Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Roxanne Howard - WHEN YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES

Wild Rose Press author Roxanne Howard joins me today with a look at her new release, WHEN YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES. Roxanne is offering a giveaway so make sure to enter below. Please welcome Roxanne Howard!


When You Close Your Eyes
by Roxanne D. Howard
Genre: Supernatural Romance

Dreams are the perfect shelter for fantasies, safe havens to step inside without changing our daily lives. For Lark Braithwaite, all that is about to change. During the last six months, Lark has dreamt of a mysterious Irish lover who knows what she wants and gives her exactly what she needs. In her waking life in busy London, things aren't as ideal as her long-term relationship with her controlling fiancé Charles has hit a dry spell.



When Lark is called home to Oregon for her father's funeral, she comes face to face with the demons from her past, but she never expects to meet her dream lover in the flesh. Niall O'Hagan steps straight out of her fantasies and into her life, and the powerful connection they share rocks her foundation. Although she's dealing with the bitterness of her fiancé's betrayal and his jealousy, Niall soon stirs Lark's awareness of her superficial existence and reawakens her sexuality....and her soul.










Roxanne D. Howard is a U.S. Army veteran who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and English. She loves to read poetry, classical literature, and Stephen King. Also, she is an avid Star Wars fan, musical theater nut, and marine biology geek. Roxanne resides in the western U.S., and when she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Roxanne loves to hear from her readers, and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.




Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!













Tuesday, January 29, 2019

#NewRelease-Heather Boyd-AN EARL OF HER OWN


An Earl Of Her Own
Saints and Sinners series (Book 3)
By Heather Boyd

Heather is giving away a print edition of The Duke and I and A Gentleman’s Vow during the tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember there is a chance to enter everyday so be sure to follow the Blog Tour. You may find the tour schedule and locations here https://goo.gl/qw8v5J

About An Earl Of Her Own:


Marriage is about finding that special someone you want to annoy for the rest of your life!

Rebecca Warner’s devotion to her family is the perfect distraction from the loneliness of widowhood. Not that she’d ever admit a need for someone special in her life after her husband’s betrayal. With the responsibility of arranging her sister’s wedding falling into her lap, Rebecca has no time for a certain maddening earl bent on seducing her—until he proves her most ardent ally.

For Adam Croft, Earl of Rafferty, what began as an amusing pursuit—shocking Rebecca Warner—becomes something deeper when he recognizes how perfect a wife and mother she would make. Adam’s keenly aware of his loneliness…and that his habit to curb it with drink lost him Becca’s respect. He’ll happily change his ways to win her approval, but what more can he do to win her love?

Release Date: FEBRUARY 12, 2019
Length: approx. 300 pages
Heat: steamy regency romance
Digital ISBN: 978-1-925239-51-5
Print ISBN: 978-1-925239-52-2
ASIN: B07KGLD7RB
AppleBooks ID: 1437218392

Book Links:
~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~
Excerpt:

“You are hurt, worse than you want to say,” Rebecca Warner whispered.

Her soft green eyes were filled with real concern, something Adam had never expected to see on her face. “Well, that is disappointing.”

“Disappointing?” Rebecca immediately began searching through his hair for the wound, and he chose to imagine it a sensual caress until she spoke again. “You have a gash to your head that has bled. Dear God, you could have died.”

“Always looking on the bright side,” he murmured, and then noticed how close the lady was to his body. He inhaled slowly, delighted in this unexpectedly rare treat. Mrs. Warner had never been the friendliest sort. “You smell nice.”

“Really, Rafferty,” she chided. She suddenly slipped her hand inside his coat, rummaged in his pockets and began to dab at his head with the handkerchief she found there. “This is hardly the time to worry about my perfume.”

“As you say, I could have been killed. Seems like an appropriate time for noticing the little things in life that please me.” He felt pain and hissed. Eager for a distraction, he dropped his gaze to her shoulder—now bare of the shawl, which had fallen away unnoticed by the lady. The respectable garment Rebecca had worn to church, so stylish and modest, was less so now thanks to the accident. The struggle out of the carriage seemed to have ripped the seam apart, and her pale skin looked very soft and inviting. He curled his fingers into the skirt of her gown and held it. “Lovely.”

She drew back to peer into his eyes again, and then she glanced down at his fist. “What are you doing?”

What was he doing? Adam had no idea, but he wasn’t of a mind to stop.



Saints and Sinners series:

Book 1: The Duke and I (Nicolas and Gillian) - https://amzn.to/2Thss0C

Book 2: A Gentleman’s Vow (Gideon and Jessica) - https://amzn.to/2Tc3kso

Book 3: An Earl of Her Own (Adam and Rebecca) - https://amzn.to/2G2HCmT
~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~
About the Author:

Determined to escape the Aussie sun on a scorching camping holiday, Heather picked up a pen and notebook from a corner store and started writing her very first novel—Chills. Eight years later, she is the author of over thirty romances and publisher of several anthologies too. Addicted to all things tech (never again will Heather write a novel longhand) and fascinated by English society of the early 1800’s, Heather spends her days getting her characters in and out of trouble and into bed together (if they make it that far). She lives on the edge of beautiful Lake Macquarie, Australia with her trio of mischievous rogues (husband and two sons) along with one rescued cat whose only interest in her career is that it provides him with food on demand. You can find details of Heather's work at www.heather-boyd.com



Heather Boyd's Social Links:

Friday, January 25, 2019

Kryssie Fortune and TAKEN AS THEIRS

Kryssie Fortune is my guest today, and she sat down for an interview with me. Her newest release is TAKEN AS THEIRS, and she tells us how she got the idea for the story. One thing I know about Kryssie is that she writes hot, hot, hot! Please welcome Kryssie Fortune.



Where did you get the idea for your new novel, Taken as Theirs?

I love to read and belonged to a literary group. We read Margret Atwood’s Handmaiden’s Tale.  and it got me thinking. I loved the idea of a world most women were infertile. That made them either commodities or treasures. Then the what if’s started.

What if the same disease that made the females of species infertile almost wiped out humanity?

What if the vampires, werewolves, and demons really lived among us?

What if the paranormal species became the dominant species?

And how would people cope in a post-apocalyptic world?

That was my starting premise for Taken as Theirs. It shows how three species survive and treat their women. That sounds very highbrow, but my book’s a hot, sexy action / adventure full of dominant werewolves and wicked vampires. I’ve never had a book in the Amazon top fifty twenty before, and so far, the reviews have been amazing. I’m very proud of Taken as Theirs.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book, Taken as Theirs?

I want Dane and Eli, my werewolf heroes, to be the reader’s best ever book boyfriends. I loved the characters with their mix of kindness, compassion, and sexual dominance.  My heroine’s sassy and full of fun, she’s submissive only to the werewolves she loves. She’s tiny but full of spirit, a natural problem solver.  Most of all, I want readers to think, “That was a great story.”

Did you always want to be a writer?

One of my friends claims I wanted to write a book when we were at school. I didn’t want it badly enough to do more than talk about it until my heart valve collapsed eighteen years ago. It was unexpected and potentially deadly. Fortunately, a wonderful surgeon gave me a bionic one. That’s when I reached for my dreams, picked up a pen, and started writing.

Do you have any words of advice to beginning writers?

Keep going and read Stephen King’s book, On Writing. Whatever genre you read, it will help.

How did you get started writing romance?

I never wanted to write anything else. I read romance novels of any genre. Like Marilyn Monroe, I like mine hot. That’s certainly what I write. The more I write, the sexier my stories get.

Do you write in the same place every day or do you like to change it up?

In winter, I write at the computer desk in the front room. In summer, I write in the garden shed. My wonderful husband has fit it out with a computer desk, blankets and rugs. It’s a little haven of quiet surrounded by tubs of flowers.

Tell us a bit about you. Where do you live, and how long have you been writing?

I retired to England’s Yorkshire coast three years ago. I spend time each day with my husband walking on the beach. In between, I love to cook. I’m pretty good at it, but I still have the odd disaster. I think that can be said of my first draft writing too. I spend forever editing and polishing a manuscript before it goes to my publisher. After that, my husband reads it. Then my lovely beta reader, Wendy checks it. You’d think it would be perfect, but my editor always finds bits I’ve missed. The one thing I’ve learned is never to be precious about my writing. I’m always grateful when a publisher accepts it.

If writing is your first passion, what is your second?

My husband and my family. We celebrated our ruby wedding three years ago, and I’d marry him again tomorrow. I have an adult son and daughter who I'm inordinately proud of. One’s something mysterious in international finance and one’s a head teacher. Thanks to them I have three grandchildren. Two boys I don’t see often enough as they live over 200 miles away and an eighteen-month old granddaughter.

What are your hobbies away from the computer?

I quiz with my husband and two good friends twice a week. A local bar has entertainment twice a week, and I can usually be found on their dance floor.

What did you want to be (occupation-wise) when you were a child?

At four, I wanted to be a gypsy. I loved that they had horses and dogs. Afterward, I wanted to be a rocket scientist. I have the physics A level to prove it.

How do you choose the names and physical characteristics of your characters? Do you base them on real people?

I have a fondness for sparky red-headed heroines. That said, they can’t all look the same. be red heads. I work out how they look before I start. My heroes often have scars, either physical or mental – as in PTSD. They are always muscular warriors who can hold their own in any situation.
Names are the hardest part for me. I often change them halfway though the story. In Taken as Theirs, Dane was going to be Cain until HE insisted on something better. Other times I look though lists of popular names from the year my character would have been born.

Cassie, in Taken as Theirs was different. I wanted her and her two younger sisters to have the names of ancient queens. (That’s for the possible follow up, though, so please don’t tell.) She’s named for Cassiopeia, the vain queen from Greek mythology. Later, I learned it’s also the name of a species of jellyfish! All I can say, is she’s made of steel not jelly.

****


Buy links:
Amazon USA          https://amzn.to/2AB4Z3l
Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2s95Q6O
Amazon Canada https://amzn.to/2GZLI1f
Amazon Australia https://amzn.to/2RvViwV


Publishers Blurb:
As a breeder--one of the few fertile women left in a ruined, plague-ravaged world--Cassie would fetch a handsome price at auction, and selling her to the highest bidder was exactly what her captors had in mind... until two fearsome beasts decided to take her for themselves.

Eli and Dane have chosen Cassie for their mate, and when she makes a foolish attempt at escape she quickly ends up tearfully promising obedience as her bare bottom is soundly and shamefully punished. Her body's response to their stern dominance cannot be denied, however, and it isn't long before she is screaming out her intense, helpless pleasure as she is roughly and thoroughly claimed. But will Eli and Dane's pack accept a human girl or will Cassie be an outsider forever?

Publisher's Note: Taken as Theirs includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don't buy this book.

Excerpt:
Goosebumps covered Cassie’s flesh. Tingles raced between her legs, tiny electric sparks that warmed her blood. One kind word and her good intentions would crumble—just like her sisters’ chance of freedom if she told this drop-dead gorgeous pair about them.

What with the vampire auction and that nightmare descent of the cliff, she couldn’t take much more. Cassie had been a fool to think she could escape. Completely drained, she was at the werewolves’ mercy.

Her imagination worked overtime. Wolves were pack animals. Suppose they decided to share her around the crew? The vampires certainly would have, and she didn’t expect werewolves to behave any better.

She cowered when Eli pulled a knife, but he sawed through the wet rope binding her to his brother. Her legs folded, and only Dane’s strong grip kept her upright. Sheaving his knife, Eli swept her into his arms.

He gave her his best Pepsodent-white smile. “Foolish little princess, so eager to return to the vampires who will abuse you. You’re safe here, despite the unconventional start to our friendship.”

Like a half-drowned kitten, she dripped water onto his trousers. He smelled of summer breezes and crops ripening in the fields. So cold her teeth had stopped chattering, she let go of her fears and let Eli take charge. Heat flowed from his chest to hers, but it wasn’t enough. She felt like an ice cube lost at the back of a freezer.

He carried her through a narrow galley, and into the captain’s cabin. She’d expected twin bunks and a tiny space. Instead, this room reminded her of Nelson’s cabin on the HMS Victory. The back wall consisted of window panes, giving her a view of the distant cliffs. The view fascinated and delighted her but the cabin’s four-poster bed terrified her. It covered more than half the room and had enough room for three if not four.

Dane pulled towels from a trunk then tossed her one of his brother’s jumpers. “Get dry, princess then get into bed and warm up. We’re going to lock you in while we get underway in earnest, but we’ll be back with hot stew and a hot coffee soon.”

After living on half rations for a week, her mouth watered at the thought of a decent meal. That these dominant werewolves cared for her welfare stunned her. Then they offered her a coffee. Utter luxury.

Emotions set in, and tears filled her eyes. She broke into a cold sweat that turned her forehead clammy. She’d never felt so weary in her life—not even when she’d swum marathons.

Dane lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. “Don’t cry, little human. You’re safe now.”

The intensity in his gaze felt like a shot of energy for her soul. It made her feel hot and tingly inside. She craved his touch, and maybe his kiss. A fresh set of shivers beset her. This time, they were more about her forbidden attraction for the werewolves than the cold.


About Kryssie Fortune:



Kryssie lives by the beach and loses track of time when she writes. Her days are full of dashing regency rakes, former soldiers so handsome they make her drool, and the sexiest werewolves ever. The odd vampire makes it in there too, but when he does, he’s drop dead gorgeous.
Her pet hates are unhappy endings and cliff hangers. She guarantees you won’t find either in her books. Her books sizzle with sensual heat, but story always comes before sex. Even when part of a series, her books can be read as stand-alone romance.

Saturday, January 19, 2019

PRG Reviewer's Choice Awards



Voting starts today for the finalists in the 2018 Paranormal Romance Guild's Reviewer's Choice Awards. My books have been nominated in two categories: Truth and Solace in the Y/A & N/A category and my Love at Solace Lake series in the Y/A & N/A series category. Yay! I'd love some votes so if you could slide on over to the PRG website, I'd be eternally grateful! You'll need to register with PRG before you can vote, but it's fast and easy. Voting ends January 29. Thank you in advance! 

Friday, January 18, 2019

Only A Good Man Will Do by Dee S. Knight #giveaway


Only A Good Man Will Do

The Good Man Series (Book 1)

By Dee S. Knight
♥♥ GiveAway ♥♥ 

Dee is giving away an ebook of Naval Maneuvers and a $10 Amazon card to giveaway during the tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember you may enter every day for your chance to win. You may find the tour locations here https://goo.gl/PNbaF9

About Only A Good Man Will Do:

Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar's wife. Good luck with that!

Daniel Goodman is a man on a mission. For years he has striven for perfection, fighting for the pinnacle achievement in his world of academia, Headmaster of Westover Academy. Westover, established before the American Revolution, is still one of the most prestigious schools in the country. They accept only boys whose parents fit a certain mold and only those teachers who hold to a stringent set of mores, on and off campus. Jonah considers his brother a prig. Daniel sees himself as doing his best to serve his students. How much better can he serve them as headmaster? That is what he seeks to find out.

Suddenly, into his cut and dried, strictly black and white life of moral and upright behavior, comes Eve Star, formerly one of Europe's foremost exotic dancers. Her life is anything but cut and dried, black and white. Bad enough that she's enrolled her son in Westover Academy under false pretenses. More, she runs the town's most disreputable bar. Worst, much to Daniel's dismay, he finds himself drawn to her like a kid to chocolate. Nothing good can come of this attraction. Or can it? He is after all, a good man.

Buy Links:
~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

 Excerpt:

“Daniel, am I talking to myself, here?” 

“Oh, no, I’m…” He chuckled an amused admission. “Tell me what you said again.”

He could almost hear Eve smile. “I said, you called at four-thirty on Saturday and Sunday, so I took a wild leap that you would today, too.”

“Ah.” Smiling to the empty room, he squirmed to get into a more comfortable position. “A woman of logic.”

“Absolutely. You don’t want to play me in chess. I think five or six moves ahead.”

“I’ll remember that. There’s nothing worse than seeing a guy cry when he’s been beaten at chess by a girl."

 ~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

About the Author:

A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex. Writing was so much fun Dee decided to keep at it. That's how she spends her days. Her nights? Well, she's lucky that her dream man, childhood sweetheart, and long-time hubby are all the same guy, and nights are their secret. For romance ranging from sweet to historical, contemporary to paranormal and more join Dee on Nomad Authors. Contact Dee at dsknight@deesknight.com.

Dee's Social Links:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

#AuthorInterview with Laney Kaye

Laney Kaye is one of my Wild Rose Press sisters and she lives in Australia, where it is currently summer, as opposed to here in Canada where it is the dead of winter. But I'm not bitter. Not even a little. But I digress. Laney answered some of my interview questions and I'm thrilled to have this interesting author on my blog. Welcome Laney!



Where did you get the idea for your new novel? 

My co writer and I brainstormed via Twitter DM—we live on opposite sides of the world, so we’ve never actually ‘spoken’, despite a long friendship and putting out multiple books, both together and separately. As we write this series under pseudonyms, we decided we wanted to break out of the mold of our ‘real’ identities and create something totally different. We discussed what sort of shifter would meet our description of ‘hot’ (that was a memorable conversation!) and then had amazing fun fleshing out an alien world to fit.

What was the most difficult thing about writing this book?

Because we co-write, we rarely had a clear idea of where the story would go—or, perhaps more accurately, how it would get there. It was a case of waiting for the other author to send in their chapter, then responding with “You did WHAT to him/her? How am I supposed to get them out of that?”

Did you always want to be a writer?

Absolutely. I fell in love with Enid Blyton’s stories when I learned to read, at around three years of age. Growing up in country Australia, we had no television, no entertainment other than what the seaside and country offered (okay, so that wasn’t exactly a hardship…picture the gorgeous South Australian coast, and the rolling plains of the Riverlands…), and I’d lose myself in the Enchanted Wood. I read the books to my children, multiple times, and still have all the original copies. When you love something that much, I guess it’s only natural to want to emulate your idol, in some fashion, even if not by writing in the same genre (which is not to say I don’t have a fairy story beneath my bed…)

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Always. While writing CAT SHIFTERS OF AAIDAR, I also worked on LINE (book 2 in The Lure of the Mer series) for The Wild Rose Press. Book 1, HOOK, releases on 4th Feb, and, like Cats, is also about shifters—but hot Aussie lifeguards, the descendants of Poseidon.


Do you have any words of advice to beginning writers?

I’m sure everyone says it, but that’s because it’s true – keep on writing. It’s a craft, there’s always room for improvement, and you will  improve. Get yourself a range of critique partners—you need those who will pad your ego, pat your back and provide a safe space for venting. But be aware that you also need those with a firm hand to run the red pen through your work.

Tell us a bit about you. Where do you live, and how long have you been writing?

Living between the sea and the vines in country South Australia, I grew up in more rural areas of the state. I guess I’ve been writing forever…I won a school writing competition when I was in Grade Three (sadly, with a story I can still partially remember, despite the decades since!) and a poetry contest when I was in Year 12. Life intervened for a few years, but I never ‘stopped’ writing, just slowed. Now, running my own private practice, I have more time to spend on the craft and write absolutely every day. Well, okay; some days I only edit, because the brain has turned into grey mush, but that still counts, right?

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it? Does it help you with your writing?

I’m a Professional Counselor by training. It’s invaluable for my creativity as, under my ‘real’ name, I write across a range of genres, many of which require a knowledge of psychology.

Do you have any pets? Are you cat person or a dog person? Or are you into totally different pets, like goldfish? What do you like best about your pet?

The fact that I have four cats (a lot are rescues, don’t judge!) should make this an easy question to answer…yet, we are in the process of also adopting a canine companion! Oh, and there’s an aquarium full of tropical fish alongside my desk, several chickens outside the back door (one of whom currently thinks it’s a rooster, which means I may have to buy my neighbors chocolates…), and, until a recent influx of brown snakes, we did have free-range pet rabbits.

I admit the cats are my favorites, though—as my Twitter and Instagram feeds evidence! With four very distinct personalities, there’s always one to cuddle, one to laugh at, one to hunt for, and one being grumpy at the other three.

What do you like best about your hero in CAT SHIFTERS OF AAIDAR: ESCAPE? 

Herc is a liger-shifter, and obstinate in his belief that he could never bond with anyone outside his race. He’s all brawn and bravado—until a tiny female brings him to his knees

What do you like best about your heroine? 

Maya may be tiny—but she’s feisty and determined to be the match of any man. She has to be, as she has a world to save.

How do you choose the names and physical characteristics of your characters? Do you base them on real people?

The physical characteristics are tailored to what we need for the stories, and also to cover a diverse range. Names…well, if you send us fan mail, chances are, you WILL find your name in something ;-)

How can readers reach you or find you online?

I have a large social media presence, but divide it between my ‘real’ name and this pseudonym. I’m always happy to chat (no, it’s not procrastination, I swear!) so look me up and say hi!
Twitter   Amazon  Instagram  Web page   Goodreads  BookBub

Tell us a little about your current work in progress.

Christina and I have just wrapped up all four books in the CAT SHIFTERS OF AAIDAR series, and we’re moving on to a series about the Dragarians, who featured in the final book.
I’m also working on a spicy romantic series about the Australian Fae, tentatively titled RANGERS OF THE RANGES, editing a couple of contemporary romances my agent has placed with a publisher…and I’m working on a couple of women’s fiction titles under my ‘other’ name. Never a dull moment, in this business!

What’s your tagline? Why did you choose it?

Four cat shifter warriors find their destined mates on a dangerous alien planet.

This is actually the tagline for the entire series. As each of the books follow a different shifter, we needed something snappy that would cover all the arcs of their different stories, which weave into the bigger picture of the alien world they’re deployed to.

Do you have an event coming up you’d like to tell us about?

Okay, I’m going to whisper, because the news isn’t out yet, and I may be in trouble with Christina for blabbing…but CAT SHIFTERS OF AAIDAR: ESCAPE will be on sale on Amazon for 99cents Jan 18-22nd to mark the release of the fourth and final book in the series. Because Australia and England don’t get the benefit of these discounts, we’ve manually marked the price there as low as we are able.

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why? 

All my books are clearly labeled with the series number and, though they do stand alone, they are better read in order, to benefit from the world-building.

Tell us about your next (or current) release.

CAT SHIFTERS OF AAIDAR: ENDINGS releases in just a few days, and is the final in this series. The Resistance and the Refugees will join forces in an attempt to finally defeat the Regime…and they may have a little off-world help.
(and HOOK, The Lure of the Mer, releases only a couple of days after that!)

Congratulations on your two new releases! Thank you for being my guest, Laney.



Laney Kaye: HEROES, HEART, & HEAT

A professional counselor, Laney messes with heads by day and imaginations by night. Living in the wilds of Australia...okay, not so much the wilds, as in a country town...her property is inhabited by a generous mix of bitey, stingy, poisonous, and furry varieties of Australian wildlife, as evidenced by her twitter feed.


Laney writes steamy contemporary, hot fantasy, and slightly-supernatural romance. Under her "real" name, she also pens women's fiction, adult contemporary, and young adult titles.

Buy Links:

CAT SHIFTERS OF AAIDAR:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HDNPQXN/ref=series_rw_dp_sw



Friday, January 11, 2019

Don't Quit Your Night Job by Sha Renee

I'm very happy to have Sha Renee on my blog today. She is a very generous author, and a very motivational one as well. I love this post! Please welcome Sha Renee!




Don’t Quit Your Night Job

You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “Don’t quit your day job”. People usually say it to imply that whatever activity you’re considering as a second form of income – after your regular or day job – is not yet good enough to provide you income. For many of us, writing is that thing we do when we’re not working our day jobs.

When I began writing seriously, I was actively involved on Scribophile, an online community which allows writers the opportunity to have their work critiqued for honest feedback. I gained valuable information and received helpful advice on the work I posted.  I also provided critiques for some of the other members.

On one occasion, I read a chapter from someone’s WIP (work in progress) that literally caused me to shed tears. The piece was well written and contained vivid descriptions which made me feel like I was right in the story. I could almost feel the emotions expressed by the characters from the way the writer described them. So why was I in tears if I enjoyed the writing so much?

Because it made me realize how terrible my own writing was. I actually shoved my laptop over on my bed, curled into a fetal position and cried. There was no way I'd ever be able to write so beautifully. So why did I even bother trying? I don’t remember how long I stayed like that, but at some point that same day, I did get up and continue writing.

I'm willing to bet something similar happens to many writers at some point during their writing journey. We compare our writing to that of others, put ourselves down and beat ourselves up. What we need to remember when this happens, is that everyone has a different style of writing. We come from different backgrounds and have varying education levels. We’ll meet writers who have been practicing the craft for much longer, or who were more financially able to take writing classes.

If you ask any author if they notice a difference between the first book they wrote and their most recent, more than likely the answer will be ‘yes’. Every writer I have discussed this with has the same reaction I do: “Oh my God! My first story was crap. I can’t believe I wrote that… and got it published.”

It’s pointless for me to say, “Don’t compare yourself to other writers,” because we’re going to do it anyway, whether it’s intentional or not. What I will say, though, is that if you do get to a point where you throw yourself on your bed and cry because you think your writing is crap, make sure you eventually get back up. Don’t quit your “night job”. Keep writing. It’s a process. Your writing will improve the more you keep at it. Ask for feedback. Go to conferences. Take courses when you can. Your writing doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s. Nor does it have to be super-sophisticated. It just has to be good writing.

About the author

Sha Renée is a native New Yorker who joined the US Navy right after high school. She now lives in New Jersey where she creates stories on the pages where duty, honor and passion unite.

The mother of three delights in meeting readers as well as networking with fellow authors, so she’ll attend a book-signing event or conference whenever she can. She’s the creator and organizer of a local writing group in her community, Emerging Authors of New Jersey and is the organizer of the Princeton, NJ chapter of Shut Up & Write! ™.

As a nature lover, Sha enjoys spending time outdoors, usually with a camera in her hands. She has a passion for motorcycles and sports cars and is a fan of auto racing, military air shows and The X Games - pretty much any high-speed activity involving wheels or wings.

She hates cooking, loves music and believes every day should include a cup of hot coffee and a glass of chilled wine.


Sha RenĂ©e is the author of Forbidden Kisses, a Military Romance staring Ethan and Layla, both members of the US Navy. After meeting in a coffee shop while each of them is off duty, they fall for one another before either realizes the other’s military status. He’s an officer and she’s an enlisted member.  A personal relationship between them is prohibited by military law under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Once they discover their romance is forbidden, they’re faced with a heart-wrenching decision: They can follow the rules or follow their hearts.

Forbidden Kisses is available on Amazon
E-book
Paperback

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