A Family of Witches

When I first began writing The Witch and the Wolf, it never occurred to me that I might have the start of a series. It was a short story. A paranormal romance about a witch and a werewolf. I wrote it within a week, edited the next week and entered it in a contest a friend of mine suggested I try.  While I didn't win the contest, my story did get the attention of the editors who asked that I re-submit it as a regular submission. Shortly later, they sent me a contract.

During the editing process, I got to thinking about the heroine's sister who played a small role in the story. Their evil uncle was searching for them. Did he catch her, or did she get away? So, I wrote another short story to find out; a sequel called The Witch and the Vampire. That one was really fun! I loved writing it.

That's where I stopped. I was finished with the Merriweather sisters.

Or so I thought...

I moved on to other projects. Mostly novels and short stories that were half-finished. I submitted a few, gathered some rejections and went back to work. All the while, I kept thinking about those Merriweather sisters. They intrigued me. I already knew they were orphans, raised by their aunt and sent to live with their uncle. But what else did I know about them?

The more I thought about them, the more interested I became. What was their family like? Who else had a story to tell? What exactly happened to their parents?

And then, Basil Merriweather was born. Actually, he's the eldest sibling. Lillian and Melora needed an older, responsible brother who would be outraged that their uncle was treating his younger sisters so unfairly. But he's been away from England for a while, so that's why his story is third; The Witch's Thief (release date to-be-announced). Basil's story reveals the rest of the Merriweather siblings, all witches with their own unique magickal skills and all with very interesting stories to tell. The family is a fairly large one, seven in all.

So far....

Vampires & Lattes

I'm participating with several other Vampire Book Realm authors in a chat in the Latte Lounge at Coffee Time Romance. 

 

To best describe what's going on, I'm adding the info that the Realm Keeper has posted on the Facebook event page:

 

This is an all day Eloop chat at The Latte Lounge at Coffee Time Romance featuring the work of Vampire Book Realm Authors. The VBR Authors that will be participating in the event are:

Denyse Bridger- Special Giveaway
Cinsearae S.- Special Giveaway and Mystery Prize
Lisa Kessler- Special Giveaway
Maya DeLeina- Special Giveaway
Aquita Lane
Tamara Monteau
Jodie Pierce
Catherine Green
Jeff Dawson- Special Package Giveaway
Tricia Schneider
Tara Fox Hall- Special Giveaway
Siobhan Muir
Lisa Carlisle- Special Giveaway
J. Annas Walker- Special Giveaway
Amy Mah
Cornelia Amiri- Special Giveaway
Celine Chatillon- Special Giveaway
Suzi M.- Special Giveaway
Janet Breakfield
Katalyn Sage
R.E. Mullins- Special Giveaway
Carole Gill
Tori L Ridgewood- Special Giveaway
Cynthia Arsuaga
Michelle Clay
Dawne Dominique- Special Giveaway
Tammy Dennings Maggy- Special Giveaway

Special Giveaways and Packages Include: Signed Trading Cards, Bookmarks, Print Books, eBooks, Clothing, Posters, Gift Cards, and mystery accessories.

Readers: Join us anytime between 12am and 11:59pm on April 20th to explore all type of genre of Vampire Books. You might just find wonderful gifts for your friends, family and yourself! Many of the VBR Authors will be giving away prizes as well.

VBR Authors: This is an ELoop Chat. You can post your books and links for readers to discover anytime during April 20th. The instruction forms will go out this week to all that RSVP.

Non-VBR Authors: Support your author friends and your love for Vampire Books in every genre from Erotica, Historical, Horror and Young Adult by joining the fun on April 20th.

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=435

I did this once before with these amazing authors and we had such fun! I hope to see you there!!

Coming Soon: The Merriweather Witches Book 3

A few weeks ago I received a call from my Wild Rose Press editor, Callie Lynn Wolfe. She was worried because I wasn't responding to the emails she was sending me (turns out my email program wasn't working properly). I thought it was very kind of her to call (and I admit, I was a little awestruck to actually speak with her on the phone. She's an amazing editor!). Better yet, she had good news to share!

The Wild Rose Press has contracted the third book in The Merriweather Witches!

I'm so excited to finally share this news!

The Witch's Thief is a historical paranormal romance set in Regency era England. This story is about Basil Merriweather. He's the elder brother to the heroines in my first two stories, The Witch and the Wolf and The Witch and the Vampire.  

When I have more to share about this newest release I will let you know. For now, I just wanted to get the word out that despite the lengthy delay in between books, I'm still writing! (Psst....there are more Merriweather's on the way after this one, too!)

April Camp NaNoWriMo

Is it summer already? Not quite. But, that's okay if you're a writer. To my mind, any month is a great time to write. And joining thousands of other writers during a month-long sprint makes a solitary job not so lonely anymore.

Welcome Camp NaNoWriMo!

 

This year camp begins in April. I've been assigned my cabin and I've met my cabin mates. They all seem a decent sort, although two of them are shy and don't chat much. Or maybe they're too busy writing instead of finding ways to procrastinate!

I like to participate in these writing events. It pushes me to write more everyday and I meet many great people, too. It's a bond we share that non-writers just don't understand.

Okay, so the details for those who might not be familiar with NaNoWriMo...

What is Camp NaNoWriMo?

I think it's best explained from their website...

Based on November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Camp NaNoWriMo provides the online support, tracking tools, and hard deadline to help you write the rough draft of your novel in a month… other than November!

Camp NaNoWriMo was established in 2011 as a project of the Office of Letters and Light, the parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit to National Novel Writing Month and the Young Writers Program. 2013 Camp sessions will take place in April and July.

What: Writing a novel from scratch in one month’s time.

Who: You! (And about 20,000 other novelists around the world.) Let’s write some perhaps-awful, but definitely lengthy, prose together.

Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era’s most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from our novels at parties.

When: You can sign up anytime to add your name to the roster. Writing begins at 12:00 AM on April 1, and again on July 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach your word-count goal by 11:59 PM on the last day of the month. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.

Here's another detail I was unaware of this time around at camp...

We can choose our own word count! That's right! You're not obligated to reach 50,000 words to finish a novel. This is great news for short story writer's! I've picked 40k this month. But, I've seen others set their goals from 20k to 60k. From what I understand any goal from 10,000 to 999,999 is acceptable.

So mark your calendars if you missed April's camp (I know I'm late getting this post out, my apologies) and make sure you sign up for July! I'll bring extra chocolate for the smores and we can entertain each other at the campfire telling our fantastic tales.

Review: Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn


Honoria Smythe-Smith is:
A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed "Bug" as a child
C) not in love with her older brother's best friend
D) all of the above

Marcus Holroyd is:
A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) not in love with his best friend's younger sister
D) all of the above

Together they:
A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever and the world's worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love

It's Julia Quinn at her best, so you know the answer is ...
D) all of the above.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Let me just say, I adore Julia Quinn's writing. Simply adore it! I fell completely in love with the Bridgerton family (Romancing Mister Bridgerton was my first introduction to Ms. Quinn and therefore will mostly likely always hold a special place in my heart!), so much so that I was conflicted with a mix of happy/sad feelings when that series ended. Now, however, I'm so pleased to see the Smythe-Smith's have a few stories to tell in this series that is closely linked with the Bridgerton's and takes place during the same timeline.

Marcus's and Honoria's story is filled with the same powerful emotions, snappy wit and dialogue, and laugh-out-loud fun that Ms. Quinn's writing has become famous for. This was a joy to read! Her characters are so well-written, they nestle close to your heart until what makes them happy, makes you happy...what gives them pain, gives you pain. I cried with this one, so I recommend tissues to those sensitive readers. It's a wonderful, powerfully emotional romance that leaves you smiling!

First line:
Marcus Holroyd was always alone.

Smythe-Smith Quartet:
Just Like Heaven (2011)
A Night Like This (2012)
The Sum of All Kisses (2013)

View all my reviews

Review: Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison


Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter--and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now.

Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment--her worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom. But trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and a lowlife ex-boyfriend-turned-thief.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Rachel's in a mess again. Accused of being a black witch, she's been shunned by the Coven. Now she's running and fighting for her life as they try to lobotomize her. I always enjoy reading about Rachel Morgan. Kim Harrison's writing is fast-paced, full of detail and leaves me breathless. I get completely sucked into her world, hating the moments I have to step away to do stuff like eat and sleep. And, predictably, I was hooked from the very first scene of Rachel in Algaliarept's kitchen, learning to twist a curse. Black Magic Sanction also brought back a character I've been longing to see again ever since I was first introduced to Rachel Morgan. Pierce has been a favorite of mine since he was introduced as a ghost in Ms. Harrison's short story, Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel from the anthology Holidays Are Hell. Although he appeared again in White Witch, Black Curse, I was happy to learn more about him and his past in this story. And then there's Al. I have a soft spot in my heart for this deadly demon. Maybe it's his British accent? Whatever it may be, I enjoy the power struggle between Rachel and her demon teacher. And Jenks! My favorite pixie! Oh! Prepare yourself! I try not to give spoilers, but get your tissues ready for this one!

First line:
Tucking my hair back, I squinted at the parchment, trying to form the strange angular letters as smoothly as I could.



View all my reviews

In Memory of My Mother

PattyJean Zimmerman 1958-1989

Today is my mom's birthday. I always write a little about her in tribute on her birthday since she was the most important woman in my life, shaping me to become the person I am today. She was a fanatic reader. I have so many memories of her reading novels while my brother and I played on our living room floor with our toys. She read a lot of Danielle Steel, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. She read Rosemary Rogers and many, many of the romances from the '70s & '80s that are now referred to as bodice rippers. As a kid, I remember teasing her about the half naked men and women on those novel covers.

When I was really young, she read Dr. Seuss books to me (they were my favorite!). As I grew older and learned how to read, I was so proud of my new ability. Mom encouraged me to read to my brother which I did, creating wonderful memories of him following me around with a book in his hand asking me to read to him. I used to make silly faces and goofy sounds to accompany the text and point at the illustrations, imagining them coming to life and what we would do if they did. We would giggle and laugh! Reading was so much fun!

As pleased as I was to read aloud to my brother, I was also a little sad that my cherished reading time with my mom had faded away. She still read to us, both of us sitting contentedly in her lap, just not as often. But, by then, she had her own studies to work on since she had decided to go to college to further her education. During my early school years, I remember the three of us sitting at the kitchen table, all doing our homework together.

Some other things about my mom that I love to remember...

• Her laugh. She had the funniest laugh! It was contagious. And when she thought something was really funny, she'd let out a little snort while she laughed that sent me into giggles. After she passed, I told myself I would never, ever forget her laugh. It's been almost 24 years since she's gone and I still remember her funny laugh.
• She loved to crochet. If she wasn't reading, then she was crotcheting. She crocheted blankets and little outfits for me when I was a baby. I'm thankful to have these treasured items that I've used for my own children.
• One of her favorite movies was Dirty Dancing (wasn't that every woman's favorite in the '80s?). She adored Patrick Swayze! I bet she was one of the first to greet him at the pearly gates when he passed. 
• She was also a writer! A few years after she died, I was going through some things in the attic and I came across a box of notebooks that my dad must have stuffed up there. Some of the notebooks were filled with notes she'd taken during college, but to my surprise I found the beginnings of stories and short outlines of ideas for novels. And what sort of stories were these? Romance stories! Of course! Like mother, like daughter, I guess! I also discovered she was interested in becoming a book reviewer. She had a few short drafts of reviews of the books she'd read. I thought it ironic how I had been writing stories of my own long before I discovered that she had shared the same interest. At the time, it made me miss her even more. I would have loved to talk with her about the craft of writing.
• When she drove her car, she always ended up hitting potholes. My dad used to joke that she must aim for them. 
• My dog, Reva, loved my mom best out of all of us. Reva was her dog. She'd cuddle with her, sleep with her, she was always at her side. It was because of my mom that we got Reva as a puppy since my dad wasn't too crazy about the idea of getting a dog. But, how could he say no to my mother whom he loved more than anything? Home she came and my mom trained her and played with her everyday. My mom also named her. How did she name her? Well, she picked her favorite character from her favorite TV soap opera. Reva Shayne Lewis from The Guiding Light. 
• And speaking of picking names from her favorite soaps, that's how she picked my name! There was a soap opera she watched in the '70s with a woman named Tricia who was pregnant at the same time my mom was pregnant with me. I don't remember what the show was called, but I like the name. Ironically, Tricia is also a form of Patty (my mom), and Patricia (my grandmother). Some people think it was a family-name thing, but nope, it was just a coincidence. When I was pregnant, I joked with my Nana Pat that I should keep the name thing going and name my daughter, Patrice, or my son, Patrick. My husband wasn't so keen on those names and to be honest, neither was I!
• She always wanted to be a teacher. My grandmother tells me when my mom was a kid she'd gather all the kids from the neighborhood and she'd set up a classroom in her house and proceed to 'teach' them. This love of teaching led her to attend Penn State University and Kutztown University where she graduated with honors (I believe she ranked 2nd highest in her class). She went on to substitute teach while searching for a permanent teaching position for about half a year before she was diagnosed with leukemia. Four months later, she died. But she had achieved her dream of becoming a teacher and she touched the lives of many students and faculty.  

Reva and my mom

I'm happy to share these memories with you. Now each of you has a piece of my mom's memory which will keep her living in the hearts of us all. During her life, she became a wonderful friend to many, many people who all keep fond memories of her, as I do. I'm grateful for the time I shared with my mother and for all that I learned from her. I love her and miss her everyday!

Why Reading Romance Novels Makes Women Smarter

Welcome Guest Author Misty Wright!

It might have something to do with women needing some enjoyment in their lives. The thrill of reading romance novels makes their lives more enjoyable and leads them to have a very sharp and intuitive mind. Not only do men connect reading these books to their own lives and become happier, but women do, too; because of this, they become more addicted to reading romance novels. Women become more emotional when reading books, which leads them to become smarter than men in terms of knowing how to have a good relationship.

Romance novels are about things happening in our real world. There is a realistic world within romance novels, and there is much more meaning to understand from these books than just the enjoyment of using the imagination. There are so many couples today who become cold with their partner, but because we now understand the meaning of love, and how women can become smarter, we consider reading romance novels to be part of the strong foundation of a relationship. They are not just women in the world, but they are also part of a man’s life. Because of reading novels, many women become advisors of many organizations, families, communities, couples and teenagers. Only women can understand the way a novel works in their own lives. From these books, they learn that they can escape problems and conquer all challenges. Most of us go through our daily lives on winding road. We fall from so many obstacles in our lives that we become hopeless, but women overcome all of this.

Reading romance novels is the best appetite for every woman to have, because it gives them a new world of hope and excitement. It is just like a challenge for them. Romance novels take every woman into an imaginary world that motivates them to stand firm. We must understand how women love reading novels, because it might be the newest women in the world who needs to be strong, and it is not just like before. Women’s emotions are something we don’t understand, but sometimes it enlightens us regarding how they handle this. Teenagers are mostly fanatic about romance novels and they are so exciting to go inside the world of the book. They have a higher level of enjoyment and happiness.

I find that romance novels work to refresh you emotionally. When you are stressed or tired, reading a novel helps you think about what makes for good relationships. Romance novels are one of the best books to emphasize your womanliness and to influence you to think in a positive manner. Romance novels remind you of a similar character that you will change, and that’s the meaning where you'll find happiness. The absolute meaning of every romance is so different in the real world; it is you who wants to find the exact kind of happiness you desire.

When I started listening to comments from every woman I encounter, I noticed that the ones who read are smarter. They believe that being a smart woman is not about what you feel, but it’s about what you experience and learn from the past. Smart girls don't read romance novels just to have fun; they also read to learn more. Romance novels take women’s excitement into the next level. It builds a strong relationship and gets women ready to mingle. Authors use every line of prose within a romance novel in a unique and sexually exciting way to encourage each woman’s mind to accept any learning and direction. In the same situation, smart girls not only read romance novels, but they also write romance novels. Many women do this to express their feelings. We lead the woman in what they want according to what might be helpful for them.

Misty Wright, the author of this article, is a contemporary suspense romance author and the founder of iVisionaryMedia.com. Misty has a special surprise for you on 03 Jan and 04 Jan 2013 ONLY…

FREE ON KINDLE TWO DAYS ONLY!

JAN 03 & 04, 2012, Misty’s novel :

ASSASSIN’S LOVE

“This is more than just an assassin cum romance novel.

The novel fabricates the assassin story of a young female assassin, Diane who had learned to kill at quite an early age. However, this unfortunate young woman falls for a man and the novel has much adventure, suspense and thrill in store for the young reader.

Diane is an assassin on the run. She's good at what she does--in fact, she's one of the best--but sometimes she wishes her life could be different. Convinced that she will die by the hands of another killer, she has anticipated her eventual demise, but will it be sooner than she thinks?

When a hit is put on her, she isn't sure who wants her dead: the man she loves, the family she pledged her allegiance to, or the many enemies she's made over the years.

Living a life of secrets makes it hard to love, but soon, Diane will have to conquer her fears and find her Mr. Right.

When she finds him, though, her career as a killer threatens to tear them apart.

Will their love bloom, or will the sins of her past come back to haunt her?

Will Diane ever escape from her lifestyle of murder with the man she loves?

Available as a free download from Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Contemporary-Romance-Novel-ebook/dp/B009225EJ4/

Blood Rush Cover Reveal

I'm so excited to reveal the cover for my friend and fellow author Ash Krafton's brand new book! If you haven't read Ash's debut novel, Bleeding Hearts, you still have time to check it out and get caught up with the Demimonde before the sequel hits the shelves in 2013! 

 

Blood Rush

(Demimonde #2)

Sophie doesn’t believe in happily ever after. These days, she’d settle for alive after sunrise.

Advice columnist and newly-appointed oracle to the demivampire, Sophie Galen has more issues than a Cosmo collection: a new mentor with a mean streak, a werewolf stalker she can’t shake, and a relationship with her ex’s family that redefines the term complicated. And then there’s her ex himself, who is more interested in playing leader of the vampire pack than in his own salvation.

Becoming a better oracle is tough enough, but when Sophie encounters a deadly enemy – one she never dreamed of facing – it will take everything she’s ever learned in order to survive.

Ash Krafton

Ash Krafton is a writer of all things spec fic. She believes spectacular endings make the best beginnings… Why not? One billion black holes can’t be wrong. Her first novel BLEEDING HEARTS: Book One of the Demimonde was published in March 2012. The manuscript earned finalist distinction in several Romance Writers of America 2011 competitions and has been awarded several other awards. In addition to novel-length fiction, Ash enjoys writing poetry and short prose, some of which earned big ups by CNW/FFWA in 2008 and 2011 as well as the Abilene Writers Guild in 2010. Ms. Krafton made her publishing debut in Spring 2009 when her poetry appeared in Poe Little Thing; her work has since appeared in several other journals including Niteblade, Ghostlight Magazine, The Skyline Review, and Silver Blade. One of her poems was selected as a Pushcart prize nominee. She’s a Published Member of Pennwriters and is co-editor of her area’s WordPress blog. She also contributes to Query Tracker’s blog. Ash resides with her family in a rural town in the heart of the Pennsylvania anthracite coal region. She’ll never leave, either, because coal is just another example of a spectacular ending waiting for a brilliant beginning. (It’s kinda fitting.) And because, like a black hole, once you’re in… you can never get out..

For more information about Ash and her books:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Goodreads

Also a special thanks to Dark World Books for putting this Cover Reveal book tour together. 

The Vampire Author Chat

Mark your calendars! The Vampire Book Realm authors will be gathering together to chat on November 30th at the Coffee Times Romance's Latte Lounge. An entire day of authors chatting about vampire novels of all genres, writing and other fun stuff. Join us! With the holidays quickly approaching, this is the perfect time to discover a new book to read or buy for a friend.

A list of participating authors: 

---

Tamara Monteau Cynthia Vespia Amy Mah Cinsearae S. Cynthia Arsuaga Catherine Green S.B. Knight Deborah Magnus Suzi M. Aquita Lane Dawne Dominique Keta Diablo Cassandra Pierce Tara Fox Hall Carole Gill Kimberly Adkins Celine Chatillon

Denise Bridger Maya DeLeina Storm Savage Mike Arsuaga Tracey Kitts Lydia Michaels Tricia Schneider Denise K. Rago Gabrielle Bisset Lisa Carlisle Mary Abshire Natalie Hancock Danielle Blanchard Siobhan Muir Alexandra Anthony Robin Badillo Cornelia Amiri