WINNER!!!!

The winner of Elizabeth McKenna's book, CERA'S PLACE is:

Sandy Rowland!!!!!!

Please email me at sarah-hoss@hotmail.com with your information so we can get your book to you.

Author Interview ELIZABETH MCKENNA

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ELIZABETH MCKENNA      
Today I’m interviewing Elizabeth McKenna. Her book, Cera’s Place, is a historical romance available in ebook and paperback.





Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
Thanks so much, Sarah for inviting me to your blog. I love your Totally HOT Thursdays – great pictures! Cera’s Place is set in San Francisco 1869. Cera runs a saloon but, unlike other such businesses of the times, she doesn’t allow prostitution. Over the years, she has helped women escape their terrible lives and become “respectable.” Jake is an ex-soldier haunted by his Civil War experiences. He’s on a mission to find the daughter of a friend who died in battle. One of the subplots of the novel is based on actual events. During this time period, since the majority of the Chinese population in California was male, Asian women were kidnapped and forced into prostitution in America. The Anti-Prostitution Act of 1870 made it illegal to import women for criminal or demoralizing purposes. Cera and Jake team up to fight a gang that is kidnapping Chinese girls for the local brothels. Of course, in the process they fall in love.





Describe the genre of this particular title, and is it the only genre you write in?

It’s historical romance with a large dose of adventure. So far, it is the only genre I have published. I do have a contemporary romance started, but I keep going back to the historical because I love to research.





When did you start writing toward publication?

I started writing Cera’s Place in January of 2008 and published it in September 2011. I am a technical writer by trade, so this was my first attempt at creative writing since my college days – and I had a lot to learn.




Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
No.




Why have you become a published author?
I self-published because the perception of indie authors is changing thanks to Amazon and other sites that promote non-traditional publishing. I know Amazon is a dirty word in some circles, but over 90% of my sales are from this site, so I must appreciate their support. Over the years, I did submit numerous queries/partial manuscripts and even had an editor at Carina Press ask for revisions, but it was so frustrating to wait months only to be rejected. In the end, I decided if I sold even one book to a stranger via self-publishing, I would be happy. Right now, I am ecstatic.





Do you have any rejection stories to share?
I have committed every mistake a newbie could make. The biggest one was sending out my manuscript before it was ready. I essentially sent out my first draft. Ouch! Luckily, I was humble enough to ask for help after receiving the first round of rejections.





What is your writing routine like?

Unfortunately, I write slowly and I have to fit it in between my full-time job and my children’s numerous activities. I usually am able to spend some time in the afternoon writing. I’m happy if I can get a few strong paragraphs down every day.




What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?
My only help is from the other writers on LinkedIn and Google+ who post information about helpful websites/articles/blogs. I run ads on Facebook, Goodreads, and Kindle Nation Daily. Besides my author website, I have an author page on Facebook, Google+, Amazon, Linkedin, Goodreads, Super E-Books.com, ISelfPub.com, The Romance Reviews, and Manic Readers. I have submitted Cera’s Place for review to over 50 romance blogs. (I try to add to that list every day.) I wish I didn’t have to spend the time marketing – I’d rather be writing – but I understand I need to build a fan base for future novels. Facebook has been great. My Cera’s Place page has fans from all over the world – the largest group is from India, which has a small but growing ebook market. I love checking it every morning.




Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?
Celebrating my success with my children is on the top of my list. When they were young, they asked me what I had wanted to be when I grew up. I answered an astronaut, until I realized I was claustrophobic. Then I decided I wanted to be a best-selling author. They asked why I wasn’t one, to which I replied, “Technical writing pays the bills.” I decided to write a novel to show them it is never too late to follow your dreams (there was also a scary psychic involved, but that’s another story). No, I am not a best-selling author yet, but I am closer to quitting my day job (please don’t tell my husband that). Having someone besides my mother enjoy my book is second on my list.




Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?
No organizations, though I submitted most of Cera’s Place to several online writing groups for critiques and hired a professional editor before I published it. It helped me tremendously and I am grateful for the time these strangers took to evaluate my work. I learned so much from them.





Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
I am the worst self-doubter. I go through periods where I refuse to read any fiction because I believe it is so much better than my own and I get depressed. Then I repeat this quote by Milton Lomask, “There's no right way of writing. There's only your way.” It is impossible for everyone to like your writing, so don’t sweat the rejections and the bad reviews. You don’t like everything you read, so why expect others to? Enjoy the process of creating something you can call your own and then get critiqued by someone whose writing you respect – it will help you grow.  





What’s next for you?
I’m working on Moonlight in Venice, another historical romance set in the 1750s. I still don’t have a clear description, but it involves death, theft, art, Cabalism, Freemasonry, Carnival season, pregnancy, and cataracts – and love, of course, lots of love.




BOOK BLURB
It was her saloon and her rules – until the day he walked through the swinging doors…

Life hasn’t been exactly kind to San Francisco saloon owner Cera Cassidy, but she has built a successful business and a family of friends. She carries the reputation of a tough woman with a big heart, along with a derringer in her skirt pocket. One summer night, she discovers that the neighborhood thug is kidnapping Chinese girls to sell to the local brothels. Outraged, Cera vows to bring him to justice, but he’s not going to let anyone interfere with his livelihood.


Jake Tanner, a scarred ex-soldier haunted by his Civil War experiences, is on a mission to fulfill a friend’s dying wish. The trail has brought him to Cera’s door. Captivated by her Irish beauty, he is more than willing to join in her fight – if only she would let him.






A little bit about the author.
Elizabeth McKenna is a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. She never read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene).


She had always wanted to write fiction, so when a psychic told her she would write a book, Elizabeth felt obligated to give it a try. She combined her love of history, romance and a happy ending to write her first novel Cera's Place. She recently released a short story titled The Gypsy Casts a Spell.


Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and sassy Labrador. When she isn't writing, working, or being a mom, she's sleeping.




EXCERPT
Cera noticed the stranger while she leaned against the bar, drinking her third cup of coffee for the day. It was the first chance she’d had to catch her breath. Business was brisk, as everyone wanted to talk about last night’s fire over some food and drinks.


He sat alone, hunched down into his faded officer’s coat, reminding Cera of the many war-weary drifters who had passed through her place. His worn boots rested casually on the seat of a chair, and though his Stetson sat low over his eyes, she got the sense he could see just fine. He seemed to be waiting.


More often than not, Cera could see trouble coming. When she looked at this stranger, an uneasy feeling rose in her belly. Unfortunately, she couldn’t decide if it was because of the bowie knife and Colt revolver strapped to his sides or because his tangled, dark hair and chiseled jaw made him the best-looking man she had seen in months.

As she pondered the stranger, his face moved out of the shadows, revealing a thick jagged scar running from the outer edge of his left eye to the corner of his mouth. Startled by the sight, Cera’s hand jerked, sloshing coffee over the cup’s rim. Their eyes met and, for an instance, Cera thought she saw a flash of anger in the stranger’s gaze.


Embarrassed, she turned away to hide the blush blooming in her cheeks. As she wiped her wet hand on her apron, she chided herself for such squeamish behavior. Since the end of the War Between the States, plenty of men had walked through the saloon’s doors with injuries far worse than a scar. There was no reason for this one to unsettle her.


When her composure returned, she sought out Ginger. “See that drifter over there?” She inclined her head slightly in the stranger’s direction. “Has he said anything to you?”


“Oh my, my, my, that dusty Yankee? I’ve been trying to catch his eye since he sat down. I think they’re blue, by the way. Too bad about his face, but luckily I’ve never liked my men prettier than me.”


Cera laughed, despite her present worries. “Well then, you’re the perfect girl to go charm him—find out what he’s about.”


Ginger’s painted on eyebrows knitted together as she cast a discreet glance at the stranger. “You think he’s trouble?”


“Maybe, but maybe I’m just nervous because of last night. Either way it will be good to know who he is and what he wants. He looks barely able to afford the beer sitting in front of him. Who’s been serving him?”


“Sonya, I think.”


“Try to get him talking. I’ll go see if he’s paid for anything yet.” Cera gulped the rest of her coffee and moved to where Sonya sat playing cards with three other men.



*****


Across the room, Jake watched the redhead and the saloon owner exchange words. Then, after grabbing a bottle of wine and a glass, the redhead sashayed toward the piano player. She whispered in his ear, and when he struck up a new tune, she began to sing in a clear sweet voice.


“Drink to me only with thine eyes and I will pledge with mine. Or leave a kiss within the cup and I'll not ask for wine…”


As the men in the room shouted their encouragement, the redhead twirled from table to table, stopping only for a brief flirt. As she ended the song, she stopped in front of Jake, striking a pose with one hand on her ample hip.


“You’ve been tasting that beer for a long time now, Captain. Want to try something better?” She smiled, waving the wine bottle at him. “My name is Ginger and I have here the finest sparkling white wine in all of California—from the Buena Vista Winery. It’s all the rage in Paris—very chic. The first drink is on me.”


In his mind, Jake saw the dinner parties that he watched from the top of the main staircase in his boyhood home. His parents and their friends dressed in finery, making toast after toast with wine glasses filled to the brim. His mother’s laughter always carried above the din of lively conversation.



Now in the smoke-filled saloon, his eyes traveled over Ginger’s gravity-defying bosom, colored hair and made-up face, including a painted on black mole next to her full red lips. The Southern belle held out the glass, waiting for his response. Fate sure had a mean sense of humor, he thought, smiling wryly.







How can my readers buy your book?

Cera’s Place is available in the following formats:



Ebook: $2.99 (US) at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, Sony and Diesel.



Paperback: $11.99 (US) at CreateSpace, Amazon and Infibeam.com.




Come visit me!


Elizabeth McKenna's website / Facebook (Elizabeth McKenna) / Facebook (Cera's Place)


***NOTE- Elizabeth McKenna will be giving a free copy of her book to one lucky commenter!***

WINNER!

The winner of SUSAN SCHREYER'S book from Friday's interview is:


Carol-Lynn Rossel!

Please email me so I ca get the needed information to Susan. Thank you for stopping by and visiting us!

Sincerely,
Sarah

Author Interview SUSAN SCHREYER

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR Susan Schreyer         


Today I’m interviewing Susan Schreyer. Her book, An Error In Judgment, a mystery with romance and suspense, is her third book and set in the real life town of Snohomish, Washington.




Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

Sarah, thank you so much for inviting me here to talk about the latest in my mystery series, An Error In Judgment. This is the third Thea Campbell adventure. The story opens as Thea and boyfriend Paul Hudson attend an awards banquet for the Puget Sound Dressage Society (for your readers who don't know, dressage is a difficult and demanding equestrian sport that Thea participates in with her horse Blackie). Thea's long-time friend Andrea has recently married a judge for the sport -- a wealthy man with a reputation for arrogance -- and Thea has lost contact with her. Assuming the fault is hers, Thea intends to mend the rift between them. However, Andrea's husband collapses and dies during the ceremonies, leaving a mysterious last request of Paul that no one, particularly Paul, understands. Andrea turns to Thea and Paul for support and unwittingly plunges them into a murder investigation. When Andrea is arrested for her husband's murder and an old nemesis of Paul and Thea's turns up the stakes raise and the price becomes a run for their lives.




Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?

You'll find all my books under the "mystery" label, but there is a good deal of romance mixed in, and An Error In Judgment has been described by readers as a "romantic thriller." I also like to include humor in my stories, when the opportunity arises. None of my books are purely one genre, as each encompasses elements that wouldn't be found in, say, a cozy mystery and break the rules for other genres like romantic suspense. Nevertheless, it's where my heart is and for now is the only genre I write in.




When did you start writing toward publication?
Now, that is a difficult question to answer! When I started writing my first book my intention was to simply see if I could do it. Once it became clear that I was going to accomplish that goal, I decided to learn as much as I possibly could from the people who had already "been there and done that." Somewhere along the way I realized I wanted to share my stories with others who enjoy the same kinds of stories I do. In short, I "grew" into my publishing goal.




Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
I had finished (essentially) three manuscripts by the time I published the first. I shopped only my first book, Death By A Dark Horse, since it was the first in the series to both agents and publishers. When I became aware of how much the industry was changing and how those changes were affecting my goals I made a decision to take my career into my own hands and forge my own path.




Why have you become a published author?
Wow. Good question. I think I'd have to say that I've become a published author to make a career out of something I love to do. There's no question that it's work -- in a way that writing isn't before you have deadlines and a business to manage. Nevertheless, being able to earn a living doing something you love has definite appeal.




Do you have any rejection stories to share?
Oh, my goodness, yes! There isn't a writer who puts her or his work on the line who doesn't. I think it's required to have your ego crushed and battered, isn't it? Once you've got your first 50 rejections under your belt you join that group of battled scared warriors who can smile and pat the newbie on the back, hand them a box of Kleenex and tell them that you know, from personal experience, that it isn't the end of the world.




What is your writing routine like?

I work part time in a veterinarian's office and also teach dressage to a few students. My husband and son require a lot of my time, too, so I have to schedule in my writing time and make it as productive as possible. I do my best work in the morning so, if I can, I write then. I like quiet, to concentrate, so I tend to get up a bit early. I'm one of those writers who plan, too. I write an outline and synopsis for the story, and before I begin the novel I write the victim's story and the villain's story. Of course by the time I'm done I've probably diverged from the initial path, but I need the guidance of structure to be efficient with my time.



What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?
Promotion and Marketing (note the caps!) are akin to scaling a sheer cliff for me. I'm really really good at NOT being the life of the party, NOT tooting my own horn and I excel at shining the spotlight on someone else. That said, I've developed a routine with my two blogs, Facebook and to a small degree Twitter. More recently I've gotten together with other authors to bring some entertainment (and some awareness that we've written books!) to the reading public. I volunteer to do author panels at events, and last year created the Northwest Mystery Author Group, where we go to different venues -- libraries, book clubs, book stores, retirement centers, etc. -- to talk on the subject of writing, books and publishing. I'm also part of another author group -- The Story River. We do essentially the same thing, but are not exclusively the mystery genre. The panels are fun to do. I enjoy meeting people who love a good story as much as I do. The major emphasis is to become known, then the people who will enjoy what I write will know where to find my books.



Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?
There are so many, and there IS a difference in one's outlook and perspective once you publish. Before I crossed into "published author land" my focus was on the industry professionals -- agents, editors, publishers. They were a "goal" for me. Now, I have come to realize that it's really about the readers and how I connect with them. I love the people I've had the opportunity to meet; they are smart, articulate and fascinating. The readers are the Big Reward.




Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?
Yes! Writing is a solitary endeavor, and as such I think it's important to connect with like-minded people -- people who understand what it takes to work at your craft and can give you support, assistance, and advice when you need it. I belong to Sisters in Crime, am on the steering committee for the Guppy Chapter (the internet chapter of SinC), and am co-president of the Puget Sound Chapter of SinC. I also belong to a local writers' group (O-Pen) where we meet in person once a month, Northwest Mystery Writers Group, and The Story River. I cherish my writer friends. They are amazing and generous people.


Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
The world of publishing is changing rapidly and daily. What it will be five years or five months from now is anybody's guess. Have a heart-to-heart with yourself and decide what your OWN personal goals and priorities are. Then decide how you will go about getting them. Remain open to changing your mind -- remember, these days, more than at any time in the past, you are aiming at a moving target. Stay on top of what is going on in the industry so you don't get blindsided by unanticipated changes.




What’s next for you?
I'm just finishing up the fourth Thea Campbell Mystery. It is yet untitled, but I'm hoping to change that soon with a contest! In this adventure Thea and Paul discover human bones buried in their backyard. The disappearance of the skeleton only feeds the local rumor mill. Talk of ghosts and the Lost Treasure of Snohomish pull the two of them into a mystery that is still very much alive!




BOOK BLURB

An Error In Judgment, is the third Thea Campbell Mystery. During the awards ceremony at the Puget Sound Dressage Society's annual banquet dressage judge Sig Paalmann collapses and dies. The wealthy man leaves his bride of two months -- Thea's estranged friend, Andrea -- and enigmatic last words.


Thea's initial plan to reestablish her friendship with Andrea, despite the arrogant man she married, grows into resolve to support her through the crisis. But Andrea needs more than support when her husband's death is deemed murder and she is arrested.


With boyfriend Paul Hudson's help, Thea's digs in to investigate only to discover complications far worse than either had anticipated. Andrea is pregnant and in fragile health, warring business partners jockey for control, slighted family members turn ruthless, and Thea and Paul become pawns in a desperate struggle for money and power. But, the situation, already critical, takes an even more personal twist with the arrival of an old nemesis -- a man capable of orchestrating not only Sig's death but the grave danger stalking Andrea, Thea and Paul.



A little bit about the author.
I live in the great state of Washington with my husband, two children (although one is at college), and a variety of animals or various species. The horse lives within easy driving distance. When not writing stories about people in the next town being murdered, articles for worthy publications, or blogging, I train horses and teach people how to ride them.



EXCERPT

I pinned my attention on the big screen while photographs reeled in rapid succession and the lively, theatrical music played in preparation for the announcement of Fourth Level Horse of the Year. In moments, the flow of images slowed.


"For Fourth Level Horse of the Year …." Sig's voice trailed off as the display of pictures stopped on a familiar dark bay gelding.


My jaw dropped.


It was Blackie.


And me.


I cringed and slid lower in my seat, shielding my eyes with my hands, as if I could hide behind them. What else could possibly go wrong tonight? Someone had selected the wrong picture. I never checked the "qualifying" box on the show entries I submitted. Humiliated, I waited for someone to point out the error.


Sig's voice came over the speaker. "The Black Queen's Bishop ridden by Thea Campbell."


I turned, in confusion, to Paul. He was beaming and applauding. Was this why he'd been in a happy mood all day and been concerned about me dragging my feet? Was this the reason he practically wrestled with me to keep me in my chair?


I looked to Uncle Henry for an explanation. He winked at me as he clapped. "I adjusted your entries before I sent them in."


Unable to process what was going on, I remained rooted to my chair.


Juliet dove across Paul, and he jerked back as she narrowly missed clocking him in the jaw with her head. She grabbed my arm and shook me. "Go, go! That's you! Get up! Get up!"


Stunned to the point of accepting orders from my sister, I did what she said and hurried to the stage. Paalmann fixed a friendly, if tipsy, gaze on me. But as I approached his smile quavered then vanished, his lips pressed into a white line. Shocked, I hesitated, but he thrust the ribbon at me. It slipped through his fingers. I lunged and caught it as he mumbled a "sorry." Then he picked up the silver bowl from the trophy table with both hands and passed it to me. I murmured a "thank you," my smile shaky, and (surprised he offered) shook his damp, icy hand. Within the brief moment we made eye contact perspiration popped on his brow and his complexion turned waxy.


"Congrat --" He swayed, tugging at his collar with both hands.


As if by a collective decision the room turned utterly silent. Only the cheerful Broadway music played on.


With a jerk, he went rigid. His eyes made a frantic search of the audience before rolling upward. He toppled like one of his toys.


The silver bowl and ribbon fell from my hands, crashing to the floor at the same moment as Sig. The room erupted in a cacophony of shouts and gasps. I leaped forward, dropped to my knees, and with two efficient flicks, undid his tie. Footsteps pounded across the stage behind me. Sig's eyes fluttered open.


"Lay still. You'll be okay." As I fumbled with his collar buttons, his hands shot up, capturing both my wrists in a crushing grip. I yelped and tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. His eyes focused on mine, desperate, commanding.


"Hudson … Paul Hudson … tell him …." His voice was raw with pleading. Even as it failed him, his eyes continued to beg.


A woman, kneeling on the other side of Sig, undid his shirt button. "Try to stay calm, Mr. Paalmann. I'm a doctor. An ambulance is on the way."

I tugged against his grip, but his rigid fingers would not release me.


"Tell him," he repeated.

"Tell him what?" I glanced at the doctor, who met my gaze and shook her head.


With enormous effort Sig tried again. "Tell Hudson … Andrea … must understand … my name. It must have my name."




How can my readers buy your book?  

My three books are:


Death By A Dark Horse - the first Thea Campbell Mystery
ISBN: 978-1456388652 



Levels Of Deception - the second Thea Campbell Mystery
ISBN: 978-1460955895



An Error in Judgment - the third Thea Campbell Mystery
ISBN: 978-1463760052



All my books are available on: 
Amazon in e-book format as well as trade paperback.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3ASusan+Schreyer&keywords=Susan+Schreyer&ie=UTF8&qid=1327123464&sr=1-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B004CLPMUG



The tiny URL for Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7egcszl


Barnes & Noble in e-book format and trade paperback
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/susan-schreyer


Smashwords in e-book format
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/SusanSchreyer


And most e-book retailers and bookstores.

I love to hear from readers and can be found on :

Facebook at Susan Schreyer Mysteries https://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Schreyer-Mysteries/161359303906634


Twitter @susanschreyer


Email: susan@susanschreyer.com



Webpage: www.susanschreyer.com



Blog: Writing Horses http://writinghorses.blogspot.com



Blog: Things I Learned From My Horse http://thingsilearnedfrommyhorse.com


***NOTE Susan will be giving away one ebook copy of her book to one lucky winner, You must leave a comment. Check back tomorrow to see who the winner is.***

Totally HOT Thursdays

I saw this man on the Ellen Show the other day. I watch him all the time on his TV show, CRIMINAL MINDS, and I have to say, he is one beautiful man!

Let me introduce you to:

www.thepurplenoodle.blogspot.com

SHEMAR MOORE


Shemar was born on April 20, 1970 in Oakland California to Sherrod Moore who is African-American and Marilyn Moore who is of Irish-Canadian French decent.

His mother held a mathematical degree and taught in Bahrain and Denmark for several years. First he moved with his mother and father to Denmark as an infant then when he was four, he moved to Bahrain where he attended a British Private School until he was four.

In 1977, they moved to Chico, California and then onto Palo Alto California where Shemar graduated from High School. Shemar attended Santa Clara University, majoring in communications. He did modeling to pay the bills.

Shemar Moore's TV career

The Young and The Restless as Malcom Winters from 1994-2005
The Jamie Foxx Show as Elister- 1996
The Nanny as himself- 1997
Mama Flora's Family as Lincoln Fleming- 1998
Splackavellie music video as a love interest- 1998
Birds of Prey as Jesse Reese- 2002-2003
Scott Turow's Reversible Errors as Collins Farewell- 2004
Criminal Minds as Derek Morgan- 2005-Present
The Ellen Degeneres Show as himself- 2011 and 2012
The Mon'ique Show as himself- 2011

Shemar Moore's Movie career

Living Single as John Mark- 1994
Butter as Freddy Roland- 1998
Box Marley as Jim Whittman- 2000
How To Marry A Billionaire: A Christmas Story as Jason Hunt- 2000
The Brothers as Terry White- 2001
Chasing Alice as Mason- 2003
Motives as Emery Simms- 2004
The Seat Filler as Trent- 2004
Greener as Ricky Johnson- 2004
Diary of A Mad Black Woman as Orlando- 2005
Motives 2: Retribution as Emery Simms- 2005

In 1998, Shemar's mother, Marilyn, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Shemar, along with his cast mates, have done several charity events to raise money for MS.

One of the events he like to participate in is cycling.

www.shemarmoore.org

www.newsglosspil.tumblr.com

www.shirtlessdaily.com


HAVE A GREAT THURSDAY EVERYONE!!!!!

Happy birthday Robert Burns

I want to take a minute and wish a happy 253rd birthday to one of Scotland's most beloved men, ROBERT BURNS! I hope you enjoy the video and it gives you a brief insight to the man the world has come to love.

Author interviews coming

Stay tuned next week. I have some amazing authors I am interviewing and will be bring you some new books to check out. I hope you will enjoy the posts.

Thanks,
Sarah

Taking a new class

I am taking a new class. Its called "KILLER OPENINGS" BY Alexa Bourne.
This makes me stop and think about my own writing, as any class should do. I wonder if what I have done is good enough? Did I write something that will catch the reader and pull them into the world that I have created?

They say you can't judge a book by it's cover, but in all reality you can. Most people pick a book off the shelves because that is what grabbed their attention; the cover.  Other times they automatically go for a book by their favorite author.

But let's say a friend recommended a book to you by an author you had never heard of before. You trust their judgement, so you pick it up and look at it. That author only has one page to draw you in. Maybe even only the first line.  So what they write must make the reader want to keep reading. The author needs to be able to pull you into the story so that you want to turn the page. 

Some say the end of the book is hard to write and others think the middle of the book is the hardest thing to write, but I think we all agree that finding that killer opening can be just as difficult.

What I want to know is what draws you into the book in that killer opening. Is it dialog? Is it the description of where the scene is or who the people are? What makes you want to keep reading that book and turning it's pages?  Maybe give us an example of an opening that blew you away.

Thanks for being with me here today and here's to hoping the next book you read knocks your socks off.

Have a great week!!!
Sarah

Totally HOT Thursdays

Good morning-afternoon-evening to you all. Depending on when you are looking at this. And if you stop back three times today, (shhh, we won't tell) then I wish you all three.

I am going to cheat today. I have to go with my sister to her pre-op doctor's appts, so I don't have the time to search the web for Mr. Hunky. What I am going to do for you is give you a whole bunch of them instead.

I have had these pictures in my stash for sometimes. You never know when you are going to need the picture of a good looking man for instances like this or for inspiration. I hope you enjoy today's Totally HOT Thursdays.

***I will not advertise where I found the pictures because they are on my site already in other blogs. Credit has been given.****

His Scottish accent makes me melt.

Mmm Hmm!!!!

Who doesn't love Hugh Jackman?

You are waiting for me?

I love his bedroom eyes.

CONTEST

Hello everyone!

I am running a contest here at Heart of Romance. I am offering a $25 Barnes and Nobles gift card to one lucky winner! Let me explain to you what this contest is about.

I am wanting to generate more following here at Heart of Romance. I promote myself and other authors and I want to be able to do that to a larger audience. What do you have to do? Look around my blog, check out my interviews, articles, and Totally HOT Thursdays. If you like what you see, become a follower.

That's it. Anyone who becomes a follower from now until Jan. 31 is eligible to win. I will draw one lucky winner on Feb. 1st.

Totally HOT Thursdays

If you have ever watched CSI Miami then you are going to recognize this handsome man. He is sexy, has bedroom eyes, and a voice that will melt your heart. *SIGH* Believe me, things are HOT in Miami!

Let me introduce you to:

ADAM RODRIGUEZ

BORN- April 2, 1975
PLACE- Yonkers, New York
PARENTS- Janet and Ramon Rodriguez
HAIR- Black
EYES- Brown

Adam is one quarter Cuban and three quarters Puerto Rican.

He began his acting career in commercials including a Coca Cola commercial. He has done episodes in TV shows such as Felicity, Law and Order, and NYPD Blue. Movie role was in Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself. You can also catch him in music videos such as Jennifer Lopez's If You Had My Love, Lionel Ritchie's I Call It Love, and many more.

www.411onsoaps.com

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Want to pormote your work?

2012 is a new year and I am here to help you start it off with a bang! Here at Heart of Romance, one of the things I do is Author interviews and book promotions.

If you are interested in being interviewed or a book promotion, please email me at sarah-hoss@hotmail.com. Please put HoR blog in the subject line.

Thank you and I hope we can work together!!!!