Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Welcome Spring!

Welcome Spring


As a romance writer, I contemplate love a lot. It’s my job. 

In paper world it is easy to spot the hero. In real life not so much.

Everyone has a façade. Sometimes you have to dig down deep to find the real person inside. Sometimes they are even more beautiful, but sometimes they are blackened souls.

Every relationship is a risk. You risk losing a bit of yourself, or even your heart. Hearts are terrible sensitive things and are easily bruised or broken.

Too many people give up too much of themselves, and are left empty when it is over. Life is the eternal test with no right or wrong answer. It just is.

I am older and wiser than I used to be. I’m not as trusting, but I am trustworthy.

Relationships are not all about Love. They are about honesty, loyalty, companionship, passion, and fun. And should be a combination of such.

A good analogy is my dog. When I get home from work, my 50lb dog is ecstatic! She is so happy to see me. EVERY SINGLE DAY. That is the kind of relationship I want.

When a relationship is going south, you are not happy to see that person. They become an annoyance. And then dread. If you dread seeing your special someone it is time to move on. Seasons change and so do we.

People change. It is inevitable and not all relationships last. 

And your heart breaks. And you feel dead inside.

Like winter.

And like winter, coldness creeps in, and you lose hope. 

You doubt yourself. And everyone else.

But after winter comes spring. Spring is a time for change. To step out from the darkness and lift your face to the light. A warm breeze caresses your skin, and you realize that you are still alive.  






Tuesday, June 3, 2014

What Is Love?

What Is Love?

Love should make you happy, stronger, better. 


As a Romance Author, I ponder this frequently. As a woman I have doubts. 

I mean Love is supposed to be eternal right? Everlasting, but it doesn’t always. 

That is one reason I started writing, I was in a difficult relationship and I needed to control something. I wanted happiness. So I created it on paper. I wrote perfect relationships, one after another. I wanted a happy ending, at least for my characters, if not for myself. 

I finally moved on and began structuring my life so that there was no room for anyone else. I spent my days with my own family, traveling, seeking the next adventure. And I was happy and I thought I was complete. 

But I have realized that something is still missing. 

As humans we all crave affection, that simple hug from a friend or even a handshake from a stranger. Something that tethers us to reality and lets us know that we are still alive. 

There are different kinds of love, I love my kids unconditionally. They could never do anything to make me stop loving them. And they love me back, in their own grumpy ways. 

Other types of love are more difficult. Mystical maybe. Like a Unicorn. You want to believe in it, but you aren’t sure if it really exists or not.
 
But I am a writer, writers dream, and writers believe in all sorts of silly things. Like unicorns, time travel, vampires, Santa Claus, so why not Love?

I think people use the term love too loosely. And that has weakened it. Perhaps that is what confuses me.
 
Love is more than a word. It is a feeling, it is pure emotion. 

Love should not take away from who you are, but to build upon you, to enhance you.

When loving someone, you want the very best for them. You encourage them, and support them, no matter how crazy their dream is. It is their dream and not yours.

I am a big believer in fate. And that all of our trials and tribulations that we pass, build upon us and make us stronger. 

To me, Love is a living breathing thing. Once found it has be nurtured and cared for; least it may die. 

Love should make you happy, stronger, better. 

And if you are looking for LOVE, try Virginia. 


Thursday, September 12, 2013

Devil's Brae- New Release by Faith Mortimer




Synopsis for Devil’s Brae

Imagine a warm autumn afternoon in a remote village in the Scottish Highlands. Cassandra  Potter, fleeing from the memories of two traumatic deaths, goes walking alone on Devil’s Brae.

The wild country is empty, stretching for miles in every direction, it is then she sees him. A dark brooding figure, standing and watching as Cassandra climbs the brae. Apart from a lingering uneasy feeling she ignores the watcher, until the next time and it is then she realises her mistake. Someone wishes her gone from the village – at all costs.

Cassandra’s life is plunged into danger. Who is threatening her existence and her sanity? Who is the mysterious stranger? An inhabitant of the village of Inverdarroch? Or a person from her clouded past?
Above all, why is this happening to her?


Author Q&A

What attracted you to writing in the first place?
Loving literature as I do, I’d always wanted to write – whether it was novels, plays or poetry. As a child I used to write stories for my sisters and then as I grew older, my short stories became much longer until they resembled novellas. But it wasn’t until the early 2000s that I started writing my first full-length novel 

What genre are you most comfortable writing?
There’s more than one and I like to switch from one to another making sure I don’t become stale with my writing. I love crime writing; murder mystery suspense, but I don’t do real hard core violence – I prefer to let the reader’s imagination take over after I’ve laid down some hints. I love writing adventure and action mixed in with romantic suspense. Finally I’ve recently begun writing pure romance and I’m enjoying writing in an entirely different vein.

How has your upbringing influenced your writing?
I’ve lived an amazing life – and God willing I’ve got a lot of living still to do!  Since the age of five I’ve been fortunate in visiting many countries and six of my tender years I spent living in Malaya and Singapore. I think living abroad and mixing with different cultures and class has enriched my life and hopefully my writing.

Where do you get your inspiration and ideas from?
From all sorts of places. It could be a simple snippet from an overheard conversation, talking with friends, reading an article in a magazine or something from the television. I have an antenna that turns towards interesting themes and I log on – especially if the subject is unusual!

Do you have any writing rituals or listen to “mood music” when you write? Where is your favorite place to write?
I try and write in the morning for a few hours, then break and do something else. If I have time and the inspiration I’ll pick up and carry on. The next day I go over the previous day’s work and edit it. I rarely listen to music – I need quiet and I write in our ‘snug’.

What’s your favorite place in the entire world?
Being with my husband and family.

Fame or fortune, which would you prefer?
Can I have both please?!!

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
Either a surgeon or an actor/singer

Chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?
Chocolate! Every time. Even when I diet I save room for a tiny piece as a reward!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
Unlimited supply of water and food. My reading glasses and books. My mate.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
My editor is pretty excited about this book – she says I improve with each one! This is the first of a new ‘Dark Minds’ series and I enjoyed writing it - I’d love you to share the experience with me.

So what’s next for you as an author? Any last words?
I’ve finished writing a new romance this one is set around Christmas so aptly names, On Christmas Hill. I love it and made my husband cry when he first read it! On the thriller side of things, fans are demanding another Diana Rivers Mystery…so I’ve already started a new novel and this is set in Portugal.



AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Now let’s talk a little about, ‘Devil’s Brae’.

When asked about the inspiration for, ‘Devil’s Brae, I immediately think of my fans and followers. ‘Devil’s Brae is the first in a new psychological thriller series – the Dark Mind series.
My first series, the Diana Rivers series, currently has five books with a sixth planned. The books are:  The Assassins’ Village, Children of the Plantation, The Surgeon’s Blade, and Camera Action…Murder! and Childhunt– My followers keep asking when the next book is coming out and I’m doing my best to keep up! So either last in 2013 or early 2014 there will be a sixth added to the collection!

Mystery suspense thrillers are fun to write, perhaps because there are so many little threads which need to be absolutely correct. I enjoy thinking up little clues to keep the reader guessing and a few red herring to throw them off the track. As well as pitting my wits in writing the story I have to remember that my audience is often very skilled in working through the mystery, so there has to be lots to keep everyone interested right through to the final page.

I’m so lucky in that I love what I’m doing and feel privileged because I have some amazing followers. I sincerely hope I never forget that it is my readers who have helped get me where I am today. Thank you.


Get it Here:

Link to Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/15We7wG
Link to Awesome Indies: http://awesomeindies.net/

AUTHOR BIO


Faith Mortimer is a wife & mother, dividing her time between Hampshire, UK & Cyprus. Since childhood, she dreamt of writing novels which readers would love, & spent many hours writing short stories which she read to her sisters.
Later her dreams were put on hold while she focused upon her family & careers as a nurse & later overseeing a string of travel & sport related companies.
Born in Manchester & educated in Singapore, Malaya & Hampshire, England. A Registered nurse & in later years changed careers to oversee a number of travel & sport related companies.



Monday, April 29, 2013

Interview with Julian Christian - the man, the myth, the hot guy on Chase the Moon


Julian Christian


Meet Julian Christian - the man, the myth,

the hot guy on Chase the Moon



Hi Julian, it is such a pleasure to work with you again!
The pleasure is all mine Lynn.


How does it feel to be lusted after?
Lol.  I don't think I am lusted after. Maybe liked after.




Rocky
Who gets more fan mail you or Rocky?


My little French Bulldog is the ladies man alright.
 Right now we are dead even but I see him pulling away from me real soon.  




What do you think is the hardest part about being in the beauty and fashion industry?
Well it's not really that hard because I have other ventures going on in my life. I run 2 clinics for special needs children and I am starting to venture into big wave surfing. 





What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a short film called "Hostile Foreclosure"  as well as a TV commercial.

How is life on the beach?
Do you really have to ask, lol. It's my favorite place to be. 

What is an average day like in your life?
Wake up at 5 am, go for a few sets of surfing with the sun rise.
 Then off to work, and the gym, and rehearsals in the evening. 

What is the happiest you have ever been?
I always try to stay happy and live in the moment. 

What was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make?
Paper or plastic. 

Who are your role models or mentors? Why?
The Reverend Martin Luther King. That man was a leader and my personal hero. To stay so focused in the face of such adversity, wow. 


What kind of people do you enjoy being around the most? 
Positive, accepting people who are progressive and intelligent.  

What is one of your favorite songs?
In a Big Country by the Scottish band Big Country. 


What are the 5 things you can’t live without?
Oxygen, H2O, Vitamins, Minerals and sushi. 

What’s your motto or life advice that you life by?
It's all good. 

How can your fans keep in touch?
Facebook is the best way to reach me. 
I have a fan page and a personal page. 

Thanks Julian! 
Julian Christian Fantechi has graced the cover of two of my books. The first was Desperado and the latest Chase the Moon. For more info please visit my website. 



Friday, January 11, 2013

New Year Hop

New Year Hop

It's the New Year,  I have many goals I wish to hit this year, one of which is finishing War of Hearts.

I am a bit behind, okay I'm a lot behind. But delving into the past can be tedious. It is a delectable mix of truth and fiction. You want to add enough history to teach but not enough to bore. So I throw in snippets here and there. Like weaving a fine tapestry. 

So I am offering you a sneek peek. Here is Chapter 1 From War of Hearts. It still in draft mode but I love comments! 

Please tell me what part of history you would love to live in.



Chapter 1
Bitterness of Winter

Blood spattered upon her face. Sarah ignored it as she moved to put pressure on the gaping wound; she hoped to diminish the flow in the process. As the doctor began to saw through the bone, a grating sound filled the air. It was made more horrible by the shrieks of the man on the table.

Her arms burned, as she used all her strength to subdue him, so the doctor could work. Soon, the limb was free and the man gasped for breath as the pain subsided. The doctor folded the flesh over the gaping hole and Sarah carried the lifeless limb to the open window, and tossed it outside to the growing pile.
Once upon a time, this would have disturbed her greatly. However, being an Army nurse had hardened her heart to many things. War was hell. And she was in the midst of it.

A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to look into kind eyes. Go rest for a spell. You look exhausted. Her friend Margaret intoned. She glanced around the room at the others needing treatment. There was no rest for them, as they waited for the blade.

Even though it had been months with no fighting, the bitterness of winter was taking its toll. Due to lack of sufficient shelter and clothing many men have been afflicted with frostbite. The blackened appendages had to be removed to give them a chance at life.

The next soldier was in better shape and Sarah’s thoughts wandered as she massaged his feet. Winter had always been her favorite time of year. And living in New Jersey, they could be fierce. The crops had been harvested, food had been stored, and there was not much to do once the snow came. She recalled bundling up to care for the livestock, and admonishing her mother for making her wear a scarf. The rough wool always itched her neck.

Seems to be a fair amount of sickness in camp. The man stated in a gruff voice as he looked around.
No, more than yesterday. Sarah replied, wondering if the man was ignorant or just making conversation.
Would you say about half? He inquired further.

Sarah’s hands stilled. She looked down at his feet noticing not only were they not that damaged from the frost, but thick and hardy as well. An uneasiness came over her, as her glance took in the man’s gently worn clothing. It had been a while since she had seen a man who wasn’t half naked, much less one that was fully clothed with boots and all.  

No, I wouldn’t say half. Your feet are worse than I first thought; wait here while I fetch the doctor.
No need, I feel better already. The man sat up, reaching for his boots. Not taking time to put them on, he grabbed them and ran for the door as Sarah shouted after him.

A scuffle ensued as an injured man blocked his path, and he was soon wrestled to the ground. Ignoring her own safety, Sarah knelt over him and searched his pockets. Finding nothing of value she grabbed his boots, thrusting a hand deep inside she felt an edge of paper and pulled it out. The man had ceased struggling, and silence filled the room as she unfolded it. Her heart beat quickly in her chest as a crude sketch of Valley Forge appeared.

A spy.  The map was plucked from her fingers as the man was dragged off to pay for his sins.

Sarah sat in disbelief as a large hand touched her shoulder. Well done.

She looked up at Dr. Radcliff. What will become of him?

He will be questioned, and punished, if found guilty. What gave him away?

He wasn’t dressed in rags. Sarah mumbled looking around at the weary soldiers. She had agonized over her brother Silas’ death for months. However, she was thankful he never had to experience the torment of these men. Silas has been gone a year but right now, it felt like fifty. Sarah had seen so much suffering, and It wore heavily on her heart. 


My Give Away is a Free Copy of A Christmas Crossing.
The Prequel to War of Hearts. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/105853





Monday, January 16, 2012

Interview Author Cindy Smith

Today I’m interviewing our local gal, Cindy Smith. 
Not sure how to introduce her because she does everything!

She is an author, a singer, a song writer, an artist and much, much, more!











Welcome Cindy, tell us a about your books, The Time in Contention Trilogy:
 I was fascinated with Contention City from the first time I heard it mentioned in (the original) "3:10 to Yuma" movie back in the 1960's.  I knew then that one day I would write a book about Contention. I began writing a few years back and sent what I had to my gun coach, T. B. Burton. He read it, answered me back that I had told the story one sided. And since he was a man, he wrote what a man would have seen and felt standing on the sidewalk (from the first chapter) in the book.  I immediately thought, this is what I want! A book telling both sides of the story from the prospective of a (fictional) man and woman.  Overall, I did about 2 years of research on the history and T.B. and I filled it in with fictional characters to tell the events leading up to the gunfight at the OK Coral.  We wanted to give life to Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp and the women you rarely hear about. The Earp wives and Big Nose Kate have an important role in TIME IN CONTENTION.  It's written with the backdrop of a romance novel (for all the female readers!) but with all the action and gunfighting drama of a western (for all the males!).  The books are available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com, both as paperbacks and e-books. They can also be purchased locally or via our websites. 



Now tell us about your music, what inspired you to start singing?
I started singing late in life! I saw someone playing a mandolin in church a few years ago and said to myself.... I want one! I found a great music teacher, Gerry Hall. I would not be singing today if it was not for him. He literally 'made me sing' while I learned to play guitar and mandolin. From then on, he encouraged me. Once I started singing.... I never looked back! 


Congratulations on winning the GCGMA 2011 Songwriter of the year award. What is your favorite song you have written?
Thank you!  It's hard for me to choose my favorite song that I've written. I'd probably say that my favorite was the one I had just finished most recently. It's the one you're excited about writing music for, arranging where all the instruments will go, or going into the studio to record it.  I just finished a western song called "The Bar Maid and the Dealer". So, right now, it's probably my favorite song. But this will change as soon as I write something else! 






What do you like doing the best?
Writing in general. Whether it be books, stories, lyrics or music. I remember back in grade school and high school, my favorite subject was literature. I worked for a Houston, Texas area newspaper for 2 years and wrote a quarter page column every week. I met entertainers, politicians, local celebrities, sports heros and loved talking and writing about them all. But of course, there are times when you would ask me this same questions and I may answer I like doing "art" best.  I love oil painting and drawing charcoal portraits.  I am very honored to have had two pieces of my artwork displayed (for special events) in the Booth Western Art Museum! I have a theory, if you love to write, you probably love art as well. 

What or who inspires you?
Many of the songs I have written were inspired by "Time In Contention". I grew up listening to all kinds of music from Dean Martin to Ernest Tubb, from Burt Bacharach to The Louvin Brothers. But I loved Marty Robbins! There was just something about him dressed in his black cowboy clothes playing that western music that never left me. I think most of my songs sound like a female version of Marty Robbins songs. I am inspired by everyday occurrences, something I might hear my friends or family say, or something I see on a billboard sign. Inspiration can come from anywhere! And one song, Lynn, was inspired by your novel, "RUN INTO THE WIND".  I was honored that you asked me to write a song (by the same title). After reading the book, I wrote what I thought your character, Sabrina, would say if she wrote the song herself. I have received many compliments on the song, with some saying it is their favorite! 
What are you currently working on?
I always have a song in the back of my mind! I will soon be recording "The Bar Maid and the Dealer" and "Bring Back Hopalong".  "Bring Back Hopalong" is a song I wrote to sing at the Hopalong Cassidy festival in May this year. I have always been a fan of western stars, such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Hopalong Cassidy. TV heros that taught values and morals to kids have long passed away, but fans continue to attend festivals each year in their honor. I am privileged to attend a few of these festivals each year and sing about their heros.  I also have a children's book I want to write. It will be about my grandson, Gabe and his ghost friend Herman and their adventures in the haunted club house. I will do all the artwork of Herman and Gabe dressed as cowboys and pirates and anything else his imagination will come up with! 
Any upcoming Events you would like to share with us?
Yes. March 10th, I will be at the Bartow County Library doing a book event. I will be at the World Congress Center (in Atlanta) on March 17th and 18th during the Atlanta Auto Show. There is Wild West section and I will be singing and doing a book signing as well.  You will also meet my good friend "Fuzzy Q. Jones", side kick to western heros. Robert Brooks portrays "Fuzzy" and he's always a "hoot' to be around! T.B. Burton will be there, besides being my co-writer for "Time In Contention" he is also the 2005 World Champion Fast Draw. Then the following weekend, March 24, I will be at the Jim R Miller Park (Cobb) Fairgrounds in Marietta for the 2nd Annual Wild West Festival. This promises to be a wagon load of family fun with shoot-outs, cowboy music, kids coral, roping demonstrations and so much more! All my cowboy and cowgirl friends will be there with something special to offer in entertainment. 

How can we contact you?
You can email me at: txredmollie@mac.com  

You can also visit my websites for more information and listen to my music. 



Thursday, January 5, 2012

Interview with Sabrina from Run into the Wind



Image and video hosting by TinyPicWanted to share a great interview with you from WoMen's Literary Cafe
It features one of my Characters, Sabrina. I may be a bit biased but I think they did a great job!

Today we have Sabrina Lovett with us from Run into the Wind written by Lynn Hubbard. 
So let's please welcome Sabrina and grab that cup of java, sit back, relax and enjoy the interview.
Welcome Sabrina, we are very glad you could make it today.  Can you tell us about the book you star in?
Run into the Wind is about my life. It starts out on the worst day ever.
How so?
It was the day my family was murdered and my home was burned to the ground. My life was turned upside down in an instant. I persevered though, I planned to rebuild.  
How horrible! I am so glad you had the strength to move on.
However, my fancy pants brother decides to finally come home and dictate my life! Nevertheless, I showed him.
How did you do that?
I decided to choose my own fate, when he put me on the train headed for Boston, I jumped right off and headed west.
Lol.. I guess you did show him!
Of course maybe that wasn't my brightest idea, I mean hiding out and dressing as a boy is kinda odd. But that's how I met Brock.
Oh... tell us about Brock!
Now Brock is the kinda man who will make your toes curl! You know what I mean.
Of course I know what you mean! Who doesn't!
Now, it was kinda awkward with him thinking I was a boy and all. I guess I should have told him earlier but I am a bit stubborn.
Well anyway, my secret got out!
How did he find out??
I had to rescue Brock from some train robbers and nearly got myself killed. When Brock found out I was a girl he clenched his teeth so tight I thought his jaw was gonna lock shut forever. 
So what happened?
Well, me and Brock made up. (Blush!) Now, I'm really confused. I've been doing just fine on my own, I'm not sure if I want to give anyone that much power. On the other hand, maybe I need to rethink my life, maybe I do need someone. Maybe he needs me too.
Maybe... only you can answer that though.
My life is very complicated.
How so?
I have murderers to hunt down, my brother is chasing me, rescue missions. I don't know if I ever could go back to my old life. A life where everything was good and all I had to worry about was my mother trying to get me to wear a dress with ruffles. It still hurts to think about them being gone, but it hurts a bit less when Brock is around.
There are a lot of complicated things in your life Sabrina. I know that between you and your creator you probably found good ways to deal with all of that.  Let me ask you this...
We all want to be different, so what is the one thing you wish your creator had done differentely with you?
I wish she had given me red hair like my mama's. My sister Lydia got red hair, even my BROTHER got red hair. Did I? Nope, dull brown. I did get my green eyes though, guess I should be happy with that.
Your hair is beautiful. It goes wonderfully with your green eyes!
If you could have added something to the story, and your creator would have let you, what would that have been?
I wish I could have shoved Sally's smirking face into the water trough! Her flirting shamelessly with Brock like that. Makes me madder then a wet hen.
lol... amazing how the jealousy monster works isn't it!
What do you love best about yourself? What do you like least?
I have gumption! I stand up for who and what I believe in no matter what. I guess I can be over zealous sometimes. My father always said 'Not even the fatest horse can catch a word spoken in anger'.
Oh, I like that!  I will have to remember that and use it!
What part of the book was the hardest for you and your creator to work through?
When I lost Star.
Who is Star?
Star was a horse I looked after. When the barn caught fire, she got trapped. I tried my hardest to save her but Brock came in and drug me out. Made me mad as hell, I didn't need saving. Now Star was gone along with my job.
I'm sorry. I know how much losing and animal can hurt.
Sabrina is there a sequel for this book?
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Yes, Brock's happy go lucky brohter had to have his spot in the sunlight. So Chase the Moon was named after him. CTM just came out and continues the story.  There are some good times and some bad, but that's what life is all about. If we didn't have hard times the good ones wouldn't seem so sweet.
That is very true.
Do you have anything else that you would like to talk about?
I would like to thank Cindy Smith for writing a song about me and Brock. She is amazingly talented and captured all the emotions I was feeling! You can listen to it at Lynn's Website www.lynnhubbard.com, tell her Sabrina sent you!
Oh wow, (Sorry guys... I made her wait so I could listen to the song real quick!) That is an awesome song - and I have to tell you, I loved the fact that you had that translated into sign language.  How wonderful!

Sabrina - it has been an honor to have you here today on WoMen's Literary Cafe!  We are so glad you came! I know the readers really want to know more about your book, and I'll fill them in on where they can find out more.  Thank you so much for coming!
Sabrina was an absolute pleasure to have on our blog today. To find out more about Run Into the Wind, please check out the following links.
Places to Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Ways to find out more:
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Lynn Hubbard's Blog:
Lynn Hubbard's Website:
Facebook Page:
Goodreads:
Twitter:
@Lynnhubbardbook