Nice Shootin' Tex!

 

 

Hi folks!  I thought that I would give you all a look at the write up and an excerpt of Nice Shootin’ Tex!, my latest, which is a contemporary western/women’s fiction/romance novel about a sweet girl just trying to find her way in the world:

 

Here is the write-up:

Lauren McCoy, is a beautiful, smart, artistic, sweet, hardworking, sharp-shooting cowgirl of a woman who is feeling the urge to leave her daddy's farm and strike out on her own to make a life for herself, and hopefully find love too.

The catalyst for change is a cable TV show shooting contest that her brother enters her into. Defying her father and going further away from home than she ever has before, she goes on to show the world (and a very sexy TV show host) just how good a shot she is.

However, there is more to winning at shooting and winning at love than meets the eye. Lauren learns that even though she can't win at everything, she is still triumphant because she has a home full of love to come home to, and a happy future she could not predict.

 

 

And here is the excerpt:

Vibrant red canopies covered the grounds behind the mansion.  Under one canopy was a Barbeque pit being tended to by uniformed employees.  Another tent contained tables with electronic equipment with small monitors, and a few people watching those.  The third tent, a very large one held a massive screen.  Stepping closer to that tent, I found that the images on the screen were bits and pieces of Season One of American Sharpshooter.  I was impressed by the skills demonstrated by the competitors on the show.  Some of the shots I knew I could have made; others I was certain that I could not make. 

"I'm going to go mingle," said Suzy after a minute.

"I think that I'll stay here to watch the footage for a while longer," I said with a smile.

"It's good preparation; I watched the entire show myself already."

With that, she left my side.  I watched her as she easily mingled with a few of the guys outside of the food and beverage tent.  I knew that I should do the same, but I was too transfixed with the footage from the last season of the show. 

"I hated the way my hair looked last season," I heard a voice say from next to me.

Trevor was standing right next to me; he wasn't looking at me at all but was watching the video on the large screen.  My heart began to pound in my chest at the realization of his presence.  How long had he been standing there?  Not knowing what else to do, I looked back at the screen.  His hair had been longer, but it didn't look bad.  Nervously, I turned to look at him and noticed that it was shorter - and that it looked better too.

"It looked good then, Trevor.  It looks good now," I said with a blush.

Just then, he turned his beautiful green eyes from the screen to my own.  My breathing quickened and my pulse raced as I felt his eyes drink me in.  I watched as his eyes looked me over and I felt my mouth dry. 

"You look lovely tonight, Lauren," he said in a quiet, husky tone.

I took a breath and held it as I looked at him up close.  His skin was lightly tanned - he probably worked in the sun a lot.  He had a long straight nose that looked so refined on him.  His dark brown hair and his dark eyelashes made his green eyes pop even more.  He wore a red canvas shirt like the kind Tim wore.  He also wore blue jeans and boots.  He wasn't that tall though - maybe only five foot ten to my five feet of height but with all of his features, he looked like he belonged on a commercial or a magazine or something - he looked that handsome.  Which was probably why he was on television, after all.  Finally, I released the breath I'd forgotten I'd been holding.  He half smiled at me before speaking again in a low tone.

"It was nice...standing with you here, Lauren.  But I've got to get back to work now."

My heart picked up its pace with those words.  Did that mean that Trevor...the person and not the TV host might be interested in me?  God, I hoped so.  I then remembered my words earlier and my face flushed.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier - when I called you a Prison Warden.  I'm sure that you have a job to do and I'm sorry if I offended you."

He leaned his head back then and laughed out loud.  His green eyes were mischievous as he looked at me again.

"Don't you apologize for that.  It was pretty funny, actually."

I smiled in relief at that. 

"Good."

His expression went a bit serious then.  I watched his eyes go from me to something just behind me.  He then looked down at me and smiled again, but the expression looked forced. 

"I am the face of this show.  Sometimes that's fortunate but other times it is unfortunate.  Just like it is now." 

I watched as he took a step away from me and addressed someone I had not yet seen.  Looking around, I saw that the rest of the contestants were watching us with varying degrees of interest.  Had I done something wrong? 

"One of those unfortunate things is the footage I am about to show you all here on the big screen.  It is the audition footage that each of you sent in.  From this point on, you'll be able to gauge your competitors - see their strengths and weaknesses."

Trevor took a couple more steps away from me and spoke in a louder voice.

"You might have made friends in the past four hours or so - or might have at least made friendly with your competitors.  That might be about to change."

***

Nice Shootin’ Tex! Is available at:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Nice-Shootin-Tex-ebook/dp/B00CLVA8FI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369437580&sr=8-2&keywords=cyndia+rios-myers

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nice-shootin-tex-cyndia-rios-myers/1115228376?ean=2940016523569

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313076

 

About That Review...

Reviews.  Writers need reviews.  It lets prospective readers (and buyers) know that the book is purchasable.  It gives them the confidence to take a chance on a new writer.

Up until yesterday afternoon, I was annoyed over the lack of reviews I was getting.  But then, something happened (sounds like a typical pivot point in my novels).  I went to a hair salon near my home and read a sign that stuck with me (probably owed to the Business Ethics class I took back when I was in college).  It read:  “A free bottle of XXX shampoo will be given to each customer once their Yelp review has been posted.”  That bothered me, but I decided to explore it later. 

My haircut was just okay, and very expensive, which bothered me, of course.  I then wondered why I thought I would have a satisfactory experience at that salon.  Then I remembered!  The salon was reviewed SO WELL on Yelp.  It had tons of 5 star reviews, which was why I chose it.  Most of those good reviews were probably owed to free shampoo.  Not cool.

So what did I do?  I sent an email to the wonderful folks at Yelp.  After all, I’ve done business with great vendors, which I owe to Yelp.  The classy folks at Yelp are now investigating said salon for “the violation in policies” exercised by the folks at that beauty salon. 

The truth is that I feel a bit like a tattle-tale; I mostly feel like I am doing a favor to customers who might visit that salon based on inflated Yelp reviews. 

But what does all of that have to do with book reviews?  I’ll tell you.  I will no longer solicit them (book reviews).  I will no longer guilt my readers into leaving them.  If you buy my books, thank you.  That is all I have to say on that. 

 

 

Cyndia Rios-Myers

What's Coming Next...

Hi Folks!

I just thought that I would drop you all a line to let you know what was coming next.  Here is the cover art:

Nice Shootin' Tex! is a contemporary western romance/women's fiction novel.  It features Lauren McCoy, a beautiful (and blonde - finally!), smart, artistic, sweet, hardworking, sharp-shooting cowgirl of a woman who is feeling the urge to leave her daddy's farm and strike out on her own to make a life for herself, and hopefully find love too.

The interesting vehicle which would be the catalyst for change in her life is cable TV show shooting contest that her brother enters her into.  Defying her father and going further away from home than she ever has before, she goes on to show the world (and a very sex TV show host) just how good a shot she is. 

However, there is more to winning at shooting and winning at love than meets the eye.  Lauren learns that even though she can't win at everything, she is still triumphant because she has a home full of love to come home to, and a happy future she could not predict.

I hope you enjoyed that write-up and are hungry for more!


Cyndia Rios-Myers

Now Available! Razed by the Wolf - Book 7 (And Final) of The Wolves

I know.  I know, I know, I know.  It is about one month and two weeks overdue.   What was the hold up?  Well...I'll tell you what the holdup was.  I had an interesting case of Writer's Conflict.  It is kind of like Writer's Block, but different.  I had a lot of good stuff for the final novella, but did not know where to place it. 

So what did I do?  I referred to the old writing adage of "When in doubt, cut it out."  Every piece I had a doubt on, I got rid of.  What was left were the bones of the story - good, strong bones that delivered an ending that was long coming (and maybe predictable for a lot of readers). 

What was unexpected were the tying of loose ends of stories featuring ancillary characters of the story.  My heart was right there, in those stories. 

But back to my excitement.  Yay!!!!  The last novella of The Wolves is now available for purchase on Amazon and Smashwords (it should be available on Barnes and Noble sometime today). 

On Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Razed-Wolf-Seven-Wolves-ebook/dp/B00CJ0WMR8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367011343&sr=8-2&keywords=cyndia+rios-myers

On Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/310059

Here is the cover art, one last time:

Thanks for reading!

Yep. It's April. Book 7 Is Not Out Yet... (but here is a free preview!)

...and I really should have a good reason(s) why.  And I do!  I shall give you all a list.

1. My husband is on vacation from work.  He is VERY distracting.
2. We just finished doing some extensive home renovations.
3. We just got back from a loooong road trip. 

That's really all I've got.  Still, I want to leave you all with something.  So, here is a scene out of the new book - never seen anywhere else:

******************************************************************************

After looking at the exterior windows of a fashion store, an ice cream shop, a furniture store and a shoe store, I settled on one.  It was a luxury linen store.  Soon, we would sleep on a mattress of pine needles and wool.  Probably more in our wolf forms than our human ones.  I would not have linen spray or high thread count sheets.  Not that I had them anyway. 

                "I would have bought you those if you'd asked for them," said Jorgen.

I half smiled.  He was trying.

                "I felt bad about the expense.  I worried that the pups would ruin them."

But there was more to it than that.

                "I didn't know that I was on a clock," I silently said to his mind.

                "I did not know that either," he softly said.

I stopped short at the electric doors to the linen store.  I did not think about what my husband would miss. 

                "Tell me," I said to his mind.

                "Ice cream.  Beer.  Hamburgers.  Pizza.  My tools.  The lumber yard.  The way my wife looks when she dresses up for a date.  My brother," he said in a thick voice.  "The way he plays with our children."

I took a moment to look down and pinch the bridge of my nose. 

                "I don't want to upset you," he said in an apologetic tone.  "Please go and try to enjoy yourself."

                "No.  I want to hear of your pain.  It makes me feel better.  It makes me feel less selfish."

                "No.  You are not selfish.  There has never been a selfish hair on your body."

How I loved him.  I said as much. 

                "I know that.  Go and shop now," he said in a stronger tone of voice. 

I smiled at the thought of my husband's strength.  Even when he was vulnerable, he was never weak.  I sighed.

                "Okay."

                "That's my girl."

With that, I entered the store. 

It was a lot like Bed, Bath and Beyond back in America - only it did not have as much of the "As Seen On TV Products."  I liked that.  I walked around the bottom floor.  Lots of glassware and plates there.  Beautiful place settings there too.  I gave myself the opportunity to fantasize about what I might come home to in fifteen years. 

                "When this is done, I will buy you whatever you want," Jorgen said.

I smiled.  After that, I walked to the escalator and got on the bottom step.  Thump-thump it sounded under my feet as I rose higher and higher.  It felt good.  I set my hands on the moving handrails and surrendered control of my movement for a few seconds. 

However, that peace was not meant to last.  In front of me were two wolves.  Two werewolves.  How in the fuck did I miss that?  How in the hell did wolf miss that?

                "I did not," she said to me.

                "How about sharing it with me?" I argued with her.

I felt Jorgen's presence in me.  He growled under his breath from where he sat in his truck. 

                "What are you doing, wolf?" I asked.

                "You have work to do," she said to me.

There was no use arguing with wolf, I knew.  I shook my head and stared at the back of the heads of the wolves before me.  They had not noticed me yet.  My powers were coiled up in me, so they could not sense me.  I didn't know how Jorgen did it, but he also managed to make werewolves "miss" my scent. 

I took the opportunity to inspect the couple, because a couple they were.  The woman to the left had long, red curly hair.  The man to the right of her had long brown hair.  I sniffed the air around them, but didn't recognize their scent.  However, I knew that I had seen them before. 

                "They are up to no good.  Handle it," growled my husband.

                "Shall they know of...I?"

                "Yes," Jorgen said.

I nodded.  "Yes, alpha."

I did nothing but stare at them as they rose on the escalator steps before me.  I did not rush up the steps as they debarked the escalator and walked right.  I took my time as I walked off the escalator and turned my head to watch their retreating backs.  The heels on my boots pivoted on the ground as I turned right and followed them.  I took in the woman's dress.  She wore a black leather jacket and black pants.  She had black boots on too.  The man had a brown leather jacket on and jeans.  He had work boots on too.  Suddenly, I knew who I was staring at.  Wolf stretched in pleasure.  She was having a good time hunting.  So was I, actually. 

*****************End of Preview*********************

So.  I promise that I will deliver the goods THIS MONTH!

Thanks for reading!

Cyndia Rios-Myers

Are Werewolves Real? Post

I love to read great sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal novels.  Carrie Vaughn, Stephenie Meyer, Paticia Briggs...they are awesome writers, and I consume their novels as soon as they are available for my Nook.

I sometimes read the blogs of fellow werewolf writers.  Sometimes, they answer the question: "Are Werewolves Real?"  So, I thought I would answer that question.

No.  They are not real.  At least, I don't think that they are real.  But then again, you have to take that answer with a grain of salt, as I do believe that Bigfoot exists. 

But I think that my novellas are more in the vein of Women's Fiction novels, because I like to write about true-to-life dilemmas. 

So, I have my own real questions.  Such as, "Why do some women (and men) stay in situations or relationships that are truly hurting them?"  Also, "Why don't people realize that they get one life?  Why do they let the days pass by while they are in unhappy situations?" 

Sadly, I don't always get the answers to those questions.  I have tried to answer them in my own life, though.  I joined the Navy when I was 17.  I did a drastic thing to get away from a bad man.  I mustered the courage to heed the call of a voice telling me to introduce myself to a certain guy 12 years ago (he is currently spackling the baseboard in our hallway).  I was able to hold myself up and be strong for my daughter, who passed away years ago.  I became an awesome swimmer.  I went to college.  I started my own business (and closed it too).  I started writing fiction and self-published (I'll let you know how that goes). 

Truth be told, I wasn't alway successful in my ventures in...adventure, but I always tried.  I always got something out of that scary, unknown. 

I just hope that everyone else finds the courage to do that - to do the thing (whatever it is) that they want to do, but are terrified of. 

So...I'm sorry if I am not giving you answers on werewolves.  But if they did exist, I am pretty sure that they would have the same questions about life that we do.  I do hope that they find their answers though (and that you do too).


Cyndia Rios-Myers

So What's Next?

Well, I'll tell you...

The final novella of The Wolves will be published this month...some time.  There will be two more full length novels, which will then close the series. 

So what else is in the works?

Well, as you may (or may not know) I have other books that are not of the paranormal/sci-fi/fantasy genres.  I am going to write in that vein (women's fiction) some more. 

But just in case you don't know, here is some background on The Song of the Sleeping Grass, my first book. 

 

Have you ever been so attuned to the woven strings of a relationship that you can tell the exact moment when one of those strings snap? Even when your loved one is hundreds of miles away and assures you that all is well? Such is the moment that opens the tale of Becky Medina, a 24 year old Army wife trying to keep the home fires burning in Pennsylvania while her husband is deployed to Iraq. Change is forced on her and she has to learn to live with the fact that a traumatic episode in her husband’s life has made him seek solace in the arms of another. Painfully breaking away from the life she was sure was forever, she has to start from scratch again back at her childhood home with her father. But when she decides to go on her long-postponed honeymoon to Scotland by herself, she finds comfort, passion and love in the arms of a sexy Scotsman who is in need of healing of his own and finds it in Becky.

 

On Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-song-of-the-sleeping-grass-cyndia-rios-myers/1029286320?ean=2940012032683

On Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Song-Sleeping-Grass-ebook/dp/B004I1L5JM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1363728425&sr=8-4&keywords=cyndia+rios-myers

On Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/83621

Thanks for stopping by!!

Cyndia Rios-Myers