Rachel Rossano's Blog, page 34

Wren's Saga Continues and Other News

I have just finished a new chapter in Wren.

So, next on the agenda is editing the next third of The Crown of Anavrea and writing the grand entrance of Ruarc Ethan onto the page. I am hoping to get to that soon.

Keep your eyes open on Valentine's Day. I am participating in the Romance Blogfest. I haven't chosen the meet cute scene that I am going to use, but I can promise you it will be interesting and entertaining. Stop by on Valentine's Day and enjoy.

Now back to work for me. :)

- Rachel Rossano

The Winners!!!

The Winners of the Name That Character Contest
Katherine
Sarah
and
Katie
Yes, you read that right. There are three winners instead of two. Katie suggested the first name that I picked, Sarah suggested the last name, and Katherine won the random drawing. So, winners please contact me through my email and let me know where I should send your prize: an autographed copy of the the original The Crown of Anavrea.

Now the real reason for all the pomp, the naming of Eve's older brother...Drum roll please...Bada Bum!
I would like to introduce you all to...
Ruarc Ethan
He will be exploding onto the page in the next release of The Crown of Anavrea .Stay tuned for a sneak peek at his intense first scene with Labren and more contests.

Name that Character Contest

As some of you know, I am rewriting The Theodoric Saga with the intention of publishing them as a set.

The Crown of Anavrea -

Running from the King of Anavrea, Labren final reached the end. Wounded, weary and ready to die, he surrenders to his injuries in a convenient forest and lays down to die. However, Eve has other plans for him. Risking her life and reputation to save him, she nurses him back to health. A man of honor, Labren acknowledges her sacrifice and offers her a marriage of protection. But can he protect her from his past?

The King of Anavrea - (Previously known as Ireic)

Ireic Theodoric, King of Anavrea, needs a wife. Choosing to protect his country, he pursues a political marriage with Sardmara's only princess. However, arriving for the wedding, he quickly discovers he has been misled. Lirth might be everything he wants and what his country needs, but she is definitely not what the nobles want. Taking a stand for his and his country's benefit, he marries her despite them all. Now that she is his, can he keep the decision from tearing apart his beloved country while he earns her love?

The Reward - (Previously known as Liam)

Liam Tremain served his country with valor, did great service to his Queen, and was honored and rewarded for his loyalty with a title and lands in the far north. Upon arriving to survey his newly acquired reward, he discovers the situation is nothing like what he had been told. The local midwife, a strong minded young woman with a house of mysterious children, is hiding more than she is willing to admit. Somehow her past intertwines with his future. Will Liam discover how before his loses his heart or she loses her life?

The Servant of Anavrea - (Previously known as Lora)

Seth Theodoric, a man of many names, doesn't know what to do with the foundling dropped on his doorstep in the middle of the night. He can't just turn her out without protection. However, life with him has never been safe. Manifesting hidden talents, Lora quickly becomes a valuable asset, integrating into his cover. Then the mission begins to fall apart. Can he fulfill his goals and still protect his team, especially the woman who is slowly stealing his heart?

Each of the above will go through an extensive process of editing, rewriting, and expansion. The expansion part is where you, the readers, get involved. These stories live in you almost as much as me. Some of you have been at the beginning, reading each chapter as it appeared on Xanga or Blogger, others first encountered the Theodorics on the page with a paperback copy of The Crown of Anavrea. No matter how you encountered them, I want to offer you a chance to add to the story.

One of the many changes to the books is going to be the inclusion of a new character, Eve's brother. I am working on including him or at least mentioning him in all four books. He needs a name and you get to name him. You also get the opportunity to win an autographed copy of the original The Crown of Anavrea to keep or give away.

MEET Eve's older brother -

Born seven years before Eve, he looks out for her as best he can. With blonde hair and green eyes, he looks like Eve's brother. Bronzed by years of hard work in the harsh sun (can't tell you what he has been doing, though), his powerful build makes up for the fact he doesn't quite reach six feet in height. Fiercely loyal and protective, he has spent his whole life working toward earning his freedom and then his sister's. Finally accomplishing his goals, he returns to find Eve gone, stolen away in the night by a stranger that no one can name. He immediately sets out to find her and free her from this newest form of slavery.

Rules of the Contest:

Here is how to participate:
1) Sign up to Follow this Blog (if you are already a follower, you can skip this step)
2) Comment on this post and tell me A) How you met the Theodorics  B) Which of the above books you are most eager to read AND C) Your suggestion for Eve's new sibling's first and last name
3) Watch for the announcement of the WINNERS (Yes, you heard right. There will be TWO winners.)

First WINNER will be the one who suggests the name I choose.

Second WINNER will be randomly selected using random.org from those who enter the contest.

If none of the names strike my fancy (which I doubt will happen), I will select both winners with random.org.

Have fun, just comment before January 31st 2011!

Wren Meets an Old Aquaintance

Wren runs into an old aquaintance and wonders what she has gotten herself into. Hiller, Dardon, and Svhen force Tourth to deal with his demons. Come and read all about it. Please drop a line and let me know what you thought.


- Rachel Rossano

An New Chapter for Wren Romany

At long last it has come: a new chapter for Wren Romany. I hope it is well worth the wait. Arthus gets into further trouble, Tourth fumes some more, and Wren makes a bargain she quickly regrets. Come and read as the plot thickens like the rain laden air in Wren Romany's story. Please tell me what you think of it all.

- Rachel Rossano

The Editing has Begun

Started the editing today. I didn't get very far, but at least it is a beginning.

Wren is moving along much more quickly. I have half a chapter. Now just a few more pages.

It is hard to get back into the grove of writing after being gone so long. I am resolved to succeed, though. :)

- Rachel Rossano

PS Check out the The Theodoric Sage on Facebook. Link is to the left. :)

Changes

I am trying to get organized. As I mentioned in the previous post (Farewell 2010), I have some ambitious goals for the coming year. Completing Wren Romany's story is already underway, moving slowly. In preparation for another major goal, publishing all of the Theodoric saga, I am making changes to the blogs and removing The Reward and The Servant of Anavrea (Lora) links. Both books are due for some extensive editing before I submit them for publishing anywhere. Keep watch here for more updates and news. Thank you for your patience.

- Rachel Rossano

Farewell 2010

Farewell, 2010. You have been a very productive year.

Hello, 2011, the hopes we have for you.

With the consuming efforts of raising a two/three-year-old this year while pregnant/birthing/recovering from having twins, I haven't gotten much else done this year. My writing, especially, has suffered from neglect. But God has blessed us so much this year. Katelyn and Daniel arrived healthy and safe. Generally happy babies, they bring us so much joy. My health has been good. Jonathan is a healthy and bright toddler, and He has provided beyond our means in so many ways.

I find myself looking forward to 2011. I anticipate the adventures ahead with the children. I have great plans for my writing/publishing (most of which will not happen as fast as I hope). Also, I am striving for a closer walk with the Lord this year. Lord willing, I shall succeed in all of these.

So, what am I planning writing wise? Completing Wren Romany is top of the list. I am plotting away and I have actually written about a paragraph (whoopie) which, of course, I am not happy with. ;) Working out the kinks in my writing muscles is a natural necessity after being so long from the keyboard.

Once Wren's story is finished, Zez and the sequel to Living Sacrifice are next. I will probably start plotting the storylines for her, Hadrian, and the various other characters soon after Wren is well underway. Be praying that this one will be even better than Living Sacrifice.

Thirdly, I plan on trying to get some old stuff published. I really need to clear off my finished-but-not-published shelf. The King of Anavrea, The Reward, and The Servant of Anavrea need to get into print for all of those who have been patiently waiting for them for years. Anyone want to volunteer to edit for me?

It looks like an ambitious list. Lord willing it will come to pass. If it doesn't, I am certain the Lord has even greater and more important challenges ahead for me.

To the God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I give all praise for eternity. Amen.

- Rachel Rossano

A favorite author is releasing a book

One of my favorite authors, Sarah M. Eden, is releasing a book The Kiss of a Stranger and she is giving away a prize to celebrate. I recommend stopping by her website to find out more. She writes sweet, clean romance of the Regency kind, and I cannot seem to get enough of her characters. :)

- Rachel Rossano

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, I pray that the Lord blesses you in the best ways this season and in the New Year.

- Rachel Rossano