Cindy A. Christiansen's Blog, page 26

Which Side of the Fence Are You On?

I recently ran up against a couple of situations that got me thinking about how much we value our four-legged friends.  Let me give you two examples before I ask your opinion.
Story OneA family I know with three kids, one of them special needs with a service dog, found themselves homeless. The dog was old, his health failing. The local shelters wouldn’t take the family in because of their dog, and despite it being the dead of winter, the family chose to live in their car rather than take the dog to an animal shelter.
Story TwoA book I read recently had the hero send his dog into a pond in case there were poisonous snakes.  The attitude was it was better to lose the dog than a person’s life.
Now granted the second story was only in a book, but I’ve already written about families abandoning their pets along with their homes because of the economy so this kind of attitude is real.
How much a part of the family is your dog? Which side of the fence are you on? Please leave your views in the comments section below.
Thank you,
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense…and Dogs!Fly into a good book at:  http://www.dragonflyromance.com

  Copyright (c) 123RF Stock PhotosCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

What Do You Like In A...?

I thought we would explore the idea of what you like in a hero/heroine.  Yes, we all like good looking men with handsome physiques and gorgeous women with long legs, but what personality or emotional characteristics do you prefer in your characters?


THE ROMANTIC TYPE?
THE FUN-LOVING TYPE?
THE LOYAL TYPE?
 THE SERIOUS TYPE?

Is it the same as what you would choose in a mate in real life?  Give it to me straight.
Please leave your answer in the comments section.  If you would like a copy of Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts just say so and I’ll send it to you FREE. 
Surprised?  Just my way of saying thanks for your support.

Leave your email address along with your comment or leave your email on my website under the Receive Release News section on the right-hand side of the home page. (I don't share email addresses.)  
If you enjoy my books and blog, take the time to like my Facebook page, like my books on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, leave reviews, or spread the word to friends on social sites.  It really helps me gain readership and allows me to continue to do what I love.


MY SITES:Facebook Page   Twitter Google+  LinkedIn   Pinterest   Sweet Cravings Publishing  Amazon  Barnes and Noble  All Romance ebooks  Youtube   
Thank you.
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense…and Dogs!Fly into a good book today at:  http://www.dragonflyromance.com
P.S.  Is there anyone else you would like to have a free copy of Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts ? You can share this blog post on your social sites.  

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock PhotosCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Let's Do Some Public Littering

Williard Gaylin once said, “Expressing anger is a form
 of public littering.” 
 S o come do a little littering with me. 
What makes you mad, I mean really mad, when you come across it while reading a book? Well, I posed that question to a group of readers and here are some of their responses:
A wishy-washy heroine. Women are strong...so show it!A mean hero or a wish-washy heroine. When she’s stupid and refuses to believe the obvious, I'm furious and then I'm gone.When the description is just what you've been looking for, but the book has lots of editing errors.A while ago I read a series in which a large amount of the story was cut and pasted from previous books. Now that was disturbing.Cheating, I can't get past it.Wimpy heroines. As Helen Reddy once sang, “I am woman, hear me roar.”A mean hero or a wishy-washy heroine. Just the thought of either makes me angry.Graphic sexual violence in and of itself is a warning note to me not to buy the book.Editing issues where names are constantly being mixed up.Reading a scene and finding out it was just a dream. Hate that!Definitely editing, especially where the book is one really long paragraph.Graphic sexual violence for no apparent reason, extensive grammatical errors and typos. I don't buy from that author again. Two strikes and they are out!I've actually stopped buying from a particular publisher because too many of their books had typos.When an alpha goes soft...all steam no force.Borrowing library books to find that people have corrected the dialog! That ticks me off! I want to know how the character would speak, not what a grammar Nazi corrected it to say!Wishy-washy woman that can't make up their minds on who they want. Frustrating!I don't like perfect characters. I like conflict.I don't like perfect either, I like conflict.I don't like head-hopping. And lately I've read a couple books where I didn't know who was speaking and had to look back. That takes me out of the story.
      So by far, wishy-washy heroines made readers the angriest and then editing errors. How about you? What makes you mad when you find it in a book?      Leave your comment and I will enter you in a drawing for a copy of one of my full-length books plus my newest sweet romance western novella - Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts .

Amazon: http://amzn.to/TDmjvESmashwords: http://bit.ly/11nTJ4KBarnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/VEWEUsYoutube Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/CaX-jyb5OwY
Full-length books at:Sweet Cravings Publishing: http://bit.ly/WdkOU0Amazon: http://amzn.to/WviRlvBarnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/VmNLeeAll Romance ebooks: http://bit.ly/1186k6hYoutube:  bit.ly/Wtw4b8

     Happy reading! Happy commenting!
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense…and Dogs!Fly into a good book at:  http://www.dragonflyromance.com


Image credit: damedeeso / 123RF Stock Photo

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Come Get Your Just Desserts

          Welcome to our yummy Just Desserts Hop. Glad you could make it. You are in for some sinfully delicious treats, not only in recipes but tasty excerpts to whet your appetite.      Dulce de Leche (pronounced "DOOL-se de LE-che meaning candy of milk in Spanish) is a favorite of mine. Serve it on anything and I’m liable to eat it. (Well, maybe not brussels sprouts.) In my book, Love on Laird Avenue , Tatum Stewart is depressed about her consulting business and her 1911 Bungalow home that’s requiring more money for repairs than she can afford. She goes to bed with a box of Dulce de Leche ice cream to console herself, but her good-looking home restoration specialist, Ryan Bulldarren, shows up at her door. What will she do?

EXCERPT FROM LOVE ON LAIRD AVENUE:     Tatum moped upstairs to put on her flannel pajamas. She didn’t care that it was only six o’clock. She wanted to be in her pajamas and wallow in her box of Dulce de Leche ice cream. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t eaten anything else all day.     On second thought… she rushed back down, grabbed a spoon and the ice cream, clinging to it like life support. She knew it would probably melt in the freezer anyway. She could eat while she changed.     What was she going to do? How was she going to solicit another client quickly to help cover her debts?     Could she use a credit card to pay her loans until she could get another client and then pay the credit cards off? She had already maxed out one credit card. Could she even get another one? She took a big scoop of ice cream. Things were getting complicated. One thing was for certain, she wasn’t going to her father with this state of affairs. She could handle it. She just had to get another client. She’d go door to door, if that’s what it took. She changed her clothes, feeling comforted by her flannel pajamas.     Ding-dong. Ding-dong.      She ate two big scoops of ice cream. She didn’t want to see anyone. Maybe they would go away.     Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong.      She snuck a peek out the window, still eating. It was the handsome renovator.     Darn it. Go away. Get lost. He was getting into his pocket. He was pulling something out. Oh, no! He was using the key she’d given him. How could she have been so illogical as to give him a key?     She snuck over and down to the bottom of the stairs, wolfing down some more ice cream. He came through the front door. She had no idea what to do. She could pretend she hadn’t heard the bell. That’s what she would do.     “What the heck is all this?” he mumbled to himself. He serpentined around the drips of ice cream leading through the dining room into the kitchen and disappeared.     She stopped and rushed back up to the top of the stairs.     She heard his angry footsteps as he came back. “Man. Spaghetti sauce, wet lettuce and ice cream dripping everywhere. Apple juice spilled and left out…”     She returned to her bedroom and ravenously picked up the carton and spoon. Sitting down cross-legged on the bed, she began to eat. What was he, the food police? The neat freak? She could be untidy in her own house if she wanted. It was her house. She owned it, at least for now.     She heard the stairs creak. He was coming. Her stomach did a flip-flop. What should she do? Should she hide the ice cream? Should she escape into the closet? Did she owe him an explanation? Her stomach tightened.     “Tatum?”     She tried to scramble under the covers. The carton tipped over and the milky froth ran onto the sheets.     “Tatum?” Ryan turned the corner.     “Oh, are you here?” she questioned.     “Didn’t you hear the bell?”     “Did you ring? Maybe something is wrong with the bell. You better have a look at it.”     “But I could hear it.”     “Oh, well, I guess there’s nothing wrong then. Why are you here, anyway?” she asked, trying to change the subject.     He looked at his watch. “Why are you in bed at six o’clock, in your pajamas and eating ice cream? Are you aware of the chaos you left downstairs? That wet ice cream and spaghetti sauce will ruin your hardwood floors. Anything liquid will ruin wood.”     “I don’t care, all right?” She shoved in another mouthful of ice cream. She might have to go to the store in her pajamas to get another carton.
* * * *
I don’t have an ice cream recipe, but I’m sure you’ll agree this cheesecake will be just as delicious. Enjoy!









Dulce de Leche Swirl Cheesecake INGREDIENTS:1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs¼ cup butter, melted¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided4 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened1 cup sour cream4 eggs1 can (13.4 oz) dulce de leche caramel spread
PROCEDURE: HEAT oven to 325º F.MIX crumbs, butter and 2 Tbsp. sugar; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.BEAT cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended.REMOVE 1-1/4 cups cheesecake batter; mix with dulce de leche caramel spread. Pour remaining batter over crust. Gently drop spoonfuls of caramel mixture over batter; swirl gently with knife.BAKE 1 hour 15 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.
* * * *
     So are you ready to win something? How about an ebook copy of Love on Laird Avenue (or your choice of any one of my books) plus my new sweet romance western ebook novella – Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts ?     Just go to the contest page on my website and help me name the Bull Terrier for my next release, Worth the Wait: A Merchant Street Mystery . Anyone leaving a name on the days of the blog hop will be entered to win the two ebooks above. PLUS if I pick a name that you enter, you will also receive the prize mentioned in the contest! What are you waiting for? Enter now!

Contest: http://www.dragonflyromance.com/contest
     Thanks for stopping by. Please visit all of the other authors’ blogs for more delicious treats. Stop by the Secret Cravings site for the links: http://secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com/
My books are available through:
Sweet Cravings Publishing: http://bit.ly/WdkOU0Amazon: http://amzn.to/WviRlvBarnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/VmNLeeAll Romance ebooks: http://bit.ly/1186k6hSmashwords: http://bit.ly/11nTJ4K
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense…and Dogs!Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com
Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Awesome Sweet Authors

            This month I announced the winners of the Sweetest Romance Awards.  There are some very talented authors out there, and I want to brag about them. But first, let me tell you a little bit about sweet romance in case you missed it.            There has been a growing demand for clean romances—the kind you wouldn’t be afraid to let your grandmother or your granddaughter read.  I’ve been in numerous book stores and libraries and the staff always comments that they have oodles of women customers coming in looking for clean reads, and they’re not always sure which author or publisher to recommend.            Erotica has become so popular that this sub-set of readers are almost embarrassed to admit they read clean romances, but that’s changing.  Within the last few years there has been an increase in the number of Google searches for clean romance.  I think this is wonderful.            Maybe it’s because of my religious background (I’m a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints) and because I live in Utah, I still hear complaints about some books considered clean reads.  By definition, clean reads can contain sex scenes between married couples and may contain profanity.  Some readers are still looking for a cleaner read than clean.  And that’s okay.            That’s why there is an emerging genre called sweet romance.  This genre focuses on the relationship between the hero and heroine until the happily-ever-after ending.  There might be romance, but never sex scenes.  And there’s never profanity only a good feeling.            If this isn’t your cup of tea, fine.  There’s a variety of genres out there to read.  But, if you’re dying to get your hands on a truly sweet romance, check out the winners and judges of this year’s Sweetest Romance Awards:
First Place Rachel RossanoDuty: A Novel of Rhynan
Second Place Christy OlesenHer Scottish CEO
Third Place Stephy SmithShining Moon Rises
Judges Miss MaeK. R. Bailey
            Request sweet romance at your libraries and bookstores, and if they aren’t familiar with the term, you can educate them.  J
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet romance, humor, suspense…and dogs!Fly into a good book today:  http://www.dragonflyromance.com

Image credit: jonoman1 / 123RF Stock PhotoCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

AVAILABLE - Stolen Horses,Stolen Hearts

Uncertain whether you might enjoy my full-length books? This new sweet romance western novella ebook is now up on Amazon and Smashwords for only 99 cents!
Give it a try!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/TDmjvE
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/11nTJ4K

I Can’t Smile Without You…

As Barry Manilow sings in his song: I can’t smile without you.So true.I’m writing, but if readers are not reading…And reviewers are not reviewing…Then my words will never be heard.  That’s because almost 30% of people choose their next book by the recommendation of fellow readers on online message forums, blogs and message boards. Interestingly, only 4% of readers take the word of close personal friends or family. 1
The problem is that most readers who love a book will not write a review.  Michael Alvear in his book, Make a Killing on Kindle , demonstrates the percentage of reviews with Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix , one of the most reviewed books on Amazon. It has received around 6,000 reviews!  But, when you take into account that there has been millions and millions of copies sold, the percentage comes to around .0002% of readers who left reviews.2
So then, imagine what I’m faced with?  An unknown author, no movie deals in sight, (who just wants to share a laugh, some suspense, a kindled romance and a special dog) who has a book out there on Amazon with millions and millions of other books for competition. Daunting, isn’t it?  The best way you can show your appreciation is to leave a review.  It doesn’t have to be long or detailed.  Just let other readers know how it made you feel. That alone will indicate to other potential readers that the book is worth their time and money.
If you are feeling insecure about writing a book review, follow this format:·         Write a brief synopsis·         Suggest the basic theme·         Give your opinion about their writing style·         Give your recommendation on who should read the book·         Express how the book made you feel·         Summarize your viewToo much?  Just include one of two of the suggestions.  Pick out what is easiest for you to write.  Don’t make it difficult.
Amazon is trying to make reviews easier for their customers.  They now have an option at the end of the book called—Before You Go.  This gives readers the option of rating the book right when they finish.  The review can then be shared on social sites instantly.  The problem is, it is on the very last page.  The reader will have to page through all the author information, other author samples, book club pages, etc. to get to that last page.  Still, it is a helpful if the reader is aware that it’s there.
The second most common answer to how readers select their next book is by looking for their favorite authors.1 I raise my hand again and ask, “How do you find those readers who will become loyal fans?”  It takes getting readers to spread the word.
The next time you’re on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, please consider looking up one of my books and clicking on like or posting a review. Again, I can’t smile without you.  I can’t laugh. I can’t sing. I’m finding it hard to do anything. 
Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, I’ve just published my own sweet romance western novella— Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts !  It’s up on Amazon and Smashwords for 99 cents.  I’d really appreciate your review on it.  Here’s more information:
Stolen Horses, Stolen Hearts

ABOUT THE STORY Ambitious former rodeo queen Harlee Jo Holiday must fix Oak Whitlock’s broken heart if she’s ever going to get him to help rescue her stolen horses. The only trouble is even Oak’s dog and horse can’t stand to be around him. 
Brooding Oak Whitlock can’t get his life on track. That is, until Harlee Jo comes riding in with her hopes and dreams. Between her and her stolen horses, will Oak learn you have to climb right back in the saddle?
BUY LINKS AmazonSmashwords
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense…and Dogs!Fly into a good romance at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com


1 Alvear, Michael, Make A Killing On Kindle (Without Blogging, Facebook Or Twitter).2 The Digital Reader, How Ebook Buyers Discover Books: http://bit.ly/TuSNXu
Image credit: herreid / 123RF Stock Photo Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

In The Dog House With Me...

I have a wonderful author with me today—Flossie Benton Rogers.  She’s a fellow author with Secret Cravings Publishing.  We’ll introduce her new book, Wytchfae Runes, and then I’m going to ask her a few questions. (Awesome cover by the way.)

WYTCHFAE RUNESAuthor: Flossie Benton RogersPublisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Blurb: Combine one faery witch and one hot Viking ghost and what do you get? Supernova attraction. Can they evade their enemies long enough to fan the flame?
Opening Line: In a star’s blink, a claw like hand gripped Ingvar’s throat and crushed him against the wall.
One Line Teaser: She had not bargained on the necessity of stirring up hot witchery in the frozen north, and she had to work fast to get Ingvar out of the Grims’ clutches.

Excerpt (Their first sight of a fae time portal)Wytchfae Runes available at:Secret Cravings Publishing:  http://bit.ly/RxK4PKAmazon:  http://amzn.to/RiFLIOBarnes and Noble:  http://bit.ly/Y11U1fAll Romance Books:  http://bit.ly/RiOiLYBookstrand:  http://bit.ly/RTW8dB
Cindy:  So Flossie, tell us what attracted you to writing paranormal romance?

Flossie:  As a child I became enamored of fairy tales and began to write my own. I also developed a passion for the beauty found in mythology. Paranormal romance allows me to play in the areas that resonate with me.

Cindy:  Why do you think paranormal is so hot?

Flossie:  It appeals to the human need for imagination and creativity. 
Cindy:  What part of writing do you love most?

Flossie:  I love all aspects of writing, especially the feeling of deep zen and being in the zone.
Cindy:  If you could convey one message through your writing to your readers, what would it be?

Flossie:  Experience, enjoy, and esteem the magic of life.
Cindy:  What’s next on your agenda?

Flossie: I'll continue "conjuring the magic." We'll hear more from the Wytchfae world and its intersecting dimensions. Wytchfae 2 is written--a novella about a  succubus and undersea guardian, and I am working on Wytchfae 3--a novel starring two characters from Wytchfae Runes, the goddess Epona and her dark guardian Eshigel.

Thanks, Flossie. What an wonderful imagination!

Please take a moment to find out more about Flossie and her writing below.  Also, please take a moment and ask her any embarrassing questions you want right now.  Thanks, everybody.

Connect with Flossie:http://flossiebentonrogers.comhttp://facebook.com/FlossieBentonRogershttp://twitter.com/FrostFyrehttp://pinterest.com/Wytchfae

Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense…and Dogs!Fly into a good book today at:  http://dragonflyromance.com
Dog house image credit: cienpies / 123RF Stock PhotoCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Very Inspiring Blogger Awards

I have been nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award by Flossie Benton Rogers. She’s featured on my blog this week on Wednesday, January 23rd so make sure you come back and check it out. Flossie writes paranormal romance so you won’t want to miss hearing about her book and her short but interesting interview.


7 Things About Me: I write sweet romance with humor, suspense…and dogs!I enjoy drinking Kroger no sugar added Dutch hot chocolate with spray light whipped cream (deep breath) all year long.I’m an acrylic wildlife artist.I donate to organizations that help abused and abandoned dogs.I like singing in the rain, and I’m not talking about the musical.The aisle in the store that most excites me is the office supplies. (Don’t ask me why.)I collect all sorts of antiques and even refinish furniture.
15 Other Inspiring Blogs/Authors:
Here are some blogs that always encourage, entertain, and/or educate me. Please pay them a visit. You’ll enjoy them too.


Lynn Romaine

Christine Scott
Susan Knight
Bee-Bop and Bobby Sox
K R. Bailey
Bobbie Pyron
Linda Rettstatt
Sherry Lewis
Amy Sipherd Freeman
Elaine Cantrell
Tara Chevrestt

Miss Mae
Carol Preflatish
Colette Saucier
Gail Pallotta

The Rules: Display the award logo on your blog.Link back to the person who nominated you.State 7 things about yourself.Nominate 15 bloggers for this award and link to them.Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs!Fly into a good book at: http://www.dragonflyromance.com
http://www.123rf.com

Cindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author

Hey! I Needed That

                        I was up in the middle of the night worrying about or financial situation, the kids, my husband’s unemployment, the economy, my family’s future…when I saw a program on TV about Shirley Temple.  They said she was the glue that held this country together during the Great Depression.            I ask you:  Where is our Shirley Temple?  We certainly could use someone or something to brighten our lives in the world today.  It seems to me today there is just too much violence and too much mental depression.  During this past holiday season there seemed to be an overall mood of despair amongst the people out shopping. Shoppers complained about the high cost of living, unemployment, unaffordable healthcare, having to file bankruptcy, not being able to afford Christmas and our government being incredibly mismanaged.  So what can we do?            I’ve been reading a book by Max Braithwaite called Never Sleep Three in a Bed .  He was talking about being a kid during the Great Depression.   He said it cost a nickel to go to the movies and you usually got to see four shows—an action movie, a serial, a comedy and the serious tear-jerker. (Can you imagine?  Sheesh!)            Some of the comedians of the time were Charlie Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle and Buster Keaton.  Here’s what Max had to say:  “Never since have I laughed so hard that I couldn’t get my breath, that my stomach pained, that I literally fell out into the aisle.  Yes, I admit it, more than once our bladders couldn’t stand the strain, and many a wet-legged kid staggered embarrassed out of the [movie theatre]. No generation of kids ever laughed as hard as we did…”            Can you believe it?            Today we act like we’re too embarrassed or stuck-up to even giggle in a movie theater.  Max stated that at that time they had no running water in the house, no electricity, no flush toilets, no bathtubs and no furnaces.  What was so darn funny?            Whatever it was, I decided that I needed to cut loose with a laugh now and again.  I’m going to post a few quotes, jokes, and one-liners on my social sites.  If you’d like to laugh along, feel free.             For example:
“I've got a figure that just won’t start.” ~Phyllis Diller
(Let’s just say…I needed that!) 
Cindy A. ChristiansenSweet Romance, Humor, Suspense...and Dogs!Fly into a good book at:  http://www.dragonflyromance.comCindy A. Christiansen
Sweet (clean) Romance Author