by Sarah | Mar 17, 2013 | Book Release, Book Spotlight, Guest Authors, Writing
Very happy to have Tara here today to talk about her newest release, Afterburn. Tara was my editor for both Changing Tracks and the HerStory Anthology (which she also created and headed up). So give her a warm welcome, and go buy her book already!
Blurb:
Crystal is an enlisted mechanic with a tragic past. Grant is an officer and a pilot with a broken heart. When faced with a difficult decision, will Crystal choose wisely or lose the best thing that ever happened to her?
The love between them burns hot, but their relationship won’t stay fueled if they can’t beat the obstacles in their way. Besides breaking the fraternization rules, Grant and Crystal have the difference of race between them…but can they prove to the rest of the world, and to each other, that love is color blind?
Afterburn is about overcoming one’s past, not judging others, learning to forgive, and what it’s like to be a woman in a “man’s world”.
***
The book is novella length and has some language and sexual content, but the story far outweighs the sex. This is not erotica.
Below is an excerpt, a brief look into the troubles Crystal is facing and how Grant is helping her through.
“You called about a leak?” Crystal wasn’t surprised to find Grant, looking immaculate in his flight uniform, leaning against the fuselage of his Falcon. She peered up at him from under her cap, trying to look coy, but knowing she failed miserably. She was still shaking from her encounter with Swenson. She heard her tools rattling in her tool bag.
The smile on Grant’s face that had greeted her faded. “What’s wrong?” He reached out a hand and touched her shoulder. His casual stance tensed, his body looking ready to battle any and all of her demons.
Crystal took a deep breath. “I’m okay. Just those problems at work I didn’t want to talk about.” She turned away from him, not wanting him to see the tears that filled her eyes. “Where’s that leak? Which wing?” She dropped her bag onto the tarmac, lowered herself to her knees, and began removing fasteners of different sizes. “What size is it?” She kept her head down, avoiding his probing eyes.
“The only leak is in my heart. It doesn’t need a fastener, only for you to smile.” Grant’s soft voice rolled over her as he crouched down beside her. The smell of his cologne tickled her nostrils, bringing to mind memories of their wonderful weekend together. His kindness was her undoing. Much to her embarrassment, she began to cry. Tears fell into her canvas bag, wetting the tools of her trade.
Grant was on his knees beside her now, and he kept a lookout as he put his arms around her and let her sob, offering her shelter and comfort. He made soothing sounds, held her tight, and waited.
Feeling safer and reeling from all her conflicting emotions, Crystal finally began to talk. In a tearful voice wracked by an occasional sob, she told Grant about that morning, about the declined promotions, about how she dreaded walking into her shop every day. It felt as though a leak was fixed in her own heart, no fastener or sealing required, just the love and strength of a caring man. If only all of her problems could be solved like this…
When she had told him everything, she sat back on her heels and waited, wary at the clouds of anger on Grant’s face. He stared at her intently. “You need to go to EEO.” He reached out and brushed a tear off of Crystal’s face. “No one, no woman or man, is supposed to put up with discrimination or harassment over what they are. The military has a zero-tolerance policy. I’ve been there, Crystal, and I know you can fight it. We all deserve to be treated equally.”
“I’m afraid,” Crystal whispered. “Who will believe me?”
“I believe you.” Footsteps sounded behind him, and Grant straightened and stood next to the jet wing, blocking Crystal’s tear-stained face from view. She heard him quietly conversing with someone. When she saw the military boots walk away, she waited for Grant’s face to appear below the jet again. He held out a hand to her.
“I have to do a practice CAP.” He pulled her to her feet, grabbing her bag with his other hand.
She nodded, stood on shaky legs, and brushed off her coveralls. “Are you sure there isn’t a leak I need to fix before you go? Combat Air Patrol maneuvers are no light thing. Was that really a fake call? Is your jet fueled?” Her words came out in a rush of nervousness. Her fiasco from the morning was forgotten in light of her sudden, new concern. She didn’t want to watch him fly. Her feelings for him were growing too strong. A picture of her dad came to her mind. “I think I’ll be going now. I can’t watch you fly now that I…that I…” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t dare say it. Didn’t dare say the “L” word or that she cared for him deeply. It was too soon.
Grant placed his hands on her shoulders, preventing her from leaving. His voice was deep and serious. “Fake call. I just wanted to see you. Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.” He gave her a reassuring squeeze. “With me at the controls and you as its mechanic, this jet will perform wonders in the sky. We make a good team—in more ways than one.”
Mark Afterburn TO-READ on Goodreads.
Get your copy on [amazon_link id=”B00BUPUORI” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link].
***
Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.
Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She shares a website with her naughty pen name: http://tarachevrestt.weebly.com/index.html and they have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Chevrestt-Sonia-Hightower/218383211513877.
by Sarah | Mar 15, 2013 | Alison Nee Heller, Editors, Writing
One of the many hats I wear is Acquisitions Editor for Curiosity Quills Press. I really like this job! I’ve seen a lot great stories come through. There are so many people creating wonderful worlds and coming up with unique plots that I’m continually amazed at the ingenuity of my fellow authors (and you are an author, whether or not you’re published!).
However, one unfortunate trend I’ve seen is for people to send in unedited manuscripts. People, I know that we’re a small press, but that doesn’t mean that a) we’re any less professional than anyone else and b) that you should present a less than professional ‘face’ to us.
That said, I do realize that sometimes, especially for novice writers, the idea of editing is daunting. Overwhelming. Fear inspiring.
Deep breath. There. You ready? I’m going to show you three sites that will help you learn some of the basic steps you need to take before you send in that manuscript to anyone – Curiosity Quills, your dream agent, ABNA submissions, whomever. (Actually it’s four sites, but more on that later!) Used together their advice on how to tame and clean up the beast that your manuscript may have become covers the more important points.
1) http://poewar.com/get-rid-of-ugly-wordiness-how-to-cut-your-novel-down-to-size/
This article from Writer’s Resource Center discusses how to ‘Get Rid of Ugly Wordiness’. The bullet points (be sure to click link for full explanation on how to accomplish each!):
- Eliminate repetition
- Eliminate unnecessary words (more on that in the next two links too!)
- Eliminate backstory
- Eliminate anything that doesn’t reveal character or move the plot forward
2) http://www.rachellegardner.com/2012/04/how-to-cut-thousands-of-words/
Most writers can significantly shorten their manuscript simply by eliminating extraneous adverbs, adjectives, gerunds, and passive verbs, i.e. things you don’t need anyway. If you cut 10 words per page in a 350-page manuscript, you’ve already shortened it by 3,500 (unnecessary) words.
Miss Gardner has specific points as well as a list of ‘words to watch for’ to help you clean up your manuscript.
3) http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/ten_quick_fixes.htm
So you have your list of ‘words to watch for’, but how do you actually go about changing your sentences to eliminate them? This article takes some of the most common words and shows you examples of how to rework sentences.
*
In addition you might want to check out Autocrit http://www.autocrit.com/. It’s not one of my top three suggestions because, in order to use it effectively, you need to use it at the paid subscription level, something not everyone can afford.
Now doing these things doesn’t guarantee that you’re going to be accepted by anyone, but it does mean you’re presenting a more polished manuscript. And that is just more polished. But by no means does it mean you’re ready to go and publish your piece yourself. Heck even people who are strong editors need to have someone else lookover their work! (Here’s a great article by Barbara O’Neal, who’s been writing and published for over twenty years and works as an editor herself, on The Value of Editors: http://writerunboxed.com/20018/ – actually Writers Unboxed is a great site for any number of articles!)
Doing these initial edits will help us slush readers, I mean Acquisition Editors, see your story more clearly. And that can be the difference between ‘it needs a little work, let’s consider it’ and ‘it needs a lot of work, so it’s a no’. And it it’s a ‘yes’ our editors will help you with the final steps you need to get your story ready for publication. Then, next thing you know your book will be out and published.
But first, you’ve got to do the initial edits.
*~*
To find out more about what Alison is looking for check out this blog post: http://curiosityquills.com/alison-nee-heller-acquisitions-editor-wants-your-ms/
If you’re interested in learning more about Curiosity Quills Press take advantage of their huge 99 cent Luck o’the Irish Sale. More information on the sale, as well as the author giveaways will be posted here on 3/17: http://sharonbayliss.blogspot.com/
*~*
Alison can be found on the web as her writing alter ego, Ellie Heller, at www.elliewrites2.com, @Elliewrites2 and on facebook as Ellie Heller Author.
by Sarah | Mar 13, 2013 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Writing
I am very happy to have a fellow Secret Cravings Author, Jean Joachim, stop by today. Or rather, her heroine, Susanna Barnes from [amazon_link id=”B00BOTXQZW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Red Carpet Romance[/amazon_link] has stopped by. I think you’ll enjoy her interview as much as I did. She’s fun and sassy…the kind of character I can get behind.
**
1. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to your author’s attention? Occupation?
I had a tragedy. Jean, my author, loves tragedy. Tragic figures call to her. Frankly, I think she needs anti-depressants. Oh, yeah, I’ve got real dark hair and gray eyes. She wanted a pretty, but different looking women for this book. I used to be a budding art historian. Now I’m a nanny. Tragedy struck. It sucks.
2. What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?
Quinn Roberts, without a doubt. Geez, if you had a gorgeous movie star panting after you, would you fall in love? What drew me outside of his looks and fame? His generosity and sense of humor. He’s sexy and funny, a perfect combination.
3. What’s your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is that something will happen to Quinn or my sister, Annie, and her brood. They are the only family I have left.
4. What’s your motto in life?
My motto? Hmm, let’s see. A positive attitude will bring positive results. I’m kind of a romantic, a believer. Unrealistic maybe but it keeps me happy.
5. How do the other characters in your book view you?
Jaden Sinclair thinks I’m the biggest man-stealing slut going. And I can see her point-of-view. Quinn’s sister, Maggie, sees me as a new best friend. I’m pretty good at getting along with people.
6. What do you prefer? To spread & hear gossip, or be the creator of gossip fodder?
I hate gossip. After Tiffany Cowles, tabloid editor, came after me, wow, scared the crap out of me. I guess hear gossip but mostly I prefer to stay away from gossip, since I’ve been at the center of some pretty nasty stuff.
7. What is it about you that is going to draw us readers in?
My chemistry with Quinn, my affection for Junior, a baby, and my snappy comebacks. Okay, okay, Jean – she’s responsible for the snappy comebacks. *whispers* I thought we were doing this interview without her!
8. What was your happiest moment?
*Blushes* there are a few I can’t tell you about. Let’s just say, being on the Red Carpet with Quinn. Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out what that means. That ought to keep Jean happy.
9. What trait in others do you find most deplorable?
Dishonesty and greed – it’s a tie.
10. The random question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?
Me? I’d be turquoise blue, I think. My favorite color and the color of a gown I wore in the book.
*~*~*~*
A bit about the book
Why is gorgeous movie star, Quinn Roberts, sharing his space with a baby he calls “Junior”, if it isn’t his own? Susanna Barnes, live-in nanny, can’t figure him out. Overwhelming mutual heat melts his guarded heart and her reserve until a slip of the tongue shatters his dreams. Will she unravel the mystery of Junior’s birth and will they regain lost trust?
Excerpt
Raven-haired Susanna Barnes pushed open the unlatched door. Quinn Roberts, stuck up, rich boy movie star. With a kid. Great. “Hello?” She called out, stepping just inside the doorway.
“In here…twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty,” called a deep voice.
She moved toward the sound, stopping a few feet from the entrance to the living room. When she glanced up, she saw the almost-naked, suntanned body of a muscular man, hanging by his hands from a metal pull-up bar stretched high across the entryway. Her gaze wandered over the flexing, sweaty muscles of his shoulders then back and down to his hips. Boxers…cute butt. Farther down were strong thighs tapering to Bermuda-shorts-perfect calves and bare feet.
When she cleared her throat, he dropped off the exercise device and turned around.
“Do you always greet people in your boxers, Mr. Roberts?” She cocked an eyebrow as her stare roved over his damp chest covered with a smattering of brown curly hair, stopping at his waist. Shoulders as wide as a basketball court.
He grabbed a black, terry towel from a nearby chair and wrapped it around his middle. Color flooded his cheeks.
*~*
Buy Links
[amazon_link id=”B00BOTXQZW” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]AMAZON[/amazon_link]
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks
*~*
Bio
Jean Joachim is an author, married, a mother of two boys and owner of a rescued pug named Homer. She writes contemporary romance and has more than a dozen contemporary romance books published with more scheduled to be released within the coming months. Jean has been writing non-fiction for over twenty years and fiction for three. Her review column, “Movie Choices for Kids” has been syndicated on parenting newspapers websites for the past 12 years. A native New Yorker, she still lives in New York City. Her website address is: http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com.
by Sarah | Mar 12, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Publishing Credits, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook! Changing Tracks has taken me on a whirlwind of joy this week. It showed up on Secret Cravings Bestseller list (#1 on the Historical Bestseller list still)…and got a Silver Star at All Romance Ebooks, indicating another best seller. I just got my first review & rating from someone unknown to me (and it was [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]4 stars[/amazon_link]!). So it’s been a bang-up week.
So as a treat I’m going to give another little hook from Derailed (Dominion Falls Series #2). One you might kill me for…because it’s from a little later in the scene that I posted two weeks ago – but it’s just another tease:
She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. The tight grip his hand had on hers transferred his old panic and fear right to her heart. A soft gasp whispered through the room and she wiped at a tear, “You had no choice.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt her. I just was trying to get the knife.”
A small splash of salty sorrow landed on his stomach and curved along the lines to the bed beneath. “Cole.”
*~*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
by Sarah | Mar 11, 2013 | Cover Reveal, Guest Authors, Writing
A famous television actress trying to balance her fictional character and her real life. And an obsessed fan who cannot tell the difference.
Blurb:
The technical wizard of The Protectors agency…
Bryce Black can invent, build, or hack anything. Preferring to leave the danger to his fellow operatives, Bryce is happiest at home designing gadgets, and pursuing his hobby of creating replica diamonds. When offered an assignment to protect a fortune in real gems featured in a high rating television show, he accepts. Only to find himself falling for the beautiful lead actress.
Katrina Abbott is walking away from her acting career without regret. The loss of privacy and invasion of her personal life have become overwhelming. The handsome security advisor with his fascinating amber colored eyes has her contemplating a new life, far from the glaring spotlight. But first she needs to film the finale of her wildly popular drama series.
One female fan does not want the show to end, and has a very different view of what Katrina’s future should be.
by Sarah | Mar 10, 2013 | Books, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
The prompt this week is a picture prompt and it was author’s choice. Soon as I saw this image I knew how to end the first chapter of this story. Hard to believe just a few weeks of Tuesday Tales has brought me almost 3000 words and one full chapter into a story that as yet remains untitled.
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
Jdyne remained quiet. The thin human veneer he wore sagged into tired lines. Silver-streaked gray hair quivered in the breeze as he leaned his hand on his knee.
I didn’t know what else to say. My responsibility was clear, but to leave the life I’d formed, the family I’d grown attached to still weighed on me. “Who will protect them?”
“Hm?” My father shook out of his reverie. “The humans? It won’t get that far, if we handle it well.”
“Alatus will not play by the rules.”
“Very true.” A screech broke through the hum of wind, the phoenix appearing in a flash, bright red against the purple sky. It glided down to rest on Jdyne’s shoulder. “What are you suggesting?”
“I don’t know that I’m suggesting anything specific. However, the elders should face that Alatus is likely to involve humans.” When the phoenix bowed to me, I lifted a finger to run it along his forehead. Licks of flame traveled along the lines of my hand like a caress.
“You will come with me to speak with them. You are one of the best warriors and the best tactician we have. They will listen to your ideas.”
I pursed my lips and dropped my hand, “What of Darren and the children?”
“They won’t even know you’re gone.” He turned his now bright silver eyes on me. “Come, child.”
With a sigh, I set my hand on his and walked down the dune toward what had been the center of town. A wave of his arm brought a strong enough wind to sweep away the sand. Behind the dune sat a stone door frame, the door itself wrought like iron, but out of liquid silver. The doors already hung open, revealing the mountains of home.
I nodded and together we stepped through the gates home.
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
*~*
Blurb:
Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.
