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Addicted to Ahhhhs

One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “What made you start writing books?” I have a standard answer: I always wrote, from childhood on. I was always a storyteller. And one day circumstances were such that I had the time, incentive and energy. . blah, blah, blah.

Oh, it’s the truth. But there’s actually a much deeper, much simpler motivation for why I write. I’m addicted to ahhhhs.heart shape

You know what the ahhhs are, right? It’s that feeling you get when you’re reading a book, particularly (for me) a romance. You hit a certain point in the story, and suddenly, you’re captivated. The male lead does something or says something. . .or there’s a moment between the two love interests. . .or some element of the story just grips you so totally that you’re completely invested in this world, in these characters and you think. . .ahhhhhhh.

I’ve been an addict for a very long time. I’m not sure if it began with Laura and Almanzo in These Happy Golden Years or Scarlett and Rhett in Gone With The Wind or Celia and Luke in Celia Garth. But once I discovered this feeling, like any other addict, I needed that fix. Once a book ended, I was on the prowl for yet another.

Finally, one day, I realized that just reading the stories wasn’t cutting it. I needed something. . .more. Something that was within my control, particularly when it came to timing. I wanted to give the characters lurking within my own mind their ahhhhs. And that’s when I began seriously writing.

My first personally-written ahhhhh moment came during the first chapter I wrote about Tasmyn and Michael. It was the scene of their first kiss, on the beach of a lake in central Florida. I wrote it first, before anything else in Fearless, and it fed the need, at least for a little while:

“Tasmyn, trust me. I won’t hurt you, ever, and if it’s in my power, I won’t let anyone else hurt you either. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. May I kiss you. . .please?”

I was shaking ever so slightly as I nodded my head, barely. A smile spread over his face as he brought his other hand to my neck and gently tilted my head back. His lips brushed mine, and it was so tender and innocent that I felt tears spring to my eyes. 

Of course, pretty soon I needed another fix. And that’s why there are four books in the King Series, and why I went on to write about more ahhhhs.

I was thinking of this last night. I finished a book I’d had mixed feelings about; the storyline was a little iffy, some of the editing and grammar could’ve used work. But I connected with the characters, so I stuck with it. In the end, I enjoyed the book, even though it had some rough areas. Why did I keep reading? Because it had killer ahhhh moments.

Now it’s time for me to get back to my current story. Sometimes my own characters amaze me with the depth of their connection, with the twists and turns. . .and let me tell you, in The Only One, I think there are more ahhhhhhhs than in any of my other books to date. Mason and Rilla are setting the bar high.

What can I say? I just need one more hit. . .yeah, just one. . .

Authors, Readers and Boundaries in this Brave New World

I’m an indie author, and proudly so. I can’t imagine making this journey any other way, because it works for me. It doesn’t mean it’s anyone else’s best choice, but it’s definitely mine.

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That being said, it’s not difficult to see the shifts in the landscape of publishing, both positive and negative. I love being in control of my own career. I can publish as much or as little as I choose. I can have the book covers I want, and I can write the characters and story lines I want. I’m my own boss.

 

Some of the negatives have been slow to develop, but they’re here. I’ve noticed that some readers–none of mine, who are perfect in every way–but some out there have begun to feel that they have the right to dictate to authors what they should and should not write. . .which book should be written before another one. . .which character should live and die.

I’m not sure why exactly this change has come about, but I have a theory. Once upon a time, authors were reclusive creatures. You might write a letter to a favorite author, or you might meet her at a book signing, but there was rarely time or opportunity to share your own take on her plot lines. But here we are in the 21st century, where most authors are on social media, have email addresses available to the public and often post very personal information. Readers feel closer to authors. And in one sense they are; I like my readers very much, and I enjoy what they share with me. As I’ve said before, my readers are perfect. But I see it, and I’ve heard about it.

I like feedback, and I welcome readers’ input. But there is a line. The characters may live out in the book world, but they were born in my head, and that’s where all the magic happens. I’m sorry if some of their actions or decisions aren’t what all readers want, but that’s how it happened, I promise you.

I think the inimitable Nora Roberts captured this perfectly in her recent blog post. It’s called, appropriately enough, Bite Me.

I’m not Nora, I’ll never be Nora, and I would never, ever dare to suggest that I know anything about what she’s experienced. But I see the trend, and not just with the lovely Ms. Roberts. I see it creeping in everywhere.

I’m not unsympathetic. Heck, if you want the full truth, in the course of my reading lifetime, I wanted Bella not to turn into a vampire (or have a baby, but that’s another story), I wanted Dumbledore not to die, I wanted Claire not to leave 18th century Scotland, and I wanted Rhett not to walk out on Scarlett. But I understood that the story wasn’t mine, and I had to accept the decisions of the author.

(Now, when it comes to a TV show, like, say, How I Met Your Mother, all bets are off. The real ending was not what we saw last spring. I’m sure of it.)

The bottom line is that writers have the right to control the destiny of their own characters without influence or harassment from others. It’s one of our job perks. And if you mess around with us, no worries. . .we’ll just write you into the book. And probably kill you off. Horribly.

😉

Notes from the Asylum: Nell Speaks

 

 

Our favorite villain from The King Series is Nell. This conversation took place at the asylum where she was placed at the end of FEARLESS. . .before the beginning of BREATHLESS. Take it away, Nell. 

 

Dr. Cramer: Good morning, Nell. I’m glad you could be with me today.

Nell: Oh, yes. Because I had a choice.

Dr. Cramer: You always have a choice, Nell. Let’s talk about what happened in the woods that day in King.

Nell: Why?

Dr. Cramer: Because it’s the key event that brought you here to our fine facility.

Nell: Fine. But you’re not going to believe me anyway.

Dr. Cramer: Try me.

Nell: Okay. It’s your hour, after all.

Dr. Cramer: So you’d had a run-in with. . .(looks at notes). . .uh, Tasmyn. And you were unhappy with the lack of resolution.

Nell: I was unhappy with the lack of the blood sacrifice I’d planned. Amber was meant to die, to give me the power jolt I needed. To prove to Marica that I was worthy of her time, when she’d started paying too much attention to Tasmyn.

Dr. Cramer: So you say. You planned to murder this other girl? This Amber?

Nell: Murder is such an ugly word. I planned to use her to facilitate the blood sacrifice. Yes, her survival would’ve been. . .doubtful. But it never happened because Michael and Tasmyn came flying in to save the day. And it was a little while after that I begin to suspect what Tasmyn can do.

Dr. Cramer: And just what did you think Tasmyn could do?

Nell: I know what she can do. She can read minds. Or hear them. Whatever. So I gave her a red herring–making her think I was going to hurt her precious boyfriend Michael–and she fell for it.

Dr. Cramer: How did she fall for it, exactly?

Nell: She left school early and was heading to the clearing the forest, but I waylaid her before that. I knocked her on the head outside of school, took her to the clearing, and used her for the ritual. It was going to be perfect, because she had power, where Amber had none. I was going to drink deep from what she had to offer. It was marvelous.

Dr. Cramer: But that didn’t happen, either.

Nell: No, because Michael came to her rescue again, and so did her other two friends. I might’ve overpowered them, too–I had Michael on the ground, with my knife at his throat–but that stupid Cara brought her father, and he. . .he did something. He had some kind of power, something I’d never felt before. Anyway, they got me. And then you got me.

Dr. Cramer: Nell, you don’t seem to have any regrets. No remorse.

Nell: I don’t.

Dr. Cramer: How can you hope to progress if you don’t see what you did was deeply wrong?

Nell: I don’t hope to progress. I hope to get the hell out of this place and go finish what I started.

Dr. Cramer: Nell, this is a very secure facility, and I don’t think there’s any way you could ever–gah! What’s that? Fire! (runs to doorway) Security! (turns back to office) Nell, let me—Nell? Nell! Where’d she go? Security!

Featured Villains-

Bonnie R. Paulson – Maria’s come out to Play

John O’Riley – The Valituras

Pauline Creeden – Villian or AntiHero? Brad Harris from Sanctuary

Tawdra Kandle – Notes from the Asylum: Nell Speaks

Jill Cooper –Morach, Interrupted

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Wednesday #Meme: What I’m Reading Now

It’s Wednesday; do you know what you’re reading?

cover225x225This week, I have the pleasure to read a book that’s not available to the rest of you. <Insert nanny nanny boo boo here.> It’s THIS SPELLS TROUBLE by the ever-talented Olivia Hardin. The book will be out next month. . .but I get a sneak peek. It’s good to be me!

If you haven’t read the previous Lynlee books, check them out here. The story begins with Trolling for Trouble and continues with Tangled Up in Trouble.

Want to see what others are reading? Check it out here at Literary Addicts.

Love Potion No. 11: Heroes Who Don’t Fail. Damsels Who Don’t Distress

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What do you get when you take eleven awesome paranormal authors, toss them into one box set, and turn up the heat?

Why, you get Love Potion No. 11, of course.

This box set contains ELEVEN full-length novels from eleven authors. And right now. . .for a limited time. . .it’s only 99 cents.

Talk about a bang for your buck.

Eleven full length paranormal novels celebrating strong women, sizzling hot heroes, and all the things that go bump in the night. 

Secrets by Liz Schulte: While Olivia Martin observed life through her camera, the Abyss gazed back at her. She discovers mysterious men follow her around, people close to her are dying, and her dreams are no longer her own as she falls head over heels for a perfect stranger. A chance encounter leads to an obsession that could destroy everything she has ever known or loved. Olivia is about to find out there is a lot she doesn’t know and sometimes what you don’t know can kill you.

The Charmer by Autumn Dawn: Jasmine didn’t realize her friend Wiley was special until they were drawn into another world. Here Wiley is betrothed to the ruler of the Haunt, a wererace both dangerous and proud. Keilor is the master of soldiers, a man few would cross, yet he’d never met a menace like the little brunette his princess calls friend. Will Jasmine find the portal home, or will she find a werewolf of her own?

Forever Fae by L.P. Dover: He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect … We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae. According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it. Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself. At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.

Stronger Than Magic by Melinda VanLone: Water can be deadly, in the right hands.  In a world of magic, hidden away from those who have no power, Tarian Xannon commands the natural forces of water, air, and fire. As heir to the Dolphin Throne, her job is to learn what it takes to lead—but she’d much rather forget the heavy weight of responsibility in the waves of the ocean.  When Tarian is brutally attacked, she faces the shocking reality her talent, while strong, is no match for the demon-like creature. This power play for the throne ignites the Succession Ritual, forcing Tarian to make hard choices about the future of her unborn child, House Xannon, and the very fabric of magical society.  As her defenses wane, his attacks grow bolder. All she knows and loves hangs in the balance.  Tarian fights not only to keep the throne she thought she hated, but to accept her true place in the world. Will her power be enough? Or are some things stronger than magic?

Give Me by L.K. Rigel: A Romance Reviews top pick.  All she wanted was a vacation … but Dumnos offered a new life.  Lilith Evergreen has always lived in the California desert, but when she receives an antique ring as a gift, she dreams of a castle by the sea, a magnificent tree at cliff’s edge, and a mysterious woman who calls her to Dumnos, a land of mist and rain.  Cade Bausiney is the future Earl of Dumnos, but at present he just wants to bolster the local economy with a scheme to increase tourism. When he meets Lilith, a tourist from the other side of the world, his attraction to her is overwhelming ~ but are the feelings real or magically induced?

Taming the Wolf by Stephanie Nelson:  Attacked by a wolf while hiking, Anna Avery’s life just got a little hairier. Living in the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming, with a group of werewolves who are more animal than human, Anna must try to hold onto her human side. It’s not easy when the alpha continues to persuade her into his bed, while another wolf is chomping at the bit to become her mate. To top it all off, dead bodies are showing up and it just so happens that Anna was the last to see them alive. She’ll have to work to prove her innocence and taming the wolf who bites first and asks questions never.

Sweet Magic Song by Olivia Hardin: Belle Bittner was sold to the highest bidder when she was just a child, sought for the magic lying dormant in her blood. She grew up as the adopted daughter of a wealthy vampire couple, and serving the child-trafficking Org seemed her only option in life. But Belle has other plans, and she won’t let anyone get in the way of her escape, even if it means betraying those who try to help her.  Desperate to stay free of an evil vampire who means to possess her no matter what, Belle decides she can use the protection of the flirtatious faery named Roon. The two of them flee to the faery realm where Rooney believes he can better protect her. What he doesn’t know is that taking the beautiful siren through the golden door will set off a cataclysm of events that will threaten the fabric of both the human and the faery worlds.  Separating myth from fact to decipher the truth about her powers could mean the destruction of the new life Belle’s trying so hard to build.

Enlightened by Melissa Lummis: Loti Dupree is about to learn that karma’s a bitch. After her husband’s sudden illness and mysterious death, ominous nightmares and psychic attacks have her running for her life—and straight into the arms of a dark and broody vampire called Wolf.  In his world of closely guarded secrets, every answer she uncovers leads to more questions. Sexy distractions teeter between dangerous and too good to quit, while Loti struggles with both losing and finding herself in the arms of this mysterious creature. When the attacks intensify and friends become casualties, she must face the truth whether she wants to or not.  Someone out there will stop at nothing to kill her and only the vampire named Wolf and a destiny she isn’t prepared to embrace stands between her and an early grave.

Undeniable by Tawdra Kandle: For Rafe Brooks, running from a broken heart means losing himself in alcohol and women. Lots of women, none of whom will remember him, since he has the ability to manipulate their minds and make them forget. Numbing the pain works until he meets an irresistible redhead with secrets of her own. She offers him the opportunity to join forces with an organization that will use his powers for good rather than his own amusement.

Jocelyn rocks his world with her unapologetic passion and makes him believe for the first time he just might survive heartbreak.

When a mission takes the two of them undercover to infiltrate a commune with suspicious activity, they discover it’s just the tip of a plot to cause world-wide anarchy. Hiding their extraordinary powers and real identities is crucial to staying alive.For Rafe and Jocelyn, when life is uncertain, love is undeniable.

Hanna, Hanna, One-and-Two by Myndi Shafer:  Twenty-two year old Johanna Cochrin’s world is broken. Eating mists ravage the plains, and wilder-than-most hunt and kill in all but the most protected lands. Sickness shadows the populace, and the minds of men are slipping. And even though there’s something she would do about it, she can’t. She’s a prisoner.  After witnessing her brother’s brutal murder, she’s spent the better part of the last decade in self-imposed silence, hell-bent on taking his secret to the grave. Even if that means living the rest of her life confined in a remote government compound.  But when she is kidnapped from that compound, her silence becomes a liability. Annabel Haier, the ruthless dictator of a fragile government, will stop at nothing to see Johanna back in her clutches and sacrificed to a time-altering Device. If Johanna is to survive, she must learn to trust people she has never met and share the secrets she never meant to share. And if she is to discover her place in the world, she must come to terms with her own mortality – a thing that has the power to save, or condemn her broken world.

Divine Destiny by Joanna Grace: Avery McClain is normal. Or so she thinks.  Until her life is shattered and she is rescued by a Thracian warrior. He takes her to the Haven, a realm of safety for the magical race of Olympians. There she discovers her life was meant for a higher calling as the mate of an Olympian Prince.  Her choice will change everything.  Ryse Castille has one job: convince Avery to step into her role as a Divine Grace. As with any mission, there are obstacles to overcome. Including the fact he is captivated by her. Of all the gifts the gods have given him, romance was not included. But Avery belongs to him and he will stop at nothing to protect her.  The enemy might be closer than they think.  Can Avery find the courage to embrace her destiny? Or will evil separate them for eternity?

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