Cate Masters

Release day for A Hard Day's Knight!

2012-02-10T01:04:00.003-05:00

Hooray, my Arthurian-themed fantasy, A Hard Day's Knight, releases today from Decadent Publishing! I'm so excited they accepted it for their 1Night Stand series. I found it a little bit addicting, and wrote a second as soon as I finished this story. That one releases at the end of the month. :)

I'm over at the 1NS blog today, sharing a bit about A Hard Day's Knight. The title, as you can guess, pays homage to my love of The Beatles, and of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table, which fascinated me since I was in my teens and read The Once and Future King.

I'm also part of Amber Leigh Williams' 14 Days of Romance event.

I hope to see you! :)

Calm before the storm

2012-02-08T12:26:00.020-05:00

I've been preparing posts for lots of other blogs and sites, so have neglected my own blog this week. It's not that I haven't been busy, just busy behind the scenes. I'm gearing up for the release of my two 1NS stories this month, and the release of my dark paranormal, Dead to Rights next month. I love release days, but it means promo, promo and more promo. :)

Which, of course, means goodies for everyone else! So come back for the virtual party on Friday, when my fantasy, A Hard Day's Knight, will release from Decadent.

Any marketing tips to share? What's worked for you? What isn't worth your time?

Under pressure

2012-02-07T01:36:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I feel like this as an author. So many other authors are out there, all vying for readers. Oh, I know there's room for plenty of authors to attain simultaneous success, but sometimes I feel like a raindrop in the ocean. All I can do is write the best story possible, and hope readers will love it as much as I do, and spread the word to other readers.

With sites such as Amazon and Smashwords offering downloads of samples of stories to read before they buy, the pressure's greater than ever to hook those readers in the first few pages. I'm very excited about the stories I'm working on now, but also nervous. I've revised the opening pages of my current WIP several times already, and I haven't even finished the first draft.

Here are a few tips I've picked up from writing books:

Start at the right spot. Determine what the inciting incident is, the event that sets everything in motion for your character. Start there. Not ten pages of building up to it. Kick your story off where your hero/ine's world turns upside down.

No backstory. Leave it for later in the book, and even then, keep it brief. Allude to it, make it part of the natural conversation, but never an info dump (my crit partners love that term!)

Give your reader a feel for the tone of the book. Whatever happens in the first pages should set the scene, so to speak, for the entire book. It should act as the jumping-off point, and the readers should get the sense of what the story will be about. It's a promise of what's to come, and you should hold true to that promise.

Make your character someone readers care about. Even a kickass heroine has a soft spot. Show it. Illustrate whatever her particular strength is, and don't be afraid to let readers know she also has flaws and weaknesses.

Or if your character's more complex, one that readers might not like right away, give him a saving grace. Insert a Save the Cat moment in your story. Readers will eat it up. Here's a post from last year about Save the Cat, providing more detail.

Most important, write the story you'd want to read. If it doesn't grab you, how will it grab your readers?

What tips do you have for hooking readers in the first few pages?

New contract with Decadent!

2012-02-05T01:03:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo! Decadent Publishing will release my dark paranormal novella, Death Is A Bitch! I sent back the signed contract on Friday. Happy dance time!

I'm so psyched. I'd initially planned to self-publish it, but decided to go with Decadent. They're a really wonderful bunch, supportive and knowledgeable. And their covers are beautiful, too.

I've posted some snippets from Death Is A Bitch for Six Sentence Sunday, though the story line's changed somewhat since I shared those. Revisions, revisions! But it's an even better story now.

Here's the (unofficial) blurb:

Some say Death’s a bitch. But only when she needs to be. Instead of a villainess, she’d love to be seen as a kickass heroine, with cool tools of her trade hidden in her silver charm bracelet.

Shedding the Grim Reaper rep would improve existence too. Not likely with Damien the daemon lurking, waiting to pounce on any poor soul seeking another chance.

As the patron angel of death and dying, Azrael’s close work with Death makes him yearn for true intimacy. She’s the only immortal who’s ever riled such powerful emotions in him. When he finally gets the chance, one taste of her leaves him needing her like humans need air and food.

After centuries of hoping Death would wake up and see him for the prize he truly is, Damien the daemon tires of waiting. If he can’t get her attention, then Damien will make sure Azrael can’t either. Using Sisyphus as bait, Damien traps Death in her own charm bracelet, the only tool of her trade she uses. Downside, he now has to run. Upside, thanks to his plan, she doubts Azrael, the undeserving putz. Another plus, he leaves a trail of sexually sated females. None of them Death, and Damien won’t be satisfied until he has her – one way or another.

I'm sitting out Six Sentence Sunday this week. Getting closer to finishing the first draft of Dancing With the Devil, book two in the Goddess Connection series. I'm almost at 50k, but I have much work left to do. I'll catch up with some Sixers hopefully later!

Today's Fantasy Blurb Fest at TBR

2012-02-04T01:50:00.006-05:00

Fantasy authors, bring out your blurbs and post them in the comment section at TBR!

Everyone else, read and enjoy!

Hitting the button

2012-02-03T01:47:00.004-05:00

The panic button, that is. Since December, I've been nervous about my computer. My McAfee subscription ran out and I couldn't afford an update. So I added what I considered a patch with the AVG Free software. I know lots of people who've praised it, but after the incident last year with the malicious attack on my computer, I still live in fear that I'll click on the wrong thing and launch some insidious, hideous, nightmare-inducing attack that will leave my computer a zombie with a fried hard drive.

After about a thousand "reminders," McAfee played on my practical side and sent an email offering a renewal at half price. Wanting to breathe a little easier, I took them up on it.

Wow, what a nightmare. Six times, I tried to install the software but couldn't. The AVG Free apparently blocked it.

So I did what any desperate person does - went to the McAfee tech, and ended up in an online chat for about 40 minutes. The tech took control of my computer, went through all the steps I went through... with the same result.

His advice, before closing out our chat session with a hearty goodbye? Contact an AVG tech to find out how to uninstall the free software.

So I went to the AVG site and clicked on Tech Support, got a phone number and ticket number, and dialed. Waited 20 minutes online for someone to pick up.

Meanwhile, my computer went wonky, I couldn't get into Firefox at all, so yes, I panicked.I bought the full AVG software. It downloaded and installed fine. After two tries, I have assurances that McAfee will refund my money.

My husband always jokes that computers will be the downfall of the world. I'm beginning to think he's right - with one adjustment. It's not computers, it's the programmers. The software companies trying to compete with one another, who lock users out of their own computers to manipulate them to do what they want. I'm tired of my computer being attacked by both hackers and antivirus software (and, btw, I'm not convinced they're not one in the same).

So my computer is once again safe. I think. For now.

Any advice on how not to get trapped in this monkey-in-the-middle nonsense?

Calling all fantasy authors!

2012-02-02T01:15:00.031-05:00

Get your blurbs ready! TBR will launch a new feature this weekend - blurb fests. They'll take place twice a month, and target specific genres each time.

Fantasy is up first. Check TBR for information on how you can participate.

The next blurb fest, on Feb. 18, will be Romance, any and all subgenres. I know that makes for a very expanded list, but it seemed unfair not to have a Romance Blurb Fest, especially so close to Valentine's Day.

Here's a list of others that will follow:

Mystery

Horror

Historical

Paranormal

Steampunk

Western

General, open to all

If you're a fantasy author, I hope to see your blurb posted at TBR. And if you participate, please follow TBR.
Thanks!

Insecure Writers: Negativity everywhere

2012-02-01T01:03:00.066-05:00

Have you noticed it lately? It's all over the Internet. And man, am I tired of it.

Venomous comments on Facebook concerning politics or other public figures, frighteningly vehement. I've noticed juvenile feedback on web articles, and even YouTube videos (thankfully, none of my own, but it still bothers me). Authors who blog about what other authors shouldn't say on their blog.

Even nasty feedback on free reads. Free reads! A story given to you by an author. If someone handed you a gift in real life, would you say nasty things about it? Doubtful, but if you did, it would only be shared in confidence. So why do that to an author?

For awhile, some negativity made me doubt myself. I wondered: Am I doing everything wrong? Should I not talk about my writing, or writing in general, or mention nice reviews on my blog? Well, for goodness sake, what is a blog for if you can't share a good review? I'm happy for other authors who receive good reviews. Show a little generosity of spirit and say, "nice job." And writing is my passion. In fact, it's my escape. It's why I began this blog.

Sorry if this post comes off as negative. I work very hard at trying to remain positive, but sometimes the naysayers drag me down. I'm not saying it's all aimed at me. Much of it isn't. There's just been so much of it - on blogs, on Facebook - too many places.

We're all doing what we love, and doing the best that we can. And I love helping other authors, so I post plenty of tips both here and on my Facebook page.

I'm a big believer in karma. Negativity comes back around, maybe when you least want it to revisit you.

But beyond that, I think of myself as a professional. And in a professional world, we should conduct ourselves as such, and show some grace, some encouragement, some friendship. I have no respect for anyone who tries to elevate themselves by bashing others.

So this is my advice to anyone who visits, today or any day - believe in yourself. Love what you do, and let it show. Don't let anyone else tell you it's wrong. And if you don't like what I share on my blog, well, I'm sorry, but it's what I love. My passion. If you want to see pictures of the snow, or the sunrise or my dog, they're on my personal Facebook page. I have nothing against sharing that sort of thing on blogs, and I like seeing it on others' blogs, but it's just not my focus. Writing is.

Getting off my soapbox now...

And thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for coordinating the Insecure Writer's Support Group! It's a great way to connect with, and support, other authors.

Release dates for Dead to Rights and A Hard Day's Knight!

2012-01-31T01:01:00.021-05:00

I finished up line edits and the galley proof this weekend for my 1NS short, A Hard Day's Knight.

Feb. 10 is the big day!

Here's the shiny new book video:

Decadent Publishing will release Dead to Rights on March 16! I'm very excited. Edits and line edits are finished, and I have an amazing cover.

My second 1NS story, Tonight You Belong to Me, should follow soon. Some busy months coming up!

Part of a very cool fundraising anthology

2012-01-30T01:01:00.049-05:00

Long, long ago, in a town not so far away, I took a few writing workshops by the wonderful Ann Elia Stewart. At the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, Ann led about a dozen writers to better focus on their craft. We learned to help each other, too. I'm doubly grateful to Ann because through those workshops, I joined three other excellent authors to form a critique group that's lasted for years. They're not just crit partners, but wonderful friends.

Ann helped coordinate the submission process for a fundraising anthology to benefit the library and the Natalie D. Craumer Writer's Workshop. I submitted two of the literary short stories I worked on during that time, along with my three critique partners, and I'm excited we've all been accepted!

The anthology will be titled: A Community of Writers. A collection of short stories from the Natalie D. Craumer Writer's Workshop of the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Here's the full list of authors and their stories:

Susan Bangs - The Things She Chose to Keep

Rayne Ayers Debski - Hunting Season

Margaret DeAngelis - Take Care

C.A. Masterson - Survivor Barbie

C.A.Masterson - Dissipation

Duffy Batzer - "Oops," said God

Lori M. Myers - Smoke

Don Helin - A Soldier's Gift

Don Helin - Creature of Habit

Larry C. Kerr - A Cautious Life

Gina Napoli - Operation Pumpkin Patch

Cathy Jordan - The Green-Eyed Monster

Madelyn Killion - Free as a Bluejay

Maria McKee - Number 11

Maria McKee - The Nature of Sin

D.A. Morrow - Dragon Riders

Debra A. Varsanyi - Moving Targets

Bob Walton - 4:30

Carol A. Lauver - The Surprise Party

Susan E. Bangs - The Mirror

Laurie J. Edwards - Angels in the Mist

Susan Girolami Kramer - Dead Letters

Marlene Ross -- Betsy's Delight

Ann Elia Stewart -- Swan Song

But wait, you don't see "Cate Masters" in that list? You're right. I used my full maiden name then - C.A. Masterson. :)

Congrats to all!

And a special thanks to Ann for all her efforts in coordinating it, but especially for her enduring enthusiasm and encouragement to all writers, and for helping to shape so many communities of writers.

I'll post more information as the process moves forward. It's a worthwhile cause, and I'm proud to be part of an effort to continue helping other writers.

SSS: Facing down fears

2012-01-29T01:06:00.001-05:00

Thanks so much for visiting! And thanks especially for your comments. They absolutely make my day.

Here's a bit more from my fantasy, A Hard Day's Knight, to release from Decadent next month as part of its 1NS series. Lance receives the same invitation from two women, for two very different reasons:

The curve of a fishnet-stockinged knee ended at the black skirt’s edge, hitched thigh high, and the black-haired wench leered at him. “Dance with me.”

How the same words sounded like heaven uttered by one woman, and hell when spoken by another, confounded him. With the strong scent of apples suffusing the air, he knew exactly why she intruded. She came from the isle of apples: Avalon.

“Tempting as your offer is, I’m promised to another,” he said, and let his cold smile taunt her.

Visit all the awesome Six Sentence Sunday authors here. Have a great week!

First Chapter: Clio's Choice

2012-01-27T01:34:00.015-05:00

To balance the plunging neckline of her little black dress, Clio swept up her hair into a long ponytail tumbling to her shoulders. Tonight she’d make Jon proud to be her husband. Angling this way and that in front of the full-length mirror in the walk-in closet, she gave an appreciative nod at her fit reflection. The muscles in her arms and thighs had a subtle definition they lacked before the wedding. A side benefit of making love in challenging places – and positions.

Jon stepped to the sink and combed his short hair, but focused on her. “Almost ready? We don’t want to be late.” In the mirror, he smiled as she sidled up behind him.

“Don’t we?” She breathed into his ear, sliding her hand over the curve of his rear.

Grabbing her wrist, he turned, face flushed. “Babe, you know I’d love to. But we can’t be late tonight. This account is too important.” He kissed her fingers. “Keep that thought for later.”

Definitely. She let her mouth linger at his cheek. “I’m holding you to that, especially after you’ve been late so many nights these past few weeks.”

More serious, he reached for the cologne. It permeated the air, filling her senses, as he dabbed his neck. “You know I don’t like to leave unfinished business.”

“So long as you don’t forget our pact.” Her dress twirled around her knee as she retrieved her pashmina from the shelf.

“Never.” He pulled on his sport coat and winked at her. “You’re going to leave them breathless.”

Repressing a sigh, she touched his chin. “And then I’m going to leave you breathless later.” Unfortunately, business took precedence. For now.

They drove down unfamiliar streets, to winding, tree-lined roads.

“If everything goes as well as I think with this client, I’ll buy you a new car, a new house – whatever you want.” His glance carried such sincerity.

Settling against him, she took in the huge houses, looming behind large fences of stone or wrought iron, like castles guarding against intruders. Cold and manicured, nothing like home.

She squeezed his knee. “I don’t need all that. Just you.”

Grinning, he made the final turn. “Did I tell you how much I love you?” He gave her a quick kiss before stopping at the gate to present their invitation to the guard.

Even that short connection sent warmth coursing through her. “Not today.” But she hoped he’d remember later, when they were finally alone again.

As the car continued up the long, semi-circular stone driveway, an unease settled over her. “Is this his house?”

McMansions had never appealed much to her. She preferred cozy houses, where people could relax and not worry about spilling anything. Where kids could run free without fear of breaking anything precious. This place resembled a museum.

Jon pulled their Grand Cherokee behind Jarod’s Lexus. “Impressive, huh?”

“Pure decadence,” she whispered, scowling at the classic style, thick white pillars climbing the front entrance. Bordering the top, the Greek key inscribed the bleached granite facade. Beyond the driveway, a white marble fountain loomed, a dozen half-naked women dancing in a circle atop the flowing water. Their laughing faces disturbed her – not depicting happiness, they appeared frenzied. Vicious.

Jon held open the car door. “This guy’s vineyard produces more wine than anyone on the east coast. We were so lucky to convince him to sign on. Now we have to keep him happy.”

Clio stepped out. “He’s lucky to have you and Jarod. You’re the best.”

“It’s amazing how he got it going so fast. I still can’t figure it out.” He scanned the house, the yard.

They stepped to the front door and the sprawling entrance swallowed them.

“Don’t you love it?” Touching the small of her back, he pushed the doorbell.

The door swung open. A tall woman stood before them wearing a mini metallic shift. Eyes like a cat, she regarded them as if unsure whether to allow them inside. “Welcome. I’m Marcella.” The sleeveless, low-cut dress revealed taut, lean muscles.

“Hi, I’m Jon. This is my wife Clio.”

The woman made no effort to disguise her wandering gaze in appraising them both. Her full, wide mouth slid into a lazy smile. “Please come in.”

They followed her through the large foyer. Clio nudged Jon, who paid too close attention to the swaying of Marcella’s hips beneath her dress. She moved like a lioness, slow and graceful, down the marble steps leading to an immense high-ceilinged room. Grecian pillars lined the glass doors to a patio extending past Clio’s line of vision. A long s-shaped sofa dominated the center of the room, with seating on both sides. Custom-made, if she had to guess. An elaborate marble-topped bar occupied a corner. The setting had a theatrical feel. Unnatural.

More women than men attended the gathering. Something about the females set Clio on edge. Their smiles bared glistening white teeth. Like Marcella, all were well toned and in excellent shape, like a team of personal trainers. They cooed at the men in deep, suggestive tones, refilling their glasses without being asked. Like circus animals performing tricks, but always the edge of danger lurking beneath the surface. It made Clio shudder.

She leaned into Jon. “Which is the hostess?”

He shrugged. “I think all of them. They must be his employees.”

Their backs curved in feline menace, and their eyes glittered as if they could track someone in the dark.

She held tight to his hand. “They’re fascinating, in a creepy sort of way.”

“Yes,” he said, his voice husky as his gaze followed their curves with too much fervor.

Marriage had stopped neither of them from looking, but Clio sensed Jon drawing away. “Who is the host, then?”

He nodded toward the far end of the room. “Standing by the patio doors – grey shirt.”

About twenty people clustered in groups in the main room. An unfamiliar man stood by the glass doors. Michelangelo’s David come to life would have exuded equal beauty. His dark, layered hair curled to the top of his grey silk shirt collar, open to mid-chest. On anyone else, it might have appeared cheesy, a retro disco look. On him, it hinted a woman might have unbuttoned it to slide her fingers inside and feel the ripple of muscles. He had the bearing of royalty; his movements bore an ease of grace. The stance of an athlete, but brown leather sandals showed beneath his silken cream pants.

When the host turned and his eye caught hers, a fire lit behind them, and the sizzle caught in her bloodstream. He looked at her as if he knew her. Every inch of her.

The din of the room fell away, and she was held by his captive focus.

“Let’s go say hello,” Jon was saying.

She barely registered his palm at her elbow. Guiding her forward in slow steps, as if she walked through water. Reminding herself to breathe, Clio fought the urge to flee.

Too enthusiastic, Jon extended his hand. “So good to see you again. This is my wife, Clio.”

His attention solely on her, the man’s eyes widened, shaking Jon’s hand. “Clio. The muse of history.” His hand enveloped hers. “Enchanting.”

He looked much too young to use a word like enchanting.

Warmth flashed across her cheeks. “Yes, my mother loved Greek mythology. I am living proof.”

Jon glanced at her hand, still wrapped in the host’s. “You never told me that.”

“I’m sure I did.” She slid her fingers away from his intimate grasp.

“You never wondered about her extraordinary name?” The man’s sharp glance challenged Jon. A defiance lurked behind his amusement.

Jon stammered, “Well, I….”

Their host seemed to draw strength from Jon’s weakness. He straightened, his shoulders widened. His presence grew more palpable.

“Speaking of names….” She hoped to defuse the moment. “I didn’t get yours.”

He bowed his head. “Dion. At your service.”

“Your name is rather unusual too. After the singer from what, the sixties?” The Wanderer. Maybe his mother had been a fan. He appeared too young, though she couldn’t guess his age. His classic features were smooth, but he had a timeless aura. Ageless.

Jon shifted, his smile tight, touching her back, ready to steer her away, if necessary, from breaking the deal with her questions.

Dion’s gaze swept across her face with a sweet tenderness. “Like yours, it’s Greek. My mother, too, was a fan of mythology. Dion is an abbreviation of Dionysus. Too much of a mouthful.”

His emphasis on mouth conjured an image of him feeding her lush grapes, her reclining on white bedding, letting each grape tease her lips before closing her teeth around it, and devouring its flesh.

His gaze drifted to her mouth and lingered there.

Her chest rose with a heavy breath, and she forced herself to glance about the room. “You have a lovely home. Also very…unusual.”

Dion chuckled. “Unusual, yes. I miss my homeland, and did my best to make my house evoke the beauty of my island.” He extended a muscled arm. “Let me give you a tour.”

Her focus fully on him, she linked hers in his.

Jon stepped beside them. “We’d love that.” He flashed a smile, but his glance at her held indignation.

Maybe she should have deferred to her husband. She’d almost forgotten he stood beside her.

Dion led them down a wide hallway lit by crackled glass wall sconces. White stone urns sat on ornate pedestals and overflowed with trailing broad-leafed vines. He opened the first door. “This is the media room.”

Two large, pillow-filled lounging pits sat before a screen half the size of a movie theater’s. A low credenza wrapped the walls. No equipment was visible.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Clio imagined a togaed Dion reclining, surrounded by fawning women scantily draped in flowing gauze.

Dion’s gaze seared into hers. “I had it specially designed.” His half-smile sent a shiver through her as he laid his hand atop hers.

She should remove her arm from his, but didn’t.

He led them along the circling hallway to double doors. “This is my favorite place.” He threw open the doors.

Clio glanced at Jon. Before them stood a center wall apparently constructed of granite, behind which rushing water sounded. They followed Dion past the divider, which smoothed to white marble. Palm trees and ferns lined a waterfall cascading from the marble divider’s height into an indoor pool. It appeared to stretch out over the valleys beyond. Two grey marble pillars separated ceiling-high glass sliding doors.

Jon put a hand on his hip, his mouth half-open in a smile. “Wow. This is incredible.”

“An infinity pool – how beautiful.” She walked along its bordering tiles to the glass wall.

Dion stood beside her. “These slide open. It’s an engineering feat. Especially lovely in the moonlight.” His dark, magnetic eyes sparkled holding hers a beat too long.

His arm brushed against hers like a breeze fanning flames. She eased away, afraid Jon might see. He’d said this account represented their future, and she wouldn’t endanger it in any way.

In the orchard below, vines stretched in jagged rows on hill after hill.

“Is that your vineyard?”

“One of them.” Dion’s smile hinted at the power he held. “Come.” He spoke as one who’d spent a lifetime commanding others.

Jon stood near the wall, studying the sculpted figures in relief along the marble stripe. Dancing women, ribbons of gauze curling from shoulder to thigh, but hardly covering them. Their breasts pointed like armored shields, their figures muscular and lithe. Their expressions intent, as though performing a ceremony.

When Dion passed, Jon turned and fell in step with Clio.

Up a winding staircase lay the bedrooms. He led them through two guest rooms and a spacious office adjoining the master bedroom, but the main door stayed closed.

“The bed hasn’t been made.” His words smacked of falsehood, which raised her curiosity. He seemed the type of man not to leave any detail undone, let alone the bed.

An image came to her – him lying on his side on white sheets, a hand outstretched toward her. The sheet fell loose below his waistline, and a line of hair invited her gaze to follow it from his belly button to the very edge of the bulge beneath the sheets. She slipped one strap of her dress down her arm, then the other, and soon the fabric formed a black puddle on the floor. Like a predator on the hunt, she crawled onto the bed. The images were disturbingly vivid, as if they’d already taken place and returned to her as a memory.

She turned from the door. Dion watched her intently.

Jon heaved a breath and circled his shoulder, indicating irritation. “Why don’t we go downstairs? We need to freshen our drinks.”

Dion extended his arm. “Please. I’d like to hear your opinion on the wine.”

“Jarod and I think it’s excellent, as you well know.” Jon grasped her waist firmly.

Somehow Clio didn’t believe Dion cared what anyone said. His casual demeanor belied a ruthless businessman, a strategist who knew every angle to play.

They followed him down the staircase, and three women with open bottles at the ready approached them to fill their glasses.

The woman who filled Clio’s glass had a voice surprisingly deep and rich. “Drink up.” Her taunting smile lingered as she glided away.

The three women surrounded Jon, leading him toward the media room.

Jon glanced over his shoulder at her and shrugged.

Clio tensed, ready to follow. Business was one thing; this smacked of something else entirely.

Dion stepped in front of her. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Yes thanks.” She’d be more comfortable if those women hadn’t spirited Jon away. And if he hadn’t gone so willingly.

Dion held out his glass. “A toast. To new friends.”

“And old loves.” A blush warmed her cheeks. She had no idea why she’d said that.

She clinked her glass to his and sipped. The wine warmed her throat and chest, its bouquet tingling her palate. “This is excellent.”

His eyes shone like flickering coals. “There’s plenty more.” He held up a bottle.

“Mm, drink up to feel like a god and possess a power greater than ourselves, or let it take us to our ruin.”

His smile faded, his lips parted as if to speak.

“Sorry. My mother told Greek myths as bedtime stories. Whether her cautionary tales of wine’s dual nature became too ingrained, or whether I inherited weak genes, I’m afraid I have a low tolerance for alcohol.” Hopefully he wouldn’t take her admission personally, and it wouldn’t sour his business with Jon.

“Your mother sounds like a fascinating woman. Tell me more.” He slid his arm around her waist and they strolled into the hall.

Engaging him with minor details of her family, she let him lead her. They walked to the pool room, and he sat at the water’s edge. He took off his sandals and dipped his feet. She stepped out of her shoes and hiked her dress up her thigh, sitting beside him, arching her foot in and out of the pool, delighting in the cool water trickling down her leg.

Their conversation flowed easily and unhurried, the gaps of silences seemed natural. He asked about her hopes, unfulfilled dreams. She told him things she’d never even told Jon.

Each time her sips left her glass less than half full, he filled it again.

His shoulder met hers as they sat, the warmth of him – his aliveness – palpable beside her.

“What about you? Have you ever been married?” The women in his house circled him protectively, but none appeared to be his partner.

“Yes. Very happily. She was more than my wife – she was my equal in everything.” He gave his description of her so freely, yet sadness haunted his eyes.

Curiosity overcame her manners. “Where is she?”

He gripped the side of the pool and circled his foot in the water. “Heaven, I’m certain.”

“I’m so sorry.” She laid a hand on his leg; his muscles tensed beneath her palm.

He turned to her. “You remind me of her. A great deal.” His gaze swept across her. “Your eyes, your mouth. Your spine.” His fingers traced her vertebrae. She closed her eyes. In her mind, she was naked, arched over his powerful hand at the small of her back, open to him and his every desire.

His breath warmed her ear. “The water’s perfect. Why don’t we go for a swim?”

A swim – yes, that’s how she balanced atop his hand, his legs splayed, her leg up, poised to slide around his waist, to clench his hip to hers. It would be so easy. His power grew as he held her, ready to cleave her.

She gasped, and opened her eyes. “Where is everyone?”

No noise came from the main room, or anywhere in the house. Only the waterfall gushing as though time existed separately in this room.

“Enjoying themselves as much as we are, hopefully.” His fingers skipped to the end of her spine, one of her most sensitive spots, just above her ass. The way he peered so intently -- expectantly – he knew how it affected her.

Her insides tightened. Had Jon revealed their secrets to this man?

“I need to find Jon.” The water whooshed as she pulled her knees up and collected her shoes. “What time is it?” They might have been there for minutes or hours. It was impossible to tell.

He stood slowly, and sat on a nearby stone bench to dry his feet with a towel, and slip on his sandals. “Let’s go find out.”

Worry churned up. Why hadn’t Jon come looking for her?

The hallway appeared absurdly long and winding. Her hair fell about her shoulders. Had she unhitched the clip? “Where’s Jon?”

“Slow down. Let’s check the main room first.”

The hallway opened to the main room, where two women and a man sat. Damn his penchant for ancient Greece–no clock was evident on the wall or mantle, not even a digital glow of numbers to give her a clue.

“Perhaps he’s in the media room.” His hand on her elbow, he guided her down another hall and opened the door. The darkness inside was cut by the screen’s light, flickering like a strobe, across the tangle of bodies in the lounging pit.

Jon’s throaty chuckle cut through the dark. “Oh, I love this part.” His arm pointed at the screen, then fell again into the indistinguishable mass of limbs, writhing like a pit of snakes.

“Jonathan.” Her voice carried strong and stern above the movie soundtrack. A round knob sat on the wall where a light switch might be, but wouldn’t pull out. She twisted it as far as it would go, and brought the lights up full blast.

Jon lay in the center of the lounger with three women in various postures on either side and at his feet. All still clothed, though rumpled. It didn’t ease the sickening sensation in the pit of her stomach.

Her husband winced in the bright light, and shielded his eyes with his forearm. “Clio?” His eyes narrowed at the sight of Dion standing beside her. “Where have you been?” His words slurred badly.

Her voice cut through the dark. “It’s time to go.”

The three women looked at her as if ready to hiss and bare their claws.

Let them. Jon wasn’t included in this damn business deal.

He clumsily leaned up on one arm. “Go? The movie’s not over.”

Dion touched her shoulder. “I’ll be close by if you need me.” To the women, he said, “Girls?”

At his beckoning, the women eased from the pit and slithered toward him. All were gloriously wild-looking, their hair unfettered from adornment. As each passed, their eyes held a glint of mischief.

Jon held his stomach laughing at the screen. “Oh–watch this. C’mere.”

Two empty bottles lay on the floor beside the pillows. She sat on the lounger’s edge. “How much did you drink?”

He held up another. “Still some left. Where’s your glass?”

“I’m done. It’s time to go.” Her head had cleared since leaving the pool room, as though she’d awakened from a dream.

“Already? I’m taking this with me, then.” He clutched the bottle to his chest.

She found his shoes strewn on either side of the lounger. Not like him at all. “Give me your foot.”

He sat back, watching her with bleary eyes. “Where were you?”

She slipped one shoe, then the other, on his feet. “Up you go.” She stood, held out her hand.

All trace of humor gone, he grasped it. His arms were jellylike, but his body heavy as lead. “You were with him, weren’t you?”

If he wanted to accuse her, she could do the same. Nothing would be settled tonight. “Up, let’s go home.”

The word had always held such a pleasant connotation, but she wasn’t looking forward to bringing him home now.

She pulled the car to the front door. Dion helped Jon into the passenger side, and then shut the door, lingering at the window. “Drive safe.” He moved to the steps and stood, arms folded, as she drove through the gate.

***

Buy Clio's Choice at Smashwords or Amazon Kindle. You can learn more here.

The Rules

2012-01-25T01:45:00.000-05:00

Tagging Tuesday at the Paranormalists

2012-01-24T11:38:00.001-05:00

The Paranormalists, another blog I'm part of, is holding a Tagging Tuesday party. I hope you'll pop over and show some love for the five books featured there, including my own fantasy, Surfacing. :)

I'm excited that the Paranormalists is revving up. Special thanks to DL Jackson for commandeering the troops and leading us forward!

I'm the new art officer for the Paranormalists, and am working on a graphic for Tagging Tuesday - it will be a regular event, along with lots of other new stuff. Stay tuned!

Chaos in da house

2012-01-23T01:15:00.048-05:00

Unfortunately, it rules my life these days, so it will be another slow blogging week.

I've been kicking around a few ideas to boost TBR, my new blog for readers to find great reads. First, it will be part of a Leap Day blog hop next month, and I'm giving away a few prizes, so stay tuned for that.

I'm also going to open up weekends for Blurb Fests. To make it easy for readers to find genres they like, the Blurb Fests will be targeted to one specific genre at a time. It may be once a month, maybe twice. I've begun to compile lists of genres, and so far have:

Mystery

Horror

Historical

Paranormal

Steampunk

Western

Romance

General, open to all

Any other genres you'd like to see, as a reader?

How would the Blurb Fest work? Well, thanks for asking! :)

Once I post the accompanying graphic in the post section, authors would paste their blurbs (just blurbs, no excerpts) from their books in the comments section, and provide a link for readers to find more information about it.

Kind of a self-serve, free for all, post. Easy for authors, and easy on me. :)

I'm hoping to garner more followers for TBR that way too.

So what do you think? Would you participate in a Blurb Fest on TBR? Any suggestions? Thoughts? Questions? As always, I'd love to hear 'em!

SSS: Old enemies meet again

2012-01-22T01:03:00.026-05:00

Thanks so much for visiting to read my Six Sentence Sunday snippet. :) And thanks especially for your comments.

Here's another peek at A Hard Day's Knight, due out soon as part of Decadent's 1NS series. Lance meets his ancient enemy, a certain witch by the name of Morgan le Fay, and isn't about to back down but chooses to dance with Gwyn instead:

The wench’s harsh laughter raked his skin, and seeped into his veins like poison. “Enjoy tonight. Time’s so fleeting, isn’t it?”

Except when it stretched to infinity. “I have no intention of wasting it.” He led Gwyn down the length of the table and toward the swirling couples.

Check out all the fantastic Six Sentence Sunday authors here. Have a great week!

Prices are going up soon

2012-01-20T01:05:00.045-05:00

On February 1, I'm raising the prices of many of my ebooks on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle by one dollar, so now's your chance to get them while they cost less.

I priced them low when I first released them. For some reason, 99 cent ebooks have a bad rep, and are often referred to as "99 cent cookies." I don't want mine to be viewed that way.

Many of my self-pubbed stories are reissues of previously released works. The few I've released on my own went through many rounds of critiques and revisions, and are on a par with the other published stories, and I'm happy to say they've received wonderful reviews.

Initially,my pricing scale related to word count - stories of 10k or thereabouts cost 99 cents; 20k or so cost $1.99. I topped it out at $2.99 for longer stories, even for my 90k dark paranormal, The Magic of Lavender. Most epublishers release longer novels at $6.99 or $7.99, so at $3.99, it will still be a bargain, like all the others.

But if you've been eyeing up any, now's your chance to grab 'em. Look for them on my Smashwords page and my Amazon author page.

What's the highest price you'd pay for an ebook? Just curious. :)

Nice review for Romancing the Hero

2012-01-19T01:46:00.026-05:00

The Long and Short Reviews had this to say about my fantasy romance, Romancing the Hero:

A steamy cast of characters pulls the reader right into Romancing the Hero, and doesn’t let go until the final page.

The well-written characters--feisty Jody Feather, best-selling romance writer who’s dissatisfied with her love life and perfect hero Jake Emerson--are captivating from their initial meeting.

The novella leads you excellently right down the garden path--is Jake really an actor, or is he stud-come-to-life Jake? I really liked how Ms. Masters’ tight plotting keeps you guessing, up to the very end.

The full review is here.

Thanks so much, Freesia!

Does your story have fire?

2012-01-18T01:33:00.000-05:00

I'm working on keeping the pages lit! With a little help from Donald Maass and The Fire in Fiction. Though I haven't attended of his workshops, I've heard Mr. Maass speak at writers conferences. He has a long history in the writing biz, and his inside perspective is invaluable.

More than that, his focus on craft is essential for writers who want their stories to pop off the page. Every sentence, every scene. Here's an excerpt from the book, which is actually a workbook with exercises following chapters.

I know I do. So this book will be one of the many I'm applying toward craft. It's been on the shelf a few years, along with many others. I've been so busy writing, I always thought, I'll get to it later.

Later doesn't help me now. I love the stories I've written, but want to write even better. Make my characters more three-dimensional, more interesting, more exciting, more relatable.

I have to admit, I had an agent's session years ago with Donald Maass, one of those five-minute pitch sessions that make your nerves want to pop out of your skin. I'm terrible at pitch sessions, but I was so confident he'd fall in love with my first few pages. After skimming, he simply asked, "Why should I care?" Of course, he crushed me. I'd spent years researching - the mythology of the constellations, the decades of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, astronomy. The premise itself is universal and I loved those characters. I still do. But the craft wasn't there on the page. Oh, I think my writing was lyrical and beautiful, but there was no hook.
I haven't given up yet on that story. It was one of my first, and sometimes those "books of the heart" aren't the ones that should be published. But someday, I'm going to prove Donald Maass wrong, maybe using his own techniques. :) I bet he'd like that, too.

Design for Life now re-released

2012-01-17T01:23:00.024-05:00

Most of last week centered on revising Design for Life, my contemporary previously published with The Wild Rose Press.

I'm happy to say it's now available on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle.

The story resembles the original more closely, and I think it's much better this way. It garnered some wonderful reviews before, and was a Top Ten Finisher in the PredEd poll, but I hope readers will agree!
Now it's back to work on my WIP.

What are you working on?

How much do I love this review?

2012-01-16T01:13:00.033-05:00

I'm over the moon! Aubrey from Romancing the Book gave The Magic of Lavender a top rating! Woot!

Here is part of Aubrey's lovely review:

I've always loved books that center around Goddesses and The Magic of Lavender fits the bill perfectly.
The cast of characters of this book keeps the book even more interesting.

The underworld that was created by Masters is unique in that it is an entirely different way at seeing Goddesses. The Inn is on ley lines that help Joss use her magic. Using the ley lines she makes the Lord of the Underworld angry. You really need to read the book to find out what happens!
I cannot wait to read the second book in this series and other works by Cate Masters. This book really made me escape my boring life and enter into one that magic is possible.

Wow - thanks so much, Aubrey. I'm especially grateful this reviewer took the time to read The Magic of Lavender. I know how swamped reviewers are with requests, and some are leery of self-pubbed books, so I appreciate that Aubrey was willing to take a chance, and thrilled that you rated it as a Rose That Rules All.

I'm glad she loved the cast of characters as much as I did. The Underworld has captured my imagination lately, and I'm excited about a few other upcoming stories, including Death Is A Bitch (out on submission), and Dancing With the Devil, the WIP that's Book Two in The Goddess Connection. It will be awhile before it's ready, but it's coming. :)

SSS: Time warp

2012-01-15T01:07:00.011-05:00

Thanks so much for visiting for SSS. I love all your comments, and can't wait to read your six.

Time for another peek at my fantasy with elements of Arthurian legend, a witch or two thrown in for good measure, and a brief hint of time travel - A Hard Day's Knight. In this scene, Lance gets his first look at Gwyn. Hm, or has he seen her before?

He distantly registered Darien leaning against his arm, whispering something, and Kurt adding a comment and a guffaw.
But the light glinting against her golden locks gave her an angelic appearance. He imagined his fingers working the laces along the front of her bodice, unfastening them, letting the full green skirt pool around her ankles to reveal that creamy silken skin he’d so missed. Craved.

Hitching up her gown, she glided toward them like a swan across a lake. When she fixed her green eyes on him, he scrambled to his feet, dumbfounded as a peasant before a princess.

Check out all the fantastic sixes at Six Sentence Sunday. Have a wonderful week!

2011 Top Ten Blogs for Writers

2012-01-13T01:08:00.046-05:00

On Tuesday, I gave you a peek at the site voted as number one on the Write to Done site (also a great resource, btw).

Here's the full list, along with their tag lines:

1. Storyfix: "Get it written. Get it right. Get it published."

2. Men with Pens - "world class web design and copywriting that bring you results"

3. Make a living writing - "practical help for hungry writers"

4. Cats Eye Writer - "for bloggers who write and writers who blog"

5. The Renegade Writer - "living and loving the freelance life on your own terms"

6. Writer Unboxed - "about the craft and business of fiction"

7. Word Play - "helping writers become authors"

8. The Creative Penn - "helping you write, publish and sell your book"

9. Victoria Mixon, editor

10. Courage 2 Create

My blog roll's become too long (I really need to organize it - any suggestions?) so I added these top ten, plus the ten finalists, under the Links to Like page.

Back to school!

2012-01-11T01:31:00.002-05:00

2012 is going to be a year of re-studying craft. I took advantage of the free writing books Kindle made available in late 2011 (I posted a link on my FB page, which I often do - to keep up, click Like on my FB badge at right). I'll be working my way through these four and posting a bit about them.

I'm also going to revisit the text of Robert McKee's Story, which I never quite made it through before. He's an amazing instructor, I hear, but since I can't afford to shell out thousands for his seminar, the book will have to do for now.

You've probably heard of Margie Lawson, whose deep editing classes are legendary. I recently purchased two class packets: Empowering Characters' Emotions and Deep Editing.

I completed the first file of Empowering Characters' Emotions this weekend. In it, Margie had slipped a little test. An evaluation of her student's brain - left brain (strong or moderate), whole brain, or right (moderate or strong). I tried to skim around it, but found the rest of the lesson depended on the answer. So I went through the exercise.

Yep, I'm a strong right brainer (explains the attempt to skim!).

If you're curious, I found a few tests online you can take to determine your left- or right-brainedness: try The Art Institute of Vancouver.

This image of a dancer has made the web rounds, and is supposed to determine left vs. right brain, but I still see her change directions mid-spin, for whatever that's worth.

At any rate, I digress (a trait of right brainers?). I'm looking forward to completing Margie's class. Thankfully, she provides an alternate system of highlighting edits for right brainers, or I'd have been hung up on that.

Ms. Lawson also visited Romance University with some helpful tips. I'm glad to hear she's developed some new courses too. But that means I have fewer excuses now not to keep cracking the books!

My belief is that education's a lifelong pursuit. Like Michelangelo, I want to be in my nineties and declare: I am still learning. There's no such thing as perfection, after all. I probably won't have it tattooed on my arm, though. :)

Story Engineering

2012-01-10T16:24:00.001-05:00

Here's a video interview on story engineering with bestselling author Larry Brooks of Storyfix.com, an excellent resource for writers. Long, but worth a look. When you're finished watching, go to his post for an audio interview, also long but worthwhile.

Storyfix.com was voted #1 on the 2011 Top Ten Blogs for Writers. Eventually I'll post more about the other nine.

Crazy productive weekend

2012-01-09T01:25:00.044-05:00

It's amazing what I can accomplish when I can actually sit in front of a computer all day!

I set up my novella Soul for Sale at CreateSpace to make it available in print.Hopefully the setup has no kinks and the proof copy will soon be in my mailbox. It's for an event that The Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookstore is planning in June, and I may be on the panel. Deb, the owner, is wonderfully supportive of local authors, and always has great events on the shop's schedule.

My crit partners gave me excellent feedback on my Gettysburg ghost story, so that was number one writing priority. Despite my muse's insistence that I start yet another new story, I concentrated on the ghost story. It's been haunting my hard drive for more than a year now. Time to exorcise it! :) The working title is A Guided Tour of The Midnight Hour. What do you think?

My muse tends to act more like a duende anyway. I need to control her better. What? Never heard of a duende? Then you should read my short fantasy, The Duende and the Muse. :0 Full of Greek mythological figures in a fun present-day setting.

I also requested the rights back to Design for Life, my short contemporary published by The Wild Rose Press. You might yet find it on some secondary sites, but it's gone gone gone from TWRP's site. As with any re-release, I have some reworking ahead on that one, especially because it was part of the Flower Basket Series.

But I did finish the cover - what do you think? The heroine's a fashion designer, so, after hours of sifting through images on Dreamstime, I went for a cute fashion sketch graphic.

It will probably be a slow blogging week. Lots of life stuff happening, so I won't be able to get online much, although there will be three new authors at TBR this week. Hope you'll pop over and make them feel welcome. Please follow TBR too! :)

SSS: First peek at A Hard Day's Knight

2012-01-08T01:07:00.027-05:00

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday! They always end too soon, don't they? But I'm glad to jump back into Six Sentence Sunday. I missed you guys.

Here's a first look at my short fantasy, A Hard Day's Knight, tentatively set for release in February as part of Decadent's 1NS series! To set up this scene, the hero Lance is about to be introduced to the heroine, Gwyn, but is reluctant to meet her for reasons he must keep secret, even though his friend tells her what a great girl Gwyn is:

“I’m sure she is, for someone else.” It pained Lance to say it.

Kurt blew a sharp breath. “Fine, be an ass but you will be nice during dinner, at least.”

“I’ll be a perfect gentleman.” And once this night ended, he would leave, and start over again in a new city, as he had for centuries.

Visit all the participating SSS authors here. Have a great week!

I have a love/hate relationship with edits

2012-01-06T01:03:00.004-05:00

I am a staunch believer in having an editor. Though I have amazing critique partners, and a bunch of them too, an editor always lends greater insight and perspective to a story. Takes it another level higher.

As particular as I am about correct punctuation, grammar, and getting all the details right, I worry that I missed something. Or that the storyline has a hole.

So I am thrilled that Decadent Publishing contracted my dark paranormal novel, Dead to Rights.

I'd self-pubbed it last year, but hoped an editor could help me kick it up to that next level. (There's always a next level!) Unfortunately, I can't afford to hire an editor.

I just finished first-round edits, and am loving it. And hating it. Grueling as edits can be, I know I'll be happy with the end results.

I also wasn't satisfied Dead to Rights was receiving enough exposure. Lately, reviewers are swamped, so getting any reviews are difficult, but it's a little more difficult to entice a reviewer to read a self-pubbed novel, unfortunately. I'm hoping that now it will receive a little more attention.

The new, tentative release date for Dead to Rights is late February. Woo hoo!

And I just received this cover in my email. Beautiful, isn't it?

Keep reaching higher

2012-01-05T01:03:00.001-05:00

Ray Bradbury reminded me why I need to keep writing. To keep reaching higher, for that moment of blissful realization that I'd written something beautiful and meaningful, something that will resonate with readers long after they've finished the last page.

Insecure Writers: Self-doubt

2012-01-04T01:01:00.056-05:00

I try to hit the mute button on my inner critic while I write. In the best of times, I sink into the story and let the flow take me away. Other times, it's more of an effort to craft the story, and it plods along. I go with that, too, because I know it's most important to get that first draft down. Revisions always follow. Multiple rounds of revisions. Followed by multiple critiques, after which there are more revisions.

Lately, I've been locked in the grips of self-doubt. It goes way beyond writer's block, which I always manage to write around by switching to another story until the problem blocking the other story comes clear. My self-doubt is so overwhelming, I couldn't write for most of December.

I forced myself to revise a story I wasn't quite satisfied with, and now it's much better, but I want readers to love it as much as I do.

This self-doubt is absolutely paralyzing. I'm simply lost. Have you ever dealt with such writing fears?

Forgot to add this earlier! Visit the rest of the Insecure Writer's Support Group here.

Would love your votes!

2012-01-03T01:04:00.008-05:00

It's that time of year again - the annual PredEd polls. I'm happy to say I have a few entries! I would love your support for these 2011 releases:

The Magic of Lavender

Just the Right Amount of Wrong

Rock Bottom

Ground Rules

The Preditors & Editors site asks that you verify your vote by clicking the link on the email you receive after you hit Submit, so it's a two-step process. But two clicks will make me so happy! I truly appreciate your support.

TBR launches today!

2012-01-02T01:02:00.000-05:00

Today TBR features its very first guest - Maria Zannini! Maria has some exciting news, and I'm honored that she chose to announce it on TBR. Check it out!

Happy new year!

2012-01-01T01:16:00.010-05:00

May the coming year bring only good things to you and yours! Happy New Year's.

3, 2, 1... launch!

2011-12-30T01:37:00.001-05:00

It's almost time for the launch of TBR! On January 2, visit my first guest at TBR, Maria Zannini, and help her celebrate her latest release.

In place of the Author Spotlight and Author Chat here on my blog, TBR will feature three authors each week. You'll want to check back often, so please follow TBR and visit often! There's an exciting roster of authors coming up, and many will hold giveaways.

If you want to be interviewed at TBR, check the blog for information. I'd love to feature your work too!

Though the blog's official launch isn't for a few days, you can get a sneak peek at the January Featured Author - check it out!

Now the calendar's just one page

2011-12-28T10:09:00.002-05:00

And the year's dwindled down to the last few days. For most, a time of both reflection, and looking ahead, when we stand at the edge of the old year and the uncharted new one. Some make resolutions, which to me seems nothing more than a wish list. Others have goals, which implies making a run at something.

This year, I'm going to plan.

Life thew me some curve balls at the beginning of this year, which I've briefly mentioned, but I don't throw my problems into the ether for all to see. It may make me seem standoffish, but actually, I see it as being positive. I'm not going to dwell on the downside of it. Things happen for a reason, I believe, and for now, they are as they need to be. Sorry to be cryptic, but enough said.

But the loss of writing time really threw me. I did manage to finish some stories, and I'm happy about that. I have many more WIPs awaiting me, and I plan to tackle them as time allows.

I also plan to be more organized, not only with my time but in general. I wasted too much time this year because I wasn't.

I also plan to read some of the dozens of books I've accumulated. Literally, I have about fifty that I really want to read, and they're either loaded onto my Kindle or stuffed into the bookshelf beside my bed.

Most importantly, I plan to hold onto my dream. After waiting all my life to realize it, I'm not going to let it slip away.

What about you? Anything in mind for the coming year?

Happy holidays!

2011-12-25T01:03:00.007-05:00

And no Christmas is complete without my favorite Jersey boy. :)

May all your wishes come true, this holiday and into the new year. Peace, joy and a cool Yule.

Do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?

2011-12-24T01:02:00.009-05:00

Reposting this from last year. Maybe I'll make it a Christmas Eve tradition. :)

The story of Rudolph's circulating as an email forward, so I thought I'd look into it. I should probably work for Snopes, lol.

While some of the email is true, it doesn't give the entire background. But I will. :)

Btw, I think my mom had dog-eared sheet music with this same image - supposedly the original 1939 cover. Though it's a little before my time, I remember it distinctly.

The Montgomery Ward department store's holiday tradition was to hand out specially printed coloring books to kids who came to visit Santa. In 1939, the store execs decided to try something different, and more economical because the Depression still gripped the nation. Rather than hire an outside firm to create a giveaway, they asked their advertising department to come up with a giveaway.

In turn, the ad department turned to their copywriter, Robert L. May. May worked on the story in his office, then took it home to read to his four-year-old daughter, Barbara. The little girl's feedback helped shape the story line, and she may have even named Rudolph.

Using rhyming verse, May's wrote the story of a little reindeer with a bright red nose who was born to ordinary parents in the woods. Like May as a child, Rudolph was lonely and had few friends. But, rather than dwelling on his problems, Rudolph had a positive outlook and did not let his unique nose hold him back.
In the original story, Santa discovered Rudolph on Christmas Eve while delivering gifts to the woodland animals. A fog rolled in and grew dense so Santa couldn't take off safely. Santa noticed Rudolph with his shiny red nose and asked him to lead his sleigh (I know, without any training. The reindeer union probably filed complaints.)

Well, you know the rest. All the other reindeer loved him after Rudolph saved the day.

Montgomery Ward certainly loved the results. Kids all over the country fell in love with Rudolph too, and the store handed out 2.4 million copies of the book. Because of the war, paper supplies were limited, and Montgomery Ward was limited to printing 6 million copies by 1945.

Though the hopeful story may have inspired his small daughter in a difficult time, the story's success didn't help Robert L. May's personal life. His wife died of cancer, and the medical expenses ruined him financially. He made no profits from the popularity of Rudolph, deemed a "work for hire" production, owned solely by Montgomery Ward.

By 1947, May decided to seek the rights to Rudolph. Surprisingly, Montgomery Ward sold them to him. May then published the story, which of course became a bestseller. He authorized a cartoon version for showing in theaters before the advertised movie. May teamed up with his brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, who changed the story slightly from May's original to the story we know today in the song. In 1949, Western singer/actor Gene Autry agreed to record the song, which became an instant hit.

Finally, May was able to enjoy the benefits of his labor. And kids - and grownups - everywhere still love the little reindeer.

Another giveaway

2011-12-23T08:20:00.000-05:00

Enter at Romance Junkies' Winter Wonderland for a chance to win a beaded book thong and a bag of Hershey Kisses! I may throw in an extra surprise too. :)
Happy holidays!

Visiting LASR today

2011-12-22T07:13:00.011-05:00

I hope you'll pop over this afternoon to the LASR Guest Blog, where I'm spreading some holiday cheer. :)

My post should be up around 2:00 p.m. EST. So grab an eggnog and head over!

Getting in the spirit

2011-12-21T01:45:00.001-05:00

Less than a week till Christmas! Are you ready? Do you have your Christmas cheer on? This might help. :)

A festive cookie for your holiday table

2011-12-20T01:02:00.018-05:00

My mom used to make these cookies for the holidays. They're great for any occasion, really, but they do look festive during the holidays.

Italian Anisette Cookies

Cookie Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons anise extract (or almond extract)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (may need up to 3 cups)

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 -3 tablespoons milk

Icing Ingredients

2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1/8 teaspoon anise extract

sprinkles

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For best results, line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

For cookies, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add anise extract.

Blend flour and baking powder. Start by adding about 1/3 of these dry ingredients to the butter/sugar in your mixer, then add 1 T. milk. Add another third of the flour and another 1 T. milk. Finally, mix in enough of the remaining flour until your dough is like a brownie batter (it should be softer than a drop cookie dough).

Use a teaspoon to make simple round drop cookies - use wet fingers to pat any rough edges.

Bake cookies 10-12 minutes. They won't be brown but the insides will be soft and cake-like.

For icing: mix sugar, milk and extract to make a sugar glaze.

Hold cookie in your hand and turn upside down so you can dip the top half in the glaze; turn over and immediately top with sprinkles so they will stick.

Allow icing to harden overnight; then store in air-tight containers or freeze.

And... gobble 'em up!

'Tis the season for giving!

2011-12-19T19:11:00.001-05:00

My gift to you is a free download of my contemporary romance, Going with Gravity, a 2011 EPIC finalist.

Just enter code LD36V at Smashwords.

Hurry! It's only good through Christmas Eve. :)

Happy holidays!

Join me at TRS' Christmas party

2011-12-19T07:08:00.013-05:00

The Romance Studio is throwing a holiday bash!

And you're all invited.

Like all great parties, there will be plenty of goodies.

I'll be popping in and out,

and hope to see some friendly faces there!

SSS: Who is this gorgeous guy anyway?

2011-12-18T01:18:00.025-05:00

Thanks to everyone who visits! And thanks especially for your comments, which fill me with as much cheer as Christmas. And that's a lot. :)

Here's more from Ground Rules, my Christmas fantasy. Alice is a bit confused as to who, exactly, the handsome intruder really is:

“Are you here to…kill me?” The thought should have frightened her out of her mind, yet a cocoon of calm surrounded her.

He burst into laughter, tried to speak, but slumped over, hand atop his abs. Really great abs, from the skin showing where his black tee shirt had shifted, but that was beside the point.

Hooting, he took deep breaths and swiped his eyes. “Oh, that was priceless.”

Visit all the amazing authors of SSS.

Next Sunday's Christmas day! I'll be busy with presents and cooking and present cleanup and desserts and then hopefully dreams of sugarplums dancing in my head. May you and yours share a memorable holiday of joy, laughter and love. See you next year!

Wonderful review for Ground Rules

2011-12-17T08:04:00.001-05:00

The Romance Reviews rated Ground Rules 4 stars! I'm so grateful to Vixhen for her review. Here's part of what she had to say:

A perfect love story with a little hint of Christmas...
This was such a short, sweet, light-hearted story about finding love, even if you're not looking. Alice and Luke were both strong-willed and not easily intimidated. They had both been heartbroken and not looking to be hurt again. Ms. Masters took a simple love story and made it magical, drawing the reader into the world where angels can make your dreams come true. And the fact that Luke could make a mean margarita certainly didn't hurt, either. I'm a sucker for a Christmas story - throw in a hot angel on a Harley and we've got a party!

Thanks again, Vixhen! You've sweetened my holidays!

You can find out more about Ground Rules here.

An early Christmas present

2011-12-16T01:44:00.001-05:00

Years ago, I read about mountain man Jim Bridger, who worked as a guide and scout, but basically lived free in the incredible pristine wilderness of the unsettled West. Though illiterate, he memorized many passages from Shakespeare's works, which he'd recite. This fascinated me, and I bought a few books about Jim. Once I realized how famous he already was, I knew I couldn't do him justice by writing about him anymore than he'd already been written about. But I loved the idea of a mountain man reciting Shakespeare.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of my favorites, so I wove the title into A Midwest Summer Night's Dream. It's one of the many stories I had languishing on the hard drive for a few years, and decided to finally finish it this year. My wonderful critique partners helped make it into a story I was proud of.

I nearly self-published it, but it's very difficult to find an image to accurately depict the 1800s, let alone a Western historical romance with a Shakespearean twist. So I subbed the novella.

This week, I had an acceptance from Siren/Book Strand! I've been doing the happy dance since. It's scheduled for an April 2012 release. Woo hoo!

Here's the newly tweaked blurb:

Open sky, Shakespeare, solitude. All Jebediah Greene needs. Alone since his teens, he’s never known loneliness, until he leaves Winona Young in California. Worse, he fears she’ll trap herself in a loveless marriage of convenience. After acting as her guide to San Francisco, how far will Jeb go to win her heart?

Reading provides escape for Winona Young. Usually. Fleeing Philadelphia, she learns her distant suitor isn’t who he seemed. Neither is her mountain man guide, in a good way. Intelligent, but mule-headed, Jeb’s impossible to speak to, in any language. Winona falls in love with the stunning beauty of the wilderness, with the simple ways of the Osage people, and with Jeb. But books can’t teach her how to tame a mountain man.

Visiting Paty Jager today

2011-12-14T10:36:00.000-05:00

I'm at Paty Jager's, talking about stories that transcend the boundaries of genre.

I'm also celebrating the release of my Christmas fantasy, Ground Rules (yes, again!). I hope you'll pop over and visit!

Another nice review for Ground Rules

2011-12-12T01:26:00.003-05:00

Woot! Sizzling Hot Book Reviews rated Ground Rules a four-star read. Thanks so much!

Here's part of what the reviewer said:
Ground Rules is a cute story to make you in the mood for Christmas and miracles. Wish on a tree Angel seven times and receive a Angel in your kitchen.
Luke is the Harley, hunky not-like-you’ve-seen-before Angel. Had his heart broken and doesn’t want to listen to his heart. In Ground Rules he shows Alice that other’s have worse circumstances.
I really enjoyed Ground Rules. It reminded me of It’s a Wonderful Life with a love twist. If you want a good book to get you into the spirit of Christmas and miracles I recommend Ground Rules.

If your holidays need a little extra cheer, you can find more about Ground Rules here.

SSS: Alice has an intruder

2011-12-11T01:13:00.003-05:00

Welcome back for another peek at my Christmas fantasy, Ground Rules, just released by The Wild Rose Press.

Alice wakes up and finds a tall, hunky blond guy in her kitchen, rummaging through her liquor cabinet. She hurls a succession of objects at him, to no avail:

At his wave, a wall of light caught each item and held it. The bizarre sight of her belongings drifting in sparkles like dust motes in sunlight made her head spin. Clenching her fists at her sides, she released a primal scream of terror.

From behind the curtain of light, he shot her a scowl. “What are you screaming for? Your liquor cabinet’s practically empty, and I haven’t had a drink in decades.”

Check out the fab snippets of SSS authors here.

Have a great week!

Family holiday traditions

2011-12-08T06:06:00.002-05:00

Do you have any? I'm sharing one of mine at Maria Zannini's blog today. Pop on over and share one of yours!

And visit till Dec. 22nd for posts on how to create cool crafts, or make mouth-watering dishes that'll curl even an elf's toes. :)

Diana Gabaldon’s writing process

2011-12-07T01:13:00.004-05:00

I love hearing other authors talk about their process. Diana Gabaldon's is similar to mine, in that she works on several at once.

What about you - do you concentrate on one at a time? Or find it helps your flow to switch between a few?

Nice review for Ground Rules

2011-12-05T01:17:00.013-05:00

The Long and Short of It Reviews had some nice things to say about Ground Rules. My favorite is the wrap-up:

This fun fantasy tale will keep you reading and waiting to see just what happens next. I didn’t see this ending coming, and I consider that an accomplishment for the author.
Why not try this read for yourself. It’d be a great book to read while sitting in front of the fire and sipping a hot chocolate. Just don’t drink and read at the same time ... you might make a mess when you laugh out loud at the great humor the author shares.

I love that the reviewer recommends reading Ground Rules. If you'd like to, you can order it from The Wild Rose Press.

You can also check out the blurb, excerpt, book video, Casting Call and more here.

SSS: Meet Luke, a not-so-angelic angel

2011-12-04T01:07:00.002-05:00

Thanks so much for visiting for Six Sentence Sunday! And thanks especially for your comments.

Here's another snippet from Ground Rules, my Christmas fantasy. Luke, a Watcher Angel, isn't enthusiastic about the holiday. He has his reasons. So he tends to avoid the scheduled seasonal get-togethers.

Oh please. Luke would give anything not to have to attend yet another boring event. Stand around and sing, chat up the bosses, flirt with the seraphim—to no avail. He’d give anything to have a little one-on-one time with a girl. A real, in-the-flesh, warm-blooded girl.

Thoughts like that could get him demoted.

Check out all the amazing SSS authors here. Have a great week!

At Sandra Sookoo's today

2011-12-03T07:38:00.015-05:00

Sandi's throwing a 12 Days of Christmas event on her blog. I hope you'll pop over and join me. You'll find lots of posts to put you in the holiday mood.