Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Chrys Fey, Seismic Crimes, and Descriptions

Today I'm honored to have Chrys Fey stopping by to say a few words.  One topic I've been harping on as of late is descriptions.  It's easy to recognize good descriptions when you see them in someone else's book, but not so easy when you have to add them to your own story.  Since Chrys' latest book, Seismic Crimes, takes place all over the United States, she's kindly provided us with examples of how she grounds her reader in each of her settings.    Take it away, Chrys. 



Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

While reading Seismic Crimes you’ll cross the United States…twice. You’ll be in Florida, Michigan, and California. Won’t you go on a trip with me (and my characters)?

Florida:

Donovan drove down the interstate in his truck. One month after Hurricane Sabrina wailed on Florida with her giant fists of wind, the Sunshine State was close to being back to normal. When the deep floods of her vengeful tears reduced to puddles, Floridians began cleaning the debris she’d left behind as a parting gift. Filth covered the streets, city workers had to dissect fallen trees, and the governor brought in sand by the truckload to repair the deteriorating coastline.

Michigan:

The Christmas tree lot went on for blocks. Cars were parked bumper to bumper and lined both sides of the road. Families and couples milled about, searching for the perfect tree to put up in their homes. Beth and Donovan were among them. The mingling scents of Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, and all the other Christmas tree variations swirled luxuriously in Beth’s nostrils, bringing an instantaneous smile to her face. Her boots crunched in the snow, and her breath came out in puffs like car exhaust as she trudged down each row.

California:

They found seats and BART shot forward. They got off at Union Square, the heart of San Francisco. Walking along the two-and-a-half-acre square, they saw all the popular department stores and posh hotels. Even though it was January, people sat in the streaming sunlight, bundled in jackets, and children chased flocks of pigeons and squealed in delight when the birds launched into the air, their wings creating a loud ruckus like feathered helicopter blades.

China Town:

The smell of musky incense, cigarette smoke, fish, vanilla and Asian spices scented the air. They passed noodle shops and teahouses, bakeries and open-air markets. She enjoyed browsing among the colored vendors packed with jade jewelry, trinkets and clothing. Being around all that culture made her feel rich. 


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Thanks, Chrys.  Those descriptions make me feel as if I'm right there.  If you all agree, then be sure to check out her books.

By the way, don't forget to check out the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of the post.


Title: Seismic Crimes
Author: Chrys Fey
Series: Disaster Crimes Series (Book Two)
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Format: Digital and Print
Page Count: 282


DIGITAL LINKS:

PRINT LINKS:

BLURB:

An Internal Affairs Investigator was murdered and his brother, Donovan Goldwyn, was framed. Now Donovan is desperate to prove his innocence. And the one person who can do that is the woman who saved him from a deadly hurricane—Beth Kennedy. From the moment their fates intertwined, passion consumed him. He wants her in his arms. More, he wants her by his side in his darkest moments.

Beth Kennedy may not know everything about Donovan, but she can’t deny what she feels for him. It’s her love for him that pushes her to do whatever she has to do to help him get justice, including putting herself in a criminal’s crosshairs.

When a tip reveals the killer's location, they travel to California, but then an earthquake of catastrophic proportions separates them. As aftershocks roll the land, Beth and Donovan have to endure dangerous conditions while trying to find their way back to one another. Will they reunite and find the killer, or will they lose everything?


HURRICANE CRIMES 99¢ SALE!


DIGITAL LINKS:
Amazon CA / NOOK / KOBO 


a Rafflecopter giveaway


19 comments:

  1. Adding good description like that isn't easy for some of us.
    And I know what it's like to be in the first scene. (Just not in Florida.)

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    1. Do you mean a place after a hurricane hit? I've been in scenes like it a few times myself.

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  2. I suck at description myself. Great job, Chrys! Hope you're finding much success!

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  3. I have a hard time straddling the line on description - too much can be boring and distracting, not enough means it's hard to picture. Look forward to reading this!

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    1. You're right. It can be hard to find a balance. I always go with my gut.

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  4. Great ideas, Chrys. I can wait to read your book. It's inching it's way up my TBR pile.

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  5. Sorry I'm do late, Ken. I completely forgot about my post on your blog. I didn't have a typical Wednesday. But I'm here now. :) Thank you for having me on your blog!

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    1. That should be "so" Not "do".

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    2. No problem, Chrys. I always enjoy having guest posters.

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    3. No problem, Chrys. I always enjoy having guest posters.

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  6. Great description, Chrys. Wishing you many sales!

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  7. Being a native Houstonian, I can relate to the hurricane aftermath.

    Good luck with the series! :)

    Hi, Ken. *waves*

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    1. Yes, many states can relate to the aftermath of a hurricane. Thanks, Melissa! :)

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  8. I have such a hard time with description. You are great at it, Chrys! I loved these little excerpts and felt like I was traveling along with your characters.

    Hey, Ken!

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    1. Thank you, Julie! I'm glad I could take you on a little journey. :)

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