K. Victoria Chase's Blog, page 10
October 14, 2012
'DEVOTION' BLURB BLITZ TOUR
Looks like another fabulous book! Check out
Devotion
, by Marianne Evans.
BLURB:
From This
Day Forward
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list
clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a
faith life that’s never wavered—until now.
Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the
underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a
blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.
For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the
weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation? How does love survive when its
foundation is shaken?
'Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their
relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and
heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.
Excerpt!
“We’re
the sum of our choices, Kellen, and you’ve made yours. That’s not a criticism
it’s simply a realization I’ve come to with the past few months as a barometer.
I’m married to—” she made a couple of air quotes “—Kellen Rossiter. But the
marquee isn’t what I married, and the marquee isn’t what I fell in love with.
My biggest fear is that when you take enough time, and focus on me long enough
to look deep you’ll find you don’t love me anymore. I guess we changed
drastically without even realizing it. Where does that leave us? What does it
all mean?”
Her
monotone voice undid his control system. He wanted to keep fighting; he wanted
her to keep fighting, too but she looked weakened and defeated, as though the
ability to do battle just wasn’t in her any more.
“You’re
carrying our child. Think about that! God’s plan is for us.” This time, Kellen used the air quotes. Juliet’s chin wavered,
her eyes sparkled, but no tears fell. It looked like she had rediscovered the
determination to leave him behind, but when he explored the layers of emotion
residing just beneath her steel and grit, he found nothing but sorrow.
If
she was this sad about the state of their relationship, could there be enough
emotion left to build something better?
He
battled on. “Juliet, think about something else, too. Do you think it’s mere
coincidence that the night I met up against my biggest temptation, God turned
me to you, and to us, so irrevocably?”
“That’s
where you’re wrong. We should have been irrevocable from the start.”
Author Bio
Marianne
Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is
to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He
prompts her to create.
Evans’s
novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year
honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’
‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such
RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a
finalist twice, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence.
A
lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of
Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter
where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American
Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.
Connect
with Marianne:
Website:
www.marianneevans.com
Blog:
www.marianneevans.blogspot.com
Facebook
Reader Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/Marmo212
PURCHASE
LINK:
http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/devotion-softcover
VIDEO
TRAILER LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKPQB2R8RC4&feature=g-all-u&context=G24215ddFAAAAAAAAAAA
PRIZE INFORMATION
Marianne will award 4 autographed print editions of Hearts Crossing, her award-winning novella and book one of her Christian inspirational Woodland Series (US/Canada only) to four commenters from this tour and her review tour, and a $25 Amazon gift card as a grand prize to one commentator from both this tour and her review tour.
BLURB:
From ThisDay Forward
Christian Music agent Kellen Rossiter has everything he ever wanted: A-list
clients from coast to coast, a loving wife who honors and respects him, and a
faith life that’s never wavered—until now.
Juliet Rossiter has the perfect life: a rewarding schedule serving the
underprivileged, a husband who loves her as Christ loved the church, and a
blessed future as a mother—at least that's what she thinks.
For Better or Worse
But what happens when their rock-solid marriage begins to crumble under the
weight of an unexpected and powerful temptation? How does love survive when its
foundation is shaken?
'Til Death Do Us Part
When human frailty and the allure of sin deal a harsh blow to their
relationship, it will take more than love to mend the shattered trust and
heartbreak. It will take a lifetime of devotion.
Excerpt!
“We’re
the sum of our choices, Kellen, and you’ve made yours. That’s not a criticism
it’s simply a realization I’ve come to with the past few months as a barometer.
I’m married to—” she made a couple of air quotes “—Kellen Rossiter. But the
marquee isn’t what I married, and the marquee isn’t what I fell in love with.
My biggest fear is that when you take enough time, and focus on me long enough
to look deep you’ll find you don’t love me anymore. I guess we changed
drastically without even realizing it. Where does that leave us? What does it
all mean?”
Her
monotone voice undid his control system. He wanted to keep fighting; he wanted
her to keep fighting, too but she looked weakened and defeated, as though the
ability to do battle just wasn’t in her any more.
“You’re
carrying our child. Think about that! God’s plan is for us.” This time, Kellen used the air quotes. Juliet’s chin wavered,
her eyes sparkled, but no tears fell. It looked like she had rediscovered the
determination to leave him behind, but when he explored the layers of emotion
residing just beneath her steel and grit, he found nothing but sorrow.
If
she was this sad about the state of their relationship, could there be enough
emotion left to build something better?
He
battled on. “Juliet, think about something else, too. Do you think it’s mere
coincidence that the night I met up against my biggest temptation, God turned
me to you, and to us, so irrevocably?”
“That’s
where you’re wrong. We should have been irrevocable from the start.”
Author Bio
Marianne
Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is
to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He
prompts her to create.
Evans’s
novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year
honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’
‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such
RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a
finalist twice, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence.
A
lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of
Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter
where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American
Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.
Connect
with Marianne:
Website:
www.marianneevans.com
Blog:
www.marianneevans.blogspot.com
Reader Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/Marmo212
PURCHASE
LINK:
http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/devotion-softcover
VIDEO
TRAILER LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKPQB2R8RC4&feature=g-all-u&context=G24215ddFAAAAAAAAAAA
PRIZE INFORMATION
Marianne will award 4 autographed print editions of Hearts Crossing, her award-winning novella and book one of her Christian inspirational Woodland Series (US/Canada only) to four commenters from this tour and her review tour, and a $25 Amazon gift card as a grand prize to one commentator from both this tour and her review tour.
October 10, 2012
DEBUT RELEASE BLOG TOUR: KELLY MARTIN!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to debut Christian YA author KELLY MARTIN!!!
What inspires your writing?
Short answer… God.
Long answer, I have three little girls who will grow up to
be three big girls someday. While I’m all for magic books, vampires and the
like, I think there needs to be a balance between those types of books and
Christian books. There aren’t many Christian Young Adult books in the world (a
quick glance at my local Lifeway can tell you that), and I want to populate
that market.
Can you briefly tell us your
journey to publication?
I can because it was brief.
It’s almost embarrassing to talk about since it only took 11 months from first
word written on the computer screen to publication. CROSSING THE DEEP was a
2011 Nanowrimo. I had 59,000 words finished when November ended. That draft was
horrible… HORRIBLE. At least it had good bones to it. Thanks to the
encouragement of my sister, I re-wrote it… and re-wrote it…. And re-wrote it.
By March I started sending it to agents. By June, I had about given up. I
learned from Absolute Write that some publishers don’t require you to have an
agent. I submitted to a few of them. A week later, I had 2 offers! I decided on
Astraea Press and have been very happy ever since!
That was a quick story! What is your favorite/worst part of
the writing/publishing process?
Favorite part is creating the characters/scenes/and seeing
what happens to these people. Most people don’t understand (unless you are a
writer) that your characters can surprise you. Characters die that you don’t
expect and it’s a very emotional experience. I love that.
The worst part is the waiting. It’s always hurry up and
write a fabulous manuscript… and wait. You send a query and then you wait lol.
It’s hard on the old nerves.
I hate waiting too. What has been your most memorable
experience as a published author?
Telling my mother that I signed a contract. She was very
happy and said, “Really?” Also, seeing my book cover with my name on it. That was pretty special!
So tell us a little about your
book. What prompted this story? (Isn't that a GORGEOUS COVER!?!)
The prologue was the first scene I wrote. I imagined this
guy sitting over this lifeless girl in the woods, crying. They had no names,
but I had the scene. I wanted to know why he was crying, how they got there,
who they were, why they were alone, etc. I wrote it then the beginning just
poured out.
Which character do you relate to
the most and why?
Rachel. She has faith in God, but sometimes she questions
it. Plus, she blames herself for things she couldn’t control, and I do that
that sometimes.
Which character did you find most
difficult to craft and why?
Strangely Rachel was. I didn’t want her to be too
‘goody-goody’ but I wanted her to be sweet. I wanted her to have a backbone and
in the earlier drafts she didn’t as much. Also in the earlier drafts, Asher was
a total jerk lol. He mellowed a lot. He’s much more laid back, not to say he
doesn’t have a small, tightly wound string holding himself together that he’s
afraid of snapping at any second… which *spoiler alert* it does…
In each novel, I name a character
after a family member. Do you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I try to have at least one Biblical name in all of my books.
CROSSING THE DEEP has a lot of them (Rachel, David, Asher…). My new book, SAINT
SLOAN, has one (Aaron).
What is your favorite
book/television show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How?
Once Upon a Time is my absolute favorite show right now! I
love fairy tales and how they intertwine in that story. I also like to watch
The Vampire Diaries (but I don’t like to admit it… shhhhh… I tried to give it
up, but it drew me back in.) Do they influence my writing? Well, yeah. The new
book coming out in 2013 has a love triangle between two brothers which could be
Salvatore like. In fact, I call it ‘The OC meets The Vampire Diaries… without
the blood… or vampires.”
OUAT AND VD are two of my favorites!!! What advice would you give aspiring
authors?
Like most people say, don’t give up. If something isn’t
working change course. I never in a million years thought I’d have a novel
published (though I really wanted it). It wasn’t easy and there were lots of
tears shed (and lots of sore knuckles from pounding away at the keyboard… and,
if I’m honest, a lonely husband because I wrote a LOT this past year). If you
are passionate about it, do it… but don’t forget to spend time with your family
J
Where can readers find you?
You can find me at www.kellymartinstories.com and www.encourage365.com (a daily
devotional blog written by me and several awesome authors who have graciously
offered to help me carry the load. I’m forever grateful to them.) I’m also on
twitter: @martieKay. And on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Martin-Author/136506059763138
Anything you like to ask readers of
this post?
Something that relates to the story would be: If you were
put in a very desperate situation, what or who would you put you faith in?
Buy Links
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crossing-the-deep-kelly-martin/1113215706?ean=2940015565096
Astraea Press: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=15502342
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-The-Deep-ebook/dp/B009NWGMMQ/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=133140011&s=digital-text
BIO
~Kelly Martin is
a writer, blogger, mommy, teacher, wife, sleep deprived lady (not necessarily
in that order). She writes young adult/Christian fiction. Her second book,
SAINT SLOAN, is coming late winter 2013. For more information on her, please
visit her blogs at http://www.kellymartinstories.com/ and http://www.encourage365.com/ .
What inspires your writing?
Short answer… God.
Long answer, I have three little girls who will grow up to
be three big girls someday. While I’m all for magic books, vampires and the
like, I think there needs to be a balance between those types of books and
Christian books. There aren’t many Christian Young Adult books in the world (a
quick glance at my local Lifeway can tell you that), and I want to populate
that market.
Can you briefly tell us your
journey to publication?
I can because it was brief.
It’s almost embarrassing to talk about since it only took 11 months from first
word written on the computer screen to publication. CROSSING THE DEEP was a
2011 Nanowrimo. I had 59,000 words finished when November ended. That draft was
horrible… HORRIBLE. At least it had good bones to it. Thanks to the
encouragement of my sister, I re-wrote it… and re-wrote it…. And re-wrote it.
By March I started sending it to agents. By June, I had about given up. I
learned from Absolute Write that some publishers don’t require you to have an
agent. I submitted to a few of them. A week later, I had 2 offers! I decided on
Astraea Press and have been very happy ever since!
That was a quick story! What is your favorite/worst part of
the writing/publishing process?
Favorite part is creating the characters/scenes/and seeing
what happens to these people. Most people don’t understand (unless you are a
writer) that your characters can surprise you. Characters die that you don’t
expect and it’s a very emotional experience. I love that.
The worst part is the waiting. It’s always hurry up and
write a fabulous manuscript… and wait. You send a query and then you wait lol.
It’s hard on the old nerves.
I hate waiting too. What has been your most memorable
experience as a published author?
Telling my mother that I signed a contract. She was very
happy and said, “Really?” Also, seeing my book cover with my name on it. That was pretty special!
So tell us a little about your
book. What prompted this story? (Isn't that a GORGEOUS COVER!?!)
The prologue was the first scene I wrote. I imagined this
guy sitting over this lifeless girl in the woods, crying. They had no names,
but I had the scene. I wanted to know why he was crying, how they got there,
who they were, why they were alone, etc. I wrote it then the beginning just
poured out.
Which character do you relate to
the most and why?
Rachel. She has faith in God, but sometimes she questions
it. Plus, she blames herself for things she couldn’t control, and I do that
that sometimes.
Which character did you find most
difficult to craft and why?
Strangely Rachel was. I didn’t want her to be too
‘goody-goody’ but I wanted her to be sweet. I wanted her to have a backbone and
in the earlier drafts she didn’t as much. Also in the earlier drafts, Asher was
a total jerk lol. He mellowed a lot. He’s much more laid back, not to say he
doesn’t have a small, tightly wound string holding himself together that he’s
afraid of snapping at any second… which *spoiler alert* it does…
In each novel, I name a character
after a family member. Do you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I try to have at least one Biblical name in all of my books.
CROSSING THE DEEP has a lot of them (Rachel, David, Asher…). My new book, SAINT
SLOAN, has one (Aaron).
What is your favorite
book/television show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How?
Once Upon a Time is my absolute favorite show right now! I
love fairy tales and how they intertwine in that story. I also like to watch
The Vampire Diaries (but I don’t like to admit it… shhhhh… I tried to give it
up, but it drew me back in.) Do they influence my writing? Well, yeah. The new
book coming out in 2013 has a love triangle between two brothers which could be
Salvatore like. In fact, I call it ‘The OC meets The Vampire Diaries… without
the blood… or vampires.”
OUAT AND VD are two of my favorites!!! What advice would you give aspiring
authors?
Like most people say, don’t give up. If something isn’t
working change course. I never in a million years thought I’d have a novel
published (though I really wanted it). It wasn’t easy and there were lots of
tears shed (and lots of sore knuckles from pounding away at the keyboard… and,
if I’m honest, a lonely husband because I wrote a LOT this past year). If you
are passionate about it, do it… but don’t forget to spend time with your family
J
Where can readers find you?
You can find me at www.kellymartinstories.com and www.encourage365.com (a daily
devotional blog written by me and several awesome authors who have graciously
offered to help me carry the load. I’m forever grateful to them.) I’m also on
twitter: @martieKay. And on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Martin-Author/136506059763138
Anything you like to ask readers of
this post?
Something that relates to the story would be: If you were
put in a very desperate situation, what or who would you put you faith in?
Buy Links
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crossing-the-deep-kelly-martin/1113215706?ean=2940015565096
Astraea Press: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=15502342
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-The-Deep-ebook/dp/B009NWGMMQ/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=133140011&s=digital-text
BIO
.jpg)
~Kelly Martin isa writer, blogger, mommy, teacher, wife, sleep deprived lady (not necessarily
in that order). She writes young adult/Christian fiction. Her second book,
SAINT SLOAN, is coming late winter 2013. For more information on her, please
visit her blogs at http://www.kellymartinstories.com/ and http://www.encourage365.com/ .
September 29, 2012
B-DAY BASH WINNERS!!!
Thank you, everyone, for coming to the party this week in celebration of my birthday. I appreciate all the comments, tweet, tags, likes--chatting with the authors. Thank you to the authors for making this a wonderful bash!
Here are the winners--then I'm going back to sleep. :-)
-Winner of a book in the Empire of the Pine series has their choice of The Green Veil, The Red Fury, or The Black Rose in PDF format(upload directly to computer or email to ereader)
-Winner of Delaney Diamond's book has their choice of B&N, Amazon, or PDF(upload directly to computer or email to ereader)
-Winners will receive an email!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Here are the winners--then I'm going back to sleep. :-)
-Winner of a book in the Empire of the Pine series has their choice of The Green Veil, The Red Fury, or The Black Rose in PDF format(upload directly to computer or email to ereader)
-Winner of Delaney Diamond's book has their choice of B&N, Amazon, or PDF(upload directly to computer or email to ereader)
-Winners will receive an email!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 28, 2012
B-DAY BASH GUEST AUTHOR: DELANEY DIAMOND
LAST DAY OF THE PARTY!!! Please welcome another bestselling Astraea Press author, Delaney Diamond!!!! Ahhhh, the way she writes first kisses. Mmmm. Still thinking about it! HAHA. I reviewed her book, Worth Waiting For, here, and she's going to gift a copy of it for the party!
REMEMBER TO ENTER USING THE PRIZE WIDGET!!!
Welcome!!!
What inspires your writing?
Just about anything can inspire me: books, movies, stories
in the news. One of the great things about being a writer is that you can take
whatever inspires you and put your own twist on it.
Can you briefly tell us your journey
to publication?
I’m
not one of those people who always wanted to be a writer. A few years ago I
decided I wanted to start writing fiction. I ended up joining the Romance
Writers of America in January of 2010. Thanks to everything I learned, I
submitted my first novel that summer and was published in November 2010. I’ve
been writing ever since.
That is one of the quickest publications stories I've ever heard. What is your favorite/worst part of
the writing/publishing process?
Writing is my favorite part. I enjoy seeing a story in my
head unfold on paper. The worst part is marketing. It can be very
time-consuming, and it’s hard to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Marketing is tough. What has been your most memorable
experience as a published author?
The most memorable are when readers contact me and tell me they
are a fan or how much they love my books. It always feels so good. I love
compliments!
So tell us a little about your
book. What prompted this story?
This story is about Julia Newman and Freddie Mendoza. For
Julia, her attraction to Freddie is unusual. Not only is Freddie Latin, he’s a
blue collar man. Julia has never dated outside of her race before, and the men
she dates are like her – they are professional and wealthy. Freddie is used to
women like Julia falling for the novelty of a man like him, but the relationships
never go anywhere.
I wanted to write a sweet romance, and this is the first in the
Bailar series. I liked the idea of
pairing a professional woman with a blue collar man and watching them fall in
love with each other. I mixed in a little bit of humor with Julia’s father and
some sexy Latin dancing and the story was born.
Which character did you find most
difficult to craft and why?
Julia’s ex. I had to dig deep to make him the jerk that he
turned out to be. One thing I can’t stand is meanness, and he was downright
mean. The things he said to Freddie and Julia! Ugh.
I remember that scene! I wanted it to end in a fist fight, to tell you the truth. :-) What is your favorite book/television
show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How?
I tend to like comedy shows. My
favorite show right now is Modern Family. I don’t think it influences my
writing, but because I like to laugh, every now and then I sprinkle a little
humor into the stories I write. I’ve had readers mention how funny they thought
Julia’s father was in the story.
What advice would you give aspiring
authors?
Write the next book and polish it
as much as you can. If you’re self-publishing, pay for a good cover and
editing. Set up a website where readers can find you and see what books you
have coming out next. Don’t get caught up in the blogging craze. Blogging is
good to keep in touch with readers, but if it’s taking up a lot of your time
and you have to choose between it and writing the next book – write the next
book. Readers are waiting with baited breath for your next book – not your next
blog post.
Where can readers find you?
Website and blog: http://delaneydiamond.com
Facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/DelaneyDiamond
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/delaneydiamond
Anything you like to ask readers of
this post?
What are some of the things you
tend to like or dislike in sweet romances?
Bio
Delaney
Diamond is the bestselling author of sweet and sensual romance novels with
multicultural characters. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, she now
lives in Atlanta, Georgia. In her spare time she reads romance novels,
mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of non-fiction. When she's not busy
reading or writing, she's in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one
of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale. You
can enjoy free reads and the first chapter of all her novels on her
website.
REMEMBER TO ENTER USING THE PRIZE WIDGET!!!
REMEMBER TO ENTER USING THE PRIZE WIDGET!!!
Welcome!!!
What inspires your writing?
Just about anything can inspire me: books, movies, stories
in the news. One of the great things about being a writer is that you can take
whatever inspires you and put your own twist on it.
Can you briefly tell us your journey
to publication?
I’m
not one of those people who always wanted to be a writer. A few years ago I
decided I wanted to start writing fiction. I ended up joining the Romance
Writers of America in January of 2010. Thanks to everything I learned, I
submitted my first novel that summer and was published in November 2010. I’ve
been writing ever since.
That is one of the quickest publications stories I've ever heard. What is your favorite/worst part of
the writing/publishing process?
Writing is my favorite part. I enjoy seeing a story in my
head unfold on paper. The worst part is marketing. It can be very
time-consuming, and it’s hard to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Marketing is tough. What has been your most memorable
experience as a published author?
The most memorable are when readers contact me and tell me they
are a fan or how much they love my books. It always feels so good. I love
compliments!
So tell us a little about your
book. What prompted this story?
This story is about Julia Newman and Freddie Mendoza. For
Julia, her attraction to Freddie is unusual. Not only is Freddie Latin, he’s a
blue collar man. Julia has never dated outside of her race before, and the men
she dates are like her – they are professional and wealthy. Freddie is used to
women like Julia falling for the novelty of a man like him, but the relationships
never go anywhere.
I wanted to write a sweet romance, and this is the first in the
Bailar series. I liked the idea of
pairing a professional woman with a blue collar man and watching them fall in
love with each other. I mixed in a little bit of humor with Julia’s father and
some sexy Latin dancing and the story was born.
Which character did you find most
difficult to craft and why?
Julia’s ex. I had to dig deep to make him the jerk that he
turned out to be. One thing I can’t stand is meanness, and he was downright
mean. The things he said to Freddie and Julia! Ugh.
I remember that scene! I wanted it to end in a fist fight, to tell you the truth. :-) What is your favorite book/television
show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How?
I tend to like comedy shows. My
favorite show right now is Modern Family. I don’t think it influences my
writing, but because I like to laugh, every now and then I sprinkle a little
humor into the stories I write. I’ve had readers mention how funny they thought
Julia’s father was in the story.
What advice would you give aspiring
authors?
Write the next book and polish it
as much as you can. If you’re self-publishing, pay for a good cover and
editing. Set up a website where readers can find you and see what books you
have coming out next. Don’t get caught up in the blogging craze. Blogging is
good to keep in touch with readers, but if it’s taking up a lot of your time
and you have to choose between it and writing the next book – write the next
book. Readers are waiting with baited breath for your next book – not your next
blog post.
Where can readers find you?
Website and blog: http://delaneydiamond.com
Facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/DelaneyDiamond
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/delaneydiamond
Anything you like to ask readers of
this post?
What are some of the things you
tend to like or dislike in sweet romances?
Bio
Delaney
Diamond is the bestselling author of sweet and sensual romance novels with
multicultural characters. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, she now
lives in Atlanta, Georgia. In her spare time she reads romance novels,
mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of non-fiction. When she's not busy
reading or writing, she's in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one
of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale. You
can enjoy free reads and the first chapter of all her novels on her
website.
REMEMBER TO ENTER USING THE PRIZE WIDGET!!!
September 27, 2012
B-DAY BASH GUEST AUTHOR: RACHEL VAN DYKEN
Day Four! Please welcome USA Today Bestselling historical romance author Rachel van Dyken!!! I've read three of my fellow Astraea Press author's books and I can say that a twinge of jealousy erupts in me every time I start another novel. She has those great romantic one-liners you can only dream of writing--okay, maybe I'm the only one dreaming. :-) I posted a review of one of her books here. I love that her romances are so popular yet clean (no "pink parts"). :-) Rachel is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card, and copies of her following titles: The Redemption of Lord Rawlings, Whispered Music, the Seduction of Sebastian St. James.
Remember to enter using the PRIZE WIDGET!!!!!
Welcome!!!
What inspires your writing?
That’s
actually a really hard question for me! I think everything inspires me! I’m
constantly thinking, constantly going. I feel like I can’t breathe without
plotting some sort of story out. Sometimes I even wake up in the middle of the
night with an idea and have to type it out before I forget it! A lot of times my inspiration comes
from conversations. I’ll hear someone say something and I’ll make an entire
dialogue out of it. It’s almost like a movie that plays in my head. I will say
that for the most part it’s always dialogue that creates the story for me. So
maybe my inspiration is conversations.
I can totally relate to the middle of the night visions and the movie reel in your head! Can you briefly tell us your
journey to publication?
I started writing about two years ago when I was
a school counselor. During my down time between sessions I would pound out a
story in order to relax. I wrote two stories and started submitting to
publishing houses. I had A LOT of rejections. Looking back, now I realize that
my stories were so horribly unedited that of course the pub houses were like
HUH? I saw Astraea Press on a blog and thought maybe going for a smaller pub
house would be better. I submitted and received a contract. My first book was
“Every Girl Does It.” It’s a simple contemporary romance. During that time I was
reading a lot of regency romances and thought it would be fun to try it. I was
still counseling full time and had a few girls walk in one day upset over the
fact that the boys were making fun of them and calling them ugly. That was the
day The Ugly Duckling Debutante was born, I’ve been writing as fast as I can
ever since!
What is your favorite/worst part of
the writing/publishing process?
My favorite part is the writing, of
course! Whenever I submit a new book I start getting nervous. I think every
author does. You begin to doubt yourself or wonder if this book isnt’ as good
as the last and so forth. Editing is also a nightmare to me. I know that I’m
probably the worst editor on the planet and I still don’t know what a comma is
used for.
So edits are another thing that really make me nervous. Each time you write a
story it makes you so vulnerable because you can’t help but put part of your
personality into whatever you write, so if you face rejection it stings that
much more. It’s hard not to take it personally but I’d like to think I’ve
developed a tough skin after 12 books ;)
I'm a comma abuser too, don't worry. ;-) What has been your most memorable
experience as a published author?
I have two! The first is making the
USA Today bestseller list! I remember looking at my computer and screaming and
jumping up and down and then freaking out that I was going to pass out! It was
such an honor and honestly to this day makes me smile! The second was when I
had a reader email me and thank me for openly talking about anxiety attacks in
my latest release Whispered Music. It’s something that as a counselor I had a
lot of experience with, but also personally struggle with as well! I really
wanted to shed some light onto what it felt like. My main character Dominique
suffered through a traumatic childhood and has a crippling fear of thunder
storms, and has a panic attack in the middle of one even though he’s a grown
man. It was a very real scene for me to write and it touched me so much that a
reader was impacted by it. As an author that’s all I want to do, touch people,
and reach out to them.
So tell us a little about your
book. What prompted this story?
The Redemption of Lord Rawlings was the
third book in my House of Renwick series. It’s the story of the ultimate rake
facing the ultimate ruin. I knew I was taking on a challenge in writing him
because he was in the first two books in the series and people hated him! But,
I saw good! I remember walking in the Costco parking lot and then stopping and
frantically texting my friend Laura and going “I know what to call the third
book! It’s going to be The Redemption of Lord Rawlings.” She paused and then
said, “Can you do that?” My answer, “I’m going to try!” Haha, it was such a fun
book to write but I also looked at it as a turning point in my writing. It’s a funny
story but it also has a lot of hurt in it. You dive into why Rawlings is the
way he is, and why he feels bad for the life he’s led. After writing Rawlings,
I decided I wanted to do nothing but write wounded heroes! They are so fun to
write and I think Rawlings was the beginning of that.
In
the beginning of the story he’s walking around in the rain, wishing to be hit
by a carriage, when a beautiful woman runs up to him and kisses him, only to
run off.
At
first he thinks he’s hallucinating. After much coaxing from some old friends
and enemies, he goes to one of the seasons last balls and sees her. Only, shes
the youngest sister of the man who used to be his sworn enemy. Abigail is
relentless in her pursuit and Rawlings is trying to put the pieces of his life
back together so he can actually inherit the rest of his estate. He has to
marry by his birthday but the girl wont’ leave him alone. He knows he can’t
have her, but he wants her. He fights against his better judgement and in the
end…well you’ll just have to see what happens!
I loved that story!!! Rawlings was so funny; I just laughed and laughed at his one-liners.
Which character do you relate to
the most and why?
Is it weird that I relate to all of them? I think the
character I relate to the most is probably Katherine from “The Devil Duke Takes
A Bride,” it will be my fourth book in the House of Renwick series and it’s due
out this Christmas. Katherine has really good intentions she just happens to
always be at the wrong place at the wrong time. She’s compromised by the devil
duke himself because she was trying to help him then accidentally trips and lands
on his chest making everyone assume they were caught in a tryst. I love her
attitude and her ability to roll with the punches. She also stands up to the
man that everyone else fears and I find that really captivating. I wish I was
brave like her, so maybe I relate to her and I admire her.
Which character did you find most
difficult to craft and why?
Stefan Hudson The Duke of Montmouth from
“Upon A Midnight Dream,” I had this perfect vision of him in my head but when
it came time to type it out, I kept going back to another character that I had
previously written. I wanted him to be the hero but he kept turning tragic on
me! I love that story but I think sometimes his character is inconsistent when
it comes to how he reacts to the love interest. He’s very hot and cold, but in
a way he has to be in order to achieve what needs to be done.
In each novel, I name a character
after a family member. Do you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I think
anyone who reads my novels will see that I always write in secondary characters
that help carry the story. I never focus on just the main two. I don’t know why
but I like to introduce new characters and I always feel the need for comic
relief. So the secondary characters are for that purpose alone, to keep the
story going but also to introduce humor. I really relied on this heavily in
“Whispered Music”, because I knew the book would be pretty serious in parts.
What is your favorite
book/television show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How?
Wow
I love so many different genres! I’m a regency girl at heart, so I love
anything by Julia Quinn and Julie Ann Long. My favorite TV shows are “The Big
Bang Theory,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” Not sure if they inspire me but they
do give me a nice comedic break when I need it!
What advice would you give aspiring
authors?
Keep writing. Practice makes perfect. Just because your first
manuscript doesn’t get contracted doesn’t mean you should stop or that you’re a
failure. Keep pushing and keep making your craft the best it can be. READ as
much as possible!!!! Don’t let writing take over because the minute that
happens you’ve lost all the things that influence you. Lots of coaches say you
should breathe your sport, sleep with your uniform on, etc. When it comes to
writing, you should be constantly researching, reading, studying, because
that’s a huge part in getting you to where you want to be!
Where can readers find you?
You can find me on my website www.rachelvandyken.com
or follow me on twitter @RachVD or find me on facebook: Rachel Van Dyken Author
Anything you like to ask readers of
this post?
I just want to get to know everyone! What’s your favorite
genre to read, and why? Thanks!!
Bio
Rachel loves to read almost as much as she loves to write. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and her dog Sir Winston Churchill. Although she loves to write contemporary romance, her heart will always be with historical and regency romances. Glittering balls and dangerous rakes hold her captivated like chocolate and Starbucks. You can follow Rachel on her blog, Twitter, or Facebook.
"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere, I want it more than I can tell."
---Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Remember to enter using the PRIZE WIDGET!!!!!
Welcome!!!
What inspires your writing?
That’s
actually a really hard question for me! I think everything inspires me! I’m
constantly thinking, constantly going. I feel like I can’t breathe without
plotting some sort of story out. Sometimes I even wake up in the middle of the
night with an idea and have to type it out before I forget it! A lot of times my inspiration comes
from conversations. I’ll hear someone say something and I’ll make an entire
dialogue out of it. It’s almost like a movie that plays in my head. I will say
that for the most part it’s always dialogue that creates the story for me. So
maybe my inspiration is conversations.
I can totally relate to the middle of the night visions and the movie reel in your head! Can you briefly tell us your
journey to publication?
I started writing about two years ago when I was
a school counselor. During my down time between sessions I would pound out a
story in order to relax. I wrote two stories and started submitting to
publishing houses. I had A LOT of rejections. Looking back, now I realize that
my stories were so horribly unedited that of course the pub houses were like
HUH? I saw Astraea Press on a blog and thought maybe going for a smaller pub
house would be better. I submitted and received a contract. My first book was
“Every Girl Does It.” It’s a simple contemporary romance. During that time I was
reading a lot of regency romances and thought it would be fun to try it. I was
still counseling full time and had a few girls walk in one day upset over the
fact that the boys were making fun of them and calling them ugly. That was the
day The Ugly Duckling Debutante was born, I’ve been writing as fast as I can
ever since!
What is your favorite/worst part of
the writing/publishing process?
My favorite part is the writing, of
course! Whenever I submit a new book I start getting nervous. I think every
author does. You begin to doubt yourself or wonder if this book isnt’ as good
as the last and so forth. Editing is also a nightmare to me. I know that I’m
probably the worst editor on the planet and I still don’t know what a comma is
used for.
So edits are another thing that really make me nervous. Each time you write a
story it makes you so vulnerable because you can’t help but put part of your
personality into whatever you write, so if you face rejection it stings that
much more. It’s hard not to take it personally but I’d like to think I’ve
developed a tough skin after 12 books ;)
I'm a comma abuser too, don't worry. ;-) What has been your most memorable
experience as a published author?
I have two! The first is making the
USA Today bestseller list! I remember looking at my computer and screaming and
jumping up and down and then freaking out that I was going to pass out! It was
such an honor and honestly to this day makes me smile! The second was when I
had a reader email me and thank me for openly talking about anxiety attacks in
my latest release Whispered Music. It’s something that as a counselor I had a
lot of experience with, but also personally struggle with as well! I really
wanted to shed some light onto what it felt like. My main character Dominique
suffered through a traumatic childhood and has a crippling fear of thunder
storms, and has a panic attack in the middle of one even though he’s a grown
man. It was a very real scene for me to write and it touched me so much that a
reader was impacted by it. As an author that’s all I want to do, touch people,
and reach out to them.
So tell us a little about your
book. What prompted this story?
The Redemption of Lord Rawlings was the
third book in my House of Renwick series. It’s the story of the ultimate rake
facing the ultimate ruin. I knew I was taking on a challenge in writing him
because he was in the first two books in the series and people hated him! But,
I saw good! I remember walking in the Costco parking lot and then stopping and
frantically texting my friend Laura and going “I know what to call the third
book! It’s going to be The Redemption of Lord Rawlings.” She paused and then
said, “Can you do that?” My answer, “I’m going to try!” Haha, it was such a fun
book to write but I also looked at it as a turning point in my writing. It’s a funny
story but it also has a lot of hurt in it. You dive into why Rawlings is the
way he is, and why he feels bad for the life he’s led. After writing Rawlings,
I decided I wanted to do nothing but write wounded heroes! They are so fun to
write and I think Rawlings was the beginning of that.
In
the beginning of the story he’s walking around in the rain, wishing to be hit
by a carriage, when a beautiful woman runs up to him and kisses him, only to
run off.
At
first he thinks he’s hallucinating. After much coaxing from some old friends
and enemies, he goes to one of the seasons last balls and sees her. Only, shes
the youngest sister of the man who used to be his sworn enemy. Abigail is
relentless in her pursuit and Rawlings is trying to put the pieces of his life
back together so he can actually inherit the rest of his estate. He has to
marry by his birthday but the girl wont’ leave him alone. He knows he can’t
have her, but he wants her. He fights against his better judgement and in the
end…well you’ll just have to see what happens!
I loved that story!!! Rawlings was so funny; I just laughed and laughed at his one-liners.
Which character do you relate to
the most and why?
Is it weird that I relate to all of them? I think the
character I relate to the most is probably Katherine from “The Devil Duke Takes
A Bride,” it will be my fourth book in the House of Renwick series and it’s due
out this Christmas. Katherine has really good intentions she just happens to
always be at the wrong place at the wrong time. She’s compromised by the devil
duke himself because she was trying to help him then accidentally trips and lands
on his chest making everyone assume they were caught in a tryst. I love her
attitude and her ability to roll with the punches. She also stands up to the
man that everyone else fears and I find that really captivating. I wish I was
brave like her, so maybe I relate to her and I admire her.
Which character did you find most
difficult to craft and why?
Stefan Hudson The Duke of Montmouth from
“Upon A Midnight Dream,” I had this perfect vision of him in my head but when
it came time to type it out, I kept going back to another character that I had
previously written. I wanted him to be the hero but he kept turning tragic on
me! I love that story but I think sometimes his character is inconsistent when
it comes to how he reacts to the love interest. He’s very hot and cold, but in
a way he has to be in order to achieve what needs to be done.
In each novel, I name a character
after a family member. Do you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I think
anyone who reads my novels will see that I always write in secondary characters
that help carry the story. I never focus on just the main two. I don’t know why
but I like to introduce new characters and I always feel the need for comic
relief. So the secondary characters are for that purpose alone, to keep the
story going but also to introduce humor. I really relied on this heavily in
“Whispered Music”, because I knew the book would be pretty serious in parts.
What is your favorite
book/television show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How?
Wow
I love so many different genres! I’m a regency girl at heart, so I love
anything by Julia Quinn and Julie Ann Long. My favorite TV shows are “The Big
Bang Theory,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” Not sure if they inspire me but they
do give me a nice comedic break when I need it!
What advice would you give aspiring
authors?
Keep writing. Practice makes perfect. Just because your first
manuscript doesn’t get contracted doesn’t mean you should stop or that you’re a
failure. Keep pushing and keep making your craft the best it can be. READ as
much as possible!!!! Don’t let writing take over because the minute that
happens you’ve lost all the things that influence you. Lots of coaches say you
should breathe your sport, sleep with your uniform on, etc. When it comes to
writing, you should be constantly researching, reading, studying, because
that’s a huge part in getting you to where you want to be!
Where can readers find you?
You can find me on my website www.rachelvandyken.com
or follow me on twitter @RachVD or find me on facebook: Rachel Van Dyken Author
Anything you like to ask readers of
this post?
I just want to get to know everyone! What’s your favorite
genre to read, and why? Thanks!!
Bio
Rachel loves to read almost as much as she loves to write. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and her dog Sir Winston Churchill. Although she loves to write contemporary romance, her heart will always be with historical and regency romances. Glittering balls and dangerous rakes hold her captivated like chocolate and Starbucks. You can follow Rachel on her blog, Twitter, or Facebook.
"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere, I want it more than I can tell."
---Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast
September 26, 2012
B-DAY BASH GUEST AUTHOR: JESSICA NELSON
Please welcome author Jessica Nelson to the B-DAY BASH party!!! Ms. Nelson was one of the very first cyber friends I made as I began blogging regularly this year (or somewhat regularly ;-) ). I reviewed her Love Inspired Historical release here. I'm so grateful she's visiting and partying with us. She's offering a $10 Amazon gift card to a special entry!!
Remember to enter using the PRIZE WIDGET!!!
Welcome!
What inspires your writing?
Hmmm, I don't know specifically.
I tend to daydream a lot...sometimes meeting someone will spark an idea.
I'm a big daydreamer too! Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication?
Writing, research, more writing, submitting, rejections, more writing, more
submitting, more rejections, more writing, more submitting....and a wonderful
e-mail. :-)
What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing
process?
My favorite is revisions and submitting! There's so much potential. My
least favorite part is the waiting. Patience isn't my strong suit. lol Thank
goodness for chocolate!
I've discovered I like revisions for that very reason. Chocolate is great! What has been your most memorable experience as a published
author?
I think the support from my family, friends and blogger pals took me
surprise and blew me away. I felt so blessed, honored, humbled....lol It was
wonderful.
So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this
story?
My book is about a talkative socialite with big plans for her future but
life keeps getting in the way. There's a rugged cowboy with some secrets
too....:-) Research prompted the setting and plot. I'm not sure who inspired
the characters, though I've come to realize my heroine is a little like my mom.
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
Ooh, good
question. I think I relate most to Mary but I admire Gracie, my heroine. I
would eavesdrop too, like Gracie does, but I hope I never get caught!! lol
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and
why?
Great question. I'm not sure. This book was written over several years and
so the characters evolved as I did. I think Gracie took the most work because I
had to try to balance her strong personality so that she didn't keep polarizing
readers. Literally, in contest submissions and reader critiques, half would
love her and half would hate her. So yeah, she took some work. :-)
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do
you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
Oooh, good question! Not in my
historical, but I realized in my unpublished contemporaries that each hero has
a specific scent, ranging from cinnamon to Cool Water cologne.
What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of
these mediums influence your writing? How?
I adore the show House and WISH I
could write dialogue like the House writers. I have many favorite authors and
I'm sure they've inspired and influenced me in ways I don't even realize.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
NEVER give up.
Keep working and learning and hoping. Eat lots of chocolate. *wink*
Where can readers find you?
I love hanging at my blog
BookingIt http://jessicanelson7590.blogspot.com/
but I can also be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/jessica.nelson.12
and Twitter https://twitter.com/Jessica_Nelson7
Anything you like to ask readers of this post?
Sure. Who is
the most memorable character you've ever read? And if you were going to write a
character, what are the top two traits your character would have?
Thanks so much for inviting me over, Tori!
Bio
Jessica Nelson,
in keeping with her romantic inclinations, married two days after she graduated
high school. She believes romance happens every day, and thinks the greatest,
most intense romance comes from a God who woos people to himself with
passionate tenderness. When Jessica is not chasing her three beautiful, wild
little boys around the living room, she can be found staring into space as she
plots her next story. Or she might be daydreaming about a raspberry mocha from
Starbucks. Or thinking about what kind of chocolate she should have for dinner
that night. She could be thinking of any number of things, really. One thing is
for certain, she is blessed with a wonderful family and a lovely life.
Website: http://www.jessicanelson.net/
Blurb
Any other socialite would view being packed off to a remote Oregon ranch as a punishment. But Gracelyn Riley knows that this is her opportunity to become a real reporter. If she can make her name through an interview with the elusive hero known as Striker, then she'll never have to depend on anyone ever again.
Rancher Trevor Cruz can't believe his secret identity is being endangered by an overly chatty city girl. But if there's one thing he knows, it's that Gracie's pretty little snooping nose is bound to get her in trouble. So he'll use her determination to find "Striker" to keep an eye on her…and stick close by her side.
Buy Link
Remember to enter using the PRIZE WIDGET!!!
Welcome!
What inspires your writing?
Hmmm, I don't know specifically.
I tend to daydream a lot...sometimes meeting someone will spark an idea.
I'm a big daydreamer too! Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication?
Writing, research, more writing, submitting, rejections, more writing, more
submitting, more rejections, more writing, more submitting....and a wonderful
e-mail. :-)
What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing
process?
My favorite is revisions and submitting! There's so much potential. My
least favorite part is the waiting. Patience isn't my strong suit. lol Thank
goodness for chocolate!
I've discovered I like revisions for that very reason. Chocolate is great! What has been your most memorable experience as a published
author?
I think the support from my family, friends and blogger pals took me
surprise and blew me away. I felt so blessed, honored, humbled....lol It was
wonderful.
So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this
story?
My book is about a talkative socialite with big plans for her future but
life keeps getting in the way. There's a rugged cowboy with some secrets
too....:-) Research prompted the setting and plot. I'm not sure who inspired
the characters, though I've come to realize my heroine is a little like my mom.
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
Ooh, good
question. I think I relate most to Mary but I admire Gracie, my heroine. I
would eavesdrop too, like Gracie does, but I hope I never get caught!! lol
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and
why?
Great question. I'm not sure. This book was written over several years and
so the characters evolved as I did. I think Gracie took the most work because I
had to try to balance her strong personality so that she didn't keep polarizing
readers. Literally, in contest submissions and reader critiques, half would
love her and half would hate her. So yeah, she took some work. :-)
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do
you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
Oooh, good question! Not in my
historical, but I realized in my unpublished contemporaries that each hero has
a specific scent, ranging from cinnamon to Cool Water cologne.
What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of
these mediums influence your writing? How?
I adore the show House and WISH I
could write dialogue like the House writers. I have many favorite authors and
I'm sure they've inspired and influenced me in ways I don't even realize.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
NEVER give up.
Keep working and learning and hoping. Eat lots of chocolate. *wink*
Where can readers find you?
I love hanging at my blog
BookingIt http://jessicanelson7590.blogspot.com/
but I can also be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/jessica.nelson.12
and Twitter https://twitter.com/Jessica_Nelson7
Anything you like to ask readers of this post?
Sure. Who is
the most memorable character you've ever read? And if you were going to write a
character, what are the top two traits your character would have?
Thanks so much for inviting me over, Tori!
Bio
Jessica Nelson,
in keeping with her romantic inclinations, married two days after she graduated
high school. She believes romance happens every day, and thinks the greatest,
most intense romance comes from a God who woos people to himself with
passionate tenderness. When Jessica is not chasing her three beautiful, wild
little boys around the living room, she can be found staring into space as she
plots her next story. Or she might be daydreaming about a raspberry mocha from
Starbucks. Or thinking about what kind of chocolate she should have for dinner
that night. She could be thinking of any number of things, really. One thing is
for certain, she is blessed with a wonderful family and a lovely life.
Website: http://www.jessicanelson.net/
Blurb
Any other socialite would view being packed off to a remote Oregon ranch as a punishment. But Gracelyn Riley knows that this is her opportunity to become a real reporter. If she can make her name through an interview with the elusive hero known as Striker, then she'll never have to depend on anyone ever again.
Rancher Trevor Cruz can't believe his secret identity is being endangered by an overly chatty city girl. But if there's one thing he knows, it's that Gracie's pretty little snooping nose is bound to get her in trouble. So he'll use her determination to find "Striker" to keep an eye on her…and stick close by her side.
Buy Link
September 25, 2012
B-DAY BASH GUEST AUTHOR: ANN MILLER
You loved her last time; please welcome back author, Ann Miller to the B-Day Bash party!!!
REMEMBER TO ENTER USING THE PRIZE WIDGET!!!
Welcome back, Ann!
What inspires your writing?
Everything in my daily life that
deeply affects me on an emotional level comes out sooner or later in my
writing. I think I write romance because I was fortunate enough to marry the
love of my life and live out the “happily ever after.” There will always be a
spiritual thread in my books because relationship with God is the foundation of
my life. My life is messy, full of imperfection and drama, so that’s the well
my characters come from.
Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication?
For ten years I pursued traditional publishing, but I felt
God nudging me toward indie publishing this year. I had to swallow a hairball
of pride, but I’m glad I did it. The indie ride has been thrilling. Kicking
Eternity debuted in June, The Art of My Life this week, Avra’s God coming in
December, and Tattered Innocence in March 2013.
What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing
process?
I’m not a fan of plotting, but I am an extensive plotter. I
just have to grit my teeth and get through it.
What has been your most memorable experience as a published
author?
Holding my first book in my hands!
So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this
story?
The story grew out of my own family’s drama. Here’s the back
cover:
Cal walked
out of jail and into a second chance at winning Aly with his grandma’s beater
sailboat and a reclaimed dream of sailing charters.
Aly has the business smarts, strings to a
startup loan, and heart he never should have broken. He’s got squat. Unless you
count enough original art to stock a monster rummage sale and an affection for
weed.
But he’d only ever loved Aly. That had to count
for something. Aly needed a guy who owned yard tools, tires worth rotating, and
a voter’s registration card. He’d be that guy or die trying.
For anyone who’s ever struggled to measure up.
And failed.
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
Starr is mostly me, except I hope I wasn’t as critical of my
kids as she was.
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and
why?
Cal was a hard character because he makes a lot of bad
choices that were difficult to find motivation for. So much like all of our bad
choices!
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do
you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I insert cameos of real people into my novels.
That's cool. I wonder if they know it's them. ;-) What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of
these mediums influence your writing? How?
My current favorite is Flat
Out Love, by Jessica Park, but I don’t know if the book will influence my
writing.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Never give up.
Where can readers find you?
AnnLeeMiller.com
Blog: http://the-art-of-my-life.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @AnnLeeMiller
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnnLeeMillerAuthor
Anything you like to ask readers of this post?
This story was prompted by a dark time in my life. Have
there been any painful times in your life that later produced something good?
Buy Links
Amazon
Barnes And Noble
Smashwords
Bio:
Ann Lee Miller
earned a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University and writes
full-time in Phoenix, but left her heart in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where
she grew up. She loves speaking to young adults and guest lectures on writing
at several Arizona colleges. When she isn’t writing or muddling through some
crisis—real or imagined—you’ll find her hiking in the Superstition Mountains
with her pastor husband or meddling in her kids’ lives.
Today we have a special gift for all party attendees!!!!
Anyone who leaves a comment with their e-mail address will receive a free e-copy of prequel: Kicking Eternity . Or you may request your free copy at AnnLeeMiller.com.
Enjoy the first chapter of The Art of My Life
(mild profanity)
(I apologize for the formatting)
Chapter 1
July 15
Ever have a painting you’ve stared at for years—and loved? Then, one day, you see
something which alters the way you view the piece forever. And you have to decide whether the
art has been irreparably marred or merely deepened.
Aly at www.The-Art-Of-My-Life.blogspot.com
Cal walked through the tinted glass jail doors into the loamy scent of Bermuda grass, pine
bark, and freedom. The surf shorts and T-shirt he’d worn three months ago when the cop
clamped metal on his wrists hung loosely, misshapen, like a life that no longer fit.
He scanned the weather-bleached asphalt, the smattering of cars roasting in the Daytona
Beach summer. Sun glinted off the windshield of a silver Honda—Aly’s?—blinding his eyes,
yanking her last words to him into the whiteness. I love you, John Calvin Koomer. Usually he
blocked out Aly’s admission, but in jail the video had played over and over—the certainty in her
eyes, the tremor in her voice.
He squinted at the Honda.
Sweat slicked his armpits and tickled the side of his face.
Maybe he should have slept with Aly when she offered. He shook his head, dissolving the
idea. No. It didn’t matter that protecting her from another guy taking what he wanted had earned him two and a half years of looking at the back of her head. It had been the right thing to do.
He’d smoked weed to forget her, crammed Evie into Aly’s place inside him, but going to jail
had ripped away everything but the truth.
He loved Aly. Always had. Always would.
And it was time to do something about it.
The rumble of an engine pulling into the lot jerked his head around. His mother’s minivan
puttered toward him, mowing down the stubble of his hope.
He glanced back at the Honda. No college graduation tassel dangled from the mirror. No
silhouette of the Virgin Mary was rusted into the right front bumper.
The car was empty. Like he felt inside.
Mom angled into a parking space, her maneuvering as precise as everything she did.
His flip flops scraped the blacktop as he shuffled toward her. As his hand closed around the
chrome door handle, heat branded his palm. He climbed into the stream of the air conditioning
blowing from the dash, and the door clunked shut behind him.
Mom reached for him, and his breath stuttered.
When was the last time they’d touched?
She wrapped awkward arms around him. “I—I’ve wanted to hug you ever since the first day
I visited you at jail.”
His hand lit on the fabric stretched across her dancer’s back. He sucked in gulps of human
affection and the talcum scent of childhood while his mind tried to solve the puzzle of his
mother. He coughed, searched for words to fill the silence, and found none. For a heartbeat he
was ten with tears pricking the backs of his eyes.
She released him.
Relief, then the desire to cling to her, flushed through him making him feel lightheaded.
His mother’s slim fingers shifted the car into reverse. Her dark hair, slicked back from her
face in her customary ballerina bun, exposed the scar running from her temple into her hairline.
It whitened now, the only hint of emotion on her face.
According to Grandpa Leaf, Mom had been dropped on her head as a child—causing her to
rebel into conservatism from her hippie upbringing. Leaf always cackled after he told the story.
Why couldn’t Henna—his lumpy grandma—have picked him up? He pictured her, in one of
her bird of paradise muumuus, beaming at him—someone he didn’t have to measure up for.
“Your grandmother is giving you her boat.”
His jaw swerved toward Mom. She might as well have said Cape Canaveral would launch
another Discovery with Henna as pilot. The forty-one foot Catalina he’d sailed a thousand times
materialized in his mind.
“Your father and I thought it might give you a fresh start. You could run charters like you
and Fish used to talk about when you were kids.”
That was before Fish fell in love with politics in tenth grade. He could almost see Fish’s
perennially sunburned face. God, it had been a long three months without Fish.
His mind swerved back to Henna, the dots connecting. Henna held herself responsible for
his going to jail. He’d tell her she didn’t owe him anything. But he knew she’d make him keep
the Escape.
So what if he’d been caught with Henna and Leaf’s weed? He’d rather do the time in the
Volusia County Correctional Facility than watch his grandparents go to jail. They were more like leftover flower children than drug dealers. And he loved them. His favorite childhood daydream had been imagining Mom sitting him down and saying, all serious, that she was sorry, but Henna and Leaf were his true parents. He’d sniffle, plow a hug into Henna’s soft middle, then race free and wild into the rest of his boyhood—the way he was meant to be raised.
As they passed the New Smyrna Beach City Limits sign, Mom glanced at him. “I don’t have
to tell you that whatever you do in this town sticks to you for the rest of your life. Promise me
you’ll never smoke pot again. Salvage what’s left of your reputation.”
He’d always been The Scream to Mom’s American Gothic. “Your reputation. I don’t care
about mine.”
“How can you go to jail, have to report a record every time you apply for a job—”
“Leave it, Mom.”
“Is pot why you never got through college?”
“I never got through college because I hated everything but art classes.”
“Maybe you’re self-medicating for ADHD—”
“I can paint a canvas for six hours straight.”
“Or bi-polar. You’ve always been mercurial.”
“Yeah, I get it from you.”
“Funny.” She didn’t crack a smile as she wheeled the van into a marina parking space.
He could sure use a good smoke about now. Maybe it was time to quit weed. But it wouldn’t
be because his mother extracted a promise. It was his own damn life.
Mom killed the engine.
The car popped and crackled in the silence.
“Cal.”
He gripped the armrest, poised to escape.
“We want to give you a shot at making something of your life.”
His failures throbbed in the car, the ones she’d spoken and the ones left unsaid—his parttime
job at Stoney’s Ink Slab that fell short of Mom’s idea of a career, his want of religion. Did
the list ever end?
“We moved your stuff from Henna’s place to the boat. She kept your studio set up, so you
can still paint there whenever you want.”
He heard the but in her tone, the word that always followed her praise.
She dug the boat keys out of her purse and handed them to him. “Your father and I are on
the title for now because you need us to cosign for a startup loan. But if you default, you’ll have
to sell the boat to pay off the loan.”
The whiskey shot that he was twenty-five and couldn’t sign for his own loan burned all the
way down. “Fair enough.” He swallowed. “How much is the loan?”
“We figured forty thousand would cover repairs and get your business off the ground.”
His head knocked against the headrest. He’d never had more than two hundred dollars in the
bank at one time. And now he was getting a ninety-thousand-dollar boat and more money than
his brain could compute. Henna had always been wacky generous, but his folks cosigning a
loan—mammoth. Was it a last ditch effort to shove him into the sausage casing of society? Well,
maybe he was willing this time.
“I drew up a business plan—not so different from the one I did for my dance studio. We
meet with Aly tomorrow at three to find out if the loan has been approved and sign the papers.”
He sucked in a breath. “Aly?”
“Who else would we go to? Aly’s practically family. She’s a loan officer—”
He wrenched the door open. “Right.” He stepped out and turned back to face Mom. “Thanks
for the lift. The offer of the loan.” He stared at her, gratitude and shame stopping up his words,
dampening his eyes. “I’ll think about it.”
She opened her mouth to argue.
He held up a hand. “I said I’ll think about it.”
Her brows arched into triangles and her lips pressed into a flat line, but she turned the key in
the ignition.
The minivan eased out of the parking space, his mother sitting ramrod straight.
He released the air crowding his chest.
He swung open the pier gate and breathed in the familiar fishy, gasoline scent of the marina.
The shock of freedom left him feeling exposed.
Afternoon sun baked his shoulders as he walked, dissolving the weirdness, leaving only a
buoy of hope. A charter business could give him a life. In the next heartbeat the physical craving
to paint washed over him. He inhaled, imagining he could smell the Vaseline scent of his oils.
Selling his work, someday seeing his face on the cover of People magazine throbbed in his
gut. But it was time to kill that dream. He’d always paint, but Aly needed a guy who owned yard
tools, tires worth rotating; who carried AAA, Visa, and voter’s registration cards. His stinking
driver’s license wouldn’t even be back in his wallet for another three months.
If he worked the Plan B his family had dealt him and succeeded at running a charter sailing
business, he’d gain a shot at Aly.
The only shot he’d ever get.
His gaze caught on Evie’s beater boat. The rotted rigging and his guilt flailed around its sailless
mast like a maypole in the hot breeze. The first part of his new start had to be ex-ing Evie—
the epic mistake of his life—for good this time. The picture wasn’t pretty, but ninety days sober
showed him he’d been using her.
And now he’d see her every day, living eight boats apart on the same dock. Well, he was
ditching her this time, like he’d told her six months ago. She’d have to accept it.
A pelican settled on a piling in a flurry of clumsy feathers. Cal shook off thoughts of Evie
and grinned. He’d snag a hot dog from Leaf’s stand on the beach—just a hot dog, no weed—
grab his board, find Fish, and hit the waves. Then, he’d head for Henna’s to paint— enough to
get it out of his system so he could focus on Plan B. Not painting had been punishing enough.
Frenzied barking erupted from Zeke’s fishing boat two slips down. Van Gogh! Cal’s
chocolate lab-weimaraner, scrabbled across the gangplank, toenails dancing against the wood.
Joy bubbled up, something he hadn’t felt since the arrest. His throat tightened.
Had Mom brought the dog down to the marina? But what was he doing on Zeke’s boat?
Van Gogh planted his paws on Cal’s chest, quivering, tail beating a frenzied rhythm against
the light pole. A sandpaper tongue swiped Cal’s chin.
“I’m glad to see you, too, boy.” Cal scratched soft doggy ears and inhaled canine and river
water scent.
Van Gogh shimmied, wagging his butt along with his tail.
“I should have known you’d show up sooner or later.” Fish’s familiar voice.
Cal’s head popped up and warmth pumped into his chest, washing away the time they’d
been apart. It didn’t matter that Fish hadn’t visited him in jail. Like the hospital, who liked the
lockup anyhow? They’d scarcely gone a day, much less months, without seeing each other since
toddlerhood.
Fish stepped from the fishing boat to the dock. Wisps of baby-white, surfer hair stuck out
from under a backwards baseball cap that brushed the arch in the Zeke’s Fishing Charters sign.
“Hey.” Cal went for a hug.
Fish shoved a palm against Cal’s shoulder. His face contorted. “Take your friggin’ dog and
clear out. By the way, I dog-sat for Van Gogh’s sake, not yours.”
Fish’s harsh tone felt like stepping on a stingray out of nowhere. Cal’s brow scrunched.
“Whoa. What’s got you pissed? And thanks for taking care of my dog. What? Did Van Gogh eat
your stogies? Do his business in your Corn Flakes? Look, I’ll pay you for the dog food.”
“You don’t know, do you? You don’t freakin’ know.” Fish shook his head, incredulous.
“What? What? Tell me.” Cal’s gaze flicked to Sean Fisher scrawled inside the white oval of
Fish’s work shirt.
The grease-stained material flapped against Fish’s bony ribs in the wind.
“You got me fired,” Fish ground out.
“How the he—”
“What were you thinking ditching your weed in my locker? I didn’t even know it was in
there.”
A chill slid down Cal’s spine. “You’re kidding me. Nobody told me.”
“It took me two weeks to get a job working for Zeke. I lost the apartment. I don’t have
family around to coddle me.” Fish stared him down, stone cold, the same look Cal had watched
Fish give his parents when they’d told him they were moving to Peru.
Cal dropped back a step, remorse flushing through him. Throw another failure onto the pile.
“I’m sorry, man. I had no idea.”
“That’s all you have to say?” Disgust radiated from his eyes.
“Look, it was what? A few joints? I was taking the rug rats to the beach, and I didn’t want
the stuff anywhere near them. My sister-in-law already thought I was scum. I’m surprised she let
me hang with the kids.”
“Old Man Phillips called the cops. They hauled me off in the police car right out the front
doors of Circle K.”
“Look, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. Ever.”
“You don’t know what you’re apologizing for.” Fish flung his hands up in the air. “Poof—
you killed my political career before it started. You killed my future.”
Cal flinched inwardly. “One arrest would keep you from running for office?”
A muscle jumped in Fish’s granite jaw.
There was no use arguing with Fish when he got like this. “Screw you.” Cal knocked a
shoulder into Fish’s arm, shoving him out of the way and stepped toward the Escape. They’d
work it out later.
Fish grabbed Cal’s bicep and spun him back. “Looks like you already did.”
The barb embedded into the soft flesh of Cal’s gut. He jerked his arm out of Fish’s hold.
“Get Van Gogh’s crap off Zeke’s boat while I’m gone. We’re done.”
For a millisecond Cal thought he saw hurt under Fish’s anger.
Fish strode down the pier.
Done? Fire coral and kelp, anger and grief, wound around each other inside. “Why not stay
and watch. Aren’t you afraid the ex-con will clean you out?” Cal shouted at his back.
“Get your lousy carcass out of my life. It’ll be worth whatever you take.”
The comment stabbed deeper than we’re done. Fish knew he wasn’t a thief.
Van Gogh nuzzled his hand, and Cal squatted to the dog’s eye level.
Van Gogh stared placidly into his eyes, fogging his face with doggy breath. He slurped Cal’s
cheek.
“Thanks, buddy.”
Cal crossed the gangplank onto the mammoth fishing boat Zeke’s Ambition. The cruiser
must stretch fifty feet. He wrinkled his nose at the fish smell clinging to the bare wooden planks
flecked with old paint.
He opened the door, and Van Gogh burst into the cabin.
“Where’s Fish’s bunk, buddy?”
As though he understood, Van Gogh trotted toward a wide shelf over a row of storage
lockers where a sleeping bag spewed across a rectangle of foam rubber.
The ratty red and green plaid lining shot Cal back to a hundred campouts he’d shared with
Fish on Pelican Island, the crunch of singed hot dog skin between his teeth, and a brotherhood
that went deeper than the blood they’d dripped from their pointer fingers onto the beach the
summer after third grade. He ran his thumb over the jagged ridge on his index finger where he
and Fish had pocket-knifed their bond into flesh.
The dog pranced and barked at a roach while Cal emptied his wallet, one hundred and
thirteen dollars from the pay check he’d cashed the day he got arrested. The bills would cover
dog food and a little extra. He slid the money under Fish’s pillow. The faint scent of Fish’s sweat
drifted toward him, wrenching him like the final twist of a C-clamp.
He grabbed the half-empty bag of food and stuffed the dog bowls and multiple pieces of an
“indestructible” Kong dog toy into the bag. With his flip-flop, he squashed the roach Van Gogh
had cornered. “Come on, boy.” Cal ducked his head through the door into sunlight and came face to face with Evie on the dock across from him.
Shock registered on her face, then she screamed. “Cal! You’re out!”
As his foot touched down on the dock, she barreled into his chest—a flash of breasts,
strawberry-blonde hair, and the scent of vanilla. Her greeting rivaled Van Gogh’s and almost
tottered him into the drink.
Cal set her away from him with one hand and clutched the twenty-five pounds of dog food
and paraphernalia with the other.
“You’re pissed because I didn’t visit you.” Her eyes bore into him. “I don’t stinkin’ do jail.”
His gaze traced the familiar tattooed daisy petals peeking from her blouse, the stem plunging
into the valley between her breasts. He ripped his attention away. Looking was what always got
him into trouble with Evie. He walked two slips down and vaulted onto the Escape.
Van Gogh trotted across the gangplank, Evie not far behind.
He glanced at her, scrounging for words that would make her back off. “Ask Stoney if he’ll
rehire me.” Evie hated doing favors. And doing tats was worth considering before he signed loan
papers below his folks’ signatures.
“What will you give me if I march my butt to Stoney’s?”
Cal barked a laugh. “Like you’re not going down there every day to pierce anyway.”
“If you think I’m pissing Stoney off for nothing, you’re crazy.” She planted her hands on her
hips. “Face time. I want face time.”
He didn’t want to have this conversation less than an hour out of jail. He sighed, emptying
all the air from his lungs. “All we do is fight. We’re toxic together. We should have broken up
two years ago and stayed broken up.”
“We’re good together. The sex—”
Cal rattled the boat keys in his pocket. “You talking to Stoney or not?”
“I’m not doing your dirty work—”
“Fine. I’ll talk to him myself.”
Evie flipped him off. “Bite me.”
Two boats down the dock, Fish paused as he crossed Zeek’s gangplank and looked their
direction as if to say he shared the sentiment.
Cal turned his back on both of them and walked down the deck.
Evie’s wrath he deserved, but he’d stood by Fish when he sunk into a funk their whole
senior year of high school after Fish’s family left the country. He didn’t care what Fish said, they
weren’t done. Not if he had anything to say about it.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and skimmed his eyes over the Escape’s graceful lines,
her mast jutting into blue sky. He unlocked the hatch, tossed the dog food through the opening,
descended the ladder into the musty cabin with Van Gogh hefted under one arm, and shut out the drama.
Salt and stale marijuana smoke hung in the air. Water lapped a rhythmic peace against the
hull.
Van Gogh’s sniff-fest traveled the length of the cabin from the forward bunk, to the dining
nook, the galley’s gimbaled stove that rocked with the sway of the boat, and into the master
suite.
He owned the Escape. Amazing.
Hope lurked despite Evie’s crazy, Fish’s anger, and his mother’s expectations.
But first he had to face Aly. And talk her into loaning him forty thousand dollars.
REMEMBER TO ENTER USING THE PRIZE WIDGET!!!
Welcome back, Ann!
What inspires your writing?
Everything in my daily life that
deeply affects me on an emotional level comes out sooner or later in my
writing. I think I write romance because I was fortunate enough to marry the
love of my life and live out the “happily ever after.” There will always be a
spiritual thread in my books because relationship with God is the foundation of
my life. My life is messy, full of imperfection and drama, so that’s the well
my characters come from.
Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication?
For ten years I pursued traditional publishing, but I felt
God nudging me toward indie publishing this year. I had to swallow a hairball
of pride, but I’m glad I did it. The indie ride has been thrilling. Kicking
Eternity debuted in June, The Art of My Life this week, Avra’s God coming in
December, and Tattered Innocence in March 2013.
What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing
process?
I’m not a fan of plotting, but I am an extensive plotter. I
just have to grit my teeth and get through it.
What has been your most memorable experience as a published
author?
Holding my first book in my hands!
So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this
story?
The story grew out of my own family’s drama. Here’s the back
cover:
Cal walkedout of jail and into a second chance at winning Aly with his grandma’s beater
sailboat and a reclaimed dream of sailing charters.
Aly has the business smarts, strings to a
startup loan, and heart he never should have broken. He’s got squat. Unless you
count enough original art to stock a monster rummage sale and an affection for
weed.
But he’d only ever loved Aly. That had to count
for something. Aly needed a guy who owned yard tools, tires worth rotating, and
a voter’s registration card. He’d be that guy or die trying.
For anyone who’s ever struggled to measure up.
And failed.
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
Starr is mostly me, except I hope I wasn’t as critical of my
kids as she was.
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and
why?
Cal was a hard character because he makes a lot of bad
choices that were difficult to find motivation for. So much like all of our bad
choices!
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do
you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I insert cameos of real people into my novels.
That's cool. I wonder if they know it's them. ;-) What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of
these mediums influence your writing? How?
My current favorite is Flat
Out Love, by Jessica Park, but I don’t know if the book will influence my
writing.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Never give up.
Where can readers find you?
AnnLeeMiller.com
Blog: http://the-art-of-my-life.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @AnnLeeMiller
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnnLeeMillerAuthor
Anything you like to ask readers of this post?
This story was prompted by a dark time in my life. Have
there been any painful times in your life that later produced something good?
Buy Links
Amazon
Barnes And NobleSmashwords
Bio:
Ann Lee Miller
earned a BA in creative writing from Ashland (OH) University and writes
full-time in Phoenix, but left her heart in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where
she grew up. She loves speaking to young adults and guest lectures on writing
at several Arizona colleges. When she isn’t writing or muddling through some
crisis—real or imagined—you’ll find her hiking in the Superstition Mountains
with her pastor husband or meddling in her kids’ lives.
Today we have a special gift for all party attendees!!!!
Anyone who leaves a comment with their e-mail address will receive a free e-copy of prequel: Kicking Eternity . Or you may request your free copy at AnnLeeMiller.com.
Enjoy the first chapter of The Art of My Life
(mild profanity)
(I apologize for the formatting)
Chapter 1
July 15
Ever have a painting you’ve stared at for years—and loved? Then, one day, you see
something which alters the way you view the piece forever. And you have to decide whether the
art has been irreparably marred or merely deepened.
Aly at www.The-Art-Of-My-Life.blogspot.com
Cal walked through the tinted glass jail doors into the loamy scent of Bermuda grass, pine
bark, and freedom. The surf shorts and T-shirt he’d worn three months ago when the cop
clamped metal on his wrists hung loosely, misshapen, like a life that no longer fit.
He scanned the weather-bleached asphalt, the smattering of cars roasting in the Daytona
Beach summer. Sun glinted off the windshield of a silver Honda—Aly’s?—blinding his eyes,
yanking her last words to him into the whiteness. I love you, John Calvin Koomer. Usually he
blocked out Aly’s admission, but in jail the video had played over and over—the certainty in her
eyes, the tremor in her voice.
He squinted at the Honda.
Sweat slicked his armpits and tickled the side of his face.
Maybe he should have slept with Aly when she offered. He shook his head, dissolving the
idea. No. It didn’t matter that protecting her from another guy taking what he wanted had earned him two and a half years of looking at the back of her head. It had been the right thing to do.
He’d smoked weed to forget her, crammed Evie into Aly’s place inside him, but going to jail
had ripped away everything but the truth.
He loved Aly. Always had. Always would.
And it was time to do something about it.
The rumble of an engine pulling into the lot jerked his head around. His mother’s minivan
puttered toward him, mowing down the stubble of his hope.
He glanced back at the Honda. No college graduation tassel dangled from the mirror. No
silhouette of the Virgin Mary was rusted into the right front bumper.
The car was empty. Like he felt inside.
Mom angled into a parking space, her maneuvering as precise as everything she did.
His flip flops scraped the blacktop as he shuffled toward her. As his hand closed around the
chrome door handle, heat branded his palm. He climbed into the stream of the air conditioning
blowing from the dash, and the door clunked shut behind him.
Mom reached for him, and his breath stuttered.
When was the last time they’d touched?
She wrapped awkward arms around him. “I—I’ve wanted to hug you ever since the first day
I visited you at jail.”
His hand lit on the fabric stretched across her dancer’s back. He sucked in gulps of human
affection and the talcum scent of childhood while his mind tried to solve the puzzle of his
mother. He coughed, searched for words to fill the silence, and found none. For a heartbeat he
was ten with tears pricking the backs of his eyes.
She released him.
Relief, then the desire to cling to her, flushed through him making him feel lightheaded.
His mother’s slim fingers shifted the car into reverse. Her dark hair, slicked back from her
face in her customary ballerina bun, exposed the scar running from her temple into her hairline.
It whitened now, the only hint of emotion on her face.
According to Grandpa Leaf, Mom had been dropped on her head as a child—causing her to
rebel into conservatism from her hippie upbringing. Leaf always cackled after he told the story.
Why couldn’t Henna—his lumpy grandma—have picked him up? He pictured her, in one of
her bird of paradise muumuus, beaming at him—someone he didn’t have to measure up for.
“Your grandmother is giving you her boat.”
His jaw swerved toward Mom. She might as well have said Cape Canaveral would launch
another Discovery with Henna as pilot. The forty-one foot Catalina he’d sailed a thousand times
materialized in his mind.
“Your father and I thought it might give you a fresh start. You could run charters like you
and Fish used to talk about when you were kids.”
That was before Fish fell in love with politics in tenth grade. He could almost see Fish’s
perennially sunburned face. God, it had been a long three months without Fish.
His mind swerved back to Henna, the dots connecting. Henna held herself responsible for
his going to jail. He’d tell her she didn’t owe him anything. But he knew she’d make him keep
the Escape.
So what if he’d been caught with Henna and Leaf’s weed? He’d rather do the time in the
Volusia County Correctional Facility than watch his grandparents go to jail. They were more like leftover flower children than drug dealers. And he loved them. His favorite childhood daydream had been imagining Mom sitting him down and saying, all serious, that she was sorry, but Henna and Leaf were his true parents. He’d sniffle, plow a hug into Henna’s soft middle, then race free and wild into the rest of his boyhood—the way he was meant to be raised.
As they passed the New Smyrna Beach City Limits sign, Mom glanced at him. “I don’t have
to tell you that whatever you do in this town sticks to you for the rest of your life. Promise me
you’ll never smoke pot again. Salvage what’s left of your reputation.”
He’d always been The Scream to Mom’s American Gothic. “Your reputation. I don’t care
about mine.”
“How can you go to jail, have to report a record every time you apply for a job—”
“Leave it, Mom.”
“Is pot why you never got through college?”
“I never got through college because I hated everything but art classes.”
“Maybe you’re self-medicating for ADHD—”
“I can paint a canvas for six hours straight.”
“Or bi-polar. You’ve always been mercurial.”
“Yeah, I get it from you.”
“Funny.” She didn’t crack a smile as she wheeled the van into a marina parking space.
He could sure use a good smoke about now. Maybe it was time to quit weed. But it wouldn’t
be because his mother extracted a promise. It was his own damn life.
Mom killed the engine.
The car popped and crackled in the silence.
“Cal.”
He gripped the armrest, poised to escape.
“We want to give you a shot at making something of your life.”
His failures throbbed in the car, the ones she’d spoken and the ones left unsaid—his parttime
job at Stoney’s Ink Slab that fell short of Mom’s idea of a career, his want of religion. Did
the list ever end?
“We moved your stuff from Henna’s place to the boat. She kept your studio set up, so you
can still paint there whenever you want.”
He heard the but in her tone, the word that always followed her praise.
She dug the boat keys out of her purse and handed them to him. “Your father and I are on
the title for now because you need us to cosign for a startup loan. But if you default, you’ll have
to sell the boat to pay off the loan.”
The whiskey shot that he was twenty-five and couldn’t sign for his own loan burned all the
way down. “Fair enough.” He swallowed. “How much is the loan?”
“We figured forty thousand would cover repairs and get your business off the ground.”
His head knocked against the headrest. He’d never had more than two hundred dollars in the
bank at one time. And now he was getting a ninety-thousand-dollar boat and more money than
his brain could compute. Henna had always been wacky generous, but his folks cosigning a
loan—mammoth. Was it a last ditch effort to shove him into the sausage casing of society? Well,
maybe he was willing this time.
“I drew up a business plan—not so different from the one I did for my dance studio. We
meet with Aly tomorrow at three to find out if the loan has been approved and sign the papers.”
He sucked in a breath. “Aly?”
“Who else would we go to? Aly’s practically family. She’s a loan officer—”
He wrenched the door open. “Right.” He stepped out and turned back to face Mom. “Thanks
for the lift. The offer of the loan.” He stared at her, gratitude and shame stopping up his words,
dampening his eyes. “I’ll think about it.”
She opened her mouth to argue.
He held up a hand. “I said I’ll think about it.”
Her brows arched into triangles and her lips pressed into a flat line, but she turned the key in
the ignition.
The minivan eased out of the parking space, his mother sitting ramrod straight.
He released the air crowding his chest.
He swung open the pier gate and breathed in the familiar fishy, gasoline scent of the marina.
The shock of freedom left him feeling exposed.
Afternoon sun baked his shoulders as he walked, dissolving the weirdness, leaving only a
buoy of hope. A charter business could give him a life. In the next heartbeat the physical craving
to paint washed over him. He inhaled, imagining he could smell the Vaseline scent of his oils.
Selling his work, someday seeing his face on the cover of People magazine throbbed in his
gut. But it was time to kill that dream. He’d always paint, but Aly needed a guy who owned yard
tools, tires worth rotating; who carried AAA, Visa, and voter’s registration cards. His stinking
driver’s license wouldn’t even be back in his wallet for another three months.
If he worked the Plan B his family had dealt him and succeeded at running a charter sailing
business, he’d gain a shot at Aly.
The only shot he’d ever get.
His gaze caught on Evie’s beater boat. The rotted rigging and his guilt flailed around its sailless
mast like a maypole in the hot breeze. The first part of his new start had to be ex-ing Evie—
the epic mistake of his life—for good this time. The picture wasn’t pretty, but ninety days sober
showed him he’d been using her.
And now he’d see her every day, living eight boats apart on the same dock. Well, he was
ditching her this time, like he’d told her six months ago. She’d have to accept it.
A pelican settled on a piling in a flurry of clumsy feathers. Cal shook off thoughts of Evie
and grinned. He’d snag a hot dog from Leaf’s stand on the beach—just a hot dog, no weed—
grab his board, find Fish, and hit the waves. Then, he’d head for Henna’s to paint— enough to
get it out of his system so he could focus on Plan B. Not painting had been punishing enough.
Frenzied barking erupted from Zeke’s fishing boat two slips down. Van Gogh! Cal’s
chocolate lab-weimaraner, scrabbled across the gangplank, toenails dancing against the wood.
Joy bubbled up, something he hadn’t felt since the arrest. His throat tightened.
Had Mom brought the dog down to the marina? But what was he doing on Zeke’s boat?
Van Gogh planted his paws on Cal’s chest, quivering, tail beating a frenzied rhythm against
the light pole. A sandpaper tongue swiped Cal’s chin.
“I’m glad to see you, too, boy.” Cal scratched soft doggy ears and inhaled canine and river
water scent.
Van Gogh shimmied, wagging his butt along with his tail.
“I should have known you’d show up sooner or later.” Fish’s familiar voice.
Cal’s head popped up and warmth pumped into his chest, washing away the time they’d
been apart. It didn’t matter that Fish hadn’t visited him in jail. Like the hospital, who liked the
lockup anyhow? They’d scarcely gone a day, much less months, without seeing each other since
toddlerhood.
Fish stepped from the fishing boat to the dock. Wisps of baby-white, surfer hair stuck out
from under a backwards baseball cap that brushed the arch in the Zeke’s Fishing Charters sign.
“Hey.” Cal went for a hug.
Fish shoved a palm against Cal’s shoulder. His face contorted. “Take your friggin’ dog and
clear out. By the way, I dog-sat for Van Gogh’s sake, not yours.”
Fish’s harsh tone felt like stepping on a stingray out of nowhere. Cal’s brow scrunched.
“Whoa. What’s got you pissed? And thanks for taking care of my dog. What? Did Van Gogh eat
your stogies? Do his business in your Corn Flakes? Look, I’ll pay you for the dog food.”
“You don’t know, do you? You don’t freakin’ know.” Fish shook his head, incredulous.
“What? What? Tell me.” Cal’s gaze flicked to Sean Fisher scrawled inside the white oval of
Fish’s work shirt.
The grease-stained material flapped against Fish’s bony ribs in the wind.
“You got me fired,” Fish ground out.
“How the he—”
“What were you thinking ditching your weed in my locker? I didn’t even know it was in
there.”
A chill slid down Cal’s spine. “You’re kidding me. Nobody told me.”
“It took me two weeks to get a job working for Zeke. I lost the apartment. I don’t have
family around to coddle me.” Fish stared him down, stone cold, the same look Cal had watched
Fish give his parents when they’d told him they were moving to Peru.
Cal dropped back a step, remorse flushing through him. Throw another failure onto the pile.
“I’m sorry, man. I had no idea.”
“That’s all you have to say?” Disgust radiated from his eyes.
“Look, it was what? A few joints? I was taking the rug rats to the beach, and I didn’t want
the stuff anywhere near them. My sister-in-law already thought I was scum. I’m surprised she let
me hang with the kids.”
“Old Man Phillips called the cops. They hauled me off in the police car right out the front
doors of Circle K.”
“Look, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. Ever.”
“You don’t know what you’re apologizing for.” Fish flung his hands up in the air. “Poof—
you killed my political career before it started. You killed my future.”
Cal flinched inwardly. “One arrest would keep you from running for office?”
A muscle jumped in Fish’s granite jaw.
There was no use arguing with Fish when he got like this. “Screw you.” Cal knocked a
shoulder into Fish’s arm, shoving him out of the way and stepped toward the Escape. They’d
work it out later.
Fish grabbed Cal’s bicep and spun him back. “Looks like you already did.”
The barb embedded into the soft flesh of Cal’s gut. He jerked his arm out of Fish’s hold.
“Get Van Gogh’s crap off Zeke’s boat while I’m gone. We’re done.”
For a millisecond Cal thought he saw hurt under Fish’s anger.
Fish strode down the pier.
Done? Fire coral and kelp, anger and grief, wound around each other inside. “Why not stay
and watch. Aren’t you afraid the ex-con will clean you out?” Cal shouted at his back.
“Get your lousy carcass out of my life. It’ll be worth whatever you take.”
The comment stabbed deeper than we’re done. Fish knew he wasn’t a thief.
Van Gogh nuzzled his hand, and Cal squatted to the dog’s eye level.
Van Gogh stared placidly into his eyes, fogging his face with doggy breath. He slurped Cal’s
cheek.
“Thanks, buddy.”
Cal crossed the gangplank onto the mammoth fishing boat Zeke’s Ambition. The cruiser
must stretch fifty feet. He wrinkled his nose at the fish smell clinging to the bare wooden planks
flecked with old paint.
He opened the door, and Van Gogh burst into the cabin.
“Where’s Fish’s bunk, buddy?”
As though he understood, Van Gogh trotted toward a wide shelf over a row of storage
lockers where a sleeping bag spewed across a rectangle of foam rubber.
The ratty red and green plaid lining shot Cal back to a hundred campouts he’d shared with
Fish on Pelican Island, the crunch of singed hot dog skin between his teeth, and a brotherhood
that went deeper than the blood they’d dripped from their pointer fingers onto the beach the
summer after third grade. He ran his thumb over the jagged ridge on his index finger where he
and Fish had pocket-knifed their bond into flesh.
The dog pranced and barked at a roach while Cal emptied his wallet, one hundred and
thirteen dollars from the pay check he’d cashed the day he got arrested. The bills would cover
dog food and a little extra. He slid the money under Fish’s pillow. The faint scent of Fish’s sweat
drifted toward him, wrenching him like the final twist of a C-clamp.
He grabbed the half-empty bag of food and stuffed the dog bowls and multiple pieces of an
“indestructible” Kong dog toy into the bag. With his flip-flop, he squashed the roach Van Gogh
had cornered. “Come on, boy.” Cal ducked his head through the door into sunlight and came face to face with Evie on the dock across from him.
Shock registered on her face, then she screamed. “Cal! You’re out!”
As his foot touched down on the dock, she barreled into his chest—a flash of breasts,
strawberry-blonde hair, and the scent of vanilla. Her greeting rivaled Van Gogh’s and almost
tottered him into the drink.
Cal set her away from him with one hand and clutched the twenty-five pounds of dog food
and paraphernalia with the other.
“You’re pissed because I didn’t visit you.” Her eyes bore into him. “I don’t stinkin’ do jail.”
His gaze traced the familiar tattooed daisy petals peeking from her blouse, the stem plunging
into the valley between her breasts. He ripped his attention away. Looking was what always got
him into trouble with Evie. He walked two slips down and vaulted onto the Escape.
Van Gogh trotted across the gangplank, Evie not far behind.
He glanced at her, scrounging for words that would make her back off. “Ask Stoney if he’ll
rehire me.” Evie hated doing favors. And doing tats was worth considering before he signed loan
papers below his folks’ signatures.
“What will you give me if I march my butt to Stoney’s?”
Cal barked a laugh. “Like you’re not going down there every day to pierce anyway.”
“If you think I’m pissing Stoney off for nothing, you’re crazy.” She planted her hands on her
hips. “Face time. I want face time.”
He didn’t want to have this conversation less than an hour out of jail. He sighed, emptying
all the air from his lungs. “All we do is fight. We’re toxic together. We should have broken up
two years ago and stayed broken up.”
“We’re good together. The sex—”
Cal rattled the boat keys in his pocket. “You talking to Stoney or not?”
“I’m not doing your dirty work—”
“Fine. I’ll talk to him myself.”
Evie flipped him off. “Bite me.”
Two boats down the dock, Fish paused as he crossed Zeek’s gangplank and looked their
direction as if to say he shared the sentiment.
Cal turned his back on both of them and walked down the deck.
Evie’s wrath he deserved, but he’d stood by Fish when he sunk into a funk their whole
senior year of high school after Fish’s family left the country. He didn’t care what Fish said, they
weren’t done. Not if he had anything to say about it.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and skimmed his eyes over the Escape’s graceful lines,
her mast jutting into blue sky. He unlocked the hatch, tossed the dog food through the opening,
descended the ladder into the musty cabin with Van Gogh hefted under one arm, and shut out the drama.
Salt and stale marijuana smoke hung in the air. Water lapped a rhythmic peace against the
hull.
Van Gogh’s sniff-fest traveled the length of the cabin from the forward bunk, to the dining
nook, the galley’s gimbaled stove that rocked with the sway of the boat, and into the master
suite.
He owned the Escape. Amazing.
Hope lurked despite Evie’s crazy, Fish’s anger, and his mother’s expectations.
But first he had to face Aly. And talk her into loaning him forty thousand dollars.
September 23, 2012
B-DAY BASH GUEST AUTHOR: NAOMI MUSCH
Please welcome fellow Desert Breeze Publishing author, Naomi Musch to the B-Day Bash party!!!
Welcome!
What inspires your writing?
Several things inspire my writing.
Sometimes it might be an idea that won't let go, or a bit of history that
fascinates me. I go there in my mind and imagine what that time or incident
might have been like for someone. Places also pique my creative interest. Oftentimes
a thematic idea inspires me. But usually it's just a driving need to create
something, to begin a scene or bit of dialogue.
Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication?
My journey is long and full of
bumps and bruises, procrastination and bad timing. It's also full of
encouraging times and inspiring life-lessons. I've published quite a few
articles and bits of non-fiction -- essays and feature journalistic pieces for
Christian periodicals over the years. Then in 2006 I published my historical
novel The Casket Girl
non-traditionally. After that I focused on traditional publishing and found a
home in 2010 for both my historical Empire
in Pine 3-book series (Desert Breeze Pub.) and my contemporary novella Heart Not Taken (Black Lyon Pub.). My
series and novella have all been published as e-books, but Desert Breeze is set
to release hard copies of each Empire in
Pine book: The Green Veil, The Red Fury, and The Black Rose in 2013.
Congratulations on finding success! What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing
process?
My favorite part is when I'm deep
into the process of playing out a scene. The words begin spilling out, the
characters take over the page, and the dialogue flows. Being caught in that
creative energy is like getting taken up in a whirlwind. It's wonderful! I also
enjoy doing re-writes and edits. Improving a scene is very satisfying.
The part I like the least is
getting stuck, either in the research stage (that's where I am now, finding out
some information, but not enough. I can't force my characters into a situation
that would never happen that way
historically) or when I'm stuck in a plot point. I'm a plotter. I like having
an inkling of where I'm going even though the characters themselves take me
through the details in the moment. But if I'm stuck, it's agonizing.
What has been your most memorable experience as a published
author?
Every time a reader say they stayed
up late to finish a story because they couldn't put it down, and that the story
kept them guessing and they just had to know how it turned out. Hearing those
kinds of comments never grows old.
Aren't they great! So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this
story?
For me there's never really one
single thing that prompts a story in my imagination. Rather, it's usually a
conglomerate of ideas, events, and characters that start to swirl around until
a seed is formed. In this story, I had the combination of a northern Wisconsin
town with a checkered history, the peak of the logging industry in Wisconsin, a
national financial panic, and twin daughters just born in the previous book in
the series (The Red Fury).
On top of those specifics, I got to
thinking how girls even with much going for them can often fall prey to poor
self-image, and what a destructive force that is. That wasn't really a theme I
started with, but it certainly emerged quickly.
Then there's the whole sister thing
-- best of friends and worst of enemies if things go wrong. Being twins, I
decided to play it for all it was worth with one twin's jealousy over her
sister's engagement to a man she herself was enamored with. Jesilyn tries to
steal Corianne's fiancé by pretending to be her sister. The fallout isn't what
she hoped for or expected.
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
I'm not sure who I would relate to
most in this story. I think in every character writers reveal tiny pieces of
themselves based on their experiences and understandings of life and the world.
I hope I'm not as rash as Jesilyn or as prideful as Corianne, but I certainly
have flirted with those traits at times. Maybe I'm more like Paul who
vacillates between confidence in his calling and sometimes feeling like he's
swimming upstream. Yet he desires to be faithful.
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and
why?
I don't think I've been asked that
before! In this particular story, the most difficult character was probably
Cori. She was a little too good. But once I started dealing with her pride, she
got a little more manageable to write. Hmm... What does that mean, I wonder?
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do
you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I do that too! Jesilyn is from my daughter
Jessamyn. Her middle name is Winter and I gave that to Paul for his last
name. There are other variations
of my kids' names in the book series too. My other daughter's middle name ended
up on Paul's sister Marie. Beau became the family name Beaumont. My son Cade became
the family name Kade. I gave my son Quinn's name to David Quinn, a frontiersman
in The Casket Girl.
On another note, nature, woods, and
wildlife always figure pretty prominently in my stories. There's usually some
sort of hunting or fishing or hiking going on.
How funny! I've used the middle name of my baby brother for a hero. What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of these
mediums influence your writing? How?
I enjoy Once Upon a Time, Grimm,
and Downton Abbey, but what influences me more are the old westerns like
Gunsmoke and Bonanza. I mean, who doesn't love it when those Barkely boys ride
in from The Big Valley? Great stories, wonderful characters, super dialogue.
A favorite book is harder to peg.
I've been influenced by Dickens, Bodie Thoene's Zion series, Angela Hunt's
historicals, the big creative non-fiction of Allen Eckert (The Frontiersman),
and Francine Rivers who can really touch a reader emotionally. I love some of
the old classics less for their style, theme, or language than their ability to
create aura in a scene. A more recent author I enjoy is Laura Frantz simply
because she writes about my favorite time periods with a style that I think is
similar to my own. At least we share a taste and fondness for the same bits of
history.
The Barkely boys were something! And I love Once Upon a Time and Downton Abbey! What advice would you give aspiring authors?
You're going to wonder at some
point if you'll ever get published or be good enough to get published. Hang in
there. None of us ever stops learning and refining. If we do, we're done. And
keep it in the front of your mind that whatever you do for the LORD is already
successful, even if He is the only one who ever reads your work. If you have a
gift for writing, and are making an effort to hone it, then He is pleased.
Where can readers find you?
I'd love to have them drop by my
site: http://www.naomimusch.com
Or like my page on Facebook: Naomi
Musch - Author
Catch me on Twitter: NMusch
There are a few more places I hop
around the blogosphere. If you're a new or developing writer, check out my
tutorials along with several other authors on A Novel Writing Site and if you
just enjoy all stuff Midwestern, join me and other Midwestern authors at The Barn Door.
Anything you'd like to ask readers of this post?
Sure! I read a lot, and while I enjoy a lot of stories, there are
only certain ones that become truly memorable to me. I'd like to know what kind
of stories you find most memorable. Care to share? Another question I have
pertains to something I've been wondering a lot about. Has the number of free
e-books available online prevented you from purchasing as many books as you
might have otherwise, or do you still buy books (electronic or print) as often
as before?
Blurb:
The Black Rose - Empire in Pine, Book Three
Despite the panic of 1893, logging has reached its golden
era in the growing state of Wisconsin, and twins Jesilyn and Corianne Beaumont
enjoy a comfortable life with family in the bursting Great Lake city of
Superior. But when jealousy incites Jesi to seduce Cori's fiancé, a flight and
fall from grace lands her in a boomtown brothel, where a fresh start is denied
her.
Camp preacher Paul Winter longs to
offer hope in the logging and mining towns of northern Wisconsin, but not in
the way he expects when he meets a redhead he calls Pie Girl. He's never had to
battle his own longings quite this way before.
Meanwhile, stung by Jesilyn's
betrayal, Corianne's bitterness might separate her from a second chance at
happiness and peace. Only by Grace can both women begin new lives, and
budding love can bloom in places neither of them expects.
Bio:
Naomi and her husband Jeff live as epically as
God allows on a ramshackle farm in Wisconsin's north woods near their five
young adults and three grand-children. Amidst it, she writes stories about
imperfect people who are finding hope and faith to overcome their struggles.
Her entire Empire in Pine series, available now in eBook from Desert Breeze
Publishing, will also go to print in 2013. She invites new friends and old to
say hello and find out more about her books, passions, and other writing venues
at http://www.naomimusch.com
or look her up on Facebook (Naomi Musch - Author) and Twitter (NMusch).
Purchase Links:
Desert Breeze: http://tinyurl.com/793uv89
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bosd2e5
B&N: http://tinyurl.com/7tbnkep
Thank you for visiting Naomi! Remember to record your entries in the giveaway widget! You have a chance to win any one of the following ebooks from Naomi: The Green Veil, The Red Fury, The Black Rose.
Welcome!
What inspires your writing?
Several things inspire my writing.
Sometimes it might be an idea that won't let go, or a bit of history that
fascinates me. I go there in my mind and imagine what that time or incident
might have been like for someone. Places also pique my creative interest. Oftentimes
a thematic idea inspires me. But usually it's just a driving need to create
something, to begin a scene or bit of dialogue.
Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication?
My journey is long and full of
bumps and bruises, procrastination and bad timing. It's also full of
encouraging times and inspiring life-lessons. I've published quite a few
articles and bits of non-fiction -- essays and feature journalistic pieces for
Christian periodicals over the years. Then in 2006 I published my historical
novel The Casket Girl
non-traditionally. After that I focused on traditional publishing and found a
home in 2010 for both my historical Empire
in Pine 3-book series (Desert Breeze Pub.) and my contemporary novella Heart Not Taken (Black Lyon Pub.). My
series and novella have all been published as e-books, but Desert Breeze is set
to release hard copies of each Empire in
Pine book: The Green Veil, The Red Fury, and The Black Rose in 2013.
Congratulations on finding success! What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing
process?
My favorite part is when I'm deep
into the process of playing out a scene. The words begin spilling out, the
characters take over the page, and the dialogue flows. Being caught in that
creative energy is like getting taken up in a whirlwind. It's wonderful! I also
enjoy doing re-writes and edits. Improving a scene is very satisfying.
The part I like the least is
getting stuck, either in the research stage (that's where I am now, finding out
some information, but not enough. I can't force my characters into a situation
that would never happen that way
historically) or when I'm stuck in a plot point. I'm a plotter. I like having
an inkling of where I'm going even though the characters themselves take me
through the details in the moment. But if I'm stuck, it's agonizing.
What has been your most memorable experience as a published
author?
Every time a reader say they stayed
up late to finish a story because they couldn't put it down, and that the story
kept them guessing and they just had to know how it turned out. Hearing those
kinds of comments never grows old.
Aren't they great! So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this
story?
For me there's never really one
single thing that prompts a story in my imagination. Rather, it's usually a
conglomerate of ideas, events, and characters that start to swirl around until
a seed is formed. In this story, I had the combination of a northern Wisconsin
town with a checkered history, the peak of the logging industry in Wisconsin, a
national financial panic, and twin daughters just born in the previous book in
the series (The Red Fury).
On top of those specifics, I got to
thinking how girls even with much going for them can often fall prey to poor
self-image, and what a destructive force that is. That wasn't really a theme I
started with, but it certainly emerged quickly.
Then there's the whole sister thing-- best of friends and worst of enemies if things go wrong. Being twins, I
decided to play it for all it was worth with one twin's jealousy over her
sister's engagement to a man she herself was enamored with. Jesilyn tries to
steal Corianne's fiancé by pretending to be her sister. The fallout isn't what
she hoped for or expected.
Which character do you relate to the most and why?
I'm not sure who I would relate to
most in this story. I think in every character writers reveal tiny pieces of
themselves based on their experiences and understandings of life and the world.
I hope I'm not as rash as Jesilyn or as prideful as Corianne, but I certainly
have flirted with those traits at times. Maybe I'm more like Paul who
vacillates between confidence in his calling and sometimes feeling like he's
swimming upstream. Yet he desires to be faithful.
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and
why?
I don't think I've been asked that
before! In this particular story, the most difficult character was probably
Cori. She was a little too good. But once I started dealing with her pride, she
got a little more manageable to write. Hmm... What does that mean, I wonder?
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do
you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
I do that too! Jesilyn is from my daughter
Jessamyn. Her middle name is Winter and I gave that to Paul for his last
name. There are other variations
of my kids' names in the book series too. My other daughter's middle name ended
up on Paul's sister Marie. Beau became the family name Beaumont. My son Cade became
the family name Kade. I gave my son Quinn's name to David Quinn, a frontiersman
in The Casket Girl.
On another note, nature, woods, and
wildlife always figure pretty prominently in my stories. There's usually some
sort of hunting or fishing or hiking going on.
How funny! I've used the middle name of my baby brother for a hero. What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of these
mediums influence your writing? How?
I enjoy Once Upon a Time, Grimm,
and Downton Abbey, but what influences me more are the old westerns like
Gunsmoke and Bonanza. I mean, who doesn't love it when those Barkely boys ride
in from The Big Valley? Great stories, wonderful characters, super dialogue.
A favorite book is harder to peg.
I've been influenced by Dickens, Bodie Thoene's Zion series, Angela Hunt's
historicals, the big creative non-fiction of Allen Eckert (The Frontiersman),
and Francine Rivers who can really touch a reader emotionally. I love some of
the old classics less for their style, theme, or language than their ability to
create aura in a scene. A more recent author I enjoy is Laura Frantz simply
because she writes about my favorite time periods with a style that I think is
similar to my own. At least we share a taste and fondness for the same bits of
history.
The Barkely boys were something! And I love Once Upon a Time and Downton Abbey! What advice would you give aspiring authors?
You're going to wonder at some
point if you'll ever get published or be good enough to get published. Hang in
there. None of us ever stops learning and refining. If we do, we're done. And
keep it in the front of your mind that whatever you do for the LORD is already
successful, even if He is the only one who ever reads your work. If you have a
gift for writing, and are making an effort to hone it, then He is pleased.
Where can readers find you?
I'd love to have them drop by my
site: http://www.naomimusch.com
Or like my page on Facebook: Naomi
Musch - Author
Catch me on Twitter: NMusch
There are a few more places I hop
around the blogosphere. If you're a new or developing writer, check out my
tutorials along with several other authors on A Novel Writing Site and if you
just enjoy all stuff Midwestern, join me and other Midwestern authors at The Barn Door.
Anything you'd like to ask readers of this post?
Sure! I read a lot, and while I enjoy a lot of stories, there are
only certain ones that become truly memorable to me. I'd like to know what kind
of stories you find most memorable. Care to share? Another question I have
pertains to something I've been wondering a lot about. Has the number of free
e-books available online prevented you from purchasing as many books as you
might have otherwise, or do you still buy books (electronic or print) as often
as before?
Blurb:
The Black Rose - Empire in Pine, Book Three
Despite the panic of 1893, logging has reached its golden
era in the growing state of Wisconsin, and twins Jesilyn and Corianne Beaumont
enjoy a comfortable life with family in the bursting Great Lake city of
Superior. But when jealousy incites Jesi to seduce Cori's fiancé, a flight and
fall from grace lands her in a boomtown brothel, where a fresh start is denied
her.
Camp preacher Paul Winter longs to
offer hope in the logging and mining towns of northern Wisconsin, but not in
the way he expects when he meets a redhead he calls Pie Girl. He's never had to
battle his own longings quite this way before.
Meanwhile, stung by Jesilyn'sbetrayal, Corianne's bitterness might separate her from a second chance at
happiness and peace. Only by Grace can both women begin new lives, and
budding love can bloom in places neither of them expects.
Bio:
Naomi and her husband Jeff live as epically as
God allows on a ramshackle farm in Wisconsin's north woods near their five
young adults and three grand-children. Amidst it, she writes stories about
imperfect people who are finding hope and faith to overcome their struggles.
Her entire Empire in Pine series, available now in eBook from Desert Breeze
Publishing, will also go to print in 2013. She invites new friends and old to
say hello and find out more about her books, passions, and other writing venues
at http://www.naomimusch.com
or look her up on Facebook (Naomi Musch - Author) and Twitter (NMusch).
Purchase Links:
Desert Breeze: http://tinyurl.com/793uv89
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/bosd2e5
B&N: http://tinyurl.com/7tbnkep
Thank you for visiting Naomi! Remember to record your entries in the giveaway widget! You have a chance to win any one of the following ebooks from Naomi: The Green Veil, The Red Fury, The Black Rose.
B-DAY BASH!!!
BIRTHDAY BASH!!!
All week I'll be showcasing some fabulous authors. Be sure to come back and record your entries for a chance to win some awesome prizes. Thank you, authors, for visiting and THANK YOU READERS!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 21, 2012
B-DAY BASH COMING SOON!
One week from today, I'll be celebrating my birthday. 32 whole years. Life is about half-way over...or a third, depending on my life expectancy.
What better way to celebrate than by GIVING AWAY gifts!!!
Below is the widget you'll see posted everyday before the--WAIT!!! I almost forgot to mention the party BEFORE the party!
All week I'll be hosting fabulous authors--Naomi Musch, Ann Miller, Jessica Nelson, Rachel van Dyken, Delaney Diamond--who have graciously agreed to gift you some great prizes. Ebooks, a $10 Amazon gift card, and a $25 Amazon gift card from moi.
All you have to do is enter! Multiple chances to win. So tell everyone to come to the party! Each day I'll post the link back to the widget so you don't have to worry about scrolling through a week's worth of posts. I hope you'll enter and that you win! Thank you for your support this year and I hope for many more years together!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What better way to celebrate than by GIVING AWAY gifts!!!
Below is the widget you'll see posted everyday before the--WAIT!!! I almost forgot to mention the party BEFORE the party!
All week I'll be hosting fabulous authors--Naomi Musch, Ann Miller, Jessica Nelson, Rachel van Dyken, Delaney Diamond--who have graciously agreed to gift you some great prizes. Ebooks, a $10 Amazon gift card, and a $25 Amazon gift card from moi.
All you have to do is enter! Multiple chances to win. So tell everyone to come to the party! Each day I'll post the link back to the widget so you don't have to worry about scrolling through a week's worth of posts. I hope you'll enter and that you win! Thank you for your support this year and I hope for many more years together!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
