Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr

In July 2012 I attended my first writers conference at the yearly national conference for the Romance Writers of America and was able to listen to the keynote speech that was given by Robyn Carr one of the days. And let me tell you I'm still learning to expand my knowledge of the Romance genre, as both a writer and as a reader, the speech that Robyn gave will always be one that I remember. She was both inspiring and honest about her career into publishing as a writer. The best part of her talk was that it can be applied to everything in life. Here's what I took away from it most is this, you only fail as being a writer is by giving up. If you keep writing, keep putting yourself out there, you are doing exactly what you have wanted. It took her ten years or more of consistent writing to become a 'over night' success even after having several other books published. Write without hesitation or fear. That is when your will flourish.

Coming out of that conference met some amazing writers I've decided that I am in the right genre with these such passionate people.

Finally I found the time to read Robyn Carr's 17th book in her Virgin River series, Hidden Summit. Connor Danson and Leslie Petruso had both been burned by there first loves and looking for a new start as they both deal with life changing problems. Connor being the only witness to a murder, his life is a waiting game till he can testify and able to keep his sister and nephews safe while they figure out how to start over after losing the family business to a fire as a warning to them. Leslie, while wanting to get over her failed marriage as her ex wanted to keep her close, even after having started a new family while they were still married. As the their paths cross in there times of rediscovery, they learn that they can forgive those who had hurt them and what falling in love really could feel like.

Robyn Carr's small town feel was both warming and comedic as everyone knows what everyone else business is, they are always there to lend a helping hand without being prompted or wanting any thanks. These are all things that why can be annoying at times are the exact things that are what the main characters Connor and Leslie are needing, along with each others company to help work through there own issues.

With this being my first Robyn Carr novel, I'm hooked. Like when I had found Julie Garwood's novels, I find myself wanting to dive into her series when needing a good read in with the right amount of drama in a small town that doesn't have any cowboys, but the right amount of men who happen to have a military background. Scruffy, sinsear, snark and a heart of gold. What's not to love.

Make sure to go and check out Robyn Carr's web site www. robyncarr.com and her other two series Thunder Point and Grace Valley. I may be late getting into Carr's novels but that doesn't mean that you have to as well. There are more than enough to satisfy your itch for a good small town novel without leaving you unsatisfied for big time drama and romance.

Fork in the Road

A few weeks ago I finally decided that if I was going to go through with my plans of self publishing my work before my birthday next year that I have to get to work. I have the manuscript done, yes, but that doesn't mean the work is nearly close to being done. This particular manuscript I had tried to shop around to different agents all with rejections. Does that mean I'm a bad writer? Hell no. I just means I hadn't found that right person. With the desire to self publish always in the back of my head, I've decided that it's time...time to take my writing in my own hands and find someone to help me grow.

What does that mean exactly? It means it's time that I find an editor. Someone who knows how to make a manuscript shine. Someone who isn't emotionally attached with the manuscript. Someone who isn't afraid to tell you what's wrong with what you've written, but who knows how to take it and turn it around for the better.

And that's what I finally have done. I still haven't officially hired my editor, but I do believe that I found the right person to work with to give my manuscript the same attention that it would have if it had gone through a New York publisher. Cause that is my one main goal when it comes to my work and putting it out there on my own. I want to give it the time, attention and effort that it deserves. That I can continue on with my career goals to be a hybrid author. That means both self publishing and traditional publishing.

It wasn't until I got my sample pages back that I realized one thing...Holy mother of all that is holy, I have a crap tone of work to do a head of me to make this story good. Like all creative types when getting critiques we wallow and question our talent. I admit I did the same. Mentally smacking myself upside the head for questioning if I wanted to follow through with this particular story I realized one major thing. We all have to start some where.

This is my starting place. Standing at a fork in the road I am left with four choices. I can stick with this editor and manuscript. Put in the time and plenty of hard work to make this work what I believe it can be. Or I can ignore the great advice from the editor on where I need to work on my technical writing, and find someone who will cater to me making me think I'm the next best thing than sliced bread. Thus making a horrible choice and potentially killing my career before I even really start it. Or I can trash the manuscript that I've spent already so many hours in to creating and move on. Finally I have one out. I could quit. I could stop the pain an agony of all the hard hours of killing my darling manuscript only to rebuild it. I could quit the career that I want before I even start and become a hobby writer. (After thinking this I gave it a resounding HELL TO THE NO)

After thinking about it for a few days I realize this...to improve and get where I want to be in life I have to start some where. Even the best authors have started some where. They all look back on that first novel and see where they have grown.

This is where I will look back to realize that I decided to truly take life by the horns on making my dreams into a reality. I've said it in the past, if I'm not willing to invest in myself then why should I believe that publisher should. And it's true. Money investment is one thing, but now it's about the time and commitment to putting in the work to really make this manuscript shine.

Can I do it? Fuck yes I can. Will it be easy? Hell to the no. Will I cry and doubt myself? Fuck yes. I'm only human. Will I fail? Maybe, but not in the sense that I gave up.

Robyn Carr gave a keynote speech a few years ago at my first RWA that really stuck with me. I'll paraphrase to the basics. Write with no fear. It is the fear that will hold you back to your full potential. The only time that you will truly fail in this career is if you quit. So, don't quit no matter how hard it becomes. Keep writing. And remember most overnight successes are 20 years in the making.

So, today is day one (or something more like 10) in realizing that just kicking that metaphorical door down means it's time to do the real work. As terrifying as it might be, I know I'm ready. I'm ready to beat up my manuscripts to be the best they can be in the realization that I've gone through worse things. I'm a survivor of many things. This is one thing that I can control. One thing that is up to me to make a reality. I can fail by not trying. Or I can be come a market failure. Where as I succeed in creating something that I invested in the right people only to not have the right timing for people to buy my work.

Personally I rather be a market failure, than to fail in not trying at all.

So, here I go. It's time to put myself through the rounds that a professional author goes through. And i hope you all will stick with me through this wild ride. I can guarantee some crazy ups and downs. But in the end I will stand up with my hands held above my head with a cheer of "I did it! Let's do it again."

The Reluctant Amazon by Sandy James

The first in the series The Alliance of the Amazons, The Reluctant Amazon by Sandy James is a fantasy romance that you don't want to miss out on. Kick ass chicks with a a man in a kilt that tries his damnedest to keep them in line, is always amusing to watch. It's always a challenge for a man to be around four strong minded women, but when they are Amazons who each control the power of an element is even more impressive.

Kindergarten teacher Rebecca Massee never thought that on her wedding day she'd be left at the alter and meet the man of her dreams Artair McKay, an immortal warrior trains the chosen four Amazons of the generation. As Rebecca struggles with her new found powers of Mother Earth and the forbidden attraction she has to her Sentinel, it's up to her and her 3 Amazon sisters to put a stop to the the threat that has been hunting down the last generation of Amazons.

 James' urban fantasy was a fun easy read that had me hooked from the beginning. James is able to keep the reader entertained with the balance of action, adventure, myth and romance. It also helped that the love interest Artair is always wearing a kilt and has a great Scottish accent, that doesn't make it hard to read. What can I say, I'm a sucker for men in kilts, especially when the author has them using the traditional kilt and not a modern version. Biased? Maybe just a little.

With Rebecca being easy to like as everyone can relate to being clumsy and no matter how hard you might try at something never feel quite up to par as everyone else. Even as a chosen Earth wielding Amazon, Rebecca is anything but a natural Earth. Or so she thinks. Like in the real world everyone learns differently and when it comes to being an Amazon Rebecca isn't like the past Amazons.

Join Rebecca, Artair and the other Amazons in there adventures of saving the world against modern day wielding evil in The Reluctant Amazon. Make sure to follow up also on the second book in Sandy's series with Impetuous Amazon and Rebecca's sister Megan the Fire Amazon.

Check out Sandy James' website and her other novels at www.sandy-james.com

Emerald City....Not Just in OZ

This past weekend I went for the first time to the Emerald City Writers Conference in Bellevue Washington. That's just outside of Seattle just incase you didn't know. And I just have to say thank you so much to the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America for putting the regional conference on.

For the first time going to the smaller conference I would definitely recommend going to this one. It is well organized, filled with great workshops, great people, amazing speakers and even better attendees. One of the many things that attracted me to this regional conference other than in need of a vacation and desire to be around like minded people, was that I love the Pacific Northwest (and need to explore more), the workshops/master class by Cherry Adair (I can't say enough wonderful things about this woman and her writing), that they offered a critique speed dating workshop, the keynote speakers (Karen Rose, Robyn Carr, and Maya Banks), and how excited they are to have new people come to the conference.

Everyone in romance is welcoming, but I've never had a conference take such good care of the newbies. They have a team called them Gems. If you ask them, they will match you with a veteran conference going to help guide you along the way. They even make sure that the first dinner that you have assigned seating with them so that you know at least one person at the conference. And my gem is actually that a gem. I'm glad to call her a new friend and excited to cheer her on her own career in writing.

The whole long weekend that I was there was easy going and was relaxing that was full of so much knowledge that everywhere you turned you could talk to anyone and learn something new.

Oh, did I mention that they even brought Firemen for a coffee breakfast one morning? Of course we were all swooning over then men who were sweet to take pictures with us. I'll have to post a picture later.

I've made friends, connections, hopefully gained a few critique partners, added to my to be read bookshelf, new amazing memories, and inspiration to keep writing.

If you've ever feared going to a conference this is one conference that I would recommend you attend. You will not regret it. Everyone is great and you will not regret it. Plus Cherry Adair does the Finish the Damn Book Contest. If there is one person that truly cares for everyone to continue writing a move forward in their career that is Cherry. She really does want everyone to succeed and it's so touching.

And personally I'm going to join in the challenge of finish the damn book. Cause if you can't do it for yourself then you might as well do it for Cherry...or you might maker her cry, and well you don't dare make that wonderful woman cry....so finish that damn book!

I'm going to do my damnedest to go back to the ECWC next year to see some new friends and enjoy more wonders with some great writers.

The Break-Up Psychic by Emily Hemmer

One of the many books that I heard about while attending the RT Booklovers convention, was the Break-Up Psychic. With the release of it on May 29th, Emily Hemmer debuts her first novel The Break-Up Psychic, as a self published title. Having met Emily at the conference the first thing came to mind as we talked about her Romantic Comedy, if it's half as funny as she is in person then I have to read this.

And I was not disappointed one bit in the novel.

For her debut novel, I was engaged in the real life experience that women go through when dating. Like the main character Ellie, all women go through the struggle after a break-up of knowing that they need to avoid 'their type' of man. And for Ellie that is the bad boy. Thinking that she has a gift of knowing when a breakup in eminent. After a bad breakup with her cheating boyfriend, Ellie runs into Sam James, the impiety of her type that she has sworn off. Only thing, Ellie's gift of predicting a break-up isn't going off. Has her gift disappeared? Can the bad boy really be a good guy, meant for her? Or is Ellie really in need of getting over the past to allow herself the chance of having a good relationship?

If you love Bridget Jones Diary and real life ups, downs, and "yup, that just happened moments" of the dating world, then The Break-Up Psychic is perfect for you.

It's been a while since I've read a book that I couldn't out down, and Hemmer's book not only made me want to keep reading, snort out loud laugh, but had me wanting to join the characters in a drink of vodka-sweet tea and whiskey. In reality I did get up to join the book in a good Whiskey just in time to get back to a steamy scene that was only made better with the drink to cool down with.

Emily Hemmer's debut novel is a labor of love and passion that she's executed perfectly on her journey to being published. With her husband, two kids, sweet lab, jerk face puppy and cat that is plotting to take over the world by her side in Kansas City, Emily is venturing in to the the published author's world, with three books scheduled to be to be released.

And if her horoscope is anything to go by 2013 is looking to be her year. Plus her mom says she's pretty dang funny. Personally I agree with both.

Make sure to check out Emily Hemmer's website www.emilyhemmer.com and buy her book in both ebook or paperback on Amazon.

Darkness of the Blank Page

There is something about sitting in the dark with only the light of your computer screen lighting the room with music playing in your headphones while everyone is still asleep that makes me want to create a new world. While my next manuscript isn't scheduled to start being written until November, I'm sitting here with more than enough editing that needs to be done in the mean time, still my hands are twitching to start something new, but what is the question.

I've freaked my roommates out in the past when they've found me in the living room after the sun has set with the lights still off with only my laptop and headphones on to block out the rest of the sounds of the real world I've worked. Standing in the dark doorway they stood staring at me for minutes until I looked up, or at one time long enough that I still didn't notice them until they turned on the light scaring the carp out of me. They've done the same thing as I watch movies or TV in the dark. "Why don't you have the lights on?" They've asked.

My response is usually the same, "I was in a groove and didn't need them." Or in the case of movies, "You watch movies in the theater in the dark, why not do that at home? It adds to the atmosphere."

They didn't buy it. Still there is something that I haven't quite figured out why, but I think the darkness is like a blank page when it comes to writing. You can make it into whatever you want.

There are so many possibilities of what you create it to be that it changes drastically from person to person. For some it creates a knee knocking fear inducing panic that are the horror of the unknown. Then there are the few of us that relish in the unknown and jump in feet first to see where it takes us. Good or bad, it's an adventure that few are willing to take. Then there are those who respect the fear that the darkness and the blank page create and embrace it for the power that it has.

I like to think that I am the last two. There is a good deal of fear that the darkness and the blank page has that I respect and understand. But it's in that fear that causes this euphoric adrenaline rush as you start typing creating something that wasn't there. Let it be a monster who morphs from the darkness into something so dense you can almost touch it as the hairs on the back of your neck stands at attention telling you to run. But then there are the times where the darkness is really a wonderland of rainbows and unicorns that lead you to the metaphorical pot of gold that you couldn't have created without that blank page or darkness of the unknown.

So, here I am having fallen asleep too early in the night to not wake up early and I don't want to turn on the lights other than the light that comes from my laptop and the darkness and blank page isn't something that I want to run away from. It's the warm blanket that you curl up with on a stormy night as you read a good book. While I have more than enough editing that needs to be done and a new manuscript that is planned to start with NaNoWriMo, I'm wanting to create something new, with no fear, and with no specific characters yelling at me for there story to be told.

It's nights, or I should say mornings, like this that makes me in awe of writers. No matter what it's these moments that we embrace to the fullest and write. We mold the darkness and the blank page into something that others can enjoy. With muse or not we always start out in the darkness to come out in the end with a world that didn't exist before. Yes, I'm grouping contemporary into creating a world, cause in the end the author is still creating something out of nothing. And that is so amazing that it makes me speechless at times.

While there is more than enough fear that goes along with being a writer on how people will like our work or if people will understand it, there is still that rush of ignoring all that when beginning a new project. Of that blanket of nothingness that is full of possibilities. It's that possibilities that keep me going. You never know how something is going to turn out. No matter how much you might plan something out things always change. But one thing is always true to stay the same. That darkness and the blank page.

As 4am is just around the corner, I'm off to embrace my darkness while it lasts until the sun rises and take on that blank page and see where it leads me. Don't be afraid of the darkness. It is what you make it to be.

Happy writing!

Risk No Secretes by Cindy Gerard

Risk No Secretes by Cindy Gerard is the fifth book in her Black Ops series and it has been hands down one of my favorite books that I've read so far this year. Ok, I know I've only read a couple so far, but I didn't want to put it down as I had to since my day job doesn't really like it if I'm reading a book instead of doing what I'm there for. You, know actually working.

Anyways, if you like action, military men, and strong women who are put through hell and back while keeping up with the men in there lives then this Romantic Thriller is for you.

A red-hot attraction... 
Twelve years of chasing bad guys didn't erase beautiful Sophie Baylor from Wyatt Savage's memory. If he had another chance, he'd never let her leave. So when she tracks him down from El Salvador and begs for help, he doesn't ask questions -- he just goes.

Starts with a terrifying threat... 
Sophie is grateful her daughter survived a kidnapping attempt, but she won't forgive herself until the girl who was mistakenly abducted is safe. Wyatt is the only man brave enough to take on the mysterious terrorists behind the crime; and the one irresistible man she wishes she had never let go.

...and unleashes an unforgettable adventure 
Sophie knows Central America's steamy jungles and sticky politics better than anyone. Yet she refuses to hide in fear. Then she becomes the enemy's number-one target. Wyatt lost her once, and he won't lose her again -- even if he has to fight, kill, or die to save her
This book was full of heart pounding action and romance and was able to keep a balance of both through out the whole book. Wyatt the good southern boy struggling with deciding where he wants his life to go having lived most of his life serving his country and fighting the bad guys of the world, before all the violence eats his soul and he becomes one of the bad guys. Sophie is his saving grace since the day he met her 12 years earlier, but in the end it was the time the spent apart that helped mold them into the people who they are now and in the end an even better match for the other.

Make sure to check out Cindy Gerard and her other Thriller Romances in her Black Ops novels as well as her Bodyguard series. It's sure to be filled with plenty of twists and turns and non stop action. I know I'm now hooked on her books and can't wait to read more. I mean who doesn't love a man in uniform, fighting a good fight to help keep the world a better place. Find more about here here at her website, www.cindygerard.com.

Prizes...

Last week I got a phone call from my sister that went like this:

Ty: I have prizes I'm going to send you.

Me: Ok, cool let me know when you send it.

Ty: OMG you are going to love! It's amazing, but I'm not going to tell you what it is.

Me: Ok.

Ty: I'm going to tell you.

Me: NOOOOOO! I don't want to know that's what a surprise is. You're not supposed to know what it is.

Ty: BUT IT'S AWESOME!

Me: Don't make me hang up the phone on you.

Ty: Fine, but it's so sweet. I'm going to give you hints.

Me: Don't even start. Last time you did that I guess what it was before it even got here. I want it to be a surprise.

Ty: Fine, how's writing going? (Whispers) I prize totally has to do with writing.

Well after finally convincing her to stop talking about anything about the package she was sending. Well, it finally arrived and I busted up laughing. And of course I had to share. Cause well, who doesn't like prizes from family that has an inside joke that all Laurel K. Hamilton fans will understand.

Sigmond and Fraud the mugs. 

These are just meant as any other mug. There is an inside joke that goes with these. Ty introduced me to Laurell K. Hamilton books years ago. And if you have read any of the Anita Blake books you know that Anita has a thing for penguins. I'm talking stuffed Penguin and snarky penguin mugs.

As soon as I read her work, I was hooked and have read everything she's written since. Her work and the way that she interacts with her fans is something that both Ty and I have talked about and how Hamilton has become a writer idol to me. She makes no excuses for who she is and what she writes. You either like her or you don't. And I love that my sister understands my love of books.

Sometimes it's amazing just how much a small random thing can make a long week better. Thank sis for the awesome prize!

Do you guys have an favorite author and character that has a fun quirk? Like having a soft spot for penguins.

The Siren by Tiffany Reisz

The Siren is the debut full length novel by Tiffany Reisz and it is a read that is just as sizzling as the title and cover promises. Writing a BDSM erotic romance that should have the attention that 50 Shades has brought to the BDSM world.

As the book itself has mentioned that it is possible to have an erotic book without it being all sex, I think Reisz is able to do so while truly introducing the non-BDSM world in to it's dark shadows. Unlike other BDSM novels I've read this book gives an honest look into there world. It's honest in what is involved in it, with out having to explain all the different subcultures that are intertwined with BDSM. Personally I think people have this predisposed view of what BDSM is and Reisz is able to balance reality with those predisposed view and not make it sound preachy, happy go-lucky world.

Like any relationships and characters Nora is a complex person and is able to delve in to so many worlds without having to apologize for who she is. For the most part she knows who she is underneath everything else, but still she is struggling with finding the balance of who she is and who she wants to be. And through this process she is working on her latest novel with a new editor that is more suited to her then he even knows. There are so many struggles for dominance in this book that it will make you're head spin, but in reality the characters are all human and to be human means that you are fighting for dominance let it be to one part of your personality or to someone else.

If you're some what intrigued by the BDSM or even just read 50 Shades of Grey, Then I would suggest, no, I highly recommend you read The Siren to cleanse your pallet and get to know what can really happen in a BDSM romance that is driven by sex but some how isn't.

With well rounded characters with real flaws everyone can relate to, let you be in the BDSM world or not, the story isn't defined by the sex life of the character even if it is who she is.

Tiffany Reisz's second book in the series that continues Nora's story is The Angel, that is newly released. With the market finally taking a real notice to erotic and romance, not just sweeping it under the carpet, I'm excited to see Reisz's career and future novels flourish.

Make sure to check out her website www.tiffanyreisz.com to learn more about her and her novels.