Thursday, February 24, 2011

Totally HOT Thursdays


Okay, let's face it. If the man is good looking, we are going to stare. A woman just can't help herself, It's human nature. But we all have our favorite things we want to see in a man. I absolutely LOVE dark hair and light eyes. The contrast, to me, is breath taking. It doesn't matter the eye color, whether it be green, blue, or grey, it is the contrast that attracts me. (Lucky for me, my husband's eyes change colors.)


So, it is no hardship when I went to pick this weeks HOTTIE and when you scroll down and see his pictures, you will understand.


I chose IAN SOMERHALDER. Born Ian Joseph Somerhalder on Dec. 8, 1978. He is an American model, actor and producer. He has stared in Lost and currently, The Vampire Diaries as Damon.










Monday, February 21, 2011

To blog or not to blog?

There is a debate going around with many answers to that question. When should an author promote their work and themselves?

On one side of the coin, we have those who believe that promoting themselves is a good thing. And when I say promoting, I am talking about having a web site or a blog. Putting ourselves out there can be good for us. It gives us a chance to start building our followers now. It gives people a chance to see who we are and what we are about.

In my blog, I have interviewed other authors, talked about the craft, posted some links that are interesting to me and hopefully interesting to you. This give you, the reader, a chance to learn about me. You can read my bio, see who is following me, and read my ideas. AND, if you can do this, so can an agent or an editor.

I have heard that if some agents are interested in representing someone, they will go in search of them on the Internet. Let's face it. Promoting is a big deal. It takes time and money, and if an agent is going to spend their time and money on someone, wouldn't it be nice to do it with someone who is serious and willing to help promote their own work?

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not saying that people who do not promote themselves on the Internet are not serious writers. This brings us to the other side of the coin.

Other people believe that there is no reason to promote themselves if there is no product. What is there to advertise? And it does take time to blog. There's truth in that. It takes me about 20 minutes to post a blog and I try to do it at least twice a week. Some weeks are better than others. : ) That could be considered time taken away from writing. And let's face it, we all want to hone our craft and get the best work that we can.

Time management is the key. I write during the day and when I need to blog, I fit it in. On the days that I am to blog elsewhere, I try to write it out and then post date it.

I think the only answer is to do what makes you comfortable. Only then will the end result be the best that it can be!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

From being judged to being a judge

About a year ago, I sent my manuscript, HIGHLAND DREAMS, into a writing contest. I had to send the first 25 pages and a 5 page synopsis. I was soooo nervous. I had my CP's who had read through the story, but now I was about to send my 'baby' out to strangers to read and critique it. What would they say? Would they like it? Would they write me back and tell me to not quit my day job? Question after question raced through my mind and I wore a path in front of my computer desk from pacing back and forth. (BTW, in Nov. I sent my manuscript to another contest and I find out March 1st, if I finalled. Wish me luck.)

When I received my feedback, I was scared to open the documents. But, I did. There were three judges. Out of 300 points, one judge gave me a 205, one gave me a 195, and one gave me 85. While I am glad that two of the judges gave me a High Score and liked my book, it was the judge with the lowest score that gave me the most helpful feedback. The information she gave me was very useful and to now see the differences between the judges, I can tell that the one who gave me the 85, was the professional.

Yep, not all judges are editors or agents. Some judges are non published writers like me. Which is okay. They are a part of the market too. They read books, they write books, and they know what it is like to out your heart and soul into something. All of the judges wanted me to succeed and I know that all comments were made with the best of intentions.

I have taken some writing classes and I am learning a lot about writing description, passive and non-passive words, and dangling participles. Also, being a member of a fabulous critique group had helped me to look at the book in a different light. To be able to read through and see if there are any discrepancies, to help use better action verbs, and to be able to talk about how to make a scene work better.

I have been asked to be a judge in a writing contest for the Time Travel, Paranormal genre, and I have to say I am very excited to do so. I am going to take what I learned from being judged, taking writing classes, and my critique group, and try to be the best judge I can be. I want to be fair, honest, and still be polite. I want to judge the way I want to be judged.

Writing is dear to me. Besides having a family and a wonderful husband, (which I have), the only other thing I want is to become a writer. And I am. I should have worded that differently because I have written two books, but now I want to be published. And I know this is the same want and desire for the people I will be judging.

So, I send a cyber toast to the writers. For their faith and hope as they send their "babies" to be judged, and to me and the other two judges, that we may do well.

"CHEERS!"

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I'm blogging at NKOTWB

Today I am blogging at New Kid on the Writer's Block about writing description. I hope you will join me.

http://www.newkidonthewritersblock.blogspot.com/.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Totally HOT Thursdays






I am not sure that there are words to be said, so...........

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

It's my birthday


Today is my birthday and I can't think of any better way to spend it then looking at this picture over and over....LOL! A good friend sent this to me with wonderful birthday wishes. I thought I would share it with you. ENJOY!


Friday, February 4, 2011

Interview with Author, Kris Tualla



Hello everyone, I would like to introduce you to a fellow Celtic Hearts member and talented author, KRIS TUALLA.
If you are looking for mouth watering heros, look no further than her books!


A Norseman in Missouri!

When I decided to try my hand at writing a novel, I knew that general wisdom states that we should write what we know. And I had already decided not to write about kilted warriors, or dukes and duchesses - overabundant staples of the historical romance market.

But when my badly battered heroine first appeared, it was clear she had her own multitude of problems to deal with. The first was to figure out what happened to her. She didn't know where she came from, where she was, or where she belonged. It was up to me to figure that out.

I thought through places that I was familiar with… I spent my childhood from ages 3 through 12 in Kansas City, Missouri - about a quarter mile from the border of Kansas. (To paraphrase Sarah Palin: "I could see Kansas from my house!") So I decided to place my story in Missouri.

I began the story in 1819 - before statehood when things were a little rougher. Back then, I didn't realize it would become a trilogy and cross that time line! I incorporated the hot, humid summers, the cold, snowy winters, and - of course - tornadoes. The green hills north of the Ozarks. The mighty Mississippi River which forms the eastern border of the state; St. Louis County. I was set.

Now I needed a hero. A non-Scottish, non-English hero.

Into the room walked Nicolas Reidar Hansen: six-four and two-fifty of solid muscle. When he looked at me I saw his beauty. Classic Nordic features, long hair the color of sunlit straw, and intense navy blue eyes. When he spoke, it felt like thunder on a bright autumn day.

I may be blonde but I'm not stupid; he would do.

So now I had my sexy brooding hero. In fact, I decided that the common thread through all of my books would be the Hansen men of Arendal, Norway. Different generations, different centuries, different continents - but the same Viking blood. And all of these men are unique and fascinating. Strong. Stunning. Smart.

Spectacular.

And before I completed the manuscript, Nicolas informed me he had royal blood; his mother was a princess. And that his story was going to take them to Norway. If I was ever committed to my "outside-the-box" hero and locations, his revelation certainly put my resolve on the line!

But I stuck it out: an American historical set in Missouri. A Norwegian hero. A Scots-Irish heroine. They travel to Christiania (Oslo) and back. And then, after the Missouri Compromise makes the territory a state, my anti-slavery hero runs for state legislator. And he is changed into the man he was meant to be.

Speaking of change, is it time you found a new brand of hero? Please allow me to help.

For every 10 people who comment here, I will give away one free e-copy of A Woman of Choice - the beginning of the trilogy. And, yes. Commenter #11 warrants 2 copies! Comment #21? I'll give away three.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

In February at the end of my blog tour, I'll give away one SIGNED PAPERBACK SET of the trilogy. Here's how you can get in on that deal:
1. Go to http://www.kristualla.com/. and find the "Secret Word" on my home page.
2. Send an email to ktualla@cox.net. with "Signed Trilogy Giveaway" in the subject line. Put the secret word in the body.
3. Comment on any blog at any time in the tour to activate your entry. Each day's blog location is listed at http://kristualla.wordpress.com/. blog-tour-dates-locations/

A Woman of Choice, A Prince of Norway, and A Matter of Principle are all available at http://www.goodnightpublishing.com/. - and they are only $3.49 each as an eBook!

A Woman of Choice - Missouri Territory, 1819
A woman is viciously betrayed and abandoned by her unfaithful husband. She is rescued by a widower uninterested in love. In desperation, she becomes engaged to his best friend. One woman, three very different men. Life is about choices.

A Prince of Norway - Christiania, Norway, 1820
American-born Nicolas Hansen has been asked to candidate for his great-grandfather's throne. His new wife Sydney isn't about to let him go to Norway and face that possibility alone. The moment they arrive at Akershus Castle, the political intrigue and maneuvering begin. Can Sydney trust anyone? Will Nicolas resist the seduction of power? Or will he claim the throne for himself? Most importantly: will their young marriage survive the malicious mischief of the ambitious royal family?

A Matter of Principle - St. Louis, State of Missouri, 1821
Nicolas Hansen has returned from Norway determined to change the world. But when he runs for State Legislator in the brand-new state of Missouri, the enemies he made over the past two years aren't about to step quietly aside. Sydney has made enemies of her own, both by marrying Nicolas and by practicing midwifery. When a newspaper reporter makes it his goal to destroy them, Nicolas must rethink his path once again. But this time, it's a matter of principle.


Please don't forget to leave comments for your chance to win copies of Kris's books. I will then email the winners and show them how they can obtain their prize. Good luck!!!!

I want to thank Kris for allowing me to interview her here at Heart of Romance and I want to wish her success in the future.

Thank you to everyone for stopping by, I appreciate your support.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Totally HOT Thursdays!


As I sit in my bedroom writing this, 10 inches of snow and ice surround me. It's bitter cold outside with a -5 temperature. I find myself thinking of ways to chase the winter blues away and melt the snow and ice. What better way than looking at HOT, HUNKY MEN?




SO, I am starting Totally HOT Thursdays. Check in here every Thursday to see which pictures I will post next and I hope they brighten up your day!!!!!