Seven Days

Okay, so I've gone back and forth about whether I was going to share more than the blurb for this book several times over the last couple of weeks. I'm almost to the half way point in writing it and I'm DYING to share some of it with you.

First, I need to address the elephant in the room: Anton's story. I am still working on it- I promise! However, as a writer, I'm discovering there are books that you WANT to write and books that you NEED to write. I WANT to write Anton's story, but I NEED to write Carrie's. Both will be finished this year, as well as Lucian's- however, Carrie's will be finished first. I hope you'll all understand and join me for this book that is quickly becoming my favorite.

As soon as I finish the first draft, it will be up and available for pre-order at Smashwords and their affiliates.

Please don't forget to add it to your TBR list on Goodreads: Seven Days

Here is the unedited prologue for the book. Please be aware that it is subject to change before it is published.


Prologue

 

Ever do something that you know almost immediately it might just be the biggest mistake you’ve ever made? That’s what happened the night I walked away from Ryan. I could feel those sad amber eyes following me as I rounded the corner of the restaurant.  Slumping against the unforgiving gray brick wall when I was sure he wasn’t going to follow me, I let the tears I’d been holding back cascade down my swollen face.

After allowing myself a few minutes to wallow in my misery, I pushed off the wall and started walking again. I knew I had to make it back home before they found out I was leaving. It was bad enough he knew where I’d been last week. I couldn’t leave my sister in that kind of danger, but I needed to get my emotions under control before I got behind the wheel of my car.

“Carrie,” I heard from the side of the building. His voice just on the edge of desperation, tinged with receding tears and emotion. “Look at you,” he sighed, as he reached my side and lifted a hesitant hand to my cheek. “You don’t want to do this. Don’t do this,” he pleaded, coaxing my eyes to his. “Don’t do this,” he repeated, moving his hand to stroke my loose auburn locks. I wanted to melt into him, let him fix everything, but I knew that was impossible.

“I wish it were my choice, Ryan,” I told him, letting him see just how much this decision was affecting me. “I’d do anything to fix it, but I have to get her out of here- get us out of here before something terrible happens,” I choked out before I broke his embrace and ran to my dilapidated early 90’s model Ford Escort. Fumbling with the keys, I threw my bag inside before sitting behind the steering wheel, trying to convince myself to not look back. Then I started the car that would take me away from him.

 

I never believed in soul mates, or in one person for the rest of your life, but Ryan is someone I could see waking up to every morning. Forever and beyond. I couldn’t stay here anymore though. I had made a promise to myself and my little sister, Britton, and I planned to keep it, even if it meant leaving behind the only man I’d ever love.

 

Writing Process Blog Hop

I was tagged by the incomparable Laura Brown to participate in this author blog hop. I was happy to participate because I love writing and am happy to have the opportunity to share my process and tag another writer to continue the chain!

Here is a little bit about Laura:

Laura Brown lives in Massachusetts with her quirky abnormal family. Laura and her three cats are “differently abled.” Laura is hard of hearing, her oldest cat is deaf and partially blind, and the other two cats have cerebellar hyplasia (they shake, and they don’t find it endearing). The “normal” members of her family include her husband, who has put up with her since high school, and her young son who enjoys “typing” on Mommy’s laptop and has agreed to take full blame for all spelling errors.

You can find out more here: http://laurabrownauthor.com/ 

She just released her first novel: Lila's Choice, which is a wonderful story about two people who learn to never let their friends and students get too involved in their personal life. It can be purchased on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Lilas-Choice-Laura-Brown-ebook/dp/B00IA6IKV2/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1394385774&sr=8-1&keywords=lila%27s+choice

Now, on to the questions:

What am I working on?

I usually work on 1 book at a time, but I've experienced a bit of a back up and am currently working on 3 books right now.

1. Never Ever After: Lucian's book, who is a supporting character in Love, but Never. He had his heartbroken in Love, but Never and has become kind of a cynic in the years since the end of the book, having spent the better part of a year in Iraq. When he gets home he realizes that life in Arizona has gone on without him and he feels like he no longer fits.

2. The currently untitled book for Anton: This is a spinoff of the Professor series. It will follow Anton and his partner, Sophie on their next big undercover project: a major player in Medicare fraud. As part of their training, Sophie and Anton will spend sometime together in close quarters, where chemistry takes control. Anton can't wait to show Sophie everything his lifestyle has to offer.

3. Seven Days: this book will be a departure from anything you've previously read from me. It is a dark romance with sex, violence and drug use.

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

I pride myself in trying to have heroes and heroines that let each other get a sentence out before getting angry. I like having characters that know how to effectively communicate with each other. One of my biggest pet peeves as a reader is easily solved misunderstandings.

Other than that, I'd say that each of my books is different from the other books I've written. I pride myself on trying to keep my stories fresh. I read too many cookie cutter books from authors. That's not to say that I don't love every single one, but I try to write a different story every time.

Why do I write what I do?

I write because I have to. I feel like I have no choice but to put pen to paper to get everything jumping around in my head down and out. I write romance because that's what appeals to me as a reader. I am a sucker for a happy ending, even if it's so syrupy sweet it makes my teeth hurt.

How does my writing process work?

Some authors outline, some authors pre-write, some authors plan... I cherry pick what I do, but mostly I just sit down and write. I don't try to censor anything that comes out of my head until I've written it all down. I reread everything I wrote the day before and do a small edit. I try to keep it as organic as possible and depend on betas and close friends during the revision process, because I have the tendency to edit/revise out the emotion in the story in favor of beating a dead horse.

Be sure to keep up with the chain next week:

Brittainy Cherry has been in love with words since the day she took her first breath. She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her loved ones and loves a great romance. The Space In Between is her debut novel and she looks forward to the world being able to read it! Other hobbies that she loves to take part in are writing screenplays, acting, and dancing--poorly of course. Coffee, chai tea, and wine are three things that she thinks every person should partake in! When she's not running around and crafting stories, she's probably playing with her wonderfully adorable fur babies who she loves to death!
You can find her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/BrittainyCherryAuthor and at goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7121791.Brittainy_C_Cherry

You can pick up her debut book here: http://www.amazon.com/Space-Between-Brittainy-Cherry-ebook/dp/B00EG37XTI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1394386879

Never have I ever...

Life is crazy sometimes.  I'm participating in a writers' blog chain on Monday where I'll be talking about my "process." So stay tuned for that!!

In the meantime, I started writing a new book last week. Much like The Professor, this book has hijacked my brain and is not letting go! My betas aren't completely happy with me because I finally getting to the good part of the Anton and Sophie's story.

Anyway...the new book is called Seven Days and here is the synopsis:

I don’t sleep until my body gives me no choice. I go until the last drop of energy is zapped from my bones and my muscles are too weak to keep my eyes from closing. Only then am I able to achieve true peace: A slumber without dreams, without memories of my real life nightmare. I thought I was escaping my past, finally running toward the future I deserved.

Until I met Ryan. One week with him had me questioning everything I was sure I wanted out of my life. Being with him means I can’t leave my past behind. Being without him might just kill me anyway.

One week destroyed everything.

One Week shattered my dreams

One week I lived in the sun

But the darkness never truly fades.

 

 

Be sure to add it to your TBR list on Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20992810-seven-days

 

If the writing Gods all align for me, I'm hoping to have it out by July!