Tag: Harlequin

Fall in love with Romeo…

You’ve met Lana, but now you need to meet Romeo… Well for starters he’s a dark haired, dark eyed Italian with a heart for Olive Hill. Then in comes Lana and he feels she’ll take everything away that he’s worked his whole life.

One thing you need to know about Romeo is he’s passionate, strong willed and loves with everything he has. When Lana comes into his life, everything changes. He fights the feelings with his Italian will, but love is stronger than that. The passion he feels for her takes over his senses. With the first sight, he feels it, but the first kiss sends him in a spiral.

My idea of Romeo is Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. Yeah, he’s that good looking. As I wrote this book, that was the picture in my head, some picture too. Imagine Ian as you read Tuscany, believe me, it brings a whole new meaning to the word, Romance….

So, give Romeo a chance with a vote. Let’s get him to the Top 25 on Harlequins contest. Here’s the link, all you need to do is vote for the Pitch part 1, that’s it. https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085/write/161892410

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…Tuscany Wattpad ad

Give Tuscany a vote~

Alright everybody, here’s the link to vote for Tuscany. https://www.wattpad.com/161892410-tuscany-sytycw15-pitch-part-1

Hoping everyone will help me get to the Top 25. Go by and vote. Also share the link with everybody.

Harlequin Top 50!

Good morning all! I’ve got some exciting news… I’ve made it to the top 50 in the Harlequin So You Think You Can Write contest. And yes I’ve been dancing, jumping, screaming and all the normal things, but after a somewhat good nights sleep it’s time to get to work. I need your help!

What help you might ask? Well, I need your votes. In order to get to the top 25, I need as many votes after 5:01 EST today on the pitch part of my entry. I’ll post later the promotional package from Harlequin. Boy, that sounds good saying that. If you can, please forward, share, do whatever you have to do to get it out there. I’m forever grateful for whatever help you can give. You guys have had my back for a long time.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You… He blessed me with this opportunity!

Tuscany

tuscany front coverIf you haven’t figured it out yet by all my reminders, I’ve entered a new manuscript in Harlequins So You Think You Can Write contest. This book is a new concept for me as it’s based across the world and it’s not a western type theme. I’m enjoying this one so much.

I’ve always wanted to go to Tuscany and through my writing and research I’m there. It’s a magical time for me as I write this book and explore the country in my dreams. I’ve learned so much about their customs, foods and the olive oil industry I could probably start one here. Amazing what a writer learns when doing research. I want to share some with you now, but please if you get a chance run, don’t walk over to Wattpad at the link https://www.wattpad.com/myworks/48304085-tuscany and view then vote on each segment of the story. The more votes the better chance I have.

I’ve entered this contest before and happily made it to the second round, which made me do a happy dance. So if you like Italian books or Italian anything oh yeah and romance, come by and check it out….

Roberto put his arm around his wife lovingly, as she reached up to place her hand over his. It was evident that their love was part of this place too. Lana wondered longingly if she’d find a love like that here. Then shaking her head, things like that didn’t happen for her. She stood up and walked over to the edge of the veranda, looking out over the olive grove as the sun slowly set. The colors were vibrant as they went from lavender to light pink.
She watched it until the colors faded into the night sky. Romeo walked up beside her, placing his hands on the wrought iron railing. “It’s like Heaven is showing off every night.”
“I’ve never seen such beauty in nature as I have here. It’s like I’ve stepped into another world.” Closing her eyes as the emotions of the evening took over.
“It is another world Lana. This is Tuscany at it’s finest. There’s not another place on earth like it.” The pride in his voice was evident.
“I’m glad to be a part of it, although it’s a small part.” Wrapping her arms around herself as a feeling of something she couldn’t quite put her hand on, but she knew it was something bad, passed over her. “Is everything alright at the mill?”
He spun around quickly, “Why would you ask such a thing?”
Putting up her hands in defense, “Sorry I asked, but I just noticed you were a little upset when you saw that woman in the plant earlier.”
Romeo ran his fingers through his dark, long hair. “It was nothing to worry about, just a nosy employee.”
“It looked like more than that to me.”
“Look lady, I’ve been taking care of this place for a long time. If there’s a problem I’ll take care of it, not you. Are we clear on that?” She could feel his breath on her face as he roared in anger.
“Don’t get a wrinkle in your toes, I was just asking a question.”
He turned and walked down the path toward the pool. For some reason she rubbed him the wrong way, but why? All she’d done was ask a question and he’d blown a fuse.
Marianna walked up to stand beside her. “Overlook my grandson. He’s a little protective of this place.”
“I’ve noticed.” Lana said with a slight frown as she looked in the direction he went. “But shouldn’t we work together, not against one another.”
“Moo Caro, he thinks you’re here to change things and that makes him agitated.” She put her hand on Lana’s shoulder, “He’s a passionate man, but deep down Romeo is a softy.” The older woman smiled and looked up toward Heaven. The smile broadened as she thought about the two young people. Maybe something would come of it.
“I look forward to meeting that side of him.” Lana said as she closed her eyes. Would he trust her one day?

Hope you enjoyed just a tidbit of the stormy relationship between Lana and Romeo. Don’t forget to check out the new chapters on Wattpad. Also check out the Romancing September Across the World Blog Tour every day of September.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

What makes a good romance for you?

Romance novels come in many genres. It’s amazing how they’ve changed since I first picked up my first romance. I remember the intense feelings that the book brought out. It was based in Europe in the World War 2 era. I remember crying, laughing and being inspired to find my Prince Charming. I also remember finding out through reading that my Prince Charming would not always be perfect as the fairy tale goes.

For me a good romance needs to take you to another place. I want to be taken away from my normal world and transported into a exotic place, mystical place or just another time. I want the book to carry me away with emotions. The writer needs to make me think I’m there with the character, feeling the emotions, the anger, the sadness, the love, and especially the romance. I want to be able to still feel it even after I put the book down.

I can’t even imagine how many romance novels I’ve read in my lifetime. Recently I went through my collection of novels that are stored in my attic. I had to put them in plastic storage boxes as the boxes were falling apart from age and over use. It’s amazing how many times I’ve read some of them over and over. I even pulled some of them out and read them again. There’s nothing like the feel and smell of a aged book. The yellowed pages pull you in and keep you engrossed. 

I had several authors that I bought everytime I saw a new book in their collections. As I reboxed them I separated them by author. The publishers of most of them are still around, such as Harlequin, Avon and many others. I always knew if it had the Harlequin or Avon symbol on the side that it would be great. I remember going to flea markets and browsing hungrily through the many shelves of used books. As a teenager it was like a scavenger hunt for more titles from some of my favorites. 

A couple of my favorite books have been purchased a couple of times. You may be wondering why, well let me explain. I would lend them out and they never got returned. Then I would go on a mad search for them. When I’d find them again, they would stay with me.

So for me a good romance needs to make an impression. I want to think about it again and again even after I’ve read The End. I want to read it over and over and still fall in love. The characters need to pull at my heart strings. I want to be able to see them in my mind’s eye and carry that throughout the book.

Recently I heard from one of my dear fans. She told me that the descriptions of my characters made her see them clearly. She said that she felt like she knew them personally as she read through to the end. I was pleased that I’d accomplished that goal. Sometimes that can be a hard thing for a writer. You have to make sure that your character is well thought out and explained. If they are blonde, make sure they are blonde throughout. I read a book not too long ago and the main character started out as a blonde and the writer somehow I guess forgot and by the end their hair was ebony. And no they didn’t change hair color out of a bottle. It totally blew my mind.

I love to read a romance that makes me cry. It doesn’t have to be from sadness, but it could be just the sweetness of the romance. I have several books that I read over and over that make me cry every time. It’s just such a sweet, tender romance that it draws out the emotional part of me. 

So as you write, think about what draws you in. If you like time travel, then write about time travel. If you like a good, sappy romance, then write that sappy romance. If it’s erotica you love, then write erotica. Everyone has a niche and you have to find that niche. For me it’s the tender, sweet love story that builds throughout the story. I try to throw in a little intrigue and mystery, but in the end it’s the romance that draws you in.

So, as always, good writing and May God Bless You…

The changing world of publishing

It’s amazing to me how much the world has changed in regards to publishing. When I was younger the world of publishing was an almost untouchable dream. You’d sent in a paper copy of your manuscript and then wait, wait, and wait some more. I remember sending off for a book called “Get Your Dream Published” or something like that. Even way back when I played with publishing my work.

Then the digital revolution took over and had the publishing houses thinking about options. I was asked one time if I only self published my work because I didn’t like large publishing companies. I laughed and said no, I love the big publishers. That’s what I grew up on. I have hundreds of books in boxes in my attic, lying around in baskets everywhere in my house. Most of them have Avon Books, Harlequin, or one of the big guys on it. 

I always knew the quality of book I’d get from Avon and Harlequin. They never let me down and still don’t. I have a book fetish and I admit it proudly. But the sad thing is that with the digital age and self publishing adding a more personal element to publishing it’s hurting the bigger publishers.

With the digital age has come many online publishers that will publish your work for a percentage of your royalties. That’s an appealing offer for us small time writers. Maybe some day when I’m selling millions of copies (Dreams are healthy :)) I’ll try for one of the big publishers, but for now I’m content in my little niche of self publishing.

Then you have audio books. The first of my audio books came out yesterday on Audible.com. That was exciting. I’ve been working on a historical saga for a couple of months and nothing new has come out, so seeing that come out yesterday was exciting. I did a little happy dance and squeal. It was pitiful in my now empty office since my assistant has already gone :(. 

I started my publishing service Horseshoe Publishing to help authors with the publishing process. When you self publish the decisions that a big publisher makes are on your shoulders. We’re here to help with as many as we can. Go over to our site at http://www.horseshoepublishing.wordpress.com and check us out. We already have two books out under our belt. Of course all of my covers are designed by the same designer that does Horseshoe’s so if you want to see them check mine listed under the My Books page.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…