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Book Reviews, Non-Fiction

HEART & CRAFT

HEART & CRAFT
BESTSELLING ROMANCE WRITERS SHARE THEIR SECRETS WITH YOU
VALERIE PARV
ISBN #: 978-1-74175-721-7
October 2010
Trafalgar Square Publishing
www.ipgbook.com
Trade Paperback
$19.95
300 Pages
Non-Fiction — Writing, Romance
Rating: 4 Cups

Valerie Parv is known as Australia’s queen of romance and is recognized as the media spokesperson for all things romantic. She has 25 million copies of her 60 plus novels sold around the world, translated into 26 languages including Russian, Icelandic and Korean. She conducts workshops and seminars on creativity and the writing craft based on her best-selling guides. Valerie has made love and romance a career and continues to write because her books affirm her belief in love and happy endings.

Ten of Australia’s top romance writers have contributed some of their own tricks of the trade and methods that the reader can apply to their own work. In addition to the hints, they provide stories as to how and why they have come to the field of romance writings. These talented authors write contemporary, medical, erotic, paranormal, and historical romance. Some have more than 75 novels under their belt.

Heart and Craft offers something a little different from the usual step-by-step instructions for aspiring writers. Valerie Parv has rounded up a fantastic group of writers to share their expertise. Robyn Donald talks about Changing with the Times, Helen Bianchin examines Latin Lovers and Others, Valerie Parv demonstrates Packing an Emotional Punch, Lilian Darcy discusses Crossing the Lines and Getting It Right, and Meredith Webber displays Code Read: Writing the Modern Medical Genre. Elizabeth Rolls presents Tons of Romance in the Regency, Kelly Ethan examines Two Worlds Weaving Romance with Fantasy, and Valerie Parv studies Keeping Readers in Suspense. Alexis Fleming introduces The Big O: Opportunities in Erotic Romance, Daphne Clair writes about Secret Pleasures the Heart of the Genre, and Jennie Adams depicts a Foolproof Editing System.

Valerie Parv provides writers with a good addition to their library whether they are published or not. Whether the reader’s aim is to publish romance or any other genre, this book not only informs but motivates. It can be read straight through or in pieces. The reader can take advantage of the fact that all of the contributing authors are bestsellers with many years of experience. Each topic is a good exploration and an invaluable reference.

Venus
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

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Open post by ctrstaffer with ID 17899106382091659
Insta-Coffee SHEAR MURDER, my wedding mystery, was inspired by a visit to Harry P. Leu Gardens in Winter Park, Florida. This lovely nature park hosts many weddings, so the sight of a bride being photographed among the trees is a common one Its fifty acres includes a camellia collection, a formal rose garden, a historical house dating from the 1880's, a tropical rainforest, a vegetable garden, plus palm, bamboo and cycad sections, and even a cemetery. The main building has a coffee shop and reception rooms. For my story, I transformed the gardens into an imaginary nature park relocated in Miami. Welcome to the fictional Orchid Isle, where Marla Shore, my intrepid sleuth and hairdresser, is a bridesmaid at her friend Jill’s wedding prior to her own nuptials. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and disaster ensues. I had to learn a bit about orchids for this story. Anytime I get one as a gift, I care for it to the best of my ability, but it soon dies. I’m afraid I don’t have a knack for growing plants. But if you’re a gardening enthusiast, you can pick up a seedling at a local orchid show or buy a blooming plant at a farmer’s market. From what I’ve read, initially you’ll need fertilizer to feed the plant. Additional supplies may include insecticide, fungicide, stakes and clips, and potting materials. What are the types of orchids for you to grow? Cattleyas are corsage orchids, probably the most familiar variety. Phalenopsis have pretty, delicate blooms, while Dendrobiums have long spikes of smaller flowers. Or Vandas, which are the most common, might appeal to you. If you really get into it, you can attend orchid shows and join orchid societies. How can you tell a rare variety? Nancy J. Cohen ##mystery ##cozy #@nancyjcohen https://coffeetimeromance.com/?p=281213

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Open post by ctrstaffer with ID 18301595491175289
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Open post by ctrstaffer with ID 18055718570259256
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The drakkons have joined the battle, but do they have the power to help win the war?

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Open post by ctrstaffer with ID 18069895831975014
Insta-Coffee May 27, 2025 Book 2 The Drakkon Kin Trilogy Book 2 The drakkons have joined the battle, but do they have the power to help win the war? Princess Bryn Silva is a Strega witch, gifted with the ability to raise fire and mind speak to animals. It is a gift that helped her win the trust of Kaia—a drakkon queen in the prime of her life. But the drakkons’ only weapons are tooth and claws, and they are useless against an enemy mounted on armored birds, and who possess weapons capable of eating through scale and stone with equal ease. After an aerie is attacked, the drakkons agree to a desperate alliance and the drakkon kin—a force of Strega witches mounted on drakkon back—is formed. Despite initial success, Bryn quickly realizes that a handful of kin will never defeat the sheer number of gilded riders amassing off Arleeon’s shores. The drakkons needed a weapon. They needed fire… But the gilded riders were not the only danger closing in on Esan, the fortress protecting the eastern gateway into Arleeon. The Mareritt, a warrior race and an ancient enemy, also move on them, armed with weapons eerily similar to those the gilded riders use. Weapons capable of destroying Esan’s mighty walls. But the biggest threat of all could be the dangerous secrets being held by Bryn’s husband, Damon Velez, heir to the throne of Zephrine and a man she hadn’t wanted to marry but might well be falling in love with. A man whose magic could give the drakkons fire, or utterly destroy them all. More Posts https://coffeetimeromance.com/the-drakkons-are-coming-keri-arthur/ http://coffeetimeromance.com/of-steele-and-scale-by-keri-arthur/ Coffee Time Romance & More ##fantasy ##keriarthur ##Romance #dragons ##DrakkonKin https://coffeetimeromance.com/of-scale-and-blood-by-keri-arthur-is-here/

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