Author Lyn Cote’s Summer Gift to Readers!
WATERMELON COWBOY
Short Story by Lyn Cote
(Copyright 2010 Lyn Cote)
“Hi, are you a cowboy?” Danny asked.
Sarah stood behind her freckled, about-to-enter-kindergarten son. Affectionately she finger-combed his red curls. On the way home from her new job and Danny’s new daycare, they’d stopped at the roadside produce stand.
“Well…” The tall, good-looking man in denim eased out of his lawn chair, then stood up by the weather-beaten stand. “Do you think a watermelon needs roping?”
“But you got on a cowboy hat.” Danny pointed to the battered straw hat shaped like a Stetson the man wore.
“No, this is my melon hat. Always wear it when I work the melon patch and this stand.”
“Oh.” Danny’s voice showed his disappointment.
Sarah sighed inwardly. She knew all about the kind of disappointment that comes when appearances were deceiving. Her six-year marriage to Danny’s father had been an unfolding story of disillusionment. The only things genuine she’d gotten out of the marriage were debt and Danny.
“What can I get for you, ma’am?” the Watermelon Cowboy asked.
To read the rest, visit
http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-gift-to-my-readers-short-story.html
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 .
First Page- Her Abundant Joy by Lyn Cote
Here is the first page of the last of my Texas Star of Destiny series books:
Her Abundant Joy by Lyn Cote Final book of Texas Star of Destiny series
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:
for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37: 37
Chapter One
Texas, April 1846
Gazing ahead through the pouring rain, Carson Quinn tried to take a deep breath and couldn’t. Searing tightness in his chest reminded him–he hadn’t been able to blot out the images. Images the past week with Blanche had blistered into his mind, knotted around his lungs. Late on his second day in the saddle, all he was looking forward to was a hot bath and a warm bed at one of Galveston’s inns, comfort for his body if not his spirit.
Draped within the dismal mist, he nudged his horse to churn quicker through mud and murky puddles over the last half-mile into the seaport. Amid the jumble of buildings, strange people clogged the streets. He pulled up on his reins. Something had happened here. Something out of the ordinary. Something that might force him out of his own misery into the misery of others.
People huddled under dripping trees, under canvas, and standing under the overhanging roofs of stores, everyone drenched. Rainwater funneled down his leather hat as he steered his horse through the throng. Those who peered up at him looked pale, forlorn and sickly. They weren’t dressed like Texans, or even Americans—
He inhaled a shallow breath. He still thought of Americans as separate from Texas, from him. But Texas was part of the US now. Had been for over two months. Who were these people?
Tagline: Can a beautiful young widow find peace in the arms of a Texas Ranger?
What do you think? I think she could try!
Writing the Difficult Heroine
- Cover of Born Yesterday
I believe many readers think romance authors channel themselves into their heroines. Me, I like to channel myself into my villains. When I’m reading my finished books, I truly believe there’s little of me in my heroines (though my heroes are always somewhat like my husband).
Right now I’m writing about Daphne Farnham in the early 19th C. To get the right feel for Daphne I’m trying to channel Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday, Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, Alicia Silverstone in Clueless and every ditsy, screwball heiress from the classic comedies of the 30s and 40s.
I’ll know more if this is working for me when I run the manuscript past my beta readers, but I have to say that writing about women pirates (Pirate’s Price) and tough con-artists (The Bride and the Buccaneer) was a snap compared to Daffy Daphne, and I’ve never been a con artist or a pirate!
Writing about an airhead whose life revolves around fashion and parties is difficult because I occasionally find her saying something cutting and sarcastic, and I have to stop and say, “No, that’s not Daphne, that’s Darlene.” Daphne is sweet and likes to draw rainbows in the borders of her correspondence. Darlene, not so much. Daphne thinks the key to happiness in life is having the proper accessories. OK, Darlene likes the proper accessories too, but she doesn’t obsess over it!
When I’m writing scenes in Daphne’s POV it’s a challenge, but I have to admit, it can also be fun trying to think to myself, “What Would Daphne Do?” I want to push myself to do things differently, to make each of my novels stand out. If I can pull it off with Daffy Daphne and Dr. Murray in Castaway Dreams, then I’ll feel like I’ve succeeded.
And to celebrate, I’ll make a big bowl of popcorn and watch Bringing up Baby.
Happy Mother’s Day 2010!
Since the focus of my personal blog is Strong Women, I celebrate with Mother’s Day with an all month special, MEGA May! I celebrate by asking readers to share their own family stories of strong women.
This year only two readers have so far shared their stories. Tuesday was Shirley from Mississippi and later in the month Edna T from South Carolina will pay tribute to their mothers. I have room for more if you have a story about a beloved mother, grandmother or daughter, let me know! You can email them to me at l(dot)cote(at)juno(dot)com
This year three brave men are going to pay tribute to their wives, authors Thom Lemmon, Harry Kraus, and Jeff Gerke. Also authors, Betsy St Amant, Linda Goodnight, Cheryl St John, Ruth Axtell Morren, Sharon Dunn, Stephanie Grace Whitson, Irene Hannon, Marta Perry, and Elizabeth Johnson will be sharing stories.
MEGA May is the only month where I ask authors to donate books for a HUGE once a year prize. Drop by this month and share a story or comment and your name will be entered to win the MEGA May basket of books and goodies.
So don’t miss MEGA MAY!–Lyn