The "Gift" That Keeps on Giving

Last month, I shared a few of my favorite posts for Hurricane Crimes, Seismic Crimes, and Tsunami Crimes from my failed promo efforts in this post: Desperate Is as Desperate Does.

The annoyance I have for my failed promo efforts from this year is the "gift" that keeps on giving.

Now, I am sharing a few posts for Flaming Crimes, Frozen Crimes, and A Fighting Chance. They are clickable if you want to see the captions on Instagram.

I hope you enjoy!

Let me know your favorite quote/graphic in the comments. 😊

FLAMING CRIMES

FROZEN CRIMES

A FIGHTING CHANCE

Disaster Crimes Series Playlists with Scene Breakdowns + GIVEAWAY

UPDATE: I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t provide these updates anymore because every time I share good news, there’s a setback immediately after. My mom has been in the hospital since Sunday evening after an early trip to the ER and a diagnosis of pneumonia. She’s feeling better, and if everything works out we’re hoping she’ll be coming home today, April 12 aka my birthday. So, you know the drill…my return visits to blogs and replies to comments will be delayed but not forgotten.

In my last post, I shared playlists I've created for writers, so I thought I should also share the playlists I've created for the Disaster Crimes series. Today is also my birthday, so I really wanted to do a fun post. :)

Feel free to check out the Playlist page on my website for all of my playlists.

Click the links below to go directly to each playlist on Spotify.

You can also go to my Spotify profile to follow me.

I hope you enjoy the playlists!

DISASTER CRIMES SERIES PLAYLISTS:

HURRICANE CRIMES:

FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY. Click the ❤️.

PLAYLIST BREAKDOWN BY SCENE:

NOTE: May contain spoilers.

"Hurricane Girl" by Alexz Johnston - The opening of the story with Beth and Hurricane Sabrina.

"Look At Those Eyes" by Alexz Johnston - When Beth and Donovan meet and Beth looks into his eyes.

"Blow Me Away" by Breaking Benjamin - When Beth sees the breaking news bulletin.

"Hurricane" by Thirty Seconds to Mars - Hurricane Sabrina.

"Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback - Intimate scene and the end.

"Living In The Eye of the Storm" by Trapt - While Hurricane Sabrina rages.

"The Thunder Rolls" by All That Remains - The Crimes Before the Storm (prequel), Donovan before he crashes his car in front of Beth's house.

SEISMIC CRIMES: 

FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY. Click the ❤️.

PLAYLIST BREAKDOWN BY SCENE:

NOTE: May contain spoilers.

"Waitin For You" by Demi Lovato - Beth as a kickass self-defense instructor.

"Army Of Me" by Christina Aguilera - Beth's theme song.

"Fight Song" by Rachel Platten - The theme song for The Fighting Chance, Beth's self-defense studio.

"My Kind" by Hilary Duff - Beth and Donovan intimate after they're allowed to leave police department.

"Free The Animal" by Sia - When Beth is undercover at Viper's.

"Catch My Breath" by Kelly Clarkson - Beth's growing love for Donovan.

"The Sun Will Rise" by Kelly Clarkson - Beth walking through San Francisco alone after the quake.

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers - When Beth is trying to get back to Donovan.

"One Step Closer" by Linkin Park - Donovan's PTSD following his brother's murder.

"Somewhere I Belong" by Linkin Park - Also for Donovan's PTSD.

"Getting Away With Murder" by Papa Roach - Buck's theme song.

"I Bet My Life" by Imagine Dragons - Donovan alone in San Francisco following the quake.

"Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon - Intimate scene with ice cream.

"Back At One" by Brian McKnight - Donovan's love for Beth.

"Without You" by David Guetta, Usher - Also Donovan's love for Beth.

"I'll Never Break Your Heart" by Backstreet Boys - For Donovan's promise to Beth. The end.

TSUNAMI CRIMES:

FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY. Click the ❤️.

PLAYLIST BREAKDOWN BY SCENE:

NOTE: May contain spoilers.

"Riptide" by Vance Joy - Opening surfing scene.

"The A Team" by Ed Sheeran - A song for April.

"Hit Me Like a Man" by The Pretty Reckless - When Beth is undercover as a sex worker.

"Drive" by Halsey - Car chase involving Beth.

"All Of Me" by John Legend - Beth and Donovan's wedding and honeymoon night.

"Kings and Queens" by Thirty Seconds to Mars - Surfing in Hawaii.

"Dead in the Water" by Ellie Goulding - Beth and the tsunami.

"Anchor" by Skillet - Donovan and the tsunami.

"My Blood" by Ellie Goulding - Beth post-tsunami.

"Lifeline" by Papa Roach - Donovan post-tsunami.

"Tears Don't Fall" by Bullet For My Valentine - When Beth is kidnapped.

"Paradise" by Coldplay - Also for when Beth is kidnapped and held hostage.

"Broken" by Seether, Amy Lee - When Donovan searches for Beth, and when they are reunited.

"Human" by Krewella - Beth's PTSD.

"Walk on Water" by Thirty Seconds to Mars - The end.

FLAMING CRIMES:

FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY. Click the ❤️.

PLAYLIST BREAKDOWN BY SCENE:

NOTE: May contain spoilers.

"Girl On Fire" by Alicia Keys - Beth's theme song for Flaming Crimes.

"All Around Me" by Flyleaf - Beth's PTSD and Donovan's love for her.

"Just Drive" by In This Moment - Donovan's monster truck driving/competition.

"Fire and Fury" by  Skillet - Beth and Donovan intimate.

"Fire Meet Gasoline" by Sia - Beth and Donovan intimate.

"Let It Burn" by Red - For all the fires burning throughout Central Florida, and Lori's house.

"Burn It Down" by Linkin Park - For the fire surrounding Beth and Donovan's house.

"Let Us Burn" by Within Temptation - Beth confronting Viper in the middle of the inferno.

"My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark" by Fall Out Boy - Beth and Donovan intimate after the fire.

*All the Demi Lovato songs represent Beth, and all the Daughtry songs represent Donovan.

FROZEN CRIMES:

FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY. Click the ❤️.

PLAYLIST BREAKDOWN BY SCENE:

NOTE: May contain spoilers.

"Feel Invincible" by Skillet - Theme song for Frozen Crimes.

"Somebody's Watching Me" (Epic Trailer Version) by J2, Lola - Stalker at the window, stalker in the car.

"Applause" by Lady Gaga - Donovan performing in his monster truck.

"Home" by Daughtry - When Donovan comes home after traveling for monster truck shows.

"Anchor" by Skillet - Beth and Donovan intimate when he returns home.

"Broken Arrows" by Daughtry - Donovan feeling helpless.

"Traitor" by Daughtry - The stalker messing with Donovan's head.

"Battleships" by Daughtry - During and after the blow-out between Beth and Donovan after the stalker sends explicit photographs to taunt Donovan.

"Every Breath You Take" (Re: Imagined) by Denmark + Winter - The stalker's theme song.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by The Carpenters - Slow dance with Beth and Donovan during their holiday party.

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey - Another song Beth and Donovan dance to at their holiday party.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Michael Bublé - Slow dance with Beth and Donovan during their holiday party.

"Where Are You Christmas" by Faith Hill - Played during their holiday party.

"Wonderwall" (Acoustic Stripped Version) by J2, Miranda Dianne - Beth's point-of-view during the times when Donovan is trying to get back inside the house to her, post-blizzard.

"Aint No Mountain High Enough" (Epic Trailer Version) by J2, Coleen McMahon - Donovan's point-of view while he is trying to get back inside the house to Beth, post-blizzard.

*The rest of the songs I listened while writing the holiday party and blizzard scenes.

A FIGHTING CHANCE:

FOLLOW ON SPOTIFY. Click the ❤️.

PLAYLIST BREAKDOWN BY SCENE:

NOTE: May contain spoilers.

"Face Down" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Amanda's past abusive relationship from when she was still with Damon.

"Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato - Amanda's theme song.

"Crawling" (Acoustic Stripped Version) by J2, I AM WILLOW - Amanda's PTSD and anxiety from past trauma, as well as her panic attack after Damon shows up.

"What About Now" by Daughtry - Opening scene when Thorn is getting up the courage to ask Amanda out on a date.

"Waiting For Superman" by Daughtry - For Amanda before she meets Thorn for their coffee date at the park.

"The Sound of Silence" by Disturbed - Thorn's point-of-view following Amanda's panic attack after Damon shows up.

"Every Breath You Take (Re:Imagined) by Denmark + Winter - When Thorn realizes Damon has been spying on Amanda.

"One Way Or Another" by Until The Ribbon Breaks - Damon's theme song.

"Halo" (Epic Trailer Version) by J2, I AM WILLOW - Amanda falling in love with Thorn more and more.

"Feels Like Tonight" by Daughtry - The moments leading up to Thorn and Amanda making love for the first time.

"Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie Goulding - When Amanda and Thorn make love.

"Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" by Denmark + Winter - When Damon breaks in during the storm.

"Warrior" by Demi Lovato - Amanda fighting Damon off.

"Blown Away" by Carrie Underwood - The tornado.

APRIL 5 – 22

PRIZES: Signed paperback copy of A Fighting Chance, XOXO wall art décor, XO bath bombs coconut scent, travel size first aid kit, and an emergency flashlight that you recharge by squeezing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

QUESTIONS: Do you make playlists for your books?

NOT INADEQUATE / A Post about Self-Defense and Abuse

Can you help share the details about my mom's debut middle grade book Bad Fairy on your blog or Facebook? The post won't include an article but rather be a book blast consisting of the cover, blurb, links, excerpt, my mom's bio, and a giveaway. Dates June 3 - June 30.

***This is long. Feel free to skip the excerpts.***

Someone once said that Beth Kennedy (in Hurricane Crimes) wasn’t a very adequate self-defense instructor and all because Donovan had bested her a couple of times.

(Don’t worry…this is not me attacking a reviewer but discussing my characters and real abuse/sexual assault.)

Let me make it clear that Donovan was never trying to hurt Beth. In fact, she was the one attempting to hurt him. When I wrote Donovan, I wanted him to be a good match for Beth in every way. And, for the sake of the story, I couldn’t let Beth get away. It was intentional, not a failing on her part.

Real-Life Memories in Flaming Crimes / Vlog

Welcome to a FLAMING edition of my vlog here on Write with Fey!

In the first video, I share the fiery memories from my childhood, which I added to Flaming Crimes.

In the second video, I talk about my first experience with fire.

In the second video, I read an excerpt.

Enjoy!

Real-Life Memories in Flaming Crimes

Length: 12:59

Interview with Kim Mendoza, Cover Artist for the Disaster Crimes Series

Everyone, please help me to welcome Kim Mendoza, cover artist from The Wild Rose Press and the woman who had created all of the covers for the Disaster Crimes Series.

Welcome, Kim!

~*~

1. How did you become a cover artist?

I was working in the chapel in the U.S. Army and had nothing to do day-in and day-out. Then the graphic designer quit to have a baby and I asked if I could take her job. That was my first exposure to graphic design, which I did as a career for fourteen years. Then, I published a book with TWRP (way back when it first began). At the time, there were only two artists and one of them was one of the owners. The company was growing so fast, and they needed more artists, so I applied and got the job.

Interview with Lori Graham, Editor of the Disaster Crimes Series

I am thrilled and honored to have my editor, Lori Graham, from The Wild Rose Press here today. She is the one who gave me a chance and brought me into the world of publishing when she saw something in Hurricane Crimes and offered me my first contract.

Welcome, Lori!

1. What’s your editing process?

An author submits a query along with a synopsis and the first five pages of the manuscript through our query email address. This query goes to the senior editor from the appropriate genre line for the initial review, and if appropriate, the query is assigned to an editor.  The initial review will look at whether or not the manuscript would be a good fit for our publishing house, both technically and subject matter.  There is a meeting then between that editor and the senior editor to decide upon a contract.  Once a manuscript is approved, there are several rounds of edits, and each editor has their own style with which they do this.  For me, I do an initial review editing everything that comes up which could involve pacing, point of view control, and plot issues as well as some punctuation, grammar, etc. With the second and subsequent edits, we go deeper into that polishing process.  The final edit looks at formatting, chapter length, etc.

Interview with Bill Nevitt, Audiobook Narrator for the Disaster Crimes Series

I am really excited to welcome Bill Nevitt to Write with Fey. Bill is the audiobook narrator of Seismic Crimes, Tsunami Crimes, and the-soon-to-be-released Flaming Crimes! His answers are fascinating and gives a neat perspective into the work of narrators.

Welcome, Bill!

~*~

1. What equipment do you use and what’s your process from audition to finished product?

My equipment consists of a “Lexicon Omega” computer interface, Rode NT-1000 condenser mic and an Apple “iMac Pro” computer, 25” monitor.

Following the narration, I listen to the entire chapter, completing three steps:

A) ”Proofing” – confirming my narration matches the text of the book;

B) Editing – Confirming/adjusting the timing of the read, i.e. appropriate pauses, etc.

C) Mastering – noise reduction and volume adjustments to meet ACX’s standards

2017 Achievements + Flaming Crimes Blogfest

If you visited my post in December, you know that I struggled with depression last year, but I did a lot of awesome things in 2017, even with that burden.

In 2017 I:

- self-published Lightning Crimes and made it perma-free.

- went to my first big book event (Space Coast Book Lovers)

- At SCBL, I was part of an author panel.

- Also at SCBL, I did my first recorded interview with Hangin with Web Show.

- signed a contract to publish Flaming Crimes.

- started my YouTube Channel

- In August, I did a radio interview with Off the Chain.

- Then I did a live YouTube Interview with Evan Carmicheal for the IWSG.

- signed a contract to publish Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication

- and then I went to my second book event in November

I did a lot I am proud of, and I am looking forward to 2018.

And kicking off 2018 is the release of Flaming Crimes!

Prompt: What is something ridiculous you would save if there was a fire?

After your family, pets, and important items are safe and sound (that includes anything writing related), what is the one odd thing you'd want to grab from your home?

MY ANSWER: When a brush fire threatened my childhood home, my mom grabbed a bag of potatoes from our house. That seems like a rather odd thing to grab, right? Well, she’ll tell you that she was a mother of five and wanted to make sure she could feed her kids. And just like that, saving a bag of potatoes sounds reasonable. 

It was this memory that inspired the blogfest prompt.

He's missing his nose and beard, but I love him!

I was only a child when that fire surrounded my house, and I was terrified. I remember grabbing my blanket and my school backpack, but I was so scared that I didn't go back inside to grab anything else. If I had, I would've grabbed my favorite Nutcracker, which I still have. I believe it would be the one thing (after my pets and writing stuff) I'd want to save from becoming ashes.

Series: Disaster Crimes #4

Page Count: 304 

Digital Price: 4.99 

Print Price: 16.99

Rating: Spicy (PG13) 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

The Wild Rose Press

BLURB: Beth and Donovan are now happily married, and what Beth wants more than anything is a baby. Her dream of starting a family is put on hold as fires burn dangerously close and Donovan becomes a victim of sabotage.

Donovan escapes what could've been a deadly wreck. Their past enemies have been eliminated, so who is cutting brake lines and leaving bloody messages? He vows to find out, for the sake of the woman he loves and the life they're trying to build.

Amidst a criminal mind game, a fire ignites next to their home. They battle the flames and fight to keep their house safe from the blaze pressing in on all sides, but neither of them expects to confront a psychotic adversary in the middle of the inferno.

Their lives may just go up in flames…

Visit the other participants!

If Only... + Flaming Crimes Blogfest

Flaming Crimes Blogfest: My publisher likes to give me release dates where I have to plan during a month when no one is ever around. lol So now I am trying to get blogfest participants for January 3rd, Flaming Crimes' worldwide release date.

When: January 3rd, 2018

Where: Your Blog

Prompt: What is something ridiculous you would save if there was a fire?

Ridiculous is the keyword there. After your family, pets, and important items are safe and sound, what is the one odd thing you'd want to grab from your home?

Info: All posts will have the cover art, blurb, and buy links for Flaming Crimes, and possibly an excerpt, which I will email to participants during the last week of December.

****

IWSG Day Question: As you look back on 2017, with all its successes/failures, if you could backtrack, what would you do differently?

I have openly shared my struggle with depression this year, which started September 2016. I struggled to write because of this depression. Actually, struggle implies I tried. I didn’t try. I thought about it but did not feel the motivation. I was weak, physically and mentally.

Now that the end of the year is fast approaching I am realizing that I am a year behind with the last book in the Disaster Crimes series. Looking back, I am angry that months in the beginning of the year, when I did not have edits to do, went unproductive, with not even a page written, because of my damn depression. I am kicking myself, and my depression, for the fact that I could’ve written during that time but didn’t. Couldn’t.

(UPDATE: I'm not really beating myself up over this. I understand why I couldn't write. As a writer, though, I mourn the lost time. I've suffered from depression since I was a teen, but I am A LOT better than I was earlier this year.)

If I could do it differently, I’d want to write feverishly during that time…but I’m not sure if I would’ve been able to. I was experiencing the worst depression of my life then. If I could go back as I am today, I would manage it, I would do it, but if I went back to who I was then, I’d fail. Again.

Looking forward, I will pretend December is NaNo. And. Write. This. Book!

****

Holiday Shopping: Looking for hand-crafted gifts for your loved ones? Do you love to support small businesses? Check out my mom's brand new website where she is selling her bookmarks (and soon some knitted baby blankets). Read the ordering details and surprise the book lovers in your life with these gifts from the heart.

www.ElaineKaye.blogspot.com

P.S. This is my last blog post of 2017! I will be back in 2018, but I'll be posting less...three posts a month; I need more time to write. :)

And my blog made Booksie's Top 100 Writing Sites list!

QUESTIONS: Are you signing up for my blogfest? Do you like handmade bookmarks? Have you ever been a year behind on a WIP? Will you read The Weekend Novelist?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!