Carnal Awakening ~ Uncovered ~ Behind the Story

My book Carnal Awakening released today from Ellora's Cave . Yippeee!!!

I have a feature on my personal blog where I explore my books. The feature is called uncovered. This month I explored Carnal Awakening. This is the post I did on behind the story of Carnal Awakening.

So let’s get uncovered….

In this uncovered we will be talking about how the story Carnal Awakening came to be.This story came to me out of nowhere. I was actually working on another story when Shay - my heroine - came to me and demanded her story be told. She also let me know her story could not be told as one story but would be a series of stories. Imagine if you will a woman who knows what she wants but is unsure how to ask for it. I’ll be exploring Shay in another Uncovered later this month.

Once Shay came to me I let my mind wander. I knew that this story would have to have a lot of twists and turns. I worked out the plot and my mind raced then it came to me. There would be a special gift that leads to the awakening of these characters. A gift that is rare and beautiful. A gift that is used with grand romantic gestures. It says so much and yet not enough. But imagine if it had the ability to have a more active role in getting a couple together. A gift that would travel through realms to get where it needed to be to bring them together. Once they were together it is up to the couple where things lead.

As I built the gift and the world Shay and Mikhail inhabit I pushed the boundaries. Their world is one of passion, intrigue, and most of all an adventurous nature. Each has their own things they must face. Shay has to overcome her reservation, while Mikhail must realize duty and desire are both possible.

Carnal Awakening leads you on a path of not only a sensual awakening but also into the discovery of what is inside. There are a few other surprises thrown in and more to follow in the next books.

Come along for the exploration of Shay and Mikhail as they are awakened.

I leave you with this question. What is a moment of awakening you experienced?

Taige

In Memory of Chuck

“Once you leave this holy place and return to the human’s earth, not only can we no longer protect you, you may never find her. And even if you do what are the odds she will know you?”
“I will know her,” the big cat said quietly. “That is all that matters.”

Greetings Goddesses and Friends,
I’m going to write a bit today about Shardai.
This book won’t be out until January, and it’s not a Cerridwen Press release. But the writing of it was a personal journey. My twelve year old white cat developed cancer and died last year. To those of you who are pet lovers and have lost a dear friend you’ll empathize. To those of you who aren’t you’ll probably shake your heads as you read this. After my cat died I wanted him back, desperately. Out of that desire sprang Shardai.
Shardai is the story of a cat that passes on to a better world, but can’t stay because he knows his caregiver still grieves. It’s his journey back to find her.
Shardai will be released in January through WingsEpress, Inc.

A good book!

I'm sure that most of you who read this are as big a reader as I am. I love books. It is what brought me to writing. I could probably write more if I didn't read so much, but I refuse to walk away from a great book. In the last week I have read both Forbidden Pleasures and Hidden Agendas by Lora Leigh, Simon Says by Lori Foster, Satisfaction Guaranteed by Lucy Monroe, and Yes! I have started the final book in the Harry Potter series.
I find myself with mixed emotions as I read it. Eager to rush through and get done. Yet at the same time wanting to slow down and savor every word as it is the last book. I find that I am that way with most series that I read. I love series and eagerly anticipate the next book. But when the last one comes out I am reluctant to let go. They are characters that I have come to know and love and I don't want to say goodbye. My collection...books! LOL And yes, I do re-read them.
I have two series out with Ellora's Cave, Bare Love and Island Guardians. I like to read them so I tend to write them. So far the reception from readers has been warm and loving though I have had a few who were disappointed about one or two things. It is always tough to get that letter from someone who didn't like your work but I treasure them. They took the time to read it anyway and sometimes they actually include constructive criticism in there which is a gift! So thanks to all of you who write to us letting us know what you think.
Now that I have rambled on for a bit too long I guess that I will close with this: A wise woman always told me that life is only as boring as you allow it to be. The greatest journey you may ever take could be as close to you as opening the cover of a book. Adventure, travel and history at the tips of your fingers...It will take you anywhere you want to go. That wise woman just celebrated her 80th birthday and still enjoys a good book! So Grandma, I love you. Thanks for the greatest gift anyone ever gave me...my first book!

Lacey Thorn...slip in and unlace at www.lacythorn.com

My turn again

Good morning, everyone

It is my turn to blog again. I have to make this short and hopefully sweet, since I am at work, and people are already coming at me with projects that need to be done.

I feel good this morning because finally this weekend I started writing on my WIP again, for the first time in a long time. I only managed about 4 pages (single spaced) but that little bit got me excited about the story again. Here's the "elevator pitch" for you: a gladiator and a Vestal Virgin fall in love. Of course, there's a lot more to it than that, but that is it in a nutshell.

Are you interested, intrigued, making a note to buy it IF it gets published?? I sure hope so.

Later,
Kate Poole

Recuperating from the RWA National Conference

Woo-hoo! I finally made it into this site. Sorry I am so late, but the darn thing wouldn't let me sign in earlier today.

I think I have finally begun to recuperate from the RWA conference. It was the third one I've been to, and I should have remembered how tiring they can be. It seems as if you're always on the go -- to seminars, to luncheons, to get-togethers with chapters and now, for me, publishers. I always enjoy them and come home fired up to write!

Only . . . not this time. It seems as if promoting the book that has been published takes up so much of my energy and brain power, that I have not been able to get back to my WIP. And I have a critique group meeting next Wednesday. So, I had better get to it. As usual, though, I am at a connecting scene that will link some major scenes, and that is where I get stuck. I will just have to clear my emails, put on some Celtic music, and push through it, so I can get to the exciting part that comes next. I can always go back and spiff it up later.

Unlike Rita, who blogged yesterday, I am NOT a summer person. I am perfectly content to sit in a nice, cool air-conditioned room and let the rest of the world sweat. This weekend I will work on my next book (working title -- The Beast of Caledonia) and also write up the content for my website, so the designer can plug it in and maybe finally, finally, I will have my very own website!

See you next time when, hopefully, I will be able to give you my website address and you can visit me there. Till then, keep writing and reading (and sweating, if you like that sort of thing).

Kate Poole

Has my muse dried up?

I'm rather embarassed to admit this, but it's true. I've not had one creative idea to type on my laptop in more than a month now. I can blame it on a lot of different things, but ultimately summer weather is the true culprit. This time of year literally draws me outside to have fun in the sun. I love summer! Still, I can't help but feel guilty for this extended time away from writing - hence my blogging about it.

As I watch my fellow authors turn out book after book, my jealousy flares up - for about a minute. Then I take myself to the pool, swim a few laps, dive off the board once or twice just to prove I still can, then crawl out onto a hot lounge chair, a fluffy towel, soak up some rays and instantly I feel pretty darn good about myself and forget about being jealous of other's hard-earned writing succes. Last weekend my dh bought me a new bicycle, my first new bike in over 18 years! I've wanted a "cruiser" bike to take my dogs for a run in the mornings when the air is still cool. This morning I ran my dogs 8 miles (4 miles down & 4 miles back) on a quiet dirt road with only the local farmer's cows for witnesses. A golden ball of sun had just risen over dark green fields covered in light mist. Birds chirped in the trees overhead, my own private serenade to celebrate being alive.

So, why the guilty conscience? I'm not sure. Not many people live the wonderful life I do. Maybe it's my competitive nature. I *know* I'm blessed with so many things and I really *am* grateful. I have many talents, one of them being storytelling. I enjoy the process of creating characters and a plot that draws readers into my world. I love seeing my book on my publisher's website - what a THRILL! I love getting reviews, fan letters, and doing chats. When people ask me what I do, I really love telling them "I'm a writer". It's all good! But writing just to keep abreast with other authors is not what I want to do. I want to write for me, because the story inside me wants to be told, not squeezed out of me like an old tube of toothpaste.

Has my muse dried up? I don't truly think so, even though there are some days when I wonder if I'll ever write a story good enough to be published again. I prefer to think my muse (she has no name) has taken herself off on vacation for the summer, too. I don't mind her absence - for now - because I've got a horse waiting to gallop with me across the alfalfa field this afternoon. All too soon, the pool will close. As the days become shorter, darker and colder, rain and snow will be here, forcing me indoors. My laptop and no doubt - my muse - will be waiting there beside a steaming cup of coffee.

I'm going out now to enjoy the rest of this glorious, warm, sun-filled day. Hope you all get the chance to do the same. :-)

~Rita Sable

More on Silence

A couple days ago, Goddess Taige wrote about the need for peace and quiet--particularly when we've just reached a tense point in the book we're reading (or writing).

I'm willing to bet that none of us can remember the last time we had perfect silence. I'm not sure there's any such thing any longer--if there ever was. Even when the kids are out of the house, the TV and radio are off, and we're alone with ourselves, there's always something: cars going by outside, a siren, a dog barking, the hum of some appliance or other. In the office, it's our colleagues talking in the hallway, the fluorescent lights, the computers and printers and fax machines.

Some people seem to fear silence--they always have the TV or radio turned on even if they're not paying attention to it, or they have to talk even when there's no one there to listen to them. But I find myself craving it more and more. I think it's a backlash against the world as it has become, so full of noise and rush and movement.

I have to find a way to make my own silences, to not contribute to the noise and rush and movement that sometimes seem to be tearing our societies apart. Larger peace, symbolic silence, can only come when individuals cultivate it within themselves.