Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts

Monday, June 30, 2014

What are your favorite genres to read and write by Kaye Spencer

Readers, have you ever wondered why you ‘read what you read’?

Authors, what is your response in interviews about why you 'write what you write'?

For both readers and writers: If you're drawn to a particular genre over all others, have you ever considered why?

Over the years of my publishing career, I've encountered variations of these questions in author interviews. I have three general points for why I tend to write historicals and particularly stories set in the American Old West.


Reason 1—Research

Every historical I write allows me to follow rabbits down research rabbit holes. I've discovered the most intriguing and amazing tidbits of history in my historical research Wonderland. Researching is my ‘happy place’. It’s important to me to have the details in my stories as historically accurate as possible.

Reason 2—Living vicariously in the past

While I’m writing a story set in the past, I get to travel to a different place and time and live in someone else's shoes, so-to-speak. I’m like Anthony Marston in Quigley Down Under: “…Some men [women] are born in the wrong century.” All my life I’ve felt out-of-place living in our ‘modern’ world. So when I transport myself to the time in which my characters are living, I’m in another one of my ‘happy places’.

Reason 3—Challenge of overcoming inconveniences

I like writing stories that lack modern day conveniences. Without the amenities we’re accustomed to nowadays, there are so many juicy complications for the characters to face, deal with, and overcome that otherwise could be written away with a call on the cell phone or by hopping an airplane. The possibilities for plot complications in the areas of communication, transportation, physical relationships (particularly in the area of limited contraceptive options), and medicine—to name but a few—are endless.

Any thoughts on this? I’d love to hear them.

Until next time,

Kaye

Fall in love…faster, harder, deeper with Kaye Spencer romances
www.kayespencer.com
Twitter - @kayespencer

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

What makes a great book

I am a writer and I also love to read. But lately I’ve been disappointed in the books that are out there, especially the ones on the NYT Bestseller list. I won’t mention author names because I don’t want to have a bunch of angry people sending me hate emails. Honestly, a lot of these books are crap.

A great book should have some substance to it, a plot that I can’t see coming and an ending that doesn’t make me roll my eyes in irritation. I know romance novels need to have happy endings, but I would prefer a happy for now ending to the ridiculous ‘they got married, had babies and lived happily ever after.’ Not believable to me, not even in a romance novel. I want to read a well-written book that isn’t filled with adverbs, passive sentences, head-hopping and repeated descriptions of ‘his stormy blue eyes.’ I want to read about characters that are believable, not perfect. I like to see flaws in the hero and heroine.

I’ve read some really good books lately. And guess what? These books were from knew-to-me authors and authors I know in the small publisher world—not from a best-selling NYT author.

Here is a list of the books I’ve enjoyed recently. All of these books are available on amazon.com.

The Kings Daughter by Miriam Newman (fantasy)

Heart of the Earth by Miriam Newman (fantasy)

Barrenlands, A Changespell Saga Prequel by Doranna Durgin (fantasy)

Dark Desires by Eve Silver (historical thriller/romance) She is a National Best-selling author, but I never heard of her before

Blood Debt by Nancy Straight (paranormal)

Helen’s Daughter by Laura Gill (historical/Bronze Age Greece)

Night of Magic by Stephanie Burkhart (fantasy)

My Familiar Stranger, Order of the Black Swan, Book1 by Victoria Danann (paranormal)

Twilight’s Eternal Embrace by Karen Michelle Nutt (fantasy/ancient vampires)

The Snow Bride by Lindsay Townsend (medieval romance)

Granite Rose by Linda McMaken (historical/Rome)

The Goblin King by Shone Husk (paranormal romance)

There are a lot of hidden gems out there. I’ve learned to pick books based on my gut feeling, not based on number of books sold. I’m not trying to belittle authors on the NYT best-selling list because some of these authors write great books, but number of books sold does not mean it’s a great book. At least in my opinion.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Daughter_of_Night

Two mortals are caught in the midst of the battle between the Titans and Olympian gods.

http://kelleyheckart.com/daughter_of_night.html

Sunday, June 30, 2013

What books 'caught' you as a kid?

I grew up surrounded by people who read anything they could get their hands on. I liked to be read too, but the independent reading bug didn't bite me until 4th grade, and then it was, "Put that book down and come to supper!" after that.

It all began with my teacher reading aloud at the end of the school day. She opened up a world of adventure for me with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House on the Prairie series. I got my hands on the Trixie Belden books soon after. There was a book called Broomtail that I read over and over. Louis L'Amour came into my reading life when I was in junior high. Then I encountered an English teacher in 9th grade who introduced me to Shakespeare, Steinbeck, Bronte sisters, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas. I soon discovered the fantasy world of King Arthur through Mary Stewart's  Merlin series, and I dabbled in the era of Jacqueline Susann (Once is Not Enough may have been my first "dirty" book) and, of course, Harold Robbins.

For the fellow Trekkies reading this, remember in Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home, when Kirk and Spock are discussing Spock's attempt at swearing?

Kirk: That's simply the way they talk here. Nobody pays any attention to you unless you swear every other word. You'll find it in all the literature of the period.
Spock: For example?
Kirk: [thinking] Oh, the complete works of Jacqueline Susann, the novels of Harold Robbins....
Spock: Ah... The giants.


Makes me laugh every time.

So, what book(s) turned the reading light on for you (pun intended) when you were in school? And do you ever go back down memory lane and re-read them?

Until next time,

Kaye

Fall in love...faster, harder, deeper with Kaye Spencer romances
www.kayespencer.com

Saturday, September 3, 2011

My name is Berengaria and I'm addicted to reading


When I was very small, before I started kindergarten, my mom was quite ill. My dad had to work and there was no one to watch me, so I had to stay in the hospital room with my mom, and be quiet so she could rest, all day while Dad was at work.
The first day he arrived from work with a box of blocks for me to build with. They were awesome blocks, with bridges, and arches as well as straight ones for walls. But not sufficiently awesome to entertain me all day while he was at work. So the second night he started to teach me to read. Within a few days I was reading and thereafter he dropped me off at the hospital each day with an armload of library books as well as the blocks. When mom came home again he would still visit the library every few days returning with a pile of books for me to read.
Time passed. Mom got better. I began school. I read, and read, and read. By the time I was around ten I’d read every book in the children’s section of the library. Dad just smiled and gave me his adult borrowing card. I started methodically at “A” and read my way around that library. When people gasped at what I was reading, he refused to let anyone put boundaries on my reading. He let me read and borrow anything I wanted to.
Consequently I read anything, and all heat levels from the sweetest most innocent of romance to the very kinky. And all other genres as well.
And that’s the way I write. I have published one sweet romance (just a kiss), and erotic MF, MM, FF, MMM, MFM, MMF, FFM, MFMM and more.
Here’s a taste of “Turning Up the Heat”.

Blurb “Turning Up the Heat”.
Tilly lost her job thanks to the Global Financial Crisis. Running out of money, she agrees to move in with Noah and Sylvester as a kind of housekeeper, for free board and lodging. Also free sex. It’s a mighty hot summer, but what happens in their air-conditioned bedroom is way hotter than the temperatures outside. Together the three explore the boundaries of ménage sex.
But Tilly still has no job, no money, and worries what will happen to her once the men get tired of playing house.

Excerpt: WARNING PG13

Tilly swallowed hard and nodded. Suddenly all the breath had disappeared from her lungs, but she wanted this. Wanted them. Wanted sex with Sylvester. Would Noah watch? Or would he fuck Sylvester while she watched. Or— ah hell she could drive herself insane trying to guess what’d happen next.
Just get naked and get in the shower!
At least naked solved the problem of her not having any really nice, pretty underwear. After thirteen months of short term, low pay work, sexy lingerie had not been on her shopping list. Naked would work. Saving money had meant walking instead of driving, and that had kept her figure more-or-less toned. Her car had been one of the first things she’d sold to pay her bills.
Less thinking, more action, she encouraged herself, dropping her clothes on her bedroom floor and grabbing a clean towel from the pile of fresh laundry on the foot of her bed.
When she stepped into the bathroom she nearly swallowed her tongue. They were both already there, both naked, and both undeniably delicious.
Noah, so very tall, fair skinned, blue eyed, his blond hair just a shade darker than the curls surrounding the longest cock she’d ever seen. His body had the lean look of a runner, with clearly defined muscles but not bulging ones. His bones were visible under the skin, but not protruding. He saw her looking at him and very deliberately he tugged on his cock. It was hard to believe, but it seemed to grow even longer as he stroked it. No tattoos or piercings, but the thick gold chain he always wore around his neck was still in place, whereas he’d taken his heavy watch off. Interesting.
Dragging air into her lungs, Tilly turned her gaze on Sylvester. His hand was also on his cock and— Oh. My. Fucking. God! He’s got a Prince Albert! Holy shit!
Tilly’s legs carried her through the bathroom and into the shower with no direction from her brain. Her mind was totally fried from one look at the thick shaft with the barbell through the head.
She dropped to her knees, lifted his hand off his cock, and gently flicked her tongue over the head and the piercing. It tasted faintly metallic, but mostly salty-sweet. Urgently, she sucked him into her mouth, one hand automatically going up to cup his balls and roll them lightly in her palm. She hardly noticed both men groaning as she sucked Sylvester again, drawing him deep inside her mouth, then rolling her tongue over the piercing, licking every inch of him.
She came out of her lust-filled fog as Noah pulled her to her feet. “This is foreplay, Tilly. The sex we’ll do in our bed in the air-conditioning.”
“A bed sounds good. Air-conditioning sounds even better. But it’s not fair to tease me with toys I can’t play with.” She managed to drag her gaze up from his groin to his face, and the glint in his eyes showed he was as ready for the next step as she was. She couldn’t help grinning in response.
“Oh, there’ll be time to play. Plenty of time to play, a little later,” Sylvester said, running a large hand over her breasts.
The two men pushed her between them, then Noah poured a dollop of shampoo on his hands and began to massage her head.
Although Tilly knew Noah, she also knew he was unreservedly gay, and she hadn’t expected him to touch her. However, it seemed Noah was prepared to play with her hair if nothing more. Still, it would be wise to be careful until she got to know them better. “So who do I get to wash?” she asked.
“No one this time. We’ll wash you,” said Sylvester, rubbing shower gel over her breasts, paying a lot of attention to her nipples.
Cream began dripping from her pussy. Or maybe it had been doing that ever since she’d come into the bathroom. Either way, she was very aware of it now, as her belly clenched with need and desire cranked up inside her.
Noah moved around her, rinsing her hair, then washing her shoulders and back. Meanwhile Sylvester continued down her front, teasing her belly, then massaging her mound. He opened her legs wider and began playing with her pussy lips.
Oh God. She wanted him. Them. Whatever. She didn’t care how this party went down, just as long as someone filled her empty pussy soon.
Two can play at this game! Tilly let her hand slide across Sylvester’s hard chest, over his washboard abs, across the sexy dip at his hip, and down to that yummy pierced cock. She wanted to feel that jewelry inside her so badly. Carefully she circled his shaft and tugged gently upward. His cock pulsed in her hand. She ran a fingertip over the head and knew the moisture there was too thick and sticky to be shower water. He was every bit as ready for action as she was.
Sylvester’s gasp was clearly audible over the sound of the splashing water, telling her that he wanted her more graphically than words ever could.
She ran her hands back up to his chest. One hand played with his flat little nipple, the other tugged on his chest hair. Not enough to hurt, just enough to give a tiny bite to his pleasure.
“Dammit, Tilly. You should come with a warning label,” he groaned.
“I told you I like her style,” Noah laughed.
“Fuck style. And fuck showering and foreplay. It’s time to move to the main event.”

Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/products/Turning-Up-The-Heat-by-Berengaria-Brown.html


Berengaria Brown


http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/


http://berengariabrown.webs.com/


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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Reading, Comfort Zones, and Technology

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a discussion on a writer's group about whether or not the medium by which we read affects the reading experience itself. The comments revolved around the on-going, and dare I say, boring, debate of electronic print books not being "real" books vs. paper print books being the "only books"; the nostalgic aroma of paper print books vs. aroma-free e-books; the warm, fuzzy feeling of holding a "real" book in your hands vs. the hard, cold, impersonal feel of an electronic reader... It was the same old, same old. So I asked myself why I read, and I came up with two reasons: 1) to be entertained and 2) to research/learn about a topic. So for me, the medium by which I am entertained or gain knowledge does not change my reading experience whether I'm reading via electronic print or paper print.
Why does the debate over paper-print vs. electronic-print have to be an either/or ultimatum? I have a plethora of paper-print books and electronic-print books. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. I don't prefer one over the other because each medium meets my reading needs in its own way. The medium by which the printed word is conveyed is simply in is current stage of evolution, which is really the crux of the debate: the evolution of technology. Evolution means change. Change means letting go of familiarity. Letting go of familiarity means leaving your comfort zone. People are "creatures of habit", as the saying goes, and we find it difficult to let go of the things we're comfortable with in order to embrace the latest technology. Every generation since time began has faced this.
I'm a prime example of someone who doesn't deal willingly with technological changes. My introduction to the age of computers was on an Apple IIe then I upgraded to an Apple IIGs, albeit grudgingly. I skipped the Mac stage and went straight to PC. That's when I fell madly in love with Word Perfect. Then the unthinkable happened. Microsoft Office took over the word processing world. I fought the Word, but the Word won. So, under duress, I accepted Microsoft Word 2003.
Then the evil Word 2007 stepped onto the street.
I strapped on my guns, donned my poncho and flat-topped cowboy hat, clamped my teeth down on a stubby cigar, and assumed the squinty-eyed Man with No Name stance. I faced Word 2007 at high noon with both guns blazing, and I ran that bad boy out of town. But to my great chagrin, his younger (and faster-on-the-draw) brother, Word 2010, rode into town, and... Bang, bang, he shot me down. I lost that gunfight, but I'm making a slow recovery as I learn how to work with Word 2010.
So, what's my point? Every generation fears, and initially rejects, what it isn't comfortable with technologically. E-books and e-readers are simply the latest evolutionary development in the area of information- and entertainment-providing media. I will admit that while I have embraced electronic print books wholeheartedly, it hurts me to acknowledge the inevitability that someday paper-print books will go the way of the dinosaur. Selfishly, I hope I don't see that in my lifetime.
Until next time...Fall in love...faster, harder, deeper with Kaye Spencer romances


Saturday, August 20, 2011

A Male Romance Writer, Without Apologies

First, I'd like to thank our lovely and gracious hostess for having me here today. I'm scheduled on the 20th of each month here, so I'm really excited about this opportunity! (And praying that my first isn't also my last!)

I offer something for every taste!
When I first started writing sixteen years ago, I didn't think for one minute that I would ever get within fifty MILES of writing romance, erotic or otherwise. My speed was more urban fantasy/horror/suspense. If there happened to be an erotic or romantic overtone, wonderful, but that was never the ultimate aim.  I wrote "guy stuff:" Sex, violence, sex, rock and roll, sex, and did I happen to mention sex?

What changed my mind was, as with so many other writing tales, more or less an accident.

One little contest later, I got to thinking about trying my hand at romance in earnest. If I hadn't won that particular contest, who knows what I'd be doing now? I tabled the idea for a few months, because I was in a big push to finish my first novel, Shadowphoenix: Requiem. Once that was done, I waited for the next contest to start and riffed off my second entry.

That one split first with a story about a mermaid, and I started to get serious about the idea of writing romance on a regular basis. After all, winning two contests with erotic romance seemed to imply that I had a certain flair for the genre. But where to start?
Yeah. It looks EXACTLY like that...


I'm a voracious, insatiable devourer of books. If a book is lying in my field of vision for more than, say, three seconds, and I haven't already read it, I start to get symptoms reminiscent of nicotine withdrawal. (A subject I can speak on with a certain amount of authority, having now been a smoker longer than not. It's depressing  when you suddenly realize you're older than you thought you were!) I start to twitch, I get short of breath, and sooner or later, the only thing that's going to make the shakes and the darting eyes go away is getting my fix. Books or smokes, to me it's same/same: my body's addicted to nicotine, but my mind's addicted to books.

So I'd read a romance book or two (thousand!) in my time. The biggest problem I had with the genre was the fact that so many of them seemed to be the exact same story, rewritten with different names and set in different places and times, but same old same old same old. *Yawn*

How to say "Please Stomp My Grass" In Five Languages!
When I decided to turn my hand to erotic romance, I also decided to kick convention to the curb. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a "Keep Off The Grass" sign, because I read that as "Please Trample My Lawn." So all the "shalt-nots" of romance went into a big, scary wood chipper. The only convention that I kept was the obligatory Happily Ever After, because I like a happy ending as much as the next guy. Everything else became up for grabs. Why? Because I wanted to write romance stories that guys could read and appreciate just as much as women. Lots of violence, sex, thought-provoking plots, all of it overlain with an emotional context that men and women could both appreciate.
I'm a male romance writer, and I make no apologies for it. Because, hey, it seems to be working!

I promised that this wouldn't be a promo blog, so I'm not going to leave an excerpt or any of that today. If, however, you'd like to know more about me or my work, I'm also blogging at http://www.nobleauthors.blogspot.com today, as well as my own blog at www.jswayne.wordpress.com. I always appreciate fan mail, rants, or raves, and you can get a hold of me at jswayne702@yahoo.com.

Thanks for letting me come hang out with y'all today. It's been a lot of fun!

Until next time,

Best,

J.S. Wayne