Zara West's Blog, page 19

Meet Awesome Romance Author C. J. Bahr

~ She Persisted ~

Today fellow Wild Rose author C. J. Bahr shares her writing journey and most recent romance books with us. If there is one thing she wants all writers to know, it is to never give up.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was first published in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “Sword & Sorceress” anthology, after always writing just for myself.  Believe it or not, my Cinderella sequel was the first short story I ever sent out to the first place I submitted.  My luck wouldn’t strike again until fourteen years later!  The Wild Rose Press published my first novel, “Walking Through Fire”, a Scottish ghost romance.  I’m currently working on the third book in The Fire Chronicles, as well as, a new Urban Fantasy starring a kick-ass Time Enforcer.

When I’m not lost in the world of my stories, you can find me busily cutting and tracking music for film and television. I have close to twenty-eight years of music editing experience, with my credits ranging from “Northern Exposure” and “The Muppets Christmas Carol,” to “The Kill Point” and “The Middle.”

I currently live in sunny southern California with my two cats, great friends, and my horse.

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

I work hard for my writing, because it doesn’t come easy.  The story ideas are simple and jump out at me from everywhere, but words on the page, not so much.  I don’t outline (though believe me, I’ve tried!), so I write by the seat of my pants, which probably attributes to lack of word count.  Also having a full time day job, doesn’t make fitting writing time into my schedule convenient either.  But no matter how frustrated I get by staring at a blinking cursor, I won’t give up.  My first novel (unpublished) took me close to eight years to finish!  Forged In Fire took a little over two years, so things are getting quicker and looking up.

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

China.  I was lucky my college orchestra got to perform and tour this amazing country.  The Great Wall blew my mind.  Also, I visited Tienanmen Square the year before the student led protest.  The Square is the largest in the world, bigger than Red Square in Moscow, and to have been in that space and know personally how large it was, it had such an emotional impact.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

I first tried the traditional method.  I queried about eighty-five agents and received either rejections or non-responses from them all.  So I pulled my proverbial bootstraps up and submitted to publishing houses that took unsolicited manuscripts, which at the time, weren’t many.  So when I finished Walking Through Fire (actually my second completed manuscript), I decided to try a different method.  I went the contest route.  I carefully targeted contests where if you finaled, you be in front of agents or editors.  I ended up getting requests for fulls from Harlequin and Wild Rose.  I got “the call” on April 1st, 2014 from my editor, Amanda Barnett.  I’d never been more excited!

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

As mentioned above, I’m working on the third book in my Fire Chronicle series.  Though each book in the series is meant to be a ‘stand-alone’, there is a potential for seven books.  Each book is tied together by one of the seven Archangels.  All will have a paranormal element, but will be set in different times and places.  My first, is set in the Scottish Highlands, with a ghost in present time.  Forged, book 2, is set in 1795 Yorkshire, England.  The third, Playing With Fire is set in present day New Orleans with a supernatural serial killer.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Absolutely.  I am proud owner of a “she persisted” award.  Writing, at least for me, is hard, as I mentioned.  Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but it is work for me.  Don’t ever give up and believe in yourself!  Look at me, it took be another fourteen years before I got published again. It can happen anytime in your life.  I was in my late forties when “Walking” was published.  It’s never too late!  It can and will happen if you keep plugging away.  Also, it helps to surround yourself with supportive people.  I’m very lucky to have some talented writers who are friends.  It’s wonderful to bounce ideas off each other when one of us gets stuck, or if we need to just talk things out.  So yeah, keep writing, don’t give up, and have a support group.

Forged in Fire[image error]
The Fire Chronicles #2

A Paranormal Romance by C. J. Bahr

Beth Leighton moved to Scotland to marry the love of her life. But then he betrays her and she is fatally shot.  However the Archangel Remiel interferes, and she awakes to find herself in 18th century England. Alive but confused and lost, she wants to go home. Despite a roguish and handsome highwayman.

Christopher “Kit” Locke is haunted by his past mistakes and lives on danger’s edge, not caring if he lives or dies. He will leave that choice to Fate. Intrigued by the spirited Beth, he is drawn from his spiraling descent and is enlisted to help steal an evil artifact, the Viper’s Eye, a demonic soul-stealing jewel.

While the Archangel and the Duke of Hell battle it out, both Beth and Kit must also fight evil. When the stone seeks Kit’s soul can Beth’s love keep him from falling victim to the Viper’s Eye or will she lose Kit to Hell’s fire?

BUY LINKS
AMAZON |  B&N  |  iBOOKS  |  WILD ROSE

 

[image error] Find C. J. Bahr here:

 

WEB  |  BLOG  |  TWITTER  |  GOODREADS  |  AMAZON AUTHOR

Give C. J. Bahr a Tweet, Just copy and past into your Twitter feed:

Come say hi! #Romance author C. J. Bahr interviewed today by Zara West #paranormal #WildRoseWednesday

C. J Bahr is waiting to hear from you and answer her questions.
Post your comments and questions below.

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What Makes You Want to Read a Book?

~Does Books Main Have the Right Idea? ~

There are a whole bunch of e-book sales listing services out there – Bookbud, Fussy Librarian, Rifle, E-Reader and more. These services list books that are on sale with a short sales-pitch type blurb.

With 50 % of all romances being published independently, I use these services all the time to find new authors to read. But I never buy a book without first going to Amazon or Barnes and Noble and reading the long excerpt they post.

What is Books Main? [image error]

However, there is a new book listing service called Books Main that has a totally new idea. Authors post up to three quotes or excerpts or related content from their books daily along with a great photo.

When you join Books Main as a reader you can then download their App to your phone and get a stream of “Bites” from hundreds of romance books. If you like a bite, you can heart it or leave a comment. You can also click on the author and see their books and where to buy them.

What do you think of this idea?

Would reading intriguing excerpts entice you to learn more about an author and maybe buy a book? Check out Books Main and let me know.

Here’s a link to my Books Main page. I’d love a follow!

How do you select books to read?
Post your thoughts and comment below.

 

 

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Meet Kate Randle. She has some writing advice for you.

~ Write, Write and Write Some More ~

Today fellow Wild Rose Kate Randle is here to tell us about her new book Taking Flight and share what she has learned about writing.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

After writing more essays than I could count completing my studies at university, I decided to swap out the world of academic prose for something more exciting, romance novels. I’ve always been drawn to the love of contemporary romance, so that’s where I began my writing career. The idea for my first novel, In Pursuit of Paradise had been bouncing around in my head for years. I finally put it down on paper 2015. After some interest from my publisher and an extensive rewrite, it was published by The Wild Rose Press in January of 2017. From there, I published a second novel with Extasy Books entitled, Searching for Sanctuary. My latest story is entitled, Taking Flight.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Writer’s block can be tough, but I think my best advice (and the advice I give myself) about that would be to step away from the computer. Go for a walk, watch a movie or catch up with a friend over coffee. Basically, anything that’s not writing can help. When I step away and take a break, I often find that I come back with a fresh set of eyes and a new idea that breaks right through the block and back into my story.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

My advice is to write, write and then write some more. You can always go back and edit later (and believe me you will!) but get your ideas down. Writing is just like anything in life…the more you do it, the better you will become at it. I also take lots of classes and have a few good critique partners in order to improve my craft. The learning never stops!

What are some of your favorite things? 

I have so many favorite things that I can’t possibly list them all here. But you will definitely find them peppered throughout my writing. I love the beach, the ocean and traveling (which I do in person and in my imagination). I also have a passion for bold coffee, sweet wine, and my favorite animal is a cat. I’ve just adopted my third rescue feline, and shy little Rose is doing her best to fit in with my busy, noisy family. Which I also love. I couldn’t possibly brave this writing path without my own handsome hero husband and my two loving children.

Do your travels influence your writing?

Yes, in fact, you will get a glimpse of the many places I have traveled in my novels. The idea for my latest book came about a couple of years ago when I had to take an unexpected trip. Four flights in three days had me spending more time in airports than at my destination. And it got me thinking. What would a handsome and dashing pilot do if he saw the woman of his dreams on one of his flights? And voila…Taking Flight was born.

[image error]Taking Flight by Kate Randle

Ivy Castlefield is a famous motivational speaker who has lost the drive to go on with her career and her life. But after six months of wallowing in her own misery, she decides to get back in the game and boards a flight bound for Las Vegas to present at a conference.

Lucas Freeman is the handsome pilot of this plane, but he strikes out when he approaches Ivy to introduce himself. When they reach their final destination, the pair are reunited and given another chance to reconnect. But can Ivy overcome the scars of her past and give Lucas and herself the chance at love that they both deserve? And can Lucas fight off the demons that threaten to separate him from Ivy when they have only just found each other?

Connect with Kate Randle [image error]

Website:

www.katerandle.com

Amazon:

https://amzn.to/2vzlHzY

The Wild Rose Press:

https://bit.ly/2Jjlenr

Facebook URL:

https://www.facebook.com/katerandleauthor/

Twitter:

@KateRandle1

Katies Randle would love to hear from you.
Please post your comments and questions below.

The post Meet Kate Randle. She has some writing advice for you. appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Winning an Award

~ Are you more likely to read a book that has won an award? ~

This week my romantic suspense Close to the Skin is in a competition to win a Rone Award from InD’Tale Magazine– a beautiful and well-known magazine dedicated to romance writing.

This award is one in which readers vote for their favorite book or author. This process is similar to a number of Reader Award contests for published books. The judges are readers and librarians and booksellers. I have entered several in the past, but as of yet have not won one.

Writing Contests & Awards

However, I have won several contests offered by RWA Romance Writing Chapters. These contests are judged in the first round by fellow romance writers, and in the second round, by agents and editors in the romance field. My feeling is that this type of contest offers more to the writer who wants to improve their writing as you usually do get very useful feedback, even if you don’t win.

Close to the Skin won first place in the 2016 Pages from the Heart Award. I am very appreciative of that honor.

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Bestseller Awards

The third type of accolade a book can earn is to be a bestseller. There are all types of best sellers. Being on the NY Times list is, of course, the end goal for many writers. But there are also the USA Today listings and the rankings on Amazon. Authors usually put this achievement not only on the cover of the book that earned the ranking, but also on every book they write.

So how effective is winning an award for a writers?

Research reported in the Guardian on prestigious literary awards shows that reader ratings go down after a book wins a prize. Perhaps, because people who might not ordinarily choose that type of book do so because of the hype and then are disappointed and write bad reviews.

One thing that is true is that winning an award definitely gets a book more attention whether good or bad. Here is a list of award-winning books as listed on Goodreads. I bet you will find some you have read.

Being influenced by an award

I know that while I am very open in my reading choices, seeing award or bestseller on a book cover makes me feel more confident I will like the book.

Then again, as a writer, there is great pleasure in being selected for an award. I certainly wouldn’t turn one down nor would I be upset for my book to be a bestseller, even for a just a day.

Hint: I’d appreciate your vote for that Rone Award. Vote here. Voting goes from April 23 to April 29th 2018. I’ll let you know how I do!

[image error]

How about you?
Do you select books that say bestselling author or award-winning author on the cover?
Or do you have a better way to find great books?
I’d love to hear from you.

 

 

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Sharon Wray Writes Romance Inspired by the Bard

~ Well-Researched Romantic Suspense ~

Please meet awesome romance author Sharon Wray. She shares with us her new series, the things that inspire her, her love of research, as well as introducing us to some fascinating Irish mythology. 

Welcome Sharon…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thank you so much for having me here today! I’m a librarian and former wedding gown designer who lives in Virginia with my wonderful husband, teenage twins, and one-eyed rescue dog named Donut. I’m also a full-time romance author who is currently working on the Deadly Force series for Sourcebooks.

Can you tell us a little bit about your series and your books?

My series is about ex-Green Berets and their smart, sexy heroines who redeem Shakespeare’s greatest love stories. Every Deep Desire, the first book in the series, is a contemporary retelling of Romeo and Juliet that takes place in Savannah, GA. The story answers the question of what kind of marriage the lovers would’ve had if they’d won their happy ending.

My main characters, Rafe and Juliet, were married young until Rafe abandoned Juliet and deserted his Green Beret unit to work for a secretive army known as the Fianna. Now, eight years later, he’s been released from prison and needs to win Juliet’s trust if he’s to save everyone he loves. He knows she’ll never forgive him—or love him again—but he’ll do everything in his power to protect her.

After eight years away, Rafe returns and Juliet learns that Rafe went AWOL and abandoned her to work for the Fianna—a mysterious group of assassins who trace their lineage back to pagan Ireland. Now, one of Rafe’s old enemies wants something hidden on Juliet’s land or bad things will happen.

Except Rafe has been gone a long time and Juliet, who’s rebuilt her life, has no interest in having her heart broken again. No matter that he’s returned a fully-grown, sexy man who still loves her. What she doesn’t realize is that if she helps him, and if they succeed, they won’t just save those they love—they’ll be separated forever.

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

Many years ago, when my husband was still in the army, we lived in South Korea and I had a chance to visit the DMZ, on the North Korean/South Korean border. I stared into North Korea and watched NK soldiers walk around. I’ll never forget it.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I started writing in 2004 and finished my first manuscript, a category-length romance, in 2005. I went on to write seven more full manuscripts and two partials before I sold Every Deep Desire. I joined RWA (Romance Writers of America) on March 2, 2004 and Every Deep Desire came out on March 6, 2018. Almost fourteen years to the day! And I’m proof that if you never, ever give up, your dreams will come true. J

How much research do you do for each book you write?

I do a lot of research for every aspect of the books I write. I’m a librarian and am obsessed with details. I do military, legal, historical, and location research – but then I turn it into fiction. I feel like I can’t change the facts unless I know the facts. And the more I know them, the more realistic my fictionalized stories are.

 Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

There’s an aspect of the series that, although not based on my real life experiences, is based on the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology from 1st Century Ireland. These stories—some maybe true and some maybe not—are about the ancient warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill and his Fianna army who fought against the early Roman invasions. These stories are wild, exciting, and brutal. Fionn’s men had to train naked in winter, walk through gauntlets with men on either side swinging weapons, and could only speak in verse from the twelve books of Irish poetry.

These exploits gave me my idea that there was still a Fianna army in the contemporary world. Highly-skilled soldiers who are tired of fighting for someone else’s ideals and willing to undergo unbelievable hardships. The Fianna help those who need it and serve justice when necessary. They’re not bound by country or nationality or any familial loyalties. They are so powerful, they are left alone by all world governments. But once you join, you can never leave.

In Every Deep Desire, Rafe left his wife and his men to work for the Fianna and now, eight years later, wants his freedom. Except an old enemy, as well as the Fianna, won’t allow that to happen. Only Juliet can save Rafe from a lifetime of servitude to the Fianna and a vicious enemy who wants to destroy them both.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

My favorite scene is the scene where Rafe and Juliet meet for the first time after eight years apart. She believes that he abandoned her to work for some horrible gunrunner and for a life far more exciting than she could offer. Her emotions are all over the place—she’s angry, humiliated, frustrated, sad, and still attracted to him. And he’s an even bigger emotional mess. He’s filled with regret and sorrow for what he’s done, frustrated that he can’t tell her the truth, and filled with a desperate need for revenge and redemption. All of these emotions float beneath the surface of a simple conversation. Writing this scene almost killed me!

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

My dad used to day, “if you’re breathing, you should be doing.” That means you’re never too old, too young, too this, or too that to follow your dream. So if there’s something you want to do, go do it. And I’ll be there clapping and cheering loudly!

Thank you so much for having me here today!

Every Deep Desire (Book 1 in the Deadly Force Series)[image error]
 by Sharon Wray

He’s taking it all back

His honor, his freedom, and the woman he loves

Rafe Montfort was a decorated Green Beret, the best of the best, until a disastrous mission and an unforgivable betrayal destroyed his life. Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his brothers, and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he’s done…or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.

It took Juliet Capel eight long years to put her life back together after her husband was taken from her. Now Rafe is back, determined to protect her at any cost, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger. The swamps hold a secret long buried and far deadlier than either of them could have imagined…

BUY LINKS
AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE  |  iBOOKS

 [image error]Learn More about Sharon Wray
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Pinterest  | Goodreads  |  Amazon Author Page  | BookBud

Sharon Wray would love to hear from you. Post your questions and comments below.

The post Sharon Wray Writes Romance Inspired by the Bard appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Meet Author Nikki Andrews

~Framing the Picture ~

Before I became a fiction writer, I created and taught art. So I am pleased today to share with you a new cozy mystery set at an art show written by fellow Wild Rose Nikki Andrews. In her interview Nikki shares some of the many ways she discovers ideas to write about and what she is working on next.

Welcome Nikki,

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m old enough to know better about a few things, but old enough not to care about much of the rest. Supposedly I’m retired, but writing and editing for others occupy a lot of my time. I hike, bike, read, garden, cross stitch and knit, read, volunteer as a river monitor and land steward, read, do some community service. My life has never followed a straight path. How could it, with so many tempting side trails to explore?

What interesting jobs have you had? How have those jobs affected your writing?

I’ve dabbled in lots of fields, but my favorite job of all time, other than writing/editing, was working as a custom picture framer in an art gallery. I loved the creativity and the precision, the interaction with clients and artists, the variety, and the mental and physical challenges. Picture glass is heavy! And how the heck does one frame a chunk of rock from The Auld Sod, a ceremonial military sword, or a set of silver-plated, flashy horseshoes?

Most of all, I loved my boss and co-workers. We were a tightly knit group, and they became the basis for the lead characters in my Brush & Bevel series of cozy mysteries. On the whole, I loved the customers, too, though some of them were just quirky enough to make an appearance in my books.

Do your travels influence your writing?

Sure. While I’m perfectly happy mining the rich history, culture, and landscapes to be found in my home region of southern New Hampshire, sometimes I transport my characters to exotic places like Ogunquit, Maine, the seaside resort that is the setting for Oil & Water, or the Finger Lakes of New York, where I’m basing a romantic thriller. I consider setting to be as important as characterization in the way it influences and guides a story, and travel is the best way to discover new settings. Even if I’m not actively seeking new places to write about, travelling is good for the mind and the soul.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

Oh, a writer gets to choose? Stories seem to present themselves to me complete with genres. Cozy mysteries like Oil & Water happened because I read a lot of it, and because I used to joke with my co-workers at the art gallery about killing off some of our…er…fussier clients. I mean, there I was in the frame shop, surrounded by multiple implements of destruction: knives and blades galore, shards of glass, power drills. Compressed air machinery, vacuum mounts. Ceremonial military swords, horseshoes, chunks of The Auld Sod…

Cozies won out over pure mystery or police procedurals because they put more emphasis on “social intelligence,” the innate ability to understand people, than on training and education. They also highlight the fact that most people have specialized knowledge that comes in handy in unexpected ways. I think readers enjoy the fantasy that their particular expertise, whether it be picture framing, dressage, automotive repair, skiing, or whitewater rafting, might someday make them a hero. Isn’t that fun to think about?

Where do you get your ideas?

Oh my goodness, ideas are easy. They’re all around. Sometimes they come out of casual conversations, sometimes out of intense conflicts, as I’ve mentioned. Strangers can give me ideas, like the commander in the New York State Naval Militia, whom I met in a parking lot at an Interstate rest stop. I was so intrigued by the idea of a “naval militia” that I incorporated it into the thriller I’m writing. Which also includes my—okay, I’ll say it—my crush on a handsome young man, my fondness for Watkins Glen, and my out-of-the-blue desire to fly a helicopter. Current events and memories, local politics and strange science, even dreams or overheard conversations are all rich in ideas. Incongruities and oddities are good sources, too, especially for short stories. I’ve written shorts about a single shoe on the library stairs; an unexplained hole in the ice on my pond; and unusual rocks in a river.

The main problem with ideas is sieving through them to find the ones I really want to spend a few months to a year working on. As Stephen Jay Gould, one of my favorite essayists, put it, “So many pretty pebbles on the beach.”

How did you come up with the title?

I love double entendres, and I wanted to tie the crime to the art world somehow, as I did with the first book in the series, Framed. Oils and watercolors are common classes of art at shows and festivals like the one featured in the book; oil and water also represent concepts that don’t mix, giving me plenty of conflict. Besides, at the time I was writing Oil & Water, the local news was full of stories about fuel oil pricing and contaminated water wells.

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

I have two WIPs: A Thousand Words, another Brush & Bevel story, about the murder of a newspaper reporter (and coincidently, the chance to vent some spleen about the boss-from-hell at a temp job). The other is Competing Interests, the aforementioned romantic thriller in the Finger Lakes. But as I write this, emotions are running high about a controversy at Town Meeting, and who knows where that will lead?

Thanks so much, Zara, for this opportunity to reach out to readers!

Nikki

Oil & Water by Nikki Andrews [image error]

When gallery owner Ginny Brent accepts a post as judge for the prestigious Oil & Water Arts Festival in Ogunquit, Maine, she is looking forward to a weekend of pampering, good food, and camaraderie with creative people. Family feuds, business spats, a barroom brawl, and lobster pot thefts are definitely not on the menu.

Then the body of a missing artist turns up on the rocky shore—just in time for Ginny to find it. Despite her determination not to get involved, she finds herself tracing the threads between deadly rivals, non-kissing cousins, and an artist’s sketchpad.

Finally, she finds herself on a park ranger’s tiny boat, up the proverbial creek, on the track of a killer.

Ginny expected pampering, not barroom brawls. And definitely not murder!

Buy Links
AMAZON  |  WILD ROSE PRESS

[image error] Learn More About Nikki Andrews

Blog: www.scrivenersriver.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkiandrewsauthor/

Twitter: @NAedits

So glad you stopped by to meet Nikki.
Post a comment or question and she will respond to you.

 

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Chocolate and Romance: Book Review of All for You by Laura Florand

~ What makes a heart-stopping romance? ~

I have just finished reading All for You by Laura Florand (2015). This is the first book I have read by her, and I was very impressed. The story is emotionally engaging, and heart-wrenching with the perfect happy ending.

Florand specializes in romances that take place at top level chocolatiers in Paris, France. You can’t beat the combination of chocolate, Paris, and a hero who won’t give up. Her first romance in her Chocolate series, The Chocolate Kiss, was named one of the top 100 swoon-worthy romances of all time.

The Story

All for You is Book 1 in the Paris Nights series and features a heroine, Célie, who is the top [image error]chocolate maker and a hero, Joss, who was her best friend growing up poor, but who left her of a sudden to join the French Foreign Legion because he didn’t feel worthy of her.

The crux of their problem is that by the time he comes back five years later, the heroine is not going to just fall into his arms. In fact, she is absolutely furious with him.

As she puts it:

Guys who screwed over a woman’s chance at happiness because they were so convinced they weren’t good enough did not earn any points in her book. All for You (Paris Nights Book 1) (p. 2).

While Joss has been off becoming the best man he can be, Celie has not been waiting around for him, but has worked hard to make something of herself. So, despite the fact that she’s never stopped loving him, she wants nothing to do with a man who doesn’t recognize her strength as a woman and who doesn’t get the point that he needs to communicate with her, not just assume he knows best. The tension builds as he persists, and she resists.

The Book’s Strengths

Florand has done an excellent job depicting a strong, communication-challenged man who loves deeply, lives to protect, and has a hard time opening himself up emotionally.

This quote summarizes his problem precisely:

He just didn’t know what to write to her. He never had. He always, always had needed to be that thing he needed to write, to be that thing there, next to her, touching her. What the hell was there to say?  (p. 59).

The sexual attraction between the two is adeptly depicted against the romantic background of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower and builds slowly through Florand’s small sensory details.

She turned her head suddenly and kissed his hand covering hers. The touch of her lips lanced through him in ways he didn’t have the words to describe. A heat and hunger and sweetness that went so far beyond sex. (p. 113).

He ate a chocolate, his lips softening around the flavor. “Joss!” “Ah, this is where you got that chocolate on your skin.” His gaze moved over her face and lingered on her lips. “There’s a kick to it.” (p. 213)

The story is enriched by Florand’s detailed knowledge of French chocolate making and a cast of supportive and interesting secondary characters.

Why It Works

Based on my analysis, here are the four things that make this novel work so well.

One The setting is unique and expertly rendered

Two The love story is the focus of the plot, and the character flaws are perfectly matched. She fears being abandoned, because her parents and brother have left her. He fears being inadequate because he couldn’t support his mother as a young teen.

Three The sexual chemistry is enhanced through the use of chocolate and the slow build up of intimacy.

Four The hero’s grand gesture is rejected in the most heart-twisting way, beause it is not the right gesture.

Altogether, this was a very satisfying read. I just hope that my next novel will approach the same emotional level.

To learn more about Laura Florand visit her website: http://lauraflorand.com

I welcome your thought and comments.

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Linda Tillis has a New Release Coming!

~ From Crime Scene Investigator to Romance Author ~

Awesome romance author and fellow Wild Rose, Linda Tillis, is back to tell us some more about herself and to fill us in on her upcoming book.

Welcome back, Linda!

How do you choose the genre you write in?

Actually, the genre chose me. My stories come from my experiences as a Crime Scene Investigator. They are a means of catharsis for me, and I found that it was easier to relive them if I placed the in a historical context. The stories seemed less painful, and the ugliness easier to bear, because they were farther away in time, if that makes any sense.

How much research do you do for each book you write?[image error]

There will be certain aspects of each book that I want to make sure are completely accurate, like location, historical events, etc.  I have learned a lot through the research of each book. I live in Florida, so it was easy for me to set the first two books there. My husband’s father was born in Trenton, Florida. It is a slow-paced, very small town, but is rich in history. They hold a quilt festival there each year that is to die for!  Because I set that first book in Trenton, I was able to meet the most wonderful man, T.J. Allen, who narrated the first book for audio, and is now working on the second book.  He has family there, and when my book was sent to ACX for narrators to bid on, he jumped on it.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

[image error]The first two books, A Heart Made For Love, and A Man With A Pure Heart, are about the oldest two siblings of the Hinton family. My sister, who is a serious animal lover, insisted that I tell the story of the youngest, Cyrus, and make him a veterinarian. So, that book is in the beginning stages, and will be set in World War 1. But, in a few weeks my favorite so far, A Heart For All Time, will release.

The first was dedicated to women’s shelters. The second was dedicated to law enforcement, and the third, A Heart For All Time, will be dedicated to the true first responder, the 911 dispatcher. It is a time travel, and there is a little Cherokee Indian lore involved. A dedicated 911 dispatcher wakes up one morning in 1890 and finds herself saving a man from hanging.  I truly enjoyed writing this one and can’t wait to share it with everyone!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

The most important advice I could give anyone about writing is DO IT NOW! Don’t wait until “someday”.  Find a little time every day, once a week, or whenever you can steal a few moments, and write.  I have heard more learned folks say that you should have at least three books written and ready to go before you publish the first. I would have to say that is good advice on many levels. Once you publish that first one, there is this sense of urgency to get the second one out in front of readers before they forget you.

Do you have a writing tip that has really helped you get published?

I would have to say that a great synopsis is your best tool to getting published. I belong to a chapter of RWA, the Sunshine State Romance Authors. When I first joined, it was just to meet other writers and see if I could learn from them. I never believed that I would become a published author. They maintain a library and one of the books they keep is a notebook filled with winning synopses. When I finally decided to actually try and submit a manuscript, that notebook became invaluable.  I studied the several different styles and finally worked up enough nerve to try.  I submitted to The Wild Rose Press, and as they say, the rest is history.

A Heart Made For Love by Linda Tillis

In rural Florida, 1903, Mae Hinton cares for her father and younger brothers, trying to fill her deceased mother’s shoes. Her life is shattered and her faith tested when her innocence is stolen by roving miscreants. Left unconscious, unable to identify her attackers, she pledges to help other victimized women. She pursues an education and learns to deal with bigoted ministers, well-to-do hypocrites, and men with higher regard for their livestock than their women.

Edward Finch is nearly done with medical studies in England when he comes home for the holidays. Love flourishes, and Mae seems close to achieving her dreams of both true love and a haven for victims, once she can explain to him why she carries a pistol. Then her new-found happiness is upset by a murder as one of her attackers returns.

She may settle this herself…or she may find that vengeance truly belongs to God.

AMAZON Buy Link for A Heart Made for Love

Visit Linda Tillis’ Amazon Page to find all her romances

Where to Find Linda Tillis [image error]

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/LindaTillisAuthor/

TWITTER https://twitter.com/Linda34434

Linda would love to hear from you.
Please post your thoughts and comments below.

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What Verb is Your Character? Actioning for Writers

~ I ________ you ~

I was very fortunate to have the chance to hear Damon Suede speak at the New Jersey Romance Writers Conference last fall. The topic of his talk was character development.

Give Your Character a Verb

One thing that stood out for me was his suggestion that before you decide on hair color or height or even occupation for your main character, you should come up with a transitive verb that represents the internal core of your character. Then you should pick an opposite verb for the antagonist.

Let the Verb dictate the Character’s Details [image error]

Once we have the identifying verb identified, all of the other features of the character should fall in place. For example, if the verb we choose for our character is IGNITE, then everything about that character will be bright and fiery. A person who ignites might be someone with red hair, sparkling eyes, emanating warmth, sexy hot, and working as a fireman.

With this verb in mind, our word choices and the character’s actions would also reflect this verb. An igniting character might light up a room or send flaming passion through you when they touched you.

Damon even suggested writers could use a different synonym of the character’s main verb as a guiding force for every chapter in our novel.

Wow, this idea really ignited me. So I set out to give it a try.

Identifying Transitive Verbs

[image error]But first, I have to admit the grammatical term transitive verb threw me. I mean I knew what it meant – sort of. A transitive verb is any active verb you can use to fill in this sentence and have it sound sensible.

I _____ACTIVE VERB_____ you.
So I ignite you works. I sleep you does not.

Damon suggested we consult a thesaurus to find our character verbs. But for me that involved a lot of “is it transitive or not” questions as well as tedious skimming through pages of non-verbs. So I went hunting for a thesaurus that focused on verbs and hit the jackpot.

Try Actions: The Actors Thesaurus

Actions: The Actors’ Thesaurus by Marina Caldarone & Maggie Llyod-Williams isn’t just a verb thesaurus. It is a thesaurus of transitive verbs, and it has a very specific purpose. It is used by actors to choose how a character will behave when saying each one of his or her lines. This is called Actioning, a technique developed by the Russian actor and director, Constantin Stanislavski.

Usually actioning is done with the whole cast sitting around a table and going line by line through the script. Actors identify a transitive verb for each line as a cue to how they will say it and how they will move. For example, perhaps the line in the play reads: “Would you like to dance?” In concert with the cast, the actor might decide to say this as if “I love you” or “I seduce you” or “I hate you” or “I fear you.” The actor being addressed would then choose a verb representing how they would respond.

Taking it Farther: Using Active Verbs to Spark up Dialogue

Wow. This gave me a brainstorm. Why not do the same thing when writing dialogue? If a character already has a main transitive verb then we can use its synonyms whenever that character speaks. So, if the character is a beguiler (I beguile you) they might amuse, belittle, bewitch, cajole, charm, cheat, coax, court and so on when speaking.

In the WIP I am working on right now, Book 4 Under the Skin in my Skin series, I have chosen I escape you for my heroine and I protect you for my hero. I’ll let you know how it goes.

What do you think of actioning? Willing to give it a try?
Post your thoughts and comments below.

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Laura Haley-McNeil on Travel & Romantic Suspense

~How Far Would You Go For Your Readers? ~

In this interview, romantic suspense author Laura Haley-McNeil talks about her love of romantic suspense, how travel influences her books, and the importance of one’s readers.

Welcome Laura…

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

I’m originally from California and now live in Colorado. I’ve spent most of my life traveling in the west, but little on the east coast. My husband is a good sport so when I told him I wanted to visit the south, he agreed. We’ve visited many interesting places, but one that fascinated me was Charleston. I love it when a book’s setting is so important that it becomes a character.

I had read Pat Conroy’s South of Broad and had to know what was so special about this area of Charleston. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this amazing city. I’m drafting a book now that will be based in Charleston and I’m enjoying writing this book because it’s helping me to remember the city and the people.

Another city I visited that impressed me is Prague in the Czech Republic. It’s a beautiful city and fortunate that it wasn’t bombed during World War II so many of it’s old buildings still stand. If you have seen the movie Amadeus, you will realize how beautiful this city is—this movie was filmed in Prague. My husband is a pianist so visiting the city was meaningful to him also. As we crossed the Charles bridge, we expressed our amazement that many famous composers also crossed this bridge. Now wouldn’t that make a great premise for a time travel book? I don’t write time travel, but that’s definitely a book I’d want to read!

Where is your favorite place to write?

We live in a very small house, which is fine for two people, but it means that I don’t have an office. Instead, I sit in a chair in the family room, prop my laptop on my lap and write. The family room used to be a breeze way between the laundry room and the garage so it’s very small. Whoever designed the family room did me a great favor by adding large windows that overlook the patio. Again, one of the previous owners built planters along the wall surrounding the patio. I love flowers and spend most of the year planning what to plant in the spring so that I have a beautiful view from spring to fall with flowers blooming all season long. The winter is beautiful, too. I love watching the snow fall. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful place to write.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

The first time I read a romantic suspense novel I was in heaven. I love romance, and I love mysteries. To have them in the same book was amazing. That’s what I wanted to write. I love larger than life men and women who aren’t afraid to stand up for what is right. I love reading a book that crafts a plot around the mystery and the romance.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Because I still have a day job, I’m often tired when I get home from work and it would be so wonderful just to relax and read or go out with friends, but I also love to write. To switch my mind from work to writing, I start reading. While I’m reading ideas come to me that I believe I should be writing and after a while I put the book away and start writing. It’s not perfect, but it gets me started. I don’t edit while I write. Because I don’t always know where the book is going, I keep writing because I want to find out the end of the book. I find that writing is like reading. I sometimes surprise myself with the direction the story takes. I hope the reader is surprised, too.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

I love books with brides on the covers so my next series will be a brides’ series. How’s that for deciding what you want to write? I’ve written the first book and have started the second. I hope to release the first book in the series this summer. This series is called the Beaumont Series. I have the images of the covers in my mind. Now I need to start working with my cover designer. I’ll be posting more information about this series in my blog and on my website later this spring.

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

The romantic suspense series I’ve been writing has six books. The series is called the Crystal Creek Series. It’s a ranch in Colorado that is loosely based on the ranch where my father was raised. The sixth book in the series is Defending Her Heart. It’s available for preorder now and will be released March 27, 2018.

Do you have any websites, blogs, or books about writing that you would recommend?

I listen to podcasts when I drive to and from work. Two that have been immensely informative are The Creative Penn by Joanna Penn and Self-Publishing Formula by Mark Dawson. Both authors are British. They’ve been self-published for years and share a wealth of knowledge. If you’re looking for information about writing and publishing, I’d recommend their websites and podcasts.

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

No one is more important than your readers and fans. There isn’t an author who doesn’t love you. If you have a favorite author, please let them know how you fell about their writing. I follow Danielle Steel who is very busy and very famous, but she takes the time to reach out to her readers. Another writer who has impressed me with his outreach to his readers is Ken Follett. I once heard a radio interview with him. It’s my understanding he lives in the UK, but this interviewer lived in California, so Ken Follett flew to California to give the interview in person. When asked why he did so, he replied, “I want to sell books.” What better way to sell books than to interact with those why buy your books? It was a wonderful interview and I was very impressed with his gregarious personality. I hadn’t read his books before, but now I’ve read several.

Defending the Heart by Laura Haley-McNeil [image error]

His head says no. His heart won’t let go.

JT Whitloch can’t close his eyes without seeing the body of the woman who drowned in his swimming pool two years ago. Though he doesn’t remember that night, he blames himself for her death and walks away from a life that gave him everything he ever wanted…almost everything. His move to Crystal Creek gives him the solitude he longs for, but still he can’t find peace.

Then Gretchen Moore moves to town, and she doesn’t just stir up his desire. She stirs up his past, a past with a secret so deadly it could destroy her.

Gretchen wants nothing to do with JT. Because of him, someone wants her dead. The terror from his past forces them into an alliance that soon ignites their passion. Fighting these feelings leads them to the secret of the woman floating in JT’s swimming pool, but the knowledge doesn’t ease JT’s inner turmoil. Instead, it reveals an answer that could destroy him and Gretchen. His own destruction he could accept, but he’ll defend Gretchen to his death.

Guarding Her Heart is the 1st book in the Crystal Creek Series

Buy Links
Amazon   | Apple  |  Barnes & Noble |  KOBO

Learn More About Laura Haley-McNeil

 

[image error]Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/LauraHaleyMcNeil/

Twitter  https://twitter.com/laurarmcneil

Website  http://laurahaleymcneil.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lauramcneil

Laurel Haley-McNeil would love to hear from you.
Post your thoughts and questions below.

The post Laura Haley-McNeil on Travel & Romantic Suspense appeared first on Zara West Suspense.