Stories By Mina Khan

Cover Reveal & Karma -- A Tale of Two Djinns

2012-03-09T07:56:00.005-08:00

I believe in karma. I believe in paying it forward. And I believe in thank yous. Because of all these, I have pledged fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of A Tale of Two Djinns to UNICEF’s new Schools for Asia initiative.

One of the best gifts my parents have given me is my education. Thanks to it, I discovered my love of reading and writing, pursued an adventurous journalism career, and became a published author.

Growing up in Bangladesh, I have seen the poorest of poor. I have seen children forced to work instead of attending school. I have also seen education make a difference —lead to job opportunities, raise the quality of life for entire families, and allow individual new possibilities.

Unfortunately, many don’t get this precious education. According to unicef, 67 million children are currently not enrolled in school worldwide, and 26 million of them live in the Asia-Pacific Region. How much potential is the world losing out on? How many Einsteins, Joyce Carol Oateses, and more remain undiscovered because they were born in bad circumstances?

My mother never finished high school. Back in the early 1950s, in traditional Bangladesh where arranged marriages were the norm and good proposals a blessing, my mother was married to a handsome young sailor. She was seventeen and he was nineteen. Her father, who had great hopes for his clever eldest child, agreed to the marriage only after the groom’s father promised to let her continue her studies. This promise was not kept.

Many years later, older and wiser, my mother insisted on her daughters being educated, finishing college. Her favorite saying is “No one can take knowledge away from you.” My late father, who knew a thing or two about raising daughters, made our education a family priority.

(They were married 53 years: 1958 to 2011)

To honor my parents, to give thanks for my blessings, I’m passing forward the gift of education through UNICEF’s Schools for Asia, which will work in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

I need your help. I hope you will consider picking up A Tale of Two Djinns, and if you enjoy the read, I hope you will tell others about it. Meanwhile, every RT and share helps & is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance! I hope together we will make a difference.

3 HQN Authors Dish about Overcoming Fear & Writing Sexy

2012-02-26T06:42:00.009-08:00

Woot! I'm excited to bring not one, but THREE super-awesome-califragilistic Harlequin authors with stacks & stacks of wonderful published stories under their belts to visit. Harlequin romances can be sweet and sensual, but also HAWT & spicy! Today on the blog, sharing what makes them nervous in terms of sexy writing, are:

Stephanie Draven is a multi-published award-nominated author of myth-inspired paranormal romance. Writing for HQN Nocturne, Stephanie’s Mythica series asks the question: What if the monsters of ancient mythology still walked the earth...and what if you found out that you were one of them? Currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies, Stephanie lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.

Buy Stephanie’s Books

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Laura Kaye Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Buy Laura's Books

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Leia Rice is an avid lover of everything Parisian, Ancient Grecian and Ancient Roman. She wishes that women would still wear the pretty dresses and petticoats that they did back in the 18th century, but she’s well aware how much of a pain they must have been. Leia writes historical fiction, romance and erotica in these areas, because she cannot get enough of each respective time period.

Buy Leia’s Books

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Stephanie, Laura & Leai share the one thing that they are little afraid to write & seek feeback & encouragent from you! SO, come weigh in on what YOU think makes or breaks a sexy story!

Resolve Not To Fear Your Fantasies

Three HQN Author Confessions

Laura: I’m chuckling at Leia’s answer! Wait til you see it! :P Hmmm...while I do use it, I’m always a bit shy of using the ‘c’ word. No, not that one, the other one. LOL I’ve lost you, I just know it. Mkay, I’ll give you more of a hint. The second letter is ‘u’. Aha! Now you’re with me! Erotic writers are encouraged to use the blunt terms, and euphemisms are roundly discouraged and even made fun of (throbbing member, anyone???). But, while I have no problem talking about and writing about a guy’s ‘c’, using the ‘c’ word for a woman’s nether regions always gives me pause. Usually, I plow on through the hesitation if I think the story calls for it, but what’s your thinking on one or both ‘c’ words? Full disclosure: In the Service of the King totally called for both ‘c’ words - this is one hot, full-on, in-your-face story. Yum-my.

Stephanie: My hero inThe Fever and The Fury is totally unafraid to drop the f-bomb. In fact, Lieutenant Luke Lazaros keeps using the naughty word because it embarrasses my otherwise bad-ass ancient demi-goddess of a heroine. But I’m afraid to write a hero who likes to call my heroine names. This happens all the time in real life sexual situations and I think it’s part of healthy dirty talk. However, so much of what goes on in bed is shrouded with shame and taboo that I’m terrified readers would hate any hero who used a word like slut, even if I otherwise made it very clear that he has nothing but the most profound respect for her. What do you think? Would you be able to handle a hero who had a filthy mouth?

Leia: I’m afraid of writing about anal sex. It really squicks me out when I find it in books. Especially when I don’t have any warning that it’s coming, and then BAM! Surprise anal sex. It’s just not pleasant! That’s why I’m afraid to write it. Should I?

Djinns On the Brain & Giveaway

2012-02-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

I'm spending today at

sharing my paranormal experience & why I write. And my very kind hosts are giving away 2 copies of The Djinn's Dilemma. Woot!

Come visit with me!

Ideas Cramming My Brain OR the Development of a Story

2012-02-17T04:43:00.000-08:00

I have post-Valentine's sweet treat for you -- the funny, irrepressible, unsinkable Avery Flynn, author of the steamy Dry Creek romance series set in small town Nebraska. She is also chief cheerleader of our Kiss of Death RWA chapter. Avery's sharing how she takes her ideas and pulls together stories.

Her most recent release is A Dry Creek Bed (Book 2 in the series) and let me whet your appettite with an excerpt:

"I do believe I can arrest you for looking at someone like that. You've got to be breaking some indecency laws."

Taking a deep breath, she recovered her bearings. Mostly. "You're out of your jurisdiction, sheriff."

Now...here's Avery on her writing process:

Where does inspiration come from? Everywhere.

A Dry Creek Bed is Beth and Hank’s love story at heart, but the mystery surrounding them involves the trifecta of villainous motivations: revenge, land and greed.

First, let me set it up a bit for you.

In A Dry Creek Bed, readers discover Beth Martinez still mourning the deaths of the grandparents who raised her after her parents died in a car accident. Beth has seen her share of tragedy, including having the dream of starting her own family ripped away from her. Though quietly in love with Hank for years, she knows they’ll never be together. Hank, now the Dry Creek County sheriff and divorced from his first wife who lied to him about her desire to have children, wants a family, something Beth can never have and can’t give him. Despite their mutual desire for each other and Hank’s determination to pursue her, she manages to keep him at a distance.

All Beth has left of her family is the home built by her grandfather. So when a mysterious developer makes an offer on the property, she refuses. Soon she’s receiving threats and can no longer hide what’s happening from Hank. Forced together by circumstances, it becomes harder and harder for them to rein in their passion. Suddenly, the stakes go higher. Coercion turns into murder and it’s up to Beth and Hank to uncover who wants the land and why—before they both end up dead.

I have to go back to one of my favorites, Gone With the Wind for the first nugget of inspiration for A Dry Creek Bed. In it Scarlett’s dad tells her it’s all about land and in Nebraska that’s true too.

My stepfather recently sold his farm and it was heartbreaking for him. He thought he’d be farming it until he dropped in the hayfield. That got me thinking about the importance of land and how it can tie families together. The question that popped into my head was: what if the land is the only tie you have left to your family, what would you do if someone tried to take it away?

From that developed the villain of A Dry Creek Bed, a mystery developer pushing people off their land. Beth is the only person standing between the developer and millions in profits. Verbal threats morph into vandalism which morphs into physical violence. It’s up to Hank and Beth to uncover decades-old secrets, revealing that all is not what it seems in their rural Nebraska home.

Inspiration strikes all the time and I have far more ideas rolling around my brain than I’ve had time to write - thank God for the little notebooks I carry everywhere. These ideas slow roast in my noggin for a few weeks, months, years until their time comes. Usually I know it’s time when the characters start popping up in my dreams. Then I know I have to get my butt in the seat and my fingers on the keyboard.

Thanks Avery for visiting & sharing! To learn more about her, check out http://averyflynn.com/

Now, how do you turn your ideas into stories?

Come on share, you might inspire someone! Also, I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift certificate so one lucky commentor can get his/her hands on one of Avery's books (Up A Dry Creek is Book 1 in the series) and maybe a few other good reads :)

What inspires debut author Roni Loren

2012-01-12T20:23:00.000-08:00

I have the great pleasure of sharing with you an exciting debut author & my twitter buddy Roni Loren. She's shared amazing, insightful posts on her Fiction Groupie blog for a while now and I have learned so much from her. So here she is discussing recharging, inspiration & brain food....

I What Keeps My Writer Brain Fed

Roni Loren

Writing is one of the best jobs in the world. We get to wear pajamas to work, we get to lie for a living, and we get to lose ourselves in imaginary worlds (and sometimes get paid for it, lol.) But it also can be a mentally draining career.

There are days I wake up and I just don’t have the words or my characters aren’t cooperating or I have some deadline looming and I’m in a panic because I’ve hit a block. You can’t depend on inspiration to finish a book. Some days, that muse is simply not going to be there and you have to get your word count in anyway.

But, I have found there are some things I can do to help get a ticket back to that lovely, magical place where my muse graces me with his presence.

Music – I’m infinitely inspired by music. I can hear two minute song and get an idea for an entire novel. Plus, listening to music (usually loud, pounding rock music in my case) is soothing for the soul. Going to a concert is even better.

Cooking – I love to cook. It’s an activity where I find my brain relaxes. Even the simple act of chopping vegetables can quiet my mind like nothing else. It seems silly but it’s almost like therapy for me to prepare a meal.

Reading – This is a given. If I stop reading, my writer brain shuts down. My brain needs to be refilled regularly with words. : )

Yoga – This is a recent discovery for me, but I’m totally in love. I started going to yoga to build some muscle and gain some flexibility, but the experience turned out to be so much more. If I’ve had a really tough day or can’t seem to get my head together, a nice sweaty yoga session will usually fix it.

My Family – I’m a lucky girl. I have a wonderful husband and a four-year old son who never fail to bring brightness into my day. Without them, I would never have been inspired to write all my happy ending stories. : )

And if all else fails, there’s always chocolate and beer! (Not together though.)

What inspires you? What do you do to recharge?

And don't forget to check out Roni's new book CRASH INTO YOU.

Brynn LeBreck has sedicated herself to helping women in crisis, but she never imagianed how personal her work would get, or where it would take her. Her younger sister is missing, suspected to be hiding from cops and criminals alike at a highly secretive BDSM retreat-a place where the elite escape to play out their most extreme sexual fantasies. To find her, Brynn must go undercover as a sexual submissive. Unfortunately, The Ranch is invitation only. And the one master who can get her in is from the darkest corner of Brynn's past.

Brynn know what attorney Reid Jamison is like once stripped of his conservative suit and tie. Years ago she left herself vulnerable only to have him crush her heart. Now she needs him again. Back on top. And he's all too willing to engage. But as their primal desires and old wounds are exposed, the sexual games escalate-and so does the danger. Their hearts aren't the only things at risk. Someone else is watching, playing by his own rules. And his game could be murder.

BIO:

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. Her debut novel, CRASH INTO YOU, releases from Berkley Heat January 3, 2012. Website: www.roniloren.com

Fantasy Author Carol Berg Shares About Inspiration

2012-01-04T00:14:00.000-08:00

Today I have the pleasure of hosting uber-talented fantasy authot Carol Berg. She's made me fall in love with stories, awed me with her writing...enough that I went to the Colorado Gold Conference just so I could meet her and hear her talk about stories. I left even more impressed than I'd arrived. So without further ado, here's Ms. Berg:

(Carol Berg and moi at the Colorado Gold 2011)

There is a set of standard questions that readers always ask authors. Where do you get your ideas? When did you start writing? How did you get published? How many hours a day do you write? Why are you so mean to your characters? We’ve answered them so many times, we don’t even have to think about them.

So here it is holiday time and one is thinking about family dinners and travel and New Year’s celebrations, as well as January book releases, and Rashda in her most unique and clever way, comes up with a question I have to consider carefully. Where do I get my inspiration to write? Inspiration, not ideas. What makes me sit down and tear my brain to shreds to come up with these convoluted stories? What gets me back in the chair only a few weeks after finishing seven years of constant deadlines. As I sit here and close my eyes, the notions that come to mind are kind of odd.

Trees. Dense evergreens or multicolored oaks along a meadow or sparse across a desolate hillside. Or colored gold with autumn and sheltering a path. Green seams in the rocky face of a mountain. Weather: lowering clouds or driving snow or a thin autumn day after the leaves have blown and the haze says a change is coming. Sun sparkling on frost covered tree limbs. Moonlit nights so bright that trees and fences cast shadows. The way the dust rolls up in the desert air. Unanswered questions. The Etruscan artifacts in the Penn Archeology Museum, talking about a sophisticated people who were inundated by the Roman Empire. Phrases like the last lighthouse or you can’t go home again or who is on the other side of the mirror. What does that mean? The glimpse of Billy Elliot grown up (at the end of the film by the same name) leaping onto the stage…no, really it is the expression on his father’s face as he looks on a wonder we can’t see… Books, certainly. Oh yes, I’m getting close.

Each speaks of one thing…story. What’s happening, who’s out there just beyond the place I can see? What makes a hard-bitten miner’s face express such awe when he’s watching a ballet? So that’s it. There’s a story in there somewhere, and I want to know what happens!

###

Former software engineer Carol Berg never expected to become an award-winning author. But her thirteen epic fantasy novels have won national and international awards, including multiple Colorado Book Awards and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature. She’s taught writing in the US, Canada, Scotland, and Israel, and received reader mail from the slopes of Denali to beneath the Mediterranean. All amazing for one who majored in math and computer science to avoid writing papers. Her novels of the Collegia Magica have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, using words like compelling and superbly realized.

(Check out the cover of her latest book, released this month)

Please feel free to leave questions and comments for Carol. I'm unfortunately dealing with a sad family sitution and will be scarce.

How Romance Inspires Author Carla Swafford

2011-12-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

Woot! I'm happy to welcome my sister writer and Southern Magic RWA chapter mate Carla Swafford. Both of us published within months of each other. Check out the HAWT cover of her book:

And here's the blurb for CIRCLE OF DESIRE:

As the top assassin at The Circle, a shadowy group of mercenaries, Olivia St. Vincent can hunt down anyone. She's been trained since she was a teenager to kill without feeling, to interact with men without love. But when she's kidnapped by the enigmatic leader of a rival organization, she learns she's been lied to for years. She never worked for the good guys.

Collin Ryker believes the sultry woman he's abducted knows more than she's telling about The Circle and its plans for complete domination. Over time, as they work together, Olivia's tenacity and vulnerability captivate him. But if he isn't careful, Collin will fall into the biggest trap of all: caring for a woman who can betray him to his greatest enemy.

So, are you salivating yet? Itching to get this hot book in your hands?

Being a fun, fab Southern lady, Carla is giving away a copy of the book to one lucky person who visits the blog today. Read on....

Thank you, Mina, for inviting me to your blog. I’m not too sure how I can compete with Cap’n Jack Sparrow from the other day, but I’ll give it a stab.

You’d said you wanted to know what inspires me as a writer. Well, it’s actually simple. A good well-written romantic story.

When I pick up a book and read a story that takes me away from the here and now and I become so involved in the characters’ lives that I don’t want it to end, that inspires me. When I feel not only the passion the couple sparks off each other but the love they’re destined to share, that inspires me. When I cry with happiness because the heroine and hero finally receive the love they deserve, well, you get the idea.

I’ve always been a glass half-full gal though I will say there are times in my life I’ve allowed myself to drift over to the dark side and talk like a Debbie-downer. Thankfully, the Pollyanna inside of me is alive and well and loves to read and write romances.

It’s that never ending optimism in romance that I love so dearly and inspires me to keep improving my craft as one day I hope to inspire someone to write their stories.

So tell me what about romance inspires you every day? At 10 p.m. central, I’ll draw a name for someone to win a copy of my current book, Circle of Desire.

###

Carla Swafford inherited her love of books from her dad and his father. Growing up, she read every book with a horse on the cover until the age of twelve when she read her first romance. Tired of waiting for her favorite authors to publish more books, she decided to write one. She joined Romance Writers of America and was the finalist in several writing contests.

Carla lives in Alabama and works in a male-dominated occupation at the same company with her husband

Thanks Carla for visiting! You can find out more about her by visiting her

Website
Blog
Facebook Page

Or you can follow her on twitter @carlaswafford

NYT Bestselling Author Caridad Pineiro Shares What Keeps Her Writing

2011-12-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

The paranormal genre with its otherworldly and strong heroes and heroines, global struggles and fantastic world building hooked me from the very beginning. As a reader, I devoured those books. But then I came across TEMPTATION CALLS by Caridad Pineiro and it left me stunned.

Samantha Turner, the heroine, was a mixed race vampire who ran a family shelter. A heroine I could relate to and embrace. Back then I used to teach culinary classes at non-profits, including a family shelter and I happen to be a woman of color...so discovering Sam was a turning point. It took me many years, but Sam and Caridad, gave me the courage to write my own mixed race heroine and share the djinn mythology I grew up with in THE DJINN'S DILEMMA. For that I'm grateful.

And it's a great honor and pleasure to host Caridad on my blog today.

It’s not easy being a writer. It’s probably one of the hardest jobs you’ll ever have.

It’s time consuming, plant-your-butt-in-the-chair kind of work. I often will spend three or four straight hours writing on a weekend before getting up to take a much-needed break.

It’s not necessarily financially rewarding. I thank God every day that I still have my day job to pay the bills.

It can be lonesome, after all, writing is not a team sport. See above re: countless hours of planting-your-butt-in-the-chair. Alone.

The publishing world is filled with rejection even after you sell your first book or your thirtieth and even if your work isn’t rejected, you may find yourself doing countless revisions before your it is ready for publication.

So you may wonder what keeps me writing? What inspires me to forget all the above and sit down in front of my laptop and write? For hours. Alone.

The answer is simple: You. Yes, you the reader. You the person who takes the time to drop me a quick line or tweet or leave a comment on Facebook.

You make it all worthwhile by letting me know that you enjoy the story that I’ve told or that it’s touched you in some fashion or that it made you think about something in a new way.

I write the stories to do just that because I want to engage you. I want to share a piece of me with my stories and I often do so in one way or another in many of my books.

I want to be that kick-ass heroine who knows how to stand up for what’s right and wins the hero in the end thanks to her strength and courage. I want you to feel that you can be that heroine. That you can tap your inner strength and be who you want to be.

I want to be that woman who finds the love of her life (and I have although he’s not perfect) and I want you to think that you, too, can experience a satisfying partnership.

I want to show you new worlds that I wish to visit or share with you places where I’ve been lucky to go, like my beloved Jersey Shore or the top of a Mexican pyramid. I want you to know you can go there, too, either for real or via my stories.

I want to share because I’m a sharing kind of person. Caridad means “Charity” and before I got wiped out and it became Faith, Hope and Love, Charity was the greatest gift of all because it meant that you were sharing of yourself with others.

That’s why you inspire me to write. To give you exciting stories. To give you sexy stories. To share a piece of me and to get to know you better when you share yourself by taking the time to reach out to me.

Thank you for coming by and thank you, Mina, for having me here! I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy Holidays! May we all get to know each better in the New Year.

***

Thanks so much for visiting Caridad and sharing your wise words!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling paranormal and romantic suspense author Caridad Pineiro wrote her first novel in the fifth grade when her teacher assigned a project – to write a book for a class lending library. Bitten by the writing bug, Caridad continued with her passion for the written word through high school, college and law school. In 1999, Caridad’s first novel was released and over a decade later, Caridad is the author of thirty published novels and novellas.

Amazon Awakening, her more recent release is also her first erotic paranormal romance. Check out the cover:

When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista. For more information about Caridad and her books, please visit www.caridad.com.

Writing to Right the Wrongs of this World

2011-12-21T06:26:00.000-08:00

Hi y'all!

Holidays are festive times with lots of parties and get-togethers to attend. One recent evening, I was invited to three different shindigs! Well, I have found some of the merry making spills into the blogosphere.

So while I'm visiting my friend Caridad Pineiro's blog and talking about why a genie would make the perfect Christmas/Hannukah/New Year's/Just-Because gift. :)...here we are celebrating my wonderful friend and a precious beta-reader Joya Fields' sweet release of LOVE DELIVERED. Woot!

I have been fortunate enought to help critique some of her stories and, in her writings, her heroic characters take on some of the world's worst injustices and defeat the bad guys. She leaves me cheering. :D

I hope you're inspired reading about Joya's heart-warming approach to writing.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog today, Mina. I love talking about inspiration because it’s such a unique and individual concept. One of the reasons I love writing stories, especially happily-ever-after ones, is that I can right the wrongs I see happening in the world.

In the real world, at-risk teens might fall through the cracks if there isn’t a responsible, caring adult in their lives. I’ve seen it happen many times. In LOVE DELIVERED, my story that releases today, the hero, Pete, won’t let that happen to the kids in his community. He helps them find passion through golf.

When I write that type of story or hero, it makes me feel like it could really happen. Hopefully, it does happen. In the world of fiction, I can fix all sorts of things in the world—make them how I think they should be. Villains are always brought to justice. The serial killer meets his demise, the human traffickers are put away for life, and selfish people get what’s coming to them.

One particular newspaper story hit me hard a few years back. In a flash flood, a teenage boy risked his life to pull younger kids from a fast-rising stream. He saved them, but lost his own life. No! Good guys win. I still have that article tacked to my corkboard in my office. This kid was doing the right thing, helping others, not thinking about himself. And then he died. I feel a strong urge to rewrite that scene in some future book, and that boy will live. In fact, he will be the hero.

Maybe it’s my way of dealing with bad things that happen in our world, maybe it’s escapism. I see it all as inspiration. Thanks again for having me and I’d love to hear how others are affected by what they see in the world and how they make sense of it.

***

Joya Fields has had over 100 stories and articles published in local and national magazines and her debut novel, BENEATH THE SURFACE, a romantic suspense, will release January, 2012 from The Wild Rose Press. Her novella, LOVE DELIVERED, a romantic comedy, releases December 21, 2011.

Find Joya on the web at: http://joyafields.com/

As an exra treat, check out Joya's book trailer for LOVE DELIVERED

Characterization Tips I Learned From Capt. Jack Sparrow

2011-12-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

Ahoy there mateys! Who doesn't know the lovable and zany Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies? If you don't...make haste and remedy the situation! Make sure you have lots of popcorn to enjoy :) But first, read on....

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies have a lot to recommend them: dashing pirates, fun dialogue, exciting adventures, twists and turns galore and awesome visuals. However, it's the eccentric and unpredictable Jack Sparrow that makes them memorable and worth watching. Savvy?

Actor Johnny Depp makes the character come to life and be almost more real than our next door neighbor, and as writers we must do the same for our protagonists. So I took some lessons from Jack Sparrow and shared them on the FFnP blog. And that's where you'll find me today...so come visit me, me hearties! Arrr!

Belief Keeps Author Brenda Novak Writing

2011-12-06T06:55:00.000-08:00

Woot! New York Times & USA Today best-selling author Brenda Novak is on the blog today and I'm thrilled. Brenda is a three-time Rita nominee. Her books have won many awards, including the National Reader Choice, the Bookseller’s Best, the Book Buyer’s Best and the Holt Medallion. Yes, awesome achievements, but it gets better.

I met Brenda through her annual online auction for diabetes research. Her youngest son has the disease and she's determined to be part of the solution. The auction runs every May at www.brendanovak.com. To date, she’s raised over $1.3 million.

Brenda has taught me you can achieve your dreams through hard work and perseverance, and one person can help make the world a better place. I'm honored to present Brenda Novak, a truly inspiring writer and person:

Whenever someone asks me what inspires me, I have to say belief (or some might call this faith). If you truly believe in yourself and your talent, you will be motivated to actually sit down and write the book instead of only dreaming about it. You will be driven to seek out any help you may need (research or craft-related) to make it the best you can create. You will follow through with marketing ideas, and you won’t give up if you don’t reach your goals immediately. Belief drives the entire engine—even through the rough spots. It battles discouragement, which is, according to Webster, “to deprive of courage or confidence.”

How many army commanders would win a war, or how many coaches would win a game, if they deprived their army/team of courage and confidence? Now think about the fact that, as a writer, you are a commander of one. How do you treat yourself? Do you allow yourself to be deprived of courage and confidence?

There is a tombstone in Britain that says: “In moments of discouragement, defeat, or even despair, there are always certain things to cling to. Little things usually: remembered laughter, the face of a sleeping child, a tree in the wind—in fact, any reminder of something deeply felt or dearly loved. No man is so poor as not to have many of these small candles. When they are lighted, darkness goes away—and a touch of wonder remains.” In order to be successful in this business, we must hang on to some of that wonder. We can't light a candle in someone else if there is no fire in us.

***

Brenda has a brand new small-town contemporary series starting in 2012. Come meet the long-time friends who have made Whiskey Creek the “Heart of Gold Country,” with WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES, to be released in September. Also, don’t miss her latest romantic suspense trilogy available now--INSIDE, IN SECONDS, & IN CLOSE.

After writing contemporary romance and romantic suspense for 12 years (about 40 books), she's returned to her first love -- historical romance. Her most recent historical release is The Bastard. Check out the scrumptious cover!

To learn more about Brenda check out her website.

So how do you keep the doubt-monster at bay?

Kiss of Death: The Place for the Murderously Inclined Romantic

2011-12-01T06:52:00.000-08:00

Kiss Of Death is one of my favorite RWA chapters ever! So to celebrate Kiss of Death Day, I'm posting this wonderful "All-You-Need-To-Know" essay written by fellow KODer Avery Flynn. Enjoy!

***

What great romance doesn’t have suspense in it? Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending.

December 1 is Kiss of Death day. Yeah, that's how cool romantic suspense is as a genre, it gets its own day. To celebrate, we're trying to make #romanticsuspense a trending topic on Twitter today. Help us by sharing why you love romantic suspense using the #romanticsuspense hashtag.

If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death chapter of the Romance Writers of America has something for you!

“I love so many things about KOD! I'm going with a tie: CLUES-N-NEWS because you can ask the weirdest questions and get the best answers, and Lethal Ladies because they helped me grow as a writer and find good friends.” - Mina Khan

Formed in 1994, KOD—as we call our chapter—promotes and supports the writing and reading of suspense and mystery fiction with strong romantic elements. We’re one of the largest RWA chapters with members from across the globe who join our online family of mayhem-loving writers. Joining gives you access to a wide array of programs to help your writing develop and grow.

“KOD has been a lifeline when it comes to death-related questions. It's a safe place to discuss the macabre, run plots by experts, and find support among fellow suspense writers. They know where to hide the bodies and cover their tracks! (And if you can make it, the tours at the RWA National conference are informative and lots of fun.)” - Anne Marie Becker

Top among membership benefits is our College of Felony and Intrigue (COFFIN) online workshops for only $15 per class for KOD members. In addition, KOD offers online networking, a critique group, brainstorming support and a book-in-a-week challenge to help you to get that draft on paper. We support our members with an active Facebook group and Twitter feed giving you access to the information you need, whenever you need it.

“I love being a part of a group that gets mystery and suspense. Not everyone does. I also love reading what people have to say on the loop. I’ve learned so much from KOD.” - Linsey Lanier

Nothing says romantic suspense like RWA’s Kiss of Death chapter. Nothing says I’m a romantic suspense author like being a KOD member. Join us today during our annual membership drive. As an added bonus all new members or renewing members who join in December will be entered to win a first chapter critique from published Kiss of Death members.

To join Kiss of Death, visit us online at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/join.php for easy PayPal or traditional payment options. For the joining fee of $35 ($30 for renewal), you’ll love us to death!

Dreams Inspired Duty & Desire -- Author Anju Gattani Shares

2011-11-30T06:31:00.000-08:00

Today's guest, Anju Gattani, is a woman of the world. A freelance journalist, she's lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and different parts of America. I met her on the wonderful Yahoo group Authors of Asian Novels and instantly clicked because we are both from the Indian-subcontinent and we both love stories.

Her debut novel, Duty & Desire, is releasing tomorrow. WooHoo!

Check out her book blurb:

How Can Happiness Survive When Duty Clashes With Desire?

Sheetal Prasad has it all: youth, beauty, wealth, and education. But when this modern Indian woman surrenders love for honor and marries into India’s most glamorous “royal family,” those very advantages turn against her.

Meet the Dhanrajs—a powerful family bound together by a web of lies where infidelity, greed, secrets, and hidden identities lurk beneath the lush tapestry. The Dhanrajs will do whatever is necessary to mask the truth from the world.
As Sheetal peels back the layers of deceit in the glittering world of Indian mega- wealth—and struggles to control her own fate—she is threatened by the rage she harbors and the blazes of passion she ignites.

Thanks Anju for visiting with us and sharing what inspired you to write your story! Now, heeeeere's Anju:

The inspiration for the story – and I call it a story because I later learned I was writing a series – goes back to Nov 2001, shortly after we moved from Singapore to New Jersey, USA. Our kids (both boys) were 6 & 2 then. I was taking my cat nap one afternoon when I saw a scene from (what I thought was) a movie. It was dynamic do or die situation and when I woke up I was holding my breath and gasping for air. I realized it was a dream, not a movie, and I started researching on ‘writing the novel’.

With my mom’s and husband’s encouragement I put pen to paper in Jan 2002 and the story started writing itself. All I knew was I had to keep holding the pen and get to The End (the dream scene); I just didn’t know how. Pounding out the original manuscript took 1.5 years.

The determination to keep going and not give up goes back to my characters. They would haunt me in my dreams at night (not day dreams anymore!) if I seriously thought of abandoning the story. In my dreams, I’ve talked to them, seen them and even read their minds – hmm… am I officially nuts now? Their message was the same every time – “If you abandon us (characters), we die. Then who will tell the world our story and our plight?”

As I rewrote, cut in two, and revised DUTY AND DESIRE (and the 2^nd book in the series), I realized it wasn’t just one woman’s story… but possibly the stories, in bits and pieces, of women (and men) around the world. Rewrites also made me realize the plights of my characters are universal... world-wide. And I often stop and wonder… Is that why Duty and Desire is a world-wide release?

Oh btw…my kids are now 15 and 11 – uggh! I feel old again!

Duty and Desire is currently available for preorder in trade paperback at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Eformat: Kindle, Nook, Sony, Apple, PDF Acrobat Reader, and Kobo.

Anju would love for readers to review the book on those sites and share it with others! If you want to learn more about Anju check out this wonderful article from the Milton Herald.

So anyone else inspired by dreams? Anyone know how to interpret dreams?

Thanksgiving & Literacy from One Writers Point of View

2011-11-23T10:04:00.000-08:00

May your Thanksgiving tomorrow be happy, stress-free and full of wonderful moments shared with loved ones!

This year I’m thankful for my family, my friends and my readers. Writing is a bit like farming, in that you do your part without any guarantees. Just as a farmer ploughs, plants and weeds his fields but depends on the weather to reward him with a crop, a writer pours out her soul onto paper in the hopes her words will be read and enjoyed by other people. Sometimes it feels like I’m sending my words out into a vacuum.

When my debut novella, The Djinn's Dilemma, came out earlier this month I was decidedly nervous. Would anyone read my story? Did anyone even know I exist? The best part of being a published author has been receiving notes from my readers. Readers who not only took the time to read my story, but also to let me know what they thought. Thank you for letting me know my words are finding homes.

I'm also thankful for all the writers who wrote stories that comforted me when the chips were down or just helped me escape the daily grind. I remember laughing out loud as I read Three Singles to Adventure by Gerald Durell and how it helped me get over a highschool-heartbreak. And when my baby son --born 7 weeks early--spent 62 days in the hospital, I coped by reading The Time It Never Rained out loud to him. I didn't know if he'd make it or not, and I wanted to make sure I shared a damn good story with him.

So it saddens me to know there are many people in our world who will never know the comfort of a good book.

According to UNICEF, "Nearly a billion people will enter the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names and two thirds of them are women."

I'm thankful for my ability to read and my ability to do something about illiteracy. What are you thankful for? For each comment left between today and Nov. 27, 2011 I will donate $1 to UNICEF. All I ask in return is help spread the word. Thanks!

Author Allison Brennan Shares About Writing & Inspiration

2011-11-21T06:38:00.000-08:00

Hi, y'all! Today's guest is Allison Brennan, the New York Times and USAToday bestselling author of seventeen romantic thrillers and numerous short stories, including the most recent IF I SHOULD DIE. I'm fortunate to know her through my Kiss of Death RWA chapter and have taken some wonderful classes with her. Allison is a generous spirit who willingly shares insights and advice from her years of experience, and encourages younger writers. Thanks Allison for joining us!

I’m often asked where I get my ideas. This question always surprises me. Where don’t I get my ideas?

Ideas are everywhere. They come from the smallest snippet of a conversation overheard at Starbucks, to the most widespread news story of the day. My stories are a compilation of many different sparks that ignite my muse as it weaves together the possibilities.

I see a man in line dressed in a suit with a briefcase. Is he going to work? A job interview? Did he pretend to go to work so his family wouldn’t know he’d lost his job? What’s in the briefcase? Maybe he’s a divorce lawyer. Or a prosecutor. A defense lawyer with evidence of his client’s innocence locked in the metal case.

Or perhaps he’s a desperate man. His daughter’s been kidnapped and inside the case is the ransom money. He’s not buying coffee, but leaving the case to be picked up. Or there’s a bomb in the case, and he doesn’t know it. Or he does know it, and he has a vendetta.

So many possibilities.

I read books and articles about the multitude of people who risk their lives for others, and I want to celebrate them and their sacrifice. I greatly admire those people who serve others, particularly when they are fighting for justice. This is why most of my heroes and heroines are in some branch of law enforcement, though I’ve also written about ex-military, P.I.’s, and even a few not in public safety.

I’m also inspired by survivors. Victims who defeat all the odds to reclaim and rebuild their lives. I want to know how, and by writing survivors into my stories, I can learn how strength of character, family, and community can help victims not be victims forever.

Every-day heroes inspire me.

I also want to know why. In real life, too often justice is not served. In fiction, I can tip the balance of the scales on the side of justice, that the bad guys will be caught, that victims will get the help they need, that people will be saved. While a lot of bad things happen in my books, and sometimes to good people, in the end, the villain always gets what’s coming to him. My hero and heroine always get their happily-ever-after. Families always get answers, even if the answers aren’t what they want. In the end, there is resolution and peace.

Some authors are inspired by people. Some by music, and still others by the beauty around them. Take a moment to write down ten people you admire and why. Music you listen to while you write. Places you visit that calm you, where maybe your best ideas come to you. Once, a quote I heard gave me just the snippet of an idea, and that idea became the backbone of each character’s backstory. That quote? “Life if the sum of all your choices” by Camus.

Look at the world around you. You can’t help but be inspired.

***
You can visit her on the web at allisonbrennan.com, follow her on Twitter
@allison_brennan, or check her out on facebook.

Tomorrow book three of her Lucy Kincaid series goes on sale! Check out the cool cover:

Allison is giving away a signed copy of the first book in the series, LOVE ME TO DEATH. To win leave a comment about what inspires you + your email (for contact)!

Good luck :D

Six Sentence Sunday #2: Sneak-Peek from The Djinn's Dilemma

2011-11-19T19:44:00.000-08:00

I'm still riding the high of having my debut paranormal erotic romance published earlier this month, so here's another tasty tidbit from The Djinn's Dilemma:

Setup: This is second time the heroine, Sarah, encounters the hero, Rukh. She's helping out at a friend's bakery & cafe during the morning rush hour because a waitress called in sick.

Enjoy the excerpt:

She jotted down the order, then forced herself to meet his gaze. The next words rushed out of her. "And breakfast’s on me."

"Normally I wouldn’t protest," he said, leaning closer. "But in public, I’d prefer a plate."

An image of Rukh, hair untied, licking whipped cream off her navel flashed through her mind, left her staring.

Thanks for visiting! I look forward to your comments :) And don't forget to checkout the other fun 6SentenceSunday entries!

Winner Announcement!

2011-11-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

We have winners for my Readers Appreciation giveaway...WooHoo!

Laurie G.

Michelle M.

Belinda R.

Emma D.

I'll be in contact about your prizes! Thanks for buying and reading The Djinn's Dilemma :)

Red Hot Smokin' Fiction & Seafood Soup

2011-11-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

Woot! Today is a special #Letslunch date because all my #Letslunch twitter buddies are helping me celebrate my fiction debut and the release of my paranormal romance novella, THE DJINN’S DILEMMA, by Harlequin by coming with recipes and blog posts that somehow involve Seduction…. Mmmm. :D

So, how does a newspaper girl, a foodie writer, end up writing romance?

The simple answer is: for the fun factor. When I was covering business and City government, I used to write food stories for a fun break from the serious stuff. Now my day job is food writing and while I enjoy it, I wanted to write something for the pure fun of it. Ta-da! Romance. J

But a more complete answer would be: I write romances because I believe in happy endings. I believe strong, intelligent, complex women can find men who are worthy of them, who love them without trying to change them. And while I believe in happy endings, I also believe they must be earned like anything worthwhile in life. Most of all, I believe true love can overcome everything else life throws at us.

No it’s not an idealistic, fairy-tale view, I have actually seen it play out. Both my parents and my in-laws have been married 50-plus years and not all of them have been all fun and sunshine, but the love has always been there. I want the same timeless romance in my life, and in the life of my heroes and heroines.

So for #Letslunch, I tried to pick a dish Sarah Jasmine White, the heroine of The Djinn’s Dilemma, would make for the hero, Rukh. Now, she likes things hot and sexy, but is also she is also loyal and nurturing when it comes to people she loves.

She’d go with this red hot smoky soup full of flavor and good-for-you ingredients, like salmon, tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado and more.

Its rich broth is complex gains complexity with a base of crab and spices like fennel, cumin, turmeric and Spanish smoked paprika. She’d let it simmer on the stove, light some candles and put on some smooth jazz.

And what would Rukh give her? Dark chocolate kisses, of course! :) And no I don't mean the kind Hershey makes....

Recipe (inspired by a Smoky Salmon Chowder recipe from BHG):

3 4-oz skinless salmon fillets

2 teaspoon chili powder, divided

1 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika, divided

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon of salt and pepper

Vegetables:

2 medium red sweet peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded

1 medium poblano pepper, halved lengthwise and seeded

1 jalapeno pepper, halved lengthwise and seeded

1 medium sweet onion, cut in ½-inch slices

1 head of garlic – cut off top 1/3, place on a foil square, drizzle with olive oil and fold up into a foil packet for roasting.

For the Soup:

2 tablespoons butter or oil

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

½ teaspoon of cumin seeds

2 large Bay leaves

Six green onions, white parts only, minced (reserve the tops)

½ teaspoon turmeric

Reserved chili powder and smoked paprika

1 medium Blue Crab (optional)

32-ounce box low sodium chicken broth

1 14.05-ouncecan fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 14.05-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained

2 large roma tomatoes, diced

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion tops (the green part)

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish: sliced avocados, chunks of salmon

Directions:

1. Pat dry Salmon fillet with paper towels. Sprinkle with spices on both sides. Cover and refrigerate while you work with vegetables.

2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place peppers and onions on a foil-covered baking sheet. Place the foil-wrapped garlic on one side. Roast for 20 minutes. When done, turn off the oven and let the veggies stay inside for another 15 minutes.

3. Place salmon in a shallow greased/sprayed baking dish, fold under the thin edges. Bake at 400 degrees (about 4 to 6 minutes per ½-inch thickness) until salmon is done and flakes easily when tested with a fork. Keep warm.

4. Meanwhile, remove the skins from the peppers, squeeze out the garlic from their peels, and chop up all the roasted veggies coarsely.

5. Heat butter in the pan, add whole spices and minced green onion (white part), the crab and other spices. Cook for about 2 minutes.

6. Add the roasted veggies and cook for additional 2 minutes. Add broth and undrained fire-roasted tomatoes and bring to a boil.

7. Add corn and lower heat. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. Add fresh tomatoes and bring to a boil. Remove from heat.

9. Fold in chopped fresh herbs and lemon juice.

10. Serve over white rice in shallow bowls. After ladling out the soup, break salmon into pieces and divide among the bowls. Garnish with avocado slices and additional greens.

***

#Letslunch brings together a diverse group of food-loving bloggers from around the world for lunch once a month. Check out the other seductive reads and eats :

Joe Yonan, the Food & Travel Editor at the Washington Post, shares A Stew for Seduction, a Lol account of his past and current seduction through food experience.

Leighnannini's Seduce Me Donuts & heartwarming lovestory :)

HapaMama has Spaghetti for Adults

Spicebox Travels shows you how to get your man with an adventurous spirit & recipe

Author CJ Lyons Is Inspired By Everyday Heroes

2011-11-09T04:27:00.000-08:00

New York Times bestselling author CJ Lyons has lived the life of a pediatric ER doctor and creates many of the medical worlds of her thrillers with authenticity and heart.

CJ has been called a "master within the genre" (Pittsburgh Magazine) and her work has been praised as "breathtakingly fast-paced" and "riveting" (Publishers Weekly) with "characters with beating hearts and three dimensions" (Newsday). I learned the importance of character-driven stories and how to take my writing to the next level thanks to her.

Back in early 2010 I was an unpublished author and thinking of giving up my dream. CJ's Master Class was the last hurrah...and then she shared her experience, encouragement and craft. Without her, I would never have written THE DJINN'S DILEMMA and been published. She helped me believe in myself again amd reclaim my dream. So, without further ado, let me present my personal writing hero CJ :)

What inspires my writing?

When I was a kid, it was my own need to learn how to become a hero, someone strong enough to change the world for the better.

After my pediatric internship when one of my fellow interns was brutally murdered, writing became my way to understand my grief and control the chaos around me. That's when I wrote my first thriller, BORROWED TIME, and I dedicated it to Jeff's memory.

(FACE TO FACE, her most recent release, came out Nov. 7!)

Much of my fiction since then has been inspired by my patients and their families. Ordinary people facing tragedy with courage and grace, proving that heroes are indeed born everyday.

I still search for order in the chaos--after practicing pediatric emergency medicine and pediatrics for seventeen years, that will never change. But now, after having sold hundreds of thousands of books and receiving fan letters from all over the world, I have another inspiration: my readers.

Discovering that I had the power to connect with people I'd never met, to inspire as well as entertain--that felt almost as good as saving lives in the ER!

I treasure each fan letter as much as the very first one. There have been people facing the pain of chronic illnesses who have been able to make it through the night because of my books. Fellow medical personnel, EMS, firefighters, and police officers have written, thanking me for the way I "tell it like it really is." And readers who simply needed an escape from their lives have found refuge in my words.

Honestly, no matter how much money or which bestseller lists I hit, I can't imagine any feeling as wonderful as the feeling I get when I hear from readers who have fallen in love with my books. It's an adrenalin rush that fuels my writing and inspires me everyday!

***

Woot! Thanks CJ for visiting with us and reminding us courage, love, and heroic acts are a part of everyday life. We just have to be aware of the world around us to find inspiration. Do you have an everyday hero? How has this person touched your life?

If you want to know more about CJ or her Thrillers with Heart check out her website. FACE TO FACE is the third book in her gripping Hart & Drake Series. The first book, NERVES OF STEEL, is on sale right now for 99 cents. Go check her books out!

Cynthia Eden Finds Inspiration in Many Places & Forms

2011-11-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Woot! I have a special treat for you. One of my favorite paranormal romance authors, Cynthia Eden, is here to share what inspires her & she is giving away a copy of her upcoming release ANGEL OF DARKNESS. Cynthia writes sexy, intelligent and fast-paced stories with droolworthy heroes. If you haven't read her Midnight series, get reading! But first read this post :)

Hi, everyone! (And a big thanks to Mina for inviting me over!)

Today’s post is all about inspiration. I’ve found, as a writer, that I can be inspired by just about anything. Songs, movies, scary sounds in the dark—I feel like my muse is always perching close by, waiting for something to strike a spark.

And I’ve discovered that people can really inspire me, too. When I was in college, I had an assignment for a non-verbal communication experiment. I was supposed to go to a crowded area (like a mall or a movie theater) and just watch people. After a while, I was supposed to write down the non-verbal communication techniques that I observed. It was fascinating to see people display all sorts of feelings and emotions (anger, excitement, happiness, sadness) all without ever hearing a word that they said.

Since that experiment, I’ve learned to keep watching for those non-verbal cues (and I use them a lot in my books). So when I see a girl with her hands clenched, marching rapidly away from her friends, I wonder…what stirred her anger? What’s her story? And my mind starts to plot and plan.

Of course, inspiration isn’t just something that strikes in the writing area. I think people are inspired in all aspects of life. For me, I get inspired on a personal level when I go star gazing with my son or when I take him to the beach and we play pirates. Simple things like sunsets can inspire me and make me feel rejuvenated. Falling leaves make me smile. So do snowflakes—but down in Alabama, we don’t see those too often!

So those are a few things that inspire me…but what inspires you? Share with me, and one commenter can an early copy of my upcoming release, ANGEL OF DARKNESS (Available 11/29/11) from Kensington Brava.

Have a great day! I hope you get inspired!

Best,

Cynthia Eden

www.cynthiaeden.com

ANGEL OF DARKNESS—Available 11/29/11 from Kensington Brava

When an angel falls, all hell breaks loose…

The Djinn's Dilemma Release Day Celebrations

2011-11-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

I'm celebrating the release of my debut paranormal romance THE DJINN'S DILEMMA from Harlequin today and would love for you to join in the fun :)

Cynthia Eden,amazing author of sexy, intelligent paranormals, is hosting me on her blog. If you like a spooky tale & a chance to win my book, come visit Cynthia's Blog.

Also, Harlequin is giving a 10 percent discount to celebrate the release! Check it out!

And personally I wanted to thank my readers for their support...so here's another giveaway!

Have a wonderful day :)

Happy Release Day of The Djinn's Dilemma & Thanks

2011-11-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

WooHoo! Today is the release day of my paranormal romance debut THE DJINN'S DILEMMA. So thrilled to bring you sexy djinns/genies, big, bad assassins, and a feisty & fun heroine. I hope anyone buying the book enjoys the read :)

As a thank you to all my wonderful readers who have pre-ordered, are ordering today or sometime in the first week of November, I'm doing a giveaway!

Prizes up for grabs include:

A big box of San Angelo's special Cowboy chocolates from Sugar Daddy Desserts.

2 Massage Gift Certificates (you have to be in San Angelo to win these!)

A $15 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com

5 copies of a collection of my favorite muffin recipes :) (Because I'm a foodwriter, a pretty good cook & a muffin guest stars in The Djinn's Dilemma).

All you have to do is submit your receipt to me at rashda@rashdakhan.com (any format is fine, including scans and screenshots). Winners will be chosen in a random drawing and announced Wednesday, Nov. 16!

Appreciate y'all!

The Djinn's Dilemma is now available at retailers like Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or Harlequin. :)

Anyone dressing up as a djinn/genie for Halloween?

2011-10-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! I'm all about djinns & genies right now...because tomorrow my debut paranormal romance, THE DJINN'S DILEMMA, is coming out. Thank you Harlequin Nocturne! So thrilled to be part of the new Cravings line :D And, I just turned in my second djinn story to my agent. Woot!

So, I thought I'd dress the DH & myself up as genies and looked up some costumes.

(These first two costumes are available at Fantasia Wear)

Erm, a bit too daring for me...though the DH was game. What can I say, the Joan Wilder character in Romancing the Stone comes pretty close to me -- bold on paper, but not always in day-to-day life.

Then I found some tasteful possibilities that I could go for:

(These next two costumes available from Mr. Costumes)

Then I saw the prices tags...and we decided to fall back on the tried & true. The DH is dressing up as Indiana Jones & I get to be buxom Earth Witch babe :)

Hope y'all have fun & festive plans for today :) So what's everyone else dressing up as?

Six Sentence Sunday - 10/30

2011-10-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

Six sentences from my new novella The Djinn's Dilemma available Nov 1, a conversation between the heroine, Sarah, & the hero, Rukh.

“You’re just a figment of my imagination. A fantasy?”
“Yes.” He didn’t dare move.
“Then why are you still wearing clothes?”
He made the clothes disappear and stood there as naked as her.

Check out other tasty excerpts by visiting SixSunday.

If you really want to help an author, pre-order his/her books!

2011-10-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

Preordering books, or buying them on release day, doesn't mean more money for the author. But it sends an important message to people who can make a difference to the author's career. With an eBook and online retailers, preorders can improve the ranking of the book and lead to better visibility on their website. Preorders can impress the publishers and lead to more contracts. In other words, you help the author stay employed. Numbers from preorder and first-week sales count toward rankings for the bestsellers' lists (hey, a girl can dream).

And here's the best part, when you preorder an eBook...it magically pops into your eReader on release day without you having to spend gas & time getting to a store.

So if you're going to buy THE DJINN'S DILEMMA, I'd really appreciate it if you'd buy it between NOW and the first week of November, or on my release day ~Tuesday, Nov. 1

Now available for preorder at retailers like Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or Harlequin. :)

Author Christie Craig Uses Fear As a Motivator

2011-10-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

I'm honored to present award-winning author Christie Craig aka C.C. Hunger, one of my personal favorite wordsmith, today. Her contemporary romances are laught-out-loud funny and I always re-read one of them when I need a pick-me-up. She recently forayed into YA & Paranormal...Oooh delish!

Christie has triumphed over dyslexia and rejection to keep writing the stories of her heart and is an amazing & inspiring person, but when I asked her what inspired her...I was totally suprised by her answer. I'll let you read her words for yourself:

What Inspires me?

I love sunsets and I can sit and stare at one for as long it lingers—until that last little glimmer of color fades from the sky. I love to spend time on a beach. I love the soothing sound of the waves washing up over the sand. And if I have a glass of red wine and a book in my hand, and some friend or family member close by, I’m a happy camper. But if there is one thing that has encouraged and driven me to accomplish more in my life, it’s not a sunset, the beach or a glass of wine. And as much as I love my family and friends, it’s not even them. It’s fear.

I know that’s strange, but let me explain. I’ve always been a bit of a scaredy cat, a play-it-safe kind of gal. Even as a kid, I didn’t push the envelope. Mom said, “Hold my hand and look both ways before you cross the street,” and I did. And as an adult, my need for security, a sense of safety and certainty, still lingers. If mom lived here, I’d probably still be holding her hand as I cross a street. And it’s the biggest thing that I don’t like about myself.

Not because I want to break rules, live on the edge, or that I have a need to live some dangerous lifestyle. Heck, I don’t believe there’s a good reason to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, I’ve met very few roller coasters I liked, and when the mad cow disease was out, chicken became my best friend. I simply don’t like risks.

(of course, then she writes Don't Mess With Texas & stirs up all kinds of trouble *grin*)

So you see, it’s not that I want to embrace fear. It’s my unwillingness to let fear stand in my way that has driven me to take chances, and forced me to step out of my comfort zone. Whenever I’m faced with a new opportunity, if I feel that tribulation in my gut, that wiggle in my stomach—and if I didn’t have broccoli the night before—I always have a come to Jesus talk with myself. So I guess you could say, it’s not so much fear that inspires me, but my apprehension of letting fear hold me back.

For example, when my agent told me it was time to shop around a proposal to other houses, and oh lordy, when she phoned me and said that an editor from St. Martin’s Press had called her and asked if I would write a young adult series for them, the fear kicked in big time. Both of those instances gave me a major case of stomach flutters and I’d had no broccoli the night before. I’d worked hard to finally be in a good place with one publisher, I liked my editor and he liked me. I was in a place where I kind of knew how to write a humorous romantic suspense. I’d built a nice little comfort zone, thank you very much. But I didn’t know Jack about working with other publishing companies or about writing young adult books.

(The first book of her new YA paranormal series, Shadow Falls)

What if I tried to write YA and failed? What if my new publisher didn’t think I was funny? That wiggle in my stomach, that uneasiness I felt at putting my big toe outside the comfort zone, had me breaking out in hives and hyperventilating. But ultimately, that fear forced me to say yes to both things. The venture into YA turned out to be one of the best career moves I’ve ever made. Not only has it opened up a new avenue for my work, but I’ve grown as a writer all around. And working with a new publisher is opening new doors in my career as a romance novelist.

(Here's book 2 of her Shadow Fall series, already out!)

As writers I think we are constantly being faced with challenges, be it the choices of self-publishing or not self publishing, of writing in a new genre, sending out queries, or handing our work to a new critique partner. Considering my experiences, I encourage everyone to look both ways before you cross a street, don’t jump out of airplanes, be leery of roller coasters, and eat more chicken. (Broccoli is questionable.) But don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. And if fear tries to hold you back, grab it by the throat and knock it out of your way. Never let it stop you from growing as a writer or as a person.

Christie Craig AKA C.C. Hunter

Woot! Thanks Christie for sharing a part of your journey & for your sage insight. I will definitely NOT jump out of airplanes...and keep your words in mind when dealing with fear. :)

If you want to know more about Christie, check out:

C.C. Hunter Books or Christie Craig

If you have any questions for Christie, post in the comments. She has graciously agreed to visit from time to time today. :) Happy reading & writing!

Writing Tips & Fun Giveaways!

2011-10-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

On the second day of my debut week, I'm in two places.

If you're interested in a quick writing lesson, then check out my friend Roni Loren's blog where I'm sharing 3 Tips for Writing Paranormals.

Now, if you just want sweet giveaways and a read a fun interview -- Check out Avery's blog.

Either way, happy reading!

Why I Write Romance & A Big Thank You!

2011-10-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

My book is just a week from being released into this world, and there are so many I have to thank for my writer's dream come true.

You always hear about the solitary writer's life, but it's equally true that the road to publication isn't possible without a good support system. Along the way, many people have helped. And I owe many thanks.

Some without even realizing it, by simply inspiring me, and some with their encouraging words and guidance.

My writing community friends have offered me comfort when the rejections came, cheered my successes, and helped me keep my dreams alive. Southern Magic, Kiss of Death, FFnP, Authors of Asian Novels and FTHRW -- you've been lifelines.

My beta readers and crit partner have shared honest feed back and kicked me in the behind when I needed it. You all have made me a better writer.

My family & friends have loved and supported me even when they didn't understand my dreams. That's is priceless.

One man, my darling husband, has stood by me through it all. We came from different world -- a quiet, hardworking cotton farmer from West Texas and a spit-fire Asian feminist and writer.

He's been next to me when I almost died giving birth, he's been there when the book of my heart got rejected over and over, and he's been there every step of my writing journey. He's picked me up from my lowest point, and he's celebrated every little success in my life since we met.

I was a journalist when I met him, but thanks to my husband's encouragement I was able to reach for cotton-candy dreams and make them come true. Not only did he keep the kids and gave me writing time, but his steady support gave me the courage to pour my heart out on paper, uncensor my mind and share my deepest thoughts.

None of my stories would be written without him. And here's his latest gift to me:

Yes, my farmer has many talents & a true heart.

Why do I write romance? Because I found out true love is real and I want others to believe in it too.

Books as Inspiration. What's on your keeper shelf?

2011-10-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hi there! Check out the books on my Keeper Shelf...all the books I put there are dear friends.

We all have favorite books, the ones we read over and over again. Look closely at the picture and you'll notice many of the books have worn and weary spines...well, they've been with me a long time.

You will also notice a few shiny, new ones: I had to replace Naked In Death, because the original copy was held together by generous amounts of tape. Cynthia Eden is a relatively new discovery, but now she's on my Autobuy list. And Lifethread is a story close to my heart and the first published book written by my talented Critique Partner L.J. Charles.

Whatever the age of the book, they all have one thing in common -- they are keepers. I know these stories by heart, but I never grow bored. I know all the twists and turns, but they can still make me laugh and cry, my heart pound and my soul cheer. In other words, the stories are so good, they are timeless.

To find out what makes a good story(in my humble opinion), check out the post I did for my friend Rebecca Zanetti.

Where in the World is Mina Khan?

2011-10-15T06:17:00.000-07:00

I am one busy girl today and sort of in two places...yes, my split personality finally split =D

I'm attending Lone Star Writers' Conference in Houston. WooHoo!

And I'm also on the Romance Magicians blog seeking advice to help me manage my debut author journey. Come visit & weigh in!

Monster Mash-Up Party!

2011-10-09T03:35:00.000-07:00

I'm talking about why I write djinn stories at fellow Cravings author Katie Reus' blog. Come join her Monster Mash Up!

Katie by the way has a fabulous Cravings story, DESTINED MATE, available now. Check out the very nice cover:

Thanks for Inspiring Us Mr. Steve Jobs.

2011-10-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

(Image: Equinox/Rex Features)

"Your time is limited. Don't waste it living someone else's life.

Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other peoples' thinking.

Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your inner voice.

And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

They somehow already know what you truly want to become.

Everything else is secondary."

(Words of wisdom from Steve Job's 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University)

What Inspires Bestselling Urban Fantasy Author Jeanne Stein?

2011-10-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

I'm honored to feature urban fantasy author Jeanne Stein and her take on inspiration. Jeanne's popular series, The Anna Strong Chronicles, features a tough-as-nails bounty hunter turned vampire. The first book is THE BECOMING and the most recent --7th book-- is CROSSROADS, released in August.

I met Jeanne earlier this year at RMFW's Colorado Gold Conference. Given my interest in urban fantasy & paranormal romance, I attended her panels and was fortunate enough to hang out with her at the hospitality suite (HS are must do's for conference goers ~ too fun!). Her words taught me a lot about writing & life, so I'm glad she agreed to share here. Thanks Jeanne!

When Mina asked me to blog about what inspires me as a writer and a person, my first response was everything. But then I realized I was confusing inspiration with the process of taking an idea and developing it into a story.

Two different things.

The muse that sparks an idea can be anything. I get ideas for my books from newspapers, television shows, eavesdropping on strangers' conversations, other books. Ideas float on the air like dandelion snow. You only have to hold out your hand to grab one.

Inspiration is something else. Inspiration is what makes me sit down at the computer everyday. It's what helps me through the dark days when it seems I'm fighting a losing battle against the indifference of critics and sometimes even my agent and editor. It's fighting the urge to give up when a brand new writer comes out of nowhere and wins that huge contract complete with movie and TV rights and a six-figure advance. And then reading the book and realizing, it is that good.

Inspiration is that voice inside you that says keep going. It's the message of a character like Anna Strong that I want women to hear. It's the voice that says women are strong and clever and capable of great bravery-with or without super powers.

So the short answer to Mina's question is a writer needs to be her own inspiration. She needs to have faith in her abilities and the determination to persevere. She can take strength from those around her, but ultimately, she is responsible for herself.

We are all our own inspiration.

***

So what do you all think? How do you inspire yourself? To learn more about Jeanne and her books, check out her website.

Monday Inspiration: Creativity Through Chaos

2011-09-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

"The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. " ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

(The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, 1889)

Webster Dictionary definition of Chaos:

The infinity of space or formless matter supposed to precede the existence of the ordered universe.

In other words, chaos offers organic unpredictability, a swirling mess of ideas or matter, that comes together as unique order. From chaotic thought rises art and engineering. It all begins with unfettered imagination. In other words, chaos.

Writing, to me, is making sense of the chaos of our ideas. Happy writing!

This post today is special, because it's part of Rachel Firasek's Meet Me Monday blog hop. So check the rest out!

Author Jeannie Lin Shares The Inspiration Behind Her Amazing Romances

2011-09-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there's nothing more inspiring than other people. So I have decided to occasionally invite other creative sorts I admire to share what inspires them. For my first guest we have Jeannie Lin, she of the amazing Asian stories and gorgeous covers.

(Released Sept. 20, 2011...Woot!)

So what inspires Jeannie Lin?

I think this answer changes every time I think on it, but when I get down to the root of it, I'm inspired by my mother.

Of course, Mum is getting extra points right now because I'm back in southern California for a brief visit and she's been feeding me home cooked meals.

When I was in third grade, Mum told me how if you write down your stories and they were good enough that people liked them, they'd make your story into a book and pay you for it. Money for stories? I became absolutely enamored with the idea and wrote so much that summer that my hand seized up and I got a writer's callous that I can still feel to this day. It's my badge of honor (Writer's callouses -- do people get those anymore?)

So when people ask what inspired me to write, I like to say the money, but the truth is it was my Mom.

Her real inspiration for me was her attitude about getting things done. I think her response to my sister's lament of writer's block sums it up: "I guess you're not creative enough." This may come off as cruel and Tiger Mom-ish, but it's not. In my mother's universe, every problem has a solution and if you know that, then it's just up to you to find it.The answer is within your own grasp. When I was submitting BUTTERFLY SWORDS and facing rejection after rejection, I told myself one thing and it kept me going more than any words of encouragement ever could: "I guess the writing's not good enough...yet."

JEANNIE LIN
grew up fascinated with stories of Western epic fantasy as well as Eastern martial arts adventures. When her best friend introduced her to romance novels in middle school, the stage was set.

Jeannie started writing her first romance while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden Heart® Award–winning manuscript, Butterfly Swords, sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon. With two releases and four more upcoming titles all set in the Tang Dynasty, she's keeping her fingers crossed that this hard-sell genre will one day be hard to resist.

As a technical consultant, backpacker and vacation junkie, she's traveled all over the United States as well as Europe, South Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam. She's now happily settled in St. Louis with her wonderfully supportive husband, and she continues to journey to exotic locations in her stories.

Visit Jeannie Lin online at http://www.jeannielin.com

Thanks for visiting Jeannie! And your stories are better than good enough...so glad you keep writing and showing that different or difficult stories can still find a place. You are inspiration.

Any questions for Jeannie? Who inspires you?

How about some HOT inspiration to sizzle up your Monday?

2011-09-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

Check out my first cover! Is that not inspiring?

WooHoo! Happy dancing in West Texas!

The Djinn's Dilemma is coming to an ebook reader near you in November. :)

Writing is Exploration

2011-09-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

(Photo Credit Mina Khan)

The more I write, the more I discover myself and the world. I write to find my destination.

Happy exploring!

Here's a poem to inspire you:

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

A Writer, a few limes and ideas

2011-09-06T19:57:00.000-07:00

All people, no matter what their passion, profession or part in life, tend to burn out from time to time. So they must replenish themselves and seek out inspiration from the world around them. I find this to be true of myself and I often go foraging for something that will spark a thought, quicken my pulse or give me the courage to create.

So I'm dedicating my writing blog to things I find inspiring and my thoughts on my creative process, in the hopes I can share that magical touch of the muse with other fellow seekers.

Today, I give you limes.

Writing is not always easy. Often working with an idea is like working with a lime. Lush green and so alive, yet hard and unyielding at first touch. You have to massage the idea like you would a lime, make it more workable. Then you have to squeeze every bit of juice out it, fish out the seeds (rubble), and mix in other ingredients (or ideas). In the end you have limeade or margaritas. Either way, cheers! As a writer you always have choices.

So what's your choice? Limeade or margarita? Well, have a glass of it, visit, and I hope you come again.

Welcome To My World of Fantasy & Adventure

2011-07-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,

Thank you for visiting my cyber-home. I love sharing my stories of dark, mysterious men and brave, feisty women caught up in a world of magic and fantasy, passion and mayhem, and sexy mischief.

Just as a dish cooked with care must be consumed and enjoyed, a story imagined must be read and shared. Creativity thrives through relationships. I would love to hear from you!

Coming soon: The cover of THE DJINN'S DILEMMA, my novella being published by Harlequin in November!