Life has gotten in the way of my career since September. My mother’s health declined, and then on Tuesday, November 29th, she fell and ended up with a compound fracture to her right leg. Both bones broken and exposed, and one hell of a wound. Her multitude of health issues affected her ability to heal (including diabetes), so the surgeon gave her a 50/50 shot of keeping her foot. Almost 17 weeks later, she’s getting close to being able to bear weight again. The massive wound is down to a flesh wound, and we are hoping the surgeon takes the rods out of her foot soon. Last fall, my parents were also taken advantage of by the person who bought their farm and were essentially run out of their home of 30 years by a hog confinement they were tricked into allowing. That’s a long story, but Karma is a vengeful bitch. When mom fell, we already knew they were moving near us (finally!) because the toxicity of a hog implement 600 feet away from their home wasn’t an option. Because of mom’s injury and the need for care, we set her up in a facility near me until the wound healed. For a few months, Dad drove up on weekends to see her. I suddenly found myself responsible for her care, all of their finances and legal paperwork, as well as getting them ready to move out of the house I grew up in. Compound that with Mom being stuck in a nursing home (which has been a great place for her), and I felt pulled in about a hundred directions. I hated the idea of her sitting there alone, so I spent a lot of my days with her. Getting back to any kind of routine was impossible, and my head was full of everything BUT writing. And there was the daily worry about this day being her last one, or an infection setting in.

I’m an emotional person, and I think that helps my creativity. But it also means I live my life on a rollercoaster, and a lot of my emotions have been tied up with my parents’ issues and hurtful accusations from people I never dreamed could be so callous. Anger, sadness, confusion, absolute fear of mom dying, feeling alone, and then back to anger — and the worst part was the inability to understand how much everything effected me. My husband has been a constant support system, encouraging me to get back to writing because I have a television deal in the works. “Everything’s about to happen to you,” he’d say. “You can’t waste this opportunity. You need to get busy on the next book because the production team is going to sell this, and then they’re going to want season 2.”

I knew he was right, and I tried. I plotted, wrote a scene or two, plotted some more. All here and there, when I could fit it in between the 900 other things going on, including the voices in my head. I lost so much sleep imagining how I could defend myself to people who’ve already made up their minds and will never see things any different. That’s a battle I had to walk away from, because it dried me up emotionally, and nothing’s going to change it.

I kept telling my husband that I’d used up whatever creativity I had. I couldn’t even visualize writing another book, much less one that would be better than the last and worthy of the exceptions of my (very understanding) publisher and excited production studio. I kept trying to work, but every time it looked like I’d be able to get back into a routine and find some spark, the Next Terrible Thing happened.

Finally came the cat bites to my index finger and thumb, and a fast moving infection that could have easily cost me my finger. I had emergency surgery and then spent 4 days in the hospital feeling helpless and finished. And then the surgeon tells me it will be 6 weeks to 3 months before I have full range of motion. At the time, my index finger was still very stiff from the extreme swelling in the tendon. How in the hell was I supposed to work?

Thankfully, I was able to get away from normal life for a while. I made it to the state swim meet to watch my daughter, and then she and I took a much needed vacation to Florida to see my closest friends. Maybe that’s what saved me. After we got back, things seemed to stabilize. A routine emerged. I started wanting to read again, and I started making more and more notes for the new book. I decided to try dictation because of my hand—although I got very lucky and my fingers work fairly well, and I can type. But talking into the mic about the book seemed to jumpstart something, and without even realizing it, I WANTED to write again. And I had ideas! Ideas for Hyde and Seek (Erin Prince #2), for a new indie series, and maybe even another Cage Foster novel.

This week, it all clicked. Between dictation and typing, I created a scene by scene synopsis and wrote 10,000 words on the new book. I hated to stop each day because I enjoyed it so much. That’s a feeling I’d forgotten.

When I told my editor, she declared the lights were back on.

And that’s exactly right. I’ve struggled to explain how I’ve felt this winter, using words like dull and numb and stupid, but she hit the nail on the head. My creative lights had gone black. I didn’t think they would come back on. But they are bright as day right now, and I’m taking advantage of it.

The point of this post isn’t to get a bunch of sympathy or brag about my writing and the television opportunity (although some people are going to take it that way, and those are the ones I’ve realized add nothing of value to my life). It’s to tell you that we all go through extreme lows. Most writers are emotional people, and when that balance is upset by stress and life’s jackhammers, you’re going to stop being able to write. And that’s okay. Give yourself the time to walk away from the keyboard and replenish. Fill up your well, as my editor says. Because eventually, things will swing back up. You’ll see daylight again, and you’ll want to create. Take care of yourself first, and the rest will fall back into place.

I promise.

“Not only did I enjoy the story and the characters, but the historical relevance added not only a depth to the plot but was also seamless within the story. I was very impressed and look forward to reading more stories by this author.” Steena Holmes, author of Emma’s Secret and Finding Emma.

“The character development is superb and the story has as many twists, turns and dark shadows as the Las Vegas storm tunnels where the novel is partly set. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more of Ms. Green’s work.” Kassandra Lamb, author of the Kate Huntington Mystery Series.

“I did not want to book this down, it had twists and turns I never saw coming! I kept turning page after page because I could not wait to find out what was going to happen! This definetly a must read that will keep you on the edge of your seat!I can’t wait to read more by Stacy Green!” Goodreads reviewer Allyson Brynn.

“Ms. Green has penned a chilling suspense tale that strikes fear not with netherworld denizens, ghosts, the fanged, or the furry but with a seemingly ordinary man wielding a twisted obsessed parody of the tenderest of emotions, love.” Ivy D. Truitt, Manic Readers.

I’m amazed at the response to the book, and since romantic suspense author Dana Delamar has tagged me in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop, I figured release day was the perfect time do my part. The NBT originated on the She Writes site, and the goal is to raise awareness of our work. We answer 10 questions about our current book or WIP, thank the person who nominated us, and tag five other authors whose work about be the NEXT BIG THING.

So, here we go!

1. What is the title of your next book?

Into The Dark is my current work, and it’s available in digital and print NOW! It features a woman running from a stalker who will do anything to possess her, including dragging her into the depths beneath Las Vegas. It’s suspense with romance, and the overall theme of the book is how living in the past can destroy our future.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

Originally, I wanted to write about a hot SWAT officer saving the damsel in distress. It wasn’t until I discovered the existence of the homeless living in the storm drains below Las Vegas–and went through a life-changing accident–that I realized how much potential the idea had. I don’t want to say too much more, as I’m scheduled to do an interview with Jami Gold on December 13 detailing the journey of Into The Dark.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

Suspense/thriller, with romance. It’s not traditionally romantic suspense–the story is driven by the stalker plot, and Nathan and Emilie’s relationship blossoms from it. So I always make sure readers know the romance come second in the book.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Oh geez! Well, for Nathan, from a strictly physical point of view, I’d have to say Tyler Hoechlin from Teen Wolf. He’s definitely got the face I’ve always imagined for my SWAT officer. But from an acting standpoint, I’d love to see Joseph Gordon Levitt as Nathan. He’s the right age, and he’s a great actor. I think he could pull off Nathan’s drive to atone and to save everyone.

As for Emile, she’s always been a Christina Hendricks type in my mind’s eye. She’s got the real curves, the red hair, and the attitude to match.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A two-hundred-mile labyrinth of dark storm drains serves as a refuge for the delusional stalker who will go to any lengths to possess fragile, emotionally isolated Emilie Davis, and to survive, Emilie will have to confront the secrets of her past she has kept locked away from everyone, including herself.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Into The Dark is published digitally by MuseItUp Publishing, and the print version is independently published.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

More than a year. This is the first book I wrote from start to finish, and in the beginning, I had no clue about structure or character development. So Into The Dark went through MANY different drafts–I lost count of how many!

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I’m so bad at comparing myself to other authors. One reviewer compared it to the style of Lisa Gardner or Karen Smith, and I’m happy to take that!

9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?

A lot of things, but ultimately the story comes from two driving forces: my fascination with a bad guy who’s more than just bad, and my own personal journey in letting go of the past and prior mistakes.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

It’s fast-paced, it’s got a realistic feel, especially the scenes in the tunnels as I spent a lot time researching them. I think the suspense keeps readers guessing until the end, and there are some big surprises I hope readers don’t see coming.

Buy Into The Dark NOW!
Amazon
MuseItUp (all digital formats)
Print

Quick note on Barnes and Noble: my publisher is at their mercy in terms of when the book is live for Nook. So far, they haven’t uploaded, but you can order the .epub for Nook through MuseItUp’s website. I will let you know when it’s available via B&N/Nook.

Enter To Win A GIFT FROM STACY

To celebrate the release of INTO THE DARK, Stacy is giving you TWO ways to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card! Contest runs from November 5th through January 30th.

Entry Option 1: Earns FIVE entries in the contest. Email Stacy your receipt of purchase (simply copy and paste proof of the order into the email, excluding personal information) of INTO THE DARK or the answer to this question: in what state was the Taker born and raised?

Entry Option 2: Earns TWO entries in the Contest. Donate to HELP of Southern Nevada to help the homeless. Readers can go to HELP of Southern Nevada, the organization that aids the homeless featured in INTO THE DARK, and donate. Email Stacy the receipt (personal information excluded). Every donation helps–no amount is too small!

And now I get to tag some great authors for The Next Big Thing:

August McLaughlin
Tiffany A. White
Ellie Ann Soderstrom
Edith Parzefall

Hi everyone! I’m over at Jenny Hansen’s awesome More Cowbell Blog today giving an exclusive interview on the story behind INTO THE DARK and my inspiration for the Charity Blog Tour. Please stop by when you have the time for a chance to enter AND a shot at a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Thanks so much to Jenny for welcoming me to her awesome blog today! I’m excited to talk about INTO THE DARK and the charity blog tour I’m running.

1. Give me each of your main characters in 50 words or less.

Emilie is a master escape artist–she’s escaped a manipulative ex-husband and a cruel mother. She’s also vulnerable and on the edge of emotional disaster. Nathan is perceptive, loyal, and brave, but damage from his past drives him to atone for what happens to Emilie.

2. Your book features the homeless living in the Las Vegas tunnels? Tell me about them.

Read the rest here…

Tate is afraid of the dark. But his junkie sister has disappeared into the terrifying storm drains below Las Vegas. The tunnels stretch hundreds of miles beneath the city, housing the homeless and Sin City’s criminal element. Armed with only his flashlight, Tate wades into the gritty depths of the storm drains to rescue his sister from her demons.

Every step into the smothering darkness challenges Tate’s resolve. With his sister’s life and his own sanity at stake, Tate must face his fears or risk fading into the dank oblivion of the Las Vegas tunnels.

Contains an exclusive excerpt of INTO THE DARK.

The cover was done by Laura Morrigan, and she did a great job. Also thanks to Shannon Jones Janeczak, Stacey Joy Netzel, Kristine Kelly, and Julie Glover for their editing help.

I’ve also got an official Amazon Author Page and a Goodreads Author Page. Feel free to check out/like/review.

INTO THE DARK has received its first 5-Star Review!

Some highlights:

“Well written and skillfully crafted…”
“Characters quickly come alive and keep gaining depth throughout the book…”
“While the thriller plot kept me turning the pages, INTO THE DARK is also an intelligent study of how past actions and events affect who we are and what we strive for…”
“Highly recommended.”

Read the full review here.

Contest Alert!

The official release of Welcome to Las Vegas will also kick off the INTO THE DARK Charity Blog Tour, and you’ll hear more about that next week. However, I’m planning some very special extras, and in order to get the advanced scoop – and a chance at a signed print copy of INTO THE DARK – you’ll need to sign up for my newsletter. The first edition will go out November 9th, and the winner of the signed print copy will be announced then as well, so you’ll need to be signed up by then. Go HERE to add your name to the mailing list.

INTO THE DARK’s cover reveal is October 29th at Night Owl Reviews. They will be running a contest, and I’ll send a reminder to you all. I’m sure it will be great, so don’t miss it. I’m also really proud of the cover, because my artist was able to use a stock photo I’ve had forever but couldn’t use.

Thank you all so much for your awesome support! Can’t wait to share INTO THE DARK with you all!

Hi Vicki! Welcome to Turning The Page – thanks so much for visiting today.

Thank you so much for having me, Stacy.

Your tag line is “sassy writer of sexy and funny fiction.” Is your main goal to make readers laugh? I would hope readers like the story. I believe if I made someone laugh, I did a good job with my writing. 

Your short story Store Wars is releasing from MuseItUp in August. I love the title–can you tell us about the story and what you’re doing for its release? Thank you so much! Handsome worried it sounded too much like the famous movie. I just laughed. Here’s a blurb: Janie’s heart’s desire is to open her own store, but that’s about to be thwarted when her old love comes back to town and is running the competition’s business.

Do you prefer writing short stories or full-length novels? I’ve written 3 unpublished novels and love them dearly. Just haven’t sold them. And frankly, I can write a lot of shorts in the year it takes me to write one book. I’m slow with books.

You’re a part of a very cool blog, The Plotting Princesses. What’s your favorite part of working with them? Oh, I can’t wait to tell the PP girls you said so!!! We all get along so well and help each other with our writing business. I love them dearly!

Your novel, I Believe, is a romance with a sexy storyline. What inspired it? I Believe is my sexy novella with a touch of magic. I was at RWA and woke up from a dream saying the chant. My roommate, the fabulous Elizabeth Essex, threw a pen at me and said to write it down. Since I excel in following directions, I did and worked and worked. (BTW, the chant is a poem I wrote for Handsome!)

What is it about romance that makes you love writing it? HEA’s are happy for me. I like to feel good when I finish a book.

You’re a member of RWA–what’s the biggest benefit from belonging to such a vast organization? Networking. I have met so many people from all over the world. I can’t wait to see them each year.

What are you working on right now? Do you have plans for any more releases this year? I have a release, Twinkle Lights, coming in December from MuseItUp Publishing. I’ve submitted two very shorts to Woman’s World–cross fingers! And for some weird reason, am writing another holiday story.

I’ve got to ask the personal questions: what are your favorite free-time hobbies and dream vacation? I always have a needlepoint project going. Two years ago, Handsome and I went on our dream vacation-we cruised the Mediterranean with extra days in Istanbul, Rome, and Venice. Sigh. Oh! I need another dream vacation. Maybe a cruise around Australia…. hehehehe

 Find Vicki Online

Website     Facebook     Twitter     Pinterest     Goodreads

Find Vicki’s books

MuseItUp Publishing           Amazon                Barnes and Noble

Like some of her characters, Vicki has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm. The list is…endless.

Born in Dallas, a graduate of Texas Tech, she is married to Handsome, has two big boys, an attention-demanding cat, and two adorable poopies.

She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??”

Michelle, welcome to Turning The Page! I’m very excited to host another MuseItUp Publishing Author.

Thank you for having me.  I’m so excited to be here!

Tell us about your debut novel, Concilium. It’s urban fantasy and sounds different than anything I’ve read, and I’m looking forward to its release on July 27^th.

Concilium tells the story of Les (Leslee), a young woman who saw a mysterious animal one night while driving home from a friend’s house. After her encounter she is attacked in the parking garage of her business.  She soon learns from a mysterious stranger that the two events are related and the reason is something she finds unbelievable.

You write science fiction and urban fantasy–what sparked your interest in those genres?

It’s funny you ask that.  I have never been a huge science fiction or fantasy reader.  It isn’t that I don’t like the genres; I just read mostly thrillers and mysteries.  So I was completely taken by surprise when my first “real” idea for a novel was an urban fantasy/science-fiction.

What’s the most difficult part of writing in those genres? The most fun?

The fun part of writing in the genre is bending and blurring the lines of what we know to be real with something fantastical.  An urban fantasy is set in modern day life (think Twilight). So it is grounded in what we know to be true.  The sky is blue and the grass is green and so on.  But the fun part is adding the fantasy bit, the little twists that blur reality.

In Concilium the setting is in the present day in my home state of Michigan near a wildlife refuge that really exists, although names and locations have been manipulated a little to make them fit the story.  But then there are the Imbibo and a few other goodies that don’t have a place in the world as we know it.  That’s the fun of it.

The challenge is keeping the fantasy at a level that people will read the story and enjoy it rather than focus on how totally unbelievable it is.  I mean, really, sparkly vampires?  Who believes that?  But the story entertained most people.  The fantasy wasn’t too far out there that it overtook the story.  Finding that balance is challenging.

Concillium isn’t the only book you have coming out soon. Tell us about PODs, releasing from Spencer Hill Press in 2013.

I actually have two books scheduled for release within the next year.  Concilium: The Departure, the sequel to Concilium, will release from MuseItUp Publishing in November.

PODs is my debut young adult science-fiction romance. It will release in paperback on June 4^th, 2013 – my son’s 12^th birthday (good luck, I think).  In it, seventeen-year-old Eva is one of a few chosen to live in an underground habitat (the PODs) built by the government.  The PODs protect the residents from a deadly virus sweeping the Earth.  When the virus is believed to be contained the PODs are unsealed and the survivors emerge to begin a new life.  But when they leave the safety of the PODs they find themselves in even more danger than they were before for very different reasons.

With the trend toward self-publishing, what made you choose a small press?

I wanted the support and guidance they could offer.  I knew just enough about self-publishing to know I didn’t know enough to do it on my own and do it correctly.  I queried some larger publishers, but quickly set my sights on indie publishers.  I found Muse and have been so happy with them and the people I’ve worked with.  And the authors I’ve met are all wonderful.  I can’t imagine trying to self-publish alone.  I genuinely value each relationship I’ve made at MuseItUp. The same goes for Spencer Hill Press, which is also a small press.

Being an author is hard work, and being a debut author is even more challenge. What’s been the toughest thing?

Marketing. I’m not good at it.  I’m not a sales person. I don’t like talking about myself and it’s hard for me to strike up a conversation with a stranger to tell them about my book.  Some people are natural sales people.  Not me.  I’m the anti-salesperson!

Tell us about you. What do you do in your free time? Dream vacation?

If I’m not writing I’m spending time with my family.  We like to play board games and cards.  We also like to take day trips and explore our new home state of Texas.

My dream vacation right now is a cruise on the Disney cruise ship and a week a Disney World with my kids.  When my kids have grown I’ll have more grown-up dreams, I’m sure, but right now I’m enjoying their childhood right along with them.

What’s coming up from you in the future?

I plan to keep writing as long as the ideas keep flowing.  My family is very supportive and one of my kids or my husband will pitch me an idea at least once a week.  My son is by far my best idea source.  He averages two or three a week—usually all involving monsters in some form.

Currently I have a young adult paranormal romance on submission and I’m working on a young adult urban fantasy. In fact, it’s based on an idea my husband gave me.

Thanks so much for the interview, Michelle!

Thank you so much for having me.  It was fun “talking” with you.  I’d like to add that I LOVE to hear from my readers and other authors.  I love comments on my blog and emails in my inbox. Whether you have good things to say, or constructive (that means nice) criticism, or even if you just want to say “Hi,” I want to hear from you.  Here’s where you can find me on the web:

Website     Blog   Email     Twitter     Facebook     Goodreads     Linkedin

Buy Concilium HERE  **Concilium will be available on Amazon in the near future!
Concilium Web page
PODs Web page

Michelle’s doing a very cool giveaway during her blog tour: the winner will receive a copy of Concilium and a $10 Amazon gift card. Be sure to enter!

Concilium Blurb

Leslee hit a strange animal with her car.  Now she’s marked for death.

It was a simple car accident – the animal didn’t even die – but it drew the attention of the Cruor Imbibo. Driven by their insatiable need to feed, the secret society of Imbibo has devoured the dregs of civilization for centuries.  Afraid Leslee will expose them, and put an end to their meal ticket, the Imbibo want her dead.

The Concilium is Leslee’s only protection. Guardian of the ancient secret and the protector of humans, the Concilium fights to control the Imbibo and end their feeding frenzy. Miller works for the Concilium. Keeping Leslee alive is his next assignment.

Now Leslee is on the run, and the only thing between her flesh and the snapping jaws of the Imbibo is Miller. He and Leslee quickly form a bond, but will falling in love make Miller’s job more difficult? Because if he fails, Leslee will be next on the Imbibo menu.

The Cruor Imbibo are coming, and they’re coming for Leslee.

Michelle has been an avid reader since a young child.  She began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting.  Deciding sitting in a cubical all day was her form of cruel and unusual punishment, she decided to do what she really wanted to—share her passion for reading and writing with others.

She wrote her debut novel Concilium in 2010.  The sequel, Concilium: The Departure soon followed. Both will be published by Muse It Up Publishing with scheduled released dates of July 27^th and November 2012 respectively.  Her Debut young adult novel, PODs, will be published by Spencer Hill Press and is scheduled for release in paperback June 4^th, 2013.

Michelle was born and raised in Michigan.  She now resides in a small community outside Houston, Texas with her husband, four children, a 125-pound lap dog, a very grumpy cockatiel and a cat that thinks she’s queen.

Michelle writes adult and young adult Sci/Fi and urban fantasy romance.

Hi, Susan! Welcome to Turning The Page.

Thanks so much for having me.  It’s great to be here.

Tell us about your current release, Not Long Ago. It’s a time travel romance set during medieval times, complete with knights and jousting, crop circles and ghosts. How’d you come up with the idea?

I had the prologue written for at least six months, and it could have gone in so many different directions.  While running errands one day, a woman sees a stranger through a store window.  Their eyes meet, and the impact of his glance staggers her.  Who is this man and why is she drawn to him?  How can she feel all these emotions about someone she doesn’t even know? Ultimately, I decided on making it a time travel.  The idea of a love that transcends through the ages appeals to the romantic in all of us, and the time travel aspect allows me to bring sci-fi into the mix.

Not Long Ago is your debut release. How long have you been writing, and why did you decide to go with a small press like MuseItUp Publishing instead of jumping into the indie fray? 

I’ve been writing all my life.  I’ve been serious about finishing something for about ten years and serious about being published for about five.  I queried editors and agents steadily for two years with varying degrees of success.  Good friend and fellow writer Cyrus Keith suggested I try MuseItUp, and I am so glad I took his advice.  Their editing process helped make Not Long Ago a better book.  The support group of other Muse authors and Lea Schizas’ expertise has been invaluable. This is something I would never have experienced if I’d decided to self-publish.

You’re also an accomplished short story writer. Was it hard to make the transition from writing shorts to full-length novels, and do you have any advice for novelists looking to add short story writing to their resume?

I started writing short stories for the experience, the exposure and with the hopes of adding to my bio.  My advice?  Just do it.  It’s a learning experience that’s totally worth the effort.  On a small scale I learned to deal with rules and guidelines and (wince) rejection.

What’s the hardest thing about being a new author?

I’m impatient, so the waiting and not knowing what and when to expect something was the hardest for me, but of course, it was all worth it in the end.

What message do you want readers to take from your books?

My main character, Erin and Griffin, learned to take a chance on something they really believed in.

You live in a haunted 100 year-old farmhouse. Tell us about the ghost, and are you planning to venture into the paranormal genre?

My son has played guitar for years.  When he was still at home, he’d practice upstairs when the house was empty (so he could jam all he wanted no one yelling at him to keep the noise level down) On several occasions, when he played and sang, he heard a female voice, singing harmony.  At first he thought it was his sister or me.  Each time he checked to see who was there, but he was alone. Seems our ghost is a music lover, his music in particular.

One of my WIPs is a paranormal story about a boy growing up in the sixties, living with his grandparents in the Texas hill country in a small fictional town.  Eli encounters ghosts everywhere in the old town.  He thinks they are trying to tell him something about the family who lived there long ago, but why have they singled him out?    

Tell us a little about you–what do you do in your free time?

First and foremost, I write. It’s something I feel compelled to do, especially now.  There’s always a new story to tell.

This old house where we live is forever in a state of remodel.  Next on the list is the laundry room/office.  Hubby has decided since I’m a published writer now, I need the right atmosphere to create and I totally agree.  I cook (when in the mood),sew and paint with acrylics, and am a repurposing crafter and love garage sales.  I’m an avid shopper (with my daughter and my sister) My husband and I camp out several times a year and enjoy spending time in Arkansas.  We share a love for music and the movies. We have four unique grandchildren we thoroughly enjoy. I do have a day job.  I’ve worked as secretary in the administration office at our local school for over twenty years.

Dream vacation?

Australia, Scotland, the Isle of Man (in that order)

Dream author (living or dead) you’d love to meet?

Jim Butcher – The man has a fantastic imagination.

What’s next for you?

I have finished and am submitting a fantasy adventure with romance, In My Own Shadow.  Lara’s life is turned upside down when she’s chased from her world to an alternate universe, because she carries a secret in her subconscious that everyone wants. Who left the secret with her and why?  With handsome guardian, Rhys and a bear of a man, Azle, she searches for answers.

Currently, I’m working on a sequel, that takes up where Not Long Ago left off and continues with Griffin and Erin’s story.  My daughter read the first book when she was creating my trailer.  When she got to the end, she told me I had to write a sequel, because I wasn’t finished with the story.

Buy Not Long Ago Here:
MuseItUp      Amazon

Susan Royal’s Blog

This Thing Called Writing

A couple of weeks ago the 3^rd book of the Alvarez Murder Mystery Series, Death Runs in the Family, hit the eWaves. I’m beyond relieved. Not just because it’s out there, but because I don’t have to rewrite it again and again.

I mean, you start a novel. You’re excited, filled with energy, hope, and love of the craft. You can’t wait to start the process, do the research, meet the characters, and create a spiffy plot, all that good stuff. If you’re a mystery writer like me, you pretty much know what the ending is going to be, but the ‘how’ of getting there! It’s elixir for the soul.

In the beginning, you’re open to all sorts of possibilities that spur you on during the countless, never-ending months. Writing a novel–at least at the start of it–is a wonderful adventure. Just you, your ideas, a computer, and buckets of strong coffee.

But at the end of this wretched, back-breaking process you want to run screaming into the night. There are eighty-four thousand words of what I suspect is pure, unadulterated drivel. This drivel is dripping with my blood and sweat–virtual, of course–but very real and bad clichés. True, that suspicion comes only in my more insecure moments. Much of the time, I believe it to be my best work. Healthy ego, don’tcha know.

Nonetheless, it’s been the same words and chapters over and over again, months on end. Reading, rereading, working, reworking, adding scenes, taking out scenes, and visiting my chiropractor when I could pry my creaking body out of the chair. Then it goes to the Editors.

Enough already. I’m sick of this book. I’m sick of finding out I’ve used the same stupid phrase or adjective multiple times in one chapter, which means I have to haul out the thesaurus to find something else that means the same thing. I’m sick of reading a sentence with the sinking feeling it needs to be clarified if anybody else besides me is going to get it. I’m sick of dashing over to a site called Popular Baby Names because I discovered, rather late in the game, too many of the characters’ names began with the letter ‘N.’

And what’s with one of the characters taking off for Ipanema like that in the middle of my story, anyway? I don’t know anything about Ipanema. This poor slob of a writer had to do all kinds of fast research on the fancy schmancy, Brazilian vacation spot. I had to study dozens of photographs, maps, articles, learn the monetary exchange, how they say hello, goodbye, etc. in Portuguese, which is a foreign language, fer cryin’ out loud! Honestly, characters have a way of getting a life of their own when you least expect it and then dictating to you what they are going to do. It sucks.

But I am currently free of Death Runs in the Family until I start the process all over again. I have this great idea for the 4^th book of the Alvarez Family Mystery Series and I can’t wait to start it!  Then it’s more of the above, because as every writer knows, writing is rewriting. It’s not so much talent as sheer stamina.

Heather Haven is the acclaimed award winning writer of The Alvarez Family Murder Mystery Series, Murder is a Family Business; A Wedding to Die For; and the newest release Death Runs in the Family.

EXCERPT from Death Runs in the Family

Chapter Seven

I Don’t Know Who’s the Bigger Idiot

Without much conversation, we jostled Nick out of the room and down the stairs. As a precaution, we used the back exit, Flint flinging boxes of DVDs every which way so fast, the clerk only managed one “hey” before we were out the door. The exit led to a narrow back alley filled with garbage, trash, and more small scurrying animals that should be calling the SPCA to complain about the conditions under which they’re forced to live.

While Flint went to bring the car to the side of the alley, I waited in the shadows next to Nick and pulled out the Glock. The irony of the situation hit me like a double charge on a credit card bill for shoes not only too tight to wear but last year’s style.

On the left, a disgusting dumpster; on the right, an even more disgusting ex-husband. And me stuck in the middle as usual—a reluctant PI if ever there was one.

Rather than inhaling the stench of fly-ridden garbage, I’d really rather be sniffing out dastardly doings of computer sabotage or thievery, in particular, long after said dastardly deeds have gone down. It’s my idea of a good job, especially when I get to zip off whenever I want and have a great lunch.

The part I like best—besides the food—is sitting at a highly polished, recently vacated mahogany desk in an air-conditioned office, sifting through the rubble of high-tech deceit and betrayal. I like gathering enough evidence to point a manicured fingernail at the culprit and shout j‘accuse! Backlit by enough briefs, memos, emails, and other telltale papers, the culprit is mine. That is a real high.

This was a real low. But I had to think about Stephen. My cousin was dead, and Nick knew something about it. Hell, maybe he even had something to do with it. And, of course, there were the cats. If Nick was in any way responsible, I might do him in myself and save whatever goons there may be the trouble.

All these things were flitting through my mind when Nick—the stupid idiot—made a lunge for my gun, muttering he could take better care of himself than I could. Sometimes an ex-marine, like an ex-husband, needs to get over himself.

One of the first lessons you learn as a PI is to not to carry a gun if you’re going to let anybody take it away from you. All the years I’ve been carrying, ten to be exact, people have taken all sorts of things from me—including my virtue—but never my gun.

So when Nick came at me, my knee went up fast, strong, and accurate. Ex dropped to the ground in a fetal position. God only knows what else was lying there with him, but I left him on the dirt, anyway. He was busy moaning while I cocked the Glock and gave a 360-degree spin, prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep the jerk safe. At least, for the moment.

Fortunately, no one showed up except a passing rat or two, excluding the one I stood over. After what felt like a lifetime, I saw Flint’s headlights, although I’m sure it didn’t take him more than three minutes to get there. I helped Nick up. He limped to the car, and Flint, bless him, raised an eyebrow over Nick’s condition but didn’t say a word. What a guy.

Death Runs In The Family

Lee Alvarez’ ex-husband, Nick — a man she divorced with joy in her heart and a gun in her hand – sprints back in her life only to disappear again. She’d love to leave it at that, but could he be responsible for the recent death of her cousin, who keeled over at the finish line of a half-marathon in front of hundreds of spectators? As PI for the family run business, Discretionary Inquiries, Lee follows the clues to Vegas, where she joins forces with Shoshone PI, Flint Tall Trees.  Together they uncover a multi-million dollar betting syndicate, a tacky lounge lizard act, and a list of past but very dead runners, plus future ones to off. At the top of the ‘future’ list is the love of her life, Gurn Hanson. Hoping to force the culprits out in the open, Gurn and Lee’s brother, Richard, vow to run San Francisco’s famous Palace to Palace footrace in only a few days. Can Lee keep the two men she loves from hitting the finish line as dead as her cousin? With more at stake than she ever dreamed possible, Lee is in a battle against time to stop the Alvarez Family’s 12K race with death.

Positive reviews for Heather’s books:

‘A fresh voice in a crowed genre. We will be hearing more from this talented newcomer.’

‘The writing was clever and I couldn’t stop laughing. This is the perfect beach book.’

‘Wonderful! Charming! Fun.’

‘This is an exceptionally fun read for those who love strong female characters, a bit of mystery, and a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor.’

Death Runs in the Family book trailer 

Buy Links

          MuseItUp Publishing            Amazon           Heather Haven Stories

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The WIP (formerly known as The Prophet) and now renamed TIN GOD is completed. Now, it’s just a first draft of a very complex plot, so after my vacation, I will be digging in for some serious editing. But I’m celebrating because I set the goal of having it complete before vacation, and I made it with two days to spare.

Ironically, INTO THE DARK (my debut from MuseItUp Publishing) was complete a year ago this week. My life has changed so much the last twelve months, and I’m so grateful to all my writing friends for their help and support.

I’ve got some big things coming up at Turning The Page. If you haven’t heard of Kristen Lamb’s #WANA Love Revolution or her new venture, WANA International, take a few minutes and check it out.

I recently asked fellow suspense/thriller writers in my Suspense, Mystery, and Mayhem group, “how can we help each other?” Well, I don’t have all the answers, but I’ve been inspired by Kristen’s WANA methods, and I have not one but two big surprises for you all this summer. Stay tuned!

Finally, I’m excited to announce the release date for my suspense novel INTO THE DARK is November 30. Merry early Christmas to me! I just returned my content edits and am looking forward to the line edits. To celebrate, I’m sharing the first ever excerpt of INTO THE DARK with you all.

He sees her when she’s sleeping. He knows when she’s awake. Her life he’s determined to take.

Crazy seemed to understand this. He paced the room, reminding Emilie of a caged tiger she saw in the zoo as a child. The animal’s huge paws had worn a bare path in the green grass as it constantly circled its enclosure. Like the tiger, the man’s eyes shifted from person to person, spot to spot but never settled. He knew he was as trapped as the hostages.

But the man sitting next to her was calm. Serene. And he scared her to death.

“Why are you here?” Butterflies swarmed in her stomach. Sweat rolled down her forehead and stung her eyes.

Laugh lines appeared at the corner of the man’s eyes. Was he smiling underneath the mask? “You don’t know, Miss Emilie?”

Her heart skidded to a stop. How did he know her name? Throat constricted, she shook her head.

“For you, Miss Emilie. I’m here for you.” 

How is your summer going? Are you all close to meeting your Row80 goals this round? Have you joined the #WANA Revolution yet?