Guest Princess Mary Morgan! #PlottingPrincesses #ParanormalRomance #TimeTravel #amwriting

Welcome to our guest Princess of the day, Mary Morgan!

Award-winning Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return. If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel within the pages of her books.

Speed Round:

Favorite movie: Braveheart
Favorite book: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Last book read: The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo
Favorite color: Green

@sloanebcollins Writer's Block is an Evil Thing #amwriting #PlottingPrincesses #MFRWorg #writinglife #SullivansofMontana

I’ve been really stuck lately on my current work in progress.  Like STUCK, stuck.  I hit over the halfway mark, and I didn’t know what needed to happen next.  So I worked on editing the first half.  Searched Pinterest for more inspiration.  Tried writing just whatever, scenes that weren’t interesting.  Tried plotting an outline.   I even created book covers for all five in the series, hoping it would get me going (it did give me plots for books three and four!).  Worked on character development worksheets.

Etc., etc., etc. (said with Yul Brynner’s accent in “The King & I”.)

I had taken a brief hiatus from my French book sequel, and the prequel, because I had a dream about five cowboy ranching brothers, and they were clamoring for me to start writing their stories.  I’d hoped to enter it in a contest last year, but didn’t finish in time.  So with my Sullivans of Montana cowboy story, I wrote and wrote until I reached the point where the hero and heroine finally get together (you know what I mean). 

Then I got stuck.  In lava.  Which hardened until I couldn't write.

.@kellyleefiction Coincidence? Or subconscious mind tricks? #Murdering Eve #release #characternames #amwriting #myWANA

My first book, Murdering Eve, got a revamp & a facelift this year.  Newly edited with a shiny new cover, my new publisher asked me for a slew of information, including "interesting" anecdotes about either my writing process, or the book, to prepare for release promotional materials.

Immediately, I was stumped. What's an interesting anecdote? There are tons of un-interesting things I could say, like the fact that I write cross-legged, or guzzle diet cokes all day, or that I don't usually shower until I know husby is about to arrive home from work - and even then, it's hit or miss. None of that stuff, while true, is particularly interesting.

Then I got a random, out-of-the-blue email from an old boyfriend. And stared at his name in horror. The book I was about to release featured his first name as the name of my hero. Thrown into a frenzy of "holy crap", my brain buzzed with whether or not I'd done it "accidently on purpose".  Questions I didn't want the answer to ricocheted inside my skull, bouncing off one another.

- What if ex-boyfriend finds out I'm an author, reads the book, and assumes I'm still hung up on him?

- What would husby feel if he knew the hero in my first book shares the same name as the guy I dated before him? 

- Most importantly, why on earth did my brain pull such a nasty trick on me?

Release Day! Murdering Eve by Kelly L Lee #fantasy #romance #newrelease #soexcited @kellyleefiction

 

With tremendous excitement, I announce the release of Book 1 in the Four Realms Series.... Murdering Eve is available today!  And here's the best part for any series lovers, Books 2 and 3 are complete and in the pipeline for release later this year - so you won't have to wait eons for more. 

If you want to find me today...I'll be doing my happy dance!

 

Gold medal winner in the Readers Favorite award contest for best Fantasy Romance!

Exiled to magic-barren Earth Realm, Whit Blackstone has resigned himself to never seeing his family or clan again. But when a mysterious woman appears, wielding as much power as the goddess who banished him, primal desire and his desperation to return home collide.

Immortal… After twenty-nine years of believing herself human, Eve Moore can’t wrap her brain around the word. But even immortals can’t always cheat death, especially if a bloodthirsty God of War threatens your soul. Betrayed and hunted by a relentless assassin, newly immortal Eve Moore has no choice but to trust the heart-stopping stranger she’s been tasked to find and return to Olympus.

As their chemistry ignites, Eve discovers the depth of her emerging powers, and the inescapable connection she and Whit share.  When the time comes, will Eve hand him over and walk away? Or will the long buried secrets of her past doom both their lives, and their very souls?

Now available at the best on-line book sellers!

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / All Romance Book / Bookstrand / The Wild Rose Press

 How to find Kelly:
Facebook / Website / Twitter
 

What reviewers have said about Murdering Eve:

 

"This book puts an exciting new twist to the contemporary fantasy world." - Long and Short Reviews

 

"I look forward to reading more from this author, as she has infused new life into the paranormal scene." - Night Owl Reviews

"I couldn't put down Murdering Eve. Not only does the title itself intrigue, the book has a sexy hero, a kick-butt heroine, and just about everything required for an awesome read."  - CA Szarek, award-winning and best selling author

 

#NewRelease The Detective's Dragon by Karilyn Bentley #weekendreads

I'm excited to announce The Detective's Dragon is out now! <happy dancing!!!> This is the fourth book in the Draconia Tales series and was my favorite to write. After all, it's the reason the trilogy is now a series. Yep, I had only planned three books, but in the last chapter of the last book, the characters in The Detective's Dragon hopped into my mind and wouldn't let go. As all authors know, when a character sinks their teeth (or claws) into your mind, you have no choice but to write about them. Jamie and Parker insisted their story be told and I had to oblige them. Insistent characters make for sleepless nights. <g>

Here's a little peek into their story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

New Stories, New Beginnings

When I'm writing, it's easy to get lost in the story. Actually, it's one of my favorite parts of the creative process. It's the same when reading an amazing book or watching a riveting film.

These books and movies go on our 'keeper shelf'. There's a comfort in being able to revisit them, to spend time in places we love with people that 'speak' to us.

Here are a few of my fave classics: #1984, #LordOfTheFlies, #TheShellSeekers, and A Pilgrim's Progress. I have a sprinkling of horror, a good pile of scifi, some mysteries, and, of course, lots of romance (#PlottingPrincess books galore!).

Donny Osmond Was My First @sloanebcollins #PuppyLove #FirstCrush #DonnyOsmond #LastingLove #PlottingPrincesses #Romance #AmWriting #MustRead #MFRWorg

I was thinking about crushes the other day, and happened to think I covered a lot of firsts with my own first crush, Donny Osmond.  He was my first crush, my first poster on the wall, my first record album (yes, I’m old), my first concert, my first fan club.  I even had the requisite purple socks with his face on them, all the record albums (still have them, in fact), the Donny & Marie dolls, and the concert posters. 

He’s come a long way from the young boy on Andy Williams show. He’s a husband, a father, a grandfather (how’d that happen?), a man of very strong faith, and he continues to entertain fans of all ages.  I still love his music, and I want to go to Las Vegas for the Donny & Marie concerts there.

I graduated from pop star to actor with Vincent Van Patten in 1974 when he played the son on Apple’s Way.  Imagine my surprise several years ago when I caught him announcing some world of poker show.  Only problem with that show is there wasn’t enough face time! 

What's Wrong with Hollywood?

Movies! Maybe I should warn you, I’m feeling a bit cranky about this summers movies. Normally, I’m a very happy go lucky person who enjoys a good tale. Last year my favorite movie was Whiplash, an emotional story about a young man who wanted to be the best drummer and be successful professionally. It’s about his RELATIONSHIP (not sexual) with his teacher. A must see if you haven’t already watched this powerful film. Let me warn you it is a dark movie, but emotionally gripping. I also enjoyed The Imitation Game, Gone Girl, The Judge (Robert Downey Jr. you were excellent in this film) and The Theory of Everything. All great films about PEOPLE overcoming some struggle that changes them.  Emotional dramas.

Hollywood is definitely run by men because frankly I don’t know of a single romantic comedy or a romantic drama coming out this summer. Already the men in my household are planning on going to see the Avengers this weekend. They don’t know it yet, but I’m having a Marvel boycott. I’m tired of superhero action movies. I could be the only one, but I like my movies to have some internal, emotional conflict. Not be all save the world from the bad guys. I don’t care if Thor is gorgeous. And fight scenes…five minutes of them punching each other, doing unbelievable stunts is frankly boring. Yawn.

Celebrating the release of AFTER THE SCANDAL

Welcome and Huzzah! Today I am celebrating the release of AFTER THE SCANDAL my 5th Reckless Bride novel. This novel is particularly dear to my heart, because it was the first novel I worked on in concert with the Plotting Princesses.

This wonderful group of authors got together to do what our title suggests: plot. This is a HUGE help to me, as I tend not to plot at all, but let my stories evolve as I go along, following where the characters lead me. While this is often lovely, and leads to wonderful surprises for both the reader and me, it is unfortunately dreadfully SLOW.

Enter the Plotting Princesses. I brought them my opening (already written) and gave them my inciting incident, and within a few moments they had given me so many wonderful ideas, and the biggest plot point—my hero and heroine needed to find a body. 

And off I went. While there are elements of a murder mystery to AFTER THE SCANDAL, I want to assure readers this is a love story first and foremost. A very fulfilling love story. :)

But you can judge for yourself. Here’s an exclusive excerpt of the opening:

#FREE on Kindle: Dragon Lover by Karilyn Bentley

 Yep! You read that correctly! Dragon Lover, the third book in the Draconia Tales trilogy, is FREE today through Saturday, 3/15, on Kindle. This book ends the trilogy and wraps up the overarching villain. Not literally, but close. <g> I'm excited it's out and really excited about the cover. Isn't it gorgeous? Here's a blurb and excerpt to tempt you to stop by Amazon and pick up your FREE copy. And while you're there, check out Magical Lover and Warrior Lover, the first two books of the series.

Happy Reading!

Barb Han - Black Hair and Dance Moves Caught My Eye

 

I was on the long road to finishing college (I worked my way through) and was about to turn twenty-seven. I’d gone out with friends to celebrate early. Sitting around the table at a nightclub, and being in between relationships, I realized I’d never dated a guy with black hair. In fact, I tended toward blue eyed, sandy-blond types. You know, Kens. I’d even dated a guy named Ken in high school. I know, Barbie and Ken. *gags*

While contemplating that thought, I made an announcement to my friends. The next guy I dated was going to have black hair. So, naturally, I look up and the first guy I see walking by the table has black hair. 

My friends laughed so hard, I took it as a challenge.