Monday, August 27, 2012

Writing whilst on vacation...


This week I have felt inspired to put pen to paper whilst traveling on vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia. I was very excited about this trip and as such gathered together some books in advance to give us an idea of what to expect when we arrived and so we could plan our weeks stay. With three kids between the ages of 7/14 we needed to have activities to satisfy all ages. I think we managed that and had a full and busy week. I would definitely go back there in a heart beat, with Busch gardens and Water country on the door step we managed to entertain the kids, tire them out and then squeeze in some interactive history at the historic triangle sites of Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg. The boys even had a full day Ocean fishing which they loved whilst I did a bit of retail therapy. Oh, and  I almost forgot I managed to write a couple of chapters for my new story , The Welsh Witch. Not sure how but I felt I needed to and so I did. I'm travelling again in a couple of days back home this time to Wales to visit my mum, so my blog maybe a bit hit or miss. Anyway, a small excerpt of my latest offering first draft and another WIP...

                                                                  The Welsh Witch

Splashing the crisp cool water over her face wakes her from the sleepy stupor that dominates her senses. Had she been drugged? That may account for the memory loss and the overwhelming fatigue. Damn, if only she could clearly remember. Standing now she gazed around. Okay, no matter what had happened she had to find some clothes, maybe food and more importantly come up with a plan. Her feet moved one in front of the other. Before she knew it she was furiously sprinting  through the forest, pushing the bushes away. Not pausing for breath , the sounds of screeching birds were ignored, she simply kept on running. Ella, could run twenty miles easily. Running was freedom. A lesson she had learnt early on. Ignoring the aching pains of her body she came outside of herself and to many it looked as if she was flying when she went into survival mode. Some time later her eyes narrowed on an  inconspicuous log cabin.

"Christ, what the fucking hell is going on down there?" Walter shouted down the phone. Marcus sighed, the shit had hit the proverbial fan in the last twelve hours and now his boss was cursing at him as if it was all his fault. Which in part it was but hell Walter took every opportunity to have a go, he'd never like the arrogant prick and the feeling seemed to be mutual. But he was a means to an end. Bring in the girl and the big promotion in Washington is yours. At least that's what he been led to believe. It was all he wanted. And now, shit, shit. "I'm sorry sir." He ran his hand through his unruly mop of dark curls. Truth was he didn't know what the hell had happened. "Jesus, one minute I was in the Seasons restaurant one table away from them. They were eating and chatting everything seemed fine. Then they headed back to her place. I followed them and waited. As I started to do a sweep around the grounds I sensed someone else was there, another agent maybe. I did a full perimeter search and nothing, so I let it go. There were shouts coming from inside, I crept closer and watched them through the window in the living room. Everything was going ballistic. The guy Aidan was really having a go yelling and then he smacked her right in the fucking face. Hell, I was going to go in and stop it all, but then I got knocked out."

His hand rubbed his head where a lump had formed and still ached. He should have trusted his senses for once they were spot on, he'd known something was off. Even telling his boss seemed somehow wrong. When he woken up he simply couldn't believe the scene. Aidan was dead with his head smashed in, there was blood splattered all over the wall and Ella was missing. He still couldn't quite see Ella as a murderer. The last thing he'd seen was her crashing to the floor, after Aidan's hand had walloped her across the face. It had made his blood boil.  "Well, you'd better fucking find out and quick. Head quarters are looking for blood. You were meant to bring her in last week. On your request I gave you that extra week, but the crazy bitch has now killed her lover. Jesus, this couldn't get any worse. Mark my words I'm not going down for this, do you understand?" There was a pause Marcus knew without doubt, had always known when push came to shove, he was on his own.
"Yes, sir loud and clear."

Marcus had a very clear picture of Ella Masters in his mind and bitch and murderer simply didn't fit. Could he have been so wrong? It wasn't that he fancied her she was definitely not his type. He usually went for the blonde's, whereas Ella had long indistinguishable brown hair, always swept backwards into a tight ponytail. Very much the school marm, not the sexy kitten look. No, she was definitely not his type. Even her eyes were a wishy washy blue or maybe green it was hard to be sure behind her large glasses that seemed too big for her small face. But her smile when she allowed anyone to see it was wicked and innocent all rolled into one. He remembered when he handed her her favourite skinny vanilla latte and he'd felt an overwhelming sense of loss and sadness flood him. Also, a strong need to protect and help had ruffled his feathers so much that he'd snatched his hand away and he'd refused to meet her eyes that he knew had been looking directly into his. His mother had once told him he had a gift for knowing people. He swore at the thought of his mother and a bitter taste rose up in his mouth of revulsion.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Interview with author Camen Falcone





Hi Everyone,

I'm so excited today that I cannot keep still. I have great pleasure in introducing and welcoming the  lovely and very busy author Carmen Falcone, whose debut book release," A Vengeful Affair" is #81 on Amazon!!!!

Firstly, I'd like to say thank you very, very, much for agreeing to doing this with your crazy schedule, big hug xxx.

Last year I entered the amazing competition called," New Voices." It was an amazing experience for me as a novice writer. Since ,then I have kept in touch with many of the wonderful writers who entered and this is how I was introduced to Carmen. Harlequin provided a great platform for new and emerging writers, some who since then have had their stories published. Is it catching I wonder, I do hope so.
 
Anyway, I feel honored to have the opportunity to chat with one such lucky lady today. I  must mention before we begin, that one lucky reader will be able to win a copy of Carmen's book!!! All you have to do is simply post a comment on the blog and next week a winner will be chosen at random.   Hooray!!!


           Good Morning Carmen, my first question has to be, what is your daily routine?

 
      I’m an English-to-Portuguese translator during the day, and writer by night. I also moonlight as wife, mother of a vivacious three year old and a terrible housekeeper. I try to write whenever I can. It’s hard to resist Facebook and Twitter, though. ;)

Is writing your full time career and when did you start?

       It’s not my full time career. I believe a lot of authors still have other jobs. It’s a tough business, and having your work published doesn’t mean you won’t get rejections ever again. I started writing when I was six or seven, but the content has considerably changed since then *laughs*

Are you an avid reader? If so what sort of books do you read or
have inspired you?

       Yes I am! I love reading contemporary and short romances.

Where do you gain inspiration from for your writing and in
particular for your latest book?

      It all begins with a character. Then I ask myself, what does this person do for a living, what has this person gone through in life, and most importantly – what does he or she want but can’t have?  My debut release A Vengeful Affair is about revenge. I’ve always enjoyed this trope. But I wanted to give it a twist and have the heroine want a revenge, and not the other way around. Vivian Foster is my heroine and she inspired me to tell her story. J

Do you have a pen name?

     Carmen is my real name, but my last name is my mom’s maiden name.

Do you only write genre romance ? If so why this particular area.
Yes.

     Why? Because I couldn’t do it any other way. I love writing short romances. J






What's your experience of the publishing world, pro's and con's.

 Honestly, I’m lucky Entangled took a chance on me and welcomed into the family. I’m very lucky  :) I don't have any experience with other publishers yet, but I think the

key is research. Your book is your baby. Would you hand your baby to a stranger? No. So you don’t want to sell your rights to any publisher just for the sake of getting published. And when you find a publisher you want, follow their guidelines when you’re submitting. That is the first chance you have to wow them.

What' your advice to anyone starting out?

Write. Don’t just talk about writing, or dream about having time to write. Do the best you can to write as much as you can, and find a good critique group. If it’s your dream, don’t give up. J

Self-publishing versus Traditional what's your slant on it all.

Honestly, I think you have to do what works for you. I know some great self-published authors. In my case, I like to have a respectable publisher behind me. Being a newbie is overwhelming. I have a terrific publicist who schedules my blog tour, and I had an awesome editor who made sure my book was the best it could be. I need the input, because I get too attached and see things differently. On the other hand, I see why people self-publish: it gives them complete control over everything and if they have a fan base, they can make good money.

What's the future for you...

I’m just finishing a book about a feisty heroine who kidnaps the hero to prevent him from expelling a tribe of Brazilian Indians that are illegally occupying his land. Then I’ll get started on a lovely story of a spoiled, broke L.A. socialite and the rough Texan cowboy she gets mixed up with.



Dear Jen, thank you so much for having me! J I love to connect with writers and readers. My  website http://www.carmenfalcone.com/

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/CarmenExpress,

Friend me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/carmenauthor




Purchase from Barnes & Noble and Amazon:


          Read the first chapter free





Blurb:

Rich people get away with murder every day, but Vivian Foster intends to make billionaire Javier Rivera pay for what he did to her best friend—and how better to destroy a money-grubbing bastard than to sabotage the merger that means everything to him.

Javier Rivera would never hurt a woman much less kill one. But when he catches a gorgeous corporate spy in his office, he knows he can’t let her go—not when even a hint of scandal could ruin his career. Until the merger is signed, he’ll keep her close, even if he has to shackle her to his wrist. Literally.

But the closer Javier gets to Vivian, the more he wants her, and the more time she spends with him, the less she believes he could ever be a killer. Now Vivian and Javier have to discover the truth…and Vivian has to win the trust of her worst enemy.



Carmen’s bio: Carmen Falcone learned at an early age that fantasizing about fictional characters and places beat doing Math homework any day. She traveled the world, achieved a B.A. in Tourism in her hometown in Brazil and was soon invited to work in the USA, where she met her Swiss husband. She’d always dreamed of becoming a published writer, and after her daughter was born, she revisited that dream of writing – this time, unwilling to give it up. She lives in Austin and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family and three high energy pugs.




Please make a comment and next week I'll choose a winner at random at they'll receive a copy of Carmen's, " A vengeful Affair." Thanksxxxx

Sunday, August 5, 2012

One Lovely Blog Award

1} Thank the blogger that nominated you.

Thank you so very much Jeanette Andersen for  the One Lovely Blog Award. Go to http://jeanettesandersen.blogspot.com/ for the “rules” and to snag the badge to post on your website.

 2} Give 7 random facts about yourself



1~ I'm originally from Wales. 

2~ I love Dr Who, my favourite Dr was David Tennant.

3~ I love to sing but I'm not very good.

4~ Have recently discovered that I love the gym.

5~ Cannot live without chocolate.

6~ Have four boys ages from 7==23.

7~ Used to make swarovski  jewelry,( rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings) for a hobby until it took over my office and then used to sell them at craft shows...



Nominate 15 blogs



Please leave a comment so I will know you received notification! 

(With problems I'm having at the moment w/Blogger and my cluelessness of attaching links, I'm not listing my 15 nominees. Sorry for the inconvenience)

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Exciting news !!!




Next week Wednesday 8th August the very lovely and talented author  Carmen Falcone will guest post, writing about her latest book and her journey in writing. So excited!!! You can check out her latest book ," A Vengeful Affair." www.amazon.com/  Barnes and Noble have given it a 5 star rating.

There will be a giveaway too!!!!!


This is an excerpt from my first ever short story and then refreshed New Voices entry. I'm still playing with it and want to complete it someday. Any feedback, would be great... 

                                            Returning to the Vineyards of Allegretti



            There was a quiet whistle through the trees from the wind. He pulled her into his arms holding her still. His face hovered searching the depths of her eyes. Leaning forward he kissed her. The kiss that came was urgent, insistent. Blood pumped through her veins as her heart galloped, the sound echoing in her ears. His soft lips pushed firmly against hers, his tongue teased her as it licked the length of her lips, demanding a response. Eagerly her lips parted, and she yielded, kissing him back. Automatically, she raised her hands around his neck, and pulled him close.
 A rush of heady sensations burst throughout her whole body. Shocking tingles lit a trail along her skin, and a sweet taste flowed inside her mouth as his tongue explored. Wanting more, and more whilst struggling to breathe she moved closer. Micheal was kissing her, wanting her. Her knees buckled and his arms quickly gripped her tightly around the waist. This was it, she was ready to give herself to him, completely. Somehow, she found the courage and control to reach for his shirt. His body was chiseled and finely sculpted, she could feel all the tightly coiled muscles along his chest.  
Her fingers found there way to unbuttoning his shirt, and the warmth of his skin scorched her finger tips. Any minute now she thought she would burst into flames as her trembling hands roamed freely across his bare skin. Unsure of what to do, she lifted her eyes to stare into his, seeking his approval. Instantly she saw the barely controlled muscles in his mouth quiver. His dark eyes pinned her to the spot. The world became silent as her breathing paused. For a millisecond, she thought she saw desire, but couldn’t be sure. Then  everything changed in an instant. His hands suddenly lay on top of hers, freezing her. Without saying a word he brought them down to rest at her sides.
As if the sun had just set, Vivienne shivered. His face beautifully masked any emotions, he remained silent. Her heart that had been soaring into space was now crashing and burning, already her chest ached and she had to force a lump that threatened to bring on tears away. Shaking her head, she knew, had always known that the love she felt for him, wasn't returned. Her cheeks burned. She didn't know where to look or what to do but felt the almost painful grip from his fingers still holding her wrists. They weren't held in a loving clasp, more a shackle to distance them from him. As her eyes looked at her hands, he released them and walked away.
“Michael, I love you,” she said. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Vivienne...what do you know of love...you are so young.” He voice sounded so far away.

“I know how I feel. I have always loved you. From the very first moment I set eyes on you I… ” Her voice began to quiver, realizing she was making a complete fool of herself. She stopped and sucked on her lower lip unable to speak and desperately holding back more tears.She hadn’t planned any of this. This was all his fault. And now, she'd opened her heart and offered it to him as if it was nothing. Gut wrenching embarrassment made her turn away, she wanted to flee but knew her legs wouldn't move. Why had he changed his mind. Why?
“You're too young Mia Cara for someone like me." Finally, he turned around, his shirt buttons all neatly arranged, his face like stone even with his sun tan.  

"You're not old, you're only a little older than me." She wanted to take his hand grab his arm and make him listen, but his dark eyes wouldn't look at her.

"I don't mean the age,  I mean I'm not the falling in love type. I would be wrong for you Vivienne. My view of the world is jaded and yours is idealistic. You look at everyone with a rosy glow.You have much to learn about life, the world. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start this I...it was a mistake. Come we should get back.”

She stared up at him wanting to say something, to scream at him, but knew it was no use. His mind was made up. After everything that had happened, she thought she knew him, could trust him. That finally ,that hole in her heart would be filled. How wrong she'd been. She wished her mother was still alive and hugged herself. Once again she was on her own. She blinked and the past disappeared.

“Vivienne did you hear me?” He shouted. She spun around, determined to stand tall and face him, she threw her shoulders back and tilted her chin upwards.
“Michael, why am I here, you could have said what you wanted to say over the phone?”

“You know why. We've discussed this.” His words were spoken more quietly now and his eyes wandered across her face and slowly over the rest of her.

“Oh, for goodness sake, I was having fun. What’s the big deal? ” She scowled, and looked away feeling uncomfortable from his angry glare. She knew there was no point in trying to explain,it was obvious from the way he'd spoken on the phone with his clipped and high pitched voice that had rambled on in fast and furious Italian that she had no chance of understanding. He'd already made up his mind. And found her guilty. In truth Vivienne had been drunk and maybe not for the first time, but in this particular incident it was not by her own volition.

“You were drunk; it was all over the papers. There were pictures of you in your underwear!! You've been skipping classes and you're about to fail. The academy is not cheap Vivienne, and quite frankly the trip to Paris was a fiasco. They won’t tolerate your behavior any longer and neither will I. We are not going to argue any more, no matter how much you seem to want to provoke me. We are not going to discuss this here, do you understand..."
Barely pausing to take breath, but he paused and his face softened slightly," Maria's at home, she's staying for a couple of days and she cannot wait to see you. Claudia, has prepared your room, so you have no choice, you have to come.”

He knew exactly how to reach her. Knowing that Maria would be there with her son was enough to take away any further needling and she gave in. Maria was two years older than her. She had become the instant sister she had never had, but sorely needed. Now, she was married with a family of her own. How different their lives had turned out.  

 “It was a party and I….. Anyway it doesn’t matter now. How long are you expecting me to stay?” She said subdued. Part of her wanted to explain everything to Michael but she didn’t want to get close to him and risk getting hurt again.

“Vivienne have you really changed so much, I know you love it here. Yet you are already looking to leave?”

“I have a life, and... “

“You have someone?” he said studying her face with curiosity.

“What if I do?”

“I would be happy for you, as long as it’s not that idiot,” he shrugged.

The idiot was Julian Winters and he was no idiot, he was worse. He was the son of millionaire financier Robert Winters and he was arrogant and used to getting everything he wanted and he had set his sights on Vivienne.

“He’s not an idiot and even if he was, it wouldn't matter. It's not as if I'm going to marry him,  it’s only sex and he's rich. I'm just having lots of fun.” Oh geez, if he was mad before, now he was going to throw a fit.Still, she wondered how he would react to her brazen statement. Of course most of it was a lie, but he didn't have to know that, maybe she just wanted to goad him, she wasn't sure.

Vivienne had befriended Julian in London they had become friends although she knew he wanted more, but she'd made it plain from day one,  that would never happen. The rejection only served to fuel his infatuation. He showered her with gifts which she had rejected, but he was unwilling to give up. His latest stunt, to spike her drinks had caused her to think Michael was right, although she refused to let him have the satisfaction of knowing the truth. Let him think what he likes. She tossed her long hair over her shoulder and ran a finger across her lip. His eyes watching her the whole time.
“There's a name for women like that, Puttana,” he said in disgust. He turned and strode away.

       How could she be so stupid to fall for someone as shallow as Julian Winters and sleep with him? Maybe, she had changed. She certainly looked older, more sophisticated, and well groomed.Looking at her designer label clothes he could at least account for some of her extravagances. He shook his head not recognizing this confident woman who could give herself away seemingly on a whim. He swore, her words replayed inside his head, "It's only sex." Sending her away was meant to allow her time to grow up, but this, this was exactly what he hadn't wanted to happen. Whatever relationship she had with this boy, it wasn’t a healthy one. She was flunking college and he was sure it had to do with this boy. He'd let her get drunk and made a spectacle of herself, knowing the paparazzi would be there to capture it all. He nodded, it had been the right decision to bring her home, he needed to get to the bottom of the puzzle that was Vivienne.    

                Vivienne wanted to scream; even now he managed to crawl under her skin and burn. Whore, she was no whore. Why did what he think matter so much to her? Damn him, why had she agreed to come? Okay her life was a mess and lately everything seemed to be spiraling out of control, especially after losing Mama Rosa. But how was Michael going to help her when he'd been the cause of it all. Sending her away and rejecting her. Of course she'd no choice, but to come when he phoned. All her college funding was controlled through him?  She walked quickly to catch him up, strolling across the piazza in silence. Turning one corner, then another and there on one of the cobbled side streets was his gleaming black BMW convertible.

           Moments later she was sitting in the soft cream leather seat of his car. Smelling the familiar fragrance she settled and he started the car and pulled away. The wind blew around them, as he skillfully weaved through the narrow and twisted roads. Once in the country side, she was struck by the air’s light perfume of lavender and rosemary. Breathing in the aroma relaxed her so much that she closed her eyes. Just as she was almost drifting off to sleep, she heard the familiar crunching sound on the gravel driveway. Immediately her eyes opened and she could see the cypress trees that lined the entrance. The car slowed to a stop right in the courtyard of, Casa di Vivienne.

“We're home.” 

               The first time she had arrived here, realizing that all the surrounding vineyards and olive groves were part of the Allegretti estate was overwhelming. She thought it was all part of some kind of mesmerizing dream. Climbing out from the car, she gazed upwards at the beautiful 18th century villa that was renamed after her. It was an elegant caramel colored villa, mostly covered in ivy; the front was bordered with rose bushes in shades of peaches and creams. Michael turned towards her.