First Word

Chapter 6             It had been many weeks since Tess and Phil began their rituals of lunch and cocktail meetings. Tess had remembered their first cocktail meeting. They had scheduled it right after they met at Starbuck’s. At first, they had a tempestuous nature to their relationship upon her revelation that it had been more than just a TV appearance that had sucked her into the case not just her desire to write true crime. What Tess had rarely shared with anyone were her psychic gifts.   It hadn’t been just the body in the trunk or the handsome detective who had ignited a passionate desire to know what had happened and share it.   After she had seen the show, she had gone to bed that night and had a dream. She had seen a woman’s hand on the trunk of the Camry, but it hadn’t just been the hand it had been the feelings – like emotions plugged into and replacing her own. It had been the yearni...

It's Christmas time, and you may know I'm picking what I think are the best gifts for the season out of 3L Publishing's catalog. As most of my associates know I published California Girl Chronicles in 2011. I have not mentioned that the second book got released right in the middle of what we'll a "sh**" storm called my divorce. While I promoted the first book with passion the second book has languished on the shelf with lack of TLC. Here is the deal. I personally think the second book is better than the first one. So, if you liked the first one, you'll definitely like this one. It has more character development, and it has a little more depth. When I say "depth" I am really saying it's like a Muskateers candy bar compared to a Mars bar (we have nuts, caramel and nugget vs. just nugget). And when I compare it to a candy bar ... it's just book candy. No, I don't take myself or this series seriously. Let's face it. A book writt...

Here is an excerpt from my forthcoming book due out in Spring titled Body in the Trunk . This paranormal romance is about a true crime writer and gifted psychic who teams up with a police detective to unravel the mystery surrounding the discovering of a body in the trunk of a Camry.  Chapter 1 I placed her body in the trunk of a silver Toyota Camry. I gazed down at her with my hand still holding the trunk lid. Her dark eyes were glassy now and stared up at me, lifeless, dead and somehow accusing. I took in the measure of her and observed her tan leather, trim-cut jacket; white knit shirt and faded jeans. Her form was bent out of shape and her thick, dark hair mussed with just a hint of dark smeared blood from a single wound that had oozed and created a tangled mess in her long hair. “Dead,” I thought numbly as I closed the trunk. *** One year earlier … It was a sunny fall afternoon. The sun shone in through the sliding glass door and woke me ...

Continuing my little advice column (from a woman's perspective after having read about from a man's perspective). I want to continue to provide insight I have learned from reading, experience and "hands-on experience." I have never had trouble getting men to commit to a serious relationship, which has always begged the question of what I do that other women don't do. After reading and trying different approaches I noticed certain results that work and other results that don't work ... so here we go on some new tips (remember: I will be creating a Romance blog in the near future). The chase is on the wrong foot . I know the "rules" and some women just eschew the rules. These are the same women who don't get their guys. So something is to be said about the rules. So I have a friend whose ex-lover does the pursuit. I wanted to grab this gal and tell her the one thing every girl's mama should tell her: don't chase the guy ! If your man has ...

If you're going to write in the romance genre, you will need to learn to build sexual tension to keep readers hooked. For the record, this scene is from my forthcoming novel Body in the Trunk due out in Spring 2014. This kiss you're about to read is nothing more than a forbidden kiss between two would-be lovers. You don't have to get graphic to make a scene very hot and steamy. Notice it builds in literal beats. This scene doesn't take place until nearly page 80 of the book, so the reader till now has been watching the romantic leads tease each other. If the book were all-out erotica, you would have much more graphic scenes, which there is going to be a passionate payoff for sure. But not so early in the storytelling process:  An invisible soul gave me permission. I kept my eyes on his. And ever so slowly centimeter-by-centimeter I let my lips move toward his. He didn’t stir. He was quiet and waiting. My lips slowly enfolded his supple lips, and the embers began to s...

Death Grip Marissa Hartman Rating: **** I like to feature books on the blog from my company 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com). All of the books are outstanding, but every so often one comes off press that I think is fun and will do well in the marketplace. Paranormal romance is a popular genre right now among romance readers, and Marissa Hartman has tossed her talents in the ring to join the ranks of terrific paranormal romance writers. Her debut title is Death Grip . I personally coached Marissa along with the assistance of novelist and screenwriter Scott D. Roberts to help her shape this book into a first-rate romance that will lure readers into the intrigue. Our heroine Lucy becomes embroiled in a complicated love triangle where she must decide several key personal issues and resolve one important relationship to move on. In its other worldly nature, the book explores interpersonal relationships and begs questions about metaphysical experiences and love that transcends th...

Last year my company released California Girl Chronicles: Brea and the City of Plastic . The book received positive reviews, and then my life went to hell and a really bad picnic basket. I had to refocus my attention on my personal life, and our poor flawed heroine found herself adrift in a sea of other frothy, fun summer reads. Now here we are in May -- and hey it's almost summer time. Are you looking for a really great beach read, something completely mindless and described more like mind candy? (As a side note, I always have to laugh when reviewers took this book way too seriously ... it's just meant to be escapist fun.) In the second book (which I think is better than the first), Brea is starting her first professional screenwriting job all the while fielding the attention of male admirers. This story has an underlining message rooted in sexual politics, and it digs into the reality of screenwriting, which isn't quite as glamorous as our heroine expected. As a screenw...

The following is an excerpt from the forthcoming book California Girl Chronicles, Brea's Big Break due out this winter. For more information on the book, visit our website at www.3LPublishing.com.  1 I arrived at the pristine offices where, as usual, Erin the receptionist, greeted me with a warm smile. Every time I saw Erin, I intended to ask her out to drinks. She was so sweet and charming. I knew she would make a great girlfriend. She offered the requisite Perrier and brought it out and placed it on a coaster in front of me. I was nervous. I had not seen Kale in weeks. He had been in Arizona on the set of his new movie. I missed him even though I had no right to miss him. I had thought about calling him several times, but realized he needed time and distance away from me. As I sipped my Perrier, Erin smiled at me. “You look so pretty,” she offered. I looked down at my collared, white blouse and silver-colored skirt. I had dressed conservatively but sexy enough...

Every author has his/her process. I've spoken to some authors who outline their stories. They did a "cast" list and figure out each character's role. They try to identify their characters' arcs and development. Other writers do index cards, which in some ways is kind of old fashioned, don't you think? We're in the digital era, but for these writers that makes sense. I actually don't question the process, because it's different for everyone. If you're a new writer and want some great advice on getting started, here are some fabulous ideas: Non-fiction and the Table of Contents -- I always recommend that authors whether they are new to their crafts or old dogs should start non-fiction books with a well-thought-out table of contents. The table of contents becomes your roadmap and guide for how you will organizationally write the book. I encourage new writers to have an outside person review their table of contents. You will notice that all books...

That's one crazy pirate! Once more reporting from the floor of the last day of the RT Booklovers Convention. The big book fair with the likes of mega author stars like Charlaine Harris, my favorite book series Sookie Stackhouse, and Anne Rice among others are here signing today. Also, among the crowd of interesting characters, we have a pirate running around posing for pictures. Since I could barely look at him without cracking up, I couldn't bring myself to pose, but I did snap off this funny shot (enjoy). Other crazy characters are running around, too, and there are over 600 attendees running around. We are hoping to get at least 20% of these readers to purchase my book California Girl Chronicles so we come home empty handed. I would also go get the new Charlaine Harris book except I would have to stand in line with like 200 people, and I'm just not quite devoted enough. Although it would be great to have her new book to read on the plane ride home. I am also excited...

The following is an excerpt from the second book in the California Girl Chronicles: Brea's Big Break . If you read the first book, Brea and the City of Plastic, you are probably eagerly awaiting to see what trouble Brea gets into next. A small promotional print run was done this month. If you send me an email at info@3LPublishing.com , I will let you know how you can purchase your own copy way in advance of the official release date this summer.  Prologue My name is Brea Harper, and I am the quintessential California girl. I am blond, fabulously tall, pretty and smart. I’m a screenwriter, but often get mistaken for an actress since I live in Los Angeles among the other pretty people. My desire to write screenplays has nothing to do with fame or glamour. I love to write. Period. It’s how I express my creativity and fulfill my artistic impulses. I live in a small apartment near Hollywood with my best friend Denise, who as you might know already, is quite a live wire and loads of...

SPOILER ALERT: The following is an excerpt from California Girl Chronicles: Brea and the City of Plastic. In this scene, she meets Kale, her central love interest in the series. The book is available for sale on 3L Publishing www.3LPublishing, Amazon, Kindle, iBook, Nook and is available to order through Bakers and Taylor for bookstores. I smiled and slinked by him just enough that he could feel my energy but far enough that we didn’t touch. I sensed his smile, turned, and grinned back. As I walked into the lounge area, I heard Drew’s band already playing. I decided to find an open stool at the bar and just hang back until he finished. Fortunately, a guy already drunk got up, or more like fell off, and weaved unsteadily toward the bathroom. I swiftly grabbed the stool, slid up, and could see Drew already at the microphone. I saw his eyes move my way, and he stared right back just for a moment. Then he drifted off into the song. Before I could order, a lemon drop was plunged in fron...

The first book review of California Girl Chronicles , the SF Book Reviewer writer suggested the book didn't contain long enough passages on the sex. Another book reviewer for a major blog site rejected the book because of (you guessed it) the sex. Today's book reviewer from Book Blurb suggested there was too much sex and it got boring. I am so laughing and shrugging. I am now wondering is there a magical sex-writing formula or a class I missed on writing about sex? Where exactly is the middle ground? Too much, too little, too late ... you name it I can't beat it. Another friend of mine said she wished the sex were more graphic. Okay, too much, too little, too late and not enough throw-down. Got it. Here is the bottom line: we are a culture obsessed with sex yet at the same time repressed about it, too. Most reviewers, who will actually review the book at all, inevitably bring up the issue of the sex in the book. Each has his/her perspective on the subject, and each has a...

Disclaimer: the following passage has some profane language. Reader discretion is advised. This excerpt is from California Girl Chronicles: Brea and the City of Plastic. It is available for sale on Amazon or the 3L Publishing website . He fell back on the bed. We both lay together and tried to recover from such a powerful physical act. He turned his head to face me. He raised his eyebrows in surprise and said, “Fucking wow! What the fuck was that?” “I think that was the best sex I’ve ever had,” I replied and reached across to wipe the sweat off his brow. This suggestion seemed to intrigue him. He looked at me with this strange grin and replied, “Really? You? Me?” I sighed, leaned into him, kissed his lips, and replied, “Quite right.” “All right, look at me. I’m a man now,” he declared facetiously. “Sweetheart, you made me a man. I think … no, I know, I have superpowers too. See what you did! Now I’ll have to save the world or something. Or just make a movie about it.” “I’ll ...

So, now that I've written this erotic romance, California Girl Chronicles , and it's slowly weaving out to its audience, I've become reflective about it ... after the fact. Hmm ... maybe I should have been more pensive about before the fact . I am actually a little nervous about the critics. I've been very careful to position the book in the press as pure "candy". Why am I nervous? Well, if you review this book from a serious literary perspective I'm afraid you're in for a big letdown. If you read the book from an expectation that you'll have a good time then it's all A-okay. I wrote California Girl Chronicles as pure escapist fun. I also decided to be erotic with the sex without going into porno. The decision was a business choice. We are a funny culture. We're still repressed about sexuality in many ways, but at the same time, we just love our "sex and candy"; we just don't like to admit it. I've decided that like using...