#WriteTip - A Character Directory by @SofiaGreyAuthor, spotlighting her sports #romance POLE POSITION

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My Sexy (To Go) cohort Sofia Grey (who is also sexy, and writes sexy stuff) has a new release today. It's priced at $0.99 until 18 February, after which the price goes back to the usual $3.99. Before we check out her sexy (yes, let's see if this tricks Google's search bots) contemporary sports romance Pole Position, take 5 seconds to absorb her writing tip (which is seriously useful for a series writer such as I).

P.S. Sofia's also giving away an eBook with a bunch of swag. Enter here.


I keep a directory for significant characters. Every new leading character gets added, with the following details: (a) name, age, birth date, appearance, (b) what book(s) they appear in, and (c) key dates of events in the book. This is REALLY useful when I have a couple of series that overlap, to help me keep track of who was where, and when. Jon and Anita also appear in the (unrelated) Talisman series, hence my concern to make sure their history all lines up :) - Sofia Grey

Tip absorbed? Okay then, onward to the sexy stuff. 

Pole Position

by Sofia Grey

Jon's glamorous life as a racecar driver is poles apart from Anita's job in a bookshop, and he's drawn to her in a way he never imagined. After one unfaithful, soon-to-be-ex-wife, and a revolving door of models and actresses, Jon finds Anita's innocence and vulnerability a breath of fresh air.

Anita's abusive ex-boyfriend left her running scared of any kind of relationship. Picking up the pieces of her life is hard, but her best friend since childhood, Danny Webster, is only too willing to help. And then she meets Jon. He completes her in a way Danny never could.

She doesn't expect the men to hate each other on sight. Losing Anita isn't an option for Jon or Danny, but only one man can take pole position for her heart.

Excerpt

I seethed in silence. Anita glanced up, saw the look on my face, and struggled to sit upright. “What’s wrong?” She asked.

I didn’t answer. I looked away as I tried to get my anger under control.

“It’s something to do with Danny, isn’t it?”

I wasn’t sure what to say. How about, I’d like to throttle your friend? No, perhaps not.

Anita tugged on my arm, and I turned back to face her. She had two spots of color in her cheeks. I’d not seen her annoyed before.

“You still have a problem with him don’t you? What is it with you?”

She galvanized me into being honest. “I don’t trust him, and I don’t like you spending so much time with him.” As soon as I’d said it, I could have kicked myself. It sounded sulky, and childish. And it infuriated her.

“He’s my best friend. Of course I spend time with him. And how can you not trust him?” Her voice rose in pitch. “What has he done to you?”

I was astonished she could have forgotten. “Well let me see. He hung up on me several times when I phoned for you. He’s warned me to keep away from you. He’s told me to fuck off in no uncertain terms. Then he picked a fight with me. You might recall it?”

“But he apologized. Shook your hand. He told me it was all a misunderstanding.”

“Yeah, right.” I couldn’t hide my contempt.

She jerked away and stood up, shivering, before wrapping her arms over her chest. “You’re jealous.”

There. The accusation was out in the open. It lay between us, challenging me to respond.

“I trust my instincts, Anita, and they tell me to keep the hell away from him.”

She stood there completely silent, staring at me with huge eyes. I sat sullenly. I could see she was close to tears, and I suddenly regretted my words. I held out a hand to her and tried a smile, but she ignored it.

“I’ve known Danny all my life.” She spoke slowly, as though she was working out what to say. “I’ve known you for less than a month. Are you asking me to choose between you?”

I just looked at her.

“You are. Jesus Christ.” She swung away, and walked to the doorway, her arms still wrapped across her body. The rain continued to hammer down; the thunder more distant now. She stood in the doorway, silhouetted against the lighter outside. It was ages before she turned back to me.

“Danny’s always had my back. Always. He rescued me when I quit at Uni. Danny encouraged me to train as an instructor. He spent months looking at horses for me, before finding Sam. He gave me a home. Rebuilt my life.”

Her voice was low. I struggled to hear her.

“Don’t make me choose, Jon.”

ABOUT SOFIA GREY

Romance author Sofia Grey spends her days managing projects in the corporate world and her nights hanging out with wolf shifters and alpha males. She devours pretty much anything in the fiction line, but she prefers her romances to be hot, and her heroes to have hidden depths. When writing, she enjoys peeling back the layers to expose her characters’ flaws and always makes them work hard for their happy endings.

Music is interwoven so tightly into my writing that I can’t untangle the two. Either I’m listening to a playlist on my iPod, have music seeping from my laptop speakers, or there’s a song playing in my head – sometimes on auto-repeat.

Check out my image collections on Pinterest and my music playlists on Spotify.

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#WriteTip - But… Do I Have To??? by @OliviaNightRead, spotlighting her @LSB_lsbooks #Romance

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I'm delighted to welcome fellow romantic suspense author Olivia Night back to my blog (Yes, I know I've taken a hiatus from suspense in favor of paranormals. The past counts!) She has a brand new release from Liquid Silver Books, which means I get to extort her for a writing tip. As someone who loathes research, I can't wait to hear what she has to say! 

(P.S. There's a giveaway at the bottom, so don't forget to scroll down.)

But… Do I Have To??? Making Research Less Painful

by Olivia Night

When I started my first novel, I knew immediately that I was going to need to do some a significant research. I knew nothing about the arms business, Sierra Leone or it’s vibrant customs and culture. Research was not something I had considered a necessity before I got serious about writing novels. But now it’s one of my favorite parts! (Dork Alert!)

My second novel required even more research. As a Type A person I had to be sure to that what I was writing was accurate. One research topic I was not quite prepared for was delving into the psychology of victims of abuse. The heroine in Seduction in Seville, Madison Lockwood, survived an horrific situation and it was important to me that I tell her story correctly. It felt like a balancing act at times when writing her and her growth through the novel.

Poorly researched novels stick out like sore thumbs and can sometimes communicate to the reader that the author just really didn’t care all that much to get things right, even if that isn’t the case.

Research can a dreaded task when writing, so I compiled list of research tips that I swear by. Enjoy!

Tip #1 - It is totally okay to type “(need information here)” in your manuscript as you are write instead of stopping at that moment and finding the answer you need. I do this quite frequently, especially if I am on a roll - so to speak. This leads naturally to the next tip.

Tip # 2 - Commit and then sit down and do the research. It’s much harder to get a clear picture of political environment of say, Tunisia, if you research five minutes here and ten minutes there.  Tell yourself you are going to research the hierarchy of wolf packs for thirty minutes and research not only what you need but as much as you can.

Tip # 3 - Notes, notes, notes.  Just doing a copy/paste into a new document isn’t going to actually give you the knowledge that you need to write. Or write well. Of course you want the information on hand when you need it but, you need to understand the information as well. At this point in our lives we are all pretty aware of how we best learn. Do that. Because it’s important to…

Tip # 4 - Do more than regurgitate information. It is pretty easy to spot information within a novel that is simply reworded or paraphrased from somewhere else. As the author of your book or series it’s important to have a real understanding of what you are writing about.

Tip # 5 - Google Earth! I have spent sooooo much time on google earth. I want to get even the smallest details correct. This includes street names, landmarks and restaurants. Recently I used it to chart my hero and heroine’s trip from Hungary to Scotland. I wanted to use the correct routes, with accurate time traveled as well as places they could stay that were off the beaten path (because people on the run need to be off the beaten path).

Tip # 6 -  Ask questions. When I was researching human trafficking laws within the European Union tons of questions came to mind. I spent the time and researched to find those answers. Then when I was writing about the human trafficking ring in my novel the words just flew off the tips of my fingers. Of course, a lot of what I learned was not included, but that didn’t matter. I felt confident in my knowledge as opposed to nervous that I may be getting something wrong.

Research may not be the most favorite past time for authors, but it’s a necessary evil to create a well written book. Plus, when you spend time on google earth tell the kids and hubby or wife to leave the room and you can pretend you’re taking a mini vacation!

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Reviews for Seduction in Seville are in!
"We are taken on a wild ride and I loved every minute of it. I like to read books that have action and move at a fast pace and this one was just what I wanted. I look forward to reading more from this author. " - Nerd Girl Official

Seduction in Seville

The Men of FTI, Book #2

by Olivia Night

In a hospital in Seville, Spain, Patrick Kane lies in a coma. Ambushed and shot while protecting someone important to him, he fights to survive.

She never thought she would see him again. Patrick, the man who’d brought her back.

Eight years ago, Patrick Kane, a joint partner in Fairlane Trade International, descended into a basement of horrors. That horrible day he rescued many women, but one he would always remember. Her beautiful doe eyes filled his dreams and haunted his nightmares.

Madison Lockwood, a nurse, has struggled to put her past behind her, trying to forget the time she spent in captivity. But she recognizes the man who rescued her and brought her out of that terrifying reality. She owes him her life. Patrick is gravely injured, and Madison vows to see him through.

When Patrick opens his eyes, he instantly knows that he made a mistake leaving Madison after freeing her from the clutches of a human trafficking ring. She is meant to be his. As Patrick tries to win over a wary Madison, the past they both thought was gone for good comes back with a vengeance. One by one, the survivors of the horrific ordeal are being murdered. Patrick knows that Madison will be next if he doesn’t protect her.

Together they must fight for their survival. Seduction In Seville, book two in the Men of FTI series, is a tale of redemption, murder, new beginnings, and love that takes the reader on a wild, exotic ride.

Excerpt

He was struggling internally, she could feel it. She knew why, and so did he.

“I’ve been on my own for a long time now.”

He tensed, his fingers flexing on her hips. Whoops, wrong thing to say.

“I know that, Madison.” She opened her mouth to speak. “You’re not anymore.”

She opened her mouth again.

“Not ever again,” he added.

He turned her then and looked down at her with determination in his eyes. Daring her to negate his statement. “Patrick—”                                                      

“I found you again. Or you found me. Whichever. But never again, Madison.”

She was silent for a beat, and then she felt her heart begin to thunder. Oh God, she was going to hyperventilate.                     

She shook her head and then asked the question that had been on her mind for a month. “What are you doing?” It came out a bit like an accusation. She looked up at him and watched him grind his jaw, his hands on her hips using the same rhythm.                     

“What am I doing?”

“Yes.”

“What I should have done eight years ago.”

She glanced over his shoulder, thinking back to those eight years. She had woken up to her parents, and as much as she’d hated it, she’d wanted him there, too “What do you mean?”  

He looked at her for more than a few seconds, his gaze searching hers, and then he just seemed to look into her. “I knew your eyes the second I opened mine,” he said as if it were some sort of explanation. Goosebumps erupted all over her arms. “I could never forget them. Ever.” Still, she said nothing. “I saw them all the time. Every day for eight years.”

She looked down. Their waists were almost touching. He had done that before. Careful not to connect them there. She leaned her lower half into him. Another first. And then he pulled her closer. She looked back up.

“I should have never walked out of that hospital, Madison.” He sounded so sure.

“Patrick...” She shook her head. “It’s okay that you did.”

“No. It’s not.” He said it with finality. “I knew it was wrong then. I just ignored what I knew or maybe thought that I couldn’t be right. That I was misidentifying the feeling. That it was inappropriate for me to have those feelings then.”                                                         

What was he talking about? “What feelings?” she asked.

But he ignored her and kept going. “You were so scared. I didn’t know you, and I wanted to take it all away. All the time you spent there. Clear it from your mind.” His gaze was now over her shoulder, staring out the window.

“And you needed me. You leaned on me, slept on me. Held my hand when we got to the hospital. I should have never left. At first, I told myself it was the right thing to do. You didn’t know me. You didn’t need me. I convinced myself that I was making it up. That what I was feeling was to make me feel better. I couldn’t save them all. I saved you. So, I told myself that this was all just me trying to take away my guilt...and that you really didn’t need me. But then, after time had passed and I saw your face more clearly...the way you had looked up at me in that basement. The way you looked at me in the Jeep. In the hospital. I knew leaving was a mistake. You did need me.”

Madison was silent through it all. His explanation, though disjointed, was perfectly clear. She continued to look up at him. She had no clue what to say, so she didn’t say anything.

“And then I realized it wasn’t just about what you needed. It was about what I needed. I needed you and to be there for you. To see you through it. And I could’ve found you, but...I didn’t. I stayed away.”

“Why?” she whispered.

He looked down at her then. “Because I knew Madison. I knew.” As if this were an entirely understandable explanation.

“You knew what, Patrick?”

He stared at her, unblinking, and then said, “That you were mine.”

About Olivia Night

Olivia Night, a fictional character herself, has always been an avid reader and writer. She found the romance genre in college and has never been able to get enough. One sleepless night, the main characters of Book One in her Men of FTI  series sprang from her head fully formed. They demanded she tell their story; so she did. As they revealed themselves, so did two other intriguing characters. Those characters convinced her to give them their own books because their stories were worth telling too. And so Olivia suddenly became a romance author. When Olivia is not writing, she has the best job in the world, which, too, will remain a secret. In her free time, she reads, write, drinks wine, or is, most likely, out emulating Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Olivia lives in one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the U.S.—Baltimore. She lives with her cat, which she is convinced was a gladiator in his past life. Olivia plans to continue being awesome at this thing called life. Really, that’s her only goal.

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#WriteTip - Slay the Adverbs by @TheaLanden, in honor of her @DecadentPub #dragonshifter #romance

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This writing tip is short and sweet, and one I can totally get behind. Since I'm eager to find out more about Thea's new 1NightStand from Decadent Publishing, we'll get right into it. 

Go easy on the adverbs! I try to limit them to when the most obvious interpretation of the verb needs to be altered. - Thea Landen

Flight of the Dragon Queen

by Thea Landen

For his entire life, Caleb has always been more comfortable surrounded by books and games than other people. When 1Night Stand is recommended to him, he contacts Madame Eve but is too shy to actually meet any of the women she finds for him. Together, they reach a workable solution: a simulated dating experience in a setting reminiscent of his favorite stories.

After following Madame Eve’s instructions, Caleb finds himself in a vivid fantasy world, complete with a damsel in distress who needs rescuing. His objective is clear, but he must find a way around the many obstacles standing between him and Alizeira, the mysterious woman imprisoned in an underground cell.

While working on his plans to save her, Caleb spends time getting to know Alizeira beyond her role as prisoner, and a mutual attraction develops between them. He is unsure whether she’s a real person playing a part like him, or if she’s simply one piece of the elaborate simulation that’s been programmed for his date. Setting her free is the first step to discovering the truth, but how many secrets is Alizeira hiding

Excerpt

Few torches lit up the dank passages, and an unpleasant smell permeated the air. Several captives called or reached out to me as I hurried along, yet I had one goal in mind. When I saw Alizeira in her cell at the end of the corridor, I broke into a run.

“Oh, thank the heavens you’re here!” She rushed toward the door, the heavy chains attached to her wrists and ankles scraping on the stone floor.

I cringed at the noise and put a finger to my lips. “I can’t stay long,” I whispered. “And I don’t think I can get you out tonight. I just wanted to see what we’re dealing with so I can come up with some sort of plan.”

The hurried movements had caused her cloak to slide down one arm, revealing an expanse of pale, creamy skin. Her fingers tightened around the bars to her cage, knuckles whitening, and her brows knit together with worry. “We may be running out of time….”

“What?” A knot twisted in my stomach, and I jerked away from staring at her exposed shoulder. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know all the details. I’ve heard some snippets of conversations drifting past the window and down these hallways.” Deep-red lips pursed in anguish. “But I believe Sampson and his men are plotting an attack on my land. With me out of the way, they’re going to hurt the people I swore to protect.”

The memory of the captain’s sword pointed at my neck lingered in my mind, yet I had to be strong for Alizeira. “How can we stop them?”

“First, I need to get out of here.” Her lashes fluttered and hints of tears glistened in her emerald eyes. “Please, Caleb. You’re the only one who can help.”

I thought of the keys at the entrance to the dungeon, so very close, and then remembered the armed guard sitting in front of them. The bag and shovel would be of little use to me in a fight, even if I managed to sneak up on him without calling attention to my activities. Ashamed at my shortcomings, I turned away. “I want to get you out of this prison, more than anything I’ve wanted in my entire life,” I said. “But I’m no great warrior or swordsman. I’m afraid of what will happen if I can’t be the man you need me to be.”

She reached through the bars and grabbed my arm with surprising force, pulling me toward her. “You already are. I know you can do it.” Her other hand slipped between the spaces to rest right above my racing heart. “Where I come from, we believe strength and courage have nothing to do with how well you wield a weapon or how many foes you’ve slain. There are far more important traits to possess, qualities no one can teach or learn.”

I ached to embrace her, to hold her tight as I whispered all sorts of promises I didn’t know if I could keep. The impenetrable iron barrier stood in our way, so I settled for covering her hand, clasping it to my chest. “Your confidence inspires me.” The warmth of her skin, the way her fingers fit together with mine, even the fact she had sought out my touch made me feel more alive in this fantasy world than I ever had at home. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Alizeira gazed up at me, eyes shining. I tried not to hyperventilate as I debated what to do next. Should I attempt to wrap my arms around her despite the thick bars separating us? Stroke her hair as I had done the previous night? Touch her bared skin? Kiss her?

ABOUT THEA LANDEN

Thea Landen lives in New York with her husband and a variety of houseplants. A former educator, she strives to encourage creativity and passion in all those around her, and uses writing to help inspire. Though she reads and writes in nearly all genres, she has a special fondness for science fiction, fantasy, and adventure and anything that pushes the imagination beyond its usual limits. When she’s not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games.

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