Tag: writing inspiration

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#WriteWed Bryant Park from One Summer Night #AttheShore

It seems odd to be chatting about Bryant Park when I’m talking about a contemporary romance series set on the Jersey Shore, but two of the heroines work in New York City and Maggie Sinclair, the heroine of One Summer Night, has her family’s beach home on the Jersey Shore.

I love Bryant Park! I walk through there every morning on my way to work and I’ll often post photos of the lovely flowers there. I couldn’t have a book where the two heroines work in another fav place, namely the Chrysler Building, and not have a scene set in Bryant Park.

Here’s my little tour of the park for you this #Write Wed. Click here to see the Bryant Park tour if you can’t see the video below!

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#WriteWed Location Inspiration #NYC

I’ve told you about some of the location inspiration for my AT THE SHORE Contemporary Romance Series. Places like the long gone department store B. Altman’s as well as some still with us Jersey Shore mansions.

The first story, ONE SUMMER NIGHT, starts in the fictional Shore town of Sea Kiss and I’ll share more about the inspiration for that town later.

Today’s photo is of the inspiration for where Maggie Sinclair and her best friend Connie Reyes work and hangout – Bryant Park and the Chrysler Building. There are a number of scenes set in this Midtown NYC area, although both Maggie and Connie are Jersey Girls at heart.

I took this photo in the early morning, just as sun was rising. It’s a lovely time in the city. Peaceful. Quiet. Well as quiet as New York can be because even in the quiet there is a nervous hum of activity. I love the juxtaposition of nature against the bricks and the man-made skyscrapers. I hope you will as well!
Chrysler Building and Bryant Park

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#WriteWed Power Love Redemption Hate in THE CALLING IS REBORN Vampire Series

One of the things I’ve loved about writing THE CALLING IS REBORN Vampire series is exploring the motivations that drive some of the immortals in the stories. My desire to explore is driven by that age-old adage about absolute power corrupting absolutely. Imagine the kind of power that immortals have, whether Slayer or Vampire. Imagine what they can do once they are possessed of that power.

I’ve loved seeing how characters that start out good, like Blake from FURY CALLS, who started out protecting his younger brothers from abuse, lose their goodness when they’re turned. Blake embraces his vampire power and not in a good way, but I also love a good story about the strength of love and redemption. That’s what FURY CALLS is all about and I loved seeing how Blake retrieves the goodness inside him in order to protect the woman he loves.

Taming the Vampire Box SetIn DARE TO LOVE from the TAMING THE VAMPIRE Box set, Vampire Slayer Benjamin has maintained his goodness despite seeing his family brutally killed by vampires. Unlike some of the other Slayers, who can’t wait to sanction a vampire, Benjamin retains the belief that even vampires can be good. When Benjamin’s brother is twisted by hate that destroys him, Benjamin has to deal with the consequences, but can he resist the power he’s been given and find balance in his new life? Can he allow himself to love another Slayer while fighting to retain the goodness inside him?

That battle to allow love to overcome hate, to be redeemed when power threatens to corrupt Benjamin’s soul, is the heart of DARE TO LOVE, the next story in THE CALLING IS REBORN Vampire series. DARE TO LOVE is the start of that story and I will have Benjamin and his love, Rhiannon, in future stories so you can see where their love will take them.

Teaser

    Months earlier, Slayer Council member Benjamin hadn’t been ready to die and begged for his life from a compassionate vampire. Being turned and living as a vampire had created a new hell for him, however. He was no longer welcome in the Council, but tolerated as their ranks had been depleted. He knew that it was just a matter of time until someone staked him, but he wanted to make the most of it, especially when it came to Slayer-in-training Rhiannon.

    Rhiannon had been attracted to Ben when he had been her instructor in the ways of the Slayers. His death had caused her grief, but his return was proving to be even more difficult as she battled her growing feelings for the Slayer-turned-vampire who was shaking up her beliefs in all that she had been taught.

    Can Ben and Rhiannon dare to defy the rules of the Slayers and find love or will Fate make them enemies sworn to kill one another?

Purchase

DARE TO LOVE is part of the TAMING THE VAMPIRE box set which is now available for pre-order. It’s specially priced at 99 cents, so don’t miss this awesome deal for 25 ALL NEW releases that are not available anywhere else.

You can purchase TAMING THE VAMPIRE at these online retailers:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bfy9Js
Kobo http://bit.ly/2by9MsM
iBooks: http://apple.co/2byaNAP
B&N: http://bit.ly/2byaGoW
Power love redemption hate in The Calling is Reborn Vampire Romance series

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#WriteWed A Road Trip & Fall in Love with New England Conference #AmReading #AmWriting

Good morning! It’s Wednesday which means it’s time for some behind the scenes talk about writing inspiration! For me, meeting readers and getting to spend time with them as well as meeting other authors and hanging with them is a prime source of inspiration.

My trip to San Diego for the Romance Writers of America conference filled me with lots of energy and new ideas.

I know my trip to the Fall in Love with New England Conference will be just as awesome! There are going to be lots of fun games, panels and a book signing for readers and just as many wonderful opportunities for authors to connect with the readers and with each other.

Whether you’re an author or a reader, please take a moment to check it out by clicking here and if you’re going, please let me know so we can spend some time together! Authors – there are still some author spots available, so if you’re interested, please contact the conference chair.

As for me, I also get to do a road trip two fabulous writing friends. That means lots of talk about our stories, what’s happening in the publishing world and even better, my first ever trip to Salem! So excited about that.

Anyway, if you get a chance, check out the conference and I hope I will see some of you there.

Fall In Love With New England
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#TuesdayMotivation Inspiration & Fun at #RWA16

I had lots and lots of fun at the RWA Conference this year, but I was also inspired and motivated to get to work on both old and new projects and to try new things to improve my career. I always feel more energized after the conference and this year was no different, maybe possibly better. I managed to do my first keynote speech and a workshop on juggling careers and life. I spent time with dear friends and made new ones. All in all, a fabulous time.

So today, I’m sharing some photos from the conference and I hope you enjoy them!

Sourcebooks Book Signing Authors:

Sourcebooks Dinner:

You can see lots more photos at my Facebook Fan Page! My page is open for public viewing, so no problem with seeing the photos there.

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#WriteWed Inspiration for UNDER THE BOARDWALK

I was born on an island: Cuba. I grew up on an island: Long Island. I work on an island: Manhattan. Plus I’m a Pisces so you can kind of say that I have an affinity for the water.

But once I moved out to New Jersey, work and family obligations kept me from exploring the amazing Jersey Shore. It wasn’t until a birthday celebration weekend at the lovely Beacon House in Sea Girt that hubby and I discovered that part of New Jersey.

Once we discovered it, there was no turning us back from moving there and I am so glad that we did. I love taking long strolls on the boardwalk and spending summers reading under my umbrella. Even the winters months are great and the flavors of each of the towns in our area are unique and special.

My love for this part of the Jersey Shore is what inspired me to set UNDER THE BOARDWALK in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. Today I’m sharing some photos from those towns and I hope you will get to visit one day and come see me if you do! P.S., my daughter’s shop – OG Surf & Skate – is right in the heart of Ocean Grove.

UNDER THE BOARDWALK is available in the SUMMER HEAT Box set which is specially priced at 99 cents for a limited time and is now available at:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SXcNjW
BN: http://bit.ly/1VIZ7qJ
iBooks: http://apple.co/1Ovw5MB
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1XPUCvS
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/20CGJBa
SummerHeatAuthors.com: http://bit.ly/1oI4s7c

SummerHeat_BoxSet_LRG-trans

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#TeaserTuesday Cooking with the SUMMER HEAT Authors #FreeRead

CookingGood morning! It’s Tuesday and this morning I have not only many teasers, but also a free cookbook loaded with outstanding recipes from my fellow SUMMER HEAT Box Set authors.

All of the recipes are connected to our stories in the anthology and they all look incredibly tasty. The cookbook is a perfect way to find out more about some of the things that inspired our stories.

You can download the free cookbook at these various online retailers:

Hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday!

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