Carly Fall's Blog, page 24
March 13, 2012
CBLS – A World Apart – Interview with Camelia Miron Skiba
I'm very excited to have Camelia Miron Skiba back as my guest today, author of A World Apart. I was impressed with this book, mainly because of the realism of military life portrayed in the book, the fact that I love our men and women in uniform, and that English is Camelia's third language. Last time she was here, she wrote an amazing post about growing up under Communism in Romania. Today she's stopped by for an interview!
So without further ado…
What was your inspiration for this story?
The Iraq War. The story goes back to the end of 2002. It all started with some headlines in a Romanian newspaper announcing the Romanian government signed an agreement with the US government to grant complete access to one of the airbases at the Black Sea. The base was strategic in the war against Iraq starting several months later, in March of 2003. The news kind of leaked into the media because at the time there was no official announcement that the US prepared for an invasion, and so the Romanians were quite confused with the agreement.
Without knowing what was the real reason Americans were on our soil, I began making up stories… Enter Romanian Dr. Lt. Cassandra Toma deployed at the Black Sea to work with American Dr. Maj. David Hunt. She's too outspoken and rebellious to be in the army, or as David sees her, "the mother of all mules." She's in the army for all the wrong reasons, which eventually will determine her actions later on. David on the other hand is the quintessence of the American soldier, who takes pride in his rank and work. That and more is about to change the minute he lays eyes on Cassandra.
I'm a softy for all people in uniform. Both wars have taken wonderful people away from their families. I feel helpless knowing that they won't return to their loved ones, but also need to give back to those left behind. So I named all characters in this book after soldiers we lost at war, somehow trying to keep their memory alive. I can't bring back the ones we lost, but I can give them life through my story. Their story. A World Apart.
The descriptions of military life in the book are very real. Have you ever been in the military yourself? If not, how did you do the research to make everything so realistic?
The research that went into this book took longer than it took me to write it. Literally. I had no training or experience in the medical or military field whatsoever. But both Cass and David (the main characters) entered my brain as officers and doctors. I couldn't change their professions without losing who they were. And they wanted their story told, adamant about it as they were narrating and no other way. Sometimes as an author you just have to do what your characters want. Compromise somewhere else so you feel you have some sort of control.
My absolute luck was that all my critique partners have at one point or another worked in both fields. Jeff (Jeffery Moore, Author of the trilogy The Keepers, and Jericho Solus) was a pilot for the US Air Force. Sherry (Sherry Gammon, Author of Unlovable) was a nurse for US Air Force. And Cindy (Cindy C Bennett, Author of Geek Girl, Heart on a Chain and Immortal Mine) used to be a nurse for the ER. I counted on their experience to tell me if what I wrote was realistic or not. One of Cindy's sons was deployed to Iraq twice and, with his input I was able to capture the life on a military base, so essential for the background of my story. I doubt my book would've been done as well as it had without their tremendous help.
Was there a part of this story where you felt like banging your head against a wall, or did it all flow freely for you?
The first draft contained the beginning and the end, with nothing in between. Robert, a secondary character was set to die and he was okay with this at first. Then the fighting began. He just wanted to live, go figure. Leave alone the fact that I had to redo about ten chapters—he just didn't care. To make things even worse, Cassandra and David teamed up with him and they went AWOL—until I changed my mind. For Pete's sake, I rescued David from an ambush in Iraq, and that was the reward? Silence? I remember sweating bullets to continue the story. I tried to negotiate their return for about a month (ice cream, cookies, wine, you name it) but to no avail. In the end, I agreed to make the changes and magically they returned. I wrote 5 chapters in one week (and had probably a few hours of sleep, but so worth it).
According to your bio, English is your third language. What other languages do you speak?
I speak Romanian, which is my maternal language. I also speak German.
What's better – chocolate or vanilla? And why?
I'm a forever vanilla fan (ice cream or white chocolate with almonds) because it instantly puts me in a cheerful mood, reminding me of sun, warmth and joy.
What is the one thing you want readers to know about you as a person?
I don't drive the…freeway (had an accident many years ago while driving on a freeway in Germany). Don't ask how long it takes me to go places 
(Note from Carly – we both live in the Phoenix area. I can tell you that if she doesn't take the freeway, it takes her a looonnnngggg time to get places! 
)
And now about the book:
BLURB
:
In a war that's not hers, she loses everything. Everything she loses is because of him. Forgiveness is not an option.
Or maybe…
Lieutenant Cassandra Toma, trauma surgeon in the Romanian National Army starts her deployment at a joint-unit air base on a wrong foot, clashing on her first day with her new commander, Major David Hunt. Her rebellious nature and sassiness rival her excellent performance in the operating room—the only reason why she's not reprimanded, or maybe not the only reason.
They meet. They clash. A forbidden passion consumes them with the intensity of an erupting volcano, leaving her heartbroken and him with tarnished honor and pride as an officer. The only way out for David is disappearing into the dangerous warzone in Iraq. Their flame was supposed to be over when destiny brings them back under the same roof, this time with a common goal—to find Cassandra's brother, Maj. Robert Toma, kidnapped by insurgents while on patrol.
To rescue Robert, Cassandra and David put aside their resentments, uniting forces against a common enemy. Trying to forget the painful past, Cassandra opens up to give David—and their love—another chance. What she doesn't realize is that her anguish is the result of David's impetuous action—one reckless choice he made for which she may never forgive him.
His mistake, his secret, could cost them both the love they've finally found.
Excerpt #1:
"You need to calm down," David inched closer to Cassandra, fixing her with such intensity her face caught fire.
"Calm down? You want me to calm down?" she snorted, jutting her chin up, hands on her hips.
"Yes. You need to calm down. What was that all about? Why are you so furious?"
"You want to know why I am so furious?" Cassandra grounded her feet apart and pushed her chin forward. "You really want to know? I'll tell you why. I'm so sick of your bigheaded attitude, of your 'I'm an American—I do whatever I want' arrogance!" She shoved a finger at David's chest, poking it and leaning forward. Her gaze locked on his, their faces close. "You act like some god on our grounds, like you're doing us a big favor, honoring us with your royal presence as if we are a bunch of idiots you cannot stand. Anything that comes your way that is Romanian, you dismiss with such vehemence one might think it's poisonous. Nothing we do or have is good enough for your nose.
"But let me tell you something, my friend. My people might not have everything so technical and so advanced, but they are good and hard-working people. They have good hearts and above all, they have dignity. When you live for generations under communism and are treated the way we were, maybe only then you can understand what it means to be so 'primitive'. To be given nothing and be expected to work wonders. Your standards and ours obviously don't match, but who are you to judge us? What do you know about us that gives you the right to treat us this way? Huh?
"And for your information, in case nobody had the courage to tell you, this is not our war." She made a large circle with her arms. "We haven't asked for it and we are doing you a favor allowing all of you to be on our soil. And not vice versa." Cassandra straightened her back, pushed away a curl that fell on her face and held her arms up. "Here you have it, I said it."
She walked around David, opened the door and before leaving, said without looking back, "And don't forget to write me up."
Excerpt #2
David shook his head, scrunching his eyebrows. "Have you looked around, Cassandra? Do you have the smallest idea where we are?"
"Yes," she jutted her chin up, her voice a rasp, "in a rat's hole I don't give a damn about. I could care less about the people here, nor want anything to do with them. This is not my war. I said it before, I'll say it again. The only reason I'm here is for Robert, and Robert only." She inhaled deeply, squeezing dreadful tears between her eyelids. "If you don't want to help, that's fine. But don't try to stop me." She turned to walk away, but David caught her wrist. "What—"
"Look around you. I get it you don't care about being here, or about the people, but you have a choice—the choice of staying alive and safe, here on the base. They," he pointed at the beds, "didn't."
Three soldiers occupied the room, one without an arm, another without a leg. The third one had bandages around his head, half of his face disfigured with burns.
Her stomach twisted, a strong taste of bile rising in her throat.
"And what am I supposed to do, David? Just sit around and wait?" She glanced at Laura who, standing in the doorway, waved a nurse not to enter. Grateful that Laura spared her the embarrassment of being heard by others, she turned to David and said, "I have to at least try to find him, I have to." Her eyes burned with tears, her voice choked up. "He is somewhere out there, and must be found, alive…" Her stomach turned to a fire pit, pain forcing her to bend forward.
David grabbed her by the shoulders and for a moment, Cassandra thought he'd embrace her. Instead, he blinked quickly, pushed her slightly away and rubbed her upper arms, shaking his head, his voice heavy. "Cass … You won't be allowed to go anywhere. If your assignment is here on the base, in the hospital, then you'll follow orders. This is not Romania."
She opened her mouth to speak, but David raised a hand. "There's no point in arguing, trust me." He limped around the first bed, put gloves and a mask on and added, "Come, let's finish the rounds."
About the author:
I WRITE. I LOVE. I DREAM. I WRITE.
I'm Chris' wife, Patrick's mom and Bella's owner. During the day, I'm the assistant to the Director at SESE at Arizona State University, and romance's slave at night.
I moved to the U.S eight years ago, following my heart and the man who stole it. I love comedies, historical dramas and happily-ever-after stories. English is not my native, not my second, but my third language.
Some fun facts about me:
Each year I participate in one big event that requires me to physically train. My biggest sportive accomplishment was the 3-day 60-mile Susan G. Komen Walk.
Annually I pick a color I decree my favorite (this year it's salmon).
I refused to text until 2010, always preferring to hear voices rather than sending emotionless messages. Politic bores me to death and I have no tolerance for arrogance.
"A World Apart" is my second book. My debut novel "Hidden Heart" came out March 2011.
To connect with Camelia:
Blog http://cameliamironskiba.wordpress.com/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Camelia.M.Skiba
GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4864495.
To Buy the Book:
Amazon (Kindle Edition): http://www.amazon.com/A-WORLD-APART-ebook/dp/B006NZWHF2
Amazon (Paperback): http://www.amazon.com/World-Apart-Camelia-Miron-Skiba/dp/1466226676
Barnes & Noble (Nook Book): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-world-apart-camelia-miron-skiba/1108016741
Smashwords (All Formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115952
March 9, 2012
"Painted Jezebel (A Jezebel Jinx Mystery, Book 1)" by Jolie Pethtel
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Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Jolie Pethtel, author of Painted Jezebel, and Domestic Goddess by day and Writer by night. Let's take a look at her book, and then you can find out a little more about Jolie below. Onward…
What it's About:
Publicist Finn Mackenzie has always been lucky, until an ill-fated affair with a vindictive writer leaves him one chance for redemption: a spectacular public appearance by the elusive best-selling romance author, Jezebel Jinx.
Unfortunately, the cute but kooky writer refuses to cooperate. Jezebel believes she's cursed with bad luck. Riddled with anxieties, she never leaves her home–until the gorgeous, albeit desperate Finn whisks her away to a writer's conference, against her will.
After the initial shock wears off, Jezebel's dormant hormones kick into high gear around the hunky Finn.
When his ex turns up murdered and Jezebel is the prime suspect, ill-planned sexcapades are the least of their worries.
EXCERPT
Jezebel's stomach lurched abruptly, jarring her back to consciousness. Flashes of bright, white light burst behind her tightly closed eyelids and she knew this was going to be one killer hangover. Her memory was a bit hazy—a complete blank really. She didn't recall getting drunk and blacking out, but she must have. Happy Birthday to me.
The day was a complete bust, of course. She'd have to write twice as much tomorrow to meet her deadline. All she wanted right now was some aspirin for her pounding headache and a good night's rest. Maybe tomorrow her mind wouldn't be so fuzzy.
Jezebel gingerly opened one bleary eye and then the other, trying in vain to focus on something—anything. She only succeeded in making herself dizzy and nauseous. The scenery passed by in a blur, with only one consistent focal point—a continuous row of palm trees and while Arizona was thick with palms, there weren't any in her neck of the woods.
The implications were sobering. Dear God, this had to be a nightmare. Even in her present groggy state, she could tell she was no longer safe and secure in her cabin.
Worse yet, she deduced she was in a moving vehicle, being transported to God only knows where, and with each second that passed Jezebel sped further and further from the only safe haven she had ever known.
She would never have consented to such a thing of her own free will and with this realization confusion fled and panic set in. She was being kidnapped!
Jezebel wanted to scream and yell for help, but knew instinctively that if she did, her head would likely explode. The pain was excruciating.
She touched carefully around her skull with the tips of her fingers. She suspected a blow to the head had caused her current unfortunate circumstance, but no evidence supported that notion.
"Hello, sleepyhead," the kidnapper greeted her in a cheerful tone. She knew that voice. The familiar Irish lilt. It was that attractive, if annoying, publicist. She knew he was desperate to attend some conference, but kidnapping? The man was a lunatic. She'd witnessed his desperation first hand, of course, but never imagined he would dare go this far. How had he managed to lure her out of her cabin and into his vehicle without a single protest? Jezebel fought to remember. She should have screamed the house down. What he accomplished was an impossible feat, but he was more devious than she had given him credit for. There was only one way he could have pulled this off.
The bastard drugged me.
"What did you do to me?" Jezebel rolled her head to the side with considerable effort to give him her most fearsome glare. He didn't even flinch.
"I just gave you some sleeping pills." He shrugged.
"Some?" Her voice rose to a screech. "How many is some?"
"I don't know. I just crushed a bunch and spread them over the pizza. Who would have thought such a dainty little thing could eat a whole pizza by herself?"
"You could have killed me!" Jezebel was horrified.
"You have been sleeping a long time," Finn admitted. "I was starting to worry, but you seem fine now."
"Fine? I am so not fine!" Jezebel began to hyperventilate. "Oh God! I—can't—breathe!"
"Don't worry. I came prepared for this." Finn pulled over to the side of the highway and handed her a paper bag.
"What—the Hell—is this?" she wheezed, studying the bag as if it were a foreign object.
"What does it look like? It's a paper bag. Cover your mouth with it and concentrate on breathing in and out slowly, until the feeling passes. You're having a panic attack."
Jezebel closed her eyes and did as instructed, albeit resentfully, holding the bag over her mouth until her breathing steadied. Still clutching the bag, she turned to face Finn. "Please tell me you brought my medication."
"Medication?" he frowned. "I looked through your medicine cabinet and I only saw the prescription for sleeping pills. There were no other prescription medications."
"I keep them in my nightstand in case I have an anxiety attack during the night," she attempted to explain patiently. "Please tell me you brought them."
"Sorry, no. It looks like for this trip we're going to have to do it old school." He gestured toward the bag. "No drugs."
"Old school!" she shrieked, hitting Finn over and over with the paper bag. If only she had something harder that would inflict more pain. A blunt instrument maybe, but she had to make do with what was available. Heck, with a little luck maybe he'd suffer a nasty paper cut. "Are you out of your mind? You—are not—a doctor. You are not equipped to handle my condition. You have to take me home. Right Now!"
BUY LINKS:
Museitup Buy link:
Amazon Buy link:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jolie Pethtel was born in Ohio, but raised in Arizona, where she met her husband Jim. Jolie has since moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she lives with her husband and their six rambunctious children. In between taking care of all those kids, Jolie was kind enough to answer some questions I had for her:
What was your inspiration for this story? The family was on a long drive up north toward Pinetop Arizona where my mother in law lived. The area was beautiful, but also very secluded. I started daydreaming about a character who deliberately isolated herself, hiding from the world. I began to wonder why she would be so afraid to step outside of her cabin door and what had made her this way and ended up spending the entire camping trip writing.
Please describe your version of a perfect romantic evening. When my husband and I were first married we'd get out of the city and go to a hotel called the majestic, with a fireplace and Jacuzzi, usually on our anniversary. I always looked forward to it, but then we just had too many kids.
What was the most difficult character of this story to write? I can't say I had one. Each character was so well defined in my mind, complete with three dimensional personalities. I've never had such a group of characters so well developed. It's like they all wrote themselves into the story.
What was the most enjoyable character of this story to write? Another tough question. I had a blast writing the banter between Jezebel and Finn, but some of the secondary characters were really fun too. I loved making everyone hate constance and Jezebel's friend Harmony is a personal favorite. She's one of those brutally honest people that constantly shock and appall people, but you can always depend on to have your back. The sequel Poison Pens actually leaves a thread to continue with her particular story. There's more to all the characters than meets the eye and continuing on with the series many of their secrets are revealed.
Was there a part of this story where you felt like banging your head against a wall, or did it all flow freely for you? I've had stories like that, but not this one. The novel seemed to write itself. Even when the person I chose to be the killer changed it didn't cause the slightest speed bump in the writing process. Things just transitioned so smoothly in another direction I didn't even really notice. It's a rare thing though. Not all writing comes so easy. My only issue was with being careful about who's head I was in. Making sure Jezebel's point of view didn't come through on Finn's chapters and vice versa.
What's better – chocolate or vanilla? And why? Depends of what you're using it for. Chocolate. Vanilla is too plain. (Note from Carly…a girl after my own heart!)
What is the one thing you want readers to know about you as a person? I've always had a passion for writing and my characters are very real to me. I do the best I can to bring them to life on the page so the reader can experience the same depth of feeling I do for each and every one of them whether it's love, hate or anything in between.
Don't forget to visit Jolie at:
Author Website: http://www.jezebeljinx.com
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/joliepethtel
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002016243117
Twitter: @joliepethtel
March 7, 2012
Feeling Lucky Blog Hop
Welcome, and Happy St. Patty's Day!
They say everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick's Day, so if you aren't fortunate enough to have a wee bit of the Irish in ya, then congratulations on being Irish for a day!
First off, I want to thank Fictional Candy and I Smell Sheep for hosting this hop. Major awesomeness there, folks!
So here's the skinny:
Finding My Faith just came out, so I'm giving away one ebook copy to someone who owns the luck of the Irish! I will be giving away two ebooks of The Light Within Me. Please click on the pictures below for blurbs, reviews and excerpts on both books!
You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway.
To check out the other awesome authors on this Hop, click the lovely man in the green pants below. He is lovely, isn't he?
March 4, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday – March 4
This week I sent Rayner and Faith from Finding My Faith out into the world. To celebrate, Elise Marion over at Romance Writer's Reads is throwing me a release party. Head over, say hi and enter to win a copy of Finding My Faith.
Elise whips up a fabulous margarita!
And to those who are in the tornado hit area, my prayers are with you!
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
This is from my still untitled and unedited WIP. Meet Beverly…
She took a sip of her second gin and tonic, and reflected with cool and calm the drink brought to her on what had put her in this plane from New York on the way to Phoenix, Arizona, of all places.
She caught her reflection in the window. Her early-twenty something reflection was really a late-twenty, well, an almost thirty something. Her blond hair swirled around her slim shoulders, the light catching three different shades that had been intricately weaved into the strands by her very expensive, very talented hair stylist. She couldn't meet her emerald green eyes in the reflection for more than a few seconds. It was simply too painful.
And I now return you to the incredible authors that make up Six Sentence Sunday.
February 28, 2012
CBLS -"Heart Signs" by Cari Quinn
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Today I'm very excited to be hosting Cari Quinn, and we are also giving away a copy of her book, Heart Signs. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment with your name and email. Now, read on about this hot book…
What it's About:
The heart has a language all its own…
Rory Fowler has taken Sam Miller's billboard orders for the last two years, but they aren't to advertise, they're love notes to his wife. Sam's most recent billboard about his wife's passing hits Rory hard. When she calls Sam to offer condolences, it sets off an unexpected chain of events that ends with Rory in Sam's apartment…and his arms.
Reading Sam's love letters tugs Rory into the romance between him and his estranged, now-deceased, wife. Their lives soon intertwine so completely that Rory wonders how she'll ever forget the man who makes poetry out of emotions she's fought to dismiss. And plays her body even more skillfully than he writes love notes.
Consumed by guilt and grief, Sam is shocked by the feelings Rory arouses in him, sexually and otherwise. Now he's not thinking about yesterday as much as he's looking forward to tomorrow. He's just not sure if he's capable of moving on…or if the woman who helped him find the will to really live again will be by his side.
EXCERPT:
"Yes, I remember you." Sam's long pause encouraged her knee to jitter more. "I thought you were a man, Rory."
"Why? Because I like sports?"
"No. Of course not. Well, maybe," he admitted. "You know so much about them."
"Yeah, I do. Women enjoy sports. Newsflash—some even play them." Rory hoped she sounded as if she were teasing rather than irritated. She wasn't mad. More than anything she was a little amazed. She couldn't believe they were finally having an actual conversation.
Some women idolized rock singers or movie stars. Other than her long-held and unavoidable crush on Tom Brady, the only man she'd ever crushed on from afar was Sam Miller.
Another woman's husband. Or he had been. He still was, she supposed. And always would be. Death didn't erase what had come before and she had no doubt that he'd been completely, irrevocably in love.
"I know that. But the kind of shows you watch—"
"You mean the ones with potty humor?" She shrugged, knowing he couldn't see her. "What can I say? I have a juvenile outlook on the world."
"Thanks a lot."
The amusement in his tone bolstered her self-assurance. "Maybe you didn't think I was female because I don't put smiley faces at the end of all my sentences?"
She most certainly was not a smiley face girl. Actually she'd be more likely to use emoticons if they indicated less politically correct gestures. The occasional well-placed graphical middle finger, for example. Not that she'd ever do that with customers, but some of her interfering relatives like her boss? A definite possibility.
"No, because of your name. Rory isn't usually feminine."
"Neither am I."
What others say about Heart Signs:
"Final verdict? Lovable characters, intense emotions and mind melting hot sex. Erotica doesn't get any better than this." 4.5/5–MBR's Realm of Romance
"HEART SIGNS is a fascinating, compelling and heartwarming love story filled with raw emotion and sensual heat. After INSATIABLE and UNWRAPPED, this book has earned Cari Quinn her third perfect 10 from me. The combination of heat and emotion does me in every single time and Cari delivered on both in HEART SIGNS!" 10/10–Pearl's World of Romance
Where to Buy:
Ellora's Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9887-hea...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Signs-ebo...
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Bestselling, multi-published author Cari Quinn wrote her first story–a bible parable–in 2nd grade, much to the delight of the nuns at her Catholic school. Once she saw the warm reception that first tale garnered, she was hooked. She attempted her first romance in junior high, long before she'd ever read one. Writing what she knew always took a backseat to what she wanted to know, and that still holds true today.
Though she also fires up her computer as a graphic designer, proofreader and editor, she can't resist the lure of disappearing into a world of her own creation. Now she gets to pen sexy romances for a living and routinely counts her lucky stars.
The only thing she loves more than writing is hearing from readers! Please contact her through one of the ways below.
Email: cariquinnauthor@gmail.com
Website: www.cariquinn.com
Friend Cari on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads under Cari Quinn as well!
To see where else Cari Quinn will be the next few days, click the picture below!
"In Love's Own Time" by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
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Today I'm very happy to introduce you to Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy. She has an interesting book about falling in love with the ghost of a dead person. So, what inspired the story? Lee Ann has written about just that.
Call it faith, kismet, fate, karma or just luck, I like to believe there's some plan for our lives. I want to think we're born with some basic framework, a few skills or talents to equip us for a particular path in life. Whether we choose it ourselves to work toward karma or a deity lays the groundwork isn't important. An old proverb I happen to like says we must know where we've been before we can see where we're going. I believe the course of our life is very flexible and we can make decisions which change directions and make differences in what might have been.
The question of a life plan leads to the often heated debate whether writers are born or made. I've watched some wild quarrels erupt on internet sites on the topic and my personal views fall in the middle somewhere. But I believe I was born to become a writer, to tell stories and tales, to use words in a way to touch others. I look back over my life thus far and it seems to me, knowing it better than anyone else, each step of the way was another building block toward a writing career. I may have been born with a flair for words, some gift for writing but I'm also the first to admit I've worked hard to hone the skill, to improve the talent. Any musician will confess how much practice is required to master an instrument and to maintain a level of expertise. The same applies to writing. No one and I repeat no one is such an outstanding writer he or she doesn't need practice, to continue learning, and to face editing.
In writing In Love's Own Time I drew on my own background, growing up in a vintage house in a small city filled with history. My grandparents were my earliest caregivers because both my parents worked and so I spent most of my waking hours in their company until I began school. Their home, although not as old as my own, offered its' own peek into the past. I listened to their stories and grew up believing the past was almost close enough to touch. It's no wonder I embraced the idea of time travel or speculated how amazing it would be if it were possible. In Love's Own Time isn't my first time travel romance and given my interest in the possibility it could be real I doubt it will be my last.
Although I call it my time travel/contemporary/historical/paranormal/fantasy romance, the novel demonstrates a little of what I've speculated. There's a framework to every life and as we build it, we make choices. I'm no carpenter but I know when building a house, changes can be made as it's constructed which alter the end result. So can our decisions. In my novel, Lillian makes decisions which impact her life and change it forever. With stubborn will and a strong love for Howard, she manages to shift the course of his life as well.
Curious? You can always read the novel to get all the details!
Book Blurb:
There may be no place like home and nothing like love…..when history teacher Lillian Dorsey inherits a three story Edwardian brick mansion from the grandfather who banished her pregnant mother decades before, it's a no brainer. She'll visit the place, see it and sell it. Instead Lillian's captivated by the beautiful home and intrigued by the ghost of the original owner, Howard Speakman. Soon she's flirting with the charming, witty gentleman who's been dead for more than a century and before long, they admit it's a mutual attraction. Still, when she's alive and he's dead, any shot at being together seems impossible.
But where there's a will, there's a way….one afternoon while pretending to visit the past the impossible becomes a brief reality. If they visited 1904 before, Lillian knows they can do it again and if so, she can prevent Howard's untimely death. With a combination of love, powerful hope, and stubborn will, Lillian bends time to her will and returns to the summer of 1904. But Howard's death looms ahead and if she's to find a happy ending, she must save him from his original death.
VIDEO TRAILER :
Excerpt
"Damn!" The aggravation would kill her if the suspense didn't. Love relationships were hard enough with a flesh and blood partner but Howard's disappearing act was beyond difficult. There must be some way, she thought, to cross the boundaries of time so she and Howard could be together and Lillian resolved to figure out how.
Although she would rather bawl with frustration, she took action. The local library was the only place which might have the materials she sought so she Googled Einstein's theories on one of the public computers. What she read led to her read about Goedal, the other Princeton scientist she mentioned to Howard and to others, everyone from Stephen Hawking to Igor D. Novikov. A search of simply "time travel" linked to Washington Irving's legend of Rip Van Winkle, King Arthur's daughter Gwenth, to Carroll's Alice, and even to Sleeping Beauty. The mish-mash of information was confusing but as she sorted through it, reading and considering it all, a sense of excitement crept over her. Repeatedly from very diverse sources, she read time travel might be possible, not from crackpots or harebrained pseudo scientists but from people at the top of their field.
No one explained how it worked but most acknowledged the possibility. As she surfed the World Wide Web, she jotted down books to read and movies to watch. Dean Koontz wrote a novel about time travel called Lightning and a woman named Diana Gabaldon penned an entire series of novels based on time travel. Movies like Kate and Leopold and Somewhere in Time, the last based on a novel by Richard Matheson, intrigued her.
Lost in research, Lillian didn't realize how long she'd been there until the librarian tapped her shoulder.
"I'm sorry but we close in fifteen minutes."
Head aching with fatigue, mind whirling with information, she gathered up her copious notes and walked out to the parking lot. Her car was alone beneath the vapor lights and although she was weary, Lillian was too restless to go home. Instead, she drove across town and up the business highway to where Howard's farm once existed.
The neat orchards she hoped to find were gone and instead a housing subdivision sprawled over the fertile ground, the foundation of Howard's fortune. Most of the ranch style homes dated to the late 1950's or early 1960's but on the far edges, newer homes ringed the original neighborhood. The railroad track she recalled from her dream and the hills with a few gnarled old apple and peach trees were all remaining of the former fruit farm. The idea brought sadness and Lillian knew Howard'd feel the same. As her headlights swept through the subdivision, she searched for any other signs of Speakman's Farm but found none so she retreated to Seven Oaks.
In the humid summer night, her fatigue felt like a heavy blanket and Lillian was almost too tired to drag herself up the stairs. As she wandered through the dark downstairs rooms, she called his name but Howard didn't answer. Missing him was an ache and so weary, emotions drained, she lay down across the bed, too tired to even undress and fell asleep.
Shadows of the tree branches made lacy silhouettes across the ceiling of the bedroom when she woke, moving shadows dancing with the wind. Although she'd no clue what time of day it might be, Lillian felt too somnolent to rise so she lay, tangled in the bedspread and tried to sort her myriad emotions. Joy at Howard's declaration of love dimmed when she considered the difficulties of their unique relationship and a strange prickling delight came as she remembered visiting 1904. As the wind rushed through the trees like whispers, she struggled to make sense of time travel, to figure out a way to make it possible on a permanent basis.
Details, theories, and thoughts warred until she sat up, limbs protesting the motion after too many hours of deep sleep, with a revelation. They didn't need the books, she wouldn't have to know the properties of relativity after all, and there was no set format certain to succeed. It didn't matter because she'd done it. If they managed once to travel to the past without trying, they could and would by design.
"Elementary, my dear Watson," Lillian murmured, stretching as she swung her legs to the floor. "It's simple, really."
With one ear cocked for any sound to indicate Howard's return, Lillian bathed and dressed, brushing her teeth to rid her mouth of an unpleasant film coating both teeth and gums. She picked up her watch from the dresser and nodded. It was just now noon; she'd not slept away as much of the day as she'd guessed, a good thing since she needed to handle many details. Singing, she floated with elation downstairs to make coffee and a list. Time travel was possible and she'd do it or die. Either way, she'd end up Howard.
By the time, he appeared, dapper in a blue and white checked Madras shirt worn over dark brown trousers held up with suspenders striped the same colors as the shirt, she'd scribbled half a notebook full of things to do or buy or look up. Intent on the next item, she didn't realize he was with her until she felt his spirit caress, light as a breath, across the back of her neck.
"What are you plotting, my dear heart?" He asked, sitting down across the kitchen table.
"We can do it, Howard." She put down her pen to reach out for his hand and then remembered she couldn't hold it. "Time travel, I mean. All we have to do is believe it and live it. If we could do it when we were just pretending, we can do it. Everything has to be just right and I've so many things to get and things to do but we can. Isn't it wonderful?"
To Buy:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/In-Loves-Own-Time-ebook/dp/B007A209G6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329492235&sr=8-1
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-inlovesowntime-722388-148.html
BookStrand.com: http://www.bookstrand.com/in-loves-own-time
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
[image error]Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy is a full-time romance author. A native of the old historic city of St. Joseph, Missouri, one time home to both Jesse James and the Pony Express, she now lives and writes in the beautiful Missouri Ozark region. Her romance novels include Wolfe's Lady (December 2010 Evernight Publishing), Love Tattoo, (March 2011, Evernight), Love Scars (June 2011, Evernight), Love Never Fails (May 2011, Rebel Ink Press), Kinfolk (July 2011, Champagne Books), The Marriage Cure (Astraea Press, July 2011), Love Scars, July 2011 (Evernight Publishing). Love Tattoo, Love Scars, and Love Knots, Love Shadows are the first four books of the six book Love Covenant series. Other novels include Witness Protection Program (Rebel Ink Press, A Time To Love (Champagne Books. Sing We Now of Christmas (Rebel Ink Press, December 2011). 2012 is already kicking off with more novel releases including A Patient Heart, Miss Good Samaritan, Guy's Angel, In Love's Own Time, Heart of the Ozarks) In The Shadow of War, and a novella, Long Live The King (Champagne Books). Her work also appears in more than twenty anthologies and she has multiple short story/non-fiction credits.
She is a member of RWA, Missouri Writers Guild, EPIC, and the Ozarks Writers League.
Her work also appears in multiple anthologies. She earned a BA degree in both English and History from Missouri Southern State University as well as an AA Degree in Journalism from Crowder College. She worked in broadcast media for a decade and also has a background in education. Her weekly column "Hindsight" appears each week in the Neosho Daily News.
She is married to Roy W. Murphy and the couple has three children, Emily, Megan, and Patrick Murphy.
If Lee Ann – or Lee as many of her writing friends know her – isn't writing, she's reading or spending time outdoors.
In Neosho, Missouri, the small town she now calls home, she serves on the local library board, is active in the annual Relay For Life fight against cancer, has worked with the local Arts Council, and is active in her parish.
To see where else Lee Ann will be in the next few days, click the picture below!
February 26, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday 2/26
Thanks again for stopping by. I'm going with Rayner and Faith, from Finding My Faith, due out in March. Please check out the rest of the awesomeness of Six Sentence Sunday!
The smile faded and she gazed up into his eyes. She softly touched his cheek. "When you put it that way, I don't have a choice, Rayner. It's always going to be you."
He pulled her close and buried his nose in her hair.
Body to body, they began swaying to the beat of their own music.
Have a great week!
February 24, 2012
CBLS – "Chasing Clovers" by Kat Flannery
Review: 4 out 5 Stars – BUY links at the bottom
I'm not one for western romances, but I do have to say I enjoyed this book. It is a well written, fast read. What starts out as two people needing the other for different reasons, turns into a sweet romance. The characters were strong, and yet deeply hurt by past circumstances in each of their lives. The author also kept everything very real. Livy and John don't immediately fall head over heals for each other, but it takes time for them to really notice each other. The kids don't accept her right away either.
However, I did find it hard to read about Livy's pain and how she treats John's daughter at first. I tried to put myself in her shoes with her circumstances to understand it, but I couldn't because Livy's past is one of my worst nightmares.
The villain was also well done, making my skin crawl a time or two. Definitely put it in your To Read pile!
What the book is about:
Mail order bride, Livy Green, is desperate the memories of her past. John Taylor will never love another woman again, but his children need a mother. Will they learn to trust each other, or will their pasts interfere?
Longing to escape the awful memories and the saloon she once sang in, Livy Green lies about her past so she can be a wife to John Taylor and step mother to his two young children. Overwhelmed by the task, she struggles to put her resentment aside and love them as her own.
John loved his first wife and is still heartbroken over the loss, but he needs a mother for his children. When his distant and unfriendly mail order bride arrives, he begins to doubt his decision though one glance into Livy's terrified green eyes tells him he can't turn his back on her.
As Livy's past catches up with her and suspicious accidents begin to happen on the ranch, she is tempted to come clean and tell John the truth. But will he send her back if he does? Or will they forever be CHASING CLOVERS?
Video Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_OqlChC6Rw
Excerpt:
The stagecoach pitched to a stop, jostling Livy Green from fitful nightmares of a past she longed to bury and the stranger she was about to marry. Her neck stiff and her back aching, she massaged her shoulders. She straightened and tried to stretch her arms, but the tiny space wouldn't allow it.
A loud sigh blew from her lips when she realized how rumpled her clothes were. Frowning, she ran her hands along her skirt. Nothing but a hot iron would get the wrinkles out. With only two other dresses in her wardrobe, and no time to change anyway, she had no choice but to meet her fiancé looking as she did.
Her stomach dropped. What if I'm not what he's expecting?
She peered out the window and wasn't surprised to see a few North West Mounted Police mingling with the other townspeople. Their bright red uniforms stood out like apples on a tree. She reached for her satchel and held it tightly before she stepped out the small door. You can do this. She squeezed the handle on her luggage. You have to.
Fort Calgary was a bustling town with two hotels on either side of the street, a small dress shop with ladies hats and fabric displayed in the window, and a red-bricked bank on the northwest corner. She watched people walking along the wooden planks and filtering in and out of the shops.
A loud squeal sounded behind her.
Livy jumped. She was almost trampled by a young boy running from his mother. Her heart lurched at the sight of the child. The familiar ache inside her soul willed her to look away. But she continued to watch mother and child until they disappeared inside the mercantile.
She took a deep breath, forced all thoughts of the past out of her mind and scanned the streets again. Her face flushed when she thought of what she was about to do.
Bag in hand, she spotted the blacksmith across the street next to the barbershop. Her stomach twisted at the sight of the saloon two buildings down. The all too familiar swinging doors waved back and forth, taunting her. Two drunken cowboys left the saloon, weaving their way down the boardwalk.
Livy clenched the satchel and tensed.
She turned away, closed her eyes, and took another deep breath. Here she would be the wife to John Taylor―a man she'd never met―and stepmother to his two children.
She took another breath. She would start over. Again.
She surveyed the busy boardwalk in search of a tall man with dark hair. Almost every man she saw fit the description he had given her, so she decided to move over to the bench in front of the mercantile and wait for Mr. Taylor to find her. Hands folded together on her lap. She tapped her toe restlessly. Where could he be?
A rough looking cowboy sauntered toward her. His brown greasy hair, and ripped denims were paired with an evil smile.
Livy tucked her chin into her chest. Oh, please don't let that be him. She'd seen his type before and knew what they were capable of. The man lingered beside her for a few moments before continuing on down the boardwalk.
She sighed with relief. How am I going to do this?
No longer Angel Green, she was now Olivia Green. The past was far behind her, except on those long dark nights that would not allow her to escape it.
She chewed on her bottom lip and stared at the busy street.
Her new life would begin here. She would survive.
She blew out a shaky breath. It was all she knew how to do.
"Olivia?" a male voice asked.
A tall man stood beside her, his hat pulled low so she couldn't see his eyes. He hesitated, then extended his hand. "Olivia?" He had a polite, resonating voice.
She shaded her eyes with a hand. "Livy will do fine." She was uncomfortably aware of his presence as he towered over her.
He smiled and took off his hat. Wavy black hair curled above the collar of his coat and his skin was tanned from the sun. He looked nothing like the dirty cowboy. Thank goodness. Instead, he wore a clean flannel shirt tucked into faded denim pants.
"John Taylor. Good to finally meet you. My buckboard is over there." He pointed the way, then peered around. "Where are your trunks?"
"I only have this one."
Her cheeks reddened as she lifted her tattered brown satchel. She held it slightly behind, not wanting him to see the holes and stains on it.
Nodding, he offered his arm. She ignored it. Friendly eyes stared back at her. After what had happened to her in Great Falls, she hated being touched by men.
"Do not be insulted, Mr. Taylor," she said, staring at his boots, "but I'd rather you show me the way instead."
She headed in the direction he'd pointed out earlier. When she heard a low chuckle from behind, she pursed her lips and walked faster. I need no one, least of all a man.
In truth, she needed John Taylor more than she could admit.
To Buy:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Clovers-ebook/dp/B005UFQMWA
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/chasing-clovers?keyword=chasing+clovers&store=book
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95336
About The Author, and How To Connect With Her:
Kat Flannery has had her writing published in numerous periodicals. She's received her diploma for Creative, Freelance, and Business Writing. She is co-owner of Prairie Dog Publishing, where she devotes her spare time as head of Marketing and Communications. When not focusing on her creative passions, Kat is busy with her three boys and doting husband. Chasing Clovers is Kat's first published novel, and she is currently working on her next.
http://www.katflannery-author.com
http://www.kat-scratch.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kat-Fla...
http://twitter.com/#!/@katflannery1
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
To see more of Kat, including guest posts, and maybe even a giveaway or two, click the button below:
February 19, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday 2/19/2012
Hi Sixers!
Thank you for stopping by this week. I'm very excited as I have received my final edits from the editor for Finding My Faith, which will be out in March. Releasing this book is a relief, but at the same time brings me sadness as I have become very attached to my imaginary friends, Rayner and Faith. I'm sure some of you know what I mean. When you're ready to go back to Six Sentence Sunday, click the banner above.
In this snippet, Faith has been rescued from being kidnapped and almost dying. Rayner is asking Faith what she would like for breakfast…
…Bacon?" He hoped she said bacon.
"Ice cream with sprinkles," she said, a smile taking the place of her scrutiny.
"Ice cream for breakfast?"
"I almost died," she said. "From now on, when I want dessert for breakfast, I'm going to have it."
February 16, 2012
"Courageous Dare" by Lacie Nation
What it's about:
Baylee Crawford thought she had her whole life figured out, right up until she accepts a scandalous little dare involving a mysterious man that makes her throw caution to the wind. When she falls completely in love with her mystery man, how will she cope when she has to say goodbye to him as he leaves for war? When a tragedy threatens to tear her world apart, Baylee is left feeling lost and has no idea how to help her family in the midst of this loss. Follow Baylee and Nash through a tale of love, passion, longing, war, and tragedy.
Excerpt:
Without fear or uncertainty in Baylee's voice, she spoke in her way of challenging Jamie. "Dare."
Jamie's smile spread even wider, and she nodded slowly. She took a shot before saying, "I dare you to have sex with a stranger."
A collective gasp swept around the room. Suddenly, this game had taken a turn from the occasional strip tease and random kiss to something else entirely. Baylee laughed and thought for a moment. She hadn't been with a man in a very long time, not since her relationship ended a year ago. She never thought she'd sleep with some random man, but when her gaze fell upon the man sitting next to her, she made her decision.
She smiled at Jamie, stood up, and extended her hand to the delicious looking man sitting to her right. Shock passed over his face. He shook his head slightly, grabbed her hand, and followed her lead. Baylee looked over her shoulder to her best friend. She had to laugh a little at the look of total astonishment on Jamie's face.
Baylee's heart pounded harder in her chest the closer she got to her bedroom. Stopping at the door, she took a deep breath before turning the knob. Walking in, she took another deep breath and turned.
He leaned back against the door, causing it to latch with a soft click. Head down, the fedora covered his whole face, with the exception of his lips in a slightly dark, sexy smile. When Baylee heard the lock click, she clenched her thighs together in anticipation.
Taking a step toward her, he asked softly, "What should I call you?"
The deep timber of his voice sent chills down her spine and when she said "Baylee," her voice sounded breathy. She never realized her voice could sound sultry.
"What should I call you?"
"Nash."
His name, the only thing he said before he pressed his lips to hers gently. She didn't think. Instead she deepened the kiss, tracing her tongue along his bottom lip. He opened his mouth sliding his tongue into hers. She moaned at his taste, whiskey, mint, and the slightest hint of cigarette smoke. A strange combination she found mouth watering.
"Tell me you're sure about this. Tell me you want me."
Desperation. The only word she could use to describe the way he sounded.
"Yes," she gasped as he nipped the place where her shoulder met her neck.
Her answer seemed to be the only encouragement he needed. His hands moved down her body, stopping at the hem of her dress. When he pulled back to look at her once more, she gave him a nod of permission.
One sweep of his arms left her standing in nothing more than her panties, gloves, and heels. Swaying her hips in her best exotic dancer impression, she rolled her gloves off, letting them drop to the ground. She sauntered the three steps he had put between them when he removed her dress. She slowly lifted the hat off his head, revealing his deep auburn colored hair, cut really short on the sides and slightly longer on top.
Her hands ghosted down the back of his neck, over his shoulders, and across his chest to the buttons on his vest. As she worked the buttons, he put his hands on both sides of her face and kissed her so passionately, her knees nearly buckled. Once she got the vest off, she had no patients for the shirt buttons. She ripped them open with both of them groaning in delight at the sounds of buttons hitting the wall and hardwood floor. With their hands working together, his clothes quickly became a pile on the floor next to hers.
She moved to take her shoes off, but he stopped her, shaking his head slowly with a devious grin on his face. The way his eyes seemed to drink her in made her lightheaded.
"I want to taste you."
Want to read more? Here's where you can purchase it:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Courgeous-Dare-...
Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/coura...
Secret Cravings Publishing – http://store.secretcravingspublishing...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lacie lives in GA with her boyfriend of five years and their dog, Libby. She spends most of her time reading and writing. She writes from a very personal place and finds that creating a story based off of things she has been through is very cleansing. She is extremely close to her family so she tends to use little quirks that she loves from her family members to create characters that are realistic.
Website – http://www.lacienation.weebly.com
Blog – http://soulshakinromance.blogspot.com/
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/A...
