Never Before Seen Footage of My Critique Meeting with Kathy L Wheeler

Today, Kathy L Wheeler and I would like to invite you into the world of our Phantom of the Rewrites critique group. Kathy skewered featured me on her blog last week, so now it is my turn for revenge to return the favor.

Below, we share a glimpse of my critique of her upcoming final book in her Cinderella Series, The Price of Scorn – book iv (she writes under Kae Elle Wheeler for historicals, FYI).  The Price of Scorn is a unique and compelling story that tells the tale of Cinderella’s stepmother and how she came to be so evil.  (I mean, come on, you didn’t think she was born evil, did you?)

KLW: Alicia, was good to me on this last round. It was the second pass. So I’m throwing in a few of the ones she shared from Round 1 where she left little humorous comments along the way.

KLW: See what I mean?

Alicia: Great. So you’re telling everyone how old I am? (I’d better not complain. Since then, I have turned three and fifty).

KLW: So? It’s still not as old as me. I have to share something. Most everything you’ve noted needs fixing. There’s no conflict with anything you’ve pointed out. It’s irritating at best.

KLW:  See what I mean? Why the hell should Hilda care if her father is dead or not? The man was a monster. He killed her mother, leaving Hilda to a fate worse than death.

Alicia: True. I did good, didn’t I?

KLW:  **snicker** I see that the question is not really a question. Just a rhetorical statement. So the next piece I’m sharing is my own smart-alecky piece.

Alicia: Ha! I get it now. Wicked, yeah, I saw that once. (With you, actually. Although, I am not a Wicked connoisseur like you are. I am, however, a connoisseur of the wicked. Get it?)

KLW: Yes. Yes… I’m not that slow. Anyhow, as we previously established, I do love a bit of drama. Mostly of the theater variety.

Alicia: I concur. You are most definitely a lover of drama.

KLW: So basically, in conclusion. Alicia is a fabulous critique partner, a bit soft, unlike a more “blunt” me.  I’m not worried though. There will be much more slamming going on in the Martini Club 4 series, I’m pretty sure.

Alicia: Aw, shucks. Thanks! I wish I could be as blunt, maybe there just isn’t as much to be blunt about in yours? You are a fabulous critique partner as well! (Can you feel the love?).

Yes, lots of slamming to come. Dreading it. Looking forward to it!

Thanks, Kae Elle, for giving us a peek at your story before it was all polished and perfect.

Everyone, be sure to check out The Price of Scorn, available later this month (October). If you want to keep updated on Kae Elle’s books, be sure to follow her here…

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathylwheeler

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KathyLWheeler

Don’t you just love the cover?

Blurb: Did you ever wonder why Cinderella’s Evil Stepmother was so mean?

Fourteen years after Esmeralda’s marriage to Alessandro, the birth of Pricilla’s son, Jean-Luc, and Prince Charming and Cinderella’s coronation as the King and Queen of Chalmers Kingdom, Hildegard Marit Benegnoir-Simmon-Roche lies upon her deathbed.

Hilda has never forgiven Cinderella for stealing Prince Charming from Esmeralda. But in a story of heartbreak, the sisters learn how tragedy and scorn shaped their mother’s life into the woman she became. The question is: Can the sisters forgive her?

Excerpt:

Even Juliet had not perished by jumping to her death. That particular story tumbling through her mind in that moment sent shudder of terror over her. We are not lovers destined to death, she reassured herself. All she had to do was make it to the pond. Off Papa’s property. Then out of Alsace to the safety of Grenoble; all within the arms of Pierre.

“You,” her father spat. Hilda froze, squeezing her eyes shut. “You are responsible for her rebellious nature.” The menace from the foyer rose like an engulfing blaze poisoning the air.

The breath rushed from Hilda’s body, leaving her shaken. She chanced a glance below. Her father’s large form hovered, a threatening force over her mother’s slight one.

“Léonce, please—” Papa’s meaty fist shot out catching her mother’s chin, cutting her off. Her head snapped back and she fell to the floor in a heap.

Hilda froze, horrified by the sight of her mother’s lifeless body. A deadly silence filled the hall until the front door opened. Sepp stepped in, his shirt in tattered threads.

In his hand he held Hilda’s valise.

Bio:  Kathy L Wheeler (aka Kae Elle Wheeler) is a computer programmer and software expert by day. She is a member of several RWA chapters including The Beau Monde, DARA and has served several positions in OKRWA. She is an avid sports fan, theater buff, and loves to travel.

While The Price of Scorn – book iv is not available yet, its predecessors are. Click on the titles to be taken to the Amazon page.

The Wronged Princess – book i

The Unlikely Heroine – book ii

The Surprising Enchantress – book iii