UPDATE: The winner is…Gail Siuba!
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I know, I know what you’re thinking. You’re going to talk about toes?

Well, I wasn’t. I was going to talk about how the summer is winding up quickly. Yes, it’s August and we’re still having really hot temperatures, but the days are shorter, and I can tell it by the temperature of the pool. Although we have 90-degree days, the pool temp is 85-88 degrees. Very comfortable, but in two or three weeks, I won’t be able to swim in the morning because I’ll have to wait for the pool to be its hottest in the late afternoon sun.

Anyways, I’m not going to talk about the waning summer. No, I pulled down a picture meant to start a conversation about the remaining lazy days of summer, and I found this one. The woman has gorgeous, soft-heeled feet, a pretty pedicure, but I got hung up on her second toe and that curved fourth toe. Now, don’t get me wrong. I would be happy to have feet that look that good. I have a huge hammer-like big toe and stumpy little toes. Because I’m barefoot Spring through Fall, I have thick calluses that the guy at the nail salon groans over when I walk in the door. He goes straight for the potato peeler to trim those hooves.

Still, that picture got me thinking about feet in romance. I realized I never talk about feet because what is there to say? Yes, I know some guys have feet fetishes. But I don’t write that. I couldn’t write a scene where a guy sucks on a toe because I remember from my far away (very, very far away) childhood what feet taste like.

So, the question for you today, should you choose to answer it for a chance to win a download of your choice from my huge backlist, is…are you as turned off by feet as I am? Do you have huge big toes and stumpy little toes? Long-ass second toes or callused hooves? Have fun with this!

UPDATE: The winner is…Karen!
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For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, answer me two questions:

1. Which would you choose from all these pretty offerings?
2. Are you a frosting girl? (Or do you lay your cake on its side and use your fork to eat the cake and leave the frosting on the plate? — That’s me, BTW)

Happy National Photography Day! Strange way to start a blog post about writing, I know. Except…it really isn’t odd at all, when you consider how much the two mediums have in common.

Consider first that the word photography literally means “light writing” because the original—think analogue—process of making a picture “wrote” onto silver-coated plates and later film. Watching a photographic print develop, turning from a blank sheet of photographic paper into a picture that you took, is akin to magic, and as writers, we’re all too familiar with the feeling of turning something common—in our case, words– into something special.

That’s not all we share. Much of the language of literature is similar in photography. Focus, big picture, develop, black & white, and composition are terms each purveyor of the craft might use. But the most significant one would be imagery, and it is there that we share the most, this desire to convey a moment in time, to make the reader (or viewer) feel and see what we choose.

And on a more basic level, how many of us have Pinterest boards or cork boards or folders full of pictures we use as references? (It can’t just be me with thousands of them somewhat tidily collected and sort of organized.) And like many authors, I try to translate the image into words tweaked of course to match the scene I’m creating.

Personally, I’m a bit of a shutterbug. Yes, those are all my cameras, and I do use them (though the oldest are quite challenging). I’ve also included a picture of the oldest and newest ones in my collection. Not only do I like the contrast—one analogue and one digital—I like the juxtaposition of old and new technologies, and both have their place in my life.

Like most people, I take hundreds of photos in a month. Some are good. Some are complete crap and rather quickly deleted. I love the instantaneous nature of digital. It’s also a bit of a class equalizer. Photography in general is an expensive hobby, but the ability to use our phones has levelled that playing field, much like the Kodak Brownie did back in the day.

But I think we’ve also lost something along the way. If you’ve ever taken an analogue photo, you’ll know that it’s a rather deliberative process, in part because each print is very expensive. So I take my time and only take pictures that are worthwhile and have meaning. I strive to make them perfect from the beginning because otherwise, what’s the point? I’ll end up with a blurry, useless image. (Having said that, candid pictures and analogue are fun. Many might be less than ideal, but they capture something significant to me.)

The same can be argued with words and technology. We shoot off emails and texts and comment on social media posts, often without thought, and those words are often deleterious in import and content. And I think as writers, we are akin to analogue photographers because when we create, we stop and think and shape the words into something significant, and often we work and re-work the words until they convey just the perfect meaning. Analogue photographers can work and re-work, too, with filters, cropping, and other pre and post-processes.

I’m not a luddite by any means. Please don’t think that. I embrace technology completely—I mean, I just got a new phone because I wanted the better camera on it—but I can also see the value in the old ways. If you haven’t taken an analogue picture in years—or if you’ve never done it—I recommend you do. If you’re a writer, you’ll revel in the experience of crafting an image in a different way.

About the Author

D.S. Dehel is a lover of literature, good food, and the Oxford comma. When she is not immersed in a book, she is mom to her kids and spoiling her rather pampered feline, Mr. Darcy or her equally pampered puppy, Jameson, and her semi-psychotic Australian Shepherd, Piper. Having finally retired, she spends her days dreaming up new plotlines. She adores literary allusions, writing sex scenes, and British men. Actually, make that hot men in general. Her devoted husband is still convinced she writes children’s books. Please don’t enlighten him.

Contact:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100024850654069
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawndiqbu/
Twitter: @ddehel
Blog: www.dsdehel.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard?ref=nav_profile_authordash
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ddehel/goals-of-mj/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dawndiqbu/

There is a contest! See below!

It’s August, and you know what that means… Football season is right around the corner. But wait. Let me cool my heels for just a second. So, everyone knows I’m a huge sports fanatic. Football, hockey, diving, baseball, cheerleading, volleyball, you name it. (Okay, strike that. Don’t name it. I made that challenge to my bestie who said boules. I didn’t even know what the heck that was until I searched it on Google, and now, I’m depressed that I do.)

Saturdays in fall, everyone knows where to find me—at an SEC tailgate, of course. (Specifically, supporting my Bayou Bengals. Love purple, live gold.) And after a year of social distancing, lockdown, and all other kind of medieval atrocities that drug themselves up from the decrepit crypts of the past to revisit and wreak havoc, I can’t wait to get back into the stands (safely, of course). However, my love of sports doesn’t stop at stadium gates or a remote control. It has spilled over into my writing. I’m an author of sports romance. What beauty to be able to blend two loves into one. Perfection!

Here’s the real secret about sports romances. The romance is at the core. So, even if a reader dislikes sports and/or athletics, he/she can still enjoy the romantic story. What makes sports romances stand out from all other romantic subgenres is that sports, naturally, play a large role in the story. Well, duh! Hence the name “sports romance.” But hang on a minute. Not so fast. This is where it may become confusing for some. In a sports romance, sports may play a substantial role, an essential role, or both. What it can’t be is a backdrop. To demonstrate my point, I like to refer to the 1950s sitcom, Leave It to Beaver.

In the classic sitcom, typical of its time, Ward Clever was the dutiful patriarch of the family. Husband to June and father to Wally and Theodore, Ward faithfully traipsed off each morning in his crisp white shirt, sensible shirt, and polished shoes with a hat on head and briefcase in hand to work to be the breadwinner of his family. But what did Ward do? For the six years that it was on the air, Ward’s actual job was vague. He worked for a “big company” doing who knows what exactly? He could have been a stockbroker, an architect, a real estate agent, an attorney, an insurance salesman, or a slew of other professions. The point is, Ward’s specific job title or duties weren’t important to the narrative of the show. All that was needed was to show viewers that he was a hardworking provider for his family. Thus, the nature of his job was a backdrop.

In a sports romance, it is not enough to have a character be a current or former athlete for the story to be considered a sports romance. If the sports aspect of the story is unimportant and can easily be substituted by something else, then that’s not a sports romance. Rather, it’s a romance with an athletic character. Now, I know the arguments against this position but think about it.

Many of John Grisham’s stories and novels feature characters who are attorneys. It makes sense. His plots deal with the legal system. Being an attorney is a central aspect of many of his characters and plots. In Harper Lee’s American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, it is fitting that one of the major characters, Atticus Finch, is an attorney. Exchanging the professions in these books would create an overall different feel and direction for the stories. Now, what if Frank Kennedy in Gone with the Wind was an attorney? Would it matter to the story? Would it change any outcomes or character arcs? In Bridget Jones’ Diary, Mark Darcy is an attorney. How much does this impact the story? Suppose he was a wealthy run-of-the-mill philanthropist or business investor? Would that make any difference?

Another way to consider it is this. Suppose a story has a character who is a vampire, but that character is never shown doing anything “vampirish.” Instead, the story focuses on retrieving a lost treasure and the only reason the vampire is relevant is because he/she was alive when the treasure was originally lost. The vampire poses no threat to the recovery of this treasure or any other characters in the story. He/she is simply there to provide expository information to the other characters. This wouldn’t be considered a vampire story.

Yet, that is only half of it. Just because a story is a sports romance does not mean it is chock full of sports jargon and Game Day scenes. I mean, it could be but not necessarily. On Netflix, there is a series titled Last Chance U. Its focus is on JUCO athletes. The majority of the show does concentrate on athletes participating in games and training. However, it also highlights their struggles with school and their personal lives. With some shifting, this show could spend more time emphasizing the educational aspect and still be equally interesting. The role of sports would be decreased but still prominent.

Some readers are put off from reading sports romances because they believe the text will be too technical for them to understand. Good and creative storytellers prevent that problem by presenting the sport in such a way that it can be understood by sports novices while not alienating sports enthusiasts. This reminds me of a conversation I had with two former neighbors some years ago. As I was entering my residence one Friday afternoon, one of the neighbors was standing outside speaking with another neighbor. I had been grocery shopping for a Saturday game day party. My neighbor, seeing the bags and being from a rival university, naturally tossed a few playful taunts my way. Smack talking is nothing for me; so, I gave it right back to him. In it, I mentioned that his team had no depth. The other neighbor’s eyes grew as wide as saucers (I hadn’t yet met him). “Listen to you,” he said. To which the first neighbor applied, “Oh, man, she knows her stuff.” (Well, of course, I do. *big eye roll* It’s so sexist and antiquated to think a woman can’t talk sports, but I digress.) So, once the second neighbor realized I could hold my own, he decided to have a go at me. Everyone was laughing and having a good ole ha-ha and kee-kee when the second man’s wife (who I also had not met) came outside and ventured across the lawn to join the bunch. Only, this beautiful woman wasn’t a happy camper. She had an issue…with me…because I had her husband’s full attention. And she clearly had no inkling of what is going on in the conversation and felt left out. Well, that wasn’t my fault, but okay.

What did I do? I changed my language. I began speaking in a way that she could follow the conversation without feeling patronized—something that it seemed her husband had never done. I was able to include her. The basics of many sports aren’t that complex and can be learned in a couple of minutes if one is interested. I convey this to readers who may be hesitant to give sports romances a try.

Okay, okay, I know what some people might be thinking at this point—that I’m biased towards sports romance. I won’t disagree with that. For that reason, it is only fair that I list reasons that a person may want to avoid picking up a sports novel for their next vacation read or rainy afternoon pastime.

First, sports romances aren’t for everyone. Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s post is just a reminder that I have a story coming out next Tuesday. If you love cowboys and vampires and ex-military men and post-apocalyptic worlds, served with a heavy dose of eroticism, this one might be for you! It’s the first in a trilogy of Texas Vampires books!

Her Sanctuary

A woman surviving on the edge of a dark frontier strikes a sensual bargain with a handsome stranger hiding a dangerous secret…

In a post-apocalyptic future, creatures who’ve hidden in the shadows for millennia are freed to roam in a world shrouded in darkness. Rancher Kate McKinnon runs Sanctuary Ranch—a last refuge on the western frontier. While running herd over her cowhands and integrating refugees into their self-sufficient refuge, she escapes her responsibilities the only way she has left—via radio to pockets of other survivors. One man, Ty Bennett, is her confidante, and she thinks she might be falling in love with his deep, rasping voice. Although they’ve never met, he seems to know her heart.

On a patrol to scavenge supplies, Kate and her cowboys are surrounded by a gang of renegades intent on claiming her. Rescue comes unexpectedly by a militaristic band led by the man she’s spent so many hours talking to through the dark nights. She brings him home only to discover she’s brought vampires inside the refuge.

Already half in love with the human woman, Ty offers added muscle to her defenses and promises to move her people to safety. Fighting his own nature and appetites, he seeks redemption for his many sins but can’t control his hunger to possess Kate. Getting past her prejudice and choking responsibilities tests his seductive powers.

Pre-order your copy here!

Open Contests

1. Help me build my “Workout Playlist” (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Michal Scott: One Good Wreath Deserves Another (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. I’m still building my workout playlist! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
4. A Very Wicked Witch… (Puzzle-Contest) — Win a FREE book!
5. Diana Cosby: Nature ‒ Muse Inspiration! (Contest) — Win a SIGNED book!
6. Monday, Monday… (Contest) — Win a hand-painted postcard!

UPDATE: The winner is…Angel Shaw!
*~*~*

Da-dah, da-da-da-da… Is the song in your head now? You can thank me.

We’re excited here. Three of the kids are back in school today. We’ll see how long that lasts! Thankfully, our school enacted a mask mandate. For now, the house is quiet, and I’m hoping I’ll have more “me” time to do all the things I need to do…like write a dang book by the end of the month, edit four projects, and make some art.

I’m one of the “artists” (cough, gag) who will be showing in town in October at the art festival. Still don’t know how they selected me. I mean, we have some seriously good artists in this area. I hope to fill up my 10×10 space inside my tent with pieces people might like to hang in their house (I’d be thrilled to appear in someone’s bathroom!).

I have some older pieces I can use, but I’m trying to produce more. It’s been very slow-going. Like, only two new pieces so far. Want to take a look?

I made this one last night. I love it. Yeah, it’s all beige-y, but it works for me. It’s a water-doodle (watercolor and pen).

This one was done with soft pastel sticks.I had so much fun with it. Working with pastels makes me feel like a kid in kindergarten making a big mess.

Anyway, this is what I’ll be doing in the evenings after I finish work for the next two months.

Do y’all have any big projects in the works? Answer for a chance to win a hand-painted postcard from me. 🙂

UPDATE: The winner is Colleen C!
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©Diana Cosby 2021

I love writing stories, and taking photos of nature is how I refill my muse.  Nature’s beauty is inspiring.

I enjoy the gorgeous flowers of summer, which are a beautiful backdrop for photos of butterflies.

Each day when I head out on my morning walks, I never know what animals or birds I’m going to see.

With dragonflies gliding through the gentle wind currents or resting on dried sticks, they seem to be soaking up the summer sun.

At the pond, the newborn chicks have hatched and are flying about, with a myriad of flowers swaying in the breeze along the shore.

It’s always a treat to see the red-eared slider turtles.  I usually find them basking on logs in the sun, enjoying the summer day.  Take care, and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Contest

ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my guest blog post about, ‘Nature ‒ Muse Inspiration!’ on Delilah’s blog between 15 August 2021– 22 August 2021, and will win a signed copy of His Woman.

About the Author

A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series have been translated into five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series and The Oath Trilogy, she released the bestselling The Forbidden Series.

Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
The Oath Trilogy
MacGruder Brother Series
The Forbidden Series