S.C. Mitchell's Blog, page 31
July 9, 2014
Into the Darkness
My good friend and fellow Romance Weekly author JJ Devine is releasing her newest novel today, and I am proud to present:
Into the Darkness
Blurb:
Vampires and Witches: are they mythical creatures or something that walks amongst us every day without our knowledge?
To Raven, a twenty-five year-old, extremely sheltered woman, they are nothing more than something to be read about in a book. To Dragon, an eight hundred-year-old vampire, they are a way of life.
Raven truly believes she is going mad. Erotic dreams fill her nights, causing her to question her sanity by the light of day. They lead her into a world she never knew existed and a heritage that can only be found in nightmares.
Dragon wants nothing more than to own the mortal soul of the beautiful Raven, a woman who can make his ancient scars disappear, proof that she is far from mortal.
Together they seek out the dark heritage of her past. What they find is much more than either of them bargained for. A destiny lies at her doorstep, one that could bring her salvation and an eternity at his side. Or, it could seal her fate and rip her from his world forever.
Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkness-J-J-Devine-ebook/dp/B00LMS9D2A/
Excerpt:
Raven jumped to her feet, picking up the sword Dragon had brought to the clearing. “What is this?” She swung the heavy metal high over her head bringing gasps to her audience.
Dragon came up behind her, grabbing her arms. “Please don’t swing a sword around without knowing how to use it.” His low growl in her ear brought out the hunger in her.
“Did you see that?” Rose gasped in amazement.
“It is only natural.” Autumn nodded.
“Well of course it is,” Pixie declared.
“What are you three going on about?” Flame demanded.
“The dagger, the athame, and the sword are the strongest weapons of the Fire Clan. With the two of you both being warriors who fought by the sword, it is only natural the sword would be one of her strong points,” Autumn explained.
“Looks to me, Dragon, we will have to teach her how to use that thing.” Flame laughed as he rose to his feet.
“Not tonight, my friend. That is something for another day. I am not so sure I like the woman I intend to marry knowing how to use the very thing she could set against me in a fight one day.”
JJ Devine
Author Bio:
Reading and writing have been J.J.’s passion her whole life. Starting out with being the poet, everyone came to in high school to get that “perfect” poem for his or her boyfriend/girlfriend. She spent her weekends locked away in her room, curled up on her bed, writing short stories for only a selected few readers.
She has been happily married for 28 years to her trucker husband. She is a mother of three, grandmother of three; a lover of dogs, cats, and fish.
J.J. started to pen historical romance as a hobby when her youngest child was a year old, creating the Acceptance Series. She got serious about her writing career joining Romance Writers of America and Indiana Romance Writers of America moving on to help start Crossroads Romance Writers in 2014. She penned her first paranormal romance, Into the Darkness, in 25 days, taking herself beyond her comfort zone and just giving the characters free reign of their story.
Since taking herself out of the outside working world, she has dedicated her life to her writing and her writing world and raising consciousness for Domestic Violence Awareness.
Author Links:
Website: http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com/
Blog: http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com/ramblings-of-a-writer.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JJDevineAuthor?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JjDevine2010
July 8, 2014
Romance Weekly – #LOVECHATWRITE
Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
If you found me via Carrie Elks’ wonderful blog, or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.
Jeanne McDonald is the author of this week’s questions:
1. How did you go about choosing the names for your characters?
I wish I knew. Names just kind of come to me when I need them. Occasionally I have to wait a bit, filling in ‘man’ or ‘woman’ in the manuscript, but as the character reveals itself to me, he or she usually tells me their name.
2. Where did the inspiration for your current book come from?
My current work in progress is the sequel to Son of Thunder, entitled Daughter of Darkness. The inspiration came during the writing of Son of Thunder, while writing the scene where Jord and Meghan are joined by Tyr and Nott to fight Loki’s dust demon. It was just supposed to be a cameo by Nott and Tyr, but grew into a whole separate novel, and the logical next phase of the Heavenly War.
3. What methods do you use to ensure you have no plot holes (journal, storyboard, outline, editor, etc.)?
I am terrible at this. As a pantser, I have no outline, and no framework to work from during the rough draft, so lots of dead end scenes and hanging sub plots tend to creep in. I need to read, re-read, and edit extensively to tie everything up neatly. I also have a wonderful editor at Soul Mate Publishing.
I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Leslie Hachtel at http://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com
July 7, 2014
The day I predicted the future.
The 60’s television series, Star Trek, showed us a future with automatic sliding doors, cell phones, mobile medical devices and so much more. Science fiction has always been a good measure of the things we really want science to give us, and so many times science delivers.
In my latest novel, Hearts in Orbit: The Blarmling Dilemma (coming this winter from Soul Mate Publishing), I wanted to create a future world where women had attained equity in the universe. That meant I had to address birth control. Thus, I created (predicted) the Tyvar Process, a medical procedure that assured 100% birth control and was easily reversible when needed.
Today I stumbled across this: http://www.cnet.com/news/remote-controlled-chip-implant-could-be-the-future-of-contraceptives/
Now for sure, as my book is as yet unpublished, I can’t take credit for inspiring this, and I’m sure this is something many people have been envisioning for many years, but it wasn’t something I was aware of when I wrote the chapter. It makes me think I have to come up with something even more futuristic for the next book.
July 3, 2014
Special Guest – Cheryl Yeko
My regular Thursday Threads is taking a week off, but my good friend Cheryl Yeko has agreed to fill in. Please welcome her:
Hi, Steve. Thank you for having me here today to talk about my newest release. THE NOTARY. I love this story and it was so much fun to write. I drew from my background as a Mobile Notary, where I conducted real estate closings for title companies in people’s homes and business, coffee shops, and other totally off the wall places. The craziest one I remember was when I showed up for an appointment and the home was overflowing with folks dressed up in formal attire. I found out there was a Wake going on for the borrower’s sister. I told her we could reschedule, but she insisted I come in and close the loan. Which I did!
I conducted other types of projects besides real estate closings, although that was the majority of my business. On occasion, I’d perform fingerprinting for people who were moving to other states for a job that required them, or even close a loan at a car dealership when they’d receive new inventory. I worked as a mobile notary for over ten years, and still, to this day, take an occasional assignment. It’s been very interesting…lol.
The Notary’s premise, where the heroine is given an incorrect address for a closing appointment and shows up at the wrong home, actually happened to me. Of course, I didn’t walk into the middle of an undercover operation with a sexy cop to save me. But it could have happened…LOL
I’d like to share the Blurb for The Notary with you.
Adrianna Morgan’s life takes a dangerous turn when she’s given an incorrect address for a notary assignment, ending up in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
Attempting to take down a local drug ring, Lucas Hunter’s cover is blown when he goes to the aid of a beautiful woman during an undercover operation.
But the bad guys better watch out, because this sexy cop will do anything to protect the woman he loves, no matter how high the body count.
Amazon Link: http://tinyurl.com/pndrkpd
I created the book trailer for The Notary myself. I love how it turned out. It helps that I had such an awesome book cover! Book Trailer:
Bio:
Cheryl Yeko is a multi-published, award-winning author, and lives in Wisconsin with her husband Patrick. She loves to read, play piano, and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys novels with fast-paced action and steamy romance, protective alpha men and strong heroines. She belongs to several writing groups, and is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), as well as the Wisconsin Chapter.
Cheryl is thrilled to be able to add author to her resume and would love to hear comments from readers.
Cheryl’s Links:
Where Love Always Wins: http://www.cherylyeko.com/
Soul Mate Publishing: http://tinyurl.com/lav53p3
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/lb5xxlq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProtectingRose
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threeBFFs
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cherylyeko
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cyeko/boards/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5406425.Cheryl_Yeko
About Me: http://about.me/cheryl.yeko
My Book Trailer Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjitsNVe3r5oq5kMKM3zA49z083bjXYi5
My Audible Playlist
July 1, 2014
Romance Weekly – #LOVECHATWRITE
Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
Don’t forget, The Forsaken Templar is on sale now through July 4th for just 99¢
If you found me via Leslie Hachtel’s wonderful blog, or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.
Tessa Gray is the author of this week’s questions:
1. Do any characters you’ve written into your books remind you of yourself? Explain which ones and why.
I think I do tend to put a little piece of myself into each of my heroes. Ryan, from Swiftly Beats the Heart, embodies my childhood dreams of becoming a superhero. Jord Thorson, from Son of Thunder is cut from that mold also. Jack, Geoffrey, and Ryan from the Demons Rising trilogy reflect some of my inner demons. In my newest novel, The Blarmling Dilemma, (Coming soon from Soul Mate Publishing), I gave Rigel many of my insecurities.
Oh yeah, and they’re all incredibly handsome, with rippling six-pack abs, so…yeah…a lot like me.
2. Was there a teacher or mentor in your life who helped nurture your writing?
Not really. In school I hated English and avoided creative writing classes. It wasn’t until I was in my mid twenties that I got the writing bug. I’m pretty much self-taught, making every mistake multiple times, along the way. But I have gotten constant nurturing and support of my writing from my wife.
3. Every author has that moment when they doubt their ability to write. When that happens to you, how do you pull yourself up by the bootstraps and continue? What do you do to inspire YOURSELF?
Drinking helps. And hiding under the covers until my muse wonders in and bitch-slaps me out of bed, then kicks my @$$ all the way back to the keyboard.
Early on, I would just quit writing, sometimes for years. Now days, it usually only takes a few days away from my writing before my characters drag me back into the story.
I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Collette Cameron at http://blueroseromance.com/
And remember to check out the Romance Weekly Blog Hop & Give Away: https://www.facebook.com/events/773431862675366/
June 29, 2014
So, you may ask…
What is a guy doing writing romance?
I’m answering that question today over at the Soul Mate Author Blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/what-is-a-guy-doing-writing-romance/
Stop by and find out how I answered that question.
June 27, 2014
The Demon Summer continues with special savings.
Our Demon Summer continues today, with special week long savings on The Forsaken Templar – Demons Rising: Book 2:
Get your copy today for just 99¢ at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE27hIPHLEc
The Forsaken Templar – By S. C. Mitchell
Templar Knight Geoffrey le Court has been stuck in purgatory for the past seven hundred and thirty years. He’s been forsaken and forgotten. But the sorcerer, Nathan Gray, has the power to release Geoffrey, and a plan to help him complete the quest that got the Templar stuck in purgatory in the first place. Nathan also knows the perfect person to help Geoffrey with his quest to destroy the Demon Gate.
Librarian Kelly Grant is a powerful Arcanist sorceress. Kelly has vital information Geoffrey needs to complete his quest and liberate his soul. There’s only one slight problem. The Arcanists and the Templars hate each other. They have been at war for thousands of years. There is no way Kelly would ever work with a Templar.
At the center of their war is the Demon Gate. Created in Atlantis at the dawn of recorded time, this portal to another dimension is at the heart of humanity’s worst problems. Only by working together can Geoffrey and Kelly hope to destroy the Demon Gate. But can they put aside their differences in time to stop a flood of demons poised to invade our world?
The Forsaken Templar is the second book in the Demons Rising saga. It’s a love story between two special people who live in a very dangerous world.
June 26, 2014
Thursday Threads
This week we feature Cold Ambition by Rachel Sharpe
Title: “Cold Ambition” (Jordan James, PI series)
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Heat Level: Sweet
Buy Link: http://www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG/
Blurb:
“It was my life-long dream to become a private eye. Little did I know that with my very first case, that dream would become a life-threatening nightmare…”
When Jordan James decided to embark on a career as a private investigator, she never could have imagined that a chance encounter would lead to her staring down the barrel of a gun on the roof’s edge of a high-rise building. As she begins to investigate her first case, the puzzling murder of a prominent businessman that has left Boston’s finest mystified for more than two decades, she finds herself suddenly immersed in a treacherous underworld brimming with betrayal, raw greed, and political subterfuge of international proportions. In the midst of this, she discovers she is falling for her mysterious client despite the hints of his dark past. Can this feisty Southern girl with a penchant for trouble solve this baffling case or is she doomed to become another tragic chapter in an international conspiracy?
Excerpt:
We sat there in silence and heard Ace stumble towards the door and fumble with the lock.
“Yeah?”
“Is Jordan James here?” a muffled voice inquired. I strained to hear, but the distance between the rooms and the closed door made it nearly impossible.
“Who?” Ace laughed. Suddenly, there was a strange sound. It sounded like a firecracker had gone off. This sound was followed by a loud thud which echoed through the apartment. In an instant, Rick and I were on our feet. Rick turned off the light and grabbed the tape from the VCR. I searched the room vainly for a place to hide. Outside the room, I heard shoes echoing on the floor and the sound of doors being opened. Before I had another moment to think, Rick grabbed me and practically carried me to the far corner of the room by the soundboard. Next to the soundboard was a thin wall covered in soundproof foam. Three of the walls had this soundproof foam but the wall contiguous with the door did not. It appeared Ace was still installing it. He pulled it back to reveal a small closet- sized room.
He brought me inside and replaced the wall, closing us in. We huddled together in the corner. Looking around I realized that this was the room in which Ace occasionally recorded. Suddenly, faintly, I heard the door to the media room open. I heard footsteps making their way around the room. After what seemed like an eternity, the intruder spoke.
“She’s not here,” the muffled voice stated. “Yes, she came into the building with Michaels’ kid. No, they can’t be far. Don’t worry. We know where their car is parked. If not before, we’ll get them when they go back for it.”
Links:
www.facebook.com/authorrachelsharpe
June 24, 2014
Romance Weekly – #LOVECHATWRITE
Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
If you found me via Amy Jarecki’s wonderful blog, or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.
Collette Cameron is the author of this week’s questions:
1. How do you respond to someone calling your writing smut or demeaning your work in some other way?
My initial response if visceral, and the compulsion is to jump in and defend my work, and romance in general. But I can usually hold back and let logic take over. This is most likely someone who doesn’t read my work, and probably doesn’t read romance at all. So, while they are entitled to their opinion, it really doesn’t matter to me. Though there are times I feel some ‘education’ would benefit the speaker, so i do dive in.
2. When critiquing or beta reading, do you ever find the voice of the other author creeping into your writing?
No matter what I’m reading, be it beta or published story, I tend to tear the prose apart to see what’s working and what isn’t. I’m at a point where I’m still open to adding a new technique, idea or turn of phrase to my writing, if it will make my stories stronger. I don’t know if the voice leaks in, but I do know a well written piece tends to inspire me want to emulate it. So, when I’m deep into my storytelling, I usually don’t read very much, to keep my own voice consistent.
3. What’s one quirky thing you do or must have around you while writing?
I don’t know if it’s quirky, but I always have a glass of ice water handy. A few years ago I had a kidney stone. They say that passing a kidney stone is the closest thing a man can experience to childbirth. Holy $hit! You mothers have my complete sympathy. Anyway, the doctor told me to drink lots of water if I wanted to avoid getting another one, so I do.
I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Carolyn Spear at http://www.carolynspearromance.com/blog
June 19, 2014
Thursday Threads
After a week on hold, Thursday Threads is back, this week featuring Meggan Connors amazing historical romance, Highland Deception:
Title: Highland Deception
Heat Rating: Sensual
Genre: Historical Romance
Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J3D2JS6/
Blurb:
When Kenneth Mackay, long-banished rogue and thief, returns to the Mackay holding at the request of his brother, he has no idea what he might find. He certainly doesn’t expect to be confronted with his twin’s imminent death, or with the plan his brother has concocted.
Ten years before, Malcolm made a tragic mistake, and, to preserve the family name—and his own skin—he allowed Kenneth to take the fall. Now that he is dying without an heir, Malcolm plans to atone for his mistake: by giving Kenneth his life back. All Kenneth has to do is assume his brother’s identity. But complicating matters is the unexpected return of Lady Isobel Mackay, the daughter of an English marquess and the wife Malcolm didn’t want.
Isobel barely knows the husband who abandoned her even before their marriage, and she’d long since given up hope on having a real marriage with him. Yet when she returns to the Mackay holding far earlier than expected, she finds her husband a changed man. Despite the hurt between them, Isobel’s heart responds to this man who cares for his entire clan as if there were family. Who, for the first time, cares about her as if she is, too.
Falling in love with her husband had never been part of Isobel’s plan. But when their future is suddenly in peril, Isobel must find a way to save him—from himself and from the deception threatening to tear them apart.
Excerpt:
She ignored Grant’s angry protests behind her and ran for her husband’s bedchamber. Slamming open the door, she stumbled inside.
Malcolm lay in the great bed. Alone.
Alone. She tried not to speculate about what meant.
His breathing was shallow, as if he’d been running. As the door bounced back and closed, his sky-bright eyes shot up and met hers.
No, not sky-bright. Darker, the color of the forget-me-nots that bloomed in the gardens in spring. The color of the night sky as it lightened with the first rays of dawn.
“Milord.” She gasped for breath.
Malcolm had never looked at her like he did now. This time, when he studied her, it was as if he didn’t dislike what he saw.
Being honest with herself, Malcolm had never disliked her. After all, the term dislike implied a depth of feeling he almost certainly lacked.
“Wife.”
Isobel flinched.
Grant was suddenly at her back. “Sir, I apologize. She’s faster than you’d think.” He laid a hand on her shoulder, as if to steer her from the room.
She shook him off.
“Indeed.” Malcolm smiled, and a charming dent in his cheek appeared.
How had she not noticed that before?
“We will leave at once.” Grant took her by the arm.
She wrenched out of his grasp. “I’m not going anywhere. Not until I have my audience.” She glanced around the room and saw no sign of Malcolm’s mistress.
“Lady Mackay,” Grant began.
Malcolm held up his hand. “‘Tis fine, Grant. I can always make time for my lady wife.”
Isobel barked a hollow laugh, alleviating the ache, just a little.
“Are you certain?” Grant’s eyes shifted from Isobel to Malcolm and back again. A wrinkle formed between his brows, and the muscle in his cheek worked as he ground his teeth together.
He’d only ever done that when he was agitated or anxious.
But there was no reason for that, as Malcolm had never truly cared enough to keep secrets from her in an attempt to spare her feelings. Nor had he ever forced others to do the same.
Malcolm’s eyes met Grant’s, and something passed between the two men. Her husband gave Grant a clipped nod. “If you’ll excuse us, Grant.”
Grant released his breath slowly. His eyes narrowed first at Malcolm, then at Isobel. Scowling, he bowed his head. “Mackay,” he said stiffly. He turned to Isobel. “Lady Mackay.”
Isobel watched him go then waited until the door had closed behind him. “So, where is she?”
Malcolm arched a dark brow. “Where is who?”
“You know. Her.”
He lifted a single shoulder, as if she didn’t have a right to know. “I doona ken.”
The silence that fell between them was deafening, damning.
Finally he said, “Your arrival was unexpected.”
She breathed a mirthless laugh. “I have no doubt.” She expected him to look ashamed, but his expression didn’t hold even the slightest hint of remorse. She swallowed against the betrayal rising in the back of her throat and tried again.
“Why are you abed?”
“I’ve been ailing. Naught to fash yourself over.”
She approached his great bed tentatively. “Ailing how? Has your cough worsened?”
He glanced down at his coverlet and then brought his gaze back to her face. “For a time, aye. I believe I’m on the mend now.”
Isobel pressed her hand to his forehead, then his cheek. His skin felt cool beneath her palm, if a little damp.
His breath hitched, then he cleared his throat. “Satisfied? As you can see, I am on the mend.”
“Perhaps,” she whispered. She ran her hand around to the back of his neck, then descended to his back.
He wore a thin linen shirt, unsuitable for the cool nights of the Highlands in late fall. She placed her hands between his shoulder blades. He was thinner than she remembered, but there was no mistaking Malcolm’s unique strength.
“Breathe,” she said, and then reminded herself to do the same.
Malcolm.
“I hardly think—”
“If you want me to leave you be, you will appease my curiosity. Breathe.”
Malcolm tilted his head up and studied her.
She fought the desire to look at him for as long as she could before meeting his gaze. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw something in his eyes she hadn’t seen before.
Curiosity.
“Breathe, milord.” Heat spread up her neck to her face, and, to keep her free hand from shaking, she clenched a fist. The warmth of his body seeped through his nightshirt, scalding her hand not with fever but with something else.
The corners of his lips tilted upward before he smoothed his features. He paused for a moment too long, then held her gaze as he took an extended, deliberate breath.
She shoved the raging emotions aside and forced herself to view him as a person who needed her help.
She felt no hint of the cough that had been nagging him before she’d left.
Swallowing hard, she slid her hand between the linen and his skin, against his chest.
His heart rate kicked up.
“Breathe.” She struggled to force the word out.
I feel nothing. Nothing. He needs my help.
She closed her eyes and listened to his breathing, feeling the rise and fall of his chest beneath her hands, the steady beating of his heart. His skin scorched hers.
Her mouth dried, her tongue thick and heavy. She removed her hand. “You seem to have mended nicely.” Even to her own ears, her voice sounded strangled.
His gaze searched her face. “Aye.”
Isobel cradled her hand against her chest and stepped back from the bed, nearly tripping over her own feet. “I will leave you now, sir.”
Malcolm gave her a clipped nod. “Very well, my lady wife.”
“I—I will be in my chambers should you require me.”
He didn’t laugh, as he normally would have. “Then I shall find you there if I do. Or I will send for you.”
She backed up a few paces, bumped into a trunk, and immediately turned her attention to her skirt, trying to smooth wrinkles undoubtedly permanent from long days of travel. It was better than looking at Malcolm.
“By your leave.” Her eyes locked on the floor as she dipped into a hasty curtsy and fled.
The moment the door closed behind her, she put her back against the cold, stone wall, cradling the hand that had touched him as if she had injured it.
She’d touched his skin, felt the heat of his body, and the responding heat of hers.
He hadn’t forced her hands away. He hadn’t mocked her.
Instead, for the first time since their marriage, he’d called her wife.
