Sara Celi's Blog: A Writing State of Mind, page 6

THE RESISTANCE Sneak Peek

I’ve been working pretty hard on the sequel to The Undesirable, called The Resistance.

It’s the main thing taking up my writing life these days. So far it’s just over 65,000 words. Some readers have asked what this book is all about. I’ve mostly told them it’s an intense one. It has been exhausting for me to get it all out, but that’s often how the creative process is for me. I put a lot of energy into this stuff.

But I thought I’d share a little bit of the story. A sneak peek if you will.

Why not?

Are you ready? Here it is!

—

We’re just about to head for the Humvee when Fostino puts his hand on my arm. He pulls me through the house into the backyard. We’re alone–for the first time in a long time.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, even though I have a thousand guesses. Plenty is wrong. And we both know it. Been that way for a while.

 “I have a bad feeling,” he says. “A really bad feeling.” He backs me against the wall of the small house and then props his right arm against the wall, blocking me in further. “And I know you have one, too.”

 I stare at him for a few moments while I think of how to reply. “How can you tell?”

 “You’re not sleeping– not really.”

 “That’s every night.”

 He closes his eyes and sighs. “But this time, it’s worse. It’s different.”  Fostino reaches up and brushes a wayward strand of hair  from my face. The pieces must have escaped from the bun I pulled my hair into. “People see a lot of things in you, but they don’t see what I see.”

“And what’s that?”

“I see you. All of you.”

I hesitate against the wall as he draws nearer to me. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll be fine.” But even I don’t believe my own words. The truth is, I don’t know if we will be.

Fostino cups my jaw, just underneath my left ear. “I want you to know something, Charlotte.” He pauses. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

His eyes search my face. “No, I don’t think you hear me.” Another pause. “I love you.” Suddenly I notice that it sounds like he’s saying goodbye.

*Unedited and subject to change

Why I Love Colleen Hoover

I don’t know Colleen Hoover, but I love her.

Not real love, of course. Literary love.

She caught my eye in December of last year, right around the time she released Hopeless.  By then, of course, so many bloggers and readers already knew about her from her first two acclaimed works, Slammed and Point of Retreat. She’d already been heralded one of the best authors on the indie turned hybrid publishing scene, and you couldn’t go anywhere in the blog word without tripping on her works.

So I picked up her latest. And trust me, I loved Hopeless right away. It wasn’t that I fell in love with her characters or Dean Holder himself. I fell in love with the way she told the story.

Colleen does a few things very well, and she executed them almost perfectly in Hopeless. First, she maintained a distinctive voice throughout the work. The characterization of Skye came off so strongly, the words leaped off the page and the reader became emotionally invested in the story. Second, she took a risk with the story. What I thought would be a typical bad-boy-meets-love-interest story turns into so much more (to give that away here would be total crime). That book stayed with me long after I read it, and at the time I declared it the best book I had read all year.

Well, I was wrong. Losing Hope is that book.

When I heard that Colleen planned a reverse retelling of Hopeless,  I must admit that at first I was apprehensive about it. How could she top the first book? What if the whole thing fell flat? I didn’t love Holder the way that so many readers did–even though I loved the story. How would I feel about a book told in his voice? 

But then I read it.

If you followed my Twitter feed a few days after I grabbed the book off NetGalley, you would have noticed something. Not only did I drop everything I could to read Losing Hope, I read the book in some interesting places. Like on the spin bike at the gym.

All I had to really read was the first chapter to know that I would have a huge book hangover once the story ended. Colleen’s latest had a totally different voice than Hopeless, even though it told a similar story. She took risks once again. And I couldn’t get enough of it. Midway though, the unexpected happened. I put down my Kindle and realized that I’d fallen in love with Dean Holder.

Fangirl much?

Look, I’m not the kind of person who write spoilers in reviews, so forgive me for being a bit vague here. It’s just that good,  and everyone should read it, even if you haven’t read Hopeless. Dean Holder’s story stands well enough on his own.

And that’s why in the end, I really do love Colleen Hoover. She’s the rare type of novelist who can take a story I already know the ending to and give me a brand new experience. That’s the kind of writer everyone should aspire to be–a kind of talent that is only given to a few amazing wordsmiths.

COVER REVEAL: Othrinia’s Rain

Awesome author A.J Adwen has stopped by the blog to reveal the cover of her new book, Othrinia’s Rain.

It comes out in September.

Here’s a quick synopsis:

When the kingdom of Othrinia was split down the middle at the hands of feuding twin kings, leaving Othrinians scattered and the new land of Veodue secluded in desolation, these two lands, worlds apart, became the epitome of light and darkness.

Raenah Brookshire is not a typical Othrinian young woman. She yearns for adventure and chases danger with a passionate drive that is unmatched by the people of her village, Farreloch. It would seem as though her life is rich with possibilities, but she has no idea just how far they’ll take her.

A mystery of her birth is uncovered by sheer chance that leaves her reeling in shock and betrayal. The key to who she is lies in the hands of a dark Veoden stranger who begins to plague her dreams. He has the answers to her undying questions, but refuses to offer them without a price.

Caught between the life she knows and a passion more rich than the darkness before the dawn, Raenah must decide her own fate.

Sounds like a great story!

You can add the story to your “To-Read” list on Goodreads right here!

THE PALMS Teaser #3

We’re just one week away from the release of my new novella, THE PALMS!

At 23,000 words, this is a fun little story that I hope will the first in a group of a few set in Palm Beach, Florida. I’ve really enjoyed working on it, and I can’t wait for readers to have a look. Be sure and mark THE PALMS as “To-Read” on Goodreads by clicking on this link.

And… without further wait, here’s a final teaser!

—

               “Over here,” he said, stepping down a few steps to the large fountain in the center of the courtyard. She followed, and he led her to a table on the side of the room with a fascinating array of vegetables. He picked up something that looked fried. “You’ve got to try these.”

              She blinked at him. “Looks like carbs to me.”

            “Come on, Gumdrop. It won’t blow your diet to eat one.”

            She stepped back and folded her arms. ‘“Gumdrop? Did you just call me Gumdrop?”

            His jaw turned slack. “Oh, my God. Well, I…”

            “Gumdrop? I haven’t heard that name in forever,” she continued, and anger simmered underneath her words. “Not since…” She took a gulp of wine, and followed with another small step back. ‘“You can’t—”

            “What? I mean, that’s what I called you. Gumdrop.”

            Lauren recoiled once again at the nickname. How dare he call her that? After all this time? Unacceptable.

            “Jesus, Lauren, I didn’t think…”

            “No, you didn’t, did you?”

            “It’s just that—”

“Stop. Just stop.” Her voice rose and a nameless, faceless partygoer standing nearby glanced over. She disregarded it, not caring to stay polite. “You can’t just call me that out of nowhere.”

            Trent glanced at the others in the crowd before he replied. “It’s habit… because…”

            “Get away from me.”

The words came out fast. She knew in that instant she didn’t mean it, but she didn’t back away from the point she tried to make. He’d left her all those years ago, not the other way around.

“I hate you.”

A deep frown marred her Italian beauty, and she scowled at him, disgusted. Crawford women all shared the same wide eyes, long black hair, and olive skin, but it looked the best on Lauren. Nothing should ever take away that beauty — least of all him.

“I hope you don’t hate me,” he said softly as he ran a hand through his hair. “I really hope you don’t.”

The Palms Teaser #2

Here’s another sneak peek of my new novella, THE PALMS! The story comes out on June 25th!  You can mark the story as “To-Read” on Goodreads just by clicking right here!

—

Trent leaned a little closer to her, fully ignoring whoever he’d come with to HMF. As he did this, Lauren got a whiff of his aftershave. “I wish someone had told me you were coming back to the island.”

“Why?” Lauren raised a sculpted eyebrow and lowered her voice to a sexier octave. “So you could ban me? I think this island is big enough for the both of us.” Her flirtatious defense cracked just a bit. “And it’s been ten years.”

“More like ten minutes.”

“Maybe for you.”

“Maybe for you, too?” Trent looked down at his watch, a large, silver designer number that showed both the date and the time. He never went a day without it wrapped around his wrist because he liked the security that it brought him. “Listen, I’m thinking—”

“Here is your sushi, Miss.” Jason set down a to-go bag.

Trent held up his hand to stop her and Lauren thought she saw something like panic flash across his face. “Wait. You’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“But it’s early,” Trent said, a little flustered. He even gaped at her. “You shouldn’t leave yet.” He pointed at her drink. “Besides, it doesn’t look like you’ve drank enough of these. Surely you want another one.”

“Want and need are two different things, Trent.”

“Well, maybe you need another one, then.”

Lauren shook her head. “It’s been a long day,” she lied. “And I’m very tired.”

Another member of the wait staff placed the check in front of her; she picked up her drink and gulped down the last few drops of it. Trent watched her do this, but it didn’t cause Lauren to break. She wouldn’t let him delay her. Not tonight.

“How long are you here?” he tried.

Lauren opened the checkbook.

“A few days,” she said as she signed the check without stopping to examine the charges. “Maybe a week. Just a quick getaway.” She closed the black sleeve and grinned at him. “It was nice to see you.”

“Wait… ugh… nice… nice to see me?” Trent sputtered. “Nice to see me?”

THE PALMS Teaser #1

We’re just a few weeks away from the release date of my latest novella, THE PALMS! I’m pretty excited about it, I must admit. And I know a few of you are eagerly awaiting a quick glimpse at the story. So, without further delay, here it is:

———–

“You read my mind,” Lauren replied, and laughed. As Jason turned away to place her order she turned her head and got an even better look at the people who’d just sat down at the bar, making it go from half empty to full in about ten minutes.

That’s when her laughter died.

There he sat on the other side of the bar, right in her vantage point. Right there, across from Lauren, and next to a tan blonde woman with curly hair who had to be in her 30s. Who at that very moment had her hand nestled in his caramel colored hair.

Him.

She would have recognized him anywhere, even though she hadn’t seen him in ten years. The passage of time didn’t matter at all. Not when it came to him. Full green eyes. A roguish grin. Firm, chiseled jaw. A small spray of stubble fanned out from his lips. Ten years had changed him of course, but she still recognized the smirk and the way his eyes intoxicated and mocked her. Lauren tried to look away and ignore the way her heart constricted in her chest, but she couldn’t. Not this time.

Trent Matthews.

Older, but no less handsome. No less electrifying. And no less magnetic.

“Oh my God,” she said under her breath. “I just can’t believe it.”

Lauren gave a quick glance down at her drink. She hoped he hadn’t seen her, and that he didn’t realize she sat so close. The blood rushed to her face and the memories of ten years ago flooded her unwilling mind. She took another quick swig of the cocktail. Another. And then a third one. Still not enough.

“Damn,” she said as she looked at her drink. Cocktails were all the same, no matter who made them — all fanfare, flash, and no substance. Now she had no more alcohol, and nothing more to distract her. She looked up again, this time over her right shoulder, and shuddered.

Trent Matthews stared right back at her — every chiseled, sculpted section of him. His bright eyes ensnared her. His broad shoulders questioned her. His jaw popped as he kept up the stare. As the seconds passed, he ignored the blonde woman seated next to him. For a brief moment, Lauren wondered if that woman was supposed to be his date. She wondered if she still cared.

Of course she did.

“What the hell?” she muttered under her breath. “After all this time?”

———

Like what you read? Want some more? The 25th is just around the corner, so you won’t have to wait long! Be sure and add THE PALMS to your Goodreads “To-Read” list right here!

COVER REVEAL: Keeper of the Lost Souls

Check out the new cover for Kristy Centeno’s upcoming work,  Keeper of the Lost Souls!

Here’s the synopsis:

Bryn McCaskey is young , naïve, and can talk to ghosts. Like her mother and grandmother, Bryn is part of a breed of witches called The Keepers of  the Lost Souls, whose main purpose is to guard those spirits which are permanently or temporarily grounded in the world of the living.

Because Bryn is a witch, she’s fairly comfortable dealing with all sorts of threats, which she does with ease and confidence. Handling supernatural creatures is as easy to her as baking a pie. Dealing with people however, is something she is yet to learn how to handle.

Unfortunately, as her 18th birthday approaches, and the time for her to take on her first assignment finally arrives, Bryn is forced to confront her inability to communicate with others in an effort to save the one soul that can mean the difference between life and death for mankind.

Johnny S haw is a lost soul with a personal vendetta against witches. A vendetta he has carried on even after death. However, as much as he might hate them, in order to stop a century old threat, he must join forces with one. When fate brings them together, not only will they be forced to learn how to work as a team, but they will have to depend on each other to stop an evil witch carrying a six hundred year grudge.

Like what you read? Add the book to your Goodreads “To-Read” list right here!

Get Ready for “The Palms” with This Fun E-Book Giveaway!

As you many know, we’re just a few weeks from the release of my new novella, The Palms.

I’m pretty happy about that. Very happy, in fact.

That’s why, to celebrate, I’ve decided to offer a fun e-book giveaway. I want to load up your Kindle, Nook, or other e-reader with some of the hottest titles out there! What’s more, some awesome authors have agreed to help me do it! So who’s on the list?

One copy each of:

1. Faking It by Cora Carmack

2. Decension By B.C. Burgess

3. Don’t Hate the Player… Hate the Game by Katie Ashley

4. Falling For Her Fiance by Cindi Madsen

5. The Palms by S.Celi

6. The Undesirable by S. Celi

That’s a total of six books! How awesome is that? And just in time for summer reading!

To enter, just click here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway contest ends June 10th!

And… be sure to mark The Palms as “To-Read” on Goodreads, while you are at it! Here is the synopsis:

Three days on Palm Beach will change everything. We all have one–the one who got away. For 31-year-old Trent Matthews, that woman is Lauren Crawford. For 28-year-old Lauren Crawford, that man is Trent Matthews. Ten years after they last saw each other on Palm Beach, an unexpected night at The Breakers sends Lauren and Trent roaring back into each others lives. She’s still sassy, sexy, and sophisticated. He’s still rich, handsome, and an expert with women. The years have passed, but old feelings haven’t died. Not even close. Now, these two have a second chance at love.The problem is–Trent left Lauren without any explanation in 2002. She’s still mad and confused. Back then, Trent had his reasons–about a dozen–for his abrupt exit from her life. But even a decade later, he doesn’t want to admit all of them–or make them public. And that hesitation may cost him Lauren. Forever. Will Trent admit the mistakes of his youth? Will Lauren grant Trent her forgiveness? Or will they lose love again underneath THE PALMS?

*This story is novella length, at 23,000 words

Happy Reading!

The Great Gatsby: My Review

  There’s been a lot of build up  for The Great Gatsby. A lot.

And I admit, I was one of those swept up in all the excitement, the product placement, the magazine covers, fashion collections, and design of this film.

So much so, that I found myself at the movie theater this morning at 10 AM buying a ticket to the movie. As much as I love Hollywood and movies in general, I rarely go out of my way to see a film. But I did for this one.

I’ll admit, the first fifteen minutes of the movie had me convinced I would leave disappointed, hating Baz Luhrman’s interpretation of 1920s New York. For whatever reason, Tobey McGuire’s portrayal of Nick Carraway fell flat in the first quarter of the movie, and that got the film off to a rough beginning.

Then I remembered how much the book is like that, too. The story doesn’t really get started until a few chapters into the narrative. I also reminded myself that the film is a Baz Luherman one, and that means everything is going to be a caricature-the costumes, sets, acting, pacing, and music. He tells a story from a very specific point of view, and it’s unfair to judge his work without that in mind. He’s sometimes a bit over the top with his themes and preferences.

He didn’t stray from that standard with this film.

After a few minutes more in the theater, I leaned back and just enjoyed what was on screen before me. The film is gorgeous, beautifully shot, and masterfully edited. Leonardo DiCaprio shines as Jay Gatsby, adding a depth and  hopefulness Robert Redford lacked in the same role. He’s having fun, and once he makes his entrance, the audience does, too. I think my favorite scene in the film was his fated reunion with Daisy at Nick’s cottage. The tension, humor, sadness, and significance of that moment just clicked.

Carey Mulligan is a fragile, tender Daisy Buchannan, and she too, sets a tone for film. For the most part, I liked her. However, when the inevitable fall out of her recklessness occurred at the end, I didn’t see the depth I expected from the complex, beautiful fool with a dark, dark side  I envision to be Daisy.  Most underused were Isla Fisher and Elizabeth Debicki. These ladies both stole their few scenes as Myrtle and Jordan, respectively. I would have loved to see more of them in the film.

It’s a long film, at over two hours and twenty minutes, but in the end it’s worth it. It’s a cool, slick movie that capture the furtive, youthful nature so many of us have come to associate with the Roaring Twenties because of Fitzgerald’s masterpiece. It also adds a little something extra–which I can’t place–to this story. Everything feels fast-paced and furtive, as if every second without some fatal error is a miracle for these characters. Maybe that’s, in the end, why I loved it. It took me there.

It gave me a few moments in an Art Deco dream. I got a chance to reflect on an imaginary world where even the 1920s are better the second time around. And that is exactly what I wanted out the movie.

Teaser Tuesday: All About THE PALMS

Most of you know I love to write.

Love it.

And lately, I’ve had a couple of projects in the works–a few things taking up my time. One, is the sequel to The Undesirable, which is called The Resistance. I promise, that project is coming along and is slated for a release at the end of the year.  If you’ve become a fan, don’t worry. Charlotte and Fostino aren’t going anywhere.

Another project I have on the burner is the Swept Away novella series.

What’s that, you say? You’ve never heard about it?

Well, friend, today is your lucky day. The Swept Away novella series is a group of novellas (all between 20,000 and 40,000 words each) set on Palm Beach. And not just any Palm Beach–the original island that served as a playground for Henry Morrison Flagler and his friends all those years ago.

I’ve had this idea for about a year, ever since my husband and I sat down for drinks at the hotel bar inside The Breakers Hotel. A lot of interesting people wind up there, and as I sat there that first night, it occurred to me there were probably a thousand stories right there in the bar. Since then, The Breakers staff has upped the ante on the bar itself, bringing glamor back and mixing cocktails Don Draper would appreciate. The bar is now called HMF–in honor of Flagler himself.

When I saw that happen in December of last year, I knew I would set a romance series right there.

This winter, I wrote the first one, titled The Palms. I hope you’ll see it as a sweet story about two people who run into each other one night at HMF after ten years apart and get a second chance at love. The story involves the characters of Trent and Lauren, but this really is Trent’s story. He needed this moment, and one night in December, he gets it. He screwed up with Lauren back when they were kids, and he’s regretted it ever since. Will she understand when he tells her why?

So far, this series has two novellas, but I have a vision for the series to round out with 4-5. The next one has a working title (which could change) of The Sands. See what I am doing here?

Characters and places the reader encounters in the first story will show up in later ones.

The Palms comes out on June 25th, and it will be available on Amazon, B & N and Smashwords (not just Amazon). It’ll cost 99 cents. I hope you’ll check it out!

And stay tuned to this blog for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be posting chapters, teasers, and more!