C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 143
July 18, 2016
Tell Again Tuesday What Makes a Writer Great?
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
For all the writers out there. Here is an interesting perspective.
What Makes a Writer Great?
Posted on June 8, 2016 by Toni Kelly
That’s a pretty big question. We could even expand this to ask what makes each of us great at anything? I’ve been listening to tons of podcasts about grit and mastering skills and deliberate practice which I agree really will make a difference (what wouldn’t with such time and dedication put into it?). Still, I also believe there are a few . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
https://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/2016/06/08/what-makes-a-writer-great/
July 14, 2016
Friday Features MJ Compton OMEGA MOON RISING
Talks with
MJ Compton
Today we welcome MJ Compton to the blog. She is sharing with us about her research or “The Truth About Research.” We think you will find this most interesting. So over to you MJ.
Thanks for hosting me today.
My very first book signing was at my local library branch. One of the neighborhood regulars showed up. She was quite a character. Her many statements included letting me know she, too, was a published author, having written non-fiction books with her late husband. Therefore, she was qualified to instruct me about one of the major problems of the romance: lack of research.
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“Because it’s drivel.”
To which I responded, “You haven’t researched your question.”
She scoffed. “How can you research werewolves?”
“There are plenty of historical accounts of werewolves. I researched the legends. I also researched the habits and traits of real wolves, looking for nuances to incorporate into the fictional universe I created. And my characters aren’t only werewolves, but they are also a country music band. I listened to country music day and night. I studied the layouts of tour buses. I went to concerts, and even went backstage at one event. I studied what life on the road was like for performers.”
A former co-worker was present. He added: “MJ worked in the local media for thirty years, so she nailed the heroine dead on.” (The heroine of my first book, Moonlight Serenade, was a journalist.)
I went on to explain that as part of research for my contemporary baseball romance novels, I had season tickets to the local Triple A baseball team for three seasons. My husband and I attended over 60 games a year. I interviewed ballplayers. I talked to the people who managed the stadium. I studied the differences between major league and minor league games. I followed the team on a couple of road trips.
“I had no idea,” the Expert said. “You need to let people know this.”
Other than the acknowledgement page and incorporating the knowledge gained into the story, I’m not sure how an author is supposed to do that. So I’ll do it here.
Yes, I research my books. Even when the topics are difficult. My current release, Omega Moon Rising, deals with child pornography. Yes, I spoke with people who work with children who have been sexually abused. Yes, I learned about the procedures that happen once the abuse has been reported. And yes, my heart broke for those victims.
Being an author isn’t easy. We sometimes have to delve into things we’d rather not. But one of the most important things the romance genre does is offer hope. Maybe solutions. If my books give one person the strength to carry on in the face of any adversity, I have done my job.
Thank you MJ. We think you have done a great job of explaining the research romance authors go to for their books. Now here is a little about MJ’s newest book, Omega Moon.
Abigail Grant has a secret . . . and a plan to keep her younger sister from suffering the same fate. Her strategy would have worked if she hadn’t been seduced by sweet-talking musician Luke Omega. Suddenly she’s plucked from the life she wanted to escape, but her new circumstances only expose her to a different danger—or is it her salvation?
Luke has a secret, too. He believes he can change his destiny through willpower—and a little blue pill. When he inadvertently gets mixed up in the Grant sisters’ troubles and his pack alpha orders him to marry Abigail, his family insists he tell her he’s a werewolf. But Luke claims Abigail is not his life mate. She doesn’t need to know what happens to him on the full moon.
Until he accidentally stumbles across her secret. Then all bets are off.
EXCERPT:
“What did you think of Abby’s songs?” Libby asked. She walked in circles around the splintery gray picnic table.
“Libby.” Warmth filled Abby’s cheeks. Leave it to her sister to jump to exactly what she wanted. No finesse. No filters. No stopping to think about what other people might feel.
Luke blinked, and then grinned. “I recognized the first one, but wasn’t familiar with the other two.”
“That’s because Abby wrote them.”
Abby’s face burned, but in a weird way, she was grateful to Libby for taking the initiative. She never would have figured out how to start this conversation on her own.
“She’s really good,” Libby continued. “Maybe Toke Lobo would want to, I don’t know, hear one? Maybe buy one?”
Luke’s crystal blue eyes widened. Maybe he thought he was being used. Well, he was, in a way. But he was cute. Abby hadn’t had much of a chance to be with many young men because of Gary. Luke’s initial interest flattered her. Not only was he hot, he was nearly famous. Besides, he’d approached her, not the other way around.
“That’s an idea. I could ask him if he’d like to hear that last one.”
Abby’s breath hitched. Maybe this was going to work out.
“But not until after the show. Toke is totally focused on performing right before he takes the stage. But after the show? He’s loose. Sure, I could ask him.”
“Really? I don’t want to impose.”
Oh, yes she did. Getting her lyrics in front of Toke Lobo was her reason for performing in the talent show.
OMEGA MOON RISING
AMAZON http://tinyurl.com/zrjb3xv
MJ Compton Bio:
MJ Compton grew up near Cardiff, New York, a place best known for its giant, which inspired her to create her own fiction.
Although her 30-year career in local television included such highlights as being bitten by a lion, preempting a US President for a college basketball game, giving a three-time world champion boxer a few black eyes, a mention in the Drudge Report, and meeting her husband, MJ never lost her dream of writing her own stories.
MJ still lives in upstate New York with her husband. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Central New York Romance Writers. Music and cooking are two of her passions, and she enjoys baseball and college basketball, but she’s primarily focused on wine . . . and writing.
Where you can find MJ:
Website & Blog http://www.comptonplations.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Comptonplations
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMJCompton
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/compton4555/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8075221.M_J_Compton
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/MJ-Compton/e/B00J9DFFIG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
July 12, 2016
Pre-release link for The Mercenary and the Shifters
Help us get to number one on our release day
by pre-ordering our newest book in
The Turning Stone Chronicles Series,
The Mercenary and the Shifters
When mercenary soldier Michael Corritore answers a desperate call from an ex-military buddy, he finds himself in the middle of a double kidnapping, caught in an ancient war between two shape shifter factions, and ensnared between two female shape shifters after the same thing … him.
Shape shifter Fiona Kayler will do anything to keep the shipping company her father left her, including getting in bed with the enemy. But when she believes the man trying to steal her company is involved with kidnapping her nephew, she must choose between family, fortune, and love. The problem is … she wants all three.
The Mercenary and the Shifters (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 4):
eBook:
https://amzn.com/B01I01W2JC
Tell Again Tuesday Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore
One day it is my intention to own a coffee shop that also promotes Indie Authors. With Ebooks it is not quite as simple as with print copies but I do have a few ideas up my sleeve.
In the meantime I thought I might make a start by promoting my fellow authors on the blog by creating a virtual book cafe. I am so grateful for their generous support and I will kick off the project with those that have been guests over here on Smorgasbord either in an interview or Book Promotion. The page will build over coming week or so as . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/sallys-cafe-and-bookstore/
July 7, 2016
Friday Features The Mercenary and the Shifters
Focuses on
The Mercenary and the Shifters
Today we’re sharing a little more about the story of Mike Corritore and Fiona Kayler and the continuing saga of the
Turning Stone Chronicles.
Mike is an ex-Marine who served two tours in Afghanistan and experienced some traumatic events that have colored his outlook on life and love. Fiona has had her share of unhappy life events as well. She’s on the brink of losing her father’s shipping business which she inherited and is taking desperate measures by aligning herself with rogue shifters in a last ditch effort to save the company.
When she discovers funky things are happening at the shipping dock, she reaches out to her brother’s FBI contact for security protection. He’s unable to come, but sends Mike Corritore instead—a hunky, masculine specimen of a man. She’s immediately attracted to him, and he to her. But both Mike and Fiona have issues and secrets that get in the way.
Here’s a little taste of their story.
Mike Corritore wheeled up the circular drive of the impressive house on Lakeshore Road and cut the engine on his motorcycle. After a quick glance around, he shouldered the bags containing his clothes, ammo, pump shotgun, and talwar sword. Then he headed for the carved front door. The doorbell echoed inside indicating the mansion had a cavernous entry hall. He searched the entrance stoop for security cameras and found none.
What the heck had he gotten himself into? A rich bitch, with no security on her home, mixed up with a bad syndicate spelled major trouble. With this chintzy level of security, it would take more time than he originally anticipated to make her house and business secure.
After a couple of minutes the door opened.
“Can I help you?” asked an attractive redhead.
“I’m Mike Corritore. Here to see Fiona Kayler. Will you tell her I’ve arrived?”
The redhead looked him over, then braced her legs shoulder width apart and crossed her arms over her curvy bust. “Do you have identification, Mr. Corritore?”
Mike returned her once-over. Her porcelain complexion blushed pink at his bold examination, and she tossed her mane of wavy, mahogany hair defiantly.
Damn, she was gorgeous.
If she thought her insolent pose enough to keep him, or intruders out, she’d better reconsider.
“Hugh sent me.” He stepped forward but she blocked him.
“A driver’s license for your very expensive motorcycle will suffice,” she said, wiggling her fingers at him. When he didn’t comply, she stepped back and reached to the side of the door.
The distinct cachung of a gun cocking sent him flying to the right of the doorway.
“Identification, Mr. Corritore. Please,” she said as she leveled a pistol at him.
Mike dug in his rear pants’ pocket. “Hugh lied,” he said as he held out his driver’s license. “You don’t need protection.”
After inspecting his identification, she lowered her weapon and waved him inside. “For my business, Mr. Corritore. I’m capable of protecting my home, but I can’t draw my gun just anywhere.”
“You should get a conceal and carry license,” Mike said as he entered.
She put the safety on the gun and stashed the weapon in the table beside the front door.
“I take it you’re not the help,” he said, glancing around the entry hall.
She held out her hand. “Fiona Kayler. Nice to meet you, Mr. Corritore.”
“Mike,” he said, taking her hand. Her palm, warm and soft, told him she lived a life of leisure. But her strong grip screamed, No patsy. He held her hand a bit longer than he should have. She wriggled free and waved him to the left.
“Ladies first.”
With a nod, she led him toward a sumptuously decorated room. He followed, his eyes taking in the soft curves of her rear as she sashayed across the marble-tiled floor. Mike’s body reacted to the seductive wiggle of her bottom. She walked as sexy as she looked.
Keep your mind on the job, Corritore. He shifted his gaze away from temptation, searching the ceiling and corners of the entry for security cameras. If she had them, they were well hidden.
The measured click of her high heels on the hard marble tile floor disappeared as they stepped on the thick, white carpet of the living room. This room appeared cozier than the entry. A huge gold, gilt-edged mirror hung over the fireplace reflecting the scene outside the oversized plate-glass window.
She motioned to a seat beside the fireplace. Mike chose a location less exposed to the exterior, where he could watch the entrance to the room. Fiona dragged a side chair across the room to where he sat, positioning it at a right angle to his seat. Two vertical furrows appeared in the carpeting, bisecting their shoe impressions and the vacuumed paths in the thick fibers. Apparently, she didn’t use this room much.
“So, Ms. Kayler—”
“Fiona,” she corrected.
“Fiona, exactly what do you need me to do?” As he said the words, he had a lurid vision of what he’d like to do to this lovely woman. He shook it off. She was Hugh’s friend and in trouble. He had no business screwing around with damsels in distress. They were needy. The last thing he wanted.
“A couple of years ago I had a problem with smugglers. They brought in some hazardous materials which got me in trouble with Homeland Security and the FBI. They cleared me, but my business took a pretty big hit. To keep things afloat, I’ve had to get in bed with some rough characters recently.”
At the phrase get in bed with Mike cocked his eyebrow at her.
“Not literally,” she amended quickly, as a dusky pink blush crept over her pale complexion. “I need my security beefed up so I don’t have a replay of two years ago.”
“Any good security company could upgrade you.”
“I also need someone I can trust implicitly. Hugh vouched for you, and I trust Hugh.”
“We should start with your home security. I didn’t see surveillance cameras at the door.”
“My home is perfectly safe. It’s my business I’m concerned about.”
Fiona crossed her arms over her chest, her body language closing off to further suggestions. Mike followed her motions. As he did, he spotted a red dot on her chest. The dot wiggled.
“Get down!” Mike shouted as he dove for Fiona.
Want to read more? The book will be out July 27th on Amazon. In the meantime, why not check out the other three books in The Turning Stone Chronicles?
Amazon buy links:
The Promised One (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 1):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00DUMODKI
paperback: http://amzn.com/1619353504
Blood Brothers (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 2):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00OVNFC8W
paperback: http://amzn.com/1619358271
Son of the Moonless Night (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 3):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00XK3E172
July 5, 2016
Wednesday Special Spotlights The Mercenary and the Shifters Release Date
Announces
The Mercenary and the Shifters
Release Date
July 27th the fourth book in The Turning Stone Chronicles, The Mercenary and the Shifters, will be here!
When mercenary soldier Michael Corritore answers a desperate call from an ex-military buddy, he finds himself in the middle of a double kidnapping, caught in an ancient war between two shape shifter factions, and ensnared between two female shape shifters after the same thing … him.
Shape shifter Fiona Kayler will do anything to keep the shipping company her father left her, including getting in bed with the enemy. But when she believes the man trying to steal her company is involved with kidnapping her nephew, she must choose between family, fortune, and love. The problem is … she wants all three.
Watch this site for pre-buy link and upcoming excerpts.
Tell Again Tuesday Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Today a little something different due to the 4th of July having been yesterday when we celebrate the birth of our nation. This video gives meaning to the Pledge of Allegiance. We hope you enjoy this as much as we do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM
June 30, 2016
Friday Features Cerian Hebert The Staying Kind
Presents
Cerian Hebert
Author of
The Staying Kind
At the age of twelve Cerian was going to be a great mystery/adventure writer with her friends and her as the main characters and their adventures in their rural neighborhood the basis for the stories. As the years went by, adventures in the neighborhood gave way to an enduring interest in horses and boys. So, instead of writing about twelve year olds solving mysteries regarding old, empty houses and strange gusts of icy wind she started writing about romance. And horses.
While growing up in New Hampshire, Cerian dreamed about becoming an Olympic horseback rider, the curator of the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History in Washington DC, a paleontologist, and a famous actress in Hollywood. While none of that worked out, she kept up the writing. While either mucking stalls at a New York horse farm, or taking reservations for cruises, she never stopped writing in her ever growing pile of notebooks.
Currently Cerian lives in southwestern New Hampshire with her husband, two of their four children, one dog, one cat, and three geckos. Her mundane job keeps her busy working as a customer satisfaction rep, until she makes enough at her writing to retire from the glamorous life of data entry.
Her book, The Staying Kind, is available from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H5WVIBU
The books blurb is:
Rio Presley isn’t looking for a place to fit in when she finds a job at a stable in New Hampshire. Travis Lithgow isn’t expecting to discover a drifter taking up residence in his hunting cabin and working for his aunt. Just back from a tour in the Middle East, he’s rebuilding his relationship with his rebellious teenage daughter. He’s sure Rio’s presence in their lives won’t make things easier, but he admires Rio’s strength facing the adversities in her life.
As Rio fights the urge to get back on the road before she becomes too comfortable with her newfound love of horses, her feelings for Travis become stronger than the need to flee. Both he and his aunt are offering Rio everything she’s ever been afraid to want, but staying could bring her past crashing into the happy life she’s begun to build.
Excerpt from The Staying Kind for your reading pleasure.
As sleep began to pull her down, she heard a noise from inside the house this time. She sat up in bed, now wide-awake. The noise repeated, coming from out in the kitchen.
Rio sat still for a long time, listening. Her bedroom door was shut so the sounds were muffled, but constant.
Slowly she climbed out of bed, padded to the door, opening it a crack, enough to peek out. She couldn’t see the entire kitchen from her vantage point, so she stepped out, creeping further down the narrow hall, with only her fists to defend herself.
The sight of Travis standing by the sink surprised her, followed by a flood of relief. So the rain had apparently driven him in and cut his hunting trip short.
Beyond the comfort of having someone home at last, a not-so-new emotion wound its way in. Thick, undeniable attraction came on much stronger, much headier than before.
The fact he stood there bare-chested, in the soft illumination of the light over the stove, did nothing for her resolve to keep those damned lustful thoughts at bay.
I should turn around. Slip into her bedroom, climb into bed and be glad she wasn’t alone. That was what she should do.
Instead she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. So much about him remained unknown. He’d spent years in the service and she could see it in his build. His tanned skin stretched taut over the muscles of his chest, his abdomen tight.
Rio flexed her fingers and balled them up. The desire to go to him and stroke her hand up the smooth, hard expanse of his back overwhelmed her. She’d struggled with this misplaced attraction for too long, and seeing him this way only made the battle harder to fight.
Damn. Why couldn’t she leave? Go to bed? Why did she have to be so transfixed by him?
Just a second longer, one more glimpse. Then she’d have enough to dream about for a good long while.
Finally, she found the will to leave, but she didn’t even take one step before his voice stopped her.
“Rio.”
Too late to escape.
Where to find Cerian:
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H5WVIBU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ceriansbooks/
Twitter https://twitter.com/CerianHebert
Website: http://www.cerianhebert.com/
June 28, 2016
Wednesday Special Spotlight Son of the Moonless Night C.D. Hersh
Illuminates
Son of the Moonless Night
Son of the Moonless Night is the third book in The Turning Stone Chronicles. Book one The Promised One. Book two Blood Brothers. Book four, The Mercenary & the Shifters, coming soon.
Blurb for— Son of the Moonless Night (The Turning Stone Chronicles)
Owen Todd Jordan Riley has a secret. He’s a shape shifter who has been hunting and killing his own kind. To him the only good shifter is a dead shifter. Revenge for the death of a friend motivates him, and nothing stands in his way . . . except Katrina Romanovski, the woman he is falling in love with.
Deputy coroner Katrina Romanovski has a secret, too. She hunts and kills paranormal beings like Owen. At least she did. When she rescues Owen from an attack by a werebear she is thrust back into the world she thought she’d left. Determined to find out what Owen knows about the bear, she begins a relationship meant to collect information. What she gets is something quite different-love with a man she suspects of murder. Can she reconcile his deception and murderous revenge spree and find a way to redeem him? Or will she condemn him for the same things she has done and walk away from love?
Excerpt:
A crash in the alley stopped Katrina Romanovski mid-stride. Like the October mist swirling in off the lake, her gypsy blood stirred sending her intuition into high gear. Something unnatural was happening.
Go see what’s wrong. She heard her father’s voice as clearly as if he stood next to her.
On the heels of his words came her mother’s pragmatic warning in clipped British tones. You know what curiosity killed. Katrina pushed the ever-present warning aside. Mom never approved of Dad’s supernatural hunts and even less of his drawing her into them.
Pulling the oversized cross she always wore out from under her shirt, Kat looked around for a weapon. Please, not a vampire. I hate vampires! A piece of wood sticking out of the trashcan at the front of the alley caught her eye.
Grabbing it, she broke the end off into a sharp point. The mist-filled air filtered the light from the single bulb over one of the alley doorways. The wind swirled the loose trash around making a quiet approach difficult. Sidestepping the paper, with the stake in one hand and holding the gun she took from her purse in the other hand, she crept into the alley.
A roar echoed against the buildings, the sound nearly sending her running. That roar wasn’t a vampire. It sounded more like an animal. Kat inched closer. In the yellow pool of light from the back door of the building, a black bear, over seven feet tall, reared on its back legs and swung its paw at the man standing at the edge of the light. He crashed to the ground, shirt torn open from the slashing claws. Blood covered the fabric, and he clasped his left hand over his shoulder to stem the flow. The bear bent toward him, teeth bared in a smile. A wicked smile.
Kat aimed her gun, but before she could pull the trigger, a shot rang out. The flash of gunpowder lit the face of the injured man. The blast reverberated against the buildings. With an enraged bellow, the bear staggered backward against the wall. Shaking his head, the animal dropped to all four paws. Weaving like a drunk, he lumbered toward his attacker. The man took aim again, shooting the animal between the eyes. Animal and human collapsed on the dirty, littered pavement.
As she started to move forward, Kat’s gypsy senses crawled over her skin like angry red ants. As she slipped back into the shadows, the bear shed fur. Changing size. Then, finally, turning into a man.
Shape shifters. Her stake wasn’t any good against them, and her bullets weren’t silver. This one appeared dead anyway. Had the wounded man seen the shift? Tossing the stake aside, she paused by the shifter and quickly moved to the wounded man. Out cold. Still human.
When she touched him, his eyelids fluttered open. “Did I get it?”
“What?”
“The bear.”
C.D. Hersh Amazon buy links:
The Promised One (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 1):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00DUMODKI
paperback: http://amzn.com/1619353504
Blood Brothers (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 2):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00OVNFC8W
paperback: http://amzn.com/1619358271
Son of the Moonless Night (The Turning Stone Chronicles Book 3):
eBook: http://amzn.com/B00XK3E172
paperback: http://amzn.com/1682910709
Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection
eBook: http://amzn.com/B0186SCT74
Tell Again Tuesday The Ohio Firelands
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
The Ohio Firelands
June 3, 2016 by Becky Lower
When I moved back to Ohio after an absence of several decades, I ended up in a part of the state previously unexplored by me, despite having spent the first twenty-two years of my life in Ohio. One of the things I noticed was the constant reference to the Firelands. On nearly every corner in my newly adopted part of the state, there are schools, medical centers, churches, credit unions, a cattle company, grocery stores, retirement centers—all with the Firelands name. I asked people every chance I got what the Firelands was in reference to, but no one had a good explanation.
So, being the historian that I am, I decided to find out. What I didn’t expect was to find was the origin of the name had its roots in . . .
For the rest of the blog go to:
https://historyimagined.wordpress.com/2016/06/03/the-ohio-firelands/
