SRNWrites

A new 'Christmas' excerpt frrom 'Flavia's Secret'

2010-11-30T04:04:00.000-06:00

Here's a new excerpt from my historical romance, FLAVIA'S SECRET, set in Roman Britain in AD206. In it, the hero Marcus finally admits the truth about himself, and other things....

This scene takes place during the ancient Roman fesitval of the Saturnalia - the Roman 'Christmas'.
EXCERPT

He released her hands, standing looking down at her, nervously scratching the blue-black stubble on his chin. ‘My mother is like you,’ he said finally. ‘A Celt. She was my father’s slave-housekeeper. He bought her to care for his sons, my half-brothers, when his first wife died. When she became pregnant with me, he married her.

‘So you see,’ he said harshly, ‘I am not a pure Roman. Nor a pure Celt. I am neither.’

‘You are both.’ Flavia took hold of his clenched fingers and rubbed and kissed them. She could feel the pain and tension in him, see the dark sense of shame staining his tanned, hawkish face. Marcus, whom she had once thought so Roman! She had already guessed as much about his heritage but now that Marcus had admitted it, this was another bond between them. Please let him see it, Flavia prayed.

‘No one who truly knows you will ever be anything less than proud and impressed,’ she said softly. ‘And we may be kin, your mother and I.’

Marcus straightened, staring over her head at some distant point, his blue eyes unseeing. ‘My father freed my mother by the terms of his marriage to her. But he was possessive. I always thought him so. He never gave her the choice. He didn't free her first, before he married her.’

He sighed, his tense strong body stiffening further. ‘I know my mother would have liked the choice. She told me so. I think she deserved to be given the choice, except my father was too afraid that he would lose her if he freed her first. I know my mother has always regretted that.’

He closed his eyes briefly, reopening them as Flavia said, ‘Go on, Marcus. Tell me the rest.’

‘That is all there it is.’ Marcus shook his head. ‘I am the half-breed son of a slave. A half-Roman who has never fitted in and who does not want to climb the Imperial ladder any more. I would like to stay here, in Aquae Sulis. Be a father to Hadrian, who reminds me so much of myself at the same age. Learn to farm Lady Valeria’s country estate and trade and continue to help the people here who look to me as their patron and protector.’

‘Then why not stay?’ Flavia whispered.

Her heart seemed to turn right over in her breast at the look of longing he gave her then.

‘Because I want more.’ He stared at her hands, holding one of his. ‘I want my free-woman scribe as my love and true companion. I love you, Flavia. I love you as I loved Drusilla and little Aurelia, with all my heart.’

He touched her face with his free hand. ‘I grew to love my wife and child, but you, little water-goddess, you enchanted me at once. Did you not see this? Each time we made love, I thought you would know.’

‘You never said,’ Flavia stammered, caught somewhere between wonder and jubilation.

‘I wanted you to be free first, to be used to being free. I didn't want my love to be a burden, an obligation. I was not sure if you felt the same way as I do—people say “I love you,” in the heat of passion. I hoped and trusted that it was more than the newness of love-making on your part, but I was not sure. Only a man like Lucius Maximus would be sure! And I wanted you to know who I was, and I wanted you to have the choice. I still do.’

Marcus knelt in the snow so that their faces were almost level and he had to look up to her. He moved his hand in hers so that her fingers rested on his palm, so that they touched but he was not grasping.

‘Will you do me the honor, the great honor of becoming my wife? Will you make me the happiest man of this Saturnalia and for all festivals to come? Will you marry me, Flavia? A half-Roman youngest son with a tiny estate in provincial Britannia and a young adopted son to care for and raise?’

‘Yes.’ Flavia cast her arms about him, hugging his head on her breast. ‘Yes to everything! Yes!’

Snow had begun falling again but Flavia and Marcus, locked in each other’s embrace, were aware of nothing outside of themselves.

‘I love you, Flavia, my little scribe who taught me that not all desk-people are to be mistrusted.’

‘Certainly not!’

‘I am so happy.’

‘So am I, Marcus. I love you.’

‘I love you,’ Marcus said again, kissing her and drawing her up with him as he rose to his feet, lifting her high in his arms. ‘I love you so much. When can we marry?’

‘My choice?’ Flavia asked, light-headed with delight.

‘Your choice.’

‘What about your family?’

‘My parents and half-brothers can visit us here. As for their approval of you—’ Marcus looked grim for a moment. ‘They had better.’ His face cleared. ‘But they will adore you, as I do. I know they will.’

‘Then soon, please.’ Flavia felt herself blushing as she wondered if she sounded too eager. ‘I would like Julia Sura to be at our wedding, and Pompey. Hadrian, of course, and the others. It can be a double celebration!’

‘Your freedom and your marriage?’ Marcus asked quizzically, but Flavia was too happy to care about his teasing.

‘Our marriage and Hadrian’s adoption as our son,’ she answered promptly. She loved the boy and knew Marcus felt the same.

‘The first of our many children, eh?’

Flavia nodded, thinking of dark-haired sons and daughters with blue eyes exactly like their father. ‘I hope that is soon, too,’ she said.

Marcus chuckled and set her back lightly on the horse, grasping the reins to lead the stallion through the streets. He glanced up at her, sitting eagerly forward, her blonde hair threatening to escape its plaits as ever and her lips and cheeks glowing against the whiteness of the snow. He thought of a daughter with her coloring, as fair as little Aurelia had been, and felt no pain, only a flood of happy memories that he would share, and a rising excitement.

‘I think our lad Hadrian will have more sisters and brothers to play with,’ he said, giving Flavia’s left foot a playful tug. ‘And as you say, soon.’

‘You are sure?’

‘Very sure, little Briton! Trust me.’

I do, Flavia thought. Free, proud and happy, she and her husband-to-be turned into another street and joined a throng of merry-makers celebrating the Saturnalia in the snowy, lively city of Aquae Sulis. Their home.

You can read more about Flavia's Secret here:

http://lindsaysbookchat.blogspot.com/2008/04/flavias-secret.html

Best wishes, Lindsay
Lindsay Townsend, historical romance, http://www.lindsaytownsend.net/

A Knight's Enchantment' published today

2010-06-01T05:22:00.000-05:00

My historical romance, A Knight's Enchantment, is released today by Kensington Zebra. This is my third knight novel, the other two being A Knight's Vow and A Knight's Captive. They take place in different time periods and different places, but all have knights as their heroes.

For me the appeal of a knight isn't his shining armour or his wealth. It isn't even the knightly code which he would be supposed to follow: too often in the middle ages, such ideas of courtesy and honour applied only to the nobility and no one else. But a knight as a protector - now that appeals.

My heroines, too, are great rescuers. In A Knight's Enchantment, Joanna is striving to free her father from captivity and throughout the novel she 'rescues' the hero Hugh, prompting him to reconsider many part of his life and his relations with his family.

Their early encounters are fraught, as neither is sure they can trust the other and Hugh especially makes wrong-headed assumptions about Joanna. He has his own powerful reasons for seizing her, but his self-justifications are flawed. Later he realises and admits this and they join forces.

You can find more details, the 4-star Romantic Times review and an excerpt here.

Down to the wire

2010-05-01T10:47:00.000-05:00

For me anyway.

There are four weeks and three days left of school. What that means is, essentially, my writing will come to a grinding halt. Kids will be running through the house. I'll have to find things for them to do. Unfortunately, my desk is in the front room area right at the front door. (I'd kill to have an office again, out of the main path of traffic.)

I know we're looking into swim lessons, but that's a very short span, and I have to go with him. Camp's not possible.

How am I going to keep my sanity? How am I going to get anything done? It's not looking too good at the moment, but I'll manage. Maybe I'll just start writing at night again.

Any suggestions?

Diana Castilleja

Unbound Trust || Coming Soon!
Crowning A Warrior King || Print
Aiza Clan Shifter Combo 1&2 || Print
The Eternal Kiss || Print

RT nomination for 'A Knight's Captive'

2010-04-27T05:59:00.001-05:00

I'm delighted to say that A Knight's Captive was chosen among the select band of nominees for the Best Historical Novel category in the Romantic Times 2009 Reviewers' Choice Awards this month. I'm tickled pink to have been shortlisted, and congratulations to Tessa Dare, who won.

The list of all the nominees and winners is here.

Lindsay

Magic Moments

2010-04-13T13:22:00.003-05:00

We all have 'magic moments' in our lives - those times when time itself seems to stand still and we are truly overwhelmed with joy: when we find our soul mate and recognise each other, when a child is born, when our love returns safely from a long journey. The happy exchange of flowers and other gifts, chosen with care and thought. Or that first loving kiss - and then others, and more.

Life is made complete by such moments.

Story and myth also has magic moments. Here are some of my favourites from well-known fairy stories and myths.

When the prince finds the glass slipper in Cinderella.

When Beauty tells the Beast she loves him and he is transformed.

When Gerda rescues Kai in the Snow Queen.

When Penelope tricks Odysseus into revealing who he is - by tricking him into describing their very unusal bed - and reunites with him at the end of The Odyssey.

Here are my magic moments - what are yours?

Lindsay
http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

Coming on June 1: 'A Knight's Enchantment' (Kensington Zebra, $5.99)

It's a party!

2010-04-01T06:00:00.003-06:00

April 1st, but it's not April Fool's!

Today is the one year anniversary for one of my publishers PURPLE SWORD PUBLICATIONS! I'm very proud to be a part of this publisher, and all the hard work they put into providing excellent stories--and all the hard work they put me through to give them those stories!!

Well, in celebration, PSP is doing a giveaway! You heard it, a new Sony E-Reader! Click the link to learn the rules, there's only a few and they're very simple!

As usual, no purchase necessary. Share this with your friends! Help us celebrate our first milestone, and be a part of the celebration!

Diana

Excited people

2010-03-27T15:14:00.005-06:00

by Maggie Toussaint

Don't you just love standing next to someone who's quivering with excitement? I got a virtual dose of it during the recent announcements of Golden Heart and Rita finalists. I had not entered and yet I got to experience the euphoria first hand. It was energizing!

Other exciting people give off great vibes too: charismatic politicians, evangelists, birthday boys/girls, anniversary couples, college graduates, award winners, entertainment stars, well, the list goes on and on.

In teaching my yoga class, I've noticed the positive effect of good vibes. It gives veracity to that old saw, everybody loves a winner, because in truth, they enjoy basking in the glow. And I'm not just talking about the glow of success. There's more to it than that, but since this is primarily a writer's blog, I'm going to keep it simple.

Believe in yourself.

Allow yourself to be excited about your work. That positivity will go a long way towards influencing others to your point of view. Cloak yourself in the glow of success.

Maggie Toussaint

MUDDY WATERS and ON THE NICKEL under contract

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

Things that make you stop and go

2010-02-19T06:43:00.004-06:00

by Maggie Toussaint

Do you remember the kid's game called RED LIGHT? One person is IT and he/she stands some distance away from a pack of children. IT turns his/her back to the pack, counts to 10 aloud and says the word "red light". At this, everyone must freeze. If IT catches you moving, you become IT. (Of course, the goal is to tag IT)

Life and writing are a series of stops and gos, and all of these interruptions and stolen moments come at a moment's notice and often without invitation. So how is a person to feel they are making any sort of progress?

I further categorized my thoughts on this into things that shut down or nourish your body, mind, and soul. Here are mybreakouts:

Body stops: illness, too much to do, too little to do, visiting relatives, hunger

Body gos: good nutrition, exercise, anticipation, family, comfortable shoes, music

Mind stops: scary movies, frigid cold, illness, information overload, heavy fragrances

Mind gos: yoga, brain teasers, relaxing music, games, game shows, lively discussion with friends

Soul stops: people who are rude or mean, having to be around people who don't respect me, too much time in a hospital, excessive fluorescent lights, repetitive dullness in the environment

Soul gos: singing, being outdoors, being creative, meditating, worshiping

Interestingly, I found that music makes me feel better in every aspect and that negativity was draining on every level. I'm not sure one can draw a relevant conclusion from a sample set of one, but it seems to me that knowing your stops and gos can help you understand your highs and lows. It can also give you an idea of how to recharge quicker when life throws curve balls at you.

Using the actions of the kid's game of Red Light, I also had the thought that turning around 180 degrees in both perceptions and perspective can be the difference between stopping and going.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on stops and gos.

Maggie Toussaint

mystery and romance author

ON THE NICKEL and MUDDY WATERS under contract

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

Seriously, folks

2010-01-14T09:09:00.004-06:00

by Maggie Toussaint

Some days, no matter what you have planned, life takes a serious U-turn. That's happened in my life on several levels. I'm a person who doesn't surprise well, very goal-oriented and a completer of tasks. So when the unexpected happens and my pre-ordained schedule derails, it often takes my breath away.

First, the home front. Termites. Ugh. We found them in the fall, had our house treated, and waited the required 3 months to repair the door frame. Imagine our surprise when the damage extended up and down the studs to the left of the door as well as the right. The plate over the footer crumbled like sand at the touch. Termite trails were all through the drywall as well. Yuck. Now I've got carpenters and ladders and cold air in my house, banging and talking, and fixing, which is all good but annoying too.

Second, every time we think we are making headway with an elderly relative in a physical rehab facility, there seems to be a setback. This takes a physical, emotional, and spiritual toll. It also is toxic to my muse.

Third, some changes in books are needed. The general wisdom is that book one of a mystery series should be book two. Which is fine for book two, but lots of surgery in book one. I'll keep a copy of the "classic" version of book one, but I'll need lots of creativity juice for alterations. Another book needs CPR too. This one doesn't require a major overhaul, just a suspenseful tweak here and there. I can do it. I just need to wrap my head around it and get going.

Fourth, with all the rehashing going on, my WIP has to go on the shelf. I've done this before and I know I can pick it back up, but it is still a change in plan. And I really like my WIP, so there's some feet dragging going on, some mental whining.

Coping with change, for me at least, is a bit like the seven-step grieving process. You go through them all and you come out on the other end stronger, more grounded, more able to shelter life's storms. Life is, after all, about change.

We adapt and grow. Or we don't. It's up to us.

Maggie Toussaint
author of mystery and romance
www.maggietoussaint.com

Red Roses Award for 'Bronze Lightning'

2010-01-06T12:02:00.001-06:00

My Bronze Lightning has won the main prize in the Red Roses for Authors Christmas Awards.

I've just received the prize for it, this rather nice pendant, so I thought I'd show it off. Thanks, Linda!

Lindsay
http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

The romance of far-away places

2009-12-22T11:23:00.000-06:00

Many writers I know write about their own local areas and places. I love to write about far-away places. The pull and lure of the unknown always intrigues me. So I either write about the past - a different kind of far-off place where manners, customs, fashions are all different - or I write about distant lands.

I love Yorkshire as a place to live. It's where most of my family are. I love the landscape and the people. Yet, in my writing, I find I am most excited by the glamour of the different. For me, the grass over the other side of the fence really is greener!

Having studied European history, I tend to be drawn to the lands of the classical Greeks and Romans. The light and dry heat of Greece always amazes me and the wild-flowers and ruins and the fiercely passionate people all inspire me. Italy is a country I love for its culture, food, mix of ancient and modern and sense of family. Both places to me seem ripe for romance and adventure: their men folk are often impossibly handsome and open and engaging. Very appealing!

I wrote about the Greek island of Rhodes in my sweet romance, A Secret Treasure and about Italy and especially Italian bread and sweets in my newly published Holiday in Bologna. This Christmas we are having panettone as a cake, probably with soft Italian cheese. Delicious!

Do you read stories set in far away places? What inspires you in your fiction?

Lindsay
　
http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

SRN Christmas Chat

2009-12-08T09:30:00.005-06:00

We'd love to see you all there.

If you'd like to be a participating author, please email me at

adellelaudanATyahoo.com

Happy Holidays!

Love Romances & More Book Club

...And here's another cover: 'Holiday in Bologna'

2009-12-05T04:12:00.002-06:00

Well, good things come in threes, so here's the cover for Holiday in Bologna, my sweet romance novella coming from Bookstrand in the spring.

I suggested a garden, and just look at all those roses!

Lindsay
http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

AudioLark cover for 'A Secret Treasure'

2009-12-04T12:44:00.003-06:00

This must be a week for lovely covers. Here's the one AudioLark have given to the audio version of A Secret Treasure - really warm and atmospheric!

Further details are here at AudioLark.

Lindsay
http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

Just got the cover for 'A Knight's Enchantment'

2009-11-28T04:17:00.001-06:00

I've just this morning received the cover for my next Zebra medieval, A Knight's Enchantment, and I like it already!
Here it is, and the blurb is here.

Other bits of news: another romantic suspense shortie, Holiday in Bologna, comes out from Bookstrand as an ebook early next year and A Secret Treasure is getting the talking book treatment from AudioLark in the spring.

Lindsay

Turkey Tales

2009-11-26T00:01:00.001-06:00

Here are two turkey (or turkel, as we call them) sightings around my house.

Turkey in the Snow

In December 2007, a big storm dropped a good foot and a half of snow. By late afternoon, the sky was clearing and two tom turkeys (all that chest hair) slogged to the bird feeder. We have several large pines in our yard which shelter the feeder. The snow wasn't as deep there and the turkeys pecked at the seeds.

The next time I looked, only one turkey was left. He turned toward the hill to climb up to the woods, stepping into snow that was up to his belly. He stopped. For several minutes, he struggled and strained against the snow, but couldn't make any progress. The light was fading, and I expected him to return along the path he and his friend had broken.

Instead, Mr. Turkey unfurled his wings (BIG wings) and flew up to a branch. Huge bird that he is, he made quite a sight, perched on that limb. As the night progressed, I looked out several times to check on him, but I couldn't see him in the darkness. I worried about him, even as I told myself turkeys are professional wild animals and can survive outside.

The next morning, I heard "Gobble, gobble, gobble," and sure enough, there he was, still sitting on that tree limb. He flapped his wings and flew down to the ground. A crust had formed on the snow overnight, so he was able to walk away, slipping and sliding and using his wings for balance.

A happy ending.

A Spring Turkey

Last May, as I sat in my front room, I heard clucking outside the open window. I jumped up to see the turkey (seeing a turkey is still a big deal) and sure enough, a hen stood on the front lawn.

She clucked again, and six tiny brown-and-yellow chicks (poults) ran out from under the rhododendron beside the house. From their small size, they must have hatched only a few days earlier.

Mama turkey clucked again and walked around the side of the house, her poults trailing in her wake. A resplendent tom, tail flaring in full courtship regalia, followed. The entire group climbed the hill behind my house and disappeared into the woods. I wonder where mama turkey built her nest. I hoped she used our woods, but I have no idea.

My husband took these two pictures from inside the house. Click on the images to see the poults better.

I never saw the poults again, but I do see the turkeys from time to time. They have no schedule, but they wander from yard to yard, climb the hill behind my house to the woods, and then climb down again, cross the street and head into the woods lower on the hill.

I'm glad we have turkels. And I hope they come around for a good many more years.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you all,
Linda
Linda Banche
Regency romance--most with humor, some with fantasy, and occasionally a paranormal
Lady of the Stars--4 stars from Romantic Times, 2010 EPIC EBook Competition finalist, Regency time travel available from The Wild Rose Press
Pumpkinnapper--Regency Halloween comedy available from The Wild Rose Press
Website Blog Myspace Facebook Twitter

Turkeys I Have Known

2009-11-25T00:01:00.002-06:00

I'm talking about the ones with feathers, not the non-feathered variety that plague us all everyday.

I live in a New England suburb. The area is mainly houses and lawns, with an occasional patch of woods like the one on the hill behind my house. We have the usual wildlife: squirrels, chipmunks, songbirds, rabbits, deer, raccoons and the occasional fox, opossum and groundhog. Up until a few years ago, we never had wild turkeys. Once, long ago, a domestic turkey, probably an escapee from someone's yard, wandered through for a few days, and for a year or two we had ring-necked pheasants, but no wild turkeys.

One day I looked out at my back yard, and there the turkeys were, pecking at the spilled seed under the bird feeder. They usually arrive in groups of females (hens) or males (toms) but not the two together. The only time we'll see them together is in the spring, when the toms display themselves for the hens. The traditional picture of a Thanksgiving turkey with his feathers fluffed up is a tom in courtship display. He'll ruffle his feathers that way in the spring to attract the hens' attention, but not in November. The hens also fan their tails, but their display is not nearly as striking.

How do you tell the sexes apart? Turkeys are all large brown birds with sharp beaks and big, spurred feet. The toms are generally larger than the hens and have bright, iridescent feathers. These distinctions are apparent in a mixed sex group, but for most of the year, the birds segregate into male or female only groups.

An undeniable difference is what my husband calls the tom's "chest hair"--a bundle of long coarse feathers that hangs loose from the tom's neck and swings as he walks. I would have called the feather bundle neckties, but chest hair works, too.

As for the noises they make, in most ways they sound like chickens. They all cackle and squawk. But the toms gobble, a rapid "gobble-gobble-gobble", which is why they're called gobblers.

I enjoy the turkeys. We call them turkels, to distinguish them from the turkey that will grace our dinner table on Thanksgiving. Watching them is still a treat. Most of the time all they do is stop for a snack at the bird feeder and a drink from the bird bath. But I do have two special stories about the turkeys that have visited my yard.

Tomorrow: Turkey Tales.

Thank you all,
Linda

Linda Banche
Linda Banche
Regency romance--most with humor, some with fantasy, and occasionally a paranormal
Lady of the Stars--4 stars from Romantic Times, 2010 EPIC EBook Competition Finalist, Regency time travel available from The Wild Rose Press
Pumpkinnapper--Regency Halloween comedy available from The Wild Rose Press
Website Blog Myspace Facebook Twitter

An idle moment, just staring out of the window...

2009-10-08T12:57:00.002-05:00

It's autumn again, the wind is blowing the rain across the garden, and in the moments when I'm trying not to write, promo or otherwise earn a living, I can stare out of the window at the bird table. We've had two families of sparrows nesting in the hedge this year (about 500 of them, by the noise in the mornings in spring, but actually rather fewer), plus a blackbird clever enough to pinch the morello cherries and leave the stones attached to the twig. We have other regular visitors: hyperactive bluetits, a determined wren and a thrush of some sort.

I don't know how they find out (through Twitter?), but as soon as the nyjer seed goes into the feeder a goldfinch appears out of nowhere, followed by another, and they assault the stuff in pairs. A single fieldmouse also seems to live under the hedge and nip out to scoff any seed falling from the bird table.

A pair of delicately bewildered collared doves turns up sometimes, and a small gang of jackdaws, but the most regular patrons of the birdseed restaurant are two wood pigeons. One is sleek and obviously well fed, while the other is a bit scrawny and looks a bit downtrodden. We call them Scruffbag and Fatface, and while the sparrow contingent are out in the fields these two put away at least half the birdseed and bits of bread between them. One day Fatface will probably turn up with a doggy bag.

(Pictures from Wikimedia Commons.

Lindsay
http://www.lindaytownsend.net

Good News to Share

2009-09-24T18:35:00.000-05:00

It's been a LONG time since I've posted. Real life and deadline projects made breathing my "spare time" activity.

Coming up for air to let you know that ROMANCE OF MY DREAMS which includes my short story, "Adjusting Entries," is now available at Fictionwise.com and other locations.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

"Adjusting Entries," now available! http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Something fun - A Party at The Book Spa

2009-09-24T10:40:00.003-05:00

Most days I wear a couple of hats; today is no exception. Tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 25) we are celebrating the one year anniversary of The Book Spa. We are primarily a chat loop for writers and readers, with themed discussion days and set days for promo.

During our celebration, we will be giving away 4 books and 4 gift certificates for online book purchases. To enter the contest, post a comment during the 3-day celebration (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Winners will be announced on Monday.

Here's the link: http://yahoo.groups.com/group/TheBookSpa/

Hope to see you there!

Maggie Toussaint
www.maggietoussaint.com

'A Knight's Vow' reviewed at Historical Romance Club

2009-09-21T03:26:00.001-05:00

My A Knight's Vow has just got four stars at Historical Romance Club, who say:

'This story shows that even after years apart, when the boy becomes a man and the girl a woman, the affectionate nicknames still have meaning, the touches are still tender and the feelings genuine. While reading medieval books is never an easy task due to the detailed history that one expects to be part of, these books and especially this one in particular are worth the time and attention you give them. Enjoy!'

The full review is here.

Historical romance and romantic suspense

2009-08-26T05:11:00.000-05:00

Why do I write romantic suspense and historical romance? I love both genres because I like writing adventure and action and characters under extreme stress. I suppose all my novels are romantic suspense novels as well as some being historical romance novels. In my Bronze Lightning there is a mysterious villain threatening the female lead whom she has to battle against and finally unmask - like a romantic suspense. My second 'big' ancient Egyptian novel Blue Gold has at its core a religious mystery: the protagonists have to discover the true nature of the god Set, a search which leads to many adventures in strange and exotic locations - romantic suspense element again. In my Flavia's Secret there is the mystery of the death of Flavia's beloved mistress and an enemy working against Flavia and Marcus. In A Knight's Vow, Alyson must battle with Fulk, who works against her both in secret and finally overtly. In A Knight's Captive, the hero and heroine are in conflict because the hero is Breton and the heroine is English - and this is 1066, when England was invaded by Normans.

I suppose all my novels are romantic because they all have this quest/search/adventure motifs. I think all romance genres have similar elements to each other. My first published novel, Voices in the Dark, has a saga element because there are families involved and trouble goes down the generations (this is also true of The English Daughter). The second novel, Night of the Storm , has two romances and is more a romantic suspense than a romantic suspense, as is my novella A Secret Treasure. In romantic suspense you must have the menace and suspense there as a continuous strand, alongside the equally important relationships in the novel. These relationships, particularly the romance between hero and heroine can be brought under stress, threatened and changed by the thriller elements of the novel. The thriller elements can give you wonderful reasons for characters to be brought into sharp conflict as they each suspect the other or maybe want to protect each other but can’t. This conflict is very entertaining for the reader and writer because it’s always life and death stuff and usually two characters at odds because they’re both right. You haven’t got them arguing for the sake of it. Their choices through the story at key points are also very pointed, very stark, with big consequences, and I like that, too. I guess I’m not subtle!

Romantic suspense writing and historical romance writing are both very active genres and I like to have both my female and male leads rescuing each other at key points through the story, whether in active terms or psychological terms. The search and rescue strands in my books are always very strong.

In my novels I also have a strong whodunit element. The whodunit is also a whydunit, as with novels of psychological suspense (which I suppose are more intense, more character-driven versions of romantic suspense, where the threats arise from internal kinks in the characters rather than any external forces, as there can be in romantic thrillers. In my Night of the Storm, the storm is a vital element, adding something unplanned and chaotic and a further test for my people. To get the whodunit part right I always spend a long time at the start of plotting any novel working out who the villain is and why. I work out motivations and give my people backstories which I know, even if they don’t appear directly in the novel. It can add depth and richness to characters and make them intriguingly ambiguous. The ambiguous Byronic-style anti-hero who turns out to be a good guy is a staple in these novels and great fun to write and read about.

You can do romantic suspense another way, too, as I did with Night of the Storm, where the heroine, Melissa, knew that the villain, Katherine, was engaged in illegal wildlife trafficking, but had to search for the evidence to prove it. I also added a very personal element for Melissa, in that she’s also searching for whoever murdered her partner Andrew. I find in romantic suspense that the big issue brought into focus by making it personal works very well. So in Voices in the Dark I had my hero searching for a war criminal who tortured members of her own family. Personal helps readers to identify, I think.

The other bonus I find with writing romantic thrillers is that you usually can have an exotic location, or moderately so. This isn’t just because the setting is appealing to readers, giving them a bit of escapism. Sometimes it’s useful for the plot, too. Italy is popular as a holiday destination and it also has regular corruption scandals, which meant my heroine in Voices in the Dark had a very good reason not to go rushing to the police at the start of her search. That question: why doesn’t the female lead go to the police? I find must always be answered in a modern romantic suspense. Again, I’d no problems in my second novel, because the climax of the novel takes place on a small Greek island, cut off from the authorities by a massive storm.

So to summarise: the recurring elements in my romantic suspense amd historical romance are:

1. Strong, active female lead and male lead. Both might have added internal psychological kinks to their natures, just to increase the mixture.

2. A problem that needs a quest or search to be resolved.

3. Exotic locations where the police cannot easily be present, so your people have to search and find out and also save themselves. (In historical settings the police may not exist.)

4. Whodunit element which has to be worked out, otherwise the leads may perish. That threat I find very engaging and a pleasure to write, as you can have a building series of climaxes and a really juicy ending.

5. Backstories that have a direct bearing on the present novel.

6. Characters that are grey, not black and white. Sometimes the male lead can seem a villain, sometimes the female lead can do seemingly bizarre things, which are later accounted for in the novel.

7. Lots of action and violence. Woman against nature, woman against woman, woman against man. I like writing both and was told to cut down on the torture sequences in Voices in the Dark.

8. Relationships that change, are built up or destroyed through the novel, often as a direct result of the thriller elements and threats of the story.

Lindsay
http://lindsaysbookchat.blogspot.com

I only THOUGHT I was busy

2009-08-21T20:38:00.000-05:00

I've got too many end of August deadlines to think about comfortably.

Of course, that means the e-mailbox is crammed with requests for prepublication proofs and other unanticipated chores.

Ah, the "joys" of being self-employed!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

The Owl Ate My Homework

2009-08-14T19:20:00.001-05:00

My Scotch terrier is the master of his domain. No bunny crosses the patio without being barked at. No cat or bird escapes the same fate.

Last night, he jumped against the arcadia door and shadow boxed with even more enthusiasm (and higher volume) than usual.

When I looked out, there was an owl sitting on the patio! I've never seen an owl anywhere other than in a tree, so assume this one must have been heat-stressed.

The owl disappeared about an hour later, but there wasn't a lot of work getting accomplished in the meantime.

There HAS to be a story in there somewhere; doesn't there?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Recipe for a Writer

2009-08-12T09:14:00.003-05:00

by Maggie Toussaint

I was creating recipes for book characters today over at The Book Spa and decided it would be fun to come up with a recipe for a writer. Stock ingredients came to my mind: perspiration, dedication, talent, luck, networking, strong work ethic, education, professionalism, adaptability, faith, confidence, creativity, computer savvy, and analysis. The challenge was to decide on the proportions and amount of cooking needed.

Here’s my recipe for a writer:

Mix together equal parts talent, creativity, confidence, faith, education, perspiration, dedication, and computer savvy until well blended. Simmer in a moderate oven until half-baked. Meanwhile, stir up a bowl of strong work ethic, analysis, professionalism, networking, and adaptability. Layer over the baked portion, making sure all areas are covered. Bake until the writer is immune to rejection. As the writer cools, sprinkle with luck. Serve with caffeine and chocolate.

Want to give it a shot? Leave your recipe in the comment section. I'd love to read it!

Maggie Toussaint
author of romance and mystery
www.maggietoussaint.com
www.facebook.com/maggietoussaint
www.myspace.com/maggietoussaint
http://groups.yahoo.com/TheBookSpa/

A True Love Story

2009-08-07T18:15:00.001-05:00

One of my neighbors lived the kind of love story most of us would be proud to plot. Almost.

A nasty divorce robbed her of the ability to love and trust for decades. Then, she met a special man who was patient enough to wait for her heart to sing the same song his did. Friend. Travel Companion. Whatever she was comfortable with, was the role he played.

If any of us had plotted this love story, our hero's loving patience would have been rewarded and the couple would have lived happily ever after.

Unfortunately, this love story had a far different ending. My neighbor had just started telling people that her special man had proposed when she was diagnosed with a serious illness.

Her special man was never a heartbeat away during treatments. Time after time, they thought they were winning the battle only to have the insidious disease ambush them again.

My neighbor lost her brave battle his week.

There was no wedding, no happily ever after ending, BUT here's no doubt this was a true LOVE story!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

When Real Life Comes Crashing Down

2009-07-30T20:06:00.000-05:00

I'm not at my brightest and best first thing in the morning. When I peeked out the living room window Monday, it took me a minute to figure out what was wrong with the still dark view.

Finally, it dawned on me. The streetlight didn't usually float so low over the bushes in the front yard.

I spent almost an hour on hold trying to convince a customer service representative that the pole presented a safety hazard for two reasons. First, it was impossible to determine exactly where it would land when it stopped going lower and lower. Second, there was still power to the pole.

When the crew came out to cut the power and safely lower the pole to the ground, I tried to get an idea of when there would be light (not to mention identification for the streets again.) No such luck.

I spent over an hour on hold again today ... ever so "efficiently" using my telephone handset speaker feature so I could "work" (or TRY to) while I waited.

The pole is supposed to be replaced in 10-20 business days. Until then, it will be pitch black out there. There must be a story idea in there somewhere!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Getting Respect for Working at Home

2009-07-23T15:06:00.002-05:00

Maggie commented on a recent post asking for strategies to deal with people who don't understand that working at home means you can't just drop everything and visit.

Sometimes, the guilty parties aren't neighbors or friends from across town. They are our soul mates and children!

It may take some time to convince your significant other that working at home does NOT mean you have time to drop the car off to be serviced and run other errands.

Establish a signal (a red scarf tied to a doorknob, etc.) so kids know if you're working on something that can't be disturbed or if you're available to hear the details of their day at school.

Setting parameters and employing a few simple strategies can help you teach others to respect your work at home schedule.

Is there a "safe" time when you know you won't be working? If so, tell neighbors and friends you'd love to visit with them then. If your "schedule" has a habit of spilling over to nights and weekends like mine does, gently explain that you'll get back to them as soon as you have a moment to call your own.

Invest in an answering machine (remembering to tape a professional message just in case you get THE call from an agent/editor/publisher) or get caller ID so you don't have to interrupt the flow of words to answer the phone. Either strategy will ensure you don't miss an urgent call from a family member.

Standing up for yourself and setting parameters will help others understand and respect what it means to work at home. There's another important benefit too ... YOU may wind up with an enhanced respect for your own work schedule!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Ganging Up on You vs the Buddy System

2009-07-21T08:53:00.005-05:00

by Maggie Toussaint

Recently, at a wellness checkup my new doctor mentioned a screening test that I should take. I uttered my pat phrases, excuses really, on why I didn't want to do that particular test.

To step to the sidebar for a moment, this is a test that is critical in my husband's family, but there has never been any trouble of this nature in my side of the family. My husband has faithfully had these screening tests for years. But not me. And I'd already had the guilt trip last year when I refused the test and he looked at me with crestfallen eyes, telling me that my not doing this could jeopardize my health.

Back to the wellness checkup this year. My doctor told me a story of someone who put the test off too long and paid for the delay adversely. She wrote out a referral and said the first appointment was a consult anyway.

I knew I wouldn't make the appointment. But then the doctor asked again on a follow-up visit. My husband asked again. And the insurance company called to ask why I hadn't arranged for the test. Sheesh. I called and made the appointment for the consult.

The reason for telling you this long story is that it would be lovely if we did this for each other as writers. If some of us got together and said, hey, your goal was to write 20K a month. Where are you with your goal? Why haven't you gotten it done?

A writer friend of mine and I decided to try this a couple of years back. We started out as critique partners, but we ended up close friends who wanted to encourage each other. So each week, we report on our progress. Each week we set new goals for the coming week. Let me tell you, having that accountability helps me hold my feet to the fire.

I encourage you to find a writing buddy and to team up as each other's writing coach. Not that you will judge each other's style, but rather that you encourage productivity. We've managed to write through marriages, vacations, family troubles, illness, and more.

The nice thing about this idea is that each person sets their own pace. I believe in keeping the group small. Once you add in more people, it seems like bragging to tell what you've accomplished, and the feeling of accountability lessens. With the buddy system, you don't want to let your buddy down. That means a lot, not letting your buddy down.

Heck. Why limit it to writing? Find a buddy for any area of life where you need encouragement. A healthier you will ultimately yield more quality time for writing.

Maggie Toussaint
a believer in the buddy system, just not for my medical professionals
www.maggietoussaint.com

How Many Hats Did You Wear This Week?

2009-07-16T18:06:00.001-05:00

A small percentage of very successful authors have "people" to take care of all the pesky little details of the business of writing.

The rest of us wear all the hats necessary to keep the firm of Me, Myself, & I running smoothly.

That means it's our job to write, proof, and submit manuscripts. We can't just delegate the task of keeping track of where those manuscripts are submitted and where they should go if they get rejected.

We review the contracts, sign, and return them. We deposit the checks when they arrive and pursue payment when those checks don't come.

This has been one of those weeks when I've juggled too many "hats" and can't help but wonder what it would be like to have "people" to expertly handle unpleasant tasks.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Work Habits of the Not So Rich & Famous

2009-07-09T10:05:00.001-05:00

Back in the days when "work" consisted of the assignments teachers doled out and my bosses were my parents, I couldn't do homework unless the TV or stereo blared.

I stopped getting complaints about my dubious study habits when I consistently made the honor roll.

Now that I'm the boss, results are still important. It's OK to emulate extraordinarily productive writer Michael Bracken and work on multiple projects at the same time IF I actually finish and submit those projects on a timely basis.

I give myself permission to do a load or two of wash during working hours ... unless all I've accomplished at the end of the day is laundry!

Are you an easy going boss who doesn't grumble so long as the work is getting done, or a no nonsense boss with all sorts of rules like no e-mail until the day's quota of words is finished?

You're the only one who can decide what kind of boss you need to be to encourage yourself to get the job done.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Stopping and starting

2009-07-07T16:30:00.004-05:00

by Maggie Toussaint

Summer is a jagged time for me to write. I start writing. Something happens. I stop. I do something else. I come back to my story. I wonder what I was thinking. I have to take time to reread what I wrote before I can move on. I start again.

Does this sound familiar?

Seems like I'm doing a lot of writing, but the effort is dispersed over several projects so that no one thing is getting finalized. This is hard for me since I am by nature a linear person. Once I start something, I like to stay with it until I'm done.

But I'm learning flexibility in all things; and really, isn't that what life is about? Adapting to meet our challenges?

Maggie Toussaint
romance and mystery author
www.maggietoussaint.com
www.myspace.com/maggietoussaint

Modern Technology Not Always Best

2009-07-02T12:15:00.004-05:00

Even though I started writing in the Dark Ages (i.e. when only the very rich and famous owned computers,) I've become accustomed to going from first draft to submission ready manuscript without ever leaving the computer keyboard.

Almost. When it comes time to proof and polish a manuscript, the computer leaves a lot to be desired.

Spell Check can't tell the difference between "there" and "their" in the context of a sentence. It just knows both words are spelled correctly. Grammar Check seems to offer the wrong advice more often than the correct choice.

When I print out a hard copy, I swear I spot errors that I never noticed on the computer screen. I've learned the hard way that it pays to put that marked up hard copy in a drawer while I work on other projects for as long as possible without missing a deadline. Coming back with fresh eyes, I spot more things that need fixing (like using the word "hard" three times in the same paragraph!)

What tricks of the trade do you employ to be sure you only send out your very best work?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Critique - thumbs up or thumbs down

2009-06-30T16:28:00.003-05:00

by Maggie Toussaint

In the beginning, I thought I knew how to write a book. But it wasn't until I joined a critique group (and began to swim with the big fish) that I learned how much more there was to book writing. I learned a lot from my first group, good stuff and bad.

First the good stuff: when a word/phrase/scene brought comment from more than one person in the group, it needed additional work. When I felt the need to explain a passage at our critique meetings, I hadn't done a good enough job in the book and it needed more work.

The bad stuff wasn't so bad. For me, the worst part was getting conflicting input. I had a tendency to want to please everyone and I spent a year rewriting a book to everyone's satisfaction. When I finished it, I hated it and there was no coherent voice.

Which brought home another lesson. I learned it was important for me to complete a book before I brought it to critique. Then I was certain of where the story was going and who the characters were.

I lost a year doing that group-pleasing book, but I gained back my focus. Critique is a good way to sharpen your work, a good way to check for repetitions, for craft essentials, and story.

Since that first group, I've had several online critique partners, and I believe we all learned from each other. Critique isn't for everyone, but it sure helped me. I give it a thumbs up!

Maggie Toussaint

a fresh new voice in Southern fiction

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

The Magic of Romance?

2009-06-29T06:18:00.005-05:00

My Roman historical romance, "Flavia's Secret", has no paranormal elements, but vampires were already sexy and seductive in the classical world. The ancient Greeks knew of a ghost-like creature called Lamia, who seduced young men and sucked their blood. Cute!

And who would be a husband in medieval Europe? There, a wife or partner might 'inspire' their lover by serving a meal laced with ground-up earthworms!

Best wishes, Lindsay
Please visit my blog at http://lindsaysbookchat.blogspot.com/

The Customer Is Always "Write"

2009-06-25T09:52:00.001-05:00

There's an old saying in the retail trade, "the customer is always right."

Mrs. Smith brings back an obviously used item and demands a refund saying she's changed her mind and purchased another brand elsewhere. She's been a good customer for years so the shop owner swallows hard, pastes on a smile, and "cheerfully" hands over the money.

I couldn't help thinking of those words this week as I struggled to please a particularly picky editor.

Most of the time, an extra set of eagle eyes spots mistakes I wish I'd caught myself. I appreciate the opportunity to polish my work before it's published so readers see only my very best work.

Most of the time.

"The customer is always right," I reminded myself as I agonized over the requested revisions. "The customer is always right," I repeated as I gave the piece a final proof before hitting "send."

The editor returned the piece with another full set of requested changes. I couldn't manage to paste on a smile as I grumbled "the customer is always right" over and over again. Finally, I finished and sent it off confidently believing it would prove satisfactory.

No such luck. It bounced back in record time with still another litany of changes.

Not even bothering to repeat the sacred mantra, I somehow managed to force myself through the motions and sent it off for the third time. Luckily, the third time was the charm.

I'm not sure the finished product was superior to what I initially submitted. There's not a shadow of a doubt that the payment won't begin to cover all that extra time and effort.

Maybe, just maybe, I learned something from the agonizing process. Ultimately, the customer (editor) IS always right.

Taking the time to satisfy that customer instead of giving up and sacrificing the sale may well be what separates wannabe writers from published authors.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Poetry

2009-06-25T09:00:00.002-05:00

I haven't written many poems, but I do find they are a great source of release when going through troubled times. The first one was written when I woke up one morning after being married for over ten years, and realized...the man lying next to me had become a virtual stranger.

Nothing More

Whispered in my ear
Three small words spoken many times before
My heart does not flutter like the first time
A moment of disbelief
Nothing more

A note left on the table
Signed in the same way as always
I look for some uniqueness in the words
A tear escapes
Nothing more

A letter in my mailbox
Words of endearment as if copied
No unpredictable gesture of kindness
A heavy sigh
Nothing more

A night of lovemaking
Hurried motions without meaning
No shudder reaches my lips
Cry into my pillow
Nothing more

Suitcase ready to depart
Filled with regrets of time lost
The words I love you have no meaning
When they are just words
Nothing more

Adelle Laudan
Copyright 2007

This poem was written during a period of time in my life where I lost one too many friends to the disease of alcoholism. I remember writing this the night of the funeral.

Rebel Child

Rebel child
Beautiful baby
Born into a life of abuse
Born destined to abuse her life

Rebel child
Always on the run
Not knowing where you are headed
Not knowing where you came from

Rebel child
Such a beauty
Using her smile to find acceptance
Using her smile to accept her reality

Rebel child
Silently weeping
Trying to understand her past
Trying to forget her memories

Rebel child
Easing the pain
Drowning her sorrows in a bottle
Drowning in an ocean of guilt

Rebel child
Always searching
Looking for love in all the wrong places
Looking for a place to call home

Rebel child
Is missing
No one is looking for her
No one knows she is gone

Rebel child
Finds peace
Escape was at the bottom of the bottle
Escape caressed her, took away the pain

I don't want you to think my poems are only of sadness and heartache, so I will throw this one in the mix. I think the passion is very obvious.

RIDING IN THE RAIN

Some folks ride in the rain
To wash away their tears
Yearning for days of yesterday
Never shifting gears

They always ride the same old roads
Never venturing into the unknown
Cursing their life for opportunities missed
Crying as they head home

I don’t dwell on days gone by
I took a different route
I look forward to the open skies,
Riding free is what it’s all about

So, I bring to life my iron beast
As quickly as can be
I don’t want to miss a moment in time
There's still too much left to see

I want to feel the winds of time
Blowing in my face
I want to find many new roads
Not happy to be just taking up space

I want to see what's up ahead
Not where I should have turned
Life's too short to have regrets
Just long enough to learn

So when the rain is upon us
When you hear the thunder crack
Go for a ride and cleanse your spirit
Get your life back on track

It's all right to walk down memory lane,
That’s part of who we are
But, today is for the living
To chase a shooting star

The thrill is in the mystery
Not what you already know
In the wind is where it’s happening
Not knowing where you go

Life is riding all the twists and turns
Even when it starts to rain
It’s living in the moment
Ride on or go insane

You can’t see what’s around every corner
Sometimes you have to make a change
The world is yours for the taking
Even when it means riding in the rain

Adelle Laudan
Copyright  2004

I'd also like to share a Sqeeeeee!! moment in my house. My youngest daughter, soon to be 14 years old, graduated grade eight this week. She won two awards. One , Excellence in Visual Arts...and, The Award for Literacy! Was a very proud moment in my life.

Summer Fun & Summer WORK

2009-06-18T10:48:00.002-05:00

Writers who have kids home from school for the summer and writers whose only "kids" have four feet and fur have something in common. Most confess that it's hard to work while the house is full of creatures who don't!

Is noise the primary distraction? Try earphones and your favorite music.

Are you jealous of the splashing in the pool or other summer fun? Try staying up an hour later, getting up an hour earlier (or both) to work and then take a well-deserved break to join in the summer fun.

Keeping lots of low calorie cold drinks handy (like iced tea/herbal fruit infusions, iced coffee, or fresh lemonade/limeade made with artificial sweetener) will help your fingers fly over that keyboard.

And if all else fails ... put those creatures to work. The youngest of children can probably handle a simple task with a bit of guidance. How about those repetitive chores that waste valuable writing time like putting address stickers on query/manuscript envelopes or straightening up the to be read mountain? Older children might enjoy doing some market research (or other research) on the internet.

Those furry "kids" can help too. My dog cocks his head and listens intently when I read my work aloud. I know it's time to revise when he treats me to a bored yawn and walks away!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Author signing June 20th!

2009-06-16T15:51:00.001-05:00

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Hastings
Street: 917 Hwy. 80
City/Town: San Marcos, TX

TRUSTING DELILAH

Roman Aiza is the second born son of the Aiza clan. He also owns and operates a private security company and has an ongoing contract with one of Florida's most influential residents. He is patrolling at a party when he encounters a woman who will haunt him. A woman who at their first meeting, manages to walk right out of his hands when he follows her for trespassing. She manages to do this without giving Roman a single reason why she is in the depths of the house he is protecting. When he does finally locate her days later, his goal is to prove that his instincts are wrong. She is not the woman that all of his senses are clamoring for.

Yet when the daughter of Roman's largest and closest account is kidnapped and held for ransom, will they be able to build a trust between them? Or will their own secrets keep them apart?
~~
Read a full excerpt here!

Trusting Delilah kept my attention from first word to last. This is a story that grabs all the emotions and the senses.
Judith Rochelle, Author of Cutter's Law and Redemption.

A TRUST EARNED

Selene Aiza is a very compassionate woman by nature, and fiercely protective of those she cares for. A renowned doctor with gentle patient skills, she prefers the wild country of western Oregon and the secluded hospital where she can help the people who truly need her assistance. And in the depths of those wooded wilds she can keep her secrets well hidden.

She is safe until the man she encounters by pure chance becomes the hospital's first choice as co-administrator. Her secrets and her very life fall into jeopardy, and only he can save her. He could also destroy her.
~~
Read a full excerpt here!

fast paced, tightly packed with emotion, mystery and suspense
~Jackie, PNR

Visit my site for more about this book and my work here.

Available now at Barnes & Noble and other retailers near you.

Blogging blues

2009-06-11T19:17:00.002-05:00

Sorry to leave you hanging out here in cyberspace so long, Susanne. I'm between releases and hoping I'll have some good news one of these days. I've got a new agent and an invitation for a resubmission from a publisher. Crossing my fingers that both of those things work out for me.

This summer is a stay-at-home time for us. We traveled to see family in the spring and will do so again in the fall. For now, we're staying put, enjoying the air conditioning.

Maggie Toussaint
a fresh new voice in southern fiction
www.maggietoussaint.com

No Longer Lonely

2009-06-11T10:28:00.001-05:00

So wonderful to see so much activity on this blog for a welcome change.

Do you have children (or grandchildren) home for the summer? Keeping them happily occupied and helping them retain what they learned during the school year can be a challenge. Follow this link for some simple (and hopefully useful tips.)

http://www.ehow.com/how_5075746_keep-kids-sharp-schools-out.html

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

2009-06-09T12:15:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! It’s great to be here, and thank you to the SRN team for allowing me on board – especially at such short notice! I don’t usually barrel in at the very last moment, but today is an exception, and what I may have lacked in restraint, I’m sure I’ve more than made up in enthusiasm!

So, you may well be asking, what’s so special about today? Well, first it’s my release day for A Thick Line – a red-letter day for any author, no matter how many books they may have under the belt. Second, it’s also the very first book that I actually designed the cover for, so that’s kind of special to me. Lastly, it’s my first adventure into the realm of “romantic suspense” – something that surprised me, as I didn’t set out to write suspense. It was just there, lurking beneath the surface and slowly but surely demanded a voice…

I was a little alarmed at first – having relatively recently gotten this little head around writing romance, writing suspense seemed a bit of a stretch, and I confess I was a little worried that one would get lost in the other. But, as I’ve since been told, I was worrying needlessly, which just goes to show!

Actually, it was a fascinating journey and I think that, as a writer, I learned a phenomenal amount – not the least of which was the somewhat intriguing discovery that other “elements”, when judiciously used and if they are integral to a story, can actually bring in a whole new dimension that adds layers and creates conflicts that might otherwise not have been possible.

All in all, I had a blast – writing the book, doing the cover, and now seeing it “step out” for the first time. So, here’s the blurb, and you can find an excerpt at: http://www.bookstrand.com/product-athickblackline-13953-330.html

Blurb:
Bo Carmichael has drawn a thick black line around her heart, and with good reason. She has worked hard to overcome the anguish of betrayal and the devastation it wreaked in her family's lives, and she's now close to realizing her dreams. There simply isn't place in this equation for emotional entanglements, especially not with Nic Sinclaire, the only man who has the ability to breach her defenses.
From their first encounter, an impossible chemistry rages between them – a crackling heat that threatens to melt the ice surrounding her.
A bizarre twist makes Nic a constant companion and self-appointed protector. As Bo's barriers shift and crumble, she can no longer ignore the powerful emotions his proximity evokes…

And to celebrate and just for fun, because I’m in the mood, I’m going to add an ARC of A Thick Black Line to the Classic Romance Revival subscriber’s weekly draw for the last week of June (i.e. the short “two-day” week, 29th and 30th June) making it a double prize – A Thick Black Line and The Look.

To enter, simply go to the CRR blog at http://www.classicromancerevival.com/blog/. Enter your email in the Subscribe2 block in the sidebar and click send. You’ll receive a short story free read, and automatically go into the draw.

See you all again soon. I’m off to celebrate!
Jude
http://www.judahraine.com

Sometime Life gets in the way...

2009-06-06T20:40:00.004-05:00

It was just called to my attention the lack of traffic here on the blog. I for one must apologize for my absence. Sometimes life gets in the way of good intentions.
I have a legitimate excuse though. I am trying to finish up the first draft of Iron Horse Rider 3. Here's a sneak peek for those who might be interested.

Iron Horse Rider 3

Shane spent the morning with Chief Gray Owl washing any trace of winter from their bikes. Spring brought with it the sweet smell of damp earth, and while birds busied themselves making nests, lemon-yellow daffodils and pink and white tulips pushed upwards toward the sun—nature awakening in all its’ bounteous glory.

The first ride of the season—anticipation flowed through his veins. Tia insisted
on him taking the maiden voyage with her father. She’d have more than her share of riding once summer came and they left on the bike to parts unknown. The small brass bell hanging from the swing arm glinted—a constant reminder that his father would always be with him.

Tia’s laughter carried on the morning breeze. She strolled with her mother toward the open fire in front of the main wigwam. Soon the village would move to the summer place. Mother and daughter talked animatedly to each other, undoubtedly about preparations for the spring solstice celebration.

The wind stopped, and a silence blanketed the village. In the distance, a wolf howled, and Shane knew without looking that Kelly was here. As expected, the familiar blonde wolf appeared at the barren tree line surrounding the camp. She moved closer, transforming into the gentle spirit of the woman he’d known as his wife. Kelly drifted to Tia’s side and knelt. He hadn’t seen any sign of his wife’s ghost since returning home last fall. His first love smiled and placed a hand over Tia’s stomach. She gave him a knowing nod, her image fading from his view. Her gaze comforted him like a gentle caress, and an undeniable sense of wellbeing came over him.

Is she telling me what I think she’s telling me?

He stared at Tia, noticing the plumpness of her breasts and the rosy glow to her
cheeks for the first time.…
“Did you hear a word I just said?” Chief Gray Owl waved a hand in front of Shane’s face.
Startled, Shane blinked rapidly, and turned to face him. Kelly’s appearance offered him the nudge needed to do what he’d been thinking of doing over the long winter months.
“I want to ask you something, but I’m not sure of the right way to do it.”
“The truth can never be wrong.” Gray Owl laid a hand on Shane’s shoulder. “You should know by now you can ask me anything.”
Shane took a deep breath and met the chief’s puzzled gaze. “I hope you know how much I love your daughter. I wondered if you’d give me permission to ask for her hand in marriage.”
Chief Gray Owl slapped his knee and smiled broadly. “What took you so long? Of course I give you my permission.”
“I want it to be a surprise. Do you think it would be okay to ask her at the Spring Solstice celebration?”
“Okay? It’s more than okay. Wait ‘til her mother hears about this.” He gathered Shane to his chest and hugged him affectionately.
“What’s going on?” Tia stepped toward them, her brow creased.
“Your father is a little excited to be going for the first ride of the season.” Shane wasn’t proud the lie came so easily.
Tia shook her head and smiled. “Sometimes you two act like little boys.”
Shane stood and kissed her flushed cheek. He took the pail of water from her. “Let me carry this for you.”
Her gaze narrowed suspiciously. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you two were up to something.”
He put an arm around her and pulled her to his side. “Where do you want this? We’ll be taking off soon.”
“I am more than capable of carrying my own water. You two better get a move on while the sun is high.”
She reached for the pail only to have Shane firm his hold on it. “Where do you want it?”
Tia threw up her hands. “Follow me, if you insist.”
Shane followed the swing of her hips to the side of the main wigwam where they washed dishes. His heartbeat quickened at the prospect of asking her to be his wife. He never dreamed he’d marry again after the tragedy of losing Kelly. Ironically, it was Kelly who gave him permission to love again. He set the pail down next to the table and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Are you sure you don’t mind if me and Chief go for a ride?” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“Would it matter if I did?” She laughed and pushed him back. “Go on with you. It will be mighty chilly once the sun sets.”
“We’ll be back long before then.” He matched her suspicious gaze and stepped forward to kiss her lightly on the forehead. “Don’t be carrying those heavy buckets. You’re going to hurt yourself.”
“I’ve been carrying these buckets since I was old enough to walk. Are you sure you’re not up to something? You’re acting rather strange.”
Shane spun on his heel, cursing himself for being so over protective all of a sudden. He opted not to tell her of Kelly’s visit—at least not now. He waved back at her. “We’ll be back in time to eat.”
Without looking back, he knew she was watching him, wondering why he was acting the way he was. He’d have to be careful if he wanted to keep it a secret. He smiled broadly.

I’m going to be a father.

So what's been going on in your life? Aside from writing I had a wakeup call in regard to my health. Tomorrow is the beginning of quitting smoking (hopefully for good this time!) and changing my habits to more healthy, well-balance way of eating. I've set a goal of 50 pounds. I will be held accountable by posting every Sunday on my blog with an update on pounds lost and days smoke free. Feel free to pop by and kick my butt if need be.

I hope to hear from some of the SRN authors here on the blog. I know the loops are slow in relation to chats, but I still enjoy visiting blogs and catching up on all the news.
Does anyone have a new release they want to shout out about? I'd love to hear about it.

Adelle Laudan
http://adellelaudan.com/
http://adellelaudan.blogspot.com/
Do you Twitter? http://twitter.com/AdelleLaudan

Testing 2, 3, 4 ... Anybody Out There?

2009-06-04T09:58:00.001-05:00

Just checked the database and noticed I'm the ONLY blogger signed up for June.

Looks like I'm the only one visiting the Blog site too. No comments and no posts other than mine for quite a while.

Are Sweeter Romantic Notions authors too busy to read, comment, or write for the Blog?

Is this something that's outlived it's usefulness for the group?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Once Upon a Time

2009-05-28T09:39:00.002-05:00

Memorial Day marked the official start of summer. When your grandmother or great-grandmother was a small girl (probably wearing a gingham dress and pigtails tied with matching ribbon,) the holiday marked the first day that it was acceptable to wear white shoes just like Labor Day meant it was time to pack those shoes away.

That rigid rule disappeared somewhere along the way. "Ladies" stopped wearing white gloves to church every Sunday and doing laundry on Mondays too.

Do you ever weave old-fashioned customs and traditions into your modern romances to give readers a taste of what it might have been like to walk a mile or two in another woman's white shoes?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

What Are You Working On?

2009-05-21T15:06:00.000-05:00

I'm working on 800 word romances for a certain glossy magazine you see at the supermarket checkout line every week and 3,000 word plus stories for the "Trues." Half of my works in progress are geared to December holidays. The other half involve back to school themes and dealing with the lingering impact of summer flings.

What's taking shape on your computer?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Too Quiet Out There

2009-05-14T11:48:00.001-05:00

Mid-May reminds me of those ancient B-movies where one character points toward the jungle and says, "It's too quiet out there."

Usually active writer's loops slow to the speed of thick molasses. The only posts seem to be from those on Daily Digest who are concerned because they haven't received anything in over a week.

Friends and colleagues who normally drop a line or two several times a week haven't sent anything in ages.

Is it tight deadline crunch time for everybody? Maybe it's the real life world of graduations, weddings, and scrambling to make plans for students who will be home all summer that's keeping everybody BUSY.

Whatever the reason for all that quiet, do hope things are going well in your author's life ... and your "other" life too!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-07T12:22:00.001-05:00

Sunday is a special day for those who've given birth to flesh and blood children with sticky fingers and sweet kisses.

There are some fascinating similarities between mothers and authors. Both produce unique creations after a long (and more than just a bit uncomfortable) process. Both agonize over the present and future welfare of children/brainchildren. And no matter how painful and downright scary it is ... both must encourage offspring to fly away from the comfortable nest to "live" independently.

Happy Mother's Day to those of you who will be celebrating with breakfast in bed, hand-painted coffee mugs, and specially made cards.

Happy Mother's Day too to those whose only stretch marks came from branching out into a new genre or market.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Can You See Me Now?

2009-04-30T07:17:00.001-05:00

It happened again. I read the daily digest for one of my Yahoo groups and TRIED to visit the group on the website to check for updates.

"Hi, Susanne" appeared at the top of the screen indicating I was logged in, but I couldn't access the group files.

"Join this group."

Anybody know the secret to getting out (and staying out) of Ya'Hell?!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

What's the Difference Between Published and ...

2009-04-23T07:54:00.001-05:00

What do you call a writer who ignores rejections and keeps writing? Published!

I read these inspiring words on one of my writer's loops this morning and had to share.

Congratulations to Mitzi on the news her novel has been contracted by The Wild Rose Press and thanks for the reminder that the difference between published authors and unpublished ones is often the stubborn persistence to keep writing and submitting.

May the Muse be kind!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Customer Service?!

2009-04-16T07:51:00.001-05:00

If somebody put a gun to your head and demanded that you describe the Author's Life in two words, chances are your response would be "Effective Communication."

That's why it's so frustrating to deal with "Customer Service."

I belong to online writers' loops for different genres and rely on the ability to check messages more frequently than the daily digests pop up in my e-mailbox so that I can take advantage of editors' last minute calls for stories, etc.

All of a sudden, NONE of my groups recognized me as a member. I couldn't even log into my Ya'hell account to see what was wrong.

I sent a professional e-mail clearly stating the problem and waited for assistance.

Days went by with no response. Finally, I got an e-mail indicating they would be ever so happy to help if I answered the secret security question ... which turned up as a blank space in the e-mail.

I responded that I would be ever so happy to answer the secret security question IF they would be kind enough to provide it. The response contained a line of gibberish that didn't even resemble a question!

Taking matters into my own hands, I did what any hacker would and patiently tried everything I could think of to access my account until I finally succeeded.

That should have been the end of the story, BUT I got an e-mail from Customer Service indicating they would be happy to assist me with my need to change my password. I replied that the password wasn't the problem (and never had been.)

Of course, the next e-mail I received informed me that my password had been changed!

Maybe effective communication isn't an integral part of this author's life after all.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

'The past is another country...

2009-04-14T07:35:00.001-05:00

...They do things differently there.' (L. P. Hartley, The Go-Between)

Setting any story in the distant past brings its own delights and perils. For me it allows my heroines to be engaging and ingenious, sometimes accepting historical society's conventions and restrictions, sometimes going against them, but always provoking inner or outward conflict. Heroes can be shown off to great advantage, really doing something - protecting, rescuing, struggling with great war-horses, battling the elements or the bad guys.

However, the backdrop against which all this high-stakes, high-adventure romance takes place needs to be carefully drawn and considered. Fashions are different, right down to underwear (or lack of it). Transport, law, weapons, animals, trees, climate, customs - these can all be very different from the present.

My oldest book, in both creative genesis and the date at which it is set, is Bronze Lightning. This is set in the Bronze Age, before the eruption of Thera (the modern Greek island of Santorini), the island shown below in a Bronze age fresco. Some structures, such as the pyramids and Stonehenge, were already old when the story opens in 1562 BC, although these also looked different. The pyramids I have imagined with their wonderful limestone covering, which would have made them gleam a brilliant white in the landscape. Stonehenge was also complete and not yet fallen into the decay already familiar when Constable created his painting of it.

Ritual places are not the only things that were different in the distant past. Some activities, such as the smelting of metals, farming, brewing, the making of clothes, were all different from what came later and very different from our own time.

Beliefs and religion were also very different and, given the few written sources we have from Bronze Age Europe, must be inferred from archaeology and other means. Fearn the hero believes in a Sky God who has some characters that are similar to the later Viking God Thor: all later religions tend to have 'clues' of past faiths in them. He also undergoes a trance state where he sees symbols that modern shamans have also reported seeing in trances and which have been painted by cave painters.

In Bronze Lightning I bring the heroine Sarmatia right to my own doorstep. The winter house she lives in is set where my parents' house is now, and the wild apple and cherry trees she sees in blossom are ones I have known since childhood. Lots of other details are changed, however, because the distant past truly is another country.

In the Bronze Age, the climate in England was warmer and drier than today. There was much more woodland, and animals such as beavers, bears, wolves and wild boar in the woods. We have lost all these creatures excerpt for the boar, which has escaped from farms in southern England and is making its home in woodland again. Lime trees flourished, and orchids and other flowers that are rare or extinct today. The sheep Sarmatia care for were more like Soay sheep, that do not flock and whose fleece is not at all like the thick fleeces of modern breeds. The cattle were smaller or completely wild. Even the stars she followed were different. Even the polar star hung in a different place in the Bronze Age.

I exploit these differences to show the past in my story, to remind my readers that they are in another time, another place... where magic and romance do truly go hand in hand.

Lindsay

Paying the Piper

2009-04-09T07:12:00.000-05:00

For those of us who write in the United States, this is the weekend for more than Passover matzo ball soup and colorful Easter eggs. It's time to file income tax returns.

I never dreamed I'd be happy to fork over money to Uncle Sam, but must confess there was a wonderful sense of satisfaction in seeing the bottom line profit on my Schedule C (self employment income.)

Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Happy Spring!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Where does the time go?

2009-04-06T10:52:00.005-05:00

I started out today with great intentions but here it is noon and I'm still social networking. How does that happen? Honest to goodness, hours have gone by. I was just going to dive in and check on my email before starting edits and gracious, the morning is over.

There were some immediate to-do things in my Inbox. I tended to those. Two close friends were blogging. I had problem commenting on both blogs. One was setup in Italian and I don't know Italian (except the word Ciao which I think is cool). The other was on e-Harlequin. I couldn't set up a new account there because I already had one. So then I realized I had no clue what my password was. I got a new password from them, slipped in and reset it for my latest password that I can remember, but then I couldn't get to the blog post from there. Went back to the email with the link, tried to log-in again and was denied. I wrote my friend that I'd tried.

Then I remembered that I was supposed to blog elsewhere today. I went and did that. Posted it again on my Myspace which is my consolidated blog. Then since I was logged into blogger, clicked over here to SRNWrites. I've been meaning to get by here more. Where does the time go? Thought I'd write about my daffy morning, so I did.

I think the problem of not being able to focus is related to the coming changes in my writing career. I'm finishing up a book, looking for an agent, and casting about for my next project. I don't want to have my head down when the perfect idea comes my way!

Where does it all lead? Some days its hard to know, but the trick is to just keep putting words onscreen.

Happy writing to all!

Maggie Toussaint

a fresh new voice in Southern fiction

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheBookSpa/

Facebook, Twitter, & Time-Challenged Author

2009-04-02T06:11:00.002-06:00

Like most authors, I follow more online writer's loops than I can count on the fingers of both hands. I love the sense of community and the ability to share market information but struggle to find time to scan the posts daily.

My e-mailbox is crammed with invitations to be somebody's Facebook Friend and follow somebody else's Tweet.

Must confess that I can't possibly accept those invitations and still find time to write.

What's the secret? Do other authors have magic day stretchers I don't know about? If not, does all that networking substitute for writing revenue generating projects?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

'A Knight's Captive' out today

2009-04-01T06:22:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited - my latest Kensington Zebra historical romance, A Knight's Captive, is out today! All the details, including an excerpt, are on my blog here, and there's a four-star review from Romantic Times.

Best wishes, Lindsay

ContestNews

2009-03-26T17:57:00.001-06:00

Have you completed a book manuscript? Here's a contest from Cindi Meyers' newsletter that might be perfect for you:

The Knight Agency is holding a Book in a Nutshell Contest Submit three compelling sentences (150 words max) about your completed, unpublished manuscript to submissions@knightagency.net Write BOOK IN A NUTSHELL in the subject line or it will not be deemed eligible. One submission per project, please. Twenty of the best submissions will be chosen and requested by various agents who will then give feedback on your work...and it may even lead to possible representation. Hurry, the deadline is April 20, 2009. Winners will be notified by May 1, 2009. For more info, go to http://tinyurl.com/cnfe9d

You can sign up for Cindi's weekly newsletter by sending a blank email to CynthiaSterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Another of THOSE Days

2009-03-19T17:10:00.002-06:00

Sorry to be late, but this has been one of THOSE days, the days when real life explodes all over the carefully planned author's life.

A sick dog can't be postponed nearly as easily as a stack of work waiting to be done.

It goes without saying that this will be one of THOSE nights when I'll be working straight until "bedtime" and beyond.

The good real life news is that a certain dog seems to be doing much better after his vet visit.

As for author's life news, look for my story, "Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Your Asignment Should You Choose to Accept It

2009-03-12T06:49:00.003-06:00

Looking for a way to boost your cash flow while working on a book-length project? Maybe you just need a change of pace assignment to tempt your Muse.

Follow this link to read "How 2 Sell Your Most Personal Stories" in the March issue of WOW! Women On Writing:

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

'Bronze Lightning' out today

2009-03-10T05:34:00.002-06:00

Here's the blurb and an excerpt from my forthcoming sensual historical romance, Bronze Lightning, set in ancient Krete, Egypt and England.

An excerpt and buy details can be seen here.

Ancient Krete, 1562 B.C.

Sarmatia is a trainer for the Bull Rite, the dangerous, glamorous ceremony of bull-leaping that gave a young Kretan entry into adulthood. Fearn is healer from the distant northern Isle of Stones summoned for his skills to the sick-bed of Minos, the Kretan king. They meet on the dusty flagstones of the palace courtyard and both save a life.
A year passes. They are betrothed, but Fearn has returned home and is chosen king of his small northern country. As king, master of storms, he cannot return to Krete. Fearn writes to Sarmatia releasing her from her vows - but is this what they really want?
Sarmatia leaves Krete to search for Fearn. Many months and life-and-death adventures later, she is reunited with him. She and Fearn are still deeply in love but there is an unknown enemy working against them, one who will stop at nothing, even murder.

Lindsay
http://lindsaysbookchat.blogspot.com

Warm Up Exercises

2009-03-05T11:17:00.001-06:00

I used to check e-mails or play a few games of Solitaire before tackling my daily writing.

My warm up sessions have changed to producing simple how to articles. Want to know how to save money, calories, and fat on fancy coffee drinks by making them yourself? Need to know how to care for an elderly relative? Perhaps you'd like to learn how to use a microplane or pick the perfect tomato. Prefer to eat out with perfectly behaved children or cook with them at home? Need to know how to transform a PDF file into a Word document?

Chances are you'll find what you're looking for by clicking on this link and browsing through the titles of my 60+ articles. http://www.ehow.com/Search.aspx?s=Susannerose&Options=

You can even rate the articles and/or leave a comment if you wish.

How do you get ready to write?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

New blogging words

2009-03-05T09:20:00.002-06:00

By Maggie Toussaint with kudos to Francesca Prescott, Celia Yeary, and Lorraine Hunsaker

The topic of our Book Spa discussion was blogs, but not in the usual sense. We talked about blogs you’d like to be able to write (how famous I am), blogs you’d hate to write (I’m not as clever as I thought), blogs that irk you (I wrote my book in a week), and what makes you read a blog (friends, hook, author name). From there the discussion devolved into a wording adventure.

My friends helped me to develop a blogging lexicon. Here’s the list we came up with, our very own blexicon. The inventor of each word and definition is in parenthesis (m=maggie, f=francseca, c=celia, l=lorraine). Enjoy!

Blogomoron - (m) someone who dwells in the land of blogs to the point of silliness

Blogolicious - (m) something incredibly appetizing or appealing in a blog

Blogdiddly – (m) a lot of squawk about a bunch of nothing

Blogmoric – (m) humorous to those of a younger persuasion

Blognit – (m) a tiny post that takes issue with something

Blognanimous - (m) high praise from a fellow blogger

Blogititis – (f) when you're unable to think of a blog subject

Blogarbage – (c) someone raving about herself/himself

Blogooned – (f) 1) when your blog gets pirated, or 2) when you get stuck in the middle of yourblog and it's not going anywhere.

Blogahoy – (f) when you suddenly think of a blog title

Blogdarnit - (m) swearing politely on one's blog

Blogdoggle - (m) a blog which wasn't worth your time to read

Bloghowdy- (m) a friendly blog, welcoming you in a quaint way

Blogbreath - (m) a cutting remark from one computer savvy teen to another

Underblog - (m) 1) the meaning when reading between the blog lines, or 2) the uncharitable ruler of the realm of blogs

Innerblog - (m) the space where bloggers go to rejuvenateBettablog -(m) my blog's betta than your blog

Blogaboo - (m) a tiny blog fib, not meant to hurt anyone, easily fixed by acomment

Blogitol - (m) the perfect pick-me-up for those over 70 bloggers

Blogbump - (m) the little hitch in your blog that stalls you in mid-postBlogado - (m) a whirling, terrible storm of a blog that funnels you from Kansas to Oz in a heartbeat

Blogarama - (m) a wondrous explosion of blogs, so many that they encircle you

Blogoozled - (f) when you're forced into writing a blog

bloglodites – (m) prehistoric bloggers; they got in before it became popular

Blogpatter – (m) mindless blog speak that’s the equivalent of blah-blah-blah-blah.

Blogadoodledoo – (f) when you've written a great blog, you post it somewhere, and tell thewhole world to go and see how wonderful it is!

Voblogulary – (m) blog vocab words unique to the online format

Blogamentary – (m) an attempt to teach something in a blog, but because of the rambling format, a failed attempt

Blognabbit – (m) another sanitized blog swear word

Blognolia – (l) a blog entry that blooms into more than you expected when it started

Blogevity – (l) what a blog has when it keeps readers pulled in much longer than most

Blogarrhea – (l)a blog entry that goes on and on and on and...

Blognito – (m) those anonymous comments on your blog

Blogification – (m) the repetition of a sentiment so often in blogs that people accept it as fact

Blogjam – (m) too many blogs to read in one sitting

Blogazillion – (m) 1) an astronomical number of blogs, or 2) a common blog border color two shades lighter than vermillion

Blogitude - (m) the affectation of a highly charged emotion, as in his snarky blogitude leapt from the page

Blogestation – (m) the conception and development of a blog before its uploaded

Blogarithm – (m) a blog dealing with exponential shifts in thinking

Blogumbo – (m) a flavorful mix of southern culture, liberally spiced

Bloggle – (m) a disaster in progress

Blogatory – (m) the lower levels of blog world, ruled by the Underblog

Blogotomy – (m) brain reduction from reading blogs

Blogogram – (m) a singing blog

Blogic – (m) reasonable blog thinking

Bloggard – (m) someone drunk on the power of their own words

Unfortunately, it is very easy to continue to in this blogged vein, therefore we’re sending this off into cyberspace so that no one else will get any work done either! Feel free to post your own blexicon as a comment.

Maggie Toussaint
romance.danger.mystery
http://www.maggietoussaint.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheBookSpa/

Tough Times Call for Tougher Authors

2009-02-26T08:15:00.000-06:00

If your author's life is anything like mine, you might be ever so tempted to just pull the covers over your head and never leave your bed.

The Rainy Day Fund you scrimped and saved and clipped countless coupons to create isn't earning enough interest to pay for a First Class stamp. Every time you log onto a writer's loop, there's dismal news about a publisher who isn't paying, a magazine distributor that shuttered its doors and left newsstands alarmingly bare, or word of another market that's dead/dying.

Whatever should we do?

Throw off those covers, get out of bed, put on our big girl panties, and get to work! One foot in front of the other. One word at a time.

When times get tough, the tough keep working. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that there's going to be light at the end of that dark tunnel soon ... light that isn't the proverbial train!

What's your strategy to cope with all the dismal news?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Inspiration for the Writer's Soul

2009-02-21T09:27:00.004-06:00

Writing is hard. It’s a tough business filled with highs and lows, and countless hours of isolation. Your non-writer friends and family won’t understand “why” your novel isn’t published yet. They don’t understand the publishing business and there’s no use trying to put it into perspective. They won’t get it. Think back to the first minute you decided you wanted to write a novel. At that time, did you have any idea what time and effort you would expend to make that dream a reality? One of my favorite quotes is by Ernest Hemingway: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

Writers tap into their innermost fears, desires, and pain and instill them into their characters. Where else can you kill off your enemies and not go to jail for life? I can admit to exacting revenge on the ex-husbands of two of my daughters. I’m looking forward to plotting the demise of my boss very soon. Then there’s the romance. I am very much in love with my husband and I wouldn’t dream of cheating on him in real life, but I do take great pleasure in creating a hero who…well, never mind. You get the gist.

And why do I write? Because I can’t NOT write. Writers are driven to bleed onto the blank screen, painstakingly eking out every word, every sentence, every scene. So take heart. Whenever you feel like giving up, remember each of us goes through the same doubts, fears, highs and lows. You aren’t alone.

ISBN:978-1601543219
2009 CAPA Nominee
2009 EPPIE Finalist

Carol Ann Erhardt
My Website
Inside the Writer's Mind
Keeping Hope Alive
White Roses in Bloom
SRN Writes
Ohio Romance Authors

Congratulations to Francesca!

2009-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

“MUCHO CALIENTE! – Wish upon a Latino Superstar” voted LASR Best Book of the Year 2008

This week started with fabulous news. My romantic comedy, “Mucho Caliente!” has been voted Best Long Book of the Year 2008 by the famous US review site, “Long and Short Reviews”. I nearly fell off my chair when the email arrived, but didn’t, which was just as well since I’d already fallen down the stairs twenty-four hours earlier, and have since been hobbling around on crutches with a badly sprained ankle.

“Mucho Caliente!” is set on the Spanish island of Ibiza and was written several years ago, making its recent publication and success all the more meaningful to me. The book was prompted by a chance sighting of a mega-handsome, Latino superstar at an Ibizinco beach bar, who was dancing up a fiery salsa with a beautiful blonde woman. The moment kick-started my imagination; I flew home to Switzerland and began a Latino love-fest on the page.

I’m the sort of person who is compelled to share my enthusiasm with other people. While writing the book, each day, as soon as I’d finished my chapter, I’d email it to some of my closest friends and was thrilled when they began emailing me back, asking me to hurry up and write another chapter because they couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. For the following eighteen months, my friends and I lived vicariously through Gemma, my heroine, enjoying madcap, rollercoaster adventures, living a shamelessly romantic love affair on an idyllic island in the sun with my imaginary Latino superstar, Emilio Caliente. I couldn’t write the story fast enough, and by the time I wrote “The End”, Gemma, Emilio and the rest of my characters had become as real to my girlfriends as they were to me.

From the reviews “Mucho Caliente!” has received since it was published in late 2008, it seems that its appeal transcends my close circle of friends. Women everywhere relate to Gemma’s insecurities, to her dreams and steadfast opinion of what romance and love should be. As for Emilio, my reviewer at Long and Short Reviews said it all with: “he is the epitome of what women fantasize about.”

I’ll never know whether the gorgeous Latino superstar I saw dancing at that beach bar in Ibiza is as wonderful as Emilio Caliente. But even if he’s only half as nice, his beautiful blonde salsa partner sure is one heck of a lucky girl!

Wishing you mucho giggles while reading my book,

With love,

Francesca Prescott

Blurb for “Mucho Caliente!”:

“Wishing upon a Latino superstar is bound to end in tears. But when destiny insists on playing matchmaker, what’s a girl to do?

Thirty-seven year old Gemma hadn’t reckoned on being seated next to Latino heart-throb Emilio Caliente on the flight to Ibiza. She’d bravely dismissed her cheating husband’s generous divorce settlement, opting instead for a creatively satisfying, financially independent, bohemian lifestyle on a Spanish island in the sun. Falling in love with a pop music superstar eight years her junior was definitely not part of her plan. Common sense dictates staying away from Emilio Caliente and his cinnamon kisses: his life is in turmoil, his latest single has bombed, the press want to see him naked and his hellacious manager seems increasingly deranged. But surely the chain of extraordinary events that insists on bringing them together is proof that love is oblivious to common sense? Does Gemma dare follow her heart and wish upon a pop star without undermining everything else she set out to achieve?”

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

It’s not. It can’t be. It bloody well can’t be! Oh my goodness; it is! It’s Latino heart-throb, Emilio Caliente! Why is someone like him sitting next to someone like me on this flight to Ibiza? He should be up front, behind the curtain, hidden away in first class. Why now? Why him? Why me?

Without so much as a glance in my direction, he’s short-circuited weeks of life changing, positive affirmations. Hiding behind my hair, I clench my fists, shut my eyes and silently recite, “My name is Gemma Talbot. I’m a beautiful, intelligent, newly single woman and I’m taking control of my life”. Yeah, right. What a joke! I’m sweating. I’m fidgeting. I’m finger combing my hair, smoothing my eyebrows and wishing I’d retouched my makeup before boarding.

Can’t he go away for a few minutes and come back when I’ve had time to pull myself together, both mentally and physically? Planes should have an emergency hatch with a twisty staircase from the passenger area down into the hold, so you can get to your suitcase, grab a change of clothes, a more appropriate pair of shoes, and maybe even a change of underwear. There should be a decent sized bathroom with pink, soft-tone lights to flatter your complexion and boost your self- confidence, not that vile, green, fluorescent glare that only emphasises your enlarged pores, your premature lines, your facial hair. There should be baskets of complimentary upmarket cosmetics, sample freebies of the greatest and latest scientific breakthroughs in moisturisers and makeup. Yes, even on a forty-minute flight from Barcelona to Ibiza. On this flight especially.

As it is, the bathroom has just been vacated by a podgy, sweaty, sick looking man, and the thought of following in his footsteps does not appeal. I rummage through my bag, praying that I won’t accidentally pull out a bedraggled tampon instead of a bruised and battered lip-gloss. I don’t usually look like this. Should I explain to him that, actually, I am quite a babe, even if I’m old enough to be, if not his mother, then at least his big sister? I’m usually impeccable. It wasn’t me who spilled Coca-Cola on my white linen trousers. It was the woman sitting next to me on my previous flight from Geneva. Her fiery Iberian origins led to loss of body control once she got started on the subject of her exasperating Scandinavian daughter-in-law. As for my T-shirt, it seemed to possess that casual, worn-in look when I left home earlier today, whereas it’s clear to me now that it should have been retired months ago and used as a duster. What on earth was I thinking? Oh, thank goodness; here’s my lip-gloss!

My lips taken care of, I fumble through the pocket of the seat in front of me, searching for an in-flight magazine, but there isn’t one. So I grab the emergency procedures card and start studying it with exaggerated interest, then get all flustered again, as though I’ve been caught reading the Special K cereal package.

What must he be thinking? I’m no first time flyer. I’m an air-sophisticate. I shake my long brown hair over my face and sneak a sideways glance at el divino, as the women’s glossies call him. Maybe it isn’t really him. Maybe I’ve just imagined the whole thing, and in reality, seat 12B is occupied by an obnoxious lager lout with spots and halitosis.

But no. It’s him, pop music’s Latino superstar, looking a little dishevelled and not quite as glamorous as on his album covers, calendars and posters, and obviously wearing some kind of hastily thrown together disguise. However, if the other passengers on Iberia flight 243 to Ibiza are fooled by the navy blue baseball cap, the wraparound sunglasses, and the prickly, chestnut coloured, three-day beard, a connoisseur like me is not. I am the princess of pop music, the FM queen. I know my pop stars.

It may seem sad that at the ripe old age of 37 I’m still addicted to bubblegum music. At my age, most people seem to have either moved on to cooler, more sophisticated musical spheres or remained faithful to the likes of Céline Dion, Phil Collins and Sting. Not that I dislike Céline Dion, Phil Collins, or Sting. They’re great. But when it comes to music, I’ll always be a teenybopper at heart. Boy bands may be passé, but they still do it for me. I’m a sucker for cheesy harmonies and all those slick, over-choreographed, step-step-shrug moves.

Crazy as it may sound, my taste in music was one of the irreconcilable differences that destroyed my marriage. I think it was an overdose of step-step-shrug that finally pushed my husband a step too far. He went and dumped me for an older woman.

Richard left me for Wilhelmina, a poker-faced, peroxided tart from Munich, whom I only ever saw from a distance, yet whose sense of style made quite an impression nevertheless: black leather trousers, sequinned sweaters featuring cartoon characters, daredevil heels and a hairstyle presumably influenced by lion tamers in circuses. Interesting choice for a conservative stick-in-the-mud like Richard. They probably have sex while listening to Metallica. “Yawohl, mein schnitzel, das ist SO gut, ya, ya schneller bitte, schneller."

Gross.

Well, they’re welcome to it. They can have Metallica and schnitzels, with or without noodles. Screw them! I’m going to Ibiza to get myself a new life. But please, God, right now, give me something cool to say to Emilio Caliente. Send me instant smooth moves, oodles of charm, irresistible flickety hair.

I try to arrange myself a little more prettily, cross my legs. I’d offer him my best profile, but doing so would require odd contortions, since it’s the one against the window. I rub my nose, making sure there isn’t anything embarrassing hanging off the end.

He takes off his baseball cap and his sunglasses, removes his brown leather sandals (hairy toes, I notice), checks his phone for messages, then switches it off and puts it in the duty-free bag by his feet. He then turns to me, gives me the once over, let’s-see-what-we-have-here, oh-yes, oh-well, never-mind-then, graces me with a quick smile (Yes! This is good! Initial contact established!), puts his sunglasses back on and closes his eyes. So much for contact...

It’s almost eleven when we take-off. The flight has been delayed for nearly two hours. Most of the other passengers are either dozing or flicking through the kind of magazines you tend to buy at airports when you’re bored and need cheap, easy distractions. Even I have a copy of OMG! magazine in my duty-free bag. But now, with Emilio sitting next to me, I’m a little embarrassed to pull it out and have him think I’m mentally deficient.

A bored, exhausted flight attendant passes down the aisle with a basket of boiled sweets. I smile at her smugly, willing her to believe that I’m travelling with Mr. Caliente, that we’re a couple. But as she reaches our level and I lean over to grab something to combat potential gorilla breath, the plane hits turbulence, causing me to knock the basket and most of its contents all over Emilio Caliente’s crotch. Both the flight attendant and I freeze, but Emilio doesn’t stir. Is he asleep or is he deliberately ignoring what he thinks is a desperate plea for attention from his moronic, past-her-sell-by-date neighbour? What kind of a person doesn’t acknowledge an unfortunate accident? Why can’t he just smile politely, say “no harm done”, and offer me a cellophane wrapped windfall?

It’s now obvious to the flight attendant that we are not an item. She pulls a face at me, suppresses a giggle and discreetly points to the multicoloured sweets decorating Emilio’s khaki clad, drawstring secured, rather impressive crotch. "Do we leave them or pick them up?" she articulates silently.

I shrug, mortified, then shake my head. Better to leave them there than disturb the sleeping demigod and have him open his eyes to find four unfamiliar hands groping his testicles.

Grinning, the flight attendant carries on down the aisle, offering what’s left in her basket to the other passengers.

****

“Mucho Caliente!” is available in print from: Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com

It is available as an e-book from:

BookStrand, Mobipocket and All Romance Ebooks

For further information, please visit my website at www.francescaprescott.com

The "Art" of Bean Soup

2009-02-19T07:20:00.001-06:00

Most of the time authors are artists free to create whatever we choose on the blank "canvas" of paper or computer screen. Most of the time.

In these tough economic times, some of the projects we tackle are far more like Paint by Numbers kits or "Couch Paintings," created to match the client's decor.

I'm working on several short fiction pieces that follow a strict "formula" to improve cash flow. When I started, I felt boxed in by the strict writer's guidelines requirements. The "boss" of the esteemed firm of Me, Myself & I insisted I approach them as a challenge rather than as an artist's strait jacket.

I'm almost finished with the first draft. So far, the "boss" seems to be right. I'm hoping to rise to the challenge, satisfy the "boss" (not to mention the editor,) and get paid for coloring within the lines.

Are you changing your work habits because of the rough economy?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 "Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl "The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Meet Tara Manderino

2009-02-15T14:47:00.008-06:00

Today we welcome Tara Manderino to the SRN blog.
Always a daydreamer, author Tara Manderino loves to create stories and situations for the people running around in her head. She first began writing in third grade when she realized she couldn't afford her reading habit.
Tara resides in her native town in southwestern Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. When she’s not writing her own stories, or reading, Tara likes to bake, watch old movies, and do a variety of crafts.
Tara, we’d would love to get to know you.
Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?
What's your favorite genre to read?
I really am a romance junkie. But under that, I think I love nearly every sub-genre – suspense and paranormal being my favorites. I have to have my happily ever after at the end.
When you have writer's block how do you break free?
If I’m faced with writer’s block, and it does happen now and then, I try to write through it. That means while I can usually get several hundred words down in an hour during my normal writing time, I might get a hundred. They’re usually garbage, too. The good part is that eventually something clicks in the brain and I get past that really nasty part. I find the longer I stay away from the writing, the harder it is to face it.
Also, I’m one of those people that absolutely freezes looking at a blank page. Hate it. So now when I write, I have to trick myself. I usually divide even my rough drafts into chapters. So now, when it’s time to start a new chapter I tack on the heading at the bottom of the old one and continue on from there. After I’m a few pages into the chapter, I cut and paste the new chapter into it’s own file. It’s rather silly, really, but it works.
Please tell us what you have planned next?
I’m working on a series of books set in mid-1870s America. I am having an absolute blast with them. When I finish the current one, number five, I’m going back to polish the first and see if I can find a home for them. They’re a little different from my regencies, but they would have to be because the whole mind-set of the time was different. The books are probably heavier in adventure than my others too, but great fun.
Who is your perfect hero? And why?
First, I love all of my heroes in my books. They all share very similar traits in one way or another. I value intelligence, humor and integrity – something they all have.
What do you do for inspiration?
Now that is something I wish I knew the answer to! I’ve been struck by ideas in the oddest places and at the strangest times.
What kind of research do you do for your books? Do you enjoy the research process?
I find research quite dangerous actually. I love it and can just get sucked right into it. There are times I literally have to pull myself away from it and get writing. Most of my research is via the Internet for my historical fiction. The Internet is an amazing tool for research as long as you hit the reliable sites. I’ve found old dance instructions from the Library of Congress, train time tables from the various RR sites, maps, and the NY times articles from the era I research is invaluable. The best part is that I never have to leave my computer. As I said, though, it can just suck the time right up. There’s always the thought that ‘maybe I’ll find something else….’
Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?
Once I get past the shock of a blank page and the knowledge that there is a deadline, it helps.
It’s one of the reasons that I love writing with the Endurance Writers online group. We meet in Yahoo IM, set a timer, and go. There’s that rush to see how many words you can get down before the time is up.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.
I first submitted my paranormal romance when my then crit partners decided they didn’t want to see it anymore. J They were extremely helpful in getting me on track, but I felt like I was torturing them by saying look at this again. After they had nothing else to offer that was really going to change I decided to toss it out there and see what the editors had to say.
What is the best and worst advice you have ever received?
These are kind of related. The worst advice I had ever received was that each section of my writing had to be the best I could make it before moving on. Chapter one should be perfect before moving on to chapter two, and so on. Talk about writer’s block! I did develop it quite often then. Heaven forbid something changed further down the road (writing) because then you had to back and fix the previous parts.
The best advice: Just write. Throw those words on the page and go from point A to B and don’t look back. That was an amazingly freeing concept to me. When it’s all done, you can go back and fix what needs fixing. Obviously, I am not an Isaac Asiminov who’s first draft was his last.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I always have some type of outline. It’s not very formal, or very pretty but it does keep me on track. Actually, I’m rather upset right now because I can’t find the outline I had for a current book. I had put the writing down in December when life got crazy and recently picked it up again with the thought of finishing it. Fortunately, I do remember where I was going and what the ending was to be. The bad part is that I’m trying to figure out where I was going with the chapter in between. I’m untangling threads now and am confident that by the time I get to the edits it will all be perfectly clear. But you can be sure I’m writing it down again (and I don’t just mean in the story!).
Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder you?
I just joined a small online group, but haven’t actually had a chance to participate yet.
What was your first published work and when was it published?
My first published work was Soul Guardian, a paranormal romance between a vampire and a psychic. It still holds its place as one of my favorites.
What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

Definitely email. I am an email junkie. Sad, but true. I have this compulsion to check my email at least half a dozen times a day. All right, it’s probably much, much more than that. (manderino@comcast.net) While I check on email a lot, I don’t play with my website nearly as often as I should. It needs a major overhaul, and I’m working on it, but in the meantime, everything about my books is up at my current site: www.geocities.com/tjmanderino
How can readers find out more about you and your books?
Either at my site, Amazon, or the publishers’ site. For my regencies that would be http://www.awe-struck.net/ Also, I have a few book trailers on my site.
*When did you start writing?
I started writing in third grade and never put it down. At the time, the coolest thing was to see my handwritten words on the yellow tablet written with a blue Bic ballpoint pen. I just had to write because even at that age I realized that I couldn’t afford my reading habit!
*How, why and when did decide you wanted to be a published writer? How did you go about it? What did you do to achieve this end?
I don’t know that there was a definite time that I could say that I wanted to be a writer. I just had a compulsion to tell stories. I love stories and love sharing them. At some point, it dawned on me that that was how some people actually had their names on books. Once I decided to become a writer, I took writing classes in college and read nearly everything I could get my hands on that dealt with writing. Here’s a good point – in the end, you can only learn so much. You have to let go of the research and jump in.
*Who is your target audience? What motivated you to start writing for this audience?
Women who want to read romance, but not worried about there being a bedroom scene every few pages. I also like to think the books are about adventure as much as about romance. Think Romancing the Stone. I have to admit, that like most writers, I probably started writing for this audience because that’s what I wanted to read.
*What are your main concerns as a writer? How do you deal with these concerns?
I always hope that what I’m envisioning in my writer’s brain is making it to the reader. I love to tell stories and want the reader to see what I’m seeing, and hopefully, enjoy it as much. That’s one of the reasons I try to test certain sections of the story with others, particularly not with any one who might be in a crit group, but a reader.
*Do you write everyday? How does each session start? How do you proceed? How, where and why does it end?
I try to write everyday. There are days it simply does not happen because there are simply too many other things going on, or I am so drained from work that looking at another word will make be crazy. On the other hand, there are days that I will sit at the keyboard and write until I literally fall asleep there!
*What is your latest book about? How long did it take you to write it? Where and when was it published? How did you chose a publisher for the book? Why this publisher? What advantages and/or disadvantages has this presented? How are you dealing with these?
My last published book was released in June (2008) – Dere’s Demons. It’s a regency historical published by Awe-Struck. Where I was submitting the book was never an issue since I have two other regencies listed with Awe-Struck, an ebook and POD publisher known for that genre.
While Dere’s Demons focuses on a missing artifact, I just simply could not resist commenting on the times, something I’ve done in all of my regencies. In Dere’s Demons, which takes place in Manchester, not London, I simply had to comment on the factory working conditions, especially as they pertained to women and children.
*Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult?
I don’t know that any aspect is more difficult than another. To me, they’re all the same and the elements have to be woven together.
*Which aspects of the work did you enjoy most? Why is this?
Another tough question! I love all of it –- I just like one part better than another on a given day. I love coming up with the characters – actually, I just listen when they come calling. The research is fun, and then learning where I can go and not go and still be historically correct could be limiting, but it’s not, instead it presents a way for me to think outside the box.
*What will your next book be about?
That’s a tough one. I have several rough drafts here waiting for me to do something. One is a paranormal, and four are set in 1874 America. I have to admit the historical ones are begging to see the light of day, which means that I have to tell the regency bouncing around in my head that it simply must wait.
Dere’s Demons Excerpt
“I wondered if you have any news of your brother. Surely he would have sent word by now.”
She gave him a tired grin. “Obviously, you do not know Collin all that well if you believe that.” She took a sip of her tea. Real tea. Something she had not had in years. She closed her eyes for a moment to savor the taste. It was much richer than anything she could recall.
He watched her drinking and her reactions. “Is there something wrong with the tea?”
Her eyes snapped open. “Heavens, no! It’s lovely.” She gave him a reserved smile. “Was there anything else, my lord?” That did not seem much of a reason. Still, she was glad for it had got them inside and this delightful tea.
“I had not expected you to leave your home so quickly.”
“It seemed the best thing to do, my lord. I have not heard from Samuel, so I can only assume that Lord Hawke has taken possession.”
“He has. I am puzzled about something. He seems to think that Collin is in possession of some items.”
Jane set her tea carefully on the table. “I did not remove anything of import,” she said thinking guiltily of Evangeline’s doll.
“May I have another cake, Jane,” one of twins interrupted in a whisper, at least he assumed it was to be a whisper, it was rather loud.
Jane looked at the plate in front of them. She could see why her sister was tempted. She was herself. With true regret, she gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. She had to remember why they were here.
“Please, Jane.” That came from the other twin.
Before she could answer this time, Brayden did. “Of course you may,” he told them. Turning to Jane he said, “It is far enough to dinner that it will not spoil their appetite.”
Jane couldn’t even answer. She was sure of that! It also served as a reminder of why she was here. She sat up a bit straighter in the chair and placed her cup on the table. “I have some business I would like to discuss with you, my lord.”
Now that was intriguing. “If you think we can trust the moppets with the rest of the cakes, we can go to my study.”
She raised stricken eyes to his. She had not wanted them to take more, and certainly she needed him to think well of them. “They will not touch any others,” she assured him, and stood.
“It was a jest,” he said, standing also, and guiding her to the room across the hall. He couldn’t help but notice that she did not smile in return. Whatever was bothering her was weighing heavily indeed.
Ushering her into the room, he gave her a seat in front of his desk. Rather than sitting behind it, he hitched one hip on the edge, so that he was fairly close to her. He noticed her rough hands again as she twisted them together.
“Come,” he told her. “It can’t be that bad. What can I do for you?”

Daffodils and Pink Roses

2009-02-13T07:40:00.002-06:00

The scene is a classic in romance: the hero, smitten with the heroine's charms, presents her with a bouquet of flowers.

Ah yes, flowers. Every woman likes to receive them--I know I do. They're pretty, they smell nice, and they mean the presenter has been thinking of you.

But why do flowers figure in courtship? According to sociologists Alan S. Miller and Satoshi Kanazawa, authors of Why Beautiful People Have More Daughters, there may be a genetic basis to the behavior. Genes' survival depends on passing themselves to the next generation. A woman needs to know if a man possesses the resources to support their children. A man has to proclaim he is a good provider. Voila, flowers.

Pretty as they are, flowers have no survival value. You can't eat them, wear them or save them for the future. When a man presents a woman with flowers, he shows he possesses sufficient possessions to spend valuable resources on something nonessential. The behavior also demonstrates his generosity. He is willing to part with his hard-earned money to buy those worthless flowers.

But then, we are more than our genes. I like daffodils and pink roses. My husband buys me pink roses all year long. Now, in February, the first cut daffodils are arriving here in New England. He goes out of his way to find them for me. For as long as we've been together, he has brought me flowers. Why? We're married. He no longer has to prove anything. But he still brings me those flowers, and the specific flowers I like because he wants me to be happy. Is love part of our genes, or beyond them? Do we care?

Which brings us to our Happily Ever After. And I do enjoy those daffodils.

Thank you all,

Linda

Linda Banche

Regency romance--most with humor, some with fantasy, and occasionally a paranormal

Lady of the Stars--A legend spanning time, and the man and woman caught in it--Regency time travel, available from The Wild Rose Press

www.lindabanche.com

IS IT WRITER'S BLOCK OR ...?

2009-02-12T09:35:00.001-06:00

If you're having trouble forcing yourself out of the warm comfy bed these winter mornings and are firmly convinced the Muse is as frozen as your fingers, you might NOT be suffering from writer's block.

For some people, there's a direct correlation between the season and depression (or a lack of productivity.) This condition is not limited to winter either. If you live in an area where the temperature tops 100 for weeks or months at a time, summer might be your season to suffer the "blues."

Take a peek at this e-How article for some tips that might help:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4773296_banish-seasonal-blues.html

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 "Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl "The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne
RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Romantic Roman flowers for Valentine's Day

2009-02-11T05:53:00.002-06:00

As a forerunner to Valentine's Day, and with my Roman books in mind, I thought I'd talk about some romantic Roman flowers. Some are surprising. Some are popular even today.

Sweet violet is a pretty, sweet-smelling flower used, like the anemone and the madonna lily, in garlands at Roman banquets. The scent was believed to ward off drunkenness! The Romans loved the scent of violets and even drank wine infused with violets and honey.

Vervain is a dull-looking plant but one which the Romans believed held magical proprieties. Believed to bring good luck, it was used in love potions.

Roman brides used mint for their garlands, and their faces may have been cleansed with a facepack made from the juice of yellow elecampane, because it was believed that Helen of Troy was collecting the flower when Paris abducted her.

Then as now however, the most popular romantic flower was the rose. Roses were grown in Campania for sale and the streets in Rome were red with rose garlands. They were known as flowers of seduction - Cleopatra was rumoured to have seduced Mark Anthony with rose petals. I'll leave it to your imagination as to how!

(Painting by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and drawings of sweet violet, elecampane and mint from Wikimedia Commons.)

Buzzed from a conference

2009-02-09T17:46:00.002-06:00

Hi friends,

I've been remiss in getting over to SRNwrites this year. It seems like there is never enough time in the day. I'm catching up on several fronts today, but I had such a wonderful time at a conference this weekend, I thought I'd share.

I was invited to Murder in Magic City and Murder on the Menu, two companion conferences in Alabama. I accepted and boy am I glad I did. I met lots of wonderful authors and made some new reader friends as well. I am thrilled at the response to the conference and the enthusiasm with which folks bought my books. It was a major ego rush.

I was in great company. There were six well-known multi-pubbed mystery/suspense writers there: Carla Neggers, Peggy Webb, Kent Krueger, Cara Black, Vicki Lane, and Deborah Crombie. The rest of us were: Meredith Anthony, Jennie Bentley, Peggy Ehrhardt, Terry Griffin, Larry Light, Mary Jane Maffini, Vinny O'Neil, Deborah Sharp, Liz Zelvin, and me. What fun we all had.

And the cool thing is that on the first night of the conference, some of the readers went back to their rooms, looked me up on the internet, and friended me here there and yon. All those social networks are beginning to pay off!

Okay, you're probably sick of me gushing on about this, so I'll sign off. But picture me with a cheesy grin, all right?

Maggie Toussaint
romance.danger.mystery
www.maggietoussaint.com

Time & Money

2009-02-05T09:18:00.002-06:00

The only thing as precious as time in the author's life is money to pay the bills.

In this tight economy, more and more publishers delay payment or don't bother to pay at all. Prices go up so much between weekly trips to the grocery store that clipping coupons and making big pots of bean soup doesn't help much. I shudder to open the utility bills even though I keep the thermostat too cool in winter and too hot in summer.

And then there are the "surprises" like spending over $200 to fix the refrigerator yesterday and a vet bill that will top $400 later today.

Wish I could wave a magic wand so I could earn money as quickly as I spend it and collect what's owed me as quickly as I'm expected to pay my bills.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 "Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl "The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Time

2009-01-29T12:05:00.000-06:00

How can the days possibly fly by so fast when I'm most definitely NOT having fun?!

Wasn't it just yesterday when I tried so very hard to ignore those Christmas cookies screaming my name and struggled to finish my end of the year deadline projects?

It can't possibly be a few short days before the January projects are due.

Surely, time management is the key to success. That's why I only open editors' e-mails during the day and let the answering machine pick up routine calls. Glue proverbial to chair and WORK. I know the drill.

Where does the time go? It magically disappears leaving me with far too little to show for my effort. Do I tackle too much for any human to accomplish? Somehow waste precious moments without realizing it?

How do you manage time in your busy author's life?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 "Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl "The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Catanetworks award for 'A Secret Treasure'

2009-01-28T13:30:00.003-06:00

I'm delighted to say that Ecataromance, the electronic publishing arm of Catanetworks, have given A Secret Treasure one of their Reviewers' Choice Awards for 2008. I'm really pleased with this, because A Secret Treasure is one of my quieter, sweeter stories. Details are here.

Six Word Love Stories

2009-01-23T14:49:00.003-06:00

Before you follow the link, try telling your love story (or your character's) in six simple words.

Now, click on the link to see stories from the famous and not so famous. Be sure to scan reader comments too.

http://tinyurl.com/dkndul

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

2009 Is My Year To ...

2009-01-22T08:21:00.001-06:00

I used my "For Love & Money" Amazon gift certificate as a down payment on a Woman's World subscription.

No more picking the longest checkout line in the supermarket to do my market research for free instead of buying the magazine.

I've been published in a wide variety of markets for decades, but can't seem to crack the secret code to get accepted by this relatively high paying magazine.

You're my witnesses. I've invested my gift certificate/hard earned cash and made a solemn vow that 2009 is the year I'm going to sell a romance or a solve-it-yourself mystery (or both!) to Woman's World.

What goals did you set for this year?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Meet Cindy Green

2009-01-15T07:33:00.004-06:00

Today we welcome Cindy Green to the blog. Cindy is a multi-published authors whose books have given me hours of pleasure. We would love to get to know you.
Welcome, Cindy.
Could you please start by telling us a little about yourself?
To start with, I’m married with two boys ages 11 and 4. I taught middle school before deciding to stay home and teach my own kids after the second was born. I have degrees in both education and history. To fill the void, I started to write and had my first publishing contract in July of 2006. I have 9 books released at the moment. Four of which just went out of print this December 31st as that publisher went out of business. I have three new books coming this year. I write in several genres: Inspirational, Historical, Contemporary, Fantasy, and Suspense. I have some YA ms I hope to finish one day as well. My publishers are The Wild Rose Press and Champagne Books. (By Grace Publishing and Moonlit Romance just closed their doors) In my free time (ha!), I love reading, photography, scrapbooking, Period Dramas, and spending time with family.
What's your favorite genre to read?
I love reading several genres but I really love Suspense and Historical.
Who or what influences you when you write?
I most definitely see the influence of these authors in my writing today:
L.M. Montgomery – She is famed for writing Anne of Green Gables but did you know she wrote A LOT more books and a plethora of short stories. In the 90’s (when I was in HS) they began republishing her short stories into anthologies with similar themes. Montgomery had a certain fanciful way of turning a phrase. And of course I related to her stories – especially Anne since I’m a redhead too. I still pick up and read one of her books now and again. Last summer, I reread Anne of the Island & Anne’s House of Dreams. They sure read a lot faster than they used to.
Jane Austen – I am a certified Jane Junkie! To this day if you ask my favorite author, I’ll say JA. And if you ask my favorite book, I’ll either say Pride & Prejudice or Persuasion – I go back and forth. (Right now it’s Persuasion – aah Captain Wentworth ) I first read P&P in 8th grade and the story has never left me. JA had a way of creating the best characters: characters to laugh at, hate, and fall in love with. I am always reading one or another of her novels these days. I have all six as e-books on my Palm Pilot so I take them wherever I go.
What do you do on a typical writing day?
I try to get up at least an hour before my kids. That gives me the time to check my emails and prepare for the day. I homeschool so in between schooling I try to catch some writing time or at least promotional time. The daytime hours are very busy with my boys, but two evenings a week are mine to write without interruptions.
Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?
My next book releases February 4th with The Wild Rose Press. The title of this short novella is Dilemma of the Heart, and it is an American Historical set just after the Civil War near Philadelphia. Here is the blurb:
Cassandra Huddleston has a dilemma. Her heart still resides with her sweetheart, Frederick Adair, reported as killed in action at the close of the Civil War. Now she has a new suitor, Emerson Bryce, powerful, attractive, and dominant; he usually gets what he wants. Cassandra must decide if she can forget the man of her heart and learn to love the man offering her a future.
As she struggles with her feelings, Cassandra is faced with the possibility that Frederick’s death might have been greatly exaggerated. If that is true, will Emerson be willing to let her go?
I also have a fantasy romance novel to come out this year with The Wild Rose Press: The Princess and the Rogue.
A sheltered Princess, a masked Outlaw, and a Land forbidden of magic.
Upon entering the Northern province of Thaylandria, pampered Princess Valandra is accosted by the scourge of the region—the dashing and quick-witted Silver Rogue, the best archer in the land and one who practices the arts of the old ways. It is this same scoundrel who not only steals a kiss before pilfering some of her jewelry, but also opens her eyes to the terrible treatment of her people. Yet, she has arrived to marry Lord Tristen, the wealthy, studious and at times conceit Earl of Cumberwick.
With intrigue apparent, everyone’s loyalty becomes suspect and the line between good and evil turns topsy-turvy. Can Valandra place her devotion in the right man and discover the secrets behind her mother’s amulet and the reason for her father’s untimely death before it’s too late?
I also have another NovelTea book coming later this year—NovelTea Takes a Holiday. It is the longest yet at over 40,000 words and takes place on an island in the Outer Banks just off the coast of North Carolina. It has the tone and plot more like a murder mystery.
Please tell us what you have planned next?
I have a full-length sequel to Dilemma of the Heart in the works called Emancipation of the Heart. I’ve taken the antagonist from the first story and turned him into the hero of the sequel.
I also have a sequel to my fantasy called The Prince and the Sorceress. It carries on the plot of the first book but the POV characters and romance follows a new pair. It will be more like an epic story.
NovelTea #4—A NovelTea Christmas is the next in the series. This one will be light on suspense and high on the relationship with lots and lots of humor. I think Grant is ready to propose but situations keep making it impossible to get the words out.
Who is your perfect hero? And why?
I love a Gamma hero—part Alpha and part Beta. Let me give you a literary example. Captain Wentworth is my favorite Austen hero (from Persuasion). He is dashing, handsome, and newly wealthy. He also has a pleasing personality, an interesting intelligence, a lovely sense of humor, and strength when needed. He is in everyway the heroine’s equal. He understands her like no one else in her life does. Persuasion is also a 2nd chances romance which is my favorite kind of romantic story. What stays with me about Wentworth is that even after eight years he is still so very much in love with Anne. It wasn’t a passing fancy built on the passions of youth. It was real, true, and lasting. I think we all want someone like that.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.
Becoming a published author has been something I’ve always wanted, but it wasn’t until I quit teaching school, moved to North Carolina and began homeschooling my son that I decided to take the writing idea seriously. I began working on a YA WWII era novel which went on for about 100,000 words. This book is still unpublished. It was more my learning curve to writing fiction which is very different from academic non-fiction writing. I wasn’t sure I wanted to submit it. My sister told me I needed to. After that I wrote a contemporary Inspirational novel, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding. While that novel was sent out to a couple publishers, I met my friend, Rebecca Goings, who introduced me to By Grace Publishing. This was in 2006. I wrote a book especially for By Grace and received my first contract.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I always start out with at least a basic outline of plot and a simple character sketch of my main characters before I start writing. In my longer works, I might even write a chapter by chapter outline while most of my shorter works are written much more pantser style.
What was your first published work and when was it published?
My first published book was called The Spirit of Christmas. It was published with By Grace Publishing. And it went out of print this past December. I was told by my friend Rebecca Goings to check out this publisher in the summer of 2006. They were acquiring Christmas short stories and novellas. I thought to myself, ‘I can write a Christmas novella.’ And I did…a 25,000 word book in six days. They accepted it within a couple weeks and it released December of 2006. I really love this book and plan to rewrite it some and submit it to a new publisher sometime in 2009.
What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?
I love receiving emails from readers. You can contact me at cindy@cindykgreen.com. My website is located at http://www.cindykgreen.com/ and my main blog is at http://cindykgreen.blogspot.com/. Please friend me on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/cindykgreen. And if you like romantic suspense, I have a blog just for my NovelTea series at http://www.novelteaseries.blogspot.com/. If Inspirational romance is more your cup of tea, I blog with the other White Roses at http://whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com/. I’m also one of the hostesses at The Romance Bistro so come on by and visit us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romance_bistro/.
Thanks for having me today.

And thanks for sharing with us.
Here’s a teasing taste of two of Cindy’s books:
Dilemma of the Heart and Relationship Rescue
Dilemma of the Heart
Excerpt #1:
Placing her hat on the bench, she removed the golden charm from around her neck and held it in the palm of her hand. She opened it and admired the lock of lovely golden brown hair held inside. She touched the strands of Frederick’s hair, the softness causing deep emotions to stir within her. A hand came to her mouth to stifle the sob forming in her throat. With him, she had formed all her hopes and dreams. All that was gone. Now the future only seemed to spread before her like an empty, desolate land.
Lord, why? Why did you allow Frederick to die? Why did he have to leave me? Why? Huge tears began to tumble down her cheeks.
Snapping the locket shut, she shot to her feet as her hands bunched into fists. These thoughts were a poison to her soul. It was as if she was determined to make herself continue in perpetual grief. Her life had become a vale of tears and she was tired of it. She had to let him go if only to allow her heart to rest. She knew that would only come by allowing God to heal her pain but she couldn’t. If she permitted herself to stop hurting over Frederick, it would be like admitting she had forgotten him.
Excerpt #2:
Frederick began to move toward her, his strides determined and sleek. “And how shall I address you when you’re married?” His voice drawled into a low and provocative tone, making her heart give a little leap.
She made the mistake of gazing into those deep, wonderful eyes of his and forgot to breathe as his eyes, no longer playful, seared into her, down to her beating heart. When she was finally able to gulp some air, her lungs began to pump again. “You may call me Cassandra as you always have…I hope.” Her voice came out breathy and weak.
“Oh, no, I don’t believe that would be proper.” He stepped right in front of her face and touched his forehead to hers. In that moment, it felt as if a dozen butterflies had been released inside her stomach. He grabbed her around the waist, but before he had the chance to kiss her, she returned to her senses. Pushing off from his chest, she moved down toward the stalls, keeping her back to him as she held a hand over her galloping heart.
Excerpt from CAPA Nominated--Relationship Rescue
“You know, Robynn, I think we’ve been set-up.”
“Set-up? Yes, I was set-up. It was a blind date, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why Marina and Chad thought I would have gotten along with Norman Clark.”
“That’s my point. Marina and Chad set me up on a blind date that never showed. You had the date from a sitcom episode.”
Robynn sat up straight. “We were set-up!”
Mitch glanced at the counter again. Robynn turned around to look as well, her face close to his, sending his pulse racing. As he glanced down, she turned her eyes up to him and they locked onto each other. The pull to kiss her here and now was intense. “Robynn, I think they were hoping we might bump into each other tonight and talk just like we have.”
Realization entered her eyes. She began to nod her head as she spoke. “I know Marina was terribly disappointed when we didn’t get married.” She swallowed hard on the last word, her eyes glistening again.
“I think there were several people disappointed about that but maybe we don’t have disappoint them tonight.”
“What do you mean?” A stony expression entered her hooded eyes as she deeply assessed him. She didn’t trust him any further than she could throw him and he couldn’t blame her.
After taking her hand firmly into his, they sat back into the couch. It seemed like an eternity since he’d held her hand so intimately. It gave him the courage to go on. “Come take a walk with me…
Now Available at The Wild Rose Press ($1.50).

For Love & Money

2009-01-15T07:23:00.001-06:00

I won an Amazon gift certificate by commenting each day of The Seekers "For Love & Money" event, BUT the real prize was sharing the expertise of those who posted and the introduction to a new-to-me website. http://seekerville.blogspot.com/

Scroll down to find the For Love & Money posts (writing for Woman's World, professional blogging, submitting to the confession markets, etc.) and explore all the other great information too.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

How's 2009 Working for You?

2009-01-08T07:13:00.001-06:00

Have you mastered the art of writing 2009 instead of 2008?

Are you keeping those New Year's resolutions about eating less and exercising more, or are you sitting at your computer gobbling down the last stale Christmas cookies?

More importantly, are you working smarter this year by spending less time scrolling through e-mails/posting to loops and more time writing for/submitting to higher paying markets?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

'Blue Gold' released this week

2009-01-05T04:25:00.001-06:00

My historical adventure Blue Gold is released by Bookstrand this week (Tuesday, January 6). It's a mainstream historical set in ancient Egypt, with a romance at its heart. There will be a POD later, but it's available only as a download to start with. Details and an excerpt are here.

Lindsay

Broken Hero nominated!

2009-01-03T16:16:00.001-06:00

If anyone has a spare moment I'd love it if you could vote for my World War II romance Broken Hero which is up for the best romance novel at Preditors & Editors website.
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml

Thanks so much!

Regards, Anne.~

http://www.annewhitfield.com/

http://annewhitfield.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T07:40:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year! While you were sleeping, the proverbial slate has been wiped clean. This is the first day of the rest of your writing career.

While it's tempting to brood over how time flew in 2008 even though we weren't having fun and to whine over the impossibility of achieving $ucce$$ in this brutal economy, we can't afford the luxury of a pity party.

2009 is the year to start off on the right foot by taking ourselves seriously so family, friends, and editors will too.

Has your work been published? Congratulations! Now is the time to set higher expectations and submit to better paying markets.

Waiting for that first contract? You're still a WRITER. Take yourself seriously enough to show up for work every day no matter what else happens in your life.

Follow these simple steps to success: Write. Submit. Repeat.

Happy New Year! Happy New YOU!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Personal Plotting

2008-12-25T07:21:00.002-06:00

Somewhere in between the opening of presents and pushing yourself away from the table almost too stuffed to move, don't forget to plot a romantic rendezvous with your secret love.

Slip away to a bedroom, bathroom ... a closet if there's no other alternative ...

Now, whatever were you thinking? This blog is for SWEETER Romantic notions!

Your secret love isn't just some handsome hunk on the cover of a romance novel. It's WRITING.

No matter how busy you are, no matter how surrounded you are by the warmth/love of family/friends, don't forget to make time for your passion too!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

LATE Letter to Santa

2008-12-19T07:20:00.001-06:00

Dear Santa,

I've been VERY good this year.

Every single day, I've put on my big girl panties and shown up to work. Must confess I haven't met every single self-imposed deadline, but I think that's because I bit off a few more opportunities than I could realistically expect to "chew."

I know even you must be feeling the pinch of this tight economy so I'll keep my list short.

Please bring me (and all the other good writers out there) the gift of TIME, the ability to juggle work/family/life, and a few new paying markets with wonderful editors.

Thanks, Santa. I'll TRY to get around to baking your cookies before Christmas Eve (if I can finish these deadline projects!)

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Meet prize-winning author Liana Laverentz

2008-12-16T08:36:00.007-06:00

Today we welcome Liana Laverentz to the Sweeter Romantic Notions blog.
Liana Laverentz is the author of two contemporary romances with The Wild Rose Press, Thin Ice and Jake’s Return. Thin Ice is a 2007 New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Award winner, a 2008 EPPIE winner for best contemporary romance, and was a nominee for Best Romance of 2007 at Long and Short Reviews. Jake’s Return is a 2008 NJRW Golden Leaf winner. Her next release, Ashton’s Secret, a murder mystery romance, will be available from The Wild Rose Press June 26, 2009.
Liana is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Washington Romance Writers, and Pennwriters, Inc. In 1998, she won the Pennwriters Meritorious Service Award. Liana also hosts a monthly chat on the Long and Short Reviews Yahoo Group the first Thursday of each month, where we discuss ways to find our balance between writing and Life, which tends to get in the way of our writing more often than not. For more information, go to http://www.lianalaverentz.com/.
We would love to get to know you.
Thank you. And thank you for having me here today. I’m very happy to be here.
If you could be one of your characters – Who would you be? And why?
I’d be Rebecca from Jake’s Return. She knows who she is and what she wants, and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in or for those she loves. But she does it with a quiet grace that I find very appealing. Rebecca is a lady, through and through, but nobody’s fool. She’s also a homebody, like me.
What's your favorite genre to read?
Romantic Suspense.
Who or what influences you when you write?
Life.
What do you do on a typical writing day?
Every day is different for me, but the ideal day would be: Wake up really early in the morning. Write until my son needs to get up for school. Make breakfast, tidy up the house and send him off to school. Write until I need a break. Go to the Y, come home, shower, have lunch. Write until my son comes home. Spend time with him, asking about his day. Post promo before dinner. Sometimes I take a nap, doze while he uses the computer. Then I get up, make dinner, eat dinner, clean up after dinner. (Sometimes, if I’m on a roll though, I skip this whole nap and dinner thing and tell him he’s on his own…Dinner is from the red box tonight…go to the freezer and pick one.) Then I do odds and ends on the computer or around the house until eight or so. Watch a DVD with my son to unwind. We like Scrubs, and are currently re-watching it from the beginning. Bedtime is at 10:00 if I haven’t already crashed. Weekends and holidays and summers are a different story. Then it’s catch as catch can. I kind of go with the flow. The same goes for errand day. I bundle my errands and run all over town, and don’t plan on getting any writing in on those days.When you have writer's block how do you break free?
Work on something else that has nothing to do with what I’m stuck on. Invariably it frees up my mind to sort out exactly what I need. Or I read something totally unrelated to what I’m working on. It has the same effect. I never try to force myself through it. The sooner I let it go, the sooner the problem is resolved.
Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?
My next release is Ashton’s Secret, and that’s more than six months away, so I’m going to offer you a peek at Jake’s Return, which just won a Golden Leaf award, and this month is a featured romance at The Wild Rose Press.
EXCERPT:

He offered lemonade, she accepted. Their fingers brushed when he handed hers over, and Jake felt a damning jolt of sexual heat. He looked up and caught a faint flush in Rebecca’s cheeks. Their eyes locked. Apparently she’d felt something, too.
Great, Jake thought. Just great. If he thought for one second she’d go for some hot, no-strings-attached sex, they’d be halfway upstairs already.
But that wasn’t Rebecca, and never had been. Rebecca came with all kinds of strings.
“The yard looks nice,” she said.
“Thanks.” He’d spent most of the afternoon working on it. “It’d look better with some grass instead of these ratty clumps of weeds, though. I’ll have to look into seeding it.”
“I thought you were leaving right away.”
“Can’t hurt to fix the place up a bit before I unload it.”
Strong emotion flashed in Rebecca’s eyes, startling him. The unexpected flare-up passed too quickly for him to be sure, but Jake would have put his money on anger—or maybe bitterness.
Bitterness? Over his selling the house?
Maybe she expects you to stay.
She couldn’t. If she knew him at all, she couldn’t.
Please tell us what you have planned next?
I’m working on a new romantic suspense novel, Justice is a Lady, about Samantha Dallas, an ambitious assistant DA determined to prosecute every gang-related case she can in response to her cop husband’s gang-related murder. She ends up on the run with undercover FBI agent Alexander Caldwell when she gets framed for killing a park ranger while on a camping trip she’s practically forced into going on by her loving family to escape job burnout. Alex is investigating a car theft ring and chop shop run by the same people who are after Samantha, only neither of them know it. Samantha also doesn’t know that her uncle, Alex’s boss, has asked Alex to keep a discreet eye on her. All Samantha knows is someone is out to get her, and this entirely too compelling criminal seems to be the only person who will help her. Her attraction to him makes her wonder if she’s lost her mind.
In 5 years, where do you see yourself? -In general and in you're writing career
Sitting right here in this chair and writing. Making people laugh, and cry, and sigh in happy satisfaction at the end of my stories. Lots of people J.
Who is your perfect hero? And why?
Eric Cameron from Thin Ice is my perfect hero, because I created him just the way I thought a hero should be J. I adore that man. And since he’s based on a real person, I know men like Eric do exist.
What do you do for inspiration?
Read. People watch. Eavesdrop. Watch movies. Go for walks. Talk to people. I love to ask people about themselves.
Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven't yet?
I would love to write a medieval romance, or even a time travel back to that period.
What type of book have you always wanted to write?
Books about real people facing real challenges, portrayed as realistically as possible. Stories with layers and layers of emotional depth about characters who grow and change without even realizing that’s what they are doing. Because they do it for love. They find themselves unexpectedly involved in something bigger than themselves that they come to realize is worth holding on to and fighting for—even if it means fighting the person they are falling in love with. Because inevitably you have that black moment in the book where they both think all is lost, and in that moment, one of them has to step up to the plate and say, “This separation is wrong. We belong together.” One of them has to care more about the relationship than “being right.” One of them has to move past their hurt feelings and dented pride, and open the door for the other person to join them. In real life, this happens over and over again, in all our relationships, and I think that’s why romance readers can relate.
What kind of research do you do for your books? Do you enjoy the research process?
I love the research process, and I do ten times more research than ever shows up in the books, but then I love to learn, so none of it is wasted.
Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?
Deadlines hinder me, period. I resist any kind of deadline, although I usually meet them. I’ve got a strong sense of commitment and responsibility, but am also a free spirit. It’s a constant struggle, getting my go-with-the-flow self to conform to any kind of expectations. If I commit to doing something, I’ll do it, and do it 100% to the best of my ability…but not without some vestige of inner resistance. I’m never late deliberately, I don’t rebel like that, but inside there is definite resistance to being controlled by a clock.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.
I submitted Thin Ice to The Wild Rose Press the day Rhonda Penders and RJ Morris opened for business. My best friend Louis (the inspiration for all my heroes) and I had been having a disagreement. After him nudging and prodding me to re-write Thin Ice and send it out again for well over a year (it had already made the rounds of the traditional publishing houses twice), and me nudging and prodding him to do something equally big for himself (we tend to do that, bring out the best in each other), he said, “If positive thinking is all it takes, why aren’t you published again?”
So I submitted Thin Ice with the attitude of “I’ll show you,” and that was that. Rhonda snatched it up and the rest is history.
What would you like to tell your readers?
That I really appreciate your encouragement and support and all the emails you send letting me know how much you enjoy my books. Thank you so much, and please keep in touch J.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I outline. I use the outline as a map. It doesn’t mean I stick to it 100%, but if I get stuck in the writing, I then go back to the outline to figure out where I’m supposed to be in the story. And if I find a better direction to go in, I’ll revise the outline to reflect the change.
What was your first published work and when was it published?
My first published work was Ashton’s Secret, a Meteor/Kismet romance, in 1993. I had my son in 1994 and went off in another direction for a while. In 2002 I started writing again. Just this year I revised Ashton’s Secret for The Wild Rose Press, and although the basic story structure is the same, the writing is completely different.
I loved revising Ashton’s Secret because it taught me a lot about the difference between then and now, both in my world perspective, and my writing. When I first submitted it to The Wild Rose Press, it was rejected, because it was out of date regarding the writing, the relationship dynamics between the hero and heroine (me man, you woman), and a few modern conveniences, like video games and cellphones. At the time, I really didn’t know how to fix it, but once I got into the story, I saw all sorts of room for improvement and expansion, since I was no longer limited to a certain word count. This allowed me to play with the characters and develop them more fully within the existing structure of the story.
One main difference between the first version and this new, much improved version (I am so excited about this…it was a real eye-opener to see how much I had grown and changed as a writer) is the hero’s occupation, which is another secret (one of many) in the story and is not revealed to the heroine the end of the book. Astute readers, I am sure, will catch on quickly. His former occupation is now his hobby.
But his new occupation makes much more sense and adds a lot of tension to the story. She knows he has secrets, but he’s not saying, and that makes it hard to establish trust between them, which heightens the conflict. I also changed the ending. Not the happily ever after part, but how they got to it, and a glimpse of their future through their dialogue. The story will be released on June 26, 2009.
What is the best and worst advice you have ever received?
Worst advice…that category romance was the only romance worth writing. I was never going to fit into the category romance mold. It was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, and I lost a lot of years trying to write something I wasn’t suited for.
Best advice…never give up. If you don’t write the books in your heart, no one will. No one will even know they exist except you, and they will die when you do, never having been released into the world. Never having even had a chance.
What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?
liana@lianalaverentz.com
http://www.lianalaverentz.com/http://www.polkadotbanner.com/

http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/www.myspace.com/authorlianalaverentz

Here’s a taste of one of Liana’s great, great romance novels, JAKE’S RETURN, available through The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

The last person small town bad boy Jacob Donovan expects to find when he returns home in disgrace after serving time is Rebecca Reed, head librarian. Rebecca had always had much bigger ambitions. Jake hadn’t wanted to stand in her way, so after one night of passion with his former best friend, he’d hit the open road.
Rebecca refuses to believe Jake is guilty of murder. The boy who’d been her friend and protector when they were town outcasts together could never have killed a woman. Not to mention the tender, loving man who’d given her their daughter, Katie.
But who is Jake now? That’s what everyone wants to know, including the town council chairman, who is determined to send Jake back to prison, by any means available.
Jake’s been running from love for all of his life. Will he find the courage to defeat his demons and stay this time?
Excerpt:
Rebecca Reed would never forget the sound of Jacob Donovan walking back into her life. The sharp hiss of startled gasps that suddenly swept across the town library’s main reading room was enough to grab anyone’s attention. She frowned and straightened from where she was shelving books in the children’s section, looked to see what had happened, and felt her heart stop.
Omigod, she thought. He’s here. He’s really here. In Warner.
Her heart jerked to a start again, and she was sure every soul in the building could hear its wild, erratic beat in the shocked silence that had settled over the room.
Jake stood at the front desk, his left profile turned toward her and the rest of the main reading room. He looked tall, dark and rangy in faded denims and a black T-shirt that matched his windswept hair. The clerk behind the desk finished checking out a patron with two small children. A short, stout, no-nonsense woman who had never married, Eunice Lee Larmer had been with the library for as long as most of the town could remember. She looked up at Jake and froze, her eyes rounding with recognition. Her face two shades paler, she stepped back carefully.
The sight of Eunice’s fear sparked a surge of protective anger in Rebecca, taking her by surprise. Damn. She’d thought she was prepared for this.
Obviously not. Telling herself she was rescuing the situation—not Jake—Rebecca started forward just as Jake turned her way. His expression stopped Rebecca in her tracks. He looked completely out of place. Completely unapproachable. A lone wolf barely tolerating the trappings of civilization.
An eternity passed as she bore the weight of his sharp scrutiny from across the now suffocatingly silent room. Rebecca would have sworn she actually felt his cold, dark gaze move from the top of her French twist to the tips of her navy pumps.
She shivered.
Sounding as if it were right next door instead of three blocks away, the daily noon wail of the firehouse siren pierced the unnatural silence. The familiar sound seemed to nudge everyone back to life. Rebecca swallowed hard and braced herself to meet Jake again, to speak with him for the first time in eight years.
The first time since the night he’d given her Katie.
Amid a rising tide of rustles and scandalized whispers, Jake seemed to recall why he’d come to the library. As he slowly wended his way across the crowded reading room to where Rebecca stood, neither of them smiling, a paralyzing thought struck her.
What if he still doesn’t want anything to do with us?
She beat back her own wave of fear, and focused on Jake. He was leaner now, harder and tougher-looking than she remembered. True, he’d always looked tough, but his toughness as a teenager had been a façade. One she’d seen through from the start. But this was different. This was no small town bad boy trying to make the best of his messed-up life alone. This was a grown man who’d spend most of his adult life in hell.
With a sinking sense of dread Rebecca realized she’d made a mistake. She was staring into the face of a stranger.
“Hello, Rebecca.”
His voice was rougher, deeper than she remembered. Deep enough to send a shot of awareness down her spine. “Jake.”
“Been a long time.”
Rebecca knew exactly how long it had been. Counting Jake’s four-year stint in the army, with the exception of those few unforgettable hours they’d shared in Pittsburgh eight years ago, they’d been apart for almost twelve years.
Before that, they’d been the town outcasts together.
“You’re looking good,” he said quietly.
“Thank you. You look...fit.”
He arched a dark brow. “Considering I spent the last eight years locked up, you mean?”
Rebecca flushed. A nearby cough reminded her everyone within earshot would shamelessly repeat anything she or Jake said, first chance they got. A town like Warner had precious few secrets, and Jake obviously didn’t intend to play down his recent parole from prison.
She squared her shoulders and offered Jake her most professional smile. “Would you like a cup of coffee? My office is right behind the desk.”
“Your office?” He looked blank, then over his shoulder at the checkout desk, the open door that led to the tiny office behind it. The eavesdroppers’ expressions ranged from indignant to shocked. Frowning, Jake turned back to Rebecca. “You’re head librarian?”
She understood his confusion. She wasn’t even supposed to be in Warner, much less working at the library. The last time he’d seen her, she’d had much bigger plans. “For three years now.”
Jake stared at her a moment longer, then ran a slow, speculative gaze over her short-skirted navy summer suit and heels. Just as slowly, he smiled. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
Rebecca’s knees nearly buckled. His smile was vintage Jake. Reckless, unrepentant, and sexier than black satin sheets. Her heartbeat soared, her palms broke into a sweat. With what she considered an amazing amount of grace, given the state of her nerves, she managed to smile back neutrally and avoid tripping over anything as she led Jake past their astonished audience, and into her office.
Once inside, she made a beeline for the coffee pot, then forced herself to take a deep breath before she handed Jake a steaming mug of coffee. “Black still okay?” Her hand only trembled a little.
His slow half-smile hovered between some private amusement and pleasant surprise. “You remembered.”

Adding a Bit of Sanity to This Crazy Season

2008-12-11T12:13:00.000-06:00

As Adele pointed out, it IS that crazy time of year. Families gather, thoughts scatter, and writing is often shoved to the bottom of the much too long To Do List.

Here are a couple of suggestions to add a bit of sanity (and productivity) to this challenging season.

Try to beg, borrow, or steal a bit of time to flex your writing muscles every day. Otherwise, it's going to be very difficult to get back to your work routine after the holidays. You obviously won't be able to get the usual amount of writing done, but DO try to string some words together.

No time to write? "Sketch" instead. Use the original word processor (a notebook and pen/pencil) to jot down holiday story ideas. Capture the sensory details (sights/sounds/smells/tastes) that will add richness to your work when you finally have time to sit down at the computer keyboard. Don't forget to do some character sketching too by making the most of people watching around that extended family dinner table or at those holiday parties you simply must attend.

Whatever holidays you celebrate, do hope they're filled with loads of love, laughter, and wonderful surprises!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

The Lost Week

2008-12-04T19:17:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, real life takes precedence over the author's life. That's what happened that made me miss a weekly posting date. Not that anybody noticed I'm sure.

Family responsibilities topped the list. Once those were taken care of, must confess I didn't do much more than the most pressing deadline projects and quickly checking e-mail in case an editor needed something urgently.

I slept late, lingered over coffee and conversation with a visiting relative.
Getting back to the regular routine is more than just a little bit difficult. Hope things are going more smoothly for you.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Quotes on Writing

2008-12-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

1- It's true that writing is a solitary occupation, but you would be surprised at how much companionship a group of imaginary characters can offer once you get to know them. ~Anne Tyler

2- It is not a bad idea to get in the habit of writing down one's thoughts. It saves one having to bother anyone else with them.
~Isabel Colegate

3- You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist, you are learning your craft—then you can add all the genius you like.
~Phyllis Whitney

4- Writing is the only thing that...when I'm doing it, I don't feel that I should be doing something else instead.
~Gloria Steinem

5- I always try to write on the principle of the iceberg. There is seven-eighths of it underwater for every part that shows.
~Ernest Hemingway

6- Many books require no thought from those who read them, and for a very simple reason; they made no such demand upon those who wrote them.
~Charles Caleb Colton

7- Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world.
~Tom Clancy

8- There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.
~Red Smith

9- If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.
~Emile Zola

10- Perhaps it would be better not to be a writer, but if you must, then write. If all feels hopeless, if that famous 'inspiration' will not come, write. If you are a genius, you'll make your own rules, but if not - and the odds are against it - go to your desk no matter what your mood, face the icy challenge of the paper - write.
~J. B. Priestly

11- If you don't allow yourself the possibility of writing something very, very bad, it would be hard to write something very good.
~Steven Galloway

12- Your stuff starts out being just for you… but then it goes out. Once you know what the story is and get it right - as right as you can, anyway - it belongs to anyone who wants to read it, or criticize it.
~ Stephen King

13- The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof shit detector.
~Ernst Hemingway

Io, Saturnalia!

2008-12-01T13:29:00.002-06:00

It may not have been Christmas exactly, but the ancient Roman Saturnalia (17th-23rd. December) was certainly an opportunity for feasting and gift-giving. Over the years, this time of merry-making, sacrifices and gift-giving expanded to a week and the poet Catullus - who knew a thing or two about parties - called it 'the best of days'.

In many ways this ancient festival was rather like Christmas:

Schools were on holiday.

Gambling was allowed.

Shopping at special markets was encouraged.

Holiday clothes were worn - the informal, colourful 'dining clothes' instead of the plain, bulky toga.

Presents were given - parrots, wax candles, dice, combs, perfumes, little pottery dolls.

Feasting was indulged, with Saturn himself in charge as Lord of Misrule.

People wished each other a merry Saturnalia with the evocation, 'io Saturnalia!' ('Yo Saturnalia!')

My ancient Roman historical romance Flavia's Secret has its climax and ending during the Saturnalia - have you entered my competition yet, by the way? If not, see my previous post for details.

The Pompeiian partygoers in the picture come from the BBC's Ancient Rome pages.

One Touch, One Glance.

2008-11-25T08:33:00.004-06:00

Since I didn't see anyone scheduled to post today, I thought I'd take a second to pimp the incredible anthology I am priviledged to be a part of with 18 other talented authors.

One Touch, One Glance

A Sweet Romance Anthology

True Romance is back, Baby!

Blurb:

Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned romance? Remember reading about a man’s clothed physique, or how a fellow admired a woman in a pretty red dress? How about stories where couples fall in love with just one glance or that first gentle touch? Then open this anthology and enjoy 18 beautiful stories of love lost, love found, intrigue, heartache healed, the miracles of life, passionate admissions, and tearjerkers that make one sigh with longing. From best friends who find romance to time travel to a bit of Christmas magic, step into the realm of hearts on fire and love everlasting.

COMING December 9th to Freyas Bower

PURCHASE LINK (goes live Dec 9th)

Here's an early review!

Cocktail Reviews HERE

Hurry Up ... And WAIT!

2008-11-20T15:28:00.001-06:00

My one day 3,000+ word project got accepted ... I think. The editor asked for some additions which I completed and returned. Haven't heard if they worked for her.

Then, responded to another emergency call, this one for 4,000+ words. Finished and submitted before the tight deadline, but don't know if my story made the cut.

The week felt like a jumble of hurry up and wait.

Could we postpone Thanksgiving a bit? Don't think I can possibly get ready by next Thursday!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Meet Diana Castilleja

2008-11-15T07:25:00.006-06:00

Diana, good morning.
We would love to get to know you. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Well, I'm a SAHM, been married almost 10 years, with one son and have lived in Texas most of my life. I've been writing since 2004, in several romance genres. I've written some 25 different stories from 8K shorts to 85K length novels. The majority of what I've written have been novel length. I'm currently with three publishers.
What's your favorite genre to read?

Hands down this would be paranormal. Any kind of shifter, vampire, demon, dragon, fantasy laden story and I'm all over it. I read on average a book a day when I am reading. Some of who I read are Christine Feehan, Jacquelyn Frank, Vicki Lewis-Thompson and Mary Janice Davidson. Very small section of the TBR pile there.
Who or what influences you when you write?

Usually a lot of what I'm reading influences me, but I rely on my own imagination a lot. Scary, ain't it? LOL

Can you please give us a sneak peek at any of your upcoming books?

My upcoming book is a shifter book, the first of my Aiza Wolf shifters, a four book series. It should be out in early '09.
Roman Aiza is the second son born into a set of quadruplets. All four share a unique family secret: they are the last known bloodline of an ancient family, one that gives them the ability to shapeshift at will into the form of a wolf. Roman has his hands full when he follows a trespasser into the depths of the Cassel residence, on the night of Cindy Cassel's eighteenth birthday party.
The trespasser ends up being a woman who shows no fear and tells him absolutely nothing before she manages to walk right out of his hands. After a week of trying to uncover who the mysterious woman could be, Cindy is kidnapped and he must trust the very woman he has no reason to trust at all.
Do deadlines help or hinder your muse?

A little bit of both. My muse can be hard on me but I make her work too. I just finished a 15K novella for an anthology in four days. I usually get my own way.
Who is your target audience? And what motivated you to start writing for this audience?

I would say my target audience is the 30-50 something crowd, well read, with a little free money, most likely enthusiastic readers. I started writing for myself to begin with and as I kept writing, my writing evolved and seemed to fit well with that demographic group.
What are the biggest challenges that you face? And, how do you deal with these challenges? Honestly, garnering readers. Starting in epublishing is a hard, hard road to take. Even being in print is no guarantee. For me, every book, any format counts. Any person who has something with my name on is a potential reader and that's how I work my career. I'm earning readers a book at a time. I market myself a lot. I actively promote my releases and attend book signings. Yes it takes away from writing the next book or story, but only a fraction of writers today and in the future will have the powerhouse marketing of the SuperHouses behind them. To earn readers, it's up to the author.
Which aspects of the work that you put into the book did you find most difficult? Keeping the story and characters from sounding like each other, or everything else I've done. There's nuances in each story that help to keep them separate but sometimes it's just hard in my mind to hear them. It's caused a fair share of problems for me.
What do you do for inspiration?

I read. A lot.
What type of book have you always wanted to write?

If it's a book I wanted to write, then I have already. I think I've hit on everything I've had an eye on so far.
When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step.

I actually submitted after I'd finished several stories. I had the idea that if I was going to write, I should know "how" to write better, if not well. LOL I joined a critique group then submitted my first book to Forbidden Publications. The whole process for that first book took about eight months from the crit group to several agent queries to finally trying my hand at an epublisher. My mother was actually one of the first to tell me I needed to try to get published. Even when it was bad.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I'm a total pantser, a point to point writer. I get (if I'm lucky) the characters, a scenario or scene location, and a conflict.
Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder you? I'm part of the Royal Blush Authors, a group of critters and mentors who work on bettering the writer's stories, plus I have a couple of people that can do reads for me. The only draw back is I'm obnoxiously slow to do the same, and I know it.
What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? Email address? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?
This is the easy one. I have my websites, myspace, facebook, and several blogs that I'm on, or write with, as well as a few writing groups that I'm partnered with. Most links can be found on either website as well as an appearances page that I keep up to date with what's happening. Here's a just a few quick links:

http://www.myspace.com/dianacastilleja

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668022595&ref=profile

http://www.freewebs.com/royalblush/index.htm

And I'm available through my website or by email.

And here's a taste of The Eternal Kiss

Blurb:
Diego Viteri has lived for centuries with only one real goal, to avenge himself against the one who destroyed the man that he was and created the creature he is now. He is suffering a growing loneliness that is becoming impossible to ignore. His only reason for not ending his life is to see that Brakka is served his justice and then, Diego can rest.
The last thing he is expecting is to have an encounter with a human woman who is willing to jump between himself and Brakka during a harsh and bloody battle. Their one meeting changes everything for Diego, bringing to life emotions and wants that he has long believed to be as dead as he is.
As he follows Titania and her band, his needs reshape into something that he can't ignore. Before he knows what he has done, he bonds with her and sets into motion the very thing he swore he would never do to another person. He has shared his curse and in the process may have very well killed her. And there is only one choice to be made to try to save her.
Excerpt:

Titania gripped the knob of her dressing room door, and made one more cursory look before meeting her band on stage. Without warning, an undulating wave of anger and hatred slammed into her, and she staggered backward with a cried squeal of alarm.Her first terrified thought was someone had discovered her and she yanked in her mental barriers to block the waves of emotion. She forced air in and out of her lungs. Bowing her head, she let her eyes drift closed as the onslaught continued without mercy. Sparks scattered in front of her vision as she stilled, completely frozen, and fought for control. She concentrated, forming a solid wall between herself and whoever was out there. She knew without a doubt it was a man, close, at the bar by the stage. It took work to be able to breathe normally, keeping the pressure of his emotions at bay.He had come to kill, she knew that with a certainty that chilled her to the quick. His hatred pulsed, feeling thick around her. There was a tang of insolence in his hatred, a sense of omnipotence. She studied the waves, unraveling them, and found…emptiness. A dark chasm where his soul had once been.She shuddered with a convulsive shake, ripping her thoughts back to her own mind. Her eyes snapped open, her entire being feeling colder than she'd ever felt in her life. Her arms wrapped around her body, and she rubbed herself in reaction. She took a deep breath, feeling relief blossom inside her when she focused and found herself still ensconced in her dressing room.She had touched death, and was still living.Thank you for reading!Full chapters to all my stories are available on my website!

All Romance
http://tinyurl.com/3o45sy
Amazon
http://tinyurl.com/4exo5z
Barnes N Noble
http://tinyurl.com/42vcgx
Fictionwise
http://tinyurl.com/68d9tw
And coming in early 2009..... Trusting Delilah Book 1 Aiza Clan.

So Many Words ... So Little Time

2008-11-13T23:22:00.001-06:00

Have you ever tackled NaNoWriMo, the event where you write a novel in November?

I haven't, BUT sure feel like I got a taste of the pressure. Responded to an urgent call for submissions that meant creating at least 3,000 words of polished ready to submit story in less than a day!

Whatever the work in progress on your desk happens to be, hope it's going well.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Tis the Season ... to be FRAZZLED!

2008-11-06T10:23:00.001-06:00

It's that time of year again, the season when what has to be done to prepare for the holidays and all that you want to do to savor every sweet moment conflicts with the work that needs to be completed.

This year, give yourself the most important gift of all ... a bit more time.

That might mean bribing an older child to keep the smaller ones quietly occupied so you can accomplish your tasks quicker. It might mean redeeming an assortment of take-out food coupons instead of cooking a few nights each week. Record rather than watch your favorite TV programs and get some extra writing done so you can "bank" your usual working hours to spend on holiday fun.

Even though authors have to be magicians in terms of multi-tasking, we can't actually manufacture extra hours in the day or days in the week.

With a bit of creative ingenuity, we CAN stretch the hours we have to include lots of guilt-free holiday fun!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

A first look at 'A Knight's Captive'

2008-11-01T12:56:00.003-06:00

My next Kensington book doesn't appear until the spring, but I've just been sent the cover and I can't wait to share it with you!

The story is set in 1066 and I'll tell you more later about the Breton warrior Marc de Sens and his young lady Sunniva, their pilgrimage to Durham, a set of juggler's knives and a little matter of the Norman invasion of England.

Right now I'll just say that A Knight's Captive is due from Kensington Zebra in April 2009 and you can pre-order it now from Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble.

Lindsay
lindsaysbookchat.blogspot.com

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T07:32:00.000-06:00

Free Read!

2008-10-30T18:23:00.003-06:00

I've updated my website and put up a short story called, Shedding Skin, for people to read.
I wrote it about five, maybe six, years ago and it was listed at a romance website to read for a long time, I'm not sure if it's still there.
Anyway, I thought I might as well add it to my website!
http://www.annewhitfield.com

2008-10-30T07:06:00.003-06:00

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-30T06:58:00.000-06:00

Halloween is Editor Appreciation Day at The Wild Rose Press.

I would have selected Valentine's Day to honor the hard working editors at this romantic fiction publisher, but nobody asked me to help make the decision.

Regardless of the specific day/publisher, there's probably a special editor who helped you polish your work until it glittered like a diamond.

An e-mail or snail mail thank you is guaranteed to brighten that editor's BUSY day.

Wishing you lots of chocolate treats and no tricks on Halloween!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Did You Ever Notice How Time Flies ...

2008-10-23T15:53:00.001-05:00

. . . even when you're not having fun?

. . . especially when you're not having fun!

I swear the hands of the clock set all-time speed records when you're tap dancing as fast as you can to finish an impossible amount of work.

And . . . have you ever noticed how additional projects and time-sensitive tasks pop up as if by magic?

Hope things are far less hectic in your author's life than in mine this week!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette