What's in a Name?

By Tim Smith (Guest Blogger)

Once upon a time I had an idea for a romantic adventure story. I had a ripped-from-the-headlines plot and the ideal hero, a former CIA spook that walked away from the spy biz to live in Key Largo, Florida. He would be cool, tough and sexy, (something most of us aren’t), and would get involved in cool, tough, sexy adventures (something most of us can’t do). There was only one little problem – what should I call him? I had his first name picked out but needed a surname that was unique and wouldn’t conjure up a preconceived image. That eliminated names like Callahan, Savalas, Columbo, Rambo and Bond. I christened him Nick Seven and his first couple of adventures became best sellers and critical hits.

Then I conceived another series featuring a leading man who was light years removed from this character. I named him Vic Fallon and he’s a former police detective in northern Ohio who was discharged for using unnecessary force. He’s now a private investigator, but with a twist. He doesn’t really have to work and only takes jobs when he’s bored or something intrigues him. He’s also the only recurring character, leaving him free to romance a different woman in each story.

Now comes the hard part. How do I keep these two characters straight when I’m writing about them? There are some similarities but I want each to have their own personality. I recalled that when Mickey Spillane wrote about someone other than Mike Hammer, the names might have been different but they were basically the same person. I didn’t want to stumble over that rabbit hole.

Nick Seven is a rather dark character, due to some past experiences when he worked around the globe as a spy. He’s damaged goods and that usually comes into play in each adventure. He lives with a Barbadian beauty named Felicia, who is a former co-worker. All they want to do is live anonymously in The Keys but their former employer has different ideas and each story has a topical theme. Here’s an example from my newest release, Never Look Back:

* * * *

The last bit of moonlight over Key Largo slowly faded with the arrival of daybreak. The emerging sun was quickly overshadowed by dark clouds rolling in, accompanied by thunder that rumbled over the Gulf of Mexico. Soon the inevitable rain began, pelting the ground with an instant cloudburst, washing away the grime and guilt of the previous night.

Nick Seven watched from the kitchen of his condo that overlooked the Atlantic. He leisurely puffed a cigarette between sips of coffee while his mind wandered, dredging up things from the long ago past.

Pre-dawn has to be the loneliest time of night. It’s worse than midnight, when all the animals come out to play. That’s when you face the ghosts, the bad memories that won’t leave you alone, the ones you can’t exorcise from your soul. Those ghosts are always needy and desperate, like a lot of people. Things happen to average people when they’re desperate. It drives them to do things they’d never think of doing when they’re rational.

Those are the people you watch out for.

* * * *

Vic Fallon, on the other hand, is a throwback to the pulp fiction characters of Chandler, Hammett and Westlake, but in a contemporary setting. Vic is a tough wise-ass who always finds himself in unwanted situations, and his cases can take him anywhere. The women he meets are straight out of an old B movie where the hero takes one on the chin in the name of love. This is the opening from his latest adventure, Lido Key:

* * * * 

I had the craziest damn dream. I was standing on a cloud of white satin while angels strummed their golden harps all around me. I swear one of them looked like Taylor Swift. Then this guy showed up, dressed in a double-breasted blue pinstripe suit and a gray fedora. Looked like he stepped out of an old Bogart movie. No, wait, it wasn’t Bogart, it was Robert Mitchum. Yeah, that’s it. Mitchum handed Taylor a bottle of cheap whiskey and she poured a healthy slug into a tumbler. She smiled when she handed it to me, you know, one of those smiles that tells you everything’s okay even though your gut tells you it isn’t. I drank it down in one swallow then felt lightheaded so I curled up on that satin cloud and fell asleep. Probably shouldn’t have eaten sushi for dinner last night.

Vic Fallon slowly awoke from a deep slumber and looked through one drowsy eye at the clock radio. 8:30. I never sleep this late. Must’ve been more tired than I realized. He stretched his arms and yawned. I never sleep this well in a strange bed the first night away from home, either. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, blinked a few times to wake up then looked around. His brow furrowed. This isn’t where I fell asleep last night.

* * * *

When I come up with a story idea I have to decide which series it would best fit. If it’s drawn from current events, it would probably work as a Nick Seven spy adventure. If it’s something quirkier I’ll develop it into a Vic Fallon crime caper. The online consequences of sexting inspired Lido Key, and the Wiki-leaks affair served as the jumping off point for Never Look Back.

Someone proposed a wild idea to me recently. They suggested that I put both characters in the same story. Hmm, Nick versus Vic. What a concept! I could also throw in some supporting characters named Rick, Mick and Dick to really confuse things. 

Never Look Back - Buy here!

Lido Key - Buy here!

Bio:

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author whose books range from romantic mystery/thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. His website is www.timsmithauthor.com.

Confessions of a Book Reviewer

By Tim Smith (Guest Blogger)

I review for an online romance site between cranking out two or three of my own books every year and doing promotions. Reading a few books a month gives me the opportunity to see what other people are doing and along the way I’ve discovered some really good writing. I’ve also acquainted myself with some sub-genres I’d never read before.

When I request a book to review I try to pick an author whose books I haven’t read or may not be too familiar with. If it’s someone who isn’t well known and I can give them some positive exposure, I’m paying it forward and creating good Karma. For that reason you won’t see me post a review for a writer who has the words “New York Times Bestselling Author” after their name. If they’ve achieved that status I figure they don’t need one more write-up. May Nora Roberts forgive me.

Since e-readers have become the new norm, many of the books have gotten shorter. Once I reviewed a story that was a mere twelve pages, but the author packed more plot, character and action into those twelve pages than some do in a hundred-and-twelve. Conversely I’ve read some that had more bulk but very little substance. Who says size matters? I know I’m in trouble when I find myself skimming versus absorbing the author’s words.

Now for the downside. (You knew there was a downside, right?). I’ve seen some writers use erotic e-books to peddle what is basically cover-to-cover porn. Plot, character development, conflict and tension – those bothersome things our editors harp about – were non-existent in many of them. In some cases the writing wasn’t up to the standards of a Penthouse Forum stroke piece. I have a short list of authors whose books I won’t review because of this. A couple of writers on my list also imply that their female characters are underage and they depict sexual acts that most publishers don’t allow. I won’t promote that kind of writing.

Much of what I read is self published and I’ve been impressed overall with the quality of the writing and formatting. In the pre-digital age self publishing had a stigma attached to it, but that’s no longer the case. On the other hand, some of the above-mentioned books fall into this category, and with good reason – a few were so poorly written, no reputable publisher would touch them.

For those who use sites like Manic Readers to request reviews, allow me to give you a few tips. Remember to include a summary or blurb. Yes, people actually submit their books for review without saying what they’re about. Listing the genre doesn’t really tell potential reviewers enough to generate interest. Also include the page count. There are occasions when I’m looking for a short book because I’m pressed for time and I get upset when it turns out to be longer than Gone with the Wind.

Be realistic about the heat level and content if it’s an erotic romance. You won’t score points with a reviewer if you promise five flames and we find that it generates as much heat as a used can of Sterno. If you make a pre-release or review copy available it’s also beneficial if you include the cover.

List your contact information and purchase links. Most sites require their reviewers to notify the author when the review is posted and it’s frustrating if we have to do a Google search to find you or your book.

This hasn’t happened to me, but I’ve heard from some of my peers that authors actually tracked them down to complain about the reviews they received. I’ve suffered a few bad write-ups but I always maintain that it’s merely that person’s opinion, nothing more. What strikes me as bronze may be platinum in someone else’s eyes. So repeat after me: don’t shoot the messenger!

I suppose it’s inevitable to discover typos and grammatical errors and I’ve run across some whoppers. I try not to mention them in the review unless it’s rampant to the point of distraction. I realize there’s no such thing as the perfect manuscript, but a few stand out.

A setting in one of the books was a ranch and the hero was taking the heroine horseback riding for the first time. Here’s how it was described: “Hank showed Laurie how to mount the house.” Did he tell her to hang onto the chimney in case the house bucked?

Another gem was found in this love scene: “He cupped his face in his hands then kissed her.” Kind of a different way to do it.

“This afternoon we had an interesting conversation earlier in the day.” Huh?

This is from a sex scene in a supposedly erotic story that promised a bonfire: “He shoved his hard pipe into her sweet peach.” And you thought purple prose was dead!

“They watched as the sun set over the Sea of Japan.” Excuse me, but doesn’t it face east?

If I gave a good review to anyone reading this blog, you’re welcome. If it wasn’t good, I’ve changed my name to Sterling Lackluster and entered the Witness Protection program.

Bio:

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author whose books range from romantic mystery/thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. His latest novel is the romantic mystery Lido Key from eXtasy Books. More information about his books can be found at his website, www.timsmithauthor.com. 

His forthcoming release is the romantic thriller Never Look Back from eXtasy Books.

A former CIA spook and his lover are pulled into a deadly masquerade by a rogue agent from their past. Who will win?

Nick Seven and Felicia Hagens left the CIA to carve out an idyllic anonymous life in The Florida Keys. The last thing they wanted was to be used by their former employer as pawns in America's war on terror. Nick and Felicia navigate a complex maze of intrigue and double-crosses while dealing with a rogue agent from their past who has a score to settle. When Felicia becomes part of the scheme the stakes get higher and more personal. Can Nick keep her out of harm's way or will he finally be outwitted? Will Felicia stay with him or return to Barbados?