Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 235

Winds Blow Paranormal-Scope by Susan Hanniford Crowley

The weather has been playing with us, first warm and then cold. One day rain and then next snow.  Winds are blowing fate about like dried leaves, and it’s best to hunker 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:

Temple cats are ferocious.  Vermin come in from the cold.  Keep an eye out. Not every rat is a rodent.

Taurus:

You are so cool. All the snow men say so.  But you need a flashier scarf.

Gemini:

Goblins are pinching pennies now.  Slow down and re-evaluate your budget.

Cancer:

Gnomes are going crazy.  Pack for an impromptu opportunity to travel. Day tripping can be fun.

Leo:

Shapeshifters love to dance.  Plan a party and pick some lively tunes.

Virgo:

Dragons love you. You’ve caught the attention of powerful people, now do your best work and show off.

Libra:

Elves glow with happiness. Good luck is coming your way.

Scorpio:

Mermaids swim into a tropical cove to sunbathe on the sand.  Plan a little time in a warmer climate to recharge.

Sagittarius:

Anubis is the Egyptian goddess of death. There is an old idea that is dying. Start new and you’ll find more doors open to you.

Capricorn:

Werewolves come to bring you into the pack.  Friends are a joy.  Enjoy them more.

Aquarius:

Wizards like to indulge in an forgotten art. Dust off that musical instrument or art set or other favorite hobby and embrace the concept of creating.

Pisces:

Vampires are quiet and secretive.  Friends are going to confide in you. Keep their secret and be a good listener.  A lot of people need to vent during the holiday season.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

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, 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, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Passionate Kisses

Most romance readers love to read the scenes in which the characters they’ve become invested in finally share a passionate kiss. If the author has done her job, the reader is as ready as they are for this first intimate step. I’ve done some research and found some very sound advice about how to construct a kissing scene.

Blogger Miss Literati breaks the process down into five steps for creating the perfect kissing scene: find the perfect moment, create the build-up, have the characters “notice” something about one another, the kiss itself, and the pull away. This may make the kiss sound too technical, but if you think back on some of the best kisses you’ve read, you’ll find all of these steps in place.

Three pieces of advice from the writers at WriteWorld add to the process. “Don’t write kiss, write everything else.” Which means you need to get in touch with the characters’ feelings and write how they experience the kiss (which does not include the word kiss in the description). “Less is more.” Keep the focus on the intimacy of the moment, not several paragraphs of exposition. Also, “keep your characters in character.” What does the kiss mean to them? Bring that out in your prose.

My favorite kiss I’ve written is in Only Scandal Will Do. The hero and heroine are married, but the heroine is suspicious of the hero’s motives for marrying her and therefore they have had very little intimacy in their relationship:

As though they had done this time and time again throughout eternity, he leaned closer, angled his head at the last moment and snuggled his lips against hers. They were soft and warm and sweet from the wine he’d had at dinner. A glow built in her center, a warmth that radiated outward, reaching down her arms, down her legs, between her thighs. Up through her neck and into her head, the warmth pulsed. Just at the touch of his lips on hers.

With the tip of his tongue, he drew the outline of her lips then, oh, so slowly traced the seam across the middle. All her bones seemed to come loose in her body. She parted her lips to protest, but Duncan accepted her invitation, sliding his tongue between them most naturally.

Then he dallied. Dawdled. Meandered about in her mouth, touching, tasting, teasing, until finally she retaliated and stroked into him, hesitant at first, then with greater abandon.

She only came back to herself, to sanity, when he deserted her lips and she opened her eyes. Duncan was still seated on the bed. He frowned a little and ran his finger over the curves he had possessed.

“If that was ‘just a kiss,’ my lady, I will be happy to try again.”

I may not have followed all the rules, but I think the result works, don’t you? :)

 

Filed under: Craft, Jenna Jaxon, Only Scandal Will Do

What’s on Your Christmas Wish List This Year?

Every year my family and friends make a wish list.   I’ll share mine if you share yours.

1. I recently read a writer’s blog which said don’t buy them any more journals.  I love journals and sketchbooks that are hard bound.  Love love love beautiful journals and I actually write books in them.

2. Pens.  I love strange and unusual pens.  Dragon pens, Harry Potter pens, etc.

3. True Blood, the complete series.It’s over at the HBO store.  I also like the True Blood bottle flash drive.  http://store.hbo.com/true-blood-the-complete-series-dvd/detail.php?p=661234&v=hbo_shows_true-blood   I just love True Blood Stuff.

I can’t really think of anything else. I’m very fortunate to have things I enjoy, and people I love.

Now it’s your turn.  What’s on your Christmas Wish List? I’d love to hear what you love?

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

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, A writer's life, Harry Potter, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, True Blood, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampire television, vampires, Viking, Writer's Life, Yule

Do You Have Your List Ready? By Stacy Hoff

Do you have your New Year’s Resolution List ready yet? I sure as heck don’t. My indefinite goal is to keep running around in circles as if my rear-end is on fire and there’s no extinguisher in sight. Why? Because 2014, as wonderful as it was for me, had me dealing reactively, not proactively.

Hmmm. Maybe I should change all this.

Back in January, I didn’t expect to get “the call.” (Or in my case, an e-mail.) You know, the one writers all dream of, where a publisher finally tells you the words you’ve been desperate to hear, “We want your book.” As elated as I was, I quickly learned that all wonderful things come with a cost. I now had so many things I immediately needed to gear up for, from basic marketing techniques to social media. The stress of having to learn all these additional skills, and all at once, made me feel highly competitive with firefighters, running around from one emergency to the next.

So my goal for 2015 will now be to do things differently. Better. More organized. And at a slower pace. If I were to analogize the learning process to drinking beer—I’d equate it to wanting to take lady-like sips rather than doing a frat house chug.

Just sayin’.

For 2015, I will resolve to:

(1) anticipate, and prepare for, my needs well in advance of when I actually need them; and,

(2) be less obstinate, so I can overcome steep learning curves faster; and,

(3) Make time to keep writing actual books, despite all the marketing and social media stuff I’ve gotta do; and,

(4) above all, get my writing act together enough that I can spend more time with my family.

Whew! Good luck to me!

What’s your resolution for 2015? Have you prepared one yet?

 Find Stacy on Social Media:

www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff   Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

Desire in the Everglades is 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, Holiday, New Year, romance, Stacy Hoff

Meet Debut Author, Bobbi Lerman by Gerri Brousseau

Today I have a special treat for you. I have author, Bobbi Lerman, here with us to talk about her debut release, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” in the Holiday Box Set, “Season of Magic.” Please help me welcome her to Nights of Passion.

Welcome, Bobbi.

NOP: Please tell our readers about yourself (nothing personal). What do you usually write and what do you like to read?

Bobbi: I love to write medieval historical. The early fourteenth century is my preferred period, Scotland/England is the setting I’m most interested in, though, every once in a while I like to veer off and write a contemporary or a story set in the Regency period. My other passion as far as writing is travel essay.

I read everything, from historical romance, suspense, murder mystery, mainstream woman’s fiction, non-fiction, history, travel. If its interesting, if it has a good story than I want to read it. I recently finished reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and am now reading The Deer Effect by Susan Wingate

NOP: How has what you enjoy reading influenced your writing?

Bobbi: I’m not sure what I read consciously influences, me. I do know that reading makes me a better writer. I’m of the firm belief, that to be a good writer, you need to be a voracious reader.

NOP: I read the series and found your Hanukkah story heartwarming and so funny. What inspired you to write it and do you come from a family like Molly’s?

Bobbi: My mom and several of my aunts/cousins loved to play matchmaker, though they was nowhere near as successful as Tillie in the story. They were more like the Unholy Trio! As far as is my family like Molly’s? Hmmmm, lets just say I didn’t have to do a lot of research to come up with the character’s.

NOP: I see that the box set offers a recipe with each story. What are some of your favorite holiday goodies?

Bobbi: Well for Chanukah, I love potato latkes with homemade applesauce. (My dad made the best latkes in the world) Unlike Molly and Ben in the story, I love cabbage soup, which is traditional fare for this particular holiday. However, the Sufganiyot (deep fried jelly doughnuts I put in at the end of the story? My favorite!

NOP: What are some of your holiday traditions and how do they play a part in your story?

Bobbi: At home I light the menorah (I have one that I got when I lived in Israel for a year when I was 18. I have a few favorite CD’s with holiday music, I always put on. However the fun of the holiday is when the whole family, aunts, uncles, cousins, get together for a family Chanukah party every year. At sunset we light the menorah and sing the Chanukah prayers/blessing of the lit candles. We have a large, delicious dinner. Every year it’s a battle to get the Latkes out on the table because people are eating them as they are cooked. The little ones play the dreidel game (for chocolates). After dinner there are lots and lots of presents exchanged. And then we have dessert, after which everyone is usually in a food coma, LOL.

NOP: I know that you do travel blogs. How is the writing process different when writing a short novella?

Bobbi: The writing process is the same for both (at least for me). Both the travel essay and a short story, novella or full-length novel need a beginning, middle and end. The only difference is the travel piece is based on actual events, places, people I have experience first hand and the novella is peopled with characters and events wholly from my imagination.

Writing a travel piece is always in the first person (at least for me) and it’s based on actual events, places, people so it’s just a matter of laying it out.

NOP: Please tell us about your writing process. Do you plot it all out first, or just write as you go?

Bobbi: I know the main characters and a loose idea of the whole of the story. I have the first chapter and the last chapter worked out I write the ending right after I write the opening, other than that, the middle is the surprise.

NOP: What is the easiest part of writing? What’s the hardest?

Bobbi: The easiest for me is writing the beginning, the opening hook, getting all the character’s introduced and on the page. The hardest part; where I work full time, finding the time to write.

NOP: Where did you come up with the name “Tilly” and can we expect to see more from her?

Bobbi: My mom’s name was Tillie and I thought giving her name as the matchmaker was a wonderful way to honor her memory.

Yes, I’m working on a valentine novella that features Tillie!

NOP: Can we have a short excerpt from your story?

From the corner of her eye Tillie spotted the flash of red sprint toward the emergency room entrance. Long wavy hair, the color of deep, burnt copper streamed out behind the woman. Light blue animal printed pants, scrubs the hospital people called them, peeked out from beneath her long coat as her white sneakered feet pounded the pavement. From the way she moved, the woman emanated a no-nonsense demeanor, her expression holding not even the smallest hint of a smile. She could sense the thick, hard protective shell covering the woman’s heart from where she sat.

First stopping to help a woman navigate her wheelchair up the incline of the ramp to where the doors of the emergency room whooshed open, Tillie watched as her potential rescue paused at the threshold, hesitated and turned her gaze toward Tillie. Their eyes locked. With one instantaneous glimpse into the woman’s dark, stormy eyes, Tillie could see that despite the well of disappointment, hurt and betrayal reflected in them, a tiny fleck of hope survived as well. And, in that one quick, fleeting moment, Tillie knew her waiting time had ended. The decision to take on this assignment was made. After all, eyes the color of a wild sea had to be a sign. Blue was her favorite color after all. Perhaps she had one more Chanukah miracle in her.

NOP: I’m so excited for our followers to read Matchmaker, Matchmaker. It was so funny and heartwarming. I really loved it. But please do tell, what are you working on now?

Bobbi: Right now I’m working on a novella that will be part of another anthology due out for the Valentine holiday. It’s titled Valentine Belle!

Thank you for being here and sharing with us today, Bobbi. For those of you who would like to follow Bobbi, you should know that she is the founder of the Facebook page Scribblers Ink and she welcomes you to join. If you want to follow her, the links are listed below.

http://www.scribblersink.com

http://www.facebook.com/groups/scribblersink2013/

http://scribblersinkblog.wordpress.com

https://twitter.com/scribblersinked

Readers if you are interested in getting a copy of her very funny debut novella, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, which is in the box set, Season of Magic, please follow this link.

Season of Magic (Holiday Box Set)

The End

What two famous and significant words! It is the end of my vacation and I really could cry. Thanksgiving was wonderful as was seeing my family and I’m pretty much out of days off for the rest of the year or more. Still, as I reflect back on these last couple weeks, I can’t help but think how there are some things that really do have a beginning and an end. We think so much in circles (the shape of the earth, the cycle/circle of life, the routines of our days, etc.) that I feel like the sudden end of my vacation came as a surprise. I mean sure there will probably be others in the future which in a way feeds into that whole “cycle” but I was so excited for this beginning and I’m so sad at the end and these are two very definite feelings.

At some point, I have to wonder if someone realized these defining moments with books. How is it there is such a prominent start and such a definite end? Where did once upon a time come from and who placed that first “the end” on the tail end of a book? I could probably spend some time researching the answers to my questions on google but honestly the mystery makes it all the more fun. As this year starts to wind down and come to a close, I can’t help but ask how this “end” is going to turn out and will 2015 “begin” in a very different way than this current year. Or do all of these beginnings and endings just feed into some greater cycle? I’ll let you decide how it plays out for you– I’ve still got to figure out what’s in the cards for me, most especially when it comes to writing!

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Nanowrimo’s Over by Mandy Rosko

Nanowrimo’s done, I won! Yay! I’m also a little beat. The story isn’t finished. Another chapter left to go, but I’m insanely proud of getting 50 thousand words done when I already had to write a LOT of words for other stories I was working on. There was almost no free time, and when I had appointments to do anything else, there were nights when I thought I wasn’t going to make it, but I managed it, and I’m beyond happy with it :3

Also, I bought the Winner shirt, and now I get to wear it and strut around and do all that other good stuff with it. It looks so amazing. Here’s the pic on the Nanowrimo website for you all to see:

Weirdly enough, I’m kind of sad now that it’s over. I’ve looked forward to the end to take a breather, but I’m legitimately saddened that it’s over. Weird :/

Okay, now, onto something other than Nanowrimo. I’m going to commission the Burns Like Fire cover to be touched up, and I’ve also decided to put it into print, which is going to be so amazing. I really love the cover artist I’ve gotten to work on this, and I hope he has the time to do these extra things I’ve asked for. Right now the book is off with the formatter to be done for Print and e-format. After speaking with some of the authors in the Captured box set, I decided to bring the book out a bit prematurely and sell it on its own. I’m hoping that will be all right, but now that I have the first draft of the third book in the series nearly finished, I think it’s a good time :)

I’ll post more about the series when I get details on my newsletter since Facebook is changing their policies.

Cheers,

-Mandy

Captured Box Set is Now Available!

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

Newsletter: http://rizzorosko.com/contact.html
Filed under: romance

Dark Skies Weekly Paranormal-Scope by Susan Hanniford Crowley

As the days grow shorter, the nights last longer and the stars are diamonds against a dark sky.  Now is the last soft reprieve before the frozen world embraces us.  Gather goods and friends and family.  Make a list and stay organized.

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:

Aslan purrs and takes an extra cat nap. Get more rest, eat healthy and stay well.

Taurus:

Pegasus admires you and offers you a view from the top.  Appreciate help from others that want to help further your career.

Gemini:

Gnomes are baking like crazy. Learn to make something new to share with friends.

Cancer:

Vampires are great dressers but also know when to blend in and keep a low profile. Avoid trouble when you see it coming.

Leo:

Werewolves have allergies.  Some are allergic to wool so no lamb chops for them.  Be cautious about new foods.

Virgo:

Shapeshifters are checking out some new equipment ranging from computers to snow blowers.  Choose wisely.

Libra:

Pixies sprinkle faery dust on your front door. Company is coming.

Scorpio:

Dragon rally to protect loved ones.  There are tough decisions ahead. Know that you are loved.

Sagittarius:

Mermaids are diving deep.  Dark creatures abound brought in by a storm surge.  Some things you just have to wait out.

Capricorn:

Stay warm and eat healthy.  Listen to the calm of your heart, and if stressed curl up in a dragon’s nest for protection.  You are in that fragile stage of creation.  Guard yourself.

Aquarius:

Goblins love money.  When you have some to spend, look for the bargains from reputable dealers.

Pisces:

The Faery Queen has noticed you.  A gift awaits you this week.  Keep a sharp eye out for the unexpected.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

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, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

What I Learned This Week: Breathing in A Special Moment by Susan Hanniford Crowley

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it.

During the holiday season, it’s important to slow down and breath in life. Enjoy the simple things with those you cherish. You don’t want to miss what is really important. It might be turkey dinner with family. It could be tree trimming with the smallest person in your family, made more special being that this was her first tree trimming.  My granddaughter didn’t want to stop putting ornaments on the tree. She will be two and a half in January.  It’s not a great photo but it shows Grandma (me) next to Penny and my daughter (Penny’s mom) putting ornaments on top.  Penny’s smile was as big as mine.  She moved so fast it was difficult catching her in a moment.  That’s what memories are for.

What is your special moment?

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Bestselling vampire romance author

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, the romance of life, Vampire King of New York, Writer's Life

This Black Friday, Let’s Stay Out of The Red by Stacy Hoff

I hope every American had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday. The coming together of family members, and giving thanks, is what makes this holiday such a wonderful tradition.

Is Black Friday a holiday, too? One with its own traditions? It must be. Like everyone else I know, I have shopped-till-I-dropped, lured by all the after-Thanksgiving Day sales.

I’m competitive, I admit it. In the past, I’ve gotten up at 6:00 AM to beat all the other shoppers out. Only to have arrived too late. The super-bargains already snatched up, hours before. I’ve cringed as the sale signs mocked me.

Now that some stores are opening up on Thanksgiving night, I am officially waving the white flag. But instead of defeat, I will have victory. No 36-inch curved TV for only $100, but still a smile on my face. Because this Black Friday, I’m at home with my family. My new holiday tradition.

Heck, I won’t even be picking up a book. Or pounding away on my computer. It’s a day off to enjoy. And for that, I’m truly thankful.

How are you spending this Black Friday?

Find Stacy on Social Media:

www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff   Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

Desire in the Everglades can be found 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, Holiday, holiday traditions, Holidays, Stacy Hoff, Writer's life