Caridad Pineiro® Romance Author
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Romance Author
Yeehaw I had an awesome time in San Antonio. It was lots of fun to see the historical sites in the city, enjoy some Tex-Mex food and margaritas, spend time with my writing buddies and visit with some cowboys.
I haven’t really written a story with cowboys, except possibly maybe Soldier’s Secret Child which was set in the Texas Hill Country. I could get inspired to write one with Man Candy like this! Thanks to Kindle Love Stories and Wolf photography for some of the photos.
Today we’re offering up some tips on writing. Wendy is here sharing her thoughts on “Making It All Fit” while I’m visiting Wendy’s blog and chatting about why I put my characters on the couch before I write!
So without further ado, here’s Wendy!
I was scanning through the cable channels Saturday morning looking for a something good to watch. After reading the description of The Crush, I decided to give the movie a shot. The movie was described as a suspense (my kind of genre!) about a college student who had sex with a woman. The woman then became obsessive. I started watching the movie and things that didn’t make sense started jumping out at me.
If you are an author you know what I’m about to talk about. If you are a reader only, you might find it interesting to know about this part of the writing process. When we are writing a book we have to make sure that the actions fit well with the plot. Everything has to run smoothly together or we get our edits back with comments like “Why is she doing this? It makes no sense at all,” or that the details don’t fit with the plot, or that something similar. Our books are like puzzles, every single piece must fit perfectly or the picture is not complete.
So back to the movie. One of the key points is that the college student is house-sitting for a rich stranger. As the owner of the house leaves, he mentions his niece stopping by occasionally for a swim. I had an issue with this. Why would the owner have a stranger live in the house while his niece (an adult) lives close by and can do it? Did not make sense to me. I kept watching. So the college student met the “niece” who happens to be there all the time! He has sex with the niece even though he has a girlfriend and the niece becomes obsessive over the college student. At one point she wraps her hands around his neck and makes him tell her that he loves her. The college student becomes so scared of this chick that he can’t sleep at night. It affects his schooling and the sport he plays. So why doesn’t he leave? I don’t know and that fact alone bothered me. The owner calls the college student who mentions that he had met the owner’s niece. Guess what? The owner told him that meeting his niece wasn’t possible since his niece had taken a trip out of town. Did the college student leave yet? Heck no. I would have packed up my crap and hit the road. He later finds out that she is a ghost and is in love with the college student.
There wasn’t any ghost stuff through 3/4 of the movie. There wasn’t any hint of the movie turning paranormal or even close. I kept watching though just to see how it ended. The ghost woman transformed from being a beautiful woman to an evil entity which the sudden change scared the crap out of me. I couldn’t look at her half the time. Even after the change, the actions didn’t make sense. She told the college student (now locked in the house so he couldn’t leave) that she was the one who would end all of this stuff but then she went into the water with slit wrists. Made no sense. Then she was back in the bedroom telling him he needed to die so he could be with her forever. She did manage to kill him as his girlfriend (who had been ignoring him all through the movie) suddenly appears to save him.
I love watching movies that reminds me of the “right way” to write a story. By showing me everything wrong, reinforced the desire to make everything fit smoothly together. I don’t want a single reader to ask why the heck I threw another puzzle’s piece in the center of the one the reader is enjoying. Thanks, crappy movie writers, for reminding me of this!
Wendy Ely is a contemporary romance author. She writes some romantic suspense, really hot stories, and the wonderful happily-ever-after. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her own real-life hero and her two teenagers. Wendy loves to hear from readers and you can e-mail her at authorwendyely at gmail dot com.
Can Chelsea and Jordan find their child, and rediscover each other?
When Chelsea Montgomery vanished eleven years ago, her hometown thought she’d been abducted. In truth, she’d given up the daughter she’d secretly had with Jordan Case.
Now he confronts her to help find the child. With a little girl’s fate hanging in the balance, will the uneasy partnership — stained by the past — transform into something else?
To purchase CONFESSIONS, please visit http://amzn.com/B00A3FVT84
Thank you all for dropping by last week to leave comments on the two blogs to help Lisa celebrate her new release, IF I WERE YOU.
I’ve selected two winners from the blogs. One will receive a copy of Lisa’s IF I WERE YOU and the second will receive a very rare print edition of my THE FIFTH KINGDOM (one of my fav books!).
So now, a little drum roll . . .
The winner of IF I WERE YOU is Pam Howell.
The winner of THE FIFTH KINGDOM is Michelle Harlan.
Thank you ladies for coming by! Please e-mail me so we can get out your prizes!
Welcome to today’s Thursday 13! Today I am sharing with you 13 paragraphs from my February erotic paranormal romance release, NOCTURNAL WHISPERS.
Dragging out the items next to the obelisk, she half climbed onto the lower shelf and grabbed the cardboard box. Shimmying it from behind the heavier crate, she crawled out into the aisle and pulled the box into the light.
A fine layer of dust covered it, a testament to how long it had been since anyone had touched the carton. The yellowed cardboard was another sign of age for the roughly two-and-a-half-foot-long package. Kneeling before it, Kate peered at the handwritten note on top.
“Do not open.”
There was no signature or date on the warning, and the writing was rather erratic, as if the words had been scratched in haste, or by someone not in full possession of his faculties.
Kate didn’t need a knife to cut the tape sealing the top; it was so old it had long ago lost its ability to stick.
She hesitated as she grabbed hold of the box flaps, a combination of nervous excitement and trepidation gripping her. A chill erupted at her core from that mix of emotions, but she pushed aside her fear and opened the box.
Inside was a small but carefully preserved sarcophagus. The human features painted on it were not quite realistic, as if the artist had been struggling to capture the youth of whoever lay within. Judging from the size, it had to be a rather young child, possibly even a toddler. Despite the age of the inhabitant, green eye makeup enhanced the face depicted on the coffin. Kate recalled that several historical texts and hieroglyphics showed Egyptian children wearing such makeup. It hinted at the fact that ancient Egyptians had thought certain colors possessed sacred energy.
Kate sat back on her haunches, examining other details on the sarcophagus. Gilding covered a good portion of the burial piece, and at its center, a series of small green amulet stones had been set into the surface.
It was in such pristine shape and so unusual due to its size that for a moment Kate wondered if this wasn’t some miniature replica created for display purposes.
Reaching out, she laid her hand on the sarcophagus in the hopes of determining if it was of modern origin.
But as she did so a shock snaked up her arm and tra veled to her center.
Longing arose, so sharp and powerful that Kate cried out and fell back, breathing heavily. Physical need had her wet and aching, but that response was twisted together with a yearning so deep it made her want to weep.
Many thanks to Jen at Red Hot Books, Brie at Romance Around the Corner & Michelle at Michelle’s Book Blog for starting up this blog hop for those of us with more mature subject matter. I am so looking forward to visiting with everyone to check out their fabulous offerings!
If this is your first time at my blog a big WELCOME to you! I write paranormal suspense and romantic suspense and have now dipped my toes into the waters of erotic paranormal romance. In fact, my first erotic paranormal novella, AMAZON AWAKENING, hit the stands in December and my second, NOCTURNAL WHISPERS, hits the digital shelves on February 1. Come back on Feb 1 for the start of my release party.
But for now, welcome to the Shameless Blog Hop which wouldn’t be complete without some delicious Man Candy!
For those of you visiting on the Blog Hop, please put SHAMELESS ANSWERS as the subject and send an e-mail to cpsromance at att dot net with the answers to the following questions:
What is the name of the hero in AMAZON AWAKENING?
What is the name of the heroine in NOCTURNAL WHISPERS?
I will pick a winner from all the correct answers and the winner will receive a $10 Itunes Gift Card as well as an ARC for THE CLAIMED (Book 2 in the SIN HUNTER series, coming out in May 2012).
If you cannot see the list of participating blogs below, you can click here for the complete list.
Thank you, Caridad, for letting us take over your blog today and share some information about our new release, Amazon Heat.  Since it’s Thursday Thirteen here on Caridad’s blog, we thought we’d stay on topic and share thirteen lines that were edited out of our story. While there were a few lines that Melinda and I really loved, in the end it created a strong book to either remove or revamp the text.
1.)               She wasn’t here. He should be glad. In his head he knew the odds that Elizabeth was still alive were astronomical. But his heart couldn’t let her go. His motives were entirely selfish.
2.)               Was Elizabeth was out there, somewhere? Alone. If she was he’d find her body and he’d bring her home if he had to spend the rest of his life digging in muddy holes like this one.
3.)               Half a dozen towering women, clad in warriors’ leather tunics, surrounded a gurney. Bows, quivers and spears draped muscular torsos. Despite the coolness of the cave, their bare limbs glistened with sweat. A hunting party, recently returned.
4.)               Areta, the Queen’s lieutenant, stepped out of the corridor. Her muscular six-foot frame was dressed in the simple leather tunic of a warrior, her jet hair pulled back in a thick braid.
5.)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Amazon Queens rose through military ranks. As befitting a former warrior, Phoebe did not tolerant insubordination.
6.)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Her independence, contrary to Amazon culture, set her apart from the rest of her clan.
7.)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â What did Sherlock Holmes say? When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth… But all this brought new meaning to the word improbable.
8.)               Despite the very real fear the Amazons would hunt her down and kill her, she’d covertly searched for an exit with no success. Even if she did find the corridor, she wasn’t an Amazon. How would she get it to open? She simply had to find a way. She couldn’t let them do this to Logan. What they were planning was nothing less than imprisonment and rape.
9.)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â He cannot be set free, but we have learned that caging such a brute for the long term presents difficulties. He looks to be intelligent.
10.)            He may have been unconscious, but he knew he’d been on death’s doorstep oh, say about an hour ago.
11.)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â One dunk in the Sunny D and he was perfect, no rebuilding necessary. Steve Austin would be jealous as hell.
12.)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Logan licked his lips. Heaven tasted like Sunny D.
13.)            The queen’s betrayal firmly slotted Elizabeth into her outsider role. The whole time they’d been calmly discussing Logan’s future, Phoebe neglected to mention she’d ordered him to be moved.
There were a variety of reasons these lines or portions of lines were deleted. Some were too telling, and we needed to rewrite the text to show the events more effectively. Others were repetition of something else we already said. Several times our editor simply opted to not use a particular pop culture/literary reference.
We’ve had a blast writing and editing this book together. Now let me tell you a little about what you will find in the book.
AMAZON HEAT released January 9th from Carina Press.
Two years ago, ethnobotanist Dr. Elizabeth DeMarco, driven by grief to find a cure for cancer, left her lover mid-proposal to accept a position on a research expedition to the Amazon Rainforest. Kidnapped by guerrillas, she was saved by warriors from the secret all-female civilization of the ancient Amazons. She has been kept prisoner since in the Amazon’s supernaturally hidden valley.
Despite Elizabeth’s rejection, anthropologist Logan Spencer never stopped searching for her.  While consulting on a mass grave uncovered in the remote Brazilian interior near the place Elizabeth was kidnapped, Logan falls from a cliff.  On the brink of death, he is collected by the Amazons and magically healed. When Logan wakes, the first person he sees is his beloved Elizabeth.  Unfortunately, their reunion is less than joyful. The mystical medicine is changing Logan.  But there’s no time to study the side-effects. The Amazons plan to steal Logan’s DNA, then kill him.  Logan and Elizabeth must escape before dawn or Logan is doomed.  Getting him out of the hidden valley won’t be easy.  The Amazon’s supernatural powers make the task all but impossible.
Buy it at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance EBooks
Melinda Leigh is a mom, a dog lover, and a second degree black belt in kenpo karate. In addition to writing paranormal romance for Carina Press, she is also the author of She Can Run, a kindle bestselling romantic suspense released in November 2011 from Montlake Romance. Find out more Melinda: website / facebook / twitter
Rayna Vause is fascinated by the paranormal and she loves a good romance as well, which probably explains why these two elements perpetually crop up in her writing. When she takes off her writer hat she is a martial artist, video game lover, Disney enthusiast, and a Pop Tart aficionado. Find out more about Rayna: website / facebook / twitter
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Melinda and Rayna blog together at http://AttackingThePage.com
It’s here! Today’s the day for the release of my very first erotic paranormal romance, AMAZON AWAKENING, from Harlequin Nocturne Cravings.
So we’re having a party from now until midnight PST on December 7 when we are going to choose some winners for the release party giveaway.
But first, I’d thought I’d share with you 13 fun facts about the Amazon rainforest where AMAZON AWAKENING is set!
The above is just the tip of the rainforest! LOL! I hope you can now understand why I would set AMAZON AWAKENING in such an unusual and exceptional place. Especially since the role of Rey and Paola is to be Guardians to a very sacred space – possibly even the Garden of Eden – deep in the heart of the Amazon.
To visit other Thursday-13 participants, please click here!
So let’s get to the giveaway! Here are the prizes:
Grand Prize: A SONY E-reader (or a $25 GC for those of you who already have e-readers) loaded with copies of AZTEC GOLD, THE FIFTH KINGDOM and ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.
2 Second chance prizes: THE LOST T-shirt and copy of A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS
So how do you get a chance to win the above prizes? Collect 10 points between now and midnight PST on December 7 by doing the following:
1 point: Tweet or share on Facebook, Tumbler, Google+ the following (only one per day- 5 points maximum):
AMAZON AWAKENING #Erotic #Paranormal Romance Caridad Pineiro http://awe.sm/5apFk
5 points: Send me a link to your review of AMAZON AWAKENING.
1 point: Stumble, Digg, Delicious or Reddit this website or this blog post.
1 point: Follow me on Twitter or at my Facebook Fan Page (one point for each)
1 point: Leave a comment on this blog post or any other blog post up until the end of the contest (one point for each- 5 points maximum).
1 point: Share the excerpt below on your website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, Google+, etc. and send me a link to where it is on your site!
For now, here is a little teaser and excerpt for AMAZON AWAKENING.
Rey Peralta has been sent to persuade Paola Lopes to return to Brazil and take up her place as Priestess of the Guardians, protectors of the sacred realm hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest. He knows Paola is the one they need to ensure their survival—but he doesn’ t expect the instant blast of desire that sparks between them. Her beauty and power call to him, enticing him to merge with her physically and spiritually; a desire that only increases when they give in to their passion and make love. Can he convince Paola to accept her destiny and stay with her people—and by his side?
This excerpt contains mature subject matter so do not open unless you are at least 18.
If you can’t see the widget below, you can cut and paste this link:
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/72902685?access_key=key-7hf866rrigwutty0jsg
