Elizabeth M. Lawrence's Blog, page 23

Guest Post: Jude Ouvrard, author of WONDERLAND

On November 22nd, Renaissance Romance Publishing released "Wonderland," a novella in the Fall Fires anthology. As part of Ms. Ouvrard' blog tour to celebrate her new release, she stops by today to talk about what element of the story she believes readers will enjoy most. I encourage you to check out the summary and excerpt below!



First, I hope the readers will like the idea of adding poems. They aren’t long but I believe they deliver a message or express how Lucas feels very clearly. I enjoyed writing them because it helped me get into Lucas’s character. Lucas is on a survival mode when the story begins. He is heartbreak and he knows that he isn’t doing well. He feels alone and is trying to deal with everything that life put in his way. I liked the fact that he doesn’t want to consult a therapist and decides to go in a poetry class to help him deal with his emotions. Here is part of one of the poem, enjoy!
You can want and hope, but you can't decide.Life brings you many situations.You can confront them or ignore them.You can be strong or weak.
I decide to be strong, but I know I cannot win.Life put in my way a mountain I cannot hike.An ocean I cannot cross.
Preston is enjoying life, he loves poetry and he feels a connection with Lucas. I believe Preston is guiding Lucas to happiness. He shows him that no matter what, you still have time to be happy and Lucas should enjoy every seconds of his life. The friendship or chemistry between the two characters is something that, I think, people will like. They were born to be together.
Here is a little excerpt of their friendship:
““Are you up for some Star Wars action? I brought the DVDs since it was on your list,” Preston reminded me with a proud tone to his voice. He was doing his job of making sure I crossed off every single thing I mentioned that day from the list.Preston made me laugh when he pulled out toy lightsabers, along with Darth Vader masks. He put his on, and started quoting popular lines from the movies. His voice was cold and distant. Standing in front of me, he mimicked the way Darth Vader walked and then pretended to fight with Luke Skywalker. I couldn't stop laughing, even though my lungs and ribs ached. Preston was way too good, and I came to realize that he was a huge fan of the movies, as well.”
It is a sad story.  I know a few persons who have cried reading it. The end is powerful.  When the reader is done reading my novella, I hope they will get the message that this story is supposed to deliver. Never stop living, enjoy every second of your life because you never know what’s going to happen. Surround yourself with people who care about you and would be with you every step of the way. Don’t waste your taste with people who don’t appreciate the person that you are. Be proud, be you. There is no other way.



Summary:
Lucas Colton is far too young to go through all this pain but meeting poetry teacher, Preston Davidson, changed everything. His life went from heartbreak to joyful and then, from friendship to love. The impact Preston had on Lucas’ life was mesmerizing.  What would you do if you knew you may not have a tomorrow?


Excerpt:
When I arrived at Central Park, Preston was sitting by the statue of Alice in Wonderland with two steaming cups of coffee in hand. He wore a canary yellow sweatshirt with a pair of dark blue jeans and black leather converse.“You’re on time,” I teased, taking one of the cups from him.“I figure I shouldn’t waste any more time.” Preston took a sip of his coffee. “Life is too important right now. I don’t want to miss anything.”“I can see that you’ve thought about my situation thoroughly.” I couldn’t help but be flattered. It was obvious now that he cared about me, even if just as a friend.“I have a few questions for you. If you don’t mind, of course.” Curious, I wanted to know what was going on inside his brain. Looking through his glasses, I saw how tired his eyes were, how the rims were red. He hadn’t slept all night, I would bet. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to answer all of them, but I’m willing to try.” Preston made me nervous, and I hoped he wasn’t going to ask for a medical explanation. I had asked to be told what was necessary. The details weren’t important to me. All I knew was that I had kidney cancer, and that it had started to spread to my other organs. My lungs were affected, but they were giving me enough medication to keep me out of pain.“I want you to name three things you can’t live without,” he said. That seemed pretty simple, nothing to be worried about.“Coffee, a good movie, and cheesecake.” I laughed. “You took me off guard. I don’t know, but those are things that I enjoy, I guess.”“It’s perfect. Now tell me: what would you do if bacteria were killing all the coffee beans in the world, and you foresaw that thirty days from now, you wouldn’t be able to find a single coffee bean in the world?”Was Preston serious? What kind of question was that? I shook my head and smiled. “I’d drink as much as I could, and I’d try to freeze some to keep for special occasions.”“Good answer. Now tell me: what would you do if the film industry decided that it was no longer profit-earning to produce movies and that thirty days from now, there wouldn’t be any movies anywhere for sale or rent?”“I would buy as many movies as I could afford, and go to the movie theater one last time.”“Another great answer. Last, but not least: what would you do if the Cheesecake Factory was going bankrupt, and thirty days from now, you couldn’t find a single piece of cheesecake in the entire world?”“I would eat cheesecake for every meal, gain weight, and die of heart failure,” I joked.Preston laughed. “I’m asking you all these questions because I’ve come up with a plan. You said you might have weeks to live. Let’s hope you have a month. You have to make the most out of it. You have to enjoy and do everything you’ve ever dreamed of doing. Are you ready to have the best time of your life?”A smile spread over my lips. “Okay, I see where you’re going with this.”“I’ll spend that month with you. I want to be with you every time you smile or cry, when you feel good, or when you’re in pain. You can’t do this alone, Lucas. So tell me: what is it that you’ve always dreamed of doing?”“I’m a pretty simple guy; don’t need much to be happy, so forgive me if we aren’t going to Australia. I think we’ll stay here in New York.”“Sounds good to me — and my wallet.” Preston looked at me, waiting for me to tell him everything I wanted to do before the end came.

About Jude Ouvrard:


Jude was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. She now lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful four year old son, and has spent the last twelve years with her partner, Cedric.
French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English.Besides working full time for a Title Insurance Company and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.
She is currently working on a novel called Body, Ink, and Soul. Coming soon!

Also by Jude Ouvrard:Under the Sun, Heat Wave: Volume Two
website/blog: www.judeouvrard.comTwitter; www.twitter.com/judeouvrardwww.twitter.com/authorjude_oFacebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jude-Ouvrard/217369475054540?ref=hlGoodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7055526.Jude_Ouvrard Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/judeouvrardAbout me: http://about.me/judeouvrard 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jude-Ouvrard/e/B00E3OGKUS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1379095938&sr=8-1 Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/jude-ouvrard

Guest Post: N.L. Leeks, author of WINTER'S LOVE

On November 22nd, Renaissance Romance Publishing released "Winter's Love," a novella in the Fall Fires anthology. As part of Ms. Leeks' blog tour to celebrate her new release,she stops by today to talk about what element of the story she believes readers will enjoy most. I encourage you to check out the summary and excerpt below!




That’s a good one. I reckon it will be a mixture of plot and characters that my readers will enjoy the most about my story. Though the plot that I originally had wasn’t what I ended up going with! It started out the same, then my characters decided that they had a plan all their own and they were damned if I wasn’t going to run with it!
The whole story plot is so easily believable, how my characters meet is through Christmas shopping, and it’s always a stressful time, for us all, so when tensions reach a high, it’s natural one of them snaps. Shopping, to coffee, to a couple of dates, it’s just so normal. How it all unfolds is just magic, I am quite glad that my boys made me change it.
As for characters, I think they are going to love Eric! He is just such a fun- loving, caring and humorous guy that you can’t help but fall in love with him! I’m not sure a lot will relate to Jared, or be able to bond as well with his image as with Eric’s. That’s just my own personal opinion. A few of my side characters, for example, the hair stylist that makes a brief appearance is such a bubbly person, I fell in love with her the moment that she appeared!
Excerpt:
 Jessie laughed. She’d been cutting my hair for a couple of years now, and she knew just how I liked it. A young girl, she had plenty of spunk. Her short, pink hair spiked out in all directions, and her black eyeliner made her eyes look mysterious.
“Jared! It’s lovely to see you, but what have you done to your hair? You have such beautiful hair, and you leave it to get all grungy looking!” she scolded.
“Things have been . . . busy. I’ve just not had the time, Jessie. I’m here now, so that counts for something, right?” I laughed.
“I suppose so, though I imagine that if you had left it any longer, it would be beyond repair.” I knew she was mocking me; she did so every chance she got.

Her humour is so effortless, it’s easy to laugh with her. I can’t do with all serious characters, I have to throw some humour in there. It can get dark at times and the humour makes up for it. Or at least it does in my eyes. I’m sure my readers will be more than happy to let me know in reviews whom they enjoyed the most, what they found best etc. I look forward to receiving them.



Summary:
A past relationship has left Jared Winter broken. When Eric Healey runs into him, Jared finds a reason to learn to trust again. The two men begin to fall for one another, but the prejudice around them threatens to tear them apart. Can their love survive in the real world?


Excerpt:
“Hey! Jared! Yoo-hoo!”I cringed once more and turned to my sister, forcing a smile. “Hey, Rose-Anne.” “What are you doing here?” She giggled.“Well, Rose-Anne, in general one attends Asda, or any other supermarket, when they’re doing their food shopping,” I sniggered.Rose-Anne rolled her eyes and glowered at me. I knew what she meant and was trying to be subtle while avoiding her questions.“Jared, stop playing dumb with me. You know what I mean. Curry powder, two types of meat, and prawns? You only cook this fancy when . . . Oh! You have a date tonight, don’t you?” she squealed.Behind me, the cashier told me the check came to twenty-three pounds and some change. I handed her a twenty and a five and waited for her to hand me the difference. As she placed it in my hand, I took it and grabbed my already bagged shopping, thankful that it had been done while Rose-Anne had been interrogating me. Trouble was, she was still at it while I made my way back to the car.“Rose-Anne! For the love of all alive, will you please drop the subject? I love you to pieces, but for just once, can I enjoy something without having to be interrogated by you?” I yelled.I saw tears pool in her eyes and felt the guilt in an instant. Finding my car, I placed the shopping in the back and pulled her into a hug. I sighed. “I’m sorry, sissy, but sometimes you are just too much.” “Sorry, Jed.” I cringed at the nickname, “I know I’m too nosy for my own good. But it’s been so long since we’ve seen you with someone. We were beginning to think you had taken a life of celibacy, all because of . . .”“No! I don’t want to hear his name, sissy! Yes, I’m having someone over for dinner tonight. It’ll only be the second time I have seen him, so yeah I’m playing my cards close to my chest. And yes, I’m a little dubious about where this will go, but I won’t allow . . . him . . .to ruin everything good in my life, okay? My friend’s name
About N.L. Leeks:


N.L. Leeks lives in England with her fiancé, whom she has been with since the age of eighteen. She first began writing when she was a child. Her friends, Matt and Lou, helped her reignite that passion as an adult, and her journey into writing began once more.
FB https://www.facebook.com/NatashaLattoLeeksGoodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7255635.N_L_Leeks?from_search=trueTumblr http://tainted-tash.tumblr.com

My Review of FEATHER LIGHT by Lorenz Font & Rafflecopter Giveaway!

On October 10, 2013, Lorenz Font released Feather Light, her first erotica novel, with The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House. I was pleased to join her blog tour and contribute by giving my review of the book. Make sure to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway at the end of this post. First, here is a summary of what Feather Light is all about:

Parker Davis has conquered three major American cities and is the new ‘it’ man in massage. He earned the nickname ‘Feather Light’ for his sensual touches, tender caresses, and soft voice eliciting an almost orgasmic release. Clients from all over clamor for his services, and his clientele is growing by the minute. Business is at its peak, which makes Parker a busy man who has no time to deal with problems, let alone dwell on his blindness. With his declining vision, Parker has to accept his limitations and the changes brought forth by this disease, but he is not ready to relinquish the last control he has left. He is still the master in his bedroom.
Kelly Storm, a Hollywood actress, will do whatever it takes to get some much-deserved peace. Being famous has its perks, except the little privacy her popularity afforded her is slowly eating at her. With the paparazzi hounding her every minute of the day and her personal life under constant scrutiny, Kelly wants a semblance of normalcy wherever she can get it. Under the urging of a close friend, she agrees give Parker a try.
Their first meeting is nothing she expects. Kelly finds comfort in his gentle probing and the spellbinding experience guaranteed to keep her coming back for more. Parker knows the woman on his table is special. He feels her vulnerability with his fingertips, and her smooth curves leave a burning ache inside him.
One night of steamy passion is all it takes to know that they wanted each other in more ways than one. Kelly hides in heavy disguises, making it impossible for Parker to know her true identity. What secret is Kelly keeping, and will she trust Parker enough to tell him the truth? Will Parker see beyond Kelly’s lies to show her what a future with him holds?

My Review:

In my role as an editor, I have worked closely with Lorenz Font on her other books (Hunted, Indivisible Line, and Tormented). The release of Feather Light by The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House presented me with my first opportunity to approach her work primarily as a reader. The author, whom I suspect wants to know my opinion outside of feedback like: “You are never, ever allowed to write that again. Ever,” has asked me to provide an honest review. It was nice to experience one of her novels without any foreknowledge about what she hoped to accomplish and convey through the story, and I’m happy to share my impressions here.Feather Light introduces us to Parker Davis, a successful masseur to the rich and famous. Parker is the picture of self-confidence; he knows how to work a room, appears larger than life, and is admired by his employees and clientele alike. It is soon revealed that much of his assurance is only made possible by the web of close confidantes who work together like a well-oiled machine to allow him to live as though he hadn’t lost his sight to retinitis pigmentosa. Parker works hard to have the life he’d planned before his world turned into an indecipherable blur, and his need for control of his environment is felt most strongly in the bedroom.When Hollywood superstar Kelly Storm enters Parker’s life, she is being crushed by the weight of constant scrutiny and personal heartbreak. The paparazzi, led by the relentless Rigor James, hounds her without mercy, going so far as to intrude on her mother’s funeral. Kelly struggles to hide her pain over the tragedies in her life, but every time it breaks through, the cameras are there. Her time on Parker’s massage table is her first opportunity to fall apart privately, and his words offer the possibility of the healing and comfort that she desperately needs. Kelly’s need for him is so great, in fact, that she is unable to find the courage to tell him the truth about who she is, hiding her fame in a way that is only possible because of Parker’s blindness.As I have come to expect from her books, Font provides rich, full characterizations in this story. Even secondary characters are vividly rendered so that they become living, breathing people. We care about them, even beyond their roles in Parker and Kelly’s lives. Parker’s brother, Cork, has left behind his coaching career to work with Parker, and as readers, we find ourselves genuinely interested in the reasons behind his choice. Likewise, Parker’s relationship with his personal assistant Webster is very well characterized. Her personality is multi-faceted, and Font allows us to see her flaws and strengths with an uncompromising eye. Mrs. Crawford, one of Parker’s favorite clients, brings a fresh breath of vivacity and spirit to the story at moments when tensions are thickest.The subtle layering of moods is one of Font’s specialties, and she uses it here, bringing whimsy into the bedroom and rage into a sanctuary without sacrificing the authenticity of the characters or the believability of the overall plot. While some of the plot twists are predictable, Font delivers them with an unforgiving and raw emotional force that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. She is not afraid to toe the line that separates flawed characters from unsympathetic ones, maintaining an impressive balance that allows her to push her characters to extremes. The intensity of the narrative increases so gradually and naturally that we continue to root for the characters, even when they are at their most broken and oblivious. Overall, Feather Light is a dynamic read that is sure to grip the readers’ imaginations and take them on a satisfying and dynamic journey.




Author Bio:Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. She is currently enjoying the buzz from her debut novel Hunted, the first book of The Gates Legacy Trilogy and Indivisible Line, a romantic thriller. Her newest novel, Tormented, the second installment of The Gates Legacy, is now available for vampire lovers everywhere.
Writing is a therapy for Lorenz, and a perfect day consists of writing and playing with her characters while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She enjoys dabbling in different genres with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.
Lorenz currently lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. She divides her time between a full-time job as a Business Office Manager for a hospital and her busy writing schedule.



Buying links: TWCS - http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/102KOBO - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/feather-lightBarnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/feather-light-lorenz-font/1116891761?ean=9781612131306Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612131298

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: N. Wood, author of WOODSHED WISHES

On November 22nd, Renaissance Romance Publishing released "Woodshed Wishes," a novella in the Fall Fires anthology. As part of Ms. Woods' blog tour to celebrate her new release, she stops by today to talk about what element of the main characters' relationship she wanted to explore with this story. I encourage you to check out the summary and excerpt below!




Woodshed Wishes. I gave a big clue in the title as to what element my novella involves.
When we think of woodsheds, we perhaps think of the little outbuilding of a home where logs are stored to season ready for the open fire in the winter. We may also consider that many years ago, the woodshed was where naughty boys were taken to be disciplined by the man of the house when they did something wrong.
In my story, Ben is a young gay romance author who has written many books. His lover, Peter, is a forest ranger who found him lost in the woods one stormy evening. Peter is a fan of Ben's work and he enjoys proofreading and approving all of his new manuscripts.
In a way, Ben manipulates Peter through his stories to bring up the subject of something he's been dwelling on for some time. Ben has an interest in spanking, owing to the fact he was never punished for misdemeanour’s during his childhood because his parents hadn't approved of spanking children.
I guess the element I wanted to explore with my main characters in this short story was the deep hidden desire of one of them, and the willingness to oblige by the other. I also wanted to show that despite Peter's agreement to help his partner explore his inner needs, he would do so effectively, but also with great care to ensure he didn't cause too much unnecessary harm and pain to the man he loved.
With the novella written in Ben's point of view, I wanted to explore his inner thoughts and feelings about bringing the subject up to his lover, along with his concerns that asking for such a thing from Peter might cause their relationship to break down. He wasn't sure how Peter would react to his kinky needs, that's why he had discreetly made his request through the characters in his book.




Summary:
Ben, a young gay romance author, loses his way in the forest one stormy evening and is found by a ranger. When Ben pitches in to help his new friend Peter in the woodshed, he discovers that he may have met his match. Will Peter make Ben's woodshed wishes come true?


Excerpt:
 “Come on, Petey,” I whined, teasing him with my personal rendition of his name. I only used it when I was desperate to get my own way. The slight narrowing of his eyes betrayed how little he thought of my chosen pet name for him, but I took the opportunity to argue my point with a pout. “It’s still summer. We won’t need a fire for months with this heat. There's plenty of time to do the work.”On any other day, my brown puppy eyes could make him crumble and agree to whatever I suggested, but on that day in particular, he appeared to somehow have the strength to refuse.“You should take a leaf out of your own book — literally,” he jested back, adding a little more pressure to my breast bone to deter my attempt to edge nearer to him. “What was it that Blake said to Trent in Ballboys? ‘Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today’?”I rolled my eyes when he quoted one of my many characters. Trust him to know my stories word for word, not that I could complain. Some scenes from my books gained their inspiration from things Peter and I had experienced together.“Yes, but you forget that Blake was encouraging Trent to get down on his knees and suck his cock today instead of putting it off until tomorrow,” I corrected him. “So how about we re-enact that scene?”My hinting words distracted him long enough that I was able to take the last step towards him. Reaching down, I snagged my fingers under the belt that was looped through the waistband of his jeans and started to unbuckle it. Though his eyes contained a slight glaze of lust from the thoughts I’d instilled in him, he snapped out of his distraction and caught a hold of my wrists, prying my hands away from him and holding them there.“Tut tut, naughty boy,” he scolded with a teasing tone. “I have plans for tonight once all this work is done, but you want to jump the gun and get the party started early? You can’t disrupt my plans like that. You ought to be punished.”
About N. Wood:



N. Wood is a budding young author living in Cornwall, United Kingdom. She developed an interest in writing when her poetry was first published at the age of nine. Since then, she has moved onto writing both short stories and novels focusing on gay romantic themes.
Also by N. Wood:
La CalaWaves Of Healing
Coming Soon from Renaissance Romance Publishing:Take A Gamble, Second Edition, on November 12, 2013.
Blog: http://nwoodstories.blogspot.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWoodstories Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhitlockWood Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/N.-Wood/e/B00B3HBE8G/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6897888.N_Wood

Guest Post: C.W. Stevens, author of LOVE, UNEXPECTED

On November 22nd, Renaissance Romance Publishing released "Love, Unexpected," a novella in the Fall Fires anthology. As part of Ms. Stevens' blog tour to celebrate her new release, she stops by today to talk about what element of the story she believes readers will enjoy most. I encourage you to check out the summary and excerpt below!

My hope is for readers to enjoy all elements of my story but, if I have to choose one, I believe it will be the emotional motif.


The plot is a simple one and the characters are normal, everyday people. I’ve tried to create a light angst within key players: frustration, anxiety, desire, sadness, realization, and elation. Evan and Jon experience this gamut of emotions through a series of events, which takes place over a weekend of celebration.


I hope readers enjoy the gentle rise and fall of emotions, and the small twist at the end.



Summary:

As Michael and Chuck's loving union comes to pass, two, gay members of the wedding party discover the sweet bonds of a comfortable companionship. Attraction becomes more as they recognize their true soul mate in each other, which fills the romantic void in their solitary lives. It seems only one, small obstacle stands in their way. 
Excerpt:

Chuck slapped me on the back and pulled me into a tight hug, giving me a peck on the
cheek. “Evan! It’s so good to see you again. What’s it been… four months?” I smiled while
looking at my friend.      “You were up in Oak Harbor helping some friend work on his boat the last time I was here
for a visit, if I remember correctly,” I reminded him. “You returned the day after I left!”      He got me into a headlock and playfully poked me in the ribs. “Yeah, you just couldn’t
manage to stay one more day until I got back, could you, punk?”      With both of us laughing, he released me. When he did, my attention was drawn away; I
became enraptured by a handsome stranger whose face had the power to make me forget how
to breathe. My palms became sweaty, and my breath caught in my throat while I took in his
features.      There he stood, long and lean, and looking very toned. I guessed he was around six foot
two, his dark wash jeans tight enough to accentuate his ass, hugging it in all the right places.
He had on a deep red, button-down shirt, which seemed created to be worn only by him, the
top three buttons undone. His hair was long, dark, and pushed behind his ears; it was straight
and shiny, and the overhead lights sparkled off each strand. Eyes, which were a brilliant shade
of blue, seemed depthless as they pierced through my soul. Fuck! My jaw had fallen to the
floor, and I snapped it closed before he could see. Chuck noticed though, smirked at me, and
then made the introduction.      “Evan, I don’t think you’ve ever met my cousin, Jon Schubert. Jon, this is Evan Thomas,
Michael’s cousin and best friend. He’ll be serving as Mike’s best man.”      The stranger captivated me, but I managed to find my voice. “Very pleased to make your
acquaintance,” I stuttered with a smile while our eyes remained locked together. I was hoping
he hadn’t noticed my tongue hanging out when he raised his hand to shake mine. It wasn’t
much of a shake; more like a lingering touch.      “Likewise, Evan. Always a pleasure to meet one of Chuck’s boys.” His voice was as smooth
as satin when he spoke in a low, rich tone, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand
to attention.      His eyes sparkled, a smile emerged, and dimples blossomed within his cheeks, his lips full
and pink. I didn’t miss the fact he was still holding my hand, his eyes never leaving mine while
I hesitated to pull away. He was beautiful, the darkness of his hair highlighting his pale skin.


About C.W. Stevens:


C.W. Stevens lives in the United States, in the Midwest, where the winters are cold and icy, and the summers are disgustingly hot and humid. Spring and fall are her favorite times of the year.Reading is one of her favorite pastimes.
She enjoys writing and loves meeting new people along the way. Music and Abstract are a couple of her favorite Arts. She enjoys the challenge of trying to unlock the meaning of what the artist is trying to express. She enjoys solitude and hates crowds.
C. W. has two, grown sons, and loves spending time with her three grandchildren. Life is good!

twitter:  https://twitter.com/CWStevens1 FB Author:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/C-W-Stevens/507441305968818?ref=hl blogger:  http://wocwstevens.blogspot.com/ Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7255638.C_W_Stevens

Cover Reveal: Lisa Bilbrey's JOURNEY COLLECTION

On November 20, 2013, Renaissance Romance Publishing will be releasing The Journey Collection, a series of four novellas by veteran author Lisa Bilbrey. While the individual stories have previously been released as separate ebooks, this will be fans' first opportunity to see the entire collection together in paperback and ebook formats. For a description of the stories included in this collection, keep reading!



The Sharks’ star quarterback, Travis McCoy has it all, until an injury ends his season early. When he receives an invitation to attend the big homecoming game from his alma mater, Travis decides it’s time to face his past. The journey home sends Travis down a path that he never expects. Will he be able to come to grips when everything around him is spiraling out of control?
The Journey of Champions
Travis McCoy thought the journey home would be the hardest choice he ever had to make. It isn’t until he finds himself walking out the door and leaving his family behind that he realizes his journey is only just beginning. Now, with only a handful of weeks until Christmas, Travis tries to find his way back home. This time, he plans on staying forever.
The Journey to Forever
Finally back in the warm embrace of his family, Travis McCoy relishes every moment he gets to spend with his wife and son. After almost losing them due to his own selfishness, he makes the decision to never let go of his family again. With his plan set in motion, Travis, Penelope, and Max start a new journey, one that leads them to forever.
The Journey to a New Life
Travis McCoy’s journey has led him down a road of changes where he found the love of his life and their child. Travis, Penelope, and Max have struggled during their time apart, found their way back home, and finally tied their lives together as a family. Now, Penelope and Travis find themselves on a new journey, one that leads them to the greatest gift of all.

About the Author...

Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller. In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley.

Links:
GoodreadsFacebookTwitter Blog Amazon Barnes & NobleRenaissance Romance Publishing About.me 

Cover Reveal: M.B. Feeney's upcoming release, HONOUR

M. B. feeney is excited to present the cover for her upcoming release, Honour. A collection of 6 short stories with a miltary theme. 

Due for release on 1st November in rememberence of those who have given their lives as part of their job to protect others in times of unrest.

      Summary:   The world is filled with people destined to help and to serve. Doctors, nurses, police, and firefighters—each and every day, these special people work to help others in times of need. Often, this means putting their own lives at risk in order to do their jobs. They give of themselves to benefit society, and they do it without any expectation of thanks.   And then there is the military…   These are the men and women who don’t head home to their families and safe homes to relax at the end of a shift. They are on the front lines, far from home and often fighting someone else’s battles because it is the right thing to do.  Military families struggle to cope with the constant worry and the long periods of separation, staying strong to support those who serve in everything they do, and often are left to pick up the pieces when the highest price is paid.   Servicemen and women are heroes in the purest sense of the word. Even when the world’s gone mad and their hearts are breaking, one thing remains unchanged.    They have honour.   Don't forget to add Honour to your 'To read' shelf over on Goodreads   About the Author:    M. B. Feeney is an army brat who finally settled down in Birmingham, UK with her other half, two kids and a dog.  Currently at university studying for her BA (Hons) in primary teaching, she procrastinates on her assignments by listening to music of all genres and trying to get ‘just one more paragraph’ written on whichever WIP is open. She is also a serious doodler and chocoholic.  Writing has been her one true love ever since she could spell, and publishing is the final culmination of her hard work and ambition.

Her publishing career began with two novellas, and she currently has a novel under way whilst Honour, a compilation of her own military based shorts, is due for release 1st November 2013. Always having something on the go can often lead to block which eventually gets dissolved by good music and an even better book.

Author Links:

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Cover Reveal: Reissue of N. Wood's M/M novel, TAKE A GAMBLE

On November 12th, Renaissance Romance Publishing will be releasing Take a Gamble, the reissued novel by N. Wood.
Summary
Each Friday night, a mysterious man enters Blackjack’s Bar, orders the same drink, and sits in the same seat in the furthest corner. His presence is a welcome sight for Isaac Anderson, a regular bartender at Blackjack's. There's just something mysterious and intriguing about Caleb Miller that Isaac can’t ignore. Perhaps it's his pale and sickly appearance, or the smart way in which he dresses. Isaac just can’t put his finger on what makes this man so different. Another thing he can’t do is stop staring at this fascinating, special person. Encouraged to take a gamble and to get to know this quiet stranger, Isaac invites Caleb to watch a rock band with him. All seems to be well, until Caleb suddenly makes a mad dash for the door.
Caleb doesn’t know what to think when Isaac Anderson pursues him that night. A lifetime of rejection has taught him to expect the worst, but the attractive and warm bartender’s response to him confuses him. Isaac sees him at his worst, and Caleb is prepared to protect himself from judgment and heartache. He is shocked when he is instead given kindness and compassion. As Isaac continues to reach out to him, Caleb struggles with the choice to trust the new man in his life. Even if Isaac wants to build a relationship with Caleb, there are other people in their lives who would be happier if they stayed apart. And even if he allows Isaac into his heart, it still may not be enough for Caleb to learn to accept himself.
Anger, judgment, distrust, and violence all threaten Isaac and Caleb’s newfound love. Their relationship faces too many challenges for either man to overcome on his own. Will taking a gamble pay off, or do they both stand to lose everything?

About the Author N. Wood is a budding young author living in Cornwall, United Kingdom. She developed an interest in writing when her poetry was first published at the age of nine. Since then, she has moved onto writing both short stories and novels focusing on gay romantic themes.


Also by N. Wood:
“Woodshed Wishes,”Fall Fires Anthology
Blog: http://nwoodstories.blogspot.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWoodstories Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhitlockWood Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/N.-Wood/e/B00B3HBE8G/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6897888.N_Wood

The Minor Character

In many ways, the minor character is sometimes easily forgotten. The gregarious taxi driver, the helpful woman at the store, the nosy coworker, and the grumpy neighbor all have their parts to play, but the reader tends to not give much thought to these brief appearances. So why incorporate them at all?
I think it’s not hard to understand that the reader’s experience of a novel and the author’s experience while writing it differ quite a bit. One thing that the average reader may not realize is that no character appears in a story without a distinct purpose. Any novelist worth his or her salt will pay exacting attention to every facet of the novel, including the minor characters. There must be a reason for a particular character to appear in the narrative, and the presentation of that character must maintain a balance that is consistent with his or her importance to the action and development of the story.
In The Truth Seekers, Mrs. Olivia MacDonald serves as the necessary chaperone for her young friend, and so must be blended into the scenes in which she appears. She herself is not a major player, and her voice must not be allowed to overshadow those of the main characters. However, at certain points her actions move the narrative forward, so we need to see enough of her to have a sense of who she is as a person. By way of contrast, the existence of the male lead’s friend John needs to be established, but we don’t need to interact with him a great deal.
In Wishing Cotton, Olive meets Mr. J.P. Croupington (“Pinger” to his friends). This character’s importance begins and ends with the scene in which he appears. So why have him at all? He helps to provide comic relief, but his conversation with Olive also works to create the mood needed for Olive’s subsequent conversation with her friend Blair. So old Pinger provides a necessary element to the narrative, but once his usefulness is at an end, he vanishes from our view.
In the case of quiet John mentioned above, a good deal of his lines were cut in order to achieve the proper balance. Every time a character is introduced into the story, their voice, opinions, and personality are also inserted. The people they are influences the main characters on some level, but their appearance must blend into the story. In other words, it is one thing to have the gregarious taxi driver chat with the main character and give a suggestion that impacts that character’s choice of destination. It is another thing altogether to allow the driver to take center stage. We don't need to see the color of his eyes or have his life story laid out for us. A character that has such a limited part to play cannot be allowed overshadow the main characters.
All the same, minor characters are important, and often the author is able to provide gorgeous characterizations that give the reader a firm grasp on the minor character before he or she walks offstage. When the right balance is present, the minor character can be one of the most vital elements in a novel.

The Three Little Pigs of Victorian London

I was talking with my friend tonight about the various writing I've done over the years and how I have genre-jumped a bit. While I was reviewing some old files, I came across this little gem, which was the product of a novel-writing class I took a few years ago. The idea was for the entire class to present their version of the same story (in this case, The Three Little Pigs), but each person would write it in a different genre. I was assigned historical fiction, and this was the result:



“The Three Little Pigs of Victorian London” – a work of Historical Fiction
Oscar Wolf’s eyes narrowed and his mouth twisted into a pained grimace as he walked through London’s blackened, suffocating streets. The horror of the squalor surrounding him tugged at his very core, aggressive in its absolute need to be recognized. It overwhelmed the senses and unrepentantly squelched even the hardiest shred of hope that might attempt to take root in the cracked and filth pavement. Such a landscape cried out against those in power in tones both strident and unrelenting, and Wolf responded by once more pledging himself to his work. Only anarchy could free the downtrodden of England from the oppression and cruelly inequitable treatment they had endured for so long. He had sworn to become an agent of destruction and to demonstrate with ruthless tenacity how ineffectual and powerless government truly was in the face of the deterioration of the currently established social system.
The worn leather of his boots creaked as he continued down the stinking, soot-stained streets until he stood before a ramshackle house that appeared to have been constructed from nothing but straw. This, he knew, was the home of John Pig, an unskilled laborer who worked in a textile mill along with his wife and five children. If Wolf and his associates were to gain a foothold within the ranks of the factory workers, the support of men such as Mr. Pig was essential. With a resolute step, Wolf stepped up to the tightly-woven straw door, but he could not identify a surface sturdy enough upon which to knock. This slight obstacle did not deter him, however, and he called out to announce his presence. 
                “John Pig! I must speak with you!”
                A rustle and a thump preceded Pig’s reply. “Aye? Who be ye?” asked a grating voice.
                “My name is Oscar Wolf,” he responded. “I wish to speak with you concerning the mill.”
                “Oh?” came the voice again, now heavy with suspicion. “And what is the mill to ye, then?”
                “Your employer is notorious for demanding twelve-hour days from his workers, even the children. We wish to push him to increase wages, as well as reduce the hours...”
                “Oh, shove off,” Pig interrupted. “You be nothin’ but trouble. I won’t be caught talkin’ to the likes of you!”
                “Mr. Pig, you must listen!” Wolf pressed on. “The revolution is at hand! Now is the time for the workers to throw off the shackles of middle class oppression and expose the government’s hypocrisy! I must warn you – if you are not with us, you are against us!”
The door swung open abruptly, revealing a large, weather-beaten man, his muscled forearms folded uncompromisingly across his chest. “I told you to shove off! We’ll have none of your huffing and puffing here! You got no right coming here and makin’ trouble for my family. We be decent folk, and not afraid of hard work. Now, off with ya. I’ve been savin’ up to take the little ones to the penny theater, and I ain’t gonna let the likes of you get in the way!” Pig pushed Wolf roughly aside as he shouldered his way to the street, and a pale and painfully thin woman followed behind dragging a string of young children along in her wake.  
Wolf’s face heated and his blood pounded in his ears as he considered Pig’s obstinate refusal to listen.  His next course of action was clear. As in the case of any obstacle that prevented him from achieving his goal, his only recourse was to remove that obstacle outright. He cast an expert eye over his surroundings, needing to ensure adequate time to execute his plan. Once he was satisfied that any interference would not be forthcoming, Wolf moved quickly, his well-trained hands completing their tasks with only the smallest portion of his concentration. 
When the explosion tore through the straw house, sending ash and flaming tendrils of heated malice in all directions, Wolf was already some distance away. He moved through the passages of the city with confidence, easily avoiding detection by the constabulary, should they deign to respond to an incident involving only a working-class hovel. At length, his steps gradually slowed until stopping in front of a house made of sticks. Once he had caught his breath, Wolf realized that he had fortuitously located the home of George T. Hogge, the middle-class owner of the textile mill at which the Pig family labored. 
Wolf was filled with the determination to take Hogge to task for the condition of his factory and the poor wages and long hours to which his workers were subjected. Not surprisingly, his demands to be given admittance were refused. Hogge deigned at last to lean out of one stick-framed window in a final attempt to rid himself of this nuisance. His brow was smooth and untroubled as he explained that he considered himself a proponent of the principles of Utilitarianism, which supported his belief that the benefits to his workers must outweigh the hardships. When Wolf disagreed and made to debate the matter further, Hogge gave a negligent shrug before asserting that if this were not the case, his workers would have already revolted against the conditions at the mill. As they had not done so, Hogge felt justified in his belief that any change would be unnecessary. 
“Take your huffing and puffing elsewhere, Sir,” he said over his shoulder as he withdrew his head from the window and disappeared from view.
Wolf’s further arguments were met with silence until at last the housekeeper advised him as she made her way to the shops that Hogge has left out the back door of the house with Missus and young Master Hogge in order to attend a dinner party. It was the work of a moment to prepare his fiery rebuttal to Mr. Hogge, and Wolf quickly fled the environs as the house of sticks exploded, giving voice to his wrath and ire.
When Wolf stopped in his headlong flight to catch his breath, now satisfied that the authorities had been successfully eluded, he found himself standing before a grand house of bricks belonging to Sir Arthur Pemberton-Piglet, Earl of Bacon and member of the House of Lords. Giving himself over entirely to the increasing frustrations of the day, Wolf began pounding upon the ornate door, coherently if somewhat frantically denouncing the government in general and Pemberton-Piglet in particular for failing to institute even the most basic reforms and for ignoring the plight of the country’s poor. He received no response from Pemberton-Piglet, who was rather preoccupied with preparations for the ball being given that evening to celebrate his daughter Penelope Pemberton-Piglet’s presentation to society. 
While perfectly prepared to grapple with malicious and rough treatment, Wolf’s entire frame trembled and his breath came in shallow, uneven gasps at this blatant disregard. His voice cracked with the fervor of his dedication as he called out a final warning to Pemberton-Piglet. If he continued to ignore Wolf’s call for justice, judgment would be rendered instantly – Wolf would not hesitate to incinerate the house and its inhabitants without a qualm.
From within his mortared walls, Pemberton-Piglet snorted in derision at this hollow threat before summoning the police, who easily apprehended the distracted and increasingly unstable Wolf. Vast quantities of incendiary devices were removed from his person before his writhing body was confined in chains and relocated to the nearest prison, where he was able to indulge in unrelenting self-flagellation and frustrated huffing and puffing to his heart’s content for many years thereafter.  
Penelope Pemberton-Piglet’s ball, on the other hand, was an unqualified success.