Month: April 2014

Music & Lyrics

Music & Lyrics

Way back in the second draft of “Dream Student” (back before it even was “Dream Student” and it was written in the third person POV, back in 1998 or so), I had the idea to use song lyrics for the chapter titles.  They survived into the new, rewritten draft that I began working on in the spring of 2012, until good friend and fellow writer Jodi Roosenraad very helpfully pointed out to me that I couldn’t actually use the song lyrics, unless I wanted to get (read: pay for) the rights to use them, or get myself sued.

That led me to change the song titles to titles of movies and TV shows, which actually ended up working out better, especially for “Dream Student” because I used only titles from the 1980’s, and that (I think, anyway) helps to reinforce the setting of the book in 1989-90.

But I still have the original chapter titles I used, and I don’t think I can be sued for talking about what they would have been, here on my blog.  So, this is what they were…

The prologue didn’t have a title, in the earlier draft.  So we go straight on to…

Chapter 1 – “My mind’s in knots, my stomach reels” (“Rhyme & Reason”, Dave Matthews Band)

In the book, this chapter became “Trading Places” (because Sara and Beth switch roles, when Sara freaks out thanks to the nightmares and Beth has to take care of her for a change)

Chapter 2 – “She could dance all night, shake the paint off the walls.” (“And We Danced”, The Hooters)

In the book, this became “Footloose”.  It gets the same point across.

Chapter 3 – “Well, I’ve seen sex and I think it’s OK” (“Creatures of Love”, Talking Heads)

In the book, this ended up being “Casual Sex?” which, again, makes the same point.

Chapter 4 – “I read the news today, oh boy.” (“Sunday Papers”, Joe Jackson)

In the book, this chapter is titled “Running Scared”, reflecting Sara’s horror when she picks up the newspaper and sees the girl from her nightmares on the front page as a murder victim.

Chapter 5 – “I try to make some sense of it all, but I can see it makes no sense at all.” (“Stuck in the Middle With You”, Stealer’s Wheel)

In the book, this chapter became “Scanners” – referencing the sleep study Sara undergoes to try and figure out what’s going on with her dreams.

Chapter 6 – “Tell me all your secrets, and I’ll tell you most of mine.” (“The Final Frontier”, Don Was – theme song for the TV series “Mad About You”)

In the book, this chapter is “Innerspace”, because Sara delves more deeply into her – and other people’s dreams, learning secrets she doesn’t want to know.

Chapter 9 – “Our house, in the middle of our street” (“Our House”, Madness)

In the draft, this was chapter 7.  But I added two chapters of new material in the re-writing, so it ended up being chapter 9 in the final version.  And it’s called “Family Ties” – Sara’s homecoming during Christmas vacation.

Chapter 10 – “All I want for Christmas is you” (“All I Want for Christmas is You”, Mariah Carey)

As above, this was chapter 8 in the earlier draft before more material was added.  In the final book, titled “A Christmas Story” – saying much the same thing.

 

Looking over my old notes, I had possible titles for some (not all) of the remaining chapters, but they never made it onto the page.  Here they are, anyway…

The prologue – “How does it seem, that we can see each other’s dreams?” (“Last Night’s Sleep”, CAN – from the soundtrack of “The Fifth Element”).

The actual prologue ended up being titled “Dream A Little Dream”

Chapter 7 – “When the lights go out, always the same” (“When the Lights Go Out”, Naked Eyes)

The chapter ended up being titled “Real Genius” – kind of an obvious one here, with the movie taking place at college, too.

Chapter 8 – “Are we getting too close, do we dare to get closer?” (“And We Danced”, The Hooters)

It actually ended up being titled “Close Encounters”, which is pretty much a match for the lyric, really.

Chapter 11 – “What to do, what to do?” (“Call of the Wild”, Tom Tom Club)

This chapter ended up being a lot different than what I must have been planning – I have no idea what I was thinking would have happened there.  But in the actual book, this chapter features Brian and Sara’s first real “grown-up” date on New Year’s Eve,and it’s titled “Some Kind of Wonderful”.

There were a couple of titles for the very end of the book, too.  “Kiss me when I get back” (“Kiss Me When I Get Back”, Tom Tom Club) referred to the the original (and much inferior) ending, in which Sara goes off on her own to confront the serial killer (who wasn’t yet Dr. Walters the ex-Psychology professor in the book).  And “I’m standing here on an empty page” (“Love and Anger”, Kate Bush) would have dealt with the aftermath, when Sara comes back from her confrontation/ordeal.  In the final book, of course, Sara, Brian and Beth all go together for that final confrontation.  And that chapter is titled “A View to a Kill”.

So there you have it – the musical origins of “Dream Student”…

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Book Launch – “Blood Magic” by T.G. Ayer

Book Launch – “Blood Magic” by T.G. Ayer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: BLOOD MAGIC
Series: SoulTracker
Spin-Off: DarkWorld
Volume: 1
Genre: NA Urban Fantasy
Publication Date: 28th April 2014
Paperback Pre-Orders
Publisher: Infinite Ink
Blood Magic on Goodreads

My name is Mel Morgan and I’m a Tracker. I find people for a living. The people I help have no idea I know exactly how they feel because I’ve lost someone too. If only I could have found the one person I’ve been looking for all these years.

My current case is no ordinary abduction. Before long I’m neck deep in blood magic – the worst kind. I need the help of a necromancer if I’m to free the kid. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

When sexy djinn Saleem asks for help things get a little hot to handle. But how can I say no? Dodging demons and sorcerers are just part of my day job.

 


PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon
Smashwords

 

 

 


“So you’ll arrest me because I spoke to a guy? Mighty protective of you, Detective.” I smiled, injecting a little charm into the turn to my lips. “I always knew there was a reason you followed me around twenty-four seven, Detective. I just never realized it was because you had the hots for me.”

A snort of laughter emanated from his dark-haired partner and I tilted my head to address him. “So who are you supposed to be? You the latest sorry sucker they found to babysit this fool?” I pointed a thumb at Fulbright who choked with fury at my words. Not that being polite to Fulbright had ever been my strong suit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other’s loves – it works wonderfully…
My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain cross-eyed.

CONTACT DETAILS

Email | Website | Blog | Facebook| Facebook Page |Twitter
Amazon | Goodreads | Shelfari

 

 

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Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

As I noted the other day, I’ve got three more books (probably) mapped out in the Dream Series, following the launch of Dream Home next month.

Dream Vacation will be book #8 in the series.  It’ll take place in the spring of 2005, and Sara and her family will be going on a vacation to Europe (not much of a spoiler, considering the title!).  But, as usual, Sara’s supernatural dreams will be coming along with her…

Shattered Dream will be book #9, and, as the title suggests, Sara will be facing some serious adversity.  It’ll take place in the spring of 2007.

Dream Wedding will (probably) be book #10 (unless I have another idea for a story to come before it).  From the title, you can probably guess at least one thing that happens in the book, although I’m not sure yet who it will happen to…

So there you go…

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Updates!

Updates!

Lots of news today!

Book #7 (“Dream Home”) is finished and in the hands of my beta readers.  It’s got a cover and a blurb and a launch date – May 23rd!

DreamHomeV1

And here’s a tiny little snippet for you this morning…

“Joshua, relax,” I say, when he tries and fails to sit up.  “You’re in the hospital.  You fell and hit your head.”

“Sara?”

I give him a bright smile.  “You remembered what to call me.  That’s a very good sign.  But I need to examine you.  I’m going to take off your gloves and unzip your coat so I can get a better look at you.”

“I haven’t had a woman try to take my clothes off since 1969,” he says, and I can’t tell from his expression whether that’s a joke or not.  He shrugs after a moment.  “Woodstock.”  For one ridiculous moment, I wonder, assuming he’s serious, if Aunt Kat was that woman.  She went to Woodstock, too.  Whenever I would ask her about it, she’d tell me that she had plenty of stories, but that I wasn’t old enough to hear them.

But that’s just silly.  Kat was in her early twenties, and Joshua would have been forty-six.  Besides, there were, what, a million people there?  “Really?”

“Really,” he says.  “I had to see Jefferson Airplane.  I had a thing for Grace Slick, what can I say?”

I have no idea how to respond to that.

I also, just last night, approved the audiobook for “Dream Family”, so now it’s in the hands of Amazon to do their quality control, and it should be up for sale in 3 weeks or so…

AudiobookDreamFamily

And here’s a quick sample (ten minutes)….

I also got the updated covers for “Waking Dream” and “Dream Reunion” up and live…

WakingDreamV1 Cover Smaller DreamReunionV1 Cover Smaller

Past that, I’m sorting out ideas for book #8, which will be called “Dream Vacation”.  I know for sure that it takes place in the spring of 2005, and that Sara and her family will be visiting Europe for the first time.  I already know what goes in the prologue, chapter 15-16 and the epilogue.  But there’s still quite a bit to figure out.  I plan to start on the book next month and I hope to have it out in November.

AND, I’ve got a pretty solid idea of what book #9 will be about, as well.  After that, there’ll probably be one final Dream Series book, which I know for sure will be titled “Dream Wedding” (I haven’t figured out WHOSE wedding yet!), and it’ll bring everything full-circle.

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Book Blitz! “Written on Her Heart” by Paige Rion

Book Blitz! “Written on Her Heart” by Paige Rion

WrittenOnHerHeartBlitzBanner1

I’m happy to be a part of the book blitz celebrating the launch of Page Rion’s novel, “Written on Her Heart”

First things first, let’s meet Paige…

Paige

Paige Rion is a contemporary romance author. She’s a mother, wife, blogger, hopeless chocoholic, coffee-addicted, wine-lover. Her debut, novel—a new adult romance—Written On Her Heart, is the first in the Callaway Cove series. The next in the series is to be released this summer. She loves connecting with readers on her blog and social media. You can visit her website at http://paigerion.com/

You can also connect with her here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaigeRion_books

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpaigeryan

And here’s the book!
WrittenonHerHeart
Andi Callaway has dreamed of becoming a published author her entire life.

Ford Delaney has always wanted nothing more than to escape his past.
An opportunity of a lifetime. This is what Andi finds when she returns home to Callaway Cove on summer break. A chance to work for her literary idol Ford Delaney is up for grabs, and she’s willing to risk everything—her boyfriend, her best friends, and her education—to get it.

She’s positive this will be the key to reaching her dreams. But the moment she begins working for the reclusive author, Andi realizes there’s more to him than just a name. As attraction builds between Andi and Ford, she begins to discover consequences must come hand-in-hand with something great—which could loosen control over her tightly wound life. And once romantic sparks fly, Andi’s other relationships start to crumble, Ford’s fame comes back to haunt him, and the heat they generate will either forge a powerful, enduring love or threaten everything she holds dear.

You can buy it, RIGHT NOW, at:
Paige has some fantastic extras for us, too…
She’s got a soundtrack for the book – hop on over to YouTube and listen to it!
She’s also got an interview…

Tell us something about yourself…

Writing for me is cathartic. I’m not sure that I can live or function long without it. I get cranky when I’m writing a story and don’t have time to sit down and finish a scene. Otherwise, I’m just your average person. I’m a wife and mom to two young children, coffee and chocolate addict. I love wine and visiting new places. Fall is my favorite time of year, and the best thing in the world—other than my family—is finding that book that you just can’t put down. Better yet, reading it on the beach!

Tell us about your book…

Written On Her Heart is a new adult romance and the first in The Callaway Cove series. The books take place around three women—best friends. There will be three books and each will be from another one of the girls’ perspectives.  Written On Her Heart focuses on Andi Callaway. She’s an aspiring writer who discovers her literary idol, Ford Delaney, has fled to her small hometown for the summer. And she’s given the chance to work for him. But it might come as a price. She’s soon risking her friendships, her boyfriend, and her education just for the chance. But what she doesn’t expect is to have a shot at love with the reclusive Ford Delaney.

Is it hard for you to come up with ideas for your novels?

No! I actually have dozens of ideas all lurking around in my head. Now I just time to write them!

If you had a party, what character from your book would you hope attends?  Why?  What character do you hope doesn’t attend?  Why?

Ooooh. The sexy and illustrious Ford Delaney, for sure. He’s Andi’s (the main characters’) love interest in the book. He’s a famous author with a past that’s caught up to him. I definitely wouldn’t want Peter, Andi’s boyfriend at the start of the book, to attend. He’s too self-serving and a bore.

What was the last book you read?

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick – I have yet to review it, but it was a great read.

What’s your next big writing challenge?

I really want to get the second novel in the Callaway Cove series out by mid-July.

AND, here’s an excerpt…

“What kind of books do you want to write?” Ford asked, turning his attention back to his plate.

The question brought her back to reality. “Romance.”

“Ah, fairytales.”

At her narrowed eyes, he said, “I’m not judging. All writers, myself included, create whole worlds to give people a reprieve from their real lives. That’s what I do, too.”

Andi laughed but there was no joy in the sound. It was exactly how she felt about the kind of books she wanted to write and something Peter never understood.

Interestingly, Ford’s words meant he didn’t believe in real love—that he considered the beautifully written romantic plotlines in his own books ‘fairytales’. “I don’t buy it. You can’t write books like yours and not believe in love, at least to some extent.”

Ford’s mouth tightened. He ran a hand through his hair. “Why?”

“Because there’s hope in love.” She met his gaze. “And a world without hope is a sad one. If you truly feel what you say, you want to leave people with the feeling that good exists and that love, no matter how impossible, is possible. If love is such a lie, I can’t see you selling it like you do.”

Ford’s eyes flashed. “I believe people leave you when you need them most in life. I believe real love is something people tell themselves exists because it makes the world a better place to live in. When love fails, and it always does, people make excuses. He wasn’t the one. She was too critical, bossy, fat…whatever.”

Andi frowned. “So why write romance into your books at all? If you don’t buy into the notion it’s real?”

Ford smiled but his eyes softened, something sad lingering in his gaze. “Because there’s nothing wrong with giving false hope. Even if true love is a lie, it makes life easier to swallow. And that’s what’s important—finding a way to get through the rough parts. Love is the Achilles heel of man. It’s something we can’t help pursuing even if it ends in heartache, even if it is an endless pursuit of happiness. Shakespeare, Jane Austen—they got it.”

Andi sat in silence. The sadness in his eyes shot clear through her heart like an arrow, and her mind raced through his books, trying to piece together what she was missing, what piece of heartbreak had been embedded between the pages that explained the way he felt now.

“You think I’m wrong?” he asked, breaking through her thoughts.

She wanted to argue with him, to come up with a line that would disprove everything he had just said about love, but she had none, so she said what she felt instead. “I think a world without true love is a world without hope, one I don’t want to be a part of. So, I choose to believe, whether it’s real or not.”

She saw it. The flash in his eyes, a glimmer of something unexplained as his molten gaze met hers, pinning her to her seat. She caught her breath, unable to look away, the blood humming in her veins. In that moment, nothing and no one else existed. It was just him and her and the intimate conversation between them.

He placed his hand over hers and leaned into the table. “Andi?” he whispered.

Heart knocking against her ribs, her eyes flickered to his mouth and the hard contours of his jaw. He had shared so much of himself with her. This broken, brilliant man. Maybe all he needed was a little hope?

He reached out, cupping the side of her face. She’d never wanted anything as much as she wanted to kiss him in that moment. The warmth of his palm burned through her skin, and the feel of him exploded all thought, scattering it to the far corners of her mind. She curled her fingers around his and leaned closer. She could hear the soft sound of his breathing.

All she had to do was close her eyes. Move just a bit closer…

Finally, last but definitely not least, Paige has a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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“The Dream Jumper’s Secret” by Kim Hornsby

“The Dream Jumper’s Secret” by Kim Hornsby

A few months ago, I came across an interesting book, “The Dream Jumper’s Promise” by Kim Hornsby (here’s her author page on Facebook).   I had to take a look at it, because the premise (a person who can jump into other people’s dreams) is pretty much the same idea behind my Dream Series books.  I was curious what Kim did with the idea, so I bought and read the book.  She took it in a very different direction than my books do, but I loved the book.  I thought it was really well written, with characters that I wanted to spend more time with, and a story that kept me guessing (my review on Amazon is right here).

I only mention all that because Kim’s written a second book in the series, “The Dream Jumper’s Secret” (I say “series’ rather than sequel because the very last line of the book announces that the next book chronicling the adventures of Tina and Jamey will be out in the fall), which was just released yesterday.  Well, I bought it, and between lunchtime yesterday and a few minutes ago, I read it, and, just like the first book, I loved it.  Here’s my review, on Amazon.  Needless to say, I’d advise you to go out, pick it up, and read it right away, too (but be sure to read the first book, first – it’ll all make more sense that way!)

 

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Book Launch – Jamie Lee Scott and “Bad Vice”

Book Launch – Jamie Lee Scott and “Bad Vice”

I’m thrilled to be participating in the book launch for bestselling author Jamie Lee Scott and her new novel, “Bad Vice”

The official launch party will be at Jamie’s blog, with a whole bunch of fantastic authors (including yours truly!) participating.  There’ll be plenty of giveaways and a lot of fun, so please hop on over there and check it out!

 

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Book Blitz! “Love’s Sorrow” by Terri Rochenski

Book Blitz! “Love’s Sorrow” by Terri Rochenski

Happy Book Birthday to Love’s Sorrow!

Today marks the kick-off of Love’s Sorrow blog tour AND part one of …

 a sneak peak at the entire first chapter!

Follow along during the tour for parts two through ten, and be sure to check out the rafflecopter below for some Love’s Sorrow goodies!

 

Love’s Sorrow
Means of Mercy #1
Historical Romance
Release Date: April 21, 2014
Publisher: Roane Publishing

Hired as a nanny for her cousin’s children, Anne Tearle finds security and a loving family. The children are a dream, but London society is a world of its own, one where a displaced farm girl has no business being. But, wealthy rake, Gavin MacKay, helps her to see associating with the upper class might not be as horrid as she first assumed.

Like all things worthwhile, love comes at a price, and the cost soon bestows more anguish than joy. Lost, but not undone, Anne must find the courage to begin life anew, or succumb to sorrow’s unrelenting waves of grief.





Chapter 1 / Excerpt 1


With a loud grind and clanking, the train came to rest at King’s Cross Station. The engine car let out a hiss like the sigh that escaped my lips every night when I laid on my pallet after a long day’s work.
Pressing my face to the window, I stared in amazement at the mass of moving people. When boarding the train in Birmingham, excitement kept me from giving the well-to-do folks more than a mere glance, but I sat captivated as my fellow passengers disembarked around me.
Lavish bonnets and bright-coloured dresses of silky material made me ashamed of the threadbare gingham frock and tattered straw hat I wore.
Aunt Martha and Mary always tried to keep up with the latest fashions by ripping and sewing old dresses—garments beyond repair became an extra flounce or two, and the nicer threads unwoven and made into lace collars or cuffs. I hadn’t ever been allowed time for such frivolous activities, so I made myself content with proper skirt length and suitable patches for worn elbows.
Content, until I gazed upon the ladies of London in all their finery. Aunt Martha would say those folks sinned by squandering their money in such a way.
For about the tenth time, I imagined my aunt’s kitchen minus its scullery maid and target for hurled objects. I choked back a giggle for what must have been the fifth time that morning. My days of being a slave were over, for I had been offered employment.
Fingers trembling, I stood and wrapped my thin shawl tight around my shoulders, clutched my bundle closer, and walked the train’s narrow aisle. I stepped onto the platform and peered around the sea of faces for Joanna Telford.
I had never met my cousin from London. Until a few weeks earlier, I wasn’t even aware I had family beyond Uncle Edward and Aunt Martha. Mrs. Telford wrote to tell me she and her husband were in need of a nanny and governess for their two young sons, and being the merciful guardian he was, Uncle Edward decided to send me away from his wife.
Without her knowing.
Another smile lifted my lips, and I shifted on my feet, moving my tied bundle from one hand to the other. I grimaced as a whiff of body odour rose. Aunt Martha allowed me to bathe once a week, which would have been on the morrow, but asking to do so early certainly would have aroused suspicion. Sneaking away from her house before sunrise as I did would never have occurred with success.
No one spared the poor farm girl a second glance, and insides buzzing like a honey bee, I stood unmoving, a white-knuckled grip on my worldly possessions.
Minutes moved passed slower than a lazy stream and the surrounding crowd began to disperse. I waited. Despair crept closer with every passing heartbeat.
A stooped man in black livery made eye contact with me, and a pleasant smile lit his face as he started my way.
“Miss Tearle?” His voice rasped like a rusty barn door hinge.
“Yes. I am Anne Tearle.” I was grateful to my aunt for one thing. My accent matched almost perfectly with those buzzing around me. Aunt Martha’s hatred of the Black Country we lived in and the cane across the back of my legs every time I slipped into the bouncing regional lilt had eradicated all but the barest traces of it.
The elderly gentleman removed his hat, tucked it under one arm, and dipped his head. “Welcome to London, missy.” His smile widened and the skin around his watery blue eyes crinkled. “I’m the Telfords’ coachman, Emanuel. The missus has sent me to collect you.” 
~~~oOo~~~

About Terri Rochenski

Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.

Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Tour Schedule
Book Blitz and Tour-wide Giveaway
Signed paperback copy of Love’s Sorrow, 
$10 Amazon gift card, & swag package.
Ends 5/16/2014

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing’s marketing department.

 

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