SINsational Saturday Series: Jaci Burton’s Hope Series

Hope Smolders

Hope 0.5 A HOPE NOVELLA

“Jaci Burton does raw, passionate romance like no other” (Joyfully Reviewed), and the New York Times bestselling author of Hope Ignitesand the hot new Play-by-Play novel Straddling the Line proves it again in this novella of second chances…

Jane Kline is a struggling divorcee and single mother with a social life on hold. Not only does Jane not have the time to date anyone, she’s not even going to consider making herself vulnerable to another man after being deserted by her husband. That’s why Will Griffin, her ex’s former best friend, takes her totally by surprise.

What would such a hot and sexy wild card see in a harried mother juggling two kids and two jobs? For starters, everything Jane no longer sees in herself. As she dares to take the flirtation to the next step, Jane finds herself back where she never wanted to be—falling for another man. Now it’s up to Will to convince Jane that she has everything he wants in a woman, and that the second time around can be the best time of all.

Includes previews of Jaci Burton’s new Hope novel Hope Ignites and her new Play-by-Play novel, Straddling the Line

Hope Smolders previously appeared in Hot Summer Nights

*****

Hope Flames

Hope #1

Thirty-two and finally setting up her veterinary practice in the town she once called home, Emma Burnett is on her own and loving it. Independent and driven, she’s not letting any man get in the way of her dreams. Not again.

That’s fine with Luke McCormack. Divorced and hardly lacking in female company when he needs it, he’s devoted to the only faithful companion in his life–his police dog. Still, there’s something about Emma he can’t shake.

When a series of local break-ins leaves Emma vulnerable, she seeks help from the first man to spark her desire in years. And now they’re giving each other something they thought they’d lost forever…hope

*****

Hope Ignites

Hope #2

Logan McCormack likes his isolated life on the ranch, until a movie crew starts filming there. When actress Desiree Jenkins blows into his life, she wrecks it harder than the Oklahoma winds with her brutal honesty and soft touch. Des knows this is a temporary stay, but she loves the open freedom of the land, and for the first time in her life, Des feels like she might have found a place she can call home, with a man she might be falling in love with. But Logan’s heart is tougher than the soil beneath them—can she convince him that they belong together?

*****

Hope Burns

Hope #3

Molly Burnett and Carter Richards share a painful past, one that sent Molly running out of town, vowing never to return. The only thing bringing her back is her sister’s wedding, and she doesn’t intend to stay long. But circumstances force her to remain in town, and within close distance of the one man who hurt her more than she’d ever been hurt before. Can the two of them face down the past and work together toward the possibility of love and happiness in Hope?(

*****

Love After All

Hope #4

Coming April 2015

High school teacher Chelsea Gardner has a firm list of qualities in mind to find the perfect man. Now she just needs the right guy that fits them all. Bartender Bash Palmer doesn’t match her list at all, but the things they do share are chemistry, fun, and a romantic connection. Bash intends to show her that a list doesn’t make a forever match.

September 26, 2014September 26, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 20: Sex scenes….by Lila DiPasqua

Sex scenes….Key elements to writing a love scene that readers won’t want to skip by Lila DiPasqua

Let’s face it—writing a sex scene isn’t easy.

First, you’ve got to forget about what your friends, family, or neighbors are going to think. There’s no way you can even begin to write a solid sex scene if you’re censoring yourself out of fear of what people may say.

A love scene between your protagonists doesn’t mean you’re giving people a peek into your own bedroom window. You’ve created a work of fiction with sympathetic characters, their world, and a gripping plot. Your main characters are behaving in a way that’s in keeping with your storyline and their personalities.

And writing a sex scene that your readers will love and won’t skip is all you need to worry about. 😉

A MOTH TO A FLAME…The irresistible buildup!

You know how the saying goes, “Like a moth to a flame.” The moth is irresistibly attracted to the flame. It knows the flame is dangerous. Get too close and you could be burned. But oh, my God…There’s just no resisting that alluring heat. 😉 You want your characters to be anxious for that love scene to happen! You want to build anticipation. The most erotic part of the body to stroke is the brain. In building the anticipation in the minds of your characters, you build the anticipation for the reader, too.

They’ll want to read that upcoming love scene!

So, how do you go about building anticipation? Through sexual tension.

Even if your protagonists are going to have sex the first night they meet, you still need a buildup of sexual tension. Sexual tension is created by the characters having a strong awareness of each other. That means, when you’re in a character’s Point Of View (POV), go deep.

For instance, if we’re in the hero’s POV and he sees the heroine for the first time as she walks into the boardroom, describing how good she looks in her business attire isn’t going to cut it. Go deeper. Show the reader that he’s not only aware of her, but also what it does to him having her in that boardroom. She’s pure distraction. And she’s wreaking havoc on his concentration, and his body. There are natural physical reactions that occur in the body when we zero in on someone whom we have a physical attraction to.

Describe for the reader those very same reactions happening in your characters.

And, with every interaction between your protagonists, that sexual tension must heighten. More awareness. And more physical reactions.

You’ll have everyone anxious for that love scene to happen!

ADVANCING THE PLOT: It’s not just sex! Sex moves the story forward!

So, now that you have everyone breathless with anticipation, and your characters are in the bedroom, ready to begin….What makes one love scene sizzle? While another falls flat?

The answer: A generic sex scene.

It’s the kiss of death.

Believe it or not, no sex scene should be just about sex acts and sexual positions. Though you can make the scene as titillating as you like, the love scene must have a purpose and that purpose is the same as for any other scene in your book—to move the story forward.

Either it advances the plot. Or it contributes to the character arc (growth) of one or more of the protagonists. Or it ratchets up the conflict in the story. (Or all of the above). If all you’re doing is describing the sex act in the scene—right hand here, left hand there—you’ve got a gratuitous scene. And chances are you’ve written a generic sex scene.

Here’s the test: if you can swap out the names of your main characters and insert any other names of, say, the characters of your favorite romance novel, and the love scene still works—that’s a generic love scene.

Each and every love scene you write should be unique to that story and those characters. And it must move the story forward. Or you should skip writing it.

Your readers may very well skip reading it. So, keep it interesting! Hold your readers’ attention by making the love scene multi-faceted—where far more than sex is going on!

DIALOGUE: No silent protagonists, please!

Yup, they should talk during a sex scene. Not about the weather. But there should be relevant dialogue—relevant to the characters’ personalities, the plot, and the stage in the story they’re in.

You have many scenes in your book full of dialogue. You’ve worked hard to create your protagonists’ personalities. So, don’t let their personalities fall away with their clothes. I’m a big fan of bedroom talk. I think it’s very sexy. But you don’t have to write a ton of sex talk. Just make sure that your protagonists’ personalities still come through, even during intimacy. Do you have a funny hero? That should come through in the dialogue during sex, too. Does your heroine have some kind of quirk or habit? Yup, that should be present there, as well.

Maintain your characters’ character even during sex. And dialogue always makes any scene more interesting.

THE ROUND UP!

Sensations, sensations, sensations. Did I mention sensations? 🙂 Don’t miss a single opportunity to describe the sensations your characters are feeling during sex. That means every brush of the lips, every graze of the hand, every…er…well, nuff said.

Each time your characters have sex, they should grow a little more vulnerable to each other. Soft feelings should strengthen each time and become more and more intermixed with raw desire. Use your sex scene to show how these characters feel about each other. If you’ve done it right, your love scene has relevance. It’s unique to the story. And meaningful. It won’t feel like any other sex scene others have written. And readers won’t skip your much-anticipated love scene. Not when those engaging story developments are occurring that they just don’t want to miss. 🙂

*****

Let’s take a look at Lila’s

The Duke’s Match Girl – A Fiery Tale Novella

Fiery Tales #4.5

From bestselling author Lila DiPasqua comes a scorching new historical romance novella in the acclaimed Fiery Tales series! An emotional, erotically charged retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl.As childhood friends, Leopold d’Ermart and Suzanne Matchet were inseparable. One unforgettable Christmas Eve, their relationship changed from the best of friends…to lovers. But the heir of the Duke of Mont-Marly isn’t supposed to fall in love with the daughter of his family’s physician. Or vice versa.Is this a second chance at first love?Years later, Suzanne is dreading her first Christmas without her father. The heartbreak Leo caused when he left seven years ago is a distant memory. And she prefers to keep it that way. The last thing Suzanne expects is for tall, dark, and sinfully seductive Leo d’Ermart to show up at her door and announce he wants her back in his life. And in his bed. Worse, the now celebrated libertine is even more devastating to a woman’s senses than ever before…

Or are they playing with fire?

The only woman Leo, Duke of Mont-Marly, has ever yearned for is the adorably unconventional, intelligent beauty who got away. He discovers Suzanne creating and selling matchsticks, elixirs for the ill…and is still so damned alluring. Leo is determined to show her the depth of his desire, win back Suzanne’s heart. And give her a Christmas beyond her wildest imagination…

Warning: Explicit language and love scenes. 32,000 word novella.

A little about Lila:

Lila DiPasqua is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance with heat. (Best known for her critically acclaimed (erotically charged) Fiery Tales series.) She’s published by Penguin/Berkley, as well as having self-published works. She lives with her husband, three children and two rescue dogs and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. Find Lila at www.LilaDiPasqua.com. And on Facebook & Twitter.

*****

To Enter for a chance to win.

GIVEAWAY QUESTION: What’s the last book that had you totally hooked and kept you up reading late into the night? One lucky commenter will win their choice of one of my Berkley published Fiery Tales novels: AWAKENED BY A KISS, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED, or A MIDNIGHT DANCE (retail value $15). Winner’s choice! Open to the US/Canada.

Along with your email

(please use (AT) and (DOT) we don’t want any spam)

*this giveaway is sponsored by the author*

*****

Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 25, 2014September 23, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 19: How to write 20 pages a day by Donna Grant

How to write 20 pages a day by Donna Grant

This post was inspired by conversations I frequently have from others asking me how I became a prolific writer. I think the main reason is because I’m a bit OCD. J

However, it started about 15 years ago when I was just beginning to write and I had a newborn. I had already written my first book while I was pregnant and still working. I – foolishly – believed that it would be just as easy with a baby now that I was a stay-at-home-mom. Ha!

I found out quickly enough that that wasn’t the case at all. Then my husband, who had been reading a book from Stephen King about writing, told me how SK wrote 10 pages a day and that he didn’t get up until those pages were done.

I realized then that I needed to do something similar. I was all over the place in how many pages I did. Sometimes I did 10. Other times, 1 page. So I set a realistic goal of 5 pages a day (Monday – Friday).

5 pages/ day = 25 a week.

25 pages/week = 16 weeks (for 400 page book)

I was determined to write a book meeting those goals. And I did.

Putting those goals down on paper and meeting it every day inspired me to keep writing and see if I could keep it up. I wrote one more book with that same 5 page/day goal, just to be sure it wasn’t a fluke.

The next book, I bumped it up to 6 a day, and the next to 7/day. Every book I continued to bump it up by 1/day.

By the time I was at 10 pages/day, I was writing a book in eight weeks. But I didn’t stop there. I kept going until I hit 20 pages/day.

I’ve stayed comfortably at 20/day for about 15 books now. It’s ingrained in me now. If I don’t write that much, I feel as if I’ve not worked. However, there have been tight deadlines due to life getting in the way where I’ve had to do 25-30 a day. It’s not fun, but it’s doable.

The thing is, doing X/day became a habit for me. I slowly worked myself up to my desired pages per day. Because of that, I know I can write a book in four weeks, giving myself 2 weeks for revisions. I can turn a 400 page book around in 6 weeks.

Moral – goals can keep you focused and on the right track to your dreams!

**a side note: I don’t plot out my books. So if you’re a plotter, you might need to add in however many weeks you need to plot out the book.

Thanks so much for joining me today! Feel free to ask any questions you might have. J

Hugs,

*****

Let’s take a look at Donna’s up coming release:

Burning Desire

Dark Kings #3

Amazon| B&N

The Dark Kings have fought for centuries to preserve their dragon magic. But can one warrior resist the greatest temptation of all?

A DESIRE THIS POWERFUL

In his quest to destroy the Dark Fae—his nemesis—the Dragon King known as Kiril goes to Ireland as a spy. When a gorgeous, mysterious woman tries to seduce him, Kiril instantly sees through her glamour to the Dark Fae beneath. Shara isn’t just any Dark; she’s from one of the most powerful bloodlines—and despite the dangers, Kiril can’t stay away from her. He’s enthralled by her smile, enslaved by the undeniable passion…

IS A WAR WORTH FIGHTING FOR

Shara has one chance to make things right with her family—and to prove her worth. It seemed like such an easy mission…until she actually meets Kiril. His charm, his sexual magnetism is too much for her to ignore. Shara knows that falling into Kiril’s arms can bring her nothing but trouble. Yet she discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had…and an attraction that knows no bounds. But is her desire for Kiril worth the risk of eternal doom for them both?

A little about Donna:

Donna Grant is the New York Timesand USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels and novellas spanning multiple genres of romance.

She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.

Her childhood dream was to become a professional ballet dancer and study under the amazing Mikhail Baryshnikov. Though she never got to meet Baryshnikov, she did make it to New York City and performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Later, Donna’s love of the romance genre and the constant stories running through her head prompted her to sit down and write her first book. Once that book was completed, there was no turning back.

Donna sold her first book in November 2005 while displaced from Hurricane Rita, a storm that destroyed portions of the Texas Gulf Coast. Since then, Donna has sold novels and novellas to both electronic and print publishers. Her books include several complete series such as Druids Glen, The Shields, Royal Chronicles, Sisters of Magic, Dark Sword, Dark Warriors, and her new series, Dark Kings.

Despite the deadlines and her voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two young children, four cats, three fish, and one long haired Chihuahua. She’s blessed with a proud, supportive husband who loves to read and travel as much as she does.

Find out more about Donna and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

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September 25, 2014September 19, 2014

Spotlight Teaser of Marie Harte’s Ruining Mr. Perfect (+ a tourwide giveaway)

Ruining Mr. Perfect

The McCauley Brothers #3

IT’S NOT EASY BEING RIGHT

Vanessa Campbell is a CPA by day and a perfectionist by night. She’s fit, successful…and decidedly lonely. She can’t stop thinking about the youngest McCauley brother, Cameron. He’s just like her: smart, attractive, and usually right—except when dealing with her.

…BUT SOMEONE’S GOT TO DO IT

Cameron McCauley likes Vanessa a little too much. She’s a blond goddess with a razor-sharp tongue. She hates to be wrong, just like him. But she can hold a grudge and is stubborn to a fault—also like him.

A past disagreement has them rubbing each other the wrong way. Cam is dying to shake Vanessa up—get her to let loose. But if he succeeds, can his heart handle it?

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit www.marieharte.com and fall in love.

Teaser #4:

“Men are stupid.” Vanessa shrugged.

“Is Cam stupid?” Maddie asked in that smarmy voice that always drove Vanessa nuts. Even as a kid, her cousin would get that smug tone in her voice and use it with unerring precision, landing on Vanessa’s last nerve.

“He’s a man, therefore he’s flawed. However, he’s not as idiotic as Brody or Flynn, and that’s something to be proud of.” She gave Maddie an overly wide grin.

“Witch.” Maddie stuck her tongue out.

“Oh. That hurts. Not the tongue.” Vanessa laughed at her. “You know, I still think you should have majored in theater in college, not interior design.”

“Thanks so much for your unasked-for opinion.”

Abby sighed. “Ding ding. Okay. Back to your corners.” She ran a hand through her long black hair. “And to think I missed our girlie chats.”

Vanessa smirked. “You missed me, you mean.”

“The ego. It never quits.” But Maddie smiled as she said it.

“So tell us about Cameron.” Abby drew out his name. “Come on. You have to give us something.”

Vanessa thought about his smiling eyes, his deep laugh, the hands that sent her soaring. And the keen intelligence and dry wit. She glanced up to catch a look between her roommates. “What?”

“Oh, nothing.” Abby cut off whatever Maddie had been about to say. “So the Four Seasons, huh? I bet the room was nice.”

“Oh yeah. A suite overlooking the water. Really classy.”

Maddie perked up. “Hmm. Maybe I should have Flynn take me there for Valentine’s Day.”

“Speaking of that,” Abby segued, “Brody and I have been talking about Bitsy. I mean, Beth.” Only Brody called Beth McCauley by the cute nickname, the same name he’d been calling her since she’d pseudo-adopted him so many years ago. “This is her first Valentine’s Day in over thirty years where she’ll be alone. We were thinking of spending it with her.”

After a pause, Vanessa said, “You know, you two probably have plans. Mike will be with Colin, I’m sure. Why don’t I spend the night with her?”

“But what about you and Cam?” Abby asked.

She shrugged. “We’re pretty new. Besides, we’re keeping this casual. Low key. So I’ll spend the night with her, and Cameron too, if he’s not busy, and you guys go out like you were planning to.”

“You sure?” Maddie asked.

“Yeah.” Besides, this way she wouldn’t be so nervous about her relationship progressing too quickly.

*****

A little about Marie:

I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember. Interest in the written word, no doubt spawned by my English teacher father, continues to this day. I’m a voracious reader, gobbling everything from romance to horror to fantasy and more. I’m in love with the art of putting pen to paper…so to speak.

I majored in English from Penn State University, earning a B.A. in Liberal Arts, as well as a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Five years later, after serving as a communications officer, I left the service to focus more on family. After going through an assortment of jobs–the Marine Corps Reserve, an IT representative, a middle manager for a Fortune 500 transportation company–I stopped working to raise two new additions to the family–my youngest sons. During this period, I decided to stop dreaming and start seriously writing.

In December of 2004 my first story was published, and I haven’t looked back since. I currently have over a hundred titles (yeah, shocked me too!) with Carina, Ellora’s Cave, Fated Desires, Loose Id, Samhain, Sourcebooks, and Totally Bound.

I’ve received several awards to include: the 2005 Passionate Plume for Scifi/fantasy romance, the 2006 Amber Quill Heat Wave contest winner, 1st Place in Steamy Erotic romance for the 2006 Lories, finalist in the 2007 Linda Howard Award of Excellence, finalist in the 2008 Reveal Your Inner Vixen MRWA contest, and finalist in the 2012 Reveal Your Inner Vixen MRWA contest.

Learn more about Marie and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter @MHarte_Author | Goodreads

Check out the whole tour here:

9/22- Manga Maniac Café

9/23- From the TBR Pile

9/24- The Bookish Babe

9/25- Books-n-Kisses

9/26- The Bumble Girl

9/29- The Good, the Bad, and the Unread

9/30- SOS Aloha

10/1- Ramblings from this Chick

10/2- Talk Supe

10/3- Bitten by Romance

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September 24, 2014September 24, 2014

Writers Tips & Tricks Day 18: Rejection: What should I do by Karina Cooper

Rejection: What Should I Do?

If you’ve so much as stuck a toe into the writing world, you know that rejection is waiting in the wings. It’s part of the industry, from the very first query—or, if you’re a masochist and want to start early, from the very first contest—all the way through to landing the agent, the publisher, the reviews, and readership.

When I asked on twitter what sort of things they’d like to read about in regards to rejection, I got such a sea of answers that I realized picking one would be all but impossible. So I figured, hey, why not go for a lightning round? (Haha, twitter did my work for me, suckers.)

So here are the questions flung at me willy-nilly.

Is yours here? Ask me anything about rejection—coping, fielding, pressing on—and I’ll answer in the comments!

Rejection: Does it hurt more or less than heartbreak?

Never ask a Virgo that. We’re pretty focused on whatever immediate tragedy lies at hand, and cut off the things that hurt us like an infected limb.

Okay, okay. Serious answer: It hurts more. That once. For that time. Until the next one.

Also, people that break your hearts are jerks and don’t deserve your attention. Pour everything into that manuscript, babies, and laugh at said jerk all the way to THE END.

Come on, it’s just one ‘no’ in a glorious future. Does it really matter all that much?

For a lot of authors, it really does. Picture this—you’ve spent days and days, weeks, months, polishing your manuscript. Your art. You’ve poured time and effort at the least, and heart and soul at the most, into something that some stranger—some professional stranger—has just told you isn’t good enough.

This taps into every neurosis we have as human beings who remember being kids in school.

But hey, maybe you aren’t one of those. Maybe you’ve already developed a will of iron and armor like the thick, callused skin of a veteran armadillo. Congratulations, you are three steps ahead of the class.

…What I meant to say was that my self-esteem kind of took a beating. What do I do?

You take a day and baby yourself. Go outside. Watch a movie. Read a book. Rant and rave—offline, my love, offline where no one can screenshot your words and reveal them later as the words of a terrible, terrible human being—and stuff your face with tacos. Cry as you consume them, for the Taco gods are capricious and a little salt will go well with that margarita.

Take that day, and then shake it off. Chuck Wendig of Terribleminds once said something along the lines of “take that rejection and staple it to your chest like armor”. While I don’t really recommend stapling anything to your flesh, the metaphor stands—you were rejected, but it didn’t kill you. Like that sexy, sexy armadillo, let it toughen your hide a little more, take a deep breath, and stride determinedly into traffic.

And by that, I mean send out another round of queries. Try to write another book. Keep brainstorming. Whatever it was that slapped you like rejection, slap back with more projects, more writing, more, more, more.

You’ll never succeed if you don’t persevere.

So…I shouldn’t Twitter about it?

No.

Facebook?

God, no.

Blog about it?

No!

Why?

The real reason? Because many agents and editors will Google you, look for Twitter and Facebook, and see what kind of person you are before signing you on. And the industry is a lot smaller than you think.

Be very clear on this: no matter how subtle you think you are, someone in the industry will know what you’re talking about—who, what agency, what house. And that person will talk to others, and so on. You will gain a reputation as being unprofessional, indiscreet, unable to take the pressures of the industry.

Also? The sting of rejection is fleeting. The internet is forever.

Think about that.

I never got a response from my queried agent/editor. What does that mean?

That depends. Does the agent/editor’s website say to give them a certain amount of time before you follow up email? Does it indicate that follow-up emails are welcome? If so, then take a deep breath, wait the allotted amount of time, and if you still haven’t heard anything, send a very polite email asking as to the status of your query.

If there is nothing about a time limit, or if the guidelines say that they can’t respond to everyone, then I’m sorry, precious. It’s a no.

…Assuming you’ve waited longer than six months.

Six months? Are you kidding me?

Nope. Look, everyone’s got a different timeline for how they handle queries. Some turn around that day, if they’re caught up, some wait 6 months or longer. Generally speaking, the guidelines for where you submit will give you a rough estimation, however not all will.

I have heard back from folks more than six months later—with a rejection, usually. I have also heard nothing ever, full stop, and that kind of sucks because it feels like such a passive slap assuring me that I am not worthy of time or effort, but let’s face it: it’s not about you. It feels like it is, because it’s your work, but you have to understand that agents and editors see upwards of thousands of queries a year. Hundreds a month.

You are you. There is only one of you. But to agents and editors? You are one of many, and unless someone has Hermione’s Time-Turner on lock, it’s impossible to always personally respond to everyone efficiently and not bottleneck the process. Some are better at this than others, but the fact is: you can have it fast, or you can have it thorough.

I saw an agent on twitter saying they always decide in a day, but wait four weeks to send a rejection? What crap is that?

Once upon a time, there was an author who was super excited to send queries out for a manuscript. Author did all the research, all the right things, had a great book, and couldn’t wait to get all the yeses flowing in.

One of the agents Author pitched to sent back a polite rejection within an hour of sending the query.

Wait, Author thought, stunned. A no? So soon? How could this be? Everything was there—the characters, the hook, the plot, the polite query, the right name. Surely, there was a mistake. Could it be that the agent didn’t actually read it?

OMG. That’s it exactly. The agent didn’t read the query before sending off a rejection! Agent couldn’t have possibly read the query, the sample pages, and taken the time to digest what was read. If the agent had, well then, the agent would obviously have seen what a great book it was!

How dare the agent not read the query?? Well, Author decides, just write an email back reminding the agent that it’s the job to properly read and digest the material coming in, and just to be extra thorough, Author adds a note of concern: I just wanted to write you just in case, because what if you miss an amazing book?

Yeah, that’ll do it. Author has just helped the agent in her business and reminded the agent that a great book was written by this helpful author at the same time. Win!

Are you serious right now?

No. Don’t do that. Seriously.

Look. It’s all part of rejection. Sometimes, an agent rejects within five minutes because the query is for a fantasy and the agent is up to here with fantasy. Sometimes an agent’s entire office talks about a pitch in the course of one day, and is in the end rejected because it’s not selling in the market. Or the sample pages weren’t quite there. Or whatever.

Problem is, agents and editors who reject quicker than average are often accused of “not really giving the work a fair chance” and other such nonsense, and rather than field shirty replies from rejected authors, they have taken to waiting a certain amount of time before sending a pass.

But doesn’t that make the wait longer for everyone?

Yes. And some of us are a little annoyed about that. Those of us who want to know sooner rather than later want this for two reasons: 1) so we can rip the band-aid off, and 2) so we can then proceed with our next plan.

Hurt feelings are valid, but they shouldn’t affect your business, okay? So don’t be That Author. Wait your allotted time, and even if it’s shorter than you think, don’t get snarky, shirty, or “helpful” when and if that rejection comes in.

Just… don’t.

Because I can promise you that that is the stuff chortled over with wine.

Wait, wait, let’s go back a second. What do you mean “it’s not about me”?

Exactly what I said. Rejection isn’t about you, the person. There are a lot of factors that go into a rejection, and unless you have made a habit of being a terrible person online or in your queries, who you are is not one of them.

I’m sure you’re a very lovely person. Thing is, as I said, you’re one of thousands of very lovely people. And one of thousands who get rejected. I promise you, delicious ones, agents and editors aren’t all clustered around communal dinner tables, chortling over wine about the you who got rejected.

Rejection feels personal, but it isn’t. It’s up to you to figure out how to separate the feelings from the reality. (See: “wine” Also, how to bounce back, above.)

Okay, can I get personal?

Go for it.

You’ve been very open about your struggles with depression. How do you cope with rejection?

I’m a talker. I have to talk things through. Therapists love me, because I go to talk at them—not to them, but at them—and the good ones have figured out how to use the fewest words to steer me in the right direction, and then let me go. I eventually work it out myself.

The husband is working on learning how to deal with this, because as a fixer, he wants to, you know, fix it, and you can’t.

Basically, for the first few rejections, I talk it over—rant and rave, swear, cry a little, talk privately with author friends because they get it—and then by the time I’m done, it’s turned into another bit of armadillo hide.

But too many rejections in a row whittles away at that, and it can lead me down a dark path.

Which is nobody else’s problem but my own, right? Because I’m the one who chose this industry, and my failure to cope is not the industry’s fault.

So at that point, I take a couple days off. I watch movies or anime, I read books, I go outside. I do things that allow me to separate completely—cut off that infected limb, right?—and maybe I work on completely separate projects. It’s not always easy or efficient, but it works for me. Time really does help.

No matter how many rejections, there will eventually be a victory. I just need to remember that.

And so do you.

And wine helps, right?

Um… So. Okay, look. Writers and alcohol are sort of like movie stars and cocaine. You’re pretty sure not everyone in Hollywood does it, but stereotypes are awesome, so everyone does it.

Don’t rely on alcohol, okay? You have to tan that armadillo hide yourself.

Dude. You got serious.

Alcoholism runs in the family. I joke, and I drink, but I actually know people who take what we writers say as gospel and believe that it is a compulsion to drink if you write.

So be good to yourself, and enjoy yourself, and do what you need to in order to cope, but don’t forget that in the end, if you’re driven to alcoholism by your hobby or job, maybe you’re in the wrong field.

Rejection is harsh, but it shouldn’t ruin your life.

So… to sum up: expect rejections, don’t lose your mind, take a day off to deal with it, then keep on.

By Jove, I think you’ve got it!

Keep trying. Not just with one project, but with several. Slap that armor on—maybe use eyelash glue or something, don’t staple it, unless you enjoy pain and tetanus, okay?—and sally forth up the next hill!

Because this industry is what it is, rejection will be part of the process forever. So do what you need to in order to mitigate the sting. You’re good at what you do. Remember that, and keep putting yourself out there.

So, did I touch on your question? Do you have any more I didn’t answer? Let me know, and I’ll answer you in the comments!

*****

Make sure to check out Karina’s newest release:

Engraved

The St. Croix Chronicles #5

Released August 11, 2014

Amazon|B&N

Cherry St. Croix returns to the fog-ridden streets of Victorian London, where the balance of power threatens all that she loves.

I will not wither without laudanum. Sober and determined, I have chosen another way—alchemy, and the pursuit of wellness it embodies. My name is Cherry St. Croix, and though freedom is finally at my fingertips, I return to the blackened streets intent on righting the wrongs I’d left behind.

All is not well in London low. Caught in a war between gangs, men are torn limb from limb, and I am called on to ascertain how. The immoral Karakash Veil is no doubt involved, and Micajah Hawke, a prisoner in his own Menagerie, cannot soften the danger this time.

Armed with the alchemical arts I have learned, my ever present guardian, and what few friends are left to me, I embark on a campaign to rescue the ringmaster I cannot abandon, save the Brick Street Bakers from annihilation, and finally face that which frightens me the most—my own heart.

A little about Karina:

After writing happily ever afters for all of her friends in school, Karina Cooper eventually grew up (sort of), went to work in the real world (kind of), where she decided that making stuff up was way more fun (true!). She is the author of dark and sexy paranormal romances, steampunk adventures, crossover urban fantasy, and continues to write across multiple genres with mad glee. Her award winning steampunk series, The St. Croix Chronicles, has been nominated for multiple RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

One part glamour, one part dork and all imagination, Karina is also a gamer, an avid reader, a borderline hermit and an activist. She co-exists with a husband, a menagerie and a severe coffee habit. Visit her at www.karinacooper.com, because she says so.

Learn more about Karina here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

*****

Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

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September 23, 2014September 17, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 17 part a: Tips to Build in Emotional Stakes in Your Book by Jennifer Apodaca

Tips to Build in Emotional Stakes in Your Book

by Jennifer Apodaca (Also writes as Jennifer Lyon)

The emotional stakes in a story will hook a reader and keep her invested in the book to the very end. An action-packed plot is fantastic—but all the action or twists in the world won’t keep the reader interested if she isn’t invested in the characters.

Let’s ramp up the emotional stakes so the reader is living out the story right there with our hero and heroine! We want her to feel their hopes and dreams, their fears and heartbreaks. We want readers to be rooting for the characters to triumph.

We do this by weaving together the external conflict that drives the plot, and the internal conflict that drives our characters and their decisions. That way the character’s goals mean more to the reader. She will know the heroine’s desperation to save her baby from a brutal ex stems not only from a mother’s love, but also from the fact the heroine lost her family to a house fire at six. The heroine’s baby is her only family. Now the reader is deeply invested with the heroine, nearly as desperate as she to keep the baby safe.

To understand our characters internal conflict, we need to understand their goals (usually part of the external plot), their deepest desire, and their greatest fear. I’m going to use my recent release HER TEMPORARY HERO to illustrate how internal conflict increases the emotional stakes, and ramps up the overall tension in the story because the readers are more invested in the characters.

Here is the opening set up: Logan Knight, a former Marine struggling with PTSD comes home to his ranch to find a beautiful woman and baby hiding in his house. He quickly learns that Becky Holmes is a desperate woman on the run from a brutal ex and needs a temporary hero to help her get full custody of her baby. She could be the answer to his problem as he needs a wife before his thirtieth birthday to secure the land he wants to build Camp Warrior Recovery for veterans suffering from PTSD. The problem? Logan’s trigger for his PTSD is children, especially babies. He can’t ever have a real marriage and family because of that.

But if he can manage a temporary marriage, then they can both achieve their external goals: Logan will get his land and Becky will get full custody of her baby.

I have three main tropes in this book. Tropes are easily recognizable themes repeated over and over. For example; billionaires, cowboys, secret babies, marriage of convenience, best friend’s little sister, redemption, vengeance…you get the idea. Here are the tropes in HER TEMPORARY HERO:

1.) Marriage of Convenience

2.) Baby on Doorstep

3.) Tortured Alpha Hero

Now to deepen the impact of the story we weave the external conflict (tropes/plot) with the internal conflict and motivations. To do that we must ask ourselves what are each character’s deepest desires and greatest fears, and why?

In HER TEMORARY HERO the heroine and hero’s greatest fears are:

Becky lost her father, brother, home and way of life in a house fire when she was six. Her greatest internal desire is a family, and her greatest fear is losing her family.

Logan spent his first eight years with his mom, then his rich and powerful father decided he needed a son and fought for custody. Logan’s mom gave up the fight, choosing her career as a singer over her son. After that, Logan never really fit anywhere. His greatest secret desire is to be loved enough to fight for, and his greatest fear is abandonment.

Now we take these two characters and put them in a marriage of convenience with a baby on the doorstep. Then to bring out the emotional stakes we do this:

1.) Tempt them with their greatest, possibly secret or unrecognized, desire:

–Becky: She desperately wants a family. A marriage of convenience gives her that, at least temporarily.

–Logan: To be loved enough to stay. Note: Logan doesn’t fully realized he wants that, but this time with Becky is showing him the temptation of love. By the end of the book, he knows that’s what he truly wants.

2) Terrify them with their greatest fears:

–Becky: Losing her family. She’s suffered that before, and family is more precious to her than ever.

–Logan: Abandonment, not being loved enough, and now he’s so damaged now by PTSD, that he can’t see how anyone would love him. Note: This is Logan’s perception and it’s very real to him even if we don’t see him that way.

3) Lure them into false hope that they might actually get their dream, making them want it all the more. They can taste, feel and touch it:

–Becky tells Logan she loves him attaining her family.

–Logan wants to try, believing that he might really be enough to be loved. He’s hopeful and trying, but can’t quite commit. Fear holds him back.

4) Destroy them with the Black Moment: This should be where the external plot explodes and collides with the character’s internal conflicts.

–A secret is revealed and Becky comes face-to-face with losing her family again. She’s emotionally devastated and desperate to save her baby from her brutal ex, and that forces her into actions she wouldn’t normally take. Logan had told Becky over and over to trust him, and she did…now she’s worse off.

–Logan comes home from his business trip and is faced with his greatest fear of abandonment. He’s furious that Becky would do this to him, that she didn’t trust him…until he realizes that this is really his fault (not entirely but he needs to shoulder his part of the blame). That moment is an absolute turning point for him. And he’s forced into action.

A note about the black moment: This is where characters are backed into a corner and will make a decision that their internal fear would have prevented them from making previously. Change is NEVER easy for humans, so we force them into it with the black moment. Logan is now willing to sacrifice his original goal at the beginning of the book (securing his land to build his camp for veterans suffering from PTSD) to save Becky and the baby he has come to love. It’s a light built moment fraught with tension because we don’t know if Logan will be in time to a) save Becky from the external plot and b) will she be able to forgive and trust him again?

5) Payoff Scenes: Bring it all together in a Happily Ever After

–I won’t reveal how it works out in this book, but this is where the external and internal conflicts are resolved into at least a potential happily-ever-after for romances. The payoff scenes are the reader’s reward—that sigh moment when all the strife and pain they experienced through the hero and heroine is worth it.

In closing, to ramp up the emotional stakes, use your characters internal conflict to:

–Tempt them with their deepest desire.

–Terrify them with their greatest fear.

–Lure them into false hope.

–Destroy them with the black moment.

–Then save them with the payoff scenes in a happily-ever-after.

Building the emotional stakes creates memorable characters that will live on in readers memories long after they finished the book.

*****

Make sure to check out Jennifer’s latest release

Her Temporary Hero

Once A Marine #2

Amazon|B&N

Former beauty queen Becky Holmes and her baby are on the run from her dangerous ex. With her dreams of love and marriage destroyed, she’ll do anything to protect her child…even agree to hide out in her boss’s cousin’s house while he’s away.

Wealthy, sexy, and emotionally haunted Logan Knight needs a temporary wife to get his land, per his dad’s rules. No wife, no inheritance. But when that wife lands on his doorstep and comes with a baby, his darkest memories are triggered. He tries to keep his distance, but his efforts are shattered when he starts to have real feelings for his fake wife and child.

Just as Logan begins to think he may have a future with Becky, his attempt to have it all backfires into a betrayal that forces Becky into a heart-wrenching choice no woman should ever have to make.

A little about Jennifer:

Award winning author Jennifer Apodaca grew up in Southern California and met her very own hero at the dog pound. She worked there, he came in on a business, and it was puppy love. They married and had three wonderful sons.

While her husband worked on his master’s degree, Jen did the mom thing by day and went to college at night with the intention of perusing a marketing degree. But her true passion was writing. With time at a premium, she had to make a choice.

Choosing writing, and with the full support of her husband, she poured herself into her dream. A mere eight years later, she published her first book DATING CAN BE MURDER. In her career, Jen has written a fun and sexy mystery series and a variety of contemporary romances. Taking the pen name of Jennifer Lyon, she also created a dark, sizzling paranormal series, and most recently, The Plus One Chronicles, an emotional and sexy adult contemporary series.

Jen has achieved many of her dreams except for attaining a self-cleaning house, a latte delivery service, and finding the holy grail of nonfattening wine and chocolate. She can live with those disappointments as long as she can keep writing the stories she loves to share with readers.

Jennifer would like to giveaway e-copie of The Baby Bargain and Her Temporary Hero to one lucky reader!

To Enter for a chance to win.

Please leave a comment or question for Ms. Apodaca.

Along with your email

(please use (AT) and (DOT) we don’t want any spam)

*this giveaway is sponsored by the author*

*****

Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

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September 23, 2014September 17, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 17 part b: Three Ways to Build Your Novel’s Foundation by Macy Beckett

Macy Beckett wanted to share a post that she wrote for NaNoWriMo on self-editing for beginners.

Please check out her post about Three Ways to Build Your Novel’s Foundation HERE

*****
Make sure to check out Macy’s up coming release Make you Remember

Amazon| B&N

Coming November 4, 2014 from Penguin Group

Ten years ago, Beau Dumont made the biggest mistake of his life by letting his high school sweetheart, Devyn Mauvais, slip through his fingers. Now the reformed bad boy will stop at nothing to get her back. Even if it means tricking her into taking a job on his family’s riverboat, The Belle of the Bayou.

When Devyn’s old flame offers her a stint at the boat’s day care center, she sees it as a chance to prove she isn’t just the descendant of Louisiana’s most infamous voodoo queen. Besides, it beats leading ghost tours around New Orleans. Yet when it comes to Beau, Devyn’s all business. She won’t give the sweet-talking playboy another chance to break her heart.

But there’s no escaping temptation in such close quarters, and Beau won’t be satisfied with a few hot nights with the girl he’s always loved. As he strives to make Devyn remember the good times, will his passion and heart be enough to regain her trust?

A little about Macy:

Macy Beckett has lived in two countries and eleven different states, but she abandoned her nomadic lifestyle and now resides in Loveland, “The Sweetheart of Ohio,” with her husband and three spirited children. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas State University and resigned after nine years of teaching to write novels full-time.

Twitter @MacyBeckett | Facebook | Website | Goodreads

*****

Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

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September 23, 2014September 19, 2014

Spotlight feature of Marissa Dobson’s Hope’s Toy Chest and Cover Reveal of Destiny’s Wish

Hope’s Toy Chest, the first book in the Cedar Grove Medical series, is now out for pre-order. The pre-order price is discounted to only $0.99.

Blurb:

At thirty-one, Kingsley Mathews has been named the head of the pediatric oncology department at one of the best children’s hospitals in the country—Ceder Grove Children’s Hospital. His life is dedicated to his patients—until one Christmas when he learns there’s more than his work.

Chelsea Waters lost her daughter two years ago on Christmas Day to a rare form of childhood cancer. Her career was over, then her marriage. Now all she has left is Hope’s Toy Chest. The toy drive she started in the memory of her daughter has become her everything.

When she ends up flat on her back in a pile of snow, she begins to wonder if there’s room in her heart for anything more. Could the doctor who worked so feverishly to save her daughter bring the meaning of Christmas back into her heart?

Buy Links:

Sunshine Press ~ Kindle ~ Nook ~ Smashwords ~ All Romance Ebooks ~ Kobo

Print: Sunshine Press ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Cover Reveal: Destiny’s Wish – Book Two

Single mother Nora Horton has the weight of the world on her shoulders. After her husband died while serving his country, she was left alone to raise their beautiful daughter, Destiny. She was able to pick up the pieces and move on for her daughter, but when Destiny’s cancer returns, Nora isn’t sure she can handle it any longer. She’s not certain she can be strong for her daughter when she’s falling apart inside.

Doctor Brian West is a pediatric cardiologist at Cedar Grove Children’s Hospital and has seen many sick children during his years there. He’s always been able to do his job without letting it get to him because he knows that if he’s distracted for even a minute, someone could die because of him. When he stumbles upon Nora, the recognition is instant and he can’t distance himself from her or her sick little girl, especially not when the little girl tells him her wish.

A sick child’s dying wish isn’t meant for her mother’s ears this time…because she wants her mother to have someone to love.

Release Date: February 3, 2015

September 23, 2014September 27, 2014

Blog Tour & Review: Stirring The Plot by Daryl Wood Gerber

Today I have the lovely Daryl Wood Gerber here on Books-n-Kisses to share a yummy recipe for her new book, Stirring The Plot. It sounds so delicious and I can’t wait to try it out myself. 🙂 Take it away, Daryl.

I write the Cookbook Nook and Cheese Shop mysteries. In both, I include recipes. Who knew when I started writing mysteries that I’d also have to cook? Luckily, I like to cook. And eat.

In the Cookbook Nook series, my protagonist Jenna isn’t much of a cook. But she, like me, loves to eat. Throughout the series, she is learning to cook. In FINAL SENTENCE, she starts out with five-ingredient recipes. If she can dump all the ingredients into one bowl, all the better. By the third in the series, STIRRING THE PLOT, the book that’s coming out September 30, Jenna is up to ten ingredients and more complicated steps. She even makes candy!

Anyway, for Jenna, and for my fans, I like to come up with easy recipes. Now, this one doesn’t look easy because of all the ingredients and steps, and it might give Jenna the heebie-jeebies, but it is pretty easy. It’s your basic “cook all the stuff” and “assemble.” In honor of my Cheese Shop mysteries, this contains, you guessed it, cheese.

It also includes kale, what many pundits are calling the “good for you” or “super” food. Now, I am not big on eating kale “raw.” It’s a little hard to chew. Truly. Hard. Crunchy. And not in the fun way like a potato chip. But when cooked in a lasagna, it’s delish. You could probably substitute spinach if you’re not a kale fan. But try it. I think you’ll like it.

Enjoy!

KALE CHICKEN LASAGNA
(serves 6-8)

FOR THE SAUCE
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 small sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
½ cup chardonnay (white wine)
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
3 bay leaves
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper

FOR THE LASAGNA
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound lasagna noodles
(*real; not no-boil) (gluten-free okay)
Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
2 cups kale, stems removed
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
30 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup MORE chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon ground pepper
4 cups grated Mozzarella cheese (about 1 lb)
2 cups grated Asiago cheese

Directions:

To make the sauce:
Heat the olive oil in a large (and I mean large) skillet over medium heat; add the chicken and cook until browned. Turn every minute, for 5 minutes.

Add the chopped onion, chopped garlic, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring, until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and cook until the wine evaporates, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 cups water, crushed tomatoes, bay leaves, and parsley. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer 50 minutes. Using a spoon, break up the chicken. Cook another 20 minutes, until thickened. Remove the bay leaves.

Meanwhile:

Prepare the lasagna according to the package. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook (about half what the label directs). Drain the noodles and drizzle with olive oil; set aside.

Meanwhile:

Place the kale in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add ½ cup water and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until tender, about 3 minutes on high. Drain and rinse under cold water. Press out all the excess water. Stir in the eggs, ricotta, ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese, and the extra chopped parsley. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 4-5 grinds of the pepper.

In a separate bowl, toss the Mozzarella, Asiago, and the remaining Parmesan.

Turn on oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread 3/4 cup of the sauce in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/3 of the noodles. Overlap, layering long ones first and then short ones crosswise. Cover with half of the kale-ricotta mixture. Then 2 more cups sauce. Cover with half of the Mozzarella cheese mixture.
Repeat the layers (noodles, kale-ricotta mixture, sauce, cheese).

Set on a baking sheet. (This will bubble over.)

Loosely cover with foil (you don’t want the foil to stick to the cheese). Bake 40 minutes, then uncover and bake another 25 minutes. You might want to raise heat to 400 degrees F.

Let stand 30 minutes before serving.

Great reheated the next day. One hour at 300 degrees F.

About the Author:

DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California. As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Halloween in Crystal Cove, California, is a big deal, involving a spooky soiree where the Winsome Witches, a fund-raising group, gather to open up their purse strings and trade superstitions. But party magicians, fortune-tellers, and herbalists are only the beginning of this recipe for disaster…

Jenna Hart has packed The Cookbook Nook chock-full of everything from ghostly texts to witchy potions in anticipation of the annual fund-raiser luncheon. But there’s one unexpected addition to the menu: murder.

When the Head Priestess of the Winsome Witches is found dead under mysterious circumstances, there’s no logical answer and plenty of blame to go around. With her aunt, Vera, unable to call on her ability to foresee the future, Jenna will have to use more than just sleight of hand and a few magic tricks to conjure up the truth…

Amazon/B&N

Jennifer’s Review of Stirring The Plot

Review (4 Stars): Stirring The Plot is the third title in the deliciously charming Cookbook Nook mystery series and I love spending time with the entertaining residents of Crystal Cove. Halloween is quickly approaching and Jenna is gearing to participate in the festivities put on by the Winsome Witches, a group of ladies who turn the spooky holidays into a fundraising event each year. Pearl Thornton, a therapist and the high priestess of the Winsome Witches, turns up dead in her home and Jenna’s aunt becomes the number one suspect in the murder. Jenna can’t believe that her Aunt Vera is involved but Vera starts acting strangely and it is up to Jenna to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Stirring The Plot is a fun, charming holiday mystery that will keep you guessing. With the well-written plot twists, cookbook recommendations and descriptions of delicious food, this series will be a winner for all mystery lovers. For me, I love Jenna and the quirky characters of Crystal Cove and look forward to spending more time with them with each new release of the series. I enjoyed the Halloween ideas sprinkled throughout this story and learning which cookbooks Jenna favored this holiday season for her store. I will definitely be picking up a few of the cookbooks that were mentioned in Stirring The Plot because everything described made me hungry while reading this book. I can’t wait to read more from Ms. Gerber and see what happens next to Jenna and the residents of Crystal Cove.

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September 22, 2014September 17, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 22 part b: Creating Simple Timelines by Paige Tyler

Creating Simple Timelines by Paige Tyler

When it comes to writing my stories, I always tried to put together an outline to work from. For most of my previous stuff, that outline was typically nothing more than a Word document in which I write out individual paragraphs to cover each big sequence in the book, then separate the paragraphs with asterisks. It was a simple method to come up with a beginning, a middle, and an end to the story, then add in a few pertinent details in between as needed.

But when I started writing the first book in my X-OPS Series called HER PERFECT MATE, I started to run into problems keeping plotlines and character interaction straight. My story idea was too complex to simply write out in a single Word document, so I needed a better system.

You see, the X-OPS Series involves a special covert organization called the Department of Covert Operations—DCO for short—buried so deep within the Department of Homeland Security that few people know about it, not even those in our own government. The series is supported with a decade of backstory that gets us to the point where the current books are occurring. The reader doesn’t get hit with all that stuff, of course, but I had to create the events and timelines necessary to get a feel for how the DCO came about.

Plus, while each book has its own hero and heroine (with their own individual adventures that required me to lay out a day-by-day chain of events in some cases), there are also multiple secondary characters being introduced in each book. I needed to be able to keep track all the little events that were occurring with them in each book because those things would support their individual stories later on. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a series of larger plot arcs that span three or four books at a time. I needed to be able to keep a track on them as well.

This all meant that I needed to have some kind of flexible timeline system that would allow me to really get down into the weeds in some parts of a the story (what time does the hero have to finish up in one part of town if he has to be somewhere else before the bars close at midnight, for example) while also letting me track big events that span from one book to the next.

Let me also say at this point, I wasn’t really keen to go out and buy some kind of fancy planning software that would cost me money and force me to take time learning it.

My final solution was simple. I went with something I already knew—Excel Spreadsheet.

It was already on my computer as part of the Microsoft Office Suite, it’s a simple program (i.e., I knew how to use it), and it’s flexible as all get out. Below I’ll use a couple peaks at the second book in the X-OPS Series—HER LONE WOLF (releasing November 4^th but already available for pre-order!) to highlight exactly how I used Excel to help me keep the story straight.

In the first snapshot, I show how I made a few simple boxes to form a timeline of major events. The great thing here is that if I suddenly decide to add some kind of detail in between two boxes, all I have to do is add a couple of columns. If I need a bigger box, I can do that, too.

In the snapshot below, I show how you can get more detailed if you need to, including parts of the timeline that are “backstory” vs being part of the “Current Story Line.” I could even break up the timeline, showing which events happen on Friday, for example, and which events happen on Saturday.

This is just a brief look at how I used Excel to create a simple timeline to help keep the story straight. I couldn’t show you too much of course—might give away too many secrets!!!

But I hope my idea helps some other writers out.

*****

Let’s take a look at Paige’s upcoming books:

HER LONE WOLF (X-OPS 2)

HER LONE WOLF releases Nov 4th from Sourcebooks in ebook and paperback, but is already available for pre-order from Amazon and B&N!

Pre-Order from Amazon | B&N

Leaving him was Impossible…

It took everything she had for FBI Special Agent Danica Beckett to walk away from the man she loved. But if she wants to save his life, she has to keep her distance. Now, with a killer on the loose and the stakes higher than ever before, the Department of Covert Ops is forcing these former lovers into an uneasy alliance…whether they like it or not.

Seeing her again is even worse…

The last thing Clayne Buchanan wants is to be shackled to the woman who broke his heart. She gets under his skin in a way no one ever has and makes him want things he has no right to anymore. All he has to do is suffer through this case and he can be free of her for good. But when Clayne finds out why Danica left in the first place, everything he’s tried to bury comes roaring back—and there’s no way this wolf shifter is letting her get away this time.

*****

You can also check out HER PERFECT MATE (X-OPS 1) here!

Buy HER PERFECT MATE here! Amazon | B&N | ARe | iTunes | Sourcebooks

He’s a High-Octane Special Ops Pro

When Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan is chosen for an assignment with the Department of Covert Operations, he’s stunned to find his new partner is a beautiful woman who looks like she couldn’t hurt a fly, never mind take down a terrorist.

She’s No Kitten

Ivy Halliwell isn’t your average covert op. She’s a feline shifter, and more dangerous than she looks. Her feline DNA means she can literally bring out the claws when things get dicey. She’s worked with a string of hotheaded military guys who’ve underestimated her special skills in the past. But when she’s partnered with special agent Donovan, a man sexy enough to make any girl purr, things begin to heat up. He doesn’t think she’s a freak-and he’s smokin’ hot. Soon they’re facing a threat even greater than anyone imagines…and an animal magnetism impossible to ignore.

A little about Paige:

Paige Tyler is a USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic fiction. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them.

She is represented by Bob Mecoy.

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Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

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September 22, 2014September 22, 2014

Writer’s Tips & Tricks Day 22 part a: Melinda Leigh’s Tip of the Day

Melinda’s writer tip of the day:

I often find myself struggling with plot hole issues in the middle of a manuscript. Instead of staring at my plot board and taking Facebook quizzes for three days, I should reach out to a writer pal right away. Sometimes the answer to a problem is so simple I haven’t seen the resolution because I’m too deep in the book. I’m buried in the pages so deeply I can’t see the overall plot arc.

Last week I wasted three entire days on what-happens-next. I had a loose plot so I knew where my story needed to go, but how it was going to get there remained elusive. How did I bridge the gap between my first turning point and my mid-point? I reached out to a friend and explained my issue. In three texts, she pointed me in the right direction. THREE texts. <face palm>

Her answer was simple and logical. Why hadn’t I thought of it? Because when I’m 25,000 words into a project with another 75,000 still to write, it’s easy to get lost in the details. There is no substitute for a fresh set of eyes. Also, there have been occasions when the act of explaining my problem has triggered the solution in my own head, as if I just needed to talk it through.

A week later, the same pal called me with a road block in the emotional resolution for her characters. In about five minutes, we talked through the problem and resolution. I saw her plot lines much more clearly than I saw my own.

So my writer tip of the day is to cultivate writer peeps.

They will get you. This applies to a whole host of career issues from dealing with a horrible review to marketing to the writing process. Your author besties are your “safe place” to vent. They know what it’s like to spend a week locked in a room with imaginary people. Your writer friends will know what you’re doing even when you don’t. (Writers’ brains function don’t function like those of normal people.) Other writers understand the elusive magic inherent in the writing process, the way you have to trust your instincts and have faith in your ability. I’ve written twelve books, and I still hit a wall in every story where I think I’m not going to finish. My book is the worst ever. No one will ever want to read it.

My family does a collective eye-roll. But my writer friends know exactly what I’m feeling. Every time.

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Let’s check out Melinda’s newest release

Midnight Betrayal

Midnight #3

Amazon| B&N

Curator Dr. Louisa Hancock left behind Maine and her troubled past for Philadelphia and a job at a prominent museum. Just when it seems that Louisa’s new life is safe from her dark secrets, the body of a museum intern is found—the victim of a brutal and baffling murder.

Louisa realizes this is no random crime. And when another intern goes missing, the abduction is linked to the only man who has ever tempted Louisa’s heart—Conor Sullivan, the sexy owner of a Philly sports bar. Louisa’s past has taught her to be wary, but her heart refuses to believe Conor is guilty.

Now Conor and Louisa must dodge a police investigation—and their growing desire—as they race to find the real killer before another girl turns up dead. But trusting Conor could be deadly, especially as the evidence against him mounts…and as a merciless killer targets Louisa as the next victim.

A little about Melinda:

Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker, wife, mom, lifelong dog lover, and second degree black belt in kenpo karate. She is a 2012 Thriller Award nominee and the bestselling author of romantic suspense novels. Her next book, Midnight Sacrifice, releases in April 2013. Find out more about Melinda: website / facebook / twitter

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Make sure to check out all of the other stops on this month long tour HERE and enter the grand prize giveaway.

All winner’s will be picked at the end of the month and announce the 1st week of October.

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September 22, 2014October 17, 2014

Kelly’s Interview with Molly Harper + Giveaway

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome one of our favoritest authors to the blog. Everyone please welcome the awesomely funny Molly Harper.

Molly, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I am a newspaper reporter turned church secretary turned romance novelist. That’s a common career path for romance novelists, right? My first book, NICE GIRLS DON’T HAVE FANGS, came out in 2009 from Pocket Books. In addition to the NICE GIRLS books and their Half-Moon Hollow spin-off titles, I have written the Alaska-based NAKED WEREWOLF novels and several contemporary romances.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yes, “author” was always my dream job, but no one in my family is a professional writer and there are very few authors from my hometown. So I went for journalism, which was writing with a guaranteed paycheck. But I always came back to fiction. It’s what makes me happy.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Jane Austen, Olivia Goldsmith. I think every good book I’ve read has stuck with me in some way. Stephen King has an amazing method of making horrific circumstances seem completely possible by adding mundane but memorable details. Jane Austen is the mother of the romantic comedy. Olivia Goldsmith wrote antagonists that are total sociopaths that you could meet at the grocery store and not even realize it. I hope I incorporate those elements into my writing.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

Romance is my favorite genre, so it only makes sense that I would write romance novels. I have tried writing fantasy and science fiction, but it doesn’t come across as naturally.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I have to have tea or Perrier and some lip balm nearby. I am apparently terrified of dehydration in all its forms.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

After dumping her horrible boyfriend, Kentucky Tourism Commission employee and executive assistant extraordinaire Kelsey Wade is grateful for the distraction of her office’s winter retreat. But as the staff approaches their lakeside lodge destination, an unprecedented ice storm smothers half of Kentucky and basically shuts down the state. Kelsey and her coworkers are stuck together, no electricity, no heat, no escape.

Kelsey wouldn’t mind being stuck inside if it wasn’t for the tension with her not-so-secret crush, Charlie Bennett, the office’s statistician. But handsome Ranger Luke, the lodge’s only employee on hand, is there to take Kelsey’s mind off her discomfort. Even though this weekend is supposed to be a planning session for KTC, Kelsey can’t help her mind from wandering and finds herself conflicted over Luke and Charlie. Someone’s love will keep her warm, but whose will it be?

How did you come with the idea for this story?

In January 2009, a huge ice storm hit the southeast, taking out power for several states, including Kentucky. I spent almost two weeks sleeping in my in-laws’ living room, on a mattress in front of their fireplace with my infant son and four-year-old daughter. No electricity, no heat, no escape. It was a little stressful. My only relief came from scribbling down story ideas that eventually became the NAKED WEREWOLF books and this title.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I am writing a Half-Moon Hollow spin off title about a single mother who becomes a vampire. I can say no more!

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

My main character’s six-year-old son is interrogating her vampire sire with a stream of questions about the sire’s blood-drinking habits and intentions towards my main character – which is something my six-year-old son does nearly every day. (Not about blood-drinking, but about everything else.)

What would you be if you were not an author?

A gibbering mess.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. My author friends are all huge fans, while I’ve only watched the TV show. So I have to read it on an upcoming vacation, or they will mock me mercilessly at our next retreat.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

My Half-Moon Hollow Christmas short story, I’M DREAMING OF AN UNDEAD CHRISTMAS, will be available in ebook on November 3, 2014.

Learn more about Molly and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter @mollyharperauth| Goodreads

Let’s take a look at Molly’s newest release:

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Snow Falling on Bluegrass

Bluegrass #3

Amazon| B&N | Audible

Parks & Recreation meets The Blue Collar Comedy Tour in this third ebook in Molly Harper’s Bluegrass series of contemporary romances: A love triangle of colleagues heats up the winter lodge where they get snowed in for a week.

Kentucky Tourism Commission employee and executive assistant extraordinaire Kelsey is known around the office for having everything under control. So it’s not surprising that she and her boss, Sadie, have everything planned to the second for the office winter retreat. But there are things even Kelsey can’t micromanage.

An unprecedented snowstorm smothers half of Kentucky and knocks out the power, closes the roads, and generally shuts down the state. Luckily, the lodge has working fireplaces and enough food to keep the staff from turning on each other like something out of The Shining. Kelsey wouldn’t mind being stuck inside if it wasn’t for the tension with her not-so-secret crush, Charlie, the office’s statistician. But handsome Ranger Luke, the lodge’s only employee on hand, is there to take Kelsey’s mind off her discomfort.

Even though this weekend is supposed to be a planning session for KTC, Kelsey can’t help her mind from wandering and finds herself conflicted over Luke and Charlie. Someone’s love will keep her warm, but whose will it be?

*Giveaway Time***

I have been giving the okay to giveaway two e-copies of Molly’s Snow Falling on Bluegrass.

To enter please fill out the rafflecopter form below.

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Hope Smolders

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Hope Flames

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Hope Ignites

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Hope Burns

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Love After All

Sex scenes….Key elements to writing a love scene that readers won’t want to skip by Lila DiPasqua

The Duke’s Match Girl – A Fiery Tale Novella

How to write 20 pages a day by Donna Grant

Burning Desire

Ruining Mr. Perfect

Teaser #4:

Rejection: What Should I Do?

Rejection: Does it hurt more or less than heartbreak?

Come on, it’s just one ‘no’ in a glorious future. Does it really matter all that much?

…What I meant to say was that my self-esteem kind of took a beating. What do I do?

So…I shouldn’t Twitter about it?

Facebook?

Blog about it?

Why?

I never got a response from my queried agent/editor. What does that mean?

Six months? Are you kidding me?

I saw an agent on twitter saying they always decide in a day, but wait four weeks to send a rejection? What crap is that?

Are you serious right now?

But doesn’t that make the wait longer for everyone?

Wait, wait, let’s go back a second. What do you mean “it’s not about me”?

Okay, can I get personal?

You’ve been very open about your struggles with depression. How do you cope with rejection?

And wine helps, right?

Dude. You got serious.

So… to sum up: expect rejections, don’t lose your mind, take a day off to deal with it, then keep on.

Engraved

Tips to Build in Emotional Stakes in Your Book

Her Temporary Hero

Creating Simple Timelines by Paige Tyler

HER LONE WOLF (X-OPS 2)

Melinda’s writer tip of the day:

Midnight Betrayal

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Snow Falling on Bluegrass

***Giveaway Time*****

*Giveaway Time***