Author Archive
The Right Heroine For the Job by Misty Evans
This month, PROOF OF LIFE, Super Agent Series, Book 3, is released in print. CIA Deputy Director Michael Stone is the hero. Some of you will remember Michael from OPERATION SHEBA, the first book in my Super Agent Series. He was involved in a love triangle with counterterrorism expert Julia Torrison and a rogue spy named Conrad Flynn. Conrad won Julia in the end and a lot of readers were upset Michael ended up alone. He’s such an awesome guy (totally based on my hubby) and his UNhappy ending in OPERATION SHEBA left me unhappy, too. I had to give him his own story and a fantastic heroine to match.
Dr. Brigit Kent is Michael’s new love interest in PROOF OF LIFE, Super Agent Series Book 3. She’s also his newest enemy. Writing a heroine who could grab Michael’s attention was challenging. Writing one that could keep him on his toes was extra tough. I was halfway through the first draft before I understood Brigit and all her secrets. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t focus. Her elusiveness drove me crazy, but in the end, it helped me keep Michael guessing about her as well. I had to give in and stop trying to figure her out while I was writing before I could uncover all her secrets. Luckily, it all worked and my editor loved how Brigit kept Michael and the reader guessing about her true identity and her past.
Knowing your characters backwards and forewords typically makes for the best storyline. Especially in a romance, where the characters must grow and change and come together in the end. Once in awhile, though, you get a character who refuses to divulge everything up front. That’s okay. Whether you’re a writer or a reader, give that character a chance. He or she just might surprise you and be the perfect hero or heroine for your story.
Misty Evans loves her heroes tough, her heroines tougher and her stories full of action and fun. Visit her at www.readmistyevans.com and chat with her on Twitter @readmistyevans .
A book is only as good as its research by Misty Evans
Missing royals. Double agents. Hidden doors and secret treasures underneath a palace…
I’m currently working on LAUNCH, Super Agent Series, Book 4. This story takes place in Russia and features CIA Chief of Operations Ryan “Smitty” Smith from OPERATION SHEBA, SAS Book 1. Ryan must help Anya Radzoya, the missing princess from the last of the Russian Imperial houses, who steals the launch key to a nuclear missile In order to stop the Russian president from starting a second Cold War.
Every Super Agent book requires massive amounts of research. I’m only a hundred pages into the story and already I’ve had to learn about the following:
Russian history, beginning with Nordic founder in 862 AD
Russian foods
Common Russian phrases
Nuclear launch keys
The architecture, layout and history of the Great Kremlin Palace complex
Russian Imperial houses
Imperial jewelry
Since Anya is a genetic scientist, I’ve also had to research and study genes, DNA and genetic counseling. While I managed a B+ in Biology 101 and never blew up the chem lab in school, I still failed to grasp much of the science surrounding genes. Thank goodness for the Internet and good old fashion text books. I’ve crammed a lot of hefty scientific facts and theories into my overloaded brain in the past few months and constantly double check them on occasion to be sure I’m correct.
In the third Super Agent book, Proof of Life, Brigit, the heroine, made this observation: “The intelligence community considered information only as reliable as its source. If the source was bogus, so was the intel.”
I believe the same thing holds true for authors and readers. Readers consider stories only as reliable as their authors. While I make up some elements in my stories, I put as many facts in them as I can. I want to be accurate and trustworthy as an author while still spinning a fun, over-the-top adventure for my readers. Doing my research is a critical part of that process and one I hope readers enjoy.
Misty Evans does her research in her pajamas with a giant mug of coffee within arm’s reach and her favorite playlist blasting in the background. For more information about her Super Agent Series, visit www.readmistyevans.com and come chat with her at www.twitter.com/readmistyevans. Her latest print book, PROOF OF LIFE, Super Agent Series, Book 3, is now available for preorder http://www.amazon.com/Proof-Super-Agent-Misty-Evans/dp/1605047937/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277494700&sr=8-2 .
March Madness – Free book for Kindle and Nook
I’m SO, SO, SO excited to announce that … drum roll, please… OPERATION SHEBA, Super Agent Series Book 1, is available FREE for the KINDLE from Amazon, March 1st-14th . You can find it here. (Update 3/1/10, 10:45 a.m. – Amazon has yet to flip the switch so the book goes to $0.00. I’ll add another note as soon as I’m sure it’s been switched over to free. I’m REALLY sorry for the inconvenience, but how is an author to control the beast known as Amazon?!!? They told me March 1st!) (Update #2: 5 pm … FINALLY, it is really and truly FREE on Amazon for Kindle. And it’s ranked in the top 100 already. Woo hoo!)
It’s also available free for the Nook, Barnes & Noble’s ebook reader! If you want the Nook version, go here .
More news about Sheba: It’s a finalist in the 2009 New England Bean Pot Published Authors Contest for Romantic Suspense! I couldn’t be more thriled!
PLEASE pass this on and share the news with anyone who owns a Kindle or a Nook and might enjoy my book. Maybe we can get Conrad and Julie in the Top 100 Kindle books. If we do, I’m going to celebrate big with goodie giveaways galore to my readers! 
Here are a few review snippets to tease you:
“Evans takes readers on an edge-of-your-seat thriller into the secretive world of CIA operatives. A love triangle and a mole in the agency make this one story you won’t want to put down.” ~Cindy Himler, RT Reviews
“…deeply woven and masterfully written plot with many twists and turns.” ~Abi, The Romance Studio
“Misty Evans does a masterful job of developing vibrant, believable characters that inhabit a world full of international and personal intrigue…” ~Camilia, Long and Short Reviews
“…the best book I have ever read. OPERATION SHEBA is not at the head of the class, it is in a class by itself. The adventure never stops, it is really sexy, and the reader will go from laughter to terror as the plot is uncovered and the traitor is exposed.” ~ Reviewed by Susiq2 for CataRomance
“This is a top notch romantic suspense…The characters in this story fulfill their roles perfectly, strong, heroic, and of course, dangerously sexy. Ms. Evans takes you on a wild ride, one that you will hate to see end. I will await her next installment of Super Agents with great anticipation.” ~ Reviewed by Loloty for Coffee Time Romance
“…a heart-pounding, super-hot read…continuous nonstop action and blazing sexual interactions. Overall, OPERATION SHEBA was a thrilling, erotic spy game that I enjoyed playing.” ~ Reviewed by Contessa for Romance Junkies
“Bad guys, bombs, and bullets pop up everywhere…The CIA’s internal politics are fleshed out beautifully… With non-stop action and a fantastic heroine, Operation Sheba is a great kickoff for a debut writer.” ~Reviewed by Bramble Nymph for Literary Nymphs
To sign up for my newsletter, send your email addy to: misty@readmistyevans.com .
To follow me on Twitter, I’m at www.twitter.com/readmistyevans
My website: www.readmistyevans.com
14 Days of Love – Win Registration to RomCon™ 2010
RomConInc celebrates 14 Days of Love February 1 – 14! Join romance lovers everywhere as RomConInc launched reader forums, Contemporary, Historical, and Fantasy/Futuristic & Paranormal (FF&P), with visits from special guest authors, fun topics to chat about, and gifts and goodies galore!
All you need to do to participate is sign up for an account (www.romconinc.com). Anyone who leaves a comment during the special promotion will be entered to win a free Reader Registration to RomCon™ 2010!
Tuesday, February 2nd, I’ll be hosting the contemporary forum on Favorite Love Songs and Romantic Movies. What’s your favorite romantic comedy? What song was playing during your first kiss?
Please come by and share your favorites at Tuesday’s contemporary forum. Remember to register for your account today so you’re ready to go. We’ll rekindle romantic moments from the past and have a blast discussing movies and songs that never fail to put us in the mood!
Contemporary Forum Guest Line-up:
Feb 1 – Jenna Bayley-Burke
Feb 2 – Misty Evans
Feb 3 – Stephanie Tyler
Feb 4 – Elisabeth Naughton
Feb 5 – Marie Force
Feb 6 – Gina Robinson
Feb 7 – Dee Davis
Feb 8 – Diana Holquist
Feb 9 – TBD
Feb 10 – Susan Crandall
Feb 11 – Hope Tarr
Feb 12 – TBD
Feb 13 – TBD
Feb 14 – Louisa Edwards
Historical Forum Guest Line-up:
Feb 1 - Deeanne Gist
Feb 2 - Karen Ranney
Feb 3 - Terri Brisbin
Feb 4 - Margo Maguire
Feb 5 - Kris Kennedy
Feb 6 - Sally MacKenzie
Feb 7 - TBD
Feb 8 - Sabrina Jeffries
Feb 9 - Lavinia Kent
Feb 10 – Elizabeth Amber
Feb 11 – Anthea Lawson
Feb 12 – Elaine Levine
Feb 13 – TBD
Feb 14 – Catherine Anderson
Check the website for updates on the FF&P lineup and the TBDs.
Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re in the mood for deliciously romantic read with heart-stopping danger and a HEA, check out my latest Super Agent Series print release, I’d Rather Be In Paris. After all, Paris is one of the most romantic places around! www.readmistyevans.com
Swim or float in 2010?
Along with Mars and Mercury, my ambitious ego has gone retrograde. For the past two years, I’ve been swimming upstream like mad, pushing myself with word count goals, editing deadlines and every promotion under the sun. Since September 2008, I’ve published three novels and a novella in digital and print formats while dealing with debilitating back problems, the loss of my mother-in-law, my twins entering middle school, and a bathroom remodel. (While those last two things pale in comparison to the first two, they were nevertheless extremely stressful.)
I spent most of 2009 flat on my back, either in bed, on the floor, or on the surgeon’s table. None of the procedures I had done worked. My cure has been a constant dose of physical therapy and clinical Pilates, patience and time. I’m not a patient person. Before, when I suffered from health or other problems, I simply put my head down and bulldozed my way through it. This time, however, there was no bulldozing through the pain or immobility. Hubby bought me a laptop holder that allowed me to work from bed and I learned to value the days I could stand, walk or drive more than the word count I produced.
Every year at this time, I pull out my journal, read the goals I set on January 1st of the current year, and make new ones for the coming year. Usually I have a lot of goals, most of them professional. At the beginning of 2009, I knew it was going to be a year full of work, and it was. Looking ahead to 2010, however, my ego no longer feels that driving need to produce. Is it because I accomplished so much this year and my ego is happy, or is it because my back ordeal taught me the importance of taking one day at a time?
The answer eludes me as I type this blog, but I’m happy to wait it out. Right now, I’m writing a new story in a new genre and loving the freedom it provides. I’m content to hibernate for awhile, not worrying about how many words I get down today or tomorrow, instead focusing on the crisp scenes, layered characters and making sure my theme resonates in every chapter.
My back is healing, and while the old me would normally jump into everything I used to do (and basically overtax my back and stress management levels all over again), the new me is content to roll with the flow. A good day? I’ll write and bake and enjoy my kids. Bad day? I’ll watch Bravo and HGTV and Soapnet, read a good book, and crank my iPod.
The New Year brings a new decade, a fresh start, and for me, a new attitude. My ego is content to stop swimming upstream and float for awhile. To hibernate, meditate, clear out the clutter and embrace health. I’m ready to take a break.
How about you? Will you be swimming or floating in 2010? Either way, I wish you a happy and healthy 2010.