Rachelle Ayala's Blog, page 91

Life on the Edge Author: Jennifer Comeaux

Today, I'm pleased to welcome Jennifer Comeaux, author of Life on the Edge. Jennifer, tell us a little about your book and what sparked your interest in writing it.
Jennifer: Thanks so much for having me! Here’s a quick blurb about Life on the Edge:
Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream–to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history.
Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily’s dreams of gold.
Jennifer: I’ve always been a huge fan of figure skating, and I liked to imagine a fictional pair skating programs I created in my head. Those imaginary programs grew into a story idea for a romance between a pairs skater and her coach. At first, I was just writing the story for my friends as a serial, but after about a year, I decided to try to work it into a publishable book. That’s how Life on the Edge was born!  Rachelle: So you travel often to events? What is your favorite part about attending a skating event?
Jennifer: I attend a few events every year, including the U.S. National Championships and Skate America, which are mainstays on my calendar. There are so many things I love about attending events. It’s a completely different experience from watching on TV. I love feeling the energy of the crowd when a skater performs a perfect program. It’s absolutely electric and so emotional. I also love meeting other skating fans. I’ve made some amazing friendships through my skating travels. One of the other great things about attending events is being able to talk to the skaters, whether it’s at practices or just around the venues. There are so many wonderful, hard-working athletes in the sport, and it’s so fun to meet them and support them at the competitions.  Rachelle: I can feel your enthusiasm for the sport since I met you at Nationals in San Jose. So energetic and high powered, with dazzling costumes and high-flying jumps. What's in the pipeline? I assume another ice skating adventure?
Jennifer: I’m currently writing the sequel to Life on the Edge! This book will continue Emily and Sergei’s story. They’ll travel to Russia for a competition, and Sergei’s past will become an issue, creating a number of roadblocks on Emily and Sergei’s path to happiness. The story will delve into even deeper relationship issues than those that were explored in Life on the Edge.
Rachelle: Sounds very intriguing. You're right, this book will be more emotionally wrenching than your last one, if that's possible. What do you like to do when not writing? Or not attending skating events?
Jennifer: My full-time job is tax accountant. Exciting stuff–haha! Outside of work, writing, and travel, I’m addicted to a few TV shows including Once Upon a Time, So You Think You Can Dance, and Pretty Little Liars, among others. I’m also a big Tulane sports fan. It’s my alma mater, and I attend almost all the school’s football and baseball games.
Rachelle: Any advice for writers just starting out?
Jennifer: I suggest joining a critique group or website like Critique Circle, where you can get support and detailed feedback on your writing. It’s essential to have another pair of eyes looking at your work. Sometimes as a writer you’re so close to the story that you can’t see things readers can spot. And practice, practice, practice! The more you write, the more comfortable you’ll become with your voice.
Rachelle: Okay, time for some a few quickies.
red or blue? Blue
sweet or spicy? Sweet (I’m a chocoholic!)
layered or plain? Layered
pant or plot? I’m trying to be a plotter, but I think I’m a combination of both.
What do you do with the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae? Throw it away. I’ve never liked cherries. The taste reminds me of children’s Tylenol!
Thanks for kickin' back with us, Jennifer. I can't wait to read your next book and meet you again at another skating event.
Jennifer: Thank you again for the fun interview, and I’m looking forward to seeing you at another event!
Author Bio:Jennifer Comeaux earned a Master of Accounting from Tulane University and is a Certified Public Accountant in south Louisiana. While working in the corporate world, she sought a creative outlet and decided to put on paper a story that had played in her head for years. That story became Life On the Edge, her first published novel.
When not working or writing, she is an avid follower of the sport of figure skating, travelling to competitions around the country. Those experiences allow her to see a different side of the sport and serve as an inspiration for her writing. Jennifer is blessed with a wonderful family and many friends who have encouraged her to pursue her dream of being a published author.
You can contact Jennifer and find out more about her at:
Author Website: http://jennifercomeaux.blogspot.comFacebook:  http://www.facebook.com/jennifercomeauxauthor.comTwitter:  http://www.twitter.com/#!/LadyWave4Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5368434.Jennifer_Comeaux

Christina McKnight Author Interview

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Christina McKnight from Modesto, California.


Rachelle: Christina, Your first book will be released this December. Tell us a bit about your story.

Christina: I’m very excited to release my first novel. Only in Her Dreams is an Urban Fantasy, focusing on the Greek Demigods of Dreams, the Oneiroi.
Synopsis:Lucessa is a woman living a life full of hardships. Maxim is an Oneiroi seeking to fulfill a promise.
Maxim Lucas, a Dream Walker, is not of this world. As an Oneiroi, he is charged with protecting a woman whose fate will determine the future of both Erebos -the land of the Oneiroi- and Earth. When a member of Maxim's family threatens Lucessa’s safety, he will stop at nothing to protect her...divided loyalties or not!
When Lucessa Sarcona awoke from a familiar dream, she never imagined her life was about to be turned upside down. The stranger was familiar to her dreams, but when he shows up, in the flesh, Lucessa knows she’s either crazy or experiencing something not of this world.

A war between three demigod brothers – one trained to rule Erebos, one summoned back to rule, and one given the task of protecting the woman integral to keeping the Oneiroi, and humans, safe. How is she linked to the Oneiroi? Why do two brothers seek to keep her hidden and protected? And how does another brother plan to use her against the two demigods who love her?

Will the threat to Lucessa’s life be eradicated? Will Maxim have the courage to claim her as his own or will he bow to the command of another, forsaking the one he loves?

Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend; the new direction of Urban Fantasy, moving from angels, demons, vampires, and witches and toward the Realm of Demigods.


Rachelle: Sounds interesting. How you come up with the idea for a novel about demigods based on dreams?
Christina: Only in Her Dreamsactually came to me in a dream. Ironic, I know. Several times I dreamt of a man watching me. He never approached, moved, or spoke, but stayed silently in the background. I starting thinking: Who is this guy? What does he want?
A fellow writer -and self-proclaimed dream expert- said the man may be someone I’ve come into contact with recently. My next question: What if this mystery man from my dream showed up in real life?


Rachelle: Wow, very interesting. So you pretty much let your imagination take off. Your main character suffered a traumatic event in her childhood. How did it affect her sense of reality, her relationships with others and her ability to believe in the supernatural?

Christina: As a child, Lucessa, was in a devastating car crash that killed her father. Shortly after, her mother started exhibiting signs of early onset Alzheimer’s.  This left Lucessa to raise herself. She has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Because of these early experiences, she learned to rely solely on her own abilities. When Maxim shows up, her reaction is to try and solve things herself. The funny part is, she doesn’t have a hard time buying into the supernatural part of Maxim’s existence- he’d visited her dreams for years. It’s easy for her to take him at face value, he’s a demigod…the other option is that she’s crazy.  Which explanation would you chose?


Rachelle: Sure, I'd rather believe in hunky demi-gods than my own insanity. So you came up with this concept. Did you plot it out or let the story develop as you wrote? How long did it take you to write the first draft?

Christina: As you can see from above, I flew by the seat of my pants (pantser) for Dreams. I had a vague idea of a story, with zero concept of where the story would lead. I didn’t know my characters, their motivations or goals.
Only in Her Dreams was my 2011 NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project. I completed the first draft in fewer than forty days. It was a whirlwind adventure for me. My characters took me way out of my comfort zone, challenging me to fit the pieces together.
I’m taking a different approach with my current work in progress, Shunned No More. It’s a historical romance that takes me back to my roots, a genre that’s nearest my heart. I’ve spent about twenty hours plotting and outlining everything, including the beginning, middle, dark moment, twists, and the ending resolution.  I know my characters’ motivations and goals. Although, I’m not completely convinced all this will help when it comes to actually writing the novel. Characters tend to have a mind of their own. Plotting allows me to see what direction the story may go, permitting me to explore all paths before I chose one.


Rachelle: Sounds good to me. Looks like doing both keeps you busy. What is your typical work day like? I know you juggle job, family and housework like a lot of us do. How do you fit in your writing?

Christina: I do have a full plate. I work full time as a bookkeeper and office manager. I’m also a wife and mother (this is the real work J). As a writer, I find time to fit everything in my day. Currently, I get up at 4:45am and write/edit until my daughter gets up at 6:30am. Then, it’s ‘go time’…breakfast, packing lunches, getting everyone dressed, and I’m out the door. Thankfully, I can occasionally do blog posts, outlining, and correspondence with other writers at work. Is my boss reading this???
Unfortunately, I’m also a ‘Yes Man (Woman)’. Along with everything listed above, I’m a Girl Scout leader, dedicated member of Critique Circle online, member of several writing groups, a book group, and a bunko group. See where I’m going with this? I can’t say no! But I enjoy everything I’m involved in and try my best to give it 100% of my effort.
To help juggle my busy life, I schedule my days and try to stay organized. My calendar is my best friend.  I stay dedicated and committed to the schedule I set up. This enables me to cram twenty-eight hours’ worth of work into just twenty-four hours.


Rachelle: I'm getting tired just reading about your day! Okay, on to something else. Is there a particular writer who inspires you?

Christina: How can I narrow this done to one? I can’t, so I’ll limit it to a certain genre. I grew up reading Historical Romance novels. My idea of what equates to a great story was molded by Christina Dodd, Amanda Quick, Stephanie Laurens, Pamela Britton, and Julia Quinn. I’ll stop there! My addiction started at a young age. I’d pilfer my mom’s romance novels from her bookshelf. By age thirteen, I’d finished all the Little House books, the Anne of Green Gables series, and everything by R.L Stine…what’s a girl to do? When I was eighteen, I inherited my great-grandmother’s collection of 1970-1980s bodice rippers.  I was in heaven! I still have most of them waiting in storage until my home library is built (a girl can dream!).
Rachelle: Well, Christina, it does sound like your dreams are coming true. I'm excited to see your revisions going through the queue at Critique Circle. Thanks for being on my blog.
Author Bio:
Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since. 
In college, Christina took many courses to help develop and enhance her writing skills. She completed a seventy-page dissertation on the need for community policing in American society. Now, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance. Her debut Urban Fantasy novel, Only in Her Dreams, will be released on December 15, 2012.
Christina lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, two boxers, two cats, and a Beta fish named Marmaduke.  If she’s not behind a computer screen or book, she’s busy leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She is very active in several writing groups and a local book group.

Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/CMcKnightWriter
My blog: www.christina-mcknight.blogspot.com
Email: christinamcknight.author@yahoo.com

In the Running by Dee Lloyd

In the Running by Dee Lloyd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story was well written and detailed. Reenie and Matt are unlikely lovers. One is running from her fiance who would kill her while the other is deeply afraid of commitment. Matt's protective instincts are triggered when a bruised and battered Reenie crashes into his life. Even though he is suspicious of her and her secrets, he is attracted to her in a way he doesn't understand.

His family is supportive and accepting of Reenie. Unfortunately they can't keep the outside world from intruding. Without giving away more of the plot, let's just say Matt uses his investigative skills to solve the puzzle and his persuasive skills to hold off would-be helpers who didn't understand the magnitude of the situation.

The romance was well done and believable, if a bit uneven at time. For example, Matt's sudden anger at realizing who Reenie in seemed put on. I would have thought he'd be more curious. Reenie was also inconsistent. On one hand she wanted to protect Matt's innocent family, but she refused to go into Witness Protection while the Feds worked the case and hung out with his family, including participation at a children's birthday party and bake sale.

Perhaps the biggest drawback of this story is lack of tension. After the initial acknowledgment of love, neither really did anything to blow the other's trust. Several times, I thought they could have upped the stakes, maybe have Reenie disappear even though she promised Matt she wouldn't, or have Matt put her in a witness protection program without her approval.

We also knew who the bad guys were from the beginning of the story. And at 75% the story slowed to a crawl with a lengthy explanation from a double agent. I kept expecting the double agent to double cross them. I expected a kidnapping, or a betrayal, but instead from 75% to 95% we were occupied by a waiting game as people checked computer trails and databases and planned the arrests. The bad guys knew where she was for a day or two but were deterred by a few dogs and a fence with an alarm. Some "professional" hit men they turned out to be.

Of course there was the obligatory climax, but even then I was pretty much assured that Matt and his police buddy knew where she was, and indeed they did. In sum, the bad guys were not ruthless enough and the good guys were too passive. I did enjoy the love story and subplot with the boat. The steamy moments were well written.

I liked the story, but I'm the type who likes to be kept guessing and hit with unforeseen twists.

View all my reviews

Father's Day Find: My Emily by Matt Patterson

Happy Father's Day, Matt! I know you'll be getting a lot of well wishes, but let me be the first one in my time zone to post a greeting.

Matt Patterson is the author of a short and sweet memoir, My Emily. If ever there is a Father's Day story, this one is it.
Rachelle: Matt, tell us a little about Emily's story and why you wrote your book.
Matt: First and foremost, thank you so very much for the Father's Day wishes and for the opportunity to be here! I truly appreciate it!
Emily was our first-born daughter. Just like any set of first-time parents, we were absolutely giddy at the thought of having a child!  Everything went along as planned and delivery day came. We had an almost seven-pound baby girl. As I say in the book, "Bubble gum cigars for everyone!"  I ran and made the customary calls. We were just beyond overjoyed.
The next morning came and it was then that we were told that Emily was born with Down Syndrome. To say we were blind-sided is a huge understatement. Beyond the initial shock and disbelief came the joy. Emily was an absolute joy, full of love, happiness and smiles.
Just two years later - on my birthday - after a late-night visit to the emergency room to combat a fever and flu-like symptoms we were told that Emily had leukemia.
My Emily tells of our journey - from Emily's birth, diagnosis, treatment and eventual passing. It shares how we reacted to each of these, as well as how we have moved forward with hopes of helping others. As to the "why" I wrote it? I think each and every day I get some small answer or confirmation from someone who reads it. It can be an email, a facebook posting, a tweet on Twitter or a review on Amazon. I'm still formulating my "why" but, I do want to reach out to those who have special needs children, little ones battling or have battled cancer and to those couples who are grieving the passing of a child. Is my little book sad? I just want to reach down and try to help them up during a tremendously difficult period in their lives.
Rachelle: While you were writing, did you know your book would be a help to grieving parents? I know you helped me remember my son who lived only 21 days in the NICU. I have to admit there were times early on when I coped by obsessive work and ignoring my feelings. Reading about your good days and bad days helped me to accept what cannot change and acknowledge the empty spot in my heart without dwelling on it.
Matt:  You're very, very kind Rachelle. Initially, I was just hopeful that it could be a help to THIS grieving parent. The book actually wasn't written until nearly 20 years after her passing. There was a great deal of that needed to take place before I wrote it. Since its release, I have received so many heartwarming emails, notes and messages from parents who have a Down syndrome child or a Down syndrome child battling leukemia. I also receive communication from parents who have children fighting for their lives with other ailments and for anyone to take the time to share that they have read my book and it touched them in some small way takes me one step closer to my "why," as mentioned in the previous question.
Rachelle: Emily seems so real to me. Has writing the book made her more alive to you now? Do you think about how old she'd be and what she'd be doing? My son would be getting his driver's license had he lived. Scary, huh?
Matt: I do have to say that she is so very much more alive to me today. Scary? I'm not so sure. It would be exciting to me. Are there days I think about her and have a very good cry? You bet! Are there times I look at photos or listen to music that reminds me of her? Absolutely! To think that her sisters - Lauren and Kimberly - could be a part of her life would be beyond words for me. Both of my daughters are very aware of Emily and what she means to them, even though they never really knew her. To be with all three on Father's Day would be remarkable. 
Rachelle: I truly understand and share your feelings. How important is God in the healing process? 
Matt: For me, He is a critical part of my healing process. I don't proclaim to be a spiritual or scriptural authority. Far from it actually. Each person has their own set of beliefs. Mine may be very different from the many who have read My Emily. I tried to be as careful as possible not to offend anyone while sharing important facets of my journey and my continued healing process.
There are two scriptures that have been a very important part of my journey toward healing. The first - 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  The second - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 -  Two are better than one ... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
Even though I can be consumed with anxiety of my circumstances, I know God truly cares for me.  There are moments when I come across someone who needs a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen, I try to be there for them. I listen. I share. I try to help the other up.
Rachelle: Do you believe God never gives you more trials than He can bring you out of?
Matt: Plain and simple - I'm a firm believer God can teach, touch and bring us out of our despair and anxiety. There is a hymn that comes to mind when I become overwhelmed with my circumstances.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
During those moments of trial and tribulation take that moment and count your blessings.  Really see what God has done.  You may just surprise yourself.
Rachelle: I agree. God never ceases to surprise me with His daily blessings. So, what's next? I heard rumors of an audio version of My Emily. Do you have plans for another memoir or perhaps fiction?
Matt: The rumor about an audio book of My Emily is absolutely true. It's my hope that it will be available in July.  There is also a very strong possibility that My Emily will also be available as a hardback this summer as well. I do have two memoirs brewing, but they will take a back seat to my next project which will be a non-fiction how-to book aimed at helping families with their grief and how they can move forward to help others.  Now, as far as fiction - Matt Patterson and fiction just don't mix. I'm not that talented or creative to write fiction.  I marvel at writers who construct and create their stories and characters. For me, I write as if my readers are sitting right across from me. I tell them my story. I poke a lot of fun at myself throughout My Emily. There are plenty of moments where you get to laugh at me.
Rachelle: Yes, it's true. Despite the tears, you also made me laugh. I'm looking forward to your next projects. So, tell us about your family.
I have been married for 27 years to my wife Bonnie. As I mentioned earlier, we have two daughters - Lauren (22) and Kimberly (20).  We also have two doggies - a cockapoo named Isabelle (Izzy) and a pit bull (long story don't ask), named Lupe. We have called Arizona home for the last 12 years.
Okay, I won't ask. Thanks for visiting with us. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful Father's Day. It's been wonderful having you, and I wish you well in all your endeavors.
Thank you so very much Rachelle! It's been a true pleasure to share with you and your readers! You have been such a wonderful support to me and to My Emily. You have my deepest thanks.
My favorite quote from My Emily:
From time to time, I hear parents bragging to each other about their "perfect" children. I smile knowing that some would look at Emily's life and think that a child born with Down syndrome has little hope for a meaningful life. Throw in the diagnosis of leukemia and that little hope turns to no hope whatsoever. I disagree.
Patterson, Matt (2011). My Emily (Kindle Locations 775-778). Matt Patterson. Kindle Edition.
I agree with Matt. Every child is perfect and precious.
Bio: Matt Patterson is the author of My Emily and an award-winning writer, editor and communications professional. His two-plus decades of experience include public and media relations, as well as print and broadcast journalism. He volunteers his time to helping organizations and charities dedicated to assisting families with children who have special needs or those battling pediatric cancers. He resides in Arizona.
Websites:  http://mattpatterson.me   http://www.my-emily.comTwitter: @myemily_thebook
Facebook: Matt Patterson, Author  &  My Emily

Meet Mary Merrell - Mystery Author

Mary Merrell's background as a realtor brings us this intriguing book of what else? A house haunted by a sexy ghost. The good news is House Haunting is FREE today and tomorrow. But first, let's see what Mary has to say about her latest book.
Mary: The book I'm editing right now is Affinity-Bird in a Gilded Cage. It's a YA Urban Fantasy. Hope to have it out by fall of 2012.  I wanted to do something different than my paranormal mysteries. It's about a young man who can communicate with crows. He meets others like him and learns what his gift is all about, besides crows following him around all the time. He and his friends are trying to unravel a rash of robberies going on in his neighborhood, only to find it's something much more sinister, something no one would expect in this upscale suburbia.
Oh, sounds spine-tingling. Crows always creeped me out. What genres do you like to write in? Do you pay attention to genre rules or bend them?
Mary: I do love paranormal, and am getting into urban fantasy. I guess I do pay attention to the rules. I'm kind of a rule follower. Although, I believe you have to write what works best for your book, even if that means bending the rules a little.
Sounds like you're also adding a bit of suspense and romance too. What kind of books do you like to read? Which authors influenced you?
Mary: I love to read all kinds of books. Used to read a lot of romance, now mostely paranormal, urban fantasy, science fiction. My favorite author is Lois Bujold-McMasters. She writes fantasy and science fiction. Her books are character driven and you love those characters.
Are you a character driven or plot driven writer?
Mary:Definitely character driven.
Do you have any advice for writers who are just starting out?
Mary: Take some classes, learn the rules, join a writer's group with people who give positive feedback and listen to them. But most important of all, be true to yourself. If the rules don't work for you, bend 'em break 'em, whatever it takes to get that story out the way you want it.
Okay, some random questions:
Pink or Blue?  That's hard. Always loved blue, but wear a lot of pink. Goes with my complexion.
Chocolate or Wine?  Chocolate, definitely. Hardly a day passes...
Clogs or Stilettos?  Loved the fancy shoes, but nowhere to wear them. I have this one pair I keep in its box, and every once in a while I take them out and walk around in front of the mirror. Then I put them back. Mostly, I wear my cheap, fake ug slippers.
Romance or Mystery?  Have to say Mystery, since that's what I write. There's always a bit of romance in there though.
Hide or Seek?  Hide. I'm a great hider.
Thank for for being such a good sport. To find out more about Mary, please visit her website  www.maryemerrell.com 
Be sure to download your FREE COPY of House Haunting (June 16 and 17). I guarantee it'll be a "hauntingly hot"  read.

Guest Post: Andrea Buginsky on her "Chosen" Series

Andrea Buginsky is the author of a Young Adult Fantasy Series about a group of young warriors fighting to save their world from an evil beast. She joins us today to talk about why she decided to invest her time in a series.

Andrea:You might have heard the expression “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket” when it comes to writing, meaning don’t focus on just one series. But for now, that’s what I’m basically doing.

I came up with the idea for “The Chosen,” my first publication, several years ago, and began writing it. It took me about three years to write it, then a couple more to find a publisher for it. Then there were the edits (although, surprisingly, not as much as I thought there’d be). When I saw the book for the first time, I was so overjoyed that I immediately began writing a second book in the series. A-year-and-a-half  later, book two is in its final editing stages and will be published soon. And I’ve already written two-thirds of the first draft of book three. So, am I crazy to keep writing this series? According to some opinions, yes. But I’m happy to continue writing the series for as long as I can.
Now, here’s the catch: I’m also writing other stories. I’ve written an autobiography about growing up with heart disease called “My Open Heart,” and I have another first draft of a different YA fantasy sitting in a file gathering dust (hmm…better pull it out and finish it). So, I guess I’m not putting all of my eggs in one basket after all.
As writers, the one thing we need to keep in mind is to write what we like to write. The readers are there. You know that; you read too. And I’m sure you have your favorite genres to read, and will keep reading it in several different books by several different authors; maybe even in a series or two. I don’t believe there are any set rules as to how long a series you write could/should be. That’s up to your publisher and readers. Even if the later books in the series aren’t selling, if you want to continue the story for your own enjoyment, then by all means, do it!
That’s one writer’s humble opinion.
Rachelle: I agree with you wholeheartedly. Write from your heart and write what's important to you. Thank you, Andrea, for visiting with us.
Andrea Buginsky is a graduate of the University of S. Florida with a BA in Mass Communications-Journalism. She has been freelance writing for five years. She has two books published with Solstice Publishing:The Chosen – a YA fantasyMy Open Heart – an autobiography about growing up with heart disease
Andrea can be reached at the following sites:Twitter: @andreabuginskyWebsiteFacebookFacebook Author PageGoogle+

Cherie Reich - Computer Geek Tells Why Writing is Like Computer Programming

Cherie Reich - Author: Interview with Rachelle Ayala, author of MICHAL'S ...: We have a special treat today with an interview with Rachelle Ayala, author of Michal's Window . I had the honor of being her editor for...

OR - How writing is like Computer Programming!

David Seduces Bathsheba: Excerpt from Michal's Window

Chapter 36<David inquires about the woman he spied, thinking it is his wife, Michal.>“Then what was she doing bathing on the roof? I saw her with my own eyes.”“O King, that was not her. That was our neighbor’s wife. I helped her maids drag the tub to the roof and fetch the water. It was too hot inside the house.”“Neighbor’s wife?” Anger drained down to David’s toes, and a white chill crawled up his back. “Who’s your neighbor?”“Uriah, my lord, Uriah the Hittite.”David stood. “You may go. When Michal returns, you’re to let me know. Go to the gate and call for Arik.”Neighbor’s wife. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife. Neighbor’s wife. David’s head spun, and he fell on the floor. Images of the bathing lady taunted him.She was so beautiful, so much like Michal. Shapely, her breasts full and heavy. And the way she moved. His body heated like an iron, hot and hard. David unrolled Michal’s rug and lay on it, taking deep, slow breaths. No use. He imagined her rolling and moaning under him. How did such a beauty exist without his notice? Why was she not his concubine?He called out the door. “Arik, come here. Your head is spared. Look out my window. You see that house? The one with the empty tub on the roof. Go now and get the woman and bring her to me. I wish to talk to her.”“Yes, O King.”David returned to the window. Her husband would have been gone two months already. He was one of the mighty men, a big bear of a man.He would talk to her and console her, perhaps praise her husband. There could be no harm in a little friendly conversation. He put all thoughts of undressing her out of his mind. He was the king, and he took interest in his subjects. He cared about their families.The guards walked her into the street. She clutched a cloak tightly around her face. Curiosity stirred his loins. He rubbed sweaty palms against his robe.Minutes later, they were at the door. The woman stepped in, her head bent low. She half-bowed, but settled for a nod under her hood. Arik shut the door and left them alone.“Come, sit. Tell me your name and whose daughter you are.” David kept his voice smooth and level.She sat at the edge of the couch, her hands clasped.He moved next to her and removed her cloak. She averted her gaze, but he tilted her face and lost his breath. Her skin shone as smooth as alabaster, and her eyes, dark blue as a moonlit lake. Her mouth, a perfect rose, lush, shaped like Michal’s. He touched her hair. A mass of curls wrapped themselves around his fingers, trapping him. David throbbed like never before and leaned closer. She trembled and shut her eyes.Her neck moved. “I am a man’s wife.”“I am the king.”“My lord.” She waited, her eyes downcast.“Are you afraid of me? Have you seen me before?”A faint smile curved her lips. “Yes, you danced with me in front of the Ark of the Covenant.”“So you remember me?”She looked down at her lap. “My lord, king. What do you want with me?”“To behold you, up close. When I saw you move in the bathtub, you moved my heart.” A bright red blush rose from her cheeks to her temple. She stroked her neck with three long, elegant fingers.David gestured to the table. “Hungry? Some fruit and wine?”“My lord, I’ve dined already.” She glanced at the table, her gaze settling on Michal’s boxes.David picked up the sandalwood box and placed it in her hands. “Have you ever seen anything like this?”The carved pregnant goddess with eight serpentine arms stared from the lid.The woman drew her breath in. A tinge of a smile crossed her face, and her eyes flicked a you’re-a-naughty-boy look before going back to the box.“Go ahead, open it,” David said.She opened it. Scraps of parchment peeked out. “Oh.”She shut the box quickly. David’s face heated, and his fists tightened. Love notes. His.She handed the box to David. “It’s quite lovely. Where did it come from?”“A place far to the east called India.”“Do women have eight arms there? Might be useful. Think of all the weaving and embroidery they could do.” She fanned herself, and her lips parted slightly.David put the sandalwood box back on the table and followed her gaze.“What about that one? The silver one?” She pointed to it, exposing her wrist.He handed Michal’s silver box to her, and she examined it, turning it every which way. The way she ran her fingers along the curves made David’s mouth water.“It’s lovely, so intricate: the sunflower in the center, the curling leaves and vines, and the border of circles and squares. Ah, see here the rays curve from the petals like that of the sun. Not a straight edge. Like a wild beast, crouched.” Her tongue darted over her upper lip. “Ready to leap.”David could have pounced on her, but he cleared his throat and said, “You’re an artist, I see. Do you like it?”She blushed again, flicked her hair off her shoulder and opened it. “Arrowheads? Oh.”She set the box on the table. Dried blood flaked off the arrowheads. A chilling sensation, silent like a panther, stalked David’s shoulder blades.He poured wine into a pair of goblets and placed one in her hand, lightly brushing it with his fingertip. While she sipped, he took his harp from the corner. “Do you like music?”She bobbed her head. “I hear you’re one of the best.”Her eyes sparkled with interest, and she touched the harp, caressing its wooden frame.“Surely you exaggerate.” He coughed. “I don’t know if I can play or sing with you staring at me like that.” She lowered her face, and her breath quickened. “Oh, my king, I apologize.”David put the harp down and took her arm. “No apologies needed.”He tipped her chin and stared into her eyes, deep, lustrous and oh, so blue. He could swim in them forever. “You’re beautiful.”She closed her eyes, drew in her breath, but did not back away. Her lips trembled slightly, and her cheeks glowed.David composed himself and led her to the wardrobe. He took out a sky-blue gown with dancing bell sleeves trimmed with silver threads. He dug through Michal’s jewelry and found a blue star sapphire set in silver.“A gift from your king. Stand up.”She gulped a mouthful of wine and stood for him. David held the gown in front of her. It enhanced her creamy skin, blue eyes, and black lustrous hair. Perfect. “Hold it up to your chest.”She held it while he placed the sapphire around her neck. She squirmed at his touch, and a smile lit her face.“Would you like to try the dress?” David moved her hair from under the necklace and touched her smooth white neck.“Doesn’t it belong to your wife?”“It doesn’t suit her. Go ahead. There’s a screen, or you can step into the bathroom. I promise I won’t peek.”Her hips swayed as she walked toward the bathroom. She looked over her shoulder with a flutter of her eyelids and a sidelong smile before stepping in. His groin tightened in a flash, and he took a sip of wine to cool the heat in his chest.Moments later, she emerged, a dream in blue. David stepped up and held her softly in his arms. She looked radiant and felt so inviting. His head swirled in a haze of desire, and he bent down and touched his forehead to hers. She stroked his jaw, and her breath shortened. He inhaled her sweet fragrance and opened his mouth.Their lips met, and he kissed her softly, savoring the freshness of her tender touch. Her tongue danced between his lips, and his hands crept down her shoulders to fondle her breasts. Small, mewing pants encouraged him, and he lifted her and placed her on the bed.He trailed kisses down her neck and over the fabric of her dress, heartened by her faint moans. Her back arched to meet his firm arousal, and a tiny cry escaped her lips as his hands explored her delicious body.“Do you want the dress off?” he asked.
<juicy bits censored>
As David held her in his arms, she told him her name. “Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam.”

Death of Facebook: When "Liking" is Not Enough

Welcome to the New World of Facebook Post-IPO. Now that Facebook Stock is publicly traded and grossly overpriced, according to pundits, and Marc Zuckerberg is laughing all the way to the bank, where does it leave the Facebook user? Particularly, the small business owners who relied on Facebook fan pages to engage with their fans and promote their products?

It's time to pay the piper! That's right. Starting this weekend, Facebook offers the new Feature called Promote a post! Simply put, you can get more people to see your post if you pay.

Uhmmm.... You mean all the people who hit the "Like" button on my page are not seeing the post in their news feed?

Exactomundo. How can you promote what is already free?

You see, when Facebook started, it promised instant connection with old friends, new friends, business contacts, customers, and fans. Slap a page up and ask people to hit the "Like" button. It takes only a nano-second to "like" someone and they will be able to enjoy your posts and updates whenever they engage with Facebook.

Facebook grew virally as people invited their friends to join. In those halcyon days, you were treated to streams up updates and pictures of new babies, new cars, pets, and even what someone had for dinner.

No longer.

"Liking" is Not Enough

If you are a Fan Page Admin, did you notice that little statistic that found its way to the corner of your posts? [89 people reached - 13%]

No longer will people who simply "Liked" your pages see your post in their newsfeed. Facebook ranks the people who "liked" a page by the amount of interaction they have with the page. For example, if a fan clicks "like" often on your page, that fan moves up in the ranks. I don't know the secret formula (something called EdgeRank), I suspect there are tiers of fans. Each time you pay to promote, you lower the bar for the amount of clicks, likes and interactions required for that person to see your post in their newsfeed. One prominent author paid and said she only increased her reach by 9%. Now, this doesn't guarantee that your fan actually saw the post, just that it is in their newsfeed should they login and look.


Pay Per View, Are we There Yet?
So, how much do you have to pay to reach all your fans? Facebook is ever so helpful. They even have a pricing algorithm per number of people to reach.

Let's see, $10 will get me an estimated reach of 1,500. So each person is work .666 cents? [yes, I know I should round up, but that number 666 is positively diabolical].

Fortunately moi don't have many fans, but there are people with 50,000 fans. Supposing they wanted to reach 45,000 people, the same number they would have reached before Facebook started to limit their post visibility, they would have to pony up $300 per post!

Now, $300 per post is peanuts to big guys with big hats and big advertising budgets, but to the mom-and-pop shops who put up a Facebook page and worked hard to build a following? Pay or don't play.

What can you do?
One person suggested posting funny pictures on their page every day to increase the number of people clicking "like". Another person said to spur it with a Giveaway. I'm not sure. In order for Facebook to retain value in Paid Promo, they need to keep a ranking of fans. The interaction is relative to the fans you have. Now, I don't have any insight into how they do it, but if I were running the business, I'd group fan interaction into tiers, if not a strict ranking, since such an algorithm would be prohibitively compute intensive to keep updated. Each payment releases the page to the next tier of interactions. Interactions are counted and tracked and possibly updated at some time interval, so that one fan moving up a tier displaces another fan to a lower tier.

Is it Game Over?
There are three things Fans can do, but it involves more than simply hitting the "Like" button. One is to Add the page to My Page's Favorites. The second is to hover over the "Liked" button until a menu pops up and check "Show in News Feed". And the last  is to create an Interest List and add all the Fan pages you want to various interest lists. I created one called "Rachelle Ayala's Book Community" and started populating the list. This list can be shared to the public.
All these actions require more time from the person "Liking" your page. So, what is the value of a "Like" these days? About 2/3 of a penny.
What do you think? Will Twitter charge per tweet once it goes public? Will you pay to promote your posts? How much and how often? Will you move to Google+?
And most importantly: Do you "LIKE" Facebook?

The Bitter Veil by Libby Fischer Hellmann

A Bitter Veil by Libby Fischer Hellmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a 5 star book, a work of literary fiction, political thriller, near-current historical fiction. It had everything, drama, young love, revolutionary changes, iconic characters, and a reign of terror. But why??? oh why??? did the ending include a hokey murder mystery, stereotyped Scooby-Doo-like reveal of the villain with the last minute gunshot and the finger of blame pointed at our protag???

I walked away feeling like the book was ruined. The young complicated character, the one I was interested in following to the next book, reduced to an "and if it hadn't been for you, I would have gotten away with it" stick figure.

Okay, back to the first 91% of the book and the last 6%. It was lyrical, sweet, tragic, and pulsing with a mixture of romance, fantasy, and tension.

Nouri was Anna's dream come true, a handsome, charming man she met at a Persian bookstore. Their torrid love affair ended in a fairy-tale wedding and inclusion into a wealthy, loving, and accepting family. Anna's own family was broken rather early, and in Nouri's family and country, pre-Khomeini Iran, she enjoyed a honeymoon with a culture, people, and land in transition.

The book documents the way ordinary people adapt and are affected by traumatic change. There is denial, anger, bargaining, and stultifying acquiescence. Eventually, Anna's life is reduced to that of a Islamic wife hidden behind a chador, a virtual prisoner to her increasingly moody and fanatic husband. Her trials and escape were dramatic and filled with poignant detail. If I ignore the murder mystery subplot, I come away with a great sense of tragedy, sadness for Nouri's family and people, and hope for Anna, in that surviving, she would be stronger and able to forgive her husband for his weaknesses.

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