C.D. Brennan's Blog, page 8
March 18, 2014
Lyrical Authors Second Honeymoon
Lyrical Authors Second HoneymoonGoing on NOW! March 18th from 6-9pm CDT (7-10pm EDT)
As authors, when your books are off the market, it's almost like your significant other has been missing from your life for way too long. But we're excited to be in the "honeymoon" phase again. Help us celebrate!
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
Lots of games, fun and laughs. Grand prize - $50 Amazon Gift Card. You know how many books you can buy with fifty bones? Yeah, LOADS! Come on over! Or enter in the draw below. xoxo
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As authors, when your books are off the market, it's almost like your significant other has been missing from your life for way too long. But we're excited to be in the "honeymoon" phase again. Help us celebrate!
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE
Lots of games, fun and laughs. Grand prize - $50 Amazon Gift Card. You know how many books you can buy with fifty bones? Yeah, LOADS! Come on over! Or enter in the draw below. xoxo
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 16, 2014
Writing Process Blog Hop
March 17th, 2014
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!Having lived in Ireland for over seven years, I still pay homage to this holiday with as much zeal and vinegar as I can muster. Gone are the days of numerous pints and out drinking, singing and dancing til all hours. Now, I have two wee boys but we still go to hear some live Irish music and I have my pint of Guinness, rarely on draft but today. And the only way to have a Guinness!
Writing Process Blog HopThanks to the lovely Mae Claire, I am here to give my own two cents on how my writing goes, where my inspiration comes from, what pre-planning I do, and of course, where I think of my ideas!
So let's get started...
1. What am I working on?Right now, I am working on two books. The third book in the Love Where You Roam series, called Dusting of Light. Set in Alaska it stars the lovely Sophie who we are introduced to in the previous book, A World Apart, to be released in a couple of weeks! Yippee! I'm only about 10k words into Dusting, most of my effort is on Paraic: Rugby, Love & Other Stuff that I'm pushing to get down within the month. I need to get it out to my editor or to a new publisher asap so it's ready for release around the Rugby World Cup in London in July 2015. Great time to promo it with everyone on the rugby buzz. Okay, not as many Americans, but overseas it's huge!
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
That's easily answered for Paraic, as it is written in all male POV, not one tear is shed the entire book LOL. Since I am also an editor, I was tired of the same flat heroine that had the same personality and traits as every other that I read of so frequently, so decided to write my next series only from the POV of the hero. Sure, what woman wouldn't want to know what a man is thinking? :-) There is a heavy sports theme in this book too (or couldn't ya guess? ha ha) so I think it could appeal to men as well, a bigger audience other than just the romance genre readership.But ultimately? It is a love story. :-)
As for Love Where You Roam, the series is based on character connection. A secondary character will be the heroine in the next book. So for example, my lovely Irish Maggie is the heroine in Watershed where we also meet Aussie, Lizzy, who is in the next book, A World Apart. In this romance set in Scotland, we also meet Sophie, a mate of Lizzy's who is in the next book, Dusting of Light. There is an American helicopter pilot (I'm calling her Chessie right now, but ugh that so won't do) who will travel to Ireland in the final book. See the full circle? And in that final book, we get a glimpse of Irish Maggie, so the books could be read stand alone or picked up at any point to read the series. Ta da!
3. Why do I write what I do?
Mostly, my inspiration comes from my own experiences. I feel I can give the reader a much better sense of the places I have been, the things that I have done (okay, I was never a helicopter pilot but always wanted to be one) by having experienced it myself. And oh boy, was I mess when it came to romance when I was younger. So writing contemporary romance is a perfect fit from me. I am able to give wonderful descriptions of the countries or cities my characters are set, but at the same time create some fun and drama - many of the laughable moments actually happened! Honestly, I was such a knob when it came to men when I was younger - it took me years to figure it out. Now, I write about it!
4. How does my writing process work?
I seriously have to give myself goals and force myself to keep my arse on my seat. I am a bit ADHD, so writing and editing can be a challenging occupation. LOL. But I so enjoy it! So I try very hard and commit.
It's easier for me to see a word count passing. So, I will give myself, let's say two weeks to dig in and divide the number of days by the number of words in my goal. Does that make sense? Then I try and stick to it or everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, will come first before my writing, including my job as editor, kids, housework, cooking, groceries, walking dog, taking a shower, getting dressed, checking the weather....LOL brushing teeth, a must.
Just briefly, I can say that I do use a tentative outline so give me some sense of direction in the book. But the best thing ever to use? A Character Wheel, or Chart, they are sometimes called. I hate, absolutely despise, flat characters, so the more you know about your superstars, the more they come across as real, genuine, lovable people that the readers will root for from page one.
A HUGE THANKS for stopping by. This blog hop is all thanks the Miss Mae Claire, a lovely and talented writer who I admire greatly.
Mae Clair opened a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked back. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars.Mae loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.
Discover more about Mae on her website and blog at http://maeclair.net
NEXT WEEKI am passing the torch onto three other lovely and talented writers. Do take a minute next week to check them out! Trust me, they will have plenty amusing things to say. :-)
1. M.Q. Barber
M.Q. Barber likes to get lost in thought. She writes things down so she can find herself again.Often found staring off into space or frantically scratching words on sticky notes, M.Q. lives with one very tolerant, easily amused husband and one very tolerant, easily amused puppy.She has a soft spot for romances that explore the inner workings of the heart and mind alongside all that steamy physical exertion. She loves memorable characters, witty banter, and heartfelt emotion in any genre.The former Midwestern gal is the author of the Neighborly Affection contemporary romance series. Pick a safeword, grab a partner or two, and jump in.Keep up with the series via M.Q. Barber’s website (http://www.mqbarber.com), Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/mqbarber), Goodreads profile (http://www.goodreads.com/mqbarber) or Twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/mqbarber).
2. Sara Walter Ellwood (also published as) Cera duBoisAlthough Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. She also has paranormal romantic suspense published under the pen name Cera duBois.Website: http://www.sarawalterellwood.comBlog: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwood Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869635.Sara_Walter_Ellwood
3. Amy Lee BurgessAmy Lee Burgess lives and writes in Houston, Texas but her heart belongs to New England – especially in the autumn. Ruled by two dachshunds and addicted to Irish breakfast tea and the Walking Dead, she loves to write about vampires, wolf shifters, gargoyles and other assorted paranormal creatures. Amy loves to travel to places like London England, Edinburgh, Scotland, Paris France and Providence, Rhode Island where she stalks the coziest Irish pubs she can find. She writes to trance and house music by candlelight and welcomes email from her readers – especially if they want to talk about the supernatural.http://amyleeburgess.blogspot.com/
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!Having lived in Ireland for over seven years, I still pay homage to this holiday with as much zeal and vinegar as I can muster. Gone are the days of numerous pints and out drinking, singing and dancing til all hours. Now, I have two wee boys but we still go to hear some live Irish music and I have my pint of Guinness, rarely on draft but today. And the only way to have a Guinness!
Writing Process Blog HopThanks to the lovely Mae Claire, I am here to give my own two cents on how my writing goes, where my inspiration comes from, what pre-planning I do, and of course, where I think of my ideas!
So let's get started...
1. What am I working on?Right now, I am working on two books. The third book in the Love Where You Roam series, called Dusting of Light. Set in Alaska it stars the lovely Sophie who we are introduced to in the previous book, A World Apart, to be released in a couple of weeks! Yippee! I'm only about 10k words into Dusting, most of my effort is on Paraic: Rugby, Love & Other Stuff that I'm pushing to get down within the month. I need to get it out to my editor or to a new publisher asap so it's ready for release around the Rugby World Cup in London in July 2015. Great time to promo it with everyone on the rugby buzz. Okay, not as many Americans, but overseas it's huge!
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
That's easily answered for Paraic, as it is written in all male POV, not one tear is shed the entire book LOL. Since I am also an editor, I was tired of the same flat heroine that had the same personality and traits as every other that I read of so frequently, so decided to write my next series only from the POV of the hero. Sure, what woman wouldn't want to know what a man is thinking? :-) There is a heavy sports theme in this book too (or couldn't ya guess? ha ha) so I think it could appeal to men as well, a bigger audience other than just the romance genre readership.But ultimately? It is a love story. :-)
As for Love Where You Roam, the series is based on character connection. A secondary character will be the heroine in the next book. So for example, my lovely Irish Maggie is the heroine in Watershed where we also meet Aussie, Lizzy, who is in the next book, A World Apart. In this romance set in Scotland, we also meet Sophie, a mate of Lizzy's who is in the next book, Dusting of Light. There is an American helicopter pilot (I'm calling her Chessie right now, but ugh that so won't do) who will travel to Ireland in the final book. See the full circle? And in that final book, we get a glimpse of Irish Maggie, so the books could be read stand alone or picked up at any point to read the series. Ta da!
3. Why do I write what I do?
Mostly, my inspiration comes from my own experiences. I feel I can give the reader a much better sense of the places I have been, the things that I have done (okay, I was never a helicopter pilot but always wanted to be one) by having experienced it myself. And oh boy, was I mess when it came to romance when I was younger. So writing contemporary romance is a perfect fit from me. I am able to give wonderful descriptions of the countries or cities my characters are set, but at the same time create some fun and drama - many of the laughable moments actually happened! Honestly, I was such a knob when it came to men when I was younger - it took me years to figure it out. Now, I write about it!
4. How does my writing process work?
I seriously have to give myself goals and force myself to keep my arse on my seat. I am a bit ADHD, so writing and editing can be a challenging occupation. LOL. But I so enjoy it! So I try very hard and commit.
It's easier for me to see a word count passing. So, I will give myself, let's say two weeks to dig in and divide the number of days by the number of words in my goal. Does that make sense? Then I try and stick to it or everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, will come first before my writing, including my job as editor, kids, housework, cooking, groceries, walking dog, taking a shower, getting dressed, checking the weather....LOL brushing teeth, a must.
Just briefly, I can say that I do use a tentative outline so give me some sense of direction in the book. But the best thing ever to use? A Character Wheel, or Chart, they are sometimes called. I hate, absolutely despise, flat characters, so the more you know about your superstars, the more they come across as real, genuine, lovable people that the readers will root for from page one.
A HUGE THANKS for stopping by. This blog hop is all thanks the Miss Mae Claire, a lovely and talented writer who I admire greatly.
Mae Clair opened a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked back. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars.Mae loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.
Discover more about Mae on her website and blog at http://maeclair.net
NEXT WEEKI am passing the torch onto three other lovely and talented writers. Do take a minute next week to check them out! Trust me, they will have plenty amusing things to say. :-)
1. M.Q. Barber
M.Q. Barber likes to get lost in thought. She writes things down so she can find herself again.Often found staring off into space or frantically scratching words on sticky notes, M.Q. lives with one very tolerant, easily amused husband and one very tolerant, easily amused puppy.She has a soft spot for romances that explore the inner workings of the heart and mind alongside all that steamy physical exertion. She loves memorable characters, witty banter, and heartfelt emotion in any genre.The former Midwestern gal is the author of the Neighborly Affection contemporary romance series. Pick a safeword, grab a partner or two, and jump in.Keep up with the series via M.Q. Barber’s website (http://www.mqbarber.com), Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/mqbarber), Goodreads profile (http://www.goodreads.com/mqbarber) or Twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/mqbarber).
2. Sara Walter Ellwood (also published as) Cera duBoisAlthough Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. She also has paranormal romantic suspense published under the pen name Cera duBois.Website: http://www.sarawalterellwood.comBlog: http://www.sarawalterellwood.com/blog/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarawalterellwood.ceradubois/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sara_w_ellwood Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869635.Sara_Walter_Ellwood
3. Amy Lee BurgessAmy Lee Burgess lives and writes in Houston, Texas but her heart belongs to New England – especially in the autumn. Ruled by two dachshunds and addicted to Irish breakfast tea and the Walking Dead, she loves to write about vampires, wolf shifters, gargoyles and other assorted paranormal creatures. Amy loves to travel to places like London England, Edinburgh, Scotland, Paris France and Providence, Rhode Island where she stalks the coziest Irish pubs she can find. She writes to trance and house music by candlelight and welcomes email from her readers – especially if they want to talk about the supernatural.http://amyleeburgess.blogspot.com/
March 15, 2014
Sundae With Nuts - David Russell
March 16th, 2014
Welcome to another saucy episode of SUNDAE WITH NUTS where I have asked my fellow authors to join me for the day for a bit of fun and a laugh. We are romance writers after all!
Without further ado, I am most pleased to introduce the talented (and very brave!) David Russell!
Sundae with the Nut David Russell1. Favorite knickers: cotton, lace, silk or errr…leather? Silk camiknickers
2.Who is your fantasy male or female? Or both? Kareena Kapoor (Bollywood), Jennifer Lopes, Betty Grable, countless others
3.What language, when heard spoken, makes you frisky? (like Jamie Lee Curtis in A Fish called Wanda) Spanish
4. What vehicle, abode, beach, construction site or other locale did you lose your virginity. I lost mine in a prosaic bed; I wish it had happened on an exotic beach
5. Do you believe in love at first sight? I certainly want to, in spite of the bitter lessons of experience
6. If you could play a board game during sex, what would it be? I think strip chess would be a great idea. Loser takes off one garment for each piece taken, then everything when 'mate' is called
7. I *heart* Peter Cetera. What song immediately swoops you back to your “first days” of falling in love? Go Slow by Julie London
LISTEN HERE
8. Most romantic or sexiest destination out there. Anywhere with golden beaches, lush woodlands and rivers in the background - Greece, South Pacific, Central America, anywhere And last but now least.
10. Favorite ice cream flavor. Vanilla (my works have been described as 'soft vanilla'
* * * *
It's such a pleasure to have David as a Nut today. My very first gentleman nut, and a Brit at that! I bet he has one sexy accent. How many lady nuts have told us they love the English accent? Ya, LOADS. I hope he's not shy and stops by today, but be nice girls. I mean it! :-)
I am embarrassed to say that when David contacted me to be a Nut, I automatically assumed he DIDN'T write romance so disregarded it at first. Well, I am glad to be put to rights! And I applaud the man for writing in a genre very dominated by women. My current WIP is written entirely in the male POV, so I am going to grab one of David's books and see how I compare. Perhaps, I have gotten it all wrong. But ladies, would you not want to know what a man's really thinking when it comes to sex and romance? Of course we would. Don't deny it!
Everyone has to have a listen to "Go Slow" by Julie London - classic. I'd never heard it before but I think I need to delve into this old bluesy soul music as I loved it! And David? I most certainly hope for you that YOUR hope for LAFS happens. The majority of my Nuts believe it to be true, and many can testify to it. Perhaps you may even find a lovely lady here online? Are you single? LOL
David had so many great links, I have put them all in. I'm intrigued as I have never read a romance written by a man except Nicholas Sparks (I'm embarrassed to admit). So let him be our first!
An Ecstatic Rendezvous eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk ...Self's Blossom eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreDarlene eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreExplorations eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreFurther Explorations eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle ...Fools' Paradise eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreTherapy Rapture: Amazon.co.uk: David Russell: Books
Welcome to another saucy episode of SUNDAE WITH NUTS where I have asked my fellow authors to join me for the day for a bit of fun and a laugh. We are romance writers after all!
Without further ado, I am most pleased to introduce the talented (and very brave!) David Russell!
Sundae with the Nut David Russell1. Favorite knickers: cotton, lace, silk or errr…leather? Silk camiknickers
2.Who is your fantasy male or female? Or both? Kareena Kapoor (Bollywood), Jennifer Lopes, Betty Grable, countless others
3.What language, when heard spoken, makes you frisky? (like Jamie Lee Curtis in A Fish called Wanda) Spanish
4. What vehicle, abode, beach, construction site or other locale did you lose your virginity. I lost mine in a prosaic bed; I wish it had happened on an exotic beach
5. Do you believe in love at first sight? I certainly want to, in spite of the bitter lessons of experience
6. If you could play a board game during sex, what would it be? I think strip chess would be a great idea. Loser takes off one garment for each piece taken, then everything when 'mate' is called
7. I *heart* Peter Cetera. What song immediately swoops you back to your “first days” of falling in love? Go Slow by Julie London
LISTEN HERE
8. Most romantic or sexiest destination out there. Anywhere with golden beaches, lush woodlands and rivers in the background - Greece, South Pacific, Central America, anywhere And last but now least.
10. Favorite ice cream flavor. Vanilla (my works have been described as 'soft vanilla'
* * * *
It's such a pleasure to have David as a Nut today. My very first gentleman nut, and a Brit at that! I bet he has one sexy accent. How many lady nuts have told us they love the English accent? Ya, LOADS. I hope he's not shy and stops by today, but be nice girls. I mean it! :-)
I am embarrassed to say that when David contacted me to be a Nut, I automatically assumed he DIDN'T write romance so disregarded it at first. Well, I am glad to be put to rights! And I applaud the man for writing in a genre very dominated by women. My current WIP is written entirely in the male POV, so I am going to grab one of David's books and see how I compare. Perhaps, I have gotten it all wrong. But ladies, would you not want to know what a man's really thinking when it comes to sex and romance? Of course we would. Don't deny it!
Everyone has to have a listen to "Go Slow" by Julie London - classic. I'd never heard it before but I think I need to delve into this old bluesy soul music as I loved it! And David? I most certainly hope for you that YOUR hope for LAFS happens. The majority of my Nuts believe it to be true, and many can testify to it. Perhaps you may even find a lovely lady here online? Are you single? LOL
David had so many great links, I have put them all in. I'm intrigued as I have never read a romance written by a man except Nicholas Sparks (I'm embarrassed to admit). So let him be our first!
An Ecstatic Rendezvous eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk ...Self's Blossom eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreDarlene eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreExplorations eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreFurther Explorations eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle ...Fools' Paradise eBook: David Russell: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle StoreTherapy Rapture: Amazon.co.uk: David Russell: Books
March 13, 2014
St. Patrick's Weekend Online Pitch Event
Writing Romance? Check Out Our St.Patrick’s Weekend Online Pitch Event
Article by Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin © 11 March 2014 .
Posted in the Magazine ( · News for Writers ).
To celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend we’ve teamed up with US based publisher Lyrical Press to give you an opportunity to pitch your romance directly to their Content/Developmental and Acquisitions Editor, Corinne DeMaagd. She’s looking for all subgenres of romance and erotic romance, so if that’s what you’re writing, start thinking about your pitch now!
The event will take place on Sunday 16th March at 7pm GMT on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/writing.ieBe ready with a 2-3 sentence pitch, the genre of your book, and length (word count) to leave in the comments on our facebook page. If Corrine likes your pitch she’ll bump you right up the queue and read your submission – just be sure to let her know if the manuscript is complete or not when you pitch.If Corrine likes your story premise she will let you know to send her your submission by email with the title of the submission and SPWPC in the subject. For example: SPWPC – Roses are RedShe will review all your submissions and get back you no longer than a month from pitch day.If you are requested to send your submission, you need to include the info below in the document:Legal namePseudonym (if applicable)Contact phonePublishing history (if applicable)Working title (include series name if applicable)Word countGenre(s)Blurb (no more than three paragraphs, please)Lyrical Press is open to self-published and/or previously published works that have been out of print for 6 months or longer. Books should be 25,000 to 110,000 words in length.As an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., Lyrical Press provides authors with top-level editing, stellar cover art and extensive marketing support. Lyrical’s business model allows the house to welcome exciting new talent and gives a home to seasoned authors who want a more personal approach to publishing. Founded in 2007 by Renee Rocco, Lyrical Press offers readers a rich catalog of titles ranging from tender contemporary romances and edgy erotic paranormals, to suspenseful thrillers and shocking science fiction. Authors can expect a personalized publishing experience from Lyrical Press, where the relationship between the author and publisher is understood to be symbiotic. When the authors succeed, the house succeeds. Readers will find Lyrical Press books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, iTunes, and most other eBook sites includingwww.KensingtonBooks.com.About Kensington Publishing:
Founded in 1974, Kensington Publishing Corp. is located in New York City and is known as “America’s Independent Publisher.” As the foremost independent commercial publishing house in the United States providing hardcover, trade paperback, mass market and digital releases, Kensington publishes the books that America wants to read.The house of New York Times bestselling authors including Fern Michaels, Lisa Jackson, Joanne Fluke, William W. Johnstone and many others, Kensington publishes over 500 fiction and non-fiction titles each year. Its diverse imprints including Zebra Books, Brava, Citadel Press, Dafina, Pinnacle Books, Aphrodisia, K-Teen, eKensington and Lyrical Press are well-known for providing readers with a range of popular genres such as romance, women’s fiction, African American, young adult and nonfiction, as well as true crime, Western, and mystery titles.With 2014 marking its 40th anniversary, Kensington remains family owned and operated. It is the only major US publisher to have had three generations serve the company since its founding by the late Walter Zacharius. Currently Steven and Adam Zacharius, the second and third generation of the family, lead a talented staff, many of whom have been with the Company for over 20 years.
For more info check out: www.kensingtonbooks.comAbout Corinne DeMaagd
Corinne has traveled and lived all over the world, and after fifteen years gone, has just recently returned to Michigan with her family to plant some roots for her young boys. She is partial to any stories set in Scotland, Ireland and Australia where she lived, as a little bit of her heart remains in each. Inspiring, compelling, funny, and tear-jerker stories, capable of keeping her reading until two in the morning, make her a happy woman. If she isn’t reading, writing or editing, she is spending time with her little ones, and after that – there isn’t much left to the day! She dreams of getting back some of her old adventuresome life soon, riding and sailing (maybe downhill skiing since she is now in Michigan!), but until then, she lives vicariously through her books.
Preferred genres: All subgenres of romance and erotic romance (check out their Pinterestpage for inspiration!)Best of Luck!
Article by Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin © 11 March 2014 .Posted in the Magazine ( · News for Writers ).
To celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend we’ve teamed up with US based publisher Lyrical Press to give you an opportunity to pitch your romance directly to their Content/Developmental and Acquisitions Editor, Corinne DeMaagd. She’s looking for all subgenres of romance and erotic romance, so if that’s what you’re writing, start thinking about your pitch now!
The event will take place on Sunday 16th March at 7pm GMT on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/writing.ieBe ready with a 2-3 sentence pitch, the genre of your book, and length (word count) to leave in the comments on our facebook page. If Corrine likes your pitch she’ll bump you right up the queue and read your submission – just be sure to let her know if the manuscript is complete or not when you pitch.If Corrine likes your story premise she will let you know to send her your submission by email with the title of the submission and SPWPC in the subject. For example: SPWPC – Roses are RedShe will review all your submissions and get back you no longer than a month from pitch day.If you are requested to send your submission, you need to include the info below in the document:Legal namePseudonym (if applicable)Contact phonePublishing history (if applicable)Working title (include series name if applicable)Word countGenre(s)Blurb (no more than three paragraphs, please)Lyrical Press is open to self-published and/or previously published works that have been out of print for 6 months or longer. Books should be 25,000 to 110,000 words in length.As an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., Lyrical Press provides authors with top-level editing, stellar cover art and extensive marketing support. Lyrical’s business model allows the house to welcome exciting new talent and gives a home to seasoned authors who want a more personal approach to publishing. Founded in 2007 by Renee Rocco, Lyrical Press offers readers a rich catalog of titles ranging from tender contemporary romances and edgy erotic paranormals, to suspenseful thrillers and shocking science fiction. Authors can expect a personalized publishing experience from Lyrical Press, where the relationship between the author and publisher is understood to be symbiotic. When the authors succeed, the house succeeds. Readers will find Lyrical Press books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, iTunes, and most other eBook sites includingwww.KensingtonBooks.com.About Kensington Publishing:
Founded in 1974, Kensington Publishing Corp. is located in New York City and is known as “America’s Independent Publisher.” As the foremost independent commercial publishing house in the United States providing hardcover, trade paperback, mass market and digital releases, Kensington publishes the books that America wants to read.The house of New York Times bestselling authors including Fern Michaels, Lisa Jackson, Joanne Fluke, William W. Johnstone and many others, Kensington publishes over 500 fiction and non-fiction titles each year. Its diverse imprints including Zebra Books, Brava, Citadel Press, Dafina, Pinnacle Books, Aphrodisia, K-Teen, eKensington and Lyrical Press are well-known for providing readers with a range of popular genres such as romance, women’s fiction, African American, young adult and nonfiction, as well as true crime, Western, and mystery titles.With 2014 marking its 40th anniversary, Kensington remains family owned and operated. It is the only major US publisher to have had three generations serve the company since its founding by the late Walter Zacharius. Currently Steven and Adam Zacharius, the second and third generation of the family, lead a talented staff, many of whom have been with the Company for over 20 years.
For more info check out: www.kensingtonbooks.comAbout Corinne DeMaagd
Corinne has traveled and lived all over the world, and after fifteen years gone, has just recently returned to Michigan with her family to plant some roots for her young boys. She is partial to any stories set in Scotland, Ireland and Australia where she lived, as a little bit of her heart remains in each. Inspiring, compelling, funny, and tear-jerker stories, capable of keeping her reading until two in the morning, make her a happy woman. If she isn’t reading, writing or editing, she is spending time with her little ones, and after that – there isn’t much left to the day! She dreams of getting back some of her old adventuresome life soon, riding and sailing (maybe downhill skiing since she is now in Michigan!), but until then, she lives vicariously through her books.
Preferred genres: All subgenres of romance and erotic romance (check out their Pinterestpage for inspiration!)Best of Luck!
March 8, 2014
Sundae With Nuts - Review of The Dragon's Heart by Eden Ashe
March 9th, 2014
As Sundae With Nuts is settling into the new year and anticipating further fun with S'more Sundae With Nuts, I've had some time to do some much anticipated reviews. If you can do ANYTHING at all for an author, please do a review. Even a rating! It helps them beyond words. (With your words! Like it?)
So without further ado...
Review of The Dragon's Heart by Eden Ashe
Dragon's have always fascinated me, ever since I started reading the fantasy genre, believe it or not, well before romance. Their power and magic, their longevity and solitude. Their wisdom and strength. Treasures. Pack that into a dragon-shifter and you have my ideal man. Or fantasy man. :-) Minus the scales.
The story starts with a prologue taken from the Chronicles of the Egregoroi that entices me immediately as a fantasy lover. Since The Dragon's Heart is Book 1 of the Dragon Lore series, the story sets up a cast of characters that are interesting and engaging. Especially Daniel's loyal team of dragons, fierce and sexy, they have stood by Daniel for millennia against another species called the Hunters.
Even though Shelby, the heroine of the story, is a movie star in Los Angeles, and someone I normally couldn't identify with, at the time of the story she is just a regular gal like you and me, going through a whole heck of trouble. And sure, everyone can relate to that. And she loved Daniel before she even knew he was a dragon. I think I'd make myself fall in love (if I didn't) with all the sexiness of that man if he wanted me LOL.
Shelby and Daniel's relationship is rocky to start. There are reasons and confusions for it so understandable, but can't give much more away here. But their chemistry is sexy and hot right off the bat. Layered with action and suspense, the story takes us from a modern hi-rise apartment to a high-tech weapons-infested dragon cave lair to a safe house and finally to the tunnels and underworld of LA, where the story climaxes with a massive battle scene between the shifters and the baddies. Swords and fire and hand-to-hand combat. Brilliant. Especially with the great twist at the end. Didn't see that coming.
I feel almost intimate with this story. Not because I'd love a sexy dragon shifter for my very own. My gawd, would I. And not because I had an intense fascination with dragons before I even read it. No, the intimacy I found in The Dragon's Heart stems from the heart of the book, so aptly named.
Favorite scene: When Shelby rides Daniel.... As a dragon. Their flying, sweethearts!
FIVE CHERRIES.
Website: www.edenashe.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eden.Ashe.Author
Or if you would like to see Eden's original interview for Sundae With Nuts, click HERE
Happy Sundae folks!
As Sundae With Nuts is settling into the new year and anticipating further fun with S'more Sundae With Nuts, I've had some time to do some much anticipated reviews. If you can do ANYTHING at all for an author, please do a review. Even a rating! It helps them beyond words. (With your words! Like it?)
So without further ado...
Review of The Dragon's Heart by Eden Ashe
Dragon's have always fascinated me, ever since I started reading the fantasy genre, believe it or not, well before romance. Their power and magic, their longevity and solitude. Their wisdom and strength. Treasures. Pack that into a dragon-shifter and you have my ideal man. Or fantasy man. :-) Minus the scales.
The story starts with a prologue taken from the Chronicles of the Egregoroi that entices me immediately as a fantasy lover. Since The Dragon's Heart is Book 1 of the Dragon Lore series, the story sets up a cast of characters that are interesting and engaging. Especially Daniel's loyal team of dragons, fierce and sexy, they have stood by Daniel for millennia against another species called the Hunters.
Even though Shelby, the heroine of the story, is a movie star in Los Angeles, and someone I normally couldn't identify with, at the time of the story she is just a regular gal like you and me, going through a whole heck of trouble. And sure, everyone can relate to that. And she loved Daniel before she even knew he was a dragon. I think I'd make myself fall in love (if I didn't) with all the sexiness of that man if he wanted me LOL.
Shelby and Daniel's relationship is rocky to start. There are reasons and confusions for it so understandable, but can't give much more away here. But their chemistry is sexy and hot right off the bat. Layered with action and suspense, the story takes us from a modern hi-rise apartment to a high-tech weapons-infested dragon cave lair to a safe house and finally to the tunnels and underworld of LA, where the story climaxes with a massive battle scene between the shifters and the baddies. Swords and fire and hand-to-hand combat. Brilliant. Especially with the great twist at the end. Didn't see that coming.
I feel almost intimate with this story. Not because I'd love a sexy dragon shifter for my very own. My gawd, would I. And not because I had an intense fascination with dragons before I even read it. No, the intimacy I found in The Dragon's Heart stems from the heart of the book, so aptly named.
Favorite scene: When Shelby rides Daniel.... As a dragon. Their flying, sweethearts!
FIVE CHERRIES.
Website: www.edenashe.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eden.Ashe.Author
Or if you would like to see Eden's original interview for Sundae With Nuts, click HERE
Happy Sundae folks!
March 1, 2014
Sundae With Nuts - Love Where You Roam & Sneak Peek Sunday
March 2nd, 2014
Love Where You Roam & Sneak Peek SundayWhere the hell have I been and what have I been doing?? Where are my books? What happened to the series? Has she gone mad? Vanished from the face of the book world? Here's the scoop:A World ApartI had planned to do some crazy fun stuff today on Sundae With Nuts for A WORLD APART for my originally planned release day. Unfortunately, it took a bit longer than I had hoped to go through the contract process with my new publisher, Kensington, so the release will now be the first week of April! But in the meantime, a bit of a Sneak Peek below...
Sneak Peek Sunday
Just as Lizzy had determined that she would be brave and take his hand, Hamish leaned into her. “This song they are playing is called Flower of Scotland.”“It’s beautiful.”“Aye…it’s our song.”Lizzy leaned in closer, her eyes buried deep into the Scotsman’s, mere inches away. “Ours?” It came out a whisper.His eyebrow rose in question. “For all the Scots…for you, too. It’s one of our unofficial national anthems.”“Oh…righto.”Embarrassed, Lizzy looked away from him to the dance floor. She was surprised no one was dancing, only a few remained at the edge in small groups, laughing and talking animatedly. That’s where Hamish should be.The lights in the room had finally been dimmed to get ready for dinner, and servers went from table to table lighting the candles.“Will you dance with me?”“The ceilidh doesn’t start until after the dinner.”“Who says we have to dance when everyone else dances?”
S'more Sundae With NutsOn my Sunday release, to celebrate, I will also launch the newest part of my blog, which will be called S'more Sundae With Nuts. This blog will be open to any previous Nut.
Layering the truth like chocolate, marshmallow and grahams
In this blog the author will have four fun facts about themselves. The fifth fact will be made up and the guests have to guess which one is untrue. Sure, we are writers – the possibilities are endless with this one! Muah, ha ha, I already know what mine are going to be. It's going to be hilarious! And errr...a bit revealing.
Some authors may choose to giveaway something to the first commenter who gets it right.
For me? The first person to choose wisely will get an ecopy of A WORLD APART and a $10 Amazon gift card. I'm hoping to stump you all!
Let the fun begin!
** A huge thanks to Miss Gemma Brocato, a Nut and colleague, who thought up this idea. It's all her, including this lovely pic she made for me. She is the creativity behind the S'mores!WatershedWith the acquisition of Lyrical Press by Kensington Publishing Corp, my contract for Watershed has just been freshly signed and transferred to them. The ebook should be available in 2-3 weeks on Amazon, iTunes, B&N, Kobo and ARe (All Romance ebooks). Also, it will be available for review on NetGalley - which is super exciting!
Print will NOT be available this time around as I signed my print rights to Kensington so if you want to buy a Print copy of Watershed, do it now! :-)
Amazon UK Amazon US
Why sign print rights when they aren't going to print the books? It's complicated and so was the contract! If I didn't sign the print rights over, then it would have not only impacted the sale of my foreign rights for the book, but also the potential to get the longer books in the series printed in the future.
As of now, Kensington will only print books over 60K and Watershed and A World Apart fall below that mark. Since I work in publishing, this is totally understandable to me - the cost of printing versus the money you make for the effort - so I'm okay with that. Dusting of Light (Book 3 and WIP) is projected to be just over 60K and the last book in the series, set in Ireland and yet named, will be closer to 65K or longer.
Love Where You Roam & Sneak Peek SundayWhere the hell have I been and what have I been doing?? Where are my books? What happened to the series? Has she gone mad? Vanished from the face of the book world? Here's the scoop:A World ApartI had planned to do some crazy fun stuff today on Sundae With Nuts for A WORLD APART for my originally planned release day. Unfortunately, it took a bit longer than I had hoped to go through the contract process with my new publisher, Kensington, so the release will now be the first week of April! But in the meantime, a bit of a Sneak Peek below...
Sneak Peek Sunday
Just as Lizzy had determined that she would be brave and take his hand, Hamish leaned into her. “This song they are playing is called Flower of Scotland.”“It’s beautiful.”“Aye…it’s our song.”Lizzy leaned in closer, her eyes buried deep into the Scotsman’s, mere inches away. “Ours?” It came out a whisper.His eyebrow rose in question. “For all the Scots…for you, too. It’s one of our unofficial national anthems.”“Oh…righto.”Embarrassed, Lizzy looked away from him to the dance floor. She was surprised no one was dancing, only a few remained at the edge in small groups, laughing and talking animatedly. That’s where Hamish should be.The lights in the room had finally been dimmed to get ready for dinner, and servers went from table to table lighting the candles.“Will you dance with me?”“The ceilidh doesn’t start until after the dinner.”“Who says we have to dance when everyone else dances?”
S'more Sundae With NutsOn my Sunday release, to celebrate, I will also launch the newest part of my blog, which will be called S'more Sundae With Nuts. This blog will be open to any previous Nut.
Layering the truth like chocolate, marshmallow and grahams
In this blog the author will have four fun facts about themselves. The fifth fact will be made up and the guests have to guess which one is untrue. Sure, we are writers – the possibilities are endless with this one! Muah, ha ha, I already know what mine are going to be. It's going to be hilarious! And errr...a bit revealing.
Some authors may choose to giveaway something to the first commenter who gets it right.
For me? The first person to choose wisely will get an ecopy of A WORLD APART and a $10 Amazon gift card. I'm hoping to stump you all!
Let the fun begin!
** A huge thanks to Miss Gemma Brocato, a Nut and colleague, who thought up this idea. It's all her, including this lovely pic she made for me. She is the creativity behind the S'mores!WatershedWith the acquisition of Lyrical Press by Kensington Publishing Corp, my contract for Watershed has just been freshly signed and transferred to them. The ebook should be available in 2-3 weeks on Amazon, iTunes, B&N, Kobo and ARe (All Romance ebooks). Also, it will be available for review on NetGalley - which is super exciting!
Print will NOT be available this time around as I signed my print rights to Kensington so if you want to buy a Print copy of Watershed, do it now! :-)
Amazon UK Amazon US
Why sign print rights when they aren't going to print the books? It's complicated and so was the contract! If I didn't sign the print rights over, then it would have not only impacted the sale of my foreign rights for the book, but also the potential to get the longer books in the series printed in the future.
As of now, Kensington will only print books over 60K and Watershed and A World Apart fall below that mark. Since I work in publishing, this is totally understandable to me - the cost of printing versus the money you make for the effort - so I'm okay with that. Dusting of Light (Book 3 and WIP) is projected to be just over 60K and the last book in the series, set in Ireland and yet named, will be closer to 65K or longer.
February 22, 2014
Sundae With Nuts - Review of Cooking Up Love by Gemma Brocato
February 22nd, 2014
A NO-NUT Sundae again, but I hope you enjoy my following review of Cooking Up Love by Gemma Brocato. This is only my second review, but I'm getting better at it, I reckon! But geez, are they getting too long? So much to say! :-)
Other reviews coming:
The Dragon's Heart - Eden Ashe
Risk Factors - Calisa Rhose
Return of the Fae - Lynn Cahoon
Gentleman's Folly - Daisy Banks
Amy Lee Burgess - Beneath the Skin
Kyra Jacobs - Armed With Steele
Kylie Wolfe - Rayven's Keep
Do leave a comment how you feel about the review, or even better check out her book!
Without further ado...
Review of Cooking Up Love by Gemma Brocato
Cooking Up Love is Book 1 of the Five Senses series, where Miss Gemma has creatively tied each to one of the five sense organs of the human body: vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch. And within that clever premise, she builds a romance that blossoms around that sensation. For Cooking Up Love? You guessed it! Taste. Jemima George (love the name!) is a professional chef after all.
It may surprise you that Cooking Up Love is Miss Gemma's debut as it reads much better. It's written with a confident voice and lacking so many of the cliche's that normally seem to fill early romancers. Hers is an honest, humorous and clear storytelling voice, that very much reminds me of Nora Roberts. In all the good ways. You cannot deny the queen of romance and Miss Gemma has a style that I can connect to, just like our gazillionaire Nora.
She sets the series in the small town of Granite Pointe on the eastern seaboard outside of Boston. One of Miss Gemma's greatest strengths is with her characterization, how the internal and external struggles with Jem and Jack propel the story forward. They are believable characters that do real things. Not extraordinary that make you roll your eyes, thinking "that never happens" but real likable people that you root for because you've been there yourself. Well except for Jem's claustrophobia - but I have the same deathly fear of heights, so I can relate girl! Now, I just need a bit of kissy kissy to keep me preoccupied on a plane...LOL
I also know by my sneaky-peaky of the next book in the series to be released in May 2014, Hearts in Harmony, that the characters are all linked, and we get to check in with the HEAs from earlier books to know they are all going well. I love this about series writing, because in a good romance you invest so much of your heart into the hero and heroine, just like in Cooking Up Love. Another strength in Miss Gemma's storytelling, and one I consider the most important in romance writing.
But Cooking Up Love is also about the mystery. With a couple layers of suspenseful elements, it becomes a page-turner and the reader is engaged and committed to the end. I don't want to ruin anything here for you, but suffice to say that the combination of who-dunnit in a small town setting where everyone knows...well everyone...things can still turn out as you least expect it.
A couple of my favorite quotes from the book:
"When she caught sight of his lean fingers tracing pencil marks on the plans, or pointing out something he'd changed since the last time they met, she found herself breathless, imagining how wonderful those fingers would feel trailing over her body." - I love man's hands. LOL
"No question, if she got involved with him it was going to be a complicated, crowded relationship. It would be her, plus Jack, plus all their baggage and damage from other loves." - Because ain't that the way?
The best part about CUL is there are four more books to come! Well done, Miss Gemma. I give Cooking Up Love 5 Cherries (to top all of those wonderful pies).
(And I KNOW my first two reviews are both 5 cherries, but hey, if the book deserves it...And I don't go halfsies)
Facebook | Web | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
Or if you would like to see Gemma's original interview for Sundae With Nuts, click HERE
Happy Sundae folks!
A NO-NUT Sundae again, but I hope you enjoy my following review of Cooking Up Love by Gemma Brocato. This is only my second review, but I'm getting better at it, I reckon! But geez, are they getting too long? So much to say! :-)
Other reviews coming:
The Dragon's Heart - Eden Ashe
Risk Factors - Calisa Rhose
Return of the Fae - Lynn Cahoon
Gentleman's Folly - Daisy Banks
Amy Lee Burgess - Beneath the Skin
Kyra Jacobs - Armed With Steele
Kylie Wolfe - Rayven's Keep
Do leave a comment how you feel about the review, or even better check out her book!
Without further ado...
Review of Cooking Up Love by Gemma Brocato
Cooking Up Love is Book 1 of the Five Senses series, where Miss Gemma has creatively tied each to one of the five sense organs of the human body: vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch. And within that clever premise, she builds a romance that blossoms around that sensation. For Cooking Up Love? You guessed it! Taste. Jemima George (love the name!) is a professional chef after all.
It may surprise you that Cooking Up Love is Miss Gemma's debut as it reads much better. It's written with a confident voice and lacking so many of the cliche's that normally seem to fill early romancers. Hers is an honest, humorous and clear storytelling voice, that very much reminds me of Nora Roberts. In all the good ways. You cannot deny the queen of romance and Miss Gemma has a style that I can connect to, just like our gazillionaire Nora.
She sets the series in the small town of Granite Pointe on the eastern seaboard outside of Boston. One of Miss Gemma's greatest strengths is with her characterization, how the internal and external struggles with Jem and Jack propel the story forward. They are believable characters that do real things. Not extraordinary that make you roll your eyes, thinking "that never happens" but real likable people that you root for because you've been there yourself. Well except for Jem's claustrophobia - but I have the same deathly fear of heights, so I can relate girl! Now, I just need a bit of kissy kissy to keep me preoccupied on a plane...LOL
I also know by my sneaky-peaky of the next book in the series to be released in May 2014, Hearts in Harmony, that the characters are all linked, and we get to check in with the HEAs from earlier books to know they are all going well. I love this about series writing, because in a good romance you invest so much of your heart into the hero and heroine, just like in Cooking Up Love. Another strength in Miss Gemma's storytelling, and one I consider the most important in romance writing.
But Cooking Up Love is also about the mystery. With a couple layers of suspenseful elements, it becomes a page-turner and the reader is engaged and committed to the end. I don't want to ruin anything here for you, but suffice to say that the combination of who-dunnit in a small town setting where everyone knows...well everyone...things can still turn out as you least expect it.
A couple of my favorite quotes from the book:
"When she caught sight of his lean fingers tracing pencil marks on the plans, or pointing out something he'd changed since the last time they met, she found herself breathless, imagining how wonderful those fingers would feel trailing over her body." - I love man's hands. LOL
"No question, if she got involved with him it was going to be a complicated, crowded relationship. It would be her, plus Jack, plus all their baggage and damage from other loves." - Because ain't that the way?
The best part about CUL is there are four more books to come! Well done, Miss Gemma. I give Cooking Up Love 5 Cherries (to top all of those wonderful pies).
(And I KNOW my first two reviews are both 5 cherries, but hey, if the book deserves it...And I don't go halfsies)
Facebook | Web | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
Or if you would like to see Gemma's original interview for Sundae With Nuts, click HERE
Happy Sundae folks!
February 15, 2014
Sundae With Nuts - Melissa Keir
February 16th, 2014
Welcome to another saucy episode of SUNDAE WITH NUTS where I have asked my fellow authors to join me for the day for a bit of fun and a laugh. We are romance writers after all!
Without further ado, I am most pleased to introduce the lovely and talented (and very brave!) Melissa Keir!
Sundae with the Nut Melissa KeirThank you for having me. I’m always glad to be a little nutty. After all, this isn’t the first time someone has called me a Nut!Cd: My pleasure!!
1.Favorite knickers: cotton, lace, silk or errr…leather? <3 cotton with lace bikini bottoms
2.Who is your fantasy male or female? Or both?Gerard Butler and Daniel Craig. I can have them both, right?
I am in love with him.
3.What language, when heard spoken, makes you frisky? (like Jamie Lee Curtis in A Fish called Wanda)I’m in love with accents. Give me a guy with an accent and I’ll do about anything. However, Scottish guys are the dreamiest!
4.What vehicle, abode, beach, construction site or other locale did you lose your virginity.My best friend’s living room couch.
5.Do you believe in love at first sight?Yes, now let’s get Gerard over here and see if I can make him believe *wink*
6.If you could play a board game during sex, what would it be?Backgammon…It’s a game that combines wit and skill and you get to keep sending people to the bar! Fun!
7.I wanted to be a helicopter pilot and a cowgirl when I grew up (still do). What did you want to grow up to be when you were a little girl?I wanted to be a Rock-star Medical Examiner. It sounds so glamorous, solving crimes by day and then singing your heart out to a million fans. My second choice was to be a Mounted Police officer. What is it about girls and horses?
8.Who was your first crush or kiss?My first crush was Donny Osmond and Davy Jones. But my first kiss was with Tracy, a boy I grew up with. He’s still carrying a piece of my heart around. They say you never forget your first.
9.I *heart* Peter Cetera. What song immediately swoops you back to your “first days” of falling in love?Journey’s “Open Arms”. Steve Perry had the sexiest hair. Also Modern English’s “I Melt With You” …both are so romantic. *sigh*
LISTEN HERE TO MODERN ENGLISH
10.If you become a best-selling author and sell your movie rights, what will be the first thing you do when you hear? Other than contact Cd Brennan and offer to share with her, of course.Cash the check. (You know those Hollywood types. I’ve got to make sure the money is good.) Then, I’d make a wildly funny video of me quitting my day job! Might as well get a million hits for saying bye-bye!
11.Most romantic or sexiest destination out there.A bed, whether at a hotel, in a mountain cabin or my own house. :-)
And last but now least.
12. Favorite ice cream flavor. Black Cherry. There’s something sexy about licking away and finding those sweet pieces of cherries.
* * * *I am so glad to have Miss Melissa with me today! She really gave it a go on the answers and I appreciate that. Of course, Miss Melissa, you can have both Gerard and Daniel. But I posted a pic of Gerard, because like it says: I am in love with him. He's gonna have to be my secret Valentine's Day crush. Scottish, masculine yet sensitive, eyes that beg for understanding, but always with a twinkle of humor. Okay, I won't go on... but I could.
I loved your answer to #7 and one of the most interesting answers since the Nut conception! And your second choice? Yes ma'am! I'm in love with horses and good will as well - a perfect job! And too right on #10 - you would think that would be the first thing any of us would do - sneaky bastards, ya never know what they are up to.
And aw bless, a bit of your heart still remains with your first crush. Miss Melissa, that's full of awwwww. (Lemme hear it readers). A little bit of my heart remains for some of my crushes and infatuations, but it wasn't my first. But you're right, that first one is a doozy.
I could totally see you and I as mates as we looked at teen bop mags and listened to Journey and Modern English, both songs I love, I love. Have a listen to MELT WITH YOU, to defrost from this bloody arctic winter that won't end!* * * *
Do check out Miss Melissa's, CHALKBOARD ROMANCE, a contemporary romance that will resonate with every reader. Love the cover!
http://www.melissakeir.com
Secret Cravings Store All Romance Ebooks Amazon Barnes and Noble
Welcome to another saucy episode of SUNDAE WITH NUTS where I have asked my fellow authors to join me for the day for a bit of fun and a laugh. We are romance writers after all!
Without further ado, I am most pleased to introduce the lovely and talented (and very brave!) Melissa Keir!
Sundae with the Nut Melissa KeirThank you for having me. I’m always glad to be a little nutty. After all, this isn’t the first time someone has called me a Nut!Cd: My pleasure!!
1.Favorite knickers: cotton, lace, silk or errr…leather? <3 cotton with lace bikini bottoms
2.Who is your fantasy male or female? Or both?Gerard Butler and Daniel Craig. I can have them both, right?
I am in love with him.3.What language, when heard spoken, makes you frisky? (like Jamie Lee Curtis in A Fish called Wanda)I’m in love with accents. Give me a guy with an accent and I’ll do about anything. However, Scottish guys are the dreamiest!
4.What vehicle, abode, beach, construction site or other locale did you lose your virginity.My best friend’s living room couch.
5.Do you believe in love at first sight?Yes, now let’s get Gerard over here and see if I can make him believe *wink*
6.If you could play a board game during sex, what would it be?Backgammon…It’s a game that combines wit and skill and you get to keep sending people to the bar! Fun!
7.I wanted to be a helicopter pilot and a cowgirl when I grew up (still do). What did you want to grow up to be when you were a little girl?I wanted to be a Rock-star Medical Examiner. It sounds so glamorous, solving crimes by day and then singing your heart out to a million fans. My second choice was to be a Mounted Police officer. What is it about girls and horses?
8.Who was your first crush or kiss?My first crush was Donny Osmond and Davy Jones. But my first kiss was with Tracy, a boy I grew up with. He’s still carrying a piece of my heart around. They say you never forget your first.
9.I *heart* Peter Cetera. What song immediately swoops you back to your “first days” of falling in love?Journey’s “Open Arms”. Steve Perry had the sexiest hair. Also Modern English’s “I Melt With You” …both are so romantic. *sigh*
LISTEN HERE TO MODERN ENGLISH
10.If you become a best-selling author and sell your movie rights, what will be the first thing you do when you hear? Other than contact Cd Brennan and offer to share with her, of course.Cash the check. (You know those Hollywood types. I’ve got to make sure the money is good.) Then, I’d make a wildly funny video of me quitting my day job! Might as well get a million hits for saying bye-bye!
11.Most romantic or sexiest destination out there.A bed, whether at a hotel, in a mountain cabin or my own house. :-)
And last but now least.
12. Favorite ice cream flavor. Black Cherry. There’s something sexy about licking away and finding those sweet pieces of cherries.
* * * *I am so glad to have Miss Melissa with me today! She really gave it a go on the answers and I appreciate that. Of course, Miss Melissa, you can have both Gerard and Daniel. But I posted a pic of Gerard, because like it says: I am in love with him. He's gonna have to be my secret Valentine's Day crush. Scottish, masculine yet sensitive, eyes that beg for understanding, but always with a twinkle of humor. Okay, I won't go on... but I could.
I loved your answer to #7 and one of the most interesting answers since the Nut conception! And your second choice? Yes ma'am! I'm in love with horses and good will as well - a perfect job! And too right on #10 - you would think that would be the first thing any of us would do - sneaky bastards, ya never know what they are up to.
And aw bless, a bit of your heart still remains with your first crush. Miss Melissa, that's full of awwwww. (Lemme hear it readers). A little bit of my heart remains for some of my crushes and infatuations, but it wasn't my first. But you're right, that first one is a doozy.
I could totally see you and I as mates as we looked at teen bop mags and listened to Journey and Modern English, both songs I love, I love. Have a listen to MELT WITH YOU, to defrost from this bloody arctic winter that won't end!* * * *
Do check out Miss Melissa's, CHALKBOARD ROMANCE, a contemporary romance that will resonate with every reader. Love the cover!
http://www.melissakeir.com
Secret Cravings Store All Romance Ebooks Amazon Barnes and Noble
February 9, 2014
Valentine's Day GIFT Hop
WELCOME VDAY HOPPERSWelcome to the Valentine's Day Gift Hop as we celebrate love, sex, and all things books! Our grand prize will be a Kindle Paperwhite and digital new adult romance basket. Every comment on every blog in the hop will count as an entry toward either of the grand prizes.
What are you up to for Valentine's Day? Other than doing some hopping, of course! I wish I could tell you how romantic mine will be, how my husband always surprises me with something nice, but haven't had a thing from him in years! I blame it on his Aussie stoicism and the fact he doesn't like to succumb to what he calls a Halmark holiday. Take note: Australian lads are not that romantic (in the traditional sense, but he does all these wonky cute things for me that makes my heart melt).
But you know, I'll still get my wee boys a heart full of chocolates and they will give me lots of hugs and kisses for it, so that is good enough for me. And perhaps, I will splurge myself this year and buy a new romance for my Kindle!
Tell me what you think of Vday? Is it all a bunch of bollocks? Do we need a special day to show our loved ones we care? Do you like to do something sweet for your sweetie? Or do you sweep it under the table, best forgotten? One commenter will win an ARC copy of A WORLD APART, set in Scotland. You can enter to win a second time by liking my FB page.
Enjoy the hop! And HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY :-)
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What are you up to for Valentine's Day? Other than doing some hopping, of course! I wish I could tell you how romantic mine will be, how my husband always surprises me with something nice, but haven't had a thing from him in years! I blame it on his Aussie stoicism and the fact he doesn't like to succumb to what he calls a Halmark holiday. Take note: Australian lads are not that romantic (in the traditional sense, but he does all these wonky cute things for me that makes my heart melt).
But you know, I'll still get my wee boys a heart full of chocolates and they will give me lots of hugs and kisses for it, so that is good enough for me. And perhaps, I will splurge myself this year and buy a new romance for my Kindle!
Tell me what you think of Vday? Is it all a bunch of bollocks? Do we need a special day to show our loved ones we care? Do you like to do something sweet for your sweetie? Or do you sweep it under the table, best forgotten? One commenter will win an ARC copy of A WORLD APART, set in Scotland. You can enter to win a second time by liking my FB page.
Enjoy the hop! And HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY :-)
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February 8, 2014
Sundae With Nuts - the cast from Coming to Reason
February 9th, 2014
Welcome to another saucy episode of SUNDAE WITH NUTS where I have asked my fellow authors to join me for the day for a bit of fun and a laugh. We are romance writers after all!
This week we have a special edition. I'm hosting the main cast of characters from Liza O'Connor's COMING TO REASON.
Sundae With the Nuts from Coming to ReasonToday, I invited Carrie and Trent over to answer questions, only Trent called off at the last minute, so Carrie has brought along her new boss, Dan Marshall. So how long have you two been an item?
Carrie: What? No! Dan's just my boss...and friend. He and his daughter Destiny are great friends.
Okay, let's start.
1.Favorite knickers: cotton, lace, silk or errr…leather?.Carrie: Trent threw out all my cotton panties and replaced them with outrageously expensivie silk and lace. But since your asking for MY favorite, I'm saying cotton. And Dan?Dan: *Laughs* Cotton for me as well.
2.Who is your fantasy male or female? Or both?Carrie: Oh Russel Crowe for me. And Dan?
Dan: For me, I suppose a younger version of Olivia Wilde CD: And would you like her to be 4'6" as well? Dan *shrugs* I like petite women.
CD: Is it just me, or do these two resemble Carrie and Dan?
3.What language, when heard spoken, makes you frisky? Carrie: Any language as long as it's words of love, sincerely said.Dan: I totally agree with Carrie.
4.What vehicle, abode, beach, construction site or other locale did you lose your virginity. Carrie: In my dorm room at college. Dan: In the back of my parent's limo. We had gone to a concert and were feeling high and frisky. Neither of us had protection, but we didn't care. My first time and I got her pregnant. Still...I can't regret it. I've got the most fabulous daughter imaginable from that limo ride. Carrie: Destiny is wonderful.
5.Do you believe in love at first sight? Carrie: No. I think love is something you have to work really hard to achieve. Dan: I have to disagree with Carrie on this one. If you have to constantly struggle to make the relationship work, then perhaps it's not meant to be. And while I do believe in love at first sight-it's happened to me. That doesn't mean things will work out.
6.If you could play a board game during sex, what would it be?Carrie: I'm stumped on that one. I've never played a board game. Dan? Dan: Well, Destiny and I played a ton of board games, but they mostly had little blue ponies trotting over the board. I've no idea how to mix sex with little blue ponies, sorry.
7.Any special “toys” you’d like to give mention to for their outstanding achievements? Carrie: *blushes and whispers* May we skip this since Dan is my boss. He doesn't need to know about my toys.
8.I *heart* Peter Cetera. What song immediately swoops you back to your “first days” of falling in love?Carrie: My first love...or what I thought was love, didn't come with music. I was his study mate. All we did is study, except when he needed...you know...so he could concentrate on studying. Dan: We'd just come from an Ozzie Osbourne concert and Shot from the Dark was running my head while me and Jackie had sex for the first time. While my feelings changed later, at that moment I thought her the most beautiful woman in the world and couldn't believe she was going to be my first.
9.Most romantic or sexiest destination out there. Dan and Carrie answer in unison: New Zealand.
10.Who was your first crush or kiss? Carrie: My first kiss was with my study partner at college. One minute, I was talking about derivatives and then next, he's sticking his tongue down my throat. Scared me half to death. Dan: Mine would be Jackie. You're probably wondering why I hadn't kissed a girl before 17. I attended a private boys school that went year around. Some of the guys would sneak out at night and experience the real world, but if you got caught, you'd be expelled. So I remained a choir boy until I graduated and got accepted into Harvard.
11.And Liza, this one is for you: If you become a best-selling author and sell your movie rights, what will be the first thing you do when you hear? Other than contact Cd Brennan and offer to share with her, of course.. Liza: I will gather all my characters from all the 118 books I've written and thank them. (That's over a thousand characters). Without them, I would have empty pages.
12. Favorite ice cream flavor. Liza: I can't eat ice cream, so let me turn this back to Dan and Carrie. Carrie: I like French vanilla with dark chocolate embedded inside. Dan: Me too. We'll stop and get some once we leave here.
CD: Well, this interview certainly was a lot different than the interview I had with Carrie & Trent. These two seem to have a lot in common. Shame she didn't meet him first... On second thought, I love to laugh at Trent. Dan: So did I until I met Carrie. Now I'm very worried about her.
CD: I thought you two had left. Dan: I sent Carrie out. But I thought you should know. Matters are about to blow up between her and Trent.
CD: Is that wishful thinking? Dan: No. Trent's been keeping some huge secrets and Gossep Magazine is coming out with a tell all article. It's going to break Carrie's heart and I fear it might destroy her.
CD: Will you be there to help her recover. Dan: As her friend, yes. But I've a firm rule against dating women on the rebound. And honestly, I don't know if Carrie will ever recover from this blow.
CD: I hope you're wrong, but we'll just have to read the book and find out.Here's more about Coming to Reason:
COMING TO REASONBook Three: A Long Road to LoveHumorous Contemporary Disaster Romance
BlurbCarrie has committed to an inter-species marriage with Trent, her billionaire boss. Only, she requested a long engagement to improve his stats. Presently, he is eighty percent dreamboat and twenty percent nightmare.
When he fires her so they can be a ‘normal couple’, everything heads south. Providing her a stark contrast, her new boss is everything a woman could want in a man. But for Carrie, her heart is taken and thus, her path to reason remains long and arduous.
A Long Road to LoveBook OneWorst Week EverAmazon“Love this book and couldn't stop laughing from beginning to end.” 5 stars – Alves - Amazon61 reviews: 4.3 stars
Book TwoOh Stupid Heart Amazon“Be warned though, this book is completely different from The Worst Week Ever. Yes, there is still humor, dry wit, situations that you would think...NOT AGAIN but this one humanizes Trent more.” 5 stars - Brian’s Mom – Amazon8 reviews: 4.8 stars
Book ThreeComing to ReasonAMAZON
Other Books by Liza O’ConnorSaving Casey
Ghost Lover
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIZA O'CONNOR & UPCOMING BOOKS:Liza's Blog and Website Facebook Twitter
Prizes:Tour prize: a $50 Amazon Gift CardGift at every stop for one lucky commenter Must request book in comments & leave email address:Worst Week Ever or Oh Stupid Heart ebook.Enter to Win $50 Amazon Gift Carda Rafflecopter giveaway
Welcome to another saucy episode of SUNDAE WITH NUTS where I have asked my fellow authors to join me for the day for a bit of fun and a laugh. We are romance writers after all!
This week we have a special edition. I'm hosting the main cast of characters from Liza O'Connor's COMING TO REASON.
Sundae With the Nuts from Coming to ReasonToday, I invited Carrie and Trent over to answer questions, only Trent called off at the last minute, so Carrie has brought along her new boss, Dan Marshall. So how long have you two been an item?
Carrie: What? No! Dan's just my boss...and friend. He and his daughter Destiny are great friends.
Okay, let's start.
1.Favorite knickers: cotton, lace, silk or errr…leather?.Carrie: Trent threw out all my cotton panties and replaced them with outrageously expensivie silk and lace. But since your asking for MY favorite, I'm saying cotton. And Dan?Dan: *Laughs* Cotton for me as well.
2.Who is your fantasy male or female? Or both?Carrie: Oh Russel Crowe for me. And Dan?
Dan: For me, I suppose a younger version of Olivia Wilde CD: And would you like her to be 4'6" as well? Dan *shrugs* I like petite women.
CD: Is it just me, or do these two resemble Carrie and Dan?
3.What language, when heard spoken, makes you frisky? Carrie: Any language as long as it's words of love, sincerely said.Dan: I totally agree with Carrie.
4.What vehicle, abode, beach, construction site or other locale did you lose your virginity. Carrie: In my dorm room at college. Dan: In the back of my parent's limo. We had gone to a concert and were feeling high and frisky. Neither of us had protection, but we didn't care. My first time and I got her pregnant. Still...I can't regret it. I've got the most fabulous daughter imaginable from that limo ride. Carrie: Destiny is wonderful.
5.Do you believe in love at first sight? Carrie: No. I think love is something you have to work really hard to achieve. Dan: I have to disagree with Carrie on this one. If you have to constantly struggle to make the relationship work, then perhaps it's not meant to be. And while I do believe in love at first sight-it's happened to me. That doesn't mean things will work out.
6.If you could play a board game during sex, what would it be?Carrie: I'm stumped on that one. I've never played a board game. Dan? Dan: Well, Destiny and I played a ton of board games, but they mostly had little blue ponies trotting over the board. I've no idea how to mix sex with little blue ponies, sorry.
7.Any special “toys” you’d like to give mention to for their outstanding achievements? Carrie: *blushes and whispers* May we skip this since Dan is my boss. He doesn't need to know about my toys.
8.I *heart* Peter Cetera. What song immediately swoops you back to your “first days” of falling in love?Carrie: My first love...or what I thought was love, didn't come with music. I was his study mate. All we did is study, except when he needed...you know...so he could concentrate on studying. Dan: We'd just come from an Ozzie Osbourne concert and Shot from the Dark was running my head while me and Jackie had sex for the first time. While my feelings changed later, at that moment I thought her the most beautiful woman in the world and couldn't believe she was going to be my first.
9.Most romantic or sexiest destination out there. Dan and Carrie answer in unison: New Zealand.
10.Who was your first crush or kiss? Carrie: My first kiss was with my study partner at college. One minute, I was talking about derivatives and then next, he's sticking his tongue down my throat. Scared me half to death. Dan: Mine would be Jackie. You're probably wondering why I hadn't kissed a girl before 17. I attended a private boys school that went year around. Some of the guys would sneak out at night and experience the real world, but if you got caught, you'd be expelled. So I remained a choir boy until I graduated and got accepted into Harvard.
11.And Liza, this one is for you: If you become a best-selling author and sell your movie rights, what will be the first thing you do when you hear? Other than contact Cd Brennan and offer to share with her, of course.. Liza: I will gather all my characters from all the 118 books I've written and thank them. (That's over a thousand characters). Without them, I would have empty pages.
12. Favorite ice cream flavor. Liza: I can't eat ice cream, so let me turn this back to Dan and Carrie. Carrie: I like French vanilla with dark chocolate embedded inside. Dan: Me too. We'll stop and get some once we leave here.
CD: Well, this interview certainly was a lot different than the interview I had with Carrie & Trent. These two seem to have a lot in common. Shame she didn't meet him first... On second thought, I love to laugh at Trent. Dan: So did I until I met Carrie. Now I'm very worried about her.
CD: I thought you two had left. Dan: I sent Carrie out. But I thought you should know. Matters are about to blow up between her and Trent.
CD: Is that wishful thinking? Dan: No. Trent's been keeping some huge secrets and Gossep Magazine is coming out with a tell all article. It's going to break Carrie's heart and I fear it might destroy her.
CD: Will you be there to help her recover. Dan: As her friend, yes. But I've a firm rule against dating women on the rebound. And honestly, I don't know if Carrie will ever recover from this blow.
CD: I hope you're wrong, but we'll just have to read the book and find out.Here's more about Coming to Reason:
COMING TO REASONBook Three: A Long Road to LoveHumorous Contemporary Disaster Romance
BlurbCarrie has committed to an inter-species marriage with Trent, her billionaire boss. Only, she requested a long engagement to improve his stats. Presently, he is eighty percent dreamboat and twenty percent nightmare. When he fires her so they can be a ‘normal couple’, everything heads south. Providing her a stark contrast, her new boss is everything a woman could want in a man. But for Carrie, her heart is taken and thus, her path to reason remains long and arduous.
A Long Road to LoveBook OneWorst Week EverAmazon“Love this book and couldn't stop laughing from beginning to end.” 5 stars – Alves - Amazon61 reviews: 4.3 stars
Book TwoOh Stupid Heart Amazon“Be warned though, this book is completely different from The Worst Week Ever. Yes, there is still humor, dry wit, situations that you would think...NOT AGAIN but this one humanizes Trent more.” 5 stars - Brian’s Mom – Amazon8 reviews: 4.8 stars
Book ThreeComing to ReasonAMAZON
Other Books by Liza O’ConnorSaving Casey
Ghost Lover
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIZA O'CONNOR & UPCOMING BOOKS:Liza's Blog and Website Facebook Twitter
Prizes:Tour prize: a $50 Amazon Gift CardGift at every stop for one lucky commenter Must request book in comments & leave email address:Worst Week Ever or Oh Stupid Heart ebook.Enter to Win $50 Amazon Gift Carda Rafflecopter giveaway
