It's eye candy week here at FR. It's always fun to discover hot and inspiring new guys. It's part of a romance writer's job to search out these types of photos for research purposes. :) There have been times when finding just the right photo has breathed new life into a dragging story of mine. So here is some inspiration for you. I must thank my friend Lizzie for these two gorgeous pics of David Gandy.
My latest (eye candy) cover for my March 21 Carina Press release, Laird of Darkness...Half-Fae Laird Duncan MacDougall is cursed. His nights are haunted by Otherworld creatures sent to kill him. The only way to stop them is to possess the magic bow currently in the hands of his enemy half-brother, Kinnon MacClaren. In desperation, Duncan plans to take MacClaren’s bride-to-be hostage and exchange her for the bow.
Lady Alana Forbes has never met her intended, but she hopes he is handsome—and a good lover, for Alana is no innocent virgin. On her way to Castle Claren, Alana and her escorts are intercepted, and she is kidnapped by a man with extraordinary abilities—and every attribute she longs for in a mate.
Duncan didn’t expect the woman he thought of as a mere pawn would be so beautiful, and so arousing. Alana is drawn to him as well—but Duncan still needs the bow, and Alana is betrothed to another. How far will Alana go to save the life of the man she’s come to love?
It's another Eye Candy week at Fierce Romance! Sitting at my desk, looking at the awesome wall of covers my hubby made for me, I thought I should share some of the eye candy I get to look at every day. :)
I've been lucky to get a lot of hot male chests on my covers. Like this cover from my very first release from Ellora's Cave, Nothing to Fear.
And how about this sexy pirate from my eRed Sage release, Quinn's Curse?
And how about the abs on this sexy photographer hero on the cover of another release from eRed Sage, Dark Angel?
Red Sage has given me some excellent eye candy. Here's the big, bad Wolfe from The Better to Eat You With.
And I know this post is titled Backlist Eye Candy, but I couldn't resist including the cover from my upcoming release from Samhain, Flaunt It. You can't get much better than the back view of my bartender hero.
Actually, I'm missing three covers on my wall. I'm going to have to give my hubby a nudge to print, frame and hang my last three covers. It's not only inspiring, it's an awesome dose of daily eye candy.
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com
If you didn't get your copy of Allure of the Wolf last night, just email me and I'll send a copy! And if you just started receiving copies of it and need earlier parts, just email me and I'll send the earlier sections!
I've been scolded numerous times by good-natured fans about leaving them at a cliff hanger. Ah, but what would be the fun in a story if I left you all at a boring sleep scene? Or something else that was equally boring?
Leah Hultenschmidt, Senior Editor, Sourcebooks mentioned this:
Overdone openings to avoid:
- waking up--unless there's something supremely unusual about the process
Granted, our characters must sleep so they can do all the exciting things they must do before the day ends and they must sleep again. My daughter was reading one of my YAs and said, "Mom, they never slept. For 3 days!"
Oh, yeah. Sleep is boring. Yet necessary! In one of the Role Playing Computer Games I played, sleep was required. The problem was when the people slept, sometimes something really bad disturbed their sleep. So sleeping wasn't always a quiet, rejuvenating time. It always made me anxious. If you got caught sleeping...the bad guys get in the first strike. Of course.
So no sleepy endings. Got to leave cliff hangers as best we can. Because you know what happens if we leave sleepy endings? You go to sleep! At least that's what I do. I read late before I go to sleep and I keep reading until I get to a stopping point. A sleepy ending is the perfect stopping point. So I'm cruel. I try not to have perfect stopping points. :)
Truthfully, you don't want them. :) Really! When I can't put a book down because I'm enjoying it so much, I love it! So see, it's really for your own good.
Now, I'm off to work on The Highland Wolf in Paradise! Hoping to get half of the story done. :)
And keep writing all those unsleepy endings. :)
Hope you all have a terrific Saturday! :)
Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com
Back in December I wrote about (and posted pictures of) the space my husband was building for me. And now -- It's finished! For the most part, anyway... There's still the trim that needs to be installed inside my office, and well, the outside (my new foyer ceiling) is still just drywall... But I'm in here, and I'm LOVING it. I moved in on January 17th, and since then I've had 2 of the most productive writing weeks I've had in a long while. It feels so great to have a space to call my own, where I can let my creative juices flow. So, without further ado, here it is!
So, there you have it. It took eight weeks, start to finish, working mostly weekends. My husband is an amazing man, and so very talented. He poured a lot of love into this room, and I feel that love every time I walk in here.
Hope you enjoyed the tour!
Kristin
www.kristindaniels.com
www.facebook.com/authorkristindaniels
http://twitter.com/Kristin_Daniels
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| Are these not the best bookcases ever? Problem is, I have more books that won't fit on here... |
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| My lounger. I love to sit here with my laptop. And yeah, it's a little crowded in here. I guess that'll teach me not to buy all the furniture before the room is even done! But I loved everything I picked out and couldn't find it in me to return a single thing! |
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| This is the cool part... That monitor and keyboard there? They're hooked up to a docking station, which I attach (wirelessly) to my laptop. So with one computer, I have the luxury of using it as a desktop with a bigger monitor, or unhooking it and sitting with the laptop in, say, my new lounger. |
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| A close-up of my desk. |
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| And this??? THIS is my glass dry-erase board. I have great intentions of storyboarding on here, or maybe just making notes, or... hell, I don't know. But it's cool, huh? |
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| A closer pic of my bookcase. Thank you, IKEA... :) |
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| And last but not least, the view from my desk... I've put blinds on the window since I took this picture. And come spring, we'll replace it with one that opens (remember this was the window high in my foyer that was mainly for letting in light and for decoration). I really can't wait until we do that. I'm a fresh air kinda girl :) Through that door is my bedroom, which we're planning on updating so the two rooms will flow together. I suppose that's our next home renovation project! |
Hope you enjoyed the tour!
Kristin
www.kristindaniels.com
www.facebook.com/authorkristindaniels
http://twitter.com/Kristin_Daniels
A new activity I've started recently is Zumba, the dance exercise which seems to be the latest fitness craze. I took this class at the beginning of the summer when I wanted an aerobic class and my health club didn't have much on offer (summer doldrums). So, mostly in desperation, I decided to try it.
It was so much fun!!!!!
I want to tell you that I am not a trained dancer. I'm not into the kind of music that my Zumba instructor plays (though I have grown to like it). So it wasn't necessarily a natural fit for me. But the routines engage both your body and your mind and the music makes you feel like moving. So what is not to like?
This link is one provided by my instructor. You can't get the total feeling by watching a video, but you can see that it's not as difficult as you might think.
Andrea Rowlee is a wonderful instructor - enthusiastic, talented and funny (and also considerably skinnier than she looks here).
I started dragging some of my friends to the class. Then my daughters decided to join us and they brought their friends. That's how much fun it is. Before long, half the class was there because I'd brought them. But everyone talks to each other between songs, so it doesn't matter if you have all your friends and relations there, or not.
The other thing I like about Zumba is that it's appropriate for people of all ages, and you don't have to be especially fit. There are senior citizens in the class, and some of the kids I've brought are 12-13. The moves can be complicated, but our instructor gives some mini demos at the beginning of class. More importantly, if you can't exactly duplicate the move, that's okay. Just jump around to the music and have fun. In fact, we greatly enjoy laughing at ourselves.
No men have been brave enough to enjoy our class (though they don't mind standing outside and peeking in through the windows!). My sister says she has men in her class, and I've seen them online. Zumba was actually started by a man. His story is that he arrived at a fitness class he was teaching and realized he'd forgotten his music and so he started improvising with the music he had.
Has anyone else tried Zumba? What do you think?
It was so much fun!!!!!
I want to tell you that I am not a trained dancer. I'm not into the kind of music that my Zumba instructor plays (though I have grown to like it). So it wasn't necessarily a natural fit for me. But the routines engage both your body and your mind and the music makes you feel like moving. So what is not to like?
This link is one provided by my instructor. You can't get the total feeling by watching a video, but you can see that it's not as difficult as you might think.
Andrea Rowlee is a wonderful instructor - enthusiastic, talented and funny (and also considerably skinnier than she looks here).
I started dragging some of my friends to the class. Then my daughters decided to join us and they brought their friends. That's how much fun it is. Before long, half the class was there because I'd brought them. But everyone talks to each other between songs, so it doesn't matter if you have all your friends and relations there, or not.
The other thing I like about Zumba is that it's appropriate for people of all ages, and you don't have to be especially fit. There are senior citizens in the class, and some of the kids I've brought are 12-13. The moves can be complicated, but our instructor gives some mini demos at the beginning of class. More importantly, if you can't exactly duplicate the move, that's okay. Just jump around to the music and have fun. In fact, we greatly enjoy laughing at ourselves.
No men have been brave enough to enjoy our class (though they don't mind standing outside and peeking in through the windows!). My sister says she has men in her class, and I've seen them online. Zumba was actually started by a man. His story is that he arrived at a fitness class he was teaching and realized he'd forgotten his music and so he started improvising with the music he had.
Has anyone else tried Zumba? What do you think?
Workshop Title: Description and Detail: Bringing your story to life
Instructor: Nicole North
Date: Feb. 1 - 28
Fee: $25
Though often relegated to the sidelines, description is a vital element of romance writing. Without effective description, the reader won’t experience the characters, the emotion, or the world you’ve created. But how do you know when you have too little description, too much, or the wrong type? How do you craft fresh, vivid setting descriptions that the reader won’t skip? How do you write action scenes that plunge the reader into the midst of a battle, a chase, or a shootout? How do you paint a visual of the hero or heroine that’s different from all others? We’ll explore why it’s important to “show” the reader all the necessary information through strong, specific description and detail.
Topics covered:
Showing vs. Telling
How to avoid a static list of setting details.
How to describe characters in unique ways.
How to create dynamic action scenes.
How to make everyday actions interesting.
How to show character emotions the reader will feel.
How to use the five senses appropriately.
How to incorporate historical detail without the history lesson.
… etc.
This is an interactive online workshop with exercises and critique/ feedback from the instructor. Workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo group. Lessons will arrive at your email inbox.
About the instructor: Nicole North's erotic romance novellas have been described by reviewers as "exciting, high octane, captivating, scintillating, sinfully delicious and pure romance."
Her stories contain "heart and heat, killer love scenes, magic and extraordinary characters." Her books from Red Sage include: Beast in a Kilt in Secrets Volume 29, Indulge Your Fantasies (July 2010), Kilted Lover (Nov. 2009) and Devil in a Kilt is in Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures (July 2009). Laird of Darkness will be her first novella from Carina Press (March 2011.) Scoundrel in a Kilt will be released in a future Secrets volume. Though she has a degree in psychology, writing romance is her first love. Please visit her website to learn more about her workshops and see what past students have said.
Instructor: Nicole North
Date: Feb. 1 - 28
Fee: $25
Though often relegated to the sidelines, description is a vital element of romance writing. Without effective description, the reader won’t experience the characters, the emotion, or the world you’ve created. But how do you know when you have too little description, too much, or the wrong type? How do you craft fresh, vivid setting descriptions that the reader won’t skip? How do you write action scenes that plunge the reader into the midst of a battle, a chase, or a shootout? How do you paint a visual of the hero or heroine that’s different from all others? We’ll explore why it’s important to “show” the reader all the necessary information through strong, specific description and detail.
Topics covered:
Showing vs. Telling
How to avoid a static list of setting details.
How to describe characters in unique ways.How to create dynamic action scenes.
How to make everyday actions interesting.
How to show character emotions the reader will feel.
How to use the five senses appropriately.
How to incorporate historical detail without the history lesson.
… etc.
This is an interactive online workshop with exercises and critique/ feedback from the instructor. Workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo group. Lessons will arrive at your email inbox.
About the instructor: Nicole North's erotic romance novellas have been described by reviewers as "exciting, high octane, captivating, scintillating, sinfully delicious and pure romance."
Her stories contain "heart and heat, killer love scenes, magic and extraordinary characters." Her books from Red Sage include: Beast in a Kilt in Secrets Volume 29, Indulge Your Fantasies (July 2010), Kilted Lover (Nov. 2009) and Devil in a Kilt is in Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures (July 2009). Laird of Darkness will be her first novella from Carina Press (March 2011.) Scoundrel in a Kilt will be released in a future Secrets volume. Though she has a degree in psychology, writing romance is her first love. Please visit her website to learn more about her workshops and see what past students have said.For more info, please visit my website and click on workshops on the menu. http://www.nicolenorth.com/
Thanks!!!
Nicole
Nicole
One new thing I tried during the last few months was driving in the UK. As you know, they drive on the left or the “wrong side of the road” to us Americans. This was something I was excited about learning, yet also terrified of.
When driving in the Highlands, it’s easy to get distracted by the beautiful scenery or the hairy Highland cows. Sometimes it's better to pull off the road and look your fill. :) Above is Glencoe
In the end, driving wasn’t so bad. Yes, almost everything is reversed to what we’re used to. You have to sit on the right side of the car. You shift the gear with your left hand. Luckily for us, we’d asked for an automatic when reserving the rental car. Fortunately, the gas and brake are in the same place as American cars.
Before you go, I recommend that you study all the UK road signs online, just as if you were going for your license renewal in the US. The UK also has a lot of signage or symbols painted on the pavement itself.
What do you need to know if you’re a beginning driver in the UK? Study the maps of wherever you’ll be driving first. (Or have a companion do it.) In our case, I studied the maps beforehand and my friend did the driving the first day. (I was terrified, remember?) So anytime it wasn’t clear which road, ramp or turn to take, I knew based on what I’d already studied on Google maps, etc.
Use a GPS. It won’t always steer you to the right destination but most of the time it will.
Until you get comfortable, don’t speed or try to keep up with traffic. Yes, you will no doubt make some of those Scots angry, but it’s safer to not drive faster than you’re comfortable with. There is often a lot of fog or the famous Scottish mist and also rain.
Take a deep breath, and don’t worry about it. At some point, you have to gain confidence and just go for it. I didn’t want to drive through the middle of Edinburgh, or any city for that matter. But once we were in the country and small towns, where the pace is slower, I was ready to try driving for the first time. It wasn’t so bad. It was like being in drivers ed again.
For one thing, you have to learn where you are in relation to the edge of the road. Most of the two lane roads are narrow and they have a curb right at the edge of the lane (see above). No shoulder, like we usually have here. So the positioning of the car in the lane has to be very precise. This to me was the most difficult thing to learn, and to deal with. Since you’re on the opposite side of the car than you would normally be, the tendency is to get too close to the curb, scrub it, or even hit it with the tire from time to time. My friend did hit it once, but nothing bad happened, just a slight jolt.Another important thing that’s difficult to remember is which way to look when you’re making a turn from a main road onto a side road. Look in the direction you’re facing. My friend forgot this one time and we almost got smashed. But luckily the other driver slowed down in time. When pulling from a parking lot onto the road, I developed the habit of making sure nothing was coming from either direction. That way I was safe for sure, instead of having to figure out the logistics of everything again. One time I even pulled out onto the wrong side of the road but my friends' screams quickly reminded me which lane I was supposed to be in. :)
Roundabouts (aka traffic circles) are the things that give most new UK drivers nightmares. Yes, they can be scary and intimidating, depending on the size of the roundabout and how much traffic there is. In small towns, they’re not so bad. But some roundabouts are three or four lanes deep. And some roundabouts have traffic lights. No matter the size or amount of traffic, the important thing to remember is: don’t pull out in front of a car already in the roundabout. The cars in the roundabout always have the right of way. If the road approaching the roundabout has only one lane, no problem. You pull up, wait until there’s nothing coming, then you pull out and signal for which turn you’re taking. If you’re turning left, signal left. If you’re going straight, wait until you pass the first exit, then signal left and take the correct exit. If you’re turning right, signal right. Once you pass the other exits, signal left to get off the roundabout. Clear as mud?
Here’s a video that explains it more clearly.
If there are two or more lanes approaching the roundabout then you have to figure out which lane you should be in. If you’re going left, it’s easy, signal left and then take the first exit. I'll let this video explain the rest.
Learning how to navigate 3 or 4 lane roundabouts
Towns or cities are the most difficult to travel through. Two lane roads can also be a pain at times. Wide four lane roads are probably the easiest because, well, they’re wide. If you go slow, people behind you can pass. If someone in front of you is slow, you can pass.
We found two versions of the single track or one lane roads. In places like Isle of Skye (see top picture), the roads have plenty of passing places. You see a car coming in the distance and whoever gets to the passing place first stops so it’s easy to pass. But in places like rural Aberdeenshire, there are more bushes, trees and shrubbery so you can’t see very far around curves. And there are almost no passing places. Luckily we didn’t meet anyone. I really didn’t understand what we were supposed to do if we had. Scrape by and drive half on the grass? Good luck with that if you’re meeting a huge farm tractor.
The terminology is also different at times, for example, overtake means pass. And give way means yield.
Driving in the UK was definitely an adventure and something I look forward to practicing more. :)
Nicole
First off, before you tell me you're a long lost relative who loves me dearly, or a friend who has finally relocated me after years of searching, hear my story out...
After taxes, I'm sure there'll be barely enough to go around...And the truth is...I'm turning it down!!!
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
After taxes, I'm sure there'll be barely enough to go around...And the truth is...I'm turning it down!!!
Okay, so how many of you get the: "I'm princess so and so from some other nation and I've written to you about how my father, the king, died and left me all this money from diamonds and emeralds and gold, oh my, and I need to get the cash from selling all this expensive stuff out of the country because my country is revolting. Well, maybe not that my country is revolting, but my people are revolting. Well, since I'm a princess, they're really no longer my people because daddy was the king and I can't rule in his place.
So I've got all this money and if you will give me your address, date of birth, social security number, bank account, and name of your first and last born, I will trust you when I send you a million trillion dollars and you can have ten percent, which amounts to a lot. And that's just because you are a good Christian and will be honest and take care of it for me because my father the king, well, deceased, would want it that way.
I have written before, but didn't get a response. Please, I'm in fear of my life and must leave right away, so contact me as soon as possible so I can transfer the million trillion dollars.
Your friend in this life and the next, Princess Lei."
Of course there are a million trillion versions of the poor princess's flight. Kind of like a writer's million trillion versions of the same story.
But this morning, of all things, I got one on Facebook. Yep, a personal message sent to me from a princess. No, not a princess. But someone else who is desperate to send me a million trillion dollars to my safekeeping.
And of course, the million trillion dollars is on its way by federal express.
In truth, the bears and books for the Australian Romance Readers Silent Auction for flood victims are on their way to Australia, and the book for the Brenda Novak diabetes auction is also.
I can't afford to take in a million trillion dollars. The IRS would want it all in taxes. And someone might accuse me of sending in a hit team to do away with the king so that I could get my 10 percent of his million trillion dollars as soon as his poor little princess daughter was left all alone in the world. So, no, it would not do to give in to greed.
:)
But if you need some extra cash, I'll send the princess your way!
Of course, if anyone wants to send me a sexy wolf, I might be more amenable. This is not Duncan MacNeill on the beach before he shifts into a wolf in the Grand Cayman Islands, however. How do I know? The Highland warrior does not sport a tattoo. Which means the guy can't be a wolf. It's a shame. He does look like he could have been a wolf!
After not being able to go back to sleep at 4 AM, I'm up for the day--last day of work this week, and hope to have 1/3 of The Highland Wolf in Paradise written by this weekend. :) Hopefully. The way I feel right now, I'd be lucky to write one word. I think it's because I'm still thinking of giving away the million trillion dollars.
Of course, if anyone wants to send me a sexy wolf, I might be more amenable. This is not Duncan MacNeill on the beach before he shifts into a wolf in the Grand Cayman Islands, however. How do I know? The Highland warrior does not sport a tattoo. Which means the guy can't be a wolf. It's a shame. He does look like he could have been a wolf!
After not being able to go back to sleep at 4 AM, I'm up for the day--last day of work this week, and hope to have 1/3 of The Highland Wolf in Paradise written by this weekend. :) Hopefully. The way I feel right now, I'd be lucky to write one word. I think it's because I'm still thinking of giving away the million trillion dollars.
That's a sacrifice I know I have to make, however. *sigh*
Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com
Who says an intense historical can't have its share of humor?
Certainly not I.
Humor is timeless; people laughed in every era. You know as well as I do that some Neanderthal somewhere tripped on a rock, wind-milled his arms frantically, and fell on his arse in the mud. And someone was laughing. Hard.
Humor makes manuscripts more believable. Humor makes characters more real. It can keep a scene from becoming overly maudlin or sappy. Or harsh. It can start - or halt - an argument. Besides that, life is funny.
And it can get an author out of some boring situations. For example, I just finished the draft of a book that has a medieval knight staying on a Scottish border estate. He is assigned a valet as a matter of course. But I got really tired of mentioning when the man came into the room. It simply wasn't interesting.
So I stared having him just appear - and kind of freak out the hero:
The first "odd" reference:
Drew wanted to ask Jamie what specifically had happened. How Eryn could be accused of murder. Who witnessed any part of Geoffrey’s demise. When had she left the estate.
But as he stepped around the maids still scouring the bloody stones, he couldn’t make a coherent sentence.
Jamie led Drew to the room that was once Eryn’s. To the bed where he slept a full, blissful night beside her.
“The Lady moved into the master’s chamber,” Jamie answered Drew’s unspoken confusion. “I’ll have ye in here now.”
Ian began to help him undress, though that was not Drew’s intent.
Where did he come from? Drew mused. That man always seems to materialize out of air.
The second reference:
Drew pulled a deep breath and blew it out. “I believe I ken where she’s gone—”
“Elstow Abbey?” Jamie interrupted.
“Aye. And she’s canny enough to ride low and no’ be noticed. Do ye agree?”
“I do.” The steward looked hopeful.
“So now I must find out what made McDougal so angry.” Drew stood and wiped his mouth. Ian suddenly appeared at his elbow with a clean tunic over his arm. “How do ye do that, man?” Drew sputtered.
Ian looked at the garment in his hands. “Water and a brush. Why?”
The third reference:
“I’m afraid we met with some unfortunate circumstance on our travels, and this sorry apparel is all that I now own,” Drew said to the smiling steward. He pulled at the fabric. “I fear that even Ian might not be able to salvage these.”
“My lord, you do me a disservice,” Ian said.
Drew startled. He looked over his right shoulder. “How long have you been standing there?”
The valet looked puzzled. “I only just arrived, sire.”
It's not slap-your-knees funny. It's just quirky-make-you-smile funny. The key to a running gag is for it to happen three times. Less doesn't cement is as a "thing" and too often can get old. Three or four. Perfect.
Of course, intentionally funny single scenes can happen as well. This scene isn't in my book. But it could have been:
Geoffrey stomped toward his steed, having said his piece brilliantly and given the pompous knight a solid earful. He gripped the saddle's pommel and jammed his boot into the stirrup. One swift toss of his leg and he would gallop away, spitting dust on the man's velvet cloak.
He hopped up, putting all of his weight on his left leg and lifting his right - when the saddle slid under the belly of the gelding and Geoffrey landed flat on his back in a puddle of still-warm horse piss.
Certainly not I.
Humor is timeless; people laughed in every era. You know as well as I do that some Neanderthal somewhere tripped on a rock, wind-milled his arms frantically, and fell on his arse in the mud. And someone was laughing. Hard.
Humor makes manuscripts more believable. Humor makes characters more real. It can keep a scene from becoming overly maudlin or sappy. Or harsh. It can start - or halt - an argument. Besides that, life is funny.
And it can get an author out of some boring situations. For example, I just finished the draft of a book that has a medieval knight staying on a Scottish border estate. He is assigned a valet as a matter of course. But I got really tired of mentioning when the man came into the room. It simply wasn't interesting.
So I stared having him just appear - and kind of freak out the hero:
The first "odd" reference:
Drew wanted to ask Jamie what specifically had happened. How Eryn could be accused of murder. Who witnessed any part of Geoffrey’s demise. When had she left the estate.
But as he stepped around the maids still scouring the bloody stones, he couldn’t make a coherent sentence.
Jamie led Drew to the room that was once Eryn’s. To the bed where he slept a full, blissful night beside her.
“The Lady moved into the master’s chamber,” Jamie answered Drew’s unspoken confusion. “I’ll have ye in here now.”
Ian began to help him undress, though that was not Drew’s intent.
Where did he come from? Drew mused. That man always seems to materialize out of air.
The second reference:
Drew pulled a deep breath and blew it out. “I believe I ken where she’s gone—”
“Elstow Abbey?” Jamie interrupted.
“Aye. And she’s canny enough to ride low and no’ be noticed. Do ye agree?”
“I do.” The steward looked hopeful.
“So now I must find out what made McDougal so angry.” Drew stood and wiped his mouth. Ian suddenly appeared at his elbow with a clean tunic over his arm. “How do ye do that, man?” Drew sputtered.
Ian looked at the garment in his hands. “Water and a brush. Why?”
The third reference:
“I’m afraid we met with some unfortunate circumstance on our travels, and this sorry apparel is all that I now own,” Drew said to the smiling steward. He pulled at the fabric. “I fear that even Ian might not be able to salvage these.”
“My lord, you do me a disservice,” Ian said.
Drew startled. He looked over his right shoulder. “How long have you been standing there?”
The valet looked puzzled. “I only just arrived, sire.”
It's not slap-your-knees funny. It's just quirky-make-you-smile funny. The key to a running gag is for it to happen three times. Less doesn't cement is as a "thing" and too often can get old. Three or four. Perfect.
Of course, intentionally funny single scenes can happen as well. This scene isn't in my book. But it could have been:
Geoffrey stomped toward his steed, having said his piece brilliantly and given the pompous knight a solid earful. He gripped the saddle's pommel and jammed his boot into the stirrup. One swift toss of his leg and he would gallop away, spitting dust on the man's velvet cloak.
He hopped up, putting all of his weight on his left leg and lifting his right - when the saddle slid under the belly of the gelding and Geoffrey landed flat on his back in a puddle of still-warm horse piss.
In A Matter of Principle I have a running gag between Nicolas Hansen and his adolescent cousin Leif, whom he has adopted. It refers to an offer made by Nicolas's ex-whore to de-flower the teenage boy, and is referred to by Leif on several occasions. His wish to accept the offer is amusing, eases tension at the end of hard scenes, and it reads believably.
I can't help it. My characters have enough of me in them, that they are always finding the ridiculous connection - and they say something barely appropriate or quirky at the oddest times.
So. Isn't it time you found a new brand of hero? Norway IS the new Scotland, after all.
For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice - the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I'll give away three.
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
In February at the end of my blog tour, I'll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here's how you can get in on that deal:
1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/ and find the "Secret Word" on my home page.
2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net with "Signed Trilogy Giveaway" in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.
3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day's blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/blog-tour-dates-locations/
A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/
A Woman of Choice - Missouri Territory, 1819
A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.
A Prince of Norway - Christiania, Norway, 1820
American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather's throne. His new wife Sydney isn't about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?
A Matter of Principle - St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821
Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren't about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it's a matter of principle.
Nostalgia is a funny word. I can't decide if it is good or bad. Sometimes memories can be overwhelming, but sometimes they can be comforting. When I realized what the topic was for this week, the first thing that came to mind was the 80s--my high school and college years. Lots of nostalgia there--good times and bad--plus the 80s are retro right now. The 80s were a strange time. So PC but yet so not. LOL I know that sounds strange, but if you're an 80s guy or gal, then you know what I mean. It's an 80s thing.
I guess there's no better way to engage in 80s nostalgia than to post some music videos from that era. For those of you who don't remember the 80s, enjoy. For those who do remember the 80s, ENJOY!
I guess there's no better way to engage in 80s nostalgia than to post some music videos from that era. For those of you who don't remember the 80s, enjoy. For those who do remember the 80s, ENJOY!
Vermont is a state which takes its nostalgia seriously. Covered bridges, antique homes, quaint downtowns - they preserve a lot of history. It's a very rural state and they have kept out most mass merchants. But country stores, often dating from the 1800s are everywhere, and they are a lot of fun to visit.
The first one I show is the Barnard Country Store, which is across the street from Silver Lake. It's a large store with a small dining area at the back. In front of this lunch counter are half a dozen tables, and you may well sit family style with strangers. This store was discovered by a group of our friends who like to ride their bikes here. It's about 20 miles (one way) from where we stay, and it's a mountainous ride. (Vermont comes from the French words for Green Mountains.) So my husband took his motorcycle and met them there for breakfast. (He claims the other men offered him large sums of money to trade vehicles for the ride home.)
He liked it so much he took the family next week for breakfast (via car, no I don't do 40 mile bike trips). The store is charming, crammed with food, odds and ends, original wide plank floors and a bathroom best avoided. But we were there to eat. I'm going to say it's probably not wise to eat at a country store founded in 1832. My back was to the grill, but soon after ordering, I smelled smoke.
"The toaster is on fire," my husband reported.
"My toast is in there," I said.
Sure enough, when we were "served", my toast was as black as sin. But, to make up for it, I guess, my scrambled eggs were raw. All part of the charm.
This wine room is from Gillingham's, a well-known country store in Woodstock. Woodstock is a resort town developed by the Rockefellers, and their descendants still own a large part of the town, including Gillinghams.
This is an amazing store with several different rooms each dedicated to its own specialty. In the back is a large, dark, hardware section - a place I don't venture. In front of it there's a bright and cheerful kids' room selling books, games and toys. Loads of fun.
Then there's a grocery section with lots of specialty foods, particularly Vermont foods. Finally, the wine room above and, in the front of the store, a nice home goods section where you can buy the perfect hostess gift. Everything is crowded together so it's a fun adventure to look around and see what you might find. The kids' room and the wine room are each guarded by large and lazy cats. It's a true general store.
These country stores are actually owned and operated by individuals. Sometimes I wonder how long they can maintain such individual businesses. There are no economies of scale, no computerized inventory systems, no lengthy hours of operation.
They have loads of charm.
But there are Walmarts in the state now.
I’m so sorry this is late! I just realized I needed to blog. Got a kid sick with the flu. UGH! Anyway, I’ve finally got a few minutes to sit down and check my email and was like “Oh crap!”
Anyway, today is a big day! Why??
Karen Marie Moning’s last book of the Fever series came out today. Shadowfever! Can you tell I am excited?
Unfortunately, I can’t sit down and read it for a few more days, which royally sucks, but I have so much catching up to do from my town being shut down for fives days because of snow and ice. (Yes, you read that correctly. Five. Days. With. Six. Kids.) Plus the crud has run rampant through the house. Stuff like this seems to always happen when I’m days away from finishing a project.
Anyway, back to Shadowfever. It’s been a long wait and if Mrs. Moning can do one thing it’s leave her readers are a major cliffhanger. Do you know how long a year is to wait for answers? It’s a long dang wait, lol.
So anyone with me? Anyone already started or, heck, finished?? (No spoilers, please:)
Esme
www.esmereldabishop.com
Anyway, today is a big day! Why??
Karen Marie Moning’s last book of the Fever series came out today. Shadowfever! Can you tell I am excited?
Unfortunately, I can’t sit down and read it for a few more days, which royally sucks, but I have so much catching up to do from my town being shut down for fives days because of snow and ice. (Yes, you read that correctly. Five. Days. With. Six. Kids.) Plus the crud has run rampant through the house. Stuff like this seems to always happen when I’m days away from finishing a project.
Anyway, back to Shadowfever. It’s been a long wait and if Mrs. Moning can do one thing it’s leave her readers are a major cliffhanger. Do you know how long a year is to wait for answers? It’s a long dang wait, lol.
So anyone with me? Anyone already started or, heck, finished?? (No spoilers, please:)
Esme
www.esmereldabishop.com
We have a wonderful new review from Coffeetime Romance!
SECRETS VOL 29 [INDULGE YOUR FANTASIES]
SASKIA WALKER, NATHALIE GRAY, DOMINIQUE SINCLAIR, NICOLE NORTH
ISBN # 978-1-60310-124-0
July 2010
Red Sage Publishing
www.eredsage.com
E-Book
$9.99
305 pages
Rating: 5 Cups
Sweet Talking the Opposition
Eliza is a celebrity reporter expanding her skills when she signs up to write about Rhine cruises. It is there she sees Marcus, the one who loved and left her.
Marcus is covering the Rhine tour as a favor, but when he sees Eliza, all he wants is another chance with her. The couple may have a chance on the romantic tour, but this time Eliza is making sure she does not get hurt.
This was such a great “second chance” story. I could understand Marcus’s reasons and Eliza’s worry. The sex is exceptional but the romance is always in the forefront. The background adds to the sensuality of the story.
Ms Walker is a genius as bringing the caring into carnal and her use of dialogue to show emotions is nearly perfect.
Chimera
Mayor Selene Delian is about to announce her planet’s readiness for independence. With numerous forces acting against her, she trusts her guard Agent Corinth to protect her.
Corinth loves Selene, but unknown to him, he has an implant that turned him into a sleeper agent programmed to attack Selene when given the command.
Treachery and treason surround the couple but will Corinth’s love be strong enough to save Selene.
Chimera is an interesting futuristic political sci-fi. The plot is so intriguing that the super-hot and madly enjoyable sex was a secondary aspect of the story. The characters are well developed, the action convincing and the dialogue worked well.
As a lover of politics, getting to read Ms Gray’s sexy thriller was exceptionally wonderful and her thoroughly outlined story was a page-turner from the very beginning.
Edge
Catalina has left everything, including the Department of International Intelligence, to find her father, who killed her mother years ago. She misses her old life, including her ex Noah, but nothing will stop her.
Noah knows Catalina will fight him when he accepts the assignment to bring her back. When the two realize more is at stake than finding her father, they work together. As a team, they can face anything, including the cold hard truths that will shake them to their core.
Edge is a very busy and touching story. The action is face-paced with numerous villains. It is a really adventure filled story that is touching in the way it shows how important love and trust are in the world.
Ms Sinclair is a romantic adventure writer that is setting the standard. Her characters are as compelling as her storylines.
Beast in a Kilt
Lady Catriona has loved Torr for years. Now that she has been bartered off to a hideous chieftain, Catriona knows it is time for Torr to save her and find her missing brother, Brodie.
Torr has been cursed but will protect Cat from the danger he has become. The soon realize their love is binding them as much as the witch’s curse is cursing Torr and Brodie.
How can one not love a cursed hottie in a kilt? This is a spine tingling story that has a wonderful romance within. The paranormal abounds as does noble politics. Of course the sex is thrilling as is the plot.
I love Ms North’s work, and it helped knowing her previous Secret story, Devil in a Kilt, but was not completely necessary.
The record of fantastic sensual romantic books in the Secrets series continues. There is not a book I did not enjoy, and each is good on its own. More than just the sex, which is wonderful by the way, the storylines are well developed. This book has everything a romance readers needs and more. All I need now is more room on my bookshelf.
Anya
Reviewer or Coffee Time Romance and More
Everyone, please welcome Angela Henry, our special guest for today!
Angela Henry was once told that her past life careers included spy, researcher, and investigator. She stuck with what she knew because today she's a mystery writing library reference specialist, who loves to people watch and eavesdrop on conversations. She's the author of four mysteries featuring equally nosy amateur sleuth Kendra Clayton, and is also the founder of the award-winning MystNoir website, which promotes African-American mystery writers, and was named a "Hot Site" by USA Today.com. When she's not working, writing, or practicing her stealth, she loves to travel, is connoisseur of B horror movies, and an admitted anime addict. She lives in Ohio and is currently hard at work trying to meet her next deadline.
Welcome to Fierce Romance, Angela! Please tell us about The Paris Secret, your new book out from Carina Press.
Here is the official cover copy for The Paris Secret.
Less than twenty-four hours after fleeing to Paris, Maya Sinclair is the prime suspect in a brutal murder—and targeted by the real killer. When she's viciously attacked in the gardens of Versailles, Maya barely escapes with her life thanks to sexy French journalist Simon Girard.
Simon has been investigating the mysterious death of his brother, an art forger with ties to the woman Maya is suspected of killing. Still healing from heartbreak of his own, Simon reluctantly joins forces with Maya, who has awakened feelings within him he thought long dead.
Their search for answers uncovers the existence of a secret society, and puts them on a quest to find a missing crucifix rumored to hold the key to everlasting life. Together, Maya and Simon race through Paris one step ahead of a killer who will do anything to ensure some secrets remain buried forever...
Why did you choose Paris for the setting of this book and how did it play into the plot or characterization?
Well, I'd been dying to go to Paris for years. But I either didn't have the money or couldn't find anyone to go with me. So in 2007 I finally got up the nerve to go by myself. It was love at first sight! It's such an amazing and beautiful city, so full of history. I just knew I had to set a novel there even before I came home. And while I was touring the Palace of Versailles, I heard a story from my tour guide about a French Queen who gave birth in the palace to a child fathered by her African lover, which gave me the idea for the plot.
What an inspiring story! Visiting our favorite places can really spark the story ideas. Please tell us about your other books.
I also write a cozy mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Kendra Clayton. The series consists of four books so far, with a fifth out next year, and is set in the fictional college town of Willow, Ohio. The series is very near and dear to my heart. So much so that when my former publisher changed directions and stopped publishing mysteries, I took over the publication of the series.
A smart idea! What inspires you? What motivates you?
I get inspiration from everything. It's so hard to pin down where it comes from. Sometimes it comes from a real life situation or even from a dream I had. I'm also constantly playing the 'what if' game. For example, I'm a librarian and when I decided to write The Paris Secret my first question was "What if a librarian took a solo trip to Paris, met a hot Frenchman, and had an adventure? That was all it took. I had to answer that question. I'm motivated to write by all the stories swirling around in my brain that I just have to let out.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I knew I wanted to be an author when I was in my teens and writing short stories for English class. But I didn't actually attempt my first novel until I was in my late twenties.
What was the most important thing you learned just before you made your first sale?
I learned patience and perseverance! From the time I typed the words The End on my first novel to the time I was offered a contract for it, ten years had passed. That was ten years worth of rejections and near misses, and good old fashioned waiting. But I believed in that first book enough to hang in there and keep trying.
I agree with you! What do you wish you’d known before becoming published?
That publishing is a business and your work can be rejected for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of your writing. If a publisher can't figure out how to market your novel, or they already have a book on their list simaliar to yours, or the sales of your last book were low, it's likely you'll get rejected.
Unfortunately that's very true. What’s next for you?
I'm working on my very first urban fantasy novel. I'm also working on a proposal for the next Maya and Simon adventure as well putting the finishing touches on my fifth Kendra Clayton novel KillJoy.
These sound fantastic! Thanks so much for being our guest today, Angela! Would you like to ask blog readers a question?
Yes... What is your favorite city and why?
One lucky commenter will win a copy of The Paris Secret!!
Please visit Angela's website, blog and Twitter page.
http://www.angelahenry.com/
http://parissecretnovel.blogspot.com/
http://www.twitter.com/mystnoir
Waking up as a child on Christmas morning. Balancing on my bike without the training wheels. Earning a college degree. Seeing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in concert. Having my first book published. All of these events were exciting and resulted in cherished memories. How my mood soared and nothing could spoil the moments following. Synapses firing. Fingers tingling from adrenaline surges. Many sleepless nights, skinned knees, study sessions, and hours at the computer delivered the stuff of which dreams are made.
Some of my favorites are captured in these video bits. Twist, shout and celebrate your passions in life! Cheers!
The Beatles Arriving in America for the First Time --
Super Bowl Champion Colts --
Moon Landing in 1969 --
Wishing you all many happy reading moments,
Shawna Moore
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave
TORMENTED (Recommended Read) -- Ellora's Cave
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace
Some of my favorites are captured in these video bits. Twist, shout and celebrate your passions in life! Cheers!
The Beatles Arriving in America for the First Time --
Super Bowl Champion Colts --
Moon Landing in 1969 --
Wishing you all many happy reading moments,
Shawna Moore
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave
TORMENTED (Recommended Read) -- Ellora's Cave
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace
A wisp of cloud so close you could nearly touch it in Scotland, like a ribbon of water droplets beckoning for you to slip your fingers through it. And if you did, if you ran your hand into the mist, what would it feel like? Would it just be wet and cool?
Or would it be something so much more? Something that evolved from deep within the earth, made its way to the surface of the rough land, flowed into a river or swirled in a lake or fed a deep bottomless sea? And then made its way to heaven again? Now, it drifts overhead, ancient as any water source, newly birthed just like the water cycle continues to flow unending from heaven to earth to heaven again.
I see a cloud, a sea serpent, a ribbon of life that will reform itself like a shapeshifting wolf. You knew I'd have to mention something about wolves in my post, didn't you? LOL
What do you see?
Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com
A few months back I posted about a few of my favorite things. I said then that I could keep going with my list, but would save a few for next time. Well, here's next time!
Let's see... Where to start...
Let's see... Where to start...
My Kindle. Love, love, love this device. Anywhere I go, I have an entire library in my hands. I love how I can download new books with just a few simple clicks. I love it so much that when my husband asked to borrow it for a 2 week out of town business trip, my immediate response was, "Um, I don't think so, dear." The funny thing was that he seemed really shocked by my answer!
Sullivan's Steakhouse. If we're friends on Facebook or you follow me on Twitter, you know how much I love going to this restaurant. There are several locations across the country. If you're close to one -- GO! Stop in the bar and order a Knockout Martini. I promise, you won't regret it.
My new Embrace Sculpture. Thanks to author friend Laurann Dohner who turned me on to this sculpture. It arrived just a few days after I placed the order and is now waiting to be placed in its permanent home -- on my new desk in my new office. Talk about writing inspiration!
And my most favorite thing so far this (new) year:
This lovely woman in the picture next to me! That's Mari Freeman, my writing sprint partner (we're all dolled up for the 20's party at last year's RomantiCon). I can't tell you how much she's helped me this year. She's kept me on track with the sprints (which has upped my focus so much!), helped me tremendously with CSI information for my new book, and has been a really great friend. Hugs and kisses to you Mari! What time are we sprinting today??
Of course, I still have more favorite things I can share, but I'll hold those back for yet another post. See you all next week!
Kristin
www.kristindaniels.com
