Tina Gerow's Blog, page 4
July 20, 2015
Now Available: My Obsession by Cassie Ryan
In this erotic story of temptation and total surrender for readers of Sylvia Day and J. Kenner, a powerful master gives his dream girl a new beginning in the dungeons of decadent ecstasy.
Running from a troubled past, Sandra Barry spent years hiding out in New York City’s BDSM scene, finding satisfaction and even a sense of community as a sub at a large dungeon. But when a stalker joins the dungeon posing as a Dom, he crosses her personal boundaries, giving her no choice but to return home to Arizona. Seeking refuge once again in the kink lifestyle, Sandra meets a sexy new Dom whose tutelage drives her wild—although there’s something familiar about him she just can’t place.
As a teenager, Brent Weston was a nerd. Now he owns the hottest dungeon in Phoenix, enjoying the power and success he’s always craved. All that’s missing is the right woman to share it with. Then one day Sandra, his secret high school crush, walks into his club. She’s just as beautiful as he remembers. She’s also scared as hell. Brent has been waiting for this moment, and now that Sandra’s in his sights, he’ll do anything to protect her, pleasure her—and prove that he’s the only master worthy of her devotion.
My Obsession is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences. Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Pages: 224 | ISBN: 978-1-101-88381-5
Published by : Loveswept
Buy this eBook from:
Filed under: Cassie Ryan Tagged: Cassie Ryan, my obsession
Tina Gerow Discusses Fighting Genre Labels
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I grew up reading paranormal, fantasy and sci fi and loved them. I was on vacation with a friend and ran out of books, and she loaned me the first book in Nora Robert’s Born In series. I had never been a big romance reader. I had filched a few of my Mom’s when I was much younger and thought the wimpy heroines, the schlocky love scenes and the guys guilting or even outright forcing them into sex. So I didn’t have a great view of romance at that time. Yes, the books I was reading had romances in them, but when I thought of what I wanted tow rite, I didn’t really want the word “romance” anywhere near it. But when I started writing the book that had taken shape inside my mind, my wonderful critique partner, Judi Thoman (aka Brit Blaise) told me that what I was writing was called paranormal romance in the market and on the bookshelves. So I accepted the scarlet “R” and now wear it proudly :)
Where do you get your ideas?
I know every writer says ‘everywhere’and it probably sounds overused by now. But it’s really true. I’ve always had an overactive imagination – ask any of my teachers or even my friends and family! And I guess I never stopped playing “What If” from when I was little. It kept me sane, and now gives me story ideas! I also have to admit, that I’ve dreamed about several of my story ideas. I’ve scrambled up out of bed at 4am to fumble for my phone or notepad and scribble down enough of it so I don’t forget. I also send myself emails when I’m out somewhere and see something that sparks an idea. I keep all of them in a folder in my email In Box so I can find them when I need them again. No matter how off the wall or weird, if it strikes me at the time, I keep it just in case. You never know when you’ll need that snippet again, and I’ve used ideas inside other ideas or combined and twisted them to come to an end result.
Do you ever experience writer’s block?
Not really block, as in I can’t think of anything to write. I can always sit and do a stream of consciousness thing and something weird and usually off the wall will spill out of my fingers. But there are definitely times where I’m stuck on the thing I’m actually SUPPOSED to be writing at that moment. That’s when I call or email my wonderful critique partners for brainstorming. We can do it over email, on a phone call, or, our favorite is to meet up at a local restaurant and brainstorm while we eat and drink our signature Butterscotch Martinis – yum! :)
Do you work with an outline, or just write?
God no!! No outline for me…ugh! It makes me cringe to even think about that. I have to write a synopsis of the entire story to submit to my agent and editor before the book is bought. And lately I’ve started trying to do a few bullet points for each chapter to help me keep things flowing – especially since the brain blowout because I can no longer keep all the details in my brain. I make a heroic effort to do those damn bullet points at the start of each book – or at least I have for the last two books, but I still suck at it. It gives me a headache and stresses me out and I end up brainstorming and pantsing in the end anyway… Oh well. As long as I end up writing a good book in the end, I’ll deal with the occasional pain that my current process causes me. I’m sure I’ll keep trying to use those bullet points, but not sure if my brain will ever decide to cooperate. It’s just so foreign to my process that I think it just doesn’t mesh with the way I process and create.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
I think the first one I remember being REALLY influenced by from an author perspective was S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. She was a teenager when she published so it really made me think that I could possibly do this one day. After all, if she could do it at that young age, why couldn’t I? After that, my next big influencer would be Piers Anthony. I fell in love with his books – especially his Incarnations of Immortality series, although I’ve read everything he’s ever written except his most recent Xanth books that have come out in the last 10 years or so. Beyond those, the authors I read once I joined Romance writers of America REALLY influenced me. They were people I could meet, talk to, get to know, ask questions of, and then read their books. It was amazing to me – and a total fan girl moment. In fact I’m so excited to still have those fan girl moments. One of my critique partners is Cheyenne McCray, and I LOVE her books. It’s such a total geek fangirl moment for me to get to read and give input on her books before the rest of the girls get to see it, AND get to be her friend. It’s like being a book groupie. So when I also get to see her advice back on my books, it’s a really cool feeling :) I’m so blessed!!
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
Paranormal romance was extremely popular when Ifinished Into a Dangerous Mind so Iwas excited to start submitting. However, after submitting, and submitting and submitting some more, I had garnered some great feedback (and rewritten it a few dozen more times), placed in a few contests and garnered 69 rejections. Yep – 69. Can’t make this crap up…LOL! I think I still have all of them in a notebook somewhere around here. But NO offers of publication. Then an editor from Triskelion Publishing, a local small press publisher, came to speak at my local romance writer’s of America chapter. Another author in our group had published several books with them, so I figured, “What the Hell” and submitted. Within a week I got “the email” True, it wasn’t “the call” that we had all dreamed about, but the email was offering me a book contract, so it turned out the same! The fact that Triskelion ended up imploding a few years later tying up the rights to 5 of my books and owing me four thousand dollars that I would never see is another story entirely. They did at least get me to a published state. And going through edits, copyedits, negotiating a contract, working with a cover artist, promoting, selling etc – which all helped me be prepared for when Audrey LaFehr from Kensington fished my partial erotic romance out of her slush pile and actually gave me my first coveted “call” :)
Filed under: Uncategorized
July 17, 2015
Tina Gerow: Slacker Ex Band Director
While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?
All the time. That’s actually how Iwrite. Iput myself in the place of that character. I imagine what they would say, do, feel, want, react etc when I’m in their Point of view, or even when they react to my Point of View character. It does feel a bit schizophrenic at times, but it works for me. :)
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Here’s my bio on LinkedIn: I’m a multi published author under two pen names. I write sensual paranormal romance as Tina Gerow and erotic paranormal romance and contemporary erotic romantic suspense as Cassie Ryan. I’m also an experienced line editor and a public speaker on many topics both motivational and writing related.
So basically I’m a slacker ex band director with an outgoing personality and an overactive imagination that I’ve put to work for the safety of myself and others :)
Snerk! But seriously. All of that stuff IS true. I’ve been writing for publication since 2003 and it’s the best job in the world! I get paid to make shit up :) I live in Phoenix, Arizona with my two men – my son, Darian and my husband, Jon. Along with an adorable black Bombay cat named Nox and an 18 pound Maine Coon named Rocky.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I love to read, and I think reading keeps me creative. I just try not to write and read in the same genre at the same time so what I’m reading doesn’t accidentally creep into what I’m writing. I usually read historical romances while I’m writing. I absolutely LOVE them, and I will NEVER write them. While I can research the stuff I’m writing for hours on end, I’m too lazy to research what kind of hook or button went on a lady’s corset or whatever in the 17 or 1800’s…LOL. I’ll leave that to those who are good at it. I just love reading it! I also love just hanging out with my guys doing pretty much anything, or playing with our kitties. I’m sort of a sci-fi nut when it comes to movies and television. I’m an avid Doctor Who fan and a Trekkie.
Do you have a day job as well?
I used to have a day job. Iworked as a technologies program manager for a decade and after that a barista at Starbucks. But after the brain blowout, I just can’t handle the actual job thing anymore. Writing I can do on my own schedule, and I can take a thousand naps a day if I need to. Not to mention that my critique group can find my huge mistakes before I turn it in to my editor or agent. So my tendency to start on one thing and brain jump to something else can be caught before it’s too late! Also, since the brain blowout, I have to be very careful of stress. It now causes my physical symptoms – I think it’s my brain being pissed at me for not listening to it so it smacks me in the head. One of those symptoms is that I can begin randomly typing backwards. I don’t realize it as I’m doing it. But it’s happened in text messages, emails, Facebook, and I’ve even had to spend an hour fixing an entire scene! Sigh… So nope, no day job.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I started writing for publication in August 2003. Into a Dangerous Mind took me 11 months to write, rewrite and rewrite some more with the help of my wonderful critique group and lots of all nighters. Iwas essentially learning how to write a book so it was a much longer process than those that came after that.
Filed under: Uncategorized
July 16, 2015
Guest Post & Giveaway with Author Cassie Ryan
Meet
Cassie Ryan
author of
My Obsession
.Cassie Ryan (aka Tina Gerow) started her career writing steamy paranormal romance under another pen name. However, when one of her critique partners suggested she try her hand at contemporary romance, she gave it a shot—and Cassie Ryan was officially born. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and besides being a write-a-holic, is a frequent speaker on several writing and motivational topics.
Click here to read the full article
Filed under: Uncategorized
July 15, 2015
July 14, 2015
July 12, 2015
Tina Gerow Gets Sloppy
Do you prefer fuzzy or tube socks?
For daily wear in my Sketchers Iprefer tube socks –usually the crew socks. For being comfy at night or writing during the day in jammie bottoms and a T-shirt, I prefer my purple fuzzy socks!!
Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
The only time I make our bed is when my MIL and FIL come over, or we’re having a party or other more structured gathering. My friends or my family –screw it…LOL!! Especially since the brain blowout when a good writing day requires 3 naps – I’m in and out of that bed all day, so there’s really not much point in making it. It’ll get made when I wash the sheets, and stay that way for at least a few hours…snicker :)
Be honest, how often do you wash your hair?
I’m an every other day girl. If Iwash it every day it gets kind of dry and brittle looking, even though Iuse moisturizing shampoo. It might have more to do with the blow drying than the actual washing, but air drying my hair just doesn’t give me a good look, and I’ll admit I can be a bit vain about it…
Do you get road rage? What pisses you off the most about other drivers?
Back before the brain blowout when I was driving I would get frustrated with other drivers – especially the stupid ones, but I’m more of a curse at them in my car person that an actual road rager – no gestures, no scathing looks etc. Although I’ve been known to use my horn when they’re encroaching on my territory or the light has turned green and they’re sitting there putting on makeup or texting!!
Do you go out of your way to kill bugs? Are there any that make you screech and hide?
I don’t go out of my way –in our house we consider those cat toys. I sometimes have to show the cats where they are if they are crawling under the bathroom rug or in the laundry room somewhere, but it’s kind of fun watching them do their little but wiggle and attack scenario to grab a moth or a cricket. And sometimes they’ll end up proudly showing me what’s in their mouth – with little buggie legs flailing until they crunch it up for their little shot of extra protein! :)
Where were you born and where do you call home?
I was born in Dayton, Ohio, long long ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth – or so my smart assed kid tells everyone! My mother and grandparents and I moved to Phoenix when I was 1 or 2ish and I’ve been here ever since except for a 10 year stint in Pearland, Texas right after college for my first marriage, my stint as a band director (you know – using that degree I worked so hard for!) and then I moved back to Phoenix and now I live in Glendale, AZ, a mile from where I grew up. It’s funny – when I was younger I swore I’d get out of this state and live somewhere else – anywhere else, and I would NOT fall into the normal scenario where most people end up within 5 miles of where they grew up. And yet, here I am, and I love it! Yes, the summers are as hot as Lucifer’s right testicle (totally stole that from my son!!) and we have some haboobs that will rock the world. But we don’t have earthquakes, hurricanes or any of that stuff! And 9 months out of the year it’s really great here! And during the painful summers, everywhere here has AC and there are lots of pools!
Filed under: Uncategorized
July 10, 2015
Tina Gerow on Complimenting & Criticizing Authors
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The toughest criticism was that my early books had sagging middles, stilted pacing and not a good enough opening scene that grabbed the reader. I think it was hard because they were right. I hope I’ve worked on that part of my craft enough that that’s no longer the case.
The best compliment was when several readers compared my writing style in my Maiden Series to Sherrilyn Kenyon! I LOVE Sherrilyn, and she’s one of the writers I want to be when I grow up, so I was ecstatic!
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Don’t stop. Don’t give up your dream. Listen and be open minded to feedback. Your writing isn’t perfect no matter how much your Mom or your sister or your best friend thinks it is! Be open to feedback and work on your craft and never stop! Write, read, write some more! Get your butt in the chair and write every day –even if it’s only a paragraph or two! Don’t expect your publisher to do all your work for you! Don’t waste your money on being professionally edited, when you sell your book it’s going to be professionally edited for free! Even if you’ve already paid to have it professionally edited elsewhere. The money should be coming to you, not going out from you in any book deal! Read and understand any and all contracts before you sign them! Don’t be afraid to find an agent. They are worth their weight in gold! I gladly pay my agent, Paige Wheeler, 15% and she’s worth every single penny!
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
I’m so incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do –live my dream. And I wouldn’t be able to do it without all of you – the people who “get” the weird stuff that goes on in my head and that I scribble down on paper! Bless each and every one of you!!
Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?
I’ve gone out with my shirt backwards and walked all around the grocery store until my son pointed out that the Mickey Mouse should go on the front. Ijust shrugged and went with it. I’ve been in a hurry and pulled on my jeans that I’ve taken off the night before and later realized Ihave a “bump” on my butt, which is the underwear I was wearing yesterday that I forgot to take out of my jeans and toss in the hamper. Okay – I did stop to pull that out!! I have walked out of the house with two different shoes on and made it all the way to my Corporate America job – that was also the day I realized I had totally spaced putting on my bra! And my girls are…well, let’s say….generous. So I spent the day wearing my light sweater that I kept at the office since they constantly crank the air in the summer…LOL! I’ve gone to work at Starbucks with only one eye with eyeliner, shadow etc – and nope – it wasn’t Halloween! At a certain point I just went with it and laughed when people noticed…sigh. And that was all BEFORE my brain blowout so I can’t even blame it on that!
Filed under: Uncategorized
