by Christine | Observations, Writing
So, I added a page here at my blog for my brother, Scott Cunningham. If you have photos of yourself with him, or have something you’d like to say about him, please feel free to leave a comment or email me a jpeg of the photo.
Here’s the link to the page… HERE.
Short and sweet post today! It’s been a good day, though. I got to meet Courtney Miller-Callihan today while I was attending the meeting at East Valley Authors, where she spoke. She’s an agent with the Sanford J. Greenburger Literary Agency.
We talked and I asked her some questions that I’d been wanting to discuss with an agent, and I pitched and it went well so I’ve got to get back to work and finish this book.
Hope you are all well and having a great weekend!
)O(
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Laura Drake is a fabulous author who is leaving So Cal for Texas. (WHY? One of those totally unanswerable questions, lol.) Those of us here will miss her terribly, but wish her bon voyage.
The Bio
Laura Drake, Author
Laura Drake is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She writes both Women’s Fiction and Romance. Her, ‘Sweet on a Cowboy’ Series, set in the world of professional bull riding, is published by Grand Central: The Sweet Spot (May 13), Nothing Sweeter (Jan 14), and Sweet on You (Sept 14). Her Road Home, the first book in her Widow’s Grove series, is published by Harlequin’s Superromance.
Laura resides in Southern California, though she aspires to retirement in Texas. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She’s a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
The Book
Nothing Sweeter, book 2 in the Sweet on a Cowboy series.
Aubrey Madison is starting over. Leaving Los Angeles and everything behind except the scars of her ruined past, Bree sets out for cowboy country. Now she has a new home, a new job-and a new worry: the ruggedly sexy rancher who makes her long for things she shouldn’t . . .
Rough and tumble cattleman Max Jameson has broken wild stallions and faced angry bulls. Yet the redheaded city cupcake who turned up at the High Heather Ranch might be his undoing. Bree has a plan to rescue the ranch from foreclosure that’s just crazy enough to work. But will Max gamble his future on a beautiful stranger?
The Review
As those of you who read this feature regularly know, I rarely review the books I showcase here. Not because I don’t love what I read, but because I run out of time! This time around, though, I read devoured the book in one sitting after picking up an ARC from the author herself. Plus featuring Laura was a last-minute decision (that she’s totally unaware of, by the way).
After reading just the first page of Nothing Sweeter, it became a book I was more than happy to sink into. Not a cliche to be found. This is my favorite type of romance; complicated, slow-moving, without a real nasty protagonist (just a guy desperate for some respect). It has a woman running from a past she’d love to forget, a man struggling to keep his ranch and feed his hands, a “bull” market and the color pink, found in the most unlikely place.
The characters are real people; the situation is all-too-believable in this day and age. The way these two rise to the challenges set before them kept me spellbound. I’m so glad this is a series, as now I get to go back and read the first one (The Sweet Spot).
Laura is just bursting in on the romance scene. Do yourself a favor and pick up her books, for this is one writer who will undoubtedly get better and better.
)O(
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Today I have the FABULOUS Nikki Prince on my blog. She and I became Facebook friends, then met at the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America – and it’s been a love-fest ever since. Sit back, and get to know the woman behind the books.
The Interview
CA: What made you decide to write a novel?
NP: Sheer craziness in wanting to finish NaNoWriMo. It was a challenge to myself. Swagger came about as a challenge to me to see if I could write a New Adult novel in first person.
CA: OMG I totally know what you mean. Wow! To have that as your first push – good for you! So what genre do you write in, and why?
NP: I write interracial erotic romances in contemporary and paranormal currently, and plan to expand into other genres. Why? I love the heroine to look like me and to be in a relationship that represents my relationships. I’m a black woman married to a white man and I love to see different cultures together. Beyond that I like to see the world as not just skin tones. That everyone has something in common.
CA: I SO agree! I love the mixture of skin tones, especially in love scenes. So tell me, is your latest book part of a series or standalone book? If a series, what is the name of this series, and how many books/short stories do you have planned?
NP: This at the moment is just a standalone, although a thought of another book has been in the back of my mind.
CA: Keep thinking, girl! So, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
NP: Wow, that’s hard to answer. I love to travel. Anywhere I lay my head could be home honestly. I miss traveling. Maybe one day soon.
CA: I’m SO with you. Love traveling, especially with my hubby. Okay, name me 3 simple joys in your life. (Though I think I’ve got this one pegged!)
NP: My kids, writing and reading.
CA: Yep! Knew it! That’s mainly what you put on your FB feed, lol. Okay, next question. If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
NP: I would love to have dinner with Edgar Allan Poe and Martin Luther King…wherever greatness like that would want to eat, that’s where we would go.
CA: Wow! Great answers. I wonder where they’d like to eat in today’s world, lol?! So,if you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
NP: To keep trying and don’t listen to negative talk. Follow your dreams, this is your life, this is your book…dream it and write it.
CA: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
NP: I work in a police station on a Community College in Parking Services.
CA: Really? Do you ever put stuff you learn from work into your books? Never mind, we’ll talk later, lol! Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
NP: I am really, really shy until I get to know you.
CA: Seriously? OKay, maybe that first time you were a bit hesitant to hug me when I came running up to you…Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
NP: I’d like to say thank you so much for having me here Christine. It’s an honor and a pleasure.
CA: Oh Nikki, it’s entirely my pleasure!
The Book
Swagger, by Nikki PrinceS
The Blurb
Nine years, two lives, one love.
We all have dreams. Mine were filled with college and the boy I loved, Cruz Montoya. But all that went up with smoke when he got sent to Juvenile Hall, my sister killed herself, and Dad up and left. My mother, and I use that terminology loosely, became a monster transferring her pains and disappointment, and I became trapped.
Honorably discharged, I’m back in Arlington Heights, the small town that only remembers the black sheep persona of my youth. I could list a dozen reasons for my return, but the only one that matters is Roxanne Waters. I should probably leave her be. I’m not much of a catch, with PTSD and the childhood memories rattling around in my brain. Yet, I can’t walk away. There’s a darkness that surrounds the death of her sister, a secret that’s slowly killing her. I’m going to find out everything. This is the moment of truth: to see if we can make it, or if I’m nine years too late.
Contacts:
Home
Email: NikkiPrince@writeme.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NikkiPrinceAuthor
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Nikki-Prince/e/B008LQPIP2/
Twitter: @AuthorNprince
Goodreads.com: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6433724.Nikki_Prince
The Bio
Nikki Prince is a mother of two, who’s always had a dream to be a published author in the romance genre. Her passion lies in raising her children as readers, gaming, cooking, reading and her writing. Her mother can now breathe easy about the child who used to get in trouble because she was hiding books everywhere and reading when it wasn’t appropriate.
Nikki’s a multi-published author with several epublishing houses. She loves to write Interracial romances in all genres, but wants to let everyone know to not box her in, because there is always room for growth.
Nikki’s also a member of Romance Writers of America National chapter (http://www.rwa.org) and OCC/RWA local chapter (http://www.occrwa.org) and is a member of the board as Co-Programs Director. She is also a member of the online chapter Passionate Ink RWA, The Beaumonde RWA, and the Rainbow Romance Writers (RRW).
Questions for Nikki? Leave them below!
)O(
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
These two authors are, I’m proud to say, a part of my Los Angeles Romance Authors chapter of Romance Writers of America. I’m also proud to say that before they sold, I had partnered them each with a mentor; and both, within a year or so, had sold their first novel.
So sit back and enjoy as I introduce you to two of my favorite people.
My First Guest is Robin Bielman
Robin Bielman is your sunny, sweet girl next door. She rarely wears makeup but I swear, she doesn’t need it. Her stories are just like her; sweet, hopeful, and brimming with passion (but the passion is behind a closed door). She writes for the Bliss line of Entangled Romance. Here’s what her Amazon Page says about her: “Award winning author Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband, two sons, and crazy-cute mini Labradoodle, Harry (named after Harry Dresden from Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files books). When not attached to her laptop, she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. She also likes to run, hike, and dip her toes in the ocean. Filled with wanderlust, she longs to visit many different places and fulfill her curiosity. She wouldn’t mind indulging her sweet tooth in every location either. She’s a lover of Post-it notes, cable television shows and café mochas. Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure it’s real.She loves to connect with readers! Find her on her website at robinbielman.com, on Facebook at RobinBielmanWriter and on Twitter at @RobinBielman.”
Robin’s latest two novels. Both of these came out in 2013.
Her latest novel is Kissing the Maid of Honor (which is absolutely terrific – I just finished reading it yesterday. Woo boy! You want this novel. No, really. You do.) Here’s the blurb:
Kissing her best friend’s brother never felt so right…
Sela Sullivan is resolved to be the best maid of honor ever, even if it means tolerating the best man. Insufferable, too-handsome Luke Watters is not only the guy who humiliated her at a kissing booth in high school, but he also happens to be her best friend’s older brother. Positive he’s the same arrogant jock, Sela vows to focus on her duties and steer clear of the frustrating—and frustratingly tempting—Luke.
As a world-renowned extreme-sports photographer, Luke is used to undertaking life-risking adventures. But risking his heart for the beautiful Sela Sullivan, who clearly still hates him for his rejection all those years ago? He didn’t see that coming. Sela inspires a passion he’s never known, and the more time they spend together, the more he craves her. But can he prove to the maid of honor he’s become a man of honor?
My Next Guest is Samanthe Beck
Samanthe Beck, Author
Samanthe Beck is an ex-lawyer, but don’t hold that against her! She’s a sweetheart who prefers to write hot and sexy and I can tell you, with total honesty, she delivers on the sexy! Here’s what her Amazon Page has to say about her:
“Award winning author Samanthe Beck lives in Malibu, California with her husband, their son, Kitty the furry Ninja, and Bebe the trash talkin’ Chihuahua. When not writing fun, sexy, contemporary romances or lazing on her beach towel with her face snuggled to her Kindle, she searches for the perfect ten dollar cabernet to pair with Ambien.
Connect with Sam via her website at www.samanthebeck.com to check her progress on that never-ending quest, or to get the latest on her upcoming books.”
Sam has had three books out in 2013 alone; her latest one is called Falling for the Marine, and looks to be Hot Hot Hot! It’s on my Kindle, just waiting for me to dive in.
Here’s the blurb for the book (which you really, really want):
Pretending to be in love has never felt so sexy.
USMC helicopter pilot Michael McCade has two goals: Get his damn back into alignment and keep his nose clean until his ultra-conservative commanding officer clears him to fly again. The doctor-recommended massage therapy seems like a necessary evil if he’s to return to the cockpit, but when his too-hot-to-handle neighbor turns out to be his masseuse, he strays from the straight and narrow in a major way.
Former military brat Chloe Kincaid is looking for an ego-boosting, no strings attached hook up. But when her positively panty-melting neighbor (aka Major Hottie) shows up on her massage table, their off-the-charts chemistry overrides her no-military-men policy until they’re caught. Now they have to fake an engagement to avoid the fallout, but can a girl who runs from attachments pretend to be in love with a straight-arrow soldier without falling hard?
I hope you enjoyed this installation of Writer Wednesday. What good book have YOU read lately?
)O(
by Christine | Observations, Writing
I wrote this for the January, 2014 LARA Confidential Newsletter, and I liked it so much, I decided to put it up here with a few changes because I always change my work.
So, It’s 2014. January.
A brand new year. Here we all are, still full of hope that THIS year, we’ll do everything we failed to do LAST year. All that burden on January. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? So I’m taking this time to point out that maybe it’s not just a once-a-year thing to do – take stock of our lives – but that maybe it should be a daily thing. You know, slow and steady.
My form of physical health. It’s working for me.
I am resolved to have a healthier year this year, but I’m also very aware that “health” means more than “physical health”. Mental and emotional health is important, too. Physical, mental, and emotional health are the three legs of our life that we rest on – they are what give us energy to do everything we want and need to do in our life.
When we start from a place of wholeness, we know who and what we are and what, exactly, we want out of our life. When one of the three legs is lacking – say, you’re ill, or you have emotional stresses – it is very hard to compensate for that missing leg. Our work ends up lacking something, and often it can’t be fixed even in rewrites.
Some people can and do write through all the storms of their lives. It is part of what fuels them; it is part of their process. But I can’t believe that’s healthy, and many of those successful writers often flag as they get older, as the stresses multiply, as their issues (be they mental, physical, or emotional) get so big the issues drown out their writer’s voice.
Writing from a place of wholeness in mind, body and spirit is one of the greatest gifts I’ve decided to give myself this year. Here is my three-legged approach to a healthy and balanced life.
Physical Health This one, believe it or not, is easy. Eat in moderation. Drink in moderation (if you’re a drinker, that is). Get some regular exercise, even if it’s just parking far from the door of the grocery store. Move the body every 20 minutes if stuck behind a desk. Drink Water!!!
Pay attention to your body. Write down any aches and pains that stick with you for more than a day or so. Slather your body with lotion after every shower or bath. Smile at your reflection in the mirror, and appreciate the fact that you can walk, talk, think, see, hear, laugh, cry, hold your loved ones. Enjoy your age, because none of us are getting any younger.
Sometimes, mental health calls for getting away from all the electronics in our lives.
Mental Health Keep optimistic about everything, as much as possible. (If this means ignoring the news, by all means ignore!) Focus on the good in your life. Flush gossip out of your brain. If troubled about those you love, talk to them and say those worries out loud. In doing so, many of them fade. Don’t let worries get big by hiding from them. Instead, tackle big issues head-on, such as: pay bills on time (less stress); discuss that difficult issue with your boss; ask your agent for a contract change. Know how much money is in the account so you don’t overspend. Schedule doctor and eye doctor and dentist appointments ahead of time whenever possible. Keep a calendar and note important dates on it.
Revel in your accomplishments, and never, ever, talk bad about yourself. Give yourself your BEST self, every day. Then don’t let yourself down. Hell, I know we’re all human. So forgive yourself for mistakes, for everyone makes mistakes. When you can, put your focus on other people. Smile at strangers, laugh with friends, hug your pets. Never take those in your life for granted.
Emotional Health Refill the well. Be silent with yourself; or call it meditation. Spend even
A painting of one of the costumes/dancers of The Rite of Spring, shown at the Music Center in Los Angeles February, 2013
ten breaths in quietness, once or twice a day, and allow yourself to fill with love. Read everything, from the philosophers to pulp fiction to the daily news, for everything is fodder for the muse. Visit museums, walk along the beach at sunrise, breathe in the mountain air. Paint, draw, make music even if you’re not an expert at painting or drawing or making music. See live theater or music or go to comedy clubs, for seeing work live brings something to you that a movie or a recording just can’t. Visit with friends.
Take vacations, even if they’re short. Go places you’ve never been. Go alone. Go with a friend or a significant other. Forgive anyone you hold a grudge against. Woo your own heart. Let me say that again. Woo Your Own Heart. For you are worthy of wooing. Always.
The truth of the matter is, we can’t go back and relive our youth. We can only move through this life at the age we’re at, and accept and love the person we’ve become. If you put time into your own physical, mental and emotional health every day, your relationships will blossom. Your heart will fill. And your writing will come from the Passionate You that started writing, and that Passionate You will enjoy it again as much as you did the first time, when you wrote that manuscript and you didn’t have a clue as to what you were doing, and your heart overflowed and your soul expanded and you knew you had just Done Something Wonderful.
I don’t believe in writing “the book of your heart”. I actually loathe that saying. But I do believe that if you’re not passionate about what you write, it won’t strike the chord in your reader that you want it to strike. If you’re not passionate about your work, how can you expect others to be? And if you’re not passionate about your work, then why are you writing?
So this year, take it slow. Focus on all three parts of your health – physical, mental, and emotional, and get as centered as you can. Yes, life will throw you curve balls. No, those curve balls aren’t always pleasant (some find their way to your gut, stealing your breath). But if you keep what matters first and foremost in your heart and your mind, if you remember to be gentle with your body and soul, then you’ll weather the storms Fate has in store for you. And if you need help, know that there are hands and hearts out there, just waiting to help when asked. But you have to ask.
The daffodils under my apple tree. A happy surprise every Spring!
I truly believe that if you expect the best, or the worst, you’ll get it. So why not expect the best?
May your 2014 be bright with blessings, good friends, and love, always.
)O(
by Christine | Writer Wednesday, Writing
Maggie Marr
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Maggie through the Los Angeles Romance Authors chapter of RWA. She’s funny, terribly smart, and very nice. Please welcome the lovely and talented Maggie Marr!
CA: What made you decide to write a novel?
MM: I’m not sure I ever made a conscious decision to write a novel. I have been a writer since I was 8 years old. I’ve heard characters in my head telling me stories since I was a little girl. I grew up in the Midwest and the children who aren’t so good in math, but are really good with words are often steered toward ‘The Law’. Meaning a legal career. I didn’t grow up knowing any writers. I didn’t even think of writing as a potential career path. I kind of thought everyone heard these stories in their head. It wasn’t until after law school that I realized that maybe I could do something with all these stories I heard in my head.
CA: Wow. A law career. That’s using both sides of your brain, isn’t it? So what genre do you write in, and why?
MM: I write Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance and New Adult Contemporary. I’ve discovered the common thread in all three is sex. Lots and lots of sex. The Women’s Fiction books, I love writing because they are often about female friendships as well as a love interest. My women friends have been the solid foundation upon which my life was built. So I love writing about how those female friends often save my characters.
CA: Is this a series or standalone book? If a series, what is the name of this series, and how many books/short stories do you have planned?
MM: Hollywood Hit is part of the Hollywood Girls Club Series; however, it is a standalone book. Every book in the series includes Cici Solange and her cadre of close friends so while all three books inform each book it isn’t necessary for the reader to have read any one of the Hollywood Girls Club books to understand any book in the series. Hollywood Hit is the most romance oriented of the titles and introduces a completely new character in Nikki Solange, niece of Cici Solange. I think there will be 4 our 5 Hollywood Girls Club books total.
CA: Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?
MM: I’d like to city hop. Three months in London, three months in Paris, three months in Berlin, Tokyo, Hong Kong–try them all. Then ultimately find a lovely little house, in the mountains, with a view of the ocean, with a lovely yard and a chair and a table in the lovely little yard on which to write.
CA: Name 3 simple joys in your life.
MM: 1. My family. 2. The time from 4am – 7am when I write. 3. Hot coffee.
CA: If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?
MM: The restaurant is easier than the person-I would like to try The French Laundry–I hear it’s the meal of a lifetime. As for the person…that is tough…I think Shakespeare. Here’s why–I love writers. I think writers are amazing. I have the best time with writers. When I’m with a group of writers, I am, I think, my best self. Plus, Shakespeare was a bit of a mischievous rogue. I think Will could party. Throw back a few. Tell some outrageous stories. Perhaps I take my latest manuscript and ask him for writerly advice? So maybe not the French Laundry– me and Will would get thrown out on our asses from the French Laundry for sure. I like a good night out — maybe just a local pub like The Local Peasant. I know everyone there, they will make sure I get home (can even call my hubs if Will and I get really out of line.) Yes–that’s it. A Friday night, with William Shakespeare at The Local Peasant.
CA: If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer starting out, what would it be?
MM: Write. Sit down in the chair and write. You can’t be a writer unless you write. It doesn’t matter if the first draft sucks, first drafts are meant to suck–that is their job. Don’t be afraid of a sucky first draft. Your job is to get the sucky first draft out and then use your craft, your skill, and your hard-won knowledge to turn that sucky first draft into a beautiful book.
CA: What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?
MM: When I am not writing I am practicing law and trying to get movies made. As an attorney I represent some publishers, some authors, some screenplay writers and some entrepreneurs. I also work with Dahooma Productions trying to get a few independent films into production. In the evenings I freelance as chauffeur for two kidlets.
CA: Name one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.
MM: My memory is atrocious. Truly. I stack things so I don’t forget about them or put items in a ‘special’ place so that I will remember where they are and then…absolutely can’t remember where the ‘special’ place is that I put the item. I’ve recently resorted to placing sticky notes on the bathroom mirror so that I might remember things I need to know for the day. And yet…I can tell you in great detail events and characters that were in books I read when I was a child.
CA: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
MM: Thank you for reading my books. I love writing them and I want each book to be better than the last. I feel so much gratitude that people actually buy my books and spend hours reading them. Thank you.
Being the niece of the biggest star in the world isn’t easy–especially when someone is
Hollywood Hit by Maggie Marr
trying to kill you.
Nikki Solange is a small town Tennessee girl. When she hits Hollywood and tries to become a movie Producer, she’s in for the culture shock of her life–and finding a D-list actor turned up-and-coming director floating face down in the his swimming pool is the least of it. Now Nikki must walk the gauntlet that is Hollywood and try to stay alive because someone from Nikki’s hard-scrabble past is out to make sure that she ends up dead.
Pretending to be a Hollywood playboy film producer is easy when one of the world’s richest men is backing you.
Ex Marine sniper Rush Nelson is back from his final tour in Afghanistan and is now a security specialist for one of the world’s richest men, media mogul Tedd Robinoff. Backed by his boss, Rush has a solid cover-story that includes some serious Armani threads, a pulse-pounding car, and a limitless expense account. All to protect Robinoff, his business interests, and Robinoff’s family, which includes Ted’s superstar wife Celeste ‘Cici’ Solange and her pain-in-the-ass niece Nikki. Rush must achieve his directive without ruining his cover. Easy–except for one problem–Nikki Solange. Rush is falling for her.
The number one rule not to break when your mission is to protect.
Maggie’s Bio:
Maggie Marr is an attorney, an author, and an independent producer. Hard Glamour, the first book in her New Adult Glamour Series, publishes January 14, 2014. Hollywood Hit, the third book in Maggie’s much loved Hollywood Girls Club Series published December 17, 2013. As with any Hollywood Girls Club book, all names have been changed to protect both the innocent and the guilty, but if you read closely enough, you can sort out who you are…Maggie lives and works in Los Angeles.
Maggie’s Amazon Page
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out Maggie Marr’s latest novel, Hollywood Hit.
)O(
Remember to take time for yourself as you rush around this holiday season. Breathe, enjoy the bustle, and be good to yourself. Cheers, my friends!
