First off, did you watch Scandal last night? Are you ok? Well I’m not, I’m hanging on by a exhausted thread, but I’m here… Whew. I’m still here.
That said, I’m up and chatting today about Coloring Outside The Lines over at Coffee Time Romance in the Latte Lounge along with some other super fab authors. We hope you’ll join us.
Also with the countdown to Seduction’s Canvas at T-minus 10 days….Whee… out May 27th! and ready for pre-orders now!
and in celebration of the chat today I’m giving away a 10.00 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner! The contest is open until 5/19 at 12AM
Good Day World. I’ve woken with a major migraine today and I’m trying to figure what brought it along. Could it be allergies, hormones, stress or could it be just be and my awful migraines or could it be something deeper like today being one of the most stressful days of the year doing that it’s the season finale of Scandal? Gah! & Wah! And Holey Moles Batman! Somebody Hold me!
Have I already gotten myself worked up and into a state over the state over Olivia and Fitz and my impending withdrawal? Good thing that after today I’ll have to go cold turkey with my Scandal sobriety. Oh well, at least I have tonight and one last bender to live it up. As usual you can look for my recap on Heroes and Heartbreakers tomorrow and you can also see my past ones there too.
Also tomorrow 5/17 I’m chatting with a great group off authors over at Coffee Time Romance and the subject is Coloring Outside The Lines. We will be taking questions, talking about our new projects and giving away prizes. Please stop on by and join in! Thanks!
All the best,
KMJ
Images thanks to Keep Calm-O-Matic and abcScandal Facebook
Today on ye old blog we have something a little different, a guest post. Now normally I do an author interview but when I read (I will say with my own bit of skepticism followed by pure enjoyment) fellow Crimsonista, Synithia William’s Worth The Wait I had to ask her here to tell us about her reasoning behind writing an older virgin heroine. Take it away Synithia….
The Thirty Year Old Virgin
The thirty year old virgin. Some scoff and say that’s unrealistic. How could someone possibly hold onto their virginity throughout their twenties? Romance readers may feel it’s an antiquated idea that is overplayed in contemporary novels. Yes you may be right, but if there’s one thing I do know it’s never say never. And to say that nowhere in this world is there a woman approaching thirty who’s never had sex would be (in my opinion) a lie.
I have friends who managed to hold on to their virginity through college. And only gave it up, for lack of a better phrase, when impending engagements approached. I admire these friends for doing this. It takes a lot of confidence in oneself to ignore the peer pressure, and relationship pressure, and stay true to your beliefs. One friend in particular, I could see still holding onto her virginity if she hadn’t gotten engaged and later married her husband. She’s the same age as me.
That’s why I believe someone like the heroine in my book, Worth the Wait, can, and probably does, exist. Tasha Smith was raised by strict parents who instilled in their daughters the importance of waiting for marriage. As she got older and saw friends in high school and college hurt, pregnant, or with a sexually transmitted disease, it was easy to keep to her decision to wait for marriage. But after college things got a bit dicey. Men weren’t thrilled by the idea that the only way to have sex with her meant they had to put a ring on it. Therefore, her love life became one break up after another.
That’s where my dose of 21st century realism comes in if you still doubt the whole almost 30 virgin idea. I can’t see how dating could be easy for someone holding out sex until marriage. That’s a lot of pressure on a new relationship. So, stuck between a rock and a hard place, Tasha resolves to lose her virginity by asking playboy entrepreneur, Jared Patterson, to be her first.
And from there the excitement ensues. I love drama, and put these two through their fair share. There are consequences to rash decisions, and the consequences almost tears families apart.
I hope you can understand why I went with an almost 30 virgin for this book. Give it a try. Let me know if I made it work. But for now, tell me your thoughts. Do you think a virgin would have a hard time dating in 2013?
Worth the Wait Blurb
After Tasha Smith is dumped yet again because of her virginity, decides it’s time to stop saving herself for marriage and start dating like women in the twenty-first century. She sets out to find a man rumored to be good enough in bed to relieve her of the nuisance, but discreet enough to keep her request a secret. Jared Patterson seems like the perfect candidate. Yet after one searing kiss, she wonders if she’ll escape the night unscathed.
Jared’s job as a successful fitness instructor and entrepreneur has helped him keep a string of meaningless relationships from the east to the west coast. After learning the hard way that women can’t be trusted, he has no qualms going from one sex only relationship to the next. Although Tasha is one of the few types of women he avoids—a good girl—the man in him can’t turn down her tempting offer.
What starts out as a onetime thing quickly turns into an affair neither want to stop. But when an unexpected situation drastically alters their relationship, it leaves them both asking if it was Worth the Wait.
Synithia Williams has loved romance novels since reading her first one at the age of 13. It was only natural that she would begin penning her own romances soon after. It wasn’t until 2010 that she began to actively pursue her publishing dreams. Her first novel, You Can’t Plan Love was published in August 2012 by Crimson Romance. When she isn’t writing, this Green Queen, as dubbed by the State Newspaper, works to improve air and water quality, while balancing the needs of her husband and two sons. You can learn more about Synithia, and her novel, by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationships.
I’m pleased to have on ye old blog a new writer friend of mine, and I’ve come to find out for myself a fantastic author, Micah Persell author of Of Eternal Life and Of Knowledge of Good and Evil , Books 1 and 2 in the Operation: Middle of the Garden Series. Now I’m not a huge paranormal reader, but I will say that Micah pulled me in right from the start with her fantastic descriptions of the frankly horrifying circumstances that her ultra-hot hero Eli found himself in. But wait, I think I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. I’m so excited coming off the end of Of Eternal Life. Slow down, Kwana, and let’s start the interview… Thanks so much for being here today Micah. Now can you tell us a bit about Of Eternal Life? Of Eternal Life is the first book in my series. It’s also the first book I ever wrote, so it has an extra special place in my heart. It follows the love story of Eli Johnson and Abilene Miller, but it’s also a suspenseful paranormal romance that focuses around what might happen if the government stumbled upon the ancient Garden of Eden in the Middle East. My theory is that we would turn it into a weapon, especially if it turned out that immortality was in the mix.
Of Eternal Life is categorized as paranormal romance, but it does have some mystical and sci-fi elements. How would you categorize it?
I’d love to categorize it as science fiction. A lot of scientific and medical research went into the making of Of Eternal Life. I think a lot of readers would be shocked to find out that the science in the book is all accurate. As far-fetched as it sounds to have an ancient tree’s fruit turn characters immortal, scientists have tested several methods of extending the human life, one of which is introduction of a substance that extends the Hayflick limit (the number of times a cell can reproduce before dying). I took their research and put a fictional spin on it. Wow real? That is so cool and interesting and a little scary. Now are you a Plotter or a Pantser? Can you please give us a glimpse into your writing routine?
I started off as a pantser, but then Abilene’s best friend in Of Eternal Life, Dahlia Gutierrez, turned out to be the villain. Surprise! I turned into a religious plotter after that. Every single plot point in Of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was meticulously planned out. When I start a new project, I plot out all of the major turning points. Once I have a plot mapped out, then I write a first draft and revise, revise, revise until I’m moderately happy with the result. Then I revise some more Now for one of my favorite questions: Can you please tell us the story of your “overnight” success?
I actually got “the call,” which for me was an e-mail, while on a field trip with my students. I’m a teacher in real life. It was a pretty special day, because I was able to share the news with the kids, and no one has a better reaction to good news than dramatic teenagers. I felt like a celebrity right away. I’m looking forward to the follow up to Of Eternal Life, Of Knowledge of Good and Evil; as a matter of fact I already have it on my Kindle. Can you tell the blog readers a bit about it?
Well, even though Dahlia turned out to be the villain of book 1, I wasn’t ready to give up on her yet. Book 2 is her story. It’s a story of deep secrets and redemption. I’ve got to say, Dahlia is one of my favorite characters. What can we expect next from you?
I’m putting the finishing touches on Emma: The Wild and Wanton Edition right now! I’m so excited about this book. It’s Jane Austen’s classic book, but with lots of steamy, steamy added in. Mr. Knightley and Emma definitely burn up the pages. Hopefully, it will come out some time in the spring. That sounds just wonderful and quite hot. Who doesn’t love Mr. Knightly? Thanks once again for being here. It was a fantastic treat, and I can’t wait to read more!
You can find Micah on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, or check out her website for a special sneak peak of both Of Eternal Life and Of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Oh my goodness! Not only have I gotten my power (back as of last night), but I have a post up today on USA TODAY’s Happy Ever After Blog where at talk about some of the authors who have inspired me. Talk about a coolness moment, and whew, I’m so happy to be able to actually see it and you can see it too. Just click over here at the USA Today HEA Blog and please stay awhile. I think you’ll really like it there. Have a fantastic week!
I’m a little (see a lot) tired this morning after a busy non-writing weekend with The DD who decided early Saturday morning that she could not live another moment without her mother. Nah! That’s not true. Though she missed me a bit, she really wanted to come home to get her hair done and begged me to come and pick her up for it. And yes, I relented (of course). But first I did the same thing she did and called my mom begging for someone to ride with. So I packed her up along with my sweet God daughter and we took a fun road trip checking out the gorgeous fall foliage along the way. Here is a lovely pic from on campus. What a day!
I went old school with pulling winners for Jax’s Date with a Siren contest and our winner are Toni and Stephanie! Congrats ladies. Please email me at kwanawrites (at) yahoo (dot) com with your info and Jax will be in contact!
Hello lovelies. Today on ye old blog I’m so honored to have one of my very good friends, the multi-talented and multi-published, Jax Cassidy! Jax is here to talk about and celebrate her newest release SIREN’S SEDUCTION. Welcome Jax.
J.C. Thanks so much for letting me visit your awesome site! I’m super stoked about being here.
K.M. Can you tell us about SIREN’S SEDUCTION?
J.C. I’m a sucker for love stories and this one is a sad one. It’s about two characters that are broken, have lived through hardships, that find each other through fate. There is a sprinkling of my Eastern beliefs woven into the storyline but the essence of the story is about overcoming obstacles, valuing yourself, and allowing yourself to give and be loved. This particular story is very special to me because it’s the first print contracted story that was released through a small press publisher. Recently, I got my rights reverted to me and decided to breathe new life into it. I also felt that because it had such a small distribution, it didn’t reach a wider national and international market…so now it will.
SIREN’S SEDUCTION
Niko Chow craves solitude. Only fate won’t leave him in peace. His desire to overcome his demons leads him to a promise made to a dying friend and into the arms of a seductive chanteuse.
Donovan Matthews ignites a passion within him he has long denied. The more time he spends with her, the more Niko finds her spitfire determination and generous heart as sensuous and exotic as the lotus blossoms that bloom in his garden. Can she end his internal war and help heal his aching soul?
K.M. That sounds way sexy and Niko seems quite tortured. Tell us what are your favorite types of heroes?
J.C. Definitely the tortured hero but more on the gamma side. I love me some dark, brooding, and passionate heroes but I don’t want a wuss either. I’m also not a fan of alpha heroes simply because I like my men to have a sensitive side. I feel it gives him the advantage over an alpha hero who always sets out to prove he’s the man in any situation.
K.M. What made you take the step into self publishing?
J.C. Honestly? While I was waiting on contracts with New York publishers, I didn’t want my readers to forget me. Self publishing gives me a lot of control and since I am the publisher, I can put out the story of my heart every time without making sacrifices. I feel I have an advantage over the general writer who self publishes stories without having any prior experience or knowledge of the industry. I’ve spent almost a decade being involved and learning about publishing which allows me to make the right choices that are both professional and beneficial to me as a writer.
I’m not out there putting up stories that I haven’t spent a great deal of time and effort into. I focus on re-writing, editing, layout, distribution, and everything in between while channeling the publisher’s mindset. There is a lot of time intensive labor involved and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. There’s not a product I would put out without being proud of the final product. I’m not saying it will be perfect but it will be as perfect as I can possibly make it. However, it’s still trial and error and I’m sure I’ll get dinged along the way but I’m prepared for it. All I can do is keep learning the craft and putting my best foot forward.
A lot of my NY published author friends have done exceedingly well and they’ve even passed on NY contracts to self publish, but that’s not my goal. Self publishing allows me to have the best of both worlds and helps build my readership for when I have books back in the brick and mortar bookstores.
K.M. Now I know you are a woman of many talents. Besides being an author you are a web mistress and graphic designer. How has this helped you with stepping into the world of self publishing?
J.C. I’ve worked many years as a marketing/art director for a successful international company as well as for a publishing company that prepared me to tackle self publishing. Being an artist and designer helps with the overall branding and packaging of my products. Right now it may be a one-woman show but I’m a control freak and I like things just right. Web design and cover or product design is therapeutic. It makes me happy to create something that is eye-catching and even prouder that my clients love it. I wouldn’t hand off a project without loving it completely because I am all about creating something special that I would do for my own self. It’s got to have a lot of love in it and I hope it shows through.
K.M. For fun can you give us a song that would be on Niko and Donovan’s playlist?
J.C. THE STORY by Brandi Carlisle. It’s such a heartbreaking song but totally defines what a person will do for love. It’s one of those songs that make me a weepy and the ballad is so haunting and emotional that I can’t stop listening to it.
K.M. What can we look for next from you?
J.C. There’s several stories in the works including a Christmas story for December, and of course, the upcoming release of SAIGON SUMMER in 2013 which is part of my charity fiction reads. I decided to release a book each year (if I’m not buried under deadlines) in which all author proceeds go to charity. This particular story is dear to my heart since it goes to my home country of Vietnam. For this release, I’ve picked charities that focus on fighting human trafficking and helping the survivors integrate into society again. I have a huge marketing plan and will involve live events to help raise awareness and serious dollars for these amazing organizations.
K.M. Where can folks find you and pick up Siren’s Seduction?
J.C. Readers can purchase my book on my website and almost all major online venues. The eBook is currently available and the print book is expected to be released in December. Since I love connecting to friends and readers on my social networks, I’m usually found frequenting Facebook or Twitter. I spend a great of time on Romance Divas since I co-founded the site. I wish I had more time in the day to add more social networks to my list but I figured my time should be spent wisely on trying to send proposals to my agent as well as writing regularly.
K.M. Thanks so much for being here Jax! It’s been a real pleasure.
J.C. Thanks, Kwana! I’ve had such a fabulous time and I hope that folks will give me and my stories a chance! For those totally new to me, I have a few free short HOT reads available on my website, Smashwords, Kobo, B&N and more…
K.M. Please leave a comment or question for Jax and 2 lucky folks will win a copy of Siren’s Seduction from Jax. Thanks Jax!
JAX CASSIDY followed her dreams to Paris, then Hollywood to pursue a film career but managed to fall in love with penning sexy romances and happy endings—finding Mr. Right was just an added bonus. She writes contemporary & paranormal romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, an award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent. She is represented by Roberta Brown of the Brown Literary Agency.
Hi Folks I’m pleased to have on ye old blog today another fellow Crimson author Lisa White. Her contemporary romance: The Laws of Love is currently available from Crimson Romance.
Welcome Lisa!
Kwana, thank you for hosting me! It is an honor to be here today.
Can you tell us a bit about The Laws of Love?
THE LAWS OF LOVE is set in a small, Virginia town where fly-fishing is the favorite pastime, Hampton Steel is essentially the only employer and Associate General Counsel Livi Miller believes she has reached the top rung of Hampton Steel’s corporate ladder. With her alcoholic boss retiring soon, Livi is the presumptive heir to Hampton Steel’s general counsel position. However, in the midst of proving herself promotion-worthy, Livi’s high school sweetheart, Jake Cooper, returns from Iraq and causes long-lost butterflies to alight in Livi’s emotionally charged stomach. The resulting loss of her promotion to slimy newcomer Edward Winston combines with her rekindled feelings for Jake to place Livi on track to choose between her career and her heart.
If she chooses Hampton Steel, she saves her hometown. If she chooses Jake, she saves her butterflies as well as herself.
What made you choose doing a hometown romance?
First, I love small towns, especially small towns in the South. There is nothing like that old hometown feeling and I think that feeling is important to Livi in THE LAWS OF LOVE. The familiarity of her small hometown is really the only stabilizing force in her life. She would not be the same person if my book was set elsewhere – and I don’t think I would like that. The small town setting helps make Livi who she is in the book.
Second, I love a lost love story. You know, about the ones that got away. Everyone has someone from high school or college that they remember fondly – or they think “What if?” Jake is that for Livi – the one that got away. He makes her feel young again – a high school sweetheart. But lost loves always carry baggage and it is interesting to see how couples get past all that baggage. And in small towns – there is always a lot of baggage!
Tell us about your hero, I see he’s a vet. Is there a special story there?
A few years ago a father in my son’s preschool was deployed to Iraq. I remember seeing the mother drop her boys off each morning and we were all counting the days until the father shipped out. When that day finally came and he left for Iraq, I was so shocked to see the mother doing what she did every other day – bringing her boys to preschool and going to work like it was any other day. No tears from the mother. No tantrums from the boys. Now, I am sure many tears were shed at their home early that morning, but by the time I saw them, they were back in their same routine. When I asked her about it, she told me that was her job – to take care of her family while her husband was away, to make sure his home was intact when he returned. That amazed me and taught me that military life is a family affair. The entire family signs up and has a sense of duty and honor. I wanted Jake to have that same sense. He takes care of his parents, his sister and he wants to take of Livi if she would stop being so stubborn. It was easy to give Jake that sense of honor – of doing what is right – if I simply made him a soldier. All I had to do was state that Jake was a vet and readers automatically know what kind of person he is. They automatically identify him as a good guy, a guy with integrity – a guy that wants to take care of the woman he loves – if she would just let him.
Now from your bio I can see you are a lawyer as well as a busy mother. When do you have time to fit in writing?
I reluctantly became a night person. From 9:00 p.m. to whenever, I am writing or reading or marketing my books. As you know, writing is a full time job with little to no pay, so you really have to love what you are doing – and I love it! It is a nice way to end the day and I look forward to hitting the computer each night after my family goes to bed. A working mom can get a lot done if everyone is asleep! Now, where did I put the Nyquil…? (just kidding!)
That’s so funny and don’t think I haven’t thought of it. LOL. Now please, tell us what’s next for you?
As everyone knows, I just finished the first book in The Council of Powers trilogy, Discovery. It is a young adult romantic suspense with some paranormal elements. The heroine, Grace, thinks she is normal, a little shy maybe, but no less normal than any other seventeen-year-old. But she does not know about the secretive Powers world. She does not know she is the last person on earth with the DNA needed for the Powers’ survival. And she certainly does not know her newest boyfriend, Gregory, is an Anti-Powers prince who intends to break her heart and her bones in no particular order. But when she discovers that Ben, her best friend and unrequited former crush, is actually her secret Guardian with superhuman powers, Grace’s normal turns a little wacky. And when she learns that she has The Gift, the rare power to heal the injured and resurrect life with her touch, it is official – Grace is a weirdo even in the Powers world. But what freaks Grace out more than all that is the fact she has feelings for Ben again – and he has feelings for her – which makes Grace’s new normal a lot more complicated.
Unfortunately, Crimson Romance only handles adult romances – so I am once again going through the query process to find a YA publisher. Frustrating, I know, but we writers don’t choose the book to write – it chooses us! And I love the characters Ben and Grace – flawed teenagers who simply want to have their first kiss – unfortunately life keeps getting in their way and that first kiss is quite elusive. Hopefully, Ben and Grace will make their public debut soon!
Best of luck with your YA. And that is so true. We don’t choose the book, it chooses us. Thanks so much for being here. It was truly a pleasure.
Today on ye old blog I’m pleased to feature another fellow Crimson author, Laura Simcox whose fun and sexy book: Summer Promises will be available next week!
Welcome Laura!
Thanks, lady!
Can you please tell us about Summer Promises?
‘Summer Promises’ is a tribute to theater people everywhere who are searching for happily ever after. It’s hard to find love when work requires a person to move constantly for jobs that last a few months at best. In this story, a young woman finds her true love while working at a summer theater. She’s sworn off getting involved with another man who will leave her cold; in fact it’s her ONLY promise to herself before taking this job. But as luck would have it, her dream man is just behind the stage curtain! All she has to do is pull it open.
This sounds lovely. I’d call it a good post summer, I wish I were still on the beach read.
What was your inspiration?
I was inspired to write this because of my own experience working in summer theater. I’ve seen a lot of broken hearts and a lot of lonely people. That’s not to say that true love can’t be found, because I’ve witnessed that as well. Even a Christmastime proposal on an actors’ tour bus! But for the most part, theater romance is tough. I wanted to give it a happy ending with Asher and Carly.
A tour bus proposal? How cool!
Asher seems hot. Did you have someone in mind when writing him?
Not specifically. On the surface, Asher appears to be a moody, self-involved artist. Once Carly gets to know him, how can she resist? Because he’s a rare gem: a truly good man wrapped in a delicious layer of hottie. J After I wrote the book I realized he looks a little bit like Hugh Jackman. And that can only be good.
Hugh is always a winner! Now one of my favorite questions, please tell us the story of your “overnight” success.
I was tired, standing in the living room wearing a plastic blow up pirate hat hiding my Kindle behind a magazine while I checked my e-mail. (I never should have downloaded toddler games onto it!) A bunch of junk scrolled down my screen and then I spotted ‘The One’. It was a message from my (now) editor telling me she really enjoyed my book and wanted to buy it. I stood stock still for about twenty seconds reading and re-reading. Then I told my son in a pirate voice “Yarr, yer momma’s going to be published, matie!” He said “Pirate Mamma?” I said “Sure! Whatever ye want.” Then we went back to playing pirates, but I had a lot more energy after that!!
I love that story. What’s next for you?
Speaking of pirates, I’m working on another contemporary romance, but this has a time travel twist. My hero is a fortune hunter searching for a ‘lost to the ages’ original Shakespeare manuscript. My heroine is a budding archeologist searching for a job. Together, they step through a portal onto an eighteenth century island populated by pirates and miscreants. Let the hunt begin!
That sounds great. Now, where can we find you on the web?
And on Summer Promises is available for preorder here on Amazon here
Thanks so much for being here Laura. Wishing you the best with Summer Promises.
All the best,
Kwana
P.S. Just a reminder: My Jumping Through tell 2 friends contest is still going onhere. Enter to win a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift card plus other fun prizes! Ends Friday. Don’t miss out!Click on over!
Happy Wednesday! Gee this week is flying by isn’t it? Today I’m hanging out with the Ladies In Red. The Ladies in Red Blog is the fantastic unofficial blog of the ladies of Crimson Romance. Please head on over there where I’m doing a Meet The Lady In Red -K.M. Jackson (Me!) guest post. Just go on over, say I sent you, and pretend that I don’t over-share over here and you don’t already know all the answers to all the questions. Thanks!
Also have you entered my tell 2 friends contest yet? Well come on and get in there too!
Have a great Wednesday. You doing anything fab today? Me, I’m about to have my pipes snaked. Seriously, I’m about to have them snaked and no, the plumber is nothing like either of those guys from that naughty commercial. Oh well.
