Rebecca Savage

Welcome Guest Blogger: Paty Jeger

2010-08-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

Nimiipuu clothing

My historical paranormal, Spirit of the Mountain is set among the Nez Perce (Or Nimiipuu as they call themselves) in the time before the White man encroaches on their land. To write this story I had to do a great deal of research into the way of life of this group of people. The more I studied them the more interested and excited I became to write a story about their life style.

In the 18th century when my first book takes place the Nimiipuu were dependent upon nature for their clothing. Garments were made from dressed hides and furs from mountain sheep, deer, elk, antelope, mountain goat, bison, wolf, bear, coyote, and smaller creatures. The clothing worn by the men were breech-cloths, double aprons, leggings poncho shirts, belts, robes, blankets, moccasins, mittens, neckpieces, and fur or animal head caps. The women wore belted dresses, long shirts, skirts, aprons, leggings, poncho shirts, blankets, knee-length moccasins, and mittens. The women also wore fez-shaped hats. These were made of twined grasses and hemp cordage in warm weather. Both sexes adorned their hair with fur strips in their braids. Boys and girls dressed much like their parents, and the younger children ran around in the warm weather with very little clothing.

Their daily clothing unless they were a headman, shaman, or warrior usually had little adornment. However for ceremonies they wore ornamented clothes decorated with polished elk's teeth, beads, discs of stone, bone or shell, dyed or natural-colored porcupine quills, feathers, beaver teeth, paint and any other material they could find that could be sewn on and make their clothing eye-catching.

I'm a historical writer first and foremost so I had to have this information before I felt comfortable writing this story. I tried to incorporate as much of the Nimiipuu way of life into the story as I could and keep the pacing moving forward. But the whole spirit faction of the story is made up. That is fictional and I hope I did justice to the spirit and the world of the Nimiipuu.

Blurb for Spirit of the Mountain
Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, her world is torn apart.

Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

Excerpt
Wren’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “My gift is to save The People. The weyekin who came to me in my vision quest said this.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if staving off a cold breeze.
Himiin hated that they argued when they should relish their time together. He moved to her, drawing her against his chest, embracing her. The shape of her body molded to his. Her curves pressed against him. Holding her this way flamed the need he’d tried to suppress.
He placed a hand under her chin, raising her face to his. The sorrow in her eyes tugged at his conscience. To make her leaving any harder was wrong. But having experienced her in his arms, he was grieved to let her go. Even for the sake of their people.
Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her pulse quickened under his fingers. Shrugging off the consequences, he lowered his lips to hers. They were softer than he imagined. Her breath hitched as he touched her intimately. Parting his lips, he touched her with his tongue, wanting to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.
Honey.

This is the first day of my six day blog tour that includes a puzzle and a prize. Copy the puzzle piece in this post to a document and collect all the pieces at the blogs I visit. Then when you have them all, send them to me at patyjag@gmail.com and I'll put your name in the drawing for a copy of Spirit of the Mountain and other goodies. I'll draw the name and post it on my blog on Monday July 16th.

If you'd like to read more about me and my books or enter my website contest go to: http://www.patyjager.net

Rebecca, Thanks for having me!

Paty
************
Thanks, Paty, for being on my blog:)
&
Contest:
Anyone leaving comment here on this post and on my webpage contact form will be entered to win free pdf of Rebecca Savage book: rebeccasavage.com

Welcome Guest Blogger: Lara Hogg

2010-07-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

"Why, My Love" out with Eternal Press romantic fantasy genre novel. Thanks,
Rebecca! -laura

About the book:
What will a queen do to win back her man and her country? Nayda, a warrior
queen, and her husband rule over a small kingdom in a post-apocalyptic world
doing the best they can to rebuild their city and bring prosperity to their
citizens.

A European queen visits and creates chaos. She goes to war with Nayda and
takes her crown, and, under strange circumstances steals her husband. Now
Nayda must return to her espionage ways. Her missions are extremely
dangerous, even more so than battle, where she can at least see the sword
coming.

Quotes:
³Well I don¹t know, honey. We could knock them off then you and I would be
prince consort and queen,²

³I¹m about to sacrifice my heart to my
people.²

³Look at me, Warrior Queen.²
She turned her head slowly, and she bore her gaze into his.
³Do not fight this war,² he said.

Excerpt:
³I thought I knew you, Jeff.² Her body turned cold, and she swooned
inwardly, not knowing who this stranger before her was. This was the biggest
disaster of her life.

Eternity seemed to be frowning on her. She imagined herself lying dead on
the ground with his sword in her chest, and she knew that part of her had
just died. She made an effort to steady her anxious breathing and calm her
trembling hands. Jeff lifted his sword and took a killing stance‹his feet
wider, his arms up in position. She gasped, and tears burned her eyes. With
practiced speed, she caught his blade on the downswing, with her own. It
rang out, and her heart pounded in its wreckage. Back and forth they swung,
and tears rolled down her cheeks.

He forced her back, her feet shuffling. She stumbled over a twig and fell on
her back. He bore down with vengeance, and she rolled away. His blade pinned
a long, brown braid to the leaves beneath it. She scampered up, missing the
braid, and was backed into a tree, and his blade came up and swished,
cracking the air with the sound of thunderous betrayal.

³Last request!² she shouted in utter desolation.

Steel stopped, its edge cutting her neck. Sticky blood inched down her skin.

He nodded once.
Buy link: http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615721399
Contest: leave a comment here and on rebeccasavage.com webpage contact form and be entered to win Rebecca Savage book:)

Welcome Guest Blogger: Meg Benjamin:)

2010-07-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

1. What do you write and why?
I mainly do contemporary stuff—even my paranormals and urban fantasy take place in the present time and in familiar places. Largely it’s because I like to feel like I know what I’m doing, and historical stuff takes a lot of research!
2. What do you read and why, especially if it's different from what you write?
I’m also a fan of contemporary romance, but I like thrillers, mysteries, and detective stories too. My favorite stuff has a touch of humor, like Jennifer Crusie and Susan Elizabeth Phillips among contemporary authors and Loretta Chase and Barbara Metzger among historicals. But mainly I love reading authors who really know what they’re doing—Nora Roberts, of course, but also writers like Eloisa James and Sarah Smith. People whose prose style is just a joy to read.
3. Who do write for?
So far I’ve published all my books with Samhain Publishing.
4. How long have you been writing?
It feels like forever, but it’s more like a decade! Before I retired, I was a college teacher, which meant I was mainly writing scholarly stuff and textbooks. But around ten years ago, I decided I really wanted to write fiction. It took me a while to understand how to go about it (I’ve got some real clunkers hidden away in my files), but I finally hooked up with Samhain in 2008.
5. How do you world build?
I start from the known. My four books for Samhain are all set in the Texas Hill Country, where I used to hang out a lot when I lived in Texas. I took elements of several small towns and created my own: Konigsburg. It should be recognizable, at least in part, to most people who have passed through the area.
6. How do you write: the process and atmosphere?
I don’t think you can be too picky about atmosphere—if you are, you’ll never get anything done! I usually start by working my way through some charts from Delilah Devlin’s plotting bootcamp (which I highly recommend for everybody). Then when I have a general idea of the way the plot’s going to go, I start in at the beginning and plow through until I come to the end. I like to go sequentially because I know I can always come back later and revise assuming I’ve got a story to work with.
7. How do you build characters and their personalities and looks?
Again, I use Delilah’s charts to get myself thinking about them. But I find they begin to develop as I write so I try not to tie myself down too much.
8. Tell me about some of your heroes and heroines:
My Konigsburg heroes so far (I hope the series can keep going) are four brothers: Cal, Pete, Lars, and Erik Toleffson. They’re all Iowa boys (like my own DH) who have moved to this small town in Texas. Cal is the hero of Venus In Blue Jeans, the original nice guy who falls hard for Docia Kent, a woman who’s not too sure she’s ready for a romance. Pete is the hero of Wedding Bell Blues, a born fixer who wants to make sure everybody gets what they should have, except that he doesn’t seem very good at getting what he needs for himself. He’s Cal’s best man and he falls for his female counterpart, Janie Dupree, a born fixer herself and Docia’s maid of honor. Then there’s Lars, an accountant who’s the hero of Be My Baby. He’s the father of a little girl and the survivor of a horrendous divorce. He becomes involved with his babysitter, Jess Carroll, who’s a woman with a lot of secrets. And finally, there’s Erik. His story, Long Time Gone, has just been released at Samhain. He’s the chief of police in Konigsburg, but he’s got a dark past as a bully and a petty criminal. That past starts to catch up with him, but not before he falls in love with a local winery owner, Morgan Barrett.
9. Are you a pantser or plotter?
Definitely a plotter. I like to figure out where I’m going in advance.
10. What's your WIP?
I have a couple of them. One, Medium Well, is a ghost story and mystery set in San Antonio. The other, Away, is an urban fantasy set in my new home in the foothills of the Colorado Front Range.
11. What's your latest release and tell me about it:
My newest release is Long Time Gone. Here’s the blurb:
A future with the woman of his dreams is within his grasp…if the past will stay that way.
Konigsburg, Book 4
Erik Toleffson wasn’t looking to become Chief of Police. He’s got enough trouble trying to rebuild his relationship with his three brothers who, until just recently, ran the other way when he approached. He’s not the bully they grew up with, but bad memories are tough to overcome.
Morgan Barrett is as worn out as a vat full of crushed grape skins. She never planned to run Cedar Creek Winery, but there’s no one else to shoulder the load as her father recovers from an injury. All she needs is a little sleep. Just a five-minute nap in the booth at the Dew Drop Inn…if that guy across the bar would stop staring at her as if putting her head down on the table is a crime.
After Morgan yawns in Erik’s face, there’s nowhere to go but up. With time, though, their relationship warms like a perfectly blended Bordeaux. Until the shady mayor digs into Erik’s past and dredges up information that could drive a permanent wedge between him and his brothers—and sour any chance of a future with Morgan.
Warning: Contains hot sex with mango sherbet, crooked politicians, yuppie bikers, Bored Ducks, and a Maine Coon Cat with attitude.
12. Anything from your personal life you'd like to tell us?
A year ago I moved from South Texas, where we’d lived for over twenty years, to the foothill suburbs of Denver. At the same time, I retired from my long-time job teaching writing and document design. It’s been quite an adjustment, but I really love my new home!

Welcome Guest Blogger: Raine Delight:)

2010-07-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

1. What do you write and why?
Raine says: I write paranormal erotic romance right now. I love paranormal/urban fantasy books. The sky’s the limit in creating something fresh and unique in these genres. I am also writing my first non-erotic paranormal romantic comedy, which is something very different than I ever done before.  Having fun writing this one and then it’s onto space and my first M/M book

2. What do you read and why, especially if it's different from what you write?
Raine says: Oh god *thinks* I love to read, even cereal boxes. Lol Currently I am knee-deep in JR Ward’s Blackdagger Brotherhood series (Currently on Lover Avenged) and then I for a change of pace I love straight fantasy like Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series or Gail Z. Martin’s necromancer series. I also read contemporary books like Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods or Susan Wiggs and for suspense-JD Robb all the way!

I like exploring different genres as it gives me time to relax from what I write day in, day out and a chance to enjoy some amazing authors I admire.

3. Who do write for?
Raine says: Currently I am with Aspen Mountain Press (www.aspenmountainpress.com) and The Wild Horse Press (www.The-Wild-Horse-Press.com)

4. How long have you been writing?
Raine says: Over five years and I had a few publishers close their doors while I was with them so for me, being with AMP for the last few years has been an amazing journey-one I am extremely grateful for.

5. How do you world build?
Raine says: Oh man, when I first started my Devon Falls Series it was to be just two stories. Then it snowballed as readers enjoyed the first two books and I ended up having to create a paranormal town with creatures, businesses and families/friends. I know have what is called a bible, where this entire plus notes for future books, for it. Otherwise I am mixing up eye, hair color and other items.  I first started with a scene/business (career) and build around it. Normally all my books (besides the sci fi one) is contemporary so I use what I know-small town, list how many businesses and make it general then expand it with different characteristics.

6. How do you write: the process and atmosphere?
Raine says: I normally put on ear buds, pop in a CD, open a word doc and go at it-no formatting or anything for one hour a day. I normally can write over 1k in that time and if particularly on a roll, more than 4k. I use music to help keep me focused as I write certain scenes as well. Many of my books mention what I listened to while writing it.

7. How do you build characters and their personalities and looks?
Raine says: I normally find out from them what they look like then once I begin writing them, they flesh out and their personalities come out. I had one hero (Michael from Moonlight & Magic-coming Oct. 2010) that hated that I made him a wimpy guy (a pansy he called himself) and refused to let me write anymore until I redeemed him to a more alpha male. *sigh*

8. Tell me about some of your heroes and heroines:
Raine says: I have a few heroes/heroines that just click like Jaxon and Rodrick of Haunting Magic. These two were hilarious, with their sniping at each other, the sparks that flew between them and the fact they both lusted for one another. It made writing their story pure fun. The hardest is Michael and Dixie in Moonlight & Magic. Michael is lonely and resigned to never having a family of his own-always wanders to some place new. Dixie longs for love and has trust issues. These two had to work extremely hard to be together and in the end, they find that home is where their hearts are.

9. Are you a pantser or plotter?
Raine says: Pantser all the way. I tried the whole plot things out angle and it just doesn’t work for me since my muse sends characters all over than what I wanted. LOL

10. What's your WIP?
Raine says: Currently I am on three deadlines from June to September for three manuscripts. Two which come out in October/December from Aspen Mountain Press and the third is for The Wild Horse Press.

Devon Falls 5: Moonlight & Magic
Release date-Oct. 15th-Aspen Mountain Press (www.aspenmountainpress.com)
Paranormal/Shifter Contemporary Erotic Romance

Tagline: Can a were-tiger convince one stubborn woman that she is his for all time and show her that falling in love is just as sinful as a chocolate kiss?

Blurb:

Dixie Sinclair has watched her cousins all fall in love and now she wants the same. Dared to go to the annual Masquerade ball, Dixie finds the one thing she desires: love…one problem…can she trust that it will last after that one night?

Michael Barnes is a rare white were-tiger who was thrown out of his pride long ago for a trumped up crime, Michael roams the world searching for the one place to call home. Finding that peace in Devon Falls, he finds the one woman who stirs him like no other. Can he convince Dixie that she can trust in him forever?

*~*
Devon Falls 6: Yuletide Magic
Release Date-Dec. 3rd, 2010
Paranormal Romance/Holiday (winter solstice)-Aspen Mountain Press

Tagline: The magic of the season brings together two unlikely people in Devon Falls.

Blurb:

Yule has always had Mandy Alexander in one tight knot as she tries to keep her neighbors from finding out that she is a practicing wiccan and to escape from the painful memories of the past. Escaping to Devon Falls for a Yule ritual among friends, she encounters Grady O’Neil, a man who calls to her in more ways than one. With the magic of the season around them, can Mandy let her heart trust Grady enough to let him show her the delights that love can give her?

*~*
Falling To Pieces
Release date TBD-The Wild Horse Press (www.The-Wild-Horse-Press.com)
Paranormal Romantic Comedy (non-erotic)
What do you get when you wake up and find your life has changed forever? That is what happens to Darius St. Cloud and frankly, he wished he never met that witch who just made him one of the walking undead. Add in renegade demon worshippers, a woman hell bent on helping him and a love that will take them to the edge of hell and back before all is said and done, Melinda and Darius will find that love indeed conquers all!

11. What's your latest release and tell me about it:
Raine says: my latest release was from 2009 and it has become my best selling book so far. Devon Falls 4: Haunting Magic is about a wolf shifter who finds his mate in the one woman he doesn’t want-or does he? A woman who tried to resist yet falls prey to the charms of the one man who stirs her like no other. Here is the official blurb of Jax and Rod’s story, now available at Amazon kindle, All Romance, AMP, 1Romance and other places:

Devon Falls 4: Haunting Magic
Paranormal/Shifter Erotic Contemporary Romance
Now Available
NOTE: The cover is awesome. I have to admit the artist Syneca at AMP outdid her with this one and is one readers’ seem to love-half naked man YUM!

Can a wolf shifter get his new found mate to heel or will she tame the wolf inside?
Rodrick Dracon is the twin heir to the Dragon Inn. When he finds himself longing for a mate after being footloose and fancy free, he finds himself drawn to the most obnoxious, brassy woman he has ever met: Jaxon Sinclair. She is the one woman who doesn't melt when he goes by or hangs on his every word. Jaxon is just aggravating and down right sexy as sin! Soon the sparks fly, passion goes into boiling and Halloween approaches. Can this wolf shifter get this woman to heel before the full moon? Will Jax turn the tables on this ladies man and tame the wolf?
A sneak excerpt:

The wind was blowing lightly, stirring up the leaves as she walked across the parking lot. The lights gleamed softly from the windows and Jax could see the people inside, enjoying the food and company they had. The smells were divine and had her stomach rumbling for something, anything as long as it wasn’t her cooking.
He looked even better close up though she damn well wasn’t going to tell him that. He had a swelled head as it was with all the honey bees that seemed to swarm all over him whenever he went out. She mentally tried to gather defenses up but it was hard lately whenever she was around him. If she didn’t know better, she would think she was in lust with Rodrick, impossible as it may seem, especially from the way the snipped at each other over the years. Shaking her head slightly, she felt his gaze move to her and his startled breath as she walked up to the porch, though that could have been a figment of her imagination.
“Hey Rod, slow night?” Jax asked, tried to keep her voice even and snarky. It was hard but as her eyes drank in the way his t-shirt molded his chest, she couldn’t help feeling that something was changing between them, something she was damn well not ready for or wanting for that matter.
Rod watched Jaxon Sinclair, the bane of his existence or so it was until a few months ago when he noticed the way her eyes flared with laughter, or the way her legs seemed to go on for miles in those short skirts she wore when she was at the Dirty Diamond. He didn’t know what changed between them but he was definitely feeling something for this pain in the ass female that seemed to call to him and the wolf within him howled as he watched those luscious legs walk over to him. “Yeah, seems everyone is getting ready for the Halloween costume dance tomorrow. What are you up to tonight? Dinner date?” Rod fairly growled the last part though he was surprised that the thought of Jax with another man had the wolf in him wanting to beat the man into submission.
“Was going to have dinner with Grady but he got short staffed and had to cover tonight. Just seeing if I can grab a take out from your mom.” Jax said as she marveled at how normal it was between them. Though she thought the hair on his arms bristled at the thought of her on a date though it probably was her imagination. Rod wasn’t interested in her, just the ones who wanted a good time and an easy lay.
Rod felt relieved that she wasn’t meeting anyone but was surprised all the same at the thought of her being alone tonight made him want to cuddle with her. Her eyes held faint purple shadows underneath and she looked like she hadn’t had a good nights rest in ages. “I am sure my mom would love to give you something since everyone knows you can burn water without trying.” The smile that tugged at his lips surprised him as he watched her eyes go a little wide then narrow in annoyance.
“What the hell would you know about cooking, you jackass? I bet you couldn’t make something if your life depended on it.” she said as her lips practically snarled at him. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought there was a smile lingering on his smug face.
“Oh, are you challenging me Jax? Can’t take the fact that I may actually know something you don’t? Want to take that to a test?” Rod felt a quickening in his blood that had him wondering if he was absolutely flaming insane. Why the thought of making dinner for her had him wanting something more and though if he had to say, he was enjoying the play of emotions on her face; it was fun to watch and damn it, he wanted to prove to her that he could actually do something besides what she thought he was: a playboy that flitted from woman to woman, though he was unsure why it mattered what she really thought of him. Needling her a little more just for the sake of being annoying, Rod leaned forward and stroked a finger down her nose and smirked a little as he said softly, “Afraid that maybe I can do something that will make you readjust your opinion of me?”

12. Anything from your personal life you'd like to tell us?
Raine says: I live with my own boytoy-yep makes me a cougar I guess-and my two kids in a small town that has one blinking stop light, is so quiet after 8 pm it is hilarious some nights and perfect to raise kids. 

Welcome Guest Blogger: Jennifer Johnson

2010-06-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

Blurb:
Abigail
I’m Abigail Benton, and this is what my life has come to: babysitting after school hoodlums during the day and serving up artery-clogging breakfast food at night.
Are my parents getting their money’s worth for my college education? Doubtful.
Still, I’m determined to make the best of doing community service in inner-city Clavania. I’ve struck up a friendship with an intriguing homeless man named Eli, who smells like melted caramel and spends most of his time sweeping the community center parking lot.
He's the first homeless person I had ever met who smelled so good.
Come to think of it, Eli was the first homeless person I had ever met period.
When tension between rival gangs heats up and I get caught in the middle, Eli is the one who comes to my rescue. I want to help him get off the streets; he just wants me to stay out of trouble and leave him alone.
Why am I so drawn to him? Why do I want to be involved in fixing his life when I so desperately need to straighten out my own.

Eli

People here know me as Eli. I spend most of my days keeping the parking lot clean and watching people. Then one day Abigail Benton shows up and treats everything like a big joke. The hood is no place for little Miss Sunshine. I don't want her giving me vocational advice or making sure I've eaten supper. If she doesn't watch out, she's going to get herself killed.

Excerpt:

“You just don’t get it, do you?” Eli’s eyes had been roving all over the room. His question surprised me because I wasn’t even sure he had been listening to what I was saying.
“I don’t get what?”
“That this isn’t Kansas, Abigail. And you don’t have any ruby slippers to protect you. Those men will cut you. They’ll do things to you I don’t even want to think about. If you have to go to the center, fine. If you have to work at the shelter, do it. But don’t stop anywhere on the way and don’t linger in your duties, or you could end up in a bad way. A very bad way.” Eli had yet to make eye contact with me. He finished off the first sandwich, took the napkin from the table and wrapped it around the second one.
“I’m scared enough without your lecture. I do get it, okay?”
A smile quirked his lips. Raising his face, he studied my ceiling for a few seconds. Then his eyes finally settled on me. Hunger swirled in their dark depths, and not for food, for me.
My breath caught in my throat. The intense stare from his eyes struck me like lightning, and I felt tingling throughout my whole body. In a swift movement, he stood and the chair turned over. I stood as well. Stalking over to me, he stopped just shy of touching me. His breath warmed my cheek, the heat of his body radiated outward.
Was he going to kiss me? He moved so that his mouth was near my ear. The hair of his beard brushed my cheek. What was he waiting for? What was he going to do? What should I do? Little stars danced before my eyes, and I realized I was holding my breath. I willed myself to suck in some air, and when I did, my breasts touched his chest. There were barriers of clothing, but in that moment it didn’t matter. I knew the second he felt me, because his breath hissed.
“Good. I want you to be scared. I want you to get it. But I don’t think you do. The men at the shelter talk about you. They wonder what you taste like.” His low voice reverberated through me. He paused and let that bit of information sink in. My heart skipped a few beats. “You should stop making yourself so available,” he whispered before stepping away, picking up the paper wrapped food, shoving it in his pocket, and letting himself out of my apartment.

Coffee Time Review gave Holding Out for a Hero 4 coffee cups, its outstanding rating. Hollie writes, “Holding Out for a Hero is a heartwarming story showing that not only are there good people in this world but that the kids everyone has given up on can also be good if given a chance.”
Find the review here:
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/holdingoutforaherjenniferjohnson.html

Holding Out for a Hero is published by Resplendence.
http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8_view_item.html?m8:item=197-200-101-463-1

It is available digitally at Amazon.com, Fictionwise.com, eBookwise, All Romance EBooks, and other digital retailers.

Want to learn more about Jennifer? Visit her website at
http://booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

or her blog at
http://jennfrancesca.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
PS :
CONTEST: anyone leaving a comment here and sending Rebecca Savage a message via the contact form on her webpage will be entered to win free pdp of Rebecca Savage book of your choice:)
rebeccasavage.com

Welcome Guest Blogger: Caroline Clemmons

2010-06-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

Pets In Our Lives, Pets In Our Books

Rebecca, thanks for inviting me to be a guest on your blog!

Friends and I were talking recently, teasing one friend because in all her books either the hero or heroine has a dog. I like that, and books I write include pets. Showing a character that is sympathetic to cats or dogs adds a dimension to the person. A gruff man who befriends a scruffy dog lets the reader know that the tough guy is not as heartless as he wants others to believe. He has instantly become more sympathetic to readers. In the movie “Hang ‘Em High,” Clint Eastwood is introduced to the audience driving cattle across a river. He gets off his horse and wades back into the river (wearing chaps) to save a young calf. Fast on his heels is a posse ready to hang him. Because of his compassion, we know this man has to be a good guy.

A heroine with a pet comes across as kinder and more nurturing. This is, of course, if the pets are well cared for. I hate, hate, hate books where a pet dies. Remember THE YEARLING? OLD YELLER? No thanks! Don’t want to read it. Our family’s pets are all rescued animals that have become family members. I know their life span is shorter than ours but don’t want to be reminded when I’m reading for pleasure.

Pets don’t have to be cats or dogs. At a critique meeting once, I told my cp’s (critique partners) about my neighbor who raises beautiful rare hens. Yes, they are beautiful! Called blue-reds, they are rusty red with soft bluish wing and tail feathers. My citygirl cp thinks I should move into the city, too, and said, “You have to get out of the country now!” The first “real” mystery I read was by Erle Stanley Gardner and featured a parrot. I was about nine and don’t remember the title of the book.

In my upcoming June 4th release, which is a time travel romance with suspense elements titled OUT OF THE BLUE, there are two pets. Deirdre Dougherty, the time traveling Irish clairvoyant healer heroine, has a cat named Cathbad. Brendan Hunter, the police detective hero, has a huge mutt named Prince. All my books have pets included—and I promise that none of them dies in the book!

Thanks so much to Rebecca Savage for letting me post on her blog! Please visit mine, A Writer’s Life, at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com or my website at www.carolineclemmons.com. I’m on Facebook under Caroline Clemmons (one of several) and Twitter as #lovesthewest. I’d love to hear from you.

Please visit my blog for frequent contests. All you have to do is comment.

Welcome Guest Blogger Skhye Moncrief

2010-06-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

Good morning, Rebecca. Thank you for having me over as a guest. My latest Time Guardian story is about to be released--June 25th. I'm extremely wired with this event. The reason I wrote this novel is one of those choices authors make... Hence, my focus on craft here today. So why did I write that story?

SWORDSONG was the Time-Guardian novel I wrote after reading the earlier works of Karen M. Moning before my Time Guardians series was contracted for publication. I kept thinking I seriously needed to simplify my world and write a story in my series more like hers set in the "real" present, i.e. something more familiar for readers who just might not care for being thrown into a whole new world. This is one of those crazy decisions we writers make never knowing if it will pan out for us. :) But SWORDSONG set off a whole new layer of worldbuilding in my over-sized fantasy world I've created--one that coexists with ours. I wanted to make the story world more tangible for the reader. Okay, that's if you can call a novel tangible in any sense other than it's a physical object, i.e. a book! But everyone was writing these new worlds interwoven within the fabric of the one we occupy. I just had to try the marketability angle. So, I whipped up some ambiance...

We are soldiers of Truth.
We are students of the past.
We are guardians of Time.
We live, and, from living, we must die.

Death is not risk.
Death is adventure.
Death is part of the Cycle.
Woe be to he who fears the Call.

~Time Guardian Creed (www.timeguardians.com)

My creed worked to define reality for my lads regardless of the setting. It's reality. A reflection of their goals--life in general. These men time travel. They can't risk screwing up history. So, their creed is kind of blunt and harsh. But it hits home as they ponder a what if... Just as I had asked those same thoughts about paradox. Time travel and prehistory was my cup of steamy tea that I read for so long. I studied archaeology too long not to send my characters back to times and places we can never visit. Why? I can answer that. ;) Oddly enough, a psych test I took during a continuing education class when I was about 19 noted I lived in the past. I guess this aspect of my writing is just a reflection of who I am--my curiosity and fears. Then again, I keep writing romances that reviewers label thrillers, suspense, etc. I just don't know what goes on inside my head! *sigh* Although, I'm always explaining to my critique partners that if a story has a chase aspect, it should ring true. And time guardians safeguard history. They've got to beat the clock as the pages move forward. Ticking clocks and chases... Aye, there's the Time-Guardian rub.

But get ready to laugh.

My first and never-to-see-the-light-of-day manuscript was a time travel set in someone's mind because she was comatose. Crazy setup! Yes. But that's not the funny part! I hit delete and sent that unfinished 1000-page monster on its way to the happy hunting ground. Back to meet its moment of creation in the great loop of existence... :) Okay, maybe that's nonexistence because nobody knows about that story but me. Does a story that never is read by an audience continue to ring with glory and romance like a circulated book? Oh, here I go again with those annoying pontifications.

Alas, time travel hits home with me. So, I wrote SWORDSONG because it rang true to my interests and formal education as well as I gambled on the trend in setting a coexisting fantasy realm smack dab in the "now" with us. Should I chant here that we write what we write because those subjects are familiar to us even though they are deeply buried within our subconscious? It's true. We write what we know--even if the knowing is something we just experienced in person, reading, or by viewing a documentary. Humans innovate all the time. There is very little inventing going on... Take some archaeology classes if you don't believe me. Remember, this article is about understanding ourselves. If we search inward long and hard enough, we'll find that everything we write about is a part of us. And, it can't hurt to make the world more approachable and digestible for the reader.

Thanks for having me here today, Rebecca. If you have a magic wand, please wave it at me. I so want to time travel! ~Skhye

Join my fan group to be in my monthly drawing for a Time Guardian Fan Kit and more! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skhyemoncrief/

Read 1st chapter of SWORDSONG http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/2008/04/10/skhye-moncriefs-swordsong.aspx

Read another (shorter) excerpt from SWORDSONG http://www.thewildrosepress.com/swordsong-p-4082.html

Purchase SWORDSONG in print at amazon http://www.amazon.com/Swordsong-Skhye-Moncrief/dp/1601547390/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276532118&sr=1-5

What are reviewers saying about the Time Guardians series...

"Arthur is a masterpiece..." HE OF THE FIERY SWORD's King Arthur ~Diane Mason; The Romance Studio

"FORBIDDEN ETERNITY... spine-tingling suspense. The story is dynamite; it explodes off the page and leaves you breathless for more." ~Tulip, LASR

“THE SPELL OF THE KILLING MOON offers the best of spine-tingling suspense. The setting is perfect... Moncrief’s ability to wield magic and emotion are without compare. Her words twist together emotions and visuals until you experience this tale as if the trap were set for you. Some lines blend a kind of poetic magic: “Moonlight wove a special kind of magic, a spell so vacillating that a person never knew if reality were anything other than a dream.” Darkness and premonitions and deadly intent fill these pages... a unique blend of mystic Medieval Gothic and romance…and a true blood-curdling thriller." ~Snapdragon, LASR

"Intense, original, suspenseful, and dramatic... an unpredictable topsy-turvy romance... the suspense builds with every page in SACRIFICIAL HEARTS. In a world where symbols mean everything, magic is the way..." ~Snapdragon; LASR

Stories available at www.amazon.com, www.bn.com, www.borders.com, and www.thewildrosepress.com

www.skhyemoncrief.com

"Be the change you want to see in the world." ~Ghandi
Contest:
Leave message here and on Rebecca Savage's webpage contact form and be entered to win free pdf of Rebecca's book, whichever you choose;)
rebeccasavage.com

Meet Jeta Clegg: Guest Blogger: MY first since my hacker situation! Ugh!

2010-06-12T09:15:00.001-07:00

1. How can we find you? Website, Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc. - please share your public links.

My website is http://www.jaletac.com, Facebook under Jaleta Clegg, Twitter under ursulasquid, and my blog The Far Edge of Normal on Blogspot.

2. Tell us about your writing - What genre do you prefer to write? What books, stories, other publications that you've written are your personal favorites? Anything new coming up?

I write mainly science fiction - space opera, where the characters and stories are the main focus. My first novel, Nexus Point came out late last year. It's a tale of desperate survival on a primitive planet. Only sort of - the main character literally crashes into the middle of a undercover investigation into drug smuggling on a planet that for cultural reasons can't know about advanced technology. Complicated? Yes. Add in a dash of romance just to keep everyone on their toes. It was a lot of fun to write. I absolutely love the characters.

I've got several short stories in print, mostly comic horror. I'm working on a vampire story that just makes me laugh. What happens to the poor vampires when people become too medicated and also have high cholesterol? I love twisting things on their heads and poking fun at tradition. The first section of the vampire story is on my website as a teaser.

3. What about you as a person? What do you do to relax? Favorite movies or tv shows? Hobbies?

I love quirky shows like White Collar or Psych. I also love bad, campy sci-fi and disaster movies. Nothing beats a bowl of popcorn and an atrociously bad movie. My kids and I make fun of them mercilessly. Mystery Science Theater 3000 doesn't hold a candle to our voiceovers.

I also love piecing quilts, playing with colors and textures and shapes, fitting them to the person I'm making the quilt for. I hate the quilting part, though.

I love my day job, too. Where else can you walk into work in a full Star Trek Admiral's uniform and no one bats an eye? I get to make costumes for the actors, run Star Trek LARPing sessions, teach kids about space and astronomy and physics, and impersonate my boss at his desk and on the phone. We're getting a digital planetarium system this summer. I can't wait to start playing with it! http:///www.spacecamputah.org

4. What gets your creative juices going? Do you write to a music, and do you want to share your playlist?

Music sets my mood. It really depends on what I'm writing, although once I get involved, I don't even notice the music anymore. I was writing a big fight scene, very intense and gory. I finished the scene and realized my background music was the overture from "Somewhere in Time." Didn't fit at all, but I didn't even realize it was so wrong.

Nexus Point was written mostly to Air Supply's Greatest Hits. My iTunes library is a source of wonder to teens. It has a little bit of everything from very strange folk songs and Dr. Dimento to New Age spirituals to Heavy Metal to Classic Rock. I've even got opera in my playlists.

5. "All writers must have cats, especially if they write fantasy or speculative fiction." Do you have a stand on this one? Any cute pictures of your kitty or other pet?

I laugh. So many author photos include their cats you'd think it was a requirement, especially if you write speculative fiction. We own a cat, the second one recently died. Considering she was 16, it was about time. The one we have left is just as old, toothless, and a source of endless amusement. I'm not much of a pet person, though. I can kill any houseplant in a matter of weeks. How do you think pets fare? The cat belongs to my husband and kids, not me. He stole a spot in my author picture by climbing into my lap while we were shooting. As soon as the camera left, so did he. Silly animal.

6. What organizations do you recommend for those wanting to become writers? Any advice you'd like to share about writing?

Main advice: Just do it. Write, and write, then write more. Keep at it. Eventually you'll think, "This is good enough to be published." At that point, find some good editors who aren't necessarily your friends to read through it and rip it apart for you. If you can't handle that, you aren't ready for publication.

Broad Universe is a great resource for those newly published and established. If you're a woman author, especially in science fiction, it's hard to be taken seriously. BU helps promote works by women writers. It's also a great source for support and friendship.

For those still looking for direction and help, Forward Motion (http://www.fmwriters.com) is great, although it can be overwhelmingly large. Critters (http://www.critters.org) is also a great resource if you're looking for feedback and aren't quite ready for the brutal editing phase.

7. What writers inspired you to become an author?

Andre Norton always wove such incredible tales of worlds that never existed and made space travel so exciting. I love her classic SF.

I've been fortunate to meet lots of authors by working several local conventions. Each of them inspires me. Watching Brandon Sanderson go from newbie to NYT bestseller has been very inspirational. He's not the only local author that's made it to the big time, either. Dan Wells (I am not a Serial Killer), James Dashner (Mazerunner), Julie Bellon (my neighbor who writes LDS Romance), Howard Tayler (Schlock Mercenary) - It's fun to meet them and find out how they made it. Each did it their way and all of them are successful. Not to mention funny.

8. Any special appearances or events coming up that you want to mention?

CONduit in Salt Lake City UT the end of May. Fun local con. I do the hospitality suite. This is my first year attending as a published author not just a local fan. I'm excited for our Guest of Honor - Barbara Hambly, another one on my list of author favorites.

Priestess of the Eggstone: The Fall of the Altairan Empire Book 2 will be out early next year.
CONTEST: post here a comment to Jeta & one on my webpage and I'll enter you for a free fdp! PS : Put in a phony cell phone number on the contact form...still can't figure out how to get that question off that form:)

Thanks to those contacting me about my hacking situation

2010-06-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

Please give me a bit to get back on to loops;
I miss you guys!
Rebecca Savage;)

SCAM

2010-06-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

PLEASE DON'T LISTEN TO THE SCAM IF YOU GET IT ASKING ME FOR MONEY AND EMAIL ME AT MY NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
REBECCACAPRI@YAHOO.COM
I EVEN HESITATE TO PUT THAT ON HERE BUT I HAVE TO TRY TO TELL EVEYONE I'VE HAD MY YAHOO GRGIALL@YAHOO.COM STOLEN AND SOMEONE ISS TRYING TO GET EVERYONE ON MY CONTACTS LIST TO SEND MONEY;
PLEASE PASS THIS ONE;
NEW EMAIL: REBECCACAPRI@YAHOO.COM

Meet Linda Rettstatt: Guest Blogger:)

2010-06-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

BIO: Linda Rettstatt

Linda Rettstatt began her writing career while clerking at The Brownsville Telegraph, her small Pennsylvania hometown newspaper. Though hired to take classified ads, Linda eagerly agreed to assume the task of writing reviews for community theater productions, for which her sole compensation was a by line. (It was a job no one in the newsroom wanted.)

Her passion for writing led Linda into the world of women’s fiction and contemporary romance. Writing about heroines who had to draw upon their inner strength to overcome loss or adversity seemed only natural given her years of work as a psychotherapist.

Linda’s first novel, And the Truth Will Set You Free, was published in July, 2007 by Wings ePress and was the publisher’s best seller for the first month follow its release. And the Truth Will Set You Free finaled for a 2008 Eppie Award.

Three other novels—Pieces, The Year I Lost My Mind, and Finding Hope—followed in the next eighteen months with Wings ePress. Finding Hope has finaled for a 2010 EPIC e-book Award. Her fifth novel, The Restoration of Abby Walker, was released by Wings ePress in September, 2009. Next Time, I’m Gonna Dance was released on January 2, 2010 by Champagne Books. Shooting Into the Sun was published on May 1 in e-book, and Love, Sam is contracted by Champagne Books for November, 2010 publication. In addition, Renting to Own will be published in August by Class Act Books. Linda’s short stories have received recognition from Pennwriters, Inc., Writer’s Digest, and Long and Short Romance Reviews.

Of her writing, Linda says, “I write for women—stories of love, strength, humor, and hope.” Readers have compared her work to that of Elizabeth Berg, Nicholas Sparks, and Sherryl Woods.

Linda is the owner and moderator of The Women’s Fiction Writers Exchange, an online critique group of women writers from across the United States and Canada. She has served as contest judge for the River City Romance Writers and EPIC’s New Voices and EPIC Award competitions. Linda grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania and currently resides in Southaven, Mississippi. Excerpts and reviews can be read at www.lindarettstatt.com and her blog can be viewed at www.onewomanswrite.blogspot.com.

Rebecca, thanks so much for having me here today as part of my Sailing into Summer Virtual Blog Book Tour.

I’m often asked how I began writing. My background is in music and social work. Music satisfied my creative urges for a long time. But one day when I’d had my calendar in my clinical practice cleared by cancellations, the office manager suggested I, “go back to your office and write that book you keep talking about.” (I think she just wanted to get me out of her office.) But I took her advice. I started writing And the Truth Will Set You Free. That was early in 2004, and I’ve not stopped writing since.

I read a variety of genres, but have a particular love for women’s fiction—books that feature strong but vulnerable heroines who have to draw more deeply into their inner resources to overcome some obstacle. I was recently asked what I’ve learned from each of my novels or my characters. Never having considered how my stories have affected me, personally, I gave the question some thought and came up with the following:

And the Truth Will Set You Free: I learned that, even when our dreams are offered to us in the form of a second chance, it still requires courage and risk to take hold.

Pieces: I learned that there is inside each of us the need to know where we come from.

The Year I Lost My Mind: I learned that love—true love—can be tested and tried and will hold when stretched to new limits.

Finding Hope: I learned that, even when we question our choices and reinvent ourselves, we may be led right back to where we started—but with a renewed peace.

The Restoration of Abby Walker: I learned that sometimes what seems to be the worst possible event can launch us into a new and fulfilling life.

Next Time I’m Gonna Dance: I learned that we sometimes face a darkness that we have to approach alone, but that the love of family and the bonds of friendship light the path ahead.

Shooting into the Sun: I learned that the boundaries we construct may keep us safe, and they may also isolate us unless we are willing to take risks and color outside those lines.

Which brings me to my newest novel, Shooting into the Sun. I’d like to share a blurb and brief excerpt:

Blurb:

Nature photographer Rylee Morgan has created an orderly, settled life for herself. When she finds an advertisement that might lead to her estranged father, she takes a photo assignment to the west coast to investigate. With her younger sister, Lexie, in tow following the breakup with her fiancé, Rylee is focused on two things: finding the man who may be her father and doing her job. Lexie lives life by her own set of rules, or lack of rules, and Rylee’s plans are further unsettled when Lexie invites a hitchhiker to join them on their journey.

Excerpt:

When people know they’re about to do the wrong thing, they don’t look you in the eye. Parents were no different.

~ * ~

One

“Never shoot into the sun.” Her father repositioned himself to pose for the photograph.

“Why not?” Rylee Morgan lowered the camera and squinted at him.

“Because it’s a rule. If you follow the rules, you’ll avoid trouble, and you’ll create beautiful pictures.” He stood in the back yard, the white aluminum siding of their house

providing a backdrop.

She wanted to believe him. Rylee snapped the photograph, capturing his image.

He motioned to the camera bag he’d set on the ground beside her. “You remember how to switch the lenses?”

She nodded.

“How about one more picture of us?” He pulled the camera from her hand and drew her close to his side. At twelve years of age, she was nearly his height. Extending his arm, the camera lens reflecting their images, he pressed the shutter release.

He handed her the camera, then hugged her against him. “I love you, angel. Don’t ever forget that.”

She choked on her words. “You don’t have to leave, Daddy.”

“Yes, honey, I do. I’ll talk to you soon, though.”

“Take me with you.” She knotted her fingers in his sleeve.

A muscle twitched along his jaw. “I can’t.” He held her for another moment, and then pried her hands free. Bolting to the car without a backward glance, he pulled from the

drive.

“Daddy!” Rylee chased after him. At the curb, she raised the camera and clicked the shutter frantically until she heard the whirr of rewinding film. Tears blurred her last

glimpse. His car turned and disappeared from her view. She hugged the Nikon against her chest and cried.

~ * ~

Never shoot into the sun—the voice played in her head. The rules she had learned early in her career never failed to produce flawless photographs. The rules she had developed for life had not served her as well. In the sixteen years since her father’s departure, Rylee had kept herself

busy, focused on her career, and safe inside her well-constructed boundaries.

Rylee resituated the tripod and checked the sun’s position. She stepped behind the camera, looked once again through the lens and waited, watching the slight movement

of the leaves. Water bubbled over rocks. Slowing the shutter speed, she could create a smooth cascade effect. Blue sky and white clouds reflected on the stream’s surface. This

stretch of the rapids where the Youghiogheny River ran through Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania was her favorite spot for shooting.

Her thumb rested on the shutter release, prepared for just the right moment. The breeze subsided and the shadows shifted. Then, just as she pressed the button, some jerk

decided to walk on water.

Rylee lifted her head and stared. A hiker made his way across the exposed rocks and into the middle of the narrow river—directly into the center of her view. She walked to the

water’s edge and, with hands on hips, shouted, “Excuse me! You’re ruining my shot.”

He raised his arms and stretched, his face turned toward the sun. His shirt pulled up to expose a narrow waist and flat stomach.

Rylee dragged her eyes away from his body, cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted again, “Hey! You’re in the way.”

The hiker turned and shielded his eyes with his hand. “What?”

“You…are…ruining…my…shot.”

2010, Champagne Books

Visit my website for buy links to Shooting into the Sun and to read excerpts of my other books.

www.lindarettstatt.com

I believe our writing is largely influenced by the authors we read. I have an unlikely assembly of favorite authors who, I can only hope, influence my work: Elizabeth Berg, Kris Radish, Lisa Scottoline, Janet Evanovich, Sherryl Woods, Elin Hilderbrand, Nicholas Sparks, Diane Mott Davidson, Nevada Barr, Randy Susan Meyers… Well, as you can see, these authors write differing genres from women’s fiction to romance to mystery. What they have in common is the ability to create captivating characters and tell stories that are realistic, touching, funny, intense, and that make me think. They challenge me to work harder at the craft.

As for what’s coming in the next few months? Renting to Own will be available in August from Class Act Books. It’s the story of a very young, but mature single mother trying to stabilize her life for herself and her four-year-old daughter. And in November, Champagne Books will release Love, Sam, a story that shows us how love transcends death and self-acceptance is the key to happiness.

I could no more stop writing than I could stop breathing. The greatest rewards come for me when a woman has read one of my books and tells me she felt I was telling her story or that she gained some insight or strength from the character.

Thanks for having me here today to share a bit about myself and my writing. Readers are invited to visit my website at www.lindarettstatt.com and my blog at www.onewomanswrite.blogspot.com or to connect me with on Facebook or Twitter @linda_writer

Linda Rettstatt

“Life’s an adventure—wear comfortable shoes.”

Welcome Guest Blogger: Ashley Ladd:)

2010-06-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

I’m lost in Jane Austen’s world of “Sense and Sensibility” with Edward and Elinor, Marianne and Brandon. I love the poetry of the language, the comedy of manners, the intricacy of characters.
To think Jane Austen was the sole editor of her work boggles my mind.
Many critique partners and editors would testify they have edited my work. Some more than others.
Editing is not my forte although I am working hard at improving this. I am also starting to find joy in making books shine and in bringing them to life in the reworks.
Perhaps it’s my ADHD that kept me from enjoying editing. I was always eager to move onto the next project, to stop the new set of voices in my head from tormenting me.
But it’s so very important.
Editors and publishing houses will not wish to work with authors who submit inferior work. Critique partners may grow tired of sloppy writing. And if it reaches readers and reviewers? An author could be ruined.
Still, few authors have reached the stature of Jane Austen. Few novels have remained so popular so long, not that you need me to tell you.
I thank God for my critique partners and editors. Each has taught me something new about the craft. Each has helped polish my stories, has supported me through so many things in the writing world and even things that have nothing to do with writing.
This week I look forward to seeing my one of my critique partners in person at Lori Foster’s Readers’ and Writer’s events in Cincinnati. She has plans to bring her work on CD to me. And of course, I hope to have a lot of fun with her.
I’ve kept my critique partners and editors busy. To date, I have ten unique works published or that are soon to be released this year. That boils down to a lot of editing. 
Here’s a snippet from “Charity’s Auction”, my most recently released story, this week in fact.
Although head nurse Char Reynolds is desperately head over heels for bad boy Dr. Dexter Graham, he's moved on. Still she gets caught up in bidding for him at the hospital's auction for the new children's wing and wins. His smug expression drives her to also bid on and win the very hunky Dr. Ben Price, Dexter's nemesis and to plan a very naughty, very sexy night with both men.
Excerpt From: Charity's Auction
Charity “Char” Reynolds stared at Dr. Dexter Graham, her eyes narrowed, her heart doing the cha-cha while mathematical calculations flew around in her head. He was gorgeous with his dark, five o’clock shadow, the sexy glint in his eyes, and his broad, powerful shoulders. If it weren’t for that smirk on his lips, he’d be perfect. But he was far from it. He only looked perfect.
The good doctor was a bad boy through and through. It was a tossup whether he mended or broke more hearts. His record on the operating room table was stellar. Off, however, was horrendous. He’d broken so many hearts with that killer smile and huge dimples he should be thrown into solitary confinement for the rest of his miserable life.
Amy Koch, the hospital’s chief administrator, adjusted the microphone with her only hand. Then she tapped the instrument and blew into it. “Can you hear me?”
When the sound from the mic blasted through Char’s head, she clapped her hands over her ears in self-preservation. “Have mercy, woman.”
Once her brain stopped spinning and she was able to see again, she looked over a sea of other people holding their ears. Tentatively, she removed one hand, keeping it close just in case the mic went crazy again.
So far so good. Slowly, she lowered her other hand but kept it at the ready as she warily kept her eye on Amy.
Although, she felt sorry for Amy since the car wreck that had amputated the administrator’s left arm that she couldn’t find anything to like about her caused her to war with feelings of guilt and distrust. Even before the accident, Amy had only been out for number one, stepping on anybody in her way, claiming it was for the greater good. Now people overlooked her mean tempered whining—until they came into her sights. Char had been dead centre in Amy’s far too often. As head surgical nurse, she and Amy butted heads daily.
“Welcome to our first annual charity auction.” Amy beamed at the audience and batted her fake lashes. When she moved, the spotlight made her rhinestones shoot laser beams around the room.
Amy clapped her hand against the mic and shot a grin as fake as her lashes at the audience. “I hope your cheque books are fat and happy and your fingers are itching to write outrageous amounts for the new children’s wing. Let’s get this thing off the ground tonight!”
Cheering anew deafened Char, and her lips stretched so tightly over her teeth they ached.
Her best friend, Beth, another surgical nurse, elbowed her. She rubbed her hands together, and there was a hungry gleam in her eyes. “My cheque book’s ready, willing and able. I moved money from savings to bid on Dr. Hottie.”
It was all Char could do to hold her smile in place and not growl at the sweet strawberry blonde. Since she’d never breathed a word about her brief fling with Dr. Hottie, she couldn’t accuse her friend of trying to steal her ex-boyfriend, yet her claws extended and her skin crawled. When her throat stopped constricting, she said as airily as possible, “Oh, really? Great minds think alike. Me, too.”
Their third musketeer, Jody, a surgical intern jumped up and down and waved her psychedelic-coloured cheque book in their faces. “Me three! Let’s do a ménage à trois with him and have our wicked way.”
Beth scrunched her nose at the perky child. With a duh hanging in her voice, she said, “Ew. I don’t want to see your naked tits. Besides a ménage à trois is three and there would be four of us.”
The three of them would be much too good for the louse. What she wanted to do to him involved whips, chains and video. He’d be so sorry he’d ever broken her heart…
“Aw shucks.” Jody scrunched her nose and pouted. “You two make three times as much as me. I’ll be lucky if I can buy Dr. Rob. I might as well go home since you two party poopers won’t share. It’s way too smoky in here anyway.” She covered her mouth with her hand and coughed as if to add emphasis.
Char’s gaze landed on Dr. Hunky, aka Ben Price, plastic surgeon to the rich and ritzy Boca Babes. “What about Dr. Hunky? He’s mighty cute.”
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=788
Ashley can be found at:
http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/ashleyladd
http://www.total-e-bound.com
http://www.ellorascave.com
Thank you for hosting me today, Rebecca.

CONTEST: ANYONE POSTING ON THIS BLOG FOR ASHLEY AND ON MY CONTACT WEBPAGE FORM... WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN FREE PDF OF REBECCA SAVAGE BOOK, ANY BOOK, YOUR PICK:)
rebeccasavage.com

Welcome Christine Jeter: Guest Blogger: Article Below:)

2010-05-31T09:55:00.001-07:00

Christina Jeter
http://www.cjeter.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/christinajeter
Skype: CaJeter
The Meyer Lansky Of Media
http://www.hustlerhollywood.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=198_11&products_id=355&w=431917

Below:
See Christine's article and a contest for Rebecca as hostess on this site for stopping by!

Welcome, Christine Jeter: Guest Blogger:)

2010-05-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

WONDER HOW YOUR FAVORITE CELEBRITY LOOKS SO GOOD?
Considering how when Christina Jeter blogs everyone listens and she is one the best in the business when it comes to setting trends it was a no brainer to share with you all the lifestyle services I provide to those who seek the good life. If you've ever wondered how your favorite actor, actress or performing artist looks so good for so long you can bet that a professional chef had something to do with it. Imagine healthy food by request. If you've ever uttered the phrase, "I'd like to eat a healthy meal, please have one prepared for me chef," then you know you are living the good life. Hollywood is full of people who get paid to be beautiful and I am the one they would hire to stay that way. My name is D’Andre McCarter Private Chef to celebrities and owner of The Real Private Chefs(TRPC). Based in Atlanta, GA and though out the United States I provide private chef services to Families, Singles, Active Seniors, Famous Entertainers NFL and NBA Players, Film Makers, Movie Stars, CEO of Large Corporations, Hip-Hop Artist and Models. After serving in the hotel industry for many years I made a discovery. I was cooking for celebrities but no one knew it because I was not seen nor could I talk to the celebrities that I always admired. Upscale hotels prohibit staff from speaking to any celebrities for privacy reasons. Among those I have cooked for were Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Tiger Woods, David Banner, Tina Turner, Seinfeld, and many many more .

OWNER AND OPERATOR of (TRPC) I offer ‘palate-specific’ personal meals cooked from fresh ingredients in private homes. With so many households where people are working meal planning and preparation becomes an extra burden. Although frozen entrees and take-out food is convenient, it is loaded with salt, sugar, fat and preservatives. The most popular question I am always asked from potential clients is “How much are your services”? The average cost for a private chef is $60,000 to $80,000 per year. Now you might say that is a bit much, however you get a whole lot in return for your investment. You have a chef to grocery shop and prep in your kitchen, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at your home all when it's convenient for you. No wonder private chefs have become such a hot commodity. People who can hire a private chef might have famous people coming to the house, and you need life and etiquette skills with diverse people. And I respect the home as defined by the family I work for. Some families will let their private chef eat dinner with them or not, but that was not the case in the households I served. As an employee, I could not sit down on the couch after dinner and watch a movie with everyone. There are rules that must be followed when working in aclient’s home. Privacy is paramount to families with private chefs. Most high profile clients require their chefs to sign a confidentiality agreement for privacy reasons. Many people ask what is the is the difference between a Personal Chef and a Private Chef? A private chef is employed by one individual or family full time, and is often “living in” and preparing up to 3 meals per day. A Personal Chef serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are custom designed for the client’s particular requests and requirements. These meals are packaged and stored so that the client may enjoy them at their leisure in the future. Hiring a chef to plan, shop for and prepare 20 meals in your kitchen to freeze and eat later costs from $300 to $400 on the low end for rural residents, but it's more costly for those in big cities like Hollywood Ca. Using a website referral and the phone book are good ways to find a personal chef, but choosing one to actually work in your home requires diligence. Follow these three suggestions to ensure your chef is top-notch.
1. Check each candidate’s references and inquire about his or her training and work experience.
2. Ask the candidate for a sample menu, and initiate a discussion about personal cooking philosophy.
3. Interview the candidate in person in your home, where he or she can do an assessment of your kitchen and your appliances.

***CONTEST: Rebecca Savage: Anyone who leaves a post here and on my webpage contact form will be entered to win free pdf of Rebecca's book...whichever one you choose:)
rebeccasavage.com

Guest Blogger: Mary Alice Pritchard: Welcome her, please!

2010-05-29T12:08:00.000-07:00

1. What do you write and why?

I write mostly paranormal romantic suspense. I love to read them and it is just natural to write what you love to read. I enjoy creating a different type of world from what I live in.

2. What do you read and why, especially if it's different from what you write?

Mostly Paranormal with some suspense thrown in. I just love those shape shifters!

3. Who do write for?

I write for The Wild Rose Press and The Dark Castle Lords

4. How long have you been writing?

I have written off and on since I could read. I’ve only been writing to get published for about six years now.

5. How do you world build?

I start with the characters and develop the world around them. I learn everything about them I can first and then start filling in around them. How they react in their world helps me create it.

6. How do you write: the process and atmosphere?

I like quiet when I’m first starting out. I usually write in my office but have been writing in my bedroom lately. Once I get going, I love to have my music going. I’m a classic rock sort of person. Usually I also have a cat on the back of my chair as well.

7. How do you build characters and their personalities and looks?

The characters just come to me. Once they are there, I just write things about them. Let them tell me about themselves. I sort of interview them. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? Who is your favorite band? Stupid stuff like that. It makes them come alive to me.

Then I give them looks. Sometimes I have a definite idea of what I want them to look like, sometimes I use a picture I get from a magazine or calendar. Naturally, all the men are the type I like. ;-)

8. Tell me about some of your heroes and heroines:

In my latest release, the hero is a tall bald hunk of a man who is quiet and deadly. He’s convinced he is unlovable. The heroine is convinced otherwise. She is a psychic who’s dreams predict the future. This is in See How They Die.

In Jaguar Nights, the hero is a very alpha weir cat. He has long dark hair and hasn’t got Control of his temper. The heroine is a psychic human who is able to help calm his beast.

They compliment each other but it is a long bumpy road.

9. Are you a pantser or plotter?

I’m a pantser. Then, I do a little plotting. I start out with an idea, a character, or a crime. Then I write what comes to me as it does. Once I have things going, I’ll do a sort of loose synopsis and sort of follow it. Usually I don’t have a clue what the ending will be though.

10. What's your WIP?

I actually have three going on at one time. The first one is called Mirror Mirror. It is about a Woman who sees dead people in mirrors. She helps the local police capture the killer but The lead detective on the case doesn’t believe her at first.

Another one is the third book in the series, Tales of the Cats which Jaguar Nights is the first Book and Leopard Dreams is the second book.

11. What's your latest release and tell me about it:

See How They Die is my latest release from The Dark Castle Lords. It is available at
Fictionwise.com

It is actually the first book I ever wrote for publication. It is about the psychic who dreams about murders that come true. She tries to avoid connecting with people so she won’t dream about their deaths but when the next dream is about some teenagers close to where she lives, she decides she can’t hide anymore, she has to help stop the killer before he strikes again.

See How They Die pulls the reader along a harrowing journey where nightmares come true and stopping a serial killer falls in the hands of a woman who hides from the truth and a man who no longer believes it exists. Together they learn to trust and depend on each other as a madman plans his next kill. Available now at Fiction Wise and The Dark Castle Lords

12. Anything from your personal life you'd like to tell us?

My personal life, hmmmm, I have seven cats and one dog. The cats are my muses and blog about me and what I’m doing most every weekend. You can read my blog at www.maryalicepritchard.com/blog

Guest Blogger F. Solomon:) Thanks for being here for the rest of the week!

2010-05-25T09:04:00.001-07:00

I am all about community within the romance community and thought it would be a really cool thing to do this "trade" that Rebecca suggested on the editor's loop. Brainstorming, she gave me a series of questions that I might want to use for my post. Since I do a regular series of posts for my chapter blog called Bits and Pieces, I figured it would only fair if I put myself in the hot seat and answered the questions interview style.

1. What do you write and why?

When I am sitting somewhere I am either looking for a pen and a piece of paper or I am on my MacBook or typing on my iPod Touch. It is instinct for me like birds build nests and spiders spin webs.

2. What do you read and why, especially if it's different from what you write?

I love erotica. I started with Anais Nin which I picked up from a friend who used to paint flowers like Georgia O'Keeffe and recommended Nin and (Henry) Miller to me. Everything I love in erotica is Ninesque, although not all the erotica I read is that quality. But it all inspires me...honestly I will read any genre though as long as there is real romance contained within.

3. Who do write for?

Myself.

4. How long have you been writing?

Almost my entire life, I started when I was 7 and like the spider metaphor, I just folded paper together like the Dell novels that my mother plied me with and tried to mimic one. It was a story about a haunted house with a kiss at the end--a juvenile version of what I write now!

5. How do you world build?

In a much less intriguing way that my counterparts who create paranormals! For me there has to be an angle or a dynamic that I want to explore between two people in a typically erotic way, but erotic is very psychological. I like to build the psychological world between my couple, that is where desire begins, that is where the power is.

6. How do you write: the process and atmosphere?

I am actually writing now on a laptop and there was drilling outside--I was really annoyed when I read this article this in the Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/20/2010-05-20_untitled__typewriter20m.html. If I have an idea I can be almost anywhere, I wrote almost a fourth of my (winning) NaNo 50000 words on my iPod touch on the train going to or coming from work. I was inspired by girls in Japan who wrote whole novels on their cell phones a few years ago: http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2007/01/72329

7. How do you build characters and their personalities and looks?

I do not outline and I also and not obsessed with what people look like. I start from where my intrigue with the characters began--it is my Big Bang--everything just comes from there.

8. Tell me about some of your heroes and heroines:

I read an article in the Village Voice a long time ago that said love makes fools of us all. I like to write about people who are controlled, but love unravels them and becomes everything to them. I read an article in Cosmopolitan years ago about women who have to have that man, anywhere, any time and that is what I love. People who risk it all for love.

9. Are you a pantser or plotter?

Such a pantser!

10. What's your WIP?

Two short stories: an erotic horror that reworks itself every time I have the opportunity to write and a heroine who risks it all for a relationship that cannot end happily, that should not even be started.

11. What's your latest release and tell me about it

LOL. I have not published fiction but am in the process. I blog, I have a series of posts called Bits and Pieces. This is my latest with the sensational author Dee Davis: http://rwanycblogginginthebigapple.blogspot.com/2010/05/bits-pieces-dee-davis.html

12. Anything from your personal life you'd like to tell us?

Yesterday was my birthday!

F. Solomon is a published poet and blogger. She is a member of RWA-NYC serving as the Assistant Editor of their newsletter Keynotes, as well as being the chapter's Social Networking Coordinator and welcomes you to follow or friend them @

www.rwanycblogginginthebigapple.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rwanyc
www.facebook.com/rwanyc

Amber Leigh Williams...Photo and Blog Below:)

2010-05-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Guest Blogger: Amber Leigh Williams

2010-05-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Why do I write romance? I get this question a lot, as I'm sure many other romance authors do. Not so long ago, it made me go on the defensive. Now I see no reason at all because relationships are a part of everyday life. They fascinate me. Whether it's friendship, marriage, cohabitation or whatever else, the intrigue of relationship dynamics is the reason I turned to the romance genre. Many people think romance is about sex. I don't read or write romance for the lovemaking alone, however. Writing love scenes can actually be pretty excruciating. I write about realistic relationships. And in today's day and age, sex is a factor I can't ignore. Always, though, at the end of the day - it's about the love story. The meet. The build-up. The conflict. The attraction. The climax. And, finally, the resolution/HEA.

A real life love story led me to the premise of my first romance novel, FOREVER AMORE. It was the story of a British WWII soldier who was isolated in the Italian countryside. A local woman named Vonda risked her life by teaching him Italian and helping him to evade the Black Shirts and incoming German army. The story was adapted from Newby's book into a Hallmark film entitled In Love and War. As someone with an ingrained interest in the early '40's, I had planned on setting a historical romance against this backdrop. After watching this movie, my attention fixed on Veneto, Italy and I began to write LASR Best Book of 2009 Nominee FOREVER AMORE:

Was their love destined to last forever …

Engaged in a brutal dogfight, dashing American Lieutenant Charles Tyler crashes his broken plane into the Italian countryside. He prays for divine intervention—and is certain he’s found an angel from the very moment he looks up at Lucille Renaldi’s lovely face. Yet how can he be with her when his sense of duty tells him to stay away?

… or become another casualty of war?

Lucille’s attraction to the American is forbidden, her obligation to her family’s safety overwhelming. At great peril the Renaldis carry Charles from the crash site and disguise him as just another worker in their vineyard. Hidden there inside the ugliness of World War II is the beauty of a growing love, and a danger that could end their lives any day—when all they want is … forever.

Available Now: http://www.blacklyonpublishing.com/Forever%20Amore.html

I came into romance with romantic suspense when The Wild Rose Press contracted DENIED ORIGIN. Coincidentally, the first romance novel I read was a heart-pounding RS by Nora Roberts, Carnal Innocence. Relationships in RS often involve life/death circumstances. This makes the love story all the more intense. Also an RS trend is the "close quarters" factor. Throw two reluctant members of the opposite sex in grave ticking-time-clock situation and you've got the makings of a hot romantic suspense. This was the case with DENIED ORIGIN. What would happen if I revoked a rich heiress of her life and identity? What if she had to traverse the globe and a deadly terrorist organization to uncover her true life? The only missing ingredient was a sexy bullet catcher who would stop at nothing to see her safe:

Former FBI agent and bodyguard Mark Welles’s career and life are going downhill until he meets Marcisso Tuttora, the man his father died protecting years ago. Wealthy businessman Marcisso puts the life of his only child, Valentina, in Mark’s hands by asking him to return to Rio de Janeiro to guard her.

Less than a week later, Marcisso and his wife are murdered in their beds, and Valentina is running for her life for reasons she cannot begin to guess until she meets Mark Welles. A stubborn heiress to an oil fortune and the son of a highly decorated soldier, they must find a way to escape the country without getting caught and find out why they are chased by a deadly terrorist. In a matter of weeks, they are driven into a scavenger hunt across the globe laid out by Valentina’s parents and embark on a passionate, emotional journey as exhilarating and intense as the race for their lives.

Available Now: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/denied-origin-p-907.html

The one sub-genre of romance I never dreamed of exploring was western romance. When broken actress Stella Ridge strolled into my imagination, however, and demanded I send her back home to her ranching roots, I could not ignore her or her silent cowboy, Judd Black. So grateful am I do these characters. Not just because this novella placed 1st in the 2009 More Than Magic Contest's novella category, but because Judd and the heros of both sequels of BLACKEST HEART helped me to understand the romance hero as a whole a heck of a lot more. And, I will admit, writing western romance is just plain fun!

BLACKEST HEART: America's Sweetheart, Stella Ridge has been away from Wayback for fifteen years paving her way to the top of the acting business. When a car accident leaves her physically and emotionally scarred, the only place she wants to go is home to Texas and her family's ranch.

The changes that have taken place since her departure are enough to rock her world again. She uncovers a buried tragedy, struggles with the penetrating stares and questions from townsfolk, and comes up against an intriguing and unexpected spark with the silent cowboy and champion bull rider, Judd Black. Their wounded souls draw them together and Stella begins to realize that only in him can she find the solace she sought by leaving the bright lights of Hollywood.

Available Now: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/blackest-heart-wayback-texas-p-1058.html

BLUEST HEART: The Wayback bachelor is a dying breed, but that doesn't stop Casey Ridge from wanting to settle down. For this cowboy anyone but Josie Brusky would be an easy wrangle. Unfortunately for him, the Blue Bug singer and owner of Josie's Treasures doesn't believe in commitment much less marriage.

Years ago, Josie lost her heart to Casey's charm and dimpled smile. Since then she has done everything she knows to forget him. After all, she’s known as the local harlot and the daughter of the town’s biggest bigot. Casey could have any girl he wanted. Why would he saddle himself with her? In the wake of a shattering past, she refuses to give up her independence.

Casey digs down deep to win her over, but does he have what it takes to win Wayback's bluest heart?

Available Now: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/bluest-heart-wayback-texas-p-3830.html

BET IT ON MY HEART: Ante up! Keefe Ridge's bronc-busting days are nearly over. Despite that and the fact that he is slowly making his dream business venture a reality, Wayback's wildest cowboy doesn't see any reason to settle down. He is even willing to bet that marriage isn't in the cards at all for him.

Agent Calli Morlani came to Wayback on a mission: to bring Stella Ridge back to Hollywood. When Stella refuses, she dares Calli to take in some local color and see what Wayback has to offer. Whether that includes Stella's devastatingly charming brother becomes irrevelant once Calli finds herself in bed with him - in more ways than one…

Will it take a tough city girl to make the Wayback playboy finally fall long and hard? Or will Keefe give Calli a reason to stay? Place your bet!

Available Now: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/bet-it-on-my-heart-p-3906.html

The greatest lesson I've learned from romance is that, despite some preconceived notions, no two romances are the same. And if played out true to character and the right amount of conflict, there's always entertainment! Thank you, Rebecca, for letting me share today here. Readers, you can learn more at my website http://www.amberleighwilliams.com. What's your favorite aspect of romance?

Post for Caroline Clemmons

2010-05-12T11:21:00.001-07:00

Rebecca Giallongo Interview

1. Who are some of the writers who influenced your decision to write?

I started reading Harlequin Romances after finishing my Masters in History at the end of the summer of 2003. My friend always had a romance novel in her purse so I decided to read some ‘light’ reading. Not sure I’d consider Romance light reading any more. It gets pretty serious sometimes. LOL both reading it and writing it can be serious business. Living romance is even harder, don’t you think? It’s a lot of work. I especially feel that way right now, since I’m in the process of a divorce, not to be negative, since I do truly believe in true love. I’ve seen it for others, just not sure I’ve ever experienced it. But I really really want to

2. Take us on the road to your first sale.

Wow! The first sale! Now that is a long story! I joined RWA and local writers groups CRW then MORWA, and I started submitting, and the competition is … OMG… ridiculous! I gave up on main stream publishers and sold to a small publisher thinking I’d get my foot in the door and practice with editors and publishers. I’m so glad I did. But I just caught in that trap of selling to a publisher who folded, then got my rights back and sold again, a trilogy, then sold the other trilogy I’d already written to a second publisher to keep things going, then sold another two books to another publisher…I’m so impatient

3. Readers are curious about a writer's life. Tell us about your typical writing day.

I write mostly in the summer. I spend a lot of time doing promotion, editing, reviewing, critiquing, and book signing during the school year because I’m a teacher, then during the summer I finish stories I’m working on and start new ones I like to write then crochet and think then write some more.

4. How much research do you do for each book? What is your favorite form of research?

I do research if I need to but since I worked as a Morse Code Operator / Supervisor in the military and I teach history and politics, I don’t have to do much research. But when I do research, I like the internet and personal interviews.

5. Tell us about this release.

Guard My Body is my latest release, and it is based on a home-grown terrorist aiding the enemy and allowing atomic weapons to cross the Mexican border, but our hero/heroine will stop him…or die trying.

Awesome April Questions

2010-05-12T11:20:00.002-07:00

Awesome April Interview Questions

In honor of April 15th being tax day, we’re asking 15 questions this month

1. Speaking of taxes, are your taxes finished, or do you procrastinate with them? Do you do them yourself or do you have a taxman do them for you?

My taxes are finished, and I’ve gotten my meager refund. Ugh! Now that my kids are out of the house, the refunds get smaller every year, although I can stills how a loss with my business of author…hmmm...wonder why that is
I don’t procrastinate when it comes to taxes, but I do sometimes have to wait for my employers to get the documents that I need to me so that I can complete the forms.
The main reason I don’t put taxes off is the fact that I do my own. I worked as a tax professional for ten years, and I do taxes at my home as a side business, so actually enjoy tax season. I’m so weird, huh?

2. As it says, “April showers bring May flowers”. What flowers do you hope to see the first thing in spring?

My favorite flowers are Easter Lillies. My grandma planted them, and I have them all around the border of my yard, so I never have to wait long for my favorite. They’re up when the snow is still on the ground sometimes.

3. Do you plant your own garden? Why or why not and where is it (are they) located? What type(s) will it (they) be and where is it (are they) located on your property?

I plant my garden with my uncle. He has a small garden in the back of my house, and I help him. He loves to plant and plow, and I cook whatever he brings in from the harvest. Works out well for us! 

For those who DO garden -
4. Do you prefer plants or seeds? Does it matter where you get them, or do you have a favorite place to go? What’s the name of the place and why do you prefer to go there?

I prefer things that already have some sort of start: tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries. I like to plant in hills, and my uncle is very good at softening up the soil. The richer the soil the better. I plant in various time periods as well. We are getting ready to put in the first round of crops, then we’ll still have turnips and things like that toward the end of the fall.

5. What will you plant (or have already planted) this year and why?

We’ll like to plant by the beginning of Spring then go in levels of others things that can be planted as certain crops are picked in stages and the soil is plowed under for the next item. We try to work with natural fertilizers, and we don’t like to plant the same things in the same place and deplete the soil of its nutrients. We also have flower gardens

6. Do you have any plants that are must haves for your garden, ones that it just won’t be complete without?

Tomatoes! Gotta have them. Can’t stand the ones from the store because home – grown are so great!

For those who DO NOT garden because they can’t or don’t like to -

4. If you could have a garden, what kind of garden would it be, how big would it be and what would you plant in it?

5. Have you ever considered getting involved with a local community garden? Why or why not?

My uncle is involved with a community garden, and he loves it, but I’ve hesitated because of the stress of dealing with the other gardeners and those in charge. He doesn’t like that part of it, so we usually deal more with our own garden than the community one.

6. For your produce, is the local grocery store just fine, or do you like to hit your local farmer’s market? What is your favorite fruit or vegetable that you do like to get?

I like the produce from local farmers’ markets, especially the watermelon and things I don’t grow much of on my own.

Now, let’s get to your writing:

7. What is your main genre (erotica, erotic romance, romantic suspense, etc.)? What was the draw for you?

I write contemporary Romantic Suspense, but a couple of my books are erotica, and I’m working on a dragon/fantasy right now. I like to read a wide variety of books and genres, s o I am branching out, but I started with Contemporary Romantic Suspense, Intrigue because I copied Morse Code in the military(USAF) for ten years...

8. Besides your main genre we just discussed, what elements do you prefer to use in a story and why those elements over others?

Romance is great, and I’m a woman, although not a typical one, so I love heart- felt stories, but they also have to have a fast paced plot, hence the suspense.

9. Do you prefer red roses or black roses? If so, does that show in your writing? If so, how? If roses aren’t your style, what flowers are? Do they influence your writing? If so, how?

Funny you should ask about roses;) I have three stories with roses, the last of which uses black roses as symbolism, since the fiancé of a murdered loved one places a black rose on the spot where the person died…
AND: I have a tattoo on my left ankle with the colors of the four roses in my series of three books, trilogy, and my kids’ names in between the roses and vines.

10. The jury’s still out on this question, so we’re still asking it! - Who decides what you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one planting the seeds? How do you cultivate those seeds regardless of who plants them?

I’m a control freak, so I’d like to think I have total control, but at times, when I’m in the actual story and writing away, I have to say it’s just the inner creativity flowing. I’m not a plotter really, so my muse has to be good!

11. In your opinion, what author had the most influence on your writing? What about their writing did you find so influential and why?

I have to say Nora Roberts, although that seems unfair since she not the only author out there, but I like her and she’s big, and I write suspense, and so does she…so…
I like the fact she’s fast-paced and fun to read. That’s what I want to be. Fast-paced. Fun. Never boring

13. While authors can definitely influence us, inspiration can be everywhere for a writer, but specific people, places and events can inspire certain characters, personality traits or things that happen in our stories. In your current story that we’re promoting here today, insert name here, did any one particular person, place or event inspire you? If so who/what was it (were they), how did it/they inspire you and how is this inspiration reflected in your story?

My first stories came from my real life settings and jobs, especially the ones involving Morse Code, which I copied in the USAF for ten years with a Top Secret SCI Clearance. So those stories came easily to me, as did the ones about stalkers, since one is about a lawyer, and I’m the Mock Trial Coach at my school, and the banker, since I do taxes, and the nurse, since I have a friend who lives, sleeps, eats, and breathes nursing, and we discuss it a lot. So lots of people and settings come from my personal life, friends, family and observation.

14. Without giving away anything pertinent to the story, tell us about the hero and heroine (s) of your story. What do they look like? How do they meet (or “did” if this is a second book with these same characters)? What are their personalities – Are they comical cut-ups, are they serious or are they a mix of the two? Please give us a little bit of dialogue from the story that can illustrate this. (Not much, but just a few lines and from a different section than the main excerpt – Thanks!)

I’m going to work this from the angle of my latest release: Guard My Body. The heroine is a librarian, and the hero is a CIA covert operator, and she is asked to implant secret information in her mouth and transport it for her sister, the hero’s partner. They can’t leave where they are, so they need a curiouer, and the heroine volunteers. She has a bit of a wild side for a librarian, but that’s stereotyping So is the fact she’s a redhead He’s tall,d ark, and handsome, and a biker dude… She gets shot, and the hero says with a scowl, “All the good ones are either married, taken or have holes in their heads.”

15. The main characters are usually great, but sometimes, secondary and tertiary characters are known to steal the scenes. Who are the secondary/tertiary characters in your story and what do they look like? What’s unique about them? What is their relationship to the hero/heroine? Have any of these gone on to become scene-stealers? If so, who and how did they do it? (Again, please give us a small bit of dialogue to illustrate this – thanks!)

Since this a series of six books, and this is book number two of the trilogy, the secondary characters are very important. One is the sister of the heroine, and one is the partner of the hero. They’ve known each other a long time and used to be a team of covert operators in Colombia, South America, so the other stories are the follow ups of that. They all derserve happiliy ever afters, right?

Please send us pictures whenever possible of the favorite flowers you’ve planted, favorite fruits/vegetables you’ve grown, or maybe even a pic of your local farmer’s market as well as an image of yourself and your current release (or a couple if it’s part of a series and they are out and about to be had right now). Thanks!

Post for Kat Hall

2010-05-12T11:20:00.001-07:00

How long have you been writing?

I started writing in 2004, summer. I’d finished my Masters in History with a minor in German at the end of the summer in 2003, and I wanted something fun and relaxing to read. I had a friend who carried around books all the time, so I asked to borrow one. I was hooked, and then one day I was lying on the couch reading and wondered what I’d write if I were to write a book. It’d have to be Contemporary Romantic Suspense with a lot of romance but a good storyline, too. So I went to my computer and three weeks later I’d finish the first of the trilogy that was actually my second trilogy to publish.

What, or who, inspired you to write?

I’ve always liked to read, but in high school I read Louis L’Amour westerns, then in 2003 I started reading the romance my friend did, so my friend, Lori, got me started and has to be considered my inspiration, along with all my favorite authors I adore and wish I could emulate.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Most of my ideas come from real life. I do very little research because I write intrigue, and the stories are from my past history as a Morse Code operator, although they are heavily expanded upon, of course. I’m not that cool or interesting, not like the characters in my books. lol

What genres do you write and which is your favorite genre to write?

I write Contemporary Romantic Suspense with DEA, CIA, FBI heroes and heroines, and I also write stalkers of all sorts, but I just began last summer a book with dragon / human characters, so romantic fantasy is my latest venture.

Can you tell us about your favorite hero and/or heroine in one of your
stories?

I like strong women, so my favorite I think so far is my female assassin, but the men are fabulous, too. I wish all men were like the men in my books. I know. I know. Wishful thinking, right? lol

When you write about a hero/heroine, are there parts of your characters that you take from your own experiences in your life?

As I mentioned above, yes, definitely, I take a lot of characteristics from myself and people I know and put them into my characters. I’ve lived a rich life. I’ve seen and done a lot, and I’ve been so many places. It’s easy to come up with ideas when you know the people I do.

Do you have favorite props that you use to bolster a story? Why do you use them?

I like river scenes. Something about the sensuality of water and the outdoors. But anywhere will do to have an amazing love scene. lol

When you are writing a book, do the characters become a part of your everyday life? How do you deal with it if they take over your everyday world?

They don’t take over, but I do find myself day dreaming a lot and thinking of upcoming scenes and not focusing on what I probably should be doing: my job, housework, whatever. lol

Does your family encourage you to write?

Most of my family is very supportive of my writing, but none of them read my work. They talk about the fact I’m a writer as if they’re proud of me, but I find it very odd that they don’t want to read my books, even if they read other works. But like so many other writers, I have lots of people that I know that just don’t read. I find that to be a real shame. I can’t imagine not reading, or writing. It’s a large part of my life and always has been.

***You have a busy life with a career and family. How do you find time to write? Do you have a schedule? Are you still teaching or have you retired? If you need to change this question around, please do so. Kat

I am going to be 45 years old, in April, so I have a long ways to go before retirement, but I have time to write because I have two kids out of school and living their own lives, although my oldest daughter thinks I’m babysitting-Grandma, and my son thinks I should cater to him when he’s home from the army, ugh! And then there’s the teenage daughter who thinks life revolves around her, but I still find time to write. I teach full time, and I teach college classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and I coach Mock Trial, German Club, National History Day Competition and Model United Nations Competition. All these take place between January and April every year, so the rest of the year is writing time, although I do get some editing time in during those busy real-life-work months.

I don’t have a schedule, but I’m a work-a-holic, so I just make time, literally. Haven’t you all figured out how to rewind the clock yet? LOL

If for some reason you could not write anymore, how would you creatively express yourself?

Ugh, the only way I wouldn’t’ be able to write anymore is if I had no fingers to do, which means I have no idea how I’d express myself, but it wouldn’t be through art…but I do sing, although at times that’s a problem, too, since I have asthma. I talk ninety miles an hour, so teaching is the best job in the world for me aside for writing. lol
Beyond that, I have no idea what I’d do to be artistic…hmmm…something for us all to think about, I suppose.

Post for Anne

2010-05-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

2010 Interview Questions for Suspense by Anne (Please answer at least 10 or more)
Author Bio:
Rebecca Savage was born and raised in rural Missouri, but she left the small town when she joined the USAF and became a Morse Code Operator with a Top Secret SCI Clearance and flew away to basic training in San Antonio, Texas then on to Biloxi, Mississippi for special training then on to Italy where she was stationed for 5 ½ years.
Rebecca writes Contemporary Romantic Suspense because she lived it, and many of her stories she can relate to very well.
Rebecca has three children, one grandchild, and has returned to rural Missouri, but she is now a teacher of History and German at the college and high school level.
Rebecca hopes you like her work and would love it if you read her stories and emailed to tell her what you think: rebeccasavage@rebeccasavage.com

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always been an avid reader, and at the end of the summer of 2003 I finished my Masters in History and I started reading romance when a friend of mine handed me a book when I said I wanted to read something for fun after having to do all that non-fiction reading for my Masters. I read for a year then I was lying on the couch one day reading, and I thought, “What would I write if I write?” It would have to be romance but with a good, fast-paced storyline. I got up and sat in front of the computer and penned my first story that summer. It’s now published along with all my other works. I can’t imagine my life without writing now.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest published book is a story called Guard My Body, and it is the second of a series of six, the first being Guard My Baby. The heroes are a group of ex-mercenaries who worked together for years, so they come in and out of my stories. So you get to know the secondary characters very well. The heroine is a librarian with a wild side. She is asked to insert Top Secret information in a missing tooth in her mouth and transport it for reasons you’ll understand if you read the story. lol
What inspired you to write this story?
I like reading and writing suspense, and the CIA interests me, and I have lots of friends who are librarians, and I worked with a clearance, and I was looking at information in my classroom about terrorism and crossing the border of Mexico, and I write a story revolving around all those elements.
How did you go about researching your book?
I didn’t have to do much research because of what I teach and what I did in the military, but I did have to look up some location information and specifics on who runs the CIA and how the levels of echelons an territory controls work.

Do you have anything new in the works?
I am working on the third of that series of six called Guard My Life, and I am also working on a fantasy called Dragon Fire, which is a working title right now, but it’s a dragon story based on Chinese dragon personalities and power colors and elements.
What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I am more of pantser than a plotter, but I figure out the basic storyline before I take off running, then it just comes to me. The dragon story is the most difficult because I’m out of my element, although I am incorporating military characteristics and FBI workings.
If you could be anyone of your characters, which one would you chose to be and why?
If I could be any one of my characters, it’d be the librarian. She lives the best of both worlds. She gets to work with books all day, hang out with a sexy CIA operative at night, and live out her wild side fantasy every new and then. lol
Say your publisher has offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go? (Okay so maybe this isn’t very likely to happen but since I’m asking the questions…)
Italy! Yes, I’ve been there before, but when you leave that country, you leave a bit of your heart behind. I want to go back. Badly. lol

You’ve just been informed that your latest release was a NY Times bestseller and Hollywood wants to turn it into a movie. What actors would you choose to play your main characters?
Wow! What a dream that would be! I’d choose Gerard Butler & Jessica Alba.
What type of books do you like to read when you’re not writing?
Anything Romance! But especially suspense and historical and dragons.
Name three things you can’t live without (excluding spouses and family because that’s a given).
Books, teaching, and fun in the sun!
What advice would you give to any aspiring writers out there?
Okay, put the tune to Finding Nemo with this line: “Just keep writing, writing, writing. Just keep writing…”

Where can we find you on the web?
rebeccasavage.com
Where can we purchase your book(s)?
You can link to any of them from my website. Just click on their covers.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Just please let me know what you think of my work. I’m always open to criticism. Well, I’ll pretend to be anyway. lol

Latest Release

2010-05-12T11:16:00.001-07:00

Check this out at:
carnaldesirespublishing.com

I'll be a guest on these blogs coming up:

2010-05-12T11:15:00.001-07:00

I am Guest Blogging on these sites and dates:

http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com

May 11th, 2010

***

http://amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com

May 14th, 2010

***

http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com

May 19th, 2010

***

http://rwanycblogginginthebigapple.blogspot.com/

May 24th, 2010

***

http://hywelalyn.blogspot.com/

May 26th, 2010

***

maryalicepritchard.com/blog

May 30th, 2010

***

http://www.cjeter.com

June 1st, 2010

***

http://jennfrancesca.blogspot.com/

June 6th

***

www.lindarettstatt-author.blogspot.com

June 8th, 2010

***

http://catemasters.blogspot.com

June 10th, 2010

***

http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com

June 11th, 2010

***

http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com

June 14th, 2010

***

http://melanieatkins.wordpress.com/

June 16th, 2010

***

http://blog.myspace.com/franshaff

June 19th

***

http://www.cheriedesues2.com/index.html

http://www.cheriedesues2.com

http://www.cheriedesues2.com/naughty-novelists.html

June 20th-27th, 2010

***

http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com

June 26th, 2010

***

http://thebookboost.blogspot.com/

June 29th, 2010

***

http://minxesofromance.blogspot.com

June 30th, 2010

***

http://jmsmithromanceauthor.blogspot.com/

June 30th, 2010

***

http://kaylinmcfarren.blogspot.com/

http://kaylinmcfarren.wordpress.com/about/

July 1st, 2010

***

http://ninenaughtynovelists.blogspot.com

July 6th, 2010

***

http://rainedelightbooknook.blogspot.com/

July 7th, 2010

***

http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/

July 25th, 2010

***

http://www.nancyhenderson.blogspot.com

August 5th, 2010

***

http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com

August 18th, 2010

***

www.rhondaleecarver.blogspot.com

Augsut 20th, 2010

***

www.joannaaislinn.wordpress.com

August 22nd, 2010

***

http://telscha.blogspot.com/

August 25th, 2010

***

Anyone need a blogger? Do you want to trade? You can blog on mine, and I can blog on yours:)

Guest Bloggers Coming Up on my Site

2010-05-12T11:06:00.001-07:00

Guest Bloggers and their dates:

Amber

http://amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com

May 14th

***

Fedencia

http://rwanycblogginginthebigapple.blogspot.com

May 24th

***

Mary

www.maryalicepritchard.com/blog

May 30th

***

Hywela Lyn

http://hywelalyn.blogspot.com/

May 31st, 2010

***

Ashley Ladd

http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com

May 30th

***

Christine

http://www.cjeter.com

June 1st

***

Jennifer

http://jennfrancesca.blogspot.com/

June 6th

***

Linda

www.lindarettstatt-author.blogspot.com

June 8th

***

Jaleta

http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com

June 14th

***

Caroline

http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com

June 15th

***

Melanie

http://melanieatkins.wordpress.com/

June 16th

***

Fran

http://blog.myspace.com/franshaff

June 19th

***

Amber

http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com

June 26th

***

JM Smith

http://jmsmithromanceauthor.blogspot.com/

June 30th

Kaylin McFarren

http://kaylinmcfarren.blogspot.com/

http://kaylinmcfarren.wordpress.com/about/

July 1st

***

Meg

http://ninenaughtynovelists.blogspot.com/

July 6th

***

Cherie

http://www.cheriedesues2.com

http://www.cheriedesues2.com/naughty-novelists.html

July 4th - 11th

***

Skyhe

http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com

July 27th

***

Lara

http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/

July 31st

***

Paty

http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com

August 18th

***

Rhonda

www.rhondaleecarver.blogspot.com

August 20th

***

Joanna

www.joannaaislinn.wordpress.com

August 22nd

***

Nancy

http://www.nancyhenderson.blogspot.com

August 25th

***

Clare

http://telscha.blogspot.com/

August 25th

***

Cate

http://catemasters.blogspot.com

August 27th

Upcoming Blogs on other sties as guest:)

2010-04-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

I am Guest Blogging on these sites and dates:

http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/

April 29th, 2010

***

Website to be up soon:

May 24th, 2010
***

http://www.ashleyladd.blogspot.com

May 19th, 2010

***

www.lindarettstatt-author.blogspot.com

date up soon...
***
maryalicepritchard.com/blog

date up soon...
***

http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com

June 26th, 2010

***

thebookboost

June 29th, 2010

Guard My Body-exerpt

2010-04-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

carnaldesirespublishing.com

Who the hell sends a librarian to do the job of an undercover CIA agent?

Covert Operation Expert Nash Kincaid - at least that's what his latest passport said - sat in a seedy biker bar, sipping on his tap beer, waiting impatiently for a librarian - of all people - to show up and make a Top Secret information drop.

He scowled and scoffed silently into his foamy brew at the very balls of his friend and fellow comrade in arms, the man who'd set up this preposterous rendezvous. How the hell had Ace ever gotten it in his head that some stuffy old bookworm would be suitable for a transfer of classified information? So what if this Ayden person happened to be Ace's partner Leigh's sister? That didn't mean she could pull off something like this.

And who the hell is the amazing-looking chick that just walked in the door?

Nash's eyes widened, and his blood simmered beneath the surface. He let his eyes wander down, and then roam back up, the woman's sexy form. Her slim but amply curved silhouette stood out against the shadows of the barroom. Bright neon lights poured over her sexy outline, illuminating her body in vibrant red and yellow hues, cascading over and around her like waterfalls of color for her to bask in. She wore a skin-tight muscle shirt and a short leather skirt. The shiny, sequined material clung to curvy hips, stopped inches above shapely knees, and topped off endless, toned legs. Her fiery hair hung loose, reaching her narrow waistline, flowing like a billowing sea of red. Nash wanted to grip her waist with one hand, run his other through all that mass of organized tangles, hold on tight, and plow into her beckoning body like a madman.

Okay, so maybe her body didn't beckon him, but he sure as hell wanted it to.

Guard My Body-latest release

2010-04-29T12:47:00.001-07:00

Lots of Guest Blogging Coming Up!

2010-04-29T09:17:00.001-07:00

I will add more as we go! Some don't have dates yet...but they will:)

http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/

April 29th, 2010

***

www.lindarettstatt-author.blogspot.com

***

maryalicepritchard.com/blog

***

thebookboost

June 29th, 2010

***

Anyone need a blogger? Do you want to trade? You can blog on mine, and I can blog on yours:)

Excerpt Monday: 9/14/09

2009-09-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
0A

Prologue:

Dear Journal,
There are consequences for everything.

Six little chicks, sittin’ in a row,
It’ll be too late for them, but soon the world will know.

Had to snatch a few bitches,
And now they all need stitches.

I only need one more,
Then I can even the score.

Chapter 1

“Half naked men and women on the dance floor, gyrating like they have epilepsy or some such thing.” Carpathia, St. Louis’s latest and greatest nightclub, was hopping. Jeni Michele Campanelli closed her eyes and tried to wish it all away. She opened one eye. Shoot. She opened the other eye and glared at her two female counterparts. “Well, this is one way to celebrate. All that hard work, and this is how we acknowledge the pain and suffering of years of studying our butts off.”
“You bet it is. It’s the best way to let loose and relax after what we’ve been through.” Coni Brandon slid into the booth beside Laura Icardi.
“I agreed to come here. You coerced me into saying yes to a dance with some stranger.”
Coni’s blue eyes twinkled. “Clint’s not that bad, and a one night stand with a stranger might be what you need.”
Jeni gagged at the images that idea thrust into her mind’s eye. “I only danced with him to shut you up, but my submissive streak has run out. I’m going to break Clint’s fingers if he grabs my ass again.”
“You don’t have a submissive streak.” Coni hooted like a fool and whistled at the boy-toy giving a girl a lap dance at the next table. “I wanna join that group. They know how to party.” Coni winked at Jeni. “Lighten up, Jen. I’m sure you could put the hurt on Clint after all those self-defense classes, but where would that get you?”
Laura shoved a drink at her. “Here, Jeni. Drink up. It’s called a Flaming Orgasm. If you won’t go home with Clint and have a real orgasm, this might be the next best thing. Besides, if you have enough of these babies, you won’t notice how plastered we are at the end of the night, and you won’t fret about who we go home with.” Laura nudged Coni with her elbow. “Maybe, if she has a few of those, she’ll go home with Clint after all.”
“Oh, I’ll notice, and I don’t think it’s possible to get drunk enough to be unaware of your level of intoxication. We’ve only been here an hour, and you two are on your way to oblivion. Don’t you worry about freaks who might take advantage of you, put drugs in your liquor, rape and rob you?”
“No. We leave that water dousing to you. You could put out a five alarm fire with your humdrum attitude. Where did all that prudishness come from, anyway? I knew your parents. They weren’t boring. What latent genetic pool left you so dry?” Laura pushed Jeni’s buttons, but Jeni maintained her cool. Jeni always maintained her cool.
“Just because my parents were maniacs from the sixties and drove like Mario Andretti on steroids, I don’t have to turn out like them, or end up like them.”
Laura dropped her pointy chin onto her fist, drummed her long, apple red, manicured nails on the table, and looked down her nose at Jeni. “You haven’t forgiven them for dying on the day of your high school graduation, have you?”
Jeni gasped. “How dare you ask me that? You know I miss them. You know I loved them.”
Coni gulped her drink then plopped the glass on the table. “You blame them for ending up in that ditch dead, and you know it. So much for all those shrinks your parents’ life insurance paid for.”
Jeni blinked. “I can’t be hearing this from you two. We’re friends. Practically sisters. You might be drunk, but this is bullshit.”
Laura placed her hand on Jeni’s and squeezed. “We love you, Jeni, but you’re so damn hardheaded. The accident wasn’t your dad’s fault.”
Jeni pulled her hand away. “I told my dad a million times not to ride the ass of the car in front of him. I hated riding with him. And my mom? You’d think she’d have more sense, but no, she swerved in and out traffic like a circus clown on a bike in a ring. So damn careless. How could they have died any other way than in a twenty-car pile up on Highway 270 in St. Louis, Missouri on Memorial Day weekend at 9pm on their way to another party after leaving an all day barbecue?” Jeni narrowed her eyes. “Much like this situation. A drunken bash.”
Laura tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and picked up her drink. “This is altogether a different situation. We didn’t party all day. We’re gonna party all night, instead.”
Coni and Laura chinked their glasses together in a salute of sisterhood and nonsobriety. Jeni sighed. Ten o’clock. Too early to ditch my so-called friends and flee, homeward bound? The answer would be a resounding yes if she asked Coni and Laura, party animals that they were.
Jeni scrunched up her face in disgust at the dirty dancers all around her, gyrating and sweating to the too loud music Jeni gasped as Clint grabbed her wrist and jerked her out of her seat. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Dancing with you again.” He reached his arm around her and maintained a death grip on her wrist and another on her lower back. Jeni stiffened into an unyielding board when Clint pulled her closer, but the two-left-footed sot probably had no idea how disgusted she was with him at this inebriated point. He stumbled and stepped on Jeni’s bruised toes. She wanted to jab his ankle with a spiked heel. Maybe that’d get him to back off.
Jeni squinted at Coni and Laura over Clint’s slumped shoulder. “You better do something. Three so-called dances with this idiot were plenty. I can’t handle a fourth.”
Coni shifted away and smirked. Laura did the same. Jeni prepared to lay into them with a tongue lashing, but the dork pretending to dance with her reared back and shook his unruly head of sandy blonde hair as if to clear his mind and his vision. Surely he wasn’t coherent enough to understand her and be offended? He blinked and widened his crossed eyes to an unnatural, glassy stare, probably attempting to focus.
She drew her brows together and opened her mouth to speak. The smelly slob heaved a loud sigh, breathing his alcohol-laden breath into her face and straight up her assaulted nostrils. Jeni teetered on the verge of retching. She might never breathe properly again.
The slug must’ve looked his fill at her burning-with-anger face. He slouched forward over her bare shoulder and went back to exhaling on the back of her neck. Jeni came close to vomiting again, inhaling his rancid odor. Why wouldn’t he pass out and give her a break?
The song ended, none too soon, in her opinion. She let out a heavy sigh and excused herself from a weaving Clint’s slimy clutches. He let go, and she took advantage of his moment of forgetfulness and loose limbs and scurried toward the booth, desperate to escape the lush and his drunken stupor.
Seeking nausea-free solace from the sleaze and his wandering fingertips, she sank into the booth. She didn’t have time for him and the problems he could cause her. She didn’t have time for any man, yet. She had a plan. Her scheme didn’t include the likes of Clint.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Jeni groaned. The slobbering slug had the audacity to follow her into her area of refuge and sit right next to her, uninvited and unwanted. Jeni stared at Coni. “He can’t be serious.”
Clint shoved Jeni further into the booth and draped his heavy, limp arm around her. “Who can’t be serious? And why should anyone be serious? Serious is overrated.”
Coni giggled. “I agree.”
Clint waved his hand at a waitress. “I want Sex on the Beach for everyone.” He grabbed the waitress’ hand. “You know how to make that drink, doll?”
The waitress, her skimpy dress and the come-hither look on her face announcing her availability, winked at Clint and ruffled his hair. “If I don’t, I know someone who can get the job done for you. I’ll be right back with your drinks. As for anything else you might want? I’m open to any suggestions you might have, but we can discuss that later, baby.”
She winked and flittered off, as Laura and Coni perked up at the concept of free drinks. Jeni shook her head. “That’s it. Basta. I’ve have enough of this.”
Jeni yanked free of the hand Clint hooked around her waist. Clint whined like a baby in protest. “Where’re you going, doll?”
Coni and Laura had the grace to blush an apology and grimace when Jeni gritted her teeth and swung from the other side of the open booth, fists clenched, jaws locked. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
The ladies nodded in unison, and Jeni grabbed her handbag, stomping toward the restroom. At the last second, she dove to the left and diverted her course, slipping out of the club through a side door and veering toward her old-but-faithful car.
Jeni basked in her newfound liberty from Clint and her so-called gal pals. She’d met Coni and Laura at the club, instead of riding with one of them. She would’ve been stuck with them and the creep who’d latched onto her if she hadn’t been independent enough to come by herself. Of course, she could’ve kicked the guy to the curb and told him off, but she’d tried to last the evening and endure Clint’s advances for the sake of Coni and Laura.
She smirked in victory and pulled her cell out of her small clutch purse, dialing Coni. Voice mail picked up. Jeni rolled her eyes. Typical. “I’m out of there. Wasn’t into the over-glorified bar and dance club scene.”
Jeni hesitated an instant. Something akin to remorse slid through her, but she ignored it, lifted her chin, and refused to give in to guilt. She’d had enough of that. “Sorry I stuck you two with Clint the persistent perv, but I figure you guys are pros. You can get rid of him if you want. If not, you can take him home and have a threesome. It wouldn’t be the first time, now would it, girls?”
She hit end and shoved her phone back in her purse, the one matching her ridiculous heels and sparkly, sequined, little black dress that might as well have been a second skin. She shrugged off the last vestige of guilt and picked up speed.
Head held high, Jeni walked toward her car. She didn’t need to party to fill her days and nights this summer. Tons of things would keep her busy. She could get a jump on the research required in order to complete her doctoral dissertation. She planned to finish the thing in record time, so she could sculpt it into a nonfiction book later.
She refused to fail or shirk her responsibilities. She needed to focus and think ahead. First step, education, next step professorship, with tenure. She needed to be published for that.
Then she’d see about getting married and living the American Dream of the perfect husband, two perfect kids, a boy and a girl, and the perfect house in the suburbs.
Had she been less focused on her studies and more relaxed, she probably could’ve enjoyed the cool, June night air more. A soft breeze flowed through the massive trees lining the quiet side street where she’d parked her ancient-but-reliable, powder-blue Chevy Cavalier.
The light wind brushed the thick leaves in the high oak and maple tree tops together. She lifted her chin and let the gentle wind blow across her face. She paused to enjoy the rarity of the occasion before continuing on her fixed path--both to her car and in life.
Taking a deep breath, Jeni got back on track, striding at a brisk clip toward her clunker. She loved her car and couldn’t bring herself to sell. Nor could she afford to. Not until she finished her PhD and got a real job.
She longed for her comfortable tennis shoes. The spiked heels she’d bought at the mall during the all-out shopping spree and make-over marathon Coni and Laura had talked her into were an unnecessary expense. The senselessness of it all annoyed her as she dug in her purse for her keys. She’d been so frivolous. Not to mention careless, parking so far from the entrance of the club.
Jeni stilled. How odd. Not a single soul wandered along the silent side street where she’d parked her beloved rust bucket. She’d been trying to save money by parking so far away, but she hadn’t planned on meeting some clown, or escaping him, Coni and Laura. She hadn’t counted on diving out the side door of the club, alone, either.
She reached for her mace and her keys and grimaced. Men are such jerks.
Jeni shivered. A small prick of apprehension entered her consciousness. Was someone watching her? The skin crawled on the back of her neck, and her spine tingled. The hair on her arms stood on end. Her heartbeat stuttered, and the rhythm picked up speed. She turned. Nothing. No one.
Somewhat convinced of her safety, and her paranoia, she shrugged off the eerie feeling, squared her shoulders, and told herself to stop being ridiculous. This had always been one of the safest areas of St. Louis. She had nothing to worry about.
Still, a lingering feeling of doubt mingled with the dread of something ominous and dangerous. Worry etched itself under her skin and remained lodged at the base of her neck and in the back of her mind. Fear insinuated itself in her psyche and refused to budge. She looked around again. Nothing. She couldn’t shake the feeling. She sprinted for her car, noisy, uncomfortable, clicking heels and all.
Horror happened in a heartbeat. Something flashed in her car window as she reached to unlock her door. Something scraped the pavement behind her. The sharp pain of the impact of a blunt object exploded on the back of her head.
Then…nothing.

FOOTER
“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

Excerpt Monday: See first line for link to EM Blog!

2009-09-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

http://excerptmonday.wordpress.com/

CONSEQUENCES:
Released September 1st!
Champagne Books:)

Prologue:

Dear Journal,

There are consequences for everything.

Six little chicks, sittin’ in a row,
It’ll be too late for them, but soon the world will know.

Had to snatch a few bitches,
And now they all need stitches.

I only need one more,
Then I can even the score.

Chapter 1

“Half naked men and women on the dance floor, gyrating like they have epilepsy or some such thing.” Carpathia, St. Louis’s latest and greatest nightclub, was hopping. Jeni Michele Campanelli closed her eyes and tried to wish it all away. She opened one eye. Shoot. She opened the other eye and glared at her two female counterparts. “Well, this is one way to celebrate. All that hard work, and this is how we acknowledge the pain and suffering of years of studying our butts off.”
“You bet it is. It’s the best way to let loose and relax after what we’ve been through.” Coni Brandon slid into the booth beside Laura Icardi.
“I agreed to come here. You coerced me into saying yes to a dance with some stranger.”
Coni’s blue eyes twinkled. “Clint’s not that bad, and a one night stand with a stranger might be what you need.”
Jeni gagged at the images that idea thrust into her mind’s eye. “I only danced with him to shut you up, but my submissive streak has run out. I’m going to break Clint’s fingers if he grabs my ass again.”
“You don’t have a submissive streak.” Coni hooted like a fool and whistled at the boy-toy giving a girl a lap dance at the next table. “I wanna join that group. They know how to party.” Coni winked at Jeni. “Lighten up, Jen. I’m sure you could put the hurt on Clint after all those self-defense classes, but where would that get you?”
Laura shoved a drink at her. “Here, Jeni. Drink up. It’s called a Flaming Orgasm. If you won’t go home with Clint and have a real orgasm, this might be the next best thing. Besides, if you have enough of these babies, you won’t notice how plastered we are at the end of the night, and you won’t fret about who we go home with.” Laura nudged Coni with her elbow. “Maybe, if she has a few of those, she’ll go home with Clint after all.”
“Oh, I’ll notice, and I don’t think it’s possible to get drunk enough to be unaware of your level of intoxication. We’ve only been here an hour, and you two are on your way to oblivion. Don’t you worry about freaks who might take advantage of you, put drugs in your liquor, rape and rob you?”
“No. We leave that water dousing to you. You could put out a five alarm fire with your humdrum attitude. Where did all that prudishness come from, anyway? I knew your parents. They weren’t boring. What latent genetic pool left you so dry?” Laura pushed Jeni’s buttons, but Jeni maintained her cool. Jeni always maintained her cool.
“Just because my parents were maniacs from the sixties and drove like Mario Andretti on steroids, I don’t have to turn out like them, or end up like them.”
Laura dropped her pointy chin onto her fist, drummed her long, apple red, manicured nails on the table, and looked down her nose at Jeni. “You haven’t forgiven them for dying on the day of your high school graduation, have you?”
Jeni gasped. “How dare you ask me that? You know I miss them. You know I loved them.”
Coni gulped her drink then plopped the glass on the table. “You blame them for ending up in that ditch dead, and you know it. So much for all those shrinks your parents’ life insurance paid for.”
Jeni blinked. “I can’t be hearing this from you two. We’re friends. Practically sisters. You might be drunk, but this is bullshit.”
Laura placed her hand on Jeni’s and squeezed. “We love you, Jeni, but you’re so damn hardheaded. The accident wasn’t your dad’s fault.”
Jeni pulled her hand away. “I told my dad a million times not to ride the ass of the car in front of him. I hated riding with him. And my mom? You’d think she’d have more sense, but no, she swerved in and out traffic like a circus clown on a bike in a ring. So damn careless. How could they have died any other way than in a twenty-car pile up on Highway 270 in St. Louis, Missouri on Memorial Day weekend at 9pm on their way to another party after leaving an all day barbecue?” Jeni narrowed her eyes. “Much like this situation. A drunken bash.”
Laura tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and picked up her drink. “This is altogether a different situation. We didn’t party all day. We’re gonna party all night, instead.”
Coni and Laura chinked their glasses together in a salute of sisterhood and nonsobriety. Jeni sighed. Ten o’clock. Too early to ditch my so-called friends and flee, homeward bound? The answer would be a resounding yes if she asked Coni and Laura, party animals that they were.
Jeni scrunched up her face in disgust at the dirty dancers all around her, gyrating and sweating to the too loud music Jeni gasped as Clint grabbed her wrist and jerked her out of her seat. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Dancing with you again.” He reached his arm around her and maintained a death grip on her wrist and another on her lower back. Jeni stiffened into an unyielding board when Clint pulled her closer, but the two-left-footed sot probably had no idea how disgusted she was with him at this inebriated point. He stumbled and stepped on Jeni’s bruised toes. She wanted to jab his ankle with a spiked heel. Maybe that’d get him to back off.
Jeni squinted at Coni and Laura over Clint’s slumped shoulder. “You better do something. Three so-called dances with this idiot were plenty. I can’t handle a fourth.”
Coni shifted away and smirked. Laura did the same. Jeni prepared to lay into them with a tongue lashing, but the dork pretending to dance with her reared back and shook his unruly head of sandy blonde hair as if to clear his mind and his vision. Surely he wasn’t coherent enough to understand her and be offended? He blinked and widened his crossed eyes to an unnatural, glassy stare, probably attempting to focus.
She drew her brows together and opened her mouth to speak. The smelly slob heaved a loud sigh, breathing his alcohol-laden breath into her face and straight up her assaulted nostrils. Jeni teetered on the verge of retching. She might never breathe properly again.
The slug must’ve looked his fill at her burning-with-anger face. He slouched forward over her bare shoulder and went back to exhaling on the back of her neck. Jeni came close to vomiting again, inhaling his rancid odor. Why wouldn’t he pass out and give her a break?
The song ended, none too soon, in her opinion. She let out a heavy sigh and excused herself from a weaving Clint’s slimy clutches. He let go, and she took advantage of his moment of forgetfulness and loose limbs and scurried toward the booth, desperate to escape the lush and his drunken stupor.
Seeking nausea-free solace from the sleaze and his wandering fingertips, she sank into the booth. She didn’t have time for him and the problems he could cause her. She didn’t have time for any man, yet. She had a plan. Her scheme didn’t include the likes of Clint.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Jeni groaned. The slobbering slug had the audacity to follow her into her area of refuge and sit right next to her, uninvited and unwanted. Jeni stared at Coni. “He can’t be serious.”
Clint shoved Jeni further into the booth and draped his heavy, limp arm around her. “Who can’t be serious? And why should anyone be serious? Serious is overrated.”
Coni giggled. “I agree.”
Clint waved his hand at a waitress. “I want Sex on the Beach for everyone.” He grabbed the waitress’ hand. “You know how to make that drink, doll?”
The waitress, her skimpy dress and the come-hither look on her face announcing her availability, winked at Clint and ruffled his hair. “If I don’t, I know someone who can get the job done for you. I’ll be right back with your drinks. As for anything else you might want? I’m open to any suggestions you might have, but we can discuss that later, baby.”
She winked and flittered off, as Laura and Coni perked up at the concept of free drinks. Jeni shook her head. “That’s it. Basta. I’ve have enough of this.”
Jeni yanked free of the hand Clint hooked around her waist. Clint whined like a baby in protest. “Where’re you going, doll?”
Coni and Laura had the grace to blush an apology and grimace when Jeni gritted her teeth and swung from the other side of the open booth, fists clenched, jaws locked. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
The ladies nodded in unison, and Jeni grabbed her handbag, stomping toward the restroom. At the last second, she dove to the left and diverted her course, slipping out of the club through a side door and veering toward her old-but-faithful car.
Jeni basked in her newfound liberty from Clint and her so-called gal pals. She’d met Coni and Laura at the club, instead of riding with one of them. She would’ve been stuck with them and the creep who’d latched onto her if she hadn’t been independent enough to come by herself. Of course, she could’ve kicked the guy to the curb and told him off, but she’d tried to last the evening and endure Clint’s advances for the sake of Coni and Laura.
She smirked in victory and pulled her cell out of her small clutch purse, dialing Coni. Voice mail picked up. Jeni rolled her eyes. Typical. “I’m out of there. Wasn’t into the over-glorified bar and dance club scene.”
Jeni hesitated an instant. Something akin to remorse slid through her, but she ignored it, lifted her chin, and refused to give in to guilt. She’d had enough of that. “Sorry I stuck you two with Clint the persistent perv, but I figure you guys are pros. You can get rid of him if you want. If not, you can take him home and have a threesome. It wouldn’t be the first time, now would it, girls?”
She hit end and shoved her phone back in her purse, the one matching her ridiculous heels and sparkly, sequined, little black dress that might as well have been a second skin. She shrugged off the last vestige of guilt and picked up speed.
Head held high, Jeni walked toward her car. She didn’t need to party to fill her days and nights this summer. Tons of things would keep her busy. She could get a jump on the research required in order to complete her doctoral dissertation. She planned to finish the thing in record time, so she could sculpt it into a nonfiction book later.
She refused to fail or shirk her responsibilities. She needed to focus and think ahead. First step, education, next step professorship, with tenure. She needed to be published for that.
Then she’d see about getting married and living the American Dream of the perfect husband, two perfect kids, a boy and a girl, and the perfect house in the suburbs.
Had she been less focused on her studies and more relaxed, she probably could’ve enjoyed the cool, June night air more. A soft breeze flowed through the massive trees lining the quiet side street where she’d parked her ancient-but-reliable, powder-blue Chevy Cavalier.
The light wind brushed the thick leaves in the high oak and maple tree tops together. She lifted her chin and let the gentle wind blow across her face. She paused to enjoy the rarity of the occasion before continuing on her fixed path--both to her car and in life.
Taking a deep breath, Jeni got back on track, striding at a brisk clip toward her clunker. She loved her car and couldn’t bring herself to sell. Nor could she afford to. Not until she finished her PhD and got a real job.
She longed for her comfortable tennis shoes. The spiked heels she’d bought at the mall during the all-out shopping spree and make-over marathon Coni and Laura had talked her into were an unnecessary expense. The senselessness of it all annoyed her as she dug in her purse for her keys. She’d been so frivolous. Not to mention careless, parking so far from the entrance of the club.
Jeni stilled. How odd. Not a single soul wandered along the silent side street where she’d parked her beloved rust bucket. She’d been trying to save money by parking so far away, but she hadn’t planned on meeting some clown, or escaping him, Coni and Laura. She hadn’t counted on diving out the side door of the club, alone, either.
She reached for her mace and her keys and grimaced. Men are such jerks.
Jeni shivered. A small prick of apprehension entered her consciousness. Was someone watching her? The skin crawled on the back of her neck, and her spine tingled. The hair on her arms stood on end. Her heartbeat stuttered, and the rhythm picked up speed. She turned. Nothing. No one.
Somewhat convinced of her safety, and her paranoia, she shrugged off the eerie feeling, squared her shoulders, and told herself to stop being ridiculous. This had always been one of the safest areas of St. Louis. She had nothing to worry about.
Still, a lingering feeling of doubt mingled with the dread of something ominous and dangerous. Worry etched itself under her skin and remained lodged at the base of her neck and in the back of her mind. Fear insinuated itself in her psyche and refused to budge. She looked around again. Nothing. She couldn’t shake the feeling. She sprinted for her car, noisy, uncomfortable, clicking heels and all.
Horror happened in a heartbeat. Something flashed in her car window as she reached to unlock her door. Something scraped the pavement behind her. The sharp pain of the impact of a blunt object exploded on the back of her head.
Then…nothing.

Excerpt Monday

2009-08-10T13:34:00.001-07:00

Excerpt Monday: August 10th, 2009: Consequences: Published by: Champagne Books

2009-08-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

1. Click here to go to Excerpt Monday main page:
http://excerptmonday.wordpress.com/
2. See All links of All particpants in the Excerpt Monday Blogging at the bottom of this post;
3. Here's my Excerpt:)

COMING IN SEPTEMBER 2009

"Dio. Do you know what you're doing to me?" Nick couldn't catch his breath.

“No. Not really. All I know is I want you to kiss me. I want you to show me what I’m doing to you. I know what you’re doing to me, and I want you to touch me.” Jeni’s voice shook and reverberated through him. The low, seductive sound of it soothed his soul.

Nick lost his last bit of resistance and gave in to the need to kiss her. With a groan, he pulled her to him, taking her mouth with his, softly, at first. His body hardened against hers, and he deepened the kiss, tasting her, trying not to devour her. She moaned in response, and the needy, guttural sound tore at him. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, and she opened to him in silent invitation.

Satisfying his hunger by attempting to consume her sweet mouth, he pushed her back against the wall and mimicked the act of lovemaking he’d rather be engaged in. His chest heaved, and his pulse raced. He drove his tongue between her lips then sucked on her tongue when she responded in kind. She tasted good, she felt better, and this dance created a swirling fire within him like no other he’d ever experienced.

Nick’s world tilted beyond thinking and reasoning. His body wanted to get closer to her, become part of her, and melt into her.

“I want you, Nick. Please. Perfavore.”

He couldn’t believe his pounding ears, but it was all the encouragement he needed. Lifting her and carrying her to her bed, he laid her down as gentle as he could. He’d take this as slow as possible, so he wouldn’t frighten her, but he was close to losing control.

She reached for his hand as he stood over her, looking at her, admiring her curves and beauty. How had he gotten so lucky?

***Anyone who reads and comments and goes to my website and posts their email address with a copy/paste of this excerpt...will be entered to win a copy of the book of their choosing written by me: Rebecca Savage:)
So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Mel/Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
and
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG)

Joining us this week:

AJ O'Donovan, Poetry (PG13)
Stephanie Draven, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Heather S.Ingemar, Dark Fantasy/Poetry (PG13)
Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)
Cynthia Justlin, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Ansha Kotyk, Middle Grade Adventure (PG13)
Adelle Laudan, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical Romance (PG 13)
RF Long, YA Paranormal (PG13)
Caitlynn Lowe, Epic Fantasy (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Crista McHugh, Contemporary Erotic Romance (PG 13)
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG)
Leigh Royals, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Megan S., Paranormal (PG13)
Dara Sorensen, Historical Paranormal (PG 13)
Bethanne Strasser, Historical Romance (PG13)

Melissa Aires, Futuristic Romance (R)
Melissa Blue, Contemporary Romance (R)
Jax Cassidy, Contemporary (R)
Christina DeLorenzo, Furturistic Sci-Fi (R)
Maya Doyle, Parnormal Romance (R)
Ginny Glass, Paranormal (R)
Amber Green, Romantic Suspense (R)
Cate Hart, Paranormal YA (R)
Kinsey W. Holley, Erotic Romance (R)
Ali Katz, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Aislinn Kerry, Fantasy (R)
Inez Kelly, Fantasy Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Mel/Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
Rebecca Savage, Romantic Suspense (R)
Fae Sutherland, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)

Stephanie Adkins, Paranormal Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Evie Byrne, Erotic Historical Romance (NC17)
Ella Drake, Erotic Contemporary (NC17)
Dawn Montgomery, Erotic Paranormal Romance (NC17)
Lauren Murphy, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Kim Knox, Erotic Paranormal Romance (NC17)
Emily Ryan-Davis, Historical Western Romance (NC17)
Kirsten Saell, Erotic Fantasy Romance (NC 17)
Jeanne St. James, Contemporary Romance (NC 17)

Characterization: Crossing the Male/Female Line

2009-07-26T15:34:00.000-07:00

CharacterizationCharacterization: Crossing the Line: Nature vs Nurture

Men and women think differently, yes, and they act differently, but there's often a very thin line between the way a woman thinks and acts versus the way a man thinks and acts. Their thoughts and actions are influenced by the things they've seen, done, and endured(environment=nurture), as well as genetics(nature).
I was in the USAF, and as a female in the military, surrounded by men(9 males to 1 female in Italy in the 80's), I thought and acted differently than most other women. I had to, in order to function in a man's world.
I write stories of intrigue, suspense, and action. Often my heroines are very strong minded, independent and physically tough. I have female FBI agents, CIA assassins, DEA snipers, and women being stalked by serial killers and ex-husbands or fiances. They have to be tough and either act in character or out of character, if they want to survive and/or thrive in their worlds, face their situations, and come out on top.
So, actions may seem out of character for a woman/heroine, but if she doesn't act and think like the strong 'person' she is, she'll die, or worse, her heart will be broken, because even assassins and snipers have feelings. If they didn't, they wouldn't do the jobs they do, especially if they work for the government and serve the people of their respective countries.

Fan Mail vs Not So Fan Mail

2009-07-24T20:14:00.001-07:00

What experiences have you had with fan/not fan mail?

I’ve never received any negative comments via email or blogs or anything, and I hope I never do.

I have, on the other hand, received some excellent fan mail. Not a lot, but what I’ve gotten is quality. I have a very supportive fan who lives in England and refers to herself as my number one fan.

If word of mouth is a good thing, then she’s probably my best advertiser. She started reading my books with my very first release, sent me a note that said she’d bought whole trilogy and read it over the weekend, and buys everything I have come out as soon as it’s released.

Plus, she puts my info on all her Twitter and Blogs and anything else she can do to talk me up. I only know her by Suzie, but our fans are important.

Anyway, it’s not like I’m rich and famous, and I don’t have a million people chasing after me and stalking me, but a few loyal fans are very good for our egos, and they keep us going.

We write for ourselves, but we write for them, too, right? I mean, without our readers, where would we be?

Comment back, and tell me about your experiences with fans or otherwise.

ThanksJ

Rebecca Savage

Better Late Than Never? Exerpt Monday!

2009-07-14T07:29:00.001-07:00

Mel Berthier, Urban Fantasy (PG 13)
and
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG)

Joining us this week:

Kinsey W. Holley, Paranormal (PG)
Caitlynn Lowe, Epic Fantasy (PG)
Dara Sorensen, Paranormal (PG)

Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Christina DeLorenzo, YA (PG 13)
Nika Dixon, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Bryn Donovan, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Kaige, Historic Romance (PG-13)
Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)
Adelle Laudan, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical Romance (PG13)
RF Long, Paranormal (PG13)
Rebecca Savage, romantic suspense (PG 13)
Crista McHugh, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Michelle Arroyo, Historical Romance (PG 13)

Jax Cassidy, Contemporary Romance (R)
Maya Doyle, Paranormal Romance (R)
Cate Hart, Paranormal (R)
Ali Katz, Historical Erotic Romance (R)
Inez Kelley, Romantic Comedy (R)
Aislinn Kerry, Paranormal Romance (R)
Elise Logan, Fantasy Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)
Alina Morgan, Urban Fantasy (R)
Vivienne Westlake, Erotic Historical (R)

Stephanie Adkins, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Evie Byrne, Medieval Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Kim Knox, Erotic SF Romance (NC17)
Lauren Murphy, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Kirsten Saell, Erotic Romance (NC 17)

List of Excerpt Monday links:) Check them out!

2009-07-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

And read my post right below this one;)

Mel Berthier, Urban Fantasy (PG 13)
and
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG)

Joining us this week:
Kinsey W. Holley, Paranormal (PG)
Caitlynn Lowe, Epic Fantasy (PG)
Dara Soren, Paranormal (PG)
Babette James, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Christina DeLorenzo, YA (PG 13)
Nika Dixon, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Bryn Donovan, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Kaige, Historic Romance (PG-13)
Julia Knight, Fantasy Romance (PG 13)
Adelle Laudan, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical Romance (PG13)
RF Long, Paranormal (PG13)
Rebecca Savage, romantic suspense (PG 13)
Crista McHugh, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Leigh Royals, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Jax Cassidy, Contemporary Romance (R)
Maya Doyle, Paranormal Romance (R)
Cate Hart, Paranormal (R)
Ali Katz, Historical Erotic Romance (R)
Inez Kelley, Romantic Comedy (R)
Aislinn Kerry, Paranormal Romance (R)
Elise Logan, Fantasy Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)
Alina Morgan, Urban Fantasy (R)
Vivienne Westlake, Erotic Historical (R)
Stephanie Adkins, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Evie Byrne, Medieval Paranormal Romance (NC 17)
Kim Knox, Erotic SF Romance (NC17)
Lauren Murphy, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Kirsten Saell, Erotic Romance (NC 17)

Excerpt Monday! For July 13th, 2009

2009-07-08T20:48:00.001-07:00

Combustion: (#1 at Champagne Books (Publisher) for the month of June 2009!)
Blurb:
Sherri’s heart is a frozen block of ice after what her spouse has done to her. She needs a place of rest, a safe haven, away from the long armed reach of her soon-to-be-ex- husband. He abused her, and she escaped. Now he wants her back, and he’s stalking her, threatening her, promising she’ll not live if she doesn’t return to him. He’s wealthy and powerful, and he’ll accept no betrayal from someone who thinks she can leave him unscathed. She changes her identity and goes in search of a new home, and a brighter future. She finds one, in a rental unit owned by John.

John is a fireman. He’s seen people in Sherri’s position before. He despises men who abuse women. He lost a woman to just such a man. He’ll not let anyone hurt Sherri. She’s too beautiful, and he’s falling too hard, too fast. He vows to protect her to the end. 
Excerpt:
Combustion: #1 Bestseller for June 2009

John opened the door, and it was her. All the feelings he’d been having for the past few days rushed at him, enveloped him, and punched him right square in the gut, and then delved lower. The heat dipped and his blood pumped, faster, hotter. All he could do was stare at her like a love-sick puppy. She stood there, looking uncertain, and vulnerable. Her beautiful long, red hair waved slightly with the breeze, the gusts of wind blowing through it, swirling it around her upper body, making her look angelic, or devilish maybe. She stared back at him, bit her lip, and then spoke, quietly, anxiously, “I hate to bother you, but…I…I…oh, never mind. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

She started to turn away, but John stepped the rest of the way out of his door and stopped her with his hand on her arm. “No, please, wait. What can I help you with?”

A bolt of lightening shot straight through him and his system spiraled nearly out of control. He saw her shiver, and he touched her, bare skin to bare skin, at her wrist, wrapping his fingers around her pounding pulse point. Electric shock vibrated between their bodies. The power surged through him and jolted him. The smart thing to do would be to remove his hand and break the all-encompassing contact, immediately if not sooner. Right then, he didn’t feel very smart. He wasn’t even thinking. He just wanted to touch her. He’d been wanting to for days.

See below for exc exerpts from several books, but more will come on Excerpt Mondays;)

2009-07-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

This is the silver anniversary pin for MORWA, an organization of which I very proud to be a member of!

I will begin contributing to Exc erpt Monday, but will post this excerpt from my book that reached number three bestseller in Feb 2009

2009-07-08T10:51:00.001-07:00

Coincidence:

“I’m sorry, Sal. I know I’ve been rough on you. It’s not you. It’s me.”

She lowered her arms and stepped toward him. She stopped before they touched, only inches away. They might as well have been touching though, for all the heat coming from her body and pouring into his now-traumatized one. The electricity humming between them nearly knocked Sal to his now-wobbly knees.

Her body called to his, and he sensed her essence floating in the air, her sensuous aroma attacking every nerve ending. His breathing became even more radical, his arousal more intense, more painful. He needed release, or at the very least distance, and a cold shower, again.

He wore boxers. There was no way for him to hide his reaction.

Lori continued her torture, caressing him like a fresh, warm breeze with her sultry voice. “But I don’t want to talk about our past, or my past either. I don’t even want to think about the future. I want to live…tonight…and share it…with you. Will you, Sal? Share the night with me, that is?”

She raked her eyes up and down his body. He wanted her to skim her wonderful hands over his skin. Tiny sensations prickled throughout his whole body, sending shooting pulses spiraling outward from the pit of his stomach to the depths of his soul, crushing his air-filled lungs with the breath he couldn’t drag in and out quickly enough. His heart wasn’t just beating. It was about to explode inside his chest. He had to get his body under control.

Focus, Sal. Mind over matter.

Problem was, his mind was mush right now, and his body was hard and tense as a rock, everywhere. He was having an out of body experience. He trembled. A first for him. No woman ever made him tremble. He was dumbfounded, amazed that Lori…

No, she couldn’t really be here. Maybe he slept in his chair and this was a dream or a figment of his overactive imagination haunting his slumber. Maybe he should try to reach out, touch her, and see if she was real. In a daze, he extended a hand to touch her cheek. An electric jolt rippled through his fingers, shot up his arm, ripped through his system in delicious layers of desire, shocked him to his senses, and made him face reality. She was here all right, and she just asked him if he wanted her.

Hell, yes.

I will be participating in Excerpt Monday soon, but in the meantime, I'll post this excerpt and several others from past books:)

2009-07-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

another book excerpt:
Destination Ever After:

“You're looking as if you're feeling better and…more flexible.”

He shifted from his back onto his side, turning towards her, propping himself up on an elbow, facing her. She heard the smile on his lips. “Flexible? Is that what you really wanted to say?”

She held her ground, immobilized. She said stiffly, “Yes. Flexible.”

“Not…ruggedly handsome, manly, gorgeous? Breathtaking? All of the above?” He teased her.

Was the miserable lout actually laughing at her?

Maybe, maybe not. He was definitely fishing for a compliment, feeling her out, or testing her. Something. He unwittingly played with fire.

She scoffed, “You might be a little bit…cute, but you don't need me massaging your ego. I'm sure you have plenty of women back in the grand state of Texas doing that for you on a daily basis.”

He placed his large, warm hand on her hip, and she stiffened and shivered. “You sound a little jealous.”

She reached up and brushed his hand from her hip. It singed her.

Ridiculous , she thought again, that such a slight touch should do such devastating things to her traitorous body.

Will participate in Excerpt Monday:) but wanted to put one of my older but still available books up now as exceprt;)

2009-07-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Another book excerpt:
Cloaked In Assassination:

She looked him right in the eye. “Are you up to the task?”

He grinned that arrogant lopsided grin at her and asked, “What? Do you mean to tell me you don't know I'm up for the job? You came to me, remember?”

She wanted to smack the grin off his gorgeous face. Or kiss him senseless. How confusing. The obnoxious, toxic clown .

“Yes. I remember,” she confirmed. “From what I know of you, I think you're capable of carrying out this mission, but you've been out of the Navy for a while now, so you might be a little rusty. Are you? Rusty, that is?” She sneered her dare at him.

He leered right back at her, completely unfazed, if his answer was any indication. “Don't worry. I'll show you just how rusty I'm not .”

His eyes dug into Rene and got under her goose-pimpled skin. His gruff voice sent a warm shiver down her stiff spine. She was so tense and prickly, she might break down, if she weren't so stubborn and experienced in dealing with people like him. Not that she'd ever met any just like him, but still, no way could she relax, not around this guy. As if she could. She figured being around Hunter would keep her jittery and on edge until this mission was over.

Will participate in Excerpt Monday:) but wanted to put one of my older but still available books up now as exceprt;)

2009-07-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'll be participating in Excerpt Monday, starting this coming Monday, but in the meantime, I wanted to put out excerpt of my first three works:
see below:
1. Fueled By Instinct:
Fueled By Instinct:

The tension inside the tent was palpable.

You could cut it with a knife, Devin thought, realizing she could smell Lane’s masculine scent even stronger now, lying on her back. His cologne filled her nostrils, assailing her senses.

She wanted to feel him, taste him. But she held back, knowing nothing good could come of a summer romance, a fling, a one-night stand, or anything else that might develop with Lane.

But, oh, how she wanted to reach out to him. Her body had a mind of its own, it seemed, and her willpower was losing out.

Her breathing became erratic, shallow, as her traitorous, needy body ached for the man beside her.

She thought of how hard and safe his muscled chest had felt as he’d lifted her and carried her into the motel room after she’d been hit by the car, as if she were lighter than a feather.

Then she flushed, remembering his gentle touch as his lips had brushed hers, oh so tenderly, almost as if he’d been treasuring her, and holding himself back.

Then she remembered how he’d taken control, and she’d let him, and liked it.

Her body throbbed and pulsated now, moistness pooling between her legs as she thought of the passionate interlude in the bar when she’d kissed him. It was the first time, other than in photos, that she’d looked into those magnificent eyes.

Lord, it was going to be a long, sleepless, hot night.

TWRP Blog post: see list of fellow authors posting

2009-06-29T08:48:00.001-07:00

June 29nd Group of Participating blogs

http://amberleighwi lliams.blogspot. com

http://authorsstudi o.blogspot. com

http://bettyhanawa. blogspot. com

http://christinecle metson.blogspot. com

http://findagreatro mance.blogspot. com

http://www.freewebs .com/lesmora/ apps/blog/

http://freewebs. com/teriwilson/ apps/blog/

http://grgiall. blogspot. com

http://hywelalyn. blogspot. com

http://jennfrancesc a.blogspot. com

http://joycemoore. blogspot. com

http://lianalaveren tz.blogspot. com

http://LindaHopeLee .blogspot. com

http://lje1. wordpress. com

http://noveltrails. blogspot. com

http://plotsandthou ghts.blogspot. com

http://tanyahanson. blogspot. com

http://tinagayle. blogspot. com

http://traveltheage s.blogspot. com

http://willtravelfo rromance. blogspot. com

Blog Boquet TWRP

2009-06-29T08:18:00.002-07:00

Quotes for the TWRP trilogy from my number one fan in England; actually, she was the very first fan from anywhere I received an email fan mail from:)
"I thought I would drop you a quick note to say that I bought your trilogy this weekend and just had to read them back to back. In fact, I loved them so much I lived them. lol!!! I will definitely check out anything else you write in the future. Best wishes from a fan from Blighty." Suzie X

Blog Boquet

2009-06-29T08:18:00.001-07:00

Blog Boquet Topics for The Wild Rose Press Promo Day:)

2009-06-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

I'll probably leave several tidbits today. IF you leave a comment at any of them, you'll be up for the contest win.
I'd like to start by saying, I write mostly contemporary romantic suspense, but I've started to branch out by writing paranormal in the form of fantasy with dragons which shapeshift into humans; God created the Heavens and the Earth and man and woman and...why not dragons? They just have a few extra genetic strands, that's all. Besides, we had dinosaurs...although they disappear, and we don't want the dragons to do the same, now do we...so we must save them...
So as the day goes by I'll post info on one of my works with TWRP and I'll post excerpts and stroy blurb along with it;
Ciao for now:)

Writers Thoughts

2009-05-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

How do you feel about:
1. POV
2. Queries
3. Synopses
4. characterization
5. plotting vs set of the pants writing
6. headhopping
7. dialog
8. GMC
9. passive voice
10. voice
11. the 'rules' :(
12. the competition
13. marketing
14. promotional items and their true value
15. critique parnters

Coincidence

2009-04-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

Coincidence by Rebecca Savage

Coincidence by Rebecca Savage
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Contemporary; Suspense
Length: Full
Heat: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Violet

Lori’s ex-fiancé framed her and made certain she went to prison in his stead. Now she’s out, and he wants to shut her up. He’s hired a man to stalk her, threaten her and tell her to leave the case closed and accept her fate.

Lori’s never been that obedient, and she believes in making her own fate. Her new friend Sal Tarentino is right there beside her, cheering her on.

Can they win? And find a way to turn their coincidental meeting into…happily ever after?

Lori is a woman scorned who will do whatever it takes to clear her name. Joseph, her ex-fiancé, had framed Lori and she served time in prison for that man. Lori lost everything that ever mattered to her: her friends, family and her fiancé. No longer would she take it lying down. On a quest to clear her name, Lori moves to a small town to live in seclusion when incidents start occurring to make her change her mind about reopening her case. What she hadn't counted on, though, was

Sal, a devilishly handsome attorney who has Lori reconsidering love once again. Sal will stop at nothing to show Lori, he will be there and will not hurt her. Can a love for the two of them survive her past?

Lori's character really spoke to me. She was a strong willed, sassy, brassy woman who had been wounded right to her soul. She used defense mechanisms to help her cope through situations she thought might become detrimental to herself. She definitely had the walls up around her heart but then along came Sal. Sal had to be one of my favorite characters in the book. He was a man determined to persevere through whatever Lori had to throw at him. He knew there was more to Lori than just a hard hearted woman. He was always there at the right time for Lori and tried to show her how to love again. Lori and Sal's characters brought to the story a combination of love and suspense. It was a story of determination, challenge, compassion and intimacy on a level other than the physical. The secondary characters in this book, like the brothers, really made me feel the bond. Each had the others' back.

Coincidence gripped me from the first page, and I was reading just as fast as I could. The plot line was amazing and I did not see the twists coming. The end of the book was breathtaking and jaw dropping. It ended in the most perfect way.

Rebecca Savage should be awarded for her unique way of capturing the hearts of her readers with suspense and drama. I enthusiastically recommend you read Coincidence for a suspense-filled read that will take you to another time and another place. You can expect to experience a variety of emotions throughout Coincidence. This book was very well written with humor, action, conflict and some very hot love scenes. Coincidence will not disappoint!

I will be rereading this book often. I would love to see this book become a series, perhaps a book for each of the brothers. I have found myself thinking about this book when I am not reading it and I love it when a book can do that to me. Ms. Savage, you can be proud of Coincidence and know that you have found a new fan in me!

From the Desk of
Kat Hall
Executive Assistant to Ms. Smith (Publisher)
Review Coordinator
www.champagnebooks.com
www.carnalpassions.com
www.thewritersvineyard.com

Using Track Changes

2008-10-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

Set the Track Changes Preferences
Step1 ~ Open the document in which you want to track changes.
Step2 ~ Go to the Tools menu.
Step3 ~ Select Preferences.
Step4 ~ Click on the Track Changes tab.
Step5 ~ Go to the Inserted Text section and use the drop-down menu to select the mark you want to use to track
changes.
Step6 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the color you want to use to track changes in the Color Used section.
Step7 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the mark and color you want to use to track deleted text.
Step8 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the changed formatting (bold, italic, underline, double underline) and color you
want to use to track format changes.
Step9 ~ Use the drop-down menu to select the changed lines (left border, right border, outside border) you want to use.
Turn on Tracked Changes
Step1 ~ Open the Tools menu and choose Track Changes, then Highlight Changes.
Step2 ~ Select the box marked "Track changes while editing."
Step3 ~ Click OK. Your subsequent changes to the document will be marked with the colors and styles you selected above.

Highlighting Words

2008-10-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

Do you use the word ‘was’ a lot? Or how about the dreadful ‘it’? Don’t know? Do a search and find out.
First, lets add the highlighting icon to your tool bar.
1. Go to Tools>Customize
2. Under the Commands tab, under Categories choose Format and under Commands find Highlight
3. Now drag the icon out of this dialogue box and onto your tool bar.
[Space below menu words]
4. Do a Find [control+F] or go to Edit>Find.
5. In the Find what: field, type the word you are searching for.
6. Checkmark ‘Highlight all items found in’
7. Click Find All
8. Go to your highlight option, now located on your toolbar and choose a color.
Now you can easily scroll through your manuscript to see if you are overusing certain words.

Query Letter instructions:

2008-10-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

Prepare a Synopsis and Query Letter
Write a one-page synopsis of your book. This should sound a little like what you read on the jacket cover of a book, summarizing the plot. Then write a QUERY letter to accompany the synopsis. The letter should include:
 a brief paragraph about the book, saying that it’s fiction or nonfiction and giving a one or two sentence description
 a paragraph saying who you think the audience for the book will be
 a paragraph or two about you, that is, a short bio, including any writing you’ve published and anything that makes you an expert on the subject
 a paragraph telling the agent just what you have to show, e.g., a completed manuscript, three chapters and an outline, or a proposal
.

Dedication Pages for Books

2008-10-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

Dedication Pages for ms’s:
TWRP
Rebecca Savage

1. Fueled By Instinct

Lori & Cindy, for getting me hooked on romance novels
Marilyn, for peer-editing this ms

2. Cloaked In Assassination

G, Steph, Nic, & Carissa
Ally, my brilliant editor
TWRP

3. Destination Ever After

*Acknowledgements Page*

Dedication Pages for ms’s:
Champagne Books
Rebecca Savage

4. Coincidence

For all my uncles and aunts
Special thanks to
Ralph and Nancy
Joyce and Dorman

5. Combustion

For all my cousins
Special thanks to
Sherri, Diane, Amy, Vicki, Kathy, Dennis, Darryl
Extra special thanks to
Bill and Karen
& Robert and Rosemary

6. Consequences

For my family because Family Matters!
Special thanks to my brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, Mom & Dad
& Grandma
And especially to my Critique Partners

What A Kiss Means...and other gestures

2008-10-24T17:13:00.001-07:00

+kiss on the stomach = I’m ready
+Kiss on the Forehead ="I hope we're together forever"
+Kiss on the Ear = Your my everything
+Kiss on the Cheek = "We're friends"
+Kiss on the Hand = "I adore you"
+Kiss on the Neck = "we belong together"
+Kiss on the Shoulder = "I want you"
+Kiss on the Lips = I like you"

What the gesture means...
+Holding Hands = "we definitely like each other"
+Slap on the Butt = "That's mine"
+Holding on tight = "I don't want to let go"
+Looking into each other's Eyes = "I just plain like you"
+Playing with Hair = "Tell me you love me"
+Arms around the Waist = "I like you too much to let go"
+Laughing while Kissing = "I am completely comfortable with you"

--Advice--
+ Don’t ask for a kiss, take one.
+If you were thinking about someone while reading this
you're definitely in Love.

Writing Tips: Italicizing

2008-10-24T17:12:00.000-07:00

Okay here goes. You probably want to print this out.
In Word 2003, open your document.
Do a file Save As to make a copy of the document just in case.
Select Edit, Replace
Put your cursor in the Find what: drop down box
Go to the bottom of the options box and select Format, Font
About half-way down the Font selection box, select Underline and the first
line-style in the drop-down box
Then select Okay
Now you are back in the Find and Replace option box
Put your cursor in the Replace with: drop down
Go to the bottom of the options box and select Format, Font again
Select italic in the font style box and then go to the Underline style and
select None from the drop-down box
Then select Okay
(Almost there!)
Now you can select Replace all and Voila! All underlines are now italics."

Kevin Dickson: American Hero and My Son's Friend: Killed in Iraq

2008-10-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

Kevin Dickson: A Family Friend and Former Student Turned American Hero

The first time I met Kevin Dickson was about two weeks after he moved here. They lived on Center Point Road, and school had just begun. My son Nick befriended him right off the bat, as well as his brothers, especially Anthony, but also Daniel. My husband and I were bowlers, and my children always went with us to the bowling alley to hang out while we bowled. Nick asked the three brothers to join him, and I swung by and picked them up. This happened several more times during the year. Kevin and his brothers were always polite, and I enjoyed spending time with them.
Not long after that, Anthony was in my history class, followed by Kevin. That boy was such a skinny little sprite back then, quiet and polite. He grew into a man and did what I always thought he’d do. He made something of himself. He might’ve done things the hard way in school. He might not have graduated top ten in his class. He might not have broken any sports records. It doesn’t matter. He did what he was meant to do. He joined the military, served his country, and tried to take care of the people he loved. Maybe he did that a little too well, considering. It seems he could never tell anyone he cared about no.
I’ll forever have the last memory of Kevin burned into my mind’s eye. The day before my son drove him to the airport in St. Louis to put him on a plane for the last time, I saw Kevin in Mobile. I hadn’t seen him in over a year, and I was amazed at the change in him. His military bearing, his respectful demeanor, his muscular build. He’d matured beyond most people’s expectations in more ways than one.
To my understanding, he continued to work out and build both his mind and body. As a matter of fact, his last moments might have been spent doing just that. It is quite possible no one will ever know what happened to Kevin Dickson while serving in Iraq. In my mind, it absolutely does not matter. He’ll always be my hero. He deserves my respect and the appreciation of all who knew him and all who didn’t. All soldiers do, whatever their end, whatever their past. Kevin will get no less that eternal gratitude from me.
As a former military member and his former teacher, I’d like to extend my condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed. It is my hope that people think and pray daily for the soldiers in this war, whether they be stationed in their homeland or on foreign soil. The military way of life is hard, but necessary. Without those willing to serve in one capacity or another, this country would falter. It still might, but there are those courageous souls who are doing their parts to keep that from happening.
And it’s costing them, and the loved ones they leave behind, dearly.
Goodbye, Kevin, until we meet again.

Presentation at SouthWest Illinois College in East St. Louis

2008-10-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sub-Genre Strengths Questionnaire
Name: Rebecca Savage
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Latest releases:
• Fueled By Instinct
• Cloaked In Assassination
• Destination Ever After
Coming Soon:
• Coincidence
• Combustion
• Consequences
Written but not contracted:
• Guard My Baby(submitted query and synopsis and full ms)
• Guard My Body(with an agent)
Started but not finished:
• Guard My Life
Ideas for several others-including a DRAGON story! Different genre for me, but will still have suspense…based on Chinese dragon elements.

1. Thinking about your sub-genre as a whole, which elements of fiction (for example, character, setting, suspense, plot, internal conflict, external conflict, pacing, details) do you feel it does better than others, and why? (Feel free to use examples from yours or others' stories)

I write romantic suspense, so of course I’d have to say the suspense element is strongest, but any story is nothing without lively characters, so I try to make my characters believable, interesting, and spunky. There’ll always be a conflict as well, sometimes both internal and external, and the plot revolves around the characters’ actions and the suspense element forcing them to function a certain way and evolve the plot.

2. How do you ensure these elements are a part of your story? Which element of writing do you feel is your strength, and if it differs from your sub-genre, how do you enhance it in your story to make an impact?

Suspense is automatically there if the characters have some issue to deal with, either internally or externally. In my case, there will always be external conflict because something is threatening to harm my hero or heroine or both. So my strength is the suspense plot, but the characters determine how they’ll deal with what is happening to them. My characters aren’t easy going victims. They fight back. That’s the impact.

3. Why do you believe readers who love your sub-genre more than any other do so? What is it about your stories that keep your fans coming back?

I’d like to think it’s my voice and the characters’ personalities. I try to get into their deep POV so my people are real. There’s constant action because of the persistent danger, and the romance, making for fast-paced read and exciting ride.

4. Thinking about your sub-genre, which authors do you feel are the "cream of the crop"--and why? What are their strengths?

Okay, I know, Nora, Nora, Nora. Writers probably get tired of being compared to her, but no one grips a reader’s attention like her. I don’t want to be just like her. I just want to be able to compel readers to feel the way she does. Not that there aren’t any other writers that make me feel when I read, but she’s the most prominent, well-known name that elicits the response I want reader to have when they read my work.

5. If you're published in more than one sub-genre, is it difficult to transition between them? How do you bring focus to your stories to make them unique to the sub-genre?

I’m only published on my genre, but I write various stories in that genre, so it might be considered sub-genre. I write female FBI agents, female assassins for the CIA, female snipers for the DEA, male SS agents and SEALs, and stalker situations. The stalker stories are very different from the intrigue element of the FBI, CIA, and DEA. The heroine is not weak by any means, but she is more at the mercy of the villain than a femme fatale, and so the hero is more active in his role as protector.

6. Any additional thoughts or insights about the strengths of your sub-genre?

I read all types of romance, but I enjoy suspense/intrigue/thrillers the most because of the constant action. The hero and heroine are busy. They have no choice. If the hero and heroine are bored, so is the reader. In suspense, if it’s done right, there’s no time to be bored. It’s not just about whether the hero and heroine fall in love. It’s how they deal with what’s happening around them, and how they deal with the attraction between them in the midst of danger and chaos. If they can make it past the hard times, their love can endure. That’s what it’s all about. For better or for worse.

Rebecca Savage's Publishing Journey

2008-10-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

An avid reader can become a prolific writer. Such is the case with me. I started out in my teens reading Louis L’Amour. I have one hundred ninety of his paperbacks and fifteen of his books bound in leather. I read them all, loved them and saved them. I only read one romance during my teens, titled The Daring Deception. Lately I’ve tried to find it so I can buy it, but I haven’t been successful in my attempt to locate it. I only want it for nostalgic purposes, since I had no idea I’d eventually become a romance junkie and writer. In essence, that book was my romantic beginning.
I never read another romance until 2003 when I graduated with a Masters in History and decided to read something for fun. A friend of mine always carried a romance novel in her purse and read constantly. I borrowed a couple of books from her, and the rest is history. I was hooked.
I read all kinds of romance, but only write contemporary suspense/intrigue. I had a top secret clearance in the Air Force so I seldom have to research, yet. I’ve done a bit of digging to confirm things I already suspected to be true, but mostly I write from experience or imagination and stick to the facts as much as possible.
I read books from August 2003 until May 2004, and I was lying on the couch reading one day and thought, “What would I write if I wrote a book?” I like action movies that make you think, a story with a good plot with a hero and heroine trying to figure out what’s affecting their lives, bringing them together, and pulling them apart. I started there. I decided to write a suspense/mystery, since neither the reader nor the characters knew who was after the hero/heroine, although sometimes both the reader and characters do know who the villain in my works is, but the villain is allusive.
So, all those books I read, and still read, were a learning process, just as everything else in my life has led up to where I am now. I was a good student, a good military leader, a good reader, and I hope I’m a good writer. Only time and sales will tell.
I wrote a trilogy in summer 2004 while off for the summer from teaching. I self-published one of those books, since I knew absolutely nothing about publishing at the time, except I wanted to see my book in print.
I wrote another trilogy in summer 2005. I joined RWA in October 2005, after searching for a publisher on the internet and seeing advice to join organizations like RWA and local chapters. That’s how I ended up at CRW, but not until March 2006. Teaching slowed down the process. Darn those daytime jobs.
CRW taught me so much. My first meeting I learned writing is a business and how to write a query/synopsis. I had no idea there were such things. I also learned how extreme the competition is. I had no idea so many writers existed and wanted to be published or what a game it is. I learned it’s all about persistence and taking the steps to get there. I also learned I’m a fly by the seat of my pants, character driven writer, not a plotter.
After joining RWA/CRW I went back to those first six novels and began self-editing based on things I learned about craft: voice, passive, throw away words, POV, etc. I started submitting to agents, editors, and publishers. I took any and all advice from the rejection letters and fixed anything I was told was wrong.
I didn’t start working with Critique Partners until this year. I wasn’t ready, even thought I might’ve thought back then I was. I had to climb the ladder. I had to learn craft and even programs. I had no idea what track changes on Microsoft word was. I know. Seems silly, huh? Like everyone should know these things.
When I first started coming to meetings, I thought I was so writing illiterate, and I was. Terms most writers are comfortable with totally escaped me. I didn’t know what POV was, or lots of other things. I didn’t go to college to be a writer. I wasn’t an English major. I’d never been a journalist. I worked on a Masters in History. So my background was foreign to what most successful writers have under their belts.
That didn’t stop me. I just kept plugging along. I had no idea how long it’d take. I thought I’d submit and get published. End of story. Boy, what an eye opener the past few years have been.
I also landed in a few writers’ woes and pitfalls along the way. I submitted to an online agency, and it turned out to be bogus. I paid eighty dollars for my stuff to be looked at, and they tried to weasel me out of more. Thank goodness CRW stopped that mistake.
So my fist pitfall was a hoax agency, and then I contracted with an e-publisher that went out of business, but just kept my work and didn’t tell me anything. Come to find out, my editor was holding my ms, and after the ninety days – thank goodness for that clause – she emailed me and told me of the issues within the company. That company no longer exists.
I was allowed to pull my work from their company and resubmit elsewhere. I did. and I got a contract for the trilogy I penned in 2005. I sign with The Wild Rose Press, but six other companies offered contracts for that trilogy, too. My other trilogy wasn’t ready yet. It was my first attempt at writing, and I’d worked on it, but it took a lot more tweaking to ready it. Now I’ve contracted it with Champagne Books, which means I’ve spread out into more than one company.
I made that choice based on the fact that so many e-pubs and other small publishers go out of business. I didn’t want all my work to be stuck in one company’s hands. So I branched out. The drawback, I suppose, would be that I won’t build a following through one company, but readers would know my work through my website anyway, so I don’t think that’s a major issue.
In the meantime, I wrote another story in 2006 after joining CRW. I submitted to Harlequin and was asked for a full ms. The editor liked it, but not enough. I sent that story to an agent, along with a note saying Harlequin asked for a full. When Harlequin rejected, she did, too, but she asked to meet with me in Dallas at nationals. I wrote another book after RWA nationals and submitted it to her. She liked it and asked for me to fix a couple of things. I made the changes and resubmitted. She asked for one more thing. I fixed that, too. She asked for one more thing, and I’m in the process of doing those changes now and will resubmit soon.
In other words, it’s all about not giving up. I suppose there’s a time to quit, but as long as a writer is not at a stand still – work on something else while going through the process of one edit – then it’s not a bad thing to take awhile working and dealing with a possible agent/publisher.
So, I worked on those old stories until I contracted with an e-pub, and I’m using the editors to learn the process of editing and promoting. I’ll rise to the next level in time. You can, too. Never let anything hold you down. Rise above it.

Going Paperback!

2008-10-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

geocities.com/grgiall
My books go paperback starting Oct. 31, then Nov. 21, then Dec. 19 2008;
My newer upcomign books cme out e-book in Jan., May, and Sept. 2009.
I have contracted others but have no release dates yet.

2008-10-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

Several New Reviews and early releases

2008-09-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

I've added several reviews for my books, all very good:)
Also, my books go paperback Oct 31, Nov 21, and Dec 19, 2008...just in time for the whole trilogy for Christmas:)
I'll find a way to sign them if you buy them, no matter where you are...Send and I'll send back, postage paid:)

2008-09-01T18:45:00.003-07:00

Title: Destination Ever After
Author: Rebecca Savage
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Length:212
Heat: Hot
ISBN: 1-60154-280-1

Blurb:
Austin’s been captured by the rebels and drug lords in South America, Columbia. He’s been beaten, but his spirit isn’t broken. And even the insanity going on around him doesn’t keep him from desiring Alicia
Alicia snipes for the DEA, but now her mission is a little different: rescue. She knows the area, so she’s been sent in with her team of mercenaries. But Austin is no weakling, and he has information that changes the mission, resulting in the hunt for an American drug dealer who’s in the process of making a multi-million dollar trade. In the search for their query, Austin and Alicia battle rebels and fall in love, the last of which Alicia never would have expected to happen.

An American in the jungles of South America is dealing with scum, trading for drugs, and willing to kill anyone in his path. But, Austin and Alicia aren’t that easy to kill.
Review:
Destination Ever After is an easy, entertaining, and modern read, and stays true to the genre. The heroine, Alicia, a trained sniper, is a tough, no-nonsense woman who handles herself well in any situation----except that of love. The story, filled with some saucy-hot love scenes, touches on an everyday truth that most women encounter: trying to balance a career with a relationship. Rebecca Savage does a good job with the harsh scenes as well as those filled with passionate kisses. This book reveals Savage's untapped talents. I look forward to her future publications.
Reviewed by JD Jenkins
WRDF Review

2008-09-01T18:45:00.001-07:00

SRR GRADE: A
http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/cloakedinassassination.aspx
Cloaked In Assassination is the second tale in this trilogy of triplets by Rebecca Savage. The first, Fueled by Instinct and the last Destination Ever After are the other two books in the series. Able to stand on its own, this story packed one heck of a powerful punch. Ms. Savage has done it again and run us through the wringer, keeping us hanging on her every word and wondering just who will come out alive.
Rene is a CIA assassin, under cover, her identify erased -- no one should know who she really is. Yet someone finds out. The “Boss” as he wants to be called blackmails her into his plan by holding her family as ransom. She has no intention of carrying out the fiendish plot but she has to find a way to save those she loves.
Enter Ex-Seal and Secret Service Agent Hunter. He has never failed and doesn’t intend to this time either, in saving the presidents or winning the heart of Rene. Strong, domineering and used to having his own way the attraction between them is immediate. But this mission will not be an easy one and both of them are put to the test time and time again never knowing if they'll survive the next day.
Ms. Savage really had me from the first page. I read the entire story in one sitting, not wanting to put it down until I knew the outcome. Of course it only whets my appetite for the next book which will be out later this month. The characters are feisty, sexy and addicting. I really loved this pair and I was sorry to see the story end. I hope they make an appearance in Ms. Savage’s next book. If you are a fan of romantic suspense Cloaked in Assassination is one you need to move to the top of your list!

2008-09-01T18:44:00.005-07:00

Cloaked In Assassination
Rebecca Savage
Romantic suspense
Available from The Wild Rose Press
July 2008
Rene Celeste Ladue is a professional assassin for a top secret CIA program. Someone has discovered who she is and has threatened to kill her family if she doesn’t murder the living ex Presidents of the US, the current President, and the top running candidate in the up coming elections. No one messes with Rene’s family and lives; who ever this mysterious person is they just made a fatal mistake! Rene works alone but for this task she must have help and she has selected Hunter Orion Keller a top Secret Service Agent. Can Rene and Hunter find away to trick the blackmailer, find him, and remove him without anyone else getting hurt? Can they also work around the incredible chemistry they have together long enough to get the job done?
Cloaked in Assassination is a sequel to Fueled by Instinct which started Rebecca Savage’s series about the Ladue sisters. The Books can be read stand alone as each sister’s story is separate and not dependent on things you learned from the other. The other two sisters make do make and appearance in the story and I prefer to read series in order so I was glad I had read Fueled by Instinct first.
I really like the Ladue sister’s. They are completely loyal to their family and their country, they are tough and trained, and they are determined to succeed. Rene is obsessed with finding whoever is trying to blackmail her not only because they threatened her family but what they want done is treason. Rene gets a whole lot more than she bargained for when she chooses Hunter to help her with this job. Rene doesn’t want a man but if she were to look for one, Hunter is exactly what she’d want. He is honest, trustworthy, a leader, and as patriotic as she is. And Hunter has a fiercely loyal team to call on with more skills then Rene had imagined. The mission is dangerous, the team is talented, and the mad man is highly placed someplace in the government so the action is thrilling and intense. If you want an action packed, romantic suspense story, this one will not disappoint!
Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual
Reviewer: Steph B.
August 18, 2008

2008-09-01T18:44:00.003-07:00

Review:
Cloaked in Assassination is the second in a trilogy by Rebecca Savage. I have read the first book Fueled by Instinct, and this second book definitely lives up to my expectations. Ms. Savage is very skilled at writing romantic suspense, knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats and still manages to give you the happily ever after most romance readers crave.
CIA assassin Rene’s cover has been blown. Ordered by an unknown boss to take out all past living presidents, the current president and one of the candidates for the upcoming election she knows she can’t handle this alone. Warning her sisters that they could be in danger Rene sets out to make her plans to catch the “boss” and keep everyone else alive. Asking for help is not in Rene’s vocabulary but she doesn’t have much choice in this one, there is too much riding on the success of her counter-mission.
Hunter is a secret service agent and ex-navy seal. He’s had more than his share of clandestine missions and knows just the team to help Rene with this mission. But nothing is as easy as it seems and trying to assist Rene is almost impossible, and falling in love with her is like running head first into a wall at 55 mph. But that doesn’t stop Hunter and he’s determined to sway her to his way of thinking.
True to the book’s title, Rene was cloaked well and slipped in and out of places like the ghost she was trained to be. Born to due her duty to her country she definitely found her match and mate in Hunter. But would it would take everything in her to take the chance on a relationship with him.
Ms. Savage delivers big with Cloaked in Assassination. From the first page I was on edge, and just as good suspense should be with more than enough twists to put knots in your stomach. I definitely recommend this story – as well as the previous story in this series. I look forward to the next book about the last of the triplets.
~ Reviewed by Lynda Warnock
WRDF Review

2008-09-01T18:44:00.001-07:00

MR Review
Fueled by Instinct
by Rebecca A Savage
4 out of 5 Stars
FBI agent Devin Elizabeth Ladue wants revenge and justice for the murder of her parents and she is determined to see that she gets it no matter what the cost. Lane Eric Steelman is a journalist and witnessed the gruesome murder of Devin's parents. Devin plans to keep Lane alive long enough to give his testimony at the trial of the rich and influential men that are responsible for the murders. But while she is protecting him, they have also decided to try and draw out a mole in the FBI that is involved in the complicated plot. Devin wants everyone involved to go down! The only problem is neither Devin nor Lane expected the incredible chemistry between them personally. Can they stay focused on the job?

Fueled By Instinct is a very good, FBI thriller and romantic suspense all rolled into one exciting read! The sexual tension between Devin and Lane just adds to the readers heightened senses as they follow the progress of the story. There is treachery, greed, and danger surrounding the couple while they try to remain alive for Lane to testify and fight their attraction to one another. This is a bad time for any kind of relationship and they can’t possibly have a future. Devin is married to her job and Lane will probably be on the run from the mob for the rest of his life even if they do get the convictions. No one bests the mob and walks away unscathed.

Ms. Savage grabbed my attention, emotions, and pulse rate at the very beginning and sent me for an exciting ride through this story! If you have never read anything by Ms. Savage, don’t delay any longer; this story is a great place to start. If you are already a fan of Ms. Savage’s work, you don’t want to miss adding Fueled By Instinct to your list of titles.

Review of FBI by Simply Romance Reviews

2008-09-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

SRR GRADE: A
http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/fueledbyinstinct.aspx
Fueled by Instinct is the first book in a new trilogy by Rebecca Savage. Triplets, each of the sisters have their own story, and Devin’s story is first. An FBI agent, she is trying to help uncover a mole in the bureau, one who helped bring about the murder of her parents.
Lane is a journalist who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Witnessing the murder of the Chief of Police of New Orleans and his wife -- with pictures and tapes to prove it, have put in him serious jeopardy. The mob is out to kill him to keep him from testifying and he’s been in hiding. Even though Lane is already in Witness Protection the FBI mole has helped to uncover his new identity.
Devin is determined to keep Lane safe and ferret out the mole. She needs vengeance for her parent’s murders and she is determined to get it. What she doesn’t count on is the intense emotions which Lane elicits in her. From their first kiss, to hide Lane’s identity in a bar, both of them are thrown into a whirlwind of feelings neither expected or could have imagined.
Ms. Savage’s Fueled by Instinct is an extremely compelling story. The characters are enjoyable and Lane couldn’t have been easier to fall in love with. The pace of the book is fast, just as the characters have to move to keep one step ahead of their pursuers. The attraction between Devin and Lane is sizzling and keeps you longing for them to get together. Fueled by Instinct has earned a place on my keeper shelf. It doesn’t take instinct to grab this book, only the love of a good story!

~Reviewed by Lynda

I got great review from Manic Readers

2008-07-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

MR Review Fueled by Instinct by Rebecca A Savage
4 out of 5 Stars:)

FBI agent Devin Elizabeth Ladue wants revenge and justice for the murder of her parents and she is determined to see that she gets it no matter what the cost. Lane Eric Steelman is a journalist and witnessed the gruesome murder of Devin's parents. Devin plans to keep Lane alive long enough to give his testimony at the trial of the rich and influential men that are responsible for the murders. But while she is protecting him, they have also decided to try and draw out a mole in the FBI that is involved in the complicated plot. Devin wants everyone involved to go down! The only problem is neither Devin nor Lane expected the incredible chemistry between them personally. Can they stay focused on the job?

Fueled By Instinct is a very good, FBI thriller and romantic suspense all rolled into one exciting read! The sexual tension between Devin and Lane just adds to the readers heightened senses as they follow the progress of the story. There is treachery, greed, and danger surrounding the couple while they try to remain alive for Lane to testify and fight their attraction to one another. This is a bad time for any kind of relationship and they can’t possibly have a future. Devin is married to her job and Lane will probably be on the run from the mob for the rest of his life even if they do get the convictions. No one bests the mob and walks away unscathed.

Ms. Savage grabbed my attention, emotions, and pulse rate at the very beginning and sent me for an exciting ride through this story! If you have never read anything by Ms. Savage, don’t delay any longer; this story is a great place to start. If you are already a fan of Ms. Savage’s work, you don’t want to miss adding Fueled By Instinct to your list of titles.

July Release

2008-06-11T18:42:00.000-07:00

Cloaked In Assassination Book Tralier

2008-05-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Fueled By Instinct Book Trailer

2008-04-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

My book release: Fueled By Instinct

2008-03-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

My book: Fueled By Instinct:
comes out June 20th...that will be the electronic format release date;
December 19th will be the paperback/print release date;
That book is the first of a trilogy; the others will be one month apart, July then August for e-books, Jan. and Feb. for paperback;)
go to my website for further info:
geocities.com/grgiall

Destination Ever After

2007-12-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

This release cover is now posted on my website @
geocities.com/grgiall
Check it out!
My Jan. book has been pushed to Feb, Feb to Mar, and Mar to April, but they're coming...I promise:)

Cover for: Feb. Release: Cloaked in Assassination

2007-09-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

Check it out at:
geocities.com/grgiall

Februry Release Cloaked in Assassination

2007-09-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Hero:

Hunter’s an ex-Navy SEAL turned Secret Service Agent extraordinaire. He’s never failed a mission, and he doesn’t plan to: especially his mission to conquer Rene’s heart.

The Heroine:

Rene’s an assassin for the CIA who is being blackmailed to kill the current U.S. president, the former presidents, and a candidate in the upcoming election. She has no intention of doing so, but if she doesn’t, her self-proclaimed boss will kill her family…the family whose identity should be anonymous, but has somehow been discovered. She’s been found, identified, and marked, and she’s not having it.

The Villain

Rene’s mysterious ‘boss’ wants the presidents dead and his own candidate to win, for reasons known only to him. He threatens Rene and her family, secure in the belief she’ll do as she’s told. Instead, she sets a trap for him, stages their deaths, and in the process, finds love in the midst of danger.

January Release Fueled By Instinct

2007-09-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

The Hero:

Lane’s out for justice. He witnessed a horrible crime, the murder of Devin’s parents. So, he agrees to pretend to go into the Federal Witness Protection Program to set up and capture a mole within the ranks of the FBI. In the process, he finds himself captured…and captivated.

The Heroine:

Devin’s out for revenge. Her parents were murdered, and the only man who can help her avenge them just happens to be the most gorgeous hunk of a man she’s ever seen. She joins forces with Lane, pretending to be on the run from the mole’s hit men, but really they’ve set a trap…and Devin's become entrapped…by Lane.

The Villain:

The mole. He wants revenge, too, but for a different reason. Lane captured a hit on film, one his father arranged, and now the mole wants to make sure Lane never makes it to the witness stand to testify. Even if he has to kill Devin, too.

The tension inside the tent was palpable.

You could cut it with a knife, Devin thought, realizing she could smell Lane’s masculine scent even stronger now, lying on her back. His cologne filled her nostrils, assailing her senses.

She wanted to feel him, taste him. But she held back, knowing nothing good could come of a summer romance, a fling, a one-night stand, or anything else that might develop with Lane.

But, oh, how she wanted to reach out to him. Her body had a mind of its own, it seemed, and her willpower was losing out.

Her breathing became erratic, shallow, as her traitorous, needy body ached for the man beside her.

She thought of how hard and safe his muscled chest had felt as he’d lifted her and carried her into the motel room after she’d been hit by the car, as if she were lighter than a feather.

Then she flushed, remembering his gentle touch as his lips had brushed hers, oh so tenderly, almost as if he’d been treasuring her, and holding himself back.

Then she remembered how he’d taken control, and she’d let him, and liked it.

Her body throbbed and pulsated now, moistness pooling between her legs as she thought of the passionate interlude in the bar when she’d kissed him. It was the first time, other than in photos, that she’d looked into those magnificent eyes.

Lord, it was going to be a long, sleepless, hot night.

2007-08-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

Buy my work: Irony: @ authorhouse.com
COMING SOON:
Three titles with The Wild Rose Press:
Fueled By Instinct
Cloaked in Assassination
Destination Ever After

Rebecca Savage

2007-08-28T09:57:00.001-07:00

I entered a contest!
Check it out at gather.com!
The Title is Coincidence;
Tell me what you think...I can take it:)