Christmas in July with Entangled Publishing

I pulled an old GIF for the NEW celebration. 

If you've found your way here, maybe it's because you joined the party on FB, HERE.

A scavenger hunt...but let's be real, all the answers are right here. Feel free to look around, hop over to my official WEBPAGE, and see what's going on with me.

But for the quickie, lunchtime break in hopes of a quick win on the scavenger hunt, look no further!!!

Answer 1. I write under the name Beth Rhodes.

Answer 2. Book two of the Rodriguez Family series is about Maria...Lena's sister.

Maria Rodriguez has been the well-behaved middle child her entire life—obedient and hard-working. But when a handsome stranger visits her small town and the sparks fly, she throws aside everything she knows is right to be with him. Then he walks away and she finds herself pregnant. Maria does the one thing she knows is right—goes to find him.
 The product of a nasty divorce, David March no longer believes in love between two people. He wants a simple, no-strings-attached marriage of convenience that will satisfy his responsibility to the baby yet leave his heart safe. Unfortunately, the more Maria is around, the more he has to fight his feelings for her.
 Maria is torn between her love for David and her desire to have it all—family, trust, and love. But as he continues to keep his distance, she begins to wonder if their differences are too great to overcome.

End of July used to be mid summer for me...now that I have kids in school, it's actually the end of my summer. I have three kids that start back up on 8-11 and another one that starts a week later. CRAZY! This Christmas celebration in like...an end of a season for me. 

One that I am thoroughly looking forward to!...

Enjoy the party, and I hope you win lots of prizes.

Why Romance?

I still think about this question every now and again. It's the self-reflection that comes up over time. Just recently, I've been seeing all the hype about the Fifty Shades of Grey movie releasing soon.

I never read the book. I won't see the movie, either. 

I don't even know that I'd call it romance. Erotic and Romance have distinct differences when you get to the nitty-gritty of story-telling. A happily-ever-after is not a given in erotic fiction. Like with women's Lit--for example, The Help. Truthfully, I don't pick up women's lit for the life of me. It's unsatisfying to read about women who may...or may not find a happily ever after.

But the hype of Fifty Shades brings about the controversy of romance, in general. Sex! In Books! Because for the first time in a long time, this erotic tale [notice I didn't say romance] is front and center of commercial fiction. This is a sexual journey... as people see, or like to see, or believe that sex has become--some kind of freedom, and that the freedom of sex will bring some kind of resolution. To me, that's the element that separates romance from erotic fiction. In romance, sex might bring change or create conflict or even bond two characters. As in real life--whether we believe sex is good before or after marriage--sex does these things. But it's not about the sex. It's the emotion behind making love that forces a person to look deeper into themselves and find a truth. What is love? How will it change a person? Is this a change the character can allow?

Recently, a facebook friend posted something. Sex before marriage is a lie. 

Now, I was raised conservatively enough to understand where this person is coming from. True love waits..and all that, yet at the same time, the statement feels wrong, it feels judgemental... a blanket statement that doesn't truly encompass everything good about humanity, including our faults. And without faults, we would have no need for this Love that we claim--forgiveness, mercy, and grace. 

So I commented.

Sex before marriage is human.

Is it part of your story? Does love exist in a vacuum of faultlessness? Or do we show our characters in real life? Is sex something to hide just because it's sacred or special or meant for that one person? Or is it time to have an open discussion about it? Do we not already talk about sex...woman to woman? Mother to daughter? Husband to wife?

Romance is inspiration and encouragement to maintain the vows we made [or want to make]. Reading romance is a small blip in a life full of DIY books, how-to manuals, conferences, retreats, workshops, and therapy sessions--all telling us how to live better, love more, and be happy.

So, why not read a romance? write a romance?....

Now, I have to get back to my latest book in which Mr. Perfection completely fails by falling for the most imperfect, flawed woman he's ever met...and bugger him, he wants her like he's never wanted anyone else, including the very nice, mother-approved woman he's been dating for a year and has every intention of marrying!! Will he be able to control his suddenly over-active libido and maintain his self-appointed heading to the perfect life, or will the road bring him to a point where conflict and discovery make him stronger and lead him to true love?

Gee, I know what I'm wishing for even if it does mean sex before marriage. <3 Way more satisfying to overcome the conflict, the idea that this perfect life is just going to land in our lap. To overcome the idea that we know what's right for ourselves!

Have a great weekend, friends.

With Love,

Beth

prompt fun

The title sounds like the fun I'm having is punctual... on time. Ha! Instead, I had a great time last night with several fellow writers in town. We were led through a few writing prompts inspired by words, phrases, and even a photo.

 I shared one bit on Facebook, and I thought I'd do the same on my blog with another selection.

Sometimes we get stuck in our writing... seriously. I haven't had such a freeing time writing in months. I've been neck deep in stories already started, characters I've been thinking about for ages. This was such a breath of fresh air. It really reminded me of why I like writing.

The possibilities are endless!!

This small bit was inspired by a photo of a house. Low-slung porch with doors and windows open, it had a warm homey feel to it. A swing off to the left and two chairs on the right had pillows. Made me want to step up and stay awhile...

...All the doors were open, inviting the young woman up the steps and over the front porch. She paused on the threshold and knocked on the dark wood. “Hello in the house,” she called out.
A breeze whispered by.
She entered, a flutter of nerves settling in her stomach. “Anyone home?”
The television was on in the corner of the great, open space. Two big sofas sat eskew to the right angles. An afghan hung over the back of one. Inviting, she thought, as she made her way toward the open doorway opposite her entry.
A breeze whispered by.
The rocker over to her left caught the moving hair and creaked. The old wood burning stove sat in the corner beyond, cold and dark. On the wall hung an old time photo, a family portrait. Women in skirts, men in their suits, gripping lapels. Not a grin on one face, except for the little one.
Just off to the right, a small child posed, knickers riding high on one leg, a ball in his hand....

I don't know about you, but I do believe there's a ghost story in that one somewhere. I'm filing it away for the next time I feel the need to break out of my rut!

Have a great week, friends!
With love,
Beth

MMA vs. The Gold Rush

I sat down to watch television. First was a lovely half hour with Joseph Rosendo, Travelscope. He was visiting British Columbia. And OMG, just gorgeous. Of course, he featured all the hotspots, the coast, through the different regions and finally ending up at the old mining town of Barkersville. He went fly-fishing, canoing, and sightseeing. He saw bears and moose. And the scenery!! Gorgeous mountains.

I couldn't help but think about the place as an alternative to my own country. I mean, if I was ever going to enter the Witness Protection Program or just relocate, in general... I would be pleased to find myself up there! And, of course, my mind immediately went to the next story. Could I write something contemporary? Or maybe an historical? I could include the gold rush... bawdy men-infested towns--brothels vs. churches. The struggle to survive cold, northern winters and the gold rush fever itself.

So tempting!

When that was over, I found myself watching MMA--that fighting craze going on right now. Extreme fighting. I read a book--Against the Ropes [NOT a sweet read]--and I liked it. Reading it and then watching the fight on television today, I wondered how a person would be inspired by this.

But the fact that I liked the book well-enough just goes to show that we don't have to be stuck in a rut or like only one thing. :) Maybe if I watched these fights enough, I'd get inspired. <3

Have a great week, friends.
With Love,
Beth

--> see what I mean???  

Revisions and Rewrites

It's true...i'm in it big time on Unwanted Vows.
There's this myth that an author doesn't want to mess with "their baby," that they've raised this manuscript from infancy and it's perfect. But I don't agree. I find that the hesitation to change something has more to do with the ripple effect.

Yes, one change instigates numerous others. Even when I get down to the nitty gritty and find a new brilliant way to show exactly what I mean without causing the most havoc, I find there is at least one surprise.

For example, one little change, postponing a "first date" by a couple of weeks, totally screws with my day-care dilemma. When the first date ends up being at the hero's parents' home and the hero's mother graciously offers to help out with the baby until the heroine can find a permanent spot in one of the nurseries in town... well that's divine providence.

Unfortunately, without that date... i need to make more stuff up.

Back to the drawing board, if you will.

But maybe it's a good thing because my heroine is inclined to keep to herself and NOT ask for help--oh, the humility, the pride! I guess she's going to have to step out of her comfort zone.

Definitely, not a bad thing. And perhaps, better than what was written originally, eh?

Back to the Basics

...and how Books changed my Life.

Maybe it's not so melodramatic, but books have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, from story books as a kid to reading story books to my kids! There's always been a connection to words that I can't deny.

I've never been discontent--that I can label. I would never admit to needing an escape from "real life." But...in the long run, there could be something to it. At twelve I was diagnosed with diabetes. My love to read might have started then. I do remember my fondest times being with Trixie Belden. Little House on the Prairie. And, The Baby-sitters Club. And even the classics, like Bridge to Terabithia. Seriously?! Who didn't love that book? Or Where the Red Fern Grows? 

I'm often telling my kids to get off the Wii or turn off the television.

And it's probably the best thing for them. But part of me wonders if it isn't just the new escape. A good hour with Shawn and Gus on Psych is probably alot like reading a book. OTOH, let's not forget that the reading helps us use our brains a good bit more than the television does. The television shows us everything--no imagination. I remember reading Bridge to Terabithia and then walking through the woods, wanting my own story. I see my husband read books today, and then talk about "how life could be."

We need that. Need to hope and strive for more than what's in our living rooms. A good romance can teach us about the enduring power of Love. A good mystery can make us use our brains, figuring out who the bad guy is going to be. Really THINK about how to solve a problem. 

Reading can squash our fears. For example, this summer, I'm making my daughter write a report on moths. Yes, moths, folks. She fears moths to the point of refusing to go into a room--even to shower. So far, we've gotten to the point where we can talk about moths [did you know they can live as short as a week?]. I won't say she likes them, but having the facts is a far better resolution than just yelling at her that "moths are harmless! Quit being such a big baby!!"

So, tell me...how has reading changed your life?

May Day!

It just occurred to me why "Mayday" is the word for HELP! I really am not liking this month. Grrr. It's too busy. And not just busy but hectic.

....and it's only day ten!!

My goal next year is going to be figuring out how to skip May. There's got to be a way, just got to be, she says, planting a fist into her palm with determination.

Enjoy the Saturday, good friends. We have the sun shining here in Colorado, and there is green on the trees. That's something anyway...don't you think?

With Love,
Bethanne

Fools Rush In...

...and other movies men will watch.

Does your significant other have any secret girl movies he likes to watch?

Mine loves two, Fools Rush In and Overboard [you have to watch it. It's excellent]. Why is that excellent? ...Because I want to watch it.

I think this scene from Fools Rush in is one of the favorites... he often likes to say, "...the white people are melting out here!"


Although, this is definitely a favorite scene, too...



When I wrote my book Letters From Home and the newest, unpublished WIP from the same series, I had this movie in mind. I just love the melding of these two families. The surprises, the fun, and the wee-little-bit of heartache... It's a great way to show how love can happen to anyone.

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It's another round of the The Just Romance Me Blog Hop. Wheeehooo! Thanks for being here. And I hope you enjoy the ride. :D I'm giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card.

...but wait, there's more!

Just Romance Me is giving away a Kindle Paperwhite w/ Special Offers for the Grand Prize, so keep going. It's just a short skip, hop, and a jump away from the best summer of your life.

Just click the Just Romance Me BLOG HOP image on the right to get back to the hop. :D Then click Next!

Do you got it?

I just read an article theorizing that only smart people can write and that there is a connection between intellect and the ability to write. But the first thing that comes to my mind is that my husband struggles to write!! He has a hard time putting to paper the thoughts running through his head. He'll even obsess over a thank you note.

My husband is smart. I wouldn't say he's smarter than I am, just different smart. And I think that's the theory to be proved. There are types of smartness. I'm a writer/creative. My husband is analytical. We are both smart. We merely show it in different ways. Oh wait... I think this theory has already been studied and proven! Doh.

It's almost insulting to say, that because he can't write well, he lacks intellect. But, that's what the writer of this article suggested--I think. One, that people either "have it" or "don't have it" and, two, that not having it means there is some lack of intellect and all smart people can write.

What do you think?

Where is Success?

We've been talking about Success [yes, i'm going to capitalize that word in the blog post], and how to get it, in my critique group. We've been talking about Street Teams--these fan clubs put together by an author that spread the word when new books come out. We've talked about the writing. The promotion and marketing....

So many variables in reaching Success. How do we get it right? Where is Success? WHAT is Success?

The bottom line? Success is different for everyone.

WHAT?!

That's it?! That's what you have for us? [the crowd groans in disappointment]

I know, but it's true. Success is personal and it is attained by each author differently.

For me, Success comes in writing a book. I don't care if I never sell it. When I have a completed manuscript in front of me, and I know it's the best I can do, I'm happy. I'm successful. This is a big deal. Do you want to know why? Most writers never finish that manuscript. NEVER. Even when it seems like everyone around me is writing, finishing, and selling manuscripts, in my head, I know that there are just as many and then a lot more people who aren't.

Maybe that makes me too laidback...maybe I should aim higher! But, my other belief maintains that Success is all about the long tail [as one of my crit partners so nicely put it]. Have you ever heard about that writer who worked for years and years and years on the same manuscript? Wrote, rewrote, edited-to-death, and then wrote again? That's just not going to work. We have to keep moving. Start new projects, finish projects, let go of the ones that will never ever sell no matter what we do to them. This isn't easy. I have a Romantic Suspense series. Three books of that series are written, but I have yet to be able to sell the first one. ACK! I love this story! About once a year, I pull this story out and I try to "fix" it. But more and more, I think...maybe it wasn't meant to be. :'(  So sad, but truth. And if I don't waste a month every year messing with it, think of all the other stuff I could do.

Authors have to be able to put more books on the market. Every year, another one or two or even three if we're lucky. Persistance. Secondary to that is the promotion and marketing.

Yes, I believe promotion and marketing is important and it works! I know it works. I've seen it work with my own books. But it's short term. You can't promo the hell out of one book for the next ten years. Eventually, you have to have another book to give the readers, or they will forget about you.

Think long-term. Think GREAT writing and stories that capture a heart. People love books. People buy books, and they'll continue doing so until the end of time--even if it does mean digitally. Romance, Horror, Sci-fi, Women's Lit. No matter what you write, writing is the key. Get it down, make it good, and put it out there.

Have a great weekend, friends, and happy writing!
With Love,
Beth

Been Too Long

Hiya folks.
Been too long!! You know when you miss blogging that it's been a while, and lately, I've been sleeping my life away for the most part.

Or that's what it feels like anyway.

But, in the last week, I've picked up the pace a little, writing during the afternoons--after my nap. :D :D LOL What can I say? I'm pregnant. If only I could harness the creativity of my dreams! Seriously!

So, tell me what the weather's like in your part of the country... we're back and forth between cold and sunny. Too dry out here for all the snowfall the east coast is getting, but cold enough to make me want Spring! Spring! Just a couple weeks away now...

Have a great week, Friends.
With Love,
Beth

Learn on the Fly

This is a bit of a writing update as well....
I wrote book two to my Letters From Home story and sent it to my editor, who, I hope, will like it.

And then I looked around and thought, let's do that again! So I decided to write book two of the story I have coming out later this year. But here's the thing. I'd already started that book, and it's about a doctor who is married yet separated... but I didn't like that. Oh no. BORING!

BTW, thank God I didn't like that right now, because the book coming out later this year actually references this hero and his wife. But I'll have to scratch that, because I can write a much better book about this doctor if he falls in love with the maid-of-honor at his younger brother's wedding. Especially when she shows up on  her Harley!

Oh, the part about learning... sorry, I got distracted by Brian and Lisa--oh crap. I think I know a couple named Brian and Lisa. ha! Well, let it be said here and now that I did NOT have them in mind when I created this story.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW!
Did you know Doctors without Borders is an unaccompanied tour? Yup. No spouses, no SOs. No crazy, fun lady you just met who wants to follow you on this project. So, I learned something new, and then I had to tweak my story. And instead of being ready to leave on a tour with Doctors Without Borders, Dr. Brian is just going to have some other...mission in mind. Perhaps a trip south because his buddy from college and med school asked for a favor?? Maybe his buddy is from a rich family, and the villages in the surrounding area depend on the buddy's family. So the buddy asks Brian to come down and start a clinic deep in the jungle of some country. And by south, I mean.... central or south America. That would be interesting. Yeah! That could be very good.

Anyhoo... still writing here.
With Love,
Beth

The author's Platform...

I think a platform is great...if you have one.
But mostly, I think people selling platforms are the ones who want to help you build it.

I know that's very cynical of me. I'm a pretty cynical person in general...
The truth is, as a reader, I don't give a flying leap what the author's platform is. I don't care if she wants to save the whales or ban all guns or whatever... I just don't care.

If she writes a good story and makes me love her characters...that's all that matters. I think readers want good books. To hell with what the author wants....

That is all... :D :D
Have a great day!!
With Love,
Beth

My Writing Process -- Blog Tour

Thanks to Ellen Butler, fellow Entangled author of Second Chance Christmas, for asking me to join this awesome Blog Tour where authors are sharing...how it all works. You can check out her story writing process HERE.

~*~*~

Now... for me.
 

     What am I working on?
This month I'm working on the second story in a new series [surprising, even to me!]. The first book came out in November--Letters From Home. The new one is Maria's story. She fell in love with a wanderer and, when she goes to find him, discovers he's not exactly who she thought... :)


    How does my work differ from others of its genre?
This is a hard question!! Romance's strength is in its clichés and tropes. Readers know what they are getting and crave the happily-ever-after!! But, that aside... I think my writing shows a deep sense of family that isn't always evident in category romance. Big, Catholic families. Small ones, too. But I like writing what I know, and I know family. I like to show the struggles inside the conscience...and no one knows the conscience [and guilt] better than an Irish Catholic! haha. Me!

No one knows making love better, either... so, I have lots going for me when it comes to romance. *blush* hahaha.


    Why do I write what I do?
I love romance! I love happy endings. I love taking characters from not-so-great to incredibly blessed. The truth is, we all struggle in life. There is nothing better than picking up a good book and reading about someone else who overcame the same kind of struggles... or maybe not-so-the-same. But still, when the heroine flees for her life and overcomes a serial killing maniac, satisfaction ensues. Especially when there's a handsome guy at her side along the way.


     How does your writing process work?
Getting an idea comes first. Usually it's the characters... maybe I'll read something online, in the news, or even in a book. And it will stick with me and develop in my brain. That being said, the majority of my ideas come from my own books. I have several series, and the reason behind that is because from those books come other books!! Like Lena's story...and then Maria's story...and eventually--as I write Maria's--I can feel a brother story coming along. I think Lucas is about to become the next strong character in this story.

And then I just write. I plot the story so I have some idea where I'm going. I create backstory and write it down so I know what's driving my characters. That's when the fun begins and the characters come alive...when I can suddenly see them in the "movie." :) Until I get to The End and smile.

Mornings are my happy time. I get up at 4am every morning and write for 2 hours, coffee included! The rest of the day is a little sporadic--I do have 5 kids, but I can usually get in a few more words before the day ends.

~*~*~

This was great fun. I hope you enjoyed it. If you came here from Ellen's blog, go back!! Find another thread on the chain and follow it through. :D I had no takers...and typically, I'm the end of the line on any chain that comes my way. It's SOP for me. ;)

Have a great week!
With Love,
Beth 





Nine Books...what?!

I'm actually judging a contest over the next several weeks, and I have nine books to read. Whoot! Nine freebies!! All contemporary romance. Even though I'm a little freaked out, because it's been years since I've squeezed 9 books into an entire year, I'm also excited. I rarely get to read the competition....er, fellow writer's work. Sad, but true!

And since I recently finished a manuscript and sent it off to my Editor, this is a perfect time to take a break and let the brain fog up a little. Enjoy a story, sit back and relax....

And announce that I'm pregnant.

YUP. Unexpected blessing number six. :D

Shocked you, didn't I??? Let the comments begin....
With Love,
Beth