Writing Music

                                 

 I love to write to music. I don’t know exactly how it works because you would think the lyrics would get in the way of my words, but they don’t. Music gets me in the mood I need to be in for a particular scene and it always inspires me. Sometimes I have to stop typing so I can  jump up and dance for awhile :lol:

I thought I would share some of my recent finds. I need some more Christian titles though. Anybody have any suggestions for me? Here’s some links to my current favs (I buy all my music through itunes but you can get a better feel for the whole song on YouTube):

 

SafetySuit – Anywhere But Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzdPeMQSPqM
Lifehouse – It Is What It Is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QurayJXXee8
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7T3lJ3dZ4&feature=fvst
Clannad – I Will Find You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv6VW4tMZbE (This is an all time favorite! I wrote Snow Angel and Wind Dancer to this one a lot).
Amanda Seyfried – Little House
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im_ZVNX1QZM (From the movie Dear John).
Desperation Band – Who You Are
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBOUNEbIoUY
Phil Wickham – Divine Romance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jABIjfkRVxI
Peter Bradley Adams – The Longer I Run http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha4o20i9yfg (Basically anything by Peter Bradley Adams is great writing music).

I would love to hear your favorite songs!

 

Oh Dear, I AM Having Fun With These Two!

 

Working on my next book and I must say, I am having quite a time with these two characters! It’s old school romance novel sparring and loads of fun! Here’s a short sample of a scene where American Captain Dorian Colburn has escorted his first and only passenger (he was tricked into taking her on board) the lovely Lady Kendra Townsend to his cabin (he is bunking with his first mate and not happy about it):

Her violet eyes flashed as she stopped him with a hand on his arm. It was a mere brush of a touch but his skin felt searing hot and his muscles jumped where her fingertips encountered his upper arm. It took him a moment to be able to concentrate on her tirade.

            “I will not be locked up in this stuffy cabin during the entire voyage. You cannot treat me like a prisoner. I am a paid passenger and expect a passenger’s rights.” 

            Dorian found himself gazing at her lips, thinking how he would like to take her into his arms and kiss her silent. He shook his head trying to rid himself of the sensation that someone had stuffed his mind with wool. “This, my dear Lady Thornton, is not a passenger ship therefore you have no rights. I am captain of this ship and you will obey my orders just like the rest of this crew.” When she opened her mouth to argue Dorian cut her off. “This is for your own good. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the attention you were receiving from my men.” She looked startled by the statement but he didn’t believe her. She must be aware of her feminine charms. “I will not have my men distracted from their duties to satisfy the vanity of an English lady.”

           

            Kendra gasped as if she’d been slapped. “Your opinion is formed from your vast experience with the ton, I presume? Why, I’m quite certain a man like yourself,” she allowed her glance to flick down to his feet and then back up to his furious gaze with all the condescension she’d seen her Uncle Andrew flay someone alive with, “has attended any number of social events with the aristocracy. Next, you’ll be telling me you are on excellent terms with the king. Ha! You’re little but a heathen and a pirate!” As soon as the words flew from her mouth she stopped, eyes wide as shame filled her. Lord, forgive me. I don’t know what’s come over me!

            It’s not my forgiveness that you need to seek. The words thundered in her ears as her face filled with heat. Taking a step back she bit her lower lip and peeked up at the captain’s face, which was ashen with shock and anger. “I’m sorry. That was ill played of me.” Kendra looked at the floor, at his boots and thought she quite deserved to have to polish them. Maybe if she offered . . .

Book Signing!!

If you are in the Indianapolis area I will be signing copies of my books at the LifeWay store on 5458 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN  46250
Phone: 317-841-3200 from 11am – 1pm! Stop by if you can!

Oh, here’s a coupon for 33% off a single item! http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/coupon_2010-02-20.asp?v=1&CID=fb_customerappreciation_20100217 Get Angel’s Den on sale!

Introducing Robin Caroll!

I would like to introduce you to fellow B&H author Robin Caroll! She has a new book out and B&H sent me a copy to give away. If you like suspense and would like to enter for a chance to win,  just comment here. I will draw the name on Saturday morning. Here it is!

A beautiful yet tough woman working in a beautiful yet tough setting, Brannon Callahan is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Strong faith and a decorated history of service have kept her one step ahead of on-the-job dangers, but there’s no precedent for what’s about to happen. After a blizzard takes down a small plane carrying U.S. Marshal Roark Holland (already haunted by a recent tragedy), Brannon must save him in more ways than one and safeguard the donor heart he’s transporting to a government witness on the edge of death. Otherwise the largest child trafficking ring in history—with shocking links from Thailand to Tennessee—will slip further away into darkness along the Appalachian Trail.

For more about Robin and her books (and to see the awesome book trailer) go to Robin’s site at http://www.robincaroll.com/index.html

 

Deliver Us From Evil (4.5 stars) Caroll knows what suspense readers want: brave characters in exciting occupations, nonstop action, political intrigue and a dose of romance for that added zing. Even when readers figure out the villain, they will stay riveted to their seats as the plot unfolds. A keeper!

Chandra McNeil Romantic Times Magazine, selecting Deliver Us From Evil as a February TOP PICK.

 “The kind of novel ‘Ripped from the headlines’ was meant to describe. Compelling.”—James Scott Bell, author of Deceived and Try Fear

Kissing Scene :-)

Duchess_CoverIn honor of Valentine’s Day I am posting one of my favorite kissing scenes! It’s from The Duchess and the Dragon. Drake (a duke on the run for his life) has become an indentured servant, training under Serena’s father as a silversmith. Serena (a sweet Quaker girl) has gone to the shop to bring them their lunch. Her father leaves to run an errand and they find themselves alone together…

Serena’s father trusted him alone with her.

 That single thought warred with the intense desire to kiss her. With her face just inches from his, he drank in the creamy skin, the green and brown flecks in her eyes, the golden brows, the soft, pink lips. Just one brush of her lips, he told himself, would quench this growing thirst for her.

He knew it wasn’t true, that one kiss usually led to wanting more and more. But he couldn’t seem to help himself. Every muscle strained to grasp her to him. His imagination replayed what it would look like to see her fiery hair down and around her shoulders, and even though he was supposed to be the one world-wise and self-controlled, he felt as eager as a young man with
his first love. He’d never longed for a woman the way he longed for her.

“Serena,” he whispered as he bent toward her. How he loved the sound of her name.

She turned, wide-eyed, but with acquiescence evident in the way she strained toward him.

He lowered his head, keeping his gaze locked to hers, anticipating the rush of her breath when she finally released it. Her lips were soft, hesitant and compliant, wanting to follow and learn. Her breath was sweet. It was heady, teaching such innocence.

He had not known such sweetness existed.

She seemed entirely willing to go where he led her. Her movements matching his, her hands sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulders. He groaned, eyes shut, splitting in half with desire and guilt, trying to hold on to the reasons they must stop.

He broke free from the kiss, but then, instead of backing away as he’d planned, his lips moved to pepper kisses along the side of her neck and throat. Her blouse didn’t have any buttons . . . ah, the Quakers, maybe they had the right idea after all. He pulled the top bow slowly, unable to think beyond wanting to see more of her in the dusty sunlight.

Suddenly, she reared back, gasping, staring at him wide-eyed. “Thou mustn’t . . . we mustn’t!” She dragged in a long breath and stepped away from him. “Please, forgive me.”

Drake’s mind and body rolled with the turmoil so that he didn’t at first comprehend. Was she taking the blame? Shaking his head he looked at the floor. What a fool, trying to make love to a saint. He would burn in the abyss for certain now.

“No, Serena, it’s my fault. I beg your pardon.”

He looked up to see her reaction and caught his breath. She was just so beautiful. He had never seen her blush so thoroughly, but her eyes were steady and remained fixed on his. Such a mix of innocence and passion.

In a rush she turned them to another direction. “Art thou ready for thy button lesson?”

For more kissing scenes from other authors (like Julie Lessman!) visit Faith and Fiction on Fire! I will be posting another love scene from this book later in February at Faith and Fiction on Fire. Happy Valentine’s Day! XOXO!!

And the Winner is . . .

Angel'sDen2Beth Nunn!!

Congratulations, Beth, and a big THANK YOU to everyone who entered! Enjoy the story!

Technical Problems

If you are having a hard time finding the sign up box on the homepage of my website I have figured out something for you to try. This is for IE (Internet Explorer) users. You know the address bar at the top that says www.jamiecarie.com? Look to the far right on that bar and there should be an icon of a torn piece of paper. Click on this and your browser will change to compatibility mode which should correct the problem. My IE does it too and I have to click on this icon quite a bit. I think I’m using the most current IE and some websites (mine included) are formatted for people using an older version of IE, at least that is how my hubby explained it to me :-) . Thanks for your patience everyone!

And Yet Another Contest!! :-)

earringsADpromoOkay, Author Buzz is now featuring Angel’s Den (this is getting hilarious) and mentioning a contest for a free copy. I have already ran two contests, but I don’t want to disappoint anyone so this week there will be two more contests!! One will be on Window to my World blog with the wonderful Kim Ford interviewing me. The prize there will be a signed copy of Angel’s Den AND this lovely pair of amethyst and pearl earrings reminiscent of the necklace Emma receives in the story.

Also . . .

I’m running another contest here on my blog!! All you have to do is sign up for my e-newsletter (the sign up box is in the upper right hand corner of my homepage at www.jamiecarie.com) or comment here if you are already on my mailing list. (I never share or sell my mailing list). I will choose a winner at the end of the day on Friday to receive a signed copy of Angel’s Den !

Here is a link to the latest review of Angel’s Den http://abookloverforever.blogspot.com/2010/01/angels-den-by-jamie-carie-review.html

Another Winner!

earringsADpromo

I drew the winner this morning and it is . . .

Mary Rodrigues!

I had 45 entries from all the people who signed up for my e-newsletter and three here on the blog. Thanks so much for entering!

Oh, there is going to be another chance to win on February 10th (my birthday) at Window to My World blog where Kim Ford is interviewing me. The prize will be a signed copy of Angel’s Den AND a lovely pair of amethyst and pearl earrings (see photo) reminiscent of the necklace Emma receives in the story. Mark your calendars for another chance to win!

Another Contest!

happy_birthday_7Happy Birthday Angel’s Den!

Okay, funny thing happened today. This morning I starting recieving email notifications that lots of people were signing up for my e-newsletter and emailing me about a contest to win a copy of Love’s First Light. I was puzzled. Today is the debut of my fifth novel, Angel’s Den, and I ran a contest for that last week. Where were they all hearing about a contest for LFL? Then, PTL, someone mentioned hearing about the contest on Author Buzz. I went to Author Buzz and discovered that they are highlighting Love’s First Light as one of their picks of the week. This is AWESOME (thanks Author Buzz!) but they used some old copy from back when I was running a contest.

Soooo . . .

I’m running another contest!! This time all you have to do is sign up for my e-newsletter or comment here if you are already on my mailing list. I will choose a winner at the end of the week AND the winner will recieve a signed copy of Love’s First Light AND Angel’s Den.

I’m really glad this happened today because I am so excited that Angel’s Den is now available! Happy birthday to my fifth “child”!!!!

Here is a link to the latest review of Angel’s Den http://abookloverforever.blogspot.com/2010/01/angels-den-by-jamie-carie-review.html