Friday, September 28, 2007

New cover - new available format



A couple of months ago, Vintage Publishing informed their authors that they were giving us our electronic rights back. Our books will still be in print, but our books won't be available in electronic format any longer. This saddened me, because I do have many readers who buy only electronic. I went searching for a company who would take my electronic rights only, but did not find one. Then a friend (and fan) told me about www.ebooklove.net This is a new store for writers like me who are looking to sell our books electronically. Well...I'm happy to announce QUEEN OF HEARTS is now available in TWO formats. You can still buy the print format from Vintage Publishing directly or at www.amazon.com. But now you can purchase the electronic format at www.ebooklove.net. It's not there yet, but watch for it. It'll be there soon...AND with a new cover. I couldn't have the same cover that Vintage gave me, but I'm totally in love with the new cover, which was created by a new artist. I want to thank S.S. Steele for this great work of art!!!



Thursday, September 27, 2007

You gotta love 'em!


They're Alive! Our Favorite Creations


Jami:
1. Fen Dane from Celestial Dragon
2. Tabor Nolan from Sarah’s Brass Token
3. Bryce Stanton from Julia’s Golden Eagle (he gets his own story in Kaitlin’s Silver Lining which will come out in 2008)
4. Eliza Woodpen from Eliza’s Copper Penny
5. Shauna Joyce from Once Jilted (to be released in 2008)

Becka

1. Mynos. Obvious. I love this dragon more than you know. :P We’ve been on many adventures together, kind of like that kid at the end of The Neverending Story. Heheh
2. Marcus McCaide – who doesn’t love yummy, tortured cowboys?
3. Talon Holt – who doesn’t love full-blooded Indians (raised as white men) who love their heroines to distraction?
4. Jareth Moreland – I never planned on writing a story for this bad boy, but my fans “insisted”. I must say I’m glad they did, because Jareth is too sexy for words.
5. Wade McAllister – Hottie angsty shifter (cougar). He’s fast become a fan favorite, and one of mine as well. You just want to give him a shoulder to cry on (and a bed to sleep in lol)

Donica
1. Chase Willett—Betraying Chase (Gateway Guardians Book 2) He’s a true smart ass. He can find sarcasm in anything.
2. Justice Bernard-Callye’s Justice (Gateway Guardians Book 1) This tough man, a man who isn’t afraid of anything is soft inside. He loves deep, talks sweet to the woman he loves, and is always there when you need him.
3. Xavier Blake—Dragon’s Angel Sexy brooding, intense and hot…what else would you expcet from a dragon shifter?
4. River Braddock—Elemental Desires: Tides of Maryna’s Love. A man with the sex appeal of a Greek god and a great personality. He can be a bit quirky but its completely endearing
5. Calder Mason—Elemental Desires: Finding Tara’s Heart His life is investigating the civilizations of the past, determined to avoid the present and has no real care for the future.

Marie
Edmund Knight – Her Knight Of Seduction
Summer Bennett – Holding Out For A Hero
William Braxton – Pretend I’m Yours
Charlene Randall – Ten Ways To Melt A Man’s Heart




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Tying up loose ends with handcuffs


Too funny. Thought that title might "drag" you in and hold you hostage. In truth though, I sometimes feel like I need handcuffs to wrap up all the lose ends and chain them firmly in place. Sheesh, you'd think by now it would be an easy matter but for a pantser, it's quite a process.

I don't plot. I have tried, but alas, my brain just doesn't work that way. So - to keep things straight, I try to write the outline after I've written each scene. That sorta keeps me straight on things. However - I often have epiphany moments where I write one sentence that's supposed to foreshadow something that will happen much later in the story. If I can remember that I've done this as I write, no worries, but often I don't. So - I read through and all of a sudden this lone sentence jumps out. It's a great sentence, a true masterpiece of prose, but have I carried the idea forward? No.

Ugh, so - that means I either delete a wonderful sentence with lots of promise or I fulfill the promise offered and add scenes or sometimes even whole chapters. Then I have to go through and check for inconsistencies. Here's where I would love to handcuff the idea so it doesn't meander without proper footing.

Editing is a neverending process and I'm not sure as writers we're ever truly satisfied with the finished product. But hopefully, I'll leave no loose ends to haunt the reader.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

I Ain't Got Time to Bleed...



This past weekend, I finally finished the third book of my BEAST series, NATURE OF THE B*E*A*S*T*. A few people I know asked me if I was going to take a much-needed break. Of which I reply with, "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!"

I wish.

With one project down, there are many more to take its place. In fact, I can't remember when I actually had "down" time. I'm always doing something. If it's not writing, it's editing. If it's not editing, it's reading galleys. If it's not reading galleys, then it's promotion around the 'Net (which is a VAST time suck if you let it get out of control *which I've done before*).

Out of control promo isn't the result you see in your royalty check, but rather, an endless obsession with getting your name out there, in front of people, recognized. While promotion is acceptable and needed, it can be done to excess, which I've done on occasion. Regardless of how much promo we do, we authors need to WRITE as well. Our books is what we're promoting, after all, and therefore, we need to keep writing them. Yet I oftentimes find myself posting to a blog (not this one of course) or the various online outlets I have.

Self-discipline? What's that?

Perhaps I thrive on chaos. If I wasn't going 100 miles an hour in every direction, I wouldn't know what to do with myself. The irony of all this is that my family and friends think I live a relatively laid-back life. They understand that what I do is demanding, but I don't think they GET IT, you know? Which is why I love being on the online communities so much with other authors, because they understand.

But honestly, I need to stop procrastinating, read that galley, and write that book! ACK!

Becka's Christmas Wishlist:

1.) A clone - to write the books that have been on the backburner for EVER

2.) A wife - to cook and clean and run errands

3.) A vacation from being mom and wife and concentrate on being author - I've pondered going all by myself to a motel room to get some book finished, but I don't think my hubby would take too kindly to the idea...

4.) An eBook reader.

5.) A pony.

:)

~~Becka

http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

Monday, September 24, 2007

Monday...wish it was Friday


I spent a wonderful weekend in Memphis with my mom and dad at my brother's house. His family is so great. We went down for one of the most adorable nephews in the world's birthday. He is one of the two cutest, sweetests, squoosiest boys alive. He is one of my favorite nephews. His brother is 16 months old. That one is my other favorite nephew. anyway, number one nephew turned 4 this past Friday so we went down to celebrate with him. Had a BLAST!

I cut his cake and I got icing on my finger. He grabbed my hand and sucked the frosting off it. He had a blue ring around his lips and was just absolitely adprable. I love those kids.

Anyway I get home yesterday completely exhausted and ready to drop. Who knew four year olds could be so tiring? Yes I have kids but they havent been four in a LOOONGG time. I'm completely wiped and I force myself to stay off the computer until today. Guess what I found?!?!?!?!?! The galley's for Callye's Justice!!!! WAHOOOO WAHOOOO

So what does this mean? It means I have to read the PDF copy and make sure there are no smoootzes. I'm sure it's perfect. How could it help but be? LOL

I've got a lot of reading to get done. I was listing everything that I HAD to do this week, specifically today. (I'm ready to scream) I have to read the galleys, I have to do my Donica newsletter, I have to do the Mavens Newsletter template so the ladies can add their news, I've got to do my personal blog...Gee looking at it listed, it doesn't look like a lot does it? I mean Callye is only 165 pages. Then my personal newsletter is only 5 pages typed and edited. The Mavens all do their own thing so all I have to do is final edit and make sure all graphics are correct. What am I whining about???

Ask me tomorrow when I may actually be able to see straight. Today is just one long fuzz.

Now, back into Callye's Justice reading. See you all soon!

Huggles,
Donica

Friday, September 21, 2007

Her Knight Of Seduction is available NOW!


Lady Megan Saxton will do anything—naughty if necessary—not to marry the drunken lord her grandmother selected. But when she thinks she’s trapped herself a duke, will a mistake in identity have her falling in love with the man who put her family in financial ruins?

Clever Scoundrel, Edmund Knight will stop at nothing to take back the deed to his goldmine that has been stolen. When his enemy’s daughter mistakes him for someone else, his plans change. Now he’s after her virginity.




5-Blue Ribbons!!! Phyllis Campbell knows how to pen an enchanting
tale that will leave you breathless and reading until all hours of the night. I laughed at the antics and bantering between these two lovely characters and my heart soared at the fairy tale ending. HER KNIGHT OF SEDUCTION will be staying on my keeper shelf. ~ Billie Jo / Romance Junkies


**excerpt**

“What are your plans, Mr. Knight?” Huskiness laced her voice. “Are you going to ruin me? My family?”
“My plan is to take you to my cottage and make love to you. I want to hear your pleasurable sighs and feel your willing body under mine.”
“I will not be willing this time.”
He flicked his tongue in her ear, and she let out a soft moan. He chuckled. “Are you certain? The tremors in your body say otherwise. I know you ache for my touch.”
Sucking her lobe into his mouth, he nibbled lightly then released it as he teased her slender neck and shoulder with his exploring tongue.
“How much will you wager, my lovely? I guarantee within five minutes you will be begging for more.”
When he squeezed her breasts harder, her whimpers increased. His heart soared from the way she sounded in the heat of passion. Swinging her around in his arms, he bent his head and captured her mouth. At first she resisted, stiffening her lips. With his gentle coaxing, running his tongue along the bottom lip, then the top, she soon became submissive.
In haste, his hands roamed over her back, then down to the fullness of her skirts, cupping her derriere as he pulled her hips against his staff. Her soft moan mixed with his. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue inside her mouth, caressing hers.
Just as in the cottage, it was wonderful. So right, and so very passionate. He wanted her now, and he didn’t think he could wait. He moved one of his hands between their bodies and found her breast, tracing the lace border on the scooped neckline with his fingers. Her skin was as smooth as he remembered. Dipping his finger inside, he searched until he found her pointed nipple. She heaved a sigh.
Yes. He needed to take her now. The ache in his loins warned him he couldn’t wait much longer.
He broke the kiss and whispered her name. But before he could say anymore, voices from outside grew louder. Her body stilled, even her breathing.
“We’re going to get caught,” she whispered. “What are we to do?”
He scanned the area around them. In the corner of the room there was a spot in the shadows underneath the table. He pointed in the direction. “Quickly, crawl under there.” He helped her to the ground then slid in behind her. She bumped her head and let out a tiny yelp.
“Lie on your side and face me.” He helped her into the position before their unexpected visitors intruded upon them.
He was in the process of wrapping her in his arms when the squeak of the greenhouse door echoed through the shed. Whispers from their visitors floated through the air. He peeked over his shoulder to see if he recognized the couple. From above the many tables of plants, his gaze rested upon a woman, young and blonde, but he couldn’t see her face. Within moments a man joined her. Immediately, he recognized James Hartley.
Edmund chuckled deep in his chest. He turned his head and whispered in Megan’s ear. “Looks as if our darling Dukie has snuck away from the party for a midnight romp in the greenhouse.”
She gasped, but didn’t speak.
Taking another look, he squinted through the shadows to see the woman, but it wasn’t until he heard her laugh when recognition struck. He turned back to Megan. “And it looks like Kelton is joined by Lady Lucinda.”
“Lady Lucinda Baldwin?”
“In the flesh.” He chuckled low. “Makes me wonder if Kelton knows what a tramp she is? But of course he does. He wouldn’t be out here with her any other way.”
A throaty giggle from Lucinda and rustling of skirts made him glance back over his shoulder just in time to see Lucinda directing her passionate kisses lower on Kelton’s body as her fingers tugged open the Duke’s trousers. She pulled out his stiff member and lowered her head.
“What are they doing?” Megan whispered as she tried to look over his shoulder.
“Let’s just say Lady Lucinda is not as innocent as she leads everyone to believe.” He tightened Megan in his embrace so she wouldn’t see. “She’s just giving Kelton what she gives to most every man she meets.”
“What’s that?” she asked, straining her neck. He wasn’t quick enough, and when her gaze focused on the other couple, her eyes widened and she gasped. “Oh, my, what is she...oh...oh...can that be...” She hitched a breath and licked her lips.
His body hardened from her innocent yet seductive reaction to what she was seeing. He chuckled. “You certainly are the little innocent.”
“Shh,” she coaxed, reaching up and placing her fingers over his mouth. “They’ll hear us.”
He held her hand to his mouth, kissing each finger, then lightly nibbling on the tips. She inhaled a quick intake of air.
“We shouldn’t—” she began to say, but he silenced her when he leaned over and pressed his mouth to hers.

To purchase ebook -

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=562&zenid=e3341d5a90b75dc2f640008b0419979b

Thursday, September 20, 2007

T13 Let's Do the Time Warp


Events in History or I wish I’d been there

If you had the opportunity to go back in time and witness any events which ones would you choose? We scanned our brains and came up with our top choices...

Jami:
1. The first airplane flight
2. Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel
3. Traveling on one of the first wagon trains west

Becka:
4. Jesus’ ministries – I would have loved to have seen it all, His teachings and His miracles.
6. Signing of the Declaration of Independence – Our founding fathers, whether you liked them or not, wore their balls on the outside, if you know what I mean. Heheh…
7. The moon landing – We’re so jaded now when it comes to space. “It’s no big deal”. I want to witness an era where space was still a frontier to explore in awe.

Donica:
8. Chief Joseph’s address
9. The premier of CATS with the original London cast
10. Holding the first copy of Gone with the Wind ever published

Phyllis:
11. Christ’s birth
12. Christ’s death
13. The day President Kennedy was shot (strange, but I’m fascinated…)




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Sunday Ride on the Harley

This past weekend, DH and I decided we needed to get away. We've both been working nonstop and thought a little time together would be appropriate. I write romance, I think romance, but sometimes life gets in the way and it's difficult to live romance. Anyway, we planned an outing on the Harley, something we haven't done in two years. We got up early Sunday morning for our jaunt. I found DH in the garage looking over the map and planning our route. He'd serviced the bike, put the seat on the back for me and got out the helmets.Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Going 60 mph or more on a motorcycle allows you to use all your senses. Viewing the country in the manner makes you feel as if you are part of the landscape, one with nature. Imagine sitting in front of a box fan that's going full blast then triple that sensation. The wind gushing across your face and arms carries a force that pelts you with pure energy. The vibration of horsepower between your thighs stimulates your sensory perception even more. Scents invade your nostrils with undiluted strength. Sounds are muted by the whir of the engine and the whoosh of the wind, but if you concentrate, you can hear the chorus of katydids.

But even more pronouced is the visual scenery. There are no glares on the windows to obstruct your view. The roads curved and dipped between a smorgusboard of trees. Carlos is mainly cow country as it's too hilly for farming. Morning glories crowned the barbed wire fences with an array of violet and pink. We passed a couple who couldn't resist pulling their bike to the side to partake in a little afternoon smooching. DH couldn't resiste honking at them. Ah, young love. Traveling through Richardswas like entering a time warp. I felt as if I were on the set for a western film. The buildings looked as if they could have been built in the 1850's. I made DH stop so I could snap a picture.Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
On the outskirts of Richards, the foliage changed. Within minutes, we'd found a wall of pines that reached for the skies. We'd entered the edge of Sam Houston National Forest. En route, other bikers enjoyed the same path. We greeted each rider with the universal signal, a slight movement of the right hand stretched out to the side. The tunnel of pines stretched out for miles. The fresh odors titillated my senses. Somewhere along the way, a strong floral scent filled the air and though I could see no flowers among the thick pines, it smelled similar to honeysuckle. I even detected the delicate aroma of gardenia at some point in our journey.

Once we exited the trail of pines, we entered Montgomery and headed for Conroe. Once we hit Conroe, the sights and sounds changed to reflect the feeling of a large city. There, we checked out the old marina where we used to dock our sailboat. It just wasn't the same as before. They had added a few new things, but it was still well kept and brought back a wealth of memories.Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
From there, we visited old haunts then decided it was time for lunch. So many choices.
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketWe ended up eating at a restaurant on the water that didn't look like much from the outside, but had a look of local flavor on the inside. I chowed down on beer battered fish, salad and fries while DH enjoyed a heaping plate of nachos. After filling our tummies, it was time to hit the road again. By now the sun bore down in full force, but the stiff wind pillowed the heat, making it a comfortable ride home. All in all, we were gone four hours.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Reflections



First of all, if you haven't voted, please visit http://ciarcullen.blogspot.com and vote for PROMISE ME FOREVER by Rebecca Goings as Best Summer eBook. You can also join my Blog Crusade if you wish. Details are on my author blog: http://beckasbabble.blogspot.com.

Now that THAT's out of the way (lol) I want to talk to you a bit about the career of an author.

When I first started this journey back in January of 2005, I was an unknown. Nobody had heard of me, and it seemed, no one was breaking down the door to buy my books. Nowadays, I've found much more success, however, its still not at the level I WANT it to be. Perhaps "fame", "fortune" and "notoriety" are all dangling carrots that we will never truly attain to satisfy our own selfish desires of being bigger and better.

But I have learned that you cannot be a best seller overnight, unless, of course, you're chosen for Oprah's Book Club. A lot of new authors are disheartened, just as I was, with their first few royalty checks. They've done their promo, they've yakked around, and yet still they do not sell. This is due to a few factors.

First, no one knows you. When you're an "unknown", you have to work twice as hard at promo. But you want to find that fine balance between promoting your work and shoving it down people's throats. This is where befriending bigger names in the biz comes in handy. If you get your name and link on their websites and blogs, you might get a few people from their audience to click through to your site. One of the most powerful forms of promotion is word of mouth.

Secondly, you're not going to make it rich off of one book. A successful author makes money on their entire backlist, not just one book. When a reader really likes you, chances are they'll look for more books from you to buy. If you have no more books to offer, it's likely they'll "forget" about you.

These are things I have learned during my author journey. Now, I have plenty of books in my backlist, and it's growing with every book I release! And I truly believe word of mouth has helped me. It's funny; when you're "the author", you have no idea how "famous" you really are. And fame isn't really tied to your royalty checks. It's basically gauged with how many people know who you are. You might not like George Clooney, but you know who he is and you know what movies he's made. Just because you don't buy into his movies doesn't mean that makes him any less "famous". Your contributing to his bank account has nothing to do with his fame. In the same way, your "fame" isn't attached to your royalty checks. Authors seem to overlook this fact time and again.

People know who you are. They've heard of your books. Therefore, you're famous.

My first brush with my "name" being bigger than I was happened when I called my local library and introduced myself to the Head Librarian over there. He knew who I was! He'd read my article(s) in the local paper and had heard of me. How awesome. Has the man actually bought one of my books? I sincerely doubt it, aside from the copies the library itself has ordered for its own shelves.

This puts perspective on what "fame" means, and what it means to be "famous" and/or successful. Are you successful only when you have fat wads of $$ in the bank? Or are you successful when people know who you are and respect you for being an author?

There have been times I've been "treated differently" or with respect when people find out I'm an author. It's strange. I don't know how to describe it. Local people I interact with stumble over themselves at times and I've got to wonder why. I'm just an average jane with a mortgage and a car payment. I do the dishes just like anyone else. So why this special treatment? I really have no idea.

But making a name for yourself is part of being famous and successful, regardless of the size of your royalty check. Sure, we write to get paid, but sometimes, you have to wonder what "getting paid" truly means. :)

~~Becka

http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

Monday, September 17, 2007

Donica's Day


My lovely fellow Mavens felt as if I was getting the short shrift because they each had an individual day to post while I only posted the T13. I thought that very sweet of them to think of me. The only trouble is I have enough trouble coming up with my own blog posts so what can I do to keep them separate topics?

I admit I’m totally, terrifyingly stumped. Do I post about writing tips? Books that I’ve read? (Okay that one is probably out since I barely have time to read the stuff that I write.) Do I blog about my personal life? My likes, my dislikes, things that I absolutely hate and have no tolerance for? How about a mindless rambling post covering absolutely nothing? (Gee, isn’t that what I’ve done so far?)

I think I’ll try some writing tips.

A few years ago I offered a “class” to a writing group I was a member of. There had been an RWA conference coming up and many of us were going to be left behind so I organized a virtual conference and had classes taught by some amazing “teachers” (I like to think I qualify to fit into my own column of amazing. Don’t deflate my ego too much, please?)

The classes I taught were Cracking Openings, Writing Suspense, and Promoting Yourself. So I think I’ll just spent the next few weeks offering you a variety of tips and yes folks this IS interactive. Any comments you wish to make. Any answers you choose to give are ALL welcomed. Simply post a comment! (I'm also availble for on line classes, kids parties and stag parties. All thought make sure I have the correct information noted. It would be embarrassing if I popped out of a cake at little Johnny’s sixth birthday party...)

On with the show…

Hooking. (No, not that kind!) It’s what you want to do to the reader. You want an opening tht will grab them tight and never let them go. How does one do that? I’ll be using my own works as examples. (How’s that for shameless plugging?)

I have scoured the Internet looking for wonderful writing tips and the main thing that has stuck with me is that you only have 10 seconds, (10 seconds!)to grab an editors attention.

Your opening lines have to be compelling. In that mere 10 seconds you should make the editor want to read more. Any openings that are overused will most likely be deleted from memory. The two most overused are: waking up in bed and traveling to the location of the story. There are editors who will see this as the author’s inability to be original. (There are ways of doing so; it’s all in the execution. We’ll discuss executions later.)

First the usual: all materials presented in this blog are copyrighted. All excerpts and ideas noted herein fall under this copyright umbrella. All pirates will be court-martialed at dawn and required to walk the plank in minutes upon being judged guilty. Thank you.

Okay here is the opening of Gateway Guardians Book One: Callye’s Justice.

“Where the hell is that ambulance?” Justice Bernard shouted again above the wailing of the sirens. In the flashing strobe lights around him, he looked down into Cas’s pale face. “Don’t you dare leave me, you hear me, Callye Ann Simone? I need you, damn it.”

The blood was pooling beneath his arms as it seeped from the many cuts slashing her small frame. Bruising in colors ranging from violet to angry black and green dotted her face and arms. His stomach clenched in fear.

“We need the medics now," he shouted again. Was anyone even hearing him? Why the hell didn’t someone come for her?

Uniforms raced around him, but all he could see was Cas. “Damn it, Cas, please hang on.” Her pulse was so weak. They couldn’t be too late. This just couldn’t be happening. He’d just gotten her back. He couldn’t lose her now.

“The ambulance just arrived, sir.”

“‘Bout damn time,” he growled as the paramedics rolled the stretcher up to them. The flashing lights of the emergency vehicles cast strange shadows on the faces of the medics seemed to wear masks of death. He pressed the morbid thought from his mind.

They pushed him to the side while they assessed the damage done to Cas. Justice battled the tears that pricked his eyes. All his fault. How the hell could he let this happen to her?

You put up such a hell of a fight, don’t give up now. The tears slid down his cheek and he gave them a hard brush. “Please baby, hang on.”


Were you able to read that in 10 seconds? Did it make you want to know what happened?
The opening hook should leave you asking questions. Those questions should be able to drive the reader on, wanting to know what was coming next.

Here are a few more openings. (Here's where the interactive part comes in!) Read them and decide for yourself which ones are hookers and which ones are tossers.

This is taken from a book in progress, Nursery Crimes:

The hand encased in the black leather glove clutched the photograph convulsively. Slowly the gun was raised, target spotted and a shot squeezed off. The hunter watched as the bullet hit its mark between the eyes of the man and the body crumpled to the ground. Walking over to the body, the hunter touched a flame to the photograph and dropped the burning picture onto the groin of the dead man. Smiling, the hunter turned and walked away.

Here is a second one from my soon to be submitted Save the Last Song for Me:

The pretty little brunette slumped in front of him. Her molasses brown hair mated to her face. Blood oozed from the places her hands and feet had once been attached to her body. Her body was slit from her throat to her groin. The skin, bone and muscle peeled back exposing the mass of internal organs. Her brown eyes slid open and blood bubbled from her lips. “Save me,” Minnie Winsten begged.

Dax Stone jerked out of bed, sweat sheeting his body, expelling hard panting breaths. God would it never end? The string of dead bodies left in the wake of the mad man who made Jack the Ripper look like the Santa Claus was enough to make the most seasoned hard asses on the department unable to get the images from their minds.


Here is your third offering from A Love for All Ages:

Roberta Little Deer stood on the balcony. Church was over and people mingled with each other on their way out the doors. The man below her looked so familiar. He had graying blond hair and was tall. He was wearing a brown suit. He stood shifting from foot to foot while he spoke to the minister. She squeezed her bible. She was breathless. She could only stare.

And number four Heart of the Jungle:

Larkin Davis flew to Kenya. She had lost her parents when she was only a teenager and had bounced from foster care to foster care until the system kicked her out at eighteen. Life had been hard and she’d had to scrimp and save every dime. She took dozens of lousy jobs, jobs that she hated, jobs she wasn’t proud of, but she’d finally made it out to school, and when she’d purchased her first camera she felt the bug bite. The shutterbug had left its mark and she went from place to place searching for the job that would pay her to take pictures.

Which ones made you want to know more? Were there any that left you flat? You have to leave the editors/readers asking questions, looking for more, more and still more. One word of note: NEVER answer a question without asking another one. You give it all away and they’ll stop reading before they’ve hit the end.

So I would love to see some interaction. Also opinions would be GREAT! Do want to see more of these lesson like tips? If you don’t run screaming “NO! PLEASE NO!” I’ll assume you want these to continue.

Have a wonderful week all!
Huggles,
Donica

Saturday, September 15, 2007

FAR chat

Come join all four of us Monday when we chat about anything and everything on the Far loop. Yep, Fallen Angel Review Chatters is hosting a loop chat for all of the Champagne authors and well, luckily for the Magic Mavens, we all have at least one book published or soon to be published by Champagne Books. So mark your calendars. It should be an exciting day. Oh, and I plan to pick three winners from among those that participate to recieve a package of stationary with my artwork on the front. I'll even let the lucky winners pick the image of their choice.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Different genres




As many of you know, I love to write historicals; Victorians / Westerns / Colonial. I have also written a few books that are comtemporary / romantic comedy. I also have a few stories in the works that are paranormal / time-travel. This is fine and dandy if I stick with electronic companies or small presses...so I've been told. But I want a variety. Not only do I want to be with the small presses, I want to shoot for the big guys.

However, I was told that to make it with the big guys, I have to stick to one genre. Well, since my favorite is historical, I'm definitely going to stick to that. But what about the others I have? Will the big editors / agents even look at me if I write other genres? Then, the other day, I heard about a brand new author who has a historical with AVON, and then just recently contracted a two-book deal for her spicy contemporaries. Hmmmm... Are things changing, or did I just get the wrong information?

What's your opinion?

~Phyllis~

Thursday, September 13, 2007

People in history


If I could only meet…

Everyone has characters from the past, both distant and not so distant, that we admire. People who we’d love to meet. Here are a few of our choices:

Jami:
1. Betsy Ross
2. Helen Keller
3. Walt Disney
4. King Author

Becka
5. Jane Austin—Writer
6. Emily Dickenson—Writer
7. Louisa May Alcott—Writer

Donica
8. Chief Joseph (In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat (Thunder coming up over the land from the water) (Nez Pierce Indian)
9. Levin Covey (an ancestor of mine. He was a very colorful character. From what I remember he and his brother seperated ang each joined the confederate army. They faught, lived moved on and years later they each thought the other was dead until they went to a veteren’s reunion. They saw each other for the first time in 50 years. That must’ve been a hell of a shock.
10. Jimmy Driftwood. Yet another relative. Jimmy was a song writer/singer. An Ozark man. There is a place in Mountain View Arkansas called the Jimmy Driftwood Barn.

Phyllis
11. Lady Godiva (believe it or not I’m releated to her!)
12. Betsy Ross (I always wanted to learn to sew…)
13. Annie Oakley (Love those tough heroines)



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Solar Eclipse




Did you know that we had a solar eclipse today? Of course, you had to live in South America, Antarctica or the South Atlantic to see it, but still . . . .

In my quest to be a better blogger, I posted my doubts and frustrations on my spot at the Coffeetime Forum. I had some wonderful folks post comments and I visited some fun blogs. For those of you curious as to my journey into the world of blogging, here are the sites I went to:

http://tarynraye.blogspot.com/
http://nicolegestalt.blogspot.com/
http://www.romancewithmorgan.blogspot.com/
http://ginnyourtea.blogspot.com/

The last one led me to the solar eclipse discovery. Gincat had posted about astrology and moon signs. Wow, it's been a long time since I did any astrological research, but the subject always fascinates me. I even use astrology to help mold my characters. I used to have a great CD that would generate a basic chart for each of my characters. All I had to do was give my character a birthday. It was a great way to give my characters the very basics of their personalities.

Okay, so I got off track. Back to the solar eclipse. In my search for another copy of this CD since it no longer works, I stumbled across this site: http://astrology-source.com/solar.htm
Basically, the solar eclipse will have a major impact on my life because I'm a Pisces. I dunno, maybe it was the power of suggestion, but oh my goodness, I felt very rejuvinated tonight. I critiqued a chapter for one of my crit partners, I finished writing a chapter for one of my new stories and I answered tons of e-mail. It's 12:29 AM and I'm still going. Tonight I'm an everready. I just keep on ticking.

Check out this map of the eclipse. So - how will the eclipse affect you? Check out http://astrology-source.com/solar.htm to find out. And while your cruising the internet, be sure to stop in and post a comment or two to the above mentioned bloggers.

It's all good!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

For Once, I Have Nothing to Blog...



When did this happen? I'm usually a chatty person. I don't want to post about the obvious today. Too damned depressing, and I'll start crying. Which reminds me, I'm going to go fly my flag today. Hang on...

Back.

Okay, where was I? Hmm... Can you believe I have three books I need to finish before the end of the year?? I'm less than 5K away from finishing NATURE OF THE B*E*A*S*T*. YAY! I also have to finish ONCE A DREAMER, the first book in the Orphan Train series coming to Champagne Books next year, AND I've got to do the Vampire Chronicles book TOMB. I've been thinking about doing the vampy book for NaNoWriMo, since it's only about 20K, so it should be easy peasy. :)

However, it's already almost mid-September. ACK! I gotta get movin!

Show of hands... How many people are anxiously awaiting Wade's story? And which is your favorite shifter? Noah? Rogan? Wade? Someone else? :P Answer today in the comments, and your name will go into a random drawing for a PDF download of the BEAST book you want, either the first, THE B*E*A*S*T* WITHIN, or the second, B*E*A*S*T* OF BURDEN. Mavens are excluded from the contest. :)

Post your comment before 3pm PST / 6pm EST to enter! Woohoo!!

~~Becka

http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

Monday, September 10, 2007

Mavens Monday



Good morning! I hope your weekend was better than mine. SIGH. But I'm not here to post about THAT.

Today, I want to talk about romance in general. Why do you read it? Why do you write it? DH has frequently asked me that question, and he just doesn't understand how I don't get bored with the genre. How many times can you read about two people falling in love?

But honestly, you could say that about any genre. How many mysteries can you possibly solve before you get bored? How many horrors can you possibly devour before you're drooling in your chair? lol

For me, I love reading about the power of love and how it prevails over all other trials and tribulations. I love reading about the budding relationship, and feeling that joy and wonder along with the characters. Sometimes, "old" love doesn't have the excitement that new love has, and I think that's part of what endures people to the genre. "Old" love is comfortable. When you've been married for years and years, you might not be jumping for joy when the ol' DH comes home from work. You might not have wild, freaky monkey sex any more. You get into a pattern, you become comfortable, relaxed, like a long, lazy stroll down the beach.

But we remember how things used to be, the excitement of when your honey calls you on the phone (remember the way your heart leapt when the phone rang?) The way they would gaze at you during a night out at a restaurant, as if he couldn't wait to get you home and devour YOU for dessert... The way you'd get freaky in any room in the house whenever the mood struck (probably before kids).

These are the feelings we want to "get back", if only for a few hours. So we read romance in order to sigh at the shiny newness of it all. That's my theory, anyhow.

Why do YOU read/write romance?

~~Becka

http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

Friday, September 07, 2007

Book cover HUNKS



Recently, I just received my very first HUNK book cover. Of course, I'm thrilled to death to have a mouth-watering man on the front of my book. But today as I was thinking about what to blog, I wondered what the rest of you think about these types of book covers.

We all have heard SEX SELLS...which means the spicier the story, the more it's going to sell. But does having a sexy cover sell your story?




HER KNIGHT OF SEDUCTION was published once before under the name, MY KNIGHT, MY ROGUE. I liked the book cover for MY KNIGHT, MY ROGUE, because it was simple and eye-catching. But there was no hunk. I'm anxious to see how well my book will sell now using a different title and with a hunk on the cover. Will it be a best-seller like it was when it was with the first publisher? Not only was my story a best seller, it broke record sales for my publisher. It will be interesting to see what my HUNK will do for my story.

Now...what are your thoughts / comments? Come on, don't be shy... Let me know.

~Phyllis~

Thursday, September 06, 2007

T13 Reckless?


Daring? Adventurous? Us?

Many of us have done things in our lives that can be considered reckless, wild, maybe even a touch dangerous—not that *I* have done anything wild mind you. Nope not the least little bit. I decided to prove that point by putting my list first this week~~Donica

Donica

1. I was riding my horse and I decided to try some of the stunts I’d seen in the movies. I stood up on the saddle and tried to immitate that ride. My mare had a soft mouth and I jerked the reins when I was just getting in position. Because I’d pulled the reins slight she thought I meant stop…she did I didn’t.

2. I raced my motorcycle against this boy I was mad at (he liked my cousin more than he liked me) So I called him a candy a$$ and challenged him to a race. I left him in the dirt, was doing great until I came up on a hairpin turn. Gravel got up in my handle somehow and I couldn’t turn so I dropped it to the side and skidded across the gravel road, from one side clear to other and I kept sliding until I hit a tree with my head. Did I mention I was wearing cut offs a tank, and no helmet?

3. At a friend’s graduation party I discovered a fabulous combination of Zima (Do they even make that anymore?) and watermelon schnapps. I was standing on the garage roof laughing with my friends and a limo pulled up. As the kids got out I was shouting about drinks being on the house. The roof had that normal roof pitch, you know the ^ type? Well I was balancing on this and dancing and all. Someone said something I laughed and was shouting at the next group of kids. I jumped up and when I landed I found a soft spot. My left leg went through the roof, my right didn’t. I didn’t feel the pain until the next day and let me tell you it was BAD. I had bruises; scrapes and raw spots all up my thigh.

4. Some friends and I were hanging out. There were so many of us that it took two cars. We had coolers of soda, snacks and that sort of thing. We had the sodas in one car and my best friend was in the other. So we pulled up along side by side and I passed her a can while we drove down the highway. We’ve also done this whikle driving backward. (Mom, if you’re reading, don’t freak okay?!)

5. I had this really great friend when I was a kid. She was a year younger than I. I taught her to ride motorcycles and horses. She tried to teach me to drive stick—not good. Anyway. I wasn’t really able to swim so she was teasing me about being older and not being able to swim out like she did. I got gutsy. I had figured out that if I happened to sink a little I could push off rocks, ot stumps or logs in the water. I could see the bottom so I wasn’t worried. I swam out and was having a grand time. I sank, oushed up. Sank. Pushed up. Sank…


Becka

6. I tried to ride a bike with one hand through gravel. Not the smartest of ideas. Long story short, I fell, and broke my wrist in three places.

7. I got my ankle tangled in the seatbelt in the rear of my aunt’s car. Fell out backwards into the parking lot, and I know damn well I cracked my tailbone. I couldn’t sit in one position for about 9 months afterward.

8. I went hiking up King’s Canyon in Nevada with my boyfriend (soon to be DH) and fell on the mountain. You guessed it, I broke my ankle. Nothing funnier than two boys trying to carry an overweight girl down the side of a mountain.

9. When walking to my van in the morning to grab the diaper bag I’d left in there the night before, I slipped on the dewey grass and landed on my knee, sliding down the incline of my front yard a few feet. My knee was on fire, but I found out after the fact that I’d broken my big toe. See a trend here?? LOL

Jami
10. Hmm, do I have to include the fender bender I had yesterday? Yep, I hit a car that was sitting at a stop sign because I thought she was going to go. My bad.

11. I was in the art room unpacking supplies and pulled out a sheet of bubble wrap. Of course, popping the bubbles is an addictive sport. Well, genius that I am, I think, what will happen if I jump on the bubble wrap? Well, I’m alive to tell you that it was not a smart idea. I jumped, the plastic slid out, taking my feet with it and I landed flat on my back in front of students. Alas, it took a while to live that one down.

12. In high school, CB radios were the craze and we use them to meet boys. Yes, we were smart enough to pick public places, but I can remember a few scary incidents.

13. Also in high school, we enjoyed off-campus lunch, but it wasn’t a long lunch, so speeding was a must. There was a specific curve and each day, my girl friend and I would add 5 more miles per hour to see how fast we could take it. On the day it was my turn, I took that curve doing 50 and ended up on two wheels. Needless to say, we slowed it down after that.






Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Booksignings make me nervous

"Read?" I'm staring at the e-mail with a belly full of jitterbugs. "How will I read a whole chapter out loud without sounding really foolish?" Okay, I can do this. No worries. I'll just pick a short scene and not a whole chapter. I'll be selling Celestial Dragon, btw.

Anyone else get all jittery before booksignings? Well, I guess I kinda have cause. My first two booksignings occured bookless. I'll liken that experience to showing up for your wedding nude. I had a nice turn out too. Eveyone was very understanding. I took names and promised to contact them when the books did come in.

Once I got over the fact Iwas having a booksigning with no books, I relaxed and enjoyed the afternoon. This weekend, I get to experience a signing with books! Wow. That's kinda exciting. What a novel idea. LOL. But alas, I may scare off my readers if I have to read aloud. Off to practice, that's for sure.

So - for those of you that just happen to be in the vicinity of Austin, Texas, I'll be at the Borders at 9500 South IH 35. I'll be there with about 8 other authors. Too fun! Come see us between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. I would sure love to see my friends there.

The Elusive Muse



I think my muse went on summer vacation. The last book I finished in a timely manner would be THE WOLVERINE AND THE FLAME, and that book is already available for purchase! So you know it's been awhile...

I've been feeling guilty lately, because everytime I try to write something, the words just don't come. I end up promoting or playing all day on the 'Net, and never getting anything done. What the heck was wrong with me?

My muse decided to take a vacation.

She must have gone somewhere cool, like the tropics or Fiji. Because she seems to be back and recharged. Thank GAWD.

My deadline for NATURE OF THE B*E*A*S*T*, Wade's story, was April 1st. Here it is, after Sept. 1st, and I still don't have it in!! Of course, I only have about 7500 words left before I reach my goal, so the muse has FINALLY been getting her ass in gear. The beeyotch. Thankfully, my publisher has allowed me some "lax" time to get it done, and I honestly think I haven't finished it due to real life pressures, and the pressure of writing a kick-ass book.

I've never had a series do as well as BEAST, and knowing I have rabid fans out there anxiously awaiting the third story, it can be daunting. I don't even want to think about the pressure someone like JK Rowling must have been under. ACK!

But I'm not going to question the return of my muse. I'm going to use her and abuse her until she decides to leave me again. Hopefully, it won't be too long next time... :P

~~Becka

http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

Monday, September 03, 2007

Mavens Monday



What are you doing today for Labor Day? I don't expect much discussion on this post, as all y'all are probably out and about at BBQ's and family outings. I've been writing a LOT this weekend, thank goodness. It's about time my Muse makes a re-appearance. We've had our friends over yesterday and the day before... I'm not so sure they'll come over again today. We shall see. :)

How is your holiday weekend treating you?

~~Becka
http://www.RebeccaGoings.com