Category Archives: Happily Ever After

Romance Weekly

on February 7, 2017

RRW
The wonderful Carolyn Spear led this week’s hop…

carolyn-spear

This time the challenge comes from the very talented S. C. Mitchell:

Flash Fiction Challenge: Give us a romantic scene to set the mood for Valentine’s Day.

Here’s mine…

Stephanie closed her eyes to blot out the glare of the computer screen. She felt empty, except for the churning frustration. Writers’ block. Or in this case, copywriters’ block. The client wanted something fresh to sell engagement rings over the upcoming holiday. But, what new could be said about Valentine’s Day that hadn’t already been? It was a joke. Hearts, flowers? True love? Like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. There was no such thing. Soul mate? Not so much.

How about that old faithful image of the fairy tale knight in shining armor riding up on his white horse? Yeah, right. She mentally rolled her eyes.

She had to get outside, away from the torment of the keyboard that just laughed at her lack of creativity today.

Bundled up in a parka and scarf, gloves and a hat, Stephanie headed to the park. It was freezing out. But she hoped the fresh air would do her good, maybe clear her brain and allow her to enter the fantasy world of make believe romance.

You’re a copywriter. You can make stuff up, right?

There were few brave souls out today, since it was too cold for the less hearty. She walked quickly, afraid she might freeze to death if she didn’t keep moving. Without thinking, or looking, she rounded a corner. It all happened in a split second.

The horse reared and its rider twisted to keep the animal from stomping her to death. She heard “Look out!” but she was already trying to jump out of the way. She stumbled into the bushes and fell, face first, onto the frozen earth.

Then, strong hands were reaching for her. Gently, a man lifted her head into his lap and stroked her cheek. Stephanie blinked and found herself staring into eyes the deep green of a summer meadow. They were filled with concern.

“Are you all right? I am so sorry. I didn’t see you.”

“It was my fault…” she started to say, but the fingers touching her face were leaving a trail of irresistible warmth.

“Let me help you up.”

She stood a little shakily and did a mental inventory. It seemed nothing was hurt but her pride.

He looked at her expectantly. He was so incredibly handsome, it took her breath away.

“I—I think I’m fine.” She gave the man a half smile.

“Stay here. I need to get Popcorn.”

Stephanie was confused. “But, I’m not hungry.”

He laughed, a rich baritone sound. “My horse.”

“Your horse’s name is Popcorn.”

“My favorite food.” He said it as if it made perfect sense. And oddly enough, it did.

When he returned, she noticed the horse was pure white. Of course it was. This was too good to be true.

“I cannot tell you how sorry I am.” He was so sincere and so amazingly attractive.  “Can I take you to dinner to make it up?”

If his name was Prince Charming, she’d lose it.

She held out her hand. “My name is Stephanie.”

He wrapped his fingers around hers and electricity passed up her arm. “Charles. Charles Prince.”

Stephanie shook her head to loosen her preconceived notions. Did this mean there might be a Santa Claus? Or at least a fairy godmother!

Happy Valentine’s Day and may all your dreams come true!

Since this was his idea, let’s hop over to read the fabulous S. C. Mitchell’s flash fiction.

S.C. Mitchell

https://scmitchell.wordpress.com/

Romance Weekly

on January 24, 2017

RRW
This week, the challenge from the very inventive Jenna Da Sie:

Would you rather? 1) Would you rather go way back in time and meet your ancestors Pre 1800’s or go way into the future and meet your great grandchildren Post 2200? 2) Would you rather have no internet or no cell phone? 3) Would you rather talk like Yoda or breathe like Darth Vader? 4) Would you rather have the ability to fly or read minds? 5) Would you rather have mermaids be real or unicorns be real?

  1. As an historical romance writer, I think we tend to romanticize the past. After all, there were no medicines, no plumbing, no conveniences we take for granted. The variety of food was limited and people probably mostly smelled bad…just saying. So going back in time for real loses some of its appeal. Also, there is so much written about the past and my imagination loves to fill in the blanks.

Now…the future…I cannot even begin to grasp how many advances in technology will be forthcoming. Look how far we’ve come in the last sixty years or so. So many possibilities. It might be a joyous experience and it might be terribly depressing, but I think I’d like to know.

  1. I can live just fine without my cell phone, but I go crazy if the internet is down even for a few minutes. I can’t imagine going back to doing research without Google. And with email, unlike just talking, you can think about what you’re going to say before you blurt out something you wish you hadn’t said.
  1. I would much rather talk like Yoda and be like Yoda. Besides, who want to be a ‘breather’?
  1. This one is easy. I would definitely rather read minds! Of course, if I knew what everyone was thinking, I might just want to be able to fly (away).
  1. I think I’d rather unicorns be real. I would love to be a mermaid for a day or so, but long term…unicorns speak of love and peace and all good things. Yep, unicorns get my vote.

Let’s hop on over to the incredibly talented Carolyn Spear and see what she would rather …

carolyn-spear

http://www.carolynspearromance.com/…

Romance Weekly

on January 10, 2017

rrw
This week I asked some questions of my fellow authors:

What do you love best about your writing? Like the least? And what are you doing to fix the things you don’t like?

Let me start by saying I love to write. Love it. Love the research, the plotting, creating the characters. Once I decide which tale to tell, it fills my brain. I will wake up sometimes in the middle of the night with a thought to make the story better. I find the entire experience exciting. And there are times when I can’t really believe I’ve already written nine books and have so many more ready to step up.

What I like the least is the business of writing. I worry about sales and social media and standings. I stress over choosing the right covers, the formats, and wondering if we caught all the typos. Am I doing enough marketing?

What am I going to do about the activities I don’t like? I think they are just part of the process. So, I will accept that there will always be things I don’t like to do but are necessary. That seems to be true about so much in life, doesn’t it?

So, it’s the bitter with the sweet. But it makes me appreciate the sweet that much more.

payback_ebook_proof3-2ouatcloth_ebook_proof2

available now                     coming soon

Let’s hop over and see what the incredible A.S. Fenichel loves and doesn’t love…

AS Fenichel newest

http://asfenichel.com/blog

Romance Weekly

on January 3, 2017

RRW
Welcome to the first challenge of the New Year. The wonderful Lyra Parish has posed these questions:

How did you be spend your New Years? What literary goals have you made for 2017?

It’s been a long time since I’ve made it to midnight on New Year’s Eve. I guess I just get up too early in the morning, since I find myself falling asleep around ten. I know…boring.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t welcome the chance to start a brand new year with all of the possibilities. Last year this time I was just finishing “The Dream Dancer”, the first of three. This year so far, I have almost completed “Jester’s Dance”, which is the third book in the trilogy.

TDD_eBook_PROOF1aEmmaDance_ebook_HIRES_jesterdance_ebook_proof5

“Payback” just came out and I am hoping people like it, even though it’s very different from my historical/historical paranormals.

payback_ebook_proof3-2

Very soon, my next romantic suspense, “Once Upon a Tablecloth” will be out.

ouatcloth_ebook_proof2

And then…Book Ten. I have no idea what it will be about or where it will take place. That’s part of the fun. The whole world is open to choose. Any time, any place, any hero and heroine.

This year I want to write book ten and at least two more. And to be better as a writer with each one. Those are my goals for 2017.

I hope you all make resolutions you can keep and you have joy by the armload. Oh, and of course, keep reading!

Let’s see what the incredible Jenna Da Sie has planned for the New Year.

http://jennadasie.com/

Romance Weekly

on December 13, 2016

RRW
Happy Tuesday and welcome.

This week’s challenge comes from the incredible Jenna Da Sie:

What are some helpful tools and resources that you use for writing?

I can sum that up in one word: Google.

I have no idea how we ever managed without it. Oh, yes, I remember hours and hours at the library, pouring through research books, which sadly never gave me enough of the details I was looking for. Google can tell me how far apart castles are in England, what food people ate in the 17th century and the symptoms of cyanide poisoning.

I found out what medicine was available during the Civil War and how many Black doctors there were then (fifteen). I discovered Smokey Row and what a sailing ship looked like in the 18th century. And the best part is I can stop writing just long enough to clarify a detail to make sure it’s accurate and get right back to the story. Because sometimes I don’t know what questions I need the answers to until I’m in the scene.

I am grateful for Google every day.

Some writers listen to specific music or light candles or dress up to write. Me? I make sure the dog is at my feet (or on the couch behind me), the room is quiet and Google is ready to go.

And coming soon…..

Let’s hop on over and check out what tools and resources the fabulously talented Brenda Margriet uses to enhance her work.

Brenda Margriet newest

http://www.brendamargriet.com/blog

Romance Weekly

on December 6, 2016

rrw
Thanks for stopping by and welcome!

This week I asked the group to tell us about their first kiss….

Here’s mine…

The moonlight spilled on the flowers in the garden, fragrant with the warmth of the evening. He took my hand and pulled me into him, very gently, and lifted my chin. His lips brushed mine and heat seared through my body as the kiss deepened and the passion made the world melt away.

Yeah, sure, that happened.

Truth be told, if memory serves, we were at a party. I was about thirteen or fourteen. We slipped into the darkened dining room and he pressed his mouth against mine. I had braces, so the wires cut into my inside lower lip. The whole experience was terribly, painfully awkward. Passion? Not so much. But, as with most things you do for the first time, it isn’t going to be the stuff dreams are made of. And I suppose that’s why we have romance novels…to teach us to reach for the stars.

TDD_eBook_PROOF1aEmmaDance_ebook_HIRES_

and coming soon…

jesterdance_ebook_proof5

Let’s see what the fabulous and talented A.S. Fenichel can tell us about her first time.

AS Fenichel

http://asfenichel.com/blog

 

Romance Weekly

on November 29, 2016

RRW
This week’s question is from the very talented Lyra Parish:

How many projects do you currently have started? Can you give us a quick sentence description of each one?

Right this red-hot second, I have three projects in various stages. The first two are romantic suspense. Both are in final editing.

“Jester’s Dance” is the third in the ‘Dance’ series and is on the way to completion. I hope to release it before the end of the year…but you know how that goes sometimes.

Below is a little blurb on each of the three.

“Payback”

Several surprises await Beth Abbott when she returns to her small town. As a detective, she expects very little in the way of interesting crime. But victims of a female serial killer change that. And then, there’s Tom. Another detective with the local force, he wants to capture not only the perpetrator but also Beth’s heart.

“Once Upon a Tablecloth”

Nick Jordan is a restaurant ‘fixer’ as well as an entrepreneur in his own right. When he shows up to help Lily Mercer save her place, he encounters more than he expected. The two must join forces to save the restaurant and their lives and end up finding each other.

“Jester’s Dance”

The Lady Margaret, widowed and lonely, seeks adventure and goes to court disguised as a jester. She falls in love with a handsome Scotsman, Seth, who enlists her help to rescue his family. Together they must face danger, intrigue, and enemies determined to pull them apart. Can their love survive? Can they?

What’s next after these? Not sure yet, but I’m hoping it’ll come to me…

Meanwhile, I still have some others that are already published.

Let’s hop on over to the fabulous Carrie Elks and see what she has working.

Carrie Elks newest

https://carrieelks.com/blog/

Romance Weekly

on November 22, 2016

RRW
For the US Thanksgiving we’re doing a recipe swap. Give us your best, most favorite yummy. Share the love!

Welcome to out blog hop and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I would love to say the following was passed down through the generations in my family, but the truth is, I don’t remember anyone in my family who could cook. So, I’m not sure where this came from. But, somehow, it found its way onto the menus when we contributed to the Thanksgiving feast. And I think it’s pretty good! And even if you don’t like it, there’s enough alcohol in it so you might not care.

Special (Tipsy) Cranberry Sauce

1 large package (6oz) Strawberry or Raspberry Jello

2 cans whole berry cranberry sauce

1 can pineapple chunks, drained – reserve juice

Cup of walnuts (optional)

1 cup (or a little more) of dry sherry

Make Jello by adding 2 cups boiling water, stirring well, then instead of adding 2 cups cold water, add juice from the canned pineapple and enough sherry to make two cups. Mix into jello. Then add cranberry sauce, pineapple chunks and, if desired, walnuts. Mix well. Put in refrigerator and allow to set (several hours). Enjoy.

thanksgiving

Let’s hop over and check out the fabulous A.S. Fenichel’s favorite recipe.

AS Fenichel

http://asfenichel.com/blog

Romance Weekly

on November 15, 2016

RRW
This week’s question comes the incredibly talented Brenda Margriet:

Brenda Margriet newest

Winter means different things to different people. What do you love about winter? Why not share some of your favorite winter photos from previous years. Have you ever written a book set during winter?

When I was a little girl, winter meant snowmen and sledding and snowball fights and the holidays. Now, without as much time for play, I still love the beauty of an unbroken white field, stretched out as far as I can see. I love snuggling up in front of a roaring fire with a hot drink and good friends. And cozying up to my husband in the cocoon of our bed after a long day. Oh, and did I mention I love sweaters?

Winter comes and goes in my books and I haven’t written one where the season is an important part of the story. Maybe I should. Because winter means Thanksgiving and Christmas and family and friends and joy and good food and presents and remembering to love each other.

I have moved around a lot in my life and I don’t have any photos to share, but I keep images in my heart and sometimes that makes them even more vivid.

 

Let’s see what the absolutely amazing S.C. Mitchell loves about winter.

S.C. Mitchell

https://scmitchell.wordpress.com/

Romance Weekly

on November 8, 2016

rrw
I came up with this week’s challenge:

 If you’re published, how is the business different than what you expected? If you’re planning to publish, what are your expectations?

When I first started writing novels and submitting them, I expected lots of rejections. And I got ’em. But, even in some of those, there were enough encouraging words. I kept at it and I am happy to say I am published. But the reality is very different from what I expected.

I was around in the days when you submitted to a publisher, they wrote you a contract and, after editing, you sat back and starting working on the next book. Now, with millions of books flooding the market every year, most authors must handle their own marketing and promotion. Social media alone can keep you busy day in and day out. Self-publishing used to be only for the writers who paid for a vanity press. Not anymore. Now it’s another avenue that offers all kinds of opportunities. And learning curves.

I am a hybrid. I am traditionally published and self-published and I spend hours every day keeping up with my writing and managing all the aspects of getting my name out there so readers will, hopefully, buy my books. I am not famous and I am not rich. Okay, that wasn’t really an expectation. But, why not aim high?

The good news is – the business makes your reach exceed your grasp. There is always another goal, another milestone. The most important of these is to ensure that the next book is better than the last. And I work at that every day.

Let’s see what the incredibly talented S. C. Mitchell’s expectations were…

S.C. Mitchell

https://scmitchell.wordpress.com/