C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 223

Surfing the Waves of Love and more

"Isn't love grand?  It is whether it's from a sweetie, a puppy, a bunch of friends, family, or a vampire.  Wait a minute, how did a vampire get in here?"

David laughs.  "How many vampires does it take to change a light bulb?"

I groan.  "Okay, just tell me."

"None.  We can see in the dark."

"Is that supposed to be funny?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Okay.  Ignoring our vampire disturbance, let's continue.  Right now for the love of all the authors and inspiring authors out there, I want to tell you about a great educational opportunity to improve your writing and pitch your novel to  editors and agents.  It's called Fiction Fest 2011.  It's put on by Connecticut RWA.  Here's the link to check out the real editors and agents:  http://toniandrews.com/FictionFest.htm It's May 14th in North Haven, Connecticut.  It sells out very fast, especially the sign-up for the pitching, so register now.  It will be the best one day conference you've ever attended.  I'll be there and I'll be in the booksigning."

If you love romance books, really love romance, and would love to spend a weekend with romance authors, then the Authors After Dark 2011 convention is for you.  This year, the conference is in Philadelphia,  August 11-14, 2011.  The hotel is booked but there are a lot of hotels in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, NJ, which is across the river.  There are still registrations left for romance readers.  This is a fun-intense, freebie filled convention.  Here's the link: http://www.authorsafterdark.net/registration.htm I'll also be signing books here both in print and ebooks.

"Um. Um."

David is still here.

"What do you want?"

"Oh, is Lily in a bad mood?"

"No.  Do you need something?"

"Max knows you are writing his book, and he asked me to come and get the chapters you've completed."

"That's not happening.  No one will see it until it's done."

"Hmm.  Mason's your critique partner.  I will have a chat with Mason."

Next thing I know he's gone.  Vampires are like that.  "Hmm.  I'd better call Mason."

"So what am I doing now?  I'm surfing those waves of love, baby!  Just surfing."

–Susan Hanniford Crowley, aka Lily A. Snow

_____________________________________________________

It has just come to my attention that Nights of Passion's security has been breached.  If you have received email with my name or Nights of Passion's name on it, and it wasn't from us, I apologize.  We have changed over our security in the last few minutes and WordPress has been notified.  Thank you for your understanding. 

–Susan

Filed under: Adventures of Lily A. Snow, Dear David, paranormal, paranormal romance, Readers Conference, romance, Romance News, romance novels, RWA, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires, Writers Conferences

Stuck in Some Kind of Moment

Whether it's Justin Bieber's Stuck in the Moment or U2's Stuck in a Moment, the point gets across and really hits us writers. I know that you know what I'm talking about. Remember those rewrites were you've felt so into your plot that you're just plain stuck? You don't know beginning from end and the characters seem to be walking around the room as you try to write—overall a very distracting experience.

Why? You ask.  You'd think that being stuck in your book is a good thing. Yes and no. It's important to get into your characters' minds, to understand your plot, to visualize your scenery, BUT (notice that this is a big but here) you also don't want to lose yourself as you go along. You don't want your characters or scenes to blend into one big mush pile called your brain.

How do you stop this? Honestly, you may not always be able to stop this. Sometime circumstances force you to really dig into a rewrite. Maybe it's deadline crunch time and you don't have the luxury of just setting the book aside and coming back to it later. If you do have the time, that's definitely a thought. Set the book aside and pull out another work in progress. After a few days away, you'll be able to come back to it with renewed gusto.

For those of you hitting rewrites hard for deadlines, this is where your critique partners come in handy (or those lucky family members who get to read your draft material).  Work with that other person to find out whether the emotions you want to across are doing so. Have them tell you what they feel about the rewritten material. First impressions usually give off the cleanest thoughts so if you can have a couple critique partners who haven't already read the scenes give their thoughts, even better.

At the end of the day, you just need to know that getting stuck in the moment is all part of the writing process. It's normal and inevitable. Don't let it slow down your pace, but instead, prepare for it by giving your critique partners or family members a heads up.  If they're not available, move onto another part of your book and come back to this part later. No need to panic.  As Bob Marley sang, "don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Brothers-love'm or kill'm

Mohammed wrapped his arm around Haddad's shoulder. "You always were a good brother. Knew how to treat your guest."

Haddad looked over, a puzzled expression clouded his face. "Brother why are you speaking like I'm no longer here," he asked as he felt Mohammed tighten his grip on his shoulder.

Mohammed gave his brother a reassuring smile. "Things change. Times change. And you've changed." He kept focused on Haddad's eyes, as his hand encircled the rubber grip on his KA-BAR resting in his waistband. "You shouldn't have told the authorities about our little enterprise." When the last word slipped from between his pinched lips, the knife was thrust between Haddad's the second and third rib, right over and into his heart. Once Mohammed felt the knife seat to its hilt, with a twist of his wrist and a downward thrust, he sliced through the rib and heart muscle.

Haddad sucked in a shattered breath as the knife slip into him. He tried to push away but Mohammed's hold was to strong, the attack to swift and sure. He could hear a gurgling deep within as he once again, for the last time he was knew, tried to take in air. Nothing. Blackness covered his eyes. He never felt his body hit the concrete floor.

Abdul-Qadir stood silently. He knew, all too well, the consequences of crossing Mohammed. Behold the gruesome scene laid out at his feet. Then again, it had been him who'd tipped his friend off that his brother had approached Homeland Security.

Filed under: Lindsay Downs, Mystery

Mason's Valentine and Nights of Passion's Birthday Sexy Paranormal Scope.

As you know, I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets. I do however; have practical advice for those of you that might encounter paranormal of some sort.

But I do love a party. Not only is today Valentine's Day but Nights of Passions birthday too. We are two.

Happy 2nd Birthday Nights of Passion. I have special Sexy Paranormal-Scope.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Late in the week let that sexy vampire you've been eyeing know you're hot for what comes next.

Taurus

You are on fire and so is the devil. Sometimes being bad is good.

Gemini

Mental stimulation can reap out of this world rewards.

Cancer

It is time for you to do some line dancing with zombies so you can be the main dish.

Leo

Allow your inner flame to consume those around you and sparks will fly.

Virgo

Lay the ruins on the table you might build a tower.

Libra

It's a dark descent into all manner of fleshly pleasure.

Scorpio

Take the reins and whip that fiend into submission.

Sagittarius

You're the Queen of the vampire nest and can have your pick. Enjoy.

Capricorn

Fire burns and you're setting the bed ablaze. It's time to roast your favorite creature of the night.

Aquarius

Still waters have strange creatures beneath the surface. Dive in and have fun.

Pisces

Tranquility and love warm the waters you swim in so do hot merpersons.

Mason

a.c.Mason

Darkness ♀♂ Desires

www.acmason.com

Filed under: a.c. Mason, Mason's Paranormal-Scope

Getting Medieval on Love

The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne…

You know the drill: hearts, flowers, chocolates.  Great if you're in a relationship, but often not so great if you're not.  Many a lonely soul on Valentine's Day wonders: How did all this insanity get started?

Well, you can blame the Middle Ages for a lot of it. Sure, St. Valentine himself was really a third century Roman martyr, clubbed to death and then beheaded (not a propitious start for the holiday, eh?).  The holiday itself, however, got going only when Geoffrey Chaucer set his poem The Parliament of Fowls on that day.

The dreaming narrator, who's fallen asleep reading Scipio's book on dreaming (!), finds Scipio leading him through Venus' temple.  On the walls are the stories of suffering lovers and the acolytes of the goddess gather near.  The dreamer, who claims to be ignorant of the ways of love apart from what he's read, observes closely the birds who are gathered there before the noble goddess Nature herself:

For this was on seynt Valentynes day,

Whan every foul cometh ther to chese his make ("mate")

The birds are all arrayed by rank, each with its kind whether sparrow or duck or robin. They have to take turns, starting at the top. At the center of the gathering are three eagles vying for the hand of the most lovely eagle perched on Nature's own hand.  Each of the three tries to prove he is the most worthy.  They speak as if they were courtly lovers, another medieval tradition.

"Courtly Love" is where we get a lot of the exaggerated traditions of this holiday like gift giving and extravagant gestures to prove one's ardour. A satirical work by Andreas Capellanus in the twelfth century nonetheless proved popular in romances (originally a word that meant "adventures").  The Art of Courtly Love offers the following rules for lovers, some of which highlight the exaggerated nature of this trend for romance among the wealthy and mostly idle rich who had time for these elaborate artifices:

1. Marriage is no real excuse for not loving.

2. He who is not jealous cannot love.

3. No one can be bound by a double love.

4. It is well known that love is always increasing or decreasing.

5. That which a lover takes against his will of his beloved has no relish.

6. Boys do not love until they arrive at the age of maturity.

7. When one lover dies, a widowhood of two years is required of the survivor.

8. No one should be deprived of love without the very best of reasons.

9. No one can love unless he is impelled by the persuasion of love.

10. Love is always a stranger in the home of avarice.

11. It is not proper to love any woman whom one should be ashamed to seek to marry.

12. A true lover does not desire to embrace in love anyone except his beloved.

13. When made public love rarely endures.

14. The easy attainment of love makes it of little value; difficulty of attainment makes it prized.

15. Every lover regularly turns pale in the presence of his beloved.

16. When a lover suddenly catches sight of his beloved his heart palpitates.

17. A new love puts to flight an old one.

18. Good character alone makes any man worthy of love.

19. If love diminishes, it quickly fails and rarely revives.

20. A man in love is always apprehensive.

21. Real jealousy always increases the feeling of love.

22. Jealousy, and therefore love, are increased when one suspects his beloved.

23. He whom the thought of love vexes, eats and sleeps very little.

24. Every act of a lover ends with in the thought of his beloved.

25. A true lover considers nothing good except what he thinks will please his beloved.

26. Love can deny nothing to love.

27. A lover can never have enough of the solaces of his beloved.

28. A slight presumption causes a lover to suspect his beloved.

29. A man who is vexed by too much passion usually does not love.

30. A true lover is constantly and without intermission possessed by the thought of his beloved.

31. Nothing forbids one woman being loved by two men or one man by two women.

How many would you agree to? How many seem neurotic? How many remain staples of romantic writing? I always ask my students these questions and I'm surprised how many of the "romantic" notions they still cling to yet.

Oh, and what happened with the three eagles?  They all take so long trying to prove their worth that the other birds get impatient. When Nature asks them to choose the best, even they can't agree. Finally, she asks the female eagle to make her choice, but the blushing maiden asks for another year to make up her mind.  Nature agrees and the rest of the birds choose their mates in a noisy confusion and the dreamer wakes up, determined to read more about love.

Sometimes that's easier than braving the wild waters of the real thing!

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, erotic romance, Kit Marlowe, knights, medieval, mythology romance, Noble Romance, paranormal, romance, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Dear David: Paranormal Advice from Vampire David Hilliard

Dear David,

Can you give me some ideas of what to do with my sweetie for Valentine's Day?  I figure being a vampire you might have some good ideas.

Hopefully Romantic

Dear Hopefully Romantic,

You can give your beloved a gift—anything from chocolates to jewelry.  I love giving a special card in addition to a gift.  I tend to get the sentimental cards for Laura.  She gives me funny ones.

Setting the perfect atmosphere for romance is another matter.  Going to a dinner then a romantic movie is a favorite.  There's nothing like a candlelit meal followed by watching a movie in a dark place.  I think you get where this is going.

If you're into having some adventure, then plan a romantic retreat at a hotel or resort.  Take a sunset walk on the beach.  Or if you're into staying in the room, take a sensuous bubble bath together and don't forget the champagne.

I'm sure you can work out the rest.

David

Vampire David Hilliard

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais

Filed under: Dear David, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampires

Strut release and contest with the thrilling Susan DiPlacido and Decadent Publishing.

Thank you Susan DiPlacido and Decadent Publishing for coming to visit Nights of Passion. We are honored to have you both.

 

Here's the good on Susan DiPlacido:

Susan DiPlacido is a name to watch. With many award nominations, including a 2010 RT nomination for Reader's Choice and a 2010 CAPA nomination for Best Romantic Suspense, her work is becoming known for its quirk and quality.

Her latest book, 'Strut', is the second release in the Run Devil Run series. Run Devil Run, an L.A.-based rock band well known locally and beyond for their dynamic live performances, diverse musical talent, and humorous video antics has lent their faces, titles and lyrics as inspiration for a five-book series with Decadent Publishing. Readers who buy the books off the Decadent Publishing website will be able to get the corresponding song from the band for free, giving the reader a true multi-media experience. Books by popular authors Mari Freeman, Valerie Mann and Becca Dale will follow, 'Share Your Soul' by popular writer, Rachel Carrington, is currently available.

Strut by Susan DiPlacido

Urban fantasy, paranormal, contemporary romance, chick-lit

Ebook

Blurb

California girl Lisa is living a very un-Hollywood life, and that's just fine by her. She took over her father's pool service business and enjoys sunny days and a quiet home life with her mom. But one of the guys on her crew who moonlights as musician occasionally puts an extra spring in her step, and when she starts facing financial pressures, she starts wondering if there might be a few things she's missing. Then her mom finds out that one of Lisa's premier clients possesses a mysterious and enigmatic pair of shoes that are rumored to change fortunes, and lives, for those who wear them.

Will Lisa decide to take a walk on the wild side and test the powers of the supposedly serendipitous high heels? And do the shoes really possess magical powers that could make Lisa's Cinderella dreams come true? Or is what Lisa really wants just a click of her heels away in the form of a smoldering rock drummer? From swank Beverly Hills days to sexy Sunset Strip nights, Lisa is on the cusp of finding out what really makes LA glitter.



Except.

By the time we get to the club, evening has fallen, and as I'm finding parking, Mom is wiggling her feet into the shoes. They fit her perfectly. And she doesn't have the slightest bit of trouble keeping herself perfectly balanced in them. At the club entrance, there's a formidable line, but Mom doesn't hesitate. She struts right to the front, full of confidence, and tells them her name. Sure enough, Rick put us on the list.

Inside, it's already crowded. Stocked with hip, hot twenty-somethings, the guys with their hair meticulously messed up and the chicks trying to show as much firm flesh as legally permissible while still making it look nonchalant.

But the music is what gets me. Mom immediately threads her way to the front, not the least bit fazed by the younger crowd, and I follow close on her impressive, supposedly magical heels. Rick's band is good. Really good.

He sets down a hard driving beat and they all follow. It's very L.A. rock, the kind that makes you fall into the groove. I love it. Before long, I realize I had gotten mesmerized watching Rick. It's warm in the club, and he's working on the drums. From where we stand, I can see his biceps and triceps flex when he hits the snare. His shaggy dark hair gets damp and sometimes rivulets of sweat fly when he hits a hard downbeat.

 To find out more about Run Devil Run and hear their music, check out their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/RunDevilRun.

          Author's website

Blog

Purchase  

Decadent Publishing

Youtube  (Strut book trailer)

Last week, we learned of book one in the Run Devil Run series.

Share Your Soul by Rachel Carrington

Blurb:

On the fifth anniversary of my murder, I took action against inaction. I set out to find what I wanted the most—revenge. Others warned me that the whole project could be risky, but getting even with my killer husband seemed worth the danger. Turned out, I made an appointment with the Angel of Death. Perfect.

I've always had a weak spot for bad-boy, rocker types but Gabriel the bad-boy angel surpassed my fantasies. He looked like Bon Jovi in his long hair days, which destroyed my ability to concentrate. Plus, he claimed he could help me only if I trusted him. The last man I put my faith in shot a bullet through my heart. How the heck could I trust the Angel of Death?

So anyway, I told Gabriel that I needed retribution before I could move on. He granted me three days in a mortal body to gain closure. Great offer except for one thing—my dear husband had already been found not guilty so he couldn't be tried again. No hope of ever putting him behind bars…at least not for shooting me. I also had no idea where the loser had dumped my body. How was I supposed to get vengeance?

After that, things got really complicated. I had to find dirt on my jerk of a husband while placing my faith in the Angel of Death and ignoring the forbidden things he did to my phantom heart and loaner body. Yeah, the whole situation sounded weird to me, too, but what was a misplaced spirit to do except roll with it?

Check it out:

Youtube Share Your Soul book trailer

Share Your Soul buy link

For the contest:

1 ebook copy of Strut by Susan DiPlacido in PDF format, winners worldwide are eligible, deadline Feb 14, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Void where prohibited by law. To be entered write the word Strut in your comment.

 

Filed under: Decadent Publishing, Run Devil Run series, Susan DiPlacido

Why We Believe in Love

I've been thinking lately. When it snows, as long as you are home everything slows down. You have a lot of time to think. Okay, between shoveling. I'm in writing mode right now. In between writing I watch movies. I absolutely love movies. I started watching TV when I was only a few days old according to my parents.

Most stories have to do with some aspect of love. War movies are about love of a country, trying to save a people, a village, a family. People love pets, and I'll tell you that pets can uplift a broken heart. There's nothing like a dog that follows you, sits on you, and kisses you when you're crying. Cats too have their ways of making us laugh, making us feel like all is right with the world. They like to listen and observe. Friends are fab. "Sex in the City" is about four friends. I don't know what I'd do without my friends. They're my calvary, my truth mirrors, and they cover my back. Often they see things I don't. Of course, there's family, and I've been very blessed in that area to have a remarkable family that's fun and supportive.

The significant other. That one person who makes your heart race like no one else. Why do we persist in believing in love? Because we've seen it work for others. I've seen the gray haired couple walking down the street holding hands.

I was watching "New Moon" the other night. You know the part where Bella is so heartbroken that she just goes through the motions and sits in her room staring for months. If you love deeply, you risk being hurt that way. But you also risk loving deeply for a lifetime. When you realize you've really found that special someone, you feel at home.

There's a lot of ways to love. We believe because we've seen what's possible. Beauty isn't an eternal tie. It's the joining of two wonderful warm hearts that make the magic we call love.

Once you have love inside you, it has to get out again. For some of us, we release it back into the world as writing. This week I've been on the Writing is A Blessing Blog writing about world building and having a contest. http://writingisablessing.blogspot.com/2011/02/guest-blogger-susan-h-crowley-romance.html The contest ends on Friday, Feb. 11th. Be sure to drop by. You have to answer a question that's there to enter.

On February, Friday, Feb. 18, I will be guest blogging at The Romance Studio. http://theromancestudio.blogspot.com/

Saturday, February 12, Vampire David Hilliard will be on Nights of Passion with Dear David. If you have a paranormal problem you'd like to get David's advice on, send it to onlyladyknight(at)yahoo(dot)com and put Dear David in the subject line.

On Monday, February 14, Mason will be sharing with you a very special Paranormal Scope. Have a great day! Fall in love with life!

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com/

　

Filed under: Dear David, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Twilight, vampire books, vampires, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

When Does the Plot Happen?

I read a blog recently that hit a cord with me. It was on Babbles from Scott Eagan (Feb. 3rd) and he discussed that it takes both a unique and good book to succeed. He basically says that most submissions fall mainly into two categories. Either the authors have the capacity to tell an amazing story but the plot is nothing extraordinary (or non-existent I would imagine); or, the authors have a very unique and powerful premise but their skills aren't where they need to be to carry it off.

In completing the first draft of my second manuscript, I believe it is currently in the former of these two predicaments; it needs a bit of plot work to make it unique. Now that may not always be the case. I truly believe that some plots are above my head as a writer but as I grow in my craft, this is something that will change. Second, I promise you this is not a pity party. It is called being self-aware and it is one of the most important characteristics you can possess in writing (and any job for that matter) as it allows you to know where you need to improve.

Okay, so back to plots. I've already discussed being a panster and a plotter, and I know that I most definitely lean to the panster side of the line. I do write out a plot beforehand as I try to find some kind of structure, but many times the story leads me in different direction which requires modifying my outline. At first, this drove me crazy because as any of you writers out there know, the more you change your story kind of spontaneously, the more work later on. If you can do more plotting up front, I really believe it makes your life easier.

Alas, I have not yet mastered that technique. But, I have learned that's okay and even somewhat normal as you learn the craft. The plot can really happen anywhere. It can form in your mind before you sit down to write or it can happen in the rewrite. End of day, there are guidelines out there for you to follow. If you can follow them and they help you out, great. If not, you need to do what helps you as a writer.

For me, my major plot tweaking comes in my rewrite. The first draft is my way of knowing my characters and story. Once it is done, I can step back and see where there are areas that might be lacking. This methodology can work, you just needs to make sure that 1) Your draft really is a draft, write fast and no going back to fix every little thing and 2) Write with this "first draft" mindset. Don't lather on details, emotions and intricacies. They can come later.

All in all as I said before, you really need to do what is right for you. A plot can happen anywhere. But if you are considering a career in writing, you need to make sure what you decide to do is efficient. The industry runs on timelines and selling books so practicing now makes perfect for when you do begin to sign those contracts.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writing Topics

Today we have Mary Martinez as guest blogger

Today we have my dear friend and mystery/suspense writer Mary Martinez as guest blogger. She will be talking to us about naming characters as well as having a really not one but two really cool giveaways.

So without further ado I give you Mary Martinez.

Thanks, Lindsay at Nights of Passion, for hosting the seventh day of my blog tour. Anyone who would like to know the schedule can check it out here. http://www.marymartinez.com/news.html#events  Each blog a different question from the host. Sort of like a continuing interview.  I will also have two giveaways at the end of the blog tour. At the bottom, I'll tell you how you can participate.

Lindsay: How or where do you come up with the names of your characters and do you

try not to have them similar sounding?

 

Mary:  Characters, sometimes when I think of an idea it comes complete with one or two characters who already have names. Which happened in Classic Murder: Mr. Romance, Katie and Adam came with the idea. But other times I'm not so lucky.

When I wrote Watching Jenny, almost all the characters names started with a 'J'. I had to go back through and change almost all of them. I have a process when I start a book I have a background file. It has a list of the characters, their family and friends etc. That's when I name my characters, until my critique partner complained about getting mixed up with all the similar names, I didn't realized I'd named them so similar.

No I have a baby book of 10,000 names. I will purposely look for a different letter for each character. Sometimes they start with the same letter, but only if that's the name that fits them and I can't change it. I also Google a lot of surnames, like Irish or Italian, depending on my character.

Ultimately, the name has to fit the character and his/her personality. I do my best to make sure their names are not confusing.  

Thank you again, Lindsay for having me on Nights of Passion blog.

 

Here is a blurb for my new release Classic Murder: Mr. Romance

 

Adam enjoys a lifestyle most men only dream of. Then one day he wakes up to find the morning headlines blaring, "Another victim falls prey to Mr. Romance. Who is next?" He suddenly realizes his way of life is not only frivolous, but deadly.

Dubbed Mr. Romance by New York society for his romantic adventures, Adam Fernando Russo loves women. But lately he realizes how lonely it is coming home to an empty house. Can he settle for only one woman? After he makes a list of qualities worthy enough to merit giving up his desirable existence, suddenly recipients of his coveted attention mysteriously fall prey to a murderer. The murders seem unrelated with one exception–all the victims have recently returned from a fabulous weekend rendezvous with Mr. Romance.

Adam's assistant, Katie Sinclair, knows Adam is innocent with airtight alibis. The police are at a loss so Adam and Katie work together to discover the link between the murders. As luck would have it, their plan to prove the murderer is copying classic Cary Grant movies goes astray just as Adam realizes his perfect woman has been by his side all along.

Available from BookStrand Publishing (Electronic Format, Print coming in spring 2011) http://www.bookstrand.com/classic-murder-mr-romance

For an excerpt and to see the trailer visit my web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/mrromance.html

Now to the giveaways, everyone one who participates by commenting on each day of the tour will have their name placed in a drawing for a Photo Album and a signed copy of Watching Jenny.

Everyone who participates and comments on half of the days will have their name in a drawing for a download of Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (or they can wait until it's in print for a signed copy)

Filed under: Characters, contest, Discussion, Guest Blog, Lindsay Downs, mystery romance, Writing Topics