The Parts of a Book

 

By Bethany Maines

 

Recently, we’ve added Harry Potter to our daughter’s bedtime story reading.  Once we’ve completed a book, we watch the movie version.  But then, of course, she wanted a wand and an owl. There’s not much I can do about the owl, but a kindly auntie did provide a wand for Christmas and a potions “class” with dry ice and tea that turns blue.  (Butterfly Pea Blossom Tea if you’re interested, but be forewarned, don’t google the Latin name if you’re at all prone to laughing at dirty jokes.)  But now, she wants the fancy potions bottles.  So after some quick youtubing around and going Dr. Frankenstein on a recycling bin test subject, I’m prepared to have an afternoon of magic potion bottle making. 

None of which has anything to do with writing, except that plotting out how to turn something random into magic is pretty a good definition of what it a writer does.  There was even the “oh shit” part where I was pretty sure I screwed it up and it was going to be a disaster.  I believe that every book I’ve ever written has featured that part. 

In fact, there are many parts to writing a book that don’t get discussed in English classes.  For instance, the “Oh Shit” part is sometimes followed by the Drinking part. Which is often then followed by either the Dawn of Inspiration or the Damned Recycling Bin of I Hate You.  And my next paranormal romance featured the three week long Hiatus of Indecision.  My personal favorite part is the Shining Hope of a New Project.  Sadly, it’s frequently followed by the Hopeless Disillusionment phase.  But if you’re lucky you can make it through the Weary Slog to the End part and end up with a book full of characters that you love and a feeling of accomplishment that the story got told. 

If you’re interested in seeing how the Hiatus of Indecision resulted in a story about vampires that don’t glitter and a shifter wolf who got a little more than he bargained for on his way to rob a bank, you can check it out below.

MAVERICK: Maverick Lacasse, shifter wolf, bank robber and rebel didn’t mean to take Deya Jasper with him on his way out of Littleton Texas, but fate had other plans. But as the two flee for California, vampires dog their every step, and both Deya and Maverick find themselves questioning if the unexpected bond they feel can withstand the dangers they face.

PREORDER NOW

Maverick takes place in the Supernatural world of the 3 Colors Trilogy, but is a stand-alone novel.

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, The Deveraux Legacy Series, and numerous novellas and short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

 

Rejection

 by Bethany Maines

One of my manuscript was recently rejected.  And you can guess how I feel about that. Not good. 

I think the harshest part was that the editor took the time to reject it personally.  When you get a form letter, you can pretend that no one really read it and that your genius will go undiscovered another day. When they take the time to tell you why they hate your book-child and why it's deformed and hideous then it feels a little personal.  I admit that the individual may not have used those EXACT words.  But that's what it feels like.  

But the problem with writing is that if you want to have your work read by other human beings then first it has to... be read by other human beings.  And those jackasses keep having opinions! The nerve! The unmitigated gall! 

The other problem with this particular work is that I’ve also written it to be a script.  I believe the idea is imminently wonderful and would be a great TV show.  However, TV and Publishing have two wildly different esthetics.  The notes I’ve received on the script were that it should be funnier.  The book notes said there was too much banter.  Or in other words... too funny. 

Here’s the idea.

Vampire Heist (based on A Bite of Paris): When the vampire Nicholas de Cervon discovers that his former home is now a museum he reunites the old horde to pull off the heist of his after-life and get revenge on the Igor who betrayed him.

I don’t know what to tell you.  I like banter.  Will I be taking another editorial pass at it to see if I can make my characters express the dreaded ennui and tragedy that makes up the drudgery of life (places hand dramatically on brow)... yes, I probably will.  Will I add a pratfall to the script... maybe.

Meanwhile, today is #screenpit over on Twitter. If you like my vampire idea and agree that it should be a TV show, head on over and give me a retweet today.  https://twitter.com/BethanyMaines

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Who Wants a Free Book!?

 by Bethany Maines

Whew! I can't believe we're half-way through April already!  Where did the last three months go?

How did I get here?

As I've blogged about previously, I decided to do an experiment in book launching for my most recent series by putting out all three books of the 3 Colors Trilogy in quick succession. February saw the release of A Little Red. With March came A Deeper Blue and in just a few short days, on April 27, I'll complete the trilogy with A Brighter Yellow.  

Reader's Choice

From a reader perspective, I think this release strategy has been successful.  Readers are happy not to have to wait for their next hit of romance and adventure.  From my perspective... yeesh.  I'm tired.  This has been a hamster wheel of marketing. I'm not complaining.  I've enjoyed the lovely reviews and excitement from readers, but I think if I do this again, I'll probably put them at least a full 2 months a part.  I sincerely underestimated how much work it would be to keep the motor of marketing turning.

What's next?  And what's this about a free book?

However, the I'm not quite done yet. As I mentioned the final book in the trilogy won't be out until April 27, but before then there is a special set of free days for A Little Red, allowing people to scoop up book 1  for FREE and get caught up before the release of book 3.  So if you're interested in snagging a free book just click the link below.

>>>>>GET YOUR FREE COPY OF A LITTLE RED<<<<<

 

A fast-paced and spicy romance with lovable characters and an engaging story too, A Little Red is a fantastic initial installment in what promises to be a thrilling Trilogy.
-- A Little Red Review, ManyBooks.net

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub. 

Author Goals

 by Bethany Maines

Each writer has their own reason for putting cursor to word doc, but in general it's because we have a story to tell. And as we develop the story, writers have to live outside the moment and wrap their heads around the entire plot. This goes double when it comes to writing a series.  An author has to keep all the little threads in mind as they write through the books. I've developed spreadsheets to track my characters and keep chapter by chapter synopsis' of each book for easy reference.  All of this means that when it comes to our books and characters we're like the annoying friend who binged a TV series while the reader is watching one episode a week.  

THE PROBLEM

But this style of writing also means that sometimes characters the author knows are going to be awesome later aren't so beloved in the initial books.  Which is why when I set out to write book 2 of the 3 Colors Trilogy - A Deeper Blue - I crossed my fingers.  Azure Lucas says some fairly harsh things to her younger sister Scarlet, in book 1 - A Little Red - and I knew that readers that loved Scarlet wouldn't be thrilled with Azure going into book 2.  Which is necessary for book one, but my challenge is then... Can I make my readers love her in book 2?

So when I send out my book to Advance Readers, I nervously chew my nails and wait for the reviews to come back.  And then, earlier this week, I got this...

AUTHOR GOAL?

Whew! Wiping the sweat off my brow.  My reviewer complete took the journey with Scarlet and Azure.  If I can make my readers love them both then I have met my challenge as a writer. Author goal... achieved! Now I just need to see if they stick around for book 3 - A Brighter Yellow.  Author worries are never completely gone. 

A Deeper Blue releases March 18 and I can't wait for more readers to fall in love with Azure too.

LEARN MORE

PreOrder - https://amzn.to/3DZQHbf

Goodreads Giveaway - https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/342167

Learn more about the series - https://bethanymaines.com/supernaturals/

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

A Little Red

 by Bethany Maines

Tomorrow is release day for A Little Red, book 1 of my newest series - The 3 Colors Trilogy.  I'm trying several new things with this series. While I've written fantasy before, I've never tried my hand at paranormal romance.  I'm also using a quick release strategy and putting out the entire trilogy within 3 months so that everyone can binge on the completed series like Netflix.  And I'm using a low release week price (¢.99!!). With the new genre and the non-traditional sales strategies I have to admit that I'm nervous for tomorrow.

Those nerves have been a bit mitigated by the early reviews.  Whether or not the series is a sales success remains to be seen, but at least the Advance Readers are thoroughly enjoying the story. 

"This fantastic page-turner is a paranormal romance that sizzled, and it excited and riveted me. The beautiful plot, unique storyline, stylish writing, and careful development of the story and characters locked me in for the entire ride."
– Readers’ Favorite 

The series is a fun, angsty romance trilogy with a trio of siblings as they meet and fall in love with shifter wolves. There are bad guy warlocks, good girl witches, and a few more magical beings roaming around because if I'm going paranormal I'm not stopping with wolves. The fun part about writing this series was trying to establish how each creature and species would interact with our modern world. Of course it also meant debating the proper system of capitalization of supernatural creatures and whether or not wolves liked blueberries.  Although, on the blueberries, I'm completely backed up by science - they do. A Little Red is, of course,  inspired by Little Red Riding Hood and even includes a grandma (don't worry, she lives).  Bringing Little Red and her wolf together was enormously fun, and I'm happy to report that this fairy tale comes complete with a Happily Ever After.  I really enjoyed writing these tales of love, magic, and good vs. evil and I hope readers will enjoy taking the journey with me.  Here's a quick little blurb, to find out more, try the links below.

A Little Red: Scarlet Lucas went out on Halloween dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, but she never expected her boss, the mysterious and ferociously attractive Liam Grayson to turn out to be the Wolf. But when Liam is the victim of a vicious attack that leaves him trapped in wolf form, Scarlet must face down not only warlocks, but Liam’s own pack in order to save him.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERIES:  https://amzn.to/3DZQHbf

BUY A LITTLE RED:  https://amzn.to/3BFrh0t

READ THE FIRST CHAPTER: https://bethanymaines.com/supernaturals-chapter-1/

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

3 Colors Cover Reveal

 by Bethany Maines

3 Colors Trilogy Launches!

For a little over a year, I've been feverishly working on the series of books that would become the 3 Colors Trilogy.  These action-packed paranormal romances feature a trio of siblings Azure, Ochre, and Scarlet as they find love and face danger from evil warlocks. While not traditional mysteries in the sense that no one is trying to solve a murder - each book finds the romantic leads trying to puzzle out out who is targeting them and why.  These quick steamy reads are the most fun I've had writing in a long time. The couples are swoon-worthy, funny, and who doesn't love werewolves?

How to Write the Heming...Way

One part of writing this series that has been interesting has been working with a beta reading service. Because this isn't my usual genre, I used a service to supply beta readers I didn't know to read the initial completed manuscript. The readers then answered a short survey of questions that I provided.  It was amazingly insightful, but also nerve wracking! Handing over a partially edited book to a stranger for feedback... whew! The first time, my nerves were tested and I may have had to Hemingway (aka drink!) my way through the first reading of their responses. But the were all quite kind to me and provided many useful data points.

Coming Soon!

The series is now complete and I'll be utilizing a quick release strategy for the trilogy—releasing them one month a part in February, March and April of 2022. Fans won't have to wait for the next installment. Want to learn more about my Supernatural world?  Check out the links below!

Learn More: https://bethanymaines.com/supernaturals/

Pre-Order: SERIES PAGE

Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/329910-3-colors-trilogy

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Interview with Kathryn Lane

 by Bethany Maines

Today I'm interviewing fellow Stiletto Gang member Kathryn Lane. Kathryn enjoyed a two-decade career in international finance with Johnson & Johnson before taking an early retirement from corporate life to follow her passion to write fiction. So today we're finding out more about her writing and what inspires her.  From growing up in Mexico to traveling the globe, and splitting time between Texas and New Mexico Kathryn's journey into writing has been unique.  

Q: What do you write?

I’m enamored with the mystery genre. During my corporate career, I traveled all over the world. Before a long flight to Japan, I purchased a Harlan Coben paperback at the JFK airport in New York. The twists and turns in the story slapped me around like a go-kart on uneven terrain. I was instantly smitten. Now that I’m a novelist, I write mystery and suspense.

Q: What got you excited and started you on your writing journey?

During my two decades in the corporate world, I always thought someday I’d return to painting, the object of my natural abilities. Growing up in Mexico, a country with an abundance of talented singers, I always felt left out since I could not even carry a tune.

Yet I could draw. And I could paint. By age ten, I sketched portraits and painted landscapes. Naturally, I thought I’d grow up to be an artist. Life, or perhaps destiny, had other plans. I had to earn a living, so I became a CPA and specialized in international finance. Hence my corporate travels.

Before leaving the corporate world, I analyzed what I really wanted to do. After all the countries I’d visited, it quickly became obvious I should write rather than paint. It’s exciting to pen stories set in other lands.

Q: Are you a Plotter or Pantser?

Since I’d written strategic plans, I thought I’d complete an outline for each story my brain conjured up. After all, wasn’t it like analyzing the steps in a product launch?

It didn’t work that way – my right brain took over. As much as I’ve tried to plot, my stories grow organically every day while I pound away at the keyboard. Even after deliberate attempts to speed up my writing, I struggle to plot anything. It’s normal for me not to know from one paragraph to the next what I’ll compose. Stories unfold magically in my mind like a movie reel.

Q: Who encouraged you to write?

I’m so fortunate, friends, family, and my husband are all incredibly supportive. I could not do it without the help of my husband who manages the back office details and takes on household tasks, except for cooking, to give me time to write.

Q: What secret skill do you have that our readers might not know about?

I can kill snakes. I’ve lived in places with deadly snakes, like the Inland Taipan of the Northern Territory of Australia, considered the most dangerous in the world. (One 100mg dose of Inland Taipan venom is enough to kill 100 adult humans). I’ve encountered corals and rattlesnakes of the Chihuahua desert and mountainous terrain, and now the copperheads and cottonmouths of Texas. Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t like killing snakes, but when it comes to either them or me, it’s an easy choice.

At our summer cabin in northern New Mexico, we don’t have snakes. Only bear and mountain lions and I leave them alone!

Q: And of course, I would be remiss if I didn't ask... what are your favorite shoes?

Knee-high leather boots with stiletto heels!

Connect with Kathryn!

• Website: https://www.Kathryn-Lane.com
• Newsletter sign-up: https://www.Kathryn-Lane.com
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kathrynlanewriter/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kathrynlaneauthor/
• Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/102104411030225875710
• Twitter -  http://twitter.com/kathrynlanebook
• BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kathryn-lane
• Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15096935.Kathryn_Lane?clear_facebook_session=true

 

Snatch up one of the globe-trotting Nikki Garcia Mysteries:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B08C7V2675/ref=dp_st_1942428944

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

The Hardest Hit Release!

 by Bethany Maines

The Hardest Hit, book 3 of the Deveraux Legacy Series will be released next Monday! I'm over the moon excited about this.  I've been working on this series for three years, and with one book left, I'm ecstatic with the reception the series has received (award-winning audio book, 5 star reviews).  

SIDE NOTE: Preorder and get the preorder sales price of .99 cents - price goes up 24 hours after the release! https://books2read.com/hardest-hit/

However, I'm often hesitant to talk about the ideas that generated the Deveraux Legacy Series because they are distinctly un-romantic and NOT what sells a book. A little over three years ago I started with a simple question - how could romance writers stick with the traditional "alpha male" hero in an era of #metoo? What people get up to between the covers of romance novels isn't intended to be real life, but at some point I can't divorce the reality of what a billionaire can do on a private island to young women (Jeffery Epstein) and then engage with that as a romantic fantasy about a woman forced to work as a prostitute and kept as prisoner on an island (a book series that kept popping up in my social media feed).  And the idea that an abusive, emotionally distant man was the hero of anything was very problematic to me. But as someone who reads and enjoys romance novels, I'm supposed to be able to reconcile this. As a feminist, I honestly wasn't sure I could. 

Which is about when I thought, "Maybe I should stick to straight mysteries." The bad guys are bad and the good guys solve crime. Sure, there's plenty of room for moral ambiguity and gray areas and complete characters, but end of the day... The bad guys get caught and the good guys triumph. Morally speaking, I don't have to feel conflicted about reading or writing those kind of books.  

But I like romance! And I like those tough guys that take charge, make wise-cracks and would go through hell and high-water for their fair-maiden. So how do you take a guy that's maybe done some questionable things and make him a hero?  It was that question that lead me to write the Deveraux Legacy Series.  Which, rest assured, is not to say that my heroes are sleazebags.  They're funny, brave, damaged, and well-meaning individuals who are trying the best they can.  And maybe they don't quite fit into the "dark romance" section of the romance world, but they do fit into the "I can read this and not feel weird" section of the library. So I hope that my readers will also enjoy some "alpha" heroes and their feminist as hell heroines as they battle bad guys and find love and hopefully more than a few laughs.

About the Book: 

Evan Deveraux has faced down his demons, but can he face his own family?

The one thing that kept troubled Wall Street wizard Evan Deveraux from giving into his own depression was the love of his family. But as Evan digs deeper into his family’s past he discovers a secret that shakes his faith in the Deveraux family. Now the only person Evan trusts is the brilliant and adorable Dr. Olivia West. But Evan’s abusive past and dark family history are on a collision course with the present and even as Evan fights to keep Olivia safe from the mercenaries targeting his family, Evan and Olivia find their relationship in cross-hairs of both their families. Evan is going to need the help of all of his cousins to make his happily ever after come true.

Release Date: 10/18/21

Pre-Order Link: https://books2read.com/hardest-hit/

Chapter 1 sneak peek: https://bethanymaines.com/deveraux-chapter-1/

Buy the Series (all vendors): 

https://books2read.com/Lost-Heir (prequel novella)

https://books2read.com/The-Second-Shot (Book 1)

·       https://books2read.com/Cinderella-Secret (Book 2) 

Win a paperback copy:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/332708-the-hardest-hit
Giveaway closes October 25th!

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Interview with Debra Sennefelder

 by Bethany Maines

Bethany Maines

Debra Sennefelder

Part of being a collective blog group is that we have many fantastic members that I've never met in person and aside from the sparkling repartee on group email threads (trust me we're brilliant), we often don't get a chance to interact with each other.  So this month, I'm taking the opportunity to get to know one of my Stiletto Gang members - Debra Sennefelder. Debra has nicely agreed to sit down and answer a few questions to let us into her writing bubble. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.

Q: What do you write?

I write cozy mysteries. I have two series, The Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series both published by Kensington Publishers.

Q: Plotter or Pantser?

I’m a plotter. I like to have a detailed outline completed when I sit down to write the first draft. My working outline (it’s not as pretty as the one I send to my editor) can include snippets of dialogue, a little description, links for research. While it may be long (sometimes thirty plus pages), it’s not carved in stone, so changes can happen while I’m writing the manuscript. Sometimes I find that a scene falls flat and doesn’t move the story forward, sometimes inspiration sparks and I add or rework scenes, sometimes I add a new character.

Q: What is your go-to relaxation read?

My go-to relaxation read is a fashion magazine. Always has been.

Q: Favorite authors or your most favorite recent read?

I have way too many favorite authors to list. So, let me tell you what I just finished reading. It was Three Single Wives by Gina LaManna.

Q: And of course, I would be remiss if I didn't ask... what are your favorite shoes?

I bought a pair of Sam Edelman black leather pumps a couple of years ago and I love them. They’re a classic that pairs perfectly with jeans or a dress.

Connect with Debra!

• Website:  http://bit.ly/2lQwSNi
• Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/2jBx9oV
• Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/2DpMPE8
• Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2mkLpnz

Connect with Bethany!

• Website: https://www.bethanymaines.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethanyMaines
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbethanymaines/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BethanyMaines
• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002FYCS40
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3044976.Bethany_Maines
• BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bethany-maines

BETHANY NEWS UPDATE:

The Deveraux Legacy Series will be on sale Sept. 10 - 17.  Grab Books 1 & 2 and preorder Book 3, The Hardest Hit, for .99 cents! The Hardest Hit will return to full price 24 hours after release day. 
The Deveraux Legacy Series: The Deveraux Family is wealthy, powerful and in a lot of trouble.  Senator Eleanor Deveraux lost her children in a plane crash, but she has a second chance to get her family right with her four grandchildren – Evan, Jackson, Aiden and Dominique. But second chances are hard to seize when politics, mercenaries, and the dark legacy of the Deveraux family keep getting in the way.

https://books2read.com/The-Second-Shot - all stores
https://books2read.com/Cinderella-Secret - all stores
https://books2read.com/Hardest-Hit - all stores

Amazon Series Page: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GK7CK8M?ref_=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tkin&binding=kindle_edition

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Galactic Dreams

 by Bethany Maines

Welcome to a brave new age - the future!  When my co-writers and I agreed to collaborate on Galactic Dreams - a series of sci-fi fairy tale adaptations - we had no idea that the project would stretch into three volumes. Galactic Dreams (from Blue Zephyr Press) is a unique shared universe that I, along with my co-writers, J.M. Phillippe and Karen Harris Tully, developed and set the rules for, and then set our own stories within that universe.  In Volume 3, we've adapted some classic fairy tales: Beauty & the Beast, Hansel & Gretel, and Jack & the Beanstalk.  

As you can imagine, agreeing on rules, let alone deciding what they are can be quite challenging.  Particularly, since sci-fi is not a genre I generally write in.  I enjoy sci-fi. I read a good deal of it when I was a teenager. And don't get me wrong I have plenty of weird ideas, but I'm more in the Flash Gordon style of sci-fi—toss in some jet packs and some fantastic costumes and I'm all set. My more fact-adherent co-writers seem to prefer that gravity not take a vacation without an explanation. (So picky!) However, I have to admit that their insistence on basing my science in... you know... science has been beneficial to my stories. 

In this volume, all of our stories are intertwined through a time traveling villain, which added a whole new level of headache to keeping our stories and science straight. We also decided to do a phased release plan—releasing the individual stories first and then the collection.  My book, The Beast of Arsu, is out now. And the next two installments will be released by September, with the digital collection following shortly thereafter.  As with any group project it's been hard to keep track of all the details.  But despite the very literal headaches, I have enjoyed the challenge of writing in this genre, and I hope other sci-fi fans will enjoy these stories as well.

Galactic Dreams Vol. 3 contains three novels  and each tale is a chapter in a connected tale of villainy, time travel, and the consequences of hate. Journey through these sci-fi fairy tales today!

The Beast of Arsu (Beauty & the Beast) - Bethany Maines - When Bella Glass is thrown a 140 years into the future she finds a world she doesn’t recognize and love in Kai Craig, a man fighting against the effects of a bomb that turns him into a rage-filled beast. But someone else has traveled into the past and Bella must choose between preventing a devastating alteration of the timeline and a love she was never meant to have. 
Read Chapter 1 >>> https://bethanymaines.com/galactic-dreams/

A Trail of Stardust (Hansel & Gretel) - J.M. Phillippe - When the Hexx siblings, Rax and Lex, are forced to flee into space by their malevolent step-mother, Hila, they have no idea what is waiting for them and a damaged space craft throws them from the frying pan into the oven. Captured by pirates, Lex and Rax are facing certain death and the only way out is to rely on each other, but what will be waiting for them at home?

Break the Sky (Jack & the Beanstalk) - Karen Harris Tully - When Jakarta "Jak" Moon climbed up the giant elevator that leads to the low-orbiting space station above her irradiated planet, she has one goal—don't die. But when she returns to the ground, she finds herself targeted by the winged-dictator known as the Godmother. Now Jak is on the hook to climb through the clouds and bring back the treasures the Godmother craves or she, and her planet, could face destruction.

Buy Beast of Arsu Now

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Bethany Updates:

Blue Christmas received a Maincrest Media Award! It was also a finalist in the Book Excellence Awards and an award winning screenplay.

Buy Now: https://books2read.com/BlueChristmas

Learn more: https://bethanymaines.com/romanticsuspense/

The Second Shot Audio Book is now available! 

Buy Now: https://www.audible.com/pd/B093C8MWYH/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-253261&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_253261_rh_us

The Moonlight & Misadventure Anthology: 20 Tales of Mystery & Suspense, featuring my story Tammy Loves Derek is now available! 

Buy Now: https://books2read.com/Moonlight-Misadventure

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Book Hangover

 by Bethany Maines

I have a book hangover. I'm about to close out a series that's very near and dear to my heart.  The Shark Santoyo Crime Series has characters that got under my skin and I'm loathe to let them go.  So much so, that I'm leaving the door wide-open for sequels, but I have two other series that are requiring that the next installments get done and I only have so much time in my days. 

It's a difficult decision to walk away and I don't know how other authors do it. I feel like there ought to be some sort of party where I eulogize and make promises I know I won't keep about seeing them again soon and say something like "it's not you, it's me." I'll play their playlists and we can eat some Vaca Frita and complain about how it's hard to get rid of bodies properly one more time. 

But at least I'm ending in a solid place. I've wrapped up the story line that ran through all the previous books and I have answered almost all the questions.  And for once, my characters get at least a moment or two of happy ever after.  They also have another adventure ready and waiting for them, should I happen to get back there, but overall I feel good about where I'm leaving them.  

I know a book hangover is real for readers, but is there one for writers?  How do any of my writer friends break up with their creations?  

LEARN MORE: https://amzn.to/3aUhDuA 

About the Series:

The criminals are savage, the stakes are high and even the suburbs hide secrets that can kill.

When twenty something Shark got out of prison and made a deal with Geier, the boss of his old gang, he knew he’d be walking into trouble, but he never expected to meet the teenage crime savant Peregrine Hays. The knife-wielding beauty may fuel his dreams, but Peregrine has secrets of her own, and soon Shark is swept up in a whirlpool of murder, revenge, and love. Both streetwise and hardened by dark pasts, Shark and Peri are the perfect match as they battle crooked federal agents, sex traffickers, and gangs in search of vindication. But when Shark is faced with an enemy that knows him better than anyone else, he and Peri learn that their options may be staying together OR staying alive…

About Book 6:

Shark Santoyo is dead. Or at least he was. But now he’s back in the city chasing an art thief and dreams of the past. He has no intention of going anywhere near Peri—she left him to rot in prison. But when Al Hays brings them back together, Shark vows that nothing is going to keep them apart this time. Except that Peri isn’t the only ghost of girlfriends past in his life. Francesca de Corvo, the woman who sent him to prison for a crime she committed, seems to be coming for him with both barrels. Shark has loved, lost, and bled to get his freedom, but will it be enough to get the life—and the girl—he’s always wanted?

LEARN MORE: https://amzn.to/3aUhDuA 

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Moonlight & Misadventure

 by Bethany Maines

One of the best parts about the Stiletto Gang is the chance to meet and work with other mystery and romance writers. I have made many lasting friendships and learned a great deal from my fellow gang members. And last year, when Judy Penz Sheluk, a former Stiletto Gang member, posted about an opportunity to be a part of the Moonlight & Misadventure anthology, I quickly submitted my story - Tammy Loves Derek.

Tammy Loves Derek does indeed contain moonlight and more than a little misadventure, as well as some revenge and a heaping helping of just-desserts. I wrote the story intending to read it at the Seattle Noir at the Bar, but then COVID hit and so did about an extra 1500 words (it's the COVID 15 of writing!).  So now I have a lovely little tale about, Tammy Lee Swanley, who has a med-spa job, a cheating boyfriend, and a plan—a five-step, sure-fire plan to wealth and happiness.

Moonlight & Misadventure will be available at retailers everywhere on June 18.  I'm thrilled that Tammy is in such good company and I can't wait to read all the other stories!

Moonlight & Misadventure: 

Whether it’s vintage Hollywood, the Florida everglades, the Atlantic City boardwalk, or a farmhouse in Western Canada, the twenty authors represented in this collection of mystery and suspense interpret the overarching theme of “moonlight and misadventure” in their own inimitable style where only one thing is assured: Waxing, waning, gibbous, or full, the moon is always there, illuminating things better left in the dark.

Featuring stories by: K.L. Abrahamson, Sharon Hart Addy, C.W. Blackwell, Clark Boyd, M.H. Callway, Michael A. Clark, Susan Daly, Buzz Dixon, Jeanne DuBois, Elizabeth Elwood, Tracy Falenwolfe, Kate Fellowes, John M. Floyd, Billy Houston, Bethany Maines, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Joseph S. Walker, Robert Weibezahl, and Susan Jane Wright.

PRE-ORDER TODAY: https://books2read.com/Moonlight-Misadventure

Release Date: 06.18.21

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.

Short Stories

 by Bethany Maines

Writing short stories is a unique art form, one that I used to pursue and then, like someone finding a new love, I dropped in favor of novels.  Because novels were dreamy and just so much cooooooler than those short stories. But in the past few years, I've found myself once again taking up the challenge of short form writing. Now that I'm a more experienced writer I see the structure of novels and short fiction differently and find that they present different challenges that require different skills. I think that previously I only had one set of skills that I applied to all writing. Which is a bit like trying to paint with only one brush.  Now that I have a few more brushes in the paintbox it's been fun to tackle short stories.  

Interestingly, I've found that while previously my short stories were sci-fi or fantasy based, my current crop are all crime based. I may have been hanging out with my Noir at the Bar buddies too much, or maybe I just have become more criminal as I've gotten older, but I keep coming up with some dang good crimes to write about. But as I've collected more stories, I've started to think that perhaps I should put together an anthology. I would add another three or four to truly round out the group, but I think it might be fun.

Below is a rundown of my criminal little tales.  What do you think?  Should I pull them all together into one collection?

Mayhem & Mahalo -  Switchblade Magazine, 2019 - Hawaii—the land of sun, surf, and a giant pile of dead bodies. Paige Kaneko thought she had left the Kaneko family’s criminal ways behind her, but when a 3 a.m. text from her brother asks for one simple thing—help—Paige can’t say no. Now Paige must get her brother and herself out of a situation that includes six dead bodies, a backpack full of cash, and one slightly dented heroin addict.

Suzy Makes Cupcakes - Shotgun Honey V. 4, 2019 - Johnny Stills, a mid-level mobster, has a Tuesday routine: pick up the pay-off money, swing by home to get a blow job from his wife Suzy, and then deliver the money to his boss. But this Tuesday is a little different - for one thing Suzy met him at the door with a gun. Now Johnny is realizing just how badly he may have underestimated his wife.

Tammy Loves Derek - Moonlight & Misadventure Anthology, June 2021 - Tammy Lee Swanley has a med-spa job, a cheating boyfriend, and a plan—a five-step, sure-fire plan to wealth and happiness. But what Tammy’s boyfriend doesn’t know is that Tammy’s plan doesn’t include him keeping him around.

Fireball Rolled a Seven -  Murderous Ink, Crimeucopia: Funny Ha Ha Anthology, Forthcoming - The pandemic is a drag, but with everyone in lockdown, that means the streets are empty and the Pandemic Drags are about to hit the fast lane. As Kendra, Doc, Mike, Jim, Stacy and Douchebag Carl all gather for illegal street races they soon discover that even at drag races, pandemic politics still apply. Masks become a tipping point and Kendra and Doc go from racing for money, to racing for their lives. If they can make it across the finish line they'll be home free, but they have to get there first.

Every Single Funeral - On Submission - When greedy Bruce Stagg attempts to have his dying sister declared incompetent and steal her fortune, Lark Jeffers—live-in nurse, ex-stripper, and firm believer in pockets—knows something has to be done. The question is: can she pull the trigger?

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Bethany Maines is the award-winning author of the Carrie Mae Mysteries, San Juan Islands Mysteries, Shark Santoyo Crime Series, and numerous short stories. When she's not traveling to exotic lands, or kicking some serious butt with her black belt in karate, she can be found chasing her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel. You can also catch up with her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.