Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 230

The Every Expanding Mountain of TBR Books! By Mandy Rosko

Just look at it…..

�� ��

LOOK at it @_@ I get dizzy looking, do you?

The sick thing is that this isn’t even all of them. There are more. Some of the ones in this pile are the books I got from RT last year that I’m still making my way through, but most are not. The RT books are mainly on another shelf.

I need to go on a book buying ban, but I can’t. There’s something wrong with me lately and I seriously can’t figure out what it is. I can’t stop. I have a $10 voucher for Chapters or Coles in my wallet and I soooooo badly want to use it.

Badly.

I blame bookoutlet. They’re awesome, but they’re also taking all my money, especially with the Sci-Fi sale they had today….I couldn’t resist. There’s 12 more books coming soon, not including the twenty some odd books I bought before that and am waiting in the mail for. Of course, this also means I need to buy new book shelves to fit them on…

I’m in some dire need of help. Now my goal is to read as many of these as I possibly can in a year, but I know that won’t stop me from buying anymore either. I just have to get through them slowly, one by one, and try to stay ahead of my Goodreads goal.

Anyone else ever do this? Do you ever just suddenly look around and realize there are not enough books cluttering up your space, causing you to go absolutely nuts with the shopping addictions and the need for books? The fact that I keep on watching Booktubers on Youtube review their favorites and do their unboxing videos can’t really be helping me out either. At least one of the books that I bought was a book on writing, so there’s a legit reason for me to have that one!

>_<

Anyway, I’m off to drown myself in books. Maybe I have enough to make a bed out of them like in some online pictures I’ve been seeing around lately. I’ll have to ask the people in my Facebook group after they’ve finished laughing at me.

Cheers,

~Mandy

————————–

Burns Like Fire (Dangerous Creatures Book One) is��Available Now!

The Princess’ Dragon Lord is Now Available at��Amazon��and��B&N

Connect with me online:

Facebook

www.goodreads.com/Mandyrosko

Twitter: @rizzorosko

Mandyrosko.com

Want the latest on hot guys, erotic romance, and sizzling action? Add your super cool name to my Newsletter list and I’ll make sure you’re the first to hear about new releases the day they come out:��http://rizzorosko.com/contact.html
Filed under: romance

Blizzard Paranormal-Scope

A blizzard is heading my way. I have enough food, water, emergency items including cat and dog treats.�� Pete raised his head when I said,”Dog treats,” and then went back to sleep. He is feeling secure.�� Are 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:

Snowbunnies will leave you a gift of magic. Smile a lot and see how it affects those around you.

Taurus:

Werewolves love to play in the snow, but it’s the down time afterward which is their favorite. Stock up on your favorite beverages and get extra movies.�� Make this a fun time.

Gemini:

Elves take a dim view on snow. Time to go over your accounts and start a “Save me from the Snow” account for next time, so you have a getaway.

Cancer:

A vampire has noticed you and will be giving you advice from time to time. It’s wise to listen to someone older than you. Just don’t invite them in.

Leo:

A werekitten will capture your heart. Keep in touch with an old friend and make a new one.

Virgo:

Dragons love snow.�� They use it to make snow cones. You know the kinds from those kits with the fruit syrup. Time to relook at our life and make snow cones.

Libra:

Pixies are annoyed by snow. It has to do with losing pixie dust in the snow. Watch where you walk or you may be accidentally enchanted.

Scorpio:

The werecat is following you. You’re cute and the werecat wants everyone to admire you. It will keep away the mice for you too.

Sagittarius:

Mermaids are mystified by snowflakes. They think being individual is such a beauty. Humans mystify them too. They are attracted to you.

Capricorn:

Shapeshifters love a good deal and one is coming your way. Call a friend to check it out with you.

Aquarius:

Dragons have a weakness for cookies. It tones down their roar. Bring cookies to work. Or visit friends and bring cookies.

Pisces:

A Gnome is planning a vacation. When was your last one? Plan one now to a new place.

-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

Posted in A Vampire for Christmas, 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, Weekly Paranormal-Scope | Tagged A Boston Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Arnhem Knights of New York series, Maximillion Vander Meer, paranormal, Paranormal-Scope, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampires in Manhattan series | Leave a comment
Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Vampire King of New York, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

Release Party! Almost Perfect is Live!

I���m taking a hiatus from my ABCs of Romance this week to throw a little release party for my erotic contemporary romance Almost Perfect. *throws confetti*

Here���s the blurb for the three love stories that follow the ups and downs of romance with Pam and Roger:

They met by accident at The Rocky Horror Picture Show and their first Christmas was almost their last. Can Pam Kimball and Roger Ware hope to make marriage work? Only time–and these three tales–will tell: An Almost Perfect Meeting, An Almost Perfect Christmas, and An Almost Perfect Night.

An erotic romantic comedy for people who are “almost” perfect.

And here���s an excerpt from the first story, An Almost Perfect Meeting:

Roger hurried over to the ticket booth, barely big enough for the girl standing behind the counter to squeeze into. ���One for the midnight showing.��� He forked over the seven dollars, grabbed the ticket, and rushed through the doors. Apparently you had to see the beginning or you���d never figure out what was happening.

The lights hadn���t dimmed yet, so he glanced around, surprised by how packed the theatre was. Where would he find a seat? Not down in front, please, God. He headed down the aisle, searching for an empty seat.

He���d gone down three rows when he began to notice the odd way most of the moviegoers were dressed. Many wore black formal evening clothes with multi-colored party hats. Others seemed to be wearing a very skimpy French maid���s costume. Then there was one guy who looked like he���d come from a meeting of Hell���s Angels. Most bizarre, however, were two or three men towering over everyone on black platform shoes, with their bare chests half-covered by a laced corset, wearing black briefs and fishnet stockings held up with a garter belt.

What the hell? Were they having a costume contest? He shrugged. It was Halloween, after all.

Forget it. He���d come back next week, if Memento was still playing, and enjoy it without so much commotion. Roger began to slowly back up the aisle. Maybe they wouldn���t notice him. He took two steps and bumped into someone. He froze then turned little by little, afraid of what he might see.

The girl had dressed normally, for someone stuck in the 70s. She wore a yellow coat dress, a straw hat with a wide brim, and had long, wavy brown hair. Cute. Definitely cute. Not that Roger had any illusions that someone like her would notice him. He hadn���t dated anyone since his senior prom in high school and that, for lack of anyone else, had been his cousin.

She���d been talking to a guy in costume seated at the end of the row, and he���d practically upended her into his lap. Before he could utter a word of apology, though, she straightened and her face lit up as if he were the answer to her prayers. His heart hammered.

���Thank God.��� She shoved a pair of black plastic glasses onto his face. ���I need a Brad.���

Had she lost her boyfriend? He shook his head. ���I���m Roger.���

���I don���t care if your name���s Elvis, you���re Brad tonight!���

The petite brunette grabbed his hand and hauled him toward the front of the theatre. Too shocked to resist, Roger staggered down the aisle until he stood underneath the twenty-foot movie screen, a completely different perspective from any he���d ever had before. He gazed around, trying to take it all in.

A few people here and there had dressed normally and were sitting quietly, waiting for the show to begin. Most of the oddly-dressed people filling the theatre, however, were laughing and talking. Some were hopping around then thrusting their hips in a very lewd way. Jerry and Frank hadn���t mentioned such goings on. It must be because of Halloween. No other explanation for so many weirdos in one place.

���I take it you haven���t played Brad before?��� The girl���s words pulled him back from his contemplation of the madness surrounding him.

���Who���s Brad?��� Roger frowned, gazing down into her upturned face. Her long brown hair didn���t actually suit her, but the big brown eyes did. A petite powerhouse. He knew the type. Too much to hope she was into computers too.

���Brad Majors.��� She stared at him as if the name should���ve meant something to him. ���As in Brad and Janet?���

He frowned, bewildered.

Her eyes got wide. ���Oh crap, don���t tell me you���re a virgin?���

Almost Perfect is now available at Amazon, B & N, and ARe.

And today I���ll be giving away two copies of Almost Perfect. Just leave a comment telling me you���d like a copy and I���ll enter you in the giveaway. I���ll announce the winners on my blog later this week.

Thanks so much for coming by! Have a great week and I���ll be back with my ���D��� topic ~ Desire~ next week.

 

Filed under: Almost Perfect, Contemporary Romance, Jenna Jaxon, Promotion

Snow Brings Change by Susan Hanniford Crowley

I know for a lot of people snow slows things down.�� Not for me. I’m back from Arisia with bronchitis, but still writing only at a slower pace than I would like.�� The world around me, however, seems to be spinning faster.

Unusual things happen when you least expect it.�� I received an email congratulating me because Vampire King of New York was nominated in the category of Paranormal Romance: Vampires for the Paranormal Romance Guild’s 2014 Reviewer’s Choice Awards.

Now I’m excited. How wonderful!�� I’d love it if you could vote for me.�� All you have to do is scroll down the page to the category Paranormal Romance: Vampires and click in the dot next to Vampire King of New York. http://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/2014reviewerschoice.htm

I’d dearly love to win in my category. It’s only running for one week and it started on the 21st or 22nd.�� I’m also going to have a medical procedure next week, so I’d appreciate any well wishes you want to send.

Yes, everything is changing and I’m typing faster as we speak.�� My new novel is getting more fun by the second.�� Soon I’ll have to send it to my editor.�� :)

-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, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Writer's Life, Yule

Plowing Through by Stacy Hoff

Well, folks, I���m gaining some momentum on my new contemporary romance novel���finally! At long last, I’m getting more and more pages of my WIP (���work-in-progress���) underway. It���s slow going, but still a sure and steady sign that I���m plowing forward.

Looking out the window, I see more than winter. I see an analogy. The flower bed is covered in snow, but I know the roots are still there. Holding their own. Biding their time. Just waiting to blossom. The patient gardener is the one who always reaps rewards.

Patiently slogging away on my WIP will hopefully yield similar results. Literally, writing a book is a tough road to hoe. Will it ever spring to life? Or will it remain lifeless and frozen?

All I can do is take heart. Winter is here, but spring is at hand.

I���ll let you know how my WIP is blooming. I’ve also got two new releases coming out in the next two months���and I’ll be announcing these shortly. For me, having more publications is proof positive that my book garden can grow!

I want to hear from you, too. Tell me what projects you have underway. And is the pace of your progress testing your patience?

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

Desire in the Everglades available on Amazon��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.

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Seasonal changes, Stacy Hoff

What I’ve Learned: Secret #4 Keep them Guessing

I know sometimes I’m too blunt. I like things to happen right away.�� LOL I’m an impatient person in lots of ways. Things I have to wait for makes me crazy, and I spent time talking to myself that I have to just be patient. Sigh.

Are you patient?�� Or are you impulsive?�� When the feeling strikes, are you the femme fatale or are you a bit of a tease or are you completely naive?

Pacing is everything–in writing and in life.�� Sometimes it’s better to hold back and play.�� Flirt, tease, test the waters as they say, and find out what he’s all about?�� Is he a hero or a hinder kinder?�� Then something will happen to throw everything out of balance.�� That’s how life is.�� Just when you think everything is lost, the final move is played.�� How will it turn out?�� Keep them guessing, until they’re breathless.

Alexander Skarsgard�������������������������������������� Courtesy of Socialite Life

-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, Characters, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Secret #4, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Viking, What I have Learned so Far: Sharing Secret, Writer's Life, Yule

Transformation or Simply Life

I work in corporate America. As part of this role, I inevitably end up reading business books, even if they are just bits and pieces of them here and there. There is one that I was given recently called What Got You Here Won���t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith. Admittedly, I haven���t read this one yet but it is one that I���m looking forward to. Why? Because I feel that I���m changing and I have to ask myself if this is some new transformation (hopefully a brilliant one if it is) or is this simply life? Or perhaps both?

This past weekend I went to Barnes and Noble. It was one of those rare days where everything aligned. My husband was entertaining our toddler, the baby was asleep, the hot chocolate I ordered was made just right and I easily snagged what sounded like an interesting book or at least it did for the old me. But then it happened. I sat down, sipped my chocolate and turned the pages. One by one I read them, waiting, just waiting for the book to pull me in. Instead, I found myself looking around. I was bored! Me, previously avid reader and mom of two who had been dying for an opportunity just like this. So what was the problem?

Well, I could say it was the author but I���ve read her books and I like her writing or at least I have, so I doubt that is it. And as for the ambiance and opportunity, I���m sure both were fine as I easily could have chilled in my chair another 2-3 hours. I really think the problem was and is, me. I���m changing and the truth is this may be an okay problem to have. What interested me even a year ago, doesn���t hold my attention any longer. That���s not so bad but when I���m not sure of what I���ve moved onto, the process can get a bit frustrating. There are times I wish I could download all the wisdom I hope to have at eighty and save myself the slow learning process and transformation in getting there. But then I���d miss life, wouldn���t I? And how many times have I said and written about slowing down to enjoy the little things? More than I can count!

So the moral for this week is embrace change, live life and just let it all happen in its own time. Happy writing this week and may your self-discoveries be as enlightening as mine!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

So…Yeah, I’ve Just Discovered Bookoutlet Again… By Mandy Rosko

There was a time when I lived so close to Canada’s Bookoutlet story that I could’ve drove there had I had a license, or enough money to own a car at the time. I always remember hearing about it, and wanting to visit it. I was in college, and the place was literally twenty minute or so away. I really should’ve just bothered my roommates for lift, but for whatever magical reason, I never did.

Maybe it was just meant to be, I never had a lot of money in school, and in some cases couldn’t even afford my textbooks, but now that I’ve discovered them again thanks to a lot of unboxing videos from the local Booktube channels, I got the itch to check it out and have some stuff delivered to me.

Looking back, I want to kick myself in the cranium for not having visited in person when I could ;_;

Needless to say, my credit card isn’t too happy with me now. I’ve got three book orders coming in���I mean boxes of them���and I have another 15 books I want in my cart that are just waiting to be ordered. I want them so bad my bones ache with it!

Last year I didn’t get much reading done, just a little over half of my writing goal for the year, not including some novellas and mangas I didn’t add onto that list, and then all the fan fiction :3, but this year I’ve decided is going to be the year when I really hunker down and try to get through my TBR pile. There’s a lot there, not including the books that haven’t even come in the mail yet. I’ve made up the pile that I want to read first, and it’s about half the length of my body.

Not including all the extra writing I want to get done for the new year, if I make it through that pile, I’ll consider it a real accomplishment.

But then I’m reminded of all the other books I’ll very likely buy in the coming year. It’s only January right now, after all @_@

I’ll have to make a list of all the books sometime and share them. Goodreads doesn’t make me feel too accomplished when I read one book, since I see some people can read one in a day. More than that, sometimes. I’ve actually seen people with 500 book goals for the year! 500!

Anyway, apart from that, some excellent news came in this morning, and Burns Like Fire received 4 stars from Jeepdiva! I was super stoked about that. The thrill of seeing a review waiting in my inbox always quickly leaves and is replaced with the fear of seeing something negative when I click on the link and wait for the review page to load. Thankfully, it was pretty good :3 And then I was able to breathe again.

I’m on the last 100 pages of Wool by Hugh Howey, and though I write romance, I’ve been getting into other genres lately, mostly teen, which this is not, but still. I need to hurry and finish it so I can take another small chunk out of the rest of that pile before it grows beyond my reading abilities…

Cheers!

Mandy Rosko

————————–

Burns Like Fire (Dangerous Creatures Book One) is��Available Now!

The Princess’ Dragon Lord is Now Available at��Amazon��and��B&N

Connect with me online:

Facebook

www.goodreads.com/Mandyrosko

Twitter: @rizzorosko

Mandyrosko.com

Want the latest on hot guys, erotic romance, and sizzling action? Add your super cool name to my Newsletter list and I’ll make sure you’re the first to hear about new releases the day they come out:��http://rizzorosko.com/contact.html
Filed under: romance

A Boston Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Adventure is around every corner.�� The lights that shimmer may be the stars or the light in someone’s eyes.�� Have you ever�� been someone’s light?

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:

One step forward and two steps back. Werebunnies are all about the hop.�� Life may look confusing right now or explore adding more fun in your life.

Taurus:

Shapeshifters are not the best money managers. Take it slow on any new investment.

Gemini:

Pixies have a wonderful sense of humor. Laugh more and you will start feeling better.�� Watch at least one comedy a night.

Cancer:

Pegasus knows the best way to have a spa day.�� Air flowing over you and water holding you up is the best way to relax.�� Don’t forget the cucumbers for the eyes.

Leo:

Dragons stand by friends and family. It’s your turn to stand. Be brave.

Virgo:

Hobbits are great in adventures. It’s time for you to have an adventure of your own.�� Boxes will start arriving.

Libra:

Elves are amused by phones and love taking calls.�� Don’t take on too many projects, but the one or two that you love.

Scorpio:

The narwhal brings new opportunities, but study them carefully before committing.

Sagittarius:

Gnomes love to create. You will enjoy some collaborating with others as well as receive some good news.

Capricorn:

Mermaids are so sensitive they can feel the pain of others. Step back before you find yourself crying all the time. Channel these feeling into art or a new hobby.

Aquarius:

Elves love being busy.�� You are going to work with some new people as well as some experienced colleagues.�� This is a great time to learn new things and put them to the test.

Pisces:

Vampires can be very supportive.�� Put out your new ideas and see how many come to help.

-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, 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, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

C is the Countess of Rothes

Noelle, Countess of Rothes

 

Lucy Noel Martha Dyer-Edwards, known as No��lle, was the Countess of Rothes, a noted philanthropist and social leader of her time, and a survivor of the Titanic.

She married the 19th Earl of Rothes in 1900, at the age of 22. She produced two sons and shared many interests with her husband. They lived in London until 1904, when the earl inherited a 10,000 acre estate in Scotland and the family began to spend the greater part of the year there.

The couple was socially active, attending and hosting many functions. In addition, No��lle did prolific charitable work in both Scotland and England, including fundraising for The Royal Caledonian Schools, the National Milk Hostels, and the Red Cross. She was also politically active, supporting the women���s suffragette cause as a member of the Women���s Unionist Association.

The Titanic

In April 1912, she boarded the Titanic to join her husband in America where they intended to live in California, owning and overseeing an orange grove. On the night of April 12th, the Countess, her cousin-in-law, and her maid (who were traveling with her) were escorted into Lifeboat No. 8 and lowered along with 35 other women from first class and three stewards and one sailor.

When the stewards proved inept at rowing, the sailor at the tiller, Tom Jones, moved to man the oars. He later reported that the Countess ���had a lot to say, so I put her to steering the boat.��� The Countess���s husband owned a yacht and she had learned how to steer using a tiller.

A lifeboat from the Titanic

During that long night, the Countess not only helped steer the boat and row, she also comforted the women around her and kept up morale by singing ���Lead Kindly Light,��� her favorite hymn. The next morning her lifeboat was rescued by the Carpathia.

In gratitude for saving her life, the Countess gifted Tom Jones with a silver watch. He reciprocated by giving her the brass plate with ���No. 8��� from the lifeboat. The two never met again, but they exchanged letters every year until her death.

After her husband died in 1927, Noelle married Colonel Claud Macfie. They remained together until her death in 1956.

Filed under: Alphabet Posts, Jenna Jaxon