Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 160

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

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

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

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

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

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

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

SEASON OF LOVE http://amzn.to/1NsByfu

Filed under: A writer's life, Christmas, courage, Holiday, holiday greeting, Holiday Posts, romance, Stacy Hoff

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Published on December 22, 2016 21:00

Oh-La-La Christmas Tree by Heather Novak (Video)

On this day in 1983, Meghan Trainor was born!

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,[image error]

Heather Novak

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Instagram: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available

Filed under: romance

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Published on December 21, 2016 21:00

Point of No Distraction

I read an article this weekend about scattered brain syndrome and the difficulty of multi-tasking. In essence, it states that multi-tasking is a myth and that the brain was not built to multi-task. In actuality it states we are fully switching back and forth between tasks.

I found this very interesting as I could identify with much of what the article described. Each day I find myself bombarded with distractions. So much so that sometimes I find myself even searching out distractions because I’ve somehow become accustomed to them. It is not as if I am more productive when dealing with multiple tasks, it’s just that my brain somehow doesn’t as easily adjust to the silence or time without distraction.

As I read this article and came to these realizations, I couldn’t help think back to when I first started writing—I mean truly as a writer with the intentions of publishing one day. Friday nights were my favorite. A bit of Beethoven, some Guinness and some popcorn—weird combination but oh so good to relax. I used to sit on my bed next to a window, watching the moon move across the sky. There was something calming about it all that seemed to allow me complete immersion in what I was writing, whatever scene I was trying to see through. These days as I find myself pulled in so many directions, I think back to those nights and use the reminder to ground me in what it is like to fully concentrate and create something I enjoy.

As you go through the craziness of the holidays and New Year, take some time for yourselves, meditate, concentrate and let yourselves do without distraction.

Happy writing this week and may you continue enjoying this holiday season!

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly

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Published on December 20, 2016 21:00

The First Volume is Out! by Mandy Rosko

My first volume of Bad Boy Bear has been released just in time for the holidays, and I’m mega stoked for it. Still waiting on feedback to come in from readers, but ultimately, this is the first book in my yearlong monthly ebook challenge, and the first one is always special

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Published on December 20, 2016 02:09

A Happy Holidays Paranormal-Scope

Snow fell. I thought I had planned everything perfectly, but we now need a new microwave oven and I have some last gifts to get. You see I counted on Saturday and it snowed too much to go out. What have we learned from this? Don’t count on Saturdays!

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:

Gnomes review what’s important in life on a regular schedule. They are gifted at being methodical. So are you. It’s time again to review.

Taurus:

Shapeshifters like to party. Plan one for family or friends or both. Plan on having fun and letting your hair down. Er, oh fur.

Gemini:

Mermaids love making goals and finding keys. You never know what treasure box a key will open. Open your heart to a new treasure.

Cancer:

Faeries bring good things, but a new opportunity should be carefully examined before signing on the dotted line. Otherwise enjoy the good tidings and gifts.

Leo:

Werewolves kick back to re-energize. Be a sofa spud and enjoy fine meals and good movies and sports.

Virgo:

Vampires know many things including answers to old secret questions. Much will be revealed, not all unpleasant. Smile.

Libra:

Dragons are patient both with careers and people. Great things are coming your way, but show patience and listen to all discussions.

Scorpio:

Gremlins approach bringing gifts. Great news and excellent company. Don’t judge by appearances.

Sagittarius:

Griffons have insights and so do you. Explore your ideas. Enjoy the holidays too.

Capricorn:

Zombies are merely those in need of energy. Give yourself the time to restore. Be prepared for last minute changes in social events.

Aquarius:

Pixies are little lights in life. You have many. Sit back and enjoy them.

Pisces:

Were-dogs love you no matter what. You are most fortunate. Surprises are coming your way.

-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!

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

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Published on December 19, 2016 09:42

Did It Snow on You Too? By Susan Hanniford Crowley

[image error]This was just the beginning when I got up this morning. It was snowing so lightly that it was hard to photograph. By the time, it got thicker, I was outside shoveling.

So what do you do when it’s snowing outside? Make hot cocoa? Sit by a blazing fire and read a book? Guess what I did.

[image error]What do you do on a snowy day?

In case it’s reading, I will be doing my last giveaway for this year at The Romance Studio Christmas Party from Dec. 19-23. I will be posting around noon and 7 p.m. every day. Come join the fun. http://trsparties.com

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-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!

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

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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, holiday shopping, Holidays, knights, Max Vander Meer, Mrs. Bright's Tea Room, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, 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, When Love Survives, Yule

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Published on December 17, 2016 21:00

Writing A Family Saga Paranormally Speaking

There are different ways of writing a family saga.

You can start with one person and with each story bring in others.
You can start with a core family with one member looking for love.

I dream my books so the family saga actually started with vampire David Hilliard, who is one of King Max’s son. Except in the first series of Vampires in Manhattan, that is actually kept secret. You only know that David was made a vampire by a savage on the battlefield of Gettysburg. He was remade by another vampire who also took him under his wing. His “father” is what makes David the vampire prince and knight he [image error]is today.

I did something a little different in that I started my series with the supernatural community in When Love Survives. The story is about a friend of David’s who is a bear shifter meeting his lifemate on the darkest day of New York City. David is actually a secondary but important character.

He isn’t unveiled until the 2nd book, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais. Honestly, David plays his cards close to the vest and even though he is a secondary character in other books, more and more of his personality shines through in each one. As the friends and family members are added, the reader gets a bigger and bigger pictures and the books give a more in-depth view of their personal lives.

I found in telling the saga, you have to include friends. Otherwise they are an isolated community. Humans are important to them. So are the werewolves, shifters, elves, and other.

[image error]In Vampire King of New York, the saga grew bigger, as it does start the Arnhem Knights of New York series. I guess it had to get bigger because of Max. Read that book and you really get a clear picture of a king who serves his people. Max is all heart but he’s got brains, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s downright “dreamy” as one reader puts it.

I recently saw a Viking longship in person and my brain immediately went to Max, and to his life as a Viking and what that meant to him. The freedom. The adventure. Exploring. Building a new world. Max has had the vision for a new world for vampires longer than I’ve been alive. I love the fact that he helped build a human city from it’s beginning and helped it continue to grow along the way.

Lots of vampires stories have vampires biting humans to make them potential mates, but for Max, he chose people with extraordinary qualities to become his children. When he met David, he saw a savage vampire preying on travels, a monster, certainly not someone at first glance that would help him in his vision. But Max saw beyond the savage and remade him so he would have a stable mind. And when Max search for his one love, David is there to help.

I’m skipping over the romance part because I don’t want to spoil things for you readers. You’ll just have to read Vampire King of New York to see how Max makes out in love. (Okay, pun intended.)

In regards to Max’s daughter Noblesse, he was in Paris as the revolution started. He saw this brave young woman storming the Bastille with other patriots. She was shot down and fell. In that moment, Max knew he had just seen the “noblest of creatures” and decided to make her his daughter. She took a long time to adjust to her new life and called herself Noblesse, meaning she felt damned as a vampire. At the time period of her book Vampire Princess of New York, Noblesse has come around and is a confident business woman running VMeer Industries whenever Max is away which is often. When two very different men come into her life and profess to love her, Noblesse is blindsided. She has no experience with love except the love of her family. In this book, I go even further into the personal lives of the Royal Family Vander Meer including an unique vampire ritual.

The entire set to date with links is below if you’d like to explore my paranormal world. For some icing on the cake, I will be doing my last giveaway for this year at The Romance Studio Christmas Party from Dec. 19-23. Come and party with us! http://trsparties.com

[image error]Happy reading and spend some time relaxing this holiday season! Remember to put aside time just for you too.

-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!

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

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Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, holiday shopping, Holidays, knights, Max Vander Meer, Mrs. Bright's Tea Room, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, 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, When Love Survives, Yule

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Published on December 16, 2016 21:42

How NaNoWriMo 2016 Worked Out For Me by Stacy Hoff

My writer friends and I always talk about our progress, which is not surprising. The writing community is small, passionate, helpful, and eager to keep everyone motivated. But even with this group of cheerleaders, we like to jump on events that help move us along, NaNoWriMo is one of them. NaNoWriMo, if you are unfamiliar with it, is National Novel Writing Month, an annual event that happens every November. Writers are challened to write 1,665 words a day for 30 days to complete a 50,000-word manuscript. The goal is to push writers into completing a full draft of a novel that they can later edit, and then submit, to literary agents and/or editors. Those who formally particpate get an on-line community to offer support, a place to log their word count, and—if you complete the task —a free tee-shirt.

Or so I’ve been told. I never formally participated in NaNoWriMo. Somehow, registering for this seems too intimidating. This year, I did participate in the challenge, although in my own way. I connected with my writer friends and the larger writing community. I joined Twitter chats which provided me with encouragement and commiseration. I forced myself to write, write, write.

My NaNoWriMo participation “prize” was letting my uber-nasty inner-critic go. I used NaNoWriMo to do something comepletely different than my usual writing. Instead of a contemporary romance, I worked on a dystopian novel. So what if this is oddball for me? Having had only 30 days to worry about it, I was willing to dive into a dystopian pool.

The downside to NaNoWriMo was the timing. November brought travel, and multiple celebrations, for me and my family. Because of this, I did not live up to the 50,000-word goal. Though I did accomplish a lot more than I thought I could.

The upside of my informal NaNoWriMo participation was huge. I launched a new writing project that has a solid start. The event gave me a new challenge that unleashed my creativity. For that, NaNoWriMo has my deepest thanks. I’ll be back next year. See you at NaNoWriMo 2017!

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

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

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

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

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

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

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

SEASON OF LOVE http://amzn.to/1NsByfu

Filed under: A writer's life, contemporary romance, creative writing, editing, fear, goals, romance, Stacy Hoff, writer’s block, Writing, writing prompt

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Published on December 15, 2016 21:00

All I Want for Christmas with Jenny Hale by Heather Novak

I have one of my very favorite authors visiting my blog today. You need all of her books, ESPECIALLY her Christmas ones! Please welcome Jenny Hale:

Jenny Hale is a best-selling author of romantic women’s fiction. Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. They explore the magic of falling in love, living for the moment, and those events that change a person forever. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and join the fun!

Every family, all over the world, has their own Christmas traditions. In fact, there’s a whole website devoted to it! http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/

Here’s a little peek into what the Hales do every year! Hope you enjoy it! Without further ado, our top 5 Christmas traditions!

After a big Thanksgiving meal, we decorate.

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We drive around to see all the lights. Sometimes we take a tour of the “tacky” ones, as they’re called, and other times we see more traditional lights.

We bake cookies!

We decorate a gingerbread house.

And what Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a little Elf on the Shelf?

Thank you Jenny for joining us!

Make sure to pick up my favorite Christmas author immediately – you won’t be disappointed.

Click here to buy

Christmas comes once a year . . . But true love comes once in a lifetime.
Snowflakes are falling, there’s carol singing on every corner, and Leah Evans is preparing for a family Christmas at her grandmother’s majestic plantation house in Virginia. It won’t be the same now that her beloved Nan is gone, but when Leah discovers she has inherited the mansion, she knows she can give her daughter Sadie the childhood of her dreams.

But there’s a catch. Leah must split the house with a man called David Forester. Leah hasn’t heard that name in a long time. Not since they were kids, when Davey was always there to catch her.

Now David is all grown up. He’s gorgeous, successful, and certain of one thing: Leah should sell him her half of the house.

They can’t agree, but as they share memories over wine by the log fire, Leah notices a fluttering in her stomach. And by the look in his eyes, he’s starting to feel it too.

Will it be Leah or David who must give up their dreams? Or, with a little bit of Christmas magic, will they finally understand Nan’s advice to them both about living life without regrets … and take a chance on true love?

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On this day in 1815 – Jane Austen’s “Emma” was published.

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,[image error]

Heather Novak

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Instagram: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available

Filed under: romance

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Published on December 14, 2016 21:00

Season of Spirit

I’m sure throughout the years, I’ve mentioned that I love the holiday season a time or two. It isn’t necessarily for the gifts I receive or the food I eat-although I won’t complain about either-but it is for they way people tend to act overall. Now, I’m not going to deny hearing the occasional crazy shopping story but I’m referring to a more common approach…that contagious spirit of giving simply for the purpose of making others happy.

I know that giving occurs year round and that a lot of times, the media will focus more on giving during this time of year. What really makes it special is that even those who usually aren’t so giving get into the spirit. Perhaps it’s the holiday music being played everywhere or the many versions of A Christmas Carol we see on the television. It’s corny and absolutely happy and oh so much fun.

So why should it all even matter and why should we take such glee in this season of spirit? I’m not meaning to be a downer but for as much goodness that exists in the world, there is plenty of hardship, sadness and ill will. My suggestion is we tip the scale in the good direction. It can be for the season or beyond, but the purpose is to just enjoy the happiness of others and gain happiness through the experience. I even challenge you to share your stories. They may inspire others to continue the spirit and generosity.

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly