There was a SNAFU on my end with the guest blogger today. BUT stay tuned...RAINE DELIGHT will join us today.
Video of the Day
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Starlight Saturday
For a little fun this weekend to help with the chaos of the beginning school year, we thought you might enjoy a peek at those men we find as hero inspiration.
Since there are three of us, we'll each give you one. Now, if you've been following us with some regularity, you may recognize these men, but we don't care because they still inspire us.
While he has a slew of acting credits, a few stand out to me. My first encounter with Jensen Ackles came in his portrayal of the teenage version of Eric Brady (twin brother to Sammy) when I was still watching Days of Our Lives in 2000. But he was destined for much greater things than whiny, boring Eric Brady (the writing was boring). About a year later, Jensen went on to join the cast of James Cameron's Dark Angel in its second season, where he proceeded to shine and make me take notice, as one of Manticore's special bred males, Alec - the one chosen as Max's (lead played by Jessica Alba) breeding partner. Together, they escape. If memory serves, Alec only goes along because he was bored and he had some sort of physical attraction to Max. From there he went on to Dawson's Creek playing C.J., a councilor. While he did a decent job, the role itself was nondescript and I barely remembered his character. After that role, Ackles reentered the sci-fi world by joining the Smallville cast in 2005. From there, Ackles got the role of his life, playing Dean Winchester on Supernatural, where he caught Gracen's eye!
My only encounter with him, though, is from his role as Guy of Gisborne on BBCs series, Robin Hood. In case you didn't know, Guy of Gisborne is an arch rival of Robin and his merry men, so while he might look good shooting an arrow, he just couldn't hold my attention - but I may have been a bit biased, lol! But he's here because he caught Margay's attention!
He got his start on All My Children as Nico Kelly and went on a few years later to star as Desi Arnaz in Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughs, but it wasn't until 1993 when he walked onto the set of General Hospital that he made his mark as an actor. For 17 years he's played the mobster you can't bring yourself to hate. While he commits RICO violations that the Feds can't seem to make stick, and launders money, a big part of you says, "That's okay, we don't care!" and it's not because he wears a suit or a scowl so well, it's because, as a mobster, he does his best to keep and take drugs off the street and fights for people with AIDS. While other mobsters have come and gone on GH, only Sonny has truly stood the test of time!
Who are your faves?
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Friday, September 10, 2010
PHANTASM FRIDAY
TGIF, Moonlightees! I hope everyone has had a great week. Do any of you have any special plans for the weekend? Nothing much here and I'm rather excited about having nothing to do. So, a couple of weeks ago I explained that I was neck deep in edits. I thought I'd share an excerpt from what I just finished editing, Where the Road to Hell Begins, Part One - Pandora's Box. Yeah, I know I need to work on the title, but that's the working title. I plan to have it sent off at the latest on Monday. *fingers crossed* Writing the synopsis is next and that always stumps me. I have trouble condensing 95K words into 2-5 pages. No easy feat! Okay, so I'll shut up and give you the excerpt. Tell me what you think....like? Dislike? Suggestions? Comments? I'm all ears. ;-)
WARNING: Some content may not be suitable for all readers. Please read with discretion.
EXCERPT - WHERE THE ROAD TO HELL BEINGS - PART ONE PANDORA'S BOX
Instead of a 'hello', she received a gruff, "Nix."
"Hey, sexy," Mads said, forcing cheerfulness into her tone. She leaned her elbows on the rail of the balcony and chewed on the inside of her mouth.
"Mads?" She thought he sat up.
"Yeah." At times like this, she wished she smoked. Had some nasty addiction to turn to for comfort.
"What's wrong?" He definitely sat up this time, the rustling of covers and the squeaking of bedsprings loud through their connection.
"Nothing." Everything!
"Mads…" He whispered furiously, the sound of a door opening and clicking closed coming through on his end loud and clear. "You didn't call me at two A.M. to tell me nothing was wrong."
Madison expelled a long shaky breath. "I think we made a mistake tonight."
Concern tensed his voice, "What'd you do?"
"Oh, nothing much, just released a genie from its crystal prison." And used Pandora's Box to bust him out. Oh and let's not forget how dirty she felt now with the magic still thrumming through her so hard she couldn't sleep.
He whistled low. "That sounds diabolical."
She laughed. Nix could lighten any situation. "He had to be trapped for a good reason, right?"
"Depends." On what? "Where are you, Mads?"
"Mexico." She looked out on the Mexican city. Poverty stark in every direction. "You?"
"South Beach, Miami," the sound of his voice drooled enough she didn't have to see his expression. "The news said a level six earthquake struck Chihuahua, Mexico today."
Yeah, that earthquake was little ole' me channeling the awesome power of the box.
"South Beach, huh?"
"Yeah, beautiful beaches."
Skirt chasing Nix would be in his element there. Jealousy made more vibrant by Pandora's magic hit her hard, had her hoping her phone call interrupted something naughty before it happened. "I guess there aren't any hot babes there."
"None as smoking hot as you."
"Flirt." But the corners of her mouth turned up at his compliment.
"Guilty." On his end came the honking of horns and the revving of engines. "Tell me exactly where in Mexico you are and I'll be on the next flight."
"No."
"You need me or you wouldn't have called," his voice turned a shade darker. Agitation maybe, but it was hard to tell without seeing his expression.
"I don't need you here." She pinched the bridge of her nose. She shouldn't have called Nix. No need for him worry along with her.
"What do you need?"
Loaded question.
"I don't know." She tapped her fingernails on the rail. "Someone to tell me we made the right decision."
"Okay." A long pause screamed between them. "Why'd Amos break out this…this crystal genie?"
"He didn't. I did." Sirens blared in the background, fitting for their conversation and probably his reaction. "With the power from Pandora's Box."
A sharp intake of breath. "You think that was safe?"
"Most likely not." Definitely not. "We didn't have a choice. Amos couldn't break the crystal. Only the box could."
"Uh huh." She could picture him rubbing his eyes, deep in thought over her disturbing news. "Why did you break this crystal genie out?"
"Amos's idea."
"You do everything he tells you to do?"
"Pretty much. He's always right on these supernatural things." She jerked toward the door as a hard bang rattled the lamp beside the bed. "Hold on…" She peeked around the door from the balcony. Amos lay on his side, facing her, sleeping peacefully. A quick glance about the room didn't expose anything lurking in the shadows. Silence too loud pulsed in her ears, her breathing growing ragged as she moved across the room and looked out the window.
"Mads?" Nix's voice expressed his alarm. "Mads! ?"
"Sorry," she whispered, stepping quickly through the hotel room and back out onto the balcony. She yanked hard on the sliding glass door, but the irritating thing kept sticking. "I thought I heard something."
"Next time keep me at your freaking ear."
Madison laughed. "What would you have me do, Nix, hand the phone to my attacker so you can talk him to death?"
"Not amused, Mads."
He would be if he realized how protected she'd become from supernatural entities. They all scrambled to get away from her and Amos. She bet the Birminghams never had that reaction.
"Phoenix…are you coming back to bed?" Madison went brittle still at the sound of the faint female voice coming through the receiver.
The fumbling noise led her to think he covered the mouth piece of his cell phone. "Business call," he whispered furiously.
"Oh, God…." She squinted her eyes shut and rubbed her forehead. She should have asked if he was alone. "I'm interrupting. I'm…." She gulped, but couldn't bring herself to utter the word 'sorry'. It'd be a lie if she said it.
Kill the bitch! The green eyed monster surged through her system so fast she stumbled, managing to catch her fall against the banister. Stark evidence she didn't have Pandora closed as tightly as she wanted. She hoped she could eventually replace the air tight seal. Never, never did she want to tap into the diabolical power ever again.
Pain as sharp as a scalpel cut without anesthesia through her breastbone. How long would it take before she wrestled the power back under control?
"No…um…we're finish—erm…it's over…" It sounded like he pulled the phone away from his ear. "Shit! " she heard distinctly even though the word was muted. "Mads, I'm always here for you. Regardless…"
Regardless that he was screwing someone else silly?
Dear God…
"I shouldn't have called."
A threesome. A threesome would work. Madison bent over and tapped her forehead on the railing, but she knew it wouldn't eliminate Pandora's manic thoughts. A threesome was not an option. Not with any man.
"Don't you dare hang up on me!" She turned toward the door to the hotel room. "Tell me about your crystal genie."
A dark shadow walked toward her. Fear should have propelled her into fighting action—killkillkill…fightfightfight¬—but with Nikolas's unwanted protection she didn't figure it posed much of a threat. The figure stepped into a beam of moonlight.
Zennyo….her crystal genie.
"He's not mine." No one would ever own this crystal genie. The power she'd sensed coming from him in the cave was magnified in his direct presence. "I gotta go."
"Mads, don't hang up. Mads—"
Madison disconnected the call. Zennyo stepped into the doorway and braced his hands on the frame.
"How much of that did you hear?" she asked.
"All of it."
"Sorry." Sorry that he heard her, but not about any of the words she'd said.
"Why? I haven't decided if I should let you or Amos live either."
Madison swallowed. Nothing demonic would dare harm them, but Zennyo wasn't demonic or angelic. His moral system rested on a plane she didn't comprehend. Why, had Amos insisted they needed him?
"Comforting," she drawled. "A thank you isn't necessary for busting you out of that crystal crypt. Veiled threats say thank you so much better, don't ya' think?"
Zennyo stared at her, the wind ruffling his bangs and resettling them over his forehead. "I don't understand the translation of your words. I will assume you were being sarcastic."
She crossed her arms over her chest. "You think?"
"I could kill you without lifting a finger and still you speak to me this way?" He cocked his head to the side as if she were a curious bug he inspected. "Your brazenness amuses me."
He didn't look amused. Actually, he didn't look anything.
"You're hurt," he said.
"No." Amos had healed her palms before leaving the cave. Minor injuries like that he could take care of.
"I know your head is hurting."
Her head didn't hurt. It felt like it would combust at any moment and right now, she welcomed that end just to stop the pain. "A very different thing from being hurt. But, yes," she rubbed her temples, "opening the power of Pandora's Box to shatter your crystal home was more taxing than I expected."
"Yes." He stepped onto the balcony. "You're having trouble keeping the lid closed."
"How…do you know that?" She shook her head. "You reading my mind or something?"
"Yes."
"Yes?" She flinched when he took her left hand in his own, cocooning it between both of his. "To which part? Reading my mind? Or something?
"I read minds."
"Great." Warmth pulsed against her hand, but his eyes had begun to glow.
His forefinger circled the emblem of Pandora's Box. "I can turn it off, but your pain and worry were screeching too loud to tune out."
"Sorry?"
He looked at her and shrugged. "Think about closing and latching the lid."
"Okay." She closed her eyes and unbidden images of Nix and some unknown naked and sweaty floozy rose behind her lids….the floozy's legs anchored around Nix's hips, copulating to Queen's We Will Rock You staggered so hard through her mind's eye a gasp escaped her lips.
"No! No!" Zen said and her eyes snapped open. "Focus! Close and latch the lid."
"Okay…okay." The erotic images tried to rise again, but she tamped them down and called up the image of the box. She slammed the lid down with a mental shove and gave a dramatic flick of her wrist to latch it tight.
"Good," Zen said, sounding pleased by her success. "You learn fast. There may be hope for you yet."
Lucky her. She'd live to fight that battle with Nikolas after all…if Zen didn't change his mind and kill her.
"What'd you do?" She nodded toward her hand. "While you were holding my hand?"
"Trapped the power in one place so you could concentrate."
"Thanks."
"Sure."
His eyes had returned to their normal silver, but he stared until she began to fidget.
"What?" Did she have something on her face? In her hair?
"You torment yourself with sexual images of Nix Birmingham. Why?"
"We're just friends."
A lone black eyebrow arched. "You see images of all your friends doing that?"
Thankfully, no. "You wouldn't understand."
"Indeed. You mortals have confused me for centuries." He turned, pushed the glass door open. "You should sleep, get some rest before morning."
"What about you?"
"Zennyo's don't need sleep. All we need is meditation to recharge."
She guessed he didn't need any meditation. He'd been meditating every day since his imprisonment. However long that had been.
If you wish to read a more graphic/violent scene from this book, please visit her: http://wickedthornandroses.blogspot.com/2010/09/buried-in-edits.html
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wistful Wednesday
Something to Interest Writers,
Something to Interest Readers
I've always felt that the purpose of this blog is not only to entertain readers by bringing them news about the best stuff out there to read, but to help aspiring authors on their quest to write and publish their work, as well. To that end, I've got a multi-purpose blog today! Not only will there be something of interest to readers, there will be something of interest to writers.
Have I gotten your attention yet?
Good. Let's continue.
For the readers, I am going to present to you the opportunity to win great prizes - like free ebooks and a Kindle3 - and to discover some interesting new blogs. And for the writers, I am going to show you how to network and do a blog tour, something that you absolutely MUST know how to do when you become published as these days, it's all about the social networking and it is mostly on the writer to get it done. The best part is, I'm going to achieve these two ends with one link. How, you might wonder?
Simple.
With one click, readers are going to be introduced to a new writer who will not only show them new blogs to read (but, please, still come back here to read this one!), but will give them a chance to win the above-mentioned prizes (ebooks, Kindle3), and writers are going to see a networking genius at work. Pay attention because this guy knows what he's doing. His name is Scott Nicholsen.
So, without further ado, here's the link:
Have fun! And feel free to come back here and tell me what you think of this.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tantalizing Tuesday
Jade Lee !
Last time we spoke with Jade, she was in between books. I just had to interview her because of her fiery novels set in historical China, but she writes paranormal romances too, so that's how you might know her. Because she's such a neat lady, I had to bring her back to promote her latest release, Wicked Surrender.
Before we get to Jade's post, I have two words for you: Viscount Blackthorn.
Take it away, Jade!
Back in college, I dated a guy named Simon. We were two extroverts sparking off of each other. We were witty, passionate, and wild. We spent months in an on-again-off-again roller coaster, probably because all that passion was completely exhausting.
In one of our off moments, a guy named David asked me out on a date. I agreed because I wanted to make Simon jealous. (I never said I was mature in college.) David was low key, a genuinely nice guy, and being with him was like lounging around a family room and eating hot apple pie. We talked for hours. And yeah, we got to some passion, but it took a while. I didn't care. Hanging out with Dave was like coming home to the best home ever. By the time Simon got around to being jealous, it was too late. I was already in love with Dave.
My happily ever after started then, but I've often thought about the choice I made in those early days. Passion or peace? Constant go-go-go that pushed me to some real highs but dropped me in some bad lows? Or hot apple pie out on the back deck watching my kids chase butterflies? I made the right choice in Dave, but what about my heroine Scheherazade? (Yes, I know her name is odd, but there's a reason). I built for her a choice between passion and peace, love against respectability. Nothing in life comes without a cost. For me, I gave up some wild moments with Simon for the quiet life with Dave. Scher's costs are a great deal higher. More than anything, she wants to be respectable, which for her means a wedding ring.
What if to get everything you've ever wanted, you had to give up your true love? Could you do it? Or would you risk everything to have both?
Oh! You probably want to see the Wicked Surrender book trailer. It's my first trailer, so I'm really nervous about it!
Make a comment about a choice you had to make or just tell me my book trailer is awesome, and one lucky person will get a free Jade Lee book!!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Starlight Saturday
No, it's not really called it, but in light of these tough economic times, I thought that I'd post some great ways to not only save money, but be green at the same time.
This will be a monthly feature, so some of the ideas may seem like simple common sense to some of you, but some of you might be glad for the reminder. On the same token, some of them might not be feasible for some of you while they are for others. The goal of this feature is to help people realize that even the smallest steps can make the greatest impact when it comes to saving our planet.
I've participated in some debates with people on Facebook, so I know that there are skeptics out there who don't see the point of being green when "no one else" seems to be making the effort. It's sad that some people feel this way, but despite what you think, every little bit helps.
Why?
Think of yourself as that little snowball rolling down a mountain. As you roll down that mountain, you gather more snow, growing in size until you're big enough to crush a town. That's how ideas work. It takes time, I know, but if just one of your friends sees how easy it can be and how cost effective it can be to make even small green choices, he/she might think, "Hey, if you can do it, I can do it," and there starts the ball rolling.
I know the basic story that many of you learn, that when the switch is open, current won't flow. Well, I've got news for you, when something is plugged in to the outlet, the circuit is complete, and it will draw power from the socket. Sure, it will be residual, but it's still a power drain, and money down the electrical toilet. While just one appliance might not seem to be that big of a draw, you need to look at the big picture.
By big picture, I mean small appliances and electronics that you use everyday but don't even think about because they are such a part of your life.
1. I know many of us might use them multiple times a day, but things like printers, scanners, monitors and speakers can still drain power when not in use and we usually keep those on because we find it safer to keep the computer powered up then shut it down.
Note: Although, shutting the computer down regularly when not in use can save money, we do realize that there are types of computers where it's actually more cost effective to leave it running because the start-up power drain is more costly that leaving it run and some systems tend to last longer when left running, thereby saving you from costly repairs, or the cost of replacing the entire computer.
2. I know most of you might unplug it, but in case you haven't thought about it, even your toaster can be an offender. Sure, it doesn't have a light to let you know it's plugged in and ready to go, but it still draws electricity when not in use.
3. The next offender on the list is a coffeemaker. Many of these have clocks and programs that allow us to program them to have coffee ready when we get up in the morning. Okay, I admit for some it's a great convenience however, it's still a power drain. The power drained to keep the clock running, while small, is still more than a toaster would drain.
4. By now, you might be running through your own kitchens wondering what might be there to unplug when not in use, so this next one might not come as a surprise, your microwave. Yes, again, this might have a clock on it that you rely on, but how often do you really use the product itself?
5. Here's an electronic gadget that many of you use all the time and probably would have a hard time functioning without it, your cellphone. Sure, you might unplug it from the cord when it's done, but do you unplug the cord from the wall when you're not charging your cell? If not, there's another source for power drain waste.
6. What about your iPod, PSP or other rechargeable hand held gaming and/or audio devices? There are chargers and docking stations. Do you unplug these when not in use? You should because these are other sources for power drain waste.
7. This leads me to something else used but not paid attention to, your electric razor/shaver. Yes, this needs to be plugged in to charge, but when it's fully charged, do you make sure that you unplug the charger from the wall? If not, power drain waste.
8. By now, you might be thinking of all kinds of other smaller electronic I haven't mentioned yet, so let's see if this is one you thought of, game stations. While the newer systems have online capability, older ones don't. Either way, they are sources for power drain waste.
9. We've covered computers and game stations, so here's something to go along with that, TVs. Your television, whether new or old, still draws a small amount of power when "turned off". Sure, it's easier to leave it on because you have to keep reprogramming the channels whenever you plug back in, but how often do you really use it?
10. Okay, here's the last in this list, VCRs and DVD players. These are two devices that are also left plugged in because the cord are usually difficult to get to or because they're on a power strip with something we can't turn off.
This list isn't complete in any sense, but I hope it helps you identify possible power drain waste offenders in your home. Also, there are things, like cordless phones powered by our cable companies that must be plugged in to work. This is a necessity because we all need to have a working phone in case of emergency and can't be avoided. Or can it? Below are some solutions or questions to ask yourself.
For items that are plugged in, like computer accessories, it can be to your benefit to have these items on a power strip separate from your computer so that you shut all of these items off at one switch. Same thing goes for TV accessories (VCRs, DVD players, gaming systems). Having these items on a power strip separate from the items that go with a TV that you don't need to have on can make it much easier to "unplug" them when not in use.
Yes, I understand that it might be more convenient to leave them plugged in because they are in a hard to reach area, but it might be to your advantage to have them put on a separate strip connected to a grounded extension cord so you can just "unplug" that strip from the wall from a socket you can reach.
Also, think about your main, larger sized TV. Chances are, it sits from the time you go to bed at night until after you get home from work and eat dinner. Yeah, okay, you have kids, but don't they go to school? Are you home all day watching? Seriously, if it's not in use for a decent chunk of a 24 hour period, unplug it. It's not needed for your DVR to work or for your VCR to record programs. Because your TV is the last stop in the Video chain, DVRs and VCRs do not need it plugged in for them to work. Don't believe me, test that theory by recording/DVRing something that you don't care about while the TV is unplugged.
Those of you saying, "I can deal without my TV, but I need my coffee made for me when I get up in the morning!" - I have two words for you - light timer. That's right, instead of paying for a programmable coffeemaker, just get a simple one and use a light timer. How will that make a difference? A light timer doesn't need to be plugged in 24/7 to work, unlike a coffeemaker. In fact, you can unplug your maker and timer after your wake up in the morning and then just plug it back in before you go to bed at night, you'd have to set it up for brewing anyway, right?
Change is never easy, so if we find a way to make change easier, it works. In fact, I like the idea I mentioned about the different power strips and will have to implement that with my husband, so we can be even more conscious than we've been.
Anything not listed here you feel is a power drain waste? Tell us! Please talk about what you do to save electricity!
Friday, September 3, 2010
PHANTASM FRIDAY
It's Been A Long, Hot Summer!
The one thing I've learned in my life that doesn't change is the fact that everything changes. Sometimes those changes are expected and planned. Sometimes they are unexpected and one just has to adapt and do the best given the situation. In my case things changed very quickly on June 18, 2010 when my house burned to the ground reducing everything inside to ashes—so much for sentimental items.
Over the course of my many, many years here on planet Earth I have had to adjust to change countless times but there is something about having everything I've worked for go up in flames that puts everything in perspective and brings about a few lessons I'd yet to learn.
First, nothing is forever. You can't take it with you and sometimes you can't keep it while you're still here. Things can be replaced and life goes on. Second, make sure you know what you're getting with your insurance company. Even though my house and belongings were insured I had no idea how underinsured I was. I also didn't know that the insurance company didn't insure personal property on replacement value but deduct depreciation and they have a cap on some items like cameras, computers, and other electronic devices so no matter how much you pay for one of these items, the insurance company is only going to give you a certain amount no matter if you just bought the item yesterday.
Insurance companies do not have your best interest at heart. They are only concerned with getting your money every month and paying out as little as possible when you make a claim. No matter how friendly they seem on their commercials or while selling you the insurance, make a claim and you find out they don't provide the lube either. Just grab your ankles, take a deep breath and hope you come out of it with your dignity in tact.
Living in Oklahoma comes with its own set of problems sometimes. Property values are much lower here than in other parts of the country, which is awesome when you're buying a home. When you are trying to insure a home though, the value is much lower making the payout in the event of a disaster much lower.
I have learned quite a few things however. Take a picture of each item of personal property and attach the original receipt to the picture. Record each item along with the serial number, date/place of purchase and price. Don't wait until there's a claim to be made and try to remember everything in your house. You will be surprised at how many things you own and how much it's worth, but you won't be able to remember everything after it has gone up in smoke. Keep copies of important papers in your house and the originals either in a fireproof lock box or a safety deposit box along with your pictures and record of purchases.
When insuring your property always assume the worst will happen and insure accordingly. I insured thinking the most that I had to worry about was a storm taking the roof because the building was new, the wiring was new, the hot water heater was new and a fire was the farthest thing from my mind. We rarely have tornadoes in this part of Oklahoma but we do get some hellacious storms so I only thought of the roof. My bad! So as I get ready to move into my new house I am thinking of all the things I need to do to get ready to present to the insurance agent. I am also thinking I feel sorry for my new agent because this person is going to get the grilling of a lifetime and will probably think s/he has just sold insurance to a witch from the deepest pits of hell! Having put up with the last insurance agent/adjuster and the hoops I had to jump through to get a settlement, I won't make the same mistakes again.
Of course, there has been an up side to this debacle that I do want to mention. Jay Hartman of Untreed Reads is by far the coolest person I have ever met and publisher of the year in my books. After hearing of my house fire he wanted to help as much as he could. My short story A WINTER'S NIGHT was just about to be released and Jay decided to donate 100% of the royalties from every purchase to me through December 31, 2010. The cover artist, Dara England also donated her time in creating the awesome cover for me. I cannot express just my gratitude but also how in awe I am at their selflessness in this endeavor.
You can contribute by purchasing a copy of A WINTER'S NIGHT at http://www.untreedreads.com/?page_id=1806 then email a copy of your receipt to rieanswers@gmail.com and get a free copy of GHOSTS OF VALENTINES PAST courtesy Noble Romance Publishing. So that's two e-books for one low price and you can't beat that with a stick!
Excerpt from A WINTER'S NIGHT:
Round and low, the full moon settled into the tops of the trees as if the leafless limbs were spearing it. The sky clear and so cold. The snow had fallen deep upon the land and lay quietly awaiting a spring still several months away. The blanketed earth would be frozen solid by daylight and neither man nor beast would dare venture out in this bitterness. Fires had been banked in the hearth of every cottage, animals lay warm in their dens, and the stillness across the land broken only by the sound of labored breathing.
The old woman heard it clearly and rose from her bed. She wrapped her shawl about her shoulders and went to the fireplace, and stoked it to life. The time had come and she knew she must hurry before it was too late. The bitter air hurt her lungs when she stepped into the cold night. The snow crunched loudly beneath her feet as she hobbled quickly along. Her cheeks burned from the freezing air and her gnarled fingers were already frozen and numb, but she hurried onward, sensing the urgency that vibrated through the air.
When she came to the dense woods she leaned against a pine tree to rest and catch her breath. When her breathing regulated she moved on, and a scream suddenly pierced the still night. Old and arthritic, the cold caused her joints to scream even louder. Her toes, nose and fingers were numb, but she continued onward and hoped she wasn’t too late.
Over the course of my many, many years here on planet Earth I have had to adjust to change countless times but there is something about having everything I've worked for go up in flames that puts everything in perspective and brings about a few lessons I'd yet to learn.
First, nothing is forever. You can't take it with you and sometimes you can't keep it while you're still here. Things can be replaced and life goes on. Second, make sure you know what you're getting with your insurance company. Even though my house and belongings were insured I had no idea how underinsured I was. I also didn't know that the insurance company didn't insure personal property on replacement value but deduct depreciation and they have a cap on some items like cameras, computers, and other electronic devices so no matter how much you pay for one of these items, the insurance company is only going to give you a certain amount no matter if you just bought the item yesterday.
Insurance companies do not have your best interest at heart. They are only concerned with getting your money every month and paying out as little as possible when you make a claim. No matter how friendly they seem on their commercials or while selling you the insurance, make a claim and you find out they don't provide the lube either. Just grab your ankles, take a deep breath and hope you come out of it with your dignity in tact.
Living in Oklahoma comes with its own set of problems sometimes. Property values are much lower here than in other parts of the country, which is awesome when you're buying a home. When you are trying to insure a home though, the value is much lower making the payout in the event of a disaster much lower.
I have learned quite a few things however. Take a picture of each item of personal property and attach the original receipt to the picture. Record each item along with the serial number, date/place of purchase and price. Don't wait until there's a claim to be made and try to remember everything in your house. You will be surprised at how many things you own and how much it's worth, but you won't be able to remember everything after it has gone up in smoke. Keep copies of important papers in your house and the originals either in a fireproof lock box or a safety deposit box along with your pictures and record of purchases.
When insuring your property always assume the worst will happen and insure accordingly. I insured thinking the most that I had to worry about was a storm taking the roof because the building was new, the wiring was new, the hot water heater was new and a fire was the farthest thing from my mind. We rarely have tornadoes in this part of Oklahoma but we do get some hellacious storms so I only thought of the roof. My bad! So as I get ready to move into my new house I am thinking of all the things I need to do to get ready to present to the insurance agent. I am also thinking I feel sorry for my new agent because this person is going to get the grilling of a lifetime and will probably think s/he has just sold insurance to a witch from the deepest pits of hell! Having put up with the last insurance agent/adjuster and the hoops I had to jump through to get a settlement, I won't make the same mistakes again.
Of course, there has been an up side to this debacle that I do want to mention. Jay Hartman of Untreed Reads is by far the coolest person I have ever met and publisher of the year in my books. After hearing of my house fire he wanted to help as much as he could. My short story A WINTER'S NIGHT was just about to be released and Jay decided to donate 100% of the royalties from every purchase to me through December 31, 2010. The cover artist, Dara England also donated her time in creating the awesome cover for me. I cannot express just my gratitude but also how in awe I am at their selflessness in this endeavor.
You can contribute by purchasing a copy of A WINTER'S NIGHT at http://www.untreedreads.com/?page_id=1806 then email a copy of your receipt to rieanswers@gmail.com and get a free copy of GHOSTS OF VALENTINES PAST courtesy Noble Romance Publishing. So that's two e-books for one low price and you can't beat that with a stick!
Excerpt from A WINTER'S NIGHT:
Round and low, the full moon settled into the tops of the trees as if the leafless limbs were spearing it. The sky clear and so cold. The snow had fallen deep upon the land and lay quietly awaiting a spring still several months away. The blanketed earth would be frozen solid by daylight and neither man nor beast would dare venture out in this bitterness. Fires had been banked in the hearth of every cottage, animals lay warm in their dens, and the stillness across the land broken only by the sound of labored breathing.
The old woman heard it clearly and rose from her bed. She wrapped her shawl about her shoulders and went to the fireplace, and stoked it to life. The time had come and she knew she must hurry before it was too late. The bitter air hurt her lungs when she stepped into the cold night. The snow crunched loudly beneath her feet as she hobbled quickly along. Her cheeks burned from the freezing air and her gnarled fingers were already frozen and numb, but she hurried onward, sensing the urgency that vibrated through the air.
When she came to the dense woods she leaned against a pine tree to rest and catch her breath. When her breathing regulated she moved on, and a scream suddenly pierced the still night. Old and arthritic, the cold caused her joints to scream even louder. Her toes, nose and fingers were numb, but she continued onward and hoped she wasn’t too late.
At last she came to a clearing and found the girl writhing on the ground, cold and crying with water and blood spreading over the snow, appearing black in the moonlight. Kneeling beside her, the old woman sucked her own fingers into her mouth to help thaw them, and then unwrapped the bundle she’d brought with her.
The girl shook from both fear and cold as she looked up with wide eyes, pain evident on her young face. “I tried to rid myself of it, but I did it wrong and it grew anyway,” Gwynellian cried out as another contraction contorted her body.
“Don’t fret now, it’s much too late. The babe will come and I will help her and you, but you must help me, too.” The woman spread Gwyn’s legs and bent her knees up. She placed a cloth on the cold snow and when Gwyn pushed, the babe emerged and the old woman wrapped the child securely in a blanket as she worked to stop the blood pouring from Gwyn onto the ground.
“Is it a boy or a girl?”
The old woman said softly, “A girl.”
“Call her Rowan,” Gwyn whispered, and breathed her last.
* * * * *
Don't miss Rie on Red River Radio September 14, 2010, 7 pm (CST) as she joins April Robins in reviewing Lifetime's hit TV show DROP DEAD DIVA! http://www.robinfalls.com/RFMagRadio.html
* * * * *
Rie McGaha writes books in all genres from paranormal to fantasy to time travel to suspense and sometimes all in the same book! Her most recent release CLOSURE is available from Champagne Books, and COMES AN OUTLAW is available from Silver Publishing. You can check out excerpts of Rie's books, get the latest free reads, and contest news at www.riemcgaha.com. Rie lives in SE Oklahoma with her husband Nathan, is the mother of 12 and Nana of 29.
The girl shook from both fear and cold as she looked up with wide eyes, pain evident on her young face. “I tried to rid myself of it, but I did it wrong and it grew anyway,” Gwynellian cried out as another contraction contorted her body.
“Don’t fret now, it’s much too late. The babe will come and I will help her and you, but you must help me, too.” The woman spread Gwyn’s legs and bent her knees up. She placed a cloth on the cold snow and when Gwyn pushed, the babe emerged and the old woman wrapped the child securely in a blanket as she worked to stop the blood pouring from Gwyn onto the ground.
“Is it a boy or a girl?”
The old woman said softly, “A girl.”
“Call her Rowan,” Gwyn whispered, and breathed her last.
* * * * *
Don't miss Rie on Red River Radio September 14, 2010, 7 pm (CST) as she joins April Robins in reviewing Lifetime's hit TV show DROP DEAD DIVA! http://www.robinfalls.com/RFMagRadio.html
* * * * *
Rie McGaha writes books in all genres from paranormal to fantasy to time travel to suspense and sometimes all in the same book! Her most recent release CLOSURE is available from Champagne Books, and COMES AN OUTLAW is available from Silver Publishing. You can check out excerpts of Rie's books, get the latest free reads, and contest news at www.riemcgaha.com. Rie lives in SE Oklahoma with her husband Nathan, is the mother of 12 and Nana of 29.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wistful Wednesday
What Did You Do
On Your Summer Vacation?
Hello, everyone! I am off bright and early today to consult with the doctors who will be taking care of my daughter's surgery in two weeks, so I am giving you a homework assignment in lieu of an actual post. The question is: What did you do on your summer vacation? Here is some of what I did:
I re-visited the world of Pride and Prejudice (more than once) by reading the book and watching the movie and rediscovering how much I really like Matthew MacFadyen:
I made several trips to the local library with my older daughter where I discovered dvds to borrow - and Jane Eyre. But not just the movie; I also discovered another British actor to drool over - I mean, admire: Toby Stephens:
Naturally, I am now reading Jane Eyre, which is what I always do when I like a movie - read the book that inspired it.
And of course, there is my obsession - I mean, great admiration for Richard Armitage, whom I discovered by borrowing the library copy of North and South:
And check him out in Robin Hood:
Okay, by now you might be thinking that I'm something of an Anglophile - and you just might be right! But what can I say? I love the Brits!
So to recap: I toured Regency England to fall in love with Mr. Darcy, discovered Mr. Rochester in the stark Thornfield Hall, and suffered through the labor strikes of industrial England with Mr. Thornton. Not to mention the fact that I traveled, however briefly, back to medieval England to catch a glimpse of Guy of Gisbourne.
So what did you do on your summer vacation?
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
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.
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