For the longest time, I have been pondering how to embed a theme in a novel. Isn’t it enough to have a premise, to have plenty of action and to develop each character’s arc? But while preparing the final revision … Continue reading Finding Your Novel’s Theme
If you are a writer, you love words. I know that I do. Word Storms are a writer’s way to play. They stir up creativity. They help you work through problems. They help you write your story. Continue reading Using Word Storms to Plan Your Novel
I’m having a Facebook Party for Beneath the Skin! Today is my big day. Beneath the Skin will be released to the world! In celebration, I am holding my first ever Facebook Party. In preparation, I have done a ton of research. … Continue reading Have a Successful Facebook Party
How I Made a Book Trailer for Beneath the Skin! Book trailers are the hot new thing in book marketing. With my background in making videos, I just had to try my hand at creating one for Beneath the Skin. It … Continue reading How I made a Book Trailer for Beneath the Skin
“Traditionally artists have been considered soft and mellow people, a little bit kooky. Maybe we’re a little bit more like pirates that way. We defend our territory, whatever space we steal to paint on, we defend it fiercely.” Sandra … Continue reading Graffiti Art in Beneath the Skin
Now I read a lot of romantic suspense novels. I love them. Why else would I write them? I like the fact that there is mystery … Continue reading Beneath the Skin is different
Blood Code by USA Today bestselling author Misty Evans definitely fits the requirements for a romantic suspense. The heroine is a Russian princess who has lived … Continue reading Zara West’s Romantic Suspense Book Review
Today is National Wear Red Day in honor of women. So I thought that I would share some red outfits my characters might enjoy wearing on this day. Note: In keeping with my new awareness of ethically made clothing, all the gorgeous garments featured here are made in conscience to worker’s rights and the environment or from recycled finds. Learn more about the ethical clothing movement here. Melissa Dermott: The petite Asian-American heroine of Beneath the Skin is not a fancy dresser. She’s a debt-ridden graduate student. Most of her clothing is purchased in thrift stores and flea markets. But she has … Continue reading Let Them Wear Red: Ethical Clothing for My Characters
There is nothing more difficult then writing about yourself. Nobody likes to brag. Nobody wants to pat herself or himself on the back. So composing a bio about myself to include in Beneath the Skin was a real challenge. I decided to … Continue reading Zara West’s Author Bio for Beneath the Skin
Beneath the Skin is my first romantic suspense. This is a genre that I have always enjoyed reading. A romantic suspense has two interlocking plot lines. There is the love story which wends it way through the novel, pulling the … Continue reading When You Are a New Romantic Suspense Writer
The book cover for Beneath the Skin is here! Back Cover Blurb Ex-Olympic wrestler and reclusive billionaire artist Aristides Stavros has one mission—to rescue his sister, a popular tattoo artist from the old enemy who has kidnapped her. But at … Continue reading Beneath the Skin Book Cover Just Released
Can love exist without trust? I am so excited. My novel, Beneath the Skin, a romantic suspense, will be published by Wild Rose Press sometime next year. I have started this blog to track the progress of the book as … Continue reading Beneath the Skin
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