S.C. Mitchell's Blog, page 20
September 22, 2015
A Man Makeover
I’m over on The Spice Aisle doing a Man Makeover.
Stop by at: http://spiceaisleromance.com/2015/09/a-man-makeover/
September 17, 2015
Thoughts for Thursday: What Makes a Vacation Epic?
A great post from fellow Romance Writers Weekly author P.J.Fiala:
Originally posted on Romance Writers Weekly:
From RWW member P. J. Fiala
I hear this term, epic, used often and wondered what would make a vacation epic? In my mind, it would have to be a vacation that would be fun, at a location that is exciting and new and it would have to be longer than just a day or two.
Recently, my husband, Gene and I and seven of our friends, went on such a vacation. I have to say, it was epic.
We started out with the best laid plans. Plans that we spent more than eight months honing and preparing. We had four meetings over the course of this eight months of planning, several meals, more than a few drinks and the laughs were endless. Even our meetings were epic.
Our vacation finally began on August 6th at exactly 5:00 p.m. The week before the motorcycles were loaded into a trailer, (yes…
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September 10, 2015
Thoughts for Thursday: In case of emergency, open book!
Originally posted on Romance Writers Weekly:
My thoughts this week are rather short (like me) and perhaps bittersweet (like the best chocolate).
I’ve had a pretty terrible few weeks. Like the kind of weeks that make you crawl into bed and not get out, partly because you’re sick and can’t really be anywhere else, and partly because your brain has decided to take a vacation. (This isn’t a pity me post, because I’m on the mend!) Anyhow, over these few weeks I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the power of reading when it comes to coping with emergencies.
This isn’t a new thought for me. In fact, I’ve long been open about how my grief when my grandmother died propelled me to take comfort in the hundreds of romance novels she left in my care. It was reading those books that set me on the path to writing romance. But during that time, romance filled…
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September 8, 2015
Romance Weekly – It’s my party, I’ll invite who I want to.
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
RWW also has a website with its own blog, a newsletter, and can be found on Facebook, and Twitter (@RWWBlog).
If you’ve wondered in from Gemma Brocato’s blog post or are just starting your hop here with me, get set for some dinner parties of epic proportions.
Today’ s challenge comes from Susan Scott Shelley – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Given the choice of any authors in the world (living or deceased), who would you want as a guest?
I’ve written a lot about one of my favorite authors, Anne McCaffrey, but today, because we can invite multiple authors, I’ve chosen four authors that influenced me at a much younger age. Of course, Anne is welcome at the party as well, and would probably bring out even more interesting discussion.
In my pre-teen and early teen years I was a huge fan of comic books. I still love and appreciate this wonderful graphic art form. And it was because of this my eye was drawn to the first book series I ever sat down and read…and reread…and reread.
Robert E. Howard’s epic Conan series.
Out of Howard’s tragic life came this lumbering hero who over the course of his tales transformed from slave to rogue to adventurer to king of a mighty nation. The legacy left behind by his tragic suicide included eighteen published Conan stories and a host of other starts, scraps and outlines.
In the late 1960’s an effort was put forth to complete the series and put the stories in chronological order. Three other authors added their expertise to finish the tales Howard started. Put out by the now extinct Lancer book brand, eleven of the twelve books came out before the company went out of business in 1973. (I was pissed. I wanted that 12th book.) My original Lancer editions did not survive an open window and a pouring rainstorm. (Yeah, I was devastated.)
Luckily, sometime after that Ace books picked up the series and added the 12th (chronologically the 11th) book, completing the series.
So, after that rather lengthy explanation, who am I inviting to my party???
Robert E. Howard, of course, and the authors who completed the series: L. Sprague De Camp, Lin Carter, and Bjorn Nyberg. I think it would be fascinating to see if they finished the series as Howard would have. The discussion would be priceless.
So, who’s coming to Collette Cameron’s party? Well we’re all invited to find out as the Romance Writers Weekly blog continues at: http://collettecameron.com/blog
And be sure to check out Wagers Gone Awry, one of her latest, and the first in a wonderful new series (I just finished reading this and it’s awesome!)
September 3, 2015
THOUGHTS FOR THURSDAY: Characters Worth Remembering
Originally posted on Romance Writers Weekly:
A dozen years ago I read a book by author, Debbie Macomber, called Dakota Home. By the time I finished, I’d fallen in love with her hero, Jeb. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and for three weeks I headed to bed early so I could dream about him. He wasn’t some shirtless hunk, but a rancher who probably wore overalls to do chores. I’m guessing Macomber spent months (or even years) working with the character of Jeb until she had it just right. Twelve years later I still think about Jeb and his family.
If we fast forward to 2015, it’s obvious the writing industry has changed considerably. Today’s authors are sometimes forced to crank out 3-4 (or more) books per year, leaving them little time to create a cast of unforgettable characters that will stay with their readers long after the book has ended. Three years ago as…
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Thursday Threads – Lost Distinction
Today on Thursday Threads we feature Rachel Sharpe and her wonderful new novel, Lost Distinction:
TITLE: LOST DISTINCTION
AUTHOR: Rachel Sharpe
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Blurb:
“It all started with a favor…”
When private investigator Jordan James agreed to search for the missing son of a U.S. Ambassador, she didn’t realize she was walking into a case one hundred years in the making. The deeper she delves into this unusual assignment, the more shocking, and the more dangerous, it becomes. With time running out and lives at stake, Jordan must race to identify the culprit of an elaborate plot while also uncovering a far more personal truth too intimate to ignore…
“LOST DISTINCTION” Available Now on Amazon! http://www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4
Exerpt:
“So, when was the last time you saw Arthur?” I asked as the guys cheered when one of Stuart’s sons scored a touchdown with George’s help.
Michelle stared past the men. “I guess the last time I saw him was at Easter. Since Mr. and Mrs. Cross couldn’t make it back from London in time, we went over to Stuart’s house in Falmouth. I was surprised to see him there.”
“Why? Does he usually avoid family holidays?”
She clapped when Rick carried one of the twins over the “goal line” for a touchdown. She looked back at me and shrugged. “To be honest, I haven’t seen Arthur many times in all the years I’ve been married to Eddie. He lives and works in Middletown but just always seems too busy to come around. Eddie never gave me specifics, but I think Arthur tries to stay away from his family for some reason.”
“He didn’t say why?”
“No,” she shook her head. “Can’t say I blame him…”
I found myself more confused every time I learned more about this situation. As I sat there, I considered all the things I knew as fact. First, Arthur Cross was missing and had been missing for several days. Second, his family was concerned enough about his disappearance that they felt it necessary for his parents to fly in from London, but they did not want to involve the police as it might generate unwanted publicity. Third, they were going to a lot of trouble pretending like nothing was wrong.
I looked across the yard and saw the Crosses watching their children and grandchildren with absolute enjoyment. The last thing I knew was by far the most troubling fact of all. As I sat there, it became crystal clear that this family was hiding a secret. What I didn’t know at the time was how great the secret was and how many lives its revelation would affect, including my own.
LINKS:
“COLD AMBITION” Available Now on Amazon! www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG
“LOST DISTINCTION” Available Now on Amazon! www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4
“RETRIBUTION” Coming this Fall from Soul Mate Publishing!
Website: www.rachelsharpe.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorrachelsharpe
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RachelCSharpe
September 1, 2015
Romance Writers Weekly – Potent Quotables
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
RWW also has a website with its own blog, a newsletter, and can be found on Facebook, and Twitter (@RWWBlog).
If you’ve wondered in from Carrie Elks’ wonderful blog or are starting your tour with me, welcome to a day filled with fun and games.
Today’ s challenge comes from Jeanne McDonald – What is one of your favorite quotes from your book(s). Explain the reason why it’s your favorite and its significance to the story and characters.
In chapter 5 of Son of Thunder, my heroine is assessing my hero Jord Thorson. As I was writing this scene I threw in a line I was pretty sure I would be changing. I mean how many times in a romance has the hero been described as looking like a god, or a Greek god, or something similar?
But I’m writing quickly and need to fill something in so I wrote: He looked like a god. I’m in Meghan’s head and I don’t know which of us thought it first, but there was this duh moment. He is one!!! And the line (somewhat paraphrased) has become my catch phrase for the book.
The actual line from the book, after edits and all, is: He looked like a god . . . well, he was one, so . . . yeah.
It pretty much captures the essence of the book, so . . . yeah.
And what is Jo Richardson’s favorite quote from one of her books? Find out as the Romance Writers Weekly blog continues at: http://jrrichardsonfics.weebly.com/the-blog
And check out Jo’s wonderful novel, Cursed be the Wicked (It’s a little slice of awesome!):
August 27, 2015
Thursday Threads – How to Train Your Knight
This week on Thursday Threads we feature Stella Marie Alden‘s wonderful historical romance, How to Train Your Knight:
Title: How to Train Your Knight
Author: Stella Marie Alden
Genre: Historical Medieval Romance
Heat: Sensual
Blurb:
Year of our Lord, 1276.
In the hours just before dawn, blasphemous curses echo throughout the stone manor. A knife clatters to the floor and a feisty young widow is bound, blindfolded, and led to the marriage alter. The king couldn’t possibly have sanctioned this farce of a marriage, could he? After all, she alone transformed a few mud huts and starving serfs into a flourishing town, never once hesitating to pay generous taxes to his royal kingdom. Abandon her beloved people to be ruled by her new husband, an ignorant Templar knight? Never!
A murderous witch for a wife? The Beast of Thornhill finds himself in the middle of either a cruel jest or an evil conspiracy. After returning from the Holy wars, he accepts endowment of a small parcel of land in return for saving King Edward’s life. But the reward comes with a warning regarding the estate’s mistress. Despite his insatiable attraction to the black-haired beauty, he allows her time to warm to him while observing her strange, forward-thinking ways. But when all is on the line, will he stand by her through the inquisition or will they both hang for her secrets?
Hook: A feisty widow and a Templar knight? What could possibly go wrong?
Book excerpt:
Year of our Lord 1276
“By God, drag her down here! Naked if you must! Bread and water from now to eternity if you can’t!” Sir Marcus Blackwell slammed his fist on the well-worn table and the sound echoed back from every direction. Of all the bad luck. Forced into marriage with a foul-mouthed, murderous widow.
He clenched his teeth when the next bout of high-pitched screams and curses exploded from the floor above. Crashes, clanging, and banging followed. He cringed as the Lady Ann’s strident screaming rang throughout the stone manor and probably into the courtyard.
“He can’t steal my lands this easily. He’ll live just long enough to rue this day. I shall never, ever, turn my people over to a blood-thirsty, gold-grabbing beast. I’d rather be cursed to hell. Nay, verily, I’d rather marry the devil himself than see myself married to him.”
Beast? He’d strangle the minstrel who’d taken his sword’s moniker and baptized him with it instead. He was a holy crusader, deserving of respect, not an animal.
Crossing himself while counting to ten, he paced the dark hall lit by a single weak torch. Shadows danced across dark tapestries, beyond a hearth the size of two horses, and over enough tables to feed a small army. Thatch crunched under his boots, releasing a perfume of lavender and grasses. He stopped for a respite of blessed silence. What in God’s creation have I stepped into?
When the mayhem started up again, it was from his first-in-command, Thomas D’Agostine. “The devil take it, watch out. A knife!” A dagger fell upon stone with a metallic clatter.
“Damnation. The bitch nicked me.” The smack of a hand against skin, a female yelp of pain, then the battle paused momentarily.
“Enough!” The king’s command would be obeyed. Certainly, she’d have to understand that. He stood at the foot of the massive stone staircase and waited for the thundering echoes to cease before continuing at a lesser volume. Envisioning the vile creature, he shuddered. It was far too late to retreat now. He’d wanted the land and bedding the ancient hag was part of the bargain. “I said, do her no harm. Gag, bind, and blindfold the wench if you must. For the love of God, she’s but one woman.”
Buy links and social network links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WRNKOO
Website: www.stellamariealden.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellaMarieAlden
Twitter: @stellamariealde
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25366748-how-to-train-your-knight
August 25, 2015
Romance Weekly – Playing Doctor.
Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.
RWW also has a website with its own blog, a newsletter, and can be found on Facebook, and Twitter (@RWWBlog).
If you’ve wondered in from Carrie Elks’ wonderful blog or are starting your tour with me, welcome to a day filled with fun and games.
Today’ s challenge comes from Fiona Riplee: Flash fiction – Your hero & heroine are playing an “old-school” board game (one with an actual board or pieces old or new – just not a video game). The winner gets a special prize. 1000 words or less.
Stepping up for the challenge today will be Meghan and Jord from Son of Thunder:
Jord’s brow furled. “When you said you wanted to play doctor, I had a very different idea.”
Phoebe chuckled as she set the game board on the table. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
“Okay, how does this work?”
Meghan crossed her arms and gave him that look. Gods, she was so gorgeous. “Don’t tell me you never played Operation when you were growing up.”
It was Jord’s turn to chuckle. She keeps forgetting. “They didn’t have this game three hundred years ago. I played with swords and axes. Iduna played doctor . . . when we needed her.”
“Which was often, no doubt, knowing your brothers.” Meghan arranged the cards and play money. “Well, this requires fine motor skills, something you probably never worked on.”
She had him there. “So you’re good at this?”
“I used to be, but it’s been years.”
I’ll bet you can beat her. Megingjörð, Jord’s magical belt, rarely had an opinion on their antics. Why was he offering one now?
Jord knew he was probably stepping right in it, but losing to Meghan was usually as fun as winning. “How about a wager?”
Meghan raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
“You, the couch, a big bowl of popcorn, and a Star Wars marathon.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not all six.”
You should hold out. For some reason, Megingjörð loved Jar Jar Binks. Jord gave the belt an evil mental chuckle. “Nope, just the original three.”
You bum!
“Done,” Meghan said.
“So what do you want if you win?”
An evil glint passed across her eyes. “The stuff . . . all day tomorrow.”
“This is so a set up.” And Jord knew he’d walked open-eyed right into it. Tomorrow they were scheduled to patrol Midgaard for wondering giants with the Asgaard security team. If she showed up wearing the belt and gloves, and wielding Mjonir . . . they’d all think he was whipped.
Well, you are. Jord shook his head. She’d so worked this out with Megingjörð. Probably this morning while he was in the shower. All you have to do is beat her in a game. Can’t you do that?
Probably not this game. Still, he shrugged. “Done.”
Deep inside, in that part of his mind Megingjörð couldn’t detect, Jord smiled broadly.
***
BZZT! The big red clown nose lit up on the board as Jord lost another round. Meghan hadn’t expected to beat him quite this badly.
“Come on, you’re not even trying.” It wasn’t like Jord to not give it his best go . . . unless . . .
“Hey,” he smiled. “When you wield a hammer, everything’s a nail. Face it, I have no small motor skills.”
As she went to remove the funny bone, she purposely touched the side, setting off the buzzer, then handed him the tweezers.
This time, she watched his face, not his hand. As the buzzer sounded, she was the lines of his mouth slide upward. I thought so. “You are purposely throwing this game.”
“Am not.” Jord was a terrible liar. His tone and whole manner gave him away.
Meghan shook her head. “The deal is off.”
Passion erupted in his eyes. He stood and walked toward her as he unbuckled Megingjörð. “I don’t think so.”
He whipped the strap around her and pulled her in for a kiss as Megingjörð buckled itself around her.
We won. We won.
Meghan soaked in her man, reveling in the touch of his lips and the feel of his strong lines against her. Still, in the back of her mind, she wondered . . .
She broke the kiss. “Okay, why?”
Jord threw back his head in a throaty laugh. “I never can pull the wool over your eyes for long.”
He reached back and grabbed a comic book from the end table.
“Thor?” That’s what the title said, but the person depicted on the cover with Mjolnir was female.
Jord continued to chuckle. “Dad’s having a fit, but it got me thinking.” He pointed to the picture on the cover. “You are going to be so much sexier.”
***
So, what are Leslie Hachtel’s characters playing? Find out as the Romance Writers Weekly blog continues at: http://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com
