Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 111

Dinosaur Joy – Review on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

(Official Trailer from Universal Pictures on YouTube)

I enjoyed “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” even though it is taking a beating from the critics. I want to say more. Okay, it’s not Oscar quality, but it’s fun!

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is super fast action. There are times when the actors talk, but mostly it’s to scream and run. The film is rated PG-13, a subtle hint that the large amount of scary carnage (dinosaurs eating people) is way too much for children. It is up to every parent to decide for themselves, but you may want to see this movie first. There are nightmare quality scenes in this. I kid you not.

Chris Pratt as Owen, the raptor trainer, was his usual fun and heroic self. Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire (who used to be director of Jurassic World island resort) is now the head of a dinosaur rights group who wants to save the dinosaurs facing death on their island from an active volcano. She surprised me. I haven’t liked this actress in anything before, but now she has her game on, and I will be watching for her future films. A stand-out was child actress Isabella Sermon who played Maisie, the granddaughter of the mega-billionaire who is funding the save the dinosaurs project. Of course, as in chaos theory, introduced in the first “Jurrasic Park” by Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), something always goes wrong.

What did I enjoy? I loved the dinosaurs, just looking at them. I loved the relationship between Owen and the raptor Blue. I thrive on excitement and not really knowing what might happen next.

This is just the opinion from a romance author (and former movie critic) emerging from the writer’s cave for a short reprieve. Now go out and have fun! Need a dinosaur fix? See “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom!”

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle! In Amazon Print! In Barnes and Noble Print!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 temporarily offline for a re-edit and new cover.

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch(mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

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Author Susan B. James (My Funniest Guest Ever!) by Stacy Hoff

 Hello Passionate readers! Today I have my funniest guest ever—author Susan B. James. Read on and enjoy the laugh!

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Thank you for hosting me Stacy, especially since I missed my scheduled date. I put the original date of June 1 on my Calendar and made a note to write the post by May 23rd. That would give me a comfortable margin of time. (Gods laughing in the wings.)

Hmmm. Leaving it to May 23 sounded like a good idea.  But the best laid plans . . .

On May 23rdI was on the set of a TV series called The Guest Book for 13 hours. I was released at 10:30 PM just in time for me to race to LAX where I was supposed to pick up my son, Jim and six year old granddaughter, Ella.​ They are only here for four days. I can’t write during their visit. But I’ll still have time after they leave. (Gods laughing in the wings.)

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 An ear infection for my six-year-old Granddaughter Ella extended their visit. Poor mite is in the non-verbal autism spectrum and couldn’t tell us what was wrong. When she had two meltdowns in Disneyland—her favorite place on earth— we decided the next stop would be Urgent Care. By the time they left, I had two blog posts for my own blog to write, pages due to my critique group, and the Nights of Passion post slid down into the depths of my mind. And I missed my date. Color me very embarrassed. Stacy graciously gave me another date.

THIS time I’m sending it early because my coming-up calendar is uncomfortably full. I have a callback for a commercial tomorrow, three books to read and review, pages to revise and send to my critique group, two picture books to send out, a newsletter to compose. (That takes me HOURS!) And June 13-14, I am scheduled to work on a film—The Untitled Miranda July Project. UMJP for short. That’s thrilling, of course. Given the way time’s been hopping the best time to write this post is now.

Yes! I have twenty minutes before my son, Chris, brings my two-year-old grandson, Walter to babysit. If only I could type faster. I am a two-finger-stare-at-the-keys typist. (Gods laughing in the wings.) Walter arrives early.

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“Man proposes. God disposes.” That’s a quote from a medieval book by Thomas a Kempis. It’s still true. How do you deal with your life when time and the gods derail it? All advice appreciated!

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My new romance is Maybe This Time, a contemporary time travel romance.It’s available as an ebook, audiobook and paperback.

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SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER! http://eepurl.com/bG0HZD

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

The next installment in the Building Love series, MAD FOR YOU IN MADRID (Building Love #3), releases October 10, 2018! 

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BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (Building Love #1) and HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN (Building Love #2) out now!

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HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN – In the Caribbean, the secrets, sex, and scandals are hotter!

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT! http://bit.ly/2GZxfx9

Kindle version: http://amzn.to/2xW3WtJ

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BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE series, #1)

Print version: https://www.amazon.com/Betting-Love-Vegas-Stacy-Hoff/dp/1682913422/

Kindle version: http://amzn.to/2kAgBvK

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JOCKEYING FOR YOU print version http://amzn.to/2eanq2o

JOCKEYING FOR YOU Kindle version http://amzn.to/2c8Hi5t

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DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC print version http://amzn.to/2cubwCf

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC kindle version http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

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DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES print version http://amzn.to/2dXO1zV

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES Kindle version http://amzn.to/1YEseie

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LAWFULLY YOURS print version http://amzn.to/2e6Ug8k

LAWFULLY YOURS Kindle version http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm

Trust Yourself

Our memory (when it is working) can be a wondrous thing. My six year old has an incredible memory and it is a solid reminder to me that I should never make a promise I cannot keep (not that I try to do that anyhow) as he is one person who will absolutely call me out on it. But seriously, I’m not really sure what it is in our minds (once again, I am not a doctor so these are simply wonderings of my own mind) that causes us to remember certain things and forget others.

I work in the world of finance and considering what went on in our country in 2007-2009, I find it surprising to see how many folks can forget about this time and decision they made or money they lost, until they find themselves in the middle of another mess. When it comes to hard experiences we go through in our lives, we also seem to forget about these experiences or even bringing lessons we’ve learned in the past into the future with us. Or worse, we disregard what we know.

Either way, it seems to me that we don’t always learn easily and as adults, we seem to be more stubborn about learning from experiences than we are as children. Perhaps because we think we know better.

I will say that I talk to folks every day who seem to have regrets for things they should have done. Maybe instincts they should have trusted or lessons they learned but never put into play. I’m not sure what to say to all of these folks. At this point, it may simply be too late. Then again, they may just be stating what could have been. My lesson from this is that it is important to trust ourselves—our instincts, our experiences—as all we have done has led to this point and the way we feel is a product of that. If we can’t trust ourselves, who can?

Happy writing this week.

 

A Very Paranormal Vacation Paranormal-Scope

It’s getting steamy. Must be summer. Change is happening!

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

The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Werebutterflies are carried by the wind. You may get carried away by an idea. Look before you fly, even if it’s for vacation.

Taurus:

Zombies are very mellow vacationers. They like to lie in the sun and eat when they’re hungry. Take it easy. Savor relaxing.

Gemini:

Werewolves love the mountains with its clean air and stars at night. Take a break to enjoy nature and soothe your mind.

Cancer:

Vampires enjoy parties and a steamy nightlife. Consider a vacation to somewhere subtropical like New Orleans.

Leo:

Shapeshifters love adventure. Plan a vacation to a new place and try a new hobby.

Virgo:

Mermaids swim deep into new places to explore. Explore a place you’ve always wanted to see.

Libra:

Sirens know their power to entrance. Visit someplace magical. It will make you feel better and relieve some of your stress.

Scorpio:

Werebunnies are warm and fuzzy. Visit your happy place whether in mediation or in actuality.

Sagittarius:

Dragons like to fly to new locales. Make a photographic journal of your travels. Flying is an option.

Capricorn:

Faeries enjoy the nature around us. Explore the area in which you live and find the unseen. Consider painting it or writing poetry about it.

Aquarius:

Elves wander lonely places. Take a day trip to a park you’ve always wanted to see. Study the history of the area and what it meant to the original people.

Pisces:

Yetis love cold places. Head North for a vacation. See what you haven’t seen before. Open your eyes to new possibilities.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle! In Amazon Print! In Barnes and Noble Print!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 temporarily offline for a re-edit and new cover.

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

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Good One, Dad… By Ripley Proserpina

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! I give you… dad-related randomness.

First: Dad Jokes!

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Second: Dad Quizzes!

Take this quiz to find out what sort of dad you’ll be! 

Take this quiz to find out which celebrity dad is your match! 

Last: Dads being awesome.

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Thanks, Dad!

What Are You Giving Dad?

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I usually give something to my husband (father of my children) in the way of chocolates and flowers. Above is a peony! What are you going to give your dad this year for Father’s Day?

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

NEW: Vampire Princess of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 2 available in Kindle! In Amazon Print! In Barnes and Noble Print!

Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 temporarily offline for a re-edit and new cover.

Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available in Kindle.

Poseidon’s Catch (mythology romance) available in Kindle.

Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) available in Kindle.

A Vampire for Christmas,Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available in Kindle.

The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print

When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.

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Author Madelyn Hill’s Honorable Story by Stacy Hoff

 Hello Passionate readers! Today on Nights of Passion I have author Madelyn Hill telling us about her new release!

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Writing Lady Honor’s Story

I knew when I started writing Honor’s story, she was going to be a different type of character than her sisters. Honor’s personality was readily apparent in Highland Hope and even more so in Highland Faith. A peacekeeper, healer, devoted to the clan, and beloved by all. Her gentle spirit endears the clan to her and her healing skills make her an integral part of their lives.

Lady Honor possesses a hidden strength; one she doesn’t realize she has until she is faced with a dire circumstance. As the third daughter, she readily accepts her sisters are the braw ones. Often as quick to squabble as they are to draw a weapon. Their thirst to wield a weapon contrasts with her vow to protect all life.

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However, an underlying tie for all of the sisters is their devotion to the clan, their devotion to each other, and their strength—quiet or otherwise. Each has an expertise; Hope as a leader, Faith as a huntress, and Honor as a healer. This allows them to fulfill their father’s dying oath, “Through Hope, Faith, and Honor, ye can rule.” An oath the lasses sometimes loath, regardless, it drives them to contribute and make their parents proud.

Honor’s healing skill is innate, one with nature who can determine the healing properties of herbs and roots. If she doesn’t know, she experiments—on herself—until she finds the right combination. Now, that’s devotion.

What I loved about writing the Wild Thistle Trilogy is the power of these women, their strength, devotion, and desires. And, the men in their lives—handsome (of course), with enough alpha the lasses couldn’t take advantage of them, yet with a vulnerability when it comes to the women they love. I will miss this trilogy, the characters, the clan, and the hearts of Hope, Faith and Honor.

Buy Link for Highland Honor – Book 3 of the Wild Thistle Trilogy  https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B07CSY4PGY/

Madelyn Hill Social Networking:

Website:  www.madelynhill.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ madelyn.hill.94

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ AuthorMaddyHill

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ madelynhill68

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/ author/show/2919194.Madelyn_ Hill

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/ Madelyn-Hill/e/B00ELRG34U/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ authormadelynhill

Highland Honor – Book 3 of the Wild Thistle Trilogy 

Hook: 

Lady Honor MacAllister can heal everything but a broken heart . . .

Blurb:

Lady Honor does not believe in marriage. Her father’s death broke her mother’s spirit and took her from her daughters emotionally well before her own death. When Honor is attacked in the forest, she keeps the event to herself, lest her lairds search for the man and strike him down. As a healer, she’ll do anything it takes not to cause harm. Rumors of attacks in the Highlands forces the lairds to increase guards and security measures. When Bryce Calder is assigned to protect Lady Honor, she fights the burgeoning attraction for the man, knowing she’ll never risk her heart to love.

Warrior Bryce Calder trusts no woman. Women only strive to better themselves through cunning, as his father warned throughout his childhood. When he is asked to escort Lady Honor while she gathers healing herbs, he is vexed. Training the men and protecting the clan are his duties, not following the sharped-tongued lass about the wood. With each passing day, Bryce becomes enchanted by Lady Honor, despite his father’s words, but his unworthiness halts any proclamation of his desire.

An unlikely partnership develops during the frequent trips to the forest and work in the apothecary. The walls each has erected to protect their hearts and their future crumbles. Until a stranger arrives at the keep. Lady Honor’s secret is threatened to be revealed putting in jeopardy the growing romance between the ardent healer and the reluctant warrior-suitor.

Author Bio for Madelyn Hill:

Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier!

A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They are busy with their 3 children and a puppy named Cannoli! They love to cook, go to the movies, and hang out with friends.

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SIGN UP FOR STACY’S NEWSLETTER! http://eepurl.com/bG0HZD

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

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HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN (BUILDING LOVE #2)

In the Caribbean, the secrets, sex, and scandals are hotter!

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT! http://bit.ly/2GZxfx9

Kindle version: http://amzn.to/2xW3WtJ

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BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE series, #1)

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT: https://www.amazon.com/Betting-Love-Vegas-Stacy-Hoff/dp/1682913422/

Kindle version: http://amzn.to/2kAgBvK

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JOCKEYING FOR YOU print version http://amzn.to/2eanq2o

JOCKEYING FOR YOU Kindle version http://amzn.to/2c8Hi5t

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DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC print version http://amzn.to/2cubwCf

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC kindle version http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

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DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES print version http://amzn.to/2dXO1zV

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES Kindle version http://amzn.to/1YEseie

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LAWFULLY YOURS print version http://amzn.to/2e6Ug8k

LAWFULLY YOURS Kindle version http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm

The End Of School (For Parents, too)!

[image error]Finally, school is out for my kids. I’m not just happy for them—I’m happy for me. I’ll spend less time driving them around to after-school activities (music, sports, and clubs) and more time playing with them in the sunshine.

Having longer days also means more time to get things done. Whenever my kids self-amuse outside, I can write more stories. (Or, God forbid, go to the gym.)

In the next few days I will start taking my laptop out on my patio. I’ll write more if I write outside. It’s my best chance to hit my word count goal. Even if I have to set that word count goal very low.

Ah, summer. Sweet distraction.

What are your plans for the summer?

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SIGN UP FOR STACY’S NEWSLETTER! http://eepurl.com/bG0HZD

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com 

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HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN (Building Love #2) In the Caribbean, the secrets, sex, and scandals are hotter!

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT! http://bit.ly/2GZxfx9

Kindle version: http://amzn.to/2xW3WtJ

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BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE #1)  Love is the biggest gamble of all!

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT: https://www.amazon.com/Betting-Love-Vegas-Stacy-Hoff/dp/1682913422/

Kindle version: http://amzn.to/2kAgBvK

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JOCKEYING FOR YOU print version http://amzn.to/2eanq2o

JOCKEYING FOR YOU Kindle version http://amzn.to/2c8Hi5t

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DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC print version http://amzn.to/2cubwCf

DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC kindle version http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V

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DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES print version http://amzn.to/2dXO1zV

DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES Kindle version http://amzn.to/1YEseie

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LAWFULLY YOURS print version http://amzn.to/2e6Ug8k

LAWFULLY YOURS Kindle version http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm 

Forget Me Not

My life is made up of lists. Lists of passwords, list of places to go and things to see, grocery lists, work lists for what I hope to accomplish in a day, lists for the kids and to do lists for me. I’m sure I could keep going but you all get the point. And so why do we need so many lists? Well, I like many would love to claim a long memory with little room for error but the truth is very far from this.

We need lists or calendars or reminders because quite frankly, we have too much going on. And seeing as how technology continues to advance and we continue to push our own limits, I don’t see this slowing any time soon. Well, so what? We aren’t computers and we are flawed but it is in these flaws and where we lack that I believe our brilliance is born.

With our minds, we fill in the gaps that our realities lack.  Think electricity or even cars, smart phones or even traveling back in time to some of the first irrigation systems. Those are all big changes, but we can still pull examples from the world of writing. We write to create worlds and fill voids or in the world of nonfiction, we may write to educate or tell a truth.

Our need for lists and the fact that our mind must overcome may seem like a burden at times and in some cases it simply is that, but many times it can be cause to celebrate the flaws that make us better.

Happy writing this week!

Messing Up My Proof Copies by Mandy Rosko

A great day happened recently. An amazing day, one of the days that is difficult for me to put into words for how great they are. They happen a couple of times per year, and sometimes I might think the special-ness of it is dwindling, but when I get those sweet, sweet copies in hand, there is everything special about it.

 

So this post is about doing a proper job of checking your proof copies when they come in before approving them. Don’t be an idiot like me. I checked over my proofs, flipped through the book to make sure no pages were missing and everything was lined up, approved it, then ordered 45 more copies for my Patrons, just to notice a huge flaw at the end of chapter 20

 

To Be Continued in Part 3