Rian Kelley's Blog, page 4
December 19, 2013
Fellow Romance Writers. . .
I wanted to share this coupon with you, especially my indie buddies. I think this is a great opportunity for those of us who publish without the many benefits of a traditional publisher. And, yes, I do know what living in both worlds feels like as I have and continue to publish with some of the big houses (just in a different genre). I sorely miss having an editor for my romance novels, but I LOVE being independent. I'll be using this coupon for book 3 in the California Dreamy series and will let you know about my experience when the time comes.
December 11, 2013
On a Mystery Binge
I'm really enjoying Louise Penny right now. I've read her most recent novel (see below), went back and read book 1 in her Inspector Gamache series, tried for book 2, but it wasn't available (Hmm?), so have started book 3,
The Cruelest Month
. I'm back in Three Pines, with all my favorite characters and a bizarre death Gamache and his sidekick are just beginning to work out. So far, so good.
December 10, 2013
Grace
I've been thinking a lot about this. We're all capable of it. The seeds are planted in us and whether we tap into it, nurture it and bear its fruit is totally up to us. I do believe our grace grows as we reach out to others; that as individuals we stagnate, wither, die on the vine if we don't let grace flow through us.I also believe we are connected and believe that Eckhart Tolle is right--we are all the Son of God, each of us a spoke radiating from one big spirit. Through this, we share the human condition.
December 9, 2013
Take a Sad Song. . .
and make it better...which is what I'm doing with Jude's story. His burden: Jude was driving the car when he and his girlfriend were T-boned by a drunk driver. Jude's girlfriend died. They were just 17 years old then and juniors in high school. While Jude was driving carefully that night, they were out past curfew and that placed them into the danger zone of early morning, when the bars closed.15 years later, Jude is working on a case that involves victims that meet his high school girlfriend's profile. Memories crowd him, demanding a final peace which only intensifies as his involvement with Liana, the cousin of a victim, heats up.
December 3, 2013
Rain
From my peace (yes, it's a play on words) of suburbia:
It rained today. Not a big deal in many parts of the world, but here, where we are more sand than grass, it was a moment to savor. I tucked my youngest into her car seat and then turned my face to the sky and let the water fill my pores. That's about as long as the rain lasted, though the sky remained overcast the whole day and on my way home from work my windshield misted. Still, it's the beginning. Our rainy season lasts four months. Before it's over, cooler storm fronts will clash with the natural heat of the desert and we will have a few spectacular displays of wind and rain, thunder and lightning. I look forward to it every year.
It rained today. Not a big deal in many parts of the world, but here, where we are more sand than grass, it was a moment to savor. I tucked my youngest into her car seat and then turned my face to the sky and let the water fill my pores. That's about as long as the rain lasted, though the sky remained overcast the whole day and on my way home from work my windshield misted. Still, it's the beginning. Our rainy season lasts four months. Before it's over, cooler storm fronts will clash with the natural heat of the desert and we will have a few spectacular displays of wind and rain, thunder and lightning. I look forward to it every year.
December 2, 2013
So What am I Reading?
I recently discovered Louise Penny. I took my kids to the book store--one of our favorite monthly outings--and came across the novel, How the Light Gets In. It's the latest installment in a mystery series and what I love best about it are: the characters (they each seem to have their own texture); the setting, which is cozy; the pacing--clipped where it needs to be and pausing where the reader likes it; and the mystery is solved without unnecessary violence (so far). So I decided to go back to book one in the series,
Still Life
. I ordered this one to my Kindle, which is easier to carry around. I'm 32% through the story and am enjoying the read.
You won't find romance in either of the titles I mentioned by Penny, but you will find a good story and characters you wouldn't mind calling friends.
You won't find romance in either of the titles I mentioned by Penny, but you will find a good story and characters you wouldn't mind calling friends.
December 1, 2013
Hey, Jude!
Some things are hard to keep up. 5 am jogs through my sleepy neighborhood (yes, I wear spandex; no, I don't look good in it; yes, I appreciate the cover of darkness; no, I don't say no often enough to things like frozen milk chocolate Hersey bars and meatball pizza) balance (I find it much easier to walk on my hands across a 4" beam than portion my day so that everyone and everything gets the attention needed) and this blog (where's the time?).
But I plan to do better. I like a little adult conversation, even when it's one-sided (maybe especially then). I miss a place to hash out things. This means sometimes I'll write about the curious, fascinating developments in my piece of suburbia; other times I'll puzzle out character flaws--keep 'em? I'll let you know when a new book is coming out. I'll even give you a sneak peek at characters and story along the way.
So, what's up today?
Professional: I'm at work on book 3 of my California Dreamy series. I love my leading characters. Each of them have a past to deal with (as we all do--I love this about the human condition). Though not at fault for a car crash that killed his girlfriend when he was 17, Jude's drive and decisions continue to be impacted by the event (if you were lucky enough to grab a copy of book 2 ETHAN, than you caught a glimpse of Jude towards the end of the novel--and where is ETHAN? TBA). Liana, a young woman of two cultures, feels the pull of both and struggles to find that place of peaceful coexistence. They're strong, accomplished characters and things are heating up!
But I plan to do better. I like a little adult conversation, even when it's one-sided (maybe especially then). I miss a place to hash out things. This means sometimes I'll write about the curious, fascinating developments in my piece of suburbia; other times I'll puzzle out character flaws--keep 'em? I'll let you know when a new book is coming out. I'll even give you a sneak peek at characters and story along the way.
So, what's up today?
Professional: I'm at work on book 3 of my California Dreamy series. I love my leading characters. Each of them have a past to deal with (as we all do--I love this about the human condition). Though not at fault for a car crash that killed his girlfriend when he was 17, Jude's drive and decisions continue to be impacted by the event (if you were lucky enough to grab a copy of book 2 ETHAN, than you caught a glimpse of Jude towards the end of the novel--and where is ETHAN? TBA). Liana, a young woman of two cultures, feels the pull of both and struggles to find that place of peaceful coexistence. They're strong, accomplished characters and things are heating up!
August 22, 2013
I LOVE this Review
5.0 out of 5 stars A dreamy romance, August 21, 2013
By rebecca wheeler - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Jake (California Dreamy) (Kindle Edition) I went into this knowing there were mixed reviews, mostly about how it seemed to just end. My Take on this book, is that I just loved it. To me, it was just like how real people meet, you know, when you meet 'the one'. An immediate attraction, you set up a date, you get to know one another...There was no angst, no bull-sh, no pain, just falling in love (yes there were internal question about what comes next, but that's to be expected, and part of taking that next step forward). The writing was Amazing. We get to know Jake and Ivy well as individuals, and when they come together, I swear you can feel,taste, smell everything they can. Intensely likable characters (picking straws, perhaps if the author had brought the sisters - hers and his into the story, instead of just knowing about them in conversations, could have been more emotional book). These characters were real, and said it as it was. The attraction was sizzling. I loved the deep and meaningful conversations as much as I loved the deeply Hot sex scenes. I should say love scenes, because you can Feel the intense connection between these two. Rian is a talented writer, and a great find. I have purchased her other book Ethan, which is currently free. And The ending So commented about? It didn't detract me from this wonderful book, it just didn't drag on the happy ending...
I take all my reviews to heart and often tweak the novel I'm currently writing in response to reader suggestions that resonate with me. So what's so fantastic about this particular review? The reader touched on things that are fundamental about my writing--I will only write about "real" people in "real" situations. I passed through my teen years reading Harlequin, etc. and consider them more fantasy than what really goes on in day-to-day life. Harlequin love isn't attainable. But I believe great passion, deep caring, and growing together goes on every day, everywhere. I've seen it. I've felt it. I've lived it. And so that's the kind of love I write about. And because all relationships are in flux, I don't tack on a traditionaly happy ending. (Well, I did with ETHAN, because I also feel it's my responsibility to make readers happy). So, thank you, Ms. Wheeler, for your review. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed Jake and Ivy's story and hope you will be equally satisfied with ETHAN.
By rebecca wheeler - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Jake (California Dreamy) (Kindle Edition) I went into this knowing there were mixed reviews, mostly about how it seemed to just end. My Take on this book, is that I just loved it. To me, it was just like how real people meet, you know, when you meet 'the one'. An immediate attraction, you set up a date, you get to know one another...There was no angst, no bull-sh, no pain, just falling in love (yes there were internal question about what comes next, but that's to be expected, and part of taking that next step forward). The writing was Amazing. We get to know Jake and Ivy well as individuals, and when they come together, I swear you can feel,taste, smell everything they can. Intensely likable characters (picking straws, perhaps if the author had brought the sisters - hers and his into the story, instead of just knowing about them in conversations, could have been more emotional book). These characters were real, and said it as it was. The attraction was sizzling. I loved the deep and meaningful conversations as much as I loved the deeply Hot sex scenes. I should say love scenes, because you can Feel the intense connection between these two. Rian is a talented writer, and a great find. I have purchased her other book Ethan, which is currently free. And The ending So commented about? It didn't detract me from this wonderful book, it just didn't drag on the happy ending...
I take all my reviews to heart and often tweak the novel I'm currently writing in response to reader suggestions that resonate with me. So what's so fantastic about this particular review? The reader touched on things that are fundamental about my writing--I will only write about "real" people in "real" situations. I passed through my teen years reading Harlequin, etc. and consider them more fantasy than what really goes on in day-to-day life. Harlequin love isn't attainable. But I believe great passion, deep caring, and growing together goes on every day, everywhere. I've seen it. I've felt it. I've lived it. And so that's the kind of love I write about. And because all relationships are in flux, I don't tack on a traditionaly happy ending. (Well, I did with ETHAN, because I also feel it's my responsibility to make readers happy). So, thank you, Ms. Wheeler, for your review. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed Jake and Ivy's story and hope you will be equally satisfied with ETHAN.
August 21, 2013
Burning Love--FREE
Download a copy of my new novel, ETHAN, from the California Dreamy Series, free today and tomorrow at Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/Ethan-California-Dreamy-ebook/dp/B00E9BEA84/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1377092403&sr=1-1&keywords=california+dreamy+series
http://www.amazon.com/Ethan-California-Dreamy-ebook/dp/B00E9BEA84/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1377092403&sr=1-1&keywords=california+dreamy+series
August 8, 2013
5 STARS!
The reviews are starting to come in--5 Stars! http://www.amazon.com/Ethan-California-Dreamy-ebook/dp/B00E9BEA84/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1376009504&sr=1-3&keywords=california+dreamy
