Bad Luck Girl: Sarah Zettel

« “Callie and Zettel bring this stellar trilogy to a satisfyingly sentimental conclusion.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

“Zettel brings the street life, locales, and culture of jazz-age Chicago into the imagery of her fantasy, packing the story with incident, adventure, and even, on the sidelines, information.” —The Horn Book

By Sarah Zettel

BAD LUCK GIRL

The American Fairy Trilogy

Book Three

Historical fiction fans will be drawn into the rich blend of historical fiction and fantasy in Sarah Zettel’s BAD LUCK GIRL (Random House Books for Young Readers / On sale May 27, 2014 / Ages 12 up). Fans of Libba Bray’s The Diviners will love the blend of fantasy and twentieth-century history in the exciting conclusion to the stylish American Fairy Trilogy.

After rescuing her parents from the Seelie king at Hearst Castle, Callie is caught up in the war between the fairies of the Midnight Throne and the Sunlit Kingdoms. By accident, she discovers that fairies aren’t the only magical creatures in the world. There’s also Halfers, misfits that are half fairy and half other—half paper, half steel girder, half electric spark. As the war heats up, Callie’s world falls apart. And even though she’s the child of prophecy, she doubts she can save the Halfers, her people, her family, and Jack, let alone herself. Bad Luck Girl, they call Callie, and she’s starting to believe them.

Extraordinarily detailed research about 1930s America and Chicago’s crime-ridden cityscape shines through in BAD LUCK GIRL. Die-hard historical fiction fans will be drawn into the fantasy realm, and fantasy readers will find themselves caught up in the vivid history of this story.

SARAH ZETTEL is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy author. She has written eighteen novels and multiple short stories over the past seventeen years, in addition to practicing tai chi, learning to fiddle, marrying a rocket scientist, and raising a rapidly growing son. The American Fairy Trilogy is her first series for teens. You can visit her online at SarahZettel.com.

BAD LUCK GIRL by Sarah Zettel

Random House Books for Young Readers │ On sale May 27, 2014 │Ages 12 up

Hardcover: 978-0-375-86940-2 │ $17.99 US/$19.99 Can. │ 368 pages │Ebook 978-0-375-98320-7 │ $10.99 US/$11.99 Can.

THE PERSISTENCE OF FAIRY TALES

            First of all, thanks to Book Girl Knitting for letting me stop by today.

            When I started writing Callie’s story, I knew I was going to be writing a fairy tale in the most literal sense.  It is a story with fairies in it.  Every culture in the world has stories of magic, and magical creatures and the humans — heroes, fools, and villains — who encounter them.  They may get derided.  People say, “oh, that’s just a fairy tale.”  But the stories themselves never quite go away.  That’s because the elements of the classic fairy tale never stop being important.

            There’s a saying about fairy tales I dearly love.  This is a paraphrase, but it’s the gist of it:  fairy tales do not teach children monsters exist.  Children know monsters exist.  They teach children monsters can be defeated.

            And it’s not just for children, and the monster is not the only central point of a fairy tale.  In all fairy stories, there’s some sort of bargain made.  That bargain can be a quest or task with the promise of reward (or simple survival) at the end.  It can be a bet, or a granted wish that comes with a price or a condition to be met.  All these bargains are made with some figure power, a king or a goddess, an old woman in a hut or a small man who lives underneath a stone, it doesn’t matter.   Once the bargain is set, the story is in motion.  The power, the magic, will see that the bargain is kept.

            That’s when we’re really off to the races.  Because as soon as the heroine or hero has made the bargain (or had it forced on them), then they get to make the important choices.  Will they do right?  That is, will they keep their word, honor the bet, endure the hardship and respect the power?  Or will they try to cheat?  Will they ignore power and bargain and promise and take what they were given without paying for it.

            In fairy tales, this second choice generally does not go well.

           There’s a moment in BAD LUCK GIRL when Callie, who has just begun learning how powerful she really is, absolutely loses it.  Anger completely takes over and she lashes out with her power without thinking, and in that moment, without caring.  I wasn’t really planning this moment when I started the story, but when it showed up, I knew it was a necessary part of the story, because it was the moment that illustrated almost more than any other in the book the importance of that choice.  That what’s important in a fairy tale is not just about the discovery of power but how is that power ultimately used.

            I think this is the real reason why fairy tales never go away.  Because they are about this central choice of doing right or doing wrong.  Of remaining courageous enough to never forget you’re part of a larger, the human family, even when things are at their most difficult for you.  In fairy tales, it is remembering to be your best at your worst, that wins the day, because this is what brings the heroine or hero the help and advice she needs to defeat the monster and keep the bargain. 

            Does it always work that way in real life?  Of course not.  Fairy tales are not real life.  They are reminders to ourselves of the choices we face and of the fact that monsters are most surely defeated without losing ourselves to what makes them monsters — anger, isolation, greed, envy, power without control or consideration.   This fight is always at the heart of the fairy tale.

            Even the ones where there aren’t actual fairies.

The Prayer Virtual Book Tour

The Prayer, a Love Story

by Jacqueline von Zwehl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Do you Believe in Miracles?

Do you Believe in Eternal Love?

Do you Believe in Answered Prayers?

YOU WILL

The Prayer, A Love Story is the inspirational true story of one woman who discovers the secret to living a life filled with miracles, unconditional love and answered prayers.

The journey begins with a divine promise, continues with unforeseen life challenges, and eventually leads to Jerusalem. Inside the Old City, a prayer will unlock the key to a life of miracles. This journey is proof heaven is real and its gifts are available to you now. Whether you have stopped believing in God or not, God believes in you.

The journey holds a promise for everyone. No matter how much darkness exists in your life, it cannot diminish the flicker of even the tiniest light. That light will lead you to your destiny and it will change your life forever.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt Two:

Wedding Day

I often wonder about the idea of a miracle. Is it something you feel? Can you see it? Or is it some- thing you just know? Miracle is a very big word, perhaps best saved for big events like the birth of a baby or the first man walking on the moon.

As I ponder this thought, I’m surrounded by lovely, fresh-cut flowers. Isn’t the blossoming of these flowers a miracle? A tiny little seed in the ground, nurtured with rich soil, water, and light, grows to reveal its unique beauty. When we look at the seed, we can’t see the miracle. It’s only later, after its potential has been manifested, we realize what that seed carried all along. Isn’t that how we all are? On the journey of our destiny in this life, all of us start as seeds. Some of us are still in  the  ground, waiting  to  grow. Some  of us have sprouted a few leaves, and some of us have fully blossomed. Is the miracle the blossoming of the flower, or is the miracle knowing with certainty that everything is already in the seed? Yes, for me it always comes down to certainty. When all I can see is a seed in the ground, the miracle is certainty in my knowl- edge of what the seed is destined to become.

These were the thoughts I recorded in my journal on the morning of our wedding. I have heard that most brides wake up jittery and full of excitement, perhaps thinking about their hair and make-up, the excitement of the day ahead, and how the weather will hold up. I woke up and started writing.

‘What is a miracle? Today I will get married. I will marry the man who makes my heart sing and who was sent as the answer to my prayer. A man who calls me his miracle. Today is our seed, the first day of our journey as husband and wife.We don’t know how our seed will grow. We don’t know how many leaves will bloom or what its flower will look like. We don’t know what storms we’ll face. We do know with certainty that this seed is our destiny. It is our miracle.’

We were all ready. The driver took my hand and escorted me to my seat in the limo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to handle negative criticism.

When my publisher assigned me to a publicist to begin the Advance Review Copy (Galley) Campaign to the media, the first thing she did was send me a ten page questionnaire.  Half way through the questionnaire there was the following, "how would you handle criticism of this work."  Of course, I gave a very good, politically correct answer about how everyone has the right to their own opinion and it's an opportunity to grow and learn.  That was a  joke because the book had not yet been released and I hadn't been tested on this.

Now let's fast forward three months and I get my first "unimpressive" review.  The review was three stars, not horrible, but very critical.  My internal reaction ranged from, "she doesn't get it", "she didn't read my book", "I can't believe she said that!", to finally "are you kidding me?".  Yes, I'm being honest.  I did not handle it well.  I thought I would. I thought I'd be more mature, not be bothered, and let it slide right off my back.  The fact is, at least for me, that wasn't my reality.

Writing can easily be compared to giving birth to a child.  I know, I've given birth to two of them, and my book also took me about nine months to get through all the editing.  It's hard to hear less than raving reviews.  It's just as hard as someone telling you your child is dumb or ugly.  It's just plain awful, but the fact is, just as the moon rises and sets each day it's a guaranteed certainty you WILL receive negative criticism from someone in the world.  Even if you win a Pulitzer someone will hate your book.

There are two types of criticism.  One type is from someone who is just not a fan of your genre/story line/ideology etc...  This type just ignore.  The other type is from someone who genuinely could be your greatest fan but is giving you "loving" advice like go deeper into your characters, explore a wider range of emotions, fix the broken plot sequence in the last two chapters.  This type of advice is valuable and critical to grow as a writer and you need to listen.  Your gut will let you know when the criticism you're reading is just mean spirited or there to guide you to be a better writer.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jacqueline von Zwehl, is a faith based relationship expert. She holds a BFA from New York University and a MBA from Pennsylvania State University. Jacqueline travels the country as a motivational speaker encouraging singles on the path to finding their soul mates. She has appeared on Nite Line, The Harvest Show, EWTN, TCT TV, Victory TV, CatholicTV, Telecare, Changing Lives, CatholicLife, That's the Spirit, The Church, The Cardinal and You, NPR, and more. Jacqueline lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her husband Christopher, their two daughters and dog. The Prayer, A Love Story is her debut book. Jacqueline von Zwehl, is a faith based relationship expert. She holds a BFA from New York University and a MBA from Pennsylvania State University. Jacqueline travels the country as a motivational speaker encouraging singles on the path to finding their soul mates. She has appeared on Nite Line, The Harvest Show, EWTN, TCT TV, Victory TV, CatholicTV, Telecare, Changing Lives, CatholicLife, That's the Spirit, The Church, The Cardinal and You, NPR, and more. Jacqueline lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her husband Christopher, their two daughters and dog. The Prayer, A Love Story is her debut book.

Read Jacqueline's Blog at www.jackievonzwehl.com

Become a Fan: www.facebook.com/JackieVonZwehl

Follow: www.twitter.com/JackieVonZwehl

Author Profile:www.goodreads.com/jackievonzwehl

 Amazon Paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Love-Story-Jacqueline-Zwehl/dp/1939819008/ref=la_B00DY9W62Y_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383163807&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Love-Story-Unconditional-ebook/dp/B00G8QTDKI/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383164024&sr=1-3&keywords=the+prayer+a+love+story

Want to win a gift card? Leave a comment and enter the form below!

Follow the tour for more chances to win!

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/12/virtual-book-tour-prayer-by-jacqueline.html

Small Town Trouble: A Visit with Jean Erhardt

Meet Kim Claypoole, restaurateur, reluctant heroine and amateur sleuth with moxie galore. "I'd had a feeling all along that this wasn't going to be my day. But I hadn't been prepared for things to go this badly..."

In Small Town Trouble, the first in a series from mystery writer Jean Erhardt, we get acquainted with Kim Claypoole's irreverent and witty ways of dealing with the peculiar characters and events that she finds in her life.

Claypoole's adventure begins as she leaves her home in the Smoky Mountains to help save her kooky mother Evelyn from financial disaster. Setting off to assist Evelyn (i.e., "the other Scarlett O'Hara") with her newest personal crisis, Claypoole leaves in her wake her Gatlinburg doublewide, her restaurant, The Little Pigeon and her restaurant partner and sometimes best friend Mad Ted Weber as well as a budding secret love affair that's hotter than an Eskimo in July.

Claypoole's savior complex leads to more trouble when she bumps into an old flame in her hometown who asks for her help clearing her hapless brother of murder charges. In true Claypoole fashion, she gets more than she bargained for when she gets dragged into a complicated quest to find the true killer complete with topless tavern dancers, small town cops, a stream of backwater characters-even a meeting with the Grim Reaper. Can Claypoole muddle her way through the murky depths of this bizarre murder mystery before it's too late?

With biting humor and wit, Small Town Trouble will leave you guessing what's around the next corner in the quirky life of Kim Claypoole.

Years ago, I took a fiction writing class with author/teacher, Joyce Thompson at Lewis and Clark College here in Portland, Oregon.  On the first day of class, the twelve of us settled around a big table, eager to begin.  Joyce introduced herself, then proceeded to take a deck of cards from her briefcase.  She passed a card to each of us.  They were Tarot cards.  She said, “Take a good look at your card, see what the image brings up for you, then write something.  You’ve got twenty minutes.”  Most of us sat there looking dumbfounded.  Write something?  About what?

At the end of allotted our twenty minutes, a few of us had managed to write a page, others a paragraph or sentence or two.  We took turns reading aloud what we had come up with.

The following week, Joyce began the class by saying, “I’m going to give you three words.  They are:  Ring.  Unhappy.  Winter.  Write something using these words.  You have fifteen minutes.”

On the third week, we gathered again at the table.  She said, “Today, I will give nothing.  No Tarot card, no words, no prompts.  You have ten minutes.  Write something.”

Again, we went at it.  At the end of this exercise, she explained that the purpose of these assignments was simple.  They were designed to get us to the point of being able to sit down at anytime, anywhere and write something without waiting for inspiration, the right mood, or the Muse to drop by.  “You must learn to write spontaneously, without preconceived ideas, without hesitation.  When you have mastered the ability to do this, you will become a writer.”

While many years have gone by, I have never forgotten this experience. She was right.  To be able to sit down, pull up a chair and start writing is the ticket.

I was raised in the small rural town of Amelia, Ohio, about twenty five miles out of Cincinnati. My younger brother and sister and I had a pony, a horse, many great dogs and a couple of motorcycles. We raised a lot of hell. My father served in The Big One at 17 and, after riding a motorcycle around Europe, became a lawyer and later a judge. My mother worked as a homemaker and nurse, a skill she had to use a lot with all of the injuries my siblings and I subjected ourselves and one another to.

I wrote my first mystery story when I was in fourth grade. It was about a kid a lot like me who heard strange noises coming from the attic and became convinced that the attic was haunted. Eventually, the mystery was solved when she investigated and found a squirrel eating nuts in a dark corner. It wasn't a terribly exciting conclusion, but my teacher gave me an A anyway.

As a teenager I worked at a lot of different jobs. I worked at a gift shop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which is a frequent locale in my books. I was a swimming instructor and a lifeguard where my primary goal was to never get wet. I did a stint in a stuffed animal gift shop at the Kings Island amusement park where I actually sort of met the Partridge Family when they shot an episode there. After graduating from high school, I went on to attend Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, a stone's throw from the Great Smoky Mountains. There was some more hell raising at college and I made some very good friends and occasionally we have our own private reunions.

In high school and college I played basketball and I graduated from Maryville College with a degree in Phys Ed. I went on to teach at Amelia Junior High, the same junior high that I had attended. There was something a little weird about passing by my old school locker every day when I walked down the hall as a teacher. Plus, some of the teachers I'd had back when I was in junior high were still working when I started to teach. Some of them had been none too fond of me as a student and I don't think they were much fonder of me as a teacher! I coached the girls' basketball and volleyball teams which was the best part of my job.

In my late 20's I moved to the West Coast to get a broader perspective on life or something like that. I ended up working in retail security, or loss prevention, as it is now known, at an upscale Northwest retailer. I kept getting promoted and with each promotion, the job became less and less fun. It was a lot more fun catching shoplifters than sitting in endless meetings and crunching budgets. After ten years of that, I quit to try my hand at some serious writing. I wrote two books of fiction (not mysteries), Benny's World and Kippo's World, as well as a book of not-especially-reverent poetry called A Girl's Guide to God and numerous short stories, articles and poems which have appeared in The Sonora Review, The Quarterly, Word of Mouth, Blue Stocking and 8-Track Mind.After that, it was time to go back to work. I got my private investigator's license and hung out my shingle. At first, I took a lot of the cheaters cases. It seemed to me that if a guy thought his woman was cheating, he was usually wrong. On the other hand, if a woman thought her guy was cheating, she was almost always right. Eventually, I moved on to take mostly criminal defense investigation work which often involved trying to figure out what the client did and didn't do and then minimize the damage of what they usually did do.

***

This giveaway is international.

Enter the form for a chance to win one e-book and one paperback of Small Town Trouble

The winner will be announced at the end of the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ODM2ZWMyZTA1ZWQ3MzAxYmExZjZlZTZhYzRiMTBkOjY=/

From the Outback: A Visit with Ann B. Harrison

LIVING IN AUSTRALIA

Hi Dana, thank you so much for having me. I love sharing my beautiful country with anyone who will listen.

I moved to Australia over twenty years ago with my family after my DH sung its praises repeatedly and wore me down. It was the country he had hitch hiked around in his surfing days and the place he wanted to bring up his family. Yes, I wanted to see the sun every day, the constant drizzle in New Zealand was getting me down. Yes I wanted to dig my toes in the sand of the beautiful white beaches I drooled over on travel shows.

The chance to cuddle up to a koala was too good to miss, to have a snake crawl around my neck filled me with excitement. Yes, I'm sad, I know that but I can't help it. I love animals and here was my chance to get wild with them.

We landed with a suitcase each and not much else. Of course I fell in love with the wide open spaces, the contrast between desert and striking coastline. Who wouldn't? And it's all fodder for this authors over active brain! I don't like to write about somewhere I haven't been, so I get to travel to small outback towns for research. That's what I tell myself anyway. It also gives me the chance to view the landscape as my characters would. Here is an example in From the Outback when Sami finds a quiet moment to herself.

From high up on the horse’s back she could appreciate the farm in a way that melted her heart, pushing away the stilted boundaries she held close in case of hurt and disappointment. The freshness of the green valley was a balm on her soul and she breathed deeply, letting go of even more stress. This farm was hers, it was time she realised it and relaxed enough to enjoy it.

I'm definitely a country girl at heart. I've always lived on a decent block of dirt and had animals because that is who I am. When I wrote From the Outback I discovered another part of Australia. The beautiful wine region of The Hunter Valley. There was no way I could say no to DH when he suggested we leave the desert and make our home in the rolling green hills liberally covered with wineries. To me, it seemed like the perfect place to call home.

But seriously, what isn't to love about the country I now call home? We are a prosperous nation in more ways than one. We believe in having a fair go, giving a mate a hand and not backing down without a fight. Everyone has the chance to excel and the only thing stopping them is themselves. I think I made the right move all those years ago. If you had your choice to move to any country in the world, where would you go?

Follow to the tour to win a $25 gift card to Amazon! 

About FROM THE OUTBACK:

Although desperate to get out of her dead end job, Sami is cynical when she hears of an inheritance from the grandfather she never knew. But once she and her young brother arrive in the beautiful valley, she discovers they are not wanted...especially by the sexy vineyard owner next door.

Will she persevere and make a home for them, or give in and take the easy money when the going gets tough?

Available now on Amazon! And to check out other books available by Ann visit: http://www.annbharrisonromance.com/books.html

About Ann B. Harrison:

Ann swears she was born with a book in her hands and has never put it down. A lifelong love of reading has finally culminated in achieving her dream of writing...and publication.

She lives in the beautiful Hunter Valley with her own handsome hero of many years. Ann has always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities and she shares this with readers in her rural romances.

Strong sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in her stories. Of course these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the outback hero and watch the passion ignite.

When not writing Ann enjoys reading, gardening, walking her very large dog Hugo and fighting with her computer.

Connect with Ann on her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Billionaire's Matchmaker Virtual Book Tour

Billionaire's Matchmaker, an Anthology

by Shirley Jump, Susan Meier, Jackie Braun and Barbara Wallace

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?

Driving Mr. Wrong Home by Shirley Jump: When a handsome man from Gabby’s past agrees to a cross-country road trip, her master plan to re-launch her art career quickly morphs into an unexpected, romantic reunion.

The Sheriff’s Secret by Susan Meier: Marney’s 9-1-1 emergency help arrives in the form of a rugged, blue-eyed cop. Now she has the perfect bodyguard to keep her safe during those dark, steamy nights…

Love Unleashed by Jackie Braun: The last thing Mia wants is a relationship…yet the headstrong florist can’t keep her hands off her sexy-as-sin ex-boyfriend.  Will she open her heart before he leaves town for good?

Love in the Shadows by Barbara Wallace: Jenny is a woman on a mission – she’ll even resort to dognapping to make her point! But can she teach a reclusive, emotionally-wounded tycoon that love heals all thing?

Excerpt from Love Unleashed by Jackie Braun in The Billionaire’s Matchmaker anthology

Marney leaned down and patted Charlie’s head. “Bye, boy. Don’t let her do anything I wouldn’t do.” He let out a soft yip, almost as if he understood.

Mia, however, wasn’t sure she did. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Be good.” Marney pointed a finger at the dog. “Charlie’s going to be on his best behavior for me. Aren’t you?” Mia said.

Was it her imagination or did the little dog wink?

“You just keep telling yourself that. Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to run.” Marney was halfway out the open front door when she called over her shoulder, “Oh, by the way, Charlie has a checkup with the vet at five-thirty today. Don’t be late.”

The door closed on Mia’s shocked expression. By the time she made it to the porch, Marney was already in her car driving away. Tires actually squealed. Mia scowled. The only veterinarian

in Chandler’s Cove was Gideon Roth, hence Marney’s speedy getaway.

Gideon was a prime specimen of a man with a muscular build, thick sandy hair, rich brown eyes that could undress a woman with a glance, and a mouth that could turn her most wanton fantasies

into reality. Mia knew all of this firsthand.

Gideon Roth was her ex-boyfriend.

She’d broken up with him six months earlier. Marney and Gabby, as well as Jenny Travolini—the other woman who formed their close quartet of friends—had been surprised. And no wonder. Gideon was a prize. Not only gorgeous and gainfully employed, but smart, funny, and abundantly decent.

Mia’s reason for dumping him? He’d said, “I love you.”

Three little words that most women longed to hear. Not Mia. Especially when Gid had gotten down on one knee on Christmas Day and backed them up with a diamond engagement ring large enough to have its own ZIP code.

Panic had bubbled up, burning her like lava. God help her, for one foolish moment, hope had as well—a geyser’s worth of it had shot up and then rained down on the old, painful memories. But

nothing could wash away the past, which was why Mia had come to her senses.

Why did Gid have to go and ruin a really good thing with a declaration of love and a proposal of marriage?

Mia trusted neither.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOW TO BEGIN A BOOK WITH A BAM!

            Those of you who are participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this month might be struggling with creating a strong opening for your novel. I know how challenging that can be, so I sat down and analyzed how I, and other authors, do it so well.

On the Food Network, there are a few stars that stand out, whose cooking methods have created buzz all over the country because they have a powerful delivery. My favorite of all of the chefs used to be Emeril Lagasse and his signature “Bam!”

            Books that are memorable, that stand out in your memory, also have Bam. They start with a bang, drawing you in and keeping you there, page after page.

            You may look at those books and wonder how the author did that, how she got all that power into one little opening. There are a few tricks to the trade to create a powerful opening, as follows:

1. START WHERE THE TROUBLE STARTS: After judging dozens of contests over the years, the number-one mistake I see new writers making is starting off too slow. They ease into the book--and end up leaving the reader wondering when it’s going to get interesting. They often feel they need to pump in all this back story, so the reader will “know” the character. The point of a book is for the reader to GET TO KNOW the character, as the person’s layers are peeled back one at a time. Don’t start with all that blah-blah about the character’s background. Start with the trouble, the inciting incident that gets the character smack into something new--something life changing.
2. START OUT ACTIVE: If you can, try to avoid using passive phrases in your opening lines. Sometimes, they can’t be avoided, but by and large, if you want a powerful, active opening, you need to use powerful, active words. “She was tired” isn’t nearly as powerful as “Jane Doe took the last step she had in her, then collapsed.”
3. GIVE THE READER A LITTLE LIGHT: Often, the lesson of not inserting back story into the beginning of a book is taken too literally and writers put absolutely zero back story in, leaving the reader with too many questions. What happens is that the characters are two-dimensional because they lack the element that gives them life--a past. You want to HINT at the back story, not lay it all out in twenty-five paragraphs of narrative. Give us a tease, a reason to keep turning the pages to put more of the puzzle together.
4. SET THE TONE: What kind of book are you writing? A comedy? A drama? A thriller? Whatever you are writing, that tone should be set from page one. If you’re writing funny, start out funny. If you’re writing a thriller, start out scary. There’s a book by Bill Johnson called “A Story is a Promise.” The basic premise of that book is that your novel is a promise to the reader. What the reader sees on the opening pages should be indicative of the book’s overall tone. Don’t start out funny and then have a serial killer come in and wipe out all your characters in a grisly scene. Make a promise--and stick to it.
5. GIVE US A REASON TO CARE: In one of my earlier columns, I wrote about characters that readers care about. Readers latch onto characters. If you want your reader to form an attachment to your character, give them likeable tendencies. They should be flawed human beings whose stories you can relate to. Look at “Lost,” the hit ABC series that ran for many seasons and created a whole subculture of followers. In each episode, the writers focused on one of the characters, peeling back a little more of their story. You cared about everyone, even Sawyer, because you had seen them cry, mourn, celebrate and struggle over their lives. They were relatable people with strengths and vulnerabilities.
6. LOOK AT GOOD EXAMPLES: Pick up five books (or more) that grabbed you from the beginning and look at the first paragraphs. The first lines. The first five pages. What did the author do in those pages that hooked your attention? Most importantly, what was their opening line? Most authors I know struggle with that opening line, revising it a hundred times before they are happy. It is, after all, the most important line, the one readers look at when they are skimming a book, deciding to buy it. Agent Evan Fogleman once told a group of writers that he knows within three lines if this is a book he wants to see more of or not. After judging a lot of opening chapter contests, I agree with him. I can often tell within a few lines if the author has what it takes. Does that mean that if you don’t have powerful opening lines in your work today you can’t write great opening lines? Absolutely not. Writing powerfully CAN be learned. If you have good basic storytelling skills, all the rest is honing your technique. Think of it in terms of coaching athletes. Many have wonderful raw, natural talent, but they need to have that talent honed and cultivated to fit the dynamics of the team, the game, and the coach. They are taught to use their strengths and improve on their weaknesses.

      Writing a powerful opening creates a story that literally comes to life. Whether you are writing novels or articles, powerful openings will make the difference between your piece being read--or being pushed aside for another. Learn to grab your reader from the start with a little Bam! and you’ll be holding his attention for pages to come.

           

AUTHOR Bios and Links:

ABOUT SHIRLEY JUMP

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shirley Jump spends her days writing romance and women’s fiction to feed her shoe addiction and avoid cleaning the toilets. She cleverly finds writing time by feeding her kids junk food, allowing them to dress in the clothes they find on the floor and encouraging the dogs to double as vacuum cleaners. Look for her Sweet and Savory Romance series, including the USA Today bestselling book, THE BRIDE WORE CHOCOLATE, on Amazon and Nook, and the debut of her Sweetheart Club series for Berkley, starting with THE SWEETHEART BARGAIN in September 2013. Visit her website at www.shirleyjump.com or read recipes and life adventures at www.shirleyjump.blogspot.com.

BOOK TITLE: “Driving Mr. Wrong Home” in THE BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER, Indulgence

www.facebook.com/shirleyjump.author

www.twitter.com/shirleyjump

www.goodreads.com/shirleyjump

www.shirleyjump.com

www.eating-my-words.com (blog)

About Jackie Braun

Jackie Braun is the author of more than 30 contemporary romance novels.  She is a three-time RITA Award finalist, a four-time National Readers’ Choice Award finalist and was nominated for Series Storyteller of the Year by RT Book Club in 2008. She lives in Michigan with her husband, their two sons and a former shelter dog named Pip.

Anthology name and my title: The Billionaire’s Matchmaker/Love Unleashed.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjackiebraun

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jackie_Braun

Website: www.jackiebraun.com

Blogging 2 Tuesdays each month on The Chocolate Box: www.chocolateboxwriters.com

About Susan Meier

In 2013 Susan Meier lived one of her career-long dreams. Her book, THE TYCOON’S SECRET DAUGHER was a finalist for RWA’s highest honor, the Rita! The same year NANNY FOR THE MILLIONAIRE’S TWINS was a Book Buyer’s Best Award finalist and National Reader’s Choice finalist.

Susan is the author of over 50 books for Harlequin and Silhouette, Entangled Indulgence and one of Guideposts' Grace Chapel Inn series books, THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS.

One of eleven kids, Susan never lacks for entertainment or amusement from her over thirty nieces and nephews. Her family’s Wednesday Morning Breakfasts are the highlight of her summer. And with lots of her nieces and nephews now in their twenties, wedding season is in full swing!

Susan lives in west central Pennsylvania with her husband, son and two crazy cats.

THE SHERIFF’S SECRET in the THE BILLIONAIRE’S MATCHMAKER anthology for Entangled Indulgence

Connect with Susan at

susanmeier.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.meier.54

Twitter: @susanmeier1

About Barbara Wallace

Barbara Wallace has been a life-long romantic and daydreamer so it’s not surprising she decided to become a writer at age eight.  However, it wasn’t until a co-worker handed her a romance novel that she knew where her stories belonged.  Her first Harlequin Romance debuted in November 2010.

Barbara loves writing sweet, smart, ‘it-could-happen-to-you’ style romances.  She lives in Massachusetts with her other loves – her husband, their teenage son, and three very spoiled pets (as if there could be any other kind).  She also loves hearing from readers. 

You can find her at her website (www.barbarawallace.com), on Twitter (@BarbaraTWallace) and on Facebook.

The authors will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour for more exciting guest posts and chances to win!

 http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/10/blurb-blitz-billionaires-matchmaker.html

Not Long Ago Virtual Book Tour and Guest Post

Not Long Ago
By Susan A. Royal

Genre:  Time travel adventure/romance

Publisher: Museitup

ISBN: 978-1-77127-076-2

ASIN: B008E5Y4M8

Number of pages: 227

Word Count: 89333

Cover Artist:   Suzannah Safi

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/vOIQVdWUigU

Book Description: 

Erin has met the man of her dreams, but as usual there are complications. It’s one of those long distance relationships, and Griffin is a little behind the times-- somewhere around 600 years. 

Erin and her employer, March, are transported to a time where chivalry and religion exist alongside brutality and superstition. Something’s not quite right at the castle, and Erin and March feel sure mysterious Lady Isobeil is involved. But Erin must cope with crop circles, ghosts, a kidnapping and death before the truth of her journey is revealed.

Forced to pose as March’s nephew, Erin finds employment as handsome Sir Griffin’s squire.  She’s immediately attracted to him and grows to admire his courage, quiet nobility and devotion to duty.  Yet, she must deny her feelings.  Her world is centuries away, and she wants to go home.  But, Erin can’t stop thinking about her knight in shining armor.   

Museitup: http://tinyurl.com/85vgye3

Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/7uy9yvf

Goodreads:  http://tinyurl.com/9akty5f

Guest Post:

I’ve chosen this passage to post because I wanted everyone to see Not Long Ago is not just about time travel, nor is it just a love story between two very different people.  I tried to make it an adventure that will take the reader to another time and allow them to experience life there as seen through the main character’s eyes.  This part was an especially emotional scene for me to write.  I attempted to portray some of the emotions each of us experience when we’re faced with losing someone we care about, whether it be father, mentor or friend.  

--Excerpt--

     Late the next day, everyone gathered on the banks of the river under a clear sky. On a hill

above us, archers waited. Beside them men-at-arms from the castle stood at attention. Clustered

below were the castle servants and townspeople. Lady Isobeil, Lady Gwyneth and Kat positioned

mselves on opposite sides of Lord John, as far away from each other as possible. He stood at

one end of a long, shallow wooden boat filled with brush. Sir Maldwyn’s body had been

wrapped in linen and placed inside, his belongings next to him. Water lapped against the boat, a

strangely calming sound.

     The pain on Sir Griffin’s face was almost more than I could bear. He clenched his jaw and

gripped the hilt of his sword until I thought it would break. Faces stoic, the other knights huddled

together with their squires. No doubt each of them remembered Sir Maldwyn in his own way.

After all, he’d been in service at the castle long enough to train most of the knights when they

were still squires. I thought of my parent’s death and the emptiness I felt knowing I’d never see

them again. People everywhere stared at the ground, trying to hold back tears.

     All except for Deroc. I can think of nothing more poignant than the sight of him standing

over his father’s body while tears ran down his face. Over and over, the boy repeated the same

words. “I am sorry Father, I am so sorry.” The overbearing bully who confronted me in the

paddock had vanished. All that remained was a pitiful little boy, one who mourned a relationship

with his father he’d never had, and now, one he would never experience.

     Sir Maldwyn’s body lay on the funeral pyre, in the custom of the Vikings, while Father

Alford conducted the service in Latin in a calm and soothing monotone, appearing completely

undisturbed by all the pagan customs surrounding him. When he said his last amen, Lord John

nodded at Sir Griffin. He began to ease the boat into the water. When it resisted, first Sir

Edevane and then the other knights joined him. Together, they gave one last push, and the boat

floated free.

     Sir Sion remained on the bank, alone in his guilt. He didn’t join the rest, likely because he

knew they held him responsible for Sir Maldwyn’s death. Sir Sion’s decision made in haste and

in anger had ended someone’s life. No wonder he couldn’t bear to meet anyone’s eyes.

     When the boat reached the middle of the river, each archer touched his arrow to flame,

notched and loosed it. Their arrows arched upwards in perfect unison, only losing sight of them

when they passed between us and the setting sun, briefly dazzling our eyes. In the fading light of

day, they struck the raft holding Sir Maldwyn’s body like driving rain. Flames shot high into the

air and swallowed up everything. Sir Maldwyn was making his journey home to Valhalla in the

manner he had wanted. Not a sound could be heard among those of us watching from the banks,

except for Deroc’s quiet sobbing. A north wind began to blow, and I thought I heard a faint

noise. Somehow, the wind seemed to bring with it the echo of horns in the far distance. I know it

couldn’t have been so, but it sounded as though those ancestors who’d gone before him were

welcoming a fellow warrior home.

About the Author:

Born in west Texas and raised in south Texas, Susan makes her home in a 100-year-old farmhouse in a small east Texas town that comes with a ghost who has been known to harmonize with her son whenever he plays guitar.  She’s married, with three children and four grandchildren.

She comes from a family rich with characters, both past and present. She spent her childhood listening to her grandmother’s stories of living on a farm in Oklahoma Territory with three sisters and three brothers and working as a telephone operator in the early 20^th century.  Her father shared stories of growing up in San Antonio during the depression, and through her mother’s eyes she experienced how it felt to be a teenager during WWII.

Yesterday, the first piece she ever submitted, won author Cody James Wolfe’s Flash Fiction Newsletter Contest and that started it all. Her entry, Lost Souls, won 2^nd place in the 2009 short story contest of the Northeast Texas Writers’ Organization and My Father’s House won 3^rd place in the 2010 competition.  Not Long Ago is a time travel adventure/romance, available through MuseItUp/Amazon/B&N.  She is currently working on a sequel, because the Erin and Griffin’s story wasn’t finished.  In My Own Shadow is a Fantasy adventure/romance, due out May, 2013.

website - http://susanroyal.moonfruit.com

blog: - http://ssnroyal.blog.com/