Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category
Friday Five – March Break Realizaions
Happy Friday everyone! Today is a very busy Friday for me–actually, the whole week has been nuts, but I’ll get to that in a moment. First, I’m being featured over at Leanne Dyck’s blog for All Things Romantic Suspense. Also, I have yet to announce the winner for last week’s giveaway at Sara Balances’s blog. So the winner is…Melissa! Email me at dawn@dawnbrown.org and I’ll send The Curse of Culcraig out to you. And now for today’s Friday Five.
As I mentioned, it’s March Break this week and with the kid home, I’ve come to a few realizations.
1. When the kid is home all day and hubby is on nights, it is virtually impossible to keep the house clean for any longer than fifteen minutes. My bathroom is frightening. And why, oh why, is unloading the dishwasher so a complicated task that only I can do it?
2. It really doesn’t take much to blow my writing routine out of the water. Apparently just a time change and a week of playing board games every afternoon is all it takes.
3. The Game of Life is impossible to win unless you’re the doctor or the lawyer.
4. No matter how times I watch the movie Clue–three times so far this week, and usually while playing the board game–it’s still funny. Scarlet: “Why is the car stopped?” Plum: “Because it’s frightened.”
5. There is only 104 days left until summer vacation. Yikes!
Remember to check out the other Friday Fivers, Gina Ardito, Debora Dennis, Harper Bennett, Moira Keith, Bethanne Strasser and Silke Juppenlatz. Have a good weekend!
Posted by Dawn Brown @
3:52 pm |
All Things Romantic Suspense – Sarah Ballance
It’s Wednesday, and as you know that means it’s All Things Romantic Suspense. Today I have Sarah Ballance here. Welcome Sarah!
Dawn: When and why did you begin writing?
Sarah: After my 5th child was born, I started freelancing nonfiction for the extra cash. One of my friends told me I should write a book, and my immediate response was “I can’t.” Later I thought about it and realized I didn’t like saying I couldn’t do something, so I spent the next six months writing my debut novel, DOWN IN FLAMES. It was published, as it turns out, just days after the birth of baby #6.
Dawn: How do you create your plots and characters? Do you use any sort of formula?
Sarah: Mine tend to find me. My romantic suspense RUN TO YOU was inspired by a walk on the beach on a stormy, moonless night. I guess the mood stuck – I was TERRIFIED – and over the next couple of nights I dreamed the entire story. My new suspense (still writing away on it) came with the idea for a series, so I have a few books in my future around that theme. Hopefully the plots will show up on time!
Dawn: What do you consider the most important elements of good writing?
Sarah: On the shallow end of things, I have to say the mechanics are important to me. I don’t care how great the story is – I’ll never see it past poor or uninteresting sentence structure. (That stuff drives me NUTS.) Otherwise, a good believable story line and sympathetic characters will rock my world, and when there’s suspense involved I will stay up all night reading. I love tension – sexual or otherwise – and the more the better!
Dawn: What music groups/artists do you listen to while you write?
Sarah: I’ve listened to Miranda Lambert’s Kerosene CD more times than I ought to admit. (Seriously, she’s going to go after my royalty checks at this rate.) I also love Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, and Blackhawk, the latter of which is excellent for the romantic parts. And Bon Jovi’s Greatest Hits. Yeah, I admit that.
Dawn: Have you experienced writer’s block? And if so, what did you do to overcome it?
Sarah: Nothing too severe. I’ve found that when the words won’t come I can “write ahead” in the story – pick a future scene I have a feel for and write that one instead. Once I do that, the words tend to unclog. The upside is when I catch up to the scene I wrote ahead I can just edit and keep right on sailing.
Dawn: What do you do when you’re not writing?
Sarah: I have six kids under the age of 13, so clearly … I do my husband. ;c) Seriously, the kids are homeschooled and between that and keeping up with the house, not much else. But we live on the coast and love our boat – we’re on it every chance we get. (*nudges summer*)
Dawn: What are you reading right now?
Sarah: I just finished CANDY G. by C. Zampa. I’ve got Rosalie Stanton on deck, and I’m about to order a copy of Renee Vincent’s MAC LIAM.
Dawn: What’s next for you?
Sarah: A new romantic suspense I call UNFORGIVEN. It’s the first in a series, and I’m really excited about getting this one out there. My characters parted on bad terms a year before the story begins. When they meet again, he’s holding a gun and it’s pointed at her. That’s a bit of a turning point for the both of them, LOL.
Thank you so much for having me here today, Dawn. It’s been great fun meeting you - hopefully I haven’t run off any of your regulars. ;c)
Sarah’s book, Run to You, is available in PDF, EPUB, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader or Kindle
RUN TO YOU
Mattie James can’t pinpoint exactly when she lost control of her life, but the moment she decided to take it back made the front page of the local paper. Desperate to dodge the fallout— and the tabloids—she jumps at the chance to spend an off-season week in a tiny resort community by the sea. Making the trip with her ex-lover is a complication she can live with; coming face to face with a dead woman is not.
The last thing Sheriff Wyatt Reed expected to find on the storm-ravaged beach was a beautiful blonde with a jealous sidekick, but one look at Mattie left him wanting more. Their first date takes an ominous turn when he gets the call that a woman was found murdered. With a killer on the loose and a troubling lack of suspects or motive, Wyatt has to put his feelings aside to focus on the case. But his vow not to become personally involved is shattered when he discovers Mattie’s life is on the line, and this time the truth leaves her with a deadly choice . . . and nowhere to run.
To learn more about Sarah and her books, check out her website, blog, Twitter, Facebook or Goodreads.
Thanks so much for visiting, Sarah. It was fun having you here.
Posted by Dawn Brown @
3:20 pm |
Sometimes You Just Gotta Go With the Muse
So, I started the new WIP on the weekend–just as I planned–but a funny thing happened when I sat down to write. I just stared at the blank page. The story I had planned to write was not coming to me at all.
Now, having finally wrapped up the first draft for The Devil’s Eye, I should be working on the sequel. But here’s my problem. That’s not the story Muse is whispering in my ear. Instead, two new characters are vying for my attention, happily telling me all about themselves. Images for scenes throughout the story are popping into my head. My desk is currently covered in yellow Post-It notes.
So, I thought maybe I’ll just write the opening scene. Well, one scene lead to another, which lead to another, and, well, you know how it goes. Now, I’m 10k in and I’m probably going to write another 1,000 words when I finish this. Honestly, I feel like if I didn’t have to sleep or eat, I could write the entire thing in one sitting.
Muse doesn’t give me gifts like this very often–he’s usually kind of surly and difficult–but when he does, there’s not much else I can do, but go with it.
Mood: Excellent
Music: Hey You, Pink Floyd
Posted by Dawn Brown @
2:29 pm |
Friday Five – Five Reasons I’m in a Great Mood.
Happy Friday, everyone! I’m in an amazing mood today. Things have just been gelling this week. Here’s why:
1. The spring like weather - The last couple of days have been lovely. The snow is melting, the sun is out and the air is warm. I can finally go outside without my nostrils freezing. I do realize that this weather isn’t going to last. It is only February, after all. Still, it’s been a nice reminder of what’s to come and that winter won’t last forever.
2. I’m going to see DH’s band play on Saturday night – Yeah, I’m with the band. 
3. I’ve finally finished The Devil’s Eye – Okay, it’s just the first draft. And it looks like fixing some of those pacing issues is going to mean reworking some stuff at the end, but I know what needs to be done and it’s rewrites from here on in. WooHoo!
4. I get to start something new – With The Devil’s Eye done, I can finally move on to something new. Though, I’m working on a squel, so it doesn’t feel completely new, but I’ve been looking forward to digging into this story for a while.
5. I should be able to announce some good news about Blood and Bone shortly - I’ll just leave it at that.
Don’t forget to check out the other Friday Fivers: Gina Ardito, Debora Dennis, Harper Bennett, Moira Keith, Bethanne Strasser and Silke Juppenlatz
Posted by Dawn Brown @
3:59 pm |
Happy Valentine’s Day
You Should Get a New Laptop
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Let’s be honest… you’re not exactly the most romantic person in the world. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Flowers, chocolates, and stuffed animals don’t really do it for you. Your eyes only light up for a new toy.You are a bit of a geek, and traditional romance just isn’t a priority for you. You find somewhat unusual things romantic.
You’d prefer a laptop to an expensive piece of jewelry. At least you’d actually use the laptop!
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Posted by Dawn Brown @
1:00 pm |
All Things Romantic Suspense – Jerri Drennen
Welcome to another week of All Things Romantic Suspense. Today we have Jerri Drennen here to talk about writing and her Men of the Jungle series.
Before we begin, here’s a little about Jerri’s current release, Untouched, a recommended read from Joyfully Reviewed. Untouched is available from Amazon.
Botanist Madeline Wentworth is relieved to be heading into the Amazon, far
from the university and the vicious rumors circulating about her failed love affair. But on arriving in Peru, her team finds their guide dead with a small puncture wound to his neck. Waiting to replace him is Travis Kane, Amazon guide, treasure hunter, and superhunk.
Mattie is instantly attracted but uncomfortably suspicious. When a member of her team falls ill and a similar puncture wound is found on his body, her suspicions deepen.
Travis has stuck with being a jungle guide for over ten years despite a run of
unsavory clients. The rain forest is full of hidden ruins and undiscovered treasure, and he’s determined to find his share. But when his grandfather dies, leaving a letter boasting of Templar gold, he’s sure it’s nothing more than an old man’s delusion. Everything changes when he finds his grandfather’s map. With high hopes, he leads Mattie’s team into the rain forest and finds himself overwhelmed by the beautiful blonde. When the group is attacked and has to fight its way out of the jungle, Travis discovers something more precious than gold–the love of a woman who’s made him want to be a better man.
Travis stripped the clothes from his body and waded into the cool water, determined to lose that picture before his swim was over. He had to get a few hours sleep tonight or he’d have a hard time staying awake tomorrow.
For what seemed like an hour, he swam, gliding fluidly on the surface of the water, hoping it’d tire him out.
A splashing sound from the edge of the pool put him on alert.
He treaded water, his gaze darting around the pool, then coming to land on Mattie, whose barely-clothed body skimmed through the water, the moonlight casting a glow around her as if she were a ghost.
Travis sucked in a breath, caught up in her movement as she closed in on him.
What the hell was she doing? He had only so much control, and it was being seriously diminished by the look in her eyes.
As she neared, he struggled to breathe. “What do you want, Mattie?”
“I couldn’t sleep.” The words came out in a seductive whisper, and his cock throbbed under the cool water.
Christ Almighty. How was he going to fight his desire when everything she did turned him on?
“You’re going to be worn out if you don’t get some rest.” Was he telling her or himself that?
“You haven’t been sleeping either, have you?” She inched closer to him.
If not for the water swirling around him, he‘d have gone up in flames. “I‘m used to not getting much rest in the jungle.“She smiled, then dunked her head under the water and resurfaced.
As if in a trance, Travis watched her hands glide down her long blonde tresses, wringing out the water, the droplets on her face shining in the moonlight. He was lost in her eyes–lost in one particular drop of water on her plump bottom lip. Never in his life had he wanted to kiss a woman so badly. He could almost feel her mouth fused on his–taste the cool water on her lips.
This was insane.
She was on the move again, skimming through the water, her intent clear. She wanted him to kiss her, and more. How could he resist the open seduction, especially with his body screaming to stop thinking and start kissing?
When her toes curled around his beneath the water, an electric current shot up his leg, spreading out to every appendage, causing one in particular to go rigid.
She reached a wet hand out and traced the line of his bottom lip. “You have a beautiful mouth.“ It was said so low he wondered if she‘d meant to say it aloud.
This whole thing was getting out of control fast. He either had to stop her now or kiss her until she passed out.
Her index finger dipped into his mouth.
Shit.
And now a little about Jerri. Welcome Jerri!
Dawn: When and why did you begin writing?
Jerri: I started late. I think I was thirty-eight and my youngest child was three. I needed an outline to remain sane and I started writing a story about a boy band hero and a much older/friend of his mother, heroine. It was awful, but my sister encouraged me to keep writing.
Dawn: How do you create your plots and characters? Do you use any sort of formula?
Jerri: No, not really. I get some idea about plot but let my characters tell the story.
Dawn: What do you consider the most important elements of good writing?
Jerri: I think it’s creating characters who are not only believable but you can relate to. I was tickled that with Untouched, I had a reviewer say that she could see herself being friends with Mattie, my heroine in the book. I think that is crucial to writing a great story.
Dawn: What music groups/artists do you listen to while you write?
Jerri: I hate to say this but I hardly ever listen to music when writing, and I know this is going to sound strange, but I usually have the TV on MSNBC. I do need background noise to write and that seems to work for me.
Dawn: Have you experienced writer’s block? And if so, what did you do to overcome it?
Jerri: Yes. Too often than I want to think about. I’m in a good place right now–writing
almost every day. I have gone over a month without writing a single new word. And let me tell you, I wasn’t a very happy person in that month’s time. I need to write to be happy.
Dawn: What do you do when you’re not writing?
Jerri: Watching TV. I love that commercial where they talk about how much TV has shaped people. That’s me in a nutshell. I couldn’t live without Television, but in the Spring and Summer, I love to yard sale.
Dawn: What are you reading right now?
Jerri: Jeannie Lin’s Butterfly Swords. I started it a while back but things got crazy and I just got back to it.
Dawn: What’s next for you?
Jerri: I’m about to get edits for the second book in my Men of the Jungle series, Unplanned.
Here’s the blurb.
Galen Hall wakes in a Ecuadorian jail with a murderous headache, a murder
charge, and a memory gap where his alibi should be. How does the jungle guide prove his innocence? His best friend comes to help, only to bring with him the woman whose unplanned love sent him fleeing the Amazon to begin with.
One night of steamy jungle passion has botanist Dana Rutherford carrying a
stranger’s baby. While coming to terms with raising a child on her own, she learns of the father’s captivity. In a town where corruption reigns, she unknowingly initiates a jailbreak, and finds herself again face-to-face with the hunky, green-eyed devil who has changed her life forever.
To learn more about Jerri and her books check out her website. Thanks for visiting Jerri!
Posted by Dawn Brown @
5:10 pm |
Suspenseful Seven Sentence Sunday
Good morning all. Today’s suspenseful seven is from The Curse of Culcraig. Hope you enjoy.
“Pull it together,” she murmured. So what if the door was unlocked? Not everyone lived with same deep-rooted terror of home invasion that she did.
She pushed the door wider and moved inside, but the horrible smell of rot stopped her dead. Her stomach gave an involuntary lurch as the sickly sweet odor enveloped her. Covering her mouth with both hands, she swallowed the bile bubbling up her throat and scanned the wide front hall, from the chipped cornices to the dust-coated wood paneling to the sweeping staircase. There, at the bottom, half tangled in the cast iron rail, the broken, twisted body of an old woman lay in a congealed puddle of blood.
Posted by Dawn Brown @
1:27 pm |
Friday Five – Five Reasons I Missed Last Friday’s Five
Hello faithful readers. I’m back again with another Friday five. You may have noticed my absence last week, and not just for the Friday five, but Suspenseful Sunday too. And for that I must apologize, but I have a good excuse…actually I have five. 
1. I had to go on a field trip with the kid’s class, where, among other activities, they enjoyed a two hour hip-hop dance lesson. Not my favorite genre of music to begin with, but add twenty yelling, stomping ten-year-olds and I’m sure you get the picture. Anyway, by the time I had both the kid and I ready to leave that morning, there was no time to check email let alone post my blog.
2. A terrible migraine. Whether it was the result of the above, the radical drop in temperature, or waiting too long to get caffeine into my system,(all of the above probably) I wound up with a killer headache.
3. A trip to the spa. I went with my mom and sister in law for an overnighter of being pampered and eating wonderful foods. I still have pretty purple toe nails as a reminder. And if I had brought my computer, Mom and SIL would have yelled at me.
4. Spent Sunday afternoon going through The Devil’s Eye trying to fix my pacing problems. Yes, they are still plaguing me.
5. I kind of…well… forgot.
Don’t forget to check out the other Friday Fivers: Moira, Gina, Debora, Silke, Harper and Bethanne.
Posted by Dawn Brown @
2:44 pm |
All Things Romantic Suspense – Welcome Elaina Lee
Good morning dear readers. It’s a very snowy Wednesday here, and since it is Wednesday that means it’s also All Things Romantic Suspense. Before we get started, I just wanted to let you know that I’m being featured over on SR Claridge’s blog. So please pop over when you get a chance.
Today, we have Elaina Lee here to tell us a little about her writing and her book, Written in Blood. Welcome Elaina.
Dawn: When and why did you begin writing?
Elaina: I began writing in the sixth grade. My Literature teacher gave us an assignment to write a fantasy novel. I wrote about 25 pages on the old Apple computer we had in the classroom. J Haven’t stopped since.
Dawn: How do you create your plots and characters? Do you use any sort of formula?
Elaina: No, not really. I try to plot, just so I don’t forget key elements later. Having an outline has saved me from getting stuck several times, simply because I forgot I was going to do something. Went to the outline, it jogged my memory and voila! Instantly unstuck, woohoo!
Dawn: What do you consider the most important elements of good writing?
Elaina: A story that takes the focus away from the writing and immerses you in the story. As a writer, it’s something special to find a story that lets you forget about writing. J
Dawn: What music groups/artists do you listen to while you write?
Elaina: Oh… LOL! Um, I love all things rock. Shinedown, Nickelback, Halestorm, Nine Inch Nails, Tantric… they all write songs that make me itch to write.
Dawn: Have you experienced writer’s block? And if so, what did you do to overcome it?
Elaina: I’m experiencing it right now actually. I’ve been trying to write, really hard, but the words just aren’t coming. I force myself to write at least a half hour a day, even if I know it’s not worth reading. I won’t get back to writing if I’m not trying.
Dawn: What do you do when you’re not writing?
Elaina: I design cover art and headers and when I’m not doing that, I help care for my grandmother, chase my toddler and try to understand my teenager, LOL!
Dawn: What are you reading right now?
Elaina: A book on Archeology.
Dawn: What’s next for you?
Elaina: I’m working on two novels right now. One is the sequel to my romantic suspense, Written in Blood, the other is a Southern romantic comedy that’s been a blast to write.
Written in Blood is available from Amazon, Book Strand, All Romance, and Noble Romance Publishing
Lyndi Crisdean is assigned one of the hardest cases in her career as a defense attorney. A serial murder case. Investigating is Alek Trevian, the lead investigator for the district attorney, and a handsome and supremely dangerous man. Lyndi finds herself in over her head when she chooses desire for Alek over common sense. If they’re caught, Lyndi will lose everything she’s worked for. Circumstances beyond her control pull her toward Alek, for he turns out to be the only one who can help when threats start to mount against her.
Lyndi may be the key Alek needs to bring down a murderous cult running loose in his city. When her beach house is broken into and a man begins to tail Lyndi, Alek can’t help but reason Lyndi may be next on the cult’s hitlist. The question is, will he discover the identity of the cult, keep her safe, and still win the case against the serial killer she’s defending, all while losing a battle against the strong, untamable desire she alone ignites within him?
To learn more about Elaina Lee and her books check out her website and blog.
Thank you so much for visiting, Elaina!
Posted by Dawn Brown @
5:02 pm |
Suspenseful Seven Sentence Sunday
Good morning all. It’s time for another suspense seven sentence Sunday. Today’s excerpt comes from my WIP, The Devil’s Eye. Also, remember to check out the other participating suspense writers.
With wide, staring eyes, her gaze travelled the length of the massive shadow, from the hem of a long coat, to wide masculine shoulders to the outline of a fedora hat.
A man. There was a man in her room!
A scream burned up the back of her throat and lodged there. She couldn’t move or speak. She could scarcely breathe.
Instead, she stared into the black void where a face should have been, unable to see a single feature, then, like tiny beacons from hell, two red eyes appeared.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!
Posted by Dawn Brown @
1:39 pm |
