Putting the Muse on hold.

I'm jumping in for a quick blog although my days are actually August 15 and 30. I have sold my home and am moving into a beautiful retirement apartment building. Not a care facility! My new suite overlooks the sea - a million dollar view.

My muse is on hold until I am settled in my new home. However, I am going on a short cruise from Vancouver to Skagway, and one of my writer friends is joining me. We are plotting a series - very different story lines from what we usually write. That should be fun.

My historical romance, A Very Difficult Man, is now available in trade paperback as well in the e-pub edition, both from Cerridwen Press. The cover is beautiful. There's a gypsy fortune teller in my story, that's her crystal ball on the cover.

I hope to have time to blog on August 15th. Depends if my brain can cope with planning to move - packing, sorting, throwing stuff away - what to keep, what not to keep.

Anita
www.anitabirt.com

The Importance of Passion

I just read Bleak House by Charles Dickens -- and watched the BBC movie so I could figure out what was going on -- and read Spark notes to make sure what I thought was going on really did.

One of the themes is the importance of passion. It’s like fire, dangerous but necessary. The word makes us think of heavy breathing, gasps, and sighs, but it’s also a main component of motivation. Lack of passion and interest is essentially death. Ever done a job you weren’t passionate about? Didn’t the time go very slowly? Passion gives you that can’t wait to get out of bed feeling in the morning (not just the can’t wait to get into it at night).

It’s what makes us good writers. So what happens when we sit at the keyboard and feel no passion? As the pilot of Apollo 13 said, “Houston, we have a problem.” Passion is the lifeblood of fiction. The reader wants to feel what the characters feel. I recommend reading Christopher Vogler’s “The Writer’s Journey.” In it, he says good writing makes our juices flow. Sounds gross but it’s true. We’ve got to feel that stuff percolating while we type so the reader feels it when she reads it. Amazing how passion stays locked up in those little words, isn’t it? Just sitting there, waiting to be read, or re-read if it’s a keeper.

So have you lost your passion? Never fear. There is help.

-Drink some java or take a jog to get the heart pumping.
-Take a break. Fatigue and burn-out kill passion. Recharge. Better yet, take a little trip for a change of scene.
-Watch an emotional movie. Get out the tissues and have a good wail.
-Watch a soap opera and watch the facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice -- and how they all converge to convey emotion.
-Face your fears. Have an issue you’re burying so it can’t hurt you? Dig it up and feel it so you can feel and write again. Writing is cathartic.

May passion be with you!

Afton Locke
www.aftonlocke.com

Interview with Hero Sloane Hoffman from "Sexy Games"

New release, "Sexy Games" by April Ash, is an erotic romance book with Sloane Hoffman and Stacy Newman testing new games for the Naughty Games Company...a company that specializes in adult games. They're required to don costumes and role-play different scenarios. And, sex is involved.

Q: Sloane, why did you decide to test games?
A: Two reasons. I wanted to satisfy my father's request, and once I saw Stacy again and knew she'd be my testing partner, I couldn't say no.

Q: I, heard a rumor that Stacy wasn't very anxious to have you as her partner. Am I wrong?
A: (Sloane squirms in his chair) Stacy was mad at me, and rightfully so. We'd spent an incredible night together and I kinda left her in a hurry. Without a word. Sorta fled in panic. But, she warmed up to the idea pretty quickly and we both were happy about that.

Q: What kind of woman do you like to date?
A: Up until Stacy, I'd say one that I know deep down inside I won't have trouble walking away from. My bachelor radar was always on, always alert so I wouldn't get too close to anyone.

Q: What about Stacy?
A: Is it getting hot in here? (Sloane runs his finger around the inside of his collar) Stacy's, well, different. I wanted her and didn't want anyone else to have her. She was always stuck in the back of my mind and drove me crazy.

Q: Tell me about the first game you played, "Hot Sands".
A: I got to be a sheik and wear a costume consisting of a turban, vest and pantaloons that the game testing people developed. A little scratchy at first, but I didn't wear them long. Anyway, Stacy and her costume distracted me from any discomfort.

Q: Game number two? "Teach Me"?
A: (Big grin appears on Sloane's face) I had to play a nerdy professor, naive about the world of strippers and lap-dancing. Stacy had this really suggestive costume, and... (Sloane's eyes glaze over) Oh. Yeah. I wore this dumb bowtie and suit. She had these pasties with tassels, and plastic fish swimming around in her very high clear heels, and, well, we didn't keep the costumes on too long.

Q: Last game..."The Lady and Her Butler".
A: Interesting one. I got to be the experienced butler guiding a novice and pure "lady" through the pleasures of lovemaking. (Sloane laughs) Stacy's character sure caught on fast. We got to do this tub scene...well, I've always loved water sports.

Q: So, what happens at the end?
A: (Sloane shakes a finger at me) Now that's something you'll have to find out by reading the book. Obstacles always creep into romance, and ours is no different.

Q: Anything else we should know about you or "Sexy Games"?
A: Hmm. (Sloane leans in near me and whispers) Well, there are other creative ways we satisfy our passion, but...read the book! I don't "kiss and tell" everything!

"Sexy Games", by April Ash, is now available from Ellora's Cave:

http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419922978

A blurb and excerpts are at:
www.aprilash.net 

A sagging middle

No, not mine. If it is I'd never admit it....I really mean the dreaded middle of the book when you need a dramatic episode or two to make the transition between the first scene and the last. Those two I generally have firmly in mind and can set on paper almost as soon I decide on a new book. It's the middle, the damned middle, that gives me fits every time.

Sometimes an idea comes to me in the middle of the night, and I lie there repeating it in my head so I'll remember it in the morning. Often I do, and with a germ of an idea can go ahead. Sometimes I forget by morning, and then I'm in trouble. Can't make notes at night since the light would wake my husband. As a lot of you know, he's not been well. Anyway I wish I could think better in the day time. Seems I need to be half asleep to get the old subconscious to take over.

Do you all do this, or something like it? My subconcious definitely works better at night, especially if I repeat the problem to myself several times before falling asleep. Last night I wrestled with how to make the hero look good even while the villain breaks through the protection he's put around her and injures her. Blast if I don't at least give myself interesting problems.

This new book is Twin Quest Two, hopefully to be no. five in the Songs of the Mages series. Jono is the playboy twin who's abjured his mages powers, and is now wanting to reform so he can claim and also help the heroine. It's going to take a lot of convincing, because he's been a very bad boy. Needless to say it's a book I'm enjoying writing. Always love to really delve into a character, and who doesn't like bad boys trying to reform?. Doesn't hurt a bit if he happens to be handsome and a real charmer...Its proof of the old saying twisted around, it's not love of a good woman a man needs, but love FOR her.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN

Babies in the Bargain
Author: Mona Risk
Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Release Date: July 3, 2009
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5
Format: EBOOK/PRINT

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is one novel that pulls you into the story and holds you captive to the last page. My heart broke for Marc and the touching way little Paulito comes into his life. At the same time, the baby forces Holly to acknowledge her feelings for Marc – feelings she’s been trying hard to ignore. Mona Risk delves into the intense life and death situation babies in the NICU face and tempers that overwhelming emotion with a high intensity romance in a storyline that will truly touch the reader’s heart.

BABIES IN THE BARGAIN, sweet and spicy, in the genre of ER and Gray's Anatomy: New release at The Wild Rose Press.

Buy link: at TWRP
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/babies-in-the-bargain-p-1298.html

At Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Babies-Bargain-Mona-Risk/dp/1601545142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246659781&sr=1-1

At Barnes and Noble:http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Babies-In-The-Bargain/Mona-Risk/e/9781601545145/?itm=1

Short Synopsis:
With only one year left to complete her medical training in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not the drop-dead gorgeous Dr. Marc Suarez who broke her heart seven years ago.

When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?

Excerpt:

He sucked in a deep breath. Had he been so insensitive? Judging by the shadow of sadness in her eyes, he’d made a real mess back then. Damn it. “I’m sorry if I hurt you. That was never my intention.”

“It’s all in the past,” she said in the soothing voice she probably used with the parents of her little patients. She didn’t even seem to resent him. But he knew better. She had avoided him as if he could transmit germs on sight.

Her head tilted to the side, she stared at him like a porcelain statue, beautiful but cold. His fingers clenched on his fork to refrain from caressing her hair. She hadn’t asked for explanations, but as a doctor, he felt the need to disinfect old wounds.

“Let me explain the scene you’d witnessed. Several girls came to say goodbye. Some of these women were quite aggressive. But none was special to me. They hugged and kissed and wished me the best. That was it. I couldn’t throw them out when they were just being nice. Beside I was going away the next day.” He covered her fisted hand. It slowly relaxed. “You were the only one I wrote to.”

“A few lines to tell me you were extremely busy.” She pushed the croutons of her salad to the side of her plate with nervous little taps.

“I was. Honestly. My father’s health was failing. And then both my sister and Carlos had some, hmm, problems. But I wrote again as soon as I could.”

“Three letters in a year. Not that I’m blaming you. I didn’t have a free minute myself.”
He didn’t like her bitter smile. He tried to capture her gaze, but she kept looking at the damn croutons as if she were studying a medical sample.

“But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about you. In fact there wasn’t a day that I didn’t think about you.”

“Come on.” She raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

“Oh, yes. At least for the first two years,” he specified, a thorny regret twisting his insides.

“When you never answered my last letter, I gave up and started flirting right and left to forget you.”

“That I can well imagine.” A sarcastic smile played on her lips.

She certainly didn’t harbor a good opinion about his character. He wasn’t at liberty to divulge the series of scandals his family had faced and the shame that muddied the Suarez name until he had repaired the damage. But he could at least explain his compulsive search for fun. An effective antidote to the troubles that had poisoned his life.

“Holly, you know firsthand that medicine is a tough field. The long hours, the stress. I was working like a madman. I saw death on a regular basis.” And an alcoholic father in a wheelchair, pathetic and loud. “I never thought twice about taking a bit of pleasure wherever I could find it. It was all part of the hectic life, part of growing up.”

Her lips puckered in a grimace. “No shit. I’m used to medical stress, Marc. I’m still in deep water now.”

“Yes, I know.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “But I’ve changed now. Trudging the poor areas of San Juan forced me to see life differently. And the old problems were settled.”

“You don’t have to.” She arched a skeptical eyebrow.

Words—even words from the heart—were not enough to convince her. He’d have to prove himself.

She flipped her hand in the air, in an I’ve-heard-it-all-before gesture. “I can deal with charming playboys. My father belonged to that club.”

“Your father? Is he...deceased?”

“To me. I haven’t seen him in twenty years. He left when I was ten and never asked for visitation rights.”

The bitterness of her words twisted at his guts. It was even worse than he thought. Holly was convinced he was nothing but a lecher, a younger version of her father.

“I’m sorry about your father. But for us, it was seven years ago. We’ve both changed. Matured.”
He knew he had. He didn’t need to flirt to forget the pain of losing his only brother. Having Holly with him was the only soothing his wounded soul hungered for. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

Holly’s heart somersaulted. Heat spread from her fingers, ran through her arm. His devastating smile was back in place, but without the hint of arrogance that used to put her on edge. A glint of affection reflected in his chocolate eyes.

Could it be possible?

“Yes, we have.” Under the table, she scraped her heels back and forth against the tiles. “Yes, of course. We’ve matured. You are the eminent anesthesiologist WCH hired, and I’m no longer a student.”

What was he getting at with these explanations and veiled apologies?

Would he ask her out again?

Good God, but this new Marc was more dangerous to her inner peace than the playboy of the past.

By the same author: To Love A Hero: At Jasmine Jade

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-6651-to-love-a-hero.aspx?skinid=13

At Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Hero-Mona-Risk/dp/1419958100/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246660182&sr=1-1

FRENCH PERIL: At Jasmine Jade
http://www.jasminejade.com/pc-7354-35-french-peril.aspx

At Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=French+Peril+by+mona+risk&x=16&y=20

Summer in Wales...

It's August, it's supposed to be summer. The forecasters, back in April, promised us a 'barbecue summer', with temperatures soaring and lots of glorious sun. A lot of folk decided they'd holiday in UK this year instead of going abroad. There were going to be lots of outdoor events. The International Eisteddfod was being held in Bala in August. It would be wonderful...



Now they are backtracking. July has had double the usual rainfall. There have been floods. A local carnival was cancelled because the field was knee-deep in mud. The Brecon Show has been called off, for the first time in 50 years! 'Ah', the forecasters are saying, 'it's very hard to predict the weather.'



I've got news for them. We KNEW that! If they wanted an accurate forecast, they should have said 'Well, it probably won't snow this summer,' and they'd have been right. (Well, right so far, anyway.)



But this is Wales, where we export rain. (Seriously, we do. There are valleys flooded to form reservoirs that feed the industrial centres like Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham with lovely Welsh rainwater.) So should we really believe anything the Metmen tell us? Of course we shouldn't. But we do. Every year we hope that this year will bring us the summers we remember from our misty youth, when every day dawned bright and warm, and even our parents cast off their woolly layers and basked in the heat. Dads in shorts, showing pasty white hairy shins. Mums in cotton summer frocks, but with a cardie kept handy just in case. And we would strip down to our bathing suits and frolic like lambs...



I'm sure it rained back then, as well, but we don't remember it. It was always sunny...



And my three-year-old grandson, born at the end of a blazing July, has yet to experience a real summer. Oh, well, there's always next year.

The Debate Continues

I'm a member of Romance Writers of America. I joined right after I finished my first novel four years ago. I wanted to enter their Golden Heart contest, a writing contest for completed romance manuscripts to be judged by other authors. I was too late ... but something good came of it. They led me to my local chapter of RWA and a wonderful group of authors who were willing to take me under their wing and show me the ropes of the publishing business. Romance authors are amazing that way. I also found the "Kiss of Death" chapter for writers of suspense (they're a scary group, always asking about guns, knives and poisons over their loop *vbg*) and the "Passionate Ink" chapter of erotic writers. Both excellent places to ask questions about my current book.

Anyhoodles, fast forward four years.

I'm still a member of RWA and I still love my homegirls and satellite chapters. But the national policies and support of the organization ... not so much. It seems "the old guard" wants to define what makes an author successful. Yes, their responsibility is to help guide a writer into making educated choices about publishers and avoiding the pitfalls and unethical practices of some people looking to make a buck from unsuspecting newbies in the publishing industry. I understand that and I commend them for taking that on.

What their job is NOT -- is determining whether a career path chosen by a writer is viable or worse ... correct.

RWA wants to define ethical practice by publishers as a model where the publisher pays an advance of at least $1000 to the author to contract their work. But no royalties are paid until the author has earned at least $1000 in royalties. The reason is that it guarantees the author at least that amount in payment for every book he/she contracts. The problem is that electronic publishing doesn't work this way.

No advances are given at time of contract, but the royalties are significantly higher than the 7% most authors make on print books. Many authors make a very good living publishing with electronic publishers. The problem with authors who publish electronically as RWA sees it, is that if authors were "career minded" rather than treating their writing as a hobby, they should not consider contracting with electronic publishers.

Excuse me?

I'm about as focused on my career as an author as any of my chapter mates. But currently my books are only electronic. Do I want to be in print? You betcha. Would I like to sell to a big NY house. Oh yeah. Would I like to have an agent working my books for me some day? In a heartbeat. Does the fact that I've signed with 2 electronic publishers mean this won't happen? Not on your life.

I have learned so much in the two years since I signed my first contract. I've learned to write tighter and created better stories. All the while collecting royalty checks that I may not have had if I waited for the publisher with advance.

I'm happy with my decision. I'd like to know I had the backing of RWA. In this age of digital everything it seems to me that the new board should look to the future of the industry and perhaps revamp the way they define a successful writing career.

Oh, and in celebration of my newest release BONDED BY NEED coming out August 7 from Ellora's Cave, I've got a new contest going on over at my
website. Stop on over and enter!