Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 209

Taming The Monster Box Set by Mandy Rosko

I am so excited for this I can hardly contain myself, and when I’m on the tail end of a cold, that might not look like a lot, but trust me that it is :D

This time last year I was in my very first box set Captured, and this year I will be in my third, Taming the Monster with 17 super awesome authors who were really nice to have me along when I asked to join the group :3 So, naturally, because I don’t have a very big organic reach, I have to post these cool pics wherever I can now that this baby is up for pre-order for 99 cents ;) Oh yeah, here’s the hashtag for anyone wanting to help out with this super cool project on Twitter: #TTMonster

There are 17 brand new stories in this box set, many by NYT and USAToday Bestsellers like Mandy Roth, Michelle Pillow, Carina Wilder, Christina Rayne and many more!!

See why I’m so excited?

Also, look at those claws! I love that image :) If you look carefully on the cover, you can see that the man the heroine is holding onto has a tentacle monster tattoo on his back, and it seems to be coming alive O.o The one I got up on my website‘s got the tentacle monster around the box set, and maybe I should’ve showed that one here, but so far the two images are switching between favorites. Here are the links if anyone wants to check out the set while it’s still on sale, or if you could just share the pages on your social media, that would be awesomesauce, too :D

Amazon: goo.gl/i04fHH

Nook: goo.gl/Qm84S7

Kobo: goo.gl/pLOFwU

iBooks: https://goo.gl/RlngGj

Basically, until the release of this set on Oct 13, my posts will be all about how cool this box set is. For those of you following my Dangerous Creatures series and are impatient for the next installment, my story included is a novella set in that world.

Here’s the blurb:

Mina Swanson is a hunter, charged with defending the weak and helpless against the monsters of the world, but she and her partners will be on the lunch menu for a pack of wild werewolves if something doesn’t happen, like, right now!

Just as she’s being stuck over a bonfire to become barbecue, an old flame (the kind that won’t cook her alive) rushes to her rescue. Gabriel. The man she thought had been killed by werewolves. He’s back. He’s alive.

And he’s an alpha.

Gabriel Lyall lived through hell when he was changed. Forced to do things in order to survive that will haunt him forever, he thought Mina, the love of his life, would rather he had died than come back as the man he is now. He has no choice though, it’s either stop the wild pack and reveal himself, or leave her to die, and the second one isn’t even close to being an option.

Now she’s in his pack, and he needs to convince a couple of hunters that with the right guidance, werewolves can have control, that they can live peacefully away from the humans. She and her friends cannot leave until he’s satisfied they believe him, though he doesn’t want to let Mina go at all.

Here are the links once again for anyone interested in supporting this box set :) I’ll have to wait for permission, but I’ll see about getting blurbs to post every week until release :)

Cheers!

~Mandy

Amazon: goo.gl/i04fHH

Nook: goo.gl/Qm84S7

Kobo: goo.gl/pLOFwU

iBooks: https://goo.gl/RlngGj

Filed under: romance

It’s A Downpour Paranormal-Scope

Life is about to downpour on all of us. Do you have an umbrella?

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:

Elves duck for cover under broad leaves. Time to make your home cozy to withstand any storm in comfort.

Taurus:

When there’s a downpour of opportunities, goblins evaluate the pros and cons. Do the same.

Gemini:

Dragons love a downpour. It’s time for great home cooking. Gazing out at the rain slows everything down, which is good for you.

Cancer:

Vampires find the rain soothes them and helps them forget the hurts of the past. Let the past wash away. It’s holding you down.

Leo:

Mermaids float just below the surface to watch the pattern the rain leaves. Get a new perspective on things before making decisions that matter.

Virgo:

The Faery folk dance in the rain. Do you? Free your heart to adventure this week!

Libra:

Shapeshifters carry umbrellas knowing that a downpour can be good, bad or just a cleansing. They prepare for trouble and are pleasantly surprised.

Scorpio:

Downpours clean the dirt off of houses and cars. Isn’t that handy! Hobbits look at downpours as work savers.

Sagittarius:

Zombies don’t mind a downpour. To them it’s the same as a sunny day. Try to see things in a balanced context.

Capricorn:

Werewolves don’t like even a drizzle. It’s time to shake all the negative off and focus on the positive.

Aquarius:

A downpour of great things are coming your well. Werebunnies hold their umbrellas down to catch all the good luck.

Pisces:

Downpours and mummies don’t mix. Plan a vacation where it’s dry and warm.

-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

Reviews: To Read or Not to Read?

by Andrés Nieto Porras

Last week I asked the question, “Do you write reviews?” And it seemed to me that many authors don’t, in fact, write reviews, although readers seemed to want to share their thoughts on books somewhat more consistently.

This week I’m kind of asking the flip side: Do you read reviews?

I’m very interested in the answer to this one because it has different meanings for readers and writers.

As a reader I don’t usually read reviews. And if I do, I’m not usually swayed by them (for the same reason I expressed about not agreeing with critics last week, i.e. my evaluation of Jewel of the Nile vs. critics’ view). An intriguing blurb will get me to buy the book quicker than glowing reviews. The only exception is if a review or word of mouth comments that there are historical inaccuracies or if it’s generally poorly written. Then I steer clear because those things make me crazy as a reader.

As a writer I don’t usually read reviews of my works, not because I can’t take criticism—I’ve been directing plays for many years and have had my share of bad reviews—but because I don’t want to dwell on the negative ones. And that’s the same reaction I’ve found with several authors who’ve told me they don’t read their reviews. I could have six glowing reviews and one bad one and the bad one is going to be the one I think about constantly. I love the good reviews (I have read reviews in the past, you see) but when a bad one comes in, I can’t help asking myself, “What did I miss? What could I have done to make that reader love my book instead?”

And even though I know, with certainty, that 100% of readers are not going to like my books, I still obsess over why they didn’t.

So to keep from going crazy (again), I don’t usually read the reviews. I will look at ratings to keep an eye on how my books are doing, but I do steer away from the reviews.

For readers, however, I’m very interested to see how many of you use reviews to guide your purchases in romance. Do you read them all? Do you read some good, some bad? Do you not read them at all? And if you read them, do they sway you one way or another?

Inquiring authors really want to know!

Filed under: Jenna Jaxon, Reviews

Nearing the End of A Manuscript and The Story-in-Waiting

I’m working on the most important scene in the book. So many pieces come together here. Everything hinges on a decision that the hero must make. It makes me shake and pace. I have paced a lot doing this one scene. I’ve written it and crossed it out and written it again. Finally it has arrived.  I am amazed, gratified, and a little sad. Not for the characters but because the book is ending.

It’s at this point, where I have to push harder. Get the words out and done. Finish and write “The End.”  89iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii55555555555555555rtttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

I left my seat for a moment, and my cat Bella decided to do some writing. She was right, of course. I’m so close to the end and I got distracted by an intriguing movie called “Miss Meadows.” It’s not your standard fare at all.  It’s a strange film starring Katie Holmes in a very unexpected character. Yesterday, my husband tried to distract me with a movie called “Zombeavers.” It’s dreadful. Truly don’t see it.

I think that distractions are one of the obstacles as you write the final pages. Since I’m writing a series, I’m not really going to miss my characters. I’ll see most of them again in the next book. When I was on a radio show, the host asked me if I could write a particular type of vampire. I considered that I probably could. I told him that if I dreamt of the character then there would be a book for him. So I have my challenge all ready waiting for me and tons of notes about the story-in-waiting.

What do I mean by the story-in-waiting? I’ve already dreamed most of it. My typing now has to play a catch-up game with my mind. I have maps of the place, a story line that is more like a list, the lists of characters in attendance, names and their meanings, and details about the place. So this next book waits patiently while I wrap up this one.

I’m back to writing. No matter how much you may not want the story to end, it calls you to finish. I guess every story must come to an end, so something more can happen.

Waves!  See you next week!

-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: romance

Truckin’ by Stacy Hoff

I’m hauling around quite a load lately. Not a physical one—it’s nothing that can actually be loaded onto a truck. No, the way I would send this load won’t even require a full tank of gas. In fact, my delivery vehicle doesn’t have any wheels. It has buttons.

But it is one that still has to be delivered on time. Yes, that’s right, folks—I’m talking about my new manuscript.

It seems so easy to just hit “send.” If only I didn’t have to write the darn things in the first place. Geez, writing is a love/hate affair. Followed by a need to edit the heck out of them. And then agonizing endlessly about them.

It’s only after all this hard stuff is done that the “send” button can be hit. One tiny, little digital transmission—and yet these shipments manage to be the biggest deliveries of my life.

I keep writing every day in an attempt to hit “send” as often as I can. In fact, I have been on a streak of new releases lately. My second full length romance novel, LAWFULLY YOURS, came out on March 11, 2015. My short story, “Love Delights,” came out on May 6, 2015, in the romance box set SEASON OF LOVE. Next month (September, 2015) brings the release of my first dark romance, ART AND SEDUCTION in yet another anthology, HOT SEDUCTION, SIX SIZZLING TALES. And this is on top of all this, DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC, the sequel to  debut novel DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES, will be released this November.

Will I stop writing? Take a break? Claim exhaustion? Heck no! It looks like I’m in this for the long haul. Guess I’ll have to keep on truckin’.

What’s your delivery schedule look like?

AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS: http://www.amazon.com/Lawfully-Yours-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00U7U2WCC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425508177&sr=8-2&keywords=book+-+lawfully+yours

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES: http://www.amazon.com/Desire-Everglades-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00NFSMCYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410289138&sr=8-1&keywords=desire+in+the+everglades.

AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE: http://www.amazon.com/Season-Love-Box-Merry-Holly-ebook/dp/B00X3ZAR3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431122019&sr=8-1&keywords=Season+of+love+-+stacy+hoff

Find Stacy on Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com https://www.pinterest.com/authorstacyhoff/

 

 

 

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, romance novels, Stacy Hoff, Writer's life, Writing

Writing Caves by Heather Novak

Batman got a cave full of fun gadgets where he found the tools to get the job done! Sounds very similar to a writer, am I right?

I put out a call to writers via social media and asked them to send me their writer “caves,” whether it be a desk in the middle of a laundry room, or an entire room dedicated to their craft.

Here is what showed up in my email inbox:

First up, we have author Eliza Leone! Eliza is a writer and book reviewer and you can catch up with her awesomeness here and on FaceBook.

 

Next up, we have fellow blogger, Stacy Hoff! She has some awesome contemporary romance books out right now — seriously check them out here or FB. This is where her magic happens:

Up next is the awesome writing cave of best selling historical romance author Collette Cameron! I’m super geeking out over hers, I’ll admit it. You need to check out her books here and her FB here.

 

 

 This fun office is by a fellow author in my anthology Falling Hard, MK Schiller! If you’re looking for some amazing romance that sucks you in and pulls at your heart strings, you can check out the magic she creates here or on her Facebook.

 

 

 

You know I’m totally going to add mine in here, right? With a wall covered in Pride and Prejudice, The Raven Boys, Hamlet, and Sense and Sensibility, I pull inspiration from three feet away!

I want to see YOUR caves! Post a picture in the comments.

Fun Fact! August 20 is known for:

Chinese Valentine’s Day/Daughter Day
National Radio Day

Did you know I was on the radio for almost a decade with international radio show Somewhere In Time? Affiliated with the movie by the same name, we played Big Band and Theatre Organ music!

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Bold. Bewitching. Breathtaking. 

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Website: Heathernovak.net

Author of Hunting Witch Hazel featured in Falling Hard (A New Adult Anthology).

Hunting Witch Hazel Trailer

Available Now!

Amazon U.S.

http://amzn.to/1G0aCoQ

iBooks

http://apple.co/1Fb1Nrp

Amazon UK

http://amzn.to/1bKvOmc

Kobo

 

Filed under: romance

Enamored With the Glamour?

A week or so ago, I saw Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, which I thought was a great movie, but then I love action flicks and this was action all the way. Still, every time I see these types of movies, I have to wonder how realistic they are for the average person and what it is that we love so much. Now I’ve also seen the videos about Tom Cruise doing his own stunts and I’m not talking about the actual mechanics, I’m talking about the premise of this story and many others. They are full of excitement and danger and glamour to some degree, but the truth is (and this may only go for me but I don’t think so) that while this all appeals, I really wouldn’t want to have to deal with any of it. I mean just watching (SPOILER ALERT!!!) Tom Cruise’s near death experience from drowning really made me feel a bit sick—I’m so not cut out for this type of thing!

So why the enamor with all this glamour? Perhaps we secretly yearn to be a more adventurous lot and we are bored with the cards life has dealt or perhaps we just want to sit and watch a good movie. Either way, the mind wanderings generated by these adventurous films are always entertaining. Not to mention they make for great inspiration when it comes to writing. What do you all think? Why and what do you love about these types of films?

Happy writing this week and thanks for joining me!

Filed under: A writer's life, Toni Kelly

Hosting One Hour at a Facebook Party by Mandy Rosko

Okay, so I’m sweating a little as I write this, and not just because it’s insanely hot here despite the air conditioning. I signed myself up for an hour slot to help host Opal Carew’s Facebook Party tomorrow (today for those of you reading this now) to celebrate the release of her new release Step Brother Mine :D

Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/events/389751217884150/

It’s super exciting, and I was happy to be offered the slot, though then I get nervous when I remember that I’ve never done anything like that before, and currently my job is to go through other host slots and see what they’ve done or offered in order to get people excited and pumped up. Games, questions, picture posts that sort of thing.

It looks like I might have accidentally signed myself up for two slots, so the pressure is extra on! Gotta find some cool games to play with people and keep them entertained, while still thinking about awesome ways to draw attention to Opal’s release.

Currently I’m going through a quick tip list of things I can do to keep things lively, searching out fun facts, finding funny pictures is definitely on the list of things I want to do, and giving away a couple of party favors. One of which will be any print book from my printed backlist of titles, though since I signed up to host twice, maybe I should offer a second prize…

Looking forward to embarrassing myself in public! Hope to see some of you there at 1pm

Cheers!

~Mandy

Filed under: romance

A Very Alice Paranormal-Scope

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:

Be honest with your friends, and they will be a huge help against the Jabberwocky.

Taurus:

Time is everything this week. As the White Rabbit does, keep an eye on the time.

Gemini:

Lay low. The Queen of Hearts is yelling, “Off with their heads.” Lay low and don’t get noticed.

Cancer:

The Cheshire Cat is grinning at you. Practice that wonderful smile of yours and enjoy the company of others.

Leo:

If you’re an oyster, stay around home. The Walrus and Carpenter eat oysters. Time to prepare for the changing weather anyway.

Virgo:

One bite makes you small. One drink makes you tall. Enjoy good food but be moderate in your portions.

Libra:

The Caterpillar spends the day regarding life. Go to a close friend for advice.

Scorpio:

Sleep is important to the Dormouse. With enough sleep, you will find your solutions more easily.

Sagittarius:

The White Queen is cool and collected under pressure. She listens to all sides before making a decision.

Capricorn:

The Madhatter is smarter than anyone thinks. He knows enough not to interfere with others.

Aquarius:

You have to run fast to stay in the same place. You have to run faster to get ahead. What if you stopped and re-evaluated what you really wanted?

Pisces:

There is always time for tea with good friends and new ones. Plan a tea time!

-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

An Very Alice Paranormal-Scope

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:

Be honest with your friends, and they will be a huge help against the Jabberwocky.

Taurus:

Time is everything this week. As the White Rabbit does, keep an eye on the time.

Gemini:

Lay low. The Queen of Hearts is yelling, “Off with their heads.” Lay low and don’t get noticed.

Cancer:

The Cheshire Cat is grinning at you. Practice that wonderful smile of yours and enjoy the company of others.

Leo:

If you’re an oyster, stay around home. The Walrus and Carpenter eat oysters. Time to prepare for the changing weather anyway.

Virgo:

One bite makes you small. One drink makes you tall. Enjoy good food but be moderate in your portions.

Libra:

The Caterpillar spends the day regarding life. Go to a close friend for advice.

Scorpio:

Sleep is important to the Dormouse. With enough sleep, you will find your solutions more easily.

Sagittarius:

The White Queen is cool and collected under pressure. She listens to all sides before making a decision.

Capricorn:

The Madhatter is smarter than anyone thinks. He knows enough not to interfere with others.

Aquarius:

You have to run fast to stay in the same place. You have to run faster to get ahead. What if you stopped and re-evaluated what you really wanted?

Pisces:

There is always time for tea with good friends and new ones. Plan a tea time!

-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