LAST CHANCE to win a copy of EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/22604

http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/22604

Stop by and say hi, and you're entered to win! This is the last stop on my blog tour where you'll have a chance to win a free copy of EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT, so good luck to all! 

http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/2013/12/kathryne-kennedys-interview-giveaway.html

http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/2013/12/kathryne-kennedys-interview-giveaway.html

Stop by, leave a comment, and you're entered to win!

Booklist gives EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT Starred Review!

BOOKLIST

Issue: December 15, 2013

       Everlasting Enchantment.

Kennedy, Kathryne (Author)

Dec 2013. 384 p. Sourcebooks, paperback, $7.99. (9781402269912).

Underneath Victorian London lies a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns housing a shadow city, the only home Millicent Pantere, a were panther, has ever known. All members of the nobility possess magic, from the all-powerful queen to the less-gifted shape-shifting baronets. By holding hostage the only person Millicent loves, Duke Ghoulston forces her to go above ground and into London society to find a mysterious relic upon which Merlin cast a revengeful spell centuries earlier. She discovers a group of ladies who are hoping to be the one that the relic, a bracelet, will cleave to and at midnight bring the man of her dreams into her life for a night of exquisite lovemaking. The man who is imprisoned in the bracelet’s stone is Sir Gareth Solimere, of King Arthur’s Round Table, who made Merlin a cuckold. For centuries his fate has been to make love to each woman who dons the relic, looking for his own true love to break the spell. The latest in Kennedy’s The Relics of Merlin series (Double Enchantment, 2013) features exquisite world building, making this richly imagined adventure appealing to fantasy fans and romance readers.

— Diana Tixier Herald

Author Note: Big hug, Diana! :}

Library Journal gives EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT rave review!

Kennedy, Kathryne. Everlasting Enchantment. Sourcebooks Casablanca. (Relics of Merlin, Bk. 4). Dec. 2013. c.284p. ISBN 9781402269912. pap. $7.99; ebk. ISBN 9781402269929. PARANORMAL romance

Coerced by the Duke of Ghoulston to find one of Merlin’s legendary relics, were-­panther Millicent Pantere, a shape-shifter immune to magic, must attend a formal ball in order to achieve her goal. Lady Chatterley (yes, that Lady Chatterley) supposedly has the sought-after bracelet, and when Millicent ends up being “chosen” to wear it—and treated to a night of mind-blowing passion with Gareth Solimere, a curse-enslaved knight trapped in the relic—she soon finds herself involved in a dangerous, potentially lethal situation. VERDICT Magic-infused, highly sensual, and over-the-top creative, this fascinating, fast-paced Victorian adventure has been long awaited by series fans, who will be overjoyed. Kennedy (The Lord of Illusion) lives in Glendale, AZ.

Enter to win an ARC of EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT: http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/

Join me tonight on Facebook for chat and prizes! https://www.facebook.com/sourcebooks

https://www.facebook.com/sourcebooks
Click on the Chat Now App!

My prize is a replica of Gareth's sword from Everlasting Enchantment!

See you tonight!

Mark Your Calendars for the Dec 2 Author Chat on Facebook!

Several Sourcebooks authors are banding together for a chat with the chance to win lots of prizes. Just Click on the Chat Now app on the Sourcebooks Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sourcebooks. Here's more info:

 

Besides the chance to win lots of books, authors will be giving away prizes as well. I'm giving away a replica of Gareth's sword, accented with a moonstone jewel, the magical gem in Everlasting Enchantment.

So mark your calendars, and I'll see you there!

EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT is nominated for RT Reviewers Choice Award!

I'm in wonderful company, with several other Sourcebooks authors, in the Historical Fantasy category. Congratulations to all who were nominated! You can view a complete list of the nominees for every category here: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-awards/nominees-and-winners


Historical Fantasy/Paranormal

IF HE'S TEMPTED
 Hannah Howell, ZEBRA, (April 2013) 

THE MAGIC OF "I DO"
Tammy Falkner, SOURCEBOOKS, (June 2013)

EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT
Kathryne Kennedy, , (December 2013) 

SHADOWDANCE
Kristen Callihan, FOREVER, (December 2013)

LEGEND OF THE HIGHLAND DRAGON
Isabel Cooper, SOURCEBOOKS, (December 2013)

Meet my new little puppy, Pikachu!

I have to start with the bad news first, and I hate posting anything negative on any blog, so I'll make it quick. I lost my dear Chihuahua, Precious, last month, due to a breathing condition pretty much brought about by old age. She died in my arms, and it about broke my heart. I loved that little dog.

 

I knew no other dog could replace her, but I began to look at rescue dogs, cause it somehow felt as if her death would be more meaningful if it brought about a loving home for another dog who really needed one. And so we found Pikachu, a Chihuahua mix, (and I keep guessing as to the other part. She has soft fluffy hair, so I'm thinking Pomeranian?) Anyway, she had a rough start, barely escaping euthanasia. Her rescue name was Fergie, and if you have the stomach for it, you can read about her journey here: http://www.homeanimalrescue.com/litter1.html#top

I found her on the following website, and it was such a thrill to see the words ADOPTED, and know that I was the one they referred to:

http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/9725112-buckeye-arizona-chihuahua-mix

And now for the best part. PUPPY PICTURES!! Below are pictures of what our happy, energetic adorable mutt looks like now.

 

 

And not to forget my dear, old sweet Baggins, who was bewildered by the absence of Precious, the dog she grew up with, and horrified by the wiggling, biting, (I'm working on it, it's play-biting, but Pikachu has sharp little teeth) rambunctious critter we brought home. Here she is, looking at Pikachu (you read the expression in her eyes):

I'm happy to say that last night, the two dogs actually played together. I think Baggins will be much happier in the long run with another dog in the house. She just doesn't know it yet.

Can you guess what these photos all have in common?

Well, unless you've read my Casablanca Group blog post from a few weeks ago, I think you might have a hard time believing what these photos have in common. I took them at the Phoenix Art Museum, hoping to have some royalty-free pictures to use for marketing (you are welcome to copy these and use them as well).

Got it? Well, I was surprised myself when I saw the photos and realized you couldn't tell they were all...miniatures. That's right. Even the chandelier and painting...both are about the size of my thumb. The Phoenix Art Museum has a miniatures exhibit, where each room is a replica of what you would see in that particular era/country. The pictures above are all around the 1800's, a few are French, but most are American/English (whose drawing rooms did not display a whole lot of difference, since Americans tried very hard to copy the English.) Since every item in the rooms are accurate to the Victorian era, you're welcome to use these to decorate your blog or whatever (I'm thinking I may use a few for my next video.)
Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!

Support the Romance Genre: Sign up for B. Vey's Publisher's Weekly Webcast

The following is a letter I received from one of the greatest ladies in support of the romance genre. Please read on, and register for the webcast! It took me only a couple of seconds to do so...and I'll be there on the 17th with bells on, as my own publisher is part of the line-up.

Dear Friends in Publishing,

Over the past 6 1/2 years, I have listened carefully to what you've had to say. The one thing I heard over and over again was how romance never received any respect.  Many of you were thrilled when I started writing my blog because it seemed to make your genre more credible in PW's eyes.

Well, I finally have managed to get a PW Romance Webcast off the ground.  In the past, PW has done every other genre and even webcasts on Faith and Yarn that were highly successful. 

The time has come for everyone to help support the romance genre.  I really need everybody to sign up for the webcast (Sept. 17th Noon EST).  Signing up does not obligate you to listen to the webcast.  You can either listen live or later on iTunes if you'd like.  It is absolutely free and listeners have a chance to win giveaways (because Romance is best at that!).

As you all know, everything is a numbers game, so we need the numbers.  I'm attaching the logo with all the information in case anyone wants to use it on their websites, blogs or social media.

Here's the link:  http://bit.ly/13M3XeT

Please help me show everyone why romance is number one by registering for webcast and feel free to forward this email.  It's kind of like an election.  Every single registration counts.

Thanks so much for your support over the years and please let me know if you have any questions.

Barbara

Barbara Vey
Contributing Editor, Publishers Weekly 
Beyond Her Book blog
PO Box 438, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Twitter 
Facebook
Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon

Barbara Vey Website

Get your entry into the Hot Prospects contest TODAY!

If you've got a manuscript you're working on and need some editing, this is the contest for you! The grand prize will get it polished, and take a look at the list of editors (one of which is mine) below who will read your work! The deadline is soon, so get your entry fee in today!


2013 Hot Prospects Contest
Sponsor: Valley of the Sun Romance Writers

****Permission to forward****

Looking to sign your first book contract, switch from a small press to a large
publisher or simply explore another genre of romantic fiction? Turn up the heat
on your writing career with the Hot Prospects Contest.

GRAND PRIZE: The grand prize winner of the contest will have their entire manuscript (400 pages, Courier, 12pt, Double spaced) reviewed by two professional editors at The Author's Red Room. TheAuthorsRedRoom.com

Announcement by a former winner:

I entered the Hot Prospects contest in 2011 and placed first in the Contemporary Single Title category and won the Grand Prize overall with my erotic legal thriller, Legally Mastered (now Legal Heat by Sarah Castille). The feedback I got from the contest judges was invaluable in helping me polish my book and that year I landed an agent, and a publishing contract with Samhain Publishing and then a second publishing contract with Sourcebooks Casablanca the following year. The Hot Prospects contest was very well run and I recommend it to all my romance writer friends.

Fee: $25 for Valley of the Sun RWA chapter members
$30 for non-chapter members
Chapter website has PayPal capability. www.valleyofthesunrw.com

Postmark Deadline: September 1st, 2013
E-Submit Deadline: September 1st, 2013

Eligibility: The Hot Prospects Contest is open to any work uncontracted and
unpublished at the time of entry.

Enter: 3-5-page synopsis and up to the first 25 pages of story (30 pages max). Entry or
synopsis may be shorter, but neither may be longer than specified.

Categories/Judges: Trained judges for preliminary round

Final round judges

1) Historical/Regency

Editor - Holly Blanck, St. Martins
Senior Editor - Esi Sogah, Kensington

2) Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal

Assistant Editor - Kelly Quinn, Tor
Editor –Kristine Swartz, Assistant Editor, The Berkley Publishing Group 


3) Romantic Suspense

Editorial Assistant- Lauren Plude, Grand Central Publishing
Editor Samhain -Tera Kleinfelter

4) Contemporary Long/Single Title

Editor –Deborah Werksman, Sourcebooks, Inc
Editor at large, Sue Grimshaw, Random House

5) Series Contemporary
Associate Editor – Johanna Raisanen, Harlequin
Senior Editor Sweetheart Rose – Leanne Morgena, The Wild Rose Press

For More Information, entry form, and rules, see website at
www.valleyofthesunrw.com For questions please email Voshotprospects@yahoo.com

Those entries that do not final will be returned approximately October 30th,
2013 to help those who plan to enter RWA's Golden Heart.

Linda Andrews
Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects Chair

Happy Release Day to Erin Quinn with THE FIVE DEATHS OF ROXANNE LOVE!

Err, well, actually it was yesterday, but I had another post I had to put up, so sharing this with you all today. We consult on our books together, so if you like my stories, you'll probably like hers, although she's just a touch darker than I am. Here's the ad she did with all the info about her book, and trust me, this is a book (and series) that will go on your keeper shelf. Mesmerizing, fascinating, can't-put-it-down story...

The awards for the Golden Quill are lovely...

Yes, I received both my awards this year....
The green marble is real cause they are very heavy! I had to buy metal stands for them. Aren't they gorgeous?

My nephew is a talented guitarist with the band BLINDSIDE DROP, please 'like' them here: https://www.facebook.com/ksfyoungadultproject

They are going for the Kentucky State Fair Young Adult Project to perform at their local state fair. This may be their last performance, as many of them are off to college. Part of the judging involves the number of 'likes' they can get on the website page for the project, and trust me, it would be very much appreciated if you could stop by for a sec and visit them (you must have a facebook account or sign up for one in order to do so). Here's the live link to 'like' BLINDSIDE DROP (click on the 'like' button just below their photo):
https://www.facebook.com/ksfyoungadultproject

Thanks a million!
Kathryne

THE LORD OF ILLUSION wins the Golden Quill for 2013!

THE LORD OF ILLUSION took first place in the P/F/SF/T category, and I'll be sharing the winner's certificate as soon as I get it! :)

#VOScontest is accepting entries. Grand prize winner will have their ms edited by 2 professional editors.

http://valleyofthesunrw.com/hot-prospects-contest/

This contest is for unpublished writers, and it's a great way to get your work in front of editors! Visit the link above for more details, and best wishes with your writing!

THE LORD OF ILLUSION finals in The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence!

Check out the Thai cover of THE LADY OF THE STORM By Kathryne Kennedy!

The Thai cover of THE LADY OF THE STORM is a little grainy in the image here, but it truly is lovely. It's always fascinating to see how a different culture interprets the story and uses their own vision to create a new cover.

Congrats to the winner of my last DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT contest for a 2.85 carat garnet necklace!

Big congratulations to Donna W. from Phoenix, Arizona! She is the lucky winner of my newsletter subscriber drawing for the last contest for DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT. Stay tuned for news of my next contest!

Check out the German cover of MY UNFAIR LADY by Kathryne Kennedy!

Wunderbar!

Behind the Scenes of the RELICS OF MERLIN Series

There are many elements that go into the making of any work of fiction. Generally, a combination of personal experience, imagination, and research. Each author has their own unique well of experiences to draw on, and their own perspective on how they viewed their experiences, which is why regardless of the idea, each writer can bring a unique perspective to any novel. Today I’d like to share with you some of the elements that went into the creation of the RELICS OF MERLIN series, which includes: ENCHANTING THE LADY, DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT, ENCHANTING THE BEAST and the upcoming brand new story (December 2013), EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT.

When I’m crafting a novel, sometimes the world comes first, sometimes the characters, sometimes the plot:

In the RELICS OF MERLIN, the world came first. Although the books are stand-alones, they are all connected by Merlin’s thirteen relics—jewels that the sorcerer Merlin crafted, each holding a different spell of power. In my alternate Victorian reality, titles are held by the inheritance of magical powers, with the higher title possessing the more powerful magic. The only power greater than a royals’ is one of Merlin’s thirteen relics, and their location is as mysterious as the spell each relic contains. From that premise different story lines and different characters sprouted, with each book dealing with a different relic and two new characters’ love stories.

I developed the Underground, the dark-wizard city beneath London, with an understanding of caves through personal experience:

I went cave-crawling (literally, with knee pads) in a Kentucky cave. This wasn’t a tourist cave, but one my brother-in-law had discovered. Once inside it widened considerably, but to get inside we had to crawl through some very tight squeezes. The absence of light and the maze-like passages were terrifying, and the first time I went in I raced back out within five minutes. But I don’t like to let fear control me, so I plunged back in. I wish I could say it was fun, but the hand-light went out at one point, the cave crickets on the ceiling looked like giant gray spiders, and a river ran through the larger passages and that water was cold. But it did give me an understanding of the London Underground I envisioned for my book, and an experience I’ll never forget.

I took real historical facts and research and changed it with magical touches to create a vision of my alternate world:

I’ve read and own many books on the Victorian era, from architecture to furniture to social economics. (I listed many of my research books on my website blog). I have always loved that time period, so I found the research fascinating. Then I created maps of my alternate Victorian London to keep track of changes to name places (Pall Mall became Pall Mage, Belgrave Square became Gargoyle Square, and I added the Hall of Mages next to Buckingham Palace, for example) because with the influence of magic, the city would develop differently. I also have a ‘map’ of a Victorian mansion, with the type of furniture for each room listed (In England, the first floor of a home is the ground floor, and the first floor is called the second, which is often confusing to my American mind :}).  I also have a chart with hereditary titles, how each peer is addressed, and their level of magic. I keep a dictionary of my own words, because I often make them up; and a chart of the relics, when they were discovered, what type of jewel and spell (if known). I also create character sheets along with animal references, since my heroes’ natures are so strongly influenced by their were-creatures.

I keep my world fresh in my mind:

By writing everything on loose paper, and then use binder clips to keep them organized. I print pictures of Victorian costume, architecture, etc. and keep them with that packet, so that I have visuals as well as notes to refer to.

I’m careful with research details I include in my books:

When it comes to historical research, if I need it for the storyline it goes in. I have research that never goes into the story because it isn’t necessary, but it still gives me a general feel of the world, so it’s not wasted. When it comes to the magical elements that I weave into the world, I’ll go into a bit more detail, because I try to instill that sense of realism into the story.

I consider setting almost as another character:

And another element I have to weave into the plot. I try to add in the rules of my magic early on, so the reader knows what to expect. But again, I try not to dump it in all at once, but use it to enrich the plot.

I’ll leave you with an excerpt from ENCHANTING THE LADY to show how I use visuals, setting, and the logistics of the magic by weaving them into the scene:

“Look at Lord Gremville’s new coach and four.”  Uncle Oliver’s voice dripped with disdain.

Felicity stared out the window.  Marquesses’ powers were limited to illusions and the transfer of objects, so she knew that the white unicorns with golden horns weren’t real, that the gilded coach camouflaged a plain black finish.  Still, the sight took her breath away, and she longed to stroke the foreheads of the animals.

Until Next Time,

My Magical Best,

Kathryne

Congrats to Mieke F. from Canada, winner of Kathryne Kennedy's jewelry contest!

I'm always delighted to announce the winners of my reader contests...it's my way of giving back for the loyalty and word-of-mouth publicity my readers offer my books. I'm thrilled we have a Canadian winner this time...Mieke lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Enjoy the garnet necklace, Mieke, and thank you for being such a loyal reader!

Get THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER ebook, plus many more Sourcebooks titles, for $2.99!

As of today, Sourcebooks has put together an ebook promotion for many of their titles with a special price of $2.99 at ALL EBOOK RETAILERS. If you haven't read THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER yet, now is the time! If you've already read it, check out the rest of these titles from Sourcebooks on sale...a wonderful way to discover a new favorite author!

The Heir by Grace Burrowes

Love Drunk Cowboy by Carolyn Brown

Never a Bride by Amelia Grey

To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine

Cowboy Fever by Joanne Kennedy

The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy

A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare

The Highlander’s Sword by Amanda Forester

Tyler by C.H. Admirand

Happy Reading!
Kathryne

Enter to win a copy of DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT by Kathryne Kennedy

I'm at Dark Faerie Tales giving away a copy of Double Enchantment, and there are several ways to earn extra chances to win! So stop on by before April 4th and leave a comment at:
http://darkfaerietales.com/fantastic-fables-giveaway-double-enchantment-kathryne-kennedygi.html
Good luck!

Chat tonight LIVE with Kathryne Kennedy: http://www.discoveranewlove.com/author-chats/events/chat-with-romance-author-kathryne-kennedy.html

 

Join me tonight for Q & A and lots of prizes! Here's the live link: http://www.discoveranewlove.com/author-chats/events/chat-with-romance-author-kathryne-kennedy.html

 

Do you subscribe to Kathryne Kennedy's newsletter?

If not, you're missing out on great book give-a-ways, jewelry contests and more! I've just launched a new contest for a genuine 2.85 carat garnet necklace, and all you need to do to enter to win is to sign up for my newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KathryneKennedy/

Oh, and a big congrats to Mieke F. from Calgary, Alberta, Canada! She's the lucky winner of my last contest for another garnet necklace. Enjoy, Mieke!

LET YOUR CHARACTERS WRITE YOUR LOVE SCENES/PART SIX

Revised and updated from a workshop I did several years ago, this post is all about using your characters to make your love scenes unique and intricate to your story. It has been posted in several parts over the last few months. If you’re a writer, this may help inspire you to write some of the most difficult scenes in your book: your sensual encounters. If you’re a reader, you will get lots of sneak peeks into the Relics of Merlin series, which is being re-released by Sourcebooks over the next few years.

The Relics of Merlin series of books are whimsical romances set in a magical Victorian London of sexy shape-shifters, enchanted tea, wicked spells and loose corsets. Since I’ll be using excerpts from several of the books in the series, I thought it might be helpful to have a quick overview of each:

Enchanting the Lady:  In a world where magic rules everything, two misfits--Felicity Seymore, a Victorian beauty unable to perform even the simplest spell, and Sir Terence Blackwell, a were-lion searching for Merlin's relics--form a passionate alliance.

Double Enchantment:  When Lady Jasmina accidentally creates a double of herself using a relic, the mix-up brings her real self into a compromising position with sexy were-stallion, Sir Sterling Thorn.

Enchanting the Beast: In the third book of the Relics of Merlin series, ghost-hunter Philomena Radcliff comes to Grimspell castle to rid the residence of spirits, but she finds most haunting of all a reclusive were-wolf suspected of murder.

Everlasting Enchantment: In this brand-new fourth book, Sir Gareth Solimere has been trapped inside of one of Merlin’s relics for centuries, and only true love will set him free. But when were-panther Lady Millicent Pantere steals the relic, will she be his salvation or his doom?

So why am I doing a post on (gasp) sex scenes? Because several friends of mine said it was the hardest thing for them to write. Since they are my favorite part of the book to write, I thought I’d share how I do it and hopefully it will be helpful to others. Since I always seem to learn better by example, I’ll be giving examples from all my books to show how my love scenes are a development of my characters, plot and setting. I’m sure there are many other ways to develop a love scene, so let this be an inspiration and not a rule. If you’ve read any of my other posts on writing, you know my favorite motto is: there are no rules in writing, just guidelines.

(Read my previous posts on this subject by searching for the title in the LABELS or CATEGORIES in the far right sidebar.)

SIX: USING SETTING

Put your characters into a setting and allow their reactions to their environment write and shape the scene for you.  I used that shamelessly in my first novel, and in Enchanting the Beast:

   A pool of clear water sat in the middle of the glade, fed by several springs that appeared to flow from the top of an enormous crystal boulder that jutted out over the surface of the pond.  White falls of water hid the cavern beneath the boulder and Phil imagined that the crystal surface would fairly sparkle in the sunshine.

   The overcast day only appeared to make it glow.

   Not that she could see much of the sky above.  Gorchids grew to enormous proportions all around the edges of the pool, their stems so heavily laden with blooms that she could barely see the green of their leaves.  Pale lavender flowers with ruffled edges vied with star-shaped sepals enclosing frilly white petals.  Clusters of deeply pink flowers with burgundy insides grew next to vibrantly blue-spotted petals with tiger-striped tops.  Phil took a few steps out onto the mossy bank and breathed deeply.  The combined perfumes made her feel almost drunk with delight.

   A gust of wind curled through the glade and the flowers danced, the sound of their petals rubbing together like a delicate symphony.  Phil had never heard the like.  Some loose petals floated into the pond, creating a soft carpet of color on the rippling surface.

   She reached down and trailed her fingers in the crystal water.  It felt surprisingly warm.  Phil crouched and scooped up the liquid and bathed her face, removing the last vestiges of sorrow from her encounter with an illusory Tup.  She sat back on the spongy moss and closed her eyes, allowing the peace of the glade to soothe her.

“What an enchanting place,” she murmured.

   “I knew you’d like it,” said Nico.  “Come on, let’s go for a swim.  It was hot beneath the willows.”

   Phil glanced over her shoulder and gaped.  “What on earth do you think you’re doing?”

   Nico’s chest was bare, all that golden brown skin gleaming even in the cloudy daylight.  His boots and shirt already lay on the carpet of moss and he’d started to undo the buttons of his trousers.  “I always swim in just my skin.  Don’t you?”

Even if you’re not writing fantasy, consider how putting your characters into different settings can make their love scenes unique.  What about silk sheets on a bed?  Making love in a park, a forest?  Even an alley or bathroom nightclub can contribute to a different reaction from your characters and pull in different sensations. And consider the weather.  Are they sitting in front of a cozy fire while it’s snowing outside?  Is it a brilliant sunny day?  Or is it raining, as shown in the following excerpt from Enchanting the Beast?

Nico lifted her and lowered her onto his shaft with a swiftness that took her breath away.  Then his firm hands squeezed her bottom and he lifted her up.  The rain came down in earnest then, pelting their heads and faces, and Nico copied the rhythm of the storm.  Phil held on for dear life, the sky pounding her from above and Nico pounding her below.  The force of her body shattering with pleasure took her by surprise and she screamed his name, the wind drowning her cry and carrying it away.

Think of the setting your characters are in, then allow them to react to that setting. And let’s not forget to incorporate other elements, like the weather, to add to the intensity of your love scene.  This is where you can really take advantage of your five senses to not only craft your scene, but to make it come alive for your reader. Consider what your characters are feeling, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting.

This is my last installment of LET YOUR CHARACTERS WRITE YOUR LOVE SCENES. If you’re a writer, I hope you found this look into my writing process helpful and inspiring. If you’re a reader, I do hope you enjoyed a peek into some of the intimate moments of my heroes and heroines in the RELICS OF MERLIN series.

With All My Magical Best,

Kathryne

LET YOUR CHARACTERS WRITE YOUR LOVE SCENES/PART FIVE

Revised and updated from a workshop I did several years ago, this post is all about using your characters to make your love scenes unique and intricate to your story. It has been posted in several parts over the last few months. If you’re a writer, this may help inspire you to write some of the most difficult scenes in your book: your sensual encounters. If you’re a reader, you will get lots of sneak peeks into the Relics of Merlin series, which is being re-released by Sourcebooks over the next few years.

The Relics of Merlin series of books are whimsical romances set in a magical Victorian London of sexy shape-shifters, enchanted tea, wicked spells and loose corsets. Since I’ll be using excerpts from several of the books in the series, I thought it might be helpful to have a quick overview of each:

Enchanting the Lady:  In a world where magic rules everything, two misfits--Felicity Seymore, a Victorian beauty unable to perform even the simplest spell, and Sir Terence Blackwell, a were-lion searching for Merlin's relics--form a passionate alliance.

Double Enchantment:  When Lady Jasmina accidentally creates a double of herself using a relic, the mix-up brings her real self into a compromising position with sexy were-stallion, Sir Sterling Thorn.

Enchanting the Beast: In the third book of the Relics of Merlin series, ghost-hunter Philomena Radcliff comes to Grimspell castle to rid the residence of spirits, but she finds most haunting of all a reclusive were-wolf suspected of murder.

Everlasting Enchantment: In this brand-new fourth book, Sir Gareth Solimere has been trapped inside of one of Merlin’s relics for centuries, and only true love will set him free. But when were-panther Lady Millicent Pantere steals the relic, will she be his salvation or his doom?

So why am I doing a post on (gasp) sex scenes? Because several friends of mine said it was the hardest thing for them to write. Since they are my favorite part of the book to write, I thought I’d share how I do it and hopefully it will be helpful to others. Since I always seem to learn better by example, I’ll be giving examples from all my books to show how my love scenes are a development of my characters, plot and setting. I’m sure there are many other ways to develop a love scene, so let this be an inspiration and not a rule. If you’ve read any of my other posts on writing, you know my favorite motto is: there are no rules in writing, just guidelines.

(Read my previous posts on this subject by searching for the title in the LABELS or CATEGORIES in the far right sidebar.)

FIVE:  USING PLOT & CONFLICT

I think writing is like weaving, where you have to incorporate all these different strands into your work, and that removing any thread will make the entire thing fall apart.  So in all of the examples I’ve shown in the past few posts, there’s an element of conflict and plot as well.  Both their external (plot) and internal conflict can lead you to a unique love scene. In Enchanting the Lady, Felicity is trying to overcome her feelings of inadequacy (internal conflict), while Terence is trying to trust her (internal) and find the relic (external conflict).  In Double Enchantment, Jasmina is trying to prove that she’s just as passionate as her magical twin (internal) and Sterling is determined to make her marry him (internal).  And they’re both using each other to find the relic (external).  In Enchanting the Beast, Philomena is insecure about her age (internal) and Nico fears the nature of his beast (internal).  They are both trying to solve the mystery of Grimspell castle’s ghosts (external). For another example, I’ll use an excerpt from my upcoming brand new release, Everlasting Enchantment, to reflect the use of plot and conflict. Gareth is trying to seduce Millicent to break his curse (external), but finds himself actually falling in love with her (internal). Because she’s aware of the curse and his goal (external), she doesn’t trust him (internal), but finds herself wanting him all at the same time (internal), and the nature of her beast is fighting within her as well (internal). As you can tell, there’s a lot of conflict going on within this love scene:

Gareth groaned and pressed closer to her. She could feel his muscles tremble as he fought to keep his touch gentle.

Millicent buried her fingers in his hair and showed him she would not break. Perhaps…perhaps the moment she had truly known she would make love to him was when she had thought he had died. When she had felt such an overwhelming grief that she would have blindly rushed forward to save him if it hadn’t been for Nell reminding her that he was immortal.

Or was he?

Millicent easily pulled his face away from hers, heard him catch a breath at the reminder of her were-strength. “I cannot break your curse. I do not have enough love in my heart to do such a powerful thing.”

“I do not care.”

“So you said. But what if…what if it were possible? Will time catch up with you and turn you to dust?” Her voice cracked, betraying her emotions, her fear of making the wrong choice.

His eyes looked like twin pools of midnight, the light blue barely discernable. “I do not care.”

“I will lose you either way.”

“Are you sure you want to keep me?”

“I—“ Millicent frowned. She did not know what she wanted beyond this moment.

He slid his finger across her cheek. “Merlin’s spell bedamned. I will make love to you for no other reason than because I want to. Because I have to. Because I need to make you a part of me, if only for one night.”

And Millicent’s beast, who had lain strangely quiet within her, sensed her weakness and suddenly rose up, demanding this man for her mate. She could not stop the low growl that sounded in the back of her throat. Could not help but pull his face to hers once again, kissing him with a fierceness that she feared would startle him.

But Gareth only moaned, met her fierceness with his own, pushing her back against the bedding, his tongue tasting the inside of her mouth, his hands roaming over the silk sheet covering her; exploring, kneading, demanding.

Millicent did not know how he managed to keep her senses overwhelmed and remove his clothing at the same time, but within moments she felt his naked body slide next to hers, his skin warm and smoother than the silk. He felt perfect, his muscles molding against hers, as if they somehow fit like a puzzle into one form. And yet…a flutter of anxiety twisted through her and she fought the urge to push him away. She wanted him, yes, but feared him all at the same time.

Her beast growled, chiding her for being a coward. But the animal lacked the vulnerabilities of a human heart, acting on instinct and need alone. Her beast had always been a part of her, even in human form, and she had used that side of her nature to save her life and sanity more than once. But she had always controlled the inclinations of the were-cat.

Until now.

Consider your external and internal conflicts and allow your characters to bring them into their love scenes with them.  Think of all the different emotions they’re feeling and how it affects the intimacy of the scene, and then use that to guide you through their very own unique, special moment.

Until Next Time,

Kathryne