The Author’s Mixed Bag

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Just a quick stop to comment on the -irony? hilarity? oddity? – that is “research” for fiction authors. Today, I found myself with a tab labeled “Top 25 most beautiful yellow flowers” and another “interrogation techniques.” Oh- the webs we spin and rabbit holes we uncover…  (I also have a tab open: “mixed bag” because I was unsure if it should be hyphenated).

  • What fun facts had you discovered on your interweb paths?

 

strelitzia-flowers

Strelitzia, or ‘bird of paradise.’ I think I found my new favorite flower. Did I even have a favorite before…?

 

Instagram Challenge

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I started an Instagram Challenge this month, then thought it might be fun to share those posts here.

#MerryandWrite

Join along with us! Follow the above hashtag to find the daily posts. Find me @author_cmmartens

Day 1: Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, or none of the above

I am a Christmas gal. It’s my favorite time of year, snow and all. It’s the only time of year I’m glad for snow and not cry over cold weather. Growing up in a temperate climate, it just doesn’t seem right not to have a “white Christmas.”

Day 2: What are your writing goals as the year comes to an end?

This one was easy for me- I hit my goals! Book Two is on schedule to release on Christmas Day, and Book Three is well underway. I’ve also made some major decisions about the state of my “marketing” profile. I’m excited for what’s to come, and even more excited about the projects I have on deck and my capability to complete them.

Day 3: Introduce the main character(s) of your WIP or your fav of the year.

My current main Work in Progress is The Fool’s Path series. Book One released in July, and Book Two is set to come out on Christmas Day.

Desiree “Dee” Galen is my MC. She’s a little bit of a spaz, completely unsure of her world, and even less sure about how she should move through said world. The Fool’s Path follows her along her journey as she learns about herself, her past and tries to figure out a future that belongs solely to her.

         

What’s on your agenda?

I’d love to hear from you, about your projects and goals. Send me a comment, or DM 🙂

The End of the Beginning

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The End of the Beginning

When my editor finished highlighting the oversights I’d missed in Book One, I found myself renewed in my task of telling this story in its best possible way.

So, I set to refining those last details of my piece.

It was the first time I really felt like an artist.

 

I’d been told this craft of writing is art. I consider other writers artists, but I never brought the title to bear on myself. Through the time of turning a slew of crappy words thrown together into a coherent story, I’d never thought I was making art. But in these final steps, there were fleeting moments that I was.

In these moments, I was proud of what I was doing 🙂 Proud of what I’d done.

Chiseling away to bring forth the final details that would make this piece better than it was, I was a sculptor of words. I saw the art. I saw that art wasn’t some mystical ambrosia that spawned inside some and not others. It was blood and hurt and patience and perseverance. It was showing up every day. It was practicing a craft until I was good at it. It was practicing more until I was better.

Like a giant hurdle has been vaulted, I’m even more committed and excited to continue this journey. I feel like the beginning has ended. I’m confident to move into the sophomoric stage of this journey, where I hope to learn and grow by leaps and bounds.

  • Tell me about the learning curve in your art
  • What eureka moments have you had that kept you moving forward?

 

Xacier’s Prize: Galactic Courtship #1, By Lily S. Thomas

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Xacier’s Prize: Galactic Courtship #1

By Lily S. Thomas

Science Fiction Romance. Erotica.

3 Stars

A quick, fun read

Xacier was once king of the proud Kell Empire, but after his cousin’s betrayal he is enslaved in the fighting arena. The only way to survive? Kill everyone and be the champion. With his strength and skill, only a few battles now stand between Xacier and his freedom, and he will stop at nothing to get out and get his revenge. But when a human woman is thrown into the arena, Xacier will find himself fighting to defend her, at the risk of losing his freedom – and his life.

Samantha is crossing the galaxy to visit her ailing mother, when she is sold to the Frirens and tossed into the middle of an arena battle. Completely out of her element, her only hope of making it out of here alive lies with the strong and ruthless alien who claims her as his prize. Winning their freedom won’t be easy, though, and even if they do make it out together, Samantha isn’t sure she’ll be able to part ways with this warrior who captured her body and her heart.

Happily ever after guaranteed! Can be read as part of the series or as a standalone romance.

Xacier’s Prize was my first experience with “SciFi Alien Romance,” and I was a fan. I liked this new perspective on this type of story.

While I liked both characters, Xacier and Samantha, I was disappointed a bit with things moving too quickly. This is a common issue I have with these kinds of books, and maybe I’m too nerdy for them, but I wanted more stretching of the story.

Xacier was great. From the beginning, he was likable and relatable and most especially, consistent. I appreciated that.

There was a portion of the story I thought a bit forced, and I was confused by its use, though I guess it was the catalyst for things to happen. Still, this point swallowed some of the rest for me.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will be taking a look at more of Lily S. Thomas‘ work. If you’re looking for a fun, quick read with elements of action and romance, this book is for you!

Happy Reading 🙂

Check out more of my reviews HERE