By Amber Skyze (Guest Blogger)
About 15 years ago I had an editor tell me my stories had lost their edge. They weren’t as emotional as I used to write. Here’s the thing – I left my abusive ex-husband and was living a happy life. That raw pain faded with each day. I found blessings in every corner. I was alive and I was free. I no longer had to walk on eggshells around a crazy man.
For years I took a break from writing
for this magazine. I turned my attention to bigger works – novels.
I wrote about happily ever after’s and finding that special
someone. The problem I had was that editor’s words were still stuck
in my head and thanks to my ex crushing my self-esteem, I couldn’t
submit any of my manuscripts.
I turned my attention to non-fiction
and wrote for magazines for years. Here I was welcomed with opened
arms. Yet, my desire for fiction kept nagging me. My fingers itched
to write a happily ever after or happy for now story. I longed for
that true love and in my real life I was discovering it again. I’d
found a man who treated me respectfully and loved me for me –
faults and all.
My writing took off. I received my
first book contract and within months I’d contracted five more books.
I was on fire. Everything I submitted was being accepted; I couldn’t
go wrong.
In 2010 I lost my son of only six days old.
I got through my grief by writing, writing and writing some more. I
belonged to the book a month club. Ideas were plentiful. It didn’t
seem the high would ever end…and believe me I didn’t want it to.
Then some happened. I found a light at
the end of the grief tunnel. My writing came to a screeching halt.
The one thing I felt would never happen happened. My work started
getting rejected. I lost that emotional edge again.
I did what I did best – crawled under
a rock where I’ve been for at least a year now. Sure I’ve
written. In fact I have four books done that need to be edited and
submitted. There was no way I could submit and be rejected again.
A few days ago, thanks to a dear online
friend I realized something – I AM A WRITER. No editor or
publishing house can take that away from me. I have the desire to
write and anxious to see my books published again.
Will the readers still be there? I’m
not sure. It’ll feel like starting over, but I’ll find new
readers. That’s the beauty of social media.
So what’s the point of this blog?
Life will get in your away. It’s a fact. How you deal with it will
determine where you go in this business. I’m positive of one thing
- Once a writer, always a writer.
If you want to be published keep
writing and submitting. You’re the only one who can stand in the
way of your success.
Going for Broke by Amber Skyze
Blurb
Deacon Burke has a
singular goal—to win back the Las Vegas casino swindled from his
father years ago.
Businesswoman Holly
Perkins is equally determined to gain control of the Pleasure Palace,
the decadent casino where anything goes—including exhibitionism and
master/slave play. A corporate raider, she’s eager to put down
roots in one location while running a business she loves.
When Deacon spots
Holly in front of the casino it’s lust at first sight, and soon
she’s submitting to him during a blistering-hot encounter. But how
will he react when he learns of Holly’s agenda? All bets are off in
their high-stakes game of carnal cravings and ultimate control.
A
Romantica® contemporary
erotic romance
from Ellora’s Cave
Publisher’s Note: This title was previously released elsewhere under the title Hit Me, and has been revised and expanded for Ellora’s Cave.
Excerpt
Put one foot in
front of the other and soon you’ll be walking through the door.
Deacon rubbed his
eyes. They burned from being sleep deprived and the bright lights
didn’t help. It was nearing midnight, but who could tell in the
city that never sleeps? He stopped to glance up at the majestic
building. The four golden caps made it appear as if it were a true
Palace. The design had been created with that in mind. Darius Burke
had a dream. He’d wanted to build a casino that reminded people of
royalty. He’d wanted them to feel like they were special when
inside. For years he’d succeeded.
Put one foot in
front of the other and soon you’ll be walking through the door.
The one verse of the
incessant Christmas song filled his mind as Deacon climbed the stairs
to casino. Sure he changed it a bit to suit his needs, but that was
his prerogative.
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The flight in from
Hong Kong seemed to drag on longer than it should have, but he closed
the deal. They would gain a foothold in Hong Kong with their latest
fragrance. The time had arrived for him to close another deal. The
most important one.
Put one foot in
front of the other and soon you’ll be walking through the door.
Deacon adjusted the
laptop bag dangling from his left shoulder. He lifted his right foot
and placed it on the concrete stair. Gold speckles glittered the
front staircases leading to the entranceway.
Each step he took
was painful to his weary feet and heavy heart. He hadn’t stepped
foot inside the casino or Vegas for that matter in nearly ten years.
The day had finally arrived. He was coming home after many years
away. Deacon Burke was one step away from reclaiming what rightfully
belonged to his family – the Palace of Pleasure.
Though when his
father owned the Palace the top floors known as the Pleasure part of
the casino didn’t exist. Deacon could see his father rolling over
his grave imagining the things that took place in the Pleasure area.
Not that Deacon minded. Sex was an enjoyment of his. There was
something about cherishing a woman’s body that brought out the
animal instinct in him. He also didn’t mind doling out a spanking
or two. Having a woman bent over, hands tied behind her back getting
spanked, got him overheated every time.
He stifled a moan,
while fighting the hard-on that grew in his black slacks.
Maybe he’d partake
in a little fun before meeting with the current owner. Why not try
out the merchandise? Not that it would change his mind on reclaiming
the casino. It belonged to the Burke’s and Deacon would stake his
claim, no matter what stupid stipulations they put on him.
Website –
www.amberskyze.com
Twitter -
@amberskyze
5 comments:
Welcome to Beyond Romance, Amber!
When I was in my teens and twenties, I wrote tons of poetry, all fueled by my unfulfilled yearnings for this or that individual. When I became happily married, that font seemed to run dry. So I think I know what you're talking about.
I forgot to mention I'll give away a copy of Going for Broke to one lucky commentor!
Yes, that's exactly what I did too. :)
Wonder post!
Thanks Kat!
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