Win a 12 carat blue topaz necklace--retail value $300!

That's right! I appreciate my readers! This is the last contest for THE LADY OF THE STORM, and it's easy to enter! Here are the details:

To celebrate the release of THE LADY OF THE STORM, I am offering a gorgeous genuine 12 carat sky blue topaz pendant necklace, which represents the magical power of sea and sky my heroine half-breed inherited from her elven lord father. See above for a photo and description of this magical prize.

This second contest is all about keeping in touch. Just sign up for my newsletter at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KathryneKennedy/, and you're entered to win! You will receive emails from me around once a month, and these can include book release announcements, sneak peeks into upcoming books, opportunities to win free copies of my books, and even private contests for my newsletter subscribers only. Your information will be kept confidential, and if you have any questions about the sign-up process through Yahoo, don't hesitate to contact me.

A winner will be randomly chosen using RANDOM.ORG. Current subscribers are automatically entered. Your information will be kept confidential. Contest ends November 1, 2011. One entry per person. Void where prohibited by law. You must be 18 years or older to enter. No prize substitution permitted. Odds of winning are determined by number of entrants. This contest is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Open to U.S. residents only.

Good luck!

Tomorrow is the last day of my blog tour for THE LADY OF THE STORM, and the last chance to win a free copy of the book. Visit me here, leave a comment, and you're entered to win:

8/31 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell/ THE ELVEN COURT

http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/

Looking for an Agent?

Are you looking for an agent?

Jill Corcoran with the Herman Agency, Inc.

Michelle Grajkowski with 3 Seas Literary Agency

Holly Root with the Waxman Literary Agency

Jennifer Schober with Spencerhill Associates, Ltd.

and

Rebecca Strauss with McIntosh & Otis, Inc.

will all be taking appointments

at the

Desert Dreams Conference

April 27-29, 2012 in

Scottsdale, AZ

For more information go to

http://www.desertroserwa.org/

The first 50 people to register and pay will

have their names placed into a drawing.

Ten people will be chosen to sit next to an editor

or agent during that Saturday's luncheon.

This is addition to the free appointments

offered with registration - until the slots are filled.

Interview with Sandra Orchard

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Sandra Orchard. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Deep Cover. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

My hero is an undercover cop who was compelled to sacrifice a relationship with the woman he loved rather than endanger her life by telling her who he really was.

But when she lands in the center of his investigation into the arson that killed his partner, confessing the truth that might win her back isn’t an option. To make matters worse, he’s going by a different alias than the one she knew, and to catch the murderer, he must earn her cooperation when it will cost her everything she’s striving to accomplish for her mentally-challenged sister.

Worse than that, she becomes the next target, and he can’t warn her.

Deep Cover is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Not how you’d expect! My original title was Shades of Gray. The hero’s name is Rick Gray and he struggles with having to lie in his job as an undercover cop. One of those lies (or omissions) is not telling the heroine he’s a cop. A decision that could get her killed. Near the end of the story Rick says of Ginny, “She’s a black and white kind of person. And I live in shades of gray.” His partner pokes him in the chest and responds, “But never in here. There’s no room for shades of gray in your heart…” Hence, my choice of titles. But my editor wanted a title that identified the story’s hook more accurately. We volleyed ideas back and forth until finally settling on Deep Cover.

Would you describe your book as a cozy, mystery, suspense, or thriller?

Suspense.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Inspirational romance played a big role in helping me sort out my emotions following my mom’s death. Seeing characters struggle with the same kinds of things I was dealing with gave me hope and strategies. But I also enjoy trying to anticipate plot twists, along with the faster, more intense pace of romantic suspense. So romantic suspense, rather than the straight inspirational romance, was what I quickly gravitated to once I began writing.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

The original idea came from a news article, but this story went through so many revisions that there is no vestige of that initial inspiration in the final product!

Do you have all the key suspense/mystery elements thought out before you begin writing?

I do now! When I first started writing, I didn’t fully appreciate the essential elements. Now, when I plot a book, I spend a lot of time brainstorming ahead of time to ensure I have the elements needed to make the story work. (Although they sometimes change as I go along.) And I still have much to learn. For example, in Deep Cover the heroine is in danger from start to finish. That’s just how the story worked. I didn’t realize it was an essential element until I received my revision letter for the second book.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

I talked to a number of police officers. I researched the heroine’s occupation. The heroine’s sister is developmentally challenged and the construction of a group home for her is central to the plot, so although I’ve done a lot of construction myself, I researched that further, as well as sought the advice of several people who work with the developmentally challenged. Anyone writing fiction involving police should have Lee Lofland’s book Police Procedure and Investigation. His blog The Graveyard Shift is also a favorite resource of mine. After finishing Deep Cover, I attended a Writer’s Police Academy which was an amazing opportunity to experience what cops do. I’ll be blogging on that in a couple of weeks.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I love my hero. In general I find it easier to write the male point of view. Not sure why. In Rick’s case, he’s torn between two equally compelling choices, either of which will exact a tremendous personal cost to himself. He wants to be a man of honor. He wants to do what’s right. He wants justice to be served. The internal conflict he experiences is so intense and immediate in every one of his scenes, it was a lot of fun to explore and make it even worse at every turn.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

The author who initially inspired me to write fiction is fellow Canadian and Love Inspired author Carolyne Aarsen. I’d been reading Love Inspired books for a couple of years and I always read the bios. When I read that Carolyne was from Alberta, Canada, I was intrigued. And the seed was planted.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Since the book doesn’t hit bookstore shelves until September 6th, I don’t know if any of the promotion I’ve done has been effective. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching new faces pop up on my novel’s fan page. http://www.facebook.com/SandraOrchard


What do we have to look forward next?

Shades of Truth releases in March 2012. The heroine is the girlfriend of the heroine in Deep Cover. She works at a youth detention center that has been infiltrated by a drug ring. The police chief suspects a dirty cop is sabotaging investigations and brings in an officer from outside the region to work undercover at the center to ferret out the inside connection.

Thanks, Sandra!

Your turn: This is Sandra's debut novel with Harlequin and she's been receiving a lot of questions from pre-pubbed writers about what happens next. If you have something about the publishing process you've been wondering about, Sandra will be around all day and happy to answer questions.

She's also giving away a $25.00 gift card on her blog and she wll be adding the names of people who stop by and leave a comment here.

Bio.
Check out author’s website at http://www.sandraorchard.com/

Buy http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=24357&cid=359&AID=534091&PID=5388113

RIP Sandra Hyatt

Fellow romance author, Sandra Hyatt, passed away over the weekend during the New Zealand Romance Writers Convention. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

And the winner is....

Congratulations sandy and Jess. You're the winners of Carolyn's books. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail (dot) com (no spaces) to calim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Style

My second grade class voted on a word to use in a sentence last week. They choose style. On Friday, a cute little girl reported she had used the word after getting dressed that morning. She told her mother she wore dresses because that is "her style." When she said those words, she placed her hand on her hip with attitude like a mini model posing for a photo shoot. It was cute and we both laughed.

But it did get me thinking. As writers we spend a lot of time trying to pinpoint what publishers want from us instead of focusing on what it is we enjoy writing. We should spend more time pinpointing "our style." In time, the publishers will probably want what we have and we'll already have books waiting for them. We'll be ahead of the crowd, instead of chasing after it.

Until next week,
happy writing!

Tina LaVon

Interview with Carolyn Brown

I’d like to welcome our guest again today, Carolyn Brown. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for inviting me back to MCTT where I can always depend on chocolate with no calories or fat grams and a good lounge chair.

I understand you have a new release out called Red’s Hot Cowboy. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Oh, yes, ma’am. I could talk all day about Red’s Hot Cowboy. Pearl and Wil sat behind me on the loveseat in my office for a good many weeks and told me just how to write their story so I got to know them really well. They were two stubborn and determined characters who were bound and determined not to fall in love.

Wil wasn’t looking for trouble but when the lights went out in Henrietta and he didn’t have a bit of electricity he went hunting for a room so he could have a shower and a lamp to read by. And he couldn’t leave his Catahoula hound at home to freeze in the winter storm, could he? He should’ve known trouble had found him when he walked into a cat and dog fight in the Longhorn Inn and the spicy red head with an attitude bowed right up to him. Then to add more trouble to his woes, the next morning the cops were knocking on his door. It could be a big mistake but suddenly Wil needs that red haired piece of brassy baggage to alibi him out of a murder charge.

Poor Pearl Richland had left a party girl life in the city to move to Henrietta, Texas. Her Aunt Pearlita left her the Longhorn Inn, an old vintage motel and Pearl quit her job to run the motel. She was questioning her crazy decision when this hot cowboy came walking into her motel. Next thing she knows she’s thinking thoughts that steam up the lobby window.

Red’s Hot Cowboy is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Well, now Wil is one hot cowboy. Check the cover at this time! And because Pearl has red hair, he keeps calling her Red which makes her angry.

Excerpt time:
The cowboy took two steps and pushed through the swinging doors at the end of the counter. “All I want is a room, Red.”
“You call me Red again, Mister, and you won’t need one. What you’ll need is a pine box and a preacher to read about you lyin’ down in green pastures,” she said.

(love it! KW)

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Red’s Hot Cowboy is my ninth cowboy book. Even when I was writing sweet romance my stories tended to lean toward ranching, cowboys and country life.

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I don’t think I’m either one. I start out with an outline but it doesn’t usually last long. Somehow my characters decide that they are going to tell me what to write instead of me telling them what to do. It’s so much more fun to let them lead me through the plot and the adventures are so awesome that I don’t argue.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

I had already done some massive research for Love Drunk Cowboy and Henrietta is only a few miles from there. It’s on the Texas side of the Red River and Terral (Love Drunk Cowboy) is on the Oklahoma side. The next book is set in Ringgold which is between the two towns. This one required a bit of research about just how many shots a body could stand before passing plumb out! LOL

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

Pearl was Austin’s friend (Love Drunk Cowboy) and from the very beginning of the series, she insisted I tell her story. I’m not going to argue with a red head that’s got a temper like hers.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I really liked Pearl. She and I bonded over this book. But then Lucy stole my heart as a secondary character. She grew from a battered woman who was afraid of her shadow into a confident lady. In the next couple of books she gets even spicier.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

None of the above. My characters come to me full grown with all the baggage of life’s experiences. Together we unfold the story. It’s like meeting a person in a coffee shop, striking up a conversation and becoming friends. The information about their past, their hopes, their fears all comes about with the passage of time and friendship.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

In one way or another I think every author I have read or am reading inspires me. I learn something new with every book.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Word of mouth is the greatest. I love it when someone drops me a note and says, “my neighbor told me I just had to read your books and now I’m hooked.” That’s simply great! But blog tours are pretty effective also. I’ve gotten lots of wonderful feedback from my blog tours (Thank you, MCTT!!!!)

What do we have to look forward next?

Next up is Darn Good Cowboy Christmas (October) which is Raylen and Liz’s story; One Hot Cowboy Wedding (Jasmine and Ace’s); and then there will be a Christmas book in 2012 which is Gemma’s story. After that Dewar will get his turn; and then Creed (Ace’s younger brother who can’t seem to find a HEA). From there we’ll see what happens next!

Thanks, Carolyn!

And again, I thank y’all for inviting me to come for some therapy today. Happy reading everyone!

To celebrate her book release, Carolyn is offering a free copy of Red’s Hot Cowboy to two lucky folks who comment on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.
Check out author’s website at www.carolynlbrown.com

Carolyn is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller and Red’s Hot Cowboy is her 52nd published book. She’s been writing for fourteen years and now writes full time. She and her retired English teacher husband live in southern Oklahoma. They have three grown children and too many grandchildren to list!

September Writer-U On-Line Courses

September 1-30, 2011
"Sex On The Page: Understanding & Crafting Sexual Tension"
by Mary Buckham
$30 at www.writeruniv.com

How do you write great sexual tension? That's the question Mary Buckham posed to Linda Howard, Stella Cameron, Susan Anderson, Nancy Warren and more romance writers who write great sexual tension, from sweet to spicy hot. This workshop combines lessons from writers with the 12 stages of Intimacy from Desmond Morris' works and more recent findings on the amazing role biology plays in mate attraction and selection...findings that can be applied directly to creating powerful sexual tension. So if you want to learn how to increase the sexual tension in your work, don't miss this opportunity. Topics include:

* Sex versus Intimacy: the difference
* Using conflict to increase sexual tension
* The importance of certain details
* How to portray body language
* Maximizing biological differences between the sexes
* Analyzing those who write sexual tension well
* Exercises for your work in progress

Mary Buckham is co-author of BREAK INTO FICTION: 11 Steps to Building a Story That Sells and an award-winning Romantic Suspense author. She has hundreds of free-lance articles to her credit, a non-fiction book and is a former Magazine Editor. Currently she presents writing workshops online and around the country. Mary encourages you to visit her website at www.MaryBuckham.com for more information about her and her current writing projects.

* * *

September 12-23, 2011
MASTER CLASS: "Behind the Badge: Cracking Your Cop's Emotional Shield"
by Margaret Taylor
$55 at www.writeruniv.com

Prerequisite: must have a cop character in mind for a current or future book.

"Behind the Badge: Cracking Your Cop's Emotional Shield" takes a hands-on approach geared toward helping you discover who your law enforcement character really is. Drawing on nearly twenty-four years of observations and experiences in the world of law enforcement, Margaret Taylor created this class for writers to dig deep and discover the foundation of any cop character's actions and motivations. Taking your law enforcement officer (LEO) from a simple caricature to a potentially flawed, but truly fascinating, character includes:

* Getting beneath the skin of your LEO
* Going from cliché to real
* What makes your LEO tick
* How training helped mold your cop character
* The all-important characterization and motivation
* How assignment-location affects your LEO's personality

M.A. Taylor spent more that twenty years in law enforcement. After seven years with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), she became a Special Agent for the California Department of Justice (DOJ), spending over a decade in Narcotics...including assignment to a Federal DEA-HIDTA Task Force. Margaret's areas of expertise range from surveillance to wiretaps to tribal gaming, sexual predators, investigations and more.

ECHOES available now in eBook and print

I’m so excited!

My second novel and first paranormal romance, ECHOES, is now available in both print and eBook formats!  You can buy the eBook now for only $2.99 on Amazon and other eRetailers and the print book through Amazon for only $13.70.  ECHOES is the winner of the WILLA award for historical fiction, The Orange Rose (now called Book Buyers Best) and a double finalist in the Golden Quill and the Booksellers Best (both as romantic suspense and paranormal romance). 

ECHOES was a novel that I simply had to write.  I was obsessed with the story I wanted to tell it from the moment the idea began to blossom.  ECHOES is about a woman haunted by a past life.  As circumstances in her current life trigger flashbacks, she comes to realize that history is repeating—bringing her together with the man she was destined to love, but also reuniting her with a man who brings violence and death.  Want to learn more?  Go to http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/

The idea of reincarnation has always fascinated me.  If you’ve read any of my books, you might have noticed the theme that runs through them:  Time is not set in stone nor is it linear; rather time (in Erin’s World) is fluid and circular.  And death is not always final.  Hey, don’t judge me.  It’s my world and I can do what I want with it.  J

I have two re-releases and two new releases coming out between now and October 15, so I’m going to be asking readers to help me spread the word.  And to help YOU help ME, I’m doing a fun giveaway.  Details will be coming very soon, but the gist—talk about my books and enter to win one of six conference bags packed with books (8 or more in each bag) and SWAG galore.  To find out more, sign up for my newsletter so you’ll be the first to know how it works.  But here is a sneak peak and what I’m giving away.  Click on the image to get a better look.  And I'm still adding to them!

And the winner is....

Congratulions GingerScraps. You're the winner of Kathryne's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail (dot) com (no spaces) to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Believe

Tuesday night I won a basket. Inside was a stamp that said BELIEVE. Saturday, I sat at a table at the gym, waiting for my husband, and noticed a sign similar to the one above. Twice in one week... I don't believe in coincidences, so I quickly decided this was a message and recognized it was one I needed.

Too often we hold ourselves back from obtaining what we want. We say we want to be rich, but then we worry if it would cause complications. Would we lose friends due to jealousy or would family members get upset if we didn't shower them with gifts. These thoughts will block us from becoming rich.

How does this pertain to our writing? We say we want the big contract with the big publisher, but are we afraid of deadlines? Are we worried our loved ones will be upset if we have to spend more time writing? Will we lose the free time we had to enjoy casual lunches with friends? Will we be able to put everything away long enough to take a wonderful vacation?

If we are worried about what will come if we get the big contract, then we will block it from coming. After being introduced to The Law of Attraction and The Power of Positive Thinking, I have witnessed a pattern in my life. In order to receive what I think I want, I need to picture it from all angles, be certain it is what I want, believe it will come, and then work towards that end. I invite you to try this approach and see what happens.

Until next week,

happy writing!

Tina LaVon

Interview with Kathryne Kennedy

I’d like to welcome our guest today, our very own Kathryne Kennedy. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called THE LADY OF THE STORM. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

The blurb says it best.

Giles is bound to protect her...
In a kingdom viciously ruled by warlike elven lords, village blacksmith Giles Beaumont reluctantly swears to protect the half-elf, half-human Cecily Sutton, never dreaming that he will fall under her enchanting spell.

But duty soon turns to desire...
When Cecily's father disappears, Cecily and Giles set out to find him. But, as their journey unfolds, duty is quickly replaced by desire--and the search for Cecily's father leads to a magical destiny that could end the rule of the elven lords forever ...

THE LADY OF THE STORM is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Actually, the first incarnation was THE STORM LORD’S DAUGHTER, but my publisher felt THE LADY OF THE STORM fit in better with the rest of the titles in the series (THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, THE LORD OF ILLUSION). Although I enjoy brainstorming titles, I don’t get attached to them.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I took my love of fantasy and historical romance and combined them.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

It flowed naturally from the first book in the series, THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, as I introduced Lady Cecily and her powerful magic over sea and sky. I needed to explore her further, and the plot developed naturally from there.

What are your favorite fantasy research books, and why?

I read fantasy fiction. What better way to find inspiration and to discover what’s already been done?

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

My hero, Giles Beaumont, was a rather arrogant sort of fellow. I enjoyed his evolution to a vulnerable lover.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and world affect your character development?

I start with a basic personality, and my characters grow as I write. People are a product of their times, so the history affects some of the ways in which they would act. I often create characters who would have the most difficult time dealing with the situation I put them in.

How do you go about building your world? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

All of the above, including 3x5 cards of notes. You can see my map of the realm, and much of my notes, on my website.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

All of them. I have yet to read any book where I haven’t learned or appreciated some concept within it.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

As always, my website. My publisher sets up a blog tour, and I have discovered that is effective in reaching the on-line readers as well.

What do we have to look forward next?

The third book in THE ELVEN LORDS series will be released February 2012. THE LORD OF ILLUSION is about a scholar who is sent on a quest to rescue a slave, and finds his destiny and heart along the way.

Thanks, Kathryne!

To celebrate her book release, Sourcebooks is offering a free book of THE LADY OF THE STORM (U.S. & Canada mailing addresses only) to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (Please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

THE LADY OF THE STORM BY KATHRYNE KENNEDY—IN STORES AUGUST 2011

“Fantastical creatures, magical spells, lengthy quests, angst, and passion will satisfy readers looking for a romance plot in a well-developed fantasy setting."~Publishers Weekly

“Kennedy’s exquisite world building and terrific plotting make this a must-read.”~Booklist STARRED review

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Borders
BooksAMillion
Chapters/Indigo
Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryne Kennedy is an acclaimed, best-selling, award-winning author of magical romances. She welcomes readers to visit her website where she has ongoing contests at www.kathrynekennedy.com. She’s lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S., and currently lives with her wonderful family in Arizona, where she is working on the next book in The Elven Lords series, The Lord of Illusion (February 2012).

Ghosts

I love ghost stories. Whether scary or funny, there's something about a ghost story that makes me want to watch it. In my Daughters of Destiny and the parents' story, Ghost of a Chance, my ghost are intelligent ghosts. That means they're interactive to a limited degree and are aware of what's going on. Gran (Ghost of a Chance) and Milton (Fiona) actively try to make a match for the women they're attached to. Sometimes in a funny way, sometimes in a serious way.
Having had my own ghostly encounters, I didn't really do much research into ghosts, but I heard a comment recently that had me looking up hauntings. Now I was familiar with the first (original) types of hauntings, but I did find a few sites that added three more categories.
1--Intelligent hauntings--These once human souls have stuck around the earthly plane and can interact with those left behind. This is the most common type of ghost in books, but relatively rare in reality. In our old house, my husband got up to investigate a noise. I heard him having a conversation with someone. When he came back to bed, I asked who he was talking to and he answered me. I hadn't spoken a word out loud from the time he rolled out of bed to the time he returned.
2--Residual hauntings--This would be an event that plays over and over. Imagine a DVD or Blu-Ray player that only plays chapter 11 of a movie. These are not interactive, nor do the ghosts seem to know that you're there. Perhaps it is a rip in the space-time continuum. Perhaps not. I encountered this when I was 11 and visited Gettysburg National Park. I asked the adult with me, how did the actors get the battle to seem so realistic. She looked at me funny and said there were no reenactors.
3--Demonic/Inhuman hauntings--these creatures (for lack of a better word) were never human. There is an associated malevolency with these beings and usually they are invited in through the practice/mispractice of the occult, whether to achieve a higher awareness or other less than lovely purpose. I have seen one demon in my life. He was in a church.
4--Poltergeist--Some don't list this as a haunting because it isn't associated with a incorporeal entity (human or otherwise). Instead, the belief seems to be that an adolescent pulls energy from the surroundings which manifests itself as a type of telekinesis. I've seen this lumped under Demonic and occasionally left out of the list all together. After we moved out of our house, the new owners reported lots of poltergeist activity. And the neighbors heard it around 2 AM.

These two are new terms to me.

5--Shadow People--faceless, featureless, black shapes that manifest in a house. My children often saw these at our old house. I too would see them out of the corner of my eye, usually hovering over my children's crib or bed. While it would cause some difficulty sleeping, I usually just asked them to leave and they complied. I don't always get a sense of good or evil, just kind of there, but there did seem to be some residual intelligence.
6--Doppleganger hauntings--This is where you see a double of yourself. The other you may be doing something you wouldn't do or something you would. Again, I haven't found anything to put them in the good vs the bad category. But I could see where this might be very useful in a good paranormal novel.

The Phoenix Rattler Writing Contest

Christian Writers of the West (CWOW) – Arizona’s ACFW chapter - Announces

The Phoenix Rattler 2011-2012 writing contest - “Does your story have bite?”


Contest open to all unpublished novelists

Send the first scene, up to 10 pages, double spaced

Deadline Oct 29th 2011, winner announced Feb 11th 2012, fee $25

Category winners receive $25 prize - All Finalists receive an award certificate

Grand Prize (worth $515) paid registration to 2012 ACFW Conference (minimum 150 entries)

CATEGORIES & FINAL-ROUND JUDGES:
Contemporary Fiction Don Pape, Publisher, David C Cook
Bill Jensen, Owner, William K Jensen Literary Agency
Historical Fiction Karen Schurrer, Acquisitions Editor, Adult Fiction, Bethany House
Joyce Hart, Agent, Hartline Literary Agency
Suspense/Thriller/Mystery Sue Brower, Executive Editor for Fiction, Zondervan
Elizabeth Mazer, Assistant Editor, Love Inspired Suspense
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Allegory Jeff Gerke, Owner, Marcher Lord Press, Author, Jefferson Scott
Amanda Luedeke, Agent, MacGregor Literary
Young Adult Becky Monds, Associate Editor, Fiction, Thomas Nelson
Rachel Kent, Agent, Books & Such LiteraryAgency
Joanna MacKenzie, Browne & Miller Literary Associates
Women’s Fiction Ami McConnell, Sr Acquisitions Editor, Fiction, Thomas Nelson
Sandra Bishop, Agent, MacGregor Literary
Judy Mikalonis, Senior Agent, Andrea Hurst & Associates
Romance included in all categories


Watch website for details and entry form: www.ChristianWritersOfTheWest.weebly.com

Contest Coordinator: DL Shipley – Rattler@dlshipley.com

I did it.

Kim Watters here. Well, I did it. Something I thought I'd never do. I climbed out on the clear platform of the Willis (Sears) Tower on the 103rd floor during our recent vacation to Chicago. Okay, so I was practically hyperventilating....and freaked out but I couldn't let my kids get the best of me. Unfortunately I don't have a picture that I can post to prove it because my camera died. I did shell out $32 for the pictures they took but I don't have a scanner so you'll have to use your imagination.

Here's a photo courtesy of the Willis Tower website though to give you an idea. It's giving me the shivers just looking at it.

How did I do it?

I didn't look down!

But I did it. So next time you're in Chicago, you've got to try it. If you dare. Trust me. If this chicken can do it, so can you. Closing your eyes also works as well.

And the winner is......

Congratulations Estella. You're the winner of Kimberly's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail (dot) com (no spaces) to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Another Facebook Wedding

When I first heard of Facebook, I was reluctant to join because I already had a Myspace account for my writing persona. After a few months, I decided to go ahead and set up a personal account to keep in touch with family, friends, and coworkers. I never dreamed it would change my life forever.

At first, I was grateful I had the opportunity to develop a closer relationship with my sister-in-laws by keeping in touch with them. I was thrilled when old friends came back into my life. Then one day, an old college boyfriend friended me. He later told me he once thought he had lost me forever.

A writing friend said I should blog about our reunion. I thought about this for awhile and decided it probably is an interesting story and might even give hope to others who have lost touch with someone they care about, or are hoping Mr. Right might "friend" them.

I refer to Pat as My Irish Charmer. We started out as friends catching up on the past thirty years. When we were in college, I was 18 and he was 22. I was too young to know what I really wanted or what type of man would be best to marry. Our new friendship later turned into dating and then this past June we married in a simple backyard wedding with family and friends. My father passed away two years ago, so I felt blessed that three of his brothers gave me away. In true romance writer fashion, my friend Kathryne Kennedy said the way My Irish Charmer looked at me during the ceremony made her cry.

I guess you can say I'm the heroine in my own romance novel.

Until next week,
happy writing!
Tina LaVon

Interview with Kimberly Lang

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Kimberly Lang. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Oh, good. I’m quite crazy at the moment, so the therapy and the chocolate are much needed. Does this include massage therapy, too? Because that would be great. (Sorry, just chocolate today. KW)

I understand you have a new release out called The Privileged and the Damned. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

I’m so excited about this book. It’s the first of a three-book series featuring the three Marshall brothers. Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

Introducing The Marshalls…
A rich, powerful family that mix business, politics… and pleasure.
If the US had a royal family – this would be it!

Running scared, Lily needs a fresh start – and, fingers crossed, she’s found one. After all, why would any of her new employers, members of the powerful Marshall dynasty, even think to look beyond her humble façade?

Until she catches the roving eye of heartbreaker Ethan Marshall…

A fling with one of the Marshalls is a bad idea – especially for a girl with a scandalous past. But Lily is terrifyingly susceptible to Ethan’s lethal brand of high-class charm…

It’s a different kind of book for me and I’m thrilled it’s finally out.

The Privileged and The Damned is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

As with most titles, this one came from my editor. But I will say that after growing up on those The Blank and The Blank titles, it’s kind of fun to have my own!

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I’m a pantser who really wishes she could be a plotter (but knows that’s just not a good idea). I actually tried to plot this book and it went horribly, terribly wrong. Once I tossed the outline and just ran with it, this book was fun to write.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

I had to learn a lot about horses – and since I’ve ridden a few times, but never spent much time in a stable, I had a lot of surprises in store. Thankfully, I have friends with lots of horse experience and knowledge, and they were available by phone to help. It is the curse of the pantser that we write ourselves into corners and must stop to research a way to get out of it. The internet is great, but I love having the Phone-A-Friend option!

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I’d watched a special on the History Channel about the Kennedys, and I was really grabbed by the idea of belonging to such a powerful and public family. That’s what got the gears turning for the Marshalls.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I love the Marshall brothers and the way they interact with each other. The scenes when they are together are some of my favorites. But I was really drawn to Lily. She’s a unique heroine – very unlike my usual characters. She’s very complicated and wounded, and that’s not something I’ve done before. It was hard to get inside her head and it was sometimes painful for me to be there. She’s strong, though, and I’m glad I went there. It made me stronger too.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

I have to write them to get to know them. The first couple of chapters will be in fits and starts simply because I’m still figuring out who they are. I’ll often write my way through, getting to know them, and at the end of the first draft, go back and rewrite the beginning to reflect who these people are!

What do we have to look forward next?

The next Marshall brother to get his story is Brady. He’s the oldest of the three brothers – very responsible, very involved in the family’s political future. I had a great time turning his life upside down! The Power and The Glory will be out in December. I just turned in Finn’s book (hence the need for chocolate and a massage) and it will be out in early 2012.

I also want to mention that I have a great contest going on to celebrate this release. Just click over to my website for info and how to enter!

Thanks, Kimberly!

My pleasure. Thanks for having me!

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio;
Kimberly Lang hid romance novels behind her textbooks in junior high, and even a master’s program in English couldn’t break the obsession with dashing heroes and Happily Ever After. A ballet dancer turned English teacher, Kimberly married an electrical engineer and turned her life into an ongoing episode of “When Dilbert Met Frasier.” She and her Darling Geek live in beautiful North Alabama with their one Amazing Child—who, unfortunately, shows an aptitude to sports.

Check out author’s website at www.BooksByKimberly.com

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Have You Seen My Muse?

It seems every time we meet and chat with new readers, the subject of storylines always comes up. We get questions like: “How do you get your ideas?”, and “Do you ever get writer’s block?”

The answer is everywhere, and maybe.

We always have ideas. With the two of us, we can take a small idea and turn it into a full blown storyline over breakfast. And as for the writer’s block, that’s just when we’re too tired to think. There are too many interesting characters running around in this universe to worry. With our active imaginations usually working overtime, writer’s block isn’t something we are concerned about. However, finding the time to write our stories, that’s what’s difficult for us.

We’ve read a lot of helpful articles on writers block lately and they all give great advice on how to get your creative juices flowing. We’re sure you’ve read many of them yourself.

We thought you might like to hear some of our own tips for dealing with the attack of the dreaded writer’s block or how to come up with a new storyline.

Be an avid people watcher. We certainly are. One our favorite things to do while out and about, say lunching at our favorite restaurant, is to observe those around us. We see a couple across the room and decide to create an entire story about them. Out comes a notebook. Did they meet online and this is their first in-person date? Or, are they superheroes plotting how to save the world?

How about the great looking guy you noticed in line at the supermarket or Starbuck’s, have you ever considered him as the hero (or villain) in your next story.

The ‘what if’s’ are endless. And, fun. Here we are brainstorming with our friends.

If you’re still stuck, take a break and watch some TV. Watching television is a great way to get inspired. Daytime TV has taken a hit recently with all the soaps that have been canceled and replaced with more talk shows. Come on. Really? How many self help shows do we need? Wait, before we get all the comments about the stupid soaps, let us remind you, General Hospital’s Luke and Laura were household names and their GH marriage made the front of Newsweek.

But, if daytime TV isn’t for you then take a look at nighttime TV. Boy, there are some great ones coming this fall. Talk about cliff hangers and upping the stakes. Bones, where Temperance told Booth she’s pregnant? And, Castle? Oh, goodness, Montgomery involved in a cover up? Will Kate live? Of course she will since the show wasn’t canceled, but did she hear what Castle told her as she lay dying in his arms?

Some of our favorites for inspiration are, The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles, NCIS, and Memphis Beat, and of course, Hawaii Five-O. The list goes on and on. Tia even draws some of her quirky characters or story twists from Midsomer Murders.

Hawaii Five-O Cast

Alex O'Loughlin.

Dani see him as her next hot hero. Tia sees Alex as a villian.

And the movies??? The wealth of ideas continues to be endless.

Still have writer’s block? Here’s another tip. Before you start working on your current project, relax, take a deep breath and think about all your wants and desires. Then take another deep breath, and after you exhaled slowly, say aloud, “I release all my wants and desires; all I need comes to me exactly when I need it.”

The story will come, trust us.

If not, there’s always chocolate and martinis.

Live your dream passionately.

Have a wonderful Week.

THE LADY OF THE STORM is in bookstores!

I'm pleased to announce that THE LADY OF THE STORM hits bookstores this month! To celebrate, I am touring the blogosphere, where readers will have lots of opportunities to win free copies of my release from my publisher!

Below is my schedule (and be sure to hop on over to my guest post today at The Good, The Bad, and The Unread) with active links that you can use on the date shown to reach my post. There's articles of interest to both readers and writers, so I hope to see you there!

All My Magical Best,
Kathryne

Blog Tour for THE LADY OF THE STORM

One or two copies of my book will be given away at each blog! Just leave a comment to enter to win.

8/2 The Good, The Bad, and The Unread/ THE LADY OF THE STORM: A MUSICAL JOURNEY

http://goodbadandunread.com/

8/4 Fresh Fiction/ PAINTING PICTURES WITH WORDS

http://freshfiction.com/pages.php?id=blog

8/8 Star-Crossed Romance/ INTERVIEW!

http://star-crossedromance.blogspot.com/

8/11 Night Owl Reviews/ HOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH MY HERO

http://www.nightowlromanceblog.blogspot.com/

8/12 Much Cheaper Than Therapy/ INTERVIEW!

http://muchcheaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

8/15 Love Romance Passion/ INTERVIEW!

http://www.loveromancepassion.com/

8/17 Michelle and Leslie’s Book Picks/ INTERVIEW!

http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com/

8/18Preternatura/ CREATING THE MYTHOS OF THE ELVEN LORDS IN THE LADY OF THE STORM

http://suzanne-johnson.blogspot.com/

8/23 The Long and Short of It/ A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT WRITING

http://lasrguest.blogspot.com/

8/24 Sia McKye’s Thoughts Over Coffee/ MY BIGGEST WRITING CHALLENGE

http://siamckye.blogspot.com/

8/26 Once Upon a Chapter/ INTERVIEW!

http://www.onceuponachapter.com/

8/31 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell/ THE ELVEN COURT

http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/

My fabulous publicist schedules my tours. If we have missed anyone, please don't hesitate to contact me at: kathryne@kathrynekennedy.com for an appearance.

THE LADY OF THE STORM BY KATHRYNE KENNEDY—IN STORES AUGUST 2011

Giles is bound to protect her...
In a kingdom viciously ruled by warlike elven lords, village blacksmith Giles Beaumont reluctantly swears to protect the half-elf, half-human Cecily Sutton, never dreaming that he will fall under her enchanting spell.

But duty soon turns to desire...
When Cecily's father disappears, Cecily and Giles set out to find him. But, as their journey unfolds, duty is quickly replaced by desire—and the search for Cecily's father leads to a magical destiny that could end the rule of the elven lords forever...

“Fantastical creatures, magical spells, lengthy quests, angst, and passion will satisfy readers looking for a romance plot in a well-developed fantasy setting."~Publishers Weekly

“Kennedy’s exquisite world building and terrific plotting make this a must-read.”~Booklist STARRED review

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Borders

BooksAMillion

Chapters/Indigo

Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryne Kennedy is an acclaimed, best-selling, award-winning author of magical romances. She welcomes readers to visit her website where she has ongoing contests at www.kathrynekennedy.com. She’s lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S., and currently lives with her wonderful family in Arizona, where she is working on the next book in The Elven Lords series, The Lord of Illusion (February 2012).

Winner of Caris Roane's Contest

AND THE WINNER IS...

Bobby-Jo, you are the lucky winner of Caris Roane's contest. She will contact you to find out if you want the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of WINGS OF FIRE, or a signed copy of either ASCENSION or BURNING SKIES.

Congratulations!