by Christine | Writer Wednesday
My friend, Author Sally Felt. She’s almost always laughing!
Sally Felt is another one of my online writer hang-out group that I dearly adore. Way back in 2003, when there were four of us exchanging snippets and encouragement online, Sally blew me away with her writing.
So I’m extremely happy to note that two of the books she’d been working on back then are now (and soon to be) available for purchase. I’ve had her on Writer Wednesday before, but she deserves another showcase.
Her first romantic comedy is called Going Native, and I had the pleasure of watching this novel evolve from tentative first steps to the glorious thing it is now.
Here’s the blurb for Going Native:
“Violet Maison is house sitting a fabulous penthouse loft with a wardrobe to die for. Tired of worrying about everyone else’s expectations, Violet’s ready to walk a mile in her friend’s very sexy shoes. She embraces her new life by planting a jubilant, champagne-fueled kiss on the sexy stranger
Going Native by Sally Felt
next door.
Eddie is in town to help close a business deal—and lick his wounds after a bad breakup. The last thing he wants is complications. But surprise kisses from the tipsy redhead next door prove a Texas-sized distraction he can’t ignore. Violet is demure one minute and suggesting clandestine sexcapades the next. Eddie can barely keep up. Or wait to see what Violet does next.
Something about Eddie burns away Violet’s inhibitions, though discovering he holds the key to the future of her family’s business shakes her newfound confidence. But Violet finally knows what it’s like to feel sexy and powerful, and she’s not about to give that up. She’s ready to fight for the life, and the man, she wants.
A Romantica® Contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave”
Sally’s newest book, Flushed, comes out on February 6th, 2014 and is currently available for pre-order. Here’s the quick blurb for Flushed, also an Ellora’s Cave publication.
“Blush sensuality level: This is a sensual romance (may have explicit love scenes, but not erotic in frequency or type).
Flushed, by Sally Felt. Available February 6, 2014
Kissing her plumber in the middle of her dinner party is the very last way Isabelle expected to spend her night—after all, she’s sworn off dating. But when Kim Martin, plumber to the rescue, charms her guests and poses as her new guy to spare Isabelle the humiliation of an uninvited ex, she makes an impromptu exception—and gets carried away.
At first, being Isabelle’s faux beau suits Kim Martin just fine. She’s hot, intriguing and won’t get in the way of his plans to blow town and build a business he’s passionate about. But Isabelle just isn’t cut out to be a goodtime girl. She gets under Kim’s skin and into his head—and he’s not entirely sure what to do about that.
Kim should be everything Isabelle believes of men in general—confident, flirtatious and too attractive for his own good. Yet the more Isabelle tries to fit him into a box, the harder he fights his way out of it. He’d be maddening if he weren’t so intriguing.
A Blush® contemporary romance from Ellora’s Cave.”
Check out Sally’s Amazon Page, and her website.
Happy Wednesday, my lovelies!
)O(
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Yvonne Jocks, Author (Isn’t this logo FABULOUS??)
I met Yvonne Jocks at my very first Romance Writers of America conference in 2002 in Denver, Colorado. Yvonne was not only signing books, but she was teaching a workshop on how to incorporate the use of magic in your writing. When I saw in the syllabus for the week that one of the books she used as a reference was one of my brother Scott’s, I of COURSE had to introduce myself. Big hugs and instant friendship – I count myself very lucky to have Von in my life (though it has been TOO LONG since I’ve hugged her!) She is also a part of the online band of intrepid writers that I belong to, along with Jenn Reese and Anne Nesbet, middle grade authors that I profiled last week.
Whether you pick up books by Yvonne Jocks or Evelyn Vaughn, the experience is always spellbinding. Harlequin has published many of her books (two series I adore, The Grailkeepers and The Bladekeepers, are written under Evelyn Vaughn for Harlequin), and she has a new series out now called Overtime, written under the Yvonne Jocks name. The Overtime series is the one I’m focusing on today.
Here’s the first in the Overtime series. SEARCHING
Overtime, Book 1 – Searching
When an 1870’s trail boss with no sense of humor rescues a pretty time traveler with no memory, there’ll be trouble on the cattle drive.
A girl doesn’t wind up naked in a Kansas creek bed without asking herself the tough questions. If the first one is “Who am I”, she’s in for a rough time … or maybe the wrong time completely!
Despite the reluctant help of an 1870s trail-boss, “Lillabit” finds only contradictions. Though she’s guileless, her language shocks Texas cowboys. Though independent, she can’t rein a horse. She’s smart, but not about “current” events. And her dreams feature elevators, electricity, plumbing–and impossibility.
Something awful has happened. So as Lillabit acclimates to the slow, steady world of an Old West cattle drive, is she really finding herself? Or is she, just maybe, losing worlds more than her memory?
And book 2…TURNING
Turning, Book 2 in the Overtime series
I FIGURED IT OUT. I’M NOT FROM AROUND HERE.
Amnesia was easier.
Stranded in 1870s Dodge City, Lillabit remembers: She’s Elizabeth Rhinehart, a modern woman thrown back in time against her will.
Also? Someone may be out to kill her.
Her only hope of returning home lies with a trio of scientists in Colorado. To get there, Elizabeth needs passage with someone she can trust… perhaps someone like the no-nonsense trail boss who first rescued her from the desert. But even if Jacob Garrison lets her rejoin his cattle drive to Wyoming–once he learns her secrets, will he let her go home? Will she WANT to?
TURNING is the 2nd book and continuation of the somewhat romantic, sometimes comic, cattle-drive time-travel OVERTIME series. It ties up several major elements of the story–but we have 2 books to go!
Don’t those sound fantastic? If you want to know more about Yvonne Jocks, drop by her website.
And if you want more information about the Grailkeepers, click on the Grailkeepers button over to the left – there’s a wealth of history and research and other fun stuff there.
Speaking of books, what are you reading right now?
)O(
by Christine | Writer Wednesday
Jenn Ree
It’s not Writer Wednesday, but sometimes you just gotta break tradition! So, here we go!
Another one of those fantastic writers that I hang out with (and who humbles me with her snippets of awesomeness) is Jenn Reese. I’ve known Jenn since before I began my writing journey; she’s one of the very first people who assured me I can do this. (She’s still assuring me, and I don’t take that for granted one little bit.)
So, in my totally unbiased opinion, Above World is an adventure that ANY middle-grade reader would devour.
But before I introduce you to the books, here’s more about Jenn from her Amazon page:
“Writer. Martial artist. Geek.
Jenn writes science fiction and fantasy stories about heroes and adventure and lasting friendships. Her short stories have appeared online in Strange Horizons and in a number of anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award-winning Paper Cities. She makes her home in Los Angeles, a sun-bleached desert city of freaks that she absolutely loves. When she’s not sitting in traffic, she’s studying martial arts, playing video games, and dreaming of rain.
For more information on her stories, novels, and adventures, visit www.jennreese.com.”
Here’s the scoop from Amazon:
Jenn Reese’s middle-grade debut, Above World
A suspenseful sci-fi escapade plucks two children out of the ocean for a thrilling adventure. Thirteen-year-old Aluna has lived her entire life under the ocean with the Coral Kampii in the City of Shifting Tides. But after centuries spent hidden from the Above World, her colony’s survival is at risk. The Kampii’s breathing necklaces are failing, but the elders are unwilling to venture above water to seek answers. Only headstrong Aluna and her friend Hoku are stubborn and bold enough to face the terrors of land to search for way to save their people. But can Aluna’s fierce determination and fighting skills and Hoku’s tech-savvy keep them safe? Set in a world where overcrowding has led humans to adapt – growing tails to live under the ocean or wings to live on mountains – here is a ride through a future where greed and cruelty have gone unchecked, but the loyalty of friends remains true.
And Book Two, Mirage…
Book Two in the Trilogy
A thrilling sequel from an exciting new voice in middle-grade sci-fi tracks two ocean-born children braving the dangers of the Above World. The desert is no place for ocean-dwelling Kampii like Aluna and Hoku, especially now that Aluna has secretly started growing her tail. But the maniacal Karl Strand is out to conquer the Above World, and the horselike Equians are next on his list. Aluna, Hoku, and their friends — winged Calli and Equian exile Dash — race to the desert city of Mirage, intent on warning the Equians. When they arrive, Strand’s clone, Scorch, has gotten there first. Now the Equian leader has vowed to take all his people to war as part of Strand’s army. Any herd that refuses to join him by the time of the desert-wide competition known as the Thunder Trials will be destroyed. To have any chance of defeating Scorch and convincing the Equians to switch sides, the four friends must find a way to win the Trials. The challenge seems impossible. But if they fail, the desert — and possibly all of the Above World — will be lost to Karl Strand forever. Here is the action-packed follow-up to Above World, which Kirkus Reviews called “a thrilling sci-fi adventure. Imaginative and riveting.”
And of course, there’s a third book, coming in February 2014! Here’s Horizon, available for pre-order.
HORIZON:
Aluna and Hoku, Kampii from the City of Shifting Tides, and their friends, Equian Dash
Horizon, Book Three in the Above World Trilogy
and winged Aviar Calli, are determined to stop a war. The maniacal ex-scientist Karl Strand is planning to conquer the world with his enormous army of tech-enhanced soldiers . . . unless the four friends can get to Strand first. Aluna’s plan is dangerous: pose as Upgraders and infiltrate the army. But the enemy isn’t what they expected and the strategy begins to crumble. When the friends are torn apart by conflicting allegiances, their slim chance of avoiding war seems to disappear completely. For Aluna and Hoku, what began as a quest to save their own people has become a mission to save the world. But do Aluna and her friends have any hope of defeating Strand if they can’t take him on together?
If you have middle grade readers, add these books to their Christmas – they and you will be glad you did! Again, these are books worth giving in hardcover, as they will be read over and over again.
I have SO MANY talented friends. Do you know middle grade authors who deserve a shout out? Feel free to put a link in the comments…after all, Christmas is coming.
Thanks for stopping by – big squishy hugs to you all!
)O(
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Middle Grade Writer Extraordinaire
Writers tend to gather. Sometimes online, often in person, but with other writers who they admire, like, are inspired by, and who truly get the journey. I have been incredibly lucky to belong to a small online group of women writers that support each other as we traverse the storms of publishing and life. One of these women is Anne Nesbet, a hugely talented Middle Grade author.
I get to read snippets of her work before it’s polished, and I am always transported. No one puts words together quite like Anne.
Anne is currently on sabbatical to France, where she is traveling and gathering information for a research-type book, but also gathering information for her next middle grade novel. This next bit is from her Amazon Page:
“Anne Nesbet teaches Russian literature and the history of film at U. C. Berkeley. She lives near San Francisco with her husband, several daughters, and one irrepressible dog. THE CABINET OF EARTHS is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.annenesbet.com”
Anne Nesbet, Author and Teacher
She’s working on a new novel that I can’t talk about, but holy moly is it fascinating! I haven’t yet read THE CABINET OF EARTHS but it’s on my list.
Here’s the Amazon description of The Cabinet of Earths:
“The Cabinet of Earths, Anne Nesbet’s debut novel for tweens, blends fantasy, science, and horror into an irresistible story in the vein of the classic His Dark Materials series.
Twelve-year-old Maya is miserable when she has to move from California to Paris. Not speaking French at a school full of snobby French girls is bad enough, but Maya believes there is something sinister going on in her new city. A purple-eyed man follows Maya and her younger brother, James. Statues seem to have Maya’s face. And an eerie cabinet filled with mysterious colored bottles calls to her.
When James becomes the target of dark forces, Maya decides she must answer the call of the Cabinet of Earths, despite the danger.”
Anne has a sequel to it, as well, called A BOX OF GARGOYLES…take a look!
A Box of Gargoyles by Anne Nesbet
Here’s what Amazon has to say about Gargoyles…
“Fans of Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass will love Anne Nesbet’s middle-grade fantasy A Box of Gargoyles.
In this sequel to The Cabinet of Earths, twelve-year-old Maya is feeling more at home in Paris, a city filled with old magic. Her little brother, James, is safe, and the terrible man with purple eyes is gone. At least Maya believed he was until a person-sized column of dust and leaves with hints of purple where its eyes should be begins following her.
Maya suspects the strange, shadowy column is what’s left of the purple-eyed man, and that it—he—is behind the eerie changes in Paris, including the appearance of flying, talking stone gargoyles. She’s right. Worse, he has bound Maya to make him whole again, even if it kills her.”
If you’ve got a Middle Grade reader, surprise them this holiday with Anne’s books. And when they’re busy doing other things, read them yourself. I have a feeling you’ll be as transported as your child.
What are the kids in your life reading these days?
)O(
Thanks so much for stopping by!
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Please welcome Jewel Quinlan to Writer Wednesday!
CA: So, Jewel. What made you decide to write a novel?
JQ: The wish to write stories has been within me forever. When I turned forty I found that there was still this vague dissatisfaction with my life. I remember one day preparing a fifty page document for my employer that was a real pain and I thought, “If I can do this for someone else why can’t I do it for myself? I’m obviously capable of putting words on a page.” That’s how it finally clicked that I could seriously do this. And, ever since I pursued it full force, this wonderful joy has materialized in my life.
CA: What genre do you write in, and why?
JQ: I love to write anything other than ordinary, everyday life. This incudes fantasy, paranormal, post-apocalyptic, and even contemporary if it takes you somewhere you would never normally see. I love the possibility of anything being able to happen. It makes my imagination drool!
CA: Is this a series or standalone book? If a series, what is the name of this series, and how many books/short stories do you have planned?
JQ: At the moment this is a stand-alone novella. Well, not really stand-alone since it is part of an anthology. The idea of a series still is daunting to me but I have been starting to fall in love with some of my characters have been starting to picture sequels.
CA: Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
JQ: That’s easy, I think about that all the time. Bavaria. I love it there! I travel there as often as I can and I also study the language in the hopes of soon being able to make my dream come true. However, it would be very hard to completely give up Southern California, so my dream is to be able to write full-time and live half the year in Bavaria and the other half in California or where ever my mood takes me!
CA: Bavaria! How exotic. We’ll have to talk later, mmmkay? Name 3 simple joys in your life.
JQ: My dogs. A great glass of wine. Laughter.
CA: If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
JQ: It’s hard to zero in on one person but I would love to meet Oprah Winfrey. I have something in common with her. I am fascinated with uncovering the mysteries of life that make us the best we can be. I would love to take her to Herringbone in La Jolla CA. I love food, and that place is at the top of my list. I once had chicken there and couldn’t believe how great they made such a normally bland piece of meat taste plus they have such great atmosphere. All you have to do is check out their website to believe me! www.herringboneeats.com
CA: If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
JQ: Believe that you will be published. Remember how much you love your story, give it one hundred percent. Finish it! And then keep polishing it and pitching it until someone takes you up on it. In life you get credit for trying and every little effort takes you more forward than you think it will.
CA: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
JQ: Yes, I have a day job. For now. But I have a plan to become a full-time writer as well and I know that will happen soon. During the day I work in pharmaceutical sales. I cover a lot of ground since my territory is Southern California and Las Vegas. Aside from the usual chores, I walk my dogs daily and then I make sure to spend at least one hour working on writing something. I keep a log of the time I spend writing (and on which project) so that I make sure I am meeting my goals. For fun I love reading, snowboarding, hiking, paddleboarding and travel.
CA: Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
JQ: I have traveled on my own many times and I love it. I always meet such wonderful people and have great experiences. I decided long ago to stop waiting for other people to have the money and interest to go where I wanted to go and I haven’t regretted that decision once.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
JQ: I just wanted to say thanks so much for having me on your blog!
CA: My pleasure! Now, let’s get to your story, shall we?
Sinsperationally Yours
Surrender Sweet Succubus is part of the Sinsperationally Yours anthology which was released November 15, 2013 from Hot Ink Books.
About Surrender Sweet Succubus – When Dr. Stephen Wallace, a fertility specialist from Sydney Australia, is approached by his brother and sister-in-law for help conceiving a child, there is no way he can refuse. Since they have already exhausted all the possibilities modern medicine can provide, Stephen turns to his skills as a shaman for alternative solutions. His search leads him to Las Vegas, Nevada on a slim lead to capture a succubus who he hopes has the power to help. But when he meets Geneva, the exotic and passionate succubus, he finds himself being captured instead.
About Sinsperationally Yours – Welcome to the realm where sins, desires and love collide with all things that go bump in the night. Where tales of lust are flavored with a happily ever after or a happy for now. Ghosts and Vampires and Werebears oh my! Immortal heroes and heroines who strike fear in those they meet but also ignite passion and desire—Sinsperationally Yours.
A peek inside Surrender Sweet Succubus!
“I came here because I was looking for a succubus…” he began.
“Mm hm. Well, you found one.”
He lost his train of thought as she rolled a tube of lipstick over her lips. The same lips that had been wrapped around his cock last night doing the most wicked things to him.
She finished and started to walk back into the bathroom but her feet stopped short just before the door as if she had hit an invisible barrier. The look on her face was almost comical.
“What the…?” She backed up a step and then tried to move forward again but was halted once more in the same place. She reached in front of her and grabbed the doorway then tried to pull herself through but from the waist down, nothing else moved.
“What the hell is going on?!” She sounded scared now.
He stood. It was working, the binding spell was working! “Okay, I don’t want you to get upset but I put a binding spell on you.” He couldn’t help feeling bad about it. It wasn’t really in his nature to cast such spells but it had been necessary.
“You did what?” Her tone turned to acid and her eyes narrowed.
“A binding spell,” he repeated, “So you can’t go more than three yards away from me. Sorry, were you trying to go to the bathroom?”
He moved closer to give her more slack so she could go in. She stumbled slightly as the perimeter of the bind shifted. She straightened, looking even more upset, and moved away from the bathroom towards the front door.
“How dare you!” she raged. “I am not to be held in bondage by any man. Release me at once!” Her hands scrabbled at the door behind her for the knob.
“I’ll remove it I swear! It’s just, I need your help with something and I didn’t want you to disappear. I wasn’t sure how you would react when I told you I knew what you were.”
“You think I’m going to help you now!?” She looked like she would hit him if she could. Her eyes blazed emerald fire.
“I think, when you listen to what I have to say, you will.”
“And what if I don’t want to listen? You’re going to force me?”
He started to negate it but then stopped. She was right. The look in his sister-in-law’s eyes had haunted him since they’d spoken. He couldn’t let her down. Couldn’t let them both go on with the heartache of being childless. He shook his head, not knowing what to say.
“That’s it, I knew it! You men are all the same. You just take what you want and bend other people to your will.”
He held his hands out to her in pause. “Now look, I don’t even know if you can help me. I just wanted the opportunity to discuss it with you. That’s all. But before we do there’s something else I have to tell you about.” Better to come clean right away. He slowly inched forward towards her.
She yanked the door open. “I don’t care! Whatever it is, I’m not doing it you jerk!” she said, turning to go.
He quickly called out, “I just wanted to be honest and tell you…”
She took one step and then crumpled into a heap on the carpet.
“…about the sedative.”
Where to buy: You can get it in print or Kindle edition on Amazon or add it to your list on Goodreads.
About the Author:
From a young age, Jewel Quinlan had an abundant imagination and strong desire to write novels. She particularly enjoys writing paranormal and fantasy romance. An avid traveler, she has visited fifteen countries so far (which she enjoys using as settings in her novels) and has plans to see more of the world. She has a particular fondness for Bavaria and studies the German language as one of her hobbies. During the day, she works as a pharmaceutical sales representative and, at night, she writes romance. She currently lives in Orange County, California with her two dogs; Shimmer and Penny.
For more information visit her website and blog or you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter and Tumblr
Questions for Jewel? Let ’em rip!
)O(
Thanks so much for stopping by, and Happy Thanksgiving to my lovely U.S. friends!
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Yes, again, lol! Why? My dad’s pretty cool. Plus he’s got some new books out, Westerns, and one of them got as high as the 800s in the Kindle listings! He finally found the right guy to publish with (Wolfpack Publishing) and he’s doing a booming business (comparatively speaking).
Here’s a look at Wade’s War… at only $.99, don’t you want a copy? lol…
Dad’s Book!
Here’s dad’s AMAZON PAGE – if you could go over there and give it a “like”, I’d really appreciate it. Plus take a look – he’s got 8 pages of novels. No, seriously. EIGHT. Maybe more. I didn’t double check…
Here’s a couple more of his newest books…
DOUBLE CROSS TRAIL
On the Chisholm trail, pounding hooves on a rough, rocky, tortuous ride into the arrows and lances of Indians and gunfire of desperate rustlers. When the gun smoke clears and the blood dries, will anything remain?
FUGITIVE RUN
When a city detective takes on a little bounty hunting, he’s in for some trail-tough tracking and lots of gun smoke and flying lead.
Chet Cunningham is America’s premiere western writer, with almost two hundred to his credit, among his over 300 novels. If you love the west, you’ll love Chet and his hard hitting western action adventure novels.
He doesn’t know I’m promoing him – but he will! Thanks so much for stopping by.
