• Contemporary

    Kristy Tate: 6 Things I Learned In 16 Years @kristyswords #RLFblog #amwriting

    Rescuing Rita 

    Originally, it took me three years to write all 102,409 words
    of my novel The Rhyme’s Library. Most of those were stupid words. The story has
    since had a major haircut and is now a trim 80 thousand and something novel, but
    it’s still more verbose than it needs to be. I’m not saying that in the last sixteen
    years I’ve gone from stupidity to witty cleverness. Not at all. I’m still learning,
    and I’ve learned a few things and I want to share.

    1. Use Grammarly—the best online editing program I’ve found,
    so much more than a spell check.
    Here’s an excerpt of my novella, Rescuing Rita, before Grammarly
    Applause thundered through the hall, and Rita and swept into
    a deep bow. The lights flickered as she made her departure, heading for the sanctuary
    of her dressing room.
    “Brilliant show tonight, Miss Ryan,” called a boy carrying
    a food tray as they passed in the dimly lit hall.
    “Thank you, Charlie. Can you be a love and bring me a pot
    of tea?”
    “Sure thing. Sad this being your last show and all. I know
    everyone will miss you.”
    Rita flashed her smile and fought back a wave of fatigue and
    loneliness. “And I will miss all of you,” she said, knowing there was
    one she missed more than all the others.
    She blinked back the tears to which she had grown so accustomed;
    they returned every time she thought of Christian. She ached, wishing that Christian
    could be as predictable and ever-present as her tears. This wasn’t how the story
    was supposed to end. She wasn’t supposed to go to Europe by herself.
    If only their last words had been more loving. Because she did
    love him; she knew that now. And yet in cruel spite of his absence, her love for
    his memory seemed only to grow rather than diminish. She sighed and pushed into
    her dressing room.
    The Rhyme’s Library
    Her clothes lay scattered around the room, vying for a space
    in the large steamer trunk she would take to Paris. Flowers in vases crowded the
    dressing table and perfumed the air. She dropped her cape to the floor and slipped
    off her shoes.
    All of her dreams had been realized. Yet she had learned weeks,
    if not months, earlier that dreams are hollow and meaningless without someone to
    share them. She would rather be riding in box car and sleeping on loose straw with
    Christian than boarding a steamer ship and sailing first class to Europe alone.
    AFTER GRAMMARLY
    Applause thundered through the hall, and Rita and swept into
    a deep bow. The lights flickered as she made her departure and headed for the sanctuary
    of her dressing room.
    “Brilliant show tonight, Miss Ryan,” called a boy carrying
    a food tray as they passed in the dimly lit hall.
    “Thank you, Charlie. Can you be a love and bring me a pot
    of tea?”
    “Sure thing. Sad this being your last show and all. I know
    everyone will miss you.”
    Rita flashed her smile and fought a wave of fatigue and loneliness.
    “And I will miss all of you,” she said, knowing there was one she missed
    more than all the others.
    She blinked back the tears to which she had grown so accustomed;
    they returned every time she thought of Christian. She ached, wishing that Christian
    could be as predictable and ever-present as her tears. This wasn’t how the story
    was supposed to end. She wasn’t supposed to go to Europe by herself.
    If only their last words had been more loving. Because she did
    love him; she knew that now. Yet in cruel spite of his absence, her love for his
    memory seemed only to grow rather than diminish. She sighed and pushed into her
    dressing room.
    Her clothes lay scattered around the room, vying for a space
    in the large steamer trunk she would take to Paris. Flowers in vases crowded the
    dressing table and perfumed the air. She dropped her cape to the floor and slipped
    off her shoes.
    All of her dreams had been realized. Yet she had learned weeks,
    if not months, earlier that dreams are hollow and meaningless without someone to
    share them. She would rather ride in a box car and sleep on loose straw with Christian
    than boarding a steamer ship and sailing first class to Europe alone.
    2. Use wordle. Don’t know what wordle is? It’s a website that
    creates word clouds out of any document—the more frequent the word usage, the bigger
    it appears in the cloud. This is an easy way to find your pet words. One of mine
    happens to be “look.” He looked, she looked, everybody looked. Try it
    out at www.wordle.net/
    3. Don’t use words you don’t typically use in conversation. I
    actually stopped reading Elizabeth Peters’ novels because her frequent use of the
    word orb bothered me. Some words shouldn’t be used more than once and some not at
    all. Same with phrases. I read a friend’s novel where the lovers kept melting into
    each other. I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds messy and really shouldn’t
    happen very often. If at all.
    4. Watch out for passive sentences. The Rhyme’s Library is riddled
    with them. Example: the word COULD. Claris COULD hear a soft voice in the background—versus–Claris
    heard a soft voice in the background. Another example: the word FELT. Claris ran
    a finger along Alec’s glass of soda, and FELT the cold condensation wet her finger
    tips. Better– Claris ran a finger along Alec’s soda glass–the cold condensation
    wet her finger tips. Example: the word WAS. The trip to the morgue WAS a trip she
    COULD make alone–OR–She’d go to the morgue alone.
    5. Evaluate criticism objectively. Since writing The Rhyme’s
    Library, I’ve been told the same thing by two industry professionals—my plots are
    too complicated. The first to tell me this was an editor for a small romance publishing
    company; the second was a reviewer for Publisher’s Weekly—the review was part of
    the “prize” for my placement in the Amazon Novel Breakthrough whatever.
    I live by the standard that I can swallow one critique with a sugar cube, but if
    someone else independently tells me the same thing I should probably take note.
    So, I’m reading my old manuscript and wondering–is this too complicated? Can I
    be less convoluted? Another thing I’ve been told by more than one writerly person
    is my work is “very British.” Can you believe that two people who don’t
    know each other would actually use the words “very British?” I don’t even
    know what that means. Or what to do with it. Which brings me to number 6.
    6. Love your work. It may have wrinkles, fat rolls, and zits,
    but ultimately, it is your story. It’s your baby. Love it enough to cut away its
    rough edges. Coax it into simplicity. Shave off unsightly adverbs. Love it enough
    to leave it in a sixteen year time out. And if someone tells you your baby is very
    British tell them thank you very much and offer them a cuppa tea.

    About the Author

    Kristy is the mom of six incredibly brilliant and beautiful children,
    and the author of several novels. Although many of her novels have won awards and
    have ranked on Amazon’s top 100 list, Kristy has yet to realize her lifelong dream
    of owning a Schnauzer farm. Kristy studied English literature at Brigham Young University
    and at BYU’s International Center in London.
    For updates on Kristy’s upcoming novels, please visit her blog
    at:kristystories.blogspot.com

    Author Social Media

  • Contemporary

    5 Easy Questions: Cass Peterson One Night in San Francisco @casspeterson1 #RLFblog #erotic

    One Night in San Francisco 
    5 Easy Questions is an interview is designed to be quick, easy,
    and fun. Today’s guest is Cass Peterson.
    What is your go-to meal to order when you dine out? Your favorite
    “I know it will hit the spot” item.
    I try so hard to break away from this, but whenever I think a
    steak will be cooked properly, tender and very rare I have to go for that one. I
    know it’s boring, but a perfect steak with chunky home-cut chips and a salad is
    just miraculous. And a bottle of good red wine too; steak’s naked without it. Oh,
    and some French mustard on the side.
    Would you rather stay inside and watch snow falling, or get
    out in it and build a snowman?
    I’d be out there, wrapped up and getting soaking wet. Snow is
    my absolute favourite weather to play in.
    What is your favorite quote?
    What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
    If the hero of your latest book called you on the phone, what
    would be a perfect ringtone for him?
    Blur – Tender is the Night. A creature of the night, throbbing
    and sensual, that’s Liam.

    About the Book

    Title One Night in San Francisco
    Genre Erotic romance
    Author Name Cass Peterson
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Blurb Nicky and Liam have only twenty four short hours to find
    out if their instantaneous attraction can develop into something more than an electric
    mile-high fumble. San Francisco has everything they need to put their previous disastrous
    relationships behind them but when they lose touch with each other almost immediately,
    fate seems to have other ideas. As the precious hours tick away, Liam moves heaven
    and earth to find the woman of his (filthiest) dreams before she leaves the city.
    Will he get to her in time?

    Buy This Book

    Tirgearr Publishing
    No links yet, but they will be here when the book is released:
    http://casspeterson.co.uk/books/city-nights-one-night-in-san-francisco/

    Author Social Media

    Website http://casspeterson.co.uk
    Blog http://casspeterson.co.uk

    Amazon
    Author Page http://www.amazon.com/Cass-Peterson/e/B00E39TNNY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_7

  • Contemporary

    Publisher Week: Day 6 Alternate Realities @BoroughsPubGrp #RLFblog #Fantasy

    This is Day 6 of Publisher Week featuring Boroughs Publishing Group. Romance Lives Forever has been showcasing this publisher and its authors.

    Publisher’s Week – Boroughs Publishing Group
    Yesterday we visited with those yummy shape-shifting weres of the Red Ridge Pack. Today we take a journey into fantasy, where, in new worlds and alternate realities, everything is at risk for the ultimate prize – true love.

    Awake

    After losing her family to a tornado, the only thing that can help guilt-ridden Eve Cleary find peace is a nightmare come to life: a dangerous incubus whose masterful caresses have the power to grant her deepest desires.

    The Pirate Princess

    For a pirate, nothing is forbidden…except love. To gain her freedom, Charlee must seduce
    the prince. To save the pirate, Prince Petra must win her heart.

    The Devil and Lillian Holmes

    At the cusp of the twentieth century, an heiress-turned-vampire and her maker seek her stolen daughter and find themselves caught up in a world of darkness, danger, and mystery.

    ————————–
    We cherish the wonderful creative minds that built these new worlds, brought determined tangible characters to life and drew us in to a universe we wanted to stay in for a very long time.
    Tomorrow, on our last day during our Publisher’s Week with Romance Lives Forever – thank you, Kayelle – we’re going to tug on your heartstrings.

    Submissions

    Are you an author? Fantastic. We adore authors. We’re seeking submissions from writers who can deliver the emotional punch readers crave. Space cowboys, gargoyles, the hunk next-door and crusty cops welcome. Boroughs Publishing Group will not limit your imagination; we encourage creative freedom. Stick to the tropes of the genre or push the envelope, as long as you’re providing well written incredible story-telling we’re game. Read more: http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/submit

    Publisher Social Media

  • Contemporary

    Caught On Camera by Destiny Blaine @DestinyBlaine #RLFblog #contemporary

    Caught On Camera 
    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 Caught On Camera by Destiny Blaine.
    Published by Siren-Bookstrand
    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    Caught On Camera is Love at First Sight, Book One—A series of
    Love At First Sight romances, all of which stand alone.
    Bailey Chapman isn’t looking for love but when Nick Palmani shows
    up at a bonfire and starts pursuing her, she notices. Soon, the two are grinding
    out their passionate fantasies. Unbeknownst to the couple, the entire episode is
    caught on camera.
    Nick Palmani knows Bailey possesses that special spark, but when
    he discovers Bailey’s father owns the farm where he’ll soon work, things are complicated.
    After a night of passion is caught on camera and the entire groping session goes
    viral, he isn’t too certain of his job security. He’s more concerned about Bailey
    and how her life will soon spin out of control.
    Fearing Bailey will do whatever necessary to pacify her family
    and avoid unattractive labels, Nick whisks her away to an undisclosed location.
    Soon, secrets are revealed in front of an interested public and Bailey and Nick
    must decide if they can move forward together or find a way to leave their explosive
    past behind.

    Buy This Book

    Author Bio

    Destiny Blaine is one pseudonym for the award-winning international
    bestseller Susan Smith Alvis. Destiny writes in most subgenres with a mix of intimate
    pairings. Her upcoming title, Rendition, will be released soon from Siren-Bookstrand.
    A career writer for over a decade, Destiny and her husband live
    in East Tennessee with their four pampered pets.

    Author Social Media

    Website www.destinyblaine.com

  • Contemporary

    Kidnapped Bride by Heather Hiestand @heatherhiestand #RLFblog #historical

    Kidnapped Bride  
    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 The Kidnapped Bride.
    Genre historical romance
    Author Name Heather Hiestand
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Pursuing this elusive heiress will be the ultimate temptation…
    Lady Elizabeth Shield is used to saving herself from trouble.
    And even if dashing private inquiry agent Dougal Alexander just rescued her from
    white slavers, she’s definitely not returning to her stifling aristocratic life
    and unsuitable suitors. Not when there are other women in danger—and a secret promise
    to keep in Edinburgh. But outwitting Dougal’s tactics to return her to London and
    her family will be easier than staying away from his intoxicating kisses…
    He’s a baron’s second son accustomed to making his own way and
    uncovering the truth. Now Dougal must keep Lady Elizabeth close for her own protection,
    but her spirited wiles are proving scandalously irresistible. His most difficult
    case yet will be showing her that he’s everything she truly desires—and that love
    is the greatest of adventures…
    “Before I realized it, the unusually strong and well-developed
    characters of The Kidnapped Bride had sneaked up on me and captured my full attention.
    This is one of the best shorter books I have ever read.” –Delle Jacobs, author
    of Lady Wicked

    Buy This Book

    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-kidnapped-bride-heather-hiestand/1119105213?ean=9781601832603

    Author Social Media

  • Contemporary

    Cover Love: Homecoming by Te Russ @TeRussNovels #RLFblog #contemporary

    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 Homecoming by Te Russ.
    Troy Hartford has finally returned to his small hometown in Texas,
    and the first person he runs into is Veronica Baker. He’s amazed at the beautiful
    woman she’s become.
    Veronica has been living her mundane life, making sure her father’s
    business continues to thrive. She doesn’t even realize that she’s not truly living
    until Troy shows up.
    Neither of them can forget the one kiss they shared over a decade
    ago when they were teenagers, and seeing each other now has stirred up an attraction
    neither of them can deny.

    Buy This Book

    Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Homecoming-Coalton-Texas-Novellas-Book-ebook/dp/B00MABC1TK/
    s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409098763&sr=1-5
    Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/homecoming-80

    Author Social Media