Tuesday Special: Here With You

Marianne Rice

www.mariannerice.com

 

     Hiding behind her high-end fashion and even higher heels, Grace LeBlanc returns home to Crystal Cove, Maine to escape the scandal she’s created in Europe. Her relationship with her sister is rocky at best, and the last thing she wants is for her to learn about the string of stupid mistakes—-intentional and unintentional—-she has floating behind her. It doesn’t seem to matter what decision Grace makes, it always end up being the wrong one.
     Brady Marshall enjoys his simple life tending to his family’s blueberry farm and minding his own business. As the oldest son, it is his duty to keep their farm running after his father’s death. Now at thirty-six, he’s still living in his childhood bedroom in his mother’s house. It never bothered him until the LeBlancs’ wild child returns to town.
     When his mother falls ill and Grace comes to their aid, Brady begins to see another side of the superficial pinup girl he’s never respected or cared for. Somewhere behind her false eyelashes and spiky heels, there’s a caring heart. If only he can get her to see her own value and worth.
     As they spend more and more time together, something deeper than friendship forms between them.
     But when Brady discovers the secrets she’s keeping go against everything he values, he has to decide if Grace is worth giving his heart to.

Amazon

Short Excerpt:

He hadn’t seen her until now, not that he was looking. He was actually intentionally not looking. It was hard not to notice her tonight in her teal dress. It hugged her in all the right places without being too revealing, and left her long legs bare. Brady trailed his gaze up and down them, stopping at her toes. They peeped out from her white heels. Or were they beige? Maybe tan. He couldn’t tell and it didn’t matter, and he silently thanked God or whoever created those shoes for what they did to her calves.

Hell, her ankles. Even her kneecaps looked sexy.

He took a sip from his beer and turned his back on the dance floor. If he was thanking God for high heel shoes, he absolutely needed to get out more.
 

###

Marianne Rice writes contemporary romantic fiction set in small New England towns. She loves high heels, reading romance, scarfing down dark chocolate, gulping wine, and Chris Hemsworth. Oh, and her husband and three children. You can follow her all over social media, and keep up to tabs with her latest releases on her website: www.mariannerice.com. 

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Tuesday Special: Instant Enticement with Samanthya Wyatt

Samanthya Wyatt

http://samanthyawyatt.com

A naked woman in his shower . . .

Craig couldn’t believe his eyes. A practical joke on his friend turned out to be a naked beauty standing before him in all her fine glory. He was too shocked for words. A man who had his share of women, suddenly found himself speechless before this exotic creature. She was an aching temptation. Surrendering to his passion could cost him his best friend. Yet, he yearned to taste, to touch . . . but she was hands off.

Kelly has given upon men. Once she’d been young, beautiful, full of life, and way too trusting. But her last relationship changed all that. All men were liars—except for her best friend. The only man she would ever trust. At least that’s what she thought . . . until she met his best friend, Craig. He turned her world upside down and had her rethinking her vow. She yearns to taste the ecstasy his dark eyes promise. But he holds back. And now she must convince him she is innocent of betrayal.

Amazon



Samanthya Wyatt – Author of Sizzling Romance. Once she found historical romance novels, she couldn’t put a book down. She fell in love with the characters and needed to know their happy ending.

Samanthya left her accounting career and married a military man, traveling and raising her children in the United States and abroad, and now lives in the Shenandoah Valley. Her dream of being published came true with Soul Mate Publishing. Although historical is her first love, she also writes contemporary. She enjoys penning a story with strong characters, a bit of humor, and active scenes.

Samanthya loves a good book, a good joke, and her playful, witty husband. When she can, she relishes long walks on the beach, and of course, a book is a constant companion.

You can also find Samanthya Wyatt on Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Soul Mate Publishing, and Night Owl Reviews. Google to find more info and blog posts and review sites.

Tuesday Special: At Midnight with Lainee Cole, Lynn Crandall, and Rena Koontz

Three talented authors. 

Three love stories. 

Three approaching deadlines.

Currently $.99 on Amazon!  

Midnight Casanova 

by Lainee Cole

Stranded at midnight by a broken-down car, dog trainer Maddie Lockhart finds refuge in a deserted farmhouse. When the owner of the house, Chance Marlow, tries to oust her, Maddie uses the stray mutt he calls Casanova to convince him she can help with his collection of homeless animals. While their paths seem incompatible, working side-by-side to rescue animals, they discover otherwise.
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Two Days Until Midnight 
by Lynn Crandall
Time is running out for reclusive billionaire Tamier Rein to save himself from transforming into a cheetah, and bird-shifter Lark Ellis is his only hope for surviving past midnight. 
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Midnight Deadline for Love  
by Rena Koontz
T.B. Amanscott is Harrison City’s wealthiest man and his kidnappers want one million dollars ransom by midnight or they will kill him. Every possible resource is available to Sergeant Ariana Jeanne Lozione, who is heading up the rescue attempt. There’s only one problem. A.J. wants him dead.
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Chapter Chatter—The Write Way is Your Way By Elizabeth Harmon

The Write Way Café welcomes Elizabeth Harmon, whose experience suggests chapter length is debatable.

A few years ago at a mixer for my local Chamber of Commerce, I chatted with a Realtor who seemed to have an opinion about everything. When I mentioned that I was also a fiction author, she was ready with advice.

“Never make your chapters longer than five pages.”

Since my chapters averaged ten to twelve, I was curious as to why. The lady was quick with an answer—“because that’s how James Patterson does it, and look how successful he is!”

Four (soon to be five) books into my career, I’m nowhere near as successful as James Patterson, at least not yet. Is it because my chapters are too long? Or does something other than trying to mimic a best-selling author, dictate ideal chapter length?

The good news is that chapters can be as long, or as short as you like. It all depends on the story.

Writer’s Digest blogger Brian Klem’s advice is to think of chapters breaks the same way that commercials break up a TV episode. Something important happens, the show cuts to commercial. Action resumes, builds to the next big event and BOOM! Cut to commercial. Return. Repeat.

This is the mini-cliffhanger at work. By breaking your chapter just after a major story turning point, you entice readers to stay tuned and keep turning pages.

But a 90,000-word novel might use the first 10,000 to 15,000 words to establish characters, goals, conflicts, and settings before the first major plot point kicks in.  At the story’s climax, turning points might happen in every scene.  And what’s the best way to handle multiple point of view characters? Should each have her own chapter, or is it okay to combine them?

The answer? It’s up to you and what works best in your story and genre.

A simple rule of thumb is that shorter chapters increase pacing, while longer chapters slow it down. In a fast-paced genre like thrillers or suspense, short chapters help sustain the rush. Genres like romance, historical, women’s or literary fiction might need longer chapters to reveal character and establish setting and story, especially early on. Shorter chapters occur as the story closes.

Your publication format can also play a role. Romance author Abigail Owen’s editor advised her to use 5 to 8 page chapters for her ebooks to accommodate the format’s  “ADD approach to reading.” Keeping chapters shorter helps maintain engagement and minimizes the reader’s sense of not knowing where they are in a story.

My own experience bears this out. I’ve DNF-ed lots of ebooks because of chapters that seemed to drag on and on. Would I have had the same reaction if I’d read those books in print? Likewise, a print book with chapters of five pages or less feels choppy to me—though my Realtor friend and James Patterson might disagree.

As a digital-first contemporary romance author, I’ve found that my sweet-spot chapter length is about ten to twelve pages or around 3,000 words. My chapters typically have two or three scenes and I prefer to stick to one character’s point of view. Sometimes, I’ll break a chapter in the middle of a scene to switch from one POV to another.

Longer chapters tend to come early in the book, while I like to use shorter ones near the end to wrap things up, especially if plot developments are fast and furious.

Generally, my editors, readers, and reviewers have praised my books’ pacing—with one notable exception.

In a book that was highly character-driven, I used longer chapters that averaged 15 to 20 pages. While the book’s reviews were positive overall, one consistent issue seemed to be its slower pace. For the next book, I returned to my 10 to 12-page comfort zone. No one complained about pacing.

Was this because of how readers interact with ebooks? Was it because readers had become used to my style and were thrown when I changed things up? Tough to say. But I do know that I’ve found an approach that feels right, works with how I like to tell stories and seems to engage readers.

It’s one less thing to worry about as I strive to be as successful as James Patterson!

Is there a method to your chapter-length madness? Short and sweet, long and leisurely, or somewhere in the middle? One POV or several? 

Post a comment to win a copy of Pairing Off, the first book in my Red Hot Russians series!

American figure skater Carrie Parker’s Winter Games dreams were dashed when her philandering partner caused one of the greatest scandals in skating history. Blacklisted from competing in the United States, her career is over…until she receives a mysterious invitation and is paired with the most infuriating, talented—and handsome—skater she’s ever met.

Russian champion Anton Belikov knows sacrifice. He gave up a normal life and any hope of a meaningful relationship to pursue his dream. And he’s come close—with a silver medal already under his belt, the next stop is the gold. All he needs is a partner. While he’s never forgotten the young American skater he seduced one long-ago night in Amsterdam, he never expected to be confronted with their past…never mind share the ice with her.

When what starts as a publicity stunt grows into something real, Carrie and Anton’s partnership will test their loyalties to family, country and each other. With only a few months to train for the competition of a lifetime, can they master technique and their emotions, or will they lose their footing and fall victim to the heartaches of their pasts?

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Carina Press       Goodreads Book Page


About the author: Contemporary romance author Elizabeth Harmon loves to read and write romances with a dash of different. She is the author of the Red Hot Russians sports romance series. Her debut novel Pairing Off is a 2016 RITA® Award Finalist.


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Tuesday Special with Lainee Cole

Lainee Cole

https://www.facebook.com/LaineeColeAuthor/

Cool off with Christmas in July!

Smashwords July eBook Sale:
Get Captured by Christmas 

with 1/2 off coupon code: BW78F
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/687546

In The Mistletoe Effect, Christmas is second-grade teacher Tess McCall’s least favorite holiday, but she’s doing her best not to let it show. Learning he’s a father to seven-year-old Holly makes Alex Randle anxious about the upcoming holidays. When Tess’s class starts reading to shelter dogs, Holly and the antics of shelter dog Mistletoe lead them all to rediscover the magic of Christmas.

In Snowbound, Lynn Crandall lets readers check in on favorite Fierce Hearts series were-lynx characters Kennedy Mitchell and Asher Monroe as they uncover the identity of the creature scaring the humans in Octavia, a small rural community in northern Michigan. Plans for an intimate getaway and family-style holiday are crumbling as the snow piles higher and Kennedy and Asher find themselves snowbound with a killer outside their door.

Lainee Cole is a Midwestern girl who writes in the company of a husband always trying to talk to her. Her characters often take on a life of their own, surprising and annoying her. But writing fictional characters also gives her hope and inspires her to follow her dreams. Lainee’s goal is for her stories to make readers laugh and cry, give them hope, and encourage them to believe in the power of love. When she’s not writing or reading, Lainee enjoys spending time with family and friends; hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband; and consuming daily doses of chocolate. Find Lainee at https://www.facebook.com/LaineeColeAuthor/ and follow her on Twitter @LaineeCole.

House Hunting for Characters

My daughter and I spent Saturday binge-watching House Hunters on HGTV. It’s fun to see what housing options are available all across the country, in various price ranges. I also consider it research to observe the people featured – the different things they are looking for in a home, the way they treat their significant other, their facial expressions and responses to features that are more or less than those they are seeking.

As we watched, we talked about the different types of houses, about floor plans and decorating schemes that we found attractive. We discussed positives and negatives about contemporary versus modern designs, light colors versus dark colors, city living versus more rural areas. We laughed at some of the couples and their disagreements and were surprised by others.

I’ve always been fascinated with houses. I enjoy walking around town, especially in older neighborhoods, viewing exteriors and being curious about interiors. I’m interested in floor plans, decorating styles, and color schemes. I sometimes feel like a Peeping Tom, walking the neighborhoods and gazing at windows. I would love to see the inside of so many houses!

Lucky for me, our community hosts a Showcase of Homes most summers. The Showcase is an opportunity for area builders to show off a variety of architectural style homes with the latest in home innovations, styles, and decorating. Attendees tour the homes and get to vote on their favorite home at the Showcase entrance/exit tent. The Showcase homes are usually in the $300,000-$500,000 range.  My daughter and I enjoy attending the event together and living vicariously through our own version of House Hunters.

I’ve also always been fascinated with people, and I believe homes can tell you a lot about a person. I wonder about the families residing in the homes, those in the old, established neighborhoods as well as those who will be moving into these new homes. What is their family dynamic? Who are they? What do they do for a living? What made them choose the homes they’ve chosen?

In this scene from my WIP, Fugitive Heart, the hero and heroine haven't seen each other in eight years, and he's been staking out her house, looking for a fugitive.

     J.T. peered through the darkness, studying Dana’s house. It was time to move. He’d already wasted too many hours trying to avoid her, both tonight and in his past. Dana’s property would provide some evidence proving that his nephew Bobby had been there, or hinting at where he’d gone. And with any luck at all, Dana would never be the wiser.
     Old feelings of inadequacy accompanied him across the street, beating in time with his pounding heart. Tall, thick hedges lining the perimeter of her yard warned him, much as they had when he was a 17-year-old kid coming to pick up his date. Keep out. He’d ignored the warning, but his father’s words had been harder to shake. You’re not good enough for her, boy.
     Damn his father for making him doubt Dana’s love, and for making him doubt himself, even now. For God’s sake, he was a successful investigator. He could do this.
     He wasn’t here for Dana. He was here to help Liz by finding her son. He crept up the paved driveway past the hedges and into the narrow strip of grass next to the house. He’d come too far to quit now.
     He paused in the shadows of the house to listen. The breath he'd been holding floated briefly in the cool air, a cloud of white against the dark of night, and then it dissipated into nothing. He shivered and adjusted the collar of his leather jacket around his neck, an uneasy feeling gnawing at his gut.
     Staying close to the house, he kept moving. There was no time for second thoughts.
     Near the back door, two chest-high windows were dark. Cautiously, he peered in. Neon blue microwave lights shouted at him from the darkness. 10:37.
     Ignoring the whisper of doubt telling him it was too early, J.T. darted from the house to the side of the garage a few feet away. Someone had painted the small windows of the big doors with black paint, and the side door was padlocked. He glanced around as he dug his lock picks out of his pocket.

What is your impression of the heroine, based on this scene from my hero’s POV? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Tuesday Special: Josie Riviera

Josie Riviera

http://josieriviera.com/

Noelle Wentworth doesn’t mind getting away from St. Augustine to fill in at her ailing aunt’s candle shop. A few weeks in Snowing Rock will help her get past the humiliating memory lapse that ruined an important piano concert—and, ultimately, her marriage to her overbearing duet partner.

She’s mentally rehearsing for her comeback performance when the bus she’s riding in slides off an icy mountain road. And one deep, calming voice emerges from the confusion to slow her racing heart—right before his ruggedly handsome face kicks it back into allegro.

Gabe Waters is usually prepared for anything—as a professional stuntman, his life depends on it—but nothing prepared him for Noelle, the unattainable high school crush whose bravery saved him from more than just a bully’s flying fist. There’s no hint she recognizes him, but Gabe knows that face, those eyes…and he sees something that wasn’t there before. Distrust and apprehension.

Their unexpected attraction kindles something as warm and sweet as a holiday candle. But the weight of their pasts could turn the promise of love to ashes.

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Candleglow and Mistletoe Video

Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband.They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and an old house forever needing renovations. 

Sign up for her blog and subscribe to her newsletter for a free ebook:
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An Interview with T.M. Cromer

The Write Way Café welcomes T.M. Cromer, who believes in consistency and writing every single day. It's working well for her!

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book? Was that first thought related to writing romance?
     The first time I started to write—and yes it was romance—I was 14 years old. I scribbled ideas and dialog in a pink spiral notebook. Fearing my siblings going through my things, I buried it in the bottom of my closet.

What was your path to getting this book written and published? What type of research did you do?
     I’m not sure what constitutes a “path” but basically, I hunkered down and wrote my butt off for about a month. It really is about being consistent and writing every single day. As far as publishing, I’m an indie published author. During the process of writing a story, an image of the characters comes to me. Somewhere along the way so does the cover. If it is ebook format, I usually create my own cover. When it’s time for the book to go to print, I have a cover artist friend who will take what I have done and expand on it for the full cover. Publishing is a simple matter of formatting a book to the retailers standard after it has been edited and uploading. It really is that simple. Then comes marketing and that is a whole different ball of wax.
     Reference the research: I write mostly romantic suspense. There is very little by way of research that I need to do. On the rare occasion when I need to know if a situation with police might be factual, I phone a friend—much like the gameshow. I rely on others to fill in the gaps of my knowledge base. :) One of my best friends has a husband on the force, and in the case of this story, I called and asked what were the steps for a homicide born of self defense.

Where did the idea for your story come from? 
     My story ideas come from every day life. But in the case of THE TROUBLE WITH LUST, it was spawned from the first in the series BURNING RESOLUTION. I created that story one day after the New Year when I did exactly as the main character and poked myself in the belly all the while lecturing myself on the need to get in shape. Neither me, nor my character, did so.

Why did you pick the setting you did?
     Initially, I had to have Erica’s friend (the MC of BURNING RESOLUTION) be out of town. She had to turn to Zack when the chips were down and her life was, quite literally, burning to the ground. After I’d decided to use Shonda for the love interest of Zack’s brother, Mason, in book two, I knew the perfect setting would be if they’d met on the plane, jetting off to their vacation. It made for a great awkward setting after they returned home and were forced to interact while trying to help rescue characters from book one.

Are your main characters completely imaginary or do they have some basis in real people? Do they reflect aspects of yourself?
     In THE TROUBLE WITH LUST, I feel as if Mason is the alpha male we’ve all met at some point. We dislike his arrogance, and yet, we can’t help but be attracted to him. That we are allowed to reform those type of men as writers makes me happy.
     In BURNING RESOLUTION, Erica’s whacky character is ALL ME—lemon donut obsession and all.

Did you face any blocks while writing the book, and if so, how did you handle them? If not, what's your secret?
     I’m not sure I believe in blocks. There are times I’m not inspired to write, but I find another outlet for my creative energy. I design a cover, create an ad, clean the house, or nap in the hammock. All these things help free my mind of the clutter piling up in there.

What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after?
     I’m a panster. Every plot is a surprise. I have a general idea going in how I want it to start and end. I may even have a few ideas how I want specific scenes to play out, but mostly the story takes on a life of its own. On days I’m feeling especially devious, I throw in a plot twist. I can do that, I’m the writer.

What did you learn? For instance, what did you learn about yourself, your process, the writing world; about corporate espionage? 
     Well, for the month of September, I found I could knock out 100,000 words for the month. Between writing the novella, PICTURE THIS, for Marina Adair’s St. Helena Vineyard Kindle World Series, and writing THE TROUBLE WITH LUST to meet my pre-order deadline, I discovered the ability to dig deep. To woman up (doesn’t that sound better than man up?) and get the job done. The process made me proud, accomplished even. There I was creating two covers, two stories, and working through edits on two books—up to five minutes before my upload was due. That’s dedication. That is drive. I didn’t realize I was that passionate about any one thing to go without sleep.
     Learning about the process? I learned that a long time ago with my first two stories. Enough so that by the third book I felt like a pro. And because I enjoy trying new things, I took on the project for Marina’s SHVKW. There was a learning curve associated with using characters who crossed over in other author’s books. Also, in dealing with contracts and professional publishers like the team at KindleWorlds, I learned even more. I’m grateful for every new experience that comes my way. It sounds trite, but it’s 100% true.
     Can I confess to bluffing my way through the espionage? That is all from imagination. LOL But I did love St. Thomas when I was there a few years back. It was truly one of my favorite islands. The snorkeling was amazing, and we were fortunate enough to find a local driver to take us to great out of the way spots. It was like being on our own private island. I recommend everyone try that trip at least once in their lives.

Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you.
     My writing space is all over my house but mostly on the right side of the couch. My office is in the process of being decorated and is all torn apart at the moment. I’m going insane. However, because it is just me and the Hubs, I don’t have the standard distractions of most authors. There is no full-time job, no children, no commitments of any kind for me, well, except for my dog, Tink. She’s a high-energy handful. She’s the true house boss and keeps me on a tight schedule. I am allowed exactly one hour on Facebook, then we must play ball. I am allowed two hours of writing, then we must play ball. I am allowed… well, you get the picture.

What are some of your favorite books and why?
     I’ve been an avid reader since I was 14. For me, there are too many books to count. One favorite is DREAMING by Jill Barnet. I connected with that character on a level I have yet to connect with another. It would have been what my life would have been like had I lived over 200 years ago.

What are you working on now?
     There are four stories currently in my writing queue: SO GREAT A LOVE, THE BAKERY, DALLAS BURNING, and A LOVE TO CALL MINE.
     SO GREAT A LOVE is a novella for a collaboration I am doing for Hildie McQueen’s INDULGENCES series. I’ve finished it and am waiting for the edits to be returned so that I might get it off to my ARC readers by mid-December.
     THE BAKERY is a novella that ties into the Workout World & McAdams Pub series. All stories will cross over, as the McAdams family are the cousins to the Sharps from BURNING RESOLUTION & THE TROUBLE WITH LUST.
     DALLAS BURNING has 1.5 chapters completed and will be a novella for Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindle World due out toward the end of January.
     A LOVE TO CALL MINE will be a full length novel and the third in the Workout World series. This story centers around the youngest brother, Dane, who readers have come to love. His story is actually going to surprise some readers. His past will be shocking to most and the plot twists should live up to the first two books in the series. Because he’s the most lighthearted of the brothers, I think he’ll be fun to write.

Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre?  Which one and why?
     Yes. I’d love to try historical down the road and maybe even some paranormal. I have a few chapters of a few books started and I work on them from time to time when I need a break from my current genres of Romantic Suspense and Contemporary Romance. One day, maybe a year or two down the road, I’ll release them.

If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be?
     Make up artist to Jensen Ackles. That man is HAWT!

What aspect of writing gives you the most trouble?
     Research. It’s time consuming, and I don’t really enjoy it. My dream assistant would be someone who spoon fed me the information I needed without me having to break stride in typing. :)

Who is your favorite hero/heroine?
     Is it wrong to put forth my own characters? I’ve fallen in love with Zack from BURNING RESOLUTION. He is funny, sexy, smart, and protective. Sigh.

The Bakery:  tmcromer.com/the-bakery
Burning Resolution:  tmcromer.com/burning-resolution

THE TROUBLE WITH LUST
     Mason Sharp has sworn off relationships, but he’s not opposed to a casual affair. He thinks he’s found the perfect woman for a little fun in paradise in Shonda Grant. What he’s really found is a hot mess.
     It only takes one look at Mason, and Shonda’s internal alarm is screaming “Danger!” However, the real trouble starts when someone breaks into her suite.
     As Mason fights against his ever-growing affection for Shonda, they try to solve the mystery surrounding the break-in. In the process, they stumble upon corporate espionage and a person willing to go to any lengths to keep from being exposed. What started as fun in the sun could end in tragedy unless they discover who is the master player in this deadly game of chess.

tmcromer.com/the-trouble-with-lust


PICTURE THIS
     Hope Fiore is happy with her existing life in the small town of St. Helena, CA. Sure, she might be a little lonely, but she doesn’t have time for romance. Even if she did, with the Fiore Curse in play, she recognizes that she doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hades of ever having a successful relationship.
      Enter Royce Anderson. A New Yorker with a charming smile and a playboy attitude. After only one day in town, he’s run afoul of the Fiore family and had nothing but bad luck. However, he’s helpless to resist his attraction to Hope.
      Hope and Royce embark on a romance, knowing it can only be temporary. Yet, as things heat up and emotions run high, they start to think it might be possible to be the first to overcome love’s curse in the Fiore family’s history.

tmcromer.com/skvkw-picture-this


About T.M.:  T.M. Cromer (aka Tara Cromer) is originally from New Jersey, but spent most of her growing up years in Flagler Beach & Palm Coast, Florida. More recently, she relocated with her husband to Illinois, where she met and fell in love with her fuzzy soulmate, Tinkerbell. She claims her hubby has come to understand Tink ranks first in her affections, as she ranks in Tink’s. He’s cool with it. :)
     Job titles she currently holds:  Author, Professional Waster-of-Time, Hammock Mounting Safety Instructor, Margarita Mixologist and Spoiler of Dogs.

Discover her website here: www.tmcromer.com

Join her mailing list for all the latest: www.tmcromer.com/newsletter or text TMCBOOKS to 24587

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Getting to Know J. Arlene Culiner

The Write Way Café welcomes J. Arlene Culiner.  She's led an itinerant life, learned from her experiences, and done some crazy things in the name of love! 

Tell us a little about Felicity’s Power.
     Felicity’s Power is the story of a couple whose romance didn’t work the first time around. It starts out in the hippie days in San Francisco, when Marek, my wonderful hero, is finishing a doctorate in literature. He needs security, success and a family — his own father is violent and alcoholic — but when he meets Felicity, a very unlikely partner, he is immediately attracted. Felicity is rebellious, adventurous, sexy — all the things that are exciting in life. However, the last thing she wants is stability. She needs to see the world, be useful, and when she refuses to settle down, marry, have a family, the romance is doomed.
     Years later, Felicity seeks Marek out again. She’s been living in the world’s danger spots as an aid worker, and is now ready to come home. She has always loved Marek, but can she convince him to give their romance another chance? It doesn’t seem likely. Now a famous author, Marek lives in isolation. He hates travel, and certainly has no desire to have Felicity break his heart a second time. But Felicity is a very determined woman, and she’ll do her best to make him change his mind.

What or who has been instrumental in or to your writing journey?
      I’ve led an itinerant life, putting myself in highly uncomfortable situations in places where I knew no one, understood nothing, had no reference point. Those experiences kept me alert. With no one to communicate with, and totally dependent on my wits, I had to keep my eyes open, observe what was going on around me. And, unable to communicate, I kept journals. That was the first step in becoming a writer…

What’s the best writing advice you’ve been given?  What’s your best writing advice for others?
     Read. Read. Read more. Read books that are different from what you would normally choose: history books, experimental novels, intelligent travel accounts, and certainly non-mainstream works published by small publishers. These last aren’t money-makers, or popular genre fiction, but they do have the finest writing. Also, expand your vocabulary, devour grammar books. Having a good knowledge of grammar not only helps you produce better work, it can assist you in tricky situations. Like several other authors I’ve met, I’ve found myself (although rarely) confronted an editor or two who just didn’t know their job — a very embarrassing situation. These people want to change your style, your sentence structure, add unnecessary conjunctions, remove important commas, but they miss the real errors. They are dangerous.
     I’d like to add here, that my editor for Felicity’s Power at The Wild Rose Press, Eilidh MacKenzie, is wonderful. This is the second book I’ve worked on with her — the first was A Swan’s Sweet Song — and she is just a pleasure.

What “keepers” are in your home library?
     There are so many, and most are non-fiction. But since we’re talking about novels, I’ll mention two fiction titles, both wonderful satires: Chrome Yellow by Aldous Huxley; Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.

If you could be a character in any book you’ve read (or written), which character would you be and why?
     Oh, I’d love to be Felicity Powers, the heroine of my book. She’s so smart, so determined, so much fun. And she gets to be with Marek Sumner, my hero.

Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?
     For years, I’ve traveled alone, often crossing countries on foot and sleeping in fields. Doing this sort of thing has dropped me into some admittedly tricky situations. Fortunately, I’ve been able to get out of them, otherwise I wouldn’t be here, safe, sound, and answering your questions. I was arrested on a false charge of espionage in Turkey, was twice held in custody by very corrupt police in the Sahara desert. I’ve had to hide from one ambusher in the mountains of Spain, from another under deep snow in Turkey. I’ve escaped rapists, a murderer or two, a few Mexican gunmen, an all-night stalker on the Slovakian border, and I once got lost in a minefield in the middle of a war zone near the Mauritanian border. How did I manage to get out of such conundrums? By sensing the danger, keeping a cool head, having a good line of chatter… and lots of luck, I suppose.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
     Rejection slips are pretty tough criticism, but when I look over the stuff I sent out years ago, I understand why it was refused: most of it was pretty awful. However, the toughest criticism I’ve had, was unjustified (and this does happen, often enough, in the world of non-fiction.) I had sent out a manuscript; the publisher liked it, was considering it for his list. Then, because it was an historical work, he sent it to a friend, a university professor. She immediately attacked me, claiming I had no right to write about that subject because I wasn’t a professional in the field, and wasn’t attached to a university. It wasn’t a shattering experience — I knew my cousin, a specialist in pre-historic, middle-eastern wells (!) had the same thing happen to her twice — but it was very annoying. The best compliment I’ve had, is praise for my style and content.

We’re adding books to our Café menu.  Would your book be a drink, an appetizer, an entrée or a dessert?  What would you call it?
      A drink, I think. Heady, fun and bubbling. I’d call it Pure Felicity

Tell us about the book in your closet.
     It’s a rather strange autobiography — strange, because it doesn’t concern me, but the people I’ve met over the years. It isn’t at all politically correct, thank goodness.

And now for the fun stuff!

If you aren’t a full-time writer, what is your day job?
     I’m a contemporary artist, a photographer, and I also work as an actress and baby-boomer model. However, an enormous amount of my time is spent on music. I’m only an amateur musician, not a professional, but I play in three orchestras, one band, and several chamber groups. I have rehearsals and concerts all the time, and all the excitement, tension and pleasure that comes along with performing. What instruments? Oboe, English horn, baroque oboe, oboe da caccia, flute, piccolo and saxhorn.

Are you a dog/cat/other person?
     My cats and dogs are part of my entourage; I love hugging them all, and I need to feel their fur under my fingers. When I’m away from them for more than a day, I miss them terribly. However, I love every creature: bears, foxes, bees, wasps (I’ve had some great relationships with wasps who had their nests right at face level, but knew I wouldn’t hurt them), snakes, and spiders (they’re all so different and so beautiful, I watch them for hours).

What is your favorite season and why?
     Winter, when the snow is deep, and dark comes early. I love the atmosphere in cozy, lamplit, warm places.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done in the name of love?
     Oh boy. I’ve done some crazy things, believe me. Changing countries, hopping on a plane, or boat, or train, abandoning all for a moment’s passion; racing across Europe just to meet someone for a few hours; climbing out of windows, shinning up walls; hiding for an entire day in a locked, 15th century chapel with a new lover, while a previous one, wildly jealous, pounded on the door. However, I suppose the craziest thing I’ve ever done was risking my life, sneaking through night streets after curfew, just to get to the hotel where a lover was waiting. Soldiers with machine guns were patrolling everywhere, and I might have been shot – certainly I’d have been arrested if I’d been caught. I now shake my older, wiser head at such follies, but I never know what adventure might be waiting for me next…

Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?
     I work in a closet. No kidding. The apartment we live in (just outside Paris) for part of the year, is so tiny, I moved my computer and tables into a closet (without windows, of course.) Thus, I spend much of my life as a closet writer.

Contemporary Romance from The Wild Rose Press

The evening Marek Sumner opened his door to the wild-looking Felicity Powers, he knew nothing would ever be the same again. But he needed stability, Felicity craved adventure, and love and passion couldn’t keep them together.

Years later, having lived in the world’s most dangerous places as a foreign aid worker, Felicity is back, still offering her love. Why would Marek risk having his heart broken a second time? Now a well-known author, he loves his calm, solitary life in an isolated farmhouse. He and Felicity are just too different; their relationship could never work.

Yet Felicity is just as fascinating and joyful as ever. Can she convince him that love can be even more delightful the second time around?

Amazon        Wild Rose     Barnes and Noble

All Romance Books      Bookstrand       Bookworld

About J. Arlene:  
     Born in New York, raised in Toronto, J. Arlene Culiner has spent most of her life in England, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Hungary and the Sahara. She now resides in a 400-year-old former inn in a French village of no real interest. Much to everyone's dismay, she protects all living creatures -- especially spiders and snakes -- and her wild (or wildlife) garden is a classified butterfly and bird reserve.

     In her perfectly realistic contemporary romances, heroines are funny, and heroes are dashingly lovable. All are proudly over the age of forty.

http://www.j-arleneculiner.com

http://www.jill-culiner.com

http://anecdotes.over-blog.com

http://j-arleneculiner.over-blog.com

https://twitter.com/JArleneCuliner

https://www.facebook.com/J-Arlene-Culiner-502657553145737/?fref=ts

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7158064.J_Arlene_Culiner

Getting to Know Rena Koontz

The Write Way Café welcomes Rena Koontz. Delightfully entertaining in life and in her stories, Koontz discusses her writing life and her newest upcoming release, Broken Justice, Blind Love.

Can I first say: Thank you HiDee and Lynn for hosting me today. This is the first time I’m talking about my new release, Broken Justice, Blind Love. I’m excited and nervous to share some details. Soul Mate Publishing releases the book on October 5th. I hope you like it.

Tell us a little about Broken Justice, Blind Love.
     For those who read my books, they know I always write about cops. Cops are the good guys and the good guys always win. Broken Justice, Blind Love is my first book where the cop is a woman. She’s a play-by-the-rules cop. Right and wrong for her is as clear as the black-and-white markings on her police cruiser.
     But when she meets and falls in love with a man who might be connected to a string of serial killings, her moral lines blur. All the evidence points to him as the killer and her police brain tells her to arrest him and stop the murders. Her heart tells her otherwise. In her heart she knows he is incapable of killing.
     My tagline sums up her dilemma:  Believe him and risk her career or arrest him and lose the man she loves?

What or who has been instrumental in or to your writing journey?  
     I was a career journalist and through the years I’ve had several good editors. One in particular taught me to see it, hear it, feel it, smell it, taste it and then write it. Sometimes I close my eyes in the middle of writing a scene and make sure my characters are doing all that.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve been given?  What’s your best writing advice for others?
     I’m not one for giving advice because – what do I know? If I were to offer someone guidance, I’d say know your story and write the book. Sit down and finish it. Write the beginning, the middle and the end. Then read it out loud. You’ll know whether or not it’s good.

What “keepers” are in your home library?
     My dog-eared copy of The Flame and the Flower has been a mainstay on my bookshelf since I read it in college. I’ve read it at least 50 times since. I can quote passages from the pages. I write romantic suspense but that’s the love story that caught my attention and made me want to be an author.
     Beside Kathleen Woodiwiss sit Brenda Novak, Patricia Cornwell and a host of other romantic suspense authors. Plus the books from my author friends.

If you could be a character in any book you’ve read (or written), which character would you be and why?
     Hmmm – there is a little bit of me in each of my books. Bits and pieces of me usually comprise the main character. For example, in Love’s Secret Fire I’m the reporter covering the arson cases and riding along on a late night scary patrol in search of the firebug.
     In Thief Of The Heart I’m the burglary victim who is blown away by the police officer who responds to the call. And yes, together with my friend, I truly did scope out the pawn shops and find some of my missing jewelry.
     All of my heroines are stubborn, strong and passionate. Anyone who reads my books and knows me will recognize me.

What book do you wish you could have written?    
     Any book on the best seller list making tons of money.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
     Mind you, I made my living as a newspaper reporter and garnered several (two full boxes) writing awards, including recognition by the Associated Press. When I received a critique back from a contest judge who suggested I take writing classes before attempting to write another word, it cut me to the quick.  It was a lesson about how subjective this business truly is and, perhaps, how cruel other writers can be when they feel threatened by someone more talented.
     The best compliments are the readers who tell me they couldn’t put my book down and the ones who complain I’m not writing fast enough.

We’re adding books to our Café menu.  Would your book be a drink, an appetizer, an entrée or a dessert?  What would you call it? 
     I’d like to be a drink, please. Like a fine wine. Full-bodied, deliciously flavorful and completely satisfying.  So good on your tastes buds, you’ll want more.  I’ll call it Rena’s Rich Romances.

What is your favorite social media?  Why?   
     I’m not a fan of social media at all. I like to stay private, which is difficult when I’m putting myself out there as an author. I’m working on my mindset.

Tell us about the book in your closet.
     I think it’s another contemporary romance. Crystal Clear Love is a contemporary romance while my other books, including my new release, Broken Justice, Blind Love, are romantic suspense novels.
     But I have a shoebox full of old love letters and cards from a former boyfriend. I know there’s a story in there.

And now for the fun stuff!  

If you were a punctuation mark, what would you be?
     I’d say an exclamation mark. Think about it. I can be surprised, stupid, angry or emphatic. I can snap or even shout. And I can be happy!

Are you a glass half empty or glass half full personality? 
     I’m a glass is half-full person, which works well with my husband who won’t even say the glass is half empty. He simply says the glass is bone dry. So I’m a good counter-balance, sometimes to the point of being naïve. But that’s okay.

What is something you do that people would be surprised at?
     I read the credits on TV shows and movies. Read them to the very end.

Are you a dog/cat/other person?
     Definitely a dog person although if you have a cat I’ll give it some lovin’. But for me it’s dogs all the way, which is ironic because as a child I was afraid of dogs. In fact, my friend had to lock her St. Bernard in the basement whenever I visited. Now, I can’t imagine my home without one. (Used to be two).

What is your favorite season and why?
     Easier to answer the season I like least – winter. I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, lived for 13 years in Cleveland, OH, and then moved to Decatur, IL. All of those locations see snow and lots of it. When it came time for us to relocate again we tossed the snow shovels. I’m happy as can be in sunny Florida (on the Gulf side). For me the hotter the better.


Coming October 5, 2016
Broken Justice, Blind Love
     He is a suspect. An accused killer. And Trish Kleerey is the law. Patrolman Kleerey stands tall, speaks with an assertive tone, and sees right and wrong as clearly as her black and white cruiser. Commit a wrong and face the consequences. But her strict moral code is challenged when her investigation into a series of murders incriminates the man she loves. Her training tells her to arrest him. Her heart screams otherwise.
     Bryan DeJewel feels the line between love and the law blur when Trish starts asking him questions about the serial killings. The Trish Kleerey he knows is soft, warm, and capable of bringing him to his knees with desire, but that passion isn’t enough to build a lasting relationship. It’s as plain as her black and white cruiser: If she loves him, she must trust him.
     But the choice is not so simple for Trish. Believing Bryan means turning her back on the evidence, breaking the rules and risking her career to prove his innocence.
     Meanwhile, the real killer watches and waits, hoping she’ll fall into his deadly trap. Will Trish listen to her heart and choose love, or strap on her gun and enforce the law?


About Rena:   "Rena Koontz broke into the publishing world in 2012 with her debut novel, “Love’s Secret Fire.” It was quickly followed by “The Devil She Knew” and “Thief Of The Heart,” – all three romantic suspense novels that critics praised for keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

     But Rena had a love story in mind, just begging to be told – the book of her heart. “Crystal Clear Love” is Rena’s first contemporary romance, inspired by childhood friends and memories, and fictionalized from stories gleaned from her career as a journalist. Working as a news reporter at two of the country’s top 20 newspapers provided a writing journey that took Rena into the sports arena, politics, feature writing, editorial writing, and, her favorite, cops and courts. Along the way she met killers and kids who left an impression, victims and victors who beat the odds, and reported stories on life, loss and love.

     While another contemporary percolates in her head, she releases her third romantic suspense on October 5, titled Broken Justice, Blind Love.

     Her novels are the realization of a lifelong dream to write stories that combine romance, suspense and strong female characters designed to mirror today’s women.

     A Pittsburgh native, Rena lives in Central Florida.

     Visit Rena at www.renakoontz.com

An Interview with Joanie MacNeil

The Write Way Café welcomes author Joanie MacNeil, who was inspired by historical romances but found her niche in contemporary romance.

Thank you for having me on your blog.  It is a pleasure to be here.

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book? Was that first thought related to writing romance?
     I must have been about nine or ten when I first thought about writing an adventure story set in Africa, with my friend and me as the central characters. Nothing ever came of it.
     When I think back, the idea of wanting to write never really left me. I thought about writing again in my teens, and again later, when my children were small.
     Later, and new to reading romance, I was inspired by historical romances. I was hooked on these fantastic stories of adventure, escapism, gorgeous heroes, and of course, romance. I convinced myself that writing those stories wasn’t for me. Other people wrote books. Not me.  And where would I begin?
     A few years later, I enrolled in a freelance writing course at the local evening college; though I enjoyed the course, I realized freelance writing wasn’t my thing. One evening, our tutor spoke briefly about romance novels—the more she spoke about writing romance, the more interested I became. Why not have a go at writing romance? I was an avid romance reader after all. I had nothing to lose and a lot to learn. However, preferring to write shorter novels, I chose contemporary romance.
     That journey, from reading my first historical romance to writing my first contemporary romance novel took about five or six years. Another four or five years slipped by before the second novel I wrote was accepted for publication. My first book is hiding in my external hard drive, awaiting resuscitation. It is unlikely that will ever happen.

What was your path to getting this book written and published? What type of research did you do?
     At lunchtimes, I used to sit on a bench by the creek, which meandered through the university campus where I worked. There, beneath the shade of beautiful old trees, I’d escape with my lunch and notebook and a head full of ideas, to plan elements of my story. I remember trying to choose just the right names for my characters. They had to sound just right for the hero/heroine I had in mind. Eventually I tossed most of what I’d so thoughtfully outlined. In those days I was more a panster than a plotter – now I like to think I am a bit of both. I did keep the names though.
     I researched glaucoma and other eye diseases, and related issues, and phoned the Blind Society as it was called, with specific questions; I researched miscarriage and associated issues.
     I also knew of particular services around campus at the time, so incorporated similar elements in the story.
     This novel was one of my earlier works, number four or five, I think, and has been published previously. I have modified it a little, given it a new name of Sapphire Kisses, and it was released earlier this month by Canadian Publisher, Books We Love Ltd.

Where did the idea for your story come from?
     I wanted to write something different for me: a hero who wasn’t quite so perfect and had to accept and learn to deal with his imperfection, as he saw it.
     I settled on glaucoma, as that worked best for my hero and the story I had in mind. I also knew someone around that time who was losing his sight, though not from glaucoma. He mentioned a couple of his experiences which I added in for my hero.

Why did you pick the setting you did?
     The setting, on the Sapphire Coast, New South Wales, Australia, was in an area I’d visited many times and its isolation was perfect for the book.

Are your main characters completely imaginary or do they have some basis in real people? Do they reflect aspects of yourself?
     My characters aren’t based on anyone in particular, though my heroine probably reflects some of my conventional thoughts at the time.

Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you.
     I am lucky to have my own space, a room set aside for my writing den. If necessary, I can close myself away, or play music while I write. I now have a large screen computer, with reference and other books, at my fingertips.
     Lately, the little birds outside my window have been very entertaining, twittering away, or arguing amongst themselves. They flutter amongst the shrubs and pot plants, splashing and drinking the water, and generally enjoying the sunshine.

What are some of your favorite books and why?
     Early contemporary favorites were several of Sandra Marton’s series. Her novels are fast-paced and filled with tension and her larger than life characters always appealed. I tended to prefer stories set in the US for the most part.
     My favorite author is Barbara Erksine. The first novel of hers I read was Lady of Hay. I was hooked. It is the medieval and/or historical settings which intrigue me and how well she weaves past and present into a fascinating and thrilling story. Her excellently crafted stories have been favorites of mine for a very long time.

What are you working on now?
     I am excited to be working on something new—the first story in a series or sequence of novels, connected by either a common theme, characters or settings. Each will have its own title and will be a stand-alone read. I am still planning the details and am looking forward to the project. At this point, I anticipate there to be at least three stories.
     As well, I am revising two of my earlier published works. One of these is my first published novel, which was the second book I wrote.

Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre?  Which one and why?
     Earlier in my career I toyed with the idea of writing a time travel, and though I’ve made a small start, I haven’t worked on it for ages. I suspect it’s my interest in medieval settings that appeals to me. I visited ancient ruins in Scotland and the Hebrides years ago and found them fascinating. My character/s would have to go back in time.

If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be?
     Photographer/photo journalist, travelling to some amazing places.

 

     Alexandra Jordan doesn’t anticipate the challenge ahead of her when she agrees to spend the summer as a research assistant for acclaimed author, David Meredith, who is gradually losing his sight.

     David feels threatened by her presence in his home, his sanctuary, the only place he can be independent. He is determined to prove he doesn’t need help and wants Alex out of his life. She is equally determined to do the job she’s been paid to do. Once he accepts Alex isn’t like other women, her beguiling ways soon intrigue him…until he discovers her secret.

Amazon 


About Joanie:
    Australian romance author, Joanie MacNeil, writes short contemporary romances: a blend of sweet, sexy, heart-warming stories about new love and second chances. Some of her tales may make you smile.
     Home, family and friends are important to Joanie, and she has blended these elements into some of her stories.
     She is a member of the ACT Writers Centre, Australian Romance Readers Association; Canberra Romance Writers, and Romance Writers of Australia. Joanie looks forward to attending their annual conference, and has done so every year since 1999.
     Travelling with her own romantic hero is one of her favourite things. When she’s not on the move visiting exotic and interesting locations, or family interstate, she enjoys creating her own romantic stories, reading romance, going to the movies, having coffee with friends, participating in aqua aerobics, catching up with her daughters, and her lively little grandsons and their parents.

Website     Facebook     Twitter: @JoanieMacneil