Jaci Burton’s Muse

Thursday is Thanksgiving here in the U.S., and I’d like to take a moment to give thanks for a few very important things in my life and my career.

My husband, my children and my family, who keep it real for me every day and remind me of the differences between this lovely fantasy land I play in and the reality that is dishes, laundry, grocery shopping, dust bunnies, the marvel that is my children as they move through their adulthood, the abject joy of cuddling my grandchildren, and the pure bliss of holding hands with the man of my dreams.

My friends (and you all know who you are), who put up with my whining, hand wringing, idiosyncrasies and general lunacies and love me anyway.

My agent and editors who gave me the opportunity to do what I love most.

And last but absolutely not least, my readers, without whom I’d never be able to do what I love most. It’s because you find something in my books that keeps you coming back for more that allows me to keep writing more, and for that I’m humbly grateful, because without you I wouldn’t have this amazing career. Thank you so much.

For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving, I wish you joy and love and warmth. If you’re traveling, please do so safely.

I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting to get my hands on Jake.

Stephanie Tyler’s brand new military romance series releases tomorrow with Hard To Hold, and I’m DYING to read this book. I’ve already preordered it so tomorrow it’s mine mine mine! I won’t say anymore other than read the blurb below, drool over the picture above, and click on the links to check out the excerpts. Yumm.

Maximum danger.

Maximum desire.

And holding on for dear life…

The Special Ops hero feared nothing
-until he met a woman too hot to hold…

Lt. Jake Hansen has survived some of the riskiest missions known to man. But now the wounded Navy SEAL faces his toughest job yet: Smuggling Dr. Isabelle Markham out of Africa without triggering an international incident. Not easy to do when the gorgeous hostage happens to be a senator’s daughter —and about as easy to resist as an oasis in the desert…

If it weren’t for Jake, Isabelle would still be halfway across the world, where rebel forces left her for dead. The Special Ops warrior may have saved her life, but she doesn’t need him to protect her now. Tell that to the ruggedly handsome hunk in full battle fatigues who’s just been assigned Isabelle’s personal bodyguard. Close quarters aside, Isabelle won’t let Jake anywhere near her heart — until danger throws them together again…and nothing in the jungles of wildest Africa could prepare them for a passion this wild. This crazy. This hot….

Read an excerpt and order the book here

Read about the Hard To Hold Trilogy here

(Counting the hours until Jake is mine )

This is the book I just turned into my editor, the one I sweated blood over. I’m so excited about AJ and Pax’s book.

RIDING THE NIGHT will release in September, 2010. I know, a long way off. I can’t wait for y’all to read it! I saved the best Wild Riders for last.

~~~~~~~~~

AJ and Pax work together as undercover operatives for a government agency of bad-boy bikers known as the Wild Riders. And though they play as hard as they work, both men are looking for the one woman who can tame them…

On vacation, AJ and Pax run into AJ’s high school sweetheart, Teresa. While they’re catching up at Teresa’s bar, a fight erupts between two biker gangs, leaving one man dead and Teresa’s brother wrongly accused of murder. With no proof and Teresa as the only eye witness, the trio points their Harleys toward the annual bike rally in South Dakota in hot pursuit of the real killer…

Her life in jeopardy, AJ and Pax become Teresa’s fierce protectors. But a past trauma keeps Teresa guarded, unable to trust them–until AJ and Pax uncover her secret and vow to do anything to help her heal. And in their arms she discovers a sensual desire that knows no boundaries, a passion strong enough to overcome her tragic past and awaken a force that brings both men to their knees.

Danger may temporarily bind the three together, but it’s their shared passion that will lead them to the ride of their lives: love.

I love Etsy. If you’ve never been there, you have to check it out. Etsy is a site where people who handmake items sell their wares. It’s awesome. I’ve bought many many things from Etsy and it’s full of goodness. I can spend hours there checking out the amazing things people make. And woe is my credit card.

My friend Azteclady has opened a store at Etsy today. She makes pretty, soft, wonderfully crafted knitted things. Please go check out her store here

Congratulations on your new venture, Azteclady!

Welcome to Snippet Saturday, where authors share snippets of their work.

Today is Black Moment day. Ahh, that heartbreaking juicy moment where everything that was wonderful about the hero and heroine’s relationship utterly falls apart.

I’ve chosen a scene from Wild, Wicked & Wanton. I loved Callie and Jack, and this scene was heartbreaking. (But don’t worry, it all ends up great at the end ).

Callie couldn’t help it. She smiled all day at work on Monday. Jack stopped by as usual, only this time it was different. They were different together. Oh, he wasn’t about to embarrass her at work so he ordered his coffee like any other customer, but it was still…different. He smiled different, acted different, and so did she. She giggled. Giggled! It was syrupy sweet. She was appalled at herself.

Her employees laughed at her, but they were also thrilled for her, and so in awe that she’d managed to land someone like Jack Fellows. She still couldn’t quite believe it was real. She felt like Cinderella.

They were supposed to see each other tonight, though Jack said he had to work late and would come over to her place around eight.

She closed up the shop at two like she always did, finishing up the bank deposit paperwork. As usual, she was the last person in the shop, but had already locked the doors. When someone knocked, she looked up and shook her head, pointing to the Closed sign.

“May I speak with you please, Miss Jameson?” An older gentlemen spoke through the glass door. “I’m with Jack Fellows’s law firm.”

Curious, Callie unlocked the door and motioned the man inside.

“Thank you.” He smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Bob Walters, one of the senior partners at the law firm where Jack works.”

Callie smiled and shook his hand. “Very nice to meet you, Mr. Walters. Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you. And call me Bob.” He sat at the table and folded his hands.

“Would you like some coffee? I’ve already closed everything up but I’d be happy to make some.”

“No, that’s quite all right, but thank you.”

Okay, so why was someone from Jack’s firm here, and how did he know her name? Curiosity was killing her. She didn’t know whether to hope or dread what this man was about to say.

“Miss Jameson, you’re ruining Jack’s career.”

Her heart dropped to her feet. Well, there was her answer. “Excuse me?”

“Let me be perfectly honest. Jack is an up and comer with the firm. He has a very bright future. But he also works for a high profile company, one with prominent social stature in Silverwood. Society and its connections and influences is vital, especially to someone who is about to become a senior partner.”

“I’m confused Mr. Walters. I don’t understand why you’ve come here or what you’re trying to say.”

“What I’m trying to say is that I was in the movie theater with you and Jack last night. I know exactly what you two were doing in the back row.”

Oh, God. Oh, God. The senior partner of Jack’s firm was in the movie theater? Shit! What had she done? Flames of embarrassment licked up her neck. She looked down at the paperwork on the table, too ashamed to even look the man in the eye.

“As you can imagine, we cannot entertain that kind of depravity at Walters and Little. If word of what kind of sexual activities Jack is engaged in got out, his career would be ruined.”

Tears pooled in Callie’s eyes. She blinked hard, forcing them back. “I understand.” She would not do anything to hurt Jack’s career. She looked up at the man, trying to muster up whatever shreds of dignity remained. “What do you want me to do?”

“End your relationship with Jack. Let him find a…different kind of woman. One who won’t embarrass him.” Bob placed his hand over Callie’s. “If you care at all for him, you’ll do what’s best for him and for his career. He’s worked long and hard for his success and he’s almost reached the top. Don’t make the mistake of standing in his way now.”

She shook her head, forcing the nausea away. “I would never do that.”

Bob nodded. “Good girl. I knew you cared for him. I could see that.” He stood. “I’m sorry to do this, but I only want the best for Jack. He’s like a son to me.”

She walked to the door and unlocked it, her throat raw. She couldn’t even speak, she just let the man out, locked the door and pulled the night shade down. Then she fell into the chair and collapsed, letting the racking sobs overtake her.

Oh, God, what had she been thinking? She’d almost ruined Jack’s life with her sexual perversions. Swiping at the tears, she stood and grabbed a towel, cleaned her face, then grabbed the bank deposit, determined to do the right thing.

No way would she stand in the way of Jack and his career. What they had was fun, but fun was one thing, and a man’s career was another. She might love him, but she wasn’t the right woman for him.

Tonight, she’d tell him it was over. It was the right thing to do. Because she did love him, she’d let him go.
She should have known better than to think she and Jack could ever be together.

She should have stayed on her own side of town, and kept her sexual fantasies to herself.

~~~~~~~~

Be sure to visit these other authors participating in Snippet Saturday:

Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
Savannah Foley
Elisabeth Naughton
Moira Rogers

The Writeminded blog, singing the praises of libraries, since I’m actually off doing a library event today.

Come join me! (either virtually at Writeminded or in person at the Tulsa Hardesty Library, where I’ll be making an appearance today!)

If you live anywhere near Tulsa, I’ll be at the Hardesty Library on Thursday for Romance In The Stacks, a program put on to showcase romance writers in Oklahoma. Details below:

Romance in the Stacks

Thursday Nov. 12 2009 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm
Location: Hardesty Regional Library.
8316 E. 93rd St.
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 250-7307

Event Description: Romance remains one of the most popular types of fiction. Here’s your chance to meet and talk with some of Oklahoma’s most successful romance authors, including Jordan Dane, Malena Lott and Jaci Burton, and many more. Copies of the featured authors’ works will be available for purchasing. The authors will read selections from their works and sign books.
This event is for adults.
Sponsors: Sponsored by the Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book and Tulsa City-County Library

Would love to see you there!

Harlequin announced this morning that it’s launching a new digital only Publishing House, Carina Press! And at the helm as Executive Editor will be my good friend Angela James. Congratulations Angie!

I’m SO excited for Angie and excited for Harlequin and for its many readers. This is sure to be an awesome new venture for readers and authors alike. You can read the press release here, and Carina Press’s website is here. Check it out. They plan to launch next summer and have their submissions guidelines up already. As someone who loves loves loves digital reading, I can’t wait to see what they come up with! And with Angie as their Executive Editor and the brilliant folks at Harlequin behind them, I’m sure it’s going to be amazing.

Welcome to Snippet Saturday, where authors share snippets of their work.

Today is Weaponry! Wheee! There’s nothing I love more than writing about weapons and the characters who use them. It’s probably why I love writing action and suspense stories….my characters often get to play with weapons.

The most fun I ever had researching weapons was for my Demon Hunters series. Here’s a scene from SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND, the first book in the series. Hope you enjoy!

Then she saw it. A flicker of movement to her left. Like a flash of white lighting as it breezed by.

“They’re fast, Gina. Get ready to run. He’ll circle and pop up behind you before you know it, otherwise. Get your vision tracked and follow, but stay sharp. They like to gang up. And stay with me at all times.”

She nodded and drew her weapon up rib high, acknowledging that her hands were shaking, forcing a calm she didn’t feel.

It was just adrenaline. Not fear. She was ready for this fight. Prepared. Armed and strong. She could take these bastards.

“What scares you, little girl?”

For a split second, her eyes closed, and she was propelled back in time once again, becoming that frightened child all alone. Gasping back a sob, reality surged and she pivoted.

The sonofabitch was fucking with her mind, and that she would never, ever allow. She aimed and fired, the UV light surprising the demon. He threw his hands up, but it was too late. An unholy scream emanated from the creature as it boiled and bubbled, smoke pouring from its frying flesh before oozing to the ground in a gelatinous pile.

Gina walked over to it, watching the remains rise and fall as if it was still breathing.

“Don’t ever fuck with me like that again,” she whispered to the darkness around her. “You can’t scare me.”

Blinking back the moisture in her eyes, she turned. Derek was watching her.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

He focused on her for a second, then nodded. “Nice shot. Now let’s move.”

It didn’t take long for another to dart by them. Like ghosts, they flew by, almost as if they were taunting them, playing a game of cat and mouse. Derek took off in a fast run, Gina right on his heels, digging down when she was nearly out of breath. When he increased his speed to nearly inhuman levels, Gina almost lost sight of him. For someone she’d easily kept up with just a few days ago, he’d sure stepped it up all of a sudden. She was wheezing, her lungs were on fire and if he didn’t slow down soon she was going to be left behind.

God, these things were fast, zooming around trees and through the bushes with lightning speed. Relentless, Derek refused to let go of his target, but finally halted so suddenly Gina almost ran up his back. She dug in her heels and stopped just in time to see him aim at one coming right at them. The gun whirred with a low humming sound, but she couldn’t see anything coming from the barrel.

Nevertheless, the microwaves had obviously hit their intended target. The demon flew in the air, shimmying and shaking as the waves hit it, its eyeballs protruding from their sockets, white and bulging. When it hit the ground it began to sizzle, bumps popped out on its skin like a bad case of hives, its skin turned bright red and began to bubble.

“Stand back, Gina,” Derek said.

She did, and he took several steps backward, too.

Gina watched in horror and fascination as the demon began to expand, its skin stretching like a balloon filling with air. Wider and wider it expanded, more than skin should be able to inflate.

“This is where it gets really messy,” Derek said.

Suddenly, the demon blew apart with a loud pop, parts of it flying all over the jungle.

Gina grimaced and looked at Derek. “Oh that’s so gross.”

Grinning, he said, “Yeah, isn’t it? Now let’s go get the last one.”

Strangely, it seemed that the last demon was hiding. Or maybe it was stalking them, ready to pounce from behind a tree or thicket of bushes.

Gina and Derek combed the area, communicating back and forth with Linc and Ryder, who were engaged with their own set of demons.

“See anything?” Derek asked as he looked left and she looked right.

“Not yet.”

But suddenly it was right there in front of them, appearing out of nowhere. Derek dropped his rifle as the Demon lunged for him, it’s clawed hands and dripping fangs reaching out, trying to bite, to scratch, to insert its paralyzing toxin.

Human looking in every way except for its hideous fangs and claws, it was just like the one she’d seen the night before. Nearly bald, with pale blue eyes, but emanating pure evil as its twisted, grimacing face glared at Derek.
Derek grabbed its wrists and held it back, struggling to keep it at bay.

Shocked for a second, Gina gaped at it, her mind scrambling for what to do.

Shoot it, dumbass!

Then instinct roared to life and she grabbed the handgun out of the holster at her hip, taking careful aim as the demon and Derek struggled in a fierce dance. She didn’t want to hit Derek in case they moved suddenly, but she knew Derek didn’t have much time. The muscles of Derek’s arms bulged with the effort it took to keep the demon from sinking its fangs into his arm.

She fired a shot, striking the demon in the throat. It let go of Derek and reached for its neck, blood pouring over its hands.

Derek pushed back, panting and fighting for breath as he leaned over and braced his hands on his knees. Gina rushed over to him.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “Thanks.”

She looked at the demon, horrified to see its flesh melting off its bones, a strangled, bubbly cry tearing through the night as first its flesh disappeared, then muscle, then organs disintegrated, until nothing was left but skeletal remains that dropped to the ground.

“You have some seriously kickass weapons, Derek.”

~~~~~~~~

Please visit the following authors participating in Snippet Saturday:

Anya Bast
Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Leah Braemel
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
Sasha White
Jody Wallace
TJ Michaels
Victoria Janssen
Elisabeth Naughton

I recently had the opportunity to do some contest judging for an unpublished author contest. And many of the entries had the same types of problems, so thought I’d share some of my general opinions here.

Now I’m no expert, and not an editor. But I am a reader and know what I like and what I don’t and I’ve been writing long enough after 40 something books to know what the common mistakes are.

The mistake I saw the most in these entries was lack of pacing. Lack of decent pacing will kill a book. Don’t bore your readers with long, drawn out exposition, or info dumping at the front of the book. Readers don’t need the entire backstory of your characters as a prologue or in the first chapter. Don’t treat your readers like they’re stupid. We don’t need to know every finite detail of your characters’ and story’s history in the first chapter. We can figure it out if you string us along giving us juicy tidbits along the way. We’re smart. Honest. And if you share small pieces of your characters as we move along, it intrigues us and makes us want to read more. If you dump their entire life history in a prologue or first chapter, the mystery is gone and we just don’t care anymore. You might as well just post a sign in your first chapter saying EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IS RIGHT HERE–NO NEED TO READ FURTHER. Truly, you don’t want to do that.

Another mistake I found in many of the entries was overly describing…everything, from turn by turn street directions(omg it was like reading GPS directions. *yawn*) to every piece of furniture in a room to the dreaded travelogue. Honestly? We don’t care. Orient us to time and place so we have a good idea of where we are then move the hell on. I don’t care what kind of brocade draperies are in the living room or whether that’s a Queen Anne chair. I don’t care how much research you did into the culture/history/climate/sociology of the country/city/state/town you set your story in, use only what’s absolutely necessary to give the reader a feel for the area, then leave the rest out. If I want to read history, I’ll buy a nonfiction book. If it’s necessary to the storyline, then weave it in there in bits and pieces and make it relevant–don’t dump it into one spot like a truck full of garbage, because it stinks.

Typos and lousy punctuation and horrible grammar, oh my! If you’re going to submit an entry into a contest that you want to be judged as good enough to be presented to an editor or an agent, you’d better know the basics of story construction. And that means basic grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, how to construct dialogue with quotation marks and dialogue tags and action tags. And if you don’t know these basics then you aren’t ready yet.

Characterization - A story is nothing without its characters. Characters have to come to life on the page. Just having them talk to each other but not really say anything of value, have them move about the page in mundane fashion but with no purpose means you’ve failed to breathe life into your characters. If after three chapters we don’t know who these people are, or worse, we don’t care, then you’re in trouble. Characters who are flat and lifeless won’t engage the reader and won’t compel them to read further. The emotion in your story comes from the characters. Make them three dimensional. Give them a background, a history. Give them flaws and goals to achieve and have them interact with each other. Make them real people with real problems, and have your dialogue reflect that reality. Something should always be at stake with your characters, and each scene should be filled with tension or secrets or desires or needs–something that compels the reader to root for these characters, to wish for them to succeed in their goals. Otherwise reading about them will be as boring as watching paint dry. And I hate watching paint dry.