RANDOMfest Blogfest Entry

At Loralie Hall's blog, we've got yet another fun blogfest. Look through your hard drive, find those random story ideas/snippets you started way back when, and enter through the end of TODAY! Yeah, I'm a last minute girl, what can I say? Anyway, here's my entry. It's a story idea I got from the song "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You" by Heart. It's the opening paragraph I thought up on the fly. And it's gone no where since. Enjoy!

File: All I Ever Wanted.rtf

New story:  Potential title--All I Ever Wanted, inspired by the song, "All I Want to Do is Make Love to You".

 One of the first things I ever remember my mother saying was, "Children are a blessing, a gift from God."  All throughout my blissful childhood, I could see the truth in her words.  My seven brothers, three sisters, and I, filled her days with joy and busyness.  Hardly once did she ever raise her voice above a firm tone.  She loved us all equally and, though we each had our own childhood playmates, all of us siblings were the fastest of friends.  As each one grew and left home, I longed for life as it was when we still clung to our mother's skirts.  I realized as soon as my oldest sister gave birth to her first child, that the only way to recreate that idyllic seting was to marry and have children of my own.  So, when Angus Callaway, twenty years my senior, came calling, I pleaded with my father to allow our marriage.  He was hesitant, as Angus was so much older, and he, I can see now, whereas I did not back then, understood my impetuous nature.  He feared I would regret my decision, but as so often was the case, my stubborn charm won him over, and Angus and I were married on a lovely April day.  

Catch Me TONIGHT at The Romance Studio

*EDIT: My mombie brain forgot what day it is. Chat is TONIGHT! 9 pm EST :)

The talented authors from Melange Books, including me, will be available for chat TONIGHT at The Romance Studio, 9pm EST. Tune in, chat, ask questions, have fun!

http://www.theromancestudio.com/chat.php

Review of "Hot Days" by T.D. Jones

Pick up a copy from Melange Books!

This week, I had the pleasure of reading T.D. Jones' Hot Days, which is actually an anthology of two novella-length stories.

"Who Put Grandpa in the Garden!" opens with a problem. Chelsea's grandma needs her to do something with Grandpa. He ends up in her garden--but not in the way one would expect. This sets off a chain of events that makes everyone have to come to terms with some older family issues. This was a warm-hearted story, full of humor that made me laugh out loud numerous times. Chelsea's crazy family hit close to home (ahem), but her experiences as a nurse and as a woman who wants to have a baby really touched my heart. Chelsea herself is all heart and cares deeply for all those around her. She's a very sympathetic character. Her husband Sam is the kind of guy everyone wants, though he's goofed up a bit in this story.

"The Cockeyed Cowboy From Crockett County" features a lonely sheriff who's been unlucky in love. Will Tanner has been unlucky three times, actually. And after three ex-wives, he's sworn off love forever. When one of those ex's calls him to say her dog has brought home something very strange, he's forced into a case with the beautiful investigator Isadora Reeves. Isadora has her own demons, but she proves to be Will's match in every way. Despite their resolve to remain single, they're drawn together as they work to solve this unusual case. I was surprised to be so sympathetic to a character with three ex-wives, but Will came across as a lovable hunk of a sheriff who just hasn't found the right girl until now.

The only thing lacking in both stories were some grammatical issues and typos here and there, and the conflicts could have been a little more challenging for the characters to overcome. Overall, though, the lovable characters endeared me to them right away. The strongest point of both stories was the humor, which Ms. Jones generously infused throughout. It's rare that I read stories that make me laugh and touch my heart all the way through.

Click the link below the picture to order a copy of "Hot Days"!

First Review of "A Ranger's Tale"!

Thank you to T.D. Jones, author of "Hot Days" (which I'll be reviewing shortly) for the first review of "A Ranger's Tale". She writes:

As I settled in bed with a warm cup of coffee and a book called A Ranger’s Tale by Mysti Parker, I was expecting a good story. I didn’t expect to not be able to quit reading it until the last page. I was so intrigued with the details of the story and the adventures Caliphany Aranea, a high elf from the world of Tallenmere has. When Cali falls in love with ranger and ship captain Galadin Trudeaux, I found myself happy for them and wanting to keep reading to see what happens next. Believe me when I say, there are surprises in this book I never saw coming. That to me is writing at its best.

Ms. Parker writes A Ranger’s Tale with such clarity I felt like I was standing in the shadows of the room watching the chapters play out.  I love how the writer lets the reader get to know each character and learn what they are thinking. 

If you are looking for a love story that takes you beyond the heart then A Ranger’s Tale is a great book to read.  

Reviewed by Teresa D. Jones

2-7-11

This review is posted on writingonthego.blogspot.com and Melange-book reviews on face book and on Melange-books. Yahoo group.

Things I'm Learning, Sometimes the Hard Way

As a writer and a mom, I learn new things every single day. Wouldn't it be an injustice to society if I didn't share my wisdom with you? Hey, I heard that! Well, I'm sharing anyway. Get another cup of coffee and pretend you care.

1. Don't waste money on name-brand diapers. The store-brand ones work fine. I'll probably hear from a mama that those cheap diapers cause a terrible rash on little Johnny's tooshie. In your case, skip to #2. For everyone else, I figure we've spent about $3 billion on diapers already in the nine years since we've had children. Why not get more diapers for the money?

2. Learn to self-edit. Yes, I did just jump to a writing topic. By golly, I'll do it again too. I like to keep people on their toes. So, yes, self-edit! You cannot depend on your editor / publisher / retired high school English teacher to find all your typos. The best thing you can do is find a good circle of writer friends--get as many of them to read/critique for you and return the favor. Different sets of eyes will catch different mistakes. One person may be better at pointing out grammar issues, while another is great at catching those plot holes. Reading and critiquing regularly will also help you learn to find those flubs in your own work. And--READ OUT LOUD! Yes, take your story in another room if you must and read that baby out loud. You'll catch things much easier that way.

3. If you're a mom or plan to be some day, you will feel guilt from the moment the child is conceived or brought home if adopted. I think it's the sudden realization that another human being's life is now in your hands. Every choice we make can potentially affect that little bundle of joy. Therefore, guilt is born, right along with little Johnny. Get used to it.

4. You can spend hundreds of dollars on writing classes that may not help you any more than a free writing course. Look around. Try out a few. Read reviews about them. Ask other writers what classes they've taken. Just know that shelling out cash will not necessarily turn you into Steinbeck. The best thing you can do is write, write, write. And read, of course--see how other people do it. Try to find books of the same genre you like to write. Get to know authors who write those genres or write in a similar style.

5.  Nothing on earth is better than the sweet hugs and kisses of an adorable two-year old. You just can't beat it. Find the nearest two-year old and get a hug (with mom's permission if the kid isn't yours--otherwise, you'll just look creepy). Then, prepare for sweetness overload.

That's all for now. Aren't you glad you stuck around? Don't you feel smarter? Well, fine, be that way. I'll just be sitting here getting kisses from my two-year old. I know you're jealous.

We have a winner!

We have a winner! The Magic Hat has chosen Onalee! She'll receive a free .pdf of "A Ranger's Tale" and a $10 certificate to All Romance Ebooks.com. Thanks to everyone for entering.

Now, I'm sharing my all-time favorite love song. Yes, the incomparable George Jones and "He Stopped Loving Her Today". Such a powerful song that sings of unrequited love that only death can quell.

Stay tuned for more raffles. Print copies will be coming my way soon, so that means a lucky few will win a signed copy of "A Ranger's Tale". Keep checking in, and I post regularly on Facebook too. If you would like to friend me there, you can keep track of all my posts here.  Until next time...

Review of "Onet's Tale" by Jack Eason

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Imagine slaving in a mine on a distant planet, where each swing of your pick throws poisonous dust into the air that will kill you in a few months time from breathing it. This is where "Onet's Tale" opens, but it doesn't stay there long. This epic sci-fi tale from Jack Eason includes a large cast of characters from various planets, including the human/nephile Akhen and Khan, who is a Drana. Once enemies, the two band together to escape the mine and start a rebellion that eventually leads to a war that spans years and galaxies.

The story itself is narrated by Onet, who happens to be a Khaz. Think little gray alien guy that might land in Area 51. Except Onet is albino and has red eyes. He's watching all this unfold, waiting for his chance to stop the evil that his own kind started, which spread through a goddess-type being called Shu, and continued through her horrible creations of berserker warriors.

Murder, war, and mayhem reign throughout this book, while the main characters try very hard to live normal lives. Their efforts are always ripped out from under them, and I sympathized with the tortuous events they lived through. On the other hand, I kept wishing for more character depth. I'm really partial to character-driven novels, and this one seems mostly plot-driven. For me, I would have liked to have been inside the characters' heads more, really feeling what they feel.

If you like sci-fi packed with battles,  futuristic weapons and modes of transport, you'll like "Onet's Tale". Pick up your copy at Amazon.com today!