Tag: Kindle Unlimited

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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News From Stella

Published by stella on January 15, 2016

Happy 2016!

I’m so excited to share all that is going on. First and foremost, I want to thank you all for stopping by my website. I hope it met your expectations!
I just got back from a visit north of Rome, where I stayed in a Medieval village. I ate our dinner of seven fishes a stone’s throw away from the topmost castle in Soriano.

There’s a hazelnut festival there, where they celebrate how an old woman saved the castle from an attack. In my mind’s eye, it was a young heroine, disguised as her grandmother. Of course the knight in charge refused to listen to her earlier warning. The steward of the castle was murdered…

Ah, but wait. I must first finish my third English Medieval Romance before I tell you about the next series. It should be ready early this summer. Lady Fay, a queen of the Isle of Man meets her match, a bastard step-brother to the famous Bruce.

Also, stay tuned. I may be pairing up with another author and delve into the paranormal.

And for my pitch? Anyone willing to post a review on Amazon, I will gift you a copy. Writers live and die by the number of their Amazon reviews. I must rely on you, my dear fans, to help me out. Without you, I will not be able to compete. Here are the links. All you need do is say what one thing you liked best.
Leave a review for ‘How To Train Your Knight’

https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review?ie=UTF8&asin=B00WRNKOOU

Leave a review for ‘How To Marry Your Wife’ :

https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review?ie=UTF8&asin=B017KPHKVO

If you have a blog, I have over 7K twitter followers. I would be happy to add you to a list!
My newest book has only nine reviews. It takes fifty to start to make a difference in sales! Thanks so much for your help! Send me an email or message me on Facebook. I promise to answer!
I cannot thank you enough! You guys are THE BEST!

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

Published by stella on January 11, 2016

$3.99 or available on Kindle Unlimited.

Soul Mate Publishing

Buy Link: http://a-fwd.com/asin=B017KPHKVO

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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Why write a Medieval Romance?

Why write a Medieval Romance?

Published by stella on January 11, 2016

StellaMarieAlden posts about her first Medieval Romance and how she dreamed up the idea.

People often ask me, where did the idea for your first romance come from? Why Medieval?

I wasn’t yet published but had attempted a contemporary romance as well as a paranormal. This was my third novel.

I’d just finished reading a regency-era romance novel. It was excellent except for the one thing that made me mad. Our hero, a duke, moaned and groaned throughout the whole book. His internal dialog was completely feminine in nature. That was it. I would write a hero, who never, ever, ever whined. He would be all macho male, yet have a deep soft spot for his wife.

I woke up the next morning, with an interesting ‘what if’. What if my hero was born before the concept of romantic love was so deeply ingrained into the culture. How would the couple talk about their feelings? What language would they use to convey their growing attraction? How far back in time would I need to go?

I decided to place my story in the high Medieval ages, before the plague. With just a little research, and having just returned from my first trip to Italy, I knew there was a mini-renaisance in Europe, just before the plague. And lastly, I wanted a relative time of peace. I chose, the late thirteenth century, in England.

What about the heroine? Honestly? She’s a lot like me; damaged from previous life events, yet never willing to be victim to her past. She’s an eternal optomist with a bright spirit and faith that cannot be put out. At times, I wish I could be more like her.

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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

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Changed by Italy

Changed by Italy

Published by stella on January 5, 2016

As I return from my third trip to Italy, and my fourth trip overseas, I am filled with wonder. How can this happened yet again? I look in the mirror and it seems incongruous that the same face stares back.

Like a balloon that has been filled with air and then deflated, I am stretched and changed. I’m filled with sights and sounds of another age. I walked along Medieval paths and touched the slits in the walls from which arrows flew.

I stood in the square where traitors were burned at the stake. As I hiked up the narrow village paths, I ducked, hoping the over-ripe persimmons, known as cachi, would not fall upon my head.

I passed the old church wine cellar gate on the way to the castle where knights once held their ground.

We lit an ancient fireplace and cooked fish over the embers of beechwood; the best, I am told, for cooking.

I drank new wine from Uncle Tio, was fed by Luisa, and laughed with Fulvio, Stefano and the rest as we shared Christmas and the New Year. I stuffed myself on Panettone and drank cappucinno. I fell in love with my daughter Sarah’s extended family.

Truly, I am blessed beyond measure and I am not the same.

I have wonderful new ideas for my next set of Medieval Novels. Stop by occasionally and I will share!

For now, I hope you will enjoy a Romance in Medieval England. Choose one or both!

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

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Christmas Week in Italy – part Two

Published by stella on December 27, 2015

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

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A New Interview With Myself

Published by stella on December 14, 2015

Hey! Where’re you going? I thought we were going to blog for a moment?

I’ve got a Zumba class in 15 minutes. Sorry. I hate interviews. Have I mentioned that?

Zumba? Really? I mean you’re getting on in years. I hope you take it easy…

Hell no. I take it to the max. I got calories to burn. I sit at a desk all day long.

What other workouts do you do?

I exercise at least six times a week. One step class, three Zumba classes, and two yoga classes. Listen, I really need to go…

That seems like a lot. When do you find time to write?

I get up at 5:30 seven days a week and write for at least two hours.

How impressive. How do you force yourself to do that?

Huh? Force? I’ve heard other people say what ‘hard work’ writing is. It’s not like that for me. What is hard, is to STOP writing. I wish I could write all day and all night.

I see you’ve published two medieval romances. Is there a particular reason you chose that genre?

Ha. ‘How to Train Your Knight’ was the first to get noticed by a publisher and my best at that time. I have a couple contemporary novels and a paranormal story just waiting for me to go back and get them ready for print. I wish I had more time…

Did you always want to be a writer?

Uh… no…. Honestly? For the longest time, I didn’t think beyond saving for my kids’ college, paying my bills, and getting a good night’s sleep. Being able to write is a recent discovery. I learned I can paint watercolors, as well. I sold a few in a gallery. And I learned to tile, and ah, code, manage a software project… I think as we get older, our capacity to learn increases. Don’t you?

Hmmm. Most would disagree.

You really are a Debbie Downer. Got a case of the Mondays? You get one more question. As I said, I have a workout.

What advice would you give new writers?

First of all? Do you love it? If not, find something else to do. If yes, then write every spare minute you have and then, if you are serious? Get some professional feedback and get better at your art. Then write some more and get more feedback, and write some more and get your work out there. And dream big and get published and write some more.

Sorry self. I gotta go. We can talk later.

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MY GOOD FRIEND CHANTEL SEABROOK!!!

Published by stella on December 10, 2015

Sale Blitz Blog Tour

Chasing Payne

By: Chantel Seabrook

#99Cents #Free with Kindle Unlimited

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Lion shapeshifter, Agent
Chase Payne, doesn’t have time for distractions — especially the kind that
involve his best friend’s younger sister. He has a job to do: leading his team
of Therian agents to fight against those who would expose their kind to the
world.

Lora Oliver wants to be a
Therian agent, but secrets from her past have damaged the bond between her
human and animal natures, and threaten to destroy everything she’s worked so
hard for, along with the people she loves.

Lora struggles to retain control and keep her secrets buried, while Chase
denies what he feels for Lora. And then, one kiss changes everything.

Chase paced the room for several moments before sitting on
the edge of the desk with his arms crossed over his powerful chest.
“You’re ready to risk your life?”

He wasn’t trying to hide his disapproval, and Lora felt her
own irritation mounting. “I don’t have a death wish if that’s what you’re
asking.”

His gaze locked on her, watching her with a silent intensity
that was more than unnerving. It was downright intimidating.

“I’ll be honest—I don’t like this.” He uncrossed
his arms and gripped the edge of the desk, his knuckles whitening. “There
are other jobs within the agency that don’t pose any risk.”

Was he freaking serious? So it was all right for him to risk
his life, but not her? Bullshit! She wouldn’t let Chase Payne bully her into
leaving. She’d worked too hard over the past year to get where she was.

“If you don’t want to be my supervisor, I can ask Jacob
to reassign me.”

“No.” A snarl resonated from his chest. A dominant
sound, meant to intimidate.

Damn him. The man reeked of scare tactics. He wouldn’t win.
She wouldn’t let him. Did he really think she would back down that easily?
She’d grown up in a houseful of alpha males, all fighting for control.

“I graduated top in my class. I’m more than qualified
to—”

He moved so quickly that she barely had time to react.
Placing his hands on the arms of her chair, he leaned over her, blue eyes
blazing, his face inches from her own. “To what?”

She swallowed hard and bit her lip. His hot breath tickled
her cheek, and his male scent surrounded her like a musky cocoon, turning her
insides to mush.

To her horror, a small whimper escaped her lips.

A hard smile played across his mouth, his gaze cool and
calculating. “Tell me, Lora, what are you qualified to do?”

Arrogance.

Power.

Pure male confidence.

His eyes remained locked on hers, daring her to challenge
him. Her animal stalked, paced, rumbling to get out, clouding her mind with
dark, dangerous desire. He was so close, his mouth tempting her, drawing her—

Without thinking, she grabbed his collar, yanked him down to
her level and drew his mouth towards her own. Her lips brushed against his, and
he went still.

Oh god, what was she doing? She knew she should stop, but
something primal pushed her forward. She dragged her tongue across his lips and
felt the tiniest shudder rip through his body.

His tongue swept against hers and for a mouth-watering
moment, he returned her kiss, setting fire to her senses. Years of dreaming
about Chase Payne hadn’t prepared her for the electrifying sensation that
coursed through her body.

A groan reverberated in his throat, low and deep, a sexual
sound that left her panting for more. Lust rippled through her body, invading
her senses. He tasted sweet, with a mix of tanginess and just a hint of spice.
She couldn’t stop even if she wanted to. Her animal growled, wanting more,
needing more.

He broke the connection with a sudden jerk backwards. His
eyes wide, dark with desire and something akin to fear. “What the
hell?”

A hint of satisfaction rolled through her. For the first
time in her life, she felt like she had the upper hand. She looked up at him
and smirked. “I’m qualified in more areas than you know.”

FREE WITH KINDLE UNLIMITED/99 CENTS LIMITED TIME ONLY!

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Chantel Seabrook currently resides in London, Ontario, with
her husband and two daughters. She is passionate about writing and enjoys
reading fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fi_ction. Chantel has a
four-year Anthropology degree from Western

University

WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / AMAZON / GOODREADS

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Stella channels the past?

Published by stella on December 8, 2015

The weirdest thing happened this morning and I just have to share it.

For those of you that don’t know me, I’m generally considered an extremely level-headed woman, I know well the difference between making things up and reality.

So that is why I am FREAKING OUT!

The heroine in my third book is entirely fictional and is supposed to be the only living survivor of King Magnus, the last of the Norse rulers on the Isle of Man. In my story, the King of Scotland, who conquered the Manx, decides to put her on the throne, as an effort to win the goodwill of the people. I made up a haughty female to be able to spar with the alpha knight I have in mind.

This morning, while doing some research on the ‘Isle of Man,’ I found an obscure reference to another, written by a scholar at Western Michigan University. In it, I read that there actually was a queen on the isle of Man in the same decade in which I am writing! She was the closest living heir to the last king of Man,

I had no idea.

SHIVERS.

http://www.medievalists.net/2012/09/16/viking-women-in-the-isle-of-man/

http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=hilltopreview

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