C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 153

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.  In many ways, so are you.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Dragons know when to sit back and re-evaluate their efforts.  Listen to your heart.  That’s your strength.

Taurus

Minotaurs know when it’s time to keep focused on the task.  This is the time.

Gemini

An elf whispers that an opportunity is at hand.  Listen up.

Cancer

A dragon will be blowing off steam.  Lay low and be industrious.

Leo

Pixies know that you heading toward a major life project.  Plan wisely and stay focused.

Virgo

A sad wind blowing.  Gnomes know to fortify with good healthy food and rest.

Libra

When Centaurs battle, stay out of the way.  Don’t make mountains out of hobbit holes.  It will pass.

Scorpio

Vampires know that when plans don’t align, more patience may be needed.  Analyze again and cut your losses.

Sagittarius

Werewolves hate clutter.  Time to go through your stuff and get rid of anything unnecessary.

Capricorn

Fae love a person who surrenders the small stuff.  Ease out of worry and pay attention to details.

Aquarius

A messenger owl brings news of new opportunities.  Stay grounded in your decisions and do not give emotions full reign.

Pieces

Mermaids know that it’s hard to let go of a past sadness.  Time to release it and fell lighter.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Your Book is a Blind Date

by C. Margery Kempe

Most writers are doing their best to get you to read their books, doing promotional tours and offering free reads at their websites (ahem) or contests to win a copy of the latest publication. All of this is good. The most difficult part of publishing right now is getting found in the sea of publications flooding out there every day.

But the big issue remains the same whether you’re talking about the latest Kindle release or a narrative scratched out on parchment: can you hook the reader?

I hesitated to respond to a comment from an acquaintance recently about how discouraged he had become at not getting anything published despite having the support of people where he had learned the craft of writing. Catching the eye of an editor is the first step in getting your book out to readers, so you need to be able to win them over first.

It struck me that the process is a lot like getting through a blind date — and it can be just as depressing, too! Sure it can help if you come recommended from someone they know, but it’s no guarantee that you’ll survive the meal.

If you’re having trouble catching the attention of editors (or readers) it could be that your book has something in common with these bad blind dates:

The Bore

We know the type, right? Yammers on and on and on without giving you a chance to slip a word into the conversation. Droning on and on about ‘important’ details but if you don’t have a context — or a story — to connect them to, they just come across as dull. Does your story load too much exposition at the start of a story? Get into history that doesn’t need to be there yet or explain background that’s meant to amplify the events or characters we haven’t had a chance to meet yet? Your story might be a bore.

The Preacher

He’s got a message and an answer and will harangue you with it until the cows come home, brow beating you with the one true word. Oh, it doesn’t have to be religion — it could be movies or books or even what restaurant is the best. The Preacher has an opinion and boy, will you hear it. Does your story have a ‘message’? Does your character know the ‘right way’ to do everything? Is the ending telegraphed so ham-handedly at the start that there’s no suspense whatsoever? Is the tone too preachy?

The Wallflower

The wall flower doesn’t say much. Every attempt at conversation ends in a pile of bricks. Where’s the excitement? Not at this wall. Nothing much seems to happen at all. Where’s the action?! Description isn’t enough to keep the reader interested. Make something happen. Employ those emotions! At least set fire to something already.

The Travelogue

Who wants to spend the evening looking at pictures from your trip? How ever beautiful the location might be, it’s not a story. If you spend too much time building the world or sketching in the countryside, your reader might start yawning and looking at her watch. Make sure the beauty of the spot enhances the emotional drama; don’t just put all your research (or holiday snaps!) on the page. The location only matters because it’s where the story unfolds.

Remember, you have to charm your way past that first date; you have to charm your readers  past the first sentence, the first page and the first chapter. Give them your best, hook the reader — keep them breathless and eager to turn the page.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, Kit Marlowe

Susan’s Birthday Contest

Party Tree courtesy of http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Landmark:The_Party_Tree

Though I have been accused of being an elven lady in the past as mysterious things have happened around me, I can take no credit. I might be a hobbit of the Shire at heart.  Today is my birthday!  Instead of receiving gifts, I’m sending them out to three randomly chosen eligible winners.

All my romance books, short and long, are available in Kindle  http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/e/B004YXOGXG  and at all Romance Ebooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com and search Author Susan Hanniford Crowley and they will all come up.

The prize is one of my romance ebooks in your choice of either PDF or Kindle format.   There will be 3 winners, each winning one ebook.   To enter, be sure to put the following in the comments box:

1. Your name

2. Birthday wishes for me (Please, make it grand!)

3. Which ebook of mine would you like to win?

4. Your email address

Anyone writing birthday wishes only will be thanked but not entered in the contest.   Remember #3!

The contest ends at noon on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013  Eastern Time.   Good luck to everyone!  You must be over 18 years of age to enter and void where prohibited by law.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, steampunk romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires, Writer's Life

Excitment in the New Year by Marian Lanouette

What I’m reading this week. Deadly Bones by Terry Odell

January is an exciting month for me. I have not one but two books coming out. Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington just got its release date. That will be coming out on January 18, 2013. I’m excited about the second book in the series and I hope you’ll be too.

Here’ an excerpt

With her head down, she sat at her machine, waiting on the supervisor to come back—to unlock the machine so she could play again. More than anything, she needed to win. A hand landed on her shoulder, startling her. Jerking away, Kyra turned to see who belonged to the hand. Crap, not the supervisor. Joe Dillion, not exactly the person I want to see right now.

“Hi, Kyra.”

“Hey, Joe.”

“How’s it going?” Her host sat down next to her.

“Not good,” she whined.

“I’m sorry to hear it. You know you have a payment due soon?”

Double crapola. “Yes, I know.”

“Why don’t you leave the machine for a while? Come have something to eat with me?”

What could he be up to, she wonder?

“Why?”

“Why? Kyra, let’s discuss your loan payment over dinner, explore your options.”

What options? There weren’t any. All week she racked her brain trying to find a solution to the mess. Though a quiet guy, Joe scared her. Deep inside, she understood he could destroy her. Not a person she’d want to cross.

“Kyra?”

“Kyra, please, no one’s going to touch your machine. Maybe a break will change your luck?”

“What the hell. I could eat,” Kyra hissed. Something had to change.

“How about a steak?”

“Fine.”

They got up at the same time, bumping into each other. Joe sat back down, let Kyra get up first. He followed her as she headed to the Trenton Steak House. Joe grabbed her arm and pointed to the private elevator that went directly to the entrance to the Whale Room. She looked at him. He smiled.

“What’s up, Joe?”

“I think you need a real break Kyra, so we’ll head up.”

Curiosity got the better of her, but she figured she’d find out what he was up to in good time. Then the fear hit her. Maybe she shouldn’t leave the floor with him. She owed the casino seventy-five thousand dollars. Behind on her payments, she spent three grand tonight trying to win her next payment. Stupid—how could I be so stupid? I should’ve made a partial payment with the three grand instead of gambling tonight.. They wouldn’t beat up her up, would they? Tasting the bile as it violently pushed up from her stomach, scorching a path to her throat. Kyra couldn’t control the tears that flooded into her eyes when she started to choke.

“Are you all right, Kyra?”

“I don’t want to leave the public floor, Joe.” Kyra’s hands shook along with her entire body. Unable to control her voice as it cracked, her mind searching for an escape.

“I have a deal for you but I can’t discuss it in an open area. We’ll discuss it upstairs, over dinner.” He smiled.

Oh yeah, she thought, the farmer leading the cow to the slaughter. “What kind of deal?”

“We’ll discuss it upstairs,” he repeated firmly.

“You’re not going to break my legs or anything, are you?” she half-heartily joked.

“No such thing, Kyra. Relax.” Now’s the time too really worry, she thought. Just like the “trust me” phrase, it gave her the willies.

* * * *

Joe Dillon studied Kyra as they rode up in the elevator. To look at her, you’d never guess she’d lost control of her life. He liked her curves, her lips, and the wild, curly red hair. Shorter than he, she stood about five feet four inches—he didn’t like looking up at a woman. Too many women today were taller than he. He looked into her green, green eyes, his mind taking off in all directions. Not now, Joe. Kyra’s not worth the trouble. He knew she had a son—her divorce a by-product of gambling. The boss told him this morning she was losing custody of her son. What woman gambles to the point of losing her child? Joe thought about the deal he’d be offering her, dragging her down even further. He pushed the guilt from his mind. Not my fucking problem. Kyra did this to herself. If I ever caught Camile gambling, I’d break her legs. Joe saw what gambling did to families. Too much heartache for too little reward, he mused.

Joe thought of the deal he’d lay on the table for her—two choices—wondering which one she’d choose. Neither was pleasant. I’m only the messenger. That’s how he justified his work. Blinded by greed, these people put themselves in this position with their gambling addictions.

* * * *

She needed to remember the hosts were sharks. Their jobs were simple. They had to get you to put your money into the machines. They didn’t care where it came from, as long as you put it into the machine. Nor did they care if it destroyed your life. They got paid by their successes. Kyra guessed she was one of Joe’s successes because her life was in ruins.

“Okay.” Taking a deep breath as she stepped into the elevator, Kyra gave him a sideward glance as he pressed the button for thirty-six.

The elevator stopped and the doors glided open smoothly. Kyra had heard the rumors about this floor. Had always been curious to see it. The other gamblers in the private rooms talked about this floor, but you only got to go up here if you were invited, or if you were what they called a Whale. A Whale: a person who spent big bucks. Not thousands, but hundreds of thousands, even millions—the casinos catered to them. What they asked for, they got: wine, song, and women. The Whales mingled with the casino owners and the big-name entertainers who performed at the casinos. The owners were their hosts.

Kyra stepped off the elevator, taking in her surroundings with a keen eye. The Monet on the wall, the oriental carpets, fine bone china and lead crystal wine glasses on the tables. Big money, she thought. If she could only get a tiny bit of it, she could survive—straighten out her life.

You can pre order Burn in Hell at MuseItUp Publishing: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=646&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=178&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

The other book coming out in January is As the World Ends and I’ll be highlighting it next week when I hope to have a release date for it.

 

Filed under: romance

Does Your Hero Have a Knothole by Gerri Brousseau

I’m sitting on lunch break at work wondering what to write about in my blog. While thinking, my gaze wandered up to the ceiling, which is comprised of pine boards. The boards all have knots in them, and some even have knotholes. I started thinking about the board as if it were a person, a character in one of my novels, perhaps even my hero. My hero is important to the story, just as the board is important to the ceiling. The board is straight and true and lends support to all the other boards that make up the ceiling, just as my hero lends support to the secondary characters.

The knots in the boards are considered by some to be imperfections, or flaws, and are usually darker in color. Some say knots and knotholes in a board weaken it, as it is a flaw, but their existence and imperfections also add to the character and give the wood a certain sense of beauty. Like the board, my hero will have imperfections as well. Perhaps he will have crooked teeth, a crooked smile, or a thin scar across his cheek bone. But not all his imperfections or flaws are always visible, but rather his dark side, or his flaws, gets revealed through the story.  Hopefully, like the lovely pine board in the ceiling above me, the hero’s strength will greatly overshadow the small areas of weakness. His passion and conviction will keep him straight and true, and he draws his strength from deep within. His character, which despite his flaws (knotholes), or perhaps because of them, will make him the powerful character we love. What “knotholes” does your favorite hero have?

 

Filed under: romance

What’s In Store for 2013?

Another year, a bunch more resolutions? I’m not sure really. Part of me sits here and says, do I want to plan a bunch of things that I may or may not keep up with? Why is it that so many of us tend to break these New Year’s resolutions? My theory on this is that we set goals that are too far, too high or just too plain unrealistic.

For some reason this 2013 year seems very special to me. I’m starting it with a different kind of motivation than I’ve ever had.  I want to do well in my day job, I want to write, I want to be there for my family and yet the biggest difference is that I want to do all this because I want it. In summary, it is for them but it is for me too and as selfish as it can sound, I also believe that I will have a very successful year due to this new outlook.

In my day job, I’ve come to realize that I do my best by planning things out and creating a timeline I can look at. It was something an old boss suggested and at the time I honestly thought it elementary but it’s served me as a great guide in 2012. Well I’ve decided to do the same for my writing just to see how it goes. I’m sharing it with you all as well just so you can see if something like this works for you all.  If it doesn’t but you have other tools, please share them as I’m sure we can all benefit. I’d also suggest doing a larger timeline for the next 3-5 years. In the meantime,  Happy New 2013 to you all and my this be a wonderful year for your writing career!

Filed under: Business, Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Les Miserables Movie Review by Leia Shaw

This weekend I saw the movie Les Miserables. You may not notice but I’m a total musical geek. I’ve been singing to the Les Mis soundtrack since Middle School. I’ve seen the show on stage twice. This was a big deal to me as a fan. And so this review is written for other fans of the show, or people who are curious about the actors involved. If you’ve never seen the show, heard it, heard of it, or want anything to do with it, come back next week for a more generalized post. Lol.

Hugh Jackman should win an award for this movie. More than just one. Like, twelve. I don’t know. How many do they give out at the Academies anyway? I never watch cause they only ever pick the boring movies and Meryl Streep. So predictable. Anyway, Hugh Jackman plays Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who spends the movie trying to escape his past. He carried the movie. I knew he could sing, I’ve seen it and heard it before. I knew he could act too. But I didn’t expect the depth of his ability. It was amazing.

Anne Hathaway plays Fantine, the down-on-her-luck mother of a little girl she pays an innkeeper and his wife to care for. I didn’t know she could sing. Like most of the big actors they pulled in for the movie, you can tell they’re actors and not trained singers, but she did a respectful job. The acting in I Dreamed a Dreamed made up for her voice. What was different about this musical in comparison with others, was that they shot the most emotional scenes in one shot with the singing live on set instead of dubbed from a studio. This made for imperfect vocal performances BUT incredible acting. So you felt as if you were really hearing a tragic telling of life in 1800′s France. Like each of the characters was truly there, not just acting. It was a good compromise for lack of perfection in the vocals.

The innkeepers, Thenardier and Madame Thenardier were played by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter who brought a lot of lightheartedness and humor into the movie, which it sorely needed.

Eddie Redmayne and Samantha Barks are the real singers. Barks played Eponine on stage for years and, as expected, was great in the film. Redmayne is a real singer but an actor too. I thought he played the conflicted but love-sick young man, Marius, very well. His love interest, a grown up Cosette, was played by Amanda Sigfried. You may have heard her sing in Mama Mia. I loved her in that movie, and she looks the part of Cosette perfectly. But like the other big names they pulled for the movie, her voice was shaky in the operatic soprano role. It was still good though.

Russell Crowe was the big disappointment. I’m a Gladiator fan but the man should seriously stick to taking off his shirt and swinging swords. His voice literally hurt my ears. He’s a great actor but the role didn’t fit him, he was way outclassed in the music department, and I have no idea why he was chosen for the role.

Fans of the show will most likely enjoy this film adaption. I did. I cried my eyes out for almost the entire two hours and thirty seven minutes. If you haven’t seen Les Mis or heard the soundtrack but like musicals, I’d recommend seeing this but be prepared for an emotional experience. This isn’t a happy, carefree, fun music adventure. It’s tragic. And very sad.

If the word “opera” scares the shit out of you and the idea of paying attention to two hours of sung plot makes your head spin, I don’t recommend seeing this movie.

Filed under: romance

A Happy New Year Paranormal-Scope

From PInterest

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.  In many ways, so are you.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Gnomes know when it’s time to evaluate their priorities.  Are you eating well?  Are you getting enough rest?  Have you scheduled a vacation or me time?  This is the time to evaluate and make your life more enjoyable.

Taurus

Centaurs are celebrating.  Major change and opportunities are coming your way.

Gemini

A mysterious vampire is coming your way.  Be sure to clarify which emotions are yours and which belong to your new “friend”.

Cancer

A werewolf acquaintance may ask to you take on a new task or play a different role.  Ask questions and be sure of what you want.

Leo

Dragons enjoy the witty and wise, and that you this week all over the place.

Virgo

Were Bears are snarling and you are the perfect referee, enlightened and fair.

Libra

The owls enjoy your company.  They find you personable and wise.  Be cautious with spur of the moment decisions.

Scorpio

Centaurs love a great idea and you’re full of them.  Planning a project is in order.

Sagittarius

Pixies recognize you as creative and a deep thinker.  Friends will enjoy your insights.

Capricorn

Dragons have invited you to share your theories.  It’s going to be a dynamite party where you will make important contacts.

Aquarius

Elves value your creativity this week.  Take your creative flow as far as it will go.

Pieces

Fairies know that you are a great listener.  Use that skill to help someone in need.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: New Year, romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Toasting the New Year

Free at Smashwords, 99¢ at Amazon

Haven’t decided how you’ll ring in the New Year? How about my  tasty bevie? It’s bound to become a classic!

THE SWAN PRINCE

C. Margery Kempe

Ingredients:

A good prosecco, not too sweet (recommended: Nino Franco Rustico)

A good cognac (recommended: Courvoisier or Remy Martin, though Landy is good)

Benedictine

Method:

Take a pair of chilled champagne flutes; fill no more than a quarter of the glass with cognac.

Splash in a little Benedictine (don’t get carried away).

Fill the rest of the glass with prosecco.

Serve immediately with hazelnuts and chocolate or a plate of mild cheeses and fruit.

★ Prince optional!

Pick up a copy of Just Desserts for your collection for free at Smashwords or just 99c at Amazon, all proceeds going to charity!

Available now from Tirgearr

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, Kit Marlowe, romance

A Starry New Year

There’s a halo around the full moon tonight (Friday night).  I noticed when I was walking my dog.  It’s brutally cold.  Pete is not fond of walking when it’s cold and I have to talk him into it.

The New Year is coming fast like a comet.  The year behind me was hard but glorious.  We lost a dear friend (Robert Rehm) and two members of the family in the last three months, and they will be terribly missed–Paul Babcock, head of the Babcock part of the family and my aunt Dorothy Bell.

In July, we welcomed baby Penelope, my grand-daughter, and she is the bright star in all our lives.  In September, I signed a new book contract and have been deep in edits ever since though I’m getting close to the end.

I am very much a stargazer both physically and philosophically.  Recently I learned that the biggest diamond is actually a star, a crystallized white dwarf that astronomers have named Lucy.  At its core, it has a diamond that is 10 billion trillion trillion carets.   Now ladies that would be some ring.  This barely shimmering star is in the constellation Centaurus.   A lot of astronomy sites have been talking about it for a long time.  I’m actually a late comer to the news.  For more on this diamond in the sky, visit the BBC site : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3492919.stm

Where did I learn about it?  You’re going to laugh.  From Pinterest.  Someone posted the photo with a little explanation.  At that moment, the quest for Lucy was on.  I just had to know if what they said was real.  Could science/astronomy sites verify? Yes they did.

Well, I’m excited.  A new year is coming.  New quests.  New adventures.  A new book.  My brain bursting with new stories.  And Penelope looking at everything with a sense of wonder.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: A Lesson in Love, Business, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writer's Life