I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions as I resolve to work on myself daily. Over the Christmas holidays, I was triggered emotionally to see how I had held onto a harsh belief about myself and my body. In these Youtube videos, I talk about my resolution to see myself the way I see others – without judgment and with Love. I, also, filmed a segment outlining a loving ritual I have made a daily practice which has made a huge difference in my emotional health. Join me on my journey! Thanks for stopping by.
Tag Archives: author
Release Day! The Perfect Score
This book was previously published. It has been re-edited, re-formatted, and re-released. Thank you to eXtasy Books for giving this series a home and breathing new life into a great story. When I first wrote them, I was at a very different place in my life. Having the chance to re-write the characters and showcase my growth as an author has been an honor. This book in particular hits the heart in some deep places. I hope readers will love their story, and laugh and cry along with Shelley and Jack. Available now from eXtasy Books!
What will they risk to achieve the perfect score?
Fun-loving and free-spirited Shelley Longstaff summons her iron will to stand up to Jacques Fortier when he demands she accept his daughter into the gymnastics program, or he will sue.
Jacques Fortier is at his wits end with his daughter for her unsportsmanlike behavior. In his frustration, he threatens to sue Shelley and the club for discrimination if they don’t accept her for training.
As Shelley and Jack discuss terms of Anna’s acceptance into training, Shelley discovers a tragedy that is causing a rift between father and daughter. When Jack asks for a favor, Shelley finds herself hard pressed to refuse.
When a crisis of teenage proportions threatens their relationship, will they retreat, or risk everything for the chance to achieve The Perfect Score?
EXCERPT:
“If I find out you’re lying about your program being full, I’ll sue both you and this club.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Shelley Longstaff stared at the giant of a man bracing himself on the front edge of her desk. She rose from her chair, neck cramping in order to maintain eye contact. Good God, he’s tall. Drawing herself up to her full height—all five feet four inches—she prepared for battle.
Cocking his head to the side, he gave Shelley a silky smile. “Try me.”
Shelley’s eyes narrowed at his arrogant attitude. The threat of a lawsuit didn’t bode well for her future as head coach of the club. How had she ended up in this impossible position? This is all Claire’s fault. She recommended me for head coach. She thought I could do it. A small voice laughed inside her head. You wanted this job, chickie. And you’re damn good at it. Don’t let Mr. Jolly Green intimidate you. You have the upper hand.
To calm the butterflies battering her insides, she drew in a deep breath which brought the scent of his cologne to her nostrils. A queer feeling shot through her stomach. Damn! What is that? She took a moment to study him. The suit he wore screamed money. Close-cropped black hair, peppered gray at the sides, the square angle of his jaw, perfect nose, and nearly black eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes, made the breath clog in her chest. Handsome for an older dude.
Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the desk, fighting the hormonal surge in her body. Shelley pursed her lips together and blinked. He threatened to sue me, remember?
His gaze pierced hers. Sexy or evil? Sexy with a hint of ‘I don’t take no for an answer.’ Without breaking eye contact, she returned the stare, not one to back down from a challenge.
Jacques Fortier spoke through clenched teeth. “One more time—is your program full?”
Yes. She practiced the lie in her head, but the deepness of his voice washed over her like a wave drowning a surfer. What is wrong with me? Concentrate!
When she didn’t respond immediately, he went on. “You can’t refuse my daughter the right to train here. This club is run by a board of directors. It’s not a private facility.” He paused, no doubt for effect, but his voice held a note of defeat when he spoke again. “Besides, this club is our last resort.”
Damn. He had a point. Four points actually, and with his last statement, she felt a little sorry for him.
This would be Anna Fortier’s fourth club in two years. Shelley had long ago been convinced it wasn’t the clubs—it was the girl. Shelley folded her arms over her chest. “Seems to me that if our club is your last resort—you’d be a little kinder in your demand.”
He hung his head in defeat. Maybe it would finally sink in that his daughter wasn’t elite material. Anna took more time than allowed during warm-ups at competition, she had no sense of sportsmanship, rarely smiled, and gossip about her poor training habits had spread far and wide. Shelley didn’t want to ruin the positive gym atmosphere here by admitting Anna.
She lifted her chin. “I’m sorry Mr. Fortier, we are not admitting gymnasts of Anna’s caliber at this time,” she restated. “And the club has the right to turn away potential gymnasts if the program the gymnast is seeking to enter is full.”
Please accept my half-truth and walk away. Her group only had six gymnasts in it. Technically she could accept Anna into the program—she just didn’t want to. Crap. She’d always been a lousy poker player. Would he believe her or call her bluff?
EXCERPT #2:
He rewarded her statement with an eye roll. “Anna always accuses me of not listening.” Relaxing back in his chair, he pulled up the sleeves of his sweater, revealing his lean, muscled forearms.
Based on the sight, she wondered what the rest of his body looked like. She gave herself a mental head shake. This wasn’t a date. It was a business meeting, and she had no business thinking those things.
Shelley put her hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Whether or not you listen isn’t my business. It’s her perception that you don’t. From personal experience, you certainly don’t take no for an answer. Threatening to sue me is a case in point.”
He dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. “I wouldn’t have gone through with it. You caught me off-guard when you didn’t jump at the chance to train my daughter. Knee-jerk reaction.”
“You had me fooled.” She rested her forearms on the table. “Since Anna has assured me what she told me in confidence today is something you’re already aware of, I see no reason to bore you with the details. I’d like a chance to work with her without having to run to you and report every detail.”
He picked up his water glass, and took a long sip, considering her request. “You’ve agreed to train her?”
She nodded. “Yes. I think she and I have come to an agreement.”
“All right,” he conceded. “I’ll respect the request for now.”
Sitting across the table from him didn’t feel as awkward as she thought it would. She figured now would be as good a time as any to broach the subject of his deceased wife. “Tell me about Anna’s mother. I understand she’s—”
“—dead.”
Shocked at the brusque manner in which he’d delivered the news, she stammered to find a reply. “I-I’m sorry.”
He studied the table top rather than looking at her. “I gather you didn’t know.”
Now available from eXtasy Books!
A Novel Creation – Writing Workshop
Have a short story or novel you’d like to tell from beginning to THE END? Always wanted to write a book but weren’t sure how?
Join award-winning author Kellie Kamryn for a morning of creativity! Back with her popular workshop, she will cover basic plotting, breaking through creative blocks, self editing, dialogue, and sharing other writing resources to build your author toolbox. Space is limited so register early!
Participants may bring a story they are currently working on, or their idea to turn into a book. Please bring a notebook, pen, laptop, or other device to take notes or work on your manuscript. Appropriate for ages 15+. This workshop is not genre specific. Bring your best ideas and be motivated to create more!
Date: Saturday, December 1
Time: 10-12:30pm
Cost: $40
Deadline to register: November 28
Location: Cre8ery Gallery and Studio – 125 Adelaide St., Winnipeg
To register, email: kjkamryn@gmail.com
Payment must accompany registration and can be made through Paypal or eTransfer: kjkamryn@gmail.com or fill out the content form on my website.
(Refunds will not be given after November 28. If paying by eTransfer, use the password: writing) For other payment options, please contact Kellie at the above email.
Parking is two hours paid, then two hours complimentary in the downtown area.
The Hunt by Jo Tannah
About the Author:
I grew up listening to folk tales my father and nannies told either to entertain us children or to send home a message. These narratives I kept with me and finally, I wrote them down in a journal way back when I kept one. Going through junk led to a long forgotten box and in it was the journal. Reading over the stories of romance, science fiction and horror I had taken time to put to paper, brought to light that these were tales I never met in my readings.
The tales I write are fictional but all of them are based on what I grew up with and still dream about. That they have an M/M twist is simply for my pleasure. And I hope, yours as well.
Pre-order link:
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2041-3-the-hunt/
Title: The Hunt
Published By: eXtasy Books
Author: Jo Tannah
Series: The Adventures of Marcus Kildud #1
Heat Level: 3 Flames
Categories: Adventure, Gay, GLBT, Horror, Science Fiction, Suspense, Erotica
Blurb:
When the hunter becomes the hunted, the only thing left to do is run.
Lieutenant Marcus Kildud and his men are rangers for hire. They specialize in insertion, extraction, escape, and evasion. He answers an urgent request from the Planet Terrus’ Prelate, the Lord Fulsam, whose son has disappeared and is presumed dead.
Their task is to find the ring the Prelate’s son wore. The promised compensation and bonus offered are enough to make this their team’s final mission.
What they meet in the forest is something none of them have ever encountered before. Marcus now faces the unimaginable. He realizes too late that sometimes, running away may be the only option left to stay alive.
Note: This work has been previously published but has been reworked, re-edited, and expanded.
Excerpt 1:
Marcus gave a signal, and again Bruga led the way. They had only gone a few meters when Bruga stopped once more and looked down. He pointed to a piece of bloodied material next to a broken knife. Next to it was a boot. Marcus moved closer and looked down. He gritted his teeth and looked up to meet Bruga’s gaze.
“What is it?” Franco stepped up beside Marcus. He pulled out an evidence bag from one of his pockets.
“See for yourself,” Marcus said with a grimace. He stepped back and began inspecting the ground around them.
“Ah, fuck,” Franco said, picking up the boot. Marcus didn’t have to look his direction to see what Franco held in his hand. The image had been burned into his brain. The boot still had a severed foot inside it, cut off at what appeared to be the ankle of the unfortunate owner.
Excerpt 2:
“No, sleep isn’t what I had in mind,” Marcus said. He took Malik’s face between his hands and looked deeply into his dark chocolate eyes. Behind the impish grin, he saw the flicker of anticipation. He smiled at the young man’s cheek. How dare Malik? Had he no respect for Marcus’ rank and position? “I do promise to make the wait as enjoyable as I can, Malik.”
Malik’s expression turned sober. “Oh, I hope you will, Marcus. Or else, I will have to suspect that your reputation is purely made up or some exaggerated rumor.”
Marcus laughed with delight at Malik’s wit. “I think you’ll have the opportunity to decide for yourself. Now, come to bed.”
Here’s where you can connect with Jo:
eXtasy Books Author link: http://www.extasybooks.com/jo-
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoTannah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/
Snatching Dianna by Seelie Kay
Please join us for an interview with author Seelie Kay and hear about her newest book!
Why do you write romance?
Because I am fascinated by the games people play to find and secure a lasting relationship, which is not always love. There’s the chase, the courtship, the falling, the surrender. That’s what I try to capture in my stories.
Do you prefer a certain type of romantic hero?
I adore smart, dashing gentlemen who aren’t afraid to live on the edge. They can be a bad boy, a billionaire, a prince, or a secret agent. That hint of danger just hooks me!
Why did you write “Snatching Dianna?”
Actually, for two reasons. First, when writing the Kinky Briefs series, there were certain couples I fell in love with: The Sheikh and his American lawyer wife who sue terrorists on behalf of their victims, the police chief (with a preference for handcuffs) and his criminal defense attorney wife who seek to right wrongs, and the covert agent and his law professor wife, who are smart, funny, and incredibly hot! Each of these couples have wonderful relationships and incredible lives. And each and every one of them is dedicated to preserving justice. I wanted their stories to continue. So, I created the Feisty Lawyers series. Second, “Snatching Dianna” deals with a law student who is kidnapped by a slave trafficking cartel. This plot permitted me to focus not only on the continuing problem of slave trafficking, but also on the investigative issues behind finding a missing adult. In this story, there is no evidence and no witnesses. It’s takes a lot of investigative savvy to piece together seemingly unrelated clues. I love complex puzzles and this story lets me go wild!
Why slave trafficking? That seems like such an uncomfortable subject.
My book ends with this statement: Experts say that more than 3,000 people around the world are sold, kidnapped, or forced into slavery each day, many of them children. Even in the United States, men, woman, and children are snatched off the streets for the purpose of human slavery. Slave traffickers do not discriminate by race, gender, religion, education, or socio-economic status. Victims of slave trafficking come from all walks of life, as do those who traffic in humans. It is a crime of international proportions and one that requires committed international cooperation.
As a lawyer and a human being, I think it is a topic worth calling attention to.
This book includes three very different couples. Wasn’t it a little hard to keep track?
(laughs) At times. However, each couple is at a different stage in their lives and each took a different journey to find one another. That helps to keep them separate.
Romantic suspense is a new genre for you. You’re most known for your Kinky Briefs series, which are collections of stories about lawyers in love, with a dash of kink. Why the shift from erotic romance?
I have always had a preference for mysteries and thrillers. I enjoy plots that challenge the mind. Plus, I am a big James Bond fan. My characters still enjoy erotic, loving relationships, but now the action focuses on solving a dilemma or crime. Instead of “metaphorical guns,” these characters wield real ones. (Wink!)
How does your former profession as a lawyer impact your writing?
After 30 years, the law and the legal world are so firmly embedded in my brain that I can’t flush them out. That has become the lens through which I view the world and that naturally guides my characters and plots. Little peculiarities that I have witnessed in lawyers and the law always work their way into my stories.
Any plans to write outside the romance genre completely?
Actually, I ghostwrite non-fiction for other professionals—doctors, lawyers, financial gurus—so I dip my toes into a lot of different genres. However, I have been itching to write a book about a relative who founded a religious cult. I researched it for years and found a lot of information that had been buried. I have a pile of paper a foot high. Someday, I need to go through it carefully and start writing. I have the interest, just not the time.
The cover of the book clearly says “Snatching Dianna” is part one in the Feisty Lawyers Series. How many more books can we look forward to?
At this point, I’m not sure. In each book, I introduce new characters with compelling stories, so it is difficult to predict how and when their stories will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. However, the second book, “Infamy,” is in the queue, and I have a good start on the third, “Cult.” There should be at least one more after that.
Blurb for “Snatching Dianna”
The hours are counting down as investigators try to prove that Dianna Murphy has been snatched. Unfortunately, without witnesses and solid evidence, all the police really know is that she is missing.
When suburban Milwaukee law student Dianna Murphy fails to connect with her roommate, there is no real evidence that she has been snatched. Until Law Professor Janet MacLachlan, a former covert agent, discovers a single clue, one that points to a taking by a slave trafficking cartel. In a race against time, Janet recruits her husband, secret agent Cade Matthews, small-town Police Chief David Manders and his wife, criminal defense attorney Julianna Constant, and other law students to uncover the truth. Can they prove she has been taken, before Dianna disappears without a trace?
Romantic Suspense (Three Flames)
Excerpt:
After what seemed like hours in the sweltering van, it lurched to a stop.
Dianna heard a man bark orders. A door to the van opened and someone pulled the rope from her feet, then removed her hood. She took a deep breath. A man grabbed her by the arm, forced to her feet, and pulled from the van. Dianna stumbled when she hit the ground. The stones were hot and her feet were covered by athletic socks, no shoes. Show no weakness.
Dianna immediately surveyed her surroundings. It was still night, but she was in a well-lit courtyard. A large stone mansion stood in front of her. She looked to her right, then her left. The courtyard was enclosed by a large stone fence, at least eight feet high. A fortress. Fortunately, Dianna was a rock-climber. She could rappel over the fence with the right equipment. All she would need was something to serve as a pick, maybe a rope. A knife, a screwdriver, even a fork. Keep your eyes and ears open. Be ready.
A large black man, dressed in a white suit and a maroon turban, walked out of the front door and down the stairs. He stopped and flashed a malevolent smile. He flung his arms wide and in a cultured baritone boomed, “Welcome to paradise, ladies. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
Some of the guards laughed.
“Crikey,” Tillie muttered. “Sounds like a blasted genie.”
Dianna glanced sideways and for the first time, got a look at her new friend. She was tall and thin, her body well defined. She looked strong and aware, almost fierce. Her eyes seemed to be studying the place, taking everything in. She showed no fear. Instead, she seemed interested. Something was off. Tillie did not act like a victim as the others did. She was not cowed. Was she a cop? Or like Dianna, someone who would not permit themselves to be broken?
There was only one thing of which Dianna was certain. She had found a friend. A useful one.
Buy Links:
Publisher: http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2263-9-snatching-diana/
Amazon: Coming soon
Barnes and Noble: Coming soon
About Seelie Kay:
Seelie Kay is a nom de plume for a writer, editor, and author with more than 30 years of experience in law, journalism, marketing, and public relations. When she writes about love and lust in the legal world, something kinky is bound to happen! In possession of a wicked pen and an overly inquisitive mind, Ms. Kay is the author of multiple works of fiction, including the Kinky Briefs series, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, and The President’s Wife.
When not spinning her kinky tales, Ms. Kay ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. She resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she shares a home with her son and enjoys opera, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.
Ms. Kay is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!
Author links:
Twitter: @SeelieKay https://twitter.com/SeelieKay
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seelie.kay.77
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Seelie-Kay/e/B074RDRWNZ/
Prior Books:
http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs/
http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-too/
http://www.extasybooks.com/kinky-briefs-thrice/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1734-5-kinky-briefs-quatro/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2023-9-kinky-briefs-cinque/
http://www.extasybooks.com/the-garage-dweller/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1504-4-a-touchdown-to-remember/
http://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-1795-6-the-presidents-wife/
Coming soon:
Infamy (Part Two, Feisty Lawyers): TBD
Cult (Part Three, Feisty Lawyers): TBD
Chasing Hope (Divorce Divas anthology): January 2019
The President’s Daughter (Stocking Stuffer): December 2018
What Am I Worth?
“They say if I care about myself
I’ll pay for this product, that gym membership
work hard and burn my candle at both ends to get ahead
oh, and don’t forget my beauty sleep because YOLO!
You. Only. Live. Once.
Is that living?
Same pattern, day after day –
Go to school, get a job, get married, have kids – here’s a box
fit yourself into it and don’t forget to be yourself.
My. Self.
Who am I?
Mother, Wife, Lover, Friend, Performer, personality without end…
Spiritually Stuck.
Move, Breathe, Heave something so I can feel deeper…
They ask: What do you do?’
How do you put a price on priceless work.
So I devalue myself because I don’t know what I’m worth.”
Full version of the new spoken word piece on YouTube.
Rebound ~ Love and Balance
Preorder link: Rebound
“This is a powerful and marvelously told story. I never saw the first version, so I have no idea what was missing from Claire’s story/experience, but whatever it was, this full-on revision will knock readers’ socks off. Kudos to you for reaching deep and putting it on the page. Very real and moving.”
**This book was previously published. It has been re-edited, re-formatted, and re-released.**
An award-winning choreographer faces her biggest heartbreak when she’s teamed up to coach with her former lover at a gymnastics camp for Olympic hopefuls.
Claire LeMay is at the top of her game—she’s head coach for a top gymnastics facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her gymnasts winning awards for her outstanding choreography. Now her biggest challenge is to coach alongside the man she’s avoided for three years after rejecting his offer of coaching under his command at his club in Ottawa, Ontario.
After sinking every penny of his inheritance into his state-of-the-art gymnastics facility, Justin Black has achieved his dream. But even with hundreds of members and well-trained coaches, when Claire’s presence invades his space, he realizes she’s the one thing that’s missing. Clueless about why she didn’t accept his earlier job offer, he is determined to discover why she turned him down.
Will they be a rebound romance, destined to repeat the same old routine, or can they choreograph a new one?
EXCERPT:
“Nice, eh?” Shelley said. “Want to check out the second floor?”
Tamping down on the rising emotion, Claire nodded and turned, following Shelley up the stairs. At the top, they walked straight into a viewing area equipped with enough chairs to seat an army and a bunch of toys in one corner. A small canteen filled the opposite corner, complete with vending machines.
She stroked her chin thoughtfully and smiled. Justin knew the parents and other family members of gymnasts had a place in the gym, and he wanted them comfortable, albeit from a distance. She’d heard he trained his own coaches and made sure they received coaching certification. If the rumor held true, his club had upwards of a thousand members, from preschool to elite.
Tears pricked her eyes. And he did it all without me.
The murmur of voices drew her attention to the left, and she walked down a small hallway with a boardroom and a door marked Dance Studio off of it. Claire blinked her tears away and swallowed the lump in her throat.
I’ve got to pull it together. She moved toward the boardroom, where the coaches were gathering. Some of the coaches were here to observe, like Shelly, while the rest coached the attending athletes. Since almost everyone knew each other, they took turns shaking hands and giving hugs. Everyone greeted her with hearty hellos, and she turned to greet another coach only to find herself face to face with Justin.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she froze on the spot. With a roomful of eyes on her, she did the only sensible thing she could think of—she hugged him.
His surprise registered in the way his body tensed, but to save face, he brought his arms around her and gave her a manly slap on the back that made her cough. “Good to see you,” he said.
“Likewise,” she murmured. “Shall we begin?”
EXCERPT #2:
Justin leaned up against a wall, arms crossed over his chest, and watched as Claire led the girls in a warm up. Compassion filled his heart for her. She gave a hundred percent effort into everything she did. Anger flickered in his gut. Why hadn’t she given their relationship just as much effort?
He continued to watch as Claire instructed the girls on a series of still exercises designed to work on their posture, poking and prodding them into position. Then she made them perform successions of leaps across the floor.
He gave an imperceptible shake of his head. None of the gymnasts leaping across the length of the floor had half the grace Claire possessed, nor did they have her presence. A mere five feet one inches tall, when she stood with that impeccable posture and spoke in her clear voice, she could be mistaken for a giant. Too bad she hadn’t been given her chance to shine.
Heat flared in his loins as he watched her perform a leap to demonstrate. Jesus. Fuckin’ perfect. Disgusted with his body’s traitorous response to her, he distanced himself by heading upstairs again.
He snagged a bottle of water from the refrigerator in the canteen and, unable to resist, looked down from the upper level window as Claire led the gymnasts through a short choreographed routine to a pop song. He knew they’d add to it each day, and at the end of the week, the girls would perform it for the coaches. Since the girls had come from all over the country, it provided a good way for them to get to know one another while they did something fun.
He chuckled as they tried to copy Claire’s movements. With the patience of a saint, she went over the steps again and again, watching them intently, giving instruction on arm placement and hip movements. Watching her dance had always captivated him, and it did so now. She had the amazing ability to observe a routine and then perform it near-perfectly.
The grace she possessed spilled into other areas of her life, too. He recalled how she’d accepted defeat that day at the Canada Olympic Trials, never shedding a tear, or swearing, or calling the other girls down as some gymnasts did when they lost. She had made a mistake and accepted it stoically.
The dancing stopped, and the lack of movement on the floor brought Justin back to the moment. Claire stared up at him. He nodded and smiled at her. She tucked a non-existent stray lock of hair back behind her ear and grinned shyly in return. Her cheeks flushed, and she bit her lips together.
His heart thudded in his chest. Ah, shit.
He knew right then he hadn’t succeeded one whit in putting behind him what they had shared. In the past, ignoring her had worked, at least somewhat, because he’d known that once the meet was over, they’d both return to their home provinces. Now that they were working alongside each other they’d be expected to field questions and converse with each other, not to mention everyone else. Time to let bygones be bygones.
How the hell do I do that? So much remained unsaid between them, and he didn’t know where to start—anger at her for walking out on him, anger she hadn’t shared his dream. And if he were honest—pissed at himself for letting things get so far off course.
Staring at her now, his heart pounded hard, like a gymnast sprinting down the vault runway. He heaved a sigh. Could he be man enough to call a truce? Would she believe his intentions were sincere? She had no reason to, and he didn’t blame her, but he’d never be able to move on if he didn’t try.
She gave him another half-smile, her blue eyes shining up at him.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and turned away, expelling the air from his lungs.
She’d be here in his personal space for a week. He wouldn’t be able to ignore her this time, and he knew it. So much for not examining my emotions.
Pondering goodwill gestures, he turned and jogged down the stairs to the gym.
Buy Links:
Spirit of Faith
What is your choice in a time of need?
Fear-based blame, anger or greed?
Or do you choose Love and truly believe in
the higher power you hold in your Heart within?
Do you even know which path you choose?
When faced with decisions what is it ego is afraid to lose?
Do you understand the contrast of fear-fuelled action,
and true Heart-centred Spirit attraction?
In those times when all seems lost,
fear-filled action is a greater cost,
to your body, soul, mind, and Heart
for they are all one and not apart,
In any situation, two choices are clear,
Which will you choose – Love or Fear?
Peace is the hope of your every distress,
Hope is the gift for your happiness,
Hope shines a path toward the Light,
Where you’ll find your Faith to hold tight,
Our lives are stories without an end,
Faith travels with us through all twists and bends,
Walking with us through the unknown,
and in our Heart we create our home.
~Kellie Kamryn, (c) 2018
A Novel Creation – Beta-readers, Critique Partners and more!
It’s important as an author to have fresh pairs of eyes look over your work once it’s completed. Other people see things you might miss, even though as authors we can be the most critical of our work. When I’m re-writing a book for instance, I have someone beta-read for me to make sure I’m not missing plot points, or to make sure I don’t have parts of the story that should have been deleted still in there!
Beta-readers are important because these are people you trust that are fans of the genre you write. They will be able to tell you what they liked, what they felt fell flat in your book, and give you good suggestions because they read so many books in the genre. If you don’t know any readers of your genre, I’m sure you know someone who loves books. An avid reader will be able to do the same because they know what makes a good story flow for them while they’re reading.
A critique partner differs from a beta-reader in that your critique partner is usually another author you trust to read your work – someone you know will give you good advice on plot points, editing, character development etc.
When I joined a writer’s organization, I met a lot of great authors at a conference and some of them became my critique partners for a time. Now that I’ve been published for a few years, I use beta-readers more often than critique partners, mostly due to the fact that I’m not a new author anymore, my confidence at being able to write a good story has increased, and I have great editors I work with on a regular basis with my publishing house. Nowadays, I want to know if a reader feels anything is missing for them, and I take their feedback and feel out how or if I want to change anything.
I get asked a lot to critique people’s work, and unfortunately these days my answer is ‘no’ for the simple fact that my writing schedule is busy. I do critique samples when I host workshops. My advice to authors is to join groups in-person or online. Be open to constructive feedback. It’s difficult to have someone be critical of your work, but if you’re serious about being good at what you do, you need to be able to hear what others have to say about what you’ve written. Be wary of people who tear down your work. There is a difference in constructive feedback and picking apart everything you’ve done.
I recall the first time I hired an editor to edit one of the first books I’d ever written. It came back with so many red track-changes that at first I cried! Then I saw what she’d done, and I knew I could learn. I encourage everyone to love what you do, but step back and let others help you make your manuscript shine. Be open to how others view your work because there is so much to learn, and another perspective gives you a fresh view of what you’ve done. You do not have to always agree with a beta-reader or critique partner, but more often than not, if these people care about you, they will want you to become better.
Happy Writing!
~Kellie
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Neptune’s Passion by Cameron Allie
Author Cameron Allie has a special promotion this summer! Check out the post!
Summer Promotional Event — Get a FREE copy of Neptune’s Passion
Buy a novel and get a FREE short story!
For the months of July and August if you purchase one of the novels in the Unexpected Changes series (My Mistletoe Master, Not His Type, The Perfect Fix, or Somewhere to Belong) directly from the publisher (EXtasy Books) and send me proof of purchase, I’ll send you a FREE copy of Neptune’s Passion.
- Purchase either My Mistletoe Master, Not His Type, The Perfect Fix, or Somewhere to Belong directly from EXtasy Books.
- Send proof of purchase to cameron@cameronallie.com.
- I’ll send you a FREE copy of Neptune’s Passion, a fun summer read!
Neptune’s Passion
Hot Greek male looking for roommate for tropical vacation. Must be female. Must be sexy brunette, with a passion for reading. Must be Natalie Donovan.
When Griff asked her whether, to cut costs, she’d like to room with him at their friends’ wedding, Natalie should have said no. But now as they sip margaritas on a white sand beach, Natalie finds flirting with her long time crush a little too easy. And finds sleeping next to him, night after night, to be too much temptation.
Excerpt:
A few chapters further, Natalie got interrupted when water was dripped onto her legs. Frowning she glanced up and found Griff looming over her. With his Greek ancestry, dark features, and sharp blue gaze he resembled the Roman God Neptune. In the fading daylight, water glistened on his body. The only missing pieces: the big beard, and the trident.
“If you want to keep your book safe I recommend you put it away.”
Confused she asked, “Why?”
She shrieked, when without warning Griff squatted down, placed one hand under her bent legs, the other behind her back, and lifted her into his arms. Natalie struggled to get away from his cold, wet body. “Put me down.”
In the pool, their friends laughed and cheered him on.
“You’re going in the water. You can do it alone or with the book.”
“Fine.” She huffed. “Put me down, though.”
He did as she asked, but suggested, “You might want to lose the cover-up too.”
Natalie growled her displeasure over that, but set her book on the chair and dropped her white beach cover-up over top of it. She went a step further and put her glasses on the table. If she was reading the situation correctly, it would be safer if she left them behind. She stared up at a now slightly fuzzy Griff. “Better?”
His gaze ate her up, and with deep male appreciation he replied, “Much.”
Feeling playful, Natalie crossed her arms under her breasts. “I’m not going in the pool.”
He grinned. “Oh, yes you are.”
Deciding she wouldn’t make it easy, Natalie deked around him and darted away. She wasn’t nearly fast enough. She hadn’t even made it passed the end of the pool before he caught her around the waist. Hoisting her up once more, Griff stood at the deep end of the pool. “In you go.”
She squealed in protest as he stepped off the ledge, dropping them both into the water.
https://www.cameronallie.com/2018/07/summer-promotional-event-get-free-copy-neptunes-passion/
