Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 144
June 11, 2017
Chipmunks Run Amok Paranormal-Scope
Chipmunks are small but they get things done. They aren’t intimidated by size. Years ago I was walking my dog and came across a chipmunk. Pete barked and this chipmunk stood on his hind legs and did his version of yelling at Pete who backed away. We called this chipmunk Elvis. Our wonderful Pete passed away. Probably so has Elvis, but his children have a happy home under our shed.
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:
Werebunnies are bringing the warm fuzzies to your life. Spend time with those close to you.
Taurus:
Pixies indulge in fun. When was the last time you did something fun? Do it today.
Gemini:
Dragonpups sneeze and burn down their parents’ sofa. That is why dragons don’t have sofas. Have you checked all your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers? Keep your home safe.
Cancer:
Werepugs love the night life. Okay, they like walking at night. Same thing. Take care of someone close to you. Plan some new fun activities.
Leo:
Werebearcubs howl when there’s no honey. Make sure you’re well supplied. Unexpected company may be coming your way.
Virgo:
Young daywalkers hide their fangs. You will be meeting new people. Remember! Don’t judge a book by its cover. Take time to get to know them.
Libra:
Werekittens play with balls of yarn. They love unraveling them. A mystery in your life will unravel with some surprises.
Scorpio:
Gnomes love making guests comfortable. Have friends over and practice your hosting skills.
Sagittarius:
The small mermaids love surfing the waves. New waves will bring treasure to shore.
Capricorn:
Elves love to study and keep the family records. Little elves would rather take photos and dance. Reach a balance in your life.
Aquarius:
Werechipmunks have shown that even the smallest can do great things. Don’t abandon your dreams.
Pisces:
Small Griffons are often afraid to fly at first. It take practice and belief. The heights await you. You just need more practice and to believe in yourself.
-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! Coming soon in Print on July 4th!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
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 , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.
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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule


June 10, 2017
History. Clear History. By Ripley Proserpina
Research.
I wish I had grasp of everything I want to write about, but I don’t, and so I must do research. Recently, I saw a funny meme, which I’m posting below,
and I thought, what the hell is on my browser history?[image error]
So I checked, and here’s a rundown of the most recent.
Jason Momoa
haka
quantum computing
computer crimes in Mississippi
felony computer crimes in Mississippi
How to hack
How to remotely control a computer
What day of the week was July 15th, 1998?
Jotnar
What does “casse toi” mean?
I’ll admit, Jason Momoa was not research, and hakas led me down a hole which eventually brought me to New Zealand’s rugby team, and I refuse to regret any of that time.
I think, except for the how to hack question, most of it is pretty innocuous. I haven’t had to kill any characters yet. No, I take that back. I have, but they were secondary, or tertiary characters, and I didn’t have to google anything like, how to hide a body. But my next book is about vampires, and there’s a good chance it’s in my future.
Happy Reading! ~ Ripley
Filed under: Ripley Proserpina, romance


June 9, 2017
Coping with Grief from the Passing of A Friend
[image error]I got a phone call that an old friend had unexpectedly passed away. My first response was that he was younger than me.
Today I will be at his memorial service and remember all the beautiful things about his life. He gave to so many. He was an artist who captured the beauty in life so others could stop and be reminded of how wonderful life can be.
What affected me most was that during a really terrible time in my life, when my girls were 7 and 9 and I was trying to hold the family together, when my husband lay in Yale New Haven Hospital waiting and hoping for a heart transplant, this bright soul would go to visit him.
Today my husband and I will be with his friends and family celebrating his life. I will cry. Because God’s gain is our loss. We were blessed to know him.
-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! Coming soon in Print on July 4th!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
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 , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.
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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Writer's Life, Yule


June 8, 2017
How The Belmont Stakes Affected My Writing by Stacy Hoff
The Belmont Stakes is tomorrow. I’m excited! Not only to watch the race, but to relive the excitement I had back in 2015 when American Pharaoh raced for the Triple Crown. How excited was I? Enough to write a novel set in the world of horse racing. A few short months after the Triple Crown was over, I completed the manuscript JOCKEYING FOR YOU. A year later, my novel was published (Soul Mate Publishing, Inc., 2016).
I knew virtually nothing about horse racing before I wrote my book, so I had to learn it all. I spent months doing research. Not just book research, but live research—I went on road trips.
One of my road trips includes going to Queens, New York, to visit Belmont Park. I arrived for an early morning tour where I got to see not only the track, but “behind the scenes” where the stables, and stablehands, reside. (The picture of Belmont Park, above above was taken by me on that tour.)
Inspiration for writing is a wonderful thing. It makes me write the best book I possibly can. I’m thrilled to say JOCKEYING FOR YOU received a nomination from InD’Tale Magazine for their 2017 RONE Award. And it happened all because of an amazing horse race.
Better still, tomorrow I get to watch another one.
What inspires you?
Book blurb for JOCKEYING FOR YOU
Jake Carter is on a mission—to prove his family wrong. He may have bought a troubled horse, but he’s hired Ryder Hannon, a “horse whisperer,” to get his horse back on track. She’s more than just a trainer to him, she’s the woman he’s been looking for.
Ryder Hannon, a thoroughbred horse trainer, has a big problem—fighting her fear of racing again. Her emotional scars run deeper than her physical ones. But her romantic feelings towards handsome, uber-rich, stable owner Jake Carter is a bigger problem. Is Jake truly in love with her or is he using her to get back at his smug family?
When Jake’s jockey gets injured, he wants Ryder to race. He knows deep down she wants to live up to her family’s legacy. So why does she keep fighting him—and her destiny—so hard?
Amazon Buy links for JOCKEYING FOR YOU
JOCKEYING FOR YOU print version http://amzn.to/2eanq2o
JOCKEYING FOR YOU Kindle version http://amzn.to/2c8Hi5t
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff
BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (BUILDING LOVE series, #1) http://amzn.to/2kAgBvK
DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC print version http://amzn.to/2cubwCf
DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC kindle version http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V
DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES print version http://amzn.to/2dXO1zV
DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES Kindle version http://amzn.to/1YEseie
LAWFULLY YOURS print version http://amzn.to/2e6Ug8k
LAWFULLY YOURS Kindle version http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm
Filed under: romance, Stacy Hoff


June 7, 2017
Can You Speak Up While Protecting Your Brand? by Heather Novak
I’ve been told for many years to not “speak my mind” about current events on social media. This was an opinion I strongly subscribed to until recently, when I discovered that silence was a privilege I couldn’t always afford to have. But how do you voice your opinion without alienating your readership? And what happens if you are targeted for harassment?
Facebook is easy to manage.
You can create different groups of people and decide your audience for each post. I recommend doing this anyway!
You don’t need your readers to know when you go visit your Aunt Martha for 2 weeks and GUESS WHAT?! your house is empty. You don’t need to give them clues about where you live by tagging local sports teams, restaurants, and where you got your oil changes. It’s easy to put together were you live with just a few simple keystrokes! (And we’ve all seen Misery, yes?)
You can simply make groups like “In Real Life Friends” or “Family” or “Readers,” etc. and select the group you’d like to post to. This will allow you to have control over who sees inside your life.
You can also create a separate and private Facebook profile for only close family and friends, especially if you write under a pen name. This is probably the best option if you can do it.
What about Twitter?
Twitter’s interface now allows a mobile user to switch between Twitter profiles (a feature I utilize when running our RWA Chapter’s Twitter.) Consider creating an additional personal account, separate from your author account, to engage with fellow like-minded people.
If, like me, you want to be publicly vocal about a topic you feel strongly about, how do you make that work for you and your brand? How do you protect yourself and your career?
First, really sit down and think about a topic that you’re passionate about and how you can both be an advocate and make it work for you.
For me, it’s healthcare. The healthcare angle works for me because my books deal with both mental and physical illnesses. I’m also starting an author blog that discusses what it’s like writing books while having a chronic illness. This allows me to share my story, but also helps expand my reader base and author connections. I’ve met some wonderful friends through my work.
What happens if something goes horribly wrong?
If you are going to speak your mind, the most important thing is to have a safety plan. NOW. Not later, not after it happens. Make that plan before you post or as soon as you read this blog.
Should you find yourself the victim of abuse or harassment, know how to report posts/people and lock down your social media. Document everything. Do not respond or engage. Research lawyers you can contact and do so as soon as it happens. Know how to reach your local law enforcement.
I’m not talking about the handful of comments from trolls that disappear when you delete a status. I’m talking about serious harassment, and you need to understand that this is a real possibility. Authors have public lives, subject to everything that comes with it.
In just the last two weeks, two author friends have gone on lockdown on social media. One was targeted by public figures with an opposing viewpoint and her personal information was released online. She was the immediate target of a very negative backlash.
Another friend had an issue with a bot that tricked Twitter into thinking her account was spam. Having to deal with a suspended account can be time consuming and cost sales. Know how to reach customer service for your social sites and know how to post a note on your website for readers trying to locate you on social media.
This can happen to anyone anytime.
If you want to take a more general stand, consider something like, “I used this app to write to (these specific people) to encourage/discourage (this topic here).” Or, “a portion of my book proceeds this month will go to (this cause).” Or even “I volunteered for (this) today!”
It’s important to note that you will probably alienate readers no matter what side you’re on. That’s a decision you need to come to terms with. But, you can also gain some like-minded readers as well.
We walk a fine line. Being an author is like running a small business and you need to decide how real you want to get with your readers. Once you put something out in the social media-sphere, it’s permanent even if you delete it.
(We’re looking at you, Bon Appetit…so are the rest of us angry romance lovers.)
TL;DR
Take your time. Be respectful. Research. Have a plan should you become the victim of negative attention.
Until next week, my friends.
[image error]
On this day in 1903, Jessie Bernard was born. She was an American sociologist, feminist, and author, authored and co-authored over 20 books and numerous journal articles and book chapters (d. 1996)
Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,[image error]
Heather Novak
Find me at:
Twitter: authorheathern
Instagram: authorheathern
Facebook: authorheathernovak
Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available
I was happy with my West Coast life – 24-hour pizza delivery and bikini-clad bodies as far as the eye could see. Now I’m in the small-ass town of
Hayvenwood
to extract a ransom to save my little brother’s life. And that ransom is locked inside of the sexiest witch I have ever met, Hazel Evanora.
Filed under: romance


June 6, 2017
Life’s Full of Feats
Perception on feats is to some degree, in the eye of the beholder. What I may see as an enormous undertaking can to some seem very insignificant.
Very recently, my family and I moved across the country. This was huge for us as we haven’t moved since the kids were born. And I have to say the coming back to the lushness of the east coast is a breath of life in me after spending so many years in the desert. The desert really is beautiful in its own way, but I love the green and the seasons and water! Admittedly, I’ll miss the laid back way of the west but thus far, I haven’t found our new environment too overwhelming.
So why the talk on feats today? It could be my five year old saying he can’t do this or that and from a child’s perception, almost everything is hard. Learning to read, learning to swim, learning to ride a bike… Some stuff I can’t recall but others, I remember being hard too. Learning to drive, learning about securities, learning to write a book. The last couple are still hard but each day I try, I make progress. So at the end of the day, some of those larger feats don’t seem quite as large.
Moral of the blog? There will always be things that seem too hard for us (and some that seem too easy), but with each effort we give, we chip away at the feat, making the impossible possible.
Happy writing this week!
Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly


June 5, 2017
Woot! I Got Into Radish! by Mandy Rosko
[image error]
So….what’s Radish, you might be asking
June 4, 2017
Secrets & Surprises Paranormal-Scope
Summer will arrive soon with the Solstice. Blossoms are everywhere. Everyone is busy but not necessary taking time to enjoy the beauty. Secrets and surprises abound.
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:
Goblins indulge in power plays. Avoid conflicts. Work hard and keep your own counsel. The climate will change.
Taurus:
Orcs are making things more a challenge at work. Are you meeting your goals? Re-evaluate where you are and how to move forward now.
Gemini:
Griffons are masters of flight. It’s all from practice. Don’t give up on your endeavors but refine your efforts with more study and practice.
Cancer:
Aslan roars and pounces forward. Be the lion and move forward on your ambitions. Don’t let fear make you step aside.
Leo:
Shapeshifters know that bounds with those you love are important. Take time to really get to know them and enjoy their company.
Virgo:
Werewolves howl your praise. You’re making headway so don’t stop now! Smile and shine that talent of yours.
Libra:
Mermaids care deeply about the seas. They want to make a difference and so do you. Follow your passion.
Scorpio:
Vampires had so much time that the come to a point where they decide what they truly love to you. You’ve come to that point.
Sagittarius:
Dragons are torn between two worlds. Some might think you are too much of a dreamer. You will get the opportunity to make that work to your advantage.
Capricorn:
Love is important to gnomes. Spend more time with loved ones. Make a written history of your ancestors and have everyone contribute stories or photos.
Aquarius:
The octopus can be shy or fierce. They will always stand up for those they love. Will you?
Pisces:
Ladybugs are brave in all things. Getting to the next place in your life will take courage but you can do it! It’s an exciting opportunity!
-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! Coming soon in Print on July 4th!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
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 , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.
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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule


June 3, 2017
You Must be an Angel, Baby. By Ripley Proserpina
Tuesday Matched with a Demon releases. It is the first book in my Demon Matched series, and I am so excited about this one (I lie. I’m excited about all of them, but having a release is like a birthday. You wake up, and feel special for the day… Inevitably, no one else in your family remembers, and it turns into Sixteen Candles, minus Jake Ryan, but I digress).
The main character in this book, Lucia, is feisty and intellectual, and struggles to believe the unbelievable, even when she has an aunt who reads tarot cards and makes love potions.
Matched with a Demon is a paranormal romance, and the main love interest, Armaros, has his own demons to fight. Both literally and figuratively. But mostly literally.
In honor of Matched, I’m going to pull a Zia Valeria (Lucia’s crazy aunt), and shake my Magic 8 ball. Okay. Think about a question. Now….. ask it! And….
Hmm. Well, it’s not science! Anyhoo—please check it out. It’s available on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, and Nook, and the universal book link is below. Happy reading! ~Ripley
https://books2read.com/u/mdKokw
A cry in the night, a child who needs help and a demon who needs redemption.
Rational and serious, Lucia believes in what she can see and touch, preferring to leave the curses and fortune telling to her old-world relatives. Meeting Delia, a half-human, half-demon child, challenges her logic. Desperately alone, the girl searched for someone to keep her safe and finds Lucia.
Armaros spent his eternal life mired in guilt. Choosing to live life according to his desires and whims, he forced his sister to fall from grace, damning them both. When she vanished, abandoning him and all they’d built together, he pursues. The last thing the Fallen expected to discover was the impossible existence of her child and the fragile human intent on keeping her safe.
Thrust together, Armaros and Lucia must flee the forces of Heaven and Hell. Determined to protect Delia, they must set aside their differences. Despite the insurmountable odds stacking against them, can they accept that fate put their paths on a collision course? Or are they doomed to fail, losing not only Delia, but also the only other person in the universe who understands them?
Filed under: matched with a demon, paranormal romance, Ripley Proserpina, romance


June 2, 2017
When An Author Regroups After Surgery
[image error]I was a little delusional. I thought to myself, okay, have the surgery and then while laid up write at maniac speed. Pain, however, was a definite stumbling block. Pain killers also tend to blur the brain. Random falling asleep really got me-sometimes with the laptop still on.
When the brain cleared and I managed to stay awake, I also saw the writing ramifications of my illness. I usually write in chronological order, but during my illness I wrote the chapter most on my mind at that moment. What did that mean after my surgery? I had a mess to contend with. This is how I’m fixing it.
Write a chapter by chapter synopsis. A paragraph about what should be in each chapter. I chose to also give each chapter titles to help me realizes what goes in it. In this way, I am able to see what was missing.
Take the synopsis and write a Step-by-Step. Meaning break each chapter down to a sentence to keep you on the writing path. This part is to follow your main character.
Important parts-Red circle things that are important but you have not addressed or are missing from the book when it shouldn’t be.
Now write.
I have to thank the CTRWA for this concept. It’s based on a talk an author did showing her board with all the color coded sticky notes that basically broke down the book chapter by chapter. She was explaining plotting. I write by the seat of my pants (pantser) but took notes and am glad I did, because I devised the above based on her talk.
So a week after surgery, I was finally able to make sense out of all my chapters and write the synopsis for each chapter. I’m back to work on Book 3 in my series of the Arnhem Knights of New York. At the same time, I’m preparing for Vampire Princess of New York to come out in print on July 4th. That’s my publisher’s date.
-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! Coming soon in Print on July 4th!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
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 , Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook, Kobo and Smashwords.
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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Helping Other Writers, Max Vander Meer, Mrs. Bright's Tea Room, mythology romance, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, problem-solving, stress, writing, journal, diary, resolve, worked, relax., romance, romance novels, shapeshifters, steampunk romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire in the Basement, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, Vampire Princess of New York, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, What A Writer Needs, When Love Survives, Writer's Life, Writing Advice, Writing Craft, Writing Topics, Yule


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