Tina Christopher's Blog, page 4

TGIF!!!!!!!!

Except for one brief moment of bone-melting relief when I looked like this

 

my week has been very much this

So I’m going to pull the figurative blanket over my head, lock the door and leave the real world outside!

Weekend Writing Warriors-New WIP Snippet 5

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors, the perfect place to discover new authors and fall in love with their writing. Each Sunday we share 8 to 10 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

The new story so far has no title and no blurb. This snippet is continuing right after last week’s. We are in Ana’s point of view and she’s thinking over what had happened that morning. Well, mostly she’s thinking about the hunky mechanic;). Last week ended with “And those green eyes-Ana sighed.”

“They would stay with her for some time. His face had given little away, but his eyes had carried so much pain and darkness. The same darkness that enveloped him like a cloak.

Like recognized like. The thought should have disturbed her, but for a moment she felt a link to this man she’d only exchanged a couple of sentences with. And short sentences at that.

She chuckled. She had a feeling he was one of those monosyllabic men. Not a problem for her. She could talk for the both of them.

Ana exhaled-not that she would see him again.”

What works, what doesn’t?

I’m on my way to New York for Romance Writers of America National Conference today, so it’ll be a bit later before I can make my rounds. Fingers crossed the hotel internet will be working;). I’m excited about the conference. It’s only the second time I’m going and I’ve seen a bunch of panels I’m looking forward to. And one of my heroes is there: Nalini Singh! I’m hoping to get a book signed and she’s also doing a talk. I’ll be a bit of a fangirl…

This week my inspiration went a slightly different route…

Happy Sunday and have a fabulous week!

Nice Girls Writing Naughty July Jubilee

Join me and the rest of the fabulous Nice Girls for our July Jubilee! Every Friday we’re having a wild and wicked party at our Facebook group filled with games and prizes.

Tonight starting at 7pm you can hang out with Nona Raines, Hildie McQueen, Angel Payne, and myself from 7-11pm (EST) when we Takeover our page with our lunatic awesome antics!

Weekend Writing Warriors-New WIP Snippet 4

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors, the perfect place to discover new authors and fall in love with their writing. Each Sunday we share 8 to 10 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

The new story so far has no title and no blurb. This snippet is a page or two after last week’s. Ana needed help with her car and Jace agreed to look at it that afternoon, but when he realized she needed the car he checked it out right then and there. He found something that could have been the cause of the red light and fixes it. I thought after spending some time with Jace we should hang out with Ana for a bit and see her response to Jace. She’s just left the garage and hopes the problem has been dealt with, once and for all. We are in Ana’s point of view.

“Maybe a tiny bit of a shame as out of all the garages she’d been to and all the mechanics she’d spoken to in the last couple of weeks Jace Deegan definitely stood out. He was big. She stood at five nine and he still towered over her. And even in his overall he was ripped. He’d look fabulous on the front cover of one the romance novels she bought for her day job. Maybe with a shoulder holsters over his bare chest. Or, even better, his overall curled up around his waist, his chest gleaming with sweat and a touch of grease, and a wrench or whatever a mechanic holds in his hand.

No face because readers wanted to use their own imagination for the hero, which in this instance would be a real shame as his face matched his body. She had a feeling his shoulder-length blond hair would turn lighter once the sun came out. And those green eyes-Ana sighed.”

What works, what doesn’t?

The PanAm Games have come to Toronto. Usually I would avoid downtown like the plague but it’s a friend’s birthday, so I will brave the masses. At least the Games mean that all public transport will actually be running.

And of course some more inspiration…

Weekend Writing Warriors-New WIP Snippet 3

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors, the perfect place to discover new authors and fall in love with their writing. Each Sunday we share 8 to 10 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

The new story so far has no title and no blurb. This snippet is a few paragraphs after last week’s. Ana arrived at Jace’s garage in her high-end SUV. He sensed that underneath her frustration she was afraid of something, but after what he had been through he’s told himself he was no longer in the business of saving damsels in distress. At least with anything other than their cars;). He asks her what the problem was and she describes how she constantly has this red light going on and off in her dashboard; usually off when she reaches a garage. She also alludes to the fact that she has been to other places but with little success. He offers to have a look this afternoon. Ana speaks first, but we’re in Jace’s point of view.

“Would you know anything about the current bus time table in this area? I need to get downtown for a meeting I can’t move.”

He glanced at her clenched hands-no ring. “No one who can give you a lift?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m new to the area and am still finding my way.”

No husband, no boyfriend-not that he was interested. She may have the sweetest body and the bluest eyes he’d seen in quite some time, but his gut told him this one was trouble. Cute as a button, but trouble.

And he’d had enough trouble to last him two lifetimes.

What works, what doesn’t?

I’ll probably be around a little later during the day as I have a number of things on my plate in the morning.

As my…inspirations found such positive responses last week I’ve decided to share a couple more;).

 

 

Have a wonderful Sunday and Happy Writing!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada day to everyone who celebrates it. May it be filled with sunshine and laughter.

 

Happy July 1st to the rest of the world!

Weekend Writing Warriors-New WIP Snippet 2

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors, the perfect place to discover new authors and fall in love with their writing. Each Sunday we share 8 to 10 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

Thank you all so much for your kind words about my new and still slightly fragile WIP. The encouragement you have shared is wonderful:).

The new story so far has no title and no blurb. Last week a high-end SUV drove up to Jace’s garage (which still needs a name if you have suggestions;) and the driver did not appear to be in a happy mood as she climbed down.

“She strode toward him, frustration rolling off her in waves. But something else as well, something that made the hairs on the back of his neck rise and tension invade his body: fear.

“Good morning,” she said, attempting a smile.

“Morning,” he replied, intrigued that she tried not to let her feelings affect her manners. “Jace Deegan, owner.” That kind of restraint did not fit with what he’d expected from the driver of the SUV. “How can I help?” He reminded himself that it was his job to be nice to customers. Usually Savannah took care of these kinds of things, but she was off today.

More importantly, he needed to remember he was only here to help with her car-he’d hung up his damsel-in-distress-saving shoes when he came home from Afghanistan.”

What works, what doesn’t? Is the opening compelling enough for you to continue reading?

I somehow stumbled into writing about an ex-soldier who is now a mechanic. Visuals usually help, so here are a couple of inspirational pictures (in case you’re wondering, Jace would have no reason to roll around in grease and he’s wearing a shirt, so these are just thought starters;).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful Sunday and Happy Writing!

Weekend Writing Warriors-New WIP Snippet 1

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors, the perfect place to discover new authors and fall in love with their writing. Each Sunday we share 8 to 10 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

After an insane amount of work and travelling I’ve finally reached a point where I can join the Warriors again! I missed you guys and can’t wait to read about what you’ve been up to.

My happy news is that FPWL, my steampunk companion novel to Dirigibles Are Forever, has been picked up by Loose Id. I’m neck-deep in my first round of edits. I’m looking forward to sharing the finished story with the world. Because of the long break I’ve decided to share a brand new project with you. It doesn’t have a title yet and no blurb. I also have no idea if it’ll ever see the light of day. It’s something completely different for me. So far I’m enjoying the writing.

“Jace Deegan looked up from the fan belt he was installing as he heard a car drive into his forecourt. Beside him Reacher wagged his tail and jumped to his feet. A top of the line luxury SUV, about as exciting as an extended golf tournament, pulled up. The driver’s long black hair made him think soccer mom with misaligned tires due to hitting speed bumps too fast. He waved Reacher to wait and walked out onto the forecourt.

She came to a stop and climbed out.

His back straightened as soon as she came fully into view. He stopped rubbing his greasy hands and tension mirroring hers invaded his body. She slammed her door so sharply he flinched and had to remind himself he was no longer in Afghanistan and that in this area of Chicago gun shots were the exception and not the norm.

She marched toward him, frustration rolling off her in waves.”

What works, what doesn’t? Is the opening compelling enough for you to continue reading?

The snippet is pretty raw. I’m trying Candace Haven’s Fast Draft technique, which means no editing until the book is done. We’ll see how long I can keep it up;).

Have a wonderful Sunday and Happy Writing!

 

 

 

Weekend Writing Warriors-Steampunk WIP Snippet 14

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors, the perfect place to discover new authors and fall in love with their writing. Each Sunday we share 8 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

I’m continuing to share from my current work in progress FPWL. It’s a companion novel to Dirigibles Are Forever and the beginning of a trilogy. This snippet comes a little bit after last week’s. They have finally ended up in the cargo hold, Clara’s goal for this trip. The tension between them is still running high. When they come to an end of the tour he asks her if it has lived up to her expectations. She’s non-committal. Here is Garrett’s response. We are in his point of view.

“Not good enough. I can’t let you out of here until we’ve fulfilled all your expectations.”

Even in the low light he saw the green sparks in her eyes growing bolder.

His cock hardened further.

She licked her lips, raising his body temperature few hundred degrees. She walked toward him, the definite swish of her hips twisting the heat inside him. He wanted to lay her out and feast.

Clara didn’t stop until she pressed close. “I believe the time for slow is over.”

What works, what doesn’t?

It’s Sunday and the sun is (mostly) shining. Fingers crossed there will be some time to enjoy it;).

Have a wonderful Sunday and Happy Writing!

 

Weekend Writing Warriors-Steampunk WIP Snippet 13

Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors, the perfect place to discover new authors and fall in love with their writing. Each Sunday we share 8 sentences from a current or finished manuscript. Click here for the rest of the amazing writers participating.

I’m continuing to share from my current work in progress FPWL. It’s a companion novel to Dirigibles Are Forever and the beginning of a trilogy. This snippet comes a little bit after last week’s. Garrett is taking Clara on the tour she’d asked for, but the tension between them is growing hotter and hotter. For the first time in her career Clara is struggling to focus on a mission. Just before this snippet she’s forcing herself back to the task and asking Garrett to see the cargo hold. We are in her point of view.

His brows rose; his eyes filled with a hint of suspicion. “Why would you want to look at a bunch of boxes stacked on skids?”

She waved him off, “I don’t want to look at the individual boxes, silly. I want to see how you managed to squish all the cargo into the bay and I want to see it all in one place.” She smiled. “Remember, it’s all about the size for me.”

His suspicion didn’t ease completely- a darkness filled his green eyes for a second but then cleared out again and his lips twitched as if to cover for his mental misstep. “There are plenty of things aboard the Bismarck which have a girth impressive enough to warrant your admiration.”

What works, what doesn’t?

Today is another insane day (what happened to Sunday’s being lovely and relaxing), so it may be evening or even tomorrow before I make it around. The sun is finally shining in Toronto! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. This last winter has been endless and horrible, so not having to wear 13 layers is wonderful.

Have a wonderful Sunday and Happy Writing!