Soul Sharing

by Lydia Sharp

Every story written exposes a piece of its author. Shares part of their soul--sometimes a beautiful part, sometimes a broken part. This isn’t something that is planned, it just happens. When I write a story I’m not sure what part of me will latch onto it, whether it be through character traits or through specific events. It’s always a delicious surprise.

In Mismatched, however, this surprise was more somber. I knew before I started writing that it would involve a woman-to-woman romance, so that wasn’t the part of me that unexpectedly rooted itself in this story. It was the main character’s desire to bear children, and the depression that followed when she realized she never would.

I have one child, a son, but had wanted many more. My body had other plans, though. After my second miscarriage, and my doctor’s affirmation that this would continue to be the result without starting an expensive, arduous fertility regimen, I gave up on my dream of ever bearing another child. I refused to put myself and my family through that process, and decided to be content with the child I’d already been blessed with. For the most part, I’m past the emotional trauma of it, but sometimes it still haunts me.

When I wrote Mismatched, the wounds were fresh. And I didn’t realize that this story would become a catharsis for me until that therapy was already in progress. Being the story is short kind of saved me, in that I didn’t have much room to deepen this part of the main character’s journey. Doing so might have crushed me. It wouldn’t now, but back then? The story might not ever have been finished.

As is, it was just enough to help me confront and conquer my inner demons, alongside this character as she confronted and conquered hers, without diving so deep into the buried emotional trauma that it triggered a new bout of depression.

This is why fiction is so important in our world, not just for the authors but also for the readers. When we share pieces of our soul in a story, it becomes both our story and the character’s story, which in turn helps it connect with the readers so that they can make it their story.

We are telling the readers, “Hey, guess what? I survived this, just like so-and-so is going to survive it in her own way. You can survive it too.”

Have you ever felt like a story was written just for you? Then you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you are an author, have you ever had a similar experience sharing a piece of your soul as you write?

Here is a brief introduction to my new release:

Her plan was simple: Find your life-match and follow your destiny―the heart-stone doesn’t lie.

On the night of her initiation ceremony into her chosen clan, Liu'bimec feels a scorching pain from something other than the marking iron. Her heart-stone responds as if her life-match is close. It burns hot within her, ready to bond. But none of the men she approaches induce a heart-stone bond, and if she does not bond with her life-match by the time a year has passed, she will be banished. Her heart-stone had guided her, but was it wrong?
Her questions only multiply when she finally does find her life-match. He is not a he at all, but a she, and if it were known they have bonded, Liu would face something far worse than banishment―an empty life without her match.

EXCERPT:
The flap of my tent opens and a tall, well-muscled man steps in. I freeze. He is handsome, with eyes as pure blue as the surrounding ocean, and spikes of hair blond as sand. His forehead marking healed clean and smooth―the arched, fluffy tail of a Kun’du surrounded by thorny vines. It is a symbol of courage. The same pattern has been sewn into his tunic sleeves. He is a fine artist.
He introduces himself, smiling boyishly as he steps closer. My heart beats hard in my chest, nervous with anticipation, but my heart-stone…my heart-stone is as frozen as the rest of me. Perhaps we aren’t close enough.

I step right up to him, driven by selfish desire, hungry for companionship. He lifts a hand and laces his fingers with mine. His skin still holds the chill from outside. I shudder. His other hand presses against my lower back, nudging our bodies closer. There is nothing but fabric between our skins.

And still, no heat. He isn’t my match.

Realization melts over his face. Embarrassed, we push away from each other and I wrap my arms around myself. This emptiness within feels like the breath of Winter herself.
I apologize and ask him to leave. He offers a smile laced with regret, then obliges.
There are plenty of other available men, Mother would say, but it is no comfort. I cry until my throat is swollen and raw, my eyes puffy and stinging with salt. I’ve forgotten what it is like to fall asleep without tears.

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Lydia Sharp is a novelist and short fiction author who still believes in fairy tales. She lives in Ohio but often visits other worlds through the magic of books. Fortunately these other worlds have Wi-Fi, so Lydia can be reached at any time via email, Twitter, or Facebook. For contact details and a complete list of Lydia's writing credits, visit her blog.

NEW RELEASE for EVA SCOTT

Musa Publishing is happy to announce the release of The Marriage Makeover, a delightful romantic novella by Eva Scott and a perfect addition to the Calliope imprint.

Talia's marriage to Nick becomes her ultimate renovation project.

Nick and Talia Carmichael were childhood sweethearts. Grief over the death of their baby daughter from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome crushed their marriage. Talia moved to a new city, with a new career and life. Now it’s time to close the door on the past and ask Nick for a divorce.

Nick has other ideas. Once his wife, always his wife. He has no intention of letting Talia off so lightly and proposes terms and conditions to his agreement. It will mean moving back into their marital home, and force her to face long buried grief. Can she do as he asks?

Being with Nick causes her to question everything she thought was true. Has she made a mistake thinking her love for Nick is dead? Can he still love her? More importantly, can he again trust after everything they’ve been through?

Nick could think of no better way to end the week than sharing a drink or two with good mates. The atmosphere at home between him and Tally had become so weird and tense lately you could almost cut it with a knife. Everything he said seemed to cause a fight. Here with his friends, he didn’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing.

Laughing at a joke someone told, he took a drink of his beer. He had no intention of getting drunk tonight. The rain started before he left home and he’d decided to take the car. Normally he would walk the mile to and from the pub. The beer began to take effect, his muscles relaxed and his guard came down. He exhaled and settled in to enjoy the night.

Female laughter rang out across the club. The girls had arrived resembling a flock of colorful birds in all their finery. Screeching like cockatoos. Nick winced at a particularly raucous laugh. Later they would gravitate over to the boys and they’d all have dinner together in the club restaurant. The gang had been doing the same thing for a decade and tonight the familiarity of routine soothed him.

He turned back to the boys who were hotly arguing the capabilities of the players in tomorrow’s football match. The sudden increase in noise coming from the girls’ table got his attention. The girls were up on their feet, laughing and talking, hugging someone. Their super-hyped animation got him curious as to who had them so excited. Then he saw her, Tally, and his heart stopped in his chest.

Talia looked beautiful, her hair tumbling around her shoulders reflecting golden light. Lately it had been scrunched up on top of her head sticking out every which way. She had makeup on too, something she never wore at home... He swallowed hard. Those jeans of hers hugged her bottom in a way which ought to be considered criminal. Charges should be laid. Her t-shirt skimmed in all the right places. He couldn’t take her eyes off her.

“Is that who I think it is?” His friend, Greg, nudged him. “Did you know Talia was in town?”

Nick nodded. “She’s staying at my place.”

“What?” Greg nearly choked on his beer. “You’re a dark horse. Kept that nicely under wraps.” He leaned back against the bar and joined Nick in contemplating Tally. “So…reconciliation on the cards?”

“What? No, nothing like that.” Nick had trouble focusing on anything other than his wife. Why did she have to be so damn hot? And why did she have to be here?

“You’re a foolish man Nick Carmichael. If I had a wife that hot I’d be hell sure of reconciling with her fine...”

“Greg! That’s my wife you’re talking about.”

Greg shrugged. “No reconciliation means no wife. How many years has it been?”

“It doesn’t matter. We are still married and Talia is still my wife” said Nick between clenched teeth.

“I’m just saying.” Greg shrugged and returned to expanding on his theory of football tactics for the coming game.

Nick’s gaze followed Tally as she got a drink from the bar and settled in with the girls. So much for a relaxing night out.

BUY LINK.

Eva Scott lives on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland Australia with her fabulous husband and gorgeous little boy. When she's not writing romance, you can find her on the water kayaking, fishing or swimming. When on dry land its all about the shoes and the coffee.

Learn more about Eva Scott on her website. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

Are You Special?

by HL Carpenter

Recent remodeling sounded simple: Remove two walls and add a door.

Achieving the desired result involved nearly every building trade, from cabinetmaker to drywall installer, electrician, glass fabricator, painter, plumber, and tile layer, as well as a general contractor overseeing the entire project.

As we watched the construction take shape, it occurred to us that when it comes to our writing, we’re like the general contractor—instead of specializing in one field of word-craft, we write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and pretty much anything else that captures our interest.

Perhaps you do, too. And maybe, like us, you’ve discovered being a proverbial “jack-of-all-trades, master of none” has both drawbacks and benefits. Here are three.

Research. All writing involves telling stories, and all writing is much more than “making stuff up.” For example, if you write fiction, you’re well acquainted with the vast amount of research required to create a believable tale.

We view this as a benefit. We’ve often used our nonfiction research to add realism to our fiction, and we believe the two work well together.

Marketing. We attended a writer’s conference where a disgruntled author shared the story of her stalled career. While her books were all within the romance genre, each contained different elements. One fit into the mystery slot, while another veered into “cozy” territory. She liked the variety. And that, as her editor pointed out, was the reason her career had stalled—readers never knew what to expect from her.

We think this is a drawback, and not only because we have difficulty with marketing in general. We wrestle with how to define a platform, given the diversity of our writing. A typical, recurring question: Should we have one web site or two?

Productivity. Having jobs of different types in various stages of development lets us shift between writing styles when we’re stuck. Each assignment typically has a different deadline as well, which is always a driver for us.
We rate this as a neutral factor, primarily because it requires a lot of organization and allows for little downtime, which can hurt creativity.

So how do you answer the question we posed in the title? Do you specialize in one type of writing, or are you a “general contractor”? Let us know in the comments. We’re always interested in learning how other authors build their careers.

~HL Carpenter

Tovi thinks finding a flying horse is fabulous luck - until a mysterious stranger says finders aren’t always keepers.

When fourteen year old Tovi Taggert moves to Honeysuckle Hollow to take care of her grandmother, she has a hard time fitting in. For one thing, she’s been tagged with the hated nickname Too-Tall Tovi. For another, everyone at Honeysuckle Hollow High believes Tovi played the Choking Game with someone else’s boyfriend – and made out with him besides.

As if she doesn’t have enough problems, after the latest stand-off in the school hallway, Tovi finds a gorgeous speckled egg nestled in a feather lined nest.

She takes the egg home – and mysterious visitors begin appearing almost immediately. Even more worrisome, whatever is inside the egg starts chipping its way out.

When the egg hatches, revealing a winged horse, Tovi’s troubles multiply.

As she struggles to return the horse to the magical land where he belongs, Tovi must make a courageous decision – and accept what that decision will cost her.

To read the first chapter of The SkyHorse, please click HERE.

BUY LINKS
Musa Publishing
Amazon

HL Carpenter is a mother/daughter writing team. Their young adult novel, The SkyHorse, is available on Amazon and at Musa Publishing. Learn more about HL Carpenter on their website.

Write about . . . “there.”

Real Africa. Whatever that is.

by Chris J Peterson

The world was saddened two months ago to hear of the passing of Chinua Achebe, the author of the African classic (and bane of high school students everywhere) Things Fall Apart. A text bite of one news article read “He showed Africa how to tell its own story.” And that he did; his Africa is “Real Africa” in the minds of millions.

I feel (and have since my first brief visit in 1993) an almost irresistible urge to write about “Real Africa”; to tell Africa’s story. Living in Uganda now has, not surprisingly, done little to quell that urge. But my fingers pause over my keyboard when I sit down to write. Where to start? And who am I to even attempt this? I’m just a little Iowa boy here on someone else’s dime and going home in a year to cushy (hopefully upper) middle-class, (hopefully upper) middle-western life and can, if I choose, pretend Africa no longer exists once those wheels go up.

Well, pretending Africa doesn’t exist is not an option for me. I don’t think it’s an option for anyone who’s visited or lived here, no matter how briefly they stayed. Ask around. I’ve not met a single person who shrugs and says “Yeah, Africa was okay.” It’s not Scranton. Love it or hate it here, be it in blogs, short stories, memoirs, or novels, many feel an almost paranormal guided urge to write about Africa. It’s like Richard Dreyfuss making Devil’s Tower out of mashed potatoes. We can’t not do it.

But the problem with satisfying Africancoethes scribendi is deciding on which Real Africa to write about. Is Real Africa the Africa of sleepy pastoral villages amid sweeping savannahs? Or is it the Africa where foreign businesses exploit the locals to cut down trees, pull pretty rocks from the ground, and pump oil?


But what about the self-actualized Africa where successful young Africans come of age against the backdrop of a prosperous city skyline? All of these Africas are Real Africa. The Africa where poorly armed and desperate bandits raze villages is just as real as tourist Africa, with its visitors sipping Tuskers on the veranda while elands and elephants come to the watering hole.

The more I experience Africa, the more I think it’s a knitted sweater: pull one loose thread and something totally unexpected happens somewhere else. The thread might be blue when you start pulling, but it then becomes orange, then red, then back to blue again only to start coming out green. It’s diverse, yet connected; enormous, yet not monolithic.

So in the end, I don’t think I need to worry about being able to tell Africa’s story. I don’t believe even Achebe could have told it in its entirety. “Out of Africa, always something new” is just as true today as it was 2300 years ago when Aristotle first used the phrase. I focus, then on telling my story in Africa, whatever that might turn out to be.

In part 2, I’ll discuss methods I’ve used when writing about “there.”

Now for a quick return to the U.S. with a little from my suspense novel Paper Thin for your reading pleasure.

The human heart has some dark corners.

Corporate yes-man Frank Osgood is thrilled when new golden-boy Eric Sarobbin brings unmatched success to his paper company. But Eric’s morals are paper thin, and his taste for teenagers leads to a million-dollar cover-up. With Frank still reeling from the implications, Eric skips town.

When the company is pushed to the edge of financial ruin, Frank’s boss demands that he track Eric down and beg him to return - then keep him on board, no matter what. But when a small-time reporter rakes up some big-time dirt on Eric, Frank must keep the paper empire from going up in flames.

To read an excerpt from Paper Thin please click HERE.

Chris J. Peterson has toyed with writing since childhood, but just recently got serious about being published. His short stories can be found in Big Pulp, Ruthless Peoples Magazine, The Piker Press, and 365 tomorrows. Chris has completed his second novel with a third well underway. Originally from Iowa and a short time in Mississippi, Chris currently resides in Uganda where he works on his novels and short stories.

Learn more about Chris on his blog.

Faerie Rings

by Clarissa Johal

One of the ingredients I love to cook with, is mushrooms. They’re versatile, add a heartiness to a dish, and they’re good for you—high in protein, low in fat, and filled with potassium. You can’t go wrong!

Historically, mushrooms have been utilized in food, medicine and for religious practices. Mushrooms also have a long association with folklore. Check your backyard after a rainstorm and you may see tiny spores that form a ring. This ring is said to serve as a portal or meeting place for faerie folk. Humans daring to enter it, risk falling asleep for a hundred years or may be whisked off to the Otherworld. In Holland, these rings are believed to be left when the Devil sets down his milk churn. In other countries, such as France and Austria, the rings are associated with sorcery and malevolent magic, and travelers are advised to stay away from them.

Here’s a vegetarian recipe sure to please your palate and maybe even attract a faerie or two.

Hungarian Mushroom Soup
3 cups milk
2 onions, diced
1 tbsp. plus ¼ cup butter
1 tsp. salt
2 pounds mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
4½ tsp. dill
2 tbsp. paprika
2-3/4 cups vegetable stock
½ cup flour
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1½ cups sour cream

Warm milk in saucepan at low heat.

In soup pot, sauté onions in 1 tablespoon of butter. When they are translucent, add mushrooms, dill, paprika, lemon juice and 1 cup vegetable stock. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

In separate saucepan, melt remaining butter. Slowly whisk in flour, forming a roux. Add warm milk, whisking to eliminate lumps. Add this mixture to soup pot. Add remaining stock and simmer for 10 minutes.

Just before serving, whisk in soy sauce and sour cream.

Yield 10 cups

And here’s a story of a different kind. No faeries or faerie rings, but plenty of supernatural happenings.

How far would you go to redeem yourself?

BLURB:
As a young girl, Lucinda was able to see spirits, a gift that didn't come without its problems. Now, a dedicated young veterinarian, she is committed to the idea that every life can be saved.

After a devastating accident, Lucinda tries to escape her past by moving to a small town. There, she meets a newcomer and feels an immediate connection with him. But there is another mysterious stranger to the small town, one that stirs within her a mixture of unease and desire.

As Lucinda is drawn into a bitter tug-a-war from the forces around her, she is likewise pulled into a dangerous twist of past and present events. Forced to make difficult choices, she finds that the two men are locked in not only a battle for her life...but a battle for their salvation.

To read an excerpt or purchase a copy of Between, please click on a vendor's name.

Musa Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Clarissa Johal has worked as a veterinary assistant, zoo-keeper aide and vegetarian chef. Writing has always been her passion. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing or taking photographs of gargoyles.

Clarissa shares her life with her husband, two daughters and every stray animal that darkens the doorstep. One day, she expects that a wayward troll will wander into her yard, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Learn more about Clarissa Johal on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

Are European Men the Best?

by Sloane Taylor

I don't know about "best", but they sure are damn appealing to me. That fact is evident in the books I write because my heroes are from a variety of European countries. Readers have asked me why. One indignant lady wanted to know why I hated American men.

For the record, I don’t hate any man. If anything it’s the complete opposite. I love them all and can’t seem to get enough of them. Men of every nationality, race, and creed are a major turn-on for me. Tall or short doesn’t matter. Either a flowing mane or a pate that shines works for me. I am the original rah-rah queen for the male gender.

Please don’t get the wrong idea. I do not hang around street corners in a tight skirt and skimpy top waiting to jump in some guy’s car for twenty dollars, but I have no problem staring to my heart’s content when I see a male who interests me. From their bone structures to their attitudes, and some of them do have the best attitudes, men fascinate me.

The main reason most of my heroes are European is that I’ve had more experience with men from that part of the world. Now behave yourself, I’m not talking in the biblical sense.

Long before I ever considered being a writer, I worked for a paint manufacturer in the international division. My job was to develop formulas for industrial coatings and deal one on one with the representatives from the contracted British, French, and German companies. Those business associates became longtime friends and I treasured every second of our time together.

Since that job, I have been fortunate to spend a great deal of time in Europe. It has been my pleasure to expand my study of men. The men I’ve met along the way have enthralled me, angered me, and consumed me. Most were reserved with a clipped speech pattern that to a fun loving American bordered on rudeness, but as they came to know me that guarded attitude turned into warmth and great loyalty. And in two marvelous cases a protectiveness that was welcomed.

From all those awesome traits of all those fabulous men the Magnificent Men of Munich series was born. It’s a four book series that opens in Munich and ends in Venice. Here is a bit from Heated Negotiations, Book One.

Mergers and negotiations are not just for the boardroom, especially when things heat up high over the Atlantic.

BLURB:
Travel agency owner Teddi Howard is Hell in high heels when she jumps a plane to Munich. Her goal—strangle the German tour operator who reneged on their exclusive contract.

German businessman David Stiefel well knows the feeling of being screwed over and is resolved to avoid emotional attachments. This strategy has served him well, until his chance encounter with the enticing Ms. Howard.

EXCERPT:
David Stiefel’s eyes kept track of the copper-haired female while he rolled up the sleeves of his striped shirt. The woman was oblivious to the stir she created as she strolled through the crowded O’Hare Airport Business Class Lounge. He stroked an index finger over his lips and studied her sleek figure clad in formfitting slacks. The appealing rear view was too good to miss. The pleasure of not seeing a panty line forced him to shift in his chair to adjust for the sudden pull in his jeans.

She bent over, hung her jacket across the chair back, and glanced over her shoulder at him. Their gaze held as a smile tweaked the corner of his mouth. He crumpled the wrappings from his beef sandwich and knew he’d just been offered dessert. Now all he had to do was make his move.

As his good luck would have it, right there on the floor just a few meters away was an airline ticket dropped by some unsuspecting person. He knew that delicious-looking woman had done it as a ploy to meet him.

He stood and paced off the few steps, never taking his eyes from her. He stooped, scooped up the packet, and walked the few extra feet before he glanced at the name printed in bold marker across the front. When he held it toward her, she fumbled with her purse and carry-on as if she did not know she had lost such an important set of documents. Very cool.

Standing in front of her, he leaned down just enough to catch her scent. A fragrance that reminded him of herbs.

BUY LINK

To read excerpts from any of the other five books Sloane Taylor has published through Musa, please click HERE.

Sloane Taylor is a sensual woman who believes humor and sex are healthy aspects of our everyday lives and carries that philosophy into her books. She writes sexually explicit romances that take you right into the bedroom. Her books are set in Europe where the men are all male and the North American women they encounter are both feminine and strong. They also bring more than lust to their men’s lives.

Taylor was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. Studs, her mate for life, and Sloane now live in a small home in Indiana and enjoy the change from hectic city life.

She is an avid cook. Check out “It’s Wednesday. So What’s Cooking?” with complete menus posted once a week on her blog http://sloanetaylor.blogspot.com/. The recipes are user friendly menus, meaning easy.

Learn more about Sloane Taylor on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

So Why Japan?

by Viki Lyn

Barring no major disasters, I am in Japan enjoying the beauty and culture of this wonderful country. I love to travel and have been to Europe, South America and Africa, but never to Asia. I’ve always wanted to travel to Japan but other trips took precedent and finally this year Jim and I decided we’d go. (As you read this, we should be in Kyoto by now with our good friends.)

So why Japan? These are my top ten reasons for traveling there:


Art – I love Japanese aesthetics and design. One of my favorite art shows was at the LA Museum. It was called Primal Spirit and featured ten contemporary Japanese sculptors. It was an awe inspiring exhibit. The artists used wood, iron, fiber—creating amazing large scale works of art. Precision and detail went into every piece.


Fresh Sushi – I got hooked on sushi when I lived in San Francisco. Imagine how good it has to be in Japan, fresh from the ocean and straight to the fish market.


Manga – if you read my April post you know I’m crazy about yaoi (boy’s love manga). There’s a street in Tokyo dedicated to manga. Too bad I can’t read Japanese or else I’d be shipping home a crate of books. Okay, maybe it’s a good thing I can’t read Japanese!


Anime – like their art, Japanese anime is beautiful to watch. I also love how they weave myth in their storylines.

Gardens – Give me a Zen garden over any other. I love the quietness, simplicity and beauty of the rock formations, water features and plants. We plan to put a Japanese style garden in our atrium when we return home.

Japanese paper – I want to get my hands on the real thing and buy Japanese rain water paper. It’s ethereal and wonderful to use in collage.

 Geishas – there is something very exotic about the geisha culture. The women are beautiful and represent a part of Japan’s mysterious past which I find intriguing.

Pastries and coffee – Japanese are crazy about their coffee. I will indulge in all of it!

Ryokans – this is a traditional Japanese inn with tatami mats and old-fashioned hospitality. We will be staying in one outside of Nara.


Bullet Trains – faster than a speedy bullet! No, not Superman, but Japan’s long-distance trains.

Happy Reading!

Viki

Here's a little from my latest release for your reading pleasure.

Pride will be the death of him.

When psychic Nate Coleman dreams of a murder, he knows it’s a premonition. He can’t forget the image of his ex-lover with a bullet hole through his chest. Nate has no choice but to confront William and face the skeptical scientist’s ridicule.

Dr. William Ryner doesn’t believe in what he can’t prove. When Nate comes back into his life, it’s not to rekindle their love, but to bring up more of that mumbo jumbo that split them apart.

Despite William’s refusal to listen, Nate can’t ignore the premonition. And, William can’t ignore Nate. Before the gunman strikes, William must either trust in Nate’s ability or rely only on the facts, but if he does the latter, pride could be the death of him.

To read an excerpt from Perceived Love, please click HERE.

You can find all of Viki Lyn's books at the following sites: Amazon, All Romance Ebooks and GLBT Bookshelf.

What inspires Viki is the reality that romance between lovers is a hope more than a guarantee. Her stories are an eclectic mix of contemporary and paranormal, but it is always romance that drives the story to its final happily-ever-after.

Learn more about Viki Lyn on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter. Check out her bookshelf and be sure to Join Viki’s Street Team.