REVIEW: Want to read a post-apocalyptic romance?

I've always been a sucker for post-apocalyptic stories. In fact instead of playing the usual games with friends as a kid, like 'cowboys and indians' or chasies, we'd roam the post-apocalyptic wasteland of our backyard and the banks of the local creek - goodies vs.baddies, of course - but we'd be fighting not only the villains but mutated animals and dodging 'hot-spots' affected by radiation.

So, to see such books now being published I'm devouring them as eagerly as I played those games as a kid.

The Dark Ages Dawning series, written by Ellen Connor (the writing duo of Ann Aguirre & Carrie Lofty) is a new series for me and one I'm thoroughly enjoying.

NIGHTFALL

Their instincts will save them.
Their passion will transform them.
Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought, in her wildest nightmares, that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her–one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.
The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna’s father. Skilled and steadfast, he’s ready for the Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and the mutant dogs attack–vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.
When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion–a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age.

What do I love about this first book in the series? Where do I start? There's a lot I really liked about it. The world-building, the main characters, the secondary characters, the story arcs hinting at what's to come in the next two books in the series (which I'm now hanging out for, BTW!!!).

No spoilers given, I'll stick to generalisations, so you can safely read what I have to say next. :-)

The hero, John Mason, is a tough-as-nails ex-marine/survivalist who owes a life debt to the heroine's father. He honours a promise to keep Jenna Barclay safe after the world succumbs to a prophesied change. So from the outset the hero and heroine are on very uneasy footing and this is part of the whole fascination I have for the story.

I love the process of watching these two learning to trust each other, first through necessity and then because they recognise the attraction they have for one another. Neither accept it easily, even though you can feel the need they have for one another.

As a reader you want them to get together but the whole establishing a relationship and learning about them as individuals is a very satisfying experience. So you know they earn each others trust and respect through the journey by the time they do get together.

The prophesied change and world-building is riveting too. The old world and technology slowly disappears and the characters have to come to terms with that as well as the new world order of mutated animals and supernatural powers.

This isn't so fantastic that you know it's far-fetched or impossible, the exact opposite actually. There's enough realism woven into it that you think it could happen. It was done so well I was definitely able to suspend my disbelief and lose myself in the story rather than analyse it (as I would a writer reading another writer).

The secondary characters are great too and when I read the blurbs for the other books in the series I realised they get their own stories and because of the connection and empathy I had for them I immediately went out and pre-ordered them. LOL

So, if you're looking for a solid, satisfying post-apocalyptic adventure/romance with great characters and a strong storyline then get thee to a bookstore and buy this series. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Other books in this series:

MIDNIGHT
Their desire destroys her defenses.
Their love gives him a reason to live.
Three years of wandering the post-apocalyptic wasteland has stripped Dr. Chris Welsh of humanity and hope. He’s a dangerous man now, full of dark energy and yen for violence. A harrowing loss drove him from his home, and he hasn’t stopped moving since. Grim and sardonic, he never found anything worth sticking around for–until now.
Rosa Cortez runs Valle de Bravo, a haven of civilization amid the chaos of the Change. Soldiers take their orders directly from her–the iron hand within a velvet glove. The last thing she needs is a feral loner upsetting the town’s tentative balance. However, for the good of her people, she lets the sexy doctor stay. He evokes a delicious new longing, but she won’t submit to any man.
Tension rises as bloodthirsty raiders strike again and again, bent on possessing Valle and its resources. Together Chris and Rosa battle hellhounds and dust pirates while also fighting desperate attraction. To save them, love must overcome the pain of the past–and build a future in this brutal Dark Age…

DAYBREAK
Their mission was to save the world.
Their destiny is to fall in love.
It’s been twelve years since the Change, and Penelope Sheehan is one of the few still practicing magic for the good of humanity in this dark, dangerous world. Determined to infiltrate the notorious O’Malley organization, she poses as an abducted girl–until a furious lion thwarts her mission. When the beast turns into a devastatingly handsome man, she recognizes in him the troubled boy she once knew.
Since becoming a skinwalker, Tru Daugherty has allowed his animal nature to take over. Aloof and cynical, he takes no interest in making the world a better place. He’s a creature of instinct and impulse, living only to satisfy his senses–ignoring the scarred heart nobody has ever reached. He’s also the best man to help Pen bring down the O’Malley crime ring.
Fighting alongside the last holdouts of humanity, they unleash a passion that tempts them to risk everything for love. But if they succeed, Tru and Pen hold the power to brighten the Dark Age for all time.

GUEST AUTHOR: Cheryl Wright

Cheryl Wright is an award-winning Australian author, freelance journalist, and editor. In addition to an array of other projects, she is the owner of the Writer2Writer website and the Writer to Writer monthly ezine for writers. She also owns Resources4Writers.com

She is widely published, including novels, short stories, non-fiction books, poetry, and magazine features. Her work has also been published in anthologies and other collections.

In addition, she dabbles in website design and other creative endeavours. Cheryl presents workshops at schools, libraries, and writer’s conferences, and teaches writing online when time permits.

Hi, Cheryl, it's good to have you here, can you tell us a little about yourself? On a personal level, I’ve been married for 36 years to my own special hero, and have three of my six grandchildren living with me.  I’m often time-deprived because of that, and have to work around school hours etc.

It’s amazing what you can do when you have to.

On a writing level, I have one novel published, and around fifteen non-fiction books. (I have lost track. ☺) I’ve had short stories published (including one in the now defunct Arabella Romance Magazine), articles published in several magazines (was a regular columnist for two), and my work has appeared in several anthologies, including one as the lead story. 

When did you start to write and how long did it take you to be published? I started writing when I was about nine years old, after a hippy substitute teacher came to my school.  He introduced me to poetry, then later short stories.  It was the beginning of my love of the written word.

At the age of eleven I was editor of my high school newsletter.  Everything just grew from there.

After bringing up a young family and finally having some ‘me’ time, I began to take my writing seriously.  In 2003 – about thirty years after my first foray into writing - my first professional publication happened.  In the period of one year I had a magazine column accepted, a short story published in Arabella Romance Magazine, an article on a writing website, and my first novel accepted for publication. 

What sparks your creativity? Anything and everything.  I’ve written short stories after going to the supermarket where a robbery occurred, watched a woman sitting impatiently in her car, and even just closing my eyes and seeing a scene play out in my head. 

What do you think it is about your genre that readers find so fascinating? I mainly write romantic suspense.  It is a very intriguing genre for me.  I love learning about how crime works, forensics, etc.  Going by the number of popular crime shows such as CSI, Law & Order, The Mentalist, etc, that are running on the television, other people find them fascinating too.

In regard to novels, I think it’s the excitement factor, as well as being able to root for the heroine.  Finding out how she’ll get out of the curly situation she’s found herself in. 

Are you a pantster, scener, or plotter? Is it your characters or plot that influence you most? Pantser.  I’m definitely a pantser.  Sometimes that’s good, but I often write myself into a corner.

My characters always influence the story.  Plot is important of course, but as a pantser I always let my characters decide which way to turn next. 

What’s your writing process from start to finish when writing a book? I start off with the smallest gem of an idea.  Usually it’s a first paragraph or a premise.  Once I’ve written that first paragraph I’ll work on a brief outline of one or two pages.

Sometimes I’ll write the last chapter or epilogue, other times I won’t.

That’s it.  As a pantser, I can’t write a plot, otherwise the story is written as far as my muse is concerned.

Sometimes I write the novel from start to finish in chronological order, but other times a scene will be aching to be told, so I’ll write it then slot it in where it belongs.

Can you tell us about your latest release? SAVING EMMA is a romantic suspense, and is a ‘woman in jeopardy’ story.  Her husband has been murdered and the murderers are looking for something, but she doesn’t know what.

Along with her four year old daughter, Sally, Emma Larkin flees her Melbourne home where she meets Gary Bedford.

Unknown to her, Gary is an uncover cop.  He sets the wheels in motion to protect Emma and Sally.

Emma Larkin is running for her life--nowhere is safe. Stalked by her husband's killers, desperate to protect her young daughter, Emma must find what the killers are looking for before she becomes their next victim.

When undercover cop Gary Bedford planned a relaxing break, he hadn’t counted on bumping into Emma. Now he can't resist the temptation to discover all her secrets...

But should Emma trust her life and heart to Gary Bedford?And can they solve the mystery surrounding her husband’s death -- and uncover his deadly secret?   

What is it about your characters that made you want to tell their stories? I’m one of those inquisitive types. ☺

I like to know what makes people tick, and why they do the things they do.  Emma and Gary are no different.

Emma was acting strangely when Gary first met her, and he needed to know why.  Once he found out the truth, he set the wheels in motion to keep Emma and her four-year-old daughter, Sally, safe.

Can you share a few fun facts about the geographic locations where your novel takes place? I tend to write about places I’ve been to in the past, or have been recommended by other people.

Before embarking on a new novel, I usually revisit them to get a feel for the place as it is today.  The other reason for visiting again is to absorb the atmosphere and observe the people. That means the novel will reflect the setting better.

One of my novels is set is Maldon in country Victoria, and like my other settings, I visited there.  I booked a room and stayed for a few days.

I immediately embarked on a tour of the town.  I’d been told it was Olde Worlde but didn’t expect it to be so quaint.

I fell in love with it immediately.  The town is heritage listed, and it was like stepping back in time.  It even has an old fashioned lolly shop, like the sort you’d encounter at Sovereign Hill. Of course that was included in my book.

In addition, the motel I stayed in was furnished with antiques, and I made sure they featured as well. 

What was the easiest and hardest parts about writing the book? The easiest is writing the first few pages, and creating the characters.  The hardest part for me is always the ‘hump’.  The so-called sagging middle.

Maybe it’s psychological, but I always worry about keeping the middle interesting for readers. 

What’s the worst writing mistake that taught you a valuable lesson? Believing I knew it all and didn’t need to learn how to write.  Yep, I was raw and new.

What’s the most unusual place you have visited? A tip in Rosedale (Gippsland) that had previously been known as a tourist attraction.

Which book that you’ve read has made a lasting impression on you? And why? “How to Create Fictional Characters” by Jean Saunders, published in 1992.  It showed me I was doing it all wrong.

I still have the book, and occasionally lend it out, but always know who has it!

Do you have a pet that keeps you company when you write? I’m a cat person and have had as many as three cats at any given time. My cat Shadow always sat next to my chair keeping me company.  When he died a few years ago, Fluffy, a tortoise-shell, quickly took over.

If she’s not under my desk, she’s either sitting on my diary or jumping on my keyboard!

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have? I spent six years as a debt collector, but found that very stressful.  Then I became an account manager for an international insurance company.  If I hadn’t become a professional writer, I’m sure I’d still be doing that job. 

Are there any particular settings or sorts of characters you’d like to use in a future book? I’ve already written the first paragraph of two romantic suspense novels.  Surprisingly, both are set outside, and in country areas.

Both are women being pursued by killers. My heroines are generally kick-ass heroines (can I say that here?☺) so they’re not meek and mild wallflowers.  In some cases, they protect the hero. 

What’s next for you? What are you working on? I’m currently working on a romantic suspense that began with the snippet mentioned above where the woman sat impatiently in her car.

When that’s done, I’ll finish a contemporary romance that is three chapters written. 

Do you have any advice/handy tips/craft skills you’d like to share with unpublished authors? Don’t give up.  Never.  Ever.  It will take time, it will be frustrating, very frustrating sometimes.  People will discourage you, and sent negative vibes your way.

But don’t ever let go of your dreams.  Without them, you have nothing.

If you'd like to know more about Cheryl, check out her website.

Some of Cheryl's other books:

TOPIC: Writing Terms (part 1)

Ever attended a writers’ conference and been bamboozled by a host of acronyms or writing terms you’ve heard of but never quite understood? Here’s a few you might hear bandied about…

GMC – goal, motivation, conflict, used in reference to the characters in the story. Often referred to as what the character wants, why the character wants it and what’s stopping them attaining it.
HEA – happily ever after
HFN – happy for now
HMB – Harlequin Mills & Boon
ms. or mss. – manuscript or manuscripts
UF – urban fantasy genre
PR – paranormal romance genre
SFR – science fiction romance genre
rom.sus. – romantic suspense genre
FR – fantasy romance genre
EF – epic fantasy genre
DUF – dark urban fantasy genre
ST – single title (approx.80 000 words or more)
QL – query letter
FK – first kiss
POD – print on demand
POV – point of view
WIP – work in progress

Have I missed any? Feel free to add them in as a comment! :-)

Who's That Girl? interview with LaVerne Clark

We have a run on Kiwi's (New Zealanders) this month, folks!

Name? LaVerne Clark.

Where do you live? Nelson, the sunshine capital of New Zealand.

How long have you been a member of our organisation? I’ve been a member of RWNZ for about twelve years now. I’ve always written, but never took myself seriously until my children came along and time for myself became precious. Writing is my escape and what I do to relax, but it can be so excruciating at times!

What genre/s do you write in? I write Romantic Suspense but one WIP has insisted it is a Paranormal. I’ve set it aside for the moment, but the story keeps percolating away.

What's your current writing project? I’m writing a suspense set in Auckland, NZ called “A Klaus to Kill”.

My publisher had put the call out for Christmas stories and I was excitedly writing for this, but unfortunately, I got ill for a month and missed the deadline. The story still excites me though, so I’ll submit to my editor when it’s finished and cross fingers she likes it.

Have you entered any writing competitions? Have you found them to be helpful? I’ve only ever entered two writing competitions before. I’m shy like that. The first was a short story through RWNZ. This taught me a lot about what my strengths and weaknesses were and that to write romance, you actually needed to have romance in it ; ) Who knew?

The second was a competition through The Wild Rose Press to write a novella-length suspense story that had to include a blue diamond. I was gobsmacked when they offered me a contract for this story and squealed like a little girl when I heard a week later I’d actually won the competition!

So yeah – I’ve definitely found writing competitions hugely helpful : )

Apple, PC, longhand or other? I LOVE my laptop. Paper just gets lost or squiggled on around here.

Name your top 5 authors you like to meet, have lunch with and ask questions of about writing. Ohhh – wouldn’t that be wonderful?! Diana Gabaldon; Jodi Picoult; Nora Roberts; LaVyrle Spencer; Nalini Singh – Nalini, will you be around the Top of the South anytime soon? ; )

Do you have any routines or things you do to keep motivated when writing? I’m the world’s worst procrastinator and easily distracted. I love to write, but I dread it too!

The key for me is to make sure the internet isn’t on and to get writing straight after a shower. The steam helps unclog those brain pores I think!
 
Name one hobby you love doing and would be unlikely to ever give up (writing not included). Indoor netball. Our team loses badly every week, but we have so much fun doing it!

And lastly, finish these statements...
The actor I would most like to see play one of my heroes is...Sigh...can’t go past Gerard Butler.
My favourite childhood toy was...a thing called a Gonk. It was my first toy memory and had a cardboard tube for the middle, wrapped in wool with big fluffy ears. Weird huh? I still don’t know what it was meant to be – but I loved it.
The best thing about writing is...writing that first meeting scene. I love writing sexual tension.
Two things I would pack if I were going to an isolated holiday destination...30+ sun block (I have extremely fair skin) and my e-reader.
Three goals I've set myself for this year...finish and submit my current WIP to my editor, wrestle my paranormal WIP to the ground until it surrenders to my will, organise my time more efficiently and write something every day – even if it’s just a blog post. All writing is valuable.

It was a pleasure having you visit, LaVerne!
Thanks Kylie! That was fun : )

LaVerne has a blog and is on Facebook if you'd like to know more about her.

Shannon Curtis giveaway winner!

The winner of the pdf copy of VIPER'S KISS is...

Na
Na said...

Who left the comment: A quirky trait that I would love in a hero, is a man who can cook! Heroes are already extraordinary men with their protective nature, their strength and bravery but not often are their everyday, normal doings lauded. It would definitely make the hero more sensitive and tender with some scenes of him doing domestic duties. To add the quirk factor to it, he could be a cute klutz about it, buying cookbooks, putting on glasses as he squints at the TV cooking channel etc. :)

Email Shannon at this address - contactme (at) shannoncurtis (dot) com - and she'll arrange to get your prize to you. Congratulations and happy reading!

Happy Release Day - BLOOD CURSED

BLOOD CURSED is Aussie UF/fantasy romance author, Erica Hayes' latest release. It hits shelves today!!!

Happy Release Day, Erica!

Enter the fierce, fantastical world of the Shadowfae, where blood is a drug, magic is a crime, and love is the most dangerous weapon of all...

 
To a vampire, nothing is sweeter than bloodfairy essence -- and Ember is the most sought-after fairy on the underworld circuit. Selling her blood to the highest bidder -- and robbing her clients in the process -- Ember has unwittingly become a target of dark and dangerous forces. Her enemies are everywhere. And if she hopes to survive, she needs protection...

Diamond is a glassfairy who, for better or worse, knows his way around the vampire underworld. Smooth as silk and tougher than trolls, Diamond is Ember’s only chance to keep her magical blood inside her body, where it belongs. But he also poses a threat to Ember, a strange kind of danger she’s never experienced before: She’s falling in love with him... 

August is conference month...woohoo!

With the southern hemisphere romance writing community gearing up for their annual conferences, August is a chocka-block month.

The Romance Writers of Australia are celebrating their 20th anniversary and holding their conference at the Hilton on the Park in Melbourne, Vic.

And the Romance Writers of New Zealand are descending on the Crowne Plaza in Auckland.

I'll be attending both conferences then spending an extra week visiting friends in New Zealand. Posts on this blog may vary somewhat in the coming weeks but there will still be posts on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

To kick this month off, some funnies...