Author Archives: Michelle Garren-Flye

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About Michelle Garren-Flye

I am an author of romance, poetry, children's books and graphic novels. I also own a bookstore. My love of the written word runs deep.

Crystal Reads gives Where the Heart Lies 4.5 stars!

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Every day I get more and more nervous about the release of Where the Heart Lies. Every book I put out there is important to me in some way. I’ve gotten seven advance reviews on Goodreads so far, all ranging from 2 stars (only one of those, thank goodness!) to 5 stars. Which just goes to show it really is subjective. But at least I know people are reading and reacting to it. That’s better than being ignored!

Speaking of which, the fabulous Crystal of Crystal Reads has just given my book 4.5 stars. Here’s my favorite quote from the review: “I really enjoyed this book!!!” Seriously, that’s what I want to hear. That’s what’s important from every one of my reviews, although I definitely appreciate the in-depth critiques, as well. It’s very, very interesting to find out what people think about my characters and the situations they’re in. But to elicit such heart-felt praise as Crystal gave Where the Heart Lies can only make me smile.

If you’d like to read the whole review, you can find it here: Crystal Reads Reviews Where the Heart Lies. While you’re there, have a look at some of Crystal’s other reads!

Release day approaches and the return of HONEOWP

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Hi everybody. I’ve been struggling some with my writing since summer began. I think I’m just going to take a breathing moment and spend the summer with my kids. I know the writing bug will strike again, but until then I’m just going to relax, work on finishing up a couple of manuscripts and marketing my upcoming releases. I have two that I can lay claim to. Of course, you know about WHERE THE HEART LIES by Carina Press, but there’s also the Turquoise Press anthology FOREIGN AFFAIRS, which I’m thrilled to say includes my short story “Agapi Mou” (translation: “My Love” in Greek). FOREIGN AFFAIRS will be out sometime this fall, and as soon as I have a cover and a release date, I’ll let you know.

With these upcoming releases, I have decided it’s time to revive HONEOWP. If you remember, I began HONEOWP as a way of doing something good with my writing. I’d love to think that my writing somehow makes a positive difference in the world, but I have no illusions. I don’t really write change-the-world type stuff. So I decided to donate my royalties for a year to charity. During the course of that year, I managed to donate over $300 to charity (which doesn’t say much for my book sales). I also wore myself out researching charities and keeping up with posts about how much was donated to which charity. Not that I minded, but toward the end, it felt like it was slowing my writing down a bit.

So I’m simplifying things this time around. I’ve chosen one charity, No Kid Hungry. However, once again I’m inviting all other writers, novelists, editors and bloggers to join me in the effort. If you’d like to join up, send me your information and I’ll add it to my HONEOWP role call. You don’t have to pledge all your royalties, and you don’t have to even tell me how much you’re donating. Just post about HONEOWP and the charity of your choice on your own blog/Facebook/Twitter. I’ll blog about you and your charity and your books (if you have any) on BREATHE. If I have time (which I probably will), I’ll send you a few questions about you and your charity of choice.

So welcome back, HONEOWP, and don’t forget to join me right here on July 16 for my release day celebration!

Second Review of Where the Heart Lies: Lori’s Book Blog

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Lori’s Book Blog just reviewed Where the Heart Lies, and I’m thrilled to say she liked it! In fact, Lori said, in part, “It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that sucked me in as quickly and as deeply as Where the Heart Lies did and I have to say that I look forward to reading more by Michelle… especially if her other books are half as good as this one. I love books where I can connect with characters and I definitely connected with these characters to the point where I was sad to see their story come to end.” To read the entire review, click here: Lori’s Book Blog: Where the Heart Lies Review.

Thank you to Lori for taking the time to read and review Where the Heart Lies!

Punchbuggy/Slugbug Rules

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1. Punchbuggy/Slugbug points are awarded when a participant spots a punchbuggy/slugbug (also know as “Volkswagen Beetles” or, less commonly, “dragon’s beetles”) and shouts “punchbuggy” or “slugbug”. Since “slugbug” is faster and easier to say, a participant who shouts “slugbug” will often win the point over one who shouts “punchbuggy”, even if both participants begin the call at the same moment.
1a. It is acceptable to split a point in the case of a tie.
1b. Often, Punchbuggy/Slugbug participants accompany their shouts with punches or slugs. It is best to decide ahead of time if all participants are amenable to this.

2. A Punchbuggy/Slugbug game lasts as long as a trip to your ultimate destination. If you stop on the way to the destination, the game is still in effect. Therefore, a trip to the grocery store actually lasts as long as the trip to the store and back home since home is your ultimate destination. However, a six-hour trip to the beach ends at the beach. The trip home from the beach is a separate trip.

3. Some punchbuggies/slugbugs are worth more than one point. For instance, old slugbugs (Type 1, produced 2003 or before) are always worth two points). Old slugbugs being used in displays located more than ten feet off the ground are worth two points, even if only half the slugbug is used. New Beetles are only worth one point, unless decorated with peace signs or flowers. Beetles produced in 2012 or later are only worth half a point. However, any slugbug painted like a pumpkin or yellow smiley face is worth two points. Additional points may be awarded for old slugbugs with rusted holes, any slugbug painted like Herbie, or any slugbug which obviously reflects the owner’s attempt to display his/her individuality.

4. Stationary slugbugs are still fair game. Therefore, if you pass a slugbug in the same parking lot every day, it may still be called. However, no slugbug may be called more than once per trip, even by a different participant.

5. A Punchbuggy/Slugbug game lasts until a participant reaches ten points. At that time, the game is called and/or a new game begins.

6. Point disputes will be settled by the driver. The driver’s decision is final, even if the driver is a participant. (Drivers almost never win since they need to keep their eyes on the road and can’t be constantly looking for slugbugs.)

7. Participants may “give” a slugbug to another participant. This is especially true for the driver for the reasons stated in rule #6. Participants may give all or part of the slugbug at their discretion.

8. Winners are allowed to gloat since all a winner gets from the game is bragging rights. However, losers are not allowed to whine. Ever.

Booked Up Reviews interviews me!

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Recently, I had the great pleasure of being interviewed by Booked Up Reviews, the one website that has reviewed all four of my books. Unforeseen website difficulties delayed the posting of my interview, but I’m happy to say Booked Up is back on track now. You can find the interview here: Booked Up Reviews interviews me! Among the items we touched on include how I manage to write and be a mom, Where the Heart Lies, and how I research my books.

Check out The Romance Review’s Sizzling Summer Reads!

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You might even find my soon-to-be new release featured on this page!

Booked Up reviews Where the Heart Lies: 4 stars!

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First off, my heartfelt thanks goes out to Booked Up reviewer Dolce Amore for being the first official reviewer of Where the Heart Lies. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s tough being the first to offer an opinion about something. It takes guts to say what you really feel.

I feel I can safely say Dolce is an honest reviewer. She gives her real opinions and I’ve been fortunate enough that she’s found something to like in all my books. About Where the Heart Lies, Dolce says, in part, “The book has its funny parts…And his (Liam’s) wonderful and romantic ones…” To read the full review, check out this link: Booked Up Reviews gives Where the Heart Lies 4 stars. While you’re there, check out my Giveaway on Booked Up, too. You could win a copy of Winter Solstice!

Finally, I just want to say happy anniversary to my husband, the man who brings all the romance into my life. To celebrate, I’ve been giving away Weeds and Flowers for free again on Amazon. I’m excited to say that more than fifty copies have been snapped up. You’ve still got a few more hours to get yours. Incidentally, Dolce gave Weeds and Flowers five stars, so it might be worth a look!

Romantic Heroes: Alpha or Beta?

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Recently I asked some Facebook friends (quite a few of whom write romance) which kind of hero they prefer: Alpha or Beta? A lot of romance publishers are calling for Alpha heroes right now, a trend I’m not sure I totally agree with, but which I thought might make a fairly interesting blog post.

So, Alpha heroes. These are men of power and confidence. Usually arrogant and abrasive. Classically handsome, Chippendale-worthy, even. Businessmen make good alpha heroes. Military men, firemen, police officers, doctors and other “manly” (read in a deep voice) professions work well, too. Alpha heroes usually have secrets or a dark past, and they’ve always got a wall around their heart that the heroines must break down before they have a chance at a real relationship. The closest thing I’ve ever written to a pure alpha hero was Dan Mason in SECRETS OF THE LOTUS. And yeah, he followed the typical arc of abrasive billionaire playboy to tamed and devoted lover of Josie, my heroine. Dan was fun to write. I enjoyed trying to get inside the head of a man (albeit an imaginary one) and figure out what it would take to bring him to the point of loving one woman.

Beta heroes are fun, too, though. Funny, still good-looking although maybe not in the classic way (think Johnny Depp or even Adam Sandler), Beta heroes are men with hidden strength. And when they find a woman in need, they are more than willing to spend that strength on taking care of her. They’re not good at keeping secrets from the woman they love, even if they have a painful past. In WHERE THE HEART LIES, my hero Liam Addison is definitely a beta hero. He has a secret that tortures him, but he keeps it because he doesn’t want to hurt his heroine Alicia. I may have enjoyed writing Liam more than any other hero. A recovering alcoholic who’d made more than his share of mistakes in the past, Liam was deeply flawed and yet so loveable, I couldn’t blame Alicia for falling for him.

With all that said, I want to salute the real heroes in our real lives.

Real men are not romantic heroes, but let’s face it. If we found a real romantic hero (alpha or beta), we wouldn’t be very comfortable with him. The heroes and heroines of romance novels, regardless of their problems, are perfect people living in a perfect world. We’re real people with real problems who live in a world on the brink of blowing itself up most of the time. We battle our weight, worry about North Korea and terrorism and our kids, are too tired to even think about sex a lot of the time and our nine-to-five is often more like six-to-six-thirty. Or later. Men, all you really have to do to be our heroes is go to that job and hug our kids and let us lean on your shoulder every now and then. That’s a real hero, and he’s worth a thousand romantic heroes.

Where the Heart Lies: First Blurb!

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So for the past few weeks, I’ve been querying review sites and author acquaintances, asking if they’ll take a look at an advance copy of WHERE THE HEART LIES for me. I’ve been lucky enough to have two or three positive responses, and I haven’t given up hope for more. Well, today, I got the first blurb back from an author friend, and it gave me a little lift. Stephanie Stiles, author of TAKE IT LIKE A MOM, which I read right after it came out and really loved (read it if you want to laugh!), sent me this blurb today:

Where the Heart Lies is an ambitious and engrossing tale, full of complexities of both character and plot. With her narrative skill and unforgiving wit, Flye had me alternately laughing and crying. Read this one on the beach, by the fire, in your bed… wherever. Just read it!

— Stephanie Stiles, author of Take It Like a Mom

I’d like to thank Stephanie for being the first. It’s never easy to be the first at anything, especially at offering praise. It takes courage, but honestly, I knew she had that after I read her book. It’s full of honesty and emotion, mixed in with some really funny stuff. Thank you, Stephanie, for being the first one to offer me those all important encouraging words!

Slacking off: Writing is hard work!

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The New York Times published an article recently about the amount of productivity being required of authors in the digital age. At one time, the article said, a book a year was considered enough, and any more would glut the market. However, with the advances in e-publishing and the other demands on readers’ entertainment time, much more was required of authors to keep their audiences. James Patterson, it was pointed out in the article, produced a book a month with the help of co-authors. Another author interviewed said she writes 2,000 words a day, seven days a week.

The article sparked a tidal wave of discussions on writers’ websites and blogs. How can you maintain quality when so much quantity was required? Aren’t writers supposed to have a life? Writing is hard!

And the grousing continues. Yes, it is hard, and if you’re a good enough writer, when your publisher comes to you and says “I need you to produce a book a month,” you can just say no. Seriously. If you’re a good enough writer, then when your next book is ready, the publisher and your audience will be there. The critics will love you for not giving in to a system attempting to squeeze literary juice out of very sour turnips.

Look at J.K. Rowling. What if someone had gone to her and said, “Okay, you’re going to lose your audience if you don’t turn out the next six books in your series within the next year. I mean, if you put out a book a year, by the time you’re done, your audience will have grown out of Harry Potter.” What would her reaction have been? I can imagine.

I encourage writers to do what I plan to do. Write true. If that means writing a book a year, good. If it means you can turn out a book a month that you’re proud of, do that. But don’t fall into the trap of killing yourself to write trash. (Funny, that, coming from a writer of trashy romances, huh?) But seriously, writing is a journey when you do it right. Your characters take you on that journey and if you try to rush them, you’re going to get a badly written, sketchy travel plan.

I’m going to swipe a quote from the article from author Steve Berry, with whom I once discussed cheesecake while riding on an elevator in New York City. He said, “You don’t ever want to get into a situation where your worth is being judged by the amount of your productivity.” Write on, Steve! (But take a breathing moment every now and then…)