Picking up the Pieces with Rachel Thompson

Does it take more creative talent to make a reader laugh, or cry? It’s one of those age-old questions. Whatever the answer, Rachel Thompson possesses the writing chops to do both.

Readers may be familiar with Thompson’s humorous stories, and pervasive online presence, but in the nonfiction book Broken Pieces, she unveils another, darker side that’s just as powerful.

Child abuse, relationships gone bad, eating disorders, workplace harassment, suicide, redemption: it sounds like a laundry list of self-help items. Instead, Thompson bleeds emotions into this collection of short essays, and demonstrates the power of the psyche.

As a survivor of suicide myself – since that’s what they call those left behind – the connection Thompson makes of feelings of guilt, and not quite being able to leave it behind years later, rings true:

“Suicide is devastating for those left behind. I’m not his family. No longer lovers though still connected by invisible wires and time.”

In Broken Pieces, Thompson speaks of truths that touch the human condition – ones we can connect with.

“[Women] carry former lovers, long lost, inside our limbs. We feel their caresses, remember exactly how their tongues entwined with ours as our bodies melted, their eyes on ours as their entered us; even our cells remember the exquisite burn.”

 As a romance writer, it’s powerful material, and provides a glimpse into the psyche of a woman who’s been through a lot, and has come out even stronger.

Available via Amazon.

About Rachel Thompson

I’m a chick who writes stuff that sometimes makes you laugh, other times makes you cry...or at least think.

My top nonfiction books are as follows:

My first book, A Walk In The Snark, hit #1 on the Kindle Motherhood list September, 2011 (do you think they know I talk about sex? Shhh.) & it’s still on that list today! I was thrilled to find out that Snark had been nominated and achieved Best Nonfiction runner-up in The 2012 eFestival Of Words Awards!

It's not all funny, but it is all honest.

Site: http://RachelintheOC.com
Twitter: @RachelintheOC


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelThompsonauthor


Tour Information Page

Giveaway: 4 $25 Amazon gift cards + one ebook copy of Broken Pieces; 5 ebook copies of Broken Pieces.

http://blog.orangeberrypromo.com/2013/01/orangeberry-book-tours-broken-pieces-by-rachel-thompson/

Romancing the Pages with a First-Time Guest Blogger

Can you feel the excitement? A new writer with her first release! Keep an eye out for more from Alina K. Field, who is a chapter mate with OCC/RWA. Please give her a warm welcome.

I’m so excited to be here today, Louisa, because this is my very first GUEST BLOG!

I’m here today to talk about my short story, “A Valentine for Lily,” published in the anthology, Romancing the Pages. Lily Harris, the heroine of my story is a widow who runs her own florist shop. She loves Valentine’s Day; for her it’s “Black Friday” with a major dash of Love.

She is, however, a wee bit cynical about the sincerity of that once-a-year show of love. In fact, her favorite customer is a man who doesn’t do anything special on Valentine’s Day. The mysterious Christopher Randolph has Lily’s shop deliver beautiful bouquets weekly to Mrs. Sandra Randolph, and Lily is sure he is the most romantic husband in the world.

Or is he? Finding out the truth about Christopher will rock Lily’s ideas about romance, and Valentine’s Day, and happily-ever-after.

A Valentine for Lily, in the anthology Romancing the Pages, is one of nineteen tales of romance by members of the Orange County Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. From lush historicals, to contemporaries, to paranormals, Romancing the Pages features the multi-published Louella Nelson and sixteen fresh voices (including mine!), and is edited by published authors Debra Holland, Linda McLaughlin, and of course, the lovely Louisa Bacio. Romancing the Pages is available in both electronic and print editions.

Available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Thank you for having me today, Louisa.

Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but she found her true passion in reading and writing romance. Though her roots are in the Midwest, after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California and hasn’t looked back. She shares a midcentury home with her husband and a blue-eyed cat who conned his way in for dinner one day and decided the food was too good to leave. In addition to “A Valentine for Lily”, her Regency Christmas novella, “Rosalyn’s Ring” is coming in fall 2013 from Soul Mate Publishing. 
Visit her at alinakfield.com and on Twitter as @AlinaKField

Follow Alina on Twitter and leave her a comment here with a valid email address, and you'll be entered to win an electronic .pdf copy of Romancing the Pages!

Chocolate-Raspberry FROST Delight

When I invited Taryn Kincaid to visit, I had no idea we'd get such a *delicious* treat!

Hi, everyone!  So happy to be here.

So…how did Valentine’s Day treat you?

Everything you wanted it to be and more?

Yes? Awesome! You’re my heroine!

No? Well, maybe this delicioso drink recipe, given to me by a reader, Carol LaGatta, will help soothe the pain. I personally am dying to try it, Valentine’s Day or no Valentine’s Day.

I’m calling it Chocolate-Raspberry FROST Delight (You, of course can call it anything you choose, including Chocolate-Raspberry Martini.)

Vanilla Vodka (or go crazy and try it with Fluffed marshmallow-flavored vodka)
Creme de Cacao
Half and Half  (or really go nuts and squirt in some real whipped cream)
Chocolate Syrup

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass, lined with chocolate syrup
Garnish glass with sliced strawberries or raspberries. (Fresh or FROZEN)

I think a few sips of that will get you all warm and mellow.

As will FROST:

BLURB:

Dagney Night, a sought-after succubus, is no stranger to blazing hot sex. But as Valentine’s Day approaches, she longs for something more. When oddly erotic paintings arrive for display at her art gallery, arousing everyone who views them, she wonders about the mysterious artist who created the works.

Maxwell Raines, a fire-sex demon, lives a life of solitude and seclusion behind the walls of his compound at Sleepy Hollow, channeling his lustful impulses into his art—until his muse deserts him and his temperature rises past the danger point. He needs sex. Now.

When Madame Evangeline arranges a torrid Valentine’s 1Night Stand for them, will the flames of their encounter be too hot to handle?

EXCERPT:

Dagney followed her sister’s glance, and her heart flipped like a gymnast unable to nail a vault. Darkness swathed the gallery with the exception of the lights above or below each of the paintings. The large man emerging from the shadows held her rapt. Waves of pure, unadulterated lust smacked her with such force she didn’t even see Lily and Campbell leave. The blast of raw desire crumpled her to the floor. Her gaze remained riveted on the tall hunk of ferocious male stalking toward her, radiating undiluted carnality. He set something carefully on the floor and grasped her by the elbows, his touch surprisingly gentle when he lifted her to her feet.

“I’m Maxwell Raines.”

Yeah. No kidding. Who else could a guy so hot, so studly, possibly be?

She told herself not to swoon. Ordered herself not to swoon. But, Goddess, that rumbling voice. More potent than a train barreling over the tracks. And he smelled so good. Sinfully masculine. A bit of musk, a bite of pine, an essence of dark, smoky nights. Sexy scents. Reminiscent of tangled satin sheets that had been given a good work-out.

Her legs turned to rubber, and she doubted they’d support her on their own. She’d be mortified if he’d have to scrape her puddled body up again. But he hadn’t yet relaxed his grip. Could she bullshit her way through the meeting without collapsing? “You’re late,” she said.

“I’m never late.”

“Well, the party’s over, Mr. Raines.” She waved a hand around the empty room.

“Depends on your perspective.”

“You’re big on perspective, are you?”

“I’m a painter.” A brief shrug accompanied his blunt words. “Obvious connection.”

“Right. But as you can see, everyone’s left.”

“You haven’t.” He gazed down at her, a black brow flaring. “And you’re what I’m here for.”

BUY: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Decadent | ARe| Smashwords | BookStrand | CoffeeTime

Video:  http://youtu.be/vAb-QB6nib8

Taryn Kincaid lives in beautiful Bora Bora. Or wishes she did. When she's not parasailing up and down the Hudson River, taking care of her aging pet walrus, or volunteering at the local animal shelter [oh, HELL, no], she loves to arrange her voodoo doll-pin collection and practice chanting. Taryn is dedicated to eradicating the Kardashians and Honey Boo-Book from the face of the earth, along with The Bieb and sparkly vampires. At this moment, she is busy adjusting the tin foil to throw the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) off her trail. She hangs around a lot on Facebook and Twitter with her trillions of fans and pops in at Goodreads from time to time. You can catch her on her website, http://tarynkincaid.com, and her blog, http://dreamvoyagers.blogspot.com where she lives for comments!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Leave me a comment and I’ll send a random commenter some chocolate and swag!

Exclusive LR Cafe Giveaway

Ready to get the party started? I'm chatting over at the LR Café and have an exclusive Valentine's giveaway for participants. (You have to enter a certain "password" to enter!) Yes, I'm teasing everyone else here, but come on! I need to post the pictures somewhere!

The Package looking all pretty.

The goodies inside: M&Ms, bracelet, bubble bath, Godiva chocolate rice krispy. Follow me on Twitter, and sending me the password via Twitter, Facebook or email. (Details available on the loop.) U.S. only shipping for this one, sorry. Contest ends 10 p.m. PST on Thursday, Feb. 14 (want those on digest to have a chance to enter!)

LR Café Chat!

Louisa Bacio joins us 1-4 p.m. est; Adrianne Brennan drops in 7-10 pm est

All chats are in Eastern Standard Time (USA) and you must be a member of the yahoo group to participate. Joining is easy. Just go to http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/loveromancescafe

Mirabella’s Mardi Gras Ménage

Constantly under the watchful eye of her Voodoo priestess aunt, Mirabella longs to break free during the events of Mardi Gras. Escapades draw her into the arms of Marguerite, a fiery redhead with a passion for life, and Nick, a familiar vampire who’s haunted by his transformation and past.

What starts as a new experience – a Mardi Gras Ménage – soon turns deadly, and none of their lives will ever be the same. 

Available via Ravenous Romance, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other eRetailers.

Hope to see you there!

Louisa Bacio

http://www.louisabacio.com 

http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio

http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio