Writing New Fairy Tales

Many of the stories that we may be familiar with from Disney are actually retellings of older tales. They've continued to be popular with modern readers, which is obvious by the number of fairytale retellings that are available.

One popular fairytale, Beauty and the Beast can also be found across cultures. You can see parallels between that story and the myth of Persephone and Hades.

My Once Upon A Princess series features princesses who fall in love with shifter heroes.. In Heart of Stone the princess is in her 30's and has suffered personal losses. She's more skeptical and less innocent, but she's open to love when she meets the "beast." In Beauty & the Faun a Cinderella-inspired heroine isn't a princess when she starts out (the princess part comes later on). The heroine in Land of Dreams is a mysterious princess who has secrets of her own.

With fairytale retellings we can take well-known stories and add our own twists. We can put them into the modern day, a magical fantasy world or a futuristic setting. There are countless stories available to inspire us to take familiar tales and give them new interpretations.

I'm presenting a "Fairy Tale Retellings" workshop beginning on March 20^th at SavvyAuthors.com. If you'd like to learn more about writing your own retellings, click the link for more information.

Using Quotes in Your Book

One of the things I enjoy is collecting quotes. I have a file of them that I've been keeping for years. And because I like quotes, I always use at least one for each book I publish.

 For me, the quotes reflect the theme of the story. They're not just for the reader, but for me as well. Sometimes, if I've picked one early enough, I keep it in mind as I write. But usually, I don't pick one until after the book is finished. I'd prefer to have the quote earlier in the process, if I can find one that I really like. If not, I add it at the end after editing is done.

When it came to working on two books in my Worlds of Fire romantic fantasy series, I decided on four quotes that described the theme of each book. 

For Blood Red Moon I decided to use three quotes for different sections of the book: the beginning, the middle and the climax. Throughout the book the heroine is evolving as she learns about her past (her memory was blocked by magic). The sections divide the parts of her journey from having no idea of her origins, to ultimately stepping into her power. 

1. "In Order to Rise from its Own Ashes, A Phoenix Must First Burn" – Octavia E Butler

Actually, this quote inspired me to write a book about a phoenix shifter. It says to me that we may have to go through certain trials and experiences in order to come into our own. Unfortunately, it often takes life lessons for us to realize what we're made of.

Avani, the heroine, and Derek, the hero, have no idea what they have to do in order to fulfill their destiny. Their city was destroyed before they received the teachings. In their new life together, they don't always make the best choices. At times it's because of fear of secrets being revealed, at others it's because they're still learning to trust each other.

2. "Don't You Know It Yet? It is Your Light that Lights the Worlds." – Rumi

I have a lot of Rumi quotes collected and this is one of my favorites. In the book it relates to how Avani must learn to accept herself. She's confused because she's forgotten her early life with Derek. She's in a new situation and isn't sure where she fits in. The key to her stepping into her power is for her to accept that she has it. And that is something I think that people in general can relate to.

3. "If You Surrendered to the Air, You Could Ride It." - Toni Morrison

This quote is from one of Morrison's novels and that story has nothing to do with mine. But I felt the quote was a fit because surrender is a key part of Avani's experience in the story. She has to stop fighting against her fears and her memories of what happened in the past. Also, she has to deal with the antagonist who is fighting against her and Derek. Ultimately she has to accept that she has the power to defeat him.

Overall, the theme of the book is about discovering who you are and stepping into your purpose. And it's also about the power of love since that's what reunites Derek and Avani (in spite of the forces that try to keep them apart).

For Metamorphosis I chose one quote from one of my favorite authors, bell hooks (her pen name is in lowercase).

"There is light in the darkness, you just have to find it."

This is another story about discovering your worth, but in this one Asira, the heroine, doesn't have to remember who she is. She already knows, except she thinks she doesn't have the freedom to make her own choices. 

However, a magical spell in the hands of a desperate classmate leads to her having to learn a few lessons. Luckily the hero, Jaydon, is on hand to assist, and together they team up to resolve the situation.

If you'd like to read more about the Worlds of Fire series, you can check it out here: https://authordebbailey.com/worlds-of-fire-series/

Creating New Words for Your Stories

 

Usually, I create words for my fantasy and science fiction worlds, but it can be a challenge to come up with them. Often I research topics I'm basing stories on, and then that helps me to decide.

For instance, for my latest book, Blood Red Moon, one of the main characters is a Templar. One of the supporting characters is the Templar third in command, a woman I only identify as the Seneschal. That rank would've actually been the second-in-command. But I liked the sound of the word.

No, I didn't create that word. Instead, I used one that already existed and was a good fit for the story. If it's possible to use an existing word that works (and if you can use it in your work) there's nothing wrong with that.

Other words I used in the book were from languages, such as, Latin and Spanish. For instance, the phoenix character is associated with a vampire. She's referred to as a blood, or sanguis phoenix. Sanguis, being a Latin word for blood.  The phoenix associated with gold is referred to as an aurum phoenix (aurum is Latin for gold).

In my novella, Heart of Stone, I only ended up creating one word, "Malida." The reason I created it was because I wanted to use it during a conversation between the hero and heroine. Willem, the hero, uses that word to refer to the heroine's grandmother. The grandmother is a former queen of the province where the story is set. In the aftermath of a war, the heroine, Leesa, and her grandmother are (as far as they know) the only remaining members of the royal family.

When Willem asks Leesa about her grandmother he calls her Malida, a term of endearment meaning "great mother." For Willem to know that name, he would have to have known more about the family than he's admitting.

Sometimes words come to me easily, other times I have to do a lot of brainstorming. It all depends on how the word feels to me and whether I think it's a fit. It can be a challenge to find (or create) the perfect word or phrase, but when you hit on just the right one, it adds another layer to the story world.

 

What's Your Writing Process?

Over the years I've tried to plot my stories beforehand, but it's never felt comfortable. Then I started creating outlines and that seemed easier for me. 

A lot of the time I have an idea but it's always subject to change. That makes it challenging for me to write faster. So I've learned to accept that the book is going to take the time that it takes. 

Usually, my story begins as a conversation in my mind between the characters. I might not know who the characters are at first, that takes more writing. Eventually I get an idea of who these characters are and what is happening in their world.

Since my stories are character-driven (as opposed to plot-driven) I have to get a feeling of who the characters are. What do they want? What are they hoping to achieve? It might take a lot of writing before I have those answers.

Finally, once I've written several scenes, I have an idea of what the story is about. At that point I may write an outline so that I'll have a rough idea of how the story will go. I'm a "pantser" and not a plotter, so my story may change a lot as I work on it. I don't always stick to the outline, instead I use it for guidance.

For my latest book, Blood Red Moon, I had a rough idea of the first chapter of the story, but I made a lot of changes to it. My original idea was to have Avani and Derek as adversaries without a prior relationship. However, in the final version I wanted them to be long lost lovers. As I wrote the different drafts, I had more of an idea of the vampire and shifter cultures. It took a lot of writing and working on the story before the backstory made sense to me.

As I wrote and edited, I had more of an idea of how the story would go and how it would end. In fact, I wrote the ending before I finished writing the last third of the book. I knew where I wanted the story to go, and with each version of the draft I understood how to get the characters there.

Often the completed story ends up being more than I expected. I may not know what the story will be when I first start out, but it's rewarding to go from the initial idea to a fully developed story.

Writing Romantic and Intimate Scenes

 

When I wrote the intimate scenes for the novellas in the Once Upon A Princess Trio, I wanted to be sure they were a fit for the stories.

Each novella features a different couple, and each scene is a fit for their relationship. In Heart of Stone, the hero is a gargoyle shifter who is actually under a magical spell. The scenes are more based on fantasy than reality since they occur in his enchanted palace. The hero has been in love with the heroine from afar, and he's desperate to show her his love. If she falls in love with him, it can be the key to breaking his curse.

For Beauty and the Faun, I didn't introduce intimate scenes right away. In fact, the couple are friends and not lovers for most of the story. The heroine hasn't been intimate with anyone before. I emphasized that she was having her first experience. The hero is playful and a bit of a "bad boy" but he's patient enough to wait until the heroine is ready. And once she is, they both find that they're matched as lovers.

In Land of Dreams, the hero has a more complicated origin story (I won't say more so that I don't reveal any spoilers). He's not expecting to fall in love with the heroine. He plans to help her learn magic and nothing more. The hero is a world-weary type who is nursing a broken heart. Since the story is in his POV the scenes are more sensual and have less "insert tab A into slot B" kinds of descriptions.

Writing intimate scenes can be a big challenge. Should there be a lot of detail? How soon should the first love scene happen? It all depends on knowing your characters and understanding the purpose of the scenes. I think it's important that the actions and emotions feel natural. Romantic scenes should enhance the story and not feel out of place.

Wishing Everyone a Happy (and Productive) New Year

 Okay, so the productive part is mostly aimed at myself. I wasted FAR TOO MUCH time doomscrolling last year. The pandemic is still hanging around, but I am determined to keep my fingers type-typing away this year.

My ideas have always outstripped my ability to turn them into novels. In some ways this is good--it means the ideas that make it into novels are generally the best-of-the-bunch--but it's frustrating when I have a new idea that I love which I know I won't have time to write for literally years. So, I'd like to improve the ratio and that means being more productive. 

My normal drafting pace is around a 1000 words/day. Which was a perfectly adequate word count when I had toddlers to look after or a job, but I ought to be able to do better now. So I've started a new strategy. Basically, instead of trying to hit a word count (and then usually quitting for the day if I make it) I'm going to aim for writing for two or three hours a day. Actual writing time, not me writing a hundred words then goofing off on social media. I'm too cheap to shell out for a program that bars me from social media like Freedom so I'm using the Alarm Clock function on my computer. Once ever hour I set a 30 minute timer during which I am not allowed to open my browser but must remain in my word processor program.

So far this is really working for me! I've hit over 2000 words each day this week, which for me is a terrific day. 

The lurking worm in my bowl of soup is that I started a new novel on Monday and I know from experience that my writing always goes smoother during this first "honeymoon" phase. I won't truly know how my timer method is working until I hit the inevitable snag/vague bit in my outline. In the meantime I'm going to get in all the words that I can.

Tally ho!

Wishing you all the very best New Year!

It's #PitMad! Who's participating?

As many writers know, March 4 is #PitMad on Twitter. In case you're not a writer, #PitMad is a social media "party" that allows unsigned writers a chance to get the attention of agents. PitMad takes place four times a year, and on those days between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET., you have a chance to tweet a short pitch of your book in the hopes of getting the attention of an agent. 

I have never participated in PitMad before because I am fortunate enough to have found a publisher who I trust and that supports me in my fiction writing career. However, I will be participating in PitMad this year because I have a nonfiction book proposal. Nonfiction is very different from fiction in many ways. For the most part, getting a nonfiction book proposal seen by a publisher requires an agent. There are exceptions to this rule, but it's much easier to query a publisher directly for a fiction book than a nonfiction book. 

I've queried agents already and, while they've all passed, they've all responded with lengthy replies that have offered advice. I've had three tell me, "I would love to take on this project, but you don't have a large enough social media following." But then they've added something to the effect of, "This is a strong proposal and idea, so keep trying. You may find someone willing to take a chance on it."

I understand that nonfiction is a hard sell, even during PitMad. I guess I'm stubborn and, quite honestly, desperate, so I'm going to give it another try. I'm scared near to death, to be honest, but I'm going to take a deep breath and go for it. 

If you're on the fence about participating in PitMad, why not join me? Here are the tips I've found online:

• Pitch one manuscript up to three times in a day
• Don't pitch in a thread
• Don't use links, images, or gifs
• Use the hashtag #PitMad with your relevant genre

You will find more information on the Pitch Wars website for PitMad.

Good luck to everyone who is participating! May the force be with you, and all that.

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Angela Campbell is the author of the psychic detective series, a paranormal romantic suspense series featuring ghosts, sexy psychics, haunted houses, serial killers ... and cats and dogs. Learn more about her books at www.angelacampbellonline.com. She also tweets way more than she should about her foster cats. Follow her on Twitter at @angelacampbel.

How to Pick the Right POV for Your Book

Before I started writing novels, I wrote short stories in First Person point of view (POV). The stories often came to me that way. I'd hear the character's voice, then I'd start writing. Of course, getting ideas isn't always that simple. I wish it was! 

But, what are we hearing? Is the character telling us who they are? Or maybe they're having a conversation with other characters. We have to get to know them before we write their stories. 

The thing is, there are times when a lot of characters pop up and we get overwhelmed with ideas. That's when it's time to take notes and prioritize which story to start first. 

The best part is having so many ideas that you can make a list of books to work on. The challenging part is when you start working on a book and you have to find out who the characters are. I'm a "pantser" and not a plotter. For me, the characters drive the story, as opposed to me creating a plot first. 

That's why I spend a lot of time listening to the characters first - getting to know them and what the story is about. I think that's the key. We have to find the character's voice and their reason for being. We have to know what the character wants and what they'll do to get it. 

When I write, I often start out with first person POV in my initial drafts. I write down scenes and conversations that come to mind. Then, as I go along, I start to develop the story. Even with that  preparation, I'm not always sure what POV to use. 

Here are some ways to decide on a point of view for your book:

1. What is the easiest way for you to write the story? This may seem very simple, but it comes down to choosing the best way to get your words on the page. When you start writing, is there a POV that comes to you naturally? Or do you end up struggling to tell the story? 

2. What's your genre? I've read a couple of thrillers in first person POV. I'm not usually a thriller reader, so I could just be picking outliers in the genre. But, I have enjoyed reading those stories because I've felt close to the narrator. In a story where there is danger lurking, or deception to be revealed, I think a First Person POV can be very appealing. It makes you feel that you have some inside knowledge of what's going on. 

3. Is it a personal story? When you're telling a story that reflects a deeply personal experience, a First Person POV will be the best way to go. There are women's fiction novels that do this very well. Particularly when the main character is questioning her life and looking back on past experiences. 

First Person & Deep Third Person 

First person is the perspective of the character. If they don't know something, it can't be part of their view. You may know that their current love interest may disappoint them. Or that their "meet cute" will be the love of their life. Or that the dragon shifter is really a long lost prince or princess. But if your main character doesn't know it, they can't reveal it in their thoughts.

In some ways, I think First Person is very similar to the Deep Third Person POV. In that point of view, the reader gets a very up-close-and-personal view of what the character is experiencing. It all depends on the distance you're giving between the reader and the character.

Third Person Limited is probably the most popular POV these days, but Deep Third Person can be fun to try - especially if you're not comfortable writing in First Person. 

You'll notice that I'm not mentioning Second Person POV. It's not as popular as third and first, and I feel it would take a bit of work to get it right. However, there's nothing wrong with giving it a try, if you like. But, keep in mind what the conventions are for your genre. If your readers aren't into it, it won't be the best choice. 

Part of the fun (and sometimes the stress) of writing is trying new ways to tell your stories. Things have changed from the days when Third Person Omniscient (where the narrator knows the thoughts of all the characters) was the popular choice.

 Don't be afraid to experiment. Choosing a different POV for your book might enhance your creativity and open up ideas that you hadn't thought of. 

Using Mythology in My Hathor Legacy Series

When I was working on my Hathor Legacy science fiction romance series, I wanted to use mythological references in the story. For one, the story takes place on an Earth-like planet on another solar system. Characters from Greek and Roman mythology are used to name planets and constellations in our solar system, So, I decided to name the planets in my story after Egyptian mythology. 

Hathor is the planet of the Guardians and of the hero and heroine, Jonathan Keel and Nadira. The name of the planet is a perfect fit for the theme of the story. Hathor is an Egyptian goddess who symbolizes joy, love and motherhood. 

In my books, mothers play a key role in shaping the events. Both Jonathan Keel and Nadira’s mothers rebelled against the established order of  a corporate-run society.

Their rebellion ultimately leads to Jonathan and Nadira getting together and falling in love. Their relationship helps to shake things up in a culture controlled by Novacorp, the corporation that runs the planet. 

The Egyptian goddess Hathor is also known as the “cow goddess,” and her symbol is a sun disk sitting between the horns of a cow. Novacorp’s U-shaped corporate logo is based on that symbol. 

Since Hathor is also known as “Mistress of the West,” I had Jonathan’s mother be from that part of the planet. Hathor is the patron goddess of miners–-and mining is at the core of the Novacorp economy. 

Once I started to research the mythology, I was surprised at how many things fit my story!

Hathor’s mythology is similar to the goddess Isis, and over time a lot of their characteristics were merged. But, Isis has her own story, and it inspired me to name the twin moons of Hathor, Isis and Osiris. This relates to the myth of Isis searching for her husband Osiris after his brother Set killed him to assume the throne.

There’s a lot more to Isis’ story that I won’t go into here, but I used the imagery to symbolize the journey that Nadira and Jon take when they’re searching for Jon’s father, who’s presumed dead. So, even if every reader isn't aware of the Isis and Osiris story, it's another layer that I've added for those who will see the symbolism. 

Jonathan Keel is from the planet Astarte, which is another world in that system. Astarte is a goddess who’s also known as Ishtar. Known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, she was also associated with Aphrodite and Isis. 

Since Astarte is the goddess of love, it’s fitting that when Jon arrives on Hathor, he and Nadira are in a romantic relationship at the end of book one.

Once you start looking into the mythology of different cultures, it's interesting to see the relationships. Some deities were known in various countries/cultures or they were merged with other deities, giving them similar powers and origin stories.

One of the moons of Astarte is Demeter (where Jon’s father is CEO of the mine). In Greek mythology, Demeter went into mourning when her daughter Persephone was taken away by Hades. This is a reference back to Nadira being taken away from her mother so that she could be made into a Guardian.

There’s a wealth of stories to be pulled from mythology, and we don’t have to limit our influences to Egyptian, Greek or Roman gods and goddesses. For instance, Nadira’s mother is named after Minona, a West African deity who protects women and the home. And in the books, Nadira’s mother takes action to protect Nadira from the forces that want to use her for their own purposes.

For the beach scene in Hathor Legacy: Burn, I referenced the deity, Yemanja when Jonathan describes seeing Nadira going into the water. Yemanja is an Orisha (a spirit reflecting a manifestation of God), originally of the Yoruba religion.

However, she’s also known as Yemayá in Santería. In Brazil, she’s “Queen of the Ocean,” and the patron deity of the fishermen and the survivors of shipwrecks. As I said, some deities can be found across many cultures!

There are countless stories from various countries, cultures and belief systems around the world. I've even started a Pinterest board where I collect pins of deities from countries across the globe. It's been very interesting and I'm always finding new ones to add. 

When you’re looking for ideas, mythological characters (and themes) can provide a great deal of inspiration and add to your worldbuilding. 

If you'd like to check out the stories, you can learn more about Hathor Legacy: Outcast, Hathor Legacy: Burn and Hathor Legacy: Revelations on my site https://dbaileycoach.com/brightbooks. 

HERE BE NEWS for July 27, 2020

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Monday, July 20 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic.  

Tuesday, July 21 -
“Promote on Social Media Without Being OVERWHELMED” – Social media can be an author’s best friend – if used wisely. SciFi romance author Deborah A Bailey provides tips. 

Thursday, July 23-
“ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS?” – Author Maureen Bonatch talks about how people try to influence their luck. Plus she announces her newest story, a dark suspense with a very superstitious heroine! 

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HERE BE NEWS for June 15, 2020

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Monday, June 8 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic, including something something something...  

Thursday, June 11-
“5 THINGS TO HELP YOU THROUGH WRITING When You’re Not Quite Into It…”  Author Ruth A. Casie offers tips for distracted wordsmiths. 

HUGH
Pirates of Britannia Connected World 
Book 1: Sons of Sagamore 
BY RUTH A. CASIE

Family secrets filled with intrigue, treachery, and a 30-year-old murder must be resolved or he'll lose her forever.

Hugh Talbot is a self-made man who built his fortune one coin at a time. One of the wealthiest men in England, people vie to be his client. He is a loyal man who is instinctive and decisive by nature and bases his business on honesty and trust. An eligible bachelor sought after by every mother with a single daughter, he has no interest in a relationship, until he falls wholeheartedly in love with Charlotte.

Lady Charlotte Eden and her father recently from France have taken up residence at their long-neglected family estate in England. A methodical well-organized archery champion she is introduced to Hugh by a mutual friend. His support of her archery endears him to her, add his honesty and good humor and she is doomed. Theirs is not a budding romance. It is in full bloom.

When Hugh introduces Charlotte the daughter of Lord Miles Eden, the Earl of Sagamore to his family, a decades old scandal filled with intrigue, treachery, and murder comes to light. Hugh’s family is turned upside down when his father announces he is the true Earl of Sagamore who had denounced his title and legacy and that his uncle Lord Miles Eden, was killed in a duel three decades ago.
His world in shambles, Hugh’s loyalty to his family will be tested when he must decide if blood is thicker than water.

Praise for Hugh: Pirates of Britannia Connected World – Book 1 Sons of Sagamore:

“Wow, a great story that will keep you on the edge to find out what is going on and how it will all turn out!! Ruth Casie at her best!” ~ L. Dykes, Goodreads

“I loved this captivating story of unraveling family secrets with twists and turns til the very end.” ~ D. Brown, Goodreads

HUGH is a Kindle Unlimited book and also available as an e-book or paperback at Amazon. The Amazon link is: 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088G2CR9J

BREACHERS - They are the cause of many legends, myths, and fairy tales. And they still live among us.

During the month of June, author Linda Mooney is featuring all 3 ebooks are just 99 cents each!

Excerpts and purchase links:  
https://lindamooney.com/Breachers.htm

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HERE BE NEWS for April 27, 2020

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Monday, April 20 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - The latest from the fantasy romance authors at Here Be Magic, including something something something.  

Wednesday, April 22 -
“USING THE HEROINE'S JOURNEY FOR PLOTTING YOUR BOOK” – Stuck? Need inspiration? Paranormal romance author Deborah A Bailey shares a story structure method where the main character must face their deepest fears and desires.

Friday, April 24 -
“SHAKESPEARE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19” – On The Bard’s birthday, author Shawna Reppert celebrates the value of the arts … including the art of handwashing, Macbeth-style!

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HERE BE NEWS for March 16, 2020

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Monday, March 9 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the gang at Here Be Magic.

Wednesday, March 11 -
"12 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ST. PATRICK'S DAY" - From the original color (hint - it's not green!) to the traditional foods and more, see how many of these you know! By author Ruth A. Casie on Here Be Magic.  

Thursday, March 12 -
"WAYS AUTHORS CAN USE PINTEREST FOR MARKETING AND INSPIRATION" - Deborah A. Bailey shows how this often overlooked social site can help authors find readers plus connect with other writers. 

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from the authors at Here Be Magic

Authors at Here Be Magic may host their own giveaways or take part in larger events with other authors in the genre.
..................................

It's here! 

THE ANNUAL SPRING FLING GIVEAWAY 

at Night Owl Romance

Looking for some fun? Discover new-to-you authors and books in the online romance reader scavenger hunt! 

Enter between March 17th and the 31st. You could win a waterproof Kindle Paperwhite, a reader-inspired Prize Bag or Amazon gift cards.

https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Spring-Fling-2020

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HERE BE NEWS for March 2, 2020

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Monday, February 24 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the gang at Here Be Magic.

Tuesday, February 25 -
"DISTRACTIONS" - Every writer gets them! Author PG Forte asks "What tricks do YOU use to get yourself back on track when you’ve fallen off the writing wagon?" 

Thursday, February 27 -
SCI-FI FLASH FICTION today! Read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" by Linda Mooney, plus get a look at her shiny new sci-fi romance, "Return to Neverwylde". 

LOVIN' LARGE

Erotic Sci-Fi/Paranormal/
Futuristic Romance
by Linda Mooney 
writing as Carolyn Gregg

Word Count: 25.6K
$2.99 e

A "Choose Your Ending" Romance! 

Asa Kelby, Director of Entrapment for WesCept, never knows what his job will entail day in and day out. After the earth passed through a comet’s tail, wiping out 90% of all animal species, life changed drastically for both humans and remaining animals. Gone is the surplus of meat for meals, domestic pets, and farm animals. But companies like WesCept are working hard to reverse that.

Scientists have developed a machine that can reach back in time, seize animals of all shapes and sizes, and transport them forward to current time to repopulate the Earth, bringing those species back from extinction, and also provide food for meat-eaters. The biggest problem is they have no control over what animals the Grabber will trap, or even WHEN in history those animals will come from.

At great risk, Asa’s boss tells him to turn up the power on the Grabber, in hopes of bringing in bigger game, but they weren’t quite expecting it to bring in something quite as large or prehistoric as they are soon facing. When the mistake is realized, it’s too late, and they get more than they bargained for. More than the history of Earth itself ever knew existed.


And it will shake the very core of everyone’s belief as to humanity’s past.

Excerpt and Buy links

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HERE BE NEWS for February 10, 2020

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Monday, February 3 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the gang at Here Be Magic, including an ebook sale.

Wednesday, February 5 -
"WRITING ADVICE - CHARACTER GOALS" - Every story needs stakes, every character needs purpose, but did you know that every scene needs a reason? Author Nicole Luiken discusses goals big and small.

Saturday, February 8 -
This week's Bring It Back(list) feature is "HEARTFAST", a Sensuous SciFi Series by Linda Mooney. Scroll below for all the details.

HEARTFAST 
Book 1 of the HeartFast Series 
by Linda Mooney

They are the Guardians, sixteen special men and women with incredible powers who have sworn their lives to the protection of their galaxy, while upholding the laws of their world.

It was a world that, eons ago, had suffered a devastating plague that had rendered more than half its population unable to reproduce. As a result, in order to assure the survival of their species, the HandFast law was enacted. Every month, twenty couples were drawn by lottery. Couples whose sole purpose would then be procreation, the continuation of the species. For the length of one year, two complete strangers would follow the edicts of the HandFast, until the woman conceived.  Once that was accomplished, the couple was no longer bound to each other, and they could go their separate ways while the child was given to a couple unable to bear children.

It was a cold and impersonal law, but it worked.

However, the Guardians were exempt from having their names drawn in the lottery.  The very nature of their jobs, risking their lives day in and day out to protect their galaxy, precluded any thought of bearing children.

Which was why, when StarLight and Master Hunter heard their names called out to be HandFasted, their neat, orderly lives were turned upside-down. Gone was the comfortable companionship they'd known. Gone was the brother-sister working relationship and the friendship.  

Now they would be forced into an intimacy neither had wanted,  nor expected.

Neither would they be prepared for the overwhelming passion they would find in each other's bodies, as well as in their hearts. 

And things would only get more complicated and dangerous. Because their names had been deliberately placed on the lottery, and the drawing had not been a fluke.  Instead, it was the first step in destroying their world and every Guardian living.

BUY LINK: https://lindamooney.com/HeartFast.htm 

PS - During the month of February, all 3 ebooks are just 99 cents each! (Available at all vendors and Linda's website.)

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DON'T MISS THIS INTERVIEW! 

Here Be Magic alumnus Veronica Scott interviewed our own Jenny Schwartz for the Amazing Stories website last week. Here's the link to check it out:
"Author Jenny Schwartz on Space Specters, the Allure of the Galactic Frontier and More" 

New Release by Jenny Schwartz
SPACE SPECTER
Interstellar Sheriff Book 3 

The Saloon Sector is the Federation’s official frontier, but beyond it lurks the Badstars. Bandits hide there. The Saloon Sector is Sheriff Max Smith’s territory. Since the revelation of his secret identity, life has changed for Max and Thelma. Their relationship is under increased pressure.

Admiral Astyages, newly appointed in command of the Frontier Fleet, manipulates them into joining a Navy expedition to map a safe route to the wormhole on the far side of the Badstars.

Alone in hostile territory and separated from their allies, Max and Thelma couldn’t be less prepared for their encounter with the legendary specters.

But it’s not the specters who’ll betray them.

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HERE BE NEWS for February 3, 2020

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Monday, January 27 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the gang at Here Be Magic.

Wednesday, January 29 -
"FINESSING THE MUSE: MORNING PAGES" - Is there any magic to writing first thing in the morning? Author PG Forte explores the method on Here Be Magic.

Thursday, January 30 -
"A BOTTLE OF LOVE" - A Paranormal Flash Fiction by Linda Mooney. Read the complete short story right here!

Love scifi romance?

The entire HEARTFAST series by Linda Mooney is just #99cents each during the month of February! #scifi #Romance


https://lindamooney.com/HeartFast.htm

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HERE BE NEWS for January 20, 2020

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Monday, January 13 - 
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the gang at Here Be Magic.

Tuesday, January 14 -
"5 THINGS TO HELP YOU THROUGH WRITING WHEN YOU’RE SICK" - Colds and flu play havoc with a writer's productivity. Author Ruth A. Casie shares her personal action plan for getting words on paper when you're feeling your worst.

Thursday, January 16 -
“MAINTAINING THE MOJO” - Author Maureen Bonatch offers tips for writers on how to ignite your motivation and finish that draft! 

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We're welcoming a brand new member to Here Be Magic: 
Deborah A. Bailey.

Deborah is a writer, podcaster, instructor and published author. Her science fiction & paranormal romances include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat.

She's the author of the Hathor Legacy Science Fiction Romance series and several Paranormal Romance novels. Her latest is “Once Upon A Princess: Land of Dreams - A Paranormal Fairy Tale”

Check out Deborah's website at www.BrightStreetBooks.com

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