I love doing Casting Calls. It's a chance for me to show you who starred in the video version of my stories as they ran through my head while writing. Some characters come through more vividly than others.
Rachel McAdams was very clearly Norah Hawkins. Rachel's range of characters make her adaptable to most any genre. She brings characters to life in a unique way, and makes a strong heroine even stronger. Norah's determination make her a bit pigheaded at times, but it's a survival tactic. Rachel could easily convey those nuances of character.
Gerard Butler's teasing smile, clear blue eyes and especially his lilting speech were always the personification of Gerard MacKenzie. It's why they share the same first name, in fact. It's my tip of the cap to the actor. Both are lovable wiseguys who sometimes have difficulty keeping their tempers in check. :)
Some of the secondary characters came through vividly too. Norah's mom, Estelle, could only be Susan Sarandon, who has stayed sexy for decades.
I can picture the actor who I envisioned as Dan Jamison very clearly in my head, but unfortunately he'll have to stay there, as I can't remember his name. If it comes to me, I'll update this Casting Call. :)
Thanks to everyone who entered the Hot Paranormal Nights blog hop!
Rafflecopter's not showing the winner for some reason, but it selected....
Ash Krafton! Congrats, Ash! I've emailed you.
I invite everyone else to sign up for my newsletter to receive exclusive goodies for subscribers. In last week's summer edition, I provided a code for a free copy of my contemporary, Going With Gravity, from Smashwords. Newsletters will probably go out quarterly, though I may toss in an extra if I get some extra share-worthy news. :) It's easy to sign up - just enter your email address in the box below the Facebook badge at right.
Release dates
Wow, it feels great to see a story through to the end, with a release date the final prize. I'm lucky to have two releases in August!
Betting It All, my historical set during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, will release August 16.
Charmed, the paranormal/fantasy followup to Cursed, will release August 30!
And - ding ding ding, bonus! - Decadent contracted the third book in the trilogy, Claimed. Woot!
As you can imagine, there was much revelry and celebratory dancing and noisemaking last weekend. (And that was just me! lol)
Both Cursed and Betting It All will be on blog tours in August too. I took advantage of a great half-price sale at CBLS Promotions, so watch for more news on that.
I had a very productive weekend! I finished final revisions on San Francisco Dreams, my vintage historical romance novella. I uploaded the story for publication, and it's now available on Smashwords and on Amazon for just $1.99. :)
Can the daughter of a well-known prostitute start a new life where no one knows her family history? Norah Hawkins is sure going to try. When a letter arrives deeding her property in San Francisco, she packs her bags.
Irishman Gerard MacKenzie likes his life free and easy, but is tired of the snobbish East Coast folk. San Francisco has enough vice and folly to suit his needs. Meeting Norah gives him the opportunity to bartend in her saloon. Maybe he can convince her to let him play the piano too. She’s a shrewd businesswoman, and negotiating with her makes his blood boil. Damn if she doesn’t make his blood boil in other ways too.
The morning of April 18, 1906, a terrible earthquake buries their dreams beneath the city’s ruins. Can Norah and Mac rebuild their lives? Will rebuilding their dreams bond them forever, or tear them apart?
Reviews
Their banter is light and frosty at times, but their hearts betray different responses. It’s only when tragedy strikes that they realize how much they need each other. Like all novellas, it’s short, and you’re left wanting to know more. But it was a treat to read about a time period so rarely visited.
San Francisco Dreams is set around the time of the 1906 earthquake, which devastated San Francisco. Ms. Masters does an excellent job of creating an enjoyable story about a woman struggling to make a place for herself in a male-dominated world and a man looking to enjoy life to its fullest. The earthquake, as well as a kidnapping scene, add a depth to the story that takes it beyond just a romance.
Nixing her usual jaunty step, she strolled ladylike – well, as ladylike as she’d ever managed – onto the walkway. Damn this rain. The one snag in her plan to escape this dreary city. She skittered under the shop overhangs until she reached Amos’ Dry Goods. A book would keep her company on the train ride west.
A copy of Mark Twain’s Following the Equator drew her to the book shelf. The dollar price outraged her, but Mr. Samuel Clemons was her favorite author, so she’d buy it. The dang book wouldn’t fit in this tiny silk purse. The price of femininity, she allowed, tucking the book under her arm.
The sight of a man outside the window jolted her to a halt. His piercing stare pricked her skin like sleet on a summer’s day. Though a stranger, he watched her as if he knew what she was thinking. Despite her fancy clothes, she could swear he saw through to her very bones with those eyes. Beautiful, blue eyes. They burned with such fire, her skin near ignited from the heat. Framed by smooth, dark locks that curled to his collar, his stare burned into her like a branding iron, leaving an indelible mark. Then, with one flick of his brow, he set his cap at a rakish angle and turned away. Dismissed her, just like that.
Anger burned her cheeks. How dare he! He knew nothing about her, yet he treated her no better than the riffraff in this awful town had all her life. Good thing he was leaving, or she’d give him a good snub.
His gait purposeful yet slow, he walked away with the bearing of a king—or a predator, all wild energy contained within rippling muscles, ready to spring. She pitied any prey he set his sights on. Lucky for her she wouldn’t have to see him again. Unless the train passed him, then maybe she’d wave her lace handkerchief out the window at him.
Passing the candy counter, she palmed a few licorice and peppermint sticks, and deftly slid them into her purse. Not too small for those.
Her eye caught a familiar figure approaching. Mrs. Hathaway, the snake-tongued biddy. In passing, Norah bumped her shoulder hard into the matronly woman’s.
Mrs. Hathaway gasped. “Oh my. I’m very sorry. I hope I didn’t muss your dress. It’s so beautif—” Meeting Norah’s cool appraisal, Mrs. Hathaway hissed, “You.”
“Dear me. I do apologize.” For not doing this years ago.
“Finery can’t disguise a…” Mrs. Hathaway whispered the last. “…hussy.”
“Mm.” Norah slowly scanned the woman’s barrel-like form. “Why Martha, for once, I do believe you’re right. Honestly, a woman of your age shouldn’t wear rouge.”
The biddy resembled a chicken that had lost its squawk. “Why, I never.”
Norah leaned close. “That’s not what I heard. But then, you of all people, know how untrustworthy gossips can be.”
When Mrs. Hathaway swooned, Norah caught her. “There there. Someone fetch a glass of water for this poor dear. Unless you prefer whiskey, as the rumors allow.”
Mrs. Hathaway snapped straight. With an indignant huff, she stomped off.
With a shrug, Norah flashed her sweetest smile at the dispersing crowd. “It appears she’s fine after all.” A little lighter in the purse, but the biddy needed to lose a little weight anyway. Norah was more than happy to oblige, after all the good turns Mrs. Hathaway had done for her.
Her conscience niggled at her when she noticed the stranger watching her again through the shop window. Had he seen the crime? Her heart lurched. If he reported it, the sheriff would arrest her, and she’d miss the train.
Lifting her chin, she silently dared him to challenge her. The letter in her purse gave her the strength to face nearly anything now.
I love doing Casting Calls. It's a chance for me to show you who starred in the video version of my stories as they ran through my head while writing. Some characters come through more vividly than others.
