This post is inspired by Cindy Knoke’s fabulous photo stories; Paul Militaru’s fabulous subject choices; and Jill Shalvis who used to regularly post her inspiring writing views.
All photo credits are mine.
Wind rustling leaves on spring trees sound like applause
Yay, Gina, you’re writing!
The twin tree is dressed in Spring foliage. Birds sing and chirp in every direction. Squirrels chase each other around the trunk and on the grassy ground. Fresh breezy air gently moves hair tendrils on my cheek.
The path ahead is the same yet not the same.
A week before Spring equinox, I started a new part-time job that brought more freedom, time, and appreciation to writing.
Snowy winter trees in February – I spent plenty of time writing and living the Food As Ally program. Inside. Under blankets with hot tea close by. I call this tree the Twins because there is one trunk.
The pond water changes color with the temperature and time of day. Details I notice from time spent staring while words form in my mind.
The world was black and white that day. No filters.
This is me, flushed and excited by my new home and moving boxes.
In October when I saw this balcony view I daydreamed of writing here before the cold weather chased me back inside. This is how it looked in early December, the day I moved in.
I hope you enjoyed my view and my words as much as I enjoy sharing them with you. Natural Gifts, indeed.
Last week was a blast. I traveled to 50 blogs, meeting most of these bloggers and readers for the first time. I was impressed by the questions asked and I was stumped on a few until I took time to work out what I thought about a few of them.
Read on. You’ll know which ones they were.
Q: Which character do you most relate to from your book? Congrats on the release.
A: Thank you for celebrating the release with me. I think I most relate to Riddle, who is sweet, magical, and even more reserved than I used to be.
Q: Where do you do most of your writing? Congrats on the release.
A: I do most of my writing at home and move around the house a lot. Sometimes I’m kneeling, other times standing, most of the time sitting, which I’m obviously trying to change. When you move the body, you move the mind.
Q: Do you plan on doing more writing while locked up due to Coronavirus?
A: I do plan to write more, with or without social distancing. I’m currently writing the final book in the Natural Gifts series.
Q: Did you design the cover of your book?
A: I turned cover design over to the very talented Victoria Cooper last year. She and I agree that Saunders’ Choice is our favorite cover in the series so far.
Q: Gina, What do you most enjoy about writing in this genre?
A: What I love about writing fantasy romance is all the magical beings I get to meet and the worlds they inhabit. Thanks for asking.
Q: My question for the author is: Is there a story, novel, movie, television series, etc.-that you would want to write a continuation of? I remember back in the ‘90’s when we got ‘Scarlett’, the sequel to Gone With the Wind. Any ideas?
A: I loved thinking about this question. There are two TV series that ended that I would love to see continued; Warehouse 13 and The Librarians.
Q: My question for the author is: Were you always intrigued by mermaids? Are you a fan of the Disney animated classic, ‘The Little Mermaid’? How about the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale?
A: I used to pretend to be a mermaid, diving to the bottom of my neighbor’s pool and looking for treasure chests. My daughter and I are now joined by my granddaughter when we watch Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid. I don’t believe I’ve read the classic story by Hans Christian Andersen yet.
Q: What is your current read?
A: I’m reading a contemporary romance right now – Charming You by Kris Jayne. It’s the first book in her Thirsty Hearts series.
Q: My question for the author is: Are you a big fan of any famous fantasy works, like ‘The Hobbit’ or ‘Game of Thrones’?
A: I love this question. I love Harry Potter and Narnia. Two of my favorite fantasy worlds.
Q: Favorite color?
A: I am partial to most of the blues, purples, and greens. I think it shows up in my book covers.
Q:My question for the author is: Have you noticed any positive changes for women in your field, since you started writing professionally?
A: I have noticed prizes specifically for women authors and residencies for us. I see both of those as positive changes.
I told you it was fun!
Now for some news. I’m involved with two special events right now.
It’s the last day of the blog tour. We’ve had a lot of laughs meeting close to fifty wonderful bloggers. I’m including all the stops today so you can go through and enter the giveaway at each stop.
Thank you for all the support these last three weeks!
Two more bloggers featured Saunders’ Choice and I would like to say a special thank you to them; Sloane Taylor and C.D. Hersh. These talented authors have wonderful books for you to discover on their blogs.
Thank you for reading and good luck in the drawings.
There are a lot of cool sites on today’s tour. I am humbled to be included there. I’m a veteran blogger and I learned a lot today. Thank you to all my tour hosts and to Goddess Fish Promotions for another exciting day in book land.
I know many of you have a lot on your minds, in your hearts, and on your shoulders. Please know that I am sending love your way and that if you stand in your power, you will be helping everyone.
Gina Briganti will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Good luck. Have fun meeting new bloggers.
Remember on Saturday when I showed you four tattoo options for Velvet? Today I’m going to reveal the one that didn’t get a single vote. *sad face.*
Are you surprised? I was. That was one of my favorites. It’s too late to vote for your favorite, but, tune in to see which of the three remaining tattoos you guys chose as your next favorite tomorrow.
Which one should she get? Each one is inspired by her love story with Saunders. Do you know which scenes inspired each one?
Blurb
Mermaid Velvet has always had a special fascination with the World. And studying its two-legged humans has given the aspiring comedian unique skills to make her audiences laugh. But when she saves a human who believes he’s drowning, she’s stunned by the magic that flows between them.
Saunders is trapped between two realities with no memory of his past. Lost in a strange, underwater domain, he comes face-to-face with an alluring goddess of the sea. When he disappears from her realm, he’s desperate to reunite with the entrancing beauty.
As Velvet continues to bring Saunders out of the darkness, her love for him grows along with her fear that his next disappearance might be his last. And as his memories slowly return, Saunders must decide if he’s willing to leave the World permanently for a chance to be with the mermaid he desires.
Can Velvet and Saunders overcome his terrible fate and sink into each other’s perfect arms?
Saunders’ Choice is a standalone novella in the enchanting Natural Gifts fantasy romance series. If you like irresistible attraction, mystery, and love against the odds, then you’ll adore Gina Briganti’s tale of the deep.
*An early version of Saunders’ Choice was published in the Changing Worlds anthology.
Buy Saunders’ Choice to dive into an ocean of passion today!
They were laying on the wings of a giant blue butterfly. He was on the left one, she was on the right. Floating in mid-air was smooth and graceful. He was surprised when they first saw the butterfly on a huge sunflower, but that was nothing compared to when it asked Velvet if she wanted a ride, which she said she’d never done before.
Gina Briganti writes fantasy and sci-fi romance in north Texas. She also writes holistic health non-fiction because real life can be magic, too. Her credentials in holistic health include certification as a Reiki Master Practitioner and teacher, certification as a nutrition consultant, and a degree in holistic nutrition.
When she’s not writing, eating delicious healthy food, reading, or making videos, she is spending time with family and friends. Her constant companion is a special soul who masquerades as a lab and chow mix.
“They want me with the lilac tail?” Velvet asked doubtfully.
“Where has your confidence gone? Of course they want you with the lilac tail. You’re a comedian, not a model. What is this about? This tour is exactly what you’ve been working for.”
Cassidy’s concern was real. Velvet was never down. Her sunny personality was one of the main reasons she accepted her as a client. She had enough nervous Nellies and dour Dominicks.
Velvet let out a deep sigh, and then leaned back in her chair. “I think I’ve been putting too much pressure on myself. I’m writing good stuff and working steadily. There’s no reason for me to feel like my career isn’t going the way I want it to.”
“I know what this is about,” Cassidy said in her wisest voice. “This is about Ronolo and Delia getting together and manifesting a baby so soon after your breakup with him. You broke up with him, remember? He wanted you to settle down, forget about your career, and raise babies. If he was the one for you, you would have wanted the same things he did.”
“I know all of that, Cassidy. He’s a great male, and I do miss him sometimes. I should get out and mingle more. Of course, that’s going to be easy because I will be on the road!” The excitement of the tour caught up to Velvet, chasing her doubts away.
That’s all of chapter one. Come back tomorrow for a look at Saunders’ style.
She lives below the waves. What will a man sacrifice to discover it’s not a dream?
Mermaid Velvet has always had a special fascination with the World. And studying its two-legged humans has given the aspiring comedian unique skills to make her audiences laugh. But when she saves a human who believes he’s drowning, she’s stunned by the magic that flows between them.
Saunders is trapped between two realities with no memory of his past. Lost in a strange, underwater domain, he comes face-to-face with an alluring goddess of the sea. When he disappears from her realm, he’s desperate to reunite with the entrancing beauty.
As Velvet continues to bring Saunders out of the darkness, her love for him grows along with her fear that his next disappearance might be his last. And as his memories slowly return, Saunders must decide if he’s willing to leave the World permanently for a chance to be with the mermaid he desires.
Can Velvet and Saunders overcome his terrible fate and sink into each other’s perfect arms?
Saunders’ Choice is a standalone novella in the enchanting Natural Gifts fantasy romance series. If you like irresistible attraction, mystery, and love against the odds, then you’ll adore Gina Briganti’s tale of the deep.
*An early version of Saunders’ Choice was published in the Changing Worlds anthology.
Buy Saunders’ Choice to dive into an ocean of passion today!
About The Author
Gina Briganti writes fantasy and sci-fi romance in north Texas. She also writes holistic health non-fiction because real life can be magic, too. Her credentials in holistic health include certification as a Reiki Master Practitioner and teacher, certification as a nutrition consultant, and a degree in holistic nutrition.
When she’s not writing, eating delicious healthy food, reading, or making videos, she is spending time with family and friends. Her constant companion is a special soul who masquerades as a lab and chow mix.
Secretly, Velvet had tried to create a packed stadium full of adoring fans who stroked every one of her ego’s urges. She had felt worse than when she started doing stand up and she was genuinely booed for her boring jokes and nervous delivery. Genuine emotion was definitely her style.
“That’s my favorite,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy said that about all of Velvet’s new jokes. She also meant it about each joke.
“Thanks.” Velvet bowed. “So, what is the champagne for?” Velvet read the label and raised an eyebrow, waiting for an answer.
Cassidy clapped her hands, giddy with excitement. “You have been offered a tour! With Rockford Entertainment. You’ll be travelling with other headliners. They showed me the PR campaign, and it is gorgeous. You’ll be performing in front of full audiences every night. The best part is, they called me, not the other way around. They want you, kid.”
Continued in excerpt #6
Blurb:
She lives life below the waves. What will a man sacrifice to discover it’s not a dream?
Mermaid Velvet has always had a special fascination with the World. And studying its two-legged humans has given the aspiring comedian unique skills to make her audiences laugh. But when she saves a human who believes he’s drowning, she’s stunned by the magic that flows between them.
Saunders is trapped between two realities with no memory of his past. Lost in a strange, underwater domain, he comes face-to-face with an alluring goddess of the sea. When he disappears from her realm, he’s desperate to reunite with the entrancing beauty.
As Velvet continues to bring Saunders out of the darkness, her love for him grows along with her fear that his next disappearance might be his last. And as his memories slowly return, Saunders must decide if he’s willing to leave the World permanently for a chance to be with the mermaid he desires.
Can Velvet and Saunders overcome his terrible fate and sink into each other’s perfect arms?
Saunders’ Choice is a standalone novella in the enchanting Natural Gifts fantasy romance series. If you like irresistible attraction, mystery, and love against the odds, then you’ll adore Gina Briganti’s tale of the deep.
*An early version of Saunders’ Choice was published in the Changing Worlds anthology.
Buy Saunders’ Choice to dive into an ocean of passion today!
Gina Briganti writes fantasy and sci-fi romance in north Texas. She also writes holistic health non-fiction because real life can be magic, too. Her credentials in holistic health include certification as a Reiki Master Practitioner and teacher, certification as a nutrition consultant, and a degree in holistic nutrition.
When she’s not writing, eating delicious healthy food, reading, or making videos, she is spending time with family and friends. Her constant companion is a special soul who masquerades as a lab and chow mix.
www.ginabriganti.com 