Going Where Your Story Takes You

I 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.

     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?
     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...
     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?

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I posted a blog about Halloween on the Black Rose blog at Wild Rose Press. Please come check it out!

Sultry Santorini Sunsets & Romance

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.

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.

Eliza March
Sultry Santorini Sunsets

Hot off the Press

WOW! My book is here BLOODSWORN; BOUND BY MAGIC 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.


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.

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.

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.

Writing: Just One Hot Romance After Another

I 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.


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.

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*

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lords of Desire

Hello, fellow tarts. Today I am going to review Virginia Henley's novella Smuggler's Lair in the anthology Lords of Desire.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Follow a 3 part interview with the wonderful author herself. Part one begins at Pixie has her way on June 8th. Part two continues at Cat's place for writing on June 15th. The interview wraps up back here, at Romantic Hearts and Sexy Tarts 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.

Cat

Everlasting Kiss

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.

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.


Cat

What Are You Reading...

What are you reading right now? I'm reading JORDAN  by Susan Kearney. 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
Eliza March

What’s in a name?

The answer to that question is – a Hero.

Specially one who loves chocolate as much as we do.

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.

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?
No, huh? Mine either.

Did you see a tanned God like man with muscles that didn’t stop when you read the name Albert?
No?

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 ….
So, you see my point. You can’t name a sex pirate Floyd.

So tell me now, what do you see when I say the name … Dallas, Drake, Thor.

Do you see something like these guys?

How about Brett or Finn?

Is this closer to the image these names bring to mind?

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?

Yeah, now this is what I’m talking about!

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.

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.

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.

Alex is stronger than Andy. Bob over Ben. Eric is more powerful than Elmer….see what I mean?

Another thing to think about when picking your hero’s name is matching his name to his nationality.
What do you see when you look at this picture? What kind of hero comes to mine?

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?

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.

It's all in the name.
Hawk