C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 155

The Hobbit Movie Review, by Leia Shaw

This weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing The Hobbit, an Unexpected Journey. And since I always write reviews – usually snarky, nonsensical ones – when I see a new movie, that’s what I have for you today (even though I think Peter Jackson can do no wrong and The Hobbit is a no-brainer).

 

Now I should warn you. I’m a bit of a geek – not as much as my husband, who made me take his picture standing next to the hobbit door and Gandalf cardboard cut-out in the theater lobby – but a LOTR fan, Tolkien-lover in my own right. So this review isn’t exactly unbiased.

The Hobbit starts before Frodo’s big adventure, on the day of Bilbo’s party so we can a small appearance of Elijah Wood and Ian Holm. Then it flashes back to Bilbo’s youth, when a wizard shows up on his doorstep talking adventure and burglary. The beginning follows the book I remember reading a long time ago then it strays a bit toward the middle. But I didn’t mind because I was too busy enjoying myself on this exciting ride.

Thorin Oakenshield is the Dwarf prince trying to win back his kingdom from Smog, the gold-obsessed dragon who took it. He’s assembled a motley crew of twelve dwarves to take back what’s theirs. With the help of Gandalf, they recruit Bilbo, their burglar. On the way, they run into trolls, goblins, Orcs, just about every bad guy you can imagine. We get to visit Rivendell before the whole fellowship of the ring thing happened. Elron, Galadriel, and Saromon, all whispering about a dark force, a necromancer that could bring an end to mankind. It was very…gratifying for a geek like me.

Some reviewers are giving it low scores because it seems to be confused about whether it’s a kids movie or an adult movie. But the book is the same way. It’s meant for a younger audience but with a somewhat heavy theme and some scary elements. So, yes, the dwarves sing a merry tune while cleaning up the kitchen but the Orcs also ruthlessly decapitate their victims. For me, this dichotomy worked. I liked it. But I can see how other adults might find it silly or annoying. And it’s definitely not for young children.

Let’s talk about cinematography (how’s that for a professional-sounding movie review word?). I saw The Hobbit in 3D. Usually I’m not a fan. I get motion sick easily and the glasses give me a headache, but I am

soooo glad I did. The scenery,  the grand panoramic shots from the helicopters…it was so worth it. Beautiful! The only downfall was the action scenes got a little confusing. It was like my brain couldn’t keep up with what my eyes were seeing. Maybe it’s just my brain. I don’t know.

I didn’t do the HFR version because I get vertigo easily and I can just see me stumbling from the theater with a full-blown attack, unable to drive myself home. From what I’ve heard, if you’re a technology geek, like my husband, you’d probably like it just because of what it is. But for a normal person wanting to enjoy a movie experience, you might want to skip it. I say go with the 3D at least. You’ll see what I mean when they shoot in Rivendell.

Anyway, I loved the whole thing. I rarely want to see movies twice in the theater, but I’d pay $20 plus popcorn and soda and Raisinets (cause, you know, they’re healthy), to see this again.

 

yes, dwarves CAN be hot

 

 

Filed under: romance

Reading Aloud

by C. Margery Kempe

I had the chance to be on the radio this week and along with all the silly chat with my fellow Tirgearr authors, I also got to read from my novelette, Swan Prince. I know a lot of writers who wouldn’t want to get anywhere near the mic and more that wouldn’t want to have to read what they have written.

I love it!

In fact, my editor Kem and I were brainstorming about doing more audio books or recordings in the future. I’d certainly love to do them. I’ve done book trailers — also fun! — but I think in the new year I will do a few more readings.

I did some that were just me reading. I think I’d rather combine the audio with images rather than just watch me reading. I think it would be better to see the story in your head rather than watch my various ticks and blinks.

 

 

I think this is a better model: my audio with music reading of “Rook”

By the time this posts, I should be with my honey in Scotland (since it will post at 5am Dundee time, I assume I should be sleeping!). Hope you all are as happy as I will be.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, Kit Marlowe

A Very Vampire Contest and Some Thoughts

This has been a hard week for everyone, not the least to find out yesterday’s horrifying news of the school shooting (in Connecticut).  I was babysitting my granddaughter Penelope and hugged her and played with her and talked to her all the more.  She’s only 5 months old, but already I am worried about her future.

It appears that with all the stresses now a days and with all the death, people are emotionally breaking and taking others down with them.  Somehow we all have to find it in us to extend ourselves more for others.

Recently an eight-year-old boy named Jayden Lamb lost his battle with cancer.  You can find out more about him on his Facebook page called “Keep on Truckin’ Team Jayden”.  People are adopting his philosophy of paying forward.  They are doing kindness and giving donations in Jayden’s memory.  One person even dropped a diamond ring into a Salvation Army kettle with a note that in Jayden’s memory they were paying forward.

I know that not all of us can donate money.  My favorite thing to do that I’ve been doing for years is to open doors for others.  It’s a very simple act, but it raises my awareness of the people around me.  I think that’s the important part. 

Now for the contest.  In the spirit of the season, I am a giving away one copy of my ebook A Vampire for Christmas.

Georgia doesn’t know she’s a Harmony. Jobless and about to be homeless, her

heart sinks when a hand snatches the coat of her dreams from the storefront

window. Then she sees him staring at her reflection . . . the stalker.

Trevor Stenwood, a vampire and Arnhem Knight, is handsome, sophisticated, and

tongue-tied every time he sees her. Sworn to protect the supernaturals of the

city, he’s fallen for a woman marked for death by demons. How can he save her

when she’s afraid of him?

At Christmas time in New York City, will love bloom in the snow?

One winner will be chosen randomly at 9 P.M. ET on Sunday, Dec. 16th.  They can have a PDF version ebook or if they have a Kindle, and would prefer the Kindle ebook, I will send it to them as a gift.   All you have to do to be eligible is to write in the comments box  “I want a vampire for Christmas!”   Be sure to include your name and email, so I can contact you if you win.    The contest is void where prohibited.

Thank you for listening and caring.  Good luck in the contest.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Christmas-Vampires-Manhattan-ebook/dp/B006NQUX8O

Filed under: contest, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires

Holiday Scandinavian Spice Cake by Marian Lanouette

I love this receipe and have used it for years. It’s a really big hit with my guests. The original receipe is taken from James Beard’s American Cookery. I took the basic recipe and added a little spice. For what is life without spice! Do you have a favorite recipe you wish to share with us!

Basic recipe:

Pre heat oven to 325 F

1 cup soft butter

1 1/3 cups shifted-all-purpose flour

5 eggs

1 1/3 cup of sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 salt ( I never use the salt)

1/2 teaspoon almond extract. (I’ve used lemon, rum and orange extracts also)

paper doily optional

This cake is delicious as a golden cake and is wonderful with coffee. I also like it spiced up.

my addition to the recipe:

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon all spice

Method:

Mix butter and flour in a bowl. Mix for 5 minutes with electric mixer on low speed or until the mixture is meal like and well blended. Now one at a time add the eggs and blend well. Sift in the sugar, baking powder, and salt, add the flavoring and continue to mix at a low speed. Fold the mixture into a well greased and floured 10 inch tube  pan ( I use Pam spray to save calories.) Big Grin here.  Bake in a preheated 325F oven for about one hour. Oven temperatures vary. Check often as not to overcook.

This cake is so rich it does not need icing. Take doily and drape over cake and lightly sprinkle confectionary sugar over top. Remove doily and enjoy.

Have a happy and safe holiday, from my family to yours!

Marian

Filed under: romance

Christmas Traditions by Gerri Brousseau

It’s that time of year when the nights grow long and the wind is cold. Snow is on the ground and frost glistens on the trees. Candle light glows, the blaze burning in the fireplace and the twinkle of lights on the Christmas tree give us an inner warmth as the holiday approaches. Children wait in wonder with their noses pressed up to the store window, as they wait for the coming of the holiday and dream of the surprises they will find under their tree on Christmas morning. To me, Christmas is a magical time of year.  

Just as with Thanksgiving, my family has certain Christmas traditions. It starts weeks before the actual holiday when we begin baking and freezing the Christmas cookies. These are recipes passed down through generations, and although they could be made at any time of year, these certain cookies are only made at Christmas. No matter how many times I try to substitute others, these favorites must be made.

The tree and all the decorations get put up the weekend after Thanksgiving, and Christmas music fills the air. The gifts are purchased, never just one per person, but as it turns out a plethora of gifts for each. Thankfully, I only have to buy for a few.  The gifts are wrapped and piled under the tree, which only adds excitement to the coming holiday. When Christmas Eve finally rolls around and the stockings are hung, we turn our attention to the feast.

Christmas Eve is spent practicing our Italian heritage and the tradition of a meal of the seven fish. Years and years ago, my mother (God rest her soul) made stuffed squid and eel (gross). But thankfully times have changed. We now enjoy baked stuffed shrimp, shrimp scampi, baked stuffed lobster tail, linguini with clam sauce, baked stuffed clams, and to keep with the old time tradition fried dough which have anchovies in the middle, and fried smelts.

Of course, the children are too excited to eat and spend most of the evening dancing around the tree, picking through the pile of presents, searching for tags that have their name written on them. Shaking the boxes is against the rules, but rules, as they say, are made to be broken. The package snooping is only suspended to check on television, or now on our cell phones (there is an app for this) as to the location of Santa.

Finally, we all truck off to midnight mass. The church is packed. Standing room only. The choir sings all the traditional Christmas songs, including the Italian ones. When they sing the one that was my mother’s favorite, I always cry despite the fact that she has been gone since 1980.

After church we go back home where the adults sit around the tree with a glass of champagne, and toast to Christmas. It’s then that we get to open one gift with our name on it from under the tree. We can select any gift of our choosing, but only that one until the morning.  After that, it’s off to bed for the short amount of sleep before the kids wake up excited to see what Santa has left for them.

Christmas morning holds traditions as well. It starts with our morning coffee as we sit and open up the presents in our stockings. Once that is done, we take a short break to have mimosa’s and munch on Hickory Farms cheese,  smoked sausage, and crackers. We have to build up our strength to tackle the opening of the gifts! One person is selected to “play Santa” and hand the gifts out. The presents are handed out one at a time and the group’s undivided attention is given to the person opening their gift. We all get to enjoy the giving and the reaction of the recipient.

Finally, after all the gifts are opened, Momma goes to the kitchen to start working on preparing the feast. The food is laid out upon the table and friends who come and go throughout the day can partake in the bounty.  Coffee is made and the huge tray of Christmas cookies, which we slaved on for a month, are laid out for all to enjoy.

It’s a full day of family, friends, love and holiday magic.  Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza, the traditions of the holiday is what brings magic to the season.

I know it’s a little early, but I wanted to take the opportunity to wish every one of you a very happy holiday season, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Festive Kwanza. Please share some of your traditions with us. Do you have ham, turkey or prime rib? Will a pasta dish grace your table? Soup or salad? Do you make Christmas cookies? Does Santa wrap your gifts or leave them strategically placed among the presents already beneath the tree? Or … are you a Grinch who hates Christmas?

Filed under: romance

The Sweet Spot of Life

When I’m writing this blog, it’s the Friday night before it’s due. I’m trying to be prepared because I’ve got a big week ahead and very little time. This has been a wicked hard week but I’ve somehow survived (okay so maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic considering all we’ve got going in the world). And now what? Well, it’s popcorn, Guiness, Dave Matthews, Alex Clare and my laptop. I haven’t heard good ‘ol Dave in a while and it is completely hitting the spot as getting me in the mood to write. It’s also Friday so the weekend seems endless in front of me. Quite simply, life is good and I’m in my sweet spot.

I have to admit that I love my sweet spot. I mean, who wouldn’t, right? Good music, good food and good drink all in the comfort of my own home. The baby is asleep and the words for just about anything are flowing through my mind. I’m not sure what I want to work on first. Part of me wants to move fast, pumping out blogs for next week, preparing for an interview and working on a few manuscripts. Another part of me wants to just sit here, mellow in my contentedness. It’s kind of like eating your favorite dish, fight between devouring it or savoring each precious bite.

Why do we hold on so tightly to these moments? As a writer I can only say that for me, they hold inspiration. Each moment of my sweet spot is some sort of perfection; there is nothing I would change. What about you all? What is your sweet spot and does it inspire you?

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

The Gingerbread House Disaster by Leia Shaw

what it was supposed to look like

As a mom to a six year old and a three year old, I strive to make the holidays a magical, exciting experience for them. Usually participating in the obligatory mall Santa trip, decorating the tree, making cookies and all that. Well, this year I decided to tackle a gingerbread house.

It was a spontaneous decision. I saw it for $8 at Home Depot while hubby was shopping and thought, hey, the kids are old enough now. Why the hell not? Sidenote: I’ve since decided I have no right to think anything while in Home Depot except to blindly follow hubby so I don’t get lost.

So that evening, I sit both kids down at the table and begin the assembly process. My husband, who’s an engineer and home improvement prodigy, deserted me for some other less important task but I thought, hell, it’s a gingerbread house! How hard can it be?

Half an hour later, we end up with this.

Let’s start with the instructions. There are none! Maybe it has to do with having been made by Home Depot. Like, if you’re shopping here you should be able to assemble a fucking gingerbread house. If you can’t, you have no right to step into our store. Something like that. Who knows? Anyway, mine was missing a piece… a fluke in manufacturing (yeah, let’s go with that), so that explains the giant hole in the roof.

Then there’s the icing. The box comes with two different colors in plastic packaging – orange and white. And they expect you to squeeze it from one plastic package to a frosting bag (which is really just another plastic package) then use one of the four fancy tips to decorate. I attempted this for about….twenty minutes. Twenty minutes to get one blob of frosting from one package to another! Why didn’t they just put it in the frosting bag to begin with?!?! Anyway, my hand cramped up and the kids whined so I just cut a hole in the original package and squeezed it messily all over my sad excuse for a house.

That’s when I got my first taste. The frosting…it was…just…so…mmmmmm…

Ahem. Sorry, what was I saying? Oh yes. The frosting. I ate at least a third of my body weight in it then gave some to the kids, who frothed at the mouth for more. I was right there with them, pupils dilated, frothing, panting.

Then hubby came home. He saw our dilapidated shack and our trembling hands from the sugar high, he shook his head and declared me incompetent as an engineer and possibly a parent. I beseeched him to at least try the Ice (that’s what we call it on the streets) but he tossed it all away.

*sigh*

What was I saying? Oh yes. Gingerbread houses.

The kids didn’t care at all that it looked like a bird shit on some lumps of cookie, they ate it anyway and we all had fun. And that’s the point, right?

So…what are your favorite holiday type things to do with your kids?

Filed under: romance

A Very Hobbit 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

Beware of Orcs!  Be cautious with your words.

Taurus

Dwarves will need your advice.  Be open to new experiences.

Gemini

Trolls avoid sunlight but you should not.  Enjoy the sunny days this week.

Cancer

Elves are great planners.  Organize your time more efficiently and you will feel loads better.

Leo

My Precious, you are golden!  Many will seek your company.

Virgo

Eagles will carry you to success.  Don’t be afraid of high places.

Libra

A wizard is a powerful friend to have.  Besides they love to cook.

Scorpio

Someone you thought was a dragon will be a warm friend.

Sagittarius

A thrush may seem ordinary until it sings.  You will be surprised by someone you know.

Capricorn

Gollum isn’t good at riddles.  Time to challenge those brain cells with games or puzzles.

Aquarius

A hobbit can find the details that make the difference.  So can you!

Pieces

Elves lend their sparkle to everything this week, making life more fun.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: films, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Getting your Just Desserts

By C. Margery Kempe

How do your characters earn their just desserts?

Last time I was thinking about making characters suffer, and that’s certainly part of it. You want to see them go through the fire. If they’re just handed good fortune on a plate, you figure they’re not likely to really appreciate their good fortune.

So being an unkindly goddess I want to make them work out problems. I know with Swan Prince a big part of the story tension came first from figuring out what this seemingly perfect guy had to hide — because Charles seemed to be hiding something. Of course Lena had no idea what his big secret was. You don’t really expect a guy to turn into a bird on you!

So the next thing was figuring out just how to stop him from turning into a swan. For Lena this called on her crafting skills as well as determination. And a good bit of research too. It took a leap of faith as well, trusting that old stories had some wisdom to offer. Too easy the winning…

Of course this is my opportunity to mention the collection from Tirgearr called Just Desserts, a collection of holiday recipes from the authors and staff. It’s free on Smashwords and just 99 cents on Amazon. I have two recipes in it. What’s that you say? I don’t cook? Okay, I admit it. They’re drink recipes. I think you’ll like the Swan Prince with your holiday brunch. And for your Friday night getting-ready-to-go-out drink, give the Man City a try. Inspired by the singular city that is Manchester, it has a sophisticated taste but it’s not at all stuffy. Start your evening off right!

Oh, and don’t let me forget to mention that I’m going to be on the radio with Dellani Oakes, talking about writing with my fellow Tirgearr folks. Join us from 4-6pm US East coast time. You can call in and I bet we’ll have some giveaways to tempt you.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, Kit Marlowe

Holiday Crafting and Assorted Stuff

You are probably all familiar with assorted stuff.  You find assorted stuff if you open the box of decorations and say, “Oh, no.”  Things are missing or tangled.    How did that happen!   I can’t imagaine.  So I have no choice but to invent.  My brain cells for inventing has been occupied with editing.  I’ve turned to the lovely folks at Pinterest for suggestions. This beautiful example of what to do with bits and pieces comes from a blog called Very Merry Vintage Style.  http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/2011/12/make-christmas-centerpiece-with-vintage.html   Go there and you’ll see detailed photos of how they made this centerpiece.  It really makes me excited.  It’s funny how attached we get to the bits and pieces of our lives.  When you can put them together and makes something really new and fun, it’s like growing from the old into something new and better.

Food too is very important.  Yes, it nourishes us but sometimes it just makes us giggle.  I’ve had years of being involved with very complicated recipes.  I’ve built a cookie tree.  That was a lot of work believe me.  I’ve started to look for the easy, and I appreciate the people that embrace that philosophy.  There’s a talented lady by the name of Louise Igoe over on Pinterest who posted the wonderful strawberry snowmen.  I’m guessing that all you need are strawberries, whipped cream (I’d use Cool Whip or a similar brand), and dark frosting for eyes.

I’m overly fond of snowmen, snow angels, snow forts, ice palaces, messages in the snow.  One of the most romantic thing ever done for me was when my husband went into the yard and made a giant heart with our names in the middle.  He used the crop circle method of stomping down the snow knowing I would look down on it from our balcony back porch.   Looking straight at the yard, you wouldn’t have seen anything.  It could only be seen from above.

Tis the season to get your assorted stuff together and love them all you can.  That includes the people in your life.   Do you have any ideas to share about what you’ve done with bits and pieces? Fun easy recipes?  Dear holiday memories?  I would love to read them.  Please, feel free to post them in the comment box.  If you have photos you would like to share, please, send them to onlyladyknight(at)yahoo(dot)com.  That’s me.  Be sure to put Nights of Passion in the subject line.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: A Lesson in Love, Recipes, romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, What A Writer Needs, What inspires you?, Writer's Life