Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tantalizing Tuesday
Sorry everyone, but the Kate Douglas interview I scheduled for today will be rescheduled for September 21st. I've had too much pain to deal with and have been in bed all day. Sorry!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Mystic Monday
Memories
This useless war we've been fighting has just been getting me down lately. It's just annoying to think about all the people dying over there - many of them younger than I am - for a war that still just seems so pointless. This video seems to be so fitting, so I had to share. When this song came out, I just couldn't listen to it because I had just lost my a very good friend - I was 17 at the time, he was 19 - to a drunk driving accident. This song is one of those rare gems. I don't know if the rest of you find the song, Wind Beneath My Wings to be utterly depressing, but I do because it always reminds me of my grandmother. Thinking of You by Safire is the same way for me. It was written to her late uncle who died of AIDS, I believe, but I find it fitting when I think of all those soldiers across the sea who fight without question because they are patriots.
Who did you think of when listening to this song?
Food
Okay, I don't know about you, but I'm getting outraged at the increasing number of food recalls due to salmonella and E.coli. The number of recalls seems to be growing, which is a scary prospect. Some people want to argue that the growing number of salmonella is related to the fact that some places stopped using chlorine to kill the bacteria on the chicken so they can import food to Russia, but I'm not so sure that the lack of chlorine use is the problem.
When you consider the bigger picture - take into account all of the food related bacteria recall issues - there's a startling revelation. While some people think those hand sanitizers are great, I think they're the worst invention.
Why?
Well, let's follow the logic, shall we.
As many of you may know, a vaccine contains a weakened or dead form of the "micro organism" you're getting inoculated against. You're body then reacts to that "dead" organism to create antibodies. Often times, you get sick as though you came in contact with the "live" organism.
Hand Sanitizers "kill" bacteria on your hands. Okay, great, but what do you do with your hands afterwords? Do you just use the sanitizer and go about your day? If you do, think about how many "dead" germs and bacteria are still on your hands. That's the problem I have with those. Sure, the bacteria and stuff might be dead, but the fact is that the "dead" bacteria and germs still exist on your hands and can possibly infect you, or someone else, later. The only really effective way to get rid of the germs is to thoroughly wash your hands, or dirty areas, with soap and water, being sure to "push" the germs and bacteria off your hands as the Department of Health has been instructing us for years.
So, if you're one of those people who just use the hand sanitizers and go about your business without washing the sanitizing junk off of your hands, ask yourself how many people who handle chicken/eggs do the same thing and then go handle other things like tomatoes, spinach and lettuce?
If some people have it in their head that using a hand sanitizer can replace actually washing their hands, they could be infecting food without realizing it.
To me, the notion of a hand sanitizer is just about as sanitary as a man's reasoning that he doesn't have to wash his hands after urination because he only touched his "clean and dry" body part. Never mind the fact that when you urinate, men included, bacteria gets released in the air and can settle on your hands without you realizing it.
Scary to think about, but I really do think we need to consider the possibility that these so-called advancements in germ protection make use less germ conscious, thereby opening the door for the spreading of germs and bacteria.
What's your theory?
Other Random Crap...er...Stuff
I feel adrift at sea without my laptop. It's on the fritz and I have to send it in to be fixed. In the meantime, I'm stuck using my husband's desktop. At first, I wasn't sure if I could get used to the smaller keyboard or the weight of it (mine's a big Dell Latitude that weighs about 8 pounds or so) on my lap.
Well, I did get used to it, I just didn't realize how used to it until it started acting up on me. I'm sending it in, but I'm afraid to do so because I'm afraid I won't get mine back, or that everything I have on there will be lost. Sure, I've backed up as much as possible, but there's some stuff you just can't back up all that easily. It's just separation anxiety, I know this. Knowing doesn't make it any easier to deal with though, lol!
It's just been harder to concentrate on my blog responsibilities because I feel so "lost" without my laptop. I also find it hard to be creative. I have story ideas I'd like to write, but sitting at this desktop makes my back hurt, so I have been avoiding the desktop like the plague, but I have responsibilities to this blog, so I needed to finally step up, so here I am. Now, it's off to take a short rest and then post my YA Room featured author interview....
Sunday, August 29, 2010
SUPERNATURAL SUNDAY
Please welcome Margie Church into the moonlight today! Margie is a sweet lady and a fellow Noble Romance Publishing author. She's multi-published and is known as the Churchlady. To learn who the three people are that she'd love to meet, hop on over to her website and get to know the Churchlady a little more personally. But, wait! Before you go, learn a little more about her here first….
GRACEN: August has few holidays and observances, but one stands out as interesting – Friendship Day. As the 1st is Friendship Day, what will you do (have you done) to celebrate the friendships in your life? Anyone special you’d like to recognize here and now?
MARGIE: Thank you for inviting me over, Gracen! Nice place you have!
My sister in-law, Elaine, is probably the most special woman in my life. I doubt I'd be considered one of those women who is really good at friendship skills but she loves me for all my warts (and I can be quite lumpy at times). She is always so supportive and easy to talk to. I love to just "be" with her. I can't say I get that opportunity often and when I do, I treasure it. Her birthday is August 27.
GRACEN: Speaking of friends, not all of our friends are human. Many of us have furry friends that enrich our lives in ways we don’t always notice. These friends don’t have to have fur, either, but scales or feathers. We’re talking about our pets, and writers tend to have pets. How many pets do you have, what kinds of pets are they and what are their names?
MARGIE: We have a beautiful English springer spaniel named Jewel. She's such a loving dog with the most no-fuss demeanor ever. We stopped hunting her two years ago since she's 11 now, but she loved pheasant hunting and being in the water.
GRACEN: Before the Dog Whisperer, there was Geena Davis in, The Accidental Tourist, teaching a dog owner how to use positive and negative reinforcement to train his dog. How would you classify your animal handling skills? Are you the whisperer, the challenged animal handler in need of help or are you somewhere in between?
MARGIE: I've taken quite a few classes and I think I'm pretty good at training dogs. I've trained them for hunting and living peacefully among us two-legged creatures. There's nothing nicer than a well-behaved pet.
GRACEN: They’re everywhere, on the Internet, in stores and in catalogues – costumes and pet clothing. How fanatical are you when it comes to clothing your pet? Do you dress your pet in clothing? How about kitty wigs (yes, these apparently do exist)? Any fun or interesting pet accessory or amenity you’d like to share with us?
MARGIE: I think dressing up a pet – except for Halloween - is nutty. I always think of how humiliated my kids were in outfits they hated but "mom" loved. I suspect pets aren't much different. I dressed my dog in hunting clothes – blaze orange – to keep her safe in the woods during hunting season, otherwise a good grooming makes her look most beautiful.
GRACEN: With all the different types of pet foods out there, it’s hard to know what’s really good for your pet or not. Purina has been around forever and continues to produce feed for all kinds of pets and livestock for roughly 100 years. Hill’s Science Diet came along a bit later and others have been popping up ever since. What brand do you use, and how did you come to that decision? (If you don’t have pets, what brand would you feed your pet and why?)
MARGIE: I have fed all my dogs Iams. The vet recommended it a really long time ago when we got our first dog and my dogs have all had beautiful coats and no weight problems. I buy chunks but after years of watching my dogs wolf down their food without chewing, I wonder what's the point of telling pet owners dry dog food helps keep a dog's teeth clean. It's a marketing scam. LOL I also limit dog treats.
GRACEN: What is the oddest pet you’ve ever had? Why did you choose that pet?
MARGIE: We raised zebra finches for awhile. I can't remember what the male's name was but the female was Mertyl. She was a terrible mother…her poor babies were kicked out of the nest constantly. They made the strangest noises and what a mess.
GRACEN: We’ve had our fun now, so let’s put the focus on your writing, Margie…While there are many genres to choose from, what specifically brought you to romance? Why this genre over the others?
MARGIE: I'm a romantic at heart. Maybe not hearts and flowers romantic, but my husband and I fell in love at first sight – we were 16. I do believe that the love of a good man or woman – whatever your choice is – can get you through darn near everything. In the day to day battles, sometimes that romance grows a little thin, but I always love it when it blazes back, strong and hot, and so I write books like that.
GRACEN: Even though the popularity of the romance genre continues to grow, it’s still not always a highly respected genre. In fact, the recent movie, Letters to Juliet, just received only 2 stars from reviewers even though it’s a heart warming and enjoyable tale about a young woman who finds a note addressed to Juliet and responds to it, 50 years later! It’s worth at least 4/5 stars. What, in your opinion, is the reason for the continued interest in the genre and for the lack of respect it receives?
MARGIE: Maybe it's not so much the genre as the fact that many people think it's easy to write a book and you can just pull it out of your head, no sweat. Maybe they think romances come from fluffy brains with nothing more serious to think about all day. Those who have the gift to write well and know how to craft a romance know nothing could be further from the truth.
Ultimately, I think people recognize that the world is full of pain and ugliness. Romantic movies, books, and music comfort us and give us hope that our world can be better with love. Give it, take it, share it daily.
GRACEN: A holiday mentioned above is Women’s Equality Day. While it took some tough ladies to endure some pretty crappy situations to get us here, there is still some work to go as women still struggle with equality in the work place. Do these struggles find their ways into your stories, or is equality something that just exists and is accepted? Give us some examples, please!
MARGIE: I hate to admit I have trouble writing my heroines. I really identify with men and sadly, I think it's because I grew up without sisters (five ghastly brothers! YIKES!), I haven't got a daughter – two sons, and I work in male dominated industries. I frequently write about commercial construction or engineering and so those things do weave their way into my stories. I gave Jui, my heroine, a sister in Love Bites/Dangerous Love to help soften her character – she's a marketing director for a commercial construction company. Jui is definitely a capable, intelligent woman and used to taking the reins otherwise she knows she'll be left in the dust professionally. This translates into her romantic relationships, too. She's confident in bed and not afraid to take the lead or say what she'd like and give as good as she gets. *wink*
GRACEN: For a writer, inspiration can be found everywhere and in almost anyone, but sometimes specific people, places and events can inspire certain characters, personality traits, events or situations that happen in our stories. In your current story that we’re promoting here today, Love Bites, did any one particular person, place or event inspire you? If so who/what was it (were they), how did it/they inspire you and how is this inspiration reflected in your story?
MARGIE: My erotic paranormal, Love Bites, begins in Heidelberg Germany. That's my mother's hometown. A picture of Heidelberg scrolled on my screen one day last year. I love the Heidelberg castle and stared at the photo, remembering a Sunday morning when I gazed at the rust-colored castle from across the Neckar River. I was in an amphitheater tower built by Hitler and it was noon and all the church bells were ringing in Heidelberg. I wondered about all the secrets the castle held and the scenes it witnessed on Saturday nights only to be forgotten on Sunday morning. Suddenly I was writing Love Bites.
GRACEN: Oh, wow! That photo is inspirational! Thanks for sharing it with us, Margie. Without giving away anything pertinent to the story, tell us about the hero and heroine (s) of your story. What do they look like? How do they meet (or “did” if this is not the first book with these same characters)? What are their personalities – Are they comical cut-ups, are they serious or are they a mix of the two? Please give us a little bit of dialogue from the story that can illustrate this. (Not much, but just a few lines and from a different section than the main excerpt – Thanks!)
MARGIE: Wade Kairos is a vampire and he never intends for Jui to figure that out. He's got shoulder-length caramel-colored hair that he ties at his nape with a piece of leather. He's broad shouldered and lean. I wouldn't characterize him as athletic because he's a vamp and they have no need (at least in my books) to worry about their weight/build. His face is angular, his eyes hazel. He has a soft German accent. He's a gifted mathematician, physicist, and engineer. He speaks several languages and has homes around the world. Love Bites hop-scotches around the world.
Jui (Zjoo-ie) Fabrice is in her late twenties and the marketing director at Saint Claire Symphonic. Her father owns the company, which builds sound studios and performance halls. She's got black, long hair and jade green eyes. She's curvaceous and confident about herself. Intelligence and tenacity are her trademarks. She lives in Seattle and has a sister named Sylvie.
This is the scene where they first meet. Shorten it if you need to.
"I'm Wade Kairos."
He chuckled when Jui almost dropped her fork. Damn it, what an arrogant bastard!
Wade extended his hand in greeting; a large silver ring with an onyx face graced his index finger.
Jui took her time wiping her mouth with a white linen napkin. "Are you always so forward?" My god he's tall, and those shoulders . . . .
He answered in English with a soft German accent. "Only with beautiful women."
Jui shook his hand. The electricity flowing between them startled her. "Jui Fabrice," she said in an all-business tone.
"Such an unusual name for an American," Wade said without letting her hand go. "Jui—that's Sanskrit for 'flower', is it not?"
Jui wasn't fazed by his seductive pronunciation of her name–Zjoo-ee. "If you already knew, why ask?"
"American women are so bold. I find them enticing." He gave her another one of his captivating smiles.
"I'm not on the menu," Jui said in a crisp tone and slid her hand from his.
"I would never be so gauche. A gentleman waits for the offer." The statement hung in the air between them, laden with innuendo. "Are you here on holiday?"
"I don't think my plans are any of your business, Mr. Kairos." Jui ogled his female guests. "And anyway, from the looks of things, you're spoken for."
"Touché. How rude of me to ask you for dinner when—when I am otherwise detained."
His voice teased her ears like black velvet. The rich tones tangled around her body in a silken sheath, almost making her sigh with the way his voice naturally relaxed her. "Your reputation precedes you, Mr.—"
"Please call me Wade."
"—Kairos. And I haven't got time for a fling."
Wade chuckled while his female companions seemed oblivious to his flirting. "A fling? My dear, a night in your arms could never be described as a mere fling." He spoke in German to the two women clinging to him. "Would you please excuse us for a moment?"
"I understood that," Jui said in perfect German.
A humorous glint filled Wade's hazel eyes. "Sprecht Du Deutsch?"
"Enough," Jui said in German and then switched to English, "but I prefer my native tongue when I need to be clear."
"I'd love to introduce your tongue—to mine."
GRACEN: The main characters are usually great, but sometimes, secondary and tertiary characters are known to steal the scenes, even if the author did not intend this to happen. Who are the secondary/tertiary characters in your story and what do they look like? What’s unique about them? What is their relationship to the hero/heroine? Have any of these characters gone on to become scene-stealers? If so, who and how did they do it? Is there the possibility for them to get their own story? (Again, please give us a small bit of dialogue to illustrate this – thanks!)
MARGIE: One of the vampires, Ladislav Husek, is Czechoslovakian and makes an appearance in the last third of Love Bites. He has jet-black hair which he ties back on the crown of his head. His eyes are grayish and he has a bit of that porn stash going on. I think he's got rather hawkish features and isn't very handsome. He's a powerful, ancient vampire, and initially he seems quite benign in the story but the reader soon finds out he's all business and after Wade with a vengeance. I'm writing the sequel and Ladislav has a commanding role. I've really developed this character into something humans should hate and fear.
Love Bites Blurb
GRACEN: August has few holidays and observances, but one stands out as interesting – Friendship Day. As the 1st is Friendship Day, what will you do (have you done) to celebrate the friendships in your life? Anyone special you’d like to recognize here and now?
MARGIE: Thank you for inviting me over, Gracen! Nice place you have!
My sister in-law, Elaine, is probably the most special woman in my life. I doubt I'd be considered one of those women who is really good at friendship skills but she loves me for all my warts (and I can be quite lumpy at times). She is always so supportive and easy to talk to. I love to just "be" with her. I can't say I get that opportunity often and when I do, I treasure it. Her birthday is August 27.
GRACEN: Speaking of friends, not all of our friends are human. Many of us have furry friends that enrich our lives in ways we don’t always notice. These friends don’t have to have fur, either, but scales or feathers. We’re talking about our pets, and writers tend to have pets. How many pets do you have, what kinds of pets are they and what are their names?
MARGIE: We have a beautiful English springer spaniel named Jewel. She's such a loving dog with the most no-fuss demeanor ever. We stopped hunting her two years ago since she's 11 now, but she loved pheasant hunting and being in the water.
GRACEN: Before the Dog Whisperer, there was Geena Davis in, The Accidental Tourist, teaching a dog owner how to use positive and negative reinforcement to train his dog. How would you classify your animal handling skills? Are you the whisperer, the challenged animal handler in need of help or are you somewhere in between?
MARGIE: I've taken quite a few classes and I think I'm pretty good at training dogs. I've trained them for hunting and living peacefully among us two-legged creatures. There's nothing nicer than a well-behaved pet.
GRACEN: They’re everywhere, on the Internet, in stores and in catalogues – costumes and pet clothing. How fanatical are you when it comes to clothing your pet? Do you dress your pet in clothing? How about kitty wigs (yes, these apparently do exist)? Any fun or interesting pet accessory or amenity you’d like to share with us?
MARGIE: I think dressing up a pet – except for Halloween - is nutty. I always think of how humiliated my kids were in outfits they hated but "mom" loved. I suspect pets aren't much different. I dressed my dog in hunting clothes – blaze orange – to keep her safe in the woods during hunting season, otherwise a good grooming makes her look most beautiful.
GRACEN: With all the different types of pet foods out there, it’s hard to know what’s really good for your pet or not. Purina has been around forever and continues to produce feed for all kinds of pets and livestock for roughly 100 years. Hill’s Science Diet came along a bit later and others have been popping up ever since. What brand do you use, and how did you come to that decision? (If you don’t have pets, what brand would you feed your pet and why?)
MARGIE: I have fed all my dogs Iams. The vet recommended it a really long time ago when we got our first dog and my dogs have all had beautiful coats and no weight problems. I buy chunks but after years of watching my dogs wolf down their food without chewing, I wonder what's the point of telling pet owners dry dog food helps keep a dog's teeth clean. It's a marketing scam. LOL I also limit dog treats.
GRACEN: What is the oddest pet you’ve ever had? Why did you choose that pet?
MARGIE: We raised zebra finches for awhile. I can't remember what the male's name was but the female was Mertyl. She was a terrible mother…her poor babies were kicked out of the nest constantly. They made the strangest noises and what a mess.
GRACEN: We’ve had our fun now, so let’s put the focus on your writing, Margie…While there are many genres to choose from, what specifically brought you to romance? Why this genre over the others?
MARGIE: I'm a romantic at heart. Maybe not hearts and flowers romantic, but my husband and I fell in love at first sight – we were 16. I do believe that the love of a good man or woman – whatever your choice is – can get you through darn near everything. In the day to day battles, sometimes that romance grows a little thin, but I always love it when it blazes back, strong and hot, and so I write books like that.
GRACEN: Even though the popularity of the romance genre continues to grow, it’s still not always a highly respected genre. In fact, the recent movie, Letters to Juliet, just received only 2 stars from reviewers even though it’s a heart warming and enjoyable tale about a young woman who finds a note addressed to Juliet and responds to it, 50 years later! It’s worth at least 4/5 stars. What, in your opinion, is the reason for the continued interest in the genre and for the lack of respect it receives?
MARGIE: Maybe it's not so much the genre as the fact that many people think it's easy to write a book and you can just pull it out of your head, no sweat. Maybe they think romances come from fluffy brains with nothing more serious to think about all day. Those who have the gift to write well and know how to craft a romance know nothing could be further from the truth.
Ultimately, I think people recognize that the world is full of pain and ugliness. Romantic movies, books, and music comfort us and give us hope that our world can be better with love. Give it, take it, share it daily.
GRACEN: A holiday mentioned above is Women’s Equality Day. While it took some tough ladies to endure some pretty crappy situations to get us here, there is still some work to go as women still struggle with equality in the work place. Do these struggles find their ways into your stories, or is equality something that just exists and is accepted? Give us some examples, please!
MARGIE: I hate to admit I have trouble writing my heroines. I really identify with men and sadly, I think it's because I grew up without sisters (five ghastly brothers! YIKES!), I haven't got a daughter – two sons, and I work in male dominated industries. I frequently write about commercial construction or engineering and so those things do weave their way into my stories. I gave Jui, my heroine, a sister in Love Bites/Dangerous Love to help soften her character – she's a marketing director for a commercial construction company. Jui is definitely a capable, intelligent woman and used to taking the reins otherwise she knows she'll be left in the dust professionally. This translates into her romantic relationships, too. She's confident in bed and not afraid to take the lead or say what she'd like and give as good as she gets. *wink*
GRACEN: For a writer, inspiration can be found everywhere and in almost anyone, but sometimes specific people, places and events can inspire certain characters, personality traits, events or situations that happen in our stories. In your current story that we’re promoting here today, Love Bites, did any one particular person, place or event inspire you? If so who/what was it (were they), how did it/they inspire you and how is this inspiration reflected in your story?
MARGIE: My erotic paranormal, Love Bites, begins in Heidelberg Germany. That's my mother's hometown. A picture of Heidelberg scrolled on my screen one day last year. I love the Heidelberg castle and stared at the photo, remembering a Sunday morning when I gazed at the rust-colored castle from across the Neckar River. I was in an amphitheater tower built by Hitler and it was noon and all the church bells were ringing in Heidelberg. I wondered about all the secrets the castle held and the scenes it witnessed on Saturday nights only to be forgotten on Sunday morning. Suddenly I was writing Love Bites.
GRACEN: Oh, wow! That photo is inspirational! Thanks for sharing it with us, Margie. Without giving away anything pertinent to the story, tell us about the hero and heroine (s) of your story. What do they look like? How do they meet (or “did” if this is not the first book with these same characters)? What are their personalities – Are they comical cut-ups, are they serious or are they a mix of the two? Please give us a little bit of dialogue from the story that can illustrate this. (Not much, but just a few lines and from a different section than the main excerpt – Thanks!)
MARGIE: Wade Kairos is a vampire and he never intends for Jui to figure that out. He's got shoulder-length caramel-colored hair that he ties at his nape with a piece of leather. He's broad shouldered and lean. I wouldn't characterize him as athletic because he's a vamp and they have no need (at least in my books) to worry about their weight/build. His face is angular, his eyes hazel. He has a soft German accent. He's a gifted mathematician, physicist, and engineer. He speaks several languages and has homes around the world. Love Bites hop-scotches around the world.
Jui (Zjoo-ie) Fabrice is in her late twenties and the marketing director at Saint Claire Symphonic. Her father owns the company, which builds sound studios and performance halls. She's got black, long hair and jade green eyes. She's curvaceous and confident about herself. Intelligence and tenacity are her trademarks. She lives in Seattle and has a sister named Sylvie.
This is the scene where they first meet. Shorten it if you need to.
"I'm Wade Kairos."
He chuckled when Jui almost dropped her fork. Damn it, what an arrogant bastard!
Wade extended his hand in greeting; a large silver ring with an onyx face graced his index finger.
Jui took her time wiping her mouth with a white linen napkin. "Are you always so forward?" My god he's tall, and those shoulders . . . .
He answered in English with a soft German accent. "Only with beautiful women."
Jui shook his hand. The electricity flowing between them startled her. "Jui Fabrice," she said in an all-business tone.
"Such an unusual name for an American," Wade said without letting her hand go. "Jui—that's Sanskrit for 'flower', is it not?"
Jui wasn't fazed by his seductive pronunciation of her name–Zjoo-ee. "If you already knew, why ask?"
"American women are so bold. I find them enticing." He gave her another one of his captivating smiles.
"I'm not on the menu," Jui said in a crisp tone and slid her hand from his.
"I would never be so gauche. A gentleman waits for the offer." The statement hung in the air between them, laden with innuendo. "Are you here on holiday?"
"I don't think my plans are any of your business, Mr. Kairos." Jui ogled his female guests. "And anyway, from the looks of things, you're spoken for."
"Touché. How rude of me to ask you for dinner when—when I am otherwise detained."
His voice teased her ears like black velvet. The rich tones tangled around her body in a silken sheath, almost making her sigh with the way his voice naturally relaxed her. "Your reputation precedes you, Mr.—"
"Please call me Wade."
"—Kairos. And I haven't got time for a fling."
Wade chuckled while his female companions seemed oblivious to his flirting. "A fling? My dear, a night in your arms could never be described as a mere fling." He spoke in German to the two women clinging to him. "Would you please excuse us for a moment?"
"I understood that," Jui said in perfect German.
A humorous glint filled Wade's hazel eyes. "Sprecht Du Deutsch?"
"Enough," Jui said in German and then switched to English, "but I prefer my native tongue when I need to be clear."
"I'd love to introduce your tongue—to mine."
GRACEN: The main characters are usually great, but sometimes, secondary and tertiary characters are known to steal the scenes, even if the author did not intend this to happen. Who are the secondary/tertiary characters in your story and what do they look like? What’s unique about them? What is their relationship to the hero/heroine? Have any of these characters gone on to become scene-stealers? If so, who and how did they do it? Is there the possibility for them to get their own story? (Again, please give us a small bit of dialogue to illustrate this – thanks!)
MARGIE: One of the vampires, Ladislav Husek, is Czechoslovakian and makes an appearance in the last third of Love Bites. He has jet-black hair which he ties back on the crown of his head. His eyes are grayish and he has a bit of that porn stash going on. I think he's got rather hawkish features and isn't very handsome. He's a powerful, ancient vampire, and initially he seems quite benign in the story but the reader soon finds out he's all business and after Wade with a vengeance. I'm writing the sequel and Ladislav has a commanding role. I've really developed this character into something humans should hate and fear.
Love Bites Blurb
An accidental encounter turns into high stakes love when Jui Fabrice meets Wade Kairos in Germany. She has no idea he’s a vampire and Wade has every intention of keeping his secret.
A vineyard cottage is the perfect place for Jui and Wade to make love until he discovers her unique link to his living years. He vows to stay away from her forever, but he can’t let her go completely. Wade’s repressed human feelings continue rising. He invades Jui’s dreams and communicates telepathically with her at will. Evil jealousy consumes him when Jui becomes involved with Rob Hawthorne and she rebukes Wade for his controlling behaviors. Then Wade’s lifelong companion dies in a vamp war and his desolation is too much to handle alone. He turns to the only person who cares about him—Jui— and during one hot night, he becomes the man she wants.
A vineyard cottage is the perfect place for Jui and Wade to make love until he discovers her unique link to his living years. He vows to stay away from her forever, but he can’t let her go completely. Wade’s repressed human feelings continue rising. He invades Jui’s dreams and communicates telepathically with her at will. Evil jealousy consumes him when Jui becomes involved with Rob Hawthorne and she rebukes Wade for his controlling behaviors. Then Wade’s lifelong companion dies in a vamp war and his desolation is too much to handle alone. He turns to the only person who cares about him—Jui— and during one hot night, he becomes the man she wants.
The Ancient One, Ladislav Husek, learns of Wade’s risky human behavior and gives Wade a taste of how viciously he’ll die if he doesn’t bury his tracks with Jui. Husek promises to turn Jui into his personal playmate and Wade has to choose. Can love prevail over evil in a relationship that never was supposed to happen?
EXCERPT: Love Bites by Margie Church
Wade approached Jui from behind and grasped her elbow. "May I have a word before you leave?"
EXCERPT: Love Bites by Margie Church
Wade approached Jui from behind and grasped her elbow. "May I have a word before you leave?"
Jui's temperature rose and she hoped she wasn't blushing like a schoolgirl. Just his casual touch sent her pulse racing. "Certainly. Please excuse me," she said to Rob and the rest of his group.
Wade led her to the terrace. The breeze caught her perfume and he savored the scent. His mouth watered with the desire to taste her. He tamped down his dark desires, determined to keep his promise not to feed on her or make love to her. Once he discovered her unique connection to his living years with Claire, Jui was off limits to his teeth and his bed.
"Mr. Kairos?"
His nostrils flared at the coldness of her tone. "I think we're a little past that formality, don't you?" He searched her mind and heard her laughing at him.
"Maybe. I'm surprised to see you here."
"But not displeased. Did you think I'd disappeared from your life?"
"Frankly, yes, but I think it's weird we keep running into each other."
Pleasurable memories of her life-sustaining blood flowing down his throat flickered in Wade's mind. "Literally and figuratively, I might add. The field worker's timing couldn't have been worse."
"This is what you wanted to discuss? Missed opportunities?" She turned to leave and Wade stopped her. Jui glanced down at their enjoined hands; she raised her eyes to his.
"You're angry with me," he said in a soft voice. "I share your frustration."
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm an adventurous American in a romantic and foreign land. You're a handsome stranger who keeps popping up. I'll get over you."
Anger rumbled in his throat and he swallowed the emotion. "And if I don't get over you?"
"Please. We hardly know each other—first and last names, more or less. I'll be going home in a few days and our little sexual fantasy will be over. Don't lose any sleep over me."
Wade crooked his eyebrow. "Because that other man, the sales director, Robert Hawthorne, shares your bed?"
Jui swung her hand and he grasped the feminine weapon before she could slap him. He pressed her fingers against his lips and left behind the barest suggestion of his tongue.
Jui glanced toward the terrace door. "My relationship with Mr. Hawthorne is none of your damn business, now or ever. You're an investor on this project—"
"No, I'm an engineering consultant. I'm quite well-known for my mathematical prowess."
Jui jerked her hand free. "Mathematical prowess, my ass. I'm beginning to think the vineyard worker's arrival was providence. Keep your distance."
"Until this evening," he said to her retreating form.
~~~~
Wade led her to the terrace. The breeze caught her perfume and he savored the scent. His mouth watered with the desire to taste her. He tamped down his dark desires, determined to keep his promise not to feed on her or make love to her. Once he discovered her unique connection to his living years with Claire, Jui was off limits to his teeth and his bed.
"Mr. Kairos?"
His nostrils flared at the coldness of her tone. "I think we're a little past that formality, don't you?" He searched her mind and heard her laughing at him.
"Maybe. I'm surprised to see you here."
"But not displeased. Did you think I'd disappeared from your life?"
"Frankly, yes, but I think it's weird we keep running into each other."
Pleasurable memories of her life-sustaining blood flowing down his throat flickered in Wade's mind. "Literally and figuratively, I might add. The field worker's timing couldn't have been worse."
"This is what you wanted to discuss? Missed opportunities?" She turned to leave and Wade stopped her. Jui glanced down at their enjoined hands; she raised her eyes to his.
"You're angry with me," he said in a soft voice. "I share your frustration."
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm an adventurous American in a romantic and foreign land. You're a handsome stranger who keeps popping up. I'll get over you."
Anger rumbled in his throat and he swallowed the emotion. "And if I don't get over you?"
"Please. We hardly know each other—first and last names, more or less. I'll be going home in a few days and our little sexual fantasy will be over. Don't lose any sleep over me."
Wade crooked his eyebrow. "Because that other man, the sales director, Robert Hawthorne, shares your bed?"
Jui swung her hand and he grasped the feminine weapon before she could slap him. He pressed her fingers against his lips and left behind the barest suggestion of his tongue.
Jui glanced toward the terrace door. "My relationship with Mr. Hawthorne is none of your damn business, now or ever. You're an investor on this project—"
"No, I'm an engineering consultant. I'm quite well-known for my mathematical prowess."
Jui jerked her hand free. "Mathematical prowess, my ass. I'm beginning to think the vineyard worker's arrival was providence. Keep your distance."
"Until this evening," he said to her retreating form.
~~~~
Thanks so much for joining us, Marige! It's always a pleasure to have fellow Noble authors in the Moonlight...kind of like inviting family into our neck of the woods! =) Now...start clicking on the links below to learn more about Margie and her books!
Find Margie: http://www.romancewithsass.com/; http://blog.romancewithsass.com/;
Love Bites and my erotic novella, Wet were published by Noble Romance Publishing. Dangerous Love is contracted by Noble as the second book in the Love Bites series. http://www.nobleromance.com/
Awakening Allaire and Avenging Allaire are both erotic suspense books. They are available at 1RomanceEbooks http://www.1romanceebooks.com/.
Reviews: This page on my site has a link to Half Past Midnight and some reader comments about Love Bites: http://site.romancewithsass.com/Announcements.html
Find Margie: http://www.romancewithsass.com/; http://blog.romancewithsass.com/;
Love Bites and my erotic novella, Wet were published by Noble Romance Publishing. Dangerous Love is contracted by Noble as the second book in the Love Bites series. http://www.nobleromance.com/
Awakening Allaire and Avenging Allaire are both erotic suspense books. They are available at 1RomanceEbooks http://www.1romanceebooks.com/.
Reviews: This page on my site has a link to Half Past Midnight and some reader comments about Love Bites: http://site.romancewithsass.com/Announcements.html
Friday, August 27, 2010
PHANTASM FRIDAY
REMINDER: I'm holding a contest at Shelby M. Summers blogspot. Click HERE if you wish to enter. Winner will be drawn on Monday, August 30th.
~~~~~
KICK-STARTING MY MUSE
(Previously posted elsewhere, just not here...I'm neck deep in edits and I didn't have time to write a post...I'm such a loser. LOL)
KICK-STARTING MY MUSE
(Previously posted elsewhere, just not here...I'm neck deep in edits and I didn't have time to write a post...I'm such a loser. LOL)
I’ve had it! *plants inconspicuous bombs around my prickly muse* Consider this war, buddy-boy! WAR!!! Think you can keep me from writing? Think again! Even if it is gobble-d-goop, I’m still going to write without you! *mumbles about the fickleness of muses*
With a recent run of bad luck lately, instead of DM (an anagram for the name of my muse) going on a temporary vacation, I do believe he’s retired instead. As I lay siege to DM’s iron-clad fortress known as writer’s block, I thought I’d contemplate a few ways that would cajole him back to his post and help me write. Here are my five favorite bribes…erm...enticements to encourage him to return to his job:
5 – Chocolate! Chocolate cures all in large quantities, right? LOL Well, it should! *pouts over the injustice of life* Unfortunately, I’ve gone on the B12/B6 shots to help me drop a few pounds (honestly, quite a bit more than a “few pounds”) since diet and exercise haven’t worked, but only kept me stalled at the same weight for a year so that my cardiologist could fuss at my yearly checkup. And now that I’ve eliminated 22 pounds in 4 months, I have no desire to splurge in one of my favorite pastimes—eating chocolate. Strangely, I haven’t even craved the stuff. Hmm…ponders the disturbing thought that the real me has been transplanted by aliens with a cloned me. ;-) Or maybe, the B shots hardwire your brain for healthy food! *blink, blink*
4 – A weekend (or a week, whichever is needed…most likely a week is on the agenda) alone, without drama, family chatter, housework, taxiing sons between sporting practices, and juggling paralegal work! Just a weekend (or week) to rest, relax and reboot my brain so that it can process all the stuff the muse normally throws at it. Being a realist, I realize that’s not going to happen anytime soon. I leave for vacation with my family soon, so I’m stressing pretty big. Yikes! Too much to get done before the vacation trip!! And then when the vacation starts, there won’t be any alone time forthcoming until school starts up in August. *whimpers at the feeling of muse doom*
3 – Taking a defibrillator to DM’s cold, cruel, fickle heart! *shudders* Yeah, not a good option for the obvious reason that DM is in my head!
2 – Meditating! Actually, this is probably the best idea yet. My meditation is informal, but it does help spark DM into action. When I meditate, I pick the storyline I want to focus on, crawl beneath the covers of my bed and let the world drop away as the focal point transitions into a stream of information and ideas. Sometimes I’ll hover in limbo between waking and sleep, BUT it always works! And, best of all, it doesn’t require chocolate, a weekend of aloneness or painful electrical shocks!
1 – Telling DM I will write whatever he wants without any interference or complaints on my end! LOL That should perk him up fast since we war often over the direction of a storyline. A dangerous promise though. :-/ But one, I’m almost willing to make if DM will return to me and permanently remove ‘grumpy me’ from existence!
So, tell me what’s your cure all for a muse hiatus? Or are you one of the lucky ones that doesn’t suffer from writer’s block? If you don't write, give me some suggestions for kickstarting my muse back into action!
~huggles~
G
With a recent run of bad luck lately, instead of DM (an anagram for the name of my muse) going on a temporary vacation, I do believe he’s retired instead. As I lay siege to DM’s iron-clad fortress known as writer’s block, I thought I’d contemplate a few ways that would cajole him back to his post and help me write. Here are my five favorite bribes…erm...enticements to encourage him to return to his job:
5 – Chocolate! Chocolate cures all in large quantities, right? LOL Well, it should! *pouts over the injustice of life* Unfortunately, I’ve gone on the B12/B6 shots to help me drop a few pounds (honestly, quite a bit more than a “few pounds”) since diet and exercise haven’t worked, but only kept me stalled at the same weight for a year so that my cardiologist could fuss at my yearly checkup. And now that I’ve eliminated 22 pounds in 4 months, I have no desire to splurge in one of my favorite pastimes—eating chocolate. Strangely, I haven’t even craved the stuff. Hmm…ponders the disturbing thought that the real me has been transplanted by aliens with a cloned me. ;-) Or maybe, the B shots hardwire your brain for healthy food! *blink, blink*
4 – A weekend (or a week, whichever is needed…most likely a week is on the agenda) alone, without drama, family chatter, housework, taxiing sons between sporting practices, and juggling paralegal work! Just a weekend (or week) to rest, relax and reboot my brain so that it can process all the stuff the muse normally throws at it. Being a realist, I realize that’s not going to happen anytime soon. I leave for vacation with my family soon, so I’m stressing pretty big. Yikes! Too much to get done before the vacation trip!! And then when the vacation starts, there won’t be any alone time forthcoming until school starts up in August. *whimpers at the feeling of muse doom*
3 – Taking a defibrillator to DM’s cold, cruel, fickle heart! *shudders* Yeah, not a good option for the obvious reason that DM is in my head!
2 – Meditating! Actually, this is probably the best idea yet. My meditation is informal, but it does help spark DM into action. When I meditate, I pick the storyline I want to focus on, crawl beneath the covers of my bed and let the world drop away as the focal point transitions into a stream of information and ideas. Sometimes I’ll hover in limbo between waking and sleep, BUT it always works! And, best of all, it doesn’t require chocolate, a weekend of aloneness or painful electrical shocks!
1 – Telling DM I will write whatever he wants without any interference or complaints on my end! LOL That should perk him up fast since we war often over the direction of a storyline. A dangerous promise though. :-/ But one, I’m almost willing to make if DM will return to me and permanently remove ‘grumpy me’ from existence!
So, tell me what’s your cure all for a muse hiatus? Or are you one of the lucky ones that doesn’t suffer from writer’s block? If you don't write, give me some suggestions for kickstarting my muse back into action!
~huggles~
G
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Twilight Thursday
Thanks so much for having me as a guest today at Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem!
One of the best things about writing is that it allows me to indulge my love of research. I can get lost in backstory, especially if the history of a place and its people intrigues me. Historicals obviously require such meticulous detail, but I believe contemporaries require equal research. Especially when mixed with fantasy, like my novel Surfacing. http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=824
Weeki Wachee has a long history, although I’d never heard of it before researching mermaids. Weeki Wachee Springs is home to the world-famous mermaid show, where women have performed underwater since 1947. These amazing performers must train at a mermaid camp before hiring on for the physically rigorous shows. Interestingly, Weeki Wachee’s history has musical ties, too – Elvis visited back in the day. He has a voice to make any mermaid fall in love.
A fun story to write, Surfacing introduced me to the widespread lore of mermaids. Countries from all over the world have their own legends, from ancient times to supposed sightings as late as the 1950s. So it’s easy to see how some might become obsessed with the mers. Especially a disgruntled Weeki Wachee employee who wants to find an authentic mermaid to make a fortune.
But Surfacing isn’t about a Weeki Wachee mermaid. Not of the human variety, at least. The tiny town and its unusual residents came up in my research, and I thought it would be a fun place to have a real mermaid surface. Because mermaids love handsome guys who can sing, this particular mermaid is drawn to a down-and-out indie rock musician who comes to Weeki Wachee, where his grandfather lives.
Because AJ, the hero, is a musician, the story allowed me to include some references to music I find inspiring, or amazing. I can’t remember a time when music didn’t influence my life. I can’t imagine existing without it. Although I can’t listen to music while actually writing, I crave new music and old – for inspiration, for release, as an affirmation that others share the same feelings I do. Like great stories, music reminds us we’re all in this together. It can move us, pick us up out of the doldrums, make us forget our troubles. If you need proof, watch this live Jeff Buckley video, “Lover, You Should Have Come Over.”
And sometimes, great music can inspire lasting love. Here’s the blurb for Surfacing:
AJ Dillon is trouble. The former lead singer of an indie band has no home, no money and no future. His grandfather is the only relative willing to take another chance on him. AJ arrives in Weeki Wachee, Florida, with his guitar, a few clothes and a bad attitude. The only good thing about Weeki Wachee is the ocean -- the one place AJ feels at home.
Grandpa lines up a job for AJ at Weeki Wachee Springs, where beautiful women perform as mermaids. Grandpa says real mermaids exist, but AJ doesn’t believe – until he meets Cassiopeia. She helps his passion for music resurfaces. But greedy Chaz finds out about her, and threatens to kill them if AJ doesn't go along with his plan to make a fortune with a real mermaid show. Can AJ save Cassie, even if it means losing her?
An excerpt is on my web site at http://www.catemasters.com/surfacing.html You can read the first chapter at Whiskey Creek Press: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/Surfacing_CateMasters.shtml
Cate Masters writes fantasy/dark fantasy, historical, contemporary and speculative fiction, described by reviewers as “so compelling, I did not want to put it down,” “such romantic tales that really touch your soul,” “filled with action scenes which made it a riveting story,” and “the author weaves a great tale with a creative way of using words that makes the story refreshing to read.” The proud mom of three adult children, she currently lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband, Lily the dog, their dictator-like cat, Chairman Maiow, and dozens of characters inhabiting her imagination. Visit Cate online at www.catemasters.com, http://catemasters.blogspot.com/ Or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
Cate loves to hear from readers. Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com
One of the best things about writing is that it allows me to indulge my love of research. I can get lost in backstory, especially if the history of a place and its people intrigues me. Historicals obviously require such meticulous detail, but I believe contemporaries require equal research. Especially when mixed with fantasy, like my novel Surfacing. http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=824
Weeki Wachee has a long history, although I’d never heard of it before researching mermaids. Weeki Wachee Springs is home to the world-famous mermaid show, where women have performed underwater since 1947. These amazing performers must train at a mermaid camp before hiring on for the physically rigorous shows. Interestingly, Weeki Wachee’s history has musical ties, too – Elvis visited back in the day. He has a voice to make any mermaid fall in love.
A fun story to write, Surfacing introduced me to the widespread lore of mermaids. Countries from all over the world have their own legends, from ancient times to supposed sightings as late as the 1950s. So it’s easy to see how some might become obsessed with the mers. Especially a disgruntled Weeki Wachee employee who wants to find an authentic mermaid to make a fortune.
But Surfacing isn’t about a Weeki Wachee mermaid. Not of the human variety, at least. The tiny town and its unusual residents came up in my research, and I thought it would be a fun place to have a real mermaid surface. Because mermaids love handsome guys who can sing, this particular mermaid is drawn to a down-and-out indie rock musician who comes to Weeki Wachee, where his grandfather lives.
Because AJ, the hero, is a musician, the story allowed me to include some references to music I find inspiring, or amazing. I can’t remember a time when music didn’t influence my life. I can’t imagine existing without it. Although I can’t listen to music while actually writing, I crave new music and old – for inspiration, for release, as an affirmation that others share the same feelings I do. Like great stories, music reminds us we’re all in this together. It can move us, pick us up out of the doldrums, make us forget our troubles. If you need proof, watch this live Jeff Buckley video, “Lover, You Should Have Come Over.”
And sometimes, great music can inspire lasting love. Here’s the blurb for Surfacing:
AJ Dillon is trouble. The former lead singer of an indie band has no home, no money and no future. His grandfather is the only relative willing to take another chance on him. AJ arrives in Weeki Wachee, Florida, with his guitar, a few clothes and a bad attitude. The only good thing about Weeki Wachee is the ocean -- the one place AJ feels at home.
Grandpa lines up a job for AJ at Weeki Wachee Springs, where beautiful women perform as mermaids. Grandpa says real mermaids exist, but AJ doesn’t believe – until he meets Cassiopeia. She helps his passion for music resurfaces. But greedy Chaz finds out about her, and threatens to kill them if AJ doesn't go along with his plan to make a fortune with a real mermaid show. Can AJ save Cassie, even if it means losing her?
An excerpt is on my web site at http://www.catemasters.com/surfacing.html You can read the first chapter at Whiskey Creek Press: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/chapters/Surfacing_CateMasters.shtml
Cate Masters writes fantasy/dark fantasy, historical, contemporary and speculative fiction, described by reviewers as “so compelling, I did not want to put it down,” “such romantic tales that really touch your soul,” “filled with action scenes which made it a riveting story,” and “the author weaves a great tale with a creative way of using words that makes the story refreshing to read.” The proud mom of three adult children, she currently lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband, Lily the dog, their dictator-like cat, Chairman Maiow, and dozens of characters inhabiting her imagination. Visit Cate online at www.catemasters.com, http://catemasters.blogspot.com/ Or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
Cate loves to hear from readers. Email her at: cate.masters@gmail.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wistful Wednesday
Back to School
They're going back, back to school again!
Yes, it's that time again when the kids begin to go back to school and parents begin the mad dash to fit it all in to their already over-worked schedules! It's a maddening, exciting, fearful, stimulating time of year whether you like school or not, and it begins with the inevitable back to school shopping and ends with the first, traffic-jammed drop off at school. It can make or break the best of us.
So how do you handle the craziness of the whole back to school push? Please share your tips, anecdotes, or funny stories with us.
Friday, August 20, 2010
PHANTASM FRIDAY
Sorry for not posting today. Today is the second day in a row I've gotten up with a splitting headache. So, I don't feel much like sitting here typing up a blog post. If I start to feel better, I'll come back later. Otherwise, I'll be back next Friday...hopefully with something interesting and fun this time.
Hope everyone has an awesome weekend.
~huggles~
Gracen
Hope everyone has an awesome weekend.
~huggles~
Gracen
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Twilight Thursday
KOOLIN OFF with K.T. BISHOP
MLM: Congratulations on your recent success.
K.T.: Thank you very much. It's been a pleasant surprise. While I am grateful for any success, there are still more obstacles to climb. Catching a Cuban Curveball has been on the best-seller list at Red Rose Publishing for three months.
MLM: Tell us about Catching a Cuban Curveball.
K.T.: This book, the sequel to Curing a Cajun Cold, surprisingly opens up Arnaz Booker's life. Booker assumed he knew a lot of stuff about his childhood. Turns out, his father was alive and living in Los Angeles. To quote the late Tupac Shakur, Booker was ready to “live and die in L.A.”-- confronting his father.
MLM: Some authors have trouble writing a series. How do you make it so easy?
K.T.: I've always been fascinated by the two to three book sets. Everything I've written, with the exception of two, are pretty much connected. Series, in my eyes, bring closure to characters.
K.T.: Thank you very much. It's been a pleasant surprise. While I am grateful for any success, there are still more obstacles to climb. Catching a Cuban Curveball has been on the best-seller list at Red Rose Publishing for three months.
MLM: Tell us about Catching a Cuban Curveball.
K.T.: This book, the sequel to Curing a Cajun Cold, surprisingly opens up Arnaz Booker's life. Booker assumed he knew a lot of stuff about his childhood. Turns out, his father was alive and living in Los Angeles. To quote the late Tupac Shakur, Booker was ready to “live and die in L.A.”-- confronting his father.
MLM: Some authors have trouble writing a series. How do you make it so easy?
K.T.: I've always been fascinated by the two to three book sets. Everything I've written, with the exception of two, are pretty much connected. Series, in my eyes, bring closure to characters.
MLM: What makes a great book in your eyes?
K.T.: An intriguing storyline, hero and heroine with differences who usually come together at the end. I love bringing people together for a happy ending.
K.T.: An intriguing storyline, hero and heroine with differences who usually come together at the end. I love bringing people together for a happy ending.
MLM: You have a unique assortment of books at Red Rose Publishing that mostly revolve around Interracial/Multicultural theme.
K.T.: The IR/MC storyline is a topic I am very comfortable with. I can't explain why. Whenever I start to write, words just come out. I am fortunate that the subject matter ranks up there with paranormal is so popular.
MLM: Is there a topic you'll always avoid?
K.T.: Anything to do with women getting abused by men and babies treated badly. I've always hated those Lifetime TV movies of men slapping women around like Mike Tyson did opponents in the 1990's. I'm always a sucker for the guy meets girl, they date, get engaged, married and have kids.
K.T.: The IR/MC storyline is a topic I am very comfortable with. I can't explain why. Whenever I start to write, words just come out. I am fortunate that the subject matter ranks up there with paranormal is so popular.
MLM: Is there a topic you'll always avoid?
K.T.: Anything to do with women getting abused by men and babies treated badly. I've always hated those Lifetime TV movies of men slapping women around like Mike Tyson did opponents in the 1990's. I'm always a sucker for the guy meets girl, they date, get engaged, married and have kids.
MLM: With E-books slowly weaving their way into the public consciousness, are Print books becoming irrevelant?
K.T.: Not yet, but in five years, Ebooks will have taken over. That being said, I love print books (Can't wait for my first one). I can sit in Booksamillion, Barnes and Noble and read for hours.
K.T.: Not yet, but in five years, Ebooks will have taken over. That being said, I love print books (Can't wait for my first one). I can sit in Booksamillion, Barnes and Noble and read for hours.
M.L.M.: Some authors set measuring sticks for themselves. What are your goals?
K.T.: I am sure some writers reach for the skies, setting goals to be on the New York Times' best-selling list or sale a huge number of copies. I'm more of a realist. Building a strong, loyal audience, sell several books, landing critical acclaim and someday have a book signing in my hometown. In this business, you must take baby steps.
M.L.M.: What's the next step for you?
K.T.: Writing something that isn't me. I have a Love Holiday trilogy under consideration. I wanted to try something different-- writing stories about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. There are countless books on Christmas and Valentine's Day , but not many Turkey Day and January first ones.
K.T.: I am sure some writers reach for the skies, setting goals to be on the New York Times' best-selling list or sale a huge number of copies. I'm more of a realist. Building a strong, loyal audience, sell several books, landing critical acclaim and someday have a book signing in my hometown. In this business, you must take baby steps.
M.L.M.: What's the next step for you?
K.T.: Writing something that isn't me. I have a Love Holiday trilogy under consideration. I wanted to try something different-- writing stories about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. There are countless books on Christmas and Valentine's Day , but not many Turkey Day and January first ones.
M.L.M.: Thanks for visiting us.
K.T.: No problem, glad to stop by.
K.T.: No problem, glad to stop by.
M.L.M.: Could you leave us an excerpt?
K.T.: Glad to. Enjoy....
EXCERPT:
K.T.: Glad to. Enjoy....
EXCERPT:
His entire body trembled with shock after discovering he had a father he‟d never known. His mother, the one person he thought he could always count on, had stabbed him in his back. Clara was currently unavailable to confront, she was working a double shift at Tuscaloosa Medical Center.
The oak desk felt his wrath instead. He slapped the row of books from the top, along with the letter, dated January 24, 1969.
Arnaz, whose heart was still racing to the tune of a motorboat, read another letter, this one dated June 18, 1990. He had been at Fisk University attending a pre-med camp at the time.
Valden was attempting a career as a solo artist, having left his band, the Tropics after twenty years. He was currently living in Los Angeles.
He rolled up his fist and punched the two pillows. “That damn woman has been talking to this man the whole time.”
The damaged soul scribbled the number of his long-lost father onto a tiny notepad and slid the letters under his bed. He was going to go and find this man. Arnaz unwittingly involved his advisor, Jax Jackson, in his bizarre plan the next afternoon, as they ate hamburger platters on the patio, underneath the bright sunshine. “Could you get me an internship in LA?”
“Why are you interested in Los Angeles?”
He rolled his eyes and came up with a lie. “U-h, it would be great to leave the south for a spell.”
Jackson seemed to believe this, and ended the questioning of his prized student. He called the LA Lounge Magazine, which happened to have an internship available.
BUY LINK: http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?cPath=135_35&products_id=651
REVIEWS:
http://goteroticromance.blogspot.com/2010/08/curling-up-by-kt-bishop.html
The oak desk felt his wrath instead. He slapped the row of books from the top, along with the letter, dated January 24, 1969.
Arnaz, whose heart was still racing to the tune of a motorboat, read another letter, this one dated June 18, 1990. He had been at Fisk University attending a pre-med camp at the time.
Valden was attempting a career as a solo artist, having left his band, the Tropics after twenty years. He was currently living in Los Angeles.
He rolled up his fist and punched the two pillows. “That damn woman has been talking to this man the whole time.”
The damaged soul scribbled the number of his long-lost father onto a tiny notepad and slid the letters under his bed. He was going to go and find this man. Arnaz unwittingly involved his advisor, Jax Jackson, in his bizarre plan the next afternoon, as they ate hamburger platters on the patio, underneath the bright sunshine. “Could you get me an internship in LA?”
“Why are you interested in Los Angeles?”
He rolled his eyes and came up with a lie. “U-h, it would be great to leave the south for a spell.”
Jackson seemed to believe this, and ended the questioning of his prized student. He called the LA Lounge Magazine, which happened to have an internship available.
BUY LINK: http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?cPath=135_35&products_id=651
REVIEWS:
http://goteroticromance.blogspot.com/2010/08/curling-up-by-kt-bishop.html
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tantalizing Tuesday
Please welcome fellow Noble author, Cherie DeSues. She's a busy woman with a couple of new releases out and another coming in a couple of weeks. Cherie is receiving great reviews for Lacy: A Bad Girl's Revenge and Tales of a Red Moon Clan. To read more about these two already released books, visit Cherie's website: http://www.cheriedesues2.com/
Now, let's get to the good stuff…dragging all of Cherie's deep, dark secrets out of her. *wicked grin* So, sit back, relax, get your favorite drink or even your favorite snack and enjoy getting to know Cherie.
Now, let's get to the good stuff…dragging all of Cherie's deep, dark secrets out of her. *wicked grin* So, sit back, relax, get your favorite drink or even your favorite snack and enjoy getting to know Cherie.
~~~~~
GRACEN: August has few holidays and observances, but one stands out as interesting – Friendship Day. As the 1st is Friendship Day, what will you do (have you done) to celebrate the friendships in your life?
CHERIE: For me, a friendship goes beyond a lunch or quick drink in between my writing and promotions of my work. I try to support the bad days and good days as well. Whether I'm online or face-to-face, I try to support my friends.
GRACEN: Anyone special you’d like to recognize here and now?
CHERIE: Torri is a special friend who acts as my beta readers and gives me more support in my writing than I would have asked. She just lost her very aged mother, who was a sweet and tough soul. I liked her a lot.
GRACEN: Aww…we'll keep Torri in our thoughts as well. Speaking of friends, not all of our friends are human. Many of us have furry friends that enrich our lives in ways we don’t always notice. These friends don’t have to have fur, either, but scales or feathers. We’re talking about our pets, and writers tend to have pets. How many pets do you have, what kinds of pets are they and what are their names?
CHERIE: I devote all my time and energy into Reilly, my Irish terrier who walks me every two hours. Currently he has an interesting summer cut with lines across his furs that make him look like a lion instead of a dog. He loves it, and struts when we're outside. Too funny, but he's a people magnet. I've met some wonderful people in San Diego because of Reilly.
GRACEN: We all need a best friend like this! Before the Dog Whisperer, there was Geena Davis in, The Accidental Tourist, teaching a dog owner how to use positive and negative reinforcement to train his dog. How would you classify your animal handling skills? Are you the whisperer, the challenged animal handler in need of help or are you somewhere in between?
CHERIE: Reilly has the intelligence of an 8-9 year old kid for most things. He acts independently, gets his point across for food, water, trips outside and attention. He's loving and we negotiate for special treats, like longer walks, more cookies, and trips to the dog park/dog store. He prefers people food like veggies, sugar-free cookies and lean meat. I think he trained me.
GRACEN: They’re everywhere, on the Internet, in stores and in catalogues – costumes and pet clothing. How fanatical are you when it comes to clothing your pet? Do you dress your pet in clothing? How about kitty wigs (yes, these apparently do exist)? Any fun or interesting pet accessory or amenity you’d like to share with us?
CHERIE: I used a doggy raincoat on Reilly when San Diego was having some tough weather. But I soon learned that my lack of fear of the water was quickly imitated and he'll dance around in the rain and do his business in the water, thank you very much. I put a wrangler scarf around his neck and he gave me that look…the pathetic one with his head held down in shame when he looked in my full-length wardrobe mirror. I took it off and haven't messed with his natural charm since. We understand one another.
GRACEN: With all the different types of pet foods out there, it’s hard to know what’s really good for your pet or not. Purina has been around forever and continues to produce feed for all kinds of pets and livestock for roughly 100 years. Hill’s Science Diet came along a bit later and others have been popping up ever since. What brand do you use, and how did you come to that decision? (If you don’t have pets, what brand would you feed your pet and why?)
CHERIE: Reilly get a vitamin, and eats pretty much what I do. If I make a tuna fish sandwich, I make one up just for him. He likes variety and taste, dog food has neither in his opinion, he'd rather go without than eat dried nuggets or wet chunks of mystery meat. I've tried and he laid down staring at his bowl for hours. It was really pathetic.
GRACEN: What is the oddest pet you’ve ever had? Why did you choose that pet?
CHERIE: I've had a snake, fish, cats, dogs, horse, wolves, rats, ducks, and birds. They find me and I care for them until they move on or pass on to the next life. All animals have the capacity to touch you in such interesting ways with their humor and charm.
GRACEN: We’ve had our fun now, so let’s put the focus on your writing, Cherie…While there are many genres to choose from, what specifically brought you to romance? Why this genre over the others?
CHERIE: To write a book with sex or romance is incomplete. People have sex, want to have sex, or remember great sex. I write about real people between the ages of twenty-something and older. That's a time where romance is a big part of our lives and I bring in the suspense element to challenge my characters. I enjoy writing paranormal romance because I believe there are things in our world that are strange and unusual. Letting my characters fall in love while they discover the supernatural is a real kick.
GRACEN: I agree! There's nothing like a fantastic paranormal romance! Even though the popularity of the romance genre continues to grow, it’s still not always a highly respected genre. In fact, the recent movie, Letters to Juliet, just received only 2 stars from reviewers even though it’s a heart warming and enjoyable tale about a young woman who finds a note addressed to Juliet and responds to it, 50 years later! It’s worth at least 4/5 stars. What, in your opinion, is the reason for the continued interest in the genre and for the lack of respect it receives?
CHERIE: Fifty years ago, romance was a dime-store book for stay-at-home wives. The "bad rep" comes from a generation that believed these novels were a silly waste of time. With the deep characterization, deep point-of-view and scintillating plots, that's just not true any longer. But the old fossils of romance from the 50's and 60's are still breathing and condemning the genre. I think with the trend of spicier sex, thrillers, paranormal and sci-fi suspense romances, things are turning around. Young women are setting new standards for their choice in reading material and the big five publishers are listening!
GRACEN: A holiday mentioned above is Women’s Equality Day. While it took some tough ladies to endure some pretty crappy situations to get us here, there is still some work to go as women still struggle with equality in the work place. Do these struggles find their ways into your stories, or is equality something that just exists and is accepted? Give us some examples, please!
CHERIE: I'm old enough to remember when men tried to "put me in my place" as a woman. I'm ex-Navy, a doctor and an opinionated woman, and you'll find spit-fire women in my novels. I don't take any crap from a man and neither do my heroines. Men need to prove they are equal to woman in my eyes, not the other way around. When a man is allowed to bed one of my female characters, he's worthy…trust me.
GRACEN: For a writer, inspiration can be found everywhere and in almost anyone, but sometimes specific people, places and events can inspire certain characters, personality traits, events or situations that happen in our stories. In your current story that we’re promoting here today, The Seduction of Simone, did any one particular person, place or event inspire you? If so who/what was it (were they), how did it/they inspire you and how is this inspiration reflected in your story?
CHERIE: Wow, great question. I like the northern part of California and Oregon along the coast and many of my books will be centered there. Sequoia trees, a hundred feet in the air and a turbulent ocean churning ruthlessly on the shoreline. There are many isolated areas along the sea as you drive on the coast, so many things can happen. People interest me, whether they are arguing in public or laughing hysterically at lunch during a girl's day out. I use parts of what I experience and parts of my own personal experiences with people to create characters. My parents can be seen very clearly in "The Seduction of Simone". One is Wiccan the other Gypsy, so pulling them into the novel made sense and gave a realistic view of what living with them during my life was like.
GRACEN: Without giving away anything pertinent to the story, tell us about the hero and heroine (s) of your story. What do they look like? How do they meet (or “did” if this is not the first book with these same characters)? What are their personalities – Are they comical cut-ups, are they serious or are they a mix of the two? Please give us a little bit of dialogue from the story that can illustrate this. (Not much, but just a few lines and from a different section than the main excerpt – Thanks!)
CHERIE: Simone is a younger version of her aunt who's just died tragically by falling over the cliff near her estate. The man-next-door, Trent, is stunned by Simone's presence and her determination to start a new bed and breakfast business to facilitate her art of painting nudes. Two randy Irish ghosts are coming into Simone's dreamstate and the menage's are memorable. Here's a bit of dialogue:
GRACEN: The main characters are usually great, but sometimes, secondary and tertiary characters are known to steal the scenes, even if the author did not intend this to happen. Who are the secondary/tertiary characters in your story and what do they look like? What’s unique about them? What is their relationship to the hero/heroine? Have any of these characters gone on to become scene-stealers? If so, who and how did they do it? Is there the possibility for them to get their own story? (Again, please give us a small bit of dialogue to illustrate this – thanks!)"So question for question—what do you do, Simone?" He picked up his glass and waited for the information, as if her answer would be important.
She could give him the gritty truth or wrap her occupation up in some artsy and glamorous package. Simone decided to hit him between the eyes.
"I paint nudes, couples or single individuals who want art to reflect their love or immortalize their bodies." She kept her gaze on his, and he didn't even a blink. No gasp. Nothing.
"What an interesting vocation. Are your paintings lucrative?" His smile seemed indulgent.
She narrowed her eyes. "I get by. My clients fly in from all over the country, and sometimes I book international clients."
He rolled the wine in his glass and watched the deep-ruby liquid swirl. He was obviously thinking. She sat riveted to hear what he'd say next.
"I'd like to pose. Do you have any openings?"
Trent could have grown horns and a tail and Simone wouldn't have been more shocked. Why would he do this?
The skin rose hot on her cheeks. "I'll . . . um, check my schedule; my clients will start coming next week, but I may be able to fit you in later this month." She chewed her bottom lip and looked at her plate. Her hand trembled as she set the glass down. Maybe she wasn't as worldly as she thought.
CHERIE: Simone's mother is Wiccan/witch and her father is a gypsy which in "The Seduction of Simone". Both are very useful to help Simone with two randy Irish Poltergeists and a serial killer.
Her father pointed to her mother as Simone slipped her cell back into her pocket.
"Well . . . Mom?"
Her mother handed a journal to her father and he walked to the copier. "I'm going to call the girls, dear."
"What? Are you talking about calling up the spirit world?"
Her mother smiled brazenly.
Simone winced. "Don't we have enough dead people in the house?"
"That's just rude, young lady. Your Great Aunts Agatha and Rose don't like the word dead; they prefer, the living challenged."
Thanks so much for joining us, Cherie! It's a pleasure and a joy to have you here. Best of continued success with your releases and upcoming releases!
BUY LINK
BLURB:
Simone Devereux has inherited an estate on the Northern California coast after her Aunt Celeste meets with a sudden mysterious death. The hot neighbor, Trent Grayson, insists Celeste was murdered and wants to be more than the man-next-door.
When clients arrive to pose for their nude portrait over the weekend, Simone realizes she's inherited more than an estate. As two randy poltergeists enter her dreams for a lusty ménage and a budding serial killer threatens her sanity.
Now her Wiccan mother and Gypsy father are coming for a visit, just in time to watch her lose her heart and quite possibly . . . her life.
EXCERPT:
Simone took a deep breath and blew out slowly, before picking up her fork. The plate he'd prepared for her held homemade ravioli and thick pieces of garlic bread on the edges. The pasta smelled delicious; she couldn't wait for the first bite. She speared a tender piece of ravioli, then brought the cheesy-garlic to her mouth and chewed. She couldn't help the spontaneous hum of pleasure.
Simone chased the remarkable morsel with a sip of wine. The combination curled her toes. "Wow, this is good. What did you say the name of the restaurant was again?" She raised her eyes and found Trent watching her with a lazy smile.
Had he known she'd love the pasta?
"Luigi's, I'll make sure you have a delivery menu next time I'm in town."
He put a forkful in his mouth, then followed with the wine. With a quiet reverence, she proceeded to make a dent in the meal. She hadn't eaten for hours. To be fair to her guest, the food and Cabernet had been a wonderful gesture.
"Thank you for bringing dinner; I didn't realize I was so hungry." The way he gazed at her seemed familiar somehow, as if he may be very comfortable in her presence. "If you hadn't come, I would have been eating a granola bar and drinking bottled water."
Too true, she would have just eaten and gone to bed; there were so many things to do in the morning before the truck arrived.
"I'm grateful you were open to the suggestion; I really didn't know what kind of reception I'd receive. Celeste spoke of you but never mentioned you were her sole heir." He cleared his throat. "All of her photos and papers are in the library. She kept them in a cabinet close to her desk. I can show you after dinner, if you like." His gaze briefly left hers, as he cast a glance toward the library. Simone could feel his sudden grief, then a frown creased the middle of his forehead. "She kept a journal, and I know it's hidden around here somewhere, but I couldn't tell you where to begin looking."
Why would Celeste discuss her will with him? Was he an attorney?
"I'll take you up on that, thank you." Simone sipped more wine to bolster her courage. "So, what do you do for a living, Trent?"
He put his wine glass down and speared ravioli on his fork before answering. "I'm a security consultant for the government. There's an Army base close by where I work on occasion." He paused, put down his fork, then met her eyes. "I mainly use my computers in my office at home."
What did a security consultant and a gypsy tarot-card reader have in common?
"So question for question—what do you do, Simone?" He picked up his glass and waited for the information, as if her answer would be important.
She could give him the gritty truth or wrap her occupation up in some artsy and glamorous package. Simone decided to hit him between the eyes.
"I paint nudes, couples or single individuals who want art to reflect their love or immortalize their bodies." She kept her gaze on his, and he didn't even a blink. No gasp. Nothing.
"What an interesting vocation. Are your paintings lucrative?" His smile seemed indulgent.
She narrowed her eyes. "I get by. My clients fly in from all over the country, and sometimes I book international clients."
He rolled the wine in his glass and watched the deep-ruby liquid swirl. He was obviously thinking. She sat riveted to hear what he'd say next.
"I'd like to pose. Do you have any openings?"
Trent could have grown horns and a tail and Simone wouldn't have been more shocked. Why would he do this?
The skin rose hot on her cheeks. "I'll . . . um, check my schedule; my clients will start coming next week, but I may be able to fit you in later this month." She chewed her bottom lip and looked at her plate. Her hand trembled as she set the glass down. Maybe she wasn't as worldly as she thought.
Leave a comment and one lucky winner will receive one of Cherie's books!
Friday, August 13, 2010
PHANTASM FRIDAY
HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!!
Did you know what "Triskaidekaphobia" means? It's a fear of the number 13.
I had a boss once that wouldn't leave the house on Friday the 13th for fear of what would happen. I guess he had "Triskaidekaphobia".
I had a boss once that wouldn't leave the house on Friday the 13th for fear of what would happen. I guess he had "Triskaidekaphobia".
Ever notice that many hotels don't have a 13th floor, but skip the 13th floor and have a 14th floor? Why does the numbering make a difference? Even if it's named 14, it is still 13 regardless of what number it is assigned.
I don't get the superstition and in likelihood I adore Friday the 13th just because it's given a bad rap. I tend to cheer for the underdog team too...if I don't have a vested interest in the game or don't really much care either way. ;-)
Here's a small look into "Triskaidekaphobia" from http://www.dictionary.com/: http://hotword.dictionary.com/?p=1340 Is there a really good reason the fear of the number 13 was given such a tongue twister name? I mean, seriously!!!
How do you feel about Friday the 13th? Are you a "Triskaidekaphobia" or do you love the supersitious date?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wistful Wednesday
For Your Listening Pleasure:
David Garrett, violinist
Hey, everyone, I need to take a mental health day today to deal with some distressing personal issues with my family, so I figured I'd treat you to my latest discovery: David Garrett. This guy is the most amazing violinist I have ever heard and even if you're not into orchestral music, you might enjoy him because he often does his own renditions of popular music. And he's not bad to look at, either! Check out the videos below to see what I mean:
Hope you enjoyed this!
Friday, August 6, 2010
PHANTASM FRIDAY
What a week!
I finished my book, Where the Road to Hell Begins, Part One Pandora's Box! *cheers and dances* Nothing is more satisfying than that accomplishment. I think I glowed and grinned for two days. I have a slight problem though; it is a romance without a sex scene. The intimacy will come in book two. Book one is about them building a strong bond, becoming best friends and growing a love to withstand anything the denizens of hell can throw at them. But where do I send a book like this? And will any romance lovers read it without the sex?
Last Friday we had a sleep over birthday party for my almost 13 year old. He'll officially turn 13 this Sunday, August 8th. Those five boys were angels. Seriously! They didn't fuss or fight, but got along fantastically. They were loud and boisterous, but boys are always like that!
My husband is still busy painting the house, but he's almost finished—finally! All he has left is for us to figure out the color of the shutters and to paint them. But it's so hot, I prefer he wait until fall starts setting in and the weather is a tad cooler. As it is, when he climbs the ladder to paint, he's been having mini-black out spells. That does NOT make me feel comfortable! So far, he's not listening to me, which shouldn't surprise me because he never listens to me. Men!
My 82 year old grandmother was hospitalized last week. She's been released back home now, but she still sounds terrible. I worry about her because since Thanksgiving of last year she can't get over things the way she used to. =( She lives three hours away, so I can't just hop in the car and run across town and see her. So, she's been talking to me almost daily by phone. Realistically, I realize she's not going to live forever, but I'd like to have her another 10-20 years old. Although, she's content to meet God—she's a very religious woman, but not a pushy in your face Christian—I'm not ready to let her go. She told me yesterday during a conversation that she never expected to live to be 80, so each day she has past 80, she's happy and feels like God gave her more than she ever deserved.
I've been working on a legal brief that is due August 12th, so I've focused on nothing but that lately. I've not been cooking dinner, but been shoving hotdogs and sandwiches at my family. They're getting very grumpy over that because they're used to getting home cooked meals every night. I told them they were spoiled and was informed it was my fault. LOL Yesterday was the first day I've done any laundry and everyone was starting to complain that they didn't have clean clothes. And cleaning up the house….Ha! The only cleaning I've done is picking up after myself, which is more than my husband and boys are doing. I have to keep telling my boys to pick up their crap and their daddy's crap! I find it extremely rude that no one helps when I'm in a legal crunch! But…I really don't want anyone helping with the laundry. My husband has turned too many things pink or gray by throwing a red or dark in with the whites. The idea of him doing laundry stresses me out more than him not helping out.
So….that's been my week in a nutshell. If you've emailed me, I'm not ignoring you; I've just not checked my emails! As soon as my brief is complete, I'll start catching up on everything in the world. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.
~huggles~
Gracen
I finished my book, Where the Road to Hell Begins, Part One Pandora's Box! *cheers and dances* Nothing is more satisfying than that accomplishment. I think I glowed and grinned for two days. I have a slight problem though; it is a romance without a sex scene. The intimacy will come in book two. Book one is about them building a strong bond, becoming best friends and growing a love to withstand anything the denizens of hell can throw at them. But where do I send a book like this? And will any romance lovers read it without the sex?
Last Friday we had a sleep over birthday party for my almost 13 year old. He'll officially turn 13 this Sunday, August 8th. Those five boys were angels. Seriously! They didn't fuss or fight, but got along fantastically. They were loud and boisterous, but boys are always like that!
My husband is still busy painting the house, but he's almost finished—finally! All he has left is for us to figure out the color of the shutters and to paint them. But it's so hot, I prefer he wait until fall starts setting in and the weather is a tad cooler. As it is, when he climbs the ladder to paint, he's been having mini-black out spells. That does NOT make me feel comfortable! So far, he's not listening to me, which shouldn't surprise me because he never listens to me. Men!
My 82 year old grandmother was hospitalized last week. She's been released back home now, but she still sounds terrible. I worry about her because since Thanksgiving of last year she can't get over things the way she used to. =( She lives three hours away, so I can't just hop in the car and run across town and see her. So, she's been talking to me almost daily by phone. Realistically, I realize she's not going to live forever, but I'd like to have her another 10-20 years old. Although, she's content to meet God—she's a very religious woman, but not a pushy in your face Christian—I'm not ready to let her go. She told me yesterday during a conversation that she never expected to live to be 80, so each day she has past 80, she's happy and feels like God gave her more than she ever deserved.
I've been working on a legal brief that is due August 12th, so I've focused on nothing but that lately. I've not been cooking dinner, but been shoving hotdogs and sandwiches at my family. They're getting very grumpy over that because they're used to getting home cooked meals every night. I told them they were spoiled and was informed it was my fault. LOL Yesterday was the first day I've done any laundry and everyone was starting to complain that they didn't have clean clothes. And cleaning up the house….Ha! The only cleaning I've done is picking up after myself, which is more than my husband and boys are doing. I have to keep telling my boys to pick up their crap and their daddy's crap! I find it extremely rude that no one helps when I'm in a legal crunch! But…I really don't want anyone helping with the laundry. My husband has turned too many things pink or gray by throwing a red or dark in with the whites. The idea of him doing laundry stresses me out more than him not helping out.
So….that's been my week in a nutshell. If you've emailed me, I'm not ignoring you; I've just not checked my emails! As soon as my brief is complete, I'll start catching up on everything in the world. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.
~huggles~
Gracen
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wistful Wednesday
Why Writing?
This is for all of you readers out there who have ever pondered the question Why did you choose writing as your passion? Well, the truth of the matter is - writing chose me. It is just something I have always done, literally from the moment I first picked up a pencil or a crayon or whatever. I have always told stories.
I began writing long before I even knew that was what I was doing - writing stories. I just had these words in my head that demanded to be put on paper so, like the good little girl I was then, I did so. I put them on paper. I first learned to write by following the format in the books I read. I learned the intricacies and the "rules" of writing in school. In fact, it was my junior high school
English teacher who first put a name to what I was doing - writing. She was the one who unraveled the mystery of the process to me and led me to where I am today. It was her encouragement that helped me to keep at it because she was the first person who acknowledged what I did - and validated it. And for a shy girl who didn't know her place in the world yet, that was everything.
English teacher who first put a name to what I was doing - writing. She was the one who unraveled the mystery of the process to me and led me to where I am today. It was her encouragement that helped me to keep at it because she was the first person who acknowledged what I did - and validated it. And for a shy girl who didn't know her place in the world yet, that was everything.
I have always had an active imagination and many were the times that I would watch a movie or a television show, or read a book and think, I could've done better than that or I didn't like the way that ended, this is how I would've done it. That assertion fueled my desire to write. Of course, imagining my favorite actors playing the parts in the movie versions of my books helped, too! And then there were the vivid dreams, dreams that just begged to be made into books when I woke up. So of course, I had to do it.
There are many reasons why I am a writer, but the most important one is this: I absolutely love it. I eat, breathe, and dream - literally - writing. It is my passion, my one true love, the constant that has been with me through every awkward moment of youth, every heartbreak, every triumph, every fright, every success. Whatever I have done - or wanted to do - throughout my life, my writing has been right there beside me, reflecting back to me the life I have led and the dreams I have carried through every moment of my life.
What's your passion?
Monday, August 2, 2010
Mystic Monday
Okay, I've been absent from the blogging scene for a bit recuperating from a high grade ankle sprain and an allergic reaction to medication. I'm much better now on all fronts. But that's not the only reason. I guess we all need breaks from the Internet, and mine turned out to be the entire month of July! Sorry for the long hiatus in the YA Room too!
I'm coming back in full swing now. In fact, I've finally created the new facets to this blog that I've been planning on for some time - to cover non-romance books and authors that I enjoy reading just as much as romance. There might be a romance or romantic feelings present, but romance isn't a necessity or requirement, neither is a happy ending, but many of the stories do have emotionally satisfying endings.
So what are the new facets?
I'll tell you:
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Horror House - PG 13
Mystery
Anime covers graphic novels, manga, animated series and the music.
Sci-Fi covers the harder core science fiction not found in most romance stories.
Fantasy encompasses fantasy and adventure stories and sagas as well as gaming.
Horror House is designed with our younger viewers in mind who love a good scare!
Mystery umbrellas who-done-its, crime and thrillers!
Why all these different non-romance genres?
Well, because they illustrate the true eclectic nature of my reading and viewing habits. Because I enjoy many different mediums for stories, you'll find that most of the anime I cover has been watched via TV, DVD or the Internet (free sites like Hulu.com) and most of the mystery novels featured will be listened to via audiobooks or watched via movies and TV.
I did this because the hardest thing for me to do is read all-romance all-the-time, so I need to mix it up.
Why do I need to mix it up?
Because I am one of those weirdos who appreciates a non-happy ending.
Endings that don't make any real sense, usually considered ironic or unexpected, and just seem stupid when consider the story as a whole drive me crazy, so if I do cover any stories like this, chances are I won't rate them very high, unless the author has done an outstanding job of making me believe in the characters and their actions.
Complicated plots with with controversial or confusing endings are challenges that I must undertake and figure them out.
I hope you enjoy these new features, even though they won't always be updated as regularly as the main blog.
See something you like?
Is something missing you'd like us to cover?
Leave a comment and let us know!