You Are Cordially Invited to Author Linda Bolton's Playground: The Merry Go Round of Deleted Scenes

This week’s topic on the blog tour is deleted scenes.

I love deleted scenes.  Deleted scenes can be the playground of your novel.  They don't have to make sense, they don't have to perfectly fit and they can be used to build ideas.  Plus.....they can be naughtier than anything you would ever want to put in your book and no one will ever know but you.  Kind of like a secret garden that no one will see.  

I might use a scene that I know has no place in my current chapter as catalyst to jump start some ideas that do actually make sense, and all I have to do is hit the delete button. (or save it somewhere in case I do come to a point where it can be edited and used)

Believe it or not, in this blog there were several deleted scenes.  One in which the heroine (that would be me) was whisked away to a rough cut home in the Scottish moors by a strapping kilted man where he had his way with me over and over............and over.

Another scene, the heroine (that would be me again) had an incredibly hot threesome with her red-headed ex-roommate and her current love slave.  Orgasms for everybody!!!!

So see??? Deleted scenes can fulfill a dream and provide lots of fodder to expound upon and may actually make it in your book.

I will say, in my first completed book, I did have one scene that was deleted, but two chapters down the road I wanted to use it. It was gone. So was the idea. I have since purchased a new writing program that saves my deleted scenes in case I need I find a use for them.

In my current work in progress, my partner and I are not far enough along to have actual scenes to delete. But we are having a good time thinking up the “fodder”.

Meet Linda Bolton

Linda Bolton is an aspiring contemporary romance writer. She is looking for an publisher for her first book, Perfect. You can learn more about Linda Bolton by visiting any of her links. 

www.lindabolton.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/lindaboltonautho

http://www.facebook.com/linda.bowersbolton

www.twitter.com/!#/lindalou42

www.beachbodycoach.com/lindalou42

www.shakeology.com/lindalou42

www.getfitwithlindalou.blogspot.com

Reincarnation, Spiritual Mystery and Intrigue, and Doug Simpson

What does Reincarnation, Spiritual Mystery, and a love for the written word have in common? An author named Doug Simpson that's what! So without further adieu, settle down and get ready to get to know a little about Doug and his journey thus far.

Hello Doug, why don't you tell us a little about yourself?

D.S-I am a retired high school teacher who has turned to writing as a second career for something challenging to do. My first novel, a spiritual mystery titled Soul Awakening, was published in the United States in October of 2011, by Book Locker. Those who are interested can check it out at http://booklocker.com/books/5754.html. It is available in print and eBook format through most book stores around the world. Before writing Soul Awakening, I started writing articles using the archived readings of the legendary American mystic, Edgar Cayce. To date, my magazine and website articles have been published in 2010 to 2012 in Australia, Canada, France, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. My articles can be accessed through my website at http://dousimp.mnsi.net.

What got you into writing? Do you remember the first thing you wrote?

D.S-It seems that my soul always had an innate desire to write. Over forty-plus years I have started, and sometimes completed, a number of book manuscripts, but the few that got completed always seemed to contain a major defect which I found difficult to rectify.

My first published article, about thirty-five years ago, was for a horsemen’s magazine and was about a very interesting local police Sargent who was quite successful as a standardbred or harness horse owner.

What author(s) would you say has influenced you the most?

D.S-I guess the answer has to be nobody. I have devised my own style of writing which may not work for everyone but works fantastically for me. 

Of all your main characters from your own works, which one is your favorite? Is there anything you'd change about him or her if you could?

The main character in all of my books is a retired high school teacher, like me, who believes in reincarnation, like me, and enjoys helping others, like me. His name is Dacque LaRose. Because of our similarities it made sense that I pattern a lot of his past after me, then I heaped on a number of qualities and characteristics that I do not possess.

Dacque seems to acquire more talents, as I write more books and his spiritual development evolves. If anyone wishes to read the story of Dacque’s life to date, they can find it here: http://lindabolton.blogspot.ca/2012/07/my-next-guest-on-blog-tour-is-doug.html?spref=fb

What advice could you give to those looking to pursue a career in writing?

D.S-It took me forty years to create a book manuscript worth publishing. My advice to all writers would be, do not become discouraged and give up, but become discouraged and then more determined than ever to succeed.

Where do your ideas for your stories come from? Do you draw on real life experiences or do your stories come to life from your mind?

D.S-I write about survival of souls after the death of the body, and reincarnation of souls. Much of the action portrayed in my books is the result of true experiences, but definitely not all my personal experiences. I save reported accounts of the experiences of others, and therefore the accounts included in my books are real experiences of someone or other.

Could you explain to the readers here what a day in your life is like when you are writing?

D.S-I have an advantage over most writers in that I am retired on a decent monthly pension, so the part of my day not corralled by my wife or grandchildren, is mine. I write at any time of the day, or night, when the opportunity and inspiration are available.  

What would you say is the most important or key component when looking to publish a book?

D.S-I try and make my stories different from the norm. Reincarnation is far from the norm, yet a lot of people believe in it or at least think that it could be possible, so I have a decent prospective readership base. 

What are your views on self-publishing versus traditional publishing?

D.S-I found that it was impossible for an unpublished author to get traditional publishers, or for that matter,  agents to even read my work. I think the system today drives almost all new authors to self-publish, unless they are fortunate enough to have a personal connection to the big guys.

What is your preferred genre that you write and why?

D.S-I call my books spirituality mysteries. I write these because of the depth of my personal knowledge on the subject.

Could you name some of your favorite books?

D.S-There Is A River, by Thomas Sugrue, is the first of now over thirty biographies written about Edgar Cayce and his amazing powers.

Many Lives, Many Masters, by Brian L. Weiss M.D., is the story of how Dr. Weiss accidentally discovered reincarnation through one of his toughest-to-help psychiatric patients, changing his life in a direction he could never have imagined.

How have you liked being part of the Tasha Turner Teaching Virtual Blog Tour?

D.S-It has been a marvelous experience. I have met so many wonderful people, like you Nikki, and I have been forced to write articles or posts that I would never have considered writing on my own. I was pleasantly shocked by how well I was able to master these challenges.

How important do you feel the internet is to authors looking to promote their writing?

D.S-Priceless!!! It gives us an opportunity to promote and display our work at little or no expense.

What is your current project?

D.S-I am currently fine tuning Book III in the series I have now dubbed The Dacque Chronicles, and have started writing Book IV. 

Would you like to see any of your books made into a movie or television special?

D.S-Of course! Wouldn’t we all? 

What are your feelings towards book sharing sites?

D.S-In my opinion they are infringing on copyrights and their hosts should shut them down.  

Guest Blogger: Allison Bruning With Her Ongoing Topic: The Life and Times of Daniel Boone

The Life and Times of Daniel Boone Part Five:

INTRODUCING MR. AND MRS. DANIEL BOONE

This week we end our series on Daniel Boone with a joyous event. His courtship and marriage to Rebecca Bryan. Who was this woman and how did Daniel come to meet her?

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Boone From: Virginia State Park @http://www.flickr.com/photos/vastateparksstaff/

Known as Becky by her family and friends, Rebecca Ann Bryan was born on January 9, 1739 in Winchester, Fredrick County, Virginia to Joseph Bryan, Sr. There is no documentation of who her birth mother was. Some say her mother was Hester Hampton, who died in childbirth. Rebecca was raised by her father's second wife Alice (Aylee) Linville. The first ten years of her life she spent in Virginia. Like Daniel, her family were Quakers. In 1749, Rebecca and her father moved to the Yadkin River Valley of North Carolina with her grandfather. Her grandparents, Morgan and Martha Bryan were Quakers who had met on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean bound for Pennsylvania. Morgan and Martha married, settled in Pennsylvania had seven children. Morgan and his family never joined a meeting house. After ten years of marriage, Morgan grew discontent with the restrictions and ostracism of Pennsylvania. He decided to move his family to Virginia in 1734. In her late sixties, Martha died in 1747. Two years later, when he was nearly eighty, Morgan led his married sons and daughters into the Yadkin Valley. Squire and Daniel Boone had already been hunting in the area as of 1750. Squire may have met Morgan and his family during this time. Two years later, Daniel and his family would move into the same valley.

After Squire Boone moved his family to the area, his family had become friends with the Bryan family. Daniel was five years older than Rebecca. He often went hunting with her older brothers. When the French and Indian War began, Daniel Boone left the valley to serve as a supply wagon driver and a blacksmith for the British commander General Edward Braddock. It was during his service with the Britsh that Boone met John Findley. The two men would become friends and later on explore Kentucky together. John had filled Daniel's head with dreams about Kentucky. After Braddock's defeat at the Battle of Monongahela, which Boone had barely escaped, Daniel went back home to his family with only one thing on his mind. Courtship.

Daniel had probably already heard about Rebecca from one of  his many hunting trips with her brothers in his youth. When he had returned to the valley he was reminded of her again during the series of weddings. On the morning of any wedding, the men would gather, pass a jug of alcohol and roam the countryside urging the neighbors to attend the festivities. In 1753, there were two Boone-Bryan weddings. Daniel's younger sister, Mary, married Morgan's son, William. Daniel's sixteen year old sister thus became Rebecca's aunt. The two women were the same age.Since Rebecca's brothers had been in attendance it is likely Daniel heard stories about her from her rowdy brothers. Later that year, Daniel's brother John married Morgan's daughter, Rebecca. He became Rebecca's (Daniel's future wife) uncle. It was at this wedding that Rebecca and Daniel first took notice of each other. Daniel was smitten by her.

Legend says Daniel had first began courting Rebecca when one summer evening he had decided to go fire-hunting. Fire-hunting is when a hunter decides to hunt a night using only a torch as his means of light. Any deer who caught sight of the flames would freeze in fear and the light would reflect off of the deer's eyes. The eyes would then become the hunter's target. According to the legend, Rebecca was out in the night looking for stray cows when her own eyes had reflected Daniel's torch. He had no idea she wasn't a deer so he took aim upon her. Sensing something was wrong, Daniel held his fire and paid closer attention to his target. He notices the light coming off the eyes were different then he realized he was aiming at a person. Daniel held his aim long enough that Rebecca ran for her life.  Daniel never again took up fire-hunting. When Daniel's family had first heard this story none of them believed it. One of Daniel's nephews once said the story was "Without foundation. As fabulous as it is absurd."

A second story of how Daniel and Rebecca had begun their courtship does not come from folktales but from his own family. The Bryan family were not of the same class as Daniel. Rebecca had come from a family who had money and land. Daniel's family did not fare so well. Daniel had decided to show Rebecca that he was a strong provider and hunter. As was the tradition of their time, Daniel had killed a deer then went to Rebecca's house with it. He stood outside her house, cleaned it then began to cook the meat over a fireplace. His shirt was still covered in the gore and blood from his butchering but he didn't care. Rebecca and her sisters found Daniel's gesture amusing and appalling.They laughed and made fun of him. Daniel had always been sensitive to criticism but he didn't let his hurt feelings stop him. Daniel ignored their taunts, picked up a cup to drink, peered inside it then remarked to them "You, like my hunting shirt, have missed many a good washing." The insult was meant to remind Rebecca her place. He wouldn't stand for a proud woman.

The two began courting in the summer of 1756. Romance did not play a large factor. It was more of a time of mutual testing to be certain they were right for each other. The couple had told the tale to their children about the first time they had been left alone together. They had been out cherry picking, a common thing for wooing couple to do together, when they had decided to sit underneath a cherry tree. Daniel had been in his hunting shirt and she wore a white apron, to show her domestic talents. Daniel was feeling uncomfortable. He halted their conversation, pulled out his hunting knife and cut several large gashes in her apron. He put his knife away and never apologizes, only waiting to see what her reaction would be. He once told his children he had done so "to try her temper." When she did not fly into a fiery rage he knew she was the right woman for him.

Daniel and Rebecca were married on August 14, 1756 by Daniel's father, Justice Squire Boone. There were two other couples married at the same time. After the wedding the couple joined in a feast that Rebecca's sisters had prepared for them and their guests. Usually the celebration would have been at the couple's home but since they had none of yet, they had to live with his parents.  The celebrated lasted throughout the day with plenty of cider, rum, whiskey and food. All of Rebecca's belongings had been sprawled out so the guests could examine them. Since Rebecca came from the upper class she had brought with her a large amount of linens, furniture and cooking equipment. At mid evening, as was the custom of their time, the bridegrooms and bridesmaids escorted Daniel and Rebecca to the bedroom. The attendants tucked them into bed then left to rejoin the party downstairs. Daniel and Rebecca consummated the union. As Rebecca laid underneath Daniel, they could hear the rude jokes and comments coming from underneath the floorboards. Nine months after the wedding, Rebecca gave Daniel a son they named James. She would give him nine more children - five sons and four daughters. Each child averaged only two and half years apart in age. On top of her own children she and Daniel also raised his two nephews, whom they has taken in as their own soon after their wedding. By the time Rebecca has turned twenty she was already rearing four children. Their marriage lasted fifty-seven years.

The Executive Director of the Kentucky Young Writers Connection, a non-profit agency of writers who promote young authors throughout the state of Kentucky. Allison originally hails from Marion, Ohio. Her father, Roland Irving Bruning, was the son of German immigrants who came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Her mother's family had been in the United States since the 17th century. Allison is a member of the Peter Foree Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution. Her linage traces to Private Reuben Messenger of Connecticut. Her educational background includes a BA in Theater Arts with a minor in Anthropology and a Texas Elementary Teaching certificate. Both acquired at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Allison received National Honor Society memberships in both Theater Arts and Communication. Allison was also honored her sophomore year with admission into the All American Scholars register. She holds graduate hours in Cultural Anthropology and Education. In 2007 she was named Who's Who Among America's Educators. She is also the recipient of the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. She is currently working on her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Entertainment at Full Sail University.

 

Allison lives with her husband in Kentucky.  Calico is book one from the series, Children of the Shawnee. It is available at http://amzn.to/JSNRpm. Allison's interest includes Ohio Valley history, anthropology, travel, culture, history, camping, hiking, backpacking, spending time with her family and genealogy. Her genres include historical fiction, paranormal, romance, and suspense.

 

You can reach her at:

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/xxJ249

Facebook Fan Page http://on.fb.me/plvkxJ

Twitter: @emeraldkell

Blog: http://bit.ly/whteQI

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5164664.Allison_Bruning

-- 

Allison Bruning

Author of "Calico" Book One (Children of the Shawnee series)
http://www.amazon.com/Calico-Children-Shawnee-ebook/dp/B007Z8V982/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335908293&sr=8-2

20 Fairground Road

Bedford, Kentucky 41045
502-466-0014 (home)

502-310-2515 (cell)
allisonbruning@gmail.com

Wicked Treat For Wednesday: Author Ellie Mack

 Author Ellie Mack has given me a special treat for you dear blog readers from her novel, Kiss of the Dragon. I hope you enjoy and feel free to leave comments! Thank you Ellie for being my blog guest!



Kiss of the Dragon Excerpt by Ellie Mack

We were asked to share an excerpt from our book or current work in progress.  Mine is a work in progress, currently in editing. 

                A brief synopsis: Isabelle Lennox has always been a little different.  She felt like she never really fit in anywhere, and true satisfaction was always out of her reach.  After an ugly divorce, her best friend takes her to a Renaissance Fair in Scotland set at CastleFallon.  Isabelle gets one of her “black hole” headaches; they come on suddenly and she often passes out for days, sometimes weeks in unconscious oblivion.  She awakens in a strange setting but remembers she had been at the Ren Fair. This is the chapter where she realizes she has fallen through time and is actually in medieval times, not at the Ren Fair.

                He kissed her deeply, hungrily, demanding more.  He shifted her weight, moving from beneath her to having her pinned against the back of the seat, with him pressing against her. Zane kissed a trail back down her throat, to her neck, nipping gently with his teeth, a heated breath in his wake.  Soon his mouth was on her nipple, sucking. He worked with his other hand, lifting her skirts layer by layer, caressing her legs. The rough pads of his fingers played against her inner thigh. His mouth found hers just as his fingers barely brushed against her bud.   Isabelle nearly came off the seat, at the contact. A horse’s neigh outside of the carriage caught his attention.

                “Damn” Zane hastily retied her laces. “We’ll continue later, my love. We’ve arrived at the Eldwyn’s cottage.”  He kissed her again deeply, possessively.  “I’ll leave Merryk to escort you through the village where I’ll join up with you.”  He kissed her on the hand. “Mmmm, till then Isabelle.” He exited the carriage.

                Izzy sat there flushed, her breath coming in jagged bursts as she tried to regain her composure, Merryk rapped lightly against the door. “Lady Isabelle, would you prefer to walk or ride to the village.”

                She pushed the door open to see Merryk staring down at the ground. “Well, how far is it to the village Merryk?”

                He dared a glance up at her, then shyly looked down again. It’s just down the way milady, but if it’s too far for you.”

                “Walking would be great.” She quickly exited the carriage, smoothing her skirts as he assisted her to the ground. “A bit of fresh air might be just what I need right now.” She offered her elbow to Merryk.

                He grinned and linked his arm in hers. “This way milady.”

                Merryk pointed out the different shops. He took her to Widow Brooks shop first. “The laird instructed that you are to have at least one gown of your own. You will need to pick out some fabric.”

                Izzy pored over the fabrics. Some of them feeling rough with dyes and nobby textures, some feeling nearly like silk. There were fabrics of nearly every shade, and color. Just when the selection seemed nearly overwhelming a shimmering green fabric with a gold thread caught her eye. “Oh, this is lovely.”

                “Merryk coughed. “That is the laird’s fabric milady. Ye’ll have to choose something else. Perhaps he might allow ye to use it for the trim.”

                A pale, mint green fabric with dark green threads was next to it. “How about this one?”

                “Aye! That would look fetchin’ on ye lass.” It was a raspy voice behind her. Izzy turned to see a short stooped old woman. “The laird’s already instructed me to make ye a dress lass. The name’s Anna Brooks milady.”

                She shook the lady’s proffered hand, turning to catch Merryk grinning. “What?”

                “Tis the one the laird selected for ye milady.”

                “Honestly Merryk?”

                “Aye” he cleared his throat. “Said it would look lovely on you, bring out your colors.”

                Izzy blushed. “Well, what do you think Merryk? Would it look good on me?”

                “Aye it would” he turned away nervously. “If ye were to select another, this one would flatter you as well.” He handed her a bolt of dark blue fabric that had alternating threads of gold and emerald green every couple of inches. It was very subtle, but the contrast was beautiful.

                “I’ll take it. Oh wait, I don’t have any way of paying for this Merryk.” She grasped his arm, a look of terror in her eyes.

                “Aye ye do milady. The laird has offered it, so ye canna refuse.”

                She nervously chewed her lower lip. The fabric was amazing, and it would be nice to have something to remember this vacation by. “Oh well, if you’re sure.”

                They walked past several little shops. All of them were perfectly done in the reenactment theme. Izzy was impressed by the attention to detail. A thought had been troubling her as they walked. “Merryk?”

                “Yes milady?”

                “When did the laird choose that fabric?”

                His eyes dropped and she swore there was a blush on his cheeks. “Er, well.”

                “Out with it Merryk. What aren’t you telling me?”

                He stopped, and turned facing her. He reached up and scratched his head , placing his hand on one hip. “The laird see.” He swallowed several times and bounced back and forth on his heels. “Well it twas yesterday milady whilest we were traveling through the village.”

                “Yesterday?” She placed her hand on his arm. “When did he decide I should have dresses of my own Merryk?”

                He looked around nervously as if one of the passing villagers would rescue him from her questioning. “After ye kissed him on the wall milady. But it wasn’t till after I told him of Bess’s ill treatment of ye that he ordered it done.”

                He looked down nervously at her hand on his arm. “I don’t think ye should be touching me like that milady. His lairdship. He will be most angry and the villagers might think ye’re my gel.”

                She released him immediately, caught off guard by his comment. “Oh, sorry.” Maybe he had issues with personal space or something. “Wouldn’t want that.”

                A strong scent caught her attention. It was familiar, yet she couldn’t place it. She followed her nose, sniffing, trying to recall what that smell was. It was so familiar.

                She turned and continued walking. There was a candle makers shop ahead. Quickly she ducked into the shop to try to distract herself from the awkward feelings. She glanced over her shoulder, noticing that Merryk hadn’t followed her into the shop. He stood outside the door. She heard another voice and noticed a second pair of shoes in front of his.

                ‘Just as well.’ She eyed the merchandise, then watched the rotund man dipping candles. He had a wooden brace built with the wicks threaded through it. It held six candles the size of his thumbs. She watched as he dipped them until they were roughly an inch in diameter and six or seven inches long. The smell was stronger by his melted wax.

                The man looked up at her. “Aye, ye be wanting candles then?”

                He motioned over to the tray of completed candles. Izzy moved to the box. She picked four of them up, noticing how smooth and heavy they were. She lifted them to her nose, but they weren’t the source. “I’ve no money of my own, but perhaps Laird Zane”

                “She’s no buying yer candles Malcomb.” Merryk interrupted. Merryk stood with his arms crossed, glaring at the candle maker.

                “HHuummmmph. As if I care. If ye’re no buying then I’ll kindly ask ye to leave me shop.”

                “Gladly!” Merryk roughly grabbed her arm and jerked her back out to the street.

                “Ow! You’re hurting me!” Izzy complained as Merryk pulled her from the shop.

                Finally he stopped, and released her. “I’m sorry lass, but ye shouldna ha’ gone in there.” He looked down at where she rubbed her arm. “Did I hurt ye? I dinna mean to hurt ye lass. I’m such an oaf. The laird will have me head for certain.”

                “I’m ok. Just. . . why did you do that?”

                He glanced back at the shop, leaned in and whispered “Malcomb is one of Erik’s men. A traitor. If I hadna stopped to listen to Ranald, I’d have seen where ye made off to. Ye had me worried for a bit. When I figured ye may have gone in to Malcomb not knowing, well. . . I went to ye straight away.” He raked his fingers through his hair glancing around nervously. “Laird Zane had some unexpected delays and he wants me to take ye back to the castle immediately.”

                She glanced down the road at the other shops she hadn’t visited and spyed a fruit basket. “Oh can’t we get some fresh fruit first? I adore fruit, please Merryk?”

                He nervously glanced down the street and then around. “Ok, but we best be quick and then I’m to get ye safely away.”

                Izzy picked through the apples. Most of them looking wormy. She picked out six of the nicer looking apples and moved to a large basket filled with grapes. A little girl ran out from behind the wagon, and grabbed a cluster, giggling as she ran down the street. She watched the child until she ducked between two huts.

                A loud crash sounded behind her. Merryk was fending off two men with huge swords. They were attacking him from either side and Merryk was defending himself admirably. When one lunged at him he turned, made a move with his own sword under the other mans, knocking the sword loose from the attacker’s grip. He deftly caught it as it dropped from the other man’s grasp. With two swords now, Merryk moved more aggressively, as the men began moving back. In a matter of seconds he’d slashed across one man’s chest, leaving a trail of blood spewing, and stabbed the other point first in the throat.

                The blood flowed, an acrid pungeant coppery tang to the air. The swords looked all too real. There was no way this was a re-enactment. These weren’t prop swords. She stared for a moment as the first man slumped to the ground, blood flowing until he lay lifeless and still. Izzy dropped the apples and began screaming.

                The reality hit her. She’d just witnessed two murders. Merryk moved towards her. “Shush lass, or ye’ll have all of Erik’s men down on us.”

                “You just killed them!” Izzy  shouted.

                “Aye?”

                “Ye’re not an actor?”

                “A what lass? We need to be heading back now.” He took her arm, more gently this time and moved her towards the carriage and their horses.

                “Stop it! I don’t want to go anywhere with a . . . a . . . a murderer.”

                “Murderer? Ye stand there and accuse me of bein’ a murderer?” He was already pumped full of adrenaline from the attack. “Ye’d prefer I just let them kill me then? And you? Because that was their intent, lass. Ye don’t know what ye’re talking about. I killed them, aye I did. But it was to save our own lives.” He stalked towards her and grabbed her hand roughly, dragging her towards the carriage.

                “Let me go!”

                “I willna!” He clasped his hand tighter on her wrist as she squirmed trying to wrestle free.

                “Merryk, stop it! You’re hurting me.” Izzy leaned back, her weight causing him to pull her along.

                “Then cooperate, and stop yer fighting.” He tossed over his shoulder at her. His eyes blazed with single minded determination. Erik’s men had already attacked once, they could be anywhere. “Stop yer yelling unless you want to fight off the next attack.”

                At that, she quieted, and fought him less, but still resisted. None of this made sense. What kind of re-enactment allowed actual killing? The coppery tang hung in the air making her feel queasy. The lingering smell and the visual shock was just too much. Her stomach churned.

                All indications led her to the conclusion that this was not a re-enactment, but was in fact real. But that wasn’t possible, unless she’d been thrown back through time somehow. Fear gripped her with a vice like grasp. “Wh-what year is this Merryk?”

                He shook his head. “The same year it’s been fer a while lassie. The year of our Lord 1648 of course. It’ll be a new year soon enough.”

                They reached the carriage. Merryk tried to get her in the carriage, but she fought him. This last bit was just too much for her. Izzy stilled, her glowing skin suddenly pale and clammy. She swallowed hard, feeling that familiar salivation right before the contents of her stomach threatened to dislodge.

                “Isabelle? Are ye alright lass?”

                “She turned away from him and wretched. Merryk had his hand on her arm for support as she shook visibly. Finally he motioned the driver and got into the carriage with her.

                “Stop it! This isn’t funny. It’s all just a bad dream.” She was near hysterics. This couldn’t be real. There was no way. It just wasn’t possible. Izzy took a couple deep breaths. “Yes, I’ll wake up shortly. It’s all a dream.” A high pitched nervous laugh erupted. “It’s part of my black hole. I never really woke up, that’s it.” Izzy beat on Merryk’s chest as he held her tight.

                “Milady, calm down. What’s got into ye lass?” Merryk tightened his grip on her, and pulled her tight against his chest. Soon she began sobbing. As the tears flowed, Merryk relaxed his grip, and soothed Izzy. He stroked her hair, rubbed her back, patted her shoulders as the sobs subsided. “It’s alright milady, it’s alright.”

                He tried to comfort her, but really didn’t understand what she was upset about. Had she never witnessed a death before? Had she never seen a man die by the sword? It only confirmed his suspicions that women were too unpredictable. Give him a battle any day and he could handle it, but a crying woman? He felt reduced to a helpless babe.

                “Milady?” The sobs had abated but she still shook in his arms. This didn’t look good, him holding the laird’s woman like this. “Lass ye’ve got to get a hold of yerself.”

                The carriage stopped and Merryk walked her into Zane’s study. Making sure she was comfortable in the armchair, he squatted down in front of her, lifting her chin. “I don’t know what it is that’s come over ye lass. Just stay here whilest I get you some drink. I didn’t mean to scare ye so.” He stood, patted her hand then walked briskly from the room.

                                                  Read more about author Ellie Mack 

Ellie Mack lives in a small town near St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in geography/cartography. She has worked for Department of Defense, county government, as a substitute teacher, and various other jobs.  Her hobbies include reading, bicycling, playing Tombraider, and Dance games such as Dance Dance Revolution, and Zumba. Between being a mother to two teenage girls, a wife, homemaker, and a mortgage loan officer, Ellie writes paranormal romances.

Find More From Ellie Mack Here: 

Ellie’s first erotica piece is appearing on http://storytimetrysts.blogspot.com/

Ellie’s blog can be found at:  http://quotidiandose.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/passion-2/

Thursday Exclusive: Author Joseph Eastwood Chats About Book Titles

Today you get a special treat, author Joseph Eastwood discusses not only book titles but gives a sneak peak of his own book, Lumen. Thank you Joseph for being my guest today! 


Now without further adieu, Joseph Eastwood...

 Naming Characters and Books

     I once read somewhere that naming a character or a book is absolutely essential, and if it doesn’t suit them then it’s like a cheap suit that itches, and that’s what I think every time I’m coming up with a name… if it doesn't go then it irritates me because I always think of it as a horrible, tight, itchy suit. However, the best kind of suit is the one that is tailor made with fine fabrics and cloths, the only difference being that naming a book or a character will not set you back a couple hundred dollars/pounds.

When I comes to naming a character I have to get my baby naming books out, yes, I’m 19 years old and I have a baby naming book… not because I got knocked up, as that would be weird; I am a guy, but because characters and naming them is important to a writer. I do like looking through the baby naming books, sometimes just picking it up, flicking to a page and picking a name out – through that method I have got quite a few good names for my stories.

In my novel, Lumen, which is soon to be released, I found the name Jac, and yes, part of me went for that over the traditional Jack because of how it was spelled differently. I do really like unusual spellings but sometimes there’s just something bad about overcomplicating a name and it stumps you every time you come across it in a book and you’re sat thinking to yourself and rolling your tongue and pursing your lips, just trying to pronounce the name. And that’s one of the things I always look for in a name, is it easy to say?

Now, naming a book is a whole different ball game, a book can have any name, a character can’t… unless you wanted to, I mean, I’d love to read a short story about a guy called Chair, or a girl called Couch, I don’t know, maybe it could happen, but I doubt it. So, naming a book is totally different, and there might be something you’re trying to show through the name, maybe the genre etc. or maybe your book is a series of a book following one character, and you include their name in the title, just like with the Harry Potter book, or Darren Shan. I like the titles of my books to have a secret behind them, but also a meaning, and for all the titles in my series, the Blood Luminary, I have only used Latin words. Lumen is Latin for light, and then it goes, Noctem, Septimus, and Astrum. (If you can tell me what they mean then you will receive my unconditional love!) However, I’ve not really used anything else Latin in the book, I just like how the words sounded in Latin, although the titles are very key to the action of the books.

About Lumen

Lumen is the first in the four-part Blood Luminary series following the characters, Daniel Satoria, Jac Lister and Mia Crosgrove.

Daniel, like all other adolescents on Templar Island is going through the final transition that will allow him to manipulate the bonds of energy and do more than just tamper with his own biological form. 

After a near-death experience he is accepted into Croft's Academy, the only private school on the island and for someone like Daniel to gain access to such teaching is a privilege, and they won’t let him forget it. He tries to fit in, but that’s when things take a turn for the worst, and everything he once knew can’t be possible any more. He doesn't know who to trust or what to believe.

SOON TO BE RELEASED!

Add to Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13219801-lumen

About Joseph

Joseph Eastwood is the eldest of five siblings. He lives and grew up in Lancaster, England, where he also attends the University of Cumbria, studying English Literature and Creative Writing.

He has always had a giant creative connection in his life, from drawing and writing to having an eclectic taste in music and reading a wide range of books, which he hopes reflects in his own writing. He also loves watching sci-fi, supernatural and fantasy based TV shows and films. Among some of his favourites are Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries and True Blood. As well as those he loves dramas, like The Good Wife and Desperate Housewives.

Joseph is either busy doing edits and writing or trying to get some university work done. He lives for creativity, striving to be different and thinking up new hoops for his characters to jump through.

Links

http://www.josepheastwood.com/ - Blog

https://www.facebook.com/josephswriting - Facebook page

https://twitter.com/#!/Joe_Eastwood - Twitter