Sandra Cox's Blog, page 279

Weekends and Rainbows

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.  John Shirley

I'll be back Monday. Enjoy your weekend.

Curtail Baby Formula and Soft Drinks, Really?

Back in the day, I was a smoker, a heavy smoker let me add. So if I could quit, anyone can. But I digress. You're probably wondering what smoking has to do with carbonated drinks and baby formula.  I'm getting to it. At that point in time, they'd started running serious anti-smoking ads mainly by trying to lay guilt trips on smokers. Every time I saw one I'd light up. So I'm not certain how worthwhile New York's approach to breast feeding and limiting soda intake is.
If I was a pregnant woman in New York right now, I'd be packing my bags.If I was a heavy soda drinker, yup, I'd be heading elsewhere.
It goes without saying soda isn't good for you, especially if like 90% of the populace you're fighting waistline spread. And mother's milk good for babies? You betcha.  But for me it still comes down to choice. Especially breast feeding. That's pretty personal.  I feel strongly that it should be a mother's choice.
My understanding is if a mom wants formula for her baby she'll have to listen to a lecture first on the benefits of breastfeeding. Hmm, I can't think after hours spent in labor too many moms are going to be thrilled about that.
Granted, they aren't doing away with the large amounts of soda or breast feeding, just drawing attention to those that want the big soda or are more comfortable with formula. I wonder what's next, zeroing in on the healthiest means of birth control?

The Graduate

Penny Cox graduated from Puppy Obedience School. Her best friend was a tea cup Chihuahua. She will be continuing her secondary education at the Intermediate level.

Pyschic Spies, really? Really!

I asked   Patricia if she had former experience with the CIA. I found her answer fascinating. I think you will too. When I began writing Black Swamp Mysteries, making Vicki Boyd, one of the main characters, a CIA operative was a no-brainer. But having her as a psychic spy was something I just happened upon.
Before I became a full-time writer, I founded and operated two computer companies. My clients included the CIA, Secret Service and Department of Defense. My specialty was white collar computer crime and computer intelligence. Later, I began working with local law enforcement as well. Some of the projects I worked on inspired computer-themed crimes in my suspense/thrillers and actually helped me along as a writer.
While working on Medicare fraud and abuse, I learned to think like a criminal. I worked with auditors to think of ways in which a person or business could defraud the government and then I developed software that could trap them. It was fascinating work and extremely fulfilling when I discovered my software was actually helping to identify criminal activity.
Most of my books have had computer programmers or analysts working on the side of the law. But when I wrote Exit 22, the first of the Black Swamp Mysteries series, for the first time I developed a character that walked the dark side of computer technology. That character, Brenda Carnegie, has come back strong in Secrets of a Dangerous Woman—and, as you might have guessed, Brenda is the dangerous woman.
Her sister is Vicki Boyd, a psychic spy.
Years ago, in order to peruse declassified files, I had to file with the United States Information Agency, a now defunct organization. Or I had to complete paperwork with a specific agency and it often took weeks or months to receive the information I requested, and I had to be very specific.
But times have changed. Now it is possible to view declassified cases right on the CIA’s own website. It’s the best place to go for ideas because I know what I am reading are straight from the agency. It isn’t filtered through another website that might change facts to suit a particular agenda.
It was there that I stumbled upon information regarding the United States’ real psychic spy program. It began during the Cold War when Intelligence sources in the United States intercepted information that the Soviet Union had developed a psychic spy program. The goal was to train Soviet operatives to enter our nuclear facilities with only their minds, to sit in on the highest cabinet level meetings, and to see our weapons and secret documents in such minute detail that the operatives could draw detailed pictures and write exactly what they’d seen in their mind’s eye.
Our intelligence sources asked for government funding to explore this possibility. They didn’t know if the capability existed for psychic spies to be effective. But if they were, they didn’t want to find out twenty years down the road—and find out the Soviets were superior in this area than the United States. Thus began joint operations between the CIA and the Department of Defense to identify individuals who showed an aptitude in remote viewing and to train them as psychic spies.
The Black Swamp Mysteries series contains an ensemble cast, which makes it possible for me to always surprise (and hopefully delight) my readers. Vicki’s psychic spy abilities allows her to travel anywhere in the world, even into remote regions such as the Hindu Kush. Brenda’s computer hacking and prowess allows me to weave computer technology into the plots. Vicki’s love interest, Dylan Maguire, is an Irishman who works as a CIA ground operative. His missions can take the readers into dangerous areas and see events unfold through his eyes. And Brenda’s love interest, Christopher Sandige, is a political strategist—which can come in handy on more than one occasion.
And the CIA element of the series allows me to weave true missions into the plots—because sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction. Blurb:

In Secrets of a Dangerous Woman, Dylan Maguire is back in his first assignment with the CIA: to interrogate recently captured Brenda Carnegie. But when she escapes again, it's obvious she's had help from within the CIA's own ranks. With Vicki Boyd's assistance, Brenda is back in Dylan's custody. And now he must find out why some in the highest levels of our government want her dead while others are willing to risk everything to help her. And when he discovers Brenda's real identity, his mission has just become very personal.
 Excerpt: Dylan and Sam stood in the wide, hushed hallway as they observed the interrogation room through the one-way mirror. Inside was a metal table in the center of the room with empty chairs on one side. Against the far wall was a counter that ran the length of the room, comprised of a sink and cabinets above and below the stainless steel countertop.But it was the single chair on one side of the table, the side closest to Dylan and Sam that riveted their attention. The metal chair was arranged so they viewed the occupant from the side. The ankles were cuffed to the slat at the bottom of the chair while each wrist was cuffed to the chair arms. Thick copper hair hung in waves that reached to the person’s waist and obscured the face.“That’s a woman,” Dylan said.“Very observant,” Sam replied.“Women cry.”Sam crossed his arms in front of him. “Not this one. She’s not even close to breaking.”“What’s ‘er name?”“Brenda Carnegie.”“Ah, a Scottish name…What is it you want me to do with ‘er?”“Keep her awake, for starters.” He glanced at him. “It should be good practice for you. Use some of those interrogation techniques they taught you.”“She’s got blood on ‘er.”“Yeah.”“You got a medical bag, do you?”“I’m sure we can round one up.”“What is it you want to know?”“Who she works for,” Sam said as he picked up a handset beside the one-way mirror.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:
p.m.terrell is the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than 16 books, including Vicki's Key, a 2012 International Book Awards finalist, and River Passage, 2010 Best Fiction & Drama winner. She is the co-founder of The Book 'Em Foundation whose slogan is "Buy a Book and Stop a Crook" and the co-chair of Book 'Em North Carolina Writers Conference & Book Fair. For more information, visit www.pmterrell.com.
www.pmterrell.comwww.pmterrell.blogspot.comTwitter: @pmterrellFacebook: Patricia M. Terrell

Patricia is offering 25 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter). The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/07/virtual-book-tour-secrets-of-dangerous.html.

Highland Series

I'm hosting the Highland Home Series today at Downtown YA. If you like YAs about vampires and werewolves this series looks pretty interesting.

It's The Weekend

There aren't enough days in the weekend ~ Rod Schmidt I can certainly get behind this quote.... Enjoy yours. I'll be back Monday.

Honoring The Dead or Disrespecting The Living?

I work close to a beautiful old cemetery. Many of the occupants in this peaceful place are civil war soldiers. When I walked by the other day, I saw several confederate flags on the graves.  I couldn't help wondering, do those flags honor the dead or disrespect the living?

The Nebelung

Today, I'm blogging at Night Writer's on The Nebelung. If you're in the vicinity stop by and say hey.

VBT Love's Debt

With us today is Rachel Brimble. Welcome Rachel. Your heroine runs the Red Lion Tavern. What difficulties does she run in to?
Ooh, I can’t give too much away here! Let’s just say difficulties do arise in Milly’s story but not so much with the tavern. The tavern is an important part of the story and where she is the happiest. She is a popular, fun, hardworking barmaid with ambition. The difficulties come when she meets the hero…
What are your thoughts on self-publishing?
I really don’t have an opinion – A few of my writer friends have gone down this route and never looked back. Others haven’t enjoyed the process after trying and wouldn’t do it again. I admire the people who self-publish and achieve success because it’s a lot of hard work and commitment to edit, proof read, create cover art all single-handedly. It’s not for me though – I wouldn’t know where to start!
What is your favorite genre to write in?
Victorian (obviously!) and romantic suspense are my favorite to write. I have also written mainstream contemporary and comedy, both of which have been published but with recent contract signings with Harlequin and Kensington, from now on I will only be concentrating on Victorian and romantic suspense.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Romantic suspense is my absolute favorite to read but as a bibliophile I read right across the genres, from all types of romance (except paranormal) to crime to historical to biographies. I love to read! I don’t know a writer who doesn’t. I usually have two or three books I’m reading simultaneously at any one time J

BUY LINK(S):The Wild Rose Press - http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=4967
BLURB:To keep herself from the depths of poverty, Millie Shepherd needs to be appointed manager of the Red Lion Tavern. The elderly owner is in failing health and has promised her the job permanently if no one more suitable applies. Milly will fight with her entire being to make the job her own.
Joseph Jacobs needs to supplement his income to pay off his father’s creditors and save him from debtor’s prison. Though the job as manager of the local tavern looks promising, Milly is favored by both the owner and customers.  Instead, Joseph swallows his pride and agrees to tend bar.
As they work together, their attraction grows, their goals cross, and both Millie and Joseph find they must face their fears …the question is whether they face them alone or together?
EXCERPT:Joseph Jacobs closed the tavern door behind him and paused a moment to take in his surroundings. As a man used to looking over his shoulder and sensing trouble, experience taught him to be aware of others before they became aware of you. He narrowed his gaze. The meager number of patrons at the tables surprised him at an hour when he expected the bar to be fairly busy. He glanced at the clock; maybe it wasn’t time for the workers yet.
He shifted his gaze to the woman standing beneath the clock and his heart kicked. Her green-gold eyes held him where he stood. She stared and Joseph swallowed, willing some words to come forth from his frozen tongue or at least a smile to curve his paralyzed lips.
She lifted her eyebrows and slowly pulled a cloth from her shoulders. Her hair was a mass of fire-tipped curls around her oval face, her skin creamy-white and her parted lips, a soft delicate pink. Joseph cleared his throat and belatedly removed his hat.“Good evening, miss.”
Her smile slipped easily into place. “Good evening to you, sir.” Her voice was smooth, clear and full of confidence. “Are you looking to quench your thirst or just planning on soaking up the atmosphere?”
Joseph inhaled a long breath through flared nostrils as if trying to smell her. Something told him she’d smell of lavender…or maybe musk. Something to throw a man off guard, to lower his defenses.
He stepped forward. “Neither. I am looking for the landlord. Would you happen to know if he’s available?”
Her gaze lingered on his a moment longer before she looked to the four glasses at the table beside her. She grasped them expertly between her fingers and carried them behind the bar without answering his question.
Joseph couldn’t take his gaze from the natural sway of her hips beneath the deep burgundy dress she wore, the bustle a little too prominent for the current fashion showing her lack of money to afford better. Why else would a woman with the features of an artist’s model be working in a tavern unless necessity demanded it? ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  She started writing short stories about eight years ago but once her children were at school, she embarked on her first novel. It was published in 2007. Since then, she’s had several books published with small presses as well as securing her first contract with Harlequin Superromance in May 2012.
Represented by US agent Dawn Dowdle, of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family.  Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused…
Contact Rachel at: Website - http://www.rachelbrimble.comBlog - http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.comTwitter - https://www.twitter.com/rachelbrimbleor @rachelbrimbleFacebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441


http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/scheduled-vbt-loves-debt-by-rachel.html

"http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f92c8685/

VBT Away From the Spotlight

With us today is Tamara Carlisle on her virtual book tour. I asked her  how she researched law school and what other research was necessary. Here is her response. In writing Away from the Spotlight, I wrote what I knew so extensive research was unnecessary.  I am a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law and lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years.  That said, it has been a while since I graduated and I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area several years ago.  Consequently, I had to perform some research to determine what, if anything, had changed since I went to law school and lived in L.A.Based upon that research, I made minor changes.  For example, my law school graduation ceremony took place at USC’s Bovard Auditorium, but the law school now holds its graduation ceremonies in the McCarthy Quad.  In addition, in my day, I would have gone to Commons for lunch.  However, the old Commons was demolished and replaced with the Ronald Tutor Campus Center in recent years.I ignored some of the differences I found because changing them would not work for the story as I envisioned it.  For example, when I took my Bar Review course, recorded lectures were replayed during the day classes and live lectures took place at night.  Now, the live lectures take place during the day and the recorded lectures are replayed in the classes held at night.  I preferred my schedule of studying during the day, going to a live lecture at night and then going out afterward so I kept it that way in the story.  Had I kept my old schedule, but substituted the recorded lectures for the live lectures, I would have had to remove some of the commentary that was based upon my experience, such as heckling the USC professor who delivered one of the Bar Review lectures.  I didn’t want to do that since peppering in some of my experience gave the fairytale some of its realism.   The other thing I had to deal with that might have required research was the issue of using appropriate British idioms.  However, I have spent a lot of time in the U.K. and my husband is from Scotland.  I hope that Will and his friends and family sound like proper Brits.  If not, my fallback position is that, at least with respect to Will, Stephen, Colin, Kate and Gemma, they had been living in L.A. and working with a lot of Americans so any slips can be attributed to their having adapted American terms and speech patterns.  In addition, even though most of the places I mention are fictional, they were often based upon real places.  I therefore reviewed the relevant websites to ensure my memories and reality matched.  For example, the manor house hotel where Will and Shannon got engaged was based upon Cliveden, where one of my best friends got married.  The Royalist was based upon the Ye Olde King’s Head Pub in Santa Monica, where I met my husband when he was on holiday and where my Bachelorette Party was held.  With respect to Shannon’s travels through Europe, I checked tourism websites to confirm my memories as well as Eurail train schedules and routes to ensure that Shannon’s trip worked logistically.While the plot and characters are purely fictional, it is my hope that the supporting details from my experience and confirmed through research make it easier for the required suspension of disbelief.Thank you for the “spotlight” on my novel, Away from the Spotlight, today. 
BLURB:
In the closing weeks of law school, Shannon Sutherland meets handsome and charming Englishman Will MacKenzie. Initially swept off her feet, Shannon finds that Will has a secret that, once discovered and the consequences realized, could destroy their fledgling relationship. Will and Shannon take great pains to have a normal relationship but, ultimately, find it impossible to do so. Will the pressures of their careers and the temptations of others drive Will and Shannon apart? Can Will and Shannon live a happy life away from the spotlight? EXCERPT:
“I met someone.  His name is Will.  He’s English, I think.”
“That would be different for you.”
She wasn’t wrong.  I had very casually dated a number of men I had met in the various pubs in Santa Monica.  They were from all over Europe, but not one of them had been English for some reason.  There were Scottish, Irish and Welsh men among them, but never English.  I had commented on occasion on the fact that I never seemed to meet English men at the English pubs I frequented.
“I’m going to see him again tomorrow night.”
“What’s he like?”
“Drop-dead gorgeous, smart, funny and with excellent taste in music.  Just my type.  Well, better than my type, actually.  It’s hard to believe someone that perfect has any interest in me.”
“Please” Rachael said.  “You get hit on every time we go out.”
“That’s overstating things quite a bit.”
“You seem oblivious to it half the time.”
I guess I did ignore some of it.  When you spend time as part of a female minority in bars full of drunk men, it was hard not to think that some of them would have hit on me for no other reason than that I was female, regardless of how I acted, what I said, or what I looked like.  I therefore learned that getting hit on wasn’t necessarily a compliment and, the later it happened in the evening, the less of a compliment it was. AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Tamara Carlisle is a former attorney and business consultant.  Away from the Spotlight is her first published work of fiction.  She currently is working on two additional novels:  one is about love in the music industry and the other is a work of paranormal fiction.  Tamara currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her British husband and daughter.  For further information, go to http://www.tamaracarlisle.com. 
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Away-fr... Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...  http://www.shelfari.com/books/2953130... Thing:  http://www.librarything.com/author/ca...  https://twitter.com/Tamara_Carlisle
Tamara’s Goodreads Author Page also includes a blog detailing trivia relating to Away from the Spotlight.    Tamara will be awarding two $25 Amazon GCs to randomly drawn commenters during the tour.