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Sometimes I have to write a scene that takes me back decades, and I have to remember how it felt to be a young adult, how much I cared, however foolishly, about peer pressure. As if that weren't difficult enough, I have to make sure today's young adult readers can relate to the scene too. Here's a scene that I came up with while attempting to do just that:

From My WIP, DAUGHTER OF ANCIENTS 

I tried to ignore the mass intake of breath behind me. 

Focus.  

The class held their collective breath. 

Focus. 

They waited for Mr. Wither’s response.  As did I.  

I had to focus. 

Middle-aged and arrogant, the man’s stern gaze wavered. I saw the second he realized that he was about to lose the upper hand. Ha! The worst possible fear for a control freak like Wiltin. His eyes widened in alarm. He panicked. My sense of injustice and indignation helped me bore deeper into his brain. Mentally I pushed one final time.  Lately I had little problem using whatever this mind control power was.

The apology sputtered between his reluctant lips. In truth the nasty bastard should be apologizing to the entire class for his vile tirades and abuse of power.  For now an apology for embarrassing my shy friend, Abasi, would do.

The Harder They Fall
Blake Pride Series
Book Three
JoAnna Grace

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: JoAnna Grace- Winged J Press

Date of Publication: July 21st 2015

ISBN: 978-1-940-460-24-6
ASIN: B00ZY8B24Q
Number of pages: aprox 189
Word Count: 55,650
Cover Artist: Jleeann.com

Book Description:

With two newly mated couples in the alpha house, Conall needs a serious breather. He’s used to being the fifth wheel but now the distinction is amplified. When the opportunity for a couple days of freedom arises, he volunteers to take winter supplies to a mountain-dwelling widow and then spend some time hiking alone. Plans change when he meets a woman who evokes his lion’s protective streak and stirs his human desires. She meets none of his expectations for a mate, but that might be exactly what he needs.

Madelyn has been alone for nearly a decade. Ashamed of what she has become, she banished herself from the Blackburn Pack and resigned herself to a solitary life in the mountains. With no plans of change, it’s alarming when a young, alluring lion shifter arrives awakening her senses and challenging her situation. Her inner bear is still haunted by the last man who tried to claim her and she doesn’t want to make the same mistake again.  Madelyn must discern if Conall is worth the risk or of he’s another heartbreak just waiting to happen.

While Conall is tucked away in the woods with Madelyn, the rest of his Pride faces an attack. In haste to go rescue his friends, he might throw the most vulnerable person of all to the wolves. But are they friend or foe?

Available at Amazon

Excerpt:
Leaving the truck, he unhitched the cart. It was colder up here, but his lion didn’t mind. Conall sniffed the area, made sure no unsuspecting humans were going to get the scare of a lifetime, and shifted into a massive African lion. The harness he and Sampson rigged up last night worked perfectly. He slipped it over his head, resting it on his shoulders. The lion started his trek up the mountains, having memorized the map.

It was all too easy to let his mind wander, to think about absolutely nothing except for where his paws would land with the next step. The walking path to the cabin was clear if you knew to look for the notches in the trees. He could travel like this all day and not get bored, never tire. Being in the wilderness liberated his lion; the burden he carried behind him only added a minor challenge to his muscular frame.

This was exactly what he needed.

The next four hours passed slowly and quietly, a vast change from the chaos of the last few weeks. For the first time in a long time, he turned off his brain and let his lion dominate his actions. His wide paws navigated the terrain with no problems. His ears alerted him to the movement of the forest creatures and his nose picked up the various scents of nature. Conall lost himself into his lion and his human counterpart took a well-needed mental nap.

Then he heard an angel.

The voice echoed around the woods and he froze with one paw off the ground. His feline ears perked up. After living with Vivian Blake, diva extraordinaire, for five years, he knew musical talent when he heard it. Vivian had the most beautiful voice he’d ever heard…until right then. Closing his eyes, he crouched down, still as death, to listen. The notes rose and fell flawlessly on pitch and with incredible ease. Her range was awe-inspiring. His breath caught in his throat as he listened to her build up to a note so high and delicate, it caused his heart to soar in anticipation. The emotion of the words, the love conveyed in every measure resonated in his chest. Tendrils of melody wrapped around him, gripping him tighter with every beat. Had he been in human form, he might have fallen to his knees. As it was, the four legs of his lion shook with the driving need to get closer to the source of such mesmerizing singing.

He took cautious steps over the crest of the hill to look upon the cottage set snugly among the evergreens. Green tin roof and logs made from local timber provided camouflage. Smoke rose from the chimney; the smell traveling the air currents was divine. Three chairs rocked on the porch, pushed by the invisible hands of the wind. Although the coming winter cold had scared them away, it was clear the cottage was usually framed with flowers. A brown picket fence protected a garden. He envisioned Snow White singing to the forest creatures as they scuttled around her feet.

Ha, he thought. Any moment now, some old woman would come outside with a radio in her hand.

He didn’t want the fantasy to end. The lion closed his eyes and let the gentle voice wash over him. Peace settled in his chest, a heavy weight dissolved from his shoulders. The notes infiltrated his veins and he felt absolutely drunk with contentment. Her love song pierced him and eased each breath he took.

Incredible…

The notes cut off as soon as the wind shifted.

“Who’s there?” chimed an angelic voice. His singer.

 JoAnna Grace lives in a world of alpha males and strong females where true love conquers all—at least in her mind! Author of The Divine Chronicles, the Blake Pride Series, and more, this writer loves paranormal and urban fantasy romance novels.

From the time she started holding a crayon she began to create magical worlds. Her first book was a series of pictures about a puppy princess. The story changed each time she told it, but there was always a happy ending! Her first written story was about girls who changed into tigers. Now those stories have become a bit more complex.

JoAnna’s tales are spun at her home in East Texas where she lives with her husband, three kids, and a couple dogs. When not hiding behind the computer screen you can find her camping, boating, and shopping.

Sign up for her newsletter to receive information about new releases, events, and giveaways! www.authorjoannagrace.com

 JoAnna loves to hear from readers and fans! 

You can find her at the following places:
www.Authorjoannagrace.com 

First and foremost I am a wife and mother.  I was born in England where I had a dream at the age of 14.  That dream was to chase cattle on horseback across the Australian Outback.

In 2008, I had the opportunity to follow that dream, and found myself travelling to Australia on an Outback working holiday, and I've chased cattle, on horse back, across the Outback.  I met my soul mate, whilst on my working holiday, married him, and we have two beautiful daughters, and I'm still loving life in Australia.

I love to read, much to my husbands dismay sometimes when I have my head metaphorically buried in the pages of a book (I mean, how can that be literal since the dawn of e-books?)!

I love fantasy, I used to take myself away from my nasty world of bullies and appear in some wonderful land of dragons and magic! Pern was my all time favourite hide out world, God bless Anne and Todd MacCaffery.

When I immersed myself in my fantasy worlds, I used to re-write the plots in my head, starring myself as some great, sword drawn character who wouldn't give two hoots what the local bully thought! That eventuated in my actually writing down my own stories.

More recently I was inspired to start writing again, and I picked up on the whole craze of werewolf and vampire. I have had the most enjoyment writing AN UNEXPECTED BONDING, and the two books that will follow it.

I hope you can find enjoyment in my hide away from reality!

As the title suggests, this novelette is a thriller. Though as in most thrillers the conclusion is mandatory, this one sports a slight twist most won't see coming.


The main character, Brad, is about as unlikeable as a man without hope can get, but not even he deserves what he gets. Or does he? Sometimes Karma IS a "B"! Choosing to do nothing is a choice, and often it is the wrong one. The reader will have to decide for themself if the characters in this story make the right choices. Since this is such a short work, saying much more about it would give too much away. It's enough to know that this story will make you think, about life, about how our lives are often intermingled with those of others in unexpected ways that leave us forever changed.

Free with Kindle unlimited, if you hurry, this one is a fast read with no commercials! 

Book Bling gives this story 4 stars!

I am struggling with my WIP right now. I have the synopsis, the characters, the beginning, but I still feel stuck. No way could or would I write an outline to every chapter as some writers I know.  Honestly, I don't feel the need to be so tightly organized. It's not so much that  I'm out of ideas or that I don't know the main events. The problem I am having is just getting the actual scenes down on paper. In fact, I am struggling to make myself open the file and freewrite until I unstop my stop. Am I alone in this?

Does anyone else ever find it difficult to get back into the flow, that groove of creativity where the characters just write it for you? Sigh. I know I'm a pantser, and I plan, always, to literally delete the first chapter, or even two. I like to brainstorm the "feel" of a piece, to get my creative juices running so that I have some momentum.

So why this dead stop? Am I tired of the storyline? No, I really like it. Do I hate the point of view? No, in fact I wrote the first chapter in both third and first point of view to get a feel for what I liked. Oh no, is this writer's block? Aaaaargh!  No, not exactly. I know where I need to go. For some reason, I am not FLOWING. It is a struggle to move forward in an enjoyable rythm. 

Suggestions?

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.


Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Twitter hashtag is #IWSG 

IWSG awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting will beCharity Bradford, S.A. Larsen, AJ, Tamara Narayan, Allison Gammons, and Tanya Miranda!