Valentine's Day Gift

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day and hope that your day is filled with love, laughter, relaxation and adventure.  As a thank you for reading my blogs, reading my books and being my fans and friends, I'd like to give you a FREE download of a Valentine's Day book.  It contains unique short stories, (some romance, some suspense) and much more.  You can download it by clicking on the picture below:

In case the above link doesn't work, you can copy and paste this one into your browser:   http://www.payloadz.com/d1/freeproducts.asp?id=1562915

No matter how you spend your Valentine's Day, I hope there will be love in your heart, friendship in life and a smile in your soul. 

Marriage: There is No Easy Way

The question was:  In one of your books a marriage survives an affair, do you believe this is possible in real life?

The book you’re referring to is called No Easy Way, and the entire premise of that book is that there is “no easy way” for a marriage to survive… there is no EASY way, but there is A way.  Wrapped in a suspenseful plot is the story of a man and a woman and how their marriage survives the seemingly impossible.                           

My husband and I have been married for almost twenty years.  We’ve had our ups and our downs just like anyone else.  There were moments when we both considered giving up…thankfully we never considered it at exactly the same time; otherwise our story might have been different.  

The point is, marriage is hard and when one person makes a mistake the other one suffers the fall out.

At that point you have two choices:   Stay or Leave

I’m not inclined to pass judgment on anyone’s life and the choices they have made.  I know couples who have divorced due to infidelity and I know couples who have remained together.  It’s a choice and each choice comes with its own complications.  Whether you stay or leave, you will still one day have to plot a course down a path of forgiveness.  There’s no escaping it.  If you are the person who cheated, you’ll have to learn to forgive yourself.  If you’re the one caught in the fall out, you’ll eventually have to learn to forgive the one who hurt you; otherwise the anger will destroy your life from the inside out.  The question then becomes... do you want to walk that path together or apart?

There are no easy answers when hearts are broken and nothing will take away the initial onset of pain. Infidelity rips through a marriage like a tornado in a trailer park and the damage and clean up is both extensive and lengthy.  

But let me say this… having the legal right to divorce doesn’t necessarily mean it is the right choic for you, your spouse or your family.  Some believe staying married to a spouse who cheated makes you weak.  It doesn’t.  Staying doesn’t make you weak any more than leaving makes you strong.  The affair itself casts everyone under a shadow of weakness and vulnerability.  Neither staying nor leaving removes that shadow from your heart. 

Human beings make mistakes and being married doesn't make you suddenly immune to temptation.  There is fall out and heartache in the world of "for better or for worse;" but if you choose (like the couple in my novel) to walk the road of healing together, I believe you can one day reap the benefits of a stronger, closer, more intimate marriage.  There is No Easy Way…but there is a way.




Thanks for your question Sherri.  I hope I answered adequately. 

From Real Life to Fiction

The question was:  Are the characters and events in my novels based on real life experiences and real people in my life?

I’ve been asked this question many times.  In fact, every time I go to a book signing or speak to a book club or readers group, this is one of the first questions people ask.

The answer is:  Yes and No

My debut novel, No Easy Way, contains some real life experiences, though the situations are beefed up to add a greater fictional element of suspense and surprise.  The characters are derived from people in my life, but they are more like combinations of individuals.  I borrow one trait from one person and another trait from someone else and mesh them together to form the persona I want for that particular character. 

In the Just Call Me Angel suspense series, which centers around the Mafia, I am not writing from personal experience; thus I spend more time on research for this series because I having nothing else to draw from.  However, my main characters are still a dichotomy of people in my life, and when I can work in a personal experience I do it because it helps create depth and emotion in the scene.

When I’m writing a novel I find myself more in tune with the people around me, with their idiosyncrasies and habits.  I then use these mannerisms as persona definitions when I shape each individual character.

For example:  In the Just Call Me Angel series, Olga’s physical structure is based on a combination of two older woman who were in my life as a child.  One was my Serbian Aunt named Olga and the other was a family friend we fondly called, Granny Janny.   If you meshed their looks, how they walked and gestured with their hands when they talked, you would end up with Angel’s Aunt Olga in my books.

Just for fun, I add my Alma Mater (University of Missouri, Columbia) into every book I write.  It keeps my characters grounded when I, as the author, can relate to where they came from.  Into each novel I also write in secret numbers or names that only those closest to me will be able to reference as meaningful. It’s like my own little game of clue behind the scenes.   

I use people in my life to give me the creative inspiration that helps with character development and I believe that when characters are solidly built, they will write the story for you.  ~

Welcome to my Friday the 13th Blog Hop Stop

Friday the 13th is all about FEAR.  At least it has been since the debut of the first Friday the 13th movie in 1980 when Jason and his hockey mask scared the crap out of every teenager in America. 

The only other movie to rival its lasting ramifications of fear-scarred adolescents was the debut of Jaws in 1975.  I was five when Jaws hit the theatres and was afraid to take a bath or swim in a pool for years.  I'd like to tell you I've overcome this fear, but even as an adult, I dare not dip a toe into the ocean without hearing that chilling, shark-approaching music in my head.

Duh-dun, duh-Dun, duh-DUn, duH-DUN, dUH-DUN.... faster and faster and louder and louder the music grows until panic grips me.

One year, while in the Bahamas, my husband and I took a Catamaran on a snorkeling expedition.  The boat was anchored in what I call the middle of the ocean, as there was no land to be seen.  The captain explained we would be snorkeling around a reef area known for it's beautiful coral and fish.  Every passenger was given fins, a snorkle and a mask and once we were all adorned in our gear, we lined up to descend the stairs and submerge ourselves into the beautiful, clear blue water.  My husband was in front of me and he gleefully plopped into the water and started looking for fish. I tentatively lowered myself into the ocean only to feel my chest tighten, my throat go dry and my breathing quicken until I sounded like Darth Vader through the snorkle tube.  Suddenly feeling like a floating appetizer for any shark that might be passing by, I shreiked aloud, thrashed my way back to the ladder and climbed over the fifteen people still on the staircase, trambling them with my big black fins.

This was not one of my prouder moments.  When I got to the top of the ladder, the last woman in line shook me by my shoulders and with wide-eyed concern, yelled, "What did you see?!"

I dropped my head in utter humiliation as I admitted to her I had seen nothing.  "I panicked," I sighed.

After I had stripped off my gear the Captain approached with a smirk and a island drink.  "Dis is for you," he said in his Bahamian accent.  "We call it da chicken drink."

I laughed, knowing there was no way to deny I was a chicken and deserving of the chicken drink.  "I'm afraid of sharks," I sheepishly smiled.

"I see dat," he grinned ear-to-ear.  "We all see dat."

We all experience fear.  Sometimes it's rational and sometimes, well, it's not.  It can be humiliating, frustrating and downright comical, but I think the important thing is that we learn to find the silver lining within even our greatest fears.  For me, I may not get to swim in the ocean, but I get to sit on the boat, enjoy a cocktail and look at the beautiful water.  Overcoming our fears sometimes means just being smart enough to remove ourselves from their chilling grip.

As a thank you for visiting my blog today and participating in the Friday the 13th Blog Hop, I'd like to send you a free download of one of my books.  You can download it in any form you like (kindle, nook, kobe, ipad, sony, .pdf, etc.).  All you have to do is write in the comment section below and tell me which book you would like to receive.  All my books are listed in the sidebar where you can watch the video trailers and decide which looks most interesting to you.




Thanks for dropping by and don't forget to Hop to the next Blog Stop and enter for a chance to win a FREE Kindle!

Write a comment in my comment section and then click on the picture below to automatically advance to the next HOT Bog HOP Stop!

The Hop STARTS at http://briclarkthebelleofboise.blogspot.com

 and she will display the link to the next stop in the Hop in her post.  Each blogger will do the same, so you'll be visiting every link in the Hop's chain. If that host is offering a giveaway on his/her blog, go ahead and enter to win their contest.  Tell your friends!

From Here to There

Transitional words create powerful links in your story, taking the reader from one idea to the next.  Here are some common categories and examples of transitional words and phrases gathered from The Writer's Handbook.

Addition

furthermore, moreover, too, also, in the second place, again, in addition, even more, next, further, last, lastly, finally, besides, and, or, nor, first, second, secondly

Time

while, immediately, never, after, later, earlier, always, when, soon, whenever, meanwhile, sometimes, in the meantime, during, afterwards, now, until now, next, following, once, then, at length, so far, simultaneously, this time, subsequently

Place

here, there, nearby, behond, wherever, opposite to, adjacent to, neighboring on, above, below

Exemplification or Illustration

to illustrate, to demonstrate, specifically, for instance, as in illustration, for example

·        

Comparison
in the same way, by the same token, similarly, in like manner, likewise, in similar fashion

Contrast

yet, and yet, nevertheless, nonetheless, after all, but, however, though, otherwise, on the contrary, in contrast, notwithstanding, on the other hand, at the same time

Clarification

that is to say, in other words, to explain, that is, to clarify, to rephrase it, to put it another way

Cause

because, since, on account of, for that reason

Effect

therefore, consequently, accordingly, thus, hence, as a result

Purpose

in order that, so that, to that end, to this end, for this purpose

Qualification

almost, nearly, probably, never, always, frequently, perhaps, maybe, although

Intensification

indeed, to repeat, by all means, of course, doubtedly, certainly, without doubt, yes, no, undoubtedly, in fact, surely, in fact

TCM gives Tetterbaum's Truth a Thumbs-Up Review

Tetterbaum's Truth S.R. Claridge Vanilla Heart Publishing ISBN: 1935407899

5 STAR REVIEW by TCM

Twenty-nine year old Angel May Martin is the owner of Tetterbaum’s Pub in Chicago. Tetterbaum’s Pub was opened in 1936 by the Tetterbaum family and Angel worked as a waitress at Tetterbaum’s until the sudden death of Ernest Tetterbaum. His widow sold the pub to Angel at a price she couldn’t resist.

For the past year Angel has been carrying on with one Grayson Galante, it is only in Grayson’s arms that Angel feels she can be anyone she wants to be. Even after multiple warnings from co-worker Andrew, Angel continues seeing Grayson until a tragic accident changes everything and turns Angel’s world upside down.

To complicate her life even further Angel’s ex-boyfriend, Tony, reappears in her life and everything is spinning out of control. Angel’s obsession for finding answers grows stronger with each passing day and she decides to search for answers on her own. Angel soon discovers she isn’t who she thought she was and that Tetterbaum’s Pub may hold the key to her past – a past she knew nothing about.   Tetterbaum’s Truth is fast-paced, full of surprises and will keep you reading long into the night.

WELL WORTH THE READ.  5 STARS.

Podcast - Author S.R.Claridge - The Author Show

Podcast - Author S.R.Claridge

Columbia Missourian Article

Thriving romance novel industry pulls in MU alumna and writer

Friday, February 18, 2011 | 5:51 p.m. CST; updated 10:18 p.m. CST, Friday, February 18, 2011

S.R. Claridge poses for a picture Friday at Broadway Brewery where she was promoting her novels "No Easy Way" and "Tetterbaum's Truth." Claridge is a MU grad and currently lives in Broomfield, Colo.   ¦  Melissa Klauda

BY Rachel Krause

COLUMBIA — The first thing Susan Claridge ever wrote was a poem after the death of her grandmother. The process of writing provided a way for her to vent her emotions.  
"Since then I've always written, it's been my outlet," Claridge said. "I just never tried to get published or thought of myself as a writer."
Claridge, who graduated from MU in 1992 with a degree in psychology, now writes romance murder-suspense novels under the name S.R. Claridge. She was visiting Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis this week to sign copies of her first novel, "No Easy Way," published by Vanilla Heart Publishing.
Claridge, who sprinkles MU references into her writing, spent some time over the noon hour at Broadway Brewery on Friday. She signed her way through a couple of stacks of books, selling 20 to 25 books. It was more a chance to have lunch with her husband, mother-in-law and friends.
Claridge is a new player in the booming romance genre that has many American readers smitten. The genre made up the largest share of the consumer market and generated $1.36 billion in 2009, according to Romance Writers of America. Claridge said part of the reason behind the romance genre's popularity is because there is a part of everyone that longs for romance.
"I think relationships in general, that's the main focus of everyone's life," Claridge said. "We're all seeking love, romance and attention. Particularly with our target audience, the married women in their 30s, 40s and 50s, a lot of that romance may have fizzled a bit. There's a deeper foundation of love, but that outward display of romance isn't as prevalent."
Claridge said "No Easy Way" started out as a nonfiction book on marriage before she had the idea to make it more interesting by drawing the same themes into a murder mystery.
"What sets it apart from other murder mysteries is it has an underlying message which most mysteries don't," Claridge said. "This is kind of an oddball book that has a message of faith and forgiveness woven through it."
Her mother-in-law, Beth Claridge-Gillespie of Kansas City, read manuscripts along the way, making edits and suggestions. Although Claridge-Gillespie does not consider herself a romance novel fan, she likes her daughter-in-law's first book and said the genre provides a way for people "to be taken away from the humdrum of their lives and to be whisked off into somebody else’s world."
"I think most romance novels have a happy ending," Claridge-Gillespie said. "That's the ultimate: We all want a happy ending in our life."
Two of Claridge's editors are men, which she said gives her a good male perspective. Her husband, Cash Claridge, said despite the romantic theme, men shouldn't be turned off, especially with her second novel, "Tetterbaum's Truth," which centers around the Chicago mafia.
"I've had many guys tell me how good it was," Cash Claridge said. "The mafia always gets guys."
Claridge, who now lives in Colorado, has included MU and Columbia in her two novels. In "No Easy Way," the main characters, Tom and Kate, are both MU graduates and have an encounter at Murray's Restaurant, where Claridge and her husband got engaged. In "Tetterbaum's Truth," out on e-book and set to be released in March, the main character is an MU journalism student and there is a reference to Shakespeare's.
“It's something I have an affinity to and can relate to," Claridge said. "It just gives one more layer of depth to the story for me."

Press Release - February 2011

Main Course Mystery with a

Side Dish of Hope

Author S.R.Claridge serves up a main course mystery with a side dish of hope in her suspense novel, NO EASY WAY, published by Vanilla Heart Publishing. 

With today’s divorce rate climbing, S.R.Claridge touches on the challenge and turmoil of the modern marriage, set in a background of mystery and mayhem.  This book not only entertains, it grabs the reader and propels them down a road of introspection.  Plot twists challenge sleuthing minds, while real-to-life character conflicts shed light on what S.R.Claridge calls out as the one simple truth… there is No Easy Way.  

Unlike any other suspense novel, NO EASY WAY will linger with you long after you’ve closed the book.  Once you’ve cracked the cover, there is no easy way to put this book down.

Nominated for the "Heart of Molly" award (HODRW) NO EASY WAY is drawing the attention of the literary world and Author S.R.Claridge is setting out on a mid-western book tour through Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis.  Media/Press are extended an invitation to the local book tour stop and at their request either a free download or free print copy of NO EASY WAY.  Personal interviews with the Author can be arranged by emailing a request to vhpauthor@gmail.com

# # #

Press Release

ALL THINGS ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Spotlight Author:  BRI CLARK

Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  I have four children been married 10 years. I am an author first and foremost. I ‘m a blogger, a social media liasion with Astraea Press and I work with StoneGate Ink.  I help run Astraea Press’ blog and I’m a book reviewer for my own blog as well as Romancing the Book Review.

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert? Extrovert, I’m emotional, confrontational, irrational and aggressive. Then theres when I get upset.

What are your favorite books to read? Ebooks

Where is the most unique place you have traveled? I travel to exotic places I make up all the time. But in reality I’ve been to Hawaii. It wasn’t amazing and I have no desire to go back.

Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment? Being married for ten years. This coming from the woman who wanted to live life with a little black book.

How many books have you written and how many of those are published?  Published, Caffe’ Seduzione, Familial Witch, Glazier

Unpublished, Venim (Glazier’s sequel) The Awakening (Park of the Familial Witch Series.)

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc.)  or do you write in many different genres? Romance

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ? I really work on the characters always...then the pants come out full force.

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections?  150...I took a step back and tried a different approach. It worked.

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you? I work with the muse.

If you have a new release coming out, tell us about it.

Marie Kincaid suffering the greatest loss a woman can know runs from the pain. Falling asleep deep within the forest she awakes in an infirmary with a loss of memory and a power, she’s always possessed yet never known: Glazier. Glazier enables Marie to embark on a new life free of pain but most importantly free of the past. Heightened senses, accelerated strength, speed, and learning abilities make Marie a perfect candidate to be a spy…also a perfect companion for Henry Tenison…the only other known Glazier.   Henry, a loner and proud rogue finds his world upended when his connection to Marie is forged through Glazier. Unsure of how to progress with any relationship with her he endeavors to keep it strictly platonic and professional. As far away, missions and romantic surroundings entice him into pursuing his deeper desires he caves. However, Marie’ love changes everything.  Determined to free them both of the spy world and hold Abram their superior has over them Henry implements a plot to disappear. However, when things become dangerous in their latest mission, their first undercover, and memories of Marie’s past surface suggesting another man…will Henry’s efforts prove to come too late? If Marie remembers her past, will she still want their future?

If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be?  There is no longer just traditional. Follow your instincts and don’t be afraid to take a risk and don’t be afraid to invest in your own work.

What's up next for you and your writing? I have two more books to write and release this year. Then more sequels in 2012.

Where can we read more about you and your work?

 www.Briclarkthebelleofboise.blogspot.com

Thank you for stopping by today.  It was nice to learn more about you and your books.  Best wishes!

ALL THINGS ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

FEATURED AUTHOR:   Jerri Drennen

Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself.  Where are you from?  What is your occupation outside of writing? 

I was raised in a tiny town in Minnesota. I married and moved to Missouri where I've lived for the past 20 plus years with my husband and 4 kids. I've had outside jobs here and there but raising my children has been my full-time gig.

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?

Total introvert. Writing and raising kids in a solitary lifestyle and easy to disappear into.

Do you have any pets?  If so, what kind and tell us their names.

Do I. I have an ivory retriever named Max and a windowsill filled with cats.

What are your favorite books to read?

I used to love historical romance, but anything contemporary now.

Where is the most unique place you have traveled?

I've never been out of the States but we lived in San Antonia for about a year and the Riverwalk there is so beautiful.

Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment?

I'd have to say my children.

How many books have you written and how many of those are published?  I've written over 20 books. Six are published, one is just waiting for a release date.

Fire & Ice.

Inventing the Abbotts,

Mauvelous.

Caddy-Did,

Grace Under Fire

Untouched.

Do you have one particular genre that all your books fall under (i.e. suspense, romance, etc.)  or do you write in many different genres?

Most are romantic suspense/action-adventure, but I have one contemporary, a time-travel and right now I'm working on a paranormal romantic suspense.

How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ?

Not a thing. I'm a panster and the story just writes itself.

Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive?  How did you handle the rejections?

I haven't kept track of numbers. Heck, I still get them. Only the lucky few don't deal with rejection.

How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?

I really don't have a schedule but most of my writing is done early in the morning when my mind is fresh and it's quiet.

If you have a new release coming out, tell us about it.

I don't have a release date yet but just finished edits for the second book in my Men of Jungle series, Unplanned.

Galen Hall wakes in a Ecuadorian jail with a murderous headache, a murder charge, and a memory gap where his alibi should be. How does the jungle guide prove his innocence? His best friend comes to help, only to bring with him the woman whose unplanned love sent him fleeing the Amazon to begin with.  One night of steamy jungle passion has botanist Dana Rutherford carrying a stranger’s baby. While coming to terms with raising a child on her own, she learns of the father’s captivity. In a town where corruption reigns, she unknowingly initiates a jailbreak, and finds herself again face-to-face with the hunky, green-eyed devil who has changed her life forever.

If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be?  Don't stop writing and submit your work.

Anything else you'd like to share with my blog readers?

Only that I love hearing from readers, though my contact page on my website is totally messed up and if you contact me there, you'll never get through.

Where can we read more about you and your work?

On my website at www.jerridrennen.com