reading

Author Chat: Elizabeth Marx

Author Chat: Elizabeth Marx

Elizabeth Marx is a prolific writer of multiple genres and series. Every time we get a manuscript from her, we’re amazed that she can write so much so quickly! But she’s got what it takes to hit home with her readers. Her latest release, Just Close Enough, is available for pre-order and will be released tomorrow, December 1. Find out more about her, her characters, and how the two come together, plus a sneak peek into what she’s publishing next!

~~~

Your new book, Just Close Enough, places a slick, wealthy Russian business JCE_sept23_smallerowner smack dab in the middle of rural small-town Alabama – the deep South. He must gain the trust of a tight-knit Southern farm community in order to fulfill his goal of revenge against one of their own, who he believes is behind his brother’s disappearance. What inspired you to choose these two very opposite cultures in particular as the basis of your story?

I like the immediate conflict when two personalities with different backgrounds collide. The reason I chose these two cultures is because one of them I’m familiar with and the other fit the context of the story.

I grew up in Chicago in a neighborhood that was a true melting pot with Irish, Polish, and Italian families. Some of these families were new immigrants and some had been here for generations. My family was from the deep South like Polly Anna’s family. Although my background is more like Scarlett’s, I grew up in Chicago and then spent most of my summers in the South. I lived this dual tradition of Northern mentality with exposure to different ethnicities and deep Southern roots, so it was something I wanted to explore in my writing.

As far as Alex being Russian, I selected that immigrant population because when his character popped up in Just in Case, the first book in the Alabama Secrets series, he came to me as this mysterious man named Alex with an alluring, sexy accent. All Scarlett could get out of him was that he was from Seattle and there is a large Russian immigrant population. Also, Russian men are known for being domineering and that fit into Polly Anna’s conflict of not wanting to get tangled up with another man with that sort of disposition.

JIC CROSSROADS_

You write from the perspective of both Alex, a wealthy Russian man infiltrating a small Southern farming town, and from the perspective of Polly Anna, the town’s favorite daughter, a born-and-bred Southerner. How were you able to manage two different types of dialogue, not only from both sexes but from very different backgrounds?

I grew up with a Southern grandmother so Polly Anna and her family’s speech pattern are loosely based on that tradition. When writing Alex’s POV I kept his speech more formal because he has an Ivy League education. I enjoy writing the male POV because men tend to say what they’re thinking with fewer filters and they tend to express themselves with physical reactions. I’ve written several books with this dual POV and I like the natural pull of the back and forth between the male/female POV, it’s almost a dance.

JCE-TeaserA

One thing I always enjoy in a novel is being immersed in a culture that’s completely different from mine. In Just Close Enough, I enjoyed spending time in the world of a small Southern community as well as inside the mind of a somewhat arrogant Russian man. Have you spent a lot of time around either culture to gain a better understanding of them in order to write this book?

I spent many summer months in Alabama, Tennessee, and even West Virginia. My Southern cousins called me Yankee Doodle Dandy and made fun of the way I spoke, and in spite of this I loved the South. The kindness of the people and the secrets of small town living always drew me back to the hilly landscapes and dogwood trees. Many of the people and traditions in Just Close Enough I’ve experienced firsthand. There was a real Miss Pearl and she did deliver babies and chew tobacco; I have a vague memory of her but she passed away many years ago. For Just Close Enough I made her a Cherokee wise woman and gave her two identical sisters. My family is part Cherokee and my mother often told me of her grandmother who was a Cherokee matriarch, she taught my mother how to chew and spit tobacco. I’ve actually handpicked cotton, I’ve attended a Sacred Harp singing, or what my grandmother called a “singing”. I believe one of my grandmother’s sisters was a Sacred Harp singer because I remember her and my great aunt Delta ribbing her about it. I’ve never seen a snake handling service in person, but I have been inside a barn where the snakes for snake handling were held.

JICcherokeewisewoman

Although revenge is the driving force of Just Close Enough, there are many other layers including love, loyalty, family, and individual strength. Is there any one layer you most closely identify with or enjoy writing most? What draws you more strongly to that?

I think revenge is Alex’s driving force in the book, and secrets and love of family are Polly Anna’s. In a small town where everyone thinks they know everything about Polly Anna, I wanted to peel back the layers of who she really is and see what makes her tick. For example, everyone thinks Polly Anna’s happy-go-lucky, but deep down she has a yearning for a family of her own, something she thinks she’ll never have, and she also wants to protect her family from past sins. She’s also a pleaser, believing you attract more good things with honey than with vinegar. But she uses this pleasant façade as a way to overcompensate or hide the things her father did in her youth, almost as if she thinks she has to make up for his sins, as if the burns she suffered because of his drug dealing weren’t payment enough. She’s not hiding secrets out of fear of exposure as most people do, she’s keeping them close out of loyalty, respect and a deep sense of love.

JCE-Teaser2

You’re a very prolific writer with nine books to your credit – is any one book or any one series closest to your heart? If so, what makes it special to you?

Binding Arbitration will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s touched so many people. Some readers have a negative reaction because it’s a powerfully gritty story about two very stubborn people who have to work together to save the one they love. I had a particular reader write a very sad review of it because she didn’t like what happened. I wrote to her to discuss her feelings and to this day she drops me notes and says, “After all this time I still think of your story.” So the fact that I was able to touch her, even if she didn’t like what specifically happened in the story, means I feel I did my job. In Binding Arbitration, Aidan and Libby find common ground and work together, but they lose the thing that’s most precious to them. In the process they find each other again and realize what an enduring love they share. They learn that in spite of their losses they deserve forgiveness, redemption, and love.

CHGO SERIES TWITTER BANNER

Can you give us a sneak peek at what you’re working on next?

Up next is Tell Me Something Real, a story about two college students who are so opposite yet so perfect for each other. Mason Pendleton’s life was planned for him the moment he was born, and Kamilla Dawson is a free spirit and modern day crusader who utilizes a special way of reaching an audience with her graffiti art. Neither is looking for the other, but the moment Kami asks, “Tell me something real, something so real it hurts,” Mason Pendleton is a goner. He’s a guy who has had prospects heaped on him his entire life. He hasn’t always lived up to the expectations because for the most part they aren’t what he wants, but when Kami poses this seemingly harmless question, Mason starts to ask himself hard questions about who he is, what he wants from life and most importantly who he wants to love. Mason’s real truth also sparks an awareness in Kami that she hadn’t expected or experienced with anyone else. It’s a true coming of age story.

~~~

Amazon

iBooks

Smashwords

Rocky Rochford’s Don’t Say A Word is here!

Rocky Rochford’s Don’t Say A Word is here!

We’ve been waiting for it and finally Rocky Rochford has come out with the second part to his Don’t Turn Around trilogy. It’s even better than we’d hoped, and Rocky has been kind enough to share a gripping excerpt in his guest post below. Since it includes explicit and sometimes disturbing content, it’s whited out so that you can only read it by highlighting the clearly marked section. However, if you’d just like to learn about Rocky and his writing, you don’t have to worry about running into something scary; you won’t be able to see the excerpt without highlighting it.

Without further ado, here’s Rocky!

~~~

My name is Rocky Rochford and if you haven’t heard, I am quite crazy, highly excitable and energetic, which, for a writer, are pretty great qualities as it definitely keeps things fresh. When I’m not being crazy (i.e. normal) I’m scuba diving, sword collecting, or, well, rum swigging whilst occasionally writing, which brings us to today’s topic of conversation: my latest work to be released, Don’t Say A Word.

Available for purchase on Amazon as of today (July 1st) is my thrilling horror story that truly engrosses the reader in the story and serves as a great continuation to its predecessor Don’t Turn Around, which if you haven’t read it yet (seriously, you haven’t read it yet?), probably isn’t a bad thing. It would only have given you nightmares, made you flinch when hearing a footstep come from behind, and this one? Well it makes Don’t Turn Around read more like a glorified children’s book, because my killer is back and is taking his craft to new heights, with you in the passenger seat, and if that’s not enough to tempt you, then how about a peak at my boy in action:

Don’t Say A Word Extract:

*Please highlight the white area between the lines with your mouse to see the excerpt, which is explicit and at times disturbing.*


All I could hear was the manager spouting some bullshit. I was too busy enjoying the screams to pay notice, but I’m sure he noticed me making a beeline straight for him.

Talk shit, get hacked to shit.

Fair’s fair.

Three hacks, one result, head cleaved from bone and rolling around on the Persian rug, dyeing it red.

Now ain’t that going to be a bitch to clean?

Talk about murder.

Still plenty more people to kill, so no good getting sidetracked, and what’s this? They’re stuck in the dining room with me?

How can this be?

Oh yeah, I bribed someone to make sure the door was closed and locked after I entered. Rather easy really; all I had to do was break into his home, hold a knife against his two year old’s throat and take a selfie, one I showed him personally upon my arrival.

He was more than willing to comply.

Willing to do anything to keep his family safe.

Yeah, about that.

A happy family reunion not in the cards, not when I forced the mother to kill both herself and infant in the bathtub.

It was either that or I’d do it.

And trust me, my way is always worse.


But if mindless killing isn’t you’re thing, don’t worry, I also write romance, and my latest work is available now. Him & Her is the story of Donny Tyler and his feelings of love, longing and lust for the girl next door.

Both works in the Don’t Turn Around Trilogy are only available in ebook on both www.solsticepublishing.com and all Amazon domains, along with many of my other works, such as my Entwined Saga, a series of paranormal shorts; The Rise of The Elohim Chronicles, a fantasy adventure for everyone; and so many others. There is a Rochford work for one and all. Have a great day everyone!!!

~~~

Author Photo - Black & WhiteMy name is Rocky Rochford and I am a scuba diving, photo taking, adventure seeking, sword collecting writer and marine conservationist. I’m a handful of years into my twenties, but after living life on the road, going town to town before finally settling down, I’ve gained great insight into the world and her workings. From day one I have been a writer and a writer I shall forever remain.

I like to consider myself to be a student of everything and yet a master of nothing, who does not choose what he writes, but writes what chooses him, be it fantasy, crime, poetry, philosophy or even adventure. After all, life is a journey we all get to experience, just like a good book.

Every read of one of my typed works is another trip into the imagination of my mixed up, crazed and deranged mind. Welcome to the World of Rochford.

Feel free to get connected with me on any of the following site locations:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamRockyRochford?fref=ts
Twitter: @RockyRochford
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/RockyRochford
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7310280.Rocky_Rochford
Personal Website: rockyrochford.wordpress.com

Awethors Event: Why I Love Supporting Indie Authors

Get Down With The Awethors co-creator D.M. Cain graciously suggested that I should do an interview too. As I haven’t published a full book yet, I thought I’d take her up on it in a different way: by telling you why I love all of you.

Indie authors have something really special about them: a sense of community. Why is this so special? Because even though we’re all technically competing with each other, we put that behind us as something that doesn’t need to be acknowledged, as something that is really not the point, and instead we focus on supporting each other. Where else can you find a sense of community that strong?

We exchange books, we give honest reviews, we spread the word on social media for each other, we comment on each other’s work before it’s published. There’s no end to indie authors’ generosity, and it always makes my day to see indie authors working together. Events like the Awethors Facebook event help us not only connect with readers but network with each other. And those relationships last forever.

Just a few of the amazing authors Proof Positive has interviewed and some of the books we’ve worked on!

One of the reasons I started my editing business is to help indie authors succeed, not only through editing but through exposure. I have read some of the most incredible books by indie authors, and I’ve found that I end up reading bestselling traditionally published books mostly to keep up with publishing trends – not because they’re better. This was a big eye opener for me when I first discovered it, and I hope to help open other readers’ eyes  to the fantastic talent right in front of them.

Congratulations to all of you who have had the ambition and courage to publish your own books or even get your start by publishing your own books. I hope to join the ranks of such an awesome group soon.

~~~

Christie Stratos headshotChristie Stratos is an editor and award-winning writer who holds a degree in English Literature. An avid reader of all genres and world literature, Christie reads everything from bestsellers to classics to indies, and is an audiobook reviewer at AudioBookReviewer.com. She is also a writer of short stories, poetry – some of which have already been published – and upcoming novels. She dabbles in all genres.

Connect with Christie

Author website and blog
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest
Goodreads
YouTube
LinkedIn
AudioBookReviewer profile (scroll down!)

Connect with Proof Positive

Facebook
Twitter (same as my personal one!)
Google+
LinkedIn
AUTHORSdb

Awethors Event: Interview with D.M. Cain

Our seventeenth awesome author in the countdown until the Get Down With The Awethors Facebook event on April 12 is D.M. Cain. She’s one of the authors who started this wonderful event and her writing is outstanding (first-hand knowledge!). Don’t miss her giveaways!

~~~

1. What will you be sharing with the group on April 12 at the Get Down With The Awethors event? Free book giveaway, sneak peek, merchandise, holding a competition, discussion?

I’ve got 2 swag packs for A Chronicle of Chaos to give away, which will include a paperback copy of the book, a notebook, pen and pack of chocolates. I will also be offering sneak peeks of my upcoming book, The Shield of Soren, and giving some insight into the influences behind my books. I’ll be hosting the event all day so I’ll be around to chat with all the other authors, as well as being available to answer questions.

2. What is your latest book or work, and where can we find it?

My most recent book is A Chronicle of Chaos – a YA epic fantasy, the first in a long series Front coverof 13 or more stories. You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Chronicle-Chaos-Light-Shadow-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00NJ89B8M/

3. What drives you to write? Music, an interest in the human mind, is it cathartic for you?

I am always inspired by music. I like to listen to large-scale orchestral music, which instantly paints vivid images in my mind. I love to get away from the stresses of being a teacher, author, wife and mother by delving into my own worlds and losing myself in my characters. It is so cathartic for me, even when I’m exhausted from a hard day’s work, and nothing relaxes me more than writing.

4. What’s your favorite book in the world? One you couldn’t imagine having lived your life without reading.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I think it’s the one book I’ve read that has literally everything I’ve ever wanted in a story. It is devilishly witty and funny, but at the same time dark and foreboding. It is the most quotable story I’ve ever read, but hits quite a powerful nerve by the end too. Wilde was an incredible writer.

5. When will you be at the Awethors event on April 12? All day or at a certain time?

I’ll be there for most of the event! For me, it will be 8 am–11 pm UK time (which is about 4 am–7 pm EDT). I might pop off to do other things every now and then, but rest assured I’ll be back. I wouldn’t want to miss much!

~~~

Author Bio

D.M. Cain has been writing since the age of thirteen, but her first full length novel was self-published in May 2014. The Phoenix Project is a psychological thriller set in a dystopian future.

Her second book, released in October 2014, was A Chronicle of Chaos – the first in a dark fantasy series. In February 2015, she began to work with U.S. publisher Booktrope.

She is currently working on the next novel in the series – ‘The Shield of Soren’ and a short story to accompany it.

Cain lives in Leicestershire, UK with her husband and young son, and spends her time reading, writing and reviewing books, playing RPGs and listening to symphonic metal.

Connect with D.M.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMCainauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DMCain84
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/XevZH
Website: www.dmcain84.com
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DMCain/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7888430.D_M_Cain
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/D.M.-Cain/e/B00LTTX3PA/

Book Links

The Phoenix Project: http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Project-D-M-Cain-ebook/dp/B00K974TOM/

The Phoenix Project blurb:

A thought-provoking and compelling dystopian world that will change the way you view justice…

In prisons across the country, inmates are forced to fight to the death in a weekly bloodbath while the nation cheers them on.

Raven Kennedy, a bitterly depressed young prisoner who has never forgiven himself for his unspeakable crime, struggles against his own guilt and self-loathing. But even as the real war wages within him, Raven is forced to battle some of the prison’s most ruthless killing machines. Can he survive long enough to unravel the anger and regret that shackle him—and one day find the forgiveness he seeks?

The Phoenix Project by D.M. Cain is a superbly written debut, soaked in tension and intrigue.” Jack Croxall, author of the Tethers trilogy.

A Chronicle of Chaos: http://www.amazon.com/Chronicle-Chaos-Light-Shadow-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00NJ89B8M/

A Chronicle of Chaos blurb:

In the deepest bowels of Hell, five demons have been summoned, their bonds to the fires of damnation severed. For the first time in millennia, they have been called to the Human Realm to put an end to a battle that has raged for centuries.

The world is split in two – an immense and ancient battleground. The Children of Light and The Brotherhood of Shadow dominate the war-torn land, each yearning to rule the planet. Finally, The Brotherhood has summoned the demons, a weapon that could destroy their enemies once and for all, if they can only keep them under control.

Chaos, a soldier in The Children of Light, basks in the glory of being the highest-ranking fighter of his generation, but his arrogance and impulsiveness prevent him from being given the opportunity to prove himself. He believes himself beyond the law, superior, a god amongst his people, but a fateful coincidence puts him at the mercy of the demon, Anathema.

The two warriors, a demon and a human, strike up an intense rivalry, but their obsession to destroy one another only leads them closer together. They must decide which side they belong on before all existence is sucked into one final Armageddon.

5 Simple New Year’s Resolutions Every Writer Needs to Keep

Not sure what goals to set for yourself as a writer in 2015? Proof Positive has some ideas for you that will help keep your writing career on track whether you’re a first-time author or a highly published author.

  1. Write every day. Stop rolling your eyes. We don’t mean you necessarily have to write some of your novel every day. You could write a poem about how difficult it was to get your kids to bed that night; a haiku about the horrible/perfect/head cold-inducing/makeup-ruining weather; a dialogue between you and your character about why he or she does or doesn’t like the direction the story is going and what you could do differently in his or her favor. In other words, ANYTHING to keep your creative juices flowing and your sense of writing accomplishment high. Remember, you don’t just write, you are a writer, and writers are always writing, no matter the subject or the format.
  1. Read wisely. Of course you should read whatever books interest you, but some strategy to forward your knowledge in your field of writing is a good idea. Whether you make sure to read more books in your genre, more lit theory books, or more bestsellers, you will improve your craft by understanding it through others’ eyes. That perspective is priceless. That perspective gains you wisdom you can’t gain just by writing.
  1. Make an investment to force yourself to publish. There was a blog post in 2014 by a writer who bought himself a laptop just to force himself to write to make sure he didn’t waste the money he’d spent. It worked, and he wrote every single day at lunchtime and found that he wrote far more often because of it. You may not want to spend quite that much money, but a smaller investment, like buying a really beautiful, inspiring notebook for yourself, can force you to prove the money wasn’t a waste; it was a means to secure your writing career. And that is worth every penny.
  1. Enable yourself. Whatever inspires you, whatever gives you the jumpstart you need, don’t deny yourself, and don’t feel silly about it. Your confidence in allowing yourself to draw, take karate, eat out by yourself, take on DIY projects that are achievable, etc. will improve your confidence when it comes to writing. Even small things like making sure you have your favorite kind of pen in every desk, coat, and notebook you use will boost your belief in yourself and your investment in your writing career. Nothing is too small and nothing is ever silly.
  1. Get your name out there. You can do this in so many ways, including keeping your blog updated at least once a week, even if it’s just with your struggles as a writer; interacting with other writers via social media; starting a YouTube channel on…anything; submitting works to various publishing houses and literary journals no matter how small or large; reviewing books on Goodreads; joining a writing group in person or online. Your author platform starts by putting yourself out there, and the Internet has made that the easiest thing in the world. You’d be surprised how easy it is to get involved in your author platform once you get started.

How many of these goals are on your New Year’s resolution list? Let us know in the comments below how you plan to make 2015 your best writing year yet.

Meet Author Susan Mills Wilson

Here at Proof Positive, we’re huge fans of books that have something for everyone. Susan Mills Wilson’s latest book, Her Lying Eyes, has it all: suspense, romance, mystery, murder, politics, and lies – lots of them. If you’re looking for a book you can convince all your friends to read before you get together for lunch, you’ve found “the one”. Something tells me a lot of book clubs will be starting up once you discover this book. Be sure to check it out, but first read on to find out more about Wilson herself and how she develops characters and storylines that will have you reading far past your bedtime.

~~~

How long did it take you to plan Her Lying Eyes before you began writing it?

I worked out the plot in my head about two months before I began writing a single word. I knew which direction I wanted to take it and who would be the main characters to carry the plot. Crazy as it sounds, I feel it’s important for me to develop a relationship with my imaginary characters so I will know how they will interact with each other and how they will react to situations, good or bad.

Do you mostly write in this particular genre or do you dabble in other genres? If so, which ones?

I also like to write romantic short stories. They’re always feel-good reads where the boy gets the girl or vice versa. Also, every Christmas, I write a holiday short story that I send to family and friends just for the fun of it. I write a weekly blog on my website that satisfies the nonfiction writer in me.

What do you think makes your work stand apart from other works in your genre?

Many romantic suspense books are cozy, but I like to write gritty. However, some topics are off limits for me. I don’t write about torture, child abuse, diabolical killers or erotica. What really makes my work stand apart is the complex relationships of characters where they are torn between decisions that could have dire consequences. Everyone, including my main characters, have flaws that sometimes take them over the edge. For example, Kirkus Review said this about my debut novel, GOOD GONE BAD: Like the best noir, this story puts its characters through an emotional wringer and makes the reader feel their desperation, too.

Are any of the characters in your book based on people you know or have seen/talked to in real life?

None of the characters are based on real people; however, they are a composite of certain traits I have seen in others. A minor character, newspaper editor Stu Blackmon, talks nonstop, and I feel we all know someone like that. In this novel, the head of the Reynolds empire is a rich, powerful person who abuses his wealth and influence, similar to real people we all read about in the news. Main character Jamison Jackson is an investigative reporter, a career I always wanted to have. I guess I’m living out that dream through her.

What inspires you to write? Music? Other books? Real life events? Just an incredible imagination?

My first novel (not yet published) was inspired by a Toby Keith song, “That’s My House.” Most of my inspiration comes from real life events that readers can identify with. My next novel, MELTDOWN, was inspired because I was at a concert in a park and saw a church tower across the street. I thought, “Wouldn’t that be a great place for a sniper to take shots at a crowd?” What can I say? Suspense writers are twisted.

Are you part of any writers’ groups? If so, what do you like about them? How do they help you or inspire you? If not, why not?

One of the most important things I have done, which I recommend to other writers, is to get involved in a critique group. I am coordinator of The Mystery Critique Group in my town. Their advice has been invaluable to me. I listened to what they said and accordingly made changes in writing HER LYING EYES.

Do you plan your writing out with outlines, character development exercises, and other pre-writing activities? Or do you just write as it comes to you?

The outline for my story is in my head. Sometimes I will mark up a calendar to get a timeline of when the action is to be played out. I write mock interviews with characters so I can get inside their heads and write from their point of view. I also write a personal profile of all main characters that includes their weaknesses, strength, goals, habits, how they dress, and even what their favorite drink is.

Did you do any research for this book?

The subplot of this book involves a toxic spill of chemicals, either accidental or intentional. I had to read a lot of articles and documentation to get it right. Also, I have attended three police citizens academies so that I have a clear understanding of police procedures and investigations. If there are mistakes with that part of the story, it’s on me and not the officers I consulted with.

Do you read the kinds of books you like to write? Do you watch movies similar to or the same genre as your writing?

Yes, I read mostly suspenseful books, but not necessarily romantic suspense. I like a book that is a good page-turner. I enjoy movies that keep you on the edge of your seat. I sometimes visualize certain actors in the roles of my characters.

If you could write anywhere in the world – in a fictional or nonfictional place – where would you write?

If I could write anywhere, it would be somewhere on the coast. I love the Carolina coast because it’s close to home and I know it well. Of course, laying low in a bungalow on a Caribbean island doesn’t sound like a bad gig either.

~~~

Connect with Susan Mills Wilson:
Twitter
Amazon
Goodreads
Facebook

Check out Her Lying Eyes:
Amazon

Her Lying Eyes Cover

Meet Author Michelle Diana Lowe

“Fearless” is the best word to describe Michelle Diana Lowe’s just-published book, The Glass Heart Girl. Lowe’s incredible book breaks barriers rarely crossed in such detail with grace and honesty you won’t readily find elsewhere. The Glass Heart Girl was just published yesterday, and Lowe took the time to write a guest post about herself as a writer, her book, and why she wrote on such a sensitive topic.

~~~

About Me

I am Michelle Diana Lowe, the author of the new adult romance novel The Glass Heart Girl. I was born in East London and continue to live in this area. I wrote my very first children’s book of 20,000 words at the tender age of nine and since then, I have loved writing. I adore creative writing and seeing a character grow and develop before my very eyes. I now write professionally and have two published books, Heaven Calls For An Angel and Dangerous CalculationsThe Glass Heart Girl is my third book, but my first full-length fiction novel. This book is the standalone sequel of Dangerous Calculations.

What Is The Glass Heart Girl About?

A unique but powerful book, The Glass Heart Girl set to take the new adult romance genre to a whole new level. It is a deep and riveting story about one young woman’s momentous journey as she strives to overcome her traumatic past, learns about the true meaning of love and tries to embrace a new life with the man she loves.

Twenty year old Alena Pavlis is a beautiful college student who meets the gorgeous Phillip Gregson during the Freshers’ Fair at The University of Leicester. She is immediately drawn to Phillip and falls head over heels in love with him. But her past is seeping into her consciousness and threatens to destroy their special relationship. Phillip and Becca, her floormate and best friend, support her as best they can, but when a face from five years ago comes back into Alena’s life, her world spins into chaos and she finds herself at a dangerous crossroads. It is at this crucial moment that Alena must decide to vanquish the demons of the past and fight for the beautiful life that she deserves – or let the past devour her.

Personal and Positive Perspectives

The Glass Heart Girl carries a very positive and hopeful message about a woman’s courage and bravery to face her innermost fears and work towards a happier future. It also serves as a guide for young women who are facing similar issues. I sculpted Alena’s character in such a way that she would be relatable to women 17 and older, and so that people could understand and/or identify with her situation better. I am so thankful that I have created a novel covering real issues that can help women in Alena’s position move forward with their lives.

What to expect from The Glass Heart Girl

The Glass Heart Girl is full of life and zest – it deals with both the fun and challenges of university life. There are strong, honest friendships, deep romantic relationships, painful past experiences coming to the surface and the normal things you’d expect from 20-year-old college students – mucking about in the dorm corridors, petty arguments between friends, jealousy, breakups and make ups and more.

On a more serious note, wider issues in society are addressed in a sensible and appropriate fashion, and the book does tackle young people’s attitudes towards love and relationships.

Younger women between 17 and 30 will be able to relate to and understand the young, vibrant characters that I have created. Not only will they laugh out loud in certain chapters, but they will also be moved by the emotional and heartfelt aspects to the book. For the many women who are going through what Alena has experienced, this novel will not only help them on the road to recovery, but will also help them realize they are not alone. I think that more books like The Glass Heart Girl should be written to heal, bolster and empower women.

Why I Wrote This Book

I wanted to give a voice to young women who have gone through really difficult experiences. These people’s experiences are often overlooked or disregarded, in fiction and in real life too. I have always been someone who champions people who don’t have a real voice in society and am very passionate about bringing their experiences to the forefront. It is just in my nature to be this way. I also work with vulnerable clients as part of my job as an administrator. I listen to these people’s stories, sometimes sad and even heartbreaking, and I signpost or refer these clients to counselling services, therapy or Family Support Services, which will support their needs and that of their families while helping them work through difficult issues and emotions. So I can, to some degree, understand and can identify with Alena’s story.

In real life, women who have gone through the trauma of gender violence and abuse are often sidelined and marginalised. Their stories, usually told in nonfiction books, focus heavily on the negative and lasting effects these events have on their lives. Often the stories are very downbeat until the end, when the victim might possibly overcome the trauma. I did not want to depict Alena in this way. Firstly, it was important for me to make a victim of gender violence and abuse a heroine and give her a chance to be in the spotlight, and I really wanted to write a book that did not focus on her traumatic past so decidedly. From the very start, I inject hope and laughter into Alena’s world, giving her a zany but caring best friend in Becca, as well as a supportive boyfriend in Phillip.

As you can see, this all adds up to The Glass Heart Girl‘s publication date of July 4th being very significant. I published the novel on Independence Day to symbolise Alena’s bravery and determination to fight for her independence from the past and embrace her future.

Supporting the Cause

I am dedicated to raising awareness of issues relating to gender violence and abuse against women and girls to help society understand what such individuals go through. Raising awareness of these problems will also help others to be more supportive of those around them who might be suffering similar difficulties. I will be making a small donation per book sold to Women & Girls Network, a sensational London charity that supports women and children who have experienced gender violence, rape and domestic violence. They offer support and counselling services to help these individuals work through their problems and cope with the trauma of the past so they can hopefully move forward with their lives.

Commending the Editors

I really don’t think that Christie Stratos realises how amazing she is and how sensational her company Proof Positive is. From the moment I contacted her and she proofread the first five pages of The Glass Heart Girl, she totally embraced my characters and got exactly what the book is about. I cannot believe how Morgan and Christie who edited my book, understood my characters so deeply; namely Alena, my protagonist. They also recognised the positive and important messages the novel is sending to women suffering problems similar to Alena. I would like to thank them both from the bottom of my heart, for the extraordinary job they did on my manuscript. I was so tearful and blown away when I received it back, flawless and perfect, with my characters and story thoroughly polished. I can now see the true message of The Glass Heart Girl shining through the manuscript. I thank Morgan and Christie for their hard work, enthusiasm and sheer dedication. You guys are so great at what you do, and I will be recommending you to all of my writer friends.

The Glass Heart Girl will be released on July 4, 2014 and is available as an ebook and in paperback from Amazon, and in ebook format from Kobo.

~~~~

Connect with Michelle Diana Lowe:

Website
Twitter
Amazon
Goodreads

THE GLASS HEART GIRL EBOOK COVER

Author Chat: Why I Like Historicals

By now, you’re probably familiar with Donna Hatch’s historical romance novels. If not, check out her Amazon page for a listing of her published books.

I had the chance to catch up with Donna, who is always in the midst of working on her next novel. I asked her why historical fiction appeals to her as an author and what about it stands out to her as a great genre. Here’s her perspective on why historical fiction is so appealing to readers and writers alike.

~~~

I love many things about historical fiction—both as a reader and as an author. When life gets stressful, the first thing many readers do is pick up a novel. Historical novels provide the perfect escape from reality. Total escapism can and does happen with modern-day novels, but the more a book differs from the present-day world with its present-day cares, the better an escape it provides. Historical novels transport readers to another place and time completely different from reality. Another draw of historical fiction for many people is that it typically has more lyrical writing  or “voice” than  other genres.

Like most Regency romance authors who pride themselves on historical accuracy, I extensively research British history, particularly the Regency Era, which is the early 1800’s.  This is how I create a virtual trip through time. Having my facts straight is not just a pretty backdrop for my stories; the manners and mores of society helped shape people who lived in that time, both those who embraced customs of the time and those who challenged them.

But if I had to pick one reason why I love historical romance, it’s the people. Call me a romantic, but people from the past seemed to be more concerned with honor. In Regency England, duty and honor meant everything. If a man said he’d do something, especially if he gave his word, he meant it, and others could count him to follow through, even at great personal cost.

I love the way people in Regency England spoke so eloquently. The upper classes didn’t maul the language—they used correct grammar and had an enormous vocabulary. They also prized wit and excelled in using the understatement. If you read books by authors of that day such as Jane Austen, you’ll see that their writing is almost poetic, each word chosen for its wording, imagery, and rhythm.

By the Georgian and Regency Eras, men and women alike were educated and could read, compute complex mathematics, speak multiple languages—French and Latin in particular—and loved philosophical debates. They were also very cultured. From a young age they were taught to dance, play music, sing, and recite poetry.

Men in many historical eras were civilized and treated women with courtesy by standing up when a lady entered the room, doffing their hats, curtailing their language, offering an arm, bowing, and a hundred other little things I wish men still did today. But they were also very athletic; they hunted, raced, fenced, boxed, rode horses. They were manly. Strong. Noble. Resolute. Honorable. I love that about them! And that makes them perfect heroes for both historical fiction and historical romance novels.

~~~

If you’re not familiar with Donna’s latest book, A Perfect Secret, make sure you check it out.

A Perfect Secret - Donna Hatch - book cover

Author: Donna Hatch
Release date: November, 2013
 Genre: Historical Romance
Tour: Irresistible Reads Book Tours

 Book Description:

Desperate to protect her father from trial and death, Genevieve breaks off her engagement with Christian Amesbury and marries a blackmailer. After a year of marriage, she flees her husband’s violent domination only to have fate bring her back to Christian. Just when she thinks she’s started a new life of safety and solitude, her husband tracks her down, stalks her, and threatens everyone she loves.

Still brokenhearted over Genevieve’s betrayal a year ago, Christian can’t believe she’s come back into his life–and worse, that she’s done it on the anniversary of his brother’s death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can’t leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married.

When her husband torments Genevieve and puts his family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves…anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16057884-a-perfect-secret

~~~

About the Author:

Donna Hatch authorI’ve had a passion for writing since the age of eight when I wrote my first short story. During my sophomore year in high school, I wrote my first full-length novel, a science fiction romance. I wrote my second novel during my senior year, a fantasy romance. Needless to say, English and Creative Writing were always my favorite subjects. Yes, I’m a total grammar geek! In between caring for six children (7 counting my husband), I manage to carve out time to indulge in my writing obsession, with varying degrees of success, although I write most often late at night instead of sleeping. And yes, all of my heroes are patterned after my husband of 21 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceAuthorDonnaHatch
Official Website: http://donnahatch.com/

“Literally” Is The New “Figuratively”…And Other Word Anomalies

Language evolution is an understandable and even necessary thing – linguists agree that when a language stops evolving, it quickly becomes a dead language. But English is undergoing an interesting type of evolution: word definitions are changing and expanding to conform to formerly incorrect usages, even if that means that two definitions of the same word are actually opposites of each other.

Falling off EarthTake the word “literally”, for example – the latest evolutionary victim. Countless articles have been written about the misuse of “literally”, advocating for its correct use and trying to get writers to stop saying things like “I literally fell off the face of the Earth for a while”. Thinking of “literally” in its literal sense (aka actual meaning), you’d picture someone actually falling off this planet, as if gravity suddenly decided to release that one person. And then that same person would be drawn back after “a while”, like some invisible magnet stretched out to reattach them to the surface. That’s the kind of imagery such a misuse could evoke in a reader’s mind, which can stop them from reading and draw their minds right out of the story.

But the English language, in its infinite evolutionary process, has decided that rather than making people use language correctly, definitions will be altered to conform to language misuses, even if it has to twist itself into an oxymoronical (say it enough times and it, too, may become correct) pretzel.

“Literally” now has these two opposing meanings according to Merriam Webster:

1.  in a literal sense or manner: actually <took the remark literally> <was literally insane>

2. in effect : virtually <“will literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice” — Norman Cousins>

So now, because of continuous misuse, a person can say that they “literally fell off the Earth” and still be correct in using it just for emphasis. This can become confusing in some cases, though – what if that story was a futuristic piece and the possibility of sudden disappearances of small areas of gravity were as possible as sink holes? A reader might interpret the writer’s figurative use of the word as a literal use instead, and he’d be confused when follow-up text proved his interpretation to the contrary. In that case, he’d probably have to go back and reread that phrase again, which is annoying to any reader.

So while the language is giving us permission to use words in opposite ways, it may still not be prudent for writers to walk away from smart writing in favor of acceptable writing. The problems that it can bring up might just make their novel literally fall off the face of the Earth. 😉

Sex Scenes in Young Adult Books?

Malorie Blackman and Melvin Burgess say teenagers should read books in high school which tackle realistic sexual relationships as well as realistic sex itself. Their argument is that teenagers are going to get their information on sex and what it’s like (or should be like) from somewhere, so the information might as well be provided “within a kind of safe setting”.

You can see the whole article here: http://bit.ly/12Xoyyp.

Do you agree that young adult fiction should have explicit sex scenes in order to teach teenagers what sex is really like? If so, do you think YA novels should then include a defined set of morals and ethics and/or healthy relationships as a sort of compromise? How far is too far, or do you think, as Burgess does, that there should be no limits?

Our Website Got a Redesign!

We're thrilled to reveal our fully refreshed website, designed by Konn Lavery! Our site is now easier to navigate,...

How to Choose Comp Titles: Mix and Match Multiple Aspects of Your Novel

Sell your book without giving readers the wrong idea. by Margaret Pinard, historical fiction & fantasy author...

Book Launch: Dark and Twisted Dystopian Science Fiction Anthology

Four short stories from the desolate and tempestuous imagination of Jessica Halsey. Originally published on Kindle...

Book Launch: Danger lurks in every corner of space when hocking crappy merchandise

Saving an alien planet is nothing compared to meeting your sales quota. Untrained tag-along, Marcus Aimond, aboard...

Book Launch: When espionage exposes a hidden world, war threatens its safety

A hidden people not so hidden anymore. The Hidden Realm of Angolin has existed in peaceful isolation for centuries,...

Book Launch: The king of medieval TV is dead, and the game is afoot

“A pitch-perfect combination of action, mystery, and humor.” ―Anthony Award-winning author Gigi Pandian for Jove Brand...

Book Launch: Is Daphne crazy, or is the Brotherhood of the Raven real?

Beware the Brotherhood of the Raven When two boys vanish from her hometown, Daphne Gauge notices uncanny parallels to...

Book Launch: She’s risking her dream of joining the FBI for four gorgeous criminals

Stalker ex? ✔ Four hot roommates? ✔ An illegal secret? ✔✔✔✔✔ I, Clara McElroy, always have a handle on things. List it...

Book Launch: Coming home 11 years later was the worst thing she ever did

When I ran out of Poca eleven years ago, I never planned on seeing the confines of this small town again. Now, it’s...

Book Launch: Can reality TV turn pretend lovers into true love?

Nothing’s real on reality TV―or is it? Everyone knows Kell Simmons manages the Matthews brothers, the three hottest...