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Vibrant & Vile Villains by Jenny Jensen

December 19, 2018 by Jenny Jensen in category On writing . . . by Jenny Jensen tagged as Good villians, Villains, writing

Vibrant & Vile Villains | Jenny Jensen | A Slice of Orange

“All stories are about wolves. Anything else is sentimental drivel.”

Margret Atwood.

That’s a strong statement—lots of ways to interpret it. I love it because to me, it says that all stories should have a villain. And I agree. How can you have the good without the bad? Where would the tension live? If something has to be overcome, you need a villain to vanquish. And if the plot needs redemption the story needs a villain to redeem. (A Christmas Carol without Ebenezer’s reform? Unthinkable.)

The villain isn’t always a person. It can be an institution,or an illness, or Mother Nature. All those ‘larger issue’ villains work for some magnificent tales, but my favorites are the really awful, mustachet wirling, gloating, cackling, venal bad guys.

Good villains, the kind we love to hate, are never one dimensional tools included just to make the protagonist work hard to overcome something. A well-drawn villain is a fully fleshed out character with attributes, history, and purpose strong enough to motivate and justify the hero’s tribulations. We’re so fully shown who and what Mordred is that his relentles spursuit of King Arthur is entirely credible—and because Arthur is beautifully depicted
—it’s personal to the reader. Now that’s an enthralling story.

Whether redeemable or irredeemable the villain is often the best part of a story. No one can think of Oliver twist without Fagin popping upwith his “…face obscured by a quantity of red hair” as he beats and betrays the children he has enslaved. We don’t forget Oliver, but we don’t dream about him either (or is that a nightmare?). When a character is that memorable it’s because something, if not everything about him, is relatable.

To develop a really badass villain, one whose actions the reader can understand and accept, the character needs some face time. Not as much as the hero certainly, but enough to lay the background for future actions, enough to make him real and fathomable. There is nothing more boring than a serial killer who is seen only through the gruesome details of the killing. If he is complex, as real people are, if he is exceptional in some way that supports an evil bent, then all the more disconcerting—like the jolly neighborhood butcher whose cutlets may not all be beef.

Some of the best villains have sterling personality traits. Perhaps they’re charming, or witty, well mannered and gracious. Traits contradictory to the villain’s actions make those bad actions all the more frightening. Showing the bad guy through contradictory traits is a powerful tool but if you work at it you can spin evil traits to appear benign—until they’re not. That’s chilling.

A well-developed villain written as an authentic character will give any story the spice it needs. Who will your next villain be?

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A Captivating Cozy: Debra Goldstein’s One Taste Too Many

December 18, 2018 by A Slice of Orange in category Book Reviews by Geralyn Corcillo, Things That Make Me Go Mmmrrh . . . by Geralyn Corcillo tagged as Cozy mystery, cozy mystery series, Debra H Goldstein, new release

Reviewed by Geralyn Corcillo

What are your holiday plans? Are you looking forward to wrapping up in a comfy blanket, putting on your favorite pair of fuzzy socks,and tucking in to a cozy mystery? If so, then I have a delightful treat to tellyou about! Award-winning mystery writer Debra H. Goldstein is launching a new series and the first book is available starting TODAY! One Taste Too Many has all the classic earmarks of a cozy and a few riveting surprises as well.

One Taste Too Many | Debra Goldstein | A Slice of Orange

Meet Sarah Blair, the twenty-eight-year-old law firm receptionist who’s never achieved her dream of becoming a private eye. Her over-bearing ex-husband derailed her ambitions then cheated on her and divorced her–and good riddance to him! So, we meet Sarah on her own and starting over, living in a tiny apartment with her cat. Life is going along just fine until her ex shows up dead at the local food expo after hours. The cute cop on the case thinks Sarah’s sister Chef Emily is the culprit, and Sarah’s dead ex’s mistress decides to try to steal Sarah’s cat – all just to get an inheritance Sarah herself may have been cheated out of! Sarah engages her lawyer boss to take Emily’s case, but all sorts of conflicts arise regarding wills and land development deals and it becomes difficult to know who to trust. Sarah’s not even sure if her own sister is being honest with her. Someone else gets murdered at the food expo, and Emily’s goose really looks cooked. Can Sarah save her sister and her cat, all while flirting with the cute cop and keeping the job she so desperately needs?

This book tells a page-turner of a tale that will have you biting your nails and rooting for Sarah all the way. Is she perfect? Not at all. But her foibles and struggles make her character so relatable and her story that much more engaging. The supporting characters in this cast make every scene into one more enticing step to the solution of the mystery. And about that solution? I could not figure it out! I kept THINKING I knew who it was. At one point, I was pretty darn sure. But I was wrong, wrong and wrong again. The identity of the murderer knocked me for a loop and took me TOTALLY off guard! But in retrospect, all the pieces fit–yet somehow Goldstein distracts you from seeing the clues.

In this book, Goldstein weaves a truly mysterious narrative revolving around a heroine you will want to follow through the series. Cozy up with One Taste Too Many and get ataste of this delightful new series! Available starting TODAY!

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Ilona’s Wolf: #free @amazon through Dec. 20 by @LyndiLamont

December 16, 2018 by Lyndi Lamont in category The Romance Journey by Linda Mclaughlin tagged as fairy tales, free, Ilona's Wolf, Paranormal Romance

My steamy werewolf novella, Ilona’s Wolf, will be free at amazon.com starting today and running through Dec. 20! If you’re looking for a hot read on a cold night, this story is for you!

Ilona’s Wolf

Kingdoms & Legends, Part 1

Blurb:

Imagine a world filled with magic, a tormented knight, a damsel in distress, an evil sorcerer…

While picking herbs in the woods, Princess Ilona is rescued from a woodsman by a wolf. When the creature licks her wounds, it is suddenly transformed into a man. A very handsome, very naked man who makes passionate love to her in a glade.

Cursed by an evil wizard, Rolf was trapped in wolf form until he tasted the blood of a royal. Now he must escort the princess on a hazardous journey back to the castle to stop an ill-fated wedding.

Passion flares between them, but both know there is no future for Ilona and her werewolf. Or is there? In a world where magic and passion combine, anything may be possible.

Buy (or borrow on Kindle Unlimited) at: Amazon US, Amazon AU, Amazon Canada, and Amazon UK.

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!

Lyndi Lamont

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The Storyteller’s Gift

December 15, 2018 by Rebecca Forster in category The Write Life by Rebecca Forster tagged as plot, Storytelling

I am one of six children. I fell into the ‘top half’ of the family; the three kids born while my parents were young and just starting out. Christmas was not an extravagant time for us, but I only know that now that I’m grown.

In our house, preparations for the holiday began long inadvance and always with a vengeance. Cookies were baked, decorated, and frozen. The house was scoured to make ready for the decorations and then scoured againafter the tree and tinsel were up.

My father spent his evenings in the garage after a long day at work making things with his saw and sand paper. To this day, my mother assembles the manger he built almost 60 years ago. The three kids – all of us sharing one room – fell asleep as my mother’s sewing machine whirred long into the night. Come Christmas Eve we would dress up in new clothes – I especially remember a red velvet dress with white lace on the puffed sleeves – and awaited the arrival of relatives.

Soon the house was filled with German voices (my mother’s parents, cousins and aunts) clucking over the dinner that would be served on the good china. My father poured drinks and sent us kids weaving through the crowd of adults to deliver them. The doors of the ‘living room’ were closed (we only went in there when we had guests). After we ate and the ladies had finished the dishes, everyone would fall silent at the sound of something – or someone – on the roof. My dad would call out, “I think Santa has been here” and Christmas began in earnest.

How my father got on and off the roof in his Christmas clothes and back inside the house so quickly remains a mystery to this day. The cousins and my brothers and I would be wide-eyed, anxious, and ever-so-polite as we waited for my dad to throw open the doors to the living room. There, under the tree, was one package for everyone. These presents were filled with things we needed but we didn’t care. They were wrapped in silver and gold paper and anything wrapped in silver and gold had to be good.

We never asked how Santa got into the house. We would have seen him come down the fireplace since it was in the family room, but we never did. We should have asked why it took so long between the sounds on the roof and my dad’s announcement. And our beautiful Christmas clothes? We didn’t associate the sound of the sewing machine with the pretty dresses for me and vests for my brothers. We were kids dazzled by the pageantry of our spit- and-shined relatives, and sumptuousness of the table, and solemnity of church at midnight mass, and the warmth and camaraderie of our extended family and above all, the story of our Christmas.

I look back now and see that my parents were like Rumpelstiltskin spinning straw into gold. They created so much from swaths of left over cloth, bargains from the grocery, and scraps of wood. What my parents did was far more than sleight of hand, pulling glorious things out of a humble hat. My parents showed me what good storytelling was all about: hard work, good timing, a cast of characters, a compelling plot and a little magic.

Wishing you the happiest, most magical Christmas season; a season that is the beginning of your best stories ever.

Rebecca

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Romantic Comedy, Billionaires, & a Beagle

December 14, 2018 by Jann Ryan in category Jann says . . . tagged as billionaries, Kristy Tate, romantic comedy, USA TODAY Best-Selling Author

Jann Ryan

Today we are chatting with the multi-genre author Kristy Tate about her new romantic comedy series Misbehaving Billionaires.

Kristy Tate | Jann Says | A Slice of Orange

USA Today bestselling author Kristy Tate—writing her own happily-ever-after one day (and sentence) at a time.

She’s the author of more than twenty books, including the best-selling and award-winning Beyond Series and the Kindle Scout winning Witch Ways series. She writes mysteries with romance, humorous romance, light-hearted young adult romance, and urban fantasy. When she’s not reading, writing, or traveling, she can be found playing games with her family, hiking with her dogs, or watching movies while eating brownies.

She is also a popular public speaker and presents writing workshops for schools, libraries, and fundraisers. References available upon request.

Jann: You’re an author who has written urban fantasy, young adult and mysteries with romance. Your new series, Misbehaving Billionaires, is romantic comedy. What motivated you to write romantic comedy?

The Billionaire's Beagle | Kristy Tate | A Slice of Orange

Kristy: I’ve always loved romantic comedies, but this first book was inspired by our very naughty beagle, Abbey. And because everyone loves series, I knew I had to write more.

Jann: Did you plan to write a series?

Kristy: Yes, as a reader, I like series, so I try to write trilogies.

Jann: Your main characters Letty and Wes in book one which debutedon November 1st, The Billionaire’s Beagle, are wonderful. Which character did you develop first? Tell us about their story and how they get their HEA?

Kristy: Betty, of course, was the first character. Letty was relatively easy. I have a close relative whose dad went to prison. Before his arrest, he’d been a devout, church-going man with an incredible knowledge of the scriptures. His downfall was hard on everyone who knew him, but especially his children. Wes started out as something of a playboy, but it was easier for me to love him as a perpetual student.

The Oblivious Billionaire | Kristy Tate | A Slice of Orange

Jann: Where did the idea come from for book two, The Oblivious Billionaire? I read your October 31, 2018, blog post. What was it like to talk to the woman who shared her story?

Kristy: When I began The Oblivious Billionaire, I was just going for the comedic arc. I thought it would be fun to play with someone who didn’t know how he made his billions, but after a while, I started to struggle with the story. It wasn’t until I heard about Hope (apropos name, right?) through a mutual friend and had the chance to talk with her that my story grew into something with more meaning and depth. You can read about my conversation with Hope here.

Jann: Do you have an idea for book three that you can share?

Kristy: Book three will revolve around Maddie the dress shop owner who you’re introduced to in The Oblivious Billionaire, but I won’t be telling her story for a while. I’ve committed to a three-bookseries of destination romances that will release in April, May, and June. They’ll take place in Ireland, Italy, and Israel and I’m super excited to be mixing up romance, local legends, and comedy. When I’ve finished my arm-chair traveling, I’ll write Maddie’s story—The Billionaire’s Gambit.

Jann: What’s the funniest (or sweetest or best or nicest) thing a fan ever said to you?

Kristy: Does my husband count as a fan? He once said that time-travel would be wasted on him because he would just spend the whole time looking for me. And that maybe the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.

Many of my books deal with the concept of life after death, maybe because I lost my mother when I was young. One Goodreads reviewer wrote, I also thought the references to an Old Testament euphemism for death were pretty imaginative. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Read Genesis 35:29 and 49:33 in the KJV and then read Beyond the Fortuneteller’s Tent.

I love this—even though she only gave me a three-star review—because if something I wrote could make someone turn to their Bible, then I consider that a win.

Kristy: Thanks for having me on theblog! You can find me on my blog, or on Facebook as Kristy Tate, Novelist, or on my website.

I love chatting with readers and would love to hear from you.

Jann: It’s been a real pleasure and we appreciate your time sharing with us about the Misbehaving Billionaires. Have a wonderful holiday season.

A small selection of books by Kristy Tate.