Guest Blogger: Nancy Barone Wythe

Please welcome today's Guest Blogger...
Author Nancy Barone Wythe!

Join her for a discussion of COLORING BOOKS! Huh? What? Read below to find out MORE!

Then check out her fabulous books @ www.nancybaronewythe.webs.com !

Hi Kerri, Hi everyone! I’m so pleased to be here!

My name is Nancy Barone Wythe (pronounced like ‘wide’ but with a sonorous /th/ at the end) and I’m a Canadian Sicilian married to a Londoner. I have a University degree in French and English Languages and Literature and teach English in a tiny fishing village. We live in the Sicilian countryside near the sea, six hours ahead of EST so bear with me, please!

My very first story, called “Nostos- The Homecoming”, published of course by Hearts on Fire Books, is a Paranormal Romance about the eternal love between two immortals- a good demon and a skeptical FBI agent who doesn’t believe a word of his crazy stories about their past lives and eternal love.

In my soon available SICILIAN LOVERS series, my heroines run into- and up against- hot, steamy Sicilian men who are also dangerously delicious!

I love to read about other authors and how they get the mighty feat of writing done. Do they write at night? In the wee hours? Do they plan and plot or go by the seat of their pants?

Personally I’m a plotter and not a panster. Once I’ve decided what my story is about, I start by dividing my story into the classical three acts and start worrying about the start of the action and the moment our heroine has gone too far to turn back, the goals and obstacles, the darkest moment, etc.

At the moment I’m working on my fourth book, another Romantic Suspense novel and am in the throes of creating and coloring!

Coloring? What is she talking about, you might ask. Yes, coloring!

Color coding is my personal synopsis. In one glance I can see where everything is. If I’m writing a Romantic Suspense novel, I use a green font to enhance my investigation process, the clues, my red herrings, etc.

Red is for (what else?) my love scenes, while pink (I chose a dark pink so I don’t go blind) is for her POV. Blue is for the boys, his POV, while a fading orange font is for the parts I’m not sure about and will probably eliminate in the end. Yellow means definitely out.

I highlight in green the parts that should be set earlier in the story and purple those to be pushed forward on the timeline. A bright yellow is for the stuff I mustn’t forget to check for consistency, validity, etc. God bless Jude Stephens, my editor and also author of “Scent of a Vampire”! At the moment she is editing “Sicilian Blood”, the second book of my SICILIAN LOVERS series and is very very thorough at picking up all my loose ends!

And of course who hasn’t got their very own sacred dump file, where you send that particular scene which you like but just doesn’t fit this time, but maybe the next when there’s a plausible reason to whack the guy?

I’m sure you must have a similar system- you have to stick to what works- and believe me, for someone who has until literally YESTERDAY always done copy and paste instead of (duh!) cut and paste, you can imagine how handy it was to skin through pages and pages looking for my red or green scene and heaving a sigh of relief when I finally found it!

Another thing- I can’t write one story at a time! I need to be doing at least two or three. Of course it takes me three times as long, but it helps me look at my work dispassionately (as much as you can dispassionately look at your baby!) and keep a fresh outlook.

Research is another thing- I cut out pictures of what my characters look like, what kind of houses they live in, the cars they drive, the pets they have and even their wardrobe. This makes them even more real to me- tangible, in fact. I observe people in restaurants, spy on their conversations (ok, you got me!) and watch the way they talk and laugh and frown. What makes them tick?

And the love scenes…those are the most difficult for me. Not that I don’t like to write them- I love to- but to give every love scene a new spin, something that hasn’t been said (or done?!) before is a tough call.

Well, that’s about it! Thanks so much for spending this time with me! If you’d like to know more about me and my stories, please visit my website: www.nancybaronewythe.webs.com or write me at nancybaronewythe@yahoo.com.

I always like feedback on my craft!

Hope to hear from you soon and thanks again Kerri for having me!

Thanks for being here Nancy! Fabulous article and I cannot wait to check out your books.

Author Interview: Lynn Crain

Today, the Book Boost is proud to welcome one of our Featured Authors...Lynn Crain!

Be sure to read below all about Lynn & her newest upcoming book. Then answer her trivia question for a chance to win a copy for yourself!

TBB: Lynn, welcome and tell us...where are you from?

LC: I was born in a small Ohio town called West Union. When I was eleven my family decided to move to the Las Vegas, Nevada area. I’ve been here ever since but I really want to spend my summers in Scotland as the desert is way too hot for me anymore.

TBB: What are you reading now?

LC: I am reading a lot right now. I just finished judging some contests. I am reading the non-fiction books of The Tao of Writing, The Art of Happiness, Caesar’s Way and in fiction, Kismet. If I’m not writing, I’m reading something.

TBB: When and why did you begin writing?

LC: I began writing when I was eleven right after I moved to Nevada. I loved to read and once I had devoured The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiweiss I knew I had found my calling.

TBB: Do you have any advice for other writers?

LC: Never give up no matter what anyone tells you. One of the first contests I entered, I received a horrible, horrible judging sheet back where the person was really scathing. It took me a while all of about two seconds to realize I wanted to prove this person wrong. And I’ve been doing it ever since.

TBB: Thanks for joining us and telling us a little bit about yourself. Will you share a blurb about your new book with us?

LC:

Merrick never expected to be part of his brother, Iain’s wild sexual games. Once it is over, he realizes he wants to find what Iain has found…his soul mate. When he meets Jenna, he’s afraid she is the one. But she certainly isn’t what he expected. She’s a hunter or so he thinks. But how can someone so innocent belong to a group as cold as the Hunters?

Jenna cannot believe her eyes when she sees Merrick…talk, dark and brooding…and everything she’s ever wanted in a man. There’s just one problem. He’s an immortal and her family hunts immortals. But he holds the key to her deepest, darkest fantasies. And the more she’s with him, the more she realizes her father has deceived her. But is she ready to give up everything she knows for an uncertain future?

TBB: Wow, that sounds great! I hear you want to offer up a copy to one lucky participant.

LC: I will give one person a copy of this book when it is released to the one commenter who can name all my published titles.

TBB: All right, you heard it here. The first person to correctly name all of Lynn's published titles correctly wins a copy of Merrick and Jenna! So get busy, folks!

TBB: Lynn, did you have any closing comments for our readers?

LC: I want to thank all my readers for being patient with me the end of last year into next. I am about to become the grandmother of twin boys and even though they aren’t born yet, they have been taking all my time. They are due to arrive sometime in early March, so I’ll keep everyone posted.

I am writing a variety of books this year and hope that you will love what I’ll be doing. My first of the year will be a paranormal shifter followed by a few contemporaries, futuristics and some fantasy.

I would love to hear from you all! Please visit my website at www.lynncrain.com

TBB: Thanks for joining us here at the Book Boost Blog and be sure to keep us posted on the arrival of the twins!

THANKS to all who dropped by today. While you're here, be sure to check out my Journey to the Call post from Monday for a chance to win author prizes and free books. Then vote in our Best First Line Contest too!

Best Book Trailer Winner & Voting for Best 1st Line Kicks Off!

Thanks to everyone who voted in the first Book Trailer Contest at the Book Boost Blog.

It was a close race but there can only be one winner. With 26.8% of the votes, I'm proud to announce THE WINNER IS....

A Woman of Choice by Kris Tualla

CONGRATS to the winner whose book trailer will be featured here on the blog at a future date and who will receive a free month of book promotion at www.thebookboost.com!

The next contest up for votes is our BEST FIRST LINE contest. Voting is now live!

Click here to VOTE

or

Click here to take survey


Voting will run until 11:45 p.m. on 03/15/2010 and the winner will be announced the following day. Good luck & I really enjoyed reading all the great entries!

A new contest will be announced here at the blog on Contest Friday!

My Journey to the Call...Part 1

My Journey to “the call”… PART ONE

For those of you who haven't heard my latest BIG news (and I don't know how you've missed it--since I've been shouting it from the rooftops!)...I recently received "the call" from Dorchester Publishing NY who will be publishing my paranormal romantic suspense book entitled Courting Demons in early/mid 2011. To read more about this news, check out my personal author blog at www.kerribookwriter.blogspot.com.

I want to celebrate my wonderful news by sharing my story with you. I'm also giving away tons of writer related prizes as a bonus for those of you who take the journey with me!

So, here's my story.

In 1990, I wrote my very first novel entitled Summer Sisters. It was a young adult romance about a character (based on myself since I was a young adult at the time) and my best friend taking a trip to Boston and falling in love with rock stars! Twenty years later, I’m still writing novels about falling in love but I hope that I’ve improved drastically since that first book (that manuscript printed on dot matrix printer paper is currently residing in box in my freezing cold garage).

Around 5 years later, I’d written my first “real” novel entitled Naked Eye. It is a legal thriller featuring a young southern woman who works in a law firm and witnesses a murder. While I never witnessed a murder (thank goodness), I had begun my 15 year career working as a Paralegal in law firms. Do you sense a theme here?

I thought this book was going to make me rich and famous. I liked to dream of being the female version John Grisham and that my book was not only going to be published but made into a hit movie (ie: The Firm). Oh, boy! Not only was I terribly misguided in my dreams but when I recently attempted to read this book to see if it was submission worthy with some fine tuning…I made myself sick. It stinks! I can’t even believe I ever thought it was good (sigh).

Nonetheless, I started out by researching how to get published by buying books on the topic. I tried to figure out this query letter thing and I started submitting them to agents in the Writer’s Market book. I soon began to receive rejection letter after rejection letter. Yes, folks, back then it was ALL done via real paper letters and good old snail mail. If you think it is a slow process now—you should have endured those weeks and months. No one was really taking electronic submissions back then. Needless to say, it was a long and gruesome process and yielded me many sad and frustrating moments.

As any newbie writer might do…I quickly lost faith in my work. What I didn’t know then was that I wasn’t really submitting a proper query to the right people and that I desperately needed work on my sales pitch!

Of course, I also needed major work on my book (I know this now) but at the time, I couldn’t even get an agent or editor to look at the work in the first place!

So, today I’m offering up the first prize in my “Journey to the Call” prize pack. In order to be eligible to win the prize pack, you must follow my 3 part blog post journey (every Monday for the next 3 weeks) here at the Book Boost Blog. You’ll gain entry to the prize pack drawing only if you post a comment or question each week during the week of the post.

The entire prize pack bundle is designed to help “pre-published” authors who are still seeking that elusive “call”. The first set of prizes to be added to the bundle are as follows:

• A book entitled: How to Write Attention Grabbing Query & Cover Letters;
• (1) free critique of your query letter; and
• (1) free copy of my first published book entitled Miss Taken

Next week, I’ll continue sharing my journey and announce the second set of prizes to be added to the prize pack bundle.

In the meantime, share with me questions about query letters or tell us how your journey began! I look forward to hearing from you!

Freebie Friday & Contests Take Flight!

What's going on at the Book Boost Blog Today?

First up, thanks to Melissa & Chastity from Hearts on Fire Books for joining me here at the Boost this week. I'm in the process of scheduling lots of lovely authors for the weeks and months to come so be sure to check back each week for more fun chat, prizes and industry news!

Before we get to today's contest, freebies, and winners from this week's festivities...here are some quick Notes & Reminders from the Book Boost Blog:

• Reminder: Voting is raging on at a rapid pace in the first Book Boost Trailer Contest. Be sure to vote by 03/07/10! Here's the link to the post with details...click here!

• Reminder: Now accepting entries in your Best First Line Contest. Be sure to enter your best first line and win a month of free promotion! Deadline to enter 03/07/10. Voting begins on 03/08/10! Here's the link to the post with details...click here!

• Reminder: If you won a prize during last week's festivities or if you're a winner today be sure to contact us @ the Book Boost so that we can assist you in claiming your prize! We will not notify you individually. It is your responsibility to check back to see if you've won.

On Monday, I'll be starting a 3 part blog entitled
"My Journey to...the Call."
Be sure to come back then.
I'll have some fun prizes for those who
join me for all 3 installments!

Today's Contest:

One of my all time fave authors is the talented Deidre Knight! She's running a big contest right now featuring her book Butterfly Tattoo and giving away tons of prizes. Hint: If you love butterflies (as I do), you don't want to miss this contest!

Here's more about the book:

Click cover to purchase!

BUTTERFLY TATTOO by Deidre Knight

Just when the darkness seems permanent, fate flips a switch.

Michael Warner has been drifting in a numb haze since his lover was killed by a drunk driver. As the anniversary of the wreck approaches, Michael’s grief grows more suffocating. Yet he must find a way through the maze of pain and secrets to live for their troubled young daughter who struggles with guilt that she survived the crash.

Out of the darkness comes a voice, a lifeline he never expected to find—Rebecca O’Neill, a development executive in the studio where Michael works as an electrician.

Rebecca, a former sitcom celebrity left scarred from a crazed fan’s attack, has retreated from the limelight and from life in general, certain no man can ever get past her disfigurement. The instant sparks between her and Michael, who arrives to help her during a power outage, come as a complete surprise—and so does her uncanny bond with his daughter.

For the first time, all three feel compelled to examine their inner and outer scars in the light of love. But trust is hard to come by, especially when you’re not sure what to believe when you look in the mirror. The scars? Or the truth?

Now available in print at Amazon.com! Click here to purchase!

Click here to Enter her amazing Contest Today!

Today's Freebie:

Check out these cool freebies from romance author Kathryn R. Blake!

FREE BOOKMARK, ROSE PIN & E-BOOK SAMPLER

Get a free bookmark, rose pin, and an e-book sampler with the Prologue and 1st Chapter of Mortal Illusions or Deadly Enchantment by sending Kathryn a self-addressed, stamped, padded envelope with $1.00 postage.

Please add your e-mail address and/or phone number in case we have questions . If you wish the bookmark personalized, just let us know. Please type or print your information carefully on an index card or blank piece of paper.

Allow two weeks for delivery.

Send your request to:

Kathryn R. Blake, PO Box 181269, Fairfield OH, 45018

*Please limit one (1) per request. Note: All items are comprised of synthetic materials

This week's winner(s):

The winner of free copy of Melissa Miller's "Love Heals All Pain" is...marymccall...Congrats and Contact Us Here to claim your prize!

Guest Blogger: Chastity Bush

Please welcome Hearts on Fire
author Chastity Bush!

She's a newbie blogger so let's show her some love today, folks! Before I post her lovely debut blog post, let's meet this talented author and hear more about her book The Guarding of Eden.

Chastity Bush is the married mother of two and the author of three published romance novels. She's currently working on the follow up to her paranormal romance Guarding Temptation. She loves anything romance but her fave television shows lean towards the darker side (Dexter and True Blood)!

Here's a quick blurb for her book The Guarding of Eden:

Eden Campbell is a woman who has it all. A good job, handsome fiance, even the same cat she had as a teenager. However, when her world is turned upside down by the sight of her fiance in her favorite high heels and lingerie, Eden finds herself single again for the first time in years.

Only days after Eden discovers her fiance's hidden little secret, she loses her job and finds herself accused of her boss' estranged wife's murder!

The only up side to her situation is the sexy man her best friends and lawyers, Tilley and Joe Madison, entrusted her life to.

Not only is Jasper Carrington doing his best to hide her from the life sentence hanging over her head, he is stirring her desires like no man ever has. From her black as night hair...to her deep blue eyes...Eden Campbell sets Jasper's blood on fire.

She is his to protect from the danger to her wanes but every look sent his way has him wondering, who will protect her from him?

The Guarding of Eden NOW AVAILABLE from Hearts on Fire Books. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy TODAY!

Now, let's hear from Chastity...take it away...

First of all I would like to say hello and welcome everyone. As this is my first real time blogging I am a bit nervous to say the least and so I am just going to talk about what has been on my mind lately. I am still very new to the writing game but have come to realize that no matter how fantastic your manuscript is, you are still going to get rejections.

Learning that someone does not think that your manuscript is good enough to publish can sting quite a bit. However, that is not grounds for you to quit. There is someone out there who will take a chance on you. Don’t give up!

I have also come to learn that well established authors are not the only ones who deserve to have their books read. I, like so many others, read only well known authors for a very long time until I started writing.

After that, a whole new world of authors opened up before me and I found so many authors who are not well know who, in my opinion, are better than some of those who are. I think that everyone should take a chance and read a book by someone that they have never heard of.

So, the next time you are cruising around the bookstore, instead of grabbing only reads by authors who you have read before, grab one by someone you have not. I promise you, it will not be a mistake. I have made so many wonderful friends since beginning my career and for that I am truly grateful.

I have met new people, been given chances and became the published author that I have dreamed of being for so long. If you are someone looking to start a writing career, don’t hesitate. The choice to become a writer has been one of the best choices I have ever made.

I would like to say thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this and thank you tremendously to Author Kerri Nelson for giving me the opportunity to appear on her blog! Don’t walk, RUN out and grab a copy of one of her books today!

Awe, thanks Chastity! Glad you could join us at the Book Boost Blog today!

If you'd like to check out more about Chastity, be sure to check out her website here: http://chastitybush.webs.com

Welcome Melissa Miller from Hearts on Fire Books!

Today the Book Boost Blog welcomes one of our featured authors...Melissa Miller!

Melissa is not only an author (which you'll read more about below) but she's also the Owner of Hearts on Fire Books which will be celebrating its 2nd Anniversary soon. Be sure to check back here for details on how you can win big during their birthday celebration (including an e-book reader)!

Also, for one lucky commenter today...Melissa is giving away a copy of her amazing book "Love Heals All Pain"! Check back Friday to see if you've won!

Here's a quick blurb:

A strong woman, Rachel Connors faces the possibility of breast cancer. Scared and alone, she keeps her fears to herself. Going home to Tennessee for the holidays for the first time in years, Rachel meets Kyle Landers.

Kyle has decided from the start not to like Rachel. Her absence has been hard on her parents-two loving people who took Kyle under their wing when he had no one. But is his anger misplaced? Is there more to Rachel Connors than her first thought?

Overcoming a rocky beginning, Kyle and Rachel fall in love. But will it last? Can love prevail against the trials they will face?

Click the image above to purchase your copy TODAY!

Welcome, Melissa!

TBB: When and why did you begin writing?

MM: I began writing around four years ago. It was a nice getaway from watching cartoons with my kids all day.

TBB: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

MM: I guess this year. I never really thought about it but since I've written six books now...I guess my hobby has turned into more than a hobby.

TBB: What are you reading now?

MM: I just finished reading all the Twilight series books. I truly enjoyed them.

TBB: What are your upcoming projects?

MM: I'm working on a paranormal and then I'm going to do a historical romance. I've been doing research for the historical romance and it will take place in 1935. Now I just need to find the time to actually write it.

TBB: As a publisher as well as an author, what advice can you give to aspiring authors?

MM: Don't give up. It takes a long time to get your name out there and you aren't going to hit it rich on your first novel. Just write because you enjoy it and nothing more.

TBB: Great advice. What does your family think of your writing?

MM: My husband is very supportive and both of my kids sit down and write stories now and then. It is really great to see them get interested in writing.

TBB: How can our readers find you on the Internet?

MM: Come visit my website at: www.booksbymelissa.webs.com

TBB: Thanks to Melissa for joining us! Please leave a comment or question for Melissa to be eligibile to win a copy of her fantastic book. Check back Friday to see if you're name is drawn as the lucky winner!


Now, some quick Notes & Reminders from the Book Boost Blog:

• Reminder: Voting is raging on at a rapid pace in the first Book Boost Trailer Contest. Be sure to vote by 03/07/10! Here's the link to the post with details...click here!

• Reminder: Now accepting entries in your Best First Line Contest. Be sure to enter your best first line and win a month of free promotion! Deadline to enter 03/07/10. Voting begins on 03/08/10! Here's the link to the post with details...click here!

• Reminder: If you won a prize during last week's festivities be sure to contact us @ the Book Boost so that we can assist you in claiming your prize! We will not notify you individually. It is your responsibility to check back to see if you've won.

• Reminder & Note: I apologize for failing to upload my Industry Blog for yesterday. I had a Monday from HELL! I'll be starting a 3 part blog NEXT Monday entitled "My Journey to...the Call." Be sure to come back then. I'll have some fun prizes for those who join me for all 3 installments! AND...be sure to come back tomorrow for a new Guest Blog!