tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65649261575374660982024-02-07T20:36:05.344-05:00Riddle Me A StorySeveral authors from Riddle Me A Story Publishing blog about, everything from book reviews to writing techniques. Every once in awhile they'll share a hot guy and an excerpt.Sharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-2641558785649217902011-10-07T07:15:00.001-04:002011-10-07T07:27:34.428-04:00A million ideas - Too little time<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UePE1cMGihY/To7cBfxGNBI/AAAAAAAABBw/aw7dYr_ljFs/s1600/shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UePE1cMGihY/To7cBfxGNBI/AAAAAAAABBw/aw7dYr_ljFs/s1600/shadows.jpg" /></a>A well known author once remarked how when anyone discovered she was an author, they seemed to feel compelled to share their ideas for a book they wanted <em>her</em> to write. As if she didn't have any ideas of her own! <br />
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As a writer, even when I occassionally experience the dreaded <em>writer's block,</em> it's never from lack of ideas. More than likely, it's rather from having too many -- like shadows milling just beyond my reach. If I lived several lifetimes, it wouldn't be long enough to write all the stories I have reeling through my mind.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9zPxNQ4y58/To7brLIkVqI/AAAAAAAABBs/yQgLa0Jzh_g/s1600/00015555_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9zPxNQ4y58/To7brLIkVqI/AAAAAAAABBs/yQgLa0Jzh_g/s200/00015555_L.jpg" width="133" /></a>If you enter my workspace there are notes upon notes, a word written here or there, titles, characters' names, and concepts posted on white boards. Sticky notes are everywhere and ideas noted in my phone, on my computer, or in my wallet. Ideas spill from my head like water from a waterfall -- sometimes a trickle -- often more like Niagra's flow. It's the ability to pick through them, gather what I need, organize them, and come out with some semblance of a story, after piecing the ideas together, that makes me a writer. <br />
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Writing is the ability to know which ideas to keep, put together in a certain order, and which ones to toss. Finally, an author shows the picture that's been in his/her head to the reader in words. SHOWING the story in actions or dialogue from the point of view character with the most at stake brings the reader into the story and intensifies the reading experience. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApIxePqk8cQ/To7YCnrz6WI/AAAAAAAABBo/JXkdVkY_OSs/s1600/1102703247kpD8C2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApIxePqk8cQ/To7YCnrz6WI/AAAAAAAABBo/JXkdVkY_OSs/s1600/1102703247kpD8C2.jpg" /></a>And if a picture's worth a thousand words then use them for inspiration. Here's a picture. What's the story?Eliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-7650191489386459492011-08-31T12:25:00.003-04:002011-09-02T14:43:18.078-04:00Chatting Sep 8ROMANTIC HEARTS AND SEXY TARTS (multi-published authors Eliza March, Elizabeth Marchat, Kathy Lane, Lorelei Confer and Sharron Riddle) will be chatting at the Latte Lounge at Coffee Time Romance on Sep 8 from 10 am to 9 pm. They each will also be giving away a copy of an eBook and all you have to do is click on the following link and you're there. Leave a comment along with your email address to be eligible for one of the drawings. Hope to see you there!!<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=435"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=435</span></a></span>Lorelei Conferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00477033002273646103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-63594504193150944932011-08-01T11:34:00.000-04:002011-08-01T11:34:18.037-04:00Deadly Revenge, Excerpt #1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6Ybsy7gTbU01RS5Wxl5_7Yddgd3Y_qsVRxSZ7TobYhgTeczTNMZgZQGUNAsTxPWC7d-qL2Oe1IFqO1hVSbs11YNYtGT-EigkgiPaNrJwrm11-JAVO_MCZj5H6lCJi-Xus3c_2LO9v91O/s1600/lc-deadlyrevenge-s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6Ybsy7gTbU01RS5Wxl5_7Yddgd3Y_qsVRxSZ7TobYhgTeczTNMZgZQGUNAsTxPWC7d-qL2Oe1IFqO1hVSbs11YNYtGT-EigkgiPaNrJwrm11-JAVO_MCZj5H6lCJi-Xus3c_2LO9v91O/s1600/lc-deadlyrevenge-s.jpg" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Excerpt #1 from Deadly Revenge, now available at <a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/deadly-revenge">www.bookstrand.com/deadly-revenge</a> and Amazon (on sale)</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Suddenly, Dave heard a shot and saw Tory flying through the air. She landed on the ground and didn’t move.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dave quickly pulled his horse up and jumped off. He grabbed his snub nose forty-five from his ankle holster and ran crouched to the ground to Tory’s side. He searched the area where he thought the gunshot had come from. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Damn! I wish I had my binoculars.</i> He returned his gun to its holster and directed his attention to Tory. When he felt for a pulse in her neck and found a strong one, he was relieved. He exhaled a deep breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">With squinted eyes, he searched again for a sign of movement or a reflection of any kind in the direction from which the shot had come. When he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, he waved to Sue and Brandon across the meadow as he reached for his cell phone and dialed 911. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tory coughed. Dave turned to her while waiting on the line. When the call dropped for the second time, he threw his phone on the ground and muttered to himself, “damn thing.” Then he gave Tory all his attention. He patted her cheeks and talked to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Tory, can you hear me? It’s Dave. Remember me? Tory, can you hear me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tory turned her head from one side to the other while Dave ran his hands along her arms and legs feeling for anything broken.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Dave, I’m okay, I think.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dave moved within view and looked at her face, and she was smiling, her eyes wide open. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Can you tell me how many fingers I’m holding up?” He held up two fingers in front of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Two. Listen, I just fell off my horse. I’ve done it lots of times before. Just gotta get back on, that’s all.” She sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dave laughed. “I think it was a little more than that, sweetheart. Someone shot at you, spooked your horse and you went sailing off. Do you remember anything?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tory rubbed the back of her head. “Ouch, no wonder my head hurts. I have a big bump on it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dave reached behind her head to feel the lump and brought his hand away with blood on it. “I think you’ll need to see the doctor and maybe get a few stitches, Tory. Do you hurt anywhere else? Can you move your arms and legs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">She raised her hand, rubbed his cheek and gazed into his concerned eyes. “I’m fine, really. I just have a little bump on my head. Stop worrying, okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Do you remember anything that happened before you fell?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Uh, I don’t know. I heard something near my ear like a big whistle, but that’s all,” she said as she sat up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“That ‘big whistle,’ as you call it, was a bullet meant for you, me, or one of the horses. Who do you think would try anything like this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I don’t know. I haven’t been in town long enough to make any enemies or cause any trouble,” she said with a grin. “Give me time though, and I’ll probably have a few.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">* * * *<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sue and Brandon both heard the gunshot coming from the left, and Sue started to cross the meadow when Brandon stopped her.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Whoever’s shooting may still be out there and able to shoot at us. We’ll head back to the barn and change out the horses for the truck and come back. Tory may need our help and a ride to the hospital. We need to call the police, too.” He flipped open his phone, punched in 911, and explained the situation. Chief Carr was on his way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Without wasting time and at a much faster pace, they turned the horses around and headed to the barn. The return trip was always shorter since the horses were anxious to get back to their stalls. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Miguel, would you brush down the horses and put them away? Also, be on the lookout for anyone suspicious that may have been on our property. Someone shot at Tory. If you find anyone, you’ll need to detain them until Chief Carr can get back to the ranch. I’ll have the radio with me at all times if anything comes up. Also, better keep your pistol nearby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Si, senor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sue ran to the house for the first-aid kit, and when she returned, she and Brandon jumped into their beat-up pickup truck with rifles on the back window and headed to the meadow, taking the dirt road along the main highway. They kept their eyes peeled for anyone coming onto or leaving their property.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">* * * *<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sue checked Tory’s injury herself and decided she didn’t need stitches after all. “Tory, I think you’ll live to ride another day. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div>Lorelei Conferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00477033002273646103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-21673030686887232942011-06-27T19:55:00.000-04:002011-06-27T19:55:50.835-04:00Guest Blog tour for Deadly RevengeLast week was so exciting for me. Not only did I have a new book release, Deadly Revenge, but I did something new, for me anyway. I did a small blog tour Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with some great bloggers all over the world to promote the second book in the series of 'Deadly' which deals with human trafficking.<br />
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First, on Tuesday, release day for Deadly Revenge, I visited with Jillian Chantal at www.jillianchantal.com. It was a great visit with comments from other Siren pubbed and unpubbed authors. I also had a contest to give away a copy of my new release. I put the names of each commenter on a small piece of paper and put them all in a hat. Yes a real hat. Then I had my husband draw one of them and the lucky winner is Ciara Knight. Congratulations Ciara and enjoy.<br />
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On Wednesday, I visited with Jocelyn Modo at www.jocelynmodo.blogspot.com and once again had great comments and chatted with authors and readers. The interview she prepared for me was very interesting and a few commenter's that knew me learned a few new tidbits about me. I met and made so many new friends.<br />
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Then on Thursday, I guest blogged with Margaret West from England at <br />
Margaret-paranormalromanceauthor.blogspot.com. A psychic from England, Margaret had a great interview prepared for me and it was lots of fun. I think, according to the comments anyway, it opened both our readers to another realm all together. Human trafficking is a world-wide epidemic not just third world countries and effects all of us everywhere.<br />
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I'd like to thank Jillian, Jocelyn and Margaret for having me and introducing me to the blogging world. I had so much fun I'm doing it again on Tuesday, June 28th with Dawn Roberto from Dawn's Book Nook at www.lovesbooksandmore.blogspot.com. I'll also be guest blogging again July 6 with Liz Velez and then on Bonnie's blog July 15th. Hope to hear from you all soon.Lorelei Conferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00477033002273646103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-48008062423726973372011-05-23T09:54:00.000-04:002011-05-23T09:54:49.966-04:00Featured Author - Eliza March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75scT425Ujv8oYEMZa6nZlYt3WRw2FCm9ahJhvZlq_UATqlTGyj8uBMiQko-XZUzCW2h5j8KYm3zm_ETPRh-afrTTVLGlEjLyp6_eU3UCHTDJmQb1R4lEBhGEK2IoJGbEyQ8hZOCAJ7U/s1600/em-aacr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75scT425Ujv8oYEMZa6nZlYt3WRw2FCm9ahJhvZlq_UATqlTGyj8uBMiQko-XZUzCW2h5j8KYm3zm_ETPRh-afrTTVLGlEjLyp6_eU3UCHTDJmQb1R4lEBhGEK2IoJGbEyQ8hZOCAJ7U/s200/em-aacr.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Across a Crowded Room won Whipped Cream Book Review of the Week at the Long and Short Reviews. Please visit their Author Spotlight. I'm being featured at<br />
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<div style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/index.htm">Whipped Cream Reviews</a> all week. There's a new blog up every day and a contest to win one of my ebooks at the end of the week. I'm looking forward to reading your comments.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">~~~ Eliza March </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">also writing as Elizabeth Marchat</div></div>Eliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-67372630076210295782011-05-16T11:59:00.000-04:002011-05-16T11:59:15.451-04:00New Blog Up at Eliza's place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fs6dAHksVws/TdFJlLnj6ZI/AAAAAAAAAz0/64-qfRdoN3M/s1600/chris+muscle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fs6dAHksVws/TdFJlLnj6ZI/AAAAAAAAAz0/64-qfRdoN3M/s1600/chris+muscle.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgshTkROCVo/TdFJpg4yaoI/AAAAAAAAAz4/D5ra_yUwxAw/s1600/thor+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgshTkROCVo/TdFJpg4yaoI/AAAAAAAAAz4/D5ra_yUwxAw/s1600/thor+4.jpg" /></a></div>Here's the link. <a href="http://elizamarch.blogspot.com/">http://elizamarch.blogspot.com/</a> Stop by and leave me a comment. Did you see the movie yet? Do you plan on it? Let me know.<br />
Eliza MarchEliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-20144227991500212642011-02-02T19:52:00.000-05:002011-02-02T19:52:03.691-05:00Please check out my review!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1106">http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1106</a><br />
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Please check out the excellent review of To Kill a Vampire at The Romance Reviews! My book was a top pick! Woo hoo!</div>Sharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-76791896774597191402011-01-17T11:45:00.000-05:002011-01-17T11:45:48.137-05:00Plotting Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T3brvzzQKs8/TTRuXLAf1_I/AAAAAAAAApw/9kkBdTHtQKk/s1600/free+castle+photo_3331_20090106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T3brvzzQKs8/TTRuXLAf1_I/AAAAAAAAApw/9kkBdTHtQKk/s320/free+castle+photo_3331_20090106.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This looks like the perfect place for a group of romance authors to meet and plot a murder, a horror, a Gothic romance, a time travel, or thrillers. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yesterday, six of us gathered together and outlined ideas for our next books; munched on chips, dips, veggies and desserts; planned strategies for ghost hunting to kidnapping, art thefts to abductions and white slavery; and scheduled our next get together ... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T3brvzzQKs8/TTRwzXk79LI/AAAAAAAAAp0/kVy9ML7tdP0/s1600/manshopkilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T3brvzzQKs8/TTRwzXk79LI/AAAAAAAAAp0/kVy9ML7tdP0/s1600/manshopkilt.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But alas it wasn't here and probably won't be there next month either. Someday, maybe. then as long as we're using our imagination, I'm going to schedule the valet to look like this. </div>Eliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-1661597884194309622011-01-13T12:56:00.000-05:002011-01-13T12:56:12.880-05:00Hot Guy & Eliza On Writing - Identifying Your Author Voice<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T3brvzzQKs8/TS87Cx0qp4I/AAAAAAAAApI/FO9-8djju_M/s1600/TT+Hunk143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T3brvzzQKs8/TS87Cx0qp4I/AAAAAAAAApI/FO9-8djju_M/s320/TT+Hunk143.jpg" width="212" /></a>I added the Hot Guy to tease you. The stats show our eye-candy Blog posts rated the highest, so I guess I know what you're all here for. But try to think about what you're reading and writing for a minute while you're looking at this tempting Hunk. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When you "love" an author and can't wait until the next book comes out, I think the reason might be less about the story and more about the way the author tells it than you think. Visit my blog where we're discussing Author Voice this week. I think you'll find the comments interesting. It's a subject often misunderstood and highly under-rated. I hope you enjoy it. <a href="http://elizamarch.blogspot.com/">http://elizamarch.blogspot.com/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And in the mean time enjoy this hot guy. GRIN . . . Eliza M.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Eliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-61497687899055832452011-01-05T07:14:00.000-05:002011-01-05T07:14:41.021-05:00Blogging at Vamp Chix on Jan 10th!Please join me Jan 10th. I'll be guest blogging at <a href="http://vampchix.blogspot.com/">http://vampchix.blogspot.com/</a>. Leave a comment and you could win a copy of my book, To Kill a Vampire!<br />
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Thanks,<br />
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Sharron aka JuliannaSharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-15633260005643763632010-12-31T10:43:00.000-05:002010-12-31T10:43:13.337-05:00End of year, pondering life choicesI know this is the tome of year when we all ponder our lives. In honor of this reflective time, I have posted a blog to contemplate the time old question: The pros and cons of being a vampire. I've posted my list, pleae drop by and let me know your ideas! <a href="http://churchofthedamned.blogspot.com/2010/12/pros-and-cons-of-being-vampire.html">http://churchofthedamned.blogspot.com/2010/12/pros-and-cons-of-being-vampire.html</a> and have a very Happy and Productive New Year!!!<br />
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Sharron<br />
<a href="http://sharronriddle.com/">http://sharronriddle.com/</a>Sharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-78272968858321433322010-12-07T21:56:00.000-05:002010-12-07T21:56:37.909-05:00Three Releases this Month for RHASTs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaupj1_G5ovr0CZUuiYG7TLAWlO5bV_CuOTLqHTmfwhPZj5ttbmr85TL-QHalDmaVyaqr9ACKmavUWm2nn2TygUa6N1atJiVtGkhIMFn1Z_iqgbKNiZOG4MQdzqQbNk5a72UDGifHuL0/s1600/ToKillAVampire_w4510_300+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaupj1_G5ovr0CZUuiYG7TLAWlO5bV_CuOTLqHTmfwhPZj5ttbmr85TL-QHalDmaVyaqr9ACKmavUWm2nn2TygUa6N1atJiVtGkhIMFn1Z_iqgbKNiZOG4MQdzqQbNk5a72UDGifHuL0/s1600/ToKillAVampire_w4510_300+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErUmH8rzTBeahDk7WKKtcGTVz3R_7GQ27LiV-u-TfPabwftYKH7xp_MLSZRwVqXECWTO6mA1bs0NKJz7zsCJiWuR9Iw_XjAWeSCVwNLOHqvFdePHcGCTIMx9P1jeABPKnJf9_cyIGp1U/s1600/lc-dd-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErUmH8rzTBeahDk7WKKtcGTVz3R_7GQ27LiV-u-TfPabwftYKH7xp_MLSZRwVqXECWTO6mA1bs0NKJz7zsCJiWuR9Iw_XjAWeSCVwNLOHqvFdePHcGCTIMx9P1jeABPKnJf9_cyIGp1U/s320/lc-dd-full.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzBiicEoOvriaWs9tmxE8lE89Pi9d5dM8XvVdw5zSSXyQv0Pu3q1drZ1D4GF1f8lm4ZDC2rZuJ8-KUOumILcYybXek4wha23ZwRCA-cRvOGjVxS3RZcvdB0XudEaCNBx-Tea4XldP5iE/s1600/em-tmtmatm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzBiicEoOvriaWs9tmxE8lE89Pi9d5dM8XvVdw5zSSXyQv0Pu3q1drZ1D4GF1f8lm4ZDC2rZuJ8-KUOumILcYybXek4wha23ZwRCA-cRvOGjVxS3RZcvdB0XudEaCNBx-Tea4XldP5iE/s320/em-tmtmatm.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>We have three authors with three books being released this month! <br />
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Wow can you believe it?<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lorelei Confer has her romantic suspense, <strong>"Deadly Deceptions",</strong> is available from <a href="http://bookstrand.com/deadly-deceptions">Siren Bookstrand</a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Eliza March's first full length book, a sequel to her paranormal erotic romance, "The Lion, The Leopard, and The Wolf", named <strong>"The Moon, The Madness, and The Magic"</strong> is also available from Siren <a href="http://bookstrand.com/the-moon-the-madness-and-the-magic">Bookstrand</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sharron Riddle writing as Julianna Sage will have her paranormal romance, <strong>"To Kill A Vampire"</strong> released from <a href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/to-kill-a-vampire-p-4347.html">The Wild Rose Press</a> this month.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been a busy year for all our authors, and we're looking forward to more - coming soon. </div>Eliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-73219048446580754012010-10-25T18:07:00.000-04:002010-10-25T18:07:19.536-04:00HalloweenHi Ladies!<br />
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Please come join me at my house for Halloween Fun and Plotting and just catching up!!!! Please let me know. I'd love to see you!<br />
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SharronSharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-63867163389610137782010-10-19T18:20:00.000-04:002010-10-19T18:20:20.285-04:00Going Where Your Story Takes YouI grew up smack dab in the middle of the Sunshine state, surrounded by orange groves, woods, and swamps. The perfect setting for a book, right? Why then, you might ask, does my recently published book, Bloodsworn: Bound by Magic, start out in northern California and end up on another world half way across the galaxy? One word: Plot.<br />
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We, as writers, sometime have no control over where the story takes us. The setting has to fit the plot. For instance, Stephanie Myers’ Twilight series would have been another story altogether if set in sunny Florida instead of Forks, Washington. Edward might never have been allowed to sparkle in sunlight since it’s sunny here most every day. Another plot-line would be needed for him to be able to attend school—or maybe he might not have gone to school at all. He would have had to meet Bella on a dark and stormy night, making Twilight more like Midnight. See what I mean?<br />
Going where your story takes you means being a bit flexible, too. You might want to write about New Orleans, but if the plot calls for snow, you’re out of luck. Sure, you can change the plot line to fit the location, but again we’re talking about changing the whole aspect of the story. Instead of a snowball fight between your main characters ending in a sweet first kiss, they’re tossing sugar-coated beignets at one another and ending up...<br />
Hmmm. Well maybe that’s not such a bad plot change after all. (LOL) Okay, time to shelve the first story and head off to New Orleans’ Café Du Monde for a hot-blooded beignet battle. Powdered sugar anyone?Kathy Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527529463636723086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-56604905317725642862010-10-06T13:31:00.000-04:002010-10-06T13:31:16.328-04:00My post at Black RoseI meant to add the link: <a href="http://twrpblackrose.blogspot.com/">http://twrpblackrose.blogspot.com/</a> Come check it out! Thanks!Sharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-60649942059076667002010-10-06T13:30:00.000-04:002010-10-06T13:30:28.032-04:00Please come read my postI posted a blog about Halloween on the Black Rose blog at Wild Rose Press. Please come check it out!Sharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-9325800368255074262010-10-02T16:01:00.000-04:002010-10-02T16:01:52.030-04:00Sultry Santorini Sunsets & Romance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1p-8IpEsbCBIJDBhNNIPLQu3RMi9I6rOCA-N-wLzk53TxuJhq9f9rqF5XunqSxJ7A2bSeOoQ-0s3abjlF88vL68RbLyPIYqzUQuJxG3AWVWO79j5-pJvV-E8JSdBV5B5vAdza6I86gA/s1600/em-sss-full2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1p-8IpEsbCBIJDBhNNIPLQu3RMi9I6rOCA-N-wLzk53TxuJhq9f9rqF5XunqSxJ7A2bSeOoQ-0s3abjlF88vL68RbLyPIYqzUQuJxG3AWVWO79j5-pJvV-E8JSdBV5B5vAdza6I86gA/s320/em-sss-full2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>It was this time of year when I traveled to Santorini. The season was over and the tourists were gone, all except us. I don't think I can ever think of that place filled with college students and northern Europeans seeking the sun, since I rather enjoyed owning the place to ourselves, exploring uninterrupted. Fall, cool, windy, beautiful in its stark barren slopes, and empty streets, the romance of Santorini doesn't end with the tourist season or the summer sun -- it is something you find there all year long in the rising or setting sun, the cerulean blue sea, the steam venting from the volcanic cone, the mystery of the origins of the island.<br />
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It's not hard to believe six warrior gods once gave up everything to save this place or that one woman could be their salvation.<br />
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<a href="http://elizamarch.blogspot.com/">Eliza March</a><br />
<a href="http://bookstrand.com/sultry-santorini-sunsets">Sultry Santorini Sunsets</a>Eliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-260868887553030612010-09-11T07:26:00.001-04:002010-10-03T17:27:52.352-04:00Hot off the Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_1uSfGCmbNEKeBxzjQgVXlh7X3EkwB_KdC1s8MqAh-K2XHyQwIxbLQcuVdH28hqEiH2vivAj6rQpzFoFWrFAYsSX0kQLT2oiQNQ97Lr-2PFEDHbrZzY2P8-lPhKpuHQJajLacnx_FiU/s1600/bloodsworn.bound.magic_W4412_680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_1uSfGCmbNEKeBxzjQgVXlh7X3EkwB_KdC1s8MqAh-K2XHyQwIxbLQcuVdH28hqEiH2vivAj6rQpzFoFWrFAYsSX0kQLT2oiQNQ97Lr-2PFEDHbrZzY2P8-lPhKpuHQJajLacnx_FiU/s320/bloodsworn.bound.magic_W4412_680.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>WOW! My book is here BLOODSWORN; <a href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/bloodsworn-bound-by-magic-p-4236.html?zenid=f6481a1acc8261e3d95a870f05d98dfb">BOUND BY MAGIC</a> It’s actually here, in my house, in my hands. My son laughed as I picked the book up out of the box for the first time. I held the darn thing so tight that if it had been alive I would have choked it. Laying it down for any length of time has been hard. And yes, while I thought I’d read and re-read it enough during the writing and editing phases, I immediately opened it up and started reading it again.<br />
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Foolish? Maybe. A bit narcissistic? Who cares? I will say it’s a whole different feeling reading it in finished book form than reading it on the computer. There’s definitely a sense of accomplishment involved. And yes, a sense of pride. Not only did I take an idea and build a 100,000 word story around it, but I managed to find a publisher (read incredibly insightful and intelligent editor) who felt the story was one other people might enjoy reading. The very prospect is humbling.<br />
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Release date is September 24th, but you can pre-order your print copy now by going to www.thewildrosepress.com. Print copies are $15.99 and digital copes are $7.00.<br />
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The cover, by Tamra Westberry, is great. The back cover—which I’d never seen before—is cool. And if you’ll pardon me tooting my own horn, the inside is freaking awesome! But don’t take my word for it. Get a copy for yourself and let me know what you think. I welcome informed opinions.Kathy Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527529463636723086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-21135477911222123122010-08-27T22:33:00.000-04:002010-08-27T22:33:35.039-04:00Writing: Just One Hot Romance After AnotherI was recently on a flight out to Las Vegas. Yeah, Vegas, baby. Sin City, land of the evil slot machines. Thank God it only took one session to cure me of my urge to gamble. But that's another story.<br />
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While on the plane, (Delta, flight something-or-other) I started looking through the Sky magazine they stash in the seat pocket. You know, something to pass the four hours from Atlanta to Vegas. Anyway, I got to the very last page and what do you know, there's an article about writing. The article is called "Writing, a Romance" and it's by author Libba Bray. Ms. Bray writes novels for young adults, including A Great and Terrible Beauty, The Sweet Far Thing, and Going Bovine. In the article, she compares the process of writing and publishing a novel to that of a romance. Very insightful.<br />
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For instance, in the early stages, an author is star-struck by how clever and special her new bow, I mean, book, is. The romance blossoms, lasting all the way through the first draft as they see each other every day. "My book is so easy to talk to. I'm seeing my book again tomorrow. I can't wait." *SIGH*<br />
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Unfortunately, that first rush of infatuation begins to fade when the revisions start. That time in a romance when you realize you've done everything together and you start repeating yourself. The lines of communication blur and the author begins to see a flaw here and there in her book. Nothing major...yet. But as the months pass, things get pretty rough. Phrases like, "I hate you!" and "I wish I'd never met you" start to crop up more and more when author and book are together. Friends become concerned, wondering if they should step in and stop the word abuse.<br />
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By the third draft, the author has become completely disillusioned and just wants the difficult relationship to end. With the encouragement of friends (and her editor), she pulls herself together and breaks it off with the demanding book, realizing that there are definitely other fish in the sea.<br />
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Days of copy edits pass--brief exchanges of polite small talk that get further and further apart until the author wakes up one morning and realizes she hasn't seen her book for months. She's finally able to put the whole emotional episode behind her with a feeling that she's come out of it a stronger writer. Even when she runs into her finished book in a book store one day, she's able to smile. She might feel a twinge of excitement at first, a touch of pride that she had something to do with transforming a mild-mannered plot-bunny into such a polished book-about-town. They might even spend a nostalgic afternoon reminiscing about the good times, recalling the creation of funny phrases and plot twists that just fell into place. But both know it's time to move on. He has a date with a reader down the street and she's been seeing a cute plot that kept her up half the night last Wednesday whispering sweet prose in her ear. Ah, L`Amore.<br />
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Thank you Libba Bray for giving me a fresh perspective on an author's life. Now if you'll excuse me, I also have a date with this really hot story that has the most gorgeous phrases and cutest metaphors you've ever seen. *SIGH* We were made for each other. Really.Kathy Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527529463636723086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-82948219373274817382010-06-06T09:35:00.005-04:002010-06-06T10:45:25.571-04:00Lords of Desire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3RovAhcImDf-FdvQ-Ibw4I0IYnL3xxk4Ik7pnI0Chyphenhyphenc8VFQfGWeWe899nJTCny-v6xMd-3ItKDhuDxfzBSlCkkyXJmcn8eszPct_aRadoAIOOIF9kwh73mviQKvjMyeB0N8obxtTq0lh/s1600/LordsofDesire_2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3RovAhcImDf-FdvQ-Ibw4I0IYnL3xxk4Ik7pnI0Chyphenhyphenc8VFQfGWeWe899nJTCny-v6xMd-3ItKDhuDxfzBSlCkkyXJmcn8eszPct_aRadoAIOOIF9kwh73mviQKvjMyeB0N8obxtTq0lh/s320/LordsofDesire_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479654636686373442" /></a><br />Hello, fellow tarts. Today I am going to review Virginia Henley's novella Smuggler's Lair in the anthology Lords of Desire.<br /><br />Virginia starts her journey in stuffy Victorian England with a maiden, Tory, tolerating her stifling existence by skinny dipping instead of attending church with her brother. Tory is obsessed with history and the abandoned castle, Bodiam, where she takes her illicit swims.<br /><br />An invitation for herself and her family to Bodiam by the current heir, Sir Peregrine Palmer Fuller, ignites her curiosity and gives her the opportunity to get inside the mysterious castle. What follows are some wild adventures for Tory to a hundred years in the past. In Georgian England things are far different from the repressive Victorian society that Tory has been raised in. She finds that the current Lord of Bodiam is Falcon Hawkhurst, his given name Peregrine Palmer but you can imagine why he changed it to Falcon. <div><br /></div><div>Tory stays in Georgian times falling in love with Falcon, but when he is killed by a bullet to the back she plunges herself from the ramparts and finds herself back in her own time. Pulled from the River by Falcon's ancestor, Fuller, she is deliriously happy believing him to be Falcon alive and well, before she realizes she is back in her own time. She is convinced that Fuller is the reincarnation of Falcon and seeks to prove it to him. Fuller's intuitions begin to coalesce into memories and the thought that her grand accusations might be true.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Smuggler's Lair is a poignant and touching journey teaching Tory, as well as, the reader, to be true to themselves, as well, as fighting for what they believe in. I am new to Virginia's writing, although she has been writing historical romances for decades, but this was a wonderfully sweet and sensual introduction to her outstanding writing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Follow a 3 part interview with the wonderful author herself. Part one begins at <a href="http://pixiesaratoga.blogspot.com">Pixie has her way </a> on June 8th. Part two continues at <a href="http://catsplaceforwriting.blogspot.com">Cat's place for writing</a> on June 15th. The interview wraps up back here, at <a href="http://romanticheartsandsexytarts.blogspot.com">Romantic Hearts and Sexy Tarts</a> on June 22nd. So join us for a glimpse into the talented Virginia Henley and pick up your copy of Lords of Desire at your local bookstore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cat</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-24945897187295475292010-03-31T11:25:00.007-04:002010-03-31T11:46:29.684-04:00Everlasting Kiss<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAds4MgBuHx8jKJBd5DDghNn3EAOs625hwa3PKa_7tJCKNqPZRmvqKJ8_qsWkEaT3NOtHP3TaPAHEjO98JUAVTWrded2yPjb-R13lK7ePJRyK92BZPT94mpTp-oBs8logM0TdAvuibPnEM/s1600/everlasting+kiss2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 115px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAds4MgBuHx8jKJBd5DDghNn3EAOs625hwa3PKa_7tJCKNqPZRmvqKJ8_qsWkEaT3NOtHP3TaPAHEjO98JUAVTWrded2yPjb-R13lK7ePJRyK92BZPT94mpTp-oBs8logM0TdAvuibPnEM/s320/everlasting+kiss2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454821832200124450" /></a><br /><a href="http://http://www.amazon.com/Everlasting-Kiss-Amanda-Ashley/dp/1420104438/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270049206&sr=8-1#noop"></a><br /><br />I am currently reading one of Amanda Ashley's delicious vampire novels. I tell you she never ceases to amaze me. She keeps creating hotter, darker characters who deep down just want to share their lives-or eternities together. This one is about Daisy a Blood Thief, she steals blood from young vampires to sell on the Black Market. Then she meets a very powerful- and of course HOT- vampire named Erik who is searching for the infamous Blood Thief believing they are responsible for destroying one of his friends. However Erik has no idea that Daisy is the Blood Thief and wants to protect her purity and keep her safe. <br /><br />So if you are one of those, like me, who loves a sweet love story of the undead don't miss Amanda Ashley's vampire books. She has at least 12 of these delectable vampire's out there. They all stand alone but are connected as well. Wonderfully fun reads.<br /><br /><br />CatUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-6893840405723353412010-03-17T21:11:00.000-04:002010-03-17T21:11:53.647-04:00What Are You Reading...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Srm2B6EgPtlN6jmnWtUkfpM0Q5mu7bOpDnVl22Ylu5XwbdbUvzIb5h6_1smn0gV-uux7MTKuzoydc0ASEKhjtk6saC8-IxDOVujxmEayQXnynasrb3Fx_UzTN22DoFXqAoJqc0QXFo/s1600-h/jordan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8Srm2B6EgPtlN6jmnWtUkfpM0Q5mu7bOpDnVl22Ylu5XwbdbUvzIb5h6_1smn0gV-uux7MTKuzoydc0ASEKhjtk6saC8-IxDOVujxmEayQXnynasrb3Fx_UzTN22DoFXqAoJqc0QXFo/s400/jordan.png" vt="true" width="265" /></a></div>What are you reading right now? I'm reading <a href="http://www.susankearney.com/">JORDAN</a> by <a href="http://www.susankearney.com/">Susan Kearney</a>. It's the third book in her Pendragon Legacy trilogy. The books are totally stand alone because I don't feel like I'm missing anything by starting with this one. This is a compelling sexy futuristic romantic thrill ride through space. I'm really enjoying it. I'm in love with the cover model too. GRIN<br />
<a href="http://elizamarch.com/">Eliza March</a>Eliza Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152388657173829855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-62602868064994572052010-03-03T04:46:00.000-05:002010-03-03T04:46:00.624-05:00What’s in a name?The answer to that question is – a Hero.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVWBTu6-5AZymOo55mkCR34JgLg6UTfFMmYglWCWRyFcXgQUEsWZdu3b5mj6YRs3iUp1-I9CDEr6PIVxSrXQ-0GFtT7KIuEMG12pM6RzJGmBmrzUjuT6pt3p6UsmRhxgOvAiUs6Znkhdr/s1600-h/1992ba61aa69ac0b6817333oz4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443414806135505314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 385px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVWBTu6-5AZymOo55mkCR34JgLg6UTfFMmYglWCWRyFcXgQUEsWZdu3b5mj6YRs3iUp1-I9CDEr6PIVxSrXQ-0GFtT7KIuEMG12pM6RzJGmBmrzUjuT6pt3p6UsmRhxgOvAiUs6Znkhdr/s400/1992ba61aa69ac0b6817333oz4.jpg" border="0" /></a>Specially one who loves chocolate as much as we do.<br /><br />In writing a romance novel, names are very important. A hero has to be strong to overcome all the obstacles and overwhelming emotions you’re going to be putting into his path. So everything about him has to SHOW his strength….even his name.<br /><br />You want to know why I wouldn’t recommend a hero with a name like Albert, Floyd or Poindexter. Exactly, what images did you see in your mind when you read those names? Was Poindexter tall in your mind?<br />No, huh? Mine either.<br /><br />Did you see a tanned God like man with muscles that didn’t stop when you read the name Albert?<br />No?<br /><br />O.K., how about a hot sexy pirate with a flowing head of hair? What? You saw my pirate Floyd was bald and FAT? Teheheehe ….<br />So, you see my point. You can’t name a sex pirate Floyd.<br /><br />So tell me now, what do you see when I say the name … Dallas, Drake, Thor.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl37XQHAL6i-h60Eb8GTYLAW7I6072Or35bgar18FCUAIFe9HhZAM5W2pLk5FMRDy3-B8XV9xAUI6pDID06V3vOKET4-yvwINN7UAURznEWMPKksHiUe5N8zgJ0WGlv5ZD1wv2oYJ-Wp8/s1600-h/RHST+blog+hero.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443415544157141442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl37XQHAL6i-h60Eb8GTYLAW7I6072Or35bgar18FCUAIFe9HhZAM5W2pLk5FMRDy3-B8XV9xAUI6pDID06V3vOKET4-yvwINN7UAURznEWMPKksHiUe5N8zgJ0WGlv5ZD1wv2oYJ-Wp8/s400/RHST+blog+hero.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Do you see something like these guys?<br /><br />How about Brett or Finn?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IGotNeB_skvXNMkOvdNAL6cy7hHa0LgmIJyc3GSg5snBWx4LP0xBtgKtj7pCjlkHNTzEw9sg6LvMNJ2OWNqtextaz3T7In3AfWm57HHGgZuARfxrONUxG_uuNxNbSZLZMNd8u6LAMCNl/s1600-h/sexy+strong+guuys+blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443415853040781938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IGotNeB_skvXNMkOvdNAL6cy7hHa0LgmIJyc3GSg5snBWx4LP0xBtgKtj7pCjlkHNTzEw9sg6LvMNJ2OWNqtextaz3T7In3AfWm57HHGgZuARfxrONUxG_uuNxNbSZLZMNd8u6LAMCNl/s400/sexy+strong+guuys+blog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Is this closer to the image these names bring to mind?<br /><br />Do you see sexy, strong minded men with sexy bodies? Men ready to sweep you off your feet and make passionate love to you on a moonlit beach?<br /><br />Yeah, now this is what I’m talking about!<br /><br />Strong names that give a stronger image to your reader. Names that will allow your hero to become what he needs by the end of your story.<br /><br />The same goes for your heroines…Bertha, Clementine or Prudence isn’t going to make it in the minds of the reader. But a Meara, Priscilla and a Chantal will step off the page as a delicate yet strong woman who will make her goal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcgl1ODQyPptHBm2oKauKYlNFigPdAgdfT48YZPCRxx9ewRFp1zAXJa00xGrJdyPxXaSuXZDqSOS_jDHRtru9wW2X1CJN9AXdkPby4pByBG6p6GJgiUuL_WEPEWugaZV1XD8tps4gAFNK/s1600-h/strong+cowgirl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443416266965802930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcgl1ODQyPptHBm2oKauKYlNFigPdAgdfT48YZPCRxx9ewRFp1zAXJa00xGrJdyPxXaSuXZDqSOS_jDHRtru9wW2X1CJN9AXdkPby4pByBG6p6GJgiUuL_WEPEWugaZV1XD8tps4gAFNK/s400/strong+cowgirl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVwm0TiFutTYpMXGqzqgatjMgp84bN9RNOYOvpzkmItwhVNRVea_rAURTHCcretTr3acgPoV95PbrcMOXOFUCVtFigwYqUL3XBH86oVFsFmZAG6NKHYMrb7GERSoNzbgBgJtbrIw_9gU8/s1600-h/strong+woman+Blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443416460596150386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 350px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVwm0TiFutTYpMXGqzqgatjMgp84bN9RNOYOvpzkmItwhVNRVea_rAURTHCcretTr3acgPoV95PbrcMOXOFUCVtFigwYqUL3XBH86oVFsFmZAG6NKHYMrb7GERSoNzbgBgJtbrIw_9gU8/s400/strong+woman+Blog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLdx4iLQuI-Jum-DB1eY-GQGUdVc4kH_Q8kKx8IjUDn4d_jo8ArzmTRABh1wkiHFStfWyhZh0zlqd1JoeLPFTQt1D9xNRdZhk5LpmQGMh7wunDdLUCcXdGnMDw0vBfHN12ZokdqZHvIy0/s1600-h/blog+girl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443416845052684738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLdx4iLQuI-Jum-DB1eY-GQGUdVc4kH_Q8kKx8IjUDn4d_jo8ArzmTRABh1wkiHFStfWyhZh0zlqd1JoeLPFTQt1D9xNRdZhk5LpmQGMh7wunDdLUCcXdGnMDw0vBfHN12ZokdqZHvIy0/s400/blog+girl.jpg" border="0" /></a>Even if you’re not into the more unusually names like the ones I’ve suggested above there is still strength in some of the more common names over others. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Alex is stronger than Andy. Bob over Ben. Eric is more powerful than Elmer….see what I mean?<br /><br />Another thing to think about when picking your hero’s name is matching his name to his nationality.<br />What do you see when you look at this picture? What kind of hero comes to mine?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-tm6Qe1NKtIbWf7a3YITuElxlovnSHISVzCwVPlcfmljbQs4S7nzibB8Qs2D9M7LNr08EFd7hfb8SkBEh7GiBDfWDHYccbgqmZC78mlXeYaDC8jHL9-0vlLKqbG5JJiSAONOjVmpF_TO/s1600-h/Italian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443417305049091506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-tm6Qe1NKtIbWf7a3YITuElxlovnSHISVzCwVPlcfmljbQs4S7nzibB8Qs2D9M7LNr08EFd7hfb8SkBEh7GiBDfWDHYccbgqmZC78mlXeYaDC8jHL9-0vlLKqbG5JJiSAONOjVmpF_TO/s400/Italian.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Is this guy a BAD BOY hero? Is he Italian? Is he a tough guy that can be tamed by the right Heroine? Is he the lover you seek in your bed? When your story's hero is named Vinny...is this the guy you see in your mind as you read about Vinny's sexy seduction of Angie?<br /><br />If your hero is Irish, don’t give him an English name like Scott. If he’s Irish your hero needs a strong Irish name like Sean or Kendrick. Be sure to know the history and where a name comes from before you tag your hero with a name that doesn’t fit his image.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w4yC-nFQ__qs0_qJ8_OEwYBA_k1akZ7kwURQwlh0QUHyXqlOCMq1c-atE9RPT9A4t8mO9bOiUaH06ke0Fy8ZXJUgMIlmLyIlDXMn3FqM-Vit12cWLG1NrtgcfxCcUnqZCCO7ZwdwgCN_/s1600-h/sexy+man+RHST+Blog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443418324479831682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5w4yC-nFQ__qs0_qJ8_OEwYBA_k1akZ7kwURQwlh0QUHyXqlOCMq1c-atE9RPT9A4t8mO9bOiUaH06ke0Fy8ZXJUgMIlmLyIlDXMn3FqM-Vit12cWLG1NrtgcfxCcUnqZCCO7ZwdwgCN_/s400/sexy+man+RHST+Blog.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's all in the name.<br />Hawk </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-34914984649927881412010-02-25T07:56:00.001-05:002010-02-25T11:21:28.554-05:00Writing QueriesHi everyone. I've seen a lot flying around the writing loops I'm on about writing queries. I know it's hard to condense 60-100K words into one or two paragraphs. My queries have consistantly gotten interest from agents (though still haven't gotten past that stage!) and editors (doing better on that end) - but getting your query noticed out of the hundreds they receive every week is a challenge. Your query must stand out if you want to get your foot in the door.<br />
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The best advice I ever received for writing queries was this: Imagine the paragraph on the back of a book. The one that hooks you in and makes you want to read the story. Every sentence is filled with intrigue. Your query should introduce your hero (and heroine if a romance), give a brief outline of the GMC - Goal, Motivation and Conflict and leave the reader dying for more. <br />
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Here is a copy of one of my queries that has resulted in several requests:<br />
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It's hard enough being seventeen, but when your boyfriend's an Egyptian Demigod and your mom's dating a soul sucker, things can get a lot worse. Pandora has seen ghosts since she was a kid but now she finds out she’s a Veil Walker. She can bring back the spirits of the dead, but why would she want to do that? She has enough trouble getting rid of the ones stuck on this side. One annoyingly perky ghost wants Pandora to find her killer. Joseph, her super-hot sometimes-panther boyfriend doesn't like the idea, and soon enough she finds herself in way over her head. When the killer captures her, she must escape him or her soul will be trapped forever in her own Pandora’s Jar.<br />
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In this paragraph, I have introduced my character, outlined her problems, and led up to the story's climax. <br />
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Good luck to everyone with your queries!!!<br />
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Until next time.... JuliannaSharron Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733671984326071150noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564926157537466098.post-51101423128270082022010-02-17T09:53:00.000-05:002010-02-17T09:53:16.147-05:00Andrew Gross Book ReviewBook Review:<br />
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The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross<br />
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Andrew Gross is a #1 bestselling co-author of Lifeguard and Judge & Jury and author of the Blue Zone<br />
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On the morning Karen Friedman learns that her husband, a hedge fund manager, has been tragically killed, Detective Ty Hauck begins his investigation of another man’s death in a suspicious hit-and-run in Karen’s hometown. The two seemingly unrelated tragedies are about to plunge a beautiful widow and a determined investigator into a maelstrom of murder, vast sums of money, and international conspiracy.<br />
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I love this book! Romantic Suspense at it best from a man’s perspective. It caught me from the beginning and kept me reading, I couldn’t put the book down. Definitely a page turner. <br />
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I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an exciting weekend read.Lorelei Conferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00477033002273646103noreply@blogger.com3