The goal was a novella-length story at around 20k words. I agreed to at least give it a try, and asked her to add me to the collaboration group. Once I joined, I found out it the story was due June 1st. In hindsight, I realize just how tight a deadline that is. But at the time, it didn’t seem too bad. Silly me.
I started out trying to write a contemporary romance story, but it didn’t go very well. After a couple of weeks, I realized that that story just wasn’t going to happen.
Alright, here’s part two of the history of The Most Special Chosen (TMSC). This is another one of those posts I can’t explain why I haven’t written. But, finally, here is the story of how The Most Special Chosen got picked up by a publisher.
In 2016, Burning Willow Press (BWP) attended Paracon in Virginia Beach. Because it was only 4 (ish) hours away, we decided to attend. Jim wanted to meet the publishers in person. I was also interested in taking photos of Ferry Plantation because I’d only recently gotten my Canon Rebel T5.
We spent some time talking to Edd and Kindra and met another BWP author, Mark Reefe. After a bit, we went inside to take photos and get out of the heat. Unfortunately, my battery died after the second room.
So, once we finished going through the house, I took my camera back to the car. No sense in lugging around something basically useless.
This is, admittedly, more than a little overdue. This is one of those posts that I can’t really explain why I haven’t written. There’s no real reason, I just haven’t gotten to it.
A favorite question when talking to or interviewing authors is “how long did it take you to write your book?” Sometimes, it’s an easy answer. Other times, like with The Most Special Chosen (TMSC), it’s complicated.
I’d like to explain why it’s complicated, so today, you’re getting the history of TMSC. As I said before, it’s long overdue, but better late than never, right?
I hit a bunch of milestones last week. To say thank you I’m hosting a massive giveaway! Check out this post to learn what I’m giving away and how to enter.
With temperatures rising, the sizzling stories of Summer Heat will have you needing a dip in the pool. We’re turning up the heat and you’re going to be damp in more ways than one.
Second chance romance, a sexy vampire, an irresistible bad boy, dark secrets, and then some? There’s a little bit of something for everyone. Grab a cold drink, come get down and dirty, and make this summer extra hot with Summer Heat.
Summer Heat is dedicated to all the strong and sexy women around the world. Yes, you, too! The proceeds of this anthology will be donated to the Global Fund for Women.
Found In: Summer Heat Series: Exalted Bloodlines, Book 1.5 Genres: Paranormal, Romance Release Date: July 6, 2018 Purchase From:Amazon (pre-order)
When our eyes met, I felt an instant connection, like a string was tying us together.
– – – –
Shawn
Selene is unlike any woman I’ve ever met, and it makes me want her so much that I can hardly control myself around her. But she’s a vampire princess, so I don’t see how we could have a future. After all…
– – – –
… royalty doesn’t mate with humans.
– – – –
Selene
Those are my mother’s words, so unless my father declares otherwise, they’re law to me. Maybe if she knew about the connection Shawn and I share, she’d be more amenable to the match. But I don’t know what the connection is, other than a gut feeling that Shawn is my fated mate. So I must trust that…
Today I bring you a special cover reveal. Allow me to introduce you to the Summer Heat anthology.
Summer Heat is a charity anthology I’m part of featuring nine fabulous female authors. It’s due out July 6, so mark your calendars now. 🙂
About Summer Heat
With temperatures rising, the sizzling stories of Summer Heat will have you needing a dip in the pool. We’re turning up the heat and you’re going to be damp in more ways than one.
Second chance romance, star crossed lovers, a sexy vampire, an irresistible bad boy, dark secrets, and then some! There’s a little bit of something for everyone. Grab a cold drink, come get down and dirty, and make this summer extra hot with Summer Heat.
Summer Heat is dedicated to all the strong and sexy women around the world. Yes, you, too! The proceeds of this anthology will be donated to the Global Fund for Women.
Welcome to my final character interview for now. This time you’re meeting Elysabeth Vance (EV), only child of Estel and George, and protagonist of The Most Special Chosen. She’s also best friend and roommate to Shawn Dooley, who you met earlier.
Elysabeth invited me to the townhouse she and Shawn share. It’s a comfortable, cozy place with a wonderful lived-in feel.
I hope you enjoy getting to know Elysabeth.
RdlF: Elysabeth, I’m so happy to finally get to talk to you.
EV: Yeah, I can’t believe how hard it was to set this up. It’s like our schedules are completely opposite.
RdlF: Well, we’re finally here now. I’m sure you know my first question. Readers will want to know how to pronounce your name.
EV: [giggles] Understandable. It’s Eh-lease-ah-beth. My mom is a fan of Pride and Prejudice, but she wanted to make my name more Latina, so she changed the spelling.
Welcome to my third character interview. This time you’re meeting Damien Delanciennes (DD), older brother of Selene who you met earlier and eldest child of Donovan and Selini Delanciennes.
I was, once again, invited to the Delanciennes’ house, but this time I was treated to some time in the gardens. They actually have a hedge maze, how cool is that?
I hope you enjoy getting to know Damien a bit better.
RdlF: Damien, thank you for taking time to talk to me. I’m sure you must have a lot on your plate with a double major.
DD: It is not so bad. There is less work between midterms and finals.
RdlF: Remind me of your majors.
DD: International Relations and Diplomacy, and International Business.
RdlF: With an international focus, I’m assuming learning foreign languages is highly encouraged.
I’m really excited to announce that I’ve scheduled a cover reveal for The Most Special Chosen for January 24th. I’ve scheduled it though Lola’s Blog Tours.…
Welcome to my second character interview. This time I sat down with Shawn Dooley (SD). For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Dooley, he is Elysabeth’s roommate and has been her best friend for the past eight years.
We met in the quad between his classes, and I’m thankful he was able to fit me in at all. The life of a math major gets busy.
I hope you enjoy getting to know Shawn a bit better.
Rachel de la Fuente (RdlF): Shawn, thanks for taking some time to talk to me. I really appreciate it.
SD: No problem. Lys mentioned she’ll be speaking to you, so I figured I might as well do it, too.
RdlF: You two are such good friends. How did you meet?
SD: She asked me about making games for my calculator on our first day of high school.
It’s been a while since my last series update. There hasn’t been a lot of news recently. I’ve been reviewing and editing The Most Special Chosen. I’ve been making a lot of minor edits, and even re-writing some sections completely.
I’m currently editing the last chapter before I do a final scrub-through and send it back to my publisher for round 2. I have to admit, I’m really happy with the edits. They’ve really improved the story, and the writing is much improved as well.
Part of the need for re-writes is an ever-changing society. Statements, ideas, and themes that were perfectly acceptable when I finished the story over four years ago are now somewhat iffy, so I’ve changed them. Anyone who picked up a copy of the self-published version a few years ago will want a new copy.
As a “thank you” for reading my blog, here’s a sneak peek of the story.
In the lead up to the release of The Most Special Chosen, coming March 3, 2018, Miss Selene Colette Delanciennes (SD) was kind enough to respond to my request for an interview and grant me a few minutes of her time to let you all get to know her.
For those of you unfamiliar with Miss Delanciennes, she is Damien’s youngest sister, and the 5th child (of 6) to Donovan and Selini Delanciennes.
She invited me to join her at her family’s house, and treated me to authentic, according to her, chocolat chaud. It was delicious.
I hope you enjoy getting to know Selene a bit better.
Rachel de la Fuente (RdlF): Selene, thank you for introducing me to chocolat chaud. My only complaint is that I won’t ever appreciate hot chocolate again.
SD: [carefully cradling her own cup of chocolat chaud] You’re more than welcome to come back when you’re craving it.
RdlF: Thanks! I’ll take you up on that offer. Now, you’re my first interviewee, so I hope you’ll forgive any mistakes I might make.
SD: I’m sure you’ll do quite well.
RdlF: [grinning] I appreciate your confidence. Perhaps it would be best to start by having you pronounce your name properly.
SD: Yes, that’s probably wise. It’s a French name, so it may be difficult for some to pronounce. It is Deh-lon-see-ehn.
RdlF: Thanks! Now, I understand your Grand Coming Out is less than a year away. Have you started planning it?
SD: Absolutely. My parents and I have been working on the plans for nearly a year already.
RdlF: In that case, I suppose it’s safe to assume you’re happy with the planning so far. Are you getting excited yet?
SD: I am. My parents have been kind enough to allow me to take the lead in the planning. As to being excited [she shrugs nonchalantly], there is still too much to do. I’ll be excited when the planning is over.
RdlF: I can understand that. If I recall my etiquette lessons correctly, you’ll have an official escort that day. Is there anyone special in your life to take on that role?
When I self-published The Most Special Chosen, then known as The Most Special Chosen of All, I decided to brand everything by the book series, rather than…
Several years ago, when I self-published The Most Special Chosen, I commissioned my very talented friend Kyle McGill to draw my main characters — Elysabeth, Damien, and Shawn —…
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