Upping the Stakes: Goals and Motivation

by Ellis Vidler

Usually the characters are the first thing that comes to mind for me. Occasionally there's a crime that I want to use, but it doesn't matter. The important thing is to find powerful goals and motivation—the kind that creates conflict and compels the reader to turn the pages.

When I have a serious idea, I try to come up with the goal, motivation, and conflict for two or three main characters, the heroine/hero or both, and (since I write suspense) the villain. Everyone needs a reason for their behavior, and the stronger the reason, the more compelling the story will be.

Weak motivation makes a weak story. Say the heroine, Millicent, is usually a nice honest person, someone we could like and want to know, but today she steals a rare plant to make tea from. Why? The reader won't be happy about finding she's a thief. Did she just crave the tea and thought one little plant from the scientist's greenhouse wouldn't hurt? Poor motive. But what if her child is terribly ill and the only thing she can keep down is tea from this plant (not exactly believable, but this is to illustrate a point, not become a great plot). Millicent is penniless, has lost her job, her house is in foreclosure, and her child may not last the night. So her reason for stealing becomes more acceptable. She has a strong motivation. What if some enzyme in the plant is a possible cure for the illness? She wants to cure her child, so she has a strong goal, one we can share in.

You can always ask Why? and What if? Increase the stakes for the protagonist until you have something the reader will really care about and sympathize with. A deadline can add to the suspense and motive. If Millicent's child is near death, she can't wait around till she earns the money or can convince the scientist to help her. What if he's already turned her down? She's tried the legal paths but at this point, has no choice.

Now for the bad guy. What if he's the inventor of a new drug that contains the enzyme and stands to make a lot of money from it? He needs a motive too. Just wanting the money is poor and not something we'll have any sympathy for.  He needs a compelling motive too. Let's say he grew up poor and his mother died because the family couldn't afford medical care. That's why he became a drug researcher. He wants to create miracle cures and make money, but because power corrupts, he's become selfish and greedy. He can have all kinds of secondary reasons and complications. But the villain needs a goal and a motive too. The story will be a much more compelling read if their goals and motives are strong and in direct conflict.

Keep adding to the Why? If your heroine is a doctor, make her the only doctor in a small community during an avian flu epidemic. She's exhausted but still going. So have her run out of medicine. Block the only road in or out—how about a landslide caused by the forest fire that drove the chickens carrying the flu into town in the first place? The events that worsen the situation should be tied together and related, not acts of fate that come out of the blue. Ask what other terrible things could happen to worsen the situation. But don't forget the bright spot, something to give a faint ray of hope. Maybe the child who drank the tea survives (combining stories, I know), but the fire destroyed the plants. And so on. As you write, details will come, things will change, and surprises will emerge. But at least you'll have the basis for a good story.

____________________

Ellis Vidler is an editor and the author of Haunting Refrain, a romantic mystery with a touch of paranormal. It's available on Kindle. She co-wrote The Peeper, a suspense novel, with retired LEO Jim Christopher.

Her new book, Cold Comfort, romantic suspense, will be available from Echelon Press this month. When Christmas shop owner Claire Spencer is attacked, she hires PI Ben Riley to find out why. Together they find everything she believed is a lie, but the truth is . . . Cold Comfort.

You can find her at www.ellisvidler.com or her blog, http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com

Links: Haunting Refrain  http://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Refrain-ebook/dp/B00336F3QE

The Peeper  http://www.amazon.com/The-Peeper-ebook/dp/tags-on-product/B003VYBQGY

Cold Comfort  http://www.echelonpress.com/

Chelle Cordero: Stories That Reflect the Real World

I like to read and write contemporary stories, stories that reflect the real world around us. The real world is fraught with plenty of controversial, sometimes frightening, and sometimes angry topics. People show they can be ugly sometimes; others show genuine heroics in the face of enormous catastrophies. I try not to shy away from this realism.

Although I am admittedly opinionated and passionate-in-my-beliefs, I try not to infuse my characters with my attitudes. I want each character I create to be an individual with their own views and their own motivations. Some of the topics I’ve included in my stories include rape (female AND male), homosexuality, promiscuity, politics, prejudice, obsession, greed, and betrayal.

None of my characters are all good or all bad (even if a few villains came close) just like in real life where no one is all one way or the other – somehow even the most detested still have someone willing to love them. That’s life.

I’ve heard comments about a few of my stories and the themes I’ve written about; thankfully I’ve gotten more kudos than protests.

The most controversial topic I’ve included in my stories (so far) was in Hyphema. Hyphema features an interracial and intercultural marriage between a red-blooded Caucasian American Christian male and a Pakistani Muslim immigrant – the story takes place in a post-9/11 world. The cover shows a beautiful young woman wearing a Berka (scarf and face covering). I’ve certainly heard strong reactions and I am sure there are a few who would never read the book simply because of widespread prejudices and fears since 2001.

A quote from a review of Hyphema says, “Cordero meets headlong a number of real problems facing her characters. She doesn't sugar-coat cultural differences and prejudice…”

Subject matter should matter and when it evokes strong feelings and discussion, I believe that I have done my job as a writer. I tackle contemporary subjects and real life situations because I want folks to THINK long after they put my book down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bio:

Chelle has come a long way since first joining the Vanilla Heart Publishing queue of authors nearly two years ago with her first novel, Bartlett’s Rule. Now with nine novels on the market, she has solidified her standing as a Romantic Suspense author (7 romantic suspense & 2 mysteries.) She also has short stories in the VHP anthology With Arms Wide Open, Mandimam’s Press anthology Forever Friends, the VHP anthology Nature’s Gifts, VHP anthology Passionate Hearts and Mandimam Press anthology Forever Travels.

Bartlett’s Rule was named one of Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s Top Ten Reads for 2009; Final Sin was a 2009 Pushcart Nominee; and Hostage Heart, Final Sin and A Chaunce of Riches were nominated in the 2009 Preditors’ and Readers’ poll and had top-ten finishes. Chelle Cordero was recently featured as one of the authors in “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading” published by The Author’s Show in 2010.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blurb:

Hyphema: Bleeding in the eye caused by trauma.

Matt Garratti, a paramedic from New York, moves his wife and son to North Carolina to work at his dream job as a flight medic. Pakistani born Sudah, his wife, receives frosty stares and insensitive comments from their new neighbors. Before long, Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare from which they may never wake.

Stars of Romantic Suspense: Caridad Pineiro

I have known Caridad for many years. She's tireless, and the one of the most encouraging writers I've ever met.

Caridad Pineiro is the NY Times bestselling author of over twenty-six paranormal romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas.  Look for THE FIFTH KINGDOM, a romantic suspense from Carina Press in July 2011 and THE LOST, the first book in the new SIN HUNTERS paranormal romance series in August 2011.  Caridad has also done the foreword for OBSESSED:  EROTIC ROMANCE FOR WOMEN edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel which will be available in August 2011.  Her popular THE CALLING vampire series returns in 2012, but vampire lovers will enjoy A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS (October 2011) which includes Caridad's novella, WHEN HERALD ANGELS SING. For more information on Caridad, please visit www.caridad.com.

1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?  I wrote my first book in the fifth grade when a teacher assigned a class project.  I knew from that moment on that I wanted to be a writer.
2. How long have you been writing?  I started seriously pursuing a career in publishing shortly after the birth of my daughter.  I had been writing off and on for nearly a dozen years, but her birth gave me the impetus to finally finish a book and try to sell it.
3. How did you pick the genre you write in?  Even in the fifth grade I wrote a romance.  I loved reading romance and so there I never had any hesitation that what I wanted to write was a romance.
4. Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?  I used to be a pantster, but now I find that doing a synopsis really helps me find the focus of the book and keeps me from straying.
5. What drew you to the subject of THE FIFTH KINGDOM?  I had taken a business trip to Mexico and had an opportunity to visit some Mexican pyramids and also explore several areas in Mexico City.  That adventure got me thinking about what would happen if someone found Montezuma’s tomb and a unique relic within the tomb and voila, THE FIFTH KINGDOM was born.
6. Did you encounter any obstacles in researching it?  It took some time to research it because I wanted to get the history right.  The hardest part was trying to lay out a plausible explanation for the location of the tomb and its possible existence close to Mexico City.
7. What was the name of the first novel you wrote? Did you try to publish it?  The name of my first novel was LONG WAY HOME and yes, I did try to sell it, but couldn’t.  I still hope to revisit it one day and maybe finish it.
8. What do you know now that you are published that you didn’t know pre-published that you wish you knew?  I know now that writing the book is just a small part of the work involved.  The editing after the fact as well as promotion and marketing take a great deal of work and it’s sometimes difficult to find the balance between writing and the other aspects of the publishing world.
9. How many rejections have you received?  Too many to count.  Way more than the 27 books I’ve published.
10. What was the best writing advice someone gave you?  Actually, it was my mom who gave me invaluable life advice:  Nothing worthwhile is every easy.
11. What was the worst? Did you know it at the time?  The worst advice was to sign a contract for a big advance before my career was really ready for that kind of pressure.  It didn’t work out well and in retrospect, I’m sorry I did it.
12. Why did you pick the publisher that ultimately published your book?  I went with Carina Press for THE FIFTH KINGDOM because it was a very different kind of romantic suspense with a twist in the middle of the book that I would not have been able to do elsewhere.  I know readers will be saying, “Oh, no, she didn’t!”, but then go on with the rest of the thrill ride in the story.
13. If you could ask your readers one question, what would it be?  What do they like best about reading romance.
14. Tell me one thing about yourself that very few people know?  I am basically shy.  It’s taken me a very long time to be a more public person.
15. If you have a day job, what is it?  I’m an attorney by day, romance writer by night.
16. THE FIFTH KINGDOM is a romantic suspense revolving around the search for a missing archeologist and a terrorist group who may have kidnapped her.  The CIA Agent searching for the group and the woman is forced to work with the woman’s daughter, who has a dysfunctional relationship with her mother.  There is lots of action and emotion in the story.
17. What do you consider your strengths in terms of your writing?  Action and emotion.  I try to create characters that come alive for readers and have them on the edge of their seats as they wonder what will happen to them.
18. What do you consider your weakness and what strategies do you use to overcome it?  I am not good at description.  I usually write the dialogue and  action first and then go back and layer in the description during later drafts.
19. What’s your writing schedule?  I write for at least 2 to 3 hours every day and for several hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
20. What’s your favorite quote?  Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
21. What authors do you admire?  Nora Roberts is up there, especially for her JD Robb IN DEATH series.
22. What three things would you want with you on a desert island?  The complete IN DEATH SERIES, my daughter and a computer run by solar power with an Internet connection.

Dr. Deanna Vasquez hasn't spoken to her mother in years, not since the renowned archaeologist abandoned her family in her quest to find the lost tomb of Montezuma. When CIA agent Bill Santana shows up in her classroom with the news that her mother has been abducted by terrorists, Deanna has to help in any way she can.

Bill needs Deanna's expertise to determine the location of her mother's latest find, before her kidnappers do. He fears whatever mysteries the tomb holds could be deadly in the wrong hands. In an effort to make contact with the terrorist cell, Bill accompanies Deanna to Mexico posing as her fiancé-a ruse made doubly dangerous because of the very real heat between them...

Authorsday: Nancy Naigle

What better place for a writer of love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense to hail from than the state with the motto: Virginia is for Lovers. Nancy now resides in Southampton County on a goat farm with her husband and more kids (the four-legged kind) than she can keep count of. In 2010, Nancy won several accolades including winning the mainstream category of both the Maryland Writers Association Novel Contest and the Connecticut-RWA-The WRITE STUFF Contest.

Join Nancy on Facebook, twitter (@nancynaigle) and on the web: www.NancyNaigle.com.

1. If you have a day job, what is it? I’m a Senior Vice President with Bank of America. This is where you find out that I’m right AND left brained. My position with the bank is as a Six Sigma Black Belt. I coach associates in the six sigma methodology and provide support to Corporate Audit in their assessments of processes in the bank to insure we have the right controls and rigor in place. Statistics and organizational stuff – all day long. Writing fulfills my creative side. It keeps me balanced.

2. Describe your book. Sweet Tea and Secrets is a love story from the crossroad of small town and suspense. This is my debut novel. It’s an easy read with characters I hope you’ll grow to love and remember. I live a busy life between my love for writing stories, my career, the goat farm, family and friends. Reading is an escape for me. I don’t want to have to have a spreadsheet to keep the characters straight or think too hard about fluffy sentences that were written just to wow me. I like to lose myself in the characters of a book. I like to escape for just a little while. I hope that’s what I’ve written. That was certainly my goal―to help other folks find a smile, a tear, a fond memory and a little life balance.

By the way, the second book in the Adams Grove series will be out in November 2011. It’s called Out of Focus.

3. What was your favorite scene to write?  Pearl Clemmons was the most fun to write. She’s embraced her right to say exactly what is on her mind at the age of 85. I especially enjoyed writing the scene where she’s made the DVD for Jill and Garrett to be played as the will is read. When she fusses out Connor who is actually filming it...that’s totally Pearl.  I love her. I bet you will, too.

4. What is your favorite word? Ya’ll...although I had to succumb to editor pressure and spell it y’all in the book. Where I come from, we spell it ya’ll, and it’s part of my everyday language. If I hadn’t seen that even Paula Deen spells it y’all...I’d have surely fought longer on it. Now, I just hope I never find out Paula gave in to the peer pressure, too!

5. What’s your favorite food? Krispy Kreme Chocolate Iced Kreme filled doughnuts. I can’t pass them by.

6. What do you do when you are not writing? When I’m not writing or doing the day job stuff, then you can find me playing with my dogs or out with the goats. Oh, did I not mention that my husband and I live on a goat farm? Oh yes, he’s a full time goat rancher. It’s a wonderful thing to look out my office window and see all the kids at play or the generations of goats lying about chewing their cud and soaking up the weather. My husband is the Virginia State Fair Meat Goat Show Superintendent. I volunteer my time to do the scholarships for that program and I’ve been the Master of Ceremonies for that show since its inception in 2005. My favorite part of the Meat Goat Show at the Virginia State Fair is the Goat Obstacle Course. Our farm, HOLLAND FARM, sponsors that event. It’s a timed event much like a dog agility course. It’s so much fun.

7. Who is your greatest cheerleader? My mom. She’s hands-down my biggest cheerleader. If you cross her path you’ll know it because she’ll be shoving a bookmark in your hand and chatting you up about Sweet Tea and Secrets. If this book lands on a list somewhere, it will be because she has single-handedly sold my book to everyone in this region!

Book Blurb:

Adams Grove is mourning the loss of Pearl Clemmons, known for her award-winning chocolate pecan pie and the best unsolicited advice in the county. 

When Jill returns to settle her grandmother’s estate, she’s greeted by a Clydesdale-sized guardian dog, who doesn't seem to be earning his stripes (although he drools on them pretty well), and Garrett Malloy, the ex-fiancé she left behind a year ago. 

Jill’s past with Garrett becomes the least of her worries when she learns that their lives are in danger. She is the only person standing between a desperate conman and a secret from Pearl’s past. 

Will Pearl’s past kill any chance of Jill and Garrett’s future together?

A Chat with Jenn Nixon

Do you Plot or Wing it?
Plotter or Pantser. I'm sure many of you have heard the terms before. But what does it mean?

Plotter: This is a person who outlines their story from beginning to end. Sometimes chapter by chapter, other times plotting out a timeline or writing a synopsis.

Pantsers: This is a person who writes and lets the "muse" tell them where to go next.

I would love to sit here and talk about plotting a novel, how to write a killer outline, and all the great technical aspects to pre-plotting a novel.

I can't.


I'm a pantser.



For NANOWRIMO a few years back, I actually wrote an outline. Okay, it wasn't a real outline, it was a “Jenn” outline of notes and plot points and character personalities & attributes, but it was the most pre-planning I've done with any book.



I never finished it.



I still go back and read it sometimes. Parts of it are great, others, not so much. I lost interest right when it was getting good and heading into the final climax. I have no idea why I lost interest, but I have a feeling it had to do with the pre-destined ending and forcing the book and characters to make it there.



Being a pantser doesn't mean I don't have an idea where I want to story to go, in fact, 90% of the time I know the beginning, middle, and end. I just don't know how the characters will get there. For me, that is the best part about writing.



I have the characters in my head, their look, personality, quirks and faults. I know the world they live in. I know the basic skeleton of the plot. I know how I want it to end. Mostly.



I give my characters a wide berth when writing, because even though I am the author, it's not my story. I don't like influencing my characters, I'd rather they drive the story forward.



I'll use my latest novella Wild & Wicked as an example.



When the idea first popped into my head, all I knew was this: Girl working at strip club was looking for something. Guy who visits the strip club (for some reason) ends up helping the girl. And the girl was going to have to give the guy a lap dance before the end of her first night working.



From here, I needed characters.



Veronica's name came to me easily. I'd been watching Veronica Mars for a while and loved the name. Only one character called her Roni, a nickname, to be honest, I never really associated with Veronica before because I don't know anyone personally with that name. I know right! How weird. But that was her name. I didn't want her to look or act like Kristen Bell's character from VM, so I made sure she didn't. Good, I have a character!



Mason's name came from the new Call of Duty game my brother was playing. It was the character's last name, and I liked it. So I used it as his first name and gave him a cool last name. I decided he was a former detective and that he went to the strip club to keep an eye on the owner—so he wasn't really interested in the strippers. I also knew that I wanted him to look similar to Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Yum.



Awesome! I have my characters. I knew the setting. So, I started writing.



As I wrote the novella, Mason's back story quickly filled my brain. I didn't know anything about Veronica, but that was okay, because I always have a mysterious/suspenseful vibe in everything I write, so it didn't concern me. When her back story was ready to come out, I'd be ready too.



I wasn't nervous when I neared the moment where she told Mason her little secret. To be honest, I was as surprised as Mason when she told him. One line filled in all the blanks!



When the second big reveal came from Veronica, I knew I had to pepper in some minor details throughout the story so that it seemed like I knew who she was from the beginning, without giving it away to the reader a head of time.



Once I knew Veronica's back story, it opened up a whole new side of her that I never had in my head, making her even more interesting than before. Total score! It also opened up a secondary plot that I turned into a sequel!



For this particular story, I had no notes, no written description, and no idea where the story was even taking place, except for the club. Everything was in my head and it just flowed.



With my other, bigger projects, I normally write notes and descriptions, plot points, and other minor connecting details to make sure I stay on track with where I'd like the story to go. Of course it doesn't always happen as planned because we all know characters tend to do what they want, but having those notes and comments helps me stay focused on the plot portion.



I've gotten better at this pantser stuff the last few years. I chalk it up to my Star Trek role playing game. (Yes, I’m a geek!) I've been playing this game for a while, with a group of creative people who keep me on my toes every single week. I learned that I have a knack for taking a plot from several months ago and tying it into something we're doing in the present, which in turn creates an even bigger plot with other side plots emerging in the background. I love it! It's one of the reasons I still play because I never know what's going to happen, what the other people are going to do, and I love finding a way to connect everything together. At times, the people I play with ask if I planned to connect Plot A with Plot X and when I say no, they rarely believe me!



When I first started playing the ST game, I was a total plotter. I had things pre-written, I knew what everyone had to do, how they had to do it, and made sure they did it, even if they didn't want to. Those games were fun, but not as much fun as giving people free range with their own characters. Now, I never plot our games. Sometimes I'll set up a scenario and just go with it. Makes it much more interesting!



I've learned to do that with my novel characters too and I couldn't be happier. I love the way I write because it tends to surprise me, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but isn't that the life? You never know what will happen, so your characters shouldn't either. Unless they're psychic, but that's another blog post...



How about you? Plotter or Pantser or a little bit of both?



Jenn Nixon resides in New Jersey. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Liberty State Fiction Writers. Her love for thrillers and suspense often finds its way into her novels whether they are Science Fiction or Romance. When not writing, Jenn spends her free time reading, absorbing pop culture and current events, and social networking online. Upcoming releases: Wild & Wicked: Tease Publishing LLC – May 15th 2011, Chance of a Storm: Tease Publishing LLC – July 2011. For more information please visit www.jennnixon.com or http://jennafern.blogspot.com/

Interview with Sarah Ballance

Sarah Ballance and her husband of almost fourteen years live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they're asleep. She often jokes that she writes to be around people who will listen to her, but her characters aren't much better than her kids. Fortunately, her husband is quite supportive, having generously offered to help her research "the good parts." She's never had to ask twice.
1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I never wanted to be a writer—not even when I was writing my first book did I want to be a writer, LOL. I got started after my friend suggested I write a novel and I said I couldn't. Later, my "I can't" response bothered me so I gave it a shot. It wasn't until I finished DOWN IN FLAMES that I decided I really, really wanted to write novels.

2. How long have you been writing?


I started in the summer of 2008 and finished my first book in six months. The entire process was a total whim, and now it's a full-fledged career. That amazes me!
3. How did you pick the genre you write in?

Although my first book was a romance, I've found a home in romantic suspense with my second and subsequent novels. In suspense, the stakes are high. When the characters are in danger, there's a whole new element to the sexual tension that can be absolutely breathtaking. I love the added conflict and the heightened emotion, and, well, I have this diabolical adoration for screwing with my characters, LOL.



4. What drew you to the subject of RUN TO YOU?
I read my first romantic suspense while I was writing my first book, and I was hooked. I wanted to write one more than anything, but a plot refused to come to me until my husband and I took a walk on the beach on an actual "dark and stormy night." That night put the fear in me, and shortly thereafter I dreamed the entire book over a couple of back-to-back nights. We live on the coast, so the setting is near and dear to me.



5. Did you encounter any obstacles in researching it?
Research was light for RUN TO YOU. I had to Google a couple of facts, but otherwise I was able to just write—handy, because my real life obstacle was a difficult pregnancy. Our first five babies were planned, then I had my tubes tied. Imagine our shock when we found out we were expecting baby number six, and on top of that I was relegated to my bed for most of the pregnancy. I'm still kicking myself for only writing one book that whole time, but I was so sick I guess I should be amazed I managed that much!



6. What was the name of the first novel you wrote? Did you try to publish it?
The first novel I wrote is also my first published novel, DOWN IN FLAMES. I never expected it would actually be published, but it was picked up by Noble Romance on my first and only query!



7. Why did you pick the publisher that ultimately published your book?
I did some research, primarily on reputation with readers and authors. Looking back, I realize I didn't know everything I should be researching, but I lucked out. Noble is a fantastic place and the staff and other authors feel like family, and they've more than fulfilled that outstanding reputation that drew me there to begin with.

8. If you have a day job, what is it?

I don't have a "real job," but I'm a mom of six young children (all under 13) and we are a homeschooling family. I'm teaching four different grades at this point, plus have a preschooler and a baby. Otherwise, I'm a full time author, LOL.



9. What’s your writing schedule?
For the past few weeks I've gotten the bulk of my writing done between 8:00 p.m. and midnight or 1:00 a.m. That varies—sometimes I'll get up early—but for now it seems to work for me. I have a couple of periods throughout the day I tend to put toward all of the things you have to do as a writer which have nothing to do with actually writing, so in theory I have my evenings to write. In reality, it doesn't always work that way.



10. Who is your greatest cheerleader?
I'm blessed to have quite a few, but my husband wins the prize. I could name a hundred ways he supports my career, but one of my favorites is the way he'll sit on the floor in front of the bedroom door when the kids won't leave me alone so I can write. I think it's pretty cool how willing he is to give up his recliner after working a 12 hour day to make sure I'm not disturbed! He'll also take all six kids somewhere—the grocery store, the park, anywhere—just to get them out of the house to give me a break. And when it comes to what he calls "the good parts" he is a tireless research partner, LOL.



Book Blurb



The last thing Sheriff Wyatt Reed expected to find on a storm-ravaged beach was a beautiful blonde with a jealous sidekick, but one look at Mattie James left him wanting more. Their first date takes an ominous turn when he gets the call that a woman was found murdered. With a killer on the loose and a troubling lack of suspects or motive, Wyatt's vow not to become personally involved is shattered when he discovers Mattie's life is on the line, and this time the truth leaves her with a deadly choice . . . and nowhere to run.



BUY LINKS:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003WKYEJI

PDF, EPUB, HTML, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=214

All Things Romantic Suspense Tour: Marie-Nicole Ryan

Bio:


Marie-Nicole Ryan is an award-winning author, and most of the time she writes contemporary romantic suspense. On occasion she’s been known to go to the dark side with an erotic historical western. She grew up in Western Kentucky, but moved to Nashville where she lived for several decades. Recently she came back to her roots and is once again living about ten miles from where she grew up. She lives with one very spoiled wonder sheltie by the name of Cassie.

LOVE ME IF YOU CAN, Marie-Nicole Ryan

Amazon Buy Link

Also available at The Wild Rose Press, Fictionwise, Barnes & Noble



Blurb:

Nashville sizzles in the summer. No wonder Tess and Scott combust.

Nashville Homicide Detective Tess O’Malley has a lot to prove. She comes from a long line of police officers, including her father and older brothers. First she and her partner are taken off a high profile case and sidelined with a cold case instead. After reviewing the files, she’s certain her cold case is connected to the current one, and she sets out to prove it. Too bad it means locking horns with a handsome PI who could win her heart and derail her career.

Scott Holt is all business when it comes to running his family’s PI firm. When the lovely Detective O’Malley comes to question him about his possible involvement in her cold case, he has everything but business on his mind. Like locking lips with the fiery redhead.

Love Me If You Can, © 2010 Marie-Nicole Ryan

All rights reserved, The Wild Rose Press

Excerpt:

Tess took another bite of pizza, her silver gaze never leaving his. “You going to help me out or not? Forbes is your client, after all.” Her voice rose and, again, heads turned in their direction.

“Calm down. I’d like to live long enough to walk you home…and maybe get a good-night kiss.”

Taking a deep breath, she leaned back and signaled everything was cool. “You want to walk me home and kiss me good-night? How sweet.”

Her soft tone mocked him, but he didn’t care.

“Like we’re high school sweethearts.” She wrinkled her nose, but her eyes shone with moderate good humor.

“Would you rather I said what I was really thinking?”

Her lashes fluttered briefly, then she eyeballed him directly. “Maybe. Depends on what you were really thinking.”

He lowered his tone a notch. “About pressing you up against the wall and having my way with you.”

For a second, her gray eyes flashed silver.

Damn. He was a goner—as in, he’d gone too far. Said too much. Too soon.

She leaned forward. “I’ll have you know I don’t engage in up-against-the-wall, wild animal sex on the first date, not that this is even a date.” Her tone was matter-of-fact, but her cheeks flushed a pretty pink. Maybe he could still pull his nuts out of the fire before they went up in smoke.

“A guy can always hope,” he said, without a chance in the world she wouldn’t kick him to the curb. Or have one of her fellow officers do the honors.

“A guy can hold his breath…until he turns purple.”

“I can see I’ve put my foot in it. I’m sorry… But damn, the sight of your mouth. Your skin. Your eyes. Dammit. You’re driving me up a wall.”

“Another reference to the wall? Would that be the same wall?”

“Bad choice of words.”

Excerpt from Sheryl Locke Holmes Mysteries

Sheryl Locke Holmes Mystery Series


Book 2: Ruby’s Deadly Secret

By C.L. Exline

BLURB:

What do you get when you add a ruby, diary, secrets, and a mansion? A motive for murder. Sheryl Locke Holmes and her best friend, Dot Watson, have been offered an exciting opportunity to explore Bridgeside, a Victorian mansion, to search for items for their antique shop. Their adventure is short-lived when they discover a diary containing dark secrets and a newspaper clipping with a warning written in what appears to be blood. They get trapped in the attic, Dot is attacked and they find out the owner died inside the house. As if that isn’t enough, Jake is spotted with another woman. Clues are pointing to Sheryl as the next target, no matter who gets in the way.

Excerpt from Ruby’s Deadly Secret



EXCERPT
Sheryl gazed into Jake’s eyes and caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry for overreacting. For a brief moment, I thought I had lost you. I know better, but I’d just been with Mrs. Wallace and listened to how much her husband’s betrayal had hurt her. I wasn’t thinking, not with my head. Forgive me.”

“Take your hands off of me!” yelled a voice in the distance.

Sheryl and Jake looked over to see Dot being physically escorted out of the restaurant.

“Madam!”

“Look, you little toad, take your hands off of me.”

“I better intercede before Dot gets physical.” Jake hurried to smooth things over. “Lawrence, it’ll be okay. I’ll take over.”

Lawrence let go of Dot, but glared at her before facing Jake. “She and that blonde friend of hers are not welcome in our establishment. Both are troublemakers. We run a reputable business and cannot have altercations disrupting our patrons.”

“Like I care to go back in! I wouldn’t go in that rat hole if my life depended on it,” Dot said and rubbed her arm. “You better hope I don’t get bruises from your manhandling me.”

The man snorted before stomping back into the restaurant.

“You didn’t hit Lisa, did you?” Jake asked.

“Lawrence wouldn’t let me.”

Buy link: http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=329

Cassie’s Bio:




I write contemporary romance and romantic suspense, sometimes with sizzle and always with a dash of humor. Married with children, I work for a small town newspaper along the east coast. Have a two ebooks published at Wild Child Publishing, Amber's Mysterious Death and Ruby's Deadly Secret, plus two more in contract. Several short stories published at Ruthie's Club, The Erotic Woman, Erotic Bookworm, and Justus Roux. I'm a member of Erotica Author's Association, Erotica Readers & Writers Association and Desdmona's FishTank. Author's Page at: Manic Readers at http://manicreaders.com/CassieLExline

Website: www.cassieexline.com

Blog: http://cassieexline.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cassie.exline

Book Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYaF7eQTI2U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J516vtbCa_8

ExcerpTuesday: Cara Marsi

Cara Marsi is a former corporate drone and cubicle dweller with a romantic soul. She craves books with happy endings and loves to write about strong heroes and feisty heroines. She loves to put her characters in dangerous situations and see how they’ll get out. Cara has recently gone over to the dark side with her romantic suspense, Murder, Mi Amore, set in Rome, Italy, and involving murder, jewel thieves and terrorists. And she’s gone even darker with her paranormal romance, Cursed Mates.

She credits her love of romance to the old Thirties and Forties romantic comedies she watched on late night TV growing up. Cara is published in traditional romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and has published numerous short romance stories in national magzines. Cara and her husband enjoy traveling and she loves to write about the places they've visited. They share their house with a fat black cat named Killer.

Excerpt:
Dominic sprang up and flew at the mugger, knocking him to the ground. The two men grappled, rolling together on the cobbled street. Lexie, her heart thumping wildly, looked for an opening to bean the mugger again, to give Dominic a better chance at overcoming him.


“Stop it! Stop it! Leave him alone!” The mugger ended up on top, and she whaled away with her bag, getting in any shot she could.

Shouts and the slap of running feet vibrated through the alley. The mugger swore, jumped up, and raced away, a few men giving chase. Several others helped Dominic to stand, yelling in excited voices, and gesturing toward where their attacker had disappeared.

Dominic winced in pain. Lexie looked down at his ripped, blood-soaked pant leg. “Dominic, you’ve got to get to the hospital. You’re bleeding.”

“I’m okay,” he said. “It is nothing.” Brushing dirt off his jacket, he turned to the men and said something in rapid Italian. With nods, they strode away.

Breathing heavily, Lexie disagreed. “You’re not okay. We’ll get a cab and take you to the hospital.”

He cupped her shoulders. “I’ve been through worse. I’m fine. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“No. I’m…” The full impact of what had happened hit her. The adrenaline that had given her strength suddenly dissipated and she began to tremble. “I’m not okay.”

“Lexie.” Dominic moved forward to take her into his arms. She held on for dear life, needing his strength. He rubbed his hand along her back. “It’s okay, Lexie. We’re both okay. You’re safe with me.”

She clung to him. It wasn’t her imagination. Strange things were happening. She had nothing anyone could want. She didn’t know who to trust. Dominic said she was safe with him. But was she really?

Blurb:
Lexie Cortese is in Rome to forget. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy Interpol agent who suspects her of being part of a terrorist plot involving a stolen diamond. Suddenly thrust into a world of murders, muggings, and kidnappings, Lexie doesn’t know what to think—or who to believe.


Dominic Brioni’s assignment is simple. Befriend the American and bring her to justice. Only Lexie seems like the most unlikely terrorist Dominic has ever met. Sweet, determined, and direct, she faces life with courage and fire, a fire that sparks his protective instincts and a longing for something more—something he allowed himself to hope for only once before.


But that woman betrayed him, and his boss isn’t about to let him forget it. With his career on the line and Lexie in danger, will Dominic learn to trust his heart before they both get killed?

Corpse Whisperer

It is now available in ALL E-Book formats and will shortly be available at BN.com and Borders.com.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/31033

Authorsday - Chicki Brown

Today I welcome author Chicki Brown.
Chicki Brown began writing in response to an inner urge to record the stories that had been accumulating in her head. A job layoff nudged her into the decision to write full time. She is the author of Have You Seen Her? a contemporary, multicultural romance and is currently working on her eighth manuscript.

A New Jersey native, and the mother of two grown daughters, she and her husband live in metro Atlanta, Georgia.

Her web site is http://www.chicki663.webs.com/.
1. How long have you been writing?


Back in 2002, while I was working for a company that was experiencing a downturn in business. In an effort to keep myself occupied, I began typing a story that had popped into my head, which gradually morphed into a 400-page novel. The company laid me off a few months later, and I haven’t stopped writing since.

2. Do you plot or write by the seat of your pants?

I am definitely a plotter. The first thing I do before I write a word is to do a rough outline of the story. Next I complete character profiles for all of the main and secondary characters. Once I figure out the setting, I start researching the city, neighborhood, etc. The research continues as the story unfolds.

3. Why did you pick the publisher that ultimately published your work?

My decision was a long time coming. For several years I submitted to agents and editors on my own without success. I signed with an agent who didn’t sell a thing for me for two years. I terminated our relationship and recently signed with a well-known New York agent who is interested in my current manuscripts.

I had been reading author Joe Konrath’s wonderful blog for the past few years, and was fascinated by his experience publishing directly to Amazon’s Kindle. As a result, I decided to perform an experiment of my own by publishing my debut novel through Amazon’s Digital Text Platform. With them I control the content, the cover and the price. The freedom to get my work out to readers is exhilarating.

4. What do you consider your strengths in terms of writing?

Dialogue is definitely my strength. I love recording the conversations I hear in my head between characters. Strangely, I’ve been told by my critique partners that I write male dialogue particularly well. Go figure. 

5. What do you consider your weakness and what strategies do you use to overcome it?

My weakness is pacing. If I’m not careful my stories can wander in the middle. Thankfully my critique partners are faithful to alert me when the pacing begins to lag.

6. What’s your favorite quote?

My favorite writing quote is from Nora Roberts, “If you need to believe in the muse, let’s say, fine and dandy. Whatever works for you. But don’t tell me you can’t work today because the muse has left you. Go track down that fickle slut, drag her back, chain her to your keyboard, and get to work.”

My favorite non-writing quote is from the Bible, “Blessed is she who has believed, for there shall be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” – Luke 1:45

7. What three things would you want with you on a desert island?

A knife (for food and protection)

A box of 5,000 matches (for cooking and warmth)

My Bible (for comfort and focus). They are all necessary for survival.

8. What’s your favorite thing about your book?

My hero, Taylor Villanova, the delicious bi-racial nightclub bouncer. He’s a real alpha male, and I had a ball writing him. Even though wrote this story almost three years ago, and I can still visualize his every move in different scenes. There is one particular scene where Dani sees him in a club where a certain song is playing. Every time I hear that song, the details of the scene flash back into my mind.

9. Who is your greatest cheerleader?

The ladies in my critique group. They assist, correct, encourage and most of all, understand me. I couldn’t find a better group of women anywhere in the world. We’ve been working together for several years now.

10. Where do you write?

Mostly away from home. Even though I have a lovely home office, it’s a must that I get away from the Internet, because I am very easily distracted. If I’m anywhere near a computer, I compulsively check my e-mail, read Facebook and Twitter messages and visit blogs. In order to get any work done, I take my AlphaSmart and head to Atlanta Bread Company, my favorite spot to write. Also, when the weather is cool enough (I’m in Hotlanta), I drive to a local lake and park by the water.


Thanks for this opportunity to share my book with your readers, Chris.
Marcia Hadley, Santa Barbara, California socialite has been married for seven years to the heir of a family fortune. He sees to it that she has the finest home, cars and clothes. Yet that isn’t enough to keep Marcia from running.

------

Dani Reynolds, Atlantic City nightclub cocktail waitress works on her feet seven hours a night, five days a week for less than minimum wage in a crowded, smoky nightclub. She lives in an aging, run-down apartment, rides the city bus, and she’s happier than she’s ever been.

Marcia and Dani have more in common than anyone could imagine. They are the same woman.

Only Taylor Villanova, the club’s sexy bouncer can help her reconcile her two distinct personas, face her greatest fear and discover a love greater than she’d ever imagined.

Book Review Tuesday - Triple Exposure

This wasn't the book I planned on reviewing today. I forgot the other one would come via media mail.

Oops.

I just finished Triple Exposure by Colleen Thompson. This was a freebie I received at a conference, but I have to say I wouldn't have minded if I'd paid for it. And in doing research, I found out she has more books out.

I'm not loyal to too many authors. I find because of the pressure to crank them out, the quality can be questionable.

Triple Exposure follows the story of photographer Rachel Copeland after she returns home to Texas. She's be acquitted of murdering a young stalker. Part of the action is a loner named Zeke Pike. No one knows where he came from or where he's been. We later find out he has a past also.

Rachel comes home other father, a pilot who runs a glider operation, and her stepmother who runs a diner. This town is where Rachel grew up so there is the usual baggage that accompanies going home.

Soon strange accidents begin to happen and lest I give away too much of the story I won't go any further.

Suffice it to say that there were enought twists and turns that I was very surprised by the ending. That's hard to do since I write romantic suspense.

When I am through my current TBR pile I will definitely look for another Colleen Thompson book.