Tag Archives: Contemporary

NEWS FLASH! KILLER KISSES goes LIVE!

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KILLER KISSES Is ALIVE and available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0080LR1XA

This anthology has romantic tales ranging from short, contemporary, and chaste to long, paranormal and spicy.

In A Peck on the Cheek: Hurricane Jason, a female private investigator searches for a two-timing husband, but lands in an hurricane shelter. Does she get her man?

In Cat Nips: Catastrophe, a crazy cat lady is evicted by her drunken landlord and the lives of her cat are at stake. Will she and her cats wind up on the street? Or will a secret admirer find a better home for everyone?

In Hot Lips: Lake Placid Cure, a woman finds her husband in a compromising position–again. Looking to recover her dignity, she sets out for a medi-spa, encounters a murder mystery and discovers that miracles still happen in Lake Placid.

In French Kiss: Pigmalion, a speech pathology graduate student needs one more subject for her research project to graduate. She runs into a hot guy with a heavy accent and tries to recruit him into her study. Will she teach him the language of love?

In Sizzling Smooch: Bonded for Life, a Mexican artist runs for her life to hide in the little town where she graduated from high school. She’s convinced no one will find her there. But a boy with a high school crush on her grew up to be a hunky cop–and he has her in his cross hairs.

In Delectable and Delicious: An Inn Decent Proposal, a chef and a hotelier join forces at foreclosure auction at an inn and outbid a small time hood. The thug doesn’t like being on the losing end of the deal. Things heat up outside and in the bedroom. Can the couple make a go of it? Or will the hood destroy their dream?

In Release Your Inner Wild Women: Kiss of the Silver Wolf, a young woman searches for the truth about her brother’s debilitating disease. An intriguing man with silver hair and a penchant for long night insists she’s his life mate. How does this sexy man figure into her family secrets?

All my short stories and novellas have been rolled into one full length book, a sweet deal at $2.99 USD. I hope you enjoy the reads and tell your friends.

Jannine Gallant on Beginning with a Bang

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First things first – Sharon thank you so much for having me on your blog today. This is my first stop in my promotional tour for Nothing But Trouble, part of the Honky Tonk Hearts series releasing tomorrow from The Wild Rose Press, so I’m thrilled to be here. And since it’s my first stop, I thought I’d talk about beginnings.

How many of you agonize over the opening scene in your book and rewrite it countless times? It’s the hook that catches the reader’s attention, so it has to be perfect. At least that’s the way I look at it as I revise the first page of my WIP for the 120th time, changing one word here and one word there… You get the picture, and those of you who write can probably relate. The opening scene does more than you think. It doesn’t just introduce your characters and setting. It sets the tone for the book. It shows off your style.

The first scene in Nothing But Trouble came to me in a flash of inspiration. I could see the setting, a dusty highway in Texas in front of a honky tonk bar. My heroine is stranded by the roadside. She takes one look at the cowboy offering her a ride and knows he’s nothing but trouble. But creating a picture isn’t enough to engage potential readers. As an author, it’s your job to show them what kind of book you’ve written. Is the stranded woman frightened, sad, or spitting mad? Do you get a feeling of danger or one of humor from the situation? By the end of that first page, the reader should have a good sense of your voice.

Now, take everything you want to convey in your opening scene, and condense it into one sentence. The oh so important first line of your book. A daunting task to be certain. I’ll admit I’ve written some less than stellar first lines. But I’ve read some true beauties, both in classic books and new favorites.

From Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were.

From Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts: The air was raw with February the morning Bobby Lee Fuller found the first body.

From Try Just Once More by Kat Henry Doran: Maggie McGuire didn’t have time to die.

It took me several tries, but I finally wrote a first line for Nothing But Trouble that satisfied me. Chase Paladin slammed on the brakes and prayed.

It may not be the best first line ever written, but I hope it will hook readers and make them ask, “Then what happened?” So, let’s hear your favorite first lines, one’s you’ve read or written.

Blurb:

Chase Paladin avoids commitment like a patch of stinging nettles. He’s seen how love can trample a man, and he doesn’t plan to get hitched—ever. But when Honor Jackson walks into his life, hell-bent on keeping her distance, she turns his convictions inside out.

One look at the too-handsome cowboy with laughing green eyes and a killer smile, and Honor knows he’s nothing but trouble. She’s come to Redemption, Texas to help an old friend, not to let another man charm her into certain heartache.

But every time she turns around, Chase is there, and the closer they get, the more she fears he’ll break her heart. So when anonymous threats make it clear that someone in Redemption wants her gone, Honor is ready to oblige. Only now Chase isn’t certain he can live without her.

Will two wary hearts take a chance on love before it’s too late?

Excerpt:

Chase reached over and gave her arm a squeeze. The imprint of his fingers on her bare skin tingled like a brand.

“I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Soon as word gets out, you’ll draw the locals like bees to honey.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve never heard that line before.”

“I can see I have an uphill battle ahead. Charming you won’t be an easy task.”

Leaning her head against the high vinyl seatback, she avoided his smiling eyes. “More like impossible, so don’t bother trying.”

His lips firmed. “Is it me in particular, or are you always this friendly?”

She didn’t answer immediately. Stroking the dog’s silky coat, she spent a moment composing her thoughts. “I’m sure you’re a whole lot of fun. You’re handsome and entertaining.” She let out a breath. “You’re probably a firecracker in bed to boot.”

He coughed and shot her a wide-eyed glance.

“But I’m not in the market for a fling with a good-looking cowboy.”

“Why not?”

“Huh?”

“What happened to put you off men?”

“Life happened. I plan to work for Andee for a couple of months and get my ducks in a row before moving on. I’m pretty sure—make that one hundred percent positive—getting involved with you would complicate the equation, and I’m no math whiz.”

“What are you a whiz at, besides putting men in their place?”

Places you can find Jannine and her books:

Website: http://www.janninegallant.com/

Blog: http://janninegallant.blogspot.com/

Group Blog: http://www.rosesofprose.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/JannineGallant.Author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JannineGallant

Buy Link from TWRP: http://bit.ly/IbOwjk

Also available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Jana Richards on Plotting and Outlining

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Writing an outline for the plot of a novel is a little like planning a trip. It helps you figure out what direction your novel is going to take and what your major plot points are going to be, but still allows room for creativity.

What is outlining?

It’s writing out all the events of your plot from the beginning of your novel until the end. There are many ways to outline. You can do a quick set of notes on one page, write out scenes on index cards, scribble the highlights about each scene on Post-it notes that you can change and move around, or complete comprehensive scene-by-scene analysis that you keep in separate binders. There’s no wrong way to outline, just the right way for each individual writer.

Here are some reasons for writers to outline their novel before they start writing:

Using research to better effect: An outline can be changed at any time, even during the writing process. If you discover some interesting research as you write or pre-write, you can make a note of in your outline and know that that interesting tidbit will not be lost. Robert Kernen, in “Building Better Plots”, (Writers Digest books) says that outlining will “help you more smoothly and effectively incorporate new plot or thematic elements you discover during the writing process.”

Saving time: Randy Ingermanson claims that using his Snowflake method of outlining can reduce the time to write a first draft from 500 hours to 250 hours, including the 100 hours or so needed to complete the outline. He also points out that by working on an outline first, all the work of your synopsis is basically done, further reducing your writing time. Writer Joanna Penn says that when you have limited time each day to devote to your writing, you don’t want to spend half of it staring blankly at your computer because you have no idea where you’re going next.

Makes the writing process easier: Robert Kernan says that outlining will “free your mind and your intuition to work on the writing of your story, the characters, the dialogue, the language, etc., unconcerned about whether the structure is sound.” Rather than restricting the writer, Kernan claims that outlining will “liberate your writing by giving you a map, allowing you to focus on other elements of the writing and helping you avoid frustration.”

Will this idea fly?: The reason I plot my novels in advance is to figure out whether they’re going to work or not. What would you rather do: spend a few hours outlining and discover that the plot you thought so clever has too many holes in it to work, or spend 500 hours (translation: weeks, months) writing a first draft, get to the middle of it, and realize the story is totally unworkable? If you outline, you can plug holes in your plot, give your characters better goals and conflicts before you start writing your first draft. You can avoid deadends that take up so much time and cause writers so much frustration.

Whatever method of outlining you choose, it needs to hit all the highlights of a romance novel. It needs to present and resolve the goals and conflicts of the characters. It needs to show the rising action of the story and the developing romance between hero and heroine. Here is a template for plot structure that I came across some time ago.

Template – Plot Structure

Part I The Set Up

-          Introduce characters (main and secondary)

-          Introduce setting

-          Introduce Goal and Motivation (external and internal conflict)

-          Introduce first major obstacle

-          Introduce romantic attraction

-          Snappy opening – the “hook”

Part II  Plot Complications

-          Characters’ efforts to overcome obstacle make situation worse. They realize at this point how big their problem is.

-          Romantic attraction fully developed. (Perhaps the first love scene occurs here.)

-          Characters mistakenly believe a solution is near.

Part III  Switch-a-roo and Misery

-          Insurmountable obstacle shatters romantic trust. (The Black Moment).

-          Something happens to one or both characters that causes them to see a solution which turns around the plot.

-          This event triggers realization that they love one another more than they love their original goal.

Part IV  Resolution

-          Characters take action based on the realization.

-          One or both (usually the one who is being the biggest jerk, the one who is most wrong) make a sacrifice that proves their love.

-          The scene that shows this sacrifice is the climax.

-          Subplots are resolved and loose ends are tied up.

-          External goal/conflict resolved. It does not have to be achieved in the way characters thought in the beginning.

-          Internal conflict/goal resolved. Original internal conflict must be satisfied. Conflicts must be resolved in this order – external then   internal.

-          If necessary a short denoument scene to tie up loose ends.

Here are some links and books I’ve found particularly helpful with plotting and outlining:

Books:

Save the Cat! By Blake Snyder, published by Michael Wiese Procuctions, www.mwp.com ISBN-13: 978-1-932907-00-1. This book is actually about screenwriting but a lot of the information applies to novels. And it’s funny and entertaining.

Building Better Plots by Robert Kernen, Writer’s Digest Books, ISBN 0-89879-903-1. Everything you wanted to know about plotting but were afraid to ask. A really great guide.

Hooked: Write fiction that grabs readers at page one and never lets them go by Les Edgerton, Writer’s Digest Books, ISBN-13:978-1-58297-514-6. Although this book is focused mainly on openings to novels, it has a lot to say about plotting in general. I highly recommend this one!

Helpful links:

http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2007/09/novel-outlining-101.html

I like the way author Lynn Viehl explains how she builds her outlines, starting with a simple statement for each scene and adding on.

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

Randy Ingermanson explains his Snowflake method of plotting/outlining.

http://www.sff.net/people/alicia/artout.htm

Alicia Rasley tells us how to outline a novel in 30 minutes

http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/870156-Blank-Novel-Outline

Blank novel outline from Writer’s Digest

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/01/25/outlining-novel/

Author Joanna Penn discusses the merits of outlining

Do you outline/plot? What works best for you?

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Jana Richards is author of seven books and is a confirmed plotter. She can be found at http://www.janarichards.net , at my blog at http://janarichards.blogspot.com and at Facebook.

Her latest well-plotted book, THE GIRL MOST LIKELY is available from the Wild Rose Press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Want to win some goodies? Check out this exciting opportunity!

1– eReaders and eBooks are hot. So hot, they’re on fire! The Kindle Fire, that is.
I’m delighted to announce that I’m participating in the “Reading next to the (Kindle) Fire” holiday giveaway. The prize? A brand, spankin’ new Kindle Fire and 20+ eBooks in Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction, mystery and YA!  How do you enter? Simple.
1. Join my blog, and/or any of the blogs of the participating authors.
2. Click this link to be taken to official entry form. Fill in the required information (it’s just a few smidgens of info), and you’re entered! While you’re over there, check out the full list of participating authors and books to be given to the winner.

 

Jana Richards, Author of THE GIRL MOST LIKELY

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I am delighted to have my Wild Rose Press, Class of ’85 classmate and friend, Jana Richards, with me today to talk about her latest book, THE GIRL MOST LIKELY. Author of  7 books, Jana has been creating stories in her head all of her life–sometimes about real people but more often about people she made up.  It wasn’t until she was in her thirties that she began to put her stories down on paper.  She’s been at it for more than fifteen years, although she’s just recently become published in novel length fiction.  Jana says, “Just think of me as the poster child for perseverance!” She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with her husband Warren, two university age daughters, and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou. Jana also grows Lupins, Icelandic poppies and grapes in a tough environment, so it’s no surprise she has succeeded in writing in a competitive publishing world. Jana has generously agreed to provide a free e-copy of THE GIRL MOST LIKELY for one reader. All you have to do is comment or ask a question at the end of this interview to be entered to win.

Jana, after all these years of making stories up was there a specific moment in time or a turning point that made you flip the switch from creating stories to putting them on paper?

I can’t remember what book it was (and I’m not sure I’d tell you even if I did), but I was reading a romance novel and I said to myself “I could write this.” In my arrogance and naivety I believed I could do better, or at least just as well. I thought it looked easy. I soon found out I had a lot to learn. But once I started writing romance, I was hooked. I don’t think I could stop now if I wanted to.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least?

I most enjoy creating characters with problems and flaws as well as good qualities like kindness and integrity. My aim is to create a character that feels ‘real’ to the reader. I also love creating worlds for these characters and giving them situations that test them.

As much as I enjoy living in my head, one of my least favorite things about writing is the isolation. That’s why my writing groups and critique partners are so important to me. It’s also why I continue to work at my day job. I enjoy getting out and seeing my co-workers. A person’s got to get out of her pajamas sometime! The other thing I’m not so fond of is marketing and promotion. I really don’t have the knack for selling or knowing what it is that sells books.

Living in Baltimore, Maryland, I shiver just thinking about winter in Winnipeg. How do you think your harsh Canadian winters have prepared you for a writing career?

Wow, I’ve never given that question any thought before. Well, I do spend a lot of time indoors in the winter. What else are you going to do but write?

I’ve heard it said that a lot of musical groups developed in Winnipeg because of the isolation, and maybe the winter. We’re a six hour drive to the next major city and so a lot of musicians (eg: Neil Young, The Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive, The Weakerthans) learned their skills here playing in community clubs and other local venues. It’s a long winter and people have to do something to keep amused! But seriously, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the province next door where I grew up, both value the arts and literacy. There are a lot of writers and musicians who got their starts on the prairies. When you see that other writers from your area are successful it gives you the courage to say, “If they can do it, why can’t I?”

On your website you state “For some, high school was the best time of their lives, and for others it was the worst.” What were your high school years like? Have you ever attended your high school reunion? If not, why not? If yes, what surprised you the most?

My high school years weren’t awful, but they weren’t exactly terrific either. I come from a very small place; there were 24 of us in our graduating class, 18 girls and 6 boys. With those odds, I didn’t have a lot of dates. Anyway, most of us had been together since elementary school. It wasn’t like a large school where you’d have a choice of different people to hang around with, or different clubs to belong to. You saw the same people all day, every day. And if you didn’t get along, or somebody decided they didn’t like you, it could be tough. Even small schools had their cliques and ‘popular kids’. I went out of my way to get along with everyone. To this day, I’m something of a peace-maker and appeaser.

And yes, I did attend a high school reunion. I was 7 months pregnant at the time, so not exactly at my slimmest point! I can totally relate to my character’s desire to look good for her reunion.

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book–as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with?

The closest I came to that was with my book “A Long Way from Eden”. I really felt that I understood my characters and knew exactly what they were feeling, and that seemed to make the writing so much easier. I think it’s the quickest book I’ve ever written and then one that needed the least editing!

You’ve written 7 books in 15 years. What’s your favorite time management tip?

I am so not the person to be giving time management tips! The first four books that I published were ones that I had worked on for several years before I was first published and that I had “in the can”, so to speak. Let me tell you how long it took me to write “Till September”. My character, Hannah, has a nine year old son. I made Ryan nine because that’s how old my youngest daughter was when I began writing the book. By the time I finished it (after many rewrites) she was about 15 and I think she was 18 when it was actually published. Not exactly a fast writer here!

However, having said that, I have improved my speed over the years. Since 2009 I’ve written and published 3 books, with one more contracted. My early works suffered from endless rewrites. I would go in one direction with the plot, then get stuck and have to start all over. I think I’m a better writer now and know what works and what doesn’t, at least most of the time. I’ve also learned to trust my gut more and not be quite so indecisive about where to take the plot. I’ve also learned to take a few more chances that have made my writing more interesting.

So, the only time management tip I can offer is to do some planning of your story in advance. That way you can (hopefully) anticipate problems and plug plot holes before you even start writing. I find that doing some planning saves me time writing in the long run.

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer?

I’m definitely more of a plotter (see above question). I generally have some sort of loose outline/synopsis that I work out ahead of time, along with character sketches for my hero and heroine. But that doesn’t mean that things don’t grow organically during the writing of the story. Sometimes the characters or the plot takes me in unexpected places. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but occasionally I’ll still go off the rails. I like to think of my outline as my road map. It’s helping to guide me from my opening problem to my happy ending. But if I get off the main road to take a side trip once in a while, that only makes the trip more interesting. I just need to remember that I have to make my way back to the main road eventually!

If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be?

Keep learning your craft. Take writing classes, go to conferences, have your work critiqued, read writers you admire and dissect what it is that makes their writing great. Don’t be satisfied with where you are now; always strive to make your writing better.

Tell me more about THE GIRL MOST LIKELY. 

Cara McLeod, the girl most likely to have the perfect marriage, is now divorced and, in her own words, “fat, frumpy, and over forty.” The thought of facing former classmates—and the ex-husband who dumped her—at her high school reunion terrifies her. Cajoled into attending by her kids and her best friend, Cara enlists help at the gym to lose weight and look great for the reunion. Personal Trainer Finn Cooper is more than willing to help—but does he have to be so to-die-for gorgeous?

Finn thinks Cara is perfect just the way she is. She’s everything he wants in a woman, except for one thing—she can’t get past the fact that he’s eight years younger. To Finn, age and weight are just numbers. But can he convince Cara the numbers she worries about add up to only one thing for him—love?

How about an excerpt from THE GIRL MOST LIKELY?

He chuckled. “Jessica better watch her back. You could give her a run for her money.”

He heard Cara’s throaty laugh, and various parts of his anatomy tingled in response. “Yes, that’s my evil plan. Take over Rochester Noon, then the world.”

“If you set your mind to it, I’m sure you could do it.”

“Thanks Finn.”

“For what?”

“For believing in me.”

“Are you going to be okay now?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

He wanted so badly to tell her he loved her, adored her, thought she was the most amazing woman in the world. But fear stopped him. Was she truly over her ex-husband? Why else would losing weight for the reunion be so important to her if not to impress Peter?

“I’ve got to run. Thanks again. I’ll talk to you later at my condo, right?”

“Absolutely. I can hardly wait to hear about your big TV debut. Break a leg. Isn’t that what they say in show biz?”

She laughed. “Yeah, that’s what they say. Bye.”

Finn replaced the receiver and closed his eyes. He hoped everything went well with this interview. Cara deserved to realize how amazing she was.

If she did come to that realization, would there still be room in her life for him?

Where can readers find more about your books and you on the Internet?

I’m at http://www.janarichards.net , at my blog at http://janarichards.blogspot.com and at Facebook.

Jana, thanks you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.

Thank you for letting me take over your blog today. And thanks for the insightful questions.

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Want to win some goodies? Check out these two (2) exciting opportinities!

1– eReaders and eBooks are hot. So hot, they’re on fire! The Kindle Fire, that is.
I’m delighted to announce that I’m participating in the “Reading next to the (Kindle) Fire” holiday giveaway. The prize? A brand, spankin’ new Kindle Fire and 20+ eBooks in Romance, Paranormal, Science Fiction, mystery and YA!  How do you enter? Simple.
1. Join my blog, and/or any of the blogs of the participating authors.
2. Click this link to be taken to official entry form. Fill in the required information (it’s just a few smidgens of info), and you’re entered! While you’re over there, check out the full list of participating authors and books to be given to the winner.

2–Join me at The Romance Reviews Year End Splash for a month long event celebrating romance. I’m giving away two (2) e-copies of DESIRE AND DECEPTION. Stop by, chat with authors and enter contests to win lots of really cool prizes! 

Human Trafficking: It’s In Our Back Yards: Part II

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Last week, I posted on the who, what, where and when of human trafficking. Today, I will be posting on the why. Why should romance writers care? Why should they consider including it in their novels? We are all tuned into that radio station, WIFM, or “What’s In It For Me?” with good reason. We want to sell books and make money. So, let’s see how you can benefit from this topic as a writer and be a “do-gooder” at the same time.

(By way of reminder, I’m still celebrating KISS OF THE SILVER WOLF’s first birthday by selecting one lucky commenter on my blog each week up to October 31, 2011 to win an e-copy of my werewolves meets X-files novella. So, don’t delay, start commenting!)

*****

WIFM: Characters Wanted

Looking for some interesting characters? Try some of these:

Victims: children, women, men, families who through no fault of their own become victims of human trafficking.

Perpetrators/Villains: Family members–yes, you read that right. Families who do not value girls can sell them to traffickers to get the other family members through a famine, drought, etc. Fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts are all in the business. In the documentary, Born Into Brothels, one of the young women is told repeatedly by her “Auntie” that she’ll be “working the line” soon, i.e., working as a prostitute. Another little girl worries that she’ll be sold. Unlike drug and gun trafficking where men are in charge, human trafficking is an equal opportunity employer and women can rise through the ranks. Madams trafficking girls into brothels were  often victims of trafficking. Teenaged girls who might not trust a male family member, are more likely to go with a female family member–and then find themselves enslaved. Throw in organized and disorganized crime, corrupt politicians, police, and border guards and you will find no lack of villains.

Need a Hero and Heroine? Look at the list of agencies at the end of this blog for a sampling of the organizations involved in combating human trafficking. In addition to governmental agents (FBI, ICE, DHHS); good police, non-corrupt politicians,  and border guards, there are also Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs). Some are religious organizations, all are not-for-profits.

Need Secondary Characters? In DESIRE AND DECEPTION, my heroine (Sarah) found out about human trafficking by attending a conference sponsored by a Catholic university. A nun became Sarah’s mentor in the search for the nefarious trafficker.

WIFM: Plots Wanted

How about adapting some old plots to a not-so-new issue? Yes, we know there are a lot of variations on these themes, but look at the tropes and in the parentheses are ideas for tailoring them to a human trafficking story.

1. Secret Baby (Adoption Trafficking)
2. Cinderella (rags to riches) (Madams; Organs)
3. Opposites Attract (FBI agent, Crime boss)
4. Bodyguard (Protecting rich woman, nearly dies)
5. Second chance/First love rekindled (Oryx & Crake; children/teens torn apart)
6. Reunion (Woman/child reunited w/family)
7. Stranded (Lost and Trafficked)
8. Love Triangle (Pimp/Prostitute/John)
9. Marriage of Convenience (Mail-order Brides)
10. Beauty and the Beast (Captor/captive or C/c)

11. Sleeping Beauty/Ugly duckling (Drugged Woman/Awakened by Hero)
12. Amnesia (Head Injury & Trafficked)
13. Fish out of water (Abducted on vacation)
14. Blackmail/Revenge (Unfaithful lover)
15. Forbidden love (“Good”C/c)
16. Mentor/protégé (Boss/Employee)
17. Princess/Pauper; King/Beggar maid (Beggar children)
18. Bad boy/good girl; Bad girl/good boy (C/c)
19. Best Friends (One seeks trafficked friend)
20. The Road to Adventure (Boy soldiers/Captive “brides”)

(Adapted with permission from Jana Richards 20 Classic Romance Plots)

What Can You Do As Citizens?

Here are some simple ways to be involved:

  • Become informed and raise awareness through writing, presentations and workshops;
  • Buy only Fair Trade goods (e.g., flowers, chocolate, clothing, rugs, etc.)
  • Demand that laws against human trafficking be created and enforced (did you know 9 states in the US have weak or NO anti-trafficking laws? (Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Montana, South Carolina and South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Hawaii and Ohio. (http://bit.ly/ntzjCL)
  • Advocate for reduced demand through:
    • Creation of John’s schools (like a DUI school for first offenders) teach men that prostitution is not a victimless crime if you are forced into it against your will.
    • Call for corporate policies that mandate no purchasing of goods created by slaves.
    • Zero tolerance in tourism, real estate, advertising and related industries who benefit from human trafficking. In Paris, France, authorities boarded up an expensive condominium the owner had rented to sex traffickers. His real estate investment was gone.

What Can You Do As A Romance Writer?

Romance writers have long tackled difficult women’s issues, such as domestic violence and addiction. Romance writers can tell a fictional story that is less threatening to readers to expose them to the world of human trafficking. Romance writers can show readers what individuals can do. Romance writers can make a difference.

References and Resources

Films  & Documentaries

  • Taken
  • Frozen River
  • Revenge
  • Human Trafficking
  • Slum Dog Millionaire
  • Trade
  • Sin Nombre (Without a Name)
  • Born into Brothels
  • Lilya 4-Ever
  • Selling of Innocents
  • National Geographic BORDER WARS (Cable)

A Small Sampling of Nonfiction Books

  • Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy by Kevin Bales
  • Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective by Louise Shelley
  • The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today by Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter
  • Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade–and How We Can Fight It by David Batstone
  • Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery by Siddarth Kara
  • The Whistleblower: Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors, and One Woman’s Fight for Justice by Kathryn Bolkovac

A Small Sampling of Fiction Books

  • Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
  • The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
  • Wiser Than Serpents (Mission: Russia #3) by Susan May Warren
  • Blood Ransom (Mission Hope Series) by Lisa Harris
  • Stolen Woman (Stolen Series) by Kimberly Rae

Online Resources

PS: Stop by and enter to win more spooktacular prizes from October 26-31 at http://theromancestudio.com/party.

Kathleen Grieve, Author of DATING 911 Series on Funny vs Sexy POV

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Good morning!  I’d love to thank Sharon for hosting me here today at Snap, Crackle & Popping Blog!  I was driving home from work the other morning and the radio Dj’s threw a question out to listeners—Are men more attracted to a woman who is funny or sexy when they first meet her?  I thought, why couldn’t men be attracted to a woman who is both?  Well, the Dj’s being MEN, shot that down and said it was downright impossible for a man to be attracted to a woman who is both funny and sexy because that woman doesn’t necessarily exist.  Another statement I disagreed with.

But then my thoughts turned to my current hero in my upcoming release DATING 911 firefighter Jett Avery. Sure he’s got his issues—but when he first interacts with my heroine Roxanne Carter, is he attracted to her because she’s funny? Or Sexy?

I believe his reaction to her has everything to do with his current emotional circumstances.  Jett is in one frame of mind.  He needs to forget…  His initial reaction is purely sexual.  As his character evolves, and he learns more about himself and Roxanne, he’s attracted to and falls in love with the complete package.

So, Mr. Radio Dj, my opinion had I called in to your station would have been this—It isn’t humor or how sexy a woman is that would attract me to her first if I were a man.  My reaction would totally depend on life’s circumstances and how my life was going.

~Maybe I haven’t been laid in a while and am on the prowl for a hook up.

~Maybe I’ve gotten a bonus at work and am looking for someone to share it with.

~Maybe I’ve been so damn depressed lately; I want to be around someone who is the life of the party.

Maybe…Maybe…Maybe… There are so many possibilities!  I’d love to hear what you think!  Do you believe a man is more attracted to a woman because she’s sexy or funny when he first meets her?  One lucky commenter will receive a free digital copy of my upcoming release, DATING 911 due out from Evernight Publishing on Wednesday, October 12!!  Just two days away… The buy link is www.evernightpublishing.com

Blurb:

Emergency room nurse, Roxanne Carter is a loser-magnet wishing she could enjoy her single life. Commiserating with girlfriends over butterscotch martinis creates the idea of The Dating Manifesto–a not so scientific research project which promises to point the way to dating success.  While gathering data to find the most suitable single men available, she wades through a series of unsavory, stale dates, which literally places her back at ground zero.  Just when she is ready to give up, sin personified in the form of sexy firefighter Jett Avery, arrives tainting all of her previous data.

A traumatic warehouse fire, in which firefighter Jett Avery’s closest friend dies, has him suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.  Attempting to stave off the worst of his depression, he decides to use his brand of therapy…Sex. The remedy has lost luster until he encounters ER nurse Roxanne Carter.

The pursuit of Roxanne by Jett’s twin brother, Doctor Cruz Avery, complicates her research and interferes with Jett’s therapy.  Does Roxanne choose the brother who by analysis is the perfect match? Or the broken, dark and irresistible one?

Excerpt (PG-17):

She held up her hands, palms facing toward him.  “Stop.  This is a hospital.  Not some stupid television show where the medical staff is always making out in a closet.  I work here.  Don’t even think about it!”

Jett closed the distance between them until her hands pressed against his chest, searing their imprint through the thin cotton of his T-shirt.  He grasped her fingers and lifted them to his mouth, licking the sensitive tips with his tongue one by one.  Heat filled her eyes and she trembled.

“You feel the pull, too.  Don’t you?” he asked, dropping her hand.

Jett slid his hands to her waist, and molded her against his erection.  A perfect fit.  Her sharp intake of breath as she shook her head told him all he needed to know.  He smiled.  Satisfaction filled him.

“Liar.  Shake your head in denial all you want, but I can see the reflection mirrored in your eyes, and feel the powerful draw when I touch you,” he said in a husky tone.  He rubbed his stiff cock against her stomach.  The intensity of his desire eliminated all reason.

Jett buried his face in her neck and breathed in her sweetness.  “Hmm.  Today you smell like chocolate.”  His tongue traced the delicate shell of her ear as his hands stroked her bare arms.  “But you taste like honey.”

Her knees bent and he placed his leg between hers to support her.  On the brink of total insanity, he continued his light exploration.  His hand skimmed her torso, and skirted the side of her breast.  With slow, deliberate care, he let his fingertips graze her collarbone on the way to grasp the back of her neck.  Another tremor rippled through her.

God, she felt so damn good.

She tilted her chin and her head rested in his open palm.  “Jett,” her sultry voice caused his penis to throb.  “This is not a good idea.  Anyone could come in here and….”

He pushed his thigh against her crotch.  She inhaled sharply, desire deepening the blue of her eyes.  “You were saying?”

Her brow furrowed.  “And…”

“Intoxicating being a little naughty, isn’t it?” he rasped.  He gently tugged her face closer to his.  “Hmm.  I believe you mentioned the other night that your most recent sexual exploits have been lacking.  Let’s add something of interest for your science venture.”

To learn more about me and my books, stop by www.kathleengrieve.com

Or my blog, Keeping a Pulse on Life & Romance http://www.kathleengrieve.blogspot.com where I share snippets of my upcoming works in progress and upcoming releases.

PS: Sharon is still celebrating KISS OF THE SILVER WOLF’s first birthday by selecting one lucky commenter on her blog each week up to October 31, 2011 to win an e-copy of my werewolves meets X-files novella. So, don’t delay! Start commenting! And to enter to win more spooktacular prizes, stop by the TRS Halloween party at http://theromancestudio.com/party.

An Interview with Rachel Brimble, Author of Paying the Piper

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This week I am thrilled to have the very talented Rachel Brimble as a guest on my blog. She and I met through the Class of ’85 Series with the Wild Rose Press. Please welcome her today and remember, I’m celebrating KISS OF THE SILVER WOLF’s first birthday by selecting one lucky commenter on my blog each week up to October 31, 2011 to win an e-copy of my werewolves meets X-files novella. So, don’t delay! Start commenting!

I am thrilled to be appearing on Sharon’s blog today! We met online via The Wild Rose Press yahoo group and Twitter. She is a lovely, generous and fantastic writer, who I count among my many good US friends. I specify US because I am British and lived in the UK all my life but write for the American market. I often talk to my American friends online than I do my living, breathing UK ones here, lol!

So even though I am here to promote my latest release, Paying The Piper (coming September 19th, yay!), I thought I would talk about one of the places I am lucky enough to live by that often serves as a setting for my stories, but not for Paying The Piper, because I know how you guys like to see our English countryside.

I live in one of the most beautiful counties in the UK, called Wiltshire which is in South West England. Biddestone is a tiny village, just a short fifteen minutes from where I live and where my husband would like us to retire.

I mention Biddestone in my short novella, Transatlantic Loving which is part of the Wild Rose Press Class of ’85 series (it’s actually Biddlestone in the story). It is nothing short of beautiful and lots of US tourists visit there as a short stop on their tour of Bath.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4244

My family and I often start our long treks across the country at Biddestone as gorgeous fields and landscape surround it. My mad Labrador, Max can roam to his heart’s content. The place is steeped in history, right back to the Saxon age. However, most of the buildings and houses are late eighteenth century and built from stunning creamy-yellow Bath stone.

The houses, the chapels, the glistening pond in its center and even the two pubs (which serve some of the best food I’ve ever tasted), all provide fascinating fodder for story ideas.

The story I am writing next, a short historical novella, will be set here and will tell the story of Lady Tasmin, who was a secondary character in my novel, The Arrival of Lily Curtis. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures I snapped on our latest outing there.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_138&products_id=4124

I am known for my genre hopping so in complete contrast Paying The Piper is set in a large town (again in South West England) against the background of nightclubs and debauchery. Couldn’t be more different than the atmosphere I intend to create for Lady Tasmin, lol!

Here’s the blurb & buy link:

Blurb:

Nightclub manager Grace Butler is on a mission to buy the pub where her mother’s ashes are scattered but the owner wants to sell to anyone but her. And that owner happens to be her father…who has a secret she will do anything to discover.

Social worker and all around good guy Jimmy Betts needs funds to buy a house for three special kids before their care home closes. Time is running out and he’s desperate for cash. He agrees to to a one-time ‘job’ for bad-man Karl Butler. But in a sudden turn of events, Jimmy finds himself employed by Karl’s beautiful, funny and incredibly sexy daughter, Grace. Their lives couldn’t be more different, yet one thread binds them: they’re both trying to escape the bonds of their fathers. Maybe the only way they’ll be free is by being together, instead of alone.

http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=424

Looking forward to chatting with you!

Hearts in Darkness Treasure Hunt!

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Two strangers. Four hours. One pitch-black elevator.

It’s National Talk in an Elevator Day (seriously!) and what better day to celebrate Hearts in Darkness?  This top-rated contemporary romance is about two strangers who find acceptance and dare to find love while trapped for four hours in a pitch-black elevator.

While you’re here…Meet the Hero and Heroine

MEET MAKENNA JAMES:

Age: 25

Eye Color: Blue

Glasses or contacts: No
Weight: 145

Height: 5’7”
Skin tone: Fair

Shape of face: Heart

Distinguishing Marks: None
Predominant feature: Red hair

Hair color & type: Red, wavy
Character’s typical hairstyle: Long
Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Band: Kings of Leon

Favorite Food: Thai

Favorite Movie: Anything Stupid Humor

Occupation: Forensic Accountant

Siblings: 3 brothers

Phobias: None

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Lives Now: Arlington, VA

 

MEET CADEN GRAYSON:

Age: 28

Eye Color: Brown

Glasses or contacts: No
Weight: 210

Height: 6’2”
Skin tone: Medium

Shape of face: Oval

Distinguishing marks: 7 Tattoos, 2 Piercings, 2 scars
Predominant feature: Head scar

Hair color & type: Brown, skull trim
Character’s typical hairstyle: Shaved

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Band: Kings of Leon

Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Movie: Anything Stupid Humor

Occupation: EMT

Siblings: 1 brother, deceased

Phobias: Claustrophobia

Hometown: Fairfax, VA

Lives Now: Arlington, VA

So, we’re celebrating all this elevator-related goodness with a Treasure Hunt Giveaway! Here’s how to play:

1) Find the hidden word on each of the participating sites, usually 1 page off the main page

2) Keep track of the sites/words as you search

3) Email your findings to laurakayepromotions AT gmail DOT com and put Treasure Hunt in the subject heading. Entries accepted through 12 noon PST Saturday 7/30!

What can you win???

GRAND PRIZE: $50 AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE

FIRST RUNNER-UP: $20 DIGIBOOKS CAFÉ GIFT CERTIFICATE W/20% OFF CODE

SECOND RUNNER-UP: BAG OF HEARTS swag bag

Here’s where the treasure is buried:

1) For the Love of Books http://fourtheloveofbooks.blogspot.com/

2) Book Wenches http://www.bookwenches.com/laurakayestreasure.htm

3) My Eclectic Bookshelf www.myeclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com

4) MyVampFiction www.myvampfiction.com

5) Where’s my Muse? http://csmaxwell.blogspot.com/

6) Author AJ Nuest http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

7) Author Jill James http://www.jilljameswrites.com/blog

8) Author Joya Fields http://joyafieldswriting.blogspot.com/

9) Author Sarah Grimm http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com

10) Author Sharon Buchbinder www.sharonbuchbinder.com/blog

 

When you’re done, stop over to Laura’s own blog for another fun giveaway opportunity!

Thanks for reading and playing!

Laura Kaye

Hot, Heartfelt Romance – Because everyone longs to belong…

Laura is a multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance with five books releasing in 2011

Read the reviews here!

Buy from amazon! | Buy from DigiBooks Café!

Follower Laura Kaye on twitter | facebook

Guest Author Vicki Batman: Whose Head Am I In, Anyway?

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I’m excited to have one of the first people I met at the RWA Annual in 2009 in Washingto n, D.C. You know how you just click with some people? Smart and witty, Vicki Batman got my warped sense of humor. If you’ve never met Vicki, let me introduce you to her now.

Like some of her characters, Vicki has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm. The list is…endless.

Born in Dallas, a graduate of Texas Tech, she is married to Handsome, has two big boys, two attention-demanding cats, and two adorable poopies.

Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004 she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. Recently, she was awarded the 2010 Robin Teer Memorial Service Award.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??“

Vicki: Hi, Sharon. Thanks for having me here to blog about POV.

To be clear, POV (Point of View) is the perspective of the character we’re writing about, what they are experiencing and saying.

There are several kinds, but most often used is first person and third person.

I tend to write in first. Why? Because it is very natural for me, almost feeling like an extension of myself. I embody the character. When I began writing, a lot of critiques came in, saying writing in First Pis “chick-lit” style. I thought the comment weird as many mystery writers had been writing in First for a long time. See my favorites: Janet Evanovich and Dick Francis.

Also, the comment struck me that I was doing something wrong.

I’ve read other posts some readers won’t read First POV at all. Really? They seemed to describe it as a horrible hairy spider. Rather extreme.

First POV allows the reader to crawl into the protagonist’s skin. To experience what he/she smells, tastes, feels, sees. The reader can almost reach out and really sense the stroke of a rose petal, smell the hero’s citrusy soap scent, taste the chocolate in her kiss through the character.

So what’s so bad about that? I dunno.

I’ve written stories in third. They are fine works. I can even hop from one character’s head to another. But it isn’t my favorite. I’m not in their skin like I am in first.

So what do you think? Sharon–Any thoughts?

Sharon: So, here I am in my head, and you can tell that from the bold look of my font. LOL! But, in a book, changing fonts is pretty limited to italics or CAPS. And if I write all in CAPS, then I’m shouting at the reader.

Unless I’m writing an essay or a blog, I favor the third person. Yes, I received the same feedback you did on my first manuscript, a mystery. And the major comment that hit me was that if I wanted to write romantic suspense in the first person then what I could “see” and thus “show” to my reader with my eyes as the camera, if you will, would be limited. I wouldn’t be able to show the hero’s POV or the villain’s POV–and for me that was a show stopper. I know there are some authors who can pull off the “I” and switch to “he” or “she.” At this point, I think I need to stick to what will sell. If I were a huge name author, I could probably tell it in second person. Now, there’s a trick. “You did this” and “you did that.” Sounds accusatory, doesn’t it?

How do you feel about the slipstream effect, where the reader just slides into the other point of view mid-scene? Karen Rose is extraordinarily good at this. Some of us haven’t mastered the “Signal-Anchor-Pass-the-Baton” technique as Laurie Saunders calls it in her “Deep POV” course, which I highly recommend.

Most importantly, we as authors have the obligation to not confuse our readers, or head-hop so much that people get whiplash.  How do you keep your reader oriented, Vicki?

Vicki: I’m surprised by your comment someone told you couldn’t write romantic suspense in First Person. I have no doubt that if I continued to write in Third, my skills would improve.  Writing in First enables the heroine to see, thus providing first had knowledge. Yes, most things have to be told or experienced through this character. Nothing is horrible about that. I find it is what  we do every day.

I’ve read Karen Rose, Sharon, and I agree, she transitions beautifully. Highly recommend her work.

As for orienting the reader—being in First Person automatically orients the reader from the very first I or WE. The reader knows who is telling the story. For me, the challenge is when to insert the heroine’s name and characteristics. She can’t exactly say her name or describe herself. It reads weird. But there are ways to handle this skillfully.

First works so well in my novella, “I Believe.” Here’s an example:

This conversation was going nowhere except down the Port-A-Potty. But as I sat there and thoughts passed through what little brains my dad teased I had, I noticed the girls shared a distinct look, like they knew something I didn’t. Each lifted one brow, a shoulder raised in a bare shrug, as if they were communicating through . . . telepathy.

How weird. Definitely suspicious.

We’ve all been in this situation before–observing others around us who are chatting, knitting, eating, whatever. And when our friends communicate with each other in their distinct way, we know how it feels. Here, the heroine of “I Believe” is feeling weird and different, shown through her Deep POV.

Once, I wrote a whole story, had it critiqued, ready for submission, then did my last pass through.  Cha-ching! No name, no description of her. But I believe this worked to my advantage because I inserted these parts in and made a better impact. I really, really liked what I did.

My personal challenge is to find ways not to overdo I, ME pronouns. Too much sounds self-centered.

So Sharon, how does writing in one chapter and changing in the next work for you?

Sharon: Honestly, I like being able to change POV. In Desire and Deception, I used three points of view: Sarah (the amateur sleuth and goody-two shoes), Dan (Sarah’s husband) and Isabel (the man-eater). When I first began writing the book, I thought the story belonged to Sarah. But Izzy took over the story. Both are complex characters with challenging childhoods (one of the reasons they become best friends) but Izzy changed the most in the book, so that’s when I knew it was her story.

In the sequel, Desire and Obsession, a recovering addict must work with a Mexican drug lord to rescue her one-year-old son from the clutches of a cult leader who believes the child is the Chosen One. This book will be a bit more complicated to write, as it will have four POVs and I’m going to have to be particularly careful about anchoring the reader to each character’s POV.  The heroine’s sole focus is on getting her son away from the cult leader, but she has to work with someone who is totally repellant to her. I think the story will belong to the hero, an ATFE operative posing as a mobster. He has a lot of anger and thirsts for revenge. I’m looking forward to writing more in his head. The cult leader’s wife is a battered woman who believes that her husband has the true word of God. She was prepared by her childhood to fall under his spell. She has become very real to me through my examination of her motives. The cult leader/villain is particularly odious and I love being in his screwed up mind for short visits. I’ve been reading up on cults and watching documentaries to learn more about these types of leaders. My critique partners think he deserves to be killed with something Biblical, like a pillar of fire. We shall see!

Any final words of advice for our readers today, Vicki?

Vicki: Odious villain, Sharon? WOW.

When writing First Person POV, embody your character fully. Imagine her surroundings and describe them as she sees them. Make her dialogue genuine to her character. Use Deep POV for her internal thoughts about what she is seeing, feeling, and experiencing. And finally, First is very intimate! Don’t toss aside a book written in First. You will be surprised how you experience the character. It’s cool!!

To learn more about Vicki and what she’s up to, go to http://vickibatman.blogspot.com
And to find her hot new book, I Believe, go to https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/275

Put Some Sizzle in Your Summer Reading!

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You know you want that beach bag filled with the perfect summer reads. Hot reads, sultry reads, sizzling reads, right?

Well, just in time for your planning and packing, the Romance Reviews is having a SIZZLING SUMMER READS party. This will be a two months’ long carnival of fun events with prizes galore. Activities will take participants all over the review site as they answer Q&A provided by authors, visit featured books and chat with authors and fellow book lovers at The Lounge.  Prizes will include gift certificates, book giveaways and lots more!

Romance will be the focus for the month of June and Erotic/GLBT for July.

Kiss of the Silver Wolf will be given away to one lucky reader who answers my Q & A correctly in June.

Desire and Deception will be given away to one lucky reader who answers my Q & A correctly in July. So, make a note on your calendar and bookmark the Romance Reviews for a good time!