C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 164

September Song

Ever have a song flow through you touching your heart with a memory but you can’t remember the words? It happened today when I was coming back from the airport.  Traffic on the four lane highway had stopped dead.  I sat.  Then I noticed that some trees had leaves turning.  There were only very subtle splashes of gold and red here and there… almost lost in a huge expanse of green.  But not quite.

It’s funny how the mind drifts. When I was very little, my dad loved Nat King Cole.  So at a very young age, the smooth deep voice of that singer made an indeliable impression on me.  I remembered a smattering of words and a feeling.  Then I remembered Nat King Cole and with the help of Google and YouTube found the song that made me sigh and think back while sitting in stopped traffic.

I guess I’m like the unicorn in Peter Beagle’s The Last Unicorn.  I don’t regret.  I admire the memories I’ve made, and I enjoy seeing the subtle evidence of time passing.  Just the other day, someone told me that time passed so fast.   I agreed.  Today I marveled, when being stuck in traffic looking at the leaves, time stood still for a while just so I could watch.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Emotions, romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, What A Writer Needs, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Friday Dance Party

by C. Margery Kempe

I’m not usually on Fridays, but I’ve traded days with Marian, who’ll be up on Sunday. So I thought I would try something a little bit fun and put up some grooving tunes to see what kind of dance party we could get swinging. Or find out just how much our tastes differ. And they always do. I’ve been borrowing my brother’s car to drive up to Albany to teach (part of my gypsy life at present) and while I have enjoyed the cool jazz he has in the car — timeless classics like Nina Simone, Mel Tormé, Chet Baker and a little Shirley Bassey — the only upbeat music, for driving back down while tired is Abba’s Greatest Hits.

Don’t get me wrong. I groove the Abba. Although now “I Believe in Angels” always makes me think of Ghostbusters (“I cross the streams” I think they sing) and Fernando always makes me think of Bea Arthur and Dewey which makes me really happy. But it’s the only dancy sort of music.

Well, there are the boy band CDs but I’m not touching those. o_O

So here’s some of my no-fail-must-dance tunes. What are yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Meet Debut Author, Marian Lanouette by Gerri Brousseau

Nights of Passion is excited to have debut author, Marian Lanouette with us today. Please help me make her feel welcomed.

Marian, please tell our readers a bit about you, the person … not the author.

Marian:  Here is my actual bio.

Marian born and raised in Brooklyn, New York is the seventh child of ten. At the age of sixteen her family moved from New York to New England. As a typical teenager, she felt her life was ruined and took to journaling her feeling and this new life. The journal helped her realize how easily she had adjusted to the change. Although, she did miss her cherished friends terribly; she’s thankful, they are still friends today. The four of them refer to each other as the cradle to the grave friends.

Unbeknown to her parents, at the age of five she started reading the New York Daily News story about the murdered nurses in Chicago and the investigation. Marian followed every work as authorities rushed to solve the brutal crime. It had caught her attention and her imagination. To this day she stills checks her closet before going to sleep. Marian thinks it was that day the mystery lover was created.

At the age of eight she wrote every day, whether it be a poem, a short story or in her journal. An eighth grade assignment got her published. Though she failed the assignment, the nun was impressed with her poem. It was supposed to be a four line poem, but she couldn’t still her pen. The Beach her first official published work is still her favorite though much longer than four lines. It was the nun who submitted the poem for her to the local paper. Thus, the writer was born.

Marian’s first book If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery will be released on September 7, 2012; and will be followed up in January 2013 with the second book in the series, Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery. Each book’s a mystery with romantic elements, because to quote Marian, “Life is both mysterious and romantic.”

Marian resides in New England with her husband.

Now, please tell us about your book, If I Fail/A Jake Carrington Mystery.

Are rules really meant to be broken? Jake Carrington finds out the hard way and the answer is no! Dating Chloe Wagner was a huge mistake, and Jake should have known better—he’s investigating the murder of Chloe’s sister. Now Chloe is the number one suspect in that murder. If she’s convicted, Jake could lose not only his rank, but his job. If that’s not bad enough, he’s got a stalker on his hands, someone who’s threatening his fledgling relationship with the lovely Mia. Things are getting just a little too personal for comfort!

What inspired you to write If I Fail?

Marian: I’ve had this story in my head for a long time and decided to put it down on the paper. Jake’s story can’t be told in one story, so I found out and thus, that’s how the series was born.

Who did you write it for?

Marian: I write because I love writing and creating stories. I hope readers like what I write and ask for more.

Would you be willing to give us a little taste?

Excerpt:

On days like this, Jake questioned if there was a God. He held the broken, lifeless body of the infant girl in his arms, tears running down his face. He didn’t try to hide them. Jake’s emotions reflected in the eyes of everyone. His partner Louie turned away and kicked the chair. Jake knew this horror would live with each of them for the rest of their lives.

Keith Amara, the morgue assistant, tapped Jake on the shoulder. “I’ll take her.”

“She didn’t have a chance.” Jake handed her to Keith.

“No, she didn’t.”

He lay the child on the stretcher with such care that Jake’s respect for Keith increased immensely. Jake reached down and pulled the sheet up over the baby to conceal her from the morbid crowd that waited in the street below. He never understood the fascination of the onlookers at each crime scene. He believed they hoped to view the body so they could talk about the gruesome details, get their fifteen minutes of fame. Some would offer up a silent prayer of thanks to God for the safety of their children. Tragedy, even the tragedy of a stranger, affected people—it reaffirmed their zest for life, even here in the slums.

Jake composed himself. Turning to face the suspect, he fisted his hands at his side to contain his fury. The line of the law could be blurred here, Jake understood. Each officer wanted a piece of the creep. Knowing he had to keep a tight rein over the situation, Jake held his voice level when he spoke to Washington. He saw no humanity in the suspect; his act alone proved Washington had none. Looking into Washington’s eyes he observed they were dead, like the child he’d killed. He wore a dirty, wrinkled cotton T-shirt with stained jeans. The front of the jeans showed a large, wet patch where Washington pissed himself. The only thing this creep cared about was his next fix.

Jake walked to the body, reached down and uncovered it, and forced himself to look at the baby again. Her head, crushed in on the left side, reminded Jake of a broken hardboiled egg. He could estimate the amount of force that was required to cause such a wound, yet the baby didn’t die immediately. She had lain there suffering until one of the older children snuck out of the apartment and got a neighbor to call the police.

Now he stood in the doorway of the living room watching the police process the room. A child who knew how to stay out of an adult’s way. Jake guessed his age at nine, though his eyes were those of an old man. They reflected life on the street. No child’s eyes should hold such darkness. He understood the pain on the boy’s face, because every day of his life he dealt with the violent death of his own sister at the age of fifteen. It haunted him, invading his thoughts and dreams at unexpected times. Could he have done something to prevent it?

“Man, you don’t understand. I couldn’t think with all the noise from the kid. She never stopped crying. She cried all day, all night long, she cried all the damned time. I couldn’t take it no more. Her mama shouldn’t have left her here,” Washington rambled, turning to Jake.

Unbelievable. The suspect wanted sympathy. It took all of Jake’s control not to ram his fist in the creeps’s face. Instead, he asked, “Where’s her mother, Washington?”

“She went to work,” he slurred. “I gotta sit down, man.” The first officer on scene had thrown him up against the wall, where he remained.

“I told you not to move a muscle. You move, every cop in the room will be on you like flies on crap. They’d like nothing better than to take you down. So stand still and start talking. What’s the mother’s name?”

“Her name’s Sheila Johnson.”

“You shut the hell up, kid, unless I tell you different, you understand?” Washington shouted.

Jake pushed him hard into the wall. Washington let out a groan.

Jake whispered in his ear. “Don’t you dare move or speak, unless you’re spoken to, understand?” Jake waited for him to nod before he spoke again.

“Now apologize to…” Jake jammed the suspect into the wall again, this time digging his elbow into the small of his back.

He was mad at himself because he didn’t bother to get the boy’s name. He’d never asked. Jake looked at the boy. “What’s your name, son?”

“It’s Aaron. Please…” He trembled.

“There’s nothing for you to fear, Aaron, I won’t let this man near you. He’ll be going away for a long time.”

“My…my mom works at the 7-Eleven. She won’t be home before midnight.”

Jake looked at his watch. Seven o’clock. His next visit would change lives. He hated this part of the job: the sadness, the denial, eventually the grief that washed over them and then eased off when a survivor started to accept the news. It’s bad enough when the notification’s for an adult—how do you tell a mother her infant is dead? Murdered by the hand of the child’s father? He motioned the uniform closest to him to take Aaron back to the bedroom with the other kids.

Before he left the room, Aaron turned and spoke to Jake. “Her name’s Keisha.”

“Excuse me?”

“The baby. Her name’s Keisha.” Aaron cried for the first time since Jake arrived on the scene.

“We’ll make sure Keisha’s taken care of, Aaron.”

He nodded and left the room.

“Tough kid,” Louie said.

“He’ll need to be,” Jake responded.

What were your biggest obstacles?

Marian: Three years ago I discovered I needed open heart surgery. The doctors performed a quadruple by-pass. I was on the road to discovery when six months later I was rushed back to the hospital to get three stents to open up those by-passes. How did you overcome them? I always maintained a positive attitude, changed my diet, exercised and I wrote my heart out.

Yikes! Boy are we glad you recovered. That was some scare.

Your book takes place in Waterbury, CT … why Waterbury?

Marian: It actually takes place in a fictitious city modeled after Waterbury. The city is called Wilkesbury, CT. I like the area and the people. It’s small enough to have the small town feel to it and large enough to be called a city.

What are some of the characteristics of your hero that will make us fall in love with him?

Marian:  Jake’s tough but compassionate. We see him as a player who falls hard for a woman. I hope you’ll come to empathize with his feelings about his murdered sister.

Did writing If I Fail come easy to you, or was it a pain-staking process?

Marian: The story flowed from fingers like a movie. I had a hard time keeping up.

What are your productivity tips?

Marian: It’s a job, put your but in the chair and write everyday. My daily goal is 2,500. I don’t beat myself up if I don’t achieve each day, I just move forward and write more the next day.

Tell our readers a little bit about your journey to publication?

Marian: I’ve always written but two years ago when I was recovering from surgery I wrote my first novel. After several rejections on the manuscript a kind editor told me what I need to do to get published. Though he loved the manuscript it had problems with POV (point of view). I took classes and attended conference to learn and to network.

When you aren’t writing, what do you enjoy doing?

Marian: Snowboarding, boating, walking and rollerblading.

Who is your favorite author?

Marian: J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts)

What is your favorite book?

Marian: The In Death Series Movie? Roman Holiday

If Hollywood filmed If I Fail, who do you see playing your lead characters?

Marian: Matthew Morrison from Glee.

What’s next for Marian Lanouette?

Marian: In January 2012 the second book in the series, Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery will be released. I’m now working on the third book in the series, Mated for Life. And the fourth book is all outlined and waiting to be written down. I’m also working on a romance suspense, Loss of Power.

Where can our readers find your book?

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=347&category_id=177&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Amazon  Barnes and Noble.

Where can our readers stalk you?

www.marianl.com

www.marian-l.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/AuthorMarian

http://www.facebook.com/#!/marian.lanouette

Now for some fun stuff:

If Jake Carrington were a delicious dessert, what would it be?

Marian: Ahh! Chocolate, chocolate moose track ice cream, because it mixes ice cream with Reese’s Pieces and fudge—very delicious, it engages all your senses at once.

Surprise our readers by telling us something about yourself that we might not know.

Marian: I’m have four sisters and five brothers.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Marian: Same answer as above: Chocolate, chocolate moose tracks. Which are now fond memories.

Favorite color?

Marian: Pink

Dog or Cat?

Marian: dogs

Coffee or Tea?

Marian: Coffee

Boxers or Briefs?  

Marian: Hmm! I’ll never tell

Astrological Sign?

Marian: Taurus

Do you have any pets? If so … what kind and what are their names?

Marian: No

If you could vacation anywhere … where would you go?

Marian: I love the Caribbean

What is your favorite type of food?

Marian: Pizza

Filed under: romance

What does it Feel Like to Write?

I’m asked this question quite a bit by family and friends. Really, I must say it is a plethora of feelings. I used to think that anyone could be a writer. I now revise that slightly to say that anybody who wants to be a writer can be one. That want is necessary because it takes a lot of work and commitment but most importantly and what makes writers truly stand apart is a different sort of mindset.

To me, writing functions very much like a drug. If I don’t write, the words, conversations and scenes of my characters literally haunt my mind. They seep into my everyday life and it’s as if they push and push until you get their story down on paper. For those of you who have kids, it’s like when your kids cry and whine to get their way, only it is really difficult to reason with imaginary characters—even more so then reasoning with tiny tots! I don’t necessarily believe that everyone has this urge to write these stories down and that in itself may be a defining characteristic of writers.

Once you write the story your characters are bothering you to write it is this great sense of accomplishment, but it doesn’t stop there and this is probably the most exciting thing about the writing process. Each step is a tiny accomplishment in itself. The first draft, the rewriting, the sending it to agents or editors, the query, the synopsis. Each part we writers finish is a goal or a rung up on the ladder. For me, I equate this with the adrenaline rushes of adventure junkies. Yeah, I know jumping out of a plane is a bit different then finishing a first draft (I’ve done both), but there is still this amazing sense of accomplishment and excitement in each. But writing isn’t all highs. There are definitely moments of rejection, criticism and doubt that pull us down. It can be a bit of a rollercoaster at times but for those who love the craft, the good usually outweighs the bad.

And so there you have it. Writing is a rollercoaster of emotions but if you love it enough, you’ll enjoy the ride. Now, back to that laptop and may this week be a productive one for you all.

 

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

Refreshed and Retreated so I Can REVEAL!!! by Leia Shaw

Some of you may have heard I went on a writers retreat this past weekend. And if you’ve been reading along with my posts here, you know that I’ve been having a bit of a battle with my muse. Namely, she wants out of this relationship and I want to strangle her for deserting me. But with my borrowed muse in place (we’ll call her friend cause BM just isn’t very pleasant sounding), I was ready to start the weekend with a fresh attitude.

Now you may or may not know this, but writers are a strange folk. For one, they talk about themselves in the third person. How annoying. But more relevant to this blog post I’m pulling out of my ass the night before, we can be very unpredictable. We say we’re going to do one thing then our rascally muses send us on a different path – or in my case, spin us around in circles then run away laughing to Hawaii. This summer I have, literally, started four books.

My, how unorganized and flighty of you, Leia.

Shut up! You don’t know me!

Ahem. Sorry. But for the last two years of my writing career, I have been anything BUT unorganized and flighty. In fact, I’ve never been more focused on anything in all my life. I’ve been like a super writing ninja, a weapon of perfect precision. I had a vision goddamn it, and nothing was going to get in my way.

Then summer hit. And I went from super writing ninja to rodeo clown in a circus. Yeah, bad analogy, I know. Did you read the part about doing this blog at the last minute?

me looking a little ragged after writing for 2.5 days with very little sleep

Anyway, this weekend my plan was to write wherever my heart went. To commune with my inner self, have a chat with my soul, open my heart wide and…do other happy mushy stuff to inspire me. And honestly, it worked. Armed with candy, diet soda, the awesome writers around me, and my laptop, I wrote my little heart out.

And what developed surprised me. I have two projects coming up. And today, I’m revealing them to you. Yes, because you are that special. Also, I have nothing else to blog about.

I don’t have covers or anything. But I do have book titles. And believe me, that is quite a feat.

The 5th book in my Shadows of Destiny PNR series is called Covert Destiny. For fans of my book, this is Kieran’s story. Remember him? From a loooong time ago? He’s the fae prince from book 2. I tried to force myself to write Maddox’s book, since originally it was next in line. Wasn’t working. So I tried Aedan’s book instead. STILL wasn’t working. Apparently Kieran wants to be written, the demanding bastard. His is flowing out of me like puke during a stomach virus. Wow. Really bad analogy. But it’s late and I’m tired and my kids have been sick so it’s what you get.

My other project is…ready for it? A contemporary erotic menage (m/f/f) BDSM romance. Sound fun? It is! Sound dirty? It is! A little. But it’s got a lot of heart, depth, romance, and of course, humor. So give it a try! It’s tentatively scheduled to release near Halloween. Wanna know why? Huh? Do ya? Because one of the main characters is a ghost hunter!!! AND, it’s co-written with the wonderfully talented and a bit crazy Cari Silverwood and up and coming superstar Sorcha Black.

Below is an excerpt from this book titled Dom with a Safeword.

Sabrina made it to the top of one side then froze while she analyzed the iron spikes. If she could get one leg between the two spikes then she could straddle the fence without impaling her girly parts. She grimaced at the visual.

“What the fuck are you doing?” came an angry voice below. Q was back.

“Shh! I’m trying to concentrate!” Her muscles ached, holding herself in the awkward position.

“Don’t fall!”

 She rolled her eyes. “Yes, thank you. What ever would I do without your genius advi-ahhh!” The foot holding most of her body weight slipped and she tumbled to the ground.

She landed mostly on her ass, but it knocked the wind out of her.

“Are you alright?” Q asked frantically, helping her up.

Sabrina grumbled at the set back. “I’m fine.” A little soreness where she’d landed but it could’ve been worse.

Q sighed and turned her around, looking her over. “There’s dirt all over you. I told you this was a bad idea,” she scolded, brushing the dirt off her back and ass – a little too roughly. “What did you think was going to happen?”

“Ow! Not so hard!”

She held her still with hands on her upper arms. “I found a broken rung. We can squeeze through. But if we do this, you have to promise, nothing else dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” She smirked. “What could be dangerous about ghost hunting?”

Q gave her an exasperated look then released her. “Smart ass.”

Filed under: romance

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Chicago Botanical Garden – Japanese Garden

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.  We, in the Northeastern United States, have reached those last serene moments of summer.  Use them well.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Goblins are good at organizing and record keeping.  Organize yourself better this week and you’ll find spare moments you didn’t know you had.

Taurus

Flying monkies are trouble brewing.   Smile, get along with others, and do your work.  Let those monkeys pass you by.

Gemini

One elf, two elves, three elves, oh more.  Old friends want a reunion.  It’s up to you how much fun you have.

Cancer

Werewolves are cute and cuddly and worthy of your attention.  Don’t pass on the fuzzies in life.

Leo

Mermaids say there’s stormy weather ahead.  Be smart and be safe.

Virgo

A shapeshifter is a handy friend.  They understand that friends come in all shapes and sizes.

Libra

A new opportunity is being presented by a dragon.  Consider the merits outside of the person presenting it.

Scorpio

Fairy parties are wild.  You’re invited. GO!

Sagittarius

Vampires dress well.  Take a hint and revamp that wardrobe.

Capricorn

Stress has beaten you down.  Walk on the beach under the moonlight with an elf and you’ll begin to feel better.  Or drink more tea.  The elf is more fun.  Trust me.

Aquarius

Can you smell the wood fires at night? Salamanders are the flame spirits and they are smiling on you.  Good fortune is coming your way.

Pieces

Aslan has given you a gift.  This week will be wondrous.  Keep your eyes open.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

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

What’s in a Name?

by C. Margery Kempe

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.”

William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

Throughout history, writers have often hidden behind pseudonyms. For some, it was a necessity, for others, a playful sense of fun, like Flann O’Brien AKA Miles naGopaleen but really Brian O’Nolan. Sometimes it was even a political statement, as in noms de guerre. Of course it can also be a way to not take credit: in Hollywood the official designation to ‘credi’t a film for which no one feels responsible is Alan Smithee. Artists, too, have used pseudonyms like Caravaggio, Balthus and El Greco.

Most people are familiar with noms de plume used to hide gender, like George Eliot and George Sand who found it easier at least initially to get published with a man’s name. Other writers went for the short and enigmatic, like Æ and Saki, or ‘normalised’ names they thought too exotic for the mainstream — or too Jewish for a potentially anti-semitic public. Thus Allen Koenigsberg became Woody Allen.

There’s a long history of noms de plume in romance. Even if you aren’t as racy as Pauline Reáge writing The Story of O, there are many reasons to go with a pseudonym. For those of us who write at different heat levels, it’s handy to have a sexy pseudonym (C. Margery Kempe) and a sweet or  at least non-sex ual pseudonym (Kit Marlowe). This has worked well for me, clearly labeling my romance writing for reader interests.

But recently I had difficulty choosing which name to use; not because of heat level, but because of genre. The lovely Kem at Tirgearr Publishing snapped up my sexy thriller Chastity Flame when it became available to relaunch as a series. I’m really happy about that because I had such fun writing that book and its sequel, Lush Situation. But I’ve also been moving into the mystery/crime/thriller genre under my own name (K. A. Laity) so I faced a dilemma: who should be listed as author? Both names have publications out or forthcoming with Tirgearr, so Kem said it was up to me. I hemmed and hawed a bit and then went with my given name as I already have a foot well placed in that genre.

So let me unveil the new cover design that will carry through the trilogy. The first book has the threat of a computer virus, so the fabulous S. L. Johnson worked that into the image. Great stuff!

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, Kit Marlowe, Marketing, romance, Romance suspense, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

A New Cycle: Hospital and Highlands

A new cycle in my life has begun.  My writing has taken on new life.  Is it paranormal?  Of course.  You know me.  Right now, everything is under wraps.  Then the mad rush begins again.

I spent the day in the hospital with my husband.  He was in for a battery of tests and fortunately since we live far away, they were able to schedule most of the tests in one day.  Where does that leave us?  Really exhausted by the time we get home.  Still during the day, I learned lots of things about people just be observing.  As we walked down endless corridors from test to test, some of the corridors viewed a lower rooftop that was transformed into a type of Zen garden–very peaceful.  Another corridor featured little glass display podiums that contained unique plates–more art than dishes.  Again very peaceful and restful to the eye and mind.  We ate an early supper there in one of the many cafeterias.  One thing about his particular hospital is that their food is great.  The Reuben sandwich I had was delicious.

This is also a huge teaching hospital.  I watched all the different people walking with purpose and I tried to imagine each mission.  There was even a guide giving a tour to the new employees.  She had paused in the cafeteria’s courtyard like dining area graced by a spherical fountain.  As she talked to her group, hundreds of staff walked this way and that on their individual missions.

As hospitals go, this one has made the herculean effort to create moments of peace and beauty in their environment.   I really appreciated that and although we were only there for my husband’s tests, it made being there less stressful.

When I got home and collapsed on the sofa, I reached for Victoria magazine.  If you’re unfamiliar with this magazine, let me tell you why it’s my favorite.  Victoria magazine is about all things of a Victorian style that we could use today.  It expounds on beautiful clothes, recipes, antiques and travels to elegantly quaint places.  They look at stores that sell lace and other beautiful items, country inns that serve tea, and cities that preserve their traditions while being modern.  I flipped through the pages and after seeing Edinburgh stopped.  I fell in love with Scotland the first moment I stepped off the plane.

I visited the grandeur of Edinburgh Castle or walked among the heather in the highlands, and I felt at home.  My body did one of those big sigh things where you know you can relax here.   When I sleep in Scotland, I always hear bagpipes in my dreams.  I’ve been to a lot of places in Scotland but not everywhere, so I’ll have to go back.

This is Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness.  Yes, I’ve been there too.  Truthfully, I hope they never find Nessie beneath the blue waters of the loch.  I’m all for preserving the privacy of the monster.  Some people think there are several now.

Peace is a gift the monster deserves.  Notice how it only shows up for blurry photos.  LOL

Peace and serenity are gifts people in the hospital deserve.  All of them whether they are sick and sad and scared in a hospital bed or working there.  They all deserve a bit of peace and serenity in their lives.

A big THANK YOU goes out to the fine folks at Victoria magazine. (Visit their website at http://www.victoriamag.com/ )   When I read your magazine especially the Sept./Oct. issue I am reminded of my trips to Scotland, and for a time, aches ease away and the grand hearty food of Scotland fills my memories as well as the people and scenes.   For a little while, I even hear bag pipes.   I can’t wait to see where you go and what you discover for the Nov./Dec. issue.

So a new cycle has started in my life.  If you’re going through something similar, I wish you joy and peace and serenity.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Release Day! If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery by Marian Lanouette

After much anticipation on my part, the day has arrived. If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery hit the Amazon shelves this week.

To celebrate I’m giving away your choice of either a Amazon gift card or a Barnes and Noble Gift Cards (value $10 each), to two lucky winners. Just visit www.marian-l.blogspot.com for you chance to win. The more you share this post the more entries you receive.

I can’t describe what it felt like when I clicked on Amazon.Com and saw my book. That’s right my book!

Two years ago when I set out to write–seriously that is–because I’ve written my whole life. But this time, my goal while writing was to be published.

A childish dream at this age. Some thought so, but those close to me encouraged and supported me. As I learned the craft and the business, I got more excited about my novels and where they were taking me.

It’s been a wonderful journey and I know it’s not over yet.

Website: www.marianl.com

Blog: www.marian-l.blogspot.com

View the book trailer: http://youtu.be/DnmqRl-J0co

UY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Fail-Carrington-Mystery-Series-ebook/dp/B0095GCVX4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346948115&sr=8-1&keywords=Marian+Lanouette

Like my author page: www.amazon.com/author/marianlanouette

Author Bio:

Marian born and raised in Brooklyn, New York is the seventh child of ten. At the age of sixteen her family moved from New York to New England. As a typical teenager, she felt her life was ruined and took to journalizing her feeling and this new life. The journal helped her realize how easily she had adapted to the change. Although, she did miss her cherished friends terribly; she’s thankful, they are still friends today. The four of them refer to each other as the cradle to the grave friends.

Unbeknown to her parents, at the age of five she started reading the New York Daily News story about the murdered nurses in Chicago and the investigation. Marian followed the story every day as authorities rushed to solve the brutal crime. It had caught her attention and her imagination. To this day she stills checks her closet before going to sleep. Marian thinks it was on that day the mystery lover was created.

At the age of eight she wrote every day, whether it be a poem, a short story or in her journal. An eighth grade assignment got her published. Though she failed the assignment, the nun was impressed with her poem. It was supposed to be a four line poem, but she couldn’t still her pen. The Beach her first official published work is still her favorite though much longer than four lines. It was the nun who submitted the poem for her to the local paper. Thus, the writer was born.

Marian’s first book If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Mystery will be released on September 7, 2012; and will be followed up in January 2013 with the second book in the series, Burn in Hell, A Jake Carrington Mystery. Each book’s a mystery with romantic elements, because to quote Marian, “Life is both mysterious and romantic.”

Marian resides in New England with her husband.

Filed under: romance

The Life of Author Tracy Meyer by Gerri Brousseau

When I started writing Wren’s Fantasy over a year ago, I did so whilst flipping pancakes, driving carpool and folding underwear. Meaning, I did so in the midst of life whirling all around me. I felt like a clown juggling a handful of bowling pins. But they weren’t plastic, hardy bowling pins. They were glass. Fragile. Breakable. And if one fell, if I dropped just one, well, the whole entire act would come crumbling down.

Most of us just don’t sit down and write. We have other jobs. We’re parents, spouses, partners, friends. We wear the proverbial hat to many people. But writing takes a lot of energy – mental energy. What do we do, though, when our energy reserves are depleted? Gone? Taken the first, and only, train to Timbuktu?

Below are a few all-natural, time-proven ways to wake up your brain so you can get the story out of your head and onto the paper. None of these examples are earth-shattering, or even something you didn’t know. But here they are put together in one place, as a gentle reminder of what we can do to help increase our mental acuity.

Caffeine. Duh. Who doesn’t drink caffeine? According to www.livestrong.com, over 90% of Americans consume caffeine daily. Sure. I do. But don’t overdo it or you run the risk of throwing your brain into overdrive and you won’t get anything done because your thoughts are zooming faster than your hands.
Fruit. These simple sugars give an almost immediate boost of energy.
Whole Grains. These give a slower, but sustained, boost.
Bee Pollen. This is said to improve metabolic rates. One pill in the morning can increase energy all day.
Ginseng. Fights fatigue.
Exercise. I don’t mean throwing on the John McEnroe headband and doing sprints up the hill outside of your house. Gentle stretching, knee-lifts, a brisk walk. Anything that gets your blood flowing to your brain helps wake that bad-boy up.

Do I need to say here that we aren’t supposed to do anything without a doctor’s approval? I think we all know that, don’t we?

And if you find, in the midst of your chaotic lives, that you not only need to wake up your creative mind, but your libido, try these foods, courtesy, again, of www.livestrong.com.

Avocado
Bananas
Almonds
Soy
Asparagus

If anyone would like to read the results of these brain-awakening suggestions, I’m giving away a copy of Wren’s Fantasy. I used all of them (wink wink) at one point or another!

I’d like to thank Nights of Passion for allowing me to guest blog and to Gerri Brousseau for being such a supportive comrade-in-writing.

Cheers! Tracy

You are quite welcome, Tracy. We enjoyed having you share a bit about your journey. But, readers … Tracy isn’t finished yet. As she mentioned, she’s going to giveaway one free e-book to one lucky reader. In order to qualify to win one free e-book copy of Wren’s Fantasy, please leave a comment. One luck winner will be randomly drawn. I hope you all enter and best of luck to everyone.

Filed under: romance