Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Megan Kelly | Pursuing the Dream
Uncategorized / July 17, 2008

Thanks to Fresh Fiction for having me today. I’ve had a terrific weekend with the release and signing of my second Harlequin American Romance, The Fake Fiancée. One question I’ve been asked at book signings that tickles me is, “Why did you keep writing?” (I hope the person asks this before they’ve read my work!) If you aren’t familiar with my story, I started writing when my kids were toddlers and didn’t get published until after they became teens. During this time, I finaled in several “prominent” Romance Writers of America chapter contests, had requests from editors to whom I pitched my work at conferences, and even landed on the senior editor’s desk. All to no avail. I guess it could be called a “lucky” thirteenth year when I sold. So why did I stick with it? Stubbornness? Blind faith that someday I would sell? Well, maybe the first explanation. Because for six years, I’d lost the belief I’d ever see my work in print. Those were dark times. It wasn’t until one day when I had “people” in my head again that I realized the characters who usually inhabit my waking hours had been AWOL. Even my family commented…

Nicola Marsh | Sheikhs and Desert Princes
Uncategorized / July 16, 2008

What is it about sheikhs and desert princes that have readers buying these books in droves? Is it the promise of being swept off our feet by an alpha hero? Is it the exotic locations? The mystery of delving into a new culture? The guaranteed heat? (yes, I am talking about the weather!) For me, it’s the fantasy element, the knowledge that this hero will take me to places I’ve never been before. With that in mind, I absolutely had to write my own. It was a challenge considering I set most of my books in my fabulous home city, Melbourne, but one I thrived on and once I’d invented my very own desert kingdom of Adhara and Prince Samman al Wali as its ruler, I was swept away. From a private desert oasis to a French-inspired palace, from the lush palace gardens to a bustling souk, Adhara intrigued me, almost as much as Sam.(Once I saw this picture of actor Rodrigo Santaro, I knew I’d found my prince. Strong, commanding, powerful.) Of course, every alpha hero needs an equally strong heroine and top architect Bria Green is more than a match for the headstrong prince. THE DESERT PRINCE’S PROPOSAL…

Jennifer Banash | Summer Lovin’
Uncategorized / July 15, 2008

I had my first kiss at summer camp when I was twelve. 

 He was tall, with amazing green eyes, deeply tanned, and had the kind of white blond hair you usually only see on toddlers and the body of a swimmer—lithe, sinewy, and ever so faintly muscled. His hair had a slightly green tinge from the excessive chlorine in the pool, which I now think is kind of gross, but back then I just thought it made him even sexier. I had drooled over him all summer long, looking away and staring at my feet whenever his green eyes moved in my direction, So when I noticed he was staring at me one night at dinner in the crowded mess hall, my heart jumped through my faded red polo shirt, and I thought I’d fall face first into the tasteless plate of mystery mush in front of me as he slowly smiled, then winked. He showed up at my bunk a few nights later and suggested that we take a “walk”–which we all knew was code for lets-go-to-the-darkest-place-we-can-find-and-make-out-until-lights-out. I remember walking with him through the darkness behind my bunk, the smell of the freshly cut grass, the sound of…

Samantha Hunter | Television is Good For You – At Least, it’s Been Good for Me
Uncategorized / July 14, 2008

We find our inspiration in different places. Some of us sit on sidewalks and people watch, some listen to music, some do writing exercises and talk with friends. I think I’ve done all three from time to time, and one of the most fruitful sources of creative inspiration for me is television. It was one of my favorite things as a kid, and it still is. I’m always amazed at the current idea that letting kids watch TV is bad for them. I grew up pretty much physically connected to the TV – my parents didn’t hover over me every moment of every day attending to my every need because they were working, and working hard. It was good – it was how I learned to be independent and develop my own work ethic. It never stopped me from reading, from achieving academically, and it remains a huge source of inspiration for me, as well as relaxation. Movies and TV shows (though mainly TV – I rarely find movies I enjoy any more) are fertilizer for my imagination. The only thing better is travel, but I can’t do that as often as I’d like. I can actually feel something creative…

Jim Dale to Noir Fiction — Busy Busy Weekend of authors, books and FANS!!!
Uncategorized / July 13, 2008

Jim Dale re-creating his HP readingsOriginally uploaded by freshfiction From Friday night with two, yes, TWO signings to Saturday’s PORTUS 2008 festivities, to a single signing on Sunday, this has been a FULL, crowded and EVENTFUL weekend in Dallas! I mean, it’s not like the price of gas is cutting into our books budget! Uh huh, so I’m cutting out food…and being on the WW, it’s hard, especially with all the good healthy and in season fruits and veggies. It just means less stops at the Cheesecake Factory next to the Lincoln Park Barnes and Noble! (SORRY, Ellen!!) Rhys Bowen at Lincoln Park BNOriginally uploaded by freshfiction First up our double hitter night: Rhys Bowen, author of the Lady Georgie mystery series set in England in the 1930s. Poor Georgie! She’s been told by the Queen she’s to put up the latest German princess they’re trying to marry off in England and you can’t say no to the Queen! So penniless Lady Georgie manages to round up a “butler” (her grandfather) and a “cook” (grandfather’s lady friend) to set up a real house for a short stay. But all is not working as planned when the Princess shows up with…

Summer Daze Reading Blockbusters and HP is in town!
Guests / July 11, 2008

Summer has settled in North Texas and along with the heat is a flurry of authors descending to talk up their books. Now, I’m not complaining, I LOVE to read and a new book is always welcome. But sometimes even I, addict that I am, can be overwhelmed. Nah, you say with feigned surprise, Sara? Overwhelmed with books?. Yeah, well, it happens. Once in a blue moon to be true, but it is a sad thing. What to read! Too many choices! The summer blockbusters are arriving: Iris Johansen, Linda Howard, Mariah Stewart, Janet Evanovich, Allison Brennan…what to read! Then the surprise of the summer just sorta sneaks up… an event that escaped my radar. Do I hear another GASP? Yes, it’s sad but true. I almost missed the Harry Potter Symposium — PORTUS 2008. Right down the road so to speak. A gathering of the HP intelligentsia — no kids under 18 allowed. What has the world come to when the fans of a children’s book holds a yearly symposium (aka convention) complete with masquerades, costumed attendees, rock bands, fan fiction, movies and workshops on the hows and whys of “potterdom” and don’t let in the kiddos? At least…

Beth Cornelison | Secondary Characters: The Good, the Bad and the Quirky
Uncategorized / July 10, 2008

I’m tickled to have the opportunity to guest blog today at Fresh Fiction. I want to start by giving a shout out to my older sister, Martha. Today is her birthday and no one deserves a happy birthday more. She’s a mom, a wife, a musician, a paralegal, an awesome aunt to my son, and she’s been a staunch supporter of my books since I started writing. (Which is why DUTY TO PROTECT, my July release from Silhouette Romantic Suspense is dedicated to her and my younger sister.) So happy birthday, Martha! Now, back to the point of my post today… I’ve been thinking a lot lately about secondary characters. Why? One reason would be because I’m giving a workshop at RWA National later this month with my friend and fellow romance writer, Winnie Griggs, titled Secondary Characters: The Good, the Bad and the Quirky. In that workshop, we explore the many functions of secondary characters and how they add depth to novels, movies and plays. For example, my family pulled out our DVD of GONE WITH THE WIND this weekend. GWTW may be Rhett and Scarlett’s story, but can you imagine this classic without Mamie? Without Melanie or… Ashley…

Yolonda Tonette Sanders | A Much Needed Break
Uncategorized / July 9, 2008

A young busy mother of two, I look at my twelve-year-old son and a soon-to-be nine-year old daughter and wonder, “where did the time go?” Like many parents, I often get nostalgic while looking at old photographs or remembering when they were born. Now that they are getting older, I cherish moments with them even more, realizing how fleeting time is. It’s funny because there are times when I’m feeing overwhelmed and I’ll say, “I need a break.” We’ll make plans for the children to visit relatives for while and once they’re gone, I miss them terribly. Like now, my daughter is out of town with my husband’s sister and niece. The original summer plan was for her to attend day camp along with my son, but there was a waiting list for her age group. Seeing how she was number sixty on the list, we didn’t have high hopes of her being enrolled. I’d wanted both children to attend day camp so I could write during the hours they were gone and then we could do “fun stuff” together when they came home. Well, with my daughter home with me during the days, my plans to get a lot…

Kimberly Killion | Curse it!
Romance / July 8, 2008

Let’s talk about Expletives. “God’s Hooks””’Ods toes”“Piss ‘n nettles”“Christ-all-bleeding-mighty!” Little curses and habitual ticks can bring a character to life. As an author writing in the Medieval time period, I chose the above expletives for my debut book, HER ONE DESIRE. Let’s start with the first one: GOD’S HOOKS: Derived from the hooks (or nails) used to fasten Christ to the cross. This particular expletive later evolved into “Gadzooks”. Many of these “God’s”expressions were reduced to ‘od’s or odds as in “‘ods toes”. Of course, part of the fun is making up expletives. I used ‘Piss ‘n nettles’ for one of the secondary characters in HER ONE DESIRE. I tossed words around for days trying to fit ‘John’ with the perfect expression. Not only does a character tend to use a favorite expression, but also favorite sayings, like: “Are ye wowf, man?” Simply from the way it’s written, the reader might be able to guess its meaning. ‘Wowf’ was Scottish slang used to describe someone who might be insane, crazy, mentally ill or deranged. Along with researching forms of speech, I often mull over a character’s nervous tick before I ever start a book. (Sometimes for days at a time)…

Jasmine Haynes | Working Life really is like “The Office".
Uncategorized / July 7, 2008

Thanks so much for having me as your guest. I’m excited to have Berkley releasing SHOW AND TELL this month, the second book in a trilogy that began with THE FORTUNE HUNTER, which won the Holt Medallion for erotic romance.Here’s a little tidbit about SHOW AND TELL to whet your appetite. All her life Trinity Green has been a pleaser, first her mom and dad, then her husband. When she walks in on her husband with another woman, she realizes that trying to be the perfect wife with never a hair out of place or a smudge of makeup beneath her eyes was all for nothing. Now she’s going to indulge herself, with good food, delicious wine, and hot sex. Then she meets the perfect man under the oddest of circumstances… And Trinity also needs to get a job! That’s where my experiences working in an office atmosphere comes into play for the book. This spring I rented all the DVDs for “The Office.” You might think that show exaggerates what it’s really like, that no real boss is going to say or do stuff like that. But, swear it, they really do. I had a wonderful boss who drove…