…was the scariest
thing I’ve done since finding out I was pregnant in my senior year of high
school.
Joining a
critique group is the number one answer to the interview question, “What advice
do you have for aspiring writers?” It
was also the best thing I could have done.
It’s scary
because I put myself out there for people I didn’t know to judge and offer
advice on the story I spent eight months writing. A story I was proud of
because I finished it, HEA (happily ever after) and all. But I got past my fear
and joined Rom-Critters and posted my chapters. Let me tell you the pages came
back colorful. J But the comments
weren’t negative. They were informative and encouraging. Yes, there was a lot
of “This is data dump, delete it.” I still data dump. Can’t help it, its part
of my draft process. Oh and then there was telling verses showing. I was like
WTF is that? But everyone offered me
suggestions that helped. They told me what worked and what didn’t.
I learned so much
from my CPs and I’m still learning more every day I write or talk to other
authors. So if you’re hesitating about
joining a group, don’t. Just jump in with both feet. And remember the ALL
authors started know nothing to very little.
My crit group is
also where I discovered Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series. I started
reading the stories in the multi-author series and wanted to write one.
Ravished Before Sunrise
By
Lia Davis
Blurb:
Born with the
unusual ability to see what truly lies in the shadows, Emalee Black is stuck
between two worlds, the paranormal and the human. Neither one accepts or
understands her and she's forced to live a quiet, boring life in hiding. When
her best friend mentions 1Night Stand dating service, Ema chooses a role-playing
adventure straight out of her romantic fantasies. She's to hunt her very own
vampire and have her wicked way him.
Vampire Darian
Wyman is surprised when his daughter signs him up for a one-night stand with an
exclusive matching agency. At first he's appalled by the idea, but as he reads
the details of the date he becomes intrigued. For one night he will get away
from the life he has long grown tired of to be hunted and captured by a
would-be huntress. But he has plans of his own for his little vixen.
However, when
Darian discovers the truth about Ema's inhuman abilities, the date could end
before it gets started.
Excerpt
Darian logged
into his email account. An unusual message flashed in his inbox. Madame Eve
with 1Night Stand. Why did that sound familiar?
A vague
recollection of his daughter mentioning the dating service two weeks before
came to mind and he growled. God, please tell me she didn’t. He skimmed through
the email and snatched the phone from the desk.
“Hello, Father.”
A sweet and cheerful female voice answered after one ring.
“Where are you?”
“Shopping. Is
there a problem?”
“You know
anything about why I would receive a message from 1Night Stand?” He tried to
stay calm and not overreact. The email
could be a mistake. Maybe Kat had nothing to do with it.
“Oh! She found a
match so soon? That’s great. You’ll have fun.”
Fun? “Katrina, I didn’t request to be set up on a date. I
can’t go meet a complete stranger and….” he scanned the email again. “…and
spend the night with her?”
“Oh, Daddy,
please. This is my gift to you. Now be the adult and have fun.” Her sweet tone
did nothing to soothe his growing annoyance.
“Kat….”
“I’m sick of you
moping around the mansion. You need a change in your life. Besides, when was
the last time you had sex?”
Now available at Decadent
Publishing | Amazon
| ARe
About Lia
Lia Davis is a
mother to two young adults and two very special, equally different kitty cats.
She’s a wife to her soul mate, who drives her crazy during editing/revisions.
She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid
summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!
An accounting
major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The
wheels in her head never stop. She only recently became serious about
publishing her work and loves it more than she imagined. Writing is a stress
reliever that allows her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into
another world she created, leaving the day job where it belongs.
Her favorite
things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate,
coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.
