Author Interview: Nick J Markus

What are the major themes of your work. What genre do you write in?

Well, I tend to write in the paranormal genre; although, I'm thinking of going to historical paranormal in some future works. I love the fact that this genre gives me the freedom to tell stories based in reality yet with fantasy elements. I have a strong basis for my world-building and yet I can also do mad things at the same time and really follow my imagination. I wouldn't say I follow particular themes with my work, but I notice I do usually have a 'bad' character in need of redemption somewhere in my stories, even if only in a supporting role. So I guess that's a recurring theme for me. Plus I love a good supernatural romance! ;)

What genre of books do you like to read? Do you limit yourself to only the genre that you write yourself?


I actually have pretty eclectic tastes when it comes to reading and I can move from paranormal to classics, to non-fiction, to literary fiction and back again. I love to read most genres, except I'm not keen in True Crime or Chick Lit, and I try to keep a good mix on my shelf. I think reading a wide variety of books helps me as a writer since, as well as learning from many great writers, it keeps my own ideas fresh if I'm not reading solely in my own genre.

In your opinion, what are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?


Having an understanding family for sure. My husband is pretty good when I disappear with 'work to do'. I work full-time as well and I think finding that work-life balance is vital. I'd love to have more time to write, but I try to be realistic and set myself goals that are achievable. A steady supply of chocolate is also a huge help!

Competition Winner

Competition winner for the Manga and Romance Blog Hop is Trix...

Please email me rj@rjscott.co.uk Trix and we can talk prizes!

RJ XXX

Trix - my published work is all here...

MM Good Book Reviews

Love Is In the Title - 4.5/5

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves jock/nerd love stories or just want to read a happy-go-lucky work of art. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Read the rest of the review »

MM Good Book Reviews

Full Circle 4/5

I highly recommend this if you like intrigue, a touch of action, adrenalin rushes, some really hot sex, guns, computers and a happy ending. (Make sure you keep an eye out for Jake’s and Sean’s story around November time.)

Read the rest of the review »

Moments Reviews and Excerpts

A path chosen, a journey taken, a decision made. Jacob Riley, an actor with possession charges hanging over his head and an attitude that the world owes him a living, is facing such a moment.

Coming March from TEB

A path chosen, a journey taken, a decision made. Jacob Riley, an actor with possession charges hanging over his head and an attitude that the world owes him a living, is facing such a moment.

It is only with the help of others can he ever hope to find his way. Could Mac’s and its enigmatic boss, Ethan Myers, be the ones to give Jacob his defining moment?

Jacob Riley, star of the time traveling TV series End Game, is a typical Hollywood former child star with issues. He has already had prison time and at the age of 26 has been arrested again. He manages to scrape through and avoid more jail time by being placed onto an expedited drugs program. Jacob works his time as a general handyman at an education centre in the run down area of L.A.. A part of the city that is in the middle of regeneration. It is a short sharp shock for the boy-man who had an easy life.

Ethan Myers is the owner and manager of `Mac’s', providing teaching and learning to local low income families. He lost his long term partner to cancer three years ago. His moment in time was to decide not to die with his life partner and instead bury every penny he had and every part of his education into `Mac’s’. He agrees to take on Jacob as `Mac’s’ desperately needs the money, but it isn’t a decision he would have made under normal conditions.

Jacob hates his jailor Ethan; Ethan loses his cool whenever Jacob aims for an easy ride. He has no respect for the lack of substance in his `guest’.

Sparks fly when attraction becomes something they can’t fight and their relationship grows against a background of disenfranchised street gang members, arson, the Oscars, and despite their own prejudices.

Saturday Essay - free story from Caitlin Ricci

Welcome to the Masquerade by Caitlin Ricci

A short story featuring Travis and Liam from my new book, Almost Paradise. This story takes place several months after the events in my book.

Taking a look around the club, Travis questioned his choice about coming to the Masquerade. He’d never been much for clubbing, especially since Hannah had been born. But as he followed Liam through the dark rooms, the heavy thrum of the music pulsing through his chest and the smell of sweaty bodies filling his nostrils, he really started to wonder about his sanity. If the club was too much for his very human senses, he thought that it must be miserable for Liam’s Shifter ones. But he seemed unaffected as he laced his long fingers through Travis’s and tugged him gently up a flight of stairs along the back wall. Liam’s icy blue eyes, always eerily bright, nearly glowed in the darkness and Travis found himself mesmerized by them as he allowed Liam to lead him through the unfamiliar hallways. They were met with more bodies, writhing against walls and moaning loudly in dark corners. Only this time one of the men happened to meet Travis’s passing gaze and he went still as he stared. Those same impossibly bright eyes looked back at him.

Full Circle Reviews and Excerpts

Manny Sullivan is the backbone of Sanctuary and involved in every mission. After rescuing Josh Headley, his skill helps Sanctuary to solve the Bullen case. When Manny risks his life could it be time for Josh to risk his heart?

Buy at Silver

Manny Sullivan is the backbone of Sanctuary. He has his fingers in every pie and when he spots Josh Headley where he shouldn't be, it is Manny who goes in and rescues him.

Josh is in Sanctuary witness protection after his dad turns on the Bullens. Not only is his dad a murderer but his ex is a liar who was using him for information. With his skill in information retrieval, he hopes to make a contribution to the solution.

What started with the death of Elisabeth Costain is drawing to a close and Josh and Manny are in the middle of it all.

When Manny risks his life could it finally be time for Josh to risk his heart?

Boys Love, my introduction to YAOI

Welcome to my entry in the Manga and Romance Blog Hop!

From today to Sunday, hop around the links at the end of this post to discover yaoi, webcomics, and written word centered on m/m relationships of all sizes.

Many bloggers have giveaways available for a lucky commenter. If you’re interested in the grand prize, please read the rules just below the links or hop over to the grand prize post.

Win your choice from my backlist by commenting on this post!

* * * * *

From Wiki: Yaoi also known as Boys' Love, is a Japanese popular term for female-oriented fictional media that focus on homoerotic or homoromantic male relationships, usually created by female authors ... The main characters in yaoi usually conform to the formula of the seme (lit. "attacker"?) who pursues the uke (lit. "receiver"?).

Still Waters Reviews and Excerpts

Adam's assignment is to work with the ex who destroyed their relationship. Lee wants to know why Adam betrayed the Bureau. Can they learn to believe not everything they thought true was actually real?

Buy at www.lovelanebooks.co.uk

Adam's newest assignment for Sanctuary means working with the man who didn't trust him two years ago and destroyed their relationship. He still hates Lee but Jake Callahan, boss of Sanctuary, doesn't give him a choice, insisting they need to get along for the good of the cross-agency case.

Lee wants desperately to understand why Adam betrayed the Bureau. He is still angry and disappointed, but the memory won't leave him alone. The Bullen case is the perfect cover to get back in his ex-lover's life, and he is determined to find out the truth.

Against the backdrop of Sanctuary and the Bullen case can they learn to understand and believe that not everything they thought was true was real?

Face Value Reviews and Excerpts

Beckett Jamieson is temporarily blinded by his uncle's and father's harsh beating. Rushed to safety by a secretive organization, the one person he trusted leaves him in care of Kayden Summers. Can he trust the doctor to keep him safe?

Buy at www.lovelanebooks.co.uk

Beckett Jamieson discovers he's adopted when a lawyer hands him a letter from his mother on his twenty-first birthday. His real name is Robert Bullen, but the Bullen family is involved in criminal activity of the worst kind. He decides to bring them down but ends up badly beaten and temporarily blinded. A Sanctuary agent takes him to a safe house to heal.

Doctor Kayden Summers, Sanctuary operative, isn't happy about being stuck in the middle of nowhere with an unconscious man. When Beckett wakes, the situation goes from bad to worse. Beckett doesn't trust him, is as determined as ever to find the evidence his mother hid, and on top of all that, Kayden finds himself attracted to the determined young man.

Can they overcome their issues and eliminate the threat from the Bullen brothers?

The Only Easy Day Reviews and Excerpts

One dead girl, one scared witness, and two men trained as Navy SEALs. Whether searching for justice or revenge, the final showdown between them is the same--explosive.

Buy at www.lovelanebooks.co.uk

Dale MacIntyre, former Navy SEAL, works for Sanctuary. He's the acting handler for a member of the Bullen family's inner circle. He's close to obtaining the evidence he needs to prove Elisabeth Costain's death was ordered by them... until someone gets in his way.

Joseph Kinnon, active Navy SEAL, is back on US soil for the first time in months, and he's told the tragic news that his stepsister is dead, gunned down in an alley by an unknown assailant. He's determined to find out who murdered her... until someone gets in his way.

They both want the same thing but have different methods of accomplishing their goals. They both want the Bullen family brought to account, but one wants justice and the other wants revenge.

What happens between them, however, has nothing to do with either.

*****

Reviews for The Only Easy Day

MM Good Book Reviews So I will recommend this to those who love danger, explosive car chases, hot sex, total alpha men, bloody rescues and a happy (for these men) ending.

Night Owl Reviews I enjoyed reading The Only Easy Day because of the characters, the pacing, and the story. 

Queer Magazine Online Reviews  This book has thriller, mystery, and a high-tension character study all balled into one, and kept me on the edge of my seat. The links to Guarding Morgan, the first book in the series, were fascinating, and the overarching mystery as to why Elisabeth was killed moved a little closer to being solved. Not too close, though, there is plenty left for the next few books. 

Joyfully Jay The Only Easy Day is a continuation of the Sanctuary series that started with Guarding Morgan. I have recently read that one, but you don't need to in order to love this book. It is Joseph Kinnon and Dale MacIntyre that have me hooked. And it is my hopes for their future that will keep me coming back for more. I loved this and hope you will too.

*****

Excerpt

"Morgan Drake?" he said firmly. The guy didn't move, and Joseph took another step and poked with the muzzle of his gun at the sheets. Nothing there except a tangle of cloth, and he straightened just as he felt the press of a muzzle against his neck. Fuck. Rookie mistake. So focused on the lack of the witness he had misjudged the scene. He knew better than to approach a situation halfassed and exhausted.

"You can drop the gun now, sailor," a strong firm voice said simply.

Joseph weighed up his options. The press of the gun was firm, controlled, and the owner of the gun wasn't shooting outright. Clearly he didn't want Joseph dead; otherwise, that would have happened already. He processed the action needed to bring the guy down.

"Why should I do that?" Joseph wasn't letting this lie. The more they talked the more intel he gathered. "I could have just shot the guy I thought was in the bed," he said softly.

"He's not the person you need to be pointing a gun at." Still the same smooth tone from the owner of the gun aimed at his throat.

"If it had been Morgan Drake, then I would have kept him alive to ask him questions," Joseph said softly.

"Hand me the gun, Joseph." Ah. So it was like that. Whoever had him at gun's length knew who he was. Interesting development. In a split second decision, Joseph flicked the safety and placed the gun in the small of his back. He didn't need firearms to deal with whomever the fuck this was anyway. He was happy to holster the Sig, but hell if he was relinquishing the gun. Slowly, hands raised, he turned to face his assailant, who took a step backwards but still had a gun unwaveringly aimed directly at Joseph. The man's face was in darkness, but Joseph could make out the form as being bigger than him, also taller and wider. What they said was true though; the bigger they are the harder they fall. He knew that better than most. He could have this guy on his knees and begging to live in the time it took for a breath. It was just a matter of waiting for the right time.

The man interrupted his thoughts calmly. "He isn't here. Protocol had him moved as soon as you breached the perimeter. He left with his handler ten minutes ago, and you got me instead." Joseph hadn't observed the exit, but that didn't prove anything. The guy with the gun took a step forward, and the streetlight filtering in through the windows half lit his face. They stood in silence, and Joseph catalogued as much as he could in the gloom. Way tall, way wide and firm in stance, the enemy stood silent and was judging Joseph in equal measures.

"Why does he need a handler?" Joseph chose to ask this out of all the questions in his head. The answer to that would at least give Joseph a direction to move.

"That's classified."

"Bullshit," Joseph snapped back quickly. "He wasn't called to give evidence; Headley admitted to the murder. Clearly some shit is going on. Is there a hit out on him? Tell me what Drake knows."

*****

Next book in this series: Face Value

Summer Solstice - Stonehenge

There is something eerie about Stonehenge. I have seen it many times from the road and visited it three times. Each time, as child, teenager and then Adult I am desperate to get inside the circle and touch the stones.

"Stonehenge is perhaps one the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Begun as a simple earthwork enclosure, it was built in several stages, with the unique lintelled stone circle being erected in the Neolithic period in around 2,500 BC.

Stonehenge remained important into the early Bronze Age (2,200–1,500 BC), when many burial mounds were built nearby. Today, Stonehenge, together with Avebury and other associated sites, form the heart of a World Heritage Site with a unique and dense concentration of outstanding prehistoric monuments."

One of the most atmospheric pictures of Stonehenge I have seen

One of my favourite legends surrounding Stonehenge is of a connection with Merlin and Arthur...

Geoffrey of Monmouth’s 'Historia Regium Britanniae' ('The History of the Kings of Britain'), was written in about 1136. It is the main source for the most famous legend relating to Stonehenge.

This relates the defeat of the Saxon king Hengist by the rightful British king, Aurelius Ambrosius.

 As a celebration and everlasting memorial to his victory, Merlin brought a stone circle, the Giants’ Round, from Ireland to Salisbury Plain. 


Upon his death Aurelius was buried within the Giants’ Round, as was his successor, Utherpendragon, whose son was the great King Arthur of Britain.

Throughout the following centuries Geoffrey’s history of Stonehenge, though criticised, remained popular and tales of Merlin and Arthurian legend continues to be linked to the monument.

* * * *

Stonehenge is just one of many historical sites in the South West of England... which include Avebury.

It is open for the Summer Solstice on the 21 June each year.

Guarding Morgan Reviews and Excerpts

Morgan Drake is the only witness to a murder in an alleyway. Nik Valentinov works for Sanctuary, a foundation offering witness protection to anyone whose safety is compromised. Morgan discovers a bodyguard's arms can offer more than protection.

Buy at www.lovelanebooks.co.uk

Morgan Drake witnesses a murder in an alleyway. He is the only person who can give evidence in prosecuting the cop responsible for the crime. When the FBI safe house where he's being held is compromised, he follows the instructions of the agent in charge and runs.

Nik Valentinov works for Sanctuary, a foundation that offers witness protection when FBI security is questionable.

When Morgan's handler sends him to Nik for safety, neither Morgan nor Nik could imagine that two weeks alone in a cabin in the woods would have their hearts racing with something much more than merely trying to keep Morgan alive. Love.

Dark Diva's Reviews Still Waters 5/5 and a recommended read

Evelise’s Review:

Still Waters is the fourth installment in RJ Scott’s Sanctuary Series. The book grabs the reader from the very first page and hold on because the action is about to begin...

...The emotional roller coaster that surrounds Adam and Lee spring from the pages and would not allow me to put the book down. Ms. Scott had me sitting on the edge of my seat cheering for the men in their professional roles but more importantly wanting their personal lives to be reignited in passion, lust and love. This reviewer was not disappointed and I anxiously look forward to reading Manny’s story in the next book...

Rated 5 Delightful Divas and a Recommended Read by Evelise!

Link to the full article»

Hearts Of England Anthology

The Hearts of England Anthology has today been subbed to Silver... watch this space...


Featuring five of your favourite authors, and me, the anthology showcases the beauty and passion on our wonderful island.

* * * * *

The Cameraman's Tale - Chris Quinton (9412)

Mark is a researcher for a paranormal reality TV show. A cameraman on the show encountered a ghost and needs his help. Mark must break the cycle of injury and death before filming begins, or others will be at risk.

Featuring Mark and Jack from the story: The Psychic's Tale.

By Design - Lisa Worrall (10000)

Robbie Cooper gets more than he bargains for when Shane Donald walks into his shop, photograph in hand, asking Robbie to tattoo the likeness on his skin. There’s something about the photograph and the way Shane talks about the man in the picture that ignites a spark deep inside Robbie, and he longs to know more.  But will he like what he hears, and will he be able to control his instant attraction to his client?

Child of storm - RJ Scott (11057)

Ben Hyland is excited to be showing Cory Vasilyev Yorkshire. Cory scouts locations for film studios and needs the right inspiration for a new film version of Wuthering Heights. Problem is Ben wants to share his passion for the story and for the wild moors but Cory just wants to go home. Until he doesn't.

A Good Feeling - S.A. Meade (13974)

Jamie never expected to meet the love of his life in a tea shop. He never expected his lover, Connor, to be an Army Officer about to return to Afghanistan for one last deployment. After twelve short weeks together, Jamie has to face uncertainty and worry. Worry that Connor may not make it back alive, uncertainty that Connor will want him to be at the base, waiting, when he returns. Will the good feelings he always had about their future together survive their separation?

This Morning - Sue Brown (10112)

When Neil takes his son to school he doesn't expect Alex to tell him that he doesn't want to go to South Africa on a year-long trip with him and his husband. Neil has to make a choice between his son and his husband. He only hopes that Baz understands his son must come first, otherwise he faces the prospect of his love walking out of his life forever.

William's Heart - Meredith Russell (14281)

Jude is confident, happy, and views his world through the lens of a camera. Brody is a writer. Haunted, and searching for inspiration in Stratford-upon-Avon. In Jude, Brody finds something his heart has longed for—acceptance for who he is.

Author blog - Sue Brown

What reaction did you have to the end of the last book that you read? Did it make you go “Ahhh.”? Did it make you go “What the ***?”, or did you just think “Thank God that’s over.”?

I finished a book yesterday. It was one of those books where I hated it so much, I kept reading it to the end to see if I liked it any more. I didn’t. Honestly, it was dreadful. It was a definite WTH book, with a definite taste of Thank God that’s over.

What I read generally depends on my mood. For instance at the moment I’m feeling tired and snuggly, and looking for something sweet to read. I’ll probably retire to bed with Stolen Summer by SA Meade. Yesterday I was feeling peppy. The book that I hated suited it perfectly. I’m not giving the name of that book.

I have been told my books are exhausting. One of my Facebook friends said that every time she read one of mine she needed an immediate dose of fluff afterwards. I’m hoping that The Isle of… Where? breaks that mould.

Saturday Essays: Confessions of a Packrat

Over the past month, I wrote about writing, wrote about why I write gay male romance, wrote about being a lesbian, wrote about books; too much serious scribbling jams my brain. Now I need to write about something silly. I want to write about my collection.

Or should I say collections? I have a confession to make. Time to out myself as something scarier than a gay romance-writing lesbian. Drum roll please—I am a Threat Level 10 Packrat. Worse yet, my partner is also a prime menace to domestic order. Yep, I’m also outing her. Now the world knows our true nature. We are loud and proud packrats. We collect. We amass. Our collections cover shelves, tables and walls.

My collecting started during my formative years. I collected rocks. Don’t laugh. The great thing about collecting rocks is the price. When you’re a kid, the collection budget is nada. If I remember correctly, back in the late 60’s I received an allowance of a quarter a week. The money went to comic books. Rocks sat around in the dirt waiting for me to pick them up, wash them off and add to my collection. During my formative packrat years, my parents indulged in modest vacations. We stayed at state park cabins sans indoor plumbing. But damn, I loved it because there were rocks in the woods, in stream beds, just about anywhere. Smooth, round fist sized rocks, coy little pebbles and my favorite, quartz. I confess to a quartz addiction. Ooo, shiny!

Texas Heat (Texas 3)

Riley and Jack Campbell-Hayes are in a good place. Jack is expanding the DD and training quarter horses, Riley is so close to his first ethical based contract that he can almost taste it and Hayley is nearly ten and happy as all out.

Jack hires Robbie, a man recovering from a great loss, to be his right hand man. Meanwhile Riley's flamboyant mischievous photographer friend, Eli, decides the DD is the perfect backdrop for a cowboy themed model shoot. Eli has secrets not even Riley knows about but despite what he is hiding he falls in lust with Robbie at first sight. Everyone except Robbie can see how perfect Eli would be for him. 

What happens when secrets spill and lies are discovered? And just how far will Riley and Jack go to play matchmaker?

Against the backdrop of twenty half naked models on DD land, and in the midst of fighting the oil establishment that just won't give Riley a chance, Texas Heat is the story of one hot summer in Texas with a Gay Rodeo, a bar fight at the Rusty Nail, humor, angst and a love between two men that just grows stronger every day.


Goodreads

Redwoods - 4/5

A real story of a powerful love. The love for the man in your heart, for family and for a child. Lovely. 4/5. 

IMDB link

When I finished watching Role/Play I had a real smile on my face, Redwoods on the other hand left me feeling so introspective and sad.

It's supposed to. It's a sad ending and that is the warning I will give you. So anyone with a HEA fetish (AKA ME!) had best maybe not watch this. There is one very passionate and incredibly hot sex scene and lots of what i love - tender kissing and touching...

I loved Matthew Montgomery in this... and Brendan Bradley was awesome as well... a very sweet, wholly satisfying love story that I would recommend watching with a box of tissues. I can't say any more for fear of giving it all away...

James Ryder - New author

Welcome to James Ryder who has his first book out with Silver Publishing available 9 June.

Buy Link


Ben Garrett might have got it wrong about his former High School bully, Corey Donovan, who now regrets the past and wants to be friends. But when sexual attraction shatters their tentative truce, Ben wonders if the wrong impression might have been the right one after all.

Getting roped into writing essays for his former High School bully is the last thing Ben Garrett anticipated doing at college. Corey Donovan is an arrogant, privileged jock. And to make matters worse, he's hot as hell!

To Ben's surprise however Corey wants to be friends...and possibly more? Corey's killer smile and charismatic seduction is impossible to resist. Did Ben get it wrong about Corey? After all, people change, don't they?

A new print title, and news of signed print books

Texas Winter is now available from Silver Publishing in a print edition!

Link to Silver

I have my author copies here and they are soooo pretty... Reese Dante at Silver has done a BEAUTIFUL layout for both this and Gallows. Is soooo happy...

I have two copies available for sale of Texas Winter as personally signed items if anyone is interested?

It is always difficult to price these things but taking into account the cost of the book and the postage I have kept them as low as I can...

There is also two copies of Gallows Tree available...

You can find them here: here.

Click on Store at the top and then select signed print books.

Review - Felixitations, by Roger Kean

This was a stunning and haunting collection of stories that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys beautiful, lyrical, challenging writing. Felix appears in various dates in history and shows men what it is to be with a soul mate and to accept who they are, and who they can be.

The one story I found myself skipping through, oddly enough, was the longest of the stories... because I was in the mindset of shorter stories it just appeared to be too long, so it took me a while to get to enjoy it. However...

My favourite stories include:

The western front
The Nubian's boy
Alabaster in waset
A dog called Sartre - The final story for sure... very cleverly written and it choked me up.

It is, in places, a challenging set of stories to read. This I think makes each one all the more rewarding when you finish.

I must admit I was confused by the blurb which didn't appear to tell you much in the way of story line. I was also overwhelmed by the first story which isn't easy to read. However, once I was inside this palette of colours I couldn't stop reading.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes to be challenged when they read. This is no MM fluff piece - this is grown up writing.

Thank you Mr Kean.

(gorgeous cover btw, suits the book perfectly)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B007QDM0WA/ref=sib_dp_kd#reader-link

Review - Young Adult - Left in the darkness, Stephani Hecht

Blurb:
While mostly physically healed from a gay bashing that almost left him dead, Taylor is still an emotional mess. Not only does he have to deal with the fact that his own brother was one of the attackers, but Taylor has been disowned by his father as well. The only bright spot in Taylor's life is his small group of friends, but even they have their own issues.

Christian is now angry all the time. James is having to deal with his own homophobic father. Devlin is wondering if he'll ever be able to measure up to other's expectations. Worst of all, Andy seems to be walking down a path that will only lead to his destruction. Can the Haven Coffee House Boys overcome all their obstacles? Or will the darkness overcome them?

Quick Review:
I love this series... but if I don't see book 3 soon I may have to come and hunt Stephani Hecht down... ROFL...

This entry into the Haven House series picks up after the awful gay bashing at the end of book 1. We see each individual storyline progress a little further. James, I want to hug James, and smack him... and as for Andy... OMG... Andy!

*waits patiently for book 3

http://www.extasybooks.com/left-in-the-darkness-2/

Author Interview: Amylea Lyn

When you are writing what is your favorite part of the book to write?
When writing, my favorite part of the book to write has to be the ending. As cliché as it sounds, there’s nothing more satisfying then typing “the end” at the end of a book and knowing that all the months of hard work and sacrificing family time has been worth it.

Although, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy writing the sex scenes as well. LOL. Sexy and sensual descriptions are a blast to write, and making the reader feel everything my character is feeling at the same time is a lot of fun. *winks*

What is the hardest part to write?

I think the hardest part of the book for me to write is everything in the middle. It’s one of the reasons I never pressure myself to get more than a chapter a day written. I have no problem starting a book, and no problem pulling all the loose strings together at the end to finish it, but filling in the middle… yeah, that’s a toughie.

Diamond Jubilee Blog Post and Competition

All this about the Diamond Jubilee reminds me of the Silver Jubilee in 1977... The last real time that Britain had a monarch that was on the throne for a good length of time was Queen Victoria who celebrated sixty years on the throne in 1897. She died four years later.

Schools all over the country celebrated and there were one hell of a lot more street parties than I am sure there are today.

The lion and the unicorn as they appear on both versions of the
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom.
In the Scottish version (shown right) the
two have switched places and both are crowned.

I was a Unicorn in our school play for the Queen's Jubilee. The school put on this pageant and each class had a letter around which to base a story. Our classes letter was, you guessed it... U... There were twenty five unicorns. I don't remember the story line but I do remember the Unicorns.

From Wikipedia: The Lion and the Unicorn are symbols of the United Kingdom. They are, properly speaking, heraldic supporters appearing in the full Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The lion stands for England and the unicorn for Scotland. The combination therefore dates back to the 1603 accession of James I of England who was already James VI of Scotland. By extention, they have also used in the Coat of Arms of Canada since 1921.

There was a lot of excitement and picnics in the school. I am sure my Dad must have still been in the RAF at that point. I desperately want to find some photos to show you from then when I was ten and everything was simple.

Competition...

Win an ebook from the back list of Chris Quinton, Sue Brown, SA Meade, Lisa Worral & Me! Also win a $30 Silver voucher to spend on anything you want!


My questions for the competition are as follows:

Q9:  What was the cottage called in *The Gallows Tree*? (hint - check out the blurb here)


Q10:  Which Queen celebrated her 60th year on the throne in 1897? (hint - check out the text above!)

For the rest of the questions check out the following blogs:

Sue Brown ::  Chris Quinton ::  SA Meade :: Lisa Worrall

ENTER COMPETITION HERE

Steve Walker Artist

I was chatting with a friend about art that I liked and I mentioned a brilliant artist called Steve Walker. She told me he died earlier this year. I can not believe I didn't know.

What was going to be me pointing you in the direction of his art to show you (if you hadn't already found him) has now turned into more of a thank you.


I can't describe the connection between his art and my writing in easy words.

I guess the easiest way to explain is that in each of my books I have what I like to think is a defining scene.



In Back Home it is Jordan sitting on the steps up to his room talking to Keiran. In Throwaway it is the moment Zachary is found in the snow. In Texas it is the image of Jack falling to his knees next to his sister when he realises what has happened to her.

I look at Steve's art and I can see a crystallisation of the moment that I aspire to and every single one of his paintings could be used to inspire an entire book.

I'm sorry there wont be any more of his wonderful paintings.

http://stevewalkerartist.com/The_Language_of_Silence.html

Silver is two years old in June!

And what a journey I have had with them...These are just some of my highs: 

Having my first book Oracle accepted overnight after it had been rejected by another publisher.

Christmas Throwaway and Heart of Texas - I don't think I need to say any more. Being able to write the Sanctuary series!

The amazing cover art, editing support, and admin!

The friends I have made at Silver - staff and fellow authors!

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