2015 A to Z Challenge: Pianissimo - Day 22 (V)

 For the third consecutive year, I am participating in the A to Z blog challenge.
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

This year, we're going to go through my latest full-length novel, Pianissimo.

Today is V-day!

V is for Vanilla Heart Publishing. I have been with VHP since 2007. Over the past 7 years, we have shared numerous triumphs.

The greatest part, though, is that I was never allowed to rest on my laurels. As soon as one project was finished, I was quizzed about my next story. Better still, I was challenged. I was pushed to try new things. To grow and improve as a writer. To expand my genres and style. Thanks to the encouragement and support, I have a list of titles I can be proud of. I was given the opportunity to re-write the Loving Her stories into the series it was meant to become. Because of VHP, I was able to write Pianissimo.

Writing is not a solitary job. There is a team - or there should be - behind every good book. I love my VHP team; I love my VHP family.

http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B00OEOTZMC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420832795&sr=8-2&keywords=lauren+shiro

What to Expect...

Hello, hello!

Yet another Thursday is upon us, folks! We all know what that means!

Yes, it's blog time. And what am I blogging about? I'm blogging about...blogs.

We're in mid-March now (why does time fly by so quickly?!), so I thought I'd give you a guide to the up and coming.

Starting April 1, I will be participating in the A to Z Challenge again.

This is my third year doing so, and I am very excited about my theme for this year. What's my theme? You're gonna have to wait and find out! ;) The theme reveal is on the 23rd, so stay tuned!

Because of the A to Z, I will not be doing WeWriWa during the month of April. We will continue with our WeWriWas from The Model through the rest of March.

We will begin again in May, at which point, we'll be reading WeWriWas from The Vet Student.

So that takes us through the next 6-8 weeks-ish, not including my usual Thursday blog which, like the WeWriWas, will continue through March, and resume again in May.



I think that covers the basics. I hope y'all are as excited about all of this as I am. It's gonna be great!

Happy reading!

I've been nominated...AGAIN!

Happy Thursday, kids!

Today, it is with great excitement that I announce that I have been nominated for MORE awards!

I don't mean to toot my own horn.

I am just honored and excited about all of this!

The Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter has announced its semi-finalists for their Readers' Choice Awards. I am honored to not only be nominated, but to be a semi-finalist...and in 4 different categories to boot!

http://gaylifenewsletter.com/wwwrcasemifinalistballot.html

I am a semi-finalist for:

1) NEWS MEDIA STAFF OR COLUMNIST

2) LESBIAN OF THE YEAR

3) GLBT COUPLE OF THE YEAR (with my wife, Vicki Shiro)

4) MISS GAYLIFE CONGENIALITY

Semi-Finalist votes will be accepted between February 1st thru February 28th.  Finalist votes will take place between March 5th thru April 5th. Winners will be announced on April 20th in the newsletter.

Send your ballots to keystonealliancegaylifenewsletter@hotmail.com.

Thank you all for your votes and support! It means the world to me!

Thank you, and happy reading!!!

What's in store for 2015

Yet another Thursday is upon us, fellow bibliophiles!

We've talked a lot about Pianissimo since it's release in October. But what's next? Where do we go from here?

Fear not! More goodness is coming your way! ;)

For 2015, I am working on 3 independent short stories, that will all be published together in a collection. They are all very different stories, but I think they all have really great messages.

In addition, I am starting some brain storming for another full-length novel. The idea for this just struck me the other day, so I am very much in the beginning stages, but I will make sure it's something that you will absolutely love.

So yes, there is life after Pianissimo. As long as I keep breathing, I'm gonna keep writing! I hope that you'll keep reading! ;)

For now, enjoy all that we have thus far, and remember that great things are on their way!

Lammy-tacular!

Happy Thursday, gang!

I have some very big, exciting news!

My newest release, Pianissimo, has been nominated for a Lammy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is a Lammy, you ask?

A Lammy is a Lambda Literary Award. Lambda Literary is the paramount foundation for all genres of LGBT writing.


For more information, please visit  http://www.lambdaliterary.org


So, in light on the nomination, I want to celebrate all things Pianissimo!

Here is the trailer for Pianissimo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1hWP81TVrg


Here's a little teaser for you:

The hot water splashed all over the sink as Corinne rinsed off another plate. She placed it on the rack and went to the next one. More soap. She scrubbed the melted cheese off of it. As she scrubbed, Corinne thought she heard something. She paused, only hearing the running water from the faucet.
“Darb.”
There it was again. A voice. A strange voice. She couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman speaking. It
was almost like a scratchy whisper. It was very weird. It was like nothing she had ever heard before, and yet she couldn’t be sure she actually heard anything.
Maybe she hadn’t. Maybe it was just her imagination playing games with her. This isolation and solitude was definitely taking a toll on her. It was probably nothing more than that.
She brought her eyes back down to the plate in her hand, and she restarted scrubbing that old, nasty,
melted cheese off of it.


Want more of a sample? Check out this FREE four chapter sample book! http://books.noisetrade.com/laurenshiro/pianissimo-by-lauren-shiro-four


Last, and certainly not least, here is the link to get your copy in e-book or print!
http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro/dp/0692310819/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1418175573&sr=8-1


Happy reading!

Another WeWriWa from Pianissimo

Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.
This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

This week's WeWri Wa is more than 8 sentences (for flow and closure). This is from my upcoming release, Pianissimo.

Corinne walked briskly back into the house. As she came in, she felt drawn to the inside basement door. Corinne went to slide back the lock, but it was so hot, it singed her hand.  Corinne immediately removed her hand from the door. She looked at her palm which was blazing red. She blew gently on it to try to ease the scorch. The crying was clearer now.

Braving the lock once again, Corinne quickly undid the latch. She pushed the door open with all her might. The darkness rose up the stairs like billowing clouds of smoke. There it was.  The crying was clear and loud now. A woman wept down in the dark, dank basement.

Darryl and Corinne Richards purchase their first house. With Darryl’s army career coming to a close, they feel ready to settle down in Louisville, Kentucky. With impeccable timing, Darryl is sent on one final tour, leaving Corinne to live in this new house and new city alone.

Overwhelmed, Corinne becomes reclusive, living a quiet, boring life with her cats as she adjusts to her new surroundings. The problem is: someone or some thing does not want her life to be either quiet or boring. And then there’s the creepy piano in the basement…

There is more to that creepy, dilapidated piano and her new home than Corinne could ever imagine. Through highs and lows, twists and turns, she begins to understand that even the most softly played music is powerful – and that even soft realizations and quietly subtle changes can have a profound effect.

So much to enjoy!

reviewed by Shay Norgaard-Melton

This review is from a gifted ebook reviewer copy.

“The stories flow together so beautifully, I felt transported back in time to peek into Agnes and Margaret’s deep and abiding love for each other, and back to the present day to be with Corinne as she investigated the house she and her military husband bought just before he shipped out for his last tour of duty. Exciting and wondrous exploration of a time and situation, written with grace and delightful style.”

Pianissimo Page 69 Trial

In celebration of the release of Pianissimo, here is the excerpt for the page 69 trial. After reading this, you might just want to get your hands on a copy! ;)

“Margaret!” Agnes called from the other bedroom. “Come see what I just found!”
Margaret walked in from the living room.
Agnes stood proudly in the closet door frame holding up a pair of black trousers.
“What…?”
“They’re pants! These are my father’s trousers!” She looked down at them. “I can’t believe they’re here. I
had no idea. I thought all of his belongings were long gone.”
“What do you intend to do with them?”
“Well I think I should wear them!”
“What?” Margaret laughed.
Agnes pulled the pants on under her dress.
Margaret laughed hysterically. “Now that, my love, is quite the fashion!”
“I agree. It is all the rage in Paris!”
“I could only imagine.” Margaret chuckled.
Agnes began walking around the room. “I must say, I do quite like this.”
“You do?”
“It would be better with just a blouse rather than this dress. This is comfortable, though.” She sat in the chair. She sat with her legs open and she leaned back in the chair. “So this is what it feels like to be a man! Oh this is so much better than having to act like a dreadful lady. You may sit anyway you choose. You may slouch. You need not worry about posture or appearing inappropriate. Oh this is wonderful! You should try it, Margaret. I think you shall enjoy this as much as I.”
Margaret chuckled again. “I’m not quite so sure of that. I think I shall leave you to be the man. I am quite comfortable as I am.”
Agnes quickly pulled the pants off, bundled them up and tossed them at Margaret. “Spoil sport!” She teased.
Margaret leaned back in laughter. “Oh you are too much!”
“Shall we keep them, then? You may parade around the house as Michael, not Margaret.”
Again Margaret burst into laughter. “Oh sweet Agnes! This is why I love you so! Only you could make me laugh like this.”
Agnes walked over and kissed Margaret on the forehead. “And this is why I love you so. You laugh at my silly humor and you understand me like no one else can.”
Margaret looked up and smiled at her. “We truly are two of a kind.”
“Indeed. We are perfect together.” Agnes smiled back.

Dear Diary,
Today was brimming with news. We – or at least I – felt inundated with change.
First, the day brought us an unusual situation. Nathaniel Adams, Lacy’s husband, came over. He apologized for his wife’s behavior. Multiple times, actually. He seemed so genuinely embarrassed, saddened and apologetic. They clearly had a difference of opinion about us.
He called on us to see if Margaret would be willing to let bygones be bygones and to teach their children, Richard and Abigail, how to play the piano.
Margaret, being the wonderful woman that she is, was more than happy to provide lessons for them.
He was so appreciative of her kindness. He’s a good man. How he ended up with such a hag as herself, I do not know or understand. It’s wrong and hateful of me to say such things, I know. Our conversation today has really changed my perspective on their family, and on her.
Regardless, he is a good man, and Margaret will gladly educate his children. Perhaps this will change Lacy. Even more hopefully, this could possibly bridge a friendship between her and us.
In other news, the war has finally come to an end. A second world war. How tragic that our world has turned into this. Dictators killing people. Countries attacking and controlling other countries. Hatred, fear, propaganda, massacre. Sad, so tragic and sad. All I can do is shake my head, for I can’t even fully understand how things have come to this.
What changes – both good and bad – we have experienced in our lifetimes. Two world wars. Airplanes and automobiles becoming common household and commonly used items. Technological changes like radios and moving pictures. Prohibition. From the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression. We have seen it all.
Truth be told, I worry about the future. We have watched such horrible and brutal acts like those of Hitler and Stalin. If our world today can create such monsters, what else lies ahead?
I’m quite happy the war is over. It is nice to be able to breathe and not worry about friends and loved ones who must see the atrocities of war. One less thing to fret about, I suppose. I pray that this peace is one that lasts not just for decades, but for centuries. May this bring the end of such death, anger, and evil. 
Thankfully, the news of the day was all good. It was different, but all so wonderfully positive. I suppose all of this news proves that every day does prove to be an adventure. With that thought, I shall retire and see what tomorrow will bring.
Until then, good night.
Agnes.

Darryl and Corinne Richards purchase their first house. With Darryl’s army career coming to a close, they feel ready to settle down in Louisville, Kentucky. With impeccable timing, Darryl is sent on one final tour, leaving Corinne to live in this new house and new city alone. 

Overwhelmed, Corinne becomes reclusive, living a quiet, boring life with her cats as she adjusts to her new surroundings. The problem is: someone or some thing does not want her life to be either quiet or boring. And then there’s the creepy piano in the basement… 

There is more to that creepy, dilapidated piano and her new home than Corinne could ever imagine. Through highs and lows, twists and turns, she begins to understand that even the most softly played music is powerful – and that even soft realizations and quietly subtle changes can have a profound effect. 

"So much to enjoy! The stories flow together so beautifully, I felt transported back in time to peek into Agnes and Margaret’s deep and abiding love for each other, and back to the present day to be with Corinne as she investigated the house she and her military husband bought just before he shipped out for his last tour of duty. Exciting and wondrous exploration of a time and situation, written with grace and delightful style.” -Shay Norgaard-Melton                                                                                                    

Get your copy here!  http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro/dp/0692310819/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413984212&sr=8-1&keywords=lauren+shiro

It's Official!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good morning, dear readers!



Today, I have some VERY big news.

You want to hear what it is?


You do?!


Awesome!



Here it is...

Pianissimo is officially released!!!!!

That's right! My new paranormal story is out!!!! 

Want it in an e-book? You got it!
http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B00OEOTZMC/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1413507406

Want it in print? No problem!
http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro/dp/0692310819/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413507406&sr=8-1&keywords=lauren+shiro

Darryl and Corinne Richards purchase their first house. With Darryl’s army career coming to a close, they feel ready to settle down in Louisville, Kentucky. With impeccable timing, Darryl is sent on one final tour, leaving Corinne to live in this new house and new city alone.

Overwhelmed, Corinne becomes reclusive, living a quiet, boring life with her cats as she adjusts to her new surroundings. The problem is: someone or some thing does not want her life to be either quiet or boring. And then there’s the creepy piano in the basement…

There is more to that creepy, dilapidated piano and her new home than Corinne could ever imagine. Through highs and lows, twists and turns, she begins to understand that even the most softly played music is powerful – and that even soft realizations and quietly subtle changes can have a profound effect.

Get your copy today!

Happy reading!

Drumroll

It's Thursday!!!



Today's blog is...



...going to tell you...



...that I have...


...A GIANT announcement...



...coming your way...



...tomorrow!!!!


Stay tuned, kids. This is gonna be huge!!!!!

This blog post is to tell you....

Happy Thursday, kids! Once again, the week winds down and we look towards the weekend for rest, relaxation, and fun.

So what do I have planned for you today?




Well, today, I have an announcement to make. And that announcement is...

...That I have a big announcement coming up soon!

I have some REALLY big news. Like REALLY big. Seriously. Seriously, really big news. I mean it.

So stay tuned: Same bat channel, same bat time. You are going to be blown away! Do NOT miss this. Keep your eyeballs peeled for my big announcement.

Until then, happy reading!!!  :)

Blog Hop Tour

Hi everyone!

Today, I am part of a blog hop tour.

My name is Lauren Shiro.



I write contemporary LGBT fiction.




I was invited to answer these by author K'Anne Meinel. You can find out more about her and her infinite list of titles at http://www.kannemeinel.com/


ABOUT ME: I've been writing my whole life. As a kid, I had much more fun staying up in my room writing "novels" than playing outside. At the age of 14, I was published nationally for the first time. Since then, my work has been found in newspapers, magazines, online, in books and text books. I love writing, both fiction and non-fiction alike. When I'm not writing, I spend my time working as a licensed veterinary technician, and I enjoy hobbies from wood working to roller derby.




CURRENT PROJECT: I just finished a full-length novel, Candles on the Spinet.


Military couple Darryl and Corinne Richards purchase their first house. With Darryl’s army career coming to a close, they feel ready to settle down in Louisville, Kentucky. With impeccable timing, Darryl is sent on one final tour, leaving Corinne to live in this new house and new city alone.
Overwhelmed, Corinne becomes reclusive, living a quiet, boring life with her cats as she adjusts to her new surroundings. The problem is: someone or something does not want her life to be quiet or boring. And then there’s the creepy piano in the basement…
A series of strange experiences and events triggers Corinne to dig deeper into her home’s history, and herself. As Corinne learns of the people and past of her home, she also learns some new skills, and she learns about who she really is.
There is more to that creepy, dilapidated piano and that house that Corinne could ever imagine. Through highs and lows, twists and turns, she realizes the importance of placing candles on the spinet.

Candles on the Spinet is due for release this fall!


My current project is a story called Life, Upside Down.

Chantal Thompson is a strong, independent general contractor. She's the kind of person that's always going. A terrible accident suddenly brings her to a screeching halt. Unable to move, she is forced to reevaluate her life. She needs to come to terms with her past, accept her current situation, and look towards the future. It's amazing how slowing down your pace can completely change your perspective on life.


WHAT MAKES MY STORIES DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS IN THE SAME GENRE?: My stories are character driven, rather that plot driven. It's not to say there isn't a plot. My stories connect you deeply with the characters. You see their perspective, you feel their feelings, you experience their story. My books are deep, emotional and very cerebral.



WHY DO I WRITE THE STORIES THAT I DO?: I write my stories with a hope of creating positive social change. My tag line is "Stories of Love without Boundaries." In my stories, you will see me challenge racial lines, social stereotypes, and common prejudices. My books are very much a means for me to create. Personally, I create with intention. In this case, my intention is to help shatter the accepted social norms and to send a message of love, acceptance, and equality.



HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?: I like to think of myself as an organic writer. I go into each of my stories with a basic premise. As I work, I just let the words, people, and events come to me. There have been many times where I have been surprised by what comes out. I like going with the flow and allowing my stories to create themselves. Inspiration can come anywhere and at anytime. I try to keep a pen & paper on hand so I can jot down notes if I'm not able to get to my laptop right away.



WHO'S NEXT ON THE BLOG HOP? I happily pass the torch to a good friend and a great writer, Chelle Cordero. I've known her for years, and her work never ceases to amaze me. She is an author for all readers! Her blog is at http://chellecordero.blogspot.com/ You can also find out more information about her at http://chellecordero.com/




Thanks so much for joining us on the blog hop! Happy reading!!! :)

Writing Weekend Warriors

Happy weekend, y'all! :)




I know it's the weekend! I'm just changing it up! ;)





This weekend, I am doing the Weekend Writing Warriors 8 Sentence Sunday. So come join us in the fun that is #8sunday! ;)

Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.



Here are 8 sentences for my upcoming novel, Candles on the Spinet:



Corinne sat in the bare living room with the front door to the old house wide open. The screen door made a pitiful barrier between her and the raging thunderstorm outside. The light, sweet, crisp scent of rain tickled the back of her nostrils with each gust of wind. The rain was more than welcome, though. The humidity had finally died down and there was even a slight chill in the air. Drenched green leaves danced and twirled on just the other side of the door.

Surrounding Corinne was a sea of boxes. Her whole life was contained in the plain brown parcels. Pictures, memories, books, sentimental items: indeed, her entire existence was covered in bubble wrap and contained in the boxes she had clearly marked.

Happy Reading!