Resurrecting old works

Recently I've been spending a little time going through my file directory of writing projects looking for works that for one reason or another were abandoned without ever being completed. The reason for this is looking for additional material to publish without the strain of creating something from scratch.

These stories aren't bad. In some cases it is like seeing an old friend, one that I really liked but that I fell out of touch with. Mostly this was because the story and I ended up not seeing eye-to-eye on how the it was going to proceed. 

A big reason for abandonment was that I was mostly writing as Cricket Starr at the time... that's my erotic romance pen name and a Cricket book required a great deal of sexual situations. Not all stories lend themselves to that level of erotism so unless the story fit into one of the selling series I had such as the Futuristic Gaian stories or the Paranormal Hollywood After Dark, I didn't have a good place to market it.

One such story is "Dancing the Knight Away." Originally this was supposed to be an erotic novella about a young romance author at her first romance convention and her sexual adventures with a hot cover model. But a funny thing happened... the heroine turned out to be a really sweet lady and the hero a nice older guy who makes a bet with his roommate that he can get her to dance with him before the end of the convention. It was fun and a little sexy, but there wasn't nearly enough reason for these two to be warming a bed together when he couldn't even get her out on the dance floor. 

So a Cricket book it wasn't going to be and I didn't have a good market for it any place else. Rather than spend the time working on a story that I couldn't sell to one of my current houses and was too short to be sent to a publishing house I wasn't associated with. It was contemporary, there weren't any paranormal elements, and while I loved the characters, they just weren't going to cooperate with me as far as the sex was concerned.

So I abandoned my knight in costume armor and lady author to work on more profitable projects. 

But thanks to Indie publishing I no longer need to be concerned about simply adding this nice little novella to my list of publications. I can go back, finish off the rough edges of the manuscript, and put it out as one of my contemporary romances. I've already got the rights back to a story I had with Ellora's Cave from their Blush line that was mis-authored as Cricket Starr. I say mis-authored because it was originally a Janet Miller book at Cerridwen and I never changed its sex level to that of the Cricket level of erotism when Ellora's Cave folded the Cerridwen books into their erotic line. So there has been much confusion about that book over the years.

My intent is to launch Christmas With Sarah next month once final proof-reading is done, and have Dancing the Knight Away ready to go a week or so later. Then if I can find a third book to release... well you get the idea. I want to see if I can't build some momentum for these contemporary stories that I really like... even if there isn't a fang or spaceship to be found in them.

Cheers,

Janet Miller

Weddings on Main Street

WEDDINGS ON MAIN STREET, our Main Street’s second book, has just been released. last week. It is now offered at 99cents for a limited time only. Incredible bargain for a box set that should have cost over $30 if you had to buy the individual books.

Perfect timing for all the June weddings! And who doesn’t love a wedding? That happy couple represents so much love and hope for the future.

All the stories were written just for the set. Each is complete and each is a full novella length. Some are sweet and some are sexy. They are all perfect for Main Street!

Available at Amazon

And here are the eleven books offered in Weddings on Main Street:

What a Cowgirl Wants by Tori Scott.
April Fool Bride by Joan Reeves.
Wedding Surprise by Mona Risk.
Small Town Glamour Girl Wedding by Stephanie Queen. USA TODAY Bestelling Author.
The Vow by Pepper Phillips.
The Reluctant Bride by Jill James.
Kiss the Bridesmaid by Susan R. Hughes.
Second Chance Wedding by Leigh Morgan.
Once Upon a Wedding by Kelly Rae.
Stuck with You by Kristy Tate.
I Thee Wed by E. Ayers.

Writing the Sequel

Writing is my passion, a way to escape from everyday trials and get lost in my own world where conflict can be resolved with words. After I finished my first book, Crashing Hearts, I decided to write a sequel. Bridges Burned was begun.  Shortly after beginning it, I decided to go a different route and start something else.  So I set the sequel aside. After Crashing Hearts was released I had people asking me “What happens with Charlene?” “Where’s the money?” If you haven’t read Crashing Hearts you might want to pick up a copy to find out where these questions are coming from.

As I had finished my second book, I went back to the sequel I had already started.  Do you know how difficult it can be when people are expecting the story to actually turn it out? Trust me, it has moments where I struggle with it. However, the intense pleasure of knowing readers want this story spurs me to write, rethink, and write some more. Bridges Burned brings me back to where the whole idea for Crashing Hearts started. Crashing Hearts will always hold a special part in my heart as it is a story that brought healing to my own heart. As I write Bridges Burned I find that warmth and excitement for these characters returning, spurring me on to write Charlene’s story. Is she redeemable? Was she that bad in the first book?  Only questions you can answer by reading Crashing Hearts.

As I leave you with a short excerpt, I hope you will want to continue the journey through the second book. If you are curious as to what Mirrored Deception is about check out the books section at www.emmaleighreed.com.

Chapter 1

Kira Nichols pushed back her hair as the crisp salt air blew it across her face. She walked up the path—her sneakers leaving small impressions in the soft sand—to the cul-de-sac. At the empty lot across from her house, the foundation had been capped over and abandoned for about a year now. 

She sprang into a run at the rumble of a sports car arriving at a fast clip. She arrived at the cul-de-sac at the same time the vehicle skidded to a stop. She caught her breath as the lean, ruggedly handsome man exited his vehicle. The smile he flashed her was one she imagined had many women melting at his feet. 

Kira squared her shoulders and approached him. Her five foot two inch frame seemed minute compared to his at least six foot stature. She willed herself to appear calm and not give away that her senses had completely left her at the sight of him. 

“Grant Rutledge.” He extended his hand to her. His deep voice, like a shot of brandy, was warm and soothing. She swallowed hard, her anger forgotten for a brief second. Then it flared back and she ignored his hand. “Do you have any idea that there are children in this area?” she demanded, planting her hands on her hips. 

“My apologies if you felt I was going too fast.” He gave an exaggerated glance around. “There aren’t any children about now.” He smiled that smile again and in spite of her anger, her heart melted. She started with the realization he still had his hand extended in introduction. She tentatively shook his calloused fingers. Tingles shot up her arm and she struggled with not yanking her hand away. Heat flooded her face. She prayed he couldn’t tell. 

“Again, I apologize. I hope you wouldn’t think I have no regard for children.” 

Kira turned to go. “I just know the type.” She gestured absently at the car. She forced herself to walk slowly towards her house, feeling his eyes on her back. Her mind whirled. She had practically melted at the sound of his voice. Her cheeks reddened at the thought of him watching her walk away—thankful she had stayed in shape. 

The solitude of the cul-de-sac was the reason she originally loved this spot. Her house had been the only one in this two-lot area for six years. She hoped the new construction company would be considerate and not disrupt the serenity, and keep working hours to normal business hours, hours when Jared was in preschool. 

She thought back to the long hours they kept when they put in the foundation. Jared had been unable to sleep due to the noise and disruption of his routine. Hopefully this time around the noise wouldn’t disturb him. He was just beginning to sleep through the night. 

If only she could.

If you enjoyed this excerpt of Crashing Hearts and want to read more, you can find it here.

Self-publishing

In a previous post, I grumbled about the difficulties of self-publishing.
My first self-pubbed book has been at amazon.com for less than a week and now I reap the benefits of my effort.
1- I chose my bookcover.
2- I don't have to wait for months to see my book publish.
3- I set the price and can change it when I want

So far, my book is doing well and I don't regret my decision.

My first self-published book NO MORE LIES is offered at $0.99

at amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/No-More-Lies-ebook/dp/B005UJ2YKK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318734696&sr=1-1

and at Smashwords in PDF, Kindle, and other formats.

Reviews: 2011 EPPIE Award Finalist
2010 Best Contemporary Romance ~ Readers Favorite
"A fantastic read. The plot was very well thought out and the pacing on target. ~Night Owl Romance
"A charming story. Keeping the reader entertained with the twists and turns in the plot." ~Got Romance!
"Full of emotion, suspense, intrigue, good intentions and determination." ~The Long And The Short Reviews
"A wonderfully written book about true love and the rarity of second chances." ~Happy Ever After Reviews

Blurb:

A lie that brings a smile or a truth that draws a tear?

Successful physician and loving mother, Olivia Crane fiercely believes youthful mistakes should be kept buried. Dr. Luc George, the French psychiatrist, she loved ten years ago, detests secrets.

When Luc strolls back into her life, Olivia welcomes her second chance. But on her own terms. The past forgotten, no questions asked. As Luc tries to unravel her many secrets, he also threatens to shatter her carefully constructed world. Can Luc help her conquer her inner fears or will he get burned by the past?

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with passion.

The Launch of an Author

Once in an writer's life they get to call themselves a debut author. This month is my turn. Tempting Adam comes out February 16th from The Wild Rose Press. This story was just my second completed novel. I sent it everywhere. It could not find a home. So it sat on my computer for a few years.

Four years ago January 31st my mom died. My writing enthusiasm died with her. For a good two years I did nothing with my writing. I tried, but I completed nothing. Then I was on a loop with Candace Havens. She spoke and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. "Editors and agents are not going to drive up your street and knock on your door. You have to put yourself out there to be found." I had spent two years saying I was going to submit to TWRP. I got off my duff, looked up the guidelines and submitted before I could get cold feet again.

Within days I went from the query letter, to three chapters, to a full, a wonderful detailed revise and resubmit to a contract and a welcome to The Garden. :)

It has been a whirlwind, but my story of love, lies, betrayal, and redemption at a Hollywood movie studio (a setting I was told would never sell) is going to be out in the world for readers to find.

Tempting Adam blurb:

They both want the same thing – St. Eden Studios.

Corporate raider Yvette Giardino intends to bring St. Eden Studios to its knees. It’s a job. One her grandmother’s health depends on. That Adam St. Eden will suffer isn’t personal. Until he awakens her sympathy and stirs her body in ways she can’t explain.

Adam wants one thing and one thing only – to protect the dream his grandfather began. But when the board demands he work with stunning Yvette, a woman he’d mistakenly indulged with in a little after-hours play, his world turns upside down. Missed meetings, unhappy clients, and nights of intense pleasure – he can blame one person. Yvette.

With his corporation crumbling around him, can Adam rise above the fallout and see his sexy temptress for what she really is – a victim of manipulation and a woman who desperately needs his love?

Please check out the awesome book video as well at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1dKXUrZKzo