For the January Challenge at the Reading Romances blog, I chose to read Heist Society by Ally Carter!

This book probably wasn’t officially classified as romance, because the main plot is more of an adventure with a much bigger focus than a couple of teenagers falling in love, and yet I enjoyed the characters and the way they grew together despite the stress of the job put stress on the friendship and budding romance.

From the opening scene with Kat getting kicked out of a boarding school she conned her way into – because she was set up by the guy from her previous career as a thief, (the guy she’s crushing on) – you know you’re in for a great read.

Loved the research, the world building for this novel in all the various settings. And I loved the way the history was woven in – a part of the story without being obtrusive.

As for the primary relationship – this is a reading romances challenge – I thought it was well-crafted and appropriate.

If Kat isn’t an alpha female in training I’m not sure who would be. She’s decisive, brave and determined!

Both Kat and Hale are strong personalities and the push and pull of their friendship and the angst of caring for someone bent on putting themselves in risky situations meant turmoil and a bit of humor as they struggled through their feelings. The emotional tension was high and the stakes for each character even higher.

Without adding spoilers or giving it all away, I’ll just say that I zipped through this book. The characterization, the globe trotting setting, the money – the ART! It was a fascinating and delightful and exciting read.

Here’s a link so you can find your own copy of  Heist Society. 

Live the adventure!

Remember, you can join the Reading Romances challenge any time this year. It’s designed to be fun for readers and authors alike!

What does it mean to be an alpha female in paranormal romance or urban fantasy novels? In the real world it seems as though we equate the term alpha female with bitchy bosses, tough women in male dominated jobs, or family matriarchs.

In fiction it seems alpha female is personified by Lara Croft and the urban fantasy type characters who followed. Can a quiet type of woman be an alpha female in fiction?

Bestselling urban fantasy at Smashwords.com

For Trina, the heroine of Tracking Shadows, it’s pretty easy to tag her as alpha female since she’s one of the best assassins in the industry. She knows how to take care of herself and her business.

More recently, as I got to know my character Mira, the heroine of the next 2096 novel (look for it in December 2011) I figured she had to be an alpha female. It is a 2096 book after all, and readers expect strong leading ladies in my adventures.

Which is fine. I prefer writing kick butt heroines actually. But I discovered Mira is strong in a different way. She’s a loner, by necessity, and she’s made her own way in a world that is not very receptive to her particular strengths.

Mira is a healer. Making people better goes beyond vocation or calling, it’s more like a compulsion, an integral part of her very soul. And while she’s made tough choices and gotten creative to keep herself out of trouble, she isn’t a martial arts master like Jaden (Justice Incarnate) or Kelly (Veil of Justice).

She’s not even quite like Petra (Invasion of Justice) who was also a quieter heroine.

I think an integral part of Mira’s growth through her adventure and romance with Jameson is finding a way to define and empower herself as a person, not just the mysterious nurse who heals with a touch.

Turns out Mira is an alpha female character who has to build on her inherent strengths to become a complete person ready to embrace her own happy ever after.

Live the adventure!

Since my back injury eighteen months ago, I’ve watched my world contract with modification after limitation after restriction. I used to do kickboxing workouts four times a week that made me feel more like my alpha female characters. Now, maybe once a week I seriously modify and pretend I’m kicking butt.

Hey, mind over matter, right?

I used to run, now I can’t keep up with women twice my age walking through the grocery store. It’s comical really. But I miss running. No matter how many times I tell my docs that studies show running is easier on the back than sitting, they still won’t approve it. There’s talk of a wheelchair. Gah!

That’s probably why my alpha female characters can do everything I wish I could do. Granted, I was never a martial arts expert like Jaden of Justice Incarnate. These days I probably relate best to Petra of Invasion of Justice. As an empath, she is ‘physically’ quieter than Jaden, but no less of an alpha female.

The deeper I get into the next 2096 novel, featuring the healer Mira, the more I wish her special abilities were real. Seriously. If you only knew how often I dream about Warf’s spine transplant from the Star Trek Next Generation series.

You know, I used to clean and vacuum the whole house in one day. Now I’m not supposed to do it at all. Okay, admittedly, the no-cleaning thing isn’t such a bad development. Unless you’re like me: an alpha female who likes things done when she wants them done, rather than when a family member can get it done.

Don’t think for a moment I’m not grateful for the help – I AM! My family has been awesome through all of this. It’s just me getting used to a completely different routine and lifestyle. It’s quite a challenge to keep up the alpha female, don’t mess with mom routine when your kids know you can’t last half a minute in a tickle fight.

So I’ve worked around it, accepted that every activity will go through the automatic pros and cons evaluation in my head, and I’ve revised my expectations.

The best news? The benefits of running versus sitting aside, these new limits mean I’m spending more time than ever with all the alpha female characters in my head who want a chance to kick butt in their own stories.

Live the adventure!

Hmm, is the world building for a paranormal romance novel really any different when the leading ladies are kick-butt, take charge kind of characters? The easy answer is no…and yet on some level it has to be.

No, the the settings of a paranormal romance novel don’t have to be bigger than life, imaginary places. World building for a paranormal romance novel can be equally effective in a known metropolitan area or a fictitious small town, U.S.A. If the author has taken the time to develop that world to the point that it’s an even match for the bigger than life alpha female character.

As both a reader and a writer, I believe it comes down to emphasizing the risk. An alpha female character is, by definition, going to be an independent sort, able to take care of herself, and willing to take chances to reach her goal or support her cause. The world building has to be dynamic and challenging enough to match her.

Think of world building as all about the rules for the playground your characters are using. In the case of alpha female characters, you don’t want them to overshadow or be able to conquer that world too easily. And you don’t want them to be bored by the villains or potential heroes who are also playing in that playground.

Much like you need romantic leads to be equals in intensity to offer the enticing conflict that carries a story, the risks in the world you build for your paranormal romance novel have to be enough of a danger, enough of a threat, without overshadowing the adventure itself.

So rather than elaborate on a drawing room’s lovely decor, when world building for a paranormal romance with an alpha female, you’d put that descriptive spotlight on the danger of said decor. Is there someone or something in that room that poses an immediate danger to your kick-butt leading lady?

When writing an alpha female who is master of her universe, or striving to be, any interruption to her controlled routine offers opportunity to build conflict and emphasize the risks she must overcome to reach her goal. The more you put into those dangers and risks, the more immersed the reader becomes in your world building and the more they care about your alpha female character.

Live the adventure!

Be sure to stop by Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews before August 13th to enter for the latest giveaway! See you there!

Yup, it’s time again for a another alpha female post on determination and inspiration.  Hope you’re not tired of those yet…because they’re part of my daily life as I continue to struggle with my new physical limitations.

I suppose my can-do attitude battery is getting a major recharge because my first born, the brilliant daughter, is heading off to college in a few weeks. Watching her go through the process, taking care of the details only she can handle, makes me proud of her independent spirit. A trait I’d like to think I influenced at least a little.

(Hey, mothers are allowed a few delusions…)

She’s always been ‘delightfully’ headstrong and brave in daunting circumstances. In short, she’s an alpha female all the way. We’ve encouraged her to develop her own opinions, to express them with tact and care, but above all, to recognize and appreciate her strengths.

Physical labor is no longer one of my strengths, so as the family planned who will drive her to campus and move her into the dorm, it seemed obvious Dad would go and I’d stay home and take care of the domestic zoo. But the brilliant daughter wanted me to see her new school, to be in on that experience, and honestly though it’s not smart physically, I want that too.

When you have two alpha female personalities set on a plan or idea, things tend to go that direction. After all, alpha females as business women, stay at home moms, or even paranormal romance authors like to get things done. Preferably their way, but done is the key word.

So while I can’t lift anything heavier than a pillow, I will be a part of that special day when my brilliant daughter takes the next step on her journey to becoming an independent alpha female. (I sure hope there’s an elevator…)

Live the adventure!

Ready for a fictional alpha female story? You’re in the right place, because alpha female heroines are my favorite brand. Check out my novels on the Books by Regan page, Amazon, or Smashwords.

Recently an interviewer asked me to explain the difference between urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels and where my books fit in. I had to laugh because when I started the Shadows of Justice series, publishing was a whole different world and urban fantasy wasn’t yet defined as such. Anything with a romantic element that wasn’t contemporary or a space odyssey was labeled paranormal romance.

In the near future of 2096 Jaden Michaels (heroine of Justice Incarnate) is a kick-butt, alpha female character of the highest order. She lives in her own world. In many ways like the classic alpha male archetype character, she stands apart from her community, aloof but not indifferent – though it might look that way on the surface.

Now as authors and publishers grow with new books and seek new ways to label and cross promote those books so readers can find them, the alpha female character has become a defining point between paranormal romance novels and urban fantasy.

Not every book with a kick butt alpha female character is an urban fantasy. Alpha females show up in all genres – and it’s a good thing too. Debra Webb’s new contemporary detective/mystery novel, Dirty, stars Jackie Mercer: a woman who is most definitely an alpha female character.

There are other factors too between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Setting is one: urban fantasy settings are primarily, well, urban. But wait! Paranormal romance novels can be set in urban areas too. Or suburban, or even a quaint biker bar in the middle of nowhere.

Welcome to the world of cross-over labeling. As I told the interviewer, I’ll always think of myself as a paranormal romance author first, maybe because that’s where I started. Probably more because I have a tendency to write improbable and not-yet-possible character traits and scenarios, but I just can’t shake that romantic happy ever after angle.

While the urban fantasy genre doesn’t hold exclusive rights to the alpha female character, that kick butt heroine does help define the genre for readers who want a story with a strong female lead ready to go the distance to get what she needs.

Live the adventure!

Be sure to check out Smashwords in July for great reads on the Summer/Winter sale event and the 99 cent Network for year long deals!

Why is it so hard to do the thing you know will work? As a paranormal romance author, I love to write imaginative, daring stories with fun, kick-butt alpha female characters.

Recently, I’ve mentioned how much more effective I am when I work at Grandma’s desk, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why I resist sitting down at the antique secretary. The last few days have been a silly internal debate as I compare the mundane to-do list with the to-be-written list.

Maybe it’s time -again – for me to re-read the War of Art, a book all about overcoming inherent resistance in the creative process. Maybe it’s time for a booster shot to get my head back to that alpha female author of my own destiny place.

The concept sounds ridiculous – especially to me – when I know in my heart and my head how much I enjoy writing. I’m happier when I’m working on a new book, more content as I make daily progress. Yet, admittedly, I often give in to the myriad distractions that keep me out of the chair.

Sure laundry needs done, social media needs tending, dust bunnies need named or vacuumed, but as a paranormal romance author, the story obviously needs time too.

My paranormal romance novel in progress needs the very best I can offer and if I can only manage an hour in my prime creative time it’s become increasingly obvious my best hour will be spent at my grandmother’s desk. Where I’ve just rattled off several blog posts in the span of 40 minutes. Not surprising to have more evidence that I need to keep myself at Grandma’s desk.

Sometimes no matter what we know, no matter if we’re paranormal romance authors, housewives, or engineers, we still have to be willing to pit ourselves against the perceived distractions and do the alpha female thing to accomplish what’s best for the moment, the project, or the career.

Live the adventure!

Blog Tour!

Please join me today at Reading Between the Wines – for the continuing Tracking Shadows blog tour!

I admit it’s a sweet fantasy to write all day long, traveling leisurely through the writing process with my characters from “Once upon a time” to “The End”.

But let’s get real. With a husband, two teenagers, three adopted greyhounds, two cats, four finches, and several fiction and non-fiction titles to promote, writing paranormal romance novels all day long is a pipe dream, even for an author with an alpha female attitude.

When I only have minutes for my writing, I sit down at my grandmother’s desk, the one I inherited when she passed away. There’s something restful that washes over me when I settle there. It must be something about working where she worked that frees me, enabling the words to pour from my hands to the computer.

Oddly, and a fabulous bonus, is that after spending even an hour at grandma’s desk, the feeling carries over, allowing me to be more productive into the evenings if necessary, despite being surrounded by end of day family chatter and the gunfire and explosions of my son’s gaming habit.

She was a writer, and a mom, and the primary financial officer of her household and several business endeavors. A real alpha female of her time. Looking back over her life, it amazes me all she accomplished with such a steady pace and loving heart. She was a get it done sort of person, the person others came to for guidance. No task too big or too small, she assessed, planned, and took action.

The first time I dared to write at grandma’s desk it was simply to change up my perspective (and detach from the Internet). I thought the increased productivity was a fluke: Just a granddaughter seeking any tangible connection to her  influential and supportive grandma. But getting it done and meeting the word count happens with tender and alarming consistency.

It doesn’t matter if I’m writing blog posts, interviews, or kick butt alpha female action scenes for the next paranormal romance novel. At her desk, I get it done.

It’s peaceful. Energizing. Crafting my stories in the place where grandma focused so much of her own time is inspiring me on a level deeper than intellect, more poignant than simple memory. It’s heart, and love, and family.

Generation to generation, writer to writer.

Live the adventure!

Fair warning. I don’t usually post when I’m cranky, but this has to be said.

I’m a self-proclaimed voracious reader and proud of it. I own a kindle and I absolutely love that too. I believe eReaders are a fantastic invention and since I switched I read a wider variety of authors and genres, usually at a faster pace. I find it a great advantage to be able to go from an old favorite to a new escape read to a reference guide with just the touch of a button.

But the more I read on my kindle, the more I expand my own business into the independent market, the more infuriated I get by recent established publisher pricing and packaging.

Let me preface the pending rant by explaining I want authors to make money. As a paranormal romance author, I appreciate the hard work that goes into creating any book of quality. And as an alpha female, take charge author who’s been traditionally published I understand errors in formatting and book design aren’t always within an author’s control.

But I’m damned tired of paying for absolute crap when it comes to ebooks provided by traditional publishers.

When the only options were hardcover or paperback, I would usually wait for paperback, unless it was a favorite or highly anticipated. Then I’d save up, or use the  welcome coupons from booksellers. If the book had a few typos I’d be irritated, if it was flat out printed incorrectly, I’d return it.

Now it seems at least two major publishers want me to pay paperback prices, or even higher ‘discount’ hardcover prices, for an ebook they haven’t bothered to proof for formatting errors.

I know mistakes happen in every format. I’m a type-A alpha female author and I embrace editing for the purposes of creating my best work in the story and in the formatting and I groan when some things still slip through. But lately the errors I’ve been forced to endure from the “major” publishers are so glaringly obvious it’s infuriating. If problems turn up in my work, I correct the file. I consider it good customer service.

This latest trend of pricing ebooks over $9.99 is ridiculous. I understand tangible book prices are going up simply because all prices are going up. I want authors to be paid well, because hey, I’m an author too. But I guarantee if publishers put a poorly designed paperback on a bookstore shelf priced at $24.99 it would sit there until the bookstore shipped it back to the warehouse.

There are three different products now. Hardcover, paperback (and trade paperback), and ebook. Each product has different attributes and related expenses, and it doesn’t take a genius to know they should be dealt with differently in both the contract and retail pricing plan. (Konrath addressed this again recently) Ebooks are the least expensive to create and once created – properly – really have no further costs associated with the distribution.

No shipping, no warehousing, and infrequent returns.

As a customer and an alpha female sort of person, I am increasingly offended by what appears to be the assumption that ebook readers don’t care – or worse – don’t deserve a quality product.

Sure the author’s story is there – somewhere. Lousy formatting and style errors interrupt the experience and just piss me off. I really want to support my favorite traditionally published authors, but I can’t justify laying out $14.99 or more for an ebook that I don’t trust to be formatted correctly based on previous experience with that publisher. Thank heaven for libraries to tide me over until quality and pricing improves.

Hey, I understand technology glitches happen, but I also know enough about reading and formatting to recognize sloppy and lazy when it happens.

There. Rant over. The reader’s positive experience with an ebook should be of utmost concern to every publisher and I’m grateful for publishers and indie authors who take the time and care to deliver a quality product.

Live the adventure!

The 4th week of March is clean your closet week. Really. I know you just couldn’t live without that information. As an alpha female author and self-declared queen of my domain, I must say this week is pertinent. It’s timely. And this year, as I just finished the Tracking Shadows paranormal romance adventure, it seems my timing is finally perfect!

Having put ‘The End’ on the rough draft I can now indulge in some serious closet cleaning just in time for ‘clean your closet week’. No surprise that this special week falls in the heart of spring and therefore connects nicely with the general notion of spring cleaning.

I’m not sure why my alpha female brain has linked finishing a manuscript with closet cleaning, but it seems to happen that way every time I finish a full length paranormal romance novel. I fight the urge to clear out excess at the tail end of the first draft, then go crazy when ‘The End’ is finally on the page, launching a giveaway frenzy of whatever we haven’t used since before I started the book.

For my pack-rat family who knows me so well, ‘The End’ of a book is bittersweet. While they no longer have to nudge and encourage me about the manuscript, and they enjoy the completed novel celebration, they now have to be on guard that I’ll toss something just because I don’t see the inherent value in it. (think damaged CD players, broken toys, or even -gasp- old magazines).

It sounds harsh, I know, but I just don’t believe in dusting that which isn’t functional.

But really, this week they can relax. This time around, to celebrate clean your closet week, I’ll be focused on my own closet which has languished far too long gathering chaos and junk that didn’t fit anywhere else before Christmas.

Yes, I noticed it’s the end of March – precisely why this so desperately needs done. As I dive into my next fiction project (which is quite likely to star an alpha female or two), I can savor the beginning explorations of story and character while I pitch ill-fitting clothes, outdated shoes, or other junk that just doesn’t fit in anymore.

It’s a win-win!

Live the adventure!