Piper Shelly's Blog, page 264

Hunter & friends on Facebook

Did you know…?

You can meet and greet your favorite characters from the Grover Beach Team novels now on Facebook.

 

A group of fans set up the profiles and started a role play to pay homage to the Grover Beach Team books. The characters are interacting with each other and also with everyone else who likes to befriend them. You can find the guys by their names and the addition Grover Beach Team. Join in the game, have fun, or just lean back and enjoy the show.

If you are over 18 and would like to become a character yourself, send me a personal message. New memebers are always welcome!!

 

xoxo

Anna

Tagged: characters, Facebook, Grover Beach Team

In three weeks!!

All right, it’s official. We have a release date for Neverland!

April 11, 2014

Rumor has it, there will be a book II. Well, I can confirm that rumor. ;) Today I started working on the sequel. Be prepared for a little bit of a cliffhanger at the end of book one…

Sorry, but this was the only possible moment to stop. If it wasn’t for this hook, there wouldn’t be a second book. And getting some more pages to read about Peter, Angel, Hook, Smee and their friends isn’t really the worst that could happen, right? :D

On another note: Some time before I started writing Neverland, I asked you to lend me your names for some of the characters. It was totally amazing how many of you answered to that post. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many characters in this book as I got beautiful names and the choice was incredibly hard.

Here’s who made it into the book…

Angelina McFarland

(Angel, the heroine)

Brittney Renae Goff

(The fairy bug, one of the twins)

Paulina

(The honey bunny, one of the twins)

Tameeka Taylor

(Tami, the pixie)

Remona Karim and Karima Olayshia Bre’Shun

(The fairy sisters)

Thank you for naming my characters!

And now…happy waiting for the release with me! :D

My Writing Process

Hiya!

My friend, G.L.Hunter, invited me to participate in the MWP blog tour. It’s all about what I do and how I write. Four simple questions, so yeah, I’m happy to take a break and answer them for you. :-)

But first let me tell you who G.L.Hunter is and why she tagged me. Well, for one, we’ve been friends for almost four years now, and second, she’s my one and only critique partner. Whatever I write, she gets to read it first. ;-) We don’t write in the same genre, hers is hot paranormal romance for adults, but whenever we’re swapping chapters, she has me sitting at the very edge of my chair and grinning like an idiot most of the time that I’m racing through her stories featuring the most boneheaded heroes of all times. Yep, she’s that kind of an awesome writer. Four books are finished in her Fallen Guardian series and her wonderful agent just started shopping them to big publishers. Fingers crossed!

Okay, wanna know now how I tick when I write? Here we go…

1. What am I working on?

I just finished NEVERLAND, a Peter Pan adaption with a darn lot of romance in it. Yeah, you know me; if there’s no romance in a book I’m not gonna write it. ;-) However, this story goes in a totally different direction than what you all think you knew about Neverland. There’s a reason why this particular boy doesn’t want to grow up. There’s an apple responsible for the sweetest romance in fairytale history. And there’s a ruthless pirate annoying the hell out of Angelina McFarland.

The book will be released in April. Don’t miss it! ;-)

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I always try to mix genres. Especially the YA with the NA and maybe sprinkle it with a little grown-up stuff. Heroes and heroines in their late teenage years are my favorite to write, but most often the romance in strictly YA books comes way too short. Well, not if you put your hands on a Katmore. ;-) If they kiss, they should kiss thoroughly, don’t you think? I don’t like hiding intimacy behind closed doors. So the number of kisses in my books is always limited, but each of them is a “special event”. It’s what gives my books this extra bit of sizzling between hero and heroine. And then I have a soft spot for bad boys. You’ll find them in many of my stories and I promise they’re drool-worthy… ;)

3. Why do I write what I write?

Because I’m a sucker for romance; in books, in movies and in real life. There can’t be enough of it for me. But since it’s hard to keep up romance in your everyday life, and since not every book or movie ends the way I wish it would, I started writing my own stories. Inventing the perfect bad guy who goes after a sweet girl is my idea of the ultimate romance. And there are ten thousand versions of that scenario in my mind. I’m just too slow to write them all down. LOL

4. How does my writing process work?

The idea of one particular moment between two people pops up in my mind. Sometimes it’s a romantic moment, sometimes it’s just banter between them. I can’t say why or when. It happens in the most unspectacular situations. I pause at whatever I do for a second and try to envision how these two people ended up where they are right now. Once I have their faces in my mind, I sit down and write a first chapter without much thinking. Really, at this point I don’t even know in which direction the books will go. The only thing I know is that at some point, in the middle of the book, they have to land in the situation I dreamed up a few days ago.

After the first chapter I’ve usually gotten a feeling for my characters. I see them, shape them, hear their voices. Next I need music. Loud music. And the right song. Each of my scenes goes with a special song that I listen to over and over while I plot or write it. Thus why you get my playlists at the end of all my books. If you listen to them while you read, I think it’ll pull you even more into the scenes, just like it did with me.

I don’t revise much. I hate reading my stuff again and again. So when a chapter is done, I send it to my critique partner and wait what she says. In the end, I do go back to the beginning one last time and see if I still like the book on a second read. If I do, it goes to my proofreader and after that it goes out into the world. I’m impatient. Why wait any longer than necessary to share a nice story with my readers? ;-)

You see…I tick simply. :)

Now, how does this blog continue? I’m going to tag a few authors and on March 31st you can read all about their writing process on their sites. Sound good? Okay, here’s who I tag:

Natasza Waters: When I met her at a Romance Novel Convention in Las Vegas last summer, my first thought was: Wow, this is Superwoman. She’s a Canadian gemstone and the author of the sizzling hot navy SEAL series A Warrior’s Challenge. Ever since her books came out she has models banging on her door who want to get on her covers. And hey, this woman even knows mores code. ;-)

Jaimey Grant: Jaimey is…like me. We’re super shy people but once we get comfortable with someone we can turn into total fools. She writes amazing Regency romance with a dark touch. After reading something by her for the first time, I had to tell her: Girl, you have a very disturbing mind. But in the best way possible. LOL. Jaimey is also a skilled graphic artist and she designed the cover for my next release NEVERLAND. She’s one lovely woman that I’m happy I have met!

Aneta Cruz: I met Aneta a couple of years ago. No, unfortunately, I didn’t meet her in person, like most of my author friends, but she’s someone who keeps me smiling whenever I get a message from her or when I read her updates on Facebook. Aneta has European roots but she lives in the US now. She writes mystery.

And finally I tag Poppy J. Anderson, because I’d like to transist this blog also to my  fellow writers in Europe. Poppy is a German bestselling author with a US background, but other than her love for football, she doesn’t see herself and very American. ;) In her romance series New Yourk Titans an entire football team finds true love, one at a time.

All right. Let’s see how these girls tick when they write. ;-)

Have a great week, everyone!

xoxo

Anna

Tagged: books, writing

NEVERLAND – Story and Cover!

ARE YOU READY????

The big day of the cover reveal for Neverland has come. I put an awefully lot of thought into the design and I had a wonderful graphic artist who nailed it down to the very bubbles under water. In this place I want to shout out a HUGE thank you to my friend, co author and fabulous cover designer, Jaimey Grant!! Big hugs! You rock, girl!

And here it is! Tadaa!

Now you’re wondering what’s behind this magical cover, aren’t you? All right, here’s what you’ll get in only a few more weeks:

Why is there a boy who doesn’t want to grow up?

How can an apple start the sweetest romance in fairytale history?

And what does a ruthless pirate have to do with it all?

Angelina McFarland loves reading fairytales. But she never dreamed of falling right into one herself. That’s exactly what happens when she slips on her balcony and a flying Peter Pan catches her mid-fall.

Ending up in Neverland where no one seems to age and laws of nature are out of control, Angel has no idea how to get home. Worse, the ruthless Captain Hook captures her and keeps her trapped on his ship, the Jolly Roger, where she gets caught between the lines of a timeless battle. But the more time Angel spends with the captain, the more she sees beneath his ruthless façade.

As Angel desperately tries to find a way to return to her real life, she discovers a train ticket to London in her pocket. It won’t be any help in getting off the island, but as her memory fades away the longer she stays, this is all she has left to remind her of her former life and why she can’t give up trying.

Or is staying in Neverland forever the better choice after all?

Grab a happy thought and follow Angel on an adventure that will keep you breathless and smiling long after you read the last page…

That isn’t enough for you? How about an excerpt from the middle of the book then? ;-)

…

Apparently, the only ship that still sails the ocean is the Jolly Roger. I need a plan to move the ship in the right direction.

Or…have it moved.

An anticipating smile slips to my lips as I turn around and stare at the Do not enter note. It’s been fastened to the door with a dagger. Heck, all the time it was there in front of my nose and I didn’t see it? Seems like I don’t need a pistol after all.

I pull the dagger out just in time when the sound of the other office door opening drifts to me. The heels of Hook’s boots clack on the wood behind the door. So he’s back and apparently he’s alone. This is my best bet to convince him of my intentions. I don’t take another minute to think, just a moment to hide the silver dagger in the pocket of my dress. It’s too long and the tip of the blade stands out, so I cover it by sliding my hand into the pocket, too. Using the other, I knock.

“Last time I saw you disappear into that room, you locked the door,” comes his muffled answering growl.

Right. I turn the key and take this as an invitation to enter.

Hook stands by the middle window behind his desk, his back turned to me. When I close the door, he looks over his shoulder. “What can I do for you?” There’s an obvious note of irritation in his voice.

I almost back out of my plan, but with the image of my baby sister hugging her teddy bear in my mind, I take a deep breath, square my shoulders and say, “For one, you could let me off this ship, Captain.”

Hook lets his attention glide outside again and chuckles. “Off this ship…” Then he slowly turns, skirts his desk and half sits on the edge, his ankles crossed and his arms folded over his chest. Tilting his head and smiling just enough to make me wonder if he locked his nasty pirate manners away for a moment, he studies me over the five feet distance between us. “Tell me, Miss London, where would you go if I let you free?”

I shrug, lifting my chin. “Back to the seaport. Finding someone who can tell me how to leave Neverland.”

“You already know that this ship is your only chance to leave. None of the people in town can help you. Most of them don’t even realize that there’s a place outside Neverland.”

“But you do.”

He grips the edge of the desk with both hands. “I have seen others come here. But I’ve never seen one leave again.”

I tighten my hold of the dagger’s handle in my pocket for more courage. “Still, you think it’s possible?”

A soft laugh rocks his chest. It’s the same warm sound I heard from him yesterday before he lured me onto his ship. “Tell you what,” he says. “You show me where my treasure is, and I’ll tell you what I think.”

My sealed lips yesterday on the edge of the plank obviously couldn’t convince him. “Why do you think I even know?”

“Oh, just a feeling,” he taunts me.

“A feeling?” I’m testing the word on my tongue. “Know what? I have a feeling, too.”

“Wanna tell me about it?” Hook still looks like we’re only making nice conversation here, while underneath my skin all my muscles are hard like taut wire. Admittedly, the friendly captain is much less disturbing than his real personality. But I won’t be deceived this time.

“Sure.” I mimic his teasing smile. “I have this feeling that you’re going to steer the ship away from the shore like about right now and see if you can find London for me.”

He lifts both his brows in a challenging way. “And just what makes you so sure about that?”

“My little friend here!” I snap and swiftly move forward. Pulling the dagger from my pocket, I press the point to the base of his throat. There! Stunned speechless, he stares at me wide-eyed and with his chin lifted.

“Convinced?” I ask smugly.

Too quickly, amusement replaces his surprised expression and he starts to chuckle. “Not quite.” Wrapping his hand around mine on the dagger, he moves it away from his throat. Simple as that.

My mouth falls open.

He straightens from the desk and steps closer. I don’t have a chance to back away, because he’s still holding my hand in his. My fingers would certainly shake if he didn’t press them together so firmly. “Let me explain one thing to you, Angel,” he says in a darker voice than before and dips his head so we’re gazing at each other’s eyes from only two inches away. “Never point a knife at a pirate, if you’re not one hundred percent sure you’ll use it.” He brushes a strand of my hair out of my eyes and hooks it behind my ear, resting his hand in the crook of my neck and shoulder. “If you only had a little bit of the ruthlessness in you that you’re trying to feign here, you would’ve already used the information about the treasure’s lair to buy yourself free.”

His breath tastes of the rum he must have been drinking last night, but his eyes are sober. Heck, did he just offer me a deal?

 

Stay tuned for more! :)

 

Neverland – the new book

Hi all!

Why is there a boy who doesn’t want to grow up?

How can an apple start the sweetest romance in fairytale history?

And what does a ruthless pirate have to do with it all?

Some of you know that I’ve been working on a Peter Pan adaption for the past few weeks. Well, I’m nearing The End and last week we finished works on a great book cover.

Here’s a first sneak peek. The full cover and book blurb will be revealed on Friday. Make sure you don’t miss it.

And for a little fun, read a short excerpt of the book.

THIS IS A pirate ship, goddammit! Does this girl have no instinct of self preservation—or respect for the captain, for that matter?

I take a couple of deep breaths to control my temper instead of taking Angel over the knee, which no man in this world could blame me for if I did.

“You said I’m still your prisoner,” Angel croaks. At least now she seems to realize she took one step too far this time.

“I did.”

“And you refused to set sail and help me get home.”

I mirror her closed-off composure, but with my arched eyebrows I dare her. “Did I?”

My counter question silences her. She shifts her sweet lips to one side and narrows her eyes at me. “I merely refused to let you skewer me with my own dagger,” I add…and smile.

Not losing one bit of her skepticism, she yet lets a breeze of curiosity swap over her face. “So you actually considered searching for London?”

Considered is the right word. “Aye.” And I’m even more inclined now that I know she holds information that I could coax out of her with the right tactic. Threatening her with death didn’t work. Blackmailing her with the prospect of eternal prison on this ship only encouraged her to incite my crew to mutiny. Bargaining is something I loath to do, but it’s my last resort with Angel. This girl’s will is like a freaking fort.

xoxo

Anna

Susan turns 18

Today is one of my favorite fictional character’s birthday. It’s strange how you never met someone in reality and you know that you never will, but still you feel strangely connected and also proud of that person.

Happy birthday, Susan Miller! May this be your best year ever…

The Grover Beach guys are throwing a fabulous party for her on Facebook and it’s so nice to see how even readers come to her site and post their wishes with cakes, balloons and candles.

Facebook party here!

As the author, this makes me smile and almost tear up. Sorry, but when one of your babies turns eighteen, I guess you’re allowed to go a bit sentimental, no?

Happy celebrating!

Anna

Susan Miller’s Birthday!

Hey all!

Did you ever secretly think “Boy, I would love to be invited to one of Ryan Hunter’s infamous parties“?

Well, now is the day! It’s Susan Miller’s birthday next weekend (March 15) and you all can celebrate with the gang on Facebook.

Birthday party on Facebook!

Meet your favorite characters from the Grover Beach Team novels, say hi and happy birthday to Susan, hang out with the guys, bring some good music and have fun. We have the food!

BTW, Susan isn’t the only one who’ll get presents that day. Watch out for the giveaways!

The guys and I would love to see you there!

xoxo

Anna, Susan, Ryan, Liza, Simone, Sam & Tony

Hunter & friends on Facebook

Did you know…?

You can meet and greet your favorite characters from the Grover Beach Team novels now on Facebook.

A group of fans set up the profiles and started a role play to pay homage to the Grover Beach Team books. The characters are interacting with each other and also with everyone else who likes to befriend them. You can find the guys by their names and the addition Grover Beach Team. Join in the game, have fun, or just lean back and enjoy the show.

A big shout out!! to the wonderful players on Facebook!

If you are over 18 and would like to become a character yourself, send me a personal message. New memebers are always welcome.

 

xoxo

Anna

Tagged: characters, Facebook, Grover Beach Team

Let the show begin!

Ladies and Gentlemen! Please clear the stage for…

The fabulous GROVER BEACH TEAM.

You can meet and greet your favorite characters, Liza, Hunter, Sam, Tony and Susan now on Facebook in a special game.

Just in time before the weekend we set up the profiles, and the characters are interacting with each other but also with everyone else who likes to befriend them. You can find the guys by their names and the addition Grover Beach Team. Join in the game, have fun, or just lean back and enjoy the show.

If you are over 18 and would like to become a character yourself, send me a message. New memebers are always welcome.

xoxo

Anna

Become a member of the GROVER BEACH TEAM

Live the story!

Become a character of the GROVER BEACH TEAM on Facebook!

A group of people is going to start a role play on Facebook soon. The theme: PLAY WITH ME.

In this game you basically do nothing but give readers a show. You log in with a fictive facebook account (one of the characters from the Grover Beach Team books) and talk to your friends (other characters from the books) like it was your real life. You invent situations, dialogues, there’ll be some flirting going on, and I’m sure lots of readers will join you for the fun.

If you are interested in playing a character of PLAY WITH ME, please send me a personal message on Facebook, let me know where you’re from, how old you are (over 18 only), and which character you’d like to play. Liza, Hunter and Susan have already been picked, so you better be quick.

Characters still available are:

Tony Mitchell, Sam Summers, Nick Frederickson, Simone Simpkins, Alex Winter, Allie Silverman, Sasha Torres, Justin Andrews, Chloe Summers, Brinna, and 2 more in a couple of months.

 

See you on FB.

xoxo

Anna