Posts Tagged ‘Romance’

What’s on my iPod – Alibi by 30 Seconds to Mars

It’s the third Monday of the month and that means……

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

Okay there seems to be a slight confusion as to where the July post is on the EM page so I found it in archives and thought I would post the link here – http://excerptmonday.wordpress.com/2010/07/

This month I decided to change things up. No Young Adult Paranormal. Instead this is an excerpt from my Historical Romance titled The Rose and the Lion. It’s a back shelf story, and the first one I ever seriously wrote. Enjoy.

“There is more at play than you can even fathom, MacGregor. Your scope is too narrow.” Lendl laughed.

Elisabeth’s gaze froze as if she found the sound familiar.

Shouts of alarm echoed off the corridor walls as racing footsteps pounded and retreated against the flagstone. MacGregor and Lendl stood poised for attack but remained motionless, listening for movement outside the dead Emissary’s suites.

Blood slammed through Iain’s veins. Elisabeth was caught between them and was within a mere hand’s grasp of Lendl. Iain quickly analyzed all possible strategies, quelling the panic to the back of his mind.

As the voices faded, Lendl grabbed Elisabeth and jerked her in front of him. Her head thudded against his shoulder. A silver dagger glinted in the moonlight. The spy pushed the blade against the soft underside of her chin. Lendl backed toward the window, dragging her with him. MacGregor followed inch by careful inch.

Lendl twisted the blade, and she let out a small yelp, causing the deadly point to break the skin. Fear tried to sweep back through Iain’s senses. A warm trickle slid down her throat. Rage boiled in the Scotsman’s stomach. MacGregor changed his stance and lowered, ready to spring and pounce.

“Stay back,” Lendl spat.

He butted against the window, and with his free hand, he unlatched the sash, pushing wide the casement.

“Let her go. This is between you and I. You will not leave the castle alive with her”

“Of that I had no intentions.” Lendl smiled wickedly.

He lowered his hand, and Elisabeth darted for freedom. He lifted a boot and shoved her hard into Iain.

The Scotsman dropped his rapier as she stumbled into his arms. They tumbled into a chair. Lendl pummeled over the casement ledge with one hand and dropped out of sight. MacGregor pulled her up and planted her to the side as he darted to the window.  He slammed his fist on the ledge.

“Bloody bastard is gone.”

Elisabeth gently fingered the scrape under her neck. Iain offered a handkerchief but she slapped away his hand. “You lied to me.”

The corridor hummed with activity as voices carried louder, and the cries of alarm became more distinct.

“I wish I had time to fully explain,” Iain said.

“You are a spy and a murderer. I need no further explanation.” Heat crept up her neck and spread across her face in a crimson stain, hiding her freckles.

“Aye, perhaps, but I did not kill the Frenchman.” Iain scooped up his rapier and slid the blade into the sheath with a singing hiss.

At the moment, he didn’t care what the English lass thought he had or had not done. A pain squirmed in his stomach. He did care that he might not see her again.

“I was foolish to ever trust you,” Elisabeth said, her fingers wrapped around her throat.

Before he could answer, the sound of a large squad of guards halted on the other side of the door. It wouldn’t take them long to break it down. Iain swung one leg over the ledge.

“Where are you going?” She demanded.

“I’ve outstayed my welcome, lassie.”

With one hand braced against the window casement, he coiled the other around Elisabeth’s arm and dragged her to him. She protested with pounding fists against his chest. He just held her more firmly, silencing her with his feverish kiss. His lips pressed roughly against hers, forcing her to sigh. He thrust his tongue deep within her mouth. The sensation weakened his spine and melted the back of his knees. She pushed away and tried to slap him. He leaned outward and held the frame to prevent falling. A laugh burst, sweet and coarse, from the deep hollow of his chest.

“I offer you safe passage back to England, Elisabeth, but we must leave now.” Iain reached out his hand.

“I would rather see you swing from the gibbet.” She stepped away as if she expected him to force her.

The thought not only tickled the back of his mind, but settled some place quite a bit lower. Unfortunately, he was not in the habit of kidnapping.

***

****

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

WELCOME to those coming back and those who are new! We hope you find some fun and fabulous free reads.

Don’t forget to come back for the first Monday of August for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.

As always, your hostesses Bria Quinlan (PG13) , Alexia Reed (R), Rachel Jameson (PG13) and Kendal Ashby (R) thank you for stopping by!

Joining us this week:

Jaleta Clegg, Science Fiction (PG 13)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, Contemporary YA Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Historical (PG 13)
Jeanette Murray, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Dara Young, Steampunk (PG 13)
Ryan, Mystery (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, Contemporary Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Paranormal Romance (R)
Lauren Fraser, (R)
Cate Hart, Historical Romance (R)
KJ Reed, Erotic Romance (R)
Ali Katz, Contemporary M/M (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Paranormal Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Urban Fantasy Romance (NC 17)
Carly Carson, Futuristic (NC 17)
Lisa Fox, Paranormal/erotic romance (NC 17)
Bryl R. Tyne, Contemporary M/M/M (NC 17)

What’s on my iPod : Opposite Direction by Union of Knives

I always intended to post a playlist for my novel BROKEN, eventually even breaking it down into characters’ personal songs. When my book is published, the actual chapter titles will be bits of songs, most of which were on my very first playlist.

Author Gwen Hayes turned me on to iLike. It’s a great little site where you can create playlists and share. (HERE’S Gwen’s website and playlist for her new YA Paranormal.) So I created the first list of songs that motivated this story.

This is a love story between an angel (of musical inspiration) and a teenage girl – music has been very important to the development of these characters and this story…..

So a brief explanation of some of my choices. Right off the bat, I knew that I would be listening to the Foo Fighters – a.) they’re my favorite band, b.) I always imagined Caleb sounding and playing a little like Dave Grohl. The second group that was on the repeat loop was Evanescence. I LOVE Amy Lee’s voice, and thier haunting lyrics and melodies felt right for the story and for Sarah’s voice.

I needed songs that either captured the bottled-up feelings of my characters, or an explosive action sequence, or lighter comic scenes.

I chose to listen to the Lost Boys soundtrack for the final battle sequence, layered with 3 Doors Downs “Not My Time.” I also listened to early 80’s bands like the Cult, the Smiths, and the Church when writing the developing romance scenes between Sarah and Caleb. I also needed some classical music and Beethoven and Mozart felt most natural.

So here’s my playlist for your listening pleasure. And please support the artists on the list; they’re awesome.

What’s on my iPod : Everybody by Autovaughn

My post is up today on Victoria Janssen’s blog. This week she is talking about vampires : why we love them and why we write them. In a word I love them, and right now, my favorite fictional vampire is Damon Salvatore.

Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore

Check out Victoria’s blog HERE.

What’s on my iTunes : Kick by INXS

Recently agented YA author, JA Souders is hosting a fabulous Secret Agent Contest. It’s too late to enter this one, but I’m sure she’ll have more.
Check out the entries and give some great feedback. Mine’s in there
Check out her beautiful site HERE. The entries are on her blog page, HERE.

And just ot get you motivated….a little picture of my favorite vampire……and my visual inspiration for my character….

What’s on my iPod : Wanna Be Starting Something by Michael Jackson

This year I’m participating in the Summer Reading Trail. You can go to the following websites to start the trail :

A. J. O’Donovan UK Trailhead
http://ajodonovan.co.uk/?p=450

Voirey Linger US Trailhead
http://www.voireylinger.com/index.php?p=1_12_Trail-Head

Or you can jump over to my page for the trail below :

Enjoy!!!

              It’s my favorite day of the month!

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

April’s excerpt is from a WIP that I started a few years ago. It started as a paranormal adult romance, but recently, it’s turned into a YA paranormal.  I hope you  enjoy it.

*****

          Callie never believed in magic.

          Even as a child, she lived and breathed the cold, hard facts of science. Her philosophy was if she could touch, taste, see or feel it then it was real to her. She didn’t deal in the abstract of art and literature, but the objective and theoretical of science. Under any normal circumstance, she would have never agreed to be subjected to the flights of fancy her best friend Mattie was prone to. But the circumstances were out of the ordinary. Callie just caught Alec, her super-hot captain of the baseball team boyfriend, cheating on her. Mattie had insisted on girls’ night complete with a sneak trip to her mother’s liquor cabinet.

          A box of half-eaten pizza, provided by June, littered the dining room table, forgotten for the moment. They had moved to the living room to dance wildly to Lady Gaga and steal more nips of the Grand Marnier.

          Callie flounced in an overstuffed leather chair. She’d picked at her food and took larger sips of the nostril burning liqueur. Tonight, her heart wasn’t in the fun, and the way she felt, it might not ever be again. Hanging out was supposed to take her mind off Alec; it only perpetuated her misery. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Mattie what she had discovered Friday night. She knew if she mentioned catching Alec in bed with Lizzie during the Halloween party, well, the focus of discussion would be about poor Callie. She kept the information to herself, and it had festered all weekend long, putting a damper on her spirits. Not that they weren’t all ready soggy with heartache.

          The front door burst open, and Harriet Kildare blustered in, carried on the whipping wind. The door banged several times as Mattie attempted to shut it. Harriet reminded Callie of Dorothy in the middle of a tornado, and she stifled a grin. Harriet wore glasses and her hair pulled in ponytail, making the sixteen year old look more than fifty years older and constantly frazzled. Tonight, her hair was at extreme odds and had managed to capture a few twigs and leaves. June rushed over and took Harriet’s fuzzy red scarf and old army jacket. Harriet was the epitome of eclectic. She even talked sometimes like she was a fifty year old woman. Callie gave a weak smile and then returned to the pages of the magazine she flipped.

            “What took you so long?”  Mattie asked as she took Harriet’s coat and threw it over the arm of the sofa.

            “Have you eaten? There’s still plenty of pizza left.”  June scrunched her face at the site of the cold pepperoni and cheese. 

            “I’ve no time to eat. And this is what took so long.”  Harriet pulled an ancient, leather bound volume from the knapsack slung across her chest.

            “What is that?”

            Intrigued, Callie sat up. The silver embossing that slithered across the book flashed in her eyes. She had never seen such artistry, and the way the silver caught the light made it appear like mercury slipped across the binding.

            Harriet beamed with pride. “What girl’s night would be complete without this!”

            “But what is it?” June stood over Harriet’s shoulder and tried to read. “What kind of writing is that? I’m only in third year French, and that’s not French.”

            Harriet snapped the book closed and a poof a dust escaped.  She stepped away from the other two girls and stood before the fire as it cast an eerie glow.

            “Not yet, my deary. First we must prepare the room for what I have planned.”

****

“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers

Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.

Having Fun With Building Your Characters’ Paranormal World.

What’s on my iPad (that’s right I got one!) : Everlong by the Foo Fighters

          I’ve been so busy the past month with revisions on my requested manuscript that I haven’t been able to post. So today, I thought I would throw up my experience with world building since I’ve done quite a bit for BROKEN and REDD and because there’s a boon in paranormal both romance and young adult.

          When I decided that my first YA novel would involve a hero that was an angel, my mind went to work recollecting all the mythos, movies, and books I’d read. And the majority of what I pulled from came from movies, perhaps because the characteristics were more secular and that’s what I wanted.

          So when you first set out to create your own characters’ world, pull from what you already know. I think it’s easier to start there for two reasons : you’re already familiar with it, and more than likely it’s ingrained in your chosen markets’ heads (the readers of paranormal)

          When I started writing BROKEN, there were very few novels with angels as protagonists (now it’s a growing trend). And as writer, I wanted to steer clear of those novels as not to be influenced in my own world building. With say vampires, the lore is pretty much well established – it’s hard to escape it. But that’s not to say that as a writer you can’t get creative. In fact, agents and editors are looking for the more ingenious worlds because, sad to say, they are seeing TONS of vampire stories.

          As you sit down to put to your world on paper, write down those preconceived myths. For instance, with BROKEN, I knew a little about The Fallen (angels that fell when Lucifer did, ect) and the general assumption is that Fallen angels have been stripped of their wings. But my hero, Caleb, had his wings. The second scene I ever wrote was the hero revealing those wings to the heroine. And I also knew how he kept those wings hidden (no spoilers :>) So with that idea I had the first part of my world created, and had to come up with a reason that an angel would be in hiding on earth if he wasn’t one of the Fallen. So I created a new distinction among the angels called Renegades. They are hunted, and most likely if they are caught by Heaven they’ll be stripped of their wings, and if caught by Hell, they’ll burn in eternal damnation. <— more world building there. 

        So, the next step is write down a list of what is all ready out there. Then take those ingrained concepts and twist them to your benefit. The first prime example, from two VERY popular vampire series TWILIGHT and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, is the sunlight myth. Both Smith and Myer had to creatively get around the traditional myth of sunlight burning a vampire/ staying out of the sunlight/ only coming out at night but still get their high school age vampires in to high school. I actually prefer LJ Smith’s version. She uses rings with a special gemstone that Damon and Stefan wear. And on the TV show I love looking for new characters to see if they are wearing some piece of jewelry to give them away. Of course, Myer went out in left field, creating an anomaly where vampires sparkled in the sunlight. Still what a creative way to twist around a well conceived vampire myth and make it her own. It sold – gazillions! Another myth that both authors twisted to fit their worlds was the blood drinking. This is one of those myths that just can’t be fooled with too much. The whole point of a vampire is that is what he does – drinks human blood. The idea of vegetarian vampires, hillarious, actually worked – first for Smith because Stefan feeds only on animals while his brother Damon is more the monster and feeds on humans. And Myer took this concept and expanded it, making the Cullen family outcasts among all vampires for their odd eating practice. Even Charlaine Harris took a spin, her vampires drink synthetic blood that just like the real thing.

         Enough about vampires. But once you have plucked the myths and concepts to create your world, twisted them, used them, abused them for your benefit. Now it’s time to test those new theories.

         What I discovered while revising BROKEN is that my world kept shifting slightly. As I learned more about my characters, I found that they revealed things to me that had to be fit together a little bit differently. And then I had to create the other half of the spectrum, the world of demons. In essence, I was still adding to my world up until the day I sent my revised manuscript off.

          Finally, several thoughts. Always remember no matter what, this is your world that you created. If your vampires live off syrup, so be it. Just remember that part of creating your world is providing the back up evidence to support the why and how. Second, take notes, lots of notes. And research. You’d be amazed if I told you that a large chunk of my world, some of the terms and how the heirarchy works, came from a Role Playing Game. I was lucky I found it, but I learned a lesson. Always bookmark, jot down, copy and paste the info to a Word doc, because you may not find the site again. But you can find some very interesting ideas in the most random places. Never rule out anything.

So to summarize :

1) start a list of what you already know about your world, the myths, legends you already know

2) research those myths, legends, ect and take notes. Be sure to keep a hard copy or favorite the sites you visit for later reference.

3) take those theories and twist them for your benefit to create a new and exciting world

4) write and listen to what your characters tell you, as they will reveal things you had no idea about

What’s on my iPod : Crash and Burn by Lifehouse

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

It’s hard to believe it, but I began participating in EM a year ago. I’ve only missed once – last month. So here is this month’s post. It’s something I’ve been toying with, so it is in rough draft. But this is the opening sequence to FLIRTING WITH HEAVEN. It’s more of an adult paranormal romance. Enjoy.

          Lightning flashed, followed by the distant rumble of thunder. Two male voices erupted, embroiled in battle.

          “You should have stayed hidden, Ezekiel,” a male voice hissed.

          Lightning sparked a second time, glinting off the cruel edge of the blade held in mid-air.

          “I’ll protect Sam with my dying breath, Uriel. I’m not afraid of meeting my creator. Not sure you can say the same, daemon.”

          Thunder shook the ground, and the first male voice laughed. “If you kill me, Zeke, you’ll never find Samantha.”

          “What have you done with…damn it, the boom mic is in my shot!”

          Instantly, floodlights flickered on the sound stage. Keely Jamison rubbed her eyes as they readjusted from the darkness. The shoot had been going so well. Of course, it was only a matter of time before a tantrum erupted. She checked her watch – four hours this stretch. There wasn’t much she could do as head script writer for the pilot production of Flirting with Heaven. But she kept trying to appease everyone because this was her baby, a television program based on her best-selling novel.

          Beside her, Jess McCain, director extraordinaire, scanned back through the footage to double check the shot. Sure enough, the boom mic surreptitiously lowered into the top right corner of the screen. Keely cursed under her breath. The scene had been perfect this time – the fourteenth take. But now it was ruined. She almost sympathized with the “terrible tyrant” Trayson.

          After he dropped the sword and nearly impaled guest actor, Michael Jenners, Trayson spun into a spoiled actor’s tirade and verbally attacked he fifty year old veteran sound man responsible for the slip. She hardly blamed either one of them; they’d been on set shooting since six am.

          Jess got up and pushed his way into the circle forming around Trayson. The thirty-something director maintained a cool, levelheaded approach to his actors and the crew. And they respected him for it. But Trayson’s temper-tantrums had managed to see five seasoned film crew members walk off set already. With a sigh, she rose out of the canvas backed chair to stretch her legs. Keely slipped toward the catering table to get a cup of coffee for Jess and bottled water for the hot head.

           “Mocha latte?”

          Keely jumped at the sound of Zach’s voice and almost spilled Jess’s coffee all over the table and herself. She glared up at the dark haired assistant director. It wasn’t the first time he’d snuck up on her out of the blue. But his sweet smile melted her brewing distemper.

           “It looks like another long night,” he added, tilting head toward the crowd tightening around Trayson, Jess and the techie.

           She nodded and turned her attention back to the coffee and the water bottle.

          “Maybe, I should just f**king break my contract and quit this damn production,” Trayson’s gravelly voice boomed, “if you people can’t give me any respect to perform my craft and keep god-damn boom mics out of my face…”

          Trayson pushed through the men like parting the Dead Sea.

          “Not very angel-like,” Zach said.

          “I whole-heartedly agree with you.” Michael stepped over to the table and grabbed a water bottle.

          Keely sighed and gave them both a weak smile. “Damage control,” she said and walked for the stage door.

          She slipped through the partial opening in the rolling bay door and flitted past half a dozen actors on the back lot. It was close to seven now, and everyone was exhausted, especially Keely. But it was only the fifth day of shooting the pilot episode, and they were green-lighted to shoot six more episodes. That is if they could get this fast approaching train wreck back on schedule.

          The silver Star-line trailer rocked on its foundation wheels, and she heard a few loud curses. She hesitated before knocking, steeling her nerves and her pounding heart. Keely wasn’t afraid of the tantrum throwing actor. It was the exact opposite, she was crushing on him. Unfortunately, he was aware of it.

          “Trayson, can I come in?”

~~~

Don’t forget to come back on the first Monday of April for New Release Monday. See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.

So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
and
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

Joining us this week:

Leslie Dicken, Historical (PG 13)
Victoria Dixon, Fantasy (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary romantic elements (PG 13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Debbie Mumford, SFF (PG 13)

KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Stephanie Draven, Fantasy with romantic elements (R)
Cate Hart, Paranormal YA (R)
Jeanne St. James, Interracial Menage (R)
Ali Katz, Historical (R)
Danielle Yockman, Steampunk (R)

Sara Brookes, Contemporary Romance (NC 17)
Christa Paige, ContemporaryRomance (NC 17)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (NC 17)

Well my side bar is getting full. I’m moving old mini-posts here.

1-11-10 : I bought two more ebooks! Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and a PC Cast vampire book. Details later. But I am liking Hush, Hush.

1-2-10 : Almost finished with The Lightning Thief, and then tearing into The Sea Monsters. I bought Fallen by Lauren Kate, and while it’s intriguing, I find it much darker than I like my YA. I plan to finish it after my Olympian romp!

12-20-09 : I got a Sony eReader!!! I love it!! Right now I have two things on there. I have Inez Kelley’s Jinxed ebook, and Steve Berry’s latest about Napoleon’s treasure. I plan to keep adding titles!

Today, I bought Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. I got it as Christmas present for my 9 year old nephew, but I’m having book envy. I want to read it before the movie comes out.
I became addicted to the CW’s new show Vampire Diaries. So, I had to pick up LJ Smith’s series. I’m in the middle of the third book now. But I also have the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer to read.

Hey I’m up over on Victoria Janssen’s blog. She devoted this month to asking a few fellow writers about where their love and passion of writing originated. I’m up today. Wow, it’s so much easier to write ficiton than a personal story.

Check out my response on Victoria’s site HERE.