 "I’m going to write a book!" As a librarian, I hear that a lot. Hey, I was once that patron who said it! And a very knowledgeable librarian helped me. I checked out books on writing, and after a few months, I thought I had a really good story and gave it to a few trusted readers and waited for feedback. My new friends told me the story was dry and needed work. Talk about a reality check! After picking up my ego, I realized they were right and was determined to learn how to make it better. One of the things I learned was it takes more than likeable characters to tell a story. In order to grab a reader’s attention, your story has to reach their emotions in ways that make the story memorable. Part of that is done with a great setting. What is a setting? Dictonary.com defines setting as: the local or period in which the action of a novel, play, film, etc. takes place. In my opinion, the setting is another character in your story. It’s the location of your novel, the background of a scene. It is the catalyst for what motivates your characters. You need to know as much about your setting as you know about your characters’ backstories. After all, most small towns, cities, states, and countries have histories—good and bad. So, how do you use setting in a story? If you’re reading, does the setting stand out? In the Butterfly Memoirs, the setting for the first three novels is Los Angeles, California. Books 4 and 5 are set in Atlanta, Georgia, and book 6 is set in Miami, Florida. Writing the setting for four of those books was a challenge! Why? Because I am from Atlanta and have never been to Los Angeles! I did visit Miami once, though. For settings where I’ve never been, I trust Google a lot! I had a vision, of course, but then Google made it possible for me to research the locations. Searching for images helped me accurately describe a location such as the Santa Monica Pier and the Los Angeles Zoo in A Heart Not Easily Broken. Using places I was more familiar with in Nobody’s Business and Alone were easier because I live in Atlanta. That didn’t stop me from using Google to keep the details accurate even in Atlanta. The last thing you want is to write something that you see in your mind without fact-checking, and then have readers call you out on it. Beta readers help, too! Especially if you know someone from the area you set your story. Happy Reading and Writing! MJ Multicultural Romance with Heart and Soul!
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 Immerse yourself in a story of resilience, hope, and unexpected love with our featured novel, Lonely Heart by M.J. Kane. As Kaitlyn Rodgers navigates the challenges of impending motherhood, a new job, and a rebellious sister all on her own, her life seems far from the fairytale she once dreamed of. Enter Antonio Rodriguez, an auto mechanic with a heart as large as his reluctance to repeat his father's solitary path. Their chance encounter sparks a friendship that promises a hint of joy in their tumultuous lives. But when the past returns, offering Kaitlyn a different future, she stands at a crossroads between the life she thought she wanted and the possibility of something more. Critics and readers alike have lauded this novel for its deep dive into the complexities of modern relationships, marking it as a journey through every conceivable emotion. It's a tale not of simple romances, but of the messy, beautiful, and sometimes painful reality of love. Celebrate this Valentine's Day by joining Kaitlyn and Antonio on their heartfelt journey, a testament to the power of love in all its forms. Read all the books in the Butterfly Memoirs Free with Kindle Unlimited! Connect with MJ via her Newsletter or Author Pages!
Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Action & Adventure
While searching for answers about his past, Erik runs head-on into Kimi, who’s running from hers. Although he knows she’s keeping secrets, Erik can’t help but admire how she loves horses and his beautiful home state of Alaska.
When authorities start asking questions about the new horse whisperer in town, though, and Kimi disappears, Erik realizes their future together is what matters most and calls on his Midnight Sons brothers to find Kimi before her past catches up to her. READ MORE  Romantic Suspense, Women's Fiction  Dive into a world of secrets, laughter, and passion! Three gorgeous men and three fiery women find their destinies together in this unforgettable romance collection. READ MORE! Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Multicultural Romance  Like butterflies in the spring that disappear into cocoons and emerge, completely changed, M.J.’s characters are no longer the same when their stories end. READ MORE 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." -- Vine Voice Reviewer
When Yasmine’s computer crashes, taking months of hard work with it, she must rely on a computer genius to save her. Zachariah is the complete opposite of the men from her past, so she doesn't expect the passion that ensues. Just as she finds happiness, though, she learns the truth about the other woman in Zachariah's life. READ MORE
For a Limited Time, read the entire series free with Kindle Unlimited!
Connect with MJ via her Newsletter or Author Pages!
Working together, hiding secrets, and fighting attraction…
Rath needs to find Dan, the informant whose false information costs his SEAL team their careers — and one soldier his life. Neesa needs to find her father, Dan, who’s been missing since the debacle at a compound in Mexico. When Rath and Neesa team up, they’ll face danger, deception, and a sensual fire that threatens to consume them. . . READ MORE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Tina Wainscott delivers high-octane suspense and red-hot romance! Full of edge-of-your-seat action and red-hot passion, Wild on You is a souped-up roller coaster of a page-turner.” — Julie Ann Walker, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Black Knights Inc. series
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Bad boys breaking rules and hearts and dishing up justice — Tina Wainscott nails it!” — New York Times bestselling author Cindy Gerard 
 Series Starters!
For more info & book deals on the authors, visit their author pages!    Binge Your Heart Out! With Boxed Sets! Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, and Thrillers! Heck Yeah!11/4/2021 Paranormal Romance, Supernatural Suspense, Myths & Legends
Romantic Women's Fiction, Multicultural Romance
Romantic Suspense, SEAL Team
Crime Fiction, International Crime, Romantic Suspense
For More Books by Our Authors, visit their Author Pages!     
It’s a crazy statement, I know. But all authors have an element of crazy in them somewhere — at least I don’t think I’m the only one. How can we not? We have to balance our lives, family, and day-to-day responsibilities with the art of storytelling. We create lives, personalities, likes, and dislikes. It’s like giving birth without the added weight gain and late-night bottle feedings.
Or is it? If we’re not careful, we drink too much coffee, eat too many snacks — instead of real food — and position ourselves in front of our computer screens for hours on end. Thus, weight gain. Late-night bottle feedings come in the form of waking up in the wee hours of the night, jotting down notes or a scene that’s been plaguing us all day. How do we stay sane? Where do these fictional people come from? Why are we not wearing straitjackets? My best guess is because we’ve learned to blend in with the rest of society. Thankfully, readers are intrigued by our stories, which helps me to keep the purple straitjacket tucked away. All jokes aside, it is my opinion that writing is the truest form of self-expression, healing, and finding a way to cope with whatever ails you. Whether you journal, blog, write a memoir, or take your life experiences or pull from those around you and write a book. No matter what avenue you take, writing is therapeutic. I love to create the characters in my stories. As an only child, I spent a lot of time alone, playing with my baby dolls, stuffed animals, and Barbies. Each had a name and a voice of their own. I spent hour after hour making up stories and creating adventures to entertain myself. Each story had a Happily Ever After. From time to time, I would get the tape recorder (remember that old-fashioned form of electronics?) and make cassette tapes of my little adventures to share with my parents. They, of course, thought my tales were funny. Little did I know that form of storytelling would eventually lead to a writing career. I still use a recorder — digital now — to record my ideas for my books. No dolls allowed; I leave that to my daughter. The tales are no longer about a princess riding horses and marrying a prince. Now the stories deal with real-life experiences. Not all are my own, but they are real, they do happen, and there is heartbreak and pain. But through it all, there is happiness and love. After creating the heroines in my books, I realized something. In each character — as different as they are — there is an element of me. The woman I once was, the woman I am, the woman I secretly wish I could be, and the woman I aspire to become. Multiple Personality Disorder at its best. By telling their stories, I’ve found a way to work through the pain I've experienced to find happiness in my family and the ones I hold dear. Along the way, I’ve made friends I never would have known and gained knowledge I never would have attained. In short, I’ve not only learned how to become a better writer, but I’ve also learned more about myself. Writing has allowed me to make a mark of my own outside of being a wife and a mother. I have discovered something I love, something I’m good at, and something that unless I actually lose my mind, no one can ever take away from me. There’s not a morning I don’t get up with an idea that I’m anxious to put on paper. Seeing the Butterfly Memoirs go through several different stages of evolution over several years taught me so much. Adding to the story, taking away, fine tuning, and finessing … it’s all the part of telling a story — with heart, care, and attention to detail. If you’re thinking about writing a book, watch out for those doctors with those special white coats! By the way, my straight jacket also has butterflies! LOL! Great news! If you’d like to learn more about my characters, my first book, a romantic women’s fiction with heart and soul, is absolutely FREE for a limited time! Hope you enjoyed this insight into my writing world! M.J.
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When I sit down to write a novel, I generally have no idea where I’m going. My typical start of a story is usually the main character—whether it’s the male protagonist or the female protagonist—and whatever issue they are facing.
From there, I just ask myself questions:
The great thing is, just like the reader, I never know exactly what my characters will do. Sure, I know I want a happily ever after, but I also know that not every character will get a happily ever after. And the detours they make along the way sometimes even surprise me. Why? Because I allow my story to progress naturally. I typically write two thousand words a day, and then every night I read the last few chapters to make sure the story flows, marking any areas that need addressing, and then go to sleep, allowing the characters to come alive in my dreams. And ohhh how they do. It’s not unusual for hubby to see me typing on my iPhone’s notepad in the middle of the night. Often it’ll just be a great line or a missing link I was in search of. When I finally finish the novel, I take an entire day and read from beginning to end, making sure the story flows and that there are no holes or contradictions. Easy, right? I’ve read this story almost thirty times at this juncture. How can it surprise me, how can it make me cry? And yet, here I am, sitting on the sofa, my afghan curled around me, and I’m bawling over something that happened. Hubby, who has been sitting quietly by his computer—because he knows it’s read-through day—whips his chair around to face me and asks, “Are you okay?” I swipe away my tears and answer, “Yes, I just can’t believe that happened.” “Wait. I thought you were reading your book?” he asks. “I am,” I answer. “But it still makes me cry.” He shakes his head and goes back to typing his nonfiction. One of my favorite quotes is by Robert Frost: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” Well, I’m always surprised, and I always cry when something happens to my characters, so I hope when you read my books you will, too! If you enjoy stories that blend happy and sad, romantic and suspenseful, click the link for your favorite retailer below and grab one of my free books. If you’ve read all my books, make sure you grab my new release, Erik’s Revelation, so you’ll know why I was crying! Until next time, happy reading! Carmen DeSousa
Learn more about Carmen: www.WrittenMusings.com/CarmenDeSousa
Or visit one of her author pages to grab one of her bestsellers! Kindle ● Play ● iBooks ● Nook ● Kobo ● Audible
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