Sunday 30 June 2013

Spotlight - Melanie Shawn



Hi everyone,

Today Melanie Shawn is dropping in from her blog tour to chat about her new book, ‘My First’.  Melanie Shawn is actually a writing tandem made up of two sisters – Melanie and Shawna.

Hello and welcome ladies!

Would you like to tell us what made you decide to write as a duo?

Well, much like Aretha and Annie in that catchy 80s anthem from the title, it sprang from a decision to take our future into our own hands. We wanted to define what our lives would look like moving forward, and we knew that – no matter what – we wanted to approach it together. When we took a look at our strength and talents, we realized that we'd actually been “writing together” as part of the business we own for quite some time – articles, proposals, emails...and blog posts, much like this one!

Once we realized that we already had a natural writing rhythm together, it was a short leap to deciding that we wanted to tackle fiction writing together, as well.

Many people wonder what the process of “writing together” looks like. Do we actually open up a blank document together and craft every sentence collaboratively, while sitting there side by side?

Good GOD, No! Not only would that be far too slow, it would probably be pretty frustrating, as well.

Rather, we do the work in “passes” - Shawna takes a pass, Melanie takes a pass, Shawna takes another pass, and so on. With each subsequent pass at the manuscript, the plot becomes tightened and the language more refined. By the final pass, we both love it!

Writing collaboratively is great for us because we both bring strengths to the table. For instance, Shawna is the “romantic gesture” nut and thinks of all the beautiful and highly romantic scenarios in the books. Pretty much anything in any of the stories that has made you go, “Awwww....I love it!” came straight from Shawna's brain!

Melanie, on the other hand, is the “word nerd” and comes up with the lion's share of the descriptions, metaphors, similes...all of the linguistic ornamentation that makes the book sparkle. Also, she's the sarcastic and sassy one, so the majority of the quips and jokes come from her snarky sensibilities.

By working together, we wind up with an end product that is far better than anything either of us could have produced on her own – and we have a HELL of a lot of fun getting there!

Writing as part of a team may not be for everybody. But it is definitely for us!

 

What comes first, the plot or characters?

For us, the characters always, ALWAYS come first. We are fascinated by the inner workings of people and how they respond to various situations - how they come together, and how they come apart.

When we know WHO the people are in our stories, then the natural progression of ideas causes us to say, "Hmmm...now wouldn't it be interesting if THIS happened to ____? I wonder what she would say to ____? And how would _____ react to the whole thing?"

Basically, the entire premise of every book we write is based on one of us saying to the other, "Hey, I wonder what would happen if _____ happened to ____?" It all grows from there.

What inspires your writing?

Honestly, there are just so many stories in our heads that we want to tell! We create characters and then they take on a life of their own. We become fascinated by their inner lives, their back stories, the plot points that will happen to them and how they will react - once we start getting excited, it's hard put that story away. We have to get it into the world!


Book Description:

 

Jason Sloan is known as Harper’s Crossing’s resident Romeo, and he’s never had to work too hard to live up to that nickname. With his easy going charm, whiskey-colored brown eyes, and sinfully sexy half smile, women just seem to fall all over themselves when he’s around.

Well...most women, anyway. Katie Lawson’s the one woman who isn't putty in his hands, and she's the only one he’s ever wanted in his arms.

Katie Lawson left Harper's Crossing in the middle of the night ten years ago, immediately after her high school boyfriend Nick's funeral. She left behind all memories of Nick, and she left behind her life-long best friend, Jason Sloan.

Now she's on the fast track to junior partner at one of San Francisco's top law firms. She's made a life for herself that's all about maintaining order and sticking to the rules. Rule #1 is keeping herself WAY too busy to think about all that she ran away from. If she can do that, after all, she can keep everything under control.

But that rule is about to be broken. She’s headed back home to be the maid of honor in Nick’s little sister’s wedding. It's time to face the truth she's been avoiding all these years, the same one that sent her running ten years ago - that maybe she didn't lose her first love the summer after high school. Maybe her first love has been waiting for her all this time, at home in Harper's Crossing.

 


Excerpt:

My First


Katie opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She snapped it shut. She tried again. Same result. She imagined she looked like a trout on the banks of a river, flapping her mouth open and shut for no apparent reason.

The realization of how silly she must look gave her just the extra edge of courage she needed to jump off the cliff.

“Jason, I...I wanted to...I wanted to tell you that...” she steeled herself for what she knew her physical reaction would be as she forced herself to look up into those gorgeous brown eyes, which resembled nothing so much as pools of warm and melty milk chocolate...

The expression on Jason's face when she raised her eyes brought her up short. She narrowed her eyes.

“Why do you look so smug?” she asked suspiciously.

Rather than answering, he smirked and bent down, putting his mouth right next to her ear. His hot breath assailed her neck and she began to feel light-headed again.

Wait...was this....OH NO! Panic attack #2 might be on the horizon.

Not in front of Jason, PLEASE, not in front of Jason, Katie begged the Universe.  It seemed like the Universe must have more important things on its mind, however because - oh, lord. Now the shallow breathing was starting.

Jason's breath on her neck, however, was anything but shallow. It was deep. And heavy. And warm. And full of desire. And...oh, man, that lightheadedness was just getting worse and worse.

Jason had her pinned up against the trunk of her car. Her mind was screaming at her to push him away and RUN as fast and as far as she could. Hey, it had worked in the past. Her body, however, was sending her some very different signals.

“I'm not smug, Kit Kat,” Jason informed her, his deep voice rumbling in his chest.

“Wha...huh...?” Katie mumbled.

Jason laughed lightly, “I was just saying that I'm not smug. Just happy to know that I still get under your skin.”

Katie didn't respond. She didn't even really hear what he said, she'd stopped trying to pay attention to the words. Stupid words. They just got in the way of listening to his voice...that silky, deep voice.

Jason traced his thumb down the back of Katie's neck slowly, sensuously, and then continued across her shoulder and down her arm. When he reached her waist, he slipped his hand around her easily, spreading his fingers slowly and firmly, grasping her back with a familiarity that felt as dangerous as it did comforting.

His thumb began to gently massage the small of her back, sending sharp zings of electricity ping-ponging off of her nerve endings. She wanted to stop those little zings of pleasure in their tracks. She wanted to ignore, suppress, deny...anything!

She needed to push him away and get some distance is what she needed to do. Her knees began to buckle. Any time now, a little voice in the back of her head whispered. Any time you want to get a jump on creating that distance would be perfect.

That was, however, not what Katie did. No matter how hard her lizard brain screamed at her to push him away...step away...jump away...DANCE away, even...all Katie found herself doing was looking up into his chocolate brown eyes as she melted into his embrace.

Katie heard a low moan escape from Jason's throat and was suddenly hyper-aware of how close their lips were to each other. A shiver ran through her as she contemplated the nearness of those delicious, sexy lips.

Katie's breathing became more labored, but not in an out-of-control, panic-attacky kind of way. No, it was more of a body-coming-alive-for-the-first-time-in-years kind of way.

She vaguely wondered what was going to happen next, but couldn't make herself focus too much on the future. Not when the present was this flipping interesting!

Her brain might be telling her to get out of this situation, to think about the consequences – but her body was perfectly content to ride this little scene out and see where it went thankyouverymuch.

Why did it seem that she was utterly incapable of listening to her brain in any situation where Jason Sloan was involved?

 


Links:






 

As always, thanks for visiting!

Nicóle   xx

 

 

Friday 28 June 2013

Tidbits



Hi everyone,

I just have a few updates. Unfortunately there has been a slight hiccup with my medieval/paranormal novel - 'Rain'. The release date has been pushed back a smidgen. I’ll let you know as soon as I have a definite date.

I also have some wonderful upcoming news about my Victorian era romance, 'Dancing on Air'. Things are still in the pipeline but once everything is signed, sealed and delivered – you guys will be the first to know!
 

Here’s the blurb :

A Victorian ballerina yearns for freedom, security and love. Three men offer her aspects of what she desires, but only one holds her heart. Lord Evander Gainswith has a colourful past – he has never fallen in love before. He wants a mistress. However, just like in the ballet, Lisette wants a fairytale ending – she wants marriage. But the sinister Lord De Vale, who is confidante and paramour to Lisette’s Aunt and guardian, covets her. To survive Lisette discovers she needs more than a lover – she may need a saviour.

 


Finally, on the 30th of June, Melanie Shawn (actually two sisters, Melanie and Shawna) will be stopping by for a chat on her (their) blog tour. So I hope you can drop in for that. I’ve included the blurb of 'My First' and I have to say it sounds pretty tempting.



My First by Melanie Shawn

Jason Sloan is known as Harper’s Crossing’s resident Romeo, and he’s never had to work too hard to live up to that nickname. With his easygoing charm, whiskey-colored brown eyes, and sinfully sexy half smile, women just seem to fall all over themselves when he’s around.

Well...most women, anyway. Katie Lawson’s the one woman who isn't putty in his hands, and she's the only one he’s ever wanted in his arms.

Katie Lawson left Harper's Crossing in the middle of the night ten years ago, immediately after her high school boyfriend Nick's funeral. She left behind all memories of Nick, and she left behind her life-long best friend, Jason Sloan.

Now she's on the fast track to junior partner at one of San Francisco's top law firms. She's made a life for herself that's all about maintaining order and sticking to the rules. Rule #1 is keeping herself WAY too busy to think about all that she ran away from. If she can do that, after all, she can keep everything under control.

But that rule is about to be broken. She’s headed back home to be the maid of honor in Nick’s little sister’s wedding. It's time to face the truth she's been avoiding all these years, the same one that sent her running ten years ago - that maybe she didn't lose her first love the summer after high school. Maybe her first love has been waiting for her all this time, at home in Harper's Crossing.

 

As always, thanks for visiting.

 

Nicóle  xx
 
 
 
Images -
Bigstock
My First/ The Killion Group

 

Monday 24 June 2013

One Lovely Blog Award




Hi everyone,

The wonderful Samantha Holt has nominated me for ‘The One Lovely Blog Award’. This is given to writers & bloggers by writers & bloggers who they believe have... well lovely blogs. So, thank you so much Samantha! You can find Samantha’s ‘lovely’ blog here –


So as part of this award, I now have to nominate seven other lovely blogs and share seven facts about me. Here are my nominations -




 

Ella Quinn     


Suzi Love     


Juanita Kees     


Jenny Schwartz    


Sasha Cottman        


Tamara Gill             


EE Carter


 

 

7 Facts about me –

1.    My honeymoon lasted over a year whilst we worked & travelled around England and Europe.

2.   I love the Romantic poets & the Pre-Raphaelites.

3.   My very first job was as an usherette at a movie theatre.

4.   I’m scared of clowns.

5.   I have a passion for antique jewellery.

6.   I write full time.

7.   I love history, especially the medieval period.

 

 

Thank you to everyone for reading this and we look forward to continuing to have fun and meeting others through the awesome world of blogging!

If you would like to accept this award, post about it and pass it on to others, here are the rules: 1. Add the ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD image to your post. 2. Share seven things about you. 3. Pass the award on to seven nominees. 4. Thank the person who nominated you. 5. Inform the nominees by posting on their blogs.

Thanks for stopping by.

Nicóle  xx

                                                                           

 

Saturday 22 June 2013

The Masquerade Ball



Hi everyone,

As you can probably tell from the title I’m researching again. I’m looking at all the romance, colour and intrigue of a masquerade ball and trying to weave a story from it. As a little girl I always wanted to attend one and unfortunately I never got to.  This is what happens when you read far too many fairy tales which were illustrated by Arthur Rackham (dreams of ball gowns, masks and silks which were never realised!). Anyway, I came across a few interesting facts and snippets about masked balls. Hope you find it interesting.

Nicóle xx


The festival is believed to have developed around the Roman Catholic Lent. The carnival was associated with pre-Lenten festival practiced on or around Martedí Grasso (Shrove Tuesday). The forty days of Lent mark a period of self reflection, prayer, repentance, alms giving and self denial. This is accompanied with fasting and the abstinence of meat, dairy product, fruit and eggs. Lent is to remind the faithful of the forty days according to the gospels (Mathew, Mark & Luke), in which Jesus fasted and was tempted by the Devil in the desert.

The history of the Venetian carnival is thought to have originated from the annual celebration of the Doge Vitale Michieli II’s victory over Ulrich of Trevan, Patriarch of Aquileia in 1162. Ulrich was captured along with twelve of his vassals. They were released on the condition Ulrich would pay an annual tithe or tribute to Venice in the form of one bull, twelve loaves of bread and twelve pigs. The pigs and bull were slaughtered each year in the Piazza San Marco around Shrove Tuesday to commemorate the victory.

By the 15th century, masquerade balls were a feature of the carnival season. They were used to celebrate pageants, triumphal processions (for marriages and dynastic events) and Royal Entries. Royal Entries were also known as ‘Joyous Entries’ which signalled the triumphant festivities accompanying the formal entry into the city of its ruler.

By the 16th century in Italy, masquerade balls extended to public costumed festivities. Particularly popular in Venice, these elaborate dances were associated with the Venetian Carnevale and attended by the aristocracy. With the fall of the Venetian Republic at the end of the 18th century, the use and tradition of masks gradually began to decline, until they disappeared altogether.

However the popularity of the masquerade ball grew and extended throughout Europe during the 17th & 18th centuries.

 
 
www.nicolehurley-moore.com
 

Sources

A Short History of Venetian Carnival Masks by Michael J. Tieuli

Masquerade Ball from Wikipedia

Image - Bigstock

 

Tuesday 11 June 2013

More Costly Than Diamonds



 

Hi everyone,

Just to say thank you to all my fabulous readers, I’ve posted a free short story on my website.

More Costly than Diamonds is a sweet homecoming story and I really hope you like it.

 

A Crusader has been separated from his bride by duty, war and five long years. He is scarred, damaged and wonders what awaits him at Durand Manor. Has he lost everything? Or will he still possess the one thing he cherishes above all else... his wife.
 
 

 

As always, thanks for all the kind wishes and support.

Nicóle  xx
www.nicolehurley-moore.com
 

Sunday 9 June 2013

Love Lust & Lipstick Stains



Hi everyone,

Sorry the post is a bit late. I’ve been ill, but today I’ve managed to drag myself to my desk.
 

As some of you may know, I do love a blog hop. I’ve joined Love, Lust and Lipstick Stains ‘Summer Lovin’ Blog Hop’. It runs from the 5th – 8th August. The subject is summer and its hot and steamy nights.  We’ll be talking about our favourite things of summer, from holidays to favourite reads and everything in between. Hope you will join me for a bit of fun.
 

Check out Love, Lust and Lipstick Stains here –


 

 In other news -

My medieval paranormal romance, Rain will be available from the 20th June from Jupiter Gardens Press and then at Amazon/B&N/everywhere else about two weeks after that – Yay!!!!!

Jupiter Gardens Press –


 

Thanks for dropping by J

Nicóle  xx
www.nicolehurley-moore.com
 

Saturday 1 June 2013

Rain



Hi everyone,

I’m getting very excited as ‘Rain’ will be released later this month by Jupiter Gardens Press. At the moment, I’m waiting with bated breath for the cover art. Yes, I do become a quivering, giggling mess of anticipation  at this stage. Ooooh, I can’t wait to see it!

Rain is my paranormal romance which is set against a medieval backdrop. It tells the story of a girl called Nuri. She is an artist, a painter of religious frescoes and devotionals.

On the mountain, high above the village of Farran – Nuri is caught between heaven and hell. Two men fight for her love and her soul. The first is Maras, an elemental being that follows the storms. Nuri knows that he is not human, he’s something more. She believes he is her beautiful fallen angel. But he is transient and is bound to the elements and their love may be as fleeting as the storm itself. And Brother Erebus, a pious monk whose tortured soul is twisted by his desire for her, will do anything to protect her soul from the silver haired devil, even if he has to crush her body to do it.

 I’ve been thinking (always a worry) that I should do something to celebrate Rain’s release. I feel a new competition may be in order. I’m still plotting the details... stay tuned. As some of you may know, I do like jewellery and pretty, shiny trinkets... so it may be along those lines.

As always, thanks for stopping by. I can’t wait to share ‘Rain’ with you and I hope you will come to love Nuri and Maras as much as I do.

 

   Nicóle  xx
 



 Image - Bigstock