Yummy Mondays ~ Rawr…
I love this picture.
Even more so, I think, because of my Urban Fantasy series which features both angels and demons.
Check out that six-pack.
Yum, lickable, LOL.
Hope you enjoy the start of the new week 🙂
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Happy Easter : )
I love easter. Not only because my family spends time together making easter eggs, and cooking a yummy ham dinner, but also…
Hiding the Eggs!
We usually go to the park with kites, and bubbles.
By bedtime, we’re all tired and happy.
So today, that’s what I’m wishing ya’ll.
A Happy, tiring, but family and love filled Easter.
(With lots, and lots, and lots of chocolate, my second favorite part of Easter 🙂
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Come play with Danielle Monsch
Welcome author and fellow Plot Mama Danielle Monsch : )
She graciously agreed to one of my interviews, the brave woman. Plus, we get a sneak peak of her newest release, Loving a Fairy Godmother.
Out Now, Available at http://bit.ly/Dani_LFG
What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
I’m an otaku, which is another way of saying I’m a very geeky person very into Japanese cartoons, comic books, movies and music. If I’m not writing and have time away from the family, I’m delving into this world. Miyazaki is god and one day, I really will learn to speak Japanese.
What would you do with $1 million dollars (tax-free, of course)?
I’m very boring and practical I’m afraid. House would get paid off, kids college funds would be fully funded, large chunks would go into retirement investments. The only slightly impractical use would be a yearly vacation. Hubby and I both enjoy travelling, and that kind of money would fund several first-class travel adventures.
If you could be any supernatural creature, what would it be and why?
My first love was vampires when I was younger, and while I may not have the all-consuming obsession I used to have with them, vampires would still be my answer today. Even the negatives wouldn’t be that bad for me. Anyone who has seen my paleness in pictures can tell I don’t do much time in the sun.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I won’t say favorite, but the book that has had the most lasting impact on me would be ‘Little Women’ by Louisa May Alcott. Partly this is due to the timing of me reading it, that area just on the cusp of pubescence where lots of things are getting churned up in the brain, but that book has had a lasting impact on my psyche. I’m sure I’m not the only girl that feels that way though. Just mention Beth dying in a group of women, see how many start tearing up.
What’s your favorite comfort food?
Pumpkin pie. My mom makes the world’s most delicious pumpkin pie, it’s a lot spicier (nutmeg spicy, not curry spicy) than the store bought stuff, and she has a real gift for making flaky crust. She only ever made pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas though, never any other time of the year, no matter how much we begged. As soon as Halloween hit, my siblings and I would start counting down the days until it was time for pie.
If you could time-travel, where would you go and why?
I’m really not a time traveller. I like indoor plumbing, pain medicine, and air conditioning too much to ever give them up. It’s not that I don’t enjoy learning about history, but actually going back to experience the stink? Blech!
Why are manhole covers round?
Asking questions like this, have you ever thought of starting up your own cult? I guarantee more money than in writing.
Do you have any upcoming news you’d like to share?
I just sold my second short story to Ellora’s Cave. It is a naughty story entitled ‘Pleasure Satellite’, release date TBD.
And the Fast Five:
Coffee or Chocolate?
Chocolate – was there ever a doubt?
Jewelry: Precious gems or gold?
Precious gems, I love color
Beach or Mountains?
Mountains. Hubby is a beach person. Somehow we remain married
Early Morning or Late Night?
Naturally late night, but as a mom I’m forced to be early morning
Fruit or Veggies?
Can I answer chocolate?
Yes dear, you certainly can 🙂
Loving a Fairy Godmother
Tiernan is one of a kind. Beyond the divine dimples, killer blue eyes, and hard muscled body, Tiernan is also the only Fairy Godfather. Most of the Fairy Godmothers have no problem with keeping Tiernan around, but Reina isn’t like most Fairy Godmothers.
Amongst Fairy Godmothers, Reina is the best. Organized, efficient, logical. So why is it when Tiernan is around, all those qualities fly out the window? Reina doesn’t like that one infuriating male makes her lose control, and just wants him gone. Circumstances arise that just might let her get her wish, though not in a way she ever wanted.
Tiernan is given an assignment and told either get a Happily Ever After or he will no longer be a Fairy Godfather. Reina is going with him to supervise, but if Tiernan gets his way, he’ll not only be supervising that luscious stubborn fairy in bed, but also get her to admit Happily Ever Afters also apply to Fairy Godmothers.
Out Now, Available at http://bit.ly/Dani_LFG
“Godfather Tiernan—”
“You can just call me Tiernan,” he interrupted.
She tried again. “Godfather Tiernan—”
“Didn’t Sara just tell you that you had to follow my directions?”
That pushed her over the edge. “Do you truly think you are going to secure a HEA when you haven’t been able to do it yet?”
He let out a derisive snort, but immediately realized that was a huge mistake. Her face lost her usual look of annoyance crossed with bemused tolerance, leaving pure ice in its place. “This is why men should not be allowed into the Godmother program. None of you have any respect for Happily Ever Afters.”
“I never said I didn’t believe in HEAs” he began, but she cut him off.
“Every case you’ve been on tells me you don’t believe, or else you would have tried once, just once, to get one!”
His hands slammed on the table as he leaned across it, his face coming inches from hers. “I’ve never tried because I believe in love! Humans need love so much, who the hell was I to screw up two people in love to get them to HEA status? I could never forgive myself if two people in love missed out on each other because of my actions!”
All anger fled her face, and a hesitant, unsure look came over features. “What do you think a HEA is?”
He drew in a deep breath, sitting down once again. “I think happily ever after is a nice way to end a story, but in the world I remember, it’s a waste.”
Her hand was halfway towards him before she seemed to remember their roles, and she pulled it back to her side. “Love is wonderful, but only love alone is incomplete. You can love someone, but they can ultimately not be right for you. Even in love, people can still be led to believe the worst of each other, still hurt each other, still decide they are better without the other,” she began, her words hesitant, as if she was trying to define to herself what it all meant as much as to him. “But the Happily Ever After is so much more. It’s finding your perfect match, love purified, refined, to such an extent that it can never be sundered. With a Happily Ever After, men can achieve greatness, as can all the generations who follow growing up in its shadow.”
“And you think jeopardizing the surety of a love match now is worth it for only the possibility of a Happily Ever After?” he asked, his voice gentle, reverent, wanting nothing to break this intimacy their words were creating.
“I do. In your view, maybe that seems cruel, but in my view, there is no greater tragedy then two people who almost make this connection but fall short in the end.”
Such a hard exterior to cover such a tender heart. “I’m not sure if I can believe as you do,” he said after considering her words. “But I never want Sara… you… to feel as if I let you down. After we get this situation behind us, I want you proud of the job I do.”
And as his breath caught at the rare smile she bestowed upon him just then, he knew all she had to do was keep smiling at him like that, and anything she wanted, whether it be his beliefs or his blood, he would give her.
Her smile faded, and the moment ended. Reina cloaked herself in her position of authority as she handed him the file that had been sitting on her desk. It was already open to show a picture of a blond girl, pretty and vibrant with a mouth full of straight white teeth, all of which was evident even underneath the dirt. “I looked over this case earlier, before I realized what was going on,” she said. “It is a good, solid HEA case. There are several challenges to overcome, but also several sources of help for the client. It is about as perfect as a case can be for this purpose, as evenly balanced as I’ve ever seen. No one can accuse the council of favoring either side. The girl’s name is Cinderella. She lives with an abusive Stepmother and two rotten spoiled stepsisters. She is a very kind, generous girl—though a little too much of a doormat, if you ask me—but outside of that, not really any other character flaws. She is much beloved in her village, children and small animals flock to her daily. In short, we exist to give HEAs to mortals like her.”
Tiernan read the file quickly, then flipped the page and took in the photo of the male who would supply the HEA. “A prince, huh? That’s pretty standard.”
“Indeed, but for the most part, we don’t mess with the classics here.” The pointed look she gave him told him he was one of the exceptions, and she wasn’t necessarily thrilled about it. Ah yes, completely back to normal.
He returned that look with a flirty smile. “I used to serve royalty, Godmother Reina. Believe me when I say, sometimes the large crown is to compensate for something.”
“Oh really? Well, I assume we can say the same thing about your sword, eh, knight?”
Maybe not completely back to normal after all. The second those words passed her lips her eyes went saucer wide, and Tiernan couldn’t say who was more shocked, him or Reina herself. There was no way he was letting this pass. His voice coming out a low growl, he replied, “Why, Reina, I never knew you were interested in the size of my sword. Anytime you want a private viewing, I will be more than happy to oblige.”
Out Now, Available at http://bit.ly/Dani_LFG
Danielle Monsch is a Romantic Geek Girl Writing in a Fantasy World. Born to the pothole laden streets of Pittsburgh Pa, she now resides in the Pacific Northwest, where they tell her that the sun will eventually be seen, but she really doesn’t believe them. She has two beautiful kids who do everything in their power to make sure she doesn’t make her daily word count, and a hubby who is her greatest cheerleader as well as her tech support.
And last, but not least, where can we find you on the internet:
www.facebook.com/DanielleMonsch
www.castlesandguns.com – group blog I’m part of focused on Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, and Paranormal
www.plotmamas.com – group blog I’m part of on the joy and strain of mixing motherhood and writing
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Winner ~ Cassandra Carr Book Giveaway
Thanks to everyone for coming out and sharing your pet peeves on Sunday when Cassandra Carr was here playing.
The winner of a copy of her e-book is Stephanie
Talk To Me Out Now
BUY LINK: http://www.loose-id.com/Talk-to-Me.aspx
Congrats!
Please email me at AmberKallyn (@) gmail (dot) com with your contact information and I’ll forward it to the lovely Cassandra Carr 🙂
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#AmWriting Back to the Basics – Dialogue 2
***Don’t forget to read the Caveats***
For information on Boring Dialogue, see Part 1
Not only does Dialogue need to serve multiple purposes, it has specific punctuation rules.
All spoken dialogue has double quotes around it.
“She never told me,” he whispered.
Because we are using a dialogue tag (he said), a comma goes inside the quote and the tag is NOT capitalized.
“Why didn’t she tell me?” he asked.
We’re still using a dialogue tag, even though it’s a question. The tag remains lower case.
“She never told me.” He waved towards the balcony doors.
By using a movement tag, the exchange becomes two different sentences. The dialogue ends with a period inside the quotes, and the movement tag IS capitalized.
“But,” he said, “she never told me.”
Using a beat to break up the dialogue is punctuated by a comma inside the first set of quotes, the beat is NOT capitalized and also ends with a comma, and then the continuation of dialogue is NOT capitalized.
“But she never told me.” John spun from the others, staring blankly out the open balcony door. “How could she not have told me?”
By using a movement tag between sentences of dialogue, the same rules of any movement tag are followed. Each sentence is its own, and punctuated with periods and capitals.
A Quote within a Quote
“So, then Sally said, ‘Those Garrison’s are too tall.’ We all laughed at her surprise,” Billy said.
When quoting inside dialogue, single quotation marks are used.
The last part of punctuation is paragraphing. When a new person speaks, they always do so in a new paragraph.
“And then, the dam broke.” Jesse’s eyes grew wider. “The water, frothy white with trees and boulders tumbling down the ridge right along with it, seemed like it would never stop.”
“Whoa. What did the town do?” Sally asked.
“We ran. What else?” Joe said, his voice deep and booming.
“How far did you run?” Sally spread her hands wide as if she could measure the distance of the town’s flight between her fingers.
“Far,” Jesse stated. “As far as we could.”
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Yummy Mondays ~ Who wants SEXY?
I shared this picture at my last TRS (The Romance Studion) release party the other week.
I HAVE to share it again.
When I found this picture, I almost licked my laptop screen. I’ve been in love with this man since the mid 90’s, when he was Angel.
Then, a while back, I found him on my TV again in a kickin’ show as FBI Agent Booth.
But this picture… OMG.
Can I jump in that bathtub, right now?
I just wanna lick this man dry. And then tie him up in bed.
For a few years.
Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to feed him, while he’s making me happy, LOL.
YUM.
***That is not my drool you see reflected on your computer moniter. I swear. Honest.***
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Awesome Review Dragos 3: Blazed
Such a great review. 4.5 Diamonds from Got Erotic Romance : )
“This fiery novella was full of intense adventure and even more intense passion. Bree is a fascinating heroine and I enjoyed finding out about her past and her unique abilities. Our sexy bounty hunter dragon shifter is too hot for most women to handle but Bree turns up the heat and almost singes this hottie.”
Thank you GTR for the great review. I’m so happy you liked the book, and the story of Bree and Ty and how they fall in love : )
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Win a Book! Come Play with Cassandra Carr
Welcome an awesome lady, author Cassandra Carr. She’s not only playing with us today, but she’s giving away a copy of her book.
What are your biggest pet peeves as a reader?
As a writer, I have a lot of pet peeves – most writers do. I think that may be due to writers being observant – little details do not escape our notice. The mile-high pile of dishes, on the other hand, conveniently will. Our laundry walks itself into the washer – it’s the only hope it has of getting done. But I digress…
Some of my pet peeves:
- Weird character names – if I have to keep stopping to think about how the character’s name is pronounced it takes me out of the story. That may be one reason I’m not a huge fan of fantasy/sci-fi.
- Breaks in continuity – we’ve all done it and I’m as guilty as the next writer, but if they keep on happening in an MS I really wonder how the author’s attention to detail. It makes me look at who published the book and possibly who the editor was.
- “Throw the book across the room” moments – I came across one very recently. The heroine was planning to leave her two children at a ball field where they were practicing without saying goodbye or telling them where she was going, so she could have coffee with the hero, WHO SHE’D JUST MET. File that under “author does not have children” and “heroine too stupid to live”.
- Too much description – I find that especially sci-fi and historical romance authors can be the biggest offenders here. While I am aware that a sci-fi author may be trying to build a world, or a historical romance author wants the reader to be transported back in time, enough is enough. I do not need four straight pages of description with no breaks for dialogue.
Well, I’m sure I could come up with others, but I’ll let you do that! Tell me what your pet peeves are. One random commenter will win a copy of my book. (Winner will be drawn on Wednesday, the 20th). Get talkin’!
Talk To Me Out Now
BUY LINK: http://www.loose-id.com/Talk-to-Me.aspx
Excerpt:
The elevator doors opened, and Drew hurried to unlock his apartment and punch his code into the security pad before continuing straight to his bedroom. He spun and picked Jamie up as she neared the door, and she let out a squeak of protest.
“Drew!”
“What? I’m trying to be romantic. Efficient too.” He grinned at her when she struggled to get out of his grip. The way she fought against him both amused and aroused him. “Not so fast,” he warned her. “I’m not planning to let you get away until I’m good and finished with you.”
Jamie cocked an eyebrow. “Good and finished? Be still my heart! Such dreamy talk from a man like you! I had no idea.”
Drew laughed and dropped Jamie on the king-size bed with enough force to make her bounce, then climbed on top of her. Before she could protest again, he’d pressed his erection into her belly and taken her lips in another deep kiss. Jamie melted beneath him, snaking her hands around his neck while his found her hips, pulling her closer. “You need to get naked,” he declared, rolling off her.
“Just me? That’s hardly fair. If I’m getting naked, then this time, so are you.” Her beautiful, full lips pouted at him.
He stood up, and in seconds, his pants and boxer briefs landed in a heap on the floor. He pulled his shirt over his head and added it to the pile. “Your turn.”
Jamie rose up on her elbows and stared at him in disbelief. “How did you do that so fast? And may I add, very nice.” She smiled and waggled her eyebrows, giving him a quick once-over.
“When I want something, I don’t waste time. And I want you naked. Now.”
He reached over and started yanking her top over her head, but she batted his hands away.
“Hey — stop that. You’re going to dislocate my shoulder with your beastlike strength.”
Drew laughed but allowed Jamie to gently pull her blouse over her head. He took it and tossed it on the chair near the window. Next she tugged her jeans off, leaving her in only her bra and panties, which Drew made short work of.
He groaned when she was fully nude. “God, you’re fucking gorgeous, you know that? And I’m gonna put my hands and my tongue and my mouth and my cock everywhere on and in your beautiful body, so you better be ready.”
Jamie shivered, and he covered her body with his, kissing her briefly before moving down her jawline, sucking and licking. This is gonna be good.
BUY LINK: http://www.loose-id.com/Talk-to-Me.aspx
BIO:
Cassandra Carr lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011. For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com, “like” her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr.
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#AmWriting Back to the Basics – Dialogue 1
***Don’t forget to read the Caveats***
Dialogue.
It’s important to any story — short, long, novel, you name it.
Why?
In fiction, the purpose of dialogue serves multiple purposes.
It should convey information to the reader.
It should reveal character.
It should move the story forward.
The key is to make dialogue sound natural, convey information subtly, and not be boring.
Boring Dialogue
Would you like to open a book, or read a short story, and see the following?
“Hi, Mary,” Joe said.
“Hi, Joe,” Mary replied.
“How is your day?” Joe asked.
“Oh, okay, I guess.”
“Nice weather we’re having.” Joe glanced up at the crystalline blue sky.
Mary nodded. “Yeah. But it might be nice if it rained.”
Joe agreed.
“So, Joe. How’s your mom?” Mary scuffled her toe in the dry dirt.
“She’s feeling better,” Joe replied. “And your parents?”
I could go on, but my eyes are already glazed over. While the conversation above is something you might hear in real life, it doesn’t exactly make for good reading. ‘Real Life’ doesn’t always readily apply to fiction.
Remember, it’s okay to skip the boring parts. And remember, the purpose of dialogue is to move the story forward. If two characters are talking about mundane things, does it push the story, or does it make the reader’s eyes glaze over?
And as with any writing, the #1 way to find out if your writing flows naturally is to Read it Out Loud.
Come back for Dialogue Part 2 – Punctuation
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TRS Party winners :)
Hey all,
Sorry it took me most the day to get this done. I came down with a pretty bad cold on Saturday, and ended up sleeping most of today after I got the kids off to school, LOL.
Now that they’re fed and settled for the night I’m finally able to sit down and breathe : ) BTW – My kids drew the winners from the hat.
Winners, please email me with your Name and Address, and if applicable, choice of prizes. AmberKallyn (@) gmail (.) com – no spaces, LOL
Congrats Everyone! And thank you so much for participating : )
5 winners will (in MAY) receive a complete set of Dragos Romance Trading Cards
Larena W, Nyclocs (Veronique), LadyVampire, Cheralyn, JoAnna B
3 winners Please Send me your choice of:
Amber Kallyn Book Tote, Amber Kallyn Ball cap, Signed 12 x 18 Mini-poster (Dragos 1 & 2 available now)
Venus, Nyclocs (Veronique), Debra McD
GRAND PRIZE WINNER, WOOT!
#1 – Winners choice of any Amber Kallyn e-book
Pam S
Please click on the link, then email your choice of books 🙂 Also send me your mailing address and I’ll include a signed book cover postcard.
Again, Every winner also recieves a bookmark, a book cover postcard and a dragony surprise : )
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#AmWriting: Back to the Basics Caveat!
I hate Caveats.
Most people have enough common sense to get it without being told. Unfortunately, there are those who don’t always get it, then bitch and moan after the fact for “Not understanding”.
So, here’s my Caveat for the Back to the Basics Series.
You DO NOT have to follow every single ‘rule’
I AM NOT telling you what you MUST do, I’m just trying to help with the Basics
If you disagree with something I say, feel free to let me know, as long as you tell me WHY you disagree. Make it a discussion, NOT a rant.
If you don’t like my blog, NO ONE says you MUST read it 🙂
Anything else I’m missing?
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Freebies and Stayin’ Home Party Time!
Today through Sunday, I’m at The Romance Studio partying.
Since I’m one of the sad people not able to go to the RT Convention in California, I’m instead celebrating Stayin’ Home.
I’ll be posting book excerpts, as well as giving away goodies.
Do 2 of these: follow me on this blog, join my newsletter or follow me on Twitter And, comment on one of my posts at the party. (Then let me know in this post or here)
***IF you already follow this blog, AND Newsletter AND Twitter, and you comment on one of my party posts – You’re entered too : ) Just let me know in this post or here.
Up for grabs (winners can be drawn more than once):
#1 – Winners choice of any Amber Kallyn e-book
3 winners will receive their choice of:
Amber Kallyn Book Tote
Amber Kallyn Ball cap
Signed 12 x 18 Mini-poster (Dragos 1 & 2 available now)
5 winners will (in MAY) receive a complete set of Dragos Romance Trading Cards
***Every winner also recieves a bookmark, a book cover postcard and a dragony surprise : )
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#AmWriting Back to the Basics
I keep hearing about ‘back to the basics’ with local schools. Two of my kids go to a charter school which has used this slogan since they opened. What exactly does it mean?
Well, my take is that rather than having kids sit and listen, memorizing rote facts they don’t understand, curriculum is changing to go back to the basics. If you want to do algebra, you need to know the basics: addition, subtraction, ect. Kids need to actually apply the knowledge by doing the work instead of being talked to.
I think as writers, sometimes it’s good to be in this frame of mind.
Now, I can share my knowledge about the basics of the craft of writing, but if all you do is listen, you won’t get as much out of it. Like any writing information, you’ll get more from it by trying it out and applying it to your own writing.
Some of what I’ll be talking about the next few weeks is probably going to be pretty basic. But that’s where, after a bit of thought, I decided to start with. Because if the basics are missing, the rest isn’t going to be much help.
Come join me.
The first thing I’m going to be talking about is dialogue.
See ya’ll Wednesday.
Amber Kallyn 