relationships

Nicholas Sparks Gets Divorced – Love is Dead?

Nicholas Sparks - TMZ.com photoIs Nicholas Sparks Divorce the End of True Love?

Of course it isn't the end of true love! But you'd think it was if you listened to all the Twitter chatter about Mr. Sparks's separation and pending divorce with his wife of 25 years. I'm just flabbergasted at the drivel that people are spewing because this bestselling romance novelist's marriage didn't work. Here are some of the ridiculous quotes flashing around the Twittersphere and I don't want to put the author credits because they just don't deserve the attention – but you can do searches on Twitter for them yourself if you're interested.

  • “PSA: I was just informed that nicholas sparks got a divorce so basically love is dead”
  • “Nicholas Sparks is getting a divorce and love is officially dead.”
  • “Nicholas Sparks is getting a divorce?! There's no hope for love :(“
  • “Nicholas Sparks got a divorce this week so basically there's no hope for any of us”

I could continue, but I'm sure you get the point.

Reality Check

As a romance novelist myself, and having been through two divorces AND now in a very successful and healthy relationship, I think I have a pretty solid soap box on which to stand. Since this is my website, I'll take the liberty of climbing on top of said makeshift podium and pontificate. TRUE LOVE IS NOT DEAD. I know because I'm living it. MUCH of the romance in my books is based on the true love principles I'm sharing in this article. I've said many times before, my husband is the heart that beats within Broderick MacDougal, the main character in my Bonded By Blood Vampire Chronicles.

How bloody absurd it is that people are taking this leap just because Nicholas Sparks had problems in his love life! BUT it highlights how unrealistic people are about love today. I'll make a couple of important points I've learned the hard way through the years: Continue reading →

Guest Spot on Bathsheba Dailey’s Blog

I am very honored to be featured on Bathsheba Dailey's Blog! And she's as cute as a button, too! Please be sure to stop by and leave a comment or say hello. We did a fun, short little interview. She's been very helpful in spreading the word about my Mother's Day book promotion and chatting with people about my books.

A little about Bathsheba:

Bathsheba Dailey

I've just met Bathsheba, and in the short amount of time I've come to know her, she's shown herself to be a courageous woman, being a single mom and raising three girls, and gifted with a loving heart. She's a talented writer, too. She has a new book coming out soon, which I cannot wait to get my hands on, titled Five Year Old Death. Please click on the link or the cover to read the description and learn more about her story.
As always, please show your support of indie authors by LIKING and SHARING where you can and as much as you can. Readers will only know about us if we help each other spread the word.

Thank you!!

That's my two pence…

Arial 😉

Summer Scorcher Blog Tour – Week 6 – The Perfect Hero

Welcome to part two of my blog post on the Scorcher Blog Tour.
If you missed part one, please go here: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

Thank you, Arial, for hosting me on your site!

In my last post we were about to breakdown our perfect hero into sections. But before we do that, we need to welcome our five heroes into the room. They’ve graciously allowed us to perform a little experimentation.

Let’s start with our hero’s personality. His personality must shine. AJ, Lisa, Arial, and Sarah like their hero with a good sense of humour, patient, committed, and good natured. While Amie likes a hero who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Amie wants her hero to let her show him how it’s really done. Amie, you naughty little girl! Continue reading →

Scorcher Blog Tour – Week 5 – The Exception to the Rule

In case you’ve been skipping around during the Man Candy Post (tsk, tsk…naughty, naughty) go back now. You won’t regret it. Trust me.

Post #1 is here:  http://ajbooks.blogspot.com

Post #2 is here:  http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

Post #3 is here:  http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com


In my experience, rules were made to be broken – I am a writer, after all. My exception to the “he needs to smile” rule is David Gandy. David doesn’t need to smile. In fact, he can just show up. Free passes all around for David.

I’m wondering about the texture of his lips in this photo. Look soft, don’t you think? Hmmm…makes a girl wonder…

And David can go ahead and scowl all he wants. I’m not sayin a damn word.

For those of you that read Jezebel’s Wish, this is Matty. For those of you that haven’t, this is Matty. Here’s the buy link: http://tinyurl.com/3b89ogb  Just a little sumpthin-sumpthin for ya. You can thank me later. Continue reading →

Scorcher Blog Tour – Intimacy and Other Things Part V

Miss a stop on the tour? That’s okay, just hop on one of the links below and it’ll take you back to the blog you
missed.

Part I – Amie Louellen

Part II – Lisa Sanchez

Part III – AJ Nuest

Part IV – Darlene Fredette

Comment, comment, comment—don’t forget to leave your comment!

Let’s go over what we’re learned—names are important, conversation, eyeing each other, and the building of trust. You’ve got all that, right? Then let’s talk about the good stuff. That’s right—7 through 12.

7. Mouth to mouth

8. Hand to Head

9. Hand to Body

10. Mouth to Bosom

11. Hand to Erogenous Zones.

12. Consummation.

7, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are all expected—it’s Sex Ed 101. What surprises me is 8—head to hand. Continue reading →

Summer Scorcher Blog Tour Week 2 – Beauty

Welcome to Part 6 of Sarah Grimm’s guest blog on the Summer Scorcher Blog Tour – Week 2. If this is your first stop, you’ll want to start at Part 1 (Sarah’s blog) and continue to Amie, Lisa, AJ, then Darlene before returning here:

Part 1 – Sarah’s blog: http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com
Part 2 – Amie’s blog: http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/
Part 3 – Lisa’s blog: http://www.lisasanchezromanceauthor.com/
Part 4 – AJ Nuest’s blog: http://ajbooks.blogspot.com/
Part 5 – Darlene Fredette’s blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/

Let’s pick up where we left off: Continue reading →

Qualities of a Good Critique Partner

I've heard a lot of comments by many in the publishing industry that the occupation of a writer is a lonely one. You sit at the computer (typewriter or yellow legal pad, for you nostalgic types), alone with your thoughts and the voices you hear, crafting your tales. Though that part of the process may be a solitary experience, there's a bigger picture. I've been writing for many years and along the journey, there are many people a writer needs to further their career along: beta readers, critique partners, editors, publishers, cheering section, readers and more. The journey to getting published is rarely done without others and they all have their place and importance. Since I recently found my critique partner, that's the one I'll focus on today. (Click on the links above if you're interested in learning more about the other people that contribute to a writer's journey.) Continue reading →

Novel Updates for MIDNIGHT CONQUEST (ETERNAL CONQUEST)

Whew! Been busy and haven't had time to do much of anything but working. So much for writing, huh? As promised, here's an update to what's going on with my book – MIDNIGHT CONQUEST. Continue reading →

Fiction Friday Post for August 21st, 2009

Oh, woe is me! It's been so bloody long since I've posted on one of my favorite online writing exercises. I sporadically participate in this exercise and there are always so many wonderful posts. I love to read every one of the entries. Now that I'm dedicating my Fridays to my own writing, I will do what I can to include “Write Everything“s Fiction Friday. This week:

Start your story with a game of hide and seek.

Continue reading →

RT Convention Update: “Pants-ing” vs. Plotting…The Debate

Continuing my blogs on my experience at the Romantic Times Book Lover's Convention 2009 (in Orlando, FL), it was my greatest pleasure to speak with so many writers about the craft and the process in which people craft their own stories. I LOVE to hear all the ways that people come up with their story ideas and what brings them to that last page where they type our favorite words….THE END.

Continue reading →