Have you ever wanted to write faster but deeper? Write a quickie romance and finish it? Join a zany group of romance writers on a storytelling journey?
Hi, I'm author Rachelle Ayala, founder of the Romance In A Month method, and I'm here to invite you to our next writing adventure, coming up May 15 to June 15, where I will show you how to write a novella - with emphasis on romance - in a month. A novella is 20000 to 40000 words and the market for this story length is exploding due to Kindle, ereading, apps on cell phones and tablets, and our modern, multi-tasking existence where readers no longer have the leisure of lounging by the poolside and sinking into a four-hundred page tome.
A novella, especially a romantic one, has to be a complete story and deliver a satisfying reading experience despite being short. In this class, I will show you how to a) structure your novella, b) create characters with a targeted flaw and deep-seated desire, c) trim your subplots to point solely to the single theme, d) provide enough depth to your scenes to immerse the reader without extraneous detail and side trips, e) deliver the punch of a satisfying resolution without leaving your reader in a lurch.
Look for the lady with the green bird (me), and see you there!
Pick up the textbooks to bone up on how Romance In A Month works. The paperback is good for taking notes, but it is also available on Kindle, and Free on KindleUnlimited
What happens when you fall in love with the man whose life you ruined? Jen Jones, a software engineer with a dark past, is about to find out in BROKEN BUILD: Silicon Valley Romantic Suspense. Jen is one of my all time favorite characters. She's resourceful and emotional and best of all, she's caught the eye of Dave Jewell, hot, hunky, and suspicious. Kissing but not telling, ducking and covering up, Jen does what she does best--fix broken builds and hopes her heart isn't broken next.
Read Broken Build today! Best of all, it's FREE for a limited time only! [Regular price $2.99] Download today!
When a woman wrongs a man… can a man forgive and love?
Jen Jones hides a horrible secret behind her new degree, toned body, and exciting job at Silicon Valley’s hottest startup—until a man linked to her past is killed by a hit-and-run.
CEO and founder Dave Jewell is about to land a huge deal. He doesn’t need blood on his car, threatening phone calls, and Jen wrapped in broken code and blackmail.
A gang of thugs hunts Jen, and she takes refuge in Dave’s protective arms. Together, they must thwart a killer and rescue an innocent victim from their past. Love blossoms, but a damaging revelation points straight at Jen, threatening to tear them apart forever.
In other news, character Jessica Song, hospitality intern for the Cactus League Spring Training in Phoenix Arizona has new internal conflict.
Yep, Inner G, or G for short, sometimes referred to as "Spot" is haunting Jessica Song as she tries to snag her ballplayer, rookie Jay Pak Ahn, Korean fastball pitcher.
If you've downloaded Playing the Rookie before, please update your copy (Free, if you have a Kindle, configure it for automatic update) and tell me whether G annoys you, cracks you up, or you just want her to leave. Bonus if you like how she meets her demise. Shhh... don't tell anyone.
Excerpts:
G looks up from her solitaire spread, You have to kiss a lot of frogs, Jessie, before you meet your prince. I’m tired of frog kissing, you know. A girl’s lips can only take so much. Besides, frogs eat flies, and that’s plain gross. Not if they’re Greek. You know, G, Greek guys aren’t that great in the showering department. She goes back to her game of solitaire. ---- Stop! Stop! Stop! Goddess guard dog shouts so loud my ears are ringing. “No, go, go.” I clap my hands over my ears. “Go away—slut shame someone else, why don’t you?” Oh shit. I said that out loud. Jay’s eyebrows are creased and his face is long, eyes wide. “I, I didn’t mean it. I call you wild tigress because you’re powerful and stir me up. You’re not a slut. Sorry.” He backs away from me and stands. “Do you want me to leave?” Whoosh. My body goes from hot and heavenly to cold and hollow. Every spark and tingle and zing flattens like a deflated jump house. “No, please, I’m sorry. I was just talking to myself.” I push my inner cock-block’s face under the mattress and give it a bounce. Looking contrite, Jay gathers my hands in his and presses them against his lips. “I have not respected you. I apologize. Why don’t we start over? Let me leave now and court you properly. Should I ask your father for permission?” “Puh-please, no.” I sweep his bangs from his eyes. “But you have my permission to court me and bed me.” A grin lifts his cheeks and crinkles his eyes. “Then let’s get busy courting and bedding.” I give up. I’m taking a licking and joining in. Inner G-spot spreads her legs. He better not forget me to tickle me plenty.
From the author of Inconvenient Relations Simi K Rao!
If you enjoyed Inconvenient Relations, you'll love The Accidental Wife, a new contemporary romance from Simi K. Rao.
Some accidents are meant to happen…
Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?
The Accidental Wife is now available on kindle for 99 cents Only! Go get it now as the offer is for a short period only !!
Excerpt:
PROLOGUE
“Another beer to calm the nerves?” A distant cousin who Rihaan had never the pleasure of meeting before, suggested with a knowing smirk.
This was followed by a loud burst of laughter. It was close to midnight, but the party had just begun at the usually serene Mehta abode in South Delhi. “Rihaan doesn’t need anything to cool him down. He’s going to be a full-on man tonight! Can’t afford to disappoint bhabhi, right?” This was promptly followed by another outburst of mirth.
Rihaan submitted to several friendly thumps on his back, returning them with the obligatory wry smile that could be interpreted any which way they desired. He didn’t care about their opinions.
It was true, he hadn’t let a single drop of alcohol pass through his lips. Not because he was anxious to perform well on his wedding night and impress his new wife. On the contrary, he wanted to keep all his faculties intact so he could confirm the suspicion that had been gnawing at his brain ever since the wedding ceremony. And with each moment that passed, his unease had grown steadily.
Unable to bide his time any longer, he stood up and went toward his room paying no heed to the numerous whistles and catcalls that followed in his wake.
Thrusting the door wide open he strode toward the marital bed. It was bare except for his bride’s wedding finery that lay in a neat pile in one corner. His heart now thudding at a frantic pace inside his chest, he scanned the vicinity, fervently hoping his concerns were for nothing.
He approached the wide open balcony door, and his pulse slowed down slightly. Perhaps he’d just been imagining it all?
A girl stood there leaning against the railing, her face upturned toward the full moon. On hearing him approach, she turned around. “Finally! I’ve been waiting like forever!”
He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”
“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.
His heart sank. Not Deepika.
“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”
About the Author:
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.
The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.
I'm really having a ball with Cade and Andie's story. Part One was released March 21 and at that time, I put Part Two out as a pre-release for end of April. Little did I know how fast my beta readers and editor would get back to me. Thanks girls!
So... without further ado, Part Two:
Research librarian Andie Wales is devastated to learn that the man she fell in love with is a professional athlete who plays on and off the field. When Cade’s past mistakes catch up with him, Andie urges him to go back to California to do the right thing.
Meanwhile, Andie’s father’s medical bills are mounting, and she needs to take on a second job. A lucrative offer to do research for a scriptwriter lands in her inbox.
Andie flies to Los Angeles to take up the job and finds Cade at the airport. Andie needs to send every penny she makes home to her family, so she agrees to stay at Cade’s to save money, as long as he promises their relationship is friends only.
Can she negotiate a benefits package that’ll keep her heart intact? Just when she thinks she's got everything under control, her past slams her with a shocking surprise.
Video Trailer
Part 1 and 2 are available on Amazon, FREE with #KindleUnlimited and Part 3 is on pre-order.
I'm working on Part 4 and it's going to be a doozy! Woohoo!
Now
available: Happy Endings, Diving Into Love, and For Love or Charity
Fall
in love with the strong men and smart women of McCallister’s Paradise!
At
their tropical island resort, the McCallister family works hard. Life in
Paradise should be perfect. After all, the place is great for a romantic
getaway. Unfortunately, the five McCallister siblings are still searching for
their happily ever afters… and romance always seems just out of reach.
But
determined hearts won’t be denied. And when love is on the line, a McCallister
doesn't fall halfway!
Handsome,
wealthy Quinn McCallister is the most eligible bachelor on McCallister’s
Paradise. Making his family's island resort a success is all that matters to
this workaholic. Everything changes when he meets the beautiful new massage therapist...
Larissa Benner
may have survived cancer, but its aftermath left plenty of problems besides the
ever-looming fear of relapse. Her family nearly went bankrupt paying for her life-saving
treatments. She desperately needs the full-time therapist position on the
island and the benefits that come with it. The last thing she wants is problems
with her boss, or a complicated office romance.
It’s hard
for her to resist Quinn’s charms—or his passionate side. However, Quinn is
married to his job. The choice between love and work is tough for him to juggle
and has Larissa scared. If the cancer recurs, could she count on him to be
there for her? Or would he leave her to face it alone, ending her relationship
in tragedy?
Parker McCallister is the playboy of the family, never having a care in the world beyond his next fling. When Sierra Burns nearly runs him down on horseback, she challenges him in ways he's never experienced. Now all he has to figure out is how to capture this beauty's heart, and this time it is about more than sex and fun for him.
Shortly after meeting Parker, disaster strikes for Sierra and her secret troubles are revealed. Now she needs his help in the worst way. The only problem is she wants to earn her place in life and have a chance to be the person she wants to be, not who her rich parents expect of her. Taking charity from Parker or his family would feel like a lie to her convictions, and she doesn't want dating him to be a condition of accepting their help.
Despite her hesitations, Parker's charms and charisma are hard to resist. Just when she gives up fighting against the attraction and allows herself to hope for love, his past foists a surprise on the new couple and throws Sierra's life out of balance...again.
Sydney
McCallister isn't looking for love, especially not from an overbearing man
demanding money for his charity after missing the cutoff date for proposals.
Doesn't Matthew Coleson realize his organization isn't the only one hoping for
a grant from the McCallister family? Tired of dealing with the constant stream
of angry people and feeling terribly homesick besides, Sydney wonders if she
should give up on New York and head back to the family's island resort.
When Sydney's office is trashed and she receives a threatening message, she's
certain Matt must be responsible. After confronting him, however, she learns
there is more to this man than is apparent at first glance. There's
something about his eyes... besides, who can resist a man who helps homeless
people get back on their feet? He seems to truly care about people and swears
he would never hurt anyone.
Together,
they work to uncover the identity of the person threatening Sydney, and Matt
seems determined to keep her safe. Questions remain for her, despite the
excitement Matt brings to her life... Does he care about her for herself, or is
he more interested in her family money and what that could mean for his
charity?
Love's Ride - Book 4 and Cooking Up Love - Book 5 coming soon!
About the Author:
Best-selling author Chantel Rhondeau once thought a great mystery or fantasy book with strong romantic themes was the highest level of reading bliss. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, she never looked back. Chantel is author of six romantic suspense novels, a Christmas novella, and the new McCallister’s Paradise series. She lives in the western United States, and when she's not writing she loves playing cards with her family, bowling on leagues, and snuggling with her lazy kitties.
