Guest Author Mae Clair, with Nautical Riddles and Romance
TWELFTH SUN
The hunky young PhD knows all about seduction, but what does he know about love?
Reagan Cassidy is settled in her life. She has a thriving interior design firm, an upscale condo, two cats, and a goldfish. As a favor to her uncle, she agrees to team up with his marine archeologist friend to validate and retrieve a nineteenth-century journal, reputedly that of a passenger aboard the doomed schooner Twelfth Sun. Finding a hunky twenty-five-year-old coming out of the shower in her hotel room wasn’t part of the deal, but it’s hard to complain…
Dr. Elijah Cross is cocky and he knows it. He enjoys trading barbs with the lovely Reagan. Barbs, and some innuendo. He can tell she’d rather get back home to her business than stick around for the extended treasure hunt they’ve been talked into, but he’s fine with the situation. At least, until the “clues” start getting personal.
Reagan finds Dr. Gorgeous is as skilled in matters of the heart as he is behind the lectern. Throw in a series of clues which mean more to Elijah than he’ll explain, several odd-ball competitors out to win the journal, a saboteur, and a lavish seaside mansion, and Reagan has enough trouble keeping her head straight, let alone her heart.
WARNING: Younger man, older woman, nautical riddles and romance.
A huge welcome to Mae Clair and her wonderful characters from Twelfth Sun. I love this blurb. A treasure hunt, along with all things mysterious and nautical. I’m so glad you’ve dropped by, Mae, and brought Elijah and Reagan along with you for a character interview.
How did you manage to meet your writer?
Elijah: Through a book. Mae always has her nose buried in one. This time she was reading about marine archaeology and started imagining the kind of guy who’d go poking around old shipwrecks. Naturally, I came to mind. I’d been rattling around in her head for a while, but the book opened the door for me to take center stage.
What’s your current occupation?
Reagan: I have an interior design firm called Winning Concepts. My Uncle Gavin stepped in as a financial backer when I was just getting started. He’s done so much for me through the years, especially since losing my father when I was fourteen. It’s one of the reasons I couldn’t say no when Uncle Gavin asked me to hook-up with Elijah to track down a nineteenth century ship’s journal. At the time, I thought I was meeting a stodgy old professor not a hot young guy with a PhD.
What has you ducking for cover?
Elijah: *shifting uncomfortably* I hate social situations. I have no problem giving an academic lecture to a packed hall, but I cringe when I have to make small talk at dinner parties. Especially stuffy affairs like the ones Pellar was always foisting on us. He’s the staff manager for Eric Sothern — the rich recluse who invited us to his mansion for a treasure hunt. The social thing is a throwback to when I was a kid taking college classes. Everyone else was so much older, out of my league socially. I felt like a fish out of water.
Reagan: It turns him into a smart-ass and makes him run at the mouth. Usually at Pellar. *giggles*
What’s your favorite scene, one your writer portrayed just right?
Reagan: How about one that mortified me? The very first time I saw Elijah, I walked into his hotel room thinking it was mine.
Elijah: She caught me coming out of the bathroom completely nude.
Reagan: I’ve never been so embarrassed. After I got over the initial shock and fright, I wanted to sink through the floor.
Elijah: *laughing* Needless to say, I made a lasting first impression. She got an eyeful.
Reagan: He’s completely uninhibited. Most of the time. I told him once that for someone who has no qualms about sex, he has a lot of walls when it comes to intimacy.
Elijah: We won’t go there. *clears throat* Next question.
Are you happy with how everything turned out?
Reagan: Oh, most definitely! I’m glad Mae worked things out for us, even if she did make us jump through multiple hurdles to get there.
Elijah: The ending was a shock for me. Mae had several surprises tucked up her sleeve, but I can’t complain. That’s part of being front and center in a romantic mystery, I guess. The way everything came together rocked my world, but the icing on the cake was, Reagan. *takes her hand and grins* Now, if I could just get her to drink grape soda!
I have a question just for you, Mae.
Are you working on anything new and if so when can we expect to see it?
I just finished a romantic adventure novella called SOLSTICE ISLAND that will be included in an anthology of romance stories with three other authors. It should be available this year.
I also have a sweet romantic mystery involving a fifteen-year-old missing person’s case called ECLIPSE LAKE that should publish in April-May of 2014.
Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite:
Reagan glanced at her watch. She’d dragged herself from bed hours before any civilized person should be up, for the sole purpose of meeting Elijah Cross. The marine archeologist was already ten minutes late–not a brilliant way to begin a working relationship. She’d learned through firsthand experience many of her uncle’s friends were as unreliable as they were eccentric. Foolishly, she had hoped Dr. Cross wouldn’t fall into the same category.
Resigned to passing the time, she added hot water to her tea. From the corner of her eye she spied movement at the door of the cafe. A man stepped inside, shaking rain from his jacket. The door banged shut behind him, ensnaring her full attention. He wore a battered black fedora and worn jeans with scuffed dock shoes. There was something oddly familiar about him. He turned slightly and she caught his profile, realizing he was the man from room ten. Self-conscious, she looked away, hoping to sink through the floor. He spoke briefly with the hostess and then headed in her direction.
She tensed. What were the odds of encountering him now when she was scheduled to meet Dr. Cross, a highly-respected and, no doubt critical, academic? How would it look to her uncle’s friend if he walked in on a conversation revolving around naked men and the color of her undergarments?
Chagrined, she bowed her head over her teacup. Her hair spilled forward, concealing her face behind curtains of red-gold. With any luck he’d go away. With any luck, he’d leave her alone.
“Hi.”
Reagan raised her head fully convinced mischievous imps had tracked her to Shipwright Landing and were even now performing rituals of bad luck. “Hi.” She pressed her lips together. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m expecting someone.”
“Yeah, I know.” He grinned. “You’re Reagan Cassidy.”
She blinked. She’d given the hostess her name only because she was expecting Dr. Cross and neither had any idea what the other looked like. She certainly hadn’t expected the woman to share her name with any longhaired Lothario who asked for it. “The hostess told you.”
He nodded. Removing his hat by the crown, he dropped it on the table. “Some storm.” He shrugged out of his jacket and hooked it over the back of the nearest chair. “Good thing it’ll be over soon.”
Reagan watched flabbergasted as he sat across from her and picked up a menu. “Excuse me.” Her voice rose sharply, edged like a knife. “I didn’t invite you to sit. I told you I’m expecting someone.”
“Yeah, I know.” He flashed that same irritating grin. “I’m Elijah Cross.”
How can readers find you and your book, Mae?
I’m thrilled to connect with readers and other authors at:
Website
Blog
Twitter (@MaeClair1)
Facebook Author Page
Goodreads
TWELFTH SUN is available for purchase from:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
iBooks
BIO:
Mae Clair opened a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked back. Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars. She snagged the tail of a comet, hitched a ride, and discovered her writer’s Muse on the journey.
Mae loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.
Discover more about Mae on her website and blog at www.MaeClair.com
Guest Author Liza O'Connor, PLUS A DOUBLE GIVEAWAY
OH STUPID HEART
Book Two of: A Long Road To Love
Humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance by Liza O’Connor
Carrie Hanson is in love with a different species: Trent, a pampered, uber-rich socialite who’s also her boss. Everyone keeps telling her it’s a train wreck looking to happen, but her heart wants what it wants. So despite the billion and one reasons not to, Carrie commits to this inter-species relationship. But while she’s off being trained for her new job responsibilities, a beautiful ex fiancée is working hard to get Trent back and Carrie fired.
I have a special treat for everyone today. Author Liza O’Connor is here and she has a DOUBLE GIVEAWAY on offer. The first book in this series is available for FREE on Amazon for a limited time, so check out the details below. Also, feel free to enter Liza’s rafflecopter draw for a chance to win a $25 Amazon voucher as well.
I hope you’ll all join me in welcoming Liza and her fabulous characters from her upcoming release Oh Stupid Heart. I’m so glad you’ve dropped by, Liza.
Hi Joanne. Today, Carrie Hanson and Trent Lancaster have come to promote their second book in the Long Road To Love Series.
How did you manage to meet your writer?
Carrie: She arrived during our Worst Week Ever.
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Trent: I think she caused it.
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.
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Carrie: *Places hand on Trent’s arm* Crazy stuff happens in life all the time. Just because we had the worst run of luck imaginable, doesn’t mean she created it.
Did you ever consider your story would be told?
Carrie: Given we made national news during our worst week ever? Yes, I suspect our story will be told over and over. *She frowns at Trent* Which reminds me. I think the blonde you hired for HR might work for Gossep.
Trent: *rolls his eyes* I don’t know what you have against Angel. She’s quite lovely.
Carrie: Her name is An-ge-la, not Angel.
Trent: You have no need to be jealous. I only love you.
Carrie: *grins and cuddles against him*
Do you need to have a stern word with your writer for any reason, and why?
Carrie: I’m sorry, but yes I do. Liza, you know how much I dislike Trent’s former fiancée, why did you put her in book two. You have no idea how it hurt me to see Trent kissing her in his penthouse.
She’s one of his species, an uber rich billionaire from Long Island. How is a 4’6”, middle-class girl from New Jersey going to compete with her?
Trent: *wraps his arm around her and pulls her tight to him* I didn’t kiss her, she kissed me and it meant nothing. You are the heart and soul of my business and the only woman I’ve ever loved.
What was your favorite thing to do in your book? And don’t forget keep it G-rated.
Carrie: That’s okay because somebody *stares at Trent* decided we should take matters slow.
Trent: Most of my relationships never last more than a month, so I want to slow down and do it right this time.
Carrie: Which means our favorite thing we do is improve Trent’s business.
Trent: My favorite thing is being with Carrie while she improves my business.
If you could rewrite any scene in your book, what would it be?
Carrie: That one I get to call. I would erase Coco from existence. Without Coco, the jerk Grant wouldn’t have been hired either.
Trent: Grant is Carrie’s replacement in her roll of Executive Assistant. I told Coco to only hire a guy so she would be jealous, but it doesn’t seem to have worked.
Carrie: I am NOT jealous of Grant. He’s a horrible person, one of the biggest jerks I’ve ever met.
Trent: I don’t have a problem with him.
Carrie: Then why doesn’t he have a key to your office?
Trent: Are you nuts? They only person to whom I’ve ever given a key to my office is you.
Are you happy with how everything turned out?
Carrie: Very much, but I don’t understand why it’s always so hard to reach our HEA moments. I guess that’s what happens when you fall in love with a different species.
Trent: *growls* I’m not a different species. I’m just belong to a different economic and social level, which I’ve never fit into. Until you came along, I didn’t fit anywhere. You are the first person who has ever truly loved me and not my possessions.
Would you care for another sequel?
Carrie: I think we have to. Liza has already bought a cover. It’s called Coming to Reason. *she bites her bottom lip* I’m a bit concerned over the title.
If you could do anything over again, what would it be?
Carrie: I would be taller.
Trent: I would find Carrie sooner.
What’s your greatest fear?
Trent: That Carrie will leave me.
Carrie: I’m not going to leave you. You’ve made remarkable improvement. Why would I leave you now? You are becoming a great boss and boyfriend.
The next two questions are for you, Liza. As the writer, is there anything you’d like to say in response to your characters’ interview?
Liza: I wrote this humorous disaster romance series so young women can read about a relationship more screwed up than theirs. However, I’m hoping they will grasp the life lessons hidden within these stories and apply them to their own lives.
Big Life Lesson: Just because a guy says he loves you, doesn’t make him Mr. Right.
Are you working on anything new and if so when can we expect to see it?
A delightful romance called Ghost Lover will come out December 2, 2013. It’s about two brothers who fall in love with the same girl, requiring the ancestral ghost to sort matters out, only the ghost falls in love with her as well.
Then the final book of this series, Coming to Reason, will come out early next year. I decided to put a gap between book 2: Oh Stupid Heart and book 3: Coming to Reason, so readers can enjoy the happy ending of Oh Stupid Heart a bit longer before it all falls apart, yet again.
GIVEAWAY ONE:
On September 5th, 6th and 7th, if you’d like to pick up your FREE copy of Worst Week Ever, book one in Liza’s series, click the Amazon link right here.
Here’s an excerpt of Oh Stupid Heart to whet your appetite.
As the train filled with lesser quality people all talking on their cell phones, the noise and cacophony of smells began to irritate Trent. If not for the pleasure of holding Carrie, he would have demanded the conductor stop the train and let them off so he could have his driver rescue them. The train barely picked up speed before it slowed down, stopped, and allowed more people on. They just kept coming and coming. His glare discouraged a few people from sitting on the other side of Carrie, but eventually an old, heavyset black woman collapsed in the seat with a sigh.
“Don’t normally get to sit,” she muttered, and released a heavy sigh of exhaustion. Her faded, crumpled, threadbare clothes looked as tired as she did.
The conductor stopped and demanded five dollars. She pulled out a coin purse and tried to pay him in quarters.
“No coins.”
The woman put a calloused hand to her forehead and shook her head. “It’s all I got.”
“Not my problem,” the conductor said.
“Take her fee out of the change you owe me,” Trent snapped. Why did the guy have to be such a jerk?
The guy clicked more paper then thrust a ticket into her coin-filled hand. Finally, he handed Trent three twenties.
“And a five,” Trent growled.
The conductor muttered softly and thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out a five. He glared at Trent. “You’re only getting this, because of her.” He nodded at Carrie. “Otherwise, you’d pay a second service fee.” He handed Trent the bills and stormed off.
The old woman flashed Trent a weary smile, displaying brown and yellow teeth, which made him slightly nauseous.
His grandmother had always said “Never engage with the common people. Perform all charity at a distance.”
“Thank you for the ticket. They’re so expensive, especially since I got sick last month and needed medicine. I didn’t have any money left to buy a monthly ticket.”
“How much is a monthly ticket?” he asked.
“$125.00. But I don’t have it, so I’m paying ten dollars a day. And I only make sixty a night, forty once they take out taxes.”
“What do you do?”
“I clean an office building. Job starts at 8 p.m. and I have to be done by 5 a.m. with no excuses. If I don’t show, or I don’t finish, I get fired.”
He retrieved his wallet, culled two hundred, and added it to the change the conductor had returned. He passed it to the woman. “Here’s enough to buy the monthly ticket and a bit extra to put aside to buy medicine the next time you get sick.”
The woman studied the hundred dollar bills. “Are these real?”
“I assume so. I got them from the bank.”
The woman’s brow furrowed and handed them back to him, keeping the twenties and five. “I can’t afford to get arrested. I’ll lose my job.”
Never had a person refused his money before. It hurt his feelings and frustrated him. Damn it, I wanted to be charitable. Why can’t the damn woman just do her part?
A Long Road to Love
Book Two — Oh Stupid Heart — Coming Mid-September
Book One — Worst Week Ever — Available on Amazon
BIO: Liza O’Connor
Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIZA O’CONNOR: Liza’s Blog and Website / Facebook / Twitter / Worst Week Ever Trailer
OTHER BOOKS BY LIZA O’CONNOR: Saving Casey / Worst Week Ever
COMING SOON: Oh Stupid Heart / Coming To Reason / Ghost Lover
TO ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER DRAW FOR THE $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD, click on the link:
If you wish to continue following Liza’s blog tour, click this link here.
Capturing That Elusive Writer’s Voice and Making it Sing
Sooo true. I’m claiming this saying for myself.
When I first began the submission process on my first novel, I read over and over from agents and publishers on their websites that they wanted to see submissions reflecting a unique writer’s voice. I had no idea what that was at the time, but still thought, hey, that’s me. What’s not unique about my voice? I’m a Kiwi from Down Under. My voice is my own, and I have an extremely unique take on the world being that I’m always standing upside-down and the other-way-around. 🙂
Yeah, that’s not writer’s voice, but it wasn’t long before I truly understood what it was. I also came to realize it’s the most elusive aspect of writing, that it’s a challenge to truly grasp, yet also a challenge I could completely take on.
So, what is writer’s voice?
Writer’s voice is that wonderful combination of blending your own unique writing style with a deep understanding of your characters, along with knowing how their story best needs to be told. A writer’s voice is the most moving part of the story, and it’s sometimes referred to as the heartbeat of the main character. In other words, a writer’s voice is the magic that makes the story soar.
A strong writer’s voice brings the POV character to life, captivates the reader and has them hanging onto every word, every description, action, emotion and reaction.
A writer’s voice should be completely authentic, and most certainly not a copy of your favorite author.
A writer’s voice should also allow the reader to bond emotionally with the main character, to forge a connection that can’t be broken. This is why it’s so important for a writer to know their characters inside and out.
I’ve spoken before about understanding your characters in this way, and well before you get to the end of your first draft, otherwise there can be a ton of rewriting simply because you’ve come late to the party. A writer needs to know the heart of their main character, their essence, what makes them tick, what their strengths and ultimate fears are. You need to be intimately familiar with their entire thought process. Nothing is off-limits. And therein the magic begins.
Magic = Knowing your characters.
Magic = Constantly growing our writing skills and abilities.
Magic = Understanding, and writing your POV correctly.
That’s right, don’t forget to nail your POV within your writer’s voice. Knowing which POV would be the best in telling your story is incredibly important. 1st Person, 3rd Person, DEEP POV? Omni? The wrong POV can do your story a disservice, so study, study, study. And read widely in the genres of your stories.
I hope this post was helpful. Have you discovered and mastered your writer’s voice? Perhaps you’re still on the road to getting there. It definitely takes time and perseverance. In truth, I’m still traveling along that road. With each story I write, my writer’s voice strengthens and becomes more distinct. It’s all about the magic.
Today is also my official release date for WARRIOR. Yay! Any if you want to read a thrilling new Young Adult Fantasy series filled with intrigue at every corner, then by all means, check out the book links below to pick up your copy of PROTECTOR or WARRIOR.
Each book in my Magio-Earth series features a different hero and heroine, but the characters from the books all intertwine and you get to catch up with them all along the way. As such the books can be read independently of each other, but of course as with most series, they’re more fun when read in order. Here are those links:
Buy PROTECTOR (Book One) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Book Two) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
THANKS EVERYONE FOR JOINING ME. YOU HAVE A SUPER DUPER WEEK.
When Your Book Releases in Time For Your Birthday — Yay!
What a wicked birthday present I just got. Certainly every writer’s dream. WARRIOR is set to release next Monday, but it has arrived early, and right in time for my birthday today. Yay! It’s out now wherever e-books are sold, and I’ll be sure to drop those links in for you later in the post.
First though, I’ve never brought out a full length excerpt from WARRIOR, so I’m going to rectify that today. Also, here’s what a few of the reviewers have said about WARRIOR. I’m just beaming over these.
–ooOoo–
“Imaginative world-building, stunning setting & a love fated to be.” — Jessi Gage, Author
“I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.” — The Jeep Diva, Reviewer
“I’m loving this series! So different and cool, and I just loved Silas and Hope’s relationship.” — Holly Underhill, YA/NA Reviewer
–ooOoo–
Here’s the excerpt I promised.
EXCERPT:
Silas extinguished the lamp, and moonlight filtered through the tiny square window. He rolled to his side, facing me. “We’ll stay close. I can’t dismiss the mated bond. Our souls call to one another and it’s strong.”
I felt it too.
“I can’t keep my distance from you, Hope. That would result in your death.”
“Yeah, but yours would result if my grandfather, Donaldo, ever found out about you. The need to protect goes both ways.”
A low growl rumbled from his throat. “It sounds like you’re arguing with me.”
“I’m pointing out the facts. Alexo keeps the knowledge of Faith’s relationship with Loveria a secret.”
“We don’t have their kind of relationship.”
“So this is a non-relationship?” I smiled. That actually suited me.
“Yes.”
“Okay, honey. I got it.”
He pulled me to him. “I have no idea why, but I like you. You have a smart mouth.”
I snuggled closer, resting my cheek against his chest. “Mmm-hmm. So do you.”
He let out a slow breath and it fanned over the top of my head. “I still want to kiss you.”
“Hell, no.” I grinned to myself.
“Are you repeating my earlier words?”
“Yes, I am.” He rolled me, coming up over top. My heart raced. “Don’t–”
His kiss was potent as he claimed my mouth.
I had no response. I was lost, hypnotized as we shared breath and a moment more special than any in time.
He cupped my face in his hands and stroked my cheeks, his thoughts escaping for the first time.
I read them so clearly within the merge.
He wanted this moment to last.
My heart soared and my soul called to his on the deepest level. “We are in a world of trouble,” I murmured against his lips.
His hold tightened, intoxicating me. Then he eased away an inch, maybe two. “You have the most beautiful spun-gold hair. It catches even the moonlight and glows like silk.”
I cleared my throat. “I know I just said trouble. You should stick to your side of the bed in this non-relationship.”
A wicked grin widened his mouth. “I could drown in the brilliant violet of your eyes.”
“Do I need to slap your face?”
He laughed. “Yes.”
I pushed him away, trying to get my heartbeat to slow. “Go away.”
He rolled into me, held me close. “I’ll be good. Just keeping you warm. It’s my right.”
I curled up, squeezing my eyes shut. “I can’t believe I’m sharing a bed with you. Do you snore?”
“Terribly. I’m also a bed-hog.”
I heard the partial lie, but to which half of that statement? “Hmm, since I’m squished between you and the wall, I’m picking you’re a bed-hog.”
“You feel all warm and soft. I’m not going anywhere.” He nuzzled my hair and yawned. “Go to sleep. You’ll need your rest if you want to be on your toes tomorrow.”
I didn’t doubt it. The minutes ticked by, and I slowly relaxed. My soul-bound mate lay beside me. For one night, or perhaps for more? I had no idea.
BUY LINKS:
Buy WARRIOR (Book Two) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy PROTECTOR (Book One) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
–ooOoo–
GIVEAWAY of PROTECTOR, book one in this series:
I can’t celebrate my birthday without offering a giveaway exclusive to my blog’s followers. If you leave a comment with your email address, you’ll be entered in the giveaway of one free e-book of book one, PROTECTOR. This giveaway is open until late Friday, so get your comment in. Using random.org, I’ll choose a winner and notify the winner on Saturday.
Thank you all for helping me celebrate the release of WARRIOR. Thank you. Thank you. 🙂
Have a great week, everyone.