Sunday, May 25, 2014

What denotes a Hero? - by Nancy Lee Badger

A hero or heroine (or a novel's hero/shero) 
refers to a fictional or historical character that displays courage and sometimes self sacrifice. Heroism is performed for the greater good, but in a romance novel things can heat up fast.

Stories of heroism may serve as moral examples. Hero worship can be a good thing or a bad thing. Many romance novels draw the reader in with descriptive paragraphs filled with the virtues of the hero, but some heroes are close to the edge of evil…until they meet the woman of their dreams.

Today’s romance novels are filled with action, adventure, intimacy, family, intrigue and a lot more. Happy Ever After is a must, yet the hero and heroine’s journey to get to that point takes twists and turns. Some we call black moments. Others are simple heartache. Through it all, the hero and heroine comes through thriving.

My dad is my hero. 
Raising three little girls could drive any sane man nuts. We traveled cross country, had adventures which included traipsing about national parks and swimming in the ocean, learning new things, and witnessing him living his life loving our mom. 

I am thankful for my Dad.


He served in the Navy during WW2. I am thankful that, at 88 years young, he is alive and enjoying life. However, we must remember those who have fallen in service to their country. 

This Memorial Day, fly the flag and remember.

Here are a few of my family and my husband's family who served, but are no longer with us:
Lt.Col. Paul R Badger      Survived Vietnam/Korea/WW2
Cpt. Lester Bean Badger  Survived WW2 and WW1
Lt. Dorothea E. Sawyer    Survived WW2
Sp4 Bruce Lyle Badger    died in Vietnam
Lt. David Lee Johnson     died in WW2
David Ryder Johnson       Survived WW1
Sgt. Richard Ayers            died in WW2
Pvt. Gerald Ayers             died in WW2
Cpl. Enoch H. Lee            died in the Civil War
Pvt. Brownell W. Lee       wounded in the Civil War
Pvt. Joseph A. Bean         died in the Civil War

Nancy Lee










Check out all my books HERE

Friday, May 23, 2014

Ally Broadfield Shares Just A Kiss

My guest is author Ally Broadfield, who stopped by to share some insights about her writing career with my readers. 

Nancy Lee: Welcome! Tell us about how you became a writer.

Ally: When I first started writing, I was a total pantser, and I made all the classic newbie mistakes. Though I had a black moment and a beginning, middle, and end, I started the story in the wrong place, there was too much backstory, and most of the scenes were full of fun, witty dialogue and very little conflict. I knew just enough to know my manuscript was a mess, but I didn’t know enough to fix it myself. So I took lots of online classes, read many craft books, and most importantly, keep writing. When I finally sold my first book and was able to submit future projects on proposal, I realized I had to start plotting.

Nancy Lee: I have always had an issue with plotting. What did you learn?

Ally: The first part of a story that comes to me is always the characters. As soon as they’ve taken shape in my mind, I start to think about conflict. I determine the internal and external goals, motivations, and conflicts for the hero and heroine, and make sure their goals are in conflict with one another.

Once those steps are complete, I use the information to help me complete a beat sheet based on the examples in Blake Snyder’s book, Save the Cat. This helps me determine the correct place to start the story, the inciting incident, turning points, and resolution. If you’re not familiar with it, Save the Cat is written in an entertaining, easy to understand style that makes the information easily accessible, even to those unfamiliar with screenwriting techniques. (For more information about beat sheets, see Pat Haggerty’s excellent post about Using Scrivener to Save the Cat)

Nancy Lee: I recently purchased the book First Draft in 30 Days by Karen S. Wiesner, and it has helped me get the character names, descriptions, and goals set in an outline of the story. Tell us more.

Ally: Once the beat sheet is complete, it’s easy to create a synopsis if needed for a submission package or pitch. I’ve also found that I write a lot faster after completing a beat sheet, but still have the freedom to make changes as I go.

Nancy Lee: What’s next for you?

Ally: I’m currently working on the first round of edits for a Regency-set romantic suspense that is the second book of a continuity series with four other authors. It will release in early 2015. I’m also writing the first draft of a Regency romance with a dash of mystery that will release this fall. After that I will be revising the first draft of a single title Regency that is the sequel to Just a Kiss and will tell Anna’s story. It should also be released in early 2015.

BOOK BLURB
Charlotte Lightwood has one season to find a husband or she’ll be forced to marry her guardian’s loathsome cousin. With no title or dowry, she doesn’t have much hope of making a good match. Sebastian Wilkinson, the Earl of Marley, has been the most eligible bachelor on the marriage mart for more years than he cares to count and is very aware of his duty to marry a woman who will add to the wealth and stature of his title. Sebastian makes Charlotte an offer she can’t refuse: he will pretend to court her to help her attract more suitors in exchange for her advice about which ladies he should pursue. As they work together, their mutual attraction grows. When they realize they just might be perfect for one another, they must decide whether to bow to the dictates of society or follow their hear

EXCERPT from Just A Kiss
“You should also consider Lady Hoskins. Though she appears quiet initially, you’ll discover she’s quite intelligent upon closer association. As the daughter of a duke, she exceeds your requirements.”
He seemed overly interested in the pattern of the parquet floor and didn’t answer immediately. “I’ll take your suggestion under consideration.”
Charlotte raised her eyebrows. “Have you spent any time with her this week?”
“I’m afraid she’s too…perfectish.”
She stopped and turned toward him. “Perfectish?”
He lowered his head and gazed into her eyes. “Yes, perfectish. It’s a clear indication that some horrible fault will come to the surface the moment you’ve irrevocably declared your intentions.”
She allowed one corner of her mouth to curve upward. “Well, then. I guess it’s a good thing I could never be considered perfectish.”
His eyes darkened as he leaned closer. “No, you are certainly not too perfectish.”
She struggled to catch her breath and turned away from his intense gaze. “Where are we?” They had been walking much longer than should have been necessary. Marley Hall was exceptionally large, but surely they should have reached the main stairwell by now.
“In the east wing.”
“I thought you were concerned about leaving the duke and duchess waiting. Have you lost your way in your own home?”
Sebastian shot her a sheepish smile. “They’re not actually waiting. I was the one impatient to get started, but now that you’re entertaining me, I feel no particular need to hurry.”
“Odious man,” Charlotte mumbled under her breath, turning away to hide her smile from him.

Nancy Lee: How can my readers buy your book?
Ally: Readers can go to the Entangled Publishing page for Just a Kiss to see all of the purchase options: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/just-a-kiss/

Ally Broadfield
More About the Author
Ally has worked as a horse trainer, director of marketing and development, freelance proofreader, and a children's librarian, among other things. None of them were as awesome as writing romance novels (though the librarian gig came closest). She lives in Texas and is convinced her house is shrinking, possibly because she shares it with three kids, five dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and assorted reptiles. Oh, and her husband. Ally likes to curse in Russian because very few people know what she's saying, and spends most of what would be her spare time letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She has many stories in her head looking for an opportunity to escape onto paper. She writes historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia.
You can find more information 
about Ally Broadfield at:
Website     Twitter 
Facebook      Goodreads  

And check out her



Friday, May 16, 2014

Rainy Day EBook Winner is...

Yes, it's raining again. Severe storm warnings, and flood alerts, just rocketed through central North Carolina.

"Spring showers bring May flowers", so the tune goes. Well, my yard looks more drowned then flower-filled. At least we are not in a drought. No fire danger here! I think its time to snuggle with my hubby and my cat, and read a romance novel.

What do you do when the weather outside is less than perfect? 


MY LADY HIGHLANDER





Ant the winner of the 
EBOOK copy of 
MY LADY HIGHLANDER 
is
Reese Ryan!

Friday, May 9, 2014

Questions and a Cover Re-reveal by RS Novelle

Author R. S. Novelle stopped by to answer a few questions while explaining her new cover reveal. Please welcome her, and do not be too shy to leave a comment!

RS Novelle: Thank you for having me, Nancy

You are very welcome. You mentioned that you decided to remake a few covers. That is a bold step. Please explain, plus tell my readers 3 things they might not know about you.

I began to understand that the previous version of the cover was not giving readers the correct impression of the type of stories Calculated and Driven were. I wanted something that was fresh, more streamlined and modern. I think the new covers are a nice compliment to the writing style now. 

1. I'm a total lipgloss addict!

2. I love to travel and am always plotting adventures. 

3. I tend to get a lot of satisfaction from life's little ironies. 


BOOK BLURB for Calculated, a psychological thriller:

An investigative journalist gets an unlikely tip from a mysterious informant. Dismissing it as impossible, she disregards the information and drops the story. Until the informant turns up dead, as predicted.

Plunged into the murky waters of a seedy underground prostitution ring, this psychological thriller provides twist upon dark twist in a story that would ultimately pin the church and several government officials in the largest murder cover-up the city has ever witnessed.

But is it true, or has the journalist merely been used as a pawn in a greater scheme? And how many people is she willing to sacrifice trying to figure it out?

More About the Author

Formerly a freelance journalist, Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her writing to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She has launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.

Though she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you’re meant to be. Find her at:

Website    Facebook    Twitter         

Instagram    Goodreads            
  
BUY LINKS for Calculated

Amazon     Barnes and Noble         

Smashwords    iTunes           


Friday, May 2, 2014

Preview of The Melting, Book One - The Infection by Donna Steele

Please welcome author Donna Steele, who shares some exciting news! 

Thanks so much, Nancy for having me here today! I am so excited. The first book in my Melting series – The Infection – is coming out June 3. This is a story very close to my heart and I've loved writing it. The first book would be considered science fiction but the story morphs into paranormal as the series progresses. I've played with this idea for ages, years even and getting to share it finally is a dream come true. 

A little morbid maybe, but I've always loved those stories of the end of the world and the day after – The Hammer of God by Larry Niven, On the Beach by Nevil Shute and of course The Stand by Stephen King. I love the way the characters cope and move on (or don't as the case may be). I also love to incorporate green and sustainability into my stories, and I was able to do both here.
I'll be giving an ARC to one lucky commenter today.
David and Amanda feel like old friends now and I enjoy visiting with them. Book two is completed and will be sent off shortly, and three is well underway. Thought I'd share an excerpt with you today –

Book 1 -
      Amanda was late again. She really needed to work on her time management skills. She slipped her key into David's door to let herself in. His car sat out front but he was often in the shower when she arrived, which saved them both a lot of time in getting naked. She wanted to laugh at the wicked grin she could feel on her face.
      He was at the door before she could open it fully and he did not look happy. In fact, he looked upset and could there be a little fear? "David?"
      "Could I meet you—" David began but a female voice interrupted.
      "You're not going to let your little friend in?"
      Amanda heard the uber-confident female voice. Was this the famous Phyllis? It had to be for him to look this uncomfortable. She and David had not talked about Phyllis after the first time they'd been together. David had obviously not wanted to discuss her. Amanda knew instinctively this was the woman she had not sent any thank you note.
      David closed his eyes, but opened them at the feel on her hand on his. "It's okay. I want to meet her."
      He seemed to attempt to relax and took a deep look into her eyes, then he stepped back.
      Amanda moved forward before the other woman could, her hand out. "Hello, I'm Amanda Sutton." Ah, it was the brunette from the cocktail party.
      "Phyllis Lawrence, an old friend of David's." She shook Amanda's hand firmly, eyeing her. There seemed to be a look of recognition in her eyes. She obviously noted when Amanda lay her purse casually on the table in a familiar manner.
      "Please, why don't we all sit down?" Amanda moved to the couch, acting as hostess and saw David quickly assume a bland expression, though his eyes were smiling. "Would you like something to drink?" She offered to Phyllis.
      The woman seemed unhappy with her. Amanda was a little surprised herself at her chutzpah. But it felt good and right. She and David were together, more together than anyone had ever been in her life. David had her back and Phyllis seemed more than a little uncertain at the way things were moving.
      Reluctantly Phyllis took a seat in the chair as David perched on the arm of the couch, beside and above Amanda. Phyllis's eyes narrowed.
      Amanda waited. One thing she had learned from her father was the power of silence. Women didn't like it and tried to fill it up. As his "son" she had done her best to emulate that kind of thing.  It seemed to be working.
      Phyllis finally spoke, though her annoyance at being the one to break the silence obviously bothered her. "How long have you two been seeing each other? I haven't heard David mention you."
      "A little while. We met at some dull function on campus and escaped together." She smiled up at him and his hand lightly squeezed her shoulder.
      "Have you known David long?" One of those conversations, so Amanda might as well jump on in. She already knew the answer.
      "Yes. We've been friends for years. He was only a lecturer when we met."
      Amanda smiled. "A lot of things have changed. Tenure and full professorship."
      Phyllis's smile diminished, she'd heard what had really been said. "Well, I guess I need to be on my way. I only stopped by to see if David was free for an art show tonight."
      David, already rising to get the door, spoke. "Sorry. I'm sure it would have been fun, but we do have plans," Amanda smiled and allowed the other woman to stand above her. The looming didn't bother Amanda at all. She saw clearly when Phyllis noted her easy confidence.
      "Well, it was good seeing you." Phyllis gave David's cheek a quick kiss and she left the apartment.
      With what looked like disgust on his face, David shut the door and joined her on the couch, his head hanging. Amanda wiped the bright red lipstick from his cheek and he followed suit, to ensure every bit of the color was totally obliterated.

Even though Donna's book isn't coming out until June, you can get a taste of her wonderful writing by downloading her other books. i just finished reading Wraith's Heart. I didn't think a ghost story could bring me to tears, but this was awesome!-Nancy Lee 


More about Donna Steele
Women strong enough for love.
I write science fiction , paranormal and women’s fiction romance eBooks about women coming into their
strength and having the courage to find and accept love. As an empty nester with my beloved best friend and husband (who actually encourages this mad passion of mine) I write all the time – whether or not I have a pen or keyboard handy.

Ever since I learned to read—from Superman Comics, Dick, Jane and Sally held no appeal—I’ve wanted to write. The possibilities of science fiction have always drawn me and I’ve read them all.  There just needed to be a little more romance in them. I finally got up the courage and I’m delighted that I’m able to share these stories with you.

My premiere novel, a science fiction romance – Rth Rising – was released on March 3, 2012 through Rebel Ink Press. My paranormal romance eBooks Learning Trust, and Wraith’s Heart  are now available at all eBook sellers. Wraith’s Heart  and Learning Trust are now also available in paperback through Amazon.

My small town romance novels – Homecoming, Welcome Home, Red Shoes, Nowhere for Christmas and Dance Partner  are available at all eBook vendors. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.

You can find a listing of all my books HERE

Keep in touch with Donna:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER:

BN100!

Leave your contact info, as well, so we can reach our winner!