Rachel Medhurst's Blog
May 22, 2015
What? Aries is here already...cowabunga dude.
Okay, that title shows my age. I always used to say cowabunga dude, and because my name begins with R, I was Raphael (from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).
Anyway, moving on. Today is the day that Aries is out. Yes, the second book in my Zodiac Twin Flame series is out. I can't believe how quickly it has come.
This is one of my fav books so far! I love Aries. He is a strong, funny, and loving man. What happens to him is shocking. But...like all good love stories, there is a happily ever after.
So, in case you're interested. You can get Aries on Amazon now (it will be available on all other platforms next month). http://hyperurl.co/68k3zr
If you've not read Pisces yet. Firstly, why not? Ha! Secondly, you can get it here for only 0.99c to see if you like the new series! http://hyperurl.co/caci6l
Anyway, moving on. Today is the day that Aries is out. Yes, the second book in my Zodiac Twin Flame series is out. I can't believe how quickly it has come.
This is one of my fav books so far! I love Aries. He is a strong, funny, and loving man. What happens to him is shocking. But...like all good love stories, there is a happily ever after.
So, in case you're interested. You can get Aries on Amazon now (it will be available on all other platforms next month). http://hyperurl.co/68k3zr
If you've not read Pisces yet. Firstly, why not? Ha! Secondly, you can get it here for only 0.99c to see if you like the new series! http://hyperurl.co/caci6l
April 26, 2015
Finding Your Voice
'What is it you're trying to say?'
The question was a good one. One that I had never taken time to consider. For so long I had written words to find my voice. I had tried to hone my craft to get my message perfect, but underneath it all, did I know what my message was? And did I believe that I could be perfect?
'That's a good question. I need to take some time to think about the answer,' I replied, as I stared out of the kitchen window. The sun shone down on the trees that lined the back garden. The leaves moved in the gentle breeze.
'When you know what you're trying to say, it will be easier.'
She was right of course, my confident friend.
'No ones perfect,' I said, wringing my hands together.
'Exactly. In fact, readers relate to stories when the character isn't perfect.'
'Yes. I suppose finding your voice, is telling the world a story that you have inside you. No matter how you tell it.'
The philosophy of questioning myself was something I always practiced. Why had I forgotten to do the same with my books? They were my voice.
'Everyone has a voice. It's just whether or not they choose to use it. You want to write, so just write.'
I laughed at her blunt words. Five minutes before I had asked her if I was doing the right thing. Creative projects are personal, so when they're shared, the person questions if it was the right thing to do. Self doubt creeps up and tries to take you back down with it.
'Yes, I love to write. I'll stop putting so much pressure on myself.'
It was her turn to laugh. She knew me too well. If I didn't pressure myself at least a little bit, I would never publish a book. Balance was key to achieving the dream.
We all have a voice, but we need to open our mouths for it to be heard.
How do you express your voice?
The question was a good one. One that I had never taken time to consider. For so long I had written words to find my voice. I had tried to hone my craft to get my message perfect, but underneath it all, did I know what my message was? And did I believe that I could be perfect?
'That's a good question. I need to take some time to think about the answer,' I replied, as I stared out of the kitchen window. The sun shone down on the trees that lined the back garden. The leaves moved in the gentle breeze.
'When you know what you're trying to say, it will be easier.'
She was right of course, my confident friend.
'No ones perfect,' I said, wringing my hands together.
'Exactly. In fact, readers relate to stories when the character isn't perfect.'
'Yes. I suppose finding your voice, is telling the world a story that you have inside you. No matter how you tell it.'
The philosophy of questioning myself was something I always practiced. Why had I forgotten to do the same with my books? They were my voice.
'Everyone has a voice. It's just whether or not they choose to use it. You want to write, so just write.'
I laughed at her blunt words. Five minutes before I had asked her if I was doing the right thing. Creative projects are personal, so when they're shared, the person questions if it was the right thing to do. Self doubt creeps up and tries to take you back down with it.
'Yes, I love to write. I'll stop putting so much pressure on myself.'
It was her turn to laugh. She knew me too well. If I didn't pressure myself at least a little bit, I would never publish a book. Balance was key to achieving the dream.
We all have a voice, but we need to open our mouths for it to be heard.
How do you express your voice?
April 17, 2015
Aries Excerpt
The air was warm against my skin as I crouched on the ground. My leg muscles screamed at me to move. The burning sensation made me shift as quietly as I could.
‘Aries…?’
I turned my head towards the whisper. The alleyway next to the house was pitch black, so I couldn’t make out the owner of the voice. I told them not to speak under any circumstances. Why did the idiots not listen to me?
I didn’t say anything. Instead, I rose from my crouch and crept towards the back of the alley. The Victorian house was tall beside me. I had no idea if anyone was inside, but I didn’t want to draw any attention to us.
‘What is it?’ I hissed into the darkness.
The words flew away from me and rebounded off the stone brick walls. The shadows moved, and the shape of a shorter man emerged. I smelt the aftershave before I could make out his face. Gemini.
I had told both him, and Taurus, to wait up the road. Why hadn’t he bloody listened to me? A cat screeched nearby, and we both dropped to the ground. The midnight surveillance wasn’t going to plan.
‘We saw a car drive by the house. It slowed right down, but didn’t stop.’
I grabbed Gemini’s arm and squeezed. His voice was too loud, and the sound of it carried.
It was the third time we had checked out the house where Pisces had been kept prisoner. Taurus had noticed a small light in the window the last time we were there, so we had come back to investigate.
‘Why have you come to tell me?’ I whispered, not moving an inch.
‘Because it’s gone past twice now.’
My head snapped towards the front of the alleyway when I heard footsteps pass the entrance. I kept hold of Gemini’s suit sleeve and pulled him to a stand. We crept forward, keeping our shoes soft on the concrete. I had never understood Gemini. He was a ladies man that loved to look good. He took time with his clothes and appearance. Even now, creeping through an alleyway, he smelt like a perfume shop.
‘Be quiet, we don’t want anyone to hear.’ The voice ahead of us made me freeze.
It was coming from the steps of the Victorian house. I pulled Gemini to the mouth of the alleyway and pushed him against the wall. Letting him go, I took a step forward, hoping he would stay.
‘We’ll be fine. Nick has no idea I have the keys to this place.’
‘Aries…?’
I turned my head towards the whisper. The alleyway next to the house was pitch black, so I couldn’t make out the owner of the voice. I told them not to speak under any circumstances. Why did the idiots not listen to me?
I didn’t say anything. Instead, I rose from my crouch and crept towards the back of the alley. The Victorian house was tall beside me. I had no idea if anyone was inside, but I didn’t want to draw any attention to us.
‘What is it?’ I hissed into the darkness.
The words flew away from me and rebounded off the stone brick walls. The shadows moved, and the shape of a shorter man emerged. I smelt the aftershave before I could make out his face. Gemini.
I had told both him, and Taurus, to wait up the road. Why hadn’t he bloody listened to me? A cat screeched nearby, and we both dropped to the ground. The midnight surveillance wasn’t going to plan.
‘We saw a car drive by the house. It slowed right down, but didn’t stop.’
I grabbed Gemini’s arm and squeezed. His voice was too loud, and the sound of it carried.
It was the third time we had checked out the house where Pisces had been kept prisoner. Taurus had noticed a small light in the window the last time we were there, so we had come back to investigate.
‘Why have you come to tell me?’ I whispered, not moving an inch.
‘Because it’s gone past twice now.’
My head snapped towards the front of the alleyway when I heard footsteps pass the entrance. I kept hold of Gemini’s suit sleeve and pulled him to a stand. We crept forward, keeping our shoes soft on the concrete. I had never understood Gemini. He was a ladies man that loved to look good. He took time with his clothes and appearance. Even now, creeping through an alleyway, he smelt like a perfume shop.
‘Be quiet, we don’t want anyone to hear.’ The voice ahead of us made me freeze.
It was coming from the steps of the Victorian house. I pulled Gemini to the mouth of the alleyway and pushed him against the wall. Letting him go, I took a step forward, hoping he would stay.
‘We’ll be fine. Nick has no idea I have the keys to this place.’
March 27, 2015
Pisces is here!
You can get Pisces for 0.99c/p for a limited time only!
Let's celebrate!
What power would you have that involved the elements?
I would like to be able to use wind to fly!
Giveaway is going on over at my website: www.rachelmedhurst.com
BUY NOW:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Pisces-Zodiac-T...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pisces-Zodiac...
Let's celebrate!
What power would you have that involved the elements?
I would like to be able to use wind to fly!
Giveaway is going on over at my website: www.rachelmedhurst.com
BUY NOW:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Pisces-Zodiac-T...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pisces-Zodiac...
March 2, 2015
Pisces Excerpt
‘I get your point, mate, don’t worry. I was genuinely interested in the bracelet.’
I looked into the man’s eyes and felt fear bubble in my stomach. Fathers warning came into my head and I wondered if the man knew about my mission. He got up suddenly and sat in the opposite chair. Antony let go of my hand and came to sit next to me. The conductor announced the next stop and a few people stood to get off. Our stranger friend was watching me closely. I felt exposed and squirmed in my seat.
‘Are you okay?’ Antony whispered in my ear.
I shivered as his breath hit my sensitive skin. My heightened senses were really annoying sometimes. I looked him in the eye and realised how close he was. He was leaning into me, but I’d been so worried about the stranger, I hadn't noticed.
He chuckled as I went cross eyed. He pulled back slightly so I could focus on his face. His nose was almost touching mine and I noticed that it was slightly bigger than normal, but it suited him.
‘What are you doing?’ I whispered as his hand came up.
‘Just play along,’ he whispered back, letting his hand come up to cup my jaw. His thumb stroked my cheek as his fingers caressed the hair behind my ear.
I got lost in his gaze, unsure what I should be doing. This wasn’t the way for me to find my soulmate but I knew that he was just warning the stranger.
When his lips brushed mine, my eyes closed. The kiss was so gentle I barely felt it. His tongue flicked out and traced my lips. I couldn’t breathe. I held my breath as sensation flowed through me and something snapped inside. I wanted to reach up and grab his head. I wanted to force him to kiss me properly, instead of teasing with tiny touches of his lips, never fully connecting with mine.
Coming 27th March 2015
I looked into the man’s eyes and felt fear bubble in my stomach. Fathers warning came into my head and I wondered if the man knew about my mission. He got up suddenly and sat in the opposite chair. Antony let go of my hand and came to sit next to me. The conductor announced the next stop and a few people stood to get off. Our stranger friend was watching me closely. I felt exposed and squirmed in my seat.
‘Are you okay?’ Antony whispered in my ear.
I shivered as his breath hit my sensitive skin. My heightened senses were really annoying sometimes. I looked him in the eye and realised how close he was. He was leaning into me, but I’d been so worried about the stranger, I hadn't noticed.
He chuckled as I went cross eyed. He pulled back slightly so I could focus on his face. His nose was almost touching mine and I noticed that it was slightly bigger than normal, but it suited him.
‘What are you doing?’ I whispered as his hand came up.
‘Just play along,’ he whispered back, letting his hand come up to cup my jaw. His thumb stroked my cheek as his fingers caressed the hair behind my ear.
I got lost in his gaze, unsure what I should be doing. This wasn’t the way for me to find my soulmate but I knew that he was just warning the stranger.
When his lips brushed mine, my eyes closed. The kiss was so gentle I barely felt it. His tongue flicked out and traced my lips. I couldn’t breathe. I held my breath as sensation flowed through me and something snapped inside. I wanted to reach up and grab his head. I wanted to force him to kiss me properly, instead of teasing with tiny touches of his lips, never fully connecting with mine.
Coming 27th March 2015
February 5, 2015
What's your Zodiac sign?
'What's your Zodiac sign?' I asked, holding my pen poised above the page.
'Scorpio,' he said, smiling when I wrote it down.
I loved doing my research. It meant that I could do and ask whatever I wanted.
'And how would you react if someone asked you to bare your soul?'
He blinked a few times and then shrugged, 'Why would anyone ask that?'
I wrote his response on the page and thanked him. He looked confused.
'I'm writing a new series called Zodiac Twin Flames,' I explained.
'What's it about?' he asked, geniunely interested.
'It's a fantasy romance, so there's six men and six women that have special powers. They're on the earth to find their soulmate, their twin flame.'
He raised his eyebrows and I just grinned at him. He'd given me the best research I'd found all week.
'So will it be all love and romance?' he asked.
I laughed and shook my head. 'No, I like action in my books, so they'll be plenty of that too.'
---
Pisces will be the first book in the Zodiac Twin Flame series and I'm hoping to release it at the end of March. Pisces is a female with a big heart and she can breathe under water. Look out for the cover reveal in a couple of weeks!
'Scorpio,' he said, smiling when I wrote it down.
I loved doing my research. It meant that I could do and ask whatever I wanted.
'And how would you react if someone asked you to bare your soul?'
He blinked a few times and then shrugged, 'Why would anyone ask that?'
I wrote his response on the page and thanked him. He looked confused.
'I'm writing a new series called Zodiac Twin Flames,' I explained.
'What's it about?' he asked, geniunely interested.
'It's a fantasy romance, so there's six men and six women that have special powers. They're on the earth to find their soulmate, their twin flame.'
He raised his eyebrows and I just grinned at him. He'd given me the best research I'd found all week.
'So will it be all love and romance?' he asked.
I laughed and shook my head. 'No, I like action in my books, so they'll be plenty of that too.'
---
Pisces will be the first book in the Zodiac Twin Flame series and I'm hoping to release it at the end of March. Pisces is a female with a big heart and she can breathe under water. Look out for the cover reveal in a couple of weeks!
October 29, 2014
Escaping The World
The dark nights were setting in. I'd been in hibernation for most of the summer, writing scenes of love, death, new beginnings and happily ever afters. The leaves were falling off the trees and I dreamed of a life where I could escape the wind and rain and live happily on a beach.
Why do you write?
The question glared at me from the interview email and I flashed back twenty years.
I'd been sitting on my mums bed when she was unwell. Her body was fine, but something made her stay in bed all day. I crept out of the room after another failed attempt at getting her up.
The book sat on my bed and I picked it up as I crawled under my own cover. I'd grasped words at a very young age and often got lost in the world of Fanny, Beth and Joe. The Far Away tree took us to lands that were not only fun and exciting, but very far away from my council house in England.
I started to write my answer to the question but then decided to cross it out. My fictitious worlds might seem like they're just popular genre stories, but there's more to them than meets the eye. So I wrote the simple truth:
Because Enid Blyton gave me hope as a child when life got tough. I want to bring hope and happily ever afters to as many people as I can with my words.
Why do you write?
The question glared at me from the interview email and I flashed back twenty years.
I'd been sitting on my mums bed when she was unwell. Her body was fine, but something made her stay in bed all day. I crept out of the room after another failed attempt at getting her up.
The book sat on my bed and I picked it up as I crawled under my own cover. I'd grasped words at a very young age and often got lost in the world of Fanny, Beth and Joe. The Far Away tree took us to lands that were not only fun and exciting, but very far away from my council house in England.
I started to write my answer to the question but then decided to cross it out. My fictitious worlds might seem like they're just popular genre stories, but there's more to them than meets the eye. So I wrote the simple truth:
Because Enid Blyton gave me hope as a child when life got tough. I want to bring hope and happily ever afters to as many people as I can with my words.
October 18, 2014
I Had a Laughing Fit
'What's happened? I just picked up my cards and they're all fives?' I asked, frowning as I glared at my playing cards.
'What...?' my friend said as I chucked the cards on the table and burst out laughing. It wasn't an ordinary laugh, it was a high pitched hysterical laughter and I couldn't stop.
'What's she laughing at?' my friend asked my sister over the table. We were playing Go Fish in the tent as we camped in the forest.
'I have no idea...' my sister said as I doubled over.
'The cards...I picked up...the pile I'd already...' I couldn't go on...my stomach was aching and tears were running down my face. I could feel my lips pulled back far from my mouth. I covered my face with the other cards I was supposed to have picked up so they couldn't see my gums. My friends finally realised that instead of picking up the cards I was actually playing with, I'd picked up my pile of fives that I'd already collected. For some reason this sparked a huge laughing fit and I couldn't stop. Have you ever had a laughing fit?
To see a short video clip of my laughing fit, go here: https://www.facebook.com/writerrachel...
'What...?' my friend said as I chucked the cards on the table and burst out laughing. It wasn't an ordinary laugh, it was a high pitched hysterical laughter and I couldn't stop.
'What's she laughing at?' my friend asked my sister over the table. We were playing Go Fish in the tent as we camped in the forest.
'I have no idea...' my sister said as I doubled over.
'The cards...I picked up...the pile I'd already...' I couldn't go on...my stomach was aching and tears were running down my face. I could feel my lips pulled back far from my mouth. I covered my face with the other cards I was supposed to have picked up so they couldn't see my gums. My friends finally realised that instead of picking up the cards I was actually playing with, I'd picked up my pile of fives that I'd already collected. For some reason this sparked a huge laughing fit and I couldn't stop. Have you ever had a laughing fit?
To see a short video clip of my laughing fit, go here: https://www.facebook.com/writerrachel...
September 6, 2014
Avoidables Serial 3 is here!
Jason's story is here. Purple has found love, but will Jason be able to win Hope back?
There will be a Facebook launch party for the release of Avoidables 3 next Friday. https://www.facebook.com/writerrachel...
Please join us!
Avoidables 1 is free!
Avoidables 1: http://www.amazon.com/Avoidables-Comp...
Avoidables 2: http://www.amazon.com/Avoidables-Comp...
Avoidables 3: http://www.amazon.com/Avoidables-Comp...
There will be a Facebook launch party for the release of Avoidables 3 next Friday. https://www.facebook.com/writerrachel...
Please join us!
Avoidables 1 is free!
Avoidables 1: http://www.amazon.com/Avoidables-Comp...
Avoidables 2: http://www.amazon.com/Avoidables-Comp...
Avoidables 3: http://www.amazon.com/Avoidables-Comp...
June 30, 2014
Avoidables Serial 1 is here!
AvoidablesHi, my name is Hope and I'd like to introduce you to our world. Earth is full of two races, the Avoidables and Perfects. I'm an Avoidable because I only have one arm. I was born that way apparently. Because of my defect, my mother had to move to the Lower Side. The Perfects are humans that have no physical flaws. They live in luxury, while we live in filth.
Avoidables have defects ranging from looks to unexplained gifts. Some of us are half breeds. Dragons and animals were known to have bred with the human race thousands of years ago. We all live in cities, usually divided in two. The Perfects live on the Upper Side, while the Avoidables inhabit the Lower Side. We've been consumed by hate for a race that rejects us so heartlessly. We've become dangerous.
I like to sneak over to their side sometimes. It's fun to watch how they live. To watch their perfect gorgeous faces react to the one armed freak. Until I met Jason anyway. He ignored the fact that I had one arm, even daring to touch my shoulder stub. What happened when he did, blew my mind. I was no longer an ugly Avoidable. I was much, much better than any Perfect.
More news:
Avoidables launch day is today! This is a serialized work of fiction. This means that you will get a short piece of fiction in your inbox once a week for five weeks. Each episode will have a cliffhanger leading to the next episode. Sign up for free here: www.rachelmedhurst.com
COMPETITION TIME!
I have a competition to win a £10 Amazon voucher, a copy of The Deadliners and the second series of Avoidables for free. There are several ways to enter. Come over to my facebook page and like the photo, RT on twitter, review either The Deadliners or Avoidables on Amazon and Goodreads.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writerrachel...
Twitter: @rachelmedhurst
Avoidables have defects ranging from looks to unexplained gifts. Some of us are half breeds. Dragons and animals were known to have bred with the human race thousands of years ago. We all live in cities, usually divided in two. The Perfects live on the Upper Side, while the Avoidables inhabit the Lower Side. We've been consumed by hate for a race that rejects us so heartlessly. We've become dangerous.
I like to sneak over to their side sometimes. It's fun to watch how they live. To watch their perfect gorgeous faces react to the one armed freak. Until I met Jason anyway. He ignored the fact that I had one arm, even daring to touch my shoulder stub. What happened when he did, blew my mind. I was no longer an ugly Avoidable. I was much, much better than any Perfect.
More news:
Avoidables launch day is today! This is a serialized work of fiction. This means that you will get a short piece of fiction in your inbox once a week for five weeks. Each episode will have a cliffhanger leading to the next episode. Sign up for free here: www.rachelmedhurst.com
COMPETITION TIME!
I have a competition to win a £10 Amazon voucher, a copy of The Deadliners and the second series of Avoidables for free. There are several ways to enter. Come over to my facebook page and like the photo, RT on twitter, review either The Deadliners or Avoidables on Amazon and Goodreads.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writerrachel...
Twitter: @rachelmedhurst
