Terry Spear's Blog, page 432

What Makes a Man Strong?

What makes a man strong?

This is what Ian MacNeill, hero from Heart of the Highland Wolf would say about it:

A man can show his strength by wielding a hefty Scottish claymore against his enemy, or protecting those he loves from harm. But sometimes true strength is admitting one is wrong. Aye, even me. Or saying I am sorry from the bottom of my heart, or laughing at my own folly. What shows a man's power is demonstrating that he can forgive those who give him grief, like my cousin, who still haunts Argent Castle. Making sacrifices of my own needs or compromising when it would be easier to stand my ground shows strength of character. As a Highland clan leader and pack leader, it is important for me to lead by example, but at times I give up the reigns to let others lead, and I am proud to say they are my fellow clansmen and women. A man is strong indeed who can kneel before the woman he loves and say how much he needs her in his life, and mean it with all his heart, like I intend to do with the woman I love.

What do you think makes a man strong???

Would Ian be able to sweep you off your feet with his strength???

Terry

"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."

www.terryspear.com

Excerpt from Heart of the Highland Wolf

Since Ian wasn't able to share any more rounds in the hottest hero contest, here's what readers would have seen had he been able to share!

The Setup:

I'm not happy that Americans are invading my castle to film a movie, but because of financial difficulties, I have agreed to it. I also set strict guidelines for the American film crew to follow. One female red wolf isn't abiding by my rules. And that more than intrigues me.

Excerpt:

To learn if the redhead was the red wolf who had trespassed in his woods, Ian had told Duncan to bring her to his solar. His people would be talking about this for eons, though—allowing a bonny lass into his solar, an outsider, someone with this film production.

He had to learn whether she was the wolf or not and, in any event, to ensure she understood his rules. No trespassing in or around the castle and his lands. And no shape-shifting, either.

But in truth, the woman was already garnering his men's attention, and he wouldn't have it. They were welcome to trysts with human females anywhere in the world they wanted, but not here and certainly not with any of the members of the film crew. It would be too easy for a woman such as Julia, with her looks and her wiles, to wiggle her way into the castle by soliciting a secret tryst with one of his men.

Cearnach entered his solar, but Ian waved him away. "Not now. I've other business to attend to at the moment."

"Would it have to do with the bonny redhead Duncan is escorting to the keep this very minute?"

"It does, and I don't need an audience."

Cearnach raised a brow. "Are you certain? She looks to be a handful."

"Cearnach."

Cearnach folded his arms, leaned against the door frame, smiled, and watched down the hallway. "Flynn's floating around. He catches sight of her, and no telling what's going to happen. I can just imagine one bonny lass screaming her head off and running out of here like the devil is after her."

"Maybe that would be the solution."

Cearnach frowned. "What's the trouble with the lass?"

How could Ian explain what his gut instinct told him to be the truth? That he hadn't met a woman like her ever, one who turned his head and kept him riveted?

One who intrigued him with a sultry smile and a challenge in her green eyes. That although she might even be from the enemy's camp, he wanted her. But something more bothered him about her. He couldn't pinpoint just what. Maybe the secrets she wished to discuss with her friend, who didn't want her talking about them on the walk up to the castle. The smell of gunpowder near the road where their vehicle had catapulted off it. The way her friend seemed scared of him in the pub, but although Julia's eyes had widened and darkened at the sight of him, she still defied him with a confident glower. And the name of Jones. It wasn't hers. He knew it from the way Maria had looked at Julia with such a shocked expression before she'd quickly hidden her reaction. Something made him want to get closer, to inspect Julia inside and out.

When Ian didn't answer Cearnach, he turned his attention from the hallway and looked at his older brother, one dark brow cocked. "Duncan said you were intrigued with one of the women you hunted in the woods. Now it seems what he said was true. I thought he was exaggerating a wee bit."

"Cearnach." Ian let his breath out, not about to bow to him over the issue of the woman.

A slow grin formed on Cearnach's face as he pulled away from the door frame and peered down the hallway.

"From what I could see of the lass in the inner bailey, she's well worth a second look."

"She's not for the taking." Ian leaned back against his leather chair.

"If she's human…" Cearnach shrugged.

"You're not hearing what I have to say."

"I'm hearing you, Ian." But Cearnach's gaze remained focused on the hallway, and Ian didn't think his brother was taking him seriously.

But if he told his brother he was serious about this, it would indicate he'd already lost the battle.

Footfalls approached, a man's and a woman's. Even though Ian had already dismissed his brother, Cearnach didn't make any move to leave until after he greeted the woman. So much for Ian being pack leader and laird over his clan. But he didn't want to make a bigger issue of it, not in front of the lassie.

Cearnach's face brightened, and he looked so damned wolfish that he was sure to send the woman running back down the hall. Forget Flynn and his ghostly appearances.

"Lass," Cearnach said, bowing low in greeting as if she were a queen. "I'm Cearnach MacNeill, the laird's next eldest brother. And if you ever need my assistance, be sure to ask. Anything, anything at all." He smiled again, the look dazzling, and Ian wanted to rid him of the grin.

Ian remained seated at his desk, waiting for Julia—if that was even her name—to enter the room, if Cearnach would but leave. Ian couldn't even see her since she couldn't approach the doorway yet—not with Cearnach blocking it.

When his brother continued to be an obstacle, Ian cleared his throat, but about that time the woman said, "Pleased to meet you…" She paused. "Mister MacNeill."

"Too many MacNeills around here. Call me Cearnach."

"Thanks, Cearnach. I'm Julia."

Ian realized he was hanging on her words, listening to her soft cadence and waiting for her surname to see if she said it was Jones again.

When she didn't say anything further, Cearnach's brows moved up almost imperceptibly, and Ian knew he was waiting for the same thing. Either the woman didn't know any better and wasn't all that familiar with proper greetings, or she did, and she didn't want to give the false name again.

"Cearnach," Ian said, trying to hide the exasperation in his voice, but the amused look his brother gave him proved he hadn't succeeded.

Cearnach gave Ian a grand bow, which he never did to such a ridiculous extent, and said to the woman, "Laird MacNeill will see you now."

*****

If you were Julia, would you have gone against the laird's rulings??? You know, you reap what you sow.....hmmm-hmm!

Terry

"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."

www.terryspear.com

Playing around with The Winged Fae Covers

To show off the title better and my name also, I made some changes to the cover for The Winged Fae. The first is the final copy. The 2nd is how I had originally had done it. So what do you think?

I'm nearly 1/4 of the way done with The Winged Fae!

I'm still also thinking about the next jaguar book. That's how I do it. I keep thinking about how the hero and heroine will meet. I have the hero and heroine and mind, but are they meant for each other? I can't decide! :) And if I do have them get together, how am I going to do it? I'm still thinking. :)









And then there's Tom's story, of course. :) I know how he and the heroine meet. :) I can't wait to reread the part I've written on it and start writing again.

Woohoo, it's hump day! Have a super Wednesday!!!

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."

www.terryspear.com

Jaguar is Done!!!

There are so many exciting parts to writing a book! Writing the beginning! The first meet between hero and heroine. The first kiss. The middle which means the halfway point has been reached. The ending which means it's time to edit it all over again.

And the final. Which means it's time to send it off and start a new book, or finish one I've already begun.

So many exciting parts!

Some authors take days off to do other things once they finish a story.

I begin pulling up partial stories and work on them right away. I'm working on The Winged Fae, Book 3 of the World of Fae, and Tom's story, since I had started it already. But I'm also working out how I want to begin my next jaguar book.


So three books, all very different from one another, but that's how I work. It helps me to make them different from all the other stories before them if I spread my wings and write other kinds of stories.

I'm hoping that my editor enjoys Heart of the Jaguar. But it will take her a long time to get to it with all the other books waiting for her to read, so I don't wait, don't fret whether she will like it or not, since I have no control over that now, and continue to write.

Which I do have control over!

Hope you all have a delightful Tuesday!!!

Mine is terrific because Jaguar is done! And I'm off on another adventure, or 3. :)

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

Seducing the Huntress Covers...

Before.......................................................After




What do you think?

I played around with The Siren's Lure cover, but it wasn't cooperating. So I worked on Seducing the Huntress's instead. :)

Back to jaguar edits. :)

Hope you have a super Monday!

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

Dreaming of the Wolf!

Well, Dreaming of the Wolf is up next! I know, I know...it's not going to be ready until December. *sigh*

But boy, with our heat, I'm so looking forward to the summer ending. :)

Hope your Sunday is great! :)

Off to write!!! :)

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

Ian MacNeill's Date Night!

No sense in letting these go to waste when I had to spend so much time working on them....so even though we don't have any voting, here's what Ian would do on a date with you. :)

Heart of the Highland Wolf, Ian MacNeill ROUND 3 - It's a Date! - July 15 - July 21 I'd consider it an honor if you'd share a meal at Argent Castle with me, lass, 6 P.M., Celtic serenade, soft candlelight, Your Servant, Ian.
For a traditional Scottish meal to warm the cockles of your heart:
Soup:
Partan Bree
Crab meat cooked in cream, milk, rice and chives.
Main Course:
Chicken Bonnie Prince Charlie
The honey-sweet Drambuie adds the special flavor to the chicken fried in hot butter, then simmered in chicken stock. Peeled, cored and sliced apples are cooked in butter, then set aside. A sauce made of whipping cream, more Drambuie, the remaining chicken stock, and flakes of roasted almonds coats the chicken, the apples garnishing the dish. The recipe for the Drambuie was said to have been given to the MacKinnon clan in gratitude after Culloden.
A glass of white wine, should Scotch whiskey or Scottish beer or ale not appeal.
Dessert:
Chocolate Velvet Cream Pie, created by Claire Macdonald, who runs a cookery school at Kinloch Lodge. Combining dark chocolate, cream cheese, vanilla, egg yolks and whipped cream creates the chocolaty velvet cream. The crust is made of chocolate graham crackers and butter to make the cream pie just right.
A nightcap of Irish cream to recognize the MacNeill's Irish heritage to make the meal complete.

I won't say how he truly ends the date here, though. :)

So would you be pleased???

Have a super Friday!!!

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

A Vampire Book Cover is Worth a 1,000 Words...

When I worked on the cover for Seducing the Huntress, I wanted an island paradise kind of look. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a cover because I had no idea if the book would sell at all. Every month, it's been one of my top sellers, although The Dark Fae has bypassed it this month and last.

So if I have a more vampiric cover, would it do better?




What is a vampiric cover? A woman in black with bright red lips, and a long sexy exposed neck. I found one that filled the bill for Huntress for Hire.



And Forbidden Love, with a vampire about to kiss a woman's throat...hmmm.



So what are the ingredients for a vampire cover to say: VAMPIRE BOOK?

Red, Black and White....

When I saw Dracula as a play in NYC, they had everyone dressed in black and white, with one touch of red. It was the most dramatic and memorable play I can remember as far as the stage setting goes.

With Deadly Liaisons, the cover is awash in red.

Just like The Vampire...In My Dreams has a red/black look to it.


Vampiric Calling has also been a hot seller and its cover is dark with a red sky in the background.



The Siren's Lure is set on the beach because that was important to the story, but again, it doesn't have the dark/vampiric look that I probably need.



And Killing the Bloodlust has a nice red and black and ominous look about it, I thought!


And my latest release Kiss of the Vampire, Blood Moon Series, YA vampire, I wanted to show the blood red moon over the ocean, since it's a vampire cruise story and they see the blood red moon.

So what do you think? Would a cover confuse you and stop you from buying a book? I hate it when I buy the same book when someone changes the cover and it's not a different book as in a rerelease of a backlist title.

But I have been considering whether to update the covers on Seducing the Huntress and the Siren's Lure. With the Siren's Lure, it would be the same cover, but add some reddishness to it if I can. With the other....I'd probably change it completely.

What do you all think?

Happy hump day!!!

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

Kiss Ian for Me! And a Giveaway!

Today I'm at Karen's blog with a giveaway talking about Kissing the Highlander (aka Heart of the Highland Wolf!!!)

I've been working on edits on Jaguar, because that's the way I can remember the story before I write on it again, but realized I only have 3,000 more words to write to get word count!!! Imagine my delighted surprise as I thought I had 7,000 to go! That should be a snap as soon as I have time!

But truly, as I write the final scenes, it'll probably be longer. Then it's time for Tom's story!

If you have a yearning for a Highland kiss and haven't had a chance to vote, please drop by at the contest at ARe Books and vote for Ian MacNeill. He's puckered up just for you! http://www.allromanceebooks.com/contest.html#

When you vote, you also have a chance to win $25 from ARe Books.

Nalini Singh is a terrific writer of urban fantasy and I've greatly admired her for her works, so imagine my delight to see this mention of my work in the New Zealand Herald in a delightful interview with her!!! All my best to Nalini and her best selling books!!!

"Singh is happy to be included in paranormal romance's burgeoning ranks, dominated by authors like Terry Spear and Nora Roberts."--Stephen Jewell, New Zealand Herald

Have a terrific Monday! Frankly, I dread mine!

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com

Kiss of the Vampire (Blood Moon Series, Book 1)

A couple of years ago, I was asking my mother about writing a new vampire book and where I should set the story. She exclaimed, "A cruise ship! And the vampire would have lots of people to eat off of and then he could just throw their bodies overboard and no one would be the wiser."

"Romance, Mom. I write romance."

She'd give me one of her pixie smiles and shrug.

But even so, that was the beginning of my vampire young adult book--set in Dallas where 4 male teen vampires get into trouble with the league and have to leave in a hurry. Why not a cruise ship where they can get away and "hide" for a while?

Yes, of course there's biting, and yes of course we have bodies overboard, but it's not what you think! :) Or maybe it is! So if you want to go on a cruise ship where some of the passengers might not be who you think they would be...join me! On a blood moon night....


Kiss of the Vampire Ebook By Terry Spear
Published: July 10, 2011
Category: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Romance
Category: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
Words: 63253



The motto of the vampires is that humans have to deal with problems on their own. But when Levka and his friends risk all to save human girls, he is injured and so the adventure begins. A cruise. A human girl who is terrified of water. And a vampire who has targeted her for his mate. But she has some secrets of her own.
Forced to take a cruise ship to babysit her foster sister, Caitlin has to face her own demons. But add to that her foster sister's and her friend's antics and Caitlin's inability to use her witch's magic over water and she has little hope to enjoy this trip. Until she meets a wheelchair-bound teen and wants to make friends with him in the worst way.

Levka and his friends make a hasty retreat from Dallas before the vampire elders stake them for getting involved in human affairs--again. But when he meets Caitlin on the cruise ship, hating that he's so weak after being injured so severely that he has to use a wheelchair, he finds their troubles have just begun.

****

Ian MacNeill needs lots of votes. I'm afraid he won't make Round 2.

And I'm off to work on Jaguar, though I need to do a blog for another site first.

Ready for some vampire intrigue though?

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com