Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 188

Spring Snow Paranormal-Scope

Spring has arrived by the calendar, but the forecast says snow for my neck of the woods. Don’t let the cold get you down.

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 elf dance has to be rescheduled. Be flexible and know that plans this week are not carved in stone.

Taurus:

Orcs are over busy just like you. They know when it’s time to add “me time” to their activities.

Gemini:

It’s hobbit reunion time. Get together with those you miss.

Cancer:

Don’t judge a dragon by its appearances. Learn all the facts and make an informed decision.

Leo:

Goblins understand a lack of self-confidence. You are doing great. If you’re forgetting things, just make a list. Give yourself the credit you deserve.

Virgo:

Pixies often work too hard. You need to build in some time to relax.

Libra:

Shapeshifters know the joys of friends and family. Any problem will blow over. Keep those you love close.

Scorpio:

Werewolves value the importance of connections. You have opportunities ahead.

Sagittarius:

Mermaids love building sand castles. Indulge your artistic side.

Capricorn:

Zombies are persistent, and persistence pays off.  There may be delays but you’ll be pleased with the outcome.

Aquarius:

Feeling grumpy like an orc? Watch a funny movie to change your mood. The circumstances causing the down feelings won’t last.

Pisces:

Faeries know the importance of a clear mind when tackling a new project. Give yourself time to rest up and gather your resources.

-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

What Outlander Has Taught Me About Heroes: Intelligence by Jenna Jaxon

Scanning of a human brain by X-rays

Two weeks ago I started this series about heroes and how the Outlander series has taught me a lot about how we measure heroes and heroism. I came up with four major characteristics for heroes: strength, intelligence, compassion, and passion. Today I’m looking at intelligence, because women, while attracted to the brawn, also want their heroes to have the brains.

Some people might think that intelligence would not make a top ten list of hero qualities or character traits. Those people might be in for quite a surprise. According to the article “The Surprising Qualities Women Want in a Hero,” intelligence ranks as #2, right behind protectiveness (which is linked to last week’s topic strength). The article states that “65 percent of readers list incredible intelligence as a trait of their ideal hero.” The article goes on to say that doesn’t mean the guy needs to be a member MENSA, nor a show-off, but most women want a guy with some smarts, including curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Interestingly enough, intelligence is also trait number two on Carrie Spencer’s list of “The Top Ten Traits of a Contemporary Romance Novel Alpha Hero.” According to her, “Whether he’s a bad boy biker or CEO of a major corporation, the alpha hero has not only brains but common sense and street smarts.”

Intelligence can manifest itself in several different ways. Not every romance hero needs to be a rocket scientist. But their intellect shows in other ways. One is the ability to strategize. In historicals this shows in their superior swordplay and their ability to wage war effectively. In contemporaries, strategy often comes into play with outwitting someone—often the heroine—in situation non-violence related, although of course military romance has warfare as a key element that the hero navigates with ease.

Another way heroes show their intelligence, I’ve noted, is their ability to learn a second, or in some cases third, language. I noted this characteristic, strikingly so, when I watched Last of the Mohicans, Braveheart, and Outlander back to back. All three of these heroes could speak more than English: Hawkeye spoke Mohican, Wallace spoke French, Latin, and Gaelic, and Jamie spoke French and Gaelic in addition to English. There is something very sexy about a man who can make love to a woman in more than one language! And this ability stems from his intelligence.

Apparently, heroes with the brains, get the dames!

Next week I’ll be looking at another characteristic in a hero that turns heroines and readers alike to mush: compassion.

 

Filed under: Craft, Historical romance, Jenna Jaxon

A View From the Boardwalk

My husband and I share a common history in southeastern Connecticut. There are places we both grew up going to that we love. When I’m deep in edits and still doing all the things that life throws at me, he takes me away for a little while to stroll the boardwalk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just stroll and let the ocean breeze take your cares away. This is the view from the boardwalk at Ocean Beach, New London, Connecticut.  What is your favorite place to stroll?

– 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, A writer's life, fantasy romance, Max Vander Meer, mythology romance, Norse, Ocean Beach Park, paranormal, paranormal romance, 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, vampires, Viking, werewolves, When Love Survives, Writer's Life, writing life, Yule

Author Maggie Mundy Operates On The Dark Side by Stacy Hoff

Hello Passionate readers!

Today I taking you to the dark side. See life through the eyes of Maggie Mundy, an Australian operating room nurse and “dark” romance author. Chills, thrills and romance await!

Maggie Mundy asks: “What about your day job?”

I write dark speculative fiction. I cover everything from paranormal romance, urban fantasy, epic fantasy time travel, and just a little bit of psychic possession. My alter ego in the daytime when I go out to work is an operating room nurse. Now I expect you will be getting a little afraid.

When I first started writing people would talk about ‘your voice’. I was not quite sure what my voice was. Then I was lucky enough to get a critique partner, and she said. “You’re dark, Maggie. I sat back and thought about it for a bit, because I thought I was writing great love stories. It was true though; there was a dark and graphic element to my stories. My books have ritual killings and the odd body does get absorbed in quite a nasty way. I do try and keep dead bodies out of my stories, but it just doesn’t work.

So does being an OR nurse help? I would say it did as I know what a brain or a liver looks like up close. I know the sounds when you are sucking up bodily fluids, and most of all I know the smells. Okay we won’t go there. As I know these things it would have been hard for me to write such scenes without being authentic.

So you may wonder what I actually do. On an average day I help anesthetists put in drips, and put breathing tubes in so patients can breathe when paralyzed. As a scrub nurse I assist the surgeon with instruments and swabs. I have been asked by authors on occasion to read their work to see if the description of inner organs is accurate.

Hope this has enlightened you a bit and not scared you off.

I still think it is important that whatever scene you have in your book is there to move the story along and not as a filler. Whether you are writing a dinner party, sex scene or a murder scene, it has to have relevance to the whole story.

Now excuse me while I go and kill someone. Metaphorically speaking.

Blurb Scarred Protector

Angels and demons are not what you think. They are aliens, and the Midworlders are their representatives on Earth. An Angelic Midworlder called Heath goes to the aid of Evie who is about to be attacked by Demonics. He soon discovers she can see the angels and demons around her and is in grave danger. He is captivated by Evie who has physical and mental scars like him. They are tortured souls who are deeply connected by his past. There is an evil lurking inside Evie that could kill them both.

Short Excerpt from Scarred Protector 

Heath stopped ascending into the sky and hovered and allowed himself a moment of reflection as he gazed down at her face. What was going on here? She cradled against his chest and he had to admit he liked the sensation. He didn’t touch people unless he had to and had forgotten what it felt like to have a human pressed against you. It brought out protectiveness in him.

Her reached up and touched her cheek with his fingertips. The glow was gone from around her body, but the tingle still remained. She felt warm, too warm, as if she was running a fever. He moved his hand away surprised at himself. He never let his emotions show and yet he felt drawn to this strange woman with the wet and bedraggled fuzzy hair. It must have been the jolt of lightening affecting him. She looked so vulnerable and yet he had seen her be tough against Charles. She hadn’t known what she was taking on but she had fought well. He didn’t know her but he liked her feistiness. It was irrelevant. He needed to stop these pointless contemplations and concentrate on saving her.

Blurb Unknown Protector

Two things have helped Nicole cope since the murder of her husband. One is running her detective agency, and the other is her guardian angel Mira. When Mira is killed by a demon, Nicole accepts the help of a Ridge, a long haired, cigar smoking diamond in the rough with wings. Things go from bad to worse when a replacement guardian cannot be found. She has to trust Ridge, which is tricky when she realizes there are no demons or angels, just parasitic aliens that humans have built the myths of these celestial beings around. Ridge isn’t an angel or a devil, but an alien half breed known as a Midworlder. He is also way too sexy for his own good, or is it her own good.

Amazon Buy Links:

Scarred Protector  http://tinyurl.com/pkch5es

Unknown Protector  http://tinyurl.com/kvph4dc

Social Media Link for Maggie Mundy:

https://twitter.com/MundyMaggie

www.maggiemundy.com

https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMundyAuthor

http://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

http://www.pinterest.com/maggiemundy/

http://maggiemundy.blogspot.com.au

http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/

Bio For Maggie Mundy

Maggie lives in Adelaide, Australia and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia, and the local chapter SARA (South Australian Romance Authors). She recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, English and Creative Writing at Flinders University. She had a short story published in the RWA Topaz Anthology Little Gems in 2010 called Sea and Vines. She has four books out with Rogue Phoenix Press. Two erotic novellas called Blood Scent and Blood Oath and paranormal romances called World Change and World Apart. She also has a supernatural thriller with Soul Mate Publishing called Hidden Mortality and a paranormal romance called Unknown Protector.

She has also performed for many years in corporate entertainment for which she wrote her own sketches, which probably explains why her head is so full of characters. She loves writing romance but thinks falling in love can be scary.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:

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

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

Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AMUVJKW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B01AMUVJKW&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFSMCYG?creativeASIN=B00NFSMCYG&linkCode=w00&linkId=6PCZIZBWKBWUSNHI&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS by Stacy Hoff:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U7U2WCC?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00U7U2WCC&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR HOT SEDUCTION (box set with Stacy Hoff):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014RQX8GU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B014RQX8GU&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE (Box set with Stacy Hoff):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X3ZAR3E?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00X3ZAR3E&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

Filed under: Author Interviews, Characters, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Stacy Hoff, Writing

Get a Taste of Irish by Heather Novak

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

It’s a day of green food, green alcohol, and green clothing. But what about some really good Irish romances to celebrate? I reached out to one of my favorite reader groups and asked for their favorite Irish romances.

They did not disappoint. 

Most recommended audiobook (and ebook): Hooker & the Hermit by Penny Reid and L.H. Cosway.

Oh yes, I’ve listened to this audiobook many, many, many times. Dual first person narrative. All you need to know: Really sexy Irish man reading fairly spicy scenes.

You’re welcome. 

Here are some other titles to look into:

Still Life With Strings – L.H. Cosway
The Ballybeg series – Zara Keane
Selkie Heart – Sam Asher 
Love Found in Shamrock Texas – Teresa Lilly

Now that you’ve got your book, it’s time for cookies. Here is an easy and awesome recipe for shamrock cookies that can bake while you dive into a new read! 

Ingredients

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated sugar cookies

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup green sugar

Steps

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in flour until well blended. Work with half the dough at a time; refrigerate remaining dough until needed.
Shape dough into 70 (3/4-inch) balls; reserve 7 balls. Roll each of the remaining balls in green sugar. To form each shamrock, place 2 balls with sides touching and 1 ball on top on ungreased cookie sheets. For stems, divide each reserved ball into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into ball, then in green sugar; shape into a triangle. Place 1 triangle pointed side up at bottom of each cookie between 2 balls for stem.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Go forth my friends, and have a tasty and safe St. Patrick’s Day! And at the end of the day, give your keys to a friend or grab an Uber.

On This Day:
 On March 17, 461 A.D., St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland.

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Instagram: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Hunting Witch Hazel: Spring 2016

Threat of Raine: Spring 2016

Rosemary for Remembrance: Spring 2016

Filed under: romance

A Natural

A natural leader, a natural athlete, a natural in the kitchen…they all kind of imply the same thing–some one is great at something such that it can at times seem effortless or masterfully done. I am one who always have believed in natural abilities. My mother in law is a natural mother, it’s a gift she was born to use and she really does make it seem effortless, which I know now from experience that it is not. My own mother has always been more career minded. I love her and she loves me, but I would never say that motherhood was her natural calling. She experienced and she learned as we all do to some degree.

There are some who believe anything can be taught and anything can be learned. While I too believe this, I also believe the extent to which one might excel in any subject will never exceed the level of mastery that those with natural abilities can reach. That’s not to say that hard work and dedication don’t mean anything. I believe both natural skill and hard work are necessary to achieve mastery of anything.

So why is this important? Well, a lot of times, our passions may align with those things that we are good at. For those of us who are so lucky, my advice is to pursue those passions. Many times, it may be a bit of trial and error to find something we enjoy and are good at. We see that happening with our kids all the time. Let it happen, for them, for you. My thoughts are that it will lead us each down a happier path but only time will tell.

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: romance

Website Troubles, Visiting Mom, and a New Release by Mandy Rosko

I’m at my mom’s house, on her couch typing this, and it’s pretty awesome. It’s also late, but we’re getting in our girl time whenever we can. I haven’t seen my mom in person since last year since work is always a thing and the drive is so long, but I’m glad I’m here. In a couple of days I go to see my dad, so woot!

The only thing really ticking me off lately is my website. It’s been down for a couple of days, and that’s not cool >:(  Gah! I know I wasn’t doing so well with the Facebook ads, but did it have to do that now? Ugh, hopefully it comes back online soon, otherwise I might have my first heart attack early.

On the plus side, Alpha is only a few days out. March 22nd can’t get here fast enough! I shipped the printed proof copies to my mom, and made her wait until I was at her house before we could open them. Lol. She wasn’t too happy with that. I swear it was like talking to a kid wanting to open a present at Christmas. She was never very patient with things she wanted. It’s where I get it from :)

They’re smaller books, but with a nice page size. They look big in her hands though, lol.

Happy Reading to you all wherever you might be tonight Say hi to your moms if you’re able as well :)

Grumpily waited for my website to come back,

~Mandy

Filed under: romance

Will March Showers Bring April Flowers Paranormal-Scope

Rain comes into our lives and washes away past hurts and nurtures growth.

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 love the beach. Time for long walks and reflection.

Taurus:

Werewolves shake off the rain like they do negative comments made by others.

Gemini:

Pixies are fun. Surround yourself with fun friends and laugh more.

Cancer:

A vampire is there to help. You will receive assistance from someone you would not expect.

Leo:

Shapeshifters sometimes have a hard time deciding. You have choices. Research before deciding.

Virgo:

Elves hide in the flowers. Add some flowering plants to your home.

Libra:

Hobbits enjoy cooking for guests. Plan a dinner party with friends.

Scorpio:

You are loved more than you realize. Faeries will shed some light on this.

Sagittarius:

Werewolves are a wild bunch. Hang out with friends and do something new.

Capricorn:

Dragons bring you to their cave. Sleeping in a nest is so soft and comfortable that your stress will melt away.

Aquarius:

Beware leprechauns. Just because it looks like gold, doesn’t mean it is.

Pisces:

A mermaid gives you a gift. You will see new wonders.

-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 available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo

A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle

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

What Outlander Has Taught Me About Heroes: Strength by Jenna Jaxon

Last week I started this series about heroes and how the Outlander series has taught me a lot about how we measure heroes and heroism. I came up with four major characteristics for heroes: strength, intelligence, compassion, and passion. Today I’m looking at strength, because when it comes down to it, from Jamie Fraser to James Bond, we want a guy with strength. Superior strength. Physical strength as well as inner strength.

Of course I love historical romance and back in the day strength was a very big deal. Men used weapons that few if any women could wield. Men had to be strong physically to do everything that needed to be done, from fighting to chopping down trees to building houses. That strength was utilized to keep the heroine safe, keep her warm, keep her fed. The hero’s physical exertions helped fulfil the heroine’s needs. Protective is the number one descriptor valued for a hero, and quite often in order to protect, a hero must have the physical strength to do it. Not only in historicals but contemporary romance novels as well. Think of all the firefighter and policeman and SEAL heroes that populate contemporary romance. They are all as tough as nails and that’s how women want them.

I saw this common trait in the heroes of the three examples I gave last week: Last of the Mohicans, Braveheart, and Outlander. Hawkeye, in LOTM, is a superb fighter, in stunning physical shape, and able to withstand physical punishment and continue on. William Wallace in Braveheart is another excellent fighter who disregards physical pain in order to achieve the goal he’s set his mind on. And Jamie in Outlander, well in our first sight of him he’s got a dislocated shoulder and after it’s popped back in, he’s right back wielding a sword, then shot and continues to ride through the night with no complaint. Heroes have the power to endure horrific physical torture and bear it with a stoicism that makes them stand apart.

Heroes must possess inner strength as well. Women want a man who has a conscience and an inner strength of conviction that he’s not going to break for any reason. Heroines need to know they can count on the hero to give his word and mean it. A man’s word is his honor and when he gives it, it is not. He gives it with the understanding that it is a code of conduct inviolable. I think that inner strength may be most appealing in this day where the perception of men often sees them as failing to have integrity or a conscience.

Next week I’ll give my thoughts on the surprising but necessary characteristic of intelligence in a hero.

 

Filed under: Craft, Historical romance, Jenna Jaxon

What To Do in The Dark Times? By Susan Hanniford Crowley

All of us at some time in our lives run smack into a dark time.  Yesterday I celebrated my 37th wedding anniversary. Today my dad is very sick in the hospital. He’s 84.

When everything is uncertain what do you do? This is what I do. This was in random order.

1. Be a support person for the one you love.

2. Get as many facts as you can.

3. Make lists of things that have to be done. Organizing helps me not let the emotions despair. Sometimes you just can’t help it but cry. It’s okay to cry.

4. Live as normal a life as possible. Act as if.

5. Talk to those you can help in the immediate situation.

6. Let family and friends know.

7. Get spiritual assistance.

Life is an endless cycle of change. The only thing that doesn’t change is when you truly love someone.

-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 available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo

A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle

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