Monday, January 30, 2012

Decadent Seconds

This morning I want to welcome W. Lynn Chantale, a lovely author that I met through Still Moments Publishing. She's here to talk about her newly released short, Decadent Seconds. Now, I haven't had the opportunity to read her new piece, but Mistletoe Mamba, her contribution to Christmas Treats: Santa's Naughty List has one of the hottest tango scenes I've ever read. Yum! Lynn has been gracious enough to host me on her blog a couple of times, despite my PG rating, and now I'm thrilled to have her here. Please welcome her and check out her newest work.
Peace,
Liv


PS - Lynn's promised to give away a $15 gift card to one lucky person from the comments. It's a winner's choice card - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ARe. So let us know you've been here, okay?


Hi Liv, thanks so much for hosting me today. I can keep things PG. :-)

Why I Own a Potato Peeler  ...   
           Until last year I never owned a potato/vegetable peeler. I’ve always used a knife, paring, steak whatever to peel potatoes. Stay with me here, because I’ve got to explain something. I’m also a sucker for sharp knives, I have a degree in culinary arts and the first thing I learned was sharp knives require less force to use. So I purchased a three knives ( a paring, a chef’s knife and a cleaver) from an extremely reputable company and eagerly waited for them to arrive in the mail.
Knives arrive. I can’t wait. Yes, I know they’re sharp I watched the demo where a penny was cut in half and then a sheet of paper. Oh yeah that sharp. So I peel my first potato cradled in the palm of my left hand as I’ve always done. No problem. Quarter the sucker. No big. Yes, I’m taking my time, my eyes never leave my task. The second potato slips while I’m quartering, but nothing major.
So third potato, yep potato slips while I’m quartering and I slice a two inch gash in my left index finger. I know some of you already figured out where this was going, but geesh... I’ve got to tell it. The first words out of my mouth were “I need to go to urgent care.”
While my sons and husband are panicking. I love them dearly, but I’m the only calm rational one at the moment, despite laughing my fool head off. My then 16 y/o son whips the car around likes he’s been driving everyday for the last 20 years and off we go to the emergency clinic.
So now I have 6 or 7 stitches in my poor finger, but I can still type. I know I should’ve been more concerned about that cut. What can I say, I’m a writer. When I come back for follow up the doctor learns I have some numbness in my finger. Let’s just say when I cut something I do very well. I severed the tendon and a nerve. Please, no applause. Did you know the interior of the finger has all the nerves? I do. So outpatient surgery, 4 weeks in a cast, 4 months of physical therapy and my finger is good as new. Almost.
I know you’re dying to know if I still own that knife. Yes, I do. For a few months my youngest would hide it from me. Do I use it? Of course, but now I slice and quarter potatoes on a cutting board.
As for the potato peeler, the kids use it.

When I’m not testing the sharpness of knives, I can be found
Until next time, Indulge Your Inner Romantic.




Blurb:
As a caterer, Darling gets to witness some of life’s happiest moments, but yearns for a marriage proposal of her own. After years of waiting on her beloved to pop the question, she gives up on ever having a happy ending of her own and severs the relationship. When she learns she’s pregnant, she has no choice but to face her child’s father on a daily basis as well as the love and attraction she has for him.
Darryl Manning always believed Darling would be his forever. After all he didn’t need a piece of paper to show her how much he loved her, but when she leaves him to pursue her dream of owning a catering company and raising his son, he may have to rethink his views on marriage. That is if he wants a second chance at family.
Excerpt:
Drunken laughter floated just above the thrumming bass line of Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way, competing with the steady buzz of conversation. Soft pastel strobe lights flickered through the muted illumination. Darlene Williams, or “Darling” as she was known to friends and associates, surveyed the banquet hall full of guests.
She heaved a sigh as she glimpsed a swirl of ivory on the dance floor. For one wistful moment, where fairytales glowed bright and rosy, she imagined her own wedding. Her fairytale didn’t have a happy ending. She sighed again. Or a beginning.
A familiar face bobbed in the crowd, and her breath hitched. Twice he tried to take her picture, and she was determined he wouldn’t succeed. His gaze found hers, and her heartbeat matched the pounding bass line. He turned away, and she focused on a set of broad, muscular shoulders. She could spend hours smoothing her hands over his brawn. When he found her again, the corners of his mouth creased, and a familiar tingle crackled through her veins.
Just once she’d like to not react when she saw him. Despite the warmth knocking at the wall of her heart, Darling followed his movements to a group of similarly clad women. When they clustered around him, he raised his Nikon to his rugged face.
She loved his face, all angles and planes, and all that sharpness melted away when he smiled. Sadness and longing wiggled through a crack in her wall and squeezed her heart. They weren’t meant to be. Still she stared after him, envying the way he leaned close to one woman and lowered his camera. He gave a nod before moving away. When he passed beneath a wall sconce, the warm glow gave his smooth brown skin the fine sheen of melted chocolate. He should’ve been out of place in his black polo shirt and khaki slacks as he moved among the tuxedoes and long dresses, but his sexy smirk and camera made things easy.
The discordant clash of a body colliding with cymbals and snare drum drew Darling’s attention toward the dais next to the dance floor. A glassy-eyed young man in a tux tried to untangle his limbs from the instrument without spilling his drink. Succeeding, he then lurched onto the crowded dance floor and crashed into a couple of dancers. She shook her head when he sprawled on the floor, still trying to drink from the glass in his hand.
Not her problem. Darling regarded the decimated buffet, the food reduced to crumbs and half-dried globs of gravy—this was her problem. Swiping sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, she lifted her gaze again, this time scanning the room for the tall, sexy photographer. He was now taking pictures of the drunk on the floor. Good, she didn’t want to run into him or his camera again. Turning, she hefted the silver chafer by the handles and placed it on the rolling cart behind her.
She reached for the next chafer, moving the serving spoon aside when strong hands seized her shoulders. The spoon slipped from her grasp, splattering white sauce on her black slacks, before settling on the floor. A sensuous chuckle tickled her ear, sending warmth scurrying through her veins, and puckering her nipples. Yanking free, she spun around to glare into dark chocolate eyes. She shoved the owner of those eyes and straightened her clothes. He laughed softly, his gaze drifting leisurely over her white chef’s coat and work pants.
Darryl Manning, the sexy photographer, grabbed her hand and gently tapped the thick bandage wrapped around her index finger. “What did you do to your finger?” She tugged her hand from his grasp, wincing when she smacked the digit on the chafer. “I cut it.” She bent to retrieve the spoon from the floor, straightened, and placed the utensil in a gray plastic tub.
Darling wiped her hands on a towel. Darryl folded well-toned arms across his broad chest, the black knit shirt he wore strained to accommodate the expansion of muscle. She stifled a groan and the urge to run her fingers along the bulging biceps and perfect pecs. Why did her body pick today to rebel? “I don’t have time for this now,” she snapped, “What do you have time for?” His rich baritone conjured nights of hot, steamy sex and decadent morning afters. He lifted his camera, with a sexy smirk. “Maybe a photo or two?”
She resisted the seductive note in his voice and placed her hand on the lens. “I’m working.”
“And I’m not, just finished.” He stepped closer, the heat of his body instantly warming hers. Darling tilted her head back to maintain eye contact.
She studied his face, waiting for the familiar ache and longing to subside. It didn’t. Being this close to him, surrounded by his scent, a little soap and a whole lot of male, made her yearn to be in his arms, to feel his full lips against hers. What was she doing? She couldn’t think about him, about them. She moved away. Not today.
Darling turned as the click-click-click of his camera captured her. Huffing, she stalked toward the kitchen. She caught the attention of Pete, one of her chefs for the evening. “Could you finish breaking down the buffet table while I take care of this?” She jerked a thumb to the hunk at her heels. Light flashed in her face, momentarily blinding her, and she held a hand to her eyes, blinking to clear her vision. “Don’t do that!”
Moving through the kitchen to a narrow staircase, she heaved a sigh as the pulsing rock music faded to a dull roar. Darling entered her office and smiled at the young man seated in a chair. “Thanks, Denny,” she said. He was another employee, and she waited until he closed the door.
Darling knelt next to a car seat and dropped a kiss on the sleeping infant’s cheek. White light zigzagged before her eyes. “Stop it!” she said.
“But you’re so beautiful,” Darryl said.
Her stomach did a slow somersault at the compliment, but he would need more than pretty words and his handsome face to woo her. Straightening, she shoved a diaper bag in his general direction. “I have two more weddings, a funeral, and an awards banquet. You trying to flirt is not on today’s calendar!”
Darryl offered her a smile and her knees turned to jelly. The man would be the death of her. The only reason she still spoke to him was the sleeping toddler. If not for the baby, she’d have kept walking and never looked back.
She brushed a stray curl from her face and planted her hand on her hip when Darryl didn’t move. “I know you may not have anything to do, but I really need to get back downstairs,” she reminded him.
He stepped closer, reaching a hand to tug on the lock of hair she had just swept away. She sucked in a breath, his clean masculine scent beguiling her. Her gaze dropped to the open collar of his shirt. If she pressed her mouth to his warm skin, would he moan? Darling lifted her head, and he met her lips with a kiss. Too stunned to protest, she sank into his kiss, savoring the spicy taste of him and the firmness of his lips. He skimmed the curve of her spine with his hands before resting them at her hips. Drawing her closer, he brought her against the hard line of his arousal. Desire exploded, and she wiggled her hips in hopes of easing the sudden tension at the apex of her thighs. As if sensing her need, he cupped her butt, shifting her slightly until he was wedged between her legs.
Lightning arced through her veins as he settled more firmly against her core. She gasped, and he deepened the kiss, tongues dueling in a fevered dance. Tightening her arms around his neck, Darling relished the sensations vibrating through her system, and decided to enjoy them.
Lifting his head, Darryl stared into her face. For once she didn’t care if he knew how much she wanted him, her fingers stroked the nape of his neck. She regarded him a moment before he brushed his lips across hers one last time before stepping away.
“I like flirting with you.” He trailed his fingers down her arm.
And with those few words he ruined the mood. She drew a ragged breath into her lungs and shoved his hand aside. How could one little kiss leave her so edgy and uncomfortable? She couldn’t give in to the demands of her body. She needed a clear head.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Bonded By Crimson



Today I want to welcome a special guest, author Zrinka Jelic. Saturday isn't usually a guest-post day for my blog, but I'm making an exception because it's the release day for her novel Bonded By Crimson. I've gotten to know Zrinka through the Black Opal Books author's discussion list, and she's a lovely person. I'm very excited that she's here, sharing some of the influences that went in to the creation of her new novel.
Peace,
Liv

1. From the description of the story you sent me, I can tell you've pulled from Croatian traditions that give the book a unique feel. Can you talk a little about what influenced you as you developed the story? 

The story that was swiming in my head and the final prouct are two totally different things. My original plot wasn't catching on with my critique partners so I changed it and as I did, I remembred a tragic love story often compared to Romeo and Juliet. So I've got the idea to make my heroine obsessed with this story and she often imagined what would it be like if they were allowed to love eachother. What she didn't know was the couple continoued to live after their deaths, but centuries later another tragedy struck them and now the man is a widower and a single dad. This also opened a possibility for a prequel which I'm working on.It was challenging to write the descriptive passages in Croatia without making it read as if it's a travelogue. But my crit partners wanted me to describe it better, they said the readers would want to see it. But if I went into too much deail then I sounded as a page from a history book. So I had to think of how I viewed it while I lived there. Playing hide and seek on the remains of a accent Roman Forum, climbing the medeval defense walls, how to describe it to someone who never done it? But that was normal part of growing up for me. 


2. One of your key scenes involves a coffee reading. Have you ever had a coffee reading done?

Yes, I had it done and I've done it for others. This is such a part of our culture, something to pass time with. At first I faked it as everyone else did. Not every symbol have a meaning so it is ok to make something up. But it is not hard to learn the symbols and it is funny how different people will see different things. But it is creepy when someone who sees you for the first time can read your life from a tiny cup. 



3. Which authors do you like to read? Are there any that particularly inspire you? 

When I was in high school, I devoured Danielle Steel. But after a while, her books started to feel the same. Then I've got into anything with vampires. So Anne Rice was high on my list. Then I was into Highlanders and that is how I learned about RWA through Mary McCall. As you can see, I like to read any author, but for the past year I've been into Arthuro Perez Reverte and his Alatriste series. It's not a romance, but I always find romance in every book. A few inspired me but what I don't like is when I read enough of that particular author's work I just know what the next book is going to be likeBut many authors seem to get comfortable in their style and would not change. I like to expect the unexpected.

4. How do you juggle writing with all your other commitments?

I'm a staying at home mom so I have time in between house work and kids. My youngest napped at the wrong time, so I spent many late nights waiting for him to tire enough so I can put him to bed. It was in those quiet hours of the night, that ideas came to me. Thankfully, he's dropping those late afternoon naps and we make it to bed in a semi-decent hour. In the mean time, we got rid of cable TV. Kids weren't watching it and neither did I. You can't believe how much you can accomplish if you don't stare at the television every night. But I discovered I am an Internet junkie and I wasn't aware of this until one day the Internet was out. 

5. Living in Canada, what do you miss most about Croatia? 

The sea, I'm from the province of Dalmatia on the Adriatic Sea and my family is from island of Essa. You can take an islander from the island, but you can't take island from an islander. I miss the summers there spent on the beaches, and in the evenings met with the friends and sip cocktails till wee hours. I can't comare it to the cottage life here. The lake waters here are ice cold and murky. Mosquitos eat you alive as soon as you poke your nose out, it gets cold once sun goes down.It's not a summer if I have to pull a sweatshirt and socks on. 


6. Where would your dream romantic vacation take you? 

Anywhere where there are beaches (not sandy, can't stand sand in my bathing suit), stunning sunsets, crystal clear sea, endless sky, warm breezes playing with the trees


7. Cats or dogs? Which do you prefer?  

;) My favorite movie is Cats and Dogs, and I just love Mr. Tinkles. "Catz rule". So, definatevly cats, but I'm very alergic, so that leaves me with dogs. I can't stay around a cat for more than a few minutes even if I don't touch them. Once the itching starts it's time to leave. 




Bonded By Crimson
Love isn’t in the cards for Kate. After her short failed marriage she’s trying to rebuild her life and finds herself nursing the three lovely boys of Mr. Zrin. A man, whose idea of fatherhood is non-existent. Her efforts to bring the best out of this reluctant father are mysteriously supported by a being she cannot grasp. It takes a trip to her hometown in Croatia and an evening full of coffee-reading with her old friend to find out that there’s an earthbound spirit attached to Kate.

For the past six years, Matthias Zrin has been trying to follow his dead wife’s urging to change his ways and become the father she always wanted him to be. Not an easy task for a three centuries old immortal. His search for the ultimate nanny ends when Kate Rokov stumbles to his home and into his arms. The immediate attraction he feels for Kate sets him off. He isn’t prepared to let go of the love he harboured for one woman for over three hundred years. But when Kate offers him her loving smile, everything he clung to in the past begins to tumble and break down on him.  
Available from:
Black Opal Books
He claimed to be immortal, but that was ridiculous...wasn’t it?

Kate’s heart hammered. The experience seemed so real. A low moan escaped her and she bit her lip. Soon warmth surged through her, causing her body to go limp. Her legs gave way underneath her, but Matthias—or whoever this man claimed to be now—wrapped his arm around her waist. His sweet, musky scent clung to her. Ecstasy filled her and she felt as if she hovered in the air. If he intended to kill her like this, she could imagine no better way to die. A voice echoed through her mind, speaking of undying love in centuries old Croatian.
“Wake up,” he whispered close to her ear, his strong arms still locked around her.
“I don’t want to.” Her head wobbled, exuberant with sheer happiness, a kind she had never experienced before.
“You must.” He stroked her hair with tender fingers. “Wake up now.”
“No. I want to stay like this. Forever.” She focused on his handsome face staring at her through her haze.
His smooth cheek brushed against hers. “Me too, but you must wake.”
The fog lifted and his image appeared, clearly now. She blinked once. Twice. What had happened? She pushed away from him and flattened her back against the wall.
“You, you—”
“You,” he said, pointing at her, “asked for proof.”


Zrinka Jelic lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two children. A member of the Romance Writers of America and its chapter Fantasy Futuristic &Paranormal, as well as Savvy Authors, she writes contemporary fiction—which leans toward the paranormal—and adds a pinch of history. Her characters come from all walks of life, and although she prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given Jelic’s love for her native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, her characters usually find themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but that’s about the only break they get. “Alas,” Jelic says, with a grin. “Some rain must fall in everyone’s life.”

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Friday Fun

These days it's been all-vampires-all-the-time around here. I guess that's what happens when you have a book come out and your romantic hero is undead. I've been kicking out posts for a variety of lovely people who have been willing to share their blog space to talk about the book, and getting all those blog posts right has taken some research. I mean, I don't want to keep repeating the same goofy misinformation, right? (Sparkly vampires, anyone?) 


In the course of my research I was reminded of the following video, which Snoop Dogg released right before the start of True Blood Season 3. It is a classic, and one of the most convoluted pop-cultural mash-ups I know of. Check it out:


Now, answer me this...is he right? ARE vampires the new uberbadboys? Do women need to be reminded to look for a guy with a pulse?
Have a great weekend!
Peace,
Liv

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

What genre is it, anyway?

This week's guest blogger is the wonderful Ryder Islington. I took an on-line class with Ryder last year and  I have to confess that when I read her book, Ultimate Justice, I kept thinking about a really powerful scene she'd submitted for the class, and stressing over when this awful thing was going to happen to the characters. I shouldn't have worried. The scene  was from her next book. Meanwhile, I hope you'll all check out her post here, and click the link to the right to check out Ultimate Justice. It's an atmospheric, character-driven mystery that I know you'll enjoy.
Peace,
Liv

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a writer ask this question. “I’ve written this book, and it has suspense and romance and comedy in it. What genre is it?” And so many times I’ve heard this response: “Just write the book you want to write and then figure out what to call it. It’s probably the same kind of book you like to read.”

We do have to write the books that are in us. But honing the genre is important when it comes time to send out prepare a synopsis, send out queries and actually sell your story. Agents and editors represent certain genres, bookstores shelve according to genre, and readers choose books according to genre. There are blended genres, like historical romance, romantic mystery, romantic cozy, or women’s historical fiction.

Sometimes a new writer deliberately tries to create new combinations, to be unique, and sometimes it just turns out that when the first draft is completed, it has elements of mystery, romance and drama, or some other combination. Or it doesn’t seem to fit into any genre. I tried really hard to write an historical romance and ended up with a western. The subject of genre can be confusing even for experienced writers.

So how do we solve the problem of how to fit our wonderful stories into some category seemingly created to make our lives harder?

When I started writing my debut novel, Ultimate Justice, A Trey Fontaine Mystery, the plan was for it to be a thriller. Then it took a turn as an element of romance was introduced. But wait, wasn’t it really about the main character, Trey Fontaine, the FBI agent, and two homicide cops, which would make it a police procedural. After twenty or so revisions, I realized that the most important element of this story was the mystery.  The mystery affects every character in the book.

I am now of the opinion that while we are writing our first draft, we need to just write the story that is in us. And then when that first creative burst is over and it has been stashed away for a week or two, it’s time to read it fresh, bearing in mind that if it is to be sold in the current market, it has to have a main category.  What is the major plot about? Who is the main character and what makes that character change throughout the story? What is the strongest element in the story?  Chances are that if you write fiction, you read fiction, so you know about genres.

Go to the bookstore, or to Amazon.com, (or in my case, to the five hundred or so books scattered about my home) and look at some categories. Are there any authors whose work reminds you of your own? Don’t fall into the trap of comparing your skill with another writers’. The question is not about the skill, but about the style, theme, pace, etc. Read some books in the genres you think your story fits into, and analyze it. Who is the major character, and what happens to him/her? What do you see as the most important part of the plot?

Read books by authors whose work feels like yours and just see if maybe your book fits into that genre. For me, the best example is Greg Iles. What feels similar between his writing and mine is the character development. We both like to delve into characters.  And we both write at a medium pace. Turns out he writes more in the thriller genre, but with a mystery. Whereas my book is a mystery, with a little thriller genre thrown in. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not professing to write as well as Greg Iles. But as I compared my story to the stories of my favorite authors, I found a familiar feel in his work.

So when writers ask me how to place their stories into genres, I try to give them some direction that actually helps solve the issue. What genre is it? That’s an important question for every writer. I found a way to answer the question for myself. I hope my methods help others too.



Ultimate Justice, A Trey Fontaine Mystery is receiving rave reviews from readers. http://www.ll-publications.com/ultimatejustice.html

The small town of Raven Bayou, Louisiana explodes as old money meets racial tension, and tortured children turn the table on abusive men. FBI Special Agent Trey Fontaine returns home to find the town turned upside down with mutilated bodies. Working with local homicide detectives, Trey is determined to get to the  truth. A believer in empirical evidence, Trey ignores his instincts until he stares into the face of the impossible, and has to choose between what he wants to believe and the ugly truth.



A graduate of the University of California and former officer for a large sheriff’s department, RYDER ISLINGTON is now retired and doing what she loves: reading, writing, and gardening. She lives in Louisiana with her family, including a very large English Chocolate Lab, a very small Chinese pug, and a houseful of demanding cats. She can be contacted at RyderIslington@yahoo.com or visit her blog at http://ryderislington.wordpress.com

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Versatile Blogger Award!


I have been nominated by Charity Parkerson for the Versatile Blogger Award!  I'm thrilled that people are having fun reading my blog, and I hope that I can continue to make it an entertaining place to visit.


Charity is a clever girl and multipublished author from Tennessee who created the Sinners Series. Yum!  You can check her out at charity-thesinners.blogspot.com/


Rules
1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers for The Versatile Blogger Award
2. Add an image of the Versatile Blogger Award
3. In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you in a post with a link back to their blog
4. In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself
5. In the same post, include this set of rules
6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs


SEVEN RANDOM THINGYS


1] I've lived on four different islands (Chincoteague, VA, Mercer Island, WA, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Honolulu, Hawaii).
2] I hate fig newtons.
3] I am the Queen of Clutter (okay, if you've ever seen my house, you knew that).
4] I would much rather read the book than watch the movie.
5] The best thing about my house is the view of the sky.
6] My sister Liza did the cover art for my book.
7] My three closest friends are the same ages as my three sisters, who all live far away. Is it luck, or did I deliberately try to recreate my family?



15 NOMINEES
1. Amanda Byrne at The Rubber Duck Brigade
2. W.Lynn Chantale at Decadent Decisions
3. Shannon O'Brien at Shannon O'Brien, Author
4. Jillian Chantal at Jillian Chantal
5. Empi Baryeh at Empi Baryeh's Blog
6. Liberty Blake at Liberty's Spells
7. K.H. LeMoyne at K.H. LeMoyne
9. Darlene Fredette at Finding the Write Words
10. Rabia Gale at Rabia Gale / writer at play
11. Tami Clayton at Tami Clayton
12. Ann Foweraker at Ann Foweraker
13. Helen McMullin at Foofaraws from Helen
14. Cora Ramos at Cora Ramos Blog
15. Diana Lesire Brandmeyer at Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, pencildancer

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Plans

I want to thank the patient people who've been following the evolution of this blog. Every time I check in to see if I've had any visitors, I get a little thrill when the answer is yes! And because I want to make it interesting and worth your reading minutes, I'm going to be making a few minor tweaks.


I'm going to be creating three blog posts a week. At least one will be from me, talking about life or writing or good books that I've read or whatever. Once a week I hope to host a guest, giving other writers a chance to talk about their work and you a chance to see what's hot off the e-press. And then the third post will be a random collection of amusement, maybe videos, maybe goofy photos, whatever. Well, I hope it'll be amusing, anyway.


So thanks for checking out what's going on here. True confession: I originally planned to post a video this morning, the one that shows how tough Seattle drivers have it in the snow. But then I thought, nah, we've had a tough enough week. The whole damned country is laughing at Seattle for shutting down over a little snowstorm. I don't want to jump in the pigpile. Heh.
Peace,
Liv

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

High School Applications


One morning last week after getting the kids off to school, I took my daughter’s completed high school applications to the two private schools she’s considering for next year. Naturally, one is her first choice and the other is a back-up. She had to write an essay for each, describing why she wanted to start her freshman year in their hallowed halls. She wrote beautiful essays – if I do say so myself – and I believe she’d be an excellent candidate for either school.

But she might end up with a rejection letter. Or two.

My heart breaks a little at the possibility. I’ve had almost fifty years to build up a hide that’s tough enough to deal with rejection. I’ve gotten turned down for jobs and for schools. I’ve auditioned for rock bands that didn’t hire me. Heck, for the last few years I’ve called myself a writer. If that doesn’t teach you about rejection, nothing will. I know that when it happens, I’m going to feel sad for a couple minutes or a couple hours or a couple days, and then life will go on.

My daughter turns fourteen in just about a month. She’s played for no-cut sports teams and sung with audition-free choirs. Other than the bumps and bruises that go along with being  a middle school girl, she has very little experience with getting turned down for something she really wants. I just hope she doesn’t have to learn this lesson till she’s a little older.

I might be more nervous than she is, because I KNOW what disappointment feels like. It sucks, but it makes you stronger. She should hear from both schools about the same time as her birthday. We’ve got a back-up to the back-up plan if the worst happens, but at her party I want to hear an excited bunch of girls talking about how they all got into the schools they wanted, my daughter included. And if you’ve got a minute, send some positive energy our way.
Peace,
Liv

Monday, January 16, 2012

Sophie's Snow Day


“A snowstorm can be a life changing event. Just ask Sophie.”

I'm very happy to welcome another one of the authors from the "Snowbound Hearts" anthology, Ms. Jillian Chantal. Jillian's story, Sophie's Snow Day, takes the anthology's theme in an unexpected direction, and will warm you up better than a fire in the fireplace.  I won't say any more, because I don't want to give anything away. The picture to the right of this post hides a link to the SMP site, so you can check it out for yourself. 
Thanks so much, Jillian! Maybe next time I can come visit you for reals on a beach in sunny Florida.
Peace,
Liv


Thanks for having me here as a guest, Liv. I’m always happy to visit my friends and chat a bit. I’m Jillian and I have a story in the Snowbound Hearts anthology published by Still Moments Publishing. My story is called Sophie’s Snow Day. Since the anthology consists of stories of people caught in a snow storm or snowed in, I thought maybe most of the submissions would relate to the remote cabin in the woods type of snow-in, so even though I love the idea of that(and the cover photo makes me want to snuggle under blankets in a cabin), I decided to make the setting of my story a city. Snow plows sometimes take their time clearing the roads and I thought that would be a different spin on the snowed-in theme.

I love a crackling fire and a cold day. I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida now and we very rarely get snow but I’ve lived and traveled to other places where it snows and always enjoyed it. As to driving in snow, not so much love there and I’m grateful that I don’t have to do that. When it snows in my town, the whole place shuts down. We don’t have the equipment to deal with it since it’s such a rarity. So, I guess I can say I have been snowed in. Of course, 2 inches to you folks in the north is just a bit of precipitation just like to us down here in hurricane world, a tropical storm is merely a slight breeze. It’s funny how perspectives are different across the globe. I love that.

I’m thrilled to be in the great company of the other writers in this anthology. I think all the stories will be wonderful. If you read Sophie’s Snow Day, I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sophie is a sassy girl and Tobias is, well, Tobias is just Tobias. I think you’ll like him.

Thanks again for having me here, Liv. I love to hear from readers. You can find me on the web at www.jillianchantal.com or Twitter at twitter.com/JillianChantal.

Bio: Jillian Chantal lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida, home of the sugar white sands and a little piece of paradise. She has a husband and two sons. In no particular order, she loves cats, travel, chocolate, theatre and boots. If she's not lounging by the pool or writing, she can usually be found shoe shopping.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

And now, the time has come...

 It's finally here. Release day. My very first book, A Vampire's Deadly Delight, is available from Black Opal Books. You can see it on their website (www.blackopalbooks.com), or find it on Amazon (http://amzn.to/xXP99m) or Barnes and Noble (http://bit.ly/ygKs0l). I'm getting a little verklempt, typing in MY book title to those sites and seeing something pop up. 
And to celebrate, I'm going to....spend the morning up at Helene Madison pool, cheering on my little swimmer (okay, so in about 10 minute he'll be taller than his mother, but he'll always be my little boy). And at noon time we'll be at Ravenna gym, cheering for the Northgate Bulldogs. Go Dogs! And later, it'll be Mass as usual. 
Since I'm doing the no-grains diet thing, and Saturday is my sneaky beer night, I'll be making a toast tonight to the success of the book. Anyone who wants to join me, send me a text today, but if you're too far away, leave a suggestion in the comments as to what kind of beer I should drink. I'll only have one, so make it a good one! 
Peace,
Liv

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Snowbanked


Returning home can hold the best surprises, especially when love’s involved.

Hey gang, I’ve got another guest to welcome! Jennifer Daiker is the author of Snowbanked, a sweet and spicy little story found in the “Snowbound Hearts” anthology from Still Moments Publishing. Parker’s a small-town girl who left behind the man of her dreams to move to California, and ends up torn between her love for sunny beaches and something much hotter that she finds on a trip back home. Check out this interview with Jennifer and after that, take a look over to your right to the link to “Snowbound Hearts”. 
Thanks Jennifer, for the visit, and for sharing this part of yourself. Peace,
Liv

1. Snowbanked is such a cool title. How did you come up with it?
My husband did. Yup, I'm willing to admit that. He'd also want me to tell you that he came up with my blog titled, Unedited. Apparently I'm not great with titles. It started off as Snow and an Ex, but I find this is much more fitting!

2. Which two or three authors would you like to emulate?
I want to stay me. Original, flirty, and fun. But if we're going on who I'd like to one day be next too in a bookstore it'd be Talli Roland & Sophie Kinsella.

3. The small town/big city dynamic seems integral to the story. Do you have a preference for one or the other? 
I've come from a small town and hated it growing up. Moved to a big city and realized it wasn't all it's cracked up to be. I think home for the holidays resonates because I get the warmth and welcome feeling I want to achieve, but the city offers plays, outdoor activities, the world at your fingertips. So a little of both!

4. Tell me about your writing. Do you pretty much focus on romance, or are there other genres you work in? Why?
I write chick lit, dystopian YA, and horrors. I like to mix it up. My moood depends on what path I'll take for the day. Normally it's what character is screaming louder. Each of them have a story tell, and it's my job to make sure it comes across as they'd like.

5. Are you a cat person or a dog person? Why?
Cats. They're independent and have personalities just like humans. I find them to be far more entertaining but I don't have to worry about leaving them for a road trip. They can fend for themselves.

6. What have been the keys to your success as a writer? 
Perserverence, patience, and support. Write when you don't feel like it, ask for advice when you need it, and allow yourself to act like a fool when writer's block hits.

Bio – Jennifer is a 25 year old, Houston based writer, who can be found spending copious amounts of time at her favorite bookshop, Blue Willow, eating far too many cupcakes, and watching episodes of the Real Housewives. To be a part of the quirkiness, visit her blog: http://jenniferdaiker.blogspot.com).


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Cold & Sparkly vs Warm & Human

"Can a secret, up and coming rock musician reawaken a young woman's passion while she fumbles her way through a strange city and new life?"



Lovely readers, please join me in welcoming my very first guest. Shannon O'Brien is the author of Winter Twilight, a short story that's appearing in the new anthology "Snowbound Hearts" from Still Moments Publishing. I met Shannon in a fiction workshop at the Write On The Sound conference last October, so I can say for certain that not only is she a nice girl, but she's a hell of a writer. Hope you enjoy her post here and that you check out "Snowbound Hearts". 
Peace,
Liv

Why do we love charming dead beings surviving on liquid diets, tantalizing were-animals howling in the night, and provocative phantoms popping in and out of bedrooms?  What would sexy supernatural leading men-thingy’s give the female protagonist a handsome human couldn’t? 

I don’t know.  I’ve never personally met any sparkling vampires or buff shape-shifters, even though I live a few hours from Forks and LaPush, WA.  But boy do we love to read about them!  And fall in love with them! 

Maybe the idea of having a partner who is ethereally and eternally handsome is a huge factor.  Or maybe the centuries of honing their kissing and petting skills entices us?  I mean, let’s face it, young men tend to be fumbling novices and young women spend tons of time hinting and shifting and leading in order to train them correctly.  But stumbling across an experienced supernatural being would have serious advantages. 

Now, our sexy human men have a lot to offer too.  It is nice to curl up to a strong, warm body in bed.  And something as simple as a bouquet of roses or smoldering glances in our direction would send the pulse a-racing.  Don’t let the fact that they snore loudly or hog the remote discourage you. 

I mean, we’re not perfect either.

But maybe that’s why we crave supernatural beings.  Does reading about them and their attractions to the human woman make us feel perfect?  Could a being as imperfect as a monster make a self-conscious woman feel alluring and special?  Is that what we crave when we read paranormal romances or urban fantasies? 

Possibly.  Most of those female protagonists, while they are often insecure, are also bad-asses themselves.  And maybe they thrive on the fact that they can run with vampires, tame werewolves, love demons and battle warlocks and come out alive.  They may be a little beat up, may be a little battered, and may be loved, but they are alive and wiser and less…insecure.

But don’t discount human men just yet.  There’s something magical about non-magical folk.  In my short story, Winter Twilight, available January 9 through Still Moments Publishing (www.stillmomentspublishing.com), my young, recently divorced protagonist, Teagan O’Leary, moves to a new city and stumbles around trying to get her bearings on her new life.  She meets her human co-worker, James Gulsoy, a tall dark-haired honey who works as a loading dock manager.  But when she finds out he’s a secret front-man for an up and coming rock band, and the love poems in her locker are from him…well let me ask you, who the heck would want an incubus over a hot rock star?

I think it’s safe to say, sexy paranormal leading men-thingy’s are awesome to read about and dream about and drool over, but human men keep us warm at night and grow old with us and make us feel alluring and special too.  As so they should. 




Shannon O’Brien transplanted to Seattle, WA from Southern California in the late 1990’s and is constantly mesmerized by the mountains, lakes and grandeur of the Pacific Northwest.  She is a wife, a mother of two young boys, and warden to a sweet Boxer and a sassy old black cat.  She encourages everyone to visit Puget Sound and even knows there really are sparkling vampires in Forks and a Sasquatch in the Cascade Mountains.  Trust her, she’s a fiction writer. You can keep an eye on what Shannon's up to here: http://shannonobrienauthor.wordpress.com/.

Friday, January 6, 2012

What's Next?

I'm so excited about the next couple weeks that I can barely sleep at night - and if you knew my schedule, you'd understand how crazy that is. Night shift nurse, baby. Usually that means "See bed? See Liv sleep in bed." Not so much right now.

So what am I so spun up about? The release of my first book is happening on January 14th, which on its own is kind of mind-blowing, but in addition to that I'm going to be guest-blogging all over the place, sharing the news about A Vampire's Deadly Delight (http://bit.ly/zBSr4y). That's the cover art to the right of this post. The artist is my sister, Liza Rancourt-Fennimore. She is so awesome!

I'll also be playing hostess to my first guests here on the Liv Rancourt blog. You can expect to hear from Ryder Islington, author of Ultimate Justice: A Trey Fontaine Mystery on January 24th (http://amzn.to/rPFR08). Both Jennifer Daiker and Shannon O'Brien will be here to talk about their short stories in Snowbound Hearts, an upcoming anthology from Still Moments Publishing (www.stillmomentspublishing.com). And, Sherry Isaac will be here to talk about her stories of romantic paranormal suspense. And maybe make you giggle a little.

There's a lot to look forward to, and I hope you'll stick around and share it with me. If you're a writer with something to talk about, email me (www.livrancourt.com) so we can set something up. If you have thoughts about the blog's new look, don't hesitate to share them in the comments. And if you're just here because you know I have a cute puppy, well, that's cool too.
Peace, Liv

 
This is him with a rawhide candy cane on Christmas morning. 
He's quite the little addict when it comes to rawhide.

Monday, January 2, 2012

This is not a love song

Back in about 1991 Prince and Madonna recorded a duet called Love Song that appeared on her Like A Prayer album. Listen to it, and you'll hear them repeat the phrase "This is not a love song" a whole bunch of times, while the verses describe their complicated relationship. Which can be tangentally linked to this post. This is not a New Years post.

Sort of.

I've read some lovely blog posts in the last two days, particularly one by my friend The Freeway Diva, where she dissects the last year and finds some pretty wonderful things. I'm more in the mood to dissect some of the recent pictures of Prince that I found when I was looking for the video of Love Song (the link's in the first paragraph). He might have had some work done. D'ya think?

On New Years Eve I sang the 5pm Mass and blew the dust off the Marian Litany, which isn't something you've likely heard unless you're a total Gregorian chant nerd. It's a meditative, possibly monotonous, chunk of chant, and I meant it to be a little pool of peace for those who were heading out for a night of champagne and fireworks. I'm still holding on to a bit of that peace, and hoping the Peeps from the Pews are too.

Then New Years Day I got to take the puppy out before I left for work. At 6 o'clock in the morning, the back yard was so quiet it made my ears ring. Even the freeway - which is a mile or so from our house -  barely made a hum. Of course, I had to divide my time between wallowing in the quiet and wondering why in hell the puppy won't pee in the grass if it's at all wet. We live in Seattle, dog. Get over it.

So that's my life on this New Years Night. The sublime - the family and friends and moments of beauty - and the monotonous, the ridiculous, the puppy. Not necessarily in that order.

Wouldn't trade a thing.

If I was the type to take stock, I'd marvel at the fact that people are interested in my writing and that my husband and I are still married and that my kids are so tall and strong and beautiful. But I'm more the type to buy the newest issue of People Magazine, to figure out how all those people lost half their body weight. I need some of what they're having. And I hope you and yours are safe and warm and laughing this New Years Night.
Peace,
Liv