Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 171
September 6, 2016
Bountiful Ideas
I’m fortunate in that I’ve never suffered from writer’s block, but then I also have more ideas than time to write. But seriously, if you are needing ideas there are a few good rules to follow-write what you know or what you are passionate about. I absolutely agree with this as you will spend more time with the subject and characters than you can imagine.
Challenge yourself-beyond keeping it all interesting, it stretches your writing skills as you work to improve your craft. Lastly, write for yourself and don’t chase a trend. By the time you catch up to it, readers have moved on and you’ve missed the opportunity to be true to yourself and write a fantastic book.
Even with these tidbits of advice, it is still easy to find yourself wondering about possible themes. My last thought is look at the world around you. Read articles, research and study people. We really are a fascinating species with so many dimensions and complexities.
In a couple of my books, I fo myself taking on religious themes. At first that wasn’t on purpose but more an injection of what I know having grown up Catholic. Still, it grew from there as I mixed in fantasy and science. I personally find the layers captivating in books I wri and read, although admittedly it is hard as a writer to make it all make sense.
We writers are constantly searching out ideas whether we realize it or not. My last recommendation is to keep a journal or notes page on your phone so you can quickly write down ideas as you get them or see them around you. You never know when the time to write that story will come.
Happy writing this week!
Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly
Finishing my Christmas Story by Mandy Rosko
So yesterday I finally finished off the short story I’m going to be handing in for an anthology for Christmas
September 4, 2016
Surging Surf Paranormal-Scope
As a favor, if you haven’t read the previous post on this blog, please, scroll down and do so. Thank you.
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:
Mermaids dive deep to avoid problems when the surf surges with storm. Consider that this too shall pass.
Taurus:
Pixies get nervous when things happen too fast. Slow any decision-making down to get all the facts.
Gemini:
Vampires love the storm. It’s a time of great creativity for them. It energizes the mind and spirit.
Cancer:
Elves will carry you away into an adventure. Hold nothing back. Enjoy the ride.
Leo:
Dragons sail out over the storm clouds to explore new lands. The excitement lifts them up. Plan a journey even a few days if it’s all you can spare. Re-energize.
Virgo:
Goblins love to dance. Their secret is out. Have you tried dancing a little every day?
Libra:
Leprechauns are up to their old tricks. Deceivers and scammers are out there. Don’t be a victim.
Scorpio:
A faery sends you a message: Sit back and count your blessings. Write them down and you’ll feel better about life.
Sagittarius:
Griffons like to touch the surf with their toes. Schedule more time to play at the things you enjoy.
Capricorn:
A dragon has taken you under its wing. Do not panic. Be methodical and get the best advice before proceeding.
Aquarius:
Hobbits love good food. It’s time to try out new foods and recipes.
Pisces:
Elves have left you a gift but it’s hidden in a person. Smile at everyone you know and work with and you will find this gift.
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Nook and 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.
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 in the Basement, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, When Love Survives, Yule
September 3, 2016
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
I fight like a girl.
I’m an ovarian cancer survivor. Last summer to my painful surprise a tumor inside my right ovary ruptured and blew my entire world wide open. Surgery and tests and more tests and appointments with specialists at home and in Boston took up much of my time and energy, and most of my thoughts.
I was lucky. My cancer was caught early, and I had a very rare form of ovarian cancer called Granulosa Cell Tumor (GCT). GCT is a slow growing cancer, which allows more time for surgical intervention. I had surgery and decided not to have chemotherapy, but rather to alter my diet a bit and add some natural supplements. At just over a year I maintain great health with a wonderful prognosis.
But, like every cancer survivor fear haunts me and my family. What if…
I don’t know the answer to what if…
What I do know is I’m not going down without a fight. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
I’ve struggled with figuring out how to make a difference in this world. This September I’ve decided to start by making a donation to the Granulosa Cell Tumor Research Foundation. This great organization, located in New Zealand, supports research for a cure and provides information for patients and families in the fight against GCT.
My donation will include 100% of all sales in the month of September of my book A Vampire’s Passion. I hope you’ll support my efforts to help find a cure by purchasing a copy of A Vampire’s Passion.
Grab a copy of A Vampire’s Passion at any of these eRetailers and make a donation toward finding a cure for ovarian cancer.
Learn more about the Granulosa Cell Tumor Research Foundation here.
Wishing you great health and happiness, and feeling extremely grateful for your support,
Jordan
Filed under: romance
September 2, 2016
Unveiling a Surprise!
Some of you know I’ve been working on the book for the Vampire King’s daughter Noblesse. Click the opening door and you will be magically teleported to the cover reveal.
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print and Nook and 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.
Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, 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
September 1, 2016
Novels—And Horses—Of A Different Color by Stacy Hoff
I guess you could call my (soon to be released) horse racing/romance novel a “horse of a different color.” Why is my book an outlier? From what I can surmise, here are the reasons:
There aren’t a whole lot of romances set in the horse racing world
Sports-themed books don’t usually revolve around horse racing, either
Most people seem to associate horse racing with wagering, instead of riding
Jockeys are not the typical choice for a sexy protagonist (in my novel, the jockey is heroine, not the hero, by the way)
Horse racing can be a challenging sport for an outsider to learn.
And yet, I found writing about this sport to be one of the most fascinating research endeavors I have embarked on as writer. (In my “day job” capacity as a lawyer, I can ensure you I have been on many a research journey that has been way less interesting.)
How is my new “breed” of book going to fare? I’ll just have to find out. Either I’m a front-runner, or a fail.
When the sales figures come in, I’ll know if my attempt is a success. But in the end, I’d write this book all over again, anyway. For me, writing comes from my heart. It’s what keeps me motivated to slog through 50,000-plus words, even late at night when the rest of my household has long since fallen asleep.
Are you an outlier in any aspect of your life?
Below is the Book blurb for JOCKEYING FOR YOU (to be released 9/28/16)
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff
DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC http://amzn.to/1KjfP9V
DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES http://amzn.to/1YEseie
LAWFULLY YOURS http://amzn.to/1Ky5CZm
SEASON OF LOVE http://amzn.to/1NsByfu
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?
Pictures above taken of Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Spa State Park by Stacy Hoff. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.
Filed under: A writer's life, contemporary romance, romance, Sports romance, Stacy Hoff, Writer Workshops, Writing
August 31, 2016
Don’t Break Your Audiobook Bank by Heather Novak
Happy Thursday Nights of Passion Readers!
What’s the con to working on all the wedding stuff? Lack of reading time (boo, hiss!). However, let us take a moment and appreciate audiobooks. I know, I know. They’re expensive and a lot of people don’t like them.
I am not one of those people.
GIVE ME ALL THE AUDIOBOOKS! But I don’t have an Audible subscription (I could never figure out if I wanted one, so here we are.) So what do I do now with my tiny book budget?
I have perfected a method for finding reasonably priced audiobooks that end up costing about the same as a mass market paperback ($7.99).
Tip 1: Look for ebooks with Whispersync. Whispersync is this bad a** program that allows you to download the ebook from Amazon and add a voice narration for a few dollars more (typically $1.99 to $3.99). When you’re in the Kindle app, just tap on the page to bring up the bottom tool bar and follow the “Audible Narration” download. You can switch between the pages and the narration at any time without losing your place.
Tip 2: Look for ebooks that offer the audiobook through Audible for a discounted price. Most new releases (say, past few years) will offer the audiobook at $25 outright, but if you’ve previously purchased the ebook, will offer the audiobook at half cost. It’s not as cheap as Tip 1, but it’s two audiobooks for the price of one.
Tip 3: Try Scribd! Scribd is a lending app for ebooks and audiobooks…basically a book version of Netflix. I pay $8.99/month for a variety of options (some free audiobooks, some use credits) and then $8.99 for each additional book credit in one month. You don’t get to keep the books, but you do get to keep them in your library as long as you want.
Tip 4: Use your local library app! My local library uses Overdrive, a very cool app that allows me access to their audiobook selections which I can then download directly to my device. As with all library books, you get two weeks to listen and they only have a certain number of copies to loan out at a time. However, FREE BOOKS! (As long as you’re in good standing with your library card!)
Any other tips from you audiobook fans out there?
On this day in 1998 – J.K. Rowling’s book “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was released in the U.S. This was the first book in the Harry Potter series.
Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,
Heather Novak
Find me at:
Twitter: authorheathern
Instagram: authorheathern
Facebook: authorheathernovak
Hunting Witch Hazel: Now available
Threat of Raine: 2016
Rosemary for Remembrance: 2016
Filed under: romance
August 30, 2016
Energy
Energy. If you were a tank of gas, how full would you say you are when it comes to energy? I recently sat around a table with my management peers to talk about energy. Physical energy, spiritual energy, emotional energy and mental energy. Big surprise that as we read the article and took the quiz, we realized that we were all running at critically low levels of energy. I’m being sarcastic here if you aren’t getting the gist of my written tone.
Our corporate culture in this country is one of burnt out folks who continue to push for more with less. We seem to put band aids on everything as a corporate culture and as a country but that can’t go on forever. Eventually we’ll have to face the music but in the meantime, what do we do? Where do we channel our energy? I get asked this all the time and I have to replies. The first is never underestimate the power of one. Most of the time, many of us walk through life without realizing our full potential. Know what you bring to the table and implement it. Second, you can only contol what you can control. If you start approaching situations with this in mind you can come up with some great strategies. These two thoughts together can take you even further as you realize you can control more than you thought. Don’t believe me? Give it a try. Not once or twice but each and every day.
Happy writing this week and if you are low on any of the energies I mentioned, take some time to change that.
Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly
Dangerous Creatures is Here! by Mandy Rosko
Woot! It’s finally here! And getting some pretty good reviews on Amazon so far
August 28, 2016
The Changing Moon Paranormal-Scope
Change is headed this way. The waning crescent moon is a time to make amends and end bad habits.
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:
The energy of a dragon is upon you and you will feel invincible. Be cautious in decisions though. Use this energy to get a lot done.
Taurus:
Gnome can be shy or social. You’ve switched into a more social phase. Enjoy it. Make new friends.
Gemini:
Elves tell you to expect the unexpected.
Cancer:
A vampire will have important news or insights for you. Use this information wisely, and don’t judge the wearer.
Leo:
Shapeshifters adapt to change quickly. You will be making life decisions in all areas of your life.
Virgo:
Centaurs let you in on a secret: You have a talent that is undeveloped. Devote some uninterrupted time to developing your gift.
Libra:
Faeries listen to others and make them feel valued. Follow suit and your world will change.
Scorpio:
Mermaid sing of sailing ships and soaring planes in the skies. Adventure awaits you but don’t forget to make home important too.
Sagittarius:
Goblins keep their nose to the grindstone, because they know they will win out over time. Rewards are within your reach.
Capricorn:
Werewolves respect an alpha, a leader. Your leadership talents have revealed themselves. Follow the path your are creating!
Aquarius:
Griffons soar with confidence. So do you. You can make your dreams happen. Don’t stop believing.
Pisces:
Hobbits are the masters of friendship. Keep them golden. Some will evolve and become more important.
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 available in Kindle and Print, Nook and Print, and Kobo.
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.
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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