Joya's Writing

An Author Who Digs Archaeology--What Was Your Favorite Class in School?

2012-01-31T06:06:00.000-08:00

What do writing books and studying archaeology have in common? Not too much, except a love of uncovering things.
I'm at Cassandra Carr's blog today chatting about favorite subjects in school and how Brooke Richards, the heroine in my debut novel, became an archaeologist. Hope you'll stop by to tell us about your favorite subject in school!

Click here for Cassandra Carr's blog

Brooke Richards,
Underwater Archaeologist,
BENEATH THE SURFACE

Beneath the Surface: Book Trailer Makes Story Come Alive

2012-01-27T06:35:00.000-08:00

After spending months with Brooke and Garrett, the heroine and hero of BENEATH THE SURFACE, I felt like I knew them so well. What better way to bring them to life than to make a video featuring the two of them?
I'm visiting with my good friend, critique partner, MRW chapter mate, and awesome author Laura Kaye today on her blog. Hope you'll check out Brooke and Garrett's book trailer there.

Click here to visit Laura Kaye Author's blog and to see the trailer for BENEATH THE SURFACE.

Vacation Double Duty: Have Fun and Plan Your Next Book Setting

2012-01-26T06:15:00.000-08:00

When is a vacation MORE than a vacation? When you can include the setting in your next book. Find out how Flagler Beach, FL became the setting for my debut novel, BENEATH THE SURFACE. We're chatting about using vacations as research for settings at Sarah Grimm's blog.

Hope you'll stop by and tell us where you'd like to vacation: Author Sarah Grimm's Blog

Blogging with Princesses in North Texas today!

2012-01-24T06:50:00.000-08:00

I'm heading to North Texas today (via the magic of the internet) to chat with some fun-loving princess writers. Plotting Princesses, that is. Hope you'll join in the fun as the blog tour for BENEATH THE SURFACE continues.

Hope you'll stop by to comment: Plotting Princesses Blog

Brooke and Garrett, BENEATH THE SURFACE. She needs her independence, he's overprotective. They must work together to find a killer...before it's too late.

Crazy weather and a paddle boat from Baltimore to Hawaii

2012-01-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

Is it possible to take a little rental boat from Baltimore's Inner Harbor and paddle all the way to Hawaii? My grandmother believed it. Find out how she cultivated my creative side by listening to outlandish stories. I'm at The Book Boost today chatting about lots of writing stuff and you can enter to win a free download of BENEATH THE SURFACE by commenting here: The Book Boost Blog

I'm also lucky enough to be at Book Addicts blog today chatting about Brooke, the heroine of BENEATH THE SURFACE, and her disability. Book Addicts Blog: Book-Addicts Blog

Winter blues? Read a summer book!

2012-01-20T22:30:00.000-08:00

It's cold, windy and there's a snow/sleet ice storm predicted here in Maryland this weekend. When that happens, I love to curl up with a book that's set in the summer. How about you? Do you like to read books about summer during the winter?
We're chatting about this very topic today at Coffee Time Romance. Hope you'll join us and help celebrate the release of my debut novel BENEATH THE SURFACE (which, coincidentally, takes place in the hot Florida sunshine). See you there!
Stop by today: Coffee Time Romance Blog

It's Release Day for Beneath the Surface! It's Release Day for Beneath the Surface!!

2012-01-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

Oh. My. Gosh! Can you tell I'm excited? Thanks for sharing in the excitement with me!
BENEATH THE SURFACE, my debut novel releases today!!!!!

Brooke Richards is the very independent underwater archaeologist trying to solve a crime, and Garrett Ciavello is an overprotective policeman who's trying to make peace with his past. Can they put aside their differences and catch a killer before he strikes the beach town again?

Stop by Savvy Author to check out today's stop on the blog tour and I hope you'll check out Beneath the Surface, too!

Beneath the Surface now available at The Wild Rose Press , Amazon , and Barnes and Noble

Double Dates and Love At First Sight

2012-01-17T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hope you'll stop by Authors Promoting Authors blog today to find out some cool facts about Beneath the Surface and answer a question or two about how often you think couples should double date.
See you there!
BENEATH THE SURFACE RELEASES TOMORROW!!!

Here's the link to join in the fun: Authors Promoting Authors blog

Don't Get Arrested, There Are Easier Ways to Research Law Enforcement

2012-01-16T08:15:00.000-08:00

BENEATH THE SURFACE blog tour continues today with a visit to Greater Fort Worth Writers blog where we're talking about how authors can write a suspense novel when they don't have first-hand knowledge of law enforcement.

Hope you'll stop by today! Greater Fort Worth Writers

An Interview with a Hot Cop!

2012-01-16T06:33:00.000-08:00

BENEATH THE SURFACE blog tour continues today with a character interview over at Kat Doran's Wild Woman Author blog. Kat interviews Garrett Ciavello, hero of BENEATH THE SURFACE.

Win prizes just for commenting!
Here's the link: Wild Woman Author Blog

Danger lurks in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean for Brooke and Garrett. Can they work together to stop a killer before he strikes again?

Why I Chose To Write About a Character with a Disability

2012-01-12T21:25:00.000-08:00

Day Two of BENEATH THE SURFACE blog tour! I'll be at Suzanne Brandyn's blog chatting about why the heroine of my debut novel is an amputee. Come join us on this fabulous Friday the 13th! :)

Click here for Suzanne Brandyn's Blog

Claire Ashgrove: The Most Enjoyable Aspect

2012-01-11T21:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome Claire Ashgrove! Claire and I were "release day twins" in December and I got to know and love her writing. I'm so glad she could be here today to chat about how she broke her own rules to write her newest book. You'll be glad she did! Be sure to enter her contest (details below) and check out her web site.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect

For every time I’m asked, “What was the most challenging aspect?” I’m asked “What was the most enjoyable aspect?” Often, in an interview setting, these two are asked back-to-back. Equally as often, I have to really dwell on the book to come up with an answer to either. Not so much this time around.

So what was the most enjoyable aspect of writing IMMORTAL HOPE?

Quite frankly, as clichéd as it may sound, it was the writing of the actual words. The thoughts that brought my characters to life.

You see, I’d spent the better part of a solid year researching and letting the base idea percolate. I waited until the story jumped up and demanded, “Write me now!” When that happened, I was in the middle of another novel, and I set it aside – something I never do. But Merrick’s story demanded I put everything else on hold and write it right now.

Write, I did. And boy did those words fly. I had the prologue written in less than an hour, and the first chapter finished two hours later. I had a whole contest entry finished in one setting. While I do write fast, that’s even fast for me.

It really was like all the words had bottlenecked, all the reactions, all the stuff that was going on in the book. I had the series outlined, but I didn’t have this book outlined according to my usual, detailed, chapter-by-chapter breakdowns. In fact, IMMORTAL HOPE flowed so freely that I never did stop and outline what would come next. My fingers were in a race to keep up with my brain.

And the brain was in overdrive, spurred on by the euphoria of setting free all this research, this planning, this “oooh, what if I did…”

So trite, clichéd, whatever you want to call it, the truth is, of all things that I enjoy about IMMORTAL HOPE (and there are many!), it was the ability to compose what had been processing for so long. (As an aside – that other book? It was a terrible pain to go back to and finish. The key reason why I never set one down until it’s finished.)

With all that said, I’m going to leave you with a peek at one of my favorite scenes in IMMORTAL HOPE:

~Claire

He took a deep fortifying breath at Anne’s door. A small portion of his soul demanded he let himself inside and take the liberties he would have enjoyed had she wandered into his life nine hundred years ago. Whilst he shared the residence with many others, the simple fact remained, she resided in his house. Once he had dreamed of such a circumstance. Now the fantasy only created a bitter taste in his mouth.

Resigning himself to reality, he knocked twice upon her door.

She answered as he lifted his hand for the third, concurrent rap. Briefly, she stared, bewildered. Then, her gaze fell to his armload of supplies, and her porcelain features lit with such delight a fist clamped around Merrick’s heart.

“My things,” she murmured as he moved past her. “Oh, Merrick, you brought my radio.”

The whimsical quality of her voice, the gratitude that turned her words into music, swelled his chest. Damnation. She had turned him as soft as butter. This trial of loyalty would surely be the death of him.

He set the bags down, unwilling to look at her for fear she would see how deeply she affected him. “I brought what I thought you might desire. Should you find something missing, we shall discuss it in the morn.”

“Oh. You’re leaving again?”

His back to her, he closed his eyes. The touch of disappointment that fringed her question disturbed the accursed hollowness in his gut. “Aye.”

Before he could fully shrug off the thick straps digging into his shoulder, her hand settled against the small of his back. “I’d hoped you might stay with me for a while,” she murmured.

Her fingertips slid up his back, warming his skin. As he righted himself, she ducked under his elbow and looped her arms around his neck. Stepping in close, Anne pressed her body to his.

Everything inside Merrick coiled tight. Her warmth, the feel of her breath upon his neck, the perfume in her hair, she overwhelmed him in a heartbeat. He battled with the urge to slide his arms around her waist and draw her even closer. The longing to capture her mouth and drink from her honeyed lips assailed his senses with the force of a battering ram. Like a strangled man desperate for one gulp of fresh air, he disentangled himself from her embrace and took a step away.

He knew only one way to combat the fierce desire she awakened. “I must fight tonight.”

Find Claire here: Claire Ashgrove and here: Tori St. Claire

TWITTER: @ClaireAshgrove

Click here for Claire's blog

Claire will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a second $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate to a second randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour. Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning! Click the Blog Tour badge for a complete list of blog stops.

CENTURIES AGO,

Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of the seraphs.

Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As he struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.

Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she's destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.

Thanks for stopping by today, Claire, and best wishes for continued success with your books!

Beneath the Surface Releases in One Week!

2012-01-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

Beneath the Surface, my debut romantic suspense novel, releases one week from today on 1.18.2012!

Meet Brooke Richards and Garrett Ciavello today through their book trailer. Thanks for stopping by!

Beneath the Surface Blog Tour Revealed

2012-01-03T17:57:00.000-08:00

Brooke’s fighting to stay independent — Garrett’s determined to protect her no matter what...

Beneath the Surface, my debut novel, a romantic suspense, releases officially in two weeks! As part of my blog tour, I'll be giving away t-shirts, pens, tote bags, Romance Trading Cards, and more. You can buy it in paperback now at Amazon and The Wild Rose Press

January 12th-27th will be non-stop, fun-filled visits to the author and reader sites below:

Beneath the Surface Blog Tour (I hope to see you there!)

I'm so excited to announce the blog tour for my debut romantic suspense novel, BENEATH THE SURFACE. I'll be giving away t-shirts, tote bags, romance trading cards, and copies of my book. The tour begins on January 12th and ends on January 27th. Hope to see you there.Please stop by for updates, soon.

January 12
Claire Ashgrove

January 13
Suzanne Brandyn

January 16
Greater Fort Worth Writers
Kourtney Heintz
Kat Doran's Wild Woman Author blog

January 17
Louann Carroll

January 18 RELEASE DAY, BENEATH THE SURFACE
Savvy Authors

January 20
Book excerpt at Great Fort Worth Writers
Pat Brown

January 21
Coffee Time Romance

January 23
Book Additcts
The Book Boost

January 24

Plotting Princesses

January 26
Sarah Grimm

January 27
Heroines with Heart
Laura Kaye

LOVE DELIVERED Small towns and big love

2011-12-21T22:19:00.000-08:00

More Love Delivered blog tour fun today! I'll be visiting with my good friend (and multi-published author extraordinaire) Laura Kaye to chat about small towns, grandparents, and whether we prefer sweet or salty. Yeah...doesn't have much to do with writing, but food is always a great topic. Please drop by at: http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com/2011/12/come-meet-pete-sexy-mailmanand-guest.html?spref=fb

I'll also be at the wonderful Bernadette Marie's blog, Warrior Princess Romance, chatting about the Fourth of July at Christmas? Yep. Families, togetherness, and fun. Please visit us at:
http://authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com/2011/12/guest-blogger-author-joya-fields.html?showComment=1324563793852#c1284394325295515622

Release Day for LOVE DELIVERED!

2011-12-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

It's release day for my romantic comedy LOVE DELIVERED! Please join me to celebrate the holidays, fond memories, and writing at three blogs today:
http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/content.php?1762-Is-a-Revise-and-Resubmit-a-Rejection-by-Joya-Fields Savvy Authors
http://minakhan.blogspot.com/2011/12/writing-to-right-wrongs-of-this-world.html?showComment=1324478102621#c3474953704883701791 Author Rashda Khan
http://lasrguest.blogspot.com/ Long and Short Reviews

Writers Who Hear Voices

2011-12-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

Do your characters tell you what to write? Come chat about it and help celebrate the release of LOVE DELIVERED today at not one, but TWO wonderful blogs:
http://sharonbuchbinder.com/blog/2011/12/20/interview-with-joya-fields-author-of-love-delivered/#comment-3325
and
http://www.authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com/

Real Mail vs Email

2011-12-19T05:11:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the days before email? Do you still receive "real mail" that makes you happy? Stop by Coffee Time Romance today to chat about the continued need for real mail and help celebrate the release of LOVE DELIVERED.
Release day: 2 days! 12.21.2011

http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/

Meet Bianca, A Beautiful Photographer

2011-12-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Introducing Bianca McClain
She's achieving her dreams in New York. The dreams her mother never got to pursue. Bianca can't give it all up for a man. But Pete's sense of humor and good nature--not to mention hotter-than-summer good looks--make her think twice about which dream she's chasing.

Countdown to release day for LOVE DELIVERED: 5 days! 12.21.2011

Meet Pete, A Sexy Mail Carrier

2011-12-14T17:46:00.000-08:00

Introducing Pete
He's the sexy mail carrier and hero from LOVE DELIVERED who loves his small town and can't imagine ever leaving. Too many people depend on him. But Bianca's smile and inner strength--not to mention her stunning beauty--make him question all he knows.

Countdown to release day for LOVE DELIVERED: 6 days! www.thewildrosepress.com

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

LOVE DELIVERED RELEASES in one week! Blog Tour begins!

Friday, December 2, 2011
The Book Boost http://thebookboost.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 19, 2011
Coffee Time Romance Blog
http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/

Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Author Bernadette Marie will interview me on her blog
http://www.authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com/

Author Sharon Buchbinder will host me on her Snap, Crackle and Popping blog
http://www.sharonbuchbinder.com/blog/

Wednesday, December 21, 2011
**Release Day for Love Delivered**
Savvy Authors will host me for a chat about family memories. www.savvyauthors.com

Author Mina Kahn will host me on her blog to talk about inspiration and writing.
http://minakhan.blogspot.com/

I’ll be chatting about Christmas memories and grandparents at Long and Short Reviews.
Love Delivered tote bag giveaway! http://www.longandshortreviews.com/

Thursday, December 22, 2011
Author Laura Kaye will interview my characters from Love Delivered
http://laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com/

Guest blogger on Bernadette Marie’s site
http://www.authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 23, 2011
Friday Freebie on Bernadette’s blog http://www.authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com/
Stop by to win romance trading cards, and other fun stuff.

Vicki Batman and I BELIEVE

2011-12-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

Today's guest is Vicki Batman who not only has a cool name, but writes compelling stories. Vicki and I met in an online class a few years ago and we stay in touch via a loop for the magazines we write for. I loved getting to know Vicki better through this post and I hope you will too.

1. The heroine in I BELIEVE, Allie, desires the kind of man her cousins and sister have. Sounds like you have lots of experience with “girl talk.” What kind of sisters, cousins, and friends do you have in your life?
I do have lots of opportunities for girl talk. I have three sisters, lots of girl cousins. Book club girls, yoga girls, Jazzercise girls, writer girlfriends, the Plotting Princesses. I go on girlfriend trips and have lots of chocolate. Girlfriends can be like psychologists.

2. You’re obviously hopelessly in love because you’ve given your husband the codename Handsome when you speak of him publicly. Do your fictional heroes share any traits with Handsome?
My friend swears Jeffrey Carpenter in IB is Handsome. I'm like "no, he isn't." In fact, Handsome never came to my mind when writing this story, except for one major component: the chant. When I woke up and repeated the chant to my roommate at RWA, later on, I realized it is a poem I'd written for him.
Occasionally, I make a character tall, dark, and handsome like Handsome, but that's probably by coincidence. Living with men, I've learned they speak few words, are strong, honest, know what they want.
BTW, lots of people call him Handsome now instead of his real name. LOLOL. I began calling him that when we first married and he inscribed a card with Beautiful Wife and I put on mine for him, Handsome Husband. Squee!

3. What was the hardest thing about writing I BELIEVE?
I bet everyone out there can guess this--writing the SEX. (And this is the part my friend became embarrassed over because she thought Handsome inspired it). When a writer friend reviewed IB, she said it wasn't sexy enough. I thought "oh, boy," and worked to make it more so.

Here's the blurb and an excerpt: Allie deeply desires what her sister and cousins have--the man of their dreams. And they assure her she can…if she’s willing to believe. When her sister shares their grandmother's spell for conjuring her own true love, Allie's deeply conflicted. After all, magic is a risky business. A woman died when a potion went wrong. Did she want to mess with magic, knowing it might not work? Only the outcome will tell....
"I Believe" explores what happens when someone is so desperate, she'll do anything to -- and quite possibly will -- find true happiness.

Loneliness is a four-letter word.
And I'd been lonely far too long.
June—the time of year for summer, picnics, baseball. And weddings. My cousins, my sister, and I had gathered in Bitsy's living room for the monthly meeting of the Single-teeners Club, the one we'd begun when we were fancy-free, out-on-the-town gals. Cheerfulness radiated from the girls like moonbeams in a sickening, sticky-sweet way.
I knew why: Everyone had found her beloved, her mate. Her happily ever after.
But not me.
As if reading my thoughts, my sister Paige frowned my way, then at her knitting project. "Allie Palmer, it's time you found a man."
"A man?" I snorted. "The good ones are hiding. You three got the only decent guys in the whole universe, and I'm stuck with alien, delivery man Jeffrey Carpenter, who persists in making goo-goo eyes at me while I'm working hard on Sweet Style's new wedding campaign. His "aw-shucks" manner is so corny. The fashion police should arrest him for those plaid shirts."
"Here we go again. He can't be that bad." With a click-click of her knitting needles, Martha, Bitsy's sister, said, "You need to get royally screwed."
"Martha! If our mothers heard you, you'd be dead. Served up like Sunday fried chicken."
Martha shrugged. "They aren't here—"
Bitsy looped yarn around a needle. "Praise the Lord."
I frowned. Since when did the Single-teeners become the Knitty Witties? I was without a knitting project, leaving me feeling left out of this club, too. "Where did you get the idea I needed a man? For sex?" I huffed. "Men aren't necessarily a requirement. Just ask my best friend, Alex, my vibrator."
"You don't have a vibrator. If anyone would know, I would," Paige said. "You're too picky."
"Yeah, picky," Bitsy said. "Men fall at your feet, even when you treat them like slime balls. And still they come back for more. Go figure."
"I. Am. Not. Picky." My eyes rolled ceiling-ward. "I followed Single-teeners's rules. Remember our standards? Doctors. Lawyers. Accountants. Not delivery men-slash-box company owners."
"Those standards go beyond club requirements." Paige clicked a stitch counter. "Picking boogers from noses . . . ." She snapped her finger in the universal flipped-off gesture. "Gone."
Bitsy perked up. "Moustache and/or beard?"
Snap went Martha. "Gone."
"Zip-up dress shoes—"
"Okay!" I flashed my palms their way. "Point taken, except for nose picking. Did you ever stop to think maybe nothing jived between those bozos and me? No chemistry? That's what a successful relationship needs, as you well know."
Paige resumed knitting. A small, white bootie dangled from the needles. "The only chemistry you're familiar with is the one you almost flunked in high school."
"So chemistry wasn't my favorite subject, Miss I-do-everything-perfectly. You're talking about the wrong kind, anyway. And I have more dating under my belt than you ever had." I tossed my hands skyward. "I don't know what else to do. Post a want ad on Facebook or Craigslist? Wave a magic wand?"
A hush cloaked the room. Paige's project fell to her lap. "Did Allie say magic?"
"She did." Bitsy nodded. "I heard her."
Pausing her knitting, Martha bobbed her head vigorously. "Me, too."
This conversation was going nowhere except down the Port-A-Potty. But as I sat there and thoughts passed through what little brains my dad teased I had, I noticed the girls shared a distinct look, like they knew something I didn't. Each lifted one brow, a shoulder raised in a bare shrug, as if they were communicating through . . . telepathy.

4. If your story were to be made into a movie, who do you think could play Allie’s part and why?
Wow, Joya, this is a hard question. I'm really stumped. I'd never even thought of it as a movie. Any ideas?
Joya’s note: LOL, so now I’m stumped, too. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say Kaley Cuoco (from “The Big Bang Theory). What do you think? Come on, Hollywood, give Vicki a call.

5. What’s your next release and when is it coming out?
For sure, Christmas 2012 brings "Twinkle Lights." The publisher hoped to put it out this year, even got a cover, but nothing yet. It's a very funny story.

Otherwise, I have eight things on my computer to put somewhere. Am working on a secret project. And writing a new short story--"Raving Beauty." Yeah, it is a funny one, too. I'd be lost without my humor.

Thanks, Joya, for having me here. I wish you much success in your writing.
Great to have you and thanks for stopping by, Vicki. Best wishes to you for much continued success!

Vicki Batman is kicking back with her diet Coke and working on another short. Find her at: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com
Or at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com
Find "I Believe," her sexy novella with a touch of magic at: https://nobleromance.com

Love Delivered, Trailer

2011-11-30T20:38:00.001-08:00

It's release month for Love Delivered!

12.21.2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZWgfvgKxVQ

Check Bianca and Pete's book trailer.

Love Delivered Releasing December 21, 2011

2011-11-09T07:52:00.001-08:00

I'm so thrilled to announce that LOVE DELIVERED, a short contemporary romance, will release from The Wild Rose Press on December 21st. Cover artist Kim Mendoza once again designed a cover that showcases the characters and the story. Thanks, Kim!

Here's a blurb about the story:
Bianca McClain has worked for years to achieve her dream job in New York City. After her grandmother passes away, she finds herself returning to the small town she grew up in to ready her house for sale. The slow, friendly pace of the town and its citizens, especially Pete the mailman, appeal to her—but there’s no way she’s giving up everything she’s accomplished in New York.

Born and raised in Centreville, MD, Pete Schaeffer loves his small town mail carrier job and can’t imagine leaving for any reason—or anyone—so he's dumbfounded by his intense attraction to Bianca, a woman with a fast-paced life in the big city.

Pete and Bianca soon find themselves lost in each other’s arms. When the summer ends, they will have big decisions to make. Will the small-town guy and big-city girl find common ground and lasting love, or will their differences drive them apart?

Christi Barth's CRUISING TOWARD LOVE

2011-10-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to host my good friend, fabulous author, and critique partner Christi Barth today for a fun post about cruises and love. She's a gal who loves her hubby, and loves to write. I hope you enjoy getting to know her better today through some Q&A and a wonderful excerpt from her newest release, CRUISING TOWARD LOVE.

One of the things you like your readers to know is that your husband is “absolutely the best husband.” How did you meet and how has he influenced your writing?
We met at a callback to play the romantic leads in a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. We pissed each other off that day, but got the parts and became great friends by the time the production closed. He then auditioned for another show just to be near me! He doesn’t have any influence on the characters I write. After all, why would I want to share the perfect man with the rest of the world? There’d be a line at my front door. He does, however, support my writing career 110%, in innumerable ways. I wouldn’t be at this point in my career without him.

2. You’re a big supporter of local theatre. How has your ongoing interest in theatre contributed to your books and characters?
To say I have a flair for the dramatic would be putting it mildly. No doubt my years as an actress exponentially enhanced my adoration of a happy ending and a need to put a smile on people’s faces. In my book the characters are realistic, but the situations might be enhanced a shade or two from reality to punch it up a bit. The theatre teaches you to go big!

3. CRUISING TOWARD LOVE takes place on a cruise ship. Have you ever been on a cruise? If so, what’s your best “cruise advice” for someone who’s never been?
I’ve been fortunate to cruise twice, and I can’t wait to go again. They treat you like royalty, and you see amazing things. My first piece of advice would be not to wait – cruises aren’t as expensive as you might think, so go book one! But the real cruise insider tip would be to not waste space in your luggage with packing beach towels for your shore excursions – the ship will provide EVERYTHING you need. You’ll need that space for souvenirs…and duty free local rums, of course.

4. Zoe, the heroine in CRUISING TOWARD LOVE, has a very colorful family. What inspired the secondary characters in this book?
They’re definitely not from real life, because I’m an only child. I thoroughly enjoy the interplay of secondary characters in the books that I read, so I wanted to be sure to interject it into everything I write. Kind of like buying presents for people that you’d like to keep for yourself. They are also a handy way to introduce humor, which I try to infuse into every book. My main characters are a cup of coffee. The secondary characters are the cream and sugar. You wouldn’t want to drink an entire cup of sugar and cream, but they are enjoyable additions to the main event.

5. Nate, the hero in CRUISING TOWARD LOVE, is an Army medic. What sort of research did you have to do to make this character and his background authentic?
Probably not enough, I’ll admit. I did research Army bases to figure out where he could’ve been stationed for the past ten years. My responsibility as an author is to make up the plots and characters, but to get all facts possible correct. So I do strive for a high level of authenticity. At a picnic, 2/3 of the way through writing the book, I mentioned to a friend who spent years in the Army something about Nate’s gun. She immediately corrected me – soldiers always refer to their ‘weapon’, never their ‘gun’. I never would’ve discovered that through research. So helpful, not to mention serendipity that led us to sit next to each other to share the mustard.

Want to ignore the leaf piles and biting wind by indulging in a funny, sexy romp through the Caribbean? Of course you do! So dive into the pages of Cruising Toward Love by Christi Barth. Here’s a blurb to get you started. If you really want to get your feet wet, there’s an excerpt below the banner.

Can an unexplained breakup and ten years of heartache be cured by the romance – and endless buffets – of a tropical cruise? When her sister is left at the altar, small town librarian Zoe Balis jumps at the chance to take the bride’s unused ticket for the honeymoon cruise. But she didn't count on sharing a cabin with the man who broke her heart ten years ago!
Army medic Nate Hyatt never told Zoe goodbye when he enlisted - or the real reason why he dumped her on prom night after a year as high school sweethearts. And he never stopped dreaming about the girl he left behind. Could this voyage be his chance to fix the worst mistake he ever made? After all, a Caribbean cruise should be romantic… if he can convince her to move past ten years of bitterness and hurt.
Once aboard the luxury liner, Zoe befriends a bored Internet mogul with more heart than tact. Nate vents his problems to a ship’s photographer battling PTSD. The four team up on an island hopping treasure hunt. The stakes grow higher with each of Zoe’s mysterious brushes with death. They race to discover why she's a target and who's behind it, while still competing in the treasure hunt. Zoe’s never gotten over her first love, and is tempted to let Nate back into her life. But she already lost him once. She’s not willing to risk loving a man whose career keeps him in a combat zone. Can Nate breach her defenses and suture her broken heart? Grab a deck chair and see if they survive the stormy relationship seas as they cruise toward love!

"Did you stop kissing me because you weren’t enjoying it? You see, I’ve dealt with the first time you rejected me, when you left all those years ago. There’s no need to rehash the past. But I don’t think I could bear you rejecting me a second time. So I have to know—did you not take me to bed the other night because I didn’t turn you on, or was it because I somehow wasn’t good enough at it?"
The world stood still while she waited for his answer. Zoe focused on the squawk of sea gulls and the muted slap of the surf at the base of the wall. The lyrical lilt of Spanish from the group of teenagers passing by. A low buzz which must be some exotic insect in the shrubbery along the path. Every sound in her immediate vicinity rang with absurd clarity—except the sound she waited on with bated breath—Nate’s reply.
"If you still don’t want me, just say so, damn it!" she burst out.
Was it anger that hardened the lines of his body? Disinterest? Annoyance? Zoe couldn’t get a read on him. Nate advanced slowly. She backed into the turret, the space tight and cramped even for her stature. Built for the far shorter men of an earlier century, Nate had to duck his head as he edged ever closer. His sheer presence commanded as much area as his physical body. Something, some emotion rolled off him in waves, shimmering like heat above asphalt on a summer day. Why couldn’t she tell what was going on in his head?
"The sky is blue," said Nate, his face separated from hers by only a breath.
Huh? "Is that a military thing? Are you talking in code?"
"The sun rises in the east. Play with fire and you’ll get burned. These are all absolute truths. Indisputable facts. Well, there’s one more absolute you need to file away in your mental card catalog."
Nate brought the lower half of his body so close Zoe felt the heat radiating from his legs. Despite the heat, her goose bumps had goose bumps. The anticipation of his touch brought her every sense to high alert. He raised his arms up, planted his hands on either side of her head to cage her in place. Then he tilted so his forehead bumped hers. Her field of vision narrowed to the indigo sea of his eyes, pupils flooding black in the shaded darkness of the narrow turret they shared.
"I want you, Zoe." He forced the words out in a heavy rasp. "I wanted you the day we met. You wore a red ribbon in your hair, dropped a stack of books on my foot, and apologized adorably for ten minutes. All I could think of was wrapping the ribbon around my hand to pull you in for a kiss. I wanted you the first time we kissed, on the bridge in a storm. One by one, I licked off every raindrop that clung to your skin. I wanted you when I saw you covered in mud last Friday. Wanted you badly enough to crawl right into the mud to be with you. I want you now, and I will always want you."
Zoe let her eyes flutter shut in preparation for a kiss. Such a heartfelt, utterly romantic speech could only end one way. Just as whipped cream hungered for a cherry, his words demanded to be topped off by a kiss. She didn’t care about the past. With a handful of sentences he’d put her insecurities to rest. Nate dazzled her, and she was ready for more.
What was taking him so long? From beneath her lashes she snuck a peek. No Nate. Hoping the knees he’d melted to jelly would hold her, Zoe scrambled out onto the dirt path. Twenty strides ahead, Nate bellowed at her over his shoulder. "Hurry up. We don’t want to miss the reading of the clue."
From confusion to relief with paper hearts dancing overhead...right back to confusion, all in less than five minutes. Zoe trudged after him with one thought uppermost in her mind—now what?
For more information and purchase links, please visit www.christibarth.com

Baltimore Book Festival, September 23-25

2011-09-22T10:23:00.001-07:00

It's here! It's free! It's time for the Baltimore Book Festival.

http://http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/

Author appearances, book signings, panel discussions, workshops and more! Hope to see you at the Baltimore Book Festival.

When: Friday, September 23, noon-8

Saturday, September 24, noon-8

Sunday, September 25, noon-7

Where: Mt. Vernon Place, 600 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Where to find Joya:

Friday, 1:30 p.m. in the Maryland Romance Writers tent (look for the black-eyed susans)

CHARMED BY CHARM CITY, WHY BALTIMORE MAKES A GREAT SETTING FOR A NOVEL

Join Joya and her fellow Maryland Romance Writer friends Sharon Buchbinder, Laura Kaye, Kate Dolan and Jeri Smith-Ready to find out why Maryland is a great place to set a novel.

Friday, 2 p.m. in the Maryland Romance Writers tent

Joya will be read from BENEATH THE SURFACE, her debut novel which releases on January 18th, 2012. After the reading, Joya will give away a treasure chest filled with sea-themed items like Yankee Candle "beach towel" scented candle, turtle chocolate caramel candies, Swedish fish, a pirate boa and a Beneath the Surface tote bag. FREE to enter!

Saturday, 3 p.m. in the Maryland Romance Writers tent

Join Joya and her fellow Maryland Romance writer friends Laura Kaye, Christi Barth, Diane Wylie, Kate Poole and Sharon Buchbinder as they discuss Making the Most of Publishing with Small Presses and e-presses.

Sunday, noon, on the City Lit Stage

Join Joya and her Maryland Writers' Association friends Nicole Schultheis, T.C. Galltin, L.M. Preston and Eileen McIntire for readings and to discuss how critique groups can influence and shape an author's writing.

Hope to see you there!

Cassandra Carr, Guest Author

2011-08-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to author Cassandra Carr today. She's taking over my blog, while I take over hers for a day. She asks a great question: Why can’t real men be like my erotic romance heroes? –
This is an age-old question. From the time romance novels became popular, women have been asking why their men can’t behave/look more like the heroes in their stories. I am here to offer a few reasons why:

Real men don’t just “have” great bodies. They have to spend a significant portion of their time exercising. And when they’re at the gym that long, they aren’t attending to our “needs”, whether that means a foot massage, a night of hot sex, or doing the dishes (hey, I don’t know about you but I fantasize about my man doing the dishes without being asked!).

Real men aren’t all brawny, virile beasts who make you feel like a small, delicate flower in comparison. Some are tall, some are short, some are thin, some are beefier. But do you want a perfect-looking guy? Personally, it would give me a complex. I’ll take my five foot six husband, thanks very much. I can’t wear high heels, but they pinch my feet anyway and I don’t have to crane my neck every time I want to gaze upon his hotness.

Real men don’t have unlimited supplies of testosterone. I mean really – what woman wants to put up a guy who’s constantly up for sex? (Wait, don’t answer that…) And what about a guy who lasted all night? Craig Ferguson is on, people!

Real men don’t all have exciting careers as international spies and special forces soldiers. Truthfully, I wouldn’t want my man to have either occupation – neither is home very often, which leads me back to that whole “attending to my needs” thing. My hubby has a fairly regular nine-to-five job, which means he’s home at night. He entertains my daughter while I write and then keeps my bed warm at night. How could I ask for more?

Then there are the things that make real men better than romance heroes:

Real men aren’t fazed by the minutiae in life. They pick up the kids from day care, wipe the runny noses, fix the leaky toilet, and trim the bushes. They go to the grocery store, crawl through the bounce house, and change the sheets in the baby’s crib after she spits up. How many of us can actually picture the typical romance hero doing all of that?

So there you are, ladies. Real men aren’t like romance heroes, but when it comes down to it, do we really want them to be?

Bio: Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011. For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com, "like" her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter athttp://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.

Buy links:
Loose Id
AllRomanceEBooks
Amazon
Fictionwise
eBookwise
Barnes & Noble

Hearts in Darkness Treasure Hunt

2011-07-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

Two strangers. Four hours. One pitch-black elevator.

It’s National Talk in an Elevator Day (seriously!) and what better day to celebrate Hearts in Darkness? This top-rated contemporary romance is about two strangers who find acceptance and dare to find love while trapped for four hours in a pitch-black elevator.

And, did you know…???

Hearts in Darkness is the #4 Top-Rated
Kindle Contemporary Romance on Amazon?

So, we’re celebrating all this elevator-related goodness with a Treasure Hunt Giveaway! Here’s how to play:

1) Find the hidden word on each of the participating sites, usually 1 page off the main page
2) Keep track of the sites/words as you search
3) Email your findings to laurakayepromotions AT gmail DOT com and put Treasure Hunt in the subject heading. Entries accepted through 12 noon PST Saturday 7/30!

What can you win???
GRAND PRIZE: $50 AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE
FIRST RUNNER-UP: $20 DIGIBOOKS CAFÉ GIFT CERTIFICATE W/20% OFF CODE
SECOND RUNNER-UP: BAG OF HEARTS swag bag

Here’s where the treasure is buried:

1) For the Love of Books http://fourtheloveofbooks.blogspot.com/
2) Book Wenches http://www.bookwenches.com/laurakayestreasure.htm
3) My Eclectic Bookshelf www.myeclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com
4) MyVampFiction www.myvampfiction.com
5) Where’s my Muse? http://csmaxwell.blogspot.com/
6) Author AJ Nuest http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/
7) Author Jill James http://www.jilljameswrites.com/blog
8) Author Joya Fields http://joyafieldswriting.blogspot.com/
9) Author Sarah Grimm http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com
10) Author Sharon Buchbinder www.sharonbuchbinder.com/blog

When you’re done, stop over to Laura’s own blog for another fun giveaway opportunity!

Thanks for reading and playing!
Laura Kaye
Hot, Heartfelt Romance – Because everyone longs to belong…
Laura is a multi-published author of paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance with five books releasing in 2011

Read the reviews here!
Buy from amazon! | Buy from DigiBooks Café!
Follower Laura Kaye on twitter | facebook

The Wild Rose Press authors are all a-Twitter

2011-07-13T04:41:00.000-07:00

Being part of any supportive group is fun and The Wild Rose Press (TWRP) authors are a great example. Today, lots of TWRP authors will be posting excerpts and favorite lines from their books in a fun promotion to support one another and help readers learn more about TWRP books and authors.

And lucky me! I get to join in. Since I have two upcoming releases, here’s a little teaser about both of them. Hope you enjoy! Follow me on Twitter @joyafields and follow the fun on Twitter @TWRP.

LOVE DELIVERED (Short Contemporary Romance, available late 2011)

When Bianca finally had the willpower to pull away, her face heated and she stared at her lap. She hoped the stormy gray sky hid her embarrassment. She’d kissed him enthusiastically—like a schoolgirl with a giant crush—and had no idea where the impulse had come from. Sure, she liked him. It wasn’t until their lips met that she felt the spark that, even now, had her body shaking with desire.
“I…uh… Wow,” Pete said. From the stunned look on his face, she didn’t think he’d planned the kiss ahead of time. Like her, he probably hadn’t expected such intensity. He smiled his giant smile and leaned his forehead against hers. The move, although simple, felt intimate with him. “What did you put in that sweet tea?” he whispered.

BENEATH THE SURFACE (Full-length Romantic Suspense novel, available late 2011/early 2012)

For the first time since the accident, Brooke forgot about her leg. Forgot about all she’d lost and focused on the way Logan made her feel.
She knew she needed to stop him. She should find a way to resist the temptation to be with him. But for a few minutes, she could enjoy the taste of him, the feel of him, couldn’t she?
He dropped his hands to her waist and softened the kiss before trailing a line of kisses down her neck. A weak cry slipped from her mouth. “Garrett,” she whispered.
She should stop this now before it got any more intense.
He cupped her chin and forced her to meet his brown eyes, smoky with desire. Heat spiraled to her middle and she caught a whiff of his sawdust scent.
“I…I can walk you back to your own room before I head to mine.” His voice broke as he whispered.
She swallowed hard. She couldn’t do this right now with him. Too many obstacles stood in their way. But as she looked in his somber eyes, she realized none of those complications were bigger than her need for Garrett.

Amie Louellen--Brodie's Bride (A Fun Character Interview)

2011-06-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

Meet amazingly talented author Amie Louellen! Her book BRODIE'S BRIDE releases today from The Wild Rose Press. Since her main characters, Brodie and Savanna, are busy with "release day stuff," Brodie's best friend Jackson has stopped by for a visit.

Interview with Jackson McMasters, best friend of Brodie Harper

It’s been six months since that fateful night/morning when Brodie and Savanna woke up to find themselves married. But as their story goes public today, they weren’t available for an interview. So we have the next best thing. Today we have the other half of HarMac Construction, Jackson McMasters and his lovely wife, Gina.
“If he’s mad about this, I’m blaming it on you,” Jackson asides to Gina, then turns to smile and shake my hand. Jackson is just like described in the book. Blond, polished and wearing an impeccable suit. Dark-haired, dark-eyed Gina is glowing in only the way a new mother can.
“Blame it on me,” she says through her smile. “I’m not afraid of Brodie Harper.”
“Before you two get into a marital spat, let’s get this started.”
Jackson sits down and crosses ankle over knee, his movements nearly elegant. I’ve only met Brodie once before and for a brief time, but it’s so obvious that the two friends are exact opposites. Brodie is dark, a little rough around the edges and Jackson is…not.
“Thanks for coming today.”
Jackson nods.
“Now tell us, you and Brodie have been friends a long time, right?”
“Since elementary school.”
“We all met in the third grade,” Gina adds.
“And just what kind of person is Brodie Harper?”
Jackson smiles and straightens his dark purple power tie. “He’s the best kind I know. Salt of the earth, his Pop would say. Loyal, dependable. He’s the one person I’d want to have behind me.”
“Ahem.”
“Sorry, Gina. Did you have something to say?”
“No. Go on.”
“He’s taken care of his grandmother since his Pop died. That alone is a full time job. He has a great love of family and home.”
“I’ve heard that about him. So were you surprised to discover he’d married a stranger after a one night stand?”
“You…could say that.”
Gina laughs. “He was livid.”
“I was worried about the casino contract.”
“He was worried about his friend.”
“It’s just that no one expected Brodie to get married again,” Jackson explains.
“Again?”
Jackson nods. “Brodie was marred once before. His wife left him to go to Hollywood. It’s caused some issues for him, but I think Savanna has helped him through all of that.”
“So you approve of his marriage then.”
“Of course.”
Gina all but snorts. “You weren’t so approving in the beginning.”
“It was a shock.”
“He thought she was a hooker.” Gina shows utter delight in letting this tidbit fly.
Jackson coolly raises an eyebrow. “So did Brodie. She was dressed a little—“
“Don’t say it,” Gina warns.
“Well, she had decided to disguise herself and follow her fiancé to find out if he was up to no good—“
“Which he was,” Gina adds.
“—and she ended up married to Brodie instead.”
“And his wedding night was also your wedding night.”
“That’s correct, but that’s all the details I’m giving on that. If you want any more, and you’ll have to talk to him.”
“Just where is Brodie today?”
“He had other business to attend.”
“He’s out flying the Cessna with Red Sullivan, the casino owner. Now that Savanna has gotten over her fear, she’s making Red teach her how to fly the plane. Brodie won’t let her go up without him.”
“A casino heiress flying a plane, that would be something to see.”
Gina’s phone chimes and she holds it up for Jackson to see. “Time to get Rosie.”
Jackson stands and reaches out to shake my hand. “Sorry to cut this short, but duty calls.”
Fatherly duty.
Who knows maybe soon, it’ll be Brodie’s turn on baby patrol. One can only hope.
Amie Louellen--Brodie's Bride
Available 6/24/2011 from The Wild Rose Press

Amie Louellen loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family…and maybe homemade tacos…and shoes. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list. When she's not creating quirky characters and happy endings she enjoys going to little league baseball games and boy scout meetings. Born and bred in Mississippi, Amie is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, a spoiled cat, and one very hyper beagle.

BOOK COVER FOR BENEATH THE SURFACE!

2011-05-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

Are you ready? Really ready? Okay (drum roll please). The cover for BENEATH THE SURFACE has arrived. I couldn't be happier! The cover art department at The Wild Rose Press did a wonderful job. Special thanks to cover artist Kimberlee Mendoza for her awesome work!

BENEATH THE SURFACE

She's fighting to stay independent--he's determined to protect her no matter what...

Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the-art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda's boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

Police Officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archaeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancee's death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.

Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other's wounds and find a killer...before it's too late?

Growing a garden despite the stink bugs

2011-02-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

After fifteen years of planting tomatoes, corn, zucchini, spinach, cucumbers and more, this year’s question is: do I dare go through all the work to grow seeds indoors and spend hours tending to them throughout March and April, just to plant them outside for stink bugs to destroy?
I checked with Jon Traunfeld, director at the University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Center for some advice.
“Calls to our hotline (1-800-342-2507 M-F 8am to 1pm) and observations, indicate that stink bugs are more of a problem on some crops than others. Tomatoes, peppers, beans and corn seem to be most susceptible to damage from this new invasive pest. Spinach, chard and lettuces are less likely to be affected, so plant away,” Jon said.
He offered these strategies to protect your vegetables:
- Use floating row cover (a white, light-weight fabric with a gauze-like appearance) which is draped over plants and secured to the ground. It allows light, air and water to penetrate, but excludes pests.
- Monitor daily for stinkbugs and brush them into a bucket of soapy water to keep their numbers down.
- There is some evidence that the early life stages of this pest are more susceptible to chemical controls such as insecticidal soap, neem oil and pyrethrums
I’m going to plant my garden as usual. And remember, the stink bugs came to the U.S. via fruit from another country. If you plant a garden AND buy your produce locally, not only are you supporting your neighborhood farmer, but you’re potentially keeping bugs out of your yard, too.
Much research is being done on this pest. Here is a link to the latest information: www.hgic.umd.edu/content/BrownMarmoratedStinkBug.cfm

Happy planting! :)

How does your (salad) garden grow?

2010-03-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

This year, I’m trying two new types of gardens in addition to my regular vegetable garden. I think I’ll blame the snowy Maryland winter for my zest.

It’s March and that means it’s time to plant cold weather veggies like spinach and lettuce. And, thanks to some online directions from the Maryland Extension service and a little help from my husband and his chainsaw, I’ve made a salad table.

It sits right outside the back door…steps away from the kitchen. If all goes as planned, we’ll be having dinner salads with spinach/lettuce that was picked minutes before we eat it.

Directions for making a salad table:
http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/hg601.pdf

Coming in April: the OTHER new garden experiment. Hint: I’m hoping to get tomatoes and peppers a month earlier than usual. A salsa garden! (And find out if the salad garden is making progress.)

Almost Vegetarian

2010-01-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

Well, this should be interesting.
I’ve never been a big meat lover, but after finding out some not-so-great facts about the way animals are treated on factory farms as they are raised for meat, I am challenging myself to change the way our family eats.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing if we got healthier along the way too.
But the challenge is going to be finding meals that:
1.) Are easy to shop for
2.) Are easy to prepare
3.) Taste good for everyone in a picky family. And having one member who detests beans is going to make this all the harder.
4.) Are not too costly

Today is day one of an interesting journey. I’d love to hear comments and suggestions (and recipes…looking for recipes that have been successful for others).
Tonight’s dinner: Eggplant parmesan (Frozen…I’m totally cheating. But it’ll be a good test.)

Why We Write What We Write

2009-08-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

When I first started writing romance five years ago, I had an idea for a nice, sweet romance and I sat down at the computer to write it. By page three there was someone lurking in the shadows and I knew my heroine was in danger. By page twenty, two people were dead. I was smart enough to go with it, and 250 pages later I’d completed a romantic suspense.
I’ve often wondered why I write about stalkers, killers, kidnappers, criminals and bad things happening to good people. I think it’s because I’ve led a charmed, happy life and to keep my writing exciting, I need to write about extraordinary events. But there’s a deeper reason too. I truly believe that bad guys will get what’s coming to them and good guys will prevail. What goes around comes around. And writing a novel where that happens again and again feels good.
However, writing romantic suspense leaves me with a dilemma. We’re told to write what we know. How can I write about police procedures, forensics and prisons when I don’t know anything about those things?
Thank goodness for experts! I’ll be heading out on a police ride-along this month with my local county police department to experience a shift on the force. And experts in the field of forensics and law enforcement have been very generous with information and are only a phone call or email away. I’ve also attended some great workshops (my favorite was the MRW workshop with Dana Kollmann, forensics expert and author of “Never Suck a Dead Man’s Hand.”)
What I’m learning is that “write what you know” can really be “write what comes out, then learn as you go.” Don’t shy away from a genre because it’s not something you know a lot about—if you sit down to write, and keep an open mind, who knows what might turn up on the pages!
In an effort to find out more about why people write what they write, I’ve asked some romance authors of different genres for their opinions on the subject.
Loree Lough—Romance Genre: Inspirational
“I write what I write because I cannot NOT write it. I’ve tried fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, even some steamier stuff within the confines of the romance genre, and while most of it has sold fairly well, the end results just don’t make me proud, don’t fulfill me, don’t satisfy my ‘What am I contributing to the writing world?’ drive. Inspirational fiction, in a word, DOES. Hundreds of letters let me know that the themes I’m threading through the novels are resonating with readers. They share their own personal stories because what’s happening to my characters is similar to what’s going on in their own lives. I can count on one hand (and have fingers left over!) the number of letters that DON’T say “I identified with your heroine” or “My husband is just like your hero!” So I guess you’d say another reason I write what I write is because my readers have asked me to. And I refuse to let them down.”
Upcoming releases: “Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska,” (October 2009) “Be Still and Let Your Nail Polish Dry!” (A devotional w/A. Boeshaar, S. Bricker, D. Mayne, 2009) “Midnight Frolic” (2009) “Love’s Sweet Attack” (2009), “Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina” (2010) and five other novels coming out 2010/2011.
Susan Gable—Romance Genre: Contemporary
“The need for a Happy Ending goes without saying. I want my beloved characters intact when I get to the end of a story.
There’s a Chinese saying: May you live in interesting times. I think it’s actually more a curse than a blessing. But I think we do live in interesting times, and I like writing books that give me opportunities to explore the emotional ramifications of the “stuff” of our times. I’ve written about a surrogate mom who kidnapped the baby in-utero, exploring what defines a mother in this day and age. My recent book explored the impact on a family when a child witnessed one parent kill the other. We live in messy, messy times. Writing my books helps me try to make some sense of it all.”
Available now: “A Kid to the Rescue” –Harlequin Superromance (Feb 2009, still available in eBook format). Upcoming release:“A Family Recipe” – Harlequin Superromance (August 2010)
Sharon Buchbinder—Romance Genre: Suspense
“I like a character driven romance, and enjoy the thrill of a good chase. I love all the CSI type shows, and can use my medical/healthcare background to inform my writing. I DO enjoy the HEA, but in my latest completed MS, the Villainess gets away...so I can bring her back in the sequel, of course! Plus, I liked her too much to lock her up or kill her off. She changed over the course of the story, too, because of the power of love. Isn’t that what we’re about?”
Upcoming releases: “Moral Inventory,” being pitched at agents and editors everywhere!
Jenna Petersen—Romance Genre: Historical Romance
“This is where I get my ideas and where my ideas really excite me! I love the rules of Society, I love breaking them, I love everything about my time period (Regency) and all the fun ways I can play with it. The moment the ideas stop coming or stop thrilling me, I’ll switch to something else. But until then I’m a historical girl!”Available now: “Her Notorious Viscount” (April 2009). Upcoming release:“What the Duke Desires” (November 2009).

Easy, Fast and Tasty Slow Cooker Recipes

2009-04-04T10:07:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about your household, but spring doesn’t just bring singing birds, beautiful flowers and sunny days with it around here; it also brings a very hectic family schedule! Between sports, school plays, yard work, and daily duties it’s hard for me to find time to shop for groceries, no less turn those groceries into a meal!

Slow cooker to the rescue! Besides being a great way to have a hot meal ready at various times, crock pot creations are a delicious treat to take along to cookouts and parties too. So here are some fast (throw in the ingredients, stir, run out the door, return hours later to a finished product!) recipes.

Get outside, enjoy spring and let the slow cooker do the work for you…but remember…you should still take all the credit when everyone praises the meal!

Tangy Meatballs
Ingredients:
1 2-lb. bag frozen meatballs
1 jar of jelly, 12 oz. (any flavor)
1 jar chili sauce, 12 oz. (found in grocery store near ketchup)
Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. Never fails—when I take these meatballs to a party, at least three people ask for the recipe. I tell them it’s a secret. No…just kidding…I tell them the recipe and they are always surprised at how simple it is.

Pulled Pork (or beef)
Ingredients:
3-4 pound pork loin (or beef) cut up into huge chunks
1 bottle barbeque sauce, 16 oz.
Two ingredients for this recipe! The trick is to “pull” the pork/beef as it cooks. Cook on high for 3 hours, then cook on low for 3-4 hours. In the last two hours of cooking time, use two forks to pull the meat pieces apart—it’s so tender that this job is very easy. Serve on buns.
The longer this cooks, the tastier it is!

Beef Stew
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 onion, diced
1 lb. beef, cubed (more than 1 lb. if you like a lot of meat)
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups string beans, cut into pieces
1 large can V8 juice
Pour olive oil into bottom of crock pot; add garlic, onion and cubes of beef. Cook on high setting for one hour (you can cook the beef/garlic/onion on the stovetop instead if you’re running out the door for the day.) Add remaining ingredients. Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours.
The V8 is my mother’s trick—it gives the stew a nice flavor and really seeps into the ingredients. Remember to cut the potatoes into small pieces so they won’t be crunchy. Add some rolls and you’ve got a very hearty meal!

Growing Veggies from Seeds

2009-03-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

There is something special about eating a vegetable that started out in your fingers as a tiny seed. I’ve been gardening for over 20 years, but I am always amazed to witness the growth cycle. Transplanting store-bought plants is certainly easier than growing from seed, but seeing those first green sprouts peek out from the dirt is a lot more fun!

Our last frost date in Maryland is officially May 15th, so any plants vulnerable to freezing temperatures can’t be planted outside until after this date. But because Maryland has a short growing season (about 3 months,) we can’t just plop a seed in the ground outside—it needs to be a full-grown, hardened-off plant by May 15th.

March is the month I get to go to the store, buy packets of Burpee seeds: tomato, jalapeno pepper, sweet pepper, cucumbers, zucchini squash, yellow squash, string beans, peas and corn.

So as I prepare to get my hands dirty, I thought I’d share the best way I’ve found to start these seedlings using Styrofoam cups, potting soil and a plastic tray that holds about ½ inch of water.

Directions:
Punch 4-5 drainage holes in the bottom of each Styrofoam cup. Fill about ½ way with potting soil.
Fill plastic tray with ½ inch of warm water, line your soil-filled cups up in the bin. After about an hour, the soil will have “sucked up” a lot of the water.
Put 2-3 seeds in each cup (read package directions to be sure you plant seeds at proper depth.)
Use a permanent marker on the outside of cup to label the plant.
Pour in more water if needed.
Cover with loosely with plastic wrap and place in a sunny window.
After about a week, you’ll notice seedlings popping up—take off the plastic wrap. Turn the seedlings every day or every other day so the plant doesn’t lean one way (as it reaches for the sunshine.) After about 2 weeks, pull the weaker seedlings out and discard—this keeps the strong seedlings able to get all the nourishment they need.
If you keep water in the bottom of the tray, there should be no need to water from the top (that way you won’t stress the plant.) The roots get plenty of water and send it up to the plant.
After about 6-7 weeks (depending on weather) harden-off the plants. To do this, take them outside for about an hour the first day; three hours the next day; five hours the next day, etc. until they are outside all day long. Then just bring them in at night. Then the next day, leave them out all day and all night. Now they are used to the weather elements and are ready to be transplanted into the garden.

Enjoy your fresh veggies and if you have any good ideas about keeping away deer, moles, or rabbits, let me know via a blog post or email. I’m getting a little tired of “sharing” my produce with them! Happy gardening! :)

Taking a Guilt-free Day Off

2009-02-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard the expression “need something done, ask a busy person?”
I’m usually that busy person who gets asked.
I am happiest when I’m so busy that I run from task to task (can’t the puppy pee any faster…can’t the computer hurry up and load that program?) Sometimes I feel like my family thinks they are watching a human version of the Road Runner. Beep Beep. Lucky for me, my friends are just like I am, so we move fast together.

But…

I am the first to admit that a day off is one of the best ways to stay motivated, energized and excited about work.

My most productive days have often followed a day off for fun. And fun doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. A hike in that park that you’ve driven past a hundred times, lunch with an old friend you keep meaning to make time for, or even a whole day to read the newest bestseller.

Trust me. Just do it. If you need to take baby steps, then do something just for you, just for fun, for one hour. Notice how refreshed you feel. You’ll find yourself coming back to your tasks with a renewed energy and accomplishing more than ever because you gave into that much-needed break.

Don’t feel guilty—think of time off as homework if you want—because to keep moving forward, sometimes you need to pause.

To Do or Not To Do

2008-12-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

I’m often told that I’m an organized person.

I’m not organized—I am hyper organized (maybe there’s a support group for others like me…if so, I’m sure they’re already so organized that I’m on the mailing list.)

But…
I have a confession to make…

I would be nowhere without my To Do list. It’s what keeps me on track, makes me run from one job to the next and helps me get everything done.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, To Do lists can keep you on track. But there is a catch. The list works only if you hold yourself accountable. Since I am my own boss, there isn’t anybody to notice if I sit and stare out the window at the beautiful view all day. But since I am my own boss, I also know there is that pesky list that begs for my attention. And if the items on that list aren’t crossed off by the end of the day, it’s not a good feeling.

So I fill up the list with lots of goals: write 2,000 words, edit short story, research what a dead body looks like after it’s been under water for a month, etc.

At the risk of making myself sound really boring, one of my favorite things to do throughout the day is check things off my list.

Chances are if you write something down, it will inspire you to do it.

Okay, now I can cross “blog” off my list for today! :)

Saving money...without feeling the pinch too much

2008-11-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

Gas prices are finally coming down, but the cost of groceries (and almost everything else) is going up. And now the holidays are coming—a time of year when we usually spend even more money.

The good news? Saving money is fun.
No, seriously!

I LOVE saving money. In fact, there’s nothing like that feeling of getting a good deal, or using a valuable coupon or doing something without hiring a professional.

So here are some of my all-time favorite hints for saving money:

1. Money saved is better than money earned. Think about it. When you work extra hours, get a second job, etc., you are taxed on the income. But if you SAVE money—for instance, cut the lawn yourself or paint your own nails—the money you save is not taxed. Free money!
2. Make meals at home as often as possible. It’s hard, but the trick is to plan ahead. Stock up on staples (meat, potatoes, canned/frozen vegetables, etc.) and make meals that fit your family’s taste. My favorite method of making meals is using the crock pot—throw stuff in the pot in the morning, it’s ready by dinner.
3. Use cash. This is hard too. And when credit card companies offer you rebates for using their card, it’s easy to think it’s a bargain to charge items. But it’s also very tempting to overspend and make impulse purchases when there isn’t an immediate subtraction from your wallet.
4. Skip the frilly luxuries, or at least scale down. You can probably be just as happy getting together with friends over a plain old cup of regular coffee with a little milk in it for $1.50 instead of a fancy latte.
5. Drink water. Instead of soda and sports drinks, have water with meals. Even bottled water is less expensive than drinks. But why not fill a pitcher with water and keep it in the fridge? It’ll be cold and it’s free.

The list could go on, but here are some suggestions for books and web sites with more money-saving tips:
‘The Complete Tightwad Gazette’ by Amy Dacyczyn. This is a great book with practical tips and tried-and-true techniques.
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2008/01/30-easy-ways-to-save-money-and-no-you.html Sensible ideas!
http://www.doughroller.net/2007/11/06/51-painless-money-saving-tips/ Original and straight-talking suggestions.

Feel free to post a comment and add your favorite way to save money!

Summer Reading

2008-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Summer beach reading season is here!

As much fun as it is to cozy up with a book in the winter, it’s just as enjoyable to lounge around with a good, long book in the summer heat (or air conditioning).

There’s something about summer that inspires me to read more than usual. When I was growing up, we only had one air conditioned spot in our house—a window unit in my parents’ room. So when it was unbearably hot, we’d all pile into that one bedroom with a big stack of books and read all day, happy to be cool and entertained.

Books haven’t lost their summer appeal. Lucky for me, my whole house is air conditioned now, and I still love to stock up on books so I can lose myself in a good romantic suspense or mystery.

Fortunately, my favorite authors have just released, or are getting ready to release new books. Here’s a list of my summer reading…here’s hoping you enjoy them too!

FEARLESS FOURTEEN by Janet Evanovich
If you haven’t read any of the Stephanie Plum books, it’s time to run out and get the first 13. Then buy this one. Hilarious, sexy without even trying, and heart-warming too. And if you’re from New Jersey and have never read this series…shame on you, get reading!

CHARLEY'S WEB by Joy Fielding
I don’t just love Joy because her name is so much like mine, I’m also anxious to see what intricate web she spins in her newest book. When I read the description of this one, I wanted to run out and buy a copy right away. Sounds scary, realistic, and emotional.

DUMA KEY by Stephen King
This book is so thick I thought it would take me a month or more to read it. Problem is, once you start reading, you can’t stop. I finished it in 6 days.

TRIBUTE by Nora Roberts
Her characters are so real, and the situations they get into are so interesting. Any book by Nora is a must-read. A nice, thick summer hardcover is a gotta read!

And don’t forget to read:

THE DARKEST EVENING OF THE YEAR by Dean Koontz
WHERE ARE YOU NOW? By Mary Higgins Clark
UP CLOSE AND DANGEROUS by Linda Howard
BEST KEPT SECRETS by Sandra Brown
TAILSPIN by Catherine Coulter

Quotes That Mean Something

2008-05-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

I love getting to know people through interviews. I’ve made life-long friends while writing articles, learned a lot about life and people. I’ve been lucky and honored to write stories about heartache and celebration, tragedy and hope.

Albert Einstein would have been a great interview. His quotes, many of them famous, beg for discussion. Or explanations. Here are some of my favorite quotes…and the thoughts that run through my head as I read them.

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. Albert Einstein

Good one Albert! If a genius can admit to mistakes—in fact encourage them—I feel confident messing up.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

One question: does this apply to computer problems? Because I think if I press the same button, it might start working if I do it enough times.

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. Albert Einstein

Wow. He was genius!

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. Albert Einstein

As a gardener, this is one of my favorite quotes. There’s something about the way earth worms aerate the soil, and roots grow toward water, and leaves shade the fruit that makes nature so incredible.

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein

I’d love to hear him say this. Because maybe he was trying to be funny. Maybe he didn’t mean it to be interpreted as a slight to human intelligence. Maybe he laughed after he said this, adding “just kidding.” But then again, maybe he was on the beltway at rush hour.

Busy People

2007-12-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and best wishes for happiness for all!!

Big Announcement of the Month: My manuscript "Season of Justice" is a finalist in TWO contests!!

I found out this weekend that I'm a finalist in the First Coast Romance Writers 2007 Beacon Contest and also the 2007 Golden Palm Contest! I'm flattered and excited to be chosen for these honors. My entry will be forwarded to an agent and an editor, and I will be notified of the results in late March. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
December is here and like most people, I'm crazy busy. What is it about being so busy that makes me want to write even more than usual? I think there are two reasons.
First, I'm a homebody. I'd much rather be home in a sweatshirt and baggy pants, in front of the wood stove (cranked up to high heat with about 5-6 logs on it) and a glass of wine this chilly time of year rather than go out. But hibernating is not the way to generate writing ideas. Lucky for me, my friends send invitations to parties, other friends invite me out for holiday coffee dates and of course I'm constantly at the mall. Getting out, being around lots of people energizes me, gets my creative juices flowing.
Secondly, that old saying 'If you want something done, ask a busy person' is so true! The busier I am, the more ideas I come up with for stories. Not only that, but if I'm pressed for time, and only have an hour to sit at the computer and write...guess what? That's when the ideas come pouring out like a water spigot without a turn-off valve! I can't stop writing. I end up being late to pick up the kids from school, late getting dinner on the table and...well, you get the idea.
And loving every minute of it!
Here's hoping you and yours have a wonderful (and busy) holiday season. No use complaining about it. Hey, it beats the alternative! Aren't we lucky to have so much fun stuff going on? Isn't it great that with all the bad things in the world, we can concentrate, if only for a little while, on putting up festive decorations, baking cookies to share, giving gifts to make others happy?

Get busy!
:)Joya