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Posts Tagged ‘Plotting Princesses’

Plotting Princesses Blog Hop

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

It’s my turn! YAY! I’m going to share an excerpt from my latest release, Hollywood Holiday first. Yes, I realize the holidays are over but this story can be enjoyed any time of year – I promise.

Excerpt…

“Things are changing. You… You’re changing things for me.”

I blinked, terrified that the rampant thudding of my heart could be heard over the “Carol of the Bells” playing softly in the background. “What do you mean?” Was this a good thing or a bad thing? Did I want it to get serious? Freak him out? He was a guy. Guys didn’t like serious. So I tried to crack a joke. “You didn’t like crocheted ornaments before? And now, seeing my great-grandmother’s, you do?”

His smiled grew. “Um, no. Not the ornament. It’s you. I mean—” He broke off, looking uncomfortable.

I sucked in a deep breath, trying to think of another wisecrack. …I’ve got nothing.

“I liked you,” he said, then swallowed.

“Liked me?” My stomach suddenly felt like lead.

He sucked in a deep breath. “Now, well, I… It’s a little more than like.” He smiled his uncertain smile.

I stared at him. Holy Crap. Keep it together. Play it cool. No more lead stomach. Instead, there was only this strange, bubbling excitement.

“I mean…” He sat back, his smile faltering. “I didn’t say that so you… You don’t need to—”

“No, I know. I do.” I continued, the words a garbled rush, “I more than like you too.”

His dimples went deep, making my heart fill to bursting. “Okay. Good to know.” And he bent back to the ornament box.  

After that yummy excerpt – I have a super yummy recipe for you…

An easy Chicken Cordon Bleu for you to enjoy.

4 medium chicken breasts halves, pounded flat

1 cup sweet white wine

Unseasoned breadcrumbs (or parmesan breadcrumbs)

Thin Sliced Swiss Cheese

Thin Sliced Proscutto Ham

Pinch of salt and pepper (use as needed)

Toothpicks

Eggs

Marinate prepared chicken breasts for 30 minutes – 1 hour in the white wine. Once marinated, roll the cheese and ham inside the chicken breast (jelly-roll style), and use 2 – 3 toothpicks to hold it in the roll together.

In large frying pan, warm a 1 1/2-2 inches of olive oil.

Roll chicken in breadcrumbs, then egg, then breadcrumbs again. Then place the chicken in the hot oil. You’ll need to turn the chicken breasts to ensure the entire breast is well cooked.

Once the chicken is cooked, place it on a broiled rack or well papered plate to soak up remaining oil.

Goes well with a fresh green salad. My hubby loves some roasted potatoes, but that makes for one super rich meal.

Anyway, enjoy. Even the pickiest eater in my family devours this!

And happy 2013!!                                                  

                 

Tomorrow’s stop: Wed, Jan. 9th ~ Sylvia McDaniel’s Blog  http://sylviamcdaniela.blogspot.com/

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Posted in Books, Family, Romance Novels | 5 Comments »

Guest Blog – Michelle Miles & Worldbuilding

Thursday, December 13th, 2012

Tips For Worldbuilding

By Michelle Miles

 

Hello, all! I’m excited to be talking about one of my favorite subjects: worldbuilding.

 

Whether you’re creating an exotic city for your action/adventure or you’re making up a new fantasy realm complete with magic, worldbuilding is an important part of the story. I’m certainly no expert, but there are some tips I’ve picked up and to keep in mind when building your new world.

 

Set up the rules and stick to them. Ask yourself these questions: What are the exceptions? Is there magic? What are the rules of magic? Once you set up the rules, don’t break them unless you have a really compelling reason. Make sure it’s not a plot device and you’re breaking the rules because you can’t figure out how to get your characters out of a jam.

 

Study other cultures, past and present. By studying how other cultures live, their religion, their traditions, their exchange of goods and money, you can learn a lot about who they. How do they talk? Dress? Do they have any sacrificial rites? When do they worship? What do they worship—one god or multiple gods? If you know this, you can start building the foundation. Other things to consider: politics, military, art, marital customs, education, monetary system, sporting events.

 

Draw a map of your world. I think this is my favorite thing about writing fantasy. When I can envision my world, I start to draw maps. Coastlines, mountains, forests, towns, the center of the ruling king or queen. It’s great fun. I just get out my map pencils and grid lined paper and draw what I think it should look like.

 

Decide the history and mythology of your world. Because your world wouldn’t exist without this. We all have history and learn from it, so what history do your characters share? What is your world’s timeline in relation to the characters? Maybe you want to call them “years” or “eras” or “ages”. The most important thing is to decide what it is, and write a brief history. It sounds like a lot of work upfront, but it’ll help when you’re ready to write the story.

 

This is only scratching the surface of what you can do when you create a world. These are things I take into consideration when I begin a new project that involves worldbuilding.

 

If you’d like a list of questions to ask yourself when beginning a new universe, you can find them at SFWA’s website by clicking here: http://www.sfwa.org/2009/08/fantasy-worldbuilding-questions/. This is a lengthy, informative list that will aid in beginning your new frontier.

 

Another great resource is Holly Lisle’s website: http://hollylisle.com/index.php/Writers/forward-motion-for-writers.html. A wealth of information for writers!

 

I use these tips while writing ONLY FOR A KNIGHT, a fantasy romance available from Ellora’s Cave. It’s the story of the Fae characters, Derron and Elyne. There are Elves, dragons and a Dark Elf bent on taking over the Otherworld! I hope you enjoy the story!

 

Happy reading (and worldbuilding!)

 

Official Blurb:

 

After saving her love, Princess Elyne returns to the Otherworld by order of her mother. But it’s not the homecoming she expects. Furious Elyne has meddled with humans the queen imprisons her and strips away her magic. The only way Elyne can get it back is to perform one selfless act.

 

When Queen Maeve sends Derron to find the Guardian of the Sword of Light, he can’t leave without releasing Elyne. After all, she altered time to save his life. But freeing the princess comes with a steep price—he must take her with him on this dangerous quest. And the two must deal with feelings of past hurt and the love growing between them.

 

Their search becomes more than a pursuit for the missing Guardian as Lord Kieran rises to dominate the Unseelie court. He will stop at nothing to gain control of both the Otherworld and the human realm. Even with the help of Elves, dragons and their human friends, the odds are stacked against Derron and Elyne.

 

Where to Purchase:

 

Ellora’s Cave: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10477-only-for-a-knight.aspx

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/98bsl35

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/9newtes

 

Where to find Michelle Miles…

Website and blog home: http://www.michellemiles.net

Email: michelle@michellemiles.net

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MichelleMiles

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleMilesRomanceAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/MichelleMiles

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mlmiles21

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Author Interview, Books, Romance Novels | 1 Comment »

Guest Blog & Promo: Vicki Batman & Tree Wars

Tuesday, December 11th, 2012

Tree Wars: Real versus Fake

 

Who knew people would get so upset over this particular topic? Lots of people feel very strongly.

Here’s my take:

 

I grew up with a real tree. And Pops liked them flocked. He’d drag out the vacuum cleaner and do his magic. It was exciting to watch the tree transform from green to make it resemble a snow-laden one. Once inside and set up, the ornaments really popped.

As a single gal, my roommate and I decided to try something novel: go to a tree farm and chop down one. This is quite a challenge, especially for me as I like fat ones and the farmers tended to make them more skinny looking. A lot of hunting for the perfect tree (and after marrying Handsome, a lot of arguments ensued. LOL)

Handsome and I continued to trek to the farm until my boys were sick of going. Not even roasting hotdogs and making s’mores could entice them. So Handsome and I returned to our roots and searched for our tree at a lot. This is hard to do as the trees can get old. The stores have to be hit at the perfect time.

I’ve learned to cut off the end and wash them off with a hose to get rid of the dirt and pollen. (Really does help!)

But switch to an artificial one? No, not going there yet.

So where is all this going, Vicki?

LOL. I love writing holiday stories and last year, the idea to write about Christmas trees hit me. The result is “Twinkle Lights.”

Here’s a little tiny tease:

 

“I don’t believe it.” Hands on hips, I stood in front of the large, white tent. No happy shoppers bustled in and out. No All I Want For Christmas is You blasting from a boom box. No holiday cheer at all.

Instead, I found under the same ol’ Axel’s Christmas Trees neon sign, which wasn’t flashing, a notice, which looked to be hastily printed and stuck on the tent flap with gray duct tape: Closed. Heart attack. And as an afterthought:  Pray.

I shook my head, saying to the nippy wind whipping my hair, “Poor Axel. This is horrible. Where will the funds for the Sommerville Hospital come from?”

My stomach kinked into a hard knot as I hugged my tote to my waist. I’d been buying my Christmas tree here since…forever. Definitely since I was a blossoming idea in my parents’ mind. Mom and Dad brought my brother and me to Axel’s the first Saturday in December every year for the family tree. Who could forget the ensuing arguments over the perfect one—Mom usually won—and the joy of trimming it.

All grown up, I continued the tradition. Axel had the most beautiful trees. The stand benefited the hospital; this year, the children’s cancer wing where his grandson had undergone treatment for leukemia. He always-always-always stashed aside a seven-foot Fraser fir for me. Nothing spelled Christmas better than a fresh, North Carolina Fraser fir.

          Now what do I do? Where do I go? Should I call Axel’s son and see if he needs anything?

 

Many Happy Holidays under your Christmas tree!

 

 

You can find Vicki Batman drinking a diet Coke, tapping away on the computer, and hopefully, writing magic. Find her at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com  OR at: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com

“Twinkle Lights” is available now at: https://museituppublishing.com

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Posted in Author Interview, Books, Romance Novels | 6 Comments »

Tuesday Talent – VICKI BATMAN

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Happy Tuesday!

I am thrilled to have the sassy and sweet Vicki Batman visiting with us today. If you’ve never met Vicki in person, you’re in for a treat. She’s delightfully funny and genuinely kind. She’s a DARA and Plotting Princess pal of mine, too – I know, I AM SO LUCKY! And today, so are you. Put on your tiaras, have a glass of champagne and get to know Miss Batman.

Take it away Vicki!

Me: What was the first romance or book you read that grabbed you? Who is the author?

V.B.: When I was fourteen, my aunt lent my mom books written by Emilie Loring. They are sweet with strong girls and strong men. I’ve read them over and over. My goal is to have all in hardback.

 

Me: Is there an author that you get fan-girl crazy over? Have you ever met him/her? Do you want to?

V.B.: Janet E. Oh, yes, I’ve met her at book signings. Like the time I made poster girls and named them my friend and sister when they couldn’t go to the signing. Janet looked at them and died laughing, then asked if she could autograph them. She also held them for photos. Then my friends and I went to an all night diner, a group of ladies go, “You’re the girls with the people.”  LOL

 

Me: What’s your:

  • Favorite color? Red
  • Favorite season? Spring, Summer, Fall.
  • Favorite Hero – movie or book? James Bond, Indiana Jones–sigh.
  • Snack weakness (food or drink)? Hershey’s chocolates and diet Coke.
  • What’s your Astrological sign? Virgo
  • Do you write sweet and cuddly or toe-curling steamy lovin’ stories? Both!
  • Do you read sweet and cuddly or toe-curling steamy lovin’ stories? Both!

Me: What’s on your desk when you write?

V.B.: Golly–a special project pile. Notes I don’t want to forget. A lamp made from a huge silver pitcher. Desk top. Phone, Sticky notes with reminders all lined in a row in front of the monitor. Monitor with speakers. Diet Coke.

 

Me: Do you write to music or quiet? If you do write with music, can you share one song that’s significantly impacted this story?

V.B.: I do write with music on and usually, it is classical guitar.  However, I love Chris Botti (are you listening, sweetie?) and mentioned him in my book, Temporarily Employed. The hero puts on his CD for mood music. LOL

 

Me: What’s your favorite line from your most recent release? Why?

V.B.: “I have a theory about love” from “Man Theory.” Let’s just say a special person said something which sparked my imagination.

 

Me: What’s next? You don’t have to get specifics – but feel free to leave a tantalizing snippet or cryptic hook.

V.B.: “Man Theory and Other Stories” is available now. “Store Wars” comes out August 2012 from MuseItUp Publishing and “Twinkle Lights” will be available December 2012 from MuseItUp. I’ll probably do another quickie collection next year. And then, there’s the book….

 

Want more Vicki? And who doesn’t? Here’s where you can find her:

 

http://vickibatman.blogspot.com

http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com

Man Theory and Other Stories is available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

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Posted in Author Interview, Books, Romance Novels | 24 Comments »

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