More Mock Covers!

I am so excited. I have completely fallen in love with Jimmy Thomas - a romance cover model who is amazing! He saw a niche in the market and created a company where he creates romance stock photos to then sell to the public. My BFF and I could seriously live on his site, each picture making us swoon. You would think it would be expensive to buy him but NOPE, just $15 an image!! Crazy, right? So with the free time I had off today, I designed two book covers for future stories. Please note: I'm a complete novice on Photoshop - doing this I wanted something visual to inspire me. Once it's time to publish, these will be tidied up by the fabulous Elizabeth Sharp, graphic design extraordinaire *grins*

So what do you think?

* If you're interested seeing more of Jimmy's work, go to Romance Novel Covers *

I Have An Author Bio!

Ask me to write about you, ask me to write about a book I've reading, heck - ask me to write about anything and I'll give you something. Ask me to write about myself and I'm drawing a blank. With Dream On being released within the month, I needed to write an author bio for it (I would've needed one eventually) but was stumped on what to include. I wanted something that gave a snapshot of who I am, something that was fun. I love reading bios where it adds a little quirk but when it came time for mine? I've sat on it for WEEKS! Finally, I got started yesterday and voila - here it is!

A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. When she's not devouring her latest read, you can find her celebrating her passion for book on her blog The Bookish Snob.

With all that excitement, it wasn’t long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can’t help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn’t be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes.

Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!


Would you buy my book based on my bio? Slowly but surely, it's becoming official !!

SQUEE! Mock Cover For The Curse Of Illusions

SQUEE!! Nothing beats some visual motivation so without further ado, let me present the cover for my historical romance, The Curse of Illusions. It's of course, a mock cover but this is the general look and feel I'm aiming for. Just looking at it makes me a little giddy and kicks my Muse into hyper drive. All fingers (and toes and eyes) crossed, I'm aiming for an early 2012 release. Here's a snippet of what I've been working on. It's in the early stages but I want to share something:)

 *The Curse of Illusions Teaser *

One moment by the wall, now before her, Lord St James held firm to her and she recognized his intent. He meant to kiss her hand and she relaxed a little. Questions rose in her mind on how he’d been able to move so fast but she shrugged them aside. Maybe he wasn’t as far away as she’d thought.

Lowering her eyes out of habitual respect, all nicety of the moment vanished when he flipped over her hand and buried his mouth in her palm, nudging her with his lips. Heat pulsed through her as she felt the tip of his moist tongue caress her skin in light swirls.

Her knees buckled this time and strong arms banded around her waist, pulling her flush against his hard body. Every inch of her felt electrified at the closeness between them. Propriety demanded she ask to be released but her mind was muddled from being in his embrace.

Nipping the meat of her palm with his teeth, Catriona couldn’t help but shudder with pleasure. Something about the feel of his teeth caused her to conjure up the most erotic of images and she melted into him further.

That's it folks *grins*  I promise this will be a swoony read!

Progress Update - Broken Promises

A little snippet

“Look at me, Bree.” he ordered. Quinn’s voice had lost everything that made him the man I loved. It was harsh and cold, totally void of any emotion. If it wasn’t for the fact I knew it was him, I would have thought it was stranger talking to me.

“No Quinn, I’m won’t.” Maybe defiance wasn’t the way to go but I couldn’t let him think he had total control over the situation. I continued to stand there with my eyes closed, taking in deep slow breaths to steady my beating heart.

There was a long moment of silence where if my body wasn't so in tuned with Quinn’s, I could have been standing alone. But I knew he was there and he was waiting.

“I know you’re there, Quinn and I’m not going to open my eyes so you might as well just let me leave.” I knew it was a long shot, there was no way he was letting me go.

The silence was deafening. I frowned, doubting my ability to sense him when I heard him move slightly. Next I heard a whimper that turned into a gasp. Something was happening and as much as it killed me, I kept my eyes closed.

“Bree? It’s happening again, isn’t it? Oh my gosh, have I hurt you?” The small flicker of hope I had grew brighter as I heard Quinn finally speak to me.

“Quinn?”

“Bree, why didn’t you run when I told you to?” he asked. “I really could have hurt you.” With those few words, the confusion and sorrow in Quinn’s voice melted away what little resistance I held onto. I opened my eyes with the hope I’d see brown ones looking back at me.

I crumpled into myself as his cold blue eyes bore into mine. Quinn began to chuckle and took a step closer to me.

“Surprise, Bree.” He moved his finger in a mock wave, a smirk spread across his face. He didn’t even look the same anymore. He laughed again as he added, “And they said I couldn’t act?”

 

Follow Friday For Writers #4



Hosted by Elizabeth over at Some Sharp Words

(for rules, click on the link)

This week's question is:

Shakespeare asked What's in a name? But we all know better. So let's talk about names, specifically our blog's name. How did you come up with yours?

Hmmm, good question *grins* I actually have one main blog with a bunch of separate pages. So maybe I should explain the main blog's name and then how I came up with this page's name... I'll try to keep it short LOL

Main blog: My main blog is called The Bookish Snob and it's predominantly a book reviewing site - a place where I connect with other readers by sharing my passion for my genre of choice (romance/paranormal/urban fantasy) I have book reviews, giveaways, blogging activities, features and lots and lots of gushing! I've been blogging for almost a year now and I was completely PUSHED into it *giggles* Yep, I needed to be firmly prodded and led by the nose. My BFF was the one who set it all up and she was the one that chose my name.

She thought it was funny that I  basically only read romance. People would ask me "Belinda, have you read this *insert title*" and my guaranteed response was "Is it romance? Is it paranormal?" If the answer was no, then my reading the book wasn't going to happen. I just wasn't interested. My BFF laughed whenever I'd say it and she told me "You're the book snob" When she created the account for my blog, the nickname was already taken so she used The Bookish Snob instead. She then helped create the icon and the rest is history....

Writing Page: This one is simple. I wanted to share some of my work and thought to add it to my blog. Each page has a name according to what it's for. I chose "Writings Of A Dreamer" because that's how I get my story ideas. I wake up with a feeling or a few images and a story forms. I sit at my computer and free write and ten minutes later I have a complete outline. The story I'm writing now, Broken Promises, I wrote a three book outline from 2 dream images - eyes that change and blood being the key. With that kind of influence, it seemed a fitting tribute.

I can't wait to see what you all shared!

Happy Follow Friday!!



I Am A Writer - A Much Needed Declaration!

Add a laptop and I swear, this could be a picture of me having a "what the heck am I thinking!" moment. You know how those go - you're in the middle of creating something wonderful and just for spite, Mr. Doubt strides in and sneers at you. You take a look at what you have and you begin to shake - "Is it good enough? Do I sound stupid? Will my beloved book be ripped to shreds if it's not perfect?" All the while, Mr Doubt paces about you and when he notices you're fighting his influence, he throws in the deal breaker - that one thought that stings the most. For me, that thought is "I am not a writer... who am I fooling?"  Gets me EVERY time and Mr. Doubt can be pretty ruthless with it, especially now that I've reaffirmed my goals to finish Broken Promises.

I was talking with someone today and it's such a common thought amongst us all. It helps so much knowing I'm not alone and it gives me the strength to look Mr Doubt back in the eye and blow him a huge, old RASPBERRY.  I love the saying "As a man thinketh, so he is" I think that's the key to conquering fear and doubt - if I affirm myself, if I remind myself of what I am and the potential I have, then that's who I'll be. Mr Doubt only has the power I give him. So in the spirit of that thought...

Hello, my name is Belinda and

 I AM A WRITER!

Here is what else I think:

I have a voice and a strong imagination.

I know how to access my heart.

I have a beautiful muse.

I deserve to have my creativity published.

I'm not embarrassed to share my talent.

I have something valuable to offer.

So take that Mr. Doubt - be gone and bother me no more!

Sample Sunday #3

Okay, here's a whole CHAPTER from Broken Promises - it's one of the scenes I thought of when I saw the graphic of the book's cover.

He’d been banking on my clumsiness to give him an extra advantage  so the shock that I was still standing, cross bow pointed at his head, was obvious as he searched my face for the answer.

“You weren’t always so light on your feet Bree. There was once a time when all I had to do was look at you the right way and you would fall all over yourself. Can’t say I like the change.” His eyes roamed up and down my body as if to discern what other changes had occurred since the last time we’d met.

“There’s a lot of things that have changed Quinn, one of them being that you no longer have the same affect on me. You lost that ability the last time you tried to rip my throat out, remember?” I tightened my grip on the cross bow, hoping that the blatant lie I just said wouldn’t reveal itself in the slight tremor coursing through me.

Quinn began to move, starting with the slow pacing circle of a predator, a small smirk covering his face. Obviously something I’d said amused him and if I wasn’t careful, the small ground I’d claimed in this never ending battle between us would be lost.

“Oh I remember perfectly, Bree. It’s something I’m still looking forward to but I have to admit this new you has me intrigued. I couldn’t possibly kill you before I’ve had another chance to enjoy you.” He flicked his hand out to my face, using his fingers to twirl a strand of my hair.