Make Your Hero Do Something He Would NOT Do!

Authors create characters to do what they want them                 to do. Sometimes characters come to authors fully fleshed out. We usually want good guys to be GOOD and bad guys to be BAD. An important thing we need to remember is that good characters need flaws and bad characters need redeeming qualities. In Protective Instincts Brit is the heroine. Sam is a hero. As an author I need to know so much about these characters that I know what would make each behave out of character. I need to know what each would never do and make each do that thing. Douglas, the villain, is bat shit crazy, but I had to find his weak spot! I  had to find something to make readers want to reform him.

 

Funny thing,  Sam’s brother, Drew, wanted his own book.

He insisted I write it! In two weeks Drew will have his own book, The Cost of Deception. Don’t tell Tess, the heroine this book isn’t hers!  So, two kinds of news!

Up for pre-order

https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Deception-Protective-Book-ebook/dp/B076FLTTHB

And my first course to be taught here!  http://bit.ly/2gKR7d2

Characters Acting Out of Character: When Good Guys Go Bad (and vice versa)

Posted on Jan 7, 2017 by ffprwa@gmail.com   1 Comment | Posted in Workshops-Upcoming

11/01/2017 – 11/29/2017

Writers use different methods to get to know their characters and build them for stories. Sometimes we don’t challenge our characters enough. I plan to help students dig deeply into their characters and push them, the characters and the writers, to see what would make them act against their core values and do things they would never choose to do. We can work with characters in current stories or create characters for these exercises. There will be homework. Writers need to make us believe the out of character behavior and understand. We will use some deep point of view and other methods of getting into the characters’ heads. I will have my own characters, a demon and his daughter or a guardian angel. (Speaking of internal conflict, we will create some!)

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About the Presenter, Mary Marvella:

Mary Marvella is the author of 6 published novels, 2 novellas, and short stories in 7 anthologies. Mary taught language arts for 15 years. Now she tutors , teaches writers, and edits freelance and for Gilded Dragonfly Books. She has another book that comes out this year.  She lives north of Atlanta, Georgia and writes Women’s Fiction, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance.  Mary is Southern through and through.

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Cost: FFP Members:$25/Non-Members: $30

 

https://goodreads.com/author/show/4909455.Mary_Marvella

https://www.facebook.com/ARomanceCaper

http://www.MaryMarvella.com

https://www.facebook.com/mmbarfield

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Marvella- Author/121044561311561

http://pinkfuzzyslipperwriters.blogspot.com Follow Mary Marvella on Twitter @mmarvellab

http://www.GildedDragonflyBooks.com

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Marvella/e/B008E1SJ32/

http://amzn.to/22t6vOC

https://www.amazon.com/Matts-Christmas-Angel-Short-Story-
 

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It’s Time for The 12 Slays of Christmas Boxed Set!

Hi Everyone,
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Happy Reading and Enjoy!

Amazon | KOBO | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Amazon CA | Amazon UK

Autumn in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

(The Alleghenies)

We finally got some much needed rain in the Shenandoah Valley this past week and cooler temps. Autumn is here in all its splendor. DH and I took a drive into the Allegheny Mountains. We got some lovely pics. I have gained much inspiration from the mountains for my writing. They are the setting for many of my books, as is my beautiful valley.

No spring nor summer’s beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face….
~John Donne, “Elegy IX: The Autumnal”

I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze.
The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves.
~Ann Drake, 2013

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly
~John Bailey, “Autumn,” a haiku year, 2001, as posted on oldgreypoet.com

A glorious crown the year puts on… ~Phebe A. Holder, “A Song of October,” in The Queries Magazine, October 1890

Pale amber sunlight falls across
The reddening October trees….
Are we not better and at home
In dreamful Autumn, we who deem
No harvest joy is worth a dream?
A little while and night shall come,
A little while, then, let us dream…
~Ernest Dowson (1867–1900), “Autumnal”

(Behind our farm)

Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees. ~Faith Baldwin, American Family

The softened light, the veiling haze,
The calm repose of autumn days,
Steal gently o’er the troubled breast,
Soothing life’s weary cares to rest.
~Phebe A. Holder, “A Song of October,” in The Queries Magazine, October 1890

A beauty lights the fading year… ~Phebe A. Holder, “A Song of October,” in The Queries Magazine, October 1890

Of all the seasons, autumn offers the most to man and requires the least of him. ~Hal Borland

Catch a vista of maples in that long light and you see Autumn glowing through the leaves…. The promise of gold and crimson is there among the branches, though as yet it is achieved on only a stray branch, an impatient limb or an occasional small tree which has not yet learned to time its changes. ~Hal Borland

There is a harmony
In autumn, and a lustre in its sky…
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

O’ pumpkin pie, your time has come ’round again and I am autumnrifically happy! ~Terri Guillemets

“Autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season which has drawn from every poet, worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling. She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like musings and quotations…” ~Jane Austen

“green-veined leaves suddenly blushing copper
bronze-edged trees swaying in autumn breezes
gold foliage drifting past pewter branches baring all
brass-hued leaflets dying in beauty, falling in grace”
~Terri Guillemets, “In the Autumn Wood,” 2016

Mom took the pic of the chipmunk on the pumpkin and the Blue Ridge Mountains above. Daughter Elise took the others of the leaves, trees, grandbaby Chloe with our pumpkins, and the mountains. Grandson Colin is the baby reaching for the leaves taken by his mom, my daughter Alison. Autumn is a family time.

Contributed by Beth Trissel. For more on me follow my Amazon Author Page

Website Fun Friday

I’ve been having fun (and pulling my hair out) designing Bianca’s new website featuring her new book releases;  Her Brother’s Wife (f/k/a Gemini Rising).  First I couldn’t find the theme I wanted.  I searched for it on the internet, downloaded it and it was a zip file. Oh No! But luckily WordPress unloaded it for me, and I had the theme I wanted!

Then I was faced with getting page made for each book and having it under the heading ‘Books and Where They Live’.  This was easy.

BUT, I wanted a slider on the front page as the header.  This was more difficult and took lots of practice but I was familiar with the process of Sliders and Menus from the LindaNightingale.com website.  Voila! A lovely changing header.

Then the 4 books are presented at the bottom. Again,  I was somewhat familiar with this but there were some new troublesome features.  I worked and cursed until I figured out these too.  So,  if anyone has a question about the Astoria Lite Theme in WordPress, I can help (to the best of my ability).

Take a look:  http://www.biancaswan.com

 

Welcome Jennifer Lowery! NOT WITHOUT RISK

Hello fans and readers! How is everyone today? I’m great. Fall is my favorite season and in honor of that I am promoting the second book in my Wolff Securities Series, Not Without Risk Amazon! Of course, Kindle Unlimited subscribers always read for free. Keep reading for buy links!

If you haven’t read the first book, Maximum Risk, no worries. These are standalone books as well as part of a series. You don’t have to read them in order, but I recommend it. Simply because you will get a fuller character experience by reading them in order.

As a bonus for your continued support and generosity I have including one of my favorite fall recipes. I make these muffins every year and they never last long, lol. Please enjoy the recipe!

Not Without Risk Blurb:

He always keeps his promises…

 Private security specialist, Nate Wolff promised to rescue humanitarian aid worker, Macy Gibbs, not harbor a fugitive. Determined to keep his promise and not make the same mistakes his brother made, he risks his life to protect her from the terrorist group hunting her.

 Keeping this one will be the hardest thing he’s ever had to do…

With a bounty on her head for the murder of a man who bought her in an illegal human trafficking ring, Macy Gibbs puts both her life, and the life of the tall, handsome stranger who’s vowed to rescue her, in danger. Emotionally scarred from her ordeal, she trusts no one. But, can the biggest danger she’s about to face be the impact this former SEAL has on her heart?

Not Without Risk Excerpt:

Nate put a hand on Macy’s shoulder. She didn’t stir. Unable to resist, he caressed her cheek. Warm. Not as hot. A good sign. Beneath his hand her skin felt soft as silk. He gently ran his thumb across the fading bruise on her jawline. Anger and the urge to protect and defend surged through him. Except, it felt more personal. Not just a bodyguard protecting his charge. More…

Nope. Not going there. The reasons stuck like a knife in his heart.

He dropped his hand to his side, sobered, and put his thoughts in proper order. First things first. Get Macy dressed, then grab her and go. They may not have confiscated his weapons, but that could be a ruse to keep him off guard.

His supply of clothing for Macy was running low. Only two shirts and one pair of pants left. Foregoing the undergarments, he grasped the edge of the blanket, prepared to dress her and make a run for it.

“Nate?”

The murmured question came from Macy. He froze, his gaze flying to her face to find her eyes open. Glazed, confused.

Letting go of the blanket, he leaned over her. “Hey. I’m here.”

Her beautiful blue eyes that reminded him so much of Bleu Lake back home, met his, radiating with pain. “Don’t leave me. Please.”

The impact of those words went straight through his chest. At that moment, he knew they couldn’t go. Not until she was healthy enough to go. They’d pushed hard already and look where it got them.

Bending, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m not going anywhere. Go back to sleep. You’re safe.”

That seemed to work because the tension went out of her muscles and her eyes drifted closed. Seconds later her breathing evened out, indicating she slept peacefully.

Nate straightened and scrubbed a hand down his face. He returned the clothes to his pack, dragged the crude chair in front of the bed and dropped down on it. His Glock now rested across his thigh, finger near the trigger as he settled in.

Whomever, or whatever, came through that door they would have to go through him first in order to get to Macy. And he’d die before he let another person hurt her.

Buy the Book:

Amazon

And now for the recipe!! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

15 ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon saltFilling:

8 ounce cream cheese, softened

1 egg yolk

5 tablespoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix pumpkin, vegetable oil and sugar on low speed with electric mixer (I use my Kitchen Aid stand mixer).
3. Add in eggs, one at a time, combining thoroughly after each addition.
4. Add vanilla
5. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices. Slowly add to liquids, scraping sides of bowl to combine.
6. Make Filling: Mix filling ingredients until combined.
7. Fill 12 muffin cups with cupcake liners.
8. Fill each with pumpkin mixture.
9. Spoon cream cheese mixture on top and swirl with a skewer or toothpick.
10. Bake until done.

Meet Jennifer:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer.  Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side.

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers.  She loves everything there is about romance.  Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines.  She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.

Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and charming rescued tomcat named Shamrock. Their son lives near them and is in the Army National Guard as well as a student at a local university. Their daughter is married and lives with her amazing husband who is stationed at Fort Bragg.

When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. 

Connect with Jennifer:

Read more about her books on her website: https://jenniferloweryauthor.com/

Join her on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferlowery/

And on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLoweryauthor

Please “like” her Facebook author page! https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferLowery/

Sign up on her website with your email and never miss another update from Jennifer: https://jenniferloweryauthor.com/

Join Jennifer’s Street Team: https://jenniferloweryauthor.com/

Join her on Google+: https://plus.google.com/+JenniferLoweryauthor

And Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferloweryauthor/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferloweryauthor/

Thank you so much for spending a few minutes with me today! I appreciate it more than you can know!

Happy Fall,

Jennifer

Introducing Author J. J. Montgomery

It is my pleasure to welcome Author J. J. Montgomery on the Pink Fuzzy Slipper blog, and her latest book, Gun For Hire.

BLURB:

The job should have been easy—patrol a swank beach that serves as a backyard for Maui’s rich, kick out the riffraff, and get a tan in the process. But rent-a-cop Samantha Winters didn’t anticipate a deliciously grumpy cop, Sergeant Grady Roark, who comes down to the beach to bust her chops and instead leaves her breathless…and wondering why the one man who could help her seems determined to thwart her at every turn.

Grady is keeping secrets from Sam that have him walking the line between attraction and duty. But when Sam becomes the target of a shadowy organization, Grady will have to choose between the law and the temptation of a woman who has him breaking every rule he’s ever known.

The job should have been easy, but when the bullets start flying, Sam learns nothing is as easy as it seems when you’re a Gun for Hire.

Buy Links:

Amazon | The Wild Rose Press

Excerpt:

“The sunlight was intense after a half hour in that gloomy space, but I squinted hard and kept moving toward a narrow set of steps down to the parking lot. Grady walked a few paces behind me, and if he heard the crinkle of paper as I moved, he elected not to say anything.

Grady hit the remote to his truck and grabbed for the passenger side door, his hand light on my elbow as he helped me up. Paper crackled as my butt hit the seat and Grady’s eyes narrowed. Without a word, he slammed my door and went around to the driver’s side, climbing up into the cab and stabbing the keys into the ignition.

“So, I—” I hesitated as I shifted in my seat and my movement was accompanied by the distinct sound of cardboard bending.

“No,” Grady muttered, and clicked on the radio. “No talking.”

“But—”

“Shh.” Grady put a finger to his lips, his eyes still on the road. “Any minute you’re going to tell me about the felony crime you just committed. And then I’m going to have to deal with the fact that I was an accessory to a felony crime.”

“Umm, yeah.” I reached around to the back of my pants and eased the file folder up from my waistband, working it out slowly so as to not lose anything as Grady headed up the hillside toward his house. As I brought it around to look at it, the red block letters damning me to years of incarceration should I get caught, a muscle ticked in Grady’s jaw.

“You stole classified documents.” He shook his head from side to side.

I looked up at Grady and then down at the mangled file with the red Top Secret heading. I took a corner of the front sheet and ripped across the width of the page, separating the words “Top Secret” from the rest of the paper.

“They’re declassified now.” I crumpled up the classification and shoved it in my pocket.

Grady sighed.

I shrugged and opened the file.”

 

Author Bio:

 

J.J. MONTGOMERY writes romantic suspense novels with a sense of humor. Her heroines are as smart as they are smart mouthed and the men in their lives are just trying to keep up. Gun for Hire is the first book in J.J.’s Maui Heat Series.

If you’d like to know more, including info on her newest book, where she gets her ideas, and how it’s possible she can’t use Facebook, please visit her:

Social Links:

Website | Facebook |  Twitter  | Instagram

 

Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and live in an old house forever needing renovations.

Transport yourself to Ireland with her latest sweet contemporary romance novel, Oh Danny Boy.

 

 

Introducing Author Barbara James!

I’m thrilled to introduce author Barbara James to our Pink Fuzzy Slipper blog today!

Here’s the blurb for her book, Starting Over: Rick

It is orientation week at Wilder University.

Annelise Perigault has just started college and is away from home. Living on her own for the first time, she struggles to navigate the social landscape. All sorts of groups seek to draw her attention, but she is drawn to the conservative-leaning student groups for a sense of belonging. That is where she believes she will find like-minded young women, those who hope to graduate in four years with their “Mrs. Degree.”

Rick Santelli has just started college as well. He is a returning student, however, after spending nearly a decade in the Coast Guard. Now serving in the Reserves, he is older than most of his freshman peers. Struggling to find his place as well, he is definitely interested in dating, but he can’t believe how quickly things are developing with Annelise.

Meeting up during orientation, they will grapple with controversies that draw them closer together and create a strong foundation for a healthy long term relationship. Taking place over six years, the story shows the ups and downs of life, love, dating, and the importance of finding the right person.

Buy link:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074LCLYFR

Barbara James is a writer who lives in Brooklyn, New York.  She writes within the following genres:  contemporary, sweet and new adult.  An avid romance reader and a former academic writer, Starting Over:  Rick is her first novel.

 

 

 

Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and an old house forever needing renovations.

Sign up for Josie’s blog and subscribe to her newsletter for a free ebook:
http://josieriviera.com/

 

A first! My first Self-Published Book! The Summoning

Yesterday, I navigated the Amazon process for indie-publishing.  I didn’t encounter any troubles at all, thank goodness, in publishing The Summoning in Kindle format.  Soon, I plan to publish it in paperback.

Here’s the blurb and the dynamic cover created by the talented Debbie Taylor:

Heather Morique is a witch. The problem is she doesn’t know it. One month after losing her infant son, her husband Jahill and his mistress perish in an accident. He was a refugee from an obscure branch of the Arawak Indians, and soon after his death, mysterious whispers lure her to his homeland. She soon finds herself in a web of secrets, lies and illusions.

Jahill’s obscure branch of the Arawaks worship two gods: Eyrael, a spirit from another dimension, is their God of Wind and Sea. His brother Sofiel is the God of Fire and Earth. The powerful new Shaman has pitted brother against brother, and these two powerful spirits—one light, one dark—battle to remain the tribe’s ruling deity.

When Heather unwittingly summons Eyrael, these two unlikely soul mates face a dangerous fate.  More frightening than the buried secrets, Heather and Eyrael discover the chemistry between them almost irresistible.

For those in line to purchase (LOL), here’s the Amazon  link.

The book is only $2.99 but Prime members can read for free!

Introducing Award-Selling Author Laura McNeil!

I am thrilled to host award-winning author Laura McNeil on our blog today!

Book 5 of the Crystal Creek Series

A novel of suspense, revenge and a love so deep that it can only be released through forgiveness.

Hollywood producer Trent Parker has one goal – to own the film option for the breakout novel Sunset in Maui. His problem? Actress turned producer Charisse Whitloch. She’ll do anything to produce the film. Trent can stop her, but not without getting close to her, a bond he can’t risk.

Charisse has found the film project that will prove she’s her own woman – not her father’s daughter. One person stands in her way – Trent Parker. She’s faced opposition before, but she isn’t prepared for Trent. Her charisma has softened Hollywood’s hardest hearts, but is she a match for Trent’s heart of stone?

Trent’s defenses against Charisse crumble – loving her will heal the darkness in his soul and open the door to a secret he buried long ago. When Charisse is threatened, she and Trent face her adversaries. They piece together a plot more sinister than any Hollywood movie, but the key to their survival lies in Trent’s past – the key that will lead to Trent’s destruction.

Guarding Her Heart is the 1st book in the Crystal Creek Series

Crystal Creek Christmas Book #2

A Ring Around Her Heart #3

Steeling Her Heart #4

Risking Her Heart #5

Crystal Creek Boxed Set Books 1 – 3

Want more romantic suspense? Download a free short story: laurahaleymcneil.com.
If you want romance and suspense, download a sample or buy Crystal Creek Christmas now.

Laura Haley-McNeil is an award-winning author of romantic suspense and women’s fiction in novel length and in short stories. Her work has been featured in several women’s magazines. She has studied piano and ballet and has been a board member for two community orchestras. She and her husband reside in Colorado. When she isn’t writing, she jogs, bicycles and crochets.

Risking Her Heart Book Links:

Amazon
Kobo
iBooks

 

Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband.They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and an old house forever needing renovations.

Follow her on Twitter!

 

 

Four by Moonlight – a Blog with Beverly Bateman

Linda Nightingale...Author

REBLOGGED FROM BEVERLY BATEMAN; comment for a chance to win eBook!

Linda Nightingale on Secondary Characters

This week we’re going to find out a little about author Linda Nightingale. Linda will be talking about secondary characters. She’ll also tell us a little about herself and her writing, and answer some fun questions.

Linda Nightingale is a native-born South Carolinian who has lived in England and Canada, and now resides in Texas.  Before turning to writing, she bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for thirteen years.

In 2012, her novel, Gemini Rising, was voted Best Mainstream Novel in the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. Her vampire romance,Cardinal Desires won the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award in 2013, and that was followed by her science fiction romance,Love for Sale, being awarded Best SF/Fantasy novel of 2015 by the Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewer’s Choice, and also voted one of…

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