Tag Archives: Romance

The Little Blue Lady from Mars takes on a little Rock Star Romance

Free_Fridays!

PKO_Alien 3 0003387I feel like I’ve been gone forever.

.

You should have treated it like a vacation. 

Did you have time to relax?

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Relax? I did nothing but relax.

I actually did NOTHING. It was boring.

Well, now you are fresh and ready to do a brand new interview.

Are you ready to get started?

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Totally.

Who’s here today?

Nicky Wells is here. [opens door]

Hi, Nicky!

Alien Huh CloseWhat’s with all the sparkles?

Who does this lady think she is?

What, you haven’t heard about me? Where have you been ~ in outer space? Everybody has heard about the Rock Star Romance Trilogy, and today, I want to shout about the release of the second book, Sophie’s Run.

Oh, and I’m here to give away two e-books.

Alien Huh CloseYou want to give away TWO books?  Getting pretty high and mighty there, aren’t you? You need to get through me before anything gets given to anyone.  You hear?

Umm, Okay.

Well, what do I have to do?

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Convince me your sappy Earthling book

is good enough for people to read.

LOL, where to start? Put simply, my brand of romance rocks your world. You’ll feel the tremors even if you happen to be stuck in outer space. Yeah, Little Blue Lady, just like you… Sophie’s Run has glitz, glamour, intrigue, romance, betrayal, travel and lots of food, not to mention a gorgeous rock star and a dashing male nurse. I mean, come on ~ what more do you want?

Alien SmileYou think I have glitz and glamour?

Really?

Okay, so tell me more, what would make someone want to read this little ditty?

With all the above ingredients, why wouldn’t they? But if you want the official sales spiel… well, if you like rock music, celebrities, romance and happy endings, then Sophie’s Run is a must-read. If you’ve ever dreamed of doing something completely crazy with your life, then Sophie’s Run is a must read.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Hmmm.  I like music, but if I haven’t read Sophie’s Turn,

would I want to read Sophie’s Run?

Obviously if you’ve already read Sophie’s Turn, you will want to find out what happens next. I should say that you don’t have to have read Sophie’s Turn to enjoy Sophie’s Run! While it is the second book in a Trilogy, and can totally and 100 per cent stand on its own.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Okay, let’s see if it’s up to par with my requirements.

Does anything explode?

Errr… yes, actually.

A cake. And there is a spectacular fire.

Alien SmileTee Hee.

Exploding cake… sounds delightfully messy.

I’m just not sure, though…

What, you’re still doubtful? After I’ve promised you glitz, glamour, intrigue, romance, betrayal, lots of food, travel, a rock star, a male nurse, an exploding cake and a fire? You are hard to please. All right, let’s see if the official blurb satisfies your hunger.

Her famous star remains her rock while life takes her on a little detour…

So she has finally found the man of her dreams; well, she’s seen him, for sure!  Yet rock star and ex-fiancé, Dan, keeps getting in the way of her new romance—even if he is just trying to be helpful. A fire, an impromptu mini-trip with Dan, and a dreaded wedding later, Sophie is still struggling to meet the love of her life. Then, just as she is getting it together with her perfect man, best friend Rachel commits an act of unspeakable betrayal. Sophie has had enough. Surprising herself and shocking her friends, she embarks on a secret journey and eventually gets her life back on track.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Now, if you already told me she gets her life back on track, I know the ending.

Why would I need to read it?

Exploding cake, remember?

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Piff, please…

Have you ever actually exploded anything?

I have, in a manner of speaking. Fireworks, for starters, to mark the New Year. Then there’s my home entertainment special, the indoor volcano. Be sure you’ve got high enough ceilings if you try that one. Why would you do that? Let’s just say it keeps the kids quiet for a while. Oh and, at college, many years ago, there was this tradition of filling plastic bottles with dry ice, closing the lid, shaking it up and waiting for the boooom from a VERY safe distance. That was just for fun. I hasten to add that as a non-scientist, I was merely a spectator and never the purveyor of the dry ice nor the assembler of the bottles. Just for the record.

Alien SmileHa!

It does sound like there is a hidden and interesting side to you, Nicky Wells.

Do tell, have you ever painted your hair blue?

I have indeed. Not painted, exactly, but sprayed. It wasn’t just blue, it was blue-and-purple streaks. Why? Because I was fourteen and I needed to make a statement.

Alien SmileAnd what a beautiful statement it must have been!

So, have you ever traveled in space?

.

I do that all the time. My husband will come home and say, ‘you look all spaced out again’ and I’ll say, ‘well, yeah, I’m just on re-entry.’

Alien SmileYes! I love a fellow space traveler!

I’m hungry.

Want to raid Jennifer M. Eaton’s refrigerator?

Totally. I’m starving.

Does this mean I can give away a few books?

Alien SmileYes!

Let’s give away one copy of Sophie’s Turn,

and one copy of Sophie’s Run!

Brilliant!

.

There you have it! And I didn’t even have to intervene!

Comment below for your chance to win one of two ebooks.

Sales links for Sophie’s Run:

Sophie’s Run is now available in Kindle edition from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, and in Paperback edition from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. You can also get the paperback at Barnes & Noble, or download Sophie’s Run onto your Nook (coming soon).

JenniFer_EatonF

My First Rejection Letter

Okay, it had to happen sooner or later. After three publications, I’ve finally received the inevitable “slap” of a rejection.  When I opened it and started reading, the email could have gone both ways, and then it slipped into…

“We are no longer able to reply to each query individually, but please be assured we consider every submission very carefully.  Unfortunately, your manuscript is not a good fit for us at this time.”

Okay, well, it was a “nice” rejection.  They didn’t say it stunk. They even asked to keep them in mind for my next project (yeah, it’s a form letter, but it was nice, and I will still keep them in mind.  They are a great publisher.)

But…

I understand what people talk about now.  Since this was an all-encompassing form letter, I have no idea WHY it was rejected.  In fact, I don’t even know if they got past the query.

***I don’t know***

Are they glutted with Paranormal Romance right now?  I don’t know.

Was the story too short? I don’t know.

Have they seen the plot before?  I don’t know.

Was in not “Romancy” enough? I don’t know.

Did they not see the value of it as a continuing series? I don’t know.

Did they laugh at my inadequacy? I don’t know.

Honestly, when I first read it, I was not disappointed, even though I was really interested in that publisher.  My reaction was more like.  “Oh, okay, I’ll just look somewhere else”

But then those questions above started sinking in. I started questioning myself.

After a little while though, I dusted myself off.  I like the story, and I have it out at a few other publishers as well.  Someone will like it.

But while I’m waiting, I don’t want my cute little egg sitting in one basket.  I’m actively seeking a few more publishers.  One that I’ve found, I actually think I like MORE that my first pick.

We’ll see how it goes.  No tears, no disappointment, just onward and upward.

It’s just the business, right?

How do you feel about “form” rejections?

JenniFer_EatonF

#FreeFriday Win a #Free Ebook “A Heart Broken ” by Sara Barnard

Free_Fridays!

Yay!  It’s Freebee Fridays time!

First of all, Congrats to last week’s winner: Maddy

You’ve received a free copy of “Mona Lisa’s Room” by Vonnie Davis, and the bonus winner of “A Taste of Chocolate” is: Charissa

If you’d like to find out more about Vonnie Davis and her books, hop on over to http://vonniedavis.com/Home_Page.html

.

Alien SmileI’m starting to enjoy this.  I’m really looking forward to this week’s interview!

Yes, you are doing great. 

You were almost nice to Vonnie Davis.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Nice!  This cannot happen!

No one can this I’m nice!

Shoot! 

Please forget I said that and at lest try to be nice to this author.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387We’ll see.

Why am I worried about this?

Okay, let her in.

Alien SmileHello. authory-looking person, please come in.

Yes, yes…

Come on in and have a seat.

Hello. 

Hey! 

My shirt matches you hair! 

Alien SmileWell, yes, it is nearly the same shade.

How wonderful.

Who are you, my dear?

My name is Sara Barnard and I want to take readers back in time to the 19th century so they can share in the adventures of Confederate Captain Sanderson Redding and his damsel, Charlotte Adamsland.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Huh? What’s all this confederate stuff.

I don’t understand.  What the heck is this a book about?

.

That’s the thing.

It’s only disguised as a book.

It’s really a time travel device. (Shhh.)

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Well that’s just crazy.  That’s just not possible.  Why would anyone want to read something like that!

So they can travel back in time.

Duh. (Whoops! Excuse me!)

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387This one’s a little nutty

Give her a chance. 

She’s fun

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Okay.  Geeze. Alright Miss Time Travel.

Are there at least explosions?

There are some explosions,

all in a 19th century way of exploding.

.
PKO_Alien 3 0003387She actually thinks she’s time traveling.

Just go with it.

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Erghh…

Okay, what’s the story about?

The war (Civil, that is) is over, Sanderson is home, and life is good. Until the Army comes knocking. They’ve charged Sanderson with murder and unless he can track down the notorious outlaw William “Bloody Bill” Quantrill, he’ll face the hangman’s noose. Meanwhile, Charlotte is left in Minerva’s capable hands to endure a complicated pregnancy before battling a rash of hydrophobee that threatens the countryside; Cotton, Achilles, and Sanderson included.

Alien Huh CloseHydrophobee?  This is about being afraid of water?

You are one weird chic.

 It’s not about… Huh? 

PKO_Alien 3 0003387You said there was an explosion, right?

.

Yes.

All Civil-War like

PKO_Alien 3 0003387I don’t believe you.

Have you ever actually exploded anything?

Yes once, but I’m not allowed to talk about it. We are still under a gag order. As to why, in true Texas fashion, it just needed explodin’.

Alien SmileYes!

Someone else who realizes the wonder of a grand explosion!

How about taking over the world?

Wait, who told you about that? Have you been talking to Althea the Green?

My success in world domination remains to be seen. Ask me again in 2015.

Alien SmileYes!  I will!

Maybe we can take over the world together?  What’s your plan?

Well the trick to taking over the world  is inventing a time travel device … hey, wait. Is this a trick question? I know nothing about it and I will deny it if it comes up again.

.

Alien SmileSo what should we explode first?

Well that is simple. I would explode what needed explodin’! And that can be anything from, wait, I’m not allowed to talk about it, remember?

Alien SmileHa Ha!  Yes!

I love Sara Barnard!

Quickly!  We must give away her book!

Let’s get rocking!

If anyone would like to win a free copy of

.

A Heart Broken (An Everlasting Heart #2) leave a comment below.

We will choose a winner on Monday.

Thanks Sara, and great job winning over the Little Blue Lady from Mars!

One day we will

rule the world together!

.

Alien SmileWell

YYYYeeeeeeee

Haaaaawwwwww! 

Thanks for lett’n me hang!

.

If you’d like to find out more about Sara Barnard and her books, hop on over to www.sarabarnardbooks.com

JenniFer_EatonF

The Little Blue Lady From Mars © Jennifer M. Eaton.

#FreeFriday Win a #Free Ebook “Mona Lisa’s Room” and “A Taste of Chocolate” by Vonnie Davis

Free_Fridays!

Yay!  It’s Freebee Fridays time!

First of all,

Congrats to last week’s winner:

You’ve received a free copy of “Trust and Betrayal” by Dani-Lyn Alexander.

If you’d like to find out more about Dani-Lyn, hop on over to her website http://www.danilynalexander.com/

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Ok, I will admit I like the pretty blue shirts,

but I just can’t understand this half-headed man stuff!

He’s not half-headed.  It’s symbolic.  It’s so you can make him look like the man of your dreams.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Oh!  I think I understand, but I still think it’s creepy.

Please, no half-headed covers this week.

.

Nope!  This week Romance writer extraordinaire Vonnie Davis is here! 

PKO_Alien 3 0003387What’s so great about her?

She’s just great.

Trust me.  You’ll love her!

Alien SmileOkay, happy face time.  Hello.

Oh, you look like a pleasant lady.

Come on in and have a seat.

Ha!  Dani-Lyn told me you had blue hair.  I thought she meant you were old.

Is that your real hair? It’s so long and luxurious! 

Alien SmileWell, yes, it is my own hair.

I’m so glad you like it.  Most Earthlings can’t see the subtle highlights.

.Wow, this is getting a little deep.

Dani-Lyn warned you about the little fire last week, huh?

Shhhhh! 

Quiet Eaton, I’m working the alien here.

Alien SmileWell, Let’s get down to business nice author lady.  Tell me a little about yourself.

.

I’m known to my closest friends simply as “V”.

.

Alien SmileOh!  Like the TV Series about aliens?

.
Umm, no, like “Vonnie”

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Oh.

I never saw that show.

It’s not a show… You know what, never mind.

I’m a choco-holic and caffeine addict. And I want to write the kind of books readers can’t put down, storylines they think about when they’re away from it and characters they want to revisit again and again.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387So, do you?

 No, not yet, but hope
springs eternal for this old broad.

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Old broad?

How old are you?

Hey!

You can’t ask her that?

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Why not?

It’s rude!

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387You Earthlings are so odd!  Okay Vonnie err… “V” Why is your book good enough that I would want to take time away from plotting to destroy your meager little world?

Oh, hon, ask my hero. He’s the one who woke me up at night if I wrote a scene he didn’t like. He’d act it out over and over, and then look at me and growl, “Now do you see why that crap you wrote won’t work?” I was greatly sleep-deprived during the writing of this romantic suspense.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Wakes you up in the middle of the night?

It sounds like he has a Martian appetite.

If that makes you happy, then yes! 

He definitely has a Martian appetite.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Okay, I’m still with you,

but why would I want to read this?

If you’ve ever dreamed of running through the streets of Paris from terrorists while wearing a thong and stilettos, or karate kicking two men in a bookstore while wearing said stilettos, or being arrested as a prostitute merely because you’d misspoken to an undercover policeman with your poor French or painting the shoreline of the Normandy coast while a handsome French government agent sunbathed next to you, then this is the book for you.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Do I even look remotely like a woman who’s dreamed of these things?

Well, I’ve heard you blue haired ladies have a wild side.

.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Yes, but I dream about blowing things up.

I want a book with explosions!

Then this is the book for you! In the opening scene my heroine unwittingly foils a terrorist’s bombing attempt in the Louvre. To retaliate, members of The Red Hand bomb several cafés in Paris.

 

Alien SmileYes!  Finally an author who isn’t afraid to express their explosive tendencies!

Now I am interested.

Tell me more!

Alyson Moore is still reeling from her recent divorce. Finding your husband in the shower with another man tends to destroy your feminine identity. At her sister’s insistence, she travels to Paris, something she’s always wanted to do. Within two days of her arrival to the City of Light, she is put into the protective custody of a French agent, ten years younger than she. They are both pursued by the terrorists in almost non-stop adrenaline packed action. Things soon heat up between them, but more importantly, Alyson finds out she’s stronger than she ever imagined.

Alien Huh CloseThere we go with the robotic response again.

Why do all you authors do that?

 It’s a human tendency. 

You have to cut us lower species a break. It sounds good though, right?

PKO_Alien 3 0003387You said there was an explosion, right?

.

Yes.

Right in the beginning

Alien SmileThen yes!

It does sound good!

Does that mean you’ll let me give a copy away? 

 

Alien SmileYes!  As a matter of fact, you can give two books away!

Great! 

I can also throw in a copy of “A Taste of Chocolate!”

Alien SmileWonderful!

So we will have two winners this week!

What a great idea!

.

.

Let’s get rocking!  If anyone would like to win a free copy of

“Mona Lisa’s Room” or “A Taste of Chocolate”

leave a comment below. We will choose a winner on Monday. Thanks Vonnie, and great job winning over the Little Blue Lady from Mars!

Whew!  That was exciting. 

Thank you so much for having me!

If you’d like to find out more about Vonnie Davis and her books, hop on over to http://vonniedavis.com/Home_Page.html

   BLOG    WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     TWITTER     GOODREADS

JenniFer_EatonF

The Little Blue Lady From Mars © Jennifer M. Eaton.

#FreeFridays featuring The Romance Novel Book Club by Kastil Evenshade #freestuff #free #ebook

Free_Fridays!

Yay!  It’s Freebee Fridays time!

First of all, congrats to last week’s winner Grandfathersky

You’ve won a free copy of HUSH LITTLE BABY by Deborah M. Piccurelli in your choice of paperback or PDF.  If you want to know more about Deborah, Check out her web site here

PKO_Alien 3 0003387So, who’s coming this week.

I hope it’s someone fun.

Are you going to be nice this time?

.

Alien Huh CloseOf course!

I was nice to the last one.  I didn’t blow her up, did I?

Well, you were a little rude.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Piff!

I was a perfect little blue alien

Yeah, sure you were.

Okay, we’ll give this another go.  (Sorry Kastil)

Alien SmileYeeeees!  Okay, bring her on in!

Hello, oh nice author lady.  come in and sit down for a spell.  Comfy?  Good!

Okay. Who are you and what do you want?

My name is Kastil Eavenshade, and I want Pimpage…lots and lots of pimpage.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Umm.  Okay.  I don’t think the curly-haired conservative chic is going to let me get away with that.

You never know unless you try.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Psst, Jennifer, this one scares me.

You wanted to be an interviewer.  Just go with it.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Okay… Ms. Evenshade… What makes you think you book is good enough to read?  I mean Romance?  Really?

It’s good enough because it break the usual romance mold, beyond it having a bit of kink in it. I mean a romance novelist making fun of her craft?

Alien SmileCraft?

You mean there’s a spaceship?

Ummm, no.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Then why would anyone want to read it?

For the humor and love story within, of course!

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Sounds boring does anything explode?

Well that’s a loaded question. Something explodes but I won’t call it literal fireworks. 😉

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Ummm–Jennifer, I don’t think she and I are talking about the same thing.

Go with it.  You’re doing fine.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Okay, umm, I’m almost afraid to ask,

but what’s it about?

From the legendary times of the Victorian Age to the rugged reaches of outer space, the romance novels have done nothing to spark Patricia’s want and hope of finding that one special man to call her own. She’s knee deep into her thirties, near depression, and drowning her sorrows in pints of premium ice cream. When she falls for a waiter named Matt in her favorite restaurant, her insecurities do their best to thwart her plans of true love. It isn’t until she picks up one last romance novel that she realizes life cannot be lived within the ink splattered pages of an author’s fantasies. She has one chance to set her life straight and snatch the one man who gets her: mind and body.  Will Patricia take it?

Alien Huh CloseWhy do all these authors sound like robots when you ask them that question?

Stop it!  Be nice!

PKO_Alien 3 0003387I don’t like her.

She’s creepy.

She is not!  She just writes, umm, well, a little more openly than you’re used to.  Hey, the guy on the cover is cute.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387But he only has half a head!  See?  Creepy.

You just don’t get it, do you?  Okay, try to find something you guys have in common.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387[Grumbles] Have you ever exploded anything?

Nope. I don’t care for loud noises.

PKO_Alien 3 0003387You are hopeless.  Have you ever tried to take over the world?

Sounds like a lot of work so..nope!

PKO_Alien 3 0003387Hopeless and lazy!

Have you ever painted your hair blue?

I once had a midnight blue because I bought the wrong kind of black dye.

Alien SmileReally?  Well that sounds like fun.  I prefer a little brighter myself, but I must admit that blue is fun!  Maybe you’re not so bad after all.  So, if you are afraid of loud noises, have you at least fantasized about exploding anything?

Yes. It’s only natural to imagine something getting blown to a million pieces.

Alien SmileYes!  There is hope for her yet!  Okay, you kindred explosive spirit, I will allow you to give away a .pdf copy of this book with the creepy half-headed guy on the cover.  What’s it called again?

The Romance Novel Book Club

Alien SmileYeah, that.  And Jennifer promises to explain the half-naked man on the cover to me later.

So!  Get on with it readers!

Do you want to read about this girl and her half-naked half-headed man?  Start commenting!  One random commenter will receive a .pdf copy from this crazy kindred blue-haired thinking about explosion lady, Kastil Evenshade.

Thanks for coming, Kastil!  the winner will be chosen on Monday, so get commenting!

If you’d like to find out more about Kastil and the gads of books she’s had published, hop on over to http://kastil.wordpress.com/

Sunday Snippet from my Paranormal Romance Une Variante

Sunday_Snippets

Happy Sunday Snippets!

Today I decided to give you a snippet from a completed novella that I will be sending out to query sometime mid-January.

Une Variante is a Paranormal Romance, and I am really tickled with it.

Now, I am going to admit that I did the random-number thing here, but when I saw where it landed, I had to giggle, and I stepped up two lines just to get the whole scene in.

Yes, leave it to me to include going to the bathroom in a story.  I had a good reason though.  I needed her out of the room, and hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go, right?

Here’s 112 words from Une Variente. Amanda is getting water for another character who has an upset stomach.

swish swivel squiggle

She walked to the powder room and turned on the faucet. As the cup filled, her own stomach gurgled. Maybe the pizza got her, too. She set the cup down and closed the door, readying to do her business.

Amanda’s reflection stared back at her in the mirror, tracing every imperfection in her aging face. Jason was worried about his body, and he was absolutely beautiful…and look at her. So many little lines and a few silver highlights adding to her dark hair’s glow. My God, what does he even see in me? She hit the bathroom fan and flushed the toilet, scrunching her hair with damp fingers after washing her hands.

swish swivel squiggle

So what do you think?  Ever had a character stuck in the can? Do tell. 🙂

Join me with your own Sunday Snippet.  Sign up here and we can bop around and giggle or be wowed by randomly selected snippets of whatever you want to post.  It’ll be fun!

Or post your snippet below.  Hey, I’m easy going.  Whatever makes you happy!

JenniFer_EatonF

Have you ever made a promise you never expected to keep? A review of “Beginning of Forever” by Terri Rochenski

Yes, I am still on my blog tour for “Make Believe” and “For the Love of Christmas” but today is one of those great days when I can hop back here and share a little love.

This was a crazy idea, but at the time it seemed like a good one when I agreed.  Terri Rochenski, who is an anthology buddy from “Make Believe” is also in a Christmas anthology that was just released.  “Christmas Magic” is available now for your Snuggly holiday reading pleasure.

Anyway, we decided to review each other’s stories on the same day.  (Yeah, no pressure)  So, to read her review of my story “Connect the Dots” from the “For the Love of Christmas” anthology, click HERE to hop on over to Terri’s site.  I’ll be jumping over there in a minute with you to see what she said.

But in the meantime, let’s Chat about Terri’s story.

Now, Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, right?

DON’T SAY NO!  I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

Anyway, this is my conundrum:  I’m reading “The Beginning of Forever”, ready for an uplifting romance… and it starts off on page one with the love of her life DYING.

What

Where’s the love?  Where’s the joy? What’s going to happen to that dinner she has in the oven?

Dang, I was bawling my freaking eyes out!

I could not, in my right mind, figure out where she was going with this… and then “it” happened. I figured it out.

This is not really a story about Christmas.

It is not even really what I would consider a Romance.

This is a story about coming to grips with life, and finding a way to cope.  This is a story about moving on, about self-discovery, and using your past to guide your future.

Terri realistically weaves this 50’s based historical “romance” into a story that will leave you wiping the tears from your eyes and turning pages, begging for everything to turn out all right.

As for the title of this review: Have you ever made a promise you never expected to keep? I need to keep that to myself because it’s a spoiler… but that is also what this story is about… Keeping promises because you have to, not because you want to, and then dealing with finding out you want to keep your promise after all.

This is a wonderfully spun tale that Rochenski should be very proud of.

My only gripe is that it is sandwiched in an anthology of more whimsical tales, and I’m not sure the readers of the “lighter” stories enclosed will “get” the depth of emotion and strength of this story. This is not a light fun read.  This is more centered to someone who enjoys something with more serious content.  Absolutely well done.

Okay… now I’m hopping over to see what she said about mine… Coming with me?

Are ya back? I hope what she said was nice.  As for comments, let’s keep with the title… “Have you ever made a promise you never expected to keep?”  Well, have you?

JenniFer_EatonF

Oh my gosh, I am such a wuss. I don’t think I can do this

Have you ever written something, thought it was great, but had second thoughts?  Ugh.  I am soooo there right now.

I’ve mentioned a few times that I’m working on a Paranormal called Une Variante.  I am a Fantasy writer at heart, but I like to stretch myself.  My first publication (Last Winter Red) is a Dystopian, and my second and third publications are contemporary “Sweet” Romances.

So why the second thoughts about Une Variante?  Well, the problem is that there is a heat rating.  It’s not kinky or anything, but there is definitely and “open door” to the bedroom.

Having always “faded to black” in the past, I am understandably nervous about this.  I have two people lined up to do a full beta on Une Variante as soon as it is complete. I’ve asked them because one looks for open door romances for her recreational reading, and the second is a writer of open door (and far worse kinkier stuff).

That aside….. Today, I sent the first ten pages to my local critique group.  You know what I did?

**blush**

I CENSORED MYSELF. [Smacks head on desk]

What am I doing?  Ugh.  I just couldn’t send it out in its “True glory”.

Now, part of the problem is that the word count would have dropped them right in the middle of “the scene”.  I didn’t want my critique session to be just “about that”, and I was afraid it would deter from what I really wanted … which was a critique of the beginning.

I considered asking if anyone would find it offensive, and just send “the scene” to people who wanted to read it… but I wussed about that too.

I gotta admit that I also didn’t want to look into the eyes of people after them just having read “that”.  Ugh… I am such a wuss.

Part of me is hoping that the Romance Reader and Erotica Writer tell me that the heat scene stinks, because that would give me an excuse to fade it to black.

[smacking myself again]

Have you ever had second thoughts about something you’ve written?

Road to Publication #24: – The tinglies are here, and I’m dreading when the slapping will start.

Yeah, this was supposed to post Monday.  I’m a delinquent.  I just can’t keep up right now.  Ever been there?

The funny thing is I almost went to bed without posting this one, too… and All I’ve done tonight is blog posts for guest appearances.  Funny–I forgot my own.

Back to the Road to Publication …. I just received another email from someone who’s read an Arc (Advance Reader Copy) of Make Believe.  They said that “Last Winter Red” was their favorite story “by far” and they wanted to do an interview with me.  Can I hear a squee?

Now, I am not vain enough to think that the other authors are not getting similar email responses to their own stories…. But this is the third response like this I’ve received, and it feels good.  So so so good.

But creeping in the back of my brain is knowledge that the day will eventually come where someone will pick up the Make Believe Anthology and love every story EXCEPT mine.

It’s inevitable, isn’t it?  Not every story will resonate with everyone.  I listen to other authors complain about reviews… and I’m trying to tell myself that I won’t read any reviews at all.

Ugh.  Maybe you guys can screen them for me and just tell me about the good ones?

I don’t know.  I’m pretty thick skinned, and I do not expect EVERYONE to like my story.  I really don’t.  I just hope when that dreaded day comes that they have a little mercy and chock it up to “this is not my cup of tea” rather than “this chic stinks beyond reason”.

How do you think you will react to your reviews?

For those of you who have gone through this already, how do you handle the good and the bad?

Six Sentence Sunday – Playing up the Romance card

Here is another Six from my Short “A Test of Faith”. No laughing. I know I’m not the Romance type.

Hmmm… but I can write in a rocket, and have it crash and explode into the office building….

No! No! No! This is the quiet-time… The gentle loving side of me… sit back and relax… *COUGH COUGH*

I ran my fingers down his cheek, my nails scratching against a day’s worth of stubble. “I don’t think you officially asked me out yet, mister.”

The left side of his mouth smiled before the right side. Gosh I loved that little quirk about him.

“Ya gonna get all technical on me now?”

“Sorry, a girl likes to be romanced.”

Yeah, what can I say… It’s romance… It’s just a little something fluffy I do to gear myself up to EXPLODE SOMETHING! Buts it’s nice to write a sequence once in a while that doesn’t make you tense. You know what I mean?