K. Victoria Chase's Blog, page 12
September 12, 2012
GUEST AUTHOR JENNIFER BECKSTRAND AND GIVEAWAY!!!
Everyone, please join me in welcoming Jennifer Beckstrand, Amish romance author!
What inspires your writing? Love is the commonest of threads in the human experience. Everyone wants to love and be loved. The joy of seeing two people get together (even if they are fictional) inspires me to keep writing. My goal is to write uplifting, inspiring stories with happy endings and hopeful messages. If my books make readers want to give themselves a big hug or jump up and down for joy, I’ve done my job.
Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication? After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript—a Western—in just under fourteen years. My agent, Mary Sue Seymour, asked me to try my hand at Amish romance. I fell in love with the genre and about five months later, I had a publisher. It was very exciting!
What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing process? One of the hardest parts of the writing process is trying to write when no inspiration comes. I do a lot of sitting at the computer, staring at the blank screen, hoping by sheer willpower that words will come to me. The problem is that when I sit still for more than a few minutes, I invariably fall asleep. As long as my inspiration is flowing and my fingers are flying, I can usually stay awake. Although, even on good writing days, my son often comes home to his mother sprawled out on the couch trying to steal a few minutes of sleep.
I just got my first negative review a couple of weeks ago. Those kinds of reviews sting, but as a professional, I have to move on and not let them hurt my feelings.
Recently, I met two women from the Dallas area who were reading Kate’s Song. They raved about it. I was thrilled. I love hearing that readers enjoy my books and are inspired by the messages. That is by far the best thing about writing a book.
What has been your most memorable experience as a published author? There are so many great experiences, but seeing Kate’s Song at #1 on the free Kindle downloads is way up on my list.
Congratulations!!! So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this story? Kate’s Song is about choices. When I learned about the Amish culture, I marveled at the simple life these people live. Once they accept baptism, pursuing things like a music career or playing an instrument are not allowed. Since I am a singer, I wondered what it would be like to give up my music. I wanted to explore these issues in Kate’s Song.
Which character do you relate to the most and why? I relate very strongly with Kate. Kate is torn between her Amish culture and her singing career. She realizes that every choice involves some kind of pain because choosing one path means rejecting another, along with everything down it. We all face heart-rending, life-changing choices. How do we seek God’s will and move forward without looking back?
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and why? Great “bad guys” are the hardest to write. It’s tempting to rely on stereotypes and make them caricatures instead of realistic characters. Kate’s brother, Aaron, is the source of much of the conflict in Kate’s Song. I wanted to be sure that he was a sympathetic character and that his motivations seemed true-to-life. A “bad guy” readers can relate to is much more believable. I’ve had many readers tell me how much they dislike Aaron. I get great satisfaction from that.
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do you have a writing quirk or tag/tell? I have a daughter named Kate, and all my other children tease me that she is the favorite daughter because I named my book after her. I told them that if I had known I was going to write Amish romances, I would have given them all Amish names. I pull a lot of my inspiration from my own life experiences. People who know me will recognize events and stories. I also pull characters from my real life and put them on the page. I used some traits of my daughter’s ex-boyfriend in one of my characters, but he doesn’t read Amish fiction so he probably won’t ever know.
What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How? I love to read, and many books have a huge impact on my writing. Pride and Prejudice is still my biggest influence. Jane Austen’s wit and prose are without parallel. I have always tried to emulate her balance of delightful characterizations and superb plot twists. Orson Scott Card is a writer I read often. His characters are incredibly deep and likeable. Another book I read periodically is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. Levine is a clever, creative storyteller.
What advice would you give aspiring authors? Learn the craft of writing. All the promotion in the world is no substitute for a good book.
Where can readers find you? Readers can find me at jenniferbeckstrand.com and also on my Facebook page: Jennifer Beckstrand Fans.
Anything you like to ask readers of this post? Have you ever had to choose between two good things? How has that choice affected the rest of your life?
Author Bio
Jennifer
has completed three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series
(Summerside/Guideposts). Kate’s Song and Rebecca’s Rose are
now available. Miriam's Quilt is scheduled for release in spring of
2013. She is a member of RWA and ACFW. She is represented by Mary Sue Seymour
of The Seymour Agency.
Jennifer lives in the foothills of the Wasatch Front in Utah with her husband
and two children left at home. She has four daughters, two sons, three
sons-in-law, and one adorable grandson.
Synopsis for Kate’s Song
The
expected course of Kate Weaver’s life is baptism into the Amish church and
strict observance of the Ordnung. But Kate is blessed with a beautiful
singing voice, and when another path leads her to the academy for vocal
training, she struggles to understand God’s will for her life. She returns home
after a violent encounter with a fellow student, and though she is drawn to the
peace and devotion of the Amish lifestyle, could her calling forever separate
her from the people and the way of life she holds so dear?
Nathaniel King has never wavered in his commitment to the community and the Old
Order Amish Church into which he is baptized. Secretly in love with Kate, he is
devastated when she leaves the community to attend the academy. When Kate
returns, will she finally make his most profound hopes a reality, or will she
break his heart all over again?
Buy Link
Synopsis for Rebecca’s Rose
When
his widowed mother marries an outsider, Levi Cooper's family leaves the Amish
community and Levi is raised Englisch. But Levi's world is shattered when
the only father he knows divorces his mother and turns his back on the family.
In his anger, Levi causes an accident that alters his life forever and sets him
on the path of self-destruction. Does the pretty Amish girl from his old
community hold the key to his heart and his redemption?
With her mother so ill, Rebecca Miller runs her household, cares for the small
farm, and watches after her younger siblings while her father, unwilling to
care for his wife, is absent for days at a time working out-of-town jobs. Even
though she feels trapped in her dismal life, Rebecca is determined to fulfill
the promise she made to a dying friend. Englischer Levi Cooper, with uncommon
good looks and a mischievous glint in his eye, might be the boy who can help
her do just that. But will his secrets tear them apart or will their growing
attachment lead to the loss of everything she holds dear?
Buy Link
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Jennifer loves readers and is giving away one copy EACH of Kate's Song and Rebecca's Rose. Leave your email address in a comment (feel free to answer her question!) by midnight Saturday and a winner will be announced next Monday!!!
What inspires your writing? Love is the commonest of threads in the human experience. Everyone wants to love and be loved. The joy of seeing two people get together (even if they are fictional) inspires me to keep writing. My goal is to write uplifting, inspiring stories with happy endings and hopeful messages. If my books make readers want to give themselves a big hug or jump up and down for joy, I’ve done my job.
Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication? After my fourth daughter was born, I started writing. By juggling diaper changes, soccer games, laundry, and two more children, I finished my first manuscript—a Western—in just under fourteen years. My agent, Mary Sue Seymour, asked me to try my hand at Amish romance. I fell in love with the genre and about five months later, I had a publisher. It was very exciting!
What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing process? One of the hardest parts of the writing process is trying to write when no inspiration comes. I do a lot of sitting at the computer, staring at the blank screen, hoping by sheer willpower that words will come to me. The problem is that when I sit still for more than a few minutes, I invariably fall asleep. As long as my inspiration is flowing and my fingers are flying, I can usually stay awake. Although, even on good writing days, my son often comes home to his mother sprawled out on the couch trying to steal a few minutes of sleep.
I just got my first negative review a couple of weeks ago. Those kinds of reviews sting, but as a professional, I have to move on and not let them hurt my feelings.
Recently, I met two women from the Dallas area who were reading Kate’s Song. They raved about it. I was thrilled. I love hearing that readers enjoy my books and are inspired by the messages. That is by far the best thing about writing a book.
What has been your most memorable experience as a published author? There are so many great experiences, but seeing Kate’s Song at #1 on the free Kindle downloads is way up on my list.
Congratulations!!! So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this story? Kate’s Song is about choices. When I learned about the Amish culture, I marveled at the simple life these people live. Once they accept baptism, pursuing things like a music career or playing an instrument are not allowed. Since I am a singer, I wondered what it would be like to give up my music. I wanted to explore these issues in Kate’s Song.
Which character do you relate to the most and why? I relate very strongly with Kate. Kate is torn between her Amish culture and her singing career. She realizes that every choice involves some kind of pain because choosing one path means rejecting another, along with everything down it. We all face heart-rending, life-changing choices. How do we seek God’s will and move forward without looking back?
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and why? Great “bad guys” are the hardest to write. It’s tempting to rely on stereotypes and make them caricatures instead of realistic characters. Kate’s brother, Aaron, is the source of much of the conflict in Kate’s Song. I wanted to be sure that he was a sympathetic character and that his motivations seemed true-to-life. A “bad guy” readers can relate to is much more believable. I’ve had many readers tell me how much they dislike Aaron. I get great satisfaction from that.
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do you have a writing quirk or tag/tell? I have a daughter named Kate, and all my other children tease me that she is the favorite daughter because I named my book after her. I told them that if I had known I was going to write Amish romances, I would have given them all Amish names. I pull a lot of my inspiration from my own life experiences. People who know me will recognize events and stories. I also pull characters from my real life and put them on the page. I used some traits of my daughter’s ex-boyfriend in one of my characters, but he doesn’t read Amish fiction so he probably won’t ever know.
What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of these mediums influence your writing? How? I love to read, and many books have a huge impact on my writing. Pride and Prejudice is still my biggest influence. Jane Austen’s wit and prose are without parallel. I have always tried to emulate her balance of delightful characterizations and superb plot twists. Orson Scott Card is a writer I read often. His characters are incredibly deep and likeable. Another book I read periodically is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. Levine is a clever, creative storyteller.
What advice would you give aspiring authors? Learn the craft of writing. All the promotion in the world is no substitute for a good book.
Where can readers find you? Readers can find me at jenniferbeckstrand.com and also on my Facebook page: Jennifer Beckstrand Fans.
Anything you like to ask readers of this post? Have you ever had to choose between two good things? How has that choice affected the rest of your life?
Author Bio
Jennifer
has completed three Amish romances in the Forever After in Apple Lake Series
(Summerside/Guideposts). Kate’s Song and Rebecca’s Rose are
now available. Miriam's Quilt is scheduled for release in spring of
2013. She is a member of RWA and ACFW. She is represented by Mary Sue Seymour
of The Seymour Agency.
Jennifer lives in the foothills of the Wasatch Front in Utah with her husband
and two children left at home. She has four daughters, two sons, three
sons-in-law, and one adorable grandson.
Synopsis for Kate’s Song
The
expected course of Kate Weaver’s life is baptism into the Amish church and
strict observance of the Ordnung. But Kate is blessed with a beautiful
singing voice, and when another path leads her to the academy for vocal
training, she struggles to understand God’s will for her life. She returns home
after a violent encounter with a fellow student, and though she is drawn to the
peace and devotion of the Amish lifestyle, could her calling forever separate
her from the people and the way of life she holds so dear?
Nathaniel King has never wavered in his commitment to the community and the Old
Order Amish Church into which he is baptized. Secretly in love with Kate, he is
devastated when she leaves the community to attend the academy. When Kate
returns, will she finally make his most profound hopes a reality, or will she
break his heart all over again?
Buy Link
Synopsis for Rebecca’s Rose
When
his widowed mother marries an outsider, Levi Cooper's family leaves the Amish
community and Levi is raised Englisch. But Levi's world is shattered when
the only father he knows divorces his mother and turns his back on the family.
In his anger, Levi causes an accident that alters his life forever and sets him
on the path of self-destruction. Does the pretty Amish girl from his old
community hold the key to his heart and his redemption?
With her mother so ill, Rebecca Miller runs her household, cares for the small
farm, and watches after her younger siblings while her father, unwilling to
care for his wife, is absent for days at a time working out-of-town jobs. Even
though she feels trapped in her dismal life, Rebecca is determined to fulfill
the promise she made to a dying friend. Englischer Levi Cooper, with uncommon
good looks and a mischievous glint in his eye, might be the boy who can help
her do just that. But will his secrets tear them apart or will their growing
attachment lead to the loss of everything she holds dear?
Buy Link
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Jennifer loves readers and is giving away one copy EACH of Kate's Song and Rebecca's Rose. Leave your email address in a comment (feel free to answer her question!) by midnight Saturday and a winner will be announced next Monday!!!
September 10, 2012
September 7, 2012
TGIF: 'RAFAEL' BLURB BLITZ TOUR
Starting Monday September 10th,
Rafael
will be visiting ten sites on a Blurb Blitz Tour hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions. I hope you visit the stops and check out some new blogs and take time to comment because you'll be entered for a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card!!! Below is the schedule.
The last time Detective Genie Green let a man humiliate her was her college sweetheart—never again. Yet, when former high school lothario Rafael Santiago returns to town as the consulting detective on her case, Genie’s rule of never allowing another man to best her is challenged. Can she trust him long enough to solve this case and get the glory?
Rafa can’t seem to outrun his delinquent past. When The Snakes, a criminal organization he used to belong to, begin murdering people from his hometown, he has a chance to right some of his past wrongs. Will arresting the murderers be enough to redeem him, or will a certain beautiful detective pay the ultimate price instead?
September 10: Live To Read ~Krystal
September 10: BK Walker Books Etc.
September 12: Welcome to My World of Dreams
September 12: Bea's Book Nook
September 13: Queen of all She Reads
September 14: Sexy Adventures, Passionate Tales
September 17: From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews
September 18: The Bunny's Review
September 19: Rogues Angels
September 20: Rachel Brimble Romance
September 21: It's Raining Books
And because it's Friday, guess who this guy is and what character do you think I've cast him as? Happy Friday!!!
September 4, 2012
TEASER TUESDAY
If you've been following my WIP progress bars to the left, you've noticed I'm over halfway finished with The Santiago Brothers Book Two,
Alejandro
. I'm so excited about his story I can't wait for you to read it, so I've decided to do some teasers.
Background
Alejandro, the oldest of the three Santiago brothers, is a US Marshal in San Antonio, TX with his sights on a fugitive narcotics trafficker. He's come to the home of his source, Penny, looking for answers she may have kept from him.
Audrey Hughes, (BFF to Genie Green in Rafael ) receives an urgent letter from her long-lost sister, Penny, to come to Texas and take care of her nephew, Angel. Audrey arrives just in time to get ensnared in drug runners plan to reclaim his son--Angel.
Scene(Unedited)
Audrey meets Alejandro. (teeheehee--I'm so excited!) Enjoy!
A light step nearly gave her a heart
attack. She reached for her purse then stopped, remembering she left her cell
phone on the mantel above the fireplace. She stood slowly in an effort to make
as little noise as possible. Hoping the intruder would think to raid the
bedrooms first, Audrey came around the table and dashed to the fireplace. She
snatched her phone and her eyes rested on the poker. She eased it from the
stand.
Audrey couldn’t describe the feeling that
came over her the moment she had the poker in her hand. She placed the cell
phone back on the mantel, and gripped the weapon with both hands, licking her
lips. Never one to back down from a fight, she quietly edged toward the
kitchen.
She halted at the corner of the wall
that led down the hall and to the bedrooms. Half of the kitchen was in view, but not the back door or the bay window and sitting area. The kitchen dead-ended
into the utility room.
Don’t
be stupid!
Audrey ignored her inner common sense. She
had a long day, her sister was nowhere to be found, and the last thing she
needed was some petty thief breaking into a house already behind on the
mortgage. She stilled as her sense of smell noted the faint fragrance of spice
and musk in the air. The intruder smelled good, but his aftershave wouldn’t
save him. Audrey stepped into the hallway near the wall closest to the
kitchen. She brought the poker back and swung it around the corner. She let out
a yelp as she felt herself being pulled into the kitchen. She held fast to the
poker and pushed it forward hoping to impale her attacker. Instead, he ripped
the poker from her hand and tossed it aside.
Bad
idea Audrey, bad idea! She
dashed in the direction of the living room. Get
to your cell! Powerful arms came around her waist and lifted her off the
ground. She screamed. His hand fastened over her mouth, muffling the sound. She twisted
and turned until her elbow caught flesh. He groaned at the impact. His arms
loosened enough for her to turn around and land a solid knee to his groin. Cursing, the man landed on his own knees. She swung her right foot back, his head in
her target area.
“Whoa, whoa, US Marshal.” He held up his
hands.
She froze, weighing the truth of his words. Realizing
her foot still hung in the air she brought it down and stepped back. The man
grunted as he eased himself off the floor. Audrey sucked in a breath when he
stood to his full height. A soft wave of light from the living room flowed over
the massively dark figure which towered over her by almost a foot. Audrey
fought a smile knowing she brought this brute to his knees.
“You know, I might have wanted kids in
the future.” He shook a leg to emphasize his point.
“Oh, well, isn’t that just too bad.”
Background
Alejandro, the oldest of the three Santiago brothers, is a US Marshal in San Antonio, TX with his sights on a fugitive narcotics trafficker. He's come to the home of his source, Penny, looking for answers she may have kept from him.
Audrey Hughes, (BFF to Genie Green in Rafael ) receives an urgent letter from her long-lost sister, Penny, to come to Texas and take care of her nephew, Angel. Audrey arrives just in time to get ensnared in drug runners plan to reclaim his son--Angel.
Scene(Unedited)
Audrey meets Alejandro. (teeheehee--I'm so excited!) Enjoy!
A light step nearly gave her a heart
attack. She reached for her purse then stopped, remembering she left her cell
phone on the mantel above the fireplace. She stood slowly in an effort to make
as little noise as possible. Hoping the intruder would think to raid the
bedrooms first, Audrey came around the table and dashed to the fireplace. She
snatched her phone and her eyes rested on the poker. She eased it from the
stand.
Audrey couldn’t describe the feeling that
came over her the moment she had the poker in her hand. She placed the cell
phone back on the mantel, and gripped the weapon with both hands, licking her
lips. Never one to back down from a fight, she quietly edged toward the
kitchen.
She halted at the corner of the wall
that led down the hall and to the bedrooms. Half of the kitchen was in view, but not the back door or the bay window and sitting area. The kitchen dead-ended
into the utility room.
Don’t
be stupid!
Audrey ignored her inner common sense. She
had a long day, her sister was nowhere to be found, and the last thing she
needed was some petty thief breaking into a house already behind on the
mortgage. She stilled as her sense of smell noted the faint fragrance of spice
and musk in the air. The intruder smelled good, but his aftershave wouldn’t
save him. Audrey stepped into the hallway near the wall closest to the
kitchen. She brought the poker back and swung it around the corner. She let out
a yelp as she felt herself being pulled into the kitchen. She held fast to the
poker and pushed it forward hoping to impale her attacker. Instead, he ripped
the poker from her hand and tossed it aside.
Bad
idea Audrey, bad idea! She
dashed in the direction of the living room. Get
to your cell! Powerful arms came around her waist and lifted her off the
ground. She screamed. His hand fastened over her mouth, muffling the sound. She twisted
and turned until her elbow caught flesh. He groaned at the impact. His arms
loosened enough for her to turn around and land a solid knee to his groin. Cursing, the man landed on his own knees. She swung her right foot back, his head in
her target area.
“Whoa, whoa, US Marshal.” He held up his
hands.
She froze, weighing the truth of his words. Realizing
her foot still hung in the air she brought it down and stepped back. The man
grunted as he eased himself off the floor. Audrey sucked in a breath when he
stood to his full height. A soft wave of light from the living room flowed over
the massively dark figure which towered over her by almost a foot. Audrey
fought a smile knowing she brought this brute to his knees.
“You know, I might have wanted kids in
the future.” He shook a leg to emphasize his point.
“Oh, well, isn’t that just too bad.”
August 31, 2012
TGIF - SCANDAL
Of the many shows I'll be drooling over this fall, there is one with an interracial couple; and their chemistry is HOT. Smokin'. Unbelievable. Now, I don't condone cheating, but seeing these two together makes you wish the wife was out of the picture uh, yeah.
I'm talking SCANDAL on ABC (Tuesdays at 10pm).
Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, a crisis management professional who helps
President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, Tony Goldwyn, out of mess after mess from a mistress, to insider threats.
Apparently, Olivia's character is based off of George Bush's former press aide, Judy Smith -- a co-executive producer of the show -- without the not-so-secret affair.
The POTUS is sooo manly. I mean, his seduction tactics are first rate. Kerry Washington is fantastic in whatever she does and it is good fun watching her try to resist the Prez -- and failing.
Kerry Washington has been in frequent interracial relationships on screen.
The Last King of Scotland with James McAvoy.
And, Lakeview Terrace with Patrick Wilson (lucky girl).
Can't wait until the season begins! Happy Friday everyone!!!
I'm talking SCANDAL on ABC (Tuesdays at 10pm).
Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, a crisis management professional who helps
President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, Tony Goldwyn, out of mess after mess from a mistress, to insider threats.
Apparently, Olivia's character is based off of George Bush's former press aide, Judy Smith -- a co-executive producer of the show -- without the not-so-secret affair.
The POTUS is sooo manly. I mean, his seduction tactics are first rate. Kerry Washington is fantastic in whatever she does and it is good fun watching her try to resist the Prez -- and failing.
Kerry Washington has been in frequent interracial relationships on screen.
The Last King of Scotland with James McAvoy.
And, Lakeview Terrace with Patrick Wilson (lucky girl).
Can't wait until the season begins! Happy Friday everyone!!!
August 27, 2012
RWA CHAPTER FOCUSES ON CULTURAL, INTERRACIAL, AND MULTICULTURAL ROMANCE
I'm a little late in posting this press release, but I've known about it for a few weeks (FAIL). The Romance Writers of America organization has approved the formation of a new Cultural, Interracial, Multicultural romance chapter focusing on neapolitan-flavored romance.
*****Permission to Forward****
Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural Special Interest Chapter of RWA
Press Release
July 31, 2012 The Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural Special Interest Chapter of Romance Writers of America received word that our proposed chapter was approved by the RWA board of directors at the July meeting. We are now working on the next steps in establishing the chapter.
The purpose of Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural Special Interest Chapter of Romance Writers of America is to promote excellence in ethno-cultural romance by advancing the professional goals of career-focused writers of Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural romance through networking and advocacy, sharing of information, education and awareness building, and other suitable activities, while providing continuing support to writers of Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural romance fiction.
We are thrilled to form a gathering place for writers of ethno-cultural romance under the RWA umbrella. We look forward to working with aspiring authors, authors, and the publishing industry.
Thank you,
The Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural Special Interest Chapter of Romance Writers of America
Founding Members,a.c. Mason, Ambrielle Kirk, and Theresa Breaux
For further information contact: a.c. Mason @ cimchapterrwa@gmail.com
*****Permission to Forward*****
I'm thrilled with this development. The IR romance subgenre is larger than people realize. Recognition may go no further than mainstream romance, but at least the mainstream acknowledges it. What does this mean for a writer? Hopefully, more awareness that hey, the swirl is alive and well in the real world and that it's okay for fiction too. Vampires and warewolves get love, so should the hottie Black/Asian/Caucasian/Hispanic human firefighter/police officer/soldier/IT technician(maybe).
What say you? Some people claim not to care about the race of their protagonists but if that's the case, do you read IR romance? Do you find IR romance in your genre? Do you wish it were available?
August 24, 2012
TGIF - I NEED A PICK ME UP
Hello Everyone!
It's been a long and busy week. So here are some funnies to help start the weekend.
I've mentioned Hey Christian Girl before. It's a site where pictures of hot (and not so hot) actors/sports players/etc. are captioned with cheesy (and often clever) "Christian" pick-up lines. I hope the owner doesn't mind me reposting some of the pics from this month.
Cassette? Really??? LOL.
ROFL. :-)
So much cheese. ;-)
I hope you check out this site, and view the archives. I recognize two out of the three above. Anyone know the bottom guy?
Christian guys are so not this forward. Or maybe they are; wish I knew. The hero for Killer Shoot , the third installment of the Virginia Justice series, will have a bit of cheese in his charm. This site is great for brainstorming ideas.
Have you crafted any corny/cheesy heroes/heroines? Happy Friday!
It's been a long and busy week. So here are some funnies to help start the weekend.
I've mentioned Hey Christian Girl before. It's a site where pictures of hot (and not so hot) actors/sports players/etc. are captioned with cheesy (and often clever) "Christian" pick-up lines. I hope the owner doesn't mind me reposting some of the pics from this month.
Cassette? Really??? LOL.
ROFL. :-)
So much cheese. ;-)
I hope you check out this site, and view the archives. I recognize two out of the three above. Anyone know the bottom guy?
Christian guys are so not this forward. Or maybe they are; wish I knew. The hero for Killer Shoot , the third installment of the Virginia Justice series, will have a bit of cheese in his charm. This site is great for brainstorming ideas.
Have you crafted any corny/cheesy heroes/heroines? Happy Friday!
August 18, 2012
EDGY CHRISTIAN FICTION LOVERS BLOG TOUR
First, I have to apologize. I totally misunderstood that I was supposed to host myself on this tour. So sorry this post is late. Today's post is a spotlight on my edgy Christian romances! And don't forget to visit Deborah Piccurelli on Monday Aug. 20th!
The Santiago Brothers Book One: Rafael
The last time Detective Genie Green let a man humiliate her was her college sweetheart—never again. Yet, when former high school lothario Rafael Santiago returns to town as the consulting detective on her case, Genie’s rule of never allowing another man to best her is challenged. Can she trust him long enough to solve this case and get the glory?
Rafa can’t seem to outrun his delinquent past. When The Snakes, a criminal organization he used to belong to, begin murdering people from his hometown, he has a chance to right some of his past wrongs. Will arresting the murderers be enough to redeem him, or will a certain beautiful detective pay the ultimate price instead?
A Christian interracial romantic suspense.
EXCERPT
“Wow. You know, you have a real talent with women.”
Rafa gave her a sideways glance but didn’t answer. She saw the corners of his mouth fight an upward pull.
“I bet they have you working all the female subject interviews.” Genie tugged hard on the door handle.
“You don’t have to be jealous Genie,” came his smooth reply.
She. Wasn’t. Jealous.
Jealousy was an emotion for the weak...for a girl who couldn’t keep her man interested in her. Sure, plenty of women fell all over Jeff. He was classically handsome, a jock, and destined to follow in his parent’s footsteps and be a doctor or a high-powered attorney. Genie’s parents were middle-class, not poor, but not rich. She was considered pretty but not the stunner that should have been on Jeff’s arm. But Jeff chose her. She had no reason to be jealous, but she was. Those women who fell all over Jeff? He fell all over them, too. Wherever smoke rose, fire always followed. Always.
Buy Links
Astraea PressAmazon
B&N
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Smashwords
Virginia Justice Book One: Serial Games FBI profiler Maggie Weston has a reputation for identifying the most gruesome of killers. But her reputation is put on the line when US Marshal Brandon Worth walks into her office with news the one case that haunted her the most, John Michael Burrows, has escaped federal custody. Brandon needs her help; she understands how Burrows thinks and the best tracker on the east coast isn't about to pass up her expertise. Maggie and Brandon have to work together to catch a serial murderer and the closer they get to Burrows, the more their hearts become involved. While insecurities and bitterness threaten a budding relationship between Maggie and Brandon, an elusive killer terrorizes a small Virginia county with a game he plans on winning.
EXCERPT
Maggie's eyes slowly traveled the width of the elevator door until they found Brandon's reflection in the mirrored panels lining the inside of the car. Broad shoulders rippled down to muscular biceps that contracted with the force he used to grip the rail behind him.
She needed to assert herself now.
"I'm going to go over some of the documentation the district attorney's office faxed us to see if I might be able to find the missing link enabling Burrows to escape custody."
Brandon's eyes narrowed. Obviously business wasn't what he wanted to hear, and how easily he could read her discomfort troubled her. He had an uncanny knack for interpreting her body language. What did that mean? Whatever it meant, she didn't have the time to analyze it now. She straightened her shoulders. "Knowing who helped him escape can perhaps shed some light on his next move."
Brandon's level stare remained.
Ok, he's not buying it. Regardless, I refuse to fall...
"Do you forgive me?"
"What?" The question about forgiveness startled her. He had apologized but she wasn't interested in discussing it. All she wanted to do was wash the smoke out of her hair and crash. It was going on midnight... or past it; she had lost track of time.
In one stride he was in front of her, one arm around her waist, the other guiding her chin up. His lips were warm and smooth as they glided over hers. He pulled back and disappointment filled Maggie at the loss of his heat. She stared into the dark thunderstorm whirling in his eyes.
"Do you forgive me?" His hoarse voice rumbled through to her inner core.
The elevator bell chimed. Startled, Maggie nearly jumped at the ring. She turned to the console. Her numbered floor illuminated.
"Saved by the bell." He released her.
Maggie couldn't resist looking at him. His eyes were veiled but the confident smirk returned. As the elevator doors opened, Maggie wondered who would be the more difficult challenge to overcome: Burrows or Brandon?
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August 13, 2012
NEVER TRUST A PRETTY WOLF - BLOG TOUR
Please join me in welcoming Elaine Cantrell, author of Never Trust a Pretty Wolf .
Hi Elaine!
What inspires your writing? Inspiration comes from almost any source, anything from a
song to a dream. The important
thing is to look at the world around you and be aware of all the
possibilities. I’ve put three
things that recently happened to me in the book I’m working on now. I can’t wait for everyone to read the
blue bean ball scene. It’s
hilarious.
Can you briefly tell us your journey to publication? My journey was a bit different than
that of most authors. I found out
about a writing contest sponsored by Oak Tree Press, the Timeless Love contest,
and entered my second manuscript.
To my great and utter surprise, I won. With one book behind me, it was easier to get other
publishers to read my work. I’ve
never forgotten how it felt to hold that first book in my hand. I’m still thrilled when a publisher
takes one of my books, but nothing compares to the first one.
What a great story! What is your favorite/worst part of the writing/publishing
process? My favorite part is
getting started. When I begin a
new book, I’m filled with energy, enthusiasm, and excitement. The keyboard smokes as my fingers fly
faster and faster. I can’t wait to
liberate my characters from my imagination so they can tell their story. The worst part is saying goodbye to
friends (characters) I’ve grown to love.
I hate that so much I started a new feature at my blog called Beyond the
Book. Every Tuesday I give readers
a peek into my characters’ lives after the end of the book.
'Beyond the Book' is an interesting concept. I love it! I'm sure readers do as well. What has been your most memorable experience as a published
author? I think it must have been
the first book signing I ever had.
The teachers at the school where I work did it for me. It was wonderful to see my peers lined
up to buy the book I’d created. That moment alone was worth all the effort I’d put into
writing the book.
So tell us a little about your book. What prompted this
story? My son and his family
geocache. They look on the
Internet for the coordinates where people have hidden caches. Using a GPS, they go and find whatever
was hidden. Sometimes it’s nothing
more than a logbook that you sign and replace, but sometimes the person hiding
the cache leaves a small token for the players to take. If you take something you’re supposed
to leave something else so everyone who finds the coordinates will get a little
reward. My imagination started to
work when I heard about geocaching.
What would happen if you were playing in a charity game with a person
you didn’t know well? What would
happen if the two of you found a dead body in a cave and then had to run for
your life from the bad guys?
Sounded like a good story to me, so I wrote Never Trust a Pretty Wolf.
Which character do you relate to the most and why? I suppose I relate best to my
heroine. Liesel Wolf had some
things go wrong in her life, but she’s trying to move past them and get a new
start, something lots of people do at one time or the other.
Which character did you find most difficult to craft and
why? Again, I think it’s my
heroine, Liesel. Liesel’s life is
so different from anything I’ve ever experienced that I had to work hard to
create authentic reactions for her.
In each novel, I name a character after a family member. Do
you have a writing quirk or tag/tell?
Don’t tell, but people who tick me off sometimes appear as bad guys in
my books. Remember, you promised
not to tell. I once knew this girl
named Jessica (not her real name.)
In one of my unpublished manuscripts she’s a bad girl who’s in
prison.
That's a good one! I won't tell; promise. ;-) What is your favorite book/television show? Do either of
these mediums influence your writing? How? Yikes, I don’t watch much TV. I like The Deadliest Catch, Survivor, NCIS, Bones, and some
of the British comedies on PBS.
There’s an element of suspense in most of those programs which has made
the jump into my writing. A great
many of my books could be classified as romantic suspense.
What advice would you give aspiring authors? The only difference between being
published or not published is persistence. Don’t give up.
Keep at it, and you’ll eventually be successful.
Where can readers find you?
Webpage: http://www.elainecantrell.com
Blog: http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elainepcantrell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/elainecantrell
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/elainecantrell
Author Bio
Elaine Cantrell was born and raised
in South Carolina. She holds a Master’s Degree in Personnel Services from
Clemson University and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international
honorary sorority for women educators. She is also a member of Romance
Writer’s of America and EPIC authors. Her first novel, A New Leaf, was
the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest and was published in 2004 by Oak
Tree Books. At present she teaches high school social studies.
PRIZE INFORMATION
Anything you like to ask readers of this post? Yes. I’d really like to know what kind of
hero and heroine readers like most.
Readers, leave a comment and you’ll be entered in a contest to win a $25
gift certificate from Amazon.
Thank you for visiting Elaine! Readers, here is a sneak peek at Never Trust a Pretty Wolf.
Andy’s hand shot out. “Give me that
gun,” he commanded.
“No.”
He took it from her with ease. “I
don’t know why you have this,” he whispered, “but if we get out of here alive
you have some explaining to do. Now, keep moving but stay in control. Remember,
no headlong plunges into the woods.”
Forty‑five
minutes later, they exited the woods near the bridge that crossed the little
creek. Liesel fearfully scanned the inviting, family‑centered area. “I don’t see anyone.”
“Two o’clock. Men in khaki.” Andy
came to a halt and jerked her against him. “Kiss me like you mean it.”
Liesel didn’t mind if she did.
Hopefully the khaki men would never imagine that two lovers out for a stroll
had only moments before been running for their very lives. She prayed the men
didn’t get too good a look at them. Throwing her arms around him, she pressed
her body against his.
She wouldn’t have admitted to
it for anything, but in spite of the danger, she felt a thrill from the top of
her head to the bottom of her feet. Nobody could kiss like Andy Bryce!
Andy took her hand, and they strolled
casually across the bridge as if they’d been on a leisurely little walk. He
kissed her again before they got into the Mustang. The minute they got in, he
put the car in gear and slowly made his way out of the park. “Now, Liesel,” he
said. “Why don’t you tell me why those men are trying to kill you?”
Blurb:
Liesel Wolf has a secret, a dangerous secret she’ll go to
any lengths to conceal. When she’s paired in a charity game with sexy marshal
Andy Bryce, a man with secrets of his own, her carefully constructed world
comes crashing down, and Liesel’s on a collision course with her past.
Buy Links:
Astraea Press
Amazon
