I’ve been a writer and avid reader since I first discovered my love of science fiction and all things Star Wars at the age of 11 or 12, a passion that evolved to encompass paranormal and horror in my teens when I found Stephen King and Anne Rice. Eventually, my tastes further grew to incorporate romance and erotica, and now my own writing is a strange hodgepodge of all the above-mentioned genres.

Despite having harbored a love of writing for so long, I’m aware that no one has heard of me. It took me a  long time to stop listening to the voice in my ear telling me to pursue something “practical” and do what I genuinely love. And then, of course, life happened. I joined the Navy shortly out of high school, and during that period, I did a lot of reading—I fell absolutely in love with the Harry Potter novels—but one thing I didn’t do a lot of was writing. After separating from active duty and getting married in 2006, I promptly began having children. I started writing again but didn’t attempt to publish anything. I experienced quite a bit of “success”—as embarrassing as it is to say now—as a Twilight fanfiction author, and that’s when I discovered J.R. Ward and the paranormal romance genre. Around the same time, I entered a writing contest judged by New York Times bestselling novelist Cassandra Clare, who chose my entry as a finalist.

I had just begun an original paranormal romance novel when, once again, life got in the way. I ended up divorced rather suddenly with two small children in tow, and I had to figure out how to start over. Since then, I’ve had other major life hurdles. I’ve gone back to school. Twice. First, I went to one of those vocational schools to obtain my medical assisting certification (I needed something fast). Then I pursued my BA in English from the University of Texas, almost a full twenty years after most people obtain their bachelor’s degrees. In the meantime, I’ve opted to remain single, worked to support my children as a medical assistant, and finally, years after my divorce, managed to complete a publishable novel. You might be wondering what the point of all of this is. I suppose I just wanted to encourage people not to give up on their dreams, despite their circumstances. It’s not too late to go back to school—and believe me, I very much felt like Melissa McCarthy in Life of the Party—and to finally complete a novel, if that’s your desire. At one point, I was getting up at 4 AM, and sometimes even 3 AM, to get in a little bit of writing before I had to get ready for work or class. I may not be making any money off my writing yet, but I have the satisfaction of my perseverance. I have every confidence that it will pay off, eventually.

My debut novel, The Infiltrator, is a romance/dystopian catered to readers of action-y, grittier romances who enjoy an unstable, flawed alpha male teaming with a smart, tough female to overcome obstacles. A virus has rendered humanity mostly extinct. Keira Starr is alone, staying alive by staying on the run, sleeping in empty gas stations and the trunks of cars long abandoned on the highway. The world is overrun by “Ghosts,” the mindless, bloodthirsty dead, but they are the least of her problems. She is being hunted by ragtag groups of ruthless men, independent contractors for a mysterious human trafficking ring. When she is finally captured, she discovers that Derrick Caine, despite his gruff demeanor and appearance, may have a different agenda altogether.

The Infiltrator

The Infiltrator is always free on Kindle Unlimited, but from 8/10 to 8/14, I’m offering a FREE promotional download. I hope you’ll check it out! Reviews are always welcome and appreciated.

Kari

Oh, and hit me up on Twitter! I’d love to hear from you! I need some romance novel recs – preferably with a paranormal edge!
https://twitter.com/KA_Raines
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54433525-the-infiltrator
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100052614996318

~~Romance with a sparkling twist~~
~~author and lunch lady—what a combination~~

When I first self-published I needed some short tag line thingie to represent my writing. At that time, I wrote fantasy romance, filling my tales with a number of fey races, coming from an assortment of different worlds. These books formed the bedrock of my Keltic Multiverse.

So, I needed my one-liner to reflect that. I started with “romance with a twist”. Good. Okay. But just wasn’t “it”. I polled a few writer friends, and they told me since I love sparkles so much, that needed to be included. The sparkling twist was born. Romance with a sparkling twist suited me and the stories I love to tell.

Then somewhere along the line, the second statement came into existence. I can’t really remember how or why. But it also speaks to me of who I am—both in the regular world and in my writerly guise. Author and lunch lady—a simple enough description of what I do and who I am. But just those words, written like that, sound and look like a boring social media job listing. Although my life may actually be a little boring, I don’t need to advertise it! Isn’t it amazing what just adding “what a combination” does for my boring life?

It’s a combination that works well for me. For the time being. One never knows when a change-up might happen.

For instance, I no longer write strictly speculative romance. I’ve been staying down to earth and in a reasonably normal world with contemporary romance like Fortunate Cookie, a part of a multi-author series. Cookie releases in a couple of weeks, and now I’m busy planning my next Aspen Gold Series book.

For this next book, I’m also going back to my comfortable fantasy roots and bringing the Keltic Multiverse to a modern-day Colorado tourist town. This new book will definitely be romance with a sparkling twist!

Until that book is done, enjoy Cookie or any of the Aspen Gold Series books. And hey, the first six are available to read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Can’t beat that!

 Cookie

This woman. Wearing frosting. And nothing else…

Cookie Lamont owns a successful cupcake shop in Spencer’s trendy tourist center. Life would be perfect if not for the escalating unwanted attention from a self-important town trustee. She has everything she needs—and a man is the last thing on her mind.

Until he walks into her shop.

Treehouse builder and TV personality Anthony Burnham returns to Spencer and finds focus building cabins for a new camp. His passion for treehouses is rekindled as a sweet, sexy new love blooms.

But the past haunts his steps and threatens his growing relationship with the alluring baker.

Excerpt from Fortunate Cookie…

Coffee order hovering on his lips, Tony rose and, drawn like a moth to flame, moved toward the counter. A young woman had bent behind the clear display case, placing cupcakes in precise rows on a colorful tray. “Uh, excuse me?”

“Yikes.” She jerked and stuck her thumb into the thick, creamy white icing on a dark cupcake. “Well, shi— shoot.”

“I’m sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I, uh…” Words failed him when she straightened and looked at him with wide, chocolate-brown eyes. Dark hair, tucked up in a messy bun, highlighted her fair complexion. The contrast was a study in perfection. She lifted her hand as if to brush back a stray hair but stared instead at her frosting covered finger.

He had the insane desire to pull that finger into his mouth and lick off every bit of sweetness.

Seeming to pull herself together, she pasted on a perfect customer service smile and reached for a towel. “Hi, welcome to Cookie’s Coffee & Cakes. What can I get for you?”

He couldn’t look away. Her soft gaze held him in thrall. He wanted nothing, nothing but… “Coffee.”

Her pasted-on smile softened to a true grin. “Plain or fancy?”

Regaining some semblance of composure, Tony gave his order in a well-practiced manner.

She turned without comment and started his drink. He hadn’t specified a size, so was filled with relief when she grabbed the largest cup. Rooted in place, he watched her economical movements. When she placed the coffee on the counter, he pointed to the ruined cupcake. “Since I caused that, I’ll take the cupcake, too.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. One of the tribulations of baking. It’s not the first time I’ve worn frosting. It won’t be the last.”

The suddenness of the vision filling his brain made him draw a sharp breath. This woman. Wearing frosting. And nothing else. He gave his head a quick shake but couldn’t shake the thought from his brain—or his uncomfortably interested body. He cleared his throat. “Still, in this case, I’d love that cupcake for breakfast.”

*~*~*

Fortunate Cookie (Aspen Gold Series Book Eleven) will be available August 25^th at your favorite booksellers. Until then, check out the Aspen Gold Series at www.aspengoldseries.com or follow us on Facebook  www.facebook.com/aspengoldseries

*lizzie’s Official Bio

*lizzie starr always made up games and stories to keep her company. So, a cunning witch lived in Grampa’s weather research station and was only held at bay by waving a certain weed. An ancient road grader morphed into a boat carrying wild adventurers to islands filled with fierce lions and dangerous cannibals, which really looked a lot like sheep. When her 6th-grade teacher read to the class, *lizzie discovered the knights of old, Hobbits, and traveling through space and time. Her first written tales delved into fantasy worlds, and she passed many literature classes by handing in stories instead of essays.

Even though she’d turned up her nose at her mother’s love stories, long night shifts at a nursing home drew her to the facility’s library. There she discovered that romance made tales of fantasy and science fiction more delightful, and the focus of her writing expanded.

Filled with fantasy, love, and romance with a sparkling twist, the stories of her imagination swirl their way into the mundane world and into her reader’s hearts.

When *lizzie must return to a more routine life, she’s *the Lunch Lady* at a private school. Author and lunch lady~~what a combination!

www.lizziestarr.com
www.facebook.com/authorlizziestarr
https://twitter.com/lizziestarr
https://www.amazon.com/*lizzie-starr/e/B003F33Y0W
https://www.instagram.com/lizistarr/

As a writer, you’re only as good as your editing.

Misspellings, misuse of homonyms, and horrible punctuation will ruin even the greatest stories, and yet, there are times when our brains simply can’t figure out how to fix what’s so obviously wrong.

Take me, for instance. Back in 2005, I’m about seven months pregnant in the summertime in San Antonio, Texas.

For those who’ve never had the experience of walking around in the 100+ degree heat while in your last trimester of pregnancy, consider yourselves blessed. That along with my pregnancy brain in full force, it was truly amazing I never forgot to put pants on every day.

One of the writing organizations I belonged to at the time was the Association of Health Care Journalists. Back when people posted to message boards and Yahoo loops, I posted a response to a question from a fellow member that went out to everyone in the organization.

For whatever reason, I had to use the word “subtle” in my response. I couldn’t tell you what the question was or why I needed to use that particular word, but that day, I could not spell it. And when I said I couldn’t spell it, I mean, just that.

I tried. S..u…t?

Wait. That’s not right. S…u…t..t..l..e?

Shaking my head, I took a deep breath and tried again.

S…u…t…

And again.

S…u…(exhale)…t? Dammit!

I closed my eyes and attempted to let my fingers sail across the keyboard, hoping that part of my (pregnant) brain would kick in and spell the word subconsciously.

Nope. That didn’t work.

Spellcheck?

Nope, it kept correcting to settle, scuttle, or shuttle.

After spending a good ten minutes on this one word, I said screw it and sent it out into the professional writing world, knowing I’d misspelled it. My brain and body were simply too tired to care, but I knew I’d hear from someone.

And I did.

Within a few hours, I got a private message stating, “By the way, it’s subtle.”

That’s right! There’s a B in the middle of it.

I could’ve been totally annoyed, but whatever. One stinking mistake didn’t make me a failure. I emailed back, explaining I tried for ten minutes to spell the word and my pregnancy brain simply wouldn’t have it.

The response I received couldn’t have been scripted. She wrote, “Really? I’m the editor for *Fit Pregnancy Magazine. We’re doing a survey on pregnancy brain. Are you having a boy or girl?”

I wrote back, telling her we were having a girl and decided I might as well bite the bullet and pitch her a short story for their “How I told him” page.

And she bought it.

These are the kinds of real situations I make sure to include in my stories. Whether I’m writing about a family who lives in the Texas Hill Country, a woman who’s navigating her life after running out of her wedding, or a group of doctors and nurses re-inventing themselves in Montana, those real, insane, imperfect events have to be my favorites. It makes true escapism so worth it and if I may say, my wonderfully flawed characters are waiting to sweep you off to their imaginary worlds.

How’s that for some subtle self-promo?

Check out Patricia on social media and her website (that’s getting a facelift right now).
www.patriciawfischer.com
FB: www.facebook.com/PatriciaWFWriter
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pawf1067
IG: www.instagram.com/PatriciaWFischerauthor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/PatriciaWF
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-W.-Fischer/e/B00A7DWSH8?ref=dbs_mng_calw_a_1
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/patricia-w-fischer

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Preston!
*~*~*

It wasn’t until recently I realized I was always a writer. I grew up as an only child in rural Indiana. I have always been curious, which fed my active imagination. It served me well as I was growing up, making otherwise mundane chores exciting.

I was writing stories before I fell in love with reading. That came much later. I had a stutter, so for years, I tied reading to the dreaded moments in class when we had to read aloud.

Then one day, my parents told me my pony was lonely. He was the only pony on a farm full of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses (plus one wayward Donkey named Jethro). They thought it would be a good idea to read to him. So I did, and without the stress of a class full of people listening, the stutter mattered less.

I haven’t stopped reading since I fell in love with it. As I got older, especially in law school, when I didn’t have the time to read, I would collect books and spend my breaks devouring everything I could. Anytime my stress level was high or I struggled with something in everyday life, reading was an escape. Writing was cathartic.

I took a gap year between graduating college and going to law school. I continued to work in a legal department for corporate compliance and spent any downtime writing my first complete story as my dad continued to encourage me to publish. What he didn’t know is that I had been looking for an agent or publisher. I have a stack of rejections to prove it. I had always written for me. I had no idea what it meant to publish a book or if I should.

It became obvious in law school that the career I had always thought I wanted wasn’t going to make me happy. Remember that fear I had of reading aloud? Totally forgotten as I would be in class, writing the sequel to the story I had written the year before. Getting called on was an annoyance that interrupted my writing. Around this time, I got my first e-reader and started to read Indie authors. It was life-changing.

As I left law school, it was like diving into unknown waters and life threw me a few curveballs. I met my future husband during my final year of law school. Then my dad got sick. When he died, my muse went with him. Grief is fickle, at a time when I needed a story to get lost in, I couldn’t find the words to create one. I was raw, and reading helped me cope.

Very slowly, the muse returned. Almost cautiously, like she was unsure if I was ready. I attended my first book convention and standing in line, waiting to meet Penny Reid, it hit me full force that I wanted to be on the other side of the table. I went to two more book conventions that year and would self-publish my first book that fall.

When my muse came back, she was stronger and more resilient. The doubts and fears were gone. Suddenly, it didn’t seem so scary to share the worlds I create. Loss had created a new perspective, and I jumped in headfirst to the unknown.

August 8th will be the third anniversary of publishing my debut book, When You Were Mine. It took almost two years, but the sequel, Mine For Now, released this June. I have met so many amazing people along the way. I know that I still have a lot to learn, mistakes to make, books to write, incredible books to read, and readers to meet, and I’m looking forward to it all.

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My Links:
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Life brings challenges. We all know that, right? As we find ourselves doing battle with a terrible virus that has swept the globe, it’s caused many of us to wake up and realize what’s truly important in life. Family and friends top that list. Without them, we struggle. I know that too well. A few years ago, I found myself floundering. Some big life things hit me, and I lost my love of writing. I even lost my passion for reading. I’ve always been a reader, and yet, I didn’t care about those fictional worlds anymore. Then the dreaded menopause monster kicked me while I was down, sucking the life right out of me. I honestly thought my writing days were over and that sent me into a downward spiral. After all, without writing, what am I? All those story ideas in my head, those characters talking to me every day had suddenly gone silent.

Writer’s block is the official term. Honestly, it was so much more than that.

I felt as if I had nothing that I could call my own. It’s a terribly dark place to be. The people in my life tried to help, but it’s a solitary journey, to tell the truth. It wasn’t until my health started to suffer, that I realized I needed to take control. I started with exercise, which inevitably led to eating better. My mood improved, and the mental fog began to clear. The story ideas started trickling in. Yes! Before I knew it, I was writing and reading again. I’m thankful for authors like Shannon McKenna, Laurann Dohner, Delilah Devlin, Nalini Singh, and Lucy Monroe for getting me through the darkest days. Their stories kept me sane.

And since August of last year, I’ve managed to release six brand new books. I’m proud of that accomplishment, but it’s only a drop in the bucket. My writer’s brain never sleeps now. And you won’t hear me complaining, lol. I’ve started a new steamy contemporary romance series titled, Men of Silverlake. The first three books are available for purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086XCR45Z And I’ve dipped my toes into the paranormal romance genre. I’m having such fun, too! The first two books in my Zenarian series can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084VLYQKT

Dyre: Zenarians, Book 3 (Coming Soon)

She will test his allegiance…

As the leader of the red guard, Dyre is aware that most Zenarians fear him. He’s often been forced to use that fear to uphold the six laws and protect the Zenarian race. With the rebel faction increasing their numbers every day, all his focus is centered on securing the mountain they call home from any and all threat. When he spots a human female much too close to their border, Dyre quickly captures her. His intention to interrogate the pretty brunette goes up in smoke the instant his wings encircle her small, curvy body. She stirs his creature. When Dyre notices the cuts and bruises littering her fair skin, he breaks protocol and brings her home.

Jade is on the run from the law. Or more accurately, the law according to Granger Wasser. As sheriff of Macone County, Granger has appointed himself judge and jury and everyone in town is too afraid to oppose him. When Jade turns down his marriage proposal, it sets off a chain reaction that forces her to flee to parts unknown. Imagine her surprise when she runs smack into a crimson-winged alien! His gentle touches ignite her blood and Jade wants nothing more than to surrender to the wildfire brewing between them. Still, Dyre is a man. And trusting a man is how she ended up falling down the rabbit hole to begin with.

Read more about the Zenarian race here: https://www.annerainey.com/zenarians-series

Find me and say hi:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annerainey
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/annerainey15
Website: https://www.annerainey.com/ –download the first chapter *free* of all my books!

Happy reading,
Anne Rainey

Research: Whatever it takes

One of the questions I get asked the most is, “Do you do a lot of research for your novels?”

The answer is an enthusiastic YES. I write historical fiction, women’s fiction, and romantic suspense/thrillers. Part of the fun of writing a book (for me, anyway) is the research. Yes, it’s fiction, so I can just make stuff up, but I enjoy the journey of experiencing new things—and the challenge of finding a way to do it.

For my latest book Presidential Advantage, I wanted to get an inside look at the White House. Not the easiest place in the world to just drop by for a visit, right? But where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Luckily, I used to be a newspaper reporter, so I applied for press credentials to attend the Medal of Freedom ceremony in the East Room. That event was followed by an official COVID-19 press conference with the Vice President in attendance, so of course, I stayed around for that.

I have to admit, it was a little intimidating standing shoulder to shoulder with the news anchors you see every day on television. Presidential Advantage is about a First Lady who is thrust into the world of politics (and the Secret Service agent who rescues her), so I wanted to be able to provide historical background on the White House from her point of view.

The best part of the day was when I got to go behind the blue sliding door you sometimes catch a glimpse of when the president (or some other high-ranking official) enters the James S. Brady Briefing Room. (I’m not going to go into any detail on what’s there…Top Secret).

If you think getting into the White House is taking a big step for research, it wasn’t my biggest test of faith. For my Phantom Force Tactical Series, I wanted to be able to write authentically about shooting a military-grade weapon out of a helicopter.

So, I did.

The opportunity came when I attended A Girl and A Gun conference in Texas. I didn’t do too bad at hitting targets while hanging out of a fast-moving, dipping, diving helicopter either. It was a blast!

I’m sure some authors are more comfortable (and creative) just making things up, but I need to see, feel, hear, taste, and touch things to make them real for the reader.

I’ve also flown a few hundred feet off the ground in a Vietnam-era Huey and slept in an open field with a few thousand Civil War reenactors surrounding me, all in the name of research.

The fact that I get to experience these things in order to provide hours of entertainment and escape for my readers is why I think being an author is the greatest job in the world!

PRESIDENTIAL ADVANTAGE

An unsuspecting First Lady must rely on a Secret Service agent to discover who can be trusted—and who will do anything to keep control.

WHEN A SHY, country girl from Virginia marries a prominent Georgetown attorney, her life is bound to change. But when that attorney is catapulted to the office of President of the United States, she is thrust into the position of First Lady—and uncovers a world of secrets and betrayals that alters everything she once knew.

After recovering from her initial missteps and negotiating the obstacles of her new public life, Elizabeth Collins begins to understand the nature of politics. But as another election approaches, turmoil in the White House intensifies. Leaks. Lies. Deceit. Deception. People the First Lady thought were friends desert her and the true character of people she thought she knew is revealed.

When the stakes become life and death, the First Lady uncovers the ultimate betrayal and is forced to come to terms with her own role in the political process. Only with the help of Secret Service Agent Clint Brody can she hope to find her way out of danger—and uncover the identity of the real traitor in the White House.

PRESIDENTIAL ADVANTAGE BUY LINKS:
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088CS9WV4
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/presidential-advantage-jessica-james/1137023047?ean=2940164077020
iBooks https://books.apple.com/us/book/presidential-advantage-operation-first-lady/id1515085528?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/presidential-advantage-operation-first-lady
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1021768?ref=jessicajames
Draft 2 Digital https://books2read.com/u/3LDodN
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jessica_James_Presidential_Advantage?id=aI7mDwAAQBAJ

My dd traveled to Virginia to visit her dad for ten days. She took the three girls. Yes, they brought their own food, wore masks, used hand sanitizer constantly, and yes, her dad has been very carefully self-isolating throughout the crisis, so I’m not worried about that.

She left me with the “the boys.” Her hubby and the sixteen-year-old son. Does the picture make better sense now?

Does this one help clarify? While Mom’s away…

No? Then let me explain.

I remember reading a book some time ago (I still think I have a copy somewhere) called Brain Sex. It describes the fundamental differences between a male brain that gets washes of testosterone (the first happening in the womb), which destroy certain connections between the left and right halves of men’s brains, and an undamaged female brain. Well, the author didn’t really say men are brain-damaged, but that was my conclusion. I’ve had years of observations to prove my theory.

Being the good mom she is, who runs her household with as much precision as she can with four children, nine dogs, five cats, etc., she sat the boys down before she left and explained the schedule of daily activities they had to complete for the upkeep of the home and animals.

So, why is it that since she left, I have to constantly follow them around like a deranged drill sergeant to ensure everything is being handled? Short of blasting a bullhorn in the morning to make sure everyone is up at a decent hour, I’m the timekeeper as well as the drill sergeant.

I mean, seriously, guys? How many times can you walk past a clothes basket filled with towels to be folded before you notice it and take it upstairs? Or to empty the dehumidifier with the red light you pass a dozen times before you go, “Oh! I better empty it!”

So, I have to keep a schedule with tick marks to make sure plants are watered, horses and goats are watered and fed, dogs are walked routinely, the floor is vacuumed,  the trash is taken out… I’m not getting a ton of writing done, which had been my hope.

So, my question is, Does this situation resemble your home situation? Do you believe, as I do, that men are brain-damaged and perhaps, incapable of remembering to get their dirty clothes into a hamper and delivered to the washing machine? Just askin’. 🙂

Comment for a chance to win your choice of ebook from among my huge backlist of books!