My Writing Corner

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Positive and Negative Words for Summer Romance Readers

This week we continue our fun summer reading series with a look at the books of Linda Joyce. Linda joins us today with a special blog on reading.

Take it away, Linda!

What are your words for summer romance?

I’m working on a manuscript, Bayou Brides, book four of the Fleur de Lis series. I’m putting down all kinds of words, going with the flow, and loving the energy of the mood.

Writing, unlike other forms of art, must first be captured on paper/computer screen, a writer’s raw material, before it can be polished into a gem of a book. I’m mentally and emotionally hanging out in the near past in Mississippi immediately following Hurricane Katrina—I’m engrossed. My fingers flyacross the keys far faster than when I played piano.

Then my cell phone dings.
The real world comes into focus.
Dictionary.com posts the word for the day—Incondite.

Darn! My concentration is now broken, so I flip over to the Dictionary site on my laptop for a short, yet educational break. After all, who would know? I’m sitting in my writing cavealone except for the snores from three canines. I can take a few minutes to engage in a worthwhile word game to improve my writing. (That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.)

Once at the website, the game appears like a pop quiz. The current challenge: Positive and negativewords for summer romance. Intriguing.

(By the time you read this post, the link should still work, but the game may be different. I urge you to give it a go. I dare you.)

Hmmm….This vocab game will be a slam-dunk! Of course, I know ALL the vocabulary words for romance. What better way to take a break than to boost my writing confidence with a 100% correct score?

And so I begin. There are four possible choices for each vocabulary word. The best thing about the quiz is that it provides IMMEDIATE feedback. A bright green star and checkmark appear at the top of the page and highlight the correct answer. But then, RED! I missed one! Cosset. *Sigh* I never recall cosset used in any romance novel I’ve read. So now the challenge is to finda novel containing the usage.

One of the dogs bumps my arm. I remember—I’m supposed to be writing! I’d better get back to that.

In case you’re in need of a distraction, let Bayou Beckons, my new release be the ding that takes you away. Happy Reading!

Party-girl and bayou babe Camilla Lind treats life like a game. After sleeping with her sister’s fiancé, she’s struggling to change, but karmic payback is a bitch. When the actions of her past crash into the present, they stand to ruin her future...and destroy any chance of love with the only man she’s ever wanted.

Rancher Jared Richardson guards his heart carefully after suffering the pain of infidelity. He never expected to fall for a woman like Camilla Lind, nor did he think he’d follow her across the country to beg for a second chance at love.

As Hurricane Katrina bears down on them, can they weather the storm and put aside past hurts to embrace their future together?

Bayou Beckons, book three of the Fleur de Lis series is now available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Joyce/e/B00BODDROS/

Bayou Bound, book two of the series is a 2015 RONE Award Finalist. (Winners to be announced at InD’tale magazine in September.) It also won 1^st Place in Romance from the Southeastern Writers Association.

Bayou Born, book one, is a 2014 RONE Finalist.
PS- The vocabulary in the game is not just for romance readers. These words appear in many genres. After you take the quiz, please let me know what you think.

Thanks, Linda! You may get me hooked on that game. Here's how to reach Linda. Any questions or comments?

Website: Linda-Joyce

Facebook Author Page: LindaJoyceAuthor

Twitter: @LJWriter

Goodreads: Linda Joyce http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950241.Linda_Joyce

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Paranormal Summer Reading

This week in My Writing Corner we are continuing our Summer reading with a romantic story about ghostly happenings. The book is Restless Spirit, just released by The Wild Rose Press, and the author is M. Kate Quinn. It's the second book she has set in Ronan Harbor, New Jersey, and it sounds like delightful summer reading.

Did you always want to be a writer?

It began when I was in the second grade. My teacher, Mrs. Sprowl, had written a partial sentence on the blackboard and then asked us to finish it then write a story using that as the first sentence. I will never forget that feeling of suddenly having a magic wand in my hand, which was actually a pencil. Later, when Mrs. Sprowl was reading through the stories, she called me up to her desk and told me I was going to be a writer some day.

How did you get started in publishing?

I took an early retirement from academia and decided then that it was my time to really give a writing career a try. So, I joined New Jersey Romance Writers (sat in the back at my first meeting with who-am-I-kidding chanting in my head) and took copious notes, talked with people in the know, and went to every conference. At my first conference I took a leap of faith and grabbed a pitch session that had been cancelled by someone else. I met an editor from The Wild Rose Press and she liked my story idea and asked for a partial submission. That was my first sale. I’ve just released my fifth.

Tell us about your latest book, Restless Spirit, and where you got the idea for it.

Restless Spirit is a story of a young woman who came back to her home town in Ronan’s Harbor, New Jersey, to nurse her dying mother. Now at the one-year anniversary of her mom’s passing strange things are happening in the house. Antiques crash to the floor, sounds in the night, strange smells wafting through the rooms…..She’s got a ghost! The K-9 officer that she’s been interviewing for her local TV program gets wrapped up in the ghostly mayhem and, although the two are dead set against getting involved in romance, somehow even a firm resolve is no match for a restless spirit.

What do you like best about your heroine and hero?

What I like best about the two of them is that they each grapple with a fear that has held them hostage from realizing a dream and through trial and tribulation they each overcome their fears.

What are you working on now?

Currently I am working on the third and final book in the Ronan’s Harbor Series. It is in a nebulous stage but I can say that it involves a reluctant bridal shop owner and the father of a bridezilla.

That sounds like another wonderful story. Let's get a look at Restless Spirit along with an excerpt:

Strange things are happening at Aubrey Donner's cottage in Ronan's Harbor, NJ. Noises in the night, crashing antiques and an eerie presence all add up to only one thing: her cottage is haunted.

Her new job hosting a pet-related program on local television finds her battling to hide her lifelong fear of dogs from local no-nonsense K-9 officer Asa Kavanaugh and his four-footed, pony-sized partner, Scout. Aubrey can't wait to be done with the duo until she realizes she can use Asa and Scout's help to wrangle her phantom. While chasing shadows, yearnings of two wounded hearts collide, banishing old fears and unveiling the possibility that true love may really exist after all.

“When I initially asked you to bring a memento to the séance I didn’t realize we would be sitting

amongst so many. It’s fine. Please, have a seat.”

A triple-wick candle with its zealous flames had been placed in the center of the table. It cast a dancing glow over the purple covering Joanie had found downtown at Franklin’s today.

“At this time we will place our hands on the table and stretch our fingers out wide.” Ira’s tone was

authoritative. His words’ substantive quality only served to rattle Aubrey more. Her knees shook under the table.

“Touch your pinky fingers to the person’s beside you,” Ira continued. “We are making an unbroken ring. We do this to protect against negativity.”

Aubrey placed her hands on the table, watching out the corner of her eye at Asa beside her. His big masculine hands were outstretched. His right pinky sought and found her left. A kind of vibration extended from their connected digits, and she was tempted to pul laway. She knew better than to meet his gaze she felt onher, wooing her to turn her head.

On her other side, Joanie also placed her hands into position and pressed the tip of her smallest finger against Aubrey’s right one. One by one, they all formed an unbroken ring of their hands.

“Let us begin,” Ira said, the cadence of his voice clergy-like. “We close our eyes and still our minds.”

Aubrey squeezed her eyes shut, trying to keep her thoughts still as Ira had asked. But there was a big man, with a teasing dimple, sitting beside her, his electric finger pressing onto hers. She shook her head and tried to dismiss the sensation that quivered through her veins.

Okay, I'm hooked! That is going on my list of summer reading books. Here are the details for reaching M. Kate Quinn and for buying her new book.

www.mkatequinn.com

www.mkatequinn.com/blog

Facebook: Fans of M. Kate Quinn

Twitter: @mkatequinn

Now Available at

www.thewildrosepress.com

www.amazon.com

www.bn.com

Thank you, Mary Kate, for being my guest and good luck with your new book. Any questions or comments?

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Hot Summer Reading

Today we continue our summer reading with a paranormal romance by author J.L. Sheppard, Heavenly Desire, Elemental Sisters III. It is the third installment of the Elemental Sisters Series and right now it is a bargain for your summer reading. For the next week, it is on sale for 99 Cents.

Here's a look:

Clyde, an angel, battles the one thing he believes will lead to his fall from heaven--his new found emotions, forbidden among his kind. Nonetheless, the Angel Lords promise to promote him to warrior when he completes his last assignment--to find Jade. When he does, emotions he never knew possible arise.. For the first time in two thousand years, he cursed his existence. Knowing she can never be his, will he sacrifice his wings for a woman he loves but can't keep?

Sounds like a great book to read this summer!

J. L. began her publishing career two years ago with the first Elemental Sisters book, Demon King's Desire. She has wanted to be an author since she was a child and that was her greatest aspiration. Born and raised in Miami, FL, where she still lives, she began writing by keeping a journal and wrote countless poems. A graduate of Florida International University, she later worked in a TV news department for three years.

She has received great reviews for this book, receiving five stars from Night Owl reviews and from the Paranormal Romance Guild.

Ready for an excerpt to tempt you?

He bent toward her, wrapped one arm around her waist, the other around her back, then buried his face in the crook of her neck and inhaled.

Relishing the feel of her body melded against his, he forgot the worries consuming him. She soothed his ache with a mere touch, with a mere embrace.

Exactly what he’d wanted, exactly what he needed.

She then pressed her full lips against his cheek, kissing him lightly.

An innocent kiss. There was no passion behind it, but an unconscious consuming need, one he’d never felt, swelled inside him—desire. It was exciting, overwhelming and terrifying, blocking logic and reason.

All he wanted now was a single kiss. All he could think about was how her soft lips would feel pressed against his.

Marvelous, he concluded.

It was absurd to want what he did and feel what he felt, for he was an angel. Carnal desires even as insignificant as kisses were for others, for all others except his breed, and yet he felt it so deeply it seared him.

The desire that gripped him didn’t release him even after she unhooked her arms from around his neck, and the warmth of her body melted away.

There he stood, immobile, battling the desire she’d sparked. He didn’t want to leave yet knew he had to before he’d acted out his longing.

He willed his body to move. Finally, he placed one foot behind the other, stepped back and strode away praying the yearning he had no right to feel for a woman who would never be his would soon subside.

* * *

Don't you want to keep reading? As I noted, Heavenly Desire is on sale for the next week if you want to get a copy. Here are the links:

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5800

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Heavenly-Desire-Elemental-Sisters-Series-ebook/dp/B00N26EWG2

B&N:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heavenly-desire-j-l-sheppard/1120325495?ean=2940150739291

Kobo:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/Heavenly-Desire/piDMp0Ld1UGfCsvPPlLOeg?MixID=piDMp0Ld1UGfCsvPPlLOeg&PageNumber=1

Here's how to contact Jean:
Contact:

www.JLSheppard.com
www.facebook.com/JLSheppardAuthor

https://twitter.com/JL_Sheppard

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6894176.J_L_Sheppard

http://pinterest.com/jlsheppard5/

Thanks, Jean, for being my guest. Any questions or comments for Jean?

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Go Back in Time for Fun Summer Reading

Today we continue our fun summer reading with a look at author Mary Gillgannon and her new book, Wicked Wager. She's the author of 15 novels set main in the dark ages, medieval and English Regency time periods. When not writing or working at the public library, she loves reading, gardening and travel.

I asked Mary about her new book and how she came up with the idea for Wicked Wager.

Although I am boringly feminine now, when I was a kid I was a tomboy. I loved climbing trees, riding bikes, fishing and camping. I also loved animals, and although I had few opportunities to be around horses, I’m sure if I had a chance I would have been “horse mad” like my heroine, Penelope (Penny) Montgomery.

That’s really where the story for Wicked Wager started. I envisioned a grown-up tomboy, who loves to be outside working with horses. Penny has no interest in most “lady-like” pursuits and she’s fiercely independent. Of course, to make it fun, I paired Penny with a man who appears to be her opposite. Marcus Revington lives in London and makes his living as a gamester, spending most of his time in gambling hells and clubs. He’s elegant and well-dressed and what we would consider “debonair”. Quite a contrast to Penny, with her men’s clothing and messy hair!

But even though Penny and Marcus appear to be opposites, they are actually a lot alike. They are both down-to-earth, unpretentious people who work hard and are very loyal to the people they care about. But it takes them a long time to discover the things they have in common. And by the time they do, there are complications that put their “happily ever after” very much jeopardy.

What do you like best about your hero?

What I like best about Marcus is that despite being a gamester, and making his living by hiding his emotions, and presenting himself as cold and ruthless, he’s actually a very honest and straightforward person. He doesn’t care about status or social class and accepts people for who they are. He is also very passionate beneath his aloof exterior. When he falls for Penny, he really falls, and he is willing to do almost anything to keep her in his life.

What do you like best about your heroine?

I really enjoyed writing Penny’s story because she is lively and fun.

So enough of this current summer heat. Let's go back in time to another kind of fun heat with Wicked Wager, this week's summer getaway reading:

When hardened gamester Marcus Revington wins Horngate Manor in a card game, he is delighted to finally own property. Even discovering he must marry the heiress of the estate doesn’t deter him. The heiress, Penny Montgomery, is happy with her life raising horses at Horngate and has no desire to wed anyone. When she learns about her guardian’s Wicked Wager, she schemes to convince Marcus she’s unsuitable as a wife so he’ll forget his plan to marry her. Who will win this battle of wits and wills? Or will they both discover the name of the game is love?

Sounds like a perfect book to read by the beach, pool or sitting in the shade while you're out camping or in the evening on the patio. Let's read an excerpt.

Both men turned at the sound of hoof beats. A huge stallion came barreling down the drive, its rider bent low over the withers. Halfway to the house, the rider reined in the magnificent animal. Blowing and snorting, the beast slowed to a trot and, finally, a walk. As horse and rider approached, Marcus couldn’t help gaping at the young woman controlling the stallion. He'd never seen a female ride like that before!

She halted the stallion, and before either of them could assist her, leapt down and faced them. The woman was dressed in soiled men’s clothing and her brown hair hung down in messy wisps around her face. “So, which one of you is the London bloke I’m supposed to wed?”

James gestured to Marcus. “This is Mr. Revington. I’m James Ludingham, his solicitor.”

The woman extended a grimy hand to Marcus. “Pleased to meet you.”

Marcus stared at her in astonishment “You’re Miss Montgomery?"

"Yes, but you can call me Penny, everyone does. The house is there, see.” She pointed. “Mrs. Foxworthy will offer you something if you knock. I really can’t be bothered with playing hostess. I’ve got to get back to the stables. We’re gelding the colts today and they need me to do the cauterizing. Good meeting you though, Mr. Revington, Mr. Ludingham.”

She turned and mounted the stallion, then cantered back down the lane.

“Hmmm,” James said. “What were you saying about marrying the woman sight unseen?”

Marcus swallowed, trying to get over his shock. “I’ll allow she is a bit eccentric, but that hardly matters. It’s really quite simple. She’ll go her way and I’ll go mine.” His words belied the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Gads! The chit was an utter hoyden. He'd encountered Covent Garden orange girls who had more polish than Miss Montgomery. But at least she wasn't unattractive. Despite the dirt and her disheveled hair, she had huge blue eyes and pert, pretty features, and the masculine clothing she wore only served to emphasize her leggy but clearly feminine form.

“There is the small matter of the marriage ceremony," James reminded him. "Unless you think to get a clergyman to perform the rites in the barn, you may have a problem.”

“Well, she’s bound to come back to the house sometime. We’ll discuss the details then. Meanwhile, I’m starved. Let’s hope this Mrs. Foxworthy is a bit more hospitable than her mistress.”

Here are the links to buy Wicked Wager.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VU8L64K

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wicked-wager-mary-gillgannon/1121799505?ean=2940151266314

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6209

Thank you, Mary, for being my guest. Any questions or comments for Mary?

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

A Fun, New Mystery for the Summer

All this summer I am featuring new summer books for your reading please. Today we are focusing on Misty Simon and her latest Ivy Morris mystery, Something Old, Something Dead. Misty's slogan is Capturing Hearts with humor and romance, and this title certainly sounds like it lives up to that claim.

Ivy Morris never thought she'd be walking her new stepmother down the aisle to her father. Not a flawless event, because, really, when is anything in Ivy's life flawless? At least she avoids tripping. It's the reception that has the flaw. The wedding singer nearly chokes to death on a glass of water, and then Ivy's sister finds something unexpected in the parking lot.

And that's not all. Something odd is going on in the sleepy little town of Martha's Point — for some reason, no female under the age of fifty can keep her hands off Ivy's boyfriend. Ivy's little shop enjoys a tremendous increase in business as those women keep running in to buy more new sexy lingerie, but her heart is anything but happy.

What will it take to solve these mysteries? Is Ivy up to it? Well, she's about to find out.

Want more? Here's an excerpt.

“I wonder what’s up with Shelley.” Bella freshened her lipstick, which looked like it had been chewed off. Had she done that herself, or had her new squeeze, Officer Jared, done it for her? I really envied her freedom to do whatever she wanted whenever the mood struck her.

“It’s like an epidemic today,” I said. “Some woman at the dress shop sewed up most of my dress wrong and I could barely fit into it. When Sarah, the owner, finally got hold of me, she gave it a couple of tugs and, voila, it fit like a dream. I don’t get it.”

“I wouldn’t worry. Let’s get you taken care of as best we can and get back out there. I left Jared with a very strained expression on his face, and I don’t want it to go away before I’m good and ready.”

Bella, the eternal sexpot. I wished I could call myself the kettle.
Instead, we went back out to the table with my hair pulled into a messy but chic ponytail. Thank goodness Bella had a pair of earrings in her purse that hung almost to my shoulder. They made the stubby ponytail look a little less fourth grade and more fancy college co-ed. I hadn’t done anything with the degree I had received other than be an admin assistant, but I could look the part, I guessed.

When we arrived back at the table, Ben rose from his chair and helped me into mine. He could be a gentleman when he wanted to be. Not that he was a complete jerk at other times, but he did have his moments of over-the-top arrogance

Want to read on? Here are the links to get Misty's new book:

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=244_235_236&products_id=6122

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/something-old-something-dead-misty-simon/1008598974?ean=2940150071070&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-Vj3kxGRfbmI-_-10:1&r=1

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TCNYLVA?ie=UTF8&tag=thewildrosepr-20&link_code=wql

Thanks, Misty, for being a guest and bringing us your book

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

New Summer Reading

Today we are continuing our summer reading fun with romance author G. E. Taylor and her new book, The Lady Mentor.

Here's a blurb:

When beautiful Joanna Huntington left the law firm of Petersberg, Ryan and Cole, she never dreamed the storm would force her into the path of the car driven by Vaughn Gordon, the man whom she thought she would never see again. Coming face –to- face with Vaughn at the hospital brought back memories of their first encounter when she‘d lived in Chester. How she’d boldly asked Vaughn to kiss her after she’d sensed the attraction between them was mutual. His touch made her forget any cautious teachings she’d heard and his kisses had sent so much heat flowing through her that every cell in her body clamored for his full possession. But now she wanted to hide.

Vaughn had everything he wanted, except the woman of his dreams. Joanna had been marked off limits, not because she was biracial and he was white but because that was demanded of him. He agreed to back off…for a time. But then she disappeared. Now here she was lying before him possibly hurt.

Fate would not be so cruel to take her from him again just when he found her.

Now that makes me want to read more...

G. E. has been reading romance since her teen years, and like so many of us who started writing romance in high school, her first attempts were handwritten or typed on an old typewriter. She went in a different direction after college. She majored in English but ended up with a Masters in Social Work and in Education. Eventually she became a social worker and gave up writing romance, but now she has more time and has returned to her high school love. She uses her background in her stories, including her latest book.

Let's take a look at an excerpt from The Lady Mentor:

“At last,” said Vaughn’s deep voice.

Joanna was so shocked she flopped down into the nearest chair.

“Are you there, Joanna?”

She cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m here. What can I do for you?” she asked, politely while her heart raced away like an unstoppable train.

“I take it you have fully recovered from the accident?”

“Yes. And it’s not necessary for you to continue to call.”

“It’s not necessary?”

“No. As a matter of fact, I wish you wouldn’t. I think you should forget you ran into me. Forget you saw me.”

“But I can’t do that,” came the husky reply. “We’ve been over this already, Joanna. Please have dinner with me this evening.”

“Now, why would I do that when I just told you−−−?”

“Joanna, I’m picking you up this evening. I’m not playing the waiting game anymore. If you’re not ready when I get there, it will be my pleasure to personally dress you.”

Arrogant bastard! “Why don’t you go harass someone else? I’m sure that banker’s daughter wouldn’t mind. Both of you look like a nice little couple in the papers.”

“I don’t mess around with married women, which she is now. At the time, I was asked to escort her to the function. Besides, I want to be with you, no one else.”

Well, he’d told her he would not waste time, and apparently he’d meant it. He was moving forward with the relationship. Truthfully, she wanted to see him again. They had a lot of unfinished business. Some she couldn’t make go away. Having dinner with him should give her some answers.

“Joanna, is eight okay?”

“Yes, that will be fine. Where are we going?”

“Downtown Newark, to the Neck, to one of the Spanish restaurants. You liked Spanish food, as I recall.”

“You remembered,” she stated quietly, blown away that he would remember such a small thing about her after all this time.

“There’s very little I don’t remember about you, Joanna. Give my regard to your lovely mother, and I’ll see you at eight.”

She replaced the phone in its cradle thoughtfully, a deep frown creasing her brows. There was no going back now. Truth be told, she was excited and was actually looking forward to being with him. There was no denying the fact that nobody else made her heart race with such speed or sing with such joy. The time spent away from him made her body even more responsive to him. She craved his touch and felt so alive when she was with him. She didn’t want to look too deeply into why. She only knew that from the first day they’d met, something special, magical was between them. Apparently that had not changed.

As Katherine entered the apartment, she sensed a change, and she looked at Joanna seated on the chair. “Is everything all right, Joanna?” she asked anxiously.

“Yes. I’m going to dinner with Vaughn tonight.”

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Joanna understood this was no ordinary question.

This looks like a hot summer read. The Lady Mentor is available at Amazon.com and BN.Com and getting great reviews. Here are links to get your copy.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JJDILc

Nook: http://bit.ly/1FI9shG

Any questions or comments?