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Calisa Rhose with Heather Kinnane and her Faery Dreamy novel #fantasy #MFRWauthor #interview
Osiyo~
Welcome one and all! Grab a beverage of choice, something sweet and sinful. No-no, not the men. What’s the matter with you? You know the hands-on rules… The guest gets first pick! 😉 Take a comfy seat for another, or a first, spin in the Round Pen.
I’m thrilled to welcome my wonderfully talented guest today, Heather Kinnane, who is sharing her book, A Faery Dream: Nerida’s Story with us!
Please show Heather some real Ranch love!
Before I get to the nosy part of this interview, tell us a bit about you.
Hi everyone!
I’m an Australian writer of sweet and steamy romantic escapes. My books always have a happy ending, because there’s no guarantee of getting that in real life, and sometimes it’s just nice to know things are going to end well. I have three children, and a very supportive husband who is the only reason I’m able to find enough time to write books! He also provides the inspiration for my heroes. 😉
Author Bio: Heather Kinnane is the author of the romantic fantasy series, ‘A Faery Dream’, and the steamy menage series ‘Seeking Satisfaction’. She lives in Australia with her husband, children and pets, in a house in the bush. When she’s not writing she’s usually avoiding the housework by reading, gardening, or soaking up the natural world. Sometimes she’s lucky enough to be visited by echidnas, sugar gliders, or wedge-tailed eagles.
Okay, let’s begin.
My writing area at the moment is a corner of the couch in my living room. What does your writing space look like?
Ha – my writing space is often a corner of the couch, too! I am trying to be a little more organized this year though, so I’ve reclaimed the small upstairs office from my children (who discovered all the arty and crafty bits in the cupboards and took over), and am enjoying having a bit of space where I can spread out and know I (mostly) won’t be disturbed.
For a lot of writer’s it’s a life-altering event coming up with titles and character names. Others it comes as naturally as breathing. Which is it for you?
Titles and names are so difficult for me! It’s very rare that they just fall into place, mostly I spend ages agonizing over them, and changing them a billion times before I settle on something. I’m envious of those who can find names and titles easily. Wish it were contagious!
What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?
Keep writing. It’s a bit cliché but honestly – the only way to be published is to keep going. Perseverance is the key.
The constant shift of the industry makes me often scratch my head and ask ‘what next?’ So, what do you think it takes to be a successful author at the moment?
I’m not sure I know how to answer that one! So tricky! Like you say – there’s a constant shift – always new things to try. And then you have to be careful that the trying new things doesn’t steal away precious writing time (with three kids any moment I can get to myself is precious – I’ve got to be careful how I spend it!). I guess this answer is a bit the same as above – just keep writing. If you’re writing good stories, the readers will find you (eventually).
Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?
It would be great to meet Stephen King! I love his work – The Dark Tower in particular is one of my all-time favourite series.
It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆
Favorite animal? Cat
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Autumn
Favorite food? Chocolate
Well done! And for those who question her answer, CHOCOLATE IS A FOOD GROUP! 😉
Okay, Flash four. Ready? What are you working on now?
I wrote a novella during Nanowrimo last year, and I’m working my way through that at the moment… it’s a re-telling of the old Scottish Ballad of Tam Lin – awesome heroine saves her lover from the Fairy Realm. I’m pretty pleased with how it’s going, so far.
What are you sharing today?
My newest release is the third in my ‘A Faery Dream’ series – ‘Nerida’s Story’ – though this one is focusing on a different character, so it works as a stand-alone too.
Nerida’s whole life has been focused on preparing for one thing – to be Consort to the King of Faery. She’s kept herself distant, awaiting the day when the King would be found and she would take her place beside him.
But there is no King. Instead, Nyssa is now Queen, with Kellen, Nerida’s brother, as her Consort.
Nerida has never felt so lost in her life.
When Imradon appears, he brings out feelings Nerida thought she’d never experience. But fighting against a lifetime of conditioning is hard, and then there’s the big question: does she want a partner, or is she just looking for something—anything—to fill this terrible emptiness?
A Faery Dream 3: Nerida’s Story, can be read as stand-alone or part of the series.
Where can we find you and your books?
Nerida’s Story can be found here:
kindle: www.amazon.com/Neridas-Story-Faery-Dream-Book-ebook/dp/B079CBMJWN/
ePub: www.books2read.com/u/3nOA08
My website: www.heatherkinnane.com
My amazon page: www.amazon.com/Heather-Kinnane/e/B00ELDPLZ6/
Where will you be next?
I’m hanging out on Twitter at the moment www.twitter.com/HeatherKinnane
But you can also find me on Patreon (www.patreon.com/HeatherKinnane) – with lots of deleted scenes, and early glimpses of what I’m working on, and plenty of other things too. 😊
Thank you so much for playing along Heather! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.
Thank you so much for having me Calisa! I had so much fun – already looking forward to catching up again next time. 😊
Dodadagohvi~
Calisa Rhose presents~ March2018 UnCover Monthly~ and a little hottie! #MFRWauthors #Coverlove
Osiyo~
Welcome to Pen of the Dreamer, where I welcome guest authors with their beautiful covers on UnCover Monthly!
Dean (4 mos) with coat hook-night light I made him for Christmas 2017
I also enjoy sharing a little of my life once in a while to let you know more about me. This weekend I was so fortunate to meet my new little nephew, Dean Lewis! He’s just over 4 months old and lives several hundred miles from us, so this was my first meeting with the little hottie (to-be) and he absolutely stole my heart. I can’t express how exciting it was to spend two days with little monkey butte! He seems to always have a ready smile, no matter who or what it’s for. My husband and I made this cute coat hook/night light for him. His nursery is done in sailor/ocean theme and he seems to like this new piece! (I do take orders for these, contact me at fancifulallure@gmail.com.)
Lots of pics were taken, though not nearly enough! LOL Say hello to Dean!
So, I’ve changed the days I post this feature to the second Monday of each month, instead of the first Monday. Go HERE to get the application, read carefully, then hurry and submit your covers! Remember, the early bird gets the prime slots. 😀
For now, enjoy more awesome cover art by the incredible authors and artists who make them possible for you to gaze upon each month. It would be great if you leave a comment letting everyone know what you think about them and maybe even check out a few author links to meet those behind the books. Or just say hi. Don’t forget to tell your friends to stop by so they can appreciate some greatness, or get in on the fun, too!
This feature is only to highlight the authors and artists, instead of the actual book (though if you see one you want to buy I’m sure the authors won’t mind 😆 ). Enjoy this months’ covers to ogle and explore. If there is one provided, you can follow the artist links by clicking on the name, if there’s an artist link provided, to learn more about the amazing creators of these beautiful covers.
- Normally I wouldn’t post with so few covers to share but, due to promises to these authors, I am sharing just two lovely covers this month. Please enjoy! Send your covers to the link below to see your books here!
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Title: Crimson Heart
Crimson Series, bk 2
Author: Georgiana Fields
Weblink: www.facebook.com/AuthorGeorgianaFields
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel 327pgs
Heat Level: 4- hot- sex
Publisher: Gilded Dragonfly Books
Cover artist: Gina Dyer
Release date: March 28, 2016
Reporter Caitlin MacPhee lives in two worlds. Celebrating her 200th birthday, she has finally found her true mate. Following her mother’s advice to throw sexy human detective Raven O’Brien to the floor and have her way with him is not her idea of romance.
Caitlin has never revealed to Raven her true nature or the depth of her desire for him or his blood. Conflict over her continued involvement in a series of bizarre murders leads to passionate declarations.
Raven is intrigued, not afraid when he learns of the Dhampir, but finding out about Caitlin doesn’t prevent him from worrying about her when the actions of a vindictive reporter places Caitlin in the crosshairs of a serial killer.
Will Raven and Caitlin be able to survive a kill as well as their differences to build a life together?
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Title: Heart of Honor
Knights of Honor, Bk 5
Author: Alexa Aston
Weblink: www.alexaaston.com
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 4
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Cover artist: Dar Albert
Release date: August 21, 2017
1375 A.D. – When Sir Christopher “Kit” Emory’s beloved mother falls ill, he decides to seek the help of someone he met briefly at the royal court years ago—Lady Alys de Montfort, a renowned healer despite her young age. While traveling to her home at Kinwick Castle, Kit is accosted by a band of highwayman, who beat and rob him, leaving him to die. Fortunately, an escort party comes across him and Lady Alys insists they take the stranger home so she can use her skill in the healing arts to save his life.
The man awakens and has no memory of his identity, but Alys believes he might be Kit Emory, a young man she’d met once when she was a young girl. Kit comforted her when the queen died and Alys never forgot his kindness to her. Alys does what she can to jog Kit’s memory, even as she struggles with her growing attraction to him, knowing Kit was betrothed and must now be wed. Kit also finds his desire deepening for Alys, but he doesn’t know his own name, much less if he has a wife or family. Until he recalls who he is, he refuses to commit his heart to Alys.
Once Kit regains his memory and realizes he is free to pursue Alys, their road to love is anything but smooth.
Join Kit and Alys as they overcome events that continue to tear them apart and threaten the love they have for one another.
*Each book in the Knights of Honor series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
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Thank you to the authors who submit their covers
and make this a special place to share!
To see YOUR cover here visit the
UnCover Monthly
page for detailed instructions.
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Please note: There’s a heat level rating for covers, a 1-4 scale, for my readers’ benefit. You should never see a *5* rating on the Ranch–aka my blog– since that’s not what I write, and I try to maintain my genre brand.
Some author links may be shortened due to the site format, but the hyperlinks still direct readers to the page link provided. If any link does not work when clicked, please let me know so I can fix it asap. A note in comments or by email is good.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about covers being revealed here, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can leave it in a comment or email through my contact page https://calisarhose.com/say-hey/.
For other guest spots, visit the Ranch Guideline page https://calisarhose.com/ranch-guest-guidelines/ and email me the appropriate information, then we can set your date.
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Calisa Rhose presents~ February2018 UnCover Monthly~ and a new posting date #submityourcovers #MFRWauthors #Coverlove
Osiyo~
Welcome one and all!
I still need lots and lots of covers to share for 2018, so I’m leaving this invitation up until I send out an email begging for your covers! 😆
Apologies, I don’t post erotic/a, or anything above a heat level 4 in content or cover. You will find everything you need to show the world your covers at this link: https://calisarhose.com/uncover-monthly/
Please, consider submitting your covers, and I’d appreciate if you would share this link to January’s UCM showcase with your loops and groups.
The next post will go live at 12:01 a.m. (CMT) Monday, February 12. We’d love to see new faces in the comments and in the showcase as we move together into a brand new year.
Thank you!!!
Back to business! Welcome to Pen of the Dreamer, where I welcome guest authors with their beautiful covers on UnCover Monthly! I’ve changed the days I post this feature to the second Monday of each month, instead of the first Monday.
Go HERE to get the application, read carefully, then hurry and submit your covers! Remember, the early bird gets the prime slots. 😀
For now, enjoy more awesome cover art by the incredible authors and artists who make them possible for you to gaze upon each month.
It would be great if you leave a comment letting everyone know what you think about them and maybe even check out a few author links to meet those behind the books. Or just say hi. Don’t forget to tell your friends to stop by so they can appreciate some greatness, or get in on the fun, too!
This feature is only to highlight the authors and artists, instead of the actual book (though if you see one you want to buy I’m sure the authors won’t mind 😆 ). Enjoy this months’ covers to ogle and explore. If there is one provided, you can follow the artist links by clicking on the name, if there’s an artist link provided, to learn more about the amazing creators of these beautiful covers.
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Title: A Relative Matter
Author: Karen Cogan
Weblink: www.kecogan.wordpress.com/
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 1
Publisher: Karen Cogan
Cover Artist: N/A
Release date: May 23, 2015
In this sweet Regency romance, life in India is idyllic for Anne Tyler and her younger brother, Jeremy until the deaths of their parents shatter their world. They are sent to England to live with a grandfather that neither remembers. However, as the years pass, the kindly man proves a balm for their wounded hearts. His death, when it comes, is a cruel blow.
Though his will leaves the estate to Jeremy, the boy is not yet of age. His grandfather’s nephew, a man with a mysterious past, is named guardian of the property
and soon arrives to take up his duty. Unfortunately, the man has a son who is both evil and cunning. Since he stands to inherit the estate should Jeremy die, he will stop at nothing to get his hands on the property.
Murder and threats of murder soon haunt their every move. Standing between them and disaster is the handsome Lord Westerfield, a man who promises to defend Anne and Jeremy, even at risk to his own life.
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Title: Druid Warrior Prince,
Celtic Stewards Chronicles, Bk #3
Author: Juli D. Revezzo
Weblink: www.julidrevezzo.com
Genre: Medieval Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 2
Publisher: Raven Queen Publications
Cover artist: Raven Queen Publications
Release date: October 16, 2017
Gwenevieve Macken’s well-ordered world falls into chaos as encroaching interlopers scheme to possess both her and her land. Although she’s been trained to spot the signs of inhuman evil in men, the amassing armies take on guises she never expected.
When a foreign guardian presents himself as her only option for salvation, Gwenevieve must make a choice between her desires, and fulfilling the mythic fate to which she was born. A forced marriage to a Tuatha dé Danann warrior isn’t part of her plan.
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Title: Lady of Steel
Bk 1, Medieval Ladies
Author: Mary Gillgannon
Weblink: www.marygillgannon.com
Genre: historical romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 4
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover artist: Debbie Taylor
Release date: January 10, 2018
One rapturous hour sparks unforgettable passion between Lady Nicola and Fawkes de Cressy. But when Fawkes returns from Crusade, he finds Nicola enmeshed in a dark web of castle intrigue. Surrounded by enemies, the battle-hardened knight and the aloof, wary woman must rebuild the bond between them. Or a sinister plot will destroy them both.
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Title: Nerida’s Story,
A Faery Dream 3
Author: Heather Kinnane
Weblink: www.heatherkinnane.com
Genre: Romance
Length: Novella
Heat Level: 1
Publisher: Feathery Wings Publishing
Cover artist: Olivia Pro Design
Release date: March 15, 2018
Nerida’s whole life has been focused on preparing for one thing – to be Consort to the King of Faery. She’s kept herself distant, awaiting the day when the King would be found and she would take her place beside him.
But there is no King. Instead, Nyssa is now Queen, with Kellen, Nerida’s brother, as her Consort.
Nerida has never felt so lost in her life.
When Imradon appears, he brings out feelings Nerida thought she’d never experience. But fighting against a lifetime of conditioning is hard, and then there’s the big question: does she want a partner, or is she just looking for something—anything—to fill this terrible emptiness?
*A Faery Dream 3: Nerida’s Story, can be read as stand-alone or part of the series.
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Title: Stars in the Morning,
Landmarks Series, The Erie Canal
Author: Laura Strickland
Weblink: www.laurastricklandbooks.com
Genre: Historical Romance.
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 4
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover artist: R. J. Morris
Release date: October 6, 2017
Accused of ruining Mae Ballard and faced with a shotgun wedding, Jefferson Lind knows exactly who’s to blame. He’s been taking the fall for Jedediah’s sins as long as he can remember. Mae’s a shrieking shrew, and he hasn’t seen Jed, his identical twin, since they worked digging the Erie Canal together. If he’d been ordered to marry Mae’s sweet younger sister Rosie, instead, he sure wouldn’t complain.
Rosie’s the only member of her family who believes Jeff, and she’d go to any lengths to free him from her sister’s clutches. But when Jedediah turns up with violent thugs on his tail, things quickly grow more dangerous. Gamblers from Buffalo seize both sisters as hostages, prompting a daring impersonation. Can Jeff and Jed shed their troubled past and win the hearts of the women they love?
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Title: Turn to Her,
Bk 2, The Brothers Series
Author: Lynn Kellan
Weblink: www.LynnKellan.com
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel, 173 pages
Heat Level: 4- hot- sex
Publisher: Lynn Kellan
Cover artist: Ida- Amygdala
Release date: December 13, 2017
Ivan Antonov is a bona fide genius, with more patents than any graduate student on campus. Everyone thinks he’s just a brain with no heart, and maybe they’re right. Whenever he opens up, anger spews out. He’s tired of being used for his intellect, tired of fixing everyone else’s problems, and tired of the women’s groups that spew man-hate all over campus. Before he graduates, he’s going to dismantle The Women’s Grid and anything else like it.
His quest inadvertently targets Tia Garcia, the gorgeous psychology intern who lives next door to Ivan. She’s all about helping women become self-sufficient, and she’s agreed to participate in her colleague’s ground-breaking experiment. The experiment pairs her up with Ivan, the brawny neighbor who is difficult to read. He’s sexy as heck, but he insists that her women-only seminars need to include men. If she can’t preserve her program’s integrity, she might lose the post-doctoral job she wants.
There’s a reason why Ivan is determined to defund programs like hers, but he can’t tell her why. If he does, he’ll have to admit that one night, he wasn’t so smart after all. So he buries the truth and works like hell to redeem himself. While he’s at it, he’ll stop the ruthless group of people who want to tear him down, but what could be more heartless than targeting the only woman who wants to read him right?
And what could be more stupid than falling in love with a woman who’s smart enough to figure out his darkest secret?
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I want to thank all the authors who submit their covers
and make this a special place to share!
To see YOUR cover here visit the
UnCover Monthly
page for detailed instructions.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Please note: There’s a heat level rating for covers, a 1-4 scale, for my readers’ benefit. You should never see a *5* rating on the Ranch–aka my blog– since that’s not what I write, and I try to maintain my genre brand.
Some author links may be shortened due to the site format, but the hyperlinks still direct readers to the page link provided. If any link does not work when clicked, please let me know so I can fix it asap. A note in comments or by email is good.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about covers being revealed here, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can leave it in a comment or email through my contact page https://calisarhose.com/say-hey/.
What is my earliest memory? and pics of a baby me~ #CalisaRhose #MFRWauthor #52weekchallenge2
Osiyo~
Marketing For Romance Writers (whom is not actually only for romance writers, but ALL writers) started a 52 week blog challenge last year. Cool, huh? So, you’ll be seeing a lot more posts from me this year with this challenge and, hopefully, in my writing as well.
I don’t know how I missed this challenge last year, or maybe I was aware and I just don’t remember it. Which, ironically, goes with this second week’s preset topic; My earliest memory. Considering here lately I don’t seem to have any memory whatsoever, or at least no short term memory, now I have to sink back 45+ years to an early one! Well, here I go…
This is me. Cute little bugger, huh? I was about 4-6 months old, I believe. No, I don’t remember this particular moment, or where it was taken. I’m guessing Alva, OK. where I was born, since we supposedly moved to California when I was about 6 months old (and that’s not our California house or dogs behind me).
I remember, once in California, living on the
farm owned by Daddy’s Greek boss in Lancaster until I was just over six years old when, we moved to Texas (where I had to repeat kindergarten because of the age/date of birth thing).
I think I was three in the color pic (that’s me on Momma’s right, my older sister on her left, and our older brother behind sis. It seemed my parents took quite a few pics in those fields surrounding our house because there are a butt load of them. 😆
I admit, the country around Lancaster was beautiful, so I can’t really blame them.
But I digress. So, what is my earliest memory?
Before she was school age my sister and I were wild little hellions, running all over the Mojave desert (within range of Momma’s voice, of course). My birthday is late December, and hers late November- and two years older than me- so she didn’t start school until I was almost four. Which meant, I was alone, a lot, in the two years after she started school.
See what I mean? Those fields were the backdrop of many memories. This is my adorable parents.
One day when I was probably five, and this might not even be my earliest memory–those years were about childhood and it was all one big fantasy time for me of interchangeable memories–I had my bff with me, aka sister’s walking doll she told me not to play with. (I have a pic of the doll somewhere.) I was playing in the barn, talking to the boss’s many horses in their stalls. My favorite horse was a deep red three year old sorrel named V-O. He was off limits to us kids because, being a stallion, he was quite mean, or so we were warned. I loved him anyway and spent many hours sitting on his gate petting and talking to him, while my older sibs were in school. Of course, the grown-ups didn’t know what I was doing!
That day I heard the stock trailer rumble into the barnyard and I got very excited at the sound. The trailer always meant NEW HORSES!
I remember running with that doll, who could not keep up and I don’t remember whatever happened to the doll after that. lol I got to the trailer just as the 2000 pound cargo unloaded. To this day, I can remember my breath escaping as I got my first look at the black-as-pitch massive horse with long, flowing mane and a thick tail that dragged in the dirt when he moved. All I do remember is how the sun gleamed off the slick fall coat of the huge beast.
It was the first time I’d ever seen a Frisian, though I didn’t know what he was at the time. I can still remember the giddy feeling as Gus Elliopus swung me up onto a back wide enough to play on! I grabbed a handful of that silky, wavy mane, and held on for dear life because it seemed like I was a hundred feet off the ground! And I rode him as Gus lead us across the barnyard and inside the barn.
That memory stops there. I don’t remember getting off the horse and I don’t recall ever seeing him again. It’s like a mystical dream of a five year old little girl. It is also one of my more vivid memories.
Here’s a horse that looks exactly like my memory, http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-breeds/profiles/friesian-horse-horse-breed.aspx
Thank you for dropping by and I hope you enjoyed my little trip into the way back recesses of my mind. 😆 Join me and visit other authors earliest memories by clicking their links below.
Dodadagohvi~
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Calisa Rhose welcomes Science Fiction author Kayelle Allen #MFRWauthor #interview #scifiauthor
Osiyo~
Welcome one and all! Grab a beverage of choice, something sweet and sinful. No-no, not the men. What’s the matter with you? You know the hands-on rules… The guest gets first pick! 😉 Take a comfy seat for the first Tuesday Round-Up interview of 2018 in the Round Pen.
I couldn’t imagine a better guest to kick off the New Year and I’m thrilled to welcome a multi-talented guest today, and my friend. Kayelle Allen is sharing her book, Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire with us!
Please show Kayelle some real Ranch love!
Before I get to the nosy part of this interview, tell us a bit about you.
I’ve been published since 2004. In 2006, as a response to questions from friends for marketing help, I founded Marketing for Romance Writers, a peer-mentoring group open to the entire literary community. MFRW is now a large online author peer-mentoring group, and provides no-cost training in book marketing skills as well as free promotional services for its members. In 2009, I opened the Romance Lives Forever blog for authors. The site now has a reach of over three million. I teach workshops online, and I’m an invited speaker at numerous online conferences. I’ve been a featured speaker at Outlantacon since its founding and hold an honorary lifetime membership there. I was a board member for Gaylaxicon, and have been a panelist at DragonCon and a featured guest at NerdaCon. My books have won multiple awards, including the EPIC eBook Award for Science Fiction Romance, and one was a finalist in Fantasy. My motto is “romance lives forever” and my books include unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion. I’m married to my personal hero and we live in the metro Atlanta area, near our three grown children and five grandchildren. My husband and I are both US Navy Veterans. We met while on active duty in Memphis, TN.
I still don’t know how you do all that you do! You are a true inspiration, Kayelle.
Okay, let’s begin. My writing area at the moment is my lovely (if more than a lot cluttered at times) office/craft room in the solitude of the second floor of our house, where I rely on my laptop to take me to new places. Sometimes I take the laptop for a walk downstairs when the solitary life of a writer gets to me. What does your writing space look like?
I have a basement office that permits me to step away from everything. I use a desktop computer but sometimes go out for coffee and take a tablet with me. My room’s pretty cozy. I hole up there for long periods when I’m writing.
For a lot of writers it’s a life-altering event coming up with titles and character names. For others it comes as naturally as breathing. Which is it for you?
I rarely struggle with character names. They pop into my head with complete backstories. I can’t explain that. It just happens. For example, I needed a name for a character who was a staff member for my empress. I couldn’t keep writing “her assistant.” So I looked around the room and happened to spy a notepad that had the brand name “Elite.” I thought he’d be elite indeed, so I named him Alitus. The moment I had the name I knew a backstory and description. He actually ended up getting his own book.
I only know of one other author who can do that. Amazing.
What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?
Two things. 1. Don’t quit. Anyone can start writing. It’s those who keep going who finish the book. 2. Study the craft and learn the skills needed. Don’t expect an editor to polish your work. You polish it. Let the editor buff to a shine.
Great words of wisdom!
The constant shift of the industry makes me often scratch my head and ask ‘what next?’ So, what do you think it takes to be a successful author at the moment?
Relationships with readers. You have to get out and meet people, not only in person but online. If you’re not willing to use social media, you are crippling yourself. Likewise, go to other authors’ readings at bookshops. Network. Support other authors. That’s how you get your name out there.
Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?
JD Robb. I’m such a fan of her work.
You and me both! Or rather, Nora Roberts in my case. 🙂
It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆
Favorite animal? Panther (ooh! An answer as unique as you.)
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Yes
Favorite food? Chocolate
Well done! An all-seasons gal. 🙂
Okay, Flash four. Ready?
What are you working on now?
I’ve started on book 3 of the Bringer of Chaos series, Watch Your Six. Readers know Six is a character in the stories. The only human on the planet at this point. Everyone else is immortal. But I’m also making notes on at least three other books at the same time. I focus on writing only one, however. Notes is all I make on other projects.
I should probably take notes from you!
What are you sharing today?
When the immortal Pietas is marooned on a barren world with no food and few survival tools, he knows it could be worse. He could be alone. But that’s the problem. He’s not.
Half a million of his people sleep in cryostasis, trapped inside their pods and it’s up to Pietas to save them. He can’t release one at a time. It’s all or nothing. He’s facing over five hundred thousand hungry, thirsty, homeless, immortals all looking to him for answers.
It’s not all bad. The beautiful telepathic warrior he’s loved for lifetimes is at his side. He’s bonded with a sentient panther. He hates humans but the one dumped on this planet with him has become a trusted friend.
But before Pietas can build shelter, figure out how to grow food, or set up a government, he must take back command from a ruthless enemy he’s fought for centuries. His brutal, merciless father.
Immortals may heal, but a wound of the heart lasts forever…
***
Amazon and in print. Free on Kindle Unlimited
http://amzn.to/2ABIcCI
Review this book on #NetGalley https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/127569
Where can we find you and your books?
Website https://kayelleallen.com
Romance Lives Forever Reader Group https://kayelleallen.com/bro/
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
Instafreebie https://www.instafreebie.com/discover/author/5186/kayelle_allen
Amazon Author page http://amazon.com/author/kayelleallen
Where will you be next?
For any who want to meet me, I’ll be appearing in person at OutlantaCon mid-May. www.outlantacon.org I hope to have some local events in the Atlanta area as well. Join my reader group and you’ll be first to know where I’m going.
How fun! Wish I could be there!
GIVEAWAY
Here is a free adult coloring book to download and print, based on my characters. It contains original art. I hope you enjoy it! http://bit.ly/color-pietas
Thank you, Kayelle!
I’d like to ask a question of your readers if I may. When you visit an author’s website, what two things do you look for? (Example, book covers, bio) I’m updating my website and I’d love to have some feedback on that. Thank you! https://kayelleallen.com
Thank you so much for playing along Kayelle! It’s always a joy catching up with you. Wishing you much luck with your books and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again soon.
Dodadagohvi~
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Cover-Call! #UCM #shareyourcovers #MFRWAuthor
Osiyo~
Welcome one and all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS, however you might celebrate this season!
It’s time to wrap up 2017 and get ready to begin 2018. With that, I thought I’d post a new call for covers.
I need lots and lots of covers to share from January 2018 forward!
Apologies, I don’t post erotica, or anything above a 4 heat level in content or cover image. You will find everything you need to show the world your covers at this link: https://calisarhose.com/uncover-monthly/
Please consider submitting your covers, and I’d appreciate if you would share the link with your loops and groups as well as this UCM showcase.
The next post will go live at midnight (CMT) Tuesday, January 2 (instead of Monday the 1st). We’d love to see new faces in the comments and in the showcase in the months to come.
Thank you!!!
Now, meet our new family member, my five month old, three pound apple-head (notice how round and apple-like her head is?) chihuahua, Itsy-Bitsy Boop. Some of you might have heard earlier this Spring that my beloved Cocoa passed as quietly as she lived–and in my arms. It took a very painful eight months to feel my heart again, it seemed.
But then, I met Bitsy and my daughter gave her to me as an early, and ever amusing, birthday gift. No matter how much thoughts of my Li’l Miss Cocoa Rio still invade my days and nights, Bitsy is always ready to make me laugh and feel loved. And she’s ready for Santa! I’m just not sure if she’s waiting to offer the ultimate elf a gift of her monkey toy, or to taste him, or she’s hoping he might bring her a tasty snack. Fo
r his sake, I hope he brings a snack. Her little baby teeth are razor-sharp! 😆
Back to business! Welcome to Pen of the Dreamer, where I welcome guest authors with their beautiful covers on UnCover Monthly!
Go HERE to get the application, read carefully, then hurry and submit your covers! Remember, the early bird gets the prime slots. 😀
For now, enjoy more awesome cover art by the incredible authors and artists who make them possible for you to gaze upon each month.
It would be great if you leave a comment letting everyone know what you think about them and maybe even check out a few author links to meet those behind the books. Or just say hi. Don’t forget to tell your friends to stop by so they can appreciate some greatness, or get in on the fun, too!
This feature is only to highlight the authors and artists, instead of the actual book (though if you see one you want to buy I’m sure the authors won’t mind 😆 ). Enjoy this months’ covers to ogle and explore. If there is one provided, you can follow the artist links by clicking on the name, if there’s an artist link provided, to learn more about the amazing creators of these beautiful covers.
There’s a heat level rating for covers, one through four scale, for your benefit. You should never see a *5* rating on the Ranch since I don’t feature anything erotic in nature.
Some author links may be shortened due to the site format, but the hyperlinks are not. If any link does not work when clicked, please let me know so I can fix it asap. A note in comments or by email is good.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about covers being revealed here, please don’t hesitate to let me know. You can leave it either in a comment or by my contact page https://calisarhose.com/say-hey/.
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Title: A Ghost To Die For
Author: Keta Diablo
Weblink: www.ketaskeep.blogspot.com
Genre: Contemporary-Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella, 33000 words.
Heat Level: 3
Publisher: Keta Diablo
Cover artist: Charlene Raddon
Release date: September 15, 2017
Do you believe in ghosts? Rooney Fontaine doesn’t—or didn’t until one named Stuart Granger shows up in her hotel room. Now the humorous, yet desperate, apparition is begging her to find the men who murdered him before his brother becomes their next victim.
After serving three tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, Stephan Granger is no stranger to risk and peril. When a woman shows up at his house rambling about ghosts, murder and assassins, his first inclination is to deem her wrong in the head and send her packing. But how does she know things that happened to him and his dear departed brother in their childhoods, secrets they never shared with anyone?
Soon after he invites her in to hear more about what really happened to Stuart, gunfire splits the air and shatters all the windows in the house. Someone is trying to kill them. Now they’re on the run from assassins while trying to find out who killed his brother and why they want him dead too.
Even amid murder and mayhem, sometimes you find love.
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Title: Christmas Revels IV :
Four Regency Novellas
(Christmas Revels series)
Author: Hannah Meredith, Anna D. Allen,
Kate Parker, Louisa Cornell
Weblink: www.hannahmeredith.com
Genre: Historical romance
Length: Anthology -433 pages (Print)
Heat Level: 1-4
Publisher: Singing Sprint Press
Cover artist: Hannah Meredith
Release date: October 30, 2017
The Revels Continue…
The Sergeant’s Christmas Bride – Sergeant Jacob Burrows just wants a place to bed down for the night. He never expects to be confronted by a lady with a gun. Elizabeth FitzWalter intends to drive the stranger off her land, until she realizes he meets her most pressing need.
Home for Christmas – When Charity Fletcher receives a mysterious bequest—a house by the sea—she hopes to rebuild her life. Lord Gilbert Narron leases a seaside house to hide from his memories of war. Charity’s refuge is Gil’s bolt-hole… but what both are seeking is a home for their hearts.
A Memorable Christmas Season –The last thing Lady Roekirk expects at her Christmas party is a dead traitor in her parlor… or the Crown’s Spymaster helping her hide the body. Thirty years earlier, she’d been forced to wed another and Lord Keyminster became a spy. After this long, does their love stand a chance?
A Perfectly Unforgettable Christmas – Every day, Lucien Rollinsby endures a memory of Christmas Eve. Not even his lovely new neighbor can make him forget that horrible night five years ago. Caroline McAlasdair remembers that Christmas Eve, too. But if Lucien recalls her presence there, it will destroy their only chance at happiness forever.
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Title: Christmastime on Donner’s Mountain
Author: Laura Strickland
Weblink: www.laurastricklandbooks.com
personal link.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Heat Level: 3
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Cover artist: Diana Carlisle
Release date: November 10, 2017
For most of her life, Becca Monroe’s been running. The urge to see what lay beyond the next horizon took her away from Donner’s Mountain and the man she loved. Now, back for what will surely be her grandfather’s last Christmas, she’s caught in a tangle of unresolved emotions that leave her torn between the impulse to flee and the desire to stay.
Jack Donner never stopped loving Becca, even though she deserted him. Better than anyone else, he knows how cruel it would be to fetter her wild spirit, and he doubts she could ever be happy living in one place, on his mountain.
Can memories of Christmases past remind Becca what truly matters? And can love convince Jack to give her one more chance, even if it means risking his battered heart?
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Title: Her Country Heart,
Christmas Edition,
Sierra Creek Series Bk 1
Author: Reggi Allder
Weblink: www.facebook.com/reggi.allder
Genre: Contemporary romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 3
Publisher: Cressmead Publishing
Cover artist: Steven Novak
Release date: September 1, 2017
Why is Amy Long attracted to the only man who can prevent her from achieving her dream?
A single mother, she was downsized and then lost her apartment in the city. Will she have a home for Christmas? Hoping to find a fresh start, Amy returns to the small town of Sierra Creek. Does she fit in? Cowboy Wyatt Cameron knows she belongs in the city and he has the power to see she returns.
What can she do to change his mind? When opposites attract, will sparks fly without breaking a heart?
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Title: Love’s Ultimate Balm
Author: Mickie Sherwood
Weblink: www.mickiesherwood.com/
Genre: African American Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 2
Publisher: Mickie Sherwood
Cover artist: Mickie Sherwood
Release date: October 1, 2017
Now that Dr. ZeLisa Tobias has survived an IED attack and a stint of homelessness, nothing will prevent her from achieving her goals (her “Three B’s”). Then, the veterinarian makes a house call on Halloween night. Face to face with a man from her past, she must deal with his feelings of betrayal and, later, a series of rash misfortune that threatens her newfound stability.
Firefighter Hank Streeter knows his call to the animal hospital is a mistake the instant he answers the door. The doctor has arrived. And—heartbreak is her name.
Will deception, doubt, and a run of bad luck curse their accidental reunion? Or will Hank convince ZeLisa that a marriage of convenience is love’s ultimate balm?
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Title: No Such Thing As Dasher
Author: Juli D. Revezzo
Weblink: www.julidrevezzo.com
Genre: Paranormal romance
Length: Novelette
Heat Level: 1
Publisher: Raven Queen Publications
Cover artist: Raven Queen Publications
Release date: November 16, 2017
For Avery, her holiday duties as a forest ranger oftentimes involve tracking revelers who have lost their way in her wilderness domain. After a camper clashes with a reindeer, however, Avery is shocked to discover the creature is defended not by Santa, but by the formidable, yet gentle, shapeshifting Lord of the Forest.
Can the magic of the forest bring together a ranger and a supernatural being, or is Avery destined to celebrate yet another Christmas alone?
An enchanting fairy tale to celebrate the magic of the season!
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Title: One Week to Win Her Boss,
Snowflake Valley #2
Author: Barbara White Daille
Weblink: www.barbarawhitedaille.com
Genre: Sweet romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: 1
Publisher: Entangled Bliss
Release date: November 2018
Single mom Amber Barnett loves family, kids, Christmas…and unfortunately, her boss, confirmed bachelor Michael DeFranco. It’s a crush she really needs to get over. Except, when she’s temporarily forced from her apartment, her only option is to stay at Michael’s private ski lodge, where she’s the housekeeper. No problem. Her handsome boss rarely visits Snowflake Valley unexpectedly, plus he’s spending the holidays with his family. Or so she thinks…
A stormy Christmas Eve reunion leaves Michael seeking the solitude of his lodge, where he finds Amber in residence—and in trouble. Attempting to save her from her matchmaking family, he announces they’re a couple. His good deed backfires when they’re instantly included in each and every holiday event in town. So much for solitude.
Only the more time he spends with the beautiful, cheery brunette, the more he yearns to make things real between them. But he and Amber want different things, and Michael could never be the family man she’s looking for.
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Title: Retribution
Author: Karen Cogan
Weblink: www.amazon.com/Karen-Cogan/
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel 351 Pages
Heat Level: 1
Publisher: Karen Cogan
Cover artist: N/A
Release date: July 12, 2017
In this romantic crime novel, Steve Yarrow returns from war to discover that his hometown is no safer than a war zone. His family is marked for murder and he is the first on the hit list. The only escape lies in identifying the assailant and the motive before it is too late.
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Title: Rule Breakers, Soul Takers,
Bk One, Hell Runners Series
Author: Jacqueline Jayne
Weblink: www.jacquelinejayneauthor.com
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel- 109,000 words
Heat Level: 4
Publisher: Hartwood Publishing
Cover artist: Hartwood Publishing
Release date: November 2017
For more than a hundred years, gifted humans of the uber-elite, ultra-secret Hell Runners Society have sworn to rescue lost souls from the First Ring of Hell. Thousands of misguided spirits have been saved and sent onto Heaven without one Soul Saver ever questioning the Society’s authority.
Until now.
Prudence Luckett trained almost her entire life to earn the prestigious position of Soul Saver. Just like her father. But once Jack Luckett became Chancellor, he wielded his power to prevent his daughter entering Hell’s First Ring. Her career stunted. Without explanation. Bent on circumventing her father’s orders, Pru swallows her pride and approaches Hell Runner’s only-ever demoted Soul Saver with a proposition. Though as arrogant and stubborn as he is sexy, she’s certain he’s like her—desperate to regain his good reputation as she is to create one.
Jesse Thorne rescued more souls than anyone else in the Society’s history, but lost everyone’s respect the day his former partner decided to punt the rules. Though forbidden by the boss, his partner chose to remain behind the Gate and search for the Legendary Door connecting Heaven to Hell. Jesse didn’t agree with his decision, but he kept his friend’s secret. The backlash resulted in accusations of negligence for leaving his partner behind. Worse still, he suffered a total shunning by all the other Soul Savers.
All, except one. The Chancellor’s irrepressible and smokin’ hot daughter, offering him a chance at redemption.
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I want to thank all the authors who submit their covers
and make this a special place to share!
To see YOUR cover here visit the
UnCover Monthly
page for detailed instructions.
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Writing that first draft~NANO Day 11~ #nanowrimo2017 #firstdraft #mfrwauthor #amwriting
Osiyo~
Writing is like building. The more you add, the more people want experience the thrill for the first time. Readers are a big part of the writing process. There’s nothing worse than having a reader fall into the murky depths of a book they can’t relate to in even a small way. You want a strong “bridge” off the bat to help your readers get to the end and then, want to revisit that bridge again, and again. 😀 
Writing your first draft is the model of your intended project. Once you have an acceptable model, you begin the framing and creating–rough draft edits 1-1000– until you have that finished masterpiece that others will see. Edits build a better, stronger ms, but you can’t edit what you haven’t written.
Wait to do improvements until it’s first finished. No builder remodels his bridge before it gets finished, and others have a chance to give it a test run.
Here’s a little extra for you. I subscribe to Writer’s Digest blog for their informative articles and tips on writing. Here’s one with tips on first drafts (what you’re writing during NaNo), by Kathy Leonard Czepiel.
Just a reminder. Keep holding that inner editor at bay. Wait until you reach day 30, or 50K, before you turn that editing minion loose. Personally, I like to take a short breather from a completed first draft.
What about you? Do you have to take a week to congratulate or reward yourself for surviving NaNo? Two weeks, maybe you need more, to allow your brain to relax before jumping back in. I usually end up taking notes for my next project, which is usually already steeping on a back burner before I get half way on the current wip.
Here’s a thought, go check out Silver’s website and books while you let that wip set up. Multi-genre talent there, folks. Fantasy (embrace your inner fae!), paranormal (love you some alpha wolf shifters?) and contemporary romance (Sigh-cowboys). She’s a self-published author, small epress author and HQN~Big 5. Seriously, check her out!
After you’ve finished your NANO word count for the day, of course. 😉
Dodadagohvi~
Are you a freakin’ psychic?~NANO Day 12~ #nanowrimo2017 #plotorpantz #mfrwauthor #amwriting
Osiyo~
Day 12! Almost to the half way point.
How do you avoid the dreaded “sagging middle?”
Do you know what your story is about? Are you one of “those?” You have a 75 page synopsis to guide you. A pre-story that you will follow to an astounding T, or damn near, if not exact. You know when your characters will pee, though you won’t show that to readers (or will you? O^o). Do you know when they will take their next breath. Do you know what that breath will sound like before you even write that scene?
You…are a true plotter.
I congratulate you! Foresight like that is a real gift! I mean, freakin’ psychic!
I, on the other hand, am like this cat. I eat plot bunnies for dessert! Thank you very much. What a dreadful thought. I take that back. 🙂
However, I do not begin with a synopsis, and if I do, it might be a whole page, or not, of random thoughts. Will my heroine go pee? Well, who knows? I sure don’t! 😆 Will they breathe? Um, they’d die if they didn’t, so… Yeah? I assume at least one will take a breath. When? What will it sound like?
HellifIknow!
I am a pantser.
We-e-e-ell, maybe not 100%. I’m told I’m not a true pantser anymore. Nope. I’m not a true plotter, either.
I used to be a solid pantser. Really. But, I spent most of October trying to figure my story line out before NaNo began. I took notes. I MADE A PLOT BOOKLET! Yes, I did that. I even used a page or two in it.
Okay, I admit, I wrote in it mostly because it’s such a stinkin’ cute thing, and also because I wasted a day making it, so I had to at least write something in it.
Guess what? I haven’t looked at it since! Nope. I just looked and it wasn’t where I thought I’d seen it last.
I semi-plot-pantz, or since I’m a pantser first, do I semi-pantz-plot. Either way, I’m a hybrid.
I am a plotser.
You might be completely out in left field, maybe you’re an outliner. Another method many use, and I do not. I tried it; didn’t work for me.
What I want to know is, will that bunny still have me with his tea since I’m part plotter?? LOL
Just remember, whatever method you use, as long as it works for you to get words written, that’s all that matters.
Don’t let anyone tell you how (they think) you HAVE to write to be successful. Whatever it is that keeps you writing one word after another, one page or chapter after the last—you just keep doing what YOU do and you are already a success! You are a writer.
Happy Nanoing!
Thanks to Silver James for this fun meme that kinda reminds me of my Trouble Kitty.. 😉
Dodadagohvi~
NANOWRIMO Day 9- Are you playing it safe or jumping in head first? #nanowrimo2017 #jumpin #mfrwauthor #amwriting
Osiyo
I’m a couple of days behind. Okay, a week. But that’s because I’ve been trying to get as many words written as I can each day. I’m going to make these next few short and sweet, hopefully even a little inspirational for all of you! If you’ve been reading these meme posts all along, I am so very sorry to have left you hanging on day 8!
So, here we go!
Really, what’s there left to say that inspirational Silver James doesn’t say with this “throw caution to the wind” meme?
As my mama used to quote from Doris Day, que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be.
Short and sweet to do a few catch-up memes, because life is busy for us all and I fell too far behind. 😆
Happy NoNoWriMo!!!!
Dodadagohvi~
Push through the ruts ~ NaNo Day 8~ #nanowrimo2017 #mfrwauthor #keepwriting
Osiyo~
So technically this post should be the one on nutrition, but I didn’t know this one was coming. lol I can only thank Silver James for this. LOL (Good thing I love ya!)
I will reiterate that eating is important. I’m one of those who, when I get into a writing groove, the words fly, adding up and before I realize I’ve reached or passed my daily goal…and lunch or dinner with it. Those are days I love, but suffer for the most. 😆
So, we move into week two with a better handle on my characters and their story. Words are coming easier now that I’ve passed 500 for at least five times over the past two years. Yes, this is a new story, because I haven’t been able to find the right beginning, so ten pages into it I would lose the thread, the motivation, the whatever-it-is-I-need-to-keep-the-story-moving forward. Some of this is because I’m more panster than plotter. Part is that I’m writing the story wrong, and my characters don’t cooperate, won’t “talk” to me, until I finally get it right.
Eventually I work my way through the rut and all will be okay again. 🙂 Most of the time this is by writing. I won’t say daily, because I can’t always write. But when I can, I do. Sometimes that nets me five words and six deletions, but it’s writing, all part of the process.
Day 8- 1382
Onward!
Dodadagohvi~
I write contemporary and paranormal romance, with sensuality as the key ingredient and spice for kick.
Pen of The Dreamer 