Rinelle Grey's Blog, page 16

True Love – Is it for Real?

As a romance writer, it’s kind of expected that I will have some views on love, and what it means. And, of course, I do.

Today’s post is inspired by Katy Regnery’s “All roads lead to…firstfallingfeelingtrue love” post last month. You should go check it out, it’s a beautiful post about her views on true love, and whether it exists or not.

And it inspired me to write this one.

I’ve always been a romantic. I soaked up all those movies and books about true love, and how powerful it was. Romance has always been my favourite genre, in books and movies. And, of course, my belief in love has been influenced by my own experiences.

For me, true love is one that exists beyond that first flush of excitement. A long term relationship, two people from different families choosing to live in the same house and create their own family together, involves a lot of compromises, a lot of times when love is put to the test. It requires a lot of work, and a lot of commitment to making things work.

To me, true love is what holds you through those times. It’s the feeling that makes you look at each other, even when you’re angry, the house is a mess, there are bills due, and the kids are screaming – and choose to stay. True love is what keeps you together, even when it would seem easier to not be.

True love is knowing that your life is better because you’re sharing it with someone who matters. True love is when you become a better person because you know and love that other person. True love is feeling confident in the knowledge that that person will be there for you when you need them.

Does that mean that true love makes it all easy?

Nope, not at all. Long term relationships are still hard work, compromise, and sometimes they can test your resolve.

True love is what makes them worth it.

And that’s why I love writing about it. My novels rarely end when the characters first kiss or first make a commitment to each other. I love to write about some of those trials they will face as a couple, and how they overcome them together. In fact, Reckless Rebellion is just this. After Reckless Rescue, Tyris and Marlee have already decided to be together, no matter what the future holds. In Reckless Rebellion, that resolve is tested, but ultimately, they come out the end stronger, both as a couple, and individually.

Do you believe in true love? Do you like stories that end when the couple gets together, or do you always wonder what happens next?

Been Busy Editing…

Sorry for the lack of posts. I’ve been head down going through the edits for Reckless Rebellion! Will be back soon.

Setting Priorities

For the last week or two, I’ve been struggling to get much done. Some of this is due to other things that are happening, but a lot is also due to having quite a list of things that need to be done, and no clear priorities.

Sometimes, I have the idea that I can do more than one thing at once. Like editing and writing at the same time. But what really happens, is when I have a spare moment, I end up dithering about which is more important, and which I should do first, and I end up doing nothing!

So I’m going to go back to the way that I know works. I’m listing my upcoming projects in order of importance/urgency, and going to work though them one at a time!

Finish proofing my print copy of Reckless Rescue, upload the corrected version to Amazon, and order a new proof
List some upcoming promotions for Reckless Rescue and Reckless Rebellion
Review the edits for Reckless Rebellion when I receive them (any day now!)
Send out ARC copies.
Finish the rough draft of Twin Curse, edit, and send to editor by last week in September!

That should keep me busy for the next month or so.

How about you? Can you work on multiple things at once, or do you focus better on one task at a time? What’s your priority list looking like right now?

Fantasy Friday – Jack’s Day Just went from Bad to Worse

This will be the last Fantasy Friday for a while. Next month I’ll be focusing on Reckless Rescue and Reckless Rebellion. (Picked a release date of the 18th of September, yay!)

Today I’m going back to Jack’s story. After waking up finding she’s handfasted to a stranger she barely knows, her day’s about to go from bad to worse…

The man seemed to know exactly where he was going, stepping out the door and looking carefully in each direction.  Jack wasn’t exactly a couch potato, but she had to pull out all her stamina to keep up with him.  He moved quickly, only looking back occasionally to be sure he hadn’t lost her, and nodding approvingly when she was never more than a few steps behind him.  His route wandered all over the city, but every time she caught sight of the palace between the houses, it seemed a little closer.

Jack was just starting to think she was going to have to ask him to stop for a breather, when he stopped so suddenly in front of her that she ran into him.  “Ooff,” she huffed.  “Give me some warning next time.”

“Yes, it would have been nice to have some warning,” a strange voice said.  “But from what I hear, that’s what you do best, jump into situations without any warning for those involved.  Well this time you’ve gone too far.  No one dishonours my sister and gets away with it.”

Adrenalin flooded through Jack as she heard the sound of steel being drawn.  Much as she wanted to get a look at the attacker and the situation, she stayed sheltered behind the man for just long enough to reach for the knife tucked into the waistband of her skirt, thankful that she hadn’t chosen to leave it behind.

The feel of the leather bound hilt reassured her just enough to step out from behind the man, who was reaching for his own sword as he said, “I meant no disrespect.  It was a mistake, one I am about to rectify.  This need change nothing.  There is no need for bad blood between us Ferris.”

Standing opposite them wasn’t just a single man, Jack should have guessed his sort wasn’t the type to fight alone.   But she had no trouble picking out the one who had spoken, the one she guessed was the man’s intended’s brother.  His clothes, from the carefully crafted windblown hairstyle, the elaborately tied necktie, the subtly patterned waistcoat, down to his unnaturally shiny boots, declared that he was the one in charge.  The two men who stood on either side were well dressed, but were obviously his followers.  Which did not mean they didn’t need to be watched.

“Half the city saw you last night, pledging yourself to that woman.  You will answer for this.”  At that point, he noticed that Jack had stepped out, and he turned his attention on her.  “And don’t think I’m forgetting about you.  I’ll deal with you after I’ve finished with him.”

Ebook Escapes Author Tour Giveaway

Looking for something new to read? Head on over to Ebook Escapes for a chance to win a bundle of 14 ebooks, one of which is Reckless Rescue, and to see my five fun facts.

Guest Author – Nana Prah

Today I have paranormal romance author Nana Prah visiting, to talk about her debut novel, Love Through Time.

Blurb:

Defending her family – no problem. Recalling past lives – maybe just a small problem. Taking a chance on love again – well…

Jasmine Gibson has her world turned upside down when she meets gorgeous Sean Taylor. He’s the first man she’s been attracted to since her fiancé dumped her two years ago. But when the disturbing daydreams start, Jasmine begins to fear that her actions in a past life may have finally caught up with her.

Sean finds it impossible to stay away from Jasmine even though he can’t shake the inexplicable feeling of betrayal, simmering deep inside him every time he sees her.

To complicate things, someone is out to hurt Jasmine and every time she and Sean are together, the police have to be called. Even if Jasmine can make Sean trust her, the two of them may not stay alive long enough to enjoy their love this time around.

Excerpt:

She was coming to terms about their past lives, but he was having trouble just dealing with her in this one.

“I must have been a great man in previous life,” Sean said jokingly, but Jasmine’s expression turned serious as she held onto the doorpost. “Are you all right? Are you getting lightheaded?”

“No, I’m fine.”

But he could tell something was bothering her. “Now you’re holding something back from me.”

“Do you believe in past lives?”

“I haven’t thought about it. I’ve seen so much in my travels around the world that I wouldn’t be surprised if it existed. Do you?”

“I think it might exist, and the thought about coming back and making your soul better is very appealing. At the same time it could be painful, especially if you hurt someone else in a past life and met them again in another.”

Sean felt a chill go up his spine. He knew there was something more to this conversation, but he couldn’t pin point it. He wanted to stay and talk with her about it, but he had to get back to studying.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. It was nothing but a friendly kiss, but he felt the shock of it straight down to the soles of his feet. Jasmine looked just as affected as he was.

Buy Links: Black Opal Books | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |Smashwords|ARe

Find out more about Nana Prah at:

Blog : www.nanaprah.blogspot.com

Twitter: @NanaPrah

Facebook: Nana Prah, Author

BIO:

Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.

And to celebrate her new release, Nana is giving away three $10 Amazon gift cards. Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Reckless Rebellion – Getting Close!

Last week, I sent Reckless Rebellion off the editors. I’ve polished and polished this book, and now there’s just the grammar to check. Hopefully (fingers crossed!) the edits will be relatively easy once it arrives back. My aim is to have the edits done by mid-September (but it will depend on when I get them back from the editor), then send some ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) out, and do a final proofread myself.

If you’ve read and reviewed Reckless Rescue, and would like an ARC for Reckless Rebellion, post a comment, or send me an email. I also would love to give a copy to one person who hasn’t read Reckless Rescue, to see how much of Reckless Rebellion is understandable as a stand alone novel. Again, comment or email if you’d like a free copy. (Sorry, I can only offer one at this point.)

Hopefully I’ll have Reckless Rescue live on Amazon before the end of September! It’s getting exciting now it’s getting so close!

Fantasy Friday

With Reckless Rebellion off to the editor, I’m back to writing. My plan is to finish up Twin Curse before the end of September, and begin content edits. I also have a bunch of fun new posts lined up for the next month, so be sure to follow my page for more.

Today’s excerpt from Twin Curse is short and sweet, a little hint at the bigger problems Brianna and her village face.

Corlin was a good dancer, and easy to talk to. It was a pity he wasn’t a few years older, Brianna thought idly, or he might be a possible alternative to Mianna’s Terion. If Mia was so set on getting married, she might at least look around so that she could have a say in it.

Interrupting her thoughts, Corlin said, “Got some new blood in town huh?”

“What?” Brianna asked, confused.

Corlin nodded to a table by the bonfire, where a man was sitting eating some stew, finding it rather awkward in his leather armour. “Turned up this evening. Reckon he’s going to try his luck over the ridge?”

Brianna nodded soberly. “Probably.”

They had plenty of visitors like that, itching to do battle with the trolls. They all went up over the ridge, but none ever came back. She turned away. She didn’t want to think about that tonight. Somehow, she made her excuses to Corlin, and fled the dance floor.

I’m really, really hoping to have this book out by Christmas, so if you want to find out what happens to Brianna, sign up to my mailing list to be the first to be notified of it’s release.

Cute Puppy

OK, I admit. I have no post for today. Will you accept this picture of a cute puppy in apology? There’s another one over on my Facebook page as well, that really needs a caption.

Shelfari – Why You Should Join

I’d heard of Shelfari, and what I’d heard wasn’t good. It was second rate to GoodReads, and since it was owned by Amazon, not many people bothered with it, so I hadn’t even bothered to look at it.

Then a chance mention on a writing forum made me take a new look.

I haven’t explored the social side of Shelfari yet, but I did find something that I think is worth spending a little time on.

Each book listing on Shelfari has the usual fields, title, author, series, blurb. But Shelfari has more. You can add in a list of your characters and a brief description. You can write a short blurb, and a longer summary. You can list your chapter titles.

And because Shelfari is owned by Amazon, any changes you make here show up on your Amazon book page.

I have no idea if it will make any difference to sales or not, but I figure it can’t hurt.

Have you used Shelfari? Any other features you can tell me about it?