Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 14

Charming and Likable Villains in my Novels by Connie Vines

Charming and Likable Villains in my novels/short stories.


Thank you Dr. Bob for this month's topic.

I must confess, most of my villains are villains in the true sense of the word and beyond redemption.  However, in my YA novels, my villains are 'tarnished'.  

Due to the subject matter for YA readers the bad-guy/gal in the story are 'tarnished'. Usually at one-point-in-time, they were good people.  Often with a life-time of good-works but for some reason he/she lost their way/purpose; or events of the past turned them into someone who is acting out of character/mentally ill.

Such is the case with Sister Enid, in Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water.
Sister Enid, at the start of her career made great improvement is the boarding schools for Native American children.  However, over the years she lost her compassion and her mind (all of which lies in her past--on explained due to spoilers).  

In my romance, Gothic, and other genre novels and stories, my villains are either purely evil (as in a paranormal or suspense), or tarnished.

Who do I consider a 'tarnished' or 'charming' villain?

In television series:

Lex Luthor of Smallville fame.

He had to be friends with Clark Kent. While evolving as a 'master criminal' to bring down Superman.

Hook of Once Upon A Time

Gone is the long-hair and bright pirate clothing we expect form this character.
Instead, he is dressed in mostly black attire with shorter hair, making him extremely clever and with behind the scene plans and schemes we don't usually is in Captain Hook. Just when you think he's turned into 'a good guy' he jumps right back to being the villain again.

Jim Moriarty of Sherlock

He's a genius criminal consultant, superior to Sherlock in every way.  In the end you think Sherlock wins but you're not close into the big picture. Moriarty still got what he wanted!

In novels:

Classic Literature

I have found that to character deemed the 'villain/evil person' in classic literature need to be 'given a second chance'.

Frankenstein's Monster (for heaven sake, look at this guy's backstory).

Long John Silver of Treasure Island fame.

Bertha Rochester of Jane Eyre fame.

Count Dracula of Bram Stoker's novel and of the 1992, Francis Ford Coppola movie fame.  There was also an excellent film were Dracula starts out as a hero.  In an effort to save him people and family, he knowingly because a vampire and is a hero in the end. Dracula Undead, 2014.  The perfect example of a heroic villain.

Do I believe that a villain can be portrayed as charming and likable?  Yes.

Will I have a charming and likable villain in one of my future novels?

Perhaps.  I do have a soft spot for 'vampire love-stories'.

Please visit these wonderful authors and see what they have to say!

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1UN
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Pre-Orders in July

There's a New Puppy in My House by Connie Vines

Frequently, well often, I post about my dog Chanel (a Toy Poodle/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-mix. 

Who as the years go by (she's 4 now), looks more and more like
a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than she does a poodle.

Over the past several years I've meet looking for a second dog.
Not to large, because Chanel only weight 9 pounds and it fragile in bone structure.

20 years ago I had a rescue/abandoned greyhound, name Justine. We always say we love our current  pet the most.  But, Chanel and Justine are tied.  Justine was 16 when she passed away.  And if you love your pets like I do, they always visit you in your dreams.

Anyway.. . .  A greyhound was too much dog for me right now (no children at home with exercise/ change the dog up the street duty).  I was looking for a smallish dog.  Probably a male to change up our routine. And keep the Feral cats from looking down from the block wall ambush the birds at our birdbath and feeder.

I visited the three local shelters, watched the Pet-Harbor alerts and kept up-to-date on the rescue groups postings (I'm a member of 2).  With the Covid-19 stay-home alerts, everyone was adopting pets (which is a wonderful thing), leaving small dogs in short supply.

Two weeks ago, I was lucky (after 3-prior visits and no match-up) a Westie Terrier-mix was brought in as a stray.  He weighed 14 lbs and was a scruffy little lad.  Think: a white/matted Toto in "The Wizard of Oz". (Though Toto was a Carin Terrier).

I made a phone appointment.  Completed a second round of paperwork and meet the little guy.  He was like a larger, clumsy, version on Chanel.  So, Chanel and I came in later that afternoon for a meet and greet.

We were deemed a 'fit family unit'. I paid this adoption fee.  I also arranged to have him groomed the day before his surgery and boarded for the two days after.  (Since the puppy is a year old I knew he would be difficult to keep no-active in a home kennel).  Three days after his surgery he came home and it's like a miracle--he was completely potty trained.

Yay!

We are all still adjusting,  Gavin (who still doesn't realize he has a name) is pretty well behave.  He has the puppy lack of focus but always has a happy expression on his face.

Chanel doesn't understand why his has such uncouth behaviors.  He stole 2 of her favorite toys when he has a brand new blue Kong stuffed doggie.  He also ran up and down the hall wall.  Ignoring the 'No running in the house," from Mom.

Do you recall the Peanuts Comic strip?  Where Snoopy runs over Linus.

Chanel was standing in the hall way and then she was picking herself up.  She was fine, but
Mom was hyperventilating.

We have a new routine going,

It's just too bad everyone is shooting fireworks and upsetting him (and me, Chanel crawls up next to me and goes to sleep).

Gavin has a blue tartan collar and leash, as Westies are a Scottish breed.  He loves his dry kibble.
Even with his Elizabethan collar he stretches out in in his large kennel, in the master bed room, and sleeps through the night.

I'm writing a novella and completing and anthology right now.  My next novel will most likely have a dog, or perhaps two, in secondary roles.








August Release/July pre-sale


October Release

I'm Blogging @ RomanceGems today about Kitchen Klutzes--Me included! (It's contest time) by Connie Vines

Happy Saturday everyone.

It's June Contest Time!

Visit me @

https://romancegems.blogspot.com/2020/06/its-national-kitchen-klutzes-of-america.html

New Contests and June Book Trailer @RomanceGems by Connie Vines

It's June!  The month of the roses and pearls.

It's also a new month at Romance Gems.  We have a new contest, more give-a-ways, and a new Book Trailer. Stop by and sign-up!

https://youtu.be/YdUSAw7iiiw

Blogging about Perfuming at Romance Gems by Connie Vines

As you know. . .my next release from BWL Publishing is an anthology.  My anthology has 5 stories with 5 different leads and stories.  However, the tie-in is Cajun romance.  In story number 2, my heroine, Persia Richmond, is a perfumer. 

As a former fragrance consultant, I enjoyed a mini-time-travel back to that part of my past, and share a few 'carefully guarded" industry secrets!

To learn more visit:

https://romancegems.blogspot.com/2020/05/romance-in-bloomthe-art-of-perfuming-by.html








Yes, I wear this fragrance, too.  If you can still obtain a bottle--you will find the fragrance mystical and  haunting elusive..

Blogging at BWL Authors Insider Blog by Connie Vines

If you missed my last blog post on at BWL Authors Insider,
Here's another opportunity to see why my life keeps getting more and more complicated!


Click here:
https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/2020/05/life-keeps-getting-more-complicated-why.html

Lucinda Race--Guest Blogger, "The Matchmaker and the Marine"!

As a life long fan of romantic fiction Lucinda spent hours reading novels and dreaming of one day becoming a writer. As life twists and turns, she started writing nonfiction articles but longed to turn to my true passion, romantic fiction. After developing the story line for The Loudon Series, it was time to start living my dream.  -- excerpt from GoodReads.

Let's welcome, Lucinda Race as our guest blogger this week!

Lucinda is introducing us to the hero of her lasted release, "The Matchmaker and The Marine"

Character interview The Matchmaker and The Marine. 

Adam Bell is in his late thirties – he had to retire from the Marines after a serious injury in Iraq and he’s a very old soul.

He had a wonderful childhood growing up in the country fishing and just having fun. After he returned from Iraq his girlfriend, Anita, broke up with him and he discovers she really wasn’t the woman for him. But it still leaves a scar on his heart.

He is intensely passionate about his friends and family and gladly lends a helping hand to all. He has a kind and generous heart. Adam’s biggest fear is letting someone, a woman, get close to him and be rejected again. The scars he carries are physical and emotional after returning from his final tour of duty. If you asked Adam what was his best and worst things that ever happened to him, he would say the day he took his oath to become a Marine and the day he had to retire from the Marines. Semper Fi.

Something I was surprised to learn is that Adam has a soft spot for kittens and there are a few tender scenes in the book that shows just what a big softie he really is.

If I had to describe Adam in one word it would be, steadfast.

Melinda Phillips is a widow in her late thirties. She moved to the small town of Chester several years after her husband passed away. She wanted the intimacy of a small town where she could remain on the perimeter of life. She’s had a difficult time moving forward as her husband was what she believed, her once in a lifetime love. Effectively, she has closed her to heart to letting anyone close so she won’t have to deal gut wrenching pain again. Melinda’s strong desire to help people find love is coupled with her training as a therapist and her finely honed intuition.

Melinda would tell her the best day in her life was falling in love with her late husband and the worst was the day he died. She has been stuck in limbo for a long time.

I was pleased to learn that underneath Melinda’s cool facade she is really longing to fill her life with love which is why she chose to surround herself with couples and weddings. At heart, Mel is a romantic. When I think of Melinda Phillips the one word that comes to mind is, authentic.

Thank you Lucinda Race for guest blogging today at "Dishin' It Out"!

I've ordered my copy of "The Matchmaker and the Marine" and look forward to reading your latest romance novel!  

Visit Lucinda's website

Classic Ginger: Sarah's Hope

Today, I'm doing a cover reveal for my upcoming novel, Sarah's Hope.  The manuscript is currently with editors, and I'm hoping they don't find much since I had my beta reader, Diane Scott Lewis go through it.  She made some wonderful suggestions and I believe I'm officially the queen of missing closed quotes.  *lol*

I'm currently working on another historical western, and I'm really excited about it.  Desperation's Bride is due to be finished sometime this year.

In the meantime, check out Sarah's Hope and Passion.  Although Sarah's Hope is a stand alone novel, it always helps to know backstory and there's a lot to read in the preceding book.

So...here are two beautiful covers.  I'm just sorry the girls don't look one and the same, because they are...at least in my mind.

TA DA!!!!!



Happy Reading!
Ginger

Why did I Begin to Write? By Connie Vines

Why did I begin to write? 



I, like most writers, am asked this constantly.

I don't mind, people are naturally curious.

Yes, like most novelists, I penned stories at a young age, had the ferreting instincts of a seasoned reporter, and possessed a quirky way of looking at life (my writer’s voice).  I know it annoyed my family, friends, and teachers.  However, when anyone needed unbiased information, or a detailed replay of an event which had taken place in the long-ago-past, I was, and I still am, the go-to person.

As I’ve written before, I grew up in a nomadic, career naval family.  Attending an average of three schools per year, made me an observer of people.  So, it was only natural for me to have the building blocks for future fictional characters stored away in my subconscious. Knowing the life of a reporter was not a career for me (calls at 3:00 AM to drive to who-knows-where and see who-knows-what), I decided to write for magazines and other publications instead.

When my children were young, I wrote for Jr. Medical Detective, Humpty Dumpty Magazine, religious publications, and I had a column featuring writing-tips.

I joined Romance Writers of America when a close friend of mine (Thank you, Shirlee), suggested I attend a meeting in Orange County where her sister was co-president of the Romance Writers of America's local Chapter.  This was during the ‘golden-age’ of romance writing. Fabio was the must have cover-model of the day, "Romancing the Stone" was the must-see at the movie theaters.   I attended talks, workshops and screen writing classes—wonderful training grounds for genre fiction. And was mentored by wonderfully talented and nurturing published romance novelists.

This is what brought me into the world of writing a 55.000 + word novel.

I still write short-stories and novellas, but the challenge of plotting a novel is something I enjoy.  The opening hook, character motivation, plot-twists are exciting, even though the mental energy often results in sleepless nights. Still, the characters continue to speak to me.  I am compelled to tell the story.

My first romance, under a pen-name, was published by Kensington Publishing under the Precious Gems imprint. We, Precious Gems, have kept in touch over the years.

We also have a blog titled, “Romance Gems” that we each contribute to (my blog is the 13th of each month).

Currently, I'm working on an anthology, set in New Orleans, tilted Gumbo Ya Ya, to be released by my publisher BWL Publishing, Inc. August, 2020.  The 2nd in my Sassy and Fun Fantasy novella, Bell, Book, and Gargoyle, will be released, October 2020.

Books 3 and 4 of my Rodeo Romance series will be available in early 2021.  After all, what woman doesn't love a cowboy?

Happy Reading!

Connie

Our summer mini-heat wave turned into several cold, windy, and surprisingly rainy days.

While I'm composing this blog post, I'm indulging in teapot of Early Grey English Tea.
One lump of sugar, no milk, please.



My ebooks are on sale!  It's a BIG, BIG SALE at Smashwords!

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vinesbwl

Also available at these find online vendors:

  Books 2 Read

Bookswelovepublishing

Walmart.com

Amazon.com

Travel the World without Leaving Your Kitchen--Czech Potato Dumplings by Connie Vines

 Since we are all home-bound during the Pandemic, we are all seems going back to basics.

Served with sauerkraut or gravyYes,  we are all trying to save money and beef-up nutrition, while spending quality kitchen time with the children and family members

We all have family recipes passed down from generation-to-generation. Each week I've tried prepare one recipe from my childhood. I also send my grands family photos from 'the old country' and a bit of family-lore to share when they are adults and families of their own.

This week it was Czech Potato Dumplings.  
My maternal grandmother's family emigrated from Czechoslovakia in the late-1890s.  My great-grandmother was from Bohemia (the westernmost and largest historical region of the modern-day Czech Republic).  Bohemians, like all Czech are Slavic. Bohemia was recognized as the Dutch of Bohemia around 870 AD.  She, her husband and children boarded a ship to cross the Atlantic to Ellis Island, settling in the Czech area of Chicago, IL.

Potato Dumplings, peach dumplings, Koláče, and yeast breads, were the foods when my grandmother and aunt came for an extended visit.

IngredientsThe dumplings are potato based and boiled on the stove top.  I'd suggest making 1/2 the amount unless you are cooking for a crowd because these dumplings are 'heavy and filling',  Not the southern chicken-and-dumpling fare.

I will post the ingredients and a link to a YouTube link for a detailed demo by a Czech home-cook. Spoken in English.

Her recipe differs from mine a little (I don't use Wonder flour) but there is no difference in taste.

YouTube Potato Dumplings Cooking Demo
She has 5 or 6 potatoes for her dumplings.  ( I would 1/2 the recipe if you are cooking for 3 or 4 people)
3 T., unsalted butter2 eggs3 cups of Wonder flourSalt1/4 cup of milk
The potatoes are boiled in a pot of salted water, drained (unpeeled, uncut) and after cooling, kept covered in the refrigerator over night (or until cooled).
The video is 1:33 minutes in length.
after refrigeration over night ingredients are lightly kneed l


Then formed in to 2 large dumplings Sliced and served on a large platter













Click here to listen to Anton Lada (my relative) and the "Louisiana 5"--the first band ever to go on tour. 

[image error]https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/78812/works



Click here to listen and watch traditional Czech music and dance

I hope you enjoyed today's mini-vaca from the warmth of your own kitchen.

As the Czechs say: Rodina je jedním z mistrovských děl přírody. - 


"The family is one of nature's masterpieces."