Blog Archives
Mystery Blogger Award Nomination!
_Okoto Enigma is the creator of this award.
A FUN BLOG HOP
I’d like to thank the awesome Juneta Key at the Writer’s Gambit blog, for this nomination! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Juneta! ♥ I do have a few mystery books out and some in progress, so I’ll play. I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Juneta – such a talented lady – twice, for two books in my historical series. Here is her blog nomination. You should really check out her great blog!
The Rules:
Rule 1: Put the award logo/image on your blog. (ABOVE)
Rule 2: List the rules. (You’re Reading Them)
Rule 3: Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog. (Ronel-ABOVE)
Rule 4: Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well. (ABOVE under LOGO)
Rule 5: Tell your readers three things about yourself.
THREE THINGS ABOUT ME
Wait, I have to limit it to three?! All right, I guess I’ll try.
- I am a Libra. Contrary to popular belief about that sign, I’m neither lazy nor indecisive. The toughest issue I have with being a Libra is always seeing both sides to a problem, and only that can make me somewhat cautious about the decision. For example, deciding on a restaurant is the absolute worst for a Libra, unless I know exactly what sounds good that day. LOL.
- I am a shopaholic, especially a bargain shopper. I am crazy about online shopping, but I don’t mind going out now and then to find something either. Credit cards are my weakness, so I have to be good as much as possible. Which is hard, because I’m one of those people who loves to buy for family and friends.
- As a writer, my go-to writing subscriptions are Live Write Thrive, Indies Unlimited and A Writer’s Path. But damnit, there’s just never enough time in the day to read everything. 😉
Rule 6: You have to nominate a bunch of people (some say 5, while others say 20).
Well…okay. I’ll nominate:
- C.L. Bush (she has a great historical mystery series)
- Ashley Fontainne
- D.J. Swykert
- Margo Bond Collins
- Christopher Davis
- Rachael Stapleton (time travel mystery)
- Anyone that would like to join us, consider yourself nominated.
Rule 7: Notify your nominees. (Done.)
Rule 8: Ask your nominees any five questions of your choice, one weird or funny question.
1. Who is your favorite author and which book is your favorite?
2. If you had three wishes, what would your THIRD wish be?
3. How long have you been blogging?
4. If you could meet anyone in real life (alive, dead or even a fictional character), who would you invite to hang with on a day out in the city?
5. If you could have a superpower, what would it be? And what would your superhero or supervillain name be? Get creative!
Rule 9: Share a link to your best post.
Outside the Lines or On Perseverance or The Other Side of Our Dreams. I have three other blogs, but my author website was chosen, so I had to choose these. They are about equal in views.
ANSWERING JUNETA’S 5 QUESTIONS:
- If you could get a redo on ONE thing in your life without impunity, what would it be? I’d choose to be a little more patient with myself. Putting the pressure on constantly has only harmed me in the long run.
- If you had three wishes, what would your THIRD wish be? I think I’d prefer that we have less hate in the world. People are always talking about other haters, and it’s hard not to see the “hate” which is descending our world into chaos. Hate comes in all forms, and sometimes it even arrives in sheep’s clothing. However, true hate starts at home. So fix yourself first; evaluate and erase the hate in your own life. Be a more honest, kinder person, and then you can worry about trying to help others do the same.
- Describe your “true self” in three words. A little nutty, creative and open-minded.
- If you were a Star Wars character, who would you be? I think maybe I’d choose Luke Skywalker. Sure, he had a long, hard journey, but he usually did the right thing for everyone, including himself. And seriously?!…damn those Ewoks for being so cute! I just want to adopt one and let him baby my cats.
- If you had the opportunity to know your future, would you? Nah, I probably wouldn’t. I think it would ruin the surprise! 😉
Thanks again, Juneta, for the nomination! Everyone else, feel free to jump into this cool blog hop! 🙂
Using a Pen Name
Thanks, Carol, for the mention! 🙂
Do you write under a pen name? And if so, why?
An article in Writer’s Relief lists reasons why writers choose to adopt pen names. It could be, as they point out, that another author “owns” your name. For example, it would be difficult for someone named Agatha Christie to write under her real name.
Or, as a high school teacher who writes erotica, you’d want to conceal your identity. I hope.
Or maybe, you write in a genre that has basically a male audience and you are a woman. Joanne Rowling used the initials J.K. (K after her grandmother Katherine) because she feared that boys would not want to read Harry Potter if it was written by (horror!) a girl. Similarly, Mary Ann Evans used a male name because she wanted to be taken seriously and wrote under the name of George Eliot. Of course, that was in…
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Radio Interview!
Check out a radio interview tonight at 8PM EST! 🙂
For our lovers of paranormal romance, you’ve gotta check this out…
Later today, I’ll be chatting with awesome author team and radio hosts of the Haunted Nights Live! show, Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross. This radio show is quite popular, and the Thorne & Cross team has seen some very famous authors on there. Check out the list of past guests here.
Check us out at 8PM EST to get some sneak peeks of two books I have coming out later this year, a futuristic paranormal romance/urban fantasy, Blood Instincts, book two of the Blood at First Sight Series, and Awakening, a paranormal romantic thriller collection.
Plus, for those who have a fascination with the supernatural, we’ll be talking about that too. 😉
So stop by tonight! You can call in with questions or sit back and listen in. I’m not sure if the interview will…
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New Release: Upon Your Love!
I am happy to announce that the final book of the Heiresses in Love Series, Upon Your Love, is officially out! Woo hoo! 🙂
This full-length, historical romance/family saga novel is available on Amazon, through my publisher and CreateSpace. Usually, sites like Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million are added later.
I’m very excited to show this book to readers! ♥
Here is the blurb:
The Hill family saga concludes as loyalties are questioned, faiths will be tested and undying love may come at a terrible cost…
Fara Hill, mother and faithful wife, is torn between her family at home and her urge to be at sea. Soon, she learns some disturbing truths. Was the past a fairy tale instead of reality?
Chloe Hill, loving wife and young mother, questions her faith when her husband sets an ultimatum she cannot meet. Will she be able to keep her marriage from falling apart?
Adrienne Bellamont Hill, born of a valiant captain and a fiery redhead, is untamed to her core and will bow to no man. Then Christian du Plessis enters her life with an offer she can’t refuse. Discovering the man behind the polished gentleman, she is drawn to him in many ways. Holding out for love is a family tradition, but can she resist the temptation of passion?
Christian finds this young woman to be a fascinating challenge, and is torn between keeping his distance from her and succumbing to her charms. A fierce battle of wills ensues as he sees she is much more than he ever imagined.
But danger lurks, threatening to destroy everything…
Can these two strong-willed individuals unite in the cause before time runs out?
And here’s a brief excerpt:
“Then, it’s settled. Shall we pick you both up at eight o’clock?”
Adrienne nodded. “That is fine.” Her mother sent her another warning glance, which she couldn’t interpret this time.
After the gentlemen said their goodbyes and left, the ladies went their separate ways, but not before Adrienne’s mother grasped her arm, staying her. She groaned inwardly as she realized she was in for a lecture.
“Tell me what is wrong. You were quite rude to Monsieur du Plessis.”
“Was I? I don’t remember.”
When her mother narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, she felt a sense of unease. Fara Hill could be formidable when she wanted to be.
“What has transpired? Did he offend you in any way at the Broussard’s party? Are you pretending for Elena’s sake? I saw the way she looked at his friend, Monsieur Laroque.”
That her mother struck a little too close to home made her stomach reel. She sighed and mimicked her Maman’s move, her arms over her breasts.
“No, of course not. I suppose I did behave poorly. That was never my intention.”
“You can tell me anything, chére,” her mother claimed, softly.
She was grateful, but she had the feeling she shouldn’t tell anyone about the matchmaking scheme. Only Eric knew at this point. No one else would understand, and she couldn’t guarantee that Elena wouldn’t find out somehow. There was, however, a deeper concern at the moment.
“He… unsettles me.”
“You don’t trust him?” her mother’s brow furrowed.
“I believe I can. That’s not the disturbing part.” She felt the heat settle on her cheekbones as she blurted, “I feel different around him. Maman, I couldn’t stop staring at the man the other night. And today, I felt jealous. Jealous! How ridiculous!” she cried. “Something is certainly wrong with me.”
Fara pried Adrienne’s hand loose from her clasp on her upper arms, and then led her back to the settee. “There is nothing at all wrong with you. It seems you’ve developed a tendre for this man.”
For a moment, it seemed she had no breath in her lungs. “What? That’s mad. For Christian? No! I can’t… not after Robert.”
Her mother squeezed her hand. “It is perfectly all right to move on; it is natural even. You are allowed to love again, chére.”
“I have to stop this now,” she muttered, appalled that her mother thought she might be infatuated with Christian. “I can be a reasonable woman. I will be around him for Elena’s benefit, oui? But, I can’t have feelings for someone I just met.”
Her Maman’s quiet reply was disturbing. “You’d be surprised.”
“We are only friends,” she protested. And were they even that? Beyond their matchmaking plans, what were they exactly? Business partners perhaps, but even that seemed a trivial way to define it. Still, it was too disconcerting to entertain.
“Some of the best unions begin in friendship.”
“No,” she said, with a scowl. “We can only be friends.” She just had to keep telling herself that. And perhaps her body would listen as well, as she’d noticed the strange magnetism which drew her to him. She burst to her feet. “I can’t think about this right now. I must go.”
“Chére—”
“No, Maman. I… I need some air. Pardon me.” She fled from the room.
Here’s the trailer!
Purchase links:
Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06XBPVS7D
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-love/
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/6969887
I hope you all get a chance to check it out! Enjoy! 🙂
New Release!
The Missing Piece, my new adult romance, is finally out on its own! Yay! ♥
Purchase Links:
Universal Amazon link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B06W5RYBD8
myBook.to/MissingPiece
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/the-missing-piece/
CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/6933779
Wow! ♥♥♥ Thanks, Solstice, for giving my work a wonderful home!😉
New Release Feature: Cupid’s Arrow Anthology by Solstice Publishing
One of my stories is in this great anthology! 😉
I am pleased to announce a great book release by Solstice Publishing, my very own publisher!
This special romance collection, Cupid’s Arrow, officially released yesterday! Yay! That’s awesome! 
Congrats, everyone, on your new release!
When a new book comes out, it’s always an exciting time for an author!
Here’s a brief look at Cupid’s Arrow, just in time for that special romantic holiday tomorrow.
Valentine’s Day is filled with romance and special relationships. The sweetness of a couple coming together is perhaps the best part of this very special day. Will these couples share that very important first kiss?
Fun cover!
This is the blurb for Cupid’s Arrow:
Will Millie be a victim of, hot, passionate, and fleeting war kisses?
Romance has no age barrier
The biggest mistake of Aly’s life could turn into the promise of new love…
Can love be rekindled after a lifetime?
Victorian…
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Here is my interview with Marie Lavender
Name: Marie Lavender
Age: 36
Where are you from
I’m actually from the Midwest. I was raised in a family of five, with many extended relatives as well. In college, I majored in Creative Writing, and well, here I am.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
My latest news is that I have two books coming out in February. One is a story that will be featured in the Valentine’s first kiss anthology, Cupid’s Arrow, and then subsequently released on its own. The story is called The Missing Piece, and it’s a new adult romance. The second is Upon Your Love, a historical romance/family saga and full-length novel, as well as book three of the Heiresses in Love Series. I am very excited for readers to discover both of these books!
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I began writing at the age of nine…
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Author Newsletter!
This month’s issue of my author newsletter just went out last night. Here is the full link. Don’t miss the exciting news! ♥
MARIE’S NOVEMBER 2016 TO
JANUARY 2017 FLASHBACK NEWSLETTER
Here’s a guest post that I had to include below because the owner of the blog decided to shut her site down this year.
A Labor of Love
by Marie Lavender
It all started with my love of literature. I recall my mother reading me bedtime stories. I got so lost in those fictional worlds that I didn’t want to find a way out.
My own stories began to formulate in my head whenever I’d play with dolls as a child. As soon as I learned to write, I finally had an outlet. They found their way onto the page. Throughout my childhood, I knew I wanted to be an author. As I grew a little older, I’d stalk the reference section of the library, finding how-to books on writing, as well as writer’s market books, exhibiting lists of publishers I could submit my work to.
This was my dream. I pursued it steadily, did anything I could to accomplish that aim – I kept writing, entered young writer’s contests, I familiarized myself with the industry as well as possible, and took creative writing classes whenever they were available.
In college, I made a goal of finally finishing a novel. In 2002, I had the idea for a historical romance book, which would be set in France. Of course, I didn’t know it would take nearly nine years of organization, writing and perfecting to complete the novel. I was aware of the growing popularity of self-publishing. With this one, however, I wanted to find a traditional publisher.
Still, I was reluctant to let the trend pass me by. I selected some works-in-progress and set to completing them. Between the years of 2010 and 2012, I’d released twelve books in various genres. Yet I maintained my dream of getting published traditionally.
After numerous rejections I finally found a home when Solstice Publishing offered me a book contract for Upon Your Return, book one of the Heiresses in Love Series. In February of 2013, the novel was released. Since then, I’ve submitted six other novels and stories to the same publisher, and they’ve accepted every one. I now have four series published, and many others planned for the future.
Just before UYR was published, however, I quickly realized I’d have to jump on the ‘public presence’ bandwagon. I began to develop my social media accounts. I wrote guest posts for book blogs or writing blogs. I learned how to participate in author interviews, radio spots, author timeslots during Facebook events, placed book ads whenever necessary, and, well…I also launched two blogs (which actually became three later on). I struggled with them at first (i.e. What did I have to say, to offer?). But I eventually figured it all out. By the time Upon Your Return was published for a while, I had official book reviews on blogs as well as sites where the book was sold.
Now? I know I’m never finished learning about this industry, but I can say I’ve made quite a bit of progress. With 5,000 friends on Facebook, 1400 followers on my profile and 2500 likes on my author page, over 3500 Google+ followers and almost 15,000 Twitter followers, I haven’t done too bad.
Additionally, I’ve evolved from a romance author to a true multi-genre author, covering literary fiction, poetry, various types of romance, mystery/thriller, fantasy, science fiction, to wherever this crazy muse will take me. I no longer try to box myself in.
I am also proud to call the Heiresses in Love Series completed, as the final book, Upon Your Love, a full-length historical romance/family saga, comes out on February 28th. The series has been nearly fifteen years in the making, and it quickly became an empire of Victorian maritime drama, suspense and passion. I couldn’t be happier that the series pleasantly surprised me with its twists in development, all the characters coming alive on the page. I am beyond grateful to the wonderful people at Solstice for giving me a chance. I look forward to many more years with them, as they’ve taken me under their wing, and helped me to soar on my own. With my two books coming out soon, that makes a total of 25 published books to date.
And the muse, as always, is tireless, a true blessing for a writer. I just love writing, learning all about my characters, and experiencing their stories.
It’s been quite a journey, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Vote for BLUE VISION!
My first sci-fi romance, Blue Vision, has been nominated for the P&E Readers’ Poll.
Yay! 😀
You can vote now in one of two categories, Romance or Science Fiction & Fantasy.
This interplanetary romance novel needs your help! 🙂 The poll runs through January 14th.
Have a great rest of your holidays, everyone!
Guest Author: Marie Lavender
An old article of mine, but still some good tips! 🙂
Are Your Characters Fleshy?
This may come as a shocker, but a lot of beginning writers don’t know how to make good characters. And I’m sure some tenured authors make the same mistake occasionally. It’s not enough to say, “Hey, Mr. Character, you have dark hair and blue eyes. Now start talking.” Dialogue is one aspect of a character. So is appearance. But, what is inside is what counts. What is inside of a character is what makes us keep reading.
Take the time to fill out the finer details of a character. For example, what do they like to eat for breakfast? Maybe they don’t eat breakfast. Some people don’t. What is their religious affiliation? Where did they go to school? What kind of home life did that person have? Notice I said “person”.
People are complicated. We are complicated. If we were all pretty typical, would life be…
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Marie Lavender- Multigenre Author 