Kirjahaku

This isn't just a book about how to write-this is a book about how to be a writer.In this book, you'll find: * Ideas for how to carve out writing time-and actually use it to write.* Tips on plot, characterization, and world building.* A super-brief overview of the three-act story structure.* Insight into the business side of publishing books, including handling reviews and interacting with readers.* An example of how to handle editing a manuscript from start to finish.All in an extremely brief format to get you back to your writing as quickly as possible.My experiences along my writer's journey have been incredible so far. I've had to stretch beyond my comfort zones, learn techniques to become more adaptive to the industry's needs, and ask myself questions I had no idea were part of being a writer. I read many books about how to write, but didn't find much in the way of handling the business side of things. This is me sharing some of what I've learned, in the hopes that other writers may gain some insight into the craft, the industry, and how one writer is handling the challenges involved in crafting a writer's life

Experience the magic of the winter holidays with four enchanting stories that will sweep you away Are you a fan of the Court of the Yuletide Fae trilogy, but you'd rather skip the steamy scenes? The special editions in this holiday collection have all of the magic, but close the door before things get too intimate. Read on to learn more. . .Three powerful Fairy Lords of the Yuletide Kingdom are about to meet their perfect matches.The Yule Cat ("Closed-Door" Edition): When a child shows kindness to the Yule Cat, he finds he can't bring her to the Winter Queen as tribute. As punishment for his disloyalty, his queen demands he find the child once she has come of age and presents her instead as his bride.The White Stag ("Closed-Door" Edition): Chased by the Krampus, the White Stag finds solace-and love-in the arms of a woman whose only wish is to help him. Her wish transforms the Stag into a man, but the Krampus isn't finished with him yet.The Krampus ("Closed-Door" Edition): Determined to restore his best friend to the good graces of the Winter Queen, the Krampus sets out to bring the Yule Cat out of exile. But along the way, he discovers the mortal realm has much to offer, especially in the form of a riveting woman named Spring.As a special bonus, this collection includes the prequel, "The Winter Queen," which tells Santa's origin story (Previously published in the Festive Fates anthology).

He will have his bride... The seasons are out of balance, the Courts of the Fae who govern the Wheel of the Year in disarray. Lachlan Darragh, better known as the Oak King, must set things right. His best chance is to do what the rulers of the Yuletide Fae have done-find a mortal to marry. When he claims Emma Watts as his queen, he thinks the problem is solved. There's only one catch. For him to gain power from their union, they have to fall in love, and he has no idea how to do so. Emma did not ask to become the Queen of the Springtime Court. She knows enough about fairies to want out of the arrangement as quickly as possible. So what if the Oak King is the most gorgeous man she's ever seen? He's willing to let her go on one condition-that she teaches him how to fall in love with someone so he can woo another queen. The only problem is that Emma has never been in love herself. And the more time they spend together, the more she wonders if everything she thought she knew about the Fae might be wrong. Lachlan is approaching the peak of his rule over the Wheel of the Year, and if he can't win someone's heart by Beltane, he risks the Court of the Springtime Fae forever falling into weakness. But the more Emma teaches him about love, the more certain he is that she's the only woman he wants. Will they learn to open their hearts to each other in time to restore the balance between the Courts? Main Content: Approximately 27,300 words, 122 (5.5 x 8.5) pages

Christmas Eve has always been filled with extraordinary magic... Melanie Woods has been waiting by the Christmas tree every year in the hope of seeing the Yule Cat one more time. When he doesn't appear, she finally decides it is time to let go of her childhood fantasies and replace them with some very adult ones involving the gorgeous owner of an amazing, Christmas-themed bakery. No one would guess that North Cotter is actually the Lord of the North Wind-more popularly known as the Yule Cat. No one except the child who stole her way into his heart when he was supposed to be taking her to the Yuletide Kingdom to offer as tribute to the Winter Queen. Banished by the Winter Queen when he fails to deliver, North is happy to remain in exile, making pastries that delight palates both mortal and immortal. North's solitary life changes when a blue-eyed beauty shows up on the steps of his bakery, having won a Christmas Eve baking lesson. He and Melanie are cooking up some Christmas magic that he hopes will last forever-if the Winter Queen doesn't put a freeze on them. Will the fires of his and Melanie's love be enough to melt the frozen heart of the Winter Queen, or will they be forced to spend their eternity together in a land of endless cold? Main Content: Approximately 25,000 words, 105 (5.5 x 8.5) pages

A New Year's Eve wish unlocks the greatest magic of all... The White Stag is bound to grant wishes to anyone who catches him. Barely escaping from the powerful Krampus who has come after him with a wish in his heart that the Stag can't bear to grant, he finds himself confronted by a mortal woman who has but one wish-to help him. Divorc e Sylvia Hart has made it through her first Christmas on her own since her heart was broken. Her hard-earned peace is shattered when she discovers an enormous, injured white stag buried in the snow behind her remote cabin before New Year's Eve. Her only thought is to help the poor beast, until he turns into a gorgeous, kind man. Nothing can prepare Sylvia for what she will face when the Krampus comes knocking on her door looking for the White Stag. Sylvia has to make a choice-protect the Stag or protect her heart. With the White Stag's help, can she let go of the past and learn to trust again, or will the fear that has frozen her heart keep her from ever finding love again? Main Content: Approximately 28,180 words, 152 (5.5 x 8.5) pages

The bigger they are, the harder they fall in love... Lord Snow, better known as the Krampus, doesn't have time for distractions. With his best friend, the Yule Cat, banished to the mortal realm and coming dangerously close to exile himself, he needs to get back in the Winter Queen's good graces and return to his duties as the Lord of Endless Snow. Exile soon becomes the least of Snow's worries after he meets Spring. Spring Broeker loves a challenge, and the enormous man in the extremely fine suit that she meets on Valentine's Day has whetted her appetite for more than the sweets offered at the Yuletide Bakery. After too many disappointments looking for a life partner, she's only hoping for some fun, but the more she digs through Snow's cold exterior to his warm heart, the more her own is on the line. Torn between his desire for power and control and the warmth of Spring's love threatening to melt the coldest of Yuletide hearts, Snow has to decide whether he is willing to fight against the threat of Jack Frost taking his place or surrender to Spring's gentle touch. Can the love of a human woman melt the heart of the fierce Krampus, or will this Valentine's Day become just another disappointment for a woman with a big heart? Main Content: Approximately 31,340 words, 155 (5.5 x 8.5) pages

Sizzling Sci-Fi Romance... I have three days of shore leave left before I must leave Earth forever. As much as I'll miss this primitive paradise planet, I know I'll miss Evelyn, the quirky Earthling who befriended me when I first arrived, even more. She's whimsical, hilarious, and makes me feel things I've never experienced. When she finds out I have to leave, she suggests a solution that might let me stay-marriage. The only problem is that I don't want a fake marriage. I want it to be real. I want her and she thinks she wants me, too. But would her feelings change if she knew the truth? That aliens are real and I'm not just one of them, but the infamous General Serath, leader of a vast galactic military force? I shouldn't be considering her offer. Being with her is forbidden, even if she still wants me when she learns my secret. But how can I turn away from my first chance at love and laughter? And how can I leave when I discover that her planet isn't the safe haven I thought? Warning: this series contains nerdy references, intergalactic puns, and lots of... probing.

These aliens bring new meaning to "close encounters"When members of the repressive society based on Sadr-4 have up-close and personal encounters with Earthlings, the results will rock their worlds. Enjoy the first six novellas in The Department of Homeworld Security series all in one omnibus. Short, steamy, scifi, filled with optimism and quirky humor-these books are the perfect escape. Gray Card: A nerdgirl discovers her best friend is an alien general who has to leave Earth in three days-unless she marries him Resident Alien: A brilliant billionaire discovers the mysterious woman he's been talking to over a top-secret communications relay is actually an alien who needs his help. Business or Pleasure: An alien soldier is sent to bring an environmental scientist to safety-but she won't leave the planet until she's tracked down the hostile aliens threatening Earth's ecosystems. Tied up in Customs: A secret agent gets in way over his head when he's abducted by an alien super-soldier eager to explore everything Earth has to offer-including his body. Entry Visa: A biology teacher searching for Bigfoot finds him, along with the woman he fell for on Christmas Eve-an alien soldier sent to arrest the cryptid for trespassing on Earth. Duration of Stay: The shapeshifting "Gray" who's been hunting them all finds himself suddenly more human than Scorpiian, and starts to like it- with the help of a very friendly Earthling.

Brendan has always dreamed of making alien contact. He's about to get lucky. When Brendan Sloan sends transmissions into deep space, he never believes he'll actually reach aliens. The sultry voice that responds is too good to be true. He's convinced Kira was sent by his government to keep an eye on him while he's on vacation from his top secret communications project-until she shows up on his doorstep in a silver spaceship. Kira has been assigned to the listening station orbiting Earth for two years-years she's spent alone. Responding to Brendan's broadcasts could land her in jail or worse, on a Coalition scientist's examination table. She couldn't ignore the connection she felt, and now, he's the only person she can turn to for help. Because a vicious species of aliens have set their eyes on her-and Earth-and she can't hide her secrets forever. Can Brendan convince Kira to risk everything to help protect his planet? Main Content: Approximately 23,914 words, 115 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

He thought he was beyond the need for physical pleasure - until he met her.Paige Sloan thought dedicating her life to protecting Earth's ecosystems meant dealing with human mistakes-until her latest test samples put her on the hit list of an invasive species of aliens. As if that's not enough to deal with, there's a huge, hunky alien soldier demanding she leave the planet with him. But she's not about to leave until she's figured out what's really going on.Khel's assignment to bring Paige Sloan to the Coalition spaceship orbiting Earth should be simple, if only she would comply. She's determined to unravel the truth behind the Tau Ceti's presence on Earth, even though they've killed everyone else who knows where her samples were taken. Her passion for her planet is strong enough to burn down the walls he's created in himself to be the perfect Sadirian soldier-and it lights a flame of desire in him unlike any he's ever known.But the longer they work together on Earth, the more danger they're in, and soon their hearts are on the line as much as their lives.

On the battlefield of desire, he has the advantage. Eric Peterson has one goal: get his AWOL asset, Brendan, back to work on a classified communications relay his superiors want finished yesterday. When Eric tries to reconnect, a gorgeous-and strange-woman shows up in Brendan's place, claiming to be an alien on a mission to save the planet. Sorca has been sent to bring Eric to the Arbiter so that he can join the Department of Homeworld Security...or receive a mindwipe if he's not interested. As the strongest soldier in the Coalition fleet, her plan is simple-ask him nicely, and if he says no, take him anyway. But the more contact she has with the Earthling, the more her thoughts turn from battling the human to bedding him. The distraction could land them in the claws of an enemy they'll never see coming, because Sorca isn't the only alien on Earth. Will their missions align as well as their passions, or will they be lost to a force that no one sees coming? Main Content: Approximately 28,303 words, 137 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

A second chance they never expected...When Henry's parents died unexpectedly, he dealt with his grief the way any healthy biologist would-by moving into their cabin to begin searching for Bigfoot. As if he's not processing enough, the mysterious woman he fell head-over-heels for on Christmas Eve shows up on his doorstep-in the middle of the woods. She says she can only visit for a few days, but he's desperate for more time. "Forever" would work well...Vay never thought she'd see Henry again, until a rogue energy signature is discovered near his isolated cabin. Even though she's the least experienced Sadirian soldier working with the Department of Homeworld Security, she convinces her commanding officer to send her to track down the source of the alien signal.After all, how likely is it to be the Scorpiian assassin everyone's so afraid of?

An alien assassin could get used to life on Earth... Zemanni has been called many things-shapeshifter, bounty hunter, assassin, Gray. But since being ripped apart by an angry Lyrian and barely managing to piece himself back together, the only word he can think of is "trapped". Trapped in the form of Eric Peterson, and saddled with the biological needs and urges of a human-urges that center around the aggressively helpful woman giving him shelter. Brooke knows her unhealthy need to rescue people is reaching a new level when she takes the wounded alien she finds hiding in her car back to her apartment. He's gorgeous and rude and has glowing streaks of silver all over his body-a body he doesn't seem to know what to do with. She has a few ideas... After meeting Brooke, Zemanni begins to think that Earth is the perfect place to retire. Can he convince his many enemies that he's truly out of the game, or will his past catch up to him before he can start a future with Brooke? Main Content: Approximately 23,979 words, 118 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

Vegans Welcome Living in a treehouse restaurant in Florida, Sarah expects to encounter plenty of wildlife. But the huge lizards who suddenly show up in her tree aren't the health conscious clientele she was hoping to attract when she expanded her menu to be vegan-friendly. She also didn't expect one of the lizards to seem determined to kill her. Disguised as a tourist, the Sadirian soldier Ari is investigating strange readings coming from a huge oak tree in Florida-a tree with an Earthling living in it. The Department of Homeworld Security has sent him to find out if something extraterrestrial is going on, and with the Coalition looking to bring Earth into the fold before humanity is ready, he doesn't have much time to sort things out. When Sarah is pulled into an alien duel, he discovers that more than Earth's fate hangs in the balance. Can they navigate their nascent connection as they forge a new bond with a species that could save-or destroy-them all? Main Content: Approximately 25,059 words, 121 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

She wanted to curl up with a Sci-fi Romance-she never thought she'd be living one Kyle has finally found a woman who seems more interested in his intellect and interests than his physique. Too bad it happens right before discovering his entire life has been built on a lie. Tracey thinks she's found her own "Happily Ever After" when she hooks up with the smartest, hottest guy she's ever met. But their story takes a turn, landing them in the crosshairs of alien invaders who've barely begun their conquest of Earth. Can they figure out who to trust in time to save their homeworld and their lives? Main Content: Approximately 20,811 words, 102 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

Her next delivery will be out of this world Lily's main priority is to steer her family's import/export company toward altruistic pursuits. That is, until her Nana starts talking about doing yoga with a little lizard person from outer space. Lily's new goal is to help her Nana see through her delusions. But then, the alien in question actually shows up in the green-scaled flesh, dragging along a doctor that Lily would love to have examine her. As field medic for the Coalition soldiers stationed at the Earth base in Florida, Rin is pretty non-essential. His job is to smile and distract people while med-tech takes care of whatever issue they're having. So why is a Vegan-the creators of that technology-coming to him for help? Though he can't complain about being introduced to the strong and compassionate Earthling named Lily. Throw in some desperate Antareans wanting to start a trade agreement with Earth, and an attack by dozens of fanged, furred Earth-monsters called "cats," and Rin is going to need some of that med-tech for himself. Can he and Lily work together to solve Cyan's mysterious ailment and give the Antareans the supplies they need to stave off a deadly plague? Main Content: Approximately 28,625 words, 140 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

Things in the kitchen are about to heat up. When a reclusive billionaire hires Brigid as his personal chef, she has a feeling the job is too good to be true. The pay is jaw-dropping-as is the wannabe she's replacing in the kitchen. Dane's heart is in the right place, but seriously, baked beans over pasta? It's like he learned to cook on another planet. He's eager to learn her ways, and Brigid is more than happy to give him very personal lessons. Dane has never felt like he belonged anywhere. Not among his fellow Sadirian soldiers in the fleet of the Coalition of Planets and not as the highest ranking med-tech assigned to assist the Department of Homeworld Security on Earth. All of that changes the moment he meets Brigid. Resisting their mutual attraction is impossible-especially when soldiers from the Coalition arrive to arrest the Sadirians living on Earth and wipe the memories of all the Earthlings who've encountered them. But as Dane and Brigid fight to preserve their chance at a future together, they find that a new enemy has risen in the galaxy that threatens everything they know and love. As their worlds shift around them, can they hold on to the spark that connects their hearts? Main Content: Approximately 44,205 words, 226 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

It was supposed to be a simple house call for a sick cat, so how'd she end up on a spaceship? Caitlin's had some pretty weird house calls in her work as a veterinarian outside a small desert town. Feral burros, mischievous coyotes, dogs getting a little too close to cacti... The tall, gorgeous guy who shows up on her doorstep in the middle of the night begging her to help his cat seems mundane by comparison-aside from the atomic attraction she feels toward him. Then he starts talking about aliens. To help restore the emotions stolen from him by the Coalition of Planets, Marq was supposed to care for Meredith-the Earth cat his brother smuggled aboard his ship. Now, she's developed some kind of sickness he fears will endanger her life. He'll do anything to assist his pet, even make unauthorized contact with an Earthling. The trouble is, he isn't sure how to handle the rising desire in him to make...additional contact with her. To get Caitlin's assistance, he must first convince her to trust him-though with soldiers on his ship who are still loyal to the Coalition, he's not sure who he himself can trust. Meredith's illness is not the only threat they will face. Can Marq save his cat, control his unruly emotions, and keep Caitlin safe? Author's note: This novella was originally published in the Pets in Space(R) 4 anthology. Main Content: Approximately 23,677 words, 122 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.

He wanted to spend Christmas with the girl of his dreams-but never dreamt they'd spend it in space Buddy didn't mean to stow away on an alien warship. He just wanted to surprise Nika with a holiday dinner she'd never forget. But now, he's stuck aboard the Reckoning with his dog, of all things, headed to a star system far from Earth and the Christmas dinner where he planned to introduce Nika to his family. Nika has enough on her plate building colonies, dome worlds, and space stations in the Sol system-all without Earth's governments detecting their presence. With a war going on throughout the galaxy, it's up to her to create sanctuaries for sentients who have lost their homeworlds. When she's called aboard the Reckoning to track down odd system errors-and pulled from a holiday dinner with Buddy-she knows something's gone very wrong. It goes from bad to worse when she finds Buddy and his dog on board. Now, they have to work together to figure out how to fix the ship for good, keep Buddy and his dog hidden, and forge an alliance with a planet full of super strong warriors with impulse control issues. For a galaxy at war, can a chef, his dog, and a little holiday four-part-harmony pave the way to peace? Main Content: Approximately 30,512 words, 153 (5.5 x 8.5) pages. Intended for mature readers.