Moonlight Romance Authors

Saturday, February 28, 2009

A Promise Made

A Promise Made is my new Linda Sole book from Severn House. This is the second in the Family Feud series and is out in March. The Lie was the first in this series and it has received a wonderful review in the Historical Novel Review magazine.

It says that neither the title nor the cover does justice to this outstanding wartime saga. It also praises the book for extracting every grain of emotional value and ends up, I quote:

The book cleverly winds up tension to the end. It is one of the very best wartime sagas and a pleasure to review.

The review was by Geoffrey Harfield - and no I don't know him.

I was thrilled to get this and wanted to share. The cover is for my new book.

As a footnote. Chateau Despair is now available in print from amazon.com as well as in ebook.

Love to all, Linda

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Cover for Homecoming...

I'm very excited to say I have the cover for Homecoming, my new gay erotic scifi that's coming out with Eternal Press on April 7, 2009! I really love how Shirley Burnett took my vision and turned it into a stellar cover. Thanks Shirley!

Wanna see too? Here it is!

I love how she she portrayed my characters here, and she even got the nebula from my story into the background. As you can see I'm really bubbling, I just love getting a new cover. LOL

Sunday, February 15, 2009

My World Has Gone Dark

It is with great sadness that I tell all of you that my darling, loving, sweet Golden Retriever, Kate, died February 13. She was diagnosed with bone cancer on Halloween and was only expected to live a few weeks. She must have felt the love and care around her because she lived 3 and 1/2 months. I took this picture of her just before Christmas. She loved riding in the car and greeting people with her mouth stuffed with toys. In the last 24 hours of her life she was in so much pain that none of her medicines helped her. I called the vet and they arranged to meet Kate with a stretcher and she was allowed to go in peace. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I loved her so much and the house is empty without her.

An hour after I got home from the vet's, I got a call from the nurse in the intensive care unit in Minnesota that my big sister had died. Marlene taught me how to drive because she was the only one with the patience and fearlessness to do it. She saved my life once and gave me some good advice when I most needed it. I don't have a picture of her uploaded on my computer or I would share that with you.

There is a dark shadow over my corner of the universe right now. Thanks to my friends and family I know I'll get back into the sunshine some day--just not today.

Sarah McNeal

http://www.sarahmcneal.com/

Monday, January 26, 2009

Writer"s Block

There's been a great deal of talk on the loops lately about writer's block *gulp*. Discussion has gone round and round about what to do if it strikes. Even in my brand bew issue of RWR magazine, there was an article about how to kick start your muse. That being said, I'd just like to let you know that help is on the way.
Carolina Romance Writers, my local chapter of RWA, has a great onine workshop coming up in February. Here's the info: (Don't worry about the cut off, they will let you register right up to the class start up date. And if you're a recluse and just want the information, they keep all the classes in the files section so you can download it.)

February Online Workshops
February 2-27, 2009 Standard WorkshopUsing Writer’s Block As Building BlocksPresented by Raquel Rodriguez

Want to just write? Stop fighting your Muse! Dry spells can indicate the dreaded writer’s block, a rough wall to hurtle. Teacher and writer, Raquel Rodriguez, can help you understand the possible causes for this challenge and offers several ways to break through. Learn what story options may be hiding from you and how to trust your instincts to make the right decision that can help move your story forward. Work with several block-breaking writing exercises you can use as building blocks to help get you writing again and build your scenes and story in the right direction. Topics Covered:- Scenes that refuse to be written- Finding the right words- Staring at a intimidating blank page or computer monitor- Reasons we get stuck in the middle of the story- Sweating that deadline
Growing up around ghosts and having written stories since her teens, native Texan and published author Raquel Rodriguez is used to things that go "bump" 24/7. With a passion for Science Fiction, anything paranormal, Space Opera, and writing romance, Raquel blends these elements into her passionate stories with twists of action and suspense. She has studied, taught and lectured about Parapsychology for over 25 years, utilizing Astrology, Astrological Tarot and Vogler’s 12 steps to plot her stories. Raquel 's personal motto is, "Never give up, never surrender!" and she writes at least five FF&P romance stories per year with her specific story planning and plotting techniques. For more information, please visit her website at www.RaquelRodriguez.com.
*Please Note: If paying by Paypal, please send money to workshops@carolinaromancewriters.com.
Registration Deadline: January 25th
To register, go to www.carolinaromancewriters.com and click onto "workshops" tab at the top of the page and then "February" on the roll out calendar. I hope you'll check it out.
Sarah McNeal
www.sarahmcneal.com

Thursday, January 22, 2009

THE CRINGE OF ROMANCE

The Romantic Cringe

Often times people will ask me what I write when they first learn that I am a published writer. My gut reaction is a sudden desire to lie and explain in lofty terms that I write alternative fiction. I want to throw out a lot of baloney about time travel, science fiction, adventure, Western or even experimental dabbling into creative fiction. I could duck the entire issue and act like I just saw someone I know across the room and I must be off to greet them. The last thing I want to tell them is that I’m a romance writer.

I know. I know. I’m a coward. But the minute I tell an enthusiastic person that I’m a romance writer, I have to endure their deflated interest and sudden monotone voice depicting low esteem when they respond with, “Oh. That’s nice.”What the heck? It’s as if my IQ just dropped and my efforts to get that POV right and the hours I agonized working the plot into an exciting revelation meant absolutely nothing—because I write romance.

Some people just don’t get it. Writing about the most tender feelings two people can have for one another and making them find ways to overcome impossible obstacles to have that one person their heart yearns for is an amazing amount of work to get it right and make it lift the heart. Is it nobler to write dark tombs with sad endings than those filled with hope and ending in happiness? Apparently. Is it easier somehow to forge a romance than a murder? In the minds of many, yes.

Well, for myself, I delight in reading romance and I have no desire to write anything else. I enjoy happy endings and stories that make me believe in the impossible. My life is filled with the harsh edges of reality and the sting and bite of everyday existence. When I settle down into bed at night, I like to close my day within the pages of a wonderful romance that allows me to believe that the world really can be a better place.
Sarah J. McNeal
www.sarahmcneal.com

Monday, January 19, 2009

Frost, Flame and Flower...

Just wanted to pop in and let everyone know I've posted a new free story to Free Romance Fiction It's a holiday story about Jack Frost and a very naught flower fairy/flame elemental named Poinsettia.

Blurb:
When Jack Frost accidentally freezes Poinsettia's poinsettia plants days before Christmas, she is furious! Hurt, and angry, Poinsettia tells Jack she never wants to see him again. Taking her at her word, he disappears for 100 years. Will a visit from Dar-Flame, Poinsettia's flame elemental father convince him to return to the North Pole and Poinsettia? Will she welcome him with open arms, or a ball of flame? Read the story to find out! It's in the Holiday section. :-)

Saturday, January 17, 2009

A Modern Vampire

I had not realised how long it was since I last posted here. Apologies to everyone but i got caught up in Christmas and since then I have been busy working and reading. I just managed to get through The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. this is a wonderful book that has made a tremendous impression on me. I feel as if I have been walking in a dream for days and have just come out at the other end. I intend to review it because it such a good book.

I on the other hand have a little Vampire book out with amira Press called A Modern Vampire/Anne Ireland. It was great fun to write. Jenna is a modern woman in every wway. Seh just happens to be a Vampire. If you feel like a light read for fun this book breaks all the rules.

I also have The White Dress coming with Eternal Press next month and Daddy Loves Belinda will be repblished by Red rose Publishing soon.

Love to you all. Linda/Anne

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Regina Paul

Natalie-Nicole Bates

Natalie-Nicole Bates may be new to the world of publishing, but she’s always been a fan of books and is an active book reviewer. Now she gets to see what’s it’s like on the other side of the book fence when her paranormal romance, Antique Charming, is released through Books To Go Now Publishing this fall and her contemporary romance, Change of Address, will be published in January 2012 by Secret Cravings Publishing.

In addition to her love of books, Natalie also has an uncharacteristic love of hockey which can be attributed to the fact she was born in Russia. Natalie now resides in the UK with a collection of Victorian and Edwardian era photography, her favorites being the post-mortem photographs. Visit Natalie-Nicole online at Natalie-Nicole Bates.com

Tara Fox Hall

I'm an OSHA-certified safety and health inspector at a metal fabrication shop in upstate New York. I have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a double minor in chemistry and biology from Binghamton University. My writing credits include nonfiction, horror, suspense, erotica, and contemporary and historical paranormal romance. I am the author of the paranormal action-adventure Lash series and the vampire romantic suspense Promise Me series. I also coauthored (with Eric Dietrich) the nonfiction book Forbidden Conversations. I divide my free time unequally between writing novels and short stories, chainsawing firewood, caring for stray animals, sewing cat and dog beds for donation to animal shelters, and target practice. Visit me at Tara Fox Hall.com

Lindsay Townsend

Lindsay lives in Yorkshire, England, where she was born, and started writing stories at an early age. Always a voracious reader, she took a degree in medieval history and worked in a library for a while, then began to write full-time after marriage.

Her first unpublished historical found her an agent and the second got a publisher in London interested. They wanted her to write with a modern setting, which she did – several romantic thrillers set in Greece, Italy or on Dartmoor in the English West Country - and enjoyed it, but historicals are really her first love. Lindsay is currently writing medieval romance for Kensington, who published ‘A Knight’s Vow’in 2008 and are following it with ‘A Knight’s Captive’ in spring, 2009.

She is also fascinated by the ancient world, especially Rome, Egypt and the Bronze Age. ‘Flavia’s Secret’, set in Roman Britain, came out from Bookstrand in 2008, and two more historicals, ‘Blue Gold’, set in ancient Egypt, and ‘Bronze Lightning’, set in Bronze Age Greece and the Britain of Stonehenge, have also just been released early in 2009.

Please visit Lindsay's blog.

Linda Sole

Linda writes as herself and under several other names. As Linda Sole she iscurrently published by Severn House of UK and USA. She also writes as Anne Herries for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She is happily married and lives in England with her husband. Linda enjoys visiting Spain where she loves to walk, swim and lie in the sun. Writing is her passion and she manages a few words every day, but she also loves animals and especially squirrels. She is known as the squirrel lady at her local supermarket because of all the nuts she buys for them!

Visit her website for more information.

Sarah J. McNeal

I became interested in writing at a young age. My parents didn’t allow us to have a television so my sisters and I became avid readers. We read everything from Shakespeare to my mother’s True Detective Stories that, by the way, scared the hell out of me. I submitted my first story and received my first rejection when I was thirteen years old.

I am particularly drawn to writing fantasy and time travel and have created a magical place called Valmora where winged people with various magical abilities are in constant struggle against the evil forces of the Dark Isle. Two of the books in this series are presently available at New Concepts Publishing: THE DARK ISLE and LAKE OF SORROWS. I am writing the third now: THE LIGHT OF VALMORA. I have written a time travel novel in which a woman goes back to the 1920’s to save a man from dying in THE VIOLIN that has been submitted to New Concepts Publishing. I intend to write a series of musical instrument stories including THE PIANO and one that I intend to start in the near future titled, HARMONICA JOE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE.

Until recent years, I wrote short stories, two of which were the early inspiration for the Valmora series and three other stories that were sci-fi and paranormal.

I have also written nonfiction including an article in The Charlotte Observer and a monthly newsletter from the emergency department of CMC Mercy Hospital that, unfortunately, I no longer have time to write.

Writing brings me a joy and fulfillment that nothing else can. I love creating magical worlds and people who want to make a difference. I hope that anyone who reads them will love them, too.

Please visit her website for more information.

Patricia Richardson

My desire to write began at a young age; my mind was always filled with great stories. However, my dreams, and aspirations were put on the back burner and even at times forgotten after I became married with children. Later the divorce came, which meant I had to become both mother and father to my children. I worked overtime and weekends just to support my family. The struggle to survive and give my children a healthy, loving home lasted until they were grown. Late author, Gracie Cornish, Ph.D. inspired me to follow my destiny. I met her at a place of employment, "just sit down and start writing," she told me and I did just that. I wrote every chance I got; at work, on the subway, and in my spare time at home. This all started in the latter part of 1998. That very same year God impressed upon my heart to relocate from New York to Maryland. I was obedient and moved.

The move meant that once again I had to put my writing on hold to become familiar with my new environment and learn to cope with the conditions of a highly stressful job. Most evenings when I arrived home the only thing I wanted to do was turn the ringer off the telephone and sleep. I seldom picked up my manuscript, which was kept under my bed just waiting for me not to be too tired and stressed to write. The time for writing again did not come until late in 2001 when I finally came to the realization I would always be stressed and tired from working and if I did not use the gift God gave me I would never achieve the independent financial freedom I wanted. After this epiphany I set a goal for myself; to have the manuscript completed and sent to my editor in March of 2002. Finally, in March of 2003 the book cover for my first novel, "A Place for Ida," was approved and I was published! This of course came with a price. I lost work, I cried, and I virtually had no social life. I was on a personal lockdown. I was on a mission. Most of my spare time was spent researching publishers, cover letters, and anything else I felt was pertinent to my success. Since then I established Leap of Faith Publishing and republished "A Place for Ida" and soon after published the sequel, "A Time for Jonathan."