Meet Tim Smith!

Tim is one of my fellow authors at my publisher eXtasy (www.extasybooks.com) and over the holidays we both had a little time to stop, chat and get to know each other a bit.  Here's a bit of what I learned about Tim.

How did you come up with the premise for your stories?


Many of my stories are inspired by actual events and some of my own experiences. When I travel I like to chat up the locals and I’ll usually hear something that sparks a concept. I also love to hear people tell stories about their lives, and that includes things from my own life. I based one of my romances, Mistletoe and Palm Trees, almost entirely on something that happened to me a few years ago. Often I’ll hear an anecdote or read a news item then ask “What if this happened instead?”


Once you sit down to write, do you find your stories write themselves? Or do you outline everything ahead of time so you know exactly what comes next?


When I start I have the beginning, middle and end in mind, with a few other things I want to include. I don’t do an outline unless I’ve written myself into a corner and have to figure a way out. Often the stories write themselves once I get into a good flow. I may look back at something I’ve written and decide to change directions or add another element.

What attracted you to your main genre?


I’ve always enjoyed the pulp fiction style of Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane and Donald E. Westlake. When I decided to write fiction I knew I wanted to include some of these elements. It was a challenge with the lighthearted contemporary romances, which is why I switched to romantic mystery/thrillers. If you read between the lines in those old books you’ll find a wealth of sexual innuendo. The fun I have is expanding on it and making the sex steamy without being gratuitous. By the way, I’m not talking about the old joke “She pulled out her thirty-eight then drew a gun on me.” That would be gratuitous, and pretty lame.


Is there other genre’s of writing you haven’t delved into, but are dying to sink your teeth into?


I’d like to try writing a true crime story, but I know you have to be careful with those. I have a good friend who has written a few and she cautioned me about being 110% accurate on the facts.


Tell us where our readers can find you on the web.


My website is www.timsmithauthor.com . I also have author pages on Amazon, Manic Readers and Goodreads.


How did you get started writing?

I developed an interest in high school and wrote some pieces for the school paper. Between then and now I penned a number of short stories that haven’t seen daylight, as well as a lot of product reviews that have (books, movies, music, etc.). I recall being a kid, looking at the books on display in a store and thinking, “Someday I want to have my own books on those shelves.” Be careful what you wish for.

What are some of your literary inspirations or influences?


I’ve gotten a lot of influence from movies versus books. I’m a big fan of screenwriters like Billy Wilder, Blake Edwards, Paddy Cheyevsky and Woody Allen. Through their films I’ve learned a lot about character building, plotting and dialogue. I try not to let another author’s work or style influence me too much, though. That’s one reason I don’t read a lot when I’m actively developing a story. I think I’m afraid that something they wrote will accidentally wind up in my book. This may sound strange, but I’m also influenced by mediocre writing because it reminds me not to make the same mistakes.


Which character that you have created do you find the most fascinating? Why?


I would have to say Nick Seven, the former CIA operative hero of my newest release, Memories Die Last. I’ve written several adventures with this character and he gets more interesting with each one. I think he’s the most fascinating for me because he gets to do all the things I can’t, like living in the Florida Keys, getting into intriguing situations he has to think or fight his way out, and having a beautiful woman from Barbados for a roommate.

Felicia, his live-in and co-star in the adventures, also intrigues me. She’s a former CIA op who worked with Nick, and she can kick ass as well as any man. She’s also incredibly hot. When I conceived her character I didn’t want her to be a wallflower or damsel in distress waiting for Nick to come riding to the rescue. They make a good team, and the sparks that fly between them make for good old-fashioned steamy sex.

What is your writing process like?

I start by reading what I wrote the day before, to get back into the flow of the story. When I’m working on something I’ll make notes as they occur to me throughout the day then incorporate them. Once I’ve finished the first draft I’ll put it away for a few weeks and work on something else, to gain perspective. When I go back to it, it’s with a fresh set of eyes. That’s when I begin rewrites and corrections. Ninety-percent of the time I’ll read something after being away from it for awhile and ask myself “What the hell were you thinking???”


Besides writer, what other jobs have you had in your life?


Sometimes I think there aren’t many jobs I haven’t had – teacher, musician, job placement specialist, photographer, retail manager, delivery driver and a wonderful summer job in college cleaning apartments vacated by the students. I haven’t found a way to work that charming occupation into a story yet. My current job is being a case manager for adults with disabilities, which I’ve been doing for twenty-plus years.


How do you deal with criticism or bad reviews?


I don’t take them personally, unless the criticism is personal. I’ve been blessed with overall good notices but there were a couple of times where reviewers blasted my books because I’m a male romance author. They ignored the story and focused on my gender, including some snarky comments that reflected their opinion about men writing straight romance. That kind of prejudice bothers me.


What do you do for fun?


I’m a freelance photographer so wherever I go my camera goes with me. I enjoy traveling, catching a good movie, going to concerts and spending quality time with my friends and family. When I’m in The Florida Keys you can find me parasailing or snorkeling when I’m not seeking out the perfect Mojito.


What are you reading right now?


I’m catching up on a few books by Nelson DeMille and James W. Hall that have been gathering dust on my reading table. I just finished reading James Garner’s memoir, The Garner Files, and found it highly enjoyable.


What are some upcoming projects that you are working on?


I’m working on another Nick Seven romance thriller that will pick up where Memories Die Last ended. I’m currently awaiting the release of a romantic mystery, Lido Key, which is a follow-up to a book I released last year, The Bundle. I’m also putting the polish on a romantic anthology set in Key West and I keep busy writing blogs, and reviewing books for Two Lips Reviews.


Tim Smith is an award-winning author whose books range from romantic thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. He is also a freelance photographer. When he isn't pursuing these two passions he can often be found in The Florida Keys doing research in between parasailing and seeking out the perfect Mojito. His website is http://www.timsmithauthor.com/.

Give Credit Where It's Due -- But Don't Take it When It's Not

I had something kind of disburbing come to my attention today.  In the course of a normal every day google search on one of my books I came across a link I hadn't seen before. It linked to an editor I had several years ago who happened to be the only editor I ever had any qualms about. She was rude, abusive, nasty and insisted that all authors like to have their books edited piecemeal....excuse me, in parts. She would do a chapter or two, send it to you with a host of some really nasty comments and while you worked on those she'd send you the next set. That worked well until I got chapters that belonged to someone else's book. She also tried to change all of the dialogue, especially the period dialogue, to perfect American English. In everyday life I don't speak perfect American English. I don't know anyone who does all the time and since I hope to make my characters life like, they don't either.

After the book was signed off on I thought it was off to be published. I received my errata copy and quickly discovered she had re-written entire scenes. In a few there was so much re-writing it changed the entire sense of the chapter. My errata was 16 pages long. Normally my errata are maybe 3 pages and then it's things like a funky looking quote mark or a word that just doesn't look right that turns out was misspelled. Minor things that I know are there but most other people wouldn't notice. Max is 3 pages. My summer release of Neverending Dream (which was edited by one of my most favorite editors) had something like 3 changes -- not pages, changes. 16 was a whopper.

So today I'm googling a book and up pops the one this editor edited....on her book doctor website!  She has a list of over 100 authors on this book doctor site that gives the appearance that we all came to her -- personally -- to have her "fix" our books. Not that she edited them while working for this publisher -- but that WE came to her, on our own, and asked her to fix our books.  I recognize many of the others and the book titles from at least one publisher -- these were not authors seeking her out, it was a job she was assigned to do by a publisher she worked for.

I'm less than happy about it. She almost ruined my book with her unauthorized re-writes, she didn't ask me if I wanted to be included in her long list of books she "fixed".

I try to remember to give credit when it's due -- I thank my editors, my cover artists, my fellow authors who had suggestions both privately to them and then publically because the ones I work with on a regular basis are incredibly talented and creative people. The artists are amazing with what they create. My editors are incredibly bright and so very knowledgeable about their craft. And my fellow authors are among the most giving people you could ever meet. I am so fortunate to be able to work with them.

But the editor of the 16 page errata? That was a sad experience for me.

If credit isn't due, don't take it.

Meet Adrianna Kraft!

Who Exactly is Adriana Kraft?



To start with, “I” am actually “we” – my husband and I co-write erotic romance under our pen name, Adriana Kraft. So when you see me out and about on the web using what looks like the “Royal We,” I’m not being regal, I’m just owning our combined reality!


We see ourselves as niche authors, so today I thought I’d share with you how we define our own special corner of the erotic romance world. Here are the SEO tags we most identify with:


Erotic Needs no introduction, defines everything we write. Explicit sex scenes created to evoke arousal and enjoyment.


Romance Happy endings, always. Satisfying, never tragic, always upbeat at the end. The erotic scenes are not gratuitous but always part of a story that leads somewhere. It may be happy-for-now, but the reader will be pleased the characters got it together.


Boomers Many of our characters are Baby Boomers. We don’t limit ourselves to this age range, but since we claim it as our own, we write stories that celebrate sex and vibrant living across the age spectrum.


Couples We are a married couple, and we write for couples (married or otherwise, straight or LGBT). We craft scenes that appeal to both genders, scenes that invite fantasizing, scenes that can be part of foreplay, scenes that lead to one of our favorite lines from a reviewer of Colors of the Night, our very first published book: “the reader will no doubt want either a partner or a bucket of toys close at hand.”


Bisexual Heroines for lots of reasons. Because both of us enjoy reading and writing scenes involving two (or more) women together. Because there’s evidence that as we age, we become more sexually fluid. Because for some couples, if she wants him to read erotic romance together in bed, reading about two women may help entice him into the story. Because it’s fun.


Swingers Because the fantasy of ménage is so tantalizing. Because swinging offers so many opportunities for decadent lovemaking, for taking turns being the sole focus of two, three or more other people, for sharing pleasure, enjoying voyeurism, giving one’s partner a special gift. Check out our Swinging Games series at Extasy for a peek at how one Baby Boomer couple heats up their sex life!


Polyamory Sometimes, as in swinging, ménage is about recreational sex, but sometimes it’s about three or more persons falling in love, sorting out the intricacies of the relationship combinations, and making long term commitments. We write a world where such dreams can come true. You can check out our Christmas Story, Santa’s Boss, for a three-way happy ending!


Sexual Freedom We’re not fond of the term “promiscuous” and prefer to champion consensual freedom of sexual expression as a healthy approach to sexuality. We know this requires deep trust and open, honest communication, especially when sexual freedom takes place within the context of committed relationships.


Our most recent release at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, Ripening Passion, fits most of these tags. Here’s the blurb and a SFW excerpt. If you’d like a little more spice, another excerpt is available HERE.


BLURB: RIPENING PASSION


Claire Johnson’s dedication to sex—the cornerstone of her career—led her to found the Center for Sexuality and Sex Practices. Now in her fifties, she knows the Center must keep pace with the rapidly growing Baby Boomer market, so she agrees to go back on camera for a series on sex and aging. But work with her nemesis?


Former English Professor Max Wilson has championed the cause of the Center ever since his deceased wife sought the Center’s help to rekindle the nearly extinguished sexual flames of their relationship. He loves working on camera and welcomes the challenge to perform with the svelte but feisty temptress.


Sparks fly immediately on and off camera. Can either Claire or Max transform those sparks into a fire of sexual desire for their viewers? And if they succeed, what will happen when the movie’s over?


EXCERPT: Let’s drop in on Max and Claire near the beginning. They’ve been sent to a conference on sex and aging in Monterey. It’s evening, and there’s a sunset on the beach…


“Can we walk a little?” Claire grabbed Max’s hand as if it was the most natural thing to do.


They carried their shoes and strolled across the wet, firm sand. Only the sounds of gulls calling and the light slapping of the waves filled their ears.


Her fingers strangely warmed his. Did his warm hers?


BUY LINKS FOR RIPENING PASSION


Whiskey Creek Amazon Fictionwise


Thanks for stopping by ~ and please leave a comment. We’d love to know if your niche fits our niche!


Where to find Adriana Kraft


Website: http://www.adrianakraft.com/


Blog: http://www.adrianakraft.com/blog


FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/people/Adriana-Kraft/100001944980679


Twitter http://twitter.com/AdrianaKraft


Newsletter http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adrianakraftnewsletter/


Adriana’s Author Pages at Amazon.com and All Romance Ebooks

Say Hello to Nicole Morgan!

BECK AND CALL by Nicole Morgan


How did you get started writing?


I have always been an avid reader and I loved to write when I was younger, (NO… I am not that old and if you ask my age I will tell you I am perpetually 29  ) but it wasn’t until I started reading more and more than I found stories playing themselves out in my head, just begging to be told. So, one day I decided to give it a shot. That book was my first book in my Navy SEALs series, Sweet Redemption.


What are some of your literary inspirations or influences?


I have a few favorites I always go back to when I feel the need to pick up a good book. If I was going to give props to anyone though, it would have to be Maya Banks. She’s the one who introduced me to erotic romance as I was fans of Joann Ross and Nora Roberts for so long. I am so thankful I picked up that first Maya Banks’ book it introduced me to a new world of romance that I didn’t know was out there.


What character that you have created do you find the most fascinating? Why?


Oh wow, that is a tough question. Of course I love all of my characters. Although if I had to pick one, I guess I would have to ask that you let me pick two. The hero and heroine of Sweet Salvation (Navy SEALs Book 2 in the Sweet Awakenings Series) are Rex and Shelby. They both had a lot of inner demons to contend with, as well as obstacles in their way. The whole book is filled with struggles that the two must find a way to overcome. I just fell in love with those two and enjoyed writing their story so much.


What is your writing process like?


I have probably the most untraditional form of writing a story. I pick a premise to start with and sit down and start typing. The story evolves as each chapter is completed. I’ve never been the type of writer that could stick to a plan, so I stopped trying. Instead I just let the words flow and see what will happen next. Often times I am as surprised as the reader at where my characters decide to take things.


Besides writer, what other jobs have you had in your life?


I’ve done a variety of things, but almost all of my jobs were in the administrative and/or management field. Writing is my passion though and I am so glad I’ve found it.


How do you deal with criticism or bad reviews?


If it is actual constructive criticism than I am fine with it. Bad reviews happen, you have to take the bad with the good. Not everyone is going to have the same tastes or likes, that’s why there are so many authors out there for readers to choose from. The only problem I have with ‘bad reviews’ are when they aren’t reviewing. I’ve actually seen reviews which just seem to be little rants, but aren’t actually critiquing the book. One in particular stands out where the reviewer said erotic romance wasn’t her type of book. Yet the book she was reviewing was an erotic romance book. Because the book was “too erotic” for her she gave it one star. Those are the only types of reviews that I tend to shake my head at.


What do you do for fun?


I love to go on adventure walks, or visiting historic mountain towns. Getting fresh air is always a plus with me. I am also an avid troop supporter and while for some this may not seem like something fun to do, I get a great deal of personal happiness out of supporting our men and women of our Armed Forces.


What are you reading right now?


I just finished Maya Banks, Hidden Away and I’m getting ready to crack open Joann Ross’, Breakpoint which I bought a couple years ago and found it buried on my bookshelf and realized I’d never read it so I’m really excited to get started on it!


What are some upcoming projects that you are working on?


I’m in the process of writing my 4th book in my Navy SEALs series, Sweet Awakenings. After that I would like to get started on my 3rd book in my Intimate Temptations series. I also have been considering dabbling in the paranormal but am a bit apprehensive since it’s not something I’ve ever done. I guess only time will tell if I get the courage up to give it a shot.


What is one unforgettable memory you have from your youth?


I would pick one of my earliest memories. I was just telling someone else about this as well. I can remember a time, being very little and building a snowman with my dad in front my Grandfather’s house. I’m not sure why this memory has always stood out to me, but it’s definitely one of my fondest memories.





Jenny Somers is the GeneralManager at a resort hotel in the beautiful Caribbean. She loves her job, butshe hates her boss. Constantly cutting corners to meet budget constraints shefinds herself doing handyman work just to keep the hotel running.


Beck is a drifter who comes toJenny’s rescue during a plumbing emergency at the hotel. He is arrogant, cockyand absolutely everything that Jenny despises in a man of his type.


Together Jenny and Beck find outjust how real the term “opposites attract” is, and along the way find somethingthey weren’t quite expecting along the way.

Direct Buy Link or should you prefer
 

Meet Tammy Dennings Maggy!!!!

If you know me you can see what I think she's so totally awesome (hint, hint -- she's a veternarian and an author!)

About for The Love of Quinn

Quinn Lee Hollis is a forty-three-year-old veterinary surgeon who has reached a crossroads in her life. Stuck in a loveless and emotionally abusive marriage, she decides that she has had enough and vows to cut loose and enjoy herself in Las Vegas with her sister.


There she meets and falls in love with two men. Both bring out the fire and passion in her that she has longed for her whole life. Steve Eischer is a Vegas tycoon who wants to fulfill her every fantasy, and Jake Hartley is a classic bad boy who awakens desire in her so strong that it nearly destroys her.


Both Steve and Jake have claims on her heart, but only one can share a connection so strong that nothing can keep them apart.

A BIT ABOUT TAMMY!

 

After nearly 19 years as a veterinarian, I decided tofinally follow my dream of being a published writer. Creating the characters andstory lines has opened up a whole new world for me that I hope to delve intofor many years to come!


I am a Midwestern girl who lives in California. I feel like a fish out of water most of thetime out here, but I have met a lot of people who help to make me feel a littleless homesick for Michigan. I hope toexplore more of the Pacific Northwest over the next few years and enjoy allthat it has to offer. Who knows, maybe Iwill write another series set in this area!


Where to find Tammy


Behind Closed Doors http://authortammydenningsmaggy.wordpress.com/


Not Enough Time in the Day http://tammydenningsmaggy.blogspot.com/


Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/Author.TammyDenningsMaggy


Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/dochappycamper


Yahoo Group for Writers and Readers No Longer Behind Closed Doors http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nolongerbehindcloseddoors/


Siren Bookstrand buy link http://www.bookstrand.com/for-the-love-of-quinn


Amazon.com link http://www.amazon.com/Quinn-Forever-Publishing-Allure-ebook/dp/B005V221WW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322857289&sr=8-1 


Youtube book trailer link http://www.youtube.com/user/dochappycamper1?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/oexA9YR-cE0


http://authortammydenningsmaggy.wordpress.com/

Introducing the world of Rick Steeve!

I've met some pretty wonderful and interesting people on Facebook and among them is my friend Rick.  I recently took a little time to ask him more about himself and here's what I learned.

R. P. STEEVES has been writing in just about every format imaginable since he was a child. He’s written short stories, newspaper columns, stage plays and even a radio drama. Now he has written his first urban fantasy novel about an adventurous, sarcastic and mysterious woman known only as Misty Johnson, whose mission in life is to uncover the truth that hides in the supernatural underbelly of Washington DC.


Rich was born and raised in Connecticut, has a Master’s degree in education, and taught middle school for nine years. He enjoys solving puzzles, rollerblading, watching movies and has recently taken up archery. He looks forward to chronicling the further adventures of Misty Johnson and her band of supernatural misfits…

Centuries ago, Misty Johnson, Supernatural…er,…Dick, was cursed with near immortality when a black magic spell she and a friend were casting backfired…and the supernatural realm has regretted it ever since. A near millennium full of battling paranormal nasties, saving helpless victims, and trying to stay up with the latest cultural niceties, Misty has put her experiences to good use. With the help of her trusty partner, Dru Chance, the two take on the magical underbelly of Washington

D.C. as they investigate crimes that no one else can handle.

From shady Senators to sneaky shape shifters, from a ninja made of clay to a vampire afraid of his own shadow…Misty Johnson navigates the nation’s capital, all the while seeking to uncover the truth for her clients—and for herself.

An unnatural life span. A timeless mission. A woman like no other. Just don’t call her a detective!

PRAISE FOR MISTY JOHNSON, SUPERNATURAL DICK:

“Misty and Dru are the paranormal world’s answer to Holmes and Watson.” – Lori Devoti, author of AMAZON QUEEN and AMAZON INK.

"Misty Johnson enters the worthy ranks of psychic investigators and takes you on a page-turning tour of Washington DC's seedy Underworld-Underworld. I'll never feel completely safe in an unfamiliar comic book store again!" – John J. Miller, author of DEATH DRAWS FIVE (the Wild Cards series).

"Rich Steeves has arrived as a fresh new voice in fiction, and his creation, Misty Johnson is an instant classic. She is a welcome addition to the ranks of paranormal investigators - funny, tough and one-of-a-kind." – Liz Tigelaar, author of the Pretty Tough series and creator of The CW's Life Unexpected.

"Feisty and fierce, Misty Johnson is one savvy, supernatural detective that's always one step ahead of her clever, otherworldly prey. Steeves has created a fun new heroine that's a pleasure to follow in her investigative misadventures. Misty's a charmer!" – Tara Bennett, co-author of the LOST ENCLYCLOPEDIA.

“Attention all evil sorcerers, necromancers, vampires, zombies, and other supernatural nasties within the Washington, D.C. metro area…you better watch out! You’ve got a new nemesis in Misty Johnson…the private dick with a flare for the supernatural. R.P. Steeves pulls out all the stops in his debut novel and the genre of urban fantasy will never be the same!” – J. Kent Holloway, author of PRIMAL THIRST and SIRENS’ SONG.

You can find his books at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/misty-johnson-supernatural-dick-in-capitol-hell-rp-steeves/1100144352?ean=9780982609941

1. How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?

I wrote quite a bit when I was in high school and college, but then I got sidetracked by life. A few years ago, when someone asked me what I wanted to do with myself, I answered “I want to be a writer.” He replied, “Well, what are you writing?” I started to give him a litany of excuses: I was too busy, I had no ideas, it was a waste of time. He stopped me and said “I don’t know a lot about writing, but it occurs to me that if you want to write, you should write.” So I did. I started writing short stories and then eventually worked my way up to my first novel.

2. What genre would you like to try that you haven’t yet?

I have written realistic fiction, paranormal fiction, action/adventure, mystery, sci-fi and horror. I would really love to write historical fiction, something set in a classical period like ancient Greece or Rome.

3. Most people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. What’s your take on this? Can you tell us something unglamorous you did within the last week or so?

I imagine there are SOME writers, SOMEWHERE who have pipes and slippers and brandy and sit on a veranda in Italy crafting fine works of literature on their classic typewriters. For me, though, I sit in my small apartment in my Jedi bathrobe, with my parrot sqwaking away as I eat ramen noodles and work on my stories…

4. Plotter or pantzer?

Depends on the project. For novels, I tend to plot in advance, using outlines and detailed notes. For short stories, I more often write by the seat of my pants and see where the muse takes me.

5. What do you do when you’re suffering writers block?

I don’t get writer’s block that often. I usually just keep writing, pushing through any doubts and getting something down on the page. Then I can go back and see if it was any good. Sometimes I jump to a different part of the story and try to connect the dots later.

6. If you could be a character in any of your books who would it be and why?

I would love to be like Teri Nighthorse, a character in Misty Johnson, Supernatural Dick in Capitol Hell. She is young, bright, talented, motivated and ambitious, with the whole world in front of her and all the tools she needs to do whatever she wants in life. She finds her way into a strange an exciting world of the paranormal, and gets to experience the wonder and danger of it firsthand.

7. Looking over the past year, what has been the best moment for you in your writing career

The best moment of my writing career was when an old friend from college, someone I hadn’t spoken to in a long time and someone who’s opinion I really respect, sent me a message saying how much she liked my book. It meant a lot to me that she would seek me out and tell me that, and I have been trying to help her work on her writing since then, too, which makes me proud.

8. What do you enjoy doing with your spare time, your non-writing time?

I love watching movies. I also have a podcast devoted to the show LOST (www.after-lost.com). I broadcast high school football games for a local radio station. I also love watching football, reading comics and playing video games.

9. If you could invite any famous person, dead or alive, for dinner, who would it be and what would you eat?

I would love to eat with Stan Lee, co-creator of so many of my favorite comic book characters and a fun, energetic man in his own right. I would serve what ever “The Man” wanted to eat!

10. What are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about it?

I am working on short stories for several anthologies from Open Casket Press. I am also working on short stories for classic pulp anthologies from Pro Se. The second Misty Johnson book, Misty Johnson, Supernatural Dick in The National Maul will come out in 2012, and I am working on an untitled sci-fi novel for next year as well.


So check out my friend and be ready for good surprises when you make a new friend!

Is Something Wrong With This Picture?

On the news this morning on KCBS there was a lengthy piece on how a group of the Occupiers in the San Francisco Bay Area were having a "Knit In" and were spending the day knitting hats and scarves for the east coast occupiers.

Now that's a nice thought. It's a kind gesture...but I have a bit of a problem with it. How come they've never done this for the homeless right here in the Bay Area? Okay, okay, I don't know if individual people never did -- but I sure don't remember a knit in for them. And yes, I do realize that the occupiers on the east coast have people who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, put food on the table and pay their medical bills, etc. Country wide they have made tremendous strides. What bothers me is the attention for something that could and in my opinion, should include those closer to home. I suppose it's one of the things that bugs me about our own government--we're so quick to send money and supplies overseas but we don't seem to ever get it together to do something for those close to home. I've never seen the problem with isolationism but then I guess that goes with being an introvert.

In the past few years I've had a number of freinds lose their jobs, their homes, have to file bankruptcy and go on other assistance. I almost lost my own home because of the mortgage meltdown and it was the sheer luck of the draw that saved my home. Bankruptcy was looking like my only option for awhile there and with the help of friends and my own wits I managed to make it without losing my home or having to file bankruptcy. When our former governor had us furloughed for almost 2 years, according to the union powers that be, almost half the membership (45,000) had either lost their homes and/or filed bankruptcy. There was one Sacbee article about one of the EDD employees who lost her home and was living in her car, taking showers in the state building where she worked - and dispensing benefits such as food stamps when she didn't qualify. Something is very wrong with that.

In the past I've participated in the "one warm coat" project here in the San Francisco Bay area. It's easy to get distracted by life and somehow a pair of new socks ends up in a pocket. You know how it is. You just forget you put them there.

Three of my friends lost their homes the past year after their husbands lost their jobs. There are public service annoucements in our area about the face of hunger and how it could well be your next door neighbor and you'd never know it. The blurb says that your neighbor may be too embarrassed to tell you they don't have money for food and they are too shaken by their change in circumstances to venture to the food bank.  

A close friend here in town had to cancel her health and dental insurance, has to go to the food bank and combs through the ads before deciding if she can afford a dozen eggs. Somehow I bought a case of cat food mine won't eat which hers happens to like -- so the food had a place to go. (No, she doesn't read my blog). I'll probably forget my cats don't like it and end up buying more of it in the next few weeks. You know how it is, you go to the store, see a case of cat food and can't remember whether or not your cats eat it so you buy it and then one of them tells you "Oh, we don't eat that". Thank goodness there's someplace for the food to go should that happen again.

I've seen more food collection bins the past few weeks than ever before -- even more than three years ago when our whole structure began to crumble. So many people have had to give up their pets that the humane society is offering deep discounts to anyone who can and will adopt.

But there is a whole segment of our population who was dealing with this a long time before. I don't begrudge the occupiers on the east coast the hand made scarves and hats. It's the news story about how wonderful the knitters are for making those hats and scarves so the east coasters can "occupy" but I'm not seeing anything about doing the same for the homeless in our area. In line with that story was how the City was looking at an abandoned hotel for the occupiers to occupy -- but they've never offered to do the same for the homeless in the area. What? They think the homeless wouldn't enjoy a hot shower and a kitchen to cook meals?

I don't know, maybe the knitters did say something about helping the homeless and it just didn't make the news story because it didn't seem like news. I wasn't there.

Is It Life Or Is It Drama?

My cousin Mary and I were recently talking about people with drama, particularly gratuitious drama in our lives. Mary said something that so totally hit the nail on the head: "When it happens to them it's just their life; but if it happens to you, then it's drama."

So what started this discussion was, in part my recent advertisement for a new tenant/roommate. The one who moved our in September was all about the drama. Well, not really drama but getting as much attention as possible. Nothing was ever simple with her. She couldn't just say "it's hot, could we set the air conditioner a little lower?" Instead it would be "(long suffering sigh) I'm going into the bathroom to faint." Followed by a stagger towards the bathroom.


Okay, if it were me, I wouldn't want to faint in the bathroom if I could help it. Far too many things to bump my head on if I, in fact, fell. I'd rather do it lying down on my bed where I'd be guaranteed a soft landing. 


We had a suspicious package at work one day. Police came, dealt with the package. Pretty much end of story till they exploded whatever it was outside the building. Very loud bang.


SHE also had a suspicious package -- a "dirty and smelly" guy came into her work and put his "dirty and smelly backpack" on her desk and she KNEW, she absolutely KNEW it had a bomb in it. 


Really? In a Jaguar dealership? How come?


Oh, he didn't like how they fixed his car. Right. 


With her it wasn't 5 ants she saw outside (which I could see) it was waking me up because of a "major infestation all over downstairs". Not a one to be found inside the house but I did spot the 5 or so outside. 


For more you'll have to read McKenna three when it comes out. No, no, it's not about my former tenant/roommate. You know that whole thing about any resemblance to anyone living or dead? It couldn't be because it's purely coincidental.


Above are but a few examples of life with Nat.

I also used to work with a woman who was non-stop drama. Her life was like a Lifetime movie running headlong into Law & Order with a smidge of CSI thrown in. It was every day. There was a collective sigh of relief when she left. 


So when it came time for a new tenant/roommate I included some very specific items:  MUST like cats. Not just lived with them but MUST like them. And, NO DRAMA. My life was running drama free at work and home. It was all peaceful, calm, relaxed and dull. I like dull....it let's me go off in my imagination for the next book.


Wait! You say!  You had whatshername providing such great story lines. Story lines are one thing, having it in my home is another. And that any resemblance thing....


So Mary and I were talking about this and how I put it in the roommate ad that those with drama need not apply. I loved her line about if it's about them it's just their life but if it happens to you, then it's drama. It's okay for them to have all this upheaval but you must not only be calm but emotionally available to them at all times.

So this guy, let's call him Dave like in Dave from 2001 and Hal asking him "what are you doing, Dave", called and at first all seemed pretty nice. He spoke about being done with drama in his life...sounded really good.


So in 5 days we had:


Arriving drunk on move in day and bursting into tears.

Cops (friends from my former department) being called out to his former residence moving him out.


Tears on day two because of the drama at the old house. 


Slamming doors when I wouldn't agree to dinner the next night.


More slamming the next day cause I still wouldn't go to dinner.


Hysterical female friend who isn't a girlfriend but wants to get in his pants but he's not interested showing up and ringing the bell and banging on the door for almost 5 minutes (yes, yours truly the Virgo watched the clock while trying to get on some clothes to go downstairs to see where the fire was).  She was hysterical because his voicemail was full.  Yes indeedy, his voicemail was full....but that wasn't drama because, well "that's just Judy."


The next day he disappeared.


And then the next day I came home to find someone had been in my house, left doors opened and unlocked, changed the clocks and took some things....he said it was okay because it was a friend of his. Oh...did I mention he was in rehab and couldn't do those things himself? Not that they needed to be done -- especially leaving open the doors with three indoor cats. (cats are fine -- not missing him at all). 

But he insists that isn't drama.

His Eyes has been out about a year (www.sirenbookstrand.com) and Her Eyes was released this week (www.Mundania.com) and book 3 is called Their Eyes. I was having a bit of a issue with where the story was going to go.....thanks to my drama free zone....not anymore. 

Welcome Skyla Dawn Cameron to our Blog Tour This Week!

I asked fellow kitty-afficianado Skyla a non-cat related question recently:

You get to go back in time to talk to anyone you want about your latest book. Who do you go to, what do you ask them and what do you think they will tell you?

She had a very interesting repsonse. One that evoked so many images for me I have to read this book. Here's what she had to say:

I thought and thought and thought about this excellent question...and drew a blank. There are people from the past I’d love to talk to, but not about my books—more than likely about theirs. But then I don’t particularly live in reality most of the time, so why do I have to pick a “real” person from the past?



I’d go back just over three hundred years to speak to a seventeen year old Romanian girl named Ana, recently betrayed, killed, and turned into a vampire who, many years later, would be known as Zara Lain—the main character of my current series that begins with Bloodlines (and continued with Hunter this past August, with Lineage coming in February and Exhumed later next year). After awakening early and cannonballing pretty far on the crazy spectrum, she ended up locked in her maker’s basement in the hopes of her getting her back to sanity. Or, at the very least, to keep her from randomly slaughtering innocents for awhile.


I want to go to that basement, before she breaks out and kills a bunch of humans, when she’s angry and hurt and out of her freakin’ mind—and I’d tell her about her life now. True, she’s in the middle of conspiracies and secret societies and the apocalypse and several attempts on her life, which may sound like it all sucks. But I’d go into that basement—with her firmly secured to a chair or something, and maybe a big ol’ set of bars between us, and me armed with a stake and a flamethrower—sit down, set the books out before me, and tell her, “You’re going to be okay.


“Your heart is broken, but it will heal. Your identity is shattered, but you will build a new one. You’ve been betrayed, you will have your bloody revenge, and it won’t fix you, but building and growing and changing will repair some of the damage. You’ll make mistakes, and even when you think you’ve learned from them, you’ll make them again because that’s what everyone does. And that’s okay. You’ll learn to trust again—have faith in people, even some humans. You’ll be in love—maddening, schoolgirl-sighing-dreamily, will-probably-turn-angsty love. You’ll gain a sense of humour about injustices you’ve suffered. You will always get back up when knocked down. You are worth saving, even if you are unable to accept it. You will continue to be betrayed, you will continue to be hurt, and your heart might break again, but you will survive anything and everything, always.


“Ana is dead, but Zara lives on. And she’ll never let you down.”

Actually, I’d tell a whole lot of people that if I could.


I imagine Ana would respond with lots of incoherent ramblings, screaming, and general threats I won’t understand because she doesn’t speak English. But I would have to hope, somewhere, she’d remember it.


Then I’d ask Ana for some details about early eighteenth century Romania because history is not my forte and I keep getting stuck having to write flashback scenes. Ugh.


Thank you for having me, Regan!


About the Author: Award-winning author Skyla Dawn Cameron has been writing approximately forever. Her early storytelling days were spent acting out strange horror/fairy tales with the help of her many dolls, and little has changed except that she now keeps those stories on paper. She signed her first book contract at age twenty-one for River, a unique werewolf tale, which was released to critical and reader praise alike and won her the 2007 EPPIE Award for Best Fantasy. She now has multiple series on the go to keep her busy, which is great for her attention deficit disorder.


Skyla lives in Southern Ontario where she dabbles in art, is an avid gamer, and watches Buffy reruns. She’s naturally brunette, occasionally a redhead, and will probably go blonde again soon. If she ever becomes a grown-up, she wants to run her own pub, as well as become world dictator.


You can find her online at www.skyladawncameron.com, www.twitter.com/skyladawn, www.facebook.com/skyladawncameron


About Bloodlines: If you’re in her way, it sucks to be you.


After three hundred years of unlife, vampire Zara Lain has seemingly done it all, and she's now making a living as a successful thief-turned-assassin. Her newest assignment seems simple enough--kill the aging leader of the O'Connor Coven and his only heir, and she'll have another ten million in the bank.


But in the dangerous world of the supernatural, few things are ever “simple.”


When a massive assault decimates the continent's population of powerful witches and warlocks, and its orchestrator has vampires being hunted down and captured, Zara realizes the tables have turned and now she'll be playing the hero. Forced to join with a smart-mouthed fellow vampire, a demonologist who's also a fan of hers, a recently widowed—and frequently brooding—warlock, and her best friend's mom, Zara's grudgingly willing to do what she can to save the day.


If only people would stop ruining all her outfits.

Catch excerpts, fan art, the series in chronological order, free stories, and more at www.zaralain.com. 

Introducing Sharon Poppen! My Awe-struck Blog Tour Guest this Week!

Hi Regan, I’m so happy to be guest blogging at your site this week. I do love to write, but marketing, not so much. So, when these opportunities to connect with new readers in distant cities and even distant countries come alone, it’s a real treat. This past week has been a busy week for me with setting up book signings, arranging for sales tables at various sales venues and polishing up some workshop presentations that I will be moderating right after the first of the year. But, best of all, I’m finding time each day to ‘play’ with the charcters of The Band, my latest novel in progress. It is book number six in my series of the Farrell family, that debuted in my first novel After the War, Before the Peace. The first book began with the story of four Southern brothers just after the U.S. Civil War and The Band features their great, grandsons in the 1950s who have formed a rock and roll band. I have a seventh book in mind already. I just signed a contract for the first sequel, so I’m hoping readers will want to follow this family from generation to generation. Now, on to some questions from some fellow authors who have been along for this wild Awe-Struck authors blog tour.




Why do you write?

Because I enjoy it. I love playing ‘what if?’. My imagination has always been one of my most valuable treasures. Instead of dreading to have to ‘wait’ for something, I almost look forward to the opportunities when I’m at an airport, doctor’s office, bank line or at the dreaded DMV. My imagination can create a story about almost any of the people I see in those places. Just recently, I noticed a strikingly handsome man sitting alone in a restaurant. He was nervously checking his watch quite frequently and watching the entrance. He looked apprehensive, yet excited. I imagined him as a cheating spouse awaiting his equally cheating paramour to arrive. I had to edit my imagined story when a tall, handsome man arrived. After a warm hug, the man who had been waiting relaxed. The men sat down, but continued to share a smile while holding hands across the table. My dinner date arrived and my attention was diverted, but it had sure been a lot more fun writing my little story, wondering why my date was late. So, like I said, I love the ‘what if?’ possibilities of life.



How long have you been writing?

I started imaging stories as a child, especially when it came to playing paper dolls with my neighborhood girl friends. As I got older, I got busy with life, a husband and kids. After my divorce, I found myself with time on my hands after the kids went to bed. That’s when I started ‘listening’ to my Southern brothers tell me the story of their life after the U.S. civil war. I’d get out the old typewriter and pound out a few paragraphs here and there. I never shared it with anyone. When I was offered early retirement from the communications company I worked for, I took it. Then after a couple of years of 24 hour togetherness with my second husband, I knew I had to either kill him, get a job or go back to school. The first two options were fleeting moments of whimsy, but the school idea hit home. I enrolled in a local junior college and that’s when I began writing seriously. I had a couple of great Lit professors who felt I had some talent and urged me to get busy. My first published piece was a Haiku. I don’t enjoy poetry writing, but working with that genre really helps to learn how to be succinct and precise. So, I guess I’ve been writing seriously for about 15 years now.



What interests and hobbies do you have, aside from writing?

I love going to movies, most genres, except vampires and horror-for-horrors sake. I love to read, long saga type novels and almost always have a book in progress. I love to travel by RV. I don’t care for tours or cruises, but put me in an RV and on a backwoods, two-lane road, a campfire every night and I’m a happy camper. I love playing bunco and a couple times a month I like to head on over to the casino and play some keno.

What’s your goal for the next 5 years, writing career-wise?

I’m love to have all seven books of my After the War, Before the Peace saga become a hugely popular series and maybe even made into a TV mini-series. I’d love to see one of my books on the New York Times bestseller list. And, I’m still waiting for the call from Stephen Spielberg, Ron Howard or Penny Marshall to ask for the rights to film any one of my novels. Tee Hee. I can dream, can’t I?



Author Bio -

Sharon Poppen ( www.sharonpoppen.com ) has won awards from Arizona

Authors Assoc. and National League of American Pen Women. Her western novels

After the War, Before the Peace, Hannah and Abby-Finding More Than Gold are

available at Amazon Books, most web based book sellers and from her website.

Her work has appeared in such publications as A Flasher's Dozen, Desert

Treasures, Skive, Offerings from the Oasis, A Long Story Short, Apollo Lyre

and Laughter Loaf. Her workshops on Journaling, Short Story Writing and

Blogging bring rave reviews. Sharon is a member of Lake Havasu City Writer's

Group.



Book Blurb -

In 1897, Abby Barron, a young Irish-American girl, loses her cousin to a

fire and with him the plans to escape Chicago to search for gold in the Yukon

fields. A want ad for a cook revives the plan and she soon hires on with Paddy

and Tommy, a medicine-show man and his son.

Despite Abby's wanderlust and Tommy's desire to settle down, the two

fall in love. But it's a long road to fulfill Abby's dreams of reaching the Yukon--one

that tests the bonds of love and uncovers long-held family secrets.



Book Excerpt:

Eleven-year-old Liam was sitting at the kitchen table peering over an atlas. He called to his red-headed cousin. “Red, come here. Look.”

With tears in her eyes, Abby made her way over and slid into a chair next to him. The desolate ten-year-old had just lost her mother. The poor, young woman had died of pneumonia.

He reached over and patted her hand. “Abby, don’t cry now.”

She looked up. He never called her Abby; it was always Red. His eyes were a little glassy too, but he managed a smile.

“Look.” He pointed to a map of the world.

“Yes?”

He swept his hand across a centerfold map that spanned two large pages. “All this is out there for us.”

“What do you mean?” She sniffled.

“Well, you know how your Ma always talked about seeing the world.”

“Yes?” Abby started crying again.

“Come on, Abby. Listen.” He reached over and clumsily wiped her tears away with his big, awkward adolescent hands. “I’ve an idea.”

She sniffled and looked with trust into his eyes

“You and me will travel to all the places your Ma used to talk about.”

“How?” Abby was old enough to realize that her Ma had been a dreamer. The Barrons and the Moynahans were lace-curtain, Irish poor. They spent their lives trying to make a mean living; there was no time for frivolous travel. Her mother’s dreams had brought a measure of scorn from many of the neighbors. If it hadn’t been for the kindness of Aunt Kitty and Uncle Maudie, Lord knows where or how Abby and her mother would have lived. An unmarried woman with a child was a pariah in this close-knit Catholic community.

Liam smiled and set his jaw in that determined pose that always preceded his occasional streaks of stubbornness. He spoke to Abby’s eyes in a firm voice. “I don’t know yet.” Abby lowered her head. He lifted her chin and continued. “But, Abby, we’re going to do it. You and me.” His eyes challenged. “Have I ever let you down?”

She shook her head no. Then, despite her misery, she felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “You won’t forget?”

He smiled broadly. “Forget you, Red?” He tousled her hair. “Not likely.” He turned and refocused on the atlas. “Come on. Look, here’s New York and here’s Washington where the president lives.” He swept his arm across a blue expanse. “And look here, Paris.” Soon the two of them were engrossed in the atlas and Abby’s healing began. The atlas became their bible over the years. As news events and school topics brought strange and exotic places into their lives, they found them on the map and often added them to their list of future destinations.



Website - www.sharonpoppen.com

Blog Site - http://poppensthoughtsonwritingandstuff.blogspot.com/

Email - poppen@citlink.net





List of Published Novels -

After the War, Before the Peace - Xlibris Publishing

Hannah - Virtual Tales Publishing

Abby-Finding More Than Gold - Awe-Struck Publishing

Welcome to Christine London!

I recently asked Christine one of my favorite questions:

You get to go back in time to talk to anyone you want about your latest book. Who do you go to, what do you ask them and what do you think they will tell you.

What a great question, Regan. Thanks for having me as guest today.

If I were to go back in time involving my work in progress to talk to someone about its theme, I would need to speak with someone who has already died. Perhaps the best person would be a relative as I know them most intimately and could therefore have the deepest interaction. I would ask them to tell me about the aftertime and what things they would have done to make their time here all the more meaningful. But then this is sad as it involves regrets and the past...

 

What I would prefer to have the power to do is to go forward and speak to someone after their passing about what they could have done, should have done to make their life all the richer—to bring love into this brief existence to compliment their already amazing success.

There is a man I know that has all the trapping of earthly success, but has not accepted one special person into his heart to enrich his life far beyond what all his earthly success has already brought him. To speak with him in future time might have the power to help him make better choices today. The power of salvation in this one and only lifetime is much more alluring to me than regrets.

 

My work in progress:

 

One More Day

 

"Cole Phillips was dead.

Four years later his wife Tara is without any answers.

Is a universe that so cruelly tore her husband from her actually capable of bestowing such a gift?

One More Day… "

A tale of the return to life of a man so sorely missed by his widow the power of her will alone causes a rift in the universe, and with it, an opportunity of which other have only dreamed.

It is a universal experience— to lose someone too young, too soon, without a proper goodbye...and the desire to have a few more precious hours together. In One More Day I explore the emotions and strength of love to overcome even the finality of death. What would be discussed, how would one pass the hours if they were given such a gift with the person who had meant the most to them in their life? How can they learn to move on?

And this man who lives now that I might wish to visit in the future hereafter—what would he say? What would I ask hm? What would he tell me?

"Now that you have accolades, success, worldwide travel and have participated in heart pounding activities and wonders most only dream of, what would you most liked to have experienced that you did not?"

 

His answer?

 

"I would allow myself to see what was right in front of me---love. That special person that could have shared all my success through her eyes and mine. My life is not too busy to welcome that kind of intimacy. Life shared, even with insane travel and time constraint IS possible. The richness of this intimacy is so much deeper than the adrenaline of the 'right now' because there are no tomorrows hereafter. And there is nothing more important than grabbing the 'brass ring' here and now."

 

I think that most of us assume we have many more opportunities, many more tomorrows to live our ultimate dream—to love an be loved. To have the gift of being able to speak to someone who does not have the joy of this intimate sharing in his life— in the light of the finality of the hereafter...now that would be profoundly powerful in changing his life—other's lives— here and now.

Leap Of Faith

Awe Struck Publishing

Now Available:

http://tinyurl.com/43w4ho7

Film student Faith Holmes is on an Italian holiday bought and paid for -- a familial inducement to finding an Italian husband. She wants none of it. Boredom and curiosity make for a volatile mix and Faith is lured into the heart of the island of Forio's exclusive international film festival not as guest, but crasher. Hollywood's premiere publicist Hunter Jameson has more than enough on his plate when his client, English film sensation Alex Winslow decides he's departing from the straight and narrow. One American party crasher should be the least of his worries. He has no idea that Alex’s growing feelings for Faith rival his own. The only thing for certain is his life will never be the same.

Bio:

Christine London was born in Chicago, Illinois, but left the long winters of the Midwest as a child to find her roots in the sun and charm of California, both North and South. Her adopted home became Great Britain when she spent a year of college in the east end of London with three male flat mates; one from each country on the main island. Her fascination and love affair with all things British has grown over the years, facilitated by summers spent trading houses.
 

Graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Chris continued with family, teaching, singing in a jazz sextet and running foot races (and winning) before discovering her true passion….the romance and adventure of writing.
It took one Scot to awaken her poetic appreciation of Scotland's natural beauty, and another Scot to ignite her passion for writing. Thank you, gentlemen.