Stacy Gold's Blog, page 10
November 12, 2018
Random Musings: The Rise of the Beta Male
Just the other day I read another article discussing the many virtues of the young actor, Timothée Chalamet, as a new age, sensitive guy. He wears floral suits. He’s not afraid to show his feelings onscreen. He’s polite and intelligent and thoughtful and speaks multiple languages, and all the young ladies (and quite a few older ones) are swooning.
Then Jonah Hill was on Seth Meyers talking about his new film, the first he’s both written and directed. The story behind it was a heartwarming tale of wanting acceptance, and he didn’t hide that these were feelings he’d dealt with in his own past. He was frank, and thoughtful and sensitive and intelligent.
I find it endlessly fascinating that at a time in American society when many of the loudest voices are the white alpha males, we’re seeing more of a push towards men being something other than in control, angry, or domineering. Towards men being sensitive, and willing to talk about their feelings.
Certainly, part of it is just the way the pendulum swings from one side to the other regarding just about anything. But at the same time, I’ve noticed the shift coming for a while.
If you look back at any of the stoner comedies from Seth Rogen, or Kevin Smith, you’ll find funny movies – sometimes stupid funny — but always with a thread of heart running through them. The friendships are sweet and the love stories thoughtful even if many of the jokes are crude.
Watch any of the reality contestant shows (Project Runway, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, etc.), and you’ll regularly see talented, artistic, sensitive men crying. They cry talking about their children, or their families, or the parent who’s passed away. They cry because they’re finally getting the recognition they’ve worked so hard for. They cry when they don’t make it to the next round. And nobody slams them for it.
These are men who act like humans, instead of some cartoon caricature of a superhuman who never shows he has any feelings other than pride, anger, or possessiveness. These are beta males in all their glory.
Beta Males in Romance Novels
Most of my life, I’ve been best friends with men. They were always men I could really talk to about anything under the sun– thoughts, feelings, fears, dreams. The man I married is no different.
Maybe because of that, I love reading and writing stories about two people connecting on a deeper level. Not that there’s anything wrong with sexytimes, even just for fun, but I like there to be something more than just physical attraction in my romances. And all too often that’s all you get with alpha heroes.
Lucky for me, many great romance novels nowadays feature strong beta male leads. Flat-Out Love by Jessica Parks, pretty much anything by Colleen Hoover, even some m/m romances like Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy feature a sexy beta male who spends time thinking/talking about his feelings and emotions.
We need more examples of men who are in touch with their emotions on a deeper level. Because, I believe what everyone wants most in a partner—regardless of gender—is someone to really talk to about our hopes and dreams and fears. Someone who will support you and stand by your side no matter what, and hold you when you cry.
We want someone who is straight up, that we can have faith in, who will do what they say and say what they do. And we want someone who feels something and isn’t afraid to talk about those feelings.
That’s why I say, all hail the beta male.
Do you prefer beta males or alpha males? And why?
The post Random Musings: The Rise of the Beta Male appeared first on Stacy Gold.
October 25, 2018
CHOCOLATE & BOOK BOYFRIENDS HALLOWEEN Giveaway
You could win CHOCOLATE • or a KINDLE • or CHOCOLATE • or ROMANCE EBOOKS • or CHOCOLATE in the Chocolate & Book Boyfriends Halloween Romance Giveaway.
Halloween… When scares from ghosts and winds rattling branches, and urban legends abound. It’s the perfect excuse to cuddle with a significant other, even a boyfriend of the book variety. Oh, and let’s not forget the candy! Which is why I’ve teamed up with 60 other fabulous romance authors to help you celebrate with a Chocolate & Book Boyfriends Halloween Romance Giveaway!
No matter what flavor of romance “candy” you’d like this Halloween, our book fair has something for everyone, contemporary, paranormal, historical, suspense, fantasy, and science fiction. All books 2.99 or less, with several free!
The Chocolate & Book Boyfriends Halloween Romance Giveaway is sponsored by these fine romance authors:
Allison Temple • Amanda Uhl • Bethany Strobel • C.A. King • Cailin Briste • Cara Marsi • Carrie Pulkinen • Cherie Claire • Christine Myers • Crystal Dawn • Debbie White • Donna Schlachter • E.B. Black • Eli Lang • Elizabeth Rose • Erzabet Bishop • Genevieve St-Yves • Jackie Weger • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Jan O’Hara • JC Andrijeski • Joan Reeves • Joanne Dannon • Jordyn White • Karina Kantas • Katherine Gilbert • Kerry Blaisdell • Keta Diablo • Kharma Kelley • L.D. Rose • Laurel O’Donnell • Lia Davis • Lucy Lakestone • Maria Elena Alonso Sierra • Marilyn Peake • Mary Abshire • Mary Morgan • Maureen Bonatch • Megyn Ward • Melissa McClone • Mona Sedrak • PG Forte • Sarina Rose • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Simone Leigh • Stacy Gold • Tena Stetler • Tricia Tyler • Veronica Blake • Victoria Saccenti • Whitley Cox • Aileen Harkwood
Giveaway ends October 31st. Enter now.
The post CHOCOLATE & BOOK BOYFRIENDS HALLOWEEN Giveaway appeared first on Stacy Gold.
October 9, 2018
Preorder the Emerald Mountain Boxed Set Today
I am super excited to announce my first ever digital boxed set is coming out November 7th, and you can preorder yours right now on Amazon.
Inside the Emerald Mountain Boxed Set…
You get all three of my stand-alone, steamy ski romance novellas at almost 40% off the total cover prices ($7.99), or only $4.99. That’s one and one-third novellas for free!
Emerald Mountain #1 Just Friends — A cold day of powder skiing leads to a night of hot sex, and maybe more, in this short, steamy, friends-to-lovers novelette. (58 pages)
Emerald Mountain #2 In Deep – Avalanches aren’t the only thing ex-lovers and Ski Patrollers Max and Sophie are trying to control in this steamy, second chance at love novella. (90 pages)
Emerald Mountain #3 Never You – It’s the end of ski season. She doesn’t do casual. He doesn’t do serious. Alone in the backcountry, are some rules made to be broken in this enemies-to-lovers novella? (113 pages)
The post Preorder the Emerald Mountain Boxed Set Today appeared first on Stacy Gold.
September 21, 2018
Enter to Win in the Fall into Love Romance Giveaway
Want a chance to win a Kindle Fire7, ebook prize pack, or Amazon gift card in the Fall into Love Romance Giveaway?Between quaint country inns, falling leaves, and weather that invites snuggling, nothing tops fall for sheer romance. And I, and a bunch of other awesome romance authors, are holding an all-genres romance giveaway to celebrate the season.
Enter now for your chance to win!
Plus, it’s reading season and we have the perfect books in every romance genre for you to snuggle up with on a chilly night or two or seven, falling in love with your new book boyfriend. Or should we say boyfriends? Browse our book fair and see how many you discover to make your own!
The Fall Into Love Romance Giveaway is sponsored by these 58 fabulous romance authors:
Amanda Uhl • Amy Knupp • Andy Wayne • Aubrey Wynne • Ava Bradley • Candace Blevins • Cecilia Lane • Cecy Robson • Constance Bretes • Cynthia Cooke • Debbie White • E.B. Black • Elizabeth Rose • Elsie Davis • Heather Slade • Holly Cortelyou • Jan O’Hara • Jana Richards • Jenny Gardiner • Jessica Jayne • Joanne Dannon • Julieann Dove • Karyn Gerrard • Kris Michaels • Lane Hart • Lara Ward Cosio • Laura A. Barnes • Laurel Greer • Laurel O’Donnell • Lucy Lakestone • M.C. Cerny • Marie James • Marina Simcoe • Melissa Belle • N.D. Jones • Natalie Ann • PG Forte • PJ Friel • Rachel Everly • Ruth A. Casie • S.L. Sterling • Sabrina Kade • Sahara Roberts • Sandra Marie • Sarah Williams • Shelley Munro • Sherrie Lea Morgan • Simone Leigh • Soraya Naomi • Stacy Gold • Stephanie Queen • Susan Sheehey • Sylvia McDaniel • Tamara Ferguson • Teddy Hester • Theresa Paolo • TL Clark • Zoe Dawson
*Giveaway ends September 30, 2018
The post Enter to Win in the Fall into Love Romance Giveaway appeared first on Stacy Gold.
August 30, 2018
Random Musings: Character-Driven Stories
I read pretty much every genre under the sun, but regardless of genre, I love character-driven stories the most. Something about getting a behind-the-scenes look at people’s internal struggles and issues, and how they work their way through them to a better place, fascinates me. Always has.
Maybe it’s from all my years in marketing and sales, where I had to study why people make the decisions they do, and how to appeal to their desires to get them to take action. Or maybe it’s from my childhood growing up in a dysfunctional family and trying to understand the why of it all. Whatever it is, I love that peek into a person’s head and heart.
Oddly, it took me a good four years to realize I write character-driven stories. It wasn’t until I was sitting in front of an agent a few weeks ago, discussing the novel that I’m currently editing, that the light bulb went off. Now I can’t stop thinking about it.
What is a character-driven story?
Basically, a character-driven story is focused on inner conflicts and the personal development of the character. A plot-driven story is more focused on external conflicts and action, and how they keep a character from reaching the goal. You can have a story that includes both internal and external conflicts, but if the main point is the way the character changes over the course of the story, it’s a character-driven story.
Most thrillers, mysteries, and suspense novels are plot-driven. All good romance novels, and many books in the chick lit or literary fiction categories are character-driven.
How Do I Write Character-driven Stories?
I start with a story idea, jot it down in a few paragraphs, then spend days getting to know my characters. Who are they? Where do they come from? What’s important to them? Are they religious, college-educated, only-children? How were they raised and where? What do they do with their spare time? What are their strengths and weaknesses, their fears and joys? And on and on.
The possibilities for character-driven stories are as endless as people’s backgrounds, upbringing, and beliefs. Someone who was in an abusive relationship, will have different issues than someone who had the love of their life die unexpectedly. Someone who was raised by their grandparents, will have a different belief system and way of life than somebody who was orphaned at the age of two, or someone who lived at home until their mid-20s.
Once I have a pretty good idea of who they are as a person, I set them loose in difficult circumstances and let the fun begin. What they do, how they respond, and how they change, are all driven by the kind of person they are when the story opens. From there, I usually write in order from Chapter 1 straight through to the end. Because if I don’t know what’s happened to the character in Chapter 5, I won’t know how they’re going to react in Chapter 6, and so on.
This helps me create realistic, human characters with dreams and fears and flaws. And don’t you just love it when a character becomes a better version of themselves, and achieves something that seemed impossible? I know I do.
Do you prefer character-driven or plot driven stories, or a mix of the two (like romantic suspense)? And why?
Want to know more about my books? Check out my series of character-driven ski romance novellas here.
The post Random Musings: Character-Driven Stories appeared first on Stacy Gold.
August 17, 2018
Enter to Win in the Love to Last Romance Giveaway!
Do you love reading romance? Do you love winning cool stuff? Enter to win Godiva chocolate, a Kindle Fire, ebook prize packs and more in the Love to Last Romance Giveaway!
As a romance reader and author, I love being a part of great romance ebook giveaways. This month, I’m one of the sponsoring authors for the Love to Last Romance Giveaway.
A love that lasts, that’s the “prize” written into the ending of the romances we love to read. And Love to Last‘s 35 sponsoring authors have some fabulous prizes for romance fanslike you. Will you take home a Kindle, ebook prize pack, or Amazon gift card?
Plus, be sure to visit the book fair to play the bonus scavenger hunt for a chance to win a $32 gold ballotin of Godiva chocolate, and find the latest book bargains from our wonderful sponsoring authors…
Alicia Street • Amanda Uhl • Anna Durand • Arizona Tape • Bethany-Kris • Christine Glover • Donna R. Mercer • Holly Cortelyou • Jacqueline Diamond • Jacquie Biggar • Joanne Dannon • Kris Jayne • Krista Sandor • Lucy Lakestone • M.C. Cerny • Maria Elena Alonso Sierra • Mariah Ankenman • Marie Genneson • Melissa McClone • Michelle Dare • Mimi Barbour • Mona Sedrak • Natalie Ann • Nikki Lynn Barrett • Rachell Nichole • Rose Pearson • S.L. Sterling • Sahara Roberts • Shaniel Watson • Soraya Naomi • Stacy Gold • Traci Highland • Traci Wooden-Carlisle • Victoria Pinder • Victoria Saccenti
#bookwrapt #entertowin #kindle #ebooks #prizes #romance #sweepstakes
The post Enter to Win in the Love to Last Romance Giveaway! appeared first on Stacy Gold.
July 31, 2018
Book Review: Priest by Sierra Simone
Priest: A Love Story by Sierra Simone is Fresh, Fascinating, and Sexy as Hell!When my critique partner, author Laurel Greer, recommends a book I don’t ask questions—I buy, download, and strap in for the ride. As always, she was right on with this steamy romance.
I am not Catholic, or even religious, having been raised in a mixed-religion home, so I wasn’t bothered by the taboo subject matter as some might be. Instead, I got wrapped up in the main character’s struggles, and loved that Ms. Simone kept his big, hairy backstory reveal secret until the end.
The writing is good, the concept is fresh and different for romance, and it’s the kind of book you can happily rip through in an afternoon. Sure, I can always enjoy another hockey romance, or set-in-college NA story, but I love discovering stories that break the mold. This one does that in spades.
Still, I couldn’t quite give Priest by Sierra Simone five stars.
Here’s why:
I would’ve liked more backstory on the heroine. She was a wealthy young woman who walked away from that life and decided to become…a high-class stripper. And sleep with a priest. On his alter.
Now, nothing wrong with being a stripper or sleeping with any consenting adult. But I never really understood why she walked away from her old life, and why this made the most sense as a career for her.
I mean, yes, she fit the bill for the club and it was easy money and she liked the control, but what in her past led her to this point—these choices? We find out what drives the hero towards the end, but not what drives her. Plus, I’m kind of over the whole stripper heroine thing in romances.
However, these are overall small quibbles. If you’re not offended by the idea of a priest breaking his vow of chastity in a big, big way, then grab yourself a copy of this spicy read. Find it on the author’s Website here.
The post Book Review: Priest by Sierra Simone appeared first on Stacy Gold.
July 3, 2018
HOLD ME CLOSE ROMANCE GIVEAWAY
Enter to Win Here!
Nothing is quite as romantic as a passionate embrace on the beach. Enter the Hold Me Close Romance Giveaway for your chance to win a Kindle HD 8 Fire tablet ready for you to load with romantic beach novels, or romantic novels for your beach vacation or pool days.
You could even take home one of three ebook prizes packs where you get to choose the ebooks on Amazon you’d like us to buy for you!
Plus, you could be win a beautiful sea glass necklace to go with your summer outfits.
Once you’ve entered, check out the latest book bargains from our sponsoring authors at our online book fair. All book fair books are priced at 2.99 or less, with some FREE exclusive downloads.
Be sure to play our Scavenger Hunt Bonus Giveaway while you’re at the book fair!
This Romance Giveaway is Sponsored by these Fine Authors:
Alexia Adams • Amanda Uhl • Amy Knupp • Andy Wayne • Anne Stone • Ashlee Price • Calinda B • Donna R. Mercer • Elizabeth Rose • Holly Cortelyou • J. L. Lora • Jackie Weger • Joanne Dannon • Kristy Tate • Laurel Greer • Leanne Banks • LK Shaw • Maria K. Alexander • Megyn Ward • Melissa McClone • Natalie Ann • RM Alexander • S.L. Sterling • Sahara Roberts • Shanen Black • Soraya Naomi • Stacy Gold • Suzanne Jenkins • Tara Wyatt • Taylor Marsh • Tee Smith • Traci Hall • Victoria Pinder • Aileen Harkwood
Giveaway Ends July 23rd
The post HOLD ME CLOSE ROMANCE GIVEAWAY appeared first on Stacy Gold.
June 28, 2018
Random Musings: Romance Authors as Writing Robots
According to most research, the average reader goes through a book or two a month. Authors of most styles of fiction publish a book every year or two. A few, like Stephen King and James Patterson might publish more than two a year. Until recently, it wasn’t unusual for novelists to spend three or more years writing one book.
Think Diana Gabaldon of Outlander fame. Or hell, George R. R. Martin, who is happy to complete one in five years these days.
On the flip side, the average romance reader devours two to three books a week.
Should romance authors publish four times as many books?
When self-publishing first took off, so did the number of books an author should publish per year. The general wisdom became that in order for independent romance authors to gain readers, and keep them, they needed to write three, five, seven, or even twelve books a year.
Granted some might be short stories or novellas, but seriously? That is a shit-ton of writing. More writing than I ever want to do or subject my body to, and I love writing.
How can anyone keep up that kind of pace? Authors aren’t robots, or factories. They’re humans who only have so many hours in a day. Seems to me either you’re going to burnout, or your books are going to be rushed and crappy. Or both. (not saying prolific authors books are always bad, just that, on that schedule mine sure as hell would be.).
Good writing takes time.
Starting out, I had no idea how long it would take me to write and edit a novel into something worth reading. I underestimated.
I wrote and published my three novella ski romance series in a year and a half, and that seemed easy. So, I set deadlines with an editor and drafted two novels in seven months and my wrist crapped out because I put in too many hours on the keyboard to get them done on time.
For me, writing fiction is like building a home by hand. It takes time, and planning, and dedication, and passion. And more time. Because every story I write is meticulously crafted so it flows easy and everything ties together to fit my theme. I rewrite, edit, tweak and refine until the characters are well-developed and interesting, and the sex hot. Then it gets edited, read by a few beta readers, and edited again (and maybe again and again and again and again), then proofread. Twice.
Nowadays I’m thinking if I can put out a novel and a novella every year, I’ll be thrilled.
Are Prolific Romance Authors Novels Being Devalued?
With authors publishing so many titles so quickly, I wonder about the economics of scarcity (the theory that having fewer of something available creates pent up demand and drives up value/price and desire). Has that been squandered because everyone expects romance authors to churn out books and give them away, sell them for $.99, or offer them on Kindle Unlimited?
Sure, having a back catalog of published titles ASAP is good for authors and readers. But I don’t want to be a book-writing robot with no other life. I’d rather work at becoming a Diana Gabaldon or Gearge R. R. Martin, and develop a legion of fans willing to wait for my next book because they know it’s going to be worth it.
I’d rather put out one or two amazing books a year than four mediocre ones. As a reader, I want my favorite authors to do the same.
Readers and authors, I’d love to get your thoughts on this…
Do you expect your favorite romance authors to publish more than one or two titles a year?
Do you forget about authors if they take longer than a year to publish another book?
What’s the most you’re willing to pay for a romance ebook by an author you don’t know, versus one you already know and like?
The post Random Musings: Romance Authors as Writing Robots appeared first on Stacy Gold.
RANDOM MUSINGS: ROMANCE AUTHORS AS WRITING ROBOTS
According to most research, the average reader goes through a book or two a month. Authors of most styles of fiction publish a book every year or two. A few, like Stephen King and James Patterson might publish more than two a year. Until recently, it wasn’t unusual for novelists to spend three or more years writing one book.
Think Diana Gabaldon of Outlander fame. Or hell, George R. R. Martin, who is happy to complete one in five years these days.
On the flip side, the average romance reader devours two to three books a week.
Should romance authors publish four times as many books?
When self-publishing first took off, so did the number of books an author should publish per year. The general wisdom became that in order for independent romance authors to gain readers, and keep them, they needed to write three, five, seven, or even twelve books a year.
Granted some might be short stories or novellas, but seriously? That is a shit-ton of writing. More writing than I ever want to do or subject my body to, and I love writing.
How can anyone keep up that kind of pace? Authors aren’t robots, or factories. They’re humans who only have so many hours in a day. Seems to me either you’re going to burnout, or your books are going to be rushed and crappy. Or both. (not saying prolific authors books are always bad, just that, on that schedule mine sure as hell would be.).
Good writing takes time.
Starting out, I had no idea how long it would take me to write and edit a novel into something worth reading. I underestimated.
I wrote and published my three novella ski romance series in a year and a half, and that seemed easy. So, I set deadlines with an editor and drafted two novels in seven months and my wrist crapped out because I put in too many hours on the keyboard to get them done on time.
For me, writing fiction is like building a home by hand. It takes time, and planning, and dedication, and passion. And more time. Because every story I write is meticulously crafted so it flows easy and everything ties together to fit my theme. I rewrite, edit, tweak and refine until the characters are well-developed and interesting, and the sex hot. Then it gets edited, read by a few beta readers, and edited again (and maybe again and again and again and again), then proofread. Twice.
Nowadays I’m thinking if I can put out a novel and a novella every year, I’ll be thrilled.
Are Prolific Romance Authors Novels Being Devalued?
With authors publishing so many titles so quickly, I wonder about the economics of scarcity (the theory that having fewer of something available creates pent up demand and drives up value/price and desire). Has that been squandered because everyone expects romance authors to churn out books and give them away, sell them for $.99, or offer them on Kindle Unlimited?
Sure, having a back catalog of published titles ASAP is good for authors and readers. But I don’t want to be a book-writing robot with no other life. I’d rather work at becoming a Diana Gabaldon or Gearge R. R. Martin, and develop a legion of fans willing to wait for my next book because they know it’s going to be worth it.
I’d rather put out one or two amazing books a year than four mediocre ones. As a reader, I want my favorite authors to do the same.
Readers and authors, I’d love to get your thoughts on this…
Do you expect your favorite romance authors to publish more than one or two titles a year?
Do you forget about authors if they take longer than a year to publish another book?
What’s the most you’re willing to pay for a romance ebook by an author you don’t know, versus one you already know and like?
The post RANDOM MUSINGS: ROMANCE AUTHORS AS WRITING ROBOTS appeared first on Stacy Gold.
