AND THE WINNERS ARE.....

I want to thank everyone who stopped by my blog during the Books To Go Now - Hot Summer Nights Blog Hop!  It was great fun and a great way to meet new people.

And... the winners of my prizes were Melinda Dartman and Andra Lynn.  I hope they both enjoy the prizes.

MAY IS THE MONTH FOR HOT SUMMER NIGHTS!

I have wonderful news!  Books To Go Now is hosting their first BlogHop, May 22-29, 2013, and I will be participating.  I will also be offering a free copy of my latest novel, Forbidden Kin, along with a $10.00 Amazon gift card for downloading your favorite Kindle Books.

You can click the link on the right side of my blog to get more details about the BlogHop and find out who is participating.

So stay tuned to my blog for more information on how you can win!

SLEEPING WITH THE CHARACTER!

Pardon the pun, but for lack of a more appropriate title, how else can I begin to describe the feeling of being utterly immersed within the world you have created.  Actually, for me as a writer, I know I am on the right track when my characters follow me around throughout the day. 

If you find yourself wondering what your character might be thinking at any given moment, or how they would handle or react to a particular situation, or just can’t keep from writing the next line of your novel in your head while driving to work, then you are truly sleeping with the character.

Actually, one of my favorite places to ponder the next move of my new character is when I first lay down in bed at night.  Also, many times when I first wake up, I will have the plot rolling through the fog in my mind and have found that if I jump up and jot those ideas down, they often become concrete notions to further develop my story.  And if you find yourself in the same situation, heed my advice, write it down before you brush your teeth, because it has a tendency to fade or take on new meaning if you don’t capture those vivid images before going about your daily routine.

I also find that the writing is much easier when you have this connection with your character.  The old adage, ‘out of sight out of mind’ fits while creating your next masterpiece.  If you are not thinking about your book and actively calling upon the characters to speak to you, they may very well remain silent.

So take time everyday to visit that quiet place in your mind where new worlds are created, lovers unite, and new friendships are formed, in an effort to keep your writing alive and well.  The creative process needs to be nourished, otherwise it will wither and die, making it more difficult than ever to finish your story or start a new one.

Does it sound like I am speaking from experience?  I will be the first to admit there are times which are harder than others to stay connected and focused on my work.  But when that spark ignites, I find my way back to the keyboard once again.

I can’t think of a more rewarding and satisfying pastime, whether it’s writing a paranormal, contemporary, historical, or regency romance.  For me, a key component for my interest is the romance.  My passion, however, lies with historical tales of Native American’s falling in love with their captives, and the prim and proper women in an English backdrop being tempted by the handsome men in their lives.

This brings me to my latest novel, Forbidden Kin, which was published in December of 2012, by Books To Go Now.  A regency romance, set in none other than England during the 1800’s, is a sensual tale of forbidden love, half-truths, and slight deception. 

Faithston Billows, orphaned and alone, is taken in by her uncle, Marston Wilmouth.  Learning of his death upon her arrival at Thrushright, she fears she has no where left to call home.  But she soon learns this will be her home and finds more there than she bargained for.

A surreptitious bequeathal in Marston’s will could change her future, but her strength is tested by trials of the heart, a love she cannot have, a man she does not love, and the woman who is devoted to her every need.

For more information about my work and upcoming projects, visit my blog T.M. Hobbs Blogspot.  You can also follow me on FaceBook TM Hobbs Forever, on Twitter Hobbsforever, at GoodReads T.M. Hobbs - Author, at Books To Go Now Books By T.M. Hobbs, and Amazon Author Pages Author T.M. Hobbs. 

Also, you can find my published works by clicking the covers located on the right hand side of my home page, or by using the links provided below.

Crystal Tears Forever 

Links:

            Amazon

            Barnes and Noble

            Google Play


Voice In The Forest
 

Links:

Amazon

            Barnes and Noble

            Gypsy Shadow Publishing

            Kobo

Born Free

Links:

Amazon

            Barnes and Noble

            Google Play

            OverDrive

Takoda

Links:

Amazon

            Barnes and Noble

Soyala (Time of Winter) In My Soul

Links:

Amazon

Forbidden Kin

 

Links:

Amazon

Forbidden Kin will be available for free at Amazon March 10-11, and March 22, 2013.  I hope you will drop by Amazon, pick up a copy, and let me know what you think.

 

 

Free Today!

I wanted to spread the word that my latest novel, Forbidden Kin, is available at Amazon.com today and tomorrow for FREE!!  Please get your copy and let me know what you think.

 

 



Forbidden Kin!

I am excited to announce that Books To Go Now has published my latest novel, Forbidden Kin, which is available at Amazon.com.  I am very proud of this story, because I have finally brought to life a lovely historical romance.  The regency period was a romantic time when women's affections were sought after with a fervor.  It was a time when to love and be loved was of the utmost importance, if one was so lucky.

 

Faithston Billows finds she is alone after the death of her father. Through the kind mercies of her uncle, Marston Wilmouth, Miss Billows is given a home in Profdin, at his estate known as Thrushright, however, upon her arrival; she learns that her uncle died two weeks earlier, but her fears of not having a home are laid to rest, and she is welcomed at Thrushright.

 

Faithston is faced with many trials of the heart, however, as she finds herself at the center of the desires of others including Alden Winthrop, the young, and very handsome, head of her uncle's estate, Marian, the lady's maid, given the task of seeing to her every need, and James Croston, the older, distinguished neighbor and longtime friend of Mr. Wilmouth.

 

Although Faithston has chosen to love only one, she feels that this love is forbidden to her because of the nearness of kin. Therefore, she seeks to satisfy her heart, settling for someone whom she hopes she can learn to love in time.

 

Forbidden Kin is a sensual tale of forbidden love, half-truths, and slight deception which unfolds as Alden uncovers the bequeathal in Marston's last will and testament. The conditions, however, must be adhered to implicitly.

 

Alden encourages Faithston to follow through with the plan he has conjured up for her future, even if she finds the deception distasteful.

 

Follow Miss Billows through these obstacles and triumphs which will forever change her life.

Happy New Year!

 

 

Well another year has come and gone.  It has been months since my last post, and yes I feel bad about that, but I will do better in the coming year.  For me, 2012 was very productive, although I think I could have done a bit more.  Therefore, my New Year's Resolution will be to post updates here more frequently, clean out a few stories that need to be polished and send them out for submission, and get myself back in the habit of writing every week.  Wish me luck!!  



Introducing - Soyala (Time of Winter) In My Soul

Thanks to Books To Go Now, Soyala (Time of Winter) In My Soul is now available at Amazon.com.  It is a lovely novella, full of adventure, heartache, and romance.  Follow Beth, a/k/a Chista, on her journey through trials of the heart, as she embraces her destiny.

Summary:

She called him Tender Spirit, because he was kind to her, for she knew not his true name. In fact, Beth named them all, the entire band of young Indian men who took her from her home.

As she watched them, she found their characters and mannerisms interesting, and it occupied her mind giving each of them names. This kept her from dwelling on the worst and helped her keep her mind off the pain--the pain of the wound she received when the bullet from one of their guns tore through the tender flesh of her thigh.

Beth wondered what had happened to her brother, Tom, back at their cabin, their home where they had taken care of each other since the death of their parents over a year ago. Why had he not tried to stop them was her question, as she struggled to keep her fear, and the agony she was in hidden away.

Where she was being taken and why, would soon be revealed. The man she called Tender Spirit, whom she came to know by his true name, Kiyiya, had taken her hoping she could bring happiness to his mother, Helaku. With Kiyiya's sister having been lost to death, he wanted Beth to help lessen that loss, or at least this is what Beth was led to believe.

Words of Encouragement

I have never thought about what being able to write truly meant until a few days ago.  I think I understand now, why I lack confidence in my writing, not only because that is an unfortunate part of my character, but also because it is the act of giving a part of yourself, something personal, to outsiders.

Don't get me wrong.  I love writing, meeting new characters and developing them, making a world so believable that you literally feel as though you are there when you go back and read the story, but to do that, you have to open your mind, thoughts, and ideas up to others.

This is where it gets tricky.  I suppose the need to seek approval and praise, a natural human trait, keeps us moving forward, but what if you don't succeed?  Should you give up what you enjoy simply because you cannot please everyone?  The answer is straightforward.  No.  If everyone who writes gave up on writing because they are not Bronte, Guterson, Leroux, Austen, Dickens, or even Poe, then we would only have those authors to read, time and time again.  And after a while, we would be longing for something new—something fresh.

So I say this to you my friend, do not give up if you meet slight resistance or disfavor, because waiting out there somewhere, is that one person who needs to read the message you need to share.  That part of you that is hidden away, out of reach unless you offer it to the world.  Use the talent you have been given, as I am doing, to write not only for yourself, but for that one person as well.  Who knows, maybe someday they will have the pleasure of finally hearing your voice. 

Summer Songs - Interview Series - Chris Karlsen!

This interview is well overdo.  I had the good fortune of visiting with Chris Karlsen toward the end of the summer and had planned for this to be my last Summer Songs - Interview Series with fellow writers, but then I had to have surgery and have been away from the computer for several months.  So without further adieu, let's get to know Chris Karlsen!

WELCOME CHRIS KARLSEN!

Tonia (T.M.):  I am back again with my Summer Songs Interview Series.  This week I would like for us to get to know Chris Karlsen, the author of two wonderful books, Heroes Live Forever and Journey In Time .  Chris, thank you for agreeing to answer some questions about yourself and your writing.  First, I would like to know what inspired you to write your first book in the Knights In Time series?

Chris:  Hi Tonia.  Thank you for inviting me to your blog.

As a young child, I remember seeing The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, the movie. I thought the premise about a woman who loves a ghost was wonderful, but the movie was so sad.  Later, in college, I saw it again and thought, if I ever got to write this story, I would make it very different and give the characters the ending I think they deserve.

Tonia (T.M.):  Have you been writing long?

Chris:  I have been writing for almost eight years.

Tonia (T.M.):  Would you say there is a particular author that motivated you to begin writing?

Chris:  There are several authors I find inspiring and who continue to inspire me. I love Mike Connolly, John Sandford, Julia Quinn, Julie Anne Long, Steve Berry, Bernard Cornwell and so many others.

Tonia (T.M.):  I had the opportunity a few months ago to read Heroes Live Forever.  I believe I told you I should have made notes during my journey with you through the book because there were so many wonderful things that touched me, as I read.  I felt a connection with your characters, Elinor, Basil, and Guy.  I often found myself torn between who was my favorite of the knights, and I think Guy won many times. *smile*  I am glad he got a chance to be in the spotlight, so to speak, in Journey In Time.  For you, did you have a favorite when writing and developing these characters? 

Chris:  My Knights in Time books are hero based stories. I loved my character, Basil, when I was writing him but my character, Guy, did continue to whisper in my ear, and he did make me smile all through Heroes. The third book in the series, which I am currently outlining is also hero based.

Tonia (T.M.):  I know from reading about you on your blog that you have lived in quite a few places, one of which was Paris.  Did your experiences, memories, or the scenery from where you lived play a role in the backdrop for your Knights In Time series although it is set in England?  Or was it your travels through Europe that added your vivid imagery in these books?

Chris:  Although, I have never lived in England, I have visited probably two dozen times and love it there. With their medieval history, I knew this series needed to be set there. I love Paris, but wanted these stories in England. I have a book from a different series coming out in winter, which is set in Turkey, another place I love and spent time.

Tonia (T.M):  I have not had the opportunity to start reading Journey In Time yet, I am sad to say.  However, I want you to know I am very excited to get started soon.  I have purchased a copy so I could carry it with me on my phone.  That being said, give me a hint at one of your favorite moments in this new book.

Chris:  I think one of my favorite moments in Journey In Time is when Shakira first rides into Elysian Fields, Guy's holding. Her shock and confusion and what she's experiencing I worked hard on and tried to go deep into what is going through her mind.

Tonia (T.M.):  I know you have hinted that there will be a third book in the series.  Have you given further thought to that idea?

Chris:  There is a third book in the series, I am calling, Knight Blindness, and the hero is a character from Journey In Time.  It is also time travel. I will be starting the first draft soon.

Tonia (T.M.):  Do you have other books that are not a part of the Knights In Time series?

Chris:  I have a romantic thriller called Golden Chariot, which will be out in winter. It is a nautical archaeology thriller set in Turkey and involves an American female archaeologist and a Turkish investigator along with artifact smugglers. I am finishing the first draft of the sequel to it right now.

Tonia (T.M.):  I have to ask, do you have time to read much in between projects?

Chris:  I always take time to read.  I have to read a lot for research, but late at night I take time to read for fun. I just finished Buried Prey and am now reading Scandalous Lovers.

Tonia (T.M.):  Thank you so much for participating in this little interview and for being a guest at my blog.  Would you like to offer advice or encouragement to anyone out there who is contemplating writing for the first time?

Chris:  My advice would be commit, truly commit to the craft. That means spending hours in front of the computer and knowing some days it comes easy and somedays you are happy to get three paragraphs. Study the craft, take workshops or read the books by some of the really good instructors. Be willing to make mistakes, edit out some of what you love, and don't let rejections keep you from continuing to write.

****************************************

Thank you so much Chris for letting us get to know more about you personally and your work.   I am sorry it took so long to get this posted.  I love your work, and am looking forward to reading  Journey In Time and your other works in the near future.

 

Introducing Takoda!

I am pleased to announce that Books To Go Now has just released my latest short story, Takoda.

Sara's world was shattered when her parents were brutally killed by savage Indians. She is taken in to live with her Aunt Helen and Uncle Charles, who raised her along with their own children, Mark, Ren, and John.

The family journeys to Wyoming, leaving their home in Montana behind in search of a better life new start. John, a handsome young man, finds himself attracted to Sara, but what he does not realize, is that his actions and displays of affection, will soon set in motion the events that will take Sara away from he and his family.

Takoda, a young Indian brave, takes Sara captive. His reasons may be selfish, but they prove to be the beginning of a new life for Sara, as their love is stronger than her memories and ghosts of her past.

Takoda can be found at Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Barnes and Noble, and Android Market.