Archive for writing

Monday blues…

As some of you might have already heard, Samhain will be closing at some point this year. It’s unfortunate, but sometimes these things happen. I have five books out with them and have enjoyed my experience working with Samhain.

They’re having a huge sale going on today at Samhain, so you might want to stop by and see if they have anything you’re interested. Or you could check out the books I have there. (In case you missed any of them.) https://www.samhainpublishing.com/author/71/ta-chase

Also, Amber Allure is having a big Leap Day sale. You might want to jump over there to check out what they have to offer. Here’s the link to my page there (in case you missed any of them) http://www.amberquill.com/store/m/160-T-A-Chase.aspx

Don’t worry. All of the books will be re-released with other publishers. And most-if not all-will be added to, so they’ll be almost like new. lol Of course, I wouldn’t expect you to buy them, especially if you already have them. (unless you wanted to or I added a lot of extra words to them. Then you might decide it’s worth getting the new version)

I’ll let you know when they’ll start being re-released and what-if anything-I added to them. Then you can make up your minds. I hope you all have a great Monday.

Edits….

Got stuck doing edits all day…and still not finished with them. Ugh! So there’s no new blog post. I’m going to try and get it done for Wednesday. We’ll see.

Have a great Tuesday, everyone. 🙂

Good news….

For those of you who have been wishing and begging for Edward Monterrrose to get his own story….well, the wait is over. Actually that’s not entirely true…lol

I turned in Fall into My Kiss, which is Book One of the Merging Violently series. Merging Violently is an alternative rock band. The lead guitarist meets Edward and they fall in love. 🙂

Now, I do believe the pre-order is in March, so you will have to wait a little while longer, but I promise you his story is done and just have to be edited. 🙂 Once I get a cover and a blurb, I’ll post it here for you.

I’m working on a new story, which I think I shared a snippet of already titled A Coal Miner’s Son. Once that’s done, I’ll be starting Book Two of MV, featuring Lonnie, the lead singer and Cody, Tony’s friend from Home of his Own. Also, Devon and I are starting the 9th book in the Sports series, so hopefully there will be good news on that front soon as well.

Hope you all have a marvelous Monday.

Friday…Wednesday’s Work in Progress

Since I missed posting anything on Wednesday, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at another story I’m working on. I’ll tell you more about it when I finish it…like which publisher is getting it and stuff like that. lol.

A Coal Miner’s Son copyright c. 2016 T.A. Chase

“Great job, son.” Nicholas Callahan, James’ father and boss, slapped him on the shoulder. “I have to admit when you first suggested making these changes, I thought you were crazy.”

“Not to mention wasting a lot of company money,” James said, hiding his wince at the force of his father’s jovial display of approval.

“Well, that’s true.” Nicholas dismissed James’ comment with a wave of his hand before he dropped into the chair behind his desk. “It was going to be a big cost and it was hard getting the board to spend it.”

James strolled over to the window. Placing his hand on the cool glass, he stared out over the city. The sun shone down on the buildings, but James didn’t see the beauty of it. All he saw was the vehicles on the streets and people on the sidewalks. Charleston was the capital of West Virginia, which wasn’t saying much. Yet James wasn’t interested in it. Just like he hadn’t really been interested in all the other major cities he’d visited and lived in throughout his thirty-four years.

“Although the initial cost was high, the changes made have ended saving the company millions of dollars in fines.” He turned back to meet his father’s gaze. “Along with health insurance claims and work complaints. Maybe you won’t dig in your heels next time I want to make some changes.”

Nicholas snorted. “You know there will be a fight, no matter what, son. When it comes to spending money, there’s no way you’re not getting it without jumping through circles.”

That was the truth. Ever since James joined the company, he’d argued with the money people over every idea and change he wanted to make. It didn’t matter that he was the CEO’s only son. The board members hated giving up even a penny of the bottom line.

His father’s phone rang and James edged toward the door. “I’m leaving for Willow Hollow. I want to check the changes at the main mine. It’s been six months since we instituted the new safety measures. Also, the miner representative asked to meet with me.”

He dashed out of the office before his father could say anything. There was nothing his father disliked more than the miners and the people who represented them. Yet James had never had any trouble with them, even when they argued against the new safety measures he’d implemented earlier in the year. Their resistance had surprised him until his father reminded him that most people didn’t like change.

“James, my son, those people don’t like change. They like to do things the way they’ve always been done. I’m surprised they even agreed to it.” Nicholas shook his head.

It was a sentiment he’d heard most of his life. “Those people” as Nicholas called the miners and their families who lived in Willow Hollow. His father believed the townspeople were backward and ignorant. He’d done his best to keep James away from them, rarely allowing him to visit the main mine and kept him close when they did go.

Yet James had figured out ways to sneak away and spend time with the miners’ children. He didn’t care that their clothes were ragged and their skin dirty. They didn’t care that James was neatly dressed and always so clean. None of that mattered. Children never saw the differences. They only saw the fun they could have together. It was worth all the punishments James had suffered when he returned to his father, covered in mud and leaves.

Willow Hollow had been a place of joy for James. A place where he could be a regular boy instead of Nicholas Callahan’s heir. Then he’d been sent to boarding school and college. It had been years before he’d been able to get back.

First book of the year done….

black squirrel with nut

Yay! I finished and submitted my first story of the year. It’s my short for the GRL anthology. New Vocations. Not a bad way to start 2016. 🙂 So now I’ll be working on Edward’s story. That is next on my list to be written. Also have kind of a secret project. I don’t want to say anything because I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ll be working on that one as well.

Edward’s story is part of a new series I’m starting about an alternative rock band and the guys they fall in love with. The interesting thing is it’s a spin-off of the Home series because the other MCs are all secondary characters from the Home series, plus there will be visits from the Home guys. 🙂 As soon as it’s done, I’ll let you know about release dates and stuff.

I hope you all have a great Monday. Stay warm and safe (for those of you hit by snow and bad weather)

Wednesday Work in Progress

It’s been a long time since I did one of these and I think I’d like to start it up again. Have to figure out what to do on Mondays and Fridays now. lol I’m determined to try and post something Monday thru Friday for you. It might not always work, but I’m going to give it my all. lol

Today’s Wednesday Work in Progress is New Vocations. It’s a contemporary story set in Kansas City during the American Royal, an eight-week long event that features a rodeo, bbq competitions, horse shows and exhibitions. Since GRL is in Kansas City, we’ve decided to use this event as the background for our anthology. You’ll be getting cowboys this year. 🙂

Here’s the working blurb: (it might change for publication)

Two men who believe in second chances meet and their lives are never the same again.

Layne Daly comes to participate in The American Royal. He’s there to show off the abilities of the retired thoroughbreds he adopts straight off the track. He wants people to know these animals can do so much more than race. He has three horses there to do exhibitions in reining, barrel racing and cutting. When his usual groom gets sick, he has to hire someone fast.

Carl Stewartson used to love coming to Kansas City for the rodeo. He’d ride broncs and hang out with his friends. But since his career-ending injury early in the year, Carl has been spinning his wheels, trying to find something to do with his life now that he couldn’t rodeo anymore. He runs into Layne and offers to help him with his horses.

Together, they have to deal with not only the stress of the event, but starting a new relationship. Second chances are what Layne does best and he’s more than willing to give Carl the opportunity.

And here’s a little excerpt from it. I can’t give you too long of one since it’s going to be a short story. lol

New Vocations c.2106 T.A. Chase

Layne took his time pulling into the Hale Arena parking lot. Driving a four-horse trailer through downtown Kansas City was nerve-wracking enough, but having to back his trailer up to the doors and off loading his horses challenged even his expertise.

A whistle caught his attention. Looking into the side mirror, he saw a man motioning and he realized he was helping guide him. Layne waved then eased down on the pedal to keep moving. Another whistle let him know he was close enough.

Once he turned the truck off, he tugged the keys out of the ignition then jumped from the cab. He jogged to the back of the trailer, getting there just as a hoof hit the inside wall. The stranger jumped and Layne chuckled.

“Thanks for the help,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Layne Daly.”

“Carl Stewartson. Glad to help. I’ve driven vehicles like this before, so I know how difficult they are to back up.” Carl shook his hand.

Layne wondered if he imagined Carl holding his hand a little longer than necessary. He gave himself a mental shake. Didn’t matter if the man had or not. Layne didn’t have time for a hook up. Not right then anyway. He needed to get the horses settled in their stalls. He checked his watch and grimaced.

“Got somewhere you need to be?” Carl tilted his head toward Layne’s wrist.

“No. Just wondering where my groom is. He was supposed to be driving over from the ranch earlier and have everything set up, so I could get the horses in right away. But Quinn hasn’t showed up yet.” He pulled out his phone. Both of them jumped when another kick landed on the wall closest to him.

Carl snorted. “Sounds like they’re getting impatient.”

Layne nodded. “Tigger hates being trailered anywhere. Thank God, Boom and Snack are so laid back, or I’d have a riot on my hands.” He brought up Quinn’s number then hit the send button. “I’m going to chew his ass out about not being here.”

“Well, if you need any help, just let me know. I’ll be around.” Carl started to walk off, but Layne reached out to grab his arm.

“Could you wait and help me get them unloaded? Even if he’s on his way, he won’t get here soon enough. If I don’t get them out of there soon, Tigger will end up hurting himself or the others.”

Carl grinned. “Be glad to. Why don’t I go see where your stalls are while you talk to your guy?”

He wanted to say that Quinn wasn’t his guy, just a friend and an employee, but he was pretty sure Carl didn’t mean it the way he’d taken it. “Thanks.”

“Boss?”

“Quinn, what the hell’s wrong? You sound like shit.” Layne winced at the harshness of Quinn’s voice. “I’m sick. Came down with it just after you left this morning. Meant to call you, but fell asleep,” Quinn croaked out.

“Shit.” Layne swept off his hat then slapped it against his thigh. “Now I’m going to have to find someone to help me out here. I can’t take care of the boys all by myself while doing exhibitions and talks.”

Quinn coughed before saying, “I’m sorry, Layne. I know this is important to you.”

Layne shot a quick glance around at the busy crowd of people coming and going from the arena. Some were walking horses. Others were helping to herd the bulls in for the rodeo. He propped his hip against the wheel well of the trailer and sighed.

“I know you are. I’m not mad or anything, Quinn. It’s not like you planned on getting sick. I’m just cranky from driving all day and having to figure shit out. Get some sleep and if you need to, have Whit drive you to the doctor’s.” Layne couldn’t help but smile at the unhappy little whine Quinn gave at the thought of going to the doctor. “I’ll call Whit in a couple hours after I get the boys settled for the night.”

“I’ll let her know.” Quinn hung up.

Layne did the same then shoved his phone in his back pocket. Better suck it up, buttercup. There’s no one here to help you and you have three horses to get bedded down before you can leave. As exhausting as dealing with horses was, Layne wouldn’t have it any other way. His herd was his life. Hell, had been his life since he was old enough to walk and discovered how much freedom there was on the back of a horse.

An anxious whinny drew his attention to the open windows of the trailer. He saw Tigger stick his nose out, sniffing the air and curling his upper lip in a weird little smirk.

Hope this has got you interested. I’m planning on having a blurb up for you tomorrow on the blog story I want to start. Hope you all have a great Wednesday.

New Blog Story

I’m still working out which story I’ll pick for the next blog story. Maybe a sci-fi/fantasy one. For some reason that’s talking to me at the moment.

I’ve started writing my story for the 2016 GRL anthology which will take place in Kansas City. I have two chapters done and am enjoying it right now. We’ll see if it keeps going. lol.

I hope you all have a great Tuesday and I’ll try to get you a blurb or something for the blog story on Thursday.

Hello

I know it’s been a really long time since I posted anything. Sorry about that. I went to GRL and now I’ve been writing as much as I can to get a couple of books done in time. 🙂 I promise I will be back on the first and I’ll have a new story for you as soon as possible.

New Book available

AimHigh_BlogTour_600x315_final

There’s a blog tour going on for my newest story, Possibilities, which is part of the Aim High anthology. All stories with at least one character who is in the Air Force. 🙂

Here’s the link to yesterday’s post.It’s Stephanie Hecht talking about her story. http://shirleyfrancesbooksandmore.com/2015/09/tour-aim-high-anthology-from-pride-publishing-guest-post-review-and-excerpt/

There will be more from the other wonderful authors in the anthology. Also, I’ll be doing another blog tour when my book, Climbing the Savage Mountain, comes out, so I’ll post the dates on that when I get them.

I’m trying to decide what to write next for my blog story. Edward’s story is in progress, so there will be something soon about him. I’m doing a story for Amber Allure set in the universe of The Whore of New Slum. Hmm…do any of you have suggestions? I will admit though, I’m heading to Portland next week and will be in San Diego for GRL the week after, so I’m not entirely sure I’ll be able to start anything until I get back. I will try to post more often then and maybe even some pictures from GRL while I’m there.

I hope you all have a great day.

Goodbye Town available now

GoodbyeTown

 

Goodbye Town is a reunited lovers story as part of the Military Men PAX at Amber Allure. 🙂 It came out on Sunday and is on sale this week.  Check it out here.

And Bulls and Blood is doing very well. I appreciate all of you who purchased it. I’ll be starting the second book, Bones and Blood, soon. It’ll feature Oak, a shifter, and Loman, one of the Thorn brothers. We’ll see a little more of the cattle cowboy side of the ranch.

I’m also hoping to get to work on Edward’s story. I started it a few months ago, but something just wasn’t right. So I put it aside and let the idea set in the back of my mind. The other day, I think I worked out what was wrong and I’m going to be able to get it done soon. 🙂

Have a great Monday, everyone.