Tag Archives: journey in writing

Busy Productive Time

I’ve been pretty busy over the last few years since…through the pandemic. I noticed my last post here was 2020. Let me give you the blast version of the run down.

2020 – Global Pandemic. Spent a lot of time writing. Also 2020 couldn’t figure out how to make wordpress work the way I needed it to easily, so I chose another what I thought was free web host. Let’s face it with royalties what they are I can’t really justify spending $300 a year on a website. Sorry, not sorry, no go. In any event I got this really cool website up and going. Then I discovered it was only free for a year then said fee was imposed. That took a lot of wind out of my sails. I’m back to WordPress. I still don’t get it to work the way I want it to. I’ll have to work on learning it more, I guess. It’s not always user friendly.

Also 2020 discovered a number of my less racy titles were in the “Erotic Dungeon”. In talking with authors I learned that if Amazon thinks that your title is a little risqué they only allow it to appear if the searcher (potential readers) knows the author’s name and searches on that variable. In effect, if someone searched out a broad category of say ‘romance’ then my title wouldn’t appear. Rip much? Oh yeah. So that resulting emotion caused me to end my long-time exclusive contract with Amazon. I ended the exclusive contract option with them and as the contracts expired, I posted my titles far and wide on other digital platforms. Draft2Digital (thru them Smashwords) and Book Strand, now join Amazon in hosting my books. That took a lot of my time and energy through 2022.

So, in 2020 I launched into a series I named “Seductive Celebrations”. If I was going to be punished in sales for what I wrote. I’d give them something worth punishing. Oh I was a very bad girl. It’s a novella. Blurb: “Vol 1 of Seductive Celebrations Novelette, MFM/MMF; Erotic Paranormal Romance. This is a spicy evening read for your entertainment and enjoyment. Let the Seductive Celebrations Begin. Brielle and Michael orchestrate a birthday celebration Noah will never forget. Brielle crosses the divide between male and female with her fae talent of shape shifting into any form she can visualize. For this birthday party she’s got something up her pants. Michael and Noah open the door to try new things. A birthday is a perfect time for getting down with new experiences. Wolf shifters always enjoy a little rough fun while they share their fairy’s tail. Best Birthday EVER!” https://www.amazon.com/Noahs-Fairy-Tale-Seductive-Celebrations-ebook/dp/B08D6ZRVDF?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.57_gJ9keGYERfTFL_1TuN5viUCztnYopdbKxDmzyY0B7f6vaB2JMkTIIYKuwDdHJ6KDh5CvYcXBQE8Qze8aBqtLmfQ_5AF4lv1R0zQ2ZqMZDVyzFpI0Ur9PXo9DG0cnlDz-948B_pVP6lbpZf3rGe679kRPUVcMtK_1vRkMqiSdy0uxWiXYOJnrGCmgPMvncuCrAgNB05EGHVLuMQie11V-9MyfYdAtzlNk2id8z5ig.jq-ztzUO-miKbf4EkzbKYf2c0P2558DFa8Uw4R12pow&dib_tag=AUTHOR

That temper tantrum led to book 2 in the Seductive Celebrations with “Three Is Just Right.” Another Novella length, Blurb: “I am Jade and I am a complicated piece of ass. That’s what I’ve been told by past lovers and I can see the point. I’ve got barriers around me like a concertina wire fence and hackles like a porcupine. Commitment phobe? Look it up in the Urban Dictionary and you’ll see my picture. But then, you could find my photo and references to me under several entries in that tomb of kink. It’s Christmas and I feel like giving three of my packmates a special gift, a no holds barred, me. All I want in return is a little bit of DNA to satisfy my ticking clock. I was raised by a single mother. That’s my style. I have a choice of a luscious Dar’kind Fae full of mystery and command; a hot ebony feline shifter that makes me laugh and wears his heart on his sleeve; and the gentle giant of a man that packs me full of goodness. Is he bear shifter or bigfoot’s love child? I can’t choose between them. What I don’t expect is the way they will peal away my layers until I’m left vulnerable and ready to accept the future my three unique lovers have planned for me.” https://www.amazon.com/Three-Just-Right-Seductive-Celebrations-ebook/dp/B08FF31HL1?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.57_gJ9keGYERfTFL_1TuN5viUCztnYopdbKxDmzyY0B7f6vaB2JMkTIIYKuwDdHJ6KDh5CvYcXBQE8Qze8aBqtLmfQ_5AF4lv1R0zQ2ZqMZDVyzFpI0Ur9PXo9DG0cnlDz-948B_pVP6lbpZf3rGe679kRPUVcMtK_1vRkMqiSdy0uxWiXYOJnrGCmgPMvncuCrAgNB05EGHVLuMQie11V-9MyfYdAtzlNk2id8z5ig.jq-ztzUO-miKbf4EkzbKYf2c0P2558DFa8Uw4R12pow&dib_tag=AUTHOR Yes, indeed I planned on earning my spot in the erotic dungeon.

Then in 2021 – 2023 I returned to school to get certified for a new career. I really needed income. I worked hard at that and graduated a two-year program with a 4 pt average and a number of academic awards. I was able to re-enter the job market in 2023 and start paying off some bills. Go Me.

In the meantime. I’ll call these 2020 – 2024 the pandemic years. I still had that naggy voice in my head from my x-husband’s aunt. See blog post in 2017 on Never Give UP. That voice kept telling me I wasn’t good enough. It battled with the other voice in my head telling me nice naughty stories to pass on to you guys. I’d promised you guys “Jake’s Bid” It was a story that nagged me quite a bit. It has a Valentines Day setting. It really wrote like a Seductive Celebrations book. However, it was intended to be in the Amethyst Desire Collection because of that naughty amethyst necklace. You will have to be the judge. I finished it a long time ago but toyed with it, worried with it, wrote additional scenes, took the scenes out, put them back in, edited them. Finally this week 2025 I had to just let it go. Maybe you will like it….maybe you will hate it. I set it free. Blurb “Jake has a Friday night ritual of dinner, wine, and cards with his friends Julian and Natalie. Somewhere along the way he fell in love with both of them. He hasn’t been able to figure out how to communicate his desire without the risk of losing the friendship he has with the couple.

Tonight is the night, Valentine’s Day. He purchased an amethyst necklace for Natalie and he’s going to figure out how to tell them he wants to deepen their three-way relationship if he doesn’t chicken out.

While talking himself out of the confession he hears Natalie say, “We’ll play a round of spades and the winner gets to fuck me.” Julian smiled before he added, “And I get to fuck the loser.” His smile broadened as he looked Jake in the eye. “Does that about cover where you wanted to go, Jake?” https://www.amazon.com/Jakes-Bid-Amethyst-Desire-Collection-ebook/dp/B0DSQQ72KS?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.57_gJ9keGYERfTFL_1TuN5viUCztnYopdbKxDmzyY0B7f6vaB2JMkTIIYKuwDdHJ6KDh5CvYcXBQE8Qze8aBqtLmfQ_5AF4lv1R0zQ2ZqMZDVyzFpI0Ur9PXo9DG0cnlDz-948B_pVP6lbpZf3rGe679kRPUVcMtK_1vRkMqiSdy0uxWiXYOJnrGCmgPMvncuCrAgNB05EGHVLuMQie11V-9MyfYdAtzlNk2id8z5ig.jq-ztzUO-miKbf4EkzbKYf2c0P2558DFa8Uw4R12pow&dib_tag=AUTHOR

So there you have it. I am continuing to write and write and write. I am working on the next in the Amethyst Desire Collection which is vol 9 if I count right. It will be titled Jack’s Holiday. It will be a fun F,F,M menage’ romp in a world I’ve not explored before while still under the influence of that crafty amethyst necklace. I hope you will like it. I’m working on final edits and the cover now. That spawned off a side series about those new paranormal beings and I’ve got two novellas in the works there that are MFM menage’. I also started on the beginnings of the 10th Amethyst Desire Collection that has a Yule setting and is a fun another F,F,M menage’. And on a back burner is an alien sci fy trilogy novel. The only tease I’ll give is think tentacle porn. It may stay under my bed for a long time, or maybe not.

That explains my gap in visiting with you. I hope you haven’t completely forgotten about me. I’m climbing, clawing back. Let me know what you think. And as always, the way to help authors is to purchase their work. It’s often less than a starbucks latte. Then leave a review. It doesn’t have to be a book report and don’t put in spoilers. Just a brief and click some stars. I still have reviews out there from vengeful x-girlfriends that were 1 star and said mean things. So, be kind.

Sunday update

I have been running like a six legged dog. That’s a scary thought but yes describes it accurately. I’ve had to move my three classes to distance education for the finish of these last couple weeks of the semester. I needed to jump back into the real work force. These times are hard financially and I had to go to work.

I’ve become an associate with a huge international shipping conglomerate. They ship virtually anything anywhere. I don’t want to say the name. I’m one of the worker bees. I’ve spent sixty hours packing boxes with those products and labeling them to go on their way being shipped to where ever.

I haven’t worked this hard since Chris Triche and I had to do barn work over Christmas vacation at school with 400 horses and cattle. I’m like the Donut man. Make the donuts, crash get up to make the donuts again. Lordie I’m tired and places hurt that I didn’t know were places.

I hope to do well on this job so that after the Christmas Holidays I get kept on as an Associate. The schedule would calm down to 40 hours a week with Mon/ Tues and Thurs/Fri for a very manageable 40 hour week. I’ll have two classes on distance education at that point equally manageable and I can get back to more writing time again.

So I just wanted to check in to update you on the little twists life has taken lately. I’ll try to keep you all posted from time to time.

I’m happy to think about “Raynia’s Magic” coming out in the Valentine Anthology with Rebel Ink Press. I am working on another piece for them that is exciting and coming together well.

11-11-11 Weekend Dirty Dozen

Hi all. I am so excited about the prospects of the day. 11/11/11 won’t happen again for another 100 years. Other interesting dates 09/10/11, 12/12/12, 12/21/12, 10/11/12. What’s your favorite ohhh. I remember exactly what I was doing on 08/08/08 and 09/09/09, 10/10/10 was another ohhhh. LOVE IT But enough date squeee. On to business!

My Weekend Dirty Dozen. Find other Weekend Dirty Dozen authors on the blog.

This is draft from my next release “Raynia’s Magic” which will be part of the Valentine’s anthology from Rebel Ink Press “Tempting Cupid”

blurb:

Raynia Castellano is drawn to purchase an amethyst pendant on an impulse buy. The clerk assures her the magic is in the woman, not the necklace that seems to call to her. She’s left an adulterous (now) x-husband and settled into law practice with her oh so sexy and oh so apparently gay law partners Chase Thompson and Peter Thornton.

Her bisexual law partners come out of the closet and surprise her, celebrating the anniversary of her joining the practice with the seduction of her life.

(Thank you Fine Art America)

Weekend Dirty Dozen

“It feels good,” slipped out on a sigh.

Her fingers slid along the purple slice of quartz, cut to reveal the flame of the gemstone and polished to a smooth cool sheen.

The bauble hung from a brass rope chain. A petite metal feather and a gemstone bead nestled next to the oval stone, caressing it like lovers, three lovers.

Raynia wasn’t sure if she and the clerk were talking about the stone at all.
“A beautiful woman such as you may find happiness being receptive to the pleasures life has to offer.”

She let his comment pass. She hadn’t thought of herself as beautiful in a very long time. A slow smile, so much like Peter’s devilish grin, framed his perfect teeth. She blinked to clear her eyes. Peter’s smile, Chase’s hair color, the memories shot a tingle of sensation straight to her core.

If the clerk only knew, her frustration at resisting the pleasures her two very sexy law partners might provide.

Fantasy Man Monday

Today’s Fantasy Man fodder search (Say that three times fast) took me searching for sexy men and their pets. On initial query I found pictures of bad dudes with scorpions. That really wasn’t the tone I was looking for today. However, I dug deeper and found these pictures that perhaps will make you say “Awww, Oooo!”

What is it about men and dogs? Guys take a note, instant conversation starter with girls. Cute dog goes along way as a character reference.

I passed a guy with his boxer dog on an outing at the farmers market, last week. The dog was a model of obedience. As a former animal trainer that spoke volumes to me about the kind of man I would find on the other end of the leash.

This guy might not have made Fantasy Man Monday on his own assets. But in this photo he is just the kind of guy you want to hug and squeeze. Isn’t he? I can see he would be fun and great to share some laughs with. Another big plus in the selection department. Fantasy Men come in all shapes and sizes. My Fantasy Man may or may not make your top ten list. My Fantasy Man tastes change in an array of qualities, not unlike a kaleidoscope. Mood, timing, thoughts and phases of the moon may alter what I find sexy and attractive. Today it was men with dogs that are self disciplined, fun and not hard at all to look at!

Sometimes, the Fantasy Man will surprise you.

Happy Monday everyone.

Fantasy Man Monday

The heart wrenching memories of 9/11/01 can not be denied. So much senseless loss. Yet like the battered 9/11 tree we continue on, scared at times, but not defeated. And new life, new beauty, new resolve to live life out loud.

Think of our Fantasy Men in Uniform.

I couldn’t resist.

Okay I would drop and give you 20 but this hunkilicious (yeah, new word, add it to your dictionary. lol) gentleman does it so much better.

Whoo Whee, I need someone to put out this fire.

What is not to love about an earthy man, in uniform…pieces of uniform… Ah, well at least a man with a big….gun.

Brings out the huntress in all of use, doesn’t it?

Joyful Monday

Life is Fragile

I don’t often write much about my family. I did a blog way back about how my son in law is my real life hero. That was during his first Marine sponsored solo vacation to the land of sand.

Now he is on his second tour. My daughter holding down the home front again. This time she was pregnant with their son, my first grandchild.

*I know hard to believe, I am much too young to be a grandmother*

She had the baby 9/3/11 after being in labor more hours than I can count. SIL got to hear the baby being born via the telephone. He is a continual strength to my daughter. The baby was born a seemingly ‘healthy’ 7lbs 12 oz at 20 1/2 inches long. He was given a massively cliche’ Italian family name.

While the medical staff were checking him out they noticed he wasn’t breathing well and discovered his lung was partially collapsed. The decision was made to transfer him to NICU in a neighboring town. His Momi gave birth at 3:14 a.m. on the 3rd and didn’t get to hold her baby until 10:39 that night at the Neonatal ICU unit.

When she called me with the news before lunchtime on the 3rd, their plan was for her to stay in the hospital an hour and a half away from her baby at the NICU. She had seen the baby. He was under oxygen. At that point her plan became “I am going where my baby is… if I have to check myself out of here AMA and walk barefooted. I don’t care who I have to talk to but I am not stopping until I talk to the person who will make me being with my baby a priority.”

My girlfriend is a nurse and immediately got on the computer collecting phone numbers for my daughter to call. She also helped my daughter understand what the medical jargon meant for what was happening with her son.

Our little miracle boy has been on and off of oxygen. His lung seems to be inflating and doing it’s job. Because he didn’t get fed in those early hours of his life he has not learned how to suck and swallow. He ended up on a tube to get the nutrition into him. Now, he is learning how to swallow.

So this week, my oldest daughter is my heroine. No one messes with a mother bear protecting her cubs. My middle daughter is my heroine too cause she was there with her sister through the whole thing taking care of her. And My girlfriend and partner is my heroine for taking care of me and helping my girls when I didn’t know how.

And of course, my SIL is still my real life hero because even though he was half way around the world, he took care of his wife’s emotions and supported her, comforted her and held her close.

Never forget how fragile life is take care to make every moment count for something.

Blogging at Coffee Time

Rebel Ink Authors for the anthology “Once Upon A Twisted Tale” will be blogging over at Coffee time romance.com on September 15th, 2011. Check it out and come on over to join in the fun. Ask me anything you want to know about “The Galloping Ghoul of Hockomock Swamp”.

Fantasy Man Monday

A beautiful Laborday Monday has arrived and we are finally getting the rain we have needed. It has been a long dry hot summer. Laborday usually signifies the end of summer. Lets take a last look at those hard working men of summer that are here in fantasy to give us so much Fantasy Man Monday happiness… to sigh and know why we enjoy romance writing so much.

Wet Men

Tattooed Men

Men with a little scruff

Sexy men of all shapes, sizes and colors

Yes, a hard working cowboy even needs a little love

Good Bye summer, bring on the fall. Lounge around in bed with the someone you love and listen to the rain. Tell the world and all the demands others have for you to go away. It is a perfect way to spend Labor Day.

Promotion Joy and Woe

You write a wonderful story, great action, sizzling sex and wow the day comes where an a. agent, b. editor, c indy publisher actually wants to buy the book and follow your baby through to publication.

You jump on the exciting merry go round of emotions. You have arrived, semi arrived. Okay at least you have gotten further along the path to your goals. It is a fantastic time in your career. You are beginning to feel like a “real” author.

The next logical step is Promotion of your ‘baby’ and it’s not a magical formula. I have attended a few writer’s workshops on promotion.

The general consensus is NO ONE really knows what will work. It can get pretty expensive throwing “mud” at the wall to see what sticks.

I came across a great blog giving reference to any number of cites that promote the lower priced e-books.

There is a lot of good information here. However, the obstacle continues to remain. HOW DO YOU GET THIS INFO in the hands of READERS???

Any ideas? I would love to hear your comments. Yeah, totally selfish. I am a contributing author to an Anthology coming out mid October. I might have told you about that.LOL.I am keenly interested in how to promote this release to readers.

Fantasy Man Monday

We have neglected a very significant hot man component in our Fantasy Man Monday Blog — The Villain.

The hot baddies are in their own right the hero’s of their story.

Who can forget this handsome bad guy from Die Hard movie fame.

Often we find many redeemable qualities in these characters.

The villain can be the ultimate bad boy, a tortured soul.

These actors might not have been cast as the villain of a movie but they are hot devils. Not all villains have to be ugly and evil. Go against the stero type — make your next villain handsome as sin