Welcome Annette Snyder

Summer is the best! I am a lover of all things concerning heat and lazy lounging days.  When the kids were growing up, once a week we took a ‘field trip’ someplace close and free.  Most times that involved a state park with a beach.  On rainy days visits to a museum or an occasional matinee at the dollar theater occupied our time.  All venues were considered if we could drive there and back on a tank of gas.  My favorite days were the sunny ones spent by water, reading while the kids swam.  Reading on those days, was where my passion for writing began.

As a mom with four kids, time was premium.  Household chores and kid activities didn’t leave much time for my favorite pastime of reading.  Though I love those classic novels, it took me all summer to get through one.  Intense reads where time consuming so I read the lighter side.  

I’ve always liked the world of romance novels.  Boy meets girl.  There’s conflict.  It’s solved and the characters live happily ever after.  Ahhh!  The best part, as a mom with a billion things to do, summer reads were easily consumed in a few hours sitting on the beach or at the park while my kids played.   Written in proper fashion, romance novels captivate and entertain.

Once in a while, I’d get a bad one.  Poor writing.  Unsatisfying plot.  Weak characters.  Though I’d force myself to finish, I knew I could do better.

So I write.  

My 1800 Travis Pass Series was the first.  Inspired by those visits to museums with my kids and my fascination with antiques, coupled with the stories my great grandparents and grandparents told me about their migrations to the USA, I felt the need to melt all that in fiction.  Mix adventure with romance and I got Travis Pass, followed by Sally Murphy, Liberty Road and the rest of the series.  All stand alone reads but still in a series. 

My WWII trilogy came next derived from my grandmother’s life story in Viveka’s War.   Viveka’s a mom forced into the workforce as a result of WWII.  Though her husband is one of the fortunate soldiers who returned alive, mentally he wasn’t in one piece.  Plagued by problems caused by his infidelity, Viveka learns to move on and survive— triumph in her personal war. 

 

Viveka’s War is followed by Eureka Springs and soon to be released Respectable Affair. 

My current projects include a contemporary series involving a family of seven.  

Intimate Flames, an EPIC Award finalist 2011, starts with fireman, Andrew ‘Amen’ Packard, the youngest family member and convenience store clerk, Bradie Carpenter.  Both souls lost and discontent, untrusting, yet they find each other and work toward that happy ending.  

Drive Thru, a novel involving Amen’s sister Marie and Limousine driver Ben Sutter, follows and currently I’m completing a story about Dana Packard, female auctioneer and Bruce Levenger, insurance adjuster.   I call it Going Twice.

All light read adventure romance.  All available at www.whiskeycreekpress.com or at Fictionwise and its many affiliates, Amazon.com or so many other places. 

Check my website http://annettesnyder.atspace.com perhaps I’ll be near you and you can pick up an autographed copy or you can stop at one of the many stores my novels are available.  Also, please do stop by my blog http://annettesnyder.blogspot.com  It’s a pretty cool project that I invented whereas I’ve lined up fifty authors and writing professionals from all fifty United States and, each week  a new writing pro brings the spotlight to their work and state. 

  

It’s a great way to discover new areas of the USA and, if you’re planning one of those summer trips or weekend getaways, perhaps you’ll find something of interest or a new reading venue to grab for that day by the water.

I’d like to thank Ginger Simpson for hosting me once again.  It’s always a pleasure! 

   

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 Suzanne Hurley

My first book with Whiskey Creek Press came out on March 1, and I am just thrilled about it. I’ve written mysteries before, but this was my first attempt at a Women’s Fiction book and I loved writing it.
‘Never Ever’ is a story about three women. All face challenges, all overcome them. Here’s a blurb:

What do you do when you have a second chance to make your dreams come true, but are too afraid? What if you long to get married and have a family but keep choosing the wrong man, over and over? How about being the new girl at school and finding yourself the victim of bullying?

Social worker Ivy Blake survives a heart attack, decides to retire and do everything she’s always dreamed of. Only one problem. How do you say goodbye to your old life when you are a workaholic? Chris Palermo is a twenty-eight year old teacher who desperately longs to find true love, but chooses the wrong guy, date after date. Seventeen year old Jamie Hicks is a social outcast at her new school. Rebelling, she sports a blue fauxhawk and a ‘don’t mess with me’ attitude.

This book is about women supporting women as they search, explore and overcome obstacles. It is a journey of tough times, challenges and redeeming love.
I must say, it was extremely challenging getting into the minds of the three women and trying to figure out how they’d react. Great, great fun.

If anyone has any questions or would like to know more about my books, please contact me at suzannehurleysue@gmail.com and my website is www.suzannemhurley.com

Six Sentence Sunday

Thanks for dropping by today.  Although I'm going to miss the fantastic posts by my favorite authors, as you're reading this, I'm hopefully on an airplane on my way to a grand vacation in Alaska.  We should be arriving around 10:00 in the evening.  I couldn't miss the opportunity to share another six sentences with you.

After you read my six, hurry back to the original Six Sentence site and follow the links to more enticing bits.

This week, I'm switching to Joy's Revelation, my upcoming release from Muse It Up Publishing  Here's the blurb and my six:

Blurb:

Joy Garrett is preparing to marry the man of her dreams and needs her birth certificate in order to get a passport for her honeymoon.  For some reason her mother wants to avoid the issue and urges her to enjoy the good ol' USA.  While pilfering in her mother's things in the attic, Joy comes across a birth certificate, and although the date, hospital and doctor are a match with her, the paper certifies someone else's birth... What secret is her mother keeping?

 Tonight had to be perfect.  Scott had just graduated with his MBA and landed his dream job. She planned to give him the most precious gift she could think of—her virginity.  Pausing in front of the mirror over the fireplace, she adjusted a stray hair and moistened her lips. Thoughts of what was to come set butterflies lose in her belly. She clutched her midsection and took a long breath.