Jessica Nicholls's Blog, page 7

I should have been doing Yoga….

I should have been doing yoga hours ago.  Nothing like an early morning session doing some therapeutic stretching and toning, centering the mind, etc. etc.  But here we are at gone noon in England I am still sat in my in laws house, drinking cold tea in my pajamas.  It’s likely I will be out drinking later as well in town….*sigh*.  

A bit of book promoting, tweeting, retweeting, e-mailing folks about my work, about the short stories I’ve contributed to charity anthologies etc and I just don’t feel right.  It’s that time in the summer for us mummies where we start thinking…f*@k me I am so ready for school to be back in.  

My kids have had a great time, hanging out with the grandparents, cousins, day trips out, travelling, late nights watching movies, etc. etc.  Tonight, they get a proper night in with the grandparents and some beloved cousins, after a full afternoon of out door play.  This is because we will all be out later drinking.  Yep, England and Illinois (yes…in my mind) are beautiful places to be.  

The summer madness has been nice, but I’m starting to itch to get back into the heat, and a controlled, regulated regime.  I naturally self disciplined, but rather easily led in certain situations.   I married a chaotic, great guy and I’ve got one kid totally like me…the other kid totally like him.  All three of them are crazy.  

I’ve got a manuscript that is waiting for me, that I keep thinking about, planning in my head but I just can’t quite get my teeth back into when my eyes lay on it.  It just looks at me on the screen and I’m thinking….’you and me pal, are going to spend some time together…and it’s going to be freaking great.’  That’s right my freaky dystopian/polilitical fantasy/romance…we are going to have some fun, you and I…come September.  

I’ve got a nice, other little number I’m thinking about – a really dark romance involving control issues and hallucinations plus paranormal activity.   You too my lovely.  I’m coming for you.  And we will walk on the beach and hold hands, you will look deep into my eyes and be all mine whether you like it or not *evil glare*.

I’ve got a lady who has a knife and needs to kill some bad guys too.  She is in the woods all alone, waiting for some demonically possessed brutes to come past.  She might be waiting a while. 

But how selfish am I?  With all my ‘feelings’ and ‘hang-ups’ going on about how I should have been doing yoga…I went for a run yesterday and a bit of exercise at the beginning of the day makes me feel centered etc. etc.  I mean really, who gives a flying f*** about how I’m feeling.  Who am I?  I’m nobody.  But that, see even that what I just did there that’s so self indulgent.  ‘Oh, I’m a nobody, poor me, I’m a woman with low self esteem.’ 

Ugh….there are so many people far worse off than me. Listen to me now, I’m carring on with  ‘there are people worse than me.’ Of course there freaking are! Dumba**.  

It’s a bit like that ice bucket challenge.  There are two strains of thought there.  It’s raising awareness for a charity and it’s a bit of fun too.  But there was a post on facebook with a little African kid looking at some lady with the caption ‘So, let me get this straight…you are wasting perfectly good, clean drinking water, in order to avoid giving money to charity?’  

That caption is correct.  However – most would respond to that by saying ‘oh don’t be such a miserable bastard.  We all waste water.  We do it all the time.  We shouldn’t waste water, it is the most precious resource, we would all die without it, but still, don’t be such a whiner.  And it isn’t a total waste, because it is raising awareness for charity.’  I kind of understand both points of view.  

I’m very worried about being classed as a selfish person.  A narcissistic, unnecessarily introverted, spoiled, self – indulgent cow.  Maybe I am one.  Maybe just worrying about that in the first place makes me one.   Shit.  See, I’m not even censoring myself anymore, I don’t even care who reads this. 

It’s lunch time and I should really have made something for my family, but I haven’t.  Don’t worry, they’ve kind of sorted themselves out between grandparents, dad etc.  

That’s what I’m supposed to do right?  Cook and prepare and make the suitcase/pile of clothes straight.  Don’t get me wrong, I get all those maternal, caring, loving urges I get them all the time.  I’m just not having them right now.  

See, if I would have gotten up and done some yoga at 7am I could have done it all.  But I didn’t.  And now I’m going to go take the kids for a walk (after they’ve eaten) and prepare to go out for a meal in town…grown ups only, and it’s likely wine will be involved.  I’m a good girl, and I will drink water as well.  At some point. 

I will think of something more socially relevant to talk about in a blog post soon.  I see things on the news, and I care.  I don’t like seeing it, I don’t like watching the horrors of war and turmoil, poverty, social unrest but I do care.  I’m just not very informed, I don’t know all the facts the news just repeats itself and shows the images…I haven’t been to every place in the world.  Yes, I travel, yes I have lived in diferent countries but that doesn’t make me an expert in everything that is going on so why would I go on about it like I freaking know everything and I can put the world to rights.   I can’t.  I don’t know who can.  

But if we all just cared, just thought a little bit outside our own little self obsessed bubbles that’s a step.  If we learned to recognise evil for what it is, and worked together to stop it, well that would be great wouldn’t it?  Sadly, most of us are so into ourselves, (like me…I mean listen to me…really…I should have done my yoga…who do I think I am!? I’m a lady who feels better after exercise…and if I don’t do it I’m not right in the head), we are so into ourselves that we don’t have the capacity to understand and thus DO something to combat the sorrows that we see on the little screens.  

More children are arriving…and the rant ends here.  Because some things are important than the fact that I didn’t do any freaking yoga.  Damn. 

Bellator is Latin for Warrior.

Bellator is latin for warrior.  

I’ve recently contributed to a collection of short stories entitled Bellator.    All the proceeds go to The Wounded Warrior Project.  My story is entitled ‘With Our Own Blood’.  The lovely Mia Darien has been coordinating capable authors in the genres if sci-fi and fantasy.  

I’ve heard the phrase ‘write what you know’ many many times.  I agree with it.  It’s a bit strange to write on a topic or within a genre you have no passion for.  It’s insulting to be unwilling to do any research.  I also agree with the phrase, ‘write what you fancy reading’.  It’s unfair to subject readers to something you wouldn’t enjoy yourself.  

My short story revolves around a ‘warrior witch’ called Diana.  She lives in the woods, her favorite method of killing involves using a knife (close quarters)  Diana can destroy human remains with her bare hands.  She’s cold, she’s a loner, and anyone who threatens her beloved siblings or parents is as good as dead.  

So, write what you know, yes, but stories would be rather dull if authors only attempted to create characters that they themselves could perfectly immitate.  

Still, when it came time for Diana to do some killing, I stopped writing for a bit.  I really needed to think and research.  Luckily I came across some great reference material, and memoirs.  I learned the distinction between ‘fantasy violence’ and ‘gritty violence’.  This was mainly thanks to Rayne Hall’s Writing Fight Scenes. 

Writing gritty, brutal, realistic, detailed violence is not for me.   As much as I enjoy Lord of The Rings, the Hobbit, etc. even the fantasy violence was a stretch.  But I kept at it.  

Finally Diana’s knife came out of its sheath.  Understanding from professionals and experts how men and women traditionally differ in violent situations was also a great turning point in getting Diana ‘active’.   Male fantasy warriors are cool, but I think fighting (and writing) like a girl is pretty awesome and I wanted to explore that. 

I’ve read a few memoirs of military folks, special operations people, etc.  As inspiring as I find thier stories, it’s a world that is way more foriegn and unknown to me than fantasy or sci-fi tales of ‘warriors’ in the Bellator anthology.  

I actually live in the Middle East.  In a very expat filled, western friendly, holiday destination type of place.  Not the terrifying, religiously and politically complicated battle zones that service people risk thier lives and die in every day.  When I’m there, amongst comfy surroundings I think of what is just over the border in far less friendly countries it’s…a little strange.  Funnily enough I finished ‘With Our Own Blood’ in my native Midwest. 

I’m a priviledged lady who gets to escape the Middle Eastern heat and spend the summers in the US and UK.   Both countries have issues, but oh my goodness am I glad and proud to have ties to both places.  Since being back in the West, whenever I’ve seen military men and women or retired warriors who bear the scars of thier service, I want to go up and hug them.  Of course I’m a shy civilian, and I reckon hugging people who don’t know you might freak them out.  

I’m not capable of doing what they do, what they have done.  But I am so grateful that they have.  I can’t imagine having a spouse who has been through what they have, so my heart goes out to wives, husbands and children connected to folks who are willing to die to keep us safe.  

I’m not capable of what Diana does, but I’m glad she came to life for me.  And if her story is part of a collection that benefits Wounded Warriors, I’m honored.  I think she would be too.  

Bellator (edited by Mia Darien) is a great collection of short stories.  It is available on Amazon (for print and kindle) Smashwords, and Nook Press.  ‘With Our Own Blood’ is included in the collection.

Urban fantasy, Dark Fantasy, or Dark Urban Fantasy? Yeah…

With the release of Into the Arms of Morpheus comes the requests to place it into a category, or ‘genre’, and to give it a maturity rating based on the content.  Let’s face it, it needs to be done.  Readers want to know what they are getting into, and parents need to be warned about exposing their children to explicit material.   I’ll be honest I had some trouble deciding on what genre to place Into the Arms of Morpheus in.

Morpheus is certainly not straight up paranormal romance.  Though I can’t deny that that genre inspired me to write the story itself.  I’ve always been into obsessive, all consuming love in stories.  I’m greedy for more heavy stuff. I don’t like light and fluffy g rated romance, and if the romance is contemporary I need it to be both ‘gritty’ and ‘steamy’.  I rather like ‘too cool for school’ type urban characters if they are done well, and yes we need ‘strong’ characters, but vulnerability (and more importantly, how us mere mortals deal with our vulnerability), is a trait I wanted to explore, in as weird and deep a way as possible.

There are characters from Greek mythology (Nyx, Morpheus, Death but they are lesser knowns and don’t have their own popular stories within traditional mythology).   It’s a fantasy without witchcraft or sorcerers.  Rather, it’s a ‘fantasy’ involving characters who either are obsessed with or heavily involved in ‘fantasizing’, which makes a lot of sense to me.

I looked up ‘dark fantasy’ on Smashwords and a whole heap of not entirely ‘main stream’ erotica popped up.  No doubt there is a theme of desire in my story, so the kids are better staying away from Into the Arms of Morpheus however at no point does it cross the line into erotica.

It certainly isn’t set in any Middle Earth type setting.  It’s mainly set in Manchester, England (where I went to university in the early 2000s).  It is no light love story so I decided in the end to call it Dark Urban Fantasy.   It might not fit exactly with other ‘Dark Urban Fantasy’ stories but, isn’t the whole point of a new story that it is supposed to be…well new?  Rather than – okay, this is your genre so stick with this formula and if you do the formula well then that’s just great maybe you will get noticed by people who love that genre.

Please, I hope no one thinks that this is a ‘my story is so cool, but nobody understands it probably because it’s so cool.’ type rant.  That is not what this is.  I mean it, i am bracing myself for uncomplimentary reviews, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

What this is, is the reader me and the writer me getting together.  As a reader when I search for new reading material and I start downloading I find that I read two or three things at once, and a lot of the time I don’t finish what I start (a shame, and a character flaw on my part).  Okay, part if it involves attention span issues.  But the other part is that as a reader I’m seriously hungry for certain elements to work together in a story that haven’t worked together before.  So, I go to different sources and I wind up stretched too thin.  And, as a writer I wrote something using themes and character types I was interested in and wanted to explore.  I really struggled to to narrow it down to one specific genre.  Reader me and Writer me are not alone.

Another writer (BR Kingsolver) wrote a bit about how a lot of quality, original work gets overlooked as it simply doesn’t fit nicely through the ‘genre filter’ that publishing houses have.   I will post the link at the end of this.

Indie literature is great.  I love it, I embrace it and I am now part of it, but I don’t have enough hours in the day to scour the indie blogs for the types of stories I crave reading (believe me I try…but inevitably I do need to pay attention to my actual surroundings…dammit).  They are out there, I know they are.  But mostly readers get over exposed to the popular, traditionally published stuff.  Every now and again I read something really good, really interesting but I’m always left wanting more.  I’m never satisfied.  But that’s a good thing, I reckon.

My love of what others do, and my need to find something suitable to my tastes, have led me to write Into the Arms of Morpheus.  It’s unlikely I hit the nail on the head, so to speak, but if I have to call it Dark Urban Fantasy, then fine,  I will call it Dark Urban Fantasy.

I kind of want to call it ‘Obsession based story involving lesser known characters from Greek mythology with themes of unrequited love, lust and sexual frustration, heartbreak, extreme desire for control, some stalking, much needed ‘mortal’ interaction with immortal characters who are more satisfying than mortal characters…dark urban fantasy.’   But fine…I will just call it dark urban fantasy.  Fine.

Here is what BR Kingsolver had to say about it anyway:

http://brkingsolver.com/author-s-blog/item/a-world-without-demons

Into the Arms of Morpheus

  

My dark, urban fantasy Into the Arms of Morpheus, is finally out.  Thank you so much Mia Darien, for all your help with editing, and with the fantastic cover art :) 

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/458720

http://www.amazon.com/Into-Arms-Morpheus-Jessica-Nicholls-ebook/dp/B00M3MEVOE

 

 

 

Reaching Out

Reaching Out coming 12th of May!

The fantastic author, organiser and editor Mia Darien wanted to do another charity anthology!  The consistent theme in the short stories is romance involving rescue workers or military.

Here are some details about the chosen charity, the American Red Cross.

Before I started writing, I spent a great deal of time on their website.  http://www.redcross.org/ .  I was familiar with the organisation.  But I was moved by the stories and videos. It’s worth looking at all of their programmes, the chance to donate blood, training courses, and opportunities to volunteer.

The Red Cross performs varying roles.  But their ultimate purpose is relief. Relief for anyone, anywhere who is in need of help or assistance after a trauma. They provide support and care for families and individuals who find themselves in a situation they didn’t expect.

They are like a warm blanket suddenly wrapped around the shoulders of a shivering person who’d been convinced they were alone.  They are a kind voice saying you are not alone, I’m here and I will help you. That’s their purpose.

So being asked to write a little short story and have all moneys go directly to the American Red Cross is an absolute joy.

Here is a little intro to the other writers:

Abigail Owen: Cross My Heart. Abigail is rather deft with romance.  Her published work mainly involves the paranormal (shape shifters, characters with magical powers, it’s all very fun).

Mia Darien: Hope. Mia swaps genres a lot. But whenever love is in her stories, it’s a real treat.  There tends to be a great deal of emotion and connection between any characters she puts together.

Crystal G. Smith: Lesson Learned. Crystal likes to come up with characters that have been through traumas, and then find themselves in deeply romantic situations.  She’s no stranger to using themes of rescue and redemption.

 I’m really excited to see how all of them used the military/rescue worker theme.   For these authors, and me, we do tend to make use of the paranormal or fantasy. But for this collection, withholding ‘the magic’ was one of the stipulations.

The focus of inspiration had to be on immediate emotions.  Feeling vulnerable and in need, after being through something so real and devastating.  Also how it is to know someone needs help, and how you can, well reach out to them.

I did spend a lot of time on the Red Cross website.  I also read a lot about post-traumatic stress, addiction and I read a few memoirs of soldiers.  I did some research about training to become a physical therapist.   Here’s hoping I did justice to my characters!

Jessica Nicholls: A Healing Touch. My story is about a soldier returning from Afghanistan with physical as well as mental ailments.  He meets a physical therapy student, who challenges his initial instincts to isolate himself and seek relief with chemicals.

Love is a powerful thing.  Of course these stories focus on romantic love, which is awesome for the entertainment factor ;)  But showing love to people by being that needed support and relief is something the Red Cross specialises in.  I feel a collection of romance stories to show some love to the Red Cross is more than appropriate.

I really can’t wait to read the finished product of Reaching Out!  May 12th.

 

 

 

Write Like a Girl

Hi. My name is Jessica and I write like a girl.

‘Into the Arms of Morpheus’ is a manuscript I have been back and forth with since about 2009. I wrote it, then tediously went through to correct minor grammatical errors in what was essentially a rubbish first draft.  I had it beta read.  By beta read, I mean that people (mainly writers) agreed to read it for me and give me their honest opinion.  I got some positive remarks, some not so much.It needed a lot of work.

Then I realised the whole thing was crap so I completely rewrote it. I changed characters, deleted scenes, wrote from different points of view.  Then someone got back to me and told me it was no good, not even a story and I should consider rethinking it again. I left it alone for some time and became depressed.   I tried alternative methods of getting the story to sort itself out.

Contrary to popular belief, excessive alcohol consumption does not equal really awesome creativity. It just means a hideous hangover and being unable to concentrate the next day, for me anyway.I am no hard core Hemingway….as you may have guessed.

But every now and again, I need that glass of Sauvignon Blanc and if you try and take it from me (which you won’t because I’m delightful when inebriated)….you’ll find I will be quite abrupt and rather awkward the next time you see me.  In my head anyway….*sigh*.

 Moving on, another writer suggested I write short stories based on the characters within the novel length manuscript. That helped, and it felt good.  Then I wrote two other novel length manuscripts, completely different stories.  That also helped, and felt wonderful.

Both ‘novels’ (aka ‘crappy first drafts’) have been neglected due to me needing to finish Morpheus.  I became obsessed with it.  I didn’t even care that people look at me funny when I say I’m a writer yet I don’t have anything published.  That used to embarrass me.  I’m over it now.

Finally, I got Into the Arms of Morpheus to a point where I was actually happy with it. I sent it out to be beta read and was receiving mainly praise apart from one rather savvy young lady who said ‘it needs restructuring…these POVs are dull…these are exciting…’  I agreed with her, I preferred certain characters so I restructured.

Now, two betas told me they think it’s worth the read and putting out there. I have agreed on cover art, I’ve asked someone to edit it for me.  I was getting oh so excited the other day.   Then another reader got back to me yesterday expressing a great deal of frustration, saying he preferred it as it was last time around.  To a certain extent, his critique was influenced by male vs. female demographic.  Of course I took on board his comments about technical issues, and I still respect his opinion.

 I respect anyone who beta reads.  They are willing to give their time and raw opinion, as well as useful advice.  As a writer it’s important to embrace different points of view.  You need to understand where people are coming from.  After all, it’s your chosen occupation to create personalities, places, etc.  If you can’t appreciate other people’s thoughts, it’s a problem.  

 If you are false, one-sided, or self-centred it will cripple your ability to come up with characters, let alone get across what happens to them and how they behave in different scenarios.

I love the idea of writing something that appeals to men, women, young and old. But a certain male in my family recently told me, after reading a short story of mine, that even if he didn’t know who wrote it he would be able to tell it had been written by a female.  Basically I’ve been told that I, ‘write like a girl.’

Am I ashamed of that? Do I feel it’s a weakness?  No.  I dig characters with emotional lives.  I love romance and sensuality in stories.  I appreciate elaborate plots, gorgeous world building skills, magic and high drama.  And let’s face it some of the best stories with those elements are penned by women.

Here is a mix of my favourite female authors from varying eras and genres: Philipa Greggory, Willa Cather, Melissa Marr,  Kate Chopin,  J.K. Rowling,  Michelle Muto,  Laura Taylor,  Zora Neal Hurston.    I could go on and on.  I love my kindle, and flipping through my library anyone would notice I prefer female writers. That isn’t surprising given that I am one.  BUT I do want to advance and grow.  I’ve got stories that require a male perspective.

 Like it or not, men and women need to work together, both inside and outside of stories. I’ve read female characters penned by male authors and felt like launching something across the room.  But I’ve no wish to return the favour.   I actually do want to understand how typical and not so typical guys (like my husband) think in certain (MAYBE NOT ALL) situations.

I admit, I need to read more stories by men. Even if I’m always only going to appeal to women, I want anyone reading my work to ‘believe’ my characters, male and female.

I enjoy Hemingway from time to time, he was one of my favourites at university. I’ve recently read Andy McNab’s  ‘Bravo Two Zero’, and I’ve downloaded more of his work.  Michael Koryta’s ‘The Ridge’ and Julian Barnes’ Before She Met Me’ are recent favourites.  

I don’t know about all writers, but if they are like me, they come up with concepts, the idea of a character and fantasise about how they could play with that to create a story. Then the writing happens.  That’s the hard bit.  It’s hopeful it will have a wide appeal, but not always possible.  I was told by one of my first beta readers  (really nice lady and great author called Mia Darien) that writing should be a passion.  I agree.

Because it’s possible nothing will come of your little attempts, and you will just carry on struggling.

All the same it should come from your heart and your imagination. No doubt family and friends who really know you, understand full well that you become not so nice of a person when you aren’t allowed time to spend with your stories.

Okay I know some do it for the money. They figure out what’s popular/what’s not/ they read about the market and good for them.  They are savvy, we need folks like that.  But I’m not like that.

For me, I always think of that song that’s on the radio by Sam Smith – ‘Money on My Mind’ when he sings the lyrics ‘I do it for the love…’ I relate that to how I feel about my own writing. I reckon he earns a bit of money from that song though.  Still, he did it initially ‘for the love’, for his craft, and that’s what’s important.

So, coming soon will be my first little attempt.   By little attempt I mean I worked really freaking hard on it and YES it has taken me this long *sigh*.  It’s likely it will only appeal to a certain demographic, it’s probably not going to do all that well amongst the competition.

But it’s mine, it’s coming and as Ice Cube said in the track ‘You Can Do it (put your back into it)’….’Life ain’t a track meet (no) it’s a marathon….’  I love that song!  Anyway….

So, in closing, what if my work is limited to a female demographic?

In this crazy writing world, women are a force to be reckoned with both as authors and readers.  No ‘twerking’ required. 

Review of Abigail Owen’s Andromeda’s Fall

I worked with Abigail Owen for the Here Kitty Kitty short story anthology. All the stories are paranormal romance tales, involving shape shifters. Big, feline shape shifters to be exact. Owen’s short story in the collect, Hannah’s Fate, is one of my favourites in the collection. Her chosen big kitty shifter was the mountain lion.

In Andromeda’s Fall, the Shadowcat Nation series comes alive again with its first novel length instalment. Hannah’s college friend, A.J. Reynolds from the Carstairs Dare, Andromeda or Andie as she is also affectionately called, meets Jaxon Keller. He is the Alpha cat of the Keller Dare.

Andromeda, having escaped the sinister Kyle and Walter Carstairs from the Carstairs Dare, seeks asylum in the Keller Dare. She’s a powerhouse, having fought to make a place in a volatile, male dominated world. Unusually skilled in combat, security and war tactics she’s a desirable addition to any dare. Plus she’s quite a prize, for any big cat. But Andromeda has been forced into a vulnerable position when she seeks Jaxon’s help.

Jaxon is a patient, protective sort, ever watchful of this new world they are building. He is the quintessential ‘real man’, one who only shows his complete dominance when it is necessary. Boy that’s rare and man that’s hot! This quality puts him in contrast with the weasel like Carstairs men, who rule their dare by fear and intimidation. I won’t reveal too much of the story, as it is worth the read.

The paranormal world building is pretty good. I love the Shadowcat Nation concept. The references to Native American terminology and folklore aren’t too shabby either. I like the mystical element behind this world. My only criticism is that I would have liked more of that Native American mysticism and folklore.

That might just be me, as I just love it when magic and history intermingle. But the mountain lion characters in this story are in the throes of setting up their world, coming to grips with what they are and how they will now all live.

The fact is, it is a new world. As is regularly pointed out in the story, cougars are solitary animals. So, living in dares isn’t natural for them. They have been forced into pack life for the purposes of survival. So the politics of living in a group, accepting an Alpha to lead them, how the different dares are led, etc., are interesting elements within the story.

Though I love most paranormal stories, I’m partial to shifters. I find the conflict between pure animal instincts and modern human natures fascinating. Shape shifting cougars, by their animal natures are these solitary, secretive, felines. Their animal natures give them a need to mate, even if just for a season. But the human part of them, and the paranormal/magical element brings about a desire to mate, even marry for life.

A big of extra magic comes about when shifters who are classed as Kuharte are mentioned. Kuharte are those shifters with special powers/abilities. It is Shadowcat Nation law that each dare can only have one Kuharte. The Keller Dare has a healer; the Carstairs Dare has a Seer. The Seer receives visions of the future, those who are destined to mate, who is fated to be with whom, etc.

The strongest element of the story is definitely the romance. Abigail Owen comes up with all kinds of magical, yet relevant excuses for her characters to get together. When she throws in her world building skills, some character building, and makes good use of the paranormal/shifter genre the result is a consistent, engaging story where the romance really rules.

I like Abigail Owen’s, concise writing style. I admit that although I wouldn’t mind a bit more mystical/folklore history, the way she presents her story keeps it flowing. It’s very clear what is happening, you can see it all before your eyes. It’s easy to visualise the setting, the combat, the injuries, and of course the loved up, heated scenes. There’s one particular ‘hazy’ scene that is rather sexy.

Romance rules in this story, as I said. You have the couple with their dual animal/human natures, the magical element, the situation they are thrown into in order to be together, plus there is the heat. I think, in an adult paranormal romance story, that super-heated attraction is a necessary aspect. Andromeda’s Fall is hot without resorting to over the top eroticism.

I’m not squeamish when it comes to the saucy stuff. But there are times, especially in this genre, when it is overused. There is such a thing as balance in a story. Otherwise, the world building, even the romance between the characters takes a back seat. A story that most likely wasn’t intended to be erotica turns out to be…well….really bad erotica. And that’s just a shame. Andromeda’s Fall is a strong, hot romance, intended for grown-ups.

Much like Owen’s Svatura Series, this is a world I am interested in. I want to know what will happen to the Shadowcat Nation, how these new mountain lion dares are going to survive when they have to compete with other animals who are accustomed to living in packs or dares. Plus, one of my favourite characters in Andromeda’s Fall is going to be involved in the next one. I just know it! She’s an ambitious lady, Abigail Owen, she’s taken on quite a lot over the next few months but I hope she gets going with her Shadowcat Nation writing soon.

Reviews of other work by the Here Kitty Kitty Authors

Reviews of other work by the Here Kitty Kitty Authors

Hello out there

I thought I would post this link to the Masquerade Crew site (one of the managers of which happens to be Diantha Jones).  Seeing as I was the only unpublished author in the group and I had rather enjoyed other stories by the Here Kitty Kitty authors, this is what I did: 

I did a little review of other stories by BR Kingsolver, Mia Darien, Diantha Jones, Abigail Owen, and Dariel Raye.    To be honest I wouldn’t have offered to do this if I hadn’t enjoyed thier work.   I’m not a fan of mean reviews, even though I do recognise the need for criticism.  If it needs to be said it needs to be said.   But I enjoyed doing this, yes because I’m nice and I knew the books were good. 

But you know….the authors were all ‘oh that’s so nice of you!’ and thankful but for me it was a guilty pleasure you know? 

Yeah of course I was like ‘oh no! Don’t make me read really good paranormal/sci fi romance and then talk about it! *gasp*’  Hehehehehe…..

Anyway – have a look at my reviews and also poke around on that Masquerade Crew site.  It’s cool. 

http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.ae/2013/10/5-reviews-one-reviewer-jessicanicholl1.html

Here Kitty Kitty!

Here Kitty Kitty!

It’s out!  Available on your Kindle or in paperback.  It’s a collection of short stories, all paranormal romance, all shifters…

The authors include:

Mia Darien

Dariel Raye

Diantha Jones

Abigail Owen

BR Kingsolver

Jessica Nicholls (that’s me)

Soon – (very soon) I’m going to be reviewing other stories written by these authors -

Because they are all impressive paranormal romance writers, I’ve enjoyed reading their work and I’d love to share why. 

I love overanalyzing and obsessing over stuff.  Paranormal romance is a whole heap of fun to overanalyze and obsess over. 

So have a look at Here Kitty Kitty, get a taste for some good romantic shape shifter story telling.  And along the way – you will be donating to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Indiana.  Check them out here:   http://www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org/home.html 

Mia Darien’s Here Kitty Kitty Promo

Mia Darien’s Here Kitty Kitty Promo

Mia Darien is the force behind the ‘Here Kitty Kitty’ Anthology.   She had this fantastic idea, got in touch with other writers (which astoundingly included me), she designed the cover AND she’s editing/formatting the book.  Oh!  She’s also a pretty awesome paranormal romance/historical romance/sci fi writer.  I’ve included a link to her site here.  If you are into paranormal romance and shapeshifters, I am confident you would love Mia’s writing generally AND the ‘Here Kitty Kitty’ story collection.   Have a look.  Have a read.  It will be fun.  I promise.  Go on….