About Me

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A writer by predilection, an aunt by blessing and a friend by choice, Shelley has spent many years journaling before sitting down to draft her first novel. She has a B.A. in English discourse and is currently working on her third romantic-suspense, the title of which will be announced soon pending publication. Shelley is a member of the Romance Writers of America as well as her RWA state chapter of the Maryland Romance Writers.
"I love story-telling. It's a way to live an experience through the eyes of a character." - Shelley N. Greene

Saturday, May 31, 2014

THE SUMMER LOVE BLOG TOUR - THE FIRE WALKERS Cover Reveal!


Welcome back to the Summer Love Blog Tour!

My novel is a romantic suspense, a love story with a mystery element. 


And it’s COVER REVEAL time!


*Drrrrrummmmmrrrrroooooolllllll*





Isn’t it GORGEOUS?!

I’d like to send a big hug and thanks to the hard-working, mega-talented ladies at The Killion Group for the format and cover design.  They did a phenomenal job!


THE FIRE WALKERS – Back Cover Blurb

Kelly Monroe is an idealistic good girl thrown into a bad situation.  A graduate student chasing her dreams of a PhD, a college party invitation lands in her a jail cell with only vague memories of the night before; the images of a tragic bonfire haunting her. Under the watch of an attractive, blue-eyed detective, Kelly’s life goes from bad to worse as she's sentenced to perform community service at a horse rescue. Driven to stick out the hard times, she develops a bond with Keegan, an abandoned racehorse horse with a past.

Ex-NARC turned arson detective, Aidan Wright is tracking the drug dealers who killed his partner. Kelly’s memories of the bonfire prove to be the missing piece to Aidan’s investigation of several drug-related teen deaths, perpetrated by the band of drug dealers who scarred him years ago. When Kelly becomes the unsuspecting victim of the drug group’s trafficking, Aidan is forced to stay close to her to catch them.

As Aidan uncovers the truth, Kelly develops feelings for the fearless man behind the badge, and the battered arson detective falls hard for the sanguine girl with the contagious laugh.


***


THE FIRE WALKERS will be available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and Kobo on July 1st, 2014!



***


The “this is really happening” thrill is setting in, so I’m going to let us bask in the glow of all the pretty!


And so the Summer Love continues next week as I answer the questions:

What’s a walker?  Why fire?  What is this crazy theme?

One-by-one I'll introduce you to the characters that took over my story, and helped me walk fire.






See you then! ;0)  


Saturday, May 24, 2014

THE SUMMER LOVE BLOG TOUR - Contemporary Romance, Georgina Guthrie

Hi, everyone!  The Summer Love Blog Tour is celebrating romance this summer!



Throughout May we’ve been introduced to the sub categories of the romance genre. We explored the dramatic conflict of Paranormal, the futuristic adventure of Sci-Fi, the steam of Erotica, and the fun of Fantasy

This week the CN is host to a surprise guest, presenting on a category that is a personal favorite of mine, contemporary romance.

Contemporary is special because unlike other sub genres, it's set in modern day, and without the supernatural elements that make up its paranormal counterparts.
Contemporary uses human characters and true-to-life conflict to tell a story, and in a market where make-believe and escape transports the reader to another world, the author is tasked with making the every day-ordinary, remarkable.  

I love the way contemporary takes place in the present, with places and personalities that represent the human world. It touches on the dynamics of relating in a tangible way, the sentiment of places and simple moments, where the reader walks away feeling as if the story could have happened to them in real life.

And with us today is an author whose debut novel represents this category well.

In THE WEIGHT OF WORDS, Georgina Guthrie brings together two college students, the academic environment of a university campus, and the power of great literature with contemporary style.

The sequel in her Words series, BETTER DEEDS THAN WORDS is available now.

And to tell us more, the CN welcomes Georgina Guthrie!


The CN questions:


What do you love most about contemporary romance?

I like those contemporary romance novels which present a female main character who isn’t helpless and naïve. More and more romance novels feature women who are independent and who can look after themselves. Like women in the real world, they seek romantic love to round out their lives, not to define their lives.

What’s the weirdest research you’ve ever had to do?

That’s a difficult question because very little of my research has been weird, and to be honest, I haven’t had to do much in the way of research. The settings and topics in the Words trilogy are ones I’m intimately familiar with. I’ve just got a very good memory and a vivid imagination. J

What is your favorite scene in BETTER DEEDS THAN WORDS and why?

I think the scene early in the book when Daniel and Aubrey go to his grandmother’s house for dinner is definitely one of my favourites. I loved crafting Patty’s character; she’s a mixture of a number of cheeky and feisty ladies “of a certain age” whom I’ve had the honour of knowing. Her dialogue and witticisms are some of the most favourite lines I have written. 

Tell us one unique fact about you (something that few people know). 

I’m addicted to lip balm. Could be worse I suppose. I don’t think anyone’s been incarcerated for a lip balm addiction.


New/Latest Book:

Better Deeds than Words, the second installment in the Words series





Blurb:


  In Better Deeds than Words, the highly anticipated follow up to The Weight of Words, college senior Aubrey and teaching assistant Daniel decide to pursue their romance despite university regulations, but it means they're taking a path of secrecy and lies. 

  With only six weeks left to the end of term and Aubrey's graduation, they’re under the constant watch of Dean of Students David Grant—Daniel's father and Aubrey's boss. If that weren’t enough pressure, Daniel’s checkered past also casts a shadow over the young lovers who continue to tempt fate until one wrong move leads to an inevitable disaster. 

  Can they salvage a relationship when everything seems to be conspiring against them?



To learn more about Georgina:

GG’s Website        Facebook               Goodreads              Twitter





Big thanks to Georgina for visiting the CN today! 

*Shelley raises her Burt’s Bees lip balm* You’re not alone, Georgey!  ;0)


Next week:  The time has come! June 1st is the COVER REVEAL for my debut romantic suspense, THE FIRE WALKERS!  I’m crazy excited.   

If you want to be the first to see, BE HERE—same Comparative time, same Narrative channel!  

See you then!  :0) 


Saturday, May 17, 2014

THE SUMMER LOVE BLOG TOUR - Fantasy Romance, Mindy Klasky

Hi everyone, and welcome to week three of the Summer Love Blog Tour!




We’re counting down the days to my book release! The June 1st post will be the cover reveal for THE FIRE WALKERS!

You’ll see it here first, so please join me for the big event, here at the CN! J


And to keep us entertained until then, the Summer Love tour is introducing you to awesome authors who specialize in the different sub categories of romance.

One thing I love about writing love stories is how the genre spans such a broad spectrum. Like flavors of ice cream, there is something for everyone.

This week we get to enter the fun-tastical realm of Fantasy romance. Here the love story can be magical, mythical, and limited only by the author’s imagination.

While all books are an escape, fantasy romance takes readers on a magic carpet ride of endless proportions…like a librarian who discovers that she’s really a witch. J





Our guest today knows her fantasy. The multi-talented, Mindy Klasky!




CN Q&A:

What do you love most about fantasy romance?
When I write my fantasy and light paranormals like Girl's Guide to Witchcraft (about a librarian who finds out she's a witch), I'm able to play with serious issues in our real world (e.g., how women can build friendships and families that help them achieve the most they can achieve) while I explore supernatural possibilities.  I can craft magic to make my characters' lives easier -- and substantially more difficult!  I can use real history, science, and fact, but I can bend the details through a paranormal lens, explaining what the real meaning is!


What’s is the weirdest research you’ve ever had to do?
I do a lot of "spot research" for my books -- reaching out to find what herbs are used to cure what ailments, what crystals are associated with what attributes, etc.  I've looked into the breeding habits of ospreys, the farming practices of colonial forefathers, and the menu for Thomas Jefferson's favorite meal.  But the weirdest research I've ever done was building a martial art for humans to use in protecting themselves from vampires.  I consulted with friends who practice martial arts and -- after much discussion -- decided to use Brazilian jiujitsu as a model.  After that, I watched lots (and lots and lots and lots) of videos, "translating" the sparring matches into human/vampire battles.


What is your favorite scene in Girl's Guide to Witchcraft and why?
I've always loved the early scene where Jane awakens her familiar, Neko.  She stumbles onto the magic and has no idea of the power she's harnessing.  I've always dreamed about discovering my own magical powers (doesn't everyone?  Please say yes!), and I can't imagine a better way to do that than bringing a statute of a cat to life as a human man!





Tell us one unique fact about you (something that few people know). 
 
Um...  I majored in computer science for my first two years in college, and I thought I'd write programs for a living.  (I came to my senses, though, and switched to being an English major.  I can't imagine what my fiction would be like if I'd stuck with programming instead of literature!)


New/Latest Book:
The Diamond Brides Series, hot contemporary romances about the players on an imaginary baseball team and the women who love them.  (There's no paranormal element, but the world of baseball is as detailed and important to the stories as magic is to my fantasy books!)






PERFECT PITCH

Reigning beauty queen Samantha Winger is launching her pet project, a music program for kids. All she has to do is follow the pageant's rules—no smoking, drinking, or "cavorting" in public.

That's fine, until D.J. Thomas—God's gift to baseball—throws her a wild pitch.  He slams her in an interview, and the video goes viral. Sam's no shrinking violet. She parlays D.J.'s apology into a national T.V. appearance—and a very unexpected, very public kiss.

Soon, paparazzi catch the couple in a steamy make-out session, and Sam's music program is on the block. The blazing hot relationship is threatened even more when D.J.'s son begs to trade in Little League for music class.

Can Sam and D.J. sizzle past the sour notes and find their perfect pitch?

***

Big thanks to Mindy for being our guest today.  For a bewitchingly fun read, check out more of her JANE MADISON series. And her contemporary treat, PERFECT PITCH is available now!

Next week:  We have a surprise guest here to discuss one of my favorite categories, contemporary romance!

Please stop back then for more Summer Love on the Narrative! J


Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE SUMMER LOVE BLOG TOUR - Sci-Fi / Erotic Romance, Sarah Allan

Hi everyone!  Welcome to week two of the Summer Love Blog Tour!




Last time we trekked through the land of other worldly love with paranormal romance author, Jean Murray. This week you get two for one as we explore the high-tech adventure of Sci-Fi romance, as well as the steamy, stimulating world of Erotica.    

The author who knows these two sub-genres best happens to be someone who knows me and THE FIRE WALKERS very well, too. My critique partner, Sarah Allan.

Sarah and I met through an online writing group many moons ago, and we managed to stick together ever since. A talented writer and editor, she minds my Ps, Qs, and Oxford commas, plus gives me honest, constructive feedback. We are cohorts in literary amore, and I love her writing style and dedication to craft.

So without further ado – heeeeerrrre’s Sarah!






Thanks so much for letting me do this, Shelley!

I'm here to talk a bit about erotic romance and sci-fi romance, though I do write in the other romance sub-genres.  I'm shortly going to be querying a hot LGBT fantasy romance called Fate's Awakening, and my current work-in-progress is a sci-fi romance tentatively titled The Disillusioned.  I'm also working on some collections of erotic short stories to self-publish.  And in my spare time I edit professionally.  I guess I can sleep when I'm dead!

What do you love most about Sci-Fi/Erotic romance?

Oh man...everything!  I love how creative I can be with both mediums.

With erotic romance, you can make anything you want sexy.  Sexy werewolves?  Sure!  Sexy massage therapists?  You betcha!  Sexy professor/student? Doctor/patient? Rich girl/farm boy?  Absolutely.  The world is your oyster.  I write stories for smart girls with dirty minds, so I like to make sure that even my erotic short stories have characters and scenes the reader can relate to and care about, at least on some level.  Writing short stories is tough because of that, though, but I love the challenge.  They're far more than porn on paper--they have substance (or I'd like to think they do! :-P).

Fate's Awakening is definitely skewed toward the "hot" end of the spectrum, so if a reader likes male/male romances, I think they'll really enjoy it.  I'd never written male/male scenes before, so it was a fun challenge.

As for sci-fi, I never set out to write one, but my current work-in-progress is a sci-fi romance.  I like to describe it as Nancy Drew meets the Terminator.  I love how readers will suspend disbelief for a story if it's grounded enough in reality, so that gives you a lot of freedom.  Your story still has to make sense, though, or the readers won't buy into it.

What’s is the weirdest research you've ever had to do?

I don't know about weirdest, but for my work-in-progress (The Disillusioned, a sci-fi romance), I'm creating a whole town.  I knew where I wanted to set the story, but I didn't like the constraints an actual town would give me, so it was easier to create my own.  I spent so much time on Google Maps figuring out where it would be, what would border it, where things were...  It was exhausting, but very worth it.

What is your favorite scene in Fate's Awakening and why?

Can I say the whole book?  No?  Okay...  Well, if I have to choose one, I had the best time writing a scene where Jack and Andy are preparing Christmas dinner.  Andy's good in the kitchen and stops what he's doing to give Jack some pointers.

Tell us one unique fact about you (something that few people know).

I'm pretty awesome at driving a stick-shift...on cars with the steering wheel on the left or right, which means I have to drive stick with my left hand sometimes.  And I make a mean pistachio dessert.

What are you reading this summer?

I'm looking forward to catching up on J.R.Ward's The King, and Laura Kaye's East of Ecstasy.  Both are waiting for me to have some more free time to crack them open.

What are you working on?  

I'm busting my butt readying a query for Fate's Awakening to send out soon. *crosses fingers*  Though I wouldn't mind self-publishing, either, so that's on the table.  I'm also hoping to get at least one erotic short story anthology out the door this year.  Oh, and finishing my first draft of The Disillusioned.  Whew. I'm exhausted and excited just thinking about it!

Blurb for Fate's Awakening:

Jack Harris doesn't do relationships. He gets what he wants, and is fine with the status quo. But he's in danger of losing his chance at happiness with the one he's meant for, and he doesn't even know it. Because he's been fighting his destiny, Jack's life-thread is tangled, leaving him in great danger. When a goddess takes away one of Jack's greatest pleasures, will that be enough to help Jack see what's right in front of him? Or are the Fates just playing a cruel trick?

Links:

Sarah Allan's Website     Twitter     Facebook     Goodreads (not author page--yet!)

xoxo Sarah


Big thanks to Sarah for visiting today!


Next week: The Summer Love continues with Fantasy author, Mindy Klasky!

Please join me then for more of the Narrative! J

Sunday, May 4, 2014

THE SUMMER LOVE BLOG TOUR - Paranormal Romance, Jean Murray

Hi, everyone! 

I have BIG news!

My first book, THE FIRE WALKERS is coming to you July 1st, 2014!

To celebrate I’m hosting the Summer Love Blog Tour! Throughout May I’ll be spotlighting authors from different sub genres with a series of fun questions and clips from their books.   



I get to channel my inner Barbara Walters.  *Host Chair Happy Dance*

And the excitement doesn't end there.

On June 1st I’ll reveal the long awaited FIRE WALKERS cover!
(I’m super excited to share that with you – it’s gorgeous!)

And every Sunday in June you’ll receive the inside scoop on my debut novel as I introduce you to the amazing characters that walked fire with me.

Please stop by each week to see what’s new!

J

Now, on to the main event! 

In romance there are many wonderful categories from which you can choose.  There are stories set in modern day, and in the past. Some stories are based in magic, others in the hi-tech realm of Science Fiction. There are steamy stories, religious stories, and tales set in the dystopian future. Paranormal is a fairly new branch in the mighty oak of romantic fiction. 

As a writer, conflict is your friend. You ask the question, “What would keep these two lovers apart?” Paranormal tackles that question with fervor.

What bigger void is there to cross than two different species falling in love?

With the rise and revival of vampire mania, the concept of love with a non-human hero/ine came into its own, later including werewolves, mummies and even zombies. With a readership who love their hero tall, dark and mummified, paranormal romance delivers love on the edge.

And to start our Summer Love Tour off with bandages and a growl, I’m proud to present fellow Maryland Romance writer and acclaimed paranormal romance author, Jean Murray!

CN Q&A:

What do you love most about paranormal romance?

Where do I start?  There are so many great things.  I guess if I had to pick one it would be the fact that it’s limitless.  The scope is only limited by the author’s imagination.  It’s my escape from the real world J


What is the weirdest research you’ve ever had to do?
Learning how mummies were made. 
My Key to the Cursed series is based on Egyptian Mythology.  I wanted to make it authentic as possible, so I started visiting the Egyptian exhibits.  The Chicago Museum has some of the best mummies.  It helped in writing certain scenes.  Also, I took the time learn how the priests prepared the bodies and what charms they may have used to protect the dead on their journey to the Afterlife. Truly fascinating!

What is your favorite scene in Soul Awakened and why?
Oh, there is one that comes to mind. Bakari has been sent to the warrior village to pay out his penance. He wants to stay as far away from Kendra as possible, knowing the temptation to touch her will be too much to bear. I’ll let the scene speak for itself...  You can only imagine what happens next J



Excerpt from Soul Awakened, Jean Murray:

The scrape of the door closing drew his attention over his shoulder. The flames from the sconces danced across the faces of the immortalized gods. Only one face stared back with mouth agape. The soft lighting played against the beautiful features of the goddess. He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. She remained in her white flowing robe. Her wide eyes followed him as he stumbled to get up.

Bakari shifted his body to hide his atonement. He resisted the urge to inhale her scent fearful his thirst would return tenfold. The sight of her alone threatened his thread of control. What was she doing here?

“Bomani is not here.”

“I know.” Kendra’s eyes measured him briefly and then darted away. The hint of redness colored her cheeks. She traced one of the glyphs that adorned the statue next to her.

He narrowed his eyes at her. If she was not here to see Bomani, then who? Certainly not him.

“You look well,” Kendra said, staring at the statue.

He tracked her graceful movements. Her hair shined even in the dim glow of the candle light. Each lock of her hair curled in long full coils over her shoulders. The sight of her stirred a fire inside his belly. He narrowed his vision on her arms fully expecting to see glyphs on her forearms, but found only soft cream skin. His bitterness gave way to relief. She had not yet transitioned. Still, her health and vitality reverberated across the slab of stone that separated them.

She drifted among the statues, not once stepping closer. For all the time he had wanted to keep her distance, he now found her reluctance exasperating. He glanced at his feet, surprised that he had taken several steps forward. Her warm energy seeped into his tissues and amassed in his chest, feeding a hunger in the most basic form. Life. There was only one other hunger he wished quenched. He swiped a hand across his face.

He pulled his hand away to find his palm wet with perspiration. Cursing, he slid his hand across his abdomen. It was calm at the moment, but he did not trust it to behave. He bowed deeply, as any warrior would in a goddess’ presence. “Madame, I will leave you to your privacy.”

***

            Kendra whipped her head around. Madame? However respectful he meant it to be, it stung like a dirty word. She’d been reduced from something as intimate as his Parvana to something cold and distant, as Madame. She shouldn’t care, she really shouldn’t. She had spent hours festering her anger toward him in the hope her feelings would change. Apparently they hadn’t.

            He reached for the door, revealing again the amazing scroll work carved into his skin. From shoulder to shoulder and along his spine the scarification tattoo looked like a scorpion’s back. Her breath caught in her throat. He had gained leadership and respect among the warriors, not to mention he added about forty pounds of lean muscle.

            “I didn’t come to see Bomani,” she blurted. He stopped with his hand on the iron handle. “I came,” Kendra placed her hand over her racing heart, “to see you.”


Tell us one unique fact about you (something that few people know).
I had the honor of spending 20 years in the military. Even deployed when our first child was only 7 months old. I only had intended on staying 4 years, but time had a way of getting away from me.  I was having too much fun and before I knew it, 20 years had come and gone. I retired in 2011 and started my new life as a civilian. To say the least, it has been an interesting transition. J


Author Links:
Latest Book:

SOUL AWAKENED, Book 2 in the Key to the Cursed series




LOVE FOR BLOOD OR HONOR

Kendra, an Egyptologist and demi-god in waiting, is the key to unlocking Bakari, the Egyptian God of Death, from his cursed slumber. Desperate to free him, she inadvertently binds herself to the god with a spell that only death will undo. To save Bakari from himself, she may have to sacrifice her innocence, and possibly her soul, before he becomes his family’s worst enemy.

HAUNTED BY SINS OF THE PAST
Bakari awakens to a world at war and a beautiful woman who has tethered his soul to hers. In the wake of his self-destruction Kendra is his only hope of salvation, but another has vowed to keep Bakari from the one thing he craves most-- his Parvana. His butterfly.






I know other readers are going to love this series as much as I do. Get settled in for a thrilling paranormal tale.”  


Bitten by Paranormal Romance, Ollie (Feb2013): 
5/5 Alpha Howls, Hot
“I don't know where to begin to describe the absolutely marvelous job that the author does in not only creating a wonderful world with so much depth and detail, but a story line the has the mystery and intrigue that will keep you glued to the pages.”  


Goodreads:  
Quote: 
He leaned into her neck and inhaled along the line of her pulsing artery. “Kendra, you are going to tell me everything I want to know.”


Book Trailer: 





Purchase Links: 




Huge thanks to Jean for visiting today!


Next week: The Summer Love continues with Sci-Fi/Erotica author, Sarah Allan!

Please join me then for more of the Narrative! J