Natalina Reis's Blog, page 40
December 14, 2016
Character Problems
Writers of fiction! Yes, you. Have you ever had a character that just demands to be written a certain way? One who basically takes over whatever you had planned for him/her and won’t listen to reason?
Authors are known for saying that this character or that in their own story surprised them with something they did or maybe something they did not do. For those who do not write fiction this must come out as ridiculous, an affectation of sorts. After all, characters are figments of an author’s imagination, the creative product of a writer’s mind.
[image error]
A characters is an amalgam of real and fantasy, a bit of someone the writer may have met at a party long ago or sat next to on a transcontinental flight. It can hold a little or a lot of the author’s own personality quirks and embody many of her dreams and/or expectations. Conversely it may impersonate the author’s fears and distastes.
Characters, albeit fictional, can be as complex as their human counterparts, so it is not altogether surprising if in the process of writing them the author is suddenly hit with something they didn’t expect or plan. If engaged in the act of creating a story, the writer ends up falling in love with her own characters or feel as if they are old friends, it does not come as a shock to anyone who has “birthed” a few.
[image error]
In my next few blogs I will be exploring my own process of creating characters for my books. How they develop and become often so real to me, I find myself missing them after I finish writing the story. Come back and enjoy the ride.
December 12, 2016
The Big Blue
I’ve always loved blue. Even as a child and, while most girls professed their undying love for everything pink, I was crushing heavily on blue. All you have to do is walk inside my house to know it. No matter how much I try to break from it, my décor always end up focusing on all shades of blue. Even when I decided to buy charcoal sofas, the prints and accessories all heralded the most peaceful color of all. I seem to surround myself with the color blue even when I am not aware of it. Until recently I couldn’t explain why that was, but a few weeks ago while I was meditating in my yoga class I had an epiphany of sorts.
[image error]
I know now why blue is so important to me. When my yoga teacher told us to go to our “happy place” I immediately went to the beach of my childhood. Grant it, the beach of Paço de Arcos is not the most beautiful beach in the world or even the country. But it’s the beach where I spent an enormous amount of my time growing up. And that’s when it hit me. Every time I think of the beach I see it; the blue of the ocean and the blue of the sky. From the windows of my childhood apartment the blue of the ocean greeted me every morning and lulled me to sleep every night. The gulls and the swallows soared in the blue skies of my hometown and filled me with a sense of peace I crave for but find so hard to find as an adult.
[image error]
So when I wear a blue sweater or write with a blue pen in a bluish notebook I am simply… going home.
[image error]
December 4, 2016
Christmas Facebook Hop
48 eBooks ! 2 swag packs ! $10 Amazon gift-card! & an eBook gift of YOUR choice up for grabs!
Come and join the fun. Starts at 8 AM and goes until December 10. You can start anywhere on the hop but why not start on my page? Wink, wink.
https://www.facebook.com/authornatalinareis/
November 30, 2016
Loved You Always Blog Tour
HALF-PRICE SALE
books2read.com/lovedyoualways
Title: Loved You Always
Author: Natalina Reis
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: November 19, 2016
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Designer: Claire Smith
The last person Emily Rose expects to reconnect with is Jeremy Peter, her childhood best friend. When Jem walks back into her perfectly settled life, Em puts up her guard. She has no desire to place her heart on the line again.
She’s moved on and is in a serious relationship with someone else. But the universe—and her kooky sister—have other ideas.
Thrust into an unexpected and dangerous adventure together, Em is forced to confront her unresolved feelings for Jem and decide what kind of life she really wants. That is if they both survive.
CHAPTER ONE
__________
Friends Forever
Together forever; that was our motto. Jeremy and me, best friends forever. Come hell or high water, nothing would ever separate us. We met in preschool when my parents moved to Jem’s neighborhood, and we weathered elementary, secondary, and even college together. We completed each other; Jem with his blond, curly hair, me with my pale skin and straight hair. His six feet two, my five four; his love for fast food, my love for everything gourmet. We were as different as humanly possible, and maybe because of that we fit together like two halves of a whole.
Throughout our childhood and early teen years we had shared everything; every thought, every feeling, every doubt. It felt right to share our most intimate selves with each other and, at some point, we were completing each other’s sentences. At thirteen, Jem confided in me when Janet, the neighborhood beauty, bestowed upon him his first kiss. Soon after, I returned the confidence by telling him about my “lip encounter” with Steve, the school jock. When he got to second base with Alice, Jem ran home to call and tell me all about it, and when Sam accidentally touched my breast during a movie, I almost skipped the end of the feature to call Jem. Jem’s shoulders had always been there for a good cry and vice versa. We were so close that people in our families began calling us the Siamese twins, Jem and Em. Even our names rhymed.
All of that changed—at least for me—when we were about sixteen. That summer, Jem went on vacation abroad with his parents; I stayed behind and worked all summer at a local pharmacy, saving money for college. Upon his return, Jem had a suitcase full of stories to tell me, as usual. Camping out in my room that weekend, we settled to share our summers like we had always done before. However, as Jem recounted his whirlwind romance with a pretty, young French girl, my feelings about sharing radically changed. This was different; this did not make me feel like I was a part of it.
This hurt, and made me feel left out and lonely.
I didn’t want him to share the details of his sexual encounters with this foreigner; neither did I want to hear about how sad he was to leave her behind. I wanted to hear how he had missed me and how he had been unable to enjoy himself without me. I felt guilty for that, and then angry at myself. By the time it was my turn to share an account of my summer I had decided I was not willing to share certain things anymore, so I shared innocuous events without ever touching on serious feelings. I needed time to get used to this new twist in our relationship.
It took me a few weeks to fully realize I was in love with my best friend.
ON SALE FOR HALF PRICE
books2read.com/lovedyoualways
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest
Natalina wrote her first romance in collaboration with her best friend at the age of 13. Since then she has ventured into other genres, but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes. Her novel, We Will Always Have the Closet, is her first published romance.
After earning a degree in tourism and foreign languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she has taught English as a Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to admit.
Natalina doesn’t believe you can have too many books or too much coffee. Art and dance make her happy and she is pretty sure she could survive on lobster and bananas alone. When she is not writing or stressing over lesson plans, she shares her life with her husband and two adult sons.
Sign up for Natalina’s newsletter HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed200/
November 19, 2016
Love You Always- New Release
99c New Release Sale
books2read.com/lovedyoualways
Title: Loved You Always
Author: Natalina Reis
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: November 19, 2016
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Designer: Claire Smith
The last person Emily Rose expects to reconnect with is Jeremy Peter, her childhood best friend. When Jem walks back into her perfectly settled life, Em puts up her guard. She has no desire to place her heart on the line again.
She’s moved on and is in a serious relationship with someone else. But the universe—and her kooky sister—have other ideas.
Thrust into an unexpected and dangerous adventure together, Em is forced to confront her unresolved feelings for Jem and decide what kind of life she really wants. That is if they both survive.
ON SALE FOR 99c
books2read.com/lovedyoualways
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest
Natalina wrote her first romance in collaboration with her best friend at the age of 13. Since then she has ventured into other genres, but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes. Her novel, We Will Always Have the Closet, is her first published romance.
After earning a degree in tourism and foreign languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she has taught English as a Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to admit.
Natalina doesn’t believe you can have too many books or too much coffee. Art and dance make her happy and she is pretty sure she could survive on lobster and bananas alone. When she is not writing or stressing over lesson plans, she shares her life with her husband and two adult sons.
Sign up for Natalina’s newsletter HERE.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed200/
November 7, 2016
The Voices In My Head
One question I get asked often as soon as I mention that I’m a romance writer is, “Where do you get your ideas?” That is a much easier question to answer rather than the ubiquitous, “What’s your book about?” Almost all my stories have started as a picture. Yes, you heard correctly; a simple, inspiring picture.
My small group of women writers shares a Facebook page which we have used as a cyber writing-club. Our fierce leader posts three prompts every Monday. One of them is always a picture. Jenn is a professional photographer and has a great eye for good visuals. Her chosen pictures never cease to incite great ideas.
Loved You Always started with one of those photos, a simple idea for a piece of flash fiction. By the time I was finished with the one-thousand odd word story I had fallen in love with my two main characters and I had to see their story through.
Those who follow my blog know I’m an incurable (and shameless) pantser. The few times in my life I’ve planned a story, I never really stuck to the plan. I find that my characters guide me as I write. In the words of the great Madeleine D’Engle, inspiration usually comes to me during work, not before it. So it was that while I’m writing this fun and sweet love story between two best friends a couple other equally lovable characters popped into my head.
My sister is and always was my best friend and, even though she is not crazy and wild like Celia, she does have a tendency to believe in spells and magic. It was only natural she would be “reincarnated” in part as Emily Rose’s younger and irreverent sister.
Marcy, the witch, was supposed to be in just one scene, but by the time I finished writing it I was hooked. With her zany sense of style and comical wisdom she became irresistible to me. So much so, I’m seriously considering writing her own romance. I have to give Marcy her own happy-ever-after.
As I write my current WIP (another photo-inspired story) I’m reminded that the only thing that separates writers from the totally insane is the fact that writers know the voices in their heads are fictional while the mad…well, not so much. I hope my voices keep talking to me for many years to come and that people are willing to listen to their stories.
November 3, 2016
Fame and Obsession Tour
Author: Cora Kenborn
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Cover Designer: Deranged Doctor Design
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Editor: Gillian Leonard of Lilypad Editing
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb:
Struggling writer Phoebe Ryan abandons her southern roots and heads to New York, determined to leave her nightmarish past behind…
She was not expecting to meet a famous rock star, or to be coerced into ghostwriting his autobiography. But she tries to maintain focus on her dream of becoming an author, despite the attraction she feels for the sexy rocker, not to mention the baggage that comes with him.
Julian Bale’s world was shattered one drunken night, and it almost ruined him…
Weighed down by guilt, he blames himself for an accident he could’ve prevented. He will play the game, but swears his hot little ghostwriter will never get that story out of him. As much as he wants her, if he has to choose between his dream and hers, it’s no contest.
Phoebe and Julian give in to a forbidden attraction, and their public romance risks both their lives…
An obsessive fan is on the loose and now that the secret’s out, it’s made them both targets. The psychotic stalker is determined to have Julian for herself, even if she has to reveal their sordid pasts and eliminate Phoebe to do it.
He lives for fame. She lives to hide. Obsession lives to ruin them both.
Cora Kenborn writes romantic suspense novels with strong heroines, complex alphas, harrowing danger, and snappy banter. She is the author of the rock star stalker series, Lords of Lyre but refuses to be pigeon holed into one specific genre. She loves delving into the twisted mind of a dark villain as well as giggling while writing rom-com banter.Cora lives in Eastern North Carolina and is a true Southern girl, growing up on sweet tea, front porches, and the simple life. She says “y’all,” “fixin’ to,” and should you deserve it, will “bless your heart.” She’s the proud mother three hyperactive and occasionally adorable children, and the wife of a husband who tolerates her chaotic writer’s cave.
Although reading is her passion, she can usually be found watching true crime shows and crafting inspiration for twisted new tales. Cora admits to being a horrible cook, an even worse baker, and believes she’s more dangerous with a hot glue gun than any weapon on earth. Oh, and she and autocorrect are mortal enemies.
Author Links:
Website https://www.corakenborn.com
Cora’s VIP Newsletter http://www.eepurl.com/b1xCtj
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/corakenborn
Twitter https://www/twitter.com/corakenborn
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/corakenbornauthor
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15178303.Cora_Kenborn
Buy Link:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2e0tNGI
The coiled body behind me tensed, ready to detonate. Whoever defended me could hold his own, but I could still take everybody out with one flick of the wrist. Chivalry felt warm and fuzzy but I learned a long time ago that one hundred and fifty volts felt electric and twitchy.
Turning my chin to the side, I whispered on an exhale, “It’s fine, I’ve got this.”
A low laugh against my neck curled my toes.
“You so don’t got this.” His chest rumbled as a strong hand ran skilled fingers around my hair. I tilted my chin, watching his eyes harden. “You’re up my ass, shit-for-brains. Don’t ever touch what’s mine.” He shifted his lips against my ear. “Right, baby?”
One suitor tested my patience, but two pushed my limit. I opened my mouth to tell him off when he stole the moment and pressed his lips against mine. Resisting, I murmured veiled threats as he pulled me toward him. The impromptu kiss dissolved into failed waves of aggression, and I inexplicably responded to him. Before I knew it, I’d wrapped my arms around his neck.
After a few heartbeats of kissing a complete stranger, I finally regained what dignity I had left, shoved his chest, and faced him with fire blazing in my eyes. He snickered and waved as my aggressor stalked off. Shooting him a death glare, I reached for my drink. After scanning for witnesses, I brought it to my lips and drained it.
“Thirsty?” He smirked.
“What the hell was that?”
He snatched the drink out of my hands, giving me a wink before tipping it back for the last drop. “You weren’t exactly pushing me away. Besides, I just saved your ass. Heath Vaughn was inches from having a hand up that thing you call a dress.”
“I didn’t ask for your help!” I bit back. “I don’t even know who the hell you—wait, who?”
“Somebody had to step in or you’d have spent the night in jail with that concealed, illegal shit in your purse. You’re telling me you didn’t know that was Vaughn? Maybe because we haven’t time-warped back to his 1995 five minutes of fame.” He walked past me with a smirk plastered across his face.
Struggling to catch up with him, I grabbed his shoulder in disbelief. “That’s a joke, right?”
“Afraid not. Vaughn in the flesh, and apparently in the sauce too. Why do you care so much what he thinks?” He eyed me curiously, his jade-green eyes knocking me breathless.
Finally allowing myself a full look at him, I quickly averted my eyes before he could see my racing pulse reflected in them. Chaotic chocolate spiked hair pointed in every direction and hinted at a carefully constructed morning-after look. A small silver earring caught flashes of light in the darkness and tattoos decorated each uncovered arm.
Remembering to breathe became a chore.
“Because I’m screwed!” I shouted, frantically waving my phone. “My boss is already pissed at me, and I was supposed to meet Vaughn here for an interview, and—why am I telling you this?”
“Calm down.” He grinned, revealing a deep dimple in his left cheek. “Look, the dude’s so far tanked he won’t remember he was here, much less you were. Give me your phone.”
“I’m not giving you my phone. I don’t even know you.”
Rolling his eyes, he snatched my phone out of my hands. “Didn’t stop you from making out with me, did it?” He scanned the email I’d been checking all night. Typing furiously, his lips curved upward and he handed it back. “All fixed.”
“What did you do?” Thankfully, previous defense training taught me to never label emails with personal information. In the darkness, he’d never scroll back far enough to know my name.
“Why must you question brilliance?” he countered with a sigh. “You sent him an email concerned for his safety since he never showed for your interview. You waited but had to leave because you actually work for a living. You’d love to reschedule since you’re such a huge fan and were disappointed at the missed opportunity to hear all about his crap-ass reality show, since I assume that’s all he would’ve wanted to talk about.”
I could’ve kissed him—if I hadn’t already.
“You’re an evil genius.”
“So I’ve been told.”
November 1, 2016
The Braille Club Reborn-Cover Reveal
The Braille Club, where darkness, is not just blindfolds. Fanatical fantasies are coming to life with dangerous consequences. This is no longer a game but maliciously twisted pain. Pain that shows no mercy. Who will end up on top…and who has the most to lose?
Benedict and Siena Harrison want justice…
After the abduction of their children, they are shaken to their core. Harrison’s becomes their sanctuary…they won’t leave until the perpetrator is found. As the case picks up pace, the evidence points to one suspect.
Evan Radley is a modern-day bounty hunter with Nick Waters in his sights…
Tasked with following Waters, Evan realises how dangerous the man can be. When he receives a panicked call, he swings into action. This is a race against time—a matter of life or death. Will he get there in time?
Guy Walker’s relationship with Anna Dunbar is at the breaking point…
Consumed by the abduction investigation, Guy ignores the widening rift. Anna, no longer willing to compete with the case, takes matters into her own hands. Distracted and preoccupied they don’t see what’s coming.
Nick Waters planned the perfect crime…
His clever manipulation of the evidence has fooled the police—he is still at large. Consumed with hatred he strikes again. Will this be third time lucky?
The complete series is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
Welcome to the Braille Club, where blindfolds are mandatory and members play sensual games
THE BRAILLE CLUB BOOK 1
of pleasurable endurance. Three couples take part in this exclusive, secret club for very different reasons…with very different results.
Benedict Harrison was a master of detachment.
Benedict’s first experience with the Braille Club changed his life forever…
Gabriella Ballantyne’s marriage is in trouble.
Her husband Max has grown cold, and Gabriella seeks out the Braille Club and its decadent delights in an effort to reawaken their hearts…
Abbey Marshall needs an escape from her cheating husband.
Abbey begins sensory lessons at the Braille Club, hoping it will help her regain control of Steve and prevent his straying…
At the Braille Club, the elite membership walks in the dark in order to find the light…they need to be blind before they can see. They’re ready—are you?
Welcome back to the Braille Club, home of blindfolded sensory delights designed to
THE BRAILLE CLUB UNBOUND BOOK 2
unleash your passions. New wonders await to heighten every sensation, for those adventurous enough to try…
Benedict Harrison and Siena Waters struggle to rebuild their lives.
Siena and Benedict—owner of the secret, exclusive Braille Club—face the trial of the man who brutally attacked her…
Guy Walker has spent two years trying to forget Anna Dunbar and their volatile affair.
Managing the Braille Club in Benedict’s absence, Guy is shocked when Anna applies for membership…
Ford Munroe will help bring the Braille Club to a whole new level…
Tasked with developing new technologies to enhance the club’s erotic pleasures, Ford enlists engineer Esme MacDonald to assist him is Esme really interested in him, or only the Braille Club?
Niven Fraser is a model and joins the Braille Club to exorcise her demons…
Left emotionally scarred by her step-brother Toby, Niven hopes to find healing through the club…
A blindfold can enrich an experience, but deadly threats are best faced with your eyes wide open. You decide—is it worth the risk to indulge in the Braille Club?
The Braille Club fulfils desires and fantasies. It guarantees members—sensory overload.
THE BRAILLE CLUB UNDONE BOOK 3
Pleasure comes in many forms. Some playful and exciting, others…twisted by evil. Would you risk pain in exchange for pleasure?
Benedict and Sienna Harrison are left reeling.
Siena and Benedict—newlyweds and owners of the exclusive Braille Club—are determined more than ever to protect their family.
Simon Lawrence will stop at nothing to satisfy his desires.
But his wife, Tess, has other plans. Tired of her husband’s infidelity, she resorts to desperate measures…
Virinder Bashir desires the freedom of the club…
Forced to marry Noor Chaudry, a beautiful, ruthless, and desperate woman, Virinder rejects their arranged marriage, seeing through her façade…
A new client tempts Anna Dunbar down a dangerous, yet exciting path…
Manager of Harrison’s and the Braille Club, Guy Walker’s relationship with Anna Dunbar is failing…
Cords and ropes aren’t the only strings being pulled at the Braille Club. Danger lurks beneath deadly desires and obsessive fantasies… Will you indulge your desires and enter the Braille Club once again?
THE BRAILLE CLUB REBORN BOOK 4
AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON 24TH NOVEMBER
October 31, 2016
Predators Among Us
There has been a lot of talk about sexual assault; the kind that millions of women worldwide endure on a daily base and that leaves deep psychological scars. When this whole scandal with one of the presidential candidates came to surface many people (some women included) said things like, “Well, if this was true why is it just now coming up?” or “Why are all these women all of a sudden coming forward with these stories? Isn’t that suspicious?”
I am not endorsing one side or the other of the political arena, but I’m here to tell you that the reason why all these women are coming forward now is because once the first one had the courage (yes, it takes courage) to bring her story into the public eye it gave all others the motivation and the strength to do the same.
When you have been a victim of that kind of assault, no matter how minor, you go through many emotions. You’re embarrassed that this happened to you, you feel guilty sometimes because of comments you hear about similar cases, you’re afraid that no-one will believe you or even worse, that they will turn you from the victim to the one who was asking for it.
I grew up in a very male-oriented country at a time when women had very limited opportunities. Back then only rich people drove cars to work. Driving to school was unheard of. You took the bus or the train, most of the time both. During rush hour the public transportation was standing-room only and we were crushed against each other like sardines in a can. It never failed. There was always the one guy (sometimes two) who decided this was the optimum setting to give free reign to their sexual desires. By the time I hopped out of the train or the bus, I had been groped and rubbed against just as matter-of-fact as if I was wearing a sign saying, “Please, use my body in any way you please.”
From the time I was thirteen I had to endure these not-so-subtle attacks and the odious cat-calls. They were not really cat-calls and they did not stop at “hey beautiful”, “hot mama”, or whistling. Most were very explicit in what the men who yelled them out would do to me should they ever catch me alone. Others felt compelled to comment on parts of my body that should never have been discussed by strangers, especially those who were old enough to be my grandfather in some cases.
One day as I am sitting on a bus commuting home from a long day at work, I dozed off. When I woke up I felt something warm between my legs. The young man sitting next to me had slid his hand on my crotch and even my death-gaze did not faze him. Why didn’t I tell the bus driver or the police? Because I guarantee you if I did, someone would say he was just being a young, red-blooded male and what did I expect when I was wearing such tight pants?
I am a much older woman now and if you think these incidents are lost in memory you’d be very wrong. They live in my head as vivid and as painfully embarrassing and demeaning as the day they happened. They have left scars, some of which I may not even be aware of. It’s hard to speak about them (this post has been languishing in the draft folder for a while) without feeling shame.
Things have changed quite a bit since then, even in my country, but let’s face it, there are still many who either think this is acceptable behavior or that it’s just “play” and does not do any harm. Well, you are wrong! It’s time women stand together against this type of assault and for one, I admire and applaud those who were courageous enough to come forward. As a woman who “been there, done that”, I thank you.
October 28, 2016
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Vol 4
Welcome to your worst nightmare. Sleep is highly overrated. You could be reading a book guaranteed to keep awake long after the kiddos are in bed and the Halloween candy is tempting you to grab some. Please enjoy these eight tales sure to send you to hiding under the bed!
Solstice Shadows and eight fabulous authors team up to bring you, our faithful readers, creepy tales from all around the world.
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01M7URA5Z
Blurb
Sleep is impossible after reading these eight tales of things that go bump in the night…
Mysterious Warrior Battles Evil Coven…
Haunted wedding dress horror story…
Every secret has a cost…
Who am I and why am I here?
Long hidden secrets emerge from the pond…
Unexpected consequences from an interruption…
Don’t plan on the usual housewarming!
The perfect relationship from hell!
Sadie K. Frazier, Josie Montano, S.C. Alban, Johnny Gunn, K.C. Sprayberry, Debbie De Louise, Archimede Fusillo, and Alex Pilalis present eight stories of horror sure to have you screaming!
While you’re out and about for these wonderfully terrifying stories, check out our Halloween cookbook, to prepare wonderfully themed meals!
http://solsticepublishing.com/ghoulish-delights-for-your-halloween-fun/
Have a scary time and don’t forget to leave the lights on!
