Tuesday, December 31, 2019

4T Olio - 5 End of Year Thoughts you're probably having too

It's that time again. When we review where we've come (2019) and where we're going (2020)--hopefully with perfect vision (as per the year, lol).

  1. It's the end of the year...and the decade? Well, no. But it is the year we retire a digit. Vive le 202x!

  2. How about the best archaeology finds of 2018? Including evidence that beer was brewed as far back as 18000 years ago. That's right, eighteen thousand. Not even Elias was around then...we think.

  3. Best archaeology finds of 2018

  4. On a sadder note, here are the companies we lost this past decade. Goodbye Blockbuster, Payless, and Borders.

  5. But look at all the superhero movies we had just in the second half of the decade!

  6. All superhero movies coming out from now until end of 2019.


  7. And here are Rotten Tomatoes top movies of 2019. I'm writing this on December 16. What do you think, will Star Wars make the list?

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

3T Writing Tidbit

This is another in my 25 Ways You're Losing Readers (and what you can do about it) series.

Crank the conflict!! But are you making this big mistake?


We're told over and over to increase the drama, make it matter more, crank the conflict. But where are the limits? Are there any?

I'd answer most definitely. And it's an easy line to find.

One of the most popular SciFi dramas on TV early this century was Battlestar Galactica. I love science fiction of all sorts, and with watchable characters and high dramatic tension, I should have loved this. But I didn't.

The show was full of hot-tempered, impulsive people punching each other for very little reason or turning on each other at the drop of a hat. Lots of conflict! But it was such stupid conflict.

Later, when Stargate Universe came out as a carbon copy of Battlestar Galactica, I understood why.

See, the original Stargate SG1 was about a team working together. They tried to solve their problems with tact and diplomacy before they waded in punching. And they rarely undermined each other. Stargate Universe put conflict within the team. They weren't heroes--they weren't even very good people.

And there's the bottom line. There are things your hero wouldn't do. Things no hero would do, like striking someone weaker, or lying for their own gain, or stealing from the poor.

So in your quest to crank the tension, you shouldn't do them, either. No matter how dramatic they may seem.

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits. Click here to see all 25 Ways You're Losing Readers.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

5+ Books That Changed My Life--originally posted April 27, 2016.

The fabulous Michelle Diener challenged us to write about 5 books we love or have recently read or read long ago and still remember. I have many more than 5 books I love, as I'm sure you do :) So here are 10+1 of the first to come to mind, in no particular order.


Sherlock Holmes—Here are all four full-length novels and fifty-six short stories about the colorful adventures of Sherlock Holmes -- every word Conan Doyle ever wrote about Baker Street's most famous resident. So devoted and numerous are the followers of the immortal Holmes ... so timeless are his colorful adventures ... that this shrewd and lovable amateur detective whom Doyle invented when he was a young doctor is the most popular character in the last one hundred years of fiction. As a lasting tribute to the indestructible detective, whose earliest adventures first appeared in print in 1887, and to his famous creator, Holmes's entire career has been brought together between the covers of this handsome volume. It is the definitive, authoritative Sherlock Holmes text as originally published in nine separate books. Also included is a delightful preface, "In Memoriam Sherlock Holmes," written by Christopher Morley, the distinguished author and founder of The Baker Street Irregulars. Here is the whole thrilling and amazing career of Sherlock Holmes, all of his adventures in crime collected in one exciting volume.


I'm not sure what excited me about these stories as a young girl. The adventure, the mystery? The ascetic, brilliant Holmes? His deep and abiding friendship with Dr. Watson?

Bambi—Bambi’s life in the woods begins happily. There are forest animals to play with and Bambi’s twin cousins, Gobo and beautiful Faline.

But winter comes, and Bambi learns that the woods hold danger—and things he doesn't understand. The first snowfall makes food hard to find. Bambi’s father, a handsome stag, roams the forest, but leaves Bambi and his mother alone.

Then there is Man. He comes to the forest with weapons that can wound an animal. Bambi is scared that Man will hurt him and the ones he loves. But Man can’t keep Bambi from growing into a great stag himself, and becoming the Prince of the Forest.

The non-cartoon version of this story caught my second-grade mind. Adventure, romance, the mystery of the deep forest, and that sense of living in a social structure unlike our own (though I didn't know that was a hook at the time lol).

Carbonel: The King of Cats—Rosemary's plan to clean houses during her summer break and surprise her mother with the money hits a snag when an old lady at the market talks her into buying a second-rate broom and a cat she can't even afford to keep. But appearances can be deceiving. Some old ladies are witches, some brooms can fly, and some ordinary-looking cats are Princes of the Royal Blood. Rosemary's cat ("You may call me Carbonel. That is my name.") soon enlists her help in an adventure to free him from a hideous spell and return him to his rightful throne. But along the way Rosemary and her friend John must do some clever sleuthing, work a little magic of their own, and—not least— put up with the demands of a very haughty cat.

Magic, an intrepid heroine, and a cat who is all alpha male snagged my young imagination.

The Nameless RomanceThe first actual adult romance that grabbed me was a regency-era about a tomboy who was supposed to be a lady. Different than the usual bluestocking or masquerading as a man. I vaguely remember a scene where she escapes in a tree. It turned me on to romances. Wish I could remember the title or author!

Bridge to Terabithia—This Newbery Medal-winning novel by bestselling author Katherine Paterson is a modern classic of friendship and loss.

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie's house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief.

A children's book I read as an adult. My then-middle-school child recommended this to me. I wept. Seriously good if a kid's book has that much power.

Crocodile on the Sandbank—Set in 1884, this is the first installment in what has become a beloved bestselling series. At thirty-two, strong-willed Amelia Peabody, a self-proclaimed spinster, decides to use her ample inheritance to indulge her passion, Egyptology. On her way to Egypt, Amelia encounters a young woman named Evelyn Barton-Forbes. The two become fast friends and travel on together, encountering mysteries, missing mummies, and Radcliffe Emerson, a dashing and opinionated archaeologist who doesn't need a woman's help — or so he thinks. First book in an excellent series.

Romance, mystery, and 19th-century snark at its finest. I adore whatever Elizabeth Peters wrote, but Amelia Peabody is my favorite. This series is summed up best by Ms. Peters herself. "Another dead body. Every year it is the same. Every year, another dead body..." - Abdullah, p. 151, Lion in the Valley

Black Orchids—Not much can get Wolfe to leave his comfortable brownstone, but the showing of a rare black orchid lures him to a flower show. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated event is soon overshadowed by a murder as daring as it is sudden. It’s a case of weeding out a cunning killer who can turn up anywhere—and Wolfe must do it quickly. Because a second case awaits his urgent attention: a society widow on a mailing list of poison-pen letters leading to a plot as dark as any orchid Wolfe has ever encountered.

I recently reread the Rex Stout Nero Wolfe mysteries. Considering other stories often don't stand the test of time wow, is Stout's writing energetic and fresh. Still.

Changes—Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked and left struggling with the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Now, she needs Harry's help. Harry's enemies have found the secret she has hidden for so long, and he will have to unleash the full fury of his untapped power.

Because this time, he's fighting to save his child.

I always liked Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, but around this book, I began to love it.

If anyone asks, I'm Team Murphy.

The Atrocity Archives—Bob Howard is a computer-hacker desk jockey, who has more than enough trouble keeping up with the endless paperwork he has to do on a daily basis. He should never be called on to do anything remotely heroic. But for some reason, he is.

Charlie Stross's Laundry series is fabulous. Geeks meet demonology, a writing style that sings, and a take on bureaucracy that is both funny and dead on. Add in Bob's romantic interest Mo, a violinist (musician yay!) who gets her own story later on, and I'm hooked.

  Borderline—A year ago, Millie lost her legs and her filmmaking career in a failed suicide attempt. Just when she’s sure the credits have rolled on her life story, she gets a second chance with the Arcadia Project: a secret organization that polices the traffic to and from a parallel reality filled with creatures straight out of myth and fairy tales.

For her first assignment, Millie is tasked with tracking down a missing movie star who also happens to be a nobleman of the Seelie Court. To find him, she’ll have to smooth-talk Hollywood power players and uncover the surreal and sometimes terrifying truth behind the glamour of Tinseltown. But stronger forces than just her inner demons are sabotaging her progress, and if she fails to unravel the conspiracy behind the noble’s disappearance, not only will she be out on the streets, but the shattering of a centuries-old peace could spark an all-out war between worlds.

No pressure.

I'm reading this now, so I can't tell if the ending will throw off my take on it. But it's so insightful on its own that it almost doesn't matter. Add in the gritty reality of the fantasy elements, and the book becomes one I quote endlessly at my husband.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

December 1T Status Update

Night's Kiss successfully launched! Thank you to everyone who bought, loved, shared, and reviewed. You're the reason I could stay with the series as long as I have.

I hope to have important, exciting news within days for Night's Bliss, the final book in the Ancients series. This is the story many, many of you have been waiting for. Elias is in a face-off with Lord Umbra...will the Ancient One find love at last along the way? Three chapters done, full story map done. I can't wait to get back to writing it!

But first this month I have my 3rd semester of school to finish. Then, over winter break, it'll be back to Night's Bliss, along with a short Vampire Vignette (New Orleans's Nobody) for my April Fools For Love author friends.

This month also sees the usual holiday music work, such as playing for our local animal shelter's Festival of Trees. January it's back to school for my final full-time semester.

Here's a fun little reading my husband and I did from Night's Kiss via Instagram... (also on Facebook)

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Monday, November 25, 2019

Brand New Release!

Second last book in the series. Don't miss out!






As a human who hunts vampires, I risk death each night I take to the streets. Bloodsuckers are stupidly fast. I have only my wits, my practice, and my weapons.

Oh yeah, and my rage.

Vampires killed my parents before my eyes when I was young. My revenge? I'll destroy every last one of the evil bastards, starting with their king.

But only one man can help me locate the king. Achingly tall, dark, and too-sexy-for-his-own-good, Ryker is gorgeous enough to be the vamp king himself. But the devilish arch to his black eyebrow, his white, unfangy grin, and rocking the daytime are good clues that he's human.

We’ll have to work together as uneasy allies if I hope to get my final revenge on the king—only now it seems evil monsters are also after our prey, and they’ll stop at nothing to see us all dead. And why are we having so much trouble finding the king?

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

3T Writing Tidbit

We've all read that book. The one where the character bops from action to action, running around doing stuff.

Because doing stuff is interesting, right? Exciting?

Only in this case, it falls flat. The character is cardboard and the stuff is lifeless. Why?

Stacy Dawn warns of the She did, He did trap. Action without understanding is a dry, lifeless point of view.

Bottom line--as a writer, asking why a character is doing is more important than the doing.

Get more insights from Stacy with her Demystifying Deep POV.

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.  

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

4/1: 4 for 1 and 1 for all! -- Guests Roxy Mews, S.L. Carpenter and Kayleigh Malcolm--originally posted March 31, 2016.

Tomorrow is, in US terms, 4/1. Across the world it's April first, better known as April Fools. It's the officialholiday of that fun pack of authors, those April Fools For Love, Roxy Mews, S.L. Carpenter, Jodi Redford and Mary Hughes, this year joined by Kayleigh Malcolm, and their sassy, sizzling books.

Last year, Lust With a Laugh brought you four stories centered around our favorite holiday, April Fool's Day. For 2016, we couldn't not do it again.

What does that mean for you? We're bringing you four short stories to whet (or wet!) your appetite for only 99cents each! Four new books, all about April Fool's love, lust, and happily ever after. 4/1=4 under $1.

These are great tales to keep you occupied if you accidentally get glued to a toilet seat, or while setting up your own elaborate prank!

We've even got a fun badge for you to use as a profile pic, or badge on your website. Grab this little goodie (above) and show your love for the holiday that is all about making people smile. Or flat out laughing at them. ;)




Roxy Mews wrote her first story at age six on an electric typewriter. It was about a cat and a haunted house. Thankfully, her stories and technology have matured since then. Roxy spends her days fighting the evil day job in hopes of conquering the stories that run rampant in her head.

To connect with Roxy Mews, find her babbling on Twitter, friend her on Facebook, visit her Blog, or find all these links on http://roxyrocksme.com.

Bestselling author Kayleigh Malcolm (and her alter ego Corinne Davies) is a firm believer that all love is beautiful and everyone deserves a Happily Ever After....well except for those involved with cancelling Firefly. She's still holding a grudge over that one.

Sticking with one genre is a talent she hasn't achieved yet and can be found creating worlds as normal as our own or as fantastic as her dreams. Her characters have to face real life challenges, as many of us do, but love always finds a way to conquer all.

A social media junkie, she can be found haunting many different sites and loves to hear from her readers. Connect with her at http://kayleighmalcolm.blogspot.com.

My name is S.L. Carpenter and I'm a writer and an artist, a husband and a father, a slave to the wife and an inspiration to other people I don't know. I call California home and have been here my whole life. I know...poor me.

I've been writing my special brand of insane little stories for many years, but it's only been in the last decade that I've managed to persuade folks to publish them. I expanded my backlist to include single titles, anthologies and several books co-written with my writing partner (and webmistress) Sahara Kelly. My most recent books are available at Amazon.com/Kindle Unlimited, and also at Samhain Publishing. Find me at http://slcarpenter.net/index1.html

Bottled Up: April Fools For Love by Roxy Mews A clogged drain. A pretend plumber. An April Fool’s Day to remember. Amazon | Amazon UK

Toy Story: April Fools For Love by S.L. Carpenter This is a totally different type of buzz and woody… Amazon | Amazon UK

Must Love Menage: April Fools For Love by Kayleigh Malcolm Will Ben and Sam to risk everything by inviting Chloe into their lives? Amazon | Amazon UK

Cin Wikkid: April Fools For Love by Mary Hughes A fairytale romance meets 4G. Amazon | Amazon UK

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

November 1T Status Update

Sooo excited for the release of Night's Kiss: the Ancients series book 2. I'm pulling out all the stops for this and Elias's story, Night's Bliss, now in development.

Preorder is live now!

As a human who hunts vampires, I risk death each night I take to the streets. Bloodsuckers are stupidly fast. I have only my wits, my practice, and my weapons.

Oh yeah, and my rage.

Vampires killed my parents before my eyes when I was young. My revenge? I'll destroy every last one of the evil bastards, starting with their king.

But only one man can help me locate the king. Achingly tall, dark, and too-sexy-for-his-own-good, Ryker is gorgeous enough to be the vamp king himself. But the devilish arch to his black eyebrow, his white, unfangy grin, and rocking the daytime are good clues that he's human.

We’ll have to work together as uneasy allies if I hope to get my final revenge on the king—only now it seems evil monsters are also after our prey, and they’ll stop at nothing to see us all dead. And why are we having so much trouble finding the king?

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

10 for $10--but hurry, this sale is over soon

All Biting Love Universe novels (except Night's Kiss) are on sale for a few days only—including the never-before discounted Night's Caress. Get yours now!
Shop your favorite store now:

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

3T Writing Tidbit

Social media for authors--gift or curse? Dave from Kindlepreneur dissects various social media for you in The Ultimate Guide to Social Media. The summary is also really useful for those of us who tend to want to conquer everything.


Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

A Brief Musical Interlude--originally posted March 2, 2016.

Next month is April Fools, with Roxy Mews, S.L. Carpenter, newcomer Kayleigh Malcolm and me up to our usual April 1 hijinks. I'll have more on my offering, Cin Wikkid (including a great blog tour giveaway), later this month.

But for now, I thought you might enjoy a bit of fun with music.

(Warning: the following links are to audio files.)

I'm also a flute player, trained classical. Anybody remember the Masterpiece Theater theme? http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/01%20rondeau.mp3

How about this? (hint, it's not really about putting risqué underwear in the dryer): http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/06%20aironagstring.mp3

This is my hubby's favorite (tongue firmly in cheek. He'll sometimes start this in the wrong key just to watch my face when I come in and sound out of tune like pickles on pizza): http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/13%20pachelbel.mp3

And of course, no interlude would be complete without this: http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/23%20chickendance.mp3

What's your favorite music?

More on April Fools For Love here.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

3T Writing Tidbit

Brand. What's your brand? Be on-brand.Stay true to your brand.

But what is brand?

Basically, it's tags that identify the person behind the work being branded. These days, you have to brand everything from your particular art style to what kind of employee you represent to a potential employer.

My biggest challenge, writing romantic comedy/paranormal romance/urban fantasy/hard science fiction/steamy romance was finding my brand. Because it's all over the board, isn't it?

Isn't it?

Maybe not so much.

I may have already shared this but it bears a reshare. Find your brand's voice with this fun exercise.

I started Diana's first step, crossing out those adjectives that don't apply to my stories. Whew! Identifying what I'm not is a whole lot easier than figuring out what I am. I'm still not completely done. But some of the remaining adjectives that stand out are...

Wild. Witty. Unique. Upbeat. Fierce. Exciting.

If you're struggling with your author brand, I suggest you give this technique a try.


Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

Engaging Readers--originally posted February 3, 2016.

Authors are told to read, read, read. I have to admit, between my own writing, studying how to write better, practicing flute, doing bills, keeping up with the house (well, not keeping up, more like running madly behind, trying to get within spitting distance...but at least my sink is clean :) ), making dinner, shopping, laundry...um, etc (substitute for me getting whiny, lol)--ANNNYWAY, I don't get to read for pleasure very often.

Always hopeful I might find a few minutes to enjoy a book, when I visit my library, I browse the New Release shelves. Last month, I found a book by an author I'd read a long time ago (but stopped reading), and picked it up. When I was sick the next day, I actually found time to read it.

It was SERIOUSLY good.

Hey, it might have been the fever. But I started another by the same author and it was also seriously good.

So, you probably have two questions. What's the book, and why did reader-me lose track of the series (and what's different about it now)?

The author is Lindsey Davis and the original series was Marcus Didius Falco, a private informer (i.e. detective) in Rome during the first century AD.

The new book is Deadly Election: A Flavia Albia Mystery (blurb at the end), continuing the Falco series with his daughter Flavia Albia.

Why did I enjoy the Falco series originally?
  • Well written.
  • I like stories that I can painlessly learn something (through the action). These stories are well researched, yet her research was represented in vivid interaction with the time and place, not dry facts.
  • A love interest who does NOT get tossed to the side or murdered (this is a pet peeve).
  • I like mysteries.
  • Good editing (bad editing is also a pet peeve).
  • Character was mostly driven by intelligent choices in difficult circumstances rather than making bad decisions to further the plot (aka not too stupid to live, another pet peeve).


Why did I lose track of the series?

I think it's because Falco was, in a way, too well written. He's a guy, and to me, he came across as a guy. Even though there's a love interest, she's left in the background a lot. And he still ogles and stuff. And does some guy stuff that is mildly interesting but not completely relatable to me (I do enjoy some traditionally guy stuff, like sword and armor making).

(Please note, this is from my memory of the books. I may be misremembering, but since I'll be rereading some of the earlier ones now, I'll update if I get more info.)

So what's different about this book?

The new series is about Falco's daughter, a widow living on her own, already meaty enough. But more, she's an adopted Briton with no known past, so she's a mystery and a bit of outsider even though she's totally accepted by her adoptive family. Her family has money, but she doesn't, except what she earns. She's capable and smart and kind but strong. She's a woman so she notices stuff like jewelry and makeup and how a home is put together and gives observations on women's roles in society from a woman's point of view, stuff I find I'm more interested in than the guy stuff.

And, good heavens, Flavia Albia's observations are witty. Love 'em!

The Falco series was good but I didn't identify strongly enough with the main character and the middle action wasn't quite compelling enough (for me). As an author I'd like to think readers will cut me some slack, but as a reader I know there are too many books out there that satisfy two or three out of the following four factors.

Bottom line: as many as possible of THESE FACTORS need to be met for me to engage as a reader: a STORY I want to read; a CHARACTER I can relate to (doesn't have to be the main character, but does need to be in enough of the story action that I don't put the book down); few-to-no PET PEEVES knocking me out of the story; ENGAGING ACTION (that is, character doing stuff that I care about).

We use the tag words genre, character, good writing, and plot for the four things above. I think to some extent those words have been leached of meaning and hope the ones I've used make more vivid pictures in your mind.

Notice how many of these things are dependent on the reader? We like to think, as authors, we're in a lonely profession. But the truth of the matter is all art is collaborative, and stories rely on what the reader brings to the table as much as any stage production's success depends on audience mood.

What about you? What makes you lose track of a series? What makes a series a keeper?

 
Deadly Election: A Flavia Albia Mystery

In the first century A.D., during Domitian's reign, Flavia Albia is ready for a short break from her family. So despite the oppressive July heat, she returns to Rome, leaving them at their place on the coast. Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, the famed private informer (now retired), has taken up her father's former profession, and it's time to get back to work. The first order of business, however, is the corpse that was found in a chest sent as part of a large lot to be sold by the Falco family auction house. As the senior family representative in Rome, it falls upon Albia to identify the corpse, find out why he was killed, who killed him, and, most important, how did it end up in the chest.

At the same time, her potential young man, Faustus, comes looking for help with his friend Sextus's political campaign. Between the auction business and Roman politics, it's not quite clear which one is the more underhanded and duplicitous. Both, however, are tied together by the mysterious body in the chest, and if Albia isn't able to solve that mystery, it won't be the only body to drop.

Kindle | Nook | Kindle UK | Also available in hardcover and paperback (and audio at Amazon.com)

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

September 1T Status Update

School has started again! I'm eking out what writing time I can from lambda expressions and distributed Java. It isn't much, but I did get this status update put together :)

September news:

  • Big sale coming just in time for Halloween! Mark your calendar October 28-November 4. More information next month.
  • Hear the author play piccolo! 2019 American Legion band contest.
  • Night's Kiss edits turned in! Cover request sheet filled out and turned in. Hopefully we'll see something online by October.
  • Night's Bliss proposal package just about ready! My beta reader needs to look at the first three chapters and then I need to do a final pass over the whole thing. 

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

3T Writing Tidbit-The ONE WAY to write

The Writer's Journey, On Writing, The Elements of Style, Writing the Breakout Novel, Save the Cat, Swing the Bear...

Do you get confused reading all those titles promising you THE ONE AND ONLY WAY to craft a story that sells/wins awards/wins readers? Have you despaired figuring out the ONE WAY to write?

There is a refreshing post on story structure I wish I'd read before I started writing. The idea that one size does NOT fit all is life affirming (or at least writer-life affirming). The reasons why you want to do the One Way anyway are sound. The sarcasm is a bonus.

Here's the Three Act structure, explained by William P. Coleman in a way that works. Bonus, it uses Star Wars: A New Hope to explain.

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

photo credit: FOR HUMANS ONLY via photopin (license)
More-than-Human Characters and Why I Love Them--Guest Author Roxy Mews--originally posted January 21, 2016.

Roxy has a great flow to her writing that I wish I could do. She makes even the most fantastic situations feel absolutely concrete through her natural, up-to-the-millisecond style. Today she's sharing a bit of how she makes that happen. Please welcome my friend Roxy Mews!
In fiction we play with extreme situations, because really, no one wants to read about the big strong hero folding laundry. (Although I would definitely pay to see that in real life.) And in playing with these extreme situations we want to have our characters react in fantastical ways.

In certain genres we have even more room to play. If we are writing about a vampire, we can show how he feels by the way he moves or the way his body reacts to another person. When my hero, Jake Meyers, is in deep thought his body ceases all movement, including breathing and blood flow.

My heroine in Coral-600, uses CPU’s to transmit reports to the lab she was created in, and certain bodily reactions cause very interesting data to be transmitted. This allowed me to give specific data to those in charge of her to prove her humanity in quantifiable ways.

And if we want something to happen for a story line, even if it’s not “believable” we can alter the world we are building to make it believable. We still have to follow lines of continuity and we still have to follow the rules we have laid out for our universe, but it’s our world to play with when we’re writing in Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, or SciFi.

Characters don’t always act the way I want them to. And there have been some instances where I have had to go back to the beginning of a manuscript and change major parts of the world, because the character I want wouldn’t exist otherwise.

When that happens I am usually in a corner rocking and hoping the editing fairy will visit me and fix the mess I wrote myself into. Turns out the editing fairy doesn’t exist and after a substantial glass of wine I get myself under control and fix it my darn self.

My books revolve around my characters, and creating worlds in which I can give them their happily ever afters. So when my character needs to be able to use mind control, I have to make him a vampire capable of compulsion. When my character needs to have the ability to smell someone from across the street, I make him a werewolf with heightened senses.

So far I’ve played with Vampires, Werewolves, Hybrids, Witches, and Robots. They all have had different stories to tell, but it was a blast letting them show me their worlds. I can’t wait to see where my characters take me next.

What is your favorite paranormal character to read or write about?

Roxy's latest in The DMA Files series, Interlocking Hearts, is available now!

AmazonBarnes and Noble iBooksGoogle Play | Samhain Publishing StoreKOBO

InterlockingHearts72lg (1)A human, an almost-human, and a more-than-human walk into a palace…

The DMA Files, Book 2

After her husband threw her out, Paisley Compton drew her sexuality around her like a shield. She finds solid ground as a palace maid until, during a formal dinner service, she trips onto the lap of a man who takes her breath away.

Ben has always known Jon is far more than property, and he jumps at the chance to get the android his certificate of humanity. Paisley—whose abilities far exceed her job title—is a welcome distraction from the bureaucracy.

Used and abused by his former owners, Jon trusts no one—particularly the smartass woman who’s caught Ben’s eye. He might not be certified human yet, but he has all the right parts to get to the bottom of this sexy mystery wrapped in a maid’s uniform.

Their attraction sparks unexpected new conduits among them, but when they realize Jon’s certificate comes with a terrible price, they must risk everything to foil an Anti-Mech plot—and hope they survive to lose themselves in each other’s arms.

Product Warnings

Overheating is likely. The mechanics in these pages require ample lubrication to perform at optimum levels. When possible, multiple system operators are recommended.

Roxy wrote her first story at age six on an electric typewriter. It was about a cat and a haunted house. Thankfully, her stories and technology have matured since then. Now Roxy spends her days fighting the evil day job in hopes of conquering the stories that run rampant in her head when she comes home at night. When she discovered Erotic Romance, Roxy fell in love. She can’t wait to share all her fun and sexy stories with everyone. To connect with Roxy Mews find her babbling on Twitter, friend her on Facebook, visit her Blog, or find all these links on RoxyRocksMe.com

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

1T Status Update-August

Three months to go! Night's Kiss is in edits this month, and I've got the first draft of the proposal package done for Night's Bliss, Elias's story. I'm seriously excited to finally bring this all together and get it in your hands!

This month:
  • Atlanta's Angel (Vampire Vignettes) releases
  • Reread of Assassin's Bite (Biting Love) Even the shadows fear him—how can any woman love him?
  • Classes start again (4 this semester, see you on the other side!)

Atlanta's Angel (Vampire Vignettes)

I’m Detective Leah Mackenzie, a human with the Atlanta PD. My partner and I are investigating the graveyard homicide of a young woman when arrogant master of the city Michael Obsidian stalks onto the scene.

Obsidian declares my case vampire business. Human hands off.

Tightly furious, I follow him to his lair to convince him he’s wrong. Yeah, I confront the strongest freaking vampire in the state, so what? My heart’s pounding in fear, too—bloodsuckers, even the lawful ones, are predators governed by deadly instincts born at the dawn of time. But Mom always said to do what was right, even if I had to go it alone. I need to get justice for the victim.

Then I get a lead on the killer that takes me straight into wild vampire territory, and going it alone threatens to turn me into the next homicide.


Special note to Biting Love fans—This isn't the Biting Love Universe. This is a short, first-meet story in a post-Unmasking universe. While there's sensual tension, it's meant for general audiences. There are vampires and snark, though. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!


Vampire Vignettes. Short. Scintillating. First, exciting meets between an apex master vampire and the human woman who lights his life for the first time in centuries. Each story features a vampire master of the city and the woman who charms (or fights or snarks) her way into his life.

Universal link to see more here.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

4T Olio

More goodies from Imgur.

Dogs...
Enjoying beach life
and cats...
There are three states of matter : gases, liquids and solids. In many cases, the same element can exist in all three states.
And something completely different.I saw the bottle cap challenge the other day and couldn't believe it. But here's proof...

An extra kick.
...and more proof...
Roundhouse drinks on her!
Since we seem to be on a martial arts theme...
When the training vids are as fun to watch as the movie

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

3T Writing Tidbit

 How to write a character that will make your editor cheer! I shared this last year, but it bears repeating.

Direct from the awesome editor of New York Times and USA Today bestselling books. Stacy Dawn tackles the mystery of deep point of view in a reveal-all that's a must-read. Check it out here.

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

photo credit: Happy New Year !!! via Photopin License
Sampling the New Year--originally posted January 6, 2016.

Happy New Year! We have a rule around our house, one we started when it took us three years to get our home decluttered enough to put it on the market. If something comes in, something else has to go out.

That's one of the best things about the start of a new year, in my opinion, the idea of going through the portal--starting afresh, sloughing off the old to prepare for the new.

But sometimes the old thing is perfectly good. All it needs is a fresh coat of paint or a little oil. In that case, I'm not afraid of a little spit and polish.

But what if we could have the best of both worlds? How about something good with a bit of new shine PLUS added new goodies? PLUS all of it for only 71 cents?

It's always sexy when he runs the company . . . but she commands his heart. These 10 couples know exactly what suits them and where to draw the line between business and pleasure. Find out who's boss on these perfect lunchtime breaks!

My fun novella Edie and the CEO, about a hippie-raised workers' rights manager squared off against a pinstripe-suited CEO (who get stranded together in a Rocky Mountain cabin) is part of the new box set He's the Boss. Available now! 99 pennies. Get yours today!

Amazon | BN | iTunes | Google | Amazon UK

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

1T Status Update - July

Four months to go! Night's Kiss is going to be in edits this month, perfect timing as I'm also beginning the proposal for Night's Bliss, Elias's story. I can't wait to finally bring this all together and get it in your hands!


This month:
  • Chicago's Chosen: Vampire Vignettes ready to go
  • Detect This: Vampire Vignettes (working title) first draft done, along with two edits. Title coming soon
  • New cover for Falling on for the Billionaire
  • Cover reveals below!

COVER REVEALS:

Vampire Vignettes

Vignette: a short, delicately memorable scene.

Short. Scintillating. First, exciting meets between an apex master vampire and the human woman who lights his life for the first time in centuries. Each story features a vampire master of the city and the woman who charms (or fights or snarks) her way into his life.

Chicago's Chosen

New to Chicago and tottering on the brink of bankruptcy, human Adele wants a job with Knight Industries, owned by rich vampire and city master Damien Knight. So when a not-quite-aboveboard invite for a party at Knight’s place comes from her best friend, she jumps on it.

But a dark, mysterious vampire at the party catches her in a fib. He’s about to throw her out when she brazenly asks for a tour of Knight’s business first. To her surprise, he agrees and takes her away from the noise of the party. On the plus side, she’ll get to see Knight Industries and maybe learn enough to get her coveted job. On the minus, she’s all alone with a dangerous predator, and he’s looking intently at her neck…

And what’s she going to do when she finds out who her tour guide really is?



MJ Chase: Pen name for more moderate language and slow, simmering buildup.

Falling (on) ^for the Billionaire
A sexy romantic comedy

Can tripping over your own feet lead to falling in love?

He’s a billionaire media superstar hungering for more than meaningless celebrity dates. She’s a junior college teacher who loves him from afar—until she’s roped into playing wingman for her international-model sister, who's trying to win him back.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

3T Writing Tidbit -- why romance don't get no respect

I write romance and humor because I love both happy endings and a good laugh.

But from movies to television to books, stories with comedy and happily-ever-afters get lower rankings, ratings, and are less esteemed compared to dramas of the same caliber.

As Rodney Dangerfield says, "I don't get no respect."

But why? That's one of the things I never understood. For years I beat my head against this one seemingly universal truth.

Dramas are more significant.

Then, many years ago when I was reading Hero with a Thousand Faces, I got a glimpse why. And also an understanding that drama's crown as highest art form was not always the case.

Modern literature, you see, is a courageous facing of the sickeningly broken life within and around us. It's heroic to face those disheartening facts, not with complaint (or sarcasm), but by turning it into art. A happily-ever-after is less courageous. Worse, it's not true and can't be taken seriously.

Thing is, HEAs in the ancient world were high art. Why? Because stories with a happily-ever-after represented the transcendence of the tragedy of man.

Take that, drama. :)

May you continue to laugh in the face of drama and may all your HEAs be transcendent.

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

2T Repeat Performance

In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.

photo credit: 035/365: Valentine's Day
2013-02-04
 via photopin (license)
The Story I Thought I'd Never Write--originally posted December 9, 2015.

Passion Bites released yesterday, and I couldn't be more thrilled to share Luke & Alexis's heartfelt story with you.

I have to admit, I wasn't sure if Luke's story would ever be written. I usually write first loves-- because I'm deeply committed to grand passion, to love that lasts an eternity. Luke, as Biting Love series readers know, has lost his wife. How did I deal with that, help him heal emotionally?

Strangely, it was a woman whose own emotions are clogged who finally emerged from the pages as Luke's savior. But just because Dr. Alexis Byornsson's emotionally frozen doesn't mean she doesn't have feelings, quite the opposite! ...although she does her darndest to deny them.

Bringing these two together was the hardest and yet most beautiful and fruitful thing I've ever attempted. The finished story still brings heartbreak and finally tears of joy to my eyes. And of course the usual Meiers Corners laughs and cold-drinks sex too.

Have I succeeded? Please read Passion Bites for yourself and let me know.

First there was Logan's story in Biting Me Softly, then Synnove's in Beauty Bites. Now meet his brother Luke and her sister Alexis as they struggle to find their way in Biting Love book 9 Passion Bites.  

A broken vampire and a driven doctor, seized by a passion neither can afford.

Dr. Alexis Byornsson has her hands full in the ER when her patient’s uncle blows into the exam room. Stitching up a five-year-old’s cut is hard enough without a blond god distracting her all to hell.

To say she’s furious is putting it mildly—not that anyone would notice. Not with the legendary control that’s earned her the nickname “Dr. Frozen”.

Luke Steel never knew a woman chastising him could be so sexy. But for the first time in three hundred years, passion stirs in his gut—along with panic. Since his wife was taken before his eyes in a brutal attack, he’s sworn he’d never feel that powerless again.

Almost before either Luke or Alexis realize what’s happening, they’re sharing a blazing kiss that shatters her logical armor and unleashes his wholly unwanted mating instinct. And spurs a closer-than-skin enemy to put into motion a devastating plan for revenge.

Warning: This book contains a hot doctor and a hotter vampire messing up sterile surfaces. The usual rogue shenanigans, but this time covering deeper motives. Hang on to your stethoscopes at what’s revealed!

Kindle | Nook | Samhain | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play | UK Amazon

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

June 1T Status Update

Setting programming aside for a few weeks in favor of catching up on some writing.
  • Hot Chips and Sand is 99 cents this week only!
  • Next round of edits for Night's Kiss coming this month
  • New Vampire Vignette started that's frankly a hoot to write
  • Chicago's Chosen cover should be finalized soon
  • One-credit eight week summer class
  • Band starts
  • Getting back to Soul Mates