I’m happy to announce that I’ve received a contract for another short historical western with Champagne Books. Listen to Your Heart is the sequel to my other historical western, The Heart Never Lies. It takes the story of the two characters a little further to their happily ever after. Together I believe the two stories tell a great tale.

Blurb for Listen to Your Heart:
Kit McCauley can hardly believe her eyes. Of all men, she believed Beau to be true blue and not one to step out with another woman behind her back. Sparks fly and secrets are revealed which just might be the undoing of her upcoming wedded happiness.

Beau Tucker thought he’d left his past East of the Mississippi. When a stranger from Chicago comes looking for him, his world spins out of control. He has to listen to his heart and decide where he belongs.

I wrote this new story mainly because readers have expressed a wish to know what happens next with these characters. So last spring I decided to write a sequel. Listen to Your Heart releases next January and I’m very excited about it.

Speaking of the Heart Never Lies, it has been selling great on Amazon, but it could really use some more reader reviews. It’s a short story and only costs $.80 on Amazon. So, if you have read my story and would like to give it a quick sentence or two review, that would be super!  Here is the link to the book on Amazon. You can also purchase it from any online ebook seller such as All Romance Ebooks.

Have a great day everyone!

Well, it’s been over four weeks since I had my surgery and I am finally feeling back to my good old, regular self. My recovery has been slower that I had expected. A couple simple complications that brought pain. It kept me from doing a lot of things around my house. I couldn’t even drive or sit up for long periods–and forget sitting in front of computer.

Last week things started to get better and I am feeling pretty close to normal now–whatever that it. I can drive, sit at a desk and I even got in the pool this week. I still get worn out pretty easily and have a little discomfort but other than that I’m good.

Well, school will be starting again soon which will take up a good portion of my time, but I hope to get some writing & promotional things accomplished before then so stay tuned. Have a good day.

Hello Readers,

Well I never did get my newsletter out during the month of June. Hopefully I’ll have a chance in July.

One of the things that has kept me busy is that I have to go in for surgery. I appreciate the thoughts and prayers that have been coming my way in this respect. I’ll post how it went when I am feeling my chipper self once again.

On a side note, I finished writing my latest book this week. It’s a full novel–Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Romantic Comedy. Yeah, it has it all. I had a goal to finish it before I went in for surgery. Now I can edit and polish while I’m recuperating. More about that later.

Take care All! I’ll be back soon.

Cindy

Well, a couple weeks ago my site was hacked by someone who had way too much time on their hands.  After a few days of fiddling with the site, we fixed it and everything is back to the way it was. PRAISE THE LORD!

IN OTHER NEWS!

My YA short novella e-book, Struck by Conscience, is now up for sale at Amazon in the Kindle format. Remember even if you do not have a Kindle reader you can download the Kindle software to your computer (FOR FREE) and then you can read Kindle books on your computer. Visit Amazon .

That’s about all for now. I hope to put out a newsletter later this month. Keep an eye out for that in your email boxes.

Struck By Conscience (short novella) Book 1 in the Faery Guardian Series

I, Charisma Mansfield, do solemnly swear that… I never asked to be popular. I never asked to be voted Prom Queen. I definitely never asked to have an invisible pixie perched on my shoulder whispering her opinions into my ear 24/7. But of all the things I never asked for, this is the worst one yet—when brooding but gorgeous Heath Ruvelas (my next door neighbor and the guy I used to be best friends with before jr. high) rescued me from drowning in the school pool. My already bizarre life would never be the same.

Available Now at Whimsical Publications.

Good News!! My short Inspirational novella, Snow Kissed, received the CAPA Award from The Romance Studio as the winner in the Inspirational category. I’ve actually had a book or story nominated the last three years and this year I finally won! I still can’t quite believe it. It’s quite an honor. Snow Kissed has continued to received outstanding reviews, has been nominated for several awards and now to win this award is just icing on the cake!!

Today is one of those days Logan Reilly wished he’d stayed in bed. Not only does he have to deal with the annoying Winter Wonderland Carnival but his close friend, that whimsical lover of snow, Holly Armstrong, is leaving town forever. The question is why didn’t she tell him and why today, of all days, does he realize she might be more than a friend?

Holly can nolonger stay in town knowing the man she loves only sees her as a friend. It’s time to move on; besides she has other career prospects.

As the carnival unfolds, watch God work in amazing ways. Can He change Holly’s mind and make her stay? Can He help Logan see beyond the friendship? Only time can tell.

Excerpt:

“Just breathe,” Holly whispered to Logan, as she slowly took in a deep whiff. “You smell that?”

He shook his head. “What? Burgers from down the street?”

“No.” She laughed; he could be so dense sometimes. “It’s the first snowfall.” She inhaled another intoxicating aroma of winter air. “It’s coming.”

“And what’s so good about snow? It’s just annoying and inconvenient.” He pulled his arm away and folded them across his lean frame.

“Snow is beautiful…magical.” Her voice came out breathy with the idea of snow making her feel all tingly.

“It’s cold, wet stuff that falls from the sky.”

“Then there are the wonderful clothes: hats, scarves, gloves…”

“…galoshes, wool socks,” he countered.

She continued, not to be undone by his cynicism. “Fresh baked cookies, hot apple cider, hot cocoa, hot toddies…what is a hot toddy?”

He nearly laughed at her, a cute smile building in the corner of his mouth as he shook his head.

Snow Kissed is now available from White Rose Publishing.

To celebrate the unveling of my latest release, Snow Kissed, I’m over at the Author Roast and Toast. Please join me. I’ll be awarding a copy of my new story at the end. http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com/

Just a reminder that we are continuing the ‘Our Cup Runneth Over’ Contest this week at http://whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com/. Just look for the White Rose Publishing mug on my blog and that of Sharon Donovan ’s this week and send that information to Carol Ann at carolann.erhardt@gmail.com Then you will be entered into a contest to win a copy of a book from Sharon and myself.

I’ve always hated the idea of the synopsis, and I know I’m not alone. To most authors it is the equivalent of a four-letter word. However, I have to admit that while investing quite a lot of time recently studying up on it AGAIN that I’ve learned to like it. Shh! Don’t tell. Part of the reason is because when you take the time to write the synopsis it gives you the opportunity to really evaluate your novel or story and make sure it has value and that it is indeed ready for submission.

So let’s get to it. Let me share with you the research I’ve put together on writing the synopsis.* What should go in the synopsis?

A synopsis is a summary of your book in it’s entirety. It’s an overview of plot, characters, and conflict. Its style is a preview of coming attractions—characters, dramatic moments, and plot.

I. Content—the parts of the synopsis:

1. Theme

The theme pulls the entire book together. Sometimes you don’t even know what the theme is until you’re ready to write the synopsis. But identifying that theme really is a selling factor for your novel.

2. Setting the Period

When you start off the synopsis set the scene and let the reader know the place and time period if that is revelant.

3. Plot summary

This is the heart of the synopsis. It includes the beginning, middle and end. Don’t forget the END! Introduce the problem, the conflict and the resolution. Provide the inciting incident (beginning), effort to reach the goal (middle), and climax—success or failure (the end). The plot must spring from your characters not events.

4. Character Sketches

Show that your story is character driven (Although it would be near impossible to write a romance that wasn’t character driven—wouldn’t it?) Take a paragraph to describe your character—his past, his motivations, what drives him and makes him unique, his flaws. Include major players in the story—protagonists and antagonists. Omit subplot characters. Name only 4-5 characters—tops. The rest give role names within the summary. Things like friend, mother-in-law, policeman, clerk, etc. In a long novel with many characters it may be necessary to include a character list with basic roles to be referred to through the plot synopsis.

5. Dialogue

Use dialogue sparingly in the synopsis. It slows down pace and takes up space. In a synopsis, every word must be efficient. However, well chosen bits of dialogue lend flavor to the bland voice of summary.

6. Emotional Turning Points

Every novelist knows that it’s the small scenes that move the plot forward. You can’t include all those scenes in the synopsis. The big scenes, on the other hand, those emotional turning points, should be included. The climax is the final turning point along with a statement regarding how your protagonist ultimately changes by books end.

7. Subplots

You won’t be able to include every subplot in the synopsis. But if there is an important subplot (especially if it connects to the main plot) make sure to include it.

Notes: Open with a problem and what’s at stake—set the stage. Introduce your protagonist with a hint at inner problems and conflict before going into the plot summary.

Have fun! No really, try to have fun with it. Make yours stand out from the crowd and a sense of humor just might do the trick.

*Most of the information I’ve put together on writing the synopsis comes from The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit by Elizabeth Lyon. It’s a great resource and I recommended it highly.