Thursday, July 17, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
Interview with the Fallen For Books
This is the first of weekly interviews by Author Dahlia Donovan with much needed, and little appreciated, book bloggers. It's her turn to turn the tables and share the love.
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Interview with the Fallen For Books
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Half the year is over
I began the dreaded revision process on HIS Redemption this week. In other words, you saw the nice American flag wood pallet I painted and my updated website. What you missed was the hours spent trying to utilize WordPress as my main website and blog and all the organization I completed around the house. I also finished another novel. I did firmly plant my rear in the chair and complete two chapters.
Beta readers and critique partners are great assets to an author. They can pat you on the back and give you great ideas on how to improve your story. They can also beat you down until you want to burn your manuscript. Thankfully, even giving bad news, my critique partner and beta readers haven’t brought me to that level, although I do have quite a bit of work in revising my story. Thank you, ladies, for helping make the story more intriguing. I’m adding two more beta readers once these revisions are complete for a fresh perspective. They have tough shoes to fill.
I won Hearts in Vegas (Harlequin super romance) by Colleen Collins (5-star rating on Amazon) and am finally going to read it. What? I promise to read it when I need a break from revising.
The year is half over. I’ve not held to any of my New Year’s resolutions, and my mom is almost complete with her holiday shopping. How about you? New Year’s resolutions kept? Do you save all year or buy gifts throughout the year for the holidays? Or, do you try to find a way to make your monthly budget stretch more in December while suddenly attempting to meet those resolutions goals?
Now that I’ve added to your minds the stress of holiday shopping and forgotten goals, I wish you a fabulous rest of the week.
It’s logo poker time J.
Let’s feed those addictions! I call it logo poker -
If you need to draw more cards, I have them for you – Tumblr, LinkedIn, Sulia, Booktropolous…And, I have two of some cards (personal and author).
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Time to get back to work
It has been a month since I’ve posted about my book to my blog – but it hasn’t
kept visitors away. What have I been doing? You know that I finished HIS Redemption then I took a break –
reading and relaxing. Oh, and I had my hair cut.
So, my fun is over. Time to get back to work. I did take a course
with an agent who reviewed my query letter, synopsis and first two pages of my
manuscript. Good feedback. Now, my ms is with a new critique partner and I’m
biting my nails.
What’s next? Find an editor. I’ve been researching them and wow –
it can cost a small fortune to have a book edited. After editing, formatting
and cover artwork, I wonder how many new authors make up their costs on their
first novel. Oh well, it’s worth it – paperback in hand, priceless.
How about an unedited excerpt from HIS Redemption?
“Look Jesse, I’m sorry to hear this psycho is after someone you
love, but you two,” Kate said pointing her index finger back and forth between
AJ and Jesse, “need to leave me out of this. I want this shooter caught because
he hit me, but I don’t want, or need, protection since no one is after me.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want,” Jesse growled.
Kate stood. She’d had enough. “Unless you can tell me who
the shooter is, then this conversation is over, gentlemen.”
Jesse stood. A grin spread over his face, and she saw a
gleam in his eyes. “No, sweetheart, this conversation is far from over.”
I’ll share some of the reviews of books I read this past month to
give you some summer reading ideas. I also thought I would do a few author
guests posts from time to time for you. If you have authors you’d like to hear
from, let me know.
I hope you have a fabulous week!
Sheila on:
Friday, June 27, 2014
A good summer read
Wrapped in Shadows by Lisa EugeneMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*My disclaimer: I won this e-book and am voluntarily doing this review
When I first started the novel, I was a little worried. It didn’t grab me. BUT, as I read, it not only grabbed me, I couldn’t put it down. The budding romance and the suspense kept me engaged and I had to hurry to find out who done it.
It’s easy to see that Kate is in a bad relationship with Josh. She just doesn’t see it. After reaching out of her comfort zone and having a night at a sex club, she feels a pull to another that she never felt for Josh. During the novel, Kate contemplates her wedding, her feelings for Luke, her family foundation and dealing with her parents.
Luke’s friends treated him to a night of debauchery and he ends up in bed with Kate at the sex club. He can’t get her out of his mind. During the novel, Luke deals with being a single father and a little thing called a murder charge.
I enjoyed meeting these characters and watching them go through everything they did. Everything moved at the right pace, characters were well-developed and each scene drew you in.
As for the suspense, it’s one of those that when you find out who done it, you’ll slap yourself on the forehead because all the clues were there. At least that’s what I did.
This is a summer MUST-READ!
View all my reviews
Sunday, May 25, 2014
THE END
I typed THE END this week! I finally put Jesse and Kate’s entire story
down on paper - whew. After I finished, I calmly put the manuscript aside, picked
up a new novel and started reading. I needed an escape. Two days ago I picked
it back up and began the dreaded editing process. I’m only a few chapters in
and I’ve already added another 500 words.
For those who have missed my Facebook posts - because I am
submitting this new novel to agents/publishers, I have renamed it HIS Redemption to prevent any confusion
(the first novel I submitted had been named HIS
Desire). Having a book published with Harlequin has always been a dream of mine.
Before I take the fabulous and exciting road of becoming an indie author, I
have to try. So, don’t hate me indie authors, I could be happily joining you in
the fall.
Here’s the promised, unedited excerpt from HIS Redemption:
He broke the heated kiss,
tried to catch his breath and slow his racing pulse before he took her hand to
lead her up the stairs. She was finally going to be his.
Kate didn’t move. She slowly
shook her head and breathlessly, she whispered, “No.”
He looked in her eyes and
saw desire blazing there. Desire he had ignited. There was no denying she wanted him.
“I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t want me.”
She looked at him and
hesitated. She was shaking from either lust or nervousness or both. “I don’t
want you, Jesse,” she said softly, quickly looking away.
“Liar.”
I’m pug-sitting while my sister is on vacation. I drive home each
day to take care of my cats. I’ve never received so much attention from them as
I do when I go for that short period of time. It must be true that absence makes
the heart grow fonder.
Well, that’s enough for this week. I hope you enjoy your Memorial
Day weekend. As a veteran, I ask you to remember what Memorial Day is truly
about.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Author Interview Blog Hop
I’m one of three authors that have been invited to participate in this week’s My Writing Process Blog Hop. After you finish reading my blog, your next step is to link below to J. Nichole Parkins’ and Denise Gabbard’s blogs to learn more about their writing process and what they’re working on. I know you’ll enjoy reading about all three of us. So, sit back and enjoy the hop!
First, I’d like to thank Christine
Ardigo for inviting me
to participate. She and I somehow connected online as new author to new author, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her. I am pleased to announce her
new novel, Cheating to Survive,
is now available on Amazon. You can learn about Christine on her webpage www.christine-ardigo-author.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Christine.Ardigo.Author.
Second, there are four questions I’ve
been asked to answer so you can learn more about my writing process. You may
ask any other question in the comments below.
1. What am I working on? I’m writing (actually rewriting) HIS Desire, the first book in a six-book romantic suspense series
featuring the super-hot Hamilton brothers. Their company, Hamilton
Investigation and Security, Inc. (H.I.S.), swoops in to protect Kate Ross, an
injured FBI agent, when she is threatened by a madman vowing revenge against
Jesse Hamilton, the oldest brother. I have a few more chapters left to write
and then the dreaded editing process begins. Expect it in early fall.
Note: Each book in the H.I.S. series can
be read as a stand-alone novel.
2. How does my work differ from others of
its genre? That’s a
tough question. Romantic suspense novels have specific requirements – romance
and suspense. I’ve created a group of brothers that are similar yet different
from any other series. They’re not as intense as some, no super-secret missions
doing unbelievable feats, and they’re not as one-dimensional as others. The
brothers and their team are a combination of ex-military and ex-law
enforcement, so you can imagine all the different skill sets and personalities I’m
dealing with while writing.
3. Why do I write what I do? If I didn’t, I feel my brain would
explode. I’ve always wanted to write, but kept my post-military mind busy
running a university. Yes, after controlling aircraft in dogfights, I ran a
couple different universities. One day, these brothers’ stories popped in my
head and wouldn’t disappear. The stories kept developing until I knew I had to
write them down. I retired early to devote my time to writing. It feels wonderful
to finally put their thoughts and words to paper.
4. How does your writing process work? That’s a loaded question. I have notes
everywhere that I constantly search for when I’m writing and usually can’t
find. I'm very unorganized. I also have cats who like to interrupt me by plopping down right in the way - across my arms or on the printed manuscript I'm editing. I'm using an outline. Well, trying to use an outline. It was easy drafting it. Unfortunately, my characters didn’t
quite agree with my plan. I’ve revised my outline more times than I'll edit the novel. In other words, I have no real process except sit and write. It works for me so
I’m not going to change it right now.
That’s the interview questions for me.
You can learn more about both me and the H.I.S. series at www.sheilakell.com. Be sure to stop by my Facebook page and
give it a like to keep up with my process toward publication - https://www.facebook.com/sheilakell.fanpage.
Finally, it’s time to meet J. Nicole and Denise. Click on one of their blog links
below to hop on over to a new author interview. Once you read that one, you can
find the other author’s blog link at the end of that interview. It’s that easy
to get to know all three of us.
Thank you for your time today. I hope you
have an enjoyable week!
Sheila Kell
J. Nichole Parkins writes new adult and urban fantasy. She is currently working on Burned, the
first of an urban fantasy trilogy of the same name. Wife, mother of three, and
constant daydreamer, she is never without a story floating around in
her head or a book or two in her purse. A Florida transplant, she can
often be found writing poolside with a cup of Chai Tea or reading her Kindle
way after bedtime. Nichole's interview can be found on her blog at http://jnicholeparkins.wix.
Denise Gabbard’s bio
Denise Gabbard
Denise’s Links:
Saturday, May 17, 2014
COMING SOON - Sunday May 18th - Author Interview Blog Hop
Join me and two other authors on an interview blog hop on Sunday as we answer four tough questions about our writing process.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Book Review - Cheating to Survive by Christine Ardigo
Cheating to Survive - by Christine ArdigoMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is an excellent read – perfect debut novel!
Cheating to Survive -by Christine Ardigo is a story that has a realistic plot with well-developed characters that draw you into the story from the beginning. All three women, Heather, Victoria and Catherine are unhappy in their lives. They have a vile boss and non-supportive husbands. Their marriages are miserable and intimacy free. You come to care for these women and want them to find happiness.
To escape the reality of her depressing life, Heather embarks on an affair with a hot doctor at the hospital where the women work. Her sudden happiness makes the other two women jealous until they realize they can achieve the same happiness through having an affair also. Victoria meets the program leader at a cancer research center and Catherine catches the eye of one of the doctors at the hospital.
You feel for the women as their home lives remain on a roller coaster ride. They come to a point where they realize they must ‘fix it or get out’. I won’t say what happens, but you’ll feel good about how each woman’s situation ends.
This is a great debut novel for Christine Ardigo. I look forward to her next novel.
View all my reviews
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Questions asked: How do you write sex scenes? Do you have dirty mind?
I’ve been asked about writing sex scenes. How do I do it? Do I
have a dirty mind? I’m not sure about the dirty mind – depending on my mood, my
answer could go either way, but as for writing a sex scene, it just flows with
the story and comes to me as I write. However, there are times when I can’t
write a sex scene, like the other day visiting my mom. Our visits, after
shopping, involve her playing Bejeweled on my iPad while I write on my laptop. Anyhow,
ever try to write a sex scene with your mom in the room, looking over your
shoulder? A mom who will gladly read your book but not the sex scenes? Awkward.
It’s the only time I blanked on the scene.
I received an email from an agent this week to send my completed HIS Desire manuscript. For those new to
my blog, I wrote the novel and when no agent picked it up, I decided to rewrite
it with what I think is a better story. So, I had a quandary – send or wait. I
decided to send it to her. If she likes it, the current story I am writing can
be rewritten for AJ (in fact, this was his story to begin with). Fingers
crossed she picks it up.
On the home front, I tried to economize and my poor car is embarrassed
for it. I decided to give him a haircut instead of sending him to be shaved to
start the summer. It seemed easy enough. Oh boy, he looks hilarious. His hair
is now short, choppy and uneven – even almost bald in a few places. I need to
take him to get shaved after all to save him from being made fun of by the
other cats.
Jesse and Kate’s story is going well. I finished their first sex
scene. It occurs late in this book, or as my friend said, “It’s about time”. It’s
at the right time. Now, let’s see how he saves her from the madman after her. I
promise that’s not giving anything away – it’s a romantic suspense novel. I’ll
start teasers soon.
Hope you have a great week. Don’t forget - Mother’s Day is just
around the corner.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Here's where I am
In honor of the newest followers, I thought I would give an
overview in my weekly blog of where I am in the writing process. For those who’ve
been following, this will help ease any confusion.
I’m writing six romantic suspense novels featuring the men of
Hamilton Investigation and Security, Inc., or H.I.S. You can meet the men of
H.I.S. on my website at http://www.sheilakell.com/books.html.
I wrote my first novel, HIS
Desire, and submitted it for agent representation, but it didn’t get picked
up by anyone. Instead of self-publishing, I thought of a book I’d rather be first in the series and am writing it now (I’m halfway through it). It features
Jesse, the oldest brother, and a fiery FBI Agent, Kate Ross. I am using the title HIS Desire because it fits with Jesse and this story. I'll send out teasers when I get further along in my writing.
Thanks to everyone who suggested names for the two bomb-sniffing
dogs who are part of H.I.S. It was a tough choice, but I chose (based on the
men who are handlers) Bomber and Daisy (yes, there will be a story on this
name). They’re only mentioned in this novel, but I plan to use them in the
series since H.I.S. does a lot of protection services.
My blog is updated weekly unless something major happens, so make
sure to sign up by email to keep up to date with my progress. You won’t be
overburdened with notifications.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Feature and Follow Friday
Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parjunkee and Alison Can Read.
This week's F&F topic/question is:
Question of the Week:
Spring Break. Where would be your
favorite destination spot if you could join the Spring Break festivities?
If I could join in on the Spring Break
Festivities, I would go to any of the Florida beaches. I can't get enough of
the ocean breeze on my face.
Where would you go?
Visit Sheila's website
Follow Sheila on Facebook
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Sunday, April 13, 2014
The writing was slow going this week
The rewrite of HIS Desire
is slow going. I did complete the first four chapters and am happy with them. I’m
stuck on where I want to go from there. I have something in mind but it isn’t
coming together just yet. It’ll come and then I will go nuts writing.
The weather has been
changing. We’re warm now – capris and t-shirts – and, unfortunately yard work.
I love the outside but don’t care to mow and weed.
My stepfather passed this
week. My love and prayers are with the family, especially his daughter and my
sister Val.
That’s it for this week
folks. I was focused on those all important first three chapters this week so
nothing exciting happened.
Until next week.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Changes, changes, changes
I hope you had a great week
and survived April Fools’ Day. Were
there any pranks that caught you off-guard?
No more responses from my
query letters. I did receive feedback on my manuscript from one agent and what
publishers are seeking right now. So, I’m taking what she recommends and
writing a new novel. It’s hard getting started since I already had a story in
my head, but I have written, and re-written, and re-written the first chapter. This
weekend I WILL write at least the first three chapters to get myself moving.
Changes are the name of the
game. This novel will be the new first novel in my series with the Hamilton
brothers, and it will feature Jesse. He got dumped from the old first story. Poor
Jesse has had change after change. Ironically, the agent said that he should be
an FBI agent in the book I submitted. If you remember, I started him as an FBI
agent and I changed him as the story went along. I still shake my head as to
why.
The story you followed
along with, the one that hasn’t been picked up, will not be tossed. It will be
revised and become the second novel in the series featuring the baby brother
AJ. He is an FBI agent, and you will meet him in book 1.
It’s time for one of my
least favorite chores – yard-work. I need to cut the yard of weeds. It only
takes a little over an hour, but it is one of the most dreaded hours of my
life. It ranks right up there with washing dishes (I don’t have an installed
dishwasher). What is your least favorite
chore?
Thanks for following me and
providing your support.
Until next week
Sunday, March 30, 2014
April is around the corner
Happy early April Fools’ Day. What
kind of pranks do your co-workers do in the workplace? What pranks are you
planning?
Going into this venture, I knew there would be a lot of rejection
from agents. That’s why I sent out so many query letters. It still doesn’t feel
good to get the rejection letter/email, even if it’s because they aren’t taking
on new clients. I know I will find that right agent.
I brushed the rejections off and moved on to the next book in the
series. I rewrote the first few chapters then decided I didn’t like them. Go
figure. I decided to break away from writing and read. I fell in love again –
in both books I read. Have you fallen in
love with the hero?
On a lighter note, I was sitting on the couch with a cat on the
window seat beside me. Next thing I know a cat is attacking from the other side
of the window. What it found to hold on to is beyond me, but it hung there
scaring off my cats. It freaked me out.
Until next week.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
It's finally Spring!
Welcome back. I hope you survived St. Patrick’s Day.
What a week! I emailed and mailed query letters this week. Four
agents asked for more chapters and one, after reading the extra chapters, asked
for the entire manuscript. I’m exciting and anxious.
Here’s a final excerpt from HIS
Desire. I have to shift to the next story – AJ and Reagan.
Megan looked up at him
through tear filled eyes. All he could do was look into those beautiful, wet
eyes. He saw sadness and wanted to take it away. He brushed a strand of her now
auburn hair behind her ear, and then he slowly lowered his mouth to hers. His
kiss was gentle and slow. Her sweet taste was mixed with salty tears.
Raising his head, Jesse
looked into Megan’s eyes again and saw desire flicker. He raised his hands to
either side of her face and leaned down again. The kiss was a deep kiss, his
tongue making love to her mouth.
I found the coolest thing this week. It’s a collar for my cats (below) that has a small USB on it. I can put all of my contact information in case
they lose their way. I’m waiting for Ralph, my little Houdini (black and white cat), to figure out
how to get the collar off. He’s removed every collar I’ve put on him before. It's hilarious to watch.
Don’t forget to check out my website. You can see the places that
I have traveled to on Pinterest. Ladies, you will love my WritingInspiration-Men board on Pinterest.
Until next week.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Major crisis this week...
I have faith that I am going to find a four-leaf clover this St.
Patrick’s Day and my luck will turn around for the better.
There was one major crisis after another this week. First, I lost
my thumb drive. It had EVERYTHING that I’ve been writing. No, I hadn’t backed
it up on my laptop. I did after I found it and thank goodness I did because
after that it fell apart. Yes, fell apart.
Second, I sent out a query letter to about 45 literary agents with
an error on it. I can’t believe I overlooked it. It’s an almost guaranteed
rejection. Even with this major setback, I will find the right agent.
It’s time for me to move on to AJ and Reagan’s story, but I’m
having a difficult time leaving Jesse and Megan. I am glad I’m working a series
where past characters will play a role, even a minor one, in the rest of the
stories. I won’t have to put Jesse on a bench.
On a personal note, my sister was out of town this past week, so I
stayed at her house with my Mom a few of those days. My cats were not happy
about it. You’d think their world had ended because they didn’t get their
canned food first thing in the morning. The bowl of dry food must not be breakfast
worthy. Can you tell that I spoil them?
Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and rest of the week!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Great things are happening!
I was a chaperone for my niece’s 3rd grade class this
week. I’ve never seen so many kids that well-behaved.
Final edits are complete! I thought I’d never get through the
process. To quote Oscar Wilde “I have spent most of the day putting in a comma
and the rest of the day taking it out.”
Before querying agents, I decided to have an expert critique my
query letter since it is so important. Once I receive it and my synopsis back I
will begin the process. I am ready to get HIS
Desire in front of an agent then publisher.
Here’s another teaser from HIS
Desire (An H.I.S. Novel):
Jesse turned to Megan. “You did a great job. Your boss will love
this article.”
She beamed at him.
“There’s only one problem. You made me out to be some kind of
hero.”
Her smile vanished. “But you have been my hero. You’ve done
everything to save me. I’d be dead if not for you.”
“Megan, I’m no hero. I don’t like being characterized as one.” He
stood. He tried to be a hero once and his wife paid with her life.
Don’t forget to sign up by email so you don’t miss when there’s a
new posting.
See you next week!
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