Rachelle Ayala's Blog, page 81

#AuthorInterview B. David Warner #PoliticalThriller

Today, I'm happy to have author B. David Warner on Rachelle's Window. Mr. Warner has written a political thriller set quite appropriately for this election year, on a presidential election in 2016.

Rachelle: Tell us a little about your new mystery/thriller Freeze Frame 2016.


B. David: It’s set days before an upcoming presidential election. Ad exec Darcy James learns a dark secret behind Benjamin Aguirre, a third party candidate who’s ahead in the polls and a shoo-in to become our next president.
RA: It’s up to her to expose him?
BD: Yeah, as the only one who knows the secret, Darcy has to stop him; but she and her love-interest Sean Higgins are being pursued by the authorities for a murder they didn’t commit.
RA: What’s the secret behind the candidate?
BD: You’ll have to read Freeze Frame 2016. But I can tell you it includes drug cartels, international terrorism and politics, all set against the face-paced world of the automotive advertising industry.
RA: As they say, it sounds like it’s “ripped from the headlines of today’s newspapers.” How did you research it?
BD: Well, I’ve been involved in the advertising business for years, so it was easy to take readers behind the scenes to see what really goes on in those creative sessions.
RA: How about the cartels and terrorists?
BD: I have a friend, a former military officer who’s been involved in counter-terrorism for our country for years. He helped guide me in setting up the scenario.
RA: It sounds scary.
BD: It’s even more so when you know it’s based on what is really happening today. At least with the cartels and international terrorists being in bed with each other.
RA: Tell me about your central character, Darcy James.
BD: Darcy grew from a tall, gawky teenager into a lovely, confident 30-year-old woman. She discovered basketball, which she played at Michigan State, and became comfortable with her height when she was voted onto the MSU Homecoming Court.
RA: And she’s a creative supervisor?
BD: That’s right. She had started as a young writer at Adams & Benson Advertising, and moved up quickly. She married, and then divorced a Detroit cop, and moved back to her hometown, Grand Rapids. Now, five years later, she comes back to A&B in a new role as creative supervisor on the American Vehicle Corporation account.
RA: I noticed in the first chapter that she’s pretty comfortable behind the wheel of a 700 horsepower sports car.
BD: Like all the creative people on the AVC car account, she was sent to the famous Skip Barber Racing School to learn more about the products she wrote about. She took the training more seriously than most, entering and winning often at the Gratten track just outside of Grand Rapids.

RA: How can my readers learn more?
BD: The first couple of chapters are on my web site: www.bdavidwarner.com.

Hot Ladies from Critique Circle's #Romance Queue #gratitude

One of the hoppingest places online is Critique Circle, the Internet equivalent of a Writer's Cafe or Bar or Watering Hole, whichever your persuasion. And the HOTTEST queue of all is the Romance Queue where the sexiest ladies strut their wares. See the little Devil icons? the red ones with the horns? That is a warning for an extra steamy chapter.
The object of Critique Circle is to exchange crits, but the side-effect is making friends and digging into the inner life of your critique partners. There's nothing more revealing than reading critiques and discussing characters. Sharing secrets and fetishes aside, my critique partners have also challenged me to improve my writing, hit me over the head with my annoying habits, and ingrained in me never to hop heads. So, without further ado, let's meet these crazy ladies and their seriously cool books. [Warning: none of them know I'm doing this post. Psst! It's a surprise.]

Melisa Hamling, author of Twenty Weeks
This super lady was the first one to plow through all fifty-odd chapters of Michal's Window , not just once, but as many times as I revised it. She knows every ditched chapter, love scene and plot twist that ended on the cutting room floor. It's no wonder she's my firstie and my bestie. She plowed through Broken Build ahead of the regular weekly queue and is the first to tell me when I've gone too far as well as pick me up from the floor when I've been beaten up. Melisa is an awesomely imaginative author whose works range from fantasy to young adult to hot and steamy. Twenty Weeks , a story about a teenager's pregnancy and struggles with abortion was a big hit this summer, and Melisa's new release, Of Love and Deception, is sure to be full of steamy twists and cliffhangers. I can't wait!




Chantel Rhondeau, author of Always & Forever
I oftentimes wonder if Chantel and I were not long-lost twin souls. We met this January on Critique Circle with our drafts of Always & Forever and Broken Build , both written before we knew each other's existence. As each  week passed by, we marveled at the similarities of our stories. Both involve a woman with a shady past, a man who has suffered loss [no details, you have to read both books], a gimpy leg, a cabin scene, a shower scene, gosh, even a dance scene with, of all things, the same song! As a matter of fact, I issue a challenge. The reader of both books who can e-mail me the most similarities (more than five) between my book and Chantel's wins a paper copy of Broken Build [once it is released].



Helen Elliston, author of Tick-Tock Run, Think Fast Die Last, and Shiver Sweet
This fine author may not inhabit the Romance queue, but her suspenseful mysteries always include a element of romance. Helen's books are fast paced and full of action, fun and exciting. I can always count on Helen to choreograph a fight scene for me. Her characters rarely make the right decision and are always getting in way too deep, but she spices up the story with funny scenes that could have come right out of a movie. Warning: watch for that shower scene in Shiver Sweet . It's not what you expect!



Christina McKnight, author of Only in Her Dreams
Christina is a real sweetie. She's always cheerful even after being hit with double-barreled crits. Her story contrasts the heroism and self-sacrifice of one set of characters with the selfishness and venality of the other set. Week after week, Christina refined her work and taught me the value of a beta male hero. Once I saw how masterfully she did hers, I began writing my new novel, Hidden Under Her Heart, with a hero who is a supportive sweetheart. Only in Her Dreams is sure to capture your fancy and make you wonder if the guy in your dreams is around the corner at a coffee shop near you.



Jennifer Comeaux, author of Life on the Edge
Life on the Edge was the first story I read on Critique Circle. The chapter I read was about a competition in Colorado. I was a complete newbie, but Jen was patient with my remarks and we attended several online classes together. While Jen's story is not as sexy as the others, she stayed true to her principles and offered up a sweet romance between an ice skater and her coach. The funniest thing of all was after we emerged from Margie Lawson's emotions class, she would call me out about all of the over-the-top viscerals I liberally studded throughout my manuscript. Jen is working on a sequel to Life on the Edge called Edge of the Past. We should see it by the end of this year.



Melissa Mayberry, author of Mellifica
Melissa and I had a lot of fun comparing the characters between Michal's Window and Mellifica . We both had a female protag who was obsessed with one man while having two other men hanging on the wings. While I deleted my female cat fight scene, Mellifica's stayed in the book. Another scene involved a male character playing with a model of a building, complete with tiny figures. But similarities or differences aside, I learned that sad stories do not have to end tragically. Mellifica: Disastrous First Love is a book that will yank at your heart and remind you that love does not always come easily.



Terry Long, author of The Notorious Proposal
If anyone knows how to write hot scenes, it's Terry Long. The steam in her book is positively volcanic. I shudder to think how I blushed when I first critted preliminary chapters of The Notorious Proposal. I'll never forget the one when Michael storms up to the tower where he had locked Ally up. But more than heat, Terry's characters are personable and quirky in their own way. She can drag out the misunderstandings and hurt feelings, dish out the dirt, and make gravy out of groveling. Terry encourages me to show a softer side of my male characters in their admiration for my female protag. Terry's next book is in the works and features an explosive combination of a spoiled tomboy and a servant who betrays her while marrying her.



Stefanie Pristavu, author of Hunters
My eardrums are deafened by Stefanie's screams. She is vocal about emotions and she makes sure my characters don't come across as cardboard, unfeeling crash dummies. Stefanie favors strong female characters, and oftentimes my characters are mushy little powder puffs. I can count on Stefanie to put a bit of backbone in them, but I get a kick out of her comments when they don't meet her expectations. And believe me, she will make her opinion known, loud and clear. I value Stefanie's crits because even though they are oftentimes over 1000 words long, I know she will shake those characters thoroughly until their ragdoll stuffing is trailed all over the kitchen floor. Stefanie's paranormal adventures are rugged, full of blood, fights and action scenes with sweaty love scenes thrown in for good measure. Be sure to watch for Stefanie's next book about a fallen angel! It's cataclysmic action with a super stubborn and gritty female heroine.



Lucie Ulrich, author of Broken Vessels
Okay, maybe it's not fair to include Lucie here in the "hot" ladies' post. She is a Christian author and her books are definitely not the least bit suggestive. But she dutifully critted every chapter of Broken Build and did not hold back her honest feedback. I appreciate her sticking with me from week to week and hope that she will enjoy my upcoming book since it will hopefully be more palatable to the average Christian. Lucie is working on an inspirational romance set on a working ranch. It is a heartwarming story about love and acceptance.



Lauren Stewart, author of Hyde
No list would be complete without the scintillating Lauren Stewart. While Lauren was not the most plodding of all critters, she'd jump in and out when the spirit moved her. She is the owner of "The Idylle" forum where a bunch of us hang out, encourage each other, fight and bite and whine. Hyde is an unique story that pushes the boundaries between good and evil. It is already a hit and I can fondly say, "I knew Lauren before!"



Thanks also to my other Crit Partners: Aminah, Baker, Carla, Sobril, Applejack, Ckingragg, Dawnwich, Mooderino, Flatlander, Midevil, Mimiwriter, Cecilylori, Plange, Kissmecate, Brandip73, Brandi_fey, Wondering0, Selsworth, Wjoeyl, Cms1171, Col0rize, Borodin and many more.


Be sure to check out the books on The Hot Ladies from Critique Circle's Romance Queue Listmania

#NewRelease: Mimi Barbour's Vegas Series #RomanticSuspense

Release for hot, new "Vegas" Series – Are you feeling lucky?

~Welcome~

This is release day for the new romantic suspense Vegas Series by Mimi Barbour

   "Partners" Book One in the new Romantic Suspense Vegas Series. 
Riveting and fast-paced, this short blockbuster will introduce you to Aurora Morelli and Kai Lawson, the characters who are the stars of the Vegas Series.     In this novel, Aurora is forced to accept one very difficult fact—she's lonesome for her partner Debbie. An attack by a maniac put paid to their working together and Aurora is pissed. She's out to get the madman who hurt her friend and God help anyone who gets in her way.  Therefore when a new partner is forced on her, a bloody hotshot no less, the kind of dude she always stays as far away from as possible, she's even more pissed. This action–packed short is humorous and will sweep you into the lives of these Las Vegas Detectives.  Short Excerpt – Chapter One
So this is what missing someone feels like. Kind of sad and lonely mashed together, eating away at you all day long. Aurora had never felt this way before; wouldn’t have given herself permission. This time the annoying ache refused to stop.She seldom allowed gloomy thoughts to grab hold and mess with her head. But looking around the small office assigned to her and another, seeing the empty desk, sorrow gnawed away until she gave in. Her old partner Deb left behind a hollow emptiness, a sensation she wouldn’t ever admit to anyone else. What did you expect? She chastised herself. Not having the person you trust more than anyone else in the world backing you up sucked big time.Two weeks ago, life had been normal. She’d gone to get a cup of the sludge they called coffee and left Debbie working on their backlog of case files. Returning to their office, Lieutenant Cory Ashton had caught up with her and they’d stepped into the room together, both coming to a dead stop. Debbie, who’d lately taken to the layered look with sloppy clothes, had bent over to pick something up from the floor and everything had draped open— her pregnant belly had been revealed for all to see.


 "Roll the Dice" Book Two in the romantic suspense Vegas Series.   “You shot me!” Aurora is incensed. Her new partner shrugs and answers. “I saved your life.” From the very first page of this riveting story, these two battle for supremacy in trying to catch the serial rapist who ripped both their lives apart. With all her might, she fights the attraction to his baby blues that tease and start her internal warning devices humming. After all, her job is her life and determination has always been her lifeline.
Kai has a mission of honor to undertake. The man who’d raped his sister can’t be allowed to live. After all, she hadn’t! Revenge fills his soul while visions of his new partner fills his heart. The sassy woman rattles his calm, and he can’t keep his hands to himself. Doesn’t mean she has the power to stop him from doing what has to be done.  “You shot me!”“You told me to.”“Dumb shit!” Aurora pushed her new partner from hovering over her so she could sit up. “I didn't mean it. I just wanted you to scare Rhondo.” She felt blood poring from the wound on her arm and purposely kept her head turned away. “Shooting you did scare him. He let you go, didn't he?”Aurora frowned at him. Why did his voice have to sound so damn reasonable? “What-ever!” She hoped her scorn would get to him.“Hey! I saw his eyes, you didn’t.  He had every intention of using that knife. You know, the sharp one he had pressed against your throat. If I’d shot him instead of you…” He shrugged.Aurora shuddered, fighting off nausea. She didn’t want to listen to reason. Being angry made the situation a whole lot easier to deal with. Sarcasm, the best weapon she had in a macho man's environment, replaced whining. She glared at him and saw his shapely eyebrows rise. The light of the bulb hanging from the ceiling of the cruddy apartment haloed his head making the bare skin shine.  “Just my frigging luck to end up with a partner who thinks and looks like Bruce Willis."Kai chuckled. Her glower put a quick end to his merriment. He tried changing the subject with sweet talk. "I've been told I have a nicely shaped head for being bald.""Sure and it goes swell with your baby-blue eyes." She sneered on purpose. No way would she admit he did look good. His response was a grunt of displeasure. “Are you always this crabby?”Disbelief shone in her amazed expression. “Not at all…” She said, disdain evident. “…only when I’ve been shot.”
   "Vegas" Contest Rules (Sept 15 – Sept 30th)

1. Read the book called "Roll the Dice". 2. Write an honest review for Amazon.3. Send a copy of Amazon's notice to mimibarbour@hotmail.com
Then…you'll have a chance at being the lucky winner of a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate
I've purposely set the price of the book down to $.99 for this contest and on Sept 19 & 20 it will be promoted in the
www.Freepartay.com
and will be …
…you guessed it!
FREE!!!
Good Luck!!!

#BookChat Read Me Dead by Emerald Barnes

Synopsis:
Alexia Wheaton’s problems go beyond picking a dress and a date for homecoming.

For seven years, Alex has lived with a painful memory - her parents' horrific murder. As the sole witness, she has kept quiet to protect herself, but when the local newspaper reveals her secret, Alex is plagued with fear that her parents' murderer will soon find her - and silence her forever.

Alex is catapulted into a race against time to save her own life and bring her parents' murderer to justice.
From the Author: 
Read Me Dead started as more of a mystery/suspense young adult thriller.  But, when writing it, it became focused on love, thus making it a romantic suspense.  From start to finish, the novel changed so much.  I cried with my characters, and regretted some changes I made for the final product.  However, those changes made the novel better.  
This novel may not have a strong, female character, but she survives, and I think that is important.  It teaches young adults that no matter what they go through in life, although it's probably not as extreme as what happens to my main character, Alex, it's still important to know what you can survive what life throws at you.  

What Readers Say:
"Emerald Barnes has crafted a compelling read: a thriller, murder, mystery, with a romantic triangle and betrayal by someone in a position of trust. This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and held my attention to the end. There were many twists and turns in the plot, and the main character experienced real trauma (physically and emotionally), not just the threat of it."  Author Gloria Antypowich

"Read Me Dead is an entertaining thriller/suspense YA book. Even though it is for YA, I would say anyone can enjoy this book, not just young adults. At Approximately 362 pages, it is a good sized read, though I was so absorbed in the story it took me less than two days to finish it. So if thriller/suspense books are your thing, take a chance with Read Me Dead."  Life and Times of a Book Addict

"I really felt drawn in and hooked on the story. Trying to guess the identity of the murderer. I did kind of guess but then there was yet another twist and turn, so was also surprised too."  JeanzBookReadNReview




Behind the Scenes:   

This is my second book, my first published full-length novel.  While writing it, I had a few beta readers who told me that they hated my main character.  It hurt me, but Alex was Alex.  I couldn't change her.  I didn't want to change her.  She was weak, this I will admit, but I wanted her weak because it gives her a chance to grow.  
Read Me Dead, the title, is something I get a lot of remarks about.  Everyone loves it.  (And for the record it's pronounced "Reed" not "Red")  It was originally saved onto my computer as "The Article" which is hardly catchy.  After a long, and I mean a couple of months, the title Read Me Dead just popped into my head.  There's nothing else like it, and it fits the story so well.  

Bio and Links: 
Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for Women.  She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove it.  Sometimes she even has to spell Mississippi, M - I - crooked letter- crooked letter - I - crooked letter - crooked letter - I - hump back- hump back - I.

She's the author of Read Me Dead and Piercing Through the Darkness.  She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages!  Her short story, Wishes, was published by Phyllis Scott Publishing in their book, Blue Legs and other Coming of Age stories.  She also has short stories available for free on Smashwords.

She's constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with.  She blogs at yaindie.com as a contributing author, emeraldbarnes.blogspot.com and ebarnes23.wordpress.com which takes up more of her time than she anticipates but loves it so very much!

She's an auntie to two beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn't imagine spending her time in any other way!

She's a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person.  God is number one in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor in her life.Connect with Emerald:WebsiteBlogInspiration BlogFacebookTwitterGoodreadsGoogle +Amazon Author Page

Buy Links:
AmazonCreatespace                    NookKoboSmashwordsTues. Sept. 18-Wed., Sept. 19th.
10 Award winning books and SEVERAL chances to win a$10, $20, or $50 Amazon gift card (3 lucky WINNERSwill be chosen!)
Click the image below for details

#BookChat COME BACK TO ME by Melissa Foster

Synopsis:

Tess Johnson has it all: her handsome photographer husband Beau, a thriving business, and a newly discovered pregnancy. When Beau accepts an overseas photography assignment, Tess decides to wait to reveal her secret--only she's never given the chance. Beau's helicopter crashes in the desert.

Tess struggles with the news of Beau's death and tries to put her life back together. Alone and dealing with a pregnancy that only reminds her of what she has lost, Tess is adrift in a world of failed plans and fallen expectations. When a new client appears offering more than just a new project, Tess must confront the circumstances of her life head on.

Meanwhile, two Iraqi women who are fleeing honor killings find Beau barely alive in the middle of the desert, his body ravaged by the crash. Suha, a doctor, and Samira, a widow and mother of three young children, nurse him back to health in a makeshift tent. Beau bonds with the women and children, and together, with the help of an underground organization, they continue their dangerous escape.

What happens next is a test of loyalties, strength, and love.

From the Author:

The summer before my husband, Les, was to be deployed to Iraq, I came up with the concept for COME BACK TO ME. I wondered what would happen if he didn't come back from his deployment, which led me to think about all sorts of things that could happen while he was stationed there. I wrote COME BACK TO ME the following year, when Les was in Iraq, which made connecting with both American's stationed in Iraq and Iraqi people much easier, which in turn made my research much more enjoyable.

I wanted to tell the story of Beau and Tess because there are so many families that are split by deployment, and though we have Skype and cell phones, which is far better than was available in previous war times, we cannot always rely on technology--and I think in this day and age, I think we might rely on it a bit too much. I like to present scenarios that bring my readers to an introspective place, and I believe this story has readers slowing down a bit in their own lives, wondering, "What if?" and evaluating their own internal strengths.

COME BACK TO ME is not a typical happily ever after story, but life is not typically happily ever after either. I believe my readers appreciate bringing real possibilities into my stories, and Tess and Beau's story does just that.

What Readers Think:


As featured in USA Today's, Happily Ever After blog, "Come Back to Me is perceptive and penetrating look at the intricacies of love, respect and relationships. Foster's characters are solid; her writing style engaging and her story moving." --IndieReader 5 STARS
.
"Fast moving and suspenseful, it depicts a test of commitment, strength, and love that will keep you on the edge of your seat and rooting for the main characters."
--T. Elliott, Editor, MENSA Bulletin

"complex and beautifully written...a unique story of danger, loyalty, and undying love." --Bestselling novelist, Darcie Chan
.
"Cinematic, emotionally charged story." 
   -- Joni Rodgers, NYT bestselling author

Behind the Scenes:
The most memorable thing that happened when I was writing this book was that a bomb had landed near my husband's base while he was in Iraq, and began to see how quickly our lives could change. It was a true eye opener, and for many, the outcome has not been so lucky. My husband is alive and well, but many soldiers have died fighting this war. Life is about perspective, and writing this book has given me great perspective.


Join Melissa Foster and 9 other award-winning authors in the BEST INDIE BOOK FESTIVAL,Featuring 10 Literary Fiction & Thriller Titles!
TWO DAYS ONLY!Tues. Sept. 18-Wed., Sept. 19th.
10 Award winning books and SEVERAL chances to win a$10, $20, or $50 Amazon gift card(3 lucky WINNERS will be chosen!)
Click the image below for details



About the Author:

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of three International bestselling novels, Megan's Way, Chasing Amanda, and Come Back to Me. She is also the founder of the World Literary Café, Fostering Success, and the Women’s Nest.

Melissa’s site links:

Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com
World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com
Fostering Success: http://www.fostering-success.com
Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor (Fanpage)
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

MEGAN'S WAY

CHASING AMANDA

COME BACK TO ME

#Readers React to BROKEN BUILD: Silicon Valley Romantic Suspense

Reader Reactions
are HOT!


BROKEN BUILDSilicon Valley Romantic SuspenseHot new Silicon Valley romantic suspense grabs you by the seat of the *pants* and doesn't let up until the final push.

Keeps you up way past bedtime, chasing bad guys and falling in love.

Jen Jones has a terrible secret and when her past collides with her future, things heat up.

A fun thrill ride of suspense will keep you interested and addicted.

A smart & fascinating read with vivid writing and a very likeable main character

Secrets emerge, lies unfold... will love prevail?

A suspenseful - romance with plenty of mind-bending mysteries to keep you guessing and begging for the truth.

Amazing chemistry, and Dave always worrying about Jen, so romantic!



Two Books for the Price of ONE!

BROKEN BUILD on sale for 99c
AND MICHAL’S WINDOW on sale for $1.99



http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

Chantel Rhondeau's Review of Broken Build.

#GuestPost Monique Morgan on Strong Female Characters

All of my books have one thing in common. They have a strong female lead character, who is extraordinary in some way. River Black, my newest femme fatale, is no different.

River has been raised in a futuristic time period, where each day is a survival. She breaks the norms of her society taking on a fighting role. She has one true love, and that is weapons. River has known how to shoot a weapon almost as soon as she could walk. Her small frame is agile and tough, and she has lived her whole life chasing through the forest and hunting prey.       
      All of this is the norm in a society where automatics are the norm, and human life a commodity, a profitable one at that. River has been prepared for what will be coming, a world where the only thing that will keep her safe is her ability to put a bullet in the head of an infected, as well as her enemies.

River Black breaks convention in a strong male dominated society of survivors. She pushes against any hindrance to her quest, breaking through each barrier without a second glance, until eventually there are none.

River’s personality is a combination of many characters. Her name is a homage to River Tam from Serenity.  In my mind, there has never been a more gracefully deadly female character. Her long swooping form is the epitome of extension, her kicks powerful and precise.

There is nothing like deadly potential matched with beauty.






Welcome to the reality of River Black
River Black lives in a world where only the strong survive. The earth has changed to a brutal climate and the survivors will do anything to live. The eastern continents unleash a biochemical weapon on their enemies, and directly onto River’s world. She will have to leave her quiet existence in the forest and venture to the slaver fortress and further beyond, into the deepest part of the surviving cities. If she doesn’t die first, or rise infected…


Here is a chance to win signed swag and a free e-copy of Rise of the Infected. A special thank you goes out to all the blogs participating in the Cover Reveal Blog Tour. Rise will be released October 31st2012. The Giveaway

Win signed Rise of the Infected swag: signed cover photo and signed bookmark

Win signed cover photos of all of Monique Morgan’s books: Pursuer, Dreamer, and Rise of the Infected. Win a e-copy of Rise of the Infected when it is released October 31st 2012, and all signed swag!Enter Now
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#CharacterInterview Lilly Price from ALWAYS AND FOREVER #RomanticSuspense by @ChantelRhondeau

Who's that sexy redhead on the cover of Chantel Rhondeau's debut novel, Always & Forever?

Lilly Price is a very private woman, a woman with a painful past. It wasn't easy for her to do this interview, but with the resolution of her story, she has started the recovery process.

Lilly, glad to have you here. When you first met Zach, could you tell right away that he was not the kind of man who'd be abusive to women?

Ummm…well, I hoped he was a good man, but it is hard to tell. He seemed nice, not to mention sexy. I was immediately attracted to him. He always treated me good when he came to visit his grandmother, but sometimes I worry whether I know how to judge anyone’s character anymore. Charles fooled me for a long time before he showed me his dark side.

Why was it so hard for you to tell Zach about your past? After all, you hadn't hurt him.

It’s difficult to talk about my life with Charles. I’m so ashamed of what I allowed to happen for so long. Besides, no one ever believes my side of the story. I didn’t know if Zach would believe me or believe the cops’ version of what happened the night Charles was murdered. Also, I was afraid once he learned what I let Charles do to me, Zach might be so disgusted he’d never speak to me again.

What do you really feel about your father? Is there anything you wish you could tell him?

I love Stewart, I really do. I just wish he loved me back. I often felt worthless in his eyes. I knew from a young age, if I didn’t find some way to be helpful to him, he didn’t want me around. Being myself was never enough. I wish he would have hugged me once in a while and called me his angel. My life might have turned out differently if I knew how to recognize love earlier on.

Zach has definitely help you there, hasn't he? What one trait of Zach's is your favorite? How about one thing he does that peeves you?

There is definitely a lot to admire about that man--his sexy green eyes and gorgeous body are just the beginning. It's hard to pick just one thing, but Zach’s a true gentleman. He opens car doors, takes my arm when we are walking. He treats me like a queen. That's what I love most about him. If he has one failing, I would say it’s his tendency to be a bit arrogant. He says things without thinking, especially when it comes to money. We fight about that sometimes. However, I love him so much, I can put up with a little bit of arrogance.

A tad bit of arrogance from a hot guy is kind of cute. Now for the more painful bit. Tell me about domestic abuse. I've never experienced it. What is the hardest step to take in the recovery process?

This is a tough topic. I don’t know how to explain it properly. Charles was so convincing about everything he said. He was like a salesman selling snake oil. I was so brainwashed by him to the point that I believed it was okay he hit me. I starting thinking I deserved the beatings I received. I tried to get away once, but he threatened to kill my father. I just gave up. I decided to do whatever I could to please Charles and keep him happy.

The recovery process has been hard. Some days, I’m still not okay. Slowly, I’m gaining back my self-esteem and self-confidence though. The most important thing is to forgive myself for my actions, and learn to love myself again. I’m worth so much more than he led me to believe. I know that now. I’m ready to start my life with Zach and find happiness.

I wish I’d know there were places to turn to and get help. Maybe I could have escaped him sooner. I hope other people who find themselves in my predicament can find support and get away from their abusers.

Every victim always feels so alone, and taking that first step to talk about it, or even to admit it is happening is hard. There are organizations that will help. No one should have to suffer in silence.

Resources: National Domestic Violence Hotline:  Phone number 1-800-799-SAFE(7233) or visit their website at www.thehotline.org

Thank you, Lilly for sharing your experiences with us. I just wanted to let you know that I cheered for you through the book.

Always and Forever is available at Amazon. Please follow Chantel Rhondeau's blog hop by visiting Melinda Dozier's Blog on Sept 17th for a Book Spotlight.

Using Life Experiences (Part 2) by Morgan St. James #GuestPost #writertip

Today, we have Part 2 of Morgan St. James' column on how to use your life experiences in your writing.
WHY KEEP THE NOTEBOOK?You might not have immediate need for any of these impressions, adjectives or adverbs when they catch your attention, but when you need something special you have references from your own experience or imagination. A favorite that I jotted down, just because I liked the sound of it, was “like an old dowager attempting to keep her dignity.” It was from some old 1940’s movie on late night TV, but the image stuck with me. Later I used it in Devil’s Dance, a book I wrote under the pseudonym Arliss Adams, to create a visual image of a shabby sofa with arm caps covering the worn spots. A description of a dowager wasn’t related to a sofa, but the image of hanging onto the last bit of dignity was clear.
When placing a character in a situation that is emotional, whether the scene is one of love at first sight, terror, or delight at seeing a new baby, the deep emotional reaction must be felt. Your character must feel it so the reader can as well. That reaction isn’t one sided. It’s both physical and mental. You can soar to the heights or drop to the depths.  You might swell with pride or be reduced to tears. That is the mental side. What are the physical reactions? Does the stomach twist in spasms? Is the person so happy they actually feel a bit lightheaded? That’s where the writer becomes the method actor.
WRITE WHAT YOU KNOWYou’ve probably heard that saying so many times you’re sick of it.  Still, the majority of us have had experiences that produce these emotions and physical reactions. Your own experience may have no direct relationship whatsoever to the actual mechanics of the scene you’re in the process of creating, but the feelings are the same. Think back to those times and immerse yourself in the memory. For example, the odds are you have never been threatened at gunpoint as your scene now dictates, but have you been in an accident? Have you taken tests at a doctor’s office and awaited the results? Have you walked through a dark, isolated area, then heard a noise? What did you feel? Terror. What does your victim feel? Terror. Again, it’s not the same situation, but terror creates a set of physical and mental reactions, regardless of the situation.
YOUR NOTEBOOK BECOMES YOUR PERSONAL DATABANKTo grasp those feelings, forget about how to relate your memory to the scene in your manuscript. Instead, as you picture it, enter what happened to you or what you experienced in an “Experiences” section of your notebook. While you are writing down your own feelings, let your mind roam free. Capture the emotions that surge back as the memories take hold. Now you have a record of what that emotion feels like. Surprisingly, it can be applied to a multitude of manuscripts, because the basics are the same. Let’s say the reaction was surging thoughts. The only difference is they become the thoughts that apply to that particular situation and will vary with the storyline. But, the thoughts still surge.
REALITY INSPIRES FICTION OR CREATIVE NON-FICTIONMy two latest books are examples of translating real stories into fiction or creative non-fiction. Who’sGot the Money?, co-authored by Meredith Holland, involves a fictional plot centered around a little known big business. It is a very clever scam to embezzle millions from the federal prison department. While this book is fiction, it was inspired by things Meredith and I experienced while actually representing the manufacturing division of the federal prison system, an Eight Hundred Million Dollar a year business. We realized what we knew could fuel a very funny crime caper.Confessions of a Cougar is a writing style called creative non-fiction. The story is essentially a true story of escapades in England where my friend and I officially became cougars, older women involved with young men, during a 1982 trip paid for by my millionaire boyfriend. It was a case where sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, but just needs a little embellishment to turn it into a compelling book. The names were changed for legal reasons, but just about everything in this romp through Europe is true.
TAKE A HARD LOOK AT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU DURING YOUR LIFE. Consider all of the above and analyze what you have. You might be sitting on a best seller, and not know it.
MORGAN ST. JAMES - Author/Speaker/ColumnistShort Bio
Award-winning Author/Speaker/Columnist Morgan St. James’ says her just-released book, Confessionsof a Cougar , is a story that begged to be told. Funny and romantic, it’s a true story of coming of age at 42 with some delicious young guys. Her short stories appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, other anthologies. Recently released The MAFIA FUNERAL and Other Short Stories is a collection covering everything from true stories to fiction, mystery to romance and some genres in-between.  She has written over 500 published articles relative to the craft of writing and people in the industry, as well as the book Writers’ Tricks ofthe Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing Fiction. Her list of published novels continues to grow, with Vanishing Act in Vegas, the recently released third comical Silver Sisters Mystery co-authored with her sister Phyllice Bradner, and the funny crime caper Who’sGot the Money? co-authored with Meredith Holland.St. James is an entertaining speaker, presents workshops and frequently appears on author’s panels. Morgan edits and publishes of the online eZine Writers Tricks of the Trade and writes columns for the Los Angeles and Las Vegas editions of Examiner.com.Visit her websites www.morganstjames-author.comhttp://morgan-james.blogspot.comhttp://silversistersmysteries.wordpress.com 
http://funnycrimecapers.blogspot.com 
http://writerstricksofthetrade.blogspot.com
#NEWRELEASE Confessions of a Cougar is now available at Amazon! Ebook and Paperback

#NewRelease BROKEN BUILD Celebration #romanticsuspense

Announcing #NewRelease
Celebration



Rachelle Ayala is proud to announcethe release of~BROKEN BUILDSilicon Valley Romantic Suspense



Two Books for the Price of ONE!

BROKEN BUILD on sale for 99c
ANDMICHAL’S WINDOW on sale for $1.99