Isabel Roman's Blog, page 63

Characterization

I had problems (ongoing) with my hero and realized in all the past stories I've written, either he hero or heroine give me trouble. Never both in the same story, and never just the guy or the girl.

For instance, in my dark Regency story, I had Grayson, the hero, nailed almost instantly. My heroine, Juliette, on the other hand, gave me problems like a teenage daughter on her first date.

In this 1920s story, I had to go back and examine both hero and heroine's motivations number of words, and in doing so realized I needed to change the beginning...almost completely. But let's not go into that. My problem isn't my heroine, Emma, but my hero, Jared.

Anyway else have this problem? Not knowing who their character is no matter how many times you beg him/her to talk to you? Or how many times you bang your head against the wall/keyboard?

Help!

And don't forget my Title Contest !

Excerpt Monday: Whispers

This is from Whisperes , my short story in the anthology Power Plays . (Pst: it's on sale now, only $2.49!)

Olivia Adair is a junior senator having an affair with the Department of Justice liason, Ryan Granger. Neither want to give up their careers, but aren't willing to give up each other, either. Leaving her senate office late one night, Ryan overhears an aide talking about the death of a senior senator. He investigates, but when Olivia is hurt in a car accident, he wonders if the aide is now after her. Will he give up his position to save her life or is already it too late?

""In this building? Everyone's too busy trying to one up each other in committee meetings or on the senate floor to notice." Looking at his cell he said, "It's 10:28, are we too late for that great Chinese place by your house?"

"Wu's? No, they never close." Olivia slipped on her jacket and grabbed a folder from a side table. "I just have to drop this off at Senator Boyd's office."

"Wouldn't it be locked?" He peered quizzically at her.

"Yes. I'm dropping this through the mail slot. Some statistics I want him to see, buttering him up for a vote next week."

"Butter," he mused as they left her office and started down the long corridor. "We haven't tried butter yet."

Playfully elbowing her lover, she laughed. "Too greasy. I still think the whipped cream and warm chocolate are the best."

"MMmm chocolate, that was a delicious evening." Ryan glanced around but they were alone in the corridor. "One we need to repeat soon."

"Behave," she scolded without much heat.

"I wonder how many senators have had tête-à-tête's here?" Ryan wiggled his eyebrows at her. He looked so preposterous she wanted to kiss him.

"I think the question is, how many haven't?" she chuckled softly. "I was thirty when I became a senator and I thought I'd seen everything. I was wrong."

"Orgies on the copy machine?" he smirked.

"Not quite but also not far off," she winked. "Once I . . ." Olivia stopped talking and motioned for Ryan to hush. She pointed at a light through a slightly ajar office door. Bringing her finger to her lips, she rushed by it to slip the folder through Senator Boyd's mail slot.

The two remained quiet as they retraced their steps. Hearing whispers, Olivia glanced at Ryan who'd stopped to listen.

"It would be the perfect solution." The voice drifted through the door.

Olivia peeked in to see Senator Phillips' aide talking on his cell. She tugged on Ryan's arm but he continued to listen. Nosy isn't he, she thought.

"Who would question if an old man died in his sleep?"

Her eyes widened and she stifled a gasp. Ryan sharply glanced at her but her hand already covered her mouth. He moved another step closer, straining to hear the conversation. She followed him.

"Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but stranger things have happened before a major vote."

Waving a hand dismissively, Olivia gripped Ryan's hand and urged him to walk away. She'd heard this kind of thing before.

"Murder plots in the senate office building?" Ryan questioned as they reentered Olivia's office. He closed the door behind them.

And don't forget my Title Contest !

The Romance Studio contest

I don't know why I did it, I mean I'm not planning on being online much this weekend, but I signed up to be a part of The Romance Studio's Thanksgiving Party .

It starts November 20 and runs through November 23, and I'll be giving away a print copy of Dark Desires of the Druids: Desert & Destiny , so stop on by!

Psst: I hear one of the grand prizes is a nook ...
And don't forget my Title Contest !

Movie Review: How to Train Your Dragon

This was a cute movie. I almost didn't watch it because I wasn't certain it was the kind of movie I'd enjoy. I love animated movies, don't get me wrong, and the viking history looked great, but it's the very anachronismtic humor in this that originally turned me off. But then everyone at work raved about it. I trust several of them for movie and book recommendations, so took their advice. I'm glad I did!

How to Train Your Dragon is also a book seires (which I haven't read but might) by Cressida Cowell. Thereby proving that more than the Harry Potter series can be made into a good movie. (Yes. I'm looking at you, Percy Jackson! Though I liked the movie, it was so different from the book that they weren't even related.)

So what did I like about it?

It was everything a kid's movie should be: cute, funny, exciting, and yes, even touching. True, some of the characters are a bit cliche and the humor is not entirely original, but somehow the story pulls you in. I found myself rooting for the cliche characters and cracking up at the corny jokes. By the end I was so invested, I almost shed a tear. Almost.

Side note: Kids with trouble fitting in should definitely watch this movie!

And don't forget my Title Contest !

Title contest!

Title Contest!!


I've talked off and on about my New York City, Prohibition Era romance. It's not an erotic romance, but it is a very sensual romance I hope to make into a series. Think Nick and Nora from The Thin Man . But with no smoking...and illegal drinking.

There's sleuthing, speakeasies, kidnapping, wild music and wilder women. Remember, it's the 20s--the sexual revolution before the 60s generation was a glimmer in their parents eyes.

My problem? I have no title. None. The document is saved as Chapter One. Seriously! So from now until the New Year (1/1/11) I'm running a contest for the person with the best title. The winner gets a recurring minor character named after him or her in this (hopefully) series. Leave a comment here or email me your suggestions. Can be more than one, I accept everything through January 1, 2011!

More pictures to smile at

Have you smiled today?






I love this one! He's so cute in a very sad way. Breaks my heart.



This one is just funny. :)

Monday Excerpt

Kiss of Scandal . I love this story, the Russian history, the deception of the plot, the way fact and fiction are woven together. I studied Russian history in college, until I realized that in order to go further I'd need to learn Russian. A completely different alphabet? Never mind. My degree is now in American History...
But that didn't stop my love of Russian history, or this book. Here's a brief excerpt, I hope you enjoy it!

"I expect venom to spew forth momentarily," the deep voice rumbled from behind her.
She could feel his hot breath tickling her shoulder, skin tingling with awareness. His lips brushed the base of her neck, there and gone in a heartbeat. Scandalous in so public a setting. Heart racing, she forced herself to turn slowly, arching an eyebrow as Count Nikolai Andreiovitch Orlov joined her and Anatoli in front of the Jordan Staircase.
Her need to rush up to the state rooms vanished.
Drinking in his appearance, Katria kicked the hem of her heavy skirt as she faced him. Her focus left his eyes to slide down his tall, muscular frame. As tall as Anatoli, Nikolai towered over her. It was the look, however, the one she now knew he reserved for her, that inspired sinful thoughts whenever they met. She smiled.
"Count Orlov." She extended her hand, but instead of delicately kissing the back of it, Nikolai raised his dark eyes to meet hers and kissed her gloved palm. Katria tilted her head and offered a cordial nod for the benefit of any who may be watching.
"Countess." Nikolai offered his arm and they started up the stairs. He closed his other hand over hers, keeping her close by his side. Katria couldn't say she minded. "The vipers are restless, slithering about the rooms in search of prey."
The way he'd said "prey," the hungry look he slanted in her direction, made her shiver. Her fingers tightened on his arm, and Katria was certain he noticed. Then again, everything about Nikolai elicited a reaction, from the strength of his arm to the power in his smooth, deep voice. Now, as they climbed the stairs, his fingers brushed over her wrist, teasing the bare inch of skin between glove and dress.
"I've missed you," Nikolai said. The words were so low, for a moment she wasn't certain she'd heard them. Then he chuckled, and the sultry sound went straight through her.
Katria shook her head, temporarily clearing her thoughts. What had they been talking about?

Movie Review: Get Him to the Greek

Funny, sarcastic, with little digs in there about today's world. The whole American Idol dig was superb and almost slipped by me. No worries, I caught it and laughed hysterically. Loved the fact Chief O'Brein (Trek fame) was in there. And how much do I adore Russel Brand's hair? OK, his humor, too.

As a superficial movie, it was great. I think there were several parts where they started to get slightly more emotional and shied away from what would have moved the storyline further. Still, I admit to not watching it for that. I watched it for Russel Brand. :) And I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!

Veterans Day

National Veterans Day Ceremony:
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held each year on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery . The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans' organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.

This year, to support our troops, I'm going to donate to the USO .

Happy 235th Birthday US Marines

The United States Marine Corps was originally the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War , formed by then- Captain Samuel Nicholas at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress on November 10, 1775. Captain Nicholas's order was to raise 2 battalions of Marines.

That date is regarded and celebrated as the date of the Corps' birthday. At the end of the American Revolution, both the Continental Navy and Continental Marines were disbanded in April 1783. The institution itself would not be resurrected until 1798. In that year, in preparation for the Quasi-War with France , Congress created the United States Marine Corps.

The first Marine Birthday Party wasn't celebrated until 1921 with the Marine Corps Order No. 47 by the 13th Commandant, Gen. John A. Lejeune.


"In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue."