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Interview: Jami Gray author of Shadow’s Moon @JamiGrayAuthor #RLFblog #paranormalromance
Shadow’s Moon Title Shadow’s MoonGenre Paranormal Romance, Urban FantasyAuthor Jami GrayBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RInterview with Jami Gray
Why did you write this book?This is the third installment in my Urban Fantasy series, The
Kyn Kronicles. While the first two books follow Raine McCord and Gavin Durand and
introduce the reader into the shadowy world around us, for this book, I’ve loved
Xander since she popped up in the first book, and her relationship with Warrick
held too many layers to ignore. Plus, my critique partners threw down a challenge—”Write
a romance, we dare you.” I hemmed and hawed, only to get “We triple dog
dare you.” Sigh, who’s going to turn that down?What is your favorite genre to read?I’m a huge reader, so my taste are wide, but my favorites are
Urban Fantasy and Military influenced romantic suspense.What is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own characters)?Oh, that’s a hard one. I first fell in love with Anita Blake
in Circus of the Damned by Laurell Hamilton, but have since gone on to develop serious
feelings for Mercy Thompson of Patricia Briggs’ series, Kate Daniels from Ilona
Andrew’s series, and Joanne Walker from C.E. Murphy’s Walker Papers series. Of course,
not to leave out the male half of the fiction world, I love to spend quality time
with Harry Dresden from Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. ((wiggles eyebrows))Do you enjoy films and/or TV shows? Which are your favorites?I live in a household swimming in testosterone, so films are
a great way to spend time with my boys—wild explosions, furious car chases, we’re
an action flick family all the way. However, I’m a huge devotee to both the ID channel
and the History Channel. Favorite series right now: The Blacklist. Favorite Movie:
right now the boys and I are waiting for Guardians of the Galaxy, but me and the
other half are looking forward to Sin
City: A Dame To Kill For.What are you working on at the moment, and what are we likely to see from you in the coming months?I’m just about to begin the second book in my upcoming new Paranormal
Romantic Suspense series, which spins together a mixed team of ex-military psychics,
some serious chases, shootouts, and various other mayhem, all while take out the
baddies of the world. The first book in the PSY-IV Teams (think Cypher), Hunted
By The Past, will be coming out August 26th.Right behind that book, will be the fourth book in the Kyn Kronicles,
Shadow’s Curse, which should hit shelves Oct/Nov 2014.Please tell us about your latest book.Without spoilers, Shadow’s Moon follows Xander Cade, the female
Tracker for the Northwest Motoki wolf pack and
her unexpected bond with her alpha, Warrick Vidis. The two have to find their way
as their relationship shifts under them, even as someone is threatening their pack.
If they can’t find their way to work together, more than them will end up paying
a deadly price.Even a wild heart can be broken…A blonde, a brunette and a monster walk into a bar and all hell
breaks loose.It should have been the start of a bad joke, but days from a
full moon Xander Cade, Tracker for the Northwest Motoki Pack, finds nothing funny
about confronting an enraged Shifter in a crowded Portland nightclub filled with unsuspecting humans.
The resulting carnage frays an already thin veil of secrecy shielding the supernatural
Kyn community from public scrutiny, and ensures she can’t escape the one man she’s
been determined to avoid, her Alpha and mate, Warrick Vidis. Dominating, protective
and compelling, Warrick threatens her individuality like no other.As the Northwest Alpha wolf, compromise isn’t in Warrick Vidis’s
vocabulary, but when his reluctant mate, Xander Cade, refuses to leave off the hunt
for a killer, he has no qualms using whoever or whatever necessary to protect her
or his pack. A series of unusual deaths involving lone wolves, along with anonymous
threats against him and his Pack, begin to jeopardize his normal steely control.
Add in Xander’s continual reluctance to fully accept their Soul bond, and the line
between intellect and instinct begins to blur, leaving him wondering if one woman’s
love and acceptance will be enough to save both man and wolf.As the danger escalates, threatening not just their Pack but
those closest to them, Warrick and Xander must find a way to trust each other and
accept their rare bond or risk losing everything-their pack, their friends and each
other.Buy This BookPublisher http://blackopalbooks.com/shop-our-store/blackopalstore/paranormal-romance/shadows-moonAmazon http://amzn.com/B00K8AZZESBarnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-moon-the-kyn-kronicles-book-3-jami-gray/1119462166?ean=2940149437719ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-shadow039smoonthekynkroniclesbook3-1507186-140.htmlKobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/shadow-s-moonSmashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/435674
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/shadows-moon-kyn-kronicles/id875444016?mt=11Author BioJami Gray is the award winning, multi-published author of the
Urban Fantasy series, The Kyn Kronicles, and the Paranormal Romantic Suspense series,
PSY-IV Teams. Her latest release, Shadow’s Moon (5/14) was a Golden Claddaugh Finalist,
and the first in her newest series, Hunted By The Past, hits shelves in August 2014.
She is surrounded by Star Wars obsessed males and a male lab, who masquerades as
a floor rug as she plays with the voices in her head.Author Social MediaWebsite http://www.JamiGray.comGoodreads http://www.goodreads.com/JamiGrayAmazon Author Page http://amzn.com/e/B006HU3HJIFacebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriterGoogle+ https://google.com/+JamiGray
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Curse of Winford Manor @LocGlin #RLFblog #timetravel
The Curse of Winford Manor Genre Historical Paranormal Romance, Time TravelAuthor Loc GlinBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RBlurb
Leslie Braddock feels responsible for her husband’s death. She
is having trouble reentering the dating scene. Leslie travels back in time, where
she meets Sir James.Sir James Winford is a three-time widower. He believes he is
cursed, and is certain death to any woman he loves. He has vowed never to love again.Emily, the ghost of Sir James’s Leslie Braddock feels responsible
for her husband’s death. She is having trouble reentering the dating scene. Leslie
travels back in time, where she meets Sir James.Sir James Winford is a three-time widower. He believes he is
cursed, and is certain death to any woman he loves. He has vowed never to love again.Emily, the ghost of Sir James’s first wife, has unfinished business,
and still lingers at the Manor. She wants to see her husband happy, and she wants
to bring her murderer to justice.Rose has loved Sir James since childhood. She must live with
the unspeakable things she has done trying to make James see her as more than a
child. She believes she is close to achieving that goal when Leslie shows up.Leslie and Sir James share the experience of losing a loved one.
Will Leslie be the woman to break the curse? Or will she be just another victim?Buy This Book
Publisher http://www.bookstrand.com/loc-glinAmazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B008D69BBWBarnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/loc-glinAuthor Social Media
Website http://www.LocGlin.comTwitter https://twitter.com/LocGlinPinterest http://www.pinterest.com/locglin/Amazon Author Page https://www.facebook.com/locglinauthorManicReaders http://www.manicreaders.com/LocGlin/ -
3 Tips for Writing Likeable Characters @VeronicaBale1 #RLFblog #amwriting
A Noble Deception Today’s post is by guest author Veronica Bale.—It there’s one thing you need to know about yourself as a writer,
it’s what you do well. As an author of historical romances, I know I’m good at creating
real, believable characters. I’m not being arrogant by saying that, it’s actually
what my readers say in their reviews of my books:“A warm-blooded historical romance that breathes with the
true humanity of its characters (even the secondary ones).” – A Noble Deception“The H and h are likeable characters that I would enjoy
reading more about.” – Bride of Dunloch“A very engaging presentation and characters you’re compelled
to follow.” – Legend of the Mist.It’s something you hear often about your favourite books: the
characters are likeable; they are real. But what, exactly, makes a character real?
This is unfortunately something that surprisingly few writers (relatively speaking)
understand. And that’s a shame, because creating memorable characters that readers
can identify with is not hard to do.At the risk of giving a leg up to the competition (that’s tongue-in-cheek
of course; I always love to help my fellow writers), I’ll share a trade secret:
the trick to writing real, likeable characters is to spend time on scenes, or parts
of scenes, which do absolutely nothing to further your plot.Please, keep reading this post – I promise, I’m making sense.
You might think it’s counterproductive to waste time on anything that doesn’t further
your plot. And if the sheer volume of books out there that don’t understand this
vital concept attest to anything, it’s that many authors would agree with you. But
nothing could be further from the truth. By allowing your character these non-plot-advancing
sections, in which nothing more than their personalities are front and centre, you
make them real to your readers.Here are three methods you can try to add likeability to your
characters.Silliness
Ever had a tickle-fight? Ever played keep-away? These kinds of
silly moments, especially between your characters, are a great way to show their
real sides. They are fun moments, and don’t do much to enhance your plot. What they
do is enhance the overall quality of your story, though.Take the Disney movie Tangled as an example. The character of
Flynn Ryder is obviously the sexy, smouldering hero we expect of a good fairytale.
But what did you think about the scene where Rapunzel wasn’t falling for his charms,
so he declared it was time to “give her the smoulder?” What did you think
when, after she dropped him on his face, he groaned “You broke my smoulder?”
Didn’t that endear him to you all the more?Admittedly Tangled is a children’s comedy; it’s supposed to have
silly bits like that to make the audience laugh. But apply the logic I’ve given
you to the romance novels you’ve read where the characters fell flat. I’m betting
that silly moments like this were notably absent.This is especially prevalent in historical romance novels. Too
many authors focus only the sombre mood, the tension borne of historical conflict
or the burning lust. But even in a romance novel with tension and strife and desire,
your characters can still indulge in a bit of silliness every now and again.Banter
I just had a bantering argument with my husband about whether
or not soccer is the least skill-oriented sport played professionally. At the end
of the … discussion (putting it mildly) we were no further ahead on the topic than
the last time we argued about it.Everyone banters. What real person doesn’t? So, if you want your
characters to be real, let them banter. Let them argue and snipe at each other over
something that has nothing whatsoever to do with your main storyline. Let them debate
about the most ridiculous of things, and let them rage at how pig-headed and stubborn
they’re each being over something so insignificant. They might end up angry at each
other by the end of your chapter, but your readers will end up loving them because
of it.Mild embarrassment
Have you seen the movie Hitch with Will Smith and Eva Mendez?
Then you’ll probably remember the part where Will Smith’s character, Alex Hitchens,
has an allergic reaction to shellfish. Okay, now I’ll admit that seeing him with
a distorted, swollen face did not do this hottie any favours, but how much more
attractive did this embarrassing event make him overall? No longer the smooth-talking,
suave “Date Doctor,” we saw Alex Hitchens’ real side. And we loved him
for it.Your characters, too, can benefit from times of mild embarrassment
like this. Maybe your hero gets caught belting out some Spice Girls tunes in the
shower. Maybe your leading lady falls into a nearby body of water in her best cocktail
dress. Whatever it is, embarrassing your characters this way warms them to us and
makes them real. Because hey, we’ve all been there.Living, breathing characters are so much more than the things
they need to do and say to advance your plot. Your characters become real when we
see them do and say things that we recognize of ourselves – silly, stupid and embarrassing
things. Allow your characters a few unnecessary scenes where their personalities
can really come through; let your creativity wander in writing those memorable moments.
They serve your plot in no measurable way, but they’ll serve your overall story
beautifully.These aren’t the only ways to show the real sides of your characters
and make them likeable. What other “tricks” can you think of? Weigh in
here at Romance Lives Forever and let us know.Author Bio
Veronica Bale Veronica Bale is a romance novelist, freelance writer and copyeditor.
Her latest book, A
Noble Deception, was released June 1st. She graduated from Toronto’s
York University with a degree
in environmental writing, and she writes Scottish historical romance novels with
strong heroines and cracking-good love stories.Author Social Media
Website: www.veronicabale.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/VeronicaBale1Amazon (A Noble Deception): http://www.amazon.com/Noble-Deception-Douglas-Clan-Book-ebook/dp/B00KPMIT9W/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405700363&sr=8-1&keywords=a+noble+deception -
5 Easy Questions: Jennifer Lynne author of Demon of Envy #RLFblog #EroticRomance
Demon of Envy 5 Easy Questions is an interview is designed to be quick, easy,
and fun. Today’s guest is Jennifer Lynne.5 Easy Questions
This interview is designed to be quick, easy, and fun. Answer
any five of these. Please put your answer on the line below the question.What is your go-to meal
to order when you dine out? Your favorite “I know it will hit the spot”
item.Anything seafood. I have a pretty healthy appetite for anything
savory, and I do eat most things, but I love my seafood. For lunch, maybe a Caesar
salad – but it needs to be a good one, with real anchovies.Who is your “book
boyfriend”? You know, that hottie you read about and drool over.I think it would probably be Eric Northman from Charlaine Harris’s
Sookie Stackhouse series. I was in love with him even before I watched True Blood
– but of course it helps immensely when the actor on whom you have a crush (Alexander
Skarsgård) is actually playing that
part in the TV series!What were you like when
you were in school?I think I’d be described as quiet. I was a huge reader, and loved
English, History and Literature. Hated – and I mean really, really hated! – math,
science and sport. I went on to study Literature at university, and that in turn
led to a career in business writing, and a life-long passion for fiction writing.Would you rather stay
inside and watch snow falling, or get out in it and build a snowman?I’m definitely an indoor girl. I’d much rather stay inside by
the wood burner, laptop or a good book on my lap and a cup of strong, sweet black
coffee by my side. The cats would be purring in front of the fire and the snow would
look so beautiful falling gently outside the window, where someone else could get
cold building a snowman.If you’re on Twitter,
what’s your favorite hashtag to watch?I like to keep an eye on the hashtag #amwriting as it gives me
a peek at what other authors are doing. Writing is such a solitary pursuit. I find
it beneficial to be reminded that there is a legion of writers out there, struggling
just as much as I am to get words down on paper and stories completed.About the Book
Title Demon of EnvyGenre Erotic RomanceAuthor Name Jennifer LynneBook heat level (based on movie ratings): RWhen Olivia lets a sexy god into her life, will his demon Envy
behave, or will it rip her human heart to shreds?Phthonos, Greek god of envy and jealousy, has been given a
second chance at life and love in the mortal realm. The wayward son of the goddess
Aphrodite and brother to the erotes is desperate to make up for the mistakes of
his past. But is Thon more demon than god? And if the demon Envy wins out, how will
this lonely god ever find room in his heart for love?Olivia is an ordinary woman living an ordered life, but at thirty-two
true romance appears to have eluded her. Everywhere she turns people are in relationships
or falling in love, but her career and her charity work are enough to keep the demon
of envy at bay.Until the moment he turns up on her doorstep with a demand that
rips her life and her heart wide open and leaves her at risk of eternal torment.Demon of Envy is the latest in the Gods of Love series about
the Greek gods of desire searching for love in a modern-day world. Each of these
erotic novellas is stand-aloneand can be read in any order.Buy This Book
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KICJYHU/Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/demon-of-envy-jennifer-lynne/1119611692?ean=2940045963152ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-demonofenvy-1521949-149.htmlKobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-au/books/Demon-of-Envy/Author Social Media
Website http://www.jenniferlynne.com.auBlog http://www.jenniferlynne.com.au/blogAmazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Lynne/e/B004VUPGDG/ -
A Long Way from Eden @JanaRichards #RLFblog #contemporary
A Long Way from Eden Cover Love at Romance Lives Forever is a short intro to a
book and includes a cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the
author. Today’s featured book is A Long Way from Eden by Jana Richards.Genre Contemporary romanceBook heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13Blurb
Zane Martin’s teenage daughter is pregnant. Meg Evan’s son is
the baby’s father. Because Zane grew up not knowing who his father was, he’ll be
damned if he’ll let his grandchild live with that shame. Meg was forced into an
abusive marriage because of an unplanned pregnancy, so she knows that love is the
only good reason to marry. Neither Meg nor Zane expects or welcomes the attraction
that sparks between them. As they await the impending birth of their grandchild,
old wounds open and long hidden family secrets come to light. The young couple builds
a newer, stronger relationship, while Meg and Zane reach for a love passionate enough
to overcome the past–if they’re strong enough to trust it…and each other.Buy This Book
Publisher http://www.uncialpress.com/long-way-from-eden.htmlAmazon http://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Eden-ebook/dp/B004I6E80U/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1319556625&sr=1-6Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-long-way-from-eden-jana-richards/1017477351?ean=9781601740571ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-alongwayfromeden-9911-149.htmlUntreed Reads http://store.untreedreads.com/Books/UTR9781601740571?FromPage=search&Search=Jana+Richards&searchcategorytype=undefinedAuthor Social Media
Website http://www.janarichards.comGoodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_RichardsAmazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichardsYou May Also Like
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Writing “Campaign” the novel by E Ayers @ayersbooks #RLFblog #contemporary
Campaign Thanks so much for having me here
today. My newest book Campaign will be live Monday, July 21, 2014. It’s my seventh
River City novel. River City is a fictional mid-sized city in the eastern United States.I love writing the River City
novels because they aren’t exactly a series, although it’s fun to read them in order,
just jump in and try one. The glue that holds them together is the city. Yes, many
of the characters know each other. Some work together, are friends, or are business
associates. So there can be some loose ties between them.In my head, I have some criteria for
River City novels. The couple has to be doing something
to make the city better. It doesn’t matter if they donate to a cause, or actively
participate in some sort of activity/volunteer program, such as coaching soccer.
Plus there has to be something about that story that needs to be told. Something
different that sets it apart.I’m going to say that all the stories
are PG-13. Let’s face it, teens today know more about sex than their grandmothers
did after they were married! That might sound horrifying to some people, but I don’t
think it is. Knowledge is power. It’s also protection!So that said, I’m PG-13. I don’t write
anything too sweet or too hot. I’m right down the middle. I let my characters and
their personalities drive the heat of the story.Writing Campaign was a roller coaster
ride. It’s an emotional story, filled with highs and lows. And just when I thought
I had a grip on it, my heroine, Kathryn “Ryn” Demary would toss another
problem at me, because she wasn’t the average heroine. And Brad Shoemaker might
have fallen in love with her, but he had a career choice at stake.So while the story seems simple enough,
Ryn wasn’t. She’s mute and that is a huge factor throughout the story. Yes, there’s
dialog. She talks with her hands, she uses a computer gadget, and occasionally pen
and paper. That alone created a grammar nightmare. So after spending some time at
one of the local colleges discussing the situation with the grammar gurus, it was
concluded that she signed or she typed was to be treated exactly the same as she
said.The other problem with signing is
that folks who sign don’t exactly use each word and there is no past or future tense.
They sign you go store eggs milk bread I cook food we food. That could mean you
went to the store so I cooked the dinner – let’s eat! Because Ryn can hear, and
once upon a time, had a voice, she might sign in the abbreviated form, but in her
head, she’s saying the whole sentence. I used the whole sentence.The truth is people don’t know what
to do when faced with someone who is disabled. Fear that they can’t communicate,
or that they will do, or say, the wrong thing keeps people at a distance. And that
can be heart breaking for the person with a disability.I hope when people are done reading
Campaign, they will understand a little more about disabilities, and they will see
Ryn as a young woman who is surviving in a vocal world. She loves Brad and wants
to be his wife, but she wants to be more than a silent smile at his side.Campaign Brad and Ryn’s Story A River City
NovelContemporary RomanceBrad Shoemaker was blindsided when he discovered that love could
be silent, and Kathryn “Ryn” Demary is mute. But when Mayor Bruno Giovanni
is forced into early retirement, he chooses Brad to run in his place. Ryn is determined
to campaign at Brad’s side, but instead of being an asset, she just might be his
biggest liability. Ryn finds herself campaigning not just for Brad to become mayor
but also for his love. Politics can get dirty and Ryn’s caught in the middle.Buy This Book
Available soon: Check author’s website for buy links http://ayersbooks.wordpress.com
Author Bio
E. Ayers is a multi-published and Amazon best-selling author
of western and contemporary romances. Her books are never too sweet or too hot.
She writes down the middle. She is proud to be part of the Authors of Main Street,
an elite group of award-winning and best-selling contemporary authors.Giveaway
Anyone who signs up for the Authors of Main Street Newsletter
today or tomorrow will be eligible to win an autographed copy of Campaign in their
choice of Kindle or PDF format. Our newsletter goes out once a month and represents
all the authors on Main Street.Author Social Media
Shared Blog http://authorsofmainstreet.wordpress.comTwitter http://twitter.com/ayersbooksAmazon Author Page http://amzn.com/e/B005AYJ0XEAuthors of Main Street Newsletter http://ow.ly/xel3e
