Review - Acquainted With The Night

Acquainted With The Night

Piper Maitland

Berkley Publishing

December 2011

A crank call wakes Caroline ‘Caro’ Clifford from a restless sleep populated by nightmarish figures. But when the phone rings a second time, she’s devastated to learn that her uncle, the man who’d raised her from a small child, had been murdered at an archeological site in Bulgaria. She hastily dresses and packs so she can meet a government car coming to take her to the airport. Before she leaves, she packs a small, ancient icon in her bag. Her uncle had always instructed her to take it with her, no matter where she went.

When she arrives at the airport, a handsome man with a pony-tail asks to speak to her. But she really doesn’t have time. She desperately wants to catch her flight. Getting to Bulgaria and her deceased uncle is all she can think of. But the stranger catches her attention when he tells her his name, Jude Barrett, and that he’d planned on having tea with her and her uncle. She isn’t sure what to make of that but the man insists that he still wants to talk to her. In fact, he follows her to Bulgaria.

Once there, Jude has some crazy ideas about vampires, that they’re real and constitute a threat to humanity and Caro is at first skeptical. But then she recalls some of the strange things that have happened to her in the past few days…including being attacked by a man wearing thick layers of sunscreen. The man had tried to steal her bag but Caro managed to keep it from him. When the same man and another man wearing sunscreen show up at her Bulgarian hotel, she begins to fear Jude is right.  

Caro receives some of her uncle’s belongings from the embassy, among them her uncle’s passport. Inside, odd anagrams provide clues which lead her and Jude on an adventure to a cliff-top monastery. There Caro learns about the icon she carries with her. The icon is connected to an ancient text on immortality and a prophecy that might be somehow connected to her. Caro learns about Jude’s run in with vampires, how they destroyed his life as a research scientist and almost took his life in the bargain. Jude understandably hates vampires. He wants to destroy them all.

But vampires aren’t the only ones threatening Caro and Jude. The vampires are actually following the orders of a man who wants Caro and the icon. He needs them both in a search for his own immortality.

Ms Maitland has combined her vampires with science and history and I found that truly fascinating. I also found the plot with all its intricate twists and turns equally fascinating. Had the world and characters been less well developed, this might have resulted in confusion but, in reality, it was a lengthy but easy to follow read with a good deal of suspense.

The relationship between Caro and Jude at first seemed to be incredibly rushed. Not that I am really complaining though, as they sure made for an incredibly steamy couple. That said, I thought the relationship between Caro and Jude was rushed. Even though their love scenes were hot, the couple never struck me as one that would stay together. It was no surprise then that, when a shocking reveal is made, Jude retreats from a relationship with Caro. I wanted to slap him, then turn around and slap her for practically begging for his attention.  

For the most part, Acquainted With the Night read very quickly with only a few sagging spots. However, I was disappointed at the ending. While it seemed inevitable, it also seemed somewhat clichéd. I enjoyed the book but when I can tell almost exactly how the book will end 50 pages before I get there, that’s a problem. It might be that I've read too many vampire/love stories and perhaps I'm jaded. Other readers may not have this problem. Also the ending was very open-ended indicating that there would be a sequel and from the feel of it, more than one. Nothing wrong with that. I usually enjoy sequels.

Readers of urban fantasy will enjoy Acquainted With The Night. Readers of vampire stories will love the new mythology Ms Maitland has created as much as I did. 

Guest - Resa Nelson

Good morning all! Today's guest is author Resa Nelson. Resa is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) and a graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop.  Her first novel, The Dragonslayer’s Sword, was nominated for the Nebula Award, the highest honor in science fiction and fantasy. It was also a Finalist for the EPPIE Award.  Book 2, The Iron Maiden, was recently published. Book 3 is scheduled for publication in Summer 2012.  

Resa's standalone novel, Our Lady of the Absolute, is a fantasy/mystery/thriller about a modern-day society based on ancient Egypt. Midwest Book Review gave this book a 5-star review, calling it "a riveting fantasy, very highly recommended."  In real life, Resa is a fan of chocolate, travel, summer, museums, ballet, movies, and Broadway musicals (her favorites are Les Miserables and Wicked).  She lives in Massachusetts.


Resa is offering giveaways which she tells us about in her post. Check them out.


Enjoy!


-- Lynda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Characters, Transformation, and the Dark Side of Romance

By Resa Nelson

What I love most about writing is creating characters and taking them on a journey that changes them in some way.  I’m a big fan of transformation.  In fact, one of my favorite reality TV shows is The Biggest Loser because it’s all about transformation – not just physical transformation but emotional and psychological transformation that results in people shedding their facades and letting the world see who they really are instead of who they think they should be.  I love that.

A few years ago I saw a news report about a famous singer who was beaten and battered by her equally famous boyfriend.  My heart sank, because when all was said and done, she made excuses for him instead of kicking him out the door.  At the same time, I understand this behavior because I’ve paid a lot of attention to the reasons why battered women stay with their husbands or boyfriends, so I feel a lot of compassion for them.

However, I’m also very concerned because in recent years some popular books have featured characters that strike me as having the same kind of mindset as abused women – and some readers say these books are romantic.  I feel very strongly that love isn’t about feelings.  It isn’t about words.  Love is about action.  For example, if a man tells you he loves you more than anything else in the world but then smacks you across the face, he’s lying.  His words say he loves you, but his action proves that he doesn’t.  And if someone tells you you’re “less than” because you’re a woman, that isn’t love – and I don’t understand what’s romantic about it.

So I began thinking how I wish I could write novels to help women see their own value.  It dawned on me that the novels I’d written so far each have a strong woman as the main character.  Hey! I thought.  What if all of my novels have a strong woman as the main character?

Then I thought, What if I write about a woman trapped in a marriage with an abusive man, and I focus on how she transforms into someone who is no longer willing to stay with him?

This decision excited me.  I was in the middle stages of writing my 4-book Dragonslayer series (set in a world of ghosts, shapeshifters, and dragons) that’s modeled on the Middle Ages.  Women were treated pretty horribly in a lot of cultures during that time, so it felt like a logical fit.

 

But I had to figure out how I was going to take this character through her transformation.  I had to figure out who she was at the beginning of the relationship and who she would grow into.  I also wanted to portray abusive relationships as realistically as possible and show her struggle in going back and forth between wanting to leave and wanting to stay and remembering the happy times she’d had with her husband because it’s common for abused women to think the abuse will stop and the relationship will go back to being a happy one.

First, it helps that I have a degree in sociology, because that means I’m always paying attention to social trends and what causes them.  I’m especially interested in women’s issues, so I’ve been paying attention to abusive relationships for decades.  It seems to me that being in an abusive relationship is a bit like being brainwashed.  An abuser succeeds because he tells a woman she’s stupid or weak or worthless, and if he does this long enough she’s likely to start believing him.  Some women who end up in situations like that can be so starved for love that they reach a point of desperation.  Some don’t have the confidence to live on their own and support themselves and are afraid of becoming homeless.  Others have never had the opportunity to learn that love isn’t violent or hateful.  And then there’s the fact that abusive men are often charming and promise they’ll never do it again – and a lot of women don’t know that actions tell the truth, not words.

So in Book 2 (The Iron Maiden) in my Dragonslayer series, I had to figure out which category my character, Margreet, fits into.  I decided to make her a strong-willed woman.  She has opinions, and she doesn’t hesitate to express them.  She’s a firecracker.  And she’s not the kind of person I’d expect to end up in an abusive relationship, which made her come alive to me.  But I also had to figure out how someone like Margreet ended up in such an unlikely situation.  I asked myself questions like, what kind of loss has she experienced?  How did that loss change her?  Maybe she was at an especially low point in her life when she met her husband, and maybe they genuinely loved each other in the beginning.

What if something happened that acted as a catalyst for her husband to begin to abuse her?  What if he misinterpreted something Margreet did or said?  What if it began a cycle of misunderstanding?  What if he genuinely believed he loved her, all the while not knowing what love is?

And what if Margreet began to notice another man who has truly loved her since the day they met but kept his feelings to himself out of respect to her marriage? 

These are the questions that helped me figure out who Margreet is and how to take her on a journey that she would begin as a woman controlled by her husband to one who gains her freedom, sees herself in a new light, and is ready for true romance and love.

To those who are fans of dangerous romance in novels, I know that everyone is different and if that’s what floats your boat, more power to you.  You are the only person qualified to decide what works for you, and I support that wholeheartedly.  My concern is for those who think that dangerous romance is cool in real life, because it’s not.  It could cost you your safety or even your life, and I don’t wish that upon anyone.

If you’d like to sample my work for free, you can download a free “mini” ebook called “Dragonslayer Stories” from my website at http://www.resanelson.com/files.  No cost, no obligation, nothing to sign up for, no information gathering.  I like giving away samples of my work so you can decide for yourself whether you like it or not.  I’m also doing a book giveaway on GoodReads (Books 1 and 2 in my Dragonslayer series), and you can enter to win at http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19270-the-dragonslayer-s-sword.

Resa Nelson’s links:

Resa’s website:  http://www.resanelson.com                                                                       

Free “mini” ebook of Dragonslayer short stories:  http://www.resanelson.com/files

GoodReads giveaway:  http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/19270-the-dragonslayer-s-sword

Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Resa-Nelson-The-Dragonslayers-Sword/122200661871

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/ResaNelson

Email:  ContactResa@aol.com

Ebooks ($4.99 each) are available directly from Mundania Press at:  http://mundania.com/author.php?author=Resa+Nelson (get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10)

Paperbacks are available from Mundania Press, Amazon, and Barnes&Noble:

http://mundania.com/author.php?author=Resa+Nelson (get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10)

http://www.amazon.com/Resa-Nelson/e/B002C78D2Q/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1325972739&sr=8-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/resa-nelson

The Dragonslayer’s Sword (Book 1)

For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover--the dragonslayer--disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning.

Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child.

Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?

The Iron Maiden (Book 2)

Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it’s her duty. She’d rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?

Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer’s sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner. Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.

In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn’t a decision she can make just once. It’s a decision she must make every day.

Workshop: Professional Manuscript Formatting: Make It Easy For Editors To Say Yes

\\***** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged *****//

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents

Professional Manuscript Formatting: Make It Easy For Editors To Say Yes -- Presented by Lauri Blasch

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=142

In order to ensure proper credit when paying for a workshop registration fee by PayPal, you must indicate what the payment is for in the message portion of the PayPal transaction at the time you pay. Thank you.

Have you’ve ever had a submission package rejected and honestly not known why? If your query letter, synopsis, and manuscript were polished and in really excellent shape, the culprit could be your formatting, not your story. Is formatting really that important, you ask. As an editor, I can tell you it is that important. In a normal week, editors and agents get hundreds if not thousands of manuscripts to slog through. Bad formatting makes them harder to read, which means it takes us longer. If the formatting makes your submission package too difficult to read, most editors and agents will simply reject it and move on to the next submission package in line. Many a good story has been rejected, not because it wouldn’t sell, but because the formatting made it too much trouble to read. Don’t let this happen to your story. Learn how to turn in a professional submission package that will showcase your work in the best light. In this class, we will discuss how to interpret a publisher’s submission guidelines, the dos and don’ts of basic formatting as well as the not-so-basic formatting, what you should and shouldn’t include in your submission package, and much more.

When: February 6, 2012 through February 26, 2012

Registration: 

The cost is $20.00 for FFnP members and $25.00 for non-FFnP members. Payment is due at the time of registration. Refunds / credits are determined on a case by case basis. If a class should be canceled, then participants have a choice of a credit to be applied to a future workshop or a refund.

Join FF&P:   http://www.romance-ffp.com/join.cfm

This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop. Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.

Register: http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=142

Speaker Information:          

Lauri Blasch has been a professional editor for over ten years, first as a freelance editor then as a non-fiction, technical writing editor and now as an acquiring editor for Black Opal Books. She has a BA in special education and taught disabled as well as gifted children for a number of years before switching to a less-stressful career. She loves working with authors, especially with new authors because they are so willing to learn. She’s a single mother of four pre-teen children. When not working or tending her children, she takes night classes at the local community college, working toward her masters in education.

Workshop: Lining Up the Bones - Crafting Your Paranormal

\\***** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged *****//

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents

Lining Up the Bones: Crafting Your Paranormal -- Presented by Angie Fox

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=130

In order to ensure proper credit when paying for a workshop registration fee by PayPal, you must indicate what the payment is for in the message portion of the PayPal transaction at the time you pay. Thank you.

What will it take to sell your paranormal? From dynamic hooks, to compelling characters, sizzling sexual tension to creative world building, we'll explore the elements you need to make your paranormal stand out in an increasingly crowded market. This workshop will provide real life examples, as well as exercises, so you can refine your plot, craft your story and take your writing to the next level.

Topics covered:

1: Introduction/Worldbuilding 101

2: Compelling Characters/ Sexual Tension

3: Dynamic Hooks

4: Major Plot Points

5: Truly Dangerous Dark Moments

6: Wrapping it all Up

When: February 6, 2012 through February 19, 2012

Registration:

           

The cost is $15.00 for FFnP members and $20.00 for non-FFnP members. Refunds / credits are determined on a case by case basis. If a class should be canceled, then participants have a choice of a credit to be applied to a future workshop or a refund.

Join FF&P:   http://www.romance-ffp.com/join.cfm

This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop. Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.

Register: http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=130

Speaker Information:          

Angie Fox is the New York Times bestselling author of several books about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night. She claims that researching her stories can be just as much fun as writing them. In the name of fact-finding, Angie has ridden with Harley biker gangs, explored the tunnels underneath Hoover Dam and found an interesting recipe for Mamma Coalpot’s Southern Skunk Surprise (she’s still trying to get her courage up to try it). Angie earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. She worked in television news and then in advertising before beginning her career as an author. Visit Angie at www.angiefox.com.

Workshop: Inside the Criminal Mind

\\***** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged *****//

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents

Inside the Criminal Mind -- Presented by Lucinda Schroeder

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=133

In order to ensure proper credit when paying for a workshop registration fee by PayPal, you must indicate what the payment is for in the message portion of the PayPal transaction at the time you pay. Thank you.

This fascinating class shows writers how to mix true crime stories with fiction writing craft. The result is writing that is realistic yet highly engaging. Students will learn how to create criminal characters that live quietly within the common fabric of society until they pull a trigger, grab a knife or concoct a poison. Cases like the one of a Sunday-school teacher who murdered two husbands, illustrate how to develop authentic motivations for their murderous characters. Students will also learn how to write from the POV of a criminal. "Inside the Criminal Mind" covers the childhood backgrounds and the specific mind-set of murderers, rapist, robbers, and serial killers. This information is critical to making criminally inclined characters multi-dimensional and real.

When: February 6, 2012 through March 4, 2012

Registration: 

The cost is $20.00 for FFnP members and $30.00 for non-FFnP members. Refunds / credits are determined on a case by case basis. If a class should be canceled, then participants have a choice of a credit to be applied to a future workshop or a refund.

Join FF&P:  http://www.romance-ffp.com/join.cfm

This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop. Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.

Register: http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=133

Speaker Information:          

Lucinda Schroeder is a retired federal agent who spent 30 years investigating crimes. She holds a BA in criminology and is the author of "A Hunt for Justice," www.ahuntforjustice --a true crime story that reads like a mystery.

Workshop: Breaking Things Down Into Threes

\\***** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged *****//

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents

Breaking Things Down Into Threes -- Presented by Beth Daniels

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=139

In order to ensure proper credit when paying for a workshop registration fee by PayPal, you must indicate what the payment is for in the message portion of the PayPal transaction at the time you pay. Thank you.

You’re a Pantser and you like things that way. And yet, it sure would be handy to have some sort of plan in mind so that you can write faster and more efficiently, right? The trouble is, all the books and articles that tell you how to do that are written by Plotters -- the sort of people who like to work out all the details in advance rather than let them flow. And you’re definitely a go with the flow type. Well, there is a solution...or if not a total solution, at least a way to have both your Pantser's cake and pour it into mini-Plotter cupcake cups. After that, it's all icing. What are these cupcake sized manuscript bits? Well, I call them the act of BREAKING THINGS DOWN INTO THREES. It's easy to do, it doesn’t make you feel like you’ve pitched your tent in the midst of the Plotter camp either. Just bring your current manuscript or a story idea that's bursting to escape onto the written page. This doesn't force you to write 50,000 words in 30 days, although you could. It helps you move ahead at a constant pace with some idea of what to do next, even if the light at the end of the tunnel isn't showing just yet. Or looks a bit like it's a 15-watt bulb rather than a 100-watt. That's all that's necessary to plunge into BREAKING IT DOWN INTO THREES!

When: February 6, 2012 through February 26, 2012

Registration: 

The cost is $20.00 for FFnP members and $25.00 for non-FFnP members. Payment is due at the time of registration. Refunds / credits are determined on a case by case basis. If a class should be canceled, then participants have a choice of a credit to be applied to a future workshop or a refund.

Join FF&P:   http://www.romance-ffp.com/join.cfm

This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop. Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.

Register: http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=139

Speaker Information:          

Beth Daniels is the author of 26 published novels, a number of articles on writing, and a handful of published or soon-to-be published short stories. She has written -- or is currently writing – under the pseudonyms Beth Henderson, J.B. Dane, Lisa Dane, and Beth Cruise. Diversification is nearly her middle name for she writes historical romance, romantic-suspense, contemporary romantic comedy, has dabbled in YA, writing seven books based on the Saved By The Bell television series, and is currently deep into steampunk/fantasy storylines. Her books have appeared in a dozen languages in over twenty countries, and she's worked with a baker’s dozen worth of editors, two agents, and seven publishing houses since her first book was published in 1990. Beth is also the author of the non-fiction WRITING STEAMPUNK, available through Amazon in trade paperback or Kindle and through Barnes and Noble's Nook. As J.B. Dane, she has a short story, "The Dragon's Tale", in the MOTHER GOOSE IS DEAD anthology from Damnation Press. A past national coordinator of RWA's Golden Heart contest, she has been a member of numerous national or international writing organizations. With a BA in History, a MA in English Composition and Rhetoric, and over a dozen years teaching writing, including Novel writing, at local colleges, she comes to the world of online writing workshops with credentials nearly tripping over each other. Visit her at www.RomanceAndMystery.com for information on titles or forthcoming workshops.

Workshop: BDSM for Writers: Characterization and Scene Analysis

\\***** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged *****//

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents

BDSM for Writers: Characterization and Scene Analysis -- Presented by Dr. Charley Ferrer

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=148

In order to ensure proper credit when paying for a workshop registration fee by PayPal, you must indicate what the payment is for in the message portion of the PayPal transaction at the time you pay. Thank you.

Starting with the knowledge you've gained in BDSM FOR WRITERS: BEGINNER and BDSM FOR WRITERS: ADVANCED, this critique-only workshop will address characters and BDSM scenes in your book. You will learn the tricks that lifestyle practitioners use and incorporate them into your writing. We will analyze your scenes and ensure they work! Authors are encouraged to submit scenes from their upcoming novels to work on. As we discuss various WIPs, you’ll learn how to tweak your scenes to make them more realistic. You will also discover various ways to encourage your Muse to help you create new obstacles and erotic scenes which will incorporate the various elements of the Power Exchange. Dr. Charley will provide constructive analysis (feedback) on your scene submission to help you discover what works and what doesn't. Explore in greater depth the aspects of humiliation, punishment, Edge Play and "Mind F**ks" to enhance your stories. Discover the value of using your BDSM FOR WRITERS CHECKLIST to unlock the secrets to your character’s desire, create/overcome internal and relationship conflicts and develop amazing D/s scenes that will have your readers coming back for more. Assignments/homework: * Submit BDSM FOR WRITERS CHECKLIST for your two main characters. If writing a menage submit up to three characters. * Submit one scene, no more than five (5) pages for review. Scenes must be submitted 5 days prior to first class. Once you have registered for the workshop, submit scenes to FF&P Workshop Coordinator Michaela Davidson (davidson_michaela AT yahoo DOT com). Be sure to mention the email address you used to register, if it's different than the one you're using to submit your scene.

When: February 6, 2012 through February 26, 2012

Registration Costs:     

The cost is $20.00 for FFnP members and $25.00 for non-FFnP members. If you attempt to register for this workshop and the website indicates that it's full, you can email FF&P Workshop Coordinator Michaela Davidson (davidson_michaela AT yahoo DOT com) and ask to be put on the waiting list in case of cancellations or future sessions (to be scheduled at FF&P RWA's discretion, depending on student interest).

Join FF&P:   http://www.romance-ffp.com/join.cfm

This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop. Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.

Register: http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=148

Speaker Information:          

Dr. Charley Ferrer is a Clinical Sexologist and Psychotherapist with over 15 years experience. She produces and hosts a TV Talk Show called PLEASURE on relationships and sexuality. She's an award winning author with eight books on sexuality and self-empowerment. Her new books BDSM FOR WRITERS and BDSM THE NAKED TRUTH are being released June 17, 2011. Dr. Charley teaches Psychology & Human Sexuality courses at Rutgers University and lectures throughout the US and Latin America on various topics dealing with sexuality. She's the Sex Expert for various TV/Radio shows. She writes for various newspapers & magazines, including Fox News Latino where her first Live interview was providing relationship advice to the Royal couple. In her spare time, Dr. Charley enjoys traveling and exploring ancient ruins and conducting research. She has created a Yahoo Group for BDSM writers to share their knowledge and learn from each other. For 2012, she’s hosting a BDSM FOR WRITERS Conference in New York City where authors will not only receive information but gain a little hands-on experience. Plus she’s hosting a BDSM Writers Contest for published and unpublished authors starting September. Please feel free to visit her site www.bdsmforwriters.com or for general information about sexuality www.instituteofpleasure.org.

Workshop: Agents and Editors: We Don't Bite...Much

\\***** Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged *****//

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents

Agents and Editors: We Don't Bite...Much -- Presented by Lynn Price

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=136

In order to ensure proper credit when paying for a workshop registration fee by PayPal, you must indicate what the payment is for in the message portion of the PayPal transaction at the time you pay. Thank you.

Filling a gap that exists in today's writing reference manuals and writer's conferences, this two-week online course offers a unique look at the publishing business and the submission process from the agent's/editor's viewpoint. This one-stop-shopping class also will provide a thorough breakdown of the elements that go into a cover letter, synopsis, biography, and promotion plan. You will learn about: * Differences in publishers and what is a Print On Demand publisher versus print on demand printing technology? * What is a vanity press, and can they get my books on store shelves? * What's the advantage to going e-book? * Should I care about distribution? Added to the mix will be Lynn Price's own special collection of common writing mistakes that often result in a rejection letter - point of view switches, comma misplacement, bad transitions between new paragraphs. This fast-paced, two-week look at the publishing world will cover the whole enchilada so writers can become better at their craft and understand how the industry works.

When: February 13, 2012 through February 26, 2012

Registration: 

The cost is $15.00 for FFnP members and $20.00 for non-FFnP members. Refunds / credits are determined on a case by case basis. If a class should be canceled, then participants have a choice of a credit to be applied to a future workshop or a refund.

Join FF&P:   http://www.romance-ffp.com/join.cfm

This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop. Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.

Register: http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=136

Speaker Information:          

Along with being the editorial director for Behler Publications, Lynn Price is the award-winning author of the novel, Donovan's Paradigm, and of the writing reference book, The Writer's Essential Tackle Box: Getting a Hook on the Publishing Industry. Debuting last year as part of the Get It Write series, this second work provides "an insider's view geared to inform and educate writers as to how we work, why we work, and the pitfalls to avoid." Since 2003, Behler Publications has been publishing best selling and critically acclaimed works chronicling personal journeys with socially relevant themes: stories that deal with how people are influenced and changed by their experiences and how they deal with those repercussions. The books invite introspection: "I'm a better/more thoughtful/ smarter person for having read this book." In addition to extensive speaking engagements at writer's conferences all over the country, Lynn also assumes a lighthearted and somewhat irreverent tone in addressing the many issues facing today's writers on the Behler Publications blog:http://behlerblog.com/

Review - The Lure of Song and Magic

The Lure of Song and Magic

Patricia Rice

Sourcebooks, Casablanca Inc

January, 2012

Dylan "Oz" Oswin is a man with a mission. His son was kidnapped, twice. Once by his late wife and then when Oz had the boy back, by the nanny. He’s used his considerable knowledge and connections to find Donal but to no avail. Donal has been gone for a year and it’s breaking Oz’s heart. Now he has a mysterious entity known as the Librarian who is sending him text messages and emails that he hopes will lead him to Donal. The messages have led him to Pippa James, formerly known as Syrene, a teen singing sensation.

But Pippa, practically a hermit, is now a successful children's author and wants nothing to do with Oz or the music industry. She is convinced her unique vocal talents are responsible for the death of her first husband and fears it can lead others to their deaths or destruction. She wants to be left alone to write and to interact with her small group of friends.

Oz is persistent and eventually gets Pippa to accept him…to an extent. When she challenges him to find her non-existent family, Oz knows she’s using the challenge as another way to keep everyone at a distance. He’s intrigued with her as she goes from a calm Zen-like state to an emotional tornado full of sass and wit. He prefers the emotional tornado because it’s real. Slowly, the two discover a strong attraction and admiration for the other. Neither is looking for love. Pippa is mainly seeking human contact since she’d cut herself off from just about everything. Oz is seeking comfort to ease his shattered heart. But though Pippa thought Oz would never be able to find her family, the Librarian gives him leads and they discover Pippa’s mother as well as other information about her missing family and the unusual disappearances involved.

Kudo’s to Ms Rice on this book. There were so many twists and so much pain in both Oz and Pippa that I worried that they’d never find a happy ending. But Ms Rice has the ability to grab and keep a reader’s attention. I went from wondering if Pippa’s ‘siren’ like voice was real or a figment of her imagination to knowing how powerful her voice really was so gradually I can’t say precisely where the change occurred. It was the same with Oz, the arrogant, persistent ‘bastard’ who, by his own words, bullied Pippa into helping him then, as he grew to know her, became conflicted over what he had done. And I went from thinking Pippa was simply a psycho diva to realizing she was so full of pain and loneliness it was a miracle she was still sane.

I have one caveat for this otherwise fantastic book. I was not impressed with the ending. It seemed rushed and somewhat clichéd compared to the preceding parts of the book. Nevertheless, this is a book the reader will want to read several times just to pick up all the nuances in the characters and plot. I know I will.

Guest - Kristin Battestella

 Good morning all! We have a great guest for today. Kristin Battestella is discussing human and vampires today. Enjoy!

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Human versus Vampire- It’s Not A Contest!

By Kristin Battestella

“The surgeons wrapped Samantha in a canopy of blue sheets and hooked her up to machines.

“Scalpel,” The masked doctor ordered.

The shiny silver glinted in his hand, then it dove in. Blood soaked the sheets and dyed them purple. Through some of our lost magic still remaining, I spaced out of the operating room. Memories not my own, thoughts and recollections of my Father I still held. From his dying breath to his most treasured moment, I saw my Mother. I saw my mother giving birth to me.

Antonio had been there, and there I was small and bloody and screaming. The vision was black and white, but red blood was everywhere. My mother’s eyes were fading, yet she was lovely, angry, happy, and sad all at the same time. She gasped her last breath, and I heard my own baby cry…”

That’s Gaston, star of Fate and Fangs: Tales from Vampire Family Book 6 Humanity, having a shared memory of his human birth.  More and more in vampire fiction, it seems the brood or romance of the vampire is so wham bam glitter and cool.  This dark underbelly hip power almost always happens at the expense of real world reality and discussion. Humans are simply stupid, paranormal clueless, or just simply not as cool.

Think outside the coffin people!  Vampires originally rose up as myths and legends to explain the unexplained or mirror the dark fears and evil tendencies of humanity’s past.  Why are these parallels not being used in today’s paranormals?  Go there, go deep, get to the soul of the races to tell your tale in multi layered dimensions and relations. Can a vampire born of such a vile exchange ever be anything good? What makes a human of such righteous potential go so bad?

So many of us work the 9 to 5 monotony, addicted to coffee, stressed, depressed, a drone in the routine for the man.  The Vitamin D deficient cubicle workers are indeed vampires, getting their souls and zest for life sucked from them in exchange for finances to curb the minimum existence and continue the vicious cycle over and over again.  Likewise, today’s confused youth listen to emo, go wild, fml, and where’s the meaning while the recent sappy boy vamps of fiction yearn for high school and sunlight and the freedom of their lost youth.  Suffice to say, art and life seem a little backwards.  Use this to your advantage!

In my Fate and Fangs series with Muse It Up, there are seven books to explore these issues beyond vampire coven wars, teen dreams, or vampire cool.  We have some very ugly and unlikeable folks, like Victoria in Tale 4, Debauchery. Some of it is solid, healthy romance, too, Book 1 Love for example.  In Humanity, however, the Welshires have to face the music. …

Welshire brother Gaston is trying to move on with his life now that the Vampire Family is human again for Professor James’ sixth chronicle.  Unfortunately, Gaston’s sister Victoria cannot cope with the change and turns to her former fledgling Caine for unfulfilling excess and access.  Should their pregnant sister Samantha risk the journey to London- and the lives of her unborn children- to save what’s left of The Vampire Family?

How’s a vampire who’s a human again going to deal? What would - or wouldn’t - you do to be a vampire again?  Would you be happy to be rid of the predatory vampire cravings and night time bindings? Or would you become a different kind of soulless person- one who leeches energy, time, money, and materials off others? Our final Fate and Fangs title, Resurrection, asks a very simple question- which would you choose if you had the chance to do it all over again?

Former Lilithan vampire and newly divorced scientist Stephanie can’t get over how much she misses being a vampire in this final tale from Professor James. After a harrowing car accident, Stephanie meets Mestiphles, the giver and taker of vampire power on both sides of the coven wars.  His charm and seductive powers sweeten the demonic offer he extends, but will Stephanie accept his dark opportunities? 

Go for the jugular by all means, but also snare the soul, askew the lines between the living and the dead, and warp the mind!  Be unique in the supposed human or vampire game, turn it on its vein, and tell your story as it needs to be told. Don’t waste the opportunity of examination the vampire mythos naturally brings for some fleeting and trending thin-skinned vampy cool. Really, how mundane is that?

Fate and Fangs: Tales from The Vampire Family

Feel Love, experience Punishment, know Struggle, indulge the Debauchery, crave Lust, learn Humanity, face Resurrection, and choose: Fate or Fangs?

No Blood necessary for the participation in any Vampire Family events.

Yet!

http://vampfam.blogspot.com

http://jsnouff.com/kristin

http://kristin724.livejournal.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vampire-Family/157922293588

http://www.myspace.com/kristinbattestella

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kristinbattestella/

http://www.facebook.com/kristin.battestella

Bio:

Kristin Battestella writes for her hometown newspaper The Cumberland County Reminder in New Jersey and has been writing non fiction speculative fiction, dark fantasy, paranormal, and horror for fifteen years. She enjoys being at home with her family, collecting records, and creating web pages in her spare time. Along with numerous sports articles, online reviews (Her review of the film 300 earned 11,000 hits and crashed the Fire Fox News server!), the South Jersey Books Column at Examiner, and fiction work; Kristin's first eBook was published in 2005. She is a member of EPIC, the Friends of the Mount Laurel Library, and has her eyes set on joining the Online Film Critics Society. Kristin's first full-length work The Vampire Family has been re-released with Eternal Press; and in addition to numerous reviews, interviews, chats, and blog appearances, Kristin recently attended the Philadelphia and Collingswood Book Festivals.


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-- Lynda Again
    Very interesting post! I'm intrigued by the idea of a vampire-turned-human with the potential to return to a vampiric existence. What do you, our Star-Crossed Romance readers think? Let's discuss it.

Dreaming of Spring

Good morning everyone!

I’m not a winter person.

I don’t like the short days. I don’t like the cold. I don’t like ice. I don’t like snow that has to be shoveled. I don’t like having to wear heavy winter coats and boots just to stay warm and upright.

But…it’s part of Nature’s cycle in this part of the world so I’ve resigned myself to it. Luckily, we only have a few months of winter followed by…Yay, Spring! At this time of year, I start the Spring count down. As the numbers of days till Spring gets smaller, the days get longer, the air warms and the snow…well, the snow tends to turn to rain. If it isn’t warm enough outside, the rain and snow mix into a nasty, dangerous icy combo that causes accidents and falls and downed lines and, sometimes even, roof damage.

Yeah, I definitely don’t like winter, lol.

So I trick myself into anticipating Sping, glorious Spring! I count down the days. I study the spring catalogues with all the newest plants. I plan my garden. My plans are always more grand than the actual project turns out but I live in a dreamer’s world. I believe in the right to dream.

Dreams are great things. Dreams help us visualize our plans (like my garden or my books). They can show us how we can get there. I’ve been known to use my dreams to come up with book plots and sometimes entire stories.

Some of those dreams turned into scenes in my novel, Heartstone (yep, the scarier scenes—I have a scary mind, lol, but the hero is to die for) and some went into 

scenes in Altered Destiny (okay, there are scary scenes there too but some of those scenes were with the hunky hero, Devyn who makes it worthwhile). Some dreams turned into complete stories, like my novella, Heart Of A Dragon (a lonely dragon is robbed of his greatest treasure and sets about retrieving it). Though Heart Of A Dragon is more fantasy, there is a very sweet romance in it. One day I may expand it into a novel size or build on it for a different book altogether.

I’ll have to dream on it to decide ;-)

Do you have any mid-winter rituals to get you through the cold, dreary months? Share them with us. If you include your email addy in your comment, I’ll have my alien kitten, Wookie, pick one person to win a e-copy of either Heartstone or Altered Destiny (winner’s choice). Leave your comment by January 27.

Oh, as of today, Monday January 23, there are 57 days till Spring! I can barely wait.

Heartstone, Mundania Press http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=Heartstone

                     Amazon             http://www.amazon.com/Heartstone-Lynda-K-Scott/dp/1606592335/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307896585&sr=8-1

     Heartstone is available in print and ebook format

Altered Destiny,

Kindle,     http://www.amazon.com/Altered-Destiny-ebook/dp/B00579FKFO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1308692836&sr=8-2   

  

Nook    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/altered-destiny-lynda-k-scott/1103871700?ean=2940012882417   

Heart Of A Dragon,

Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FQTONI

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-a-dragon-lynda-k-scott/1104680990?ean=2940013179981

Have a Blessed Day!

FF&P February Workshops

BDSM for Writers: Characterization and Scene Analysis -- Presented by Dr. Charley Ferrer

Starting with the knowledge you've gained in BDSM FOR WRITERS: BEGINNER and BDSM FOR WRITERS: ADVANCED, this critique-only workshop will address characters and BDSM scenes in your book

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=148

When:  February 6, 2012 through February 26, 2012

Breaking Things Down Into Threes -- Presented by Beth Daniels

You’re a Pantser and you like things that way. And yet, it sure would be handy to have some sort of plan in mind so that you can write faster and more efficiently, right?

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=139

When:  February 6, 2012 through February 26, 2012

Inside the Criminal Mind -- Presented by Lucinda Schroeder

This fascinating class shows writers how to mix true crime stories with fiction writing craft. The result is writing that is realistic yet highly engaging. Students will learn how to create criminal characters that live quietly within the common fabric of society until they pull a trigger, grab a knife or concoct a poison.

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=133

When:  February 6, 2012 through March 4, 2012

Lining Up the Bones: Crafting Your Paranormal -- Presented by Angie Fox

What will it take to sell your paranormal? From dynamic hooks, to compelling characters, sizzling sexual tension to creative world building, we'll explore the elements you need to make your paranormal stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=130

When: February 6, 2012 through February 19, 2012

Professional Manuscript Formatting: Make It Easy For Editors To Say Yes -- Presented by Lauri Blasch

Have you’ve ever had a submission package rejected and honestly not known why? If your query letter, synopsis, and manuscript were polished and in really excellent shape, the culprit could be your formatting, not your story.

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=142

When:  February 6, 2012 through February 26, 2012

Scene CPR: Breathing Life into Ailing Scenes with Scene Goals, Disasters & Sequels – Presented by Laurin Wittig

This class will show you a simple but powerful way to turn your ailing scene into a robust part of your story with scene goals and disasters. She will also teach you the power of the four stage sequel and how to combine it with your scenes to create a story that keeps your readers turning the pages long into the night.

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=145

When:  February 6, 2012 through March 4, 2012

Agents and Editors: We Don't Bite...Much -- Presented by Lynn Price

Filling a gap that exists in today's writing reference manuals and writer's conferences, this two-week online course offers a unique look at the publishing business and the submission process from the agent's/editor's viewpoint. This one-stop-shopping class also will provide a thorough breakdown of the elements that go into a cover letter, synopsis, biography, and promotion plan.

http://my.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=136

When:  February 13, 2012 through February 26, 2012