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.

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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

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J Nichole Parkins’ bio

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.com/home#!blog/c112v.  

You can connect with her via facebook, twitter, her website, or email.

Denise Gabbard’s bio

 

Denise Gabbard is a freelance writer and online marketing professional. That is what she does to pay the bills. She also has lots of bestselling books, and awesome business idea, bottled up inside her head, screaming to get out! You can read Denise's interview at http://denisegabbard.com or visit her on any of her social profiles.

Denise’s Links:

Website                                  Writing Blog  

Simple Lifestyle Blog          Freelance Portfolio

Google+                                  Pinterest

Twitter                                   Facebook 

                                                                  Instagram

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.

Book Review - Cheating to Survive by Christine Ardigo

Cheating to Survive - by Christine Ardigo
My 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

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.

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