Posted by: Author | September 20, 2011

Words, Words, Words

I got on a roll last night when I got home from the day job and wrote a whole chapter. It was awesome that the words were flowing like they did. This book is coming together pretty quickly but last night was magic. It was an intense chapter and I hope I got the medical details right. I’m pretty sure I did, but I’m going to ask my friend the doctor to read it and see what he thinks.  I’ve known him since I was 9 and he was 7 and he won’t pull any punches and he’ll sure tell me if I’m full of crap.

Of course, we are talking about 1947 medicine so there will be none of those fancy machines he uses now.  We’ll test his “field” medicine skills.  I’m sure he’s up to the task as he’s one of the most brilliant men I know.

I hope the faucet stays on as I start Chapter eight tonight.   I love words when they flow!

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Posted by: Author | September 19, 2011

Special Guest: Michelle Miles

Today I have a guest who I met on twitter. We bonded over the chest of the actor that plays Captain Morgan in the commercial that I’m attaching to the end of this post.  Michelle Miles is one of the writers who has a short story in the Entangled Anthology and I asked her to come on and talk about it a little. I’ve read her story in this anthology and it is quite spectacular. The hero sounds tres divine.  Her bio in the book says she’s a lover of Victoria Holt and is a pantser- I knew I liked her for more reasons than Captain Morgan and his chest.  Without further ado, here she is:

MICHELLE:  Wrapped Up in Entangled

 First, I want to thank fellow Tweeter, Jillian Chantal, for having me here today! We share a love of Captain Morgan. The guy on the commercial. Not the booze. Well, okay, maybe the booze too.

 One of the things I love most about being a writer is giving back. I’ve been a contest coordinator for several years and I love calling those unpublished folks to tell them they’ve finaled. I’ve befriended several along the way and kept up with them. I like hearing about their successes and even when they get a rejection (because that’s still a success).

 When I was asked to be a part of the Entangled Anthology, I was ecstatic. This was a chance to give back in a different kind of way. Being able to share my story and being a part of a group of eleven authors who are all giving back to the same cause has been awesome. Cancer has claimed several of my family members, so I not only do this for breast cancer, but for all cancer.

 All the proceeds for the Entangled anthology are going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade. Their research has revealed that the “cure” is a mosaic made up of as many approaches to diagnosing, treating, preventing and surviving as there are different types of breast cancer. The anthology is also a mosaic made up of many stories donated for this worthwhile cause.

 Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal stories from me as well as authors Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer and Edie Ramer, plus a novella by Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword and the book’s formatting and cover art were also donated to the project.

 To help support BCRF, you can purchase your copy of Entangled (ebook only) from Barnes  Noble, Amazon, Smashwords, and other online retailers.

 Michelle Miles is published in contemporary, paranormal and fantasy romance and is a member of Romance Writers of America. For more information about her and her books, visit her website at http://www.michellemiles.net.

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Posted by: Author | September 18, 2011

Music and How Important It Is To My Process

About two weeks ago, the Tuesday after Labor day, I started writing the second book in the Gambler Series. I had a general idea of who the hero is since he’s the brother of the hero in book one, but he was just mentioned in passing as a ladies man in book one, so I had a lot of leeway with him. I knew he was going to be an American who joined the Royal Air Force at the time of the Blitz because he wanted to be part of the action. 

I also knew my heroine was going to be French and part of the Resistance. I also knew she was going to sneak on board the Queen Mary as the ship repatriated the war brides. I knew there would be murders in the story.  

That was about all I knew. As most of you know, I’m a panster and may have a general idea of the story but never the whole thing or an outline. I like the journey of discovery too much for that. I also usually have a soundtrack for each story. I’d been listing some potential songs for book two as well as book three of this series but had not downloaded them or really listened to them as a playlist, per se, before I started writing because I wasn’t sure I was going to write them. I pitched book one as the first in a series and if the publisher didn’t want two and three, I wasn’t going to spend the time writing them yet.

The first days were hard. The words weren’t flowing. Then I went to lunch with two writer friends. I was bemoaning the fact that the words were dragging out of me and then the lightbulb went on. DUH- I hadn’t immersed myself in the music I’d chosen. I normally listen to the specific play list in the car, at my office while I work on legal stuff and pretty much anytime I can have it going. So, that night, I downloaded the song list I’d made for book two and started listening. Guess what? The faucet turned on and the words flowed.  How wild is that?

Some of the songs on the playlist are still mysteries as to why my  brain chose them, but the subconscious is a powerful thing and I know the reasons are there. I’ll discover them on the journey. I’ll share that list soon. For now, I’ll share one song that I thought meant one thing to the hero and I discovered on Saturday as I wrote that there was a whole other subplot there for him.

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Posted by: Author | September 16, 2011

Friday Facts- September 16, 2011- Emeralds

Long prized by the upper classes of Egypt, the emerald, a type of  gem called beryls, was rumored to be the favorite of Cleopatra- she even had her own mine of them. Interestingly, Elizabeth Taylor, who played Cleopatra in a film version of the story with Richard Burton, received emeralds from him as both engagement and wedding gifts (maybe not so interestingly- as it was the film where they fell in love, right?)

Anyway, Emeralds are said to bring luck in love as well as faithfulness. It also gives the wearer wisdom. Let’s hope it brings wisdom in choosing love as well, right?

The emerald is May’s birthstone. It has healing properties for the eyes, lungs, and heart, by tradition.

My dear friend, Arabella Stokes has a Georgian historical romance coming out in November with Champagne Books and she got an awesome cover. It’s this cover that inspired today’s Friday Fact. Check it out:

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Posted by: Author | September 15, 2011

Catch the Rush! Lynn Rush, That Is!

EDITED TO ADD:  THE WINNER OF THE BOOK FROM LYNN IS ERIN RAIN! CONGRATS TO ERIN. THANKS TO ALL WHO COMMENTED.

Today I have my friend, Lynn Rush, here as my guest. Her debut novel, Wasteland, was released earlier this month and she sat down and answered my questions.  Enjoy!

What was the inspiration for this story?

At the time I wrote it, I wasn’t sure. But now, as I’m thinking about it during these interview questions, I realized my being unemployed had something to do with the story. I was forced into something I didn’t ask for, nor did I wantàbeing let go from a job I’d enjoyed for many years.

 David’s forced into something he didn’t ask for nor did he want it, too, so as I stepped back from the whole story, I see where that possibly came from.

 Tell us about the Guardians. What are they? How do they come into existence? How do we get one? What part of them is human?  Are they gods? Or godlike? Immortal?

We learn a bunch more about the Guardians in the next book, but we get a hint about them in Wasteland for sure. They’re pretty much one step below angels. They’re focused solely on helping and protecting humans from the predatory demons looking for some souls—but Michael, the archangel, is who decides the who, what, where, and when in regards to the Guardian’s charges. They start out as human but turn near or around puberty. They’re marked from birth, though. J  And the only thing that can kill them is beheading.

 Does David believe he can be freed?

Deep down I think he believes but is scared to trust it. Four hundred years as a half-demon is hard to shake out of, you know?

 What ties David to his demonic half over his human half?

David’s mother signed a contract with her blood before he was even conceived. Signing away the soul of a first born is powerful in itself, but add Lucifer’s signature on the contract…. Very binding. Even Master, the one who “raised” David, can’t touch it (or David!)

 How old is David? His mother?

David’s been around for four centuries. His mother was human, and she died during child birth. Pretty ironic, huh? She sells her firstborn’s soul but then dies while birthing him. Can’t trust Lucifer to pay out his promise of riches and an easy life.

 Do you have any other stories based in this same world?

No other stories, but I have a rough draft of book two to Wasteland, which I’m tentatively calling, Awaited. It’s not contracted or anything, but Crescent Moon Press had first right of refusal.

 Do you have any sequels to this book?

See above.  J

 What are five characteristics of David that will make us love him? Hate him?

Beneath his demon half, he’s very honorable, trustworthy, and fiercely protective of what he deems his. But yet he is vicious when it comes to obtaining his assigned targets—he’s killed many innocent people.

 Same questions as above on Rebeka.

She’s very pure, and protecting her charges is priority number one. She’s naïve yet very tough. She can kick some serious butt. Yet, how she tempts David, it’s just…naughty!

 Tell us a little secret about David and about Rebeka that’s part of the back story and not in the book.
Beka loves strawberry frosted pop tarts. Eats them every single morning if she can. Thinks they are the best invention in all her centuries alive.

David loves little babies. Doesn’t dare touch them, of course, for fear of hurting them because he’s so big. But they mesmerize him, like a campfire flame.

~~~~~~

Thanks for having me here, Jillian. This was fun!

I have an e-book version of Wasteland up for grabs if you guys leave a comment. It can be anything. A question for me, about the book, or just a quick hello…DAVID might even stop by to say hello, too. . .  He’s been known to do that.

If you want to earn a second entry into the drawing, just tweet about this blog post (include @lynnrush & the hashtag #Wasteland) and you’ll get an extra entry.

I’ll draw a winner tomorrow and drop you an email if your name was chosen, so be sure to put your email address in your comment, okay??

Short Bio of Lynn:

Lynn Rush began her writing career in 2008. She has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in the mental health field and has enjoyed applying that unique knowledge to developing unique characters.

A former inline speed skater and mountain biker, Lynn has been known to test the limits of her athletic endurance. So, when she’s not writing, she spends time enjoying the Arizona sunshine by road biking nearly 100 miles per week with her husband of fifteen years and going on jogs with her loveable Shetland Sheep dogs.

Catch the Rush: www.lynnrush.com

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Posted by: Author | September 14, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

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Posted by: Author | September 13, 2011

Signed Contracts and the Pressure to Perform

On Saturday, I got three contracts in the mail. One for The Gambler, one for The Gambler’s Brother, and one for The Gambler’s Daughter.  The editor in chief of Desert Breeze Publishing, Gail Delaney, has suggested the series title of Gambler’s Inheritance. I really like that. It fits the series quite well and think that’s what we’re going to call it. I’m leaving that up to her. I’m super excited to work with this publisher again. They have amazing people on staff, awesome fellow writers, and spectacular covers.

I’m excited and a little apprehensive about the process of writing a series. The Gambler is finished and I’m pretty happy with it  right now (although I do know it’ll get better in the editorial process). I think it has a unique spin and I’m proud of how clever I think I was. LOL!  I’ve got a general idea of where the other two books are going. After all, I did prepare a paragraph proposal on each that I sent with the full manuscript of The Gambler.

The apprehension comes from having agreed to write two books on proposal. I’ve never done that before, and being a pantser, I’m having a bit of angst about the worthiness about the next books. I’m three chapters into the second one (started writing it the end of last week) and I have days I think it’s going well and then I have days I think it’s dull, dull, dull.  Of course, I have the same angst on every book I write but this time it feels different. It’s amazing how different it feels when there’s already a contract on the thing! The pressure is on to perform well. LOL!

Here’s hoping the next two in the series are as clever as I want them to be.  Or as clever as I think the first one is.  Here’s the inspiration for my hero and heroine:

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Posted by: Author | September 12, 2011

Interview About ENTANGLED

Yesterday, I told you about a book coming out today that the procceds will be donated to breast cancer research. Here’s an interview about it. 

Q: Tell us about Entangled.

A: Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal stories from authors Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, Michelle Miles, and Edie Ramer, plus a brand new Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword and the book’s formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan. All proceeds from the sale of Entangled will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

 Q: Are the stories connected?

A: The anthology has a Halloween theme, so the stories all have Halloween elements in them.

 Q: Are they all one genre?

A: All the stories paranormal, but some are heavier on suspense, while others have more romance. We even have a young adult story by Jennifer Estep that’s related to herMythosAcademyseries.

 Q: How did you all come up with the decision to do this book? Who initiated it and how did you all get together?

A: Edie Ramer and Misty Evans wanted to do a collaboration together, and over three or four emails earlier this year, they decided to do a paranormal anthology of short stories and have the proceeds go to breast cancer. They invited authors whose books they read and enjoyed, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

 Q: Tell us more about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

A: BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade. Their research has revealed that the “cure” is a mosaic made up of as many approaches to diagnosing, treating, preventing and surviving as there are different types of breast cancer. The anthology is also a mosaic made up of many stories donated for this worthwhile cause.

 Q: Is there a time limit on purchasing Entangled so the proceeds go to the BCRF?

A: Entangled will available for at least a year and all proceeds will go to BCRF, no matter when it’s purchased. After a year, if it’s still selling well, we’ll keep it available, and again, all proceeds will go to BCRF.

 Q: How much will the ebook cost?

A: Entangled will be discounted to $2.99 during September and October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. After that the price will go up to $3.99. For stories of this caliber, it’s a fantastic deal at either price.

 Q: Can people donate to the cause even if they can’t or don’t want to purchase Entangled?

A: Absolutely. Go to  http://www.bcrfcure.org to make a donation in your name, or in the name of someone you know who’s been touched by breast cancer.

Here’s some info on the stories in the book:

Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan. 

Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.

 All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 Stories include:

 HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of theMythosAcademy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It’s Halloween atMythosAcademy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them.

 THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat.

 MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits ofSt. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever.

 SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches.

 SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Meyer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.

 A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it’s up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she’ll either have to prove his innocence…or watch the whole town go up in flames.

 SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.

 A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.

 FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.

 BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other ‘special’ inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.

 GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.

 

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Posted by: Author | September 11, 2011

Wanna Help The Fight Against Breast Cancer?

Authors4TheCure Donating Book Proceeds To Breast Cancer Research

 Eleven authors have banded together to support breast cancer research with their writing. Authors4theCure, which includes award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, as well as two breast cancer survivors, is donating proceeds from the sale of their paranormal anthology, Entangled, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

 BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade. Their research has revealed that the “cure” is a mosaic made up of as many approaches to diagnosing, treating, preventing and surviving as there are different types of breast cancer. The anthology is also a mosaic made up of many stories donated for this worthwhile cause.

 Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal stories from authors Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, Michelle Miles, and Edie Ramer, plus a novella by Allison Brennan. Stacia Kane contributed the foreword and the book’s formatting and cover art were also donated to the project.

 Entangled will release September 12, 2011, and will be available as an ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other online retailers.  BY THE WAY, I WAS ABLE TO DOWNLOAD TO MY KINDLE APP TODAY!!

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Posted by: Author | September 10, 2011

Hanover Street, the movie

Have you ever seen the movie called Hanover Street? It’s a film set during WWII. The hero of the story is played by Harrison Ford. He’s an American who enlisted in the RAF when the Blitz was on. He falls for Lesley Anne Down and they begin an affair. She’s a British nurse married to a man who works in the war office. He’s played by Christopher Plummer. 

It’s a great story of love and sacrifice. The actors are all excellent and it has a beautiful script. I love, love this movie. I own it both on VHS and DVD.

Right now, I’m working on book two of my series of books set on the RMS Queen Mary- the hero in this book is the brother of the hero in book one.  Book one is called The Gambler and book two is The Gambler’s Brother. Jeremy Northam is the inspiration for the hero in book one- Dirk McSwain. Harrison Ford is the inspiration for the hero in book two- Bo McSwain. Book one comes out in April 2012 and book two in October 2012 from Desert Breeze Publishing. There will also be a book three called The Gambler’s Daughter.

Check out these pictures: can you see them as brothers? I sure can.

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