Pianissimo in Italian - coming soon!

Pianissimo, my paranormal story, is coming soon in Italiano! ;)

Copertura Reveal!

Pianissimo di Lauren Shiro

Darryl e Corinne Richards comprano la loro prima casa. La carriera nell’esercito di Darryl sta giungendo al termine, e la coppia si sente pronta a sistemarsi a Louisville, nel Kentucky. Con impeccabile tempismo, Darryl viene inviato nella sua ultima missione, e Corinne deve vivere nella nuova casa e nella nuova città da sola.

Sopraffatta, Corinne si isola e conduce una vita tranquilla e noiosa con le sue gatte, adattandosi alla nuova città. Il problema è che qualcuno o qualcosa non vuole che la sua vita sia né tranquilla né noiosa. E poi c’è quell’inquietante pianoforte in cantina…

C’è qualcosa dietro all’inquietante pianoforte sgangherato e alla nuova casa, più di quanto Corinne possa immaginare. Tra alti e bassi, colpi di scena e risvolti inaspettati, comincia a capire che anche una melodia suonata con dolcezza è potente – e anche anche le dolci rivelazioni e i minimi cambiamenti possono avere effetti profondi.

http://books.noisetrade.com/laurenshiro/preview-pianissimo-italian

Pianissimo...en Espanol?!

Pianissimo va a llegar en espanol!

Say what?

It's true, folks! Pianissimo has been translated into Spanish and the Spanish edition is coming soon! I am VERY excited about this, and am hoping that this will be the first of many translated versions of all of my books. For now, check this out:

Con carrera de Darryl ejército llegando a su fin, él y su esposa, Corinne, se sienten listos para instalarse en Louisville, Kentucky. Darryl es enviado en una gira final, dejando solo Corinne a vivir en esta nueva casa y nueva ciudad. Pero alguien o algo no quiere que ella tiene una vida tranquila o aburrida. Y luego está el piano espeluznante en el sótano…

REVIEWS (English Editions)

Imagine a piano, once beautiful now old, that holds a secret to change a young woman’s life.

A fascinating concept revealed through letters and an ancient much abused piano. A young couple buys an old house . The man goes off to his last tour in a war zone and left alone, the wife discovers more than she expected when she enters the basement.

Secrets, an exquisite love story from another era are revealed as the young woman struggles to remove paint from the piano where beneath the ugly green lies mahogany. Pianissimo is a story of growth, understanding and love to capture the reader’s heart.

~~Don Thorkelson

I loved reading all the history of the family, house and piano…

What a great idea! I loved reading all the history of the family, house and piano..and tying it in to the present day. I found the book to be very interesting and I was totally invested in what happened to the characters.

~~Suecup

She just gets better and better with her details

Lauren has outdone herself with [Painissimo]! She just gets better and better with her details, adjectives and story lines. This is a MUST READ!

She can capture your mind right into the book. You will see yourself in the midst of the drama. Don’t forget to read her other classics as well!

~~Lisa Cogar

¡Próximamente! ¡En Español!

https://vhpbooktours.com/2016/08/24/cover-reveal-pianissimo-lauren-shiro-spanish/

Writing is a team effort

Happy Thursday, cats and kittens!

Today, I want to talk about life behind the scenes of writing a book. Just as there in an entire crew behind the cameras of a movie, there's a crew behind each and every book.

Believe it or not, writing really is a team effort.

I kid you not!

There's always at least one editor involved. No matter how good a writer is, we ALL need an editor. We just do.

Then, depending on the size and nature of the publishing company, you have people working on the actual publication of the book, marketing, book trailers, advertising, design and layout, printing, distribution, and more.

As you can see, there are many hands involved in the entire process.

What does this mean?

It means that we all need to be willing to work as a team. There is no room for egos. Each and every person involved has something wonderful to bring to the table. We all need to work with, accept, and appreciate everyone's gifts and differences.

I recently had a conversation with my publisher. She has been an amazing publisher. I've worked with her for the last 7 years. We've both seen and helped each other to grow. So when she approached me about changing the title of my upcoming release, I knew that I needed to put my ego aside and trust her. She hasn't steered me wrong yet. She, our editor and I all have the same goals for this book - and all of the books that we publish. We all want to do our best, and to see each book succeed. She wasn't bringing this up as a way to hurt me, or as some flighty, impulsive move. There was thought, reason, and planning. There is a method there, even if I don't see it.

Was it difficult to step aside? You bet! I pour my heart and soul into every book that I write. There is a reason behind every word, including the title.

I'm not so stuck on myself that I would argue. For as much as I would love to think that the title is superb, I can respect the fact that she and my editor see something different than I do. Their fresh eyes on the piece can only make it better. So I acquiesced. And as long as I keep my ego in check, I will remember that this will only help the book to be better than it already is.  :)

So the next time you crack open a book or turn on your e-reader device, remember that there's a big crew behind the scenes that worked with the author so that we could all give you the best stories possible.

Happy reading!!!

Has every story already been told?

Happy Thursday, campers!


Today's topic: has every story already been told?



I've talked about this before, and as time has gone by, my perspective has changed. I think now is a good time to revisit this topic.


I've seen, heard, and read writers and non-writers alike say that every story has already been told. I used to argue vehemently that was not the case. Now, I somewhat retract my statement.



SOMEWHAT.



If you look at the bare bones of a story, yes it's been told before.



A person is placed in an unfamiliar situation, and they suddenly have to do things they've never done before in order to survive and grow.


Boy/girl meets boy/girl love comes along swimmingly and then a family member or life event tests their relationship. They either live happily ever after or they part ways.


Yeah, we've all seen and read them before. Yes, those basic premises run through every book - and even every movie. No one can deny that.


However, what changes are the details. You could give the same story line to 5 different writers, and you will get 5 different stories. THAT is what makes writing great. We all have different voices, different stories, different forms of creativity. That's what I love about being an author. There are so many of us. We each have our own voices, our own history, and our own takes on stories. There is a place for each and every one of us in the literary world. We may all be given the same blank canvas, but each final masterpiece is something completely unique and beautiful.



So sure, you can say that every story has been told. To some extent, you would be right. You'd also be right if you said they haven't. So if you're looking for a fresh, new story, take a look at my books!

But, do you have anything new to say?

Good Thursday morning all! I apologize for my absence last week. Between the wedding being less than two months away, some medical issues and of course, life, I simply did not have the time to plant myself to write.

But here I am today, ready to go!

Today, I want to discuss repetition.

Is there repition in writing? You betchya! Stories have been told and retold (just look at Hollywood for that!). Even blogs have been blogged and reblogged. Why is that? Why do we repeat ourselves?

Sometimes a story will come along and will greatly resemble another story, but somehow, somewhere, there is a twist - a change, a difference - and then you have two different stories.

Sometimes, a blog will be posted and it will greatly resemble another blog, but somehow, somewhere, there is a twist - a new word, a new opinion - and then you have two different blogs.

In a world where information literally moves at the speed of light, it is impossible not to have repetition and redundancy. It just is. But, what is unique is our voice, our perspective, our opinion. That is what makes each one of us different and special. That is what separates our writing from somebody else's.

So, it may seem like we don't always have anything new to say, but just hang on. That one little twist - that one that can change everything - may not show up until the very end. But that little twist makes each story and blog its own. They are unqiue...and new. So just hang in there. It's worth the read, trust me.

Blood on the Roses

Happy Thursday, y'all!
As an LGBT writer, I have often wondered how straight authors view the LGBT community and our causes. Even more so, I have wondered how a straight author would handle an LGBT story.

Author Robert Hays has answered my question with his novel, Blood on the Roses.

What I have discovered is that a straight author can tackle LGBT issues with poise and beauty. Mr. Hays tackled not only homosexuality, but homosexuality in the American south in the 1950s. This was an era and an area that is not necessarily LGBT-friendly. The entire LGBT community was still recovering from persecution from Hitler, and although J. Edgar Hoover was considered a good director for the FBI, his personal life was deeply questioned and unaccepted. To be gay in America in the 1950s was difficult, to be gay in the American south in the 1950s was even more difficult.

So Robert Hays set a very difficult task before himself in tackling a gay character in that era and environment.

What resulted is not only an incredible, gripping thriller of a mystery, but a beautiful and caring story. The characters involved in this story are likable, believable and genuine. Their beliefs (both good and bad) are true to the time and place. These characters are real.

The story itself is one of great depth with incredible back-story and intrigue. The descriptions paint an incredibly vivid painting for the reader. The storyline grabs you and never releases you. This is an excellently executed book.

So, what does it mean for the LGBT community when a straight writer writes a novel such as Blood on the Roses? It means that our cause and our struggles have not gone unnoticed. It means that we as a people, and our history, are just as important to straight people as we are to our own community. This book is a beautiful demonstration not only of good, solid, story-telling, but of tolerance and understanding.

For more information, please visit:

http://home.comcast.net/~roberthayswriter/site/

and

www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com

Not Dean Koontz

Happy Thursday afternoon, fellow biblophiles!



I apologize for today's delay. My other job required more time of me than usual. And that is actually what I want to discuss today.

You see, I have just been asked to come do a local author's event; in addition, a reader has requested autographed copies of ALL of my books! I turned to my fiancee and said to her, "But I'm not Dean Koontz!"

And the truth is, I'm not. I am sitting here wearing scrubs as I type this. My other job, for those of you who didn't know, is as a licensed veterinary technician, or veterinary nurse. Again, not Dean Koontz.

I drive a 2000 Subaru Forester and my beloved 1977 Chevy K-10 pick up (sound familiar, Loving Her readers? ;) ). Also, not something akin to Dean Koontz.

I have bad hair days. I am short. I don't always look like a model. I am not a nationally known author...yet. ;) I have a regular job, I have bills to pay. I even have to pump my own gas! I know, it's terrible.

Seriously, though, I'm just a regular gal. There is absolutely nothing special about me. If you saw me walking down the street, you would simpy think I was a short, Hispanic female in her thirties. Not Dean Koontz.

Would I like the notarity that he has? Yes and no. I love the idea of people across the board knowing my work. I love the idea of my books selling themselves.I love the idea of my writing being recognized. However, there is tremendous pressure in being Dean Koontz or Stephen King or any other GOOD big-name writer. I will not discuss formula writers as...well, I just have an opinion about them and that's all you need to know. BUT, to be a truly good and famous writer, you need to be churning out book after book after book and they all need to top their predecssors. I don't know if I could do that. Right now, I am working on a project, but it's only a short story. I like my novels to come and just kind of happen. This one may turn into a full-length, but I want the freedom to explore all the possibilities with this story. That is a freedom Dean Koontz doesn't have.

Dean Koontz is very mainstream. To be him, I might have to tone down my Hispanicness or gayness or shortness. I don't know if it is a choice or an inability, but either way, that won't happen. Period.

Dean Koontz can only be Dean Koontz. Honestly, I like being L. E. Harvey the author or Lauren the vet tech or Jerry Skid the roller derby girl. I like wearing many hats. I don't see Dean Koontz doing that. He may, but I doubt it.

The point is: I am flattered and honored to be in this upcoming author's event as well as signing copies of my books for a reader I have never met. I may not be Dean Koontz, but that may not be a bad thing.

Impeccable Page 69 Trial

Happy Thursday, readers! Today, as with every release, I put my book to "The 69 Trial."

The PAGE 69 trial, that is ;)



Below is page 69 from Impeccable. Enjoy!

“I take it you don’t like that,” Dr. Parker said without any hint of emotion.

“The Elysian Fields, their version of heaven, sounds nice. But I’d hate to be permanently hungry and thirsty and to have what I want or need right in front of me but out of reach.”

“That makes sense,” he responded emotionlessly.

“In ancient Rome, life was considered a punishment and death was freedom.”

“What do you make of that, Carol?”

“I can easily agree that life is hell. I hope that death does bring freedom. I’m so sick of the darkness, pain and misery in life. I just want to be free of it all.”

“What about modern religions?”

“Well, any form of Christianity would send me straight to hell simply because I loved another woman. I don’t get it. Love is love, no matter who the person is, right? Apparently, some faiths believe we can turn off our emotions and ignore our hearts.”

“I wouldn’t say that, Carol.”

“Why not? Are you one of them? Do you want to condemn me to hell simply because the person I loved was a woman? What about love thy neighbor and all that bullshit?”

“I wasn’t saying that, Carol.” He gently replied. “I understand. Let’s face it, the gay community faces a lot of obstacles because people react out of fear. A lot of those fearful people use their religions to defend their actions and words. I don’t think they are actually against love. It might be that they are afraid or possibly even envious of a love that can endure such social scorn.

“Straight white Christians are basically well accepted in our American society. It’s easy for them to forget what hardships other races and groups of people have endured because it was never their problem. Perhaps people who are different from them, people who can remain stoic in the face of social adversity remind them that there is more to life than whatever is in their sphere of knowledge. Perhaps they’re jealous because they know they couldn’t do what you do. Maybe they’re not strong enough to stand up for themselves in the same way you and Alex did, for example.” He paused to watch Carol. “What do you think? Think it’s possible?”

Trepidation

Good morning, everyone! There is an incredible irony to today's blog,

but you'll have to wait to the end to find out what it is. ;)



Recently, I was approahced by gayleeds.com to do a biweekly column for their site. I was flattered! I'm just a regular gal, not an extroadinary writer by any means. Yet, they asked me. So, I gladly accepted! :)



Then it came time to actually WRITE my first column. They said they were looking for something "blog-like." Phew. Ok, I can do that. ;) So I did. And I came up with something fairly decent. I set it aside for a few days and then went back in to edit.

After my edits, which did make the column a better piece, I began getting nervous. Did it make sense or did I sound like rambling fool? It made sense to me, but would anyone else get it? Would I offend people with my first article?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep. My wonderful insecurities were beginning to get the best of me. It was done, and needed to be sent in soon for them to review. I wasn't sure if they would edit it any further and I wanted to be sure there was time before my initial date of 9/12. It was with tremendous trepidation that I hit that send key. Suddenly, my finger nails were looking like a really good snack!

I didn't hear anything for a couple of days. Was it good news? Bad news? I second-guessed myself CONSTANTLY.




Then, this morning I woke up to an e-mail saying it was great & was being published today! It is, in fact, up on gayleeds.com and last I saw was at the top of the page! So, please check out my newest writing venture. I promise there are some very interesting column articles to come... ;)


Happy reading!