Alpha vs. Beta romance heroes

By Megan Johns

The stereotypical alpha male thrives as a romance hero, despite (or possibly because of) the progress in society towards more equal relationships.
Alpha males are typically portrayed as wealthy, confident, natural leaders, physically strong, good looking and able to have any female they desire. However, cross them and they can become aggressive, they may be difficult and unreasonably demanding, uncompromising and, of course, unfaithful.
Beta males, on the other hand, although less confident around women and unlikely to become heartthrobs, may make better long-term partners as they tend to be more considerate and respectful. Some commentators argue that betas lack the backbone to confront conflict, yet Roger, the hero in my contemporary romance ‘The Path of Innocence’, is a quiet sensitive type who shows himself to have core strength, whereas his father, an alpha, has some very unattractive traits.

Here they are during a confrontation when Roger shows himself to be far from spineless:
“I shall be returning to London this afternoon,” Roger’s father informed him matter-of-factly. “You may stay here for the rest of the school break if you wish. There should be few distractions to interfere with your studies. Mrs. Mulwell will remain for one more month, until I or your grandmother has appointed another housekeeper.” Brusquely, he pushed a cheque at him, although he didn’t let go. “An allowance. But I expect your commitment to exam success in return.”
Roger eyed the cheque and snatched it from the hand with a dry, ‘thank you’, although the thought of being bought off sickened him. Inwardly bridling, he watched his father gather a bundle of papers and tap them four-square into a neat pile.
“Of course, I would have wished for any son of mine to go to Oxbridge, but as it is…”
Contemptuously, Roger stuffed the cheque into his pocket before his feelings got the better of him, and concentrating hard on maintaining an even tone, he piped up, “Can I ask a question?”
Edward Rolfe did a quick double-take and glanced at his watch.
“What happened to Mother’s personal things?” Roger continued, undeterred. “There doesn’t appear to be one item of her belongings left.”
His father glared irascibly. “What are you talking about, boy? Your mother is dead.”
“Yes, wiped off the edge of the earth without trace, it would appear.”
“I’ve no time for this sort of nonsense.” He slammed down the lid of his briefcase. “Pull yourself together and grow up. And those are my final words.” Clicking the locks into place, he stood up to tower over his son. “If you haven’t got anything constructive to say, you might as well leave.”
“Yes, I’ll go.” Loathing oozed from every pore in Roger’s body and his voice faltered tellingly. “And leave you to get on with your affairs.”
“You have many lessons to learn; not least that business must take priority if you are to succeed.” His father made to brush past him, then he stopped in his track as Roger retorted acidly, “Oh, I didn’t mean business affairs.”
Turning around sharply, Edward Rolfe glowered at his son, but Roger met the menacing stare levelly.
“Just get out of my sight!”
“Yes, I expect you’d like that. I daresay my nuisance value is as tiresome as Mother’s always was. You never cared about her either. You were only interested in your own selfish gratification. And you certainly don’t care about your so-called friends. I wonder what George would think of you if he knew you were bedding his wife?”
Roger watched as his father’s normally inscrutable veneer contorted into an explosion of wrath and, glaring darkly, Edward Rolfe raised a hand, and then slapped it hard across his son’s face.
The force of the impact stung, but ignoring the pain, Roger did not even twitch a muscle and he stared back in defiance, knowing that the bitterness that had festered for so long had, in that instant, turned into pure hatred and there was no going back.

Roger’s father is a powerful businessman with easy authority and sexual magnetism, but he is also selfish and cruel towards his own family, exercising a negative power which is suppressive and weakening and, as the novel progresses, we see the catastrophic consequences of his vindictive actions when things do not go his way.
It may be true that an alpha is more likely to set a woman’s pulse racing from the outset and perhaps fictional aphas do fulfil a fantasy reflecting women’s instinctive, deep-rooted needs which have been suppressed by modern society. Maybe, somewhere deep in our psyche, we all secretly hanker for “bad boys”.
However, for me, true romance is about relationships based on shared experiences, difficulties overcome, tenderness, understanding and respect - in essence, beta qualities.
So which of the two stereotypes makes for the best romance hero?
I would suggest that heroes do not have to be complete alphas or complete betas, but instead they might be amalgamations of all qualities. Perhaps, like us, our heroes are too complex to be pigeonholed.

THE PATH OF INNOCENCE
Format: ebook
5 star review
Length: 270 pages
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: Devine Destinies BUY
Author: MEGAN JOHNS
Read more about Megan at http://www.theromancestudio.com/features/johnstrs0310.htm

Younger Siblings, Falling in Love and Other Life Woes...

I have a younger sister. She’s 2 ½ years younger than I am so I don’t remember much about life before she came along. We have an ongoing joke between us where I declare that my parents were so thrilled with their first little darling that they figured they should have another… then stopped after her for good reason! She counters that I was such a disappointment that they decided they had to try again and when they achieved perfection the second time they stopped.

My parents stay out of it.

It’s all said with great affection. Now. There was a time… about the time she was fourteen and I was sixteen… when we could get upset with the other by breathing the same oxygen. In fact, we fought so badly my mother was convinced we would never speak to each other again after I graduated.

We still tell the story about me driving her to school one morning my senior year. She was being such a brat! It was about five miles and we had been fighting all morning. I told her that if she didn’t shut up I was going to pull over and make her walk the rest of the way. She didn’t shut up. And I carried through on my threat. Her best friend’s brother picked her up about two minutes later and took her the rest of the way to school, but that part of the story never gets told! Just the part about me kicking her out and making her walk. (But you know what? It was worth the grounding I got for it!)

In my latest release, Just Like That, Sam Bradford believes two things make his life difficult—his sisters and the women who fall in love with him. He’s got an older sister who takes over everything and insists she always knows what’s best for everyone else (Jessica, from Just Right—released in March) and a little sister who’s spoiled and protected by everyone, including Sam (Sara, her story is Just My Type, out in September). They definitely give him some headaches—but he loves them. Then there are the women who fall head over heels with just a smile. Which has led him to institute a one-night-only rule to keep things simple.

Then Danika Steffen comes along and makes his life even more complicated. Because he falls in love with her!

It was fun to torment Sam a little. He’s a great, fun-loving, sexy guy who gets away with anything. So it was only fair to give him two sisters! ;)

Do you have any great torturing-your-siblings stories to share? Oh, come on, we know you do!
Erin


Erin Nicholas
www.ErinNicholas.com


Some rules just beg to be broken.

Danika Steffen can take care of herself. Watching her mother slowly succumb to muscular dystrophy convinced Danika that total independence is the only way to go. Anything that needs fixing, she’s got the tools. So what if she’s never had an orgasm. No one really needs one, right?

Sam Bradford is good at two things: his job as a paramedic, and seducing women. Being dependable? Not so much. Losing his father at age fifteen tore a permanent hole in his life, and now he’s determined never to let anyone need him that much. Enjoying women, though, is definitely on the menu. As long as they understand his unbreakable rule: one night only. Until a date with Danika Steffen ends not in her bed, but with a trip to the ER.

Danika may have a broken wrist, but Sam’s the one suffering…an intense case of guilt. And instead of doing things to her, he only wants to do things for her. Which would drive her crazy if not for the sneaking suspicion that Sam needs a little TLC too. And damned if she doesn’t want to be the one to give it…

More here!

Finally I have arrived

My first visit to the TRS blog. I'd like to say there was some reason I haven't blogged here...kidnapped by pirates, frozen into a peoplesicle by an evil spell, or something. Truth is, I just forgot about it. And then, when I remembered, I couldn't figure out how to log in. And then, when I figured out how to log in, I couldn't figure out how to post on it. So now it's all figured out. Except I don't know where or when or how the post will show up. I suppose I'll find out.

So this is as good a time as any to crow.

I have a new book coming out in July from Dreamspinner Press, who are the most wonderful people to work with you can possibly imagine. The book is Counterpoint: Dylan's Story. It's about the passion to create, and about love and loss, and about the courage to love again. It's about a dream that is killed and reborn. I put the first words down twenty-plus years ago!

My other book, The Phoenix, published by Lethe Press in 2009 is still available. There is an older version still being sold on Amazon, but the new one has been revised and is a much smoother read. The new cover is gorgeous, too.

I'm going to post this now and see if it "takes"--like a smallpox innoculation. If it does, by golly, I'll post again about some other new stuff I have now.

Neighborhood Treasures – A bench

Not just any bench but a place where people gather to talk and get to know each other. I first noticed this bench as I walked home one day. A few people I recognized from the neighborhood were standing, sitting or leaning against it. They were talking and laughing. Since I was in a rush I just waved and went on my way. I noticed that over the next few times I passed that various people in the neighborhood were there. The people changed from day to day.

Finally one day when I had a moment I stopped and chatted a bit. It was very enlightening and fun. As I left me and another neighbor that lived close to each other walked home. I asked about the bench and sort of gathering. The neighbor mentioned that as long as she could remember neighbors had gathered by the bench just toe chat with other in the neighborhood. It just sort of happened.

As I went into my home I wondered about that bench that seemed to be a neighborhood cornerstone. A place for you to get to know your neighbors. Or to just take in the neighborhood you love in. It is in my opinion a neighborhood treasure.

Summer has started and I look forward to spending some time on the bench. I also plan on exploring more of my neighborhood. Can’t wait to see what other neighborhood treasures I can find.

McKenna Jeffries
http://www.mckennajeffries.com/

…. sensual, edgy, unexpected

Blog: http://www.mckennajeffries.com/blog

Chat Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/McKennaJeffriesList

Free Reads Site: http://www.satinnotes.com/

Conquering Jazz - What’s a woman to do when she unwittingly makes a tantalizing proposition to her best friend?

Be brazen, bold and set some ground rules.Her offer. One night of carnal bliss. No emotionallowed.

His counter offer. A continued affair to fulfill all their sexual cravings.

His hidden agenda. Conquer to make sure their affair never ends.

Buy here at Liquid Silver Book.

Photo Inspiration

Looking at a picture often helps me think of story ideas. It's impossible to say what picture will inspire me next. Sometimes it's a building, a person or a nature photo.

Several pictures inspired me to write my cat shifter story, Eber's Angel. I looked at lots of leopard pictures, but the one that prompted the very first scene in which the hero and heroine meet was of a rain forest. I could see my Prowleryn peering through the vegetation and stalking the unfamiliar forest as his thoughts focused on the past. He should have been paying attention to his animal senses, but instead he focused on the pain and bitterness in his heart. That's how he got into trouble and that's how the heroine, a wildlife photographer, found him.

I love nature photos and find that they inspire all kinds of writing, from poems and short stories to full length novels.

What photos inspire you?

About Kate Hill

What do trips around the world, endless nights of breathtaking sex, and a muscular, 6-foot 3-inch, brown-haired, blue-eyed significant other have to do with Kate Hill? Absolutely nothing, but she can dream, can't she? In reality Kate is a single, thirty-something vegetarian New Englander who loves writing romantic fantasies.

Currently, she might not be traveling around the world, but Kate has visited Europe and Africa and those beautiful places have been wonderful inspiration for her writing. While working at various times as a clerk, assistant karate instructor, house painter and banker, Kate dreamed of being an author. In 1996 her first short story was accepted for publication and since then she has sold over ninety short stories, novellas and novels.

Kate's stories, The Chieftain's Bride and Vampire Master, have won The Romance Studio's CAPA and in 2002 her vampire novel, The Immaculate, was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award.

When she's not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out, and researching vampires and Viking history. Visit Kate online at http://www.kate-hill.com.

Building a World Within a World

By: Marie Force

When I started work on Fatal Affair, I knew I wanted to write about a female Washington, D.C. police detective named Sam Holland, so the first thing I did was research the Metropolitan Police Department. Whoa! I quickly learned the department is enormous with levels and layers and complexities I couldn’t begin to bring to my story without weighing it down with details the reader would find tedious at best. Being the “seat-of-the-pants” writer that I am, I pressed on with the book as I pondered how to deal with this world-building challenge.

Over the course of the book, a department of my own making began to take shape. There’s a chief, deputy chief, detective captain, detective lieutenant, detectives, patrol officers, a medical examiner, etc. The chief of the real-life MPD is a woman. I would’ve loved to have done that in my books, but I needed the chief in the Fatal Series to be a crony friend of Sam’s dad. Her father, a disabled former deputy chief, plays a big role in this series, so his character helped me to inform and shape the others. Sam’s struggles to contend with being the daughter of a fallen hero while working for men she used to call “Uncle” is a central theme of the series.

I also tried to give each of Sam’s fellow officers context in their relationship with her. The chief was her Uncle Joe when she was a kid. The deputy chief is still a close friend of her father’s, as is the detective captain who serves as Sam’s mentor. Her lieutenant is her nemesis. He believes she’s gotten where she is in the department because of who she is and sets out to cause her all sorts of trouble as the series unfolds. Within Sam’s closest group of coworkers, her partner serves as a kid brother of sorts, while other colleagues fill a variety of roles in her personal and professional life. Over the course of the series, I hope to develop each of these relationships by giving these characters stories that keep them front and center in Sam’s life.

So I created my own version of the Metropolitan Police Department. I note in the acknowledgements that it is a department of my own making and is in no way intended to mirror the real thing. As a reader, how do you feel about world building? Do you look for the world to closely mirror the real thing whenever possible or do you prefer to immerse yourself in the world the author has created and suspend your disbelief during the story?

I’ll give away a copy of Fatal Affair to one respondent today. Thanks so much for having me!

About Fatal Affair:
On the morning of the most important vote of Senator John O’Connor’s career he is late—again. His best friend and chief of staff, Nick Cappuano sets off to O'Connor’s apartment expecting to roust him from bed and hoping he is alone. But what Nick finds is that O’Connor, the handsome, amiable Senator from Virginia, has been brutally murdered, and Nick’s world comes crashing down around him. Complicating the disaster, the detective assigned to the case is none other than Sam Holland, Nick’s one-night stand from six years earlier, the woman who broke his heart and haunts his dreams. With six years worth of unfinished business hanging between them and more than a few scores to settle personally and professionally, Nick and Sam set out to find the senator's killer while trying—and failing—to resist the overwhelming attraction between them that seems to have only grown over the years.

It soon becomes clear that the senator’s past holds secrets that not only led to his death but now endanger Nick and Sam as well. Working together to find a killer and to rediscover the love they thought they lost long ago, they must put the past behind them and build a future that offers a world of new opportunities for both of them—including an offer from the Virginia Democrats for Nick to finish the last year of John’s term.

Watch for Fatal Affair, June 21, 2010 from Carina Press

Marie Force’s first romantic suspense, FATAL AFFAIR, will be out June 21, 2010 from Carina Press. Book 2 in the Fatal Series, FATAL JUSTICE, is coming soon from Carina. She is also the author of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE and LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT. Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist said, “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Wild on Books said, “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!” A third contemporary, EVERYBODY LOVES A HERO, is due out Feb. 1, 2011. Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to the Romance Writers of America. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart, Beau Monde and Published Author Special Interest Chapters. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two children and a feisty dog named Brandy. Find her at www.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909 and on Twitter at twitter.com/MarieForce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

Scientific Support for the HEAs?

I am a hoarder. I buy magazines and just can't seem to get rid of them. I just might need one of the articles to add depth to a character or fact to a plot! Recently. I got around to filing them in boxes. Of course, as I did I browsed through them. And an issue of Phychology Today caught my eye. There were several interesting articles in it, Reinvent Yourself: You Can Change Your Personality; Get Over It: How to Let Go of a Grudge; and The Caveman Diet And Other Natural Cures.

However what caught my interest most was a very short article titled Muse Clues. It was about the findings to an Arizona State University study on what inspired people to be creative.

Was it money? No. Higher status? No. Fame? No. It seems that throughout history all species become more creative when trying to attract a Mate. And Humans are no different. Men became more creative when faced with obtaining a hot date. Why else do you think the early civilizations all portrayed their muses as beautiful women?

And what about women? They, too, became more creative when a mate was the inspiration. But not the one time hot date. Women became more creative when the prize would be a man suitable for a long-term relationship. Someone that would invest in raising a family, being a partner in life.

It also turned out that a real prospective mate need not be the goal. Just the thought of the ideal mate inspired the creativity in the perspective sexes. Therefore it seems Romance with Happily-ever-afters would be more inspirational to women. In romances we can read about the pursuit and achievement of a long term relationship. A Happily Ever After, Yes? At the very least, it's nice for those of us in the business of writing Romance to know that relationships and the pursuit of them continue to be what inspires both writers and readers alike.

May your muse inspire you to pursue creative endeavors *g*
Mari

Pearls of Wisdom - Darcy v. Heathcliff

This is actually a rerun but it aired originally on another channel. I wrote this post for my own blog over a year ago. This week, I was running around like a maniac because my 13-year-old son was performing at his school's high school graduation ceremonies and then celebrating his own junior high grad ceremony the very next day. I totally forgot about my "Pearls of Wisdom" column! So I dug deep and came up with this item. It has nothing and everything to do with writing romance novels. Nothing, because it's not about the business of writing. And everything because if you don't know which kind of girl you are, you'll definitely have trouble creating a believable hero for your story. Enjoy!

A while ago, a friend and I were having a discussion about great heroes of romantic literature. I put forth my long-held theory that ALL romance heroes are one of two types, and that therefore all romance-loving women are one of two types too - either Darcy women or Heathcliff women.

No, I do not have any scientific research to back me up. But I do have a lot of anecdotal evidence. Over the years, I've talked to a lot of women about these two great romantic archetypes and the one thing I keep finding is that most women seem to go one way or the other. I never meet a woman who says, I love Darcy and I love Heathcliff too.

Nope, never happens. Someone inevitably says, Well, I suppose Heathcliff is okay if you like the domineering, manipulative sort, but oh, that Mr. Darcy! Or they might say: Darcy? That old stick in the mud? Give me a real man of feeling like Heathcliff any day!

To me, the reason is obvious. Heathcliff and Darcy are complete opposites. One is bitter and brooding and dangerously obessed with his woman; the other is aloof and unemotional but steadfastly faithful to his.


I think there's an underlying suspicion that Heathcliff will be the more passionate lover of the two, but personally, I doubt that. I think Heathcliff would probably be a real wham, bam, thank-you-ma'am type, to be honest. Because he's all about what he wants. And if he can't have Catherine, then he'll destroy anyone and everything in order to exact his revenge. In a way, it's flattering to know a guy wants you that much, I suppose. But I think it plays way better in a book than it does in real life. I've never been the victim of such obsessive devotion, and I hope I never am. I've had a few friends who lived with that kind of passion - mostly it just ended very badly, with lots of bruises and black eyes.

In some cases, age probably affects which hero you find more attractive. All that burning intensity in Heathcliff looks real exciting when you're very young. But after he's given you the third-degree for just speaking to another man a few times, that attitude can lose its appeal.

And that's when you start to see the merits of that old stick in the mud, Mr. Darcy. There's a lot to be said for that slightly snobby, aloof guy who doesn't fall all over you but shows up when your whole world is falling apart and bails you out of the mess. Then tells you to think nothing of it. Heathcliff wants to possess you; Darcy wants to take care of you.



And now I guess you can tell from my analysis which camp I belong to! So what about you? Are you a Darcy girl or a Heathcliff devotee?

Uno… memories of the game

From the first time I saw it was intrigued. My first Uno game was when I was a kid. It was a Christmas gift and one that I to this day feel was the best gift ever. When I opened the deck, read the directions, explained to my family and then all my family present at Christmas sat down to play it was magical. It was fun, loud and exciting. When I won my first game and shouted “Uno” I was hooked. After that we played often. There was laughter, fun and teasing. I took my Uno game wherever I could and played with whoever was willing.

As the years went on I still played but not as often. In college I bought a new Uno deck so I could have some fun on those nights I had night duty as a RA for my college. And I found others who loved the game. During my night duty I would put out the word that an Uno game was on. People would come and we would have some cut throat games. Some with as high as 20 people with others waiting to take the place of the losers. It was a fun rotation of people to match Uno wit’s with. It was a great time. I even bought an Uno handheld game so I could play wherever I went.

But atlas time passed and I lost track of my Uno. At least until the last year or so. I noticed in the café at the day job there was a set of people playing Uno and my love of the Uno started to come back. Each time I passed the Uno players in the café I watched as they played and longed to join them. I didn’t but my Uno love continued to grow. Finally I asked to take part in a game and was accepted in. When I won my first game and shouted “Uno” it brought back memories of that first game. I was hooked all over again. Ahh Uno brought back so many memories or time spent with family and friends.

And since I love gadgets I am now in search of an Uno handheld game (grin). I love me some Uno. Now loud and clear. Come on and shout it with me “Uno”.

Taige Crenshaw
http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/

…increasing the sizzle factor

Blog: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog

Chat Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crenshawcafe

Newsletter: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/newsletterandgroups.shtml

Free Reads Site: http://www.satinnotes.com/

Wilde Seduction - What happens when a woman who doesn’t know how to relax meets a man whose lust for life will change her and make all her deepest desires come to life?


Buy here at Total-E-Bound.

THAT FIRST MEETING - COULD IT BE LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

Love can come in many forms. It can hit you straight between the eyes, and you fall instantly in love, or it can be a slower process.

Cue light romantic music playing in the background.

I first met my husband twenty-seven years ago. I don't think it was love at first sight, but there was something going on. I remember the night in question as though it was yesterday, when he spilt his beer all down my clothes, and said, "Don't worry, it's only an old coat."

Eh?

Did you hear that pleasant music grind to a screeching halt?

Now, I can almost hear you ask, why did you even consider him as a potential lover? Well, I suppose I've always had a soft spot for the devil may care rogue, with the delicious cheeky smile.

So if you're on a date, or at a party and things go disastrously wrong, don't worry. You may have just found Mr Right!

I'll give you a couple of excerpts from my latest novels, 'The Return' and 'Love Lessons with the Texas Billionaire'. Both the scenes are when the couples first meet, and it gives you an inkling of what is to come.

Excerpt from 'The Return', when Marielle and Robert meet for the first time.

I remember the day we met as though yesterday.” She smiled. “I think you were twenty-two. I was just sixteen, when my little dog, Muffin, ran out in front of you as you rode past on your motorbike.” She giggled with delight at the thought.

He laughed. “I’m afraid I let my temper show. The little blighter made me fall off right in front of you. My ego suffered a terrible knock. Did you know it took me a whole month before I had plucked up enough courage to ask you out?” His eyes crinkled at the corners.

Marielle could remember the scene with great clarity. Robert hung half on the bike half off it, as he tried to keep it upright, expletives coming fast and furious from inside his helmet. When he had taken it off, she had immediately fallen in love. He had always been good looking.

Okay, so when we meet, it's not always perfect, but who cares.

Along with a beautiful cover designed by Jinger Heaston we have an excerpt from 'Love Lessons with the Texas Billionaire', when Eva and Jack meet for the first time.

At least she had done her research the night before. Matt Collins, CEO of Oil Enterprises, sat to the left, Jack McClaine of McClaine Industries in the centre, and David Archibald-Watts for Energy Pipeline Inc., to the right. There was a heated discussion as a fellow journalist debated an answer he’d just been given.

Eva sensed several pairs of eyes watch as she squeezed, breathless, into a sumptuous red velvet chair at the back of the room. She noticed one of the chairpersons, Jack McClaine, give her a dismissive glance. He obviously didn’t like interruptions. His mouth compressed as he reached out and poured water into a glass, his eyes locked on her.

“Mathew Douglas, CRB TV.” The slim, young journalist in front of Eva raised his hand and then asked his question. “What the world needs to know is how you can keep the supply of energy constant. We’ve already had Russia switch off gas supplies in Europe.”

Jack McClaine took a sip of water and answered, “As already stated, Russia turned the gas supply off themselves. A man-made occurrence cannot be anticipated.” He looked around. “Any more questions?”

Eva raised her hand, and he nodded for her to speak. “Eva St. John, New Dawn magazine. How safe is the pipeline infrastructure from terrorist attack?”

Jack McClaine spoke in his native Texan drawl. His gaze sought hers. A piercing stare focused on her face. “Well, now, Miss Eva St. John. If you hadn’t got tangled in the bedsheets this morning, you would have heard that, for obvious reasons, that topic is strictly off-limits.”

A bubble of laughter erupted in the room. A few people turned to look at her, their eyes watching as she squirmed in her seat. She felt about two inches tall. Damn the man, and damn that cheap alarm clock. Surely his remarks about bedsheets were rather impudent?

Ha, ha, Eva has never met anyone quite like Jack McClaine, but I know she is ready for the challenge.

Thank you for taking the time to read my excerpts. If you would like to know more about my books you can click HERE or HERE

The Rhythm Of Writing

There are very few writers who don't write to music. Some write to classical. Some write to rock. Some write to country. Writing and music go together. Why? Because words have a rhythm. They have to flow. We often read our stories out loud to ensure that they do. A great piece of writing is musical. It isn't a constant drone or steady hum. It has peaks and troughs exactly like music.

The type of music I listen to while writing changes with the story. Invisible was raw and angry and full of angst. I listened to Billy Talent, Green Day, The Ramones, and even some Nine Inch Nails. That music not only put me in the right mindset but it drove the rhythm. Many readers claim it is a fast read. That's due to the underlining rhythm.

Selling Forever was a very different piece of writing. It is a sweet romance written for my sweet mom. I slowed the pace down. The music I listened to reflected that. Country was my choice. Artists included Josh Turner, Randy Travis and Alabama.

I'm currently working on a submission for Harlequin (working on is used loosely because my idea is NOT currently working). When I was reading examples of the line I was targeting, I automatically put it to music. Every story in the same line could be read to the same soundtrack. That isn't a coincidence. That's what the acquiring editors are looking for.

Do you write to music? Do you read to music?



$

Every month, Kimber Chin gives away her fave romance eBook read the month before. For more details, go to http://businessromance.com/ .

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!
By
N. J. Walters

The days are starting to heat up and winter is but a memory. The flannel sheets and blankets have been washed and stored away and the winter coats and boots have been shoved to the back of the closet. The kids will soon be finished school for another year and our thoughts turn to those long, hot days of summer.

What kinds of things do you like to do during the warm months? I like to get outside as much as possible. Living in a colder climate you learn to take advantage of every warm, sunny day. I’ll take long walks around the pond or on the beach with my hubby. There will be leisurely meals at outdoor cafés, picnics, long drives, and family get-togethers. Afternoons filled with baseball games, burgers and beer.

But there is still work to do and I will keep writing. I’ll also take the time to curl up and read some great books. Is there anything better to do on a rainy summer afternoon? Okay, don’t answer that. Naps are good too. Yeah, naps. :-)

When I stopped to think about it, I noticed that many of my books take place during fall and winter. Perhaps it’s because those are the times of year when I write the most. However, there are a few that take place during the steamy days of summer.

Heat Wave is the first one that springs to mind. When a blackout traps Emma Howard and Tucker Martin in an elevator, it’s not just the heat wave that’s making Emma feel hot. Let’s just say that Emma and Tucker need a lot of ice to cool them down.

Tempting Tori is a steamy story that takes place during one hot, summer Texas afternoon!

Then there’s Erin's Fancy. “Seven Sex Positions That Will Drive You Both Wild! ” Deciding that she needs a sex life, Erin Connors studies this magazine article to learn how to seduce a man, specifically Abel Garrett, who has unexpectedly returned home for the summer. After all, what red-blooded male doesn’t want a no-strings, hot summer affair? As always, life is a bit more complicated than that…for both of them.

And last, but not least is Jackson's Jewel. The last thing Jackson Connors wants is a housekeeper. He likes his life just as it is—solitary and uncomplicated. Emerald Jewel is a New York designer with a stalker on her trail. She needs a place to hide out and Jackson’s farm is the perfect solution to her problem. The last thing she wants is to be attracted to her sexy new boss. As the summer days and nights heat up, so does their relationship. As the threat around her escalates, she must face leaving Jackson to draw the danger away from the man she’s coming to love.

You’ve got to love summer. Long, lazy days, iced tea, ice cream, the beach, flowers, the scent of fresh cut grass… The list is endless. So enjoy the next few months. Before you know it the winds of autumn will be chilling our skin. And make sure you take some time to relax and curl up with a good book. You’ll be glad you did.

What are some of your favorite "summer" books?

N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Check out all my books at http://www.njwalters.com
http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/ (newsletter group)

What It Takes

What It Takes

I feel official now. Last fall I began a low residency MFA course at Spalding University. I want to write professionally and have been dabbling for sometime with my stories often frustrated because I never studied writing other than the basic college English courses required as part of my Business degrees.

I’m beginning my second semester and in the past six months, my writing life changed dramatically. The tools are there now and I’m learning to use them skillfully and bit by bit I see the differences in what I produce, professional and polished pieces unfolding in front of me.

There are all kinds of men and women out there who write, some with formal educations in writing, some self taught. Some are excellent writers, some are born with remarkable story telling skills, others like me waffle and end up being mundane, making it by with a half decent book now and then. I decided I wanted more.

So for those who have the passion and the drive and who don’t have a formal education in writing (mine was in business) I highly encourage and recommend an MFA program. The time and money invested is substantial but the pay back is becoming a better and more well rounded writer, one who feels comfortable with the craft. Now isn’t that what we all aspire to be?

Best Regards,

Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com

Linda is the author of The Wine Seekers, Stepping Through Seagrass and The Olive Branch A Tale of Resistance. She is working on a two other novels and a short story collection as part of her work in the MFA program at Spalding University.

A New Release

by Janet Quinn

Sam’s story, Freedom’s Treasure, is due out in a few days. I spent the Memorial Day weekend reading the galley so it could go to press. I didn’t find very many mistakes, but I always have the urge to rewrite parts. That is so not allowed. By Monday evening, I had eyestrain.

Launching a new book is always exciting, but there is always so much to do. Ads need to be placed. People need to be notified. I want the whole world to know the book is available. That will be this weekend’s job.

Also, I will be having a contest to launch Freedom’s Treasure, a historical romance. I will be giving away prizes that include two short stories. One is about Sam and the other about Jubilee before they met. Sam’s is done. Jubilee’s – not so much. I will be writing like crazy on that one. Enter the contest and win the stories to learn something about their past lives. The contest will be at www.janet-quinn.com.

Once all of this is done, I am off to the next project. I really have to get writing. I just haven’t gotten as much done this year as I wanted because of my back and the pain.

But, Pax is about to be born. He is a New York City detective who is about to be whisked away to a parallel universe by a wicked wizard. There he meets his counterpart. However, she does not carry a gun, but uses magic to catch the bad guys.

Winner of the Birthday contest

Is Stella Ex Libris. Congrats! email me at stella@stellaandaudra.com and I'll send you the e copy.

I had a blast at BaltiCon, and am getting ready (already!) for ConTEXT (august) and AAD (Sept.) and Im hip deep in edits for Tease and TEB. So you will be getting two new books from us soon, infact, June 15th we will be putting out a short from our Keepers of Twilight series. Its called Astoroth: Her Last Sin and is about a woman living her last days on earth. Shes almost finished with her bucket list and the last thing on it is "Flirt with a Fallen Angel" and boy, does she get more then mere flirting when she meets Astor in a club in Las Vegas.

And the story is going to be 99 cents! So be on the look out!

Now I'm back to edits! Have a great week everyone!