j. rose allister: Top Ten

Showing posts with label Top Ten. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Top Ten Writing Tips by Beverly Ovalle

Today I'm happy to have Beverly Ovalle, who's stopping by during her blog tour to share her latest book, Touched by the Sandman, as well as to tell us her top ten writing tips, several of which should all be #1 IMHO! And be sure to enter her Rafflecopter giveaway (see the box at the bottom.)

Top Ten Writing Tips
by Beverly Ovalle

Let’s see, top ten writing tips.

1. If I won’t read it, I won’t write it. Okay, I will but that section will never make it to the publisher. I tend to write what I like to read and if my writing doesn’t interest me, why should it interest anyone else?

2. Double check! Kind of like double tap from Zombieland. Once is never enough. I reread my manuscripts about four times before I send in the final draft. I always find something to correct. Bad spelling and bad grammar drive me crazy. I don’t want to see it in one of my books.

3. Even if you are a total pantser like me, make sure your storyline doesn’t contradict itself.

4. ALWAYS make sure your hero and heroine’s names are correct. I once read a book where in the last chapter the hero’s name was different. ARRRRG!

5. Make sure the sex scenes can be followed. I admit I have one that I think I even confused myself. I rewrote the one scene like five times and had it checked by four people to make sure it worked. Sadly, on occasion it still causes confusion. Maybe if it had been an orgy…

6. Always have your writing space prepped. Procrastination is NOT my friend. I need my water and coffee, snacks (anything that won’t leave marks or crumbs on my keyboard!) and a box of tissues handy (allergies). My chair has to be comfortable and the curtains pulled to just the right spot.

7. DO NOT GO ON FACEBOOK. DO NOT GO ON FACEBOOK. DO NOT GO ON FACEBOOK.

8. Make sure no one is home while writing. I tend to repeat what I write out loud. My husband has enough ideas without me giving him more!

9. Do my research before I start to write. Procrastination is NOT my friend. Research often leads to interesting but off topic information. Like Pinterest. I LOVE Pinterest. Come join me. http://www.pinterest.com/ovalleba/

10. Write, don’t edit and just write. Separate editing sessions from your writing sessions or you’ll never get any decent amount of writing done.

Touched by the Sandman
By Beverly Ovalle

~A lonely woman's torrid sexual dreams and fantasy partner await her as a dominant reality in another dimension~
The sandman visits those that need him, assisting them to sleep. Until one night he meets a woman that he cannot help but return to time after time.

She is lonely. He comes to her as she drifts off to sleep, the man of her dreams. Awake or asleep, which is her reality?

He knows she is the one meant for him. He will find a way to make both of their dreams come true.

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle Link – http://goo.gl/A0AcMS Amazon UK Link – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Touched-Sandman-Beverly-Ovalle-ebook/dp/B00J5NRIIK/ Barnes & Nobles Nook Link – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/touched-by-the-sandman-beverly-ovalle/1118958221?ean=2940045782098 Smashwords Link – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/421350 Goodreads Link – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21463347-touched-by-the-sandman AllRomance Link – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-touchedbythesandman-1459218-149.html Publisher’s Link - http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/touched-sandman

About the author

Beverly Ovalle lives in Wisconsin with her husband Edmond of 24 years and two Chinese Water Dragons. Having her own Dragons is expected as she is dragon crazy and anyone that walks in her house can tell. Her son Nicholas visits when he is on leave from the Marines. Her daughter Susannah visits from time to time to make sure us ‘old’ folks are alive and kicking.

Beverly has traveled around the world thanks to five years in the US Navy and has worked for the government in one capacity or another for the past 30 years. Beverly and her brothers have travelled most of the continental United States as children due to the station wagon from Hell. Still active with veterans, she is adjutant for her local AMVETS.

Beverly has been reading romances since her Aunt introduced her to the gothic romance in the fourth grade and is still reading every chance she gets.

Connect with Beverly:
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Beverly-Ovalle/e/B00BOGT8MU/
Website/Blog – http://ovalleba.wix.com/beverly-ovalle#
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BeverlyOvalleAuthor
Twitter – https://twitter.com/SSLYblog
Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/+BeverlyOvalle0211/
Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/ovalleba/
Tumblr – http://ovalleba.tumblr.com/
Blog – http://SSLYblog.wordpress.com
Yahoo – http://about.me/beverly.ovalle
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6982787.Beverly_Ovalle
LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/BeverlyOvalle
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SslySmileSomebodyLovesYou

GIVEAWAY

5 book Lunchbox Romance subscription from Boroughs Publishing Group

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link - http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9944253c70/

Friday, July 11, 2014

Top Ten with Alisa Anderson

J 12:00 AM 2 Comments

From time to time I showcase other authors and books on my blog. Today I'm happy to have Alisa Anderson, co-author of Fallen Angel book 1 and 2 (part 2 releases today!) She's here to give us something a bit different--a top ten romantic poem. Take it away, Alisa!

The Top Ten of You

10. When you caress my ear for no reason at all.

9. When you tackle me to the bed, but are sure to catch me when I fall.

8. When you touch me in that spot you know drives me insane.

7. When you bring me home...after you already came. *winks*

6. When its breakfast in bed, but there is no food.

5. When the meal is me, just to get me in the mood.

4. When you taste me, and say I’m your favorite dish.

3. When you look at me and tell me I’m the answer to your every wish.

2. When you touch my soul and make it sing.

1. When I know deep inside….I am your absolute, cry for, lie for, die for…everything.

Fallen Angel

by Alisa Anderson and Cameron Skye
Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

When Jess packed up her belongings and fled her small hometown in Kansas, she never looked back. Free from her family’s dark past she was finally able to pursue her lifelong dream as a professional dancer. She never expected to find herself at his door...or at his club.

Nikolas was unlike any other man she had ever met. Sexy…Alluring…Predatory. Dangerous. The kind of man with more secrets than even she had. Every instinct warned Jess against knowing him further, but she always did like playing with fire…

Nikolas Roman took one look at Jess and knew she was trouble from the very start. But something about the defiant twist of her mouth and the wide, haunted eyes of a damaged soul touched him in places he had long ago thought dead. He knew he needed to stay far away from her for his own sanity, but like a moth to a flame he was helpless to resist…

Working at Takers gentleman's club was the last place Jess thought she would find herself, but she quickly learned how the game was played. See what you want, take what you can get…but at what cost?

About the Authors:

Alisa Anderson

well...alisa did stuff and is still doing stuff. only now she has two boys crazy enuff to want her as their mommy. hey, at least she tried to warn them, so her job is done. she doesn’t like to capitalize, partially because she likes how lower case letters look visually, but mostly out of laziness. please don't judge. it could be you. and she would say, hey. you're alright, buddy. you're ok in my book. now c'mere for a hug. the hug might be pushing it. air kiss? you are strangers, after all, with only a mutual love of poor grammar.

she lives for a world full of controllable anatomically correct, android men programmed to meet her specific feminine needs (wink, wink, nudge, nudge with a big waggle of the eyebrows). who look like the rock. and ian somerhalder. and idris elba. and that's it she promises. variety. gotta have variety, right?

but alas...apparently that exists only in johanna lindsey's genius mind. so until then, she enjoys her incredibly warped sense of humor. she reads tons of erotica and romantic, drippy goo that makes her heart go pitter patter. then she thought, hey. what, she said to herself. (softly, of course, so no one finds out she is indeed, 2 nuts short of a fruitcake) maybe you should write this stuff too. maybe someone will like it and maybe buy it. so she said, huh, you think? then she said, well...yeah, i wouldn't have suggested it...(inserts sarcastic tone) and then she was like lose the attitude, ok? then she was all, would you just shut up and write, already? sheesh! and she did. :)

Cameron Skye

When Cameron is not in the lab working toward a Ph.D. in Neuropsychopharmacology, which in laymen's terms is basically finding the effects drugs have on mood and behavior, she is writing stories, crating vivid, intense characters you will never forget.

She believes while life can take you down every path but the right one, eventually everyone will find their happily ever after.

Alisa’s Website: www.houseofalisa.com

Cameron’s Website: http://cameronskyebooks.wix.com/cameronskye

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitchesbewritin

Blog: http://alisaanderson.wordpress.com/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/VZa0D

# Guest Blog # Post

Friday, June 20, 2014

Top Ten Romantic Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

J 12:00 AM 2 Comments

From time to time I showcase other authors and books on my blog. Today I'm happy to have Anita Philmar, author of In Too Deep. She's here to give us her top ten romance ideas that are easy to use--and won't burn up your credit card. Take it away, Anita!

My Top Ten Romantic Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

by Anita Philmar

1.) Simply say “I love you.” When our lives gets busy, it is very easy to forget to say how much we care to those we love.

2.) A kiss - both the hot ones and the butterfly ones on the cheek. Make a game of how many you give and receive during the day.

3.) Write a quick note and hide it where your lover will find it. Can’t think of anything to say? Draw a picture.

4.) Touch – a simple brush of the hand across your lover’s shoulder, a hand on their waist, the nudge while waiting in line.

5.) Be playful – tease, tell a joke, start an impromptu dance.

6.) Time – making the time to spend with just you and your lover.

7.) Holding hands – while taking a walk around the neighborhood or while sitting on the couch together.

8.) Reading a story together – if it’s a hot story it might spark of other types of fun.

9.) Playing a game... board, bedroom, or chase around the house...(clothes optional.)

10.) Take a bubble bath together.

Need more ideas...check out my blog – Spice It Up http://anitaphilmar.wordpress.com/

In Too Deep

by Anita Philmar

Find at:
Amazon | smashwords |
All Romance

In Too Deep was just released at the beginning of this week. It is the second half of "In Deep Water." These two stories start with two women just trying to cool off on a hot summer day in Texas. They have no idea how hot things are going to get for them.

Blurb

On the banks of the Trinity River, Sadie Pepperman is looking for a chance to escape the demands of her in-laws. With her husband’s dead, they want her to marry her brother-in-law so they can take control of her farm.

Suddenly, the peace of the day is shattered when her best friend steps too far into the river. Rushing to save her, Sadie meets a handsome stranger that ignites her dormant lust. She sees her friend rescued by a steamship and backs away from Logan Jansen, only to turn her ankle.

The agonizing pain leaves Sadie with the inability to walk. Needing help, she offers Logan a place to stay if he’ll help with the chores on her farm. With his agreement, Sadie adds another problem to her list. Now, not only does she have to worry about how to bring her crops in from the field and run her farm alone but she also has to fight her attraction to Logan.

Can Sadie end her in-laws’ interference in her life, run her farm alone,

and give love another chance?

Have a wonderful day and I hope you enjoy my book,

Anita

About the Author

Anita Philmar likes to create stories that push the limit. A writer by day and a dreamer by night she wants her readers to see the world in a new way. Influenced by sci-fi programs, she likes to develop places where anything can happen and where erotic moments come to life in a great read.

Naughty or Nice?

Read her books and decide.

Website: http://www.anitaphilmar.com/

Email: anitaphilmar@yahoo.com

Blog: http://www.anitaphilmar.blogspot.com/

FB: www.facebook.com/anita.philmar

GR: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1329767.Anita_Philmar

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anitaphilmar

# Guest Blog # Post

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Top Ten Best Things About Writing Contemporary Romance

J 12:00 AM 2 Comments

From time to time I showcase other authors and books on my blog. Today I'm happy to have Margo Bond Collins, who's stopping by to share her latest book and give us her Top Ten.

The Top Ten Best Things About Writing Contemporary Romance

A Guest Post by Margo Bond Collins

This month, my debut contemporary romance novella, Taming the Country Star, is being released by Entangled Publishing. This book is the kick-off for the forthcoming Hometown Heroes series, set in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s also the first romance novel I’ve written, and I had a fabulous time learning to be a romance author after writing paranormal mysteries and urban fantasies!

In no particular order, here’s my list of the top ten things I love about writing in the contemporary romance genre:

1. The happy endings! I love being not only able, but required, to come up with a story that ends with an HEA or an HFN.

2. The dreamy heroes. My Hometown Heroes series (kicking off with the novella Taming the Country Star) is all about men who are both strong and kind. And sexy. Don’t forget sexy.

3. Creating strong heroines. Far too many of the romances I read when I was younger included women who weren’t able to take care of themselves. The women in my romances are strong enough to match the men who love them!

4. The quirky sidekicks. I definitely drew upon the romantic comedy tradition to create the sidekick characters in this book. You’ll be seeing more of them in later books, so it was great fun to make sure they were interesting here, too.

5. Writing about home. All of my other books are set in fairly exotic (to me) locations. In this series, I’m writing about Fort Worth, Texas and the surrounding area—the places I see every day. Although this won’t always be true in my romance novels, I’m currently enjoying the chance to write about the city I love.

6. Writing about things that are really possible. My other books are all paranormal in some way—they include ghosts and vampires and other out-of-this-world characters. I enjoyed taking a break from the occult to write about things that might really happen.

7. Stretching my writing muscles. I love adding to the genres in which I can write! Contemporary romance requires an eye for the real, the possible, the love that surrounds us. Like most writers, I immerse myself in the world of the work in progress. Writing contemporary romance means I can spend my time in a world of love—and that meant changing my writing style a bit for this series.

8. Meeting other romance authors. As a result of beginning to write contemporary romance, I’ve joined several online groups and become friends with a number of other romance authors. I’ve been impressed by how welcoming the community is and I’m looking forward to meeting a number of my new friends in person!

9. Meeting some of the women who read romance novels. I’ve been astounded and delighted by how many romance-novel readers are willing to reach out and say hello, or that they enjoyed the book, or that they’re looking forward to the series—or all of the above! The community of romance readers has been every bit as welcoming as the community of romance writers.

10. Did I mention the sexy heroes? Yum. . .

Taming the Country Star

by Margo Bond Collins

He'll do anything to win her heart. She'll do anything to keep him away.

Country star Cole Grayson is in town, and Kylie Andrews is less than thrilled. As if months of changing the radio station and tearing down his posters weren’t bad enough, now she has to deal with a town of fans swarming toward the man who deceived her the year before. But when Kylie’s eyes meet Cole’s again, she can’t deny the electric chemistry that drew her to him the first time around.

Cole Grayson is on a mission. Ever since Kylie left him, he hasn’t been able to forget her sweet country smile. After writing a song just for her, he sets off for her hometown to prove he’s not the player she thinks he is. But as much as Cole can’t forget her, Kylie wonders if she can forgive him…

Kindle US: http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Country-Star-Hometown-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00KK4DORC/

Nook US: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taming-the-country-star-margo-bond-collins/1119610297?ean=9781622661664

Kindle Worldwide: http://bookShow.me/B00KK4DORC

About the author

Margo Bond Collins is the author of contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal mysteries. She has published a number of novels, including Taming the Country Star, Legally Undead, Waking Up Dead, and Fairy, Texas. She lives in Texas with her husband, their daughter, and several spoiled pets. Although writing fiction is her first love, she also teaches college-level English courses online. She enjoys reading romance and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them. She currently writes for Entangled’s Red-Hot Bliss line.

Connect with Margo

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins

Email: MargoBondCollins@gmail.com

Website: http://www.MargoBondCollins.net

Blog: http://www.MargoBondCollins.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin @MargoBondCollin

Google+: https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/

# Guest Blog # On Writing

Friday, June 13, 2014

Top Ten Places to Strike an Attacker

J 12:00 AM 1 Comments

From time to time I showcase other authors and books on my blog for their personal Top Ten lists. Today I'm happy to have MS Kaye, who's stopping by to share an important Top Ten we should all know about. Take it away!

Top Ten Places to Strike an Attacker

As a 4^th Degree Black Belt and certified instructor of Taekwondo, I believe in a woman’s right and responsibility to defend herself, just as Kindle does in Kindling the Past. Of course, you must know how to strike, but even more important than that is knowing where to strike.

10. Solar plexus (center of the chest where ribs come together)—can be an effective target, but may be difficult to hit properly if the attacker carries weight.

9. Temple—missing may mean hurting your hand on their forehead

8. Fingers—not a strike so much as raking them back to break them, or smash them if the opportunity presents

7. Foot—stomp!

6. Shin—rake with the blade of the foot

5. Knee—with a basic understanding of how to kick, you can make this very effective

4. Throat—takes little force to cause harm, but attacker can easily tuck his chin to block

3. Eyes—if he can’t see, he’ll have a hell of a time attacking

2. Groin—bet you thought this would be number one. While highly effective, it’s easy to block.

1. Nose—horrible pain, blind with tears, more difficult to block than most parts of the body

Now, go kick some ass!

Kindling the Past

by M.S. Kaye

Kindle is fighting to survive on her own, to break free from her possessive and violent ex-boyfriend, and trying not to let her best friend, Anna, know she’s in love with her husband. Most of all, she fights the visions she sees of the past—she doesn’t believe in that kind of stuff.

Then Anna is shot and killed.

In their grief, Kindle and Ty, Anna’s husband and Kindle’s Taekwondo instructor, grow closer. Although Kindle is careful never to let him too close, he helps her learn to accept that her visions are real. Eventually, the truth about Anna’s death breaks through into Kindle’s visions, and she must find a way not to let it destroy her.

Buy Links:

Publisher: http://www.lsbooks.com/kindling-the-past-p902.php

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kindling-Past-M-S-Kaye-ebook/dp/B00JZ5EOXK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398682985&sr=8-1&keywords=Kindling+the+past

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Kindling-the-past?keyword=Kindling+the+past&store=ebook

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kindling-the-past/id860929921?mt=11

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/kindling-the-past

aRe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-kindlingthepast-1490578-149.html

About the Author:

M.S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband, Corey, in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.

Contact M. S. Kaye at:

www.Facebook.com/BooksByMSK

www.Twitter.com/MSKosciuszko

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7222522.M_S_Kaye

http://www.pinterest.com/followmsk/

http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Kaye/e/B00F1OTYCK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1398815398&sr=8-1

# Guest Blog # Post