Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Welcome Wednesday - Lissa Bryan

Today I'm welcoming author Lissa Bryan to my blog.

Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabukiactress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recentlydiscovered the cure for athlete's foot.... though only in her head. Real life isn't so interesting,which is why she spends most of her time writing.
Her first novel, Ghostwriter, is now available through The Writer's Coffee Shop (which isthe least expensive option), Amazon, iTunes, and Kobo. Her second novel, The End of All Things,will be released on January 24, 2013, and is now available for pre-order. Her third novel,tentatively titled Daughter of the Wind and Waves is in-progress.
 
 
 
1.       Have you always wanted to be a writer? How did you get started writing romance?
I always “wrote” books in my head, but I never imagined anyone else would be interested in them. I posted a couple of them online and was surprised by how many readers I had. Someone at The Writer’s Coffee Shop happened to see one of them and asked if I’d be interested in writing a book. Sometimes, it still feels a little unreal.
I write romance because it’s the richest aspect human experience. We see people at their most vulnerable when they open their hearts to another person. It’s something that deep-down, almost every human being wants, a deep emotional connection, a partner, a soul-mate. The problem is, not everyone is sure how to go about finding that special someone, and so there’s always a level of coflict that makes for interesting stories.
2.       Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?
Most of my stories were “written” in my mind over the years. I’m working on my third novel now, which is the first one I ever tried writing as I go. It’s been a very interesting experience. I suppose I’m a pantser because outlines just don’t work for me, and my notes are usually tiny scraps of dialogue, or something I suddenly remembered, scribbled hastily before I fall asleep. And then I stare at them in the morning and wonder what a crypptic handful of words meant, provided I can even read it.
3.       Are there any romance novel cliché that make you cringe when you read them?
I’ve always disliked novels where there’s a misunderstanding that could be easily resolved with a two-minute conversation, but instead of talking about their problem like adults, the characters flee to Istanbul or something.
4.       What is the hardest scene you’ve had to write, and what made it so difficult?
Writing love scenes is very difficult for me. I once spent three hours on a two-paragraph scene. Maybe it will get easier as I gain more writing experience. I hope so.
5.       Which of your heroines would you say is most like you, and why?
That’s a difficult question, because while all of my characters have an element or two that’s similar to me, they’re usually very different from me. Sometimes, like with Carly in The End of All Things, they have traits I’d like to have, such as her hope and optimism, and Sara’s determination in Ghostwriter. All of them like to read; I’m not sure I could actually get inside the head of a character that didn’t like to read.
6.       What are you working on now?
I’m working on a historical romance set in the time of Henry VIII. If all goes well, it should be out in spring of 2014.
After a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.

She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.

Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.

But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.

This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.
 
Purchase Links
 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Monday Update - January 28, 2013

Hello everyone.

I hope you all had a great week. Mine has been full of ups and downs, but for the most part its been productive.

Red Zone will be released in only 9 days!

Reality Bites wrapped up their Happy Endings Blog Tour on Thursday. They had over 1700 enteries for their Red Zone giveaway, and I recieved over 100 new followers on Facebook.

Marketing hasn't thrown any new interviews or guest blog posts my way this week. I did, however, find out from the PR firm that's handling Red Zone's media promotion that I'm going to be interviewed my a local newspaper for their Valintines edition. The interview is taking place next week, so hopefully I'll have more information on that soon.

If you read last week's update, I mentioned that I was hoping to begin writing chapter 8 of Finding Anna Book 4 this week. I did start chapter 8, and managed to get about 1,000 words of it written before the edits for Truth came back from my editor. As of now, I'm still knee deep in edits, and probably will be for another couple of days. After that, I'll be diving back into chapter 8. Hopefully I can get the chapter finished this week, and at least make some headway on chapter 9.

To get all the latest updates on my books and writing, you can follow me on my Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sherri-Hayes/122511444477280?ref=hl.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Six Sentence Sunday - January 27, 2013


 
Available February 7, 2013
 



He frowned.

Although she usually wanted to wipe that cocky grin of his off his face, she didn’t like the way this new expression made his face look. It was out of place, unnatural.
“Fine,” he said, his smile returning. This time, it held a devious quality. “Let’s go introduce the guys to my new girlfriend.”

Friday, January 25, 2013

Flash Fiction Friday - January 25, 2013

Today's picture prompt is from Morguefile free pictures.



She was still in shock over his admission as she sat there on her bed. Was this really going to happen…the moment she’d been waiting for the last five years?
Glancing up, she stared at the light peeking from under the bathroom door. Yes, it was going to happen. The one man she’d dreamt about…the one man she thought she could never have…
The door opened, and his gaze met hers. He smiled, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. She took a deep breathe, and smiled back. Yes, tonight was definitely the night. Her best friend’s brother would finally be hers.  


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Welcome Wednesday - Sydney Logan

Today we welcome author Sydney Logan.

Sydney Logan lives in the hills of East Tennessee. She has spent her life educating children and has recently made the transition from bookworm to author. She has a very unhealthy obsession with music, and her iPod is filled with everything from Johnny Cash to Eminem. When she isn't reading or writing, she enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her front porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.


Contact Sydney
Website & Blog:                http://www.sydneylogan.com
Facebook:                          http://www.facebook.com/SydneyLoganAuthor
Twitter:                               @SydneyALogan
Goodreads:                        http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5787300.Sydney_Logan
 

1.       Have you always wanted to be a writer? How did you get started writing romance?

I’ve always written stories, and I toyed with the idea of majoring in journalism in college, but I decided to become a teacher instead. I haven’t always written romance. Being a teacher, I wanted to write children’s and YA stories, too, but I’ve found that writing realistic romances involving adults is really what I love most.

2.       Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I do not outline. I have a beginning, middle, and end all planned out, but I tend to fill in the details as I go. I’m not saying that’s the best way to do it, but it works for me.

3.       Are there any romance novel cliché that make you cringe when you read them?

I don’t enjoy love triangles. Too often, the woman is choosing between one nice guy and one jerk, and it’s obvious who she’ll choose in the end. I have a little more patience for triangles if the woman is choosing between two decent guys, but for the most part, I don’t enjoy them.

4.       What is the hardest scene you’ve had to write, and what made it so difficult?

The river scene with Matt, Sarah, and Lucas in Lessons Learned was the hardest to write. I don’t want to give details because it would totally spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it, but it was a very emotional scene, and I cried like a baby while writing it.

5.       Which of your heroines would you say is most like you, and why?

Sarah in Lessons Learned. Her love for Ferris Bueller and music? That’s all me.

6.       What are you working on now?

I am editing my second novel. It’s called Mountain Charm and is scheduled to be released in late summer/early fall.

A young girl needs to spread her wings, but a young woman needs roots.
High school teacher Sarah Bray never thought she’d return to Sycamore Falls, but a traumatic event at her inner-city school leaves her desperate for the sanctuary of her childhood home. Orphaned as a teenager and raised by her grandmother, she had severed all ties with the people of her hometownincluding her best friend, Aubreyin hopes of leaving everything behind her. By returning to her roots, an older and wiser Sarah hopes to deal with the demons of her present and confront the ghosts of her past.
While visiting the local hardware store, Sarah meets Lucas Miller, a history teacher who has recently transferred from New York. She discovers a kindred spirit in him and learns that he is battling demons of his own. As the newest faculty members of Sycamore High School, they form a friendshipbonding through Lucas’s culture shock and their mutual desire to build new lives in the secluded town. When they begin to open their wounded hearts and share their secrets, their friendship effortlessly evolves into romance, giving each of them hope that maybe they aren’t so wounded, after all.
Their newfound love is put to the test when Matt Stuart, the quarterback of the football team, shares his deepest secret with Sarah. Fearing the painful incident that drove her from the city has followed her to Sycamore Falls, Sarah grows fiercely protective of her student. Determined that history will not repeat itself, Sarah stands by Matt’s side as he faces the ridicule of his church, his teammates, and the school administration. When the conservative community finally learns his secret, Sarah and Lucasalong with the town of Sycamore Fallsare schooled in the lessons of acceptance, tolerance, and love.


Purchasing Links

Monday, January 21, 2013

Monday Update - January 21, 2013

Happy Monday everyone.

Made it through another week. January is flying by, and in only 16 days Red Zone will be released. I'm already in full promotion mode, working on upcoming guest blog posts and interviews for the blog tour that starts February 1st. I'm excited for all of you to meet Gage and Rebecca. They certainlty stole my heart while I was writing their story, and I'm sure they will steal yours as well.

I didn't get much writing done this week, although I did manage to finish chapter 7 in my WIP. It was a rather fun chapter to write involving Stephan and Cal (fans of my Finding Anna Series know how much those two get along. LOL.) I'm hoping to get started on chapter 8 this week, but I'm also expecting to get the edits back on Truth at some point, and that will take priority. Plus, I never know what marketing is going to throw my way.

Speaking of promotion... Reality Bites is currently taking part in the Happy Endings Blog Tour. She is featuring Red Zone on her blog for the tour, and is giving away a copy of my newest romantic suspense (A signed paperback for US residents. An ebook for those outside the US.). It's a great contest, and is going on from now through January 26th. Make sure you click on the link below, go to Reality Bites, and enter. http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogspot.com/2013/01/happy-endings-giveaway-hop.html?zx=eb2110dae8e3ffe4

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Six Sentence Sunday- January 20, 2013


Available February 7, 2013
“Again, that’s not your call. Now, practice is pretty much over for the day. Why don’t you go get cleaned up, and they can follow you to your house. I’m sure they’d like to take a look around, and of course, Agent Carson will need to get set up in one of your guest rooms.”
“Wait. She’s living with me, too?”

Friday, January 18, 2013

Flash Fiction Friday - January 18, 2013

Picture coutesy of Morguefile.com Freepicture.


 

He jumped out of his new car, and raced around the corner
before skidding to a stop when he saw the bright orange light coming from the
house not twenty yards in front of him. His heart pounded hard against his
chest as debated what to do. Glancing down at the phone in his hand, he saw his
fingers turning white from the pressure he was exhorting. Even if he called,
they wouldn’t be able to help. He knew that. It was too late. Too late for
anyone to help.

Glancing up, he felt tears run down his cheeks. Gone.

Want to see what other authors wrote about this same picture prompt? Click on the links below.
Angelica Dawson: http://angelicadawson.blogspot.com


 
J S Morbius: http://morbiussworld.blogspot.co.uk/
 
Naomi Shaw: www.authornaomishaw.com

 
Bonni Sansom: http://bonnisansom.blogspot.com
 
S. J. Maylee: http://SJMaylee.com
 


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Welcome Wednesday - Author Lindsay Downs

I've decided to try something new on my blog. Every Wednesday I'll be featuring a fellow romance author with a small interview.

Today's author is Lindsay Downs, author of Love and War.

Welcome Lindsay!


1. Have you always wanted to be a writer? How did you get started writing romance?

I’ve loved to write for years but not until about 7-8 years did I start taking it seriously. Some people write to live while I live to write. I have to write every day, even if it’s only a few words or pages.

I don’t know if I started writing romance because I wanted to or because some unknown force drew me to it. All I know is now, after a break to write suspense, I’m back and plan to focus more on the romance aspect in my books.

2. Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat of your pants type of a writer?

I’m a die-in-the-wool panster. I will, at times, plan out the scene I’m working on but most of the time I let the characters tell me where to go.

3. Are there any romance novel cliché that make you cringe when you read them?

I’m not sure.

4. What is the hardest scene you’ve had to write, and what made it so difficult?

In ‘Angle in Green’, the third story in Love and War, I’ve got a scene where the hero and several soldiers are fighting North Vietnamese soldiers. To get the feeling for it I watched several Vietnam era movies so I could bring all the elements to life.

I also have several scenes where medevac helicopters are landing with wounded and the heroine has to triage the patients. This time I turned to documentaries to help me understand how and what to write.

5. Which of your heroines would you say is most like you, and why?

All my heroines have some of my traits in them strong-willed, determined to succeed, refusing to accept failure.

6. What are you working on now?

I’m working on regency titled Don’t Cross the Countess, which will be the first in a new series.

Thank you for stopping by today, Lindsay. 

Simone - Returning to Occupied France in advance of the allied invasion leaves no time for love between Sergeant Brian Deveneau and Simone. War tears apart lives and love. Will they survive?
Rescued - Injured Ensign Steve Henry awakens from severe wounds to the tender care of Lieutenant Suzanne Cunningham. Attraction explodes between them but will war tear them apart in the end?
Angel in Green - Never expecting to find love, 1st Lieutenant Elena Roberts must put aside her feelings for 2nd Lieutenant Steve Johnson. When her hospital is overrun by North Vietnamese soldier's, she must guard not only her heart from the handsome solider, but keep him alive as well.
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Monday, January 14, 2013

Monday Update


I hope everyone is getting the week started off right.

For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know probably have a pretty good idea of what’s being going on with me lately. Of course, if you take a good look at my blog, you will most likely figure it out as well. I’m busy gearing up for the release of my newest novel, Red Zone.
 
Red Zone is the second book in my Daniels Brothers Series. If you read Behind Closed Doors, you were given a sneak peek of Gage, the youngest of the Daniels clan. He’s a professional football player, and has all the cockiness that goes with it. If you like sports romances, you will love Red Zone!

I know many of you are anxious to the third installment of my Finding Anna series, as well. The question I’m asked most is ‘when is book three coming out?’. I’d love to have a specific date for everyone, but right now I don’t. The book IS written. It’s in the hands of my editors at the moment. The goal is for it to release this summer. So far everything is on schedule, so hopefully in a couple more months I can have an exact date for everyone so you can mark it on your calendars.

 Another common question I get asked is if Truth, book three, will be the last in Stephan and Brianna’s story, and the answer is no. Finding Anna has always been set up as a four book series, and that hasn’t changed. I’ve started writing the final installment of Finding Anna as I’ve been waiting on the edits to come back. There is no title as of yet. I doubt there will be until I’ve finished writing it.

I’m hoping to get more consistent writing these updates in the New Year. I might even include some snippets from what I’m working on in them in the future. Stay tuned, and I hope you all have great week.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Six Sentence Sunday - January 13, 2013

 
Available February 7, 2013

They were his last hope before getting the FBI officially involved, and likely the press. Something like this wouldn’t stay under wraps for long.

A minute later, there was a knock at the door. “Come in.” Donovan yelled.

The door opened, and there stood the man she’d be spending the majority of her time with in the near future—Gage Daniels.