C.J. Warrant's Blog, page 2
February 23, 2017
Author on the Couch
Hey Readers,
Today, is a short blog post. I want to let you all know that I’m on the Author on the Couch by Abbie Roads. Come by and say hello. I will be gifting a free copy of my dark romantic thriller, Forgetting Jane.
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Hope to see you there!
Smooches[image error]
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized
February 19, 2017
CJ’s Guest Blogger Tour: Geoff Nelder
Hey Readers,
Since I unabashedly took over Geoff Nelder’s Blog a few weeks back and chased him around his desk with utmost glee, he graciously decided retribution are in order. He rips the keyboard from my hands, and begins typing furiously like a mad man. 
February 14, 2017
CJ’s Author Guest Blogger: Christopher Davis
Hey There!
It’s another week for a guest author to surprise us. Today, I have Christopher Davis with us. He latest novel, Walking to Babylon is available.[image error]
So I’ll let Mr. Davis take it away.
Good Morning and thank you for having me.
I’ve two novels on tap so far for 2017—one short and one full length—and both will be published by the good folks at Solstice publishing.
Walking to Babylon—the first up and released February 2nd—is the longer version of a story that I wrote for the Multiple Myeloma Research charity anthology Paladins. My story in the anthology was titled Low and Outside and as you could guess takes both its title and story line from the game of baseball, as the story is told over a couple of beers at a farm team game in Las Vegas.
The collection was published in England and is stocked with some of the best indie crime writers on the scene today from both sides of the pond. Paladins was put together for a crime writer friend—Craig Furchtenicht and his wife—Henrietta—who at the time—was fighting a valiant battle against Multiple Myeloma. She has since lost that battle and writing the longer story was my way of remembering the smiles posted from a hospital room on Facebook as she struggled to keep those of us writers participating, in the game.
Walking to Babylon is not for the faint of heart as it follows a pair of unlikely Vegas mob types—Sammy Soriano and Tommy Two Guns Viglierchio—as they grow up busting balls for the old man.
Vigleirchio has cancer and Soriano knows it, but there is really nothing that he can do except be a friend. After a hard life of drug use, fast living and even faster women, Viglierchio chooses to end it all one night in the desert outside of Las Vegas under a silver summer moon.
[image error]Ain’t No Law in California is a much longer post-apocalyptic, western that has lived on the hard drive of my computer for six or seven years. The original story was slated to be a traditional western and written as three stories, in the hope of gaining the attention of the shorter e-book publishers of the time.
After two complete re-writes and another in first person, I scrapped the idea and the story took on a more SCI-FI, Steam-Punk, Dystopian feel. A couple of folks read through it—after having read the original version—and it seemed that the Dan Bardwell series of odd westerns would get off the ground.
An untitled follow up is nearly complete and both are written as traditional as can be with the exception that they take place a hundred and fifty years in the future after a nuclear war has nearly wiped humanity out.
Walking to Babylon was just released on the 2nd of February and Ain’t No Law in California is making the various rounds of editing and should be out before spring and available through Amazon or Solstice Publishing?
Christopher Davis is a central California native and grandfather of three rambunctious little ones. When not tending herd, he can be found trying his hand at writing Crime, Western and Horror fiction. Chris lives with his wife and a little dog that has nearly lost his mind.
Find out more at www.christopherdaviswrites.com
Thanks Christopher for stopping by!
And thank you to all the readers out there for coming by!
Happy Valentines Day!
Smooches! [image error]
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Christopher Davis, Crime, Walking to Babylon
February 8, 2017
Just a Little Fun
As a writer, we all have a tendency to fall in deep with our writing that we sometimes forget the world outside of our writing cave. Either from a deadline, or the story is so gripping that the only way to not drown in your own head, you have to write it out.
I have been in the grips of two of my stories. One I just finished editing and the second, a erotic suspense that has me tied up (hehe) that I don’t even know what day it is. So much so that my poor family has to fend for themselves.
Though, as a writer, we do need a break, and come out of our cave once in a while and have a little fun.
[image error]For example, I was a part of a writers forum at the La Grange Public Library, where we read our stories that was set in the City of Chicago. We also talked with the audience about our experiences and life as a writer. I have to say, the audience was engaging, which added to the excitement of the night.
[image error]I read an excerpt of Sweet Cupids, a short story from the Windy City Anthology A Lovely Meal. And just a note, Sweet Cupids is expanding into a novella, which will be a part of a duet later this spring.
Anyway, I had a terrific time. Not only with the event, but I was in great company with four fabulous authors from the Windy City RWA chapter.
J. Leigh Bailey, who writes Young Adult and New Adult LGBT Romance. She read her latest book, Guyliner, which I have to say is Awesome!
Nicole Leiren is a USA Today best selling author who writes Sweet Contemporary Romance and Mysteries. She read her first book of the Heroes of the Night series, More Than One Night, which started the evening with a bang!
Measha Stone, who write steamy Erotic Romance. She read her first book in the Windy City series, Hidden Heart. All I have to say is…HOT!!
Pauline Gruber, who is a Indie author who writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance. She read her first book in her series, The Girl and the Raven. It was spellbinding!
Well, as you can see, it was a magnificent night with these wonderful talented women. And I can’t wait to do it again.
I hope to see you next time!
Thanks for coming by!
Smooches[image error]
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Authors, CJ Warrant, J. Leigh Bailey, Measha Stone, Nicole Leiren, Pauline Gruber, Sweet Cupids, Windy City RWA
January 29, 2017
CJ’s Author Guest Blogger: Rachael Tamayo
Hey All!
First, A little bit of news. I want to let all my readers know my audiobook for Forgetting Jane will be out very soon. So stay tuned for that debut and surprises.
[image error]So, this is week Three of my Solstice Author Guest bloggers.
I want to introduce Rachael Tamayo, author of the Friend-Zone series. Her latest book, Claim Me will be available on February 14th.
Please take it away, Rachael!
When Writing: All Those little details
As a reader, or a writer, have you ever read something that just seemed to be….missing something? Can’t put your finger on it? Grammar looks good, plot seems okay….but…..just not quite feeling it?
This has happened to me when I’m working on my own books, or reading the unfinished manuscripts of others. Occasionally I’ll see it happen in published works as well. So, what on earth am I talking about?
Those missing details. That’s what I’m talking about. The things that give the scene life. They make the blood flow in the veins of your characters and the heart beat in your plot. Don’t ever underestimate a well placed little nugget, even something simple.
Example one: He swerved to avoid the car that veered into his lane.
OK, it’s to the point. Nothing really wrong here, tells us what is happening, right? But does it draw you in? Does it make you feel what the driver is feeling? If you can make you reader feel what the character does…you’ve succeeded. You will have a reader that will turn the page to see what happens.
Example two: The headlights shone into his face on the too dark country road. Is this car in my lane? Gripping the wheel with two large hands, his knuckles went white as he swallowed and jerked his car to the left. Gravel flying as his heart slammed into his ribs. The vehicle speed by, oblivious to the fact that they were in the wrong lane. Picking up the phone, he dialed 911.
See the difference? Details. Add a couple of sentences and suddenly you are there, in the car. Your heart is pounding and your mouth is dry. The detail of the headlights, his internal thought coupled with the action puts you in the scene, in his head.
This is where you want your reader.
I’ve heard writers say that they have trouble with this. Personally, this is what I do. I sit and imagine myself watching this happen…or maybe it’s happening to me. What’s the first thing you might notice? How is your body reacting? What is your thought? What sounds do you hear? Is there a smell?
Of course, then there is the issue of character development. The same method applies. In order to create people that are real living breathing beings in your books, you have to think this way. What kind of personality does he have? How does he react in an emergency, or when he’s angry? How does this play off of the other characters? What flaws does he have? Writing the perfect man or woman won’t get you far. People want to read about people that make mistakes, because they are real. They want to relate to your story. They want to see themselves in your characters.
However, remember one thing. Don’t take it to far. Being overly descriptive of every little nuance gets old. Page after page of little details just won’t due. You must trust your reader to use their imagination. Be descriptive, but vague. Let them carry themselves there in their minds, TRUST THEM! Otherwise, they will find themselves skimming and flipping pages to get past this never-ending description of a bedroom and back to the plot.
And there you have it. Now that you know what’s missing…take a breath and open that laptop.
Rachael Tamayo is the author of the Friend-Zone series and several short stories all available on Amazon. Her Newest release, Claim me (Finale to the Friend-Zone trilogy) will be available February 14th.
Website: www.Rachaeltamayowrites.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RachaelTamayo
Twitter https://twitter.com/rtamayo2004
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tamayorachael
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Tamayo
Thanks Rachael for stopping by!
And thank you to my readers! Have a great week!
Smooches! [image error]
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Rachael Tamayo
January 22, 2017
CJ’s Guest Blogger: Debbie De Louise
I hope everyone’s weekend is going well! It has been crazy busy for me. Working on three stories–dark romantic thrillers series, and doing edits on another while healing from a very bad sprained ankle. Though some good news, I have an audio in the works for Forgetting Jane, my dark paranormal thriller. But enough said about me.
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For this week, I have another guest blogger from Solstice Publishing. Debbie De Louise. Her latest book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place is available on Amazon. So without further ado.
Debbie De Louise
It’s my pleasure to participate in the Solstice Publishing author’s group winter blog tour by sharing a post about myself, my books, and my feelings about writing.
As a librarian, reader, and author, books and the written word have been very important in[image error] my life. I can’t imagine a world without them. Writing transports people to places they’ve never visited within as well as outside of themselves. It entertains, teaches, amuses, and sometimes saddens. The saying “The pen is mightier than the sword” is true. Even before paper was invented or languages defined, storytellers played an important role in communities. They still do despite the fact there are so many forms of communication today. A good story has value whether it is read off a screen, through the pages of an “old-fashioned” book, or listened to on audio CD’s or digital files.
Books have healing properties. It’s been proven that reading has many emotional benefits, and what benefits your mind also positively affects your body. Have you ever found yourself so immersed in a book that you felt like you were one of the characters? Have you traveled in time with a historical novel? Been frightened by a horror story? Fallen in love with a romance? Surprised by the twist in a mystery? Excited by a scene in a thriller? Books can stir your emotions and stimulate your mind. Who needs drugs or other addictive agents when a story can relax or energize you? There are no limits to where your imagination can lead you with the pages of a book as your guide.
I remember when I first started reading in second grade. It was more fun to me than any of the games I played. I felt like I’d discovered a wonderful secret or found a magic spell. As I grew older, my love of books increased. I admired the authors who were able to make me visualize the worlds they created. Then I began writing my own stories to entertain myself. But I also had a dream that one day, like my favorite authors, I would also be able to reach people around the world and give them the gift of my words.
Publishing my own books today feels just as magical and not a little unreal. Seeing my books listed online or occupying a spot on my library or bookstore’s shelf seems incredible. When people review my books or personally give me feedback, knowing that my words are being read through their eyes is nothing short of miraculous. Still, I know that there are millions of books out there and more being published every minute. How can I hope to compete? How can I make my dream come true and reach all the people who would enjoy my stories? That’s the lament of new authors as well as old. I don’t have the answers. The best advice I can give myself as well as other writers who want to stand out from the crowd is to write what comes from their heart. Readers identify with real feelings, and most fiction is based on reality. You’re the only one who can write your book. Tell the story you’d like to read, and chances are others will be interested, too.
For more information about me and my books and stories including my Cobble Cove mystery series, connect with me through the following links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ
Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com
Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog: (blog hosted by the cat character from my Cobble Cove mysteries who interviews other animal characters and some real-life author’s pets) https://sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com
Cobble Cove Character Chat (Facebook page where you can interact with the characters from my mysteries): https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/
I will be hosting an author hour on Monday, February 20 from 3-4 pm during Mystery Thriller week https://mysterythrillerweek.com/
Some of the characters from my mysteries will be helping me post information about their books and offer some giveaways. For more information, visit the event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1244007262287370/
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Also, look for my romantic comedy Novella, When Jack Trumps Ace, coming this February from Solstice Publishing.
Thank you, Debbie for coming! It’s been a pleasure to have you stopped by!
And thank you to my readers. Have a great coming week!
Smooches[image error]
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Debbie De Louise, mystery, Solstice Publishing
January 15, 2017
CJ’s Guest Blogger: Nicole Luttrell
Hey Folks!
I know it’s been a while since I posted, but I’ve been nose deep into writing and editing my next three books. Now enough of me. For the next several weeks, I’ll be having some of my fellow Solstice Authors Guest Blog.
This week, I would like to introduce Author Nicole Luttrell.
Her newest release,
Broken Patterns is available on Amazon.
So without further ado, take it away Nicole!
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Hi, my name’s Nicole. I’m a writer. I kind of make a big deal out of that. Specifically, I’m a speculative fiction writer. That means I write horror, science fiction and fantasy. I wrote a book called Broken Patterns, and I sort of think it’s the best fantasy book since Dragonriders of Pern.
Am I a little full of myself? Yeah, I’ll admit it. Calling myself a speculative fiction writer a hell of a mouthful.
I also happen to be a professional author.
I love the hilarity of that sentence, you know? A professional author? I can’t think of anything less professional, you know? I mean, think about it.
We make up stories and tell them to people for a living. We have imaginary friends and they talk to us. Lots of writers, like myself, write in our pajamas, on our couches, with a cup of coffee. We are the last people you’d think of as professional. We’re really just big kids, playing with our imaginary toys.
Well, except that we don’t just write in our pjs. We also write in waiting rooms, at red lights, during our lunch breaks. We write before our kids get up and after they go to bed. We write while other people go to the movies and go to bars and, you know, sleep.
We have to write in all of these times because most of us, including me, have day jobs. I have a full time day job, in fact. We write around jobs, school and families. In fact, a lot of us write around all three of those things at the same time. (Not me, though. I just have a full time job and two kids. Oh, and also a husband and too many pets.)
We weep over our writing, did you know that? We kill of your favorite characters, yes. But they were our favorite characters long before you ever heard of them. Characters don’t just exist for us, they live inside our minds. Killing one is gut wrenching.
Of course, the rough draft is only half of it. Once it’s done we start in editing. We edit, edit and edit some more. We edit our work until it glows. Until we could repeat the stories from memory. And sometimes we feel like we do that.
Usually, that whole repeating it from memory comes when we start promoting our work to everyone. Have you ever worked in sales? Imagine that, but all the time. The thing that makes it better and worse at the same time is that you feel like you’re selling a part of yourself. So you really believe that everyone needs what you’re selling, but you’re also taking every rejection hugely personally.
Finally, when we’re done with a book, we start all over again. Because writing’s an obsession, one that we cannot escape.
So professional writer is kind of a ridiculous thing to call us. It’s better to call us what we really are.
Addicts.
Thanks Nicole for stopping by! It’s great having you as a guest blogger.
And to all my readers, have a great week!
Smooches[image error]
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Broken Promises, Nicole Luttrell, Solstice Publishing
July 19, 2016
5 Stars Review for Forgetting Jane
Hi lovely Readers,
I’m so excited to shout out that Forgetting Jane has received another 5 star review, which brings tears to my eyes.
Believe it or not, I wanted to shove this novel under my bed and be done with it. But with a hard push–or I should say a swift kick in the butt from my critique partner, I sent it out and now, here we are!
Come check out what Fundinmental has to say about Jane.
And in case you forgot, here’s the trailer to recap your memory!
Have a great day!
CJ 
Filed under: Uncategorized
July 11, 2016
Another Awesome Review
Hey Readers,
Half way through FORGETTING JANE’s book tour. Come check what Becky Willis from What U talking bout Willis? has to say Jane.
Have a great Monday!!
Smooches
CJ
Available at Amazon in ebook and paperback
Filed under: Uncategorized
July 7, 2016
Forgetting Jane Book review
Hey there!
I know it’s been a while but I’ve been neck deep in edits!
But I want to post this link of a review I received for Forgetting Jane.
Check it out!
Smooches!!
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized
