All About the Writing

Friday Friends: Patricia Preston

Patricia is a Six Sentence Sunday friend who has been making me chuckle ever since I read the first of her weekly snippets. I fell in love with her humorous short story, The Yard Sale, which is about a heroine starting a new life while shedding her old possessions. You can fall in love with this story, and its colorful cast of characters, since it is FREE on Friday and Saturday. I love Pat's sense of humor, and I get to enjoy it on Twitter while we discuss Thor and Ichabod and other "writing-related topics". Without further ado, please welcome her to Friday Friends!

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (Don't worry. I told them you were going to say "all of them", so they've left the blog. You can answer freely now.) Why do you love them best?

I can’t single one out. They have all been favorites, especially when I’m writing about them.  I love my couple, Elise and Jesse, in the historical I’m finishing up.  Otherwise, I adore Darlene, my Marilyn Monroe wannabe from the 50’s, because she makes me laugh. 

I love Darlene! Especially when she's with her kooky partners in crime. LOL What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (I can't even imagine if we were to run out of these!)

There’s a new episode of Walking Dead on tonight….I need to watch the Walking Dead marathon first….

Hey, can you count it as "research"? If you were able to go on a writing retreat (and bring all of us along, of course!), where would it be? (Suitcases? I don't see any suitcases.)

New Orleans. Wouldn’t be much writing going on. 

The Big Easy is one of my all-time fave places. I'm sure there will be plenty to write about AFTER the visit! What's the word you love to use (and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?

Cuss words….:) 

You mean like "dagnabbit"? LOL Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.

Move to New Orleans or France or Nashville. Don’t ask…

Hey, those totally work for me! Okay, here's a lightning round we'll call Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:

Coffee or tea? Sweet Tea

Drafting or revising? Revising

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter!!!

Winter or Summer? Summer

Wine or beer? Neither. Hurricane. 

Contemporary or historical? Both

Pirate or cowboy? Both

Heels or flats? Nikes

Abs or pecs? I guess abs cause I hate man titties. 

Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!)  Slurper. 

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Author Bio

Patricia Preston is a Southern author who writes historical and contemporary romance as well as humorous Southern fiction. Her publishers include New Love Stories, True Romance, Affaire de Coeur, Cloverdale Press, The Blue and Gray Magazine, Sea Oats Review, and Carina Press. She won William Faulkner Award for Short Fiction, the Lone Star Writing Competition for Historical Romance, and Harlequin’s World’s Best Romances Short Story Competition. Her short stories have been best sellers on Amazon and listed on Amazon’s Top 100 in comedy. She is currently working on a historical romance series, Ladies of Louisiana.

Social Media Links

Website ~~ Twitter ~~ Facebook

Book Blurb

Rancher Austin Cade rides into Liberty looking for his old comrades, the James-Younger gang. He needs their help tracking down the horse thief who's stolen his prized mare. In town, the former gunfighter is reunited with Darcy, the first girl he ever kissed—and never forgot. 

Young widow Darcy Branson owns a shop full of fashionable ladies' attire, but continues to wear mourning black so she won't forget her role in her husband's death. Austin stirs a passion inside her that has long been dormant, but can Darcy learn to believe in Austin—and love—enough to let go of her tragic past?

Time is rapidly running out... As a cousin to Jesse James, Darcy has attracted unwanted attention, thanks to her rumored association with the gang. Soon Austin and Darcy are faced with confronting not only their growing desire, but danger in the form of a deadly bounty hunter... 

Excerpt

“I’ll be happy to do you a favor.” There was only one reason why men came to her shop. “You tell me what kind of dress you’re looking for, and I’ll see that you get it.” 

His gray eyes widened. “You think I want a dress?” 

“Well, no. Not for yourself, of course.” She laughed. “But for someone special, yes. And if you’re looking for something besides clothing, I do have a number of lovely gift items that any lady would love.” She reached for one of the bottles of perfume displayed on the counter, and she dabbed a bit of fragrance on her wrist. “This cologne is a very light orange blossom and lilac combined. It is one of my favorites. Do you like it?” 

He sniffed her wrist and nodded. “I would buy it for a special lady, but I don’t have one.” 

Much to her horror, his words thrilled her. 

“I see you got married.” He gave her wedding band a pointed look. 

She pulled her hand back and closed the bottle of perfume. “Yes, I was married. I’m widowed now.” 

“You’re awfully young to be widowed.” 

“Young men die too,” she said. Sometimes their wives get them killed.

 

Friday Friends: Juli Page Morgan

Juli is someone I "met" because she is also published with Crimson Romance. (Hah! You were expecting me to say it was because of Six Sentence Sunday, weren't you?) She's fun and funny and full of sassy energy, and I'm envious of all the interesting things in her author bio! She writes Romances That Rock^TM, and Crimson and Clover, set in the Swinging 60s, is a Kindle Deal for only 99 cents right now--I'm including the link for you here.) Let's give Juli a warm Friday Friends welcome -- heck, let's give her a standing ovation!

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (I've distracted them, so they can't see what your answer is.) Why do you love them best?

Oh, start out with a hard one, why don't you? ;) It would be Jay Carey from my first book, Crimson and Clover. I so love him! He's intense, sexy, a British rock god, and an incredible lover. But he's also vulnerable, a little shy (though he hides it well), and when one part of his world falls apart, he goes off and does the one thing guaranteed to bring the rest of it crashing down. Bless his hot little head. 

Ya gotta love a guy who brings about his own destruction. LOL What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (I hope we never run out of these!)

You'll find the usual suspects on my list - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest. I also excel in deciding my website needs to updated RIGHT THIS SECOND when I'm trying avoid getting to work. And if none of that distracts me enough, I play Solitaire on my phone. I'm somewhat competitive, so I refuse to stop playing until I win a hand. That can wipe out an hour right there!

But it's so important to have your website updated! And you've got to keep your Solitaire skills sharp, in case you're asked to be in a tournament, right? If you were able to go on a writing retreat (and bring all of us along, of course!), where would it be? (Pay no attention to those suitcases.)

Load those suitcases into the belly of plane, because we're goin' to Tahiti! I've never been to Tahiti in my life, but from photos I've seen, I know I'd just love it! (I've also heard Johnny Depp hangs out there on occasion, not that I'd bother him if I were to see him strolling along the beach or anything. Unless you think he might be bothered by a full-body tackle...) Make sure to pack a coat, too, because after we've soaked up the sun, the sand, and the Depp, we'll be headed out to the Berkshires in England!

You just said two of my favorite words: Tahiti and Depp. *gets out more suitcases* What's the word you love to use (and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?

Without my knowing it, my fingers type the word "had" into every single sentence I write. I have to perform frequent Had-ectomies before I can let anyone see my books. And then, when I've removed all of those, the word "that" springs up in their place like a weed.

I've had a few "that-ectomies" too. They always grow back. *sad face* Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.

Scream so loud the neighbors will call the police, sure that people are being murdered over here.  :) Then I'd pay off my car, buy a Prada bag, and give a chunk of the money to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

I love it! Okay, here's a lightning round we'll call Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:  

Wait, let me comb my hair and put on some lipgloss. Okay, go!

Coffee or tea? Coffee, black, and keep it coming!

Drafting or revising? Revising. It's hardest for me to get that first draft out. (See Question #2 above!)

Twitter or Facebook? Facebook. I do like Twitter, I just forget to get on there.

Winter or Summer?  Summer! If I had my way, the seasons would be Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer, and Christmas. {LOL -- you ARE a girl after my heart!)

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Just ask my hips.

Contemporary or historical? Both!

Early or late? Like time of day? Then it would be late. Even with obscene amounts of coffee, I don't do mornings well. They wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to wake up for them, you know?

Heels or flats? Another both answer. I have a slight problem with shoes. If I see them up close, I have to buy them. This is why my husband refused to let me set foot in the Jimmy Choo store when we were in Nashville last month. I can't imagine why!

Abs or pecs? Pecs. Oh, the beauty of a well-defined chest on a man ....

Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Uh-huh, sure you're talking ice cream cones. ;) Licker!

Author Bio

Juli Page Morgan is a former rock ‘n roll radio announcer who had the great luck to meet and interview lots of bands over the years. During those interviews she heard some interesting stories, but it was when the microphone was turned off and they were just hanging out that she heard - and saw - the really juicy stuff! Incorporating these revelations in her books (with names and locations changed to protect the innocent, and often the not-so-innocent!) lets her take her readers on a hard rocking journey full of love, music and happy endings while giving a “backstage peek” at some of the things that really happened.  Her Romances that Rock™ include Crimson and Clover, Athena’s Daughter, and Song Without Words.

Juli lives in Arkansas with her husband. When she’s not writing, she’s recording voiceovers for television commercials, remodeling her old house,  and trying to convince her husband the world won’t come to an end if the television is turned off.  She also listens to a lot of music at maximum volume and has never met a speed limit she didn't exceed.  Juli’s an unapologetic lover of rock ‘n roll, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, and French onion dip, not necessarily in that order.

Social Media Links

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest

Blurb

Top jock Spencer Moretti owns the New Orleans Rock radio airwaves. A veteran of countless band interviews at the age of 22, she’s ready for her own world-wide syndicated program. All she needs is one big break, and she finds it during a chance meeting with Geoff Lane, former guitarist for the legendary UK band Axis. When Spencer discovers that Geoff has a secret music project in the works, one that’s sure to reignite his career, she ropes him into an exclusive interview, determined to snag the juicy details. Intrigued by the lovely disc jockey’s feisty nature and her spitfire temper, Geoff is determined to snag something too - Spencer!  Spencer and Geoff make sweet music together until death strikes their circle of friends. As the body count mounts, it’s clear that someone will go to any lengths to stop them cold. Can they keep a killer from destroying all they have, or will their love song become a murder ballad?

Excerpt

The smile faded from Spencer’s face. She stood up and leaned over the board, pinning him with a hard look. “Notice anything different about me?” Ignoring the amused quirk of his brow, she continued in a low voice. “I’m not the adoring little fan girl you insulted two months ago. I’m a radio personality who has just gotten you to admit something you thought was under wraps. And I’m going to use that information to land myself a sweet syndication deal with one of the networks. So don’t try to intimidate me, because it won’t work.”

Geoff blew smoke in her face and smirked. “Intimidate you? Never, love. But I do demand payment for providing you with such an opportunity. Don’t you think you at least owe me the pleasure of your company at dinner?”

Spencer glanced at Ricky; even though the intern was busy scribbling in the station log, Spencer could almost swear she saw his ears straining toward her. She sighed. “Ricky, cue up something from the last Axis album. I don’t care what.” She shifted her gaze back to Geoff. “I don’t want to have dinner with you.”

“Too bad. You’re going to, whether you want to or not. Because if you don’t,” he added, forestalling any more denials. “I’ll take back what I just said, and there goes your glorious career.”

“You son of a bitch.”

“That’s right, honey, I am. Oh, and your record’s ending.” 

Book Buy Links

Amazon ~  Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes ~ All Romance

Friday Friends: Angela Quarles

Angela is another -- you guessed it! -- Six Sentence Sunday friend. I always enjoyed her fun and inventive snippets that combined history and fantastical elements. She calls herself a geek romance writer, which I think is a perfect description of the fun stories she writes. She comes up with the best book titles too! I've been lucky to beta read for her, and she's graciously done the same for me, and I'm looking forward to more of her delightful stories. Please welcome the delightful Angela Quarles to Friday Friends today!

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (Don't worry. We won't let your other characters read this.) Why do you love them best?

Oh man, that’s a tough one. I’m glad this won’t be shared amongst them. Hmm… I’d have to say probably Riley McGregor from Beer and Groping in Las Vegas because it was the first time I wrote in a contemporary male’s POV and I had so much fun being in his head. Up to then, and mostly since, I’ve written historicals.

He was definitely a fun character! What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (There will *never* be enough of these!)

Jeez, I’m facing that right now, big time. I’ve gotten completely obsessed with clean eating/living and having a hard time tearing myself away from learning more about it. Basically, anything where I can get obsessed about all aspects of the new shiny thing. If I’m not currently obsessed on something other than writing and my characters, then it’s your typical checking facebook and twitter.

There are just so many new shiny things to distract us! If you were able to go on a writing retreat (and bring all of us along, of course!), where would it be?

Scotland!!!!!!! Who’s with me?

*pushes to the front of the line* Dibs on the kilted hunks! What's the word you love to use (and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?

Oddly, lately it’s ‘scrambled’ – she scrambled out of the way, or, he scrambled up the hill

I'm sure they're having scrambled eggs too! Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.

See answer to third question ;) On the not-so-fun side, I’d probably take part of it and buy a fixer upper house to renovate and rent out as passive income (I know, there’s no fun in that) and then open my own bookstore.

Oooh, I like that, especially the bookstore part. Okay, here's the Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:

 

Coffee or tea? Tea

Drafting or revising? Drafting

Twitter or Facebook? Facebook

Winter or Summer? Summer

Baseball or Football? Baseball

Contemporary or historical? Historical

Pirate or cowboy? Pirate

Wine or beer? Used to be beer, but having to get used to wine due to my new diet

Abs or pecs? Pecs

Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Definitely lick ;)

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Author Bio

Angela works at an independent bookstore and lives in an historic house in the beautiful and quirky town of Mobile, AL, with her two matched gray cats, Darcy and Bingley. When she's not writing, she enjoys the usual stuff like gardening, reading, hanging out, eating, drinking, chasing squirrels out of the walls and creating the occasional knitted scarf. She's had a varied career, including website programming and directing a small local history museum.

She's an admitted geek and is proud to be among the few but mighty Browncoats who watched Firefly the first night it aired. She was introduced to the wonderful world of science fiction by her father, by way of watching reruns of the original Star Trek in her tweens and later giving her a copy of Walter M. Miller Jr's A Canticle for Leibowitz as a teenager. She hasn't looked back since. 

She has a B.A. in Anthropology and International Studies with a minor in German from Emory University, and a Masters in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She was an exchange student to Finland in high school and studied abroad in Vienna one summer in college. She recently found representation with Maura Kye-Casella at Don Congdon, Assoc.

Social Media Links

Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~ Google+

Blurb

Can a djinn and a magic slot machine bring two geeks together?

Riley McGregor is a geek trapped in a Good Ole Boy body and as owner of a microbrewery, smart chicks never look at him twice.  

Rejected by a geek who wanted to “trade up,” Mirjam Linna would rather immerse herself in work than be the girlfriend-of-the-moment. Stranded in a Vegas hotel, she makes a wish—a night of hot sex with the man of her dreams. It's granted. She agrees to dinner, but afterward, she’ll say thanks, but no thanks, and see what’s on the SyFy channel. But when they meet, they're surprised to find they had a shared connection in their past. Sparks fly as these two learn to be in the moment, be themselves and find love.

Fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Monty Python, Firefly and Marvin the Martian will enjoy this romantic comedy.

Excerpt

Mirjam rubbed the tiredness from her eyes, but the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland still occupied the Rivenbark Hotel & Casino elevator with her. She blinked and squinted. Yep. And life-size. Complete with hookah.

Plastic squeaked against glass as the caterpillar shifted to make more room. It made eye contact.

"Er, nice costume," Mirjam ventured.

"Thanks," came the muffled reply.

The elevator swooped to a stop on the mezzanine level. A pirate and a Ghostbuster stepped on and pushed the lobby button. Mirjam angled back to avoid being knocked over by the guy's Proton Pack.

"Convention?" Mirjam asked the caterpillar and it rewarded her with a nod.

Book Buy Links

Amazon | Amazon CA |  Amazon UK |  Barnes & Noble | All Romance eBooks | BookStrand

 

My First Christmas Romance Story

Do you remember your first Christmas romance story? It took me a while to remember mine, but then I realized it was. . .

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

At first glance, it seems to be a story about a lovable reindeer with an odd quirk--that bright red nose of his--and an elf with a seemingly unattainable career choice. But when you dig a little deeper, you can see how this tale really does track with the romance stories we love so much.

There are two young lovers, Rudolph and Clarice, who have strong feelings for each other, despite their parents' objections. And Clarice's dad is horrible, isn't he? It's cool to be protective of your daughter, but he gets a little too alpha about it, literally butting heads with Rudolph's dad. He's the reason the young reindeer are torn apart, even though we know how perfect they are for each other. 

One minute Rudolph is flying through the air because Clarice has let him know she's smitten with him. The next he's leaving his home, and his detractors, because they have shunned him and his glowing nose. Talk about heartwrenching!

Fortunately he joins up with Hermey, the would-be dentist, and the two are off on a grand adventure, gaining experiences that will aid them in the future.

There's even a black moment, when all seems hopelessly lost. The Abominable Snowman has captured Clarice, as well as Rudolph's parents, planning to make them his holiday snack. In true heroic fashion, Rudolph sacrifices himself to save those he loves. It looks like HE might be the next thing nibbled by The Abominable One, but Hermey gets to use his dental training, rendering the big guy toothless, and harmless. 

And just like in all the best romances, the character trait that seems to be a flaw in the beginning turns out to be just what everyone needed, although they were unable to see it at first. Rudolph's beacon of a nose saves Christmas, since Santa was ready to cancel the whole thing (he said it was because of the weather, but maybe he finally realized how tough it is to deliver that many toys in just one night--we'll never know for sure).

Rudolph also rescues the lonely toys from the Island of Misfit Toys, so they can be given to children who don't have any play things--demonstrating Rudolph's compassion, and giving us a lovely misty-eyed moment, like all great romances do.

I've always believed the story ends with a happily-ever-after. And if it doesn't, I've already written one in--because after all those romantic, heroic things we've just experienced, it wouldn't be right for Rudolph and Clarice to be denied their HEA.