I have some incredible news to announce! My amazing publisher, Beachwalk Press, has agreed to donate 40% of the proceeds from my upcoming February 20th release, Falling In Danger, to The Pixie Project animal rescue in Portland, OR. WOOT!!!
Falling In Danger is about a young journalist who stumbles onto an underground dog fighting organization in the heart of LA. Even though the ring is eventually busted, she can’t forget what she’s seen. She’s driven to do a story on the dogs who were left behind and the sexy detective who ended up saving them.
It’s a book that is very close to my heart, and it’s my hope that some lives will be touched by this gift. Both animal and human. Thanks to the wonderful people at The Pixie Project for everything they do for our four legged friends, and thanks to Beachwalk Press for this incredibly generous donation 
It was a long way from home.
Cora stood close to the cliffs, but not close enough that she could see completely over the edge. She’d always been afraid of heights and just watching dark, turbulent waves below put a knot in her stomach. They reared up, foam crowning their watery heads, and rammed themselves into the rocks as if with a pent up, mystic anger.
She shivered in the chilly,Oregon mist and felt homesick for the rollingPennsylvania farmland where she had been born and raised. And had never been away from before.
Until now.
Turning, she looked back at the large, white house. It crouched at the edge of the forest, its dark windows taking the form of empty eyes which stared out at the sea. It was beautiful. Breathtaking, really. But something about it left Cora feeling cold inside.
Sighing, she jammed her hands deeper into her fleece-lined pockets, seeking warmth that always seemed to be just out of reach here.
The house was old. Run down. Past its prime. But her Aunt Debbie was certain its Victorian charm would be the perfect partnership for a quaint, seaside bed and breakfast. Cora had been volunteered to help by her father who was taking a sabbatical from his job as a professor atPenn State, to teach in Japan for a year.
“It’s an opportunity I can’t pass up, kiddo,” he’d said. “I know you don’t want to go with me. I’m not going to make you.”
Cora had cried then, not wanting to go, but not wanting to stay, either. The truth was, she didn’t know what she wanted anymore.
“You need something that I can’t give you right now,” he’d said.
She’d opened her mouth to argue, but he put a hand up to stop her.
“Nope. I know I’m right. Spending some time with your aunt will be good for you. Getting you out of here will be even better.” He hugged her, but she remained stiff and angry.
“She can’t take the place of mom, daddy.”
“I know she can’t.”
“I don’t want to go,” Cora had sobbed into his shoulder, feeling much younger than her seventeen years. What she really wanted, more than anything else, was to have her mother back.
“You’ll love it,” he’d stroked her hair awkwardly, comforting her the best way he knew how. “You’ll see.”
And now here she was. Transplanted against her will to the west coast for an entire year.
Cora startled at the sound of footsteps coming up the gravel walkway. The grumpy wind whipped her hair in her eyes and she brushed it back with one hand.
Turning, she expected to see her aunt in a pair of paint spattered overalls, wearing her signature goofy grin.
But there was no one there.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Posting this micro story was a lot of fun. I’d love to keep it up if you’d like to read more. Let me know by posting a comment below!
Tomorrow’s post will be by Beachwalk Author, Theresa Stillwagon. Link below
http://tstillwagon.wordpress.com
A Death That Lingers- A wife leaves her abusive husband, but soon realizes nothing will keep him away. Not even death.
This six is written in the perspective of Samantha, the ghost who’s haunting Paul, our hero. She was his high school girlfriend and first love. She was murdered when she was eighteen. She senses that she’s not the only ghost in Adeline, Kansas…
Tonight, she was glad to be watching. She felt something being born around them. It was taking shape slowly, and it was sinister and dark. Evil was on its way. To this little town that she was unable to be free of. Toward the man who she once loved, and would always love.
Thank you so much for stopping by! For more great snippets from some wonderful authors, visit http://www.sixsunday.com
Hey all! This should be a lot of fun. Starting Jan. 5th, a few of the Beachwalk authors will be participating in a round robin. We’ll all be writing a micro story and posting it on our blogs in up to 500 word segments. At the end of every post, we’ll have a link to the next author’s story.
Our theme is “At The Beach”. Fun, right? The round robin will be begin on Thursday at Patricia Bates’s website. http://patbatesromances.com
My posting day is the 15th- I’ve started a story about a young girl who has just lost her mother. She’s sent by her dad to spend a year with her aunt on the coast of Oregon. They’ll be fixing up an old victorian house in the hopes of starting a bed and breakfast. The house is beautiful. And haunted.
So come hang out with us for our ”At The Beach” round robin. And don’t forget the sunscreen 
Kaylie~
A Death That Lingers- A wife leaves her abusive husband, but soon realizes nothing will keep him away. Not even death.
Every woman in the country had wanted Liam, and Josie never quite understood that. It was all so superficial. They saw him on television or on stage, and were ready to bear his children. They never knew what kind of monster lurked right beneath the smoother-than-silk surface. All they’d seen was his face, the way his body moved, the way he’d played the piano, and that had been enough.
Thanks so much for stopping by! For more great book snippets from some fabulous authors, be sure to visit http://www.sixsunday.com
I have a release date for my new contemporary suspense, FALLING IN DANGER! February 20th- So excited Stay tuned… Excerpt coming soon!
Christmas is just around the corner. Naughty or nice? That is the question. And when you’re writing sex scenes, it can be a biggie.
When I started writing romance, it was hard for me to lean towards naughty. I wanted to desperately, but I actually had a tough time using the word “breasts” if you can believe that. I know. Breasts is pretty tame. Of all the words to choose from- boobs, rack, fun bags, ta ta’s, jingle bells. The list is endless. But “breasts” made me squirm. I kept thinking, my dad is going to read this…ugh.
I do have to say, I’ve come a long way since then. Yay! I don’t write erotic romance (yet), but I definitely don’t write candy cane sweet, either. I like to write what I like to read. Spicy, bordering on smokin. But not completely on fire.
I read somewhere in my rookie days that as far as sex scenes, you should stick to your comfort zone. If you write something you’re not comfortable with, it’s going to show. Boy, is that true. I feel much more comfortable in my skin as a writer now than I did when I was just starting out. But it’s taken a few years.
In the beginning, I couldn’t really enjoy writing those sex scenes because I kept thinking of my family reading them. And I’ll admit, I edited my first book for content. When I printed it out and sent it to my parents and big brother to read, there were gigantic chunks taken out. I got a call from mom a few days later. She was incensed and said, “But you left out the best parts!” When I told her I was embarrassed for her and my dad to read them, she sighed patiently into the receiver. “You don’t think your father and I know about those kinds of things?” Well…uh…yuck. Okay. So I really didn’t want to think about my parents doing that. Kind of like picturing Santa in his tighty whities. Not pleasant. But eventually I realized that sex is a natural part of life. Most people do it. And most people enjoy it. (Gasp!) And writing about it can be really fun.
The more I wrote those scenes, the more fun it got. Now, writing the sex scenes is my favorite part of writing a book. You get to live vicariously through your characters, and you don’t even have to get out of your flannel PJ’s or shave your legs to do it! And what can be better than that?
So merry Christmas! And bring on the breasts
Note: This article used with permission by RWA Online, Chapter #136 from their November/December 2011 issue of LoveBytes.
Interview with Kaylie Newell
By Karen Jones
Kaylie, would you tell us a little about A Death That Lingers?
A Death That Lingers is a romantic suspense with a supernatural twist. My favorite kind! It was written in the spirit of books by Karen Robards with a sprinkling of Alice Hoffman thrown in for good measure. Here’s the blurb:
Meet Josie Collins, the wife of a world famous rock star and envy of nearly every woman in the country. But Josie knows that happiness can be as fleeting as the flash of a paparazzo’s camera, and the horrific truth is, her husband wants nothing more than to see her dead.
Josie’s story is just beginning when she finally summons the courage to leave her famous, abusive husband and return to her hometown among the winter wheat ofKansas. She thought she’d escaped him this time. But she was wrong. When he is killed in a fiery car accident on his way to find her, it’s clear he may have died, but he has no intention of letting her go. With his death, a rock legend is born, and so is an unthinkable evil. His presence only seems to intensify when Josie develops a rapport with sexy young police Chief, Paul Stark. Their attraction is undeniable, and Josie immediately knows there’s something special about the tall, brooding officer with the long jagged scar down his face. He has a nightmarish past, and what Josie soon learns, is that Paul has lost someone too, and is haunted by love, even as she is haunted by obsession.
Sparkswill fly in their small, Midwestern town, and as their attraction grows, so will a dead husband’s fury. In order to smother the rising evil, and perhaps find a true and lasting happiness with each other, the living must learn to let go, give in, and finally leave their ghosts in the past.
How did you come up with the idea for A Death That Lingers?
The idea was born during a ride to Barnes and Noble with my mom. We were talking about the history of our extended family. She started telling me a fascinating story that I’d never heard before about one of her cousins. When this cousin was a young woman, she was married and living in Philadelphia. Her husband was a musician. Very handsome and successful, but cold and emotionally abusive. One day she was rummaging through the closet and found a newspaper clipping which detailed his attack on his first wife, to the point of almost killing her. My mother’s cousin, afraid for her own life, ended up leaving him soon after. I remember saying it would make a great book. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, asking myself questions like, well, what if you left your abusive husband, but absolutely nothing would keep him away? Even death. To me, that was a pretty scary scenario. A crazy husband who was now a ghost. How in the world do you leave a ghost?
What was it about your book that made your editor want to buy it?
She told me that it was a wonderful story. She’s a very good editor, so it makes me proud to think she enjoyed reading it.
What was the most difficult aspect of writing A Death That Lingers?
Well, although I’ve been writing forever, this was my very first book. I really had no idea what I was doing, so everything, the brainstorming, the plotting, the editing, it was all virgin territory. I was so nervous to actually sit down and start. But once I did, I got into a daily routine. I learned that if you write just a few hundred words a day, you’ll have a book in a year. So that’s what I did. I took it one day at a time until I wrote the end. Which was pretty darn fantastic, I have to say.
How much research did you conduct for A Death That Lingers and what was the most interesting thing you did while conducting your research?
I worked for nine years in a small town police department’s records division. It was great because every day there were all these police officers who were happy to answer my burning questions. They helped me with all kinds of stuff, from teaching me how to properly hold a gun, to showing me how to fight someone off in an attack situation. And of course, they were good inspiration for my hero, Paul. Men in uniform and all that
Why did you decide to write paranormal romance?
I’ve always loved good old fashioned ghost stories. I like being a little spooked. The feeling of your hair standing on end and wondering if someone is behind you. But I also love suspense. Anything that makes my heart beat just a little faster. A Death That Lingers is a combination of the two. I wrote the type of book I’m always wanting to read.
What is your process for writing a book? For example, are you a plotter or a pantzer? Do you start at page 1 and write your book sequentially or do you skip around? Do you start with your characters or the plot?
I would say I’m a pantzer at heart. But I definitely have an idea for the story before I sit down and write. If a plot idea comes to me that I don’t want to lose, I’ll write it down on a sticky note and keep it next to my computer. That helps keep things straight in my head. But more often than not, when I get to that particular part, my characters have something to say about it and the book takes a slightly different turn. And that’s okay. To me, that’s when writing gets really fun.
Mostly, I write sequentially, but I’ve been known to write a sex scene or two out of order. It helps to write those when you’re in the mood!
Do you use any techniques, tools, or aids to help you write?
The only writing aide I’d say that I have, is music on occasion. And lots of routine. I always write at Barnes and Noble. I don’t know why, but everything seems to flow there. Being around all those wonderful books probably doesn’t hurt!
How do you make time to write?
That’s a hard one. I have two little girls, so I usually write when they’re in school. When they’re not in school, I can normally bribe them with a cartoon and a cookie. That buys me about an hour or so, depending on how much they feel like cooperating. They’re such good girls, but it’s always a challenge with little ones, no matter how good they are. My husband helps so much. On the weekends, he takes the kids so I can get out of the house and write. That’s when I’m most productive.
When you are writing, who is in control? You or your characters?
I like to think I am, but my characters definitely have a way of taking over. They whisper in my ear until I give in.
Who has had the most influence on your writing?
Stephen King and Karen Robards are my favorite authors. I’ve read almost everything they’ve ever written. People who haven’t read King might be surprised to find that he’s very funny. I like to write humor (at least I hope it’s humorous) with my romance and suspense. I think it gives a story depth.
Have you had any “ah ha” moments as a writer?
I have an “ah ha” moment on a daily basis! I’ve learned so much about the craft since I started out. And I’m continuing to learn. Some days I feel like a happy little sponge, just soaking it all in.
What advice do you have for other writers?
This is my favorite piece of advice, because I think it’s the most important. Don’t give up! Writing can be a long, hard road. But if you love it and you love your stories, believe in them. Champion them. Give your characters a voice. One day it’ll be worth it.
Why did you decide to become an author?
I can remember writing short stories in junior high and dreaming of writing a book. My parents were both writers. My mother was an English teacher and poet, and my father was a freelance copy writer. I don’t think I’ve ever truly wanted to be anything else. Selling my book was one of the proudest moments of my life because I knew that I was following in the footsteps of my parents. Two of the coolest people I know.
Why did you decide to become a romance author?
I’ve written all kinds of stories, but romance kept calling me back. I’m just a sucker for true love, I guess.
Would you tell us your story of getting “the call?”
I was in the car heading to pick up my husband. I had my girls with me and I checked my e-mail at a stoplight. (I know. Terrible.) I saw the message from my future editor saying she wanted the book. I screamed. My girls screamed. The people in the car next to us stared like we were out of our minds. And I guess we were. It was the best day. Really, the best day ever.
What was the most exciting thing that happened to you after you signed your contract – besides receiving your first check as a published author?
Oh! That’s easy :) Seeing my cover for the first time. It was so wonderful. So surreal. It was like my characters had come to life before my very eyes. When you spend so much time with them, sometimes months on end, it’s almost like meeting long lost friends for the first time. Amazing.
If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
Well, I worked at the police department for many years, so I suppose I’d still be there. Those guys gave me lots of hero inspiration, for which I’ll be forever grateful.
How does your family feel about your career as a romance writer?
My family is very proud. No matter who they’re talking to, they’ll manage to work it into the conversation somehow. “Oh, yeah? It’s going to rain tomorrow? That’s nice…and did you know my wife is a writer?” It’s very sweet. And makes me happy that I can make them proud.
What are you doing to promote your book?
I’m learning the ins and outs of Twitter and Facebook, which are so important for marketing. I’ve also been blogging a lot. I have my own blog, but am especially proud of the Romance Mavens blog which I started a few months ago with my amazing critique partners. We talk about everything you’d want to chat with your girlfriends about. Love, books, writing, life. We even managed to have a couple of our hero authors give us interviews these last few months, and that was just a kick in the pants.
What support are you receiving from your publisher?
I really can’t say enough good things about Beachwalk Press. This publisher is doing everything right. My editor is available to answer questions day and night, and took me by the hand to show me the way when I didn’t know what I was doing. My publisher is very involved with promotion and marketing. They know what to do and why to do it, but they’re also sensitive to my creative input as an author. The best of both worlds.
What books can we expect to see in the near future?
I just found out that Beachwalk would like my second book, Falling in Danger. Talk about happy dance! It’s a romantic suspense, about a naïve, young journalist named Jessica Brady, who stumbles head first into the underground world of dog fighting in LA. Ian Cole is the undercover cop who’s assigned to bust the ring. When Ian’s cover is blown, Jessica decides to do a story about the dogs caught in the middle and the unlikely detective who ended up saving them. And stole her heart along the way.
Author Bio
For Kaylie Newell, storytelling is in the blood. Growing up the daughter of two gifted writers, she knew eventually she’d want to follow in their footsteps. While she’s written short stories her whole life, it wasn’t until after her kids were born that she decided to shoot for the moon and write her first romance novel. She hasn’t looked back since!
Kaylie lives inSouthern Oregonwith her husband, two little girls, an elderlyChihuahuamix, and two indifferent cats.
Book
A Death That Lingers, Beachwalk Press,November 21, 2011, ISBN# 9781937325107, Digital Format
Web Site
To learn more about Kaylie and her writing, visit her at www.kaylienewell.com
About RWA® Online
RWA® Online is proud to have been the first electronic chapter of Romance Writers of America®. We know that the writer’s life can be a lonely one and it doesn’t help when the closest chapter meeting is a hundred miles and two weeks away. Our chapter was created in 1995 specifically to take advantage of the emerging capabilities of the world wide web to bring romance writers together through virtual instead of only physical meetings. We are now over 250 members strong and growing every day.
Our chapter resources are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! All you need is an internet connection. We offer critique groups, plotting sessions, and lots of support and advice on your writing career. We understand the need to vent over a rejection letter and we celebrate your contest wins and manuscript requests and contracts right with you.
Chapter Features:
- 24 hour access
- Bulletin Board Discussion Forums (no email loops!)
- Monthly Discussion Topics
- Workshops – FREE for chapter members!
- Plotting and Critique Groups or Partners
- Private Chat Area and regular chat sessions
- January Jump Start Jam and KIAMarathon
- Love Bytes – Chapter Newsletter
- Published Author Only Forums
- Published-author blogging at The HEA Café, which is open to the public
- Publishing Spotlight with visiting editors/publishers
- And much, much more!
Membership is open to members of RWA. To learn more, visit us at http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/
A Death That Lingers- A wife leaves her abusive husband, but soon realizes nothing will keep him away. Not even death.
“They found Liam? He’s in jail?” Josie asked.
Paul swallowed and studied his hands for a moment. When he looked up, his jaw was set, the muscles contracting back and forth.
“They found him,” he said evenly. “He’s dead.”
For more great book snippets, be sure and visit http://www.sixsunday.com
The question that sets every parent’s nerves a jangling. “Are we there yet?”
If you have kids, you know that traveling with them can be a challenge. Today over at Romance Mavens, I’m sharing some tips I’ve learned over the years to make your life just a little easier when setting out on your yule tide family adventure.
Hint: there’s bribery involved
