Horrors! #Amwriting a Blurb by Rolynn Anderson

*#!@&^!
All of us swear when we write blurbs.  Some of us have blurbs thrust upon us by publishers (and commence swearing at first sight). We indies get to swear at ourselves for every wooden phrase or hackneyed term. Since we're all trying to use the same keywords, it's no surprise our teasers sound alike. After we place the polished blurb on the back of the book, we're still growling and groaning over this or that word choice.

I come begging for feedback on the blurb below. Many of you read my Christmas short story about Sable and Carter, so you have more insight about FIRE IS NICE than anyone else I know.  So have at this draft...even if you just tell me the phrase/idea you like and/or the phrase/idea you don't like.  My skin is thick and I need your objectivity.  Thanks!

Giant redwoods crave a scorching forest fire to release their seeds. What kind of heat will smoke poachers out of Sequoia National Park?

***

Criminals are stealing 11,000 year old animal bones from the caves of Sequoia. Ranger Sable Chisholm, assigned to collar the thieves, brings along her donkey and pig. Sable is a former L.A. Agent, recovering from a brain injury, which took away fear but intensified her other emotions. Ranger Carter Glass, devoted to applying logic and statistics to park problems, is Sable’s reluctant partner in crime-solving.

Then the bone-robbers start shooting rangers, deepening the mystery and pushing the stakes sky-high.

If Sable can’t control her fearlessness to team with Carter, her career is over.

For the ancient Sequoia tree, fire is nice, but Sable’s fiery personality could reduce two reputations to ashes.

On the Mountain

My Wild Rose Press book, Firefly Mountain, is on sale for $0.99. It's a good time to visit Vermont and see what happens when a sexy firefighter and a sassy photographer work together to catch an arsonist. Things will heat up... whether they want them to or not.

Blurb:

Firefighter Patrick Barre is determined to hide away in the woods of Vermont. He's content to do his job, remodel his house, and enjoy the company of his arson-detection dog, Midas. Scars from the fire that destroyed his family keep him from letting anyone into his life.

Gini Claremont uses her camera to celebrate the beauty of life. Nature soothes her, while anger is dangerous for Gini--and anyone near her. If she doesn't guard her emotions, her surroundings could go up in flames. Living alone, keeping busy, and letting her family keep watch on her is best for everyone.

When an arsonist declares war on their town, Patrick and Gini reluctantly band together to sift through the ashes, each holding a secret close to the heart. As the arson escalates, so does their mutual attraction. Will teaming up put out the fires, or start a whole new one?

Some favorite lines from Firefly Mountain:

“You know anyone that likes nipples Italian style?” Haddy came out of the bathroom still rubbing at the wet, red-orange stain on her blouse. When she looked up and saw Jonah standing there, her face reddened.

***

Gini peered at Patrick, who sat perfectly still as if he were holding his breath. Did he want her help? Need it? What else did he need?

***

No pictures. No family talk. Too many rules to Patrick Barre. So rigid and armored. And yet, when Gini had hugged him in the hospital, he was none of those things.

Fun fact:

Many of the renovations Patrick Barre makes to his Vermont home in the story are based on real home improvement projects my husband and I have made to our own home in the woods of Vermont.

Inspiration:

Toodles,

Chris

www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com