Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Looking for me?


Hi!

I've been hiding in my writing cave, working on something new, polishing something old, and crafting stories for a special project. But you can always find me on Facebook or Twitter. Please, shoot me a message to say hi. I'd love to hear from you.

Looking for information on my published works? Hop over to my website or follow the links on the sidebar of this blog.

While you're here, feel free to peruse old posts. If you're a fellow writer, be sure the check out the useful tips under the Resources tab.

Thanks for stopping by!






Monday, February 5, 2018

The Darker Side of Kira Rose in CHALLENGING DESTINY

Confession time: I’m drawn to darker characters. They’re complex, which makes them interesting. I know there’s going to be more to them than meets the eye and I like to discover what that is. 

Sometimes you see a character’s darker side right away. You know the type of person he or she is the moment you meet them. Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries is a good example of a character that doesn’t hide his evil side. With Damon, you know exactly the type of person he is. But everyone doesn’t wear their darker side as a badge of honor. In fact, most people manage to hide it.

In walks Kira Rose, a very important character in my paranormal thriller/romance, Challenging Destiny. On the surface, Kira is caring, easy-going, and fun to be around. Because of the person we see on the outside, Logan Ragsdale, one of the main characters in Challenging Destiny, is all too eager to get to know her.

Like most people, Kira wasn’t born evil. She was once all the things you see on the surface. But that was over three centuries ago and immortality hasn’t been kind to her. She’s learned to be ruthless and to use force to get what she wants. Now she’s back on Earth and not about to make the same mistakes she did when she was human. She’ll be allowed to stay, if she can convince Logan she’s one of the good guys, and there’s nothing she won’t do to get her way. Even if it costs Logan and his sister their lives.

Emma Stone, with her sultry gaze and dark red hair, would make a great Kira Rose.  :) 


CHALLENGING DESTINY
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Being Chosen is a terrible thing when there's no one you can trust. 

Read Challenging Destiny today: 

Friday, February 2, 2018

The unexpected start to the Embrace Series



A reader recently asked me if  I planned for Embrace to be a series. I didn't. Embrace, the first novel in my young adult paranormal romance/thriller series, was written to be a standalone novel. That’s not to say I didn’t know what awaited my determined, incredibly loyal protagonist, Madison Riley, in her future. I’ve yet to write a book where I haven’t had glimpses of what will happen to my characters after the last word of the novel is written. Let’s face it; life doesn’t stop when a person overcomes one obstacle. We learn from the experience, grow, and often find a new challenge to conquer. The same is true with well-rounded characters. As I wrote Embrace I not only knew what brought Madison to the point in her life where the book started, I knew where her choices would lead her. This made it easy for me to weave in tiny details she’d need to help her and her friends in the future.

After Embrace released, the most wonderful thing happened: readers wanted more of my witchy friends. Returning to Embrace was like visiting close friends. I already had intimate knowledge of my characters, their likes and dislikes, and their strengths and weaknesses. That made it easy for me to dive right into a new story.

In book two, Madison not only finds herself trying to hold on to her new boyfriends, but she’s also trying to hold on to the people she loves and her humanity. The plot for Hold Tight came together quickly and small details from Embrace, like Madison and Josh's trip to a crossroad, the iron fixtures in Isaac’s room, and the various protection wards he cast, became important to Madison's survival.

One of the nice things about turning Embrace into a series was that I got to dive even deeper into the world I created. In Hold Tight, I added more romance, increased the danger, and raised the stakes. When Madison cast a spell that unknowingly invited two dangerous yet enticing creatures into her life, she quickly discovered just how dangerous it can be to possess magical powers, and she learned there are things her magic can’t undo.

In book three, Madison is tested in new ways and she faces even tougher decisions. Her good friends, Kaylee and Josh, are back as is her sexy, intriguing, and powerful boyfriend, Isaac Addington, along with one confident, darkly appealing crossroad demon. Be sure to check them out!

Thanks for visiting! 


Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic novels now available: 

Photobucket   Photobucket   Photobucket   
~ Click the cover for more information ~




Wednesday, October 4, 2017

What's personal about my characters #ISWG



The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Purpose: Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Click here to join the group.

I finished my MG fantasy. (Yay!) Queries have been sent. (Fingers are crossed.) And it’s autumn, my favorite time of year. So while I enjoy the leaves changing colors, pumpkin pie, scarecrow festivals, scary movies, not so scary classics, and everything else that comes with this time of year, I’m contemplating what to work on next. Do I revisit one of my unfinished WIP or do I start something new? I wish I knew if my MG fantasy is going to be picked up by a wonderful editor who is as excited about the project as I am because I’d love to turn it into a series. Anyone have a crystal ball?

October’s question - Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?

At first, I was going to say no. But Madison Riley from Embrace has long curly brown hair and I have always pictured her hair to be a lot like mine. But that’s where our likenesses end. And she’s so much braver than me—no way would I visit a graveyard at night. Then there’s Logan Ragsdale, from Challenging Destiny. Many of his personality traits are a combination of my hubby’s and one of my sons. I won’t say which. :) 

In other news: Jessica Therrien is celebrating the release of her newest novel, CARRY ME HOME, by hosting a huge giveaway. Click here to learn more about her book and to enter the giveaway. 


Need help bringing a scene to life? Check out my post, FILMING A SCENE WITH WORDS, and be sure to leave your tips in the comments. 





Have you ever slipped personal information into your characters? What do you like about autumn? Did you enter the giveaway? 


Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Huge Back to School Book Giveaway!

Carry Me Home Release Day Party!
CARRY ME HOME is AVAILABLE TODAY for $0.99!



To celebrate the release of her latest novel, Carry Me Home, author Jessica Therrien is hosting a HUUUGE BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK GIVEAWAY! The giveaway includes nearly 50 books, all from different authors. Keep scrolling for prize info and how to enter the giveaway.


~ PRIZES ~

PRIZE #1 (5 winners)
WINNERS of this prize will take home one of FIVE 10 Book Bundles.
*Each 10 book bundle is guaranteed to have at least 1 paperback book.



















PRIZE #2
A signed hardcover of
CARRY ME HOME
by Jessica Therrien

PRIZE #3
A signed hardcover of
OPPRESSION (Children of the Gods #1)
by Jessica Therrien


~*HOW TO ENTER*~

*AKA...the hugest RaffleCopter EVER*
Support an author by subscribing to their newsletter, liking them on Facebook or following their Twitter account. You can literally follow each author and EARN UP TO 45 CHANCES TO WIN!

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