Sherry Morris's Blog, page 21

Starry Starry Night

Starry Starry Nightby Pamela Downs

 Summary:Some girls fly planes. Marie flies vampires. Fate summons best friends Marie and Annette to tour historic Virginia where they meet the Barrow twins, Vincent and Virgil, who happen to be a couple of English vampires just dying for a bite of feminine wiles. An instant attraction leads to a nighttime rendezvous in the threshing barn. As Annette and Virgil frolic in the hay, Marie and Vincent realize they have an important mission to accomplish. They must free the old souls in the Bastille as they hungrily fall into love at first bite in this steamy paranormal romance.

Excerpt:
Vincent removed a recipe for Martha Washington’s cake, from a stack on a tea table. He groped inside his waistcoat and retrieved a pen. Handing them to Marie, he said, “Write your address down for me.”“I think not.” she refused to accept them.“Where do you live?”“We’re just passing through. Where do you recommend for a hotel?”“The Barrow Twin Inn. My brother and I own a little bed and breakfast.”“Really? Then why are you working here?”“For fun. I’m a volunteer. What type of work do you do? No, wait, let me guess. Nurse?”She rolled her eyes.“Garbage collector?”Marie giggled. “Close. I’m a pilot.”“Oh, so you’re here on a layover?”“Something like that. I need a new um...airplane.”“So you don’t work commercially?”“I’m an independent contractor.”“What type of aircraft do you fly?”She stepped closer. “Open your mouth.” He did.“Wide...wider...”Vincent complied. Marie tugged his upper lip while drawing his chin down. Nice sharp incisors.“Vampires.” she let go of him and stepped back.A low growl emanated from the Englishman. “You fly vampires?”“Save a horse, ride a vampire.”
 US eBook:  Kobo Diesel  Sony  Kindle Nook  iBooksUK eBook:  Kindle Nook iBooksAU eBook:  iBooks  CA eBook: Sony Kindle  iBooksDE eBook:  Kindle  iBooksNZ eBook:  iBooks

Wish Upon a Djinn

Wish Upon a DjinnBy Pamela Downs Summary:Alison, a dutiful homemaker, has been putting her husband and children first for much too long. She’s let herself go and lost that loving feeling. Her husband Billy, a professional firefighter, hasn’t. He is happy, healthy and hotter than when they met. It's snowing in Vermont and the wind has changed directions. With the kids at their grandparents’ home for the night, Billy takes Alison for a walk. When he stumbles on a magic lantern, their three wishes are granted by two sexy djinns who free the couple's inhibitions and remind them why they fell in love.

Excerpt:
On yet another repetitive day in northern Vermont, the wind blew in from the east. The wooden picket fence gate banged. Alison trudged through the muddy snow and stretched the dirty bungee cord between the gate and post to secure it. She stomped back into the kitchen and kicked her boots off on a dirty towel on the floor. She removed her coat and hung it on a hook in the adjacent laundry room.
Billy walked into the kitchen.“Why didn’t you tell me Lieutenant Rachel ‘kiss-the-men-and-make-them-come’ Roberts was working at your firehouse yesterday?” Alison’s blotchy face reddened as her stomach churned. Lt. Roberts answering the phone had been a disturbing surprise when she had called her husband last night. She turned away from him, adjusting her Coke-bottle thick eyeglasses. Her eyes focused beyond the French door, at the cardinals feasting on sunflower seeds in the feeder hanging in a snowy maple.“It’s no big deal. The transfer list took effect last tour.” Billy rinsed out his commuter cup and jockeyed it into the dishwasher. “Is there hot water in the carafe?”“Yeah. I’ll make you a cup. So she wasn’t just detailed for one shift? She’s the regular lieutenant at twenty-three engine now?”He mumbled affirmatively and sat in the green bow-backed chair, fumbling open the morning newspaper on the kitchen table. The slight palsy in his fingers had afflicted him since adolescence.He smelled of smoke, hadn‘t bathed in twenty-four hours, and damn was he handsome. Brown flattop. Chocolate eyes with long curly lashes. And she loved his whiskers. Too bad he couldn‘t grow a beard. Safety requirement. He needed a tight seal on his facemask.He said, “Her daughter is attending the Piedmont Academy. She’s living with Rachel’s parents since they are just a couple blocks away.”“And this impresses you because her kid is smart? What kind of mother doesn’t even live with her child?”“You know she’s on twenty-four hour shifts. It’s just easier.”“Yeah. Eight days a month. Rachel could make other arrangements.” Prying the lid off of a cookie tin, she set it on the table for Billy. “She’s single again isn’t she?”He grunted again and looked over his shoulder to the carafe.Alison felt a curl of satisfaction in confirming that the calendar girl couldn’t keep a man, but she was also alarmed that the lovely Rachel was on the prowl again. She scooped instant coffee and powdered creamer into a yellow stoneware mug and poured steaming water into it. It sizzled as she stirred the brew. She plopped it down in the middle of the article Billy was reading. A little slopped out. She smiled.“Thanks,” he grumbled, grabbing a napkin from the basket in the middle of the table.Alison brewed her third cup of tea so far that day, and sat across from her man.“Do you want the last oatmeal cookie?”“Go ahead.” He picked a green sugar star out and bit into it.She gobbled the oatmeal. Okay, perhaps I’m blowing this all out of proportion. It wasn’t Billy’s fault the department transferred the husband-stealing-hussy to his station. It’s all in a days work. He’s the sergeant, she’s the lieutenant. She’s his boss now. So he’ll have to kiss up to her. Alison shook her head. No, that’s not an image she wanted in her brain.
US eBook:  Smashwords  Kindle Nook  iTunesUK eBook:  Kindle Nook iTunesAU eBook:  iTunes  CA eBook:  Kindle  iTunesDE eBook:  Kindle  iTunes 

Getting Out of the Indie Book Business

 Dear Reader,

It's been a wild ride these past two years. I independently published my backlist. I promoted it. I sold some. More than I sold when they were contracted with small presses. But that was with exhaustive promo which was not sustainable. And I still didn't crack into four digits in gross royalty income. So, with an excitement for the unknown next chapter in my writing life, I am getting out of the Indie book business. I've unpublished.

I currently have one book under contract with Eternal Press, THOUSAND DOLLAR PHARAOH, a fun historical mystery set in 1945. It is available in paperback and eBook.

Not sure what I'm going to do with my huge backlist, but that's just the thing. My backlist was holding me back. My obsession with promoting those old titles was preventing me from moving forward, writing new adventures.

Thanks so much for your support and all of your lovely retweets!

Love,
Sherry

Finally a Comfortable Bra

While refreshing my summer wardrobe, I've come across articles and sales pitches advising ladies to wear nude undergarments under light colored clothing. I'm very pale, so I've always opted for white. When I slipped into a nude bra and panties under a yellow polo dress, they disappeared! All you could see was my curves. Not the undergarments themselves.The white bra and panties were very prominent, but the nude set was magic. I'm wondering if dark skinned ladies wear black under garments that show but perhaps nude would disappear on them as well.

So of course, I ordered five nude bras in my usual size, 36C which I had been measured for a few years ago. Over my clothes on the sales floor at Victoria's Secret.

I had been comfy wearing demi bras in that size, but I didn't like the "quadboob" look as my breasts bulged out over the tops of the cups. So I ordered full/perfect coverage instead of demi. I was flabbergasted and very disappointed the nude full/perfect coverage bras wouldn't lay flat against my ribs in the front. There was a gap I could stick two fingers in. Very uncomfortable to wear. So I packed them up and took them to the store to return.

Victoria's Secret was having a fit event and the lady who greeted me suggested a fitting before I returned the online purchases. They will now let you  return or exchange online purchases in their stores in the U.S. She offered either a measure right there over my clothes or one in the the dressing room with 'fit bras'. I opted for the latter. The store 'fit expert' asked me my situation, then gave me a black bra to try. I put it on, rang for her and she came in and adjusted it. Not right. She fetched a different one. Nope not right. The third one was perfect! So comfy, full/perfect coverage that lay right against my skin in the front. No back fat. No quadboob.

I was wearing the wrong size. I am not a 36C. I am a 34DDD! I didn't even realize that triple D was a cup size. The fit expert told me they are new. Anyhow, they only had one 34DDD nude bra in stock, so I bought it along with a white and I shall order more online.

When was the last time you were measured for a bra? I enthusiastically recommend going to a store with a fit expert and have her actually fit you into the bras, not just measure over your clothes. Forget your modesty. It's less invasive than what a mammogram tech does to you and it doesn't hurt. What a difference!

Here's a link to a segment from the Rachel Ray Show 'How to Tell if You're Wearing the Right Bra'. It's only 5 minutes and you'll be amazed at the transformation of three women.

99 Cents Sale!

I have lowered prices on all of my Indie published eBooks to 99 cents* for a limited time. Load up your Kindles, Nooks, iPads, iPhones, Androids, Tablets, PCs, eReaders and Macs. Enjoy!  Hundred Dollar Bill
A Stand-Alone Book in The Good Girls of Washington SerieseBook: iTunes ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Sony Smashwords

  
The Immaculate DeceptionA Stand-Alone Book in The Good Girls of Washington Series  eBook: iTunes ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords Sony 
   
The Master ManipulatorA Stand-Alone Book in The Good Girls of Washington SerieseBook: iTunes ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords  
    Fully Involved FireeBook: iTunes ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords Sony
    InappropriateeBook: iTunes ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords Sony 
  Devil in the Deep Blue SeaeBook: iTunes ARe Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords
   Persuasive Lips
Prequel to The Good Girls of Washington SeriesFREE eBook: iTunes ARe Diesel Kindle Kobo Nook Smashwords Sony
   
A Town Called NighteBook: Kobo Diesel Sony Kindle Nook iBooks
   
Starry Starry NighteBook: Kobo Diesel Sony Kindle Nook iBooks
    Wish Upon a DjinneBook: Smashwords Kindle Nook iTunes
    Son of a Preacher ManeBook: Kobo Diesel Sony Kindle Nook iBooks
    Diet Another DayeBook: Kobo Diesel Sony Kindle Nook iBooks   *Kindle, Nook, All Romance eBooks and Smashwords have posted the new prices. Apple, Kobo, Diesel and Sony will follow suit at their pleasure. 

Learning to Run

I joined a gym to lose weight, gain strength, balance, flexibility and health. After having regularly worked out at the gym for one year, I am loath to report I gained 14 pounds! And no, it's not muscle. It's blubber.

Yes, I gobbled. But yes, I worked hard! I loved all the group exercise classes! I lifted barbells, spin cycled, Zumba'd and worked my core. I loved the yoga!

So, clearly, group fitness classes and half-derrièred efforts on the cardio equipment clearly were not working for me, other than bringing joy to my days. And yes, I'm more flexible but that's about it.

I said to myself, Sherry, look around. The same fat ladies that have been in the classes with you all year are still fat ladies. The ladies walking on the treadmills are fat. Hmm...the ladies pushing it on the cardio equipment all seem fit and trim. They always have.   Thinking back to watching The Biggest Loser, the contestants were running on the treadmills most of the time. Running. Hmm...

And so it has come to pass that this little unathletic girl, the one always picked last when choosing teams at recess and in gym class (with a reluctant "Oh, alright, we'll take Sherry") has decided to learn to run before she turns 50 this summer.

I began with baby steps in March, voraciously reading all the beginning running magazines and websites I find. So scared of injury, trying to not push myself, yet push myself. I have already lost 5 of the 14 pounds from last year. And I am NOT dieting. Just "mindful eating".

I'm running outside now. Very slow. Running/walking. I'm at 2 miles in 40 minutes. I'm so tickled because the last time I ran outside, I actually wanted to run more than walk. So I did. Today it rained, so I ran on the treadmill with this playlist I made from my iTunes library, which I'm trying to navigate. It's on my iPod. I was worried I wouldn't want to run hard or finish, since I've been enjoying outside so much, but this music really kept me happy! Lots of songs have great memories. The Bee Gees hold a special place in my heart, I met them a few times, sigh. And I'm a Disney girl and love The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room. Conway Twitty, what memories. The Eagles, I've really just become attached to them this year. Sara Evans blows me right into her world. The Roy Orbison song, Candy Man, I heard Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees practicing it to cover at a concert. I had my ear to the door. And got busted, LOL. Tony Bennett, gotta love him! Saw him in concert last year. Go if you can!

Words 4:19 Bee Gees
The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room 2:39 Disney's Greatest, Vol. 3
Tight Fittin' Jeans 2:50 Conway Twitty
Three Chords And The Truth 4:04 Sara Evans
Nights on Broadway 4:41 Bee Gees
Hotel California 6:30 The Eagles
Edge of the universe 5:16 Bee Gees
Candy Man 3:34 Roy Orbison
The Best Is Yet To Come 3:40 Tony Bennett & Diana Krall
Are You Havin' Any Fun? 2:46 Tony Bennett & Elvis Costello

Anyhow, every time a lose one pound, I treat myself to purchase one song. I've gotten Adele, Lady Gaga and The Eagles already. Every five pounds, I get a new bottle of nail polish. I'm thinking a new purse at ten pounds. My goal is thirty pounds.

As the little engine that could said, "I think I can, I think I can. I know I can,  I know I can."

I encourage you to make yourself a special playlist from songs that have lovely memories or conjure up fun times to come. Get moving!

Accentuate the Positive

I previously blogged about my last ditch effort in promotion to pull my twelve published books out of the undertow of millions of novels and make them available to whomever might enjoy reading them.

I offered Persuasive Lips, the prequel to The Good Girls of Washington series, free. Two thousand people downloaded it. One person gave it a five star review. That was it. Not only did nobody buy the series, nobody bought the first book in the series. Nobody bought my back list. Nobody bought any of my books. My sales ground to an abrupt and utter halt. I've had my books at every price point from 99 cents to $9.99. The price makes no difference, nobody is interested in my books. Just me.

With a big smile, I quietly say "Uncle." It was a heck of a ride and I will always treasure the friends I've made along the way.

I will not be polishing the two first drafts I have tucked away.

I will no longer be obsessively promoting my books on Twitter and retweeting others.

I will probably pull all of my Indie published books from the retailers in the summer, before my birthday. Perhaps sooner. I still have Thousand Dollar Pharaoh under contract with Eternal Press so that will be out there a few more years collecting virtual cobwebs and dust bunnies.

The reason I am going to unpublish is quite simply that a few sales causes lots of extra work on my taxes. It will be nice not to have to file a Schedule C for 2014. Not to mention it will be great not to obsessively check for my sales only to see there are none.

To put a positive spin on my thirteen year writing career, I have dashed off a new little biography:

Sherry Silver wrote the humorous romance and mystery novels she enjoys reading. Learning to Run! Loves Yoga, Disney, Mad Men, General Hospital, The Middle and Chicago Fire. Last paying job: EMT. She treasures her present position as a SAHM.

Book Review: Miss Grey's Shady Lover

Miss Grey's Shady LoverBy Diane Scott Lewis
Nicely Naughty. I've only sampled the first book in the wildly bestselling series of which this fun story spoofs. But I absolutely loved reading this short fiction, from beginning to end. Ms. Lewis' voice is perfect for the time period. I loved all the tongue in cheek (and elsewhere!) exploits in Lord Libidinous' seduction of the very proper Miss Grey. This one is most definitely a screen-tapper. If you like erotic romance, this one is lovely.

Theater Review: "I Love Lucy" Live on Stage

Theater Review:"I Love Lucy" Live on Stage By Sherry Silver My romantic husband finally persuaded me to take the overnight train to Chicago. In the dead of winter. I agreed because he dangled tickets to "I Love Lucy" Live on Stage. Squee! We saw the show at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago, Illinois. I was so excited, I insisted on going into the theater without him, I wanted to be seated and soak up the surroundings. He needed to stay in the lobby to make a phone call about our accommodations on the train ride home. Yes, he had to do it at that specific time, it's complicated.  Anyhow, while I was people watching in my seat, I noticed a woman who was perfectly dressed for the theater. Red pillbox hat, little purse, pumps and a dress full of cherries. I thought she could have been in the audience back in Lucy's day. She'd fit right in. Of course she did... The cheery chubby lady, Mrs. Eugenia Swanson, had a drink in her hand and was mixing with the theater goers. Asking how they got there. She took the bus. Three days from Dubuque. And what was the man doing playing with a light box? (His cell phone). She was quite the convivial neighbor. I soon realized she was part of the show. The pre-show warm-up woman. And oh was she good at ad-libbing. When my husband took his seat, I asked if he got us a room on the train. "Yes. But as soon as the ticket agent was on the phone, this woman stood next to me talking so loud I couldn't hear. She was hollering that the TV was in color. I thought she was 'special' so I ignored her." Yep, that same actress, Sara Sevigny, was spot on :) Sirena Irwin was a beautiful Lucy Ricardo. Bill Mendieta was handsomer than Ricky Ricardo. Joanna Daniels had Ethel Mertz's mannerisms down perfectly and Curtis Pettyjohn played irascible Fred Mertz. The gist of the play was that you, the audience, were transported to Desilu Studios back in the day and you watched a live taping of two episodes of the show, complete with live commercials and flub-ups. We enjoyed the second episode more and the commercials were so catchy with their song and dance numbers. I highly recommend this show to everyone. I Love Lucy!

Book Review: Citizen Insane

Citizen InsaneBy Karen Cantwell
I first discovered Karen Cantwell when I was searching for new kindle books to read and Amazon's bots suggested I'd like her first book Take the Monkeys and Run: A Barbara Marr Murder Mystery. I sampled it. I enjoyed it. I bought it. I had no idea she was an Indie author until after I'd finished. This was long before I myself became one. Anyhow, I feel like Ms. Cantwell stole my muse (I'm joking!) but we have the same taste in heroines and whacky situations to put them in.

Citizen Insane is set in Fairfax County, Virginia which I'm very familiar with as all of my babies were born there. She fictionalizes the streets and locales, but the flavor is right on. Especially when she introduces a hot firefighter. I can attest to the fact she's right. There are no fat or ugly firefighters in Fairfax County!

I love the neighbor lady cast. It's so Desperate Housewives meets I Love Lucy in The Middle. The one woman everyone is jealous of starts acting bizarre and getting in the way of heroine, Barbara Marr's plans, goofing them all up. Add in her marital strife, mother issues, kids to nurture, an ex-mobster and a big mystery and you've got a whopper of a tale.

Can't wait to read the next book in this series!