Casting Call: The Griffin's Secret

It feels like I haven't done a Casting Call in forever. I couldn't wait to show you this one! I love this story. It's a contemporary retelling of the Grimm fairy tale, The Griffin. I hadn't been familiar with this particular fairy tale, but it was fun to put a modern spin on it, with wizards and witches in a rock and roll setting.

Jackson Grant, the hero, is on the run from trouble. But no matter where he goes, trouble always finds him. With a helpful push from Grundy, a gnome who's a wiz at tattoos, Jackson heads in a new direction. And new trouble.

Jensen Ackles would make a perfect Jackson. And not just because I could look at him all day. Those eyes! *sigh*

Layla has been with the band Malcontent for years, but not as a musical member, and not by choice. Her magic is bound to the band, and she's forced to help them succeed. The granddaughter of Jimi Hendrix has stellar talent of her own, and is ready to break loose.

From the first, I had Zoey Saldana in mind as Layla.

Mal was a fun villain to write. He's a rock star, so of course he's a bad boy. He's also a wizard, but wastes his powers on trifles. He's blinded by success, and may or may not know (or care) the grueling pain he puts Layla through so his band can stay at the top of the charts.

Mal was always Tom Hiddleston.


There are other characters, but those are the main players in the story.

I hope you enjoyed this Casting Call. And I hope you enjoy The Griffin's Secret!

Casting Call: Twice In A Blue Moon

I couldn't wait to show you this Casting Call! I've had these characters in my head for too long. :)



Melanie's a walking contradiction. She's tough but fragile, worn out though she perseveres, putting up a front though she's very down to earth, and she avoids love though she desperately needs it - it's the one thing that can heal her after the loss of her fiancee. She thought Pete was her forever guy, her Once In A Blue Moon guy. Then he died. Since then, she's been flirting a bit closely with death with her extreme sports show, No Boundaries.

Emilia Clarke is the perfect Melanie. Minus the dragons, of course.

Buck is also hiding from his painful past. When Melanie and crew show up, he realizes he can't hide any longer - not from his screw-ups, or from love. A leap of faith is the most difficult kind of leap for him, but some people are worth it.

I have to admit, I owe a big debt to Nathan Fillion. He was in my head as Buck from the story's inception, and influenced how I wrote Buck - from his looks to dialogue. So thank you, Nathan. :)

Hayden was a complex character. A bit arrogant, a professional who puts his job first but makes time for fun, and who cares deeply but might not show it well. Not necessarily likable, but very important to the story. Without him, Melanie might not have had the strength to move on with her life.

Alex Pettyfer would make an excellent Hayden.

Vivacious and energetic, Gina doesn't mind multitasking. She shoots video but is ready to step behind Melanie to follow her on stunts, or step up and fill in for the reality star if necessary. Jumping off a cliff in a wingsuit? No problem.

Jessica Alba would rock the role of Gina.

Anakarina may have a small part to play in this story, but she was very vivid. Her character didn't just play dead while she wasn't on the page. She went out and raised hell.

Eva Green would steal the show as Anakarina.

There were other secondary characters, but these were the most important to the story line.

I hope you enjoyed this Casting Call! You can check out more about Twice In A Blue Moon here.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kensington

Casting Call: Rock My World

As this is a fairly short story, there are only two characters in this Casting Call.

Cynthia Winterspoon's picking up the pieces after a messy split from her husband. At 37, she's reluctant to start over, and ready to fight for the business she's built from scratch.

Thoughtful and kind, she's not prepared for a new guy in her life. Rex Reynolds is nothing like the rock star persona he projects, but a motorcycle accident leaves them both reeling.

Scarlett Johannson would be perfect as Cyn.

Rex Reynolds, rock god and general hot mess, thinks his life is pretty much figured out. Until a motorcycle accident robs him of his memory - except for two things. His love of music, and the girl he loves. But the girl, Cyn, doesn't seem to remember him.

Richard Armitage was always Rex.

You can find out more about Rock My World here.

Or read the first chapter on Wattpad.

Casting Call: Goddess, Spellbound

It feels like I've been waiting forever to reveal this cast for Goddess, Spellbound! Now that it's released, I finally can show you. This might be my favorite cast yet.

The main character, Sandy/Sanura goes through quite a change during the story. From insecure and somewhat shy to a true goddess. As a descendant of the goddess Bastet, Sanura has always envied the sleek grace of cats, and she can't go anywhere without cats surrounding her.

Sanura's obsessed with all things Egyptian, so when her museum scores a world-class exhibit of Egyptian artifacts, it's the thrill of a lifetime for her. Until the warrior mummy awakens, and a dead vizier tries to kill her.

Emma Stone can play fragile and fierce equally well, and would make a perfect Sanura.

Iker, the warrior who served under the queen pharaoh Hatshepsut, has been tasked with ensuring the queen pharaoh's soul finally sails off into the Afterlife, but first he has to convince Sanura that she's the only one who can perform the Pyramid Text spells to free Hatshepsut's soul.

Strong and sensitive, Iker was always Shemar Moore in my mind.

Sanura's intern, Howie, has a few surprises up his, er, sleeve. He's less interested in artifacts than revenge, and once he reveals his true self, Sanura's not sure which version of Howie she dislikes more.

I can't give away any more than that. You'll have to read the book to find out for yourself.

Matthew Gray Gubler was always Howie.

User, the vizier who returns through the false tomb door on exhibit at Sanura's museum, is the worst sort of villain. He's already dead, so there's no use trying to kill him. And he's been waiting for final victory over Hatshepsut since her death in 1548 B.C. He helped erase her from history, but won't rest until he makes certain the queen pharaoh's soul doesn't reach the Afterlife.

Sir Ben Kingsley would make a wonderful User.

Bastet is a multifaceted goddess. Not only is she the daughter of the sun god Ra, but she's the goddess of cats, a a warrior, but also a gentle protector of home and children, a healer and dancer, moon goddess, a goddess of pleasure. She goes by many names: Lady of Flame, Eye of Ra, Lady of the East, Goddess of the Rising Sun, The Sacred and All-Seeing Eye.

Another easy choice. No one but Angelina Jolie could play Bastet. 

Mrs. Allgood has a small but vital role in the story. She's a generous benefactor who donates more than money to the museum.

But she's another character I can't reveal too much about. She was a lot of fun to write, and especially when I imagined Dame Judi Dench as wielding her cloisonne walking cane.

Finally, the queen pharaoh herself.

Hatshepsut ruled from 1478 B.C. until her death twenty-two years or so later. Though Hatshepsut is generally considered one of the most successful rulers, history doesn't reveal much about her. After her death, her likenesses were chiseled from monuments, and her deeds stricken from pharaonic records. She was not buried in her official tomb, probably for fear of someone disturbing her remains.

She's the central part of this storyline, the wronged queen who seeks only justice and final release.

Minnie Driver would make an excellent Hatshepsut.


I love that there are so many strong female characters in this story. And the setting allowed me to explore ancient Egypt, which has fascinated me since I was little.

You can find out more about Goddess, Spellbound here.

Casting Call: Meilin and The Challenger

While Meilin and the Challenger is loosely based on the Grimm tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, it does not, by necessity, have a huge cast. Twelve sisters is too much for one story, though the Grimms may not have thought so. :)  In my modern version, I name less than half, and only three play major roles. Meilin, of course, is the heroine.

The sisters, all adopted, are all the same age, but the others sometimes tease the heroine, Meilin, because she's technically the youngest. (As the youngest of seven, I sympathize with her!)

Their father, who's also mayor of the futuristic City, had them privately tutored, so the girls are well-educated. Their skills go way beyond academics, and they love to put their knowledge to practical use in their private lab.

Meilin puts her technical expertise to work on several systems to eliminate the zombie colony beyond City. Its boundaries sometimes feel like a prison and she wants to break free, and help other cities reopen by using her knowledge where needed.

Lucy Liu was always Meilin in my head.

Four years of military service left Will disillusioned. Returning home to the awful conditions in City, he realizes life will never be worthwhile until the zombies are destroyed. He doesn't have much left to lose, and everything to gain - especially Meilin. Had she not been privately schooled, he'd have made a play for her a long time ago.

Once he discovers she has the same goal in mind - eradicating the zombies - he's ready to take them on.

Ryan Gosling's quiet intensity makes him perfect as Will.

Zoe's technically the oldest of the sisters, and takes the role, and life, seriously. She's bossy and tough, aggressive and abrasive.

Uma Thurman would make a wonderful Zoe.

Lakshme's very close to Meilin, but also tries to be Switzerland during battles between the two. Like her sisters, she's a genius at technical systems, and is pretty handy with a gun, too.

Wonderful accent and all, Reshma Shetty is Lakshme.

Mr. King adopted his twelve daughters as infants, but unfortunately his wife died a few years later. He did his best to parent them, but after the rise of the zombies, had to leave his position as a scientist to become Mayor of City.

Harrison Ford's lopsided smile always reminded me of my own Dad, so he's Mr. King.

Reconstructed from a zombie attack, Dory was saved before the pathogen fully turned her. Mr. King paid for surgery to amputate and replace her arms and legs, so she jokes there’s not much left of her still human except her heart. Half her face is reconstructed because the zombie went for her brains. She’s fiercely dedicated to the girls, and in love with Mr. King.

I always imagined Jeri Ryan as Dory.

Nevin Duquesne came to a tragic end - so everyone thought. Until he reappeared as a zombie. Once Mr. King's trusted advisor and friend, now Nevin has no conscience, and his only motivations are greed and revenge.

Gary Oldman would be wonderful as Nevin. 

So other than the requisite extras, that's the cast of Meilin and The Challenger. Hope you've enjoyed this Casting Call.  

Available from Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/528095
 

Casting Call: The Ex Factor

I'm getting antsy for this week's release of my contemporary 1Night Stand, The Ex Factor. The perfect excuse to share the Casting Call!

Susan Ainsley was once half of the Hollywood 'it' couple. After her husband left her for another actress, Susan can't escape being linked to him in the news. It drives her to think of a more permanent escape - getting out of show business and going home. But she loves the creative aspect of film making, and would love to expand into other areas such as directing. She's willing to give Madame Eve, the mysterious 1Night Stand matchmaker, a shot at pairing her with a real man, not just someone who wants to share the spotlight with her.

Julia Stiles is a perfect Susan, adored by the public as the all-American sweetheart actress.

Jared Thornwell's the polar opposite of Susan - outwardly. When he directs a movie, he earns the nickname "Thornballs" but popularity matters less to him than making an outstanding film.

Except when it comes to Susan. He has a definite soft spot for her. He's tried to work up the nerve to ask her out for two years, since her cardboard husband walked out on her. Finally, he turns to Madame Eve to set up his dream date. But will it turn into his worst nightmare?

Hugh Jackman has played prickly characters very well, and would be great as Jared.

The Ex Factor is a short story, so that wraps this Casting Call.

Soon to be appearing on Decadent Publishing's site and most online ebook sellers!

Casting Call: A Wedding at the Blue Moon Cafe

I love showing you the cast of my stories! These are the actors who I imagined in these roles as I wrote A Wedding at the Blue Moon Cafe.

Loss has left its imprint on Clarissa Hartman, which she's honored with various ink. At 18, she left home and landed in Marfa, a tiny town high atop the West Texas plains. A waitress, she also paints candles and murals. She loves her two best friends, Amy and Jeff, who own the Blue Moon Cafe, and their impending nuptials are turning her world upside down. So does the best man, Dylan Wall.

From the first word, Charlize Theron was Clarissa (use your imagination to add the tattoos).

Dylan's riding high on the success of his self-made PR firm, but he senses a crash coming. Little does he know that agreeing to be best man at his old friend's wedding will lend him the perspective he needs to change. Little does he know, too, that the sharp-tongued waitress who'll be maid of honor will likewise help him change - for the better.

Stephen Amell is Dylan.

Groom-to-be Jeff Smiley came to a Mystery Lights festival in Marfa years earlier, but walked away from his six-digit salary as an engineer after falling head over heels for Amy, a college grad he met at the festival. Eight years later, the Blue Moon Cafe has been written up by travel writers as a five-star eatery. Jeff's just over the moon happy with Amy living in Marfa.

After Dylan can't seem to get along with anyone - especially Clarissa - Jeff wonders if he made a mistake asking him to be his best man.

Adrien Brody is Jeff.

Amy never guessed she'd find her soulmate in a far-flung spot, but loves her life with Jeff.

She can't wait for the wedding, except that her best friend Clarissa seems to be in a tailspin, especially after meeting Dylan.

Anne Hathaway is the perfect Amy.

J.D. was a very fun secondary character to write. Growing up in Texas, he's been everything from a cowboy to a pilot. He's loyal and fierce as a pit bull when it comes to Clarissa. She's never given him any reason to expect more than friendship, but he can't help loving the girl. Her tattoos are enough to convince him she's had more suffering than a young person deserves, and he'd love nothing more than to take care of her.

When Dylan shows up, J.D. takes him for a glider ride he'll never forget - and makes another point Dylan will never forget: never to hurt Clarissa.

I loved having Sam Elliott's voice in my head as J.D.

Harvey had a small but important role in the story. A chef at the cafe, he's also somewhat of a spiritual guru when needed.

My Jersey boy Kevin Smith is Harvey.

And that's a wrap! Hope you enjoyed this Casting Call for A Wedding at the Blue Moon Cafe.

Casting Call: Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake

Another Casting Call! I've missed doing these.

Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake has a somewhat large roster of characters. I won't show them all to you, but here are the major ones.

This holiday novella's the story of two people who never quite got over each other.

Sierra O'Brien married her former love's school rival and retreated into her life. Big mistake. She endured years of verbal abuse before her husband's sudden death. Out of that tailspin, she manages to right herself and move forward with her life. To do that, she needs to leave all the terrible memories behind, so brings only her clothes to her hometown of Bliss. She never counts on running into Carter, but she's inspired by his success to launch her own business. Plus, she intends to find someone who made her feel as good as he did.

Emma Stone is a perfect Sierra.

After their breakup, Carter Grove became a success machine, pushing himself to ever-greater success to fill the void left by Sierra. He became a top rival of Steve Jobs, but it cost him two marriages. Both wives loved his bank account more anyway. When he runs into Sierra along the PA Turnpike, he's drawn home to Bliss too.

From the beginning, David Giuntoli was Carter.

Oren and his dog Jack hike across the country together, and happened into Bliss while following the Appalachian Trail. Lucky for them. The locals opened their hearts when Jack was struck by a car. Oren's in town doing odd jobs to raise money to pay for his operation. He's also known to dispense wisdom when needed.

Luke Kleintank was always Oren.

Carter's estranged wife, Barbara, stars in the reality show Unhappy Housewives. And she plays the role to the hilt. When she learns Carter's returned to Bliss, she makes the most of the opportunity to play the injured spouse.

Sandra Bullock normally plays the America's sweetheart type, but I know she could be a killer Barbara. Just look at that expression! I wouldn't want to go up against her.

Sierra's longtime friend, Rosalie, has never left Bliss, but found her own bliss as a singer-guitarist. She's happy playing gigs around town.

Carey Mulligan is Rosalie.

Shotsie owns and runs the Bliss Music Emporium. Once a backup singer for Janis Joplin, she now inspires young people by giving guitar and voice lessons.

Sally Struthers is the perfect Shotsie.

Sierra's parents welcomed her home, and offered her a job in their coffee shop, The Sweet Spot, until she can get her own business going.

Dianne Wiest is Ellie O'Brien, and Sam Shepard is Bob.

Carter's parents never held much regard for his wife Barbara. They'd pegged her as a gold digger from the beginning. So they're more than encouraging Carter to hang around for Thanksgiving, and afterward.

Diane Keaton is Carter's mom, Deborah, and Aidan Quinn is Carter's dad Curtis.


Thanks for checking out this Casting Call! I hope you'll read Blue Moon Over Bliss Lake too.

Casting Call: Sweet Revenge

Casting Calls are so much fun. I love showing you who played in the in-my-head movie versions of stories while I wrote.

This one's short but sweet. Only two characters - the heroine and the hero.

First, Zoe Golden. The 'Golden Girl' in high school, always in with the popular cliques, a little too much of a party girl. Back then, she began to have glimpses that her life was too shallow, glimpses afforded her by one guy. Not one of the popular kids, and a bit overweight, but he teased her like he saw right through her. To the real Zoe.

Zoe herself wouldn't find her true self until life dealt her some harsh lessons. But she could never forget the boy who first magnetized her moral compass.

Natalie Goldman's beautiful, talented, intelligent and certainly able to portray a multilayered character like Zoe.

Ty Hardin built a successful chain of fitness centers fed by one burning desire: revenge. Years ago, he'd fallen for a cheerleader, a girl who had much potential but squandered it. Despite being overweight, he took a chance - and she betrayed him.

After that night, he no longer made excuses for himself. He made fitness a priority, and now in his gyms, he tolerates no negativity among clients. So when Zoe applies for an opening as a yoga instructor, he sees his chance to finally get payback.

Madame Eve sets them up on a 1Night Stand date, and the games begin. :)

Chris Hemsworth is Ty. (They made a cute couple in Thor, and seemed a natural fit here.)

That's it, the Casting Call for Sweet Revenge.

Check out more about Sweet Revenge here.