Laura Shinn

My writing didn't truly begin until I became a junior in high school. A friend encouraged me to write a short story, like the one he was writing, and I gave it a shot. It was a spin-off between Mork and Mindy and Star Wars. Needless to say, my first attempt was pretty bad.

Over the next few years I read like crazy, mostly historical novels. I didn't begin reading contemporaries until I got married several years later. I decided I wanted to write a time travel like the one my favorite author had written. Constance O'Day Flannery became my first inspiration to become a published author. {Since then I have had the honor of meeting and learning from many different authors: Suzanne Brockmann, Madeline Baker, Christine Feehan, Michele Bardsley, Jo Beverley and many more.}

I love to read and the desire to write comes to me daily. New ideas for novels pop into my head at the most inconvenient times: in the shower and while driving my car (Oops! You didn't read that one...). The idea that you can create a magical or mysterious world with only the touch of your fingers to a keyboard delights me.

While in college, at Howard Payne University in Brownwood Texas, I majored in English {minored in Art} and wanted desperately to become a published author. I've continued to work on my writing and editing skills and hope to one day achieve the same level of talent as many of my favorite authors.

I have a wonderful husband (since 1986) and two boys, Josh (born 1991) and Nathan (born 1998). We currently live south of Fort Worth, TX. We have four dogs, three rescued from the local pound and a "toy-sized" puppy we named Elsie May.

Website: http://www.laurashinn.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/authorlaurashinn

https://www.amazon.com

action    adoption    aliens    angel    anthology    book series    christian    christmas    contemporary    dance    domestic violence    escape    fantasy holiday    heaven    highly sensual    hitman    holiday    immortal    inspirational    laura shinn    love triangle    mistletoe kisses    more than friends    novella    otherworld    paranormal    paranormal romance    romance    romantic adventure    sensual    sheriff    short story    snow globe    spicy romance    suspense    texas    time travel    vampire    vampyre   

• Surviving With Love on Nov. 04, 2009
  
  This is the first book I've read by Ms. Vickery. The adventure alone makes this the perfect read, but Ms. Vickery didn't stop there. Her detailed scenes are so impressive I can honestly say I went on the journey right along with Stacey and Cord. Stacey Parker is a gutsy, no nonsense woman who shows everyone she can be equally feminine and strong. She is intelligent and patient, which surprised me. It was refreshing. Cord McConnell snuck up on me with the way he behaved in the book. I expected an ill-mannered, cussing, spitting man whose personality would horribly clash with Stacey's. I was so glad to be wrong. He is the man every woman dreams of having for her own...strong when he needs to be, yet honest and respectful of Stacey as a woman. I fell in love with Cord long before I reached the middle of the book. Their romance built naturally and never came across as forced. Ms. Vickery thought her characters through very well and it shows with each character's development throughout the story. Even the secondary characters have charisma and I enjoyed reading their scenes. This book is well written, but it never consciously feels that way. Meaning, you'll never be reading this story and say to yourself, "Hmm, how wonderfully written." Instead, you'll be caught up in their adventures and feel everything they feel. In "Surviving With Love" I didn't just read the story, I experienced it. This is one book you definitely want to add to your ebook collection. Laura Shinn Author/Cover Artist
  
• Looking Through The Mist on Nov. 04, 2009
  
  This is my second read from Ms. Vickery and I was not disappointed. I love stories involving psychics, but this story has an added twist of child kidnappings. The blurb drew me in immediately and I decided to read this book. I've read many stories about psychics and kidnappings so I felt sure I could predict what would happen. I wasn't even close. Ms. Vickery's twist on the psychic character, Jessica Wilder, is one not used before, as far as I'm aware. And although the kidnapping scenes from our perspective would normally not appear too traumatic, the heroine's "visions" through the mist make it increasingly so. Once more, Ms. Vickery has taken a written subject we've seen before and made it wholly her own. The detective, Jonathon Lansing, is a skeptic, but that quickly changes once he witnesses Jessica experiencing one of her visions. He's a tough guy and as sexy as they come, but the care he gave to Jessica melted my heart. I cheered at the way he defended her from those who would use her only for the things she's able to see. Jonathon redefines the definition of loving someone. The romance is sizzling from the start and their attraction builds to a wonderful conclusion. Their first kiss surprised me and left me breathless. Ms. Vickery's writing talent in adventure scenes is rivaled by her talent for romance. This book will scramble your eggs and fry your bacon in a heartbeat! Another raving success for Ms. Vickery. I can hardly wait to see what she has in store for her next adventure. Laura Shinn Author/Cover Artist
  
• Smashwords Style Guide on Dec. 01, 2009
  
  This guide is exactly as it is described, a guide to walk the writer through the formatting process. Even if you're a novice, or I should say especially if you're a novice, reading this ebook is all the more important. I've been writing for ten years and published for seven and there are several things listed in Mark Coker's formatting instructions that I wasn't aware of through Word. This ebook is highly detailed, yet delivered in such a way that even my youngest child would understand. For those who are working in Word 2007 or plan to purchase the upcoming Word 2010, be aware the formatting instructions are based on Word 2003. Regardless, each item in Mr. Coker's formatting instructions can still be found in Word 2007. Most of it will be in "Word Options" when you click on the Word icon button in the top left corner of your document. The others will be found in Page Layout under Custom Margins or in Review. I do recommend Word 2007 users save their m/s in the 97-2003 Compatibility Mode so the final document you upload is a .doc rather than a .docx. I read through the Style Guide slowly to make sure I formatted everything as recommended or required and was able to do it in only a few hours (I'm very picky and wanted to make sure my m/s was perfect). Needless to say, the uploaded document went through in the first try. Follow the guidelines and you shouldn't experience any problems at all. If you'll open your m/s as you read, you can change it as you go. This removes much of the stress when you see how many pages are in the Style Guide. Don't let that deter you. About a third of the ebook at the beginning is information already found on the website and you've probably already read it. I'm looking forward to uploading many more books in the upcoming months and watching to see the new and different directions this company will take. It's very exciting to be your own boss and see your dreams realized. Laura Shinn www.laurashinn.com
  
• Nick's Baby on Jan. 18, 2010
  
  What a wonderful story! I was sure from the blurb that this novel would be entertaining, but I didn't realize the range of emotions the story would extract. I found myself laughing out loud, heartbroken and feeling the high sexual tension the two main characters felt for each other. Nick and Kelsey are powerful together and Nick was so easy to fall for. What I really didn't expect was to so thoroughly enjoy the secondary characters, including Nick's family and Kelsey's mother. And if Ms. Hestand doesn't write a sequel telling Jackson's story, I'm going to throw a fit! *g* This is one of the best novels I've read recently and I can't wait to explore more of Ms. Hestand's books. Laura Shinn www.laurashinn.com
  
• Yolanda's Escape on July 23, 2010
  
  What a fantastic short story!! I haven't seen the likes of this flavor of read since the classic, passionate, sensual historical novels of the 1980's! Back when erotic romance was entertaining, adventurous and tasteful. This is such an enjoyable tale that I simply must recommend it! My only complaint is that the story ended way too soon and I didn't get to experience more of their adventures throughout the remainder of the voyage. Excellent work, Gypsy deWilde! Bravo! Laura Shinn www.laurashinn.com