Monday 23 December 2013

Yoga for Writers


My first non-fiction book, Yoga for Writers (Simple Stretches for the Desk-Bound), will be released by ThornBerry Publishing in January 2014. Although it is aimed at writers, the book is suitable for anyone whose work involves long hours sitting at a desk.


Our bodies are designed to move, not remain inactive for long periods of time. By moving the body through a series of simple stretches, we restore energy – both physical and mental.  At the heart of yoga is the concept of balance, but this is often difficult for writers to put into practice. How often have we sat, eyes burning, back aching, shoulders screaming, head bursting, and thought “just one more line, one more paragraph, one more page”?

When the words are flowing and the muse is on fire it is hard – no, make that impossible – to turn off the computer or put down the pen. But a few minutes refreshing the mind, body and muse with simple yoga stretches and breathing techniques can release stiffness and tension in the body and actually enhance concentration and improve creative flow.
To celebrate the release of Yoga for Writers, I'll be adding a new feature to this blog which will give tips and suggestions for incorporating yoga and healthy living into your day. I hope you'll enjoy this.

If you would like to be notified when the book is released, please visit my website: www.tricia-jones.com and join my mailing list.

Thursday 12 December 2013

New Review - Diamond Heart

Lovely new review on Amazon for Diamond Heart. It's so great to get reviews like this...

"This was a well written, emotionally satisfying story. I loved the sparring between Paige and Lucas as much as I loved the sexual tension between them. And the stakes...well, other characters will be affected by the outcome of this relationship. I love how it ended, but won’t spoil it by giving specifics here. I’ll just say this was a great story to take with me on a vacation."





Buy Links:

Thornberry Publishing
Amazon. com
Amazon.co.uk

Monday 9 December 2013

Calling all romance writers...

Received the following contest information on one of my loops which might be of interest to other romance writers:
***

Love Romances and More Reviews Announces the "Most Romantic Love Scene
Ever" contest!

Have you written what you and/or your readers have said is the most
romantic love scene ever? Have you written a scene that readers would love
to have come true for their Valentine'
s day?

Love Romances and More Reviews announces it's Most Romantic Love Scene Ever
contest. This contest, which is $5 per entry, will have two levels to
determine the most romantic love scene ever:

For the first round, using a 6 base criteria our judges will choose the top
5 chapters depicting your most romantic love scene ever. The top 5 entries
will then go on to round 2. Our reading period begins January 1 and will
run until January 31, 2014. Entries must be received no later than
December 29, 2013. (See below for submission information).

For round 2 we will post the top 5 chapters on our website and for reading
ease, at the Love Romances Cafe, for readers to vote on the most romantic
love scene. Public voting will take place between February 1 and February
7, 2014. The winner, who will be announced on February 14, 2014 will
receive a page at the Love Romances and More Reviews website for a year to
promote their book.

The contest is open to the first 50 entries. Contest applications can be
obtained from Angie at angie@loveromancesandmorereviews.com. She will
give you directions on how to submit the title of your book, name, the
chapter depicting your most romantic love scene and submission payment.
NOTE: Given our overall readership NO graphic or hard core erotic scenes
will be considered. We want to be able to post full chapters for the
finalists.

We are also looking for judges who are willing to read 5-10 chapters. If
you would like to judge please contact Angie at
angie@loveromancesandmorereviews.com

Questions can be directed to Angie at angie@loveromancesandmorereviews.com

Friday 12 July 2013

MFRW Summer Camp

How do you fancy attending a weekend summer camp packed with great workshops? What's more it's free and you can take part from the comfort of your own laptop. The Marketing for Romance Writers' Summer Camp takes place this weekend and promises to be exciting, informative and supportive.

You can find more information and the workshops schedules here.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Talking Bull

I'm often asked which of my books I loved writing the most, which is like asking to choose your favourite child. Of course, it's impossible to say. But I do have a sneaking regard for Bull at the Gate, probably because it's my only contemporary romance (to date) which has a hint of the paranormal about it and was great fun to write.



The idea for Bull at the Gate simmered for a couple of years before I actually decided to write Dee and Alex’s story. Fascinated by a snippet in the UK press about a housing development centred around an ancient stone and the controversy it created, I was inspired to write my own take on the concept. However, I had to wait until I had exactly the right characters to make it work.

While Dee is a modern woman, with her own business and her feet planted firmly on the ground, she is driven by love for the grandmother who raised her and a respect for the traditions of the village where she grew up. So when developer Alex McKinley arrives and threatens to destroy an old fairy gate which is central to the village’s rituals and beliefs, and very special to her grandmother, Dee steps in to fight him all the way.

His rigid and uncompromising attitude earns Alex the nickname “Bull” but only he knows the demons he must fight to provide for his young daughter. A single parent, he plans to give his child the best money can buy and that means throwing his weight behind the prestigious, and lucrative, new development in what he considers an antiquated English village.

While I love Dee’s fiery passion, and her equally “bullish” attitude toward protecting the intangible things she holds dear to her heart, I also feel for Alex, who thinks the only way to protect his child is through practical, and financial, means. These two people and their differing desires certainly make an explosive mix and, of course, neither considers the influencing power of the old fairy gate ;)

Here's the blurb and an extract:

Alexander “Bull” McKinley’s reputation as a hard-nosed businessman is tested when an old Fairy Gate and local superstition stand in the way of a lucrative development contract. Alex has his hands full trying to convince the villagers to play ball, without the unexpected—and definitely unwanted—attraction to the feisty redhead leading the revolt.

Dee Ashman detests those who put profit before people, and she’s damned if an arrogant, insensitive and, okay, wildly attractive capitalist is going to destroy the symbolic heart of the village and break her beloved grandmother’s heart.

But they cannot deny the desire that burns between them nor the unleashed passion neither can resist.

Extract:



She looked down at the hand he offered. “What’s that? On your hand?”
    He glanced down, turned his wrist. “Allergy or something. Damn thing won’t stop itching.”
    She took a step back. “When did it start?”
    “Last night.”
    Left hand, she noticed. Hers was on her right. The hands they’d touched that night as they stood by the Fairy Gate.
    “Weird,” she said almost to herself, and held up her right hand to show him. “Don’t you think that’s the strangest thing?”
    “What?”
    “We both have it.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “So?”
    “It must be some reaction to that electric shock thing we had going.”
    He pursed his lips. “Hardly probable.”
    “Then maybe it really was a warning from the Gate.” She tried not to smirk. “Warning you to keep away from me.” 
    “Only one way to find out.”
    “We already tried that.”
    “We weren’t anywhere near the Gate. This time we are.”
    He started walking toward the structure, jerking his head for her to follow.
    It was, after all, only an experiment, Dee told herself . If they touched hands and nothing happened then all would be well and that would be that. But if they had that shock again, then something weird really was happening and it had to do with the Gate.
    Ten feet from the structure, Alex held out his hand. Keeping her gaze on his, Dee tentatively reached out. She let her fingers hover above his, their palms an inch apart. Then his fingers curled around hers.
    Not exactly an electric shock, but there was definitely a tingle, an awareness, sizzling right through her palm, up into her wrist and along her arm.
    “Feel anything?” he asked, keeping her hand firmly in his.
    She shook her head. “You?”
    “Uh, uh.”
    She realised she was in no hurry to pull her hand away and felt an altogether different kind of sizzle as his dark gaze slipped over her body in a sultry and seductive manner. “Maybe we should try something else.”

Buy Links:

Monday 10 June 2013

Release Day!

Today sees the release of my latest contemporary romance from ThornBerry Publishing. Diamond Heart * is my first release with this publisher and I am very excited to be one of their authors.

Here's the story's blurb:

With her idealistic beliefs already shaken by the discovery of her late father's affair, photojournalist Paige Frasier is blackmailed into investigating the latest tabloid scandal involving a press-hating billionaire.

Lucas McCord knows first hand what damage the press can inflict and he'll do anything to protect himself and the people he loves. But when Paige tricks her way into his life, he realizes that the secret he guards is worth far more than his reputation, and even Paige's broken heart is a price he’s prepared to pay.


Buy Links:

Thornberry Publishing
Amazon. com
Amazon.co.uk

* this book was previously released as The Diamond Virgin

Friday 26 April 2013

I Think I Can...

When did you last ditch the apostrophe T from your vocabulary and change 'I can't' to 'I can'? I'm blogging about my latest experience with 'I can' at Over The Backyard Fence today. Why not come over and tell me what happened the last time you tried something you thought you couldn't do?

Sunday 10 March 2013

To all animal lovers...

I usually like to keep my blog upbeat, but I couldn't in all conscience decline to post this. If you love animals and cannot tolerate cruelty to them in any form, please take a moment to click on the link below, read the article and then sign the petition to help stop this atrocious treatment of helpless creatures.It is truly sickening and shocking.

change.org/petitions/stop-horrific-dog-meat-trade-demand-china-make-animal-cruelty-laws

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Diamond Heart - Coming Soon

Take a look a my lovely new cover for Diamond Heart. Isn't it gorgeous? The cover was designed by Erin Lark and I'm absolutely thrilled with it. The story was previously published as The Diamond Virgin, but has been revised and updated. Hopefully, I'll soon have a release date.



Here's the blurb:

With her idealistic beliefs already shaken by the discovery of her late father's affair, photojournalist Paige Frasier is blackmailed into investigating the latest tabloid scandal involving a press-hating billionaire.


Lucas McCord knows first hand what damage the press can inflict and he'll do anything to protect himself and the people he loves. But when Paige tricks her way into his life, he realizes that the secret he guards is worth far more than his reputation, and Paige's broken heart is the price he may have to pay.