-old Ryann Carroll has just run into the guy who saved her life ten years ago. You might think she’d be happy to see him again. Not exactly. She’s a bit underdressed (as in skinny-dipping) and he’s not supposed to exist.

After her father’s affair, all Ryann wants is to escape the family implosion fallout and find a little peace. She also wouldn’t mind a first date that didn’t suck, but she’s determined not to end up like her mom: vulnerable, betrayed, destroyed. Ryann’s recently moved back to her childhood home in rural Mississippi, the same place where ten years earlier she became lost in the woods overnight and nearly died.

She’s still irresistibly drawn to those woods. There she encounters the boy who kept her from freezing to death that long ago winter night and was nowhere to be seen when rescuers arrived. He’s still mysterious, but now all grown-up and gorgeous, too. And the more she’s with him, the greater the threat he poses to Ryann’s strict policy– never want someone more than he wants you.

Seventeen-year-old Lad knows the law of his people all too well: Don’t get careless and Don’t get caught. It’s allowed his race to live undetected in this world for thousands of years, mentioned only in flawed and fading folklore…

Lad’s never been able to forget about Ryann since that night ten years ago. When he sees her again, his fascination re-ignites and becomes a growing desire that tempts him to break all the rules. He’s not even supposed to talk to a human, much less fall in love with one.

And the timing is atrocious. The Assemblage is coming, the rift between the Light and Dark is widening, and mysterious celebrity fan pods are becoming more and more widespread and influential. Lad may have to trade his own chance at happiness to keep the humans, especially Ryann, blissfully unaware and safe.

 

Add Hidden Deep to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24686734-hidden-deep–book-1-of-the-hidden-trilogy

 

Meet the Author:

Amy Patrick is a two-time Golden Heart finalist (2013 and 2014) who writes Contemporary Romance and Young Adult fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won and finaled in many RWA chapter contests, and she is the author of the 20 SOMETHING series. She lives in Rhode Island with her husband and two sons and actually craves the heat and humidity of Mississippi, where she grew up. She’s been a professional singer and news anchor and currently narrates audio books as well as working as a station host for a Boston TV station.

Connect With Amy:

Website │Twitter │ Facebook │ Goodreads

 

 

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Cover Reveal For What I Like About You

Celebrate with me! CLICK HERE to sign up for an Amazon gift card giveaway!

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Baby, It’s Cold Out

I love the holidays. The music, the excitement, the decorations, the fervor of anticipation. It’s all part of the wondrous Christmas spirit. During the Christmas season, I enjoy reading the numerous romantic novellas that are available from my favorite writers. This year I read MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY by Jill Shalvis and WHEN SNOW FALLS by Brenda Novak.

What are you reading this Christmas season?

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A Time To Be Thankful

The Thanksgiving season has arrived! Here are some things I’m thankful for this year:

Faith. Even when life is hard, faith makes it seem so much easier.
Health. I’ve suffered, seen others suffer, and those experiences made me realize what a blessing good health is.
My husband and kids. They’ve added a whole new dimension to my life that wouldn’t exist without having loved them and been loved by them.
Friends. I’ve had the privilege of forging some incredible friendships with women who’ll be there for me no matter what.
My writing life. I’m one of those rare and lucky people that have been able to do all the things that I wanted to do: college, business career, wife, mother. Now that empty nest syndrome is looming in the near future, I’m blessed to have accomplished my goal to become a published writer.
Romance. After twenty-two years of marriage, I’m still living out my own fairy tale romance with the love of my life.

What are you thankful for this year?

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Autumn Leaves

Whether I’m in a big city, a smaller town, or tucked away in a secluded cabin for a quiet weekend, autumn is my favorite time of year. The beauty of the turning leaves, the crispness of the air, the coziness of the dropping temperatures…they all tease my senses with the wistfulness of ending another year and the wonder of starting the next.

There’s something about autumn that’s simply romantic. Every year when the first hints of fall waft on the breeze and begin to tinge the leaf tips, I yearn for the fairy tale decorations that grace the buildings of New York City, or the covered bridges and fiery landscape of New England, or the winter wonderland that blankets the Rocky Mountains.

What’s your idea of a romantic autumn getaway?

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Bells Will Be Ringing

With the holiday season approaching, I find myself writing, writing, writing…Christmas lists. Worrying over how to get my shopping done. Concerned about WHAT to give. A little frantic about getting the decorations and lights up and the baking done. And then I realized how absurd it is to allow the ‘demands’ of the holidays to out weight the joy of the season. So I stopped and considered how I can recapture the true meaning of the holiday spirit, and one word kept popping into my mind: T-I-M-E

I cleared everything off my calendar and desk that isn’t absolutely necessary. When I really considered what is necessary and what really isn’t, I found myself surprised at the answer.
I shortened my shopping list. My Aunt Wilma doesn’t need another pair of slippers. If she did, I’d gladly send them. But she more than likely has several never-before-worn pairs tucked in a closet out of sight so none of us well-meaning relatives get offended. I can use the time I would’ve spent shopping for those slipper to sit down and call her. Or better yet, write her a letter.
I prioritized my commitments. Instead of trying to make everyone happy, I’ll send a handwritten note declining the commitments that I can’t get to. It’s a good way to personally touch base with people and organizations but offer my regrets at the same time instead of spreading myself (and my family) too thin.
I scheduled quiet time with just my immediate family. Granted, we had to plan a trip out of town to ensure this one happens, but I’ll have a few days alone with my spouse and my kids in a winter wonderland. A rare occurrence, indeed.
I made a list of people that are dear to me. No gifts in the column next to their names. Instead, I wrote the reason they are special to me and jotted down a short story or memory about how they’ve touched my life. Many were funny or kind or sweet and brought a smile to my lips and warmth to my heart. The extra time I’ve created will be used to send a personal note – not just a generic Christmas card with my name printed inside – wishing them health and happiness and telling them how blessed I am to have them in my life.

Romantic spot for the holidays?

What ideas do you have to make this holiday season special? If you could get away and spend quality time with your significant other during the holidays, where would it be?

 

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Off To Work We Go

Mondays…ugh! Try as we might to avoid them,  they still come around every seven days or so. Here’s a few ideas that can make your Monday morning a little more enjoyable.

Share a HOT cup of coffee:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coordinate your wardrobes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carpool:

 

 

 

 

 

 

See? Mondays aren’t so bad. You’re welcome, folks.

 

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Romance Writers Are Simply Breathtaking

Romance writers from all over the U.S. took the challenge and participated in the Greatest International Scavenger Hunt The World Has Ever Seen (GISHWHES). The GISHWHES goal is to improve communities around the world each year.

Shelly Alexander, Darynda Jones, Tamara Baumann

Tamara Baumann, a debut author with Montlake Romance, led the charge to make New Mexico a little brighter and a little safer by encouraging local romance writers to learn CPR. Her reason for picking this task: Romance writers who deal with broken hearts every day should know how to fix them!

We celebrated our certification in CPR at Tim’s Place, the world’s friendliest restaurant – open for breakfast, lunch and hugs. Tim brightens our community with his smile and his charm, so it was the perfect place to finish the scavenger hunt and discuss the heart of our profession – our breathtaking characters.

 

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