by Sarah | Sep 5, 2013 | Author Interview, Guest Authors, Writing
Personal
- Can you tell us a little about yourself? I live in San Diego, CA with my husband and our two heathens—I mean, adorable daughters. When I’m not writing, reading, or chasing my girls, I try to have as much fun as I can with family and friends.
- Do you have a day job? Yes, what can I say, my kids like to eat and won’t stop growing! ; ) Writing doesn’t pay the bills fully – yet!
- What was the greatest thing you learned at school? I think the greatest things I learned were outside the classroom. The social aspects of school – learning to interact with others, finding your way and how you fit in the scheme of things, figuring out who you are, etc. – I feel were more important than what I memorized out of books.
- Do you laugh at your own jokes? Sometimes, depends on the joke.
- Why do you think what you do matters? My daughters. I’m not perfect, but I know they look to me as an example of how to be and I’m doing my best to try and make them proud.
- Have you ever found true love? Yes! I met him 11 years ago and haven’t let go, nor do I plan to.
- Do you have a saying or motto for your life and/or as a writer? Not so much as a writer, but just for life in general, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans” – John Lennon. So simple, yet so meaningful.
- What is something you never leave home without (apart from keys, phone, money, and ID)? There’s not really much other than my iPhone – I have an app for almost everything in my life. My husband teases me that he knows I’ll be just fine if I ever get stranded in the woods because he’s sure I’ll have a survival app I can use.
- Where can people find you on the web? Where can they read more about your books? The best place is my website is www.kristenbeairsto.com. I’m also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorkristenbeairsto) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/authorkbeairsto).
Your Novel
- What is your book about? Jules is the heroine and she’s responsible for her five younger brothers and sisters after the death of their parents. But to help make ends meet, she works as a consultant to a black market antiques dealer. Her old high school crush, Roman, reenters her life and she struggles with the possibility of a relationship and trying to keep her secret.
- What about your book might pique the reader’s interest? I think readers will find they can relate to Jules and Roman. Although she’s intelligent enough to have skipped multiple grades at a time, Jules is a woman who feels awkward with herself and is struggling to give her siblings the best life she can at the risk of her own safety and happiness. There are so many of us out there that feel and do the same thing. Roman is a Navy vet who is trying to figure out his place in the world after being wounded and experiencing life in a war zone. I think a lot of people can relate to just wanting to figure out where they belong.
- Are the names of the characters in your novel important? Although, it’s not an incredibly deep meaning, there is some. Jules and her siblings are named after Shakespeare characters (Jules is short for Juliet). Roman’s nick name from high school is Romeo as a nod to their opposites attract theme since he was the high school heartthrob and she was the school geek.
- How did you choose your title? Because Jules has an affinity for books I wanted the title to have something to do with books. I’m horrible at figuring out titles for stories! But during the editing process, I was struck by one of the lines Roman has about Jules making an assumption about him and “judging a book by its cover”. I realized that phrase covered so many facets of the book that I had to use it for the title.
- Who is your most unusual/most likeable character? Other than Roman and Jules, I think the most likeable character in the story is Roman’s brother, Richard. He’s the town sheriff and a stickler for the rules, understandably. But there’s just something about him that I think people will like despite the fact that he makes mistakes.
- You got the call – your novel is being made into a TV series or movie – who’s in your dream cast? Hmmm, not sure about the female lead, but without a doubt, my dream male lead is Channing Tatum. Mmmmm, sorry I need a minute . . . ; )
Writing
- How many people (i.e. characters) have you done away with in the course of your career? Too many to count. Oh, that sounds bad!
- Have you ever regretted killing one of them off? No. J I even once killed off one of my best friends in an unpublished story, but without her death there wouldn’t have been a story. Sorry, Heather! J
- How much impact does your childhood have on your writing? I don’t think I’d be where I was if I’d had a different childhood. I received nothing but encouragement as a kid and it’s because of it that I’ve been able to pursue my writing career.
- What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day? Basically, I write whenever I can. Between a full time job, two kids, and a husband, I get in as much as I can whenever I can without losing too much sleep.
- What is the most difficult part of the writing process? The easiest? The hardest part is getting the rough draft completed. Because I don’t have a regular writing schedule and I sometimes only have time to write 500 words a day, there are times when it feels like it takes FOREVER to finish a first draft of a story. The easiest for me is the editing process. I love working on a story and taking the time to make it better.
- How many stories are swirling around in your head? Do you keep a mental list, a computer file, or a spiral notebook filled with the ideas? Right now, there’s 8 stories floating around in my head, 5 are outlined but I haven’t started them yet and 2 others are still working themselves out. I try to write them down, but it doesn’t always happen, so I’m more of a mental list gal.
- Who gave you the best writing advice you ever received and what was it? The best writing advice I’ve ever seen was something I read in an interview with Isaac Asimov when I was really young. He said the best way to become a better writer is to read and write. Since then, I’ve seen that same advice given time and time again. So basic, but so true.
- Have you written any other books? Yes, I have three other novels — Love Like Krazy, Sugar & Spice, and Going After the Heart.
Fun (Crazy, odd questions just for fun)
- Have you ever gone out in public in mis-matched shoes, or with your shirt on backward, and when you realized it just said ‘eh, screw it’? No, but I’d probably say screw it if it did happen.
- Are you a neat freak? Or clutter-bound? I’m a weirdo and a combo of the two, don’t like things crazy neat, but don’t care for a lot of clutter either. Of course, with kids, it gets hard to keep things even reasonably neat on a regular basis.
- You were just given a yacht. What would you name it? Girls Just Want to Have Fun
- Someday I want to _____ (fill in the blank) Spend an entire day sitting at an Italian villa, sipping some really good wine and watching the clouds roll across the sky.
- If you could have a super power, what would it be? Hmmm, tough! Probably the ability to not have to sleep – I’d get so much more done!!
- How many licks does it take to get to the middle of a Tootsie Pop? 5, because I start chewing on it after that. J
Quick Questions
- Sing in the rain or dance in the streets? Sing
- Pen or pencil? Pen – I like to live dangerously
- Summer or Winter? Winter
- Movies or TV? TV
- Theater or DVD? DVD
- Rural or Urban? Rural
- Facial hair or clean shaven? Facial hair – I’m a 5 o’clock shadow kind of girl
- Cowboy or Bad Boy? Cowboy
- Sunrise or Sunset? Sunrise
- Fall leaves or Spring flowers? Spring Flowers
- Peanut butter or jelly? Peanut Butter – best food ever!
- Spender or Saver? My inner saver is easily silenced by the spender showing her a cute pair of shoes
*~*~*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00E9IUDXS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]AMAZON[/amazon_link] (Free September 5 & 6) |
Blurb
Books have always been Juliet Marlowe’s sanctuary; the one place she would never be judged or made to feel like an outcast. But when tragedy strikes, she has to get her nose out of the antique tomes she prefers and become the guardian of her five younger brothers and sisters.
Jules struggles to make ends meet. And with the constant threat of losing custody of her siblings if she doesn’t maintain the standard of living previously set by her parents, she finds herself forced to make tough decisions and take risks.
One thing she knows for certain is she definitely does not have room in her life for a relationship. Especially with a man who’s trying to readjust to civilian life and who once held a starring role in her secret fantasies. No, absolutely not, she does not have any room in her life for Roman Price and his smoldering gaze that triggers her irritating blushes with only a thought.
But when everything Jules has built threatens to collapse on her, she finds herself not only accepting Roman’s offer of help, but starts to question whether or not she misjudged the situation from the beginning.
Excerpt
Roman fought desperately to keep his shock in check.
This long-legged beauty was Juliet Marlowe? The same timid girl who roamed the high school halls watching everyone as though a monster might pop out and eat her?
Man, she filled out nice, he decided as he moved towards her with an outstretched hand to help her up. He carefully kept his gaze on her face.
When he walked in, his Navy training took over and he swiftly took in the situation, cataloging the various details of the scene.
Including the black bra easily seen through the soaked white blouse.
He felt a pull in his groin. A welcome feeling, considering his lack of physical response to anything but pain over the last several months.
Struggling to recall her face back in high school, he could only remember how she used to duck and hide behind a book. He wondered if there had been a hint of the smooth expressive features then. Features, he couldn’t help noting, were bright red.
Embarrassment rated better than pain or tears, he figured, still worried she might have hurt something. Reaching her, he bent down and offered his hand, “You think you can stand? Anything hurt badly?”
She gaped at him, making him wonder if he had something on his face. He didn’t think so.
As though coming out of her stupor, she lifted a hand to cover her eyes, “Please someone tell me he’s a mirage and I really just hit my head and am laying on the floor bleeding from a serious head wound.”
Frowning, Roman slowly stood and glanced for a second at the young boy she walked into the kitchen with.
The boy shook his head as he looked down at Jules, “She’s finally lost her mind,” he regarded her sagely.
Arching a brow, Roman returned his gaze back to Jules.
Hand falling away, she moved the brightest pair of blue eyes he ever saw to the boy. He again wondered if he knew she possessed that vibrant gaze when they were teens.
“Finally? You’re just now noticing,” she replied before turning her eyes back to him.
Bio
In between her to-be-read pile and trying to bring the characters in her head alive, Kristen spends as much time as she can with family and friends. Much to her husband’s dismay, she enjoys collecting purses, shoes, and jewelry. During those rare times she’s not working at her day job, rushing her daughters somewhere, watching movies with her husband, and trying to meet a deadline, she can usually be found energetically cheering for one of her favorite New York sports teams.
As with just about every other writer on the planet, Kristen grew up an avid reader. She started with young adult before she technically hit the age range and moved on to sci-fi classics by Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. At fifteen, her best friend gave her a book she just had to read! The book was Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts. Always a sucker for a happy ending, she was a goner and fell in love with the romance genre. Having started writing novel length stories at the age of eleven, Kristen’s stories all took a romantic turn from that point on.
You can connect with Kristen through her website www.KristenBeairsto.com, Facebook www.facebook.com/AuthorKristenBeairsto, or Twitter www.twitter.com/AuthorKBeairsto.
by Sarah | Aug 30, 2013 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Saturday Spotlight, Writing
Howling at the Moon a Mystic Museum novel
Minerva’s Mystic Museum is located in New York City. Every full moon the “powers that be” choose someone from the visitors of the museum. This someone, known as the mystic walker, will be the hero/heroine of the novel. The “powers” select someone they feel deserves a second chance, or just a chance to follow their destiny. Minerva, the curator and caretaker of the museum meets the chosen mystic walker. Through the magic that has been entrusted to her, Minerva supplies them with the opportunity to change their lives.
Blurb:
Carolyn, lonely and heartbroken after being dumped by yet another boyfriend who told her she needs to loosen up in bed, escapes her empty apartment. On the night of a full moon she visits Minerva’s Mystic Museum.
Minerva recognizes her pain and provides her with the opportunity to change her life. The full moon has chosen Carolyn as a mystic walker.
Carolyn’s dormant sexuality is awakened by three handsome shape-shifters. Jacob, caring and nurturing, lures her into his world. Milo, impetuous and rough, awakens unknown desire. Sven, cold and reserved, tests her mettle. Will she choose to walk on the wild side with the wolf pack and become their female? Will she be able to convince Sven that she is worthy and should be given the opportunity to join the pack? Will Sven’s fear of losing another mate destroy the future of the pack? Or will Carolyn choose to return to the normal life she’d come to see as her due?
Story Excerpt:
Carolyn walked up the steps to the museum. She’d left her apartment to avoid being alone. She’d walked without a destination, walking just to walk. A month had passed, and Randy’s cruel words still rang in her head. “Loosen up, Carolyn. Christ, do you even like sex? Making love to you is frustrating. How can I feel like a man if I can’t make you feel like a woman?” He’d left her that night
Randy wasn’t the first man that had called her frigid. She was afraid he wouldn’t be the last. She liked sex well enough. A man wouldn’t respect her if she acted on the primal urges she sometimes felt. A normal woman didn’t feel the hunger she experienced. It took all her control to keep it at bay, so she appeared cold and lifeless.
She pulled the imitation fur collar of her coat tighter around her throat. She raised her chin and tilted her neck so she could look at the sign above the door. Minerva’s Mystic Museum, it proclaimed.
The room she entered was quite large, but the subtle lighting made it feel much smaller and intimate. Pictures hung on some of the walls. Beautiful murals were painted on others. Seating was provided here and there for the patron’s viewing ease. A musky yet relaxing aroma permeated the air, strong but not overpowering. Soft music and sometimes chimes filled the space with a comfortable, warm vibration.
Her body began to release tension she hadn’t known she held. She felt very tired. She sat on a bench in front of a mural. The weight of her troubles filled her heart.
She’d just focused on the mural in front of her when a woman stepped into her line of vision.
“I am Minerva, curator of this museum.” Her slim hands were clasped in front of her. “May I sit down?” she asked motioning to the bench.
Carolyn moved over. “Yes, please do.”
“It’s called Howling at the Moon. It’s one of my favorites,” Minerva said.
“He seems so lonely,” Carolyn said. Her gaze fixed on the mural.
“Yes, he does.” Minerva looked at Carolyn intently.
“I know how he feels,” Carolyn sighed. She fought back the tears that threatened to unleash themselves.
“I believe you do.” Minerva put her hand on Carolyn’s shoulder.
Carolyn looked into Minerva’s eyes. Those dark orbs searched her soul. After what seemed an eternity, Minerva smiled and stood.
“You have the power to change your loneliness.” Minerva placed her hand on Carolyn’s heart. “Trust what you feel in here. Your love, in all its manifestations, is a good thing. Safe journey. May the goddess grant your hearts true desire.”
Minerva moved away and she returned her attention to the mural before her. The scene it depicted tore at her heart.
The full moon hung in a cloudless starry night sky. The moonlight bathed the landscape in a silvery glow. A wolf sat howling at the moon from its place on the mountain ledge. Trees blanketed the mountain. The mountain rolled down and changed into the low hills of the valley where the trees thinned. The valley changed into a meadow covering the lower portion of the mural.
She watched the wolf turn its head. She felt as if it was looking at her. She held her breath. Her heart began to pound. She felt a connection with that wild beast beyond anything she’d ever experienced. The wolf turned and disappeared from the scene in front of her. She released her breath. She slowly searched the landscape. Her nostrils flared, she could almost smell the night air, could almost smell him. Where had the wolf gone? Was he as lonely as the mural depicted him to be? A moment later the wolf appeared at the tree line in the valley.
She watched the beautiful beast leave the dark safety of the Evergreen trees. Its body grew larger with each step. Fifty yards from her, near the mural’s edge, she watched it morph from a wolf into a man. The man stood there as naked as the day he was born. His muscled body bathed in moonlight. His golden eyes bore into her soul. He stretched out his arm and opened his hand. “Come,” he said.
Visit my Website http://www.LocGlin.com You’ll find the first chapter for Howling at the Moon and my other novels.
[amazon_link id=”B00CXYP3PS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] / Barnes&Noble /
Or visit my Blog
by Sarah | Aug 28, 2013 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Thursday Tell All, Writing
What is your story?
I thought my life was set. My career as a financial analyst was secure, and I was engaged to be married, living in New York. However, it all fell apart when the market crashed and I lost my job. Thoughts of all I gave up for my job, the betrayal I felt at being discarded washed through me. I couldn’t continue in that line of business; I wanted something less demanding. Not sure what I wanted to do I began researching different careers. But when Porsha, my fiancé, found out she flipped and left me. There went my chances of starting a family; all the time I invested in our relationship was gone. So, that’s when I decided, if I couldn’t have a family of my own, I’d care for someone else’s.
Do you embrace conflict?
Well, I definitely don’t run from conflict. I feel like I handle conflict on an as needed basis. If I’m the one that needs to confront it, I do. However, if Mia needs to go off the handle, it’s my job to ground her. Mia is very protective of her family and strong headed, but I’m also a protector by nature. We balance each other and take care of each other and that means all conflict.
What in your past would you like to forget?
I think past mistakes are important to our futures. They teach us things and, hopefully, in the end make us stronger. Regretting things gets us nowhere really and it is an opportunity to learn and grow. So, I wouldn’t change anything from my past.
Who was your first love?
Kristen Montgomery, we were in the ninth grade. At the time, I loved her so much, well, as much as a thirteen year old could. We dated for two weeks before she left me to go out with some kid, Chaz. My heart was broken for ages.
Who is your true love?
My true love and soul mate is Mia Balducci. From the moment we met, I knew she’d be a part of my life forever.
Was there ever a defining moment of your life?
Yes, the moment I lost everything I thought I wanted and decided to become a manny. It all brought me here.
What one word best describes you?
Loyal
Who was your best friend when you were growing up?
My brother was/is my best friend. We’ve always been really close, and never had any animosity toward each other.
What is the perfect romantic date?
I’m not sure if it’s the perfect date, but it’s a great one. For our anniversary, I’ve scheduled to have limo pick us up at home and take us to an Italian restaurant in Long Beach. After the romantic dinner we will be taken to the canals in Venice, which look just like the canals in Venice, Italy. Once there we’ll get to take a gondola ride with some wine and wonderful singing. Then I’ll take her home and ravish her.
What is more important – sex or intimacy? Why?
Being a guy, you all probably think I’d say sex. Well, yes, I think sex is important, but without intimacy there’s no relationship. Sex without intimacy is what people who don’t love each other do. And a relationship without intimacy is a friendship. We need the intimacy more than anything and the rest will come and bring it all together.
Is it okay for you to cry? When was the last time you cried?
Men don’t cry. But Mia thinks she saw me cry when we watched The Notebook. I wasn’t, really.
*~*~*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00ES4ZSP6″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | BN |
Blurb:
Mia Balducci misses her childhood days and yearns for the big, Italian family that she left behind in small town Massachusetts. At the tender age of sixteen, Mia moves with her bachelor father to Los Angeles, but no matter how many years pass, it never becomes home to her. The years spent living with her father aren’t easy, especially since she can’t stop thinking about what she once had. Her enrollment in the University of Southern California promises to bring exciting changes to her life, but Mia winds up with big problems instead. When she runs into an old friend from her old hometown of Winthrop, she gets swept up in nostalgia, and she soon loses herself in a quickly-progressing romance. When the fantasy falls apart, she is left to raise her precious little girl, Lucia, on her own. The demands of Mia’s work schedule and Lucia’s needs increase, and their lives become increasingly hectic. It is soon clear to Mia that she needs help. Luckily, her life-saving cousin saves the day and brings the mother and daughter a male nanny – their new “manny.”
After losing his high-pressure job on Wall Street, Dominic Roberts wants to follow his dreams to have a family. He’s already one fiancée down, and there are no likely prospects for another. In order to find the family he so desperately wants, he finds himself getting into the manny business. Since he is fully qualified to provide child care and is eager to leave New York City behind, his sister-in-law is able to land him a job in California working for his first client – the beautiful and intriguing Mia Balducci.
Will Lucia like the new man in her mother’s life? Will Mia? And will this new trio discover the happily ever after they all so desperately seek?
Excerpt:
I had never seen this man undressed before. Standing in my room, feeling shy all of a sudden, I watched while he removed his clothes and unveiled his beauty. In all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect. I had seen glimpses of him, small parts here and there, while we groped like kids on the sofa during our movie nights. When his shirt went over his head, I savored every toned muscle and found myself eager to touch every part of him. Anxiety ran through me while my eyes bounced over every bare piece of his skin. I felt the instant need to skim my fingers through the light scatter of hair on his chest that disappeared into his jeans. I wanted to taste the salt on his skin when I licked the “v” at his hips.
The confidence I had in the living room faded when we faced each other. I wanted to close the distance, to touch him, but my nerves set in. My mind was running with different, crazy thoughts. What if he didn’t like my body? I had a baby, after all. What if he didn’t find me experienced enough? What if I couldn’t please him? I steeled myself and began to undress alongside him. My body shook with nerves and anticipation, and I couldn’t wait to feel him. My body begged for fast and rough, but my heart yearned for soft and sensual.
“Whoa, not so fast, baby. I want to do that,” he said in a playful tone that relaxed me and made me giggle.
Standing back, I watched when he let his pants drop to the floor so I was able to appreciate his strong legs. They were long, with defined muscles covered in black wisps of hair. He placed his pants on the chair behind him, and I caught a look at his tight ass in his dark gray boxer briefs. As a full package, Dominic was complete perfection. Hell, even in parts he was beautiful. When he turned back toward me, he looked right into my eyes, and I let out a shaky breath. My eyes were sucked in by his, and I watched while they changed color, turning darker. In the look we shared, our souls just spoke—connected. It was the kind of moment I had read about in fairy tales; it was not something that happened in real life, but it happened now. It happened for us.
Author Bio:
Jennifer Garcia’s (aka Forbes Arnone) love of travel began when she went to the West Coast to visit her father at the age of three. Her home until she was sixteen was a small coastal town near Boston. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Her lifelong love for reading and writing was put aside for many years while she made her way in the world and nurtured her young family. Even though she is older, and life never seems to settle, she’s finding her way while attending college full-time in pursuit of a B.A. in English Literature. She also runs a business, and is still caring for her family. Believing she can do it all, with the help of her family, she worked on her first novel during the late hours of the night while balancing the rest of her life during the day. Her hard work paid off, as her first novel, My Mr. Manny, will be published August 27, 2013.
Find Jennifer on:
Facebook
Goodreads–Forbes Arnone
Goodreads–Jennifer Garcia
Twitter
Blog
About.me
Authorsdb
Amazon
by Sarah | Aug 23, 2013 | Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Saturday Spotlight, Writing
Wild West Promise ~ book 3 in the Double D Ranch Tales series ~ a contemporary, western, erotic romance story with a hint of the supernatural set in Nevada and written for Evernight Publishing’s Romance on the Go line
~ Blurb ~
| [amazon_link id=”B00EDZQSEK” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | ARe | Evernight |
In life and the afterlife, on the Double D Ranch, one belief holds true—the power of desire changes lives.
* A rugged wrangler. A feisty Irish woman. A day full of promise. Times are wild on the Double D, and one ranch hand is in for the ride of a lifetime.
* Little does Maggie O’Hurley know her life is about to change. She visits the ranch to attend a friend’s bachelorette party and meets a wrangler named Kent. Her immediate attraction to him revs up her libido, and she plans to do what’s needed to snag the sexy cowboy…including making a decision she never thought she’d deal with again.
* As a workaholic, Kent Samuels hasn’t been with a woman in ages. When a bewitching redhead steps into his path, his world tilts, and she’s all he can think of. He doesn’t know if he’s able to give her forever, but he will give her what time he has. Once he does, he knows he can’t let her go.
* Past experiences war with ideas for the future, but can the pair make promises they can keep?
~ Excerpt ~
* The entrance to the cave had the most vivid red rock she’d ever seen. Cascading colors of orange, dark brown, and shades of grey slipped by beneath her as she climbed the ladder after Kent. When they’d reached the inside, he walked to a plywood wall that read Boys Only in big black letters. He opened a makeshift door, then slipped to the side allowing Maggie to enter full center.
* In awe, she cradled her sore thumb with her other hand and surveyed the space. “It’s quite the bachelor pad, wouldn’t you say?”
* Kent set the picnic satchel on a wooden table near a painted sign on the wall stating, ‘Girls stay out! This is the Dougan brothers’ place!’
* To the left of the table an array of ropes and riding crops of different shapes and sizes hung on the wall. Beneath them sat a chest with an engaged lock keeping it closed to inquiring minds. In the corner, a plastic crate full of flashlights and batteries lay next to a small generator. Something purple and wrinkly looking poked out of a hole of the bin. She screwed her mouth to the side and furrowed her forehead. Homing in on the item, she gained a better look and made an O shape with her mouth as understanding dawned.
* Kent glanced her way, down at the realistic looking dildo, and back at her. “The place caters to the grown Dougan men now.”
* No doubt. She advanced to the wall and ran her fingers through the dangling ropes. Stealing a look at Kent, she raised a brow. “I guess the stories about the Dougan men are true.”
* “They’re a feisty bunch for sure,” he muttered under his breath but loud enough for her to hear.
* “Feisty is good for the soul.” She made sure to lock gazes with him after the words left her throat.
* And finally, something she’d tried worked. Kind of. He stared at her, the amber in his brown eyes sparkling with untold secrets. A flutter started in her stomach then fanned out through her entire body. She ached to wrap her arms around him and kiss his lips. But she wouldn’t because, other than the passion in his gaze, the tell-tale signs that he thought of her in a sexual way were non-existent at the moment.
* Stubborn man. Still running hot and cold. I’ll have to rethink what I need to do to snag him.
* Resigned to enjoy their excursion as just a friendly gesture on his part, she sighed and moved to the back of the cave to survey the other goodies.
* A section of bottled water and a variety of other drinks caught her attention. Before she could open her mouth and comment, strong arms wrapped her body from behind silencing her mind and voice.
* “I struggled last night, and I’ve fought my feelings all morning to keep my hands off you,” his deep voice murmured against her ear. He pressed his pelvic region against her ass. “And as you may notice, I’m losin’ the fight.”
*~*
Bio: An eccentric and eclectic writer, C.R. Moss pens stories for the mainstream and erotic romance markets, giving readers ‘Worlds of Possibilities.’
Find C.R. Moss and her social links at http://crmoss.com/
~ Come out to the hottest readers’ conference in the west, Hot Mojave Knights, and meet C.R., RM & other great authors ~ Las Vegas, NV – October 2013 ~ http://www.hotmojaveknights.com/
by Sarah | Aug 22, 2013 | Friday Dialogues, Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
The Best and Worse Things about being an Author.
I am not a veteran author, not by a long shot. The fact is, I’m still learning the ropes as they say. My journey into the wonderful world of professional publishing began about three and a half years ago, when a very well established publishing company, Renaissance E Books Inc, picked up my first book Soulmate’s Touch.
My overzealous joy, as you can imagine, made me feel like a five year old on Christmas morning. I soon learned that it actually required a lot of work to actually publish a book and get it ready for the public. Yeah my excitement soon fizzled into anxiety and the fear of being rejected by readers.
You see I wanted everyone to like my book. I wanted to sell millions and have thousands of adoring fans. Boy was I b _ _ch slapped with reality very fast.
Now before I continue, let me say that my journey has been worth every single sleepless night, every single tear I shed, and most importantly every failure and every success I’ve been through so far.
This is what I have learned in my short, eye-opening career as an Author to date.
First off, as I mentioned before, I wanted love, I wanted fame, I wanted… hell I wanted all the positive things that comes from being a popular author. However, that is not what happened. Nope, not even close and here’s why.
W.O.R.K =
W-working your ass off, rewriting, editing, rewriting, editing, rewriting editing…see a pattern here.
O-owning your mistakes and learning from them. Yes that is correct. Sometimes as a new author on the scene we go into the public forums with the expectation of being recognized and praised. Gulp! No that is not what happens. Humility goes a long way here. I’ve learned the hard way that joining a popular online website for promoting your books, doesn’t always turn out the way you want it to. There are certain un-written rules that need to be followed.
Honestly I’m still learning these rules. But the most important one I’ve learned is to remain an observer. Wait until the public comes to you and starts up the conversation. Of course, not all sites are like this, but for the most part being humble and grateful is most effective. Eventually your readership will grow and readers will seek you out.
R-recognizing that because you are now published doesn’t mean you are the best of the best. In other words, like anything else writing takes practice and a lot of eating crow. If your editor, who has been writing for nearly two decades, is a multi published author, and whose books have been featured in USA Today magazine, tells you something sucks and needs to be revised, it probably sucks. So, swallow that sulking pity-me and FU attitude and fix it. Trust me a good editor will NOT coddle you. No, a good editor will kick you in the arse and make you work to be a better writer.
K-Knowing your flaws. This is where criticism is going to help you. Remember how I started by saying I wanted to be loved. Okay I still do. However, this does not happen overnight. Nor does everyone who reads your book praise you. Don’t expect them to. Everyone, especially people purchasing your books have a right to either hate, like or just be indifferent.
Do I want everyone to like instead of hate my books? Absolutely! But that’s not reality. The reality is critical reviews, mean reviews, and reviews that make you cry, are going to happen to most new authors. And so are good reviews that praise, encourage and make you feel like Queen/King of the hill.
Perception and the idea of what is good and what is bad, differs from one person to the next. So for every five or six positive reviews be prepared to get a critical one where the reader felt your writing and your book were less than stellar. See it for what it really is, an opinion, and all reviews are opinions. Some are more “colorful” (ahem), than others, but it still is the point of view and perception of the individual writing it. So how can this help you as an author?
First thing, it makes you realize that you are human and can’t please everyone. Secondly, it helps you grow a thicker skin. I hated that term, until I was forced to grow one of my own. And third, it helps you develop a better understanding of what readers want and what they don’t want. This is true for good and bad reviews.
To conclude I believe the most important thing that being an Author thus far has taught me is when you find your readership, and they take the time to contact you, friend you on Facebook or Twitter and let you know how much they can’t wait for your next book, makes the W.O.R.K we authors go through absolutely P.R.I.C.E.L.E.S.S. And that is why I write.
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B004ZZT26E” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | Sizzled Renditions |
Vampires, Demons and Gargoyles are real. Joyce Davis has just found out that she is mated to one of them. Romiel is a gargoyle, an offspring of a Demon father and Vampire mother. Cursed by a powerful human wizard, Romiel and all Gargoyles are imprisoned in stone. And only the touch of a true Soulmate can free him. The moment that Joyce touches Romiel, she knows there is a strong bond between them. Although she tries to justify why loving a Gargoyle is wrong, her heart, soul and body refuse to listen.
Together she and Romiel face an uncertain future, as evil forces are unleashed on the unsuspecting humans. In the midst of an ancient war between the immortal vampires and demons, Romiel must unite with an old enemy in order to protect the human race against certain annihilation. As their love for each other grows stronger, Joy and Romiel must face evil head on to save humanity and the Gods themselves.
by Sarah | Aug 21, 2013 | Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
There has been a lot of talk about my new book, SKIN, and I’d first like to say thank you. Thank you to all the readers out there who share my dreams and make it possible for me to follow them. Without you, I couldn’t do what I do.
So everyone is curious about the book SKIN and they should be. The fact that so many readers are connecting with this topic gives me such joy. SKIN is different from any book I’ve ever written or read because the heroine is real. She is you. She is me. She is every woman who has ever looked in the mirror and not liked her reflection. My decision to write SKIN was inspired by the media’s sudden overzealous interest in celebrities packing on baby weight, respected clothing chains making disrespectful statements about not wanting girls bigger than a size twelve wearing their attire, and the inescapable fact that I have been shopping in the plus size department since I was thirteen.
Here’s some real news. I am curvy and I am beautiful. I have skinny friends and they’re beautiful too. Beauty doesn’t come in a shape or size.Beauty is defined as a quality in a thing or person that gives pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind. Beauty is a smile, a laugh, a look. Beauty is confidence. Beauty is love, loving yourself and others. When society tries to pigeonhole beauty we often don’t laugh. We see ourselves and frown. We look at ourselves differently,unfavorably. Our confidence becomes shaken and we love ourselves a little less.Why? If everyone looked the same, our minds would lose interest. Variety keeps the world beautiful.
Beauty is about perception and we must, as a whole, begin perceiving ourselves as beautiful, not on levels, but on a diverse plane where no quality outweighs another. We areall beautiful.
I love writing and reading romance, but never have I read a book where the heroine’s thoughts matched mine. I don’t think there is a woman out there who has not contemplated how her body appears in the midst of an intimate encounter. Nobody is one hundred percent confident one hundred percent of the time. When I wrote SKIN, I wrote it honestly. I wanted the reader to truly know the character’s thoughts, fears, insecurities, and dreams. Mallory Fenton wants to change the SKIN she’s in. Her journey is an emotional evolution that does indeed change her, but not the way she assumed it would.
I hope that you enjoy this story and the rest of the McCullough Mountain Series. SKIN releases on August 22, 2013 and it is dedicated to you.
To watch the Book Trailer for SKIN visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkQykfjYUqM
| SCP |
BLURB:
When Finnegan McCullough gets a flat tire he bumps into a woman he’s never seen before. After a stern lecture on trespassing, he offers her a ride and a friendship takes shape. Mallory Fenton is unlike any girl he’s ever met. She’s funny, sexy as hell, and sweet as pie, but she doesn’t see herself that way.
After literally crashing into Finnegan McCullough, Mallory is a hot, tongue-tied,mess. A true lumberjack, he wears his flannel well and possesses the sexiest smile she’s ever had thrown her way. Unfortunately, men like that don’t look at girls like her. When Finn confesses his desire to be more than friends, Mallory is shocked. After years of being the ‘fat girl’ she knows better than to believe a man like Finn could ever find her attractive. But she’s gotten under his skin and Finn is determined to show Mallory how beautiful she truly is.
A realistic and heartwarming romance that proves love and beauty come inall shapes and sizes.
EXCERPT:
Shaky fingers unzipped her boots and she stepped out of them, shrinking three inches.She undid her jeans and slid them off her legs. Taking a deep breath, she removed her shirt and folded it on the corner of the sink.
It wasn’t easy to face her reflection, but with a slow turn she pivoted. Opening her eyes she tried to see herself, truly see her, the way Finn would see her.Her breasts were displayed in a satin, black bra, supported in a way they didn’t naturally sit. Her stomach curved in wrong places and her belly button was a crease rather than the petite hole that a super model might show off.
The black lace of her boy shorts scalloped the pouch of her stomach, making her,again, appear more feminine than she actually was. She would not start berating herself, not now when this was going to happen.
Her fingers unclasped her bra and away went the support and down fell her breasts.Her nipples darkened and tightened in the cool air. She had nice nipples, not to big and not too small. Not too dark and not too pink.
Her gaze landed on the jagged white scars stretching over her breast. She’d started getting stretch marks when she was a teenager. No amount of lotion or magic cream took them away and she, for the most part, tried to ignore them. Maybe he would ignore them too.
Her head bowed as she slid off her panties. There she was, as naked as the day she was born. Wide hips creased by gravity made it difficult to notice the small patch of soft, brown curls at her apex.
Her gaze flowed over her reflection and took note of her better qualities. Her nails were painted and filed neatly. Her makeup was subtle, but nice. Her hair was long and natural in color. For some reason, it became important for her to show him exactly who she was. There would be no veils or facades, not tricks of beauty or accessories to distract the eye. It was all or nothing. If he wanted her, that was exactly who he was going to get.
She emerged from the bathroom wearing only her robe. Her breath caught when she saw him sitting on the bed in only his jeans, his bare chest showing in the soft lamplight from the nightstand. He was stunning.
A fine trail of golden, brown hair ran over his abs, disappearing behind the unbuttoned snap of his jeans. On the nightstand she spotted the infamous box of condoms. Funny, not until that moment did it actually register that she was going to have sex. The physical act was second hand to all the emotional repercussions.
She hadn’t had sex in years. She almost forgot what it felt like. Chills skated up her spine as she drew the slow epiphany that whatever he was hiding in those jeans was going to be inside of her very soon.
She smiled and he reciprocated the gesture. With slow steps she walked into the bedroom. Taking one last look at the beautiful man sitting on her bed, her fingers went to the switch on the wall and extinguished the light.
Darkness settled on the room for only a second and then a soft click came from the bed as Finn leaned over and turned on the nightstand lamp. He slowly shook his head, telling her there would be no hiding.
Having her body displayed in light where unfavorable shadows could be cast was not a comforting thought. But the look in his eyes told her the idea of seeing her without shields was very favorable to him. She nodded in acceptance and he whispered, “Thank you.”
Her feet carried her slowly to the bed. Standing at the foot, she struggled with the tie of her robe. He stood and met her at the foot of the bed, touching her hands softly, stilling her motions.
She let out a shaky breath as he took over the knot and whispered, “Let me.”
Shutting her eyes, she nodded as the terrycloth lapels were drawn apart. He sucked in an audible breath and said, “Gorgeous.”
She bit her tongue so as to not object to the compliment and gentle fingers tipped up her chin. Soft lips pressed into hers and she shivered. The heat of his body covered her front as he stepped even closer. Tender lips coaxed her mouth open as he kissed her softly. Their heads tilted and her body warmed.
Strong hands cupped her breasts as his thumb dragged over her nipples. Her body tightened as he deepened the kiss.
The backs of his knuckles caressed her stomach causing her to slightly suck in a breath. He teased at the soft curls at her apex and she whimpered.
“I love your body,” he said against her lips.
*~*
For more books by Lydia Michaels visit: www.LydiaMichaels.org
| [amazon_link id=”B00E9IUDXS” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]AMAZON[/amazon_link] (Free September 5 & 6) |
Bio 
