Lena Jakes's Blog
January 20, 2018
Cosmo vs. Crunch Berries
My life as a published writer didn’t actually start until about five years ago… partly in response to the many people who always said, “you’re going to need to live a life of your own once the boys are grown”. It took a little bit to remember what it’s like to have time to myself.
What’s not hard to remember? Chasing a two-year-old around. Thanks to Cosmo, my Cockatoo who almost a year ago moved from my parent’s house to mine, all the memories of living with a toddler have come flooding back.
Cocaktoos, as cute as they are, have the mentality of a two-year-old. He cannot be locked up all day, which means, he roams amongst the family. He barks at the dogs, he tries to bite their tails, he either loves or hates the boys at any given moment. He tries to eat things he shouldn’t, loudly declares when he’s not happy, leaves a trail of broken toys throughout the house, and will just stop and poop whenever the need hits.
He also loves sugar… and keeping in mind that these birds have stomachs the size of walnut shells means that three cereal “berries” can lead to an afternoon of hyper-chaotic-overactive-hell.
He ran, laughed, and jumped. He hung upside down and growled. He chased Justin with an empty paper towel roll, and he climbed on Dominic’s shoulders to scream at the top of his lungs (which if you don’t know – these birds can be heard up to 2 miles away) and flung water at the vacuum cleaner.
Oh happy days. I never thought I’d miss the time he sat on my chest and cuddled – making it hard to reach the keyboard… or the day he sat on top of his cage and laughed at the birds outside… or even the day I was a little jealous he wanted to love on Dominic more than he wanted to love on me.
Cosmo taught my boys in one day to do what I’ve been begging for years – wash out your cereal bowls when you’re done eating. Ugh.
What’s not hard to remember? Chasing a two-year-old around. Thanks to Cosmo, my Cockatoo who almost a year ago moved from my parent’s house to mine, all the memories of living with a toddler have come flooding back.
Cocaktoos, as cute as they are, have the mentality of a two-year-old. He cannot be locked up all day, which means, he roams amongst the family. He barks at the dogs, he tries to bite their tails, he either loves or hates the boys at any given moment. He tries to eat things he shouldn’t, loudly declares when he’s not happy, leaves a trail of broken toys throughout the house, and will just stop and poop whenever the need hits.
He also loves sugar… and keeping in mind that these birds have stomachs the size of walnut shells means that three cereal “berries” can lead to an afternoon of hyper-chaotic-overactive-hell.
He ran, laughed, and jumped. He hung upside down and growled. He chased Justin with an empty paper towel roll, and he climbed on Dominic’s shoulders to scream at the top of his lungs (which if you don’t know – these birds can be heard up to 2 miles away) and flung water at the vacuum cleaner.
Oh happy days. I never thought I’d miss the time he sat on my chest and cuddled – making it hard to reach the keyboard… or the day he sat on top of his cage and laughed at the birds outside… or even the day I was a little jealous he wanted to love on Dominic more than he wanted to love on me.
Cosmo taught my boys in one day to do what I’ve been begging for years – wash out your cereal bowls when you’re done eating. Ugh.
April 25, 2017
My Ice Cream Dream / Nightmare
As a kid, did you ever beg and beg and beg to eat ice cream morning, noon, and night?
I did. It was a dream that my parents fought and killed each time that sugary dragon reared its ugly head. They were good parents.
Well, this past week, I had a severe throat problem – I couldn’t swallow. Literally. I didn’t have strep, thankfully, but it was still a very real and scary problem.
After an emergency trip to my doctor, it was determined that my throat was so swollen, so irritated, so damaged that I was given the following directions: no chewing, no hot food/liquids, no talking for three days. Only cold, smooth, and soft foods. If it required using my teeth, I wasn’t allowed to eat it.
Oh hell yeah! I drove home, wrote a grocery list for my son, consisting of every flavor of ice cream I was going to splurge on, and kicked back, ready to live out my childhood dream of all ice cream, all the time…
… and in less than one day, I declared ice cream my enemy. If I never eat another bowl, cup, shake, smoothie, or spoonful of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or pudding ever again in life – it’ll be too soon.
Turns out, my parents had a reason for refusing such a silly request. Sugar-induced twitches and calorie overload comas aside… it’s just gross. I never wanted spinach as badly as I wanted it on Saturday afternoon. By Sunday, I was dreaming of chicken and rice. Monday, I would have killed for meatloaf.
Nearly a week later, I no longer feel like I’m swallowing razor blades, and I can sit still without the tremors and jumps that an all ice cream diet induce. So, I guess on one hand, the doctor knew what he was talking about.
On the other hand… so did my parents.
I did. It was a dream that my parents fought and killed each time that sugary dragon reared its ugly head. They were good parents.
Well, this past week, I had a severe throat problem – I couldn’t swallow. Literally. I didn’t have strep, thankfully, but it was still a very real and scary problem.
After an emergency trip to my doctor, it was determined that my throat was so swollen, so irritated, so damaged that I was given the following directions: no chewing, no hot food/liquids, no talking for three days. Only cold, smooth, and soft foods. If it required using my teeth, I wasn’t allowed to eat it.
Oh hell yeah! I drove home, wrote a grocery list for my son, consisting of every flavor of ice cream I was going to splurge on, and kicked back, ready to live out my childhood dream of all ice cream, all the time…
… and in less than one day, I declared ice cream my enemy. If I never eat another bowl, cup, shake, smoothie, or spoonful of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or pudding ever again in life – it’ll be too soon.
Turns out, my parents had a reason for refusing such a silly request. Sugar-induced twitches and calorie overload comas aside… it’s just gross. I never wanted spinach as badly as I wanted it on Saturday afternoon. By Sunday, I was dreaming of chicken and rice. Monday, I would have killed for meatloaf.
Nearly a week later, I no longer feel like I’m swallowing razor blades, and I can sit still without the tremors and jumps that an all ice cream diet induce. So, I guess on one hand, the doctor knew what he was talking about.
On the other hand… so did my parents.
January 31, 2017
Well, this is it. Book four
Well, this is it. Book four – Guarding Greatness – is in the hands of beta readers.
It’s the story of Gage Martin, our resident disappearing/reappearing, tall, quiet, and handsome mystery man that always seems to show up in the nick of time to be the team’s saving grace. But, how quiet will he be while he finds his true love?
Guarding Greatness was originally supposed to be book three in the series… but as I write, I learn. And I learned two things this time around.
The first is, if I my leading man isn’t ready to talk to me, he’s just not going to talk to me.
That was the case here. I wrote, scrapped, wrote, erased, wrote, and eventually gave up (temporarily) on Gage. Sharp stepped up, took his place, and Shadowed Secrets won the number three spot.
It was for the best, because the original story I had in mind for Gage just wasn’t right for him… or his leading lady Genna. In fact, Genna became a completely different person all together in this book. I have to admit – I like her a lot more now.
So – enough about my relationship with them. Let’s talk about what their relationship is all about.
Gage Martin is, as most alpha-heroes tend to be, fiercely protective of his friends, his past, and his heart. He’s seen true love, but doesn’t trust it. There is one woman that he doesn’t mind dropping everything for, though… even if she does come from a very public family.
Genna VanJohnson is an every-woman… or rather… as much as she can be while also being the cousin to a Prince-In-Waiting. She knows that a giant spotlight is never far away from her family, and does everything she can to live her normal life for as long as she can – before the spotlight finds her.
They’re paired together on a Teams mission that turns personal when the small island chain Genna calls home becomes the center of a political game of cat and mouse. They’ve worked together well in the past, but when both the job – and the partner – become personal, that’s when things get hot.
The second thing I learned is that not every team member is created equal.
Turns out, the plans I had to make this a six book series have been dwindled down to just five. The young and fun medic, Marcus Marcado - who has an amazing scene in Guarding Greatness – was going to have his own book, but I stole the one scene I always had in mind for Marcado and gave it to Gage… leaving Marcado without anything to call his own.
Will he make an appearance as his own book? I’ll never say never, but he may have to do a little growing first.
In the meantime, I hope you’re as excited as I am for Guarding Greatness. There are still a few more chores to be done before I can hand Gage over to you, but when I do, I hope you have as much fun reading him as I did writing him.
It’s the story of Gage Martin, our resident disappearing/reappearing, tall, quiet, and handsome mystery man that always seems to show up in the nick of time to be the team’s saving grace. But, how quiet will he be while he finds his true love?
Guarding Greatness was originally supposed to be book three in the series… but as I write, I learn. And I learned two things this time around.
The first is, if I my leading man isn’t ready to talk to me, he’s just not going to talk to me.
That was the case here. I wrote, scrapped, wrote, erased, wrote, and eventually gave up (temporarily) on Gage. Sharp stepped up, took his place, and Shadowed Secrets won the number three spot.
It was for the best, because the original story I had in mind for Gage just wasn’t right for him… or his leading lady Genna. In fact, Genna became a completely different person all together in this book. I have to admit – I like her a lot more now.
So – enough about my relationship with them. Let’s talk about what their relationship is all about.
Gage Martin is, as most alpha-heroes tend to be, fiercely protective of his friends, his past, and his heart. He’s seen true love, but doesn’t trust it. There is one woman that he doesn’t mind dropping everything for, though… even if she does come from a very public family.
Genna VanJohnson is an every-woman… or rather… as much as she can be while also being the cousin to a Prince-In-Waiting. She knows that a giant spotlight is never far away from her family, and does everything she can to live her normal life for as long as she can – before the spotlight finds her.
They’re paired together on a Teams mission that turns personal when the small island chain Genna calls home becomes the center of a political game of cat and mouse. They’ve worked together well in the past, but when both the job – and the partner – become personal, that’s when things get hot.
The second thing I learned is that not every team member is created equal.
Turns out, the plans I had to make this a six book series have been dwindled down to just five. The young and fun medic, Marcus Marcado - who has an amazing scene in Guarding Greatness – was going to have his own book, but I stole the one scene I always had in mind for Marcado and gave it to Gage… leaving Marcado without anything to call his own.
Will he make an appearance as his own book? I’ll never say never, but he may have to do a little growing first.
In the meantime, I hope you’re as excited as I am for Guarding Greatness. There are still a few more chores to be done before I can hand Gage over to you, but when I do, I hope you have as much fun reading him as I did writing him.
September 22, 2016
Free Time = Writing Time. Not.
There is a running joke in my house… I (as a single parent) raised my oldest son to the age of 18 without any major surgery, mishap, or emergency room trips. The VERY DAY he turned 18 – he cracked his kneecap in two places, ripped not one but 3 ligaments, tendons in his leg, and required surgery.
Two years later (to the month) I found myself in the family waiting room for a second surgery. This time – his shoulder.
The difference was this time, there would be no one in the waiting room with me. Partly by design, partly just circumstance.
So I packed. I took two books, a magazine, my laptop, a pad of paper, and plenty of ideas. I’m in the first chapters of Book #4 – so this will be nothing but prime writing time – right?
Wrong.
Not only did I never open my laptop, I think I somehow lost both of the books I brought in the waiting room, a toddler ripped up my magazine while I was deciding between trail mix and salsa flavored chips at the vending machine, and the Ink Master marathon was one I’d already seen.
In the week immediately following, life was a little like when I first brought him home from the hospital 20 years ago. I slept when he slept – which was rarely. I cried when he cried. I hurt when he hurt.
Not a single word was written.
But, I’m ok with it. I heard once that writing time counts in many different ways – and one of those ways is in brainstorming. In my sleep deprived, mentally unstable, and pizza craving state I managed to plug a plot hole, change the color of my heroine’s hair, change it back, and figure out who my bad guy (girl?) is and what he (or she?) wants.
Basically, in ignoring the writer’s block I’d been suffering from – the ideas came flooding back. A week later, my son is playing video games (or as best he can with one arm in a sling), and complaining that his bandages itch.
Me? Well, I’m writing again, and complaining that I forgot to buy wine on my last grocery store trip.
So in a nutshell – things are slowly returning to (our version) of normal.
Until next time, stay weird - author's need a pool of characters to draw from.
Two years later (to the month) I found myself in the family waiting room for a second surgery. This time – his shoulder.
The difference was this time, there would be no one in the waiting room with me. Partly by design, partly just circumstance.
So I packed. I took two books, a magazine, my laptop, a pad of paper, and plenty of ideas. I’m in the first chapters of Book #4 – so this will be nothing but prime writing time – right?
Wrong.
Not only did I never open my laptop, I think I somehow lost both of the books I brought in the waiting room, a toddler ripped up my magazine while I was deciding between trail mix and salsa flavored chips at the vending machine, and the Ink Master marathon was one I’d already seen.
In the week immediately following, life was a little like when I first brought him home from the hospital 20 years ago. I slept when he slept – which was rarely. I cried when he cried. I hurt when he hurt.
Not a single word was written.
But, I’m ok with it. I heard once that writing time counts in many different ways – and one of those ways is in brainstorming. In my sleep deprived, mentally unstable, and pizza craving state I managed to plug a plot hole, change the color of my heroine’s hair, change it back, and figure out who my bad guy (girl?) is and what he (or she?) wants.
Basically, in ignoring the writer’s block I’d been suffering from – the ideas came flooding back. A week later, my son is playing video games (or as best he can with one arm in a sling), and complaining that his bandages itch.
Me? Well, I’m writing again, and complaining that I forgot to buy wine on my last grocery store trip.
So in a nutshell – things are slowly returning to (our version) of normal.
Until next time, stay weird - author's need a pool of characters to draw from.
April 29, 2016
The Waiting Game
I don’t know about other writers, I can only speak for myself, but… as I sit around waiting for the first reviews to come out for Shadowed Secrets, I have a craving for a giant margarita.
Waiting is probably one of the hardest parts of being a writer… at least for me.
It is one more step to being published. One more day closer to setting a piece of work you have put two years into, and letting strangers judge it… judge you. Ugh. Once the formatter has done its job, you can’t change it. No more second chances. Writers stress. They worry. They stay up late and get up early all in the name of writing. Turning passing thoughts into believable people who have the potential to make readers smile, laugh or cry is an emotional rollercoaster.
Writing and creating is fun. Editing is frustrating. Making something public that you’ve put months and sometimes years of your life into so that it can be judged is nerve-wracking.
So for now, I wait for strangers to become fans… and in the end, that’s worth it all.
Shadowed Secrets is out now!! I hope you’re as excited as I am nervous.
Waiting is probably one of the hardest parts of being a writer… at least for me.
It is one more step to being published. One more day closer to setting a piece of work you have put two years into, and letting strangers judge it… judge you. Ugh. Once the formatter has done its job, you can’t change it. No more second chances. Writers stress. They worry. They stay up late and get up early all in the name of writing. Turning passing thoughts into believable people who have the potential to make readers smile, laugh or cry is an emotional rollercoaster.
Writing and creating is fun. Editing is frustrating. Making something public that you’ve put months and sometimes years of your life into so that it can be judged is nerve-wracking.
So for now, I wait for strangers to become fans… and in the end, that’s worth it all.
Shadowed Secrets is out now!! I hope you’re as excited as I am nervous.
April 6, 2016
Coming Soon... Shadowed Secrets
I know, I know… I’ve been saying that for months. But I promise it’s coming!
Between work life, mom life, niece life, treasurer life, and writer life… I’ve been so swamped. I’m taking eye of the storm, to-do lists a mile long, dogs wondering why they haven’t been walked every morning kind of chaos.
Something had to give, and sadly, for longer than I wanted, it was Sharp and Sawyer. Our smooth-talking Irishman of the Teams who has finally found his match in strong-willed Sawyer O’Connell. They had the easy part of the process – finding each other, falling in love, battling against shadows filled with danger, and overcoming secrets to find love…
… I have the hard part in getting them out of my computer and into your e-readers.
After reorganizing my life a little (a lot) I have finally found that time. A few beta readers have already had a peek, and the response has been amazing. So give me just a little bit of time to get it formatted and set, and he’ll be all yours.
Want more details about our favorite Irishman? Here is a little something to help wet your whistle:
Sawyer O’Connell runs her life and her business with an iron fist and a strict schedule. Colin Sharp is a man with a laid-back reputation, despite his position within a combat troubleshooting team. When Sawyer’s life is threatened, Sharp is called in to protect her. Can Sharp convince Sawyer to give up control enough to save her from dangers unknown, or will shadowed secrets steal their chance at love?
Not enough? Ok, how about this random snippet:
She slept, albeit fitfully. This morning, after dressing, packing, and stepping out of her room, she expected to find him standing there waiting for her as he did every morning. Instead, she found an empty hallway. So, she stood, outside his door, her bags by her side, afraid to face him the day after melting down in his arms. Nice arms, but still...
Sawyer took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock.
Before her knuckles made contact with the door, it opened. Sharp stood before her, breathless, wet, and wrapped in a towel. Sawyer knew she was staring, but could not stop. His business slacks, button down shirts and loosely knotted ties did everything to hide his physique.
This man had muscles. Many muscles. She remembered the feeling of them from the previous day, but seeing them - up close and personal - had her tongue-tied. Besides the tan skin, defined body, Sharp also had a Celtic cross tattooed on his upper arm, and several small scars scattered across his upper arms and chest.
"Sawyer." He snapped his fingers in front of her face to get her attention. "Get in here. The last thing I need is to give that clerk any ideas."
"What is going on?" She found her voice as she grabbed the handle of her bag and followed Sharp into his room. His suitcase was open on his bed, clothes neatly folded inside. Steam billowed out of the bathroom, cut off only when he stepped back in and closed the door behind him.
"Went downstairs to the hotel gym." His muffled voice sounded from behind the bathroom door.
"Gee, I feel safe," she muttered. Walking over to the bed, she sat next to his open suitcase. The man was a mess this morning. He was not frazzled, but was definitely running full force to play catch-up.
She frowned down at a plain brown file partially sticking out from under this suitcase on the bed. When she heard the bathroom door open, she looked up, pulling her hand away from the file.
"Don’t start with me,” he snapped. “You aren't supposed to leave your room without me. Damn near broke my toe jumping out of the shower to grab you in the hallway when your alarm went off." His voice was calm, but the tone spoke volumes, as he returned to the small bath area.
"Yeah, it's my fault." She tilted her head and lifted her brow. Once the bathroom door closed, she pulled at the file again.
Opening it, she hesitated focusing on the words, feeling a moment of shame.
Then she saw her name.
Between work life, mom life, niece life, treasurer life, and writer life… I’ve been so swamped. I’m taking eye of the storm, to-do lists a mile long, dogs wondering why they haven’t been walked every morning kind of chaos.
Something had to give, and sadly, for longer than I wanted, it was Sharp and Sawyer. Our smooth-talking Irishman of the Teams who has finally found his match in strong-willed Sawyer O’Connell. They had the easy part of the process – finding each other, falling in love, battling against shadows filled with danger, and overcoming secrets to find love…
… I have the hard part in getting them out of my computer and into your e-readers.
After reorganizing my life a little (a lot) I have finally found that time. A few beta readers have already had a peek, and the response has been amazing. So give me just a little bit of time to get it formatted and set, and he’ll be all yours.
Want more details about our favorite Irishman? Here is a little something to help wet your whistle:
Sawyer O’Connell runs her life and her business with an iron fist and a strict schedule. Colin Sharp is a man with a laid-back reputation, despite his position within a combat troubleshooting team. When Sawyer’s life is threatened, Sharp is called in to protect her. Can Sharp convince Sawyer to give up control enough to save her from dangers unknown, or will shadowed secrets steal their chance at love?
Not enough? Ok, how about this random snippet:
She slept, albeit fitfully. This morning, after dressing, packing, and stepping out of her room, she expected to find him standing there waiting for her as he did every morning. Instead, she found an empty hallway. So, she stood, outside his door, her bags by her side, afraid to face him the day after melting down in his arms. Nice arms, but still...
Sawyer took a deep breath and raised her hand to knock.
Before her knuckles made contact with the door, it opened. Sharp stood before her, breathless, wet, and wrapped in a towel. Sawyer knew she was staring, but could not stop. His business slacks, button down shirts and loosely knotted ties did everything to hide his physique.
This man had muscles. Many muscles. She remembered the feeling of them from the previous day, but seeing them - up close and personal - had her tongue-tied. Besides the tan skin, defined body, Sharp also had a Celtic cross tattooed on his upper arm, and several small scars scattered across his upper arms and chest.
"Sawyer." He snapped his fingers in front of her face to get her attention. "Get in here. The last thing I need is to give that clerk any ideas."
"What is going on?" She found her voice as she grabbed the handle of her bag and followed Sharp into his room. His suitcase was open on his bed, clothes neatly folded inside. Steam billowed out of the bathroom, cut off only when he stepped back in and closed the door behind him.
"Went downstairs to the hotel gym." His muffled voice sounded from behind the bathroom door.
"Gee, I feel safe," she muttered. Walking over to the bed, she sat next to his open suitcase. The man was a mess this morning. He was not frazzled, but was definitely running full force to play catch-up.
She frowned down at a plain brown file partially sticking out from under this suitcase on the bed. When she heard the bathroom door open, she looked up, pulling her hand away from the file.
"Don’t start with me,” he snapped. “You aren't supposed to leave your room without me. Damn near broke my toe jumping out of the shower to grab you in the hallway when your alarm went off." His voice was calm, but the tone spoke volumes, as he returned to the small bath area.
"Yeah, it's my fault." She tilted her head and lifted her brow. Once the bathroom door closed, she pulled at the file again.
Opening it, she hesitated focusing on the words, feeling a moment of shame.
Then she saw her name.
December 1, 2015
The Art of Dating…I Mean Writing
So, it turns out, I kind of get around town.
Ok, not really. But if books were any indication of my dating style, it would seem that I am footloose and fancy free. I get a little… antsy, I guess is the best way to describe me during various stages of the writing process.
When I’m researching, I’m not really that connected. Research a little here, research a little there, it’ll get done. I’m pretty mellow about the whole thing.
When I’m writing, I’m consumed. I must write. There are sticky notes all over my car’s dashboard. My purse is crammed full of notes, reminders, and napkins that ideas from the current book that spawn my interest into the next book. This is my love phase… with a little death and danger thrown in for good measure. I come up for air only when my kids remind me it’s time to eat, or my laptop runs out of juice.
When I’m in the editing phase, I’m a pain in the butt. I hate editing. I fight it. A lot. There is a fighting around this time. We’re talking cursing, accusations, disbelief, distrust, and jealously over how easy other writers make it appear. You name it, I experience it.
But… before the book is out and ready for you, there is that small period of someone else editing and tearing apart my book. This is when the cover is designed, the blurb is written, and the almost overwhelming urge to leave is born. It’s at this stage, I’m already looking over this book to the calendar to mark when I can leave this one, and say “hellllooooo!” to the next one.
So what stage am I in now? Well, Shadowed Secrets, the story of our favorite Irishman Colin Sharp is in the hands of an editor, I’ve emailed some ideas to my amazing cover designer, and the blurb is written:
Sawyer O’Connell runs her life and her business with an iron fist and a strict schedule. Colin Sharp is a man with a laid-back reputation, despite his position within a combat troubleshooting team. When Sawyer’s life is threatened, Sharp is called in to protect. Can Sharp convince Sawyer to give up control enough to save her from danger, or will shadowed secrets steal their chance at love?
From where I stand, that means it’s time to do a little flirting a little with my next man – I mean book. What do we think about the ever mysterious Gage getting a chance to stand in the spotlight?
I'll start eyeing Gage, but you should keep an eye out for Shadowed Secrets. It'll be ready for you about mid-December!
Ok, not really. But if books were any indication of my dating style, it would seem that I am footloose and fancy free. I get a little… antsy, I guess is the best way to describe me during various stages of the writing process.
When I’m researching, I’m not really that connected. Research a little here, research a little there, it’ll get done. I’m pretty mellow about the whole thing.
When I’m writing, I’m consumed. I must write. There are sticky notes all over my car’s dashboard. My purse is crammed full of notes, reminders, and napkins that ideas from the current book that spawn my interest into the next book. This is my love phase… with a little death and danger thrown in for good measure. I come up for air only when my kids remind me it’s time to eat, or my laptop runs out of juice.
When I’m in the editing phase, I’m a pain in the butt. I hate editing. I fight it. A lot. There is a fighting around this time. We’re talking cursing, accusations, disbelief, distrust, and jealously over how easy other writers make it appear. You name it, I experience it.
But… before the book is out and ready for you, there is that small period of someone else editing and tearing apart my book. This is when the cover is designed, the blurb is written, and the almost overwhelming urge to leave is born. It’s at this stage, I’m already looking over this book to the calendar to mark when I can leave this one, and say “hellllooooo!” to the next one.
So what stage am I in now? Well, Shadowed Secrets, the story of our favorite Irishman Colin Sharp is in the hands of an editor, I’ve emailed some ideas to my amazing cover designer, and the blurb is written:
Sawyer O’Connell runs her life and her business with an iron fist and a strict schedule. Colin Sharp is a man with a laid-back reputation, despite his position within a combat troubleshooting team. When Sawyer’s life is threatened, Sharp is called in to protect. Can Sharp convince Sawyer to give up control enough to save her from danger, or will shadowed secrets steal their chance at love?
From where I stand, that means it’s time to do a little flirting a little with my next man – I mean book. What do we think about the ever mysterious Gage getting a chance to stand in the spotlight?
I'll start eyeing Gage, but you should keep an eye out for Shadowed Secrets. It'll be ready for you about mid-December!
September 15, 2015
Arriving Soon...
He came, he conquered, he fell in love.
Colin Sharp, the man with the Irish brogue is next in line to have his story told... and as of this week, his story is done! He is such an amazing man, as you know from his appearances in Hardened Hearts and Austin's Apology. Smart, funny, insightful, I thought I knew him well, but as I wrote, he surprised even me in this book.
For starters, he was originally scheduled to be book four in the series. But each time I tried to work on Gage, my original book three, I struggled. Gage and I fought, I cursed, I cried, and he laughed at me from the blank screen. Sharp on the other hand, walked in, and wrote himself in three months.
Sharp also changed his story. Originally planned with a political background, Sharp's story turned into a story of control, self-discovery, and an appreciation for family both biological and adopted.
Our favorite Irishman is joined on his journey by Sawyer O'Connell. I felt like for a man of such strong sense of self, he needed an equally strong woman. Not that Harper and Addison weren't strong in their books, but Sawyer's strength needed to be different somehow. So hers was forged from a lifetime of independence, and that confidence that attracts Sharp to her cracks a little over their story.
As they work their way through their story, she learns that it's ok to lean on someone else for help, as he is learns he doesn't always need to rush in on a white horse.
His story is written, so now the hard part begins. The editing, the revisions, and the cover work are about to begin. So keep your eye out for Shadowed Secrets. It'll be hitting the e-Book shelves soon.
Oh! There might be something to what whole "absence makes the heart grow fonder" thing because Gage is finally speaking to me again. I don't think his arrival is too far behind!
Colin Sharp, the man with the Irish brogue is next in line to have his story told... and as of this week, his story is done! He is such an amazing man, as you know from his appearances in Hardened Hearts and Austin's Apology. Smart, funny, insightful, I thought I knew him well, but as I wrote, he surprised even me in this book.
For starters, he was originally scheduled to be book four in the series. But each time I tried to work on Gage, my original book three, I struggled. Gage and I fought, I cursed, I cried, and he laughed at me from the blank screen. Sharp on the other hand, walked in, and wrote himself in three months.
Sharp also changed his story. Originally planned with a political background, Sharp's story turned into a story of control, self-discovery, and an appreciation for family both biological and adopted.
Our favorite Irishman is joined on his journey by Sawyer O'Connell. I felt like for a man of such strong sense of self, he needed an equally strong woman. Not that Harper and Addison weren't strong in their books, but Sawyer's strength needed to be different somehow. So hers was forged from a lifetime of independence, and that confidence that attracts Sharp to her cracks a little over their story.
As they work their way through their story, she learns that it's ok to lean on someone else for help, as he is learns he doesn't always need to rush in on a white horse.
His story is written, so now the hard part begins. The editing, the revisions, and the cover work are about to begin. So keep your eye out for Shadowed Secrets. It'll be hitting the e-Book shelves soon.
Oh! There might be something to what whole "absence makes the heart grow fonder" thing because Gage is finally speaking to me again. I don't think his arrival is too far behind!
May 20, 2015
When To Give Up
NEVER!
Never stop writing, never stop dreaming, never drown out the voices in your head that ultimately become your hero, heroine, funny sidekick, or ultimate villain. That having been said, if you do find yourself wanting to empty the dishwasher more than you want to write, or that last episode of reality TV seems just oh-so-appealing instead of finding happily ever after for your characters… then it might be time to take a break.
Not from writing of course, but maybe from that character. While I’m currently writing a “series” (they don’t have to be read in order though), I found that book three, Gage, whom I’ve had the hots for since Hardened Hearts, just wasn’t working. 11,000 words were written, scrapped, rewritten, cursed at, and sent out to friends and family for thoughts.
That wasn’t helpful either. Some liked version 1 better than version 2. Some wanted version 3 to start off like version 1 but end like version 2. Other wanted...
That’s when I realized I’d written the prologue to the same book four different times. (No one liked version 4 for the record.) Sometimes, the best laid plans are just that… plans. Plans can be changed, altered, and rewritten. Three months and I never seemed to get further than Chapter 2.
I was in love with Harrison (Hardened Hearts) when I wrote his story. Austin (Austin’s Apology) and I had to warm up to each other. My third team member to find love, Gage, we had a plan, but now… we’re on a time-out. I still love him, and I still know his story, it’s just not his time. It turns out, the plans I had for him… just aren’t ready yet. But that’s okay, because it has left the door wide open for another team member to find his happily ever after.
The time I wasted fighting to get Gage’s story down on paper was a lesson learned, because a different team member has picked up Cupid’s arrow and is running full force towards the woman who holds his heart. Once I stopped fighting with one character, it allowed another to shine, which is how I found myself writing until 1 in the morning even though my alarm is set for 5:30.
So, never stop writing, just... write something different until you stop being stuck. I guess it’s true what writers say... we can’t control the crazy, we can only write it down.
Never stop writing, never stop dreaming, never drown out the voices in your head that ultimately become your hero, heroine, funny sidekick, or ultimate villain. That having been said, if you do find yourself wanting to empty the dishwasher more than you want to write, or that last episode of reality TV seems just oh-so-appealing instead of finding happily ever after for your characters… then it might be time to take a break.
Not from writing of course, but maybe from that character. While I’m currently writing a “series” (they don’t have to be read in order though), I found that book three, Gage, whom I’ve had the hots for since Hardened Hearts, just wasn’t working. 11,000 words were written, scrapped, rewritten, cursed at, and sent out to friends and family for thoughts.
That wasn’t helpful either. Some liked version 1 better than version 2. Some wanted version 3 to start off like version 1 but end like version 2. Other wanted...
That’s when I realized I’d written the prologue to the same book four different times. (No one liked version 4 for the record.) Sometimes, the best laid plans are just that… plans. Plans can be changed, altered, and rewritten. Three months and I never seemed to get further than Chapter 2.
I was in love with Harrison (Hardened Hearts) when I wrote his story. Austin (Austin’s Apology) and I had to warm up to each other. My third team member to find love, Gage, we had a plan, but now… we’re on a time-out. I still love him, and I still know his story, it’s just not his time. It turns out, the plans I had for him… just aren’t ready yet. But that’s okay, because it has left the door wide open for another team member to find his happily ever after.
The time I wasted fighting to get Gage’s story down on paper was a lesson learned, because a different team member has picked up Cupid’s arrow and is running full force towards the woman who holds his heart. Once I stopped fighting with one character, it allowed another to shine, which is how I found myself writing until 1 in the morning even though my alarm is set for 5:30.
So, never stop writing, just... write something different until you stop being stuck. I guess it’s true what writers say... we can’t control the crazy, we can only write it down.
November 29, 2014
Second Book Syndrome… and its cure.
Is it a real thing? Probably not, but it is my job to make stuff up, so, it could be.
