Say Hello to Anne Patrick

I want to thank Ginger for allowing me to visit today so I can talk about my new romantic suspense titled A Familiar Evil.  Below is the blurb and excerpt.  You can find buy links on my website: http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com; my Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002C793SE or other online distributors. 

Blurb:

Jordan Russell had the perfect life until the brutal monster from her childhood resurfaced, opening up scars she thought were healed.  With the hope of finally finding closure Jordan leaves her cheating husband, and her career in the FBI, and returns to where her nightmare began.  But what awaits her in Thorny Creek will push her to the very edge of sanity and bring her face to face with her abductor.

Excerpt:

“Excuse me. I’m looking for Chief Russell.”

Jordan’s stomach did a nosedive at the familiar voice of her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

“You found her,” Frank answered.

Jordan looked up just as Sam smiled. “Indeed I have.” He started toward her desk.

Colleen barged through the opened door. “Chief, there’s an Agent Russell here to see…oh, I guess you found her.”

“Agent Russell,” Frank repeated. He turned back to Jordan, “Isn’t Russell your married name?” He then shifted his gaze back to Sam, “That must mean you’re her husband.”

“Not for much longer.” Jordan hurried around her desk and ushered Frank out the door. “You’ll be hearing from me.” She closed the door and looked at Sam. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here at your request.”

“I specifically requested someone from the Charlotte field office.” Anyone but him.

He looked at her with the gorgeous smile that used to make her go weak in the knees. “And they forwarded that request to Agent Haines, who assigned me.”

“We’ll see about that.” Jordan marched back to her desk, and was four digits into Haines’ cell phone number when Sam pressed his finger down on the button and disconnected the call. Eighteen and a half months of built-up rage boiled to the surface. She doubled her right fist and spun around with lighting fury.

Sam, just as quick, stopped the fist within inches of his jaw. With his free hand, he took the phone from her left hand and placed it back in its cradle. Jordan felt his hot breath on her face as he peered down at her, and was keenly aware of the heat generating from his body through the hand which tightened around her wrist.

“Let me help you, Jordan…please.”

She swallowed hard, summoned all her courage, and met his smoldering gaze. “I need a profiler who can tell me exactly what I’m up against here.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve lost your touch.”

She ignored his smirk. “I need a fresh pair of eyes who can look at this guy objectively.”

“Who hasn’t allowed themselves to get too personal?”

“I just need someone other than you,” she spat.

“Too bad, you’re stuck with me. Now, what do you say I release your hand and you don’t take my head off? Or we can continue to provide the day’s entertainment for your co-workers.”

Jordan shifted her gaze to the glass separating her office from the command center. A half dozen familiar faces scattered like rats. She twisted free from his grip, grabbed her cap from her desk and shoved it down over her head. “Fine!” She was already halfway out the door before she realized he wasn’t with her. She turned back and found him smiling at her. “Are you coming or not?”

Welcome Kay Dee Royal

A Day in the Life of an E-Published Author

An average day of writing, one without interruptions and everything flows in sync with all that is good and grand in my world (flowery words meaning – ‘if I’m lucky I’ll get a few things accomplished today’).

I set up my author interview blog posts weeks in advance and schedule them to air at 12:01 AM on the date promised to the author. So, I’ll talk about a typical day I have an author interview on my blog, (which most weeks is two postings).

As soon as I’m up (5:30 – 6:00 AM) I’m on the computer writing up the announcement for my featured guest author. It’s necessary to do this early for the best viewer results. I post that announcement to at least twelve – fifteen yahoo groups, She Writes, Face Book, and possibly Good Reads (just learning how to do this), which takes me about half hour. I also check my publisher’s yahoo groups.

Time to exercise, eat, shower, dress – my four-legged buddies were fed the moment I rose out of bed, little beggars, or I’d get no peace at my computer.

Now’s the time I make my priority list, if I don’t, I’m lost chasing my tail by visiting all kinds of blogs, She Writes,  FB, LinkedIn, Good Reads…making friends and comments.

My publisher, Lea Schizas, suggested the To Do List and breaking it down by prioritizing, what needs done today? Tomorrow? Next week? In a month? This list changes everyday…things shift into a new place.

A typical list shows the due date of any item if I know it, like this:

            5-1 – I’m a guest on Danielle Ravencraft’s Blog, plan to check in often,

            5-22 – Write up interview questions for Elaine Bergstrom (Bewitching Book Tours), e-mail them

            5-22 – Blog post for Ginger’s Blog, e-mail to her, my air date is 6/14

            5-22 – Blog post due for Muse It Up Blog – Essay on Mother’s Day

Other things that might go on my priority list and I would attach a date if I can:

            If I’m taking a workshop (which I do often) I would check into my lesson and work on that also.

            If I received anyone’s interview responses – I set up my blog and schedule it to air on a specific date.

           

            I’ve been working on character sketches and need only a little more research for the second book in my Lycan Series – I’m ready to begin the first chapter and time it out to write within a month and a half (at 50,000+ words, like NaNoWriMo – only a bit longer) – so, I figure 840 words a day or more. I’m one of those authors who edits as I write…so it does initially take me longer to write the first draft.

            Along with this schedule, I critique and proof for a couple author friends – and when they send me something, I always fit it in…because they always find time to fit mine in. This would be a list changer for me, shuffling priorities.

            I fit in edits needed for any of my contracted work. This would be a list changer.

            AND, sometimes, I need a short break from my longer work and begin on a shorter submission – this somehow recharges me for the longer work.

            I also do book reviews, so fit reading in somewhere during my twenty-four hours.

            As I complete each task, I cross it off. After all that’s what it’s all about…crossing it off. I might even do a mini celebration after a real toughie is finished, like read something fun for a while. Actually – I’d most likely do something with my husband so he remembers who I am.  

Writing is a job, although one I dearly love and would die without doing it, but a job just the same. I’m evolving in my schedule, setting my priorities, figuring my best time frame, and battling through interruptions. Sometimes it feels overwhelming because it honestly is never ending.

I admit, I’m consumed…maybe even obsessed with all aspects of writing, but there are so many that I can’t stop myself from sponging up all I can. And still, I’m dealing with priorities because I can’t be everywhere at once;)

Besides the submission writing (books, short stories) there’s always marketing – which I didn’t really get into very deep here, but remains part of my day…and not considered an interruption anymore. *grins*

If you’re a writer reading this, do you have any writing schedule tips? If you’re a reader, do you have any tips on how you stay on task?

Thank you for having me on your blog today, Ginger. I enjoyed my little rants.

Have a wonderful day everyone,

Kay Dee

www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com

Kay Dee is the author of:

Welcome L.J. Holmes

My name is Lin Holmes and I write as L.J. Holmes. Currently I have twelve contracts with Muse Publishing and hopefully more coming along in the wings.

My first story is SANTA IS A LADY and is Book One of The Christmas Miracles Series. It released on December 1, 2010 and tells the story of Angie, a young woman who nearly died in a car accident and has been battling back ever since. Her friend Beck owns a confectionary store and it is five days before Christmas when she loses her Santa. With no professional Santas unemployed, Beck has to scramble. Her scramble leads her to Angie’s door.

Cameron Drayton wants to show his newly acquired daughter the perfect Christmas. Unfortunately he doesn’t think a female Santa means “perfect.”

This story amazed me. It wrote itself actually, and that must be the right way for me to tackle the creative Nudge side of me. Six weeks after releasing, it won the 5^th place in its category for the year long P&E 2010 Readers Poll. 

Now I was on a roll, but the question I get asked most frequently is, “How do you come up with your ideas?” So I thought I’d give you a little bit of a demonstration…

This picture drew me to write because it describes me, and writing. In this picture I see the many facets of my mind at various stages of engagement. There are so many levels of fantasy, creativity, and intrigue hidden in this picture I just fell in love with it.

When a storyline comes to me, I am like the sleeper, with my palm turned up and my body stretched out oblivious to what is churning just below the protection of slumbering flesh or out there in my wild imagination. It is Nudge, my inner story weaver, or some call her their Muse, spinning and shuttling here and there yanking on this thread, blending it with that one and eventually creating a tapestry of beginning, middle and end reality.

Using this picture, for instance, let me show you what I mean…

Beneath the burgundy folds of the intricate mask designed with the contours of her own face in mind, her tender nostrils flare. Somewhere within this space he walks. Would she recognize his visage as readily as she now had his scent? What world is he from? Inhaling discreetly, she tried to separate the different tangs. Could he be from the Malfa Four Quadrant? No too much nutmeg to be Malfoinian. Perhaps he’s from the Trelap Concircle? Yes, definitely of Trelapian ancestry, but with just a hint of something else. Pumpkin? Could it be Pumpkin?

How long had it been since a Frantaxian walked amongst them. Correction part Frantaxian. Great Starasia, she’d forgotten how deliciously intoxicating Frantaxians could be to one such as her. Still to breathe in that sweet, overpowering aphrodisiac after all these eons…

And from there the story goes on, and all from looking at a picture. But that’s not the only way my inner Nudge assumes control to weave her wordy magic.

I can be sitting at the Mall, eating my relaxed lunch and see a child with a balloon go from giggling toothily to howling furiously when the string of that balloon slips and drifts rapidly towards the skylight. Who is going to calm that child down and how? Will one of the nearby adults risk life and limb to teeter their way up towards the high ceiling and try snatching that dangling balloon ribbon, or will the man at the helium tank take pity on the upset child and inflate another? Suppose the balloon man inflates another only to have the child scream even louder because this balloon is green not red?

So many variables and each will take the story down an entirely different path.

I knit winter scarves and hats for my family in Montana each year. My sister-in-law is a Minister, so I also knit pounds of scarves and hats to give to the needy out there. Every scarf and hat I knit requires a certain amount of plotting, planning, and following some form of a design, but if I tweak one strand, it changes the finished product enough to resemble an entirely different piece.

For me, Nudge guides the strands, diving in and out and twirling all around, and in the end, well, in the end I have an incredible twelve contracts in just this last year with MY MUSE, Muse Publishing.

I am not a plotter as a writer. Nudge would soon put me straight if I tried to take on such unrealistic airs. I’m a by the seat of my pantser, and to be honest, it awes me when I go back and actually read the stories Nudge has guided me to write. When you are in awe of what comes out of you, there’s nothing better.

I want to thank you for inviting me to visit and letting me share my methods, convoluted though they may be.

I can be followed at my Muse Dedicated Blogs

http://linsownblog.blogspot.com  for the Main Side of Muse’s offerings

http://linsownfirebrand.blogspot.com  for the Hot Side

http://linsownbooklounge.blogspot.com for the Young Side

http://linsownoyster.blogspot.com and for all NON Muse authors.

I also have an author’s page at both Muse It Up and Muse It Hot

www.museituppublishing.com

www.museithotpublishing.com

My e-mail address is :

Spatzdkat1212@yahoo.com

My books for this year are:

1. Santa is a Lady-released from Muse It Up and available
2. Forever With You-released from Muse It Hot and available
3. The Pendulum Swings-released from Muse It Hot and available
4. The Twilight Comes-releasing from Muse it Up (MAY 2011)
5. In From The Cold-released from Muse It Hot (JUNE 2011)
6. This Time Forever-releasing from Muse It Hot (AUGUST 2011)
7. Beyond Yesterday-releasing from Muse It Up (SEPTEMBER 2011)
8. Champagne Afternoon-releasing from Muse It Hot (NOVEMBER 2011)
9. The Christmas War-releasing from Muse It Up (DECEMBER 2011)

My books so far for 2012 are:

1. She’s Gone-releasing from Muse It Up (FEBRUARY 2012)
2. Echoes From The Past-releasing from Muse It Hot (APRIL 2012)
3. Life’s Journey-releasing from Muse It Up (JUNE 2012)

Welcome, Heather Kuehl

When I’m writing a story that is set in modern times, I prefer to set it in a place that I have been. I adore accurate description within a story, and nothing makes me dislike a story more than when it’s obvious the author has never been there. Most of my books are set in Charleston, South Carolina, since I live near there. Charleston was colonized around 1670, so many of the buildings in the downtown area have a lot of history behind them. However, most of my characters aren’t interested in Charleston’s rich history. It makes picking locations more interesting.

When picking out a location, I usually choose places that are my favorite. For example, Haven is one of my favorite houses in downtown Charleston. Donavan’s house from Fade to Black was a house that, as a child, I told myself I would one day buy. Sadly it has since been demolished to make way for new housing, but the image of it is stuck in my head. I figure if I bond with a location then it has got to be for a reason. Malevolent Dead is really a restaurant located on Meeting Street. At one point, the second floor used to be a night club. All the locations I put into my books are locations that stick out in my mind. For some reason they have wiggled their way into my imagination until they’ve become a born vampire’s club or the home of a werewolf Clan.

My advice for writers looking for locations to set their writing in is this: Don’t force it. Let memories from your past or childhood inspire you, whether it be those hot summers at the beach or relaxing weekend camping trips. If you force it, then the reader will be able to tell. Another piece of advice, do your homework. Has the building been around since 1700? Make sure and read up on it. Maybe something happened there that you can incorporate into your work.

Discover Charleston as I see it in the Sarah Vargas Series. Books one and two in this series, Fade to Black and Malevolent Dead, are available now from Eternal Press. Book three, Blood Moon, is due out in March 2011.

Fade to Black blurb:
Werewolf bounty hunter Sarah Vargas has only one goal in life; to kill the Were that attacked and changed her. However a slew of werecreature murders send Sarah and her partner, Jared Fontaine, on the mission of their lives, ending with a discovery about Jared’s past that might destroy them both.

Malevolent Dead blurb:
Werewolf Sarah Vargas thought all she had to worry about was the Blood Moon Corporation's retaliation. She never dreamed that another vampire would arrive, disputing Damian's claim over the throne to Charleston, SC. To make matters worse, he is no ordinary vamp; he's a vampire necromancer. He's exceptionally hard to kill, and Sarah will have to do what ever she can to keep those that she loves safe... Even if it means doing the unthinkable.

Blood Moon blurb:

After she broke her contract with the Blood Moon Corporation, Sarah Vargas knew that it was only a matter of time before they came for her. What she didn't know is what lengths they would go to to make sure that she had no where to run. Everyone Sarah has every relied on is in danger while friends become enemies, and Sarah quickly realizes that the Blood Moon Corporation will never give up until she is dead. The Blood Moon Corporation is coming, and even Sarah doesn't think she can make it out alive.

 

To find out more about Heather...visit her website.

 

Our White Christmas Came Late

Ever since I moved to Tennessee, I've laughed at the "snow days" that close the schools. For example, on Thursday evening we received notification that the schools would be closed on Friday. In the past, closures have been for naught...nary a flake fell, but I think the teacher's do a "snow dance" at home because it's a paid day off for them. Heck, who wouldn't.

But the snow did come, and the most the Nashville are has seen for quite a while. Sharing these pictures gives you a glimpse of our new living "quarters." The two automobiles are parked just outside our front door. Although, I wish for a garage like I had in California, they are scarce commodities back here. Those who have them usually store things inside and let their cars set out. Makes me scratch my head. The days of cleaning my car and putting it in a nice tidy garage are gone forever. :(


This view is looking to the right through my front door, toward the dumpster, where I'll not be going for a few days. *lol* And, last but not least, this picture was taken through the glass on my back door (conveniently located in the second bedroom (guest/office quarters) and gives you an idea of the expanse of the patio that holds our BBQ. A 4x4 slab with a privacy panel is a far cry from the nice screened in sunroom at our old house, but at least, here we can breathe.



Oh, and judging from the newscasts showing all the collisions, it's a good thing they close the schools. People back here clearly do not know how to drive in the snow. Of course, I don't either, so I won't. But on Thursday, the aisles were packed with shoppers. It wasn't the first or the fifteenth, so it puzzled me. The lady in line behind me had a cart holding little canned goods, candles, and a few miscellaneous things, and when I wondered aloud why the lines were so long she had a ready answer. "Everyone here is stockin' up for the "blizzard" that's a comin'." So now through the magic of pictures, you can say you've seen a Tennessee blizzard. *lol* Until now, I thought a blizzard was something scrump-delicious available at Dairy Queen. I love the Chocolate-covered Stawberry Blizzard. Yum!!!

Monday Mania

Most people probably don't realize how much time is involved in promoting...and the more houses you sign with, the more demands are made on your time. That's why I ask my friends to visit here, once in a while, so I can have a little break from one task. I love to blog, but it can be an all-consuming passion. I have to pace myself. So, I offer opportunities for my friends to come here and introduce their work to you.

What I'd like to know, and comments are welcome and needed...do you read the posts of my fellow authors and do you find them entertaining and helpful?

In the same line of questions...authors, do you read all the posts made to your Facebook? Do you read all the Tweets of those you follow? I don't know how to fit everything into a day anymore. I need some suggestions. Anyone?

It's Amazing What TV Ads Can Show...

AND what they can't. Honestly, the one thing that can't be advertised is cigarette smoking, something our children see every day; something we can warn them about, and hopefully make it a habit they don't adopt.

What we do see in advertising ARE things our children really don't need to know about until they get older. I don't think my grandson needs to know about erectile dysfunction, or in one commercial, how the man's lubricant mixes with the woman's lubricant and causes fireworks. Does Spencer really need to know how to have a "happy period" by using Wings? I'm sure he won't ever need to know that with Tampax, he can swim even at that time of the month.

Is nothing sacred anymore? When I was younger, we didn't discuss douching, hemorrhoids, or birth control. Those were things best kept personal and not a topic for common conversation. If you had gas, that was something you tried to hide, too. Now, even diarrhea and constipation are up for public airing. You can show kids anything on TV, but God forbid they actually see someone smoking a cigarette. That just might be too hard to explain. Yeah...like explaining all those Viagra and Cialis commercials is a snap!

Another Coming Attraction

Don't Worry, I'll post the important information again on my Romance Day. Be sure to stay tuned for more information. Boy, this year is starting out with lots of action.

ROMANCING FEBRUARY

Twenty-Eight romance authors invite you to participate in a month-long event of love and laughter. Each day starting Feb. 1, 2009 an author will throw a romance party at her blog and host a contest with a prize. The link to the next day's blog location will also be provided at each location. Just drop by and enter the contest. And get ready to heat up the cold wintry days of February. You could win a prize a day!

On February 28th, one person will be awarded the grand prize of a $75 WRP gift certificate. All you have to do to enter the grand prize contest is make a list of each author in this blog event and name one title she has available. Submit your list to Christmasride Blog by midnight CST, February 27, 2009. The winner will be announced on February 28th--just in time to warm up that person's February. Visit Amber Leigh William's Blog on February 1st to begin.

Happy Holidays from Ireland

Grace Tierney is a freelance writer, survey-fieldworker, and mum living in rural Ireland. Her work in fiction and non-fiction has been published internationally in magazines, anthologies, online media, newspapers, and coffee tins. She believes in looking on the bright side and has published “Positive Thoughts for Writers” and "The Writing Contest Expert's Guide to Fiction Contests" available at Lulu.

She is currently writing her second chicklit/humour novel. For more information about Grace’s work see Grace's Web Site.

She submits the following photos from her home in Meath, Ireland with a description of each:

Tree – always has to be a real one (it’s wood-chipped in the New Year) and always stays up until the 6th of January to observe the twelve days of Christmas. This year it was decorated by my husband and Eleanor (3) and Daniel (5) so some branches are overladen with ornaments and others are bare. It’s topped with a homemade peg angel and a wooden star I painted myself.









Tree detail – everytime I have travelled anywhere with my husband of eight years we have bought a Christmas tree decoration so as we dress the tree we recall our travels. In this section of the tree you can see Maltese glass grapes, Italian glass vial, Santa climbing the Eiffel tower, a shell from Mauritius, a globe from Scotland, a jumper from a friend, and a silver sleigh from Ireland. I hope to travel enough to merit a larger tree someday!









Bookcase – I love these dangly leg characters but unfortunately my kids thing they are soft-toys, hence the high location













Crib – I’ve put all the pieces in for this photo but usually we fill the crib on the right days as each character in the story arrives in Bethlehem (the three kings/magi arrive quite late for example). Jesus is placed in the crib on Christmas morning by the youngest household member. The straw is taken from last year’s church crib to bring good fortune to our own family home for the coming year.










Entrance – The elves have taken over











Hearth – we hope Santa can avoid our collection of pine cones and driftwood when coming to fill our stockings. Perhaps sleepy Rudolph will help him?



Kind regards and Happy Christmas!

Grace Tierney

Decisions, Decisions

Jenny Craig or Nutri Systems...the choices are so difficult. If I choose Jenny I can look like Valerie Bertinelli, but I saw an add this morning for Nutri Systems with a former model. According to her, I can lose all this weight and finally wear that bikini I've never owned. I just wonder what's going to happen to all these stretch marks and cellulite? Oh well, she couldn't possible be paid to get my hopes up with a bunch of lies, could she?

Besides all the wondrous things that will happen besides the amazing weight loss and transformation, I'm going to develop a love for football that I've never had, and be able to catch one. Wow! What can I say? If the bikini doesn't get the attention I so need, according to 'anon' who posted a negative comment on my blog and thinks I cry for it, then being active in a man's sport certainly will.

I think Nutri System has won me over, hands down. I've always thought it tacky to wear three inch heels with a bathing suit, but once I have their model's body, long blonde hair, and none of this hanging skin that comes with aging, I might give those puppies a try.

Gotta run now...I have to go online and sign up to have those delicious looking meals delivered right to my door. Goodness, when I think of all the time I wasted...oh WAIT! I remember now. I did Nutri System, years ago. How could I have forgotten having to take out a second mortgage to pay for the food? Well, at least you don't have to visit and weigh in like I did back then. Oh, and Jenny Craig hired my sister off the street with no evidence of any type of training to be one of their weight-loss consultants. But, they must be doing well to afford all the air times for these great ads. I never joined Weight-Watchers though...I remember seeing their founder on a talk show years ago, sporting a huge diamond. When asked about it, she flippantly said something like, "Oh, this little thing? That's what the fatties of the world have done for me." I decided I didn't want to contribute to her her jewelry collection. :)