Cherie Colyer's Blog, page 32

Cover Reveal: DAMNED WHEN I DIDN'T

I'm thrilled to share the cover of my newest YA Paranormal Romance DAMNED WHEN I DIDN'T. What do you think? 
A huge thanks to the cover artist, Diana Carlile, to my amazing publisher, The Wild Rose Press, to Xpresso Tours for organizing the cover reveal, and to all the amazing bloggers who are participating in the event. I couldn't have gotten here without them!
About the book:
DAMNED WHEN I DIDN’TCan an eighteen-year-old virgin fulfill her succubus duties without losing her innocence?Death isn’t the end for eighteen-year-old Avery Williams, and her final resting place isn’t beyond the Golden Gates. No, the Queen of the Damned has plans for her and, unbeknownst to Avery, fought hard to gain possession of her soul. As Hell’s newest succubus, Avery is expected to siphon life from the living. It only takes a long, meaningful kiss, but for a virgin like Avery, kissing guys she barely knows isn’t something she’s comfortable doing. Avery focuses on the upside of her fate—she’ll be returning home, or so she thinks. When the Queen of the Damned cuts her off from her old life, Avery is determined to find a way back to her family and friends, even if it means facing Hell’s fury if she’s caught.

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Looking for me?

Hi!

I've been hiding in my writing cave, working on something new, polishing something old, and crafting stories for a special project. But you can always find me on Facebook or Twitter. Please, shoot me a message to say hi. I'd love to hear from you.

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While you're here, feel free to peruse old posts. If you're a fellow writer, be sure the check out the useful tips under the Resources tab.

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The Darker Side of Kira Rose in CHALLENGING DESTINY

Confession time: I’m drawn to darker characters. They’re complex, which makes them interesting. I know there’s going to be more to them than meets the eye and I like to discover what that is. 


Sometimes you see a character’s darker side right away. You know the type of person he or she is the moment you meet them. Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries is a good example of a character that doesn’t hide his evil side. With Damon, you know exactly the type of person he is. But everyone doesn’t wear their darker side as a badge of honor. In fact, most people manage to hide it.

In walks Kira Rose, a very important character in my paranormal thriller/romance, Challenging Destiny. On the surface, Kira is caring, easy-going, and fun to be around. Because of the person we see on the outside, Logan Ragsdale, one of the main characters in Challenging Destiny, is all too eager to get to know her.

Like most people, Kira wasn’t born evil. She was once all the things you see on the surface. But that was over three centuries ago and immortality hasn’t been kind to her. She’s learned to be ruthless and to use force to get what she wants. Now she’s back on Earth and not about to make the same mistakes she did when she was human. She’ll be allowed to stay, if she can convince Logan she’s one of the good guys, and there’s nothing she won’t do to get her way. Even if it costs Logan and his sister their lives.




Emma Stone, with her sultry gaze and dark red hair, would make a great Kira Rose.  :) 
CHALLENGING DESTINYPublisher: The Wild Rose PressBeing Chosen is a terrible thing when there's no one you can trust. 

Coming to Audio Books in Spring 2018Don't want to wait? Read Challenging Destiny today: 
Amazon| Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

The unexpected start to the Embrace Series

A reader recently asked me if  I planned for Embrace to be a series. I didn't. Embrace, the first novel in my young adult paranormal romance/thriller series, was written to be a standalone novel. That’s not to say I didn’t know what awaited my determined, incredibly loyal protagonist, Madison Riley, in her future. I’ve yet to write a book where I haven’t had glimpses of what will happen to my characters after the last word of the novel is written. Let’s face it; life doesn’t stop when a person overcomes one obstacle. We learn from the experience, grow, and often find a new challenge to conquer. The same is true with well-rounded characters. As I wrote Embrace I not only knew what brought Madison to the point in her life where the book started, I knew where her choices would lead her. This made it easy for me to weave in tiny details she’d need to help her and her friends in the future.

After Embrace released, the most wonderful thing happened: readers wanted more of my witchy friends. Returning to Embrace was like visiting close friends. I already had intimate knowledge of my characters, their likes and dislikes, and their strengths and weaknesses. That made it easy for me to dive right into a new story.

In book two, Madison not only finds herself trying to hold on to her new boyfriends, but she’s also trying to hold on to the people she loves and her humanity. The plot for Hold Tight came together quickly and small details from Embrace, like Madison and Josh's trip to a crossroad, the iron fixtures in Isaac’s room, and the various protection wards he cast, became important to Madison's survival.

One of the nice things about turning Embrace into a series was that I got to dive even deeper into the world I created. In Hold Tight, I added more romance, increased the danger, and raised the stakes. When Madison cast a spell that unknowingly invited two dangerous yet enticing creatures into her life, she quickly discovered just how dangerous it can be to possess magical powers, and she learned there are things her magic can’t undo.

In book three, Madison is tested in new ways and she faces even tougher decisions. Her good friends, Kaylee and Josh, are back as is her sexy, intriguing, and powerful boyfriend, Isaac Addington, along with one confident, darkly appealing crossroad demon. Be sure to check them out!
Thanks for visiting! 

Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic novels now available: 

           ~ Click the cover for more information ~

What's personal about my characters #ISWG

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Purpose: Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Click here to join the group.
I finished my MG fantasy. (Yay!) Queries have been sent. (Fingers are crossed.) And it’s autumn, my favorite time of year. So while I enjoy the leaves changing colors, pumpkin pie, scarecrow festivals, scary movies, not so scary classics, and everything else that comes with this time of year, I’m contemplating what to work on next. Do I revisit one of my unfinished WIP or do I start something new? I wish I knew if my MG fantasy is going to be picked up by a wonderful editor who is as excited about the project as I am because I’d love to turn it into a series. Anyone have a crystal ball?

October’s question - Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?
At first, I was going to say no. But Madison Riley from Embrace has long curly brown hair and I have always pictured her hair to be a lot like mine. But that’s where our likenesses end. And she’s so much braver than me—no way would I visit a graveyard at night. Then there’s Logan Ragsdale, from Challenging Destiny. Many of his personality traits are a combination of my hubby’s and one of my sons. I won’t say which. :) 
In other news: Jessica Therrien is celebrating the release of her newest novel, CARRY ME HOME, by hosting a huge giveaway. Click here to learn more about her book and to enter the giveaway. 

Need help bringing a scene to life? Check out my post, FILMING A SCENE WITH WORDS, and be sure to leave your tips in the comments. 




Have you ever slipped personal information into your characters? What do you like about autumn? Did you enter the giveaway? 

Huge Back to School Book Giveaway!

Carry Me Home Release Day Party! CARRY ME HOME is AVAILABLE TODAY for $0.99!


To celebrate the release of her latest novel, Carry Me Home, author Jessica Therrien is hosting a HUUUGE BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK GIVEAWAY! The giveaway includes nearly 50 books, all from different authors. Keep scrolling for prize info and how to enter the giveaway.

~ PRIZES ~
PRIZE #1 (5 winners)WINNERS of this prize will take home one of FIVE 10 Book Bundles.
*Each 10 book bundle is guaranteed to have at least 1 paperback book.



















PRIZE #2A signed hardcover ofCARRY ME HOME
by Jessica Therrien
PRIZE #3A signed hardcover ofOPPRESSION (Children of the Gods #1)
by Jessica Therrien

~*HOW TO ENTER*~*AKA...the hugest RaffleCopter EVER*Support an author by subscribing to their newsletter, liking them on Facebook or following their Twitter account. You can literally follow each author and EARN UP TO 45 CHANCES TO WIN!

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Filming a Scene with Words

In movies and television, music and camera angle are two of the tools used to help set the tone of a scene. The brave main character exits a restaurant at night: cue ominous song. The sexy male character is about to surprise the girl he secretly loves with flowers: show close-up of protagonist buying a large bouquet of orchids and strike up the romantic melody. Writer’s can’t zoom in on a character or prop and we can’t add music to notify readers that something is about to happen. We have to rely on our words to set the scene.
When I’m writing, I like to imagine that I am the protagonist. I picture the scene as if I’m living it. By walking in my protagonist’s shoes, I’m able to see and feel what she does. And it all goes into the scene—that nervous tick, the elated butterflies in her stomach, the sweltering heat, the shadow moving in her peripheral vision, and so on. This helps me to bring the scene alive.

Take that scene where the beloved protagonist exits a restaurant with her friends. The words we choose set the scene for what’s to come:
     The night was cool and the sky clear, but the air felt wrong somehow. Thick. It crawled over my skin, leaving goose bumps in its wake.  . . .     Kaylee’s fingers tightened around my arm like a vise as she took a step closer to me. Her eyes were wide and focused on the far end of the parking lot. (Embrace by Cherie Colyer)
In just a few sentences the reader is alerted that trouble is coming. Showing a character’s actions and facial expression, in essence, zoomed in on that character, adding suspense and a sense of mystery.
Another way to set the scene is by using a combination of words that elicit pleasant thoughts as well as the feeling of dread:
     A faint crackle like the crunch of dried leaves under dainty feet seemed to enter the kitchen through the open window. A weak pop-pop-swish slithered by me thereafter, and the sweet aroma of honeydew filled my nostrils. I spun around, expecting to see a bright-eyed faerie with sparkling cheeks and pointy little ears near the stove, but I was alone.(Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer)
Or maybe you want the scene to be light and playful:
     We were a jumbled mass of arms and legs. His belt buckle rubbed the bare skin of my stomach, and his neck was in perfect kissing distance. My gaze traveled to his lips. His close proximity had me forgetting I was winning the game of keep-away until he snatched the case from me.(Embrace by Cherie Colyer)
Now it’s your turn. Below are ten tips to help you set the scene:
Use action instead of telling where your characters are.Plant images that convey tone.Show us what time of day it is.Help the reader see the immediate surroundings.Show your characters’ body language.Show your characters’ facial expressions.Show what your characters are doing physically.Incorporate different senses (sight, touch, smell).Show your characters’ mood (angry, happy, scared, etc.).Let the reader know what your characters want.

You don’t have to include all of these in every scene, but by using different combinations you will paint a picture with words that is as vivid and detailed as the movies and television.
Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to share your tips in the comments. 

Pet Peeves... what's yours?

Hi!

This month's question is a three part question. I hope you'll chime in in the comments.


What are your pet peeves...

... when reading?  I'm not a fan of long exposition or back story. Most of the time it slows the pace and pulls me right out of the story. If it goes on too long, I'll lose interest and the book goes in my DNF pile. And yes, I hate when people dog-ear pages in books.

... when writing?  Hands down when I'm in a good flow and have to stop. This happens to me a lot during the week, because I like to write in the morning before work so I have a hard stop. The only thing worse is having all day to write and barely adding a hundred words to my word count.

... when editing? Working diligently to fix a sentence, paragraph or page only to realize I just spent an hour or longer revising and the scene works better with that sentence, paragraph or page deleted.

How about you? What are your pet peeves?




This has been an Insecure Writer's Support Group post. It's where writers share their thoughts, insecurities, and encouraging words. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and our co-hosts for keeping IWSG going. If you would like to know more about the group, just follow the link.

It's a writer's life for me #IWSG

Hi, everyone.

It's time to share our thoughts, insecurities, and encouraging words. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh and JH Moncrieff, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Jen Chandler, Megan Morgan, Heather Gardn. Not a member? Want to know more about the group? Click here. 



The re-write of my upper middle-grade fantasy is done! A friend beta read the first 25-pages and I was super excited to get her feedback. I've already tweaked the pages. There wasn't much, which is great news. I may read the story one more time looking for sentences I can tighten up. Then I'm thinking of having this one go through a round of developmental edits. Or maybe DE-light. Is there such a thing? I recently signed up for Reedsy so I'll find out.




No matter if you write a story for yourself, your kids, to self-publish, or to publish traditionally, this quote is true. The only way you fail is if you stop writing. Over the years, I've heard agents, editors and authors say it takes a combination of skill, persistence, and luck to be successful as a writer and not always in that order. I think of this when writer's block hits or when an editor passes on one of my projects. This bring me to this month's questions.

Question of the month:
Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?

My answer: No I haven't. Writing a novel is hard work, but it is also thrilling and rewarding. I love the challenge of creating new characters, getting to know them, and becoming lost in their worlds. 

How about you? Have you quit? What made you come back?

It's here! Air and Ash by Alex Lidell

It's here! Alex Lidell's newest novel, AIR and ASH. And to celebrate Alex is running a release celebration BOGO, where you can get a free copy of Megan Crewe's A MORTAL SONG with proof of purchase of Air and Ash. Details here: www.alexlidell.com/BOGO.  


Born to privilege. Trained for command. Destined for danger.


Air and Ash by Alex Lindell
Release date: May 2, 2017
Danger Bearing Press

Blurb:After a lifetime of training, seventeen-year-old Princess Nile Greysik, a lieutenant on the prestigious Ashing navy flagship, sails into battle with one vital mission—and fails.

Barred from the sea and facing a political marriage, Nile masquerades as a common sailor on the first ship she can find. With a cowardly captain, incompetent crew, and a cruel, too-handsome first officer intent on making her life a living hell, Nile must hide her identity while trying to turn the sorry frigate battle worthy. Worse, a terrifying and forbidden magic now tingles in Nile’s blood. If anyone catches wind of who Nile is or what she can do, her life is over.

But when disaster threatens the ship, Nile may have no choice but to unleash the truth that will curse her future.

AIR AND ASH is the thrilling first installment of the TIDES series. Recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Tamora Pierce, and Naomi Novik.

Read Air and Ash today:  Amazon 
________
Master and Commander meets Sarh J. Mass in a seafaring adventure of duty, love,  magic, and a princess's quest to protect her kingdom on her own terms.

________
Series:TIDES currently has two full-length novels - AIR AND ASH and WAR AND WIND - as well as a prequel novella, FIRST COMMAND. A free copy of FIRST COMMAND is available here.
Author Bio


Alex Lidell is an avid horseback rider, a (bad) hockey player, and an ice-cream addict. Born in Russia, Alex learned English in elementary school, where a thoughtful librarian placed a copy of Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA in Alex’s hands. In addition to becoming the first English book Alex read for fun, ALANNA started Alex’s life long love for YA fantasy books. Alex’s debut novel, THE CADET OF TILDOR (Penguin, 2013), was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards finalist. Alex is represented by Leigh Feldman of Leigh Feldman Literary. She lives in Washington, DC.
Alex loves getting emails!  Please send her a note at alex@alexlidell.com or sign up for her newsletter
Keep in touch with AlexWebsite | Facebook | Twitter