C.M. Gray's Blog, page 3

What’s your Color?

Color is a form of non-verbal communication, and as such it can tell you as much about a person as any other form of communication can.

As you can probably tell just from the image that accompanies this post, my favorite color is purple. My favorite flowers are lavender, my favorite gems are amethyst, and when the kids give me gifts, they’re always wrapped in various hues of purple.

Not surprisingly, purple is the color of choice for many creative types, because it’s known as the color of the imagination, and you’ll find the color purple mentioned in all my novels. Many people who choose this color over others are also introverts, another common trait amongst the artistic population.

Much has been written on the psychology of color, and I’ve listed below what different colors tell you about a person.

[image error]Pink is the color of unconditional love and nurturing. It’s feminine, romantic, intimate, thoughtful, and caring

 

[image error]Indigo is the color of intuition and perception, devotion, wisdom and justice

 

[image error]Blue is the color of trust, peace, loyalty and integrity

 

[image error]Turquoise is the color of communication. It can mean clarity of mind, and idealism

 

[image error]Green is the color of balance and harmony. It is emotionally positive, and a natural peacemaker

 

[image error]Yellow is the color of the mind. It’s intellectual, optimistic, and cheerful

 

[image error]Orange relates to gut instinct. It symbolizes happiness and optimism, bringing emotional strength and warmth

 

[image error]Red is the color of energy. It means passion, emotions, action, leadership, and confidence

 

[image error]Brown is the color of security, protection, and comfort. It is loyal, trustworthy, and dependable, enjoying the material comforts of life

 

[image error]Gold is the color of success, achievement, and triumph. It means prestige, sophistication, and elegance

 

[image error]Silver is related to the moon, and the ebb and flow of the tide. It has a feminine energy, mysterious, sensitive, and emotional

Reborn Trilogy in Video

A short video telling more about the Reborn Trilogy, and an excerpt from Reawakened (Book Three), due for release June 2017.

Click on the links to get Reborn (Book One) available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

Reawakened (Book Two) available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

The Best Author Interview Question

I’ve given a few author interviews recently, and they typically ask how you got into writing, what your books are about, if you have any advice for other authors etc. All great questions, but I’ve just completed an interview with the very lovely Fiona McVie, and she asked one question I’ve not been asked before.

“Do you have anything specific you want to say to your readers?”

I love that this question acknowledges a book is nothing without people reading it. It’s a bit like a cold cup of tea – full of all the right ingredients, but without the warmth of fingers turning the pages.

To see my answer to this question, and the rest of the interview, pop over to Fiona’s blog, and if you want to give some warmth to a book or two this weekend, pick up a copy of Reborn and Reawakened, the first two books in the Reborn Trilogy, available at Amazon.

 

My Writing Companion

Like many authors, I do most of my writing when the regular work day is over, and the kids are in bed. It’s normally the quietest time of the day, and I typically sit on my bed with a cup of coffee on one side, and my writing companion on the other.

Today is National Puppy Day, and although Cowboy isn’t technically a puppy (he’s one year old), I thought I’d give a shout out to him for keeping me company when everyone else (apart from fellow authors) is slumbering.

 

Single Parent’s Day

Does being a single parent still have some of the old stigmas attached to it? When I had my children, I at no time planned to be a single parent, but life happens and sometimes you end up right where you never expected to.

I’ve been a single mum for the last seven years, working as a nurse by day, and writing novels by night (The Reborn Trilogy is available on Amazon.) Even though single parenthood isn’t what I planned for, I’m proud of the adult humans my kids are becoming, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Today is Single Parent’s Day, and while parenthood isn’t easy at the best of times, I want to give a shout out to all the parents out there acting as both Mum and Dad.

That Awkward Moment…Top 5 Most Embarrassing

We’ve all been there. Those cringe-worthy moments when you just want the ground to open up and swallow you whole. The British are known for their awkwardness, so much so that there’s a whole book, So Very British, written about it, and I can personally associate with every toe-curling moment of awkwardness in it.

However, while the Brits cringe at (and apologize for) everything, there are some things that are universally awkward, and as today is Awkward Moments Day, here are five embarrassing occasions that everyone can relate to.

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FREE Book Two in the Reborn Trilogy

You might be able to tell from my name that I’m Irish. I was born in Limerick in the southwest of Ireland, and lived there until my family moved to England when I was six. Although I’ve lived in Los Angeles for the last 11 years, I like to remember my roots, especially on St Patrick’s Day (and in April, on St George’s Day!)

Most of my maternal family still live in the Emerald Isle, and so, to share the luck of the Irish with everyone, Reawakened (Book Two in the Reborn Trilogy) is free to everyone all day Friday. If you haven’t read Reborn (Book One) yet, you can pick up a copy for only $0.99!

The above links are for Amazon.com, but Reborn and Reawakened are also available on Amazon.co.uk

What people are saying about the Reborn Trilogy

Well written and intriguing; I was engaged from the start! This was a wonderful addition to my Young Adult library, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series! – DA

A Really well written, easy to read, engrossing book! – VJ

Highly recommended for teens and adults alike. Eagerly anticipating the next book! – FH

REAWAKENED is an engaging young adult supernatural romance. Abbie’s intriguing story continues from REBORN, the first book in this series. Readers who enjoy the paranormal genre will like this story. – AC

Hope there’s many more to come. What ever will she think of writing next?! – CC

 

 

Book Review: Twin Souls Series Books One and Two

Book One: Lilith

Annette Anderson sees the Hellworlds, and demon souls, driving her into a world of sin and sex, attracting the unwanted attention of the Underground. She endures months of torture until her body becomes the host to the She-demon, Lilith, who unsuccessfully attempts to drive out her human soul, leaving the two souls, one human, one demon, to reside together on a shaky truce.

When London becomes victim to a spate of grisly murders, and one of Annie’s students disappears, the twin souls must work together with the attractive detective Michael Daltry, and Rowan, a demon ordered to protect them, to solve the murders before Hell is unleashed on earth.

Book Two: Fateless

The second in the Twin Soul series picks up where the first finishes, with Annie trying to help Calum adjust to his newly acquired demon twin soul.

A new spate of murders haunts the City of London, and as Annette turns to friends old and new, human and demon, to help find what evil power is responsible for the unusual murders, she is forced to face her tortuous past, and the sadistic demons that were a part of it. 

Detective Dalton is also unwittingly dragged into the demonic realm, releasing his own unknown secret, while Rowan stands as a powerful protector against the evil forces working to destroy both Annie and Lilith.

The first two books in the Twin Soul series are a fascinating journey into the world of demons and evil, and I must admit, they are some of the best reads I’ve come across in a long time.

Victoria Limbert is a powerful writer, with a talent for drawing the reader into a realm we don’t want to be in, but don’t want to leave either. The first chapter is a little confusing, but as the book progresses, the confusion clears and the reader is taken on an often dark  journey full of thrills and suspense, and littered with lust, sex, and love.

The characters are strong, realistic, complex, and not always nice, yet Ms. Limbert keeps the reader wanting to know more about their journey, both as individuals, and as part of the often complex relationship linking them all.

I would recommend these adult fast-paced, intriguing novels to anyone who likes supernatural and paranormal suspense, and I sincerely hope the author will write another in the series to conclude the story from where it left off in Book Two.

Lilith and Fateless  are both available on Amazon.

Book Review: Obsession by Liz Bower

When love becomes an obsession how far would you go to protect the ones you love?

Jo Waters finally has her life back on track. Since her boyfriend cheated on her romantic entanglements aren’t on her priority list. That doesn’t mean she can’t look. Right? Especially when it comes to her sexy new colleague Dan.

But when Dan becomes the scapegoat for something he isn’t responsible for, she ends up in a whole lot of trouble trying to defend him. When confronted by her boss about her uncharacteristic behaviour, Jo panics, and lies. Unfortunately, it’s a lie that sets off an unstoppable chain of events including the need to find a man she can pass off as her boyfriend. And it is the most unlikely of men who her best friend offers as a solution – her brother, Marco. Which would be fine except Marco is annoying and far too full of himself, and has been the bane of her life since high school.

But when her life gets thrown off track again, it turns out that Marco is the least of her problems. Someone is making violent threats towards those close to her. And to make matters worse Jo’s boss thinks she is the obvious suspect.

As the threats become increasingly more disturbing and widespread, just how far will Jo have to go to protect the one she loves?

**Due to profanity, adult themes and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**

Ms. Bower’s relaxed style of writing makes this romantic suspense an easy read that’s hard to put down.

Primarily a romance with just the right amount of anticipatory sex, the story involves Jo, a woman sworn off men after dumping her cheating boyfriend, but still with a healthy attraction to the opposite sex, especially Dan, the new guy at work.

The author writes mainly from Jo’s perspective, and the authenticity of her feelings will resonate with any woman who has secretly admired a good-looking man from afar, knowing they were way out of their league.

The blossoming romance is one the reader wants to see happen, and can’t help but cheer it on, and while the suspense running consistently through the story isn’t dominant, it keeps the reader guessing.

Like most romances, the storyline is a little predictable, but the writing keeps the book entertaining throughout. Despite the author age warning due to profanity and sexual content, the book isn’t overly graphic, and while I probably wouldn’t recommend it to my grandmother, it’s certainly worth a read for anyone who enjoys a little steamy writing.

Obsession by Liz Bower is available on Amazon.

 

Writers and Caffeine

The internet is a fascinating place. Whether you’re working, researching, or killing time watching cat videos (yes, we all do it!) the internet is an exponential minefield of information. Thirty years ago the internet was like sci-fi to most people, but today most books written make some reference to computers, or websites, or even  Google. As Harper says in the Reborn Trilogy, “Do you have any idea how easy it is to find out anything about literally anything these days?” Admittedly, a huge chunk of what’s online isn’t actually true or correct, but access to information is easier these days than ever before.

It was while I was online this morning that I discovered March is Caffeine Awareness Month. My first thought was ‘Fab!’ A whole month dedicated to the creative members of society! As it turns out, International Creativity Month is actually January.

Caffeine Awareness Month is dedicated to making society caffeine free. Yes, you read that correctly. Caffeine is bad for us, and there are some who would ban it altogether. I live firmly by the motto ‘Everything in moderation’, and like most writers, drink probably a bit more caffeine than I should. It’s not just coffee, but tea, sodas, chocolate!

Realistically, I probably make about 10 cups of tea and/or coffee a day. The recommended maximum amount for an adult is five cups, but any writer can relate to the abandoned, untouched cold cup of forgotten coffee, or even tea (sacrilegious, I know). When you get into a writing flow, you forget everything else. So, maybe I do actually limit my caffeine consumption to the recommended daily amount. The thing is, caffeine is a stimulant. Most writers, and other creative people work into the late hours, usually their only company being that slowly cooling cup of tea or coffee.

Writing and caffeine go hand in hand, and while I appreciate that it mightn’t be the healthiest of habits, I couldn’t imagine a world without caffeine being a better place than the world with it. Like I said, everything in moderation!

 

Reborn is Book One in the Reborn Trilogy, and available on Amazon. The widely anticipated Book Two, Reawakened has just been released and is also available in digital and paperback format at Amazon.