November 2017

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Sunday, November 26, 2017

WeWriWa: Counting Blessings . . . and Stars


Still in a tryptophan coma from Thanksgiving, I'm offering up on a platter this next scene from PRINCE OF FOOLS that continues from last week's excerpt that ended with hunky hero Rico suggesting to a skittish Amber that she upgrade her living situation . . . 


Before she could stammer something inane like "Are you asking me to move in?" Evie hollered, "Mom, c'mon or I'll be late!" forcing Amber to shake off that wistful folly. There was no room for the two of them in his one-bedroom bachelor abode.

"Just a sec," she called back, slipping out from under the situation with a quick rinse of her brush without making further eye contact. Had things so changed between the three of them that there was there no going back to the cautious distance she preferred to keep?

If she had reservations, the sight of the two of them standing at the stove sent them scattering with Rico sneaking a strip of bacon, Evie trying to swat him with a spoon, him so large and protective, her so innocently trusting . . . the two she loved more than life.

Rico glanced her way, still grinning, and the flare of heat in his eyes incinerated all doubts on the spot as he called, "Get it while it’s hot.” 

With his still sleep-heavy eyes, in his rumpled tee shirt and on the edge of being too revealing sweat pants, the hot that came to mind wasn’t breakfast until he reminded, “This kid’s got school.”

While she was steered toward the table, Rico and Evie made an efficient tandem in the kitchen, filling and passing plates, her so slight and serious, him so happy and . . . hot. 

She could have this every morning of every day.

It was all Amber could do to swallow past the tightness in her throat, the scene so perfect . . . too perfect to be real.

What's a guy gotta do? Put a ring on it (or in his case, a Terriot diamond earring in it)? Me thinks she doth protest too much. Maybe all she needs is a little convincing for her to count her blessings instead of believing she's reaching for the stars. We'll find out in next weekend's post. I'll be hosting my critique group pals for our holiday festivities as December starts off with a literal (make that literary) bang beginning with thanks and ending with giving.

Speaking of giving, I'm participating again this year in Literary Escapism's Black Friday event that puts our book characters in the middle of holiday madness. I've written a "coulda been" scene from PRINCE OF FOOLS featuring Rico and Amber's daughter Evangeline on a shopping trip that, if you've read the book, doesn't end well. Enjoy the extra scene, and a chance for a winner's choice of one of the four Kindle e-books leading up to PRINCE OF FOOLS. While you're there, see what other heroes and heroines are doing when they take a little holiday R-and-R!

Don't forget, my "Midnight to Moonlight" Reduced Price/New Release tour is ongoing through the 30th with a shot at a $10 Amazon gift card (a Happy New Year's gift to the lucky winner!).

Excuse me while I go hop on the treadmill to work off some pie poundage before Tuesday's pre-surgery doctor's appointment (talk about the scales of justice!). Hope all who celebrated Thanksgiving found plenty to be thankful for (Make that everyone. It never hurts to be thankful!). What are some of the things on that list? Mine starts with an extra four hours of sleep on the weekend!

Happy writing fellow Warriors!!



Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

WeWriWa: A Tease and a Tour


Nothing breaks the grey, grim mood of approaching winter like a surprising ray of sunshine. After weeks of sharing dark, moody, broody passages from my latest release PRINCE OF FOOLS, I thought we needed a little fun . . . that hopeful shot of Vitamin D therapy to lift the spirits of both my heroine and my readers. In this scene that will carry into December, Rico has provided an anxious Amber and her pre-teen daughter with overnight sanctuary from their fears (maybe imagined but probably very real!) in his luxury apartment. This is the next morning . . .


The intimacy of sharing space while scrubbing and spitting had Amber trembling to her toes. It seemed like forever ago when they’d shared that big bed alone and she’d looked forward this private, awkward, exciting morning-after-a-night-of-great-sex that never happened, but somehow, this was more personal, more emotionally intense because instead of an uncertain teetertotter of just the two of them, they were becoming that stable triangle of three, a wonderful and truly terrifying possibility resting on one tentative point.

Trust.

Could she trust him with the truth, with her past, with her fears; with her child and their future; and, beyond that, would he still want her once she revealed all?

Their gazes met in the mirror. 

Her confusion must have shown because Rico paused mid-swish to ask, "You okay?"

Amber shook off her uncertainty to smile and reply, "I was just thinking this is the first time I've ever shared a bathroom sink with a man."

His brows lifted with a surprise that prompted him to vow, “I'm really very tidy . . . just in case you were thinking of making it a habit."

She laughed to scatter her nervousness and claimed, "There's hardly room at mine for me, let alone company."

Lids lowered speculatively over those warm, tawny eyes as he suggested, "Maybe you've just outgrown where you're living, and it's time to think about upgrading."

I don’t see a downside to this request but then I’m not walking in my heroine’s uncomfortable shoes. How do you think she’ll react?

While we’re waiting to find out, here’s a fun way to spend the rest of the month . . . on a 2-in-1 New Release and Reduced Price Tour! While I’m sharing the news about PRINCE OF FOOLS being ready to be read, I’m also offering the first book of my “Touched by Midnight” vampire series for only $0.99!! AND what's even better, the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card to scoop up more reading material for the holidays! Win-Win!! Follow along and take a chance.

Follow Along and enter at each stop for a chance to win a 
$10 Amazon Gift Card!


Saturday, November 18
Mythical Books
Books,Dreams,Life
Novel Reads Cafe

Sunday, November 19
Passionate Encounters

Monday, November 20
Melissa Keir

Tuesday, November 21
Diane Burton - adventure & romance
HBS Author's Spotlight

Wednesday, November 22
Romance that's 'Out Of This World'
Reader's Edyn

Friday, November 24
Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!

Saturday, November 25
Paranormal Realms

Sunday, November 26
Loren E. Pryce

Monday, November 27
Paranormal Dimensions

Tuesday, November 28
Romance Me

Wednesday, November 29
What Readers Want

Thursday, November 30
The Realm of Fantasy & Fiction
I’ll be pulling my nose out of the pages of Ed’s newest book to comment on all your snibblets (It’ll be difficult but I’ll try!). Can’t wait to see what you’re working on!

Happy Weekend! Happy Writing!!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

From Midnight to Moonlight $0.99 Sale & Blog Tour - What a Deal!


Follow Along and enter at each stop for a chance to win a 
$10 Amazon Gift Card!

Saturday, November 18
Mythical Books
Books,Dreams,Life
Novel Reads Cafe

Sunday, November 19
Passionate Encounters

Monday, November 20
Melissa Keir

Tuesday, November 21
Diane Burton - adventure & romance
HBS Author's Spotlight

Wednesday, November 22
Romance that's 'Out Of This World'
Reader's Edyn

Friday, November 24
Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!

Saturday, November 25
Paranormal Realms

Sunday, November 26
Loren E. Pryce

Monday, November 27
Paranormal Dimensions

Tuesday, November 28
Romance Me

Wednesday, November 29
Paranormal Dimensions

Thursday, November 30
The Realm of Fantasy & Fiction
What Readers Want

THE BOOKS


Midnight Kiss
Touched by Midnight Series {Book 1}
Just $0.99 for a Limited Time!
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Google
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Published by: ImaJinn Books
Release Date: July 12, 2015
Length: 262 Pages

Hunt or be hunted . . . A centuries old obsession stalks a noble family fighting to hide their dark secret from an ever-changing world. Sink your teeth into Nancy Gideon’s Touched by Midnight series.

A DARK CURSE

Miss Arabella Howland is content to forgo the London marriage mill to assist her father in his research, especially when it comes to his intriguing patient, Louis Radman. But it’s not long before Bella’s curiosity alerts her to the danger of her father’s work . . . and to the fact that Louis is not who or what he seems.

A BRIGHT PROMISE

After centuries struggling with his vile existence, Louis Radman will soon be free of his affliction, thanks to his very capable physician. Unfortunately, his heart is less secure around the man’s tempting daughter. His yearning to walk in the light once more is complicated by his desire for the delightful Bella, who is as intelligent as she is fearless. But if history has taught him anything, it’s not to tempt fate.

AN UNFORGIVING PAST

Still, happiness has a price and Louis is soon reminded that mortality comes with unfortunate limitations. To protect his new bride, he must face the demons from his past who wish to pull him back into their vampiric fold.

Yet, if he’s forced to return to his midnight world, will he lose his beloved Bella forever?

"Dark and compelling, Gideon’s novel will appeal to those who enjoy the vampire novels of Anne Rice." —Library Journal 

"A colorful and hauntingly beautiful tale of otherworldly love . . . destined to become a classic!" —Affaire de Coeur 

"Incredible, spellbinding reading!" —Rendezvous

READ AN EXCERPT


Prince of Fools
House of Terriot {Book 3}
Only $3.99!
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 23, 2017
Length: 294 Pages

A dark prince to her Cinderella barmaid . . .

Rico . . . Prince in the shapeshifter House of Terriot

Reckless, hotheaded Rico Terriot seeks purpose and a sense of pride training the resentful guardians of New Orleans to defend a city besieged by a deadly outside force. Torn between his desire for his brother’s mate and the woman tied to the child of another, protecting their future happiness means denying his own on a dangerous path to redemption.

One night of stolen pleasure he didn’t remember and she couldn’t forget…

Amber . . . a single mother hiding a terrible past

Rico Terriot was the stuff of dreams . . . lately all of hers. But there’s no happily-ever-after for someone living in the shadows, protecting dangerous secrets that threaten her and her daughter. Dare she believe in a fairytale prince when he comes to her rescue, not knowing the price he’ll pay for making her troubles his own? From world’s so far apart, is love strong enough to hold them together . . . and keep them alive?

READ AN EXCERPT


Deadly, Damaged, Delicious
Brothers Too H.o.T. to Handle

     

THE GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Novel Book Tours

Sunday, November 12, 2017

WeWriWa: Spinning Out of Control


Being a born and raised Michigander, that first morning on icy roads going to work is a winter rite of passage: Don't do nothing dumb and watch out for those who don't know any better. It's in the '20s, the car windows have been heavily christened by Jack Frost yet the roads look deceptively clear. The sun rise is brilliant. But I always assume the worst - Don't believe it! It's a trap. When you least expect it - expect it. Sure enough, at the first red light, that warning growl of my brake system. Do I ignore them or proceed with care? That's the position my PRINCE OF FOOLS heroine is in. She wants to believe what she has is real but the ABSs are shrieking a warning in this continued 8-10 line scene . . .

She paced a tight circle in her little kitchen, panic surging, a dark, sickening tide over what she’d never considered, that Rico might bring disaster to her door, a question that went a step farther as she confronted her brother to demand, "Are they watching you, too? I want you to leave my house and not come back, do you hear me?" 

Seeing his argument backfire, Auguste sputtered, "But Evie--" 

"Evie doesn't know you, and I don't ever want her to learn what you've become, so stay away from us . . . you ruin everything you touch!" 

"I was just trying to protect you, Ammy . . . you don't know men like them and what they want." 

A harsh laugh, "Oh, I think I learned all about men like that at dear Daddy's side and you're not going to bring that ugliness back into my life. You're as dead and gone to me as he is." 

Teary-eyed, angry but frustratingly without any argument, her brother grabbed up his coat and was out the door. 

Amber stood motionless in the kitchen, paralyzed by grief and fear and loss, knowing it was over: The dream, the desire, the hopes that they'd become more. Rico Terriot was a luxury she couldn't afford.

Am I the only one who wants to yell, "Girl, don't panic and lose control! Go slow and steady until the tires grip pavement!" 


New release is going well, not an Indy start but a steady advance with a brisk pick up in sales of the first two books of the series to salt the way and give me confidence as I travel on with book four, PRINCE OF DREAMS.

Happy Writing, fellow Warriors and hope your roads are clear with lots of traction in the coming week!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, November 05, 2017

WeWriWa: New Release! PRINCE OF FOOLS: A Dark Shapeshifter Prince and His Cinderella Barmaid


The frantic daily pace of release week has eased into a manageable frenzy with more stops planned and still to be made in November. The best part of doing promo is getting to revisit your work and fall in love with it all over again – something you lose when proofing pages over and over and over again, making the words into something you view with a clinical eye instead of for their beauty. You forget the little nuances of plot and emotion while seeking out those rogue commas, skip over those small segments that become a pivot point of action and intention. Scenes like this one between heroine Amber and her long absent, troublemaking brother who could be trying to save her . . . or more likely use her by preying on her fears and exposing her vulnerability. Enjoy this 8-10 line clip and fittingly creepy video (because I just hate letting Halloween go!).

"And when he finishes here, is he going to take you home and make you his honest to God princess in front of all his family?” Auguste’s sarcasm wounded. “Would they welcome you with open arms, or direct you to the glassware in the kitchen?"

"We haven't discussed it," she bit out, saying nothing more because he wasn't saying anything she hadn't wondered herself. 

"And would this good man, this prince of a fellow, stick around knowing who and what you are, knowing where Evie comes from?"

She stood pale and trembling with rage, with devastation . . . the prince and his Cinderella barmaid . . . no, it wouldn't end well for her and Evie, but she’d always known that deep down.

He’d saved the best for last, that killing blow of, "Do you think I'm the only one watching where he goes, who he sees? Does that trail keep leading here to your door? Can you afford to have these people asking questions about his wrong-side-of-the-Quarter squeeze? And if they find out who you are, you think he'd risk his royal ass to save you from what they have in mind?"


It takes someone close, who knows just how to twist that knife of paranoia and long-buried pain to cast hope into darkness. Will Amber be able to see through him and find her way out of it?

Reviews for PRINCE OF FOOLS are starting to come in (always that teetering balance of excitement and sheer terror!). If you get a chance to read my latest, please consider leaving your opinion (truthful but kind, one hopes) where it can be read.


I’ll be making use of today’s extra hour to plot out the rest of my next book, PRINCE OF DREAMS. I’ve been madly scribbling down scenes but need to whip them into some sort of manageable order before I go full bionic with a second knee replacement on December 18th – just in time to get out of all the holiday shopping and cooking, take a couple of weeks off work to binge watch shows and slip my medical in under the deductible and out-of-pocket wire. Ho Ho Ho!

Happy Writing fellow warriors!!



Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

IWSG: NO-NO, NA-NO


Hopefully, I’m not the only one old enough to remember Mork and Mindy, the silly ‘80s comedy that launched a moderately successful comedian by the name of Robin Williams (all right, he was and is HUGE!). I’m reminded of him every November when the frantic productivity of NaNoWriMo launches. But this alien-sounding battle cry that rallies a tremendous hoard, drives me away. Competitive sprints and pathological word counts may inspire some to unlock their creativity but the pressured message and rigid structure of it paralyzes me (like being called on in class to give an impromptu speech!). That said, I admire those who successfully apply the technique. Whatever gets words on the page, right? My OCD/ADD brain automatically structures my time like a drill sergeant, but many need and thrive on the camaraderie and accomplishments of the event. For me, it’s more stressful to try to carve out the extra allotments of time than to take advantage of the ones I already have in place.

The one tool I now enjoy using that I never imagined I would is the Write-In (kind of a mini or weekend unstructured NaNo). Our Mid-Michigan RWA chapter sets up meeting time and/or weekend retreats designed for quiet and industrious keyboarding. After finding the right mix of rock music on my headset to drown out the sound of frenzied typing and occasional whispering all around me, I’ve made fantastic use of these events that provide both silent work time AND the opportunity to brainstorm and network. Our chapter also promotes an on-line monthly NaNo group for those who can’t carve out a weekend or don’t have a coffee shop nearby.



Whatever works! Make use of the tools at hand. It’s the end, not the means. Finding the right creative grove is mana from inspiration heaven. If you haven’t tried NaNo, it may be that perfect fit. So NaNo NaNo, y’all!



Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

The awesome co-hosts for the November 1st posting of the IWSG will be Tonja Drecker, Diane Burton, MJ Fifield, and Rebecca Douglass!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Twitter hashtag is #IWSG