new releases

…and Upcoming Novels

by Kristen James

So, on the writing front, I edited several novels over the last few months for other authors. It’s been a hugely fun process, and I got to work in romance, fantasy, historical, and crime fiction. I’ve been editing for ten years, and the last few years I’ve seen a dramatic increase in quality in terms of writing and the stories I’m seeing. I think it’s due to the Indie movement and all the content so readily available. There’s books, articles, blogs and Facebook groups that help writers learn about writing and the publishing process. So, it’s lots of fun all around!

And yes, I’m working on my own novels too. I’m working to finish the 4th novella in the Stranger series. It’ll be the final one and complete the story, although it opens the door for a new series if I want to continue it. Here’s the cover for the 4th book:

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-sexy-young-couple-love-image21300227 Meg finally learns the truth and has decisions to make…

(I don’t want to give the story away yet, especially if people didn’t read the first three.)

I’ll publish this one and then a full novel version with all four novellas.

And…

I also started another story inspired by a video on Facebook. You might have seen the clip of a girl at a cam when the kiss cam zooms in on her and her boyfriend. The guy ignore the kiss cam but a mascot runs over and carries her off. I love that video! And I wanted to start a story with that, so I did. It might be a novella – I’m not sure at this point. I’m just having fun with it and writing away. Here’s the cover. What do you think???

Marry the Mascot cover

This story is lighthearted and fun with a big dose of humor.

Working blurb:

The Trail Blazer’s mascot sweeps Abby off her feet, literally, but she doesn’t get his name. Luckily he happens to know she writes the “Honest Abby” column in a local paper. The mascot is a fun loving, hot guy, but he also has a sick father and a load of responsibilities that lead to a little complication.

Blockbuster Books, Broken Down – Plotting with the novel map

by Kristen James

Blockbuster Books - workbook and Kindle ebookLearn from mega bestselling novels to build your own breakout plot!

Why start from scratch and reinvent storytelling? Instead, use a 7 point plot outline developed from wildly successful novels.

“Blockbuster Books, Broken Down” is a workbook style guide that reveals the structure and elements in huge bestsellers of the last fifteen years, many of which became movies. By breaking down these books, we can see how successful authors are breaking out by satisfying readers’ needs.

Part 1 deconstructs today’s bestsellers and offers insights and keys to blockbusters and the Blockbuster Novel Map.

Part 2 guides you in creating a breakout idea and developing that into a solid plot with a novel map. Build from the ground up with 7 points to ensure your plot will connect with readers.

Buy the workbook and you can get the Kindle book free through Kindle Matchbook.

Amazon – Kindle ebook and print workbook available

Covers these books and more:

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Twilight and The Host by Stephenie Myer

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Maze Runner by James Dashner

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Notebook and Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Includes:

Part 1: Deconstructing Bestsellers

Does Genre Matter?

Hook, High Concept, & HUGE Stakes

Bestselling Qualities

What’s Different About Today’s Blockbusters

The Blockbuster Novel Map

The 7 Point Outline with 3 Act Structure

The Key to Blockbusters

Part 2: Building Your Bestseller

First, Know Thyself

Your Big Idea

The Breakout Idea Checklist

From Idea to Plot

Which Came First: plot or character?

Writing Your Novel

Ways to Improve Your Writing

Make Any Story BIGGER

Writer’s Block: specific cases and how to fix them

Additional Resources

Your Novel Map

Novel Map Worksheet

From Novel Map to Outline

Your Setting/ World

Your Setting Notes

Character Sheets

*This is a hands-on fiction workshop packed with insights, exercises, and worksheets to quickly teach you breakout plotting and novel development.

Amazon – Kindle ebook and print workbook available

Happy November! New Translations and a Christmas Collection

by Kristen James

November is my birthday month! And it’s such a beautiful time of year. I love watching the leaves turn orange and red, and we’re having some breathtaking sunsets now that the rainy season is back. It’s also writing season when I have long evenings of darkness outside. I’ve been busy with other projects but I’m hoping to start another novel soon. Just a few quick updates for now:

My first Italian translation is out, for The Cowboy Kiss.

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-cowboy-couple-lean-back-kiss-taking-his-women-getting-ready-to-her-image44406184

Il bacio del Cowboy

It’s live on a few sites, so I’ll add links to my translation page when it’s everywhere. I have translations in progress for several books in different languages.

 

It might be a little early to think about Christmas, unless you’re planning a book project. So I’ve been proofreading stories for this collection, and had to grab a tissue. Christmastime: Stories of the Season is full of emotional, family themed stories, with two guest stories from other authors. This will go live in about a week.

Christmastime Stories

 

You can get an ebook copy by signing up for my newsletter!

 

Best Wishes,

Kristen

My first German translation is out! Mehr als nur Erinnerungen

by Kristen James

Here’s the German translation of More Than Memories!

Hier ist die deutshe ÜbersetzungMehr als nur Erinnerungen.

 

Mehr als nur ErinnerungenMehr als nur Erinnerungen …(Amazon.de)

Amazon.com

Kann Molly Trent lieben, ohne sich an ihn zu erinnern?

Molly Anderson kehrt in ihre Heimatstadt Ridge City zurück, die sie nach einem Unfall nicht mehr wiedererkennt. Sie hat die Hoffnung, dass sie damit ihrem Gedächtnis wieder auf die Sprünge helfen kann. Dort läuft sie Trent Williams über den Weg, einem Polizisten, und zwischen ihnen springt der Funke über.

Er versucht herauszufinden, warum sie mit ihren Eltern aus Ridge City verschwunden ist, ohne irgendjemandem auch nur ein Sterbenswörtchen zu sagen. Molly erinnert sich aber nicht mehr an ihr früheres Leben. Das Einzige, was sie ihm sagen kann, ist, dass sie ihre Eltern nur kurze Zeit kannte, bevor diese bei einem Unfall ums Leben kamen … wenn es denn ein Unfall war. Sie hofft, mit den zurückkehrenden Erinnerungen auch auf diese Frage eine Antwort finden zu können.

Auch Trent hat seine Geheimnisse, doch jetzt müssen sie erst einmal gemeinsam das Rätsel um Mollys Verschwinden lösen. Während ihrer gemeinsamen Suche trifft Molly alte Freunde wieder und erkennt, dass ihre Beziehung zu Trent weit tiefer gewesen sein musste, als sie vermutete. Sie muss auch die Möglichkeit in Betracht ziehen, dass sie selbst etwas Fürchterliches begangen hat und sie sich deshalb davor sträubt, sich an ihr altes Leben zu erinnern.

 

Über den Autor

Kristen James schreibt vor allem Liebesromane, romantische Krimis und Frauenbücher, die oft in Oregon in der wilden Schönheit der Berge, Flüsse und der Küste spielen und deren Helden Sie zum Träumen bringen werden.

Sie ist ein Naturmensch, der sich am liebsten in ihrem Garten und unten an ihrem Haus beim Fluss aufhält. Neben dem Lesen und Schreiben hat sie vielzählige Hobbys, wie Reisen, Fahrradfahren, Wandern, Beerenpflücken, Kanufahren, Angeln und Campen – am liebsten zusammen mit ihrer Familie. Das Leben sollte ihrer Meinung nach ein Abenteuer sein.

New Release: All In My Head

by Kristen James

So… All In My Head is out!!

All in my HEadAvery Waldorf wakes up from a concussion to find a voice inside her head—an adventurous male voice belonging to Marcus, who doesn’t know where he came from, but has an opinion on everything about her life. She just wants to work on her screenplay, go to her writing classes and flirt with the guy of her dreams, Nash, who is finally noticing her.

Marcus wants to get up at dawn, run, snowboard, and basically take over her life, and even her body at times. He thinks she’s freaking hot and does not like Nash touching her. Marcus may be smart, talented at snowboarding, drawing and playing the guitar, but he’s not real! When she needs help, she has to call Nash.

She can’t tell anyone about Marcus without sounding like she’s crazy. Meanwhile Marcus doesn’t know where he’ll go if he leaves her mind. Maybe she is losing it…

Amazon    Kobo   Smashwords   Nook      Teaser Below!

This is my longest book to date, my first time writing in first person, and my first college age romance. I’m excited! It was such a fun book to write, and Avery and Marcus came to life. You might remember my writing challenge: that I want to write books that different, unique, and beyond what I’ve written before. This story is fun, flirty and very emotional, and full of surprises.

***

It’s All In My Head TEASER:

Then, mid-class, I realized that instead of paying attention, I was looking down at my notepad, sketching instead of taking notes or even trying to listen. It took a few slow seconds for me to see that I was drawing myself. And I don’t draw.

I stared in horror like it was a dead rat. Holeeee hell. Really, I can’t draw at all, and this was pretty good. Really good. I mean, it looked like me, even with expression.

Marcus, is that you drawing?

Oh … sorry. Bored out of my mind.

You’re good.

Wow, is that a … what do you call that? Oh, a compliment.

I scanned the few people around me who could see my desk. No one was looking my way.

How do you know what I look like when you’re on the inside, looking out?

I’ve seen you in the mirror.

He got all this from a few glances in the mirror? Marcus had a fine memory.

You have very striking looks. Now can I please get back to my artwork?

Worried and yet fascinated, I watched my own hand move the pencil in confident strokes, filling in my lips. When had Marcus been able to study me that much? The only time he saw my face was when I looked in the mirror. Speaking of my face, it got hot—for several reasons. First, I was drawing myself. I’d die if anyone noticed. Second, it blew up some of my theories about Marcus, or what was causing all this. If I can’t draw, I can’t make up a person who can, right? And third, he was drawing me in a certain mood. I looked … suggestive.

Excuse me, Marcus, but when have you seen that look on my face?

I have an imagination. A very vivid one at times.
Read the first 10% on Amazon.