Brenda Whiteside's Blog, page 82

A SEASON AND A PURPOSE

TRIPPIN THURSDAY
Welcome to the first post for Trippin' Thursday. If you've followed my blog, you know this is the follow-up to Tortuga Thursday and is the next chapter in our adventure. Whether you're an old-timer or this is your first visit, here's what I hope to accomplish:

In everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose...in our latest season, with only a vague plan and a touch of creativity, we're off on another adventure. Half of this twosome is retired; my half will probably never know what that means. I promise to share.
Roosevelt Lake - home of some bassAs I write this, the retired half of us is out on the lake bass fishing. It's a sunny, chilly day.This is our second year at an RV park (The Ranch) for young people over 55. If you're thinking you can't afford to have a second place to get away from home for the winter or summer or however you need to escape, think again. In our case, we come here for the winter. We have a moderately sized RV (32'). We are outdoorsy people and this rustic setting suits us. It's naturally landscaped and very inexpensive. We rent the spot year round and leave our RV here. There are more structured sites, with big price tags. Not our style. It took some research to find this spot, but it was worth the effort. We'll stay until around the end of April or it gets too hot.

December 2015This week's idea:
Gym membership too expensive? No exercise equipment at home or you can't get going on your own? There's no room in our RV for equipment. Even if I did have money to throw at a gym, we're too far from any town of size. I spend way too much time sitting on my butt in front of this computer. So...twice a week I gather with a couple of other ladies at the clubhouse. I have a great squat routine I lead them in, or we do a yoga tape, or an aerobic session. It's social and it's healthy. Get some friends together and get your butts in gear!

The Morning After with a Redheaded Cowboy

MUSE MONDAY I’m in a western state of mind today. We sat around a campfire last night with friends, some of which might be mistaken for cowboys. We are in Arizona after all where cowboy hats, cowboy boots, and a certain southwest accent peppers the conversation. Since it’s Muse Monday, I thought I’d revisit my contemporary western.
When I wrote The Morning After, I was in a western state of mind all day long. And I have to say, I had a lot of fun writing this novella.
I’m a desert rat, born and raised in Arizona. Texas isn’t far away, and the country music I listened to while growing up in the west always had a nice Texan twang. Cowboys and the life they live hold a special place in my heart – even the contemporary ones who run their ranches like a corporation.
When I grew up in Phoenix, Rodeo Days were anticipated all year long. At school, we were allowed to wear western garb during rodeo week. This was back when girls had to wear dresses so slipping into tight jeans or western pants was a treat. We’d go shopping for a new western outfit every year to wear on the day of the parade and to the rodeo. At the end of the week, a school holiday, the Jaycee’s Rodeo of Rodeos Parade marched down Central Avenue. The parade would be led by the Arizona State Sun Devil band. We oohed and ahhed at the Rodeo Queen and the hunky television cowboy who would ride next to her on the float. For a city girl like me, cowboys were the ultimate fantasy prince charming, with the right amount of rugged that a prince didn’t possess.
If you have a hankering for some western fun, you’re going to love The Morning After. By the way, The Morning After is also part of a boxed set of books written by other Wild Rose Press authors. Honky Tonk Hearts has many stories for your contemporary western entertaining read.
Excerpt:A moan.The man rolled to his back, kicking off covers.Abigail gasped. Her gentleman visitor wore only a bow tie and black socks. She crept to the edge of the bed. His face was turned away, further hidden by red curls hanging down the nape of his neck and onto his cheek. A visual sweep of the attractive body brought a smile to her face when she paused on his more than ample endowments. A true redhead. An encounter of this magnitude should be easy to remember. Abigail smiled in spite of her throbbing temples. Inching closer, she nudged his boots aside with her foot and leaned over to see his face. Mmm. He smelled good, like rich leather and fresh cut wood. As she bent to get a closer look, Kirby, her sixteen-pound Siamese cat, entered her room and announced his hunger. The visitor stirred, grasped her arm, drawing her down across his hips. He rose up on his elbows and looked at her. “So, Abby, you’re a morning person, are you?”Abigail launched off the bed, trying not to come into contact with anymore of the warm body than she already had. Tripping over the boots, she ended up sprawled on the floor. “Who…” She gulped. “Who the hell are you?”

There is only one word to describe this novella — adorable! RT Book Reviews
If you like contemporary, down home western romances blended with laugh-out-loud humor, you simply must check out THE MORNING AFTER by Brenda Whiteside. – Coffee Time Romance
The Morning After is a story this reader absolutely enjoyed. I immediately fell in love with Abby and Bobby. – The Romance Reviews
Buy Link for The Morning After: AmazonBuy Link for Honky Tonk Hearts Box Set: Amazon 

THE LAST TORTUGA THURSDAY

The Farmer has left the farm.
Those of us left behind do not want to pick up the hoe and continue…that would be retired hubby and me.
Four years ago when we started this adventure:In 2012, on the plains of Northern Arizona, two families joined forces and began the trials and tribulations of building a small family farm with nothing in the bank but love.We didn’t know if it would be a success or not. It’s not easy living under the same roof with relatives. Add Red Okra and Soy Beansto that, trying to come up with a plan to make a living off the land and feed the family. That was my son’s plan.
In spite of changing directions this year, our adventure was a success.
Black TomatoesWe ate well. I’d always loved fruits and vegetables, but had never tried, much less seen, some of the varieties my son grew. Red okra? Black tomatoes? And we contributed mightily to the local food bank. Hubby vowed from day one he didn’t play in the dirt, but he came up with some pickle recipes that rocked the world of many pickle enthusiasts who we sold to at the farmers’ market. Frank's Recipe
We learned some life skills…survival in many forms. And we did it without killing each other in the process. Like I said, two families under one roof has pitfalls to avoid. We did it. In the four years, we had a marriage and added a new member to the family. You might have heard me talk about my granddaughter—just a little! We also lost a member, Rusty. We’ve missed him horribly.
RustySo, if it was going so well, what happened? Money happened, and an offer he couldn’t refuse. We’d learned a new lifestyle, but hadn’t yet found the way to make a very good living. Then out of the blue, a friend of a friend offered the Farmer a job. Actually, more than a job, a piece of a new business. He wasn't looking for it, yet there it was. He thought long and hard—we all did—but in the end, a man can’t turn his back on an outstanding opportunity.The future is bright.
Turn the page. The next chapter has started.  Hubby and I will be making it up as we go for a while. Although our son’s family had to relocate, we’ll watch over the property and split our time between there and the RV. I’m turning Tortuga Thursday into Thrifty Thursday. In this world, at least in our world, we need all the help we can muster for living on the cheap. I’ll mold Thursdays into a helpful account of our adventure. I hope. You let me know as it goes. I changed my mind after this post went live. I'm not sure what I will call it, but Thursdays will continue with the adventure/misadventures of retiring, sort of, and just where this new chapter is headed. Yes, any hints I can come up with for creative living will be included.
You can still check the blog on Monday for Muse Monday, on Friday for Fearless Friday, and I’ve added Wicked Wednesday.
Thanks for following along on Tortuga Thursdays. You can still read those past posts since they are archived right here. I hope you follow along and enjoy the new face of the blog.

CH...CH...CH...CHANGES

MUSE MONDAY
My Muse has been busy, busy, busy helping me with promo tasks for two days. The Muse isn't very amused with the work, but I promised if we cranked it out we could get back to that scene in The Power of Love and Murder we were writing where the villain...whoops no spoilers.

First, we redesigned some bookmarks and created new ones. I have covers for all five of the Love and Murder books and am anticipating my publisher's approval next week. New bookmarks are in order.

Secondly, I had to come up with some new giveaways for my Quarterly Newsletter Members. What? You're not a Member yet? Well, why not? You'll get a newsletter four times a year with all the latest news on my books and a little insight into my personal life. AND you will be eligible for giveaways all year long. This year, I have some cool travel coffee mugs, signed books, eBooks, jewelry, and other stuff I haven't even found yet. It's a win-win for you. Join here: Quarterly Newsletter

Third, I revamped this blog. Tortuga Thursday will be going away. Tune in on Thursday to find out why. I've added Wicked Wednesday and Thrifty Thursday to Muse Monday and Fearless Friday. Some other authors will be helping me by guest blogging. You'll meet new writers, see new books, get some money saving tips, and enjoy some wickedly good stuff!

That's what's slated. I hope each and every one of you had a great holiday season, and you're anticipating a fantastic New Year like I am!

December Gifts for Newsletter Group

I know. Today should be Tortuga Thursday. It is, but not the same. Tortuga is under reorganization. After all, it's winter and the holidays and a new year ahead. It's the best time for our prairie farm to consider what's ahead for us. But more on that as the year ends.

Right now, I'm dropping a note about my Quarterly Author Newsletter. Just as the name says, you'll only receive it four times a year. You'll get the news about what I'm working on, what's the next book out, AND receive special "stuff" just for my newsletter group from time to time during the year.


If you sign up now, you'll still get in on my December giveaways:



Each Saturday this month, I will select one person from my Newsletter Group to receive a gift. I'll randomly draw a name and email that person to get their mailing address if needed. Here's what you could win:

December 5 - Leading Men Film Collection (this is in honor of my 1945 historical, Post-War Dreams. Claire loves movies.)

December 12 - Warm Christmas Wishes (You'll have fun Christmas short stories to read for the holidays. I have two short stories in this anthology.)

December 19 - Two eBooks (Amanda in the Summer and The Morning After)

December 26 - Sleeping with the Lights On (A fun, entertaining book to read as you relax after the holidays.)
 I love to do special things for my Newsletter Group. Closing out the year with a thank you for coming along on the ride. Let's see what cool things I can come up with next year.
Click here and go to the bottom of the page to join! http://brendawhiteside.com/contact.html

$900 Black Friday Giveaway

MUSE MONDAY
Hi Readers!
I'm taking part in a $900 Black Friday Giveaway right now. 

The Kindle Book Review is giving away a $400 and $500 Amazon shopping spree on Thanksgiving Day, and I want my readers and blog followers to be the winners.
 
The giveaways start right NOW and ends Nov. 25th 

To enter, all you have to do is click on the image below, and enter each giveaway page. It's easy and fun, and if you're feeling lucky, you could win a $400 or $500 shopping spree just in time for Black Friday.

Best of all, the prizes are awarded on Thanksgiving Day, so that will make it extra special for two very lucky readers!

BONUS: There is no purchase necessary to enter or win, but when you support the sponsors (I'm one of those!), every purchase will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation via the Amazon Smile program, so your support is appreciated and will make a difference in the life of a child with a life-threatening illness.

[image error]

Writing Romance from the Classics by Lexi Post

Brenda, thank you so much for having me. I love talking about writing, especially about the inspiration for my stories. As a literature major in college, it always frustrated me that 9 out of 10 stories had sad endings. This was especially hard for me because I discovered romances long before college and loved them. I didn’t realize that part of the reason I loved  love stories was because of the happy ending. So when I decided to write erotic romances, I just had to do something with the classic literature I had grown to love.
Usually, when I write a story, I use something from the classic work that is particular to it and try to give my story a similar theme or atmosphere. I know. Okay, that sounds far more complicated than it is. For example, when I used Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” for my story MASQUE, I adopted his 7 colored rooms, the abbey, the death figure for my hero and set it all 200 years later. With COWBOYS NEVER FOLD, I used Bret Harte’s character types and themes from his story, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.” He used a poker player, drunk, madam, prostitute and two young “innocents” and explored the theme of what is “tainted.”
But in my latest release, I had more work ahead of me than I knew when I decided to use Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol. From that story, I used the framework and an expanded premise. The premise was easy. Dickens’ character Scrooge needs to be taught a lesson because he is a miser. I simply changed the character to Holly a deeply grieving young widow who needs help overcoming her sorrow. But when I borrowed Dickens’ framework of spirits visiting the main character and taking her away to her past, present and future, I had quite the writing challenge. First, there was no way I could do that all in one book when my romance was between spirits. So PLEASURES OF CHRISTMAS PAST only focuses on the visits to the past. Second, as I wrote the scenes from Holly’s past, I found myself writing “young Holly” and “Holly” in order to differentiate what the reader was seeing because the reader is watching Holly watching a younger version of herself. To say it was a challenge would be an understatement.
So to celebrate the release of PLEASURES OF CHRISTMAS PAST because I overcame all the writing challenges it presented, I have a contest going for a choice of ebook from my backlist. So be sure to enter the rafflecopter below. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and holiday season!Always, Lexi
BLURB When present-day American social worker Jessica Thomas is assigned her first case as a spirit guide, she’s excited to serve as the Spirit of Christmas Past for her client and prove she knows her profession well. Unfortunately, her mentor, the very hot, very single, and very Scottish Duncan Montgomerie has little faith in her ability and plans to catch her when she falls. As far as she’s concerned, he’s going to be waiting a very long time.
Bachelor Duncan Montgomerie hails from late 18th century Scotland where he enjoyed life to its fullest, something he continues in death. Having been dead a while, he is well equipped to handle the afterlife where time doesn’t exist and phasing is the norm. What has him stymied is his connection to the uptight Jessica and the strange feelings he’s experiencing being around her, even though she refuses to listen to his advice. Duncan needs to figure out what it all means and fast because the rules change after death and the path Jessica is headed down could cost her her soul.  
EXCERPT Duncan turned to face her and leaned back against the stone edge, crossing his legs. “Aye, I did and I do wear a kilt.” His smile faltered before it grew wider. “My father wasn’t allowed to, some idiot law, but I remember wearing the Montgomerie plaid from as far back as when I was a wee boy.” Jessica tried to envision what the six foot six Mr. Distraction looked like as a child. Surprisingly, it wasn’t that hard. He would have been precocious, always laughing and probably getting into all kinds trouble. She smiled at the image.
“Ah, you have figured it out then?” He winked, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Her instincts were finally helping her see the slight nuances in his face. She’d been distracted by the smiles and laughter, but now, she could see that sometimes those were used to hide doubts and dare she think it, insecurities. She sauntered over to him. “As a matter of fact, I have.”
Buy Links for Pleasures of Christmas Past:
Amazon     B&N    iBooks   Kobo    Amazon UKAmazon AU
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

MORE LOVE AND MURDER

MUSE MONDAY
Yesterday, NaNoWriMo began - National Novel Writing Month. This is the month authors all over the U.S. aim to write a book in thirty days. And in one of the busiest months of our personal lives. I passed on this feat. Instead, I joined a very small group of authors to meet our own personal goals. Some of us have a word count to meet. I chose a page count.

With so much going on in my personal life, I'm tasking myself to finish my current novel by the end of January. I need to write three pages everyday to meet my goal. Wish me luck. This is the fourth book in my Love and Murder Series, The Power of Love and Murder. I'll share my opening few paragraphs with you:



Jianna Ricci’s thoughts were still on the unexpected afterschool meeting with her counselor when she drove onto her street headed for home. Ms. Saleg had taken a personal interest in her and had sent letters of recommendation to five top schools. One of them: Oxford. Jianna’s imagination took flight as her cell chimed a text message. She tipped her sunglasses up on her head and glanced at her phone. John, her brother.The smile on her face turned to stone as she read the two-letter code.GU A cold chill prickled her spine. GU. Go under. Her stomach swam with nausea as sweat dampened the whole of her body. She focused ahead to the middle of the block, spotted her house, and the black sedan parked in the driveway. Easing her foot off the gas, confusion added to her dismay. There had to be a mistake. But she couldn’t risk it.

On another milestone, book three in the series, A Legacy of Love and Murder is not far from release date. Jody Vitek completed my video. This will give you a good taste of what my next release is:

Sexual Addiction or Garden-Variety Cheating? By Angelica French

MUSE MONDAY
Please welcome my guest, Angelica French!
I have a character in Streetwalker, my heroine’s love interest, who is a cheater. Not really a liar so much as an evader. You know, sin of omission, on the lying front. You see, he can’t help himself. He is a sex addict.
Harlan never had to account for his actions and slept around with impunity--until, that is, Carrie showed up on his doorstep. Literally.
As she worked her way into his affections, he had twinges of guilt about his actions, but he was unable to control his compulsion to scratch his itch.
When Harlan’s backstory emerged, I wanted to do more than the old wandering-eye thing with him. I have done a considerable amount of research on the psychology of sex addiction and have been intrigued with the findings. I am trying very hard to make sure I adhere to the best thinking on whether or not this is an addiction, what the characteristics of the addiction are, and, if an actual addiction, what can be done about it.
Additionally, I’ve read lots of articles on cheating, what causes it, how to spot it, and what can be done about it. Interestingly, counselors think cheating may be as high or higher in women, but it isn’t reported as often. And Carrie does her share of playing around in retaliation for Harlan’s behaviors and because she feels neglected and undervalued. She has big-time self-esteem issues.
Hypersexual Disorder (sexual addiction) is one of those syndromes that psychologists can’t agree on. Is it an addiction that should have been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V, or is it not? Is sexual addiction merely a character flaw as opposed to a psychological condition?

The history of the DSM and what gets included is quite interesting, but a topic for another blog post not this one. For example, the DSM-III included Hypersexual Disorder, but it was removed in subsequent updates due to lack of research data. There are researchers checking this out as we speak. Imagine telling people what your day job is!
It would be a tricky line to research in that there is, and should be, an acceptance of the wide variation of sexual appetites. What is Hypersexual Disorder, anyway? In psychological terms, a syndrome is a disorder that interferes with relationships and life’s activities.
The DSM-V, our guide to mental disorders, is gray on the area of sexual addiction. Nevertheless, there are folks out there, men and women, who engage in risky sexual behaviors with multiple partners who have had the public light shine on them. You read the papers. You know who I’m talking about.
So, let’s just focus on men who cheat on their partners despite the high risk of being found out. Even if the DSM-V is not labeling them, we can in our books.
Harlan cheats on Carrie, both with prostitutes in his bordello and with his company attorney simultaneous to having a relationship, physical and emotional, with Carrie. How does a woman know about his cheating (or suspect) and what should be her response?
The first thing, research says, is not to blame herself if a spouse/significant other is cheating on her. It is common for women to take the fall. Sure, there are someresponsibility issues in terms of what home and love are like for her guy, but cheating is a decision HE makes. He could choose another response to a less-than-perfect home situation.
Why people cheat is the topic for another blog, but if you want to write about a cheating partner, not just sexual addiction cheating, here are some signs you can include in your novel:
1)   She isn’t fooled. A deep down part of her knows he’s cheating, but she is in denial until confronted with incontrovertible evidence. Phone messages, phone hangups, discovered sexting, and online tracks are very common ways women find out.2)   He is either too tired for sex at home (exhausted from the other woman/man) or he gets friskier because he is stimulated by the risk and the freshness of another partner. Bottom line: a sudden change in sexual energy should be noted. However, there can be health reasons for the change, too, so that should be ruled out first.3)   He has large blocks of unaccounted for time. Now maybe he does have to work a lot of overtime. It happens. 4)   He used to talk about Dianne all the time, now he never mentions her. Maybe he is concealing something he doesn’t want his mate to know. Or maybe she quit the company and he never sees her so he never mentions her. Nice plot line you can use to obfuscate a real affair.
If you want to fix the relationship, here are some strategies for your book:
1)   The cheating relationship has to be over. You cannot repair the rift unless he gives up the affair. Nice plot points are possible if he is trying (as I have Harlan do), but he can’t quite do it yet. Or maybe you have him go cold turkey.2)   An affair has the potential to fix what was wrong with the original relationship. Each may realize the importance of the relationship and work hard with whatever tools they can find. But, the possibility of backsliding is there. How much self-control does your male character have? Might he return to his old ways? Can she trust him? Lots of plot possibilities here, too.3)   Healing takes time. Have your heroine take a break, maybe consider having her own affair. Separation allows both parties to examine what is important, why they got together to begin with, and what each wants from a healed future together.4)   Forgive, but don’t forget. Both parties have to work at a relationship. Have your heroine examine her own behaviors to help mend the marriage. But the affair should remind her to be vigilant and watchful without being paranoid.5)   Intermediaries can help both parties process issues. It is not easy to find the right help for each person. A plot point can be that search for the right counselor. Your couple may have to “kiss a lot of frogs” in their search for marital assistance.6)   Realize that infidelity doesn’t end relationships; how couples deal with it is what ends it. Again, a plot point can show the fits and starts of the healing process.
Then again, sometimes the relationship should and must end. No amount of fixing attempts can fix it. That is the often the starting point for highly successful romance novels. Go forth, and let your characters sin.


Sharon Arthur Moore is the author of Streetwalker and the author of culinary mysteries. She is truly living the dream.www.sharonamoore.com
angelicafrench.blogspot.com
SAMWriteAway.blogspot.com
Twitter @RomanceRighter
FB Angelica French 
Amazon Buy Link

Too Busy to Get Into Trouble

Yes, it should be Fearless Friday, but I'm inserting a quick post...just because I can. I haven't posted a Tortuga Thursday post in several weeks. I haven't written a Muse Monday post in several weeks. We're in a transitioning stage between the farm and the RV park, and on top of that I've been dealing with multiple stages on my books. Keeping up with those stages eats up my time.

The Art of Love and Murder re-released under the Amazon Encore label. Such an honor but required a good deal of promo and tracking on my part.

Post-War Dreams released worldwide...again required a great deal of promo and
Latest releasetracking.

I re-contracted with The Wild Rose Press to redesign a cover for Sleeping with the Lights On. I never liked the cover of my first book and I'm excited to get a new one. Maybe some new life will be breathed into the book.

I had to get first edits done for A Legacy of Love and Murder. This is the third book in the series which I hoped would release this year but that's not going to happen.

And I'm back to working on The Power of Love and Money, the fourth book in the series.

I've got a list of upcoming appearances for book signings. I invite you to come by if you're anywhere in the area...or make a trip!

http://brendawhiteside.com/news.html