Reyna Hawk's Blog, page 3

5 star review for Looking Through Blind Eyes

Even though my first book of the Valentine/Petrilo Series, Looking Through Blind Eyes, has been out almost a year it is still getting great reviews!! Thank you Crimson Flower Review Team for a great 5 flower review….. check it out [...]

5 star review for Angels & Arrows

I had to share this! I’ve had mixed reviews for my paranormal book Angels & Arrows. Well not so much mixed; most either hate it or love it! Here is a 5 star review! And it’s a video review, which [...]

Interview with Janie Valentine

I have the privilege of interviewing Janie Valentine from the Valentine/Petrilo series by Reyna Hawk. Janie agreed to take a few moments from her hectic schedule at her and Rico’s small coffee shop for the interview. I sat patiently waiting [...]

Progress of my writing

  So this is a little diddy I did concerning how my writing has improved or progressed since I first began… this one was a bit hard because I really had to think about the differences of then and now…. [...]

Featured Sites

This is the location of everything that ever concerns me or my books being featured on another website… take a look around and tell me what you think. Each item under the heading is the name of the website. From [...]

My interview for Bookluvr’s Haven

  I’ve had some great responses at Bookluvr’s Haven for their reviews. They are always nice and appreciative. So to do an interview for them was only natural. I appreciate all they do over there and always get a great [...]

Bookluvr’s Haven’s review of Looking Through Blind Eyes

  This review was awesome and had me rolling with laughter. This two reviewer’s were not quite in agreement about the book…. the pictures adding for effect were a hoot! Thanks Erin and Lily…. I thoroughly enjoyed the review; even [...]

The upcoming character interview blogroll

I decided to do a character interview blog instead of the diary excerpt blog. I got this ingenious idea from a good friend-P.T. Macias. I hope you all will enjoy this part of my blog and will check in to [...]

Let’s talk about titles……

Here is an article by Jerry Guarino that I thought you’d all enjoy. Many times readers want to know where the title of books come from… how do we as authors decide on what title fits best to a book? Here is Jerry’s take on how he invents the titles for his books….. thank you Jerry for allowing me to post this on my website….. ~~Enjoy~~

Are titles important and where do they come from?

By Jerry Guarino 

 First, let me thank Reyna for this opportunity to share my ideas about titles.  We all know that a title is the handle for a story, a novel, screenplay or dramatic play.  It is the first clue to what the content will be and the last way for an author to leave a lasting impression to the reader.  We all have an instant visual when we hear these titles:

            The Raven

            The Old Man and the Sea

            West Side Story

            MASH

            Death of a Salesman

Personally, I use titles to give the reader something to keep in their mind.  I do so for many reasons.  Sometimes I do it to mislead or misdirect the reader, in order to keep them from guessing where the story will go.  Other times I use it to set up a multiple meaning word, phrase or idea.  I have used titles to intrigue, to question, to mimic a sound, a theme or an idea.  To me, titles are very important and I write them before I write the story. 

Titles can’t make the story great or memorable but they can detract from the effectiveness of the story.  You don’t see bad titles published very often because authors, editors and publishers will correct that before printing.

 Here are some of my titles and the way they are related to the content of the story. 

The Bridge Game – uses the word bridge in three different ways.  First, as the card game that two couples play.  Next, as one of the women uses the other to bridge her relationship to the other’s man.  Finally, at the end of the story, the woman crashes her car into a bridge.  Using a key word in the title in different ways is a common device authors use. 

 Who Stole Asbury Park? – In this story, I used the title to preview the main idea.  It is the story of a New Jersey resort town on the ocean that once was vibrant with people, amusements and life, but has lost all that over time due to fiscal mismanagement and apathy.  It also serves the purpose of disguising the more interesting coming of age love story between a young boy and girl and their first explorations into the opposite sex.  Using a title to set up part of a story, especially with a question is a good way to give the reader something to think about.

Boxes and Ladders – is about three men all interested in the same woman.  In this case, the title refers to concepts.  Boxes are used to hold things, but in the story it also refers to the personality of one of the men, an engineer, who likes to compartmentalize everything, including people.  He takes this into extremes by categorizing people into boxes on a computer program, trying to find a mate.  Ladders refers to the other man’s way of attacking life, by climbing ladders to reach goals.  Of course the woman falls for the third man who approaches life and relationships in a mature and generous way.

Preheat the Microwave.Com – is a story looking at the funny things senior citizens do, although pushed to extremes for effect.  This title uses a quote from the book as the elderly woman tells her niece “You have to preheat the microwave.”  Using a quote from the book can be an effective way of making the story both memorable and different, as the title also suggests a website, another reference to the website the niece sets up in her aunt’s senior citizen center.  Using a quote is particularly effective when it refers to a joke as it is used here.

Coq a Doodle Do – this is one story of a trilogy of love stories featuring roosters as characters.  Here the title gives the reader a clue to one of the characters, by making a play on the sound a rooster makes in the morning, an essential element in the story.  Coq is also the French word for rooster and the theme of France runs through the trilogy.

Practical Goldberg (A Love Story in 3 Parts) – uses the name Goldberg for the main character, a college student, who creates an elaborate bird-feeding machine to attract women for love.  Of course we find out in the end that although he is successful in doing so, the woman was actually doing the same thing to get him to love her.  Using a reference like this (i.e. A Rube Goldberg Machine) makes your title reflect what happens in the story and for those of us old enough to know what that machine was, a delightful but overly complicated way to do something, the story works nicely.

Starbanks – this is a story I wrote about a bank with a Starbucks coffee shop inside.  It is merely a play on words, but one which works well in this quirky look at a how prevalent coffee shops have become in our lives.  I sent the story to Starbucks and it is actually an idea they have thought about doing.  I have no doubt we will see them in banks sometime in the future.

 

Well, that’s my thinking on titles.  I’ll leave some more here for you to ponder.  The Duke of Yelp, The Grand Poobah, Pie or Die, Babybump.com, The Rich are Going to Hell, Like Father, Like Son, Overdue, The Tightrope and The Devil’s Orchestra.  So pay attention to the title of the next story you read.  The author probably put a lot of thought into it. 

Bio and picture for publication:

Jerry Guarino’s short stories have been published by dozens of magazines in the United States, Canada, Australia and Great Britain. His latest book, “50 Italian Pastries”, is available on Amazon.com and as a Kindle eBook. Please visit his website at http://cafestories.net

 

Are you ready for something HOT….. check these books out by P.T. Macias

I wanted to do something different for this promotional. Instead of just giving a blurb about each one or the usual excerpt… I decided to also include “an interview” with one of the characters…. check out the blurbs and interview…. then go get these books!!

click image to buy

Hot & Spicy ~~ De La Cruz Saga by P.T. Macias

A hot-blooded saga of the De La Cruz familia and their fortunes is centered on romance, passion, and danger. Enjoy their explosively passionate nature. 

The first novel Hot & Spicy, the familia encounters danger, action, and passion  The bachelor battles the deadly Mexican cartel to protect his amor, familia, and fortune encountering romance, tantalizing ecstasy, and danger.

Jose Enrique De La Cruz is the eldest of los primos. He’s completely in command of the familia’s empire. Jose Enrique is expected to introduce his fiancée to la familia at the company’s 25th anniversary celebration. La familia has no clue that he doesn’t have one. He doesn’t have time to commit to a chica, not until he meets Jessica Maria Cortez. Jessica rocks his world and unchains his alma. The hot pasión rages through his blood erupting into hot spicy amor. Jessica Maria Cortez has always loved him and grasps this opportunity.

Everything breathless and romantic is magnified by author P. T. Macias into a fever of tactile writing, intense pacing, cohesion, and love.

 

Hot & Forbidden ~~ De La Cruz Saga by P.T. Macias

A hot-blooded saga of the De La Cruz familia and their fortunes is centered on romance, pasión, and danger. Enjoy their explosively passionate nature.

In Hot & Forbidden, star-crossed lovers break the restraints of an impossible love. Their love rocks their world flinging them into pain, despair, and ecstasy. Nicolas De La Cruz is hot, sensitive, and captivating. Daniella De La Cruz is hot, sexy and sweet. Nick and Daniella recognize that they’re alma gemela (soul mates). Their amor is intense and passionate transcending all boundaries. Nicolas disappears to work in Washington. The familia is oblivious of the emotional roller coaster that rocks Nicolas’ world forcing him to depart. Daniella is expecting and refuses to reveal who’s the father. The forbidden is enticing and painful. The obstacles and chains threaten their amor? The familia’s secret is the key to unlock their amor and to set it free.

“I’m thrilled that Starla Young enjoyed Hot & Forbidden. Thanks Starla! Here is the lovely note that she sent me. ☺ 9:48am Starla Young I just finished Hot & Forbidden last night. I started it yesterday afternoon and could not put the book down. I LOVED it!! Nick and Danni were amazing. I purchased Hot & Spicy this morning and plan on starting it during my lunch break. Hopefully it will keep me awake since I stayed up last night to finish Hot & Forbidden. I can’t wait to read them all!! Thank you for a fantastic read!! I have put a review on Amazon and Goodreads today as well. Starla Young”

 

Hot & Enchanting ~~ De La Cruz Saga by P.T. Macias

The hot-blooded saga of the De La Cruz familia and their fortunes is centered on romantic relationships of the explosively passionate nature.

The first novels in the series are Hot & Spicy. The bachelor wars the Mexican cartel to protect his amor, familia, and fortune. Hot & Forbidden~ Star-crossed lovers break taboos and fight against the chains that bind their amor.

Hot & Enchanting~ Ricardo Emmanuel De La Cruz is the sexy playboy attorney. He’s one of the managers in the familia’s company. He’s enjoys the chicas that chase him. They’ve been chasing him his entire life.

Ricky literally runs into Jacqueline Cortez. She’s a bella, shy, and quiet certified public accountant that works for the familia. Jacqueline turns his world upside down. Jacqueline Cortez has been in love with Ricardo her entire life. She never dreamed that running into him would unleash the amor that she locked up. Jacki had lost hope of ever catching his eye. Will she be able to outrun Ricardo and avoid being his next conquest? How long can Jacqueline resist Ricardo’s attention? Is she doomed to fall under his enchantment and into his waiting arms?

click image to buy

Hot & Wild will be available in a few weeks!

Hot & Wild ~ Christian Arturo De La Cruz is a Navy SEAL. Christian lives for excitement. He loves it when the risk is great, dangerous, and complex. He enjoys the thrill of conquering the enemy when on a mission and the chicas when he’s on leave. Monique Acosta is a young innocent bella chica. Her freshness and charm captures Christian’s alma. She instantaneously turns Christian’s world upside down. Christian is hurled into dangerous warfare. He engages against the biggest menacing criminal ever. He fights against time and evil to save his amor and familia.

 

The Interview

I’m waiting for Ricardo Emmanuel De La Cruz to arrive for our meeting. I’m at the coffee shop that is located down the street from the De La Cruz Inc. There are several patio tables under some oak trees. I’m excited to meet this year’s selection for the Hot Sexy Playboy in Southern California.

Okay, he’s finally arrived. Oh dios mio, he’s a gorgeous man. Ricardo Emmanuel would be described as hot. Ricardo has a square jaw with awesome high cheek bones. His nose is straight and he has full delicious lips. Ricky is tall and lean with defined muscles. He has incredible green eyes with long black eyelashes. His skin tone is golden brown. He maintains his black hair a little long, just reaching his collar. Wow, no wonder the chicas chase him. He’s HOT!

I would like to introduce Ricardo Emmanuel De La Cruz. Ricky is an attorney and he’s a manager in his familia’s company. He’s young wealthy, confident, fun-loving, and warm. He’s a gentleman, assertive, and sexy. Ricardo is in control of his life.

Hi Ricardo, thank you for allowing this interview. It’s fantastic that you’re this year’s selection for the Hot Sexy Playboy in Southern California.

Hi Patricia, it’s an incredible surprise. I never expected to be selected as the playboy in Southern California. I definitely never contemplated that I’m viewed as a playboy.

Ricardo can you tell us what drives you?

I’m driven to help my familia’s company to excel. My deepest desire is to seek my alma gemela (soul mate). I’m tired of the crazy chicas that chase me. I’m baffled that Jacqueline runs away from me. This is a first and my greatest challenge yet.

What is Ricardo Emmanuel’s favorite guilty pleasure?

I love my mama’s tortas, but my number one guilty pleasure is to make love. I love to make love, but now I only want one mujer.

Ricardo what is your weakness?

My weakness is women and I’m going loco. I only want Jacqueline Cortez. She’s my weakness.

Ricardo what is your fondest memory?

My fondest memory is the day that I saw Jacqueline for the first time. That day was incredible. I obviously can’t describe the moment (Ricky grins)

Ricardo can you share three of your deepest, darkest secrets.

I do not enjoy the chicas chasing me. I would prefer to do the chasing. Jacki and I have been seeing each other for a while and the familia doesn’t know.

A biography has been written about you. What do you think the title would be in six words or less?

Ricardo’s world is rocked hard…. The next time I will not let her leave……. Why do I always have these locas after me?

Ricardo what is your favorite sexy food?

I love chocolate covered strawberries. I love to make love with my reina Jacqueline, because it feels like coming home. It is pure red hot pasión and amor.

What is it about Jacki that drives you loco?

The key element that drives me loco for Jacqueline is that she’s my alma gemela (soul mate). She rages through my blood, is etched in my alma, and fused to my corazon. I love that Jacqueline is sweet and natural. The best part is that she’s delicious, passionate, and only mia for eternity.

Ricardo it has been a pleasure interviewing you. I can see why you were selected for this year Hot Sexy Playboy.

Patricia, I want to thank you for such an enjoyable visit.

(He grins winking at me.)

**To get your hands on one of these marvelous books or to get more info… please visit any of the links below**

 

P.T. Macias on Amazon
De La Cruz Blogspot
Website
De La Cruz Saga Website
P.T. Macias Facebook
De La Cruz Facebook
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Goodreads
Shelfari
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Romance, Fantasy, and Magic Blog