J. Kenner's Blog, page 79

Debra Salonen guest blogs on the topic ‘Meet cute’ vs ‘Meet how?’ Plus a contest!!

Please welcome Debra Salonen to the blog!

“Meet cute” vs “Meet how? You’ve gotta be kidding me!”

You know the “meet cute,” right? Hollywood short talk for that charming-if-implausible set up where two protagonists are destined to meet and set in motion the plot that winds up being your story or screenplay.

Roger Ebert explained the meet cute as: a scene “in which somebody runs into somebody else, and then something falls, and the two people began to talk, and their eyes meet and they realize that they are attracted to one another.”

Personally, I love a good “meet cute.” Who doesn’t smile when Rapunzel whacks Flynn with a frying pan? When Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts “bump” into each other in Notting Hill, requiring an awkward yet romantic ‘cleaning up’? Or, what about the timeless Gone With the Wind meet cute when Rhett eavesdrops on Scarlett to her profound and lasting consternation?

You’d think since I’m such a big fan of the romantic comedy style of introducing two main characters, I’d employ that technique in my Screw Senility series when my heroine, Judy Banger, meets the man of her dreams, right?

Hmm…define cute?

If by cute you mean the most embarrassingly timed first encounter possible–one that involves bare skin, fishnets, a bustier…not to mention additional naked people and sex toys in the room…one that leaves Judy praying her insurance covers the cost of elective lobotomies or fantasizing about how to invoke a hiccup in the time-space continuum? Well, then, sure. It’s cute.

Excerpt from The Big Bang! Theory:

Each step was agony. One torture device at a time, she promised, bending over the back of the chair to reach her bustier. She’d barely managed to snag it when the sound of loud, angry voices burst from the doorway. She looked under her outstretched arm to see a tall, silver-hair man in a finely tailored charcoal suit stride into the room. She assumed he was the hotel manager until she spotted the woman two steps behind him.

“Oh, shit,” Judy muttered, spinning around to sit in the chair. Although the woman was in street clothes not a uniform, there was no mistaking Fletcher’s ex-partner, the bitch who trash-talked Judy to her face and at the precinct.

“Clarice,” Judy murmured using Anthony Hopkins’ Silence of the Lambs inflection.

Judy clutched the stiff black satin bodice to her chest when the woman in question looked Judy’s way. In her peripheral vision, she saw Lewis lazily roll to his side, head braced on his palm, to see what all the fuss was about.

Fletcher’s annoyed snarl gave way to a sigh of resignation. He swallowed a big gulp of wine then said, “Hello, Dad. Imagine meeting you here.”

He made a sweeping gesture with his free hand. “Gang, let me introduce you to my father, Judge Wilson Canby.”

“Judge?” Lewis repeated before levitating off the bed to disappear into the bathroom.

Pru, Judy noticed, had apparently snatched her purse and hightailed it at the first sign of trouble.

Judy shrank against the chair pinned by the blue steel gaze that surveyed her from toe to head. The man’s expression was as unreadable as his son’s, but tightly clenched fists and rigid cast of his shoulders spoke volumes. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. And something else. Grief? Despair?

She’d seen the same look on Buddy’s face when he talked about the pain of losing his wife and the regret he felt over the vast chasm of disconnect between him and his son. Buddy had thrown in the towel and let Lewis manage their relationship. This man, Judy guessed, wasn’t the type to give up without a fight. His Armani suit might as well have been made of chain mail.

“You need to come home, son,” Judge Canby said, his voice deep and surprisingly dispassionate, but not lacking in authority. Judy would have been on her way out the door if he’d directed the order her way.

“I don’t think so, Dad,” Fletcher replied, his tone a bit more peeved. “Wine, anyone?”

Judy suddenly realized she was thirsty. She timidly raised her hand, nearly exposing one breast in the process. Fletcher smiled warmly and carried a glass to her. Still, naked. He didn’t seem embarrassed by his nudity, but her cheeks began to burn when she realized the judge and Clarice were staring at her. Well, the judge, anyway. Clarice’s gaze seemed fixed on Fletcher’s ass.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice a mere squeak.

She polished off the oversize gulp like water then sat up, looking for a method of escape.

“Your aunt’s agreed to meet us at the house, Fletcher.”

Fletcher let out a gruff hoot. “Is this an official intervention? Do you honestly think you can talk me out of living my life exactly the way I want?” He ran a hand through his hair impatiently. “Dad. How many times do I have to say this? I’m not broken and I don’t need fixing.”

“This isn’t who you are, Fletch,” Clarice argued. “We were partners for two years. I know you. And this…” She motioned dismissively toward Judy. “…isn’t you. For God’s sake, Fletcher. This bimbo is old enough to be your grandma.”

Judy jumped to her feet. “I’m nobody’s grandma, bitch. I don’t know what your problem is. You’ve been riding my butt since the day you showed up at my house.”

“Your trailer,” Clarice corrected snarkily.

Judy threw back her head. “Oh, that’s it. You think I’m trailer trash and you’re better than me.” She cleared the distance between them, forgetting her aching feet and lack of clothing. “Well, let me tell you. I may not live in a palace, but I’m not the one breaking down my ex-partner’s door in the middle of the night, am I? Maybe you’re just jealous because nobody invited you to the party.”

Clarice went for her gun, which, luckily, wasn’t at her waist since she was dressed in civilian clothes. Judge Canby struck the table with the palm of his hand. The sound possessed an imperious crack not unlike the attention grabbing noise Gerald made. “That’s enough, Clarice. Is this the woman you said tricked Fletcher into coming here?”

“Yes, sir. That’s Judy Banger.”

Bang-her. Judy’s fist curled around the plastic whale bones of the bustier in her hand, reminding her Di and Dem were hanging free for everyone–the judge included–to see. And look he did.

He stared for what felt like a lifetime of heartbeats, and then he checked her out from toe to head, again. Judy’s mouth turned too dry for water or wine to fix. Her heart rocketed against her ribs. A connection as alien as something you’d see on Star Trek, yet as palpable as a touch from a loving hand, passed between them.

Panic made her dive for her coat. She tugged it on and raced–or rather stumbled as gracelessly as a drag queen in her first pair of heels–toward the door.

A part of her brain cried, “Picnic basket. Room key. Gerald!” But she ignored the voice. She needed to get away. Back to the safety of her room where she could hide under the covers and try to forget what just happened. Not the sex. That didn’t matter. They were four consenting adults and whatever happened was by choice.

No. She wanted to forget meeting Wilson Canby. Her soul mate. The man of her dreams. The man she’d have spent her whole life waiting for if she thought for even a moment such a person truly existed. But only princesses were entitled to that one special Prince Charming, right? And, Judy had always been more scullery maid than princess–just ask her mother.

So, what do you think? ‘Meet cute’ or an awkward corner I painted myself–and my characters–into? Lucky for me, true love prevails–and gives Judy and the judge plenty to live down as they find their way to their HEA–another tried and true romance meme.

Do you have a favorite “meet cute” from books or cinema? Three responders will receive THE BIG BANG! THEORY-the fourth and final short, erotic encounter of the Judy Banger kind, Book IV in the Screw Senility series, as a prize.

Thanks for dropping by.

Happy reading~

Deb

Find out more at Debra Salonen’s website!

 

Thank you Debra so much for guest blogging! Don’t forget to answer Debra’s question: what is your favorite “meet cute” from books or cinema? Share your answers below!

P.S. - Did you hear the news? Complete Me landed at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #3 on the USA Today list!  Color me excited!

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Debra Salonen guest blogs on the topic ‘Meet cute’ vs ‘Meet how?’

Please welcome Debra Salonen to the blog!

“Meet cute” vs “Meet how? You’ve gotta be kidding me!”

You know the “meet cute,” right? Hollywood short talk for that charming-if-implausible set up where two protagonists are destined to meet and set in motion the plot that winds up being your story or screenplay.

Roger Ebert explained the meet cute as: a scene “in which somebody runs into somebody else, and then something falls, and the two people began to talk, and their eyes meet and they realize that they are attracted to one another.”

Personally, I love a good “meet cute.” Who doesn’t smile when Rapunzel whacks Flynn with a frying pan? When Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts “bump” into each other in Notting Hill, requiring an awkward yet romantic ‘cleaning up’? Or, what about the timeless Gone With the Wind meet cute when Rhett eavesdrops on Scarlett to her profound and lasting consternation?

You’d think since I’m such a big fan of the romantic comedy style of introducing two main characters, I’d employ that technique in my Screw Senility series when my heroine, Judy Banger, meets the man of her dreams, right?

Hmm…define cute?

If by cute you mean the most embarrassingly timed first encounter possible–one that involves bare skin, fishnets, a bustier…not to mention additional naked people and sex toys in the room…one that leaves Judy praying her insurance covers the cost of elective lobotomies or fantasizing about how to invoke a hiccup in the time-space continuum? Well, then, sure. It’s cute.

Excerpt from The Big Bang! Theory:

Each step was agony. One torture device at a time, she promised, bending over the back of the chair to reach her bustier. She’d barely managed to snag it when the sound of loud, angry voices burst from the doorway. She looked under her outstretched arm to see a tall, silver-hair man in a finely tailored charcoal suit stride into the room. She assumed he was the hotel manager until she spotted the woman two steps behind him.

“Oh, shit,” Judy muttered, spinning around to sit in the chair. Although the woman was in street clothes not a uniform, there was no mistaking Fletcher’s ex-partner, the bitch who trash-talked Judy to her face and at the precinct.

“Clarice,” Judy murmured using Anthony Hopkins’ Silence of the Lambs inflection.

Judy clutched the stiff black satin bodice to her chest when the woman in question looked Judy’s way. In her peripheral vision, she saw Lewis lazily roll to his side, head braced on his palm, to see what all the fuss was about.

Fletcher’s annoyed snarl gave way to a sigh of resignation. He swallowed a big gulp of wine then said, “Hello, Dad. Imagine meeting you here.”

He made a sweeping gesture with his free hand. “Gang, let me introduce you to my father, Judge Wilson Canby.”

“Judge?” Lewis repeated before levitating off the bed to disappear into the bathroom.

Pru, Judy noticed, had apparently snatched her purse and hightailed it at the first sign of trouble.

Judy shrank against the chair pinned by the blue steel gaze that surveyed her from toe to head. The man’s expression was as unreadable as his son’s, but tightly clenched fists and rigid cast of his shoulders spoke volumes. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. And something else. Grief? Despair?

She’d seen the same look on Buddy’s face when he talked about the pain of losing his wife and the regret he felt over the vast chasm of disconnect between him and his son. Buddy had thrown in the towel and let Lewis manage their relationship. This man, Judy guessed, wasn’t the type to give up without a fight. His Armani suit might as well have been made of chain mail.

“You need to come home, son,” Judge Canby said, his voice deep and surprisingly dispassionate, but not lacking in authority. Judy would have been on her way out the door if he’d directed the order her way.

“I don’t think so, Dad,” Fletcher replied, his tone a bit more peeved. “Wine, anyone?”

Judy suddenly realized she was thirsty. She timidly raised her hand, nearly exposing one breast in the process. Fletcher smiled warmly and carried a glass to her. Still, naked. He didn’t seem embarrassed by his nudity, but her cheeks began to burn when she realized the judge and Clarice were staring at her. Well, the judge, anyway. Clarice’s gaze seemed fixed on Fletcher’s ass.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice a mere squeak.

She polished off the oversize gulp like water then sat up, looking for a method of escape.

“Your aunt’s agreed to meet us at the house, Fletcher.”

Fletcher let out a gruff hoot. “Is this an official intervention? Do you honestly think you can talk me out of living my life exactly the way I want?” He ran a hand through his hair impatiently. “Dad. How many times do I have to say this? I’m not broken and I don’t need fixing.”

“This isn’t who you are, Fletch,” Clarice argued. “We were partners for two years. I know you. And this…” She motioned dismissively toward Judy. “…isn’t you. For God’s sake, Fletcher. This bimbo is old enough to be your grandma.”

Judy jumped to her feet. “I’m nobody’s grandma, bitch. I don’t know what your problem is. You’ve been riding my butt since the day you showed up at my house.”

“Your trailer,” Clarice corrected snarkily.

Judy threw back her head. “Oh, that’s it. You think I’m trailer trash and you’re better than me.” She cleared the distance between them, forgetting her aching feet and lack of clothing. “Well, let me tell you. I may not live in a palace, but I’m not the one breaking down my ex-partner’s door in the middle of the night, am I? Maybe you’re just jealous because nobody invited you to the party.”

Clarice went for her gun, which, luckily, wasn’t at her waist since she was dressed in civilian clothes. Judge Canby struck the table with the palm of his hand. The sound possessed an imperious crack not unlike the attention grabbing noise Gerald made. “That’s enough, Clarice. Is this the woman you said tricked Fletcher into coming here?”

“Yes, sir. That’s Judy Banger.”

Bang-her. Judy’s fist curled around the plastic whale bones of the bustier in her hand, reminding her Di and Dem were hanging free for everyone–the judge included–to see. And look he did.

He stared for what felt like a lifetime of heartbeats, and then he checked her out from toe to head, again. Judy’s mouth turned too dry for water or wine to fix. Her heart rocketed against her ribs. A connection as alien as something you’d see on Star Trek, yet as palpable as a touch from a loving hand, passed between them.

Panic made her dive for her coat. She tugged it on and raced–or rather stumbled as gracelessly as a drag queen in her first pair of heels–toward the door.

A part of her brain cried, “Picnic basket. Room key. Gerald!” But she ignored the voice. She needed to get away. Back to the safety of her room where she could hide under the covers and try to forget what just happened. Not the sex. That didn’t matter. They were four consenting adults and whatever happened was by choice.

No. She wanted to forget meeting Wilson Canby. Her soul mate. The man of her dreams. The man she’d have spent her whole life waiting for if she thought for even a moment such a person truly existed. But only princesses were entitled to that one special Prince Charming, right? And, Judy had always been more scullery maid than princess–just ask her mother.

So, what do you think? ‘Meet cute’ or an awkward corner I painted myself–and my characters–into? Lucky for me, true love prevails–and gives Judy and the judge plenty to live down as they find their way to their HEA–another tried and true romance meme.

Do you have a favorite “meet cute” from books or cinema? Three responders will receive THE BIG BANG! THEORY-the fourth and final short, erotic encounter of the Judy Banger kind, Book IV in the Screw Senility series, as a prize.

Thanks for dropping by.

Happy reading~

Deb

Find out more at Debra Salonen’s website!

 

Thank you Debra so much for guest blogging! Don’t forget to answer Debra’s question: what is your favorite “meet cute” from books or cinema? Share your answers below!

P.S. - Did you hear the news? Complete Me landed at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #3 on the USA Today list!  Color me excited!

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Hump Day Books from Becky Lower, Susan Fox, Karen McCullough, Julie Ortolon, Karen Duvall, Lisa Marie Rice, Becky Barker, and Beate Boeker!

For your pleasure: eight fantastic Hump Day books!

Blame it on the Brontes

Three sisters who want nothing to do with each other are forced to live together for one year in order to inherit their mother’s fortune.

Be sure to visit Becky Lower’s website! “Timeless Romance With Sass.”
Caribou Crossing (A Caribou Crossing Romance)

Susan Fox launches a new series from Kensington Zebra, set in a Western community made for love, adventure, and second chances!

For more information visit Susan Fox’s website!
A Gift for Murder (Market Center Mysteries)

Now available in most ebook formats.

Don’t forget to visit Karen McCullough’s website!
Almost Perfect (Perfect Trilogy)

Get Book One of the Perfect Trilogy FREE!

And be sure to visit Julie Ortolon’s website!
Desert Guardian

New Release!

Find out more at Karen Duval’s website!
I Dream of Danger: A Ghost Ops Novel

The latest release in the Ghost Ops Series!

See more at Lisa Marie Rice’s website!
Stowaway

Romantic suspense finalist in 3 national contests!

Be sure to visit Becky Barker’s website!
Delayed Death (Temptation in Florence)

Humor & Mischief from Page One!

Find out more at Beate Boeker’s website!

 

If you would like to submit a book to the Hump Day feature, click here!

P.S. - Did you hear the news? Complete Me landed at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #3 on the USA Today list!  Color me excited!

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Why I Quit My Reality TV Show—or close enough by Geri Krotow

Please welcome Geri Krotow to the blog!

I’ve never been in my own reality tv series but I can imagine what it’d feel like, because I moved 13 times in 26 years to all parts of the country and globe with first my Navy career and then my husband’s.  We’d pack up every single thing we own to include a dog, parrot and two kids and then show up in a strange land with no friends and no connections. Until the second or third day there, when the moving truck pulled up (it took a bit longer for this on the overseas moves) and the reality hit: we weren’t in wherever-we’d-been-before. The kids needed friends, vaccinations, and to be registered for their new school. For 3 moves we needed to learn a new language, be it Italian, French or Russian.

We needed fresh groceries.

During this time I managed to get published, to see a dream come true. But it wasn’t my only dream–I kept holding on for the day when we’d be ‘settled’ and I could grow roots, meet other writers from the same town. For the day when I’d have a barista who knew my fave espresso and that I liked to write in the corner of the café for an hour each morning.

It finally happened—we’ve stopped moving, at least at that kind of pace. And the rewards as a writer have been more than I ever expected. I’m able to go to conferences, especially the more local ones, and meet other authors. I’ve learned that they are real, dedicated people managing their own busy lives. I get to see writers who’ve struggled for years close-up, see what makes them tick, feel their positive energy. I get to see the writers who hang in there in spite of insurmountable odds, and every now and then, one of them makes it big.

I’m grateful to have served my country in and out of uniform, no question. It’s made me appreciate this time of “settling” down so much more.

 

Award winning author Geri Krotow is a U.S. Naval Academy Graduate and former Naval Intelligence Officer. She’s lived all over the globe, from Whidbey Island, WA, to Moscow, Russia. Geri is the author of the Whidbey Island Series for Harlequin SuperRomance, highlighting the loves and lives of military families who live on an island in Puget Sound; the latest is NAVY ORDERS. Geri is thrilled to finally be settled in Central Pennsylvania, USA, after 13 moves in 26 years. 

For more information visit Geri Krotow’s website!

 

Thank you Geri Krotow for guest blogging!

Moving 13 times in 26 years! How often have you moved in a particular period? Can you top Geri? How about setting down? What is the longest you’ve ever lived in one place? Share your stats below!

P.S. - Did you hear the news? Complete Me landed at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #3 on the USA Today list!  Color me excited!

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Elizabeth Bailey looks at the Georgian attitude to smoking.

Please welcome Elizabeth Bailey to the blog!

In these enlightened times, snuff-taking and pipe smoking seem to have vanished from the pages of Regency romance. But are we more enlightened than the Georgians?

Looking at images of Georgian life, one gets the impression that the use of tobacco was neither general nor widespread. Caricatures tend to depict an exaggerated truth, and only in a few does one find a pipe smoker, and in none a man taking snuff. Although smoking was prevalent not everyone indulged; those who did confined their pipes to the pub, the coffee house or home.

Many used snuff, because it was a high production trade and is mentioned in contemporary accounts. But although tobacco had a place, it seems unlikely that its use was anything like as widespread as it was during the earlier years of the twentieth century. Yet those Georgians who disapproved of the use of tobacco appear convinced that it was highly prevalent in their own time.

Much was made of the effects of snuff on workmen who manufactured it, some sources claiming it gave them bronchitis and dysentery among other ailments, but others managed to prove that workmen became used to it and didn’t suffer any ill effects. As ever, those with a vested interest will find a way to prove their point!

Such symptoms as were noted are known to us now: speeded up heart rate, giddiness, shortness of breath, spasms, fainting, sickness, weak pulse and sleepiness. One doctor suspected apoplexy (heart attack) “is one of the evils in train of that disgusting practice”, referring to taking snuff. Two young men actually died from tobacco poisoning, having smoked about “seventeen pipes at a sitting”. One wonders how that compares with 20 or 40 a day now?

We are indebted to a French chemist of the era, Vauquelin, for naming the killer substance in tobacco as nicotine. Later chemists argued about which precise part of tobacco caused the problems, but it was generally agreed that tobacco contained an “acrid, alkaline principle and an essential oil to which the alkaloid adheres with great obstinacy”, which was bad news.

As early as King James, who wrote “The Counter-Blaste to Tobacco” within a few years of its introduction into Europe by Sir Walter Raleigh, it was believed that the smoking habit would result in “evil consequences” because of its poisonous qualities. Some governments tried to stop its introduction, although their methods were harsher than our current bans on smoking in public places. Popes excommunicated those who smoked in St Peters; in Russia it was punished with amputation of the nose; and in the Canton of Bern it ranked next to adultery.

Did that make any difference? Not according to the treatise writer: “Like every other persecuted novelty, however, smoking and snuff-taking passed from place to place with rapidity; and now there appear to be only two luxuries which yield to it in prevalence, spirituous liquors and tea.”

Plus ça change, plus c’est la meme chôse!

 

Elizabeth Bailey is the author of both romance and crime novels set in the late 18th century, including the traditional historical romance, Mademoiselle At Arms, available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

For a sneak peak at Mademoiselle At Arms, see the trailer for the book!

And don’t forget to visit Elizabeth Bailey’s website!

 

 

Thank you so much for guest blogging, Elizabeth! 

What do you think – are we more enlightened than the Georgians when it comes to vices and stimulants, or do we simply pretend to be so? Feel free to opine in the comment section!

Complete Me lands #2 on the New York Times and #3 on the USA Today bestseller lists! (Celebrating with a giveaway!)

I’m so excited that Complete Me hit #2 on the New York Times list and #3 on the USA list that I’m having a contest to give away an e-reader!  Enter for your chance to win either a Kindle Fire HD or a Nook HD!

Hurry!  The contest ends in just three day!  (if the contest widget doesn’t show up, either follow the link or refresh the page!)

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hump Day books from Jean Brashear, Rachel Grant, Elaine Raco Chase, Nicola Marsh, Eliza Gayle, Jayne Denker, Stephanie Julian, and The Summit Authors Favorite Romance Themes Reunion boxed set!

Be sure and check out these amazing Hump Day books!

Texas Roots: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 1 (Texas Heroes: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs)

First book in the series!

For more see Jean Brashear’s Texas Roots website!
Concrete Evidence (Evidence Series)

To celebrate the release of the second book in the series (Body of Evidence), the first book is on sale at $0.99 for a limited time (regular price $3.99)!

For more see Rachel Grant’s website!
BEST LAID PLANS

What’s more fun than: some fashion, some food (New Orleans style), some hot sex & a sale! Best Laid Plans – just $1.99 on Zon/Nook/Kobo/AllRomance & iTunes!!! Buy the eBook get the bestselling audiobook for $1.99 – no membership required!

And don’t forget to check out Elaine Raco Chase’s website!
Do It Write

Tips for publication and beyond!

Also by Nicola Marsh, CRAZY LOVE (2012 ARRA finalist & Amazon bestseller)…out now! NOT THE MARRYING KIND (Entangled Publishing) out now!

Find out more at Nicola Marsh’s website!
Levi’s Ultimatum, Purgatory Masters Book 2

In search of someplace to belong… He found an obsession.

See more in the Purgatory Masters series at Eliza Gayle’s website!
Unscripted

Sometimes life throws you a cliffhanger…

Visit Jayne Denker’s website!
An Indecent Proposition Part I

Now free!

Find out more at Stephanie Julian’s website!

Reunion Boxed Set (Favorite Romance Themes) (The Summit Authors Present: Favorite Romance ThemesTM)

Only 99 cents!

See more at The Summit Authors website!

If you would like to submit a book to the Hump Day feature, click here!

Judy Gill On Why Plagiarism is Theft, Plain and Simple

Please welcome Judy Gill, author of A Father for Philip, to the blog!

There’s been a fair bit of talk lately about plagiarism, which as most of us know, without the fancy term is theft, plain and simple. To me, it’s the same as calling rape “sexual assault.” Yes, there are lower degrees of sexual assault than rape, but as a woman I resent having that total violation of any person’s body lumped in with patting a butt or squeezing a boob. As an author, I also resent the term “plagiarism”, which can be anything from stealing a paragraph from another author’s book and sticking it in your own, to wholesale theft of entire novels, and that’s what’s happening right now. The thieves find novels online, “scrape” that is copy and paste and reformat, maybe change the character names and slap on a different cover and by-line, then rush out and sell it as a Kindle edition.

There are sites all over telling people how they can make up to a few thousand bucks a day with no work, which suggests there must be a lot of people who think that’s okay—otherwise the owners of those sites wouldn’t stay in business long. Some of those sites tell visitors how to go about stealing other people’s work. The thieves who steal from authors are not authors. They are not even writers. They are well-organized, completely ruthless smash-and grab operators no different from masked men using a crowbar on a jewelry store window and scooping up what they can. Some people believe that to be a victimless crime because the jewelry is all insured. Apart from the fallacy of that argument, when it comes to stealing from authors, the thought that it’s “a victimless crime” is completely wrong. Authors are not insured.

This brings me to another set of victims of this crime—the readers themselves. The self-publishing industry has already developed a bit of a bad reputation because so many books with unbelievable plots, bad spelling and grammar, and almost unreadable formatting have been flung against the fan, unedited. If the trend toward pirated books continues unabated, honest readers will lose even more faith in the online-book industry. I believe most people, in fact the vast majority, prefer not to buy things that “fell off the back of a truck,” or hand off their hard-earned money to thieves.

My suggestion to readers is to check out the author if you’re unfamiliar with his name but

think the book might interest you. Most legitimate authors have publishers and/or websites with photos, bios, and contact information and perhaps a list of creds on Google. Of course, the unscrupulous thieves (that, I know is a syntactical redundancy, but I couldn’t resist), can set up websites, post bios and photos, but they probably won’t bother because they believe the readers won’t bother. Well, in addition to being an author, I’m also an avid reader and believe me, I do check.

 

Judy Griffith Gill (who has a website, a bio, and plenty of publishing credits to her name), is a member of Novelists, Inc. an international organization of multi-published fiction authors. She has many of her backlist titles currently online through Open Road Media, and is working on reinventing a half-dozen more. These last were originally published under a variety of names and are classed as “traditional” or “sweet” romances, with the sex behind closed doors. The first of those, A Father for Philip, is available now in

Kindle format. In addition to that project, she is working on the third book in a four book Speculative Fiction series, to be published at intervals when all are ready.

Have you ever been the victim of plagiarism? Or know someone who has? Share your experiences below!

P.S. - We're only days away from the release of book 3 of the Stark Trilogy!!  Have you pre-ordered Complete Me yet?

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Charity Pineiro Discusses the Re-release of her Steamy, Miami romance, Now and Always!

Please welcome Charity Pineiro, author of Now and Always, to the blog!

Now and Always, the re-release of my first contemporary romance, is out in both e-book and print. It’s a very special book to me because it’s my first and dedicated to mom, who shaped so much of who I am today.

It’s also special because I wanted to get across a message about discrimination and how it happens in all cultures, in this case, Miami’s melting pot. There is the initial tension between Cuban Connie Gonzalez and Miami-born and bred Paul Stone. With them it’s a clash of cultures and socioeconomics. Paul is wealthy and has had all that he wants in life while Connie has had to struggle for everything.

You’ll find out in the sequel, Faith in You (Available July 2013), that with all that Paul has, he is still a poor man because he lacks love in his life. The love of his family and the love of a very special lady – Carmen Gonzalez, Connie’s younger sister.

But in Now and Always, you’ll also see that even within the Cuban community there is tension between those who have been here since the Sixties and those who came later. Plus there is the class issue as well between sexy and well-off physician Victor and FBI Agent Connie.

Melding with all that is the romance. Hot and sexy and with the tropical feel of Miami’s glittering night life and trendy South Beach environs. You can click here to see some photos from my last trip to South Beach.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out the book and the free read from Faith in You that introduces all of the characters I hope you will come to love, including Paul Stone and Carmen Gonzalez.

FBI Agent Connie Gonzalez actually helped inspire the FBI Agent Diana Reyes from The Calling/Reborn vampire series. After the release of Connie’s book, I had many letters and e-mails saying how refreshing it was to see a female FBI Agent and how they’d love to see more stories with an empowered heroine. Diana Reyes was soon born and I know how much you all like her and those stories.

Without further ado, here is an excerpt from Now and Always.

As a special thank you to fans, the e-book is priced at .99 until August 16th.  Thank you for taking the time to drop by and visit with me!

Purchase the E-book at Amazon

Purchase the Print Book at Amazon

Caridad Piñeiro® is a multi-published and award-winning author whose love of the written word developed when her fifth grade teacher assigned a project – to write a book that would be placed in a class lending library. She has been hooked on writing ever since. Learn more at Caridad Pineiro’s website!

Thank you Charity Pineiro for guest blogging! 

P.S. - We're only days away from the release of book 3 of the Stark Trilogy!!  Have you pre-ordered Complete Me yet?

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Hump Day reads from Nancy Herkness, Emma Jay, Edie Ramer, Dana Marton, Savanna Fox, Terry Odell, and The Summit Authors Favorite Romance Themes (Marriage of Convenience) Boxed Set!

Check out these fantastic Hump Day titles!

Take Me Home (A Whisper Horse Novel)

Half-price sale ($2.00 on Kindle) during July!

For more see Nancy Herkness’ website!

All on the Line (A Blackwolf Hot Shots erotic novella!)

And don’t forget to check out Emma Jay’s website!

Hearts in Motion (Rescued Hearts)

Save a cat, feed a dog, read a book!

See more at Edie Ramer’s website!

Deathtrap (Broslin Creek)

A new Broslin Creek novel!

Want more from Dana Martin? Check out her website!

Dare to be Dirty (DIRTY GIRLS BOOK CLUB)

City girl Kim is about to lasso a sexy cowboy in the second book in Fox’s Dirty Girls Book Club series!

See Savanna Fox’s website for more!

Saving Scott (Pine Hills Police)

Chocolate, murder, and romance. A perfect combination.

Be sure and visit Terry Odell’s website!

Marriage of Convenience Boxed Set (Favorite Romance Themes) (The Summit Authors Present Favorite Romance Themes)

Learn more at The Summit Authors’ Favorite Romance Themes Webpage!

If you would like to submit a book to the Hump Day feature, click here!

P.S. - We're only days away from the release of book 3 of the Stark Trilogy!!  Have you pre-ordered Complete Me yet?

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.