Creativity for Happy Endings
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Monday, June 20, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Texas Passion Released
I plotted this book while attending a HWG critique group. Thank you Ladies for all your help.
Texas Passion
by: Anita Philmar
Blurb -
After a long cattle drive to Abilene, Trent McCall just wants to unwind. But in his absence, his father's been making wedding plans...for Trent. The last thing he needs is a spoiled and pampered socialite for a wife. What he needs is a hard drink and a willing woman. An uncomplicated woman who understands a man’s need for release after a hard ride. Good thing he’s got one waiting for him.
Four years back East haven’t changed Catherine Turnberry’s mind. Her heart is set on neighboring rancher, Trent McCall. When an end-of-the-trail party threatens to put him in the arms of another woman, Catherine grabs the bull by the horns. Taking the place of the whore hired to pleasure Trent, she intends to give him a welcome he'll never forget and show him what Texas passion is all about.
Excerpt:
“Well, now, did you think I’d ever arrive?” He shut the door and tossed his hat onto the table by the door. Dark curly hair circled his head, and his dark brown eyes met hers.
“I had no doubt you’d get here eventually.” Her hands shaking, Catherine laid her book on the rocker and tried for a more seductive tone. “But I’d like to know what delayed you.”
One corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked grin, he stepped forward, and then paused. “Wait a second, don’t I know you?”
Catherine nodded and toyed with the knot holding her robe together. Should she shed her robe and try to seduce him first? Or just tell him her name?
He tilted his head slightly, and a frown formed on his lips. The subdued lighting of the lantern didn’t mask the lines marring his brow.
Apprehension slithered over her skin, and a lump the size of Texas grew in her throat. “I…uh…”
“Catherine?”
More of an accusation than a question, her name echoed in her head. “Yes, I…” She edged closer.
He shuffled backward until his back hit the door. “What the hell are you doing here?” His gaze dropped to swell of her breasts, and the cattywhumped expression on his face registered. Clarity filled her head. The man might deny it, but the heat in his eyes proved he found her appealing. Energy pulsed through her, and she untied the knot at her waist. “I decided, since we’re practically engaged, I didn’t want you sleeping with another woman.”
“Whoa, don’t even think about removing that robe.” He held out his hands to stop her, but his tongue slid over his parched lips and the blaze in his eyes sparked higher. Catherine’s confidence grew, and the doubt that had plagued her for the last few hours faded. He might resist, but she’d show him this was what they both wanted.
http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=829
Review for "Texas Passion"
From Vicky at Sizzling Hot Books.
"Texas Passion is a hot quick read. There are several sexy scenes that scorch the pages they are written on. The chemistry between Trent and Catherine works so well that one wonders why Trent is surprised by her pursuit of him. The little touches Anita Philmar includes to place the setting, like the heat or the dust storm later in Texas Passion, reminds me enough of the Texas to make me home sick for my childhood. (I haven’t lived there for decades, but one never forgets Texas weather!) And the heat of the story matches the heat of Texas, so make sure you are near a cooling device (sweet ice tea is always a classic for a southern setting) when reading this one!"
To read the rest of the review visit -
http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/06/texas-passion-by-anita-philmar.html?zx=4b32c15c970ff69d
Hope you like the story,
Anita
Texas Passion
by: Anita Philmar
Blurb -
After a long cattle drive to Abilene, Trent McCall just wants to unwind. But in his absence, his father's been making wedding plans...for Trent. The last thing he needs is a spoiled and pampered socialite for a wife. What he needs is a hard drink and a willing woman. An uncomplicated woman who understands a man’s need for release after a hard ride. Good thing he’s got one waiting for him.
Four years back East haven’t changed Catherine Turnberry’s mind. Her heart is set on neighboring rancher, Trent McCall. When an end-of-the-trail party threatens to put him in the arms of another woman, Catherine grabs the bull by the horns. Taking the place of the whore hired to pleasure Trent, she intends to give him a welcome he'll never forget and show him what Texas passion is all about.
Excerpt:
“Well, now, did you think I’d ever arrive?” He shut the door and tossed his hat onto the table by the door. Dark curly hair circled his head, and his dark brown eyes met hers.
“I had no doubt you’d get here eventually.” Her hands shaking, Catherine laid her book on the rocker and tried for a more seductive tone. “But I’d like to know what delayed you.”
One corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked grin, he stepped forward, and then paused. “Wait a second, don’t I know you?”
Catherine nodded and toyed with the knot holding her robe together. Should she shed her robe and try to seduce him first? Or just tell him her name?
He tilted his head slightly, and a frown formed on his lips. The subdued lighting of the lantern didn’t mask the lines marring his brow.
Apprehension slithered over her skin, and a lump the size of Texas grew in her throat. “I…uh…”
“Catherine?”
More of an accusation than a question, her name echoed in her head. “Yes, I…” She edged closer.
He shuffled backward until his back hit the door. “What the hell are you doing here?” His gaze dropped to swell of her breasts, and the cattywhumped expression on his face registered. Clarity filled her head. The man might deny it, but the heat in his eyes proved he found her appealing. Energy pulsed through her, and she untied the knot at her waist. “I decided, since we’re practically engaged, I didn’t want you sleeping with another woman.”
“Whoa, don’t even think about removing that robe.” He held out his hands to stop her, but his tongue slid over his parched lips and the blaze in his eyes sparked higher. Catherine’s confidence grew, and the doubt that had plagued her for the last few hours faded. He might resist, but she’d show him this was what they both wanted.
http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=829
Review for "Texas Passion"
From Vicky at Sizzling Hot Books.
"Texas Passion is a hot quick read. There are several sexy scenes that scorch the pages they are written on. The chemistry between Trent and Catherine works so well that one wonders why Trent is surprised by her pursuit of him. The little touches Anita Philmar includes to place the setting, like the heat or the dust storm later in Texas Passion, reminds me enough of the Texas to make me home sick for my childhood. (I haven’t lived there for decades, but one never forgets Texas weather!) And the heat of the story matches the heat of Texas, so make sure you are near a cooling device (sweet ice tea is always a classic for a southern setting) when reading this one!"
To read the rest of the review visit -
http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/06/texas-passion-by-anita-philmar.html?zx=4b32c15c970ff69d
Hope you like the story,
Anita
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A 'Charming' Article for Heartland Writers Group
The local newspaper took some beautiful photos of my charm bracelet (Sherri Shackelford) for an article in the Sunday paper. In our group, we give charms for achievements such as contest wins, editor requests, agent requests, etc. We also give charms to celebrate events including our annual writers retreat and Christmas party.
Members Cheryl St.John and Mary Connealy contributed to the article.
I adore my charm bracelet and it's been super fun to see it print!
Read the whole article here:
Monday, May 16, 2011
Drum roll please...
As many of you know, the Mother's Day Committee sponsored a Kindle raffle. The drawing was held on Saturday and winner of the kindle is:
*lizzie Starr
Woo Hoo! Congratulations, *lizzie. And thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful fundraiser.
Thank you to our generous authors who donated books. And thank you to the Mother's Day Committee for sponsoring the drawing.
Genesis Finalists 2011
Genesis Finalists 2011
ROMANCE:
Sarah Ladd
Naomi Rawlings
Sherri Shackelford (Member, HWG)
Congratulations Finalists!!
Duel on the Delta
River City Romance Writers proudly present the
20th Annual Duel on the Delta Contest
Inspirational Category Results
Winner: Winning the Widow’s Heart* (Member, HWG)
First Place: Her Journey’s End*
Second Place: The Key to His Heart
*Additional chapters requested by Publisher
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Making Time to Write
The most important thing to remember is that it's not about making time to write, it's about making time for yourself.
As a stay-at-home mother, I was dedicated to proving my worth. Any moment I spent on myself felt like a betrayal to the sacrifices my family had made because I didn't work outside the home. After seven years, I was burned out and unhappy. I also worried about the message I was sending my daughter.
I had never written anything longer than an e-mail when I decided to write a book. For the first year, I dabbled in writing, afraid of spending too much time on a 'hobby'. Gradually I realized that if I wanted to grow and learn, I needed to put in the effort. When my youngest child started preschool, I claimed that time for my writing.
I average six to eight hours a week on writing, and manage about 3000 words in that time. Because I respect my writing time, my friends and family respect my writing time. I don't schedule lunches, volunteer, or run errands during that time. Even though I'd dearly love to grocery shop without a five-year-old in tow, I'd rather be a published author more. Next fall my youngest son goes to kindergarten, and I'm hoping to double my output.
I'm not taking time 'from' my family, I'm taking time 'for' myself. I don't resent my husband's secondary career in teaching, my daughter's dedication to her book club, or my son's acting lessons. And my family doesn't resent the time I spend on writing. We're a family, but we're also individuals with individual hopes and dreams. We support and encourage each other to grow.
There are times when I wish I had chosen a less difficult career, but the truth is--the career chose me. The road to publication has been slow and difficult, but there are nuggets of encouragement on the way: A contest win here, help from a generous published author there, and the wonderful relationships I've built along the way.
Here are my two best tips for finding time to write:
1. You never 'find' time to write, you 'make' time to write. Most people have all the time in the world to watch Survivor, play solitaire on the computer, and putz around the house. Don't expect anyone else to carve out the time for you--making time is your responsibility. If that means waking up at 4am, then set your alarm and prep the coffee maker. As a very smart woman (Cheryl St.John) once said, it's not what you're willing to do to achieve your dreams, it's what sacrifices you're willing to make.
2. Get a good group of like-minded friends and support each other.
By following these steps, I look at the lessons I'm teaching my daughter now, and I know I made the right decision:
Old message: When you become a mother, your needs don't matter anymore.
New message: The time you spend on yourself is important and necessary.
Old message: Your dreams are not as pressing as having a clean toilet.
New message: Dreams are as vital to your existence as breathing.
Old message: If there's a chance you might fail, don't try.
New message: Failure is a good. It's a sign that you're pushing outside your comfort zone.
Old message: If the task is difficult, quit.
New message: If the task is important to you: Never give up, never surrender.
Old message: Friendships are a drain on your time and energy.
New message: Friends remind you that you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin
Mills & Boon Author Jean MacLeod Dies
Author of 103 romance novels for Mills & Boon, author Jean MacLeod died on April 20th at the age of 103--proving that love keeps you young at heart.
There's a lovely article about her in the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/books-obituaries/8478548/Jean-MacLeod.html
An excerpt:
"Mills & Boon always had a champagne tent on Ladies' Day at Ascot for their authors," Jean Macleod remembered. "One year Barbara sauntered over and dismissively asked: 'Wearing the same outfit twice, Jean? Are things really that hard?' I didn't dignify it with a response – she was known for her sharp remarks."
Here's to one classy lady!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Bad Review? You Are Not Alone!
Everyone--and I mean everyone--I know who writes books has received a bad review at one time or another. It's part of the business. This week, an author exploded onto the web with her rant against a negative review. While I can appreciate her frustration, I think we can all agree that short-term publicity is not worth the long-term headache.
In honor of lukewarm reviews, vicious critiques, and poorly-worded insults, here's a gift for the writer in your life:
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