Contest / Giveaway – Your Favorite Character

Okay, so I was just thinking…

I have been receiving wonderful emails from readers regarding some of the supporting/secondary characters who were introduced in one or more of my novels (Something New, Blue Roses, and Rendezvous with Danger). Readers want to know when (or if) some of these characters will get their own books, and in some cases, my answer is “yes.” EXCEPT for Kenny Hollister (in Something New) – I was actually surprised when someone asked if he’d get his own story. Even with my overactive imagination, I can’t think of anything that can redeem him from some of the stuff that he’s pulled. He’s currently in jail for attempted murder and a few other offenses.

At any rate, so here’s what I’ve been thinking. I’d love to know why certain supporting characters resonated with you…or what you liked about them.

Contest Details

Here’s what you have to do for a chance to win (it’s pretty easy):

Using no more than two sentences, tell me which supporting (secondary) character was one of your favorites and why OR which supporting (secondary) character would you like to see with their own story and why. NOTE: If you had a favorite supporting character from one of my books, here’s your opportunity to have a hand in getting their story told.

Here’s what the winners will receive:

First Place – $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card AND

An opportunity to be a supporting character in your favorite supporting character’s story.

(This means a supporting character will have your name and personality – or your ideal personality)

Second Place – $5 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card AND

an ecopy of one of my backlist books (this will include Rendezvous with Danger)

 

The winners will be announced (in the comments section below) on Thursday, March 28, 2013.

 

Below are the characters who readers have asked about or mentioned in emails.

From Something New (“edgy” sweet romance)

Andrea Garcia (Tim’s ex- supermodel girlfriend and baby’s mama)

Jessica Freeman (Jess – one of Simone’s best friends and her business partner)

 

From Blue Roses (book 1 of the Reunited Series)

Mark Darley (Dallas Marcel’s ex-husband)

Skylar Hollister (Sky – Tyler Hollister’s twin sister – married to a Marine)

Harmony Cole  (Dallas Marcel’s sister – Note: several of you wanted her to hook up with Quinn…but as many of you know …now, he was already taken…and she wouldn’t have been able to handle Quinn)

 

From Rendezvous with Danger (book 2 of the Reunited Series)

Cameron Miller (Wiz – Quinn’s friend and former Navy SEAL)

Malik Lewis (Quinn’s friend and former Navy)

Natasha Lockham (Tasha – Alandra’s sister- chief of staff at a Chicago hospital)

 

Let me hear from you!  Leave your entry in the comment section OR on my Facebook Fanpage. The winner will be announced on Thursday, March 28, 2013.  GOOD LUCK!

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Talent, Passion and Discipline

I was just thinking…

For those of you who are indie/self-published authors, do you find that you’re often approached by people who say – “Congratulations on your book. I’m writing a book, are you able to give me some suggestions on getting it published?” OR “I see that you’ve written a book. I’ve been working on a book for the past few years and I’m planning to finish it, but in the meantime, are you able to give me some suggestions on getting it published?” OR “I have some ideas for a book. I might contact you in the near future to find out how to get it published.” OR “What’s all involved in writing a book? I’m thinking about writing one soon.”

Lately, I have been receiving many questions similar to these (I’m talking at least once per week), and it started me to thinking…not everyone can write AND get a book published (in my opinion). I say that because it’s soooo much more than just having a desire to write a book, having a story idea, or even a writing talent or gift. I’m here to tell you – it’s an obscene amount of work, commitment and discipline involved in going from having a book idea to having a published work! I’m talking stress, headaches, anger and crazy amounts of sleepless nights (because sometimes you can’t stop the voices in your head).  Can I get an amen?

At any rate, this whole thought process reminded me of a blog post I did a few months ago (9/20/12), so I figured I’d repost it since it’s a reminder that we all can use from time to time.

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Do you ever wonder why when some people put their minds to do things they not only accomplish it, but they soar like eagles? Or why, with some, it seems as if everything they touch turns to gold (Oprah, Jay Z, Donald Trump, etc)?  Well it might have something to do with talent, passion and discipline…but specifically discipline.

A friend of mine introduced me to Elizabeth George’s book, “Write Away,” where she states, “You will be published if you possess three qualities – talent, passion and discipline.” She goes on to say that you’ll “probably” be published if you possess the combination: talent & discipline or passion & discipline; and you’ll “likely” be published if you possess discipline.

Do you see a pattern? Like me, you probably noticed that the common denominator is – discipline.

I was having my morning cup of tea and started thinking…we can use Ms. George’s example in every aspect of our lives, whether it’s starting our own business or keeping the house clean. It’s all about having discipline – self-discipline to be more exact. We all know people (or are those people) who have a list of goals, a bucket list, or even a dream that they want to see come to fruition, but many are slow to put forth the effort needed to accomplish a goal or a dream. They find everything to do or work on, but that. Or they give up too quick, claiming there aren’t enough hours in a day, or someone did them wrong, or this happened or that happened. I could go on and on, but the fact of the matter is – if you lack self-discipline, you are not going to accomplish your goals! Those individuals mentioned above, accomplish as much as they do because they possess self-discipline. Okay, I’ll admit, they probably have a few other major qualities…and a good support team, but you get what I’m saying.

I can’t help but think about something else Elizabeth George said in her book – “do what needs to be done first and then play later.” Sometimes this might mean delaying gratification, but I guess you have to decide – how important is that goal you’re trying to accomplish or that dream you want fulfilled?

So…how’s your self-discipline level these days?

One Word – Commitment

I know I said one word, but let me add two more – Nia Forrester.

The other day, I read this book entitled: Commitment by Nia Forrester, and days later not only am I thinking about the story as a whole, but I’m missing Shawn and Riley (the main characters). I’m an avid reader and can I just say that it has been a very long time since I’ve read a book that I’ve enjoyed so much that I would consider reading it again tomorrow! And this was not a short story! I’m normally one of those readers who finishes one book and then the next day start another one. But after this one…I couldn’t do it. My fear was that I’d be too hard on the next author (or their story)– my expectations too great. Yes, Commitment was that good!

Have you ever read a story where days later you’re wondering what the characters are up to, reliving some of the scenes, and wanting to reread a few parts of the story in order to stay connected to the characters? If you haven’t, but want to have that experience or if you have had that experience and want to remember what it feels like – I recommend you read Commitment.

NOTE: This is not a review (though I plan to write one), this is me just thinking…about what an enjoyable read this was! I loved everything about it, from the theme (commitment and what it means) to the drama! Normally I’m a fast reader, but I felt like Ms. Forrester pulled me so deep into the story, forcing me to take my time – making me absorb every word, sentence, paragraph and scene. She made me become one with her characters –all of them. Heck, I feel like I’m one of them! I’ve been thinking about Shawn, Riley, Tracy, Brendan and Chris ever since I put the book down days ago.

Ms. Forrester has truly set the bar high for other books that I will read going forward, and don’t even get me started on how high the bar is set for me as a writer! Every author longs to create a story that a reader gets so absorbed in that they stay up to the wee hours of the morning, run late for work (because they’re reading), and ignore writing deadlines. Ms. Forrester is that author. She is a wonderful storyteller – one that I’d be willing to give 5 + stars to.

When I finished Commitment, I was reminded that it has been awhile since I’ve gone on and on about a book. I’m typically a romance reader. As for the genre of Commitment…I’m not sure what category it falls in, but it doesn’t matter. It was more than romance…it was a love story. It was more than fiction – because the story felt so real. And for you drama seekers – no worries – there was PLENTY of drama.

I’ll end with this – if you want to read a good (engaging) story that pulls you in and makes you one with the characters, I recommend you read Commitment by Nia Forrester.

Go ahead and get your copy. Amazon