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Tag: How to train your knight

NEW WORDPRESS THEME

NEW WORDPRESS THEME

Published by stella on January 27, 2016

OMG! I uploaded a new more mobile-friendly wordpress theme last night.

Then, of course, it crashed. Bad news.

Good news. I called my service provider, (netfirms), the increased the cache size, and Woo Hoo! Here we go.

Bad news? Time to go to work.

Good news? I’ll work on it tonight.

Bear with me while I maximize it! When I checked my stats, almost all my visits are via mobile. Doh.

Thanks, as always, you guys, for stopping by.  Can you leave a comment to see if that is working?

Thanks so much! oh yea… don’t forget to download my book and…

stop by later… I have this HUGE secret to share about my next book.

 

 

CLICK COVER TO ORDER

bestseller - Copy

bestseller - Copy

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How do I write a novel?

How do I write a novel?

Published by stella on January 26, 2016

IT’s 7:17 AM, and I’ve been up since 4:30, writing.

 

I usually get up at 5:30, but I’m working through the last chapter of my second draft and can’t sleep.  The urge to write is too great.
 
What do I mean about my drafts?
 
First, I think of a premise, a what if. For my last book it went something like this. What if there was a noble woman, who refused to be married, and shot arrows at her suitors?
 
Next, I meet the characters, and we talk. I get them to agree about the high-level plot.
 
(In this book, the heroine refused to be anything less than a queen. It took some doing to find a one, other than Edward’s wife. That is why we visit the Isle of Man.)
 
Then, I write down landing points that we all agree upon. This works better than an outline because, generally, my characters refuse to be corralled. I learned this in book one. Now I can prevent endless rewrites.
I talk to them about their goals, motivation, and conflict and I write these down so I can remind them if they get out of hand.
 
Only then, do I release them into their world. I follow them around  and write down what they say. When people ask if I get writer’s block, I laugh. How is that possible. I can barely keep up. Occasionally, if I get a moment. I jot  down a bit of scenery. This is the first draft.
The second draft, where I am now, I add everything else. Sights, sounds, angst, inner thoughts, and scenery. Google becomes my dearest  friend. This is where the real writing takes place.
 
I have targeted to start the third draft in Feb. I will edit my own work for the poetry of the words and hand off to my husband who will fix my grammar, spelling, and find holes in my plots.
Then, I will give my romance novel to a few honest Beta readers and consider their suggestions at length. Some changes will be made. Some not.
 
After this, I am ready to share my work with my publisher’s editor. At this point, it should be almost perfect.
 
She will make some suggestions. I usually agree with all and we send back and forth perhaps two or three  times.

 

Voila! A novel!

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Midwest Review gives ‘How to Marry Your Wife’ a rating of ‘exquisite’

Published by stella on January 11, 2016

How to Marry Your Wife #4c copy

 $3.99 or available on Kindle Unlimited.
Soul Mate Publishing
by Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer
Fans of Alden’s prior book How to Train Your Knight might remember the protagonist Thomas in her latest How to Marry Your Wife, who was featured under main character Marcus in the first book.  Set in England in 1276, Templar Knight Sir Thomas D’Agostine has found the ideal woman with whom he will handfast; only a love potion hastens matters and changes their lives – and this is only the beginning.

Anticipate the same solid attention to medieval history and detailed sexual scenes as in How to Train Your Knight; only from a different perspective as a minor character assumes major proportions in this novel. Time moves swiftly using two different, alternating timelines identified by chapter headings, so readers need to be on their toes to absorb a satisfyingly fast-paced story line that revolves around romance.

But the marriage (when it happens) is a farce and is completed only because Thomas won’t have Merry bedding another man nor raising his son, and so love seems to vanish as the consequences of sex and love potions evolve. It’s not often that a brand new bride hates her husband before the marriage takes place, but Merry has been branded a harlot because of Thomas, and her hatred of him is just as intense as her reluctantly ongoing attraction.

The process of turning hate into love and rekindling more than the physical fires of passion is the theme of a rollicking good medieval read that infuses its protagonists with the lingo, culture and social mores of its times, yet includes a healthy dose of sexual description for spicy reading.

Romance readers with an affinity for early history will relish its passionate, powerful protagonists and their diametrically opposing personalities, and will find this saga of scoundrels, secrets, idiots and wise men (and women) is filled with satisfying medieval atmosphere and twists and turns of plot.

Under Alden’s hand, the sexual encounters reinforce and flavor events and the juxtaposition of battle scenes, romance, and the era’s political overtones is exquisite. There’s no need for either a prior familiarity with How to Train Your Knight or with medieval history and culture. As events unfold, Thomas and Merry are continually challenged both in their stormy relationships and in their stubborn natures which will ultimate lead to not just survival, but real love.

Without revealing spoilers, suffice it to say that the conclusion of How to Marry Your Wife leaves the door wide open for more – and readers who relish historical romances will welcome this possibility!

 

 

 

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StellaMarieAlden’s New Year’s Resolutions

StellaMarieAlden’s New Year’s Resolutions

Published by stella on January 7, 2016

Putting Medieval Romances aside for a moment.

I usually make my goals in the summertime, but maybe this year, I will do it with the resolutionary crowd. (That’s what we call them at the gym. A term reserved for the Jan, Feb, folks who are gone by March.)

I already exercise six hours a week, eat healthy, and have a attitude of gratitude. I get up at 5:30 AM, seven days a week, and write for at least two solid hours a day, (more on the weekend.)

I dream big. I love fully. I am grateful for all God’s graces.

I have a roof over my head, enough to eat, and enough to pay my bills.  I have a growing retirement account so I can write all day long…some day.

Last year, I wrote two books. This year I would like to write three.

Last year I learned how to post on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. This year I would like to share more of that social media knowledge and help other authors be successful.

Last year, I wrote my first two books, and they were Amazon Bestsellers. This year, I would like to double my sales.

This year I would like to hold my tongue when it would tear down, and teach it to be more encouraging.

This year, I would like to take one political issue, such as gun control, and take a stand, and make a difference, even if it’s only minuscule.

Next year, at this time, I will sigh, and smile, and know I did my best to be more.

US: http://ow.ly/WjTXG
CA: http://ow.ly/WjU15
UK: http://ow.ly/WjU58

Log into the fun
backbend

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New Year’s In Rome

Published by stella on December 31, 2015

20151229_085138[1]

Hi All,
Leaving beautiful Soriano nel Cimino today and going back to Rome for the New Year! I have many beautiful pictures and dreams of knights and heroines to bring home with me. The ghosts of these people walk the streets and night and call to me to write their love stories!

My First Books Are here:
Please enjoy!

How To Marry Your Wife

How To Marry Your Wife

How To Marry Your Wife

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Christmas Week in Italy – part Two

Published by stella on December 27, 2015

Soriano1

The view above is from the lounge of my hotel room. I just took a walk in the small market, bought a capello rosa and went to the Supermarcato. My husband, Rich, has the sniffles so we may take it easy today.

I learned about the history of this village, where an old woman warned the villagers of an approaching army. In my mind’s eye? It was a beautiful young woman, dressed as her grandmother. And so the imagination takes off.

If you want to read my first two books, here are the links:

US: Stella Marie Alden

Canada: Stella Marie Alden

UK: http://ow.ly/WltB

Soriano2

Soriano3

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THE BLOG EXTRAVAGANZA CONTINUES! $25 RAFFLE!

Published by stella on November 23, 2015

Hi to All of You AWESOME folks who landed here today!!!
 99CentsAndNever

First of all, I say Good luck on the $25 Raffle.

 

HERE IS THE LINK!!!
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f34356f18/

Secondly, I’ve had so many friends and new authors ask me these few questions.

What is a Blog Tour?
It’s a whole lot of websites who’ve agreed to host your content for a day, or a few days.

How can I get myself one of those?
I thank likeabossbookpromotionsblog@gmail.com for arranging this second of two wonderful tours.

I can get over forty folks to blog for me?
Well, it isn’t quite that easy. If you want to be successful, you should help promote the promoter! To do that, I suggest that you think to ‘give back.’ Create safe places where romance writers can post. You can make a Facebook page or a Goodreads group or a Pinterest board. Or find some new way! Tweet your favorite authors!

 

Medieval has never been better

 

Here is a list of bloggers who’ve agreed to share in my release day!! I have posted their Facebook and their Blog sites. I’ve also made sure to ‘tweet’ them all at least once today!

I’ve made sure they have a ‘never seen before’ excerpt!!!

You can catch us on FACEBOOK as well!!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/494523867375360/

THANK YOU ALL!!!

  • http://www.sugarandspicesmuttyandnice.com/ https://m.facebook.com/morrisonmagee?ref=bookmarks
    http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RomanceNovelGiveaways
    http://jjbookbangers.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jjbookbangers/
    Readinginsarahscorner.blogspot.com Https://www.facebook.com/readinginsarahscorner
    http://sweet-n-sassy-book-a-holics.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sweetnsassybookaholics
    https://m.facebook.com/ThePowerofThreeReaders?_rdr
    http://jodieswinelist.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/JodiesWINEListReviews
    http://hereiswhatireadblog.wordpress.com http://facebook.com/hereiswhatiread
    https://www.facebook.com/thecatsmeowbookstop/
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Books-Reviews-Virginia-Lee/650529651718400
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    https://m.facebook.com/badboysandbedtimestories/…
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    http://mbrennanbrokensisters.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MaureenBrennan.Author/
    http://lynnsloveofbooks.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/lynnsbookblog/
    agirlandherbooksblog.wordpress.com https://www.facebook.com/LoverOfAllBooks
    www.facebook.com/groups/bookdreams
    http://shoutoutreads.wordpress.com https://www.facebook.com/shoutoutreads/
    http://2gbgw.com/ https://www.facebook.com/2girlsabookandaglassofwine
    http://jazzyworldofebookshelf.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/Jazzyworldofebookshelf/
    Http://www.blowpopsbooks.wordpress.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/blowpopsbookreviews/
    http://fromchikawithlove.blogspot.co.il/ https://www.facebook.com/From-Chika-With-Love-184821012873…/
    http://twoangelsandadevil.com/ https://www.facebook.com/2FeistyAngelsandaDevil/
    http://anythingbutvanillablog.blogspot.com/ and http://digitaldirtygirlbookblog.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/AnythingButVanillaBookBlog/ and https://www.facebook.com/DigitalDirtyGirlBookBlog/
    https://book-loverblog14.blogspot.co.uk https://facebook.com/bookloverblog2014
    Http://www.SassyMomsSayReadRomance.com Https://www.facebook.com/SassyMomsSayReadRomance
    www.danisbookreviewblog.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/danisbookreviews
    http://fangirlmomentsandmytwocents.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/fangirlmomentsandmytwocents
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    http://love2readblog.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/love2readblog/
    http://dusgadh.weebly.com/my-book-blog www.facebook.com/bargain4books
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BLOG-A-THON Extravaganza!

BLOG-A-THON Extravaganza!

Published by stella on November 16, 2015

HOW TO MARRY YOUR WIFE by STELLA MARIE ALDEN

AMAZON BUY LINK

OVER 40 BLOGGERS HAVE JOINED WITH ME TO WELCOME THE RELEASE OF MY NEW MEDIEVAL ROMANCE!

I could not be more thrilled.

I have two tours scheduled.
One from the 18th to the 20th!

And one from the 23rd to the 26th!

I will be posting details on my the facebook events and keeping you up to date!

HERE IS THE FIRST EVENT
https://www.facebook.com/events/953991171337076/

What is a blog tour?
It is when a group of bloggers host your content on their site, sharing your joy of the birth of your book!
What happens there?

For those that show up and leave a comment that proves they have taken a peak at my first page, they can click on a link to be entered into a raffle to wind $25 in CASH!!

So.I sure hope you win!!

ENJOY!

Go ahead and click on ‘How To Marry Your Wife’ over there on the right!
IT’s free with Kindle Unlimited.

If you haven’t bought the first? Well it’s ONLY .99 for a very limited time.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

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‘How To Marry Your Wife’

‘How To Marry Your Wife’

Published by stella on October 16, 2015

Tell me. What do you think? COMING NOVEMBER 18th!

What foul devilry is this? They told her he was dead. After six long years without a word, her knight falls onto his knees and sings poetry. Then he denies their son? Heed this well. She’s no longer an innocent who’ll giggle and tarry on his every word. The sharp edge of her tongue and knife is the only welcome he’ll get. She’ll not marry him. Besides, the pain would be too much to bear should he leave her again.

Shocked beyond measure that he has a son, a Templar agrees he must wed. He insists his new family travel with him to his lands in the north. It’s a long road from London to Hadrian’s Wall and evil deeds weave into a plot laced with castles, kidnappings, and pigeons. Will the journey split them asunder forever? Perhaps only in heaven will he find a way into her hardened heart.

Check out the prologue.

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Writing a Novel

Writing a Novel

Published by stella on September 28, 2015

k10ALAS!

Sometimes writing wrings my soul dry. More than an actor I must become my characters. I share their desires. I feel their pain. I cry. I want to help but like a good and gracious god, I know they must go through these chapters in order to be happy and productive, post-novel. It’s hard to explain but in my mind’s eye, these people are real. I’m just documenting a segment of their lives.

As heroine, I have survived much trauma. As I fall in love I begin to remember why I don’t want a man to touch me. I am torn and tormented. I shed tears as the memories of my attack begin so seep into my consciousness.

As the hero, I am living a lie. I either get the heroine to fall in love with me or die. The more attracted I become to her, the more I detest myself. I can find no way out. Until I am knighted, my life is little more than that of a slave. Even then, I will be underneath my grandfather’s powerful rule. If he wants her pregnant with my child, so be it.

Oh dear hearts. Worry not. We are but on the fifth chapter. It seems bleak now, but we will prevail.

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