Romance Thesaurus - Part III

Head on over to the writer blog today for a lively discussion on rear ends and what they're good for. If you are not of faint heart, of course.

Patch of Sky: Romance Thesaurus Part III

 

Cover and Excerpt from Finding Home

I have a new holiday romantic suspense coming out, and the cover is so gorgeous. Heather at the Red Headed Bookworm agreed to release an excerpt from the book, which comes out on December 19th!

Go take a look!



 

Enter to win more than a hundred books, gift certificates and other prizes! This is a great giveaway (and not just because my books are part of it!)

Fall in Love Giveaway Hop!






 

Romance Thesaurus - Part II

Over on the writing blog, I continue my search for the perfect euphemism.


Okay, so we've covered penis and boobs. Next up? Well, let's continue to explore those two terms. Did you know that the parts of the penis and boobs are used so often they need their own entries?

Nipples:

READ MORE (It's a family blog over here, y'all.)





 

Romance Novel Thesaurus - Part I

Over on the writing blog, I talk about some rather colorful words and which ones should never be used.

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As a romance editor and author, I come across many...flavorful words and descriptions of certain body parts, feelings, and sensations.

I thought I'd list a few euphemisms, adjectives and word choices...some good, some not, some just plain hilarious.

So, without further ado, let's get right to the gold, shall we?

READ MORE:



 

FREE BOOK giveaway!

Win an electronic copy of my new book Body Combat! Today! It's easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Finding the Right Feedback for You

Writing over on Patch of Sky today.

Editors, crit partners, beta readers...they all amount to the same thing: Someone who is going to rake over your manuscript, chop it up, mark it in red and throw it back to you with an email saying "Great job! Here are the billionity things I would fix!"

Are you ready for it? Can you handle it?

Things to consider when contacting a beta reader, and easy ways to find the right one for you.


 

Ten Things You Should Know About Editors

Wrote about the inner workings of the book business over on the writing blog today...


I'm an editor first and a writer second. Having spent the better part of three years editing manuscripts has made me a better writer for my genre. Not because I'm smarter or better prepared word for word, but because I understand the role of the person on the other end of my manuscript. I know, without a doubt, that what I thought I wrote is probably not what I actually wrote. Therefore, if I'm going to argue with my editor, I'm going to be damn sure I'm right.

I thought authors and writers might benefit from knowing a bit about the red pen on the other end of the internet.

Ten Things You Should Know About Editors:

10) They get paid nothing. Seriously. A full-time editor for a smallish shop couldn't afford a Starbucks habit with what she makes per manuscript. They don't do this for the money. They do it for you. You're the one getting paid for your good work. They're trying to make you more money while getting very little themselves.

READ MORE:






 

Body Combat RELEASED!

Body Combat has been released!

This blog post gives the first section of the first chapter if you want to read it!

And this is where you can get it, if you want to, you know, support my bad writing habit.

Open Calls for Romance Publishers

Over on the writing blog, I've listed quite a few open calls from publishers looking for short stories and novellas. It's a great way to start writing if a full-on novel is too daunting a prospect off the bat.

Go get published.




 

Body Combat Cover Reveal!

My next book, Body Combat, will be coming out on September 12th, 2012. And I've just gotten the cover!



Click to see it and read the blurb!







 

Submit your Work to the Right Place!

On the writing blog, I'm compiling a list of publisher subsections and open calls for writers who want their work to get read and published. It's important to send to the right places.

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If you are submitting your work to publishers, it pays to research the house to see if they have a section that is relevant to you. Here are some examples of themed open calls for authors to check out. There are no deadlines on these.

READ MORE:




 

What's in a (Character) Name?

Writing over at Patch of Sky today about naming characters and why names are important.

In real life, you're pretty much stuck with the name you've been given, without choice. But when you write, you have the power to make your character's name fit them. To choose the wrong sounding name could turn readers away, so there is a bit of pressure when it comes to nomenclature.

The most important names belong to the hero and heroine, of course. What do you want to say about those characters?

READ MORE:




 

Who Is the Romance Audience?

Wrote over on the book and author blog today about readers and judgement. Why the hate for genre fiction?
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Is there such a thing as too intelligent?

Signs point to yes, at least when it comes to romance.

I recently got a work back, and the editor mentioned that my writing bent toward literary and the piece may be too intelligent for readers. Romance readers are looking for more fun, more fluff, she says.

First, have you read me? I am no Proust, that's for sure. It won't take much for me to 'dumb down' a manuscript. Change a word here, lift the mood there, take out the some of the anger and true-to-life emotion, and you've got a ready-to-read romance.

But does it need to be this way? Romance readers and writers face a huge stigma in our society. They're looked at as less than, sometimes, and for what? Because they like to read or write as an escape? Because they prefer topics that are fun for them? Because they don't trouble themselves by dealing with heavy topics all the time? Is that so bad?

READ MORE: 





 

Tatiana March Author Interview (The Layton Prophecy)

Like I said on Tuesday, The Layton Prophecy is free starting today! You should definitely go check it out. I would pay full price for this book, no joke. If you want to see the blurb and an excerpt, click here.

If you want to buy it (get it for free on Amazon) right now, click here.

And luckily for me, the author has taken time out of her busy schedule to answer some of my questions about the book, and about herself.

I give you, Tatiana March.

READ MORE:

The Layton Prophecy: Review

I have to talk about the best book I've read in...well, probably since high school. I don't know how many of you have heard of author Tatiana March, but she's a prolific writer with slews of romances under her belt. They're all pretty darn good.

But the Layton Prophecy. The Layton Prophecy is amazing. It's a mystery wrapped in a romance tied up in suspense and intrigue. You've got your love, your loss, your betrayal, your triangles and foibles. It's a fast-paced page-turner with so many levels and mysteries, you'll be compelled to keep on reading.


Here's the blurb:

An ancient curse. A derelict mansion. Rumors of a hidden treasure.

When a lawyer contacts Alexandria Holt to reveal a family secret, she discovers she may one day inherit the crumbling Layton Manor.

Miles Kendrick, a visiting American academic, claims to be a relation. He convinces Alexandria that the Layton Prophecy threatens her life. Together they set out the break the ancient curse, and uncover a trail of past betrayals over a fortune in gold and diamonds.

Alexandria begins to suspect that instead of protecting her, Miles is planning to kill her so he can inherit Layton Manor.

She offers him her heart. Will he take her life?

Read the rest of the review, including an excerpt here at Patch of Sky.